: , , , , - 28 . By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 2 (PTI) Sona BLW Precision Forgings a part of Sona Group, has augmented production capacity at its Hungary plant by 40 per cent thus taking the total capacity to 3.9 million pieces per year. The boost in production capacity of the manufacturing unit has resulted in total capacity of 3.9 million pieces per year with a targeted annual sale of 1.5 billion Hungarian Forint. advertisement "Our Hungary plant expansion offers us advantages to maintain cost-efficiency, transfer of certain aspects of our production and also remain close to the market," Sona Group Group CEO Sunjay Kapur said in a statement. In three years, the company plans to double production capacity at the Hungary manufacturing facility to 7.8 million pieces per year. Sona BLW exports auto components to leading global automotive players such as MAN, Scania, Daimler, John Deere, American Axle, Linamar, CNH and DANAs. The companys customer base also includes key OEMs such as Maruti Suzuki, Tata, TAFE, Mahindra & Mahindra, ITL, John Deere, Escorts, DICV Trucks India, Volvo Eicher and New Holland India. PTI MSS SBT --- ENDS --- Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 01/06/2017 (1988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The woman whose body was found this week near the Manitoba-Minnesota border by U.S. officials was trying to cross into Canada with the goal of reuniting with her daughter in Toronto, the Ghanaian Union of Manitoba said Thursday. Mavis Otuteye, 57, was reported missing May 25 and was seen in Kittson County on May 22. Her body was found May 26 in a ditch outside the hamlet of Noyes, Minn. American authorities have said she may have died of hypothermia. Frank Indome, vice-president of the Winnipeg-based non-profit Ghanaian community organization, confirmed it had made contact with Otuteyes daughter in Toronto. Facebook Mavis Otuteye According to information the organization has been able to piece together from the daughter and other sources, Otuteye made the journey from her home in Delaware where she had been living for quite a while to Minnesota with the goal of crossing the border and eventually making her way to the Ontario capital, Indome said. The daughter has a little baby girl. The mom was trying to get (to) her to help out, he said. It looks as if (Otuteye) did not have proper documentation, and thats why she did not go through the formal channels of getting a visa into Canada. She had been reading about migrants crossing the border into Canada, so she felt she could do the same in order to get to the daughter Unfortunately, she met her death, Indome said. It appears Otuteyes intent was to plead her case (after crossing) the border, but she did not get to do that. The death has weighed on the Manitoba Ghanaian community of roughly 1,000, Indome said. Weve been in the news for the past year it hasnt been good news, he said, pointing to the tale of asylum seekers Razak Iyal, 35, and Seidu Mohammed, 24, who crossed into Manitoba from the U.S. on Christmas Eve. Mohammed lost all his fingers to frostbite, and Iyal lost all but his thumbs after the underdressed pair were caught in temperatures approaching -30 C during their trek. They nearly died they lost both hands, Indome said. Now, we have a death. Its just unfortunate. Its had an impact on our membership. On behalf of the local Ghanaian community, Indome issued a plea to those in the U.S. looking to make a similar journey: It is not as simple as people are made to believe. Its treacherous and at night, it may not be safe if you dont know the routes, he said. Were trying to get out there is for people to stay put, (use proper channels into Canada) and not put themselves in such an unwarranted situation. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 01/06/2017 (1988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Thirty years after he was convicted of first-degree murder, Frank Ostrowski is another step closer to arguing his wrongful-conviction appeal in Manitobas highest court. The 67-year-old appeared in court Thursday as his case moves forward in the Manitoba Court of Appeal. A court-ordered publication ban means no details of Thursdays hearing can be published to protect the identity of witnesses who may be called to testify a rare move because appeal courts dont usually consider new evidence. As of yet, no date has been set for the appeal to be heard by a panel of judges, who will be tasked with reviewing the evidence used to convict Ostrowski. JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Frank Ostrowski (left) and one of his lawyers, James Lockyer, founding director of the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted. Ostrowski, a former hairstylist and cocaine dealer, spent 23 years in prison after he was convicted of ordering the 1986 drug-related shooting death of 22-year-old Robert Nieman. He was one of three people convicted in Niemans death, but Ostrowski has always claimed hes innocent. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years, with a concurrent 15-year sentence for cocaine trafficking. His earlier appeal in Manitoba and leave to appeal the conviction at the Supreme Court of Canada were both denied, but Ostrowski was granted bail and released from prison in 2009 after new information came to light about how the case was prosecuted in 1987. Lawyers representing Ostrowski learned a secret deal had been made with a key Crown witness who testified against Ostrowski during the trial. The witness agreed to testify in exchange for having a cocaine-trafficking charge against him dropped. The jury was told no such agreement had been made. The federal government sent the case to the appeal court for review in 2014, citing a reasonable likelihood of a wrongful conviction. Since then, the case has been inching closer to a Court of Appeal hearing. Ostrowski is being represented by Winnipeg lawyer Alan Libman and Toronto-based lawyer James Lockyer, founding director of the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted. katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 01/06/2017 (1988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Organized labour will challenge the Pallister governments wage-control bill within two weeks, Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck declared Thursday. Theyre eliminating the right to bargain. We believe this law is unconstitutional, its unfair, its unnecessary, Rebeck said in an interview. He expected a legal challenge will be filed in Court of Queens Bench within two weeks. BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck calls the Pallister government's new wage-control bill unconstitutional, unfair and unnecessary. Rebeck said the newly formed and growing-by-the-day Partnership to Defend Public Services coalition of unions said it doesnt matter whether the Tories do not proclaim the bill technically, the bill would have passed in the legislature, but the government could hold it back as a threat, with the ability to put it into law any time. Rebeck said the unions believe they can take the bill to court even if its not proclaimed. We believe the impact is being felt already, Rebeck said. Theres not a public-sector employer and even some private-sector employers putting anything on the table but zero, zero, 0.75 and 1.0. Theyre saying thats the new norm. Rebeck said the United Food and Commercial Workers has started bargaining with a private-sector employer offering nothing higher than the provinces public-sector controls, though he could not name that company Thursday. Bargaining has begun with the University of Manitoba for a new faculty deal and with some smaller health-care bargaining units, who have been without a collective bargaining agreement since March 31. Also complicating bargaining is the refusal of regional health authorities to bargain with most of the 30,000 health-care employees without a deal since March 31, including 12,000 nurses, said Rebeck. We want to bargain today, Rebeck said. Rebeck said the unions suspect, but have not been told, RHAs are refusing to bargain because they believe Bill 29 may take precedence. The bill was scheduled to be passed Thursday night, significantly reducing the 182 health-care bargaining units in Manitoba. Under rules agreed to by all parties, if it passes, it wont be in force unless and until the cabinet proclaims the bill. It would establish a fixed number of bargaining units for each region and for each province-wide health employer. The bill would create a commissioner responsible for determining the composition of the bargaining units and conducting a vote of employees to select a single bargaining agent. However, it is not clear in Bill 29 if all that has to happen before the existing bargaining units can negotiate their next collective bargaining agreement. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and premiers office had no immediate comment Thursday. The Pallister government has made it very clear theyre using heavy-handed legislation, Rebeck said. Its ridiculous for them to go that hard and not even bargain. Premier Brian Pallister refused Thursday to say if his government will proclaim Bill 28 imposing wage controls on 120,000 public-sector workers. Labour fears the province could hold the bill in abeyance as a weapon it could use any time if it doesnt get compliance at the bargaining table. Pallister wouldnt discuss that Thursday. What we demonstrated is the importance of the issue. We have to get control of our finances, Pallister told reporters Thursday. The courts could decide organized labour cannot challenge the bill in court until the bill is proclaimed. The bill imposes controls on public-sector workers on their next collective bargaining agreement: zero increase for two years, followed by a 0.75 per cent maximum increase in wages and benefits in the third year, and 1.0 per cent in the fourth year. Public-sector workers are paid about $10 billion a year. Pallister said Thursday he wants organized labour to work with the Tories to control spending. Im confident in the need for us to partner and work together. Im asking for the co-operation and support of our labour union leaders, the premier said. Lets get the partisanship and chuck it to the side. On the other hand, Pallister acknowledged, I know theyre interested in trying to push back. nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 01/06/2017 (1988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. As a Winnipeg man admitted to possessing child pornography and directing the live-streamed abuse of a young boy over the Internet, law enforcement officials across the border still havent been able to find and rescue the child. Greg Alan Jamieson, 45, pleaded guilty Thursday to four child pornography-related offences. He admitted to possessing a collection of images of infants and toddlers who were being abused, and to using an online video chat service to encourage a male caregiver in the U.S. to sexually abuse a boy who appeared to be between six and eight years old. The U.S. department of Homeland Security got involved in an investigation to track down the child and the American suspect, and that investigation is still active, Crown attorney Katie Dojack told court Thursday. Unfortunately, to date the child has not been located, she said. Provincial court Judge Dale Harvey accepted Jamiesons guilty pleas, which the accused offered via a video appearance from Milner Ridge Correctional Centre. Jamieson was arrested after he uploaded a child porn image to a chat room site in June 2016 and the Winnipeg Police Services Internet Child Exploitation unit learned the image had come from a local Internet protocol address. When police searched his St. James home in November 2016, they found several child porn images as well as the Skype conversation in which Jamieson had posed as a woman to encourage the U.S. man to sexually abuse the boy. He was initially released on bail, but he violated his bail conditions by continuing to work in a retail job where he had Internet access and came into contact with young people. He is set to be sentenced in November. katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 01/06/2017 (1988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Premier Brian Pallister refuses to say whether his government intends to privatize the provinces home care services. The union representing more than 2,100 city home care workers has sounded the alarm over privatization after learning the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority intends to contract out a new home care program. The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union is worried outsourcing the new enhanced home care service being introduced as part of the governments Winnipeg hospital reorganization plan represents the first step in the privatization of all home care services. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Brian Pallister responds to questions from the media during scrum after the last session in the house before summer break at the Manitoba Legislative Building, Thursday. Pallister refused to clarify the matter Thursday when the issue was raised by the NDP in the legislature. He said the New Democrats privatized several health services and procedures when they were in office and are now attempting to score political points with their backers in the labour movement. There was more privatization done by the previous administration in their term of office in terms of delivering health-care services than at any time in Manitoba history, and with less results, the premier told the media afterwards. Pressed further by reporters to clarify his governments intentions, Pallister said, Im not going to be closed-minded about getting better results for Manitobans. The WRHA cannot contract out more than 20 per cent of home care services in Winnipeg under the terms of its collective agreement with the MGEU. The provision dates back to the mid-1990s, when Gary Filmons Progressive Conservatives were in power. However, the current agreement expires in less than a year, on March 31, 2018, raising concerns among union officials the Pallister government may attempt to amend the clause. This government committed to protect and improve public services, and privatizing home care is the exact opposite. It would threaten patient care and drive up costs, MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky said in a statement late Thursday. NDP health critic Matt Wiebe said hes disappointed the premier and his health minister, Kelvin Goertzen, refused to reveal their intentions Thursday. We want to see answers, and Manitobans want to see a clear answer from this government. If this is the direction theyre going (privatization), they should stand up clearly and say it. They should make that clear to all Manitobans, and theyre not, Wiebe said. Only Pallister spoke to the media about the home care issue after question period. The government, citing a news blackout because of the Point Douglas byelection, refused to make Goertzen available for comment because he had not been asked about the matter in the house. Wiebe noted the Tories, under Gary Filmon, had experimented with the privatization of home care but abandoned it. A Free Press report in December 1997 stated the PCs pulled the plug on a one-year experiment with privatized home care in two areas of Winnipeg. Then-health minister Darren Praznik said an initial assessment of the governments contract with a private-sector provider convinced him that the public system was more cost-effective and only needed minor improvements. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Yet another problem has been identified inside the Winnipeg Police Services troubled downtown headquarters. Civic officials say police havent been able to use the buildings firearms analysis lab since the move from the Public Safety Building because its heating and ventilation system was designed improperly. As a result, firearms testing has to be done elsewhere. The faulty HVAC system has caused problems in the bio/chem labs, an administrative report to the property and development committee says. TREVOR HAGAN/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Police Headquarters building. Officials want the committee to authorize $751,000 to fix the HVAC problems, stating it is critical the work be done. Councillors on the committee will consider the report and the funding request at Tuesdays meeting. Officials say aside from the design issue affecting WPS operations, firearms testing is a key support element in an upcoming Manitoba Justice Department gun-amnesty program. Off-site firearms testing has added loading, unloading and transporting weapons to staff requirements, which has increased operational costs, the report states. And there are additional security risks associated with transporting seized weapons. The HVAC issues will come as a surprise to councillors, as police supposedly had identified all building deficiencies last September. The transformation of the former Canada Post warehouse on Graham Avenue was completed late and over budget and was the subject of a damning property audit. The RCMP is currently investigating allegations of fraudulent billings by the general contractor and suspected bribes to individuals involved in monitoring the project, including city halls former chief administrative officer. No charges have been laid. The report says the funds to repair the HVAC system will be taken from money left over from the projects final budget. It is critical the remaining capital funds in the HQ project be directed to the HVAC modification work so that all workplace health and safety concerns are addressed as early as possible, it says. The report suggests the city could eventually recover the costs from the systems designers. The original cost of the purchase of the Canada Post office building and warehouse and renovations was approved in 2009 at $135 million but ultimately climbed to $213.5 million. An August 2015 rainstorm caused $8 million in damages, flooding the buildings underground parkade, which resulted in the city having to replace two electrical transformers serving the police building and three transformers for the adjoining 11-storey tower. That postponed the move into the building, which was finally completed last July. aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In February 2015, a radioactive thyroid cancer patient in Winnipeg went rogue, leaving the hospital after undergoing radionuclide therapy against medical advice and posing a public health hazard. There was someone with really radioactive body fluid out there, somewhere in the city, said Jeff Dovyak, radiation safety co-ordinator for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Anything they touch, spit on or urinate on is radioactive. He tracked down the out-of-town patient, who had joined their partner at a downtown hotel, contaminating the room and putting hotel staff, other guests and anyone the patient came into contact with at risk. The hot room was more than just a public health hazard, with several people coming and going from it. It was potentially deadly, Dovyak learned, after finding weapons including a modified hacksaw and a sawed-off shotgun swaddled in highly radioactive towels in a gym bag under one of the two beds. Neither the public nor the media heard about the incident until Thursday, when Dovyak, one of the experts tasked with controlling and cleaning up after it discussed it at the Manitoba Disaster Management Conference at Canad Inns Polo Park. Although a situation involving a radioactive patient refusing to stay in hospital or to self-isolate at home is rare, it could happen again, said Dovyak. BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Jeff Dovyak says a patient who left after being treated with radioactive material put anyone they came into contact with at risk. We dont have a legal basis to detain the patient, the longtime radiation safety co-ordinator said. Currently, theres nothing that allows them to be confined. There are no control measures under the Public Health Act for radioactive patients that pose exposure or contamination hazards, Dovyak said. A spokeswoman for the province said Thursday that under the Public Health Act, a medical officer of health can issue an order if they reasonably believe a person has been exposed to a contaminant (radiation, radioactive material, biological matter that causes disease, etc.), presents a serious and immediate threat to public health and refuses to take necessary action to deal with the threat. They could be detained in isolation in a health facility, and law enforcement officers could apprehend them and take them there, she said. Thats not the answer Dovyak got when he asked health officials about what to do to prevent a similar situation. He said they suggested he try to incentivize appropriate behaviour. Dovyak said he has no idea how they could have incentivized the 20-year-old runaway patient to stay. Patients previously hospitalized Until about 15 years ago, Iodine-131 radionuclide therapy patients were hospitalized, even though most dont need nursing care and many dont feel sick, he said. They were kept in hospital to protect other people because I-131, as its known, emits gamma rays similar to X-rays but with much higher energy. After getting I-131 treatment, patients excrete radioactive I-131 through their urine and body fluids for up to 72 hours. After lobbying regulators, patients won the right to isolate themselves at home, Dovyak said. Now, most receive the treatment as outpatients, except for those who live far away and have to rely on public transportation to get there, and patients residing with young children or a pregnant women. There were fewer than 40 patients in Manitoba receiving the treatment last year, Dovyak said. The patient just pushed me out of the way, went out the door, got in a taxi and left. -Safety officer The radioactive patient who took off in 2015 lived too far away to be treated as an outpatient, said Dovyak, who didnt identify their community, name or gender for privacy reasons. The hospitals radiation safety officer and nuclear medicine physician counselled the patient and their partner about the hazards of radioactivity and why it was important for the patient to be isolated in the hospital for a few days, he said. Both indicated they understood and agreed but, a couple of hours after the patient drank the radionuclide therapy, Dovyak said he got a call from the hospitals radiation safety officer saying, Im worried. I think this persons just going to leave. While Dovyak was trying to contact someone at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for advice after-hours, the safety officer called back, saying, The patient just pushed me out of the way, went out the door, got in a taxi and left. They were able to find the person at the hotel room because Health Canada officials had arranged for the patients travelling companion to stay there. Before going to the hotel, Dovyak enlisted the help of Manitoba Conservation environmental officers (they have pretty broad jurisdiction, he said), a CancerCare Manitoba radiation protection officer and two WRHA radiation safety officers. He and his radiation safety assistant, Daniel Lapkoff, took contamination meters, dose-rate survey meters, extra protective equipment and documentation supplies to the hotel, where they met the manager as well as several unexpected and unregistered guests. Just about everything we checked was radioactive When we got to the hotel lobby, we were met by someone trying to get into the room, said Dovyak. It wasnt the patient or their travelling companion, he said. She wanted to get her purse. She was really agitated, Dovyak said. The door to the room was opened from inside by someone who wasnt the patient or their companion, he said. The radiation experts went in and checked the womans purse for contamination. It was one of very few things in the room that was uncontaminated, so they gave it to her. Just about everything we checked was radioactive, said Dovyak. The two armchairs in the room were 20 times the level of background radiation anything twice the level of background radiation is considered contaminated, he said. The trash bag in the closet was 100 times that, the sink and toilet were 80, the washroom floor was 70, the telephone handset was 50 times and the bed was 18 times background radiation. Everything we measured was contaminated, Dovyak said. Im used to some contamination, but this was a lot. What we could, we bagged and tagged with radiation warning signs. He said hotter bags were taken back to the hospital for secure storage. Warm radioactive waste was left in the room, and it was sealed off with radioactive warning tape, all keycards to access the room were cancelled, and staff members were ordered to stay out. Patient fled a second time The patient was found and returned to isolation at the hospital but fled again. The hotel called to say the patients partner returned there and asked to retrieve their items and left when they couldnt. Dovyak said he discovered the patient was staying with a relative where no young children or pregnant women resided. On Louis Riel Day, the patient contacted Dovyak to find out how to get their contaminated possessions back. He said to contact the hospital in May, when theyd be safely decontaminated. A patient taking off on us it had never happened here before Maybe its never happened before in Canada. -Jeff Dovyak On Feb. 23, Dovyak and Lapkoff returned to the hotel room to decontaminate it. The bathroom door was removed so the entire area could be cleaned. There was a lot of elbow grease scrubbing and rubbing, he said. They checked the carpets and found a radioactive hot spot and cleaned it. When they tried to move a bed to get at the rest of the carpet, something was jammed underneath. It was a gym bag, and it seemed really radioactive. When they opened it, they found super-radioactive towels wrapped around a sawed-off shotgun, Dovyak said. The gun wasnt contaminated, and they contacted Winnipeg police, who took it away. The situation was pretty unique, said Dovyak. A patient taking off on us it had never happened here before, Dovyak said. Maybe its never happened before in Canada. Finding the weapons was alarming, but the high levels of radioactivity in a hotel room where guests and staff were unaware of it was a bigger worry. Its a real hazard. If you got some radioactive contamination on your skin, if you had a cut or got it on your hands and didnt wash them then ate an apple, it could kill the thyroid. They decided handling the public health situation quietly was best. Instead of putting warning tape up outside the entrance to the room, they put it just inside the door of the hotel room, which staff were ordered not to enter, Dovyak said. We didnt want to cause panic to people in the hotel, Dovyak said. There was a concern that news of the radioactive room would spread. We didnt want to spin up the media. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca By Indo-Asian News Service: Indians are widely opting to travel to unexplored destinations and have been quite experimental with their travelling choices, according to experts. Alankar Chandra, co-founder and CEO of wildlife and nature tourism firm Wild Voyager, and a report by Make My Trip (online travel services firm) have pointed a few summer travel trends this year: 1. Indians this summer have shown interest in travelling to previously unexplored destinations like Digha and North-East's less visited places like Gangtok, Shillong, Kalimpong and Lachung. advertisement In the quest to explore the unmapped destinations, travellers are not hesitating before spending for offbeat destinations on international front. This includes the last remaining wilderness like Iceland and Antarctica, or locations like the Bahamas or the Caribbean islands that have so far have largely attracted the elite Europeans. Even corporate executives and professionals are now booking luxury chalets in Switzerland or beach-houses on the Mediterranean coast--locations that were so far the preserve of the truly rich Indians. 2. More young Indians between the age group of 18-24 are travelling this summer. 3. Sustainable tourism will be a major consumer demand. An increasing number of tourists is conscious of the environmental impact of international travel and enquiring about steps they can take to mitigate the impact of their travel. A majority of urban tourists are wanting to learn about how can they leave little to no ecological footprint behind when they undertake a wildlife tour. 4. Women have been increasingly taking solo or women-only trips. A growing number of international destinations are attracting women because hotels and other stakeholders have made conscious efforts to make travelling more comfortable and safe for women. A significant number of women is stepping out of the comfort zones to have more personal and enriching travel experiences. Solo female travel is now a major trend in India regardless of her marital status. 5. Wildlife photography tours are gaining popularity. While African safaris have always been on the agenda of high-end tourists, growing numbers of middle-level corporate executives are now combining wildlife safaris with guided photography tours. There has been a dramatic rise in the number of travellers looking to experience premier wildlife destinations such as Masai Mara or Costa Rica by coupling it with wildlife and nature photography activities. Destinations like Masai Mara, Iceland, Croatia, South of Italy, Tasmania, and Madagascar are likely to remain hot this year. 6. Culinary tourism is a delight for food lovers who look forward to exotic food experiences in far-away lands. Along with an enriching travel experience, lot many travellers are opting to get a taste of the local culture and kitchen. The surge in food tourism has also led to an increase in the number of specialised tour operators taking care of culinary tourism market. advertisement While Italy, Thailand, and Japan have been hot destinations that offer the world of authentic culinary treats, Beijing is fast becoming the top global destination and ranks first on culinary tourism. --- ENDS --- Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Last weekend, the Conservative Party of Canada chose Andrew Scheer from among 13 candidates to be its new leader. There is also a race underway for the leadership of the national New Democratic Party, involving six official candidates. Meanwhile, in Manitoba, both the Liberals and the NDP are engaged in the search for new leaders. All of the parties staging leadership contests are currently in opposition. In casting leadership votes, delegates are mainly concerned with finding someone who can win, or at least improve the partys fortunes at the next election. The assumption is that once a new leader is chosen, everything else will fall into place: membership numbers will increase, atrophied constituency associations will be revived, new political talent will emerge, money will be raised and new policy ideas will be found. JEN DOERKSEN/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Wab Kinew is running for the provincial NDP leadership. In this era of personalized politics and the marketing of political brands, leadership clearly matters a great deal to short-term political success. However, parties are meant to serve the wider purpose of helping to set directions for the societies they serve and for this purpose they need to become learning organizations that are prepared and willing to govern with foresight. Like other organizations within society, political parties operate in more complicated, dynamic and unpredictable environments. Ancient ideological traditions and long-standing policy positions often do not match the requirements of the present day, let alone anticipated future societal conditions. Parties aspire to govern societies, but they are often poorly governed themselves. A number of incentives and constraints make it difficult for them to become learning organizations. Often there is a conflict between the requirements for short-term political success and the need to respond creatively to the long-term needs of societies. Parties devote more energy, time and money to communications strategies and political tactics than to policy development, and often what works best in terms of electoral success is only incrementally different from past positions. Political parties have a real difficulty with acknowledging their mistakes. Instead of learning, the predominant dynamic of political competition involves the governing party striving to avoid mistakes and spinning its accomplishments, while the opposition parties concentrate on naming, blaming and shaming their political rivals for mistakes and misdeeds. This adversarial process is meant to identify the truth and lead to greater accountability, but often it simplifies and distorts the real issues involved with modern governing. Moreover, many Canadians are fed up with this automatic, extreme partisanship that blocks the search for consensus and discourages learning within the political process. Increasingly, parties use sophisticated intelligence gathering from multiple sources to target their messages at those segments of the audiences inclined to support their policy positions, to the extent these are defined. This communications approach leads to political fragmentation and polarization and prevents parties from aggregating interests and values to define what is in the broad public interest. A party that spends a long period in office tends to live off investments in policy capital made earlier. Prime ministers and ministers are preoccupied with the daily challenges of governing, including the almost-daily battle for favourable headlines in an era of permanent campaigning. The party tends to be neglected as a source of policy advice. Instead, leaders of the governing party come to rely on the permanent public service for policy ideas. Anticipating what their political masters want to hear and based on their investment in existing policy approaches, senior public servants tend to be cautious and incremental in their policy advice. After one or two terms in office, the policy cupboard of a governing party may not be completely bare, but it usually needs serious restocking. Whether in government or opposition, Canadian political parties have invested limited time and money in policy development. There have been policy conferences and platform documents produced, but these exercises usually involve only elites from within and outside of the individual parties. Only a minimal role in policy-making has been assigned to rank-and-file members of parties, although some parties do better on this score than others. At times, even MPs and MLAs feel left out of the policy-formulation process. Not everyone wants to be a policy thinker, but there are rank-and-file members who want to be more that donors and loyal voters come election time. In combination, these conditions make it difficult for political parties to respond creatively and boldly to fundamental changes in society. Most likely, Canadians will have to rely mainly on the work of other organizations and individuals to prepare the country for the future. Paul G. Thomas is a professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 01/06/2017 (1988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. We dont torture people in Manitoba, right? Unlike barbarians with medieval devices such as the rack or modern-day techniques such as waterboarding, Manitobans would not knowingly inflict pain on other Manitobans, would we? Ask the hundreds of people regularly kept in solitary confinement in Manitoba. They are entombed for 23 hours a day in cells about the size of a horse stall, outfitted with only a cot and a toilet. This constitutes torture psychological torture according to a growing body of medical research and a report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture. Office of the Correctional Investigator / The Canadian Press Solitary confinement cell They conclude solitary confinement for periods longer than 15 days can have severe psychological consequences, including hallucinations, panic attacks, major depression and reduced brain function. One study suggests such damage can be irreversible. Like slavery was in its day, solitary confinement is a normalized, inhumane practice, on which we will one day look back and wonder why and how it was tolerated for so long, Debra Parkes wrote last year in an opinion piece during her tenure as associate dean in the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. Fortunately, Canadas federal corrections agency is considering changes to its rules regarding solitary confinement. Under the proposed guidelines, prison officials would not be able to isolate inmates who are suicidal or have serious mental-health problems. The proposed changes would also double the minimum time to two hours daily segregated prisoners are allowed out of their cells. But prison-reform advocates say the proposed changes dont go far enough, and that there is an urgent need for federal and provincial institutions to be more transparent about the practice. Manitobas federal prison, Stony Mountain Institution, is relatively open with information about solitary confinement in comparison to Manitobas provincial institutions, which include Winnipeg Remand Centre, Headingley Correctional Centre and the Womens Correctional Centre. In response to a request for information by the Free Press last week, the justice department would not say how long, on average, inmates are isolated, only that the maximum for continuous disciplinary segregation is 45 days. With the proposed changes at the federal level, Manitobas provincial government should review the provincial use of segregation and be more publicly accountable on details of how long prisoners are held in the hole, as solitary confinement is disparagingly known. The provincial review should also include possible alternatives to solitary confinement to afford prison staff better ways to punish inmates who break rules, and protect prisoners who are in danger in the general population. It wont be an easy fix, given chronic overcrowding in Manitobas provincial institutions which, according to 2016 statistics, had 2,555 inmates in seven institutions with a total capacity for only 2,010 inmates. Its likely some citizens will not immediately feel sympathy for prisoners held in solitary confinement. They would opine that jails are supposed to be tough and criminals get what they deserve. But even people who summarize their views with slogans such as Dont do the crime if you cant do the time should acknowledge these prisoners will someday be released onto the streets of Manitoba. If the freed prisoners have been psychologically damaged by long stints in solitary confinement, the public is less safe. Forensic psychologist Joe Dvoskin has studied the effects of solitary confinement on prisoners. Some people have told me theyve been locked down so long theyre fearful of their own behaviour if theyre around human beings, he said in an interview with a publication of the American Psychological Association. Prisoners shouldnt emerge from jails more dangerous to the public than when they went in. That in itself is enough reason to stop the torture. A California man is accused of maliciously recording a Winona woman and threatening her with publishing them. Zacharty Mikel Biddle, 37, San Diego, Calif., was charged with nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images-intentionally disseminating images without consent. A Winona State student came to the police in March with complaints of blackmail, according to the report. She had gone to a bed and breakfast with Biddle in Florida after knowing him briefly and meeting him through a friend. During the trip, according to the complaint, Biddle had wanted to have a sexual relationship with the victim, but she did not and refused. Since she returned from Florida she received two emails from Biddle, which included a screenshot of a video and a short video of the victim in the bathroom in Florida. The report said the video was labeled preview video and on of the emails said think if everyone at your school saw these videos ... Later in March Biddle sent an image to the victims work through an online photo processing service that was at her work, which could be viewed by the victims co-workers. The complaint alleges that Biddle was angry that the victim wouldnt sleep with him in Florida, and when investigators talked to him about it he said he knew her but denied any recording and said he had cut off contact with her. He described their relationship as friendly, but said she was mean and aggressive on the trip to Florida. When asked if he bought the camera there or brought it himself, Biddle became upset and wouldnt answer anymore questions. He is currently in California. Zachary Mikel Biddle, 37, San Diego, Calif., is charged with nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images-intentionally disseminating images without consent. An Elk Mound, Wis., man faces several charges stemming from an alleged assault on a woman earlier in the spring. Dustin Cheyenne Leonard, 21, is charged with criminal sexual conduct in the third-degree and also domestic assault from around Feb. 24 while visiting Winona. The sexual conduct charge, a felony, carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine while the assault is a gross misdemeanor. According to the police complaint the woman spoke with police in March concerning multiple domestic assaults. The woman alleges that Leonard would not allow her to leave his home in Wisconsin, and would get upset and assault her if she tried. It is also alleged that Leonard often forced her to have sex against her will starting in February 2017, and if she refused or tried to protest, she would be assaulted. The weekend of Feb. 24 both were staying in a motel in Winona, and when Leonard returned from a bar he became upset that she wanted to sleep and dragged her out of the motel by the feet after kicking her and told her to sleep in the car, despite temperatures around 10 degrees. After eventually allowing her to come back in, the complaint says he sexually assaulted her and went to sleep. Police documented bruising on the victims arms and legs, and when talking to Leonard in early March he admitted to causing the bruises and said there were many physical confrontations between him and the victim. He denied that any sex was nonconsensual. Leonard was previously convicted of battery in 2015 in Clark County, Wis. As President Donald Trump prepared to announce the United States withdrawal from the international Paris climate agreement, La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat joined leaders of a dozen other Mississippi River communities made a case for the country to honor the deal for the sake of commerce. Some $164.6 billion worth of farm commodities move along the Mississippi River, the majority of it destined for export, according to a letter sent Wednesday to Trumps advisers from the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative. If the United States breaks with the international agreement, other countries will impose taxes designed to increase the cost of U.S. exports, and the nation will miss out on investment opportunities arising from carbon emission reductions, according to the letter. The United States remaining a signatory in good standing to the Paris Agreement preserves low-cost access of our commodities to foreign markets, it states. We must do all we can to bolster American competitiveness and maximize our exports. Trump announced Thursday afternoon that the U.S. would leave the international agreement, joining Nicaragua and Syria. The letter was signed by 13 mayors from cities including St. Paul, Minn., Dubuque, Iowa, and Vicksburg, Miss. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has had enough of President Trump. Speaking last Sunday in a Munich beer hall, Merkel suggested that Europe may no longer be able to rely on the United States as a faithful ally and that the continent really must take our fate into our own hands. I had three reactions to this. The first was: You ingrate. We bailed you out twice in the 20th century at enormous cost in blood and treasure. After World War II, the Marshall Plan rebuilt your nation, even though your people elected Adolf Hitler and brought the destruction on yourselves. My second reaction was: Good! Its about time Europe started paying its own way and stopped relying on its U.S. sugar daddy for protection while nations focused on their own economies. Then a third thought occurred to me: This is precisely what Russias Vladimir Putin wants to happen. Separating Europe from the United States would give him more opportunities to expand Russian territory and engage in other ventures not in the best interests of Europe, or America. What irritates Merkel and even her opposition in the September election, apparently, is President Trumps refusal to accept climate change as fact and to assure Europe the U.S. will honor the Paris Agreement signed by President Obama. Trump has called climate change a hoax, but during the G-7 meeting in Brussels he used less acerbic language in conversations with other leaders. Some media reports quoted a White House adviser as saying the presidents views are evolving on the issue. The adviser added the president will do whats in the best interests of the U.S. For conservatives, evolving has come to mean ones mind is about to change to a position opposite the one he once fervently held. Last December, Politico reported that Trumps daughter, Ivanka, who believes in climate change, wants to use her position as an adviser to her father to change his mind. Europe has often been on the wrong side of issues (Merkels open border policy to Muslim immigrants being just the latest), and this time appears to be no exception. A poll published in February by FG Wahlen for German public broadcaster ZDF, found 78 percent of Germans very concerned about the policies of President Trump. That was 20 percent more than those concerned about the policies of Putin. More evidence that a majority of Germans are making bad choices came from an event featuring Merkel and former President Barack Obama. For reasons that appear to have nothing to do with his accomplishments (he received the Nobel Peace Prize, an indulgence in wishful thinking), most Germans still admire Obama, as evidenced at an appearance with Merkel in Berlin last week. Whatever electoral benefit Merkel might gain from her statements about Trump, neither Europe nor the U.S. can afford a rupture in their Atlantic partnership. If climate change is the main cause of the tension, then a debate about it should take place with climate scientists from both sides participating, something that is rarely if ever seen because climate change fanatics behave like cult members, ignoring all contrary evidence and intimidating and silencing opposing views. While Merkel probably wont carry through on her threat she needs America, as does the rest of Europe to keep Putin at bay just the suggestion of a separation could be enough for Putin to try and seize more territory and solidify Russias annexation of Crimea and his occupation of parts of Ukraine. The partnership between Europe and America for the last 70-plus years is too important to let emotions and personalities divide us. We are thankful for the committed gathering of people who marched with us on Saturday, April 29, at our Winona Area People's Climate March with our theme, "Grow a sustainable future now." We celebrated with pride all the local projects in the works that help us remember that we are stewards of the earth, our home. We feel gratitude for all the members of the groups that showed solidarity including members of Land Stewardship Project, Audubon Society, WSU KEAP Center Students, TISO, Winona-Dakota Unity Alliance, CASM, Winona Park & Recreation, Indivisible Winona, Winona Arts Center, Winona Farmer's Market, Winona Area Pollinators, and Healthy Lake Winona. Special thanks go to the Winona Amateur Radio Club, musicians Chris Kendall & Jim Reineke, our speakers Chris Meyer, Bruno Bosari, Anne Morse, Joyce Ford, Lydia Boysen, photographers Kathy Greden and Mary Farrell, drummers, art makers, volunteer safety marshals and our families for their support. We would also like to thank MidWest Music Fest for their support by letting us post flyers at their venues and for helping to bring in many folks to downtown Winona through a shared love of music and community. We need to continue to rise up as energy stewards. We can continue this effort now through acts of everyday activism. Please communicate with city council members about divesting from banks like Wells Fargo that funds the Dakota Access Pipeline and call the White House today (855-980-5634) to tell the current administration to support the Paris Climate Agreement because our energy future is our responsibility. Winona LaDuke's environmental advocacy group, Honor the Earth, has called for folks to state their concerns about the environmental impact of Enbridge's Line 3 running diagonally through northern Minnesota before the July 10 deadline to the state. To comment, go to https://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/line3/ For more information sign up for calls to action from Honor the Earth, the Sierra Club North Star Chapter and with MN350.org. Emilie Falc, Mary Kaye Perrin, Lynette Power, and Cherie Hales of Winona Women for Healthy Communities By Shougat Dasgupta: The hijras in your novel live in a parallel world to what they call 'duniya'. That seems a bit like fiction, it draws from the real world, on 'duniya', is an entire world unto itself but is not 'reality'. The way I feel, even the way I live, is as if there are these covers. And you look underneath, or you look to the side, you look this way or that, and there is this whole other world. There is such a hard, and increasingly hardening, definition of what is 'reality', or what is 'majority', what is 'identity.' All realities that people are unfamiliar with are a little fabulous. Just the other day in the paper I saw a report about bakarwals in Jammu being attacked by gau rakshaks. It's strange when you write fiction, how it intrudes on reality. About a month ago, this bitch and her puppies started living outside my door and it was, like, oh, Comrade Laali (a dog from The Ministry of Utmost Happiness) is here. advertisement The Paresh Rawal farrago must feel like a kind of appetiser. This is such a political book, do you worry about the reactions, the abuse that is going to inevitably come your way? I was not the writer, ever, who was going to be 'Oh, I've written a book, I've won the Booker Prize! Now I'll write another book, win another prize...' No, I said it back then. I'll write a book when I've a book to write. The only ambition I have, really, is the ambition of art. To experiment. I didn't want to sign some big contract straight away, I wanted to be able to throw stuff away. And in this atmosphere, the idea of putting a novel into a world in which everything is just shredded into tweets was terrifying and have it be shredded into tweets was terrifying. I kept telling myself, 'just write it, and keep it in the drawer. Write it how you like and keep it in your drawer. But the writer's ego doesn't permit that, once it's done, you can't keep it.' And this book was a way to look at all these complex issues in different ways, from different perspectives. Is that the joy of writing fiction? Assuming a variety of voices, putting yourself in the place of other people. Yes... Biplab Dasgupta (a high-ranking intelligence officer in the novel), for instance, is not just a moron. He's a brilliant guy. It would have been a great shame if he was just a monster. And he's often right, when he talks about the irony of Americans lecturing the Vietnamese about human rights, or Pakistan talking about genocide in Kashmir. Fiction is play, which is what I enjoy. The ability to be whimsical, to look into the same room or building through different windows. I also like that fiction demands commitment, demands time, to read as well as write. In this climate of -- what can I say -- plummeting IQ. I mean is it a national project to keep our IQ down at a certain level? If you do love this country keep the IQ up, what are we trying to do? Anyway, in this moment when everything has a news cycle which lasts a few hours, it's a radical thing to do something that took 10 years. When you say 'radical', I think also of all the images in the book. The one of the abandoned baby, say. It's a kind of profane nativity scene. The novel seems deeply attached to profanity, makes a point of it. Would you say you have a profane way of looking at the world? advertisement What is seen by people as profane, I don't see as profane. I think it's beautiful. A little black girl who is the child of what she is the child of (Spoiler Alert: the child is the product of state rape, if you like)... that's not profane, it is beautiful, it's asking you to question what is profane. There's a cool, hard way of being profane. This is not it. Of course... it's not hard-boiled, cynical fiction. It's the opposite of... This is telling you to look at hope that might come from somewhere else. Your allegiance has always been to weakness, or rather the oppressed... For the marginal, for the forcibly marginalised which is not necessarily weakness. What is this society that we live in where everybody is a walking barcode, where your name alone provides all the information people need to categorise you, classify you? This grid that is so shallow... the novel invites you to shrug all that off, to live with people who transgress so deeply that the grid does not apply. advertisement It's interesting that you use the word grid because some of the criticism around something like Aadhar is how hard it is going to be in the future to get off the grid... It's so ironic isn't it that for 20 years you gave Kashmiris a number, ID, etc for checkposts and now you're giving it to yourself. You're policing yourself in so many ways. Your critics have been urging you to get back to fiction. They might regret it... (Laughs) What about the Indian media's apparent willingness to do the bidding of the State? People who don't understand how the media works structurally might just be angry with individual journalists. Good senior journalists are the most endangered; the better you are at your job the less chance you have of surviving. It's not like that in any other profession. I don't watch TV news. Recently I saw The Exorcist on one of the movie channels and when I watch the news on TV I can literally see all the green stuff, the bile, coming out of the screen. There's something terribly sick that's happening and we need exorcists not analysts. Almost all the media's economic turnover comes from advertising. The ownership... well, we know what it is. So how can it be otherwise? advertisement You're reliant on the poorest people to fight for their rights while the media runs scared... Yeah... they're there, in the forest with their guns, or in Kashmir. So much of the anger against me is 'we can't control this person'. I have a voice, my book is being published in 29 countries and they're tearing their hair out, asking 'how can we snuff it out?' Do you feel, with all the contempt for you, even in the media, that you're no longer listened to in India? It feels like the opposite, to be honest. The people who make all the noise, they have no idea. Every single political essay has been translated, made into pamphlets. When I go to Punjab, or somewhere, to speak, thousands of people show up. The media is so busy with its own noise. But why would the media get so hyper about someone like me, why would they feel so threatened? They're anxious, otherwise they'd just ignore me. All the hysteria that's built up over fake news and lies... it's easy for me, but other people die because of it, all the lynchings that happen because of rumour. There's an outsourcing of censorship to the mob. I'm not beholden to anyone; I live off my royalties. I have circles of solidarity around me because of what I have written. But for other people who have to face it alone, face intimidation, to go to court wherever some trumped up charge is filed, they can't cope so they just stop. That's how they wear critics down. Look at what they did to those kids (JNU), faking soundtracks... What is your sense of how India has changed in the 20 years since you wrote God of Small Things? Massacres are not new. Today (May 23, when the interview was done) is the day after the 30th anniversary of Hashimpura (where over 40 young Muslim men were rounded up and allegedly killed by police). The massacre of Sikhs in 1984 was as heinous as the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, there's no doubt about that. But the question is was there an ideology into which that massacre dovetailed? Today you have a population living in absolute terror, the mobs are on the loose. There's a lynching a day to keep everyone in fear. The acceptance of a particularly ugly form of public discourse began with the nuclear tests (1998). It changed something. Did nationalism become more overt, more acceptable because of the nuclear tests? The violence of inclusion, the violence of exclusion... the silencing of people, the changing of history. If you love this country, you must recognise that the national IQ is dropping faster than the water table. What do you hold on to, what do you still love about India? It's all in the book. Every day I wake up and I could just burst out laughing at what I see that day. I love the anarchy. I love the creatures that we have on the streets, the untamedness. I love this city (Delhi), even with the pollution. I love the music, the layers of poetry, history, all of it. I love the wisdom of the resistance movements. I'm of this place. And the people who say I don't love India know nothing about the India I love. Their India is built on a manifesto of hatred and exclusion. To me even the language in which I write is informed by what I hear around me. It's polyphonic and deeply rooted here. Also Read Paresh Rawal wants Arundhati Roy to be tied to army jeep instead of stone pelter --- ENDS --- A convoy of trucks and trailers rolled into the Sauk County Fairgrounds Friday morning, signaling the start of the American Truck Historical Societys annual Southern Wisconsin truck show. This years event unfolded on Friday in Baraboo and continues Saturday. It features a variety of new and old trucks in all shapes and sizes. Organizer Tim Blum estimated there would be more than 70 one-of-a-kind vehicles on display Saturday. Each truck is unique in its own way, he said. From the day they come out of the factory, theyre changed to what each new owner wants, so each one has a personality. The free event is being held in conjunction with the Friends of the Grandstands sixth annual truck and tractor pull at 4 p.m. Saturday, which features tractors, semis and street-legal diesel trucks. Tickets for the truck and tractor pull cost $10, and proceeds benefit the Sauk County Agricultural Society. Blum, a longtime truck driver, collector and member of the American Truck Historical Society, brought two of his own vehicles to showcase at the truck show a White Road Commander and a White Road Constructor. Despite the diverse selection of big rigs on display, Blum said he had trouble picking a favorite. I like them all, he said. Blum said his interest in trucks began at a young age and turned into a passion later in life. He worked as a dump truck driver for more than 20 years and a semi driver for an additional five. He now restores old trucks at his shop in Baraboo. When youre a kid, you grow up with trucks, Bloom said. Some people like hunting, some people like fishing and some people like bowling, but Ive always liked trucks. Blum also showcases his trucks at shows across the country. Last weekend, his vehicles were featured along with a record 1,300 other rigs at the American Truck Historical Societys national convention in Des Moines, Iowa. Local collector and American Truck Historical Society member John Pate also attended the record-setting national convention, and brought three of his trucks to the Baraboo show as well. Pate said his favorite parts of participating in truck shows are the connections hes made with visitors, truck enthusiasts and collectors. Its about camaraderie and meeting new people, he said. You meet people who have common interests but different perspectives. WISCONSIN DELLS - A pair of Chicago women have been arrested and charged with using fake $100 bills at Wisconsin Dells businesses. A gas station owner reported to police that a woman tried to buy something in his store with a $100 bill. When he began inspecting the bill, the woman quickly grabbed it from his hands and paid with a different bill, the owner told police. According to the criminal complaint, the store owner wrote down the license plate number of the vehicle in which the woman drove off. Officers later learned that two women had attempted to do the same thing at other area businesses. An officer later tracked down the women at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park and arrested them, the complaint states. They were identified as Ryan J. Mitchell, 25, and Sheila M. Common, 47. The officer reported that bags in their possession contained more than $650 in cash. A search of the vehicle they were traveling in turned up nine counterfeit $100 bills and nearly $600 in cash, according to the complaint. Mitchell and Common each have been charged with two felony counts of forgery, which carries a maximum possible sentence of six years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Each has been jailed on a $500 cash bond and ordered to appear in court June 27. A former Reedsburg woman will serve two years on probation for violating terms of a deal with prosecutors in a 2014 heroin case. Wearing an orange Columbia County jail uniform, 29-year-old Brittney M. Kulas appeared before a Sauk County judge Friday afternoon. In January, she was picked up in Columbia County for drunken driving with an underage passenger. She was recently convicted of that charge, as well as related charges of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession. The convictions violated terms of a deal Kulas made with Sauk County prosecutors in a 2014 case. In that case, investigators used an informant to purchase heroin from Kulas at her Reedsburg home. In court Friday, the 2014 agreement was revoked and Kulas was sentenced to two years probation. She told a judge that prison is not a place she wants to be, and she thanked her family for supporting her through her addiction. Most of all I would like to thank God for the strength to change my life, Kulas said. Kulas attorney told the judge that despite several setbacks, Kulas has shown that she can make progress with treatment. Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Guy Reynolds encouraged her to work hard at treatment before loved ones give up and stop supporting her. Youve got to do everything you can do to fight this addiction problem, he said. Heroin is a tough drug. In 2013, Kulas and another Reedsburg resident were arrested following a nine-month investigation by the Sauk County Drug Task Force. After tailing the pair to Madison for a planned drug purchase, investigators stopped their vehicle on its return to Sauk County and seized marijuana and heroin. Aldo Leopold Foundation leaders say a $100,000 grant will help the local nonprofit train and inspire a new generation of conservationists. The conservation organization announced Tuesday it was offered a $100,000 challenge grant from the Madison Community Foundation. Aldo Leopold Foundation communications coordinator Cassie Mordini said the funds will help create an endowment that will provide sustainable funding for the organizations Future Leaders Program. That should hopefully make this a financially sustainable program going forward, she said. Similar to an internship, the Aldo Leopold Foundations Future Leaders Program invites conservationists from across the country to participate in a variety of fellowships at the organizations headquarters north of Baraboo. The program offers six to 12-week courses for college students and nine-month courses for college graduates. During the courses, fellows learn practical skills in ecological restoration and management, or education and outreach. Aldo Leopold Foundation Executive Director Buddy Huffaker said the program teaches technical skills needed for conservation field work, in addition to the science and theories behind land management. Some students learn all about how to take care of the land, but they dont know how to run a chainsaw, or drive a tractor, or do a prescribed burn, he said. We teach those technical skills that will separate them from other candidates out there in the job market. Since 1996, 50 fellows have completed the program, and more than 90 percent have landed conservation-related careers. Huffaker said seven current Aldo Leopold Foundation staff members, including himself, were introduced to the organization through the program. Though were bringing people in to launch their careers, sometimes their careers stay right here in Baraboo, he said. And people who leave become ambassadors for the Baraboo area. The Aldo Leopold Foundation currently is embarking on a $5 million campaign to expand its educational programs. Leaders say the revamped courses will help the organization meet a growing demand for capable and diverse conservation leaders. The expansion will provide more fellowship opportunities, a new learning facility to house fellows and future support for the program. Once renovations are complete, Mordini said the organization plans to train 50 fellows through its Future Leaders Program within five years. To date, the Aldo Leopold Foundation has raised more than $3.6 million for the effort. The Madison Community Foundations $100,000 challenge grant will be awarded after the Aldo Leopold Foundation raises the next $300,000 toward the remaining $1.4 million. Huffaker said the grant provides incentive to raise more money by challenging the Aldo Leopold Foundation to raise an additional $300,000 before it receives the additional funds. Huffaker added that the organization hopes to raise the money before the end of the year. Theyve committed to giving us $100,000, but not until we raise $300,000, he said. Its a way that foundations have found spurs donations and new donors to help support an effort. Madison Community Foundation community impact vice president Tom Linfield said in a press release that the Madison organization is proud to support the Aldo Leopold Foundation, and added that the money will help ensure that future generations are taught Leopolds vision. We believe in the long-term strength and viability of stellar nonprofits, and Aldo Leopolds endowment campaign will ensure that generations of learners are exposed to the Aldo Leopold land ethic and that capitalize on our regions reputation as a conservation leader and destination, he said. Expert architects have confirmed what Al. Ringling Theatre visitors already knew: Isthmus Architecture did a great job restoring the historic Baraboo playhouse. On May 17, the Wisconsin chapter of the American Institute of Architects gave Isthmus one of its Honor Awards for its thoughtful and sensitive approach to restoring the century-old theater. A panel of three experts reviewed 75 projects, but only seven were recognized for demonstrating the power of architecture to improve communities. We think the theater should be known regionally, statewide and nationwide for its architectural significance, said Stephanie Miller-Lamb, executive director of the Al. Ringling Theatre Friends. This helps us to do that. She said Isthmus and architect Peter Rott went over and above in leading a project that had no general contractor. Rott worked with local contractors and restoration artists from EverGreene Architectural Arts to coordinate the project. Everybody worked very well together, Rott said. I think it shows in the end result. Built in 1915, the palatial theater was given to Baraboo by its namesake, a founder of the Ringling circus. It had fallen into disrepair in 1989 when the nonprofit Al. Ringling Theatre Friends group was formed to buy and protect it. After a quarter century of starts and stops, the group mounted a $3 million restoration campaign that closed the theater from June 2015 to February 2016. Isthmus applied a light touch, and judges noticed. It was letting the building shine through and speak for itself, Miller-Lamb said. Judges also noticed the communitys involvement. Local dollars equaled a matching grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation, and local businesses such as Hills Wiring and Pointing Heating and Air Conditioning shouldered some of the workload. Bill Johnsens photography won over judges and those who attended the award ceremony at Monona Terrace. This is such an important part of the community, and they could see how the community came together, Rott said. He said those who steered the project plan to submit more award applications in the future. Last year, the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation honored the theater with a historic preservation award. Leaders from the Christian Home and Rehabilitation Center, and Agnesian HealthCare signed official affiliation papers Tuesday that will bring the Christian Home under the Agnesian HealthCare umbrella. The affiliation was effective June 1. The signing follows a March 16 vote by members from 16 local churches to turn over ownership to Agnesian HealthCare to ensure that a nursing home would continue to operate in Waupun. The Christian Home dates back to the 1940s when a group from the reformed and Christian reformed churches identified a need for a long-term care facility. Agnesian HealthCare has helped us as the Christian Home the last five years, says Sue Buwalda, Christian Home Board of Directors president and at-large member. This is a step in the right direction to ensure that healthcare for the elderly, but also those who need short-term rehabilitation care, may continue for many generations to come. Were also excited that the churches will continue to take part in the spiritual well-being of our residents and families, and thats very much a blessing. Buwalda signed affiliation papers with several board of directors members, along with Bev Mollien, Christian Home Board of Directors secretary and Trinity Reformed ChurchWaupun member, and Steve Little, Agnesian HealthCare president and chief executive officer. We will ensure that the community of Waupun has excellent assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing for the next 50-plus years, Little said at the signing. Mollien said, Im very grateful that Agnesian stood with us side by side and helped us through this period. Agnesian HealthCare and the Christian Home first came together in March 2012 after establishing a management and services agreement to help further develop the centers programs and services available in the Waupun community. Doug Trost, St. Francis Home president and chief executive officer, has been a part of the ministry since then, and will continue working with the Christian Home team and Barb Wirkus, executive director. Im really excited about what this means for the future of the Christian Home and for the Waupun community, Trost said. Ive been very impressed with the board of directors this last five years and their level of commitment to the residents, the staff and the community. The Christian Home is comprised of a group of very dedicated staff, and we look forward to continue working with them to provide the very best care for the residents. The Christian Home and Rehabilitation Center, 331 Bly St., Waupun, offers a comprehensive continuum of care services that includes the Christian Home & Rehabilitation Center, licensed skilled nursing facility; the Christian Living Center, registered assisted living apartments; and the Christian Homestead, licensed community-based residential facility specializing in memory care services. CAMBRIASome residents shaken by the Didion Milling explosion late Wednesday gathered in a prayer vigil at First Presbyterian Church, 121 W. Florence St., Cambria, Thursday evening. We all know someone that has been affected, Tim Ehrhardt, pastor at First Reformed Church in Randolph said. Ehrhardt added that his son-in-law works at Didion Milling, but he was not working at the time of the explosion. Pastors from Cambria, Randolph and Friesland gathered at the church to help citizens look for hope and information. Its hard to see families struggling, he said. Just about everybody in Cambria knows somebody who works at the Didion Milling Plant. Everybodys just sick to their stomach, because its so huge and so close to home, said Cindy Erikson, a bartender at The Dump, a bar in Cambria. County snow plows blocked the roads that lead to the facility, which hulks over Cambria from the southeastern edge of town. A convoy of trucks, one marked Urban Search and Rescue, rumbled toward the mill Thursday afternoon. TV news vans lined the streets around First Presbyterian Church, where the Red Cross had set up a center in the basement, and dotted the parking lot of the single building that houses the Cambria-Friesland elementary, middle and high schools. The schools, located about a quarter of a mile from Didion, were closed Thursday but will reopen today, when officials said the high schools graduation ceremony will go on as scheduled. A message board outside flashed, Thoughts and prayers. The village of Cambrias relationship with Didion has often been a rocky one. Founded in 1972 in Johnson Creek, where the company is still headquartered, Didion employs a total of about 225 people, many of whom move between locations in Jefferson, Columbia and Green Lake counties, making it hard to get a sense of how many work at the Cambria facility, which opened in 1991. The addition of an adjacent ethanol facility led to a fight between the village board and Didion in 2006 over environmental and safety concerns. A group of Cambria residents sued the company two years later, alleging the milling operation was causing air pollution, though the suit was thrown out. Didion has also paid fines and settlements with state and federal regulators over workplace safety and environmental protection violations. But Didion could also be a good corporate citizen, residents said. It sponsored events put on by the library and historical society, and gave money to The Dumps annual fundraiser benefiting a range of organizations, including local schools and the volunteer fire department. Almost immediately the community began to come together, according to Ehrhardt. Ehrhardt said he has seen a lot of can-do spirit throughout the day at the church. There has been so much aid that the church has been telling residents to donate to National Exchange Bank of Cambria instead of bringing food. Donations can be mailed to Old Mill Foundation Didion Benefit Fund, c/o National Exchange Bank, 118 W. Edgewater St., Box 338, Cambria, WI 53922. People have been dropping off home-made goodies, said Patty Flowers, regional CEO with Red Cross Wisconsin. Red Cross had been set up in First Presbyterian Church since 8 a.m. and Flowers said that they will be there from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. She noted, however, that hours will vary and that people should look for further updates on Facebook. Flowers said there is no blood drive. At the moment, Flowers said that the Red Cross has 6 to 10 people working at the church and two people stationed at the Didion Milling site. Its one of the worst days for the community, she said. Flowers said they are taking it day-by-day. Judging by the statistics that the average Lutheran minister today stays at a church for a little over seven years the Rev. Bob Moberg is well above average. Moberg, 66, will be retiring from Faith Lutheran Church in Columbus on Sunday, after 32 years with the local parish. Its been a real joy to be in this place, Moberg said. Ive been very blessed to be here. Faith was just Mobergs second post in the ministry. He spent his first four years out of the seminary serving two little churches in Viking, Minnesota, a tiny community 70 miles north of Duluth, made up mostly of retired farmers who had moved into town. It was like living in a community of 150 grandmas and grandpas, and my kids knew where every cookie jar was, Moberg said. It was great. He had no intention to leave. Then one day in December of 1984, Mobergs phone rang. On the other end of the line was Thelma Hurd (back then she was Thelma Bergum), the chair of Faiths Call Committee. Although he was happy where he was at, Moberg decided he should at least check out the Wisconsin church, so he flew down to Madison, where Hurd picked him up at the airport, chauffeured him around Columbus and brought him to Faith for interviews. As it turned out, they liked me, and I liked them, Moberg said. A month later, he and his family were picking up stakes and moving to Columbus. Two days after his arrival, Moberg preached his first sermon here, but not at Faith. His debut outing was at Olivet Church, which was hosting the citys Ash Wednesday ecumenical worship service. That was a joy, Moberg said. It really was. That ecumenical dimension of life in Columbus is just one of the most wonderful things I think for almost every pastor in the community. Moberg was just the third pastor in Faiths short history. The church had been founded in 1970 and after two years of worshiping in the Masonic Temple, the congregation built its own church, a feat they were able to accomplish by buying 16 acres of land on the citys south side and then selling off the lots piece by piece. While many new churches struggle financially in their early years, Faith became self-sufficient very quickly, Moberg said. It also outgrew its original space very quickly. When I got here, it was getting pretty crowded, Moberg remembered. Not so much for worship, but for everything else because everything else was kind of here and there in corners of the building. So one of the things they wanted to do when I came was to add onto the building. By 1992, the congregation was able to build a huge addition onto the church, which included offices, a kitchen and a fellowship hall upstairs and Sunday school classrooms in the lower level. That addition really changed the life of the congregation, Moberg said. It became a much more user friendly space than it used to be. The church today has about 750 baptized members, counting everyone from infants to adults, and includes about 225 families. Moberg said the congregation grew steadily throughout his tenure, until leveling off in recent times. Over the years, he had plenty of offers to move on to other churches, but none ever felt right. When his first associate pastor seemed ready to take the reins at Faith, he started to think maybe his call was somewhere else. Then she came into his office one day to tell him she wanted to resign to be a stay-at-home mom for a while. Moberg considered it a message that he should stay. He felt like his second associate pastor, Sue Quigley, was also capable of stepping into the lead ministers role, but as Moberg started considering his future options, Quigley was killed in a tragic hit-and-run incident that left the churchs members reeling. That was no doubt the most difficult time here, Moberg said. The congregation was just devastated. They really loved her. It was traumatic. In the end, Moberg stayed put in Columbus, and ministered to his flock in both good times and bad. In recent years, space has once again become an issue in the church building, but Moberg said thats a problem his successor will have to deal with. That really does need to be a new pastors project because theyll have some visions for where things are going that really should shape what the building looks like, Moberg said. He plans to stick around Columbus in his retirement but will bow out of the church for a period of time. Down the road, there will probably come a time when Lynn and I can be back sitting in the pew as part of the congregation, but that really cant happen until a new pastor feels ready for that and comfortable with that, Moberg said. Hes confident the congregation is in good hands with its current associate pastor, the Rev. Lisa Nelson. Because shes not interested in serving full-time right now, an interim pastor will be brought in to fill in the void left by Mobergs retirement and to help the congregation adjust to the change ahead. There are people in the congregation who are 40 years old, who really cant remember any pastor before me, Moberg said. They need a chance to kind of think in new ways because the person who follows me is obviously not going to be the same as me. Theyll have a different set of skills and talents and interests and people need a little time to sort of re-adjust mentally, which is what the interim pastors job will be. Across the nation, and especially in Wisconsin, the pool of young educators is continuing to decrease, but a group of teachers and students in Mauston are hoping to reverse the trend. Earlier this month, during Teacher Appreciation Week, the Educators Rising Program at Mauston High School held a special event, bringing teachers preparing to retire together with students interested in pursuing education. MHS teacher Leah Luke, who leads the program, said Educators Rising held programs through the week. We have about 23 kids in the group and some come and go, Luke said. We have a core group of kids who are definitely going to go into teaching and then we have some who come to a meeting or two, listen to the guest speakers and then decide they dont want to get into teaching and thats fine too; to find out now before they get into the prep teaching program. On May 2, veteran teachers talked to students at a breakfast event, giving them honest feedback about the ups and downs of education. First-year teachers were also invited to the breakfast to gain valuable feedback. Theyre going into the profession and learning also how to honor others in the profession and their dedication, Luke said. Many of the retired teachers thanked Luke for hosting the breakfast with one saying it was one of her best memories of her career. Luke held back tears thinking about the gratitude of the retiring teachers. State legislation passed in 2011 curbed collective bargaining rights for teachers and affected pay and benefits. As a result, many teachers opted for early retirement and schools across the state have had difficulty attracting young teachers to the field. First-year teachers are also faced with low salaries and often have to continue their education to earn more pay, which generates more student debt. Throw in pressure from students, parents, school boards and administrators and succeeding in the profession can be daunting. We have played the victim; things havent been good since 2011, but its time to change the conversation about teaching and this is one way to do it at the grassroots level, Luke said. Act 10 affected this, but there are also some things we do in teacher training programs that really put a barrier in front of teachers in earning their license. It prevents potentially really good teachers from entering the field. While she knows teaching has its share of challenges, Kaitlyn Asdigian, a senior at MHS, plans to earn a degree in elementary education from UW-Whitewater. She is part of Educators Rising and would like to see the group continue after she leaves Mauston. I think the highlight of the breakfast event was that it was really heartfelt, Asdigian said. Everything the teachers have done in the past, theyve poured their heart and soul in everything theyve done. They love the students and they love their jobs. Theyre not doing it to climb the ladder of success or to make more money; theyre doing it because they love it. President Donald Trump is returning to Wisconsin to host a fundraiser for Gov. Scott Walker on June 13. The exact location of the fundraiser has not been announced but plans are for it to be in the southeastern part of the state. Walker is making plans to run for a third term next year and plans to officially launch the re-election campaign this summer. Im thrilled that as part of his ongoing and repeated visits across the Midwest, President Trump will be returning to Wisconsin and I appreciate him showing his support for our bold conservative reforms while hes here, Walker said in a statement provided by spokesman Joe Fadness. Wisconsin is a top 10 state for business and education, and Im ready to keep fighting for hard-working families and move our state forward with even more reform. Trump was last in Wisconsin in April when he visited Snap-on Inc. in Kenosha and signed the Buy American, Hire American executive order. Trump won Wisconsin, making him the first Republican presidential candidate to carry the state since Ronald Reagan defeated Walter Mondale in 1984. By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 2 (PTI) The Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) today told a Delhi court that it has lodged three FIRs in connection with a complaint of alleged irregularities against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others in the grant of contracts for roads and sewer lines here. The ACB, in its status report, also informed Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra that the probe is on and they will file a detailed report later. advertisement The agency said separate FIRs were registered by it on its own on May 8. During the hearing, the court also directed the additional commissioner of the ACB to assess the threat perception with regard to the complainant Rahul Sharma once again after he submitted that on May 30 two unidentified persons on a motorcycle fired gun shots at him when he was travelling in his car along with a cousin. He also showed to the court a CCTV video clipping purportedly of the incident. His advocate told the court that an FIR for the offence of attempt to murder was lodged at a police station in Gautam Budh Nagar. The court said, "The FIR showed there are serious threats to the security of the complainant. The additional commissioner of the ACB is directed to assess the threat perception with regard to the complainant once again and file a status report on June 8." The court had earlier also directed the probe agency to assess the threat perception and the ACB had concluded that there was no threat at that time. The magistrate said witness protection was such a serious issue, not only in this case but in general. The court also advised the complainant to be cautious about his movements till an assessment is made by the police about his threat perception. The court was hearing a complaint filed by Sharma, founder of Roads Anti-Corruption Organisation (RACO), seeking a direction to the police to lodge an FIR against Kejriwal, his brother-in-law Surender Bansal, proprietor of a construction firm, and a public servant for alleged irregularities in the grant of contracts for roads and sewer lines in Delhi. Bansal died last month. During the proceedings, the court said it would also decide on the next date of hearing as to whether it has jurisdiction to continue with the matter as the FIR has already been lodged by the ACB under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Cases pertaining to the ACB and under the Prevention of Corruption Act are tried by a special court. The complaint has alleged a "deep-rooted corruption" and said the documents showed no material was actually purchased for executing the projects. advertisement It has alleged that documents showing purchase of material were "concocted and forged", and a loss of over Rs 10 crore had been caused to the public exchequer. The complainant has alleged that Bansal operated through several dummy firms to obtain government contracts with the connivance of several senior PWD officials. These contracts never got executed "whereas shockingly all the payments were cleared under pressure from Kejriwal", he has alleged. PTI SKV SC --- ENDS --- Bad weather might derail plans for the first-ever Portage Fly By during Canal Days on Saturday, but the event has not yet been cancelled as of Friday afternoon. Organizer Jared Pierson expects to update the events status at about 8 p.m. Friday on the Canal Days Facebook page. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m., visible along West Conant Street, west of Pauquette Park. Right now we plan on going, said Portage Municipal Airports director, John Poppy. But we dont know (for certain). Poppy is one of eight local pilots signed on to participate in the Fly By, which would then be followed by Tommy Bartlett Show performances involving a FlyBoard and jet ski. According to the hourly forecast on Weather.com, scattered thunderstorms are possible from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Thunderstorms are also expected for Saturday evening. But at 2 p.m. Friday, things looked a bit more positive. "The radar shows we'll have clear skies at 10 a.m.," Pierson said. "Its certainly subject to change -- the weather could shift -- but those isolated thunderstorms will not be in our vicinity, according to the (latest) radar." The Fly By, if it proceeds, will also involve a demonstration of the Portage Fire Departments hovercraft. But the helicopter pilot that had been scheduled has already canceled, Pierson reported. Pierson and Poppy explained that if the pilots cant go at 10 a.m., the whole event will be cancelled, including the Tommy Bartlett Show. Both Pierson and Poppy expressed optimism that the event, if canceled, could be rescheduled at a later date. I would love to do it later this summer, Pierson said. Poppy wouldn't rule out the possibility of a summer rescheduling, but admitted it would be tough since Saturdays plans took a couple of months to get everyone together for a specific day. Wed do it again sometime if we can, Poppy said, but its a real pain to get everyone going. With flying its not like you can just hop in your car and go. Pierson said Tommy Bartlett representatives have expressed interest in returning to Portage at a later date, should the event be canceled, but not specifically for later this summer. In general, the Wisconsin Dells-based Tommy Bartlett wants "to do more with local communities, however, and thats pretty cool, Pierson added. Canceled or not, Pierson said planning for the Fly By offers a reminder of what makes Portage special. I think if you have the right vision, people will excitedly carry out the vision, Pierson said. We live in a really great area, with a lot of community-minded people. Im really thankful and happy to participate (in this) with so many great people. This is an update of an earlier version with new information. Here's what you need to know to Start Your Week Smart. (You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.) MONDAY Starting this evening, we wish our Muslim readers a happy new year, 1440, as they commemorate the Prophet Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina to escape religious persecution. The coming month, Muharram, is the second holiest for the faithful, after Ramadan. TUESDAY It's September 11, a day when Americans, especially New Yorkers, pause to remember the 2,977 people killed during coordinated terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The day now also is dedicated to community service; you can find opportunities here to pitch in. The President and first lady are due to participate in a ceremony at the Shanksville memorial. Voters in New Hampshire go to the polls to choose primary candidates for the state's two US House seats, which have flipped between the major parties over the past decade. "Fear," journalist Bob Woodward's explosive book about the chaotic Trump White House, comes out to the public. Russia is expected to launch five days of war games, with 300,000 military personnel and more than 1,000 aircraft. It would be the largest show of force of its kind since major Soviet maneuvers in 1981. Russian President Vladimir Putin has boasted this year of weapons that would render NATO "completely useless," though the United States has expressed doubts. The exercises come as Russian neighbor China beefs up its military. WEDNESDAY US Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, faces a primary challenge from a peace activist, while on the GOP side, a former state Supreme Court justice faces an opponent whose name appears on US Senate ballots in nine states. THURSDAY The focus in primaries shifts to New York and the heated battle for the Democratic nomination for governor: It's incumbent Andrew Cuomo vs. actress Cynthia Nixon of "Sex and the City" fame. With the midterms less than two months away, some big-name pols hit the stump. President Trump rallies in Missouri, where GOP Attorney General Josh Hawley is trying to unseat Democratic US Sen. Claire McCaskill. And former President Barack Obama campaigns in Cleveland for Richard Cordray, who served in his administration and now is running for governor against Republican Mike DeWine, who ousted Cordray as Ohio's attorney general in 2010. If you're in the Big Apple, drop by the Triad Theater for opening night of "The 1st Annual Trump Family Special." The musical comedy runs weekly through December 6. FRIDAY The archbishop of Washington will celebrate Mass in the nation's capital to open a six-week "season of healing" amid the Catholic Church's clergy sex abuse scandal. Cardinal Donald Wuerl faces mounting scrutiny over what he may have known about abuse allegations against his predecessor and how he handled abusive priests as bishop of Pittsburgh. Wuerl recently went to Vatican City to meet with Pope Francis. Trump continues his barnstorming in Mississippi, where two US Senate seats are in play. SATURDAY Pope Francis visits Sicily to honor a priest killed by the Mafia. We'll be watching to see whether he also addresses the sex abuse crisis during his trip. The Dells-Delton areas patriotic bicyclists showed up in force for Wisconsin Dells 2017 Memorial Day Parade. Dozens of young cyclists dressed in red, white and blue and riding bikes decked out in similar patriotic fashion congregated as a single, lively unit between Dells Boy Scout Troop 66 and the Kilbourn Fire Department as the parade moved down Broadway. Applause from the hundreds lining both sides of the streets accompanied the bikers, who were joined by a few parents (and a stroller or two) as they moved sedately yet surely down the street, en masse. Like their parade co-participants and many of the curb-side spectators, the cyclists proceeded to Bowman Park at parades end and lined up their machines along one side, maintaining a watchful presence before and during the solemn ceremony honoring the nations fallen veterans. Following the half hour-long program, Dells Police Lt. Perry Mayer appeared among the machines and walked among them as in an effort to determine his choices for the first and second place winners. Finishing first, following Mayers deliberations, was Ava Van Wie, whose bike was so covered with flags that it resembled an Old Glory bouquet as much as it did a two-wheeled vehicle. Meanwhile, the first-place rider wore a red and white, striped and polka dotted outfit with an Uncle Sam hat to top it all off. Second place went to Pierce McClyman, from whose bike and bike helmet sprung several patriotic-themed pinwheels and upon whose t-shirt flew a single Old Glory. Van Wie received $6 for first place, while McClyman received $5 for his second. All of the remaining entrants finished in a tie for third and received $4 each. Van Wie had the added honor of receiving her grand prize from her grandfather, former Dells American Legion Commander John Van Wie, who distributed the cash winnings to all of the riders. The elder Van Wies presence assuredly did not influence the contests outcome, he said afterwards. Mayer apparently did not know the winner was related to him. India Today has assessed Group of Ministers notes, which were prepared in connection with the two major decisions which changed destiny of the national air carriers. By Atir Khan: Top UPA leadership was involved in the controversial decision-making for acquiring 111 new aircrafts and merger of Air India and Indian Airlines. Even former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was privy to the decisions, which have been disputed by FIRs and probe launched by the CBI recently. India Today has assessed Group of Ministers notes, which were prepared in connection with the two major decisions which changed destiny of the national air carriers. The decision to acquire new aircrafts at a cost of Rs 70,000 crores was taken after series of discussions during Group of Ministers meetings, headed by the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram. advertisement Former ministers HR Bhardwaj, Oscar Fernandes and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel were part of the GOM. Similarly the decision for merger of Air India with Indian Airlines was taken after a series of meetings of Group of Ministers headed by the then Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, A.K. Antony, P Chidambaram, H.R. Bhardwaj, Santosh Mohan Dev, Ambika Soni, Prem Chand Gupta, Suresh Pachouri and Praful Patel. Top bureaucrats were also involved in the decision making. Praful Patel, who was the then Civil Aviation Minister had initiated the move. His name since he was the then minister of civil aviation also finds mention in the CBI FIR. Asked to comment, Patel told India Today, both the decisions were consciously made. Safety considerations were also involved, aircraft were aging, as the aircraft were brought at the time when Rajeev Gandhi was the Prime Minister. He said in 2004 he had proposed UPA government to privatise Air India and Indian Airlines as both were loss-making entities but due to strong employees unions and Left parties' influence, even the Congress was not inclined to privatise the airlines. "Keeping in view the precarious financial position of the airlines and average age of aircraft were more than 20 years, a decision to acquire more aircraft was taken. It was a conscious decision taken after the sovereign guarantee given by the government," he added. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manusinghvi said, "It is not correct for us to comment...the government has to decide, CBI is probing let the facts come". Meanwhile in another development, BJP leader Sumbramanium Swamy has written a letter to CBI director requesting him to look into certain aspects of the deal running into seventy thousand crores. In his letter to Alok Verma, he has requested him to investigate whether there was padding of aircraft price to enable alleged bribe giving. In his letter he has mentioned that CBI should summon officials of two private airlines, which brought aircraft around the same time. He believes there was a price difference between money paid by Air India and private airlines. advertisement He has also alleged that Air India had sold planes to a foreign airline at a 'dud' price. This enabled the airlines to enter into a FDI deal with a private Indian airline. CBI has registered three cases and initiated preliminary enquiry on the basis of Supreme Court directions on a PIL filed by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has blamed Ministry of Civil Aviation, Public Sector Investment Board and Planning Commission, National Aviation Corporation of India Ltd for entering into a "disastrous" deal for the national carriers. The FIRs says the public servants of Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India by misusing their official positions ordered purchase of 111 aircraft. Such an ambitious purchase order was made without studying requirements, requisite transparency, and proper application of mind causing loss to the Government exchequer. The entire acquisition was to be funded through debt (to be repaid through revenue generation), except for a relatively small equity infusion of Rs 325 crore by IAL. Though it was a recipe for disaster it did not ring alarm bells among the Government organisations. It was concluded in the CAG report that large acquisition was driven by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Allegations of undue benefits given by the then Civil Aviation Ministry to private airlines are also being probed by the CBI. --- ENDS --- advertisement How ANC presidential elections trump South Africas constitution South Africas Constitution is clear on a number of issues related to the relationship between the countrys parliament and its executive. It lays down that if the National Assembly passes a vote of No Confidence in the cabinet, the cabinet must resign and the president must appoint another one. Or, if it passes a vote of no confidence in the president then the president and the entire government must resign. In a presidential system the president is directly elected by the voters, normally has a fixed term, and can only be removed through processes of impeachment. This usually require passage of votes of no confidence, or their equivalent, in the responsible legislature or congress. In contrast, in a parliamentary system, a president or prime minister assumes office by virtue of his or her capacity to command a majority in the legislature. Despite various hybrid features, the South African Constitution is more of a parliamentary system than a presidential one. The party enjoying a majority presents its candidate to the National Assembly for election as required by the Constitution. In practice, that person has been chosen by the governing African National Congress (ANC) outside the legislature. Thats not to say that the ANC is acting inconsistently with parliamentary practice. By selecting its leader outside the legislature, and getting the National Assembly to rubber stamp its choice, its acting in a manner fully consistent with parliamentary practice. But where its departed substantially from that script is by making a sharp distinction between the party and state presidencies. The terms of office of the two presidencies are not in sync with one another, resulting in a dual power structure operating. This is because theres a long gap between the ANCs election of its president and the general elections which determine which party will have the majority in parliament, and consequently who will become president of the country. This gap is a recurrent source of potential instability so long as the ANC remains the majority party. Party president v state president The ANC elects its presidents at its five yearly National Congresses. Notionally, the process of election is a grass roots one. Branches vote for their preference as leader. Their preferences are funnelled upwards through regions and provinces, with provincial delegations casting their vote for one of the candidates. Other ANC-linked organisations, such as the Youth League and Womens leagues, can also cast their votes at the congresses. But they contribute just 10% of the delegates to the National Congresses. This means that the person elected to the presidency can notionally claim to be elected by the mass of the partys membership. All well and good except that in practice the ANC electoral process is distorted by money, patronage, factionalism, vote-rigging. and, quite often, violence . It can be argued, with good reason, that ANC practices negates the democratic legitimacy that it claims. Nevertheless the way in which it chooses its own presidents remains its own business, and is in no way in violation of the constitution. Whats more problematic is first, that the ANC insists that it deploys its party president to the state presidency. In practice, this means that if he or she wants to remain secure in office, a president needs to command a majority in the partys National Executive Committee. A second issue is that there is a substantial period usually between 16 and 17 months between the election of a party president by a National Congress and the election of a state president by the National Assembly. When theres consensus between the party and state presidents there is no problem. This happened after Mbekis election as party leader in December 1997 to succeed Mandela, who stayed on as state president until the April 1999 election. Yet when theres tension, the constitutional authority of the National Assembly is directly undermined. This occurred after Zumas victory at Polokwane in 2007, with Mbeki remaining as state president until he was told to resign the office by the party in September 2008. It was probably more by accident than design that the elections of ANC presidents and state presidents are so badly misaligned. The ANCs negotiators during the transition to democracy probably simply failed to identify this as a potential problem. Yet the dual power situation which can arise, with a state president not knowing whether or not his or her actions might be countermanded by the party, is inherently destabilising, and a recipe for intra-party factional struggle. Its a situation South Africa can ill afford. The next round The ANCs recent National Executive Committee meeting made it clear that any MP voting for an opposition party sponsored motion of No Confidence in the president will be disciplined. This means that the motion will be defeated, even if there is a secret ballot. True, there may be a handful of dissidents on the governments benches prepared to speak and act openly against the president. But they will do so in full knowledge that it may cost them their seats in parliament. If Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (the presidents former wife and favoured candidate) is elected party president at the next party congress in December 2017, its possible that Jacob Zuma may ostensibly bow to popular pressure and resign as state president. This would enable the ANC majority in the Assembly to elect her as state president. Alternatively, Zuma may opt to remain as state president, allowing his former wife to mobilise support for the ANC around the country prior to the 2019 general election. Even if Zuma does stand down, allowing the two offices to be combined, we may assume that he will continue to be the power behind the throne, and that Dlamini-Zuma will be kept on a tight leash at least until the election. A victory for the Zuma faction in December 2019 could provoke the breakaway of the defeated faction, which would probably be headed by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. This could herald the reshaping of the South African party system and the formation of a coalition government following the 2019 election. Many would say Bring it on! to the idea of a split within the ANC, although a triumphant Zuma faction is likely to make major efforts to prevent that happening. Alternatively, if the anti-Zuma faction was to win, and Ramaphosa was to be elected party president, he would likely face a massive backlash from Zuma loyalists, who would fear the loss of patronage positions and gravy. A divided ANC in which the present factional battles continued to openly wage is an ANC which could well go down to defeat. Whatever the outcome of the present battles within the ANC, the party would do the country a favour by bringing the two presidencies into alignment. The person elected to the party leadership should be immediately presented to parliament for election as state president. Roger Southall, Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. US President Donald Trump blamed India for growing world pollution and resultant global warming as he announced the decision to pull out of Paris deal on climate change. But, Trump has got it all wrong. US President Donald Trump refers to amounts of temperature change as he announces his decision that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. By Prabhash K Dutta: Jury is still out whether the United States can pull out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change immediately with an announcement by President Donald Trump. Some observers have pointed out that the climate change pact, which was signed by 195 countries two years ago, does not allow the US to exit before 2020. However, keeping his election promise, US President Donald Trump yesterday announced to pull out of the Paris Agreement saying that it imposed 'no meaningful obligations on the world's leading polluters' naming India and China. Trump singled out India in particular. advertisement Trump said, "India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. We are supposed to get rid of ours." But Donald Trump, it seems, is ill-informed on India's obligation under the Paris Agreement and the exemplary progress made by India in reducing the use of carbon fuels. WHAT IS PARIS AGREEMENT? Scientific studies, carried out over decades, show that the earth's average temperature has been increasing consistently. Carbon emissions have been identified as the principal cause of temperature rise, which if goes unchecked will bring doom to the blue planet. World leaders have been attempting to find a way to minimise the use of carbon fuels, which are essential for development, particularly of the middle and low income group countries, which have not reached the stage of technological advancement to use non-carbon fuels at large scale. In December, 2015 the world leaders gathered in Paris and after hectic parleys, an agreement was reached which set goals for each country to cut down on carbon emissions. The principle for fixing the targets was as such to fix accountability of the countries in order to their contribution to global warming leading to climate change. The Eiffel tower was illuminated in green with the words 'Paris Agreement is Done' to celebrate the first anniversary of Paris UN COP21 Climate Change agreement in November 2016. Photo: Reuters More polluting countries were tasked to do more for reducing carbon emissions. BIGGEST POLLUTERS OF THE WORLD The Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval or simply EDGAR database is considered the most credible scale for calculating carbon emissions. EDGAR database was created by the European Commission and Netherlands Environmental Agency. According to EDGAR database for 2015, China is the biggest polluter contributing 29.5 per cent to the global carbon emissions. China is followed by Donald Trump's own country, the United States, which releases 14.34 per cent of the total carbon emissions of the world. According to the US' own record, the country saw a two per cent jump in carbon emission last year after showing decline for years. advertisement India is the fourth biggest polluter with 6.8 per cent share after the European Union, which contributes 9.6 per cent to the total global carbon emissions. However, the story changes more dramatically if one considers the per capita carbon emission. Donald Trump must not have seen or analysed the figures before making a scapegoat of India for shying away from fulfilling his country's climate obligations. BIGGEST POLLUTERS PER CAPITA The US is among the table toppers on the account of per capita carbon emissions. China occupies middle of the table while India is seen towards the bottom of the same table. As per EDGAR database release for 2015, Qatar emits highest per capita carbon at 39.1 units followed by Kuwait at 24.4, UAE 21.8, Australia 18.6 and the US 16.1. China's per capita carbon emission is 7.7 units while India's is only 1.9. Even Vietnam - at 2.2 units - emits more per capita carbon than India. HISTORICAL BURDEN The excessive burning of carbon fuels started after industrial revolution. The United States has been burning coal, oil and natural gas for longer periods than any other country in the world. It is estimated that the US is responsible for about one-third of the excess carbon dioxide in the earth's environment causing climate change. Interestingly, the US has only four per cent of world's population. advertisement Even China, the biggest polluter, is responsible for only one-sixth of the excess carbon dioxide with nearly 18.5 per cent of world's population. India's carbon emission has only increased in recent decades as the country missed the opportunity to transform into modern technology-based society after the advent of industrial revolution. Workers clean photovoltaic panels inside a solar power plant in Gujarat. Photo: Reuters Still, Donald Trump thinks India was given undue advantage in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. INDIA'S GREEN PERFORMANCE The Paris Agreement sets for India a target of reducing use of fossil fuel by 40 per cent by 2030. India is well on the course of meeting the target well ahead of the cut-off year. According to the national electricity plan, 57 per cent of power generation in the country will be sourced from non-fossil sources by 2027. This means, India will be exceeding its commitment made for Paris Agreement target by almost 50 per cent and that too, three years ahead of schedule. The government has only recently cancelled coal-based power projects of nearly 13.7 gigawatt capacity. The government has also clarified that no new coal-based plants would be announced, except those already in pipeline, over next 10 years. Wind energy is being subsidised to give a green push to power generation in India. Photo: Reuters advertisement The government has been aggressively pushing for electrification of every Indian village under Ujala scheme. But, the intent is to meet the demands through non-coal sourced energy. In April, the government announced more subsidies on wind and solar energy power generators making renewable energy cheaper than before. But, the advisors of Donald Trump perhaps had less time to do a reality check before the US President went on to blame India for something his own country had been responsible for. The latest stand of Trump is expected to have its bearing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US later this month. Narendra Modi and Donald Trump are likely to have face-to-face meetings on June 26 and 27. Also read: India leading polluter, says US President Donald Trump while pulling out of Paris climate accord Also read: After dumping Paris climate deal, Donald Trump calls world leaders Also read: Donald Trump second US President to withdraw from a global climate deal Also watch: US pulls out of Paris Climate Accord; Trump says deal not tough on India, China --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: Chennai, June 2 (PTI): Indias Vikram Malhotra, seeded fifth, beat qualifier David Bailargeon of Canada to enter the quarterfinal of the Costa Rica Open, a PSA World Tour event, being held at San Jose. Malhotra posted a 11-3, 11-7, 11-8 win in a match played late on Wednesday. The US-based Malhotra, who had won his 5th PSA title in Abu Dhabi last month, will meet the 4th seed Alfredo Avila of Mexico next, according to a SRFI press release here today. PTI SS VS SS --- ENDS --- advertisement Former Bigg Boss 10 contestant Manveer Gurjar is currently in Spain for Khatron Ke Khiladi 8. Bigg Boss 10 winner Manveer Gurjar will be seen in Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 next. Picture courtesy: Instagram/imanveergurjar By India Today Web Desk: Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 8 has kick-started its shooting in Spain and the show is going to be all about your favourite stars involved in daredevil stunts. Recently, a video clip of Bigg Boss 10 winner Manveer Gurjar was posted in Instagram, where he is trying to balance himself on a moving bus. Scary! advertisement Apart from Manveer, Lopmudra Raut is another Bigg Boss 10 contestant who is a part of the adventure reality show. The stunts in the show have been chosen by host Rohit Shetty, which are expected to be very tough and challenging for the contestants. Also read: SEE PIC: Nia Sharma gets injured shooting for Khatron Ke Khiladi; smiles through the pain Three days back, we had shared actress Nia Sharma's pictures, where she has injured herself while performing stunts and still she was smiling through her pain. The show's shoot has just commenced. Meanwhile, pictures shared by Khatron Ke Khiladi contestants tell us that they are having a gala time in Spain. Also read: Khatron Ke Khiladi: When wrestler Geeta Phogat lifted Lopamudra Raut like a toy --- ENDS --- China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page French research facilities to welcome Jordanians 02 June 2017 Share Jordanian researchers will have access to the research reactors and ancillary facilities of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) following the recent signing of a partnership agreement with the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC). The signing of the agreement (Image: CEA) CEA said the main aim of the agreement, signed on 24 May, is to develop collaborative research programs in support of the research and development (R&D) and training objectives of the Jordanians. The agreement was signed under the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) International Centre based on Research Reactors (ICERR) program. In 2015, CEA's nuclear research centres in Saclay and Cadarache became the first to be designated international research hubs under a scheme launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) the previous year. The designation period covers 2015 to 2020. CEA has signed similar agreements with Morocco, Tunisia, Slovenia, Indonesia and Algeria, giving them access to the Saclay and Cadarache facilities through the ICERR program. CEA plans to welcome 15-20 international researchers per year to the two sites. The ICERR program will contribute to enhancing utilisation of the Jordanian Test and Research Reactor (JRTR) and associated scientific equipment in Jordan, CEA said. It will also help to develop innovative nuclear technologies while encouraging cooperation. The 5 MWt JRTR was built for the JAEC by a consortium headed by the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute with Daewoo at the Jordan University for Science and Technology. Construction of the reactor began in 2010, and Korea's Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning declared it complete last December. The reactor will be used for R&D, education and training and to produce medical and industrial radioisotopes. The IAEA says its ICERR program is intended to help Member States gain timely access to relevant infrastructure based on research reactor facilities to achieve the nuclear R&D and capacity building objectives relevant to their identified national priorities. It also allows participating research reactors in the framework of ICERR scheme to coordinate and rationalise their offer of facilities, resources and services to interested Member States. The Russian Research Institute of Atomic Reactors State Scientific Centre was designated as the second ICERR in September 2016. The Institute, located near the southern Russian city of Dimitrovgrad, has six research reactors and also performs post-irradiation examination of nuclear reactor core components, irradiated material and irradiated fuel samples. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics USA to 'renegotiate' Paris Agreement 02 June 2017 Share The USA is to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change, with the aim of renegotiating its contribution, President Donald Trump has announced. The global reaction has been a mixture of dismay and determination to follow through on Paris commitments. Trump announced his intentions yesterday, confirming a campaign promise after discussing the matter with several overseas leaders including the G-7. "So we're getting out," said Trump, "but we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal that's fair. And if we can, that's great. And if we can't, that's fine. As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of American citizens." The deal agreed in Paris in 2015 saw virtually every country in the world commit to voluntary contributions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under President Barack Obama the USA pledged to reduce emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025 and to make best efforts to reduce by 28%. Each country is free to determine its own route to fulfil its commitments, which are not binding and come with no enforcement mechanism. Another aspect of the Paris Agreement was the Green Climate Fund, administered by the UN and intended to supply $100 billion per year to support mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. Obama transferred $1 billion to the fund before leaving office. Trump called this "another scheme to redistribute wealth out of the United States... on top of America's existing and massive foreign aid payments". The withdrawal process for any given country can only be completed three years after the agreement has come into force. This means the USA cannot officially leave until 4 November 2020, which falls one day after the next presidential election. In terms of renegotiation, contributions to the Green Climate Fund are voluntary and there is no official process for changing Washington's voluntary contribution. However, the treaty's success was based on mutual acceptance by all countries - including China, India and the USA - of each others' voluntary contributions being fair in terms of levels of development, wealth and historic emissions. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said: "The United States will continue to be actively engaged in the development of global energy and the world leader in the development of next generation technology. That is exactly why I am traveling to Japan and China to discuss the benefits of all forms of energy, including nuclear, fossil, LNG and renewables." Reaction Several US states and cities have said they would continue to pursue Paris goals. Mike Bloomberg, former mayor of New York and the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change said: "Americans are not walking away from the Paris Climate Agreement, just the opposite, we are forging ahead. Mayors, governors, and business leaders from both political parties are signing onto a statement of support that we will submit to the UN - and together, we will reach the emission reduction goals the US made in Paris in 2015." He added: "As a sign of our commitment, Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with others, will make up the approximately $15 million in funding that the UN's Climate Secretariat stands to lose from Washington. Americans will honor and fulfill the Paris Agreement by leading from the bottom up and there isn't anything Washington can do to stop us." Internationally, the UN called Trump's move "a major disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security." Speaking for the European Union, Miguel Arias Canete, commissioner for climate action and energy, said, "The EU deeply regrets the unilateral decision by the Trump administration to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement... Today's announcement has galvanised us rather than weakened us, and this vacuum will be filled by new broad committed leadership. Europe and its strong partners all around the world are ready to lead the way. We will work together to face one of the most compelling challenges of our time." Founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Michael Liebreich said, "Far from encouraging other countries to quit Paris, [US withdrawal] will strengthen their resolve. The EU and India must now deliver or be humiliated... This will spur a tidal wave of climate action by US states, cities, businesses and citizens. I bet the US will meet its Paris 2030 pledge." Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics In Uttar Pradesh, people have been flocking to the Yogi Adityanath government's janta darbars, and around 60 per cent of the cases pertain to forcible land grabbing. By Shiv Pujan Jha: Complainants from across Uttar Pradesh have been making a beeline for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's janta darbars to seek redressal for their long-pending woes. A perusal of the cases reveals that most of them pertain to forcible land grabbing. Manju Devi, who escaped an attempt on her life, is all tears as she waits in the long queue at the state BJP headquarters to seek an appointment with Girish Chandra Yadav, the state minister for urban development. advertisement She owned two bighas of land in Adampur Basarthi in UP's Unnao district, but some village dabangs forcibly took hold of the land which was her family's only source of sustenance. She went thrice to the local police station, only to be rebuked and turned away. Manju Devi's old husband is ailing and bed-ridden. She has been running from pillar to post to seek justice as she fears a threat to her life from the dabangs who forcibly took her land. And her case isn't an isolated one. FOUR-TIER TASK FORCE One of the most important poll planks of the BJP was constituting an anti-land mafia task force and freeing all the encroached land from the clutches of the high and the mighty. The BJP has been saying that during previous regimes, there has been a stupendous increase in cases of land grabbing. After coming to power, the Yogi Adityanath government constituted an anti-land mafia task force with powers to act swiftly. A 4-tier task force was made operational last month by Adityanath, as promised in the BJP's election manifesto. It comprised the Principal secretary at the top, followed by the Commissioner, the District Magistrate and the SDM at the local level. The task force was asked to compile an exhaustive report on forcible land grabbing and illegal encroachments. Meanwhile, around 60 per cent of the cases coming for redressal to janta darbars in Gorakhpur, the Lucknow BJP office and also the chief minister's residence pertain to forcible land grabbing. A MONTH OF JANTA DARBARS After the BJP received a huge mandate in the UP Assembly elections, janta darbars were launched at the party's UP headquarters with much fanfare. As of June 1, darbars have been organsied at the party office for a month, and around 3,000 people have been heard. "Jan sahyog Kendra was set up at the BJP state headquarters, and all the ministers have been asked to attend it once a month. The forum provides immediate redressal at times and at times the cases are directed to the concerned authorities," said BJP spokesperson Dr Chandramohan. advertisement Urban development minister Girish Chandra Yadav, who was listening to complainants at the BJP's UP headquarters on Friday, told India Today: "Most of the cases coming to us are pertaining to land. Our government has constituted a taskforce to look into land grabbing matters. I can just assure that the complainants are provided immediate relief whenever any case is brought to our notice. We will not spare anyone found guilty." Yogi Adityanath may not have the time to pay regular visits to Gorarakhpur after becoming UP chief minister. But janta darbars continue to be held, and officers listen to complaints on his behalf, and these are are directed to the concerned authorities. ALSO READ | Day after top BJP leaders charged with Babri Masjid conspiracy, Yogi Adityanath visits Ram Janmabhoomi site ALSO READ | Saharanpur violence: Yogi Adityanath government removes DM, top cop after fresh clashes killed a Dalit WATCH VIDEO | Lucknow: Yogi Adityanath addresses people's pleas in Janta Darbar --- ENDS --- Russia, India plan for Kudankulam 5 and 6 02 June 2017 Share Russia and India have signed a framework agreement enabling construction of the 'third stage' of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, including an intergovernmental credit protocol for implementation of the project. The documents were signed yesterday at the 18th Annual Russian-Indian Summit, held alongside the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, by Valery Limarenko, president ASE Group, and Sri Sharma, chairman and managing director of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). Sharma and Limarenko sign the agreement in the presence of Modi and Putin (Image: Rosatom) The agreement, which was signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, covers construction of units 5 and 6 according to Russian nuclear reactor design. Russian nuclear power corporation Rosatom said the agreement and protocol are required to start construction of the units, specifying as they do the "obligations of the two sides, costs and other important conditions of their cooperation". According to a Rosatom statement, Limarenko said: "Extremely important documents have been signed that have been the focus of intensive joint work in recent months." He added: "All the formalities have been carried out now in order to finally launch the project to construct two new power units at Kudankulam using Russian technologies." The project has now entered the "practical phase", he added. Kudankulam, in Tamil Nadu, is home to two VVER-1000s supplied by the ASE Group, which is Rosatom's engineering subsidiary and includes Atomstroyexport and Atomenergoproekt. Kudankulam 1 entered commercial operation in December 2014, while in April this year NPCIL signed an agreement provisionally accepting Kudankulam unit 2 from its Russian suppliers and thus marking the unit's entry into commercial operation. Two further VVER-1000 units - Kudankulam 3 and 4 - are to be built at the site in the second construction phase. Pouring of first concrete for units 3 and 4 is planned for the end of June, Rosatom said yesterday. Cooperation between India and Russia to build the Kudankulam plant has its origins in an inter-governmental agreement signed in 1988 by the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachov. First concrete for unit 1 was poured in March 2002, with that for unit 2 following four months later. The units were originally scheduled to begin commercial operation in December 2007 and December 2008 respectively. Although unit 1 was completed in March 2011, its commissioning was delayed due to protests and legal action following the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant the same month. Plant owner Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited announced in July 2013 that the unit had achieved first criticality. It was connected to the grid in October that year. Unit 2 - India's 22nd nuclear power reactor - achieved first criticality in July last year. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Kenya is a country found in East Africa and renowned for rich wildlife and unique culture. It is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes including the great Rift-Valley, snow-capped Mount Kenya, and numerous other natural features. Evidence of the earliest human species remains has been found and excavated in Kenya, making it the cradle of mankind. Today, there are 43 communities living in various parts of the country with rich traditions and unique cultures. Kenya is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The country is a host to numerous cities and towns with rich traditions. These are the biggest cities in Kenya. Nairobi Nairobi is the largest city in Kenya and the administrative capital. The citys economy comprises 60% of the countrys total GDP. It is home to world organizations such as UN-HABITAT and other United Nations Agencies. It is the largest and most developed city in the Eastern African region, making it an important hub across the region. It is an important tourist destination due to Nairobi National Park and Nairobi Museum. It is the only city in the world with a game park nearby. With a population of about 3.7 million people, it is the most populous city in Kenya. Nairobi continues to grow and expand to become an important pillar in the overall growth of Kenya. Mombasa Mombasa is a coastal city in Kenya. It is the second largest city after Nairobi with a population of 1 million people. It is one of the oldest cities in Kenya with important historical landmarks such as Fort Jesus. Today, the port of Mombasa is the biggest in East Africa and connects neighboring countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. The city is renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches, hotels and hospitality, exuberant nightlife and unique taste of music. Kisumu Located in the Western part of the country, Kisumu is the third largest city in Kenya with a population of around 500,000 people. It is an inland port city next to Lake Victoria. It has experienced growth due to agriculture and trade with neighboring regions. In Kisumu, you can visit various places of interest such as Hippo point, Ndere Island National Park, and Kisumu Museum. Nakuru Nakuru is a prominent city in the former Rift-Valley province. It has a population of about 400,000 people from various parts of the country. It is also one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Kenya, with a sizeable number of Asians, Europeans, and Indians. It is home to Menengai Crater, the worlds second largest surviving volcano and Hyrax Hills, a famous pre-historic site. Also, Lake Nakuru is famous for its thousands of flamingos. Tourists from all over the world come to watch this spectacular natural phenomenon. It has a buzzing nightlife and multiple high-class restaurants. Eldoret Eldoret is an agricultural town found near the Cherang'any Hills. It is the fastest growing city in Kenya and has the fourth largest population. Eldoret has a cool climate suitable for agriculture and it is home to various processing factories such as cheese factories as well as other industries. Other major towns in Kenya include, Thika, Nyeri, Kitale, Malindi and Kakamega. Many countries in Asia are popular tourist destinations for travelers from all over the world. In fact, tourism is a growing industry in Asia due to the vast array of tourist attractions this continent offers. Some of the draws across Asia include: mountains, deserts, beaches, cultures, and cuisine. There is something for everyone here, ranging from utmost luxury to backpacker-style travel. Not all of the countries in Asia, however, are popular with tourists. This article takes a look at some of the least visited countries in Asia. Some of the Least Visited Countries in Asia 4. Yemen Yemen, located in the Middle East, is the 4th least visited country in Asia. In 2015, it received only 366,000 tourists. The current Yemeni Crisis, which began in 2011 and has seen increasing incidences of extremism, has caused a drastic decline in tourism in the country. For individuals who decide to visit Yemen, this country has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Historic Town of Zabid, the Old City of Sanaa, the Old Walled City of Shibam, and the Socotra Archipelago. 3. Brunei The 3rd least visited country in Asia is Brunei, located in Southeast Asian. In 2015, this country received only 218,000 tourists. This small number is not, however, because the country has no interesting attractions. It is, in fact, rich in history, culture, and nature. Some tourists may be deterred because Brunei is a strictly Islamic country and expects its visitors to observe Islamic etiquette. The expectation is that women will dress modestly, visitors will not eat in public during Ramadan, and non-Muslim tourists will visit mosques in the correct clothing. Some of the most interesting attractions here include: Istana Nurul Iman (the Sultans palace), Ulu Temburong National Park, Brunei Museum, and Jerudong Amusement Park. 2. Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea is the 2nd least visited country in Asia, receiving around 184,000 tourists in 2015. Papua New Guinea is an extremely isolated island nation; while this makes it less popular as a tourist destination, it has also made it the focus of significant research on flora, fauna, and its culture. Tourists who do find their way to this island will find an array of activities, including: hiking, fishing, diving, surfing, markets, and festivals. Transportation throughout the country is difficult, however, due to a lack of infrastructure and extreme terrain. Many villages, for example, can only be reached by walking. 1. Bhutan: The Least Visited Country in Asia Bhutan receives fewer visitors annually than any other country in Asia. This nation received 155,000 tourists in 2015. The principal reason for this low number is that the country controls the number of foreign tourists who may visit. The Kingdom of Bhutan is located in the high altitude of the Himalayas and regulates its tourism industry based on a High Value, Low Impact policy. This means that in order to visit this country, tourists must first book their trip through an official tour operator. The tour packages offered are typically between $200 and $250 daily and include: food, lodging, transportation, necessary equipment, and a local guide. One of the most popular destinations within the country is Taktshang, a cliffside monastery. This is a sacred Buddhist temple that houses the cave where a Buddhist deity is believed to have fasted for 90 days in order to spread Buddhism throughout Bhutan. Retiring police officer Terry Courson wraps up 20 years of service to the Wrangell community Wednesday. He will continue living in the community, though spending a bit more time traveling and helping out at the firing range. A patrol officer will be hanging up his hat and badge this week, after two decades of public service. Officer Terrell Courson officially finished with Wrangell Police Department yesterday. "I wanted to be a cop when I was a kid," he explained. His father had been a firefighter, but had dissuaded his son from pursuing a career in either that field or police work. "Eventually I went into the military." Courson served in the Navy for six years, primarily working as an aircraft technician aboard the U.S.S. America. His first policing experience came during the latter half of his tour. The aircr... Advocate Health Care, the largest hospital system in Illinois, last month announced plans to cut spending by $200 million, or 4 percent. The announcement follows the implementation of a hiring freeze for management and non-clinical positions in April, which is expected to remain in effect until at least July 1. Advocates cuts are proceeding despite a rise in revenue at the system, from $1.37 billion in the first quarter of 2016 to $1.56 billion in the first quarter of this year. The nearly $200 million increase nevertheless fell short by $70 million from the amount Advocate had budgeted. The timing [for the cuts] is right because Advocate has never been stronger, wrote Jim Skogsbergh, CEO of the non-profit, in an email to staff announcing the cuts. Skogsbergh attributed the cuts to severe financial pressures, blaming lower reimbursements by the state and federal governments and private insurers, and stated that Advocates cost structure is not sustainable. Although details of the cuts have yet to be revealed, some of our decisions will be difficult as they will undoubtedly impact programs, services and jobs, Skogsbergh added. In other words, the cuts will mean the further restriction of patients access to much-needed health services, and an escalation of the attack on the jobs and working conditions of health care workers. Advocate, headquartered in Downers Grove in suburban Chicago, has 12 hospitals in its networkin addition to numerous smaller clinics and officesand employs approximately 36,000. The system has been rapidly expanding in recent years, buying up rival hospitals and smaller physician practices, particularly in the wake of the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA), the key domestic legislation of former President Barack Obama. The law, otherwise known as Obamacare, precipitated a wave of mergers and acquisitions among health systems, insurers and pharmaceutical companies, accelerating the monopolization of health care and increasingly rationing it along class lines. In fact, the cuts at Advocate come shortly after its attempt to merge with NorthShore University Health System collapsed as a result of a challenge from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The merger, pursued by the two entities for over two years, would have created the 11th-largest health system in the country and given the combined organization a monopoly over the regions health delivery system. Moreover, the merger itself would have entailed massive cuts, with Advocate estimating its cost savings at $500 million, and media commentators predicting the closure of hospitals viewed as redundant in the new system. Although Advocate has denied a connection between the announcement of its cuts and the failed merger, it is clear that many of the other financial pressures it cites as justification are the reactionary consequences of the ACA. The ACA plans for more than $700 billion in cuts to Medicare payments over the next 10 years, and hospitals in Illinois expect their payments from the program to fall by at least $10 billion in that time. If the Republican-backed American Health Care Act (AHCA) bill passes the Senate in its current form, those cuts will remain in place. In addition, while the Democrats and their apologists have touted that the ACA expanded the number of those with insurance, ballooning bad debt at Advocate and other health systems exposes the reality: Patients have been forced into cut-rate insurance plans with deductibles in the thousands of dollars, and are unable to pay for necessary health care even when they are technically insured. Uncollectable debt at Advocate spiked 22 percent, to $269.5 million, in 2016, according to a report in Crains Chicago Business. Along with eroding income at the federal level and from patients, Advocate has seen its reimbursements from Medicaid and the state government wither under the impact of Illinois budget impasse between Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and the Democratic Party-controlled state legislature. Illinois has not had a budget for two years, and reimbursements owed to hospitals by the state are estimated at more than $600 million. While Advocate is technically a non-profit health system, the term is a misnomer, and their financial statements certainly indicate that they remain a solvent and profitable organization, with $236.6 million in operating income in 2016. As of last year, Advocate held assets worth $12.9 billionnearly equivalent to the amount of Illinois total unpaid billswith $1.5 billion of that in cash. The system has seen a continued net growth since 2013, while their operating costs are slowly declining, from 6.1 percent in 2013 to 4.7 percent in 2016. Meanwhile, their investment yields have grown in the last four out of five years, with a 7.8 percent positive yield in 2016, or nearly $400 million. According to a TIME magazine report in 2013, The 2,900 non-profit hospitals across the country, which are exempt from income taxes, actually end up averaging higher profit margins than the 1,000 for-profit hospitals after the income-tax obligations are deducted. The top five grossing non-profit hospitals in the US took in from $8.55 to $11.87 billion in 2011. Non-profit hospitals are considered charitable organizations and are thus exempt from federal and state taxes. Noteworthy is a 2013 review from the New England Journal of Medicine that found that tax breaks for non-profit hospitals amounted to $13 billion. To earn a non-profit status, written policies must be in place determining how patients in need of financial assistance will be treated and how charges will be calculated. There have been many recent challenges from a variety of constituencies that argue non-profit hospitals fail to provide adequate benefits to their community, while they are handsomely rewarded by tax exemptions. As non-profit hospitals like Advocate Health Care grow, they become the major source of jobs in the area. But because they are tax exempt, they dont contribute significantly to necessary infrastructure and public services. The profits earned are subsequently deployed in the form of enormous salaries and bonuses for administrators, the buying of new facilities and equipment, expanding services and the purchase of competing hospitals and systems. Skogsbergh, Advocates CEO, earned $4 million in 2011. The national median salary for non-profit hospital CEOs is $533,392. With the cuts in Medicaid expected from the AHCA and Trumps budget, currently estimated at $1.4 trillion over a decade, insurance companies will have significant leverage to negotiate prices for services even lower, further encroaching on hospital revenues, while simultaneously raising premiums on individuals. And in turn, the non-profit hospitalswhile slashing jobs and restricting serviceswill bill patients with inflated costs, leaving workers and the poor in an impossible situation. The political warfare in Washington escalated on Thursday with reports that former FBI Director James Comey will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee next week. Congressional investigators and the FBI are also examining if there were additional unreported meetings between Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Comeys testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, scheduled for June 8, will likely focus on Trumps May 9 dismissal of Comey and Comeys memos, in which he reportedly states that Trump asked him to end the FBIs probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Trump also reportedly demanded an affirmation of loyalty from Comey. After the public session Thursday morning, Comey will privately testify in the afternoon. The congressional investigations by the House and Senate intelligence committees are working parallel to a separate FBI probe headed by special counsel and former FBI Director Robert Mueller. Congress and the FBI are investigating alleged Russian interference into the 2016 elections as well as supposed ties between the Trump campaign or Trump administration and the Russian government. Neither Russian interference in the election nor illicit Trump-Russia ties have been backed by substantive evidence. Nevertheless, the Democratic Party, sections of the Republican Party, most of the news media and the dominant factions of the military-intelligence apparatus have chosen to center their opposition to the Trump administration on its alleged softness toward Russia, rather than his administrations vicious attacks on immigrants, social programs and democratic rights. The investigations have targeted many in Trumps inner circle, including his adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen, Michael Flynn and former Trump aides Paul Manafort, Carter Page and Roger Stone. The Guardian reported on Thursday that Nigel Farage, former leader of the right-wing UK Independence Party and British supporter of Trump, is also a person of interest in the FBI investigation. Flynn, a retired general, was abruptly fired from his position as national security adviser in February after it was revealed that he lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his meetings with Kislyak. Flynn will reportedly comply with the Senate Intelligence Committee subpoena after previously invoking the Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination, arguing that the previous request was too broad. The committee has since narrowed the scope of the request. Flynns potential infractions include improperly reporting his work as a lobbyist on behalf of the Turkish government and making false statements on his filing for an extension of his security clearance related to a trip to Russia where he received compensation from Russian media company RT. In a related development, CNN reported yesterday afternoon that Congress and the FBI are investigating if Sessions and Kislyak met privately at Washingtons Mayflower Hotel on April 27, 2016, where then-candidate Trump was giving a foreign policy address. NBC News claims that five current and former US officials... are aware of classified intelligence suggesting that there was some sort of private encounter between Trump and his aides [Sessions and Kushner] and the Russian envoy [Kislyak]. Sessions and Kushner have denied meeting privately with Kislyak that day. During his Senate confirmation hearing in January, Sessions claimed that he did not have any communications with the Russians during the campaign, but Sessions later admitted to meeting with Kislyak twice. This forced Sessions to recuse himself from Russia-related investigations. Democratic Senators Patrick Leahy and Al Franken, both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent three letters to the head of the FBIfirst Comey, then acting FBI Director Andrew McCaberequesting an investigation into whether Sessions denials of meetings with Russian officials constituted perjury. Franken received some media fame for grilling Sessions on talks with Russia during Sessions confirmation hearing. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is receiving renewed criticism after reports emerged that it is moving to return two Russian diplomatic compounds seized by the US government in late December 2016. Then-President Barack Obama alleged that the compoundsone in Maryland and one near New York Citywere being used by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes and expelled 35 Russian diplomats allegedly involved in espionage. While none of these allegations have been proven, it is an open secret that nations, including the United States and the Russian Federation, have used diplomatic facilities for intelligence purposes. Officials in the US intelligence and State Department apparatus denounced any move toward returning the compounds in an opinion piece by conservative Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin provocatively entitled What is Trumps possible justification for this gift to Putin? An unnamed former national security official rhetorically asked, And this would be a reward for WHAT Russian behavior? Two former State Department officials likewise denounced the move. Max Bergmann, a former Obama State Department official, said, There is absolutely no justification for this. Former State Department official Eliot Cohen told Rubin, If, as reported, they were SIGINT [signals intelligence] facilities its worse than insane. These developments occur in the context of a vicious fight in the American ruling class centered primarily on foreign policy. There is no progressive or democratic content to the fight, illustrated by Republican Senator John McCains recent appearance in Australia, where he implicitly called for Australian support against Trump in this internecine struggle. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied any Russian state involvement in leaks of Democratic National Committee emails during the 2016 election campaign. In a meeting with the international news media, Putin raised the possibility that Russia is being framed for the hacking or that the cyberattack was a false flag. He also said that patriotic Russian individuals may have been involved in the DNC leaks, but that Russia never engage[s] in that at the state level. The White House and its congressional allies are attempting to shift focus onto the unmasking, or identification, of US persons that revealed contacts between Flynn and Kislyak, with implications that the unmasking may have been improper. Trump tweeted Thursday morning, The big story is the unmasking and surveillance of people that took place during the Obama Administration. Three subpoenas issued by the House Intelligence Committee are related to the unmasking issue, requesting more information from former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, former CIA Director John Brennan and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, a Republican and Trump ally, reportedly issued these subpoenas without the assent of the ranking Democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff. Journalist Megyn Kelly will interview Putin in St. Petersburg today as part of the debut of her new show, Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly on NBC. While the nightly news on Thursday focused on Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, recent developments in the Trump-Russia investigations and the Kelly-Putin interview will no doubt be used to refocus attention on the anti-Russia campaign in the coming days. The author also recommends: Senator McCain solicits support in Australia for Trumps removal [1 June 2017] The Supreme Court of the United States ruled unanimously on Tuesday in favor of the police in a case involving Constitutional issues relating to an illegal search and entry in violation of the Fourth Amendment which resulted in a man and his pregnant wife being shot 15 times. The 8-0 decision in County of Los Angeles vs. Mendez overturns a Ninth Circuit Court decision that found in favor of Angel Mendez and vacated an award of $4 million granted by the Ninth Circuit. Notably, the court reached its unanimous decision without the input of the conservative Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch, who did not vote since arguments in the case were heard before he was sworn in earlier this year. On October 1, 2010, 12 Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputies, acting upon the word of an informant, made plans to sweep the home of Paula Hughes in the town of Lancaster in search of an at-large parolee. Deputies were told that a man and a pregnant lady were living in a plywood structure in Hughes backyard. The deputies did not notify Hughes of the sweep; they had not obtained a search warrant, nor had Hughes given them permission to search her property. Twelve deputies approached Hughes house. Two of them, Deputies Christopher Conley and Jennifer Pederson, were assigned to clear the back of the property. Conley and Pederson made note of the plywood shack. A power cord ran from Hughes house to the 343 square foot structure. Clothes hung outside and the shack was equipped with an air conditioning unitall things that signaled that the shed-like structure was inhabited. Neither Pederson nor Conley knocked on the door of the shack, nor announced their presence. Conley opened the door and pulled aside a blanket which had been hung over the door for insulation. Angel Mendez and his wife, Jennifer, who was seven months pregnant, lay asleep in the shack. Hughes had allowed them to live in the shed until they could recover from financial hardship. As deputies entered the structure, Angel woke and made to stand up, attempting to put down the BB gun he kept close to shoot at rats. Gun! Conley shouted; he and Pederson then shot Mendez and his slumbering wife 15 times. Angel Mendez was severely wounded and ended up losing most of his right leg. Jennifer Mendez was shot in the back and sustained a shattered collarbone. The Mendezes sued Los Angeles County in federal court on the grounds that the deputies had violated their Fourth Amendment rights against illegal search and seizure and excessive force. The court ruled in their behalf, noting that the deputies were well aware that the shack was inhabited, having been informed of the fact in briefings and having seen evidence of habitation around the outside of the shed. Moreover, the deputies search did not merit any exception for a warrantless search, and they had further violated the Fourth Amendment by failing to alert the couple of their presence. The court awarded the Mendezes $4 million in damages for the shooting, as well as attorneys fees and two penalties for unreasonable search and seizure. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit Court concurred with the lower court with the exception of the so-called knock and announce Fourth Amendment penalty. Invoking the so-called provocation doctrine, the Ninth Circuit ruled that Pederson and Conleys unreasonable entry into the Mendezs shelter had provoked a violent response from Mendez and his BB gun. Los Angeles County petitioned for a review of the case by the Supreme Court which subsequently heard arguments on March 22. Justice Sonia Sotomayor initially noted that the Mendezes had a Second Amendment right to bear arms, and so police should expect to be confronted by armed homeowners in the course of an illegal entry. Justice Elena Kagan made similar arguments. Nevertheless, the court handed down a unanimous decision affirming the courts hostility to the provocation doctrine as expressed in City and County of San Francisco v. Sheehan where the court upheld the concept of qualified immunity for officers who had provoked a violent confrontation with a mentally ill woman and shot her. In the Mendez decision, Justice Samuel Alito called the provocation rule a novel and unsupported path to liability in cases in which the use of force was reasonable. The court vacated the damages awarded by the court, sending the case back to the Ninth Circuit with instructions to reconsider whether the Mendezes can be awarded damages strictly on the merits of the warrantless entry; the court will not be allowed to consider the issues of police provocation or excessive force. Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department (LASD) has a history rife with abuse and brutality. In a state that jealously guards the opacity of police records, the LASD stands as one of the most protective of its officers. Last June, in response to threats from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), a union representing LASD deputies, the LASD removed from its public information database all information on investigations into police shootings, except for racial information. The ALADS union tenaciously fights transparency or accountability; it currently is working to keep the Sheriff from releasing to prosecutors the names of deputies who have had disciplinary actions or who have been charged with crimes. The crimes of the LASD and other police forces in Los Angeles County have abounded. Between 2000 and 2016, at least 1,300 people in the county were shot by police. A study published in the Guardian revealed that, per capita, Los Angeles County was the 11th deadliest county in the United States for police shootings in 2015. Very seldom were officers charged in these shootings. The Supreme Court has legitimized this criminal violence with one reactionary ruling after another. It frequently invokes the reactionary qualified immunity doctrine that limits remedies for excessive force. The right-wing judges did not stand up for the Second Amendment right to bear arms that is so frequently thrown out as a bone by right-wing politicians. The liberal judges, meanwhile, assented to the reactionary ruling, ultimately forsaking Fourth Amendment rights for the right of police to shoot and maim without any significant restrictions. John Burton, president of the board of directors of the National Police Accountability Project and WSWS writer, noted the Mendez decision was part of a definite trend and another stone removed from the edifice of Fourth Amendment rights. The whole thing is political, he told the WSWS. The courts want to empower the police as much as possible and limit access to remedies for police violence. The important questions in the Mendez case, he pointed out, are not those of jurisprudence or democratic ideals enshrined in the Bill of Rights, but those of class tensions. Such decisions allow constitutional protections to be taken away piece by piece, instead of all at once. Europe Portuguese public sector strike Many schools and hospitals across Portugal were hit by a one-day strike on May 26 as public sector workers demand pay increases, following years of stagnant wages after the 2008 financial crisis. They are also demanding better promotion opportunities and retirement terms, as well as an end to short-term contracts. Portugal has been ravaged by the 2008 financial crisis and the austerity measures imposed by the IMF and European Central Bank. State owned companies recently privatized include the CTT (postal service), TAP Portugal (airline) and ANA (airports). The Fenprof teacher union announced further strikes and protests for June. Greek rail workers strike Greek rail staff employed by the state-owned Trainose held a one-day strike Thursday to protest the state of the rail infrastructure and working conditions. Initially, the strike had been scheduled to take place over three days beginning Tuesday but was reined back by the trade unions who are largely allied with the pro-austerity Syriza government. The strike affected the Athens metro and the Athens International Airport link. Meanwhile, head teachers in Greece are opposing the Syriza governments plan to impose stricter criteria on the appointment of school principals. The measures, due to start shortly, are part of a raft of austerity measures Syriza is imposing, at the behest of the European Union, to tighten the criteria for civil service promotions, aimed at cutting staff. The Doe primary school teachers union said it would boycott the new plans. Protest by Bulgarian lorry drivers Bulgarian lorry drivers held protests at the Greek/Bulgarian border crossing of Kulata on Monday. The protests, coordinated by the Union of Transport Workers, were against the long holdups experienced by lorry drivers. Following talks between representatives of the lorry drivers and Bulgarian officials, an agreement was reached to speed up the crossing by bringing in three lane queues. They also agreed to make the weighing of lorries more transparent by having large screens so the driver can see what weight the lorry carries. The drivers are demanding that empty TIR (international route) lorries are not weighed when going through the crossing. They are to resume protests if this measure is not introduced. Protests planned by Hungarian Tesco supermarket staff Tesco supermarket workers are to organize a nationwide demonstration in pursuit of higher wages. The Union of Commercial Employees together with the Independent Union of Commercial Workers also plan a go-slow combined with demonstrations outside stores. Protest by Irish teachers Around 300 teachers held a protest outside the Irish parliament Tuesday, calling for fair pay for newly qualified teachers. Currently they are on a lower pay scale than experienced teachers. The protest was called by the Irish National Teachers Organisation and was supported by members of the Teachers Union of Ireland and the Association of Secondary Teachers. Strikes by glass workers in southwest England Workers at two companies, which are part of the Specialist Building Products Group in the south west of England, have voted to strike. The workers, who are members of the Unite union, are protesting what is described as a miserly pay offer. Staff at Sierra Windows in Paignton voted by a more than 80 percent majority to strike and are already involved in a series of rolling days of action. The latest took place on Wednesday. A series of eight 48-hour strikes are scheduled to take place in June and July. Workers at DB glass, based in Newton Abbot, are also scheduled to hold 48-hour stoppages, on four occasions in June and two in July. UK adhesive workers strike Workers at the adhesive manufacturer Bostik in Stafford, England struck Tuesday through Thursday this week to oppose the companys two percent pay offer. One hundred and thirty hourly-paid staff at the factory voted by a 97 percent majority to authorize the Unite union to call a strike. The walkout follows six months of negotiations. A further eight days of strikes are scheduled throughout June and July. UK equality staff hold further strike Staff working for the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) based in Cardiff walked off the job last week in a five-day strike. The members of the Public and Commercial Services union are opposed to job and budget cuts. Several EHRC offices throughout the UK are taking strike action on a rolling basis. Next week EHRC workers in Manchester will strike throughout the week. Lecturers to strike at UK colleges Academic staff employed by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) at Manchester and Crewe, are planning to strike on June 20 and 21. The University and College Union (UCU) members are fighting job losses that will result from the closure of the Crewe campus. A two-day strike was due to have taken place last week but suspended following the May 22 Manchester bombing. UCU has proposed the government conciliation service ACAS become involved in the dispute but MMU management has refused the offer. UK employers legal bid to end strike fails The 1,400 warehouse staff employed by the retail chain Argos at their warehouse distribution sites at Basildon, Bridgewater, Burton on Trent, Castleford, Heywood and Lutterworth ended a two-week strike on Wednesday. The workers, members of Unite, are opposing Argos plans to close some of the sites, transferring some staff to other sites. The strike began when the firm announced that nearly 500 workers would be transferred from its hub in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, to Wincanton logistics in Kettering. As part of a cost cutting operation, the firm also plans to bring in contract staff. Last Friday, Argos made a second legal attempt to end the strike but the High Court rejected its attempt. Africa Casual employees at South Africa University demand permanent status Casual workers at Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa were attacked by police as they attempted to picket the academys gates. Around 100 workers mainly consisting of non-academic staff, i.e. cleaners, security guards and caterers, stopped buses entering the university. The one-week strike is demanding full-time employment for casual workers and a wage increase to R5000 (US $380) a month from R3800 (US $270). In February, after widespread action to demand casual workers be put on the books, the university promised to accede to the demands but then reneged. Talks last Friday ended in failure and the strike continues. South African waste disposal workers sent back to work with no agreement South African garbage disposal workers in Nelson Mandela Bay were instructed to return to work by the South Africa Municipal Workers Union, (SAMWU), which has refused to divulge what agreement it reached with the employer. The workers walked out over long overtime without payment, unacceptable working conditions, and to demand the removal of the boss of the waste management firm employing them. Workers say the manager continuously ignores their grievances. Sewage workers in South Africa strike over pay and conditions A strike by South African sewage workers in the Manguang Metro Municipality area has entered its third week. At issue are grievances over payment of Aprils salaries to casual workers, a wage increase and the retrieval of a 2011 pay award. Besides demanding casual workers be brought onto the books, in compliance with South African law, the workers, who are members of the South African Municipal Workers Union, want wage improvements and a one-time payment of R40,000 (US $3050). Managers have received such a bonus but the 4,000 workers have been left out. Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu services remain paralysed and are being monitored by Bloemfonteins Public Order Police. POP was created in 2014 as a crowd control unit of the South African Police Service in recognition of increased industrial action particularly among municipal workers. South African parliamentary staff to pay the price for budget cut South African parliamentary workers are demanding a 10.4 percent pay increase. Parliamentary negotiators are claiming the budget for the staff has been reduced from last year by approximately R102 million (US$7,781,340). According to the media, the negotiators will be offering no increase in pay and possible redundancies. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) is threatening that if a deal cannot be agreed it may launch industrial action. A strike in 2015, which was met by violent police assaults, saw parliamentary workers bonuses undermined by a NEHAWU sell out. The union accepted parliaments insistence that its budget dictated the terms and conditions of workers. Nigerian teachers and state workers strike Industrial action in Nasawara State Nigeria is being extended as members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, and the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria have gone on strike. A central issue in the strike is the backlog of unpaid wages. Members of other unions are expected to follow suit in the coming days. The strike is backed by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). In another dispute, Cross River State workers are striking to oppose the implementation of promotions, an end to illegal deductions from workers wages and payment of pensions in full. The NLC is advising all state employed workers to stay at home until further notice. Nigerian council workers strike to demand payment of back wages Council workers are striking in the oil hub city of Warri in Delta State, Nigeria. Workers took to the streets to protest going a year without receiving any wages. The demonstration follows similar action taken by council workers in the adjoining town of Effurun just two weeks ago. A member of the National Union of Local Government Employees told the Nigerian Guardian that the local government does not concern itself with the plight of its employees. He said many workers could no longer cater for their families or send their children to school because they no longer receive salaries. Nigerian hospital union ends strike Nigerian workers at Enugus National Orthopaedic Hospital were sent back to work Tuesday by the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions without their demands being met. Health workers, barring doctors, went out on strike to demand payment of full wages and missed wages. Workers were not paid in October and they have only been given half wages since the beginning of the year. A more long-standing complaint is over CONTISS, a pay framework, agreed many years ago, which has not been instituted. The Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions have so far not revealed why the strike was ended, only referring to a successful meeting with management. After record southwestern monsoon rains caused massive damage in Sri Lanka last week, parts of eastern India and Bangladesh were hit by Cyclone Mora on Tuesday. According to the latest figures, 203 people were killed in Sri Lanka, 96 remain missing and over 60 are seriously injured. The Disaster Management Centre reports that over 600,000 people have been affected. Around 1,500 houses are fully destroyed and 7,000 partially damaged. Many areas are still unreachable due to floods and over 50 deadly landslides, with workers and the rural poor the hardest hit. This includes thousands of tea and rubber plantation workers in Agalawatta and adjoining areas in Western Province, and in the Ratnapura district. Thousands of people face the threat of dengue fever, cholera, diarrhea and dysentery due to the lack of basic sanitary and health facilities and cramped conditions in makeshift survivors camps. The Sirisena-Wickremsinghe government has so far failed to provide a concrete plan to cope with the situation. Save the Children Sri Lanka chief Chris McIvor told Reuters that water-borne diseases were a major concern because of the damp and crowded conditions. According to government estimates, 40 percent of those affected do not have access to safe drinking water. Dengue fever, which was already at epidemic proportions before the floods, is expected to worsen as mosquitoes find new breeding grounds. Entire communities remained marooned by floodwaters. Many survivors are forced to sleep outside because their homes have been destroyed. Getting in to these communities is of the highest priority right now so we can find out exactly what the needs are and respond, McIvor said. He warned the disaster could worsen over the coming days because last weeks floods were just the beginning of the southwest monsoon season. H. Jayanthan, a specialist physician, told the WSWS that funguses affecting the base of fingers have already started to emerge amongst flood survivors and other skin diseases are also being reported. Older survivors, he added, are contracting respiratory tract infections and others are complaining of fever. Agricultural production has been heavily impacted, with thousands of acres of land under water. Sunil Withanage, 53, a teacher and part-time peasant from Akurukalavita in the Kalutara district, told the WSWS: Weve never seen floods like this in our lifetime. In this area alone, there is about 200 acres under water. Withanage explained that because of the previous drought, only an eighth of the available paddy land had been cultivated. Molkava, Paragoda, Pahiyangala and Nikgaha in the Kalutara district were heavily affected, with the bodies of 30 people killed by floods and landslides so far found in the area. The first naval rescue boat did not reach the area until after midday Saturday, followed by a medical team with two doctors on Monday. Some areas are still inaccessible. A WSWS correspondent who visited the district to see relatives explained it was a poverty-stricken rural area. Many residents worked in the plantations for a daily wage of around 400 rupees ($US2.60) and others eked out an existence as small cultivators. Transport, even before the floods and landslides, was very difficult, with buses only running three times a day. The nearest, poorly-equipped and under-staffed hospital is eight miles away at Bulathsinhala. Flood and landslide victims have no idea how they can rebuild their lives and bitterly denounced the fact that they will receive little or no government assistance. One villager told the WSWS: My house was totally destroyed by the flood. I had a farm but now Ill have to start from zero again. Were afraid that there will be another flood, and dont think theres any point living here anymore, but we have nowhere else to go. All the governments and the authorities are responsible for these disasters. When the Kukule Ganga Project [an irrigation and hydro-electricity scheme] was about to start we opposed it because we knew about the damage that would be created by it. We heard that it was designed to send overflowing reservoir water into some other unpopulated area. The government didnt allocate money to prevent that but chose easy methods. Inadequate state relief and Colombos refusal to develop measures to prevent or counteract the annual flood disasters have deepened anti-government sentiment. President Maithripala Sirisena visited the Ratnapura district on Monday, holding discussions with ministers and officials. Sirisena then appeared on television, cynically declaring that the cabinet had decided not to buy luxury vehicles for government ministers this year, as if this represented a massive sacrifice. India, in line with US geo-strategic policies, is attempting to strengthen its ties with Colombo. It has dispatched three naval ships with 300 navy personnel to assist in relief measures. This includes divers, medical teams and inflatable boats, as well as relief supplies, such as dry rations and blankets. The Chinese government has also announced $US2.2 million in flood relief aid and Pakistan sent a shipload of relief goods and medical teams. Washington, which played a major role in securing the presidency for Sirisena, has offered a pittance. The US ambassador Atul Keshap announced his government would only provide 15 million rupees ($US98,000). On Tuesday, Cyclone Mora hit Bangladesh, forcing hundreds of thousands from their homes and killing at least six people. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 117 kilometer per hour winds struck the country between the fishing port of Coxs Bazaar and Chittagong city. The department warned that these areas and other coastal districts were likely to be inundated by a storm surge of four to five feet. People in these areas were evacuated to shelters, schools and government offices. Fishing boats and trawlers were warned not to leave their ports and flights in many areas were cancelled. According to Coxs Bazaars chief administrator, Mohammad Ali Hussain, 17,500 houses were completely destroyed and 35,000 partially damaged in the district. Refugee camps for Muslim Rohingyas who fled Burma to escape communal attacks from Buddhist supremacists, bore the brunt of the storm. Around 350,000 Rohingyas were living in flimsy shelters when the cyclone struck. Although no deaths have been reported, almost every shanty made of tin, bamboo and plastic has been flattened, one refugee leader reported. The extraordinary police handling of an incident involving a mentally disturbed young man on a Malaysia Airlines flight from Melbourne airport on Wednesday night again points to the atmosphere of terrorist scares being whipped up by the political and media establishment. By their actions, the police transformed what could have been a relatively minor, albeit frightening episode, into another major terrorist operation. It generated media headlines and images of para-military police, toting semi-automatic rifles and wearing helmets and body armour, storming the plane. The incident began about eight minutes after MH128 to Kuala Lumpur took off, just before 11.30 pm. A young man allegedly rushed to the cockpit door, brandishing a suspicious object and threatening to blow up the plane. He was quickly tackled and subdued by passengers, while the flight was instructed to return to Melbourne. Terrified passengers on board flight MH128 were forced to wait 90 minutes before tactical response officers burst into the plane. Nearly two hours earlier, a number of passengers had themselves restrained and shackled the man. Several passengers had the young man pinned to the floor between a row of seats. Yet police delayed entering the plane, despite distraught passengers calling the triple-0 emergency line to plead with them to come on board. Passengers were originally assured that police would be on hand within 10 minutes. Melbournes Tullamarine airport, Australias second busiest, was shut down for hours, disrupting flights throughout Thursday morning. Then, the police conceded that the incident was not terrorist-related at all. The young man was revealed to be Manodh Marks, 25, a Sri Lankan trainee chef in Australia, who had only been released from a psychiatric ward earlier on Wednesday. The object Marks carried turned out to be a harmless Bluetooth speaker. Victoria Police Superintendent Tony Langdon said: It was quite quickly ascertained it wasnt an explosive device. It was a piece of equipment that everybody would be carrying around on a daily basis. Angry passengers condemned the police response. We rang triple-0 to say Get us out of this flight, Melbourne mother Priya Shanmuganathan, who was travelling to London with her husband and two young children, told the Australian. Is it safe? Is it not a bomb? Is it contained? There was just no information whatsoever. We were just sitting there like sitting ducks. Andrew Leoncelli, one of the passengers who restrained Marks, told Channel Sevens Sunrise program yesterday he was extremely concerned about the wait. We didnt know what it [the device] was and didnt know how long they [the police] were going to be, he said. We just had a lot of uncertainty, its not great. Another passenger involved, Scott Lodge, told reporters people were on edge, anxious, nervous, worried Eventually Team SWAT come rolling in with the biggest guns ever, the full works, heads down. Lawyer Dan Toner, who also intervened, said: Honestly, if he were a real terrorist we would have been toast. You see this huge ring of police and firefighters in this perimeter all around the plane, all these flashing lights and personnel just standing around and doing nothing at all, while were just sitting there wondering what on earth was going on. Another passenger, Stan Young, pointed to an obvious contradiction in the police action. If there was a bomb on that plane we should have been evacuated from it, he said. Instead we sat there for an hour and a half. Indeed, if the police thought a bomb might be aboard the fully fuel-laden aircraft, the passengers and crew were left in dire danger. Alternatively, if the Bluetooth speaker was no threat, police had no need to storm the aircraft. It would have been sufficient for a couple of officers to board the plane, perhaps accompanied by a psychiatrist and a medical team, to take Marks away for treatment. Dismissing the passengers outrage, Victorian state Premier Daniel Andrews immediately sprang to the defence of the police. Far from waiting for any investigation, let alone calling for an inquiry, he declared: It would have been certainly worse if police had rushed in and potentially made a bad situation much, much worse. Andrewss response was in line with the record of the Labor Party, both at state and federal levels, in initiating or supporting every escalation of the powers and resources placed in the hands of the police and intelligence agencies under the cover of the war on terrorism since 2001. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull did his best to exploit the police operation to justify further ratcheting up police powers. While telling federal parliament the incident was not currently being treated as terrorism-related, he said Australias comprehensive and strong transport security measures were being continually reviewed. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton defiantly described the police operation as a success. He claimed the delay was due to police investigating who was on board, the potential for terrorism and the possibility of another device or devices. Even though Marks was essentially trussed up, Ashton said, counter-terrorism response protocols kicked in at that point. By the end of yesterday, a discrepancy emerged in the police timeline of the incident. Ashton initially said it took about 20 minutes for Special Operations Group officers to arrive on the scene. According to the latest Victoria Police timeline, it took 44 minutesmore than twice as long. Many unanswered questions remain. One thing seems clear, however. Even after the passengers had subdued the obviously distressed young man, his actions were designated as a terrorist incident. This atmosphere of terrorist alert continued for hours after the police commandos burst into the aircraft. Exhausted passengers were isolated, searched and detained for questioning all night. The last of them were finally released just before midday yesterday, nearly 13 hours after their ordeal began. Instead of being treated as a mentally-ill patient, Marks has been charged with two serious federal offences that could see him jailed for 20 yearsthreatening to destroy, kill or injure a person on an aircraft and recklessly threatening to detonate an explosive device. Marks did not appear in court yesterday. He does have concerns for his safety in custody, defence lawyer Tess Dunsford told the magistrate, saying her client suffers from a psychiatric illness and would not be applying for bail. The MH128 operation is the latest in a long line of incidents that the police and intelligence agencies, backed by Labor and Liberal-National governments alike, have elevated into terrorist emergencies. The incident came less than a week after the release of the coroners report into the December 2014 Sydney cafe siege. The report covered-over all the critical questions about that globally-publicised event, which was triggered by a mentally-disturbed individual, who had long been under close surveillance by police and intelligence agencies. Above all, the report said nothing about how the federal and state governments seized upon the siege to activate a major counter-terrorism operation. The underlying purpose of all these operations is to stoke fears of terrorism, provide pretexts for the ever-greater expansion of police, spy and military powers and justify Australian involvement in escalating US-led military aggression, especially in the Middle East. The author also recommends: Australian inquest into Sydney siege whitewashes unanswered questions [25 May 2017] Australian government exploits attack by mentally-ill man to whip up terrorism scare [12 September 2016] Less than two weeks before the first round of the French legislative elections, the perspective for opposition to President Emmanuel Macrons agenda offered by Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of Unsubmissive France (UF), is collapsing. This is what emerges from an examination of his interview Tuesday in Le Parisien. Though he received 7 million votes in the presidential elections based on criticisms of war, Melenchon rejected a revolutionary policy of mobilizing the working class in struggle against the new president. Though most of his supporters rejected both Macron and neo-fascist candidate Marine Le Pen, he refused to call for a boycottthe policy advanced by the Parti de legalite socialiste (PES). In a naked abdication of political responsibility, Melenchon refused to take any position on the second round of the presidential election. Instead, he proposed a parliamentary strategyclaiming, despite all evidence to the contrary, that UF would win the legislative elections and form a government, so Melenchon could carry out a militant struggle against Macron from inside the prime ministers office. This week, however, Melenchon is increasingly dropping these pretenses and shifting rapidly to the right. He made clear in Le Parisien that he is preparing to operate as a minority in the National Assembly and provide friendly advice on Macrons legislative agenda. With UF set to poll only 12 percent, down from 20 percent in the presidential election, Melenchon said, if my movement does not get a majority, I will act as leader of the opposition in the country, which, Melenchon admitted, is a powder keg. That is, he is peddling illusions that he can obtain concessions from Macron even if UF has only a handful of deputies in the Assembly. Melenchon said he would meet Macrons justice minister, Francois Bayrou, to discuss the planned anti-corruption law for the moralization of French politics: We will propose alternatives and adopt a conquering position. I must see Mr Bayrou tomorrow, Wednesday. I will propose a simple measure, giving the people the power to remove elected officials. Its in my programme. If he takes it up, I will say congratulations and vote for the law! If he does not, we will wait to see what is in it. The purpose of such a meeting is to provide political cover for empty pro-Macron propaganda in the press, which claims Macron is renewing French politics and purging it of financial corruption. This came as this propaganda hit its first major obstacle: allegations that Macron aide and urban planning minister Richard Ferrand improperly benefited in real estate deals six years ago, while running a public insurance fund in Brittany. In Le Parisien, Melenchon went on to make clear that his movement would work with the Macron government in the National Assembly, particularly if Macrons REM won a legislative majority. If its Mr Macron who wins, we will propose the formation of a true Popular Front of social resistance that makes propositions, Melenchon said. Melenchon is well aware that Macron intends to impose his programmecalling for deep cuts to jobs and social benefits by decree, major increases to military spending, and a return to the draftin an authoritarian manner, by decree, under the state of emergency. This programme is overwhelmingly unpopular in France, and particularly in the working class. With social anger mounting in France and across Europe, Melenchon knows he must prepare for an eruption of the class struggle. He told Le Parisien: If [Macron] wins, I predict that he will rapidly face a very violent rejection of a part of society. Because the tax increases and the super-labour law that he wants to do to undermine the Labour Code will produce a social shock of the very greatest magnitude. Melenchons programme is not, however, to oppose the state of emergency and arm the workers with a perspective for the explosive and bitter struggles that lie ahead. Rather, he insisted that social opposition had to be channelled through UF deputies in the National Assembly. We will work with trade unions, NGOs, political and cultural forces, he said. The resistance will start first of all in the National Assembly. A class gulf separates the PES, the French section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), from the perspective laid out by Melenchon. The PES called for an active boycott of the Macron-Le Pen run-off to offer an independent political line for the working class and warn it of the reactionary, militaristic, and anti-democratic policies Macron would pursue in office. It oriented to the development of revolutionary opposition to war and austerity in the working class and sought to give it a socialist and internationalist perspective. Already, only weeks after Macrons election, a strike by tanker drivers has begun in France. Yet Melenchon, like the trade union bureaucracies, is not calling for a broader struggle of the working class in support of the drivers, but seeking to negotiate adjustments in Macrons policies. There is only one way to correctly describe this strategy: it is a trap for the working class. Melenchon does not represent an alternative to Macron or the discredited Socialist Party (PS) of former President Francois Hollande, but a faction of this discredited ruling elite. An ex-student radical who joined the petty-bourgeois Organisation communiste internationaliste (OCI) after it broke with Trotskyism and the ICFI in 1971 on the perspective of helping to build the PS, Melenchon then joined the PS. In the 1980s, he became a senator, then a minister, with high-level connections to intelligence and military circles. The forces with which Melenchon would form his supposed alliance against Macron, such as the Stalinist French Communist Party (PCF), have decades-long ties to the PS and do not oppose Macronas Melenchon himself well knows. In fact, amid factional struggles with the PCF over whether to run a joint legislative slate, Melenchon sent an SMS to the PCF leadership denouncing them as tools of Macron. He wrote, You are creating confusion across the entire country Bravo, communist identity. All that after months of insults and manoeuvres to sabotage my campaign. And youre at it again. You are death and nothingness. You took 10 months to support me and 10 minutes to support Macron. And thats without mentioning the agreements you dons respect. Ive had enough. Now, however, Melenchon is proposing to form a regroupment of the entire upper-middle class milieu of trade union bureaucrats, NGO officials, and media and political operatives of which the PCF is an integral partbut supposedly in order to oppose Macron. This is a political fraud. Workers must be warned: despite his occasionally radical-sounding rhetoric, Melenchon is opposed to socialism and to any attempt to draw a political balance sheet of the bankruptcy of the PS. In his book The Era of the People, first published in 2014, he declared the end of socialism, the working class and the left, and advanced a populist nationalism. He opposed the construction of a left-wing movement based on the working class against capitalism. The essential preparation for the struggles that are to come against Macrons agenda of war and social reaction is a conscious political break with this demoralized and bankrupt perspective. The author also recommends: From pseudo-left to New Right: The trajectory of Frances Jean-Luc Melenchon [18 October 2014] The Trump administrations budget proposal, even if only partly enacted as part of a bipartisan deal in Congress, would have a devastating impact on the working class in New York City. Both City Comptroller Scott Stringer and New York State Controller Thomas Di Napoli have issued statements and reports dealing with the projected impact on the city of the White House budget proposal for the 2018 fiscal year. These Democratic politicians are concerned that the cuts will provoke a social explosion, and are posturing as opponents of Trump while the stage is being set for a compromise that will represent yet another blow to living conditions. According to Stringers calculations, the city could lose $850 million in funding for social services, housing and education. Among the cuts would be $108 million in grants to city schools for teachers and principals, and $21 million for afterschool programs for low-income students. A program to support the construction of low-income housing would be completely eliminated. The low-income heating assistance program, which covers 770,000 residents in the city, would also be ended. Additional targeted programs include rental assistance, summer jobs for teenagers and adult literacy programs, among others. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), already notorious for a $17 billion backlog in maintenance, creating often hellish conditions for its poor and working class residents, would lose $165 million (20 percent) of its federal assistance for operating expenses, along with two-thirds ($200 million) in capital funds, in the proposed 2018 federal budget. State Controller Thomas Di Napoli added his warning on the impact of proposed federal funding cuts. Di Napoli spelled out some of the cuts facing New York City, which receives $33 billion annually form the federal government, nearly 40 percent of Mayor Bill de Blasios proposed $84.7 billion 2018 fiscal year budget. Among the cuts is a projected reduction of $305 million annually that would result from the elimination of Obamacare funds by 2020. Additional damage would be caused by reductions in federal funds going to NYCHA and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city transit system as well as suburban commuter lines, and the Health and Hospitals Corporation, which runs the citys public hospitals. DiNapolis analysis projects city budget deficits in the billions of dollars from 2019 through at least 2021. This would be compounded by the declining rate of city revenues. The citys tax collections rose by only 3.2 percent in 2016, less than half the rate of growth during the preceding five years. Lower rates are projected to continue for at least the next two years, reflecting an overall economic decline after years of a soaring stock market. New York City is already one of the most unequal in the world, with widespread poverty and homelessness. Three of the citys five boroughsthe Bronx, Brooklyn and Queenshave the highest poverty rate of all counties in the state of New York (each borough is also a county). Across the city, more than 1 million people are listed as living in poverty, based on an official standard that is absurdly low. A more realistic study found that nearly two-thirds of the citys population suffer severe economic hardship. Approximately 60,000 people, including over 23,000 children, sleep in the citys homeless shelters every night, an increase of roughly 8,000 since Democrat Bill de Blasio took office nearly four years ago. Many thousands more live on the streets. The homeless population is now 76 percent higher than it was 10 years ago. Between 1999 and 2013, real incomes in New York City decreased by 6.3 percent, while during the same period, the median rent rose by 19 percent. The city is suffering from an acute lack of affordable housing, which has continued to worsen under both Democratic and Republican administrations in Washington. Between 1994 and 2012, 150,000 apartments were removed from the rent stabilization program, contributing to the relentlessly rising prices that have made New York one of the most expensive housing markets in the world. At the same time, over the year ending September 2016, official unemployment, itself a gross underrepresentation of the true situation increased from 4.9 to 5.8 percent. A large segment of the citys population relies on food donations to avoid hunger and malnutrition, but the demand far outstrips the supply. New York is already facing an annual shortfall of 241 million meals, according to the Food Bank of New York City. The proposed cut in food assistance from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps) will sharply increase hunger among the poor and vulnerable sections of the working class. SNAP had already been cut by $5 billion in 2013, under the Obama administration. The Food Bank reports that 79 percent of pantries and soup kitchens have not yet made up for the shortfall caused by the 2013 cuts. As far as housing, a recent study showed that the number of retirees in the city who are rent-burdened, relying on government services and living below 150% of the poverty line, is growing exponentially, and will probably reach 1.4 million in less than 30 years. If these are the conditions that already exist, the proposed cuts will cause suffering on a truly staggering scale. In a foretaste of things to come, Mayor Bill de Blasios initial budget proposal for the coming fiscal year called for cutting the citys emergency food assistance program by $4.9 million. That cut has since been withdrawn following intense criticism. While media commentary on the proposed budget has focused on predictions that Trumps extreme cuts will never be enacted, this has the effect of minimizing the dangers that flow from the essential unity of both Democrats and Republicans in the decades-long onslaught on social and public services. The fine words of the city and state officials are designed to cover up this fact. De Blasio, it must be recalled, ran for mayor four years ago as a crusading progressive who would do something about the inequality that had made New York, according to his campaign slogan, a tale of two cities. The mayor, who is running for a second term this fall, has a record that is spelled out in the above figures on homelessness, hunger and poverty. This is the real face of the Democratic Party and its Wall Street backers. The author also recommends: Trump calls for $1.7 trillion in social cuts [23 May 2017] Less than a week after US President Donald Trump returned to the United States from his overseas tour of the Middle East and Europe, it is clear that a shift in world politics with vast implications is underway. Global relationships and institutions that for decades set the framework for international economy and public life are rapidly unraveling. The rising threat of trade war and the resurgence of the military ambitions of all the imperialist powers are signs of the advanced state of collapse of the international institutions created after the United States emerged from World War II as the dominant imperialist power. This collapse is the product of processes that have matured over decades. In 1991, when the Stalinist dissolution of the Soviet Union deprived the NATO alliance of a common enemy, tensions between the imperialist powers were already surging. As US strategists declared a unipolar moment, in which the disappearance of the Soviet Union eliminated any immediate military rival, they aimed to use this military advantage to counterbalance the declining economic position of the United States. A 1992 Pentagon strategy paper asserted that Washington had to convince potential competitors that they need not aspire to a greater role or pursue a more aggressive posture, and to discourage them from challenging our leadership or seeking to overturn the established political and economic order. A quarter century later, this policy has failed. It led to a series of imperialist wars and interventions by the NATO powers, led by the United States, that shattered Iraq, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Ukraine, and other countries. While costing millions of lives, destroying entire societies, and creating the greatest refugee crisis since World War II, these acts of militarism have produced debacles and failed to reverse US imperialisms fortunes. Now, a new stage of the crisis has been reached: The United States imperialist rivals are preparing direct, far-reaching challenges to US imperialisms global primacy. Trumps attempts at the G7 and NATO summits to secure better economic terms for the United States from Europe have backfired. He had blamed the Europeans for not paying what they should be paying for military spending in the NATO alliance, and denounced Germany as terrible, adding, We will stop German car exports to the US. Europes response was not sympathy and financial aid, however, but a series of actions indicating that the continental European powers are preparing for a political and military break with America. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking at a Munich beer tent rally Sunday, referred to both Trumps performance at the summits and Britains vote to exit the European Union (EU): The times when we could fully rely on others are to some extent overI experienced that in the last few days. We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands. Going forward, she added, we have to fight for our own future ourselves. Events in Europe over the past week confirmed that Merkels statement reflected a deep crisis in the NATO military alliance founded in 1949 between America and Europe. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel declared that under Trump, Washington had cast itself outside the Western community of values. He added that this signaled a shift in global power relations. Then newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron, a close ally of Berlin, invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to a high-profile summit at Versailles. Standing next to Putin in a joint press conference, Macron criticized all the main US-EU foreign interventions in recent years. He called for an end to the conflict in Ukraine provoked by the 2014 US- and German-backed coup in Kiev, called for closer economic and intelligence cooperation with Russia and even floated the possibility of re-opening Frances embassy in Damascus, Syria. Also this week, a new EU military headquarters in Brussels went into operation. Britain, which had blocked it in line with US fears that the EU would become a rival to NATO, could no longer veto it due to its exit from the EU. Among US foreign policy strategists, it is widely acknowledged that these events mark a historic setback for Washington. Every American administration since 1945 has tried to work closely with Germany and NATO, Jacob Heilbrunn wrote in The National Interest, but America under Trump is pushing Merkel to create a German superpower. Heilbrunn added, Now that France has elected Emanuel Macron president, Merkel is moving to fashion a Franco-German axis that will pursue a common economic and military path. This will signal a significant diminution in American prestige and influence abroad. Imagine, for example, that Merkel decided to defy Trumps push for sanctions and isolating Iran by establishing trade ties with North Korea, including selling it weapons. These tensions are not simply the product of the extreme nationalist policies of the current occupant of the White House, however. Indeed, as the Democratic Party relentlessly demonizes Russia and accuses it of subverting American democracy, it is ever clearer that a victory of Hillary Clinton in last years US presidential election would not have resolved the conflicts with Europe. Rather, the tensions are rooted in deep contradictions between the interests of the major imperialist powers, which twice in the last century led to world war. This is underscored by the escalating rivalries between the imperialist powers in Asia. Last month, as China inaugurated its so-called Belt and Road Initiativedesigned to build a web of energy and transport infrastructure integrating China, the Middle East, and EuropeWashington was reduced to a role on the sidelines, as China and the EU developed their ties. The response of Japan and India, Washingtons allies in its pivot to Asia aimed at isolating China, is not, however, fundamentally friendlier to US imperialist interests than that of the EU powers. Last week, Tokyo and New Delhi released a vision document for an Asia Africa Growth Corridor, aiming to present an alternative to Chinas Belt and Road that would develop India as a production-chain hub and military counterweight to China. The goal of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his supporters in the ultra-nationalist Nippon Kaigi organization is not only to outstrip China, but also to rearm Japan and supplant America as Asias dominant power. Abe, whose government is pushing aggressively for the elimination of the constitutional ban on Japanese overseas wars imposed after its defeat in World War II, has repeatedly declared that an Indo-Japanese alliance has the most potential of any in the world. The events surrounding Trumps trip to Europe reflect a crisis not only of American imperialism, but of the entire world capitalist system. None of Washingtons rivalsneither the EU, despised at home for its austerity policies, nor the economically moribund, right-wing regime in Japan, nor the post-Maoist capitalist oligarchy in Chinaoffer a progressive alternative. Anyone who asserted that a coalition of these powers will emerge to stabilize world capitalism, and block the emergence of large-scale trade war and military conflict, would be placing heavy bets against history. As Trump demands trade war against Germany, Berlin and Tokyo re-militarize their foreign policy, and a new French president comes to power who supports restoring the draft, everything indicates that the ruling elites are tobogganing eyes closed towards a new global conflagration on the sameor an even greaterscale as the world wars of the last century. The force that will emerge as the alternative to the collapse of bourgeois politics is the international working class. It is being driven into action by intolerable conditions of life, mass unemployment, and social misery after decades of austerity and war. And as corporations like Amazon and Apple, with vast workforces spread over dozens of countries, predominate in a globalized world economy, the working class is increasingly conscious of its character as an international class, whose interests are fundamentally separate and opposed to those of the financial aristocracies that rule in every country. The collapse of international capitalist relations goes hand in hand with the discrediting of the various social democratic and liberal parties and trade union bureaucracies that emerged to contain the class struggle in the post-World War II era. The surprise vote for Brexit, the election of Trump and the disintegration of Frances two-party system in the recent presidential election testify to the collapse of the old ruling establishments. A global eruption of the class struggle is being prepared. The crisis that has emerged has vindicated the International Committee of the Fourth Internationals (ICFI) insistence that the Stalinists' dissolution of the Soviet Union did not signify the end of the struggle of the international working class for socialism. Capitalism had not overcome the fundamental conflicts identified by the great Marxists of the 20th centurythe contradictions between global economy and the nation-state system, and between socialized economic production and the private appropriation of profitthat led to war and to social revolution. The way forward for the working class is revolutionary struggle on an internationalist and socialist program in the tradition of the October Revolution a century ago. Workers cannot support the militarist policies of any of the contending imperialist powers. The necessary response to the deepening crisis of global capitalism is the unification of the working class in struggle against imperialism through the building of a world socialist anti-war movement. Reports of a terror attack at an upscale casino in Manila flooded the international press on Thursday. The accounts universally reported that multiple masked gunmen detonated explosives and were shooting at people throughout the resort. SITE, a US think tank with close ties to military intelligence, reported that the attack was carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). US President Donald Trump opened his press conference on Washingtons pulling out of the Paris climate accord by addressing the terrorist attack in the Philippines, which he declared he was closely monitoring. The attack took place in the early hours of the morning, and speculation was rife in both domestic and international media that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte would declare nationwide martial law by dawn. Within several hours, Philippine police chief Ronald de la Rosa announced that a single armed individual had attempted to steal gambling chips from the casino, and in the process set fire to a table. Police shot the would-be robber, but no one else was seriously injured. As of this articles publication, news outlets began reporting a third version of events. Anywhere from 24 to 35 dead bodies have been reported found in the casino on the second and eighth floors, victims, it is claimed, of suffocation. The alleged robber is said to have killed himself by self-immolation, burned beyond recognition. The ruling class in both the Philippines and internationally is poised on a knifes edge. The social crisis has become so acute and the drive to world war so advanced, that long before any details emerged they howled ISIS and called for martial law from around the globe. Over 22 million Filipinos on the southern island of Mindanao have been living under conditions of military dictatorship for the past week. Using the alleged attacked staged by ISIS on the city of Marawi as a pretext, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced on May 23 that martial law was being imposed on Mindanao. Duterte, who had been in Moscow to meet with Putin, was rapidly flown home before he could conduct negotiations with the Russian government for improved defense ties and the sale of weapons. Meanwhile, US Press Secretary Sean Spicer announced the solidarity of the White House with Manilas fight against the cowardly terrorists and promised Washington would provide support and assistance to Philippine counterterrorism efforts. This was an effective endorsement of martial law, as the counterterrorism efforts are being conducted under the auspices of military rule. Both houses of the Philippine legislature passed resolutions endorsing the martial law declaration in overwhelming numbers, clearly indicating their willingness to sign off on a nationwide imposition. The official narratives produced by the Philippine military and the presidential palace of Malacanang regarding events in Marawi are deeply contradictory. Not a word of the pretexts cited in the official declaration can be relied upon. Among the claims made by the government to warrant martial law, which are now known to be false, are the following: * The Marawi police chief had been captured and decapitated. He appeared on TV two days later to announce that he had not been beheaded. * ISIS had seized a hospital and was holding the occupants hostage. The director of the hospital later told the press this was not true. * Three schools had been burnt to the ground. Eyewitness accounts stated they are still standing. * City hall was occupied; it was not. The presidential palace also circulated photographs of Filipino forces in combat that were later shown to have been taken during the Vietnam War. It is clear, however, that Marawi, which sits on the shores of Lake Lanao and has a population of over 200,000, has been transformed into a war zone. Official accounts state that over 120 people have been killed in fighting over the past week, and claim, without any evidence, that 89 were members of ISIS. Well over 100,000 people have been evacuated, and according to UNICEF over 50,000 are children. An immense tragedy is being inflicted upon Marawi but not for the reasons given by official government accounts. The military brass, almost certainly with collusion from Washington, has used the city to implement military rule and attempt to force the geopolitical reorientation of Duterte back toward Washington. Washington bases a small number of elite US forces in the Philippine military camp in Marawi. On the day that Duterte traveled to Moscow, the Philippine military decided to attempt a raid on a local armed clan known as the Maute Group. A firefight broke out. The defense secretary announced that ISIS, based in the nearby town of Butig, had invaded the city. He declared martial law, and Duterte scuttled home. Elite politics in the Philippines is dominated by rival clans. Most date their power back to the days of Spanish colonialism. Their money flows from old landed claims and is now invested in various industrial concerns. They intermarry and unify their dynasties; they have fallings out and these become wars, known on Mindanao as rido, which they conduct through private armies. Maute is an influential clan in the Maranao region. According to Vera Files, an investigative reporting group in the Philippines, Farhana Maute, the clan matriarch is a known political player and is in conflict with a well-known Butig politician, Dimnatang Pansar. The uptick in violence in Butig appears rooted in a local political squabble. Maute had recruited over 100 soldiers to its private army, mostly high-school dropouts ranging in age from 13 to 16. Looking to strengthen its image as the toughest clan in the province, they adopted ISIS as a sort of brand. Last year, the Maute Group kidnapped several mill workers, dressed them in orange jumpsuits and beheaded them, in imitation of ISIS, as a means of establishing this reputation. This went on for over a year and the military did effectively nothing, but then, just as Duterte went to Moscow, it decided to stage a raid. The armys firefight with Maute on May 23 was brief and successful. The conflict was over while the president was still in flight from Moscow to Manila. The militarys own spokesperson in Marawi announced that the battle was over, and that reports had been greatly exaggerated. To warrant the extension of the declaration of martial law would require an expanded conflict. Therefore, the military began circulating accounts of an ISIS occupation of the city, put Marawi under lockdown and began invading homes. The Maute Group is large and therefore the military had many purported members of ISIS it could round up. The result was chaos and carnage. The military called in fighter jets to bomb Marawi. Residents who could not flee waved articles of white clothing from windows to indicate they were civilians, hoping they would not be bombed or shot. Just hours before the casino robbery seized the attention of the press, the military accidentally bombed its own forces in Marawi, killing at least 10 soldiers. The more than 100,000 people who have been evacuated have not been provided with lodgings, and have been left to beg for food and places to stay, and are dependent on limited relief goods and charity. Political developments make clear that the military is calling the shots. Duterte is scrambling, in his fascistic and vulgar fashion, to retain its loyalty. Speaking to the troops on May 26, Duterte declared: During martial law, you can arrest any person, search any house. No warrant... If you rape three women, I will cover for you. In another speech, he stated: I will not end martial law until military tells me to. The social function of martial lawsuppressing the working classis already expressing itself. The first documented use of the powers of military dictatorship outside of Marawi took place on May 26, as soldiers attempted to forcibly break up a picket of striking fruit workers in Compostela Valley, 400 kilometres east of the city. In a chilling and shameless display of the Trump administrations escalating attacks on immigrant workers a San Diego family was broken up by US Border Patrol agents in front of their home last week, leaving four children to fend for themselves. The parents, Francisco Duarte and Rosenda Perez, have both lived in the United States for over 20 years since emigrating from Mexico. They sold ice cream in National City, a suburb of San Diego, adjacent to the US-Mexico border. They have no criminal record and the CBP has been forced to admit that no criminal charges have been filed. Despite this Duarte and Perez have been charged with immigration violations and are being held at the nearby Otay Mesa Detention Center pending deportation hearings. Francisco Duarte Jr. told local media how his father, Francisco Sr., was apprehended on May 23 as he walked out of the family home to pick up a newspaper at a nearby convenience store. He was handcuffed by Border Patrol agents and put into an unmarked car. Perez walked out of the home to see what was going on and was arrested. Francisco Jr. had been woken up to the sound of his two younger sisters crying who explained that their parents were in handcuffs. His mother had requested that Francisco, 19, assume care of his three younger siblings who are minors. Francisco told local media that he could not get any information from the government agents arresting his parents. He asked if they had an arrest warrant for his father only to be told by the officials that they did not need an arrest warrant. The family called the National City Police Department who confirmed that the family was being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A rally in support of the family was held outside of the Otay Mesa detention facility last Friday where the parents are currently being held. The arrests of Duarte and Perez triggered a panic in National City, a majority Hispanic and immigrant community. Rumors circulated that the parents had been detained while dropping their children off at school. The National City Elementary Teachers Association was forced to release a statement demanding ICE and Border Patrol cease and desist targeting immigrant families. A National City mother was deported in April to Tijuana, leaving her son behind. In California, more than 750,000 students, one in eight, have at least one parent who is undocumented according to Education Trust-West. While most of these students are citizens, at least 250,000 are themselves undocumented. In February, San Diego Unified Superintendent Cindy Marten sent a letter to parents reassuring them that ICE was not allowed to conduct raids on school campuses. Earlier in the month a resolution was passed reaffirming the districts stance that its schools are a safe space for students, regardless of their immigration status. These resolutions have not stopped the Border Patrol or ICE agents from parking near schools, churches, and even town halls in hopes of intimidating and arresting undocumented immigrants, deliberately cultivating a sense of confusion and terror in working-class communities. In March, ICE agents arrested Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez in Los Angeles as he was dropping off his daughter at school. The incident would have never become well known if the mans daughter did not record a video on her cell phone, which quickly went viral on the Internet. ICE told the Los Angeles Times that because the arrest did not take place on school grounds it followed department protocol. In San Diego, staff members at one elementary school in the working-class suburb of City Heights told the Voice of San Diego how they have noticed ICE trucks parked near schools leading to a sharp decline in parents who are willing to engage with teachers and attend school functions. One undocumented parent, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of raids, told the news site how bringing her children to school had become a tremendous source of anxiety. I rarely go drop off my kids at schools in the morning because I go into work at 4a.m., but when I do go I fear that it will be my last day here, she said. Since the Duarte family has been broken up, the children have mounted a campaign demanding answers from authorities and the return of their parents. They uploaded a video on Youtube describing their ordeal, which has since been viewed over 20,000 times. In the video, Franciscos 17-year-old brother describes how his father was just hunted because they didnt have papers. His younger sister also spoke up saying, We cant let this become something that is normal in our community. The family has also set up a GoFundMe account, a site for donations, to help with living expenses and legal fees. They have been met with overwhelming support raising almost $70,000 in less than a week. The International Amazon Workers Voice spoke with a former Amazon worker in Spain who says he was fired because he suffered a workplace injury in July 2015. Jose Antonio Rueda Bermudez is 30 years old and married with a young daughter. When he was hurt on the job at Amazons San Fernando de Henares fulfillment center outside of Madrid, the corporation blocked him from receiving compensation or any other form of financial support needed to help his young family. Jose was lifting and moving boxes under sped-up conditions when he suffered a sharp, excruciating pain . Amazon sent him to Mutua Universal, a company that works with Spains Social Security system to provide public aid to workers injured on the job. A doctor later diagnosed him with sacroiliitis, an inflammation of the sacroiliac joints at the point where the lower spine and pelvis connect. They told me the injury was my fault, Jose said. The inflammation hasnt gone away, and I still cant work because of it. Amazon knows this, but they havent done anything. Since their doctors told me there was no problem, I cant get any financial support. Then they sent me back to work after just four days and told me I was wasting their time. Like most Amazon workers in Spain, Jose was hired through a contracting firmin his case, Manpower ETT. When he got the job in late 2014, he considered himself lucky after listening to Amazon boast of its working conditions. He soon found out the company wasnt telling the truth. It was impossible to keep up with the pace of work, and corporate management watches workers like hawks. The San Fernando de Henares facility was Amazons first in Spain. It consists of more than 15 kilometers of conveyor belt, 63 kilometers of shelves, and it warehouses over 165 million products. As of November 2016, the plant employed 1,600 workers. Amazon will hire 2,000 more workers in Spain in the next two years, in part by opening another fulfillment center near Barcelona in late 2017. Fearing the prospects of long-term unemployment, Jose was forced to work through his worsening injury, causing him to slow down due to the constant pain. Manpower ETT didnt renew my contract because Amazon told them I wasnt working as hard, but that was because of my injury, he said. Amazon wouldnt give me a report from my injury because they didnt want to have to pay me anything. After I was fired, I got minimal benefits for a while but I was cut off long ago. Now Im not receiving a single euronot for medicine, not for anything. Joses wife, who also can only find temporary work, recently got surgery to remove two tumors on her foot. The young family is in a desperate economic position. They have decided not to tell their eight-year-old daughter to protect her from what the family might have to endure. He is taking his case to court, but will not appear before a judge until February 2018. My life has been destroyed by Amazon. It is hard to be able to buy meat now. In Spain, there is very high unemployment, and Amazon puts their facilities in areas of high unemployment. Joses injury exposes the brutal character of temporary and contract work, commonly used by Amazon across the world. Aside from a lack of basic safety protections, workers work themselves to the brink of exhaustion out of fear that Amazon wont renew their contracts. With a youth unemployment rate of 41.5 percent, Spanish workers fear that the loss of a job means long-term loss of income, with life-shattering consequences. Life for the working class in Spain is very tough, Jose said. You have to go through contractors. Its very rare to go directly into a job. So, you start work and you go for two months. Then theyll kick you out after a few months and you have to look for new work. So, if you work at Amazon, you dont get vacation, you get no rest, you walk over 20 kilometres per day, and you cant stop. The company uses your labeler gun to monitor how fast you move. If you stop to go to the bathroom, my coworkers tell me your gun sends you a message: What are you doing? Get back to work. Jose heard about Nicole, a young worker in the US state of Virginia, who was also denied medical attention by Amazon. Nicole told the International Amazon Workers Voice that Amazon said they had no record of her workplace injury. Amazon ordered her to work despite the fact that she nearly suffered heatstroke on the job. Madre mia, Jose said. And you have to pay for health care in the US! Amazon plays with your health, its the same here. If youre hurt, too bad. It gets very hot in our fulfillment center and there is a quick pace of work, there are no stops. It can be dangerous. An IAWV reporter explained the need for a political struggle against Amazon and against the capitalist system, in which corporations like Amazon control the political parties and dictate the policies of governments. I agree with you. The political situation is shameful. In Spain, [Prime Minister Mariano] Rajoy is robbing people, he said. While he hoped the Spanish political party Podemos would fight for the interests of the people, he explained he is disillusioned with all the politicians, including from Podemos, because they always say they want to listen but they change their mind when they get to power. They say what you want to hear. The IAWV shared with Jose the experience of Podemos sister party, the Greek Coalition of the Radical Left (Syriza), which enforced brutal attacks on social programs, pensions, and workers living conditions after pledging to oppose the European Central Banks austerity program. Interesting, I didnt know about that, he said. Jose said he invited all his former coworkers to like the International Amazon Workers Voice Facebook page and has shared the World Socialist Web Site so that others can read it. When he learned of the IAWV proposal that workers build factory committees and link their struggles in a common international fight against Amazon, he said, I agree with you. We the people, the workers, we are the ones that could have power but they want to keep us divided against each other. We have to unite all over the world. We have to not have fear and fight for what our grandparents fought for and won. Young people, pensioners, we all have to unite. The campaign in Britains snap general election has seen a shift towards the Labour Party in opinion polls. There is a desire among many to get rid of a despised Conservative government, coupled with sympathy for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn elicited by the attacks of the right and support for his promise of a Labour government that will take back the wealth from the tax cheats, the rip-off bosses and the greedy bankers. To this must be added the universal line-up behind Labour of Britains nominally left groups, who now campaign without reservation for a Labour victory. The Socialist Equality Party does not call for a Labour vote. It has now been more than seven decades since Labour implemented any major reforms. Instead, from the late 1970s onwards it has lurched ever further to the rightimposing attacks that allowed Margaret Thatcher to come to power in 1979 and then betraying every struggle against her government, above all the 1984-85 miners strike, while it witch-hunted anyone associated with socialist views out of the party. Labours evolution was just one manifestation of how profound changes, associated with transnational production and the global integration of finance and manufacturing, had dramatically undermined the viability of the old nationally based parties and trade unions and their programmes of national economic regulation of industry and of the labour market. The dissolution of the Soviet Union by the Stalinist bureaucracy in December 1991 and the re-introduction of capitalism were the highest expression of this process. But social democratic parties and trade unions the world over emerged as unalloyed advocates of the free market. The role of the Labour and trade union bureaucracy had once been to pressure the employers and the state for concessions to the workers, providing the basis for their claim to head political and industrial organisations of the working class. Now, however, these organisations dedicate themselves to pressuring the workers for concessions to the employers in order to attract and retain globally mobile capital investment. The International Committee of the Fourth International drew far-reaching conclusions from this historic turn. The abandonment of their old reformist programme fundamentally changed the relationship of the Labour Party, the trade unions and similar formations internationally to the working class. This required a change in the tactical approach taken by the Trotskyist movement towards them. In the past the Labour Party enjoyed the active and militant support of advanced workers looking for a socialist alternative. It was necessary to combat these illusions by calling for a critical vote for Labour, demanding that it implement socialist policies and that the partys left wing drive out the right wing opposed to such a struggle. This would create the means through which the more advanced workers could test out the socialist claims of their existing leaders and help them recognise the need to adopt a revolutionary perspective and leadership. To continue with such a tactical orientation under conditions of the renunciation of socialism by Labour would instead reinforce illusions that were being objectively dispelled and help keep workers trapped within a party that was openly hostile to their interests. This appraisal was vindicated by the coming to power in 1997 of the government of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, which was to preside over six wars, including Iraq in 2003, and an unprecedented transfer of wealth from the working class into the pockets of the super-rich leading to the post-2008 multibillion-pound bailout of the banks. The Labour Party became the political vehicle for some of the most right-wing forces in British political historywar criminals who declared they were intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich and set out to make this happen for 13 years in government. To call for a Labour vote now has a fundamentally different significance than it had in the past because this is a fundamentally different party. Moreover, the call made by the pseudo-left groups for a Labour vote has nothing to do with a struggle for a revolutionary alternative. Its purpose is to foster illusions in Corbyns left credentials in an effort to restore support for the Labour Party in the working class. The Socialist Party, Socialist Workers Party and similar groups want the working class to forget the historical experiences of the past forty years with Labour. They maintain that everything has changed with the election of Corbyn in September 2015, which finally puts the left in a position of leading the party in a socialist direction. The SP, for example, declares Labour now to be two parties in one, representing an opportunity to create a mass party of the working class. Labours election manifesto is portrayed as the most left-wing since 1983 and, according to the SWP, a chance to turn the tide against the Tories and beat back austerity. Therefore, as Socialist Resistance states, The job of the left now is to get behind the Corbyn campaign and drum up every vote we can. These are all lies. Since Corbyn came to leadership, what has he done that has genuinely impacted on the character of the Labour Party from when it was led by Blair? Corbyn won the support of hundreds of thousands of new members who joined the party to fight the Blairite right wing. But he has betrayed that mandate again and again. It is the right that still determines the key elements of Labours policythanks to Corbyn allowing free votes on waging war in Syria and on renewing Trident. The rights response was to mount a coup to get rid of him, with the support of the vast majority of Labour MPs. If Corbyn had fought this, then there may have been an argument for making a tactical adaptation to what would be seen by many workers as a genuine struggle for a socialist alternative. But he did not. Instead, even as his supporters were targeted by the party apparatus for expulsion, Corbyn opposed all calls for the deselection of MPs and declared party unity to be his ultimate goal. Just as he has done since entering parliament as a backbench MP in the 1980s, instead of fighting for the socialist beliefs he claims to uphold he has spent the past two years ensuring that the right wing remains firmly in the saddle while he registers his personal disagreement with this or that policy. If Corbyn could not defeat 200 right-wing scoundrels with hundreds of thousands backing him, then he will never defeat them. The pseudo-left groups argue that none of this matters because Labours election manifesto provides the basis for the partys transformation into a powerful weapon against austerity. In reality, the manifesto is the product of all of Corbyns previous retreats, which now form the basis of party policyincluding support for Trident, NATO, immigration controls and a promise to ensure the UK maintains access to the Single European Market. As for opposing austerity, the manifestos pledges still mean Labour will impose 7 billion of the 9 billion cuts pencilled in by the Tories, maintain the welfare benefit cap for three years and must submit all its spending pledges to an externally enforced fiscal responsibility rule. Most important of all, whatever promises are made to safeguard the NHS, build homes, renationalise the railways, etc., are not worth the paper they are written on as long as the right wing remains in control of the party. Even now the Blairites are openly working to lose the election and have made clear they will either try once again to force Corbyn out in the event of electoral defeat, or split and create a new party if Labour wins to prevent it from governing. The various left groups have responded by supporting Corbyn in his capitulation to the right wing. Declaring that a victory on June 8 overrides all other considerations, the SWP insists, These elections will be seen as a referendum on Corbyn. It wont matter if the candidates are right-wingers. Every loss will be blamed on the left. The SP writes that standing candidates against Labour in council elections is correct, but, A general election is differentthis one in particular, as it poses the question of how to give governmental form to local struggles, which means striving to put Corbyn into No. 10. In other words, token protests at the local level are one thing, but when it comes to securing a position within the state apparatus through a longed-for re-entry into a victorious Labour government, nothing must stand in the way. If support for Corbyn means abandoning any struggle against the right wing in the election, then what follows afterwards? The pseudo-left groups claim that giving expression to anti-Tory sentiment through a Labour vote will strengthen the working class and encourage it in the fight that will then be led by Corbyn against the Blairites and the Tories. In reality, those workers who vote for Corbyn will only get Blair and his cronies. The SP, SWP et al promise a fight tomorrow only in order to excuse their refusal to fight today. But based on the overarching goal of putting Corbyn into 10 Downing Street, what would their response be when he opposes a struggle against the Blairites so as to keep Labour in office? And what if the election ends in a hung parliament and Labour forms a coalition with the Liberal Democrats and others and Corbyn insists that he is bound by the terms of such a pact and abandons one anti-austerity policy after another? This is not merely speculation. If Corbyn came to power, it would not be a question of whether he would betray those who voted for him, but only how and when. And the pseudo-left groups would support him anyway. What has been the experience of the working class in Britain and internationally? In 1997, Blairs Labour government took office riding a tidal wave of anti-Tory sentiment after 18 years of Tory governments. The SWP called for a Labour vote, insisting that Labour had to be supported as a working class party. It is true that Tony Blair occupies one of the most right-wing points on the spectrum. But he is not the most right-wing Labour leader ever, it declared. The only choice for workers was between the Toriesthe open, unashamed representatives of big businessand Labour, a party which is certainly pro-capitalist, but is funded and supported by working class people, including the majority of class-conscious workers. In the United States, the same line was taken on the election of the Democrats under Barack Obama in 2008, which the SWP hailed for capturing the mood for real change." They declared that "The left has to be part of building grassroots campaigns that can force Obama to deliver... The most telling experience of all is the election of Syriza in Greece on January 26, 2015. There was a far clearer argument for supporting a Syriza government than a Labour government under Corbyn. After all, this was a party supposedly united in opposing austerity in a way that Corbyns Labour Party is not, so that Alex Callinicos of the SWP wrote, Its hard to overstate the historic significance of the election victory of the radical left party Syriza in Greece last month... Revolutionary socialists should celebrate the new governments victory and support the progressive measures it takes. Barely five months later, Syriza betrayed a massive two-thirds majority mandate to oppose austerity in a referendum it had organised and agreed to impose attacks worse than those agreed by its Conservative predecessors. None of this has any impact on the left, who have moved seamlessly from one political debacle to anotherincluding boosting Bernie Sanders right up until he threw his weight behind Hillary Clinton and helped hand the presidency to Donald Trump. In the end, all that Corbyns apologists can fall back on is that he is the lesser evilthe only realistic alternative to a Tory government. But this begs the question of just what evils will flow from the election of a Labour government? In Mays presidential elections in France, amid the near collapse of a hated Socialist Party government, the working class was presented with a greater evil even than Mays Tories, when Marine Le Pen of the fascist National Fronts went through to the second round. On that occasion, her opponent was the French Blair-equivalent Emmanuel Macron. Macron was so reviled that masses of workers and youth refused to back either the banker or the fascist, as abstentions reached 26 percent and 34 percent among those aged 18 to 24. This did not stop the French pseudo-left either openly calling for a vote for Macron or urging a more shamefaced Not one vote for Le Pen. The first action taken after Macron was elected was to renew the state of emergency enforced in France since 2015, which has been used overwhelmingly against left-wing protests. He also plans to strengthen anti-labour laws, cut taxes for the wealthy, boost the number of policemen and prison beds and continue the wars in Syria, Iraq and Mali. The political record of the pseudo-left recalls the damning critique made by Leon Trotsky in 1940 of the opposition Shachtmanite tendency in the US: The first general feature is the absence of a unified conception. The opposition leaders split sociology from dialectic materialism. They split politics from sociology. In the sphere of politics, they split our tasks in Poland from our experience in Spainour tasks in Finland from our position on Poland. History becomes transformed into a series of exceptional incidents; politics becomes transformed into a series of improvisations. We have here, in the full sense of the term, the disintegration of Marxism, the disintegration of theoretical thought, the disintegration of politics into its constituent elements. Empiricism and its foster-brother, impressionism, dominate from top to bottom. The SEP refuses to base its politics on such clever tactical improvisations, determined according to the personality of Corbyn and the illusions of sections of workers in him. We do not offer a perspective only for June 8, but for June 9 and all the days that follow. When our opponents were busy boosting Syriza as the way forward for workers everywhere, we insisted, But Syrizas election victory does not express a political development, a step forward, progress or anything of the kind by or for the working class. In its origin, social composition and politics, Syriza is a bourgeois partyone of many, including the Democrats under US President Barack Obamathat come to power making promises of hope and change and then impose policies of austerity and war. It will inevitably betray, sooner rather than later, the aspirations for an end to social hardship and suffering that it has cynically exploited. Not one word needs changing regarding the character of a future Labour government. We speak the truth to the working class, whether this is popular or not. This is of fundamental importance during an election, in which the most intense pressure is placed on workers and young people to suspend their critical judgement and vote to get the Tories out. The crisis of leadership facing the working class cannot be resolved on the basis of a vote for Labour or any other opportunist manoeuvre. More important even than Corbyns political inadequacies is the fact that not just British, but world capitalism is in the midst of a breakdown that poses a further descent towards trade and military war between the rival imperialist powers. There is no basis for a retreat by the ruling class from austerity as Corbyn claims. The working class must be made to pay by whatever means are necessary. Explosive class struggles lie immediately ahead that demand a political break with the Labour Party and the building of a new leadership, armed with a revolutionary socialist and internationalist perspective. All the work of the Socialist Equality Party is directed to preparing the advanced workers and youth to lead this political reorientation. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee man is behind bars after Leon County deputies say he got into a fight with his ex-girlfriend, threatened to tase her, and stole her car. Tavaris Nolen was arrested on Florida State's campus Wednesday afternoon. According to court documents, Nolen and his ex were arguing on Sunday after Nolen had come to her house, driving a car that she had loaned him for Saturday, to work on another one of her cars. At some point during the argument, Nolen tried to leave her house in the car she had lent him yesterday. The victim told him that he couldn't take it and tried to move the car into her driveway. As she did, a fight began as Nolen tried to get her out of the driver's seat. The document said that when he saw that he couldn't get her out, he ran around to the other side to gather his stuff from the front seat. The document said that the then pulled out a "large black electric weapon" that the victim told deputies was a taser, and threatened to use it on her. Eventually, Nolen was able to pull her out of the car, causing her to twist her ankle. The report says that the victim told Nolen that she was going to call the police, but he grabbed her phone, throwing it over the house. Nolen then took off with the car. Deputies were eventually able to find the abandoned car on Jackson Bluff Road. Nolen is in the Leon County Jail on a $45,000 bond. He is facing several charges including carjacking, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony. Tallahassee, Fla., (WTXL) - D-O-N-U-T or D-O-U-G-H-N-U-T? No matter how you spell it, doughnuts are an extremely popular dessert/breakfast food in the United States. More than 10 billion of the deep fried rings are sold every morning in the US. June 2 is National Doughnut Day, and it's about more than just gorging on glazed breakfast treats. The holiday honors volunteers with the Salvation Army, who became known as the "Doughnut Lassies" after the first world war. Volunteers would go to the front lines and hand out baked goods to the men in uniform. Often, Salvation Army volunteers would fry dough in helmets contributing to the antiquated "Dough Boy" nickname assigned to soldiers after the turn of the century. By the 1930s, Doughnuts were growing in popularity. The dessert became especially fashionable after the release of Frank Capra's It Happened One Night, featuring a scene in which, Clark Gable teaches Claudette Colbert to properly dunk a doughnut. The spelling D-O-N-U-T wouldn't be popularized until the opening of the Dunkin' Donuts restaurant chain in 1950. In Tallahassee, Donut Kingdom has been family owned and operated for the past eight years. In that time, the shop has become the birthplace of inventive doughnut flavors, inspired by anything from Twix and Snickers candy bars to Fruity Pebble cereal. "It's a family owned place and we pride ourselves on variety, as opposed to the stereotypical glazed doughnut,"The general manager, Abraham Khalil explains. "To come up with ideas, a customer might suggest something, and we'll throw it up on the shelf and if works out, great!" Donut Kingdom's Snicker's doughnut was invented by an employee. The "Cinnaring" doughnut is Khalil's mother's creation, inspired by a trip to Cinnabon in the mall. Coming from a big family, Khalil says doughnuts have been a family matter for years, and now he knows their always a great gift anytime. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Has the Israeli political Left lost its mind? So it seems. While the left-wing and centrist camps in the United States are scornfully rejecting Donald Trumps presidency and see itas Thomas Friedman wrote in the New York Times last weekas a threat to Americas essence and all its values, the Israeli Left is embracing Trump. There is no point and no justification in this embrace, and it points to a serious cognitive flaw. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter It isnt true that Trump is the first American president to deliver a Zionist speech in the Middle East. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obamas speeches were clearly Zionist too. Obama, who was vilified in Israel over his alleged appeasing approach towards the Arabs, had the courage to deliver a speech at Cairo University which was both Zionist and far-reaching in its demands towards his Muslim audience: Democratization, advancement of women, an end to discriminations, recognition of Israel, investment in modern education, and more. Unlike them, Trump didnt demand a thing from his Arab hosts. He doesnt care about values. Trump and Netanyahu. The US president has given the Israeli government a free hand to build and expand the settlements (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg) On the other hand, Trump is indeed the first American president whose speech at the Israel Museum reflects a world view from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus school, adopting Bibis narrative unconditionally. The things he read out load, which were a proper expression of his understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, seemed as if they were copied without any editing from the opinion pages of the Israel Hayom free newspaper. The polls indicate as well that Netanyahu is the big winner who gained the most from Trumps visit. There is no need to delve into Trumps monologues, in which he uses 500 simple words at the most (he described his visit to Yad Vashem as amazing), to understand thatas far as he is concernedthe required deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians is the one in which the Palestinians will give the Israelis the freedom to remain in control of the territories. Since the beginning of his term as president, Trump has given the Netanyahu government a free hand to build and expand the settlements within their existing bordersborders which were set by Israel of course. The settlements, according to Trump, are not an obstacle to peace. They advance peace. In closed forums, Trump explains to his listeners that things have never been so good for the Palestinians as they are under Israeli control. So they should stop nagging us about a state of their own. In those same conversations, Trump doesnt hide how much he loathes their claims about the occupation, defining them as endless complaints. While Bush, Clinton and Obama searched for a formula for a compromise in Jerusalem, Trumpby mere wordsis moving the greater Jerusalem to Jewish-Israeli sovereignty for eternity. Trumps only positive approach towards the Palestinians during his visit was reduced to a few words of praise on Mahmoud Abbas personality. Abbas, Trump announced, is a good man who told me he wants peace. Great, fantastic. Apart from this arrogant pat on the Palestinian presidents shoulder, Trump didnt leave the Palestinians with a shred of hope. His family, his heart and his mind cause him to identify one-sidedly with the world view of the Israeli political Right. Sometimes, Trump even stands to Netanyahus right. In the best-case scenario, and likely the practical case, Trump has no plan for a realistic solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has no idea what such an agreement should or can look like, which is why he uses the empty word deal. In the other case, he actually does have some idea. It can be summarized as first normalization, then an agreement: First, almost full economic and diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia and the oil emirates, and then discussions with the Palestinians. Discussions on some sort of autonomy, not on a sovereign state. Considering these facts, the bizarre affair that the Israeli political Left is having with Trump is puzzling and even ridiculous. Trump left the Middle East with a sigh of relief, filled with admiration towards the ceremonial manner of 81-year-old Saudi King Salman (who he insisted on calling Salmon) and anger over the insufficient American television broadcasts in the hotels he stayed in. Its spine-tingling and even funny to think that the Israeli peace camp has pinned its hopes on him. You think Trump will pressure Bibi? How did you come up with this nonsense? I doubt there is a more common phrase than the occupation corrupts. A large number of organizations, activists and writers go to the trouble of filling this slogan with content. Nobel Prize laureate Jose Saramago argued in the past that what is happening in Palestine is a crime we can put on the same plane as what happened at Auschwitz. Auschwitz of all places? Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The more moderate version justifies the boycott proposals with claims about the destruction of education. That was the argument voiced, for example, by Prof. Lawrence Davidson to justify his support for the boycott. Author Yitzhak Laor went as far as writing that gas chambers are not the only way to destroy a nation. It is enough to develop high rates of infant mortality. There are thousands of comments and publications of this kind, which describe the Palestinians' lives as a living hell. A significant part of these publications is produced by Israelis. Some of them are evil people. Others, the more moderate ones, distort the facts in a bid to open the worlds eyes and save Israel from itself. The low infant mortality rate, the high birth rates and the rise in life expectancy among the Palestinians serve as proof that there is definitely no genocide (Photo: Roy Idan) A lot of Europeans, by the way, believe these horrific accounts. Different surveys show that many residents of European countries, sometimes even the majority, believe that what Israel is doing to the Palestinians is similar to what the Nazis did to the Jews. The propaganda of horror is winning. From fake news to fake academia Where does the truth lie? Lets start with education. Is higher education really being crushed? Well, according to the testimony of the former president of Bir Zeit University, Gabi Baramaki, Before June 5, 1967, no universities existed in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Today, there are more than 50 higher education institutions in the territories. Moreover, according to a study commissioned by the Palestinians, Palestinians now have the highest per capita rate of university graduates in the Arab world. So this is what a systematic destruction of education looks like, according to Prof. Davidson and the other demonization publications. Were moving from fake news to fake academia. An actual blood libel The most serious claim was presented by Laor. Have the brutal Israeli soldiers really found a sophisticated way to carry out an annihilation, by dramatically increasing the infant mortality rate? Well, according to Dr. Wael R. Ennab of Al-Najah University, the infant mortality rate in 1967 was between 152 and 162 per 1,000 live births. It dropped to 132 in 1974 and reached 53 to 56 in 1985. The rate kept dropping, reachingaccording to World Bank figuresless than 30 in 1993, when the Oslo Agreements were signed. It kept going down, and while Laor published his fake data, in 2002, the infant mortality rate was 25. It has kept dropping since then and has already reached 18. The sharp drop, from 1976 to 1993, took place under direct Israeli rule. The drop continued under the Palestinian Authority, but at a more moderate pace. For the avoidance of doubt, the infant mortality rate among the Palestinians is much lower than the global average of 31.7, and is significantly lower than the average in the Arab world28. Why did Laor publish an actual blood libel? Its likely a result of the same logic under which the opposition to the occupation legitimizes every lie. Only several weeks ago, someone wrote in Haaretz that Breaking the Silence have to be liars. In fact, all speakers of this kind have to lie, because if the real figures are presentedthey will be in trouble. Absolutely no genocide The meticulous ones even talk about a genocide. The more moderate ones, like senior Breaking the Silence activist Noam Chayut, argue that the unusual person is the one who is unwilling to kill civilians. Since tens of thousands of soldiers have served in the territories, one might conclude that tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed for blood passion. Well, in 50 years of Israeli rule, 11,000 to 12,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly terrorists or involved civilians. In fact, this conflict has claimed the lowest number of victims, less than the global average of traffic-related deaths and a lot less than the victims of murders in most big cities in the United States. Just for the sake of comparison, jihad massacres more than 20,000 people every year. That does not include wars. In general, the Palestinians' life expectancy has gone up from 48.6 in 1967 to about 73 (or 75, according to different sources) today. The population growth rate is among the highest in the world too2.9% a year, according to World Bank figures in 2015, compared to a global average of 1.2% and the Arab worlds average of 2%. When one combines the low infant mortality rate, the high birth rates and the rise in life expectancy, the result can be called many things, but there is no serious damage to the Palestinians and definitely no genocide. As a matter of fact, that is such a crazy argument thatas George Orwell saidthere are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual could believe them. I can touch on more and more areas, in which an objective examination will reveal an amazing improvement in the past 50 years. For example, in the area of water. In 1967, only four of 708 Palestinian towns and villages were connected to running water. Today, 643 communities are connected to running water (97% of the population). The Palestinians' water consumption from natural sources has increased as well, while the Israelis water consumption has dropped (the Israelis are increasingly moving to desalinated water. Violent society? End of democracy? Other claims made as part of the occupation corrupts festival are that Israel is becoming more violent. Thats not true. The National Violence Index points to a drop in violence since 2004. On an international level, Israel is similar to the OECD average. In other words, there is no proof of a connection between the control of the territories and the level of violence in Israel. The violent discourse on social media is on the rise, but that is a weed which characterizes all democratic countries with freedom of speech. The same applies to the cries of despair about the end of democracy. The Israel Democracy Institutes 2015 Democracy Index stated as follows: The common feeling that the situation of Israeli democracy is deteriorating and has reached its lowest level, as it is reflected primarily in the media, is likely not completely accurate in light of the comparative international findings. The lies must be refuted Its been 50 years since Israel gained control of the territories, and figures show that the Palestinians have actually experienced a major improvement. In most areas, their situation is much better than the situation of Arabs in neighboring countries. So the lies about Auschwitz and the destruction and the mass killing must be shattered. That doesnt mean there is no injustice. That doesnt mean there is no room for criticism, even profound criticism, against certain actions committed by Israel. That doesnt mean that there are no hooligans in the territories, even if they are a small minority. That doesnt mean that the settlement enterprise should be justified. And that definitely doesnt mean that the occupation should be perpetuated or that we should march with our heads held high towards the disaster called one big state or a binational state. All it means is that we must refute the lies about what the Palestinians have experienced in the past 50 years under Israeli rule. That will only work to advance the discussion on the proper agreement, both for the Palestinians' sake and for Israels sake. At the age of 81, Mazal (Monica) Hartzfeld converted to Judaism. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The little girl from Dusseldorf, Germany, who spent her childhood in the dark days of Nazi Germany, came full circle in Gush Etzion in Israel, where she completed the conversion process via seminars by AMI, an organization which offers Judaism conversion seminars in Israel for those who are not Israeli citizens. Mazal (Monica) Hartzfeld "I was three years old when it all began," she told in an interview with Ynet. "At the time, we lived in Dusseldorf, and when the war started, I could see as a young girl the attacks on people and on their property." "My great grandfather was Jewish, and the subject of Judaism was very dear to my father. He always told us stories from the bible," she recounted, saying the last few words in Hebrew and pointing to the bible which always had a place of honor at their home. "My dad was baptized as a Christian, but he never went to church, and he didn't baptize us, his children." Even though she had "Jewish blood" running through her veins, her family managed to escape the death sentence that her neighbors were receivedeven those who were only considered one-quarter Jewish by the Nuremberg Laws. "There were others who were under similar circumstances who managed to survive," said Hartzfeld. "But it wasn't simple. You needed a patron; someone local who will protect you and take care that the authorities won't know (of your heritage). It wasn't easy, but that's how dad managed. "I remember them taking me and my sister to school, and people would whisper behind our back and say 'how is it that they let a Jew attend school? Thats impossible." I wanted to leave it all behind me At some point during the war, Hartzfeld said that her family felt "like the ground was burning under our feet," and decided to flee to a rural part of the country. "It was better for us there. People accepted us, and that's where we stayed until the war ended. We didn't have a home to return to, since Dusseldorf suffered massive bombing, but at least the war was behind us." How was growing up as a Jewish woman in Germany after the war? "I was never persecuted," noted Hartzfeld. "I was a little girl when it all started, so I didn't suffer like my dad did, but even as a child I could feel the distancing. Once someone knew of your roots, they immediately treated you with this sort of distance. That's how it always felt. "That's how it was until the 60s, when the reforms took place and Germany changed. For my dad, though, it was difficult until the very end." When did you become interested in religion? "Even as a child I understood that Judaism is very important to my father. He always spoke proudly of it, when everyone else saw it as obscene. He would tell me about the special kitchen that his mother had, where they prepared food and ate in accordance to the Jewish Kosher laws. "He used to tell me, 'even if you disagree with what's written in the bible, never mock it; respect it.'" When she grew up, Hartzfeld thought to build a life for herself, outside and far away from her father's Jewish ideals. "I married a Chirstian, of course, and I wanted to raise a Christian family and leave the rest behind me, but it happens. My marriage didn't last. The kids grew up and left, and I found myself soul searching. "It was obvious to me that I didn't feel any connection with Christianity, and like my father, I always saw Christ's whole story as somewhat fictitious," said Hartzfeld, who decided to go back to her roots. "I started learning Hebrew, and then the bible. I read more and more, and finally reached the Jewish community in the city I lived in back in Germany, and asked if I could join their prayers at the synagogue. They replied that whoever wants to join can, and that's how it started." "Do you know what it means for me to receive the Torah?" Hartzfeld was a diligent student, and despite her age, managed to complete the longest Judaism conversion process in Israel. "It was most exciting in Shavuot," said Hartzfeld. "Do you know what it means for me to receive the Torah?" she rhetorically asked, speaking about the holiday's tradition. "I dreamt about it for many years. Now, I'm 81-years-old, and I'm finally there." According to Rabbi David Ben-Nissan, coordinator of private conversion at AMI, Hartzfeld became a household member of the Jewish community. "She reached out a few years ago to convert. It was just amazing to witness," said the Rabbi. "She came in every Shabat from beginning to end, went to all the prayers and lessons, always driven. She would even help me with my German during long lessons. "As far as she's concerned, it's the right path, it's what's true for her. I was impressed by how a person of her age just refused to give up. This is true Jewish conversion from the purest place there can be. There is nothing here except a sincere desire to join the Jewish people." When Hartzfeld, who now proudly calls herself by her Jewish name from her youth, ended by answering the seemingly obvious questionwhy? "I don't even know how to explain it. From the moment I arrived to my first prayer at the synagogue, it felt like I returned back home. This is the life I always wanted to have. I feel now like everything had a reason. There was a reason for our survival, there was a reason for my dad's speeches about Judaism, there's a reason thateven at my ageI'm still in good health. "In the morning, when we wake up, we (Jews) thank god for returning our soul to us. As far as I see it, he returned my soul to me for this. So I, myself, can return." (Translated & edited by Lior Mor) A Muslim-American activist whose role as a commencement speaker had come under protest from critics opposing her stance on Israel, was given a standing ovation by graduating students Thursday after she told them they must commit to demanding change. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "We in this room together must commit to never being bystanders to poverty, lack of jobs and health care," Linda Sarsour told graduates of the City University of New York's Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy. Linda Sarsour speaking at CUNY (Photo: AFP) One parent of a student at the university said "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." Critics of Sarsour who don't like her views on Israel had spoken out against her being the keynote, but the school administration stood behind the decision, with the dean saying it was important to listen respectfully to differing ideas. "Freedom of speech is only relevant when you are respectfully listening to ideas that challenge your own," Dean Ayman El-Mohandes said. "Otherwise, what's the point?" Sarsour, one of the lead organizers of the Women's March on Washington, has been critical of Israel's policies in territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and supports the movement to boycott, divest from and sanction the country. She got her start as an activist defending the civil rights of American Muslims after the September 11, 2001, attacks and, in recent years, protesting against surveillance of Muslim communities. The choice of the Brooklyn-born, hijab-wearing Sarsour as speaker has sparked opposition from pro-Israel critics, including some who have spread internet reports claiming she supports Islamic State militants and Sharia law. Photo: AFP In the city's Jewish community, both opposition to and support for Sarsour could be found. Much of the criticism came from Democratic state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, while a group of other Jewish leaders sent out an open letter speaking out against the targeting of Sarsour. The above-mentioned parent wrote scathingly about a number of tweets once written by Sarsour: Nothing is creepier than Zionism; and (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is a waste of a human being. When Sarsour was criticized for extolling throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers, she tweeted, The Zionist trolls are out to play. Bring it. Sarsour also has put her activism toward other causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement, and she was one of four national chairs for the Women's March that led to massive turnouts in Washington, D.C., and around the world. But a higher profile has also brought more opposition. Her critics have sent around a photo of her with one finger up and saying it was her making a gesture in support of ISIS. Other accusations include that she supports Islamic law being put in place of the US legal system, based on a sarcastic tweet from 2015 that actually was about ridiculing conspiracy theories around Muslims and the Sharia system. Sarsour hugging supporters (Photo: Reuters) Sarsour says those accusations are ludicrous. Before the event, a couple of demonstrators against Sarsour and about a dozen in favor gathered in front of the theater where it took place. Karen Lichtbraun said it wasn't a free-speech issue, but Sarsour didn't deserve the honor of a keynote address. "That's not a person I would want any of my loved ones to look up to," she said. Stacy Le Melle was there in support of Sarsour, whose work, she said, "creates space for women just to be, to speak out." Public housing activists protested Thursday evening against Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, who spoke at a conference at Sapir College on housing problems and narrowing the gaps in Israeli society. Kahlon stepped off the stage for a short time before returning and resuming his speech. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "I hope I don't upset anyone, but those who own three apartments should sell, pay taxes," Kahlon said. The sentiment was met by cries, "Some people don't have apartments." The protesters continued, "We demand public housing," and "Kahlon, you promisednow, make good." Public housing protest (Photo: Roi Idan) The protesters also slammed Kahlon, who promised NIS 1 billion for public housing, and he responded: "I am sorry to disappoint you, but there is a billion shekels." Then he said to them: "Are we done? We heard." A few minutes later he returned to the stage and said: "I think their protest is a just protest from their point of view, and I want to tell you that they spoke about a billion shekelsthere is a billion shekels. They are there, they are currently entering the budget. Everything I promised for public housing will happen." Kahlon then explained: "These matters haven't been dealt with for 15 years. I entered the Ministry of Finance, turned on the lights, and when you turn on the lights, you see everything; the elderly, the problems in the health basket, public housing Minister Kahlon during the protest "When people protest, there's an element of compliment since they know things will be done. There are some ministers who have given up on them, but it's a years-long crisis. I have been there for two years, and I haven't created any crises; I received them as is," he said. The minister was also asked about the fate of the missing man, Abera Mengistu, who is being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Kahlon replied: "I want to say something, which will justifiably not satisfy you because as long as he is not here, we have obviously not done enough, and I accept that. But as a member of cabinet, I'm telling you, we are doing everything we can to bring him back, as well as the rest of our people who are on the other side. "We're doing everything. The prime minister has talked about it and again, I say as long as he's not home, you're right. I would have done the same thing. And I'm doing the same thing in the cabinet with my words." Police arrested 12 ultra-Orthodox who attacked security forces in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem. According to the police, the suspects beat up and threw objects at uniformed men walking down the street, and when additional forces arrived to stop them, others began crowding around them, shouting at them and throwing stones. Apart from the detainees, the demonstrators were dispersed. BEIRUTMoves in Washington to widen financial sanctions on the powerful Shiite Hezbollah political group have triggered alarm in Beirut where the government fears major damage to the banking sector that underpins Lebanon's stability. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Not yet proposed as law, draft amendments to an existing law threatening sanctions against anyone who finances the heavily-armed Iranian-backed Hezbollah in a significant way prompted lobbying trips to Washington in May by worried Lebanese bankers and politicians. They returned saying that US officials recognized their concerns over draft proposals that would widen the scope of the law by subjecting Hezbollah's political allies to sanctions or scrutiny, and believing any expansion of the law would be a toned down version of the draft. Hezbollah supporters in Beirut (File photo: EPA) "There's one question anyone who wants to put pressure on Lebanon should remember: Do you want another failed state on the eastern Mediterranean?" Yassine Jaber, a member of parliament who led a delegation to Washington in mid-May, told Reuters. "Lebanon is very, very vulnerable economically at the moment," added Jaber, an independent Shiite politician who is aligned with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's Shiite Amal movement, which was named as a target for investigation in the draft amendments first reported by Lebanese media in April. Political and financial figures fear more regulatory pressure could damage the banking sectorthe cornerstone of Lebanon's precarious economyendangering a financial stability maintained despite the war in neighboring Syria where Hezbollah along with Iran backs President Bashar Assad. Hezbollah, led by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was formed to combat Israel's 19822000 occupation of Lebanon. Its battlefield prowess, extensive social works among Lebanese Shiites and its alliance with powerful regional states have helped it secure a dominant role in the country's politics with seats in parliament and government. It is classified by Washington as a terrorist organization. Main worry correspondent banks The main worry is that US correspondent bankswhich face huge fines if found to be dealing with people or companies sanctioned under anti-terrorism financing legislationmight finally decide Lebanese banks are too risky to do business with. That would threaten the remittances upon which the highly dollarized Lebanese economy depends. Shortly after the Lebanese press published the draft, President Michel Aouna Maronite Christian and political ally of Hezbollahsaid as it stands it could cause "great damage to Lebanon and its people." The draft proposal would widen legislation to include persons and entities affiliated with Hezbollah, and to report on the finances of senior members of Amal. The wording gave rise to speculation in Lebanon that Aoun's finances could be also targeted for scrutiny. Jaber told Reuters the drafta copy of which was seen by Reuterswas now "outdated." But sources familiar with the matter told Reuters there remains a strong desire in Washington to press harder against Iran and Hezbollah, and there are likely other measures being drafted. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (File photo: AFP) A US congressional aide told Reuters that Republican representative and head of the US Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce, who authored the original 2015 law, is considering additional legislation. "If they (the banks) aren't doing business with Hezbollah, they don't have anything to worry about," the aide said. The US Treasury declined to comment on the draft, saying it had no formal position. Jaber said, "The position at the moment is that there might be some congressmen or senators thinking of preparing a bill, but I think our discussions will help in toning it down from what we saw as a draft." The United States says Hezbollah is financed not just by Iran but also by networks of Lebanese and international individuals and businesses. The 2015 law, known as HIFPA, aimed to cut off these funding routes. Triggered tensions Its implementation triggered domestic tensions in Lebanon. Worried about losing their relationship with correspondent banks, Lebanese banks began closing some customers' accounts, including Shiites who were not Hezbollah members. Critics of the law in Lebanon say it resulted in the unfair targeting of the Shiite population. Charity networks run by Shiite clerics were hit when some of their accounts closed for a time. The law led to an unprecedented dispute between Hezbollah and the central bank which asked all banks to comply with the legislation. Last June, a bomb was set off at the headquarters of leading Lebanese bank Blom Bank, causing no casualties. Since taking office in January, Trump has imposed new sanctions on individuals and businesses involved with Iran's ballistic missile program and with Hezbollah. Ali Hamdan, an Amal member who went on the lobbying trip to Washington, echoed Jaber, saying the leaked draft was outdated and could be forgotten. "An understanding was reached," said Hamdan, media adviser to Berri. The Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) dispatched its own delegation in May and met with a "good response" in Washington and from US correspondent banks in New York. ABL head Joseph Torbey made the case that existing legislation was sufficient and that the new draft was open to "inappropriate interpretations." YAOUNDE, CameroonAuthorities in northern Cameroon say 11 people are dead after two suicide bombers attacked a camp for those displaced by Boko Haram extremist violence in the region. Governor Midjiyawa Bakari of the Far North region said Friday that the dead include the two girls who detonated their explosives at the displacement camp in Kolofata. He says several dozen others were wounded, including 15 who were taken to the hospital in Mora. Authorities believe the girls had entered Cameroon the night before from neighboring Nigeria. ATHENS, GreeceGermany's top security official says newly passed measures strengthen authorities' ability to identify and deport migrants who may be dangerous or not deserving of asylum. Parliament's upper house on Friday gave final approval to measures allowing Germany's migration agency to evaluate cellphone data of migrants who arrive without proper documents, and share data with other authorities in situations considered dangerous. The measures also speed up deportations and allow authorities to monitor dangerous individuals facing deportation with electronic ankle bracelets. About three months after its last meeting, the Civil Administration's Supreme Planning Council is expected to approve the construction of thousands of housing units throughout the West Bank next week. About 2,000 units are being submitted for approval, and not all of them are within existing settlement blocs. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A plan to build 200 housing units in Amihai, which is supposed to house those evicted from the illegal Amona outpost, will be discussed. In addition, building permits will be discussed for the Kerem Re'im outpost, located in the Talmonim bloc. Construction in Ma'ale Adumim (File photo: Reuters) However, the government is facing criticism that significant portions of proposed building have been excluded from the proposals to be examined next week. Bayit Yehudi MK Bezalel Smotrich tweeted: "Netanyahu has removed most of the significant plans from the list. I don't know what we'll do, but I don't think we can live with it. We'll have to come together and think." The Yesha Council released a statement that expressed its reservations: "We welcome the renewal of the planning council's work, but unfortunately, the heads of the local authorities have not been involved in the preparation of the plan, and there are many plans lacking to meet the large need for settlement. "After a long period of disrupted planning work, the planning inventory is running out, and there are dozens of other programs that have completed the required professional process and are waiting for debate and approval by the council. These plans should be added to the council's discussion at the earliest possible date." The Supreme Planning Council has not convened since February, following the instructions of Prime Minister Netanyahu instructions shortly after the swearing-in of US President Donald Trump. The council will also consider building in the settlements of Ma'ale Adumim, Ma'ale Michmash, Neve Tzuf, Pnei Hever, Einav, Beit El and Kfar Tapuah. (Translated and edited by J. Herzog) Rodger Shields, 64, of York, passed away on May 25, 2017. Rodger was an active member of the York community for over 15 years. He was involved with many creative artistic endeavors. Rodger loved music, performing and writing and arranging many musical pieces, both secular and religious. Rodger was a member of the choir at the United Methodist Church in York. As a child, Rodger sang in a family gospel quartet with his parents and brother. Rodger was born on Oct. 14, 1952 and graduated high school in Puxsutawney, Pa. He went on to earn a teaching degree in music and two Masters degrees in Music Education and an MFA in Musical Theater from San Diego State University. Rodger taught music for many years in Texas and New Mexico teaching on an Indian Reservation and later teaching immigrant children from Mexico. Rodger had a true passion for live theater and he shared his many talents with the Yorkshire Playhouse. Actor, director, choreographer, Board Member, Rodger did them all. He was proud of taking his vision of A Year With Frog and Toad to the Nebraska Association of Community Theaters competition in 2014. He loved the challenges of taking a script and bringing it to life on the small stage. Friends are asked to gather at the Yorkshire Playhouse on Saturday, June 3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate our friend, Rodger Shields. Donations to the Playhouse in Rodgers memory will be used to fund a special project in his honor. YORK Asia Bolding, 18, has been sentenced to jail for felony flight to avoid arrest, after her probation was revoked. Bolding, who was in custody at the Youth Rehabilitation Treatment Center (YRTC) in Geneva last year, had been charged, convicted and sentenced as an adult. On Sept. 7, 2015, the York County Sheriffs Department was advised that two youth from YRTC were suspected of escape and stealing a 2003 Chevy pickup, likely traveling toward York from Geneva. Sheriffs deputies located the vehicle in question and when they attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, it sped up to 100 mph and continued northbound. York County Attorney Candace Bottorf told the court last year that the pickup nearly left the road numerous times on Highway 81. When the vehicle reached the city limits of York, the vehicle (driven by Bolding) went through a red light at the interchange and she slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting another vehicle with the pickup spinning out of control. She then sped toward the eastbound onramp and got on Interstate 80, going east. Bottorf said that at one point, the vehicle went into the median and nearly overturned, but Bolding managed to get the vehicle back onto the interstate. She said it was partially in the median and partially in the passing lane. A downpour of rain prompted the deputies to ease up on their speeds. The pickup went into the median and stopped. Bolding then struck one of the patrol vehicles as it returned to the eastbound lanes and continued, at a high rate of speed, until it hit the back of a semi truck. The pickup landed in the median again . . . and again, Bolding came back onto the interstate. The pickup, without any working lights, was then struck by a law enforcement cruiser as the deputy was unable to see them. No one was seriously injured during the pursuit. Bolding was sentenced to five years of probation but it was revoked because she was non-compliant. Bolding was sentenced by Judge James Stecker to six months in York County Jail with credit for 80 days already served. Her drivers license was revoked for two years and after her release from jail she will be under post-release supervision for two years. This has been a long time in the making, but in our continuing pursuit to bring only the best of firearms, 2nd Amendment and defence related news to our readers, we are very excited to announce the next step in our evolution as a company. As of 2020, Minuteman Review is now the proud owner and operator of Your Defence News, a website with a long history of breaking huge news stories and investigative journalism. We hope you are equally as excited as us. This means that now the teams of Minuteman can combine with the firepower of Your Defence News to stay at the absolute forefront for our readers. Keep an eye. Big things are coming soon. We couldn't be more excited. In the meanwhile, here are some of our most popular posts and categories to keep you busy. Happy shootin' my friends! Buying Guides: Firearms Firearm Accessories Ammunition Gun Safes Scopes & Optics Hunting Air Rifles Best AR-15 Best AR 15 Scope Best Hunting Rifle Best Gun Safe Best AK 47 Best AR 10 Best Glock Triggers Best Glock Best Home Defense Shotgun The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the NSW governments plan for housing affordability, calling it a strong step in the right direction to solving the housing affordability crisis. Overall this is a good plan it balances supply and demand initiatives and shows the government has listened to the industry and the people of NSW, said Cheryl Thomas, Property Council of Australias deputy executive director for NSW. The crucial aspect that will define its success will be increasing housing supply. Initiatives that increase demand, such as grants and tax incentives, must be matched by initiatives that boost supply and it appears the government has heeded this advice. Planning measures drive housing supply Thomas called the state governments move to increase the number of Priority Precincts to 15 a good move, as it would mean that transport and infrastructure investments can be integrated with land use. It would also streamline the decision-making process. More housing supply must not be restricted by misleading preconceptions of what increased density is solutions can be found that provide great liveability options for the community that include services, green space and transport, Thomas said. Smaller lot sizes and incorporating codes for faster housing approvals in the priority precincts is a move that will enable diverse housing to be built more quickly good news for those seeking a home. Thomas also welcomed the introduction of planning panels, calling it a decisive move that would depoliticise the development assessment process. Representatives on the panel must have specialised expertise so that we do not end up with unfair outcomes for proponents and appeals, Thomas said. The fact that councils can be incentivised to meet housing targets and update Local Environment Plans is important. There must be a carrot and stick approach to ensure there is strong strategic planning at a local level and the Greater Sydney Commission is empowered to enforce their strategic outlook. Changes to taxes could have mixed results The doubling of the stamp duty surcharge on foreign investment to 8% and upping land tax on foreign buyers to 2% is an approach that must be closely monitored. Like any market, if you tighten the screws too tightly, you may inhibit growth, Thomas said. She pointed out that foreign investment promotes economic and job growth, and contributes to the states economy. We welcome the government exempting foreign developers that provide housing supply from the surcharge and land tax increases; their original inclusion in the initiative was an unintended consequence that has now been put right. Thomas also welcomed the Berejiklian governments changes to stamp duty. The full exemption from stamp duty for first home buyers on new and existing houses up to $650,000 is to be welcomed, but the full exemption threshold could be increased. It should reflect the median house price in most Sydney suburbs and indeed in cities like Wollongong and Newcastle that sit at around $800,000. Related stories: Labors proposal could worsen housing affordability Urban Taskforce supports new housing affordability policies As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More Zabka, Warszawa, 166 m2 Lokal znajduje sie w budynku apartamentowym Unimax Development w inwestycji Viva Vitolin, przy ul. Grochowskiej 87 w Warszawie. Bedzie dostepny w 4Q 2023 roku (podpisanie umow przeniesienia wasnosci). ERR( 4096 ): Catchable Fatal Error : Object of class mysqli_result could not be converted to string Evenimentul | Cotidian regional de stiri si anunturi din zona Moldovei Shanghai: China`s state news agency Xinhua described US President Donald Trump`s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord as a "global setback" and rejected Trump`s claim that it would lead to many more jobs in America. In a commentary published on Friday, Xinhua suggested that no one country was now likely take up leadership of global efforts to fight climate change. China overtook the United States as the world`s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in 2007 but analysts see the US withdrawal as an opportunity for China to burnish its image as a global leader. "Trump`s decision to ditch the Paris deal will leave a fairly big shoe for a single country to fill," Xinhua said, adding that major players such as China, the European Union and India had reiterated their willingness to step up efforts. Leaving the 2015 Paris accord would hardly translate into a substantial increase in new jobs as the fossil fuel industries were highly automated, Xinhua said. Noting that Trump said he had had "extensive discussions" with people on both sides of the climate debate, it said: "One can only assume that Trump has very good reasons to leave the Paris agreement, and that he knows the implications of US retreat from the landmark deal". Trump, tapping into the "America First" message he used when he was elected president last year, said the Paris accord would undermine the US economy, cost US jobs, weaken American national sovereignty and put the country at a permanent disadvantage to other countries such as China. The Global Times, an influential state-run tabloid, said in an editorial published on Thursday before Trump`s announcement that China was not interested in discussions about the leadership of fighting climate change and would focus on its own promises to reduce emissions. It called the withdrawal "reckless" and would "waste increasingly finite U.S. diplomatic resources." "There are indeed some underprivileged people in the U.S, but their troubles are mainly caused by bad internal governance. Seeking external reasons for domestic woes is by no means what the world`s largest economy should do," it said. Singapore: US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday the United States remains committed to its Asia-Pacific allies, as he arrived in Singapore for the region`s premier defense and security forum. Mattis, who is making his second visit to the region since he took charge of the Pentagon on Jan. 20, will be looking to articulate a clear U.S. policy for allies in the region and reassuring them. Trump has actively courted Chinese support on North Korea, raising concerns among Southeast Asian allies in the lead-up to the dialogue that Washington might allow China a freer rein elsewhere in the region. Mattis told reporters that in a speech on Saturday to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore he would talk about the "international order" needed for a peaceful Asia, a reference to countering North Korea`s nuclear and missile program. "At the Shangri-la dialogue I will emphasize the United States stands with our Asia-Pacific allies and partners," Mattis told reporters on the way to the regional security forum. "The Department of Defense is focused on strengthening alliances, empowering countries to be able to sustain their own security, and strengthening U.S. military capabilities to deter war," Mattis said. He is expected to meet with his counterparts from a number of countries including South Korea, Japan and Australia. China`s delegation is led by a retired major-general from the Academy of Military Science, according to the forum`s programme. The U.S. focus on North Korea has been sharpened by dozens of North Korean missile launches - the most recent of which was on Monday - and two nuclear bomb tests since the beginning of last year. Pyongyang has vowed to develop a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the U.S. mainland. Japan`s navy and air force began a three-day military exercise with two U.S. aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan on Thursday adding pressure on North Korea to halt an accelerating ballistic missile programme. U.S. officials insist the administration remains committed more broadly to the region, much like it was under former President Barack Obama`s administration. Trump is due to attend regional summits in Vietnam and the Philippines in November. The Pentagon also says it supports "in principle" a proposal by Senator John McCain, the head of the U.S. Senate`s Armed Services Committee, to increase military funding for the Asia-Pacific by $7.5 billion. CHINA`S ISLAND CONSTRUCTION Mattis said he would talk about the need for countries to uphold international law, an apparent reference to Beijing`s construction activities on disputed islets and reefs in the South China Sea. China`s claims to most of the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Last week, a U.S. Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island China has built on a disputed reef in the South China Sea, the first such challenge to Beijing in the strategic waterway since Trump took office. The Trump administration has completed a broad review of U.S. options aimed at curbing North Korea`s nuclear and missile programme and leans more towards new sanctions and increased cooperation with Beijing. Some Asian officials say worries about Trump`s direction have been fueled by his unpredictable personal approach to policymaking and emphasis on his chemistry with Xi. Since meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in April, Trump has praised him for efforts to restrain North Korea. "It is going to take time for the actions that China is taking to have affect in terms of North Korea," said David Helvey, a senior U.S. defense official dealing with Asian and Pacific security affairs. The United Nations Security Council will vote on Friday on a U.S. and Chinese proposal to blacklist more North Korean individuals and entities after the country`s repeated ballistic missile launches. Mattis` trip also comes as South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered an investigation this week into why his office had not been informed about the deployment of four more launchers for the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Moon`s top security aide left for Washington on Thursday as the new leader tries to reassure his country`s main ally he will not scrap a deal to host a missile defence system that has angered China. Helvey said the United States had consulted with South Korea throughout the process and had been transparent. Washington: The Trump administration on Thursday urged the Supreme Court to reinstate its controversial travel ban on citizens from six Muslim-majority countries, elevating a divisive legal battle involving national security and religious discrimination. In its filings, the administration asked the nine justices to consider the legality of President Donald Trump's executive order of March 6, a move that appeals a ruling by the 4th Circuit that upheld a nationwide halt to the ban. The executive order was halted by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals said in a 10-3 ruling. The ruling was one in a series of legal defeats for the administration, as judges across the country have said Trump's claim of protecting the nation was cover for making good on a campaign promise to ban Muslims from entry into the US. Suspended by US courts, Trump in his executive order had banned visa issuance to citizens of six majority-Muslim countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It also halt the flow of refugees to the US. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the Nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. "The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States," Flores said after Department of Justice filed two emergency applications with the nine Court justices seeking to block two lower court rulings that blocked Trump's executive order. The court said the executive order "speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination." Last month, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals largely affirmed a federal judge's decision from March, which found the core provision of the revised executive order -- temporarily blocking foreign nationals from six Muslim- majority countries from entering the US -- likely violates the Constitution because its primary purpose was to disfavour Muslims. The March ban was Trump's second effort to implement travel restrictions on people from several Muslim-majority countries through an executive order. The first, issued on January 27, led to chaos and protests at airports and in major US cities before it was blocked by courts. The second order was intended to overcome the legal issues posed by the original ban, but it was blocked by judges before it could go into effect on March 16. Beijing: A fatal school bus fire in China last month in which 11 school children including five from South Korea were killed was caused by its driver, the state media reported on Friday. Besides the 11 children, two adults, including the bus driver, was killed in the accident on May 9. Of the 11 children, aged between three and six, five were from South Korea and six others hailed from China. The bus was set on fire by the driver, one of the dead, officials were quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency. They were all students of an international kindergarten in Weihai, local authorities said. One teacher was reported to have been seriously injured in the incident. The incident happened inside Taojiakuang tunnel in Huancui District of the Shandong province when the bus was on its way to the kindergarten with 13 people on board, including the teacher. The provincial government has assigned a team headed by a vice provincial governor to investigate the incident. Manila: Thirty-four bodies were found inside a casino in Philippines' capital city Manila, after it was attacked by a lone gunman in the early hours of Friday, police said. The victims did not appear to have been shot, but indications were that they had suffocated, a senior police official told CNN Philippines. A probe to identify the victims and the cause of their death is on. The incident unfolded when the gunman forced his way into the Resorts World Manila casino, shot at gambling machines and set tables on fire. The man then proceeded to ransack a room and stole gaming chips, Philippines National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa said. He stuffed chips totalling 113 million pesos ($2 million) in a backpack, but it was recovered by police. Earlier reports suggested the gunman had been shot, but police later confirmed that he had committed suicide by setting himself on fire, reports CNN. "He committed suicide by setting himself on fire in one of the rooms on the fifth floor of the Resort World Hotel," the National Capitol Region Police Chief Oscar Albayalde told the media here. The attacker was found in the room, burned beyond recognition, next to a machine gun and a pistol. The gunman did not appear to be firing at people, said Dela Rosa, which suggested the incident was not terror-related. "It's too early to tell," he added. Hundreds of guests and employees rushed out of the resort hotel as soon as the gunman began shooting, CNN reported. Video captured people fleeing, the sound of gunshots and smoke coming from the upper floors of buildings. Resorts World Manila, also known as RWM, is a resort complex in Newport City, a residential and commercial centre in metropolitan Manila. The complex, which is described on RWM's website as "the first and largest integrated resort in the Philippines," is across from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. All terminals at the airport were placed on lock-down following the attack. Patna: Bihar government has recommended CBI inquiry into the death of two sugar mill workers union leaders at Motihari in an alleged self-immolation attempt to protest against non-payment of arrears. "The state government has recommended CBI inquiry into the Motihari sugar mill workers deaths," Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) S K Singhal told PTI today. Two FIRs were lodged in the case - one into the deaths of two sugar mill workers union leaders and another against the owner and manager of the private sugar mill at Motihari for allegedly orchestrating their deaths. "Both the FIRs would be handed over to CBI for further probe," Singhal said. Two union leaders - Naresh Shrivastava and Suraj Baitha - had lost their lives during a sit-in against non-payment of arrears and for reopening the mill on April 9 this year. The two had announced their proposed self-immolation and police had turned up to facilitate a meeting with the district authorities deaths. In the meantime the two were seen to be in flames and died later in the hospital. Their families had registered a case against the mill owner and manager for orchestrating their deaths with the help of some anti-socials who had mingled with the agitating workers that day. Patna: RJD president Lalu Prasad will not attend the birthday celebrations of DMK chief M Karunanidhi in Chennai on Saturday, which is being seen as a major event to bring together non-BJP parties ahead of the presidential elections. "Lalu ji is suffering from fever and hence will not be able to go to Chennai tomorrow," his close aide and MLA Bhola Yadav told PTI today. Party spokesperson Ashok Sinha also confirmed Yadav's inability to go to Chennai tomorrow. Both Prasad and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar were invited to the 94th birthday celebrations of the DMK patriarch by his daughter and party MP Kanimozhi. Both leaders had accepted the invitation and Nitish Kumar even had talks with DMK working president Stalin in the presence of Kanimozhi. Lalu Prasad's cancellation of travel plan to Chennai is being read in political circles as his unwillingness to be seen with Kumar, who had skipped a luncheon meeting hosted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on May 26 in which he himself was present. Both RJD and JD(U) - the Grand Alliance partners - have, however, dismissed it. "Lalu jee is not going to Chennai purely on health grounds on advise of doctors. There is nothing political in it," Sinha said. JD(U) chief spokesperson Sanjay Singh too said, "Lalu jee is not going to Chennai on medical grounds and it's wrong to read any politics in this," Singh said. Gathering of prominent leaders of non-BJP parties in Chennai is seen a major event in the direction of forging unity among opposition ahead of July Presidential election and 2019 general elections. Patna: It seems like not everything is well under the leadership of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The latest example was witnessed on Friday when many ministers, including state deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, Health Minister Tej Pratap, Education Minister Ashok Chaudhary did not arrive at a cabinet meeting convened by Nitish. The meet was called to discuss the issue of reform in the Panchayati Raj system. On the one hand where Nitish and RJD chief Lalu Yadav are claiming that everything is 'smooth' in the party, the recent rhetoric between the JDU-RJD leaders is portraying a different story. In the past few months, there has been intense speculation about the renewal of ties between the JD(U) and the BJP but Kumar has repeatedly dismissed such suggestions. The absence of Yadav brothers and Education Minister and Congress leader Ashok Chaudhary from Nitish's meeting said it all. It is also being speculated that the reason for the absence of Nitish Kumar's ministers could be to avoid media after several reports accused the Yadav brothers of indulging in several wrongdoing including obtaining a petrol pump in Patna by furnishing wrong information. Earlier, in a series of allegations against Lalu Prasads family, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi had spoken about the allotment of petrol pump to Tej Pratap Yadav. In 2012, Yadav had applied for the petrol pump. The pump was commissioned to M/S Lara Automobiles on February 27 this year, of which Tej Pratap was the proprietor. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has asked for Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav's response regarding an alleged illegal petrol pump acquisition, and a show cause has been served for the same. The show cause gave 15 days time to him, from the date of receipt, to submit a reply. According to the complainant, Yadav had falsely declared in his application that he has land in his name for the retail allotment whereas the real owner of the said land is M/S A K Infosystems "who had never given land on lease to you (Tej Pratap)". Mumbai: Noted author Amish Tripathis Shiva Trilogy maybe adapted on celluloid and it is likely that the makers will make an announcement soon! And speculations are rife that Hrithik Roshan could essay the role of Lord Shiva in the adaptation. According to a report in DNA, Karan Johar, who had initially bought the rights, will not be producing the film anymore. Amish and Karan have amicably parted ways after having certain issues. The contract had expired. There were various issues but Karan and I have parted as friends, DNA quoted Amish as saying. Apparently, Hrithik was being considered to play the lead role in the film when Karan was in talks with Amish. However, whether or not Hrithik will be signed for the film will depend on what the new makers of the film decide. Though there has been no official statement regarding the same, we are sure if taken on board, Hrithik will do a fabulous job. What say people? Mumbai: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Power Finance Corporation (PFC) rating at BBB- and maintained a stable outlook due to strong government support and its healthy financial performance. The rating agency also affirmed all PFC's senior unsecured outstanding issues and debt instruments at BBB-. "PFC's ratings are equalised with those of the country's ratings - BBB-/Stable. This reflects its strong strategic importance, government's indirect support to the electricity sector in the country and control through its majority stake," Fitch said in a note here today. These factors mean there is a strong likelihood of PFC getting extraordinary state support, if required, the note said. The rating agency expects the government to maintain a controlling stake in PFC in the long term as it is instrumental in the implementation of national policies on electricity generation and distribution. "There are several operational links between PFC and the power ministry, which uses the company to implement its objectives through different national plans to develop electric power generation and distribution," the note said. PFC is one of the two public finance vehicles that provide funds exclusively to the power sector. It is also the largest lender to the sector, with approximately 20 percent market share. The Uday plan started in 2015 by the government to bail out public regional utility companies endorses the indirect support of government to the company and the sector, it said. "This tackles potential non performing loans (NPLs) as well as smoothing asset management. As of December 31, 2016, the Uday programme had repaid roughly Rs 23,900 crore of debt held by these utilities to PFC, close to 10 percent of the outstanding loans of PFC at the same date," the rating agency said. New Delhi: The Niti Aayog has given its recommendations on the government disinvesting stake in Air India to the Civil Aviation Ministry, which will take a decision on the matter, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Thursday. "The Niti Aayog has given its recommendations to the Civil Aviation Ministry, which will decide on the process of disinvestment in Air India," Jaitley said in response to a query on the issue at a briefing here on the three years of the NDA government. According to sources here, the Niti Aayog in a recent report has recommended strategic disinvestment from the loss-making Air India, by which government control would be transferred to a private owner. Air India officials said the national carrier has an accumulated debt of around Rs 60,000 crore, which includes around Rs 21,000 crore of aircraft-related loans and around Rs 8,000 crore working capital. New Delhi: The government has issued show cause notices to nearly 3 lakh firms that have not been carrying out business for long and are likely to face strict action starting this month. As part of intensifying efforts to crack down on shell companies that indulge in dubious activities, the government is also preparing to cancel the registration of such firms after following due regulatory process. Besides, the Corporate Affairs Ministry is in the process of preparing a database of shell companies in order to curb illegal activities, sources said. They said the ministry has identified 2.96 lakh companies which have not submitted their financial statements for a continuous period of two or more financial years. Prima facie, these entities were not conducting any business activities, they added. The ministry, which is implementing the Companies Act, has sought to know from the 2.96 lakh companies as to why their names should not be struck off. Stringent regulatory action would be initiated against the erring entities in case their responses are unsatisfactory. Final action would be taken in batches from this month June onwards after completing the due process, sources said. The Registrars of Companies (RoCs) in various states and union territories have issued notices to more than two lakh firms under the Companies Act, 2013, according to information available with the Ministry. These notices have been issued under Section 248 of the Act, which is implemented by the Ministry. This section pertains to striking off names of companies on certain grounds. There are nearly 16 lakh registered companies in the country and only around 11 lakh of them are active. As per the regulations, an RoC can seek explanation from a company if the latter has not commenced business within one year of getting incorporated under the Act. Notice is also issued if a particular company has not been carrying out business for at least two continuous financial years and has not applied for dormant status. New Delhi: State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has announced its plans to likely acquire the central government`s majority stake in refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) by the end of this financial year. The company initially had plans of merger of the two state-owned companies, however, it later settled with ONGC taking over HPCL so that the sale consideration flows to the exchequer in a year the Union budget has set a disinvestment target of Rs. 72,500 crore, reported the Bloomberg. It further reported that the deal could be valued at USD 4.5 billion for 51.1 percent of government stake in HPCL. Earlier on Thursday, Finance minister Arun Jaitley while speaking at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government`s three years in office, said that the proposal to integrate state-owned oil and gas companies, which was announced in the 2017-18 budget will be given its final shape by the oil ministry. He proposed creation of an "oil major` that will have capacity to bear higher risks, avail of economies of scale, take higher investment decisions and create more value for the stakeholders. Srinagar: Despite dismally low attendance, the popular Kheer Bhawani festival in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the usual communal amity as local Muslims welcomed the Kashmiri Pandit devotees with milk when they reached the Tullamulla shrine. Not more than 300 devotees on Friday visited north Kashmir's Tullamulla town to celebrate the Kheer Bhawani Mela, the holiest religious festival of the Kashmiri Pandits. Tullamulla town to celebrate the Khir Bhawani Mela, the holiest religious festival of the Kashmiri Pandits. The Tullamulla temple and the shrine are dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mata Ragnya, who legend says flew from Sri Lanka during Ravana's reign to Kashmir and established her seat beside a spring in the Tullamulla village. Kashmiri Pandits believe that the colour of the spring inside the shrine annually predicts Kashmir's future. Local Muslims have been traditionally welcoming their Pandit brothers with milk during the festival at Tullamulla village, 29 km from here in Ganderbal district. This year, too, despite the record low number of devotees, local Muslims served milk to the devotees, an encouraging evidence of the fact that whatever be the security and political situation in the state, the basic fabric of Hindu-Muslim amity remains intact. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited the shrine on Friday to interact with the devotees and oversee the arrangements made for them. Authorities believe that malicious propaganda spread by miscreants through social networking sites was responsible for the minimal number of migrant Pandits attending the festival this year. Even after the majority of local Pandits migrated out of the Valley in the early 1990s after violence broke out here, they have been coming in large numbers from different parts of the country to attend the festival and pray at Mata Ragnya's shrine. New Delhi: The Delhi Court on Friday will pronounce its order on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea, seeking permission to conduct a lie-detector test on Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Earlier, the court had asked arms dealer Abhishek Verma, who is a witness in the case, to explain the conditions for undergoing the polygraph test. On May 22, Tytler refused to undergo lie detector test before the court. Tytler and arms dealer Abhishek Verma were earlier asked by the court to appear in person or file an affidavit stating if they wanted to undergo lie detector test or not. Verma's counsel informed the Karkardooma Court that the former was not well and hence, sought more time to appear. The court then fixed June 2 for his personal appearance. On May 9, the court gave two weeks time to Tytler and Verma to file their contentions and appear before the court about their consent on conduction of lie-detector test and provision of security. Earlier in April also, Tytler refused to undergo a lie-detector test in connection with the case. In February, the CBI had sought the court's permission for lie-detector tests on Tytler and Verma. The investigating agency had in its plea requested the court to direct the duo to appear before it and accord their consent for conducting polygraph test so that further investigation can be conducted in the matter. Tytler is accused of leading a mob in the 1984 Pul Bangash case in which three Sikhs were killed. The CBI had earlier given a clean chit to Tytler in the case but re-opened the investigation following the December 4, 2015, order in the wake of Verma's allegations. The investigative agency moved a written application in the Karkardoma Court on the issue, after the arms dealer's accusation against the Congress politician of influencing a witness Surender Singh by giving him money and promising to send his son Narender Singh to Canada. The court also ordered the agency to find out whether Verma's statement was authentic. The agency had in September 2016 filed its investigation report in the case. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday directed Chief Secretary M.M. Kutty to urgently help identify land for setting up 850 Mohalla Clinics. In a letter to Kutty, Kejriwal said the Delhi government was committed to building 1,000 Mohalla Clinics of which 150 had been constructed so far. Kejriwal said the Health Secretary has informed him that the Health Department was "not getting land" to construct the remaining 850 Mohalla Clinics. "Chief Secretary is directed to coordinate with all the departments, who own land (like education, DJB, DUSIB, PWD) and these 850 pieces of land, equally distributed all over Delhi, should be identified urgently to construct Mohalla Clinics," said Kejriwal. "Chief Secretary should identify these plots of land by June 30," he added. Mohalla Clinic is the Delhi government`s flagship scheme, which has been praised by several countries across the globe. Beijing: A state-run Chinese daily said on Friday that India has suffered a setback and a "nasty surprise" in the "elephant versus dragon" race as its GDP growth slowed down in the January-April quarter helping China re-emerge as the fastest growing major economy. Calling it a "self-goal" by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Global Times hoped India will not score any more "own goals" in the future as it continues with its reform efforts. India lost the tag of the fastest growing major economy to China in the March quarter with a GDP growth of 6.1 percent, which pulled down the 2016-17 expansion to 7.1 percent. Some experts believe the demonetisation of high-value bank notes, that accounted for nearly 85 percent of currency in circulation, in November by the government had some effect on the data. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday said the slowdown was due to both domestic and global factors, but maintained that the move to demonetise the notes cannot be blamed alone. "It seems that India has suffered a setback in the 'elephant versus dragon' race, with an unexpected slowdown in its economy helping China regain the title of fastest-growing major economy in the first quarter," the Chinese daily said. Part of the publications run by the ruling Communist Party, the daily said the "surprising" slowdown points to "some underlying problems" facing the Indian economy. It also doubted the government data, saying they "have invited controversy." "India watchers were caught off-guard when the economy was revealed on Wednesday to have grown by only 6.1 percent in the January-March period, its weakest in more than two years. The number was well below analysts' forecasts of more than 7 percent growth for the quarter," it said. The daily headlined the article 'India gets nasty surprise from first-quarter growth amid doubts over earlier data'. It said "a significant upward revision of last year's growth data for the same period by 1.3 percentage points to 9.2 percent was in part blamed for the comparative slump in India's economic growth in the first quarter this year". "But this was supposed to have already been factored into previous market estimates, so why did the growth data still come as such a shock?" "Adding to the puzzle is that India posted stronger- than-expected seven per cent growth in the October-to-December period when the economy was seen being hit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision in November to scrap largest-denomination banknotes," it said. "The growth numbers, therefore, don't hold water. Some local economists said the first-quarter growth reading is closer to reality compared with previous data," it said. "The reality also shows how poorly the economy is weathering demonetisation," the tabloid daily which carries articles all most every day against India in recent times said. India should be mindful of putting too much strain on its economy and subjecting the economy to a deeper imbalance while pressing ahead with ambitious reforms," it said. The Chinese economy has posted a 6.9 percent growth in the first quarter this year - higher than the 6.5 percent official target. The Chinese government has lowered this year's growth target to 6.5 percent amid reports that the total debt is reported to be worth over 250 percent of GDP and bad loans by the commercial banks totalled to USD 220 billion. There was sense of disquiet in China, which remained the fastest growing economy for decades with double-digit growth rates, after it yielded the status to India. And the daily suggested that the Indian government "seriously think twice about reformist drives as drastic as the November decision." New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invited global businesses to invest in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, defence and services, saying India was never a better investment destination than it is now. "The sky is the limit in India. You can venture here in any area you want (to do business), " Modi told a global audience in his plenary address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). This is the first time that an Indian Prime Minister is attending the SPIEF forum, which is held annually in St. Petersburg, Russia's second largest city and President Vladimir Putin's hometown. Modi said that his government's journey toward developing India is built on investments in infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and services. The Prime Minister said, "We have removed over 1,200 laws that are obsolete in today's context. This is a manifestation of our belief in 'minimum government." India is a fast growing economy- this is a sentiment leading global agencies are reflecting: PM @narendramodi PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 2, 2017 Key Highlights of PM Modi's speech -125 crore people of India are inviting you- explore the opportunities in India. -In India, sky is the limit. There are opportunities in several sectors. -I see immense opportunities in manufacturing healthcare equipment, defence sector, services sector. -In India there is lot of work underway in renewable energy. -Number of people who travel by train in India will be more than population of many nations. Hence, railway infra is vital. -India is urbanising rapidly and this makes the need of infrastructure and waste management mechanisms even more important. -India, we are nurturing an eco-system where the youth of India becomes a job creator, not job seeker. -New India is about upgraded infrastructure. -It is also agreed that among the top FDI destinations in the world, India figures highly. -India- Russia ties are not utilitarian. There is an underlying trust in our ties & our ties have grown stronger & deeper over time. -India is a fast growing economy- this is a sentiment leading global agencies are reflecting. -We have removed over 1200 laws that are obsolete in today's context. This is a manifestation of our belief in 'minimum government'. -Our constant aim is to bridge the digital divide. Over the last three years the impetus to financial inclusion has been tremendous. -We are living in the era of technology. In that context, a digital divide can adversely affect the development trajectory of any nation. -GST will be implemented and there will be a uniform system of taxation. This will benefit industry. -Political will, political stability and clear vision set the tone for transformative reforms. -The eyes of the world are on Asia and there is renewed interest in India. -In the last three years there have been substantial reforms, guided by the principle of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance'. New Delhi: The UN environment chief said on Friday that India and China are the two countries that are showing strong leadership to combat climate change and the decision by the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement+ will not deter these global efforts. "The science on climate change is perfectly clear: we need more action, not less. This a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now," UN Environment Programme (UNEP) executive director Erik Solheim said in a statement responding to President Donald Trump's announcement that the US will withdraw from the ambitious climate pact. "The US decision to leave Paris in no way brings an end to this unstoppable effort. China, India, the European Union and others are already showing strong leadership. 190 nations are showing strong determination to work with them to protect this and future generations+ ," Solheim said in a statement. Solheim said there is incredible momentum on climate action from individual states, cities, the private sector and citizens and a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. Urging all parties to redouble their efforts, he said that UNEP would work with everyone willing to make a difference. "Climate action is not a burden, but an unprecedented opportunity. Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels will build more inclusive and robust economies. It will save millions of lives and slash the huge healthcare cost of pollution." "Committing to climate action means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the front line of extremism and terrorism. It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands," Solheim said, adding that it also means protecting food security and building stability to avoid adding yet more refugees to what is already an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis. He underscored that the Paris Agreement is founded on clear evidence, solid science and incredible international collaboration. "It will put aside differences to tackle a common, monumental challenge. The reversal of damage to the ozone layer proves that such a global effort can succeed. Ultimately, this is an investment in our own survival that no-one can afford to abandon," he added. Trump's decision to withdraw from the climate agreement drew strong reactions from various quarters. By pulling out of the climate deal, the United States joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations not participating in the global agreement. Members of The Elders, a group of independent leaders founded by South African President Nelson Mandela, condemned Trump's decision, saying US withdrawal does not mean the demise of the Paris Agreement, and urged other signatories to continue to respect its provisions. "Climate change is the great existential threat of our time. The Paris Agreement was born out of effective multilateralism and a desire to find a cooperative solution to a global problem. No one country can dismantle the Agreement. While the US withdrawal weakens that international accord, it will not trigger its demise," chair of The Elders and former UN secretary general Kofi Annan said. Mary Robinson, member of the group and former UN special envoy on climate change said the US "reneging on its commitment to the Paris Agreement renders it a rogue state on the international stage. "But the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris agreement will not stop climate action in the United States. We encourage all actors in the US working to tackle climate change to stand their ground, share the benefits of their work and to keep making their voices heard," she said. Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a member of the foreign relations committee and environment and public works committee, said with his decision, "Trump is breaking a promise to the world to combat climate change in order to keep an empty campaign promise to the coal industry. "Withdrawal from the climate agreement is a betrayal of scientific fact, economic opportunity, and moral leadership. Turning our back on this agreement will be a disaster for America for our businesses, for our health, and for our national security," he said. (With PTI inputs) Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that his United States counterpart Donald Trump should not have withdrawn from the Paris Climate Accord as it is of a "framework nature." However, Putin said that he would not be judging Trump's decision as the US President probably thinks that the accord is not well thought out. He warned against making a fuss over the U.S. exit from the Paris deal and urged to establish conditions for joint work, reports Sputnik news agency. Putin said that there's still time for the agreement as it comes into force in 2021. He further said that that Russia is yet to ratify the agreement and is waiting for the rules on resource allocation to be formed as part of the deal. President Trump on Thursday announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord, arguing that the 2015 agreement was detrimental to the US economy. "In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord, but being negotiations to re enter, either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction under terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers , its people , its taxpayers," Trump said. Moscow: Moscow on Friday said it will not veto a UN resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea, despite Kremlin ire over fresh US punitive measures that hit Russian firms. The United States has presented a draft UN Security Council resolution Thursday that would hit North Korea over with new sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, diplomats said. The text -- drafted in agreement with China, traditionally Pyongyang`s sole diplomatic and military ally -- was expected to be submitted to a Council vote on Friday. Deputy foreign minister Gennady Gatilov said Moscow is "not gearing up to veto it" after Russia`s concerns were taken on board. "The vote is set for today and we expect it to pass," Gatilov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. Russia`s decision comes despite anger in the Kremlin after the US Treasury included Russian firms and a company director in fresh sanctions over North Korea. The US announced the punitive unilateral measures Thursday on several North Korean entities and officials as well as two Russian companies trading with Pyongyang in a bid to pressure the isolated regime over its nuclear weapons push. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pesko quoted by RIA Novosti news agency said the measures "are a factor that continues to have a negative effect on our bilateral relations" with the US. He said the sanctions "continue, unfortunately, the previous line. This provokes nothing but regret." Another deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov criticised the move as "showing a lack of ability to look at things more broadly and a knee-jerk return to a discredited approach" in comments to TASS state news agency. "I got a sense of bad deja-vu," he added. Thursday`s announcement listed Moscow-based Ardis-Bearings LLC and its director, Igor Aleksandrovich Michurin, for business they do with North Korean firm Korea Tangun Trading Corporation. Tangun was already placed under sanctions in 2009 for its involvement in North Korea`s weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, the Treasury said. Another Russian firm, the Independent Petroleum Company, has a contract to sell oil to North Korea and "may have" worked to help the country circumvent sanctions, it said. New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has tied up with Microsoft's Bing to release the CBSE 10th Result 2017, CBSE Class 10 board exam results. How to check CBSE Class X Result 2017 on Bing: Open bing.com Enter roll number, school code, fill the captcha code Enter submit and result will be displayed on your screen. Though CBSE has not yet released an official date for the release of the CBSE Class 10 Results 2017, CBSE Result 2017 Class 10, CBSE Class X Result, some reports suggest that the results will be out today. Check cbseresults.nic.in/cbse.nic.in/results.nic.in to get the latest update on CBSE Class 10th board results, CBSE Class 10th Examination Results 2017. Get CBSE Result 2017, 10th Result through IVR system Students can dial on the following numbers to get CBSE X Board Result,CBSE Board Exam Result 2017. The numbers are: 011-24357276, 011-28127030 (MTNL), 54321223 (Tata Teleservices), 54321202 (Airtel). (The charges will 30 paise per minute per roll number) CBSE Board Result 2017 via SMS service: One can send an SMS through a registered number in the format cbse 12 [rollno] Telephone numbers are: 52001 (MTNL), 57766 (BSNL), 5800002 (Aircel), 55456068 (Idea), 54321, 51234 & 5333300 (Tata Teleservices), 54321202 (Airtel), and 9212357123 (National Informatics Centre) New Delhi: Senior Zee journalist Sudhir Chaudhary has travelled to war-ravaged Syria to bring to you the latest news from the country even as global powers debate how to end this brutal conflict. Watch this exclusive episode on Syria at 9 PM today on DNA: St Petersburg: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today presented over 100 volumes of 'Urga Kanjur' to the head priest of the Datsan Gunzechoinei Buddhist Temple here. 'Urga Kanjur' is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist text. "PM presents Urga Kanjur to Jampa Donor, Buda Balzheivich Badmayev, Head Priest, Datsan Gunzechoinei Buddhist Temple, St Petersburg," Office of the Prime Minister said in a tweet. Modi, who is on an official visit here, met President Vladimir Putin yesterday. The Urga edition of the Tibetan Kanjur was unknown till 1955 when Prof Raghu Vira brought to India its complete set of 104 volumes with a volume containing the catalogue. It was presented to him by Mongolian prime minister as a unique bibliographic rarity. On the second day of his Russia visit, Modi visited Institute of Oriental Manuscripts. He also left a message in Gujarati language at the institute, said a tweet by the Indian Embassy in Moscow. The institute has manuscripts and early printed books consisting of more than 100 thousand items in 65 living and dead languages. It also has the archives of the Orientalists that contains some valuable documents on the history of the Oriental Studies in Russia. It has manuscripts and xylographs. He also met Tigran Sargasyan, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission and former Prime Minister of Armenia. India and Russia yesterday agreed on early commencement of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the five- nation Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Moscow: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)'s leading reporter Megyn Kelly had to face the wrath of the Twitteratti for asking an incredible question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is highly active on social media and has a massive following. At the state dinner party thrown at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg with Russian President Putin and Modi, Kelly dared to inquire if the Indian PM was active on Twitter. Interestingly, Kelly also posted a picture of her interaction with PM Modi on Twitter. At state dinner party at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg with Russian President Putin and Indian PM Modi. More tonight @NBCNightlyNews pic.twitter.com/FX5kjfIJAf Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 1, 2017 PM Modi too posted a picture of his interaction with journalists later. Before dinner, had a brief interaction with noted journalist & commentator @megynkelly, moderator of tomorrow's session at the @SPIEF. pic.twitter.com/5CQ58Zn5hP Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 1, 2017 Kelly asked this question during her interaction with the Prime Minister and Russian President Vladimir Putin at state dinner party thrown by the latter at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg. This laughable situation occured when Prime Minister Modi praised Kelly for her picture on Twitter where she is posing with an umbrella, to which the seemingly taken aback Kelly asked the Prime Minister "Are you on Twitter?" A visibly smiling Prime Minister Modi laughed off her question. What followed was massive ridicule and backlash for the reporter on TwiTter. Here are some of those reactions:- Dear @megynkelly here is ur twitter profile vs @narendramodi sir profile,still u ask that r u on twitter. Wats d population f ur country btw pic.twitter.com/bFcanO6iLP Kumar Amritansh (@Banarasi_Hindu) June 2, 2017 Dear self-obsessed Americans,yes @narendramodi is on Twitter and has more than 30 Million followers. June 2, 2017 Mumbai: Amid the ongoing agitation of farmers in Maharashtra, Congress on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he could take time out of his schedule to meet Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra, but had no time to meet farmers. "It is unfortunate that Modi ji has time to meet Priyanka Chopra, but not our farmers. His Chief Minister in Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis ji is behaving like Yamraj (god of death)," Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Shehzad Poonawalla in a statement issued here. "Congress supports the demands of the farmers. If loan waiver can be given in UP why not in Maharashtra?" he said. On May 30, Modi had taken some time out of his hectic schedule of bilateral talks and meetings in Berlin to meet actor Priyanka Chopra. "In Maharashtra, out of a total 1.36 crore farmers, 31 lakh farmers with a cumulative debt of Rs 30,500 crore are not eligible for bank loans," he said. Poonawalla said that farmers' strike will affect the whole nation along with the people of Maharashtra and hence Modi and Fadnavis should show seriousness towards their demands. "Even the Shiv Sena is with the opposition on this issue. While the Sena is backing this anti-farmer government on the one hand, it is playing role of opposition on the other. We request the Sena not to be party to such anti-farmer policies of the Fadnavis government for the sake of power," he said. The Congress leader said that if the BJP-led government at the Centre and in the state continue to ignore the "legitimate" demands of farmers there will be a nationwide crisis. "Modi ji had made several promises, including the promise to raise the minimum support price (MSP) by 50 per cent. They have not delivered anything except jumlas," he said. "It is time for real steps to improve the condition of farmers, which is worsening under the Fadnavis rule. Mere cosmetic steps like Krishi Bima Yojna will not suffice," Poonawalla said. New Delhi: In a rare gesture, Union Home Rajnath Singh recently broke the protocol to hug a brave but disabled BSF jawan who had taken on militants during an attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur in 2014. According to the Indian Express, the Union Minister took every one by surprise when he not only hugged BSF constable Godhraj Meena but also praised him for his bravery, presence of mind and indomitable spirit at the 15th BSF investiture ceremony held in New Delhi on Thursday. Meenas bus, part of a Border Security Force convoy, was ambushed by militants on August 5, 2014 near the Narsu Nalah area in Udhampur with a heavy gunfire. The 44-year-old trooper, who was on guard duty in the bus, kept the two militants at bay with his bravery and foiled their attempts to enter and target the about 30 personnel onboard, according to the citation. Meena, who suffered 85 percent disability after militants bullets hit him during the attack, is not able to speak and walk properly. However, Meena received a thunderous applause from the officials and jawans when the country's Home Minister pinned the gallantry medal on his chest during the function. Even before Meena could accord the mandatory salute, the Home Minister hugged and patted him and saw him off from the dais with a firm and long hand shake. As per protocol, the Home Minister, after pinning the medal and handing over the citation, has to shake hand with the awardee and the person moves ahead after according a salute to him. Later, during his speech, Singh said he was extremely proud of Meenas bravery and grit. Watch the video here. United Nations: The United Nations is concerned over the tense situation along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan and the Secretary General is following the developments closely, his spokesperson said. "I think the situation that we've seen in that area continues to be of concern to us and, as I've said before, the Secretary-General is following the situation very closely," UN Secretary General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here yesterday when asked about the recent cross-border shelling. A civilian was killed and four others, including a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, were injured when the Pakistan Army targeted forward areas along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Pooch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting retaliation by the Indian troops. Five Pakistani soldiers were reported to have been killed while some others were injured in the Indian Army's retaliatory action along the Nowshera and Krishnagati sectors. Dujarric has repeatedly said that Guterres is following the situation in Kashmir amid escalating tensions at the border between India and Pakistan. The UN Chief has not made any direct intervention to resolve the issue and his spokesperson has repeatedly said the UN Chief reiterates his call for India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue. New Delhi: In a bid to tighten the noose on schools charging "unreasonable" fees and levying "hidden" charges, the CBSE has sought data from private schools about their fee structure and increase in fees in recent years. The move comes weeks after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had warned private schools against turning into "shops" by selling uniform and books in their premises. "We have told schools that they should not charge unreasonable fees. The charges should be reasonable and there should be no hidden costs as that is the more irritating part for parents," Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar told PTI in an interview. "We have sought data from schools about their fee structure and increase in fees. Many schools have sent it and the data is being analysed. Schools which haven't sent it have been sent reminders and penalised," he added. The minister, however, did not clarify about the penalty measures for schools found guilty of overcharging and with hidden costs in their fees structure. Overcharging by schools and increase in fees every year has been a subject of concern often raised by parents. Gujarat had last month introduced "Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2017" to regulate the exorbitant fees charged by schools. The bill empowers the Gujarat government to constitute four 'fee regulatory committees', one each for the state's four zones, to determine "fees for admission to any standard or course of study in self-financed schools". Fees structure proposed in the bill for primary, secondary and higher secondary schools is Rs 15,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 27,000 per year, respectively. Schools that wish to charge more will have to approach the regulatory committee, which will have jurisdiction over all private schools, whether affiliated to the Gujarat board, the CBSE or international boards. The bill had also caught interest of several states and also the Centre with education ministers from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and Javadekar asking for copies of the bill from Gujarat Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama. "There are private schools which are charging Rs 250, Rs 2,500, Rs 25,000 and Rs 2.5 lakh also that is a choice which has to be made by parents. "We value private investment as it contributes to the GDP but schools should not be overcharging," Javadekar said. Srinagar: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday met Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here. General Rawat informed the Governor about the Army Operational Review, which had concluded earlier this evening, whereafter the duo discussed several important inter-related internal and external security management issues and the steps required to be taken for more effectively dealing with terrorist activities. The Governor also discussed with the Army Chief issues relating to providing increased opportunities and avenues for assuring a satisfying future for the youth of the state. He had the opportunity to also meet three Army Commanders and several senior Lt. Generals holding key positions who had participated in the review meeting taken by the Chief. Srinagar: Security forces fighting the militancy in Kashmir have a new target to deal with now -- Bedroom jehadis which operate from the comfort of their homes to lure prospective youth into their ranks. The main task of these jehadis is to manipulate the social media to spread rumours and influence the youth, the police said. An immediate worry for security agencies is the Amarnath Yatra that starts June 29. Armed with access to platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, there are fears that the new band of jehadis could instigate communal riots in the Valley ahead of the 40-day pilgrimage to the high altitude shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. "It is a virtual battleground where a bloody war is fought, but with words. However, this has an impact on the young minds," said a senior police officer. Many officers felt that false rumours could be floated in Jammu in the coming days, leaving authorities with little time to react. "Anyone, while sitting on his bed or sofa, can plant this news in one of the thousand chat groups and the entire state can plunge into communal divide," said a police officer. The social chat groups are active not just in Jammu and Kashmir. They are seeing participation from youngsters in the national capital, rest of the country and abroad as well. Officers cite the recent example of a constable from the Kashmiri Pandit community to explain how difficult it is to tackle the unseen enemy. The constable went missing and his body was found in north Kashmir's Kupwara, about 90 km from here, after a thorough search. But even before the investigations began, people in the Pandit community posted stories that he had been kidnapped by militants and had died a martyr's death. The impact of social media on the case was so profound that it began to be probed as a militancy-related case. However, a Special Investigating Team (SIT), constituted by Director General of Police S P Vaid, later found that the constable had been murdered by a fellow policeman whom he had allegedly sodomised and threatened to make it public. Another instance of trouble being engineered was a fake picture of a pond around the shrine of Goddess Ragnya Devi, also known as Kheer Bhawani, being shared on WhatsApp groups ahead of the annual Kheer Bhawani mela being celebrated today. According to the post, the water of the pond had turned black, which according to folklore indicates inauspicious times for Kashmir. The government stepped in and released official photographs in an attempt to quell the rumours. They also tried to find those responsible. "But it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Millions of people are on social networking sites and is too difficult to locate that one person," a police officer said. In the Valley, social media access had been controlled to a large extent after authorities clamped down on 22 websites. While many users in the Valley found a way out through virtual private networks (VPN), they found it difficult to share pictures or videos because of the clamp down on 3G and 4G networks. A police officer recalled that many 'hartal' calls attributed to separatist leaders last year actually came from students or employees who did not want to attend work. "The hartal calls used to spread like a jungle fire even leaving separatists wondering at times whether they actually had given them," he said. Most youngsters picked up for questioning were let go with a warning. Given the government's push for Digital India in other parts of the country and the rapid strides in technology, the state government has received severe flak for its ban on the world wide web. Security agency officers feel it is necessary to keep 'bedroom jehadis' at bay so that they can concentrate on nabbing or eliminating terrorists with real guns. The government has warned administrators of these chatting groups or social networking sites against hosting any incriminating material on their platform. However, officers felt that a few more curbs and punitive action would help in reining in such 'bedroom jehadis'. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Following reports of infiltration by terrorists in the Valley, massive search operation by the security forces is underway since morning in jungles of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Friday. The Army's with 21 Battalion of Border Security Force (BSF) launched massive searches in Teen Behak area of Keran Sector in Kupwara after reports of infiltration by at least five to six militants at the Siraj Post. The army and the BSF also fired some warning shots but there was no retaliation. The search operation is underway and a tight cordon is being maintained to intercept the militants. Further details are awaited. Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala cabinet on Friday asked Governor P. Sathasivam to convene a special session of the state assembly on June 8 chiefly to discuss and debate the new rules by the Centre on cattle trade for slaughter that infringes on the states' rights. The decision on the daylong assembly session was taken by the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet after a meeting on Friday morning. The traditional rival parties in the assembly have already united to strongly oppose the new law and have condemned it as "nothing but an attempt to usurp the rights of the state government". The daylong session is likely to see a resolution passed against the new central law on cattle trade. However, it would not get unanimously cleared as the lone BJP legislator O. Rajagopal was certain to oppose it. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vijayan, who is determined to convene a meeting here of all chief ministers in the country, will take up this aspect with the central leadership of his party when he arrives in Delhi on June 5. Vijayan will be in the national capital to take part in the two-day politburo meeting of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on June 6 and 7. New Delhi: Kerala House Resident Commissioner Vishwas Mehta on Friday sought more security for the state guest house to protect it from "groups with vested interests", who could create trouble over the ongoing beef controversy. The development comes after members of a "cow vigilante" group, claiming to belong to the Bharatiya Gauraksha Kranti, allegedly barged into Kerala House last evening to protest the beef festivals recently held in the southern state. They entered Kerala House around 8 PM and started distributing cow milk as a mark of protest. "We have written a complaint to the Connaught Place police station, besides urging senior police officials to take action against the protesters and seeking additional security to protect Kerala House from groups with vested interests," Mehta told reporters. He condemned yesterday's incident and said such protests should not take place at Kerala House and its sanctity should be maintained. "Kerala House should not be turned into a protest venue. The issue is political and Kerala House should not be dragged into it," said Mehta. He added that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office had been informed of the incident. Mehta refused to comment on lapses on the part of the police to stop the protesters from barging into Kerala House, saying he was not present at the time of the incident. Mumbai: The state buses with a new logo containing the words 'Jai Maharashtra' were flagged off from Mumbai Central to Belgaum on Friday. However, the development comes amid the dispute between the both Maharashtra and the Karnataka Government for the slogan of 'Jai Maharashtra'. A few days ago, Karnataka's Urban Development Minister Roshan Baig had said that anyone who chants 'Jai Maharashtra', their posts will be taken away from them. Following which, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the statement. Despite the outrage, Maharashtra Government's Transport Minister Diwakar Ratote made the decision that every state bus will carry the 'Jai Maharashtra' logo on it. Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu discussed the issues related to rural development, specifically rural connectivity with Union Rural Development minister Narendra Kumar Tomar. During the meeting held yesterday at New Delhi, Khandu informed Tomar that road connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh was gradually improving with all-weather access to eligible unconnected habitations in the state under the flagship programme of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju was also present at the meeting. The Arunachal Pradesh chief minister said connectivity has been facilitating access to economic and social service and helping generate increase agriculture income, productive employment and reduce poverty, an official release said here today. Khandu thanked the RD Ministry under Tomar for sympathetically considering the unique demographic as well as geographic characteristics of the state and liberally funding projects to improve connectivity. The state government during 2016-17 submitted a proposal for 162 road works and 53 long-span bridges with a total length of 2,447 km for consideration and sanction. The ministry cleared 119 road and 36 long-span bridges in November 2016 after its empowered committee approved the proposals in principle, the release said. The chief minister requested Tomar to consider approval and sanctioning of the remaining 43 roads and 15 long-span bridges. He said all required technical corrections and modifications have already been made in the detailed project reports as per the directives of the National Rural Roads Development Agency. Khandu requested early release of the first instalment for the PMGSY, as pending bills for payment against the works executed need to be cleared. Tomar assured support and cooperation of his ministry and said that it was the vision of the Prime Minister that all rural villages of the state are connected by 2019, the release added. New Delhi: Varun Dhawan is all set to step into the shoes of Salman Khan with his upcoming release 'Judwaa 2' which also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu in the lead. Rumours from the sets of 'Judwaa-2' suggest that the two actresses do not get along. According to a report in Pinkvilla, both the actresses have requested for a different schedule so that they don't have to cross paths! Even though Varun Dhawan is fond of both his leading ladies, it seems like they are not happy with each other. The actors just wrapped up their London shoot and a very exhilarated Varun took to social media to share the pictures. There is no confirmation as though what led the to a cold war between the two don't quite seem they are the best of friends. Here's hoping the cold war doesn't turn into something more. Mumbai: Actress Sunny Leone said Priyanka Chopra's online trolling, over her dress during her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Germany, was unfair. Priyanka had recently met Modi in Berlin and shared a picture on her social media account. The actress, however, faced criticism from certain sections, who objected to her short dress and slammed her for not being 'appropriately dressed' for the meeting. Leone said if Modi had a problem with it, he would've expressed the same. "We have elected a very smart man to be the prime minister of this country... If he had a problem with it he would've said something. But he didn't and I don't think anybody has the right to troll," she told reporters here. The "Jism 2" actress said Priyanka is a smart woman who does a lot for the society. "There's enough hate, we should love each other more and not be mean. I know she (Priyanka) gives back to the society, she is good to people. Let's judge her based on her actions and not her clothes." Leone was speaking at an event of PETA last evening. After the criticism, Priyanka took potshots at trolls with a cheeky photo on her Instagram page. In the photo, the 34-year-old actress was seen flaunting her legs in a high-slit denim dress, along with her mother Madhu, who was seen in a black top and mini skirt. New Delhi: Motor-mouth Rakhi Sawant has courted trouble once again. The actress has been booked for making unsavoury remarks about Saint Valmiki. According to ANI, a Ludhiana court has issued a non-bailable warrant against Rakhi for making a derogatory statement about the sage. Earlier, a local court in Ludhiana issued an arrest warrant against Rakhi Sawant for allegedly making objectionable remarks against the sage. The warrant was issued on March 9 on the basis of a complaint filed against her for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Valmiki community with her comments on a programme on a private television channel last year, police said. "By doing so she has hurt the religious sentiments of a large number of his followers," the complaint said. "A two-member team of the Ludhiana police has left for Mumbai with the arrest warrant," a police official told PTI. On March 9, Rakhi failed to appear before the court despite issuing her repeated summons. New Delhi: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah is known for his immensely impressive body of work. The powerhouse of talent has performed some great roles and has a huge fan following too. Naseeruddin Shah in his recent interview with Hindustan Times talked his heart out on what it means to be a Muslim today. He has written about what religion means to him and how case sensitive it has become in today's changing scenario with social media's advent. Here are some of the excerpts from his write-up: Even though I am no longer a practising Muslim, and in fact had never been overly aware of a Muslim identity, the sentimental urge that made me perform this rite for my children as well did not seem paradoxical. My wife Ratna is Hindu, and we were married much before the term love jihad was coined and acted upon. She and I both have no more than a ritualistic connection with our respective religions. Eid and Diwali are joyous occasions for us and we celebrate both with equal gusto - so our disparate religious upbringings didnt merit a thought. The first tricky moment was our decision to not fill in the column asking religion at the time of our childrens school admission. Apart from objecting to this in principle, we averred that we genuinely had no idea what their religion was at that time or what it would be later. Not considering a religious education of any kind necessary, we had decided to leave the choice of faith to them. Religion never played a major part in my life anyway and my attempts to be what was called a true muslim ended when I was about twenty. I abandoned religion then and have never felt the need for it; Richard Dawkins statement that religion has nothing whatever to do with goodness does not need any verification when one looks at whats happening everywhere in the name of religion. When Ratna and I decided to marry, discussing conversion and anticipating the social problems we might have couldnt have been further from our minds. But over the past few years, the nightmarish possibility of my children being someday confronted by a mob demanding to know their religion could be inching closer to reality. Never before in our country have rational statements of concern and pleas for peace, not only from Muslims, been interpreted as cowardly or seditious. It is almost as if the day was being awaited when this could be done. A Facebook post quoting Einsteins warning about nuclear warfare received a few likes but the fair share of abuse and vilification of Islam it also got stumped me. I was even warned not to poke your nose in matters that dont concern you! That the survival of the human race does not concern me was indeed news. Evidently, as a Muslim, it should not be my concern to urge India and Pakistan not to hurt each other and if I did I was pro-Pak, because we are going to bomb the shit out of them proclaimed one desi troll whose ideal obviously is the Donald. It seems essential for Muslims in India to get over the feeling of victimisation they are in now; it is a trap all too easy to stumble into - we must determine to stop feeling persecuted, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding; we must stop hoping for salvation from somewhere and take matters into our own hands- not least of all to take pride in our Indian-ness and assert our claim on our country. Mumbai: Actor Rishi Kapoor has paid homage to his father, legendary actor-filmmaker, Raj Kapoor on his 29th death anniversary today. Kapoor died of complications related to asthma on June 2, 1988 at the age of 63 in New Delhi. Remembering his father, the 64-year-old actor took to Twitter, where he quoted a line of the iconic song "Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan" from the film "Mera Naam Joker". "Papa, today 29 years ago, you left us. 'Par hum tumhare rahenge sada' (But we will always be yours)," wrote Rishi alongside a still from "Sangam". Born on December 14, 1924 to Prithviraj Kapoor in Peshawar (now Pakistan), Kapoor made his official acting debut with 1947 film "Neel Kamal" and went on to become "the greatest showman of Indian cinema". He made a mark as an actor with films like "Shree 420", "Awaara" and "Barsaat". At the age of 24, Kapoor became the youngest filmmaker of his time when he made his directorial debut with "Aag" (1948) featuring himself alongside Nargis, Kamini Kaushal and Premnath. Kapoor was famous for his Charlie Chaplin-esque style of acting, which garnered attention not only from the Indian audience but also made him a fan-favourite in Russia. Rishi, in his recently-released autobiography "Khullam Khulla", talked about his relationship with his father. "My father loved his cinema, his booze, his leading ladies and his work. But for a man legendary for his hospitality, he was very possessive of his whisky," he writes. Rishi shared that when he started drinking with his father "it was always Johnny Walker Black Label bought in London, while we were served locally procured whisky" Kota: In view of increased ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops, VHP leader Acharya Dharmendra has said that nuclear bomb should be drooped on India's hostile neighbour. The senior VHP leader said that dropping a nuclear bomb on Pakistan is important for maintaining stability and peace in the Indian sub-continent. Acharya Dharmendra even suggested naming Pakistan as an enemy state, not a neighbouring state, according to Jagran.com. The VHP leader also held 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi responsible for the 'Partition' tragedy between Indian and Pakistan. He even questioned government's decision to put Mahatma Gandhi's picture on Indian currency notes. Acharya Dharmendra made these remarks while speaking to media during a function in Kota, Rajasthan. Contrary to growing demands for making cow the national animal, the VHP leader called for making it the national mother of India. Citing late president APJ Abdul Kalam and revolutionary freedom fighter Ashfaqulla Khan, Acharya Dharmendra said there is no lack of patriot Muslims in India. While condemning the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre, the VHP leader said that the present dispensation has confined itself to building just toilets and ensuring cleanliness. New Delhi: Hotel Leelaventure on Friday said it is in discussions to sell Leela Palace Chennai but has not signed any pact for the sale. The hospitality chain had earlier received shareholders' nod to sell properties in Chennai and Delhi to pay off debt. "We are in discussions to sell the Leela Palace Chennai, but no binding agreement has been signed with any party, as on date," Hotel Leelaventure said in a filing to BSE. Located at Adyar Sea Face in the city, the Leela Palace Chennai has a capacity of 326 guest rooms. Shares of Hotel Leelaventure today closed at Rs 23.10 per scrip on BSE, up 2.67 percent from its previous close. New Delhi: Expedition 51 crew members Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos and Thomas Pesquet of European Space Agency (ESA) have safely landed on Earth after spending 196 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The two astronauts landed their Soyuz MS-03 spacecraft in Kazakhstan on Friday at approximately 10:10 am EDT. According to NASA, the Russian recovery teams are helping the crew exit the Soyuz vehicle and adjust to gravity after their stay in space. Oleg Novitskiy and Thomas Pesquet arrived at the space station on November19, 2016, along with NASAs Peggy Whitson. At the time of undocking, Expedition 52 began aboard the station under Yurchikhins command. Along with Whitson and Fischer of NASA, the three-person crew will operate the station until the arrival of three new crew members. Randy Bresnik of NASA, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli of ESA are scheduled to launch July 28 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. New Delhi: Nearly 50 years after they were discovered, spinning neutron stars the densest objects in the universe are about to be studied by NASA starting tomorrow. On Saturday, June 3, NASA is all set to launch the world's first mission to examine the rapidly spinning neutron stars, along with carrying out the world's first demonstration of X-ray navigation in space. SpaceX's CRS-11, a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), will be the vehicle aboard which the mission will be launched. The launch of the two-in-one Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) was earlier planned for June 1, but was delayed due to poor weather. About a week after its installation, this one-of-a-kind investigation will begin observing neutron stars, the densest objects in the universe. The mission will focus especially on pulsars those neutron stars that appear to wink on and off because their spin sweeps beams of radiation past us, like a cosmic lighthouse. Due to their extreme nature, neutron stars and pulsars have engendered a great deal of interest since their existence was proposed in 1939 and then discovered in 1967. These objects are the remnants of massive stars that, after exhausting their nuclear fuel, exploded and collapsed into super-dense spheres. Their intense gravity crushes an astonishing amount of matter often more than 1.4 times the content of the Sun or at least 460,000 Earths into city-sized orbs, creating stable, yet incredibly dense matter not seen anywhere else in the universe. Just one teaspoonful of neutron star matter would weigh a billion tonnes on Earth. "The nature of matter under these conditions is a decades-old unsolved problem," said Keith Gendreau, a scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre in the US. "Theory has advanced a host of models to describe the physics governing the interiors of neutron stars. With NICER, we can finally test these theories with precise observations," said Gendreau. Although neutron stars emit radiation across the spectrum, observing them in the energetic X-ray band offers the greatest insights into their structure and the high-energy phenomena that they host, including starquakes, thermonuclear explosions and the most powerful magnetic fields known in the cosmos. During its 18-month mission, NICER will collect X-rays generated from the stars' tremendously strong magnetic fields and from hotspots located at their two magnetic poles. At these locations, the objects' intense magnetic fields emerge from their surfaces and particles trapped within these fields rain down and generate X-rays when they strike the stars' surfaces. In pulsars, these flowing particles emit powerful beams of radiation from the vicinity of the magnetic poles. On Earth these beams of radiation are observed as flashes of radiation ranging from seconds to milliseconds depending on how fast the pulsar rotates. Since these pulsations are predictable, they can be used as celestial clocks, providing high-precision timing, like the atomic-clock signals supplied through the Global Positioning System (GPS). Although ubiquitous on Earth, GPS signals weaken the farther one travels out beyond Earth orbit. Pulsars, however, are accessible virtually everywhere in space, making them a valuable navigational solution for deep-space exploration. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Zyeth Atham Mubarak! This is probably the first greeting of the day which every Kashmiri Pandit will exchange on the pious day of Zyeth Atham. The day also known as Jyeshtha Ashtami happens to be the eighth day of the bright half of Jyeshtha (MayJune) month. On this auspicious day, a grand feast and fest is held every year at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Kashmir, also known as Tulmula. It is celebrated with full gusto and vigour, as it marks the pradurbhava of the Goddess Ragnya (Kheer Bhavani or Ragnya Bhavani Mata). Devotees throng Tulmula Temple in Kashmir in huge numbers, sometimes crossing a gathering of more than a lakh. The grand affair, also known as Kheer Bhavani Mela has many devotees visiting the temple and taking blessings of the presiding goddess. Inside the huge temple premises, there are small temples/idols of other gods such as Lord Shiva, Ganesha and Goddess Parvati Mata as well. There are separate shran or snan kunds for ladies and gents, wherein people take a bath or sprinkle the water over their face, hands and feet before paying homage to the residing Ragnya Bhavani Mata. It is considered to be auspicious, and many believe that by doing so the goddess takes away all their worries. After that one walks directly towards the inner temple of the goddess which is beautifully situated on an elevated temple platform with spring water across the four boundaries. The main aarti is conducted with devotees lighting diyas, buring dhup or incense sticks and offering their token of love to the goddess and Lord Shiva in the form of milk, loaf-sugar and flowers, which they offer into the spring. Ritually no specific procedure is prescribed for the Puja at Kheer Bhavani. The Bhringish Samhita simply says that the Devi, whose mantra is of fifteen syllables, accepts offerings of milk, sugar candy and ghee only - 'sa kshira-kharuladi bhojanam'. One takes the havan prasad which usually consists of Dal, chawal, Dum Aloo and Kheer. Interestingly, another festival is held at the shrine on Asharha Ashtami with equal devotional fervour. It is believed that the sacred spring of the shrine miraculously changes its colour having been discovered on the Saptami of that month. New Delhi: Condemning the protest held by the students at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT- Madras) against the Central Government`s notification banning the sale of cattle for slaughter, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday said, that such behaviour shows the upbringing of thee students, adding IITs do not become IITs by producing this class of people. "If this is the new youth and a `new India` then we have to look into the kind of upbringing the parents of these students, the schools and colleges have given them. IITs do not become IITs by producing this class of people," BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi told ANI. She further said that an animal which is actually helping the farmers and which looks after their families cannot be on somebody`s table."After all, at least 12 years studies in schools have gone above the heads of these students at the IIT. To begin with, they have not read the notification, second the word `beef` does not exist, third even if there is protest you just don`t start killing animals and lastly the notification was brought after the Supreme Court`s judgment," Lekhi added. She said that the current government has shown the might capacity and good intent to make India secure from all these practices of terrorism and national security perspective in terms of smuggling. "State laws will prevail in the states but all states will have to follow the food safety act and regulations. Animals cannot be slaughtered on open roads, there has to be dignified process," Lekhi added. She further said that the transport of the cattle for the purpose of slaughtering has been considered to be banned because `Gadhimai` is one festival which happens in Nepal where thousands of cattle are slaughtered on one particular day. "All those cattle are transported from India. Keeping all these things in mind, the government has taken the right step," Lekhi asserted. The students at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT- Madras) yesterday staged protest against the Central Government`s notification banning the sale of cattle for slaughter. With the police deployed in front of the IIT campus, the students protested at the main gate and raised slogans against the Centre`s controversial notification. Around 50 students on May 28 took part in a `beef fest` as a mark of protest against the new rule.Later, R. Sooraj, a PhD student of aerospace engineering at the college, who was also part of the ` beef fest`, was allegedly attacked by a few students from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Sooraj, who is a member of the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC), was injured in his right eye and was hospitalized.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the attack on the students and requested his Tamil Nadu counterpart Edappadi K. Palaniswami to take necessary action. Expressing strong disapproval of the Centre`s move, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan earlier this week, 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. New Delhi: Indians are widely opting to travel to unexplored destinations and have been quite experimental with their travelling choices, according to experts. Alankar Chandra, co-founder and CEO of wildlife and nature tourism firm Wild Voyager, and a report by Make My Trip (online travel services firm) have pointed a few summer travel trends this year: * Indians this summer have shown interest in travelling to previously unexplored destinations like Digha and North-East's less visited places like Gangtok, Shillong, Kalimpong and Lachung. In the quest to explore the unmapped destinations, travellers are not hesitating before spending for offbeat destinations on international front. This includes the last remaining wilderness like Iceland and Antarctica, or locations like the Bahamas or the Caribbean islands that have so far have largely attracted the elite Europeans. Even corporate executives and professionals are now booking luxury chalets in Switzerland or beach-houses on the Mediterranean coast -- locations that were so far the preserve of the truly rich Indians. * More young Indians between the age group of 18-24 are travelling this summer. * Sustainable tourism will be a major consumer demand. An increasing number of tourists is conscious of the environmental impact of international travel and enquiring about steps they can take to mitigate the impact of their travel. A majority of urban tourists are wanting to learn about how can they leave little to no ecological footprint behind when they undertake a wildlife tour. * Women have been increasingly taking solo or women-only trips. A growing number of international destinations are attracting women because hotels and other stakeholders have made conscious efforts to make travelling more comfortable and safe for women. A significant number of women is stepping out of the comfort zones to have more personal and enriching travel experiences. Solo female travel is now a major trend in India regardless of her marital status. * Wildlife photography tours are gaining popularity. While African safaris have always been on the agenda of high-end tourists, growing numbers of middle-level corporate executives are now combining wildlife safaris with guided photography tours. There has been a dramatic rise in the number of travellers looking to experience premier wildlife destinations such as Masai Mara or Costa Rica by coupling it with wildlife and nature photography activities. Destinations like Masai Mara, Iceland, Croatia, South of Italy, Tasmania, and Madagascar are likely to remain hot this year. * Culinary tourism is a delight for food lovers who look forward to exotic food experiences in far-away lands. Along with an enriching travel experience, lot many travellers are opting to get a taste of the local culture and kitchen. The surge in food tourism has also led to an increase in the number of specialised tour operators taking care of culinary tourism market. While Italy, Thailand, and Japan have been hot destinations that offer the world of authentic culinary treats, Beijing is fast becoming the top global destination and ranks first on culinary tourism. Lucknow: Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's radio appeal to countrymen to make Yoga an essential part of their lives, the Muslim community in Lucknow is all set to celebrate International Yoga day with much fan fare on June 21. According to ANI, PM Modi will himself perform yoga along with the people of Lucknow on June 21, which is why there is lot of enthusiasm among the residents here. Keeping aside caste and religious differences, the locals are all geared up to perform yoga. The preparation for the same is also going on with great zeal. Not only Muslim men but women are also taking part actively in the preparation and arrangements for the yoga day. "We are very happy that Prime Minister Modi chose our city for the yoga day. We all are eagerly waiting for this day and this is why we all are learning yoga," said a Muslim man. Giving a message to the ones who associate yoga with religion, they said that "yoga itself means to connect." "Those who ask Muslims to not perform yoga, they say this to divide the society. Yoga has nothing to do with religion. Yoga is itself a religion and on top of that it is important for our health. The Muslims have been practising yoga for 1450 years. While offering Namaj also we sit in a position which is same as yoga," said another Muslim man. Urging the nation to make Yoga an essential part of their lives to remain stress free, Prime Minister Modi in his popular radio address 'Mann ki Baat' had said that Yoga is the only thing that is uniting the world. "June 21 has become one of the known dates across the world. The entire worlds celebrate International Yoga day. In very short span of time the message of yoga has spread in every corner of the world. Yoga is integrating the world today. Through Yoga, India as a whole has successfully started connecting the world," the Prime Minister said in his 32nd ' Mann Ki Baat' address. The world will celebrate the third International Yoga Day on June 21. It is celebrated annually since its inception in 2015. An International day for Yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 11 December 2014 With ANI inputs Lucknow: 10 teams have been formed under the supervision of Lucknow's District Magistrate (DM) Raj Sharma, to probe petrol theft and adulteration at 157 petrol pumps that have been identified. The Lucknow administration is going to re-investigate the petrol pumps by using the remote devices. DM Sharma will be monitoring the teams and the report will be submitted to him. According to the report, at least 157 petrol pumps have been identified as there are about 202 petrol pumps in the Lucknow city and the adjoining areas. On May 3, the Uttar Pradesh Police Special Task Force (STF) raided over a dozen petrol pumps to check the sudden spurt of petrol theft in the state. The STF had earlier registered FIRs against seven petrol pumps and arrested 23 people for using cheating chips. As many as 15 electronic chips and 29 remote controls have been recovered from the seven petrol pumps. STF sleuths found that a chip board-like device worth Rs. 3,000 was placed inside the petrol dispensing machine, which did the job. Receiving a tip-off from an informer, STF sleuths apprehended electrician Ravinder who had developed that chip which helped petrol pump owners and staff to sell less petrol but at the original price. According to reports, Ravindra had sold this chip to over 1,000 petrol pump owners across Uttar Pradesh. On raiding at least eight pumps in the city, three at Sitapur Road and one each in the Cantonment area, Chinhat at Kamta crossing, Samta Mulak crossing in Gomtinagar and KGMU, all were found to be using the said chip. After conducting a thorough investigation, the STF team arrested Ravindra, several petrol pump workers and owners. A customer told ANI, "We are very satisfied and happy. The government should continue this good work. I suggest strict action should be taken against wrong doers." Another customer suggested that raids should be conducted at every petrol pump. Kolkata: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday hit back at Mamata Banerjee after she banned demonstrations at College Square, asserting that the saffron party garners more supporters as compared to the West Bengal Chief Minister`s rally. Speaking to reporters at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh said, "She (Mamata) is doing this because she is seeing that whenever BJP takes out a rally there are more supporters as compared to hers. Her act towards all this is making it evident".Singh further stated that he is here in Kolkata to attend the `Modi Fest` meet to discuss on the three years of the government`s development. "Our main aim for this meeting is to discuss on the three year of development that the BJP has done and how it has overcome corruption and other matters. We have also given employment to young boys and girls without seeing caste or religion,"said Singh.Mamata yesterday banned demonstrations at College Square. The move came after a student of Calcutta University (CU) told Mamata that they could not study due to the noise generated by demonstrations at College Square, located in the College Street area. The Kolkata Police later in the day imposed restriction on meetings and rallies in and around College Square. Many opposition leaders have slammed Mamata for the move. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a chargesheet against an accused in Kolkata Special court in relation to Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) smuggling case. The case is related to seizure of FICNs of the denomination of Rs. 1,000 and 500 (now demonetised) having a total face value of Rs. 9,80,000. In a similar incident, the NIA earlier on May 4 arrested a man allegedly involved in smuggling of FICN from Bihar's West Champaran district. The man, who hails from Nepal, was carrying a reward of Rs. 50,000 in connection with the smuggling of FICN in Patna and Delhi. Cameroon: Authorities in northern Cameroon say 11 people are dead after two suicide bombers attacked a camp for those displaced by Boko Haram extremist violence in the region. Governor Midjiyawa Bakari of the Far North region said today that the dead include the two girls who detonated their explosives at the displacement camp in Kolofata. He says several dozen others were wounded, including 15 who were taken to the hospital in Mora. Authorities believe the girls had entered Cameroon the night before from neighboring Nigeria. Northern Cameroon has seen a rise in attacks launched by the Nigeria-based Boko Haram. The extremists are known for kidnapping young girls and often use children to carry out bomb attacks. Juba: Fifteen children died in a South Sudanese village last month after being administered with contaminated measles vaccines, the country's health minister said Friday. "An investigation into the cause of the death of 15 children in the rural and remote Nachodopele village ... has concluded that the severe sepsis/toxicity resulting from the administration of a contaminated vaccine caused the event," Health Minister Riek Gai Kok told reporters. Marawi: Loud explosions rang out in the now mostly deserted city of Marawai on Friday as Philippine fighter jets launched fresh bombing runs in a bid to dislodge militants linked to the Islamic State group. Buildings burned after the raids, as ground forces shelled fortifications and tunnels in the eastern half of the mainly Muslim city, where up to 50 fighters are believed to be holed up. Friday`s fighting came as attention in the Philippines was focussed on a casino in Manila, where a masked gunman set fire to gaming tables, igniting a blaze that left 36 people dead. Authorities insisted the gunman, whom they said had committed suicide inside the leisure complex, was a robber, not a terrorist. But the US-based Site Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist threats, said IS-linked operatives were behind the attack. In Marawi, the death toll from the 11-day-old conflict reached 175 as the military reported four fresh fatalities among its forces. The toll includes 11 soldiers who were killed in friendly fire this week during a mis-targeted air strike. A total of 120 militant gunmen have been killed, including suspected foreign fighters, while the battles have also left at least 19 civilians dead. Around 2,000 people remained trapped by the fighting, some of them being used by the militants as human shields, the military said. The Islamists have also kidnapped a Catholic priest and 14 other people, whose fates are unknown. They have threatened to kill the hostages unless government forces pull back. The Philippine government has rejected the demand. Clashes erupted in Marawi, a city of 200,000 people, when security forces raided a house to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as IS`s leader in the Philippines. Authorities said they were taken by surprise when many gunmen emerged to protect Hapilon and then went on a rampage through Marawi. Shortly after the violence erupted President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law across the southern region of Mindanao, home to 20 million people, to quell what he said was an IS bid to establish a base in the mainly Catholic Philippines. Lieutenant-Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesman for the government forces fighting them in Marawi city, said Hapilon remained in the area. "He`s in charge of the (gunmen), he`s commanding them," Herrera said. Leningrad Oblast: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged the world to work with Donald Trump on climate, insisting he did not "judge" the US leader for quitting the landmark Paris accord. "You shouldn`t make a noise about this, but should create the conditions for joint work," Putin told an economic forum, saying he "would not judge" Trump over his decision to pull out. New Delhi: Zee News Editor Sudhir Chaudhary has travelled to war-ravaged Syria to bring to you the latest news from the country even as global powers debate on how to end the brutal conflict. Watch this exclusive episode about the ongoing war in Syria on DNA: YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. The exclusive project of ARMENPRESS entitled Yerevan Bestseller brings the top ten bestselling books of Yerevan every week. Edgar Harutyunyans Unfound Chamomiles is this weeks bestselling book of Yerevan. This is the second book of the author. Unfound Chamomiles is about human relationship, love, friendship and betrayal. Oscar Wildes The Picture Of Dorian Gray comes next in the bestselling list of the week. Dorian Gray is the subject of a full-length portrait in oil by Basil Hallward, an artist who is impressed and infatuated by Dorian's beauty; he believes that Dorian's beauty is responsible for the new mode in his art as a painter. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, and he soon is enthralled by the aristocrat's hedonistic worldview: that beauty and sensual fulfillment are the only things worth pursuing in life. The Kite Runner by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini comes next, after it debuted in the list recently. Published in 2003 by Riverhead Books, it tells the story of Amir, a young boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, whose closest friend is Hassan, his father's young Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy through the Soviet military intervention, the exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is ranked 4th in the list. It is a 2006 Holocaust novel by Irish novelist John Boyne. Unlike the months of planning Boyne devoted to his other books, he said that he wrote the entire first draft of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in two and a half days, barely sleeping until he got to the end. Mark Arens Where Wild Roses Bloom is this weeks 5th bestselling book. The story describes the inner world of an Armenophobic Turkish former serviceman, when he, already an old man, suddenly hears a lullaby song that reminds him of his mother and later finds out that the song is in Armenian: realizing his parents were Armenians. He spends his remaining life searching the graves of his parents, without knowing that it was a misunderstanding. Francis Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby is ranked 6th. It was first published in 1925, and is considered one of the typical works of American literature of the "jazz era". Milan Kunderas The Unbearable Lightness of Being comes next. It was published in 1984. The book chronicles the fragile nature of an individual's fate, theorizing that a single lifetime is insignificant in the scope of Nietzsche's concept of eternal return. In an infinite universe, everything is guaranteed to recur infinitely. In 1988, American director Philip Kaufman released a film adaptation. Spencer Johnsons Who Moved My Cheese is 8th. Published on September 8, 1998, Who Moved My Cheese is a motivational business fable. The text describes change in one's work and life, and four typical reactions to those changes by two mice and two "little people," during their hunt for cheese. A New York Times business bestseller upon release, Who Moved My Cheese? remained on the list for almost five years and spent over 200 weeks on Publishers Weekly's hardcover nonfiction list. It has sold more than 26 million copies worldwide in 37 languages and remains one of the best-selling business books. Stefan Zweigs Collected Stories is 9th in the list. Zweig was an Austrian novelist, playwright, journalist and biographer. At the height of his literary career, in the 1920s and 1930s, he was one of the most popular writers in the world. The book was translated by Ara Arakelyan and Margarit Arakelyan. Flowers For Algernon by David Keyes is concludes the list. The short story, written in 1958 and first published in the April 1959 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1960. Bookinist and Hay Girk bookstores, as well as Edit Print and Zangak publishing houses were surveyed for the project. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of the Parliament of Armenia Ara Babloyan sent a congratulatory letter to Peoples Artist of Armenia, Artistic Director of Hakob Paronyan State Musical Comedy Theatre Yervand Ghazanchyan on the occasion of 80th birthday, press service of the Parliament told Armenpress. Dear Mr. Ghazanchyan, I congratulate you on the 80th birthday. The theatrical genre and acting art under your leadership as producer skillfully collided with numerous performances that you conducted for years in various theatres and stages by enriching our culture. Due to unique creative style you leave an indelible trace in the local theatrical art where you worthily also demonstrate your skills as an organizer. I once again congratulate you on the jubilee, wish you health, new achievements in your career and good luck, reads the Speakers congratulatory letter. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on June 2 sent a congratulatory letter to Peoples Artist of Armenia, painter Zulum Grigoryan on the 85th birthday, press service of the Presidents Office told Armenpress. The letter says: You are one of the greatest masters of painting, a talented artist whose work enriches the Armenian painting art, with paintings depicting the world and homeland, man and nature. The psychological depth and internal dramatic art of your paintings excite artists, and your works dedicated to native side, the Armenian man are new word and new approaches in our painting art. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory letter to Peoples Artist, theatre director Yervand Ghazanchyan on the occasion of 80th birthday, press service of the Presidents Office told Armenpress. You are one the devotees of the Armenian theatre, an artist who passed rich creative and meaningful path, whose live and work is a perfect demonstration of service dedicated to theatrical art. With the high mission of a citizen and intellectual, loved and appreciated artist, you continue working and providing light and optimism to the audience, by spreading the values of goodness and humanity, reads the Presidents congratulatory letter. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan met with Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe (CoE) Nils Muiznieks in Strasbourg on June 1, the Ombudsmans Office told Armenpress. The sides discussed the process of ongoing works aimed at preventing tortures and ill-treatment in correctional facilities. The legislative changes proposed by the Armenian Ombudsman aimed at protecting the rights of prisoners were presented. During the meeting the two officials made a reference to the functions set under the Human Rights Defender constitutional law, as well as attached importance to cooperation with civil society. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. The military investigative committee launched criminal proceedings on the death of serviceman Melik Khachatryan, the investigative committee told ARMENPRESS. Earlier it was reported that the body of the 36 year old soldier was found hanged in the afternoon of June 1, in the warehouse of an unnamed military base of Armenia. A letter was also found near the body. Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the reasons of the apparent suicide. YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. The U.S. Navy has accepted the delivery of the $12.9 billion USS Gerald R. Ford supercarrier after 12 years of construction and testing, the service announced Thursday, The Hill reported. Congratulations to everyone who has helped bring [the Ford] to this historic milestone," Rear Adm. Brian Antonio, program executive officer for aircraft carriers, said in a statement. "Over the last several years, thousands of people have had a hand in delivering Ford to the Navy designing, building and testing the Navy's newest, most capable, most advanced warship. The ship will be commissioned into the fleet this summer and is expected to be operational by 2020, the Navy added. The Ford class has elicited some criticism for increasing costs over the years, growing from $27 billion to $36 billion in the last 10 years. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Peace Corps celebrates the 25th anniversary of its activity in Armenia, reports Armenpress. The same day the inauguration ceremony of the programs new group of volunteers was held. 42 U.S. volunteers will soon visit various provinces of Armenia to work with the local schools, universities, NGOs for two years by trying to contribute to community development. Photos by Eduard Sepetchyan The inauguration ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, Armenias Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan, Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Arsen Karamyan, current and former volunteers of the program, representatives of Peace Corps leadership from Washington and others. Ambassador Richard Mills said this is a special day not only for him, the U.S. Embassy, the Peace Corps, but also for the Armenian people. Today the inauguration ceremony of the Corps 25th group will be held, and we also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Corps activity in Armenia. It is worth mentioning that today the 1000th volunteer will also take part in the inauguration ceremony who arrived from U.S. to work and serve in Armenia, therefore, this is very important and memorable moment. Volunteers at different age groups arrive in Armenia and get acquainted with the features of Armenian culture, and then present what they learned and saw in Armenia after returning to U.S. Thus, a group is formed which acts from the positions of strengthening the Armenian-U.S. ties, the Ambassador told reporters. Peace Corps Acting Director Sheila Crowley also arrived in Armenia to participate in the ceremony. She said she is happy and excited to be in Armenia on this historical day. These people together represent our great heritage. Peace Corps volunteers are the heart of our program, and the staff is the spirit. I sincerely thank each of you for supporting the program and serving our mission with devotion. Each of you has many things to give to the communities where you are going to carry out your activities, Sheila Crowley said. U.S. volunteer Kate Casey works as an English teacher in Sisian town for already a year and also cooperates with a number of NGOs. She hopes to permanently live in Armenia since she loved the country and the people very much. Currently she is engaged in tourism development program. Armenians are the friendliest people I have ever seen. When I came here I didnt know any word in Armenian, the hosting family was teaching me everything, the volunteer said. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. Ruben Mehrabyan, an expert at the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs, says Europe must be more active in the North Atlantic Alliance and enhance its defense spending. During a discussion on June 2, the expert said that Europe has already begun increasing its defense spending well realizing that security threats are first of all directed at Europe itself. A realization exists here that threats are aimed at Europe itself. They understand this and theyve already began to take steps at increasing military spending, Mehrabyan said. The expert says it is noteworthy that recently very important US military units are returning to Europe. Today we received information that strategic bombers have been sent to Great Britain, he said. According to Mehrabyan, Russian president Vladimir Putin has tried to somehow put a split between the G7 countries, however he didnt succeed. As result, western sanctions against Russia will continue. Commenting on the Wests policy on Iran, the expert mentioned that there are obvious contradictions between the US and the EU on this issue. Rouhanis re-election as Irans president brings great predictability in Iranian policy and increases chances that this country will continue its policy of deepening relations with the West. Here however, taking into account the rhetoric and stance of the United States, I dont expect serious changes in the foreseeable future, he said. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. The European Union remains committed to the Paris agreement on climate change, whereas US loses historic opportunity by withdrawing from it, European Parliament's President Antonio Tajani said, reports TASS. Climate change is not a European, but a global issue. The agreement is alive, but the US misses historic opportunity, he said. The Paris agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015 based on the results of the conference held in Paris. Sputnik News reports the agreement aims at keeping the increase in average global temperature at below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To this end, all the signatory states agreed to reduce or limit their greenhouse gas emissions. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. 17 tour operators from Israel arrived in Armenia on a three-day study visit, the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments told Armenpress. On June 2 they met with Armenian tour operators. Honorary Consul of Israel to Armenia Ashot Shakhmuradyan attended the meeting. President of the State Tourism Committee Zarmine Zeytuntsyan said in her opening speech: We attach importance to cooperation between Armenia and Israel in tourism field. We believe that intensifying tourism visits between both countries plays an important role in terms of economic development, as well as strengthening and boosting inter-cultural dialogue and peoples friendship. At the meeting a number of issues relating to further strengthening Armenia-Israel cooperation in tourism sector were discussed. The sides exchanged necessary information aimed at boosting the cooperation in future. The visit of Israeli tour operators to Armenia has been organized by the Armenia airline. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. The special investigative service says the investigation on the 18 gunmen who had stormed into a police precinct in Yerevan in July of 2016 is completed. By ambushing and seizing the precinct, the gunmen aimed at demanding authorities to release Zhirayr Sefilyan, who was jailed for plotting serious crimes. The gunmen used a heavy truck to ram into the gates of the precinct. Armed with assault rifles, they subdued the police officers on duty and took control over the precinct. Police officers and medical personnel were taken hostage. Upon establishing contact with law enforcement agencies, the gunmen demanded the release of, among others, jailed Zhirayr Sefilyan, accused of illegal possession of firearms, and the resignation of high ranking officials. Two others attempted to join the gunmen. After the ambush, the gunmen seized control of the precincts entire arsenal, and breached the nearby ATM, taking 14,808,000 drams in cash. The banknotes consisted were of consecutive serial numbers, and 300K drams in cash were found upon searching gunman Arthur Soghomonyan. In addition, the gunmen torched 4 police cars and 1 civilian vehicle on July 24, followed by other violent acts. The gunmen surrendered to authorities on July 31. 18 gunmen have been charged based on gathered evidence. The indictment has been sent to the prosecutor for confirmation and submission to the court. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Vice Prime Minister, Minister of International Economic Integration and Reforms Vache Gabrielyan on June 2 met with Iranian Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Mahmoud Vaezi on the sidelines of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, press service of the Government told Armenpress. During the meeting a number of issues relating to Armenia-Iran mutual actions within the frames of regional cooperation of Armenia-Iran bilateral economic ties, as well as Eurasian Economic Union-Iran trade liberalization talks were discussed. The sides highlighted both the current high level of mutual relations and the prospect on further deepening the cooperation. Within the frames of the Forum, Vache Gabrielyan also had a meeting with World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva during which the current programs and priorities with the World Bank, the continuation of cooperation in regional programs were discussed. The meeting was also attended by representatives of Armenian Governments Center for Strategic Initiatives. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. The representatives of Center for Strategic Initiatives (CSI) of Armenia visited Moscow and St. Petersburg at the invitation of the Russian Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the CSI told Armenpress. The CSI representatives had meetings with their partners of the Russian Agency for Strategic Initiatives, Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), Russian Governments Analysis Center, Economic Development Ministry, World Bank, Sberbank, WorldSkills Russia, the Russian Leaders Club during which numerous directions were discussed and outlined. On the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2017), CSI Executive Director Alexander Khachaturyan presented the report on Armenias development directions: reforms and new opportunities, where he talked about the ongoing reforms, the countrys new opportunities for investors and businessmen. He especially highlighted Armenias role as a chance to enter markets of EAEU, EU, Iran and the Middle East, as well as Armenias potential in different fields, including information and high technologies, renewable energy, agriculture and agroindustry, tourism, education, mining industry, finances and banking, pharmaceutics and etc. The event was attended by Armenias Vice Prime Minister, Minister of International Economic Integration and Reforms Vache Gabrielyan, Armenian Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toghanyan, Armenias Consul General to St. Petersburg Hrayr Karapetyan, representatives of business, state and international organizations participating in the Forum. Agreement on comprehensive cooperation between the CSI and the Russian Agency for Strategic Initiatives was signed in St. Petersburg. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. The Rules Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) discusses the issue on investing tools to apply impeachment against PACE President Pedro Agramunt, former member of the Armenian delegation to PACE Naira Karapetyan writes on Facebook, reports Armenpress. It is proposed to make changes in the rules of procedure and apply the right to express distrust and remove the PACE President by the force of law as soon as possible. During the Committee session Naira Karapetyan delivered remarks stating: If we no longer trust the PACE President, what we are afraid of, from whom we hide our stance, why we want to hide it through various measures. Yes, we repeatedly witness various mystical reserve votes at PACE, people who appear during key voting times and disappear again until the next necessary time. The removed PACE President must also be deprived from some privileges, and this must take place now. This political crisis is a result of not only Argamunts low moral image, but also of incomplete points of our rules of procedure, she said. It is ironic and somewhat ridiculous to follow the last efforts of Pedros witnesses. Even here they are trying to mitigate this change, even they say this will not be applied against Argamunt, they propose various tools which will help to save the current PACE President. It is welcomed, however, I must repeat again that those efforts are in vain since I and the other members of the Committee voice about the dangers and the real content of their proposals, Naira Karapetyan concluded. YEREVAN, JUNE 2, ARMENPRESS. Vahan Martirosyan, the Armenian fugitive who had fled to Azerbaijan, and member of the so-called Armenia-Azerbaijan peace platform, continues to make new revelations about the true goals of the platform and the people behind its origins. In an online footage from Kiev, Martirosyan responded to Azerbaijani media, saying that he is making the statement voluntarily, without any coercion from anyone. If I or any member of the platform have been pressured, then it has been done by the Azerbaijani special services themselves, he said. Revealing the true story behind the platform and its meaning, Martirosyan who was working for Azerbaijan and began to unmask the lies of Baku after fleeing to Ukraine said that the countrys state structures are behind the so called civil society of Azerbaijan, including the Presidential staff and state security service officers. He said that the latter are embezzling the most of financial allocations, which Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev provides for the platforms operations and involvement of Armenians in it. Azerbaijani authorities are committing obvious lies and fraud. Since actually Armenians who would want to join the platform did not exist, they were creating made-up people, who allegedly have Armenian origin and were making some kind of statements, supposedly to support the Baku declaration. For instance, the statement of Anna Sinanyan who allegedly lives in the US was widely spread, but actually this person doesnt exist: Alyona Abdullayeva the daughter of a close friend of Haqqin.az editor-in-chief Eynulla Fetullayev was presented instead of her, who is an ethnic Azerbaijani. Or Aram Karapetyan, who is actually an ethnic Ukrainian by the name of Yevgeny Ragachko, who lives in Odessa and later denied his involvement in this process, Martirosyan said, adding he possesses many facts and names who are involved in this process. He also mentioned that while in Azerbaijan, he was demanded to hand over military data concerning Armenias bordering regions. They even offered a few thousand dollars If I could have organized the arrival of an Armenian soldier to Baku, Martirosyan said. In conclusion, Vahan Martirosyan said that during the two years of his stay in Azerbaijan, he has realized the following: Currently a free civil society doesnt exist in Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, there is no one there whom you can talk to anymore. The level of anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan can perhaps be compared with the level of anti-Semitism in some medieval country. YEREVAN, 2 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 2 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 482.12 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.70 drams to 540.94 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 8.50 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.08 drams to 620.34 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 21.74 drams to 19605.83 drams. Silver price down by 2.81 drams to 265.52 drams. Platinum price down by 248.62 drams to 14430.98 drams. LOS ANGELESPleasure products manufacturer Doc Johnson once again has partnered with Hall of Fame performer and internet star Vicky Vette for another product, the Main Squeeze - Vicky Vette. When I saw the new product I was very impressed. It's an all new take on male masturbators, Vette said. I just used it in one of my hardcore videos and it was tons of fun. It's an honor to be a part of the Doc Johnson familybar none the best adult toy manufacturer in the business. It's hard to believe I am celebrating my 8 year anniversary of my partnership with Doc Johnson. This just may be the coolest product yet. Fans are already letting me know how much they are enjoying the new product. The new toy is now available at MyMainSqueeze.com and adult retailers everywhere. The 'Main Squeeze' is an innovative new travel friendly product where users can apply pressure and suction as desired. Molded from Vicky's vagina the inner sleeves are made with Ultraskyn, a patented lifelike material that warms to body temperature during use. We are very excited with the Main Squeeze, Chad Braverman, COO and CCO of Doc Johnson. We did a tremendous amount of design and development to create the what we think is the ultimate male masturbator with more control and flexibility than anything on the market. Vicky remains one of our consistent sellers and we are happy to continue our successful partnership. This is the sixth exclusive product released by Doc Johnson featuring Vette, the others being Vicky Quickie Vagina, the Ultra Realistic Pussy & Ass, Vicky Quickie - Blowjob Sucker, the Vicky Vette Double Ender and Kittens and Cougars Masturbator (Vicky and Mia Malkova). All are now available in adult toy stores as well as through online retailers such as Gamelink. To celebrate the new toy with fans, Vicky is having an interactive social media giveaway. For the month of June anyone who takes a picture of them holding the Main Squeeze and posts it on Twitter (tagging #MainSqueeze, @VickyVette and @TheOriginalDoc) or Instagram (tagging #Mainsqueeze, @VickyVette and @DocJohnsonUSA) gets a free signed 8-by-10 photo autographed personally by Vette. The best submission as decided by Vette will also get a month free to Vettes website VickyAtHome.com. Vette is also celebrating by releasing a newly shot 4K hardcore Main Squeeze video at VickyAtHome.com and is having a Main Squeeze sale at her site. For a limited time fans can join VickyAtHome.com for $19.95 (instead of $25) by using this special link here. More information on the new toy can be found at MyMainSqueeze.com. Fans can also buy Main Squeeze toys of stars such as Dani Daniels, Sasha Grey and Jessie Andrews. The UPC in a few year's time? Paws up for Q&A Tim Frain (Nokia) began by clarifying that he was there to provide 'an' industry perspective - given that there is no consensus within industry.In terms of the UK's future participation, all of the pre-election purdah signs were that the UK will ratify. The most disruptive option - whereby the UK joins the UP/UPC system only to leave again shortly thereafter - may now be the most likely option.The response of UK industry to the UK's government's announced intention to proceed with ratification has generally been more measured/nuanced than that of industry in continental Europe - the latter seems more in favour of the UK proceeding with ratification. Tim noted that there are various options after the UK leaves the EU. One possibility is invoking article 142 of the European Patent Convention, which would enable the UK to enter an agreement with the EU/EU member states to create a patent with "unitary character throughout their territories". This could also open up the door for other non-EU EPC contracting states, which could prove very attractive (e.g. for Switzerland).Tim reminded the audience that if you do nothing, your EP patents will be 'opted in' when the system goes live. Industry must therefore take proactive steps if it wishes to 'opt out' any EPs, and should draw up 'opt out' criteria for all existing EP patents and applications (if that has not been done already). Users may wish to file divisional patents - keeping one patent in the new system and opting one out. Users may also wish to file national patents (e.g. in Germany where double-patenting of UP/national patents will be permitted, or in the UK to shelter from uncertainties regarding the UK's participation in the UPC).Tim noted that much of the analysis to date has focussed on the creation of the UPC, but for industry, the real goal is the UP and the potential efficiencies that it can bring. One interesting factor to consider is that UPs will last for 20 years - a significant period of time. Industry wants to know how many participating states will be involved in the UP/UPC in this period: the number of participating members states feeds into any cost/benefit analysis in opting for a UP rather than national patents. More clarity is needed.UP renewal fees have been calculated on the basis of the top four participating member states. If the UK leaves the UP, will users then be left paying for protection that they no longer have, in addition to fees payable to the UKIPO? This would dilute cost benefits.There are various logistical considerations that industry must grapple with. Are your existing patent record systems compatible with the forthcoming UP? Is it possible to record opt-out status on your system? Can you record UPs? Can you capture what territories are covered and which are not at any given time (these will change over time as more participants join the new system)? Industry must also consider training for in-house patent attorneys (e.g. training on opting out, UPC case management tool, checking status of UPs etc).In conclusion, Tim noted that UPs are optional for industry - other patenting routes will remain available. If there are insufficient assurances to industry about the continuity of rights, there may be less uptake of UPs by industry. To avoid the UP/UPC becoming a white elephant, significant uptake is required.Clients who are interested in having their application converted to a unitary patent once the system goes live are now asking their attorneys to delay the grant of EP patents (e.g. through 'disapproving' text). Are there plans for any mechanism whereby applicants can defer grant until there is more clarity on the date of entry into force of the UP without resorting to more creative solutions?Michael Froehlich confirmed that EPO examiners have picked up on this issue, and the EPO is aware of the situation. However, there are no concrete plans to address the issue at the present time.How confident are we that a UP/UPC participant does not have to be a member of the EU?Alan Johnson (Bristows) observed that it is disconcerting that only a year ago, everyone apparently had a firm view that EU membership was required, whereas opinion has now shifted the other way. There needs to be a debate about this - efforts to seek opinions on this issue from official EU sources would be useful, to try and get some comfort for users. Getting another opinion from the CJEU on the EU membership issue looks impractical at this stage, but the more confidence we can get in a system by discussing and addressing these issues, the better. If there are extra steps that need to be taken for the UK to participate (e.g. some form of UK-EU agreement), then we need to get on with it. With regard to other non-EU members states, is the position on participation of the UK different because it used to be an EU member?Will the UK also need an agreement on jurisdiction, such as the Lugano Convention, to participate in the UPC?There was agreement that measures on jurisdiction and enforcement will need to be taken for the UPC. Alan noted that there are a group of legal specialists currently looking at this issue (and the possibility of something akin to the Danish solution on the Brussels Regulation). This is something that has to happen more generally at Brexit - the issue is relevant to the enforcement of judgments more generally, not just the UPC.Does the UK have greater leverage now, before ratification? At present, the UK's cooperation is needed to get the new system off the ground, whereas after the UK has ratified, there may be less incentive for the EU to implement measures to enable the UK to participate in the UP/UPC after Brexit?Tim noted that the point can be argued both ways. His current reading is that generally speaking, continental industry wants the UK to participate in the UP/UPC, and UK industry wants to be in. However, if the UP/UPC ends up forming part of the Brexit negotiations between the UK government and EU, the politics may go either way. Who knows where things will be in 18 months' time?. Art 142 of the EPC (see link above) seems to allow a cluster of EPC members states to decide that they want to enter into something that sounds a bit like the unitary patent - could this avoid the thorny issue of a CJEU reference?There was discussion that art 142 looked to be an interesting possibility, however, any agreement would probably require the EU to be a party to the agreement (meaning that it would then likely form part of the political Brexit negotiations). Something like this could potentially open the door for other EPC contracting states to participate in the UP. LOS ANGELESThe Hollywood Fringe Festival showcase series, 1001 Minutes of New Musicals, is debuting the lighthearted comedy Chaturbate: The Musical for a limited five-performance run beginning June 10. Written by Dan Margules with music by David Jayden Anthony and Chris Edgar, Chaturbate: The Musical follows starry-eyed Broadway hopeful Laura London as she makes her play for theatrical fame. However, the struggling actress has a little secretto make ends meet, she takes it off nightly on Chaturbate.com. When the producer of the family-friendly musical shes auditioning for discovers her online command performances, Lauras unwholesome double life threatens to end her stage career forever. The Hollywood Fringe Festival is an annual, open-access, community-derived event celebrating freedom of expression and collaboration in the performing arts community. Entry is open to anyone with a vision, allowing the festival to exhibit the most diverse and cutting-edge points-of-view the world has to offer. Fringe 2017 will debut 375 individual stage shows, during its run from June 8 through 25. Festival entries will be performed in 32 theater venues around Los Angeles. New Musicals, Inc. hosts the Fringe showcase series, 1001 Minutes of New Musicals, and will be presenting Chaturbate: The Musical in a triple-bill with two other uncensored comedic musicals, Feet First and Fucked Up Fairy Tales. All performances will take place at Sacred Fools Theater Black Box, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd in LA, 90038. For show dates, times, theatre seating information and pre-sale tickets, please visit hollywoodfringe.org/projects/4412?tab=tickets. Weather presenter and charity volunteer Sian Welby has urged people to bake this summer to help provide life-changing care and support for disabled people. Launching on 1 July, Give & Bake is about the public showcasing their baking skills to give their friends, family or work colleagues their cake creations in exchange for a donation to charity Leonard Cheshire Disability. Donations from the Give & Bake initiative will fund a range of care services, including therapies enabling those involved in accidents to regain movement and benefit from physiotherapy at the charity. Welby volunteers at the charitys Randall Close service in Wandsworth, a day centre for people with physical disabilities, and is asking people to get involved in the cause. You dont need to worry about your bakes having soggy bottoms, its just about having fun and raising loads of dough for Leonard Cheshire Disability, Welby said. Im delighted to support Give & Bake, and help make a positive difference to the lives of disabled people. To get involved with Give & Bake, register through the Leonard Cheshire website. Birds Bakery is to bring back its salted caramel doughnut to its 58 stores to raise funds for those affected by the Manchester Arena bombing. Priced at 1 each, Birds Bakery will make 10,000 limited-edition salted caramel doughnuts, which will be available from 6-10 June. All money raised will go towards the British Red Cross Manchester appeal. Mike Holling, head of retail at Birds Bakery, told British Baker that when the atrocity happened in Manchester, the company felt that they had to do something to help. We feel that this gesture would be well received by our customers and donating the full amount is the right thing to do, he said. The popular doughnut was used during National Doughnut Week as a promotion that raised more than 9,000 for The Childrens Trust. The whole bakery team is committed to making it a great success once again, Holling added. Birds recently opened its new site in Stretton and has announced it will open a site in Branston. The bakery will also be restructuring its Burton outlet due to a decline in sales. 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. By the time the sun was up long enough, to cast its' first slanted rays of the day, a pot of chili was simmering in the rabbit patch kitchen-so was a large pot of navy beans. I couldn't look forward to a "Queens' Ball" anymore than I do to the simple backyard picnic, we are having today at my parents' house. It doesn't seem so long ago, that, it was a common practice, for my children and my parents to all be together. Now, a gathering of this sort is limited to rare occasions-such as today.I grew up on a small farm. In those days, there were a lot of small farms. Few young people left the farm. I had first, second and third cousins that I grew up with as if we were brothers and sisters. Everyday was a "family reunion". When someone grew up and got married, they often bought an acre or so-and stayed on. I also had, great aunts, uncles, great grandmothers and grown up cousins-most within a five mile radius. It was very hard to have a secret, back then. Somehow, all things came to light by supper. If I had played by the farm pond or someone said an ugly word, the adults knew. I knew what my cousins got on their report cards, because such things were of great importance and the adults sought counsel of one another,if need be. I knew everytime, that Faith needed stitches, not long after she knew herself- and if Aunt Josie burned a pot of sweet corn, I knew that too. It seemed stifling at times, but it kept me from all sorts of troubles- I had "the village" to answer to, after all. This "way" of life did not prepare me for children growing up and " moving off". So today, when we are all together, for a picnic, it is nothing less than a beautiful act of God, to me.The PicnicBy noon, the home of my parents, was full of family-and hotdogs were cooking! Several tables were adorned with tablecloths, blowing in the constant breeze. The mighty sycamores shaded a good deal of the back yard. Lyla sat contentedly with a slice of watermelon watching all of us scurrying in and out with all the necessary accessories for a picnic. At some point, we all settled on a place to sit. It was not uncommon, for us to move about from one table to another, if we got up for more iced tea. In that way, we all visited with one another. I like to watch them all conversing. I like the chatter. I like to see the affectionate looks given to one another.Mama made Tres, the only cake that he likes, for his birthday. It is a orange and pineapple cake with a whipped cream frosting. Lyla was especially happy about the cake. Not long after that she was tired of everything.Departure , from a family gathering, takes a while. There is food packed up and sent with folks, and pictures . . . and the good byes are heartfelt and personal. and very unhurried. I start missing everyone as soon as they leave. "Out of sight, out of mind" does not ring true, for mothers, when it comes to their children.After the PicnicI came home full of good intentions to continue where I left off with the mowing, and then planned on cleaning up a small barn. I came in and put things away and Kyle said we ought to rest. I thought he was right. I sat down and within minutes-was asleep. I roused an hour later and took off on the mower minutes later, I mowed til I couldn't see. The barn remains as it was.As I walked to the house, I remembered the night before. Kelsey had wanted to stay out long enough to see the "lightening bugs" come out. We stood at the sage fields and then walked by the edge of the woods finding the first blossoms of the wild honey suckle and the last blossoms of the privets. We saw the sunset turn the sky a shocking pink and orange -and finally the "lightening bugs" appeared. Tres caught one for Kelsey and she held it briefly. He was like a "diamond that flew away", I thought. When I was a child, it was a common practice, for children to catch fireflies. One time I collected a small mason jar, full of them, thinking I would have a living nightlight. I was too young to know to punch holes in the lid. The next morning, to my horror, all of them were dead. I felt awful and ashamed that I had killed such a beautiful thing. I never did so again, believing that the world needs lightening bugs-I still believe that .Dear Diary, The children came home while the sage was blooming. Four generations gathered under mighty sycamores, planted by the first generation. it was a merry time, and one to remember. "Blest be the the tie that binds". Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. VIENNA (Reuters) - An Austrian accused of committing war crimes in eastern Ukraine has been released from custody in his home country after credibly denying the allegations against him, a spokesman for the prosecutors' office handling the case said on Thursday. The investigation into the 25-year-old, who was alleged to have fought alongside Ukrainian forces against pro-Moscow separatists, remains open but he is now free to travel, the spokesman said. "There is an initial suspicion against the accused but it is not so severe that it would have been justified to remand him in custody," said the spokesman for the prosecutors' office in Wiener Neustadt, a town south of Vienna. Poland arrested the suspect, whom the spokesman declined to name, at a border crossing to Ukraine in April under a European arrest warrant. He was later handed over to Austria. Fighting between pro-Russian rebels and government forces broke out in April 2014 after a pro-European uprising in Kiev ousted Ukraine's Moscow-backed president. About 10,000 people have been killed in the three-year conflict. The European Union imposed sanctions on Russia after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and then backed separatist rebels in the east. "The accused was questioned by us yesterday and denied the accusation that he killed people in danger or who had been injured, combatants or civilians in Ukraine," the spokesman said. (Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Stephen Powell) By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia has cut off internet access nationwide until at least June 8 to try to stop cheats from posting high school exam papers on social media, a government official said on Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of students will take the tests throughout the Horn of Africa country with Grade 10 exams taking place from May 31 until June 2, and Grade 12 tests from June 5 until June 8. Last year, exam papers were widely posted online, prompting the government to reschedule the tests, which are the main public exams for 16- and 18-year-olds to secure places at university and on vocational courses. "The shutdown is aimed at preventing a repeat of leaks that occurred last year," Mohammed Seid, public relations director of Ethiopia's Office for Government Communications Affairs, told Reuters. "We are being proactive. We want our students to concentrate and be free of the psychological pressure and distractions that this brings." Mohammed did not give a precise date regarding when the shutdown would be lifted, but added it would last throughout the exam period. He said only access to social media outlets was cut off and that services such as airline bookings and banking requiring internet access remained intact. A Reuters witness confirmed that WiFi and cellular internet access has been cut off. Access at embassies and international organizations remained intact. It is not the first time that Addis Ababa has pulled the plug on the internet. At the height of protests in late 2015 and 2016, Ethiopia imposed a blanket ban for weeks before disrupting only social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. At that time, rights group Amnesty International slammed the disruption as an "intent on stifling expression and free exchange of information". Critics say Ethiopia, an important Horn of Africa ally of the West sandwiched between volatile Somalia and Sudan, often clamps down on freedoms under the guise of national security. The government denies the accusations. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Alison Williams) By Chris Scicluna VALLETTA (Reuters) - Malta goes to the polls on Saturday in snap elections that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat called as a vote of confidence to counter allegations of corruption. Opinion polls have pointed to a victory by Muscat's Labour party but with a far narrower margin than in 2013, when Labour won by a landslide after 15 years in opposition. The Mediterranean island nation with a population of 400,000, the European Union's smallest state and holder of its rotating presidency, is enjoying the effects of one of the blocs best performing economies. When Muscat, whose five-year term was to have ended next year, called the snap elections a month ago, he said they were vital in order to contest the corruption allegations he said risked creating uncertainty that could hurt the economy. Muscat says his government has given Malta what he calls "the best times ever," with GDP averaging growth of six per cent in real terms, unemployment at a record low of about 4 per cent, more job creation and rising wages and pensions. "My duty is not just to protect myself but also to safeguard my country, and I will not tolerate a situation where jobs are lost because of uncertainty. We cannot allow uncertainty to slow the rhythm of Maltas economic miracle," Muscat said when he called the elections on May 1. Before that, the opposition Nationalist Party had demanded that the 43-year-old Muscat step down over allegations of improper business dealings by his wife and some of his associates. Daphne Caruana Galizia, 52, a widely followed blogger who first made the corruption allegations, has said documents in a small Malta-based bank showed that Michelle Muscat was the beneficial owner of a company in Panama and that large sums of money had been moved between the company and bank accounts in Azerbaijan. The Nationalist Party has also produced documents which it claims show that Muscats chief of staff, Keith Schembri, received kickbacks from the sale of passports under a controversial Citizenship by Investment scheme. Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, 48, has also accused government minister Konrad Mizzi of receiving kickbacks from a power station project. Muscat, Schembri and Mizzi have all denied the claims and have begun legal action against the accusers. Magistrates are investigating the allegations. Muscat has described the claims against his wife as the "mother of all lies". Last year, documents leaked in the so-called Panama Papers, which revealed holdings by foreigners in offshore companies, showed that Schembri and Mizzi owned companies in Panama. Both have denied any wrongdoing. Busuttil, who is leading his Nationalist party into a vote for the first time, said the election is about principles. "It is not enough that the economy is doing well. Money is not everything, our values, our principles come first. Honesty and integrity come first. We are not for sale, he told an opposition rally last Sunday. The Nationalists have allied themselves with the small Democratic Party, formed by two former Labour MPs. (Writing by Chris Scicluna and Philip Pullella; Editing by Stephen Powell) Ontario PC leader Patrick Brown says the Wynne government's plan to introduce a $15 minimum wage is happening too quickly, with little regard for its potential impact on business owners. "My concern is the speed that we're going about this, the fact that there is no cost-benefit analysis," Brown told reporters on Wednesday at Queen's Park. The plan would lift the minimum wage to $14 an hour by Jan.1, 2018 before reaching a full $15 an hour by 2019. Brown said that "rapid" jump from the current rate of $11.40 may put Ontario businesses at a competitive disadvantage around the region. "If you look at all the adjacent jurisdictions Quebec, Manitoba, Michigan, Ohio, New York, those within the regional zone that we compete with they're all eight, nine, 10, 11 dollars," he said, though New York is set to introduce a $15 US minimum wage in 2021. "I'm not sure that's giving proper notice to our job creators," Brown said. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business and Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) had already stated similar concerns. "These sweeping changes will tip our economic balance in a profoundly negative way," wrote Richard Koroscil, an OCC board member after the plan was first announced. While Brown roundly criticized the plan, he did not confirm if he would vote for or against the legislation until he has a chance to more thoroughly evaluate the plan. The legislation was introduced at Queen's Park on Thursday. He also did not object to the prospect of raising the minimum wage more gradually. "I think everyone wants to get to a $15 minimum wage, but it's the pace," Brown said. By Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Moon Jae-in's top security aide left for Washington on Thursday as the new leader tries to reassure his country's main ally he will not scrap a deal to host a missile defense system that has angered China. Moon ordered an investigation this week into why his office had not been informed about the deployment of four more launchers for the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which are being deployed amid a growing threat of missile launches by North Korea. The liberal leader had pledged during his election campaign that he would review the decision to deploy THAAD, and said it was "very shocking" his office had not been told of the latest deployment while he is preparing for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington this month. The decision to deploy the system in South Korea was made by Moon's conservative predecessor, Park Geun-hye, who was impeached and thrown out of office in a corruption scandal that engulfed South Korea's business and political elite. "My order for a probe on THAAD is purely a domestic measure and I want to be clear that it is not about trying to change the existing decision or sending a message to the United States," Moon told visiting U.S. Senator Dick Durbin late on Wednesday. The remarks were Moon's first clear indication that he does not intend to stop the deployment, which has drawn angry protests from China, South Korea's biggest trading partner. China says the THAAD will do little to deter the missile threat from North Korea, while allowing the U.S. military to use the system's powerful radar to look deep into its territory, undermining its security. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated a call for an end to the THAAD deployment. China has issued "representations" to South Korea expressing serious concern about Moon not having been informed about the deployment of four more launchers, Hua told a daily news briefing. Moon's national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, denied that the controversy over the deployment would have a negative impact on the summit between Moon and Trump. "We've sufficiently explained that this has nothing to do with our alliance," Chung told reporters before his departure. Chung said he would meet Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, and finalize the agenda for the summit. The presidential Blue House said on Wednesday the Defense Ministry had intentionally omitted details about the THAAD battery in a report made to Chung last week, when the government was preparing for the summit. Moon took office on May 10 without a transition period because a snap presidential election was held two months after Park was ousted. He inherited her defense minister, along with the rest of the cabinet, and has yet to name his own. The THAAD battery was initially deployed in March in the southeastern region of Seongju with just two of its maximum load of six launchers to counter the North Korean missile threat. North Korea has conducted three ballistic missile tests since Moon took office, maintaining its accelerated pace of missile and nuclear-related activities since the beginning of last year in defiance of U.N. sanctions and U.S. pressure. The Pentagon said it had been "very transparent" with South Korea's government about the THAAD deployment. Moon's decision to order an investigation into the THAAD deployment came amid signs of easing tension between South Korea and China, which is North Korea's sole major diplomatic ally. Speaking in Berlin, where Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is visiting, German Chancellor Angela Merkel she had agreed with Li that talks were needed to resolve the North Korea issue and to stick to sanctions. (Reporting by Jack Kim; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Paul Tait, Robert Birsel) Computer Science Community Colleges Announce Plans for Apple Swift Courses Ohio's Columbus State Community College, Texas' Houston Community College and Arizona's Mesa Community College are the first institutions to introduce the use of Apple Swift curriculum into their academic programs. All three schools will be launching classes in the fall to introduce the open source programming language to students. An additional three colleges are on tap to do the same but haven't announced their plans yet. Course offerings will address both people who have no experience in programming and those with ample skill. "App Development with Swift" is a year-long curriculum created by Apple engineers and educators to teach the basics of Swift, an open source programming language that users say is easy to use in writing software and the company says is "safe by design." The Houston college will be launching a coding school specifically to teach people how to program Apple apps. The iOS Coding and Design School will be available as a credit-bearing offering and as continuing education. The latter requires the student to supply his or her own "modern" Mac laptop and will cost $540 for the summer session. An additional youth summer camp will teach K12 students how to code using Apple's Swift Playgrounds iPad app. "HCC was all over it," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's VP of environment, policy and social initiatives, in a video about the launch of the program. "They helped us design the course, and then they were ready to plug it right into the curriculum to offer it as part of a degree program for students." Columbus State will offer both a basic course and an advanced course. Mesa will offer a three-credit course in app development. Students there may take the course on its own or as part of an associate's degree in a related field, such as computer programming. The full curriculum requires about 180 hours to complete and leads to the skills needed to build apps that run on iPhones and iPads. At the time Apple announced the new curriculum, the company said it specifically chose community colleges for the launch to expand job opportunities and give women and underrepresented minorities a way to gain the skills they need to get into software development and IT. Predictive Analytics Unizin Licenses Analytics Tech for Members Unizin has struck a deal with an education technology company to license its analytics software. The consortium of universities will gain access to customized versions of LoudSight, a predictive analytics solution from Barnes & Noble Education (BNED) LoudCloud that focuses on helping identify at-risk students. BNED's cloud service can capture 200 different data points among demographic, performance and participation information. The services provided by BNED LoudCloud connect the various data-generating systems on campus, build predictive models based on the data collected and feed outcomes to a dashboard accessible by advisors and faculty for action. LoudSight also works with campus communications systems to enable users to reach out to students at strategic moments. Unizin currently has 22 institutional members, including founding members Colorado State University, Indiana University, the University of Michigan and the University of Florida. The consortium is focused on improving ed tech by developing digital solutions to replace third-party offerings, negotiating better deals on content and sharing research and experiences. "Despite the wealth of data collected by schools, it is often difficult for educators to understand and leverage data in a way that allows them to improve student success and retention," said Manoj Kutty, LoudCloud managing director, in a press release. "We are excited to serve and collaborate with Unizin to positively impact teaching and learning within its member institutions." THURSDAY, June 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- For Marilyn and Tom Oestreicher, their golden years were within reach. After more than four decades of marriage, the Illinois couple had fashioned a comfortable daily routine. The parents of two grown children, she was a bank teller, while he was a school teacher and a published Civil War scholar. But in 2013, Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 65. And all of their plans were thrown into disarray. "It's certainly not how we saw the end of our journey," admits Marilyn. "My grandma died at 93 with dementia. And my mom has it now at 93. But it's a whole different ballgame when it's your spouse. You just have to go forward and do what you can do." For Marilyn, that meant coming to terms with her new and often daunting role as the caregiver for a loved one struck by progressive dementia. She has plenty of company. "When you look at Alzheimer's statistics, we know that there are now more than 5 million Americans being cared for by 15 million unpaid caregivers," said Monica Moreno, national director of the Alzheimer's Association's division of Early Stage Initiatives and E-Services. Absent new treatments for a disease with no known cure, those figures will likely triple by the middle of the century, Moreno added. "Which means that an escalating number of families are going to be facing the challenges of caregiving for a devastating disease," she noted. "So, what we want to do is make sure that we understand exactly what these challenges are, so we can make sure that there are programs and support services in place that can help them through every step of this disease." Gauging the burden To that end, the Alzheimer's Association has just completed a new survey that asked more than 1,500 adults to share their fears and concerns about getting older, getting sick and/or caring for a family member struggling with dementia. Roughly 70 percent of non-caregivers said they are afraid of ultimately becoming a burden to their spouse, partner or children. A similar number said they feared becoming unable to support and care for themselves. That might explain why nearly 60 percent of non-caregivers said they were specifically afraid of getting Alzheimer's, more than the 46 percent who said they were afraid of simply dying. Still, the vast majority (85 percent) said they would want their spouse or partner to be their main caregiver if the need arose. Nearly three-quarters said they would want professional caregivers, exceeding the roughly two-thirds who said they would want their children to shoulder that responsibility. Among people already caring for someone with Alzheimer's, nine in 10 cited emotional stress as the biggest challenge, while about 80 percent said physical stress and time management were big problems. Nearly 70 percent felt financial strains, and about two-thirds said they felt ill-informed about the disease. And while eight in 10 caregivers agreed that it ideally "takes a village" to care for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia, more than 80 percent said they had insufficient help from other family members. Almost two-thirds of caregivers said they felt isolated or alone, and roughly half said they had no one with whom to discuss their hardships. Caregiving a lonely business "Part of it is that people don't understand," explained Marilyn. "Not your girlfriends, not your sisters. Nobody. And really, if they're not going through it themselves they can't understand, or they don't want to because they don't want to think it can happen to them," she added. "In fact, some caregivers end up totally losing touch with family or friends, almost out of a fear that they can catch this themselves. Now, we haven't had that happen. But we have very, very good friends," she said. Marilyn has also found solace in an Alzheimer's support group, a regular caregiver gathering that she describes as a "sisterhood." "These are people who are dealing with this day to day," she said. "They understand the struggle. I'm not, but some are on meds because of depression, or to help them sleep, or to help them keep going. And that's something you can talk about. You can talk about anything with them, because they're going through the same thing. You get information, and you get support. And that helps you to understand that there is life after a diagnosis." The 'unsung heroes' Alzheimer's patient Mike Belleville, a Massachusetts resident, couldn't agree more. Caregivers are "the unsung heroes of this whole thing," he stressed. "People with dementia are losing a piece of ourselves and our identity every day. But the people who care for us are also losing a piece of their identity every day as well. And that's not recognized enough. So 'caregiver,' for me, doesn't even [express] enough respect for what they do," added Mike, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014 at the age of 52. Instead, he calls his wife his "life-giver," pointing out that it was she who took the first critical steps to get him back on his feet after his diagnosis. "We were stunned," Mike recalled. "I was a telecommunications technician for Verizon for almost 20 years, which was a pretty demanding job. But when I started to forget things I had trained others to do -- when I would start getting lost coming home from work -- we went to see a doctor," he said. "But it was a complete shock to us. We didn't even know you could get it when you're that young. We had no idea what to do. We were clueless," Mike explained. "I had been a very active person. But, to be honest, I went into a deep depression for the first five to six months." It was his wife who finally reached out to the Alzheimer's Association, beginning the process of "getting educated about the disease," he added. "So, now we're plugged in," Mike said. "We understand what's going on. And we don't feel like we're trying to do this all on our own. And I'm retired, and I can still function pretty well. But my wife now has all the stress of managing all the finances. And caring for our 19-year-old son, who has Asperger's. And still working a full-time job. And taking care of me. And we're the lucky ones," he chuckled. 'We have our children and friends who pitch in' Marilyn considers herself lucky as well. With great difficulty, Tom was able to slog through a final year of work, post-diagnosis, to secure his pension. She was able to retire with social security and Medicare in place. "If we had been younger, it would've been a big problem. But we're fortunate," she said. "Of course, it can still be really tough," she added, noting that hired help is likely not in the offing given that Tom had no long-term disability insurance. That fact places them among an estimated 100 million American workers who have no such coverage, according to Council for Disability Awareness. "But Tom is still very functional," Marilyn said. "And we have our children and friends who pitch in. So, we don't need help yet. And when we get to the point when we do, we'll just have to see how that works out. You just have to make the best of it." More information June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. There's more on Alzheimer's and caregiving at the Alzheimer's Association. THURSDAY, June 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- The Zika virus will strike the continental United States again this summer, and looming federal budget cuts will make it hard for local officials to curb its spread, public health experts said Wednesday. The experts believe it's a foregone conclusion that more local Zika outbreaks will occur on the U.S. mainland in the coming months, much like what happened in Miami and Brownsville, Texas, last summer. "We can virtually guarantee there will be activity, particularly along the Gulf region," said Michael Osterholm. He directs the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Local health departments will shoulder the burden of any response to a local Zika outbreak, infection control experts said during a media briefing hosted by the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO). Funding authorized by Congress last year to combat Zika is about to run out, and the budget proposed by President Donald Trump would make drastic cuts in future public health funding, said Dr. Oscar Alleyne, NACCHO's senior advisor for public health programs. "We cannot wait until there's a fire to go out and buy a fire truck," Alleyne said, urging federal leaders to provide more funding for a Zika response. Zika is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes that bite an infected person and then pass the virus to other people through subsequent bites. The U.S. mainland has had 5,300 cases of Zika as of May 24. But most of those involved people infected during travel to other countries and territories, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean, said NACCHO President Claude Jacob. He is chief public health officer for the Cambridge Public Health Department in Massachusetts. Only 224 Zika infections in the continental U.S. have occurred due to local transmission via mosquito, Jacob said. Pregnant women are at greatest risk from Zika, since the virus is known to cause birth defects such as microcephaly, in which a baby's head and brain are underdeveloped. About 10 percent of 250 women with confirmed Zika infection in 2016 had a fetus or baby with Zika-related birth defects, Jacob said. But Zika also can cause rare cases of a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults, which results in muscle weakness and paralysis, health experts warned. Local governments are the front line of defense against Zika in the United States, Alleyne said. Mosquito-control programs operate at the county or city level, and local health departments lead efforts to track Zika infections and to educate people on protecting themselves against the virus, Alleyne explained. Zika risk in the United States is going to be driven by the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in any particular region, as well as the number of people in that region who regularly travel to and from areas with active Zika transmission, said Courtney Murdock. She is an assistant professor of infectious disease at the University of Georgia. So far, Osterholm noted, Zika mainly has been spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a pest that tends to breed in small pools of water and feeds almost completely on humans. This has made a Zika response more difficult in some ways, since widespread mosquito spraying is not effective against a mosquito that breeds in backyards, Osterholm explained. On the other hand, it also has limited the potential range of Zika in the United States, since the Aedes aegypti mosquito "won't fly across a city street or a field," and is most at home in the hot humid climates of the Gulf Coast states, Osterholm added. Zika could become a much greater threat if it becomes more common in the Aedes albopictus mosquito, which has a much broader range in the United States, Osterholm said. That breed of mosquito (sometimes called the tiger mosquito) can fly as much as 40 miles in a night, and survives in climates farther north in the United States. Aedes albopictus has been known to transmit other viruses from the same family as Zika, but to date has not been a major carrier for Zika, Murdock and Osterholm said. "The billion dollar question is whether Aedes albopictus will play a role," Osterholm said. "Zika is going to continue. The real question is going to be not necessarily how big it will get in any location, but what is the geographic spread?" More information Families affected by Zika infection should visit Zika Care Connect. THURSDAY, June 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists have discovered another gene mutation behind certain cases of ichthyosis -- a group of rare disorders that cause dry scales to form on the skin. The term ichthyosis is derived from the Greek word for "fish," and the disorder is sometimes called "fish scale disease" because of its effects on the skin's appearance. Less severe cases can look like a mild sunburn, but for some people the condition is disfiguring, said senior researcher Dr. Keith Choate. So, on top of physical discomfort, ichthyosis can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem and depression, added Choate, an associate professor of dermatology at Yale University. Researchers have already found over 40 gene mutations linked to ichthyosis, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), which partly funded the study. Those mutations, the NIH says, can be passed down from one or both parents (who may not have the skin disorder themselves). The gene flaws can also occur spontaneously during fetal development. The new study, published online June 1 in the American Journal of Human Genetics, adds to the list of genetic culprits. The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to KAC and the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types also funded the study. Choate's team found that mutations in a gene called KDSR appeared to cause ichthyosis in four patients, out of a group of 750. All four patients had similar effects on their skin, according to the report. Starting in infancy, they developed scaly patches of thickened skin on the face and genitals, plus thick red patches on the palms and soles of their feet. According to Choate, the culprit gene mutations thwart the skin's production of ceramides -- fat molecules that seal the skin and prevent it from losing moisture. The good news, the researchers found, is that the drug Accutane -- a powerful acne medication -- can counter the effects of the mutations. Two of the patients started the drug and it has nearly cleared their skin, according to Choate. (A third patient has been "advised" to try Accutane, the researchers said.) That does not mean Accutane is a magic bullet, however. Doctors already prescribe it to some ichthyosis patients, said Dr. Lawrence Eichenfield, chief of pediatric dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego. But it "rarely" has the benefits seen in the patients with KDSR mutations, according to Eichenfield, who was not involved in the research. Still, he said the study offers a "good example" of where researchers and doctors want to go: They hope that uncovering the genes involved in different forms of ichthyosis will shed light on what exactly is going wrong -- and help guide treatment. Researchers could either develop new, "targeted" treatments, Eichenfield said, or figure out which existing drugs could help which patients. Study co-author Dr. Amy Paller agreed. "Every time we find another gene -- one more piece of the puzzle -- it helps us to better understand ichthyosis," said Paller, chair of dermatology at Northwestern University, in Chicago. But Paller noted that while that could lead to more individualized treatments, it's also possible that many genes ultimately operate on the same "pathway" to cause ichthyosis. That means researchers could look "downstream" of the genes, she said, to find treatments that work for a broad group of patients. In a study published last year, Paller and her colleagues looked at 21 patients with different forms of ichthyosis. The investigators found that an arm of the immune system -- called the Th17 pathway -- was overactive across the study group. And the higher the Th17 activity, the more severe the disease was, the findings showed. The researchers have begun a clinical trial to see whether a drug called secukinumab can ease the inflammation and symptoms of ichthyosis. The drug is already used to treat psoriasis -- a more common skin disorder that also involves an overactive Th17 pathway. In the United States, it's estimated that about 300 babies are born each year with moderate to severe ichthyosis, according to the non-profit Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types. Although the disorders are rare, Choate said, studying them also gives insight into skin health in general. The KDSR mutations, he said, show how important ceramides are in maintaining healthy skin. "People have probably heard of ceramides, because they're in a lot of moisturizers and other skin products you can buy at the drug store," Choate noted. "This suggests they might actually do some good." More information The Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types has more on ichthyosis. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Bogota, Colombia, June 2, 2017A Venezuelan courts ruling ordering a news website to pay the equivalent of nearly half a million U.S. dollars in damages for republishing an article about a politician threatens press freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. A Venezuelan court on May 31 fined the independent news website La Patilla the equivalent of U.S.$500,000 for republishing a 2015 story from a Spanish newspaper alleging that a top Venezuelan official had ties to drug trafficking, according to news reports. A civil court judge in Caracas declared that La Patilla had inflicted moral damage on Diosdado Cabello, a former vice president and a close ally of President Nicolas Maduro, according to news reports. The use of civil defamation laws to censor critics or impose damages designed to bankrupt a news outlet is an unacceptable abuse of the justice system, Carlos Lauria, CPJs senior program coordinator for the Americas, said from New York. We hope Venezuelan courts will reverse this disproportionate punishment on appeal. The civil defamation suit stems from La Patillas republication two years ago of a January 2015 story from the Madrid-based daily newspaper ABC that alleged Cabello was connected to a drug-trafficking ring. Cabello has denied the allegations and announced in April 2015 that he had filed a defamation lawsuit against La Patilla and two Venezuelan newspapers that republished the ABC report. A month later, a Venezuelan judge barred 22 news executives from the three media outletsincluding the newspapers El Nacional and Tal Cualfrom leaving the country, pending the resolution of the case, CPJ documented at the time. Responding to the May 31 court ruling, Cabello said on his TV programCon el Mazo Dando (Hammering away), which broadcasts on the state broadcaster VTVthat night, Now, Ive got money! He said he would use part of the settlement to pay his lawyers, and that the rest would be donated to poor children. La Patilla was launched in 2010 by Alberto Ravell, a Venezuelan journalist who was also co-founded Venezuelas Globovision TV station. La Patilla since became one of the countrys most popular news websites, according to Alexa, which reports website traffic. Ravell and La Patilla have been fiercely critical of President Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, who ushered in Veneuzelas socialist revolution in 1999. In an interview with Colombias W Radio yesterday, Ravell said he had yet to receive the courts ruling, but that he planned to appeal. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram For nearly three years, Mosul journalist Mohammad Talal al-Nuaimi lived in constant fear of being discovered and killed. The seizure of Mosul by the militant group Islamic State, or IS, in early June 2014 and the subsequent targeting of local journalists had forced him into hiding. He was unable to do any media-related work under threat of arrest and execution. Secluded indoors, life in hiding was, in his words, full of boredom and terror. It was a dull life. I looked at the world through a peephole. Many of my friends were arrested or killed. I feared for my family, the journalist told CPJ. Al-Nuaimi is one of the handful of journalists who stayed inside IS-held Mosul until the eastern side was retaken by the Iraqi Army in late January 2017, CPJ found during a recent visit to Iraq. Now that he has safely emerged from hiding, helike other journalists in Mosulfaces a new set of challenges. According to journalists and their advocates, there are no job opportunities, and even as communications are slowly being restored in Mosul, media personnel face censorship and fear. A radio announcer at the semi-independent FM Shabab and news editor for Sama Mosul TV which was owned and funded by Atheel al-Nujaifi, then the governor of Nineveh provinceal-Nuaimi had received death threats from IS long before the militant group took Mosul, demanding that he stopped reporting the news. Despite the increasing hardship facing journalists thenincluding targeted assassinations, such as those of Bashar al-Nuaimi, Mohammed Ghanem or Mohammed Karin al-Badranihe ignored the threats and continued to cover his usual beats, politics and security. However, he also concealed his identity on air behind the pseudonym Sarmad to protect himself and his family. When the Iraqi Army fled Mosul on June 10, 2014, IS took control of eight local TV and radio stations and seized their technical equipment, according to the Iraqi press freedom group Journalistic Freedoms Observatory (JFO). It also began to round up journalists and media workers during raids on their homes and media outlets. JFO said that, as a result, Mosul journalists fled the city en masse. Al-Nuaimi unsuccessfully tried to flee Mosul three times. When he barely managed to escape an IS night raid on his house in July by fleeing to his neighbors, he realized that his attempt to hide behind an alias had been in vain. His name was on an ISs list of 40 most wanted people because of his jobs as a radio announcer and news editor at the two outlets. He went into hiding in July 2014 in an area far from his home. Communications in Mosul had been cut off. Research conducted by CPJ in 2015 showed that, upon capturing the city, IS created a monopoly over information in the territory under its control and accounts of life inside Mosul, including the fate of missing and abducted journalists, became heavily censored and almost impossible to verify. One Mosul journalist, who prefers to be identified only by initials W.M. for fear of retribution, was not as lucky as Al-Nuaimi. A photographer for Sama Mosul TV since 2011, he used to cover varied beats, ranging from politics to sports, across Nineveh province. Although he had survived in hiding for a few months, he was taken from his home on October 17, 2014, under a ruling by an IS Sharia court that accused the remaining Mosul journalists of violating the ban on reporting and leaking information to local and foreign media, according to JFO. For 27 days, W.M. was held in a basement in western Mosul along with six of his Sama Mosul co-workers. JFO said they were charged with providing Nineveh Al-Ghad TV, funded by the former governor al-Nujaifi, with news reports from inside Mosul. In an attempt to make him confess to leaking information about the situation in Mosul, IS militants tortured W.M. physically and psychologically, the journalist told CPJ, but declined to provide further details. W.M. was eventually released, along with four co-workers, for lack of evidence. Until the retaking of eastern Mosul by Iraqi forces, he stayed at home for fear of being identified and detained again. Meanwhile, al-Nuaimi remained safe but isolated from the outside world in the house of a relative, on whom he relied for food and supplies. He couldnt use the phone to talk to his family or friends for fear of retribution on them. Every two or three months, his family would venture out onto the streets of Mosul under the cover of darkness and visit him. [IS] searched my house three times and threatened to kill [my family] lest they reveal my whereabouts. They told them I had fled to Baghdad, he said. With loneliness taking a toll on his soundness and depression looming over him, al-Nuaimi turned to writing. I read books and novels. I wrote a book that I hope to publish soon. I couldnt do my job as a journalist, because journalists were being persecuted, he said. Now, he is theoretically free to work, but, he said: There are no job opportunities for Mosul journalists. Many journalists have returned, but there are no media outlets to employ them. Local TV channels broadcast from outside the city. There are no radio stations or TV channels inside Mosul. I am unemployed. Dlovan Barwari, director of the Iraqi journalists support group Legal Defense for Crimes Against Press Freedom, told CPJ that the chances of finding jobs for Mosul journalists are slim in the areas retaken from IS. Journalists are marginalized and have no chance of working, Barwari said. They are often accused of having joined [IS]. The fate of dozens of other Mosul journalists remains unknown. We dont know if they have been killed or imprisoned or are hiding in their houses. Few journalists are now working again. Probably less than 10. With the offensive on western Mosul still underway, CPJ tried to contact by email and phone five other journalists in Mosul, but none replied. Under IS, civilians in Mosul relied primarily on satellite TV for news from the outside world. According to media reports, as the Iraqi Army began to close in on Mosul, IS, which had already banned the use of mobile phones, restricted access to television in May 2016 and shut down all internet providers in July the same year, thus leaving weak mobile networks on the city outskirts as the only potential source of information and imposing a de facto news blackout. Since eastern Mosul was retaken, satellite dishes have begun to mushroom again on the rooftops, allowing residents to track the advances of Iraqi forces in western Mosul. News reports confirmed that cellphone services and internet are being restored, but bans on media coverage of military operations are being occasionally imposed. In late March 2017, journalists were banned by Iraqi military authorities from entering the Mosul Jadida neighborhood following an airstrike that killed 150 people. Direct censorship by the state is only one of several obstacles for the media. Almost everything has been destroyed. Journalists are trying to stay safe, but snipers and landmines prevent them from moving freely. There is no stability and they cannot return to their normal lives, JFO representative Bashar Mandalawi said. Furthermore, there is no media in Mosul. For instance, Mosuliya TV broadcasts from Irbil and Radio al-Iraq from Qayarah. There are attempts underway to bring back Rasheed Radio, an independent radio headed by Iraqi politician Saad Assem, but that is all. Saad Assem and Rasheed Radio did not immediately reply to CPJs requests for comment via Facebook and email. Mandalawi does not expect the situation to improve soon. Mosul will remain unsafe for journalists in the coming years. We will witness plenty of revenge killings, he said. Barwari of Legal Defense for Crimes Against Press Freedom also cited fears of sectarian violence, saying two questions loom over the future of Mosul media: how to resume work without fanning the fires of sectarianism and how to report the news without giving in to political pressure. As for W.M, the feeling of insecurity has not left him. I am still in Mosul. I work for a local news agency, he said. I wish I could be elsewhere and feel safe. I have a difficult psychological condition and cannot forget the past. I never feel safe for fear of the future. [Reporting from Irbil] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram The use of illegal weapons to target peaceful protesters Organised by: Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB), CIVICUS, and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR): This UN side event will focus on the escalated pace of violations of public freedoms and in particular freedom of assembly, which is at imminent risk in Bahrain. The purpose of this UN side event is to focus on the fact that public freedoms and in particular freedom of assembly are at imminent risk in Bahrain. The authorities have not only exercised the most repressive practices against peaceful demonstrators but have in recent years imported the most advanced weapons unfortunately from Western countries including UK and Germany. The advanced weapons are used against citizens who are demanding an end to the gross human rights violations in the country. The aim of this side event is to draw the attention of the international community to these facts and to protect public freedoms including the right to freedom of assembly in Bahrain. Speakers: Prof. Damian McCormack, who will talk about the health damaging nature+countries of origins of the illegal weapons used in Bahrain to target peaceful protesters Ariel Plotkin from AI (TBC) Peggy Hicks, Director, Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, UN OHCHR (TBC) Sherif Mansour, CPJ Maryam Al-Khawaja, Special Advisor on Advocacy, GCHR Moderator: Khalid Ibrahim, Director, GCHR WHEN: June 21, 2017; 3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. WHERE: Palais des Nations Room XVI, Geneva Join the conversation by using #HRC35 for social media Pakistan says accusatory approach is unhelpful towards efforts for peace ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has approved execution order for 11 death row prisoners belonging to the Taliban and Haqqani Network, Afghan media quoted sources in the presidential palace as saying on Thursday. The development came a day after a deadliest truck bomb attack in the heart of Kabul killed 80 people and injured about 400 others. No group has claimed responsibility and the Taliban denied involvement; however, the Afghan intelligence agency NDS blamed the Haqqani Network and also pointed fingers at Pakistan. Radio Azadi said sources in the presidential palace have confirmed the president has signed the execution order for the Taliban and Haqqanis. Deputy presidential spokesman Najeeb Azad said in reported comments that the Supreme Court should also provide a list to the apex court of all those who have been handed death penalty. Hours after the bomb struck the highly secured diplomatic Wazir Akbar Khan area, several Afghans demanded that the government hang a Haqqani network leader, Anas Haqqani, the younger brother of Siraj Haqqani, chief of the Haqqani Network. Anas was awarded death penalty in August last year, said the spokesperson for the office of the attorney general, Baseer Aziz. He was captured by the US security officials after he visited Qatar in October 2014, along with another leader Hafiz Rashid. They were arrested in Bahrain, Taliban had confirmed at the time. The Taliban had confirmed the detention of Anas and Rashid and said they had travelled to Qatar to meet the Taliban leaders who were freed from the infamous Guantanamo Bay detention centre. The US later handed over Anas and another senior Taliban commander to Afghan authorities, while the Afghan government had claimed that Anas was arrested in eastern Khost province. No details about the identity of the prisoners have been shared with the media; however, a section of the Afghan media has reported it is unclear if Anas is in the list. The Taliban in a quick reaction to the possible executions warned that the Kabul regime would be responsible for dire consequences. The Taliban currently hold a kidnapped American-Canadian family, including two young boys born in captivity and US citizen Kevin King, and of Australian citizen Timothy Weeks, both are teachers from the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul. It is believed that the American-Canadian family is held by the Haqqani Network. "The Kabul administration is power-less and it takes decisions on the instructions by foreign masters, so foreign countries will be responsible if the foreign hostage in the custody of the Islamic Emirate are harmed in revenge." The Taliban also dismissed as false the NDS claim that the Haqqani Network was behind the Kabul blast. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement that the NDS claim to link Kabul blast to Haqqanis is an attempt to "hide failure, incompetency and conspiracies of their foreign masters". The Afghan government had hanged a group of six Taliban prisoners in May last year that led to a series of deadly attacks on the judges and other court officials in parts of the war-ravaged country. Meanwhile, the Pakistan's Foreign Office has rejected the NDS claim of the country's involvement as "baseless allegations". "The accusatory approach is unhelpful towards efforts for peace. It is disappointing that some elements, who have no interest in peace in Afghanistan and want to damage Afghan-Pakistan relations, have been maligning Pakistan for their own agenda," Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said. "All recent independent assessments on the situation in Afghanistan suggest that the factors responsible for the deteriorating security situation are internal to Afghanistan," Zakaria said at his weekly briefing. He said Pakistan has highest stakes in peace and stability in Afghanistan and that no country gets affected more than Pakistan due to instability in Afghanistan. "Pakistan's commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan is, therefore, beyond any doubt. Pakistan, as the most sincere friend and well-wisher of Afghan people, has contributed to the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process, whenever requested." | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! : Daily Times, Tahir Khan, June 1, 2017 It is fitting that President Trump withdrew from the Paris Accord the day before the Labor Department issued its employment report for May, thereby saving the economy from future higher energy prices and additional regulation. With only 138,000 jobs created, and a decline in the labor force participation rate, the economy needs to do better. With the exception of tax reform, nothing is better for American jobs than withdrawing from the Paris Accord, which would have raised U.S. energy prices and forced our companies to move energy-intensive industries offshore. Moving production offshore to countries such as China and India, which under the Paris Accord will not have to reduce emissions until 2030, will not help global warming. It will just mean that higher emissions will come from countries with fewer regulations. It is remarkable how CEOs of leading corporations, few of whom supported President Trump in his campaign, have publically requested that the administration stay in the Paris deal. These are individuals who in large part supported the Clinton campaign. For example, Apple CEO Tim Cook, in an email to employees reported by Axios, said, I know many of you share my disappointment with the White Houses decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement. I spoke with President Trump on Tuesday and tried to persuade him to keep the U.S. in the agreement. But it wasnt enough. Apple already produces electronics offshore, so an increase in energy prices would not cause it to shift operations overseas. However, other companies are in a different situation. The Paris Accord would have required America to lower its emissions by 27 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. This would have either led to further regulations or to a carbon tax, both of which would have raised the price of energy. This discourages energy-intensive manufacturing, the use of electricity, and transportation. Raising the price of energy is regressive. Since those in the bottom fifth of the income distribution spend 25 percent of their income on energy, compared with 4 percent for people in the top fifth, higher energy prices would have to be accompanied by transfers to low-income groups. Some low-income earners are not required to file returns, and they would have to do so in order to be identified and compensated. That means extra work for them, and for the Internal Revenue Service. The Paris Accord would have harmful geographic and social effects with the United States. It would fall primarily on coal, which has the largest carbon content of any fuel. The tax on coal would be many multiples of the tax on natural gas. Residents of West Virginia, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania did not vote for President Trump because they liked the Paris deal. They voted for him because they did not like it. In contrast, the relative beneficiaries of a carbon tax would be Democratic states that have committed to green energy schemes, such as California and New York and Massachusetts. Residents of these states voted Democrat. Implementing the Paris Accord would have raised the prices of energy-intensive goods relative to imports from countries without carbon taxes. So Americans will prefer to buy imports, and American firms will lose business to developing countries which would not have had to comply with the Paris deal until 2030, if ever. Proponents of the deal suggested putting tariffs on imports in proportion to their carbon content so that American companies would not be at a disadvantage. But the lack of support for the border adjustment tax floated by House Republicans suggests that carbon import taxes would be equally unpopular. The American government, businesses, and individuals are free to make efficient investments in energy without the Paris Accords. All the Paris deal does is prevent America from making efficient investments in energyand anything else. The ultimate test of whether renewable energy such as wind, solar, or corn-based ethanol offers a promising choice to consumers is whether people are prepared to buy them and companies are willing to invest in them. If a product were to pay for itself with a five-year tax credit, then some enterprising corporation would take the risk and invest its own capital. The very need for subsidies and mandates shows that few want to buy these products. For two centuries, carbon-based energy fueled global economic growth without global summits, bringing a world of barely one billion souls largely at a subsistence level to a world of seven billion yearning for the middle class. The Paris Accord is a refutation of that progress, substituting the corrupt regulations of an international conference over the free markets of economic growth. We are told that disaster is imminent unless America stays in the Paris Accord. Yet U.S. emissions decline every year, and are now at 16 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The United States suffers the biggest economic losses under the Paris deal, while China, the largest global source of emissions, does nothing for years. There is little surprise that China backs the deal. The only surprise is why America ever did. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former chief economist of the U.S. Department of Labor, directs Economics21 at the Manhattan Institute. Follow her on Twitter here. Interested in real economic insights? Want to stay ahead of the competition? Each weekday morning, e21 delivers a short email that includes e21 exclusive commentaries and the latest market news and updates from Washington. Sign up for the e21 Morning Ebrief. - Radio presenter Abigail Gogo is facing heat for allegedly pocketing money donated to a bomb victim Joy Musa by Nollywood actress Joke Silva - The veteran actress donates some money to the bomb victim during Abigail show on live radio - Abigail who is the host of the show refutes the claim and states the funds would be released after 8 months of keeping it A radio presenter named Abigail Gogo is currently facing allegations of pocketing money meant for a bomb victim, donated by veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva. Joy Musa had lost her family including; her husband, brother and four children to Fulani herdsmen and cried for help. Her cry for help was heard by Joke Silva who donated N50,000 to the victim on live radio. READ ALSO: TBoss speaks on relationship with Sen Dino Melaye The host of the show Abigail was the temporary recipient of the money and was tasked with transferring the money to Joy Musa. Unfortunately, Joy is yet to receive the money gifted her from the generous heart of Joke Silva. Legit.ng earlier reported how Joke Silva alongside Kunle Afolayan got political appointments from Lagos state government. Joke Silva, Joy Musa and Abigail Gogo According to reports, Joy Musa approached the radio station but was denied access to Abigail for which the radio presenter claimed she was on vacation during the times Joy came knocking. Miss Gogo reportedly said, in order for Joy to get the money she had to apply for it. Therein laid the dilemma as Ms Musa claimed she was unable to write. She said: "I cant write but I have been to Radio One on two occasions and they refused to listen to even look at me." READ ALSO: Police arrest woman for hiring "assassin" to kill business partner In her defense, after being accused of embezzling the money meant for a bomb victim, Abigail said: "I work for a government station, under bosses that I take instructions from, If it were only for me, she would have had that money since but that money must be given to her by the station and we need approvals for that. We are seeing our general manager for this same issue by tomorrow. Joke Silva specifically instructed me not to pay into a personal account but into a hospital account but as it is now, the station will give her the cash donation and that will be it.I wanted to ask for airtime from my station to raise more fund to add up to the N50,000 given by Joke Silva so that Joy will not call and interrupt our programmes again. But by Thursday she will be given the money and I will have nothing to do with her anymore. I will give her (Joy Musa) the N50,000 on Thursday and that will be it." Radio presenter Abigail Gogo Driven by survival, Joy finally applied to get the funds. On her way home after dropping the application, Joy was involved in an accident that ruined her surviving leg. Her current need has now escalated to N3 million which is needed for surgery. This time, although still holding on to the N50,000, Abigail created a watsapp group with celebrities urging they donate to "Save Joy." It then got ugly when Kayode Olatunji, chairman of the Bomb Victims Association of Nigeria (BVAN) accused Miss Gogo of suppressing money meant for the victim who had at the time attempted to kill herself. READ ALSO: Lindsey Lohan discloses she is spending Ramadan on a Yacht It got worse when the allegations drove Abigail to delete the group but that didn't stop Mr Olatunji from speaking his mind. READ ALSO: See this spectacular Biafra-themed (photos) Veteran actress Joke Silva is yet to comment on the issue carrying her name. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Watch Legit.ng video on how to save more and spend less: Source: Legit.ng DURHAM, N.H. - Research out of the University of New Hampshire has found that some roads, as far as two miles from the shore, are facing a new hazard that currently cannot be seen by drivers - rising groundwater caused by increasing ocean water levels. Researchers have identified sections of specific New Hampshire seacoast roads that are the most vulnerable as groundwater levels continue to rise. They include the heavily traveled Route 286 in Seabrook and Gosling Road in Portsmouth. Without drastic improvements to these routes, at or below the pavement surface, motorists can expect segments of these roadways to deteriorate more quickly, require more maintenance and be closed for longer periods of time, according to a study recently published in Transportation Research Record. "Previous road vulnerability studies have looked at road surface flooding, but groundwater has not been addressed," said Jayne Knott, a civil engineering doctoral candidate in UNH's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and lead author of the study. "We found that the effects of surface water flooding on roads occur within a mile of the coast, and groundwater rise effects can occur more than twice that, sometimes all the way to Pease Tradeport." Groundwater levels are higher than sea levels and that drives the groundwater discharge to the ocean. But as sea levels begin to rise, this forces groundwater to slowly move up to maintain the equilibrium, inching closer to the pavement base layers that need to stay dry to defend their strength. "The worst enemy of pavement is water," says Jo Daniel, professor of civil and environmental engineering, director of UNH's Center for Infrastructure Resilience to Climate, and co-author on the study. "If the soil and substrate under the pavement get wet, then the strength that we had counted on to carry the traffic isn't there anymore. So the pavement develops ruts and cracks, allowing more water to get into the underlying layers which makes the situation worse and closing roads for long periods of time to dry out impacting both commuters and tourists." For the study, the research team examined the cross-section data for the most endangered sections of five Seacoast roads -- Spaulding Turnpike, Gosling Road, Route 286, Route 101 and Middle Street. Highways are usually built more stout with thicker cross-sections of materials to withstand heavier traffic, while smaller town roads are sometimes little more than layers of pavement over shallow depths of crushed gravel. The thickness of the pavement base layers provides a buffer that protects the road as groundwater rises. The roads where groundwater is already close to the surface are the ones that will likely be affected first, although local geology, topography, soil type and drainage can also influence this. Researchers then compared the N.H. Department of Transportation (NHDOT) road cross-section data with current and projected groundwater levels given various sea level rise scenarios ranging from one foot by 2030 to 6.6 feet by the year 2100. The results indicate that although Route 101 and the Spaulding Turnpike will probably not have many adverse issues by rising groundwater until late in this century, both Route 286 -- an emergency evacuation route -- and Gosling Road are likely to be some of the first roads affected. ### This research was supported by New Hampshire Sea Grant, New Hampshire Seacoast Transportation Climate Working Group, New Hampshire Department of Transportation, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Infrastructure and Climate Network, and the UNH Center for Infrastructure Resilience to Climate. The University of New Hampshire is a flagship research university that inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top ranked programs in business, engineering, law, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. UNH's research portfolio includes partnerships with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, receiving more than $100 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea and space. FILE PHOTO - The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Cisco is seen in San Diego, California April 25, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo By Jan Wolfe (Reuters) - Arista Networks Inc won a ruling on Thursday in its legal battle with Cisco Systems Inc over networking device technology, setting the stage for Arista to undo a U.S. agency's order blocking importation of some of its products. Arista had asked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to review the validity of a patent it granted to Cisco relating to network device security. The Patent Office sided with Arista on Thursday, invalidating key claims in the patent. A week earlier, the Patent Office invalidated claims in a different Cisco patent on a way to improve processing in network devices. San Jose, California-based Cisco and Arista are fierce competitors in the multibillion-dollar market for ethernet switches that connect computers and servers. Last month, the U.S. International Trade Commission concluded that Arista's switches had infringed the Cisco patents and said it would issue an order banning Arista from importing the infringing products into the United States. Arista general counsel Marc Taxay said on Thursday that the company "will now seek complete suspension" of the ITC's import ban, which is slated to go into effect in July. Cisco did not immediately return a request for comment. Thursday's ruling is the latest development in a years-long legal battle between Cisco and Arista. Cisco brought multiple lawsuits against Arista in 2014, alleging it has a "culture of copying" Cisco's intellectual property. Arista has denied the allegations and accused Cisco of a smear campaign. The ITC ruled last year that Arista had infringed three other Cisco patents relating to managing and securing communications networks. Arista redesigned its switches, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in April that the company could resume importing its redesigned products. Shares of Santa Clara, California-based Arista closed at $148.52 on Thursday, up 0.7 percent, after dropping below $145 a share earlier in the day. Cisco shares ended the day 0.9 percent higher at $31.82. (Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Editing by Noeleen Walder) Mark Cuban The billionaire businessman Mark Cuban tweeted some advice for Democrats after President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Cuban told Democrats to "call his bluff" and "put him on the spot" in response to Trump's comments on Thursday that he would be open to renegotiating the agreement and getting "a deal that's fair." The owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and star of ABC's "Shark Tank" said Democrats must call for "immediate meetings" with Trump to figure out how to "get back in" the climate pact. Here's Cuban's tweetstorm after Trump's announcement: 1) If Dems are smart, they should call for immediate meetings w POTUS to determine how to get back in the Paris Agreement Mark Cuban (@mcuban) June 1, 2017 2) Call his bluff. Put him on the spot. Make him respond and commit to terms He opened the door. Fix rather than bitch Mark Cuban (@mcuban) June 1, 2017 3)Propose a deal that protects our environment, economy and jobs and gives us flexibility Make him respond point by point. Be transparent Mark Cuban (@mcuban) June 1, 2017 There should be one goal and that is for all of our politicians to sit with the President and resolve this and make him DO HIS JOB. Mark Cuban (@mcuban) June 1, 2017 Whatever you believe about the future of our earth, tell your reps to do their jobs and push for a sit down with POTUS to figure this out Mark Cuban (@mcuban) June 1, 2017 Several prominent business leaders, such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook, had pressed Trump to stay in the climate deal. After Trump's announcement, Musk said he would step down from the two White House advisory councils he sits on. Story continues Cuban, who has teased reporters about making a run for the presidency himself in 2020, backed Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, during the 2016 general election. He has remained mostly critical of Trump since he took office in January. NOW WATCH: 'Melania needs to get with the program: Ian Bremmer explains the biggest takeaways from Trumps first foreign trip More From Business Insider Ford (NYSE: F) is not laying off 20,000 of its workers, a spokesperson for the auto company told CNBC on Thursday. Challenger, Gray & Christmas on Thursday reported the number of jobs employers planned to cut in May had jumped, citing massive layoffs at Ford. The widely followed report led with a claim that the auto industry announced 20,271 job cuts for the month, with the majority of those stemming from Ford. On Friday, the consultancy firm corrected its error, saying planned layoffs dropped to 33,092 in the month from the 51,692 initially reported. In its report Thursday, Challenger CEO John A. Challenger said: "Ford's announcement of 20,000 global layoffs to streamline and cut costs is a typical strategy of large corporations who need to pivot to stay competitive." However, Ford told CNBC it never confirmed the 20,000 number with any media source. In fact, the actual number is more like 1,400 jobs being eliminated, according to a Ford spokesperson. Challenger used that figure in its corrected report Friday. Ford "plans to reduce 10 percent of our salaried costs and personnel levels in North America and Asia Pacific this year, using voluntary packages," a Ford spokeswoman told CNBC on Thursday. "We expect 1,400 salaried positions to be affected. This action does not affect the following skill teams: manufacturing, product development, IT, Global Data and Analytics and Ford Credit," the spokeswoman added. In an email to CNBC, Challenger Gray's Blake Palder cited media reports from the Washington Examiner and Forbes as its sources for the numbers. Officials from the media organizations did not immediately reply to CNBC's request for comment. Palder told CNBC, "It was based off those articles that I used the numbers for our report." Colleen Madden, another Challenger spokeswoman, added in an email, "We use company announcements, media reports, and SEC filings to compile numbers. We found numerous reports citing the 10 percent global job cuts for Ford. We used those reports in our numbers." Story continues Watch: Lutz on Mark Fields, former Ford CEO More From CNBC President Donald Trump is trying to revive the coal industry and extend the lifespan of the oil business. But renewables like solar and wind power are still likely to thrive. By withdrawing the United States from the 2015 Paris climate accord, Trump has made the United States the only advanced economy that lacks a commitment to curb carbon emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels. But many energy analysts think coal is doomed anyway, because businesses and governments are shifting rapidly toward cleaner-burning fuels that are coming down in price. Oil has a longer shelf life, due to its use as a transportation fuel, but will still most likely decline as alternatives like battery-powered electric vehicles become cheaper and more efficient. While most of the press attention focuses on energy policies formed in Washington and other capitals, an arguably more important shift has been going on among investors who think renewable energy sourcesespecially solar and windare now viable investments likely to pay respectable returns. The consensus among asset managers is that prices are coming down and this is a technology play, says Matthew Weatherley-White, managing director of investing firm the Caprock Group. Theres a lot of smart money here. In this Feb. 14, 2017 photo, a rooftop is covered with solar panels at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) That distinction as a technology play is important, especially with regard to solar. That means cost is likely to decline indefinitely as usage increases, the same pattern consumers have gotten used to from microprocessors that get smaller, faster and better, even as the price drops. The famed Moores Lawthe doubling of processing power roughly every 18 monthsdoesnt necessarily apply to energy technology, but the general principle does. As the technology catches on, scale ratchets up, prices come down and capability improves. [Read more: Trump isnt so good for business, after all] Battery technology, which is essential for electric vehicles, is also improving, though perhaps at a slower pace than solar panels. Wind power follows a different paradigm, with larger blades being more efficient, but also more expensive. Yet all of these technologies have scaling advantages over commodities such as oil and coal, which by definition become more scarce, and more expensive, as consumption reduces supply. Fracking has changed the equation for oil, to some extent, because it has increased supply. But theres still a cost to pulling it out of the ground. Story continues The development of renewable energy has been subsidized by governments in the United States and other countries, and even by state and local policies, such as tax credits for electric vehicles and access to high-occupancy lanes for anybody with a car that meets stringent emission standards. And there are two important tax breaks Congress passed in 2015 that Trump doesnt seem so bothered byone for solar, and one for wind and other renewables. Before 2015, Congress had traditionally extended those incentives for just one year at a time, leaving investors unsure of their long-term benefit. But the 2015 law put them in place for 5 years, giving investors a stronger incentive to bet on renewables. The big spook was that Trump would rescind those credits, says Weatherley-White. But he hasnt even talked about that. Government subsidies have undoubtedly helped establish a market for renewables, but costs have now dropped enough that in some instances theyre competitive with the cost of coal or natural gas. And if cost isnt a factor, government officials and business leaders are much more keen to invest in energy facilities likely to pollute less, since that aligns with public opinion and provides better options if the need to curb emissions grows more acute in the future. Haul trucks move coal at Peabody Energys North Antelope Rochelle coal mine near Gillette, Wyoming, U.S. June 1, 2016. REUTERS/Kristina Barker Trump loves to stick up for coal miners, even though solar workers in the United States now outnumber them by more than 2-to-1. In fact, there are now slightly more Americans employed in renewable-energy jobs (about 750,000) than in coal and oil (about 675,000). Natural gas, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel viewed as a bridge between carbon and renewables, accounts for about 400,000 US jobs. Since 2010, the number of solar-panel installations in the United States has surged by more than 1,600%, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. At the same time, the average cost of solar energy to consumers has fallen by more than 70%. Wind-power capacity in the United States has doubled since 2010, according to the American Wind Energy Association, with prices falling by nearly the same proportion as solar. Natural gas and coal prices have dropped during the same time frame, though not as dramatically. By some measures, renewables are now cost-competitive with fossil fuels, a trend that should intensify as renewables become more popular. Its difficult to directly compare the cost of different types of energy, since there can be big regional variations and costs pop up all along the supply chain, from drilling well to power plant to residential outlet. Solar panels are more effective in some climates than others, for instance, and fossil fuels are usually cheaper when theyre closer to where theyre burned. But the World Economic Forum said recently that most nations will reach grid parity within a few years, with renewables matching or undercutting fossil fuels on price. Since that is likely to happen with or without government help, Trumps fondness for the fuels of the last century wont hold back the fuels of the next. Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com Read more: Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman President Donald Trump withdrew from the Paris agreement on Thursday, citing concerns that the agreement was bad for the economy and job creation. Trumps position was likely about coal and campaign promises. Trump said he would potentially renegotiate thevoluntaryagreement in the future. However, the business community did not particularly welcome the announcement. Trump advisor Steve Bannon, who pushed for Trump to exit Paris with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who gave Trump an ultimatum to stay. Source: Reuters Tesla (TSLA) and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who had threatened to leave the presidents advisory council, confirmed he would in a disapproving tweet. Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 Musk was followed by Disney (DIS) CEO Bob Iger, who also resigned in protest. As a matter of principle, Ive resigned from the Presidents Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal. Robert Iger (@RobertIger) June 1, 2017 GM (GM) said CEO Mary Barra would remain on the council, according to a Reuters reporter. Blackstone (BX) CEO Stephen Schwarzman will also remain. Council member Ginny Rometty of IBM (IBM) does not tweet, but IBM told the Hill that she would remain in the advisory council: We believe we can make a constructive contribution by having a direct dialogue with the Administration as we do with governments around the world. The news was enough to get Goldman Sachs (GS) CEO Lloyd Blankfein to finally use the Twitter account he created in 2011. His first tweet: Today's decision is a setback for the environment and for the U.S.'s leadership position in the world. #ParisAgreement Lloyd Blankfein (@lloydblankfein) June 1, 2017 The CEO of GE (GE), Jeff Immelt, tweeted his disappointment. (He is not on the council, but former GE CEO Jack Welch is. Welch has not issued any statements.) Story continues Disappointed with todays decision on the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government. Jeff Immelt (@JeffImmelt) June 1, 2017 Google (GOOG, GOOGL) CEO Sundar Pichai tweeted disappointment and said Google will work for a cleaner, more prosperous future for all. Mark Benioff, CEO of Salesforce.com (CRM), tweeted that he was deeply disappointed. Deeply disappointed by President's decision to withdraw from ParisAgreement. We will double our efforts to fight climate change. pic.twitter.com/cmCLf9CoVY Marc Benioff (@Benioff) June 1, 2017 Microsoft (MSFT) CEO Satya Nadella tweeted, We believe climate change is an urgent issue that demands global action. We remain committed to doing our part. Twitter (TWTR) CEO Jack Dorsey filled his twitter timeline with pro-Paris agreement retweets. At this point, some CEOs might not see utility in responding, but up until Thursdays announcement, many CEOs had already urged Trump to remain. A large number of prominent CEOs signed a letter to the president. As the Harvard Business Review noted, this is not a tree-hugger group. Inge Thulin, 3M Company James K. Kamsickas, Dana Incorporated Michael B. Polk, Newell Brands, Inc. Oliver Bate, Allianz SE () Andrew Liveris, The Dow Chemical Company Geisha Williams, Pacific Gas & Electric Brian Moynihan, Bank of America Corp. Edward Breen, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company David Taylor, Procter & Gamble Company Zhang Yue, BROAD Group Jeffrey Immelt, General Electric Feike Sijbesma, Royal DSM Denise Morrison, Campbell Soup Company Lloyd C. Blankfein, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc Marc Benioff, Salesforce David W. MacLennan, Cargill Inc. William Brown, Harris Corporation Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Solvay Michael L. Corbat, Citigroup, Inc. Alex Gorsky, Johnson & Johnson Elon Musk, Tesla James Quincey, The Coca Cola Company Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan Chase Paul Polman, Unilever Wendell Weeks, Corning Incorporated Francois-Henri Pinault, Kering Richard Branson, Virgin Tom Linebarger, Cummins Inc. James Gorman, Morgan Stanley Robert A. Iger, The Walt Disney Group Its even longer. On CNBC, HP (HPE) CEO Meg Whitman urged Trump to stay. [P]lease do not withdraw from the Paris climate accord; this is not in the best interest of Americans, Whitman said on Squawk on the Street. ExxonMobil (XOM) CEO Darren Woods sent Trump a letter, and Woodss predecessor and current Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was reported to have been urging Trump to remain in the agreement. Multinational mining company (iron, coal, copper, petroleum, and more) company BHP Billitons (BLL) CEO Andrew Mackenzie told an Australian TV station that he personally asked Trump to stay in the agreement. Last week, Intel (INTC) CEO Brian Krzanich tweeted that Intel had been advocating for staying in the Paris accord. Related: 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. Read more: Study shows how GOP plan would lower premiums: ditching costly, sick people How the Obamacare repeal could affect your employer insurance The biggest problem with robots taking jobs may not be unemploymentyet What Facebook and Twitter think they know about you Online savings accounts are raising rates. Big banks arent. Radio Shack The retail industry has lost more jobs than any other industry this year as struggling stores cut costs in order to stay in business. Challenger, Gray and Christmas Inc, an outplacement consultancy firm that works with companies during restructurings, said that 55,910 retail job cuts have been announced so far in 2017, up from 38,264 that the industry had lost by this point last year. Challenger's data is based on information collected from SEC filings, news reports, and corporate announcements. More than 3,200 store closures have already been announced this year, which will lead to thousands of retail jobs being eliminated. Macy's is leading the way with 10,000 job cuts announced so far in 2017. The department store said in January that it would be closing 68 of its 880 stores and axing jobs as it shifts more of its resources online. Radioshack filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and closed most of its stores at the end of May, though the number of jobs lost has not yet been reported. These job cuts are spurring a larger economic crisis, Mark Cohen, the director of retail studies at Columbia Business School, told Business Insider. "The people that work in retail stores will lose their jobs, then spend less money in retail stores because they are no longer employed. That creates a cascade of economic challenges," he said. Here is a list of the retailers cutting the most jobs in 2017: Job losses NOW WATCH: Starbucks or Starpreya? Here are real logos that look eerily similar More From Business Insider Customers leave the Whole Foods Market in Boulder, Colorado May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (Reuters) By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Friday ordered Whole Foods Market Inc to face a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing it of overcharging shoppers in New York City by overstating the weight of pre-packaged food in its supermarkets. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said a lower court judge had erred in concluding that the plaintiff Sean John, a frequent purchaser of pre-packaged cheese and cupcakes, had no right to sue because he could not show that Whole Foods overcharged him for a specific purchase. John sued one month after New York City's Department of Consumer Affairs in June 2015 said all 80 prepackaged foods it tested from Whole Foods had mislabeled weights, and 89 percent failed to meet federal labeling standards. Overcharges ranged from 80 cents for pecan panko to $14.84 for coconut shrimp. Whole Foods, based in Austin, Texas, agreed in December to pay $500,000 to settle with New York City, following apologies from co-chief executives, John Mackey and Walter Robb. The probe drew national headlines. Writing for the appeals court, Circuit Judge Raymond Lohier said John may face "significant evidentiary obstacles" but had legal standing to sue, even if the Manhattan resident could not show that any of the food items he claimed to buy once or twice a month were mislabeled. "According to the DCA's investigation, Whole Foods packages of cheese and cupcakes were systematically and routinely mislabeled and overpriced, and John regularly purchased Whole Foods packages of cheese and cupcakes throughout the relevant period," Lohier wrote. "Taking these allegations as true and drawing all reasonable inferences in his favor, it is plausible that John overpaid for at least one product," the judge added. The case was returned to U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan. He had dismissed the lawsuit in March 2016. Whole Foods said in an email it was disappointed with the decision, and "will continue to vigorously defend against the plaintiff's meritless claims." Story continues A lawyer for John did not immediately respond to requests for comment. John sought to represent everyone who bought pre-packaged goods at Whole Foods stores in New York City after June 24, 2010. The case is John v Whole Foods Market Group Inc, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 16-986. (Editing by Bernadette Baum) By Julia Simon NEW YORK (Reuters) - Crude fell more than 1 percent on Friday, heading for a second straight week of losses, on worries that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from an international climate accord will spur further domestic production and contribute to a persistent global oversupply. Brent crude futures (LCOc1) were down 61 cents at $50.02 per barrel by 2:00 p.m. (1800 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (CLc1) futures fell 62 cents to $47.74 per barrel. Both contracts were on track for a weekly loss of about 4 percent. Market analysts are troubled by a growth in U.S. crude production that is straining efforts from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to reduce global oversupply. U.S. drillers this week added 11 rigs, in a record stretch of 20 straight weeks of additions, data from energy services company Baker Hughes showed. [RIG/U] Trump's withdrawal from the Paris agreement, the landmark 2015 global pact to fight climate change, drew condemnation from Washington's allies and many in the energy industry - and sparked fears that U.S. oil production could expand more rapidly than it is currently. Trump seems to be removing any barriers he can find that would obstruct growth of crude oil or natural gas, said Stewart Glickman, energy equity analyst at CFRA in New York. "Its kind of ironic because by doing that youre encouraging more volumes to come out of the ground." U.S. crude production last week was up by nearly 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) from year-earlier levels and hit 9.34 million bpd, its highest since August 2015.[EIA/S] U.S. output is expected to keep rising, as the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts production of about 10 million bpd next year. Igor Sechin, chief of Russia's largest oil producer, Rosneft, said U.S. producers could add up to 1.5 million bpd to world oil output next year. Last week OPEC and some non-OPEC producers extended a deal to cut 1.8 million bpd in supply until March 2018. Oil prices are down around 10 percent since the extension, and OPEC officials have since suggested they may deepen the cuts. Investors have been edgy due to the slow decline in inventories worldwide. U.S. inventories, however, fell 6.4 million barrels last week, their eighth straight weekly drawdown. "That's relatively higher than the average draws weve seen, so you would have thought that crude would have fared a little better," said CFRA's Glickman. (Additional reporting by Libby George and Sabina Zawadzki in London and Jane Chung in Seoul; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Adrian Croft) On one medium-sized farm in western Kansas, fourth-generation farmer Derek Sawyer is doing all he can to stay afloat. He has 2,500 acres of land and about 700 cows, but looming on the horizon is a White House budget proposal that would cut $38 billion in subsidies to farmers like him. President Trump's budget would slash several programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture including crop insurance that farmers say have been a lifeline in recent years. About $28 billion is on the chopping block from crop insurance alone. Sawyer's Land & Cattle grows wheat, corn and soybeans. Sawyer took out his first crop insurance after his grandfather passed away and said he wouldn't be farming right now if it weren't for the protection. "It's definitely not a program that helps you get rich," Sawyer said. "But crop insurance will come close to helping us cover the expenses of the crop." The program helps farmers afford the cost of buying insurance for their crops. According to Montana State University economics professor Vincent Smith, crop insurance premiums total about $9.5 billion annually. The federal government currently covers about 60 percent of the cost, or $6 billion. Farmers contribute the rest. The president's budget calls for capping crop insurance subsidies at $40,000 per farmer, saving $16.2 billion over a decade. The administration argues that farmers don't need an incentive to participate in crop insurance, because it's already an integral part of their business models. Separately, the White House proposal would cut nearly $12 billion from a safety net known as the harvest price option that provides a buffer to farmers facing a harvest shortfall. "The goal of this proposal is to optimize the current crop insurance program so that it will continue to provide a quality safety net at a lower cost," the administration said in its budget. But the American Farm Bureau, an industry lobbying group, said the proposal would "gut" the crop insurance program. The group's chief economist, Bob Young, said kicking people out of the pool could make insurance more expensive. Young said family farms would likely be affected. He said farms bigger than 1,400 acres like Sawyer's account for about two-thirds of corn production. Story continues The White House budget also calls for eliminating subsidies to farmers with revenue of more than $500,000 a year. The current limit is $900,000, Smith said. If enacted, the proposal would save $653 million over 10 years. Young said farm revenue is down about 50 percent from 2014 because of lower commodity prices. "To come in and get this kind of a whack, the sector would really feel it," he said. At Sawyer's farm, annual revenue for the past several years has been about $3 million, but Sawyer said his profit margin is razor-thin. It took a record wheat crop last year just to break even, he said. "It has been really rough the past couple of years. We're looking at corn and wheat prices that are roughly half of what we were seeing five or six years ago," he said. "We're looking at the cost of production on nearly all the crops exceeding the value of the crop at harvest." Farmers pin hopes on Congress To be sure, the White House budget is generally considered a wish list. The farmers are hoping relief will come when Congress writes its own version of the budget. In addition, lawmakers must renegotiate the 2014 Farm Bill, which is set to expire in September 2018. That bill was particularly bruising to farmers, slicing $23 billion from the Department of Agriculture over 10 years. The Farm Bureau called Trump's proposed cuts a magnitude higher. Although Congress is in recess this week, the House and Senate Agriculture committees have begun hearings on the Farm Bill reauthorization. When Congress returns next week, budget negotiations will begin in earnest. "We will fight to ensure farmers have a strong safety net so this key segment of our economy can weather current hard times and continue to provide all Americans with safe, affordable food," committee chairmen Rep. Mike Conaway, R.-Texas, and Sen. Pat Roberts, R.-Kan., said in a statement. The crop insurance program is run by the USDA's risk management agency. It was established in 1937 during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's second term, but subsidy payments jumped during the 1980s, according to Smith. There are about 2.1 million farms in the country, according to the Farm Bureau. Between 250,000 and 300,000 of them produce 80 percent of the nation's food. Most of the grain farms are family-managed operations, Young said, with family members providing most of the management and labor. Smith said about 85 to 90 percent of all crops are covered under the federal crop insurance program. Additionally, more than 90 percent of farms have substantial off-farm income, and many farmers use their land to offset their tax liability on other income. Sawyer said his community is already struggling. The neighborhood cafe is closed for hours during the day and shuts down a few days a week because of a lack of farmers coming in for lunch. His equipment dealer moved into a different industry because he could see that farm income was going to be tough and machinery sales were going down. Still, Sawyer said he is determined to stay on the land in McPherson County that his family has farmed for four generations. His 4-year-old son, Evan, was helping with harvesting grain and feeding cattle before he could even walk. Sawyer said he remains upbeat about his industry. "If I'm not optimistic, I'm in the wrong business," he said. More From CNBC Coal miners and alienated workers just trumped corporate America. By canceling Americas participation in the 2015 Paris climate agreement, President Trump snubbed many of the nations biggest businesses. Corporate giants including Exxon (XOM), General Electric (GE), Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT) and Alphabet (GOOGL) urged Trump to stick with the agreement, which nearly every other country in the world has signed on to. Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk said hell quit as an informal White House adviser on account of Trumps decision to withdraw. The only major businesses supporting Trumps move are energy firms dependent on coal and oil. The Paris accord is very unfair to the United States, Trump declared at the White House on June 1. He claimed the agreement imposes draconian financial and economic burdens on the United State, while linking it to the loss of nearly 3 million jobsa claim economists strongly dispute. Trump did say he was open to re-entering the Paris agreement under different terms, leaving some wiggle room amid the criticism he is sure to get for the decision. Withdrawing from the deal probably wont be as catastrophic for business or the climate as overheated news coverage might suggest. The Paris deal relies on voluntary reductions in carbon emissions, according to standards each nation sets for itself. Countries can change their standards or simply not abide by them. Enforcement is weak, at best. And market incentives to adopt cleaner energy are becoming stronger, in some cases obviating the need for government incentives or mandates. A headache for American businesses But abstaining from a global agreement embraced by every other developed economy is a headache for American businesses all the same. Multinational companies want to sell their goods and services everywhere, which is easier when their home country is following the same agenda, more or less, as other countries they want to sell to. The Paris agreement will likely spur spending on new climate-friendly technologies, and US firms want a cut of that as well. They could lose out to foreign firms whose home governments do more to cultivate such technologies. Story continues By appeasing America firsters and legacy industries such as coal, Trump has obviously fulfilled a campaign promise, while demonstrating solidarity with workers stuck in fading 20th century industries. But that will do nothing to increase demand for dirty coal or create jobs in industries the free market is closing the books on anyway. Natural gas burns much cleaner than coal and is nearly as cheap, thanks in large part to Americas fracking revolution. Pollution-free solar power is becoming cost-competitive without any need for government incentives. States such as California and many municipalities have their own reasons to encourage the use of renewables and cleaner-burning fuels, regardless of what Trump wants. Thats why Exxon and many other oil companies favor the Paris agreementit helps them gain a foothold in the energy market that is slowly but surely replacing carbon. Trump probably could have found different ways to help the beleaguered coal industrypowerful federal incentives to draw companies to coal country, saywhile keeping American firms under the Paris umbrella. But he disregarded the pleas from corporate America, with no apparent concern for whether that could impede economic growth or cost American jobs. At some point business leaders must rightfully ask whether Trump represents their interests or not. Trump rode to Washington on a pro-business platform, but his actions in office havent been so business-friendly. He has left health insurers and other companies in the medical industry deeply uncertain about the business climate they face, since he has vowed to dismantle the Affordable Care Act without an obvious replacement. Insurers are bailing out of ACA markets where they cant make money, a problem that existed before Trump took office but has since gotten worse. Trump has threatened the auto industry with tariffs and other punishments (and consumers with higher car prices) if they dont create more American jobs. He has lambasted pharmaceutical firms for their high prices. His threat to tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement would roil thousands of business that rely on those trading relationships. He may still seek tariffs on Chinese imports, as he has frequently threatened, which would upend supply lines for many other US companies. Offsetting all of this, from a CEOs perspective, is the promise of tax cuts and deregulation, two of Trumps top priorities. Tax cuts could directly boost corporate profits and stock prices along with them. Deregulation could lower the cost of doing business, which is almost as good as a boost in net income. But Trump obviously faces difficult challenges getting major legislation through Congress, and hes adding to the burden with controversies such as the Russia investigation, weakening his political hand and overburdening Congress. Its now unlikely Congress will pass any kind of tax reform in 2017, and the longer it drifts toward next years fall election season, the less likely it becomes. Trump has undone some minor regulations with executive orders, but major pruning would require Congressional action, and that is nowhere to be seen. Take tax cuts and deregulation away, and Trump looks more like a self-preserving political boss playing favorites than a businessman-president. He favors downtrodden industries on their way out over ascendant industries such as technology and renewable energy, because thats where his base resides. He talks up the need for stronger growth while explaining away political decisions that could impede growth. And he accepts symbolic wins that save a few endangered jobs without talking at all about how to create and secure the jobs of the future. Eventually, well need them, because you cant prop up the jobs of the past forever. Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com Read more: Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman (Refiles to remove extraneous words in paragraph 3) By Nandita Bose FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., June 1 (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc is testing a program that allows store workers to deliver packages ordered on the store's website after they finish their shifts, as the retailer looks for ways to close the gap with rival Amazon.com Inc. Marc Lore, head of Wal-Mart's e-commerce operations, said in a blog post on Thursday the step will cut shipping costs, speed the delivery of packages and allow workers to earn additional compensation. Wal-Mart's stores are within 10 miles (16 km) of 90 percent of the U.S. population, Lore said. "Imagine all the routes our associates drive to and fro from work and the houses they pass along the way. It's easy to see why this test could be a game changer," he said. Since he joined in August, Lore has helped spearhead some aggressive moves intended to boost the retailer's online business. Wal-Mart completed its $3 billion acquisition of Lore's former company, internet retailer Jet.com, in September. Lore has overseen Wal-Mart's acquisitions of three online retailers and made other e-commerce changes. Wal-Mart now offers free two-day shipping on online orders above $35, without any membership fees, to compete with Amazon's popular Prime shipping program. Wal-Mart said on Thursday its trucks deliver packages to a retail location for store pickup and the same trucks can bring additional orders a worker can sign up to deliver. The delivery program is voluntary for store workers and allows them to sign up for a maximum of 10 deliveries a day. The retailer did not share details on compensation of workers who sign up. The test is limited to three stores in New Jersey and Arkansas. Wal-Mart will hold its annual shareholder meeting on Friday in Arkansas. (Editing by Matthew Lewis) AIM: MARL TSX-V: MARL 31 May 2017 Granite House, La Grande Rue, St. Martin, Guernsey, GY1 3RS Channel Islands Issue of Equity- Option and Warrant Exercise Mariana Resources Ltd ("Mariana" or the "Company"), the AIM ("MARL") and TSXV ("MARL") listed exploration and development company with projects in Turkey, Cote d'Ivoire and South America, announces that the following options and warrants have been exercised into ordinary shares with funds received. 60,000 Options exercised at GBP0.30 68,681 Warrants exercised at GBP0.25 The Company will issue and allot 128,681 new ordinary shares. Admission to AIM Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange for the new ordinary shares to be admitted to trading on AIM and the TSXV. Dealings are expected to commence on or about 5 June 2017 ("Admission"). Following Admission, there will be a total of 133,830,038 ordinary shares on issue. Mariana Resources Limited Glen Parsons, CEO **ENDS** Glen Parsons (CEO) Mariana Resources Ltd +61 2 9437 4588 Eric Roth (COO) Mariana Resources Ltd +56 9 8818 1243 Karen Davies (IR) Mariana Resources Ltd (Canada) +1 604 314 6270 Rob Adamson RFC Ambrian Limited (Nomad) +61 2 9250 0041 Will Souter RFC Ambrian Limited (Nomad) +61 2 9250 0050 In U.K. Oliver Stansfield Brandon Hill Capital (UK Broker) +44 20 3463 5061 Jonathan Evans Brandon Hill Capital (UK Broker) +44 20 3463 5016 Camilla Horsfall Blytheweigh (Financial PR) +44 20 7138 3224 Megan Ray Blytheweigh (Financial PR) +44 20 7138 3203 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. About Mariana Resources Mariana Resources Ltd is a TSX.V and AIM (MARL) quoted exploration and development company with an extensive portfolio of gold, silver, and copper projects in South America, Turkey, and Ivory Coast. Mariana's most advanced asset is the Hot Maden gold-copper project in northeast Turkey, which is a joint venture with Turkish partner Lidya Madencilik (30% Mariana and 70% Lidya) and which is rapidly advancing to development. On January 17, 2017, Mariana released the results of a Preliminary Economic Study ("PEA") which demonstrated exceptional potential economics for the Hot Maden Project (after-tax NPV and IRR of USD 1.37B and 153%, respectively) based on a development scenario incorporating a 1Mtpa underground mining / processing operation and the production of two saleable concentrates (a copper-gold concentrate and a gold-pyrite concentrate). This PEA was based on the updated (July 25, 2016) mineral resource estimate of 3.43 Moz gold equivalent (Indicated Category) and 0.09 Moz gold equivalent (Inferred Category) (100% basis) in the Main Zone, as well as a maiden 351,000 Moz gold equivalent (Inferred Category) (100% basis) resource in the New Southern Discovery. Elsewhere in Turkey, Mariana holds a 100% interest in the Ergama gold-copper project. On October 7, 2016, Mariana announced the signing of a binding Term Sheet to acquire an indirect 80% interest in Ivory Coast-focused private exploration company Awale Resources SARL ("Awale"). Through the transaction Mariana will gain an immediate foothold in an established exploration portfolio with known gold mineralisation and artisanal gold workings, and which comprises i) 3 granted contiguous licenses (1,191 km2) in the Bondoukou area, and ii) 4 licenses under application (1,593 km2) in both the Bondoukou and Abengourou areas. The Boundoukou concessions lie along the southwestern extension of the Birimian Bole-Nangodi greenstone belt in adjacent Ghana, host to a number of high grade orogenic gold deposits. In southern Argentina, the Company's core gold-silver projects are Las Calandrias (100%), Sierra Blanca (100%), Los Cisnes (100%), and Bozal (100%). These projects are part of a 100,000+ Ha land package in the Deseado Massif epithermal gold-silver district in mining-friendly Santa Cruz Province. In Suriname, Mariana has a direct holding of 10.2% of the Nassau Gold project. The Nassau Gold Project is a 28,000 Ha exploration concession located approximately 125 km south east of the capital Paramaribo and immediately adjacent to Newmont Mining's 4.2Moz gold Merian project. In Peru and Chile, Mariana is focusing on acquiring new opportunities which complement its current portfolio. Hot Maden Mineral Resource Estimate - Main Gold-Copper Zone (2 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Indicated Mineral Resource Domain Tonnes Au Cu Zn AuEq Au Cu AuEq t g/t % % g/t* Ounces Tonnes Ounces** Main Zone LG 463,000 1.1 1.1 0.3 2.4 17,000 5,000 36,000 Main Zone HG 4,501,000 3.9 1.9 0.2 6.3 570,000 87,000 908,000 Main Zone UHG 2,086,000 32.7 3.5 0.1 36.9 2,195,000 73,000 2,476,000 Mixed Gold-Zinc 17,000 7.5 3.1 3.6 11.2 4,000 1,000 6,000 Peripheral Lodes 60,000 2.1 0.4 0.4 2.5 4,000 5,000 Total 7,127,000 12.2 2.3 0.2 15.0 2,790,000 166,000 3,431,000 Inferred Mineral Resource Domain Tonnes Au Cu Zn AuEq Au Cu AuEq t g/t % % g/t* Ounces Tonnes Ounces** Main Zone LG 395,000 1.7 0.9 0.03 2.8 21,000 4,000 35,000 Main Zone HG 31,000 3.9 1.6 0.1 5.8 4,000 6,000 Main Zone UHG 6,000 39.1 2.1 0.01 41.6 7,000 8,000 Mixed Gold-Zinc 4,000 1.7 0.4 2.4 2.2 Peripheral Lodes 282,000 3.2 0.9 0.1 4.3 29,000 2,000 38,000 Total 718,000 2.7 0.9 0.1 3.8 62,000 7,000 88,000 Hot Maden - Southern Gold-Copper Zone (2 g/t AuEq Cut-off) Inferred Mineral Resource Domain Tonnes Au Cu Zn AuEq Au Cu AuEq t g/t % % g/t* Ounces Tonnes Ounces** South Zone LG 396,000 2.8 0.7 0.0 3.6 35,000 3,000 46,000 South Zone HG 583,000 5.3 0.7 0.0 6.1 98,000 4,000 114,000 Main Zone UHG 224,000 22.2 1.0 0.0 23.4 160,000 2,000 169,000 Mixed Gold-Zinc 44,000 9.0 1.0 3.2 10.2 13,000 15,000 Peripheral Lodes 104,000 1.9 0.3 0.0 2.2 6,000 7,000 Total 1,352,000 7.2 0.7 0.1 8.1 313,000 10,000 351,000 *Au Equivalence (AuEq) calculated using a 100 day moving average of $US1,215/ounce for Au and $US2.13/pound for Cu as of May 29, 2016. No adjustment has been made for metallurgical recovery or net smelter return as these remain uncertain at this time. Based on grades and contained metal for Au and Cu, it is assumed that both commodities have reasonable potential to be economically extractable. *-The formula used for Au equivalent grade is: AuEq g/t = Au + [(Cu % x 22.0462 x 2.13)/(1215/31.1035)] and assumes 100 % metallurgical recovery. **-Au equivalent ounces are calculated by mulitplying Mineral Resource tonnage by Au equivalent grade and converting for ounces. The formula used for Au equivalent ounces is: AuEq Oz = [Tonnage x AuEq grade (g/t)]/31.1035 Safe Harbour This press release contains certain statements which may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as at the date of this press release and include, without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, the realization, cost, timing and extent of mineral resource estimates, estimated future exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, and requirements for additional capital. The words "plans", "expects", "budget", "scheduled", "estimate", "forecasts", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "may", "will", or similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the effects of general economic conditions; the price of gold, silver and copper; misjudgements in the course of preparing forward-looking statements; risks associated with international operations; the need for additional financing; risks inherent in exploration results; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters; currency and commodity price fluctuations; title matters; environmental liability claims; unanticipated operational risks; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or in the completion of development or construction activities; political risk; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's annual financial statements for the most recently completed financial year which is available on the Company's website at www.marianaresources.com . Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, 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 forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ 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. Seventy-three-year-old Ron Gruenhagens German ancestors moved to the United States in the middle of the 19th century. They settled in Iowa, just west of the state of Illinois. They did not travel far from their new home. Much of the world they knew was Muscatine County and nearby counties in Iowa and Illinois. Many of the crops they grew were sold to people who lived in the area. But that has changed. Now, some farming operations are controlled by rules written in Washington, DC. In addition, many of the crops are sold to buyers overseas. We are very dependent on our foreign markets, notes Ron Gruenhagen. 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 trade agreements that he believes are bad deals for the United States. And he has ended U.S. involvement in the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement. The trade deal was supposed to increase trade between the United States and 10 other countries. Many Iowa farmers and business leaders worry that a trade war will begin, affecting sales to countries that have become close trading partners. But Gruenhagen believes Trumps criticisms are just part of his negotiating style. It concerns me, but it is all part of the negotiations, he says. Everything we do is negotiated -- it is all negotiated. Muscatine County has special ties to China because Chinese President Xi Jinping lived with an Iowa family in 1985. At the time, he was a provincial official and interested in learning more about American agriculture. When Xi returned to the area in 2012, many people he had met years ago came to see him. Local business leaders formed a welcoming committee. The group later became the Muscatine China Initiative, which works to strengthen business ties and investment between the county and Chinese companies. Recently, the city of Muscatine honored Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, whom President Trump has named as U.S. Ambassador to China. A traditional Chinese orchestra performed at the event. Ron Gruenhagen thinks it is good to have a Chinese leader who knows Iowa and rural America from firsthand experience. He certainly understands agriculture here. Thats half the battle in negotiations -- understanding the people on the other side of the table, he says. Gruenhagen does not believe there will be any trade war, although Trump has criticized the trade policies of China and other countries. 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, Gruenhagen says. He believes President Trump will improve the image of the United States in the world. He also hopes the Trump administration, with the support of the U.S. Congress, will reduce the number of rules that affect businesses, industry and farming. We are regulated to death, Gruenhagen says. It consumes a lot of our time just to comply with their rules. Gruenhagen says he supports the use of farming methods that protect the environment and keep soil safe. But he 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 says. Environmentalists say large agricultural companies, whose leaders do not live on farms, are often more concerned with profit than the land. Gruenhagens son and grandson help him operate the family farm. He says one day they will own the land, buildings and equipment -- currently worth about a million dollars. It is a lot of work, he says, but it is a pleasure because we are able to feed a lot of people and, yes, we feed the world. VOA Correspondent Greg Flakus reported this story from Muscatine, Iowa. 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 style n. a particular way in which something is done, created or performed firsthand adj. coming directly from actually experiencing or seeing something interdependent adj. related in such a way that each needs or depends on the other; mutually dependent regulate v. to make rules or laws that control (something) consume v. to take all of a persons attention, energy, time, etc. comply v. to do what you have been asked or ordered to do bureaucrat n. a person who is one of the people who run a government or big company and who does everything according to the rules of that government or company; a person who is part of a bureaucracy Hello and welcome to Words to the Wise. Im Pete Musto. In the studio with me is Learning English intern Olivia. Hi Olivia! Hi Pete. Can you tell everybody where and what you are studying? I am studying journalism at the University of Missouri. So, Olivia has been hard at work in her three days here! She has written a piece about an unusual map of the United States. Why is it special, Olivia? Well, Google published a map that shows all of the states in America, but it does not include their names. Instead, the state is identified with the word its population seems to have difficulty spelling. How in the world would Google find that out? Good question. Google examined the search term how to spell. The word that came up the most for each state became that states most commonly misspelled word. Ok, so I will need some examples. Of course! Lets take a word that the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines as very attractive in a physical way. It is similar to pretty. Beautiful? Yep. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L, right? Thats right. But you might find it spelled B-I-U-T-I-F-U-L or B-E-U-T-I-F-U-L in New York, California, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan! Those five states requested the spelling of beautiful from Google more than any other word. OK. I can understand the mistake. Many people say the word like that first misspelling bee-you-tee-full. And the second one was so close to correct just missing an a. Another word commonly misspelled is "pneumonia." Maine, Alabama, Michigan and Washington all have trouble with that one. Well, it is spelled p-n-e-u-m-o-n-i-a. It is hard because the p is silent. Plus, it is easy to mix up the order of n-e-u. True. I dont think you can make fun of anyone having trouble with that word. But, Olivia, there is one state that is probably getting some friendly teasing about its word. Tell uswhat was the most commonly searched for spelling in Wisconsin. Ill spell it for you: W-I-S-C-O-N-S-I-N! Wow! Poor Wisconsin. That has to be tough to live with! So, what are some of the words you think are understandably difficult to spell? Well, probably the most famous is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. It is a made up word - 34 letters long - and it is the longest word on Googles map. It comes from a song in the movie Mary Poppins. Im not sure if that one is even in most dictionaries! Another sort-of funny misspelling came from South Dakota. People there have trouble with the word college. Guess they need to go to spelling school! Very funny! Another word on Googles Americas Most Misspelled Words map is "Chihuahua." That one covers the states of South Carolina and Arizona. In Delaware and Indiana the winning word is hallelujah. And people in Arizona and Colorado most often Google the spelling for tomorrow. Google released the map during the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee. I bet none of those words were even part of the competition there. Probably not! Well, thanks a lot for the report, Olivia! You are very W-E-L-C-O-M-E, Pete. To our fans out there, we want to know what you thought of this Words to the Wise and what youd like us to talk about in the future. Im Pete Musto. And Im Olivia Liu. Olivia Liu wrote this Words to the Wise. Caty Weaver and Mario Ritter were the editors. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story attractive - adj. having a pleasing appearance pneumonia - n. a serious disease that affects the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe Chihuahua - n. type of very small dog with large ears and usually short hair hallelujah - interjection a shout or song of praise or thanks to God Brazil, South Americas largest nation, has many natural and cultural treasures that are popular among foreign visitors. The country is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. It has sandy beaches and beautiful flat-topped mountains. The dance and music of samba was developed there. And the country has many towns built by the Portuguese during colonial times. But, Brazil has a tourism problem. The Ministry of Tourism says only 6.6 million foreigners visited Brazil last year. That is about half the number that go to the small, island state of Singapore. Vinicius Lummertz is the president of Brazils tourism board, Embratur. He says, "The highest gap between potential in tourism in the world and what's been realized so far is [in] Brazil." The government is now proposing measures aimed at nearly doubling the number of foreign visitors to Brazil in the next five years. The government plan includes a law to permit 100 percent foreign ownership of airlines. The goal is to increase the number of flight routes and lower the cost of travel. The government also will permit citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia to apply for visas online, instead of at a consulate, or diplomatic office. The government hopes less costly air travel and an easier visa process will deal with some criticisms about Brazil from tourists. But some tourism professionals say the government does not yet have a clear plan to persuade people to come to Brazil. They add that Brazil is not doing a good job reaching modern global travelers who research trips and make reservations online. Government officials hope to double their investment in tourism promotion efforts. Last year, the tourism board had a $16 million budget. The agency said that was much less than the amounts spent by other South American countries. Lummertz says the government's plan will help promote Brazil to other countries. But he adds that the nation is still struggling to overcome many years of isolation. He says Brazil remains one of the most closed economies among large developing nations. Those issues also have affected tourism. For example, high import taxes make the country costly for travelers to visit. The taxes also reduce the quality of goods and services available. Brazil has other problems, too. It has one of the highest murder rates in the world. And the disease Zika which is carried by mosquitos and has been linked to birth defects is also a risk. But Brazilian business owners say these issues must be put in context. Emmanuel Rengade is a hotel owner. He says tourists are not likely to visit areas where most of the crime happens. He also points out that the number of Zika cases this year has fallen. The government recently said the Zika emergency had ended. And, they say, discussions about Brazils problems ignore the one thing tourists like best about Brazil. Surveys show that tourists love the people, who are known for being carefree and welcoming. Pauline Frommer is another tourism professional. She says that anybody who goes to Brazil comes back loving it. Im Jonathan Evans. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for VOA Learning English from AP materials. Mario Ritter was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in this Story potential n. What is capable of become real routes n. regularly traveled flights between cities reservations n. an agreement to hold a place on a vehicle, at a hotel or restaurant for future use context n. the situation in which something happens; the group of conditions that exist where and when something happens isolation n. the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others; the condition of being isolated survey n. an activity in which many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something Rights activists in Hong Kong say they are planning large public events for this Sunday, June 4. The events will mark the 28th anniversary of the Chinese militarys attack on pro-democracy activists in the Tiananmen Square area of Beijing. But the Hong Kong activists must deal with the growing political influence of Chinas Communist Party in the city. The Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China organizes a march each year on the anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre. Richard Choi is deputy chairman of the alliance. He told reporters that the groups work will remain unfinished until the government overturns the official version of what happened on June 4, 1989. Choi called on people in Hong Kong to gather to show their unhappiness with Chinas authoritarian form of government. He dismissed reports that the anniversary events have lost the support of Hong Kongs younger generation. We are still seeing a lot of young people turning out for June 4 events, whether as part of another organization or not, he told reporters. And various student groups have held their own memorial activities in various forms over the past two or three years. I think the younger generation does still care about June 4. Before Britain surrendered Hong Kong to China in 1997, Hong Kong-ers were promised they would continue to have their traditional freedoms of speech and association. The promises were part of a constitution written by British and Chinese officials. But critics say those freedoms are being weakened. And peaceful demonstrators have recently been charged with crimes. Some experts fear China is trying to suppress popular protests. Xi Jinping to visit Lee Cheuk-yan is one of the leaders of the Alliance. He said the protest this Sunday is a chance to show public anger at the government before the 20th anniversary of the Chinese takeover of Hong Kong. Nobody is happy with this regime, so they should come to the candlelight vigil as a way of showing our displeasure to President Xi Jinping, he said. Xi is likely to travel to Hong Kong for events marking the anniversary of its return to Chinese rule. Activists have accused police in Hong Kong of detaining leaders of the citys 2014 Occupy Central democracy movement so they will not be seen or heard during his visit. Nine activists, academics and lawyers -- including the three founders of the movement -- face criminal charges in a trial that is to begin June 15. Hundreds of rights activists marched in Hong Kong last Sunday to mark the 28th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. On that day in 1989, Chinese troops put an end to weeks of peaceful protests around the country. The military operation led to a nationwide campaign against the protesters. On Sunday, protesters marched to the Communist Partys office in Hong Kong. They clashed briefly with police. Local media said the number of protesters was the lowest since 2008. And few students joined the demonstration. Thousands to gather this Sunday Organizers said about 1,000 people joined the march, but police estimated that about 450 did so. Richard Choi said activists are hoping for thousands of people to gather at another event for the victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Choi told reporters that the Alliances attitude is basically that we will continue to organize this event regardless of how many people show up. He was reacting to reports that support for the event is weakening as China expands its political influence in the former British colony. At one time, hundreds of thousands of people protested. But the movement ended without a political victory. And Chinas government said the protests were being directed by what it called hidden hostile foreign forces. Im Bryan Lynn. This story was published on the Radio Free Asia. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow edited his story. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story massacre n. the violent killing of many people authoritarian adj. expecting or requiring people to obey rules or laws; not allowing personal freedom freedom of association n. an individuals right to join or leave groups voluntarily, and the right of the group to take collective action to pursue the interests of its members. regime n. a form of government candlelight vigil n. an event or a period of time when a person or group stays in a place and quietly waits, prays, etc., especially at night, holding burning candles attitude n. the way you think and feel about someone or something 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. Off a road in rural Wisconsin sits a 57-year-old American working in an open garage. He makes a small amount of money by selling metal parts from broken equipment. Until two years ago, the man worked as a dairy farmer. He had 24 cows to milk. But, like many small dairy farmers, he was unable to compete with larger farms. The man says the Affordable Care Act -- the health insurance program known as Obamacare -- hurt his business. Under the law, Americans are required to take part in the program if they do not have a health insurance policy. The former farmer says Obamacare forced him and many of his friends to spend more money than they could afford for a product they did not want. He says years of insensitive government policies have fueled anger and questions about programs designed to improve American lives. The man is like many Americans who voted for Donald Trump last year after supporting Barack Obama in earlier presidential elections. He says that people in Trempealeau County no longer trust traditional politicians. All the money goes to the cities, he says. All the people in the rural areas this time said weve had enough. The former farmer says he voted for Trump mainly because he did not like the Affordable Care Act. But he admits Obamacare has helped him. Two years ago, he was unable to work because of an infection in his leg. Doctors performed an emergency operation. Today, most of his earnings come from a government program for disabled Americans. Government estimates show that more than 200,000 formerly uninsured people in Wisconsin now have health care because of ObamaCare. Estimates also show that more than two million Americans have additional benefits. But the former farmer says almost everyone else he knows did not get sick or injured since they signed up for Obamacare. He says many of them had to pay a lot of money for the policy. He says even if he did want it, it should have been his decision and not a requirement. He says the government should not have forced him to buy the insurance. The man asked VOA not to release his name because he fears he will be spied on. He said people should not believe anyone who says they supported Trump for reasons other than their anger over the Affordable Care Act. VOA Correspondent Heather Murdock reported this story from Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story garage n. a building or part of a building in which a car, truck, etc., is kept part n. one of the pieces that are put together to form a machine insurance n. an agreement in which a person makes regular payments to a company and the company promises to pay money if the person needs health care afford v. to be able to pay for (something) benefits n. something extra (such as vacation time or health insurance) that is given by an employer to workers in addition to their regular pay Cancer immunotherapy under the microscope: In the center of the image, three killer cells (violet, smaller) attack a cancer cell (violet, larger; leukemia cells are shown here). Credit: Schliemann et al.: Cancer Immunol Res 2015, 3: 547 The use of immunotherapy to treat cancer is celebrating its first successes but there are still many knowledge gaps in the underlying mechanisms of action. In a study of mice with soft tissue tumors, ETH researchers have now shown how endogenous killer cells track down the tumors with the help of dormant viruses. The promising drug is known as F8-TNF. When injected into the bloodstream, it lures killer cells from the body's immune system towards sarcomas. The killer cells then destroy the tumors. Researchers from ETH Zurich, led by Professor Dario Neri at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, developed F8-TNF four years ago. Since then, they have been able to show that it can completely cure sarcomas in mice when combined with a chemotherapeutic agent. Such an effective treatment cannot be achieved by chemotherapy alone or with other therapeutic approaches. Now, a drug closely related to F8-TNF is being tested as part of clinical trials in humans. Consisting of two sub-units, the F8-TNF molecule works rather like a store detective: just as a detective tracks down a shoplifter and detains it until the police arrive, the molecule identifies cancer cells using its F8 sub-unit and then uses its TNF part to lure killer cells (cytotoxic T cells). TNF is an immune system messenger. Implanted into the genome Much of the molecule's mechanism of action was hitherto unclear, but the scientists in Neri's group have now succeeded in working it out. They wanted to find out how the killer cells recognize the tumor after they are lured to it. Although the messenger TNF alerts the killer cells to the tumor's presence, it does not provide them with a specific tumor identifier. The scientists discovered that the killer cells called by F8-TNF are guided by proteins from specific dormant viruses (endogenous retroviruses). The genetic blueprint of these viruses has implanted itself into the mouse genome during evolution. In many cancer cells, the viral proteins are brought to life. Fragments of these retroviral proteins on the surface of tumor cells allow the killer cells to distinguish cancer cells from healthy cells. Immune protection against cancer In addition, the scientists observed that mice where the sarcomas were cured with F8-TNF rejected tissue later transplanted from various types of tumor. "The mice appeared to have acquired a sort of immune protection against cancer. As it turned out, this protection is also due to the killer cells, which recognize the tumor cells with the help of dormant viral proteins," says Philipp Probst, a doctoral student in Neri's group. In cancer immunotherapy, the body's immune system is activated in order to combat tumors. In the past, many scientists assumed that the killer cells used modified proteins on the surface of tumor cells as an identifier and a point of attack. Tumors are a degenerate form of body tissue; they are formed as a result of certain genetic mutations in a precursor cell, which can lead to protein modifications. "In some cases, mutated proteins can indeed be the distinguishing criterion," says Neri. "In our paper, however, we confirm that killer cells can also use other distinguishing criteria, namely the presence or absence of retroviral proteins." Aid to understanding "Now we cannot only cure sarcomas in mice, but also know the mechanism behind this therapy," says Probst. In the relatively new field of cancer immunotherapy, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms in order to predict which patients will respond best to which therapy. Further research will be needed to find out whether the observations in mice also apply to humans, as the human genome is full of gene sequences from dormant viruses. In any case, the knowledge may be useful in the interpretation of clinical trials. The third and final phase clinical trials in humans for the active agent L19-TNF, which is related to F8-TNF, will soon begin in Germany; in the US, applications for such trials are currently being examined by the authorities. Cancer immunotherapy 100 years ago More than 100 years ago, New York-based doctor William Coley had already observed that some sarcoma patients recovered spontaneously. These were all patients suffering not only from cancer but also from a bacterial infection. Coley attempted to convert his observation into a therapeutic approach and began to inject sarcoma patients with a cocktail of heat-inactivated bacteria. His experiments were successful and "Coley's toxin" became the therapy of choice for sarcoma patients in the early decades of the 20th century. Although it was later displaced to some extent by radiotherapy and the emerging field of chemotherapy, "Coley's toxin" was still manufactured in Germany until 1990. In Coley's time, knowledge was not yet advanced enough to understand his cocktail's mechanism of action. From today's perspective, one must assume that the inactivated bacteria triggered an immune response and thus the formation of the messenger TNF. In turn, this messenger activated killer cells that fought the tumor. More information: Philipp Probst et al. Sarcoma eradication by doxorubicin and targeted TNF relies upon CD8+ T cell recognition of a retroviral antigen, Cancer Research (2017). Journal information: Cancer Research Philipp Probst et al. Sarcoma eradication by doxorubicin and targeted TNF relies upon CD8+ T cell recognition of a retroviral antigen,(2017). DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2946 Adult mice have metabolically active, supraclavicular brown fat depots that share similarities with those in humans. Credit: Miao-Hsueh Chen, Baylor College of Medicine When it gets cold around you, your body turns up the heat to maintain its normal temperature. The heat is produced by brown adipose tissue, or brown fat, which also plays a role in how the body uses glucose and fat. However, scientists do not completely understand how brown fat carries out its functions both in health and disease, in part because of the lack of an appropriate animal model. In a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, a team of researchers from several institutions, including Baylor College of Medicine, has filled this gap with the discovery that mice also have brown fat deposits similar to the largest depot found in people. The discovery opens the door to research that might lead to new ways of using brown fat to treat metabolic conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes in the future. "In addition to white adipose tissue, or white fat, people have brown fat, an important contributor to the body's energy balance via the generation of body heat and the participation in metabolic processes," said senior author Dr. Miao-Hsueh Chen, assistant professor of pediatrics and nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine and the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital. Brown fat contains adipocytes, cells that are rich in small fat-filled droplets and in energy-producing structures called mitochondria. Brown fat adipocytes use fat and glucose as sources of energy. In mice, brown fat activated to produce heat markedly affects the energy balance. For instance, mice housed at temperatures below their normal body temperature (20-22 degrees Celsius) would need to consume 60 percent more food to maintain their normal temperature than mice housed at 30 C. Other experiments have shown that when brown fat is dysfunctional or absent, mice decrease their energy expenditure and become obese. A mouse model of human brown fat Studies have indicated that most brown fat in mice is on the back, between the shoulder blades. In people, however, the main depots of brown fat are located above the collar bones and deep in the neck. Scientists think that what they learn by studying mouse brown fat might not be applicable to people because mouse and human brown fat are at different locations. In the search for a better mouse model, Chen and her colleagues analyzed mouse embryos and found brown fat surrounded by muscles in the neck, including a brown fat depot located above the collar bones, the same location of main human brown fat that had not been described before. "Further studies showed that adult mice also have brown fat above the collar bones," Chen said. "This is important because studies will be carried out mostly in adults. In addition, mouse brown fat in the collar bone is morphologically similar to human brown fat in the same location, produces compounds involved in the production of heat and expresses genes similar to those expressed by human brown fat." Mouse brown fat can change metabolism In collaboration with Dr. Kristin Stanford, assistant professor of physiology and cell biology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the research team carried out brown fat transplantation experiments in mice. "For several years, I've been interested in how to combat obesity and improve metabolic health," Stanford said. "A few years ago, my lab developed a transplantation model looking at the effects of increasing brown fat above the shoulder blade in mice, and we saw a dramatic improvement in metabolic health. When Dr. Chen showed me her data identifying brown fat above the collar bone in mice, I was excited to collaborate and apply our transplantation model." When the researchers increased the amount of brown fat above the collar bone by transplanting more of it into healthy mice, they saw improvement on the animals' glucose tolerance. This shows that "this brown fat depot, which is remarkably similar to the main brown fat depot in humans, can be metabolically beneficial," Stanford said. "This study highlights how important this tissue most likely is in humans." "I am most excited to bring this model to scientists in the field so they can use it to study brown fat," Chen said. "This model is the first step to improve our understanding of the role of human brown fat in metabolic processes. The model offers the possibility of carrying out studies that might result in treatments to reverse or prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity." More information: Qianxing Mo et al, Identification and characterization of a supraclavicular brown adipose tissue in mice, JCI Insight (2017). Qianxing Mo et al, Identification and characterization of a supraclavicular brown adipose tissue in mice,(2017). DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.93166 A bone densitometer will accompany the mice to the space station. It measures the bone density of the animals. Credit: University of California, Los Angeles What do space travel, rodents and a bone-building protein all have in common? A team of UCLA scientists is bringing these three elements together to test an experimental drug that could one day result in a treatment for osteoporosis, which affects more than 200 million people worldwide. The drug could also potentially help those with bone damage or loss, a condition that afflicts people with traumatic bone injury, such as injured military service members, as well as astronauts who lose bone density while in space. Led by Dr. Chia Soo and Dr. Kang Ting, who met and married while working on this project, as well as Dr. Ben Wu, the UCLA research team is scheduled to send 40 rodents to the International Space Station this week. Once there, the rodents will receive injections of the experimental drug, which is based on a bone-building protein called NELL-1. The project is being done in collaboration with NASA and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, which manages the U.S. National Laboratory on the space station. "This is really a pivotal point in the study of NELL-1's effect on bone density," said Soo, principal investigator on the study, the vice chair for research in the UCLA Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and a member of the UCLA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research. "We would not be at this point without many years of funding and support from the National Institutes of Health, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and several UCLA departments and centers. We are honored to conduct the next phase of our research in the U.S. National Laboratory." Credit: University of California, Los Angeles The UCLA researchers have been conducting studies on NELL-1 for more than 18 years and were excited when Julie Robinson, NASA's chief scientist for the International Space Station Program, visited UCLA in early 2014 and encouraged them to submit a grant that would fund their NELL-1 research in space. The team received the necessary funding from the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space in September 2014 to move forward with the project. "The preparations have been very exciting; we've had conference calls with NASA's Ames Research Center every two weeks to go over all the fine details," said Dr. Jin Hee Kwak, an assistant professor of orthodontics in the UCLA School of Dentistry and project manager on the study. "Everything is choreographed down to the tiniest details, such as whether you're going to fill a syringe half way or all the waythat small amount affects the total weight of the rocket." SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is currently targeted to blast off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida today. It will be the first time that UCLA scientists send rodents to the International Space Station. After living in microgravity and receiving NELL-1 injections for about four weeks, half of the rodents will return from space and land in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja, California. This marks the first time that American researchers will bring back live rodents from the International Space Station. After retrieval, the rodents will be returned to UCLA where they will continue to receive the NELL-1 drug for an additional four weeks. The remaining half of the rodents that stay in the space station will also receive an additional four-week dosage of the drug and will return to UCLA later. "To prepare for the space project and eventual clinical use, we chemically modified NELL-1 to stay active longer," said Wu, who is chair of the division of advanced prosthodontics in the UCLA School of Dentistry and professor in the schools of engineering and medicine. "We also engineered the NELL-1 protein with a special molecule that binds to bone, so the molecule directs NELL-1 to its correct target, similar to how a homing device directs a missile." Discovered in 1996 by Ting, NELL-1 has a powerful effect on tissue-specific stem cells that create bone-building cells called osteoblasts. When exposed to NELL-1, the stem cells create osteoblasts that are much more effective at building bone. Furthermore, NELL-1 reduces the function of osteoclasts, which are the cells that break down bone. "Our preclinical studies show that NELL-1's dual effect on both osteoblasts and osteoclasts significantly increases bone density," said Ting, chair of the section of orthodontics and the division of growth and development in the UCLA School of Dentistry. After the age of 50, humans typically lose about 0.5 percent of their bone mass each year. But in space, bone loss significantly increases due to the lack of gravity. It is commonly known that bone density is improved by physical activity that puts pressure on bone, which helps it stay strong. Without gravity's pressure, astronauts can lose around 1.5 percent of their bone mass each month. Therefore, space is an ideal testing environment for NELL-1's effect on bone density. Research on NELL-1 is supported by past or current grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center, the UCLA School of Dentistry, the UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the UCLA Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center. The experimental NELL-1 drug described above is used in preclinical tests only and has not been tested in humans or approved by the Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective for use in humans. New research suggests patients nearing the end of their lives because of a "life-limiting illness" such as cancer or heart disease may not feel medically abandoned if their doctor wants to take them off the statins that control their cholesterol. The findings are important because little is known about the best way to manage chronic medications for patients with a life-limiting condition, including data regarding patient attitudes toward "deprescribing." Deprescribing medications has the potential to improve outcomes in some cases, but patient concerns over being taken off statin drugs have not been reported. Statins are a class of drugs that work by blocking the liver enzyme responsible for cholesterol production, thus reducing the buildup of plaque on artery walls that can lead to a stroke or heart attack. The drugs are highly effective but not without side effects for some patients, the most common being muscle pain that ranges from mild to severe. Jon Furuno, an associate professor in of the Oregon State University/Oregon Health & Science University College of Pharmacy, joined collaborators from around the United States in a study that included nearly 300 patients whose average age was 72 and whose life expectancy was one to 12 months. The patients were participants in a clinical trial to determine the safety and benefit of discontinuing statin therapy. Fifty-eight percent were cancer patients, 8 percent had cardiovascular disease, and 30 percent had some other life-limiting diagnosis. The patients gave responses to a nine-item questionnaire designed to quantify potential benefits and concerns associated with discontinuing statins. "We know these patients are on a lot of medications," Furuno said. "There's a lot of concern that patients will feel like doctors are giving up on them if they start to discontinue some of their medications, that there's something comforting about continuing to take their medications, and this gives us some indication of what patients feel about the risks and benefits of deprescribing." Less than 5 percent of study participants expressed concern that deprescribing statins indicated being abandoned by their doctor, and many could see benefits of going off their statin, including spending less on medications (63 percent); the potential for being able to stop taking other meds also (34 percent); and having a better overall quality of life (25 percent). Cardiovascular patients were particularly likely to envision quality-of-life benefits arising from statin discontinuation. "Hopefully this will help inform prescribers who might be tentative to address this topic with their patients," Furuno said. "As a patient's prognosis changes and we think they have a relatively short lifespan left, it really requires risk/benefit re-examination of everything we're doing for them, medications and everything else. There may still be benefits, but have the benefits changed or has the risk/benefit ratio changed? "A lot of our work is trying to better inform the evidence base for medication use at the end of life, and patient perceptions are really important in trying to honor what the patient wants and what the family wants." Furuno notes that the primary limitation of this study is that all of the questionnaire respondents had also agreed to participate in a trial that involved possibly being chosen at random to go off statins - thus, they were all at least somewhat open to the idea of deprescribing. "So this group is likely not completely representative of all people, because they might be foreseeing some benefits to stopping that other people hadn't considered," he said. "But while we don't want to overlook that limitation, given the lack of information about patient perceptions regarding deprescribing, these data are important and useful as a stepping stone." Findings were recently published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine. More information: Jennifer Tjia et al, Perceptions of Statin Discontinuation among Patients with Life-Limiting Illness, Journal of Palliative Medicine (2017). Journal information: Journal of Palliative Medicine Jennifer Tjia et al, Perceptions of Statin Discontinuation among Patients with Life-Limiting Illness,(2017). DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2016.0489 The populist radical right is a threat to core values of medicine and public health, even within a functioning democratic system, according to a commentary published today by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. In his paper, political scientist Professor Scott Greer, who specialises in researching the politics of health policies of the European Union, attempts to explain what the rising tide of the right in Europe and the United States will mean for medicine and public health. Greer, Associate Professor of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, describes how in the UK the country's only important populist radical right party has substantially shaped the agenda of British politics, almost entirely through the adoption of UKIP positions by bigger mainstream parties. Populism, he says, sits badly with the evidence-based style of public health, citing comments made by Mike Pence, the new United States Vice President, who has endorsed 'gay conversion' therapy that purports to make patients heterosexual and has said that 'smoking doesn't kill'. Greer says: "Populist radical right parties are not naturally inclined to collective financing of healthcare services or taking regulatory public health measures." Instead, he says, the effect of 'welfare chauvinism' on health access is likely to be exclusionary, reducing benefits for migrants or others whom they consider outside the people of their populism. Since World War II, public health and medicine in many countries has developed strong commitments to both human rights and vulnerable populations. Greer warns medical and public health professionals to be very careful about working with radical right parties and governments. "Any elective affinity between authoritarianism and public health would probably undermine our commitments to human rights", he says, and urges the medical and public health community to remain focused on promoting broadly egalitarian social policy, including the defence of health programmes. More information: Medicine, public health and the populist radical right, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, doi.org/10.1177/0141076817712250 Journal information: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Medicine, public health and the populist radical right, Provided by SAGE Credit: CC0 Public Domain How can culture influence giving? Some scholars have argued that people are more likely to share with others who are similar in terms of race or sex, but the evidence for this is mixed. New research by Stanford psychologists, which appeared this week in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, suggests, however, that similar emotional expressions can motivate giving, and can do so even more than a common race or sex. Since culture drives peoples' tendency to value similar emotions in others a phenomenon dubbed "ideal affect match" the research clarifies a new way that culture can influence giving and potentially provide organizations insights into their philanthropic efforts. Cultural differences in ideal affect Previous research from Jeanne Tsai, an associate professor of psychology at Stanford, has examined the relationship between culture and emotion with a focus on European Americans and East Asians. This research suggested that while European Americans typically want to feel states of excitement (high-arousal positive states), Asians instead prefer to feel states of calmness (low-arousal positive states). Thus, people tended to like others who showed the emotional states that they themselves wished to feel "ideal affect match." That led Tsai, along with co-authors BoKyung Park, Elizabeth Blevins, and Brian Knutson to wonder whether ideal affect match could influence not only liking, but also willingness to allocate actual money to a stranger. When will a dictator give? In the first study, the researchers examined groups of European American and Korean college students. After measuring their actual affect (how people feel) and ideal affect (how they want to feel), the researchers had subjects play a series of Dictator Games a game in which one person (the "dictator") decides whether to distribute their money with other players (potential recipients). While subjects were always assigned to play the dictator, different potential recipients were depicted with computer-generated avatars that varied in terms of their emotional expression, race and sex. Afterwards, subjects rated how much they trusted each of the potential recipients they had encountered. The researchers found that while European Americans gave more to the recipients whose expressions conveyed excitement (i.e., open, toothy smiles), Korean students gave more to recipients whose expressions conveyed calm (i.e., closed smiles). Further, European Americans rated excited recipients as more trustworthy, but Koreans rated calm recipients as more trustworthy. However, common race and sex had little effect on sharing or inferred trust. "These findings suggest that emotional expression and whether or not it matches people's ideal affect may play a more powerful role in resource sharing than even race or sex," said Tsai, director of Stanford's Culture and Emotion Lab. Scanning for answers So what about ideal affect match could motivate people to share with others? Was it the way that a matching stranger made them feel or the belief that they shared values? To find out, the researchers ran a second study in which European Americans and Koreans played repeated dictator games this time, while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI). Afterwards, subjects again rated potential recipients' trustworthiness and other characteristics, including friendliness and intelligence. When subjects saw faces whose expressions matched their ideal affect, the scans revealed decreased activity in the brain's right temporo-parietal junction, which is associated with perceiving that others hold different beliefs, according to Tsai. One interpretation of this decreased activity is that subjects assumed the recipients shared their values. This interpretation aligns with the fact that subjects tended to trust and share more with recipients whose ideal affect matched their own. Tsai said that, traditionally, it has been difficult for researchers to identify which emotional expressions generate trust. This may be because they vary by culture. These findings help explain why people from different cultures might trust people with different emotional expressions. "Together, these data suggest that part of the power of ideal affect match is that it sends an implicit signal that someone else shares our beliefs and values, which in turn makes them more trustworthy, and promotes giving," Tsai said. Enhancing sharing across cultures The study challenges established research notions about in-group identity, or the cues that people use to identify themselves as belonging to a group. The findings specifically suggest that malleable cues related to mutual emotional values can overpower more static cues like sex and race. The results imply that when dealing with other cultures, people may overcome traditional categories by understanding and expressing shared emotional values. Since emotional expressions are easier to modify, the findings suggest more flexible ways of enhancing trust and sharing across cultures. More information: BoKyung Park et al. Neurocultural evidence that ideal affect match promotes giving, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (2017). Journal information: Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience BoKyung Park et al. Neurocultural evidence that ideal affect match promotes giving,(2017). DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsx047 A new PhD shows that it is impossible to defend surrogacy in India as an arrangement between equals. Credit: Philippe Put/Flickr. While western couples get their longed-for child, Indian surrogate mothers are left with a feeling of having sacrificed more than they have gained. Surrogacy can never become a win-win situation, according to anthropologist Kristin Engh Frde. "Can we really do this, can we defend it?" the desperate couple asks in their hotel room in Mumbai. They have done a lot of research before coming to India, but are still not convinced whether it is possible to find an ethically justifiable way to go through with surrogacy. "The room quivered when I interviewed them," says Kristin Engh Frde. "So much was at stake. They feared having to choose between two extremely strong desires. Between being the type of people they wanted to be the people their entire social universe presupposes that they are or having this baby that they so deeply desire." But the couple that introduces chapter four of Frde's PhD thesis on surrogacy in India is atypical for the selection of parents she has interviewed. "The last time I spoke to them they had concluded that this isn't ethically justifiable," says the anthropologist. The rest of the parents reach the opposite conclusion. Following ethical considerations, they conclude that it is a win-win situation for them and the Indian woman who will be carrying forth the baby on their behalf. They believe that they have stayed clear of dishonest actors and found ethically responsible clinics. One of Frde's findings is precisely this: When you are privileged, you also have the privilege to define the world according to your own standpoint. With support from the way in which surrogacy has been organised in India, it is perfectly possible to see the exchange as a pure win-win situation. Another of Frde's findings is, on the other hand, that it is impossible to defend surrogacy in India as an arrangement between equals. It gives highly unequal results for the involved parties. The western parents can bring a baby home with them. The Indian woman who has given birth to their baby, earn a sum of money that isn't sufficient to get her out of poverty. The women are often left with a sense of loss: they have given someone a huge gift, but aren't even close to be receiving the equivalent in return. Just have to have a child India's golden days as surrogacy destination was over in 2015, when a new legislation made surrogacy for foreigners illegal. When Frde did her fieldwork in 2012 and 2013, India was still the place to go. The clinics preferred by Scandinavians were located in the city Mumbai. Women in India's surrogacy industry have been subject to a good deal of research. The parents-to-be have received much less scholarly attention, however. Frde has spoken to thirty-two of them seven heterosexual couples, seven gay couples, two men whose partners were not available for interviews, and two single men. And they just have to have a child. "For instance, I'm talking to single fathers who have had a child on their own. It is more important for them to have a child than a partner," says Frde. "The fact that you have a good marriage or a good relation to your nieces and nephews doesn't mean that you don't feel a need for having your own children. Having your own child, who is just yours, can't be replaced by anything. Many of the people I spoke with thought that a life without a child was a poor one." Would have adopted One common objection in surrogacy debates is that it is better to adopt. However, this is practically impossible for the gay men in the material. The heterosexual couples have often tried but failed for various reasons. "The majority of the people I spoke to would have preferred adoption. It would have been cheaper, and it would have required less research, concern, and criticism." The myth that those who make use of surrogacy are so obsessed with continuing their own genes that adoption is not an alternative finds no support in Frde's study. "Many of them seem less obsessed with reproducing their own genes than most people are," says Frde. "What's important is to have a child that is just yours. This constrasts with constellations where a gay couple and a lesbian couple have a child together, or a gay couple has a child with a single woman. In such cases, there are three or more parents, but this is not what they want. It's the nuclear family they're after." Don't get to meet the surrogate Before they decide to try surrogacy, the so-called intended parents have worked their way through what most of them perceive as moral dilemmas. One couple choose not to go through with it, the rest conclude that this is justifiable. It is good for them and good for the surrogate the woman who will be giving birth to the baby on their behalf. "How can they not know that the surrogates are left with relatively little after this major undertaking, as you've also found in your own research?" "I personally spent several months trying to find out how the surrogates felt about this. It cost me a lot of effort," Frde begins. "This is one of my most important findings. Who gets to define the reality is closely connected to power. As privileged you also have the privilege to perceive the world as it appears from your own point of view as the truth. At the same time, other truths remain invisible to you." Frde has called her thesis Intimate distance. A woman will be giving birth for you, but you don't get to meet her during her pregnancy and just barely after. Intimate, yet with major distance. The way in which the clinics operated strengthened the structural distance between the white western childless couples or individuals and the non-white, poor Indian women. "Many of the parents-to-be also have an understanding that it is better for the surrogates if they don't get too close to them. They imagine that entering her sphere would be a violation of her privacy," says Frde. "This is their paradoxical project: to find out how she experiences it without talking to her." Keeping a certain distance is a prerequisite for the process to be legitimate, according to both the future parents and the clinics. "But not according to the surrogates," Frde emphasises. "I never heard any such concern from them. Rather, they perceive the distance as a disadvantage, it weakened their negotiating position." Like buying fair trade coffee But what about available research and not least news reports concerning surrogacy and exploitation of women? The parents-to-be had put a lot of work into investigations, according to Frde. "Some thought that research from the US was transferable to India. But according to Frde, the surrogates are in a much stronger position in the US. The surrogate often chooses who she wants to give birth for, and there is often frequent contact between surrogate and parents both before and after birth if this is something the surrogate wants. " One man had seen a documentary from Gujarat in India during the period when he and his husband were considering surrogacy in India. He said that he was shocked and had nightmares afterwards, thinking, "We are not that kind of people". "But then he met someone who had been to a clinic in Mumbai," says Frde. "This clinic has promoted itself as an ethical alternative specifically directed at the Scandinavian market." According to the anthropologist, the clinic has accommodated the western customers' wishes. They knew how to talk about and represent things in a way that appealed to Scandinavians. For instance, they had hired a psychologist for the surrogates. This was something that the parents liked, but according to Frde, it was neither useful for nor appreciated by the surrogates. "Benefiting from conversations with a psychologist requires a competence which is strongly connected to a western mind-set and way of living." But the western adjustment worked; the clinic had many Scandinavian customers. "Many ended up thinking that the ethical problems were related to internal Indian circumstances rather than to surrogacy itself, or to the global relations that facilitate this." Frde compares it to buying fair trade coffee. "We're looking for ways to compensate for structural inequality. We're all trying to do things on micro level to make up for what is structured on the macro level." "Some had seen or heard gross descriptions of bad conditions and unethical practice, and had reacted to that. But they strongly believed that it was possible to create ethical enclaves within a 'dirty' market. A part of their ethical project was to steer away from the bad actors and find those who sold in ethics as part of their package." When desperation becomes profit According to Frde, we can't place too much responsibility on individuals. "These parents often face a banal moralism which takes for granted that they are highly self-centred and unscrupulous people, but they are not," she claims. "They are marginalised people in a society that strongly emphasises the importance of having children." "It's a mistake to assume that those who choose surrogacy are less morally reflective or that they have less integrity than others. The problem is not the individuals' weak morals, but the dilemmas that arise when peoples' emotions and inner desperate desires become profit. When the market enters these areas of human life, moral integrity and our ability to make assessments are seriously tested," according to the researcher. "But aren't these individual acts the basis for the structures on the macro level?" "This touches upon a classic debate within the social sciences. I belong to the academic tradition that is interested in how power relations structure our choices and experiences. Our scope of action both our alternatives for action and our repertoire for thinking about the world in which we live are structured by the social relations we're born into." "I don't mean to deprive people of their free will, but I don't think transnational surrogacy exists simply because some western individuals have low morals." Moralising is no solution According to Frde, it is not only the underprivileged that lack insight into the power relations restricting their lives. The privileged also have difficulties seeing that their experiences and opportunities are shaped by structures they benefit from. "I also went on fieldwork with privileges. I can do my fieldwork because I'm an educated white western woman. It was an enormous realisation for me to understand that there is nothing I can do to disclaim my postcolonial privileged position as white. It is written in my body, it is what I am." "But you've become aware of these privileges?" "It helps. You can compensate to some extent. The parents were also aware of their privilege. But you can't disclaim privileges as an individual choice, it is impossible." According to Frde, the moralism dominating the debates on issues such as surrogacy does not bring us any step further. "I've experienced that people use their energy on moralising rather than looking for causes and solutions on the structural level. But it doesn't help to judge your overworked neighbours because they have an au pair or congratulate yourself because you don't. Again: it reduces phenomena that are founded on global and gendered inequality to questions of individuals' moral character. People's reproductive marginalisation is also a dilemma that we have to take into consideration." "Perhaps the reality is that some people can't have children, and they just have to accept that?" "It is, but who should be excluded from reproduction is a political question and no longer a 'natural' consequence of biological variation, if that has ever been the case. Society already helps people who can't have children on their own through reproductive technology and adoption. As of today, infertile heterosexual and lesbian couples are offered help, whereas homosexual male couples are excluded. This is problematic and should be discussed." Gay men major part of the market In Frde's material, just over half of the intended parents are gay men. While the heterosexual couples had been through several attempts to have a baby IVF treatment, adoption surrogacy was often the gay couples' first attempt. "To the heterosexuals, surrogacy was often regarded as a sad final stop; they had tried everything and ended up with something far different from what they had first imagined. The gay men had not tried everything and failed at each and every attempt, they did not to the same extent carry the stories of disappointment as part of their baggage," says Frde. "To them it was more like, 'Wow, we can do this, finally we can also have a child'." Gay men represented a major part of the group who left Scandinavia to go to India for surrogacy until 2015. "The number of couples who are infertile because of the woman is limited, and this is a solution for them. But there are many gay couples who want to become parents, and the fact that commercial surrogacy became a possibility for them contributed to a growing desire for children," says Frde. Surrogate, not mother The thesis is also based on in-depth interviews with twenty-seven surrogates. Six of the women were in the process of surrogacy, whereas the rest had finished between four weeks and three years ago. A major part of the women considered becoming surrogates again. Approximately half of them had also donated eggs. In western debates there have been much discussion concerning the terms we use to talk about surrogates. The Indian women didn't seem to have any strong opinions about this, according to Frde. "American surrogates often have a policy when it comes to the use of terminology, but the Indian women didn't. This may have to do with the fact that their experiences with surrogacy were less articulated. Many of them had barely spoken about their experience with anyone before I interviewed them. They had to a very little degree made use of their language in order to sort out their experiences the way western surrogates seem to have done." The researcher has deliberately chosen to use the term 'surrogate' instead of 'surrogate mother'. "I think it works, because it leaves open what kind of experience this is, and that it varies between individuals and over time. The term 'surrogate mother' connects the experience to certain connotations in our culture, and does not capture the complex and disparate experience conveyed by the Indian women." It's not that surrogacy doesn't have anything to do with motherhood, but this was about something completely different from being pregnant with and giving birth to one's own children. Additionally, many experienced that the way in which they perceived their own relation to the child changed through the various phases of the process. Desperation, class, and patriarchy A commonly used argument in favour of surrogacy is that this is a win-win situation. A childless couple gets a baby. A woman, who is often portrayed as independent and capable of making her own choices, chooses to carry and give birth to this child for a sum of money that will put an end to her poverty. "The story about an autonomous woman who chooses to use her body as she pleases and makes money on it does not go down well in the Mumbai slum," Frde emphasises. "These women's stories are about desperation produced by the class society and the Indian patriarchy. They are financially and socially marginalised, and this background is the reason why they become surrogates." The women that Frde has spoken with are not just poor; they are often poor women who have lost direction in life. Something has gone wrong a sort of social fall, often related to marriage. Their husband has died, they've gone through a divorce, or their husband is not able to provide for them. "They are forced to make money for their family and their chances for succeeding are extremely low. They have no education and very little experience on the job market. Some have a major debt to pay, such as a hospital bill." Working as a house cleaner, which was the alternative for many of the women, would only be a drop in the ocean. "Many feel that surrogacy is a chance they have to take. And it's important for them to distance themselves from the choice. It was not something they wanted; it was something they had to do." A medical baby Just like the so-called intended parents, the surrogates also have to work with ethical dilemmas. They have to make it morally acceptable for themselves to be pregnant with someone else's baby and to give the baby away after birth. "The fact that they are paid for it doesn't make it justifiable," says Frde. "On the contrary, they have to distance it from prostitution and from giving away their child." The surrogates' way of doing this is known from other research. The relation to the pregnancy and the baby must be made into something different from what it normally is. The way in which the child was conceived was central here. The child was a 'medical baby'. "The story they make about the surrogate child is that it is a baby created outside their own body, from medications, which was nourished from medications during pregnancy, and in a way belonged to the medicinal more than to themselves." And it's important for the women to emphasise that they're not doing it for the sake of the money they're doing it for the sake of their own children. "Their stories are often quite far from the neoliberal story of reproductive workers in a global market," says Frde. "They go far in making it about a gift economy. The money is not the final station; it's a means in order to do good. Being a surrogate becomes equivalent to being a good mother they do this because they are good mothers to their own children." "The women do not present themselves and probably do not think of themselves as modern, liberated women who choose to do what they please with their body, but rather as desperate, powerless mothers who are willing to sacrifice their own health and respectability for their children." And it is preferable that her surroundings don't know what she's done. There is no acceptance for surrogacy in the local community, and it has been very tough for some of those whose story has been revealed. The money doesn't change lives The win-win arguments ultimately fail, however, because the money that the women make from being surrogates approximately 30.000 to 35.000 Norwegian kroner when Frde did her field work does not suffice. At least it is not enough to permanently put an end to their poverty. "That is probably the most depressing of all my findings," says Frde. "There are many reasons why the money doesn't suffice," according to the anthropologist. "First of all, it is not a huge sum of money in the first place. If the goal is to buy a house, the money from a surrogate pregnancy is not enough to buy property in Mumbai, not even a very humble one. Additionally, many of the women have major debts to pay. Handling large sums of money and making them last are also a skills which might not be within reach for someone who can't read or write," Frde emphasises. The researcher got particularly close to one of the women whom she has chosen to call Lata in her thesis. Since Lata could speak some English, she and Frde could talk without the use of an interpreter. This led to a different type of contact than with the rest of the women. Lata spent her money on renovating her 12 m2 house. She tiled the floor, bought a fridge, installed a WC and put in a window. Through egg donation, she could later afford to put in a flush button on her WC. "She was proud of it. She said, 'my children have better lives than before.' And her marriage became better as a result," says Frde. But she didn't have money to implement her original plan, which was to invest in social mobility by sending her children to a better school where they could learn English and qualify for middle class jobs. "She could perhaps have sent one of them to such a school for one or two years instead of renovating the house. That's how little money it is." Dream about a life-long relation to the parents Frde met women who grieved the loss of the baby they had given away for a long time, but this was not the most common experience. Many described a sense of loss that had more to do with the feeling that they had given something big and received very little in return. "They had helped a child to life with their own bodies; they had given their pain, love, care, and sacrifice. It was like, 'I have made her a mother, and I am left behind with a life that hasn't changed at all.' This was the loss." In the beginning, they had entered surrogacy as if it were 'only a job'. During the process, what they gave was often redefined as a gift. "The Indian women seemed to have a different understanding of money and close relations than the western parents. The same applies to close relations and people who are socially unequal. For the western parents, and perhaps especially the Scandinavians, this was perceived as very demanding and full of dilemmas. It was uncomfortable for the parents to enter relations with a debt of gratitude, and have a relation with someone that they had an unsettled moral obligation towards," says Frde. "The surrogates often dreamt about such an undefined obligation, a little like, 'if everything goes to hell, there is someone who can save me. Like I saved them.' This would have been perceived as unmanageable for many of the parents." Lata's dream was to be able to negotiate her own contract and thus add a gift element to it. Instead of getting a one-time payment, she wanted the clients to take responsibility for her own children's education. Regulating and fighting inequalities "Given your findings, that surrogacy is not a win-win situation but is rather based on and imbued with unequal relations that are reproduced can you imagine ways to do this that would make it more equal? That would involve less exploitation and more fairness?" "I'm not sure. There would have to be an explicit ambition that the inequality should be taken into consideration, and an explicit goal to compensate for it rather than strengthen it," Frde begins. "Such efforts are not made in the global surrogacy market today. The scope of the inequality is not recognised, which is necessary for this to happen. It is global inequality that structures the world; it also applies to those who manufacture our t-shirts." "Lata's dream was to negotiate her own contract, could this not have been something?" "Yes, I think having direct contact with the people you are being a surrogate for would be beneficial. The surrogates' position should also be strengthened in all possible ways, for instance by paying for their doctor and lawyer, and an interpreter that is not paid by an intermediary. But this would also have made it less attractive for many intended parents. It would be more expensive, but the inequality - both social and cultural - would be much more importunate. The distance is probably part of what is attractive for those who choose India." The transnational surrogacy industry in India seems to be a finished chapter. But Frde is quite certain that new low-cost destinations are due to appear soon. "I find it difficult to imagine that this will be an unproblematic exchange of respective goods, when it is founded on structural inequality. At the same time, I find it difficult to decide that this shouldn't be legal. Moreover, a global prohibition is hardly realistic. It is the same dilemma as we see in the prostitution debate and the debate concerning au pairs." The surrogates, the prostitutes, the au pairs. Cheap t-shirts and fair trade coffee. "Should we just give up, then?" "I don't believe in letting the principles butt against each other so intensely that we fail to help the women who are in the middle of this. The demand must be as much regulation as possible, which compensates for the inequality in the best possible way. This is the preliminary solution." "The real solution is of course to liberate the world's women and fight to neutralise the inequality between people." 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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 [June 01, 2017] UC Davis Joins Initiative to Strengthen U.S. Science and Technology Workforce SAN JOSE, Calif., June 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Advancing Women in Technology (CAWIT) announced that the University of California, Davis, has joined the Technology Pathways Initiative (TPI), which aims to increase the number of U.S. college women graduating with computing and interdisciplinary computing degrees and pathways to digital age careers. These women are expanding and enriching the ranks of graduates with knowledge and skills to fill an estimated 1.1 million computing jobs in the U.S. by the year 2024. UC Davis will develop a new interdisciplinary major in Quantitative Biology and improve an existing interdisciplinary Cognitive Science major, making computing education more accessible to a diverse and underrepresented population of students that includes women. Belle Wei, CAWIT Board Chair: "We welcome UC Davis, renowned for its biological and neural science programs, into the alliance of universities and industry partners driving TPI forward to benefit current and future gnerations of students who will expand the frontiers of science and technology." Dr. Wei is Carolyn Guidry Chair, Engineering Education and Innovative Learning, and former Dean, College of Engineering, San Jose State University. Nina Amenta, Tim Bucher Chair and Professor of Computer Science, UC Davis: "When we make computer technology part of a degree program that includes genomics, or brain science, students see how the technology contributes right from the start, and it becomes an integral part of the learning experience. These programs will equip graduates with a broad range of skills appropriate for today's job markets." Jennifer Sinclair Curtis, Dean, UC Davis College of Engineering: "UC Davis is thrilled to be a member of the alliance of universities behind the Technology Pathways Initiative. We understand that purposeful action is required to increase the number of women in computing jobs. The interdisciplinary initiatives we undertake in partnership with CAWIT will lead to such an increase." TPI universities include San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis. TPI university pilot programs are made possible by a $3 Million commitment from TPI industry partners including Intel Corporation, KLA-Tencor Foundation, and Salesforce, which also provide mentoring and internships for participating students. cawit.org/universities cawit.org/industry-partners Founded in 2014, CAWIT is a Silicon Valley nonprofit organization providing a collaboration platform for university, industry, and government leaders to create new pathways for advancing women in technology, from campus to career. cawit.org. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uc-davis-joins-initiative-to-strengthen-us-science-and-technology-workforce-300467319.html SOURCE Center for Advancing Women in Technology [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] RBL Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI and Games2Win Partner With Fintech Start Ups MUMBAI, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 6 graduating start ups have secured pilots with the leading banks at the Startupbootcamp FinTech Mumbai Demo Day Demo Day brought together the leading BFSIs, VCs, Angel investors and the Startupbootcamp Mentor Network Startupbootcamp FinTech Mumbai, the leading global accelerator focused on innovation for the financial services industry, hosted its first Demo Day at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai. Out of the 11 start ups graduating from the Startupbootcamp FinTech Mumbai Cohort, 6 start ups have already secured pilots with leading banks and corporates such as RBL Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI and Games2Win. The 11 start ups that took to the stage showcased original technologies in financial services, with propositions ranging from SME banking, blockchain technology, digital payments, and personal finance management, among others. Upon the completion of the program, these 11 start ups will be supported by Startupbootcamp's alumni growth program as they expand their businesses and look to raise funds. With initiatives such as alumni summits, enabling one-to-one meetings with investors, and access to leading technology and industry conferences, Startupbootcamp will assist these start ups in navigating the next steps of their company's growth. The Demo Day drew in more than 400 guests, including investors from Nexus Venture Partners, Lightspeed Ventures and IDG Ventures, among others and experts from the FinTech ecosystem. By connecting FinTech companies with its partners, mentors and network of industry experts, Startupbootcamp is at the forefront of enabling collaborative innovations in the Indian FinTech ecosystem. Commenting on the conclusion of the Startupbootcamp FinTech Mumbai program, Adrian Johnson, Managing Director at Startupbootcamp FinTech Mumbai said, "FinTech is a young but rapidly growing sector in the Indian economy, led by an innovation-driven ecosystem, and we've been really impressed by propositions presented to us in the last few months. The enthusiasm, drive and focus we've seen from our inaugural cohort of start ups really demonstrates the need to address the financial need-gap of the Indian economy." The Startupbootcamp FinTech Mumbai Cohort has undergone an intense three-month program, where each team received personalised metor and partner support, workshops from leading subject matter experts, and one-to-one early stage guidance from Startupbootcamp experts. The FinTech Mumbai program is backed by leading players in the Indian finance ecosystem such as ICICI Bank, RBL Bank, Capital First, ICICI Lombard, PwC and AZB & Partners, who have helped accelerate and guide the start ups through the program. Girish Nayak, Chief Customer Service, Operations & Technology at ICICI Lombard said, "It has been a pleasure for the ICICI Lombard team to work with Startupbootcamp and its cohort. We appreciate the approach of Startupbootcamp as it has corporates involved throughout the acceleration journey of chosen start ups." The 11 game-changing FinTech companies who took the stage were: Bitgram: A customer trust 'SuperIdentity' protocol for corporates, which uses a blockchain base to ensure data integrity. They have secured pilots with ICICI bank and RBl bank. A customer trust 'SuperIdentity' protocol for corporates, which uses a blockchain base to ensure data integrity. They have secured pilots with ICICI bank and RBl bank. Canopi: A technology start up focused on disrupting the way small businesses raise working capital loans using their unpaid invoices. Canopi will soon secure their partnership with RBL bank. A technology start up focused on disrupting the way small businesses raise working capital loans using their unpaid invoices. Canopi will soon secure their partnership with RBL bank. Doboz: A retention-marketing platform which enables merchants/companies to create their own custom currency and loyalty program through gift cards, promo codes, reward points and referral programs - without having to build their own internal systems. Doboz has partnered with ICICI Bank and RBL Bank for their platform. A retention-marketing platform which enables merchants/companies to create their own custom currency and loyalty program through gift cards, promo codes, reward points and referral programs - without having to build their own internal systems. Doboz has partnered with ICICI Bank and RBL Bank for their platform. Expowealth: Re-enables retail investors to easily invest in mutual funds by offering commission-free investment advisory and fulfilment. Re-enables retail investors to easily invest in mutual funds by offering commission-free investment advisory and fulfilment. Greendeck: A 'Pricing as a Service' start up which helps businesses dynamically price their products and services to maximise end-user value. Greendeck has secured a pilot with Games2Win. A 'Pricing as a Service' start up which helps businesses dynamically price their products and services to maximise end-user value. Greendeck has secured a pilot with Games2Win. Manage My Fortune : An online wealth management marketplace for individuals to invest under the guidance of the best SEBI Investment Advisors. An online wealth management marketplace for individuals to invest under the guidance of the best SEBI Investment Advisors. mTrakr: A personal finance tool that helps people effortlessly manage, save and grow their money. mTrackr has secured a pilot with ICICI Bank. A personal finance tool that helps people effortlessly manage, save and grow their money. mTrackr has secured a pilot with ICICI Bank. Propelld: Provides quick, flexible income dependent education loans to students with limited credit history but strong earning potentials. Provides quick, flexible income dependent education loans to students with limited credit history but strong earning potentials. Quickkloan: A credit scoring analytics based marketplace for loans. It helps new-to-bank customers apply for loans by matching their profile with lending criteria of different FI's. A credit scoring analytics based marketplace for loans. It helps new-to-bank customers apply for loans by matching their profile with lending criteria of different FI's. Rupie: A self-service urban micro finance solution offering for urban, unbanked people. Rupie offers micro loans entirely on mobile phones. Rupie has secured a pilot with RBL Bank. A self-service urban micro finance solution offering for urban, unbanked people. Rupie offers micro loans entirely on mobile phones. Rupie has secured a pilot with RBL Bank. Zilra: A cross-border payment processor for freelancers. It helps Indian freelancers and small businesses receive payments from overseas clients. The 11 graduating start ups, selected from more than 300 applications across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, pitched their innovative business ideas to an audience comprising investors, bankers and finance experts, with the objective of attracting strategic partnerships and investments. About Startupbootcamp FinTech Launched in 2014, Startupbootcamp FinTech is the leading global FinTech accelerator focused on innovation for the financial services industry. Based in London, Singapore, New York, Mumbai and Mexico City, each program is supported by a network of financial services partners, as well as an extensive mentor and alumni network from more than 30 countries across the globe. Startupbootcamp FinTech is part of the global award-winning Startupbootcamp, a network of industry-focused start up accelerators. For more information, visit: http://www.startupbootcamp.org where you can find details about each program. Startupbootcamp FinTech is supported locally in India by ICICI Bank, RBL Bank, Capital First, ICICI Lombard, PwC and AZB & Partners. Facebook: Startupbootcamp - https://www.facebook.com/startupbootcamp/ Twitter: @sbcFinTech Media Contact: Tanvi Shetty Account Coordinator, The PRactice [email protected] +91-9833899795 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) continues to press U.S. Congressional appropriators to ensure continued U.S. federal funding in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 foreign aid bill for the HALO Trusts de-mining activity in the interior of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), with the aim of empowering this non-profit organization to complete its long-term project to clear the Republics villages and farmlands of mines and unexploded ordnance by 2020. Building upon nearly two decades of ANCA advocacy to clear Artsakh of landmines, we are, today, encouraged by growing grassroots support for the final phases of this life-saving initiative as reflected in the efforts of thousands of activists from around the country who, on a daily basis, share the remarkable results of HALO Trusts demining efforts with their Senators and Representatives, remarked ANCA Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian. Much has been accomplished many acres cleared, farms revitalized, and, most importantly, lives saved but much more remains to be done, which is why we are so actively working with House and Senate appropriators to ensure that the Fiscal Year 2018 foreign aid bills include the necessary provisions to help meet the 2020 deadline to declare Artsakh finally landmine free, she added. ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian recently met with HALO Trust Program Manager Ash Boddy in Stepanakert to convey the ANCAs support for the HALO Trusts goal of a landmine-free Artsakh by 2020. Since 1997, the ANCA has worked with Republican and Democratic-controlled houses of Congress to secure tens of millions of dollars in direct U.S. foreign aid for Artsakh. This bi-partisan work by the ANCA has met maternal healthcare needs, provided safe drinking water for families, and, according to HALO Trust, has, as of 2017, cleared 88% of known minefields across Artsakh. Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) then a new member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee worked with the ANCA to lead the first legislative effort to secure direct U.S. aid to Artsakh in 1997, offering an amendment to the Foreign Policy Reform Act. While the Sherman Amendment would fail by a margin of 14 yeas to 23 nays, his initiative eventually led to a successful effort, later that year within the House Appropriations Committee, to approve a Foreign Aid bill (Public Law 105-118) that allocated $12 million in Fiscal Year 1998 aid for Artsakh, with additional funds appropriated and allocated in subsequent years. [June 02, 2017] Fashion E-retailer ZAFUL Celebrates Third Birthday With Huge Sale LOS ANGELES, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ZAFUL, an Asia-based online fashion outlet, is celebrating its third birthday by holding a 12-day sales event, the Big 3, which begins on June 8. "We're offering more than just discounts," said Sara Lau, the company's marketing director. "We want to thank our loyal customers for their continued support. It's going to be our biggest sale since Black Friday." For photos: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0-lss2liHyJQjYwLWlPR2l5b3c https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0-lss2liHyJNHFGMUNOclgxQXM Discounts and other offers are applicable to any item on the ZAFUL website (www.zaful.com), including swimwear, workout apparel, fashion clothing, footwear, bags and accessories. The Big 3 sale will be accessible through the website, mobile site and ZAFUL app. The already-low prices for ZAFUL fashion wear, usually $20-50, will be slashed even further, with some items available for just 1 cent. Free shipping From June 15-17, ZAFUL will be offering free shipping on every item. Since a large portion of customers are from North America, Europe and other international sites, this can add up to big savings. Huge discounts These ZAFUL "never-before" deals will feature flash sales, bundling discounts and price markdowns when orders reach a certain amount. In addition, ZAFUL has added a coupon center to its website, enabling shoppers to obtain up to 22 percent in savings on selected items. In some cases, the coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online games, prizes and rewards Each day, ZAFUL will offer online games which enables shoppers to win prizes as well as receive coupons and points toward future purchases. Big 3 celebration ZAFUL employees will be celebrating the Big 3 with a company party. There will be special Big 3 T-shirts, celebration flags and posters commemorating this event. "Through this Big 3 sale and party we want to show our appreciation for our customers and staff," Lau said. "We want it to be just like the Black Friday sale. It's a big celebration and we're all very excited about it. "Our employees have worked extremely hard over the years, it's time to recognize it with a party. We're one big happy family." To view the party video, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQo0n-e3v4E About ZAFUL Founded in 2013, ZAFUL launched its e-commerce fashion site market on June 15, 2014. Sammydress and Rosegal are her sister sites, which focus on different target customers. With an eye for the latest product lines and styles, ZAFUL offers fashionable clothing, swimwear and accessories at discount prices, usually $20-50. ZAFUL exports products from factories in China or Philippines, selling to more than 50 countries from its fulfillment centers in the United States and Europe. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fashion-e-retailer-zaful-celebrates-third-birthday-with-huge-sale-300467754.html SOURCE ZAFUL [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] For more than 160 years, Miller Brewing has helped supply Milwaukeeans with gallons upon gallons of tasty suds and yet today, they're the ones saying thank you. Good deal! This morning, Miller Brewing and The Pabst Theater Group announced a special free surprise concert hosted at the Riverside Theater at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 9. All those in attendance will also receive a free admission ticket to Summerfest. "This is just another way of supporting and giving back to our community," said Jim Kanter, MillerCoors general manager for Wisconsin, in a press release. "From the Brewers to the Bucks, from Summerfest to the State Fair, Miller has an established and extensive history of investing in this city and its residents who have also supported us for more than 160 years." "We are thrilled to be a part of this event and help Miller Brewing thank the city of Milwaukee for their support over the last 160 years by hosting a really cool, free concert at The Riverside Theater with a band we know everyone will love," said Gary Witt, CEO of The Pabst Theater Group. "We are proud that The Riverside Theater has helped to bring Milwaukee back to life and Cheers to Milwaukee will be another great night of music and, of course, the beer that put Milwaukee on the map." The surprise concert is free, but attendees will still need a ticket for entry, available at the Girl in the Moon shop located at Miller Brewery. For more ticket locations, visit the event calendar on the Pabst/Riverside/Turner Hall Ballroom's Facebook page. And now you've got a week to start guessing who the surprise band is going to be June 9. My money's on Elton John. The annual Storm the Bastille in Downtown Milwaukee is one of my favorite nights of the year. Seemingly always blessed with ideal weather, the run marks the beginning of Bastille Days in the East Town neighborhood. I rarely miss the event and treasure the tradition that brings 5,000-plus runners around the city while honoring the memory of the 18th century attack on the Bastille prison in Paris. Milwaukees Bastille Days is, by the way, one of the largest French-themed events in America. Its an honor for OnMilwaukee to support the event and have our name and logo on this years T-shirt that youre seeing here now for the very first time. Ellingsen Brady created the design. The Associated Bank Storm the Bastille steps off at 9 p.m. on Thurs., July 13, but online registration ends June 30 so do it now. Each registered participant receives this long-sleeved commemorative Bastille Days T-shirt. Sizes are subject to availability and the East Town Association, event organizer, says that sizes are only guaranteed with registration by June 30. I love this event, and hope to see you there a votre sante! Phuket, Thailand, 31 May 2017 Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach is celebrating after it won multiple major honors at the Asia Pacific Property Awards. It was a hugely successful night for resort, which opened in June 2016. In total, the beachfront property took home five awards: Thailands Best Interior Design Hotel, Thailands Best Wedding Venue, and Asias Best Wedding Venue. These awards are testaments to the sheer quality of the resorts design, as well as the consistent high standards achieved since the property opened last year. Thailands Best Interior Design Hotel Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach underwent an extensive, multi-million dollar renovation prior to its opening, and the results are clear to see. The stunning low-rise property combines contemporary style with classical Thai elements to deliver the ultimate beach resort experience. Thailands Best Wedding Venue The spectacular and secluded beach on which the resort lies makes it the ideal venue for destination weddings. Couples can exchange their vows on the soft, silky sands, as the gentle waves of the Andaman Sea lap against the shore. Alternatively, indoor function venues are available. Asias Best Wedding Venue An increasing number of couples from across the world are choosing Phukets shores as the setting for their dream wedding. On its stunning private beach, Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach can host many different types of ceremony, including Indian, Chinese, Western and Thai weddings. The Asia Pacific Property Awards celebrate the highest levels of achievement in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. Entries were received from as far afield as Australia, China, India, Japan, Thailand, and even Turkmenistan, so for Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach to have received five awards is truly an outstanding achievement. (a) This is an illustration of the Bayesian inference with Bayes' rule. (b-f) Regularized Bayesian inference under an optimization framework. Credit: Science China Press In the Big Data era, many scientific and engineering domains are producing massive data streams, with petabyte and exabyte scales becoming increasingly common. Besides the explosive growth in volume, Big Data also has high velocity, high variety, and high uncertainty. These complex data streams require ever-increasing processing speeds, economical storage, and timely response for decision making in highly uncertain environments, and have raised various challenges to conventional data analysis. With the primary goal of building intelligent systems that automatically improve from experiences, machine learning (ML) is becoming an increasingly important field to tackle big data challenges, with an emerging field of "Big Learning," which covers theories, algorithms and systems on addressing big data problems. Bayesian methods have been widely used in machine learning and many other areas. However, skepticism often arises when we talking about Bayesian methods for Big Data. Practitioners also note that Bayesian methods are often too slow for even small-scaled problems, owing to many factors such as the non-conjugacy models with intractable integrals. Nevertheless, Bayesian methods have several advantages. First, Bayesian methods provide a principled theory for combining prior knowledge and uncertain evidence to make sophisticated inference of hidden factors and predictions. Second, Bayesian methods are conceptually simple and flexiblehierarchical Bayesian modeling offers a flexible tool for characterizing uncertainty, missing values, latent structures, and more. Moreover, regularized Bayesian inference (RegBayes) further augments the flexibility by introducing an extra dimension (i.e., a posterior regularization term) to incorporate domain knowledge or to optimize a learning objective. Finally, there exist very flexible algorithms (e.g., Markov chain Monte Carlo) to perform posterior inference. In a new overview published in the Beijing-based National Science Review, scientists at Tsinghua University, China present the latest advances in Bayesian methods for Big Data analysis. Co-authors Jun Zhu, Jianfei Chen, Wenbo Hu, and Bo Zhang cover the basic concepts of Bayesian methods, and review the latest progress on flexible Bayesian methods, efficient and scalable algorithms, and distributed system implementations. These scientists likewise outline the potential development directions of future Bayesian methods. "Bayesian methods are becoming increasingly relevant in the Big Data era to protect high capacity models against overfitting, and to allow models adaptively updating their capacity. However, the application of Bayesian methods to big data problems runs into a computational bottleneck that needs to be addressed with new (approximate) inference methods." The scientists overview the recent advances on nonparametric Bayesian methods, regularized Bayesian inference, scalable algorithms, and system implementation. The scientists also discuss on the connection with deep learning, "A natural and important question that remains under addressed is how to conjoin the flexibility of deep learning and the learning efficiency of Bayesian methods for robust learning," they write. Finally, the scientists say, "The current machine learning methods in general still require considerable human expertise in devising appropriate features, priors, models, and algorithms. Much work has to be done in order to make ML more widely used and eventually become a common part of our day to day tools in data sciences." More information: Jun Zhu et al, Big Learning with Bayesian Methods, National Science Review (2017). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwx044 One of the Daya Bay detectors. Credit: Roy Kaltschmidt, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory It is no easy thing to search for signs of intelligent life beyond our solar system. In addition to the incredible distances involved and the fact that we really only have indirect methods at our disposal, there is also the small problem of not knowing exactly what to look for. If intelligent life does exist beyond our solar system, would they even communicate as we do, using radio transmitters and similar forms of technology? Such has been the preoccupation of groups like the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute and, more recently, organizations like Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence (METI) International. A non-profit dedicated to communicating with extra-terrestrial intelligence (ETI), the organization recently suggested that looking for neutrinos and other exotic particles could help us find signals as well. First, some clarification should be made as to what SETI and METI are all about it and what sets them apart. The term METI was coined by Russian scientist Alexander Zaitsev, who sought to draw a distinction between SETI and METI. As he explained in a 2006 paper on the subject: "The science known as SETI deals with searching for messages from aliens. METI science deals with the creation of messages to aliens. Thus, SETI and METI proponents have quite different perspectives. SETI scientists are in a position to address only the local question "does Active SETI make sense?" In other words, would it be reasonable, for SETI success, to transmit with the object of attracting ETI's attention? In contrast to Active SETI, METI pursues not a local and lucrative impulse, but a more global and unselfish one to overcome the Great Silence in the universe, bringing to our extraterrestrial neighbors the long-expected annunciation 'You are not alone!'" In short, METI looks for ways in which we might be able to contact aliens instead of waiting to hear from them. However, this does not mean that organizations like METI International are without ideas on how me might better listen to our (potential) alien neighbors. After all, communication goes beyond mere messages, and also requires that a medium exist with which to convey the message. Such is the recommendation put forth by Dr. Morris Jones, a space analyst and writer who serves on the METI advisory council. In a recent article published on METI International's website, he addressed the two main challenges when it comes to looking for ETI. On the one hand, you have the need for multiple methodologies to increase the odds of finding something. But as he indicates, there's also the problem of knowing what to look for: "We are not really sure of how extraterrestrials would communicate with us. Would they use radio waves, lasers, or something more exotic? Perhaps the universe is awash in extraterrestrial signals that we cannot even receive. SETI and METI practitioners spend a lot of time wondering how a message would be encoded in terms of language and content. It's also important to consider the medium of transmission." An artists illustration of a light-sail powered by a radio beam (red) generated on the surface of a planet. Could the part of the beam that misses the sail be our mysterious fast radio bursts? Credit: M. Weiss/CfA In the past, says Jones, SETI searches were based on radio astronomy because that was the only practical means of doing so. Since then, efforts have expanded to include optical telescopes and the search for laser signals. This is due to the fact that in the past few decades, human beings have developed the technology to use laser for the sake of communications. In a 2016 SETI paper, Dr. Philip Lubin of the University of California, Santa Barbara, explained how the development of directed-energy propulsion could help us search for evidence of aliens. As one of the scientific minds behind Breakthrough Starshot a laser-driven lightsail that would be fast enough to make the trip to Alpha Centauri in just 20 years he believes it's a safe bet that ETI could be using similar technology to travel or communicate. In addition, Dr. Avi Loeb from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (also one of the minds behind Starshot) has also suggested that fast-radio bursts (FRBs) could be evidence of alien activity. FRBs have been a subject of fascination to scientists since they were first detected in 2007 (the "Lorimer Burst"), and could also be a sign of alien communications or a means of propulsion. Another means involves searching for artefacts i.e. looking for evidence of physical infrastructure in other star systems. Case in point, since 2015, astronomers have been seeking to determine what is responsible for the periodic dimming of KIC 8462852 (aka. Tabby's Star). Whereas most studies have sought to explain this in terms of natural causes, others have suggested it could be evidence of an alien megastructure. To this array of search methods, Dr. Jones offers a few other possibilities. One way is to look for neutrinos, a type of subatomic particle that is produced by the decay of radioactive elements and interacts with matter very weakly. This allows them to pass through solid matter and also makes them very difficult to detect. Neutrinos are produced in large quantities by the sun and astronomical sources, but they can also be produced artificially by nuclear reactors. These, claims Jones, could be used for the sake of communications. The only problem is that looking for them would require some specialized equipment. Currently, all means of detecting neutrinos involve expensive facilities that have to be built either underground or in extremely isolated locations to ensure that they are not subject to any kind of electromagnetic interference. These include the Super-Kamiokande facility, the world's largest neutrino detector which is located under Mt. Ikeno in Japan. There's also the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, located at the AmundsenScott South Pole Station in Antarctica and operated by the University of WisconsinMadison; and the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, located in a former mine complex near Sudbury, Ontario, and operated by SNOLAB. Another possibility is searching for evidence of communications that rely on gravitational waves. Predicted by Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, the first detection of these mysterious waves was first made in February 2016. And in the coming years and decades, it is expected that gravitational wave observatories will be established so the presence of these "ripples" in spacetime can be visualized. However, compared to neutrinos, Jones admits that this seems like a long shot. "It's hard to conceive with our current grasp of physics," he writes. "They are extremely difficult to generate at a detectable level. You would need abilities similar to those of superheroes, and be able to smash neutron stars and black holes together at will. There are probably easier ways to get a message across the stars." Beyond these, there is the even more exotic possibility of "zeta rays", which Dr. Jones is not prepared to rule out. Basically, "zeta rays" is a term used by physicists to describe physics that go beyond the Standard Model. As scientists are currently looking for evidence of new particles with the Large Hadron Collider and other particle accelerators, it stands to reason that anything they discover will be the added to the SETI and METI search manifest. But could such physics entail new forms of communication? Hard to say, but definitely worth considering. After all, the physics that power our current technology certainly existed before we did. Or as Jones put it:, "Is it possible to transmit with something better than we already have? Until we know a lot more physics, we just won't know. Humanity in the twenty-first century could be like an isolated tribe in the Amazon jungle a century ago, unaware that the air around them was filled with radio signals. SETI uses the science and technology provided to us by other disciplines. Thus, we must wait until physics itself makes some more major breakthroughs. Only then can we consider such exotic methods of searching. We think a lot about the message. But we should also think about the medium." Other projects that are dedicated to METI include Breakthrough Listen, a 10-year initiative launched by Breakthrough Initiatives to conduct the largest survey to date for extraterrestrial communications encompassing the 1,000,000 closest stars and 100 closest galaxies. Back in April of 2017, the scientists behind this project shared their analysis of the first year of Listen data. No definitive results have been announced yet, but they are just getting started! Ever since Drake proposed his famous equation, human beings have eagerly sought to find evidence of extra-terrestrial intelligence. Unfortunately, all of our efforts have been haunted by Fermi's equally-famous paradox! But of course, as space exploration goes, we've really only begun to scratch the surface of our universe. And the only way we can ever expect to find evidence of intelligent life out there is to keep looking. And with greater knowledge and increasingly sophisticated methods at our disposal, we can be sure that if intelligent life is out there somewhere, we will find it eventually. The current location of the rift on Larsen C, as of May 31, 2017. Labels highlight significant jumps. Tip positions are derived from Landsat (USGS) and Sentinel-1 InSAR (ESA) data. Background image blends BEDMAP2 Elevation (BAS) with MODIS MOA2009 Image mosaic (NSIDC). Other data from SCAR ADD and OSM. Credit: MIDAS project, A. Luckman, Swansea University The rift in the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica has grown by 17km in the last few days and is now only 13km from the ice front, indicating that calving of an iceberg is probably very close, Swansea University researchers revealed after studying the latest satellite data. The rift in Larsen C is likely to lead to one of the largest icebergs ever recorded. It is being monitored by researchers from the UK's Project Midas, led by Swansea University. Professor Adrian Luckman of Swansea University College of Science, head of Project Midas, described the latest findings: "In the largest jump since January, the rift in the Larsen C Ice Shelf has grown an additional 17 km (11 miles) between May 25 and May 31 2017. This has moved the rift tip to within 13 km (8 miles) of breaking all the way through to the ice front, producing one of the largest ever recorded icebergs. The rift tip appears also to have turned significantly towards the ice front, indicating that the time of calving is probably very close. The rift has now fully breached the zone of soft 'suture' ice originating at the Cole Peninsula and there appears to be very little to prevent the iceberg from breaking away completely." Researchers say the loss of a piece a quarter of the size of Wales will leave the whole shelf vulnerable to future break-up. The ice flow velocities of Larsen C in April/May 2017, from ESA Sentinel-1 data. Credit: A. Luckman, MIDAS, Swansea University, with Copernicus Sentinel data Larsen C is approximately 350m thick and floats on the seas at the edge of West Antarctica, holding back the flow of glaciers that feed into it. Professor Luckman added: "When it calves, the Larsen C Ice Shelf will lose more than 10% of its area to leave the ice front at its most retreated position ever recorded; this event will fundamentally change the landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula. We have previously shown that the new configuration will be less stable than it was prior to the rift, and that Larsen C may eventually follow the example of its neighbour Larsen B, which disintegrated in 2002 following a similar rift-induced calving event. The MIDAS Project will continue to monitor the development of the rift and assess its ongoing impact on the ice shelf. Further updates will be available on our blog (projectmidas.org),and on our Twitter feed" The Larsen C ice rift -- aerial view. Credit: John Sonntag/NASA The team say they have no evidence to link the growth of this rift, and the eventual calving, to climate change. However, it is widely accepted that warming ocean and atmospheric temperatures have been a factor in earlier disintegrations of ice shelves elsewhere on the Antarctic Peninsula, most notably Larsen A (1995) and Larsen B (2002). They point out that this is one of the fastest warming places on Earth, a feature which will certainly not have hindered the development of the rift in Larsen C. Researchers at Heidelberg University have gained new knowledge on the possible biological function of patellamides. In laboratory experiments, they were able to demonstrate that this natural product displays important catalytic activity in combination with copper(II). The team of scientists headed by chemist Prof. Dr Peter Comba developed a special method to determine whether this activity can also be observed in the patellamide-producing organisms. This means that stable copper(II) patellamide complexes could be confirmed in living cells which would imply that these compounds can act as catalysts. It may even point to a new type of enzyme. Patellamides were first isolated in 1981 from the ascidian Lissoclinum patella. Today, scientists know that they are not produced by the ascidian itself but by its symbiont, the blue-green algae Prochloron. In earlier laboratory experiments, the Heidelberg researchers already proved that patellamides bind two copper(II) ions to form a complex that functions, among others, as a catalyst for the absorption of carbon dioxide. Based on these findings, the researchers now want to find out, if the catalytic activity of the dinuclear copper(II)-patellamide compounds also plays a role inside the Prochloron cells that is, whether they could be a new type of enzyme. Therefore, Dr Annika Eisenschmidt explored the stability of the complexes in blue-green algae as part of her doctoral thesis. She prepared an artificial patellamide with a so-called fluorescence marker, which causes the modified patellamide to illuminate. The fluorescence is extinguished, however, as soon as the patellamide binds copper(II). Because Prochloron can only be isolated from the Great Barrier Reef and the cells are observed to merely stay alive for one week after collection, the method was first tested on a related algae. The researchers subsequently expanded their experiments in cooperation with colleagues in Australia. It was thus possible to isolate the Prochloron cells on site together with the host, the ascidian Lissioclinum patella. The artificial, fluorescing patellamides could then be introduced into the cells. The result: As previously observed in the test tube, the fluorescence extinguished when copper(II) was added to these cells. According to Peter Comba, this demonstrates that stable copper(II)-patellamide complexes are formed inside the Prochloron cells. The scientists will now attempt to identify the exact structure of these complexes in living cells. "If the compounds are dinuclear, as we observed in our laboratory experiments, then they could actually have important functions as enzymes," says the chemist. More information: Peter Comba et al. Is CuII coordinated to patellamides inside Prochloron cells?, Chemistry - A European Journal (2017). DOI: 10.1002/chem.201700895 Journal information: Chemistry A European Journal A power station on the Huangpu river near Shanghai - China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases Beijing vowed Friday to uphold the Paris climate accord after the United States withdrew from the pact, saying it was a "responsibility shouldered by China as a responsible major country". "We think the Paris accord reflects the widest agreement of the international community with regards to climate change, and parties should cherish this hard-won outcome," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. "We also hear that our actions and leading role are applauded by the international community," Hua told reporters. "We will earnestly implement our obligations." Hua spoke in Beijing as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with European Union leaders at a summit in Brussels where the two sides were expected to adopt a joint statement stressing their commitment to the Paris deal. Hua said China wants to strengthen cooperation with various parties to "push for the follow-up negotiations on the articles of the agreement and promote low-carbon green development". Despite Washington's withdrawal from the agreement, Hua said: "We also stand ready to cooperate with the international community members including the US to push forward green, low-carbon development globally." President Donald Trump caused international consternation on Thursday when he announced the United States was ditching the agreement, arguing that it was too lenient on China, India and Europe. China and the US, the world's first and second biggest polluters respectively, are together responsible for some 40 percent of the world's emissions and experts had warned it is vital for both to remain in the Paris agreement if it is to have any chance of succeeding. But China has also been investing billions in clean energy infrastructure, as its leaders battle to clear up the notorious choking pollution that envelops its biggest cities, including Beijing. Hua said the Chinese government will take "concrete action" in response to climate change. "This is a responsibility shouldered by China as a responsible major country and what China's development calls for," she said. China's official Xinhua news agency published a commentary earlier saying that Washington's withdrawal was a "global setback". "Trump's decision to ditch the Paris deal will leave a fairly big shoe for a single country to fill," Xinhua wrote. "But other major players including the European Union, China and India have reiterated their willingness to step up efforts in the face of the US change of heart over the landmark deal," it said. 2017 AFP This gif shows the 'flipbook' from which citizen scientists identified the new brown dwarf, marked with the red circle. Credit: NASA A new citizen-science tool released earlier this year to help astronomers pinpoint new worlds lurking in the outer reaches of our solar system has already led to a discovery: a brown dwarf a little more than 100 light years away from the Sun. Just six days after the launch of the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 website in February, four different users alerted the science team to the curious object, whose presence has since been confirmed via an infrared telescope. Details were recently published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. "I was so proud of our volunteers as I saw the data on this new cold world coming in," said Jackie Faherty, a senior scientist in the American Museum of Natural History's Department of Astrophysics and one of Backyard World's researchers. "It was a feel-good moment for science." The Backyard Worlds project lets anyone with a computer and an internet connection flip through images taken by NASA's Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) spacecraft. If an object is close enough to Earth, it will appear to "jump" when multiple images taken of the same spot in the sky a few years apart are compared. The goal for Backyard Worlds volunteersof which there are more than 37,000is to flag the moving objects they see in these digital flipbooks for further investigation by the science team. So far, volunteers have classified more than 4 million flipbooks. Days after the Backyard Worlds website debuted on February 15, Bob Fletcher, a science teacher in Tasmania, identified a very faint object moving across the WISE images. It was soon also flagged by three other citizen scientists from Russia, Serbia, and the United States. After some initial investigation by the research team, which originally called the object "Bob's dwarf," Faherty was awarded time on NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility in Hawaii, where she confirmed that it was a previously unknown brown dwarf just a few hundred degrees warmer than Jupiter. The authors say that sky surveys had missed this object because it's too faint. All four volunteers are co-authors on the scientific paper announcing the discovery. Brown dwarfs, sometimes called "failed stars," are spread throughout the Milky Way. They lack enough mass to sustain nuclear fusion but they are hot enough to glow in the infrared range of the light spectrum. "Brown dwarfs are strikingly similar to Jupiter so we study their atmospheres in order to look at what weather on other worlds might look like," said Jonathan Gagne, a Backyard Worlds team member from the Carnegie Institution for Science. Although the Backyard Worlds research team hopes to find the infamous Planet 9 hiding in our own solar system, these brown dwarfs are also exciting discoveries. "It's possible that there is a cold world closer than what we believe to be the closest star to the Sun," Faherty said. "Given enough time, I think our volunteers are going help to complete the map of our solar neighborhood." Experts are concerned that the US decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change could prompt other major carbon-emitting nations to follow suit In withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate pact, President Donald Trump claimed that honouring its terms would cost the country billions of dollars for a miniscule change to the global warming trajectory. Is this true? How will Washington quitting the 196-nation Paris club affect the fight against climate change? Warming The Paris Agreement's stated goal is to limit the average global temperature to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over its level prior to the Industrial Revolution, wich kicked off large-scale coal and oil burning to fuel human progress. Trump proclaimed that if nations honoured their pledges for curbing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in full, it would produce a mere 0.2 C Celsius "reduction" in global temperature by the year 2100. Not so, experts say. Scientific projections show that the Paris pledges place Earth on course for warming of 3 C, which is why they need to be significantly upgraded in the years to come. America's withdrawal from the climate club risks adding another 0.3 C, according to Deon Terblance of the World Meteorological Organization's department for atmospheric research. This early estimate was based on the assumption that no American city, region or company compensates for the federal shortfall in emissions cuts, which is unlikely as many have challenged the wisdom of Trump's decision and pledged to stay the clean energy course. Countries will meet next year to review the overall impact of their efforts to limit global temperature rises to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels Countries will meet next year for the first time since the pact was signed to review the overall impact of their efforts on the 2 C target. The first loose deadline for updating emissions pledges is 2020, and every five years thereafter. Money Trump claimed the Green Climate Fund (GCF) would "likely obligate the United States to commit potentially tens of billions of dollars". The fund was set up to help developing countries and those at high risk of global warming-induced disasters to move away from fossil fuel and shore up their defences against climate impacts. In reality, observers point out, the US under Barack Obama had committed $3 billion to the fund, now $10 billion strong, and paid one billion. Trump will withhold the other two billion. The GCF is only one avenue of international climate funding, a contentious issue on which poor countries had sought assurances before they signed up to the Paris Agreement. "The question of finance will be very difficult to solve," said Laurent Fabius, who presided over the UN conference that adopted the pact. "The money will have to be found elsewhere." The United States further contributed about a quarter of the budget of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under whose auspices the Paris Agreement was negotiated. The US contribution was about $4 million last year, a quarter of the total, which will now fall away. But on Friday, the charitable foundation Bloomberg Philanthropies pledged to contribute $15 million to the UNFCCC secretariat. America's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change could add 0.3 degrees Celsius to global temperatures by the end of the century "Americans are not walking away from the Paris Climate Agreement," said Mike Bloomberg, the UN secretary general's special envoy for cities and climate change. "Americans will honour and fulfil the Paris Agreement by leading from the bottom up - and there isn't anything Washington can do to stop us." Domino effect? Some fear a US withdrawal may spur other recalcitrant carbon polluters to follow suit, or at least dampen enthusiasm for updating emissions-cutting pledges. Scientists say that to meet the 2 C target, humanity must leave a third of all oil reserves, half of gas reserves and over 80 percent of coal reserves in the ground. The UN's climate science panel recommends a 40-70-percent emissions cut by 2050 from 2010 levels, whereas the Paris Agreement itself commits signatories to peaking emissions "as soon as possible". "In the short term the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will certainly have ripple effects globally," said Bill Hare, chief executive of the Climate Analytics think tank. "But rather than fatally undermine the Paris Agreement, it will likely cause other countries to reaffirm their firm commitment to the full implementation of the climate deal." This is the hope, at least. Europe, China and India have already recommitted to the deal, though Russia's Vladimir Putin said Friday he would not "judge" Trump for his decision. 2017 AFP One example of the sorts of 3-D crystalline structures included in a relaunch of Crystal Lattice Structures, a venerable online 'cookbook' for chemists. Credit: Cormac Toher, Duke University In response to popular demand, materials scientists at Duke University have resurrected an online cookbook of crystalline structures that started when the World Wide Web was Netscape Navigator and HTML 1.0. In 1995, Michael Mehl, then a scientist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, began collecting, cataloguing and sharing information about crystalline structures on a basic website for colleagues. Researchers needed a reference catalogue to guide their efforts because crystals form hundreds of different structures in nature. Chemists use crystals as handy building blocks for new materials because of their rigid, ordered molecular shapes, which help determine a material's properties. Mehl's website, called Crystal Lattice Structures, provided detailed information that, while available from other sources, was more useful to researchers unfamiliar with crystallographic conventions. If crystalline databases were cookbooks and each crystal structure a recipe, researchers had written other references suitable for accomplished French chefs with specialized training. Crystal Lattice Structures, on the other hand, was for your average home cook. "The library showed how crystallography relates to crystals in the real world," explained Mehl, now at the United States Naval Academy. "It also gave a broad overview of structures seen experimentally, which is always a good place to start looking for something new." Mehl took the website down in 2010, however, due in part to security upgrades made at NRL, and because the website's haphazard growth over 15 years had left its organization unnecessarily complicated and its entries un-standardized. "There were a lot of people in the community asking where the database had gone and whether or not it could be brought back," said Stefano Curtarolo, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at Duke. "We decided to put all the information together into a paper and also bring back the website in a more robust and open-source version." With Mehl's help, Curtarolo and his team have resurrected Crystal Lattice Structures, launching a new and improved online catalogue and publishing a paper containing all of its data (the first of a longer collection). The paper appeared online on May 22 in Computational Materials Science. The paper, which took more than a year to compile, contains 288 entries for various crystalline structures. Each entry contains data on the symmetry of the structure, its crystalline properties and the shape of a unit cell. It also contains generic mathematic equations describing each atom's placement, rather than providing that information in a specialized form as other databases typically do. "Having the equations for the atomic placements written out gives more flexibility to include slight variations and to specifically tune each structure," said Cormac Toher, assistant research professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at Duke. "We're also going to have a 3D viewer of the structures at the top of each entry so that people can see the structures at different angles." Making the new website even more robust, each entry is directly linked to the Duke Center for Materials Genomics AFLOW libraryan online database of two- and three-element compounds that lets users predict the properties of yet-to-be-discovered materials. With the incorporation of the new database, users can simply choose which elemental atoms to place at which positions in any of the 288 crystalline structures, and the program will compute the resulting material's likely properties. "We had to decide what format to present the information in, get all of the data, and 800 pages later, make sure there weren't any errors," said David Hicks, a graduate student in Curtarolo's laboratory. "And then implementing everything within AFLOW took another 288 files of C++ coding. It was a lot of work, but we think it will be a very useful resource for the community." More information: Michael J. Mehl et al, The AFLOW Library of Crystallographic Prototypes: Part 1, Computational Materials Science (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.commatsci.2017.01.017 Experimental configuration of laser chaos-based reinforcement learning. Credit: Naruse et al. (Phys.org)Decision-making is typically thought of as something done by intelligent living things and, in modern times, computers. But over the past several years, researchers have demonstrated that physical objects such as a metal bar [video], liquids [paper], and lasers can also "make decisions" by responding to feedback from their environments. And they have shown that, in some cases, physical objects can potentially make decisions faster and more accurately than what both humans and computers are capable of. In a new study, a team of researchers from Japan has demonstrated that the ultrafast, chaotic oscillatory dynamics in lasers makes these devices capable of decision making and reinforcement learning, which is one of the major components of machine learning. To the best of the researchers' knowledge, this is the first demonstration of ultrafast photonic decision making or reinforcement learning, and it opens the doors to future research on "photonic intelligence." "In our demonstration, we utilize the computational power inherent in physical phenomena," coauthor Makoto Naruse at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Tokyo told Phys.org. "The computational power of physical phenomena is based on 'infinite degrees of freedom,' and its resulting 'nonlocality of interactions' and 'fluctuations.' It contains completely new computational principles. Such systems provide huge potential for our future intelligence-oriented society. We call such systems 'natural Intelligence' in contrast to artificial intelligence." In experiments, the researchers demonstrated that the optimal rate at which laser chaos can make decisions is 1 decision per 50 picoseconds (or about 20 decisions per nanosecond)a speed that is unachievable by other mechanisms. With this fast speed, decision making based on laser chaos has potential applications in areas such as high-frequency trading, data center infrastructure management, and other high-end uses. The researchers demonstrated the laser's ability by having it solve the multi-armed bandit problem, which is a fundamental task in reinforcement learning. In this problem, the decision-maker plays various slot machines with different winning probabilities, and must find the slot machine with the highest winning probability in order to maximize its total reward. In this game, there is a tradeoff between spending time exploring different slot machines and making a quick decision: exploring may waste time, but if a decision is made too quickly, the best machine may be overlooked. A key to the laser's ability is combining laser chaos with a decision-making strategy known as "tug of war," so-called because the decision-maker is constantly being "pulled" toward one slot machine or another, depending on the feedback it receives from its previous play. In order to realize this strategy in a laser, the researchers combined the laser with a threshold adjustor whose value shifts so as to play the slot machine with the higher reward probability. As the researchers explain, the laser produces a different output value depending on the threshold value. "Let us call one of the slot machines 'machine 0' and the other 'machine 1'," said coauthor Songju Kim, at the National Institute for Materials Science in Tsukuba, Japan. "The output of the laser-based decision maker is '0' or '1.' If the signal level of the chaotic oscillatory dynamics is higher than the threshold value (which is dynamically configured), then the output is '0,' and this directly means that the decision is to choose 'machine 0.' If the signal level of the chaotic oscillatory dynamics is lower than the threshold value (which is dynamically configured), then the output is '1,' and this directly means that the decision is to choose 'machine 1.'" The researchers expect that this system can be scaled up, extended to higher-grade machine learning problems, and lead to new applications of laser chaos in the field of artificial intelligence. More information: Makoto Naruse, Yuta Terashima, Atsushi Uchida, and Song-Ju Kim. "Ultrafast photonic reinforcement learning based on laser chaos." To be published. arXiv:1704.04379 [physics.optics] Abstract Reinforcement learning involves decision making in dynamic and uncertain environments, and constitutes one important element of artificial intelligence (AI). In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate that the ultrafast chaotic oscillatory dynamics of lasers efficiently solve the multi-armed bandit problem (MAB), which requires decision making concerning a class of difficult trade-offs called the exploration-exploitation dilemma. To solve the MAB, a certain degree of randomness is required for exploration purposes. However, pseudo-random numbers generated using conventional electronic circuitry encounter severe limitations in terms of their data rate and the quality of randomness due to their algorithmic foundations. We generate laser chaos signals using a semiconductor laser sampled at a maximum rate of 100 GSample/s, and combine it with a simple decision-making principle called tug-of-war with a variable threshold, to ensure ultrafast, adaptive and accurate decision making at a maximum adaptation speed of 1 GHz. We found that decision-making performance was maximized with an optimal sampling interval, and we highlight the exact coincidence between the negative autocorrelation inherent in laser chaos and decision-making performance. This study paves the way for a new realm of ultrafast photonics in the age of AI, where the ultrahigh bandwidth of photons can provide new value. 2017 Phys.org No swimming says the sign. This should not be a problem given that this lake in the Turfan Basin of far western China has dried up completely within the past decade as the planet has warmed and precipitation has shifted away from this region. Credit: Aaron E. Putnam. (Phys.org)A pair of researchers with the University of Maine and Columbia University has conducted a study of the past to make predictions about rainfall patterns in coming years. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, Aaron Putnam and Wallace Broecker outline their study and offer three ways they believe planetary warming might influence the global distribution of rainfall. As the planet heats up due to greenhouse gas emissions, it is logical to assume that there will be more rainfallwarmer air holds more moisture. But where will that moisture fall, and will some areas actually see less? That is what planetary scientists are trying to figure out. In this new effort, the research pair studied a period during which the planet was warming after a cool spell to learn more about future rainfall distribution. One of the big factors impacting rainfall distribution, the pair note, is the fact that the Northern Hemisphere has a lot more land mass than the Southern Hemispheremore land mass means more heat, which means the Northern Hemisphere will almost certainly see more of rainfall than the Southern Hemisphere. To learn more about how it may all play out, the researchers looked at paleoclimate data from various parts of the planet, such as closed lake basins, stalagmites and ice core samples. They also looked at materials that have been carbon dated to assemble a picture of how and where rainfall patterns changed during a time of similar warming approximately 14,600 years ago. That led them to conclude that three scenarios are likely. The first is that tropical rainfall will increase while subtropical areas will get less rain. The second is that it is likely that the planet's rain belts and dry zones will shift north. The third is that it is possible that the first two scenarios will occur at the same time. This all means that tropical areas will get more rain, while the fringes and middle latitudes will likely see less rain. That might mean stronger summer monsoons, they note, and dry places like the western United States and Mongolia getting even drier. Shoreline of Mono Lake, California in 2013. Ancient shorelines etched into the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada indicate that this lake stood at a much higher level at times when the climate was cooler. Climate-driven reorganizations of the worlds water system during ancient periods of warming starved this lake of moisture, causing the shoreline to drop. Now we are witnessing a similar phenomenon. Today, as the increase in fossil CO2 warms the Northern Hemisphere faster than the Southern Hemisphere, the moisture that normally feeds the Sierra Nevada is being routed farther to the north. As a consequence, the level of Mono Lake has dropped. Credit: Aaron E. Putnam. More information: Human-induced changes in the distribution of rainfall, Science Advances 31 May 2017: Vol. 3, no. 5, e1600871, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1600871 Abstract A likely consequence of global warming will be the redistribution of Earth's rain belts, affecting water availability for many of Earth's inhabitants. We consider three ways in which planetary warming might influence the global distribution of precipitation. The first possibility is that rainfall in the tropics will increase and that the subtropics and mid-latitudes will become more arid. A second possibility is that Earth's thermal equator, around which the planet's rain belts and dry zones are organized, will migrate northward. This northward shift will be a consequence of the Northern Hemisphere, with its large continental area, warming faster than the Southern Hemisphere, with its large oceanic area. A third possibility is that both of these scenarios will play out simultaneously. We review paleoclimate evidence suggesting that (i) the middle latitudes were wetter during the last glacial maximum, (ii) a northward shift of the thermal equator attended the abrupt Blling-Allerd climatic transition ~14.6 thousand years ago, and (iii) a southward shift occurred during the more recent Little Ice Age. We also inspect trends in seasonal surface heating between the hemispheres over the past several decades. From these clues, we predict that there will be a seasonally dependent response in rainfall patterns to global warming. During boreal summer, in which the rate of recent warming has been relatively uniform between the hemispheres, wet areas will get wetter and dry regions will become drier. During boreal winter, rain belts and drylands will expand northward in response to differential heating between the hemispheres. Journal information: Science Advances 2017 Phys.org Credit: CC0 Public Domain Travelers wishing to visit the United States can now be asked for their social media handles and email addresses going back five years, a new U.S. government request that's alarmed privacy advocates but which the Trump Administration says could help weed out travelers who intend harm. Citizens of most countries must apply for visas to travel to the United States, which are granted by the State Department. This generally involves a visit to a local U.S. embassy or consulate and an in-person interview with a consular official. The supplemental questionnaire will only be given to "a fraction of 1% of the 13 or so million people who apply for a visa to visit the United States each year and is meant for applications for which consular officials feel more information is necessary," said Will Cox, a spokesman for the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs. About 85% of those apply for visas are granted them, he said. Applicants are not being asked for the passwords to these accounts and consular officers will not be going into social media and friending people, Cox said. The questionnaire also asked about employment history, siblings, children and spouses, "current or previous" and "living or deceased." The State Department asked for the right to collect the information under an emergency request on May 3 which was granted on May 23 by the Office of Budget and Management. It was implemented with no fanfare on May 23 and it wasn't until Thursday, when Reuters first reported on it, that the existence of the new form became widely known. Visa applicants might have faced requests for their social media handles in the past, but the practice is now explicit, a change that follows a series of restrictions to travelers entering the U.S. by the Trump Administration, some of which have been overturned in court. This latest request is far milder than other attempted changes, such as ban on travelers from predominantly Muslim countries. But immigration and privacy attorneys say they worry consular officials will make a rush to judgementwhile missing those who intend harm. "We see this as part of a larger pattern of the federal government scrutinizing the social media of presumably blameless foreigners," said Adam Schwartz, a staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital civil rights group. Visitors to the United States haven't previously been put on notice that whatever they have said on social media over the past five or more years is going to potentially be used against them. "They weren't thinking about what might look suspicious to a consular official," said Schwartz. "A lot of people have opinions on what's been going on in this country, but it doesn't mean they hate America. If someone said 'America sucks' online two years ago, does that mean they can't get a visa to come here?" said Reaz Jafri, head of the global immigration practice at the law firm of Withers Worldwide in New York. He is concerned that those who are truly planning to harm the United States "aren't going to give you the email where they're plotting." The State Department says it will continue to follow U.S. laws on when it can refuse entry to a visitor. Visas can be denied for cases of fraud, past criminal record, links to terrorist groups, previous immigration violations, communicable disease and drug abuse. "Personal political belief is not a basis for refusal, even if it's a belief that we don't agree with," Cox said. Pressure on social networks Authorities and companies have come under increasing pressure to detect potential terrorist leanings that might have been spotted by watching the social media accounts of people involved. After a terrorist drove a truck into a crowd near the British Parliament in March, killing three people, lawmakers there vowed to meet with Google, Facebook and Twitter, which they said had done too little to combat terrorists who used their digital networks for propaganda and communication. In May, relatives of the victims of the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack sued the tech companies for not doing enough to stem the tide of terrorist propaganda online that helped radicalize Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik. But the State Department has always had this ability, said Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law at Cornell Law School. "U.S. government agencies already are reviewing people's social media accounts. This new form isn't going to add much to that existing effort," he said. Yale-Loehr believes the new form will be used as a way to further delay and deny visas. Data posted last month by the State Department showed that travel visas to people from more than 40 Muslim-majority countries were down close to 20% compared with the monthly average for 2016, a Politico analysis found. "In essence, this new form is the 'lite' version of the administration's travel ban, and much harder to fight," Yale-Loehr said in an email. 2017 USA Today Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Lyft's first diversity report, published Thursday, came with few surprises: The ride-hailing company's workforce - excluding its drivers, who are independent contractors and whose data was not tallied - is predominantly white and male. And like many technology companies in Silicon Valley that have released data on the gender and ethnic makeup of their employees, the San Francisco firm pledged to do more to attract and retain workers from underrepresented groups. "We can recruit as many underrepresented identities as we want, but the point is that once we get them here, we have to build a community in which they have the ability to have a say, in which they want to stay, and they feel welcome and safe," Tariq Meyers, Lyft's head of inclusion and diversity, told the Los Angeles Times. "We don't want to just report the numbers, because reporting the numbers sees people as metrics instead of seeing people as people." To that end, the company detailed a four-pronged approach to attract and retain employees. The plan includes building relationships with universities and organizations that support people from underrepresented groups; training managers and recruiters to combat unconscious bias; doing blind grading on coding tests so that a candidate's gender and ethnicity are hidden from hiring managers; and ensuring that employee resource groups - grass-roots communities within the company where parents, women, veterans, those who identify as LGBTQ and people of different ethnicity can connect - are supported. The groups "are at the table with our executives crafting policies such as our gender inclusion and affirmation policy," Meyers said. "It's about creating moments of visibility." While Lyft's diversity numbers are in line with the rest of the technology industry's, the company fared a bit better than its peers when it came to the overall number of women in its workforce. Of Lyft's roughly 1,600 employees, 42 percent are women. In comparison, Uber, which operates globally and has a workforce of about 12,000, reported that 36.1 percent of its workers, also excluding drivers, are women. Lyft's leadership is 36 percent female, compared to Uber's 22 percent. And its technical workforce is 18 percent women, compared to Uber's 15.4 percent. Lyft didn't perform as well when it came to the ethnic diversity of its workforce, though. The company reported that 63 percent of its workforce is white, 19 percent Asian, 7 percent Latino, 6 percent black and 1 percent Native American. Uber didn't release ethnicity data for its global workforce, but offered data on its 5,900 U.S. employees, of whom 49.8 percent are white, 30.9 percent Asian, 8.8 percent black, 5.6 percent Latino and less than 1 percent Native American. Lyft and Uber didn't release data on their drivers because they don't consider them to be employees of the companies. Lyft still has a lot of work to do around gender and racial diversity in its workforce, said Carissa Romero, a partner at diversity and inclusion consulting firm Paradigm, which is working with the company. And because Lyft is growing so fast, it faces head winds because diversity efforts are typically the first to fall by the wayside when a company is focused on quickly staffing up. But being a smaller company compared to Uber or Facebook could work to Lyft's advantage, Romero said, because it means that the company is probably less rigid in its culture, there are more opportunities for change and it will take fewer hires to move the diversity needle. Still, Lyft faces challenges common among other technology companies. "The environment Silicon Valley and the tech industry has created is one where people aren't sure if they can belong," Meyers said. "I was an outsider, a young black man, single mom, working-class family, not from a top 14 school, and I had talent power, I had the choice to decide where I wanted to go, and I chose this community. But I needed to trust where I was going." Part of Lyft's challenge, he said, is to build trust with the communities from which it wants to hire so that when people from those communities graduate from college, they'll choose Lyft. Many Silicon Valley technology companies started publishing their diversity data in 2013 after facing pressure from employees to offer more transparency into workplace demographics. Companies such as Apple, Google, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest have made it an annual practice to share updated statistics and lay out roadmaps to improve diversity across the industry, although progress has been slow. Both Uber and Lyft reported their workplace stats for the first time this year. 2017 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A team of Princeton researchers has developed a method to detect and defend against attacks on the Tor system, which provides anonymity to internet users. Team members include, from left, Prateek Mittal, an assistant professor of electrical engineering; Anne Edmundson, a graduate student in computer science; Mung Chiang, the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical Engineering; Nick Feamster, a professor of computer science and deputy director of the Center for Information Technology Policy; and Yixin Sun, a graduate student in computer science. Credit: Sameer A. Khan/Fotobuddy When Congress voted in March to reverse rules intended to protect Internet users' privacy, many people began looking for ways to keep their online activity private. One of the most popular and effective is Tor, a software system millions of people use to protect their anonymity online. But even Tor has weaknesses, and in a new paper, researchers at Princeton University recommend steps to combat certain types of Tor's vulnerabilities. Tor was designed in the early 2000s to make it more difficult to trace what people are doing online by routing their traffic through a series of "proxy" servers before it reaches its final destination. This makes it difficult to track Tor users because their connections to a particular server first pass through intermediate Tor servers called relays. But while Tor can be a powerful tool to help protect users' privacy and anonymity online, it is not perfect. In earlier work, a research group led by Prateek Mittal, an assistant professor of electrical engineering, identified different ways that the Tor network can be compromised, as well as ways to make Tor more resilient to those types of attacks. Many of their latest findings on how to mitigate Tor vulnerabilities are detailed in a paper titled "Counter-RAPTOR: Safeguarding Tor Against Active Routing Attacks," presented at the IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy in San Jose, California, in May. The paper is written by Mittal, Ph.D. students Yixin Sun and Anne Edmundson, and Nick Feamster, professor of computer science, and Mung Chiang, the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical Engineering. Support for the project was provided in part by the National Science Foundation, the Open Technology Fund and the U.S. Defense Department. The research builds on earlier work done by some of the authors identifying a method of attacking Tor called "RAPTOR" (short for Routing Attacks on Privacy in TOR). In that work, Mittal and his collaborators demonstrated methods under which adversaries could use attacks at the network level to identify Tor users. "As the internet gets bigger and more dynamic, more organizations have the ability to observe users' traffic, said Sun, a graduate student in computer science. "We wanted to understand possible ways that these organizations could identify users and to provide Tor with ways to defend itself against these attacks as a way to help preserve online privacy." Mittal said the vulnerability emerges from the fact that there are big companies that control large parts of the internet and forward traffic through their systems. "The idea was, if there's a network like AT&T or Verizon that can see user traffic coming into and coming out of the Tor network, then they can do statistical analysis on whose traffic it is," Mittal explained. "We started to think about the potential threats that were posed by these entities and the new attacksthe RAPTOR attacksthat these entities could use to gain visibility into Tor." Even though a Tor user's traffic is routed through proxy servers, every user's traffic patterns are distinctive, in terms of the size and sequence of data packets they're sending online. So if an internet service provider sees similar-looking traffic streams enter the Tor network and leaving the Tor network after being routed through proxy servers, the provider may be able to piece together the user's identity. And internet service providers are often able to manipulate how traffic on the internet is routed, so they can observe particular streams of traffic, making Tor more vulnerable to this kind of attack. These types of attacks are important because there is a lot of interest in being able to break the anonymity Tor provides. "There is a slide from an NSA (the U.S. National Security Agency) presentation that Edward Snowden leaked that outlines their attempts at breaking the privacy of the Tor network," Mittal pointed out. "The NSA wasn't successful, but it shows that they tried. And that was the starting point for this project because when we looked at those documents we thought, with these types of capabilities, surely they can do better." In their latest paper, the researchers recommend steps that Tor can take to better protect its users from RAPTOR-type attacks. First, they provide a way to measure internet service providers' susceptibility to these attacks. (This depends on the structure of the providers' networks.) The researchers then use those measurements to develop an algorithm that selects how a Tor user's traffic will be routed through proxy servers depending on the servers' vulnerability to attack. Currently, Tor proxy servers are randomly selected, though some attention is given to making sure that no servers are overloaded with traffic. In their paper, the researchers propose a way to select Tor proxy servers that takes into consideration vulnerability to outside attack. When the researchers implemented this algorithm, they found that it reduced the risk of a successful network-level attack by 36 percent. The researchers also built a network-monitoring system to check network traffic to uncover manipulation that could indicate attacks on Tor. When they simulated such attacks themselves, the researchers found that their system was able to identify the attacks with very low false positive rates. Roger Dingledine, president and research director of the Tor Project, expressed interest in implementing the network monitoring approach for Tor. "We could use that right now," he said, adding that implementing the proposed changes to how proxy servers are selected might be more complicated. "Research along these lines is extremely valuable for making sure Tor can keep real users safe," Dingledine said. "Our best chance at keeping Tor safe is for researchers and developers all around the world to team up and all work in the open to build on each other's progress." Mittal and his collaborators also hope that their findings about potential vulnerabilities will ultimately serve to strengthen Tor's security. "Tor is amongst the best tools for anonymous communications," Mittal said. "Making Tor more robust directly serves to strengthen individual liberty and freedom of expression in online communications." More information: Counter-RAPTOR: Safeguarding Tor Against Active Routing Attacks: www.princeton.edu/~pmittal/pub /counter-raptor-sp17 Young migrant fishers pulling and cleaning nets on fishing boats in Thailand. Credit: Nathan Bennett/University of Washington As the United Nations Oceans Conference convenes in New York, a new paper calls on marine scientists to focus on social issues such as human rights violations in the seafood industry. Authored by a team from Conservation International, the University of Washington and other organizations, the paper is the first integrated approach to meeting this global challenge and will be presented as part of the UN Oceans Conference and the Seafood Summit, which both take place June 5-9 in New York and Seattle, respectively. The article, published June 1 in Science, is in direct response to investigative reports by the Associated Press, the Guardian, The New York Times and other media outlets that uncovered glaring human rights violations on fishing vessels. The investigations tracked the widespread use of slave labor in Southeast Asia and its role in bringing seafood to American restaurants and supermarkets, chronicling the plight of fishermen tricked and trapped into working 22-hour days, often without pay and while enduring abuse. Subsequent investigations have documented the global extent of these abuses in a wide array of countries. "The scientific community has not kept pace with concerns for social issues in the seafood sector," said lead author Jack Kittinger, Conservation International's senior director for global fisheries and aquaculture. "The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that governments, businesses, and nonprofits are working together to improve human rights, equality and food and livelihood security. This is a holistic and comprehensive approach that establishes a global standard to address these social challenges." A fishing boat heading out to sea on the Andaman coast of Thailand. Credit: Nathan Bennett/University of Washington The paper identifies three key principles that together establish a global standard for social responsibility in the seafood sector: protecting human rights, dignity and respecting access to resources; ensuring equality and equitable opportunities to benefit; and improving food and livelihood security. "This paper stresses that if we are serious about social responsibility in our food systems, we need to go beyond dealing with the 'worst-case' headlines of 'slavery at sea,'" said co-author Edward Allison, a UW professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. "We argue that committing to sustainable seafood sourcing and supply is also about ensuring people who work in the food business ? whether as harvesters or processors and packers ? have decent work. It is also about ensuring communities who rely on the sea economically and culturally, particularly coastal indigenous communities, don't have their harvest rights appropriated by powerful outside interests." More than half of the world's fisheries sector workforce is female, and there are still widespread gender-based disparities in income and working conditions, Allison added. Seafood is the world's most internationally traded food commodity. By 2030, the oceans will need to supply more than 150 million metric tons of seafood to meet the demands of a growing population. The paper calls on governments, businesses and the scientific community to take measurable steps to ensure seafood is sourced without harm to the environment and people that work in the seafood industry. "In some places, commercial fishing boats from other parts of the world are virtually robbing local small-scale fishers of the fish that they rely on to make a living and survive. Fisheries are not truly sustainable unless local people are able to benefit from the harvesting of resources," said co-author Nathan Bennett, a postdoctoral researcher at the UW. In the new quantum test of the Einstein equivalence principle, free fall of atoms in quantum superpositions on different mass-energies, |a> and |b>, was compared to the free fall of atoms with a well-defined, classical mass-energy |a>. In all previous tests of this principle, the objects were in classical mass-energy states. Credit: Dr Magdalena Zych Sixteenth century scientist Galileo Galilei threw two spheres of different mass from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa to establish a scientific principle. Now nearly four centuries later, a team of Italian physicists has applied the same principle to quantum objects using a novel scientific method proposed by UQ physicist Dr Magdalena Zych, reported today in Nature Communications. Dr Zych, from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, said the work could lead to the development of new sensors with applications in the study of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, in searching for mineral deposits, in navigation of Earth and space, and in high-precision measurements of time, frequency and acceleration. Mathematician and physicist Albert Einstein described the principle last century and it became known as 'Einstein's equivalence principle' for atoms whose mass is in a quantum superposition state. Dr Zych said the principle played a vital role in physicists' understanding of gravity and space-time. "The principle contends that the total inertial and gravitational mass of any objects are equivalent, meaning all bodies fall in the same way when subject to gravity," she said. "Our research team conducted a quantum version of the Leaning Tower test." The novel approach was first proposed by Dr Zych and University of Vienna and Austrian Academy of Science researcher Professor Caslav Brukner. "Our test relied on a unique quantum feature: superposition," Dr Zych said. "In relativistic physics, the total mass of a system depends on its internal energy. "In quantum theory, a system can occupy two or more different energy states 'at once'. This is called quantum superposition, which means a quantum system may occupy different mass-energies concurrently." A team led by Professor Guglielmo Tino of the University of Florence and Rome's Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (National Institute for Nuclear Physics) designed and realised the experiment. "The spheres in Galileo's Leaning Tower example were replaced by rubidium atoms," Dr Zych said. "The tower was replaced by a scheme developed by Professor Tino's team that is based on Bragg atom interferometry. "The experiment confirmed the validity of the Einstein equivalence principle for quantum superpositions with a relative precision of a few parts per billion." More information: G. Rosi et al, Quantum test of the equivalence principle for atoms in coherent superposition of internal energy states, Nature Communications (2017). DOI: 10.1038/NCOMMS15529 Journal information: Nature Communications Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether Read more Per Mar Security Services Acquires Southlake Security in Griffith Indiana Per Mar Security Services is pleased to announce it has acquired Southlake Security in Griffith, Indiana further expanding its security services and customer base in Northwest Indiana. Per Mar Security Services is pleased to announce it has acquired Southlake Security in Griffith, Indiana further expanding its security services and customer base in Northwest Indiana. Southlake Security was founded by Dan Barnes 39 years ago. 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"The government of Chad strongly opposes this report which is unfairly written," said the letter from Justice Minister Ahmat Mahamat Hassan, describing it as "filled with false, defamatory and prejudicial allegations against the honour of Chadian soldiers". Dated May 24, it said Chad was "opposed" to the publication of the report issued Tuesday which mapped a litany of human rights violations in CAR between 2013 and 2015. The damning report documented 620 serious human rights violations including rape, murder, torture and kidnapping committed by the army, armed groups and international forces. Published by the UN Human Rights Office and the UN mission in Central Africa (MINUSCA), it included details of abuses allegedly carried out by Chadian soldiers. Chadian troops were the largest part of MISCA, an African Union peacekeeping mission which began operating in CAR in December 2013. But in April 2014, Chad withdraw its entire force of more than 800 troops following UN accusations its soldiers staged an unprovoked attack on a market in the capital Bangui, firing into the crowd and killing about 30 people. At the time, the UN Human Rights Commission said an investigation had found the soldiers fired "without any provocation" in claims branded defamatory by Chad. The troops were also repeatedly accused of siding with the mainly Muslim Seleka movement and condoning their abuses against the majority Christian population. Chad, which neighbours CAR to the north, has a predominantly Muslim population. MISCA later became the MINUSCA force. One of the world's poorest nations, Central Africa collapsed into anarchy in 2013 with the overthrow of president Francois Bozize by former Seleka rebels, sparking a bloody sectarian showdown with Christian anti-Balaka militias. Military intervention by France followed by the deployment of MINUSCA reduced the level of violence, but the bloodshed flared again last month when more than 100 people were killed and another 100,000 were forced to flee their homes, UN figures show. The daughter of a South Korean tycoon blamed for the deadly 2014 Sewol ferry disaster will be extradited on Tuesday from France, a source close to the case said. Yoo Som-Na was detained in Paris in May 2014 and is wanted in South Korea on suspicion of embezzling millions of dollars from subsidiaries of her family's company, Chonghaejin Marine Co. South Korean authorities believe the alleged embezzlement contributed to safety defects that led to the April 2014 disaster that claimed the lives of 304 people, most of them high school children. Yoo, 51, was detained for 13 months in France but released in the middle of 2015. But in June last year, then prime minister Manuel Valls signed a decree for her extradition. Yoo appealed the decision but it was upheld by the Conseil d'Etat, the top court for administrative justice. The source told AFP that she "will be taken to the prison at Versailles (west of Paris) on Tuesday and then directly extradited to her country". Yoo strongly denies the accusations. The extradition comes after she lost her appeal against her extradition. Her father Yoo Byung-Eun had been the target of a massive manhunt in South Korea after he refused to respond to an official summons following the ferry disaster. The tycoon, who in addition to his substantial business interests also ran a religious group, was found dead in a plum orchard two months after the disaster. A post-mortem on his badly decomposed body failed to determine the cause of death. The overloaded 6,825-tonne Sewol was carrying 476 people when it capsized off the southern coast of South Korea. By Idrees Ali SINGAPORE (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday the United States remains committed to its Asia-Pacific allies, as he arrived in Singapore for the region's premier security forum. Mattis, who is making his second visit to the region since he took charge of the Pentagon on Jan. 20, will be looking to articulate a clear U.S. policy for allies in the region and reassuring them at the annual Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who spoke at the opening of the forum on Friday evening, said there was concern in the region that the U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris climate accord would lead to Washington retreating from global leadership. "While these decisions are disappointing, we should take care not to rush to interpret an intent to engage on different terms as one not to engage at all," Turnbull said. Authorities in Singapore stepped up security as Turnbull, Mattis and other leaders arrived for the meeting. They have said the terrorism threat to the city-state remains at the highest level in years, although there was no credible intelligence of an imminent attack. However, last week's dramatic attack in the Philippines by militant groups owing allegiance to Islamic State has created jitters in the region. Armed troops patrolled the area around the venue for the Singapore forum and nearby mailboxes were sealed. U.S. President Donald Trump has actively courted Beijing's support on North Korea, raising concerns among Southeast Asian allies in the lead-up to the dialogue that Washington might allow China a more free rein elsewhere in the region. Turnbull said the region wanted to see China take a responsible leadership role or risk becoming isolated. "A coercive China would find its neighbours resenting demands they cede their autonomy and strategic space, and look to counterweight Beijings power by bolstering alliances and partnerships, between themselves and especially with the United States," he said. Later, answering questions, Turnbull said China could play a key role in reining in North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. "China has overwhelmingly the greatest leverage over (North Korea). With that leverage comes the greatest responsibility," he said. "The eyes of the world are on Beijing." Mattis told reporters he would talk about the "international order" needed for a peaceful Asia, a reference to countering North Korea, when he addressed the forum on Saturday. "At the Shangri-la Dialogue I will emphasize the United States stands with our Asia-Pacific allies and partners," Mattis told reporters. "The Department of Defense is focused on strengthening alliances, empowering countries to be able to sustain their own security, and strengthening U.S. military capabilities to deter war," Mattis said. In the latest sign of increased pressure on North Korea, Japan's navy and air force began a three-day military exercise with two U.S. aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan on Thursday. David Helvey, a senior U.S. defense official dealing with Asian and Pacific security affairs, said the move was about sending a message of reassurance and "a message of resolve." He added that while these operations were routine, this was the first time operations with two U.S. carrier strike groups had taken place in the Sea of Japan since the late 1990s. Additionally, the United Nations Security Council will vote on Friday on a U.S. and Chinese proposal to blacklist more North Korean individuals and entities after the country's repeated ballistic missile launches. Mattis is expected to meet his counterparts from a number of countries including South Korea, Japan and Australia. China's delegation is led by a retired major-general from the Academy of Military Science, according to the forum's programme. PERSONAL CHEMISTRY The U.S. focus on North Korea has been sharpened by dozens of North Korean missile launches - the most recent of which was on Monday - and two nuclear bomb tests since the beginning of last year. Pyongyang has vowed to develop a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the U.S. mainland. Some Asian officials say worries about Trump's direction have been fuelled by his unpredictable personal approach to policymaking and emphasis on his chemistry with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Since meeting Xi in April, Trump has praised him for efforts to restrain North Korea. U.S. officials, however, insist the administration remains committed more broadly to the region, much like it was under former President Barack Obama's administration. Trump is due to attend regional summits in Vietnam and the Philippines in November. Mattis said he would talk about the need for countries to uphold international law, an apparent reference to Beijing's construction activities on disputed islets and reefs in the South China Sea. China's claims to most of the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Last week, a U.S. Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island China has built on a disputed reef in the South China Sea, the first such challenge to Beijing in the strategic waterway since Trump took office. (Additional reporting by Greg Torode, Anshuman Daga, Kanupriya Kapoor and Fathin Ungku; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Stephen Powell) Photo of Mohamed Salleh Marican: Safhras Khan/Yahoo Singapore Two days after Second Chance Properties founder and CEO Mohd Salleh Marican announced that he plans to run for president of Singapore, the 67-year-old is already busy setting up a team for his election campaign. But even as Salleh outlined his plan for a 10-member campaign team, Salleh said he is mindful of a potential challenge from Speaker of the House, Halimah Yacob, who is widely tipped to be a presidential candidate. Calling 62-year-old Halimah a good candidate, Salleh said, Whoever is the government candidate will be my opponent but if you ask me who I prefer not to contest against, it will be Madam Halimah. She has a good reputation and is popular. Moreover, as a woman, she has one comparative advantage and that is, women will vote for her, Salleh said in an exclusive interview with Yahoo Singapore at the Second Chance office in Tanjong Katong Complex on Friday (2 June). Salleh has identified a number of community leaders for his team and will be approaching them over the next few days to get their support. He is also looking to recruit a lawyer and an accountant to support his team. Since announcing his intention, Salleh claimed that he has received messages of support from Singaporeans from all walks of life for his campaign and he was heartened by them. A lot of people have offered their help. In fact, friends of my two daughters have contacted them when they heard the news. They reminded my daughters to invite them over for tea at the Istana soon, he quipped. Photo: Safhras Khan/Yahoo Singapore Salleh on his presidential credentials The 2017 presidential election in September is reserved for Malay candidates. Application opened on Thursday (1 June) for prospective candidates to collect forms from the Elections Department and will close five days after the writ of election is issued in late August. When asked about his credentials to become Singapores eighth president, Salleh pointed out that he has been helping the community over the years, such as through donations, and added that he has the attributes to become a good president. Story continues I have been helping out (the community) ad hoc but consistently all the while, and I try not to turn down requests for help from anybody. Since I started as an entrepreneur, I have always worked hard and I am used to the stress. This is a different form of stress but I am ready to give back to society, Salleh said. If he were elected as president, Salleh said he has a succession plan in place for mainboard-listed Second Chance. His younger brother Hasan Marican will take over from him as CEO and run the company, Salleh revealed. Salleh has more than 40 years of retail business experience. He made his first entrepreneurial foray into menswear tailoring in 1975, which did not take off. He tried again five months later, naming his business Second Chance and specialising in readymade mens clothing. By 1988, Second Chance had become a household name, with 25 outlets in Singapore and Malaysia. Tough times came when sales dropped sharply and Salleh was forced to close 21 stores. In 1992, he diversified into Malay womens traditional clothing with First Lady. Salleh also ventured into the jewellery business with Golden Chance and the property business in the late 1990s. Photo: Safhras Khan/Yahoo Singapore Meeting the Elected Presidency criteria Besides the potential challenge from Halimah, the business veteran said he will aim to convince the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) that he is adequately qualified for the job. Presidential candidates must obtain a certificate of eligibility from the PEC and confirmation from the Community Committee that they are a member of the Malay community. For private-sector candidates, they must have been the chief executive of a company with at least $500 million in shareholders equity, on average, for the most recent three financial years. But the PEC can waive this requirement if it is satisfied that a candidate has the qualities and experience to fulfill the role of a president. According to calculations by The Straits Times, Second Chances average shareholder equity over the past three years was between $254.3 million and $263.25 million, which does not meet the requirement. To convince the PEC, Salleh said his team will make sure that they submit his application properly with the relevant documents to underscore his eligibility. How do we satisfy the PEC? Is it through an interview or an essay? Whatever it is, we look forward to convincing them, said Salleh. When asked if he is confident of winning the race to the Istana, he cited the fiercely contested 2011 presidential election. President Tony Tan garnered 35.2 per cent of votes cast and won by a slim margin of 7382 votes against his nearest rival Tan Cheng Bock in a four-cornered fight. Thirty per cent of the voters (at least) will vote for me against the government candidate. Moreover, a majority of Singaporeans has made it known that their president should be apolitical as it is his job to safeguard the assets and savings of Singapore, Salleh said. Other related stories: Tan Cheng Bock files court challenge on term count of Elected Presidency Private-hire driver Shirwin Eu looking to run in Presidential Election Changes to Elected Presidency passed in Parliament Singaporeans split on whether minority rule should be applied to next Presidential Election: poll By Denis Pinchuk and Andrew Osborn ST PETERSBURG/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that elements of a U.S. anti-missile system in Alaska and South Korea were a challenge to Russia and that Moscow had no choice but to build up its own forces in response. Putin, speaking at an economic forum in St Petersburg, said Russia could not stand idly by and watch while others increased their military capabilities along its borders in the Far East in the same way as he said had been done in Europe. He said Moscow was particularly alarmed by the deployment of the U.S. THAAD anti-missile system to South Korea to counter a North Korean missile threat and to reported U.S. plans to beef up Fort Greely in Alaska, a launch site for anti-ballistic missiles. "This destroys the strategic balance in the world," Putin told a meeting with international media, the start of which was broadcast on state TV. "What is happening is a very serious and alarming process. In Alaska, and now in South Korea, elements of the anti-missile defence system are emerging. Should we just stand idly by and watch this? Of course not. We are thinking about how to respond to these challenges. This is a challenge for us." Washington was using North Korea as a pretext to expand its military infrastructure in Asia in the same way it had used Iran as a pretext to develop a missile shield in Europe, charged Putin. RUSSIAN RESPONSE Putin said the Kurile Islands, a chain of islands in the Far East where Moscow and Tokyo have rival territorial claims, were "quite a convenient place" to deploy Russian military hardware to respond to such threats. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said last year Russia planned to deploy some of its newest missile defence systems and drones to the islands, part of a drive to rearm military units already stationed there. He has also spoken of Russia building a military base there. "I don't agree that we are unilaterally starting to militarise these islands," said Putin. "It is simply a forced response to what is happening in the region." Any talk of demilitarising the islands could only occur once tensions in the entire region had been reduced, he said. Tokyo and Moscow have long been locked in talks over the contested islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan. Putin said Russia was alive to the danger that Japan might allow U.S. troops to deploy there if it struck a deal to hand over some of the islands to Tokyo's jurisdiction. "Such a possibility exists," said Putin. Russia did not want to worsen already poor relations with Washington by fuelling what he described as an arms race, but Putin said the United States was still consumed by what he called an anti-Russian campaign. "How will the situation develop? We don't know," said Putin. (Additional reporting by Dmitry Solovyov and Maria Kiselyova; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Alexander Winning) PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su Hotter, drier days in Singapore lie ahead in June with temperatures forecast to hit 35 degrees Celsius amid the start of the Southwest Monsoon season. In a weather advisory on Thursday (1 June), the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said that the Southwest Monsoon, which extends from June to September, is characterised by low level winds that blow predominantly from the southeast or southwest. These conditions set in over Singapore in the second half of May 2017. In the first fortnight of June, Singapore can expect dry weather conditions on most days. The daily maximum temperature could reach a high of around 35 degrees Celsius, and the daily minimum temperature is expected to be around 26 degrees Celsius. On other days, the daily temperature is forecast to range between 25 and 34 degrees Celsius. Localised short-duration thundery showers due to strong solar heating of land areas are also expected in the late morning and early afternoon on three or five days. Rainfall for the first fortnight of June 2017 is likely to be below-normal, said MSS. In May, the highest daily maximum temperature was 35.3 degrees Celsius, recorded in the north-eastern part of Singapore on 17 May. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. 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Read More As a fashion blogger, travel enthusiast and freelance writer, Alysse Dalessandro has a variety of interests. When it comes to saving money, the 29-year-old is just as open-minded. In late 2015, Dalessandro read a blog post about the 52-week money challenge, a popular savings strategy that gained momentum on social media platforms like Facebook. The premise is simple: Every seven days, save an amount that corresponds to that week. (In the first week, that comes out to $1. In the second: $2. And so on.) After one year, a person will have saved $1,378. Dalessandro exceeded that mark in 2016 when she set aside $1,522, which will fund a trip to Italy this year. Heres how she made the most of the 52-week money challenge and how you could, too. A 52 Week Savings Challenge Success Story Customize the Challenge The beauty of the 52-week challenge lies in its simplicity. An added bonus is that people can tweak the process as they see fit. Dalessandro stashed her cash in a jar, a low-tech but highly effective way to separate her savings and spending money. Although this method worked well for her, shes quick to acknowledge that people could also transfer money from their checking to savings account each week. That way, their deposits would earn interest and likely be federally insured. Folks would also be able to take advantage of their banks online budgeting and savings tools. But this strategy could make it too easy for some to dip into savings, given the ease of online banking. You could also flip the challenge, setting aside $52 in the first week and saving a gradually decreasing amount from there. If you decide to start the challenge with the new year, an added benefit is that youd have to put away less than $40 during the holiday season. Keep Cash Safe The blog post that Dalessandro came across in 2015 recommended leaving cash-filled jars in plain sight. That way, people wouldnt forget about the challenge. I was like, Um, Im not gonna do that, says Dalessandro, of Akron, Ohio. Even though Dalessandro lived in what she considers a safe neighborhood, she kept the jar tucked away in her room. Dalessandro also had a lockbox on hand in case she wanted an extra layer of security. If the thought of leaving cash hidden in your room makes you uneasy, consider depositing it into a savings account every few weeks. Accessorize the challenge with traditional tools Along with the 52-week money challenge Dalessandro is doing it again this year she uses a traditional savings account to store her emergency fund. Although Dalessandro tries to leave that money untouched, she likes having it accessible in case unexpected expenses arise. Certificates of deposit, a type of savings tool Dalessandro used briefly in college, make that more difficult. CDs are a lot like the jar, except they have real rules, she says. Withdrawing money from a CD before its maturity date typically triggers penalties. When looking for a traditional savings tool, be sure to pick the one that most aligns with your needs. Republished by permission. Original here. If youre like most small business owners, you probably spent days, if not weeks, mulling over how to incorporate your business. You meticulously filed your legal paperwork with the state to set up a proper legal foundation. But then, once your business launches, things move at a break neck pace. Your days are filled with finding clients, managing employees, building your products or services, and its easy for some legal obligations to slip through the cracks. Incorporating or forming an LLC is an important first step for minimizing your personal liability and protecting your personal assets. But, its just the first step. Youve got to continually keep up your companys legal good standing with the state. If you dont, you can be fined and even have your business administratively dissolved by the state. In addition, a plaintiff can try to pierce your corporate veil in court, putting your personal assets at risk. Small Business Compliance Checklist The good news is that its not hard to keep your company in good standing. The following small business compliance checklist contains the key steps for staying in good standing with the state: 1. File Your State Paperwork on Time After you form an LLC or corporation, youll most likely need to file some kind of annual report or annual statement with your state, along with paying a modest fee. The requirements and deadlines vary by state (and a few states dont have a requirement at all). You can check with your states secretary of state office or an online legal filing service to learn your specific requirements. Get this paperwork in on time. Its very simple to do, but forgetting to do it will result in late fees. In addition, if you make any changes to your LLC or corporation, you need to file an Articles of Amendment with the state (note that the exact name of the form will vary among states). What kind of changes require an amendment filing? For example, if you authorize more shares for a corporation, if a partner or board member leaves, or if you change your official company address. 2. Keep Your Personal and Business Finances Separate If you have a personal or business accountant, theyve undoubtedly advised you not to mix your personal and business finances. Keeping a sharp line between the two helps you stay organized, facilitates your tax records, and helps you better understand how your business is performing. In addition, corporations are required by law to separate their business and personal finances. If you commingle your personal and business finances, a plaintiff suing your business could come after your personal assets. 3. Keep Your Registered Agent and Address Current Many small businesses particularly home-based businesses use a registered agent when they first set up their corporation/LLC. This allows you to keep your home address private and provides peace of mind that you wont miss an important mailing from the state. However, at times, busy owners forget to pay the fees for the Registered Agent. As a result, the agent stops representing the company, official mail is sent back to the state, and then the state puts the company in bad standing until it updates its address of record. 4. Sign All Business Contracts with Your Proper Business Name If your official company name is COMPANY Inc., you need to fill out every business contract as Company Inc. Even if you reference your company with a slight variation like Company, this can be a problem. So, be careful and always use the exact name that you used on your business formation documentation. 5. File a DBA for Any Name Variations If you operate your business under any variation of your official company name, you will to get a Doing Business As (DBA) for those variations. This is also called a Fictitious Business Name. If you dont file this paperwork with your local government, then your business is improperly operating whenever you use a name variation in an official capacity. 6. Register to Operate in Another State If you conduct business in another state than the one where you formed an LLC or incorporated, youll need to register as a Foreign Corporation/LLC in order to do so. If you dont file this paperwork, each new state where youre operating will perceive you as a sole proprietor, meaning you lose any of the personal liability protection of the LLC or corporation in that state. If youre not sure if you need to foreign qualify, you can contact an attorney or small business expert. Typically, just having customers or clients in another state wont require you to register in that state. However, if you open an office, you will need to register. As you can see, its easy to avoid any of these six pitfalls and keep your LLC or corporation compliant with the state. It takes only a few minutes to fill out your annual report paperwork, but it can take exponentially more time (and added fees) to figure out why your company has been placed in bad standing. In addition, you formed your corporation or LLC in order to protect your personal assets dont place them at risk by failing to keep up with your basic compliance requirements. Veil Photo via Shutterstock CorpNet offers business formations, filings, state tax registrations, and corporate compliance services in all 50 states. Express and 24 hour rush filing services available upon request. Click here to learn more. There is no direct information concerning where six-year genius Mozart played in Bratislava but the places where Salieri gave his concerts are known. The memorial to Franz Liszt with the forged lattice and a few notes. (Source: Martin Janosko) Font size: A - | A + More information about travelling in Slovakia Please see our Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide Bratislava has a rich musical history but it is often unknown even to native Bratislavans. The list of prominent musicians who played here boasts Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Liszt and Salieri. Also only a few people know that composer and pianist, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, was born here. These facts tend to be known only by experts. At the Music Centre Slovakia, which is a state organisation supporting Slovak musical culture, they decided to change this and have published the very first musical guide to Bratislava. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement video //www.youtube.com/embed/sRmQLJAwOYA We published the guide because such literature has been missing in Bratislava for a long time, said Pavol Suska, editor of the guide, from the Music Centre Slovakia. The guide is dedicated to tourists but also to common Bratislavans so that they can learn about the vivid contacts with world culture that Bratislava used to have and what it still has to offer to lovers of music. The idea to publish the musical guide arose in 2015. Its authors wanted to publish it on the occasion of the Year of Slovak Music which Slovakia marked in 2016. In the end the book was published at the turn of 2016 and 2017. The authors of the 144-page book are Zuzana Godarova, a tourist guide in Bratislava and Vienna specialising in music, and Jan Vyhnanek, a tourist guide who, in his free time, researches archives and old materials and keeps bringing new information to tourists. Liszt as musical patron The authors and the publisher selected a photo of a bust of one of the most important musicians, pianists and conductors Franz Liszt, for the cover of the guide. Sometimes he is called the musical patron of Bratislava, said Vyhnanek. Liszt had a very close relationship to the Bratislava of the 19th century, at that time called Pressburg. This is because his musical career started here and he remembered this all his life. When nine-year old Liszt, who already at that age was a piano virtuoso, played at the apartment of Count Michal Esterhazy in the so-called De Pauli Palace, now the University Library, in 1820, he so enchanted attending Hungarian nobles, that they decided to support his further musical studies in Vienna. This way they helped him to start his musical career. Liszt never forgot this and he often returned to Bratislava even after he became a famous pianist, said Vyhnanek, adding that Liszt later inspired his love for this city in his students and thanks to this, Bratislava enjoyed an inflow of musicians during the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Liszt has several memorials in Bratislava. At Rudnayovo square there is a memorial with his bronze bust by Viktor Tilgner. It is enclosed by a forged lattice displaying a motif of a stave with the first phrases of the violin part of Hosannah from his Hungarian Coronation Mass, which Liszt himself conducted in the nearby St Martin's Cathedral in 1884. Also on the University Library there is a plaque marking the concert he gave here when he was just nine years old and his statue stands in its courtyard. Musical history in eight chapters The guide published in two versions Slovak-English and Slovak-German contains much, so-far unpublished, information, divided into eight chapters. The chapter Concert Venues of Bratislava is devoted to places where music has been played in Bratislava. The oldest concert hall which still serves this purpose is the Hall of Mirrors in the Primates Palace, said Vyhnanek. The first concert took place here in 1780. The second concert was attended by Maria Christina, the daughter of Maria Theresa, who, with her husband, royal governor of Hungary, Albert of Saxony-Teschen then lived in Pressburg. The authors also listed among the palaces, churches and other places where music used to be played, the historical building of the Slovak parliament, the Zupny Dom. Renowned musician Jan Albrecht (1919-1996) valued its music hall as having the best acoustics in the city. Alas, today it is only rarely used for concerts, said Godarova. Apart from historical concert venues the authors also included in this chapter, churches and palaces as well as former industrial buildings turned into cultural venues and music clubs. For example the Design Factory and the Refinery Gallery, Stara Trznica (Old Market Hall), and the V-Klub, Subclub and Fuga music clubs. The chapter Orchestras, Ensembles and Choirs brings a selection of 20 bodies of various genres. The authors described their selection as very difficult as they were limited by space in the book. The chapter Festivals and Concert Series is an overview of the most important music festivals of all genres taking place in Bratislava. To write this chapter was a bit problematic because festivals have a life of their own and while we were working on this book some of them actually ceased, said Vyhnanek. The chapter Music Museums is one of the shorter ones as there are only three museums dedicated to music in Bratislava. They are the Johann Nepomuk Hummel Museum, the Music Museum of the Slovak National Museum and the Jan Cikker Museum. We hope that a fourth museum the museum in the Albrecht House will be added to the list shortly, said Godarova. This building is currently undergoing a thorough reconstruction. The chapters Music Shops and Other Music Institutions are also short, as Bratislava does not have many of them. Cemeteries and musical walking tours Normal readers will probably find the chapters Musicians Places of Eternal Rest and Musical Walking Tours to be the most interesting. For the chapter about musicians buried in Bratislava, the authors visited cemeteries and found the actual graves. It sometimes happened that when arriving at a place where a grave we were looking for (listed at the cintoriny.sk website which maps all the graves) should have been located, we did not find it, recalled Vyhnanek, adding that the grave did not exist anymore maybe because nobody had paid for it. The authors also included maps and information about which sector of the cemetery the grave is located, in the book. Therefore, readers can easily find the graves of, for example Alexander and Jan Albrecht at the Ondrejsky Cemetery, Lucia Popp and Jan Cikker at the Slavicie udolie Cemetery, Jan Levoslav Bella at the Kozia Brana Cemetery, Gejza Dusik, Alexander Moyzes and Frantisek Kristof Vesely at the Martinsky Cemetery, Jaro Filip and Marian Kochansky in the Urn Grove of the Crematorium and the grave of Karol Duchon at the Vrakuna Cemetery. For the chapter Musical Walking Tours the authors created three tours across the city centre. The map with marked places is also very helpful. The reader will discover in this chapter when the first concert in the Hall of Mirrors took place as well as that the one-time very popular Hall of Representatives does not exist anymore. It used to stand in the courtyard of the Old Town Hall. It also contains the information that in 1767 Joseph Haydn gave a world premiere of his comic opera, La canterina (The Songstress) in the Archbishops Summer Palace, where the Slovak cabinet sits today. The performance was also attended by Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II. The authors also list here the Palffy Palace at Venturska street. Here there is a memorial plaque commemorating the visit of a prodigy, six-year old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, to Bratislava between December 11 and 24, 1762. But the authors note that it was probably another Palace in which the small genius played at that time. Actually there is not very much direct information about the stay of Mozart and his father in Pressburg and the concert the prodigy allegedly gave here. As Godarova specified, a letter has been found dating from one day before the father and son departed for Pressburg, i.e. from December 10, 1762, in which the father writes that he is not sure whether they will earn sound money in Pressburg. This is proof that they came here to give a concert, said Godarova. However, she considers the greatest proof that the prodigy visited Pressburg the letter written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself from August 21, 1773, to his sister in which he mentions Mr Griebich, with whom he made acquaintance in Pressburg and later met in Vienna. Unfortunately, neither the father nor the famous musician mentioned definitively in their correspondence the palace in which the concert took place. But the places where Mozarts alleged rival, composer and conductor Antonio Salieri, played are known the concerts took place at St Martin's Cathedral and the Hall of Mirrors at the Primates Palace. Around three quarters of doctors and nurses find it difficult to talk about death with their patients. Font size: A - | A + Approximately 69 percent of Slovaks think that death is a topic with which they feel uncomfortable or that its not worth talking about, according to a survey conducted last summer by the STEM/MARK agency for the not-for-profit organisation, Viaticus. As many as 79 percent of respondents said they would like to die at home and not in hospices and hospitals but only a third of them have experienced what it means to take care of a dying person. The survey found out that the lack of financial means, the burden on family life and the stress of the lack of the required professional carer are the main causes of why more than half of Slovaks who died between 2011 and 2015 did so in healthcare facilities. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement "Slovakia is at the very bottom among the EU countries when it comes to the numbers of years a person lives in good health, 52 for both men and women," says sociologist Zora Butorova. At the end of April the average old age pension reached 427,02 per month, less than the minimum guaranteed wage (435) with men getting on average 474,95 and women 380,70. About 80 percent of Slovak pensioners have been complaining that they can barely make ends meet. Thus many are often pushed into social isolation and the lack of an active life is what worries health experts who warn that it leads to a faster deterioration of seniors mental and physical wellbeing. Moving to a retirement home is a real challenge due to the chronic shortage of affordable facilities. Waiting lists can be seen on the websites of all retirement homes, no matter if state run or private. The cheaper the monthly fee, the longer the queue. In addition to this, retirement homes are often faced with shortages of the qualified healthcare personnel who would tend to the special needs of, for example, clients suffering from dementia. Younger Slovaks do not fare any better when confronted with the diagnose of a terminal illness. Although Slovak doctors have (finally) learnt not to give such news in the corridor in front of all the other patients and some hospitals even have psychologists (usually volunteers working for patients organisations or charities) who could offer their help, many struggle with the idea that the impossibility of curing somebody because medical science does not have a solution for that particular disease, is perceived as a personal failure by the doctor. According to the above mentioned survey which also included a focus group with Slovak doctors and nurses, around three quarters of them find it difficult to talk about death with their patients. Some blame the workload for this situation. Others say that in other countries with better financed and organised healthcare systems, hospitals have a team of in-house psychologists to assist the medical personnel dealing with terminally ill patients. Religion is another reason some medical personnel might find it difficult to talk about death and dying. While medicine aims at reducing pain and suffering, from the theological point of view, the suffering of a dying person has some spiritual meaning. In a self-proclaimed Catholic country like Slovakia, religious groups have made sure that very conservative legislation governing bioethical questions has been put in place and no serious attempts to bring it to the realities of anno domini 2017 are to be seen on the horizon. PR stunts such as that of Facebooks founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, who became the latest to join the group of rich tech wizzes who pledge billions of dollars to the cause of curing all disease, are not helpful either. Apart from amusing the famous leftist philosopher, Slavoj Zizek, who mutters that technology can make us immortal in an economic system in which its a struggle to add some extra money to the healthcare sector, they also put pressure on many doctors already struggling with the so called concept of victorious medicine. Honest and open communication with patients is the only way out, no matter how hard it might seem in practice. For the time being, nobody lives forever, no matter what they write in FBs manifestos. Anca Dragu is a journalist with Radio Slovakia International, which is available in Bratislava in English on 98.9 FM at 6:30pm and 8:30pm and at www.rsi.sk. The opinions expressed in this blog are her own. The secret engine behind Slovakias remarkable success, of transitioning from an idea to a world-class country and from communism to democracy in a blink of an eye, are her outstanding people. Font size: A - | A + Europes once invisible nation is invisible no more. Ever since Slovakia joined the European Union, the heart of Europe has stepped onto the global platform. It was not that long ago that the country was firmly part of the Soviet bloc. Today, it hosts one of the worlds top security conferences. Year after year, Globsec draws to Slovakia impressive crowds and amazing speakers. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The story and success of Globsec mirrors the story of Slovakia. The idea to host a world class security conference was first pioneered 12 years ago by the offspring of those once caged behind the Iron Curtain. These young enthusiasts with a passion for international relations and, above all, for Slovakia, set a simple, yet ambitious goal. The founding fathers of GLOBSEC wanted their country to become a member of the global knowledge elite. Their mission, that few believed in at the time, was to bring the world to Slovakia and Slovakia to the world. The emerging next generation of Slovak human capital builds on their legacy. Their ideals, drive, skills and dedication are embodied in a young woman who defies not only Slovak, but also international norms of politics. At the age of only 25, Vladimira Ledecka has risen to claim the position of the right hand of the Slovak President, Andrej Kiska. Leading his department of regional politics, she shares her perspectives on Slovakia. She believes that this young dynamic country can grow even quicker through the return of her exceptional people from abroad. The international Slovaks, armed with strategic languages and valuable experiences, have what it takes to bridge worlds and make Slovakia even more global. Todays young Slovaks have so many opportunities But, this was not always the case in the past. For example, my parents couldnt travel abroad. They didnt even get to choose what university they could attend. Under communism, if you didnt have the right connections, or were too close to the church, or some supposed dissident, you paid the price for it. The notion of self-made man did not exist before the Velvet Revolution In the past, individuals could not really surpass the economic and social status of their family. To jump levels was almost impossible. Instead, most people followed in the footsteps of their parents. They lived behind barbed wire and only those with rich fantasy could imagine that one day it all could be different. Sometimes, I feel we dont appreciate our freedom enough Today, too many young people take it for granted. They no longer see it as a privilege; they just sort of expect it. They forgot about their parents, who only 25 years ago, could not study or live abroad. They forgot about the barbed wire that divided us from the western world, we are now proud to be a part of. Freedom is now a forgotten privilege by my generation. I could clearly observe this trend at my university. We had all kinds of European Union projects available to us. The Erasmus Exchange encouraged various forms of international travel. But, not enough of my classmates took advantage of these opportunities. What would our parents do, for an opportunity to at least step across the border those 28 years ago? Sometimes, I feel we choose to ignore the tremendous opportunities we have today Too often, I see that we copy the life path of our parents People often think, if my dad was a lawyer, then I guess I will be one too. It takes great courage to dare to choose a more individual path. Sometimes, I feel we do not do this enough in Slovakia. I believe, that everyone that left for abroad, is inherently a risk-taker To pack your bags and leave your homeland, takes great courage. Being an immigrant in a foreign land is not easy. But, any country that receives these risk takers, is greatly enriched. This mindset breathes life into any economy. These people are not afraid to start again from zero, this attitude translates into great entrepreneurial initiative. The Czech Republic goes out of its way to attract Slovak students Currently there are more than 20,000 Slovaks studying at Czech universities. The reason is not because the quality of education is far better in the Czech Republic. In fact, the education system is pretty much the same as it is in Slovakia. The reason behind the Slovak exodus, is that the Czech Republic motivates young Slovaks, to come study there with scholarships and other tools. The Czechs want the best brains from Slovakia and they are getting it. It is a very smart strategy. Too bad we do not see the benefit of retaining our best talent. Secondly, Slovakia should reach out to other nationalities as well. There is great potential with young people from Ukraine for example. Who share a great will to live in the EU, but they still do not have many doors open to them. Those that return, often come back with an exceptional drive Only some of those who left, ever return. Slovakia has a big brain drain lately. Few Slovaks come back with a motivation to help their country. This has to change. Young people in Slovakia need to get more opportunities to use what they have learned abroad. If we will not give them the opportunities, they will never come back. When we talk about the potential of Slovakia, we are talking exactly about these people. We need them to move forward and we need them to return. Slovakia is a young country, we are not even 25 years old We are country that is still a teenager in many ways. We are growing and evolving at a very rapid pace, but, like a 25-year-old young adult, we still have a lot of maturing to do. We cant expect our country to have the same well-oiled functioning system, as those that have had the same regime for 50 or 100 years. Young people need to see this as an opportunity To recognize that they have the unique ability to be part of this progress. Of course, some people, dont even recognize that there is a world beyond the walls of their apartment. We need to engage with this world, we need to see ourselves as part of it. For example, in Slovakia, volunteering is really taking off. This is happening organically, because the people are discovering that it is fun to help others. They are coming to this realization on their own, intuitively. Those that come back share a similar vision They bring with them a new mindset, that helps to accelerate change. They really want to make a difference and have an impact. But, just like my generation needs mentors and role models to learn from. So, does our country. We need Slovak leaders to return and help elevate our nation Even though I studied in Austria and France, I always knew I wanted to come back. I went abroad for a specific purpose. I wanted to gain new experiences, new languages and new exposure. I knew that the impact I could have in Slovakia could be far greater than anywhere else Slovakia is an amazing country also because it is so small. Many people view this as a disadvantage, but I see it as an opportunity. We can identity problems and solve them very quickly. We are practically one big community. This personal approach is very attractive. Change can happen a lot faster here We do not have the same barriers as some bigger countries. At the same time, Slovakia is also part of the European family. That means, we are not operating in the world alone. We can learn from the best practices of our neighbors. I would say that in todays era, what matters the most is courage and vision This is something that young people can bring. Today, we have so much more access to information, to travel, to ideas than our parents ever did. As result, we see the world as more colorful. The time has come for Slovakia to adopt a more innovative mindset There is no better way to shift this thinking, then by sharing the success stories of those that have already achieved this understanding. Today is the age of ideas and making them happen. Lets learn from the best Slovakias astounding experience of 6 regime changes in less than 100 years demonstrates a very adaptable society, one that is also a storage bank of timely wisdom. Having lived in both East and West, todays Slovaks are increasingly aware of the niche knowledge they carry. No longer timid, they are hungry to share this know-how with the world. Yet, in doing so, the young and the ambitious are not losing sight of Slovakia. Despite all lures of the world and challenges at home, many Slovaks return to their homeland. Why? The heart of Europe pulls at their heartstrings. They come home, because they want to put Slovakia firmly and unquestionably on the map of not only Europe, but the globe. Their success helps to erase the negative stereotypes still projected on this part of Central Eastern Europe. Thanks to Vladimira, the team behind Globsec and like-minded and hearted Slovaks, they re-brand the region and alter its destiny. Globsec showcases their rapid journey. It is a key international forum, where the cutting-edge ideas of tomorrow are formed, hosted by a city and country that were separated from the Western world by barbed wire and watch towers only a while ago. This article first appeared in the Huffington Post. No party sitting in parliament has ever been banned in Slovakia. This may change soon, following a recent motion by the general prosecutor to ban the far-right party led by Banska Bystrica Regional Governor Marian Kotleba. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The TA3 private news channel was the first to report on May 25 that General Prosecutor Jaromir Ciznar had filed the motion with the Supreme Court. The spokesperson for the Supreme Court, Boris Urbancik, later confirmed for the Sme daily that the court received the motion on May 24. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement This is not the first time that a Kotleba-led party has faced this challenge, but LSNS is not a marginal party as Kotlebas first party, the Slovenska Pospolitost, had been before its dissolution in 2006. His current party has received significant amounts of money from the state budget and has 14 deputies in parliament, including Kotleba himself. The move by General Prosecutor Ciznar to dissolve the party has been expected since the last election, with his office receiving about 170 such motions. The office had said for several months that it was waiting for expert information that would show whether the partys conduct and statements might constitute violations of Slovak law. The prosecutors argue that LSNS aspires to remove the current democratic system in the Slovak Republic. They refer to vast evidence showing that the party has fascist tendencies and that its programme and activities violate the Slovak Constitution, laws and international treaties. The police contributed to the motion by providing information on members of the party currently facing criminal charges, Police Corps President Tibor Gaspar said. I am glad that police officers today do not seek ways to dismiss things, Gaspar said, as quoted by Sme. We will go after actions of members of this party that show signs of criminality. Previous ban Kotlebas previous party, Slovenska Pospolitost Narodna Strana (Slovak Togetherness National Party), was the first party to be banned in Slovakia after 1989. In March 2006, the Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of the ultra-nationalist party because of its extremist ideology, based on a proposal filed by then-general prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka. Presiding Judge Ida Hanzelova said that the party would be banned because its programme violated the universal right to vote and run for office as protected in the Slovak constitution. The party had advocated an estate-based society in which only the members of 10 selected groups would have the right to cast ballots and be elected. The estate system confers a certain status or estate on members of various social groups, like clergy, teachers and farmers, and it has roots in Slovak and Slavic traditions. The general prosecutor called for the party to be banned after a series of public meetings held by Slovenska Pospolitost in Hlohovec, Modra, Cernova and Presov in late October 2005. However, the court outlawed the party based solely on the conflict between its programme and the constitutional rights of Slovak citizens, without examining expert opinions on other facets of the party. Kotleba responded to the 2006 verdict by saying that the party was prepared for this outcome. He compared the trial to the Stalinist trials of the 1950s under the communist regime. Meanwhile, Kotleba and those close to him took control of the marginal Friends of Wine Party before the 2010 parliamentary elections, bypassing the requirement to collect petition signatures that accompanies the registration of a political party. The party keeps the money it already has received There is no precedent in Slovakia for a ban on a parliamentary party, but the laws are clear about what happens when such a party gets a red light from the Supreme Court. The 14 MPs of LSNS would retain their posts in the parliament even if the party itself is banned, since the parliamentary mandate cannot be taken away from a duly elected MP. Kotleba and his elected party members, including Milan Mazurek and Stanislav Mizik, would stay in the parliament until the end of the election term in 2020. But the MPs would lose their parliamentary caucus, because this is tied to the existence of the party, Sme noted. They would be counted as independents and could attempt to establish another caucus, but such a caucus would need to have at least eight members and be approved by the rest of the parliament in a vote. That is unlikely to happen. Although the party would not lose its MPs in parliament, it would lose a significant portion of the money that it is set to receive from the state for its results in the March 2016 election. LSNS garnered slightly more than 8 percent of the vote in that election, which would allot it a total of 5.4 million. Of that amount, 1.8 million has already been paid to the party based on its votes. The remaining money represents contributions for mandates of 1.4 million and contributions to party activities of 1.8 million. These are scheduled to be paid in instalments across the entire election term, and as soon as the party would cease to exist, it would be ineligible for any unpaid instalments. Sme calculated that the party would thus lose some 2.1 million if it were banned in August 2017. Plan B in the pipeline? A banned party would obviously be disqualified from elections but under the current rules its politicians would not be. They could run again by becoming involved with or taking over an existing party, just as what took place during the founding of LSNS. In fact, the Hospodarske Noviny daily recently reported that LSNS MP Martin Belusky is also a member of a party called Ludova Strana (Peoples Party). The reports said that Belusky and Rastislav Kysel, who is also an LSNS member, are the official representatives of this party. [Our involvement in this party] is part of a wider and more sophisticated strategy, LSNS MP Uhrik said after the reports were released. But it would be a premature speculation to talk about some reserve party. Another option for Kotleba and his supporters would be to create a brand new party. The ruling coalition, however, suggests that eliminating LSNS is not how they are planning to thwart the efforts of the extremists. Interior Minister Robert Kalinak said in his reaction to the news of the proposed ban that there are plans to amend the law that would make it possible to ban individuals from pursuing political activities after their original party has been banned. Similar rules already exist in France and Belgium. Martyrs or criminals? The legal standing of the party and its MPs is one thing, but voters support for them is another. Political analyst and expert on political extremism Tomas Nociar admitted that it is difficult to predict at this point how the public would react to the dissolution of LSNS. Parts of the public might perceive them as persecuted politicians, but parts could also perceive them as martyrs, Nociar told Sme. Nociar sees the ban on individual politicians as a better way to address extremism in politics than a ban on political parties. When a politician is not allowed to pursue political activities, people forget him or her sooner or later. This was the example of Belgian extremist Daniel Feret who was banned from politics for 10 years and was subsequently forgotten, Sme wrote. Some voiced opposition to the ban altogether, citing fears that it might allow Kotleba to be turned into (or turn himself into) a martyr. Irena Bihariova, a human rights expert and lawyer who currently works with the Progressive Slovakia movement, addressed the discussion about martyrdom and free speech in her op-ed for Sme on May 27. She insists that the martyrdom concern is the weakest argument in the whole debate. There is no option for combating extremism that would not present a chance to assume the role of the unjustly persecuted, Bihariova wrote, adding that being a rebel or martyr is a necessary part of the image of any politician who dances on the edge of the law. Bihariova said that the only relevant viewpoint in the debate is the legal viewpoint. When a person commits a crime, it makes no sense to discuss whether it is appropriate to prosecute them or what the reaction of the public will be, Bihariova wrote. If the general prosecutor considers the actions of the party to violate the Constitution or a law, he has no other option but to launch a proceeding into its dissolution. Bihariova admitted that the lawyers could make some tactical decisions with regard to the timing and manner of argumentation, but she does not think that the prosecutor should calculate based on political consequences or public opinion. Even if it were possible that the decision [to ban the party] would, in fact, strengthen the political position of LSNS, they must not give up if their evidence shows that the party broke the law, she wrote. Radka Minarechova contributed to this report The capital is the first Slovak city or town to receive the award Font size: A - | A + The city of Bratislava has received the Golden Apple award in the destinations category from the World Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers (FIJET). The prize is tourisms equivalent to the Academy Awards, which salute excellence in the film industry. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement This [Golden Apple] award is granted to a destination that represents a crossroads of history, culture and experience, said Ludmila Novacka, FIJET Slovakia's president, at the award ceremony on June 1, as cited by the TASR newswire. Bratislava has been added to the list of over 40 cities including Krakow, Moscow, Antwerp and Dubrovnik, that have received the accolade since 1970. Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Ministry State Secretary Lukas Parizek, said that the award represents another impetus to the development of tourism in Bratislava. Bratislava is making it onto the global map of trends in tourism, said Parizek. Peter Durcek, state secretary at the Transport and Construction Ministry, which has authority over the tourism sector, noted that Bratislava is the first Slovak city or town to receive the Golden Apple. Bratislava is bringing healthy leadership to tourism for our country and I believe that other regions will take their cue from it, said Durcek. Bratislava deputy mayor Ludmila Farkasovska believes that the award is also a reflection of the increasing interest of travellers in the Slovak capital. She noted that over 1.2 million people visited the city in 2016 after the one-million mark was topped the year before that. These excellent figures also indicate that Bratislava is indeed a Little Big City that can offer a lot from a limited area, ranging from history, culture to beautiful nature, experiences providing an adrenaline rush, and social events, said Farkasovska. A number of foreign journalists also attended the award ceremony and they will explore the city and its environs over the next three days. We believe that their stay will further contribute to the promotion of Bratislava abroad, said Alzbeta Melicharova of the Bratislava Tourist Board. A purpose wedding is defined as a form of human smuggling. Font size: A - | A + Investigators from the Foreigners Police accused four Slovaks of the crime of human smuggling leading to a wedding of purpose. In the first case Marian B. from Eastern Slovakia was accused, spokesperson for the police, Denisa Baloghova informed. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement For marrying a woman from Ukraine he should have received a family house in Nizne Nemecke, said Baloghova as quoted by the SITA newswire. The wife asked for permanent residence for five years after marriage, Baloghova added. In the second case, Monika H. persuaded Beata A to go through with a wedding. She married Pakistani, Qadeer A. in 2015 in Stockerau, Austria. Both women gained a reward of 4,000, stated Baloghova as quoted by SITA. In 2015 another woman, Andrea O. from the Rimavska Sobota region also married a Pakistani in Vienna according to sharia law. Read also: Read also: Two Syrians from Germany arrested in Slovakia for smuggling migrants Read more There was no administrative wedding but she is also accused, explained Baloghova for SITA. A man and three women are also under investigation while at liberty. If they are proved guilty, they could be imprisoned for between two to eight years. Restaurants are pleased that they can offer this popular dish to local as well as foreign tourists this summer season Font size: A - | A + Steak tartare is returning to restaurants in Slovakia after being banned for almost 10 years. On June 1 an amendment to the regulation governing the sale of meals containing raw meat without heat treatment has come into effect. The Slovak Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ZHR) initiated the change. The original regulation from 2007 banned serving steak tartare in Slovak restaurants. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement We have sought a solution that will set exact conditions for the sale of raw meat in restaurants that has not undergone heat treatment and we have succeeded, thanks to the excellent cooperation between state authorities and us as representatives of the industry, said Marek Harbulak, ZHR manager general, as cited by the SITA newswire. Hotels and restaurants are pleased that the amendment became effective as of the beginning of June. This means that we can offer this popular dish to locals as well as foreign tourists as early as this summer season, said Harbulak. Originally the regulation banned the serving of steak tartare as it allowed the serving of only heat treated meat. Restaurants in contravention of the regulation faced a fine of between 150 and 20,000. Eating raw meat is very risky because the consumer may be infected by various bacteria causing vomiting and diarrhea, warned Zuzana Drobova, spokesperson for Slovakias Public Health Authority for the public RTVS last September. Even though steak tartare was banned in Slovakia, several restaurants still had it on their menus. Now restaurants will have to follow strict rules to serve steak tartare. They must serve this popular dish immediately after it is prepared and only with eggs from approved farms. They will also have to report to local offices of the Public Health Authority in advance that they are serving this dish. Also they will have to include in their menus that this dish is not recommended for children, pregnant women or people with weakened immunity. Competency-based Education New Hampshire Pilot Eliminates Grades in K-8 A set of schools in New Hampshire is piloting a competency-based education (CBE) program that eliminates both kinds of grades the ones children move into from one year to the next and the ones they receive for their efforts. No Grades, No Grades (NG2) is a project being run by the state's Department of Education and the New Hampshire Learning Initiative, an organization that promotes innovation in education. The purpose of NG2 is to develop a model of personalization for elementary and middle school while eliminating what the project views as educational barriers to that: the grades. The six schools involved will receive no incentives and no additional funding from federal, state or local sources to run their programs. The process theyve followed began with an assessment running from April through June last year, where teams convened to review current student performance and other data and then develop strategic plans. Those teams visited schools running similar programs in other states to see how school time and space were changed in a CBE model and to gain an understanding of the learning progressions and teacher roles. In July, participants attended an institute where they developed interdisciplinary projects that use CBE and multi-age groupings. The teams refined their projects in August. During the school year, they continued the development process to create tools and learning progressions, perform data collection and do revision and documentation. The "Live Free or Die" state has long been a leader in competency education. In 2005, New Hampshire changed its state rules to enable its high schools to base academic credit on demonstrations of mastery rather than "seat time" as long as students met state and local standards. By now the "Carnegie" unit is completely gone at the high school level. Until the arrival of NG2, just a few K-8 schools in the state have tackled CBE. The latest pilot is intended to expand personalized learning into more districts. NG2 received a two-year grant that began in February 2016 from the Assessment for Learning Project, supported by the William + Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iran is in talks with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to forge a free-trade pact, state-run media said, amid problems in securing fresh Western investment despite the lifting of most global sanctions against Tehran. Iran's economy has revived only slowly since its curbed its disputed nuclear activity under a 2015 deal with world powers because many foreign investors remain cautious for fear of incurring penalties from remaining unilateral U.S. sanctions. In turning to the EEU, Iran would be building on increasing trade, economic and military ties with Russia, including the two countries' support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his war with rebels and militants trying to topple him. State-run Press TV said on Friday that Iranian Communications and Information Technology Minister Mahmoud Vaezi and EEU Trade Minister Veronika Nikishina met in St Petersburg on Thursday to discuss a free trade pact. Iran has compiled a list of 200 items to trade with the EEU, according to Press TV. If a free trade pact were signed, Iran would grant EEU members preferential tariffs for three years before launching free trade, Vaezi said. Press TV said free trade would bring the Islamic Republic closer to joining the EEU, a Russia-led trade bloc formed in 2015 that includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Iran and Russia have joined in supporting Assad in Syria. Last year Russian jets used an air base in Iran to bomb militant targets in Syria. It was Russia's first military deployment launched in Iran since it was an occupying force in the 1940s. Bilateral trade between Russia and Iran nearly doubled between January 2016 and January 2017, according to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development cited by Sputnik news agency. Top Russian gas producer Gazprom and the National Iranian Oil Company signed a memorandum on cooperation in the gas sphere in March when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited Moscow. The thickening Russian-Iranian ties are a worry for both Saudi Arabia, Tehran's main rival for dominance in the Middle East, and U.S. President Donald Trump, who has voiced interest in strategic cooperation with Moscow but sees Iran as an enemy. Of greatest likely concern for Washington is the sale of military hardware to Iran. Last year, Russia provided Iran with its S-300 missile defence system, which had been purchased in 2007 but not delivered for years because of sanctions. (Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh; editing by Mark Heinrich) By Sylvia Westall and Tom Finn DUBAI/DOHA (Reuters) - Just 10 days after President Donald Trump called on Muslim countries to stand united against Iran, a public feud between Qatar and some of its Gulf Arab neighbours is jolting his attempt to tip the regional balance of power against Tehran. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are incensed by Qatar's conciliatory line on Iran, their regional archrival, and its support for Islamist groups, in particular the Muslim Brotherhood, which they regard as a dangerous political enemy. The bickering among the Sunni states erupted after Trump attended a summit of Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia where he denounced Shi'ite Iran's "destablising interventions" in Arab lands, where Tehran is locked in a tussle with Riyadh for influence. The spat shows no sign of abating, raising the prospect of a long breach between Doha and its closest allies that could have repercussions around the Middle East. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived in Kuwait on Wednesday for talks with his counterpart Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah that are expected to address the rift. Kuwait, a past mediator between Gulf states, has offered to help ease tensions. But few expect an early end to what is not their first feud. Three years ago Saudi Arabia and the UAE withdrew their ambassadors from Doha for similar reasons, although they returned after less than a year. Analysts point to the unusual willingness of Qatari state-backed media on one side, and Saudi and Emirati media on the other, to trade rhetorical broadsides in public. This suggests that point-scoring is taking priority over displays of unity among some members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a Saudi-dominated club of states that presents itself as an outpost of stability in a turbulent region. In the Gulf's tightly-controlled media scene, attacks made by news outlets tend to be authorised by governments. "The GCC could harm it own interests in this fight and is at risk of becoming more vulnerable to Iranian encroachment," said a Western diplomat based in Doha. EMBOLDENED BY TRUMP The spat's immediate cause was a purported Qatari state media report that the emir had cautioned against confrontation with Iran, as well as defending the Palestinian group Hamas and Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shi'ite movement allied to Tehran. Qatar denied the report, saying its news agency had been hacked, but Saudi Arabia and the UAE allowed their state-backed media to continue running it, angering Doha. The squabble revives old accusations that Qatar backs the Brotherhood, which is present across most of the Muslim world and whose political ideology challenges the principle of dynastic rule. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi also suspect Doha is complacent about Iranian expansionism. Qatar has said it is "always in favour of maintaining strong and brotherly relations with GCC countries", and denies it has ties with the Muslim Brotherhood. Some analysts speculate Riyadh and Abu Dhabi felt confident to authorise criticisms of Qatar by their deepening friendship with Trump, confident that his opposition to Iran and all Islamist armed groups reflects their views more than Qatar's. "When Trump gave fulsome support in Riyadh and said, 'let's isolate Iran' that sent a signal to the UAE and Saudi, which felt emboldened and said: let's let loose everything we have on Qatar," said Gerd Nonneman, professor of International Relations and Gulf Studies at Georgetown University in Qatar. Acknowledging the tensions, the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, wrote on Twitter on Sunday that the GCC countries "are passing through a new sharp crisis that carries within it a great danger". Gulf officials and commentators outside Qatar said it did not matter whether the remarks were fake because they reflected Qatar's sympathies anyway. "Doha's insistence in denying the issue is marginal because in reality, on the ground, Qatar confirms it adopts the policies that it is now trying to deny," an editorial in Saudi-owned newspaper Al-Hayat on Monday said. RIFTS HAVE RAMIFICATIONS A Gulf Arab official said patience had run out. "What is certain is the Gulf states led by Riyadh are not likely to tolerate such a deviation, if intentional, especially at this junction in our relationship with our hostile neighbour Iran." Al Raya, a government-owned Qatari daily, hit back at Emirati reports on Friday by publishing pictures on its front page of UAE journalists it called "mercenaries". Such animosities can have ramifications across the Middle East, where Gulf states have used their financial and political clout to influence events in Libya, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Yemen amid upheaval caused by the Arab Spring. Nonneman said Kuwait and Oman clearly did not want a major rift. "It's not in the interests of anyone for this to grow into a clash beyond a media campaign - but sometimes these things take on a life of their own," he said. Iran, which denies Arab accusations that it is engaged in subversion of Arab countries, appears to be gloating. Kayhan, a newspaper closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Tuesday the rift reflected Saudi Arabia's inability to "form an alliance against Tehran". (Additional reporting by Katie Paul in Riyadh, Sami Aboudi and Noah Browning in Dubai, Ahmed Hagagy in Kuwait, Borzorgmehr Sharafedin in London, Editing by William Maclean and David Stamp) shutterstock In the UK, the worlds fifth richest economy, vulnerable children are being denied education. Asylum seekers and refugee children are struggling to access education and unable to attend school or college. This contravenes rights to equal educational access in accordance with international human rights law. Im currently working on research projects about child refugees, one of which compares experiences of children in the UK with those arriving in Sweden and I am concerned that the UK education system is not currently fit for purpose or able to provide adequate schooling for every child. The fact of the matter is that refugee children should be resettled in the UK. It is quite simply the right thing to do for obvious humanitarian reasons. As Ghandi observed: The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members. Lessons should be learned from countries such as Sweden, where more inclusive practices are already in place. It should also be considered how education policies and practices are working against schools and teachers who want to welcome refugees but who are unable to. Hassans story Take Hassan, hes 15 and Iranian, and I met him at an arts workshop for recently arrived child refugees in the UK. Hassan had been in the UK for four months and did not yet have a school place. His age is the first barrier when it comes to an education. This is because Hassan should be in year 11 GCSE year which means a school could be reluctant to take him because he is unlikely to have sufficient preparation time for exams. Teachers are also under massive amounts of pressure to deliver outcomes to boost their schools progress scores and performance in league tables. And new arrivals such as Hassan regardless of their prior attainment and experience are unlikely to be able to adjust to the English school culture and absorb the content and skills required to pass high stakes examinations in the remaining months of year 11. Story continues Pexels The second barrier is language. When we met, Hassan had a friend translating. And until he has a school place, Hassan will be reliant on the support of volunteer groups for English language lessons. There is another practical barrier, too Hassan had a letter from his local authority (which he carries with him) saying there are three potential schools for him. But none are near Hassans home, and two of the schools are two bus rides away. Navigating the system If Hassan isnt successful in finding a school place in 40 days, his case will appear before whats known as a Fair Access Panel. This will allocate a place to Hassan and there will be a further period of time when the school can appeal this decision. Should he find a place, the school, undoubtedly worried about balancing budgets and managing limited resources, will decide which class to put him in, which subjects, and which sets. He might also attend an intervention programme to develop his English and help him access the curriculum, but such places are limited. Shutterstock More likely, Hassan will be placed in a mainstream classroom and given in-house language support which will mean withdrawal from some lessons. He will probably also be placed in lower sets because his English will mask his real ability. These decisions will have short, and maybe, longer term implications for Hassans prospects and for the friendship groups he develops. The Swedish way But until Hassan gets a school place, he is stuck. He reached the UK but is unable to begin making a new life because he cannot access the support the education system should be able to offer him. And if this is still the case after the age of 16, his experiences are likely to be worse because places in post 16 provision are often even more limited. But had Hassan landed in Sweden, he and his family would access two hours daily of Swedish language tuition as part of their residence permit. In school, Hassan would also receive two hours teaching per week in his home language. This reflects research which shows that when it comes to language learning, a bilingual environment is most successful. This means a childs first language is continued to enable them to learn a second or third language more quickly. In Sweden, Hassans local school would also commit to enrol him as quickly as possible. Often within a fortnight of arriving in the country. Shutterstock Like Sweden, schools in the UK should also be inclusive spaces that offer education for all rather than just for league tables. This is important because young refugees are likely to complete their education in their new country becoming full members of their post-settlement society. So instead of restricting access to education, the UK should instead recognise the potential of these children and welcome them in its schools as they begin their new lives. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation Joanna McIntyre does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above. By Parisa Hafezi and Jonathan Saul ANKARA/LONDON (Reuters) - Growing strains with the United States and political infighting at home threaten Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's plans to expand social freedoms, create jobs and draw in foreign investment, officials and analysts say. Anti-Western hardliners defeated by Rouhani in the presidential election in May appear determined to take revenge by denying the pragmatic cleric an economic dividend, they believe. The hardliners' strategy is to stoke already-simmering tension with Washington and its Gulf Arab allies, injecting fresh political risk into a country that had been seen as a safer bet since its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. "To weaken Rouhani, they will try all possible ways, from provoking hawks in Washington to imposing more political limitations at home ... and isolating Iran economically," said a senior official who asked not to be named. "Rouhani will have very challenging months ahead." U.S. President Donald Trump, during a May 20-21 visit to Saudi Arabia, called Iran a threat to countries across the Middle East. Rouhani later urged "moderation and rationality" in international relations. But Iran's hardline Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei struck a more combative note, saying Saudi Arabia's leaders faced "certain downfall" due to their alliance with Washington. A week later the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Shi'ite country's most powerful military force, upped the ante, disclosing it had built a third underground ballistic missile production factory and would keep developing its missile programme - a project strongly opposed by Washington and its Gulf allies like Saudi Arabia. TURMOIL ACROSS MIDDLE EAST In recent months, the Guards have stepped up support for the rebel Houthi movement in Yemen, where they are waging a proxy war with Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia. They have increased funding and arming of militia groups in Syria and Iraq, while continuing to back traditional ally Hezbollah of Lebanon. IRGC naval vessels have repeatedly been in tense encounters with U.S. warships in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, through which a third of all oil shipping passes. The escalating regional tensions will increase the nervousness of potential foreign investors, many of whom were already keeping Iranian ambitions on hold due to worries about red tape or a possible restoration of sanctions if Iran violates the nuclear deal. "Rouhani will continue to solicit the return of foreign businesses ... to Iran without providing them with a much-needed change in behaviour to boost their confidence, said senior Iran analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, said that with the anti-Iran Trump in the White House there was less pressure on Iran's hardliners to justify their animosity toward the U.S. "Iran's regional strategy has been consistent for four decades, regardless of who is president of the country. Opposition to the U.S. and Israel hasn't changed, and opposition to Saudi Arabia has intensified," he said. The lifting of sanctions in 2016 partly reconnected Iran with the international financial system crucial to trade, but lingering unilateral U.S. sanctions tied to human rights and terrorism have spooked many potential investors. "Large international banks wont (get involved) because of the U.S. exposure, the size of the past penalties and their ongoing U.S. business and assets," said Andreas Schweitzer, senior managing partner of London-based Arjan Capital. Then there are the domestic tensions. First elected in 2013 on a pledge to ease Iran's diplomatic isolation, Rouhani spent much of his political capital on the nuclear deal, which resulted in a lifting of most sanctions in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme.In that effort, he enjoyed the guarded support of Khamenei. But now, under heightened pressure in his second term to widen economic opportunities for Iran's youth, Rouhani can no longer be sure of the supreme leader's backing. After a campaign featuring outspoken attacks on security and judicial hardliners and calling for a speedier opening to the world, Rouhani trounced Khamenei's perceived favourite in the election, irking the IRGC, Khamenei's ally. COLLISION PATH Andrine Skjelland, MENA country risk analyst, BMI Research, said the president's rhetoric had deepened "divisions between himself and the hardline elite". Sidelined by the nuclear deal, the Guards are trying to claw back economic clout by accusing Rouhani of favouring foreign firms over domestic ones, praising Khamenei's vision of a self-reliant economy that avoids foreign investment. "Domestic political instability will impact foreign investors ... It will deter the investors from returning to Iran," said Meir Javdanfar, an Iranian-born expert on Iran at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya in Israel. Under U.S. and EU sanctions, the Guards took over billion-dollar projects vacated by Western oil companies. Their influence can be felt across Iran's economy - from port operations to oil. They are estimated to have a presence in 80 percent of business interests in the country. "Rouhani's re-election will put the IRGC on a bigger collision path with him," Javdanfar said. "His voters wanted moderation, while the IRGC wants to expand its reach abroad and to become more confrontational with the West." Senior members of the IRGC and its front companies remain under U.S. sanctions. Most IRGC front companies, however, are not formally owned by the Corps, but by firms linked to it. Foreign companies need an Iranian partner to do business in Iran, which for big projects often means IRGC-controlled firms. "Many businessmen are still suffering from the lack of an economic revival in Iran. They will happily accept being the IRGC's shell companies," said a trader in Tehran. Khamenei has been adept at ensuring that no group, even among hardline allies, becomes powerful enough to challenge his authority. Displeased with Rouhani's rising popularity, he will not back the president in his economic battle with the IRGC. "It is a vicious circle. More economic involvement of the Guards means less foreign investors and vice versa," said a former reformist minister. (Editing by William Maclean and Andrew Roche) By Lisa Barrington BEIRUT (Reuters) - Moves in Washington to widen financial sanctions on the powerful Shi'ite Hezbollah political group have triggered alarm in Beirut where the government fears major damage to the banking sector that underpins Lebanon's stability. Not yet proposed as law, draft amendments to an existing law threatening sanctions against anyone who finances the heavily-armed Iranian-backed Hezbollah in a significant way prompted lobbying trips to Washington in May by worried Lebanese bankers and politicians. They returned saying that U.S. officials recognised their concerns over draft proposals that would widen the scope of the law by subjecting Hezbollah's political allies to sanctions or scrutiny, and believing any expansion of the law would be a toned down version of the draft. But with U.S. President Donald Trump keen to curb the influence of Iran and its Middle Eastern allies in the region, the risks have not gone away for Lebanon, where Hezbollah wields huge influence. "There's one question anyone who wants to put pressure on Lebanon should remember: Do you want another failed state on the eastern Mediterranean?" Yassine Jaber, a member of parliament who led a delegation to Washington in mid-May, told Reuters. "Lebanon is very, very vulnerable economically at the moment," added Jaber, an independent Shi'ite politician who is aligned with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's Shi'ite Amal movement, which was named as a target for investigation in the draft amendments first reported by Lebanese media in April. Political and financial figures fear more regulatory pressure could damage the banking sector - the cornerstone of Lebanon's precarious economy - endangering a financial stability maintained despite the war in neighbouring Syria where Hezbollah along with Iran backs President Bashar al-Assad. Hezbollah, led by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was formed to combat Israel's 1982-2000 occupation of Lebanon. Its battlefield prowess, extensive social works among Lebanese Shi'ites and its alliance with powerful regional states have helped it secure a dominant role in the country's politics with seats in parliament and government. It is classified by Washington as a terrorist organisation. MAIN WORRY CORRESPONDENT BANKS The main worry is that U.S. correspondent banks - which face huge fines if found to be dealing with people or companies sanctioned under anti-terrorism financing legislation - might finally decide Lebanese banks are too risky to do business with. That would threaten the remittances upon which the highly dollarised Lebanese economy depends. Shortly after the Lebanese press published the draft, President Michel Aoun - a Maronite Christian and political ally of Hezbollah - said as it stands it could cause "great damage to Lebanon and its people". The draft proposal would widen legislation to include persons and entities affiliated with Hezbollah, and to report on the finances of senior members of Amal. The wording gave rise to speculation in Lebanon that Aoun's finances could be also targeted for scrutiny. Jaber told Reuters the draft - a copy of which was seen by Reuters - was now "outdated". But sources familiar with the matter told Reuters there remains a strong desire in Washington to press harder against Iran and Hezbollah, and there are likely other measures being drafted. A U.S. congressional aide told Reuters that Republican representative and head of the U.S. Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce, who authored the original 2015 law, is considering additional legislation. "If they (the banks) aren't doing business with Hezbollah, they don't have anything to worry about," the aide said. The U.S. Treasury declined to comment on the draft saying it had no formal position. Jaber said: "The position at the moment is that there might be some congressmen or senators thinking of preparing a bill, but I think our discussions will help in toning it down from what we saw as a draft." The United States says Hezbollah is financed not just by Iran but also by networks of Lebanese and international individuals and businesses. The 2015 law, known as HIFPA, aimed to cut off these funding routes. TRIGGERED TENSIONS Its implementation triggered domestic tensions in Lebanon. Worried about losing their relationship with correspondent banks, Lebanese banks began closing some customers' accounts, including Shi'ites who were not Hezbollah members. Critics of the law in Lebanon say it resulted in the unfair targeting of the Shi'ite population. Charity networks run by Shi'ite clerics were hit when some of their accounts closed for a time. The law led to an unprecedented dispute between Hezbollah and the central bank which asked all banks to comply with the legislation. Last June, a bomb was set off at the headquarters of leading Lebanese bank Blom Bank, causing no casualties. Since taking office in January, Trump has imposed new sanctions on individuals and businesses involved with Iran's ballistic missile programme and with Hezbollah. Ali Hamdan, an Amal member who went on the lobbying trip to Washington, echoed Jaber, saying the leaked draft was outdated and could be forgotten. "An understanding was reached," said Hamdan, media adviser to Berri. "[We] told them: more, wider, generalised sanctions are a recipe to destroy Lebanon." The Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) dispatched its own delegation in May and met with a "good response" in Washington and from U.S. correspondent banks in New York. ABL head Joseph Torbey made the case that existing legislation was sufficient and that the new draft was open to "inappropriate interpretations". (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Yeganeh Torbati in Washington; Editing by Tom Perry and Peter Millership) OPEC has gotten its share of headlines over the years due to its influence on oil prices. From the oil embargo of the 1970s to the $100-plus per barrel crude prices of just a few years ago, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has held significant sway over the direction of oil prices. Here are seven things that everyone should know about this market-moving cartel. 1: OPEC was formed in 1960 for a single purpose. At the Baghdad Conference in September 1960, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela formed The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC. Its stated purpose was to: Co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry. In this goal, the member nations aimed to counter the influence of the "Seven Sisters" -- seven large western oil companies -- on oil prices. 2: OPEC currently has 13 members Several other nations subsequently joined the five founding members of OPEC: Qatar in 1961, Indonesia in 1962, Libya in 1962, the United Arab Emirates in 1967, Algeria in 1969, Nigeria in 1971, Ecuador in 1973, Gabon in 1975, and Angola in 2007. Both Ecuador and Gabon left OPEC for a while before rejoining in 2007 and 2016, respectively. Meanwhile, Indonesia left in 2009, then rejoined early last year only to leave again at the end of the year. As a result, there are currently 13 members of OPEC. 3: Saudi Arabia is by far OPEC's top oil producer. In 2016, OPEC members produced nearly 32.5 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) -- about 36% of global crude production. Leading the way was Saudi Arabia, which produced an average of 10.4 million bpd, or 32% of the total. Rounding out the top five were Iraq (4.4 million bpd), Iran (3.5 million bpd), UAE (3 million bpd), and Kuwait (2.9 million bpd). One reason Saudi Arabia can pump so much more oil each day than its fellow members is its rock-bottom production costs. 4: While OPEC does not control oil prices, it does influence them OPEC can't set oil prices because crude trades on the global market. However, because it does control more than a third of global crude output, it can nudge them in a desired direction. That's what it tried to do last November by delivering a six-month production cut that it coordinated with several nonmember nations. By reducing supply, that agreement pushed oil prices from the mid-$40s into the mid-$50s for a while. However, the rebound in oil prices incentivized other competitors, namely U.S. shale drillers, to increase their output. For example, leading shale driller EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG) boosted its drilling budget 44%, a move it expects will fuel 18% growth in its oil production this year. EOG is one of several U.S. oil producers ramping up production in the wake of OPEC's intervention, which has put some downward pressure back on crude prices. 5: OPEC requires a unanimous vote to increase or cut oil output Not only does OPEC battle against non-members over the direction of oil prices, it often battles within itself. That's because it takes a unanimous vote of all members for OPEC to enact or extend an output cut, or to increase production caps. The members often have contradictory goals, which can make it hard to come to such an agreement. It takes a lot of lobbying and meetings to get everyone on the same page -- when that happens. 6: Venezuela is the leader for oil reserves OPEC controls an estimated 1.2 trillion barrels of proven oil reserves -- defined as oil that it can produce with reasonable certainty and with current technology and prices. That's a whopping 81% of total estimated global oil reserves. What's surprising about OPEC's reserves is that the leading holder isn't Saudi Arabia, nor any of the other top-five producers. Instead, it's Venezuela, which holds an estimated 300.9 billion barrels of crude in the ground, or 24.8% of OPEC's total, edging out Saudi Arabia's 266.5 billion barrel reserve. For comparison sake, the U.S. currently has just 35.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves according to government data, though when adding in total recoverable resources, the U.S. leads the globe. 7: 34% of U.S. oil imports came from OPEC in 2016 In 2016, the United States imported 3.45 million bpd of oil from OPEC countries according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which was 34% of total U.S. oil imports. Saudi Arabia was the leading OPEC source, supplying 1.1 million bpd. That said, the U.S. imported more oil from Canada (3.8 million bpd) than from OPEC. Further, our oil imports from OPEC have fallen sharply since peaking at nearly 6.5 million barrels per day just before the financial crisis, driven down by rising U.S. shale output. The country's net oil imports were just a quarter of total consumption last year, one of the lowest levels since 1970. 10 stocks we like better than EOG Resources When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and EOG Resources wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of May 1, 2017 Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of EOG Resources. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. High Noon Restaurant & Saloon in Old Town does two things exceptionally well: First, and most important, it serves one of the best steaks in town. Second, it stands as an excellent reminder of Albuquerques Wild West roots. Nearly hidden in an adobe low-rise built in the mid-1700s, the saloon was reimagined in the mid-1970s as a fine-dining steakhouse with New Mexican flare and an extensive tequila list. For more than 40 years, High Noon has served high-minded cuisine to locals and tourists alike in a setting that is a little beguiling (there are ghosts; more on that later). On a recent visit, I was sat in a corner by the saloon and started my meal with one of High Noons most popular appetizers, the red chile beef bites ($11). Large chunks of beef are simmered for hours in red chile sauce and then served hot with a homemade flour tortilla. The chile was sweeter than it was hot, and the beef was tender and juicy. Eleven large chunks of beef make this a perfect appetizer to share, but youll need an extra tortilla or two. Because I was hidden in the bar, or because I was dining alone, I had to flag down my waiter three times for a drink, finally gave up and just walked to the counter and ordered. I arrived between the lunch and dinner rushes, right before a large party of tourists, so I was easy to forget. Also, these things happen. The rest of the service was impeccable. Waiting for a waiter gave me a chance to check out the decor: The restaurants thick adobe walls are accented with lighted niches that feature antique religious figures carved in wood. The ceilings of exposed vigas in each small room hang low for added intimacy. This feels like a place Billy the Kid might have frequented. Some of his friends, I thought, might still be lingering. Turns out, the restaurants owner, Carla Villa, has reported so much strange activity that a film crew from The Travel Channel visited the restaurant a couple of years ago to investigate. The show, called The Dead Files, featured two paranormal investigators who spent a week at High Noon trying to contact malevolent spirits. Steve DiSchiavi, the shows star, is a retired New York Police Department homicide detective who now hunts ghosts. During the filming, he talked with the Journals Adrian Gomez about the locations violent past. I would say that I am noticing that there are entities that well say are demons or devils, DiSchiavi told the Journal. They seem to be becoming more prevalent. The episode, which aired a couple of years ago, features the ghost-busting couple attempting to rid the restaurant of spirits, though whether they succeeded is debatable. I, for one, encountered more tourists than ghosts. A young family from Alabama was making a return visit and enthusiastically recommended the High Noon filet, which sounded great. The generous cut of beef, roughly 10 ounces, was expertly seasoned and grilled perfectly, then placed atop two strange-looking burritos that turned out to be mushroom-stuffed mashed potatoes rolled up in corn tortillas. With a steak this good (and, at $31, this expensive), side dishes should be stellar: The mashed potatoes were a little dry, and even with mushrooms, a little too bland. Luckily, a delicious demi-glace smothered the steak and added balance to the fantastically flavored smoky beef. While not formal, High Noon is a slightly finer option than any other spot in Old Town: The menu is focused on classics like grilled salmon and blue-corn enchiladas, but it also features standards like burgers and pasta. Its perfect for a special occasion, a margarita-fueled tourist gathering, an impromptu business lunch or just a fresh New Mexican meal with the chance of encountering a ghost. High Noon Restaurant & Saloon LOCATION: 425 San Felipe NW, 765-1455, highnoonrestaurant.com HOURS: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday; noon-9:30 p.m. Sunday FULL BAR 3 stars U.S. Sen. Tom Udall says he believes President Donald Trump can find bipartisan support in Congress for one idea that might help New Mexico a $1 trillion plan to invest in roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Udall, a Democrat and member of Senate Appropriations Committee, told community leaders gathered for a luncheon in Albuquerque on Thursday that some Trump-backed proposals are having trouble gaining support on Capitol Hill. But Trump's campaign promise to pursue a $1 trillion infrastructure plan is something that could win support from both Democrats and Republicans, Udall said. Senate Democrats, he noted, have already proposed their own such plan. Udall acknowledged that there's likely to be plenty of disagreement over the details, but a major push to improve roads and other infrastructure could help put people to work, which is especially critical in New Mexico, which has the nation's worst unemployment rate. It would really give us a shot in the arm if we get a good chunk of that, Udall said. I think it's something we could get done. Udall spoke to civic leaders and answered questions for about 40 minutes at a luncheon sponsored by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Trump's proposed operating budget is dead on arrival in Congress, he said, but it would have been damaging to New Mexico if passed because of cuts to programs people rely on. Udall closed his prepared remarks by saying he understands that Americans expect bipartisan cooperation, even in the polarized political climate of Washington, D.C. There's no sugarcoating it: There is a divide in this country, Udall said. Fortunately, I don't believe the divide is as great here in New Mexico. LOS ANGELES Put this in your pipe and smoke it. An investment group that includes legendary ganga guru Bob Marleys son has bought a controlling interest in High Times, the magazine that for decades has separated the stems and seeds from the leaves when it comes to showing people the best ways to grow, roll and consume the finest blends of marijuana. Damian Junior Gong Marley, whose forthcoming reggae album is appropriately titled Stony Hill, is one of 20 investors who announced Thursday they have acquired 60 percent interest in Trans-High Corp., owner of High Times, its digital platforms and its popular Cannabis Cup trade shows. THC (the acronym is the same as that of marijuanas key ingredient) will be renamed High Times Holding Co. Its an exciting day, said Adam Levin, the companys new CEO. We have really the largest brand in cannabis, really the trusted brand, that weve been able to acquire at a time when obviously legalization trends are burgeoning and the industry as a whole is exploding. The purchase price wasnt revealed but Levin, whose Los Angeles-based investment firm, Oreva Capital, put the deal together, said the company is valued at $70 million. With marijuana legal in some form in 26 states and the District of Columbia, Levin and his partners believe its the perfect time to acquire the company with a mainstream brand name and a colorful reputation. They could be right, says Gabriel Kahn, an expert on changing media trends and a professor at the University of Southern Californias Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. The marijuana business is increasingly becoming professionalized and mainstream, Kahn said. That opens up a space for a news outfit to lay claim to being the voice of the industry and establish credibility. Any publication that can pull that off can create a lasting business. Although High Times has competitors, Levin says hes confident it will prevail because of its reputation. Ellen Komp, deputy director of the Californias chapter of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, agrees the magazine has credibility in the pothead community. I respect their reporting, she said. Their editors have been more aggressive about fact-checking than other cannabis publications. While many magazines have struggled in recent years, High Times says it has retained a loyal print subscriber base of more than 200,000 with millions more following it online. A recent edition contains such consumer-friendly stories as where to find the most reasonably priced pot and how to prepare the tastiest edibles. Other stories offer tips on growing and pot-related political news. Perhaps High Times most lucrative source of income, however, is its Cannabis Cup trade shows. What began as a single, somewhat clandestine meeting in an Amsterdam hotel room in 1988 has grown to 11 events this year. One is scheduled for this weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area and one in Southern California in February attracted 25,000 people. Levin sees expanding those shows to include such possible revenue sources as concerts and clothing lines. Thats a dramatic change from the early years of a magazine founded in 1974 by Tom Forcade with seed money hed made from selling drugs. In the early years High Times was often sold in the same plastic bags newsstands used to shield the covers of porn magazines. After Forcade killed himself in 1978, The New York Times reported that staffers carried his cremated ashes to the top of New Yorks World Trade Center and smoked them. It was much more of a crazy, burgeoning pot smuggler magazine when it originated, Levin acknowledged Thursday. But he added its become the trusted brand of cannabis lovers. Were the Wine Aficionado of the cannabis industry, he said, referring to the popular wine magazine. Judicial activism: The doctrine that the judicial branch, especially the federal courts, may interpret the Constitution by deviating from legal precedent as a means of affecting legal and social change. Wikipedia Critics of judicial activism claim that American courts essentially are creating law and policy in our country simply by redefining constitutional rights. If true, should that be cause for concern? Anyone who paid attention in civics class knows that Congress passes laws, the executive enforces those laws, and the judiciary interprets and applies the laws. This system is known as the separation of powers doctrine, a delicate but effective balance among the three branches of American government. As citizens, we should be concerned if one branch of government exceeds its stated duties and powers. But who determines whether the laws passed by Congress, or orders issued by the president, violate the United States Constitution? Who determines whether the federal or state governments have deprived citizens of their constitutional rights? In our nations infancy, the judiciary assumed the role of protector of the American Constitution. In Marbury v. Madison, an 1803 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Congress could not pass any law which was contrary to the Constitution and that it was the role of the judicial system to interpret what the Constitution did and did not permit. Since that landmark decision, constitutional scrutiny by American courts often has been criticized as overreaching in power. Arguably, however, the courts have been doing their job. Remember when some people accused the United States Supreme Court of giving the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush over opponent Al Gore? Essentially, Bush asked the Supreme Court to halt a recount of presidential ballots in Florida. The Supreme Court ruled that a recount was illegal based upon a clear reading of the Constitution and applicable federal law. Nevertheless, the decision sparked furious accusations of inappropriate judicial meddling and overreaching. For those concerned about unbridled judicial activism, please consider the following: First and foremost, a court may not unilaterally or sua sponte (on its own) take any action of any kind. An aggrieved party must file a petition. There must be a controversy for a court to rule upon. The court must have jurisdiction to hear the matter. Without these elements, a court may take no action of any kind. A court may institute nothing. Second, only when the federal and/or state governments historically failed to take action on issues of constitutional liberties were courts ultimately forced to take action tantamount to legislation. A famous example of this is Brown v. Board of Education. The Supreme Court in 1954 was asked to address whether state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled that the notion of alleged separate but equal educational opportunity was unconstitutional, and the laws were struck down. It may seem absurd today, but it was a big deal back then. People who favored segregation were extremely upset with the Supreme Court. As a matter of constitutional right and necessity, however, the decision signaled the end of racial segregation in the education of young Americans. Was Brown v. Board of Education judicial activism? Of course. It clearly effected social change. But the Supreme Court was forced to take action because the federal and state governments had failed to do so. Americans turned to the Supreme Court to enforce the Constitution. And the Supreme Court did its job. Finally, while courts admittedly though infrequently have ignored established legal precedent, it has been for good reason. Did you know, for example, that in Minor v. Happersett, the United States Supreme Court in 1874 originally held by unanimous decision that American women did not have the constitutional right to vote in this country? Should misplaced reverence for legal precedent have allowed that decision to stand ad infinitum? No. One probably could find many old laws and judicial decisions that no one today could justify on any level. Dred Scott v. Sandford ring a bell? Antiquated laws and judicial precedent sometimes must be overruled and set aside. The American people expect and deserve judicial restraint. But they also should expect the judiciary to serve as the watchdog of constitutional rights, especially where the courtroom is the last line of defense of these precious rights. And when an aggrieved citizen petitions a court for relief, the court must respond. Judge Daniel Ramczyk serves on the bench in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the judge individually and not those of the court. Donald Trump, the so-called leader of the free world, made his first foreign visit as president to an absolute monarchy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a petrostate legendary for its complete absence of democratic institutions and rampant violations of human rights. The signature foreign-policy development that Trump announced in Riyadh was a massive, $110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Many people are going to be killed by this flood of weaponry. But this is not a done deal; Trumps affinity for autocrats, strongmen and bullies is facing resistance. As the world processes the horror of the suicide bombing in Manchester, England, where most of the victims were young girls out for a concert, we should brace ourselves for another wave of similar, innocent casualties, this time in Yemen, the target of relentless, U.S.-supported Saudi Arabian bombardment. Start with the premise that killing children is wrong, period. It is as wrong in Manchester as it is in Sanaa, Yemen. It is wrong to kill a child as an act of war, whether the killing is done by a U.S. soldier, a remote pilot of a U.S. Predator drone, a Saudi Arabian pilot of a U.S. provided F-35 or, to use the current term, a terrorist. When a suicide bomber exploded a bomb at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester , those killed were almost entirely from among her immense fan base: young girls tweens and their parents. The newscasts appropriately labeled the attack barbaric. Jump to the first week of the Trump administration. Then, with expected hubris, Trump and his surrogates touted a successful raid in Yemen, despite the death of a Navy SEAL and loss of a helicopter. What went largely unreported, at first, were the 30 civilian casualties of that attack, many of them women and children, including an 8-year-old girl, Nawar Anwar al-Awlaki. Her name is known because she was the daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki, the Islamic cleric who was killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2011. Her older brother, 16-year-old Denver-born Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, was killed in a separate drone strike two weeks after their father was killed. Abdulrahman didnt know his father had been assassinated and was trying to locate his father when the U.S. military killed him. The botched January raid came in the wake of the disastrous Saudi Arabian attack on a funeral in Sanaa on Oct. 8, 2016, where over 140 people, almost all civilians, were killed. After this attack, President Barack Obama, who had authorized a $115 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, withdrew precision-guided munitions from the sale, since their most likely use would be to target civilians. Donald Trump has removed the restriction on those weapons; the Saudi king, a dictator, now has state-of-the-art weaponry to unleash on the people of Yemen. These terrorist attacks are not confined to Europe. They take place every single day in Iraq, in Syria, in Afghanistan, in Pakistan and Yemen, Bahrain, Tariq Ali said on the Democracy Now! news hour, reacting to the Manchester bombing. He is a British political commentator, writer, editor of the New Left Review and longtime peace activist. We all deplore the loss of lives of innocent people. We do. Everyone does. But we cant have double standards, in which we say that someone killed in Europe, their lives are more valuable than the lives being taken in large parts of the Muslim world. And unless the West understands that these double standards provoke and anger more people, it will carry on. The media should use their coverage of the victims of the Manchester bombing, with its poignant biographies and life stories of each of the young lives lost, for the coverage of the deaths in Yemen, in Syria, in Iraq, in Afghanistan. We need to know the names, we need to hear the stories, of those lost lives as well. Trumps arms deal with Saudi Arabia is wrong. It will inflame an already war-ravaged region, hitting Yemen especially hard. Because of the utter destruction of the country, Yemen is suffering a cholera epidemic, famine and an almost complete breakdown of the sanitation, water, and health and hospital infrastructure in the country. This is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. After he sold this new arsenal to the king of Saudi Arabia, Trump swung through Israel, then had an audience with the pope. After that meeting, Trump tweeted, I leave the Vatican more determined than ever to pursue PEACE in our world. Some might maintain hope that Trump means what he tweets. In the meantime, millions around the world are organizing to end war, and to stop the arms sales that promote it. A screening of the movie Woman in Gold, along with a Q&A with the son of the main characters real-life inspiration, will kick off Santa Fes annual Edible Art Tour weekend. Woman in Gold, a 2015 film starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds, is based on the true story of Maria Altmann, a Jewish woman who took on and won a years-long battle against the Austrian government to regain ownership of a Gustav Klimt painting of her aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer. Nazis stole the painting prior to World War II. The Lensic Performing Arts Center will show the film on Thursday, June 8. Our chances of winning were negligible, said Peter Altmann, Marias son and Bloch-Bauers great-nephew who will be at the Lensic. We didnt think anything would happen. My mother did it only for justice. Peter Altmann will give the audience additional insight into his familys story, which he described as a below David and Goliath fight, and answer audience questions following the movie. Like the Edible Art Tour (EAT), proceeds from the event go to ARTsmart, a nonprofit that provides arts-based programs and services for Northern New Mexico children. Altmann said he volunteered to speak to because he wanted to support the cause and come to a city that respects art. Art is what frees the human spirit, and Santa Fe knows that, he said. Tori Brown, ARTsmarts fundraising coordinator and event co-chair, said Altmanns talks rely heavily on the audiences questions and interests. According to Altmann, questions often vary from how the story is still topical today because of the continuing stories of refugees in the Middle East, historical elements of the painting and his mothers quest to retrieve it, as well as the paintings sale for $135 million. The painting is now on display in New Yorks Neue Galerie. [People should] be prepared to have a full-on conversation, not just a lecture, said Brown. A friend of Altmann, Browns mother and also co-chair of the event, Corky Brown, said she asked him to speak as a way to raise funds for the organization and allow Santa Fe to hear his compelling story. Its a story that needs to continually be told, said Corky. Guests can sip on the evenings signature Golden Lady drink and take photos with a tableau vivant-style model dressed as Bloch-Bauer as she was depicted in Klimts famous painting, said Brown. Woman in Gold-inspired merchandise will also be available, including greeting cards made by the ARTsmart students and custom-boxed chocolates from Cacao Santa Fe. Cacao Santa Fe is also scheduled to take part in EAT, in which participants use their ticket to visit local galleries and are greeted with food from local restaurants, individual chefs or catering companies. ARTsmarts events continue downtown June 9, with the first evening of EAT at galleries around the Plaza and in downtown Santa Fe, and on June 10 on Canyon Road. Twenty-nine locations are currently listed as participants, along with the local restaurants that will serve up dishes at each gallery. If you go WHAT: Woman in Gold screening and Q&A WHEN: Reception at 5 p.m., followed by lecture and film at 6 p.m., June 8 WHERE: The Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W. Francisco St. TICKETS: VIP, $75, with a pre-lecture reception; general admission, $35, at ticketssantafe.org or at the Lensic box office. WHAT: Edible Arts Tour, annual food and art walk with Santa Fe restaurants paired with art galleries. WHEN and WHERE: 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 9, at galleries around the Plaza and in downtown Santa Fe, with a kickoff party at 5 p.m. at Joe Wade Fine Art, 102 E. Water St.; 5-8 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at galleries along Canyon Road. TICKETS: $35 online at artfeast.org, the Lensic box office or at participating galleries. INFO: Go to artfeast.org for restaurant/gallery pairings and maps of participating galleries. Donald Trump made it clear during his campaign that he wouldnt accept the well-established science around the global threat of climate change, and that he would seek to resurrect the dying and deadly coal industry, and bring back mining jobs. The presidents talk of bringing back a 1950s economy for the 21st century thinly disguises an agenda thats pro-corporation, but also anti-worker. Removing health-based protections by gutting regulations, and replacing scientists with industry lobbyists at the Environmental Protection Agency will burden the lives of ordinary Americans. A lot of this has been covered in the media. But whats been largely overlooked is the way Trump is boosting the coal industry on the backs of American taxpayers, transferring wealth to coal CEOs and investors in the process. This effort became evident in one of Trumps executive orders, which lifted the Obama administrations moratorium on coal leasing on public lands a moratorium designed to allow the Interior Department to bring the program into this century. Trumps order gutted a process meant to ensure that the coal-leasing program, last revised in the 1980s, generates a fair return for Americans and protects the environment. That reform is badly needed because, as David Roberts of Vox News recently explained, there is now little or no meaningful competitive bidding for federal coal leases. No clear procedures exist for balancing the publics interest in environmental protection under the law against the industrys interest in cheap coal. And royalties paid by the industry for the coal mined on public lands are so far below market value, taxpayers are losing an estimated $1 billion per year. Reports from the independent Government Accountability Office and the Interior Departments Office of Inspector General, as well as former President Obamas Council of Economic Advisers, confirmed these significant flaws. In throwing out the review of the coal program, the Trump administration has replaced a public effort to consider how to improve returns to taxpayers with the creation of a Federal Royalty Policy Committee. One observer has concluded that this new committee will likely be stacked with industry representatives and operate behind closed doors. The probable outcome: Coal companies will keep their subsidies and taxpayers will lose. Thats a reasonable fear, given Interior Secretary Ryan Zinkes recent Utah roadshow to gather input on the future of the magnificent Bears Ears National Monument. Zinke palled around with monument opponents and turned a deaf ear to those seeking to preserve the area from mining and desecration, including members of five Native American tribes. Another egregious example of the coal industry benefitting at taxpayer expense is the effort by Trumps Forest Service to approve Arch Coals plan in western Colorado to expand the companys West Elk Mine into untouched roadless lands of the Gunnison National Forest. The area is prime habitat for black bear, elk, lynx and cutthroat trout. Because the underground mine must release methane, Arch Coal plans to bulldoze over six miles of road and scrape up to 48 drilling pads to build methane vents. In effect, coal mining will create a spider web of roads and industrial facilities in what is now a remote, wild landscape 40 miles southwest of Aspen, Colo. The lease the Forest Service proposes to approve will give Arch Coal access to 19 million tons of coal, extending the life of the West Elk Mine by three to four years. But public lands wont be the only subsidy to benefit Arch Coal. Thats because Arch has also asked the Bureau of Land Management to trim the royalty it pays the federal government, the state and Gunnison County for the coal at issue by more than a third, from 8 percent to 5 percent. This is a request the Trump administration is likely to smile upon. Arch told the BLM it needs to pay taxpayers less because the company faces economic challenges in mining at West Elk and that it couldnt mine economically without a royalty cut. But that claim isnt credible. The company has repeatedly reported to shareholders that the West Elk Mine has among the highest operating profit margins of Archs mines. And the rate reduction would be in large part retroactive, meaning Arch will get a tidy sum for years of mining it has already completed on the absurd grounds that it couldnt otherwise mine the area profitably. This is the kind of tax-funded corporate giveaway that the review of the coal program, torpedoed by the Trump administration, was meant to prevent. Taxpayers must press Zinke to insist that the review of outdated coal-leasing policies is undertaken and that the peoples interests are represented. Without that review, more taxpayer dollars, and not just tons of coal, may go up in smoke. Ted Zukoski is a Contributor to Writers on the Range, the opinion service of High Country News (hcn.org). He is an attorney with Earthjustice, a national nonprofit environmental law organization. As A Quiet Passion opens, a group of young women seminarians are asked to step to the right if they want to come to Jesus and be saved, or to the left if they believe they have saved their souls. One is left in the middle, doing biting verbal battle with the moralizing, head of the seminary. She is Emily Dickinson, the poet as a young woman, who is rescued from what she calls a bout of evangelicalism and taken back to her familys Amherst, Massachusetts, home. So begins Terence Davies' biopic of the 19th century poet, an enveloping, slow-building film thats carried by a fierce, yet vulnerable performance from Cynthia Nixon, who is about as far from Sex and the City as possible. Davies, a period-piece master, captures the time -- and its moralities -- first in the school scenes, then as Dickinson lives with her traditional lawyer father (Keith Carradine), her melancholic mother (Joanna Bacon), her brother Austin (Duncan Duff) and sister Vinnie (Jennifer Ehle). A rebel inside, Dickinson wants to defy the societal norms of the role of women and puritanistic religion. But, trapped by her family and the times, shes unable to do so -- even as she watches her independent-for-the-era friend Vryling Buffam (Catherine Bailey) make her own way in the world. What she does do, from 3 a.m. to dawn, is write -- poems that are now considered classic but were nearly unpublishable in the mid-1800s. We hear those poems in Nixon voice-overs and sometimes from her character, giving a deep contextual resonance to her words and to the films images. As the title states, A Quiet Passion is a quiet film, most of it taking place inside the Dickinson home and, by the end, in the upstairs room to which Emily confines herself after her fathers death. But, with colorized photographs from Gettysburg, Vicksburg and Antietam, Davies captures in a few seconds, the horrible slaughter of the Civil War, a conflict that starts to pull the Dickinson family apart. As A Quiet Passion plays out, those conflicts, and the inevitable life changes of marriages and deaths, increasingly isolate Dickinson, a woman who cannot connect with any man outside of her, sees herself as damaged and yet remains independent in her soul and an artist in her work, even if it was little known in her time. Making films about writers is difficult, unless, like Ernest Hemingway or Hunter S. Thompson, they have adventures that they turn into prose. So its not all that surprising that A Quiet Passion is the first biopic about Dickinson. Fortunately, thanks to Nixons brilliant work, and Davies' sensitive treatment of the artist, it is the biopic she deserves. The Mora school district says it will appeal an arbitrators decision ordering the district to reinstate three employees who were let go last year and that, in any case, nothing the arbitrator said means the employees have to be offered jobs in the future. The Mora branch of the American Federation of Teachers has gone to court seeking an order that the Mora school board must reinstate the three employees, including two guidance counselors, whom the teachers union has maintained were wrongfully terminated. In April, an arbitrator ordered the school district to reinstate the three employees Edwina Romero, Paulyette Perea and Lisa Yescas who were let go under former Mora superintendent LeAnne Salazar-Montoya. The AFTs court petition filed last week says that in direct contradiction of the arbitrators decision, all three recently received letters saying they would not be employed for the 2017-18 school year. The suit says that under the state Public Employee Bargaining Act, an arbitrators decision is binding in disputes of employment terms and conditions. In a news release Wednesday, the school district criticized the out-of-state arbitrator and said it is in the process of appealing the decision. While the court action to vacate the arbitrators decision is pending, the School District reinstated the former employees for the remainder of the current school year. However, the arbitrators decision did not require that the former employees have permanent employment, the release says. It went on to say that because of reduced state funding to school districts statewide, the Mora district could not fund the positions during the 2017-18 school year for financial reasons. The School District no longer has positions available for these individuals for the upcoming school years and must meet its budgetary restrictions, the release said. The Mora Independent Schools has complied with the laws and policy in all dealings with these former employees and will continue to do so. The district says it will work through the appeals process and await a decision from a New Mexico court. Salazar-Montoya resigned in September amid controversy after less than three months on the job. In 2015, Charles Trujillo was forced to resign as Mora superintendent amid accusations he falsified documents to qualify for the superintendent position. Ella Arellano is the current superintendent. An Anglo state employee is suing multiple state agencies and her former male African-American supervisor for racial and gender discrimination, claiming her ex-boss discriminated against her because she is a woman of German heritage and that he treated her like she was his slave. Stephanie Sloman, who currently works at the state Corrections Department, filed a discrimination and whistleblower protection lawsuit in state District Court last week against state government, Gov. Susana Martinez, the state Department of Finance and Administration, and its Secretary Duffy Rodriguez, the Corrections Department and other government staffers. The bulk of Slomans complaints are aimed at former DFA central payroll bureau chief Gilbert Kometa, who is described as an African-American man, for allegedly mistreating Sloman solely because she was a Caucasian woman of German descent, while Sloman worked for him at the DFA. Sloman also claims the defendants conspired to prevent her from advancing to various positions that she says she is highly qualified for and says state officials destroyed evidence that she filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She is asking for double back pay and court costs. DFA spokeswoman Julia Ruetten did not respond to a request for comment. Sloman has been a state employee since 2008 and began working for DFA in 2012. Shortly after her arrival at DFA, she claims, she became treated like one of Kometas slaves. Kometa would include her in the disrespectful and discriminatory treatment he was giving to other women in the office, the suit says. Kometa would yell out commands like come, sit and bring me paper without saying please or thank you, and would talk to employees as if they were subhuman and undeserving of the most basic of human respect. Kometa set the tone of his intent to discriminate against Sloman early in her tenure, she claims. Knowing that Ms. Slomans mother was German, Kometa deliberately made the point of telling Ms. Sloman that he did not learn to speak German because of what they (the Nazis) did (exterminated Jews), the complaint says. Sloman applied for DFAs payroll administrator/agency liaison position in April 2013 and says she was definitely the most qualified candidate and should have been hired according to state personnel rules, the lawsuit states. But a few days later, the suit says, Kometa called Sloman into his office and told her he had selected an African-American woman and told her, You (Ms. Sloman) will have more opportunities in life than she. Sloman resigned in August 2013 after an embarrassing and stressful encounter with Kometa and a 9-month relentless campaign of illegal discrimination and retaliation, the lawsuit states. Sloman and four other female workers were on the verge of filing a lawsuit against Gov. Martinez, former DFA Deputy Secretary Steve Gonzales and Kometa for race and gender discrimination, and for violations of the state Whistleblower Protection Act in October 2014, but the complaint was resolved, according to the new lawsuit. But she says the defendants in the new suit continued to retaliate against her and says Gov. Martinez has abjectly failed to supervise and monitor Ms. Slomans continued employment with State Government to insure that no such retaliation or further discrimination would ever occur again. She says Kometa, Gonzales and Secretary Rodriguez continued to retaliate against her in 2015 when she was not granted interviews for positions in the DFA, even though she was the most qualified candidate. She said the only interviews were granted to a male Hispanic candidate and a human resources staff member with less experience than she had. When Sloman moved to Corrections in 2013, a Hispanic woman under her supervision made a comment about wanting to slap white females, the suit says. After Sloman reported the misconduct to management, she claims the employee expressed that she was politically connected and tried to intimidate Ms. Sloman by informing her that (the womans) family was connected to the Bernalillo cartel. The suit says Sloman documented several incidents for months until she got a new supervisor. The woman is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, which was filed for Sloman by Santa Fe attorney Merit Bennett. An 18-year-old Albuquerque man has been arrested on suspicion of planting a homemade bomb under the bed of his former high school girlfriend while she was at a graduation ceremony. The device failed to explode and was found only this week, almost two weeks after it was allegedly planted. Ethan Guillen made his first appearance in federal court on Thursday and is scheduled for preliminary and detention hearings today. He has been charged with possessing a destructive device not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. He is facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico. The victim, identified in court records as M.C., found a pressure cooker under her bed on Wednesday that authorities said was full of a black energizeable material. Coming out of the top of the device was a fireworks fuse, which was wrapped around the tip of a soldering iron. The soldering iron was plugged into an appliance timer, which was plugged into the wall. Albuquerque police spokesman Daren DeAguero said in a news release Wednesday that police responded to a northwest Albuquerque home a little after 3 p.m. to investigate a suspicious device. He said the home was temporarily evacuated before the device was found to be safe. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney confirmed it was the same device that led to Guillens arrest. A federal agent who specializes in explosives said in the criminal complaint that the device met the federal definition of a destructive device. The girl who found the device told agents that Guillen, her ex-boyfriend, had harassed her at her high school, and that she had been escorted to class because he would not leave her alone, according to the criminal complaint. A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms said in the complaint that he met with Guillen at his residence and that the teen denied he placed the device. Guillens father gave agents permission to search the home. Investigators said in the complaint they found duct tape that matched duct tape found on the device, latex gloves and a table in the back yard that had large burns on it. Guillens father told agents that he had recently bought a pressure cooker, but couldnt find it or his soldering iron. An agent said in the complaint that when Guillen was questioned a second time, he said he made the device using chemicals, a gasoline mixture and random nuts and bolts he found in his garage. Guillen said that on May 18 he put the device in a backpack and went to the girls home. He told agents he knew no one would be home because it was graduation, according to the complaint. He said he climbed up a balcony and entered the home through a back door. He said he plugged in the device under the girls bed and set the timer for 1:30 a.m., according to the complaint. He said he went home and listened to a police scanner all night, waiting to hear reports of an explosion, according to the complaint. When Guillen was told that the room next to M.C.s had small children and a baby in it, Guillen stated that he knew and did not care, the complaint states. Guillen stated he just wanted M.C. dead. Speaking to a packed room of almost 500 people, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall fielded questions on everything from the federal budget and gun control to LGBTQ issues and possible Russian meddling in the election at a town hall Thursday night in Albuquerque. The event at Eldorado High School kicked off with the New Mexico Democrat addressing concerns about President Donald Trumps budget proposals, including increased military spending. We rejected the Trump priorities, Udall said, adding that Trumps actions as president could be devastating to progress that has been made. Climate change was a topic that dominated the town hall following Trumps Thursday announcement that he is withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate accord. While some referred to climate change as more dangerous than ISIS and huge oil companies as the biggest terrorists in the country, environmental scientist Paul McGinness called the presidents decision a disaster. Udall echoed McGinness concerns, calling the move the worst mistake made by our country, and said the U.S. needs to work on moving away from fossil fuels. Its not going to happen in an instant but we need to be aggressive about it, Udall said. Udall said there are a few things that can be done to achieve that goal, including putting a price on carbon emissions as well as having a nationwide standard on renewable energy. President Trump has taken us in the wrong direction and were going to fight it everyday, he said. Health care was another big topic at the gathering. Albuquerque resident Judy Smith worried about the health care plan being pushed by Trump and asked Udall how people from New Mexico can influence senators in other states to make the right decisions on health care going forward. Another woman, Donna Walker, asked why we even need insurance companies at all drawing a huge round of applause from the audience. I have always fought for and believed that everybody in our nation ought to have health care, Udall said. We have a battle on our hands, and I need your help on that front. Udall suggested to Smith that networking with family or friends in other states to talk with their senators about health care. The town hall was moderated by Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, director of Student Academic Success at UNM, and streamed live on Facebook. Whether citizens asked about the political divide, student loans or military spending, Udalls cited civic engagement as extremely important in making change. I think the biggest check on a presidency is the people, he said, and if theyre engaged and they push back, thats what makes a difference. WASHINGTON The U.S. trade deficit rose in April to the highest level since January. The politically sensitive trade gap with China registered a sharp increase. The Commerce Department said Friday that the U.S. trade gap in goods and services climbed 5.2 percent to $47.6 billion in April from March. Exports dropped 0.3 percent to $191 billion, pulled down by a drop in automotive exports. Imports rose 0.8 percent to $238.6 billion as Americans bought more foreign-made cellphones and other consumer goods. A widening trade deficit is a drag on economic growth. Donald Trump made the trade gap the difference between exports and imports a centerpiece of his presidential campaign. His administration has vowed to reduce the deficit, blaming it on abusive practices by Americas trading partners. The deficit in goods with China rose by 12.4 percent to $27.6 billion in April. So far this year, the trade deficit is up 13.4 percent from a year earlier to $186.6 billion. Exports are up 6.1 percent to $765.6 billion this year, but imports are up more 7.5 percent to $952.2 billion. So far in 2017, the United States is running a $268.7 billion deficit in goods and an $82.1 billion surplus in services such as banking and tourism. Trump recently has singled out Germany for criticism, saying it is unfairly benefiting from a weak euro. When a countrys currency is weak, its products enjoy a price advantage in foreign markets. The trade deficit with Germany rose 4.3 percent in April to $5.5 billion. LONDON With less than a week until Britain votes in a national election, Prime Minister Theresa May faced tough questions from voters Friday about her Conservative governments cuts to welfare and health spending. She was also accused by opponents of failing to stand up to the United States over its withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. May and opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn appeared before a live audience on prime-time TV but consecutively, rather than side by side. May has refused to take part in any televised debates, saying she prefers to answer questions directly from voters. Fridays show may have tested that preference, as audience members criticized the prime minister for presiding over stagnant wages for nurses and cuts for those needed physical and mental care. May said the government had had to take some hard choices across the public sector to curb spending and reduce the countrys deficit. She also denied breaking promises, including her vow not to call an early election. May said she had the balls to call an election because it was important to give the government a stronger mandate to negotiate Britains exit from the European Union. May spoke after President Donald Trumps announcement that he would pull out of the Paris accord sent the issue of climate change and Mays attempts to bolster the trans-Atlantic special relationship to the top of the agenda in campaigning for Britains June 8 election. Mays said she spoke to Trump by phone and told him that the U.K. believes in the Paris agreement and that we didnt want the United States to leave the Paris agreement. But Britain did not sign a joint statement by the leaders of Germany, France and Italy, who said they regretted Trumps decision and insisted that the accord cannot be renegotiated. Mays office would not say whether she had been asked to sign it. May noted that Japan and Canada fellow members of the G-7 group of rich industrialized nations also were not signatories, but like Britain remain committed to the Paris agreement. I made the U.K.s position clear to President Trump last week at the G-7 meeting, as did the other G-7 leaders, and I made the position clear to President Trump last night, May said Friday. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said not signing the declaration was an appalling abdication of leadership. Corbyn accused May of subservience to Trump. The Labour leader, a veteran left-winger who was given little chance of beating May at the start of the election, has had a good campaign and seen his poll ratings rise. Corbyn also was made to squirm by the television audience, who pressed him on his opposition to Britains nuclear arsenal, and asked if he would be prepared to use atomic weapons if Britain was threatened. He did not answer definitively, but said he would do everything I can to ensure that any threat is actually dealt with earlier on by negotiations and by talks. I think the idea of anyone ever using a nuclear weapon anywhere in the world is utterly appalling and terrible, Corbyn said. SANTA FE Traffic on U.S. 84/285 came to a halt north of Santa Fe Friday morning due to an accident, but information is still limited. Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office spokesman Juan Rios said deputies initially responded to a crash near the Santa Fe Opera around 11:20 a.m. Friday and began diverting traffic. Rios said State Police then took over the crash investigation because it involved two semi-trailer trucks. State Police Sgt. Chad Pierce said via email that the SFCSO was handling the investigation. When contacted again, Rios said the investigation was still under SFCSO but it would later be handed to State Police. He couldnt provide additional information on the crash, including which lanes it occurred in, only saying it was by the opera. A Department of Transportation spokeswoman also said State Police are handling the incident. When told that DOT said State Police was investigating the crash, Pierce wrote in an email, Please call the Sheriffs Office. Traffic in both directions was initially closed. Northbound lanes opened around noon while southbound traffic is being diverted through the Tesuque exit. Albuquerque police launched a new app on Friday that allows you to file certain police reports, give crime tips and even text a police dispatcher, if, say, you couldnt safely call 911. The ABQ Police app is free and available for download at the iOS App Store and Google Play Marketplace. The app also allows people to access crime maps and data, a police directory, Crime Stoppers, alerts from police and the polices news releases and social media pages. Sometimes people are reluctant to be a witness, Police Chief Gorden Eden said at a news conference. If they see something happening they can actually take a photograph of it and submit it to Crime Stoppers. The app, developed by MobilePD, cost the city $62,000. There are similar apps in Baltimore, Md.; Austin, Texas; and Portland, Ore. People in Albuquerque have had the ability to file certain reports online, but that was through the citys website and not an app. We dont want you to have to be anchored to your desk to get ahold of us, Mayor Richard Berry said. This is a needs driven initiative. Berry said the app is an example of the citys emphasis on being tech savvy. We are really walking that walk of being a tech savvy city, he said. We want to be engaged with the people that we serve. City officials broached the idea of emphasizing the public use the internet to handle low priority police reports, instead of calling for officers, about a year and a half ago after the city released a staffing study completed as part of a yearslong reform effort underway by police. Part of the study looked at response times. And it found that because officers will busy with more pressing matters, tens of thousands of times in a year officers took more than two hours to respond to a 911 call. The app also gives people directions to file complaints against officers to the Civilian Police Oversight Agency. A video on how it works can be found at: youtu.be/eZI77_63Eng A district judge has handed a partial victory to opponents of Santolina, reversing the Bernalillo County Commissions decision to approve a zone map amendment for the massive planned development due to perceived commissioner bias. District Judge Nancy Franchini issued a ruling on Wednesday invalidating the Commissions zone change approval and ordering the county to restart the process on the requested zone change from rural agricultural to planned communities. But Franchini let stand the Commissions approval of the Santolina Master Plan. We respectfully disagree with the judges analysis relating to the master plan, said Douglas Meiklejohn, the executive director and an attorney with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center. But he added that her ruling on the zone change decision is a big victory for fairness and due process. At issue was an opinion piece written by former Commissioner Art De La Cruz and published in the Albuquerque Journal in March 2015 voicing support for Santolina. It is important for the public to know why I and others support thoughtful, well-planned developments in Bernalillo County, such as the proposed Santolina development, De La Cruz wrote. It is important that the county get the facts out and dispel the distortions and misinformation being spread by opponents. The guest column was published prior to a series of hearings and the Commission votes on the master plan and zone change. Prior to the votes, Santolina opponents requested that De La Cruz recuse himself from the matter or that, barring a recusal, the rest of the commissioners disqualify him from voting on the master plan and zone change. They argued that commissioners in this instance would be acting in a quasi-judicial capacity, and that due process required a tribunal free from partiality. De La Cruz, they argued, demonstrated bias through his column. De La Cruz countered that he could be objective and said that he had been careful in his piece to avoid specificity related to any zoning issues. The Commission declined to disqualify him. In the end, the Commission voted 3-2 to approve both the master plan and the zone changes, with De La Cruz voting in favor of both. The SouthWest Organizing Project, the New Mexico Health Equity Working Group, Pajarito Village Association, Javier Benavidez, James Santiago Maestas and Roberto Roibal subsequently filed a lawsuit challenging the approvals. County attorneys argued that Santolina was a legislative matters, meaning they were free to discuss it publicly. They said Santolina wasnt a quasi-judicial proceeding in which commissioners are supposed to act as judges and limit their public comments. Judge Franchini ruled that the master plan vote was a legislative decision, but the zoning proposal was a quasi-judicial matter. Appellants were entitled to a fair and impartial tribunal on approval of the (zone map amendment) and the concurrent denial of their (County Planning Commission) appeal, the Franchini said in her ruling. The guest column, in the courts opinion raises questions of partiality and prejudgment, or the appearance thereof, sufficient to warrant at the very least the boards consideration of the recusal or disqualification of Commissioner De La Cruz. The Santolina project covers 22 square miles west of Albuquerque, near 118th Street and Interstate 40. The development team envisions it as a place that could, decades from now, be home to 90,000 people, or roughly the size of Rio Rancho today. Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has announced the launch of an EdTech group as part of its efforts to energise the education technology sector so that it can fulfill its potential of facilitating job creation for the new economy in the country. Given the dual dynamism of technology and nature of jobs, there is a dire need to transition to a skill based continuous education system and the need to bridge the divide between academia and industry. Therefore, the mandate of the Group is to identify opportunities and challenges and work with government, industry and job seekers to resolve them. The committee will be chaired by Ishan Gupta, MD, Udacity India and co-chaired by Mayank Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, Upgrad. Some other members of the committee are Abhay Chauhan, Amity University Online; Pawan Prabhat, EduPristine; Pavan Chauhan, Meritnation; Kapil Saurabh, NIIT; Krishna Kumar, Simplilearn; Vamsi Krishna, Vedantu; Harman Singh, WizIQ; Nishant Patni, CultureAlley; Aditi Avasthi, Embibe; Surabhi Dewra, CareerGuide amongst others. On the agenda of this Group will be to a) building more credibility for acceptance of online courses and democratizing education across the country; b) engaging with business and industry to evangelise acceptance of students trained through EdTech and c) working with educational institutions to include online courses in their mainstream curriculum. The Group will also propose actualizing common assessments for all courses approved by UGC and AICTE and certifying EdTech companies to impart education on graduation and post graduation courses. It will work closely with various government bodies and programmes to explore possibilities for increased investment and promotion of skill based education in the country. Ishan Gupta, chairperson, EdTech Group, IAMAI & MD, Udacity India said, In the current scenario, traditional education is unable to cope up with the industry requirements as the existing curriculum in institutes does not complement the workforce demand. To bridge this gap, industry focused online courses are more in demand today to enhance the academic landscape and enable students to grasp the concepts better. Mayank Kumar, Co-chairperson EdTech Group, IAMAI & Co-Founder and CEO, Upgrad, added Along with eminent leaders of education industry we aim to revolutionise the education industry and ensure that our country has a skilled talent pool for dynamic job roles of tomorrow. The newest long-term guests at the Cornhusker Marriott all 40,000 of them arrived in April, in the back of a truck from California. Warren Nelson took care of them at his place for a few weeks, feeding them sugar water and waiting for them to multiply, and multiply again, until they numbered nearly 100,000. And then last week, Nelson and his son, Trey, carried four bee-filled hives to the roof of the 10-story hotel, where they will continue to multiply until the Cornhusker is home to about 240,000 honey-producing bees. The longtime beekeepers operate Valhalla Bee Farm, but until the Cornhusker called last year, theyd never been hired to care for another companys bees. This is a first for us, Warren Nelson said. Its a new concept. Its new for the hotel, too. And it was triggered by something else new at the Cornhusker its artist-in-residence program. Last year, in a small studio near the hotels ballroom, Margaret Berry created paintings with a combination of resin, pigment and beeswax. It inspired us to look into having bees on the roof, said general manager Susan Madsen, and to use the honey. But they didnt know where to start. So in October, hotel management contacted Valhalla Bee Farm. Warren Nelson ordered 12 pounds of Italian honeybees and four queens from his supplier, and they arrived in April. They needed syrup to survive at first, and he didnt want to make repeated trips to the hotel roof, so he kept them home until the bees were ready to live on their own. Then he and his son took the hives downtown, up the elevator and onto the roof. We covered them so they didnt escape in the hotel, he said. That would not be a good thing. The bees arent likely to produce much honey this year, but the hotel hopes to soon start harvesting up to 600 pounds annually. It will sell some in its gift shop, and its chef and pastry chef are already drafting a list of ways to use it in the kitchen and bar, including scones, salad dressing and a honey-flavored craft beer. That should be about the closest hotel guests ever get to the rooftop honeybees, Madsen said. They dont have to be worried about getting a bee sting. The bees are just doing their job. MONTEREY, Calif., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The ocean produces half the oxygen we breathe, regulates climate by absorbing atmospheric carbon, and is the primary source of protein for 3.5 billion people. These and other critical benefits are fast eroding as growing human needs strain the ocean's living systems as never before. From June 5-9, the United Nations will host its first-ever Ocean Conference in New York City, a global gathering focused on protecting ocean resources essential to human survival. The Monterey Bay Aquarium will play a significant role, advocating for global action to reduce ocean plastic pollution, new commitments to promote sustainable fisheries, and action plans to tackle ocean acidification and other impacts of climate change. "The ocean plays a vital role in enabling life on Earth to exist, yet ocean health has been ignored for too long by international decision-makers," said Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard. "The U.N. Ocean Conference is a signal that things are changing. We'll be there as a voice for the living ocean on which our future depends." Aquarium staff will contribute on critical issues, including: Advancing sustainable global fisheries: Through its Seafood Watch program and international policy work, the aquarium plays a respected and influential role in shifting seafood production in more sustainable directions. Jennifer Dianto Kemmerly, director of global fisheries and aquaculture, will speak at a marquee event a U.N. Partnership Dialogue on Wednesday, June 7 ( 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ) on "Making fisheries sustainable". Other speakers will represent the World Trade Organization and the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization. On Monday, June 5 (9:30-10 a.m. panel; 11:30 a.m. to noon press briefing), Julie Packard will be part of a World Economic Forum announcement and discussion about new commitments to end illegal, unregulated and unreported tuna fishing. Combatting ocean acidification: The aquarium was an early supporter of the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, and will join the founding partners British Columbia , and the states of California , Oregon and Washington at an event on Thursday, June 8 ( 3-4:30 p.m. ) . Margaret Spring, aquarium vice president for conservation and science, and chief conservation officer, will address action plans to protect vulnerable resources. The aquarium was an early supporter of the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, and will join the founding partners , and the states of , and at an event on . Margaret Spring, aquarium vice president for conservation and science, and chief conservation officer, will address action plans to protect vulnerable resources. Reducing plastic pollution: The aquarium championed California's first-in-the-nation statewide ban on single-use plastic grocery bags, and this summer launches a collaborative campaign involving 19 leading U.S. aquariums to reduce consumer demand for single-use plastic products from drinking straws to shopping bags. On Monday, June 5 ( 3-4:30 p.m. ), Aimee David, aquarium director of ocean conservation policy strategies, will address efforts to tackle marine debris internationally and nationally. About the Monterey Bay Aquarium The mission of the nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the ocean. It works globally to advance policies that address climate change, protect vulnerable ocean species and ecosystems, reduce ocean plastic pollution, and promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Learn more at www.montereybayaquarium.org. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monterey-bay-aquarium-will-be-a-voice-for-the-ocean-at-un-ocean-conference-june-5-9-in-new-york-300468121.html SOURCE Monterey Bay Aquarium We can help you make sense of the agribusiness industry, extending from chemicals and fertilizers used as inputs into agriculture, to the commodities, food and by-products that are an output to farming, with policy and regulation applied at every step of the value chain. It was reported this week that Toyota would be revamping their Infotainment system for the 2018 Camry, which is due to be announced later this year. This new infotainment system should be available for their entire fleet of vehicles starting with the 2018 model year, although that is not yet confirmed. Toyota has been a big hold out on Android Auto, as well as Apple CarPlay, as they dont like the idea of letting the two big tech companies into its most precious space in its vehicles, and thats infotainment. Thats where car makers really make money. Mostly through partnerships for maps and such. And its something that Toyota doesnt want to hand over to Google nor Apple. Now with the revamped infotainment system coming later this year, many are hoping that Toyota has changed their tune, but thats not happening. The new system still has no support for Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay. Again, thats not a huge surprise, but its still not a good idea, when basically everyone else is adding support. Toyota is using AGL, which is open source (a lot like Android), and allows Toyota to really customize it to their liking this really sounds a lot like Android for the car. Its going to offer up better connectivity, as well as better functionality, which is what Toyota is aiming for here. Itll debut first in the 2018 Camry. Luckily, for those Toyota owners that want to use Android Auto in the car, Google has made a workaround of sorts. Last year, they launched a huge update to the Android Auto app, which allows you to dock the phone in your car and use it for Android Auto. So all you need is a car mount and then your phone and youll have Android Auto in the car. Its still a better experience to have it built into the car, then having to mount your phone in the car, but it is an option that is available. And thats really Android as a whole, giving customers more and more options for different things. And Android Auto is no different here. HMD Global started sending out press pre-invites for a Nokia launch event thats scheduled to take place in India on June 13. The Finnish phone maker didnt specify the time or exact location of the event but promised that more details will be available shortly alongside formal invitations. The occasion will likely be used for announcing the launch of some or all of the companys upcoming smartphones the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and the Nokia 6. HMD Global already launched the Nokia 3310 (2017) in India in mid-May, paving the way for the introduction of its new Android-powered smartphones, though its still unclear whether all three of them will be debuted on June 13, as some of the companys representatives previously indicated that the phone maker is considering holding multiple Indian launch events in the coming weeks. Many industry watchers still believe that HMD Global is now getting ready to announce the availability of all three of its new Android handsets in India, with the firm previously saying that the trio is set to debut in the South Asian country by the end of June. The Indian variants of the Nokia 6, Nokia 5, and the Nokia 3 will all be manufactured by the local branch of Foxconn whose Cayman Islands-based subsidiary FIH Mobile shares the rights to make Nokia-branded devices with HMD Global. All three smartphones are said to be priced in a competitive manner and will ship with dual SIM support, in addition to being compatible with the 4G VoLTE network ran by Reliance Jio, previous reports have indicated. HMD Global repeatedly touted India as one of its key markets, with its Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas even going as far as to say that the success of the Nokia brand in the South Asian country will forecast its global commercial performance. While highly competitive, India is still seen as an attractive market by most smartphone makers around the world due to its constantly rising demand for handsets that some analyst believe may reach up to 130 million units this year. Its currently unclear whether HMD Global is also planning to launch the upcoming Nokia flagship in India but more details on the matter should be available shortly. Introduction With recent reports suggesting that BlackBerry KEYone pre-orders have hit record highs in Canada, lets take a closer look at the device and compare it with its spiritual predecessor the BlackBerry PRIV the device that heralded the Android era at BlackBerry back in 2015, but failed to make much of an impact in the premium segment dominated almost entirely by Apple and Samsung. The subsequent BlackBerry releases the DTEK50 and the DTEK60 didnt fare any better either, but the KEYone seems to be bucking the trend if early indications are anything to go by. So what is it that is reportedly making people flock to the KEYone while having largely ignored the PRIV last year? While the relatively lower price-tag is very likely one of the factors that has made this particular device a bit more accessible to consumers, traditional BlackBerry users have never really been known to be penny-pinchers, so it is certainly intriguing as to why this device is off to such a great start while the response to the PRIV was largely lukewarm. While the PRIV was BlackBerrys flagship device back in 2015, the KEYone is actually a mid-ranger in terms of its hardware. However, while the pricing for the KEYone starts at $549 in the U.S., the PRIV can be bought for about half that price these days, having been launched at $699 a year and a half ago. It is important to note here that the PRIV is no longer being sold on BlackBerrys official online store in the U.S., but is available at several third-party retailers, like Amazon, Newegg, B&H, Walmart and BestBuy. So with a ~$250 difference between the KEYone and the PRIV, it is but natural to wonder if all that extra money for the former is really worth it. Both have their own pros and cons, so which one is actually the better buy? Lets find out! Advertisement Specifications BlackBerry KEYone Advertisement There was a time in the not-too-distant past, when owning a BlackBerry device was the ultimate status symbol. However, all that changed with the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 and the subsequent emergence of Android, which eventually led to the mass adoption of smartphones by consumers worldwide. As with Nokia, BlackBerry also kept trying to swim against the tide and kept clinging on to its in-house software without paying attention to ground realities. However, piling losses and shrinking market shares forced both erstwhile smartphone majors to jump on the Android bandwagon, but neither are designing or developing their own models anymore. While HMD Global is manufacturing Nokia-branded devices under license from the Finnish telecom giant, TCL has been entrusted to do the same by the Canadian tech firm, and if the BlackBerry KEYone is anything to go by, the Chinese firm is definitely making a move in the right direction. The KEYone may not be a tier-1 flagship in the strictest sense of the term, but it does have a high-end feel to it both in terms of its hardware and design. It comes with an all-metal construction with curved edges on all four sides and a soft-touch rubberized back for better grip. On the front, it has the much-vaunted physical keyboard on the bottom, and a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display on top. The panel comes with a resolution of 1620 x 1080 pixels, thanks to its slightly odd 3:2 aspect ratio to accommodate the physical keypad. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC that comes with an integrated 64-bit octa-core CPU clocked at 2GHz along with the Adreno 506 GPU. The KEYone ships with 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 32GB of built-in storage thats expandable via a microSD card of up to 256GB in capacity. Advertisement Optics on the device includes the same 12-megapixel rear-facing camera found on the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, although, theres no laser auto-focus in this particular device unlike the two Google smartphones. As far as the front-facing camera is concerned, theres an 8-megapixel sensor that works as advertised for selfies and video chats. The KEYone ships with Android 7.1 Nougat out-of-the-box, and carries a 3,505mAh battery with support for Qualcomms Quick Charge 3.0. As with the DTEK50 and the DTEK60, the KEYone also comes with a customizable Convenience Key on the right side, just below the volume rocker. Another interesting aspect of the phone is its fingerprint scanner that comes embedded in the space bar of the physical keypad. BlackBerry PRIV Advertisement This was the device BlackBerry introduced a year and a half ago when it finally joined the Android bandwagon after giving up the ghost with its BlackBerry OS, which never really got much love from the developer community. While in theory the BlackBerry PRIV had everything BlackBerry aficionados were thought to be looking for a physical QWERTY keyboard and virtually unlimited apps thanks to the Google Play Store, in reality, that turned out not to be the case. While many BlackBerry loyalists were concerned about the perceived lack of security on Android, others were upset about the high price-tag. The device was launched in the U.S. at $699, which was even higher than the iPhone 6S that had just launched weeks earlier with a $650 price-tag. The device itself, though, came with some decent hardware. The phone features a 5.4-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with a display resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (540dpi). The screen has curved edges on the sides and, is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4. A Snapdragon 808 powers the BlackBerry PRIV with its hexa-core CPU and Adreno 418 GPU. The device packs 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage that can be expanded via a microSD card. Optics include an 18-megapixel rear-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 1/2.4 sensor size, Schneider-Kreuznach optics, optical image stabilization (OIS), phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and dual-LED (dual tone) flash. It can record 2160p videos at 30fps and 1080p videos at up to 60fps. The front-facing camera, however, is a measly 2-megapixel sensor that is only capable of recording up to 720p videos. Sensors on the device include an accelerometer, an altimeter, a gyroscope, a ToF proximity sensor and a magnetometer (e-compass). The device carries a 3,410mAh battery and was originally launched with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop out-of-the-box, although, it has since received its Android 6.0 Marshmallow update. The BlackBerry PRIV, like all its predecessors, comes with BBM pre-loaded, and also has a hardware Mute button that sits between the two volume buttons on the right. The device measures 147mm in length, 77.2mm in width and 9.4mm in thickness, while weighing in at 192 grams. Advertisement Finally, all discussions about the PRIV remain incomplete without any talk about its sliding QWERTY keyboard. While the company tried to give its users the best of both worlds by incorporating a physical keyboard into the PRIV without reducing the screen real-estate, many werent too impressed by the way it was implemented, calling it haphazard and half-baked. However, the software that drives it comes with some really useful features. You can hold down a key and the PRIV will suggest apps and contacts starting with that letter. For example, holding down the letter C will bring up apps like Clock and Calculator, and people such as Chris and Caroline. The keyboard also provides swipe areas across the keys and custom keyboard shortcuts for the most commonly used words. You can also use the trackpad features of the keyboard to scroll up and down long webpages. And The Winner Is The Final Word Advertisement Trying to decide a winner between two smartphones is always pretty difficult, but if ever there was an easy one, this was it. In our review of the KEYone, we unequivocally called it BlackBerrys greatest smartphone ever, so it was never really going to be a close fight between these two, but then again, it was never meant to be. The only reason we decided to pit them against one another was to see if BlackBerry and TCL learned anything from the failure of the PRIV and implemented the changes that the BlackBerry faithful were clamoring for. Turns out, they did. The KEYone is not just the better of the two BlackBerry devices in todays comparison, but it is by far the best BlackBerry with Android ever made, and a must-buy for anybody looking for a smartphone with a physical QWERTY keypad. Two possible variants of the Nokia 9 flagship have been certified by the EA Union in the first half of May, as evidenced by a new set of documents obtained by industry sources on Friday. The devices were submitted for certification by HMD Global, a Finnish consumer electronics company that shares the rights to manufacture Nokia-branded devices with Foxconn-owned FIH Mobile. The two handsets certified by the agency are bearing the model numbers TA-1012 and TA-1004, the latter one of which has already been spotted online, having been listed in the database of popular mobile benchmarking tool Geekbench early last week. Industry watchers are speculating that the newly uncovered existence of another model of Nokias flagship points at the fact that the company is looking to release both a single-SIM and dual-SIM variant of the handset. Following that logic, its possible that the TA-1004 is a single-SIM model of the Nokia 9 while the TA-1012 denotes a dual-SIM version of the device. Several HMD Global-made handsets were previously certified in Russia where telecommunications regulators tested and approved handsets bearing the model numbers TA-1005, TA-1007, TA-1013, TA-1029, and the TA-1040. While its possible that the TA-1005 denotes the upcoming Nokia flagship, no other details on the matter have yet been provided by industry insiders. Even though recent reports indicated that the upcoming high-end Nokia device will be marketed as the Nokia 9, its also possible that the company opts to release it as either the Nokia 7 or Nokia 8 as all three of these names have previously been trademarked in Europe by the Finnish phone maker. Regardless, the first Nokia-branded premium handset in the brands post-Microsoft era is said to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 system-on-chip (SoC) and as much as 8GB of RAM, in addition to featuring a dual-lens camera setup consisting of two 13-megapixel sensors on its rear panel. The phone is also expected to run Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, with its software being essentially stock Android, as HMD Global previously confirmed that it decided against developing a robust mobile software suite for its new devices. More details on the availability of the Nokia 9 should follow in the coming months. Samsung has just moved its Always on Display into the Play Store, what this means is that the company will be able to push out updates for their Always on Display or AOD, much easier. Since it doesnt have to push out an OTA to all of the Galaxy S8s and other devices with the feature. Those with the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge, should see an update for the Always on Display appear in the Google Play Store. This update doesnt do much, but just moves it over to the Google Play Store for future updates. All of the same functionality for Always on Display is still here, which includes changing up the way the clock looks, adding widgets and much more. Samsung does note in the changelog that users are able to use the case cover with Always on Display, and itll actually work this time around. It also increased the size of the clock in certain modes, making it easier to see on the display. It currently has a number of 1-star reviews, likely due to the fact that many users dont know why this popped up in the Play Store for them. But it does have an average of around 4.7-stars, so it isnt doing all that bad in the Play Store. Always on Display debuted with the Galaxy S7 last year. It was a feature that Samsung added to differentiate itself from its competitors. Although LG also added the feature in the G5 last year. With Always on Display, you can see your notifications, as well as the date, time and battery percentage. Many were worried that this feature would reduce the battery life, and cause burn in, since this is an AMOLED display. But thats not the case. And thats because Samsung moves the text in the Always on Display around, similar to what it do with the home button. And thats to keep the Galaxy S8 from having a burn in issue. It also doesnt use up much battery because this is an AMOLED display and therefore it lights up pixels individually. You can download the Samsung Always on Display app in the Play Store using the link below. Samsung Electronics updated Bixby with support for voice-enabled payments, the Seoul-based tech giant said on Friday, adding that the new feature is available as of today. The change only affects the South Korean variant of the companys artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, the only one that can currently accept voice commands. Samsung didnt clarify whether the functionality is being introduced as a server-side switch, though that seems like a likely scenario. Customers of the KEB Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank, and Woori Bank are now able to transfer money and quickly access their financial information by simply uttering related voice commands to the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus. The feature is powered by Samsung Pay thats natively integrated into Bixby, the Korean branch of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) said. While money transfers can be initiated with a single voice command, they still require authentication via the iris scanner embedded into the Galaxy S8-series devices, and users also have to verify their identity after verbally requesting access to their financial information. Its understood that the feature will eventually support more banks in South Korea, especially those whose cards already work with Samsung Pay, though the largest phone maker in the world has yet to confirm that in an official capacity. Its currently unclear whether support for voice-enabled mobile payments will eventually be available in more countries as the functionality relies on iris authentication thats still in an experimental phase of development, at least in the context of being used with Samsung Pay. The companys announcement came shortly after LG debuted LG Pay in the Far Eastern country and may have been a direct response to the introduction of that competing service. While Samsung has been expanding the capabilities of Bixby in South Korea for over a month now, the voice-enabled component of its digital helper still isnt available in any other territory, with recent reports indicating that Bixby Voice may miss its spring release window in the United States that Samsung initially promised. An update on the availability of the companys AI assistant is expected to follow in the coming weeks. Verizon Wireless started pushing out the May Android Security Update to all Moto Z Play Droid Edition units on its network, as evidenced by the official support pages for the device that have been updated by the wireless carrier earlier this week. The carrier-exclusive version of the 2016 smartphone is currently in the process of receiving the software package NDN25.137-24.4. In addition to the Moto Z Play Droid Edition, the largest mobile service provider in the United States also started updating LG Transpyre units on its network with the same patch, with LGs entry-level smartphone now receiving the firmware build VS810PU9. The release of a security patch for the latter model is somewhat surprising in light of the fact that the LG Transpyre is more than 30 months old now, having originally been released in November 2014. Software packages for both devices are being distributed as over-the-air (OTA) updates that are being rolled out by Verizon Wireless in stages and the New Jersey-based telecom giant may take a few days before it manages to distribute them to all of its customers across the country. The smartphones are scanning for the new updates periodically and will notify owners once new firmware builds are available for downloads, though users who are keen to install the updates as quickly as possible can try searching for them manually through the system Settings Android app. The Big Red, Motorola Mobility, and LG all recommend that users make sure their devices have at least 50 percent of battery left before they attempt to download the new updates, in addition to being connected to a Wi-Fi network to avoid additional mobile data charges. While the LG Transpyre is still running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, having originally launched with 4.4.2 KitKat, the Moto Z Play recently started receiving the 7.1.1 Nougat build of Googles operating system and the Verizon-exclusive edition of the device is expected to be updated with the same software in the near future. The largest wireless carrier in the U.S. yesterday confirmed that it will also be carrying the successor to the 2016 device by revealing its plans to start selling the Moto Z2 Play and the newly announced Moto Mods this summer. The Sony Xperia XZ Premium handset was announced back in February during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, and the device is now available on Three UK, for those of you who are interested. A week ago, Three UK announced that the device is available for pre-order, and the pre-order period is now over, and you can purchase the device through the companys official website, or in one of Three UKs retail stores in the country. Those of you who are interested in picking up this smartphone should know that the device is available in Deep Sea Black color only, despite the fact Sony introduced several Xperia XZ Premium color variants. If you opt to purchase the Xperia XZ Premium from Three UK, you can get access to 4G at no extra cost and Feel at Home services that Three UK usually offers. This actually means that youll be able to use your phone abroad at no extra cost in 60 destinations all over the world. It is also worth noting that the Xperia XZ Premium works on Three UKs low-frequency 4G Super-Voice service, which should take care of the coverage blackspots issue. On top of all that, you will get access to the new customer rewards app Wuntu, and there are a number of plans you can choose from over at Three UK. The company is offering various Advanced Plans you can choose from, while the Essential Plan is also available if thats something you are interested in. Pricing will vary, of course, depending on which plan you choose and if you sign a 12-month or a 24-month contract with the carrier. In any case, you can find more info on the companys official website (source link down below). The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is actually Sonys flagship smartphone for 2017. This handset is made out of metal and glass, while it comes with a 5.46-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) display, along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. The device is fueled by the Snapdragon 835 64-bit octa-core SoC, and a 3,230mAh non-removable battery is also included in this package. Android 7.1 Nougat comes pre-installed on the Xperia XZ Premium, and on top of it, youre getting Sonys custom UI. The device comes with a 23-megapixel rear-facing camera, and it offers IP68 certification for water and dust resistance as well. Visit our Xperia XZ Premium device page if youd like to know more. The great thing about hiring family members: You can usually trust them more than others. The really awful thing about hiring family members: You can't fire them. Unless, of course, you're Michael Corleone. Poor Fredo. It's no mere coincidence that "The Godfather" comes to mind when considering the nation's first family and challenges therein. President Trump, like Vito Corleone, has surrounded himself with family members, especially daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, and for essentially the same reasons. If you're Donald Trump, whom can you really trust? When you're a real estate mogul from Queens and Manhattan, with enough questionable paper to keep a cadre of lawyers in chauffeurs for life, you need the blood that binds as your innermost circle. Hence, Ivanka and Jared, the latter of whom turns out to be the latest person of interest in the FBI's investigation of the Trump campaign. Thus far, it's been reported that Kushner sought a back channel of communication with Russia, which isn't unusual in itself, though generally the president would work through the State Department or U.S. intelligence agencies. Kushner, who, despite rumors to the contrary, is actually not the president, supposedly discussed the back channel with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. This meeting reportedly took place at Trump Tower in early December last year, which means that Donald Trump wasn't actually the president either. Thus, Kushner was acting as a private citizen. Stranger still, Kushner and Kislyak apparently discussed using Russian diplomatic facilities so that even our own intelligence agencies would remain in the dark. Might we remind dear readers that U.S. intelligence agencies are the ones on our team? Russian operatives, decidedly, are not. What was so "sensitive" that Kushner would need a private line to the Kremlin? Surely, there's a reasonable explanation; I just can't think of one. The idea that Kushner is that naive is naive in itself. Besides, we've also now learned that former/ousted national security advisor Michael Flynn was also present in the meeting. Wouldn't a three-star general have enough experience to know better -- unless he endorsed the idea for purposes that remain unclear? Another Kushner meeting -- with a Russian banker and close friend of Putin -- has also raised flags. Meanwhile, millions are wondering: Who is that masked man, Jared Kushner -- or "the air," as Steve Bannon reportedly refers to him because of his way of breezing in and out of meetings? And what are Kushner's qualifications for negotiating with our greatest geopolitical foe? Often called the shadow secretary of state, Kushner has been a shadow in nearly every way. This is to say, we know little about him other than that he seems savvy in the ways of the paparazzi. In photos, he cuts a rather James-Bondian figure -- invariably looking slightly askance, somewhat bemused and ever-knowing. He seems determined to remain an enigma even as he appears to be in charge of everything from the Nile to the Volga. Not only does he have security clearance, but he also receives his own private security briefings each morning. There's no question the young man is bright, maybe brilliant, though he did manage to buy the nation's most expensive building just before the 2008 recession hit. On balance, he took over his family's real estate business when he was just 25 and reportedly has been able to recoup most of the $500 million invested in the building, which plummeted to half its value during the financial crisis. In my shallow moments, I confess to the guilty pleasure of watching Jared and Ivanka as one would Prince William and Duchess Kate. But then I remind myself that the U.S. is not currently a monarchy, though this might be preferable to, say, a thugocracy. Or worse. At the center of the storm, always, is Trump and the many still-unanswered questions about his and his aides' relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin and possible collusion during the 2016 campaign. Pertinent to those concerns, why all the secrecy? You don't have to be a paranoid conspiracy theorist to be justifiably skeptical if not suspicious. Kushner surely deserves a chance to explain his actions before he's indicted in the public square. Reportedly, he's angry and eager to defend his reputation, but it may not be his that's most at risk. As a senior adviser to the president, he has become a liability without family blood to protect him. With Trump, as with the Corleones, loyalty is all. Without blood to bind him, what's to prevent Kushner getting the boot? Under the circumstances, he might welcome an exit ramp, but he'd best steer clear of boat ramps. My fellow Americans, I have to ask: What happened to good manners? When did being civil go out of style? When did we decide that kindness equals weakness? When did the idea of conducting yourself well -- especially in public -- become quaint? The news is filled with stories of people behaving badly. * President Trump boorishly shoved aside the prime minister of Montenegro, Dusko Markovic, during a gathering of NATO leaders. Markovic gracefully described the incident to reporters as an "inoffensive situation." Yet there is no way to spin the gesture as anything but a sign of disrespect -- even if it was a thoughtless one. After all, Trump is the leader of the free world, and Montenegro is the newest member of the organization. How's that for a warm welcome? * Montana Republican Greg Gianforte was elected to the House of Representatives last week less than 24 hours after being charged with misdemeanor assault. The multimillionaire tech entrepreneur is accused of body-slamming Ben Jacobs, a reporter for the British newspaper The Guardian. Gianforte, in his victory speech, admitted that he "should not have treated that reporter that way" and apologized for the incident. We don't know whether voters cared about this story one way or the other, since about 70 percent of ballots had already been cast. * Jacobs also seems a quart low on social skills and could himself use a course in basic etiquette. A recording of the incident suggests that he marched up to Gianforte as the candidate was talking to other reporters. He interrupted their conversation, brushed aside his colleagues as if to say that his story was more important than theirs, stuck a recorder in Gianforte's face, and grilled the candidate by repeatedly asking the same question even after Gianforte made clear he wasn't going to answer, all without so much as a "hello" or an "excuse me." How did we get to this dark place? Did the death of manners happen all at once, or occur gradually over time? There are degrees of incivility. And if rudeness were an Olympic sport, Texas would win all the medals. This week, lawmakers in the Lone Star State got into a shoving match and accused each other of leveling death threats. It all started when a Republican legislator bragged to a group of Latino Democrats that he called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on protesters who'd been demonstrating at the state capitol, most of whom were Latino. Clearly, making that sort of announcement took guts. But it doesn't show a lot of brains. State Rep. Matt Rinaldi later confirmed to reporters that he called ICE because the protesters were "disrupting" legislative business and "breaking the law." According to CNN, several of the Democratic lawmakers quickly confronted Rinaldi and things got physical. Video of the incident shows legislators from both parties pushing each other. Rinaldi claims that he was assaulted by Rep. Ramon Romero and that Rep. Poncho Nevarez told him he would "get me on the way to my car." Nevarez denied making the threat, although he does acknowledge that he "got in [Rinaldi's] face and put my hands on the guy." Rinaldi confirmed that he threatened to shoot Nevarez, if forced to do so in self-defense. What came next was predictable. Since the hijinks came to light, a few of the Latino lawmakers say they've been getting racist hate calls from Texans who proudly claim they stand with Rinaldi against the "illegal aliens." Bad manners all around. As someone who once lived in Dallas, believe me when I tell you this is not just another day in the Southwest. Something has changed for the worse. Far be it from me to mess with Texas, but one thing still nags at me. If Rinaldi was really concerned about maintaining order, why didn't he call the state police, the FBI or the U.S. Coast Guard? What was it about the fact that many of the protesters were Latino that screamed to him: "Call ICE!" Could it be that Rinaldi was profiling Latinos? In a state where that group is indigenous and now makes up nearly 40 percent of the population, that would be really disrespectful. I'd even call it offensive. So, in this day and age, it could be enough to get Rinaldi elected governor. I'm not kidding. Until we start punishing bad behavior, we'll get more of it. There are twice as many Asian banks operating in Australia as there were in 2009, as financial institutions follow clients who are increasing investments in the country.In its latest Foreign Bank Tracker, MinterEllison found that there are now 23 Asian banks operating and owning local assets. The analysis, which covers 31 December 2009 to 31 December 2016, said that there were only 11 Asian banks operating in the country at the end of 2009.Previous research conducted by the firm show a steady rise in Asian bank-held assets in Australia. For 2013-14, Asian banks grew their holdings 18% or $12.5bn. For 2014-15, growth was 19% or $15.5bn. For 2015-16, growth was 21% or $21bn.Looking at the picture over the past seven years, we see a staggering 228% cumulative growth, or $62bn, from 2009-2016, said John Elias, MinterEllison partner.More than half of the foreign banks that entered the Australian market in the past five years, or nine of 13, are from Asia, the report said, with four Asian banks entering the market in 2016-17 alone.Elias, a specialist in finance, said that while new bank entrants typically tested Australian waters by participating in syndicated deals and lending to parties in the country they already have relationships with, recent trends show a more diverse entry strategy.Japanese and Chinese banks, who hold 81% of Asian bank-held assets in Australia, are leading the way, with growth acceleration in property, energy and resources, and infrastructure investments, he said.The trend may be sparked by more outside investors engaging with Australia.It's significant that many foreign banks are now well beyond merely establishing a footprint in Australia. Their engagement in the Australian market has matured considerably, so much so that they're lending on a bilateral basis and leading syndicates, Elias said. In short, they have evolved from relationship-based lenders to asset-based lenders.According to the analysis, after banks from large markets like India, China, and Japan entered Australia, they were followed by banks for Korea and Taiwan. However, a contrast is seen in European banks, five of which left the country between 2013 and 2016. Two more European banks, RBS and Barclay, look set to leave by the end of this year.When you compare the Australian assets of European and Asian banks, the gap between them has narrowed to just $54bn. In 2009, the gap was $169bn, more than three times what it is today, Elias said. It seems likely that in the next couple of years the assets of Asian banks in Australia will catch up to those of the European banks. While it's unlikely European banks will completely exit our market, their position has plateaued and looks to remain steady in the near term. A top firm continues its work for financiers of a logistics giants equity capital market offers. Baker McKenzie acted for UBS, which was the sole lead manager and underwriter to Qube's $350m equity raising. Qube will use $80m to fund new warehouses at the Moorebank Logistics Park, the largest intermodal precinct in Australia. It will use $70m for capital expenditures, including for new locomotives and warehouses at its Altona project and facility upgrades at its Minto site.Fiscal year to date, Qube has already invested $140m to acquire the 33% of Moorebank it didnt already own. The company expects to invest $400m in the development of the project over the first five years.Baker McKenzies team was led by partner Lauren Magraith, who was assisted by senior associate Hoda Nahlous and associate Ivo Basoski.Baker McKenzie had previously acted for the underwriters of Qube's $405m entitlement offer, which was used to fund the firms participation in the massive consortium takeover of Asciano Limited. Qube and Brookfields acquisition of Asciano was the M&A Deal of the Year in this years Australasian Law Awards. After a spectacular win at Sepang in 2016 and second place at Qatar this season, Dovi comes to the Italian round of the MotoGP looking to lead the field and power his GP17 to the checkered flag. Taking to the Mugello track in his Limited Edition Victory Supertech Rs, Dovis race boot will incorporate all the technical innovations of the iconic Supertech R and is available in a special color setup, resulting in a unique premium race boot optimized for speed and performance.An incredible rookie season in 2008 saw Andrea Dovizioso explode on to the MotoGP scene, and since then Dovi has been relentless in his pursuit of performance perfection. An extremely competitive and consistent frontrunner noted for his pace and precise riding style, the Italian has been an integral part of Ducatis recent premier class resurgence.Alpinestars most iconic road riding boot worn by the fastest world champions past and present, the Supertech R features performance innovations. A newly designed external TPU shin protection is ergonomically shaped, wrapping around to outer calf, and is engineered to spread and dissipate impact energy across the entire surface while remaining compact.An integrated replaceable co-injected TPU/Aluminium toe slider features a new easy screw fixing concept that provides feel and protects the outer toe box structure from abrasion. A replaceable polymer heel plate slider also protects from impact and reduces friction in the event of a crash.Full-length medial-facing microfiber panels feature new texture pattern offering excellent grip and feel against the bike and protect from abrasion and heat. A separate internal bio-mechanical ankle brace works with the outer structure of the boot to form a protective system allowing full and free movement of the foot, ankle, and leg.The new limited edition boots are available in sizes ranging 42 - 46 and can be had for $499.95. You should hurry to get yours now because, as their name suggests, the stock is limited. Yes, H-D is rolling in the North Dakota town of Ryder (maybe pun intended) wanting to preach the people there the way of living on two wheels. The small farming community counts only 84 residents, with about 50 of them being eligible for the program.By eligible we mean they have an active drivers license and can ride a bicycle, explained US Marketing and Market Development Director Anoop Prakash.The local Magic City Harley-Davidson, of Minot, North Dakota, dealership will roll into town to bring the bikes along with instructors, barbecue grills, and other attractions. For the whole summer, the town is also going to change a letter in its name so that it will be spelled Riders.Apart from the obvious name connection, the company also chose this location due to the fact it has a cool water tower that looks almost identical to the one at the H-D headquarters in Milwaukee. Harley-Davidsons name also got painted on it to point that out even more.The introduction to the world of riding starts like a standard Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginner course. This implies a two-day experience that sees future riders learning the basic skills of operating a bike in a closed environment like a large, empty parking lot.There wont be any public road riding, and youll also have to bring your own safety gear. Dont have that? No worries, H-D will gladly sell you what you need.The company will also provide a batch of new Street 500 models as training vehicles. The model was introduced to the range a couple of years ago as a beginner/urban bike, offering a more relaxed position, better handling and just enough power from a water-cooled 500cc V-twin engine. NEDC A walled enclave located within Rome, the absolute monarchy spans over an area of 110 acres and is home to something like 1,000 residents as per the most recent census. Therefore, Vatican City is the prime candidate for one of the most highly-anticipated experiments in the eco-friendly world. More to the point, the Vatican plans to become the first CO2-free country on the planet thanks to renewable energy.One step toward this ambitious goal comes courtesy of German automaker Opel, which decided to give an Ampera-e to Pope Francis. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Laudato Si: the Sustainability of Communication and Innovation conference, with CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann handing over the cars keys personally.We are proud that we as Opel can contribute to the ambitious goals of the Vatican City, declared the head honcho of the Russelsheim-based company that was recently acquired from General Motors by Groupe PSA . Our new Ampera-e will make electric mobility feasible for everyday use without any compromises, Mr. Neumann concluded.Needless to say, the Vatican is so small that anrange of 520 kilometers (323 miles) seems a bit overkill. And if the pontiff would wake up one morning with the urge to max out the Ampera-e, the Vatican doesnt have a stretch of road long enough for the compact electric vehicle to hit its top speed (150 km/h or just about 93 mph).The European counterpart of the Chevrolet Bolt in the United States, the Ampera-e is an interesting addition to the European landscape. Not only does it boast more range than its nearest rival, but the little bugger also happens to be a much more interesting proposition than the Ampera it indirectly replaces.As a brief refresher, the Volt-based Ampera was phased out because sales were worsening with each and every month. With the Pope's blessing, here's hope the Ampera-e will be a more successful product than the Ampera. Democratic congressional candidate Dennis Crawford on Friday took aim at President Donald Trump's decision to yank the United States out of the Paris climate agreement. "It's bad for the future of the planet, it weakens American influence in the world and it means the United States is perceived as an unreliable ally," Crawford said. "That's not a good place to be," the Lincoln attorney said. "Nebraska agriculture does not have much of a future in a global warming situation," Crawford added. Crawford has embarked on an early launch of his bid for Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's House seat and has scheduled an opening fundraising event in Lincoln on June 13 sponsored by a number of high-profile Democrats. Fortenberry's support for passage of the Republican House bill that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act spurred Crawford's early entry. That measure could lead to 24 million Americans losing their health care insurance coverage, he said. The House GOP health care legislation also prompted Bill Hoppner, who mounted the last tightly competitive Democratic gubernatorial campaign in 1998, to consider a return to electoral politics and enter the congressional race. Hoppner has indicated that he may not make a decision until much later this year. Among sponsors for Crawford's fundraising event are Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler, City Council members Jane Raybould and Bennie Shobe, former Lt. Gov. Kim Robak, former Mayor Don Wesely and state Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue. Crawford said he probably needs $1 million in campaign financial support to successfully challenge Fortenberry, a seven-term congressman seeking re-election in a House district that has not elected a Democrat in the last 53 years. The eastern Nebraska district includes Lincoln, Bellevue, Norfolk, Columbus and Fremont. "It's a real challenge and an uphill climb," Crawford said, "but it's a journey worth taking." Crawford was the Democratic nominee in 2014. MQB TDI Every corner of Spain has something special. Where have you been? Make it the name of our next Large SUV. To participate see link in bio. #SEATseekingName A post shared by SEAT (@seat_official) on Jun 1, 2017 at 2:34am PDT AVMA member AVMA honor roll member Nonmember Horace G. Blalock Jr. Dr. Blalock (Georgia 54), 87, Evans, Georgia, died April 13, 2017. Following graduation, he joined the University of Georgia Diagnostic and Research Laboratory in Tifton. In 1957, Dr. Blalock established Highland Animal Hospital, a mixed animal practice in Augusta, Georgia, later founding another practice in nearby Columbia County. Dr. Blalock was a past president of the Georgia VMA and Southern Veterinary Medical Federation, served as Georgias alternate delegate or delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates from 1977-1990, and was a past member of the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine. In 1994, he was named Georgia Veterinarian of the Year, and, in 2008, he received the GVMA J.T. Mercer Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Blalock helped establish the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association. He is survived by his wife, Doris; two sons and two daughters; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way Extension, Augusta, GA 30909, or Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. Joseph F. Chabot Dr. Chabot (Oklahoma State 63), 77, North Grafton, Massachusetts, died Jan. 10, 2017. He owned a small animal practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, for 37 years. Dr. Chabot later served as an associate clinical professor of biomedical sciences at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University until retirement. His wife, Mary Ellen; a son and a daughter; and four grandchildren survive him. Robert L. Felker Dr. Felker (Colorado State 56), 84, Green Valley, Arizona, died Dec. 30, 2016. A small animal practitioner, he was a past president of the Colorado VMA and Denver Area VMS. Hugh A. Haller Dr. Haller (Colorado State 62), 83, Moffat, Colorado, died Jan. 31, 2017. He worked as a federal veterinarian in New Mexico for 14 years prior to retirement in 2005. Earlier, Dr. Haller was a partner at Valley Veterinary Clinic in Alamosa, Colorado, and owned a practice and raised Herefords in Colorados San Luis Valley. A lifetime member of the Colorado VMA, he received the CVMA 50-year Service Award in 2012. Dr. Haller is survived by his wife, Gretchen, and a son. His brother-in-law, Dr. Martin T. Shellabarger (Colorado State 70), is a mixed animal veterinarian in Moffat. Robert B. Lank Dr. Lank (Kansas State 42), 97, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died April 16, 2017. Following graduation, he practiced in Louisiana at Ferriday and Bastrop before joining the faculty of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine as an assistant professor in 1948. He subsequently served as professor, head of the Department of Veterinary Science, and associate dean of the veterinary school, retiring as emeritus in all three positions. As associate dean, Dr. Lank played a pivotal role in the design, planning, and building of the veterinary school. He also served on the LSU System Boyd Professor Review Committee. Dr. Lank was a past chair of the AVMA Council on Education, served as Louisiana VMA delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates from 1967-1980, and was a member of the House Advisory Committee. He was a past president of the Louisiana VMA, the Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Alumni Association, and the East Baton Rouge Cattlemens Association. In 1962, Dr. Lank was named Louisiana Veterinarian of the Year, and, in 1984, he received the first LSU-CVM Alumni Chapter Award of Merit. He was also a past recipient of the Presidential Certificate of Appreciation and the Meritorious Service Award from the Selective Service Advisory Committee. In his community, Dr. Lank was a past president of the Baton Rouge Kiwanis Foundation, chaired the EBR Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control Board, and was a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and Red Stick Forestry Association. Memorials, with the memo line of checks notated to the Dr. Robert Lank Memorial Scholarship, may be made to the LSU Foundation, 3796 Nicholson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Christ V.R. Mueller Dr. Mueller (Minnesota 68), 74, Marshfield, Wisconsin, died Oct. 13, 2016. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Marshfield. Jerry L. Schrader Dr. Schrader (Kansas State 57), 84, Great Bend, Kansas, died Feb. 11, 2017. In 1959, he established Countryside Veterinary Associates in Great Bend, where he practiced mixed animal medicine until his death. Prior to that, Dr. Schrader worked in Iowa and Arkansas for two years. A member of the Kansas VMA, he represented the association on the Governors Pet Advisory Board and was named 2013 Veterinarian of the Year. Dr. Schrader was a past president of the Golden Belt Humane Society and a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He served on the board of trustees of Barton Community College and was active with the Great Bend Elks Lodge. Dr. Schrader is survived by his wife, Yvonne, and a stepson. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. David R. Sidel Dr. Sidel (Auburn 63), 78, Mobile, Alabama, died Dec. 30, 2016. A small animal veterinarian, he practiced at Theodore Veterinary Hospital in Theodore, Alabama. Dr. Sidels four daughters, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Animal Rescue Foundation, 6140 Rangeline Road, Theodore, AL 36582, or Roxbury Rescues, 5761 Highway 90 W., Theodore, Alabama 36582. Charles G. Sims Dr. Sims (Georgia 52), 88, Greensboro, North Carolina, died Dec. 16, 2016. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Greensboro for 60 years. Dr. Sims was a Navy veteran of World War II, receiving a Victory Medal for his service. He is survived by his wife, Karen; four daughters and a son; and seven grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care Center of Alamance, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215, or Charles G. Sims Foundation for Education, 7B Corporate Center Court, Greensboro, NC 27408. Donald E. Smith Dr. Smith (Iowa State 53), 91, Verona, Wisconsin, died March 31, 2017. Following an internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, he established Pioneer Veterinary Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Elizabeth, Illinois. In 1974, Dr. Smith moved to Mondovi, Wisconsin, where he practiced large animal medicine at Buffalo Valley Veterinary Service. He retired in 1986. Dr. Smith helped establish the Northern Illinois VMA. He was a member of the Lions Club for 30 years. Dr. Smith is survived by his wife, Susan; a son and two daughters; and four grandchildren. His son, Dr. Barney Smith (Iowa State 81), practices small animal medicine in Verona. Memorials may be made to the Sierra Club, 754 Williamson St., Madison, WI 53703, or Memorial United Church of Christ, 5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711. Ray L. Taylor Dr. Taylor (Michigan State 50), 90, Paris, Illinois, died March 31, 2017. Following graduation, he worked briefly in West Lafayette, Indiana. Dr. Taylor subsequently moved to Paris, where he spent the rest of his career, beginning in large animal practice, focusing later on small animals. He served on the Edgar County Fair Board for 35 years and was a member of the Rotary Club, Shriners, Masonic Lodge, and Elks Club. Dr. Taylor was a veteran of the Navy. He is survived by three daughters and a son, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to University of Illinois Extension for Edgar County 4-H, 210 W. Washington St., Paris, IL 61944. Edwin A. Wagner Jr. Dr. Wagner (Pennsylvania 77), 64, Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, died Dec. 6, 2016. He owned Valley Green Veterinary Hospital, a small animal practice in Goldsboro, Pennsylvania. Dr. Wagner was a member of the Pennsylvania VMA and Veterinary Orthopedic Society. His wife, Somjit, survives him. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of the Harrisburg Area, 7790 Grayson Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111, or The Last Chance Fund, 8574 Paxton St., Hummelstown, PA 17036. "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough repeatedly called Steve Bannon "President Bannon" on his show Friday: "TIME magazine was right: Steve Bannon is the president of the United States." "He has gone in. Donald Trump doesn't know anything about policy. Donald Trump doesn't know anything about politics. Donald Trump doesn't know anything about anything. He can get up and give a good speech. You listen to him talk about any topic and he wanders from sentence to sentence to sentence. So Steve Bannon is now the President of the United States. And that was more clear yesterday than ever before." Scarborough also suggested that "President Bannon" was the source behind the negative leaks on Jared Kushner and his ties to Russia, noting that Bannon bragged about having damaging information on Trump's son-in-law in the days leading up to the reports that Kushner was being looked at by the FBI. The leaks: "President Bannon": 2 June 2017 15:22 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The Armenian leadership is fond of making populist statements on various holidays and give empty promises, and Childrens Day was not an exception. Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan, addressing the nation on June 1 marked worldwide as the International Childrens Day, tried to convince people that the Armenian authorities do everything possible for children. To protect the interests of children, to create conditions for them to grow up in healthy, wealthy and happy families this is the duty of the state, he said, Sputnik-Armenia states. However, the Armenian realities differ from what the officials say. The Armenian government fails to keep promises and perform these duties. In fact, the country has lost almost 40,000 schoolchildren in recent years, as many families migrated to other countries or lost jobs and cannot afforded sending children to schools. The non-fulfillment of obligations by the Armenian government starts with adults, who are simply unable to provide their children with a happy future in Armenia. Thus, thousands of children who left the country with their relatives now search a happy future somewhere abroad. High corruption, poverty, and migration contribute to parents inability to care for their children. Unemployment is another challenge. Over 5,000 children in Armenia spend all or most of their time in residential childcare institutions, such as orphanages and boarding schools. More than 90 percent of children in residential institutions in Armenia have at least one living parent. Thousands of children are needlessly separated from their parents and placed in institutions due to disability or poverty, Human Rights Watch said in a report released in February, according to local media. Most institutions do not have in-house social workers or counselors that monitor the psychological and physical wellbeing of the children. The children there neglected, and deprived of medical care. Children in these institutions are more of social orphans, as they ended up there because their families were unable to meet their basic needssuch as nutrition, clothing, education, and proper healthcare. Another UNICEF report states that more than 19 percent of children aged under five are malnourished in Armenia. Tens of thousands of children in Armenia are living in poverty today. The 2015 data by the National Statistical Service of Armenia shows that the number of children aged 0 to 17 years in Armenia was approximately 690,300, and 33.7 percent of them lived in poverty, while 2.5 percent lived in extreme poverty. That is, approximately 232,000 children were poor, and 17,250 were extremely poor. Obviously, the situation has not changed in a positive way during the past two years. Thus, the Armenian authorities can speak all day long about the fictional progress in terms of provision of the Armenian children with normal life conditions, but the real situation does not change at all from these empty speeches. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 13:10 (UTC+04:00) By Sara Israfilbayova Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Fund (ADIF) will start paying compensations to uninsured depositors of the Gandja Bank from June 2. The total number of uninsured individuals and legal entities in the Gandja Bank exceeds 500 people, Executive Director of ADIF Azad Javadov said on June 1. "Within the first tranche, each uninsured client of the bank will be paid 70,000 manats [$41,125], after which only 13 individuals and legal entities will remain," Javadov said. The license of Gandja Bank was withdrawn in January 2016 due to its failure to meet the CBA requirements regarding the total capital volume and obligations to creditors. Gandja Bank was declared bankrupt upon the decision of the Baku Administrative Economic Court 1 dated February 15, 2016. The liquidator of the bank is ADIF. Javadov further added that in the near future the second tranche of compensations will be paid to uninsured investors of the "Caucasian Development Bank". "We have already paid the first tranche for the uninsured deposits of the Caucasus Development Bank: 50,000 manats [$29,375] were paid to each investor. After we pay compensation to 31 customers, only 11 individuals and legal entities will remain, Javadov added. The CBA revoked the bank's license on January 27, 2016 due to the fact that the total capital of the bank did not meet the requirements of the CBA [50 million manats-$29.4 million] and it could not fulfill its obligations to creditors. In general, in 8 of the closed 12 banks, the process of paying uninsured deposits is close to completion, he concluded. ADIF was founded on August 12, 2007 after the Law on Deposit Insurance was adopted by the Parliament [Milli Majlis] of Azerbaijan. The purpose of establishing the Deposit Insurance Scheme is to prevent the risk of losing money deposited by individuals and to ensure the sustainability and development of the financial and banking system whenever banks and local branch offices of foreign banks become insolvent. The fund is regulated by the Board of Custodians and by Executive director based on the Law on Deposit Insurance. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 17:55 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Negotiations on the export of Azerbaijani wines to Kazakhstan and organization of their sales in this country have been launched. The Azerbaijani embassy in Astana reported that certain results have already been achieved in this direction. A presentation and tasting of Azerbaijani wines were held in Astana on the initiative of the Azerbaijani embassy. A number of countries engaged in the production and export of wine products on a large scale, including Georgia, are already using this practice," the embassy said. Heads of more than 40 diplomatic corps accredited in Kazakhstan, ambassadors, representatives of state structures, well-known people took part in the event held under the Made in Azerbaijan brand. The head of the Enterprise Specializing in wine production, Elmar Saidov, speaking about the presented products, said that the equipment brought from Germany, Italy, France and Japan allows producing the best quality wines for the export. "One of these wines - Chardonnay - has turned into the best-selling dry wine in the world. A variety of Chardonnay grapes is grown in several countries of the world, including Azerbaijan," Saidov said. The ambassadors of Bulgaria, Hungary and other countries, known for their wine products, highly appreciated the quality of the tasted wines. Similar events are planned to be held in several regions of Kazakhstan. The Azerbaijani embassy in cooperation with the Kazakhstans government agencies intends to ensure the participation of Azerbaijani entrepreneurs in exhibitions and fairs with a single national stand or individually in cities such as Astana, Almaty, Petropavlovsk, Kostanay, Shymkent. Azerbaijani wines are sold under the Made in Azerbaijan brand. Wine-making has switched to the new level of development in Azerbaijan due to programs implemented in the country aimed at expansion of non-oil sector. Today, Azerbaijan produces 20 million bottles of wine per year, while the annual production capacity of the countrys wineries is 100 million bottles. Recently, the country launched wine export to new markets such as China, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, the U.S. and some European countries. Overall, the wine export of Azerbaijan hit $3.5 million in 2016. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 14:00 (UTC+04:00) By Amina Nazarli A penalty may be imposed for conducting advertising campaigns, accompanied by free distribution of medicines or provision of free medical services. These changes are proposed to the Code of Administrative Offenses, which were discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Health on June 1. The changes stipulate introduction of a penalty for carrying out advertising actions accompanied by free distribution, sale of medicines, provision of paid or free medical services, for individuals in the amount of 300 to 500 manats ($177-$294), for officials - from 800 to 1,000 manats ($473-$592), for legal entities - from 1,000 to 2,000 manats ($592-$1,184). Besides, under the proposed amendments, in case taking of medicines and using medical equipment without a doctor's prescription can be accompanied by some additional effect, this should be indicated in the advertisement, and there must be noted the need to consult a doctor or specialist in this case. Addressing the meeting, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee Ahliman Amiraslanov also underlined the necessity of controlling the antibiotics usage. A new research in the field of molecular biology revealed that the use of antibiotics adversely affects the genes of people, leads to serious consequences and diseases. Perhaps, the consequences are not observed immediately, but they manifest themselves later. Unintentional use of antibiotics can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, in Azerbaijan, it is necessary to take the prescription of antibiotics under strict control, he clarified. The relevant executive bodies should take measures in this regard, he said. -- Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 17:14 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Armenia and Azerbaijan the two parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are closer to war than at any point since a ceasefire brokered more than 20 years ago, the International Crisis Group said. For over two decades the two South Caucasus countries have been locked in conflict, which emerged over Armenian territorial claims. Since the 1990s war, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. The clashes over control of Nagorno-Karabakh have intensified in the past three years and turned into a violent flare-up of the conflict last April. The reports said any descent into all-out war could draw in regional powers, which include Russia and Turkey - closely allied to Armenia and Azerbaijan respectively. Since mid-January 2017, deadly incidents involving the use of heavy artillery and anti-tank weapons have occurred with varying degrees of intensity; May saw a significant increase, including reports of self-guided rockets and missiles used near densely populated areas along the line of contact, the report notes. Not a day goes by without Armenias ceasefire breaking and provocations with the use of large-caliber machine guns, mortars and other weapons. The Armenian side constantly shells Azerbaijani settlements located in the frontline regions, thus threatening the lives of peaceful Azerbaijani citizens living there. Although the OSCE Minsk Group, chaired by Paris, Moscow and Washington, is working to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for over two decades, its activities have brought no breakthrough results so far, and ICG analysts also note this. Efforts to ensure a lasting settlement of the conflict in the South Caucasus, which is crossed by oil and gas pipelines, failed, despite the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group, the ICG stated. The ICG, which prepared its report based on the insights of analysts who spoke to residents and observers on the ground, noted in its report that the settlement process has stalled, and both sides appear ready for confrontation. A year after Nagorno-Karabakhs April 2016 violent flare-up, Armenia and Azerbaijan are closer to war than at any point since the 1994 ceasefire, the report notes. While violence remains at a relatively low boil, any escalation quickly could spin out of control. Since the meetings of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Vienna and St. Petersburg, which took place after the April 2016 clashes, the negotiation process came to the dead end due to the denial of Yerevan to continue serious talks. Baku has repeatedly voiced readiness to settle the conflict through direct negotiations with Armenia with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. However, the Armenian side is constantly trying to make up reasons to avoid a constructive dialogue and preserve the status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh. The ICG report also suggested that Russia remains the most influential foreign player, but noted that the countrys role is complex: Russia is a co-chair in the Minsk Group, but also chief arms supplier to Azerbaijan and Armenia, both of whom suspect Russia is more interested in expanding its influence in the region than in resolving the conflict. The report also stated that Azerbaijan frustrated with the longstanding status quo and concerned that additional security measures could further cement it insists that substantive discussions cannot be delayed. Earlier, Daniel Coats, the Director of U.S. National Intelligence stated that potential for large-scale hostilities in Karabakh will remain in 2017. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 17:41 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Renewed conflicts in the South Caucasus could threaten Turkey and other NATO allies of the U.S. in the Black Sea region, said an analytical paper U.S. Policy Toward the South Caucasus by the Carnegie Center, one of the most influential analytical centers in the world. Conflict and general destabilization of the South Caucasus could turn it into a conduit for fighters transiting to or from the Middle East to join the conflicts in Syria or Iraq, or those returning to Central Asia or North Caucasus, the report stated. The authors of the paper believe that preventing any one of the regions frozen conflicts from escalating into hostilities should remain the top priority for U.S. policy in the South Caucasus. The brief resumption of hostilities last year between Azerbaijan and Armenia highlighted the danger these conflicts pose to regional security and U.S. interests, and therefore this objective should be at the top of the list for U.S. diplomacy in the region, the Carnegie Center noted. The Center also stated that renewed hostilities would endanger the lives of many civilians, put at risk important infrastructure, possibly result in serious environmental damage, and affect not only the two warring parties but also Georgia, whose fortunes are closely tied to those of its neighbors. Active U.S. diplomacy to prevent the resumption of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the Minsk process and bilaterally with each of the parties is essential, the paper noted. The Carnegie Center suggested that if fighting breaks out again, Russia and Turkey would be involved indirectly, and quite possibly directly, due to their respective ties to Armenia and Azerbaijan. Depending on the course of the conflict, Iran too could become involved. The conflict could conceivably become a secondary theater to the conflict in Syria, where Iran and Russia are pursing different objectives than Turkey, wrote the authors of the report. The Nagorno-Karabakh 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. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 17:48 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The newly-elected French president will make every effort to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully, French Ambassador to Baku Aurelia Bouchez said at a press conference on June 2. She noted that President Emmanuel Macron realizes the value of rich bilateral ties existing between France and Azerbaijan. Bouchez added that Macron is informed about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He will make every effort to settle the conflict peacefully. I think his position will be aimed at the peaceful settlement of this conflict and the role of the OSCE Minsk Group in this matter, the envoy said, stressing that the main priority is to find a peaceful solution to this problem. France along with Russia and the U.S. is a co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group established to broker a peace to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. For more than two decades, Armenia and Azerbaijan are in a state of war following Yerevans aggression, ethnic cleansing policy and illegal territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenia keeps under control over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. 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. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A federal judge has given attorneys for an inmate on Nebraska's death row six months more to represent him but pressed them during a phone conference Friday about moving forward with whatever their next step will be. John Lotter, who was convicted in the killing that inspired the 1999 movie "Boys Don't Cry," could be the first of the 11 men now on death row in the state to be executed, once he has exhausted his appeals. In February, Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf denied Lotter's latest federal petition challenging his murder conviction, likening it to a hail Mary pass. His attorneys, Rebecca Woodman and Jessica Sutton of the Death Penalty Litigation Clinic in Kansas City, Missouri, had asked Kopf to stay the case so they could raise issues over the state's method for determining death sentences in state court. Kopf refused and denied Lotter's habeas petition, in part because the attorneys hadn't gotten permission from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to file it, as required. Lotter is appealing the order and also has a case pending in state court. On Friday, Kopf asked Woodman if the next step was an application for clemency. Woodman called clemency a fail-safe in the criminal justice system for those under a sentence of death and said it usually isn't sought until all other remedies have been exhausted and the state has sought a death warrant. Kopf asked how long this was going to go on, pointing out the attorneys were appointed in 2014. "I realize there have been intervening events," the judge said, alluding to Nebraska lawmakers voting in 2015 to repeal the death penalty, only to have it later reinstated by voters. "But I've got to move this matter along." Woodman said she believes other remedies remain available to Lotter. "This is not specifically a clemency issue. It's a legal issue," she said. When Kopf sought elaboration, Sutton, her co-counsel, mentioned cases raised in April in Arkansas, where four executions were stayed. Kopf said he didn't doubt that once an execution date is set and the method of execution understood that there may be subsequent actions that they may wish to challenge. "The drug protocol and on and on," he said. Kopf asked James Smith, solicitor general of the Nebraska Attorney General's office, if the state presently was in a position to execute Lotter. "Does it have the wherewithal to do that, the drugs or whatever it is you need?" the judge asked. Smith said the state could not proceed with the execution because to get an execution warrant it has to certify to the Nebraska Supreme Court that there are no proceedings pending in any court. "Procedurally we could not pursue a warrant while those cases are pending," he said. If the Eighth Circuit affirms Kopf's decision and if Lotter loses the state case, then Smith would ask Scott Frakes, the director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, if the prison was prepared to carry out an execution, Smith said. In the end, Kopf set a new date in six months for the attorneys to update him. Lotter was sentenced to death for his role in the 1993 killings of Brandon Teena and two witnesses, Lisa Lambert and Philip DeVine, at a rural Humboldt farmhouse. 2 June 2017 10:51 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova Chief of Staff of the NATO Allied Land Command Major General Erhan Uzun met with the Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Baku. He pays visit to Azerbaijan due to NATO 2nd level evaluation exercise of Azerbaijan Armed Forces infantry battalion as part of Operational Capabilities Concept program. Uzun praised Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation, the countrys contribution to international peacekeeping operations and the professionalism of servicemen in those operations. He also stressed Azerbaijans efforts towards the restoration of international peace and security. The history of Azerbaijan-NATO relationship dates back to March 1992 when Azerbaijan together with some Central and Eastern European countries, joined a newly established consultative forum the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC), which was transformed into the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council later in 1997. Azerbaijan's cooperation with NATO is carried out in the framework of the Partnership for Peace program. The country makes significant contributions to freight transport for peacekeeping operations, while Azerbaijani servicemen contribute to ensuring security in Afghanistan. Besides, NATO keeps in the focus the issue of security of the oil and gas pipelines in the South Caucasus region that pass through the territory of Azerbaijan as well. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 11:00 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Azerbaijan is an important strategic and economic partner of Bulgaria, said Maya Hristova, Bulgarian Ambassador to Baku. She made the remarks at an event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria on June 1. Relations between the two countries have been rapidly developing over these years, the diplomat said, adding that in the last five years, both Bulgarian president and vice-president visited Azerbaijan four times. Hristova noted that First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, headed by her, have played a significant role in the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, especially in culture. She thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for assistance in the restoration of Trapezitsa Architectural Museum Reserve in the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo. Speaking of energy cooperation, the envoy noted that Bulgaria is pursuing a policy of diversification of energy supplies and in this respect, partnership with Azerbaijan is very important. Hristova said that Bulgaria fully supports the Southern Gas Corridor project, envisaging supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, and confirms that Azerbaijan plays a key role in the project. The Southern Gas Corridor envisages transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region to Europe via Georgia and Turkey. The ambassador also added that Azerbaijan and Bulgaria have a contract for the supply of one billion cubic meters of gas per year starting from 2020. The relations between our countries have a great future, Hristova noted, adding that friendship between the Azerbaijani and Bulgarian people will be a basis for their development. Azerbaijan and Bulgaria have developed friendly relations after Bulgaria recognized the independence of Azerbaijan in January 1992. The embassy of Bulgaria in Azerbaijan was opened in December 1999. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria over the past five years amounted to about $1 billion. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 17:38 (UTC+04:00) By Sara Israfilbayova Azerbaijan and Australia have discussed ways to boost the ties as countrys Charge d'Affaires in Australia Eljan Habibzade and Honorary Consul in Australia Aydan Rzayeva met with Minister for International Development and the Pacific of the country Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, on June 2. The Australian minister was informed about the political and economic successes of Azerbaijan, projects implemented in the fields of energy, transport and others. The Azerbaijani officials touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and thanked for the fair position of Australia in supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. In turn, Ferravanti-Wells once again stressed the unchanged position of the Australian government. She also expressed great interest in expanding relations with Azerbaijan in political and trade-economic areas, underlining the importance of developing inter-parliamentary cooperation, which is an important component of interstate relations. The sides also discussed prospects for cooperation in the non-oil sector, which is one of the priorities of Azerbaijan's economic policy. They stressed the need to develop cooperation in such areas as agriculture, tourism, IT and the use of Australia's experience in these areas. Ferravanti-Wells noted that as the former Deputy Minister for Multicultural Affairs, she understands the importance of promoting multicultural values in the current world conditions and supported Azerbaijan's efforts in this direction. They noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and Azerbaijan, as well as the importance of mutual visits for strengthening relations and developing cooperation. The Commonwealth of Australia recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 26, 1991. Diplomatic relations between two countries have been established on June 19, 1992. Azerbaijan exports crude oil to Australia. Butter is imported from Australia. The trade turnover of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the Commonwealth of Australia amounted to $7.83 million, including imports $7.57 million, exports $0.26 million during January-September, 2015. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 17:25 (UTC+04:00) On the initiative of congressman Dalmiro Feliciano Palomino Ortiz, the Peruvian Congress has unanimously approved a congratulatory document on May 28 Azerbaijans Republic Day. The document was signed by the Congresss First Vice-President, Rosa Maria Bartra Barriga. The document says that the Republic of Azerbaijan is the first democratic republic in the Muslim world with equal rights for all of its citizens and that it is a multinational and multicultural country. It also notes that the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1996 and Azerbaijan is a key partner of Peru. May 28, 1918, marks the establishment of the ADR, the first independent republic and democratic state on the East. Although it existed for only 23 months, it brought about great progress in foreign policy, and introduced Azerbaijan to the international community. To appreciate the historical significance of this event not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the entire Islamic world, it is enough to recall that at that time there were only seven independent Muslim states in the world - Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan, Emirate of Bukhara, and three small monarchies of Inner Arabia. Azerbaijan, which gained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, celebrates May 28 annually as the Republic Day. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 16:01 (UTC+04:00) By Gunay Camal Roughly 83 billion cubic meters of gas and 21 million tons of condensate have been produced from Azerbaijans biggest gas field, Shah Deniz, since its commissioning back in 2006, said Khoshbakht Yusifzade, the First Vice-President of the countrys state oil company SOCAR . He made the remarks during the 24th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference 2017 in Baku on June 2. He noted that Azerbaijan, until today, has exported 6.3 billion cubic meters of gas to Georgia and 46.5 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey via the South Caucasus pipeline. As part of the first stage of development of the Azerbaijans Shah Deniz gas condensate field, 2.3 million cubic meters of gas are supplied to Georgia and 18.5 million cubic meters of gas to Turkey per day, noted Yusifzade. Reserves of the Shah Deniz field are estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas. A contract for development of the field was signed on June 4, 1996. Shah Deniz Stage 2 will add a further 16 billion cubic meters per year of gas production to the approximately 9 billion cubic meters per year produced by Shah Deniz Stage 1. Shah Deniz Stage 2, one of the largest gas developments in the world, will help increase European energy security by bringing Caspian gas resources to markets in Europe for the very first time. The project is now over 92 percent complete in terms of engineering, procurement and construction, and remains on target for first gas from Shah Deniz Stage 2 in 2018. As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline. The Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field has produced 428,400,000 tons of oil and 133 billion cubic meters of gas so far, Yusifzade said. More than $42 billion have been invested in this project, he said, stressing that Azerbaijans profit oil volume will increase. Out of the total crude output of the ACG block, 240 million tons is profit oil, he said. A contract for developing the ACG field was signed in 1994. The proven oil reserve of the block nears 1 billion tons. Shareholders of the project are BP (operator, 35.78 percent), Chevron (11.27 percent), Inpex (10.96 percent), AzACG (11.65 percent), Statoil (8.55 percent), Exxon (8 percent), TPAO (6.75 percent), Itocu (4.3 percent) and ONGC (2.72 percent). First production from the Shafag-Asiman offshore block of gas fields in Azerbaijan may begin in 2030, said Bahram Huseynov, vice president for geology and geophysics at the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR. Huseynov, addressing the event, said it is planned to start drilling the first exploration well at the Shafag-Asiman block in 2019. The block's reserves are estimated at about 500 billion cubic meters of gas. We believe the first production there can begin in 2030, he added. SOCAR and BP signed a contract on the Shafag-Asiman block of fields for a period of 30 years in October 2010. The exploration period is four years with possibility of extension for three more years. Bahram Huseynov further said that SOCAR is currently preparing a project for drilling the first exploration well at the prospective Babek structure. If the results got after drilling the exploration well are positive, SOCAR will, at the first stage, build a platform and drill 4-5 wells for production there. The gas production itself can begin in 2024-2025 at Babek field, he explained. According to preliminary data, reserves of the prospective Babek field may be 400 billion cubic meters of gas and 80 million tons of condensate. Energy Minister Natig Aliyev earlier said that gas production in Azerbaijan will reach 44.5 billion cubic meters by 2020. The SOCAR gas production will total to 6.4 billion cubic meters by 2020 against 26.1 billion cubic meters from Shahdeniz and 12 billion cubic meters from Azeri-Chiraq-Gunashli. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 12:40 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Over the past 12 years, BP gave more than 30 billion cubic meters of associated gas to Azerbaijan from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block of oil and gas fields, said Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, communications, external affairs, strategy & region vice president at BP Azerbaijan, on June 2. He was addressing the 24th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference 2017 in Baku. ACG is a super-giant field located about 100 km east of Baku. It is the biggest producing oil field in the Caspian Sea and covers an area of more than 432 square kilometers. The field lies in water depths of between 120 and 170 metres. The depth of the reservoir is 2,000-3,500 metres. A contract for developing the ACG field was signed in 1994. The proven oil reserve of the block nears 1 billion tons. The shareholders of the project are BP (operator, 35.78 percent), Chevron (11.27 percent), Inpex (10.96 percent), AzACG (11.65 percent), Statoil (8.55 percent), Exxon (8 percent), TPAO (6.75 percent), Itocu (4.3 percent) and ONGC (2.72 percent). In December , 2016, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and BP-operated Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) signed an agreement on future development of the ACG field. The agreement will cover the development of the field until 2050 and will add significant resource development potential. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 12:14 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva The U.S. Treasury Department included three Russian companies in the sanctions list, Interfax news agency reported. Independent Oil and Gas Company headed by ex-chief executive of Rosneft Eduard Khudainatov, its subsidiary Primorsknefteprodukt and Ardis-Bearings LLC were included into the black list. The sanctions list also included a Russian citizen, Igor Michurin, who is affiliated with Korea Tangun Trading Corporation. The relevant information was published on May 31 on the website of the U.S. department. The U.S. Treasury Department noted that Michurin is the head of Ardis-Bearings LLC, which provides supplies to the North Korean company to Tangun,which provides equipment for the WMD program]. Ardis-Bearings LLC is a company that provides supplies to Tangun, and Michurin is a frequent business partner of Tangun officials in Moscow, the message reads. Another Russian firm, Independent Petroleum Company, and a subsidiary were blacklisted for signing a contract to provide oil to North Korea and shipping over $1 million worth of petroleum products to North Korea. One Congolese and two North Korean citizens were subjected to individual sanctions as well. The blacklist also included several North Korean legal entities, a safari club in the Congo, as well as North Korean People's Army, Ministry of Defense and State Commission. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Moscow is concerned by the U.S. decision to sanction a Russian citizen and firms over alleged connections to North Korea. The new sanctions would not help efforts to restore relations between Moscow and Washington, according to the diplomat. The United States has struggled to slow North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, which has become a security priority. The Security Council first imposed sanctions on Pyongyang in 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and has ratcheted up the measures in response to five nuclear tests and two long-range missile launches. North Korea is threatening a sixth nuclear test and has conducted repeated missile tests this year. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 13:26 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Ashgabat hosts the 49th meeting of the Working Group for development of the Convention on the Caspian Seas legal status at the level of deputy foreign ministers, the Turkmen government reported. At the meeting, the heads of the delegations of the Caspian states presented their countries' positions on certain provisions of the Convention. A number of key points of the document - the basic international treaty regulating the most important aspects of the activities of littoral states, including in areas of their national jurisdiction - had been agreed upon. "The draft document also includes modern principles and norms of international law in the field of navigation, environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, in particular, the use of biological resources of the Caspian Sea and the mineral resources of its bottom and subsoil," the message reads. Earlier, such important documents as the Framework Convention for Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea and the Agreement on Security Cooperation in the Caspian Sea were signed. The Caspian Sea is surrounded by the five coastal countries of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan. The Sea has a total surface area of 371,000 km, holding 78,200 cubic km of water. The legal status of the Caspian Sea has remained unsolved during the past two decades, preventing development and exploitation of its disputable oil and gas fields and creating obstacles to the realization of major projects. Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan hold to the principle of dividing into national sectors based on the median line principles since it is an international boundary lake, and leaving the sea surface for general use, i.e. they are for demarcation of mineral resources and the Caspian Sea shelf, but against dividing up its waters. Iran seeks an equal division of the Caspian into 5 even sectors, mainly because most of the offshore energy resources are located away from the Iranian coastline. Turkmenistan also demands the division of the Sea into equal parts between the pre-Caspian countries so that each country has 20 percent of the sea. The Caspian littoral states signed a Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea in November 2003. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2017 17:36 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Iran may play more effective role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), believes Irans Minister of Information and Communication Technology Mahmoud Vaezi. He made the remarks in one of the panels of the 21st St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2017). Regional cooperation is now a necessity because the world has changed and the SCO member-states need a louder voice to progress forward their goals, the minister added. The official hailed the role of the SCO in establishment of peace in the world and its importance for promotion of trade in the region. He underlined using the SCO capacities for establishment of peace in the region. Iran with a population of 80 million populations is ready to increase economic cooperation with SCO countries, Vaezi said. He noted that Iran was part of the Silk Road in the past and it can now play a more effective role within the framework of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Iran connected its railway to Turkmenistan and the Commonwealth of Nations states and it plans to connect its railroad to Azerbaijan, Vaezi said while elaborating Iran progresses in transit. The SCO, established in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, conducts multilateral cooperation between the member states on national security, military, economy and culture. The SCO members now are China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The territories of the six member states consist of 1.5 billion people, which equals to a quarter of the world's population. In addition to the six member states, the SCO has two new acceding members, India and Pakistan; four observer nations Mongolia, Iran, Afghanistan and Belarus and six dialogue partners, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal and Sri Lanka. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz OMAHA Omaha police have identified a woman whose body was found about a mile north of downtown. Police said officers were sent to the area about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to check reports of screaming and of people drinking outdoors near a homeless encampment. Police say 32-year-old Rachel Ham was pronounced dead at the scene. Ham is believed to have been living in the encampment. Police announced Thursday the arrest of a suspect, a 53-year-old man who was booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree murder and use of a firearm. Gov. Pete Ricketts celebrated Nebraska Bird Month with a group of 5-year-olds from Trinity Infant and Child Care Center in Lincoln on May 30. On a sunny morning, Ricketts led about 20 students on a walk in which they looked for and identified birds. Following the event, he read a book about birds to the students. Spending time in nature is great way to get young children to ask questions and think critically, said Lindsay Rogers, an outdoor education specialist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the coordinator of the event. Furthermore, instilling an interest in and appreciation for nature in young children is crucial to developing citizens who care about the environment and wildlife conservation. International Migratory Bird Day has been celebrated the second Saturday of May since 1993. In Nebraska, birds are celebrated throughout the month. Earlier in May, Ricketts signed a proclamation declaring May Nebraska Bird Month. The May 30 event was one of dozens of birding events held across the state in May with the goal of helping the public learn about the many species of birds in Nebraska. For more information about Nebraska Bird Month, visit NebraskaBirdMonth.org. Take your photography to the next level with one of our great photography bundles. BuyDig.com is most known for their bundle bargains on photography equipment and has been in the business for decades. Whether you're looking for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, they have connections to the top name brands in the photography industry. Capture your best photos wherever you are (in relation to the subject) with the best lens for the job over at BuyDig.com's Lens Page. Whether you're shooting on a Canon, Nikon, Sony A or E-Mount, Fujifilm X Mount, or more, you can find everything from wide-angle to telephoto zoom, from macro to fisheye at BuyDig.com! UPDATE: 7:15 p.m. The hazmat team arrived on scene just after 5:30 p.m. "The hazmat team made entry and were able to gather some video," said West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund. "After viewing the video we have determined that it would require additional expertise," Brolund said. That additional expertise will come from the RCMP. "The situation is stable. We are comfortable from a public safety perspective. We will be here for a couple of hours to determine the next steps and to support the RCMP," Brolund added. UPDATE: 4:22 p.m. RCMP and paramedics are now also on scene at the hazmat incident at National Storage. UPDATE: 3:50 p.m. The hazmat situation on the Westside does not apparently involve a fire, but rather a chemical spill. Firefighters at the scene are awaiting the arrival of a hazmat team. ORIGINAL: 3:30 p.m. Firefighters and hazmat crews have been called to a West Kelowna storage facility. There is reportedly a fire at National Storage on Westlake Road, beside Highway 97. The severity of that fire is not yet known, but Castanet has a reporter headed to the scene. We will update with more details as they come in. Send your news, photos and video to [email protected] Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut. Juniper Networks, Inc. designs, develops, and sells network products and services worldwide. The company offers routing products, such as ACX series universal access routers to deploy high-bandwidth services; MX series Ethernet routers that function as a universal edge platform; PTX series packet transport routers; wide-area network SDN controllers; and session smart routers. It also provides switching products, including EX series Ethernet switches to address the access, aggregation, and core layer switching requirements of micro branch, branch office, and campus environments; QFX series of core, spine, and top-of-rack data center switches; and juniper access points, which provide Wi-Fi access and performance. In addition, the company offers security products comprising SRX series services gateways for the data center; Branch SRX family provides an integrated and next-generation firewall; virtual firewall that delivers various features of physical firewalls; and advanced malware protection, a cloud-based service and Juniper ATP. Further, it offers Junos OS, a network operating system; Contrail networking, which provides an open-source and standards-based platform for SDN; Mist AI-driven Wired, Wireless, and WAN assurance solutions to set and measure key metrics; Mist AI-driven Marvis Virtual Network Assistant, which identifies the root cause of issues; Juniper Paragon Automation, a modular portfolio of cloud-native software applications; and Juniper Apstra to automate the network lifecycle in a single system. Additionally, the company provides software-as-a-service, technical support, maintenance, and professional services, as well as education and training programs. It sells its products through direct sales, distributors, value-added resellers, and original equipment manufacturers to end-users in the cloud, service provider, and enterprise markets. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The company offers investment servicing products and services, including custody; product accounting; daily pricing and administration; master trust and master custody; depotbank services; record-keeping; cash management; foreign exchange, brokerage and other trading services; securities finance and enhanced custody products; deposit and short-term investment facilities; loans and lease financing; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors. It also engages in the provision of portfolio management and risk analytics, as well as trading and post-trade settlement services with integrated compliance and managed data. In addition, the company offers investment management strategies and products, such as core and enhanced indexing, multi-asset strategies, active quantitative and fundamental active capabilities, and alternative investment strategies. Further, it provides services and solutions, including environmental, social, and governance investing; defined benefit and defined contribution; and global fiduciary solutions, as well as exchange-traded fund under the SPDR ETF brand. The company provides its products and services to mutual funds, collective investment funds and other investment pools, corporate and public retirement plans, insurance companies, foundations, endowments, and investment managers. State Street Corporation was founded in 1792 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. If youve been told you need knee arthroscopy, then read on: It may be unnecessary. I dont want to alarm you. I have recommended arthroscopic surgery to many of my patients over the years. But the latest article published in the British Medical Journal calls that procedure into question. I know, I know. I can hear many of you saying, Wait a minute. If my doctor says I need my knee scoped, why should I question that? Dont they know better than I do? Of course, they do. But they should follow the same guidelines that all good physicians follow. Look at the data and if the data show you should treat a problem differently, make the change. When I was in medical school, everyone who had hernia surgery was hospitalized the night before and put to bed for five days after because surgeons were worried that the stitches would come out. And it was considered malpractice not to do the surgery in the hospital. Today, hernia surgery is done on an outpatient basis and you get to rest in your own bed afterwards. Why? Because as studies came out indicating better ways to do things, procedures changed. The same is true of knee arthroscopy. Were doing too many of them, according to research published in the BMJ. The study looked at older people, meaning people over 50. (P.S., Im 70 so I consider 50 to be younger people. Its relative, isnt it?) All had MRI evidence of a meniscus tear. The meniscus is the cushion in your knee that allows your joint to move smoothly. All those in the study had symptoms of their condition. Some had pain that just wouldnt go away, while others had bouts of sudden pain. Some had swelling, others had moderate difficulty straightening their knee or walking. Since the MRI showed a tear, the logical thing for these people would be to go in with a scope and trim off the part of the meniscus that was causing the problem. Voila! Youre done. Well, it turns out that 80 percent to 90 percent of the time, if you just go to physical therapy and exercise every day and I do mean every day, with the right exercises youll do just as well as with surgery. Not only that, but the study showed that exercisers had stronger knees at three months out than those who had the surgery. Now, I know what many of you are thinking. How can the body fix itself when there is a defect? The answer is: Were not static like a door hinge. We have a body that can actually heal itself. Not 100 percent of the time, but 80 percent to 90 percent of the time, in this case. Those are pretty good odds. The editorial that accompanied the BMJ article wondered why we are spending $3 billion a year on a procedure that many do not need. The procedure, by the way, is the most common one done by orthopedic surgeons. My spin: If your doctor says you need knee arthroscopy, say youd like to have physical therapy first. Take anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen for the pain and when it comes to exercise, commit yourself to do it. If youre a couch potato who isnt going to exercise, then maybe going under the surgical knife is right for you but it is the wrong choice. Stay well. Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. This segment operates 54 branch locations and 307 ATMs throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, and a customer service center, as well as through online and mobile banking. The Commercial Banking segment provides corporate banking, commercial real estate loans, commercial lease financing, auto dealer financing, and deposit products. It offers commercial lending and deposit products to middle-market and large companies, and government entities; commercial real estate mortgages to investors, developers, and builders; and international banking and merchant services. The Treasury and Other segment offers corporate asset and liability management services, including interest rate risk management and foreign exchange services. Bank of Hawaii Corporation was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. Archbishop Welby: 'It is our duty to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem just as they did in Nehemiah' The Archbishop of Canterbury has visited Jesus house to speak about the 'Thy Kingdom Come' prayer movement. Joined by his wife, Caroline, Archbishop Justin Welby gave a very special thanks to Pastor Agu Irukwu, the Senior Pastor at Jesus House, which is one of the biggest Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) churches in the whole of the UK. He thanked him for his pastorial care, continuous support and also their strong friendship. The Archbishop spoke about the Thy Kingdom Come prayer movement, the global prayer initiative which invites Christians around the world for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. What started out as an invitation from the Archbishops' of Canterbury and York in 2016 to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer. The service included an opening prayer, praise and worship and also a few words from Pastor Agu Irukwu. More than 300 people were in attendence along with pastors from different Redeemed parishes around London. Special guests who led the church into prayer also included the Leader of The Chinese Church, Rev Siew Ong and Rev Steve Clifford from The Council of Evangelical Alliance. Giving a message titled 'The walls and gates of the Churches' , Archbishop Justin Welby spoke about Nehemiah and compared his life to that of the world we live in today. 'He liked everything to be done orderly. He had his to do list and ticked it off, so everyday he knew what needed to be done. Which is something we need to also do today.' He also spoke about the Thy Kingdom Come movement and how it's growth has inspired people all over the world. 'It all started as something small, I didn't want that many people involved but I knew it would be strong' he said. 'It then turned into a Holy Spirit thing and has been working around the world.' Archbishop Welby then reminded us about the importance of prayer and why this intercession for the world through this movement is so strong and meaningful. 'When we name our problems before God, we tell him about our issues and in that split second, we are able to realise how small it is in God's eyes. 'When we first started the movement we didn't expect much, but even up to today over 2 million people around the world have looked at our pages. Last week I recieved an email from one of our partners in Asia who told us they had translated our posts in another 6 different langauges that we hadn't thought of because it was so popular in the area. '300 thousand copies have been distributed across the world and it is no longer a Church of England thing but its a Church of God thing, and that it why it is so special. 'Prayer really pleases the heart of God and brings unity and order when the work of the devil is to bring disorder and seperation. 'As a nation, it is our duty to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem just as they did in Nehemiah. If God calls us to pray its because he calls us to act.' He concluded with 'We cannot always change the world, but let us pray that God will show us a fresh working calling for our lives so we can change the people around us.' The Thy Kingdom Come global prayer movement started on May 25 and will finish June 4. You can stay updated through their website here and continue to pray for the world around us. Christian candidates in the spotlight: 'Gay cure' and Brexit in Brighton With the General Election 2017 just days away Christian Today is zooming in on some crucial battleground seats where Christian candidates are in the spotlight. Kirsty Adams has found herself catapulted to national news headlines but not for the reasons she would have wanted. A recording emerged of the Conservative candidate speaking about a faith healing she had been a part of. Adams, running in the tight marginal seat of Hove and Portslade, was speaking at a Christian conference relaying the story of how she had prayed for a man deaf in the both ears who could later hear. She defended her account robustly telling The Mirror, who broke the story: 'Like millions of Christians in the UK, I believe in praying to help people.' She added: 'Millions of Christians around the world pray for people's health - that's a good thing isn't it?' But the controversy surrounding her faith continued after it emerged the church she used to attend in Bedford had attempted to 'cure' gay people. Adams went to Kings' Arms Church in Bedfordshire for many years and a 2010 story in The Observer exposed it's attempts to 'cure' LGBT congregants through driving out their 'demons' with prayer. Although not part of the church leadership, she was linked to the Church through her own attendance and her husband who was named as a director of the Church from 2010-2013, according to Companies' House records. She rapidly distanced herself from the church, saying she supported the government bringing in same-sex marriage four-years ago, but her Labour rival jumped on the story. Peter Kyle won the seat in 2015 in one of the few seats to swing away from the Tories. After just two years in parliament Kyle, who is gay himself, is being forced to defend his slender majority of just 1,236. Along with other Labour figures, Kyle has sought to make the most of Adams' apparent weakness. 'People who think in the 21st century that being gay is something that needs 'curing' ... need to take a very long, hard think about their own grounding in modern life,' he said according to the Independent. 'The most offensive thing that someone standing for high office can do is not give somebody a straight answer to an honest question.' He added: 'And regardless of how many LGBT people live locally this is a central issue to public debate and it is absolutely fair that a member of the public should know what somebody who aspires to parliament holds as their core views regarding equality.' But perhaps even more damming for Adams' campaign is her refusal to outline where she stands on Brexit. Hove is one of the most anti-Brexit seats in the country with 64 per cent backing Remain. But whereas her opponent Kyle has been outspoken in his opposition to Brexit, Adams refused three times to answer the question, simply saying she is 'Theresa May's woman'. Employing Theresa May's tactic of not answering questions from local reporters has not done her any favours with the paper, The Argus, simply reporting the exchange. Here is what she said: Which way did you vote on Brexit? I didn't campaign for the outs and I didn't campaign for the ins. I think we've got to look to the future and that's what I'm about. But how did you vote? I've just said to you I didn't campaign for the in team and I didn't campaign for the out team. But I asked which way you voted. I'm not going to answer that question. What would you do to protect Hove from the potential fallout from a hard Brexit? I'll want to contribute to make sure we don't get high tariffs. On a practical level, in my house all my white goods are German. And that's because they don't break down. And my car is German. And it doesn't break down. So I think it's in the best interests of Germany and other countries to make sure they get a good deal and we get a good deal. Gay marriage in church in Scotland threatens more division for world Anglicans Gay weddings in British churches may be legalised for the first time next week with the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) likely to change their definition of marriage. In a move that will further emphasise divisions in the global Anglican church, Scottish bishops will recommend that priests be allowed to preside over same-sex marriages. The major change in teaching is expected to pass after six of the seven local diocesan synods agreed to the proposal. The change also includes measures to 'protect' more conservative parishes that do not want to marry same-sex couples. The SEC's general synod will be asked at its meeting on June 8-10 to pass a motion that removes the understanding of marriage as 'a physical, spiritual and mystical union of one man and one woman'. The teaching will read: 'In the light of the fact that there are differing understandings of the nature of marriage in this Church, no cleric of this Church shall be obliged to conduct any marriage against their conscience.' The motion must pass by a two-thirds majority in all three sections of the synod bishops, clergy and laity and insiders suggest this is likely to happen. One senior source is quoted in The Herald as saying 'given what happened last year and with the diocese, people are expecting it to go through'. The repercussions of the move are likely to be significant with traditionalists already lining up to take action. GAFCON, a grouping of largely African and American conservative church leaders, are promising to plant a 'missionary bishop' to provide 'alternative oversight' for conservative parishes who no longer feel able to pledge allegiance to their local bishop. In a communique announcing its decision, the group said: 'Of immediate concern is the reality that the Scottish Episcopal Church is likely to formalise its rejection of Jesus' teaching on marriage. If this were to happen, faithful Anglicans in Scotland will need appropriate pastoral care.' If carried out, these threats would in practice see a split in the Church. One set of bishops would oversee the majority of Episcopal churches. Another set of bishops would effectively oversee a separate church made up of a minority of dissenters claiming the mainstream church had abandoned 'authentic' Anglicanism and the 'unchanging, transforming Gospel'. Other than the local fissure, the move may also provoke a reaction from the Archbishop of Canterbury, who threatened 'consequences' for the SEC if they legalised same-sex marriage. Justin Welby does not have official jurisdiction over the Scottish church, but as head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, of which the SEC is a part, he is seen as 'first among equals' when it comes to leadership. In an attempt to hold the Communion together, The Episcopal Church TEC in the US were issued the same 'consequences' at a meeting of global Anglican leaders last January. That led to TEC leaders removed from decision making at official Anglican meetings. However conservatives are not satisfied and claim the consequences have not been fully implemented. Despite attempts to heal the wounds since last January, a similar compromise agreement is unlikely this time and traditionalists will either insist on a proper rebuke to the Scottish bishops or they will walk away. However this threat is equally unlikely to sway Scottish bishops. Warned of the consequences last year, the head Scottish bishops, Most Rev David Chillingworth, Primus of the SEC, said we 'will not change what we do'. He added: 'Maybe it is a price worth paying for the ultimate healing of the Communion.' A result is expected next Thursday afternoon. How can one of the world's most famous churches be in danger of actually falling down? One of the most iconic churches in the world is in serious danger. Reports say concern is so high among experts that emergency work is required to prevent further damage at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. While the French government gives around two million dollars to the building each year, the repairs needed over the next ten years are thought to be over 100 million dollars. 'The flying buttresses are in a pretty bad state and we can't afford them falling down because it would risk the structure of the whole cathedral. It's urgent,' said Michel Picaud, of the Friends of Notre Dame de Paris foundation, speaking to France 24. Notre Dame is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris, and was built between 1163 and 1345 AD. It is one of the most popular visitor attractions in France and is famous the world over for its bells and gargoyles. Depite being attacked during the Fench Revolution, it retains a worshipping community today. Those fundraising for the urgent repairs are hoping that wealthy backers can be found to fund a significant proportion of the bill. One aim is to find American philanthropists who would be interested in giving a large amount to the fund. Pentecost - what is it and why is it so important? What is Pentecost? Pentecost is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. The story is recounted in the Book of Acts. 'When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place,' we are told. 'Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.' We go on to read about Peter's preaching, the initial confusion of the crowd and then the thousands who were added to their number that day. The crowds were gathered to mark the Jewish celebration of Shavuot. When is Pentecost? As the name suggests, Pentecost is marked 50 days on from Easter. It marks the end of the Easter season. It is celebrated on Pentecost Sunday but also special prayer events often take place in the preceding days. How does the Church celebrate Pentecost? The celebrations are numerous and diverse. However, in western churches, they will often involve red banners, robes and other items to indicate the fire of the Holy Spirit (Bishop's mitres are in the shape of flames, to remind us of the fire that fell on the apostles). The nine days preceding Pentecost have traditionally been a time of prayer and anticipation, sometimes called the Novena. In the UK, Pentecost was often known as Whitsun. The following week would traditionally be a holiday time, which lasted until 1978 when the bank holiday on Whit Monday was secularized to become the Spring Bank Holiday. In the North West of England, whit walks often still take place, sometimes with banners and bands. In many traditions, special prayers will be said for the renewal of the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Baptisms often take place on Pentecost Sunday. What has this go to do with Pentecostals? Pentecostals trace their roots back to a revival in the early 20th Century in California. Ever since then, Pentecostalism has thrived on a direct experience of the Holy Spirit in expression similar to that recounted in the Acts account of the first Pentecost. In many Pentecostal churches, though, specific days aren't really set aside, so while some will mark Pentecost this Sunday, it's more likely that it will be a 'normal' Sunday in many Pentecostal congregations. Restored church for ancient Christian community lifts hopes of new unity in Cyprus A restored 14th century church of Ayia Marina Skyllouras in Nicosia, Cyprus has been handed to the island's tiny Maronite Christian community. Maronite Archbishop Joseph Soueif led worshippers, including EU ambassadors and representatives from the UN, in hymns and psalsm in Aramaic, Cyprus Mail reports Takis Hadjidemetriou, a Greek Cypriot member of the technical committee said, 'What we are looking at today seems like an impossible dream'. This was the prospect of the return of Maronite Christians to a traditional Maronite village that is largely unoccupied and fenced off as part of a military encampment. Maronites are allowed back to worship in the church on Sundays. Prior to it becoming a military camp, Turkish Cypriots and Maronites lived together in the village for centuries. The restoration of the church in Ayia Marina has been done to ensure that children and grandchildren of the Maronites can connect with their heritage, their identity and religion in the same church as their forbears, worshippers were told. The church restoration began in July last year and was funded entirely by the European Union. Archbishop Soueif said the church is a 'sign of hope for our beloved Cyprus'. It represented hope for confidence building in Cyprus, as the villagers and Maronite Cypriots had showed that their people can live together, he added. Referring to the upcoming dinner of leaders with the UN Secretary General in New York, he said: 'We want to achieve and we hope to have a reunited Cyprus.' Such a Cyprus should be an oasis of peace in the region, with no room for conflict, hatred and divisions, the Archbishop concluded. Espionage is said to be the worlds second-oldest profession, but the spy thriller as a genre is only as old as the professional intelligence services created by the modern nation-state. Joseph Conrads The Secret Agent (1907) is considered the spy thrillers foundational work, but spies have long appeared in literature, from the Bibles Book of Joshua to Alexandre Dumas to Arthur Conan Doyle. Im by no means a connoisseur of the genre, yet Im surprised that it took me as long as it did to discover its American master, Alan Furst. Though Furst has been making his living as a writer of spy fiction since the early 1980s, his is not a household name like that of John Le Carre, Ian Fleming, or Tom Clancy. None of Fursts books have made it to the big screen, which is regrettable, since he is a first-rate craftsman of highly cinematic narratives. He is also simply a very good writer, whose sophisticated and richly imagined fiction often evokes Conrad, Graham Greene, and Arthur Koestler. Like those earlier writers, Furst has much to say about history and the human condition. Probably the most relevant comparison here is with Le Carre, who has more or less defined the literary high end of the spy genre since The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963). (A good Le Carre retrospective can be found in the Winter 2016/17 issue of the Claremont Review of Books.) Le Carre did his best work during the Cold War, in the shadow of the Cambridge spy-ring disasters that shook the clubby, mid-century world of British intelligence. But his books are only obliquely about the Cold War. He isnt interested in the meaning or significance of that conflict; rather, he is obsessed with what he sees as the moral ambiguity of espionage in the service of democracyan activity that he seems to regard as vaguely pointless. His novels are character-driven and light on historical and political context, focusing instead on betrayal, alienation, and the uncertain motives of his charactershalf-devils versus half-angels, as one puts it. By contrast, Furst is quite interested in what happens when individuals, nations, and their clandestine services are tested under conditions of great stress, when the stakes are at their highest. His subject is European civilization on the eve of its self-immolation in the Second World Warnot only the most destructive conflict in history but also one in which intelligence played an important strategic role. Fursts Night Soldiers cycle, written between 1988 and 2016, consists of more than a dozen books, each a self-contained novel with its own particular geographical and political setting, but with overlapping characters and settings. Taken together, Night Soldiers forms a gorgeous, complex tableau of Old Europe and its various peoples slipping across the abyss of time. Fursts narratives are so rich in texture and detail that the effect is completely immersive. The books have a time-machine quality, transporting the reader fully into a particular time and place: a Bulgarian fishing village on the banks of the Danube; a French prison; an NKVD spy school in Moscow; the backstreets and alleys of Antwerp and Istanbul; Madrid under siege by Nationalist columns; and others. Always, Furst returns to Paris, a city he clearly loves. He has a sophisticated, tactile feel for the intellectual, ideological, and political currents of the period, and he weaves them into the novels, giving them a depth rarely found in the genre. Unlike Fleming and Le Carre, Furst had no professional experience in espionage or its allied trades (other than journalism), which makes his books all the more remarkable. He is a writer, pure and simple, and he bears the mild manner of an Upper West Side New York intellectual, which is what he is. He relies on the traditional tools of the writers craft: skill with words, plot, characterization, imagination, and exhaustive research. The narratives rely heavily on the nuts and bolts of the spys tradecraft. Fursts grasp of these technical details is thoroughly convincing, but he never lets the technical arcana get in the way of the human element. Even minor characters are three-dimensional, never descending into cliches. Furst gets Russia right, or plausibly so. Westerners struggle to write convincing historical fiction involving Russia. Bernard Malamuds The Fixer (1966) comes to mind as a rare exception, but most other attempts strike a cacophony of false notes, making such books hard to enjoy. Furst knows his subject, however. He understands, for example, that Stalins NKVD was more than a service for the collection of foreign intelligenceit was a lethal, clandestine army that sought to bring all of Europe under Soviet influence or domination. Dark Star (1991), the second book in the Night Soldiers cycle, is brilliant in depicting the mechanics of this project. In the series eponymous first novel (1988), Fursts portrayal of the NKVDs role in the brutal internecine warfare within the Republican side of the Spanish Civil War is equally compelling, owing much to Orwells Homage to Catalonia. His grasp of the deadly politics of Stalins inner circle is remarkable, especially considering that the early Night Soldiers books were written before the opening of the Kremlin archives. The authenticity of Fursts narratives is so persuasive that his occasional lapses stand out: a Russian word oddly transliterated; a Russian character celebrating Christmas on the Western calendar, instead of the Orthodox; NKVD officers driving around eastern Poland after the invasion in a sedan that was first produced only after the war. Its regrettable that Hollywood has not taken more interest in the Night Soldiers books. From Schindlers List to Star Wars, the visual vocabulary of evil in our popular culture is dominated by Nazi imagery, a fact with considerable political implications. Americans believeincorrectlythat they understand the threat from the political Right in part because those SS uniforms and the German stahlhelm are forever associated in the public imagination with right-wing depravity. But while we have access to a rich archive of photographic evidence of Nazi atrocities, whatever photographic evidence of Communist atrocities may exist is locked away in KGB vaults. No American GI ever liberated a KGB slave labor camp, and as a result, Communist evil remains fairly abstract for most Americans. Though the Bolsheviks paid as much attention to visual propaganda as did the Nazis, the iconography of the political Left hasnt penetrated the American mind. Perhaps one in 100 Americans has heard the word gulag; probably not one in 10,000 has seen a photograph from the Gulag or could identify an OGPU officer by sight. In contrast to the sartorial flair of Hugo Bosss Nazi uniforms, the Communist contribution to totalitarian fashion is the Che t-shirt, which makes the butcher of Havana look sexy and non-threatening. But Furst knows his Gulag literature and incorporates its imagery into his narratives. Bringing his novels to the big screen would help in the much-needed rebalancing of our moral balance sheet. I wonder about the future of the spy genre in our digital, post-historical era. The essence of espionage is informationspecifically, information about the capabilities and intentions of friends and adversaries. The mechanics of this trade has always been the bread and butter of the spy thriller. The whole first half of Le Carres masterpiece Smileys People, for example, turns on the physical transportation of a single incriminating frame of negative film across national frontiers by couriers, several of whom end up dead. That was the analog world of the Cold War. Our digital world, in which the contents of the Library of Congress can be encrypted and transmitted across the globe with the touch of a key, is far less dramatic and does not lend itself as easily to romance. Kim Philby spent the better part of two decades transcribing the crown jewels of British and American intelligence secrets by hand and turning them over to the KGB. As current headlines attest, a single computer hack or anonymous leak today can yield a far bigger cache of secrets. Do spies still use dead drops? Brush passes? Microdots? Invisible ink? Do they still meet their contacts in smoky cafes and secluded parks? Many of these gritty noir devices may have been retired and replaced by banks of computer screens in the sub-basements of Northern Virginia office parks. All of which makes the spy genre poorer and more antiseptic. We are left with stylish but vapid movies about superheroes like Jason Bourne, pursued by cartoonish CIA assassins. The digital world also changes our perceptions of political crime, of which espionage is a sub-species. Without the physical Watergate break-in and the amateur-hour rifling through DNC file cabinets, there would have been no scandal. In contrast, the political scandals of the last election cycle seem mired in the geek-squad arcana of passwords, servers, and hard drives. They lack the visceral physicality of Watergate, which is why they are unlikely to amount to much, despite the wishes of political partisans. The passing of the Cold War era has also been bad for the spy genre. Despite Le Carres obsession with the alleged ambiguity of the Cold War, that conflict served as a moral anchor for his books. When it ended, Le Carre became unmoored, descending disappointingly into traditional upper-class British distaste for commerce and the Yanks. The second-oldest profession will probably remain with us as long as sovereign states exist. But we suffer from a great historical amnesia: an entire generation has grown up without any understanding of what the great ideological conflicts of the twentieth century were about. Mention the Cold War to them, and you might as well be talking about the War of Jenkins Ear. We are fortunate to have Alan Furst to bring the struggles of our receding past vividly to life. Photo by Central Press Cancer charity Macmillan has appointed Dr Karen Roberts as its first chief of nursing and allied health professionals (AHPs). The role is a first for the charity, and was created in recognition of the vital part nurses and AHPs play both in Macmillans work and across wider cancer care. Dr Karen Roberts joined Macmillan on Monday from Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust where she was a nurse consultant. She was previously a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in palliative care and gynaecological oncology. Macmillan says the move comes against the backdrop of increasing numbers of people being diagnosed with and surviving cancer in the UK. The charity estimates there are 2.5 million living with cancer in the UK, which could rise to 4 million people by 2030. The appointment also comes at a time when the charity warns that nurses and AHPS are under increasing levels of stress and are not given the time and space for career development and training. In the new role, Roberts will provide leadership and expertise, representing the perspective of nurses and AHPs, as well as engaging with those working in both professions across the UK. She will also play a key role in the charitys work in contributing to the national debate around nursing and AHP roles in cancer care. On her appointment, Roberts said: I have been proud to be a Macmillan nurse for many years and I am thrilled to be joining the charity in this new role. Increasing numbers of people are surviving cancer, and the role of nurses and AHPs is becoming even more essential to meet their ongoing needs, such as well-being during and after treatment. We need to make sure that nurses and AHPs are well resourced, equipped and confident in facing up to the considerable future challenge cancer poses the health service. Lynda Thomas, chief executive of Macmillan, said: Every person diagnosed with cancer should have access to the indispensable support of nurses and AHPs. This means health care professionals must be happy, well supported, and able to make the best use of their skills. Karen will be there to articulate and represent the concerns of nurses and AHPs at the highest level, so that people with cancer receive the best possible care. Karens impressive and varied expertise in cancer care as a nursing consultant means she is perfectly placed to play a central role in shaping Macmillans approach to a wide range of issues affecting cancer patients and the workforce that cares for them. Civil Society Media is hosting its Charity People & Culture Conference on 20 September. For more information, and to book, click here. RACINE COUNTY A recreational trail project known as Rails to Trails has received a big endorsement from the Legislatures Joint Committee on Finance. The committee voted 12-4 Wednesday night to support bonding of up to $1 million for the acquisition of an approximately 13-mile abandoned railroad corridor of the Canadian Pacific Railway between Dover and Sturtevant. That stretch runs east/slightly northeast from near Vandenboom Road in Dover to Highway H in Sturtevant, according to a written description of the project. The trail also could eventually connect established bike trails on the west end of the county in Burlington to those along Lake Michigan in Racine. The local Rails to Trails effort grew from the Union Grove Community Development Authority and Leadership Union Grove, a civic leadership training organization. Both groups have been championing a trail through the village and beyond. Several communities touched by the CP right-of-way have publicly supported the effort, as has the Racine County government. Supporters of the project say the trail, which would pass through Kansasville, Union Grove, Yorkville, Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant, would increase the places to bike and hike, boost local economies, and bring a positive identity to communities. Vos: call to action Last November Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, told The Journal Times he wanted to work on a bipartisan basis to make Rails to Trails happen here. The Joint Committees vote was a first step; the allocation still needs support from the full Assembly, Senate and Gov. Scott Walkers signature. Vos said Thursday he feels confident the measure will get through the Legislature but hadnt talked with Walker about it yet. Vos said the $1 million figure is just an estimate of what it might cost to gain the use of the CP right of way for a trail that could be used for hiking, biking and possibly snowmobiling in winter. But he said he hopes it will spur Rails to Trails action by the communities along the route. As we see more and more development, recreational opportunities are important to maintain our quality of life, Vos said. Creating a trail from the old rail bed is estimated to cost about $40,000 per mile, proponents have said. The trail created by the Racine County project would connect with and become part of the White River State Trail, which runs along a former rail corridor as it travels by Elkhorn in Walworth County and the city and Town of Burlington and Dover in this county, with a short gap in Burlington. The trail is operated by Walworth and Racine counties. The national Rails to Trails organization is working with the state Department of Natural Resources, Racine County, municipalities and others on the project. Charities spend too little on necessary support for staff and are not transparent because they fear criticism over their costs, according to a report based on insights from their auditors, published in full today. The report, Audit insights: charities - positive impacts in challenging times, is published by the Institute for Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and is based on insights from staff at seven of the largest charity auditors. It says that charities are often "less than transparent" in their reporting to the public, and make "suboptimal spending decisions" because they are concerned about criticism over "the proportion of income not going directly to the cause". It says trustees have often spent on what they think will be perceived well by supporters, not what is needed by the charity and its beneficiaries. It says charities have been guilty of perpetuating the myth that reduced overheads mean the charity is more effective and that this has led to a vicious cycle of underinvestment which has meant too little funding for technology, training, governance and management making the sector less effective as a result. The report also says that many charities are not reporting results transparently, are not recruiting sufficiently diverse trustee boards, and are creating reserves policies to justify their existing funds, rather than to meet strategic need. Spend on need, not perception "Trustees and management have often shied away from making investment decisions because they believe that it will impact negatively on how they are perceived," the report says. This is due to the misleading belief that charities can be measured and compared by looking at their expenditure and the income raised. This belief has resulted in underinvestment in vital areas such as information technology, skills training, income generating processes and governance and management. Charities are also to blame by perpetuating the myth that reduced overheads mean the charity is more effective. This leads to a vicious cycle of underinvestment and this can actually lead to a deterioration in a charitys performance. "Charities should be ready to make the necessary investment in infrastructure based on what is needed rather than how it may be perceived." Report transparently Charities need to be more pro-active in explaining the impact of their work, the report says. It says the failure to provide information about what the charity achieves "is creating a deficit gap which is being filled with flawed commentary about cost and expenditure ratios". "Figures in financial statements are often a poor measure of the effectiveness of charities. Because charities often fail to provide other vital information on a consistent basis, these figures are often used as a spurious measure of effectiveness," it says. It said charities can make "suboptimal spending decisions" to make figures appear better in financial reports, and can be "less than transparent" about costs, to make themselves appear more attractive to supporters. Recruit the right trustees "A number of charities have rules and structures that can prevent them from attracting all the skills they need," the report says. "For example, the rules may require that the board is elected from a particular constituency and, while this can be important, it needs to be recognised that good representation is not necessarily the same as good governance. If the election process does not lead to the right mix of skills then it should be supplemented by selection. "Charities also need to ensure there are fresh perspectives on the board. Diversifying the board can boost public confidence, bring additional expertise and generate new ideas that improve the impact of a charitys work. "Studies suggest that many trustee chairs are white and male; charities should do more to attract trustees from under-represented sections of our communities." In Charity Finance Develop effective reserves policies The report says that too many charities have reserves policies to justify their existing reserves rather than considering what reserves are actually needed. It says charities should use accounts to explain longer-term trends in their reserve levels, for example over five years, rather than focusing on each year in isolation. "While there has been guidance from the regulator on reserves policies, some trustees continue to pay lip service to the recommendations," the report says. "Charities need to consider relevant guidance and how this applies to their circumstances." Civil Society Media is hosting the Charity Finance Summit on 17 October 2017. For more information, and to book, click here A typical episode of Journal Rappe begins with Senegalese rapper Makhtar Xuman Fall dressed in a suit and seated behind a news desk. At first glance, the show looks like an ordinary newscast. But then Xuman (pronounced human) launches into his intro, rapping in French instead of talking. Welcome! Make yourself comfortable. These are the news for you. Some good ones and bad ones too. But theyre all news for you. The set is professional if simple, with a news ticker running across the bottom of the screen and images, videos, or interviews to accompany the weeks stories. At 10 to 12 minutes long, it airs weekly on Dakar television channel 2STV, after the traditional Friday evening news. Xuman and his co-host, Cheikh Keyti Sene, who raps in Wolof, one of Senegals primary local languages, have been friends for 20 years. They launched Journal Rappe on YouTube in 2013 and quickly gained a loyal following, averaging 45,000 weekly views. Their goal, they say, was to make national and international politics resonate with young people. Its about how we can use hip hop and rap to do something more, to learn something, Xuman says. TRENDING: We tested paywalls at NYTimes, WSJ, WashPo and more. All of them were pretty leaky, except one. Sign up for CJR 's daily email The two take on a variety of topics, from politics and education to religion, the environment, and immigration. Some issues are touchier than others, says Keyti, citing those that relate to religion as among the most sensitive in Senegal, which is 95 percent Muslim. We have more and more debates about religion, the importance of religion, and how it is to be targeted as Muslim once you are outside a Muslim country. The show has also taken on terrorism and radicalization, both growing concerns. The rappers have also broached the topic of homosexuality, a particularly sensitive issue in a country where same-sex acts are illegal. Even telling people we should have the debate [about homosexuality] gets us attacked, Keyti says, citing verbal criticism and online harassment. I dont really care. At some point someone has to be courageous. We need to talk about it, not because the West wants us to or because foreign aid is linked to those things, but because we as a society have to grow. Journal Rappe has also reached beyond Senegals borders. With support from the Open Society Foundations, Keyti and Xuman have worked with rappers in Cote dIvoire, Mauritania, Uganda, Madagascar, and Jamaica to foster similar approaches to the news. Next year the rapping duo plans to start training rappers as correspondents in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso. In every single country in West Africa, youth are the majority of the population, so its important to engage with the youth, says Abdul Tejan-Cole, executive director for the Open Society Initiative in West Africa. We normally speak a language that does not resonate, soto connect to the youth, weve got to speak a language that they understand, he said in a 2015 interview for the Open Society Initiative for West Africa. Using music and using arts as a means of connecting with people provides an opportunity to break that gap, to breach the mistrust that exists. ICYMI: Startup that promises no-bullshit journalism nets serious cash A popular segment (over 90,000 views on YouTube) from 2015 featured a young Gambian rapper, Killa Ace, talking about life under Yahya Jammeh, a dictator who ruled Gambia for 22 years until he was voted out of office in December. (Jammeh initially refused to accept election results, and didnt cede power until January.) In the segment, Xuman asks Killa Ace to tell viewers about freedom of speech in Gambia. Yes, sir, that question is interesting which has a lot of points I would love to mention, he responds in rap. First, saying the wrong things you end up in detention. TV is controlled by hmm. His name I cant mention. Yo, its crazy how were living out here. Were scared to speak our mind because were really living in fear. Thats how were living here. As soon as you cross the border, you feel it in the air. Rap has long played an important role in Senegalese politics. In their 2014 book, The Arts of Citizenship in African Cities, authors Mamadou Diouf and Rosalind Fredericks describe how rap has been used as a political tool and a means of youth mobilization since the 1980s. It opens up the field of democratic communication to those positions on the outside of legitimate knowledge and public debate, they write. Though in its early years Senegalese rap was significantly influenced by rap from the US and France, it quickly found its own form rooted in local culture and language. In 2011, a coalition of journalists and rappers in Senegal founded the Yen a Marre (Fed Up) movement, which organized widespread protests against then-president Abdoulaye Wades proposed amendments to the constitution. (One amendment would have reduced the percentage of votes required to win the first round of elections from 50 to 25. Another would have created the role of vice president, which many people interpreted as Wades intention to bring his son, Karim, into power alongside him.) The Yen a Marre movement is credited with playing a significant role in both the rejection of Wades proposed amendments and Wades loss in the 2012 elections to President Macky Sall. Its success inspired similar activist groups in other countries, such as Balai Citoyen in Burkina Faso and Filimbi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. TRENDING: The new meaning of new media While public response to Journal Rappe has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, some in Senegals journalism community were initially unsure what to make of it. Some of them were really impressed, but some of them were like, How dare you touch the mighty news? says Xuman. Wanting to take on some of the most important issues facing their country but not wanting to get into arguments over whether or not they are real journalists, Keyti and Xuman call themselves journartists, and consider what they produce to be edutainment. Even as journartists, their impact on the media landscape in Senegal has been considerable. They take their role seriously, says Xuman, adding that they regularly work with experienced journalists to verify information before writing and recording their lyrics. Its very important for us to inform ourselves, he says. If they defy tidy classification, all the better. Not fitting into one category gives a lot of freedom. We normally speak a language that does not resonate with the youth. Weve got to speak a language they understand. Bineta Diagne, a Senegalese journalist working for Radio France International, recalls discovering Journal Rappe on YouTube in its early days and being immediately impressed. The basic concept of what theyre doing is journalistic, she says, citing how they incorporate interviews, vox pop, and analysis in the show. The journalistic base is there but the result is more creative. She says the show enriches Senegals vast media landscape, which includes private radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and a burgeoning audiovisual sector. On the musical front, the project has breathed new life into Keyti and Xumans work as rappers. Its exciting, a new avenue for being creative, says Keyti. Its important that we have fun when doing it, and most of the time when were here at night recording, we laugh at ourselves. Though the show is often focused on serious and potentially controversial issues, humor plays an enormous role. Humor helps deal with direct reality, explains Keyti. If its something serious, its still something serious, but maybe taking it from another angle makes it easier to tackle. Xuman and Keyti plan to continue rapping the news as long as the process remains fresh and creative. They also hope to bring the learning-through-rap approach to schools across Senegal, working with teachers to create curriculum that uses rap to help teach history, geography, math, and other subjects. In a changing media landscape, Keyti and Xuman are doing their best to navigate the increasingly complex intersection of news and social media, to create a moment of pause in a swirl of information. In addition to reaching out to youth, one of Journal Rappes aims is to help viewers combat information overload. On Twitter things go really, really fast. People talk about things like children getting killed in Aleppo, and theres outrage for one, two, three days, and then something new happens and everybody forgets about it, says Keyti. We forget whats really important. With the speed of news and social media, Keyti and Xuman arelike many journalists and citizens around the worldincreasingly concerned by the rise of fake news and misinformation. Were convinced that if people are informed that can help create a different type of citizen, who are more aware of the choices theyre making when it comes to politics, says Keyti, emphasizing that access to information should be considered a basic human right. Its important not just that people are informed, but that people are well-informed. From the streets of Dakar to the heartland of the United States, its an observation that resonates, and a good reminder of what it takes for journalism to thrive and for democracy to exist. For me, this is one of the purposes of Journal Rappe, says Xuman. Were trying to create some energy and to put people together. TRENDING: Six rare images that capture Trumps TV addiction Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Marie Doezema is a Paris correspondent for various international publications. She also serves as the head of the languages department at the Sorbonne's journalism and communications school. PHOTOGRAPHER WILL STEACY set out in 2009 to tell an inspiring story of a newsroomthat of the Philadelphia Inquirer, which made its home on North Broad Street, inside the Tower of Truth, for nearly 90 years. However, Steacys project took an unexpected turn in 2011, when the Inquirer laid off his father, Tom, an editor who had worked for the paper for almost three decades. By the time Steacys work on the project was done, budget woes had forced the Inquirer from its longtime home and its staff had been slashed. In what perhaps is a sign of the times in newspapers, what began as a feel-good inspirational project has instead turned into an ode for journalismall at an outlet that is intensely personal for the photographer behind it. DEADLINE FEATURES TWO VOLUMES: a book of color and black-and-white photographs with an introductory essay by acclaimed Inquirer editor Gene Roberts, and an 80-page, five-section broadsheet newspaper filled with essays by current staffers and alumni, as well as Steacys photos. Deadline strikes a balance that is rare among journalism memoirs and histories: The project is a gratifying study of how journalism is done and undone, with dozens of behind-the-scenes tales told by those who did the work rewarded by 20 Pulitzers and dozens of other prizes. But Steacys photos of his own family and photos and essays involving the extended Inquirer family also make Deadline intensely emotional and personal. Avery Rome, the last editor of the defunct Inquirer Sunday magazine, praises Deadline for its egalitarian nature at a time of cultural skepticism and even antagonism towards journalists work. (A recent New York Times story is headlined: Journalism In the Age of the Body Slam.) Several photosempty trays where ad copy used to sit, a staff portrait with crosses drawn over the faces of departed colleaguesstruck her as really elegiac and so sad. But she also saw Steacys work as validating the work of journalists. Were the everyman, says Rome. And Wills trying to tell the greatest truth, which took a certain valor. As a whole, says Rome, Deadline expresses the truth of an industrya truth that includes the impact of a transformation on its workers. Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project Throughout Deadline, personal and professional narratives are bound. James Steele recounts the vague hunch that spurred his coverage of the 1973 oil crisis with reporting partner Donald Barlett. That hunch launched a reporting partnership that spanned more than three decades and yielded two Pulitzer Prizes, two National Magazine Awards, and numerous investigative breakthroughs. Gene Foremana former managing, deputy, and executive editorprovides a detailed walk-through of his quarter-century with the paper, in which the Inquirer went from local runner-up in the daily newspaper wars to a Pulitzer factory, then went through bankruptcy and financial decline. Such essays carry their weight into the present day; as Foreman notes in his kicker, There persists a tradition of excellence that is proving hard to kill. (The Inquirers current fortunes may only improve: The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, a nonprofit that owns the Inquirers parent company, recently announced donations to support its journalism of at least $60 million.) David Cay Johnston, the investigative journalist who recently acquired pages of Donald Trumps 2005 federal tax return, says the project gives a record to understand how this single newspaper and its leaders built an institution that was a model for serious journalism. I hope copies are in journalism school libraries everywhere, says Johnston. At the moment, this seems unlikely: Steacy published just 1,200 copies of the book and 2,000 copies of the newspaper, and most have been sold. If Deadline is an important contribution to how the public understands the work of local journalists, then its a shame to think it wont be more easily accessible. Projects like this are more important than they were a few years ago, says Allison Steele, daughter of the investigative reporter and a current staffer at the Inquirer. Theres an opportunity for journalists to educate the public about what we do. She contributed an essay to Deadline in which she recounts visits to the newsroom with her father during a time in her childhood when she only knew his work involved a lot of time on the phone, many piles of paperwork and stacks of books. The city is changing, Steele tells CJR. One of the challenges were facing is how to reach members of the community who arent getting coverage, whose interests arent being represented as well as we could. Newsrooms in many communities are up against the same challenge, Steele adds. Things change, they dont stay the same, she says. Hopefully theres another golden age coming. WHEN STEACY BEGAN WORKING on Deadline, he learned that his family included an unbroken five-generation chain of newspapermen that began with his great-great-great-grandfather, founder of The Evening Dispatch in York, Pennsylvania. Discovering 150 years of journalism in his family, and seeing his father forced into retirement, spurred Steacy to develop his projects intensive first-person perspective. Deadline is filled with journalism artifacts uncovered by Steacy in the attic of his familys Philadelphia home: rejection letters, black-and-white newsroom portraits. These are complemented by dozens of moody newsroom tableaus shot while the economic downturn bore down on the nations third-oldest newspaper. Since publishing Deadline, Steacy himself has changed. A career photographer, he currently writes for NowThisNews, which publishes via Snapchat. Ive gone from working on telling a story over five years to telling a dozen in a day, he says. Steacy recognizes the irony in working for a digital-only news organization. Its the polar opposite, a stark contrast to the Inquirer he documented so meticulously. Still, he says his father was proud to hear that his son entered the family business. In his eyes, taking this job made me sixth generation. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Timothy Pratt is a journalist based in the Atlanta area. He has written for The New York Times, The Economist, The Guardian, and many other publications. He also lived in Las Vegas and worked for the Las Vegas Sun from 2001-2009. Hii.. I need to know how to get continuous bill numbers, I have a query which gives Bill numbers Continuously for a month but once the month get ends the bill number will start from one again which is not required it should continue with the last bill numbers which was generated in last month... The Query is... stQuery = " SELECT MAX(substring(st_bill_no from 9 for 15)) FROM sc_bill WHERE dt_bill_date BETWEEN '" & _ Format(FirstDayOfMonth, " yyyy-MM-dd" ) & " ' AND '" & _ Format(LastDayOfMonth.AddDays( 1 ), " yyyy-MM-dd" ) & " '" Thanks In Advance Annapurna anu wrote: WHERE dt_bill_date BETWEEN '" & _ Format(FirstDayOfMonth, "yyyy-MM-dd") & "' AND '" & _ Format(LastDayOfMonth.AddDays(1), "yyyy-MM-dd") & "'" and just leave the Annapurna anu wrote: stQuery = "SELECT MAX(substring(st_bill_no from 9 for 15)) FROM sc_bill" because you are not interested in the dates. If you are still at the design stage, I'd have the st_bill_no split into its subcomponents as separate fields (e.g. chars 1 to 8, 9 to 23, and 24 onwards). You can then used the required middle part as a single numeric entity. What is currently st_bill_no could then be built as an expression field in views that use it; this would give you greater flexibility. Without using a vb timer control, whats the best way to to get a known computer list of on off machines. (the app im making knows host names and ip's) Im just hoping there is a better solution than making my own service that i need to install and run each time the computer boots to communicate with my app. Whats the best method of doing this? Do i need to make a service for each machine to communicate with my app? Ive been out of the loop for programming since visual studio 6. (10 yrs xp though) Back at it again... Thanks for any links/pointers you may provide. To get a "real time" status, you must have a client on the target machines that checks-in with a central database to give it's status. Obviously, a machine that's off cannot give a status so the client application has to check-in when the user hits Windows Shutdown. It would also check-in with a status of Up when the app starts and possibly even check-in with that status every so often. This gives you a current status and you don't have to wait for a report to be generated. Pinging every machine on the network will not give you a "real time" status, but the known status the last time the machine was pinged. If you have a small number of machines, this can give you a status of every machine fairly quickly. This status will fall farther and farther behind the larger the number of machines you have to get a status on. This gives the status of all machines but you have to wait for that status to be generated when you want the report. To prevent this delay, to a point, you would have to have a service running on a server somewhere that just pings the machines all the time and updates the database. This will give a report of the status of the machines the last time it was pinged but you wont have to wait for the report to be generated. Again, even this will fall behind as the number of machines increases. The problem with pinging machines is that the firewalls on them can be configured to block ICMP packets causing the pings to fail and look like the machine is off. A guide to posting questions on CodeProject Click this: Seriously, do it. Dave Kreskowiak System.ItDidntWorkException: Something didn't work as expected.Click this: Asking questions is a skill Seriously, do it. I have a Zebra printer that I need to send a character array to, so that it generates a barcode. I have text and font maping working, by using a RichTextBox and using the Windows PrintDialog. To send a barcode, I need to send something like this: "^XA^BY8,0^FT124,209^BON,8,N,0,N,1,^FDBase Material^FS^XZ" The Printer is on a USB port ("USB002") and does not take the SerialPort.Open() command. Here is my code, which works for other items on USB if I set the SerialPort.PortName = "COM1", just doesn't work for this printer...I'm out of ideas: Try SerialPort1.Open() If Me.SerialPort1.IsOpen() Then Dim buf(Command.Length) As Byte For i As Integer = 0 To (Command.Length - 1 ) buf( 0 ) = Asc(Mid(Command, 1 , 1 )) Next ' send to Printer Me.SerialPort1.ReadExisting() Me.SerialPort1.Write(buf, 0, Command.Length()) ' wait for response Dim ReturnValue As Integer = -99999 Dim start_time As Integer = My.Computer.Clock.TickCount Do Until (Me.SerialPort1.BytesToRead >= 8 Or DemoMode = True) If My.Computer.Clock.TickCount > start_time + 1000 Then DemoMode = True MessageBox.Show( " Printer Meter Timed Out" ) Return ReturnValue Exit Function End If Loop Dim Results As String = Me.SerialPort1.ReadExisting() Dim length = Results.Length() If length < 8 Then MessageBox.Show( " Bad Value Sent To Printer" ) Return True End If End If Catch ex As Exception MessageBox.Show(ex.ToString()) End Try But normally, if you install a Driver on your System, you get an emulated Serial-Port for your USB-Device with which you can access it. Have you took a look at the System-Configuration of your PC-System if there is such a Driver installed ??? I'll try a different method. Thank you for the help. please there's this birthday app an developing and i want it to automatically send message to users at there birthday. please i need your help There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't. In the code block below I am wishing to use a variable in a xxxx.Rows.Count line. Specifically, I'm wanting to take the "R1200s" portion and increment it to R1201s, R1202s, R1203s and so on as the For-Next loop executes. I, of course, already have the DataTable()'s portion defined... no problem there. The code works fine if I write out every single instance but I'd like to shorten it up into a simpler block of code. I've been able to use "i" in every other control with success but getting hung up on only this portion. I've tried something like ("R120" & i & "s"), along with many variations of this but, can find no solution that works with the limited experience I have with VbScript. Any help, a code example or a point in the right direction, is greatly appreciated. VB For i = 1 To 8 Dim Ai As Label = DirectCast (Page.FindControl( " A" & i.ToString()), Label) Dim Si As Hyperlink = DirectCast (Page.FindControl( " S" & i.ToString()), Hyperlink) If R1200s.Rows.Count < Slots.Rows( 0 )(Ri).ToString() +1 Then Ai.Style.Add( " background-color" , " #000000" ) Si.ImageUrl = " images/" & i & " .png" Si.NavigateUrl = " step3.aspx?Time=" & i & " &Date=" & Request.QueryString( " Date" ) & " &Day=" & Request.QueryString( " Day" ) & " &Entry=" & Request.QueryString( " Entry" ) End If Next modified 24-May-17 2:20am. There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't. For i as integer = 0 to R1200s.Rows.Count-1 Next i Hi, I try to create an access 2007 or higher file. I wrote this testcode just an simple form with 2 buttons. Private Sub Button1_Click(sender As Object , e As EventArgs) Handles btnMake.Click Dim dlg As New SaveFileDialog With dlg .Filter = " Access(.accdb)|.accdb" If .ShowDialog = DialogResult.OK Then Dim cat As New ADOX.Catalog() Try cat.Create( " Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.102.0;Data Source=" & .FileName & " ;Persist Security Info=True" ) ' cat.Create("Driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb, *.accdb)};DBQ=" & .FileName) Catch ex1 As Exception MsgBox(ex1.Message) If MsgBox("Is Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable installed?", vbQuestion Or MsgBoxStyle.YesNo) = MsgBoxResult.No Then Try Process.Start("https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13255")
MsgBox("Do it :)", MsgBoxStyle.SystemModal) Catch ex2 As Exception End Try End If Finally cat = Nothing End Try End If End With End Sub Private Sub Button2_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles btnOpen.Click Dim dlg As New OpenFileDialog With dlg .Filter = "Access(.accdb)|.accdb" If .ShowDialog = DialogResult.OK Then Dim OLEConnection As New OleDb.OleDbConnection("Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=" & .FileName & ";Persist Security Info=True") OLEConnection.Open() Dim OLECommand As New OleDb.OleDbCommand("", OLEConnection) ' Before this line you can create a string that holds your build for the table structure Randomize() Dim t As Int64 = Int(Rnd() * 100000 ) Try OLECommand.CommandText = " CREATE TABLE mytable" & t & " (field1 CHAR,field2 NUMBER)" OLECommand.ExecuteNonQuery() MsgBox( " Table " & t & " maded" ) OLECommand.CommandText = " insert into mytable" & t & " values(" " " & t & " " " , " & t & " )" OLECommand.ExecuteNonQuery() OLECommand.Connection.Close() Catch ex As Exception MsgBox(ex.Message) End Try End If End With End Sub Create a table works. However making a file Always fails. Can anyone gives me idaes? I've tryed installing the 32 and 64 bit version of Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable I'm working on a W10 machine 64bit Jan C# string connectionString = string .Format( " Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source={0}" , tbFilename.Text); ADOX.Catalog cat = new ADOX.Catalog(); cat.Create(connectionString); ADOX.Table adoxTable = new ADOX.Table(); adoxTable.Name = ADOX.DataTypeEnum dbType = adoxTable.Columns.Append(, dbType); cat.Tables.Append(adoxTable); ADODB.Connection con = cat.ActiveConnection as ADODB.Connection; con.Close(); My sequence is the same as yours Make file add table The difference is for making the tables: I use sql. But it seems that making files won't work with framework 2. Now with only changing to 4.52 it works Jan Hi - I use the Yahoo Finance API, to get Stock Quotes. The following code is showing a Status of 504. Does this mean that the service is discontinued or that the server is temporarily down? Can anybody suggest an alternative - where the function takes input of Ticker and Date, and gives output of Closing Price? Please ignore the error checks I am doing in the function below, since this is part of a larger macro and excuse the amateurish programming skills! Public Function StockQuote(strTicker As String , Optional dtDate As Variant) ' Date is optional - if omitted, use today. If value is not a date, throw error. If IsMissing(dtDate) Then dtDate = Date Else If Not (IsDate(dtDate)) Then StockQuote = CVErr(xlErrNum) End If End If Dim dtPrevDate As Date Dim strURL As String Dim strCSV As String Dim strRows() As String Dim strColumns() As String Dim dbClose As Double dtPrevDate = dtDate - 7 ' need a previous date cos of API Service ' Compile the request URL with start date and end date strURL = "http://ichart.finance.yahoo.com/table.csv?s=" & strTicker & _ "&a=" & Month(dtPrevDate) - 1 & _ "&b=" & Day(dtPrevDate) & _ "&c=" & Year(dtPrevDate) & _ "&d=" & Month(dtDate) - 1 & _ "&e=" & Day(dtDate) & _ "&f=" & Year(dtDate) & _ "&g=d&ignore=.csv" Set http = CreateObject("MSXML2.ServerXMLHTTP.6.0") http.Open "GET", strURL, False http.Send strCSV = http.responseText ' The most recent information is in row 2 , just below the table headings. ' The price close is the 5th entry If http.readystate = 4 Then If http.Status = 200 Then strRows() = Split(strCSV, Chr(10)) ' split the CSV into rows strColumns = Split(strRows( 1 ), " ," ) ' split the relevant row into columns. 1 means 2nd row, starting at index 0 dbClose = strColumns(4) ' 4 means: 5th position, starting at index 0 Else dbClose = 0 GlobalErrorCount = GlobalErrorCount + 1 End If Else dbClose = 0 GlobalErrorCount = GlobalErrorCount + 1 End If StockQuote = dbClose Set http = Nothing End Function karengsh wrote: Is it possible to use tutorNRIC as my primary key Yes it is possible just wrong. A user should NEVER be able to edit a primary key. karengsh wrote: my tutorID is just an index for me to keep track how many people have signed up. That statement means you need to do some reading/learning on database design. A primary key should be stupid and used for just one purpose, to identify the record, NOTHING else. Normally you would create the primary records and when you link them (via the UI) you create the link record with the 2 primary keys. Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH The thing is that in my country NRIC is unique. Nobody holds the same NRIC. In this case, can I make it my Primary key ? And I'd like tutorID as my index with incremental value? karengsh wrote: And I'd like tutorID as my index with incremental value That is fine but it will not be a count of the records in the table. Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH However, how do I insert into the third table? Should I use select subj_Id from subject and select tutor_id and then insert into the 3rd table ? hi everyone Are you asking why we use datareader. The following link might be a good read for you DataSet vs. DataReader[^] Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH Hi, I am trying to run an SSIS Package which is using Oracle Db as Datasource. When I am running the Package I am getting the above error: attempt to load oracle client libraries threw badimageformatexception ssis. I have downloaded the Oracle Client tools as suggested in a link upon goolging. Still I am not able to find an answer for it. Any help can be greatly helpful. As that Database is secured, I am encrypting the connection string and placing it into a variable, then assigning to ConnectionString property the Source Connection, could it be the problem? I am not understanding what am I missing here. Any help would b very helpful thanks in advance. Thanks in advance. Thanks, Abdul Aleem "There is already enough hatred in the world lets spread love, compassion and affection." -- modified 1-Jun-17 20:13pm. You'll need to check whether your package is running as 32-bit or 64-bit, and make sure you're loading the correct version of the Oracle libraries. "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer I'm using ADO.NET. Entity Framework is not an option. Suppose I have an IDataReader instance that was created from calling a stored procedure that returns 150,000 rows. If I create a DataTable , and then call DataTable.Load(IDataReader) , does it: 1. Read all available rows into the table at once? 2. Read only those rows that are necessary to return whatever rows I read from the DataTable ? 3. Some hybrid of the above two scenarios? I'm interested in implementing a solution that only reads data from the server upon demand. IOW, I don't want my form to only appear on screen after all 150,000 rows have been pulled from SQL Server. Thank you very much for your insight. The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer. DataTable.Load | Reference Source[^] Displaying 150,000 rows on screen in one hit is not a good idea. How is the poor user ever going to find the one row they're interested in? There must be some way to summarise, filter, or page the data to make it easier to consume. "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer There would never be that many rows, but in our main LOB application, some developers in the past have loaded up around 10,000 rows, making the form rather slow to open! The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer. Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH Thanks. The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer. Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH How can you limit how many rows you load, and yet still allow the user to type in a column filter string in order to find any of the PO's from any point in time? The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer. Richard Andrew x64 wrote: IOW, I don't want my form to only appear on screen after all 150,000 rows have been pulled from SQL Server. Then how? You mentioned a "form", so I'd assume WinForms with a DataGridView. In which case you don't use a datatable, but a list. You add to the list from a different thread, in batches of 50. Virtualize the DataGridView. Start the actions as soon as the form is displayed. If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] Bastard Programmer from Hell Eddy Vluggen wrote: You add to the list from a different thread, in batches of 50 Thank you. That's one of the avenues I am exploring. I have to find some way to make our application more responsive while still enabling access to thousands of rows. The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer. The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer. SQL server 2014/2016, SMO. Using SMO to backup a databse to 'D:\SQLBK\Mon\dbc.bak' on server: public int BackupDB(string serverName, string dbName, string backupFolder) { Server oServer = new Server(new ServerConnection(ServerName)); Backup oBackup = new Backup(); oBackup.Action = BackupActionType.Database; oBackup.Database = dbName; oBackup.Initialize = false; oBackup.Incremental = false; oBackup.LogTruncation = BackupTruncateLogType.Truncate; string sBackupFilename = Path.Combine(backupFolder, dbName + ".bak"); oBackup.Devices.AddDevice(sBackupFilename, DeviceType.File); oBackup.SqlBackup(oServer); return 0; } How to get original database information from backup file 'D:\SQLBK\Mon\dbc.bak' through SMO? e.g. database name. w14243 wrote: How to get original database information from backup file 'D:\SQLBK\Mon\dbc.bak' through SMO? e.g. database name. The database-name is not part of the backup. You backup the data, not meta-data on the file. If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^] Bastard Programmer from Hell SQL Server 2014/2016, using SMO. Want backup database 'dbName' of server 'serverName' to server folder 'backupFolder'. 1.Backup remote database, not backup local database. 2.The 'backupFolder' is on remote server, e.g. "D:\SQLBK\Mon". public int BackupDB(string serverName, string dbName, string backupFolder) { Server oServer = new Server(new ServerConnection(ServerName)); Backup oBackup = new Backup(); oBackup.Action = BackupActionType.Database; oBackup.Database = dbName; oBackup.Initialize = false; oBackup.Incremental = false; oBackup.LogTruncation = BackupTruncateLogType.Truncate; string sBackupFilename = Path.Combine(backupFolder, dbName + ".bak"); oBackup.Devices.AddDevice(sBackupFilename, DeviceType.File); oBackup.SqlBackup(oServer); return 0; } The 'backupFolder' is folder on 'serverName', not local folder. 1.If 'backupFolder' is not exist on 'serverName', the 'SqlBackup' command will cause exception on 'folder not exist'. 2.If use 'Directory.CreateDirectory(backupFolder)', then local folder will be created, not remote folder. So I want: 1. The 'SqlBackup' command can auto create specified backup folder. How to do it? 2. If above can't be done, then how to create 'backupFolder' on 'serverName' by SMO or other method? Travel agents in China are preparing for the loosening of the unofficial travel ban to Korea, which will be good news for cruise operators in the China market. Agents speaking off the record said relations were starting to warm up, and they were expecting to be able to re-add Korean products to their offering. Earlier this year the installation of a missile defense system by South Korea had a ripple effect for the cruise industry, as Chinese travel agents pulled cruises that had calls to South Korea. Agents were forced to issue costly refunds and cruise lines had to modify itineraries. Chinese passengers balked at the idea of substituting sea days for Japanese ports when they had booked cruises that included Korea. Some passengers were willing to accept the changes, but there are many who specifically wanted to visit South Korea, said Kai Wang, vice president of cruise at Tongcheng. Chinese customers officials have also relaxed restrictions on Korean physical goods. The cruise industrys quick growth and move into Cuba may be coming to an abrupt halt. ABC News reported late on Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump and the current administration is poised to roll back another of his predecessor's signature accomplishments -- the re-normalization of U.S. relations with Cuba, according to multiple congressional and advocacy organization sources with direct knowledge of the administration's intentions. ABC said news would follow sometime in June. The proposed changes would increase regulations that would make it more difficult for corporations to make deals with Cuba and for Americans to continue to travel to the country, ABC said. Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises all have significant capacity calling in Cuba aimed at the North America consumer. Meanwhile, Celestyal Cruises and MSC Cruises both have a strong Cuba presence, but have a broader passenger sourcing base. The Europa, sailing for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, made its inaugural call at the Port of Nanaimo on Friday, berthing at 7 a.m. It is also the first-ever call for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises in Central Vancouver Island, according to a statement from the port authority. We are privileged to host Hapag-Lloyd Cruises with her well-travelled German based passengers on this beautiful luxury vessel, said Bernie Dumas, President and CEO of the Nanaimo Port Authority. The MS Europa is an impressive ship and Nanaimo is her first port of call on this two week itinerary. For any inaugural call we present a custom plaque to the Captain onboard to mark this special occasion. It is important that we showcase our customary hospitality, which Nanaimo is known for, to inspire passengers to return to Central Vancouver Island. As passengers arrived at the terminal, Travel Counsellors from Nanaimos Visitor Centre greeted guests with Nanaimo Bar samplings and pointed the way to photo opportunities with the RCMP in Red Serge, the Big Tub and a miniature tub from the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society. A July jury trial is set for a former Indiana credit union branch manager accused of fraud, forgery and theft. Betty Stickler, 52, was fired as a branch manager for the $52 million Perfect Circle Credit Union in December 2015, after Lisa Dykhoff, president/CEO of the Hagerstown-Ind.-based credit union and Tom Flowers, vice president, conducted an internal investigation and reported the discrepancies to local police investigators. The suspected fraud and theft, however, had been initially detected by employees who worked with Stickler at the credit unions New Castle branch. The former branch manager asked them to make transactions that violated the credit unions policies, according to New Castle police reports. The police investigation found Stickler allegedly stole and allegedly attempted to steal funds through unauthorized loans and cash schemes that amounted to more than $50,000. The Founding Fathers purposely made it difficult for elected officials to enact sweeping legislation. Our Constitutions separation of powers demands coordination and consensus to pass especially meaningful and impactful laws. For that reason, most of the significant pieces of legislation passed in the last 60 years, after lengthy debate, ultimately achieved bipartisan majorities on final passage. For example, 153 Democrats and 136 Republicans in the House voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In Wisconsin, legislators have a strong history of working together to pass bipartisan healthcare legislation. For example, legislators have come together to address the heroin and opioid epidemic in Wisconsin through the HOPE Agenda. Wisconsins elected leaders have also come together to support hospitals and healthcare providers by investing in Medicaid and workforce development programs. Yet, comprehensive healthcare reform proposals have stubbornly resisted this bipartisan tradition nationally. The truth is we still need a major reboot on healthcare across the country and in Racine County, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, part of Ascension, the nations largest nonprofit health system is privileged to serve. Both political parties understand that the Affordable Care Act has weaknesses that restrict choice and inflate prices in the individual market. These challenges need to be addressed sooner rather than later because real people will be affected. Rather than start with one party crafting a solution and trying to attract a few moderates from the other party, now is the time to restart the process by gathering well-intentioned people from across the entire ideological spectrum around one table. On a national level, the Bipartisan Policy Center has convened a representative group of health policy experts to meet with instructions to develop consensus proposals to improve our healthcare system. The group includes respected representatives from numerous ideological camps. At the table are conservatives who believe that consumer-driven healthcare that includes less regulation, more individual responsibility and increased use of health savings accounts is a significant part of the answer and progressives who favor expanded federal programs, increased resources for those who need them and further regulation of insurers and exchanges. The group also includes thoughtful experts who fall between these ideological poles, all of whom want to spend their valuable time crafting a consensus proposal. This is a positive and welcome development. Important ground rules should be set for the group and meaningful work on these issues by anyone going forward. First, the intent of this work should not be characterized as repeal and replace ObamaCare. In fact, the group should avoid the use of labels like ObamaCare, TrumpCare and repeal and replace. These phrases have become partisan weapons that serve to divide rather than unite. Instead, the goal should be what all of Wisconsin wants responsible suggestions to improve our health system. This effort and others like it should work to reach agreement on practicable and achievable improvements to how we as a society fund and provide value-based healthcare at an affordable cost. Second, the group should agree to work to craft proposals to achieve the following goals that members of both parties can support: Improve and strengthen the individual insurance market so there is a lively and competitive marketplace; Expand the availability of affordable insurance coverage aimed at reducing, rather than increasing, the current number of uninsured people; Strengthen the safety net for those who need it while not creating incentives for others to rely on it unnecessarily; Accelerate the transformation of the health system from one that rewards volume to one that rewards value, which is necessary for reducing our systems unsustainable costs; and Address the non-healthcare impediments to achieving improved health by breaking down silos between healthcare and non-healthcare spending and rewarding increased personal responsibility for activities that maintain and improve health. Guided by the staff of the Bipartisan Policy Center, this group should collaborate to craft practical proposals and deliver it to Congressional leadership, so that Congress can work together to come to agreements on proposals that can move forward. Its noteworthy that the new administration has expressed an openness to work across the aisle on healthcare. The Bipartisan Policy Center has a vitally important role to put in motion the process to deliver concrete plans to Congress and ultimately to the president. Healthcare reform proponents in Wisconsin and nationally must learn an important lesson from our nations past debates over crucial issues including civil rights, Medicare and tax reform. Coming together and working across the aisle is key to enacting legislation to bring about fundamental change that would ultimately benefit those we serve in Racine County. Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its advice centers, RBC insurance stores, and mobile advisors; digital, mobile, and social platforms; independent brokers; and travel partners. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset servicing, custody, payments, and treasury services to financial and other investors; and fund and investment administration, shareholder, private capital, performance measurement and compliance monitoring, distribution, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, foreign exchange, and global securities finance services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, advisory services, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Enbridge Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company. The company operates through five segments: Liquids Pipelines, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Gas Distribution and Storage, Renewable Power Generation, and Energy Services. The Liquids Pipelines segment operates pipelines and related terminals to transport various grades of crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons in Canada and the United States. The Gas Transmission and Midstream segment invests in natural gas pipelines, and gathering and processing facilities in Canada and the United States. The Gas Distribution and Storage segment is involved in natural gas utility operations serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Ontario, as well as natural gas distribution and energy transportation activities in Quebec. The Renewable Power Generation segment operates power generating assets, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and waste heat recovery facilities; and transmission assets in North America and Europe. The Energy Services segment provides energy marketing services to refiners, producers, and other customers; and physical commodity marketing and logistical services in Canada and the United States. The company was formerly known as IPL Energy Inc. and changed its name to Enbridge Inc. in October 1998. Enbridge Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Installed Building Products, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation of insulation, waterproofing, fire-stopping, fireproofing, garage doors, rain gutters, window blinds, shower doors, closet shelving and mirrors, and other products in the continental United States. The company offers a range of insulation materials, such as fiberglass and cellulose, and spray foam insulation materials. It is also involved in the installation of insulation and sealant materials in various areas of a structure, which includes basement and crawl space, building envelope, attic, and acoustical applications. In addition, the company installs a range of caulk and sealant products that control air infiltration in residential and commercial buildings; and waterproofing options, including sheet and hot applied waterproofing membranes, as well as deck coating, bentonite, and air and vapor systems. It serves homebuilders, multi-family and commercial construction firms, individual homeowners, and repair and remodeling contractors through a network of approximately 210 branch locations. The company was formerly known as CCIB Holdco, Inc. Installed Building Products, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is based in Columbus, Ohio. The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. Read More CAMBRIA A Wisconsin corn mill that exploded late Wednesday night was reprimanded by federal safety inspectors six years ago for not taking precautions against dust explosions, a major hazard in handling grain, records show. Firefighters also had responded to a fire at the facility two days before the blast, although it's too soon to know whether the two incidents are related. The explosion at the Didion Milling Plant in Cambria, about 45 miles northeast of Madison, leveled much of the sprawling facility and left two workers dead and a third still missing Thursday night. Nearly a dozen other employees were taken to area hospitals, some with very severe injuries. Authorities had not released any of the workers' names. The cause of the blast remained unknown late Thursday, Cambria Fire Chief Cody Doucette said. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators were on the scene. Sixteen employees were working when the blast was reported around 11 p.m. Wednesday, Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards said. The plant processes corn for ethanol and other uses. Five people were taken by helicopter to UW Hospital in Madison where four were in the hospital's burn center, while the fifth was in the trauma and life-support center, hospital spokeswoman Emily Kumlien said. She declined to disclose any of the patients' conditions. Divine Savior Hospital in nearby Portage received six people hurt in the blast. Four were treated and released, but one was transferred to the burn unit at UW Hospital and another person was admitted to Divine Savior's intensive care unit, hospital spokeswoman Haley Gilman said. Explosion levels a corn mill and rocks a community in Cambria As the wrecked Didion facility smoldered through Thursday, many Cambria residents were taking stock of how closely they were connected to the tragedy. Emails sent to several company officials Thursday and a voicemail left for Vice President of Sales Jeff Dillon weren't returned. A note posted on the company's website said the company would be closed until further notice. In a statement Thursday, Didion Vice President of Operations Derrick Clark asked for the community's prayers, saying the company is a tight-knit family. The fire was contained by early Thursday and there were no evacuations in the area, Cambria Village President Glen Williams said, although schools in the Cambria-Friesland district closed Thursday because of the incident. Past violations The company faced fines from OSHA in 2011 for failing to install equipment to protect workers from dust that can ignite and explode. An OSHA inspection report said Didion didn't keep its corn processing facility "free from recognized hazards that caused or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Employees were exposed to the hazards associated with dust explosion, deflagration or other fire hazards." Six filters set up to collect dust in the facility weren't equipped with explosion protective systems and conveyor equipment wasn't properly bonded to ducts that are used to control particulate matter, inspectors said then. Records show Didion paid a $3,465 fine and the case was closed in September 2013. OSHA hasn't cited the plant for anything since, records show. The records also show that in 2011 OSHA informally settled without fines several citations alleging Didion didn't provide adequate respiratory protection for employees. The company also faced sanctions for environmental violations. In 2010 Didion agreed to pay the state $1.05 million to settle state Department of Justice lawsuits alleging the company violated air and water pollution regulations dozens of times over the previous decade. The air violations related to inadequate measures to prevent dust from escaping the plant and polluting the air outside. The water violations concerned pollution from Didion's nearby ethanol operation. Despite Didion's history of environmental violations, the state helped the company win $5.6 million in stimulus funding to expand its milling and ethanol facilities, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism has reported. Grain storage and processing can be hazardous. While one of the biggest risks involves workers being engulfed in grain silos, grain dust is the main source of explosions in processing and storage operations, according to OSHA. The dust can burn or explode if enough becomes airborne or accumulates on surfaces. Overheated machine bearings, motors, misaligned conveyor belts, welding and cutting are typical ignition sources. A small explosion can shake loose caked dust, creating dust clouds that ignite in a much larger secondary blast. In the last 35 years, over 500 grain dust explosions have been recorded at grain handling facilities in the U.S., killing more than 180 people and injuring more than 675, according to OSHA. Site of earlier fire On Monday, two days before the blast, firefighters from four area departments responded to a fire in a dryer system at the plant, Doucette said. Firefighters were on the scene for more than four hours, he said. The fire occurred in a "different section" of the plant, Doucette said, adding it's too early to know whether it might be related to Wednesday's explosion. "That's for investigators to determine," he said. Didion employs about 225 people in facilities in Jefferson, Columbia and Green Lake counties. Construction of the Cambria milling facility, for the manufacture of "value-added" products such as corn grits, cornmeal and corn flours, was completed in 1991. Volunteers, emergency crews and others worked tirelessly to respond to the crisis, some refusing to leave until everyone could be accounted for, Doucette said. "We train for the worst. This is the worst of anything I could imagine," Doucette said. "When you pull up to a scene like that that's something you never hope to see." Company officials were cooperating fully with the investigation, Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards said. "Didion, the Didion family, the staff from Didion have been upfront, extremely helpful," he said. The Red Cross was assisting family members and others affected by the tragedy, including providing licensed mental health professionals, at the First Presbyterian Church, where a prayer vigil was held Thursday evening. A fund for the victims and their family has also been established at National Exchange Bank in Cambria. Commencement will go on as scheduled at the nearby Cambria-Friesland High School at 7 p.m. Friday after emergency crews declared the area sufficiently stable. But the ceremony will be unusual in one key respect, Superintendent Tim Raymond said: Attendees will be invited to contribute money or non-perishable food for those affected by the blast. State Rep. Keith Ripp, R-Lodi, whose 42nd Assembly District includes Cambria, thanked emergency responders for their quick response to the tragedy. "This small rural village is bonded together by their strong local community, and any loss or injury to a neighbor will impact the entire area," Ripp said in a statement. Associated Press reporter Todd Richmond, State Journal reporter Steven Verburg and Capital Newspapers reporter Lyn Jerde contributed to this report. Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 900 bank branches and 3,300 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. Bank of Montreal was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The Boeing Company is the worlds largest manufacturer of airplanes and commands more than 50% of the market in some channels and categories. The company and its family of subsidiaries design, develops, manufacture, sell, service, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and related services worldwide. The company operates through four segments including Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital providing products and services to end-users in 150 countries. Boeing got its start in 1910 when William E. Boeing developed a love for aircraft. Soon after he takes his first plane ride which leads him to build a hangar and begin construction of his first plane. The onset of WWI helped spur the companys growth but business was cut drastically in its wake. The start of WWII was another milestone for the company and one that led to its current position of dominance. The company was incorporated in 1916 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. Boeing employs over 140,000 people in 65 countries making it one of the most diverse employers on the planet. The Commercial Airplanes segment is built around the iconic 7-series which includes the 737, 747, and 787. The segment provides commercial jet aircraft for passenger and cargo requirements, as well as fleet support services for regional, national, and international air carriers and logistics and freight companies. In terms of global volume, the company estimates about 90% of all air freight is carried aboard one of its jets. This segment also includes the Dreamliner family of planes. The Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane for many carriers as it opens up the potential for new one-stop destinations because of its capacity and range. The Defense, Space & Security segment develops and manufactures a range of systems including manned and unmanned aircraft, missiles, missile defense systems, satellites, communications equipment, and intelligence systems for governments. Among the many iconic brands within this segment are the AH-64 Apache, Air Force One, B-52, C-17 Globemaster, Chinook, F/A-18, and the V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft used by the Marines. The Global Services segment offers a range of products and services that include supply chain and logistics management, engineering, maintenance, upgrades, conversions, spare parts, pilot and maintenance training, technical and maintenance documents, and data analytics to its commercial and defense customers. Boeing is also a leader in innovation, leveraging its many decades and avenues of experience to further aerospace and defense technology. Among the many innovations is the MQ-25 Stingray which will be the worlds first autonomous aircraft. The Stingray is only one of many areas of research that also include drones and undersea vehicles. The following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. Ltd., Aetna (Shanghai) Enterprise Services Co. Ltd., Aetna ACO Holdings Inc., Aetna Asset Advisors LLC, Aetna Behavioral Health LLC, Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Premier Plan MMAI Inc., Aetna Better Health of California Inc., Aetna Better Health of Florida Inc., Aetna Better Health of Illinois Inc., Aetna Better Health of Indiana Inc., Aetna Better Health of Kansas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Missouri LLC, Aetna Better Health of Nevada Inc., Aetna Better Health of North Carolina Inc., Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma Inc., Aetna Better Health of Tennessee Inc., Aetna Better Health of Texas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Washington Inc., Aetna Capital Management LLC, Aetna Card Solutions LLC, Aetna Corporate Services LLC, Aetna Dental Inc., Aetna Dental of California Inc., Aetna Financial Holdings LLC, Aetna Florida Inc., Aetna Global Benefits (Asia Pacific) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bermuda) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Europe) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Middle East) LLC, Aetna Global Benefits (Singapore) PTE. LTD., Aetna Health Holdings LLC, Aetna Health Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Aetna Health Insurance Company, Aetna Health Insurance Company of Europe DAC, Aetna Health Insurance Company of New York, Aetna Health Management LLC, Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of California Inc., Aetna Health of Iowa Inc., Aetna Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Health of Ohio Inc., Aetna Health of Utah Inc., Aetna HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Aetna Holdco (UK) Limited, Aetna Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Inc., Aetna Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Aetna Insurance Company Limited, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut, Aetna Integrated Informatics Inc., Aetna International Ex Pat LLC, Aetna International LLC, Aetna Ireland Inc., Aetna Life & Casualty (Bermuda) Ltd., Aetna Life Assignment Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC, Aetna Network Services LLC, Aetna Partners Diversified Fund LLC, Aetna Pharmacy Management Services LLC, Aetna Resources LLC, Aetna Risk Assurance Company of Connecticut Inc., Aetna Rx Home Delivery LLC, Aetna Services (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Aetna Student Health Agency Inc., Aetna Ventures LLC, Aetna Workers Comp Access LLC, Alabama CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Alaska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Allina Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, American Drug Stores Delaware L.L.C., Arbor Drugs, Arizona CVS Stores L.L.C., Arkansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Badger Acquisition LLC, Badger Acquisition of Kentucky LLC, Badger Acquisition of Minnesota LLC, Badger Acquisition of Ohio LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Beauty Holdings L.L.C., Best Care LTC Acquisition Company LLC, Busse CVS L.L.C., CCI Foreign S.a R.L., CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Cabot Holdings Inc., CVS Cabot Holdings Inc. Coram Clinical Trials Inc. 99.72%/Aetna Inc. .28%, CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Applications LLC, CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Health Ventures Fund GP LLC, CVS Health Ventures Fund LP, CVS Health Ventures Management LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Management Support LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS Pharmacy Overseas Online LLC, CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS Shaw Holdings Inc., CVS Shaw Holdings Inc. Coram Clinical Trials Inc. 99.72%/Aetna Inc. .28%, CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Austin LLC, CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Los Angeles LLC, CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Philadelphia LLC, CVS-SHC Renal Holdings LLC, Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc. CVS Pharmacy Inc. 75%/Aetna Life Insurance Company 25%, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., Credentials Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California LLC, Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., First Choice of the Midwest LLC, First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Main Street Pharmacy L.L.C., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arkansas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Colorado LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services of Texas Association, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky LLC, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services LLC, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare LLC, Omnicare LLC Aetna Inc 0.28%/CVS Cabot Holdings Inc. 49.86%/CVS Shaw Holdings Inc. 49.86%, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare LLC, Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC. Read More This article is part of a series on graduates of Spring Convocation 2017. Read more grad profiles or, to learn more about the ceremonies, visit the Convocation website. By the time she was six years old, Cinera States knew what she wanted to be when she grew up: a doctor. My mom took me to see a pediatrician, Dr. Sharon Burey, in our hometown of Windsor, Ontario, recalls Cinera, who graduates from Dalhousie with her medical degree this week, along with five classmates who share her African heritage the largest-ever group of medical students of African descent to graduate from Dalhousie in the same year. What struck me about this doctor was not only that she was female, but that she was also a person of African descent. Seeing her that day opened my eyes to opportunities for myself that I had not yet imagined. Cineras mother is from North Preston and her father is from Windsor, N.S., so family connections drew her back east to pursue her dream at Dalhousie. During her undergrad a double major in Biology and Psychology Cinera volunteered with Dals Imhotep's Legacy Academy, a university-community partnership for African-descended youth to become involved in science, technology, engineering and math. During my time as a mentor with Imhotep's Legacy Academy, I learned more about the challenges these kids face in school, because of negative stereotypes and stigmas that limit their ideas about what they can accomplish, Cinera says. I realized I had an opportunity to be an inspiration to them, the same as Dr. Burey had been to me. Cinera (left) with fellow grad Stefan Allen Her entire family is returning to Nova Scotia to see Cinera receive her medical degree. Her mother, Cindy Simmonds, is particularly overjoyed not only because she is tremendously proud of her daughter, but because this time last year, the family was not certain she would be alive to see this day. My mom was diagnosed with cancer last year and spent a lot time in the hospital in Windsor, Ontario including weeks on life support in the intensive care unit, Cinera says. This time was extremely difficult for me I doubted my ability to continue and succeed with my medical training and considered taking a break. But going through this illness alongside my mother not only exposed my weaknesses, it revealed my strengths. Despite everything, I have completed medical school and cannot wait for my mom to watch me cross that stage! PLANS for supporting African-descended students Cinera and the five other medical students of African descent graduating with her today have been helped along the way by PLANS (Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians). Launched in 2013-14 with two years of initial funding from Nova Scotias Department of Labour and Advanced Education and Department of Education, PLANS provides ongoing support to African Nova Scotian/Canadian students in the faculties of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Professions. Based in the universitys Global Health Office, PLANS is run by an advisory committee and program manager, in consultation with African Nova Scotian communities across the province. We help students gain entry to health professional programsby assisting them with their applications and making them aware of potential sources of financial supportand advise and advocate for them on their way through their programs, says PLANS program manager, Michelle Patrick, who works closely with advisory committee members Dr. David Haase (Medicine), Dr. Barbara Hamilton-Hinch (Health Professions) and Shawna OHearn (Global Health). That could involve academic guidance, help with housing and other practical issues, connecting them with mentors in their fields, and just being here to listen and provide information. For Cinera, PLANS provided much-needed moral support as she struggled with doubt during her mothers illness. I will never forget how Dr. Haase took the time out of his busy schedule to call me and answer all my questions and concerns about my mothers care, she says. He even emailed me research articles to help answer some of my questions. This alone speaks to how devoted everyone at PLANS is to their students. Dal Medicine graduate Stefan Allen. For fellow medical graduate, Stefan Allen, PLANS was also an important source of support. They provided us with so many resources, as well as friendly, supportive communication and many opportunities to meet in person, says Stefan, who has also earned a masters degree in Community Health and Epidemiology. Michelle is superb, very approachable, and Dr. Haase will make himself available even after hours. Theyve shown great interest in me and helped me tremendously along the way. Overcoming doubts and obstacles has been a consistent theme for Stefan as well. Throughout my entire path to becoming a physician, there were countless moments when persevering through challenges was crucial, he says. My advice for students, especially those of African descent, is to not let setbacks or disappointments define you if you can develop the mindset to persevere, you will be so much stronger in the future! Preparing a new generation of health professionals While PLANS works behind the scenes with current students in health professional programs, its most visible program is the African Nova Scotian Health Science Summer Camp. Designed to interest young African Nova Scotians in the possibilities of health science careers, the camp started at Dalhousie in 2014, with 15 junior and senior high school participants. This year, PLANS camps will run at Dalhousie, Cape Breton University and St. Francis Xavier University, with 70 or more campers expected to attend. The camps focus on fun and discovery, to light a fire in the minds of these young students, says Michelle, adding that African-descended students in the three health faculties lead the camps, providing relatable role models and youthful energy to the programs. Were tracking the academic trajectories of our participants and are seeing some members of the first cohort now entering undergraduate programs in nursing, psychology and kinesiology. This year, for the first time, PLANS is also offering the PLANS Prep Institute, to help students develop the practical academic skills they will need to succeed in their final years of high school and pursue university programs in the health sciences. Stefan (left) and Cinera (right) with PLANS Program Manager Michelle Patrick. While government funding helped get PLANS on its feet and running, the program is now moving forward with help from the U.S.-based Johnson Scholarship Foundation, which seeks to educate, empower and employ people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The foundation has provided $1 million over five years to Dalhousie initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining African-descended and Indigenous students into health professional programs. In turn, Dalhousie is matching these funds with donor gifts to the tune of $200,000 per year. Donors are responding very positively to our outreach on behalf of programs that support both African-descended and Indigenous students, says Victoria Hamilton, development officer for Dalhousies health faculties. We are seeking to build an endowment fund that will allow us to provide scholarships and bursaries in perpetuity. The importance of role models and community Stefan Allen and Cinera States both cite childhood experiences with excellent doctors as their inspiration to pursue careers in medicine. So does Martina De Sousa, another African Nova Scotian medical graduate, who overcame numerous rejections before finally being accepted into and excelling at medical school. It was so important to me, as a kid, to see a doctor who looked like me, says Cinera. Last year, when I was on an elective rotation at the Windsor Regional Hospital, it was amazing to be reunited with Dr. Burey again. She was thrilled to learn shed been such an inspiration to me and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she is also a graduate of Dalhousie Medical School! Immediately in line behind this years six African-descended medical graduates is another cadre of six. We have a growing community now, with more and more opportunities for young people to be connected with role models, mentors and supports, says Dr. Haase. This, combined with leadership, resources and momentum, will allow us to address the historic underrepresentation of African Nova Scotians and African Canadians in the health-care system. PLANS Program Manager Michelle Patrick (far left) and Dal Black Student Advisor Ronke Taiwo (far right) pose with Medicine grads (left to right) Stefan Allen, Yaw Amoako-Tuffour, Imhokai Ogah and Cinera States after Friday's ceremony. (Photo by Matt Reeder) Convocation is a special time of year at Dalhousie the culmination of so many journeys and experiences, a celebration of both time spent on campus and exciting new chapters set to begin. More than 3,500 students from across Dal's faculties are graduating at Spring Convocation ceremonies this year in both Halifax and Truro. Here are the stories of just a few of them. Ready to lead and make a difference Dalhousie Medical School graduates its largest ever class of MDs of African descent. Aided by programs like PLANS (Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians), these grads are set to make their mark and address historic imbalances in our health-care system. A designer degree Tiana Kira has developed her eye for detail in Dal's Costume Studies program, working her way into a job with a global custom bridal design company based in Halifax. Working to right historical wrongs Early in her Law degree, graduate Angela Simmonds had the opportunity to conduct community research on land claims in North and East Preston. Her acclaimed work sheds light on a largely unrecognized chapter in Canadian history: the contributions and struggles of the Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia. A life-changing experience, from start to start-up Holly Fisher, Agriculture class valedictorian, has found her voice at Dalhousie through programs like the Cultiv8 sandbox, starting her own business (3Meals) and discovering whats possible through teaching and research. A diamond in Dalhousie Since coming to Dalhousie from The Gambia, Earth Sciences student Njillan Forbes has faced great pressures: losing her mother to illness, meeting the requirements to change degrees, making it into an honours program. But the struggles have only made her stronger. Through the lens Science grad Tim Mombourquette has spent much of his time on campus documenting the experiences of his fellow students as a videographer. Now, he turns the lens on himself and his own university experience. Getting down to business From social entrepreneurship to on-campus employment at the Dal Bookstore, some of Mary-Margaret Bennett's defining Dal experiences have come from applying her learning and skills outside the classroom. Connecting storytelling, heritage and the environment Shalan Joudry, who hails from Kespukwitk, the Mikmaw region of southwestern Nova Scotia, has been able to use her Master of Environmental Studies degree to link Indigenous learning and knowledge systems with academic ecology. Making cities spaces for play Community Design grad Jeremy Banks believes play is essential to Canadian cities. With his involvement in Switch events and as co-founder of #PlayMeHFX, hes used his time in Halifax as a playground for his classroom learning. Predicting the future with finance Before she came from China to study Commerce at Dal, Wendi Zhao had never been to Canada. Now, she's graduating with a job in Halifax as an operations analyst for financial services firm CITCO and plans to stay permanently. Raising a joyful noise Jack Bennet, taking a double major in Music and Environment, Sustainability & Society, builds community through music with his role in organizations like Halifax's The Big Sing. Leading change in her field In her leadership role with the Dalhousie Student Pharmacy Society, Kristin Kaupp helped reshape a national student competition to make it more inclusive and constructive. Connecting global and local issues Master of Nursing graduate and soon-to-be PhD student Keisha Jefferies has had the opportunity to explore health policy in Tanzania while working to make an impact on health care here at home. Twin sisters, dedicated RAs Twin sisters Emily and Felicia Halliday may have taken different courses at Dal, but they've been united in their commitment to supporting their fellow Dal students as Residence Assistants. A fulfilling end to a fulfilling degree Industrial Engineering grad Kiran Persaud has always had an interest in health and wellness. Thanks to his capstone project with VON Canada, hes been able to use his skills to help improve health care in Nova Scotia. Applying a broader approach Sherry Pictou, a Mi'kmaw woman from from Lsitkuk (Bear River First Nation), never thought she'd find the time to complete her doctorate. But a 15-year journey and a chance encounter led to a path that linked her scholarly and community work together. TomCo Energy announced on Friday that, further to the announcement on 28 March relating to the execution of a non-binding letter of intent between TomCo, TurboShale , the Oil Mining Company (OMC), JR Technologies and Venture Development Partners, that the parties had entered into a framework agreement. The AIM-traded company said the parties had agreed firstly to a patent purchase and development agreement between TurboShale and JRT, whereby JRT agreed to sell their patent US7891421 B2 Method and Apparatus for In-Situ Radiofrequency Heating and patent application US2015/035433 A1 Subsurface Multiple Antenna Radiation Technology to TurboShale for a cash consideration of $25k and an interest in TurboShale. JRT would also supervise TurboShale's laboratory work and any subsurface fieldwork. The purchase of the patents was conditional on TurboShale completing an initial fundraise of up to $1.5m. TomCo said the parties also agreed to a management agreement between TurboShale and TomCo under which, subject to completion of the initial fundraise, TomCo would provide management services to TurboShale at an initial rate of $7,500 per month. In addition, TomCo would be paid $2,500 per month for administrative services. A participation agreement between TurboShale and OMC - TomCo's wholly-owned US subsidiary through which its oil shale assets are held - was also agreed. Under that, OMC - in relation to its mineral lease ML49571, known as the Holliday Block oil shale project in Uintah Country, Utah - agreed to maintain its exploration permit on the lease until 2020 and to make it available to TurboShale to undertake field test work, in return for TurboShale granting to OMC a worldwide non-exclusive licence for the use of TurboShale's developed technology or technologies, and TurboShale foregoing any licence fee and discounting any future royalty payments due to it by OMC. A marketing and investor relations agreement between VDP and TurboShale was also part of the framework, under which VDP would assist TurboShale in its fundraising activities. As set out in its announcement on 28 March, TurboShale is an oil shale technology company set up by TomCo, which was seeking to research, develop, patent and commercialise technologies that would allow licenced oil shale companies to produce synthetic crude oil on a commercial basis at current oil prices, and with a low impact on the environment, in exchange for a production royalty and licence fee. TurboShale was seeking to raise up to $1.5m by way of a private placement, the net proceeds of which would be applied to its laboratory testing programmes, further patent applications and to general working capital. TomCo also updated the market on its relationship with Red Leaf Resources, with which it held a licence agreement to use its EcoShale in-capsule process. Red Leaf had reportedly reached a settlement agreement with Total E&P USA Oil Shale, which released both parties from any obligations related to the Red Leaf's Seep Ridge site. While the details of the settlement had not been disclosed, TomCo said it understood Red Leaf had more than $100m in available cash and no debt, and that it intended to continue to pursue its business plan of commercialising the EcoShale Process. These agreements and the combination of the respective parties provide both the technical expertise and market knowledge necessary to not only develop the TurboShale technology but apply it in a commercially viable manner, said TomCo CEO Chris Brown. The developments at Red Leaf are also cause for optimism, and TomCo will continue to engage with RedLeaf as a technical partner. A possible new trend of oil being supplied to Asia from the US, Brazil and the North Sea has been identified, as the Opec production cuts alters global oil flows. Crude oil exports to Asia from the US, Brazil and the North Sea have jumped 55% in the first four months of 2017, according to analysis by Vortexa, the oil markets analytics platform. Last week, Opec prolonged to March 2018 an original November deal that saw the cartel and non-cartel members reduce production by 1.8m barrels a day. As Opec cuts take effect, non-Opec countries have been filling the growing gap in Asian oil demand, said Vortexa chief executive Fabio Kuhn. "Oil exports to Asia, in particular China and South Korea, from the US and Brazil were already growing, but flows at these volumes are unprecedented and we believe that this is the beginning of an enduring trend. US crude exports to Asia have increased almost sevenfold compared to the same time period last year, with the US now averaging 222,000 barrels per day, according to data from the platform. Brazilian exports have seen a more than 50% increase for the same time period, now supplying an average of 588,000 barrels a day to the region. "Asias demand for oil has also taken a significant amount of North Sea barrels away from their traditional European market, with an average of 398,000 barrels a day going to Asia in the first four months of 2017," Kuhn said. A raft of major US tech companies have condemned Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement, including Facebook and Google . Trump pulled out of the agreement to take action to control the earth's rising temperature on Thursday, joining a group of only two countries in the form of Syria and Nicaragua as the only states not to back the deal. World leaders reacted angrily last week when Trump would not confirm at the G7 summit in Sicily that the US would remain part of the Paris agreement. Now some of the most influential US companies have weighed into the argument, saying that the White Houses decision is one which causes "deep disappointment". Trump pulled out of the agreement to take action to control the earth's rising temperature on Thursday Among the companies which have released statements rejecting the withdrawal were Apple, Google, Twitter, Facebook, Microsoft, Tesla and Amazon., as well as Goldman Sachs boss Lloyd Blankfein. In a post on Thursday, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said in a post that the withdrawal from the accord "puts our childrens future at risk". "Stopping climate change is something we can only do as a global community, and we have to act together before it's too late," he added. Today's decision is a setback for the environment and for the U.S.'s leadership position in the world. #ParisAgreement Lloyd Blankfein (@lloydblankfein) June 1, 2017 Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk followed through with his promise to stand down from two of Trumps business advisory councils if the US were to drop its commitment to Paris. "Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world," Musk said on Twitter. A spokesperson for British prime minister Theresa May said that she had called President Trump to express her "disappointment" at the decision. In a dramatic announcement in Washington on Thursday, Trump said he had to take the US out of the Paris agreement as it was placing an unfair burden on the countrys jobs, companies and citizens. "We don't want other leaders and other countries laughing at us anymore - and they won't be," he said. Former Labour leader Ed Miliband told the BBC May by not condemning President Trump, May was sending a signal about British leadership and "sending a signal that she is weak and feeble and spineless". "If ever there was a moment when Britain needed a strong leader, it was now, and it turns out weve got an incredible weak one who is missing in action. Im afraid that is what people are increasingly thinking about Theresa May." When it was put to him that May has said she expressed disappointment about Trumps decision, Miliband replied: "Disappointment is when your football team loses a match. It is not when somebody makes a devastating decision like this. America is one of the two largest emitters in the world, along with China. This decision was backed by every country in the world apart from Syria, which is in the middle of a civil war, and Nicaragua, which wanted us to go further. American leadership was so important to this." Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused PM Theresa May of being subservient to US President Donald Trump for not issuing stronger condemnation of his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord. Trump provoked consternation across the globe on Thursday when he announced that the US would no longer support the environmental agreement as it is not beneficial for American businesses and citizens. A spokesperson for May said on Friday that the PM called Trump to express her "disappointment" at the decision, but Corbyn said that was not enough. "Given the chance to present a united front with our international partners, she has instead opted for silence and subservience to Donald Trump. It is a dereliction of her duty both to our country and to our planet," he said. "That is not the type of leadership Britain needs to negotiate Brexit." YORKSHIRE TEA Speaking at a campaign event in York, Corbyn said he would be happy to work with Trump if he were to take over Downing Street following next weeks election. "Would I meet and host Donald Trump in Downing Street? Yes. Would I talk to him? Yes. Would I be polite? Absolutely. And I'd offer him some Yorkshire tea." The leaders of the two major parties in the UK have been trading blows in recent days as the polls appear to tighten ahead of next weeks general election. An Ipsos Mori poll for the Evening Standard on Friday showed the Conservatives at 45%, down from 49%, with Labout at 40%, up from 34% previously. Just weeks ago polls were projecting a Tory landslide and an increase in Mays majority in the House of Commons, but that appears less likely now and some are even predicting a hung parliament following the vote next Thursday. British Airways' data firm has denied that last week's travel chaos was caused by human error in one of the airline's data centres. Reports suggested on Friday that an employee had unintentionally switched off the power supply to BAs computer system. Tens of thousands of people were left stranded at airports in London last weekend in chaos that continued into the beginning of this week, with calls for CEO Alex Cruz to resign. CBRE, the global data contracting firm, denied that any human error had been found. "We are the manager of the facility for our client BA and fully support its investigation. No determination has been made yet regarding the cause of this incident. Any speculation to the contrary is not founded in fact," CBRE said in a statement. The parent company of BA, International Airlines Group, said earlier this week that a loss of power to a key data centre caused a system shutdown, leading to a raft of cancellations and delays. An email from Bill Francis, head of group IT at IAG, leaked to the Press Association, said: This resulted in the total immediate loss of power to the facility, bypassing the backup generators and batteries.. It was turned back on in an unplanned and uncontrolled fashion, which created physical damage to the system. BA is likely to face millions of pounds worth of costs arising from compensation payouts for last weeks system failure. The FTSE 100 finished the week up 73.49 points, or 0.98%, at 7,547.63. Equity view GlaxoSmithKline and its global specialist HIV company ViiV Healthcare, which it owns with Pfizer and Shionogi as shareholders, announced regulatory submissions to the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration on Friday, for a single-tablet, two-drug regimen of dolutegravir and rilpivirine, for the maintenance treatment of HIV-1 infection. Online trading platform provider Plus500 surged on Friday after it announced a share buyback and said current trading has continued the positive trends outlined in the first quarter update back in April. Amec Foster Wheeler has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management contract by BP Oil Espana to revamp the vacuum distillation unit at the Castellon refinery. Metro Bank has completed the purchase of a portfolio of UK mortgages from Cerberus European Residential Holdings for 596.7m. Barclays has increased the size of the sale of its stake in Barclays Africa Group due to "strong investor demand". Business-to-business information company Ascential has sold its remaining 11 UK-based heritage brands to Metropolis International for 23. 5m in cash, which will be used to reduce its net debt. Polymetal increased its stake in the Dolinnoye gold property to 50% in a bid to strengthen the company's Varvara hub concept. Lloyds Banking Group announced on Thursday that it had completed the acquisition of MBNA - the UK consumer credit card business - from FIA Jersey Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America, following the receipt of regulatory and competition approval. LondonMetric published its final results for the year to 31 March on Wednesday, reporting a 5% improvement in net rental income during the period to 82m. London-focused residential property developer Telford Homes has reported record revenue for the year to the end of March 2017 thanks to robust demand. AIM-listed developer and provider of advanced surface coating technology, Hardide, has received an order worth $770,000 from GE. Gemfields said on Wednesday that Pallinghurst's offer for the remaining 52. 9% of the group it doesn't already own "significantly undervalues the company, its unique asset base and its leading position in the coloured gemstone sector". Anglo American said it had 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. Retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone has appointed John Tonkiss as its group chief operating officer with effect from 1 June. CLS Holdings said it had bought a multi-let office property in Dortmund, Germany, for 35. 6m (30. 8m) after costs from an unnamed US investment manager. Shopping centre operator Intu Properties announced on Tuesday that both 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. Economic news UK construction activity improved much more than expected in May, according a Markit survey published on Friday. Like-for-like retail sales on Britain's high streets were down 1. 3% in May, according to a survey published on Friday. UK house prices fell for the third month in a row in May, the first time this has happened since 2009, according to a survey from Nationwide published on Thursday. UK manufacturing activity slowed as expected in May, according to a closely followed survey published on Thursday, but economists disagreed over whether it would be enough to buoy the overall economy. UK consumer confidence surprisingly improved marginally in May, according to a closely followed survey, though it still remains in negative territory. UK mortgage approval numbers continued to fall in April, according to data from the Bank of England that also showed the lowest net consumer lending in a year. Theresa May defended the Conservative party's plans for Brexit while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn declared that he was not a dictator in separate election question and answer sessions broadcast on Monday night. After years of sluggish growth UK real wage growth turned negative last month and, with wages being hampered by large numbers of zero-hour contracts, look unlikely to recover for years to come, said rating agency S&P on Tuesday. International events A possible new trend of oil being supplied to Asia from the US, Brazil and the North Sea has been identified, as the Opec production cuts alters global oil flows. A raft of major US tech companies have condemned Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement, including Facebook and Google. Factory activity in China's manufacturing sector tipped into decline last month, according to the most widely-followed survey tracking the sector's health. Eurozone manufacturing production rose at the fastest pace since April 2011 in May, according to data released on Thursday. The German unemployment rate fell to 5. 7% in May from 5. 8% in April, in line with expectations and marking the lowest rate since records began in 1992. At least 80 people have been killed in Afghanistan capital Kabul after a car bomb exploded in the citys diplomatic quarter on Wednesday. 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. US President Donald Trump fought back at Angela Merkel on Tuesday after the German Chancellor gave a sharp speech in Munich about US trading practices. The 22 Republican senators who sent a letter to President Donald Trump last week urging the United States withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement received more than $10 million dollars in campaign funds from fossil fuel interests. The two-page letter was signed by a number of Republican heavyweights from coal/gas/oil-rich states, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma and Ted Cruz of Texas. The Guardian calculated that the 22 senators received a total of $10,694,284 from oil, gas and coal money in just five years. (See the breakdown below.) However, that sum does not even come close to the amount of undisclosed funds coming from the deep pockets of Charles and David Kochs coal, oil and gas conglomerate, Koch Industries, and other outside groups. As the Guardian explains: Visible donations to Republicans from those industries exceeded donations to Democrats in the 2016 election cycle by a ratio of 15-to-1, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. And that does not include so-called dark money passed from oil interests such as Koch industries to general slush funds to re-elect Republicans such as the Senate leadership fund. At least $90m in untraceable money has been funneled to Republican candidates from oil, gas and coal interests in the past three election cycles, according to Federal Election Commission disclosures analyzed by the Center for Responsive Politics. Jeffrey Sachs, professor of economics and director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, shared recently his views on Trumps climate walkout. In an interview with Bloomberg Surveillance, Sachs referenced the senators letter and specifically cast blame on the billionaire oil barons for pulling the strings of Republican party leaders such as McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan, who both supported exiting the Paris accord. This is the victory paid and carried out for 20 years by two people, David and Charles Koch, Sachs said. They have bought and purchased the top of the Republican party. Trump is a tool in this. Notably, most of the Republican signatories of the letter do not support the belief that human activity contributes to climate change. During an appearance on MSNBC, Democratic Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts explained why he thinks his Republican colleagues do not believe in the science of climate change. This Conservative party in the United States is funded by the Koch brothers [and] its funded by the coal industry, Markey said. [They] insist that Scott Pruittthe Attorney General of Oklahoma that actually sued the EPA 19 times on clean air, clean water, soot, mercury issuesbecomes the head of the EPA in our country. The 22 Republican signatories funding from Big Oil, Gas and Coal in the past three election cycles (2012, 2014 and 2016): James Inhofe, Oklahoma Oil & gas: $465,950 + Coal: $63,600 = $529,550 John Barrasso, Wyoming Oil & gas: $458,466 + Coal: $127,356 = $585,822 Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Oil & gas: $1,180,384 + Coal: $361,700 = $1,542,084 John Cornyn, Texas Oil & gas: $1,101,456 + Coal: $33,050 = $1,134,506 Roy Blunt, Missouri Oil & gas: $353,864 + Coal: $96,000 = $449,864 Roger Wicker, Mississippi Oil & gas: $198,816 + Coal: $25,376 = $224,192 Michael Enzi, Wyoming Oil & gas: $211,083 + Coal: $63,300 = $274,383 Mike Crapo, Idaho Oil & gas: $110,250 + Coal: $26,756 = $137,006 Jim Risch, Idaho Oil & gas: $123,850 + Coal: $25,680 = $149,530 Thad Cochran, Mississippi Oil & gas: $276,905 + Coal: $15,000 = $291,905 Mike Rounds, South Dakota Oil & gas: $201,900 + Coal: none = $201,900 Rand Paul, Kentucky Oil & gas: $170,215 + Coal: $82,571 = $252,786 John Boozman, Arkansas Oil & gas: $147,930 + Coal: $2,000 = $149,930 Richard Shelby, Alabama Oil & gas: $60,150 + $2,500 = $62,650 Luther Strange, Alabama (Appointed in 2017, running in 2017 special election) Total: NA Orrin Hatch, Utah Oil & gas: $446,250 + Coal: $25,000 = $471,250 Mike Lee, Utah Oil & gas: $231,520 + Coal: $21,895 = $253,415 Ted Cruz, Texas Oil & gas: $2,465,910 + Coal: $103,900 = $2,569,810 David Perdue, Georgia Oil & gas: $184,250 + Coal: $0 = $184,250 Thom Tillis, North Carolina Oil & gas: $263,400 + Coal: $0 = $263,400 Tim Scott, South Carolina Oil & gas: $490,076 + Coal: $58,200 = $548,276 Pat Roberts, Kansas Oil & gas: $388,950 + Coal: $28,825 = $417,775 18 ministries proposed at federal level The Federal Administrative Restructuring Committee has proposed 18 ministries including the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at the federal level. Donald Trump announced Thursday afternoon that the U.S. will begin the process of withdrawing from the Paris agreement. During his remarks, Trump made a series of inaccurate and misleading statements about the Green Climate Fund in connection to his withdrawal decision. The United Nations Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the worlds premier multilateral fund to help vulnerable women, men and children in developing countries confront the climate crisis. Trumps venomous attack on the Green Climate Fund spewed lies and ignorance. We need to correct the record: Trump said: The Green Climate Fund is a $100 billion fund. Reality: The GCF is a $10.3 billion fund. Trumps $100 billion figure comes from the amount that developed countries have collectively committed to mobilize annually for developing countries by 2020 through a process un-related to the GCF. There has never been an intention for the GCF to be a $100 billion fund. Trump said: U.S. funding for the GCF represents a major portion of our countrys already massive foreign aid payment. Reality: The U.S. contribution to the GCF represents 0.00559 percent of U.S. GDP. In total, poverty-alleviation focused foreign aid represented just 0.8 percent of the federal budget over the past several years. Trump said: The budget for the so-called war on terror was raided to pay for the U.S. contribution to the Green Climate Fund. Reality: When a statement is so far from any basis in fact, it is hard to rebut. Funding for the Green Climate Fund comes from U.S. taxpayers, who overwhelmingly support action on climate change. U.S. contributions have come from a line item under the Department of Treasury and discretionary funds from the Economic Support Fund. Trump said: The U.S. is the largest contributor to the GCF. Reality: Sweden, for example, contributes far more per capita than the U.S. Trump said: The GCF could obligate the U.S. to commit tens of billions of dollars. Reality: All contributions to the GCF are voluntary. By Alex Kirby President Donald Trump abandoned science with his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris agreement on climate change, saying, I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Parisa wonderfully clear statement of his inability to recognize that the earth shares one atmosphere. Chris Rapley, professor of climate science at University College London, said in response: The essence of climate change can be captured in 10 words: Its Clear: Its Real; Its Us; Its Bad; Theres Hope. So who wins from the presidents decision? Not the American workers he seeks to defend. Many U.S. jobs are under threat, not from Paris, but from the accelerating decline of the countrys coal industry and the matching rise in renewable energy. Nor is it just climate negotiators in foreign capitals who are working to turn the world away from fossil fuels. Within the U.S., states, governors, cities and industries are committed to creating a low-carbon economy, groups like C40 Cities. But, globally, there are warnings that change has a long way to go. Frederik Dahlmann, of Warwick Business School, UK, is assistant professor of global energy at the University of Warwick, and researches the transition to a low-carbon economy. He says the U.S. withdrawal will be largely seen as an unwelcome irritation, rather than a wholesale shift in the political economy. Losing confidence But Dahlmann added: The challenges of a global transition towards a low-carbon economy remain sizable. American businesses and non-governmental stakeholders should therefore engage with their partners around the world to drive this process and truly live up to the Presidents slogan to make America great again. One obvious winner from the repudiation of the agreement is Donald Trump, many of whose supporters will cheer his fulfillment of a campaign pledge and his assertion of American determination to go its own way. But his victory may come at a price. An independent UK climate change think tank, E3G, said, This arbitrary and inexplicable act by President Trump undermines confidence in the future of every international agreement to which the U.S. is a party. A majority of Americans support remaining in the Paris agreement, as do many of the countrys largest and most successful companies including Starbucks, Nike, Google and Apple. And it says the U.S. move will provide China with a massive opportunity to seize global leadership from the U.S. on climate change and low carbon investment. Many developing countries are dismayed, notably low-lying island groups facing rising sea levels. The Fijian prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, said the decision had implications far beyond his countrys shores. It was deeply disappointing, especially for the citizens of vulnerable nations throughout the world. It is also a grave disappointment for millions of people living in those areas of the United States that are threatened by the effects of climate change. There is concern for the future of the Green Climate Fund, established by the UN to help developing countries to reduce and adapt to climate change. The U.S. has pledged $3 billion and so far paid around $1 billion. The work of the Paris agreement will continue, although the absence of the U.S. is bound to affect it. Its central weakness is its voluntary nature. For all its signatories, their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are simply statements of what they intend to do to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. Change needed If they dont act, theres nothing that anyone can do about it. If the Paris conference in December 2015 had tried to reach a stronger agreement it would have required ratification by the U.S. Senateand it would not have received it. Myles Allen, professor of geosystem science at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, sees problems ahead. He said, If we really want to put the future of the planet first, we need to be thinking hard about how to make the agreement both more effective and more acceptable to nations with substantial fossil reservesor the U.S. wont be the last one to be taking this step. And whatever the Paris agreement is able to achieve, with or without the help of the worlds richest economy and its second-largest source of greenhouse gases, the real world goes on its way. It is warming fast, perhaps too fast for the Paris goals to be achievable, and processes already under way may mean uncomfortable surprises ahead. Probably the biggest casualty of the decision is U.S. science: U.S. scientists were among the pioneers of climate change research, based on a now overwhelming weight of evidence. They have now been abandoned by their president. The Paris agreement is an attempt to deal with the real world as it is likely to be in a few decades from now. Donald Trump seeks to address a world that has gone beyond recall. Reposted with permission from our media associate Climate News Network. By Kelly Trout Now that Donald Trump has official announced that he plans to pull out of the Paris climate agreement and further entrench the power of the fossil fuel industry within our federal government, state and local action on climate becomes ever more crucial. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe recently said as much in announcing executive action to draw up a state cap-and-trade system to limit carbon pollution from power plants. Obviously with the pronouncements now coming out of the Trump administration, we cannot rely on them to do it, so we will be taking it into our own hands on the state level, McAuliffe declared. But if McAuliffe (or Virginias next governor) is truly serious about standing up to Trump on climate, and protecting Virginias vulnerable coastline from catastrophic flooding, he would also stop two massive fracked-gas pipelines proposed across the state. And, contrary to McAuliffes public statements, Virginias governor can stop these pipelines. These projectsthe 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline led by Dominion Energy, and the 301-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline led by gas company EQTwould be disasters for the climate and communities along their path. They would both carry fracked gas from West Virginia through Virginia, crossing the steep fragile terrain of the Allegheny highlands and hundreds of waterways, and threatening pristine forests, drinking water supplies, and farms. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline would stretch further into North Carolina. Because of the risks, the projects are being fiercely opposed by affected landowners and concerned residents across all three states. If built, the pipelines would blow a gaping, methane-filled hole into any Virginia state plan to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. In fact, they would significantly increase climate pollution. Oil Change International found that these pipelines would together cause as much greenhouse gas pollution as 45 coal-fired power plantssome 158 million metric tons a year. (See the Mountain Valley Pipeline and Atlantic Coast Pipeline greenhouse gas emissions briefings.) Thats because each new pipeline would trigger new gas production through fracking, and reliance on fracked gas for electricity is dirtier than coal when you add up the leakage of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, along the gas supply chain. In Virginia, picking up Trumps slack on climate change must include proactively stopping the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines, and the increased gas reliance they would enable. Dominion Energys Virginia subsidiary, the largest utility in the state, plans to continue investing heavily in gas-fired power plants. Its doing so at the expense of seriously accelerating clean energy investments, despite the fact that Virginia lags far behind neighboring North Carolina and Maryland in tapping its solar and wind resources, and ranks in the bottom-third of all states on energy efficiency. Addressing carbon emissions only at the point of gas combustionas the gas industry would like policymakers to do and as McAuliffe has thus far obligedis like trying to save a burning house by spraying water on one side and jet fuel on the other. The flames will keep growing. So how can Virginias governor stop these pipelines? The answer rests with water. For his part, McAuliffe has frequently claimed the pipelines are a federal issue. That belies the full picture. While the federal Natural Gas Act concentrates permitting authority over interstate gas pipelines with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), it specifically preserves state authority to approve or deny certain permits under the federal Clean Water Act. The governors administration has direct authority to approve or deny a Water Quality Certificate for both pipelines under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. As David Sligh of the Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition put it, FERCs role in no way lessens the states ability to stop these destructive projects if they would damage our water quality. Congress explicitly gave states a veto power over federal projects that could degrade their waters. This is far from a theoretical argument. In New York State, the Cuomo administration has used state authority over 401 permits to block construction of two gas pipelines over the past year: the Constitution Pipeline and the Northern Access Pipeline. Meanwhile, recent headlines out of Ohio illustrate the extensive damage gas pipelines can inflict on water resources during construction alone. FERC recently ordered Energy Transfer Partners to halt new horizontal directional drilling activities for construction of the Rover Pipeline after the company spilled two to five million gallons of drilling waste into fragile wetlands. The Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley projects would both involve this type of risky drilling, they would both cross hundreds of waterways and wetlands, and their construction would involve laying 42-inch, high-pressure pipe through fragile karst terrain. Yet, the McAuliffe administration has waffled in its willingness to fully exercise its permit authority under the Clean Water Act. In early April, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released a statement saying it would conduct project-specific 401 permit reviews for each pipeline, including a review of individual stream and wetlands crossings. However, just seven weeks later, the agency suddenly backtracked, calling that previous statement a miscommunication. Instead, DEQ said it will defer to a blanket Nationwide Permit 12 issued by the Army Corps of Engineers, which would approve hundreds of stream crossings at once without any site-specific review. DEQ claims it will still examine other issues beyond the waterway crossings. Water advocates say this would amount to an evasion of the states legal duties. The bottom line is this: To lead on climate, and protect the states precious water resources, Virginias governorwhether its Terry McAuliffe or his successorcan and must stop the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines. Doing so will take some political guts. Dominion, the company behind the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, also happens to be the biggest corporate donor to state political candidates in Virginia. But gutsy decisions from state and local leaders are needed now more than ever, given Trumps absolute abdication of moral and economic leadership at the federal level. Virginia has an opportunity to become a true climate leader in the Trump erabut that must include rejecting multi-billion-dollar investments in new fossil fuel infrastructure. Gas pipelines are a bridge to climate destruction forestalling our transition to solar, wind, and energy efficiency solutions, which provide the only path to a stable climate. 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 A new citizen-science tool released earlier this year to help astronomers pinpoint new worlds lurking in the outer reaches of our solar system has already led to a discovery: a brown dwarf a little more than 100 light years away from the Sun. Just six days after the launch of the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 website in February, four different users alerted the science team to the curious object, whose presence has since been confirmed via an infrared telescope. Details were recently published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. "I was so proud of our volunteers as I saw the data on this new cold world coming in," said Jackie Faherty, a senior scientist in the American Museum of Natural History's Department of Astrophysics and one of Backyard World's researchers. "It was a feel-good moment for science." The Backyard Worlds project lets anyone with a computer and an internet connection flip through images taken by NASA's Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) spacecraft. If an object is close enough to Earth, it will appear to "jump" when multiple images taken of the same spot in the sky a few years apart are compared. The goal for Backyard Worlds volunteers--of which there are more than 37,000--is to flag the moving objects they see in these digital flipbooks for further investigation by the science team. So far, volunteers have classified more than 4 million flipbooks. Days after the Backyard Worlds website debuted on February 15, Bob Fletcher, a science teacher in Tasmania, identified a very faint object moving across the WISE images. It was soon also flagged by three other citizen scientists from Russia, Serbia, and the United States. After some initial investigation by the research team, which originally called the object "Bob's dwarf," Faherty was awarded time on NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility in Hawaii, where she confirmed that it was a previously unknown brown dwarf just a few hundred degrees warmer than Jupiter. The authors say that sky surveys had missed this object because it's too faint. All four volunteers are co-authors on the scientific paper announcing the discovery. Brown dwarfs, sometimes called "failed stars," are spread throughout the Milky Way. They lack enough mass to sustain nuclear fusion but they are hot enough to glow in the infrared range of the light spectrum. "Brown dwarfs are strikingly similar to Jupiter so we study their atmospheres in order to look at what weather on other worlds might look like," said Jonathan Gagne, a Backyard Worlds team member from the Carnegie Institution for Science. Although the Backyard Worlds research team hopes to find the infamous Planet 9 hiding in our own solar system, these brown dwarfs are also exciting discoveries. "It's possible that there is a cold world closer than what we believe to be the closest star to the Sun," Faherty said. "Given enough time, I think our volunteers are going help to complete the map of our solar neighborhood." ### The Backyard Worlds project was developed by scientists at NASA, Arizona State University, the University of California Berkeley, the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, the science crowdsourcing site Zooniverse, and the American Museum of Natural History. The Astrophysical Journal Letters paper: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/aa7200/meta American Museum of Natural History (amnh.org) The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, is one of the world's preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses 45 permanent exhibition halls, including the Rose Center for Earth and Space and the Hayden Planetarium, as well as galleries for temporary exhibitions. It is home to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, New York State's official memorial to its 33rd governor and the nation's 26th president, and a tribute to Roosevelt's enduring legacy of conservation. The Museum's five active research divisions and three cross-disciplinary centers support approximately 200 scientists, whose work draws on a world-class permanent collection of more than 34 million specimens and artifacts, as well as specialized collections for frozen tissue and genomic and astrophysical data, and one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, it is the only American museum authorized to grant the Ph.D. degree and the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Annual attendance has grown to approximately 5 million, and the Museum's exhibitions and Space Shows can be seen in venues on five continents. The Museum's website and collection of apps for mobile devices extend its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs to millions more beyond its walls. Visit amnh.org for more information. Follow Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook at facebook.com/naturalhistory, and follow us on Instagram at @AMNH, Tumblr at amnhnyc, or Twitter at twitter.com/AMNH. Baycrest Health Sciences will pursue new avenues in brain health research thanks to support from Canada's health research investment agency. Two scientists at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute (RRI) secured more than $1.5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) during the recent Project Grant competition. Funds are awarded to studies offering the greatest potential to advance health research, healthcare, health systems and health outcomes. This funding supports Baycrest scientists whose work focuses on understanding how the brain's ability to process information changes during aging, which will help detect neurodegenerative diseases earlier and create targeted treatments. Cannabis and the brain's development: Dr. Tomas Paus, RRI senior scientist and the Anne and Max Tanenbaum Chair and Professor of Population Neuroscience at the University of Toronto, was awarded more than $1.2 million over five years to explore how the brain development, mental health and cognitive abilities of young adults may be affected by cannabis use during youth. In 2015, the study's first phase found that cannabis use may influence the brain development of male teens who have a high genetic risk for schizophrenia. In collaboration with researchers at SickKids Hospital, CAMH, the Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi, McGill University and the University of Calgary, researchers will launch the next phase by comparing the brain scans of 1,000 young adults who previously participated as teens. "As the Canadian government moves towards legalizing cannabis, our study will inform the public about whether early cannabis use changes the trajectory of a person's brain health between their teens and young adulthood," says Dr. Paus, a pioneer in the field of population neuroscience and professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Funding from the CIHR will support the salaries of research staff, participants and the cost of brain scans. Additional funding could help researchers incorporate a smartphone app into the study and provide detailed, real-time insight into the behaviour of research participants. Improving memory assessments: Dr. Bradley Buchsbaum, RRI scientist and psychology professor at the University of Toronto, will receive more than $315,000 over three years for work that could help develop targeted treatments for incurable neurodegenerative diseases. By using high-resolution neuroimaging, Dr. Buchsbaum hopes to discover a unique brain signature when young adults remember a detailed memory and compare how this changes in older adults. This detailed memory recall becomes more difficult during aging and this work could be used to flag cognitive impairments earlier and measure the effectiveness of drug therapies and interventions. "We're shining a light on how the brain is working in real time, which could help diagnose how well a person's memory system is functioning, even if they don't notice any memory changes as they grow older," says Dr. Buchsbaum. His work takes a uniquely broad approach in studying the brain's communication between its different regions. Additional funding towards Dr. Buchsbaum's research could support the development of a neuroimaging-based assessment to diagnose memory problems in older adults earlier. ### About Baycrest Health Sciences Baycrest Health Sciences is a global leader in geriatric residential living, healthcare, research, innovation and education, with a special focus on brain health and aging. Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest provides excellent care for older adults combined with an extensive clinical training program for the next generation of healthcare professionals and one of the world's top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience, the Rotman Research Institute. Baycrest is home to the federally and provincially-funded Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation, a solution accelerator focused on driving innovation in the aging and brain health sector, and is the developer of Cogniciti - a free online memory assessment for Canadians 40+ who are concerned about their memory. Founded in 1918 as the Jewish Home for Aged, Baycrest continues to embrace the long-standing tradition of all great Jewish healthcare institutions to improve the well-being of people in their local communities and around the globe. For more information please visit: http://www.baycrest.org About Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute The Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Health Sciences is a premier international centre for the study of human brain function. Through generous support from private donors and funding agencies, the institute is helping to illuminate the causes of cognitive decline in seniors, identify promising approaches to treatment, and lifestyle practices that will protect brain health longer in the lifespan. When it gets cold around you, your body turns up the heat to maintain its normal temperature. The heat is produced by brown adipose tissue, or brown fat, which also plays a role in how the body uses glucose and fat. However, scientists do not completely understand how brown fat carries out its functions both in health and disease, in part because of the lack of an appropriate animal model. In a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, a team of researchers from several institutions, including Baylor College of Medicine, has filled this gap with the discovery that mice also have brown fat deposits similar to the largest depot found in people. The discovery opens the door to research that might lead to new ways of using brown fat to treat metabolic conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes in the future. "In addition to white adipose tissue, or white fat, people have brown fat, an important contributor to the body's energy balance via the generation of body heat and the participation in metabolic processes," said senior author Dr. Miao-Hsueh Chen, assistant professor of pediatrics and nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine and the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital. Brown fat contains adipocytes, cells that are rich in small fat-filled droplets and in energy-producing structures called mitochondria. Brown fat adipocytes use fat and glucose as sources of energy. In mice, brown fat activated to produce heat markedly affects the energy balance. For instance, mice housed at temperatures below their normal body temperature (20-22 degrees Celsius) would need to consume 60 percent more food to maintain their normal temperature than mice housed at 30 C. Other experiments have shown that when brown fat is dysfunctional or absent, mice decrease their energy expenditure and become obese. A mouse model of human brown fat Studies have indicated that most brown fat in mice is on the back, between the shoulder blades. In people, however, the main depots of brown fat are located above the collar bones and deep in the neck. Scientists think that what they learn by studying mouse brown fat might not be applicable to people because mouse and human brown fat are at different locations. In the search for a better mouse model, Chen and her colleagues analyzed mouse embryos and found brown fat surrounded by muscles in the neck, including a brown fat depot located above the collar bones, the same location of main human brown fat that had not been described before. "Further studies showed that adult mice also have brown fat above the collar bones," Chen said. "This is important because studies will be carried out mostly in adults. In addition, mouse brown fat in the collar bone is morphologically similar to human brown fat in the same location, produces compounds involved in the production of heat and expresses genes similar to those expressed by human brown fat." Mouse brown fat can change metabolism In collaboration with Dr. Kristin Stanford, assistant professor of physiology and cell biology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the research team carried out brown fat transplantation experiments in mice. "For several years, I've been interested in how to combat obesity and improve metabolic health," Stanford said. "A few years ago, my lab developed a transplantation model looking at the effects of increasing brown fat above the shoulder blade in mice, and we saw a dramatic improvement in metabolic health. When Dr. Chen showed me her data identifying brown fat above the collar bone in mice, I was excited to collaborate and apply our transplantation model." When the researchers increased the amount of brown fat above the collar bone by transplanting more of it into healthy mice, they saw improvement on the animals' glucose tolerance. This shows that "this brown fat depot, which is remarkably similar to the main brown fat depot in humans, can be metabolically beneficial," Stanford said. "This study highlights how important this tissue most likely is in humans." "I am most excited to bring this model to scientists in the field so they can use it to study brown fat," Chen said. "This model is the first step to improve our understanding of the role of human brown fat in metabolic processes. The model offers the possibility of carrying out studies that might result in treatments to reverse or prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity." ### Other contributors to this work include Qianxing Mo, Jordan Salley, Tony Roshan, Lisa A. Baer, Francis J. May, Eric J. Jaehnig, Adam C. Lehnig, Xin Guo, Qiang Tong, Alli M. Nuotio-Antar, Farnaz Shamsi Yu-Hua Tseng. The authors are affiliated with one of more of the following institutions, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Rice University and Harvard Medical School. This study was supported by USDA/ARS CRIS 3092-5-001-059, National Institutes of Health (NIH) P30-DK079638, the American Heart Association 16GRNT30720003 and NIH K01-DK105109. RNA sequencing and data analyses were supported in part by the Genomic and RNA Profiling Core at BCM with funding from the NIH Center grant (P30-DK079638). TEM analyses were supported by the Integrated Microscopy Core at BCM with funding from the NIH (HD007495, DK56338 and CA125123). Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the world's most important staple foods, as it sustains more than half the global population. Rice farming has provided an important material and cultural basis for the development and prosperity of Chinese civilization. Research into when, where and against what environmental background rice was domesticated has led to considerable discussion over the past decade. The study of phytolith carbon-14 and morphological characteristics, by Prof. LU Houyuan's laboratory at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, suggests that rice domestication may have begun at Shangshan in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China during the beginning of the Holocene. This research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. Rice remains (mainly from phytoliths), found at the Shangshan site in the Lower Yangtze, may represent the first instance of rice cultivation. However, organic material at the site is poorly preserved due to acidic soil conditions. Therefore, debate exists as to whether this rice was domesticated, wild or transitional. The chronology of the Shangshan site also remains unclear. Accordingly, further dating initiatives are required to determine the absolute calendar time of the rice remains. Phytoliths can occlude some organic carbon during their deposition, which is captured through photosynthesis from atmospheric CO2 during plant growth. Carbon occluded in phytoliths can thus directly reflect the age of organic sources exploited by humans. Under the guidance of Prof. LU Houyuan, Post-doctoral Researcher ZUO Xinxin carried out phytolith carbon-14 studies on three archaeological sites associated with Shangshan culture. The results show that the phytolith dates are consistent with their paired charcoal or seed dates. Two phytoliths dating from the early (upper layer of the eighth cultural stratum) and late stages (upper layer of the fifth cultural stratum) of the site range from 9,417-9,134 calibrated years before the present ("cal yr BP") to 8,175-8,012 cal yr BP. This suggests that the initial occupation of Shangshan may have occurred around 9,400 cal yr BP, or perhaps somewhat earlier, i.e., around 10,000 cal yr BP, since the phytolith sample SH-8 is derived from between the seventh and eighth cultural strata of the site. Detailed studies of the rice's bulliform phytolith morphological characteristics show that approximately 36 percent had more than nine fish scales in the early occupation stages of Shangshan and Hehuashan (ca. 10,000 to 9000 cal yr BP), less than the approximately 60 percent counted from the late stages of Hehuashan and Huxi (ca. 9000-8500 cal yr BP). However, there was a significantly larger amount of rice bulliforms, with more than nine fish scales in the early stages, compared to modern wild rice (17.5 8.3 percent), thus suggesting that the process of rice domestication had begun at this site during the beginning of the Holocene. Such an age for the origin of rice cultivation and domestication would agree with the parallel roots of agriculture in other regions of the world, during a period of profound environmental change when the Pleistocene was transitioning into the Holocene. In East Asia, a significant strengthening monsoon at about 9500 yr BP is consistent with the initial occupation of Shangshan. Climatic amelioration during these transitional periods may thus serve as a key factor in the early process of rice domestication. ### This research was performed in collaboration with the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Relics and Archaeology and the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This work was funded jointly by the 973 Program, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. DURHAM, N.C. -- In response to popular demand, materials scientists at Duke University have resurrected an online cookbook of crystalline structures that started when the World Wide Web was Netscape Navigator and HTML 1.0. In 1995, Michael Mehl, then a scientist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, began collecting, cataloguing and sharing information about crystalline structures on a basic website for colleagues. Researchers needed a reference catalogue to guide their efforts because crystals form hundreds of different structures in nature. Chemists use crystals as handy building blocks for new materials because of their rigid, ordered molecular shapes, which help determine a material's properties. Mehl's website, called Crystal Lattice Structures, provided detailed information that, while available from other sources, was more useful to researchers unfamiliar with crystallographic conventions. If crystalline databases were cookbooks and each crystal structure a recipe, researchers had written other references suitable for accomplished French chefs with specialized training. Crystal Lattice Structures, on the other hand, was for your average home cook. "The library showed how crystallography relates to crystals in the real world," explained Mehl, now at the United States Naval Academy. "It also gave a broad overview of structures seen experimentally, which is always a good place to start looking for something new." Mehl took the website down in 2010, however, due in part to security upgrades made at NRL, and because the website's haphazard growth over 15 years had left its organization unnecessarily complicated and its entries un-standardized. "There were a lot of people in the community asking where the database had gone and whether or not it could be brought back," said Stefano Curtarolo, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at Duke. "We decided to put all the information together into a paper and also bring back the website in a more robust and open-source version." With Mehl's help, Curtarolo and his team have resurrected Crystal Lattice Structures, launching a new and improved online catalogue and publishing a paper containing all of its data (the first of a longer collection). The paper appeared online on May 22 in Computational Materials Science. The paper, which took more than a year to compile, contains 288 entries for various crystalline structures. Each entry contains data on the symmetry of the structure, its crystalline properties and the shape of a unit cell. It also contains generic mathematic equations describing each atom's placement, rather than providing that information in a specialized form as other databases typically do. "Having the equations for the atomic placements written out gives more flexibility to include slight variations and to specifically tune each structure," said Cormac Toher, assistant research professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at Duke. "We're also going to have a 3D viewer of the structures at the top of each entry so that people can see the structures at different angles." Making the new website even more robust, each entry is directly linked to the Duke Center for Materials Genomics AFLOW library -- an online database of two- and three-element compounds that lets users predict the properties of yet-to-be-discovered materials. With the incorporation of the new database, users can simply choose which elemental atoms to place at which positions in any of the 288 crystalline structures, and the program will compute the resulting material's likely properties. "We had to decide what format to present the information in, get all of the data, and 800 pages later, make sure there weren't any errors," said David Hicks, a graduate student in Curtarolo's laboratory. "And then implementing everything within AFLOW took another 288 files of C++ coding. It was a lot of work, but we think it will be a very useful resource for the community." ### Support for this research was provided by the Department of Defense Office of Naval Research (N00014-13-1-0635, N00014-15-1-2863, N00014-16-1-2781) and the Department of Energy (DE-AC02-05CH11231). "The AFLOW Library of Crystallographic Prototypes: Part 1," Michael J. Mehl, David Hicks, Cormac Toher, Ohad Levy, Robert M. Hanson, Gus Hart, Stefano Curtarolo. Computational Materials Science, 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.commatsci.2017.01.017 1st Intl bloggers meet begins in Kathmandu The Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM) 2017 kicked off in the Capital on Thursday, starting with the first of its kind International Bloggers and Media Conference. Independent of age, frail patients are almost twice as likely to die in the year following admission to critical care, and even more likely to need nursing home care after discharge from hospital, compared with patients who are not frail, according to new research presented at this year's Euroanaesthesia Congress in Geneva (3-5 June). Frailty (a decline in physiological reserve and function leading to increased vulnerability to poor health outcomes) is very common, affecting up to 1 in 10 people over 70 years old. While people who are frail are not disabled, they have reduced strength and endurance and find it difficult to carry out normal daily activities. Frailty is linked to earlier death, poor function, and increased hospitalisations. However, the role of frailty in critical care outcomes is unclear. In this study, Professor Gary Mills from the University of Sheffield, UK and colleagues looked at data over a 3-year period for 7,732 adults aged 17 to 104 years old, who had been admitted to critical care departments in two hospitals in Sheffield, UK. They measured the effect of frailty on the risk of death in the year after hospitalisation. Smaller samples of patients were also assessed for changes to residence (3,469 patients) and differences in dependency (2,387) before and after admission. Of 7,732 patients 1,726 were considered to be frail with an average age of 72.5 years, based on an assessment of their health and function in line prior to this illness episode, using the Rockwood frailty score. Results showed that around 40% of frail patients had died within one year of admission compared to 15% of non-frail patients. Analysis of the data showed that frail patients were at almost twice the risk of dying in the year after admission to critical care compared to non-frail patients, even after accounting for important characteristics like age, the number of organs supported during care and major comorbidities like metastatic disease or kidney failure. Frail patients were also nearly 2.5 times as likely to need institutional care and became more dependent after discharge from hospital. The authors conclude: "Our findings suggest that being frail is associated with poorer outcomes after critical illness and this could affect decision making regarding appropriate care by patients. This study should trigger further research and quality improvement efforts aimed at improving the care and outcomes of the growing population of frail patients with critical illness." ### Scientists from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will present new findings at the 2017 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, to be held June 2-6 in in Chicago. Highlights of the presentations, including results of clinical trials and recommendations arising from outcomes research, are as follows, with links to abstracts and news releases (as available). Experimental drug knocks down pancreatic cancer's defense By adding an experimental drug to a standard chemotherapy regimen, a subset of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer had a significantly longer period before the cancer progressed compared with those who received only the standard treatment. Treatment with the drug PEGPH20 gave participants four months more of progression-free survival, a notable boost for the fast-moving and deadly cancer. Results of the randomized, controlled Phase 2 clinical trial will be presented by Dr. Sunil Hingorani, the Fred Hutch researcher who led the trial, will present results of the randomized, controlled Phase 2 clinical trial at 10:24 a.m. CT Sunday, June 4. (ASCO abstract 4008, news release: http://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2017/05/clinical-trial-shows-experimental-drugs-ability-to-knock-down-pancreatic-cancers-defense.html) Triple immunotherapy for rare skin cancer shows promise A combination of T-cell therapy, the newly Food and Drug Administration-approved immunotherapy drug known as avelumab, and either radiation or interferon (an immune system booster that renders tumors more visible to the immune system) kept cancer at bay for three out of four patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare skin cancer. The addition of avelumab -- a checkpoint inhibitor that helps the immune system fight cancer cells -- seems to have kicked the T cells into high gear, and the researchers hope the combo treatment could be adapted for other cancers. Dr. Kelly Paulson, an immunotherapy researcher at Fred Hutch, will present a poster with the findings from the small, ongoing trial the morning of Monday, June 5. (ASCO abstract 3044, news release: http://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2017/triple-immunotherapy-for-rare-skin-cancer-shows-promise-in-small-early-stage-trial.html) Many cancer patients' Emergency Department visits appear preventable Surveying thousands of cancer patients, the first systemic analysis of preventable emergency-department visits has revealed that 53 percent of visits that did not result in admission could have been avoided with better management of symptoms and greater availability of outpatient care tailored to meet the patients' needs. The most common reasons for going to the ED were due to pain, accounting for 27 percent of overall visits with a median cost of $1,127 per visit. Dr. Laura Panattoni a staff scientist at the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research at Fred Hutch, will discuss these and other study results at 9:24 a.m. CT Monday, June 5. (ASCO abstract 6505, news release: http://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2017/many-cancer-patients-emergency-department-visits-appear-preventable.html) Immune responses from early study of novel sarcoma vaccine The critical component of an experimental vaccine led to an escalating immune response in patients with sarcoma, an indicator of its anti-cancer effects, according to a study led by Fred Hutch physician-scientist Dr. Seth Pollack. Pollack will present a poster detailing the research the morning of Monday, June 5. (ASCO abstract 3090, news release: http://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2017/06/immune-responses-from-early-study-of-novel-sarcoma-vaccine.html). Pollack's findings reinforce promising results of an early-stage clinical trial of the vaccine, which are being presented at ASCO by Dr. Neeta Somaiah of University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Many patients with early-stage breast cancer receive costly, inappropriate testing Asymptomatic women who have been treated for early-stage breast cancer often undergo advanced imaging and other tests that provide little if any medical benefit, could have harmful effects and may increase their financial burden, according to a study led by Fred Hutch researcher Dr. Gary Lyman, a breast cancer oncologist and health economist who also serves as co-director of the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research. Lyman will present a poster with the findings the afternoon of Monday, June 5. (ASCO abstract 6582, news release: http://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2017/05/patients-with-early-stage-breast-cancer-receive-costly-inappropriate-testing.html) SWOG clinical trials added more than 3M years of life for cancer patients Fred Hutch biostatistician Dr. Joseph Unger and colleagues examined outcomes data from 23 randomized, Phase 3 clinical trials that established new standards of care for different cancers. As a result of these new treatments, the researchers estimate that 3.34 million years of life were gained over a 60-year period. SWOG, formerly known as the Southwest Oncology Group, is a National Cancer Institute-sponsored network cooperative research group that conducted the trials. Fred Hutch houses the SWOG Statistical Center. Unger will present a poster with the SWOG findings on the afternoon of Monday, June 5, and he will participate in a discussion of this and other posters later that day at 4:45 p.m. CT. (ASCO abstract 6513) ### Other Fred Hutch faculty to speak at ASCO Dr. E. Gabriela Chiorean will deliver a talk, "Locally Advanced, Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: Is Radiotherapy Necessary in 2017?" at 4:45 p.m. CT Friday, June 2, as part of the extended education session, "Management of Complex Upper Gastrointestinal Cases: Implementation of Best Evidence." Dr. Scott Ramsey director of the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, will discuss "Financial Impact on Patient Care for Lymphoid Diseases at the System and Global Level" at 5:25 p.m. CT Friday, June 2, as part of the education session, "The Value of Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia Therapy: Balancing Cost and Access to Care in 2017 and Beyond." Dr. Peter Nelson will be featured in a "Meet the Professor" session, with a talk, "Germline Genetic Testing in Men with Prostate Cancer: Who to Test and What to Do with the Results?" The session runs from 9:45-11 a.m. CT Sunday, June 4. Other Fred Hutch posters to be presented at ASCO Dr. Polly Newcomb, "Genetic correlates of therapeutic toxicities of stage III colon carcinoma patients treated with adjuvant FOLFOX+/-cetuximab (NCCTG N0147, Alliance)," 8-11 a.m. CT Saturday, June 3. Dr. Cameron Turtle, "Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity (NT) after CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor- (CAR-) modified T cells," 8-11 a.m. CT Monday, June 5. Dr. Celestia Higano, "Patient (pt) characteristics and treatment patterns in the radium (Ra)-223 REASSURE observational study," 1:15-4:45 p.m. CT, Monday, June 5. Dr. Bernardo Goulart, "Validation of natural language processing (NLP) for automated ascertainment of EGFR and ALK tests in SEER cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)," 1:15-4:45 p.m. CT Monday, June 5. Media Contact: Jonathan Rabinovitz O: 206.667.6906 M: 206.658.7612 jrabinov@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 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. FRANKFURT. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved a new Transregio Collaborative Research Centre (CRC/TR) in which physicists from Goethe University Frankfurt, Bielefeld University and TU Darmstadt want to explore together "strongly interacting matter under extreme conditions". The researchers had submitted an application for around 8 million for the next four years for this. Spokesperson for the new research alliance, which within the partnership with TU Darmstadt is also supporting the Strategic Alliance of Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) launched at the end of 2015, is Frankfurt physicist Professor Dirk Rischke. "Extreme conditions" means high temperatures and densities such as occurred, for example, in the first millionth of a second after the Big Bang: A few billion degrees Celsius (a hundred thousand times hotter than the Sun's interior) as well as multiples of the density reached in atomic nuclei (several 100 million tons per cubic centimetre). Under these conditions, matter is dominated by what is known as strong interaction. This is one of the four fundamental forces in physics. It is responsible, amongst others, for the proton and neutron composition of atomic nuclei and for their inner structure of quarks and gluons. Under extreme conditions, strongly interacting matter forms new types of state, comparable with the various aggregate states of water as ice, liquid and gas. Whilst this is being explored experimentally on large-scale particle accelerators such as the LHC at CERN in Geneva and in future on FAIR in Darmstadt, the new CRC/TR wants to examine the topic from a theoretical perspective. The intention is to investigate the fundamental properties of strongly interacting matter in the framework of 14 sub-projects and apply them to the physics of the early Universe and in heavy ion experiments. The declared objective here is to start as directly as possible from the fundamental theory of strong interaction, i.e. quantum chromodynamics (QCD). This theory, for the study of which several Nobel prizes have already been awarded, has been known for over 40 years. It has, however, nonetheless proven difficult in many cases to make concrete predictions in the framework of QCD. Deriving in particular the properties of macroscopic concentrations of strongly interacting particles at high temperatures and densities from QCD was so far unsatisfactory. What is unique about the new CRC/TR is the combination of analysis-based methods with complex numerical simulations on supercomputers of the highest performance class ("Lattice QCD"). "We are working closely together on this in order to make the best possible use of the individual approaches and different expertise at the three universities", emphasizes Professor Dirk Rischke of Goethe University Frankfurt, the CRC's spokesperson. Professor Jochen Wambach from TU Darmstadt, who together with Professor Frithjof Karsch from Bielefeld University is Rischke's deputy, adds: "Many of us have known each other for a long time and have worked together successfully in the past too. However, this Transregio project is taking our collaboration to a new level." All three universities are equal partners and this is underlined by the fact that they have already agreed to rotate the role of CRC/TR spokesperson after each funding period, should it be successfully extended. "The complex theoretical questions as well as the experiments currently taking place or already planned in this field of research, where a lot is happening in other countries too, will stimulate a wide spectrum of research projects over the coming decade", says Karsch. "That's why we're convinced we can fill the maximum 12-year duration of a CRC with interesting projects", agree Rischke, Karsch and Wambach. CRC in medicine extended A CRC in the field of medicine has been extended. In the framework of CRC 1039 "Signalling by fatty acid derivatives and sphingolipids in health and disease" researchers are investigating what significance lipids (fat molecules) have as signalling molecules and how they are involved in disease processes. This means that the collaboration between Goethe University Frankfurt and the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim can continue for the next four years. Numerous findings in recent years indicate that lipid metabolism disorders contribute to the development and progression of diseases such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, inflammatory conditions, pain and neurodegenerative diseases. They are therefore suitable drug targets. In the first funding period, the researchers concentrated on examining the synthesis and degradation pathways of molecules that intervene in healthy as well as disrupted lipid metabolism. The intention now in the second funding phase is to investigate these molecules, which are known as lipid mediators, in relation to specific diseases such as acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, pain or tumour development. "We want to advance research in the direction of functional consequences as well as of diagnostic and therapeutic implementation, both experimentally as well as clinically," says Professor Josef Pfeilschifter, CRC spokesperson. ### The European Research Council (ERC) will be funding the ALLERGUT project at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen for the next five years with an ERC Starting Grant. Working in this framework, the researchers headed by Dr. Caspar Ohnmacht want to discover if and how bacteria in the intestines can assist or prevent the development of allergies. The total funding amounts to 1.5 million euros. It is estimated that almost one out of three people in Europe suffers from one or more allergic diseases. Because the underlying mechanisms continue to be only superficially understood, current treatment forms can only alleviate the symptoms. The objective of the EU-funded ALLERGUT project is to explain why allergic reactions develop in the first place. As the name suggests, the search for allergy causes is focused primarily on the gut. Project leader Caspar Ohnmacht and his team particularly want to take a close look at the interplay between the intestinal flora and the immune system. "The central element in our investigations will be the protein RORt*," explains the head of the Mucosal Immunology Research Group at the Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and Technical University of Munich. He has spent years studying inflammatory processes that originate in the digestive system. RORt is a so-called transcription factor that, in the cell nucleus, can influence the expression of genes. Ohnmacht and his team have already been able to show that bacterial colonisation of the gut causes immune cells to produce RORt there. As a result, immunological tolerance develops. This denotes the immune system's ability to distinguish its own structures and harmless foreign structures, such as gut bacteria or allergens, from pathogens and to tolerate their presence. RORt particularly acts in the so-called regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the gut, which curb the immune system and ensure that excessive immune responses are avoided. In the coming five years, Ohnmacht and his team want to examine a number of aspects in this regard. For instance, they want to determine what influence RORt has on the development of allergy-triggering immune cells in the intestinal mucosa and also on other superficial organs. They are particularly interested in Treg-mediated tolerance. "We are also going to study the question of which signalling pathways in the dendritic cells, which are cells that constantly monitor their environment, regulate the establishment of this type of tolerance," explains Ohnmacht. The Helmholtz researchers would also like to clarify if there are certain bacterial or metabolic groups that support an allergic predisposition. "If we succeed here, it would be a giant step toward understanding why allergies and other chronic inflammatory diseases triggered by insufficient tolerance develop in the first place. This could make new preventive measures and the development of new treatment concepts possible in the future." ### Further Information The abbreviation stands for RAR-related orphan receptor gamma (ROR). T indicates an (iso)form primarily found in the thymus. Background: The human body is inhabited by billions of symbiotic bacteria, carrying a diversity that is unique to each individual. The microbiota is involved in many mechanisms, including digestion, vitamin synthesis and host defense. It is well established that a loss of bacterial symbionts promotes the development of allergies. The Helmholtz-scientists have succeeded in explaining this phenomenon, and demonstrate how the microbiota acts on the balance of the immune system: the presence of microbes specifically blocks the immune cells responsible for triggering allergies. The Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, the German Research Center for Environmental Health, pursues the goal of developing personalized medical approaches for the prevention and therapy of major common diseases such as diabetes and lung diseases. To achieve this, it investigates the interaction of genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle. The Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen is headquartered in Neuherberg in the north of Munich and has about 2,300 staff members. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, a community of 18 scientific-technical and medical-biological research centers with a total of about 37,000 staff members. http://www.helmholtz-muenchen.de/en The Institute of Allergy Research (IAF) investigates the molecular mechanisms behind the development of allergies, which are on the rise around the world. Through intensive cooperation among scientists and clinicians on individual approaches to prevention, the IAF is working to halt this epidemiological spread. In the therapeutic area, the institute's scientists want to develop new approaches specifically targeted at the patients. The IAF works with the Technische Universitat Munchen in the joint Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM) facility. The IAF is also a member of the Cluster Allergy and Immunity (CAI, http://www.cai-allergy.de) and the German Center for Lung Research (DZL). http://www.helmholtz-muenchen.de/en/iaf Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of Europe's leading research universities, with more than 500 professors, around 10,000 academic and non-academic staff, and 40,000 students. Its focus areas are the engineering sciences, natural sciences, life sciences and medicine, com-bined with economic and social sciences. TUM acts as an entrepreneurial university that promotes talents and creates value for society. In that it profits from having strong partners in science and industry. It is represented worldwide with a campus in Singapore as well as offices in Beijing, Brussels, Cairo, Mumbai, San Francisco, and Sao Paulo. Nobel Prize winners and inventors such as Rudolf Diesel, Carl von Linde, and Rudolf Mobauer have done research at TUM. In 2006 and 2012 it won recognition as a German "Excellence University." In international rankings, TUM regularly places among the best universities in Germany. http://www.tum.de/en/homepage Contact for the media: Department of Communication Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH) Ingolstadter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg Tel. +49 89 3187 2238 E-mail: presse@helmholtz-muenchen.de Scientific Contact at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen: Dr. Caspar Ohnmacht Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH) Institute of Allergy Research, Ingolstadter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg Tel. +49 89 3187 2556 E-mail: caspar.ohnmacht@tum.de WHAT: A 10-year Lassa virus research project has yielded structural and functional details of a key viral surface protein that could help advance development of Lassa vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics, which are currently lacking. The work was led by the Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. Lassa virus can cause a hemorrhagic disease called Lassa fever and is endemic to western Africa. The virus is a member of the arenavirus family and is spread primarily by rodents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 300,000 Lassa virus infections occur each year. Cases of Lassa fever can result in bleeding in the gums, eyes, and nose; respiratory distress; repeated vomiting; facial swelling; pain in the chest, back, and abdomen; and shock. Neurological problems are possible, including hearing loss, tremors, and encephalitis. Death from multi-organ failure can occur within two weeks of symptoms starting. Recent studies have suggested the overall fatality rate for Lassa Fever is between 1 and 10 percent, but the rate among patients hospitalized with severe disease is between 50 and 70 percent. Notably, the disease is 90 percent lethal for women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Knowing the structure of a virus surface molecule called the Lassa glycoprotein precursor complex (GPC) may be important to developing a vaccine. GPC mediates viral binding to and entry into cells and is a prime target for immune responses generated by a vaccine. Until now, no structure model existed for any virus in the arenavirus family because of the instability and diversity of the GPC protein. Over the past decade, TSRI scientists and their collaborators have explored the GPC, ultimately learning to stabilize the protein to determine its molecular structure. Now, scientists from TSRI, Tulane University, and Kenema Government Hospital in Sierra Leone have re-engineered the GPC and used it to study antibodies from human survivors. Their research provides the first detailed view of the Lassa GPC bound to a human neutralizing antibody from an African survivor. This high-resolution structure reveals how the molecule is assembled and that the most effective antibodies interact only with a fully assembled GPC. The structure also shows how the molecule can be stabilized to better elicit protective antibodies. The availability of this structure may facilitate development of vaccines or antibody-based therapeutics. ### This research was supported by NIH grants 1U19AI109762-01 and R21 AI116112, and NIH contract award HHSN272200900049C. ARTICLE: K Hastie et al. Structural basis for antibody-mediated neutralization of Lassa virus. Science DOI: 10.1126/science.aam7260 (2017). WHO: Pat Repik, Ph.D, and Tina Parker, DVM, MScPH, both NIAID program officers familiar with this project, are available for comment. CONTACT: To schedule interviews, please contact Ken Pekoc, (301) 402-1663, kpekoc@niaid.nih.gov. NIAID conducts and supports research--at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide--to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID website. About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov/. NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health PORTLAND, Ore. - New research suggests patients nearing the end of their lives because of a "life-limiting illness" such as cancer or heart disease may not feel medically abandoned if their doctor wants to take them off the statins that control their cholesterol. The findings are important because little is known about the best way to manage chronic medications for patients with a life-limiting condition, including data regarding patient attitudes toward "deprescribing." Deprescribing medications has the potential to improve outcomes in some cases, but patient concerns over being taken off statin drugs have not been reported. Statins are a class of drugs that work by blocking the liver enzyme responsible for cholesterol production, thus reducing the buildup of plaque on artery walls that can lead to a stroke or heart attack. The drugs are highly effective but not without side effects for some patients, the most common being muscle pain that ranges from mild to severe. Jon Furuno, an associate professor in of the Oregon State University/Oregon Health & Science University College of Pharmacy, joined collaborators from around the United States in a study that included nearly 300 patients whose average age was 72 and whose life expectancy was one to 12 months. The patients were participants in a clinical trial to determine the safety and benefit of discontinuing statin therapy. Fifty-eight percent were cancer patients, 8 percent had cardiovascular disease, and 30 percent had some other life-limiting diagnosis. The patients gave responses to a nine-item questionnaire designed to quantify potential benefits and concerns associated with discontinuing statins. "We know these patients are on a lot of medications," Furuno said. "There's a lot of concern that patients will feel like doctors are giving up on them if they start to discontinue some of their medications, that there's something comforting about continuing to take their medications, and this gives us some indication of what patients feel about the risks and benefits of deprescribing." Less than 5 percent of study participants expressed concern that deprescribing statins indicated being abandoned by their doctor, and many could see benefits of going off their statin, including spending less on medications (63 percent); the potential for being able to stop taking other meds also (34 percent); and having a better overall quality of life (25 percent). Cardiovascular patients were particularly likely to envision quality-of-life benefits arising from statin discontinuation. "Hopefully this will help inform prescribers who might be tentative to address this topic with their patients," Furuno said. "As a patient's prognosis changes and we think they have a relatively short lifespan left, it really requires risk/benefit re-examination of everything we're doing for them, medications and everything else. There may still be benefits, but have the benefits changed or has the risk/benefit ratio changed? "A lot of our work is trying to better inform the evidence base for medication use at the end of life, and patient perceptions are really important in trying to honor what the patient wants and what the family wants." Furuno notes that the primary limitation of this study is that all of the questionnaire respondents had also agreed to participate in a trial that involved possibly being chosen at random to go off statins - thus, they were all at least somewhat open to the idea of deprescribing. "So this group is likely not completely representative of all people, because they might be foreseeing some benefits to stopping that other people hadn't considered," he said. "But while we don't want to overlook that limitation, given the lack of information about patient perceptions regarding deprescribing, these data are important and useful as a stepping stone." ### The Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group, funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, supported this study. Collaborators included researchers from the University of Massachusetts, the University of Colorado, Case Western Reserve University, Duke University, the University of Maryland, the University of California-San Francisco, Mayo Clinic, and Flatiron Health, a health care technology company. Findings were recently published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine. The populist radical right is a threat to core values of medicine and public health, even within a functioning democratic system, according to a commentary published today by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. In his paper, political scientist Professor Scott Greer, who specialises in researching the politics of health policies of the European Union, attempts to explain what the rising tide of the right in Europe and the United States will mean for medicine and public health. Greer, Associate Professor of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, describes how in the UK the country's only important populist radical right party has substantially shaped the agenda of British politics, almost entirely through the adoption of UKIP positions by bigger mainstream parties. Populism, he says, sits badly with the evidence-based style of public health, citing comments made by Mike Pence, the new United States Vice President, who has endorsed 'gay conversion' therapy that purports to make patients heterosexual and has said that 'smoking doesn't kill'. Greer says: "Populist radical right parties are not naturally inclined to collective financing of healthcare services or taking regulatory public health measures." Instead, he says, the effect of 'welfare chauvinism' on health access is likely to be exclusionary, reducing benefits for migrants or others whom they consider outside the people of their populism. Since World War II, public health and medicine in many countries has developed strong commitments to both human rights and vulnerable populations. Greer warns medical and public health professionals to be very careful about working with radical right parties and governments. "Any elective affinity between authoritarianism and public health would probably undermine our commitments to human rights", he says, and urges the medical and public health community to remain focused on promoting broadly egalitarian social policy, including the defence of health programmes. ### Notes for editors Medicine, public health and the populist radical right (DOI: 10.1177/0141076817712250) by Scott L Greer will be published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine at 00:05 (UK time) on Friday 2 June 2017. The link for the paper when published will be: https://doi.org/10.1177/0141076817712250 For further information or a copy of the paper please contact: Rosalind Dewar Media Office, Royal Society of Medicine DL: +44 (0) 1580 764713 M: +44 (0) 7785 182732 E: media@rsm.ac.uk The JRSM is the flagship journal of the Royal Society of Medicine and is published by SAGE. It has full editorial independence from the RSM. It has been published continuously since 1809. Its Editor is Dr Kamran Abbasi. Sara Miller McCune founded SAGE Publishing in 1965 to support the dissemination of usable knowledge and educate a global community. SAGE is a leading international provider of innovative, high-quality content publishing more than 1000 journals and over 800 new books each year, spanning a wide range of subject areas. A growing selection of library products includes archives, data, case studies and video. SAGE remains majority owned by our founder and after her lifetime will become owned by a charitable trust that secures the company's continued independence. Principal offices are located in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC and Melbourne. http://www.sagepublishing.com The rift in the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica has grown by 17km in the last few days and is now only 13km from the ice front, indicating that calving of an iceberg is probably very close, Swansea University researchers revealed after studying the latest satellite data. The rift in Larsen C is likely to lead to one of the largest icebergs ever recorded. It is being monitored by researchers from the UK's Project Midas, led by Swansea University. Professor Adrian Luckman of Swansea University College of Science, head of Project Midas, described the latest findings: "In the largest jump since January, the rift in the Larsen C Ice Shelf has grown an additional 17 km (11 miles) between May 25 and May 31 2017. This has moved the rift tip to within 13 km (8 miles) of breaking all the way through to the ice front, producing one of the largest ever recorded icebergs. The rift tip appears also to have turned significantly towards the ice front, indicating that the time of calving is probably very close. The rift has now fully breached the zone of soft 'suture' ice originating at the Cole Peninsula and there appears to be very little to prevent the iceberg from breaking away completely." Researchers say the loss of a piece a quarter of the size of Wales will leave the whole shelf vulnerable to future break-up. Larsen C is approximately 350m thick and floats on the seas at the edge of West Antarctica, holding back the flow of glaciers that feed into it. Professor Luckman added: "When it calves, the Larsen C Ice Shelf will lose more than 10% of its area to leave the ice front at its most retreated position ever recorded; this event will fundamentally change the landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula. We have previously shown that the new configuration will be less stable than it was prior to the rift, and that Larsen C may eventually follow the example of its neighbour Larsen B, which disintegrated in 2002 following a similar rift-induced calving event. The MIDAS Project will continue to monitor the development of the rift and assess its ongoing impact on the ice shelf. Further updates will be available on our blog (projectmidas.org),and on our Twitter feed" The team say they have no evidence to link the growth of this rift, and the eventual calving, to climate change. However, it is widely accepted that warming ocean and atmospheric temperatures have been a factor in earlier disintegrations of ice shelves elsewhere on the Antarctic Peninsula, most notably Larsen A (1995) and Larsen B (2002). They point out that this is one of the fastest warming places on Earth, a feature which will certainly not have hindered the development of the rift in Larsen C. ### Pictures: The current location of the rift on Larsen C, as of May 31 2017. Labels highlight significant jumps. Tip positions are derived from Landsat (USGS) and Sentinel-1 InSAR (ESA) data. Background image blends BEDMAP2 Elevation (BAS) with MODIS MOA2009 Image mosaic (NSIDC). Other data from SCAR ADD and OSM. (Credit: MIDAS project, A. Luckman, Swansea University) Ice flow velocities of Larsen C in April/May 2017, from ESA Sentinel-1 data. (Credit: A. Luckman, MIDAS, Swansea University, with Copernicus Sentinel data.) Larsen C ice rift - aerial view. (Credit: John Sonntag/NASA) Notes to editors: Project MIDAS is a UK-based Antarctic research project, investigating the effects of a warming climate on the Larsen C ice shelf in West Antarctica. Recent warming has caused large melt ponds to form on Larsen C during summer, which are changing the structure of the ice. The effects of this on the future of the ice shelf are still unknown. We are studying these effects through a mixture of fieldwork, satellite observation and computer simulations of the ice shelf and its climate. Project MIDAS is based at Swansea University and Aberystwyth University in Wales, with support from the British Antarctic Survey and a variety of partners both in the UK and internationally. The project is funded by the National Environment Research Council. Swansea University is a world-class, research-led, dual campus university. The University was established in 1920 and was the first campus university in the UK. It currently offers around 350 undergraduate courses and 350 postgraduate courses to circa 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The University's 46-acre Singleton Park Campus is located in beautiful parkland with views across Swansea Bay. The University's 65-acre science and innovation Bay Campus, which opened in September 2015, is located a few miles away on the eastern approach to the city. It has the distinction of having direct access to a beach and its own seafront promenade. Both campuses are close to the Gower Peninsula, the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Swansea is ranked the top university in Wales and is currently The Times and The Sunday Times 'Welsh University of the Year'. It is also ranked within the top 350 best universities in the world in the Times Higher Education World University rankings. The results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 showed the University has achieved its ambition to be a top 30 research University, soaring up the league table to 26th in the UK, with the 'biggest leap among research-intensive institutions' (Times Higher Education, December 2014) in the UK. The University has ambitious expansion plans as it moves towards its centenary in 2020, as it continues to extend its global reach and realising its domestic and international ambitions. Swansea University is a registered charity. No.1138342. Visit http://www.swansea.ac.uk Washington, DC - Jefferson Sciences Associates announced today the award of eight JSA/Jefferson Lab graduate fellowships. The doctoral students will use the fellowships to support their advanced studies at their universities and conduct research at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) - a U.S. Department of Energy nuclear physics laboratory managed and operated by JSA, a joint venture between SURA and PAE Applied Technologies. The 2017-2018 fellowship recipients include: Giovanni Angelini, The George Washington University, William Briscoe, Advisor Scott Barcus, College of William & Mary, Todd Averett, Advisor Juan Guerrero, Hampton University, Alberto Accardi, Advisor Dien Nguyen, University of Virginia, Donal Day, Advisor Caryn Palatchi, University of Virginia, Kent Paschke, Advisor Sebouh Paul, College of William & Mary, Keith Griffioen, Advisor Iuliia Skorodumina, University of South Carolina, Ralf Gothe, Advisor Nguyen Ton, University of Virginia; Xiaochao Zheng, Advisor The students' research proposals cover a broad scientific spectrum, including experimental and theoretical physics. Palatchi, Paul, and Ton are repeat winners having just concluded their 2016-2017 academic year at the Lab. Jefferson Lab Deputy Director for Science & Technology Robert McKeown commented about the record number of applications received for the Program, "The increase in the number of applications this year is consistent with the strong growth in our user community that we are experiencing, related to the imminent start of operations of the 12 GeV upgraded CEBAF. We very much look forward to the research contributions of these talented young researchers to the scientific program at Jefferson Lab." Christopher Newport University professor Edward Brash, who chaired the committee of scientists reviewing applications, said, "These graduate fellowships contribute to the Lab's achievement of providing data to a third of the Ph.D.'s in nuclear physics each year. Programs such as these play a key role in the education and training of the next generation of science leaders and in the increase of science literacy in society." Other committee members included: Jefferson Lab scientists Hari Areti, David Richards, and Cynthia Keppel; George Lolos, University of Regina; Kent Paschke, University of Virginia; and, Julie Roche, Ohio University. The SURA Board of Trustees first established the fellowship program in 1989. Since the program's inception, over 200 fellowships have been awarded to students from 21 different SURA member universities. The program is now supported by the JSA Initiatives Fund. Each $12,000 fellowship award contributes to the student's research assistant stipend and is supplemented by support from the home institution. Additional funds are available for research-related travel for the student during the fellowship period. Recipients are chosen based on the quality of their research proposals, their academic standing, and the references of their professors and senior scientists at Jefferson Lab. Students will continue their coursework while enhancing their academic experience with direct interactions and participation with mentors and scientists at the Lab. JSA/JLab fellowship recipients attend universities that are members of SURA, a consortium of more than 60 leading research universities. SURA built and operated Jefferson Lab, before becoming a partner of Jefferson Science Associates. ### About Jefferson Science Associates. Jefferson Science Associates, LLC, a joint venture of the Southeastern Universities Research Association, Inc. and PAE, manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, or Jefferson Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy. For more information, visit http://www.jsallc.org/index.html. About Jefferson Lab. Jefferson Lab is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (science.energy.gov). The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://www.jlab.org/. About the JSA Initiatives Fund Program. JSA established the JSA Initiatives Fund to support programs, nitiatives, and activities that further the scientific outreach, and promote the science, education and technology missions of Jefferson Lab in ways that complement its basic and applied research focus. Initiatives Fund awards are for those projects that benefit the Lab user community and that leverage commitments of others. The annual commitment is managed by SURA for the JSA Programs Committee. For more information, visit http://www.jsallc.org/index.html. KAIST researchers observed the phase transition of topological defects formed by liquid crystal (LC) materials for the first time. The phase transition of topological defects, which was also the theme of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2016, can be difficult to understand for a layperson but it needs to be studied to understand the mysteries of the universe or the underlying physics of skyrmions, which have intrinsic topological defects. If the galaxy is taken as an example in the universe, it is difficult to observe the topological defects because the system is too large to observe some changes over a limited period of time. In the case of defect structures formed by LC molecules, they are not only a suitable size to observe with an optical microscope, but also the time period in which the phase transition of a defect occurring can be directly observed over a few seconds, which can be extended to a few minutes. The defect structures formed by LC material have radial, circular, or spiral shapes centering on a singularity (defect core), like the singularity that was already introduced in the famous movie "Interstellar," which is the center point of black hole. In general, LC materials are mainly used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and optical sensors because it is easy to control their specific orientation and they have fast response characteristics and huge anisotropic optical properties. It is advantageous in terms of the performance of LCDs that the defects of the LC materials are minimized. The research team led by Professor Dong Ki Yoon in the Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology did not simply minimize such defects but actively tried to use the LC defects as building blocks to make micro- and nanostructures for the patterning applications. During these efforts, they found the way to directly study the phase transition of topological defects under in-situ conditions. Considering the LC material from the viewpoint of a device like a LCD, robustness is important. Therefore, the LC material is injected through the capillary phenomenon between a rigid two-glass plate and the orientation of the LCs can be followed by the surface anchoring condition of the glass substrate. However, in this conventional case, it is difficult to observe the phase transition of the LC defect due to this strong surface anchoring force induced by the solid substrate. In order to solve this problem, the research team designed a platform, in which the movement of the LC molecules was not restricted, by forming a thin film of LC material on water, which is like oil floating on water. For this, a droplet of LC material was dripped onto water and spread to form a thin film. The topological defects formed under this circumstance could show the thermal phase transition when the temperature was changed. In addition, this approach can trace back the morphology of the original defect structure from the sequential changes during the temperature changes, which can give hints to the study of the formation of topological defects in the cosmos or skyrmions. Prof. Yoon said, "The study of LC crystal defects itself has been extensively studied by physicists and mathematicians for about 100 years. However, this is the first time that we have observed the phase transition of LC defects directly." He also added, "Korea is leading in the LCD industry, but our basic research on LCs is not at the world's research level." ### The first author of this study is Dr. Min-Jun Gimand supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation (NRF) and funded by the Korean Government (MSIP). The research result was published on May 30, 2017 in Nature Communications. 23 arrested from Sanepa gambling den A police team deployed from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on Friday raided a gambling joint being run in a private house in Sanepa, Kathmandu, and arrested 23 persons. BOSTON - David F. Dinges, PhD, chief of the division of Sleep and Chronobiology, and director of the Unit for Experimental Psychiatry in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has received the Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Started in 1981, the Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals dedicated to the sleep field who have made significant contributions in the areas of administration, public relations and government affairs. The award's namesake led innovative research on REM sleep, circadian rhythms, and the effect of drugs on sleep. Through his sleep and chronobiology laboratory at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Dinges has published extensive federally funded seminal research on the acute, chronic and cumulative effects of sleep restriction and how sleep need and circadian biology interact to influence physiological and neurobehavioral functions in healthy adults. "It is a tremendous honor to be recognized among those who have not only dedicated their careers to advancing sleep research, but also whose findings have contributed to the health and safety of the nation," Dinges said. "Over the last few decades, we have uncovered new insights on how to identify and mitigate the deficits incurred from inadequate sleep, and how to apply that knowledge to prevention and mitigation of human error and catastrophe." Dinges will be recognized on Monday, June 5, during the plenary session of SLEEP 2017, the 31st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS). Dinges, is a professor and vice chair for faculty affairs and professional development in the department of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine. He has contributed extensively to public discussions and policies related to identifying and preventing the risks posed by inadequate sleep, through his public service for the National Institutes of Health, National Research Council, Institute of Medicine, and numerous federal agencies concerned with fatigue related accidents, errors and catastrophes. He has published more than 300 scholarly articles that have facilitated public health recommendations, public policies pertaining to prevention and detection of fatigue, and standards related to duty hours in safety-sensitive occupations, including astronauts, pilots, health care professionals, commercial drivers, and first responders. He created and validated the psychomotor vigilance test, one of the most widely used assessments for behavioral alertness pertaining to sleep need and circadian timing. Beyond his Penn roles, Dinges has served as the Editor-in-Chief of SLEEP; president of both the World Sleep Federation and of the U.S. Sleep Research Society; as well as on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and National Sleep Foundation. He is also a scientific Team Leader for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, and an elected member of the International Academy of Astronautics. Among numerous other honors, Dinges received the 2001 Mark O. Hatfield Public Policy or Advocacy Award from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine; the 2004 Decade of Behavior Research Award from the American Psychological Association; the 2007 NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA awards to a non-Government employee; the 2009 Raymond F. Longacre Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in the Psychological and Psychiatric Aspects of Aerospace Medicine from the Aerospace Medical Association, and the 2016 Pioneer Award from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. ### Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania(founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $5.3 billion enterprise. The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 18 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $373 million awarded in the 2015 fiscal year. The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Chestnut Hill Hospital and Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine. Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2015, Penn Medicine provided $253.3 million to benefit our community. BOSTON - New findings suggest eating late at night could be more dangerous than you think. Compared to eating earlier in the day, prolonged delayed eating can increase weight, insulin and cholesterol levels, and negatively affect fat metabolism, and hormonal markers implicated in heart disease, diabetes and other health problems, according to results from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The findings (abstract #0064) offer the first experimental evidence on the metabolic consequences of consistent delayed eating compared to daytime eating, and will be presented at SLEEP 2017, the 31st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS), on Sunday, June 4, as an oral presentation at 1:30-1:45 p.m. in room 210 and as a poster presentation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. "We know from our sleep loss studies that when you're sleep deprived, it negatively affects weight and metabolism in part due to late-night eating, but now these early findings, which control for sleep, give a more comprehensive picture of the benefits of eating earlier in the day," said Namni Goel, PhD, a research associate professor of psychology in Psychiatry in the division of Sleep and Chronobiology, and lead author of the ongoing study. "Eating later can promote a negative profile of weight, energy, and hormone markers--such as higher glucose and insulin, which are implicated in diabetes, and cholesterol and triglycerides, which are linked with cardiovascular problems and other health conditions." In the study, nine healthy weight adults underwent two conditions, one of daytime eating (i.e., three meals and two snacks between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.) for eight weeks and another of delayed eating (i.e., three meals and two snacks eating from noon to 11 p.m.) for eight weeks. There was a two-week washout period between conditions to make sure there was no carry over effect. The sleep period was held constant, between 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. Participants visited Penn's Center for Human Phenomic Science to get metabolic measures and blood drawn at the beginning, after the first eating condition, after the two-week washout, and after the second eating condition. This allowed the team to measure changes in weight, metabolism and energy used, and made sure the two week washout allowed all measures to return to baseline before the next condition. The team found that when participants ate later, compared to the daytime condition, weight increased. Respiratory quotient, i.e. the ratio of carbon dioxide produced by the body to oxygen consumed by the body that indicates which macronutrients are being metabolized, also rose during the delayed eating condition, indicating later eating led to metabolizing fewer lipids and more carbs. The researchers also found that a series of other measures reflecting negative metabolic profiles increased in the delayed condition, including insulin, fasting glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Conducting a 24-hour hormonal profile, they also found that in during daytime eating condition, the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, peaked earlier in the daytime, while leptin, which keeps you satiated, peaked later, suggesting that the participants received cues to eat earlier, and eating earlier likely helped them to stay satiated longer. This suggests that eating earlier may help prevent overeating in the evening and at night. As sleep-wake cycles were constant, melatonin levels remained constant in both groups. "While lifestyle change is never easy, these findings suggest that eating earlier in the day may be worth the effort to help prevent these detrimental chronic health effects," said Kelly Allison, PhD, an associate professor of psychology in Psychiatry and director of the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, and senior author on the study. "We have an extensive knowledge of how overeating affects health and body weight, but now we have a better understanding of how our body processes foods at different times of day over a long period of time." Similar yet much shorter previous studies have suggested similar results, but this is the first long-term study looking at the timing of eating patterns that also controlled for sleep-wake cycles, exercise, macronutrient intake, etc. to pinpoint the effects of prolonged eating at different times of day. ### This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (R21 DK100787). Additional authors on the study include Christina Hopkins, Madelyn Ruggieri, Andrea Spaeth and Rexford Ahima, all from Penn. Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania(founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $5.3 billion enterprise. The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 18 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $373 million awarded in the 2015 fiscal year. The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Chestnut Hill Hospital and Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine. Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2015, Penn Medicine provided $253.3 million to benefit our community. A University of Texas at Arlington team will inspect 350 concrete manhole shafts for corrosion in the city of Arlington and develop a method to prioritize which manholes need protection from corrosion the most. The Arlington City Council approved the three-year $474,723 project that will measure the hydrogen sulfide and multiple other parameters that influence manhole corrosion. Each manhole is four to five feet in diameter and in Arlington can range from four to four-and-a-half feet tall. Corrosion of manhole shafts can threaten the structure integrity of sanitary sewer mains and can allow rain and other runoff from the surface to enter the wastewater system. Buzz Pishkur, city of Arlington's water utilities director, said, "The new study will give Arlington water engineers and other cities across the country the data they need to protect vital infrastructure and spend funds wisely. UTA is a renowned center for the study of pipe technology and evaluation of alternate pipeline materials to meet the needs of cities. We are fortunate to have a center of research in our city and value the partnership on this and other key infrastructure efforts." Melanie Sattler, UTA associate professor and the Syed Qasim Endowed Professor of Civil Engineering, will lead the project. Victoria Chen, the George & Elizabeth Pickett Professor in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering; and Arpita Bhatt, an adjunct professor in civil engineering; are on the team. "It makes sense for Arlington to develop a system for prioritizing protection of its manholes," Sattler said. "Manholes can corrode because of the creation of hydrogen sulfide gas. Some readings can be really, really high. We will determine which manholes need a protective coating to protect them from corrosion. To coat all of them would not be feasible." Microbes in the sewer convert the hydrogen sulfide gas to sulfuric acid, which then corrodes the manhole concrete. Sulfuric acid also corrodes the pipes adjacent to the manholes. Sattler said the team will use sensors to measure the amount of hydrogen sulfide, study velocity of flow and inspect corrosion that might already be underway to determine which manholes need help first. Arlington has more than 19,000 manholes citywide. The UTA project will inspect different categories, types and geographic locations of Arlington manholes. Although the study will prioritize corrosion protection of the 350 manholes, the more important aspect of the project is to use the data from the 350 to develop a system so the city can prioritize the rest of the manholes. Sattler said this is a companion project of sorts with UTA's Ali Abolmaali's Large Diameter Sanitary Sewer Assessment Program with the city of Arlington that was granted in 2015. That project employs a robot to inspect miles of the city's sewer pipes. It, too, will be used to prioritize the city's pipes so that better decisions can be made to repair the ones that need it most. "It's exciting that UTA is at the forefront of helping the city of Arlington," said Abolmaali, chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and the Tseng Huang Endowed Professor of Civil Engineering. "UTA professors further investigate and discover the tools of their trade in these collaborations. UTA students receive vital field work experience in collecting the data in these projects." ### Modern cell phones are vulnerable to attacks from rogue cellular transmitters called IMSI-catchers -- surveillance devices that can precisely locate mobile phones, eavesdrop on conversations or send spam. Recent leaks and public records requests have revealed that law enforcement in many U.S. cities have used the surveillance devices to locate suspects or hunt for illegal activity. But despite extensive public debate about their use and privacy implications, little is known about how comprehensively International Mobile Subscriber Identity- (IMSI) catchers -- also known as cell-site simulators or Stingrays -- are being used by governments, hackers or criminals in any given city. University of Washington security researchers have developed a new system called SeaGlass to detect anomalies in the cellular landscape that can indicate where and when these surveillance devices are being used. The new system is described in a paper to be published in June 2017 in Proceedings on Privacy Enhancing Technologies. "Up until now the use of IMSI-catchers around the world has been shrouded in mystery, and this lack of concrete information is a barrier to informed public discussion," said co-lead author Peter Ney, a doctoral student at the Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the UW. "Having additional, independent and credible sources of information on cell-site simulators is critical to understanding how -- and how responsibly -- they are being used." During a two-month deployment in which SeaGlass sensors were installed in 15 ridesharing vehicles in Seattle and Milwaukee, researchers identified dozens of anomalies that were consistent with patterns one might expect from cell-site simulators. However, researchers cautioned, without corroborating evidence from public records requests or other documentation about where cell-site simulators are being used -- or suspicious activity seen over a longer period of time -- they cannot definitively say the signals came from IMSI-catchers. "In this space there's a lot of speculation, so we want to be careful about our conclusions. We did find weird and interesting patterns at certain locations that match what we would expect to see from a cell-site simulator, but that's as much as we can say from an initial pilot study," co-lead author Ian Smith, a former Allen School research scientist. "But we think that SeaGlass is a promising technology that -- with wider deployment -- can be used to help empower citizens and communities to monitor this type of surveillance." Cell-site simulators work by pretending to be a legitimate cell tower that a phone would normally communicate with, and tricking the phone into sending back identifying information about its location and how it is communicating. The portable surveillance devices now range in size from a walkie-talkie to a suitcase, and in price from several thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Law enforcement teams in the U.S. have used the technology to locate people of interest, to find equipment used in the commission of crimes and even to collect massive amounts of cell phone data from airplanes. Even less is known about how spies or cyber criminals are deploying them worldwide, especially as models become more affordable or able to be built in a hacker's garage. To catch these IMSI-catchers in the act, SeaGlass uses sensors built from off-the-shelf parts that can be installed in vehicles -- ideally ones that drive long hours and to many parts of a city, such as ridesharing vehicles or other fleets. The sensors pick up signals broadcast from the existing cell tower network, which remain fairly constant. Then SeaGlass aggregates that data over time to create a baseline map of "normal" cell tower behavior. The team from the UW Security and Privacy Research Lab developed algorithms and other methods to detect irregularities in the cellular network that can expose the presence of a simulator. These include a strong signal in an odd spot or at an odd frequency that has never been there before, "temporary" towers that disappear after a short time and signal configurations that are different from what a carrier would normally transmit. Allen School doctoral student and co-author Gabriel Cadamuro built statistical models to help find anomalies in the data. The team's survey approach differs from existing apps that attempt to detect attacks from a cell-site simulator on an individual's phone. "We're looking at the whole cellular landscape and pinpointing discrepancies in data, while the apps for the most part are guessing at how a cell-site simulator would act with a phone," said Ney. Co-author and Allen School professor Tadayoshi Kohno added, "We've demonstrated that SeaGlass is effective in detecting these irregularities and narrowing the universe of things people might want to investigate further." For instance, around an immigration services building south of Seattle run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, SeaGlass detected a cell tower that transmitted on six different frequencies over the two-month period. That was notable because 96 percent of all other base cell towers broadcast on a single channel, and the other 4 percent only used two or three channels. The team also detected an odd signal near the Seattle-Tacoma International airport with suspicious properties that were markedly different from those normally used by network providers. Those patterns would make sense if a mimicking cell-site simulator were operating in those areas, the researchers said, but further investigation would be necessary to definitively reach that conclusion. "This issue is bigger than one team of researchers," said Smith. "We're eager to push this out into the community and find partners who can crowdsource more data collection and begin to connect the dots in meaningful ways." ### The research was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. For more information, contact the SeaGlass team at seaglass@cs.washington.edu. As the United Nations Oceans Conference convenes in New York, a new paper calls on marine scientists to focus on social issues such as human rights violations in the seafood industry. Authored by a team from Conservation International, the University of Washington and other organizations, the paper is the first integrated approach to meeting this global challenge and will be presented as part of the UN Oceans Conference and the Seafood Summit, which both take place June 5-9 in New York and Seattle, respectively. The article, published June 1 in Science, is in direct response to investigative reports by the Associated Press, the Guardian, The New York Times and other media outlets that uncovered glaring human rights violations on fishing vessels. The investigations tracked the widespread use of slave labor in Southeast Asia and its role in bringing seafood to American restaurants and supermarkets, chronicling the plight of fishermen tricked and trapped into working 22-hour days, often without pay and while enduring abuse. Subsequent investigations have documented the global extent of these abuses in a wide array of countries. "The scientific community has not kept pace with concerns for social issues in the seafood sector," said lead author Jack Kittinger, Conservation International's senior director for global fisheries and aquaculture. "The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that governments, businesses, and nonprofits are working together to improve human rights, equality and food and livelihood security. This is a holistic and comprehensive approach that establishes a global standard to address these social challenges." The paper identifies three key principles that together establish a global standard for social responsibility in the seafood sector: protecting human rights, dignity and respecting access to resources; ensuring equality and equitable opportunities to benefit; and improving food and livelihood security. "This paper stresses that if we are serious about social responsibility in our food systems, we need to go beyond dealing with the 'worst-case' headlines of 'slavery at sea,'" said co-author Edward Allison, a UW professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. "We argue that committing to sustainable seafood sourcing and supply is also about ensuring people who work in the food business ? whether as harvesters or processors and packers ? have decent work. It is also about ensuring communities who rely on the sea economically and culturally, particularly coastal indigenous communities, don't have their harvest rights appropriated by powerful outside interests." More than half of the world's fisheries sector workforce is female, and there are still widespread gender-based disparities in income and working conditions, Allison added. Seafood is the world's most internationally traded food commodity. By 2030, the oceans will need to supply more than 150 million metric tons of seafood to meet the demands of a growing population. The paper calls on governments, businesses and the scientific community to take measurable steps to ensure seafood is sourced without harm to the environment and people that work in the seafood industry. "In some places, commercial fishing boats from other parts of the world are virtually robbing local small-scale fishers of the fish that they rely on to make a living and survive. Fisheries are not truly sustainable unless local people are able to benefit from the harvesting of resources," said co-author Nathan Bennett, a postdoctoral researcher at the UW. ### As part of the initiative, Conservation International has organized a volunteer commitment, calling on governments, NGOs, businesses and other organizations to improve social responsibility in the seafood sector. Zach Koehn, a doctoral student in aquatic and fishery sciences, is another co-author from the UW. From: Ad Council For Immediate Release: Dateline: New York , NY Friday, June 2, 2017 Brands have made doing good a part of their mission and were loving every minute of it. Whether its giving the world access to clean water, raising awareness for Alzheimers Disease, or encouraging more girls to pursue STEM careers, these companies are committed to doing good. Shazaam Forgets, to Raise Awareness for Alzheimers Microsoft Hashtags to Encourage Girls in STEM Buy a Chalice, Give Clean Water The post Brands have made doing good a part of their mission and were loving every minute of it. Whether its giving the world access to clean water, raising awareness for Alzheimers Disease, or encouraging more girls to pursue STEM careers, these companies are committed to doing good.Ever heard of an app changing its functionality to raise awareness for a worthy cause? Yeah, I hadnt either, until I came across Alzheimers Research UKs partnership with Shazaam. When users activated the app, they received messages like those expressed by people with Alzheimers such as Is it umm and This one rings a bell. Once Shazaam identified their song, a banner appeared to encourage users to donate to Alzheimers research. The campaign reached 2,018,206 impressions in just a matter of hours and Alzheimers Research UK received 5,096 visitors to their donation page. Alzheimers Research UK in partnership with Shazaam educated a new audience about the serious effects of Alzheimers.#MakeWhatsNext, which launched in March, is Microsofts social media initiative to encourage girls to stay interested in STEM. The series of ads centers around teenage girls that have an interest in STEM and want to change the world. After being inspired by the latest advances in their areas of interest, the girls are then told they will most likely never reach their goal because only 6.7 percent of women graduate with STEM degrees. The campaign came full circle with an interactive hashtag, Career Explorer tool and a joint workshop with Microsoft and National Geographic.We dont automatically think of beer companies when we think of social good initiatives, but Stella Artois, owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, aimed to change that. For the last three years, Stella Artois has partnered with Water.org on a mission to bring clean water to the 663 million people in the world without it. With the sale of over 225,000 chalices to date, they have given over 800,000 people access to five years of clean water in developing countries. Clean water is something we all too easily take for granted, but personal stories and spokesman Matt Damon remind us that there are still people in the world without it.The post Brands with Purpose: Three Campaigns Tackling Social Good Issues in 2017 appeared first on AdLibbing.org Friday, June 2, 2017 Need a little push to get those downsizing and end-of-life plans in place? Attend this June 13 University of New Mexico Continuing Education class, Keys to Downsize and Organize Your Life. The class, taught by Certified Thanatologist Gail Rubin, will take place at Del Webb Alegria Active Adult Community in Bernalillo from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Heres the class description: You dont have to be old or dying to downsize. When youve lived in the same place for a decade or three, stuff accumulates. We get attached to all sorts of objects which no longer serve us and become clutter. Learn how to let go, pare down and prepare your vital end-of-life information. Youll feel lighter, energized and liberated! The class fee is $20. Sign up for class #81414 through this link. Instructor Bio Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death, helps get funeral planning conversations started with a light touch on a serious subject. She hosts the TV/DVD series, A Good Goodbye, as well as a weekly Internet radio program. As an award-winning speaker, she uses humor and funny films to attract people to a topic many would rather avoid. She also helped pioneer the Death Cafe movement in the United States by hosting the first one west of the Mississippi in Albuquerque, New Mexico in September 2012. Gail is a Certified Thanatologist, a designation awarded by the Association for Death Education and Counseling. The designation Certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement is a fancy name for a death educator. She has made behind-the-scenes visits to mortuaries and the Office of the Medical Investigator, and takes continuing education courses on funerals, death, grief, and the afterlife. She is also a Certified Celebrant, a Life Tribute professional personally trained by Doug Manning and Glenda Stansbury of the In-Sight Institute, the leading U.S. organization that trains Celebrants. Gail is also a public relations professional and event planner. She has more than 30 years of experience creating many memorable life cycle events. Gail is an award-winning speaker with memberships in Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association New Mexico Chapter. Share this: Place Your Advert Register or sign in to advertise your job Farmers are being urged to be vigilant for signs of Bluetongue virus (BTV) after BTV-8 was detected in cattle in a previously disease-free area of northern France. Bluetongue virus is transmitted by midges and can infect all ruminants, particularly sheep and cattle. It can reduce milk yield, cause sickness, reduce reproductive performance or, in the most severe cases, cause death in adult animals. It does not affect people, and meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink. Vaccination is the best way to protect livestock and a safe and effective vaccine is available in Britain. Livestock keepers particularly those on the Kent and Sussex coastline should discuss with their vet if vaccination is an option which would benefit their business. The holding where the virus was detected in northern France is less than 150km from the south coast of England. Farmers across the south of England in particular should look out for clinical signs of disease, including mouth ulcers; drooling; swelling of the mouth, head and neck; fever; lameness and breathing problems. 'Negative impact on farm incomes' The latest expert assessment, published today by Defra, is that the risk of an outbreak of Bluetongue virus in the UK is currently low, but will change as summer approaches. The risk of incursion via infected midges later in the summer depends on the level of disease on the continent, proximity to the UK, the vaccination status of animals in the UK and weather conditions. UK Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said: "Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but can have a negative impact on farm incomes, for example by causing reduced milk yield in cows and infertility in sheep. "We have robust disease surveillance procedures and continue to carefully monitor the situation in France, where Bluetongue disease control measures are in place. "Our latest assessment shows the risk of outbreak in the UK is currently low, but the detection of the virus in northern France is a timely reminder for farmers to remain vigilant for disease and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. I would also encourage farmers to talk to their vet to consider if vaccination would benefit their business." 'Important reminder' British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President John Fishwick said it is an 'important reminder' to vets, farmers and anyone working with livestock, particularly those in the south east of England, to 'remain vigilant' for any signs of Bluetongue in their animals. The message wed like farmers to hear is to closely monitor their stock for Bluetongue symptoms, which could include eye and nasal discharge, drooling, swelling around the head or mouth, lethargy and lameness. We know that the disease is circulating in France and, although there are indications that clinical signs have been quite mild there, we cannot predict how the disease will present itself in our herds. We are strongly encouraging vets to work with local farmers in protecting the health and welfare of their livestock, especially if they have any concerns - discussing the benefits of vaccination as one of the key methods of control, while, obviously, taking into consideration their locality and individual circumstances. Any suspicion of disease must be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 03000 200 301. 4-day Kantipur Hissan Edu-Fair kicks off The fourth annual Kantipur Hissan Edu-Fair 2017 kicked off in the capital on Thursday. The controlling shareholder of the world's largest meat-packing company, JBS, has agreed to pay a record 10.3bn real (2.4bn) fine for its role in Brazil's corruption scandals. The settlement meant Brazil's sweeping graft investigations have now led to the world's two biggest fines levied under leniency deals, Brazilian prosecutors said. UK farming unions have been quick to criticise Brazil in its handling of the issue. The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), has previously called for Brazilian imports to be blocked. Brazil, the worlds biggest exporter of red meat, is at the centre of international attention due to a widespread beef scandal that could seriously damage the countrys reputable sector. The UFU says that revelations about corruption and fraud in the Brazilian meat industry are 'damning'. The union has called for the EU Commission to remove agriculture from the Mercosur negotiations and ban Brazilian meat imports completely. 'Huge level of corruption' President of the UFU Barclay Bell said: The situation in Brazil continues to deteriorate as more reports emerge about the huge level of corruption in their meat industry and government. The magnitude of this scandal is shocking and I can see no credible way for the EU Commission to continue to include agriculture in the Mercosur trade talks. The Commission must also take action by immediately banning all Brazilian meat imports to the EU, said the president. In 1996, at the early stages of the BSE crisis, the EU Commission banned all UK beef exports in the interest of public health. The UFU points out that twenty years on, the Commissions approach appears to be 'much more lax'. Mr Bell continued: The Brazilian meat scandal is a public health issue. The Commission has been slow to act and I would question why they have not approached this situation with the same urgency as BSE. It is unacceptable and immediate action must be taken. Food standards 'must be upheld' The revelations from Brazil have acted as a key consideration in future trade negotiations for the UK government post-Brexit. Mr Bell said: Politicians must ensure that food standards are upheld and cheap, low quality imports are not permitted to undermine our industry. Countries wishing to trade with us must demonstrate they can meet the high standards expected by UK consumers. It is also essential that the government treats beef and lamb as sensitive products within trade negotiations. To do otherwise would only serve to decimate these already vulnerable sectors. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has previously highlighted the importance of securing trade deals which uphold the high standards of British food production amid these allegations about Brazil. The NFU says that Britain has one of the safest and most traceable food systems of any country in the world. The issue of Brexit has dominated general election manifestos put forward by political parties and farming organisations. A range political parties, groups, farming unions and organisations have laid out their policies and wish-lists for next week's election (June 8), with the immediate challenge of Brexit dominating much of their thinking. The Conservative Party wants an exit from the European single market and customs union but seek a "deep and special partnership" including a free trade deal and customs agreement. They have said it is determined to grow more, sell more and export more British food. The manifesto states that they want to bring more stability to farmers as the UK leaves the EU. New frameworks will be created once the UK leaves the EU, supporting food production and stewardship of the countryside. Theresa May has committed to supporting the same cash total amount in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament. Jeremy Corbyn refuses to accept a "no deaThe SNP says it will fight to maintain Single Market membership, to 'protect' the industryl" option at the end of Article 50 negotiations 'Members but not partners' For Labour, it "accepts the referendum result" and intends to build a close new relationship with Europe "not as members but as partners". The party wants to retain the benefits of single market and customs union. It will immediately guarantee existing rights of EU nationals living in Britain and secure reciprocal rights for UK citizens living in another EU country. Jeremy Corbyn refuses to accept a "no deal" option at the end of Article 50 negotiations, with "transitional arrangements" negotiated instead to avoid cliff-edge. The manifesto also takes a strong line on animal welfare and the environment. It promises to use funds under a 'reconfigured domestic agricultural policy' to support sustainable practices. It describes the Conservatives threatened bonfire of red tape as a threat to our environmental protections and to the quality of our lives and pledges various measures to tighten legislation in a number of areas affecting farmers. Second referendum The Liberal Democrats has unveiled their manifesto, saying that UK farming will be in 'huge danger' of leaving EU. They propose a second referendum. On farming matters, the party said the vote to leave the EU puts farming and agricultural businesses in 'huge danger'. The manifesto said leaving the EU threatens both cuts to the support which supports farmers livelihoods and ability to manage the countryside, and also tariffs on exports. For agricultural products outside the EU, tariffs average 22.3% putting Britains 18 billion of food exports in danger. The Liberal Democrats said a system is needed that supports farmers, ensures food production, and protects the environment. Maintain free trading links Plaid Cymru has launched a manifesto based around more devolution and a fight to protect funding and rights after Brexit. Its leader, Leanne Wood, said only her party can protect Wales against an otherwise dominant Conservative government. The 51-page manifesto, titled Action Plan 2017, calls for Wales to maintain free trading links with the rest of Europe after departure from the EU, and for guarantees over the 680m of annual funding a year from EU sources. Plaid promises to get the best possible Brexit deal for Welsh industry and agriculture. The party said all future trade deals should be signed off by the National Assembly for Wales. Single Farm Payment Ukip has pledged to create a UK Single Farm Payment (SFP) as a replacement for the CAP. The party said that farmers will be nervous about what might replace the CAP and the subsidy system they have become used to for over forty years. The manifesto states: "When we leave the EU, we will leave the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and regain the power to prioritise our own farming objectives, boost our own food security, reform our attitude to farming, animal welfare and wildlife management, and reinvigorate our rural economy." Ukip says the SFP will be 'more ethical'. It will end 'EU discrimination' in favour of larger, intensive farms, and support smaller enterprises. Subsidies will be capped at 120,000 per year and will be made to make sure payments reach farmers, not just 'wealthy landowners'. 'Protect' agri-food industry The Scottish National Party has launched their general election manifesto, pledging to 'protect' the Scottish agri-food industry by fighting to stay as a member of the EU's single market. Scotlands food and drink is worth 14.4 billion. The EU Scotlands biggest overseas regional food and drink export market is of importance to the sector. The SNP says it will fight to maintain Single Market membership, to 'protect' the industry. SNP MPs will also seek to ensure that any future trade deals secure geographical indications for key Scottish food and drink products like Scotch Whisky, Arbroath smokies and Stornoway black pudding. The SNP will support the Scottish Governments efforts to maintain current EU standards and regulations, for the environment, animal welfare and agriculture Making Brexit a success The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has set out five key policy challenges for prospective parliamentary candidates, focusing on making Brexit a success; investing in the agricultural sector, safeguaring supply chains, better use of science and caring for the countryside. NFU president Meurig Raymond said: The General Election in June provides an opportunity for the farming sector to impress on candidates of all colours the critical value of British farming to our economy, to our wellbeing and to our environment. The success of British farming matters to the British electorate especially at this time of unprecedented change. Indeed, YouGov polling commissioned by the NFU this year shows that 85% of people think it is important that Britain has a productive and resilient farming industry. We cant ignore that farming is arguably the most vulnerable sector in the Brexit negotiations. But the NFU has its sights fixed on solutions and policies to ensure a productive, profitable and progressive farming sector that puts safe, trusted, affordable and quality food on shoppers plates. Over the next parliament, we want to work in partnership with the new Government to achieve this with a predictable and manageable transition process. Other farming manifestos Numerous rural organisations have released their own manifestos, including the NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, the CLA, the Soil Association, the Tenant Farmers' Association, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the British Veterinary Association, the Farmers' Union of Wales, the Ulster Farmers' Union, the Agricultural Industries Confederation, the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) and the Countryside Alliance. New figures indicate use of Colistin, an antibiotic of last resort which treats a number of bacterial infections in both humans and animals, fell significantly in the sector during 2016. The latest available UK sales data from 2015 shows Colistin sales into veterinary medicines were already low at around one tenth of the EU recommended limit. But preliminary analysis of data received via the new pig e-Medicines Book (e-MB), which was developed and launched by AHDB Pork last year and has now collected the 2015 and 2016 medical records of more than two-thirds of the national herd, suggests that use of Colistin in pigs decreased more than 70% in 2016. Mandy Nevel from AHDB Pork says the news is important as Colistin use in humans has increased in recent years for the treatment of specific serious bacterial infections that are resistant to other antibiotics This is why the European Medicines Agency has classified Colistin as a highest priority Critically Important Antibiotic for the treatment of a number of human bacterial conditions, despite it being a very old drug, she explains. But crucially, the regulators have retained access for animal use because it also has importance as a last-resort drug to safeguard welfare in livestock. Its very positive to see the pig sector vets and farmers together responding to the responsibility of having continued access to this drug as a last resort and reducing use where possible. UK 'one of lowest users' RUMA, the agricultural and food industry alliance which promotes responsible use of medicines in farm animals, chairman Gwyn Jones has welcomed the news. He said the findings mean that once 2016 sales data are released, the UK could be one of the five lowest users of Colistin in Europe. He said: We were looking for significant reductions in 2016 following the best practice guidelines issued by the Pig Veterinary Society at the end of 2015, but this has exceeded our hopes. It also follows hot on the heels of the announcement in February that prescribed antibiotics administered in feed for young pigs have halved, with more than two thirds of that reduction taking place in 2016. This shows the pig industry is really engaging with this issue and making some very strong progress in reducing, refining and replacing antibiotics use. More e-MB data will be made public later this year in line with the publication of sector-specific targets at RUMAs conference in association with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate on 27 October. A charity has been raided by thieves who have stolen chicks with their coops, in two separate robberies. Bill Quay Farm, a community farm popular with families in Pelaw, Tyne and Wear, was hit by the thieves on Monday and Tuesday (29 and 30 May). The thieves cut a lock and broke a fence to steal two "Omlet Eglu" coops with young chicks. Children from a local school helped the farm incubate the chicks. Cream legbar and scots grey chicks, which are both rare breed chickens, were incubated and hatched as part of a special programme with schools. In a statement on their Facebook page, the farm team said: "As a community Farm it hurts us to know that not everyone will be able to share in the delight of our young chickens and watch them grow, and we hope nothing of this nature happens again." "We are very sad to have lost our chicks, and the Omlets we needed to house the next lot of incubated chicks that are due to go outside soon. "We are hoping that whoever took our animals and will find it within themselves to return our Omlets and chicks as we simply cannot afford to replace them, and the chicks will be sorely missed from our little flock." "As a community farm it hurts us to know that not everyone will be able to share in the delight of our young chickens and watch them grow, and we hope nothing of this nature happens again." The concerns of agricultural tenants over the continuing devolution of the Crown Estate was highlighted in a one-to-one meeting with cabinet secretary Fergus Ewing and NFU Scotland's Andrew McCornick this week. The portfolio of Crown Estate comprises four estates of Applegirth, Glenlivet, Fochabers and Whitehills, with an estimated value of 98 million. There are 117 secure 1991 Act tenancies on the estates, representing a significant proportion of the remaining tenancies of this type in Scotland. In addition to this, the estate has numerous other fixed term tenancies. The agricultural tenants are of the view that they wish to see the Crown Estate devolved as a whole to ensure the estates can continue to function as they have done, and to ensure that fragmentation of the estates does not occur. 'Jeopardise ability to farm' NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick commented: "The Union has been working to give the agricultural tenants a voice for some time now, and they remain clear in their objectives for devolution of the estate. "They feel that in general, the Crown Estate has been a good landlord, and one which they wish to continue to work with. What is clear, is that there is significant synergy between the various assets contained within the portfolio. "The tenanted farms provide a long-term and stable asset base, and the tenants are keen that nothing occurs during the devolution process that would jeopardise their ability to farm. "The tenants also feel there is a strong case for a more dynamic relationship between the agricultural tenants and the new Crown Estate Board, so they can have a better understanding of day to day issues and decisions taken by the management." North Yorkshire Police and local Rural Watch volunteers took part in a multi-force operation in a bid to tackle travelling criminals operating between counties in the North of England. It comes as calls from the farming industry for the the next Government to take action on the 'blight' of rural crime hitting the UK recently. The 14th Operation Checkpoint was led by Cleveland Police, with their officers joined by colleagues from North Yorkshire, Durham, Northumbria, Lancashire and Cumbria. They visited farms and remote areas, with the aim of catching travelling criminals, gathering intelligence and providing reassurance to those living in rural communities. The forces already share intelligence on people suspected of travelling from county to county committing thefts and burglaries and passing on stolen goods. Rural wildlife offences are also an issue for a number of forces and all forces are committed to creating a hostile environment for travelling criminals who often have an extensive knowledge of the road networks and use minor roads in a bid to avoid detection. Volunteer watch In North Yorkshire, officers were joined by 39 Rural Watch volunteers, patrolling in 19 vehicles across the Hambleton and Richmondshire areas, including the northern border of North Yorkshire, the A1 and A19 corridors and into the Dales. Checks were conducted on more than 80 vehicles in North Yorkshire, and although there were no arrests, a number of fixed penalty notices were issued for a variety of offences. In particular, a suspicious vehicle was spotted in the Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe and South Kilvington area, and seen driving through fields. It was stopped and searched, and although no offences were identified, its occupants may have been deterred, and the vehicle left the area. 'County borders mean nothing' Superintendent Jason Dickson, of Cleveland Police, said: "County borders mean nothing to organised criminals who are intent on targeting our more remote communities. "Last night saw a number of vehicles which could be involved in crime being taken out of circulation." Sergeant Stuart Grainger, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "Operation Checkpoint has once again been successful, demonstrating the value of our volunteer Watch teams in locating criminals in our area and helping to prevent crimes from occurring. "Our Watch teams are an invaluable asset, patrolling our rural areas across Hambleton, Richmondshire, and the Dales. "As always we are grateful to them for their support." Farmers are cautious about signing up to new schemes, survey shows Medical Developments Internationalhas announced New Zealands St John Ambulance will stop using Entonox (Nitrous Oxide) for critical analgesia, instead exclusively using its drug Penthrox.The healthcare company says Penthrox will be the only inhaled analgesic administered, for the leading provider of ambulance services in New Zealand.Medical Developments says it expects similar things to happen with other ambulance services globally, especially in Europe as Penthrox is rolled out.The company says Penthrox sales have recorded significant growth during FY17, and expect further growth in FY18.Shares in Medical Developments Internationalare trading 0.83 per cent higher to $4.84. Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari on a bike at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Preparations, Montreal, Canada, Thursday 8 June 2017. Sutton Motorsport Images Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari talks to the media at Formula One World Championship, Rd7, Canadian Grand Prix, Preparations, Montreal, Canada, Thursday 8 June 2017. Sutton Motorsport Images Info Close Ferrari Sebastian Vettel I think our strength comes from the team effort. We are working very hard together to extract the maximum. People see what I do on track, but you dont see all the work in Maranello. Obviously, looking back we can say that we have done very well so far, but there is no guarantee that just because the last race was good, then the next one will be good as well. So, we have to sit down again and go through everything, paying attention to details. I like this place and I am looking forward to driving here. The car has been very good so far, it should be good here as well, but as Ive just said there is no guarantee. Kimi Raikkonen We have to face this weekend like any other one; well try to maximize everything, go from the practice and see what it brings on Saturday and then on Sunday. Every track is different and its never going to be easy. Its not an easy circuit even if there are not many corners. Also because, in the race like this, usually quite a lot of things can happen. Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams at Williams British Grand Prix Preview Day, Silverstone, England, 2 June 2017. Sutton Images Lance Stroll (CDN) Williams at Williams British Grand Prix Preview Day, Silverstone, England, 2 June 2017. Sutton Images Info Close Williams Felipe Massa Im really looking forward to going back to Montreal because its such an amazing place to be. Its a race where our car normally has good performance, so I really hope we can show that again this year and have another good race. I also love the city of Montreal. The fans there really are in love with Formula One. Its also Lances first home Grand Prix so it will be a very special weekend for him. Lance Stroll Montreal is going to be amazing for me, as this is not only my home race but it is also held in my home city, which is buzzing while the race is on. I grew up about 20 minutes away from the race track, so this will be something special and not many people will get to experience that feeling. As a kid I attended the race pretty much every year, then missed a few years while living in Europe, but was back there last year. For me it is a pure racing event. It is not the flashiest Grand Prix, as the paddock is small, but it is cool, unique and old school. The fans are really close to the track, the grandstands are huge and the run off areas are not massive, but I love that and hope it doesnt change. Paddy Lowe, Chief Technical Officer After spending last Friday celebrating the teams great heritage at Silverstone, we now look forward to getting back to the job in hand this weekend as we head to Canada. Montreal is a big favourite amongst the Formula One teams. The crowds are fantastic; Montreal turns into a party city for the weekend with a real feeling of excitement in the air. And the race itself rarely disappoints, delivering a large number of historic battles over the years including the longest ever F1 race in history in 2011. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one of the most famous F1 circuits and has hosted Grands Prix since 1978, nearly 40 years ago. It has unique characteristics including long straights interspersed with various quite challenging slow corners and a few notoriously unforgiving walls. The long straights and slow corners generally drive us towards lower downforce levels on the cars, and make it one of the toughest circuits on the calendar for brakes. With the narrower temperature window of current generation tyres it is particularly hard to get them in the right condition, especially for qualifying. This is Lances home race so it will be a very special weekend for him. We were encouraged by his performance in Monaco so he can build confidence from that and have a good race here. Of course Felipe has raced here many times before, and our car should go better at this type of circuit than we did in Monaco, so we will do our very best to secure positive results this weekend and to put on a great show for our North American fans. Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Marcus Ericsson (SWE) Sauber at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Friday 26 May 2017. Sutton Images Pascal Wehrlein (GER) Sauber on the grid at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Race, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Sunday 28 May 2017. Sutton Images Info Close Sauber Marcus Ericsson I always look forward to the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, because I particularly like the track and the atmosphere around the circuit there. The city, the fans, the track and the event are just spectacular. It is a demanding track, especially because of its chicanes. The characteristic turns make it similar to Monaco. The combination of slow turns and long straights make it essential to bring the tyres to ideal temperature to get the right amount of grip. Of course top speed also plays a defining role. Pascal Wehrlein I am looking forward to the Canadian Grand Prix very much. In Montreal there will be many events this weekend to celebrate the Grand Prix. The track suits me well. It is a mixture of a street track and a racing track a traditional race with a long history. Next to the engine power, a high braking stability, traction and good change of direction are the most important factors. The long straights offer good overtaking opportunities. Depending on the weather, the cars aerodynamic configuration will also play an important role. Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Scuderia Toro Rosso fans selfie at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Friday 26 May 2017. Sutton Images Carlos Sainz jr (ESP) Scuderia Toro Rosso at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Preparations, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Wednesday 24 May 2017. Sutton Images Info Close Toro Rosso Daniil Kvyat I really like Montreal, it's one of the coolest cities we travel to. There's a lot of good streets to walk around and do some shopping, many good restaurants and bars The atmosphere there is just fantastic! The track is also quite unique, as it has many chicanes and a few long straights. Trying to put a lap together there is never easy, and you need to build the pace throughout the weekend. It's a good place to go racing as there are many good opportunities for overtaking. I'm very into ice hockey and my trainer is a very big fan of this sport he's an ex ice hockey player in fact! I was trying to learn but we never have time for this I hope he reads this preview and finally takes me to play a match together! It's a contact sport which I think is very exciting to watch. In Russia it's very popular too Russians and Canadians are big rivals in this sport! I remember trying syrup for the first time at one of the race weekends in Canada the organisers gave all us drivers a box full of typically Canadian food and the syrup was good! If I have time to go shopping I will try and get some to take back home. One day I'd like to go and visit the Niagara Falls, they look like some amazing waterfalls! I always try and plan it around the Canadian GP week, but never really found the time I will need to make sure I do one day! Carlos Sainz Montreal is actually one of my favourite cities. The hotel where we stay at is nice and there are many good restaurants to go to in the evenings especially some great steakhouses! I really enjoy it there! The entrance to the Paddock in Canada is quite a particular one, as you have to walk on a floating bridge to cross the lake I've always said that I would jump into that water if I won the race But if it's as cold as it was last year, there's no way I would do that, not even if I won the world championship! So maybe I should change this I will do anything else except jumping in the water, because I can't stand the cold! My favourite parts of the track are Turns 4 and 5, and also Turns 6 and 7. You drive between the walls and it's normally a section where there are a lot of leaves, which makes it even more of a challenge You drive very fast through these turns and ride on the kerbs. I must also admit that the Wall of Champions is a challenge I always look forward to, even though I've crashed there in the past Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Race, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Sunday 28 May 2017. Sutton Images Esteban Ocon (FRA) Force India F1 at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Friday 26 May 2017. Sutton Images Info Close Force India Sergio Perez I said after Monaco that I was proud of the team and the way we raced in Monaco. We gave it everything, but it wasnt our day. Its frustrating because the car felt good all weekend. It was a shame not to make the most of this opportunity and continue our run of races in the points. I feel confident about Montreal. Its a track where Ive had some good races and I like the challenge of the circuit. Its all about being late on the brakes and aggressive through the chicanes. You have to be precise too with the walls so close to the track. I think the sport needs more tracks similar to Montreal where mistakes are punished. These old-school tracks excite the drivers and fans, and usually produce entertaining races. Esteban Ocon Montreal is another new track for me so Im going to be on the learning curve on Friday. I know the lap from playing video games and being on the simulator, and Ive always liked the circuit characteristics. Although I havent driven in Montreal, I know the place already from my visit last year. Its definitely a cool event because everybody in the city supports the race and Canada really loves Formula One. It feels like a big party in the streets, especially on the Saturday night. After the bad luck in Monaco I want to get back to scoring points in Montreal. The car is getting better with each race and I think Im fully up-to-speed now. Im really happy with the team and the way we work together weve already built up a good understanding and they know what I need from the car. Vijay Mallya, team principal I was naturally disappointed to see us leave Monaco empty-handed. Operationally we were strong and the car showed good pace, but sometimes the luck doesnt go your way and theres nothing you can do. The positives we take from Monaco leave us feeling optimistic for Canada. The car is working well and weve made progress over the last few races. The confidence throughout the team continues to grow and we approach every race knowing we can fight for points. Its important we get back into our rhythm in Montreal and build on our strong start to the year. Tom McCullough, Chief Race Engineer Canada is a challenging track, with long straights and high speeds. Fuel consumption is high and the brakes are tested - with high energy and temperatures, wear is something to look after. On the other hand, the circuit is relatively easy on the tyres. We are bringing the three softest compounds to this race, yet still expect tyre degradation to be low. Good lap times come from being able to ride the apexes and the exit kerbs, but this can be risky as the majority of corner exits have walls. Its easier to overtake in Montreal than in Monaco and the weather can produce some surprises because it changes quickly. Races here tend to be very unpredictable. Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes-Benz F1 W08 Hybrid at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Race, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Sunday 28 May 2017. Sutton Images Toto Wolff (AUT) Mercedes AMG F1 Director of Motorsport and Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari at Formula One World Championship, Rd1, Australian Grand Prix, Qualifying, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Saturday 25 March 2017. Sutton Motorsport Images Info Close Mercedes Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Im expecting an interesting weekend in Canada. It could be a tricky race for us in terms of the layout of the track. But, equally, its a circuit that suits both of our drivers. Lewis (Hamilton) has won a number of times in the past and Valtteri (Bottas) has always gone strongly there for Williams. It will be about doing our homework right to give the drivers the car they need to succeed. We have two excellent drivers and we will hold true to our philosophy of letting them race each other to drive the team forward even if sometimes it can be difficult because you cant always have the one who is ahead in the championship winning. Its painful, but we are not the favourites for this years championship. At the moment its Ferrari. They have a very strong package and we need to rise to the challenge to prove once again that we are the team to beat. There are still 14 races left and everything is completely open. Were looking forward to Montreal and the chance to bounce back with a strong result hopefully producing valuable answers to some tough questions in the process. Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Fernando Alonso (ESP) McLaren at Formula One World Championship, Rd5, Spanish Grand Prix, Practice, Barcelona, Spain, Friday 12 May 2017. Sutton Motorsport Images Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) McLaren on the grid at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Race, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Sunday 28 May 2017. Sutton Images Info Close McLaren Fernando Alonso Its good to be heading back to Canada it feels like Ive spent a lot of time in North America recently! The Indy 500 was an incredible experience and its been amazing to learn a completely different style of driving, on a different circuit layout and with a very different car, but Im ready to get back to my day job and go racing in F1 again. Ive always enjoyed the Canadian Grand Prix. The circuit is unique in that its very demanding on both the car and driver, so its a real racers track. While I was in Indy I was still keeping up-to-date with the news from Monaco, and Stoffel and Jenson both reported positively on the new upgrades and reliability, so I hope we can continue to see a step forward in Canada. The layout of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve means its very power-limited and therefore dependent on straight-line speed and power. Its not going to suit our car as much as the twisty, slower corners of Monaco, but Im excited to get back in the MCL32, catch up with the guys and girls in the team and get back out on track not only turning left this time! Stoffel Vandoorne Monaco was definitely an eventful weekend for the whole team. I felt really comfortable in the car each time I got out on track, and I felt we could really push the limits of our package and maybe come home in the points its a shame it didnt end up that way. There has definitely been a step forward in the chassis thanks to the upgrades the team has been working hard to bring to every race, so lets see how these translate to Canada, which is a very different circuit set-up. Its a new venue for me this weekend as Ive never raced there before, but Ive driven the track plenty of times in the simulator already. Its a tough circuit and I can see why people say its a drivers track theres a lot to keep you busy and high concentration is essential the Wall of Champions is proof of that! It will definitely be a completely different experience to Monaco in terms of preparation and set-up, but Im excited to drive it for real for the first time and get a feel for its characteristics. The race will be tough on brakes, tough on engines and tough on the drivers, and with the potential of Safety Cars in the mix, theres a lot to think about in terms of strategy and set-up this weekend. It will be good to have Fernando back alongside me, and he has a lot of experience at this track that will be useful to tap in to. It wont be the easiest Grand Prix for us, but, in contrast to Monaco, there are more overtaking opportunities, which will hopefully mean more chances for us to be in the mix. Eric Boullier, Racing Director After one of the busiest weeks in McLarens history as we concentrated our efforts on both sides of the pond in Monaco and Indianapolis, its now time to focus our attention on the Canadian Grand Prix. In Monaco, we welcomed the popular return of Jenson, who put in a strong performance, particularly in qualifying, proving he has lost none of his renowned skills behind the wheel. Stoffel, too, showed impressively strong form all weekend and equipped himself very well to mix it with the midfield around the formidable Monaco street circuit. Although we were looking good for a point or two, sadly, it wasnt meant to be, but we nevertheless go to Canada buoyed by the strength of the ongoing development work we are undertaking back at base. Of course, were also very much looking forward to having Fernando back in the car again in Canada, after his McLaren Honda Andretti Indy 500 adventure. What he has achieved in just a few short weeks has been phenomenal, and the whole team is looking forward to catching up with him and congratulating him on a hugely impressive performance. The whole McLaren Honda team enjoys returning to Montreal each year, and the venue is up there among the favourite races on the calendar for many. We stay downtown the city has an incredible atmosphere and we always receive a very warm welcome. The Canadians love their racing, like we do, and the Grand Prix has a worthy reputation for being unpredictable and exciting. McLaren has enjoyed numerous victories in Canada, arguably the most famous of which in the hands of Jenson Button six years ago, in a four-hour race that became the definition of unpredictable racing in Canada. The infamous Wall of Champions has claimed the cars and pride of many a world-class driver, and the demanding characteristics of the circuit present a unique set of challenges for the drivers, engineers and mechanics. The nature of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve is high-speed, with tight chicanes, limited run-off and heavy braking. While its complex traits wont suit the strengths of our package, we are still pushing the envelope at every race by bringing useful developments that are correlating well and eking out more performance. We still have a long way to go, and this circuit will be a tricky platform on which our package is less likely to shine, but we will work hard as always to maximise what we have in our armoury and take advantage of every opportunity on track. Yusuke Hasegawa, Honda R&D Co. Ltd, Head of F1 Project & Executive Chief Engineer The Canadian Grand Prix is always a special race for us. It is one of the most vibrant and popular on the Formula 1 calendar, and has a wonderful atmosphere the fans really embrace the Grand Prix each year. We also have the warm support of our colleagues from Honda Canada. After Jensons one-off appearance in Monaco, we will have Fernando back behind the wheel fresh from his great Indy 500 challenge. His bid to win in his rookie year came to a disappointing end, but once again Fernando showed what an incredible talent he is. He was a contender for victory throughout the legendary race and drove like a seasoned oval racer. I am looking forward to seeing him after his great adventure. Despite the beautiful nature of the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit, this power-hungry, demanding track will not play to our strengths. With its power-oriented nature, stop and start corners, abrasive surface and long straights, it will no doubt be another challenging race weekend for us. However, we will keep pushing forward, no matter how tough the challenge ahead. Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas F1 on the drivers parade at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Race, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Sunday 28 May 2017. Sutton Images Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas F1 on the grid at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Race, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Sunday 28 May 2017. Sutton Images Info Close Haas Romain Grosjean I like the whole circuit. Ive always loved it and really enjoy racing there. Its always a great feeling. [2012] was a great race. I started P7. I had a one-stop strategy while everyone else was on a two-stop strategy. Initially, I thought I would finish fifth or sixth as I was stuck behind the Mercedes of (Nico) Rosberg. I couldnt overtake. Then, everyone pitted. The ones who didnt were really struggling with grip, so I could overtake them. I didnt quite have the pace to chase Lewis (Hamilton) and take the win. [This year] there are a few things we can take [from Monaco], a few set-up items weve tried. Hopefully, we can make a good package. Canada is, of course, much faster than Monaco. Its a city circuit, but very different from Monaco. You run less downforce because of the long straights. Mechanically, I think there are a few things we can carry over. Well be working on our brakes. Its not our number one strength, but were getting better. For Canada, you need to know that when you hit the pedal, youre going to get 100 percent of what you want. You dont want a different feel from your demand. Thats what we need to work on. For the race, lets see which cooling we can run. Worst case scenario we have to do a bit of lift-and-coast to manage them. Kevin Magnussen Its similar [to Monaco] in the way that you need big balls for Canada. Its a really enjoyable circuit to drive. Always when the walls are close to the track, it makes it a lot more exciting. Its going to be pretty tricky [with brakes]. Weve had difficulties with temperatures and wear on the brakes this year. Canada is definitely going to be another tricky one, but Im sure well manage. [The circuits] pretty bumpy and you need good braking points. The last chicane is pretty cool; one because its a bumpy ride and youve got to be really precise with the turn in on the corner, and two youve got that famous Wall of Champions on the outside that is always very exciting. Guenther Steiner, team principal Hopefully, we can apply the tyre data weve got from Monaco and it works the same or very similarly on the surface in Canada. The rest is down to aero and suspension adjustments. Weve got some data from last year and I hope we can do well there. The biggest thing is the confidence of the driver in the brakes. More confidence means more speed. They need to be confident that the brakes always operate the same, at the same point, at the same time. That is the most important thing. The team can monitor the wear with telemetry, so if we get in danger we can actually tell the driver over the radio that theyre having a problem. Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault Sport F1 Team RS17 at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Practice, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Thursday 25 May 2017. Sutton Images Jolyon Palmer (GBR) Renault Sport F1 Team walks in during FP2 at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Practice, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Thursday 25 May 2017. Sutton Images Info Close Renault Nico Hulkenberg Canada is a great Grand Prix weekend, I love the circuit, I love the city and I love the atmosphere. The circuit is a combination of a street circuit and a race track. There are big walls on the exit with nice kerbs you have to ride. It is a track with a really nice flow so I enjoy it very much. The week in Montreal is always one of the best of the year. At the hairpin, you are surrounded by grandstands left and right and as a driver you get a really good sense of atmosphere there. On the drivers parade you usually get goose bumps when you see all the fans cheering, it is a lot of fun, especially when it is a full house. You can see how much Canada loves Formula 1 because the whole city embraces the race and the locals give us a very warm welcome. Theres a huge buzz around town and a lot of events that create a special atmosphere. Canada has a lot of focus on top speed, with a couple of straights combined with hard braking zones. It is one of the toughest tracks for brakes. You need confidence from the anchors, especially when you are trying to go deep into the corners. The final chicane can always be a tricky one as you can lose a lot of time there. It can be difficult as Canada is all about high speed, the low-downforce configuration always makes the car feel light. Kerbs are important, you need to ride them well if you can and use them to ensure a good lap time. Its hard to overtake there, but the final chicane is definitely the best opportunity. You have to try and stay out of the Wall of Champions, though! The tyre choices are at the softer end of the range, so there will be some aggressive strategies, we will see what we can do. Jolyon Palmer I raced there for the first time last year, it is a street circuit again but a different one compared to Monaco, as there are more opportunities to overtake. The weather is a question mark as there have been many wet races there in the past. I enjoyed it last year, even though my race was rather curtailed for reasons outside my control. We should be a good chunk more competitive this time around. Well do everything we can to maximise the car around the track and well be pushing all the way as usual. In terms of the city, the place is really cool and one which genuinely embraces Formula 1. It is a fun track with lots of sequences, we need to prepare for the exits of the corners and get ready for the long straights. Then there is the Wall of Champions, where you can win or lose a lot of time, or hit the wall as well. Monaco is good practice I think, we had a strong race there and hopefully we can build on the confidence. It will be a similar story to Monaco in terms of the new cars, with width and wider rear tyres making things tricky. You are right up against the walls in a lot of corners in Canada, and it will be even tighter and narrower with these cars! Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport Racing Managing Director Montreal promises to be an exciting one for everybody involved. It is the 50th anniversary of Formula 1 in Canada and the 375th anniversary of Montreal as a city. It all adds up to be a special weekend, and we are very excited to get out there and getting on the circuit. Monaco was a very testing weekend for the team. We experienced reliability issues on mechanical components that were on the last race of their cycle. These are challenges that all teams can experience, it is part and parcel of life in modern-day Formula 1. Monaco highlighted the areas we need to improve and further confirmed elements we knew about. And with the new components, we are now ready to attack the next race with the same perseverance and attitude. Canada is all about bouncing back and making a fresh start. We now have a more robust engine and gearbox and we can fully focus on maximising performance. The team in Enstone are heading to the race with an aerodynamic package adapted to the Montreal circuit. However due to the challenges of the track, we certainly dont expect an easy race. Bob Bell, Chief Technical Officer Montreal is more demanding than Monaco regarding engine performance. It has longer straights, twisty bits with low speed corners but a bit more opportunity for the car to exercise its legs. Montreal is similar to Monaco in terms of demands on the driver to not make any minor errors as you can pay a heavy price. That is always a feature of Montreal, it puts a lot of energy on the brakes and tyres, lots of acceleration and braking which works the car hard. We will go with the softest three compounds, the softer of those compounds will be most favourable. We have some new bits including some aero upgrades specifically for this Grand Prix. There are a lot of kerbs around Montreal and to get a good time there you need to use them. Traditionally, in the last few races, that has not been our strong point, but we are making progress there and it will be a test for us. It will be a one-stop, I suspect. Temperature can be variable in Montreal which can make a big difference with tyres. Track temperature will play a significant part in strategy and set-up. Next Previous Enlarge 1 / 2 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing on the grid at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Race, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Sunday 28 May 2017. Sutton Images Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull Racing on the grid at Formula One World Championship, Rd6, Monaco Grand Prix, Race, Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Sunday 28 May 2017. Sutton Images Info Close Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo I love the Canadian Grand Prix and its my type of track. Its another street circuit where you can get close to the walls, Ive had a race win there and its great fun both on and off-track. Whats not to love? Its also a tricky track to get right and although there arent a whole lot of corners they are all quite complex. I was pretty happy with my qualifying lap last year and the last chicane was fun but it would be really great to get back on the podium. Last year it was also freezing cold and to be honest that sucked. You would just about warm up after a few laps in the car, so hopefully it will be a little bit warmer this year. I will definitely spend some time in the US before heading to the race. Ive got some friends coming with me so we will probably go to California first and maybe I will go on a little road trip after the race weekend. But first, lets hope we can get a good result in front of those mega Canadian fans. Max Verstappen There is always a big crowd at the Canadian Grand Prix, especially at turns one and two and you can feel the atmosphere when youre in the car. The fans are really into motor racing which is always nice to see and Im looking forward to experiencing that again. One of my favourite points on the track is also one of the trickiest and thats the last chicane. You arrive at the braking point at very high speed and the brakes can be quite cold. Its tricky to really nail this corner but I had a good battle with Nico there last year and its always good when you come out in front. There are also tight walls on the exit of the chicane and you should be careful not to brush these as it is easy to damage a wheel rim. As usual the cars will run slightly less downforce in Canada so they will be a little looser under braking but we have more grip this year so it should be more comfortable for everyone compared to 2016. We stay in downtown Montreal which is a really nice place to be. I like being on the American continent, there is always a good feeling and I find the people very friendly so I always enjoy going back there! Carnage in Kabul Only adequate jobs at home can stop Nepalis from seeking opportunities in unsafe places Dahal congratulates new Korean PM Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal sent a congratulatory message to Lee Nak-yeon, the newly appointed Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea on Thursday. Haiti - Politics : Visit of the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aloysio Nunes Ferreira, will pay a visit to Haiti, he will arrives in the afternoon of Friday 2 June and will leave on Saturday 3 June. During his day in Haiti, he will be received by the President of the Republic, Jovenel Moise. He will also meet with UN Special Representative Sandra Honore and visit the Brazilian soldiers of the Minustah. Let's recall that in the month of March Youri Latortue, the President of the Senate had a fruitful meeting with the Brazilian Ambassador accredited in Haiti, Fernando Vidal. The Ambassador of Brazil then confirmed to his interlocutor that his country was ready to continue its cooperation with Haiti through projects in the areas of health, vocational training and electrical energy, even after the departure of the Minustah. https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-20509-icihaiti-security-youri-latortue-talks-about-army-with-brazil.html HL/ HaitiLibre Fidget spinners take youngsters by storm Fidget spinners are spinning their way to popularity in the Nepali market and have become one of the most trending online items. Democrat Coffay rips Meadows on climate accord position Related Stories U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and a Democrat who is planning to challenge him in next year's election differ sharply over President Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. I applaud President Trump for following through on this campaign promise he made to millions of voters across the country," Meadows said. "The Paris Accord is a bad deal for the American peopleit hampers economic growth, burdens job creators, and stifles innovation to preserve an agreement where the benefits are miniscule at best. We all agree that we must be good stewards of the earth, but it doesnt require a treaty never ratified by Congress to accomplish that. Time and time again weve seen that businesses will adapt to consumer demand to use more environmentally friendly practicesthere is no need to cripple entire industries with sweeping regulations. "Todays decision by President Trump is another step toward accomplishing the long-term goal that the President emphasized so successfully during his campaign: putting the interests of the American worker first. Matt Coffay, 30, announced his run for the 11th Congressional District seat in April. He leads a local chapter of Our Revolution, an organization aligned with the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party. He grew up outside Blue Ridge, Ga., and graduated from UNCA. He was a farmer in Alexander until last year, when he took a job with the nonprofit National Young Farmers Coalition, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported. "Mark Meadows praise of the decision to back out is shortsighted, irresponsible, and just plain wrong," Coffay said in a news release. "If he cared about the people of his district, hed be encouraging us to invest and create jobs in renewable energy." "Western North Carolina needs leadership that values the lives and welfare of regular people, not big corporations," Coffay said. "Meadows has shown his true colors by applauding this terrible decision. When Im in Congress, I wont make the same mistake. Ill ensure that America leads the way in renewable energy investment and job creation. Lets create a future to be proud of." China now produces more CO2 than the United States annually, but high historic output from the U.S. makes it the biggest overall contributor to climate change in the world. And as a country which makes up just 4 percent of the worlds population, but which is responsible for about a third of the carbon dioxide contributing to climate change, Matt Coffay believes this country has a moral imperative to be a global leader and set an example for clean energy: "Renewables are the future," Coffay continued. "The only question is whether or not the United States will reap the benefits of the jobs and industries that will spring up around renewable energy or if well sit back while China, India, and Europe lead the way. Mark Meadows is more concerned with campaign contributions from Big Oil and the fossil fuel industry than he is in representing the interests of working families in Western North Carolina. Hed rather hand jobs over to China and India than keep them here in the United States." The board of directors of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation have announced that it has elected Michael O. Hilton as its newest member. Grandson of Conrad N. Hilton, Mr Hilton previously served as an intern on the Hilton Foundations board of directors and as a member of the Foundations Generations in Giving (GIG) committee. He currently serves on the Foundations Building Committee. He has nearly three decades of experience working in the hospitality industry. Currently serving as Vice President-Project Management for Hilton Grand Vacations, Mr Hilton is responsible for the overall management of HGV capital projects, as well as budgeting, planning, design and construction for HGV-branded properties. Mr Hiltons background in hospitality management includes various leadership roles throughout industry sectors ranging from franchising operations to gaming development. Prior to joining Hilton Grand Vacations in 2004, Mr Hilton served a 16-year tenure with Hilton Hotels Corporation (now Hilton Worldwide). In that role, Mr Hilton was instrumental in the development and construction for the Flamingo Casino in Kansas City and the Paris Hilton Las Vegas, and the repositioning of the Reno Hiltons 100,000 sq. ft. casino and 2,000-room guest tower. Mr Hilton subsequently was responsible for capital improvements to the company-owned hotels throughout the eastern region of the United States; a key highlight of this role included his involvement in a major conversion of the Waldorf Astoria. Mr Hilton holds Bachelors degrees in Business Administration and Creative Arts from Rollins College. Mr Hilton is a member of the Industry Liaison Council for Saint Leo Universitys International Tourism and Hospitality Management division. As a family foundation, the board of directors at the Hilton Foundation includes a majority of Hilton family members. Our staff administers our financial and grant-making responsibilities and oversees the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. Mr Hilton fills the vacancy left by Eric Hilton, son of Conrad N. Hilton, who passed away on December 10, 2016 at the age of 83. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), producer of the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), has added four keynote speakers to this year's education program: Dave Berkus, super angel, author and entrepreneur; Alex Tapscott, CEO at Northwest Passage Ventures; Kevin Rosen, Esq. CIPP/US, partner at Shutts & Bowen, LLP; and Robert Villanueva, executive vice president at Q6 Cyber. Opening Keynote and Party. On Monday, June 26, 2017, Dave Berkus will take the HITEC Toronto stage from 4:305:30 p.m. to discuss technology and its impact on the job market. Berkus is one of the nation's most prolific angel investors with over 137 early stage technology investments. He is the creator of BERKONOMICS.COM weekly insights for entrepreneurs and investors. Berkus is an author and in-demand speaker at national and international events sharing stories and wisdom related to entrepreneurs, building boards of directors, trends in technology and valuing young corporate enterprises. Berkus is also an inductee to the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. Following the Opening Keynote, HFTP will host the "A Night in Toronto" Opening Party from 6:30 9:00 p.m. at the Toronto Event Centre, Beach Paris (formerly Muzik Event Centre). Attendees will enjoy delicious snacks, drinks and music as they mingle and get ready for the busy week ahead. Additionally, the Opening Party will feature an emulator touch screen DJ, giant light bright, digital graffiti wall and surfboard simulator. Opening Party entry information is detailed on the HITEC Toronto website. Tuesday Keynote. On Tuesday, June 27, 2017, Alex Tapscott will present from 8:3010:00 a.m. to inform HITEC attendees about the blockchain revolution. Tapscott is a founding member at IMF's High Level Advisory Group on Fintech, as well as the co-author of the critically acclaimed best-seller "Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin is Changing Money Business and the World." Tapscott is focused on the impact of emerging technologies on business, society and government, and is a passionate advocate for innovation, entrepreneurship and civic engagement. Closing Keynote. On Thursday, June 29, 2017, Kevin Rosen, Esq. CIPP/US and Robert Villanueva will present from 2:153:15 p.m. on cybercrime. Rosen is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group and the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Taskforce at his current West Palm Beach office of Shutts & Bowen, a full-service law firm with approximately 270 attorneys. He focuses his practice on cybersecurity, privacy, data security, securities regulation and financial regulation. He previously served as senior regional counsel and cybersecurity regulatory specialist at the Department of Enforcement at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Villanueva currently leads the Cyber Threat Intelligence Division of Q6 Cyber after spending 25-years working for the United States Secret Service, where he specialized in transnational cybercrimes, access device fraud, network intrusions and identity theft data breaches affecting the private sector. This year's larger North American event HITEC Toronto will take place from June 26-29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada. HITEC Dubai, the third and final HITEC of 2017, will take place from November 14-15 at the Conrad Dubai in Dubai, UAE in partnership with Naseba. In 2018, HFTP will bring back HITEC Amsterdam on April 11-14 in addition to HITEC Houston on June 26-29. For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec/. Stay updated with HFTP and HITEC on social media for conference updates: HFTP Connect; HITEC Bytes; HFTP Club Bytes; HFTP Finance Bytes; HFTP News; Facebook; LinkedIn; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube; Flickr. About HITEC HITEC is the world's largest and oldest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand. HITEC offers a unique combination of top-notch education, and brings together the brightest minds and hottest technologies from across the globe to one place. The unparalleled event offers attendees essential education, access to top hospitality technology industry experts and the resources to find cost-effective ways to improve company bottom lines. Combined with the intimate opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, HITEC has everything to enhance your career. Historically hosted annually in a different city throughout the United States, HFTP decided to break tradition in 2017 by hosting three HITEC events all taking place outside of U.S. borders in Toronto, Amsterdam and Dubai. This will be the first time the global association's largest HITEC event featuring thousands of hospitality professionals from around the world will take place outside of the U.S. In 2017, HFTP is producing its larger HITEC Toronto as well as two additional, inaugural HITEC events: HITEC Amsterdam and HITEC Dubai. For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other global activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org and www.hftp.org/hitec. Download the HFTP/HITEC media kit via the HFTP website. About HFTP Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is a global nonprofit hospitality association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, that uniquely understands the industry's problems. HFTP has members and stakeholders across the globe. HFTP assists its members in finding solutions to industry problems more efficiently than any organization via its expert networks, research, conferences such as HITEC and certification programs. HFTP also owns the world's only hospitality specific search engine, PineappleSearch.com. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segment of the hospitality industry. For more information about HFTP, email [email protected] or download the HFTP/HITEC media kit via the HFTP website. Jessica Blankenship Public Relations Manager HFTP The Holiday Inn Wichita, Kansas received the IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) 2016 Quality Excellence Award for achieving superior levels of excellence. The Holiday Inn Wichita, Kansas is one of only 111 properties selected from the company's more than 5,100 hotels in recognition of overall quality excellence. "I am pleased to honor the Holiday Inn Wichita with the Quality Excellence Award," said Elie Maalouf, Chief Executive Officer - the Americas, IHG. "We applaud the performance of the Holiday Inn Wichita, clearly the hotel puts our guests at the heart of everything they do. We're very proud Holiday Inn Wichita is part of the IHG family." IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is a global organization with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, EVEN Hotels, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. About Holiday Inn Wichita East I-35 The award-winning Holiday Inn Wichita East I-35 is a beautiful 9 story high rise hotel that features a large indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center and the all new Blue Cedars Terrace outdoor event venue. The hotel is conveniently located in east Wichita at the corner of Rock & Kellogg (US 54/400). Next to Towne East Square shopping mall. In addition, the area also has numerous casual dining restaurants, including the Green Mill Restaurant & Bar, winner of over 35 awards. With over 11,000 square feet of modern, flexible meeting space the Holiday Inn Wichita East I-35 can accommodate groups from 5 to 800. About Kinseth Hospitality Kinseth Hospitality is a leading hotel management, development and ownership company. KHC has a proven track record of developing and operating award-winning hotels, restaurant and meeting facilities. Kinseth Hospitality is based in North Liberty, Iowa, and currently operates over 65 hotels and 5 branded restaurants in 12 states. For more information regarding KHC please contact our Corporate Sales and Marketing Team at 319-626-5600 or visit www.kinseth.com. Jeff Schrader 847-202-7954 Kinseth View source WASHINGTON Travel booking platform GoBumpFree is at IPW in Washington, D.C. this week showing hotels and resorts its solution to distressed and last-minute inventory. GoBumpFree is pairing its exclusive customer base of airline employees and retirees (frequent, influential travelers) with last-minute empty rooms at top hotels and resorts. To attract this customer base, GoBumpFree offers its Ultimate Protection Policyincluding free cancellationfor its customers in the event they are "bumped" from their flights, which is a risk for airline employees flying standby. "Airline employees are spontaneous, last-minute travelers. And hotels and resorts have last minute empty rooms. We offer the solution for both parties," says Donna Lavallee, president and founder of GoBumpFree. Distressed inventory is a critical problem for hotels and resorts carefully managing yield. GoBumpFree aims to help solve this problem by having hotels and resorts list their properties on a fenced, members only site so that they can fill those rooms with frequent, last minute travelers. "We say that any empty hotel room is a room that could have accommodated one of our VIP customers," says Guy Shaham, Director of Business Development. "Our customers are frequent travelers, and they visit their favorite destinations again and again. They're the ideal hotel guest, and they travel last minute." Getting bumped from a standby flight is a risk and aggravation for airline employees and retirees. "I was an airline employee for many years, and it was great to fly for free," says Lavallee. "But because of the risk of getting bumped and paying hotel cancellation fees, this fear keeps airline employees from taking advantage of their travel benefits." How does GoBumpFree work? Airline employees register at GoBumpFree.com and get access to exclusive rates that can only be booked by registered members. Customers book trips within 72-hours of check-in and receive free cancellation if they get bumped from their flight, or are delayed for any other reason. They simply SMS/text a cancellation request to GoBumpFree, and the rest is taken care of. This allows airline employees to finally take full advantage of last-minute travel without the risk of cancellation fees. GoBumpFree protects its hotel and resort partners by paying any necessary cancellation fees on behalf of their customers, if applicable. GoBumpFree is at IPW this week. Contact their sales and partnerships team at [email protected]. Media Contact: Donna Lavallee [email protected] +1 902 877 6117 Sales and Partnership Contacts: Guy Shaham, Director of Business Development: [email protected] Jessie Colondres, Director of Strategic Partnerships: [email protected] About GoBumpFree: GoBumpFree is a new travel booking platform, specializing in connecting airline employees and retirees with last-minute accommodations in the world's top hotels and resorts. Founded by former airline employee Donna Lavallee, the company aims to become the travel booking platform of choice for the airline industry, and has hundreds of direct contracts with hotels and resorts, and partnership agreements with several top airlines. About IPW: "More than 1,000 U.S. travel organizations from every region of the USA (representing all industry category components), and close to 1,200 international and domestic buyers from more than 70 countries, conduct business negotiations that result in the generation of more than $4.7 billion in future travel to the U.S. At IPW, buyers and sellers are able to conduct business that would otherwise be generated only through an exhaustive number of around-the-world trips." https://www.ustravel.org/events/ipw ### Donna Lavallee Founder WCN to Launch State-of-the-Art INTERN Product at 2017 NACE Conference Posted by Press Releases on Friday, 06-02-2017 6:52 am Currently 0.0/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5 0.0 from 0 votes New Solution Works to Empower and Improve the Experience forBoth Candidates and RecruitersWCN, a pioneer of innovative recruitment technology, today announced plans to launch its latest solution known as INTERN during the 2017 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Conference and Expo in Las Vegas, June 6-9. Offering clients the ability to better manage intern programs, WCN will highlight the new product in Booth No. 312. WCNs INTERN brings to bear decades of recruiting expertise and a commitment to driving change through better technology. Too often, internship programs are poorly managed, with students slipping through the cracks and spending their time wondering what theyre supposed to be doing in what are pivotal roles for them. Available within WCNs Talent Acquisition Technology Suite, INTERN supports these programs systematically, from intern placement to performance reviews and beyond, whether candidates are on track to be considered for a full-time offer or no... 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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You have successfully verified the account Continue Hi your HR.com account is ready Your Profile completion: 30% Complete your profile We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector Govt to grant Rs15 million to Puns project The government has allocated Rs15 million for the National Invention Centre, a brainchild of the Magsaysay award winner Mahabir Pun who has announced to sell his medals for raising funds. Dateline Dateline Irrawaddy: A New Political Chapter for Burma? This week, The Irrawaddy discusses the outcome of the 21st Century Panglong peace conference, the Union Accord, and the right of secession. Kyaw Zwa Moe: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! The second session of the 21st Century Panglong peace conference concluded on Monday in Naypyidaw. Well discuss whether the conference has ushered the country into a new political landscape. Ko Mya Aye, one of the 88 Generation students and Ko Maung Maung Soe, ethnic affairs analyst and writer, join me to discuss this. Im Irrawaddy English editor Kyaw Zwa Moe. In his closing speech to the conference, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae of the Burma Army said the current political landscape presents a new chapter in Burmas political culture. Ko Mya Aye, what is your assessment of this? To what extent do you think it is true? Mya Aye: It is difficult to assess based on that statement, but one thing is for sure: according to what I have heard from ethnic participants, they have had heated debates over the topic of secession, although they could not work out an agreement and left the issue for discussion at the next session. It is good that they debate face-to-face now, unlike in the past. To put it in the words of [former President] U Thein Sein, it is a new political culture. Talking of political trends, the conference reached agreements on 37 points, and 12 points are about politics. I dont see any breakthrough in those 12 points. I heard that while some participants signed those agreements willingly, some signed them unwillingly, which concerns me. To make a long story short, Northern Alliance members came and attended the conference, but then they left, as they were not allowed to take part in the discussion. And none of the five members of the UNFC (United Nationalities Federal Council) signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). So we need to see the reality. KZM: What is your assessment? MA: Frankly, the second session was not much different from the first one. The draft Union Accord only includes some NCA provisions, and no other significant agreements. Yes, it is good to hold face-to-face, candid discussions rather than fighting with arms, but it is also important that such discussions yield good results. KZM: Ko Maung Maung Soe, how much do you agree with Lt-Gen Yar Pyaes statement? And what do you think of the draft Union Accord? Maung Maung Soe: Face-to-face discussion is good, but those 37 agreements are quite general because the government wanted to make sure they were acceptable to all involved. For instance, one of the points is that the sovereign power of the Union is derived from the citizens. Some wanted to change it to national people, not citizens, but finally it was agreed upon as the sovereign power of the Union is derived from the citizens. This is quite general, but still there are many important issues beyond this that need extensive discussion. If sovereign power is derived from citizens, those elected by the people should be included in the executive and legislative branches. But according to the 2008 Constitution, unelected people remain in both executive and legislative branches. If that point were discussed extensively, the talk would be concerned with amending the Constitution. My view is that the initial agreements are good, but there are still many hurdles and many extensive discussions needed to move forward. KZM: Ko Mya Aye, you mentioned secession. The oldest Constitutionthe 1947 Constitutionand the [Panglong Agreement] signed by Gen Aung San provided the option of secession ten years after Burmas independence. It is the main issue that locked the talks in stalemate at the second Panglong conference. The Burma Army and the government want ethnic armed groups to ensure they would not secede from the Union, but most of the ethnic armed groups refused to sign. What do you think of secession? MA: This issue did not need to be discussed at all [at the conference] because the NCA enshrines Our Three Main National Causes, namely non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty. I dont think it is an issue that needs to be discussed separately, as the NCA does not allow a part of the Union to secede from it. There is the question of whether they want to build a pushy Union or an equal, federal Union through serious negotiations. Forcing them into signing it is neither politics nor natural. Some say that the Union may break up with the secession of the ethnic states, but they need to understand that the Union is made of different states from the very beginning. For example, Karenni or Kayah states have not been under successive government control. We need to study their historical backgrounds. Yes, I also do not want to see the break-up of the Union, but Unions that are pushed too much to prevent break-up tend to split more easily. Take a look at the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. These are the historical lessons. On the other hand, real federal Unions built through thorough negotiations and that guarantee equality are unlikely to break up. KZM: [The State Counselor Offices spokesperson] U Zaw Htay said ethnic armed groups just need to sign to promise not to secede from the Union, and there would be nothing more of it. How sensitive is this issue to ethnicities, and to what extent do the government, Parliament and Burma Army need to guarantee self-determination to persuade ethnic armed groups to sign this agreement? MMS: Non-secession can neither be demanded nor promised by any individual or organization. [Secession] is the birthright of every ethnic group. For each ethnic group, the most important thing is identity. Speaking of ethnic issues, some think that ethnic armed groups may not secede if they are given rights, but besides the issue of rights, there is also the problem of identity. Take Scotland, which has been the part of UK for more than 300 years. Until recently, it had demanded secession, and not because of a problem concerning rightsthe living standard is high in Scotland, one of the highest in Europe. But then, it demanded secession. Why? Because of identity. Lets take a look how it was handled: the UK enacted the law for a referendum, which was held in Scotland. Those who were against the secession preached the merits of the union, and those who were in favor of secession preached its merits. Finally, the Scottish people decided through the national referendum that Scotland would not secede. I mean, the problem should be addressed correctly. At the peace conference, ethnic armed groups were told that if they promised not to secede from the Union, they would be allowed to draft their own state constitutions. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has frequently urged ethnic armed groups to think about what they can give and do first before making demands. According to her own words, wouldnt it be better for the government to think what it could give regarding ethnic rights and federalism rather than asking for them to promise not to secede? They should do that. KZM: We all know that the government and the military are not on the same side. Wouldnt this make it difficult for the government to negotiate? Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said in his opening speech to the conference that he would not accept the second way [an alternative to the NCA proposed by a Wa-led committee], but would adhere to the NCA and political dialogue. Do you think what Ko Maung Maung Soe has just suggested is practical? MA: Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said there is no path other than the NCA, but the UNFCs nine demands are based on the NCA. Likewise, the Northern Alliance including the United Wa State Army (UWSA) said that they would adjust the NCA, and not resort to other means unless altering the NCA is possible. They were just arguing over the NCA first, but later the disagreement became wider. It is said that each state will have its own constitution, but going against the 2008 Constitution is barred. The chairman of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) also said that those constitutions should not go against the 2008 Constitution. How then, can the Union be federal? KZM: Reading the seven-point policy of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, it can be said that her entire political roadmap including the peace process and the 21st Century Panglong is directed toward changing the 2008 Constitutionto a point where Union level agreements are signed to amend the Constitution. Constitutional amendments currently need 75 percent of votes from lawmakers, so the Constitution can only be changed when the Burma Army accepts it. Do you think that path is possible? MA: We need to think about these two separately. The ceasefire agreement is the ceasefire agreement, and political dialogue is about building a nation. Youre right, the 2008 Constitution will be amended automatically if that path leads to an answer. But the question is, how long will the discussion last? The peace process was initiated under [former] President U Thein Sein and how many years have passed now? Another question is whether all the ethnic armed groups have joined it. In political dialogue, everyone must be allowed to join, and detailed discussions must be had. The ceasefire and political dialogue are different. The 2008 Constitution should be forgotten in those discussions. Only then, will there be new ideas, otherwise the discussion would still be influenced by the 2008 Constitution. KZM: But military representatives in the Parliament and the entire establishment are chiefly responsible for protecting the 2008 Constitution. Do you think the ultimate purpose of the entire peace process implemented by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is to amend the constitution? How long will it take? Karen National Union (KNU) leader Mutu Say Poe said in his opening address that it would take time to solve the problems that have existed for nearly 70 years. So, Ko Maung Maung Soe, do you think the ultimate purpose of the peace process is to amend the Constitution? MMS: The governments aim is to amend the Constitution, and they expect to achieve this, as the military also agreed to it in the Union Accord. But nobody can say to what extent it can be changed. Firstly, armed groups involved in conflicts still cant be brought to the negotiation table. Secondly, national-level political dialogues still cant be held in every state, as stated in the NCA. Only when these two stages are completed, a nationwide agreement will be reached. For example, if national-level political dialogue is to be held in Shan State, we cant leave behind Danu and Intha tribes. Likewise, we cant leave behind Kadu and Kanan in Sagaing Division, and plain Chin in Magwe Division. How can we leave them behind? I dont mean they should all be brought to speak at the Panglong conference, but we must make sure they can express their voices at political dialogues in respective divisions and states, but this still does not happen. So it is fair to say the conference has shaped a certain landscape for the peace process, though much remains to be done to reach the goal. KZM: Ko Mya Aye, the conference was held for the second time under the new government. What are your expectations of the third session? MA: We cant give up hope. Discussion is better than fighting. They have started to talk frankly, and as they get closer to each other, there will be a greater understanding between them, so the 21st Century Panglong is not fruitless. But much is yet to be done to deliver good results, and I want this conference to be independent. If it is to be discussed under the 2008 Constitution, it is meaningless, and will never give way to federalism. KZM: Ko Mya Aye, Ko Maung Maung Soe, thank you for your contributions! Asia Trump Hails Deals Worth Billions With Vietnam US President Donald Trump welcomes Vietnams Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) at the White House in Washington, US on May 31, 2017. / Jonathan Ernst / Reuters WASHINGTON, USA US President Donald Trump talked trade with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during a White House visit on Wednesday and welcomed the signing of business deals worth billions of dollars and the jobs they would create. The US Commerce Department announced 13 new transactions with Vietnam worth US$8 billion, including $3 billion worth of US-produced content that would support more than 23,000 American jobs. These include deals for General Electric Co worth $5.58 billion for power generation, aircraft engines and services, its largest-ever combined sale in Vietnam. Caterpillar Inc and its dealer in Vietnam also agreed to provide generator management technology for more than 100 generators in Vietnam, the company said. They (Vietnam) just made a very large order in the United Statesand we appreciate thatfor many billions of dollars, which means jobs for the United States and great, great equipment for Vietnam, Trump told reporters at the White House. The Commerce Department estimate of the deals was considerably less than the $15 billion figure given by Phuc during a speech at the Heritage Foundation, adding that most of the total involved the import of US equipment. Communist Vietnam has gone from being a Cold War enemy to an important partner for the United States in the Asia-Pacific, where both countries share concerns about Chinas rising power. Phuc told Trump the relationship had undergone significant upheavals in history but that the two countries were now comprehensive partners. Phucs meeting with Trump makes him the first Southeast Asian leader to visit the White House under the new administration. Trade Friction However, while Hanoi and Washington have stepped up security cooperation in recent years, trade has become a potential irritant, with a deficit widening steadily in Vietnams favor, reaching $32 billion last year, compared with $7 billion a decade earlier. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said it was important to shrink the US trade deficit with Vietnam but noted that the Southeast Asian country of 80 million people was the fastest-growing market for US exports, rising 77 percent since 2014 to $4.4 billion. The growth of the middle class and the increasing purchasing power in Vietnam are further incentives to strengthening our long-term trade and investment relationship, Ross said. Trump, who has had strong words for countries with large trade surpluses with the United States, said he would be discussing trade with Phuc, as well as North Korea. Washington has been seeking support to pressure North Korea to drop its nuclear and missile programs, which have become an increasing threat to the United States. Hanoi has said it shares concerns about North Korea. In his Heritage speech, Phuc welcomed Trumps plans to attend the November APEC summit in Hanoi. He called it a sign of US commitment to the region and an important occasion for the United States to assert its positive role. In a reference to somewhat warmer ties between Washington and Beijing under Trump, who has been courting Chinas support on North Korea, Phuc said Vietnam welcomed good relations between the two powers, but hoped these would serve the interest of other nations in the region too. He urged Washington and Beijing to act with full transparency and in a responsible manner so as not to impact negatively the region and relations among other nations. Vietnams government said on its website Trump and Phuc had agreed to promote defense ties and discussed the possibility of US vessels, including aircraft carriers, visiting Vietnamese ports. It said they had expressed concern about the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei are involved in maritime disputes with China, which claims nearly all the strategic waterway. Taiwan also stakes a claim. They emphasized that parties must not take actions accelerating tension such as the militarization of disputed structures, it said, an apparent reference to Chinas construction work. Nice, but not Enough Murray Hiebert, a Southeast Asia expert at Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that while the Trump administration welcomed new business deals with Vietnam, its view was they were nice, but not enough. They want Vietnam to bring some ideas about how to tackle the surplus on an ongoing basis, he said. On Tuesday, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer expressed concern about the rapid growth of the deficit with Vietnam. He said it was a new challenge for the two countries and he was looking to Phuc to help address it. The deficit is Washingtons sixth largest and reflects growing imports of Vietnamese semiconductors and other electronics products in addition to more traditional sectors such as footwear, apparel and furniture. On Tuesday Vietnams trade minister, Tran Tuan Anh, presented Lighthizer with suggestions to address some US concerns, such as advertising on US social media, electronic payment services and imports of information security and farm products, Vietnams trade ministry said. Vietnam was disappointed when Trump ditched the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, of which Hanoi was expected to be one of the main beneficiaries, and focused US trade policy on reducing deficits. Burma Burmese Newspapers Chief Editor and Satirist Taken Into Police Custody Over 66(d) Charge The Voice Daily's chief editor Ko Kyaw Min Swe. / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Police detained chief editor of The Voice Daily newspaper Ko Kyaw Min Swe and its regular columnist Ko Kyaw Zwa Naingalso known by his pen name British Ko Ko Maungon Friday afternoon, according to the chief editors legal adviser U Khin Maung Myint. The pair is facing a lawsuit filed on May 17 by the Burma Army under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law over a satirical article questioning the countrys armed struggle and peace process. Ko Kyaw Min Swe and Ko Ko Maung were first summoned to Bahan Township police station on Friday afternoon for further investigation regarding the suit, U Khin Maung Myint said. Police said they could not allow them to leave [the police station] since theres an arrest order [for the pair], and that they had to put them in custody, U Khin Maung Myint told The Irrawaddy. Article 66(d) requires that an arrest warrant issued by the court within 24 hours of placement in police custody, but since the courts are closed over the weekend, U Khin Maung Myint said he is negotiating with the police regarding the matter. The article in question, titled Kyi Htaung Su Thitsarmeaning Oath Made in a Nation of Bulletswas written by Ko Ko Maung and published on March 26. The title was a play on the army-produced film Pyi Htaung Su Thitsartranslated as Union Oaththat commemorated the countrys 72nd Armed Forces Day and aired on state- and military-owned channels in early March. The piece suggested that ethnic armed groups in the long-running civil war are united only in fighting one another. It said people in Burma do not need to leave the country to fight wars when they are a days drive from the frontline. Lower-ranking soldiers die in ongoing battles while the leaders of armed groups hold peace talks and exchange smiles, British Ko Ko Maung wrote. The lawsuit came amid mediation held by the Myanmar Press Council between the paper and the military, which complained to the council about the article just before the Thingyan holidays in April. A member of the press council told reporters that the article could cause divisions between military officials and their subordinates because it implied that lower-ranking soldiers are the ones who actually have to die in battle while officials do not really have to fight. The Voice Daily published a note in its May 14 edition, expressing its regret for the armys complaint. It stated that the article was humorous, constructive and did not intend to harm the image of the Burma Army or any other ethnic armed groups. U Khin Maung Myint told The Irrawaddy that The Voice Daily had sent a draft letter with proposed wording to the military through the press council on May 24, to amend the note published earlier in the month, but have not heard back since. Defending his piece, satirist Ko Ko Maung said that it did not name specific institutions, groups, or the army, but satirized the generic situation of all armed groups. The Voice Dailys executive editor Ko Aung Soe also said that there are different standards and qualifications for news stories and satirical articles, and that the military might have misinterpreted the piece. U Aung Hla Tun, a vice-chair of Myanmar Press Council, who is leading the negotiation process, told The Irrawaddy on Friday that the mediation could be assumed to have been unsuccessful in this particular incident. He refused to comment further regarding the case. Since the enactment of the Telecommunication law in 2013, there have been a total of 67 cases filed under Article 66(d), according to the a local research group led by a former prisoner Maung Saung Kha, a poet who was jailed under the same charge in 2016. Advocates who promote freedom of speech and expression have been lobbying for the complete abolishment of this particular section of the Telecommunications Law. Burma Ma Ba Thas New Political Party Denounces NLD Govt Ma Ba Tha members announce the formation of a new political party at a press conference in Rangoon. / Lawi Weng / The Irrawaddy RANGOON The chairman of a new political party formed by supporters of banned ultra-nationalist Buddhist association Ma Ba Tha has accused the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government of failing to support Buddhism. The government banned the use of Ma Ba Thas name and signboards; they do not support us, they even oppress us, said chairman U Maung Thway Chon last month in response to government moves to shut down Ma Ba Tha. He said comments from government members, including from Rangoon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, that Ma Ba Tha was unnecessary amounted to an abuse of the rights of Buddhists. The former government did not support us, but they did not oppress us, the chairman said. We could do our work without being disturbed. Leading laypersons from the Association to Protect Race and Religioncommonly known as Ma Ba Thaannounced the formation of 135 United Patriots to work for national interests, unity and sovereignty, at a two-day conference attended by thousands of Ma Ba Tha supporters in Rangoon on Sunday. The state Buddhist Sangha committee known as Ma Ha Na recently ordered Ma Ba Tha to cease all activities, including use of its name, citing actions of leading Ma Ba Tha monks, such as U Wirathu, who spread anti-Muslim hate speech. Through the political party, Ma Ba Tha supporters hope to challenge the Ma Ha Na and the NLD on policies including the recent ban, Maung Thway Chon said. It is not enough to only protest, we need to enter politics in order to protect [Buddhists], he said. Burma Majority of Moulmein Prisoners Incarcerated on Drug Charges Moulmein prison / Hintharnee / The Irrawaddy MOULMEIN, Mon State More than half of the prisoners serving their time in Moulmein Prison are incarcerated in connection to drug cases, according to Mon State Chief Minister Dr. Aye Zan. According to the chief minister, the Moulmein Prison currently has 1,259 inmates, of which more than 650 are imprisoned for drug abuse, dealing or possession. One in two inmates are behind bars for drug cases. Whats more, many more have been arrested [in connection with drug cases], Dr. Aye Zan told The Irrawaddy during the Mon State governments press conference on its first-year performance. According to the Mon State Security and Border Affairs Minister Col Win Naing Oo, around 300 drug cases were found and more than 500 million kyats worth of drugs were seized in the state since the National League for Democracy (NLD) government assumed office in April 2016. Among the seized drugs were marijuana, methamphetamine, and opium. Methamphetamines were the most common, he added. The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) also reported overcrowding in prisons across the country earlier this year. Rangoons notorious Insein Prison was detaining about 10,000 prisoners 5,000 more than its maximum capacity, it revealed to the press. About 75 percent of the 3,000 prisoners in Kachin States Myitkyina Prison were convicted on drug-related charges, including inmates in their 70s and 80s, MNHRC said. Local and international advocate groups including Drug Policy Advocacy Group-Myanmar (DPAG) and National Drug Users Network Myanmar (NDNM) have been lobbying for the decriminalization of personal drug use. Draft legislation modifying the countrys notorious 1993 narcotics law will soon be submitted to Parliament. It would order an effective treatment policy for drug users rather than prescribe punishment and imprisonment, according to advocacy groups. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko Initial costs can be included in capital: NRB Foreign companies developing infrastructure projects in Nepal have been allowed to factor in the cost incurred prior to their establishment as paid-up capital, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) said. Burma Police: Husband Killed Wife Before Suicide Ma Khaing Sabel Hnin Aung and Victor Raj. / Facebook RANGOON The bodies of a married couple were found with stab wounds at their house in No. 14 Ward of Rangoons Thaketa Township on Thursday morning. In a statement on its Facebook page, Rangoon Division Police Force said it appears Victor Raj, in his 40s, killed his wife Ma Khaing Sabel Hnin Aung, in her 30s, with a hammer and a cleaver before stabbing himself and slitting his wrists. Photos of the bodies along with the bloodstained hammer and cleaver were posted by police on Facebook, causing social media users to question how Victor Raj could slit both wrists and stab himself with a cleaver, which has a flat blade. According to police, Victor Raj, from India, bought the hammer and cleaver from Capital Hyper Market on Wednesday, before killing Ma Khaing Sabel Hnin Aung, who was from Burma. Their housemaid found the mans corpse on the upper floor and the womans corpse on the lower floor of the two-story house, according to media reports. Police said Victor Raj had two stab wounds and a cut in his chest, and both of his wrists were slit. Ma Khaing Sabel Hnin Aung had her throat cut and was hit by a heavy object on the left part of her skull, police added. Social media users also questioned why there was no blood surrounding Victor Rajs wrist wounds, and why he was found naked. It is not that he stabbed himself with the cleaver, an officer of Thaketa Township police station told The Irrawaddy. There were other knives. He stabbed himself with a sharp knife. We also found a knife that had not been unwrapped. The divisional police force will release more information. Victor Raj had been unemployed for several months and was heavily in debt, according to the police statement, which also said he owed his wife 5 million kyats. Victor Raj was previously the general manager of The One Bar in Bahan Township. The executive director of its parent company The One Group Co. announced through his lawyer that the company would not take responsibility for the finances of Victor Raj. The Rangoon Division Police Force and the Criminal Investigation Department, which is investigating the case alongside the local police force, were unavailable for comment on Friday. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. News Report: Burgeoning Market for Methamphetamine in Burma The Rangoon government destroys more than US$19.7 million worth of seized drugs in June 2016. / Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy RANGOON The methamphetamine market in Burma has remained high, along with other countries in East and Southeast Asia, as seizures of the drug rose steadily between 2006 and 2015, according to a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released Thursday. The report, titled The challenges of Synthetic Drugs in East and South-East Asia, reviews trends and patterns of amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances from 2006 to 2015. It noted annual seizures of methamphetamine increased more than fivefold in East and Southeast Asia during the period, while heroin seizures increased by only 75 percent. Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam saw increasing use whereas other countries in the region saw either stable or decreasing use, the report said. The report did not cover May 2016 to 2017, but Burmese authorities seized 4.6 million methamphetamine pills in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State in February and 400,000 methamphetamine pills in May of this year. Authorities seized approximately 50 million methamphetamine tablets in 2015including a seizure of 26.7 million methamphetamine tablets in Rangoon in July 2015 and another two million in September that yearwhich is larger than the sum seized between 2012 and 2014. Last week alone, Burmas anti-narcotics police in different parts of the country seized almost 300,000 stimulant tablets in eastern Shan, Karen and northern Arakan states, according to state media. On Monday, an anti-narcotics squad, together with the local Border Guard Force seized 218,400 stimulant tablets and seven kilos of powdered stimulant drugs in Parkhar village in Tachileik in Shan State. Two days before, anti-narcotics police in Lashio seized 39,000 stimulant tablets from two vehicles on the Lashio-Mandalay Road near Nawnghkio on May 27. On May 28, Karen states Hpa-an district anti-narcotics squad seized 28,000 tablets in a house in Htoogon village. Some 230 stimulants drugs known as WY were seized in Arakan States Buthidaung Township on Sunday. Heroin remains a drug of major concern in some Southeast Asian countries, including Burma, Malaysia and Vietnam, said the UNODC report, with Burma being one of the main sources of opium poppy cultivation and heroin manufacturing. Methamphetamine pills are widely used in Burmese society, especially among young people in rural areas, said Dr. Nang Pann Ei Kham, a drug policy advocate in Burma. The users mostly smoke the drugs, believing that the methamphetamine can boost their capacity to work. It has been widely used not only in urban communities, but sadly spreading into villages and rural areas, she said, explaining that more research needs to be done on the issue. Part of the availability of the tablets and pills are due to trading of the substances for the raw opium, she added, as poppy producers are given the stimulants for about two-thirds of the cost for the opium, in cultivation areas such as in Shan and Kachin states. Drug policy advocates stressed the need to create markets for other crops, to persuade opium farmers to stop. Ongoing conflicts in Burmas northeast have hampered such campaigns, they noted. Illicit drug trafficking and drug addiction is a key problem and must be tackled as a national issue said Daw San Wint Khaing, the Pa-O ethnic affairs minister from Mon State. The drug problem is affecting everyone in each state and region, regardless of their age, thus the drug problem must be regarded as a social issue as well as a security issue, she told The Irrawaddy last week. She supported the governments drug eradication policy and highlighted the need to include it in future policy. She noted that one of the 37 principles signed at the recent Union Peace Conference was the prevention of drug trafficking. Specials Displaced and Forgotten, Kaman Search for a New Home A Kaman family in Htauk Kyan village of Rangoons Mingaladon Township. / Maung Naing / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Its a modest life, but its a lot better than what came before. Father-of-two U Khin Maung Shwe works as a motorcycle taxi driver outside Rangoon. His wife, Daw Ni La, runs a small shop. They get by mainly on their own efforts, and thats important to the Kaman Muslim family who came to Htauk Kyan village in Mingaladon Township three years ago, hoping to escape the tough conditions they experienced in the Ramree camp for internally displaced people (IDP) in Arakan State for three years. It was very restrictive there. We had to rely on food from donors. And we couldnt move about freely like we can here. By contrast, life in Rangoon feels safe, and free, he said. The couple can see a future. They hope to save money, and to send their children to school. Losing Everything The sudden eruption of violence between members of the Buddhist and Muslim communities in Arakan State in 2012 resulted in around 112 deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, the majority of whom were Muslims who identify as Rohingyas. The Muslim Kaman community were also deeply affected, with thousands placed in camps in Ramree, Kyaukphyu and Sittwe townships, for their safety according to authorities. The Kaman are classified as one of Burmas 135 official ethnic groups and one of seven ethnic subgroups of Arakan State. The total community numbers only around 45,000 people, according to estimates of the Kaman National Progressive Party (KNPP). Most come from Thandwe, Kyaukphyu, Ramree, Sittwe and Myaybon townships in Arakan State and there are significant communities in Rangoon and Mandalay. Around 12,000 lived in Rangoon prior to 2012, according to the KNPP. After the 2012 violence, the community increasingly found itself isolated and in an uneasy relationship with elements of both the Buddhist community and the Muslim Rohingya community. Some 4,000 Kaman fled from camps or other locations to Mandalay and Rangoon in the immediate aftermath of the initial communal violence, the KNPP estimates. Since then, another 2,000 joined them in the flight to Burmas two largest cities, according to the party. Among them were a number in 2015 who were granted National Verification Cards and allowed to travel, Kyaukphyu Township administrator U Nyi Nyi Lin told The Irrawaddy. No Way Home? Promises from both the previous government and the current administration that the Kaman could return to their former homes in Ramree, Kyaukphyu, and Sittwe have failed to materialize. Hundreds of families from Kyauktalone camp in Kyaukphyu owned properties in the western part of the township, including in the Thanpan Chaung, Myitnartan, Ahyarchi quarters. Some properties were destroyed during the violence of 2012. Other homes and properties remain intact, but authorities have discouraged the owners from returning, saying they could not guarantee returnees safety. A number of properties have been taken over by squatters. I went secretly a few times to find out the condition of my house in Ahyarchi quarter and saw that strangers were staying there. But I cant say anything against them because I am an IDP, said U Tin Maung Shwe who is living in Kyauktalone camp. I am really dissatisfied, but what can I do? he said. Over the years some Kaman IDPs have also leased their land or sold their houses, often at below-market rates to unscrupulous buyers who took advantage of their vulnerable positions. It should not be that wayauthorities have a responsibility to oversee such problems and enforce the law on the ground, said Kyaukphyu Rural Development Association coordinator U Tun Kyi. Last week, authorities from Kyaukphyu did act to remove squatters from a previously burnt out area of eastern Pike Seik ward, locally known as a Muslim quarter. But any future return home of the original residents would be handled by the Union government, U Nyi Nyi Lin said. Kaman representatives have been in talks with the government about relocation since the previous administration, with little result. Last month they met Union Social Welfare minister Dr. Win Myat Aye who was on a visit to Arakan State. According to U Tun Ngwe, Dr. Win Myat Aye and chief minister U Nyi Pu suggested during the meeting that authorities would return lost land and houses to Kaman. But the problem is that now there is no one remaining in Ramree except some civil servants, and a few people in Kyaukphyu, said U Tun Ngwe of the Kaman Social Network. Distrust Between Communities U Tun Ngwe recalled a recent discussion between Arakan States border affairs minister U Htein Lin and Kaman political party and civil society representatives in which the minister said that relocation to places like downtown Kyaukphyu would take time. Relations between the majority Buddhist community and the Kaman have soured since 2012, with some Buddhist community members accusing Kaman of assisting Rohingya Muslims to obtain pink cards, denoting full citizenship of Burma. U Tun Ngwe told The Irrawaddy that the issue was a result of malpractice of some government officials. Relations also took a turn for the worse last year after two IDPs were accused of the rape of a Buddhist woman. The accusation occurred around the same time as the government was negotiating a resettlement project for Kaman. U Tun Kyi remains positive still about future relocation prospects. Many of the old relationships [in the community] remain stable, the Kyaukphyu rural development coordinator said. Its fair enough that they demand to be relocated to their place of origin, he said, adding that most Kaman from Kyaukphyu worked as laborers and could not survive in areas where fishing is the main source of livelihoods. But in reality, in the immediate term the authorities are looking to rehouse Kaman in new, yet to be determined locations, according to township administrator U Nyi Nyi Lin. Moving Away Meanwhile, Kaman still languishing in camps after five years are continuing to seek the best of a poor set of options, and the camps are gradually emptying. Kyauktalone camp now houses around 1,100 people, down from a former 1,900 with around 800 having left for Rangoon in the last five years, U Nyi Nyi Lin said. Only four or five families remain in the Ramree camp, which once housed 800 people, according to KNPP secretary U Tin Hlaing Win. In April, around 130 people from Ramree camp arrived in Rangoon, with some having received financial assistance from the Arakan State government, said U Tun Ngwe. According to one new arrival, the assistance included air tickets, cash assistance of 500,000 kyat for each family and an additional 100,000 kyat per family member. Some of the Rangoon arrivals are living in Hlaing Thayar Township and in downtown areas where they seek to find work as casual laborers. Others have received support from the Kaman Social Network and U Tun Ngwe, who has provided many families with homes and jobs on five acres of his livestock farm in Htauk Kyant. In April, Kaman in Htauk Kyant celebrated the Arakanese traditional water festival alongside local Buddhist residents, U Tun Nge said. Residents of Htauk Kyant have given a warm welcome to the fresh faces, ethnic Bamar U Khin Maung Than told The Irrawaddy. Buddhists and Kaman were living happily together, he said. The Kaman buy goods from the Buddhists shops and Buddhists buy traditional Arakanese food from small Kaman stores, he added. But U Tun Ngwe worries that other Kaman need assistance, while his farm and the KSN lack the capacity to help many more. In the future, the state government should provide them with land in Rangoon. They have lost everything in Arakan State. Reddit Email 159 Shares Denise A. Spellberg | (The Conversation) | An estimated 3.3 million American Muslims are celebrating the month of Ramadan. It was during this month that Prophet Mohammad first received revelations from God. The Thomas Jefferson memorial in Washington, DC. Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA The holiday has been celebrated at the White House with American Muslims since 1996, when First Lady Hillary Clinton began the tradition. However, this year, as media reports indicate, it is likely that the White House will not host the traditional reception. Neither, it seems, will the State Department under Secretary Rex Tillerson, even though the holiday has been commemorated there, either during Ramadan or at its end, Eid al-Fitr, since 1999. Despite the relatively recent nature of these formal celebrations, the fact is that Islams presence in North America dates to the founding of the nation, and before, as my book, Thomas Jeffersons Quran: Islam and the Founders, demonstrates. Islam, an American religion Muslims arrived in North America as early as the 17th century, eventually composing 15 to 30 percent of the enslaved West African population of British America. (Muslims from the Middle East did not begin to immigrate here as free citizens until the late 19th century.) Even key American Founding Fathers demonstrated a marked interest in the faith and its practitioners, most notably Thomas Jefferson. As a 22-year-old law student in Williamsburg, Virginia, Jefferson bought a Quran 11 years before drafting the Declaration of Independence. The purchase is symbolic of a longer historical connection between American and Islamic worlds, and a more inclusive view of the nations early, robust view of religious pluralism. Although Jefferson did not leave any notes on his immediate reaction to the Quran, he did criticize Islam as stifling free enquiry in his early political debates in Virginia, a charge he also leveled against Catholicism. He thought both religions fused religion and the state at a time he wished to separate them in his commonwealth. Despite his criticism of Islam, Jefferson supported the rights of its adherents. Evidence exists that Jefferson had been thinking privately about Muslim inclusion in his new country since 1776. A few months after penning the Declaration of Independence, he returned to Virginia to draft legislation about religion for his native state, writing in his private notes a paraphrase of the English philosopher John Lockes 1689 Letter on Toleration: [he] says neither Pagan nor Mahometan [Muslim] nor Jew ought to be excluded from the civil rights of the commonwealth because of his religion. The precedents Jefferson copied from Locke echo strongly in his Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which proclaims: (O)ur civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions. The statute, drafted in 1777, which became law in 1786, inspired the Constitutions no religious test clause and the First Amendment. Jeffersons pluralistic vision Was Jefferson thinking about Muslims when he drafted his famed Virginia legislation? Indeed, we find evidence for this in the Founding Fathers 1821 autobiography, where he happily recorded that a final attempt to add the words Jesus Christ to the preamble of his legislation failed. And this failure led Jefferson to affirm that he had intended the application of the Statute to be universal. By this he meant that religious liberty and political equality would not be exclusively Christian. For Jefferson asserted in his autobiography that his original legislative intent had been to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan [Muslim], the Hindoo, and Infidel of every denomination. By defining Muslims as future citizens in the 18th century, in conjunction with a resident Jewish minority, Jefferson expanded his universal legislative scope to include every one of every faith. Ideas about the nations religiously plural character were tested also in Jeffersons presidential foreign policy with the Islamic powers of North Africa. President Jefferson welcomed the first Muslim ambassador, who hailed from Tunis, to the White House in 1805. Because it was Ramadan, the president moved the state dinner from 3:30 p.m. to be precisely at sunset, a recognition of the Tunisian ambassadors religious beliefs, if not quite Americas first official celebration of Ramadan. A White House tradition Muslims once again provide a litmus test for the civil rights of all U.S. believers. Even though this administration seems to have chosen not to continue the American political tradition of celebrating Ramadan at the White House, it is still a moment to remember that Islam has long been practiced in America. Its adherents remain a pivotal part of our founding history. The very presence of Muslims in America, as American citizens, remains unacknowledged by the Trump administration, both in its speech in Saudi Arabia to the Muslim world and the presidents minimal statement marking Ramadan this month. Today, Muslims are fellow citizens, and their legal rights represent an American founding ideal increasingly besieged by fear mongering, precedents at odds with the best of our ideals of universal religious freedom. Denise A. Spellberg, Professor of History and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Texas at Austin This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Related video added by Juan Cole: VOA: For African-American Muslims, Ramadan Has Special Meaning Reddit Email 488 Shares TeleSur | Its the second time this week a noose has been discovered on the grounds of a Smithsonian museum. A noose was found on Wednesday in an exhibition on segregation at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., Smithsonian Institution officials said. The exhibit gallery at the museum was partially closed for about three hours and the U.S. Park Police was investigating the incident. The noose has long represented a deplorable act of cowardice and depravity a symbol of extreme violence for African Americans, wrote Lonnie Bunch, the director of the museum, in an email to staff. Todays incident is a painful reminder of the challenges that African Americans continue to face. In the U.S. context, the noose is meant to represent the dark history of lynchings of African Americans that took place primarily from the 1860s to the 1960s. Recently, nooses have been found across the country, from a middle school in Maryland to the Port of Oakland in California. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is part of the Smithsonian, which includes 19 museums, including the Hirshhorn and galleries and the National Zoological Park. It is the only national museum in the U.S. devoted exclusively to addressing African American life, history and culture. Former President Barack Obama said at a dedication ceremony in September 2016 that the facility tells the story of Black U.S. and helps to tell a richer and fuller story of who we are. This incident came four days after a noose was found hanging from a tree outside the Hirshhorn museum in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian family stands together in condemning this act of hatred and intolerance, especially repugnant in a museum that affirms and celebrates the American values of inclusion and diversity, David Skorton, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, told the staff in an internal email. We will not be intimidated. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, more than 1,300 hate incidents, including anti-immigrant and anti-Black, were reported between November 2016 and February 2017. We havent seen such mainstream support for hate in decades, not since the Civil Rights era 50 years ago, spokesperson of the center Ryan Lenz said. Were witnessing a moment when there are tremendous challenges to the country that we built on pluralism and democracy. Via TeleSur - Related video added by Juan Cole: WKRG: Noose found inside Smithsonians African-American museum Reddit Email 46 Shares John Feffer | ( Tomdispatch.com ) | Asia has been the future for more than a generation. When Americans try to glimpse whats to come, images of the Pacific Rim flood the imagination. For movie audiences in 1982, the rain-soaked Los Angeles of Blade Runner looked like downtown Tokyo. By 2014, the City of Angels in the Spike Jonze film Her had more of a Shanghai vibe. This upcoming October, with the release of Blade Runner 2049, Los Angeles will likely resemble Seoul. Off-screen as well, Asia has been almost as good as a time machine. When I was coming of age, it was the place to go for anyone hankering for the next big thing. After college, a number of my classmates traveled to Japan to strike gold teaching English. Today, recent grads are more likely to visit the big cities of South Korea and China, or head further south to Singapore and Malaysia. They all come back, as I did in 2001 after three years in Asia, with stories of the future: bullet trains, otherworldly urban landscapes, the latest electronic gizmos. So, its not surprising that when foreign policy elites think about what will replace a U.S. superpower in relative decline speculation that has grown more feverish in the Trump era they, too, look East. But no longer to Japan, which is passe, or South Korea, which has also perhaps peaked. Instead, they tremble before China, which has already surpassed the United States in gross economic output, while steadily enhancing its military capabilities. It seems like the only country remotely capable of challenging the United States as the worlds sole superpower. The anxiety of declining U.S. influence became so intense during the Obama years that the notion of a Group of Two (G2) gained considerable currency: if we cant beat em, went the thinking at the time, then maybe we should join em. However seriously intended such a proposal to co-rule the world with China might have been, the Obama administration never followed up beyond agreements on climate change and bilateral investment. Ambitious and impatient, Beijing decided to strike out on its own. It has unveiled a twenty-first-century, industrial-strength version of the post-World War II Marshall Plan with which the U.S. once put a devastated Europe back on its feet. Chinas vision, however, focuses on the building up of all the countries on its periphery and some even further afield, as it tries to draw the whole Eurasian continent into its sphere of influence. Although its expected to provide an estimated $1 trillion to more than 60 countries, this One Belt, One Road plan is anything but a charity mission. It will direct a major influx of resources to Chinese construction companies, bring minerals and energy to Chinese factories, and promise a better potential return on investment than U.S. treasury bonds. Some infrastructure projects will also allay security concerns, like the energy pipelines to be built through Myanmar that will bypass the watery bottleneck of the Malacca Straits where a determined adversary could potentially shut off 80% of Beijings oil imports. The victory of Donald Trump in the 2016 elections has only deepened anxiety over Chinas ascendance among Washingtons policymakers and pundits. During his campaign, Trump frightened both the neocons and more conventional militarists with his talk of avoiding military entanglements overseas. As president, he has pledged to boost military spending but seems to have no idea of how to use all the Pentagons new toys other than to bomb the stuffing out of the militants of the Islamic State. Nor does Trump care a whit about the soft power the United States has traditionally used to cultivate international support. For instance, Washington had long promoted international financial institutions and free trade agreements, but Trump has railed against the false song of globalism. China, meanwhile, is positioning itself to become the new overlord of global capitalism, even going so far as to set up a parallel international financial system to realize its vision. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which began operations in January 2016 without the support of the United States or the European Union, will function like the World Bank in providing financing for Chinas various building projects abroad. Whereas Beijing controls less than 5% of the votes at the World Bank, it commands 28% of the shares in the AIIB. Although still a small operation compared to Chinas commercial banks, it will be quite capable of scaling up if the opportunity arises. The contrast between Beijing and Washington has become even sharper around climate change. Trumps denial of global warming he once labeled it a Chinese hoax has whetted the Beijing leaderships appetite for global influence. As one of its top climate change negotiators said shortly after Trump won the November election, Chinas influence and voice are likely to increase in global climate governance, which will then spill over into other areas of global governance and increase Chinas global standing, power, and leadership. All of this is part of a larger trend of power flowing from West to East. In 2010, North America and Western Europe were responsible for 40% of the global gross national product. By 2050, that share, the Economist Intelligence Unit estimates, will fall to 21%, with Asias share rising to a commanding 48.1%. But dont rush out to begin that crash course in Mandarin and exchange your dollars for yuan quite yet. The showdown between Beijing and Washington is unlikely to play out exactly as the Chinese hope and Americans fear. The Decline of the United States On a visit to Beijing in October 2016, in the presence of the Chinese leadership, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared, America has lost now. Ive realigned myself in your ideological flow. He went on to imagine a new axis of Russia, China, and the Philippines arrayed against the arrogance of American power. Talk about shockers. The Philippines has traditionally been a cornerstone of U.S. influence in Asia, a place for Washington to station troops, dock ships, and, in the post-9/11 era, send military advisors to help suppress a Muslim insurgency. Moreover, Manila had gone toe to toe with Beijing over disputed islands in the South China Sea, even submitting its case to an international tribunal for arbitration. But that was before Duterte became president in May 2016 and labeled President Obama, who took a dim view of Dutertes gruesome record of extrajudicial killings, a son of a whore. The apparent defection of the Philippines was the coup de grace for one of the Obama administrations most heralded foreign policy efforts aimed at staving off American decline. In October 2011, just before the Arab Spring broke out, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton authored an article in Foreign Policy laying out what would become known as the Pacific pivot. The United States, at the time, was fitfully trying to extricate itself from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thanks to imports from Mexico and Canada, as well as investments in shale fracking and sustainable energy, Washington was no longer quite so dependent on Middle Eastern oil. The Obama administration felt that it might finally put the failures of the Bush years behind it and turn to new horizons. The Pacific pivot should have been called the Willie Sutton policy. When Sutton was asked why he robbed banks, he replied, Thats where the money is. So, too, with Asia. It contains four of the top 11 economies in the world: Chinas, Japans, Indias, and South Koreas. With the United States focused on losing bets in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen, China has been cornering this rich Asian market. By now, it has become the leading trading partner for South Korea, Japan, Australia, and virtually all of Southeast Asia. To recapture its edge in the region, the Obama administration promoted a free trade compact known as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). U.S. negotiators managed to achieve the near impossible by getting a dozen disparate countries on the same page while leaving China out of the picture. But Congress proved, at best, lukewarm on the deal. And sentiment among the American public ran even colder so cold, in fact, that one of its chief architects, Hillary Clinton, fearing that the trade agreement might take her presidential bid down in flames, came out against it in 2016. Withdrawing from the TPP would, of course, be one of Donald Trumps first acts as president. The United States, in fact, faces more than just an economic challenge in Asia. Washington had long considered the Pacific to be an American lake. It currently has 375,000 military and civilian personnel stationed within the Pacific Commands ambit and devotes roughly half its naval capacity to Pacific waters. It maintains treaty alliances with Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, as well as dozens of military bases in the region. But China, after more than a decade of double-digit increases in military spending, has begun pushing back against American pretensions to be the only Pacific power around. It has developed new weapons to deny the U.S. military access to its coastal waters and has come to excel at cyberwarfare, vacuuming up huge amounts of confidential data by hacking into U.S. government agencies. Meanwhile, in the world of spy versus spy, China has managed to plug leaks on its end by jailing or killing more than a dozen U.S. intelligence assets. Even before the ascension of Donald Trump, the Pentagons effort to pivot eastward had come up short. For all its overwhelming military edge, Washington has increasingly found itself unable to dictate outcomes through force anywhere in the Greater Middle East. The rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and turmoil in Yemen and Libya have all continued to bedevil the U.S. military. In the meantime, the Obama administration made some token rearrangements of its forces in the Pacific, sold some high-tech weaponry to its allies in the region, and threw some brush-back pitches at Beijing. But in the end, as with so many of Obamas initiatives, the Pacific pivot proved largely aspirational. The U.S. never really pivoted out of the Greater Middle East. As a presidential candidate, Trump was content to bluster about Chinese threats, even as he also threatened to withdraw the U.S. nuclear umbrella from both Tokyo and Seoul. He demanded that U.S. allies pony up more money for American help and protection, while offering no new ways of anchoring the United States in the Pacific. Now in the Oval Office, Trump has sent mixed signals. Hes repaired relations with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but hes also been pushing a major rise in the Pentagon budget. And what country would be the target of those additional tens of billions of dollars in military spending? The U.S. Navy certainly doesnt need a 350-ship force to counter the Islamic State. Trump has welcomed the election of South Koreas new president, Moon Jae-in, but also insists that he wants to renegotiate bad trade and security deals with South Korea. He has tried to bully North Korea, but has also held out the possibility of meeting personally with that pretty smart cookie, Kim Jong-un. Thanks to his erratic pronouncements, even though its early in Trumps term, American influence in the region is already dropping as inexorably as the presidents approval ratings at home. Add to this mix a president who only wants big wins but doesnt see the likelihood of that happening in Asia and you have the definition of decline. That decline has, in recent years, often been calculated in terms of approaching horizons: when North Korean missiles can reach the West Coast; when Chinas military spending pulls closer to the Pentagons; when Japan and South Korea, like the Philippines, begin to reconsider their allegiances. Now, in the Trump era, add one more item to the list: when Asia faces an incompetent, corrupt, and self-defeating administration in Washington. The way seems clear enough for China, the strongest country in Asia, to fill the potential vacuum. But, as they say, the best-laid plans oft do go astray. The Weakness of Asia Japan is the incredible shrinking country. Between 2010 and 2015, the population of Americas most steadfast ally in the Pacific dropped by a million people to just over 127 million. As a result of a strikingly low fertility rate and negligible immigration, there could, according to official projections, be only 85-95 million Japanese by 2050. By 2135, after living in a fossilized society, the last Japanese, at the age of 118, could breathe his or her final breath. This worst-case scenario, as spelled out by former trade negotiator Clyde Prestowitz in his recent book Japan Restored, is perhaps far-fetched, but Japan is nevertheless on a path toward what looks like national seppuku: ritual suicide by attrition. Ah, well, thats Japan, you might think. Its been in a fiscal funk since its economic bubble burst back in 1990. But the rise, stagnation, and shrinkage of that country remains a cautionary tale for all the other lands that have followed its path of export-led and state-facilitated growth. After all, South Korea has entered its own period of diminished economic expectations, with anemic growth, widening inequality, and pervasive corporate corruption. Young South Koreans, facing the prospect of unemployment or poorly compensated contract labor, refer to their country as Hell Choson, a play on the Choson dynasty that ruled from 1392 to 1897. Taiwan, another member of the flying geese of industrialization responsible for Asias tremendous economic growth, faces a strikingly similar set of problems, according to economist Frank Hsiao, including low and stagnating wage rates, increasing income inequality, the hollowing out of domestic industries, and languishing exports. Some of the shine is even wearing off Chinas economic miracle. The days of annual double-digit growth in its gross national product are long past. Officials are happy now if they can cite growth figures closer to 7% (and even those are believed to be overstated). The Chinese labor force has been contracting since 2012. Strikes and labor protests increased dramatically in 2016, while unrest continues in Chinas westernmost provinces of Xinjiang and Tibet. The governments official anti-corruption campaign, despite netting some highly placed individuals, has only driven the corrupt into more discrete forms of graft. Meanwhile, its not only Japan that faces a demographic crisis. The fertility rates of both Taiwan (1.12) and South Korea (1.25) are even lower than Japans (1.41), while Chinas (1.6) is only a bit higher. None of them is close to the replacement rate of 2.1. Approaching 2050, all four countries will have to dig deep to pay the retirement benefits and healthcare costs of all the industrious workers currently outperforming their counterparts elsewhere in the world. What was once called Japan passing investors skipping that country in search of better opportunities elsewhere in the region is already morphing into China passing. Financial flows are also going to be affected by the rising waters of climate change, which, later in the century, will threaten major cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Predicting the coming supremacy of the East has been a veritable cottage industry in the West, and its stock is still rising as Chinas One Belt, One Road venture, meant to tie the vast Eurasian continent together, goes head to head with Trumps my way or the highway. The future, however, promises to be far messier than China or its boosters imagine. Demographics, corruption, and reduced economic growth not to mention environmental degradation and the declining legitimacy of its ruling partys ideology are by no means the only problems that Beijing faces. Asias New Nationalism The United States once billed itself as the antidote to nationalism in Asia. After World War II, it established a permanent military presence across the region to prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism. It portrayed itself as a neutral party, with no territorial ambitions. It restored the island of Okinawa to Japan in 1972. It refused to take sides in several island disputes in the region. In this way, its liberal internationalism squared off against the illiberal Communisms of China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Both these supranational ideologies, which flourished in the region during the Cold War, have entered hospice care in the twenty-first century. Communism has functionally disappeared from the region, replaced by nationalisms of varying degrees of intensity. Xi Jinpings China and Kim Jong-uns North Korea are hardly the only places where nationalism has taken root. In Japan, for instance, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is busy trying to rebuild the very militarism that the United States once professed to despise. A succession of U.S. administrations has aided and abetted this right-wing nationalist effort to dispense with the countrys post-World War II peace constitution and push the Japanese Self-Defense Forces onto the offensive. Nationalist leaders, meanwhile, have assumed power throughout Southeast Asia: the murderous president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte; the former military commander, now prime minister of Thailand, Prayuth Chan-ocha; and the corrupt Najib Razak, prime minister of Malaysia. Even more ominously, nationalism has taken hold in South Asia, particularly in India, which recently replaced Great Britain as the worlds sixth largest economy and where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made Hindu exceptionalism the heart and soul of his ruling party. One obvious result of this rising nationalism has been escalating arms imports across the region. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India became the worlds largest arms importer in 2012-2016. During that period, Southeast Asias arms imports rose by more than 6%, with Vietnam jumping to 10th place globally. In 2012, for the first time, Asia surpassed Europe in overall military spending. Both the nationalist rhetoric and those weapons imports are certainly linked to regional perceptions of the waxing and waning of great powers. To reinforce their claims to the South China Sea and several other disputed territories, countries in the region feel the need to arm themselves in the face of a newly aggressive China and a perennially distracted United States. At the moment, those two countries are cooperating in one key area: pouring money into the kind of military hardware that could someday lead to a catastrophic showdown. This reality has led ever more foreign policy analysts to invoke the Thucydides trap, in which a rising power like Athens (read: China) takes on the hitherto dominant power Sparta (read: America) in a long, debilitating conflict like the Peloponnesian War (read: World War III). But the conflicts in Asia may, in fact, shape up quite differently. Movements for greater self-determination are undercutting the reach of both the rising and the reigning superpower. Consider the contrasting examples of Myanmar and South Korea. China is the largest investor in Myanmar, and at one time the two countries were as thick as thieves. But relations between them have grown tense. In 2011, the new civilian-led government in Myanmar stopped work on the Myitsone dam, one of a number of mega-projects financed by Beijing. Plenty of Burmese blame China for helping to prop up the military junta, writes journalist Tom Miller in his new book, Chinas Asian Dream. Newly enfranchised, the Burmese have taken aim at projects like Myitsone, where 90% of the electricity generated would have gone to China. Myanmars leader Aung San Suu Kyi must now decide between permanently mothballing the dam, which would require paying back the $800 million owed Chinese financiers, or going forward with a deeply unpopular project she previously opposed. The example of Myanmar is not unique. Sri Lanka has recently swung away from China and back toward India. Filipino President Duterte has recently edged back toward a United States led by Donald Trump, who has praised the Philippine leaders drug war (despite its massive human rights violations). Vietnam is perennially suspicious of Chinas geopolitical intentions, but anti-Chinese sentiment has also been building in Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia. One Belt, One Road might outstrip the Marshall Plan in size, but it lacks the underlying regional political solidarity that ensured the latters success. And yet China is not alone in feeling a backlash in the region. In South Korea, for instance, a decade of conservative rule came to a crashing end with the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye on corruption charges, a hastily organized election, and the victory of progressive Moon Jae-in. The new South Korean leader is no firebrand, so dont expect a dramatic break with Washington. South Korea has been subservient to the United States for too long to risk that any time soon. Moon has, however, promised to take another look at the missile defense system the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) that the United States worked so hard to deploy in South Korea before he took office. The new president also wants to mend fences with China, the countrys largest trading partner, and revive a more cooperative relationship with North Korea as well. Meanwhile, in Japan, opposition from politicians, activists, and ordinary citizens in Okinawa has blocked a plan hammered out in Tokyo and Washington to close an old U.S. military base in the city of Futenma, only to build a replacement elsewhere on the island. Okinawa is where America houses a good deal of its Pacific firepower. The refusal of Okinawan inhabitants to support the construction of the new base has not only scrambled the Pacific plans of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton but given new legitimacy to the idea of withdrawing U.S. forces from Japan and South Korea to a secondary tier of islands like Guam. The growing willingness of Asian countries to put their own interests above those of their putative patrons has also made it more difficult for the region to find common ground. Asia is not remotely cohesive, writes Jessica Mathews of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. There is no East comparable to the West. Though the region is integrating economically, it is riven by active conflicts, bitter historical memories, and deep cultural divisions. Past as Prologue? If liberal internationalism no longer appeals to U.S. allies in Asia or, indeed, to the new leadership in Washington it might be easy enough to assume that the future will be a replay of the past: the return to a Sinocentric universe that prevailed for 1,000 years or more in the region. Instead of local satraps loaded with gifts visiting an emperor in Beijing, the leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines will build dams and ports and pipelines with Chinese money and then repatriate much of the proceeds to that country. As it happens, though, the intensification of nationalism in Asia has greatly complicated this picture and may leave leaders like Duterte playing Beijing off against Washington, or striking out on their own, or perhaps seeking help from India or even Saudi Arabia, which has made a bid for greater influence among Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. If the rise of China has caused much anxiety in the West, so has the possibility that no country will become dominant in Asia in the wake of U.S. decline and that a new kind of chaos will descend on the region. The idea of a multipolar world, without dominant powers and guided solely by the rule of law, is theoretically attractive, Financial Times journalist Gideon Rachman writes in his recent book Easternization. But he adds, I fear that just such a multipolar world is already emerging and proving to be unstable and dangerous: the rules are very hard to enforce without a dominant power in the background. For years, Asia has contemplated an alternative to both Chinese and American hegemony. Following the example of the European Union, politicians and scholars have imagined a future of economic and political integration. But the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and similar efforts continue to fall far short of the EU ideal (which itself looks increasingly shaky and fragmented). In other words, despite all those dreams of Asias glittering future, its unlikely to resemble the peaceful prosperity of Europe, nor is it likely to see a continuation of U.S. hegemony or a repeat of the China-centered system of centuries past. Its likely, however, to involve population decline, economic contraction, heightened nationalism, and rising waters a future, in short, filled with troubles and dangers of every sort. Although Washington still commands considerable power in the region, it could stand back, Trump-like, and just watch everything unravel. Or, alongside Beijing, it could make a serious investment in a new organization of security and economic cooperation, in which the United States and China would be equal partners, the region could have its collective say, and the new nationalism would be deprived of its major raison detre. Without such a supranational vision that could bring the region together around the twin threats of climate change and economic inequality, one thing is essentially guaranteed. The Asia to come wont look shiny and new like some Hollywood movie. The future may not look like Asia at all, but more like Europe circa 1913, at the edge of conflict and cataclysm. John Feffer is the author of the new dystopian novel, Splinterlands (a Dispatch Books original with Haymarket Books), which Publishers Weekly hails as a chilling, thoughtful, and intuitive warning. He is the director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies and a TomDispatch regular. Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on Facebook. Check out the newest Dispatch Book, John Dowers The Violent American Century: War and Terror Since World War II, as well as John Feffers dystopian novel Splinterlands, Nick Turses Next Time Theyll Come to Count the Dead, and Tom Engelhardts Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World. Copyright 2017 John Feffer Via Tomdispatch.com TORONTO, June 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Argonaut Gold Inc. (TSX: AR) (the "Company", "Argonaut Gold" or "Argonaut") is pleased to provide drill results for the South Target area that lies within the 420 hectare mineral concession recently acquired from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fresnillo Plc ("Fresnillo") (see press release dated February 23, 2017). The South Target drill program, consisting of 71 reverse circulation ("RC") drill holes totaling 6,990 metres, tested projected mineralization immediately south of the current El Castillo open pit. The recently announced North Target (see press release dated May 8, 2017) and the South Target drilling programs, totaling 18,530 metres in 146 RC drill holes, were designed to evaluate the economic potential of the recently acquired Fresnillo concession where mineralization is known to extend along a recognized mineral trend that projects beyond the Company's previous concession limits. The South Target drilling was supported by wide-spaced drilling previously completed by Fresnillo and by mineralized exposures projected south from the El Castillo pit limits. The Company's objective was to increase drill-hole density within mineralized areas to approximately 35 metre spacing, which is consistent with the current modeling practices at El Castillo. The drill results from the South Target area display strongly oxidized gold bearing rocks with the same chemical and structure characteristics as the El Castillo open pit mine. The combined results of the North and South Target areas show potential to extend the current El Castillo pit limits and extend mine life. Based on the success of the drilling campaign on the Fresnillo concession to date, the Company expects to commence an approximate 6,000 metre, Phase Two drilling program in areas where mineralization remains open for potential expansion. The Company anticipates publishing an updated National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report for the El Castillo mining complex during the first quarter of 2018, where all drill results from the North and South Target areas will be incorporated into an updated mineral reserve and resource estimate. Pete Dougherty, President & CEO commented: "Drilling results in both the North and South Target areas, along with the known wedges of economic mineralization that were unavailable to us prior to the Fresnillo concession purchase by reason of mineral concession boundary alone, indicate strong potential to expand the current pit limits and extend mine life. The positive drill results lend solid support for our acquisition of the Fresnillo concession and our vision of creating a meaningful, flagship asset at the El Castillo mining complex which will include the El Castillo and San Agustin deposits." Thomas Burkhart, Qualified Person noted: "Based on our geologic understanding of the El Castillo gold system, we expected that our drilling to the south would encounter strong mineralization and this was confirmed. As with the North Target, mineralization south of the El Castillo pit showed overall better than expected continuity, locally higher than average gold grades and strong oxidation. Mineralization remains open in several areas and we look forward to commencing a Phase Two drill program shortly to better delineate our gold zones in preparation for an updated mineral reserve and resource estimate. The Phase One drilling program has been very successful and we are pleased with the results." Table 1 below illustrates key highlight holes from the South Target area. For a full table of drill results, plan view maps and cross sections, please visit: http://www.argonautgold.com/gold_operations/drill_results/ Table 1: Selected Drill Results Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-750 180 60 Interval 0.0 7.6 7.6 0.21 2 Interval 30.5 96.0 65.5 0.68 10 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-762 180 60 Interval 0.0 93.0 93.0 0.73 2 Including 30.5 35.1 4.6 1.14 4 Including 53.3 62.5 9.1 2.70 2 Including 65.5 74.7 9.1 1.51 5 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-765 180 60 Interval 10.7 38.1 27.4 1.42 2 Including 19.8 29.0 9.1 3.37 3 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-767 180 70 Interval 1.5 88.4 86.9 0.85 16 Including 32.0 53.3 21.3 1.53 25 Including 65.5 68.6 3.0 1.30 35 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-770 180 70 Interval 0.0 7.6 7.6 0.22 1 Interval 18.3 118.9 100.6 0.68 5 Including 44.2 62.5 18.3 1.12 7 Including 73.2 77.7 4.6 1.96 2 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-771 180 65 Interval 18.3 85.3 67.1 0.48 1 Including 50.3 53.3 3.0 1.23 2 Including 64.0 67.1 3.0 1.15 1 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-773 180 60 Interval 0.0 93.0 93.0 0.66 3 including 74.7 89.9 15.2 1.66 3 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-778 180 60 Interval 0.0 6.1 6.1 0.25 2 Interval 13.7 25.9 12.2 0.22 3 Interval 38.1 47.2 9.1 0.33 22 Interval 70.1 167.6 97.5 0.45 11 including 143.3 150.9 7.6 1.98 51 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-784 180 68 Interval 38.1 51.8 13.7 0.20 5 Interval 67.1 77.7 10.7 0.17 2 Interval 86.9 112.8 25.9 0.30 5 Interval 125.0 217.9 93.0 0.40 4 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-802 180 70 Interval 13.7 132.6 118.9 0.52 4 including 126.5 132.6 6.1 2.18 5 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-803 180 60 Interval 0.0 94.5 94.5 0.57 8 including 47.2 53.3 6.1 1.19 9 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-804 180 70 Interval 0.0 64.0 64.0 0.38 4 including 50.3 54.9 4.6 1.16 13 Interval 86.9 152.4 65.5 0.55 9 Hole Azimuth Dip From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Ag g/t 17-CA-825 180 60 Interval 12.2 57.9 45.7 0.89 2 Including 15.2 24.4 9.1 2.41 3 Qualified Person Comments / Quality Control Procedures Drill samples are transported to the preparation laboratory of ALS-Chemex Labs Inc. in Chihuahua, Mexico where samples are prepared and pulps sent for assay in the laboratory of ALS-Chemex in Vancouver, British Columbia. Samples are analyzed for gold by fire assay and atomic absorption finish. For silver, samples use a multi-element inductively coupled plasma (ICP) assay. Argonaut utilizes standard Quality Assurance/Quality Control sample procedures that include the insertion of sample standards, blanks and duplicates as well as systematic check assaying by a second accredited laboratory. The technical information relating to exploration activities disclosed in this news release was prepared under the supervision of, and reviewed and verified by, Thomas Burkhart, Argonaut Gold's Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. For further information on the El Castillo mine, please see the technical report on the El Castillo mine titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources and Reserves, Argonaut Gold Inc., El Castillo Mine, Durango State, Mexico", dated February 24, 2011 (effective date of November 6, 2010), prepared by SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. for Argonaut Gold (the "El Castillo Report"). The El Castillo Report is available electronically on Argonaut's website at www.argonautgold.com or on SEDAR under Argonaut's issuer profile at www.sedar.com. The Company is not aware of any legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the El Castillo mine other than those set out in the annual information form of Argonaut for the financial year ended December 31, 2016 (dated March 20, 2017) filed on SEDAR under Argonaut's issuer profile at www.sedar.com. Please see below under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements" for further details regarding risks facing the Company. TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - June 02, 2017) - Primero Mining Corp. ("Primero" or the "Company") (TSX: P) ( NYSE : PPP) today announced an update of activities at its operating mines, the San Dimas gold-silver mine located in Durango, Mexico and the Black Fox mine located near Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Primero continues to see operational improvements at both of its mines, and the Company remains on-track to achieve its 2017 production guidance of between 140,000 to 170,000 ounces of gold equivalent1. San Dimas Restart On-Track Primero is advancing the restart of the San Dimas mine following the resumption of operations on April 17, 2017. Daily throughput rates have been increasing as per plan, and opportunities for further productivity improvements have been identified. Primero remains confident in the site's ability to achieve its 2017 production guidance of 90,000 to 110,000 gold equivalent ounces. San Dimas' unionized workers have been responding well to the new shift structure and implementation of the realigned bonus structure is underway. Relations between management and the unionized employees have been improving, and dialogue remains ongoing with regard to the annual bonus payout relating to 2016. Black Fox Produced ~8,200 Gold Ounces in May Black Fox produced approximately 8,200 ounces of gold in May 2017. The strong performance in May principally resulted from improved and more consistent mining rates from the underground as well as better-than-expected grades from the Deep Central Zone. The mine continues to operate at a cash-flow neutral state, fully-funding its exploration programs, and Black Fox expects to achieve 2017 production guidance of 50,000 to 60,000 gold ounces. Primero is planning a deep drilling program to assess the extension and continuity of the Black Fox deposit between 1.0 kilometres and 1.5 kilometres below surface. Primero will advance this deep exploration program subject to capital availability. Corporate Update As previously announced, the Company's Board of Directors has commenced a strategic review process to explore alternatives to improve shareholder value. The alternatives include such things as securing additional financing, strategic investments, joint ventures, revision of the Company's streaming agreement and asset sales. Primero is working to gain re-compliance with the New York Stock Exchange's continued listing standards by delivering improved operational performance and advancing its strategic review process. Primero notes that the NYSE will initiate delisting action if a curative measure is not implemented by September 30, 2017. (1) "Gold equivalent ounces" include silver ounces produced, and converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average commodity prices realized for each period. The ratio for the first quarter 2017 for San Dimas was based on realized prices of $1,210 per ounce of gold and $4.28 per ounce of silver. About Primero Primero Mining Corp. is a Canadian-based precious metals producer that owns 100% of the San Dimas gold-silver mine and the Cerro del Gallo gold-silver-copper development project in Mexico and 100% of the Black Fox mine and adjoining properties in the Township of Black RiverMatheson near Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Primero offers immediate exposure to un-hedged, below average cash cost gold production with a substantial resource base in politically stable jurisdictions. The Company is focused on becoming a leading intermediate gold producer by building a portfolio of high quality, low cost precious metals assets in the Americas. Primero's website is www.primeromining.com. By Richard Ruffin Everyone in Brazil stands in a line. Everyone. If there is not a line at the place that you frequent, well then there will be. Just you wait. Such lines remind me of a failed state, such as that of the former Soviet Union. I call Brazil "The country of long lines." Nothing works here. Nothing. Prices are high and the infrastructure is lacking. But the air, at least, is clean. All Brazilians complain about their politicians. "Liar," one says. "Corrupt," another one cries. Yet another mentions the word for thief in Portuguese. "Ladrao," he says. Sure, there is change, but it is bad change. Dilma Roussef lost the politicians' trust and now her vice president, Michel Temer, is in office. Some consider him worse than the woman he replaced. Why can Brazil not do to most of the politicians what they did to Dilma, namely, vote them out of office? I have some of the answers to such questions, but 500 words do not allow me the space to address such a complaint. Instead, the people choose to live with, and accept, the cabal of thieves and corrupt "politicians" that run the country. There are corrupt, incompetent and insane politicians throughout the world. Park Geun-hye was getting her advice from a soothsayer, much like the last Russian queen was getting her advice from Rasputin, a mad monk. In the USA Donald Trump, perhaps the most ignorant American man to ever hold public office, continues to run the USA as if it were a giant corporation. And as much as it tries to be, it is not. Across the Atlantic on the shores of the eastern Mediterranean Erdogan's thugs deliver punishment to the press, while he conveniently avoids democracy. Russia's Putin has many of his critics assassinated, or bullied into submission. Syria's Assad Bashar drops barrel bombs on his people, destroying large swaths of the country and its cities at the same time. Across the Middle East and Africa merciless tyrants practice tyranny, while the people below them just try to survive. What is the answer to all these problems? Your guess is as good as mine. With more than seven billion people in the world clamoring for energy and democracy, the collective politicians of this world have their work cut out for them. Detecting my accent a man recently asked me from where I hailed. "I was born in Brazil of North American parents," I told him. "However, I do not feel very American. For various reasons." Then I added. "I guess I hate Trump and the entire mentality that he embodies too much to be a good, God-fearing American." He shot back. "Call him what you may, but he is still a lot better than Temer" (the current Brazilian to hold office). "That's right," added another Brazilian. "Temer is a thief. Trump however does not have to steal from the people. That is because he is rich beyond belief." There you have it. Problems all over. Richard Ruffin writes from Curitiba, Brazil. Write to rick.ruffin@gmail.com. Kodari road will reopen soon: Minister for commerce Minister for Commerce Romi Gauchan Thakali has expressed hope that the Kodari Highway, which remains close since the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, would reopen soon. KUKL to build three water treatment plants in valley The Project Implementation Directorate under the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) is building three water treatment plants to process filthy water flowing into the Valleys river system. by Sara Guaglione , June 1, 2017 There are several key changes at The New York Times. The NYTCO has expanded its custom content agency T Brand Studio to Hong Kong to serve new and existing clients in the Asia-Pacific region. The company has also offered buyouts to reduce its number of editors and eliminated its public editor position. The international division of T Brand Studio, which launched in 2015, is based in London. Last year, T Brand Studio formed a team in Paris. The director of T Brand Studio International, Raquel Bubar, will oversee T Brand Studio Hong Kong. The team in Hong Kong will consist of content strategists, producers, editors and designers. New hires for the Hong Kong team include Reno Ong, who will serve as content strategist, Clara Lim as producer and Jason Li as editor. The Hong Kong office is in the process of hiring a designer. advertisement advertisement Stateside, The New York Times Company announced Wednesday that it will offer buyouts to reduce its layers of editors, according to a memo obtained by Poynter from executive editor Dean Baquet and managing editor Joseph Kahn. There are too many layers in our process, too many editors touching the same stories, particularly on routine news coverage, Baquet and Kahn wrote. This system is a vestige of an assembly-line structure held over from a newspaper-only newsroom built around multiple print deadlines. It is costly and slows us down. The changes will combine editing and copy-editing duties to shift the balance of editors to reporters at The Times, giving us more on-the-ground journalists developing original work than ever before. What we now know as the copy desk will no longer exist, Baquet and Kahn wrote. They also referred to changes happening to sections such as Business Day, Metro and Styles. There will be shifts in beats and emphasis, they wrote. Desk editors will now handle all aspects of a story, from drafts to selecting photos, up until the completed version is ready for publication. As part of the reorganization, the Times also eliminated the public editor position, first created in 2003 after the Jayson Blair scandal. The current public editor, Elizabeth Spayd, will leave the newspaper a year ahead of her contracted employment. Myadi recruits in Surkhet protest pay cut The temporary police personnel or Myadi Prahari deployed in Surkhet for the May 14 local elections have accused the District Police Office of deducting up to Rs 12,000 from their salary by showing them various non-existent expenses. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, June 1, 2017 Burger Kings The McWhopper Proposal campaign from Y&R New Zealand with contributing agencies DAVID The Agency, ABPR, Code and Theory and Turner Duckworth was awarded the Grand Effie trophy (best in show) at the 2017 North American Effie Awards Gala in New York Thursday evening. Other NA Grand Effie finalists (companies, agencies and campaigns) included: Be the Match/space150 for Be The Guy. Seventh Generation/72andSunny for How Seventh Generation Turned The Environment Into A Personal Matter For Millennial Moms . . SimplyGo Mini/Ogilvy & Mather for Breathless Choir - The Triumph Of The WHY Over The WHAT, with contributing agencies Carat London and FleishmanHillard with contributing agencies Carat London and FleishmanHillard Lockheed Martin/McCann New York for Lockheed Martin Field Trip To Mars, with contributing agencies Momentum Worldwide, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick with contributing agencies Momentum Worldwide, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick Donate Life America/The Martin Agency for Even An Asshole Can Save A Life Office Depot OfficeMax/McCann New York for The Co-Worker Collection, with contributing agencies Merkle and AGAIN Interactive advertisement advertisement This years Grand Effie winner proved once again that when agencies and clients exhibit shared courage to support a bold, insightful idea, the results can indeed be both creatively outstanding and indisputably effective - even against the greatest odds, said Vineet Mehra, EVP and CMO, Ancestry and member of the 2017 Grand Effie Jury and Effie Worldwides Board of Directors. The rankings for the most effective North American holding companies, marketers, brands and agencies were also revealed at the gala. Tied for number one, the most effective marketers in the latest rankings are Unilever and PepsiCo. Mars and IBM rounded out the top three in the marketer category. Interpublic Group is the top-ranked holding company (for the first time), followed by WPP and Omnicom. WPPs Ogilvy & Mather was revealed to be the top-ranked agency network, followed by IPGs McCann Worldgroup and Omnicoms BBDO. IPGs McCann New York took the number-one spot for an agency office, followed by Ogilvy New York and Leo Burnett Chicago. Droga5 was number one among independent agencies. Periscope and VaynerMedia rounded out the top three. IBM ranked first among most effective brands. Extra Gum and JetBlue tied for second, followed by Pepsi. Staying power was also recognized at the celebration. Sustained Success winners (products or service communications efforts that have demonstrated effective results for three or more years) were recognized during the gala including: Share Some Soul (Kia Motors and David & Goliath), Give Extra, Get Extra (Extra Gum & Energy BBDO), Hello, my name is Watson. (IBM & Ogilvy & Mather), Small Business Saturday (American Express & DigitasLBi), You Above All (JetBlue Airways & MullenLowe U.S./MullenLowe MediaHub), A Movement for Michigan (Pure Michigan & McCann Detroit), Tips from Former Smokers (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & Arnold Worldwide). More on the selection process, case studies and the complete list of Gold, Silver and Bronze winners for the North American Effie Awards, is available at www.effie.org. by Tanya Gazdik , June 1, 2017 Bob Evans is rolling out a summer picnic menu and promotion designed to bring that special summer eating experience to everyone, no matter where they choose to experience it. The family-style restaurant commissioned a national survey of more than 2,500 consumers to delve deeper into Americans' love of picnics. The survey found that picnics are about more than just food; 86% of respondents loved to picnic because it provided an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. In addition, it turns out that while being outside was considered an important part of picnicking, more than 58% of respondents had staged an indoor picnic in the last year. The summer picnic menu is available both in restaurants and as a to-go picnic feast for a limited time. It includes items that elicit fond warm-weather memories, including herb roasted chicken, specialty sides and lemonade bread, along with strawberry supreme pie and chicken salad sliders. advertisement advertisement The brand is promoting the menu on a microsite and is inviting consumers to share their perfect picnic photos on social media using #PerfectPicnic. We are supporting the new Bob Evans Summer picnic menu in many ways, including television, radio, digital and social as well as promotional menus and merchandising in-restaurant, says Sara Bittorf, SVP, chief marketing officer of Bob Evans. In addition, in our home state of Ohio, we are having pop-up picnic activation events. MMB is producing the upcoming TV spots. The brands public relations agency, Sedlock Partners, and social agency, MXM, provided additional promotional support. Norton Creative produced the menu merchandising and Horizon is the brands media agency of record. The effort is targeted at a wide audience because everyone loves picnics, Bittorf says. Picnics are quintessentially American and truly touch the hearts and minds of our guests, Bittorf tells Marketing Daily. From the survey, we learned that people love picnics because it gives them a chance to spend quality time with their loved ones. That is what Bob Evans is all about helping people connect over great food in a friendly atmosphere. The company honors the memory of its founder and incorporates his principles, like treating strangers like family and family like friends, into its menu and promotions, she says. Bob and his wife Jewell loved to throw picnics for their loved ones so the summer picnic menu provided a perfect opportunity to bring Bobs values and ideals to our guests every day, Bittorf adds. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, June 2, 2017 In a much anticipated move, Google plans to introduce an ad blocker to Chrome early in 2018. It will allow publishers to block AdSense ads they don't like on their site. The move should gain favor with advertisers and publishers that have been asking for more controls in Google's ad platform, as well as from consumers looking for a better online experience. Chrome will stop showing ads, including those owned or served by Google, on Web sites that are not compliant with the Better Ads Standards. Sridhar Ramaswamy, SVP of ads and commerce, confirmed in a blog post that Google wants to build a better Web for everyone by eliminating intrusive ads online without removing all ads. So the company joined the Coalition for Better Ads, an industry group dedicated to improving online ads, and stated several initiatives to help advertisers, consumers and publishers clean up online. advertisement advertisement The new ad experience begins with Funding Choices, a spinoff of Google Contributor that Google initially launched in 2014 and then shuttered as the company revamped the platform. The original service allowed Web site visitors to pay a monthly subscription fee to avoid seeing ads. Now in beta, Funding Choices enables publishers to serve a custom message to visitors using an ad blocker. The message would either invite the site visitor to either enable ads, or pay for a pass that removes all ads on that site through the new Google Contributor. Funding Choices initially rolls out to publishers in North America, the U.K., Germany, Australia, and New Zealand, and become available elsewhere later this year An Ad Experience Report for best practices, which Google published along with the tools, should assist publishers to understand how the Better Ads Standards apply to their own Web sites. The report highlights "annoying ad experiences" in screenshots and videos that Google identified to make it easy to find and fix the issues. The move not only puts Google in a favorable light with advertisers, consumers and publishers, but will diversify the way Google generates revenue. Today the majority of Google's revenue comes from advertising. As Mary Meeker points out on page 327 of Kleiner Perkin's latest trends report, Google began as a search engine in 1998. The co-founders later created a holding company to support other services such as cloud services, self-driving cars, artificial intelligence and hardware, and satellites. Overall, Google's sales now contribute 81% of the ad revenue from its online network, about $17.4 billion -- up from 71% a year ago. During the first quarter of 2017, total ad sales rose nearly 19% to $21.4 billion, according to company data. Google will take nearly 78% of the U.S. search ad revenue in 2017, according to the latest report from eMarketer. The biggest challenge, of course, will be for Google's parent company Alphabet to increase revenue from "Other Bets," which includes companies such as Nest, the self-driving cars unit, and the life sciences unit Verily. During the first quarter of 2017, "Other Bets" climbed 82% to $809 million. The downside is that the group has yet to find its footing. It had an operating loss of $3.6 billion in the final quarter of 2016. by Sara Guaglione , June 2, 2017 In 2016, total U.S. daily newspaper circulation which combines print and digital fell an estimated 8% to 35 million for weekday and 38 million for Sunday, according to the latest annual Pew Research Center study, released Thursday. Those numbers mark the 28th consecutive year of declines, which were highest in print circulation. Weekday print circulation decreased 10%, while Sunday decreased 9%, the lowest levels since 1945. Newspaper advertising revenue also decreased in 2016, compared to the year before. The total estimated newspaper ad revenue for 2016 was $18 billion, based on the Pew Research Center's analysis of financial statements for publicly-traded newspaper companies. This marks a 10% decrease from 2015. advertisement advertisement Digital ads accounted for 29% of total newspapers advertising revenue in 2016, up from a quarter in 2015. Circulation revenue was an estimated $11 billion, similar to the numbers in 2015. Perhaps this justifies many publishers moving to a subscription-first model, rather than relying solely on advertising revenue. For example, The New York Times added more than 500,000 digital subscriptions in 2016 a 47% year-over-year rise. The Wall Street Journal added more than 150,000 digital subscriptions, a 23% rise. However, gains in circulation revenue are still not high enough to account for losses in ad revenue, a pattern many publishers have reported in recent quarter earnings reports. Average circulation for the top 20 U.S. alt-weekly papers is just over 61,000. This is a 6% decline from 2015. Pew says digital circulation is more difficult to gauge, but it projects the numbers have been roughly steady, with weekday down 1% and Sunday up 1%. Pew has issued an annual report on the state of the U.S. news media industry since 2004. This year, instead of a single report, Pew is producing a series of digestible fact sheets to be rolled out a few at a time over the coming months. Pew Research Center also released a study on cable news channels. It found more positive numbers compared to the newspaper industry. One notable finding was combined prime-time average viewership for the three major cable news channels (CNN, Fox News and MSNBC) increased by 55% to 4.8 million viewers. Total revenue across these three channels was projected to increase by 19% in 2016, to a total of nearly $5 billion. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, June 2, 2017 When President Donald Trump told the world the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris climate accord in hopes of renegotiating a better deal for the United States, it set off a backlash from well-known U.S. CEOs, such as Apple's Tim Cook. The move could cause major confusion for U.S. businesses, whose CEOs vow to continue their quest to quell global warming. Those in the media and technology industry that support online advertising are continuing their attempts to influence politics. Cook, along with Elon Musk, tweeted on Twitter that they would withdraw from the President's Council in protest of Trump's decision. One of the biggest challenges that companies will face in the wake of this decision involves uncertainty around policies, procedures and regulatory issues -- especially for those companies with CEOs vowing to "stay the course." advertisement advertisement Without clear regulatory issues, key business decisions will not be as clear or as simple to make. "In full candor, I completely support [the decision]" to follow the Paris accord, said Nels Stromborg, EVP at Retale. He spoke to Media Daily News on his way back to Chicago after attending Recode, where LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman and others spoke. "And I've been mildly encouraged the tech community has risen up in revolt." The tech community seems to run on a different ethical track. Stromborg pointed to what happened after Marc Benioff said he would pull all of Salesforce's business out of the state of Indiana after then-Gov. Mike Pence signed into law a bill that made it legal for individuals to use religious grounds as a defense when they are sued by people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The political environment is now closely intertwined with technology, leading Hoffman to spend potentially "hundreds of millions of dollars" to resolve some of the countrys lingering political, social and economic problems. To date, he has spent in the millions, and he is calling on other companies to take social responsibility for creating tech platforms and opportunities for consumers. Kevin Lee, executive chairman of Didit, believes the issue is not so much political, but rather focused around public relations and branding. "Companies like Apple, Google, Tesla and others know that their target audiences overwhelmingly support reduction in greenhouse gases and the development of alternative energy sources," he said. The company founders probably have a strong opinion on the importance of the issue, but since they essentially report to a board of directors and shareholders, the move to "stay the course" has to be a good business decision. In fact, Lee said, the decision for these companies to continue to position themselves as progressive not only appeals to Millennials, but a variety of consumers who support action around climate change. If a company has taken a pro-Paris agreement position, consumers will stick with the brand even if the company moves in another direction. "It's about catering to your audience and also doing what one thinks is right," Lee said. "When the two align for a business, it makes it far easier to execute. With respect to it 'getting too political,' politics is marketing, like it or not." Lee said it's not about capitalizing on Trumps low approval rating. Its about target audiences for these brands, many of whom want to see change in current policies. Those people who feel passionate about an issue vote for a brand with their wallets. After hearing Trump's decision, many companies have "vowed to stay the course" and continue to invest in technology to alleviate global warming. Climat: Trump quitte l'accord de Paris, consternation a travers le monde Apres avoir longtemps entretenu le suspense, Donald Trump a annonce jeudi la sortie de l'accord de Paris sur le climat, isolant les Etats-Unis sur la scene internationale et suscitant une immense deception parmi les 194 autres pays signataires de ce texte historique. "L'heure est venue de quitter l'accord de Paris", a lance le president americain dans les jardins de la Maison Blanche dans un long discours - parfois confus - au cours duquel il a par moment retrouve les accents de sa campagne electorale. Sans surprise, les reactions ont fuse des quatre coins de la planete, entre stupeur, colere et effarement. "J'ai ete elu pour representer les habitants de Pittsburgh, pas de Paris", a lance le president septuagenaire qui a mis en avant la defense des emplois americains et denonce un accord "tres injuste" pour son pays. L'accord de Paris, conclu fin 2015 et dont son predecesseur democrate Barack Obama fut l'un des principaux architectes, vise a contenir la hausse de la temperature moyenne mondiale "bien en deca" de 2C par rapport a l'ere pre-industrielle. Les Etats-Unis sont le deuxieme emetteur mondial de gaz a effet de serre, derriere la Chine. La decision de jeudi va au-dela de la question climatique; elle donne une indication sur le role que les Etats-Unis version Donald Trump entendent jouer sur la scene internationale dans les annees a venir. Affichant sa volonte de negocier un "nouvel accord" ou de renegocier l'existant, Donald Trump, elu sur la promesse de "L'Amerique d'abord", est reste extremement evasif sur les engagements que les Etats-Unis seraient prets a prendre. - "Make our planet great again" - La reponse des Europeens, tranchante, ne s'est pas fait attendre: s'ils "regrettent" cette decision, Berlin, Paris et Rome ont souligne, dans un communique commun, que l'accord ne pouvait en aucun cas etre renegocie. Jugeant que M. Trump avait commis "une erreur" pour les interets de son pays et "une faute" pour l'avenir de la planete, le nouveau president francais Emmanuel Macron a appele les "scientifiques, ingenieurs, entrepreneurs, citoyens engages" americains a venir travailler en France "sur des solutions concretes pour le climat". A l'offensive, passant a l'anglais, il a souligne la responsabilite commune de tous les pays : "Make our planet great again" dans une allusion au slogan de Trump ("Make America great again"). La chanceliere allemande Angela Merkel a "regrette" cette initiative. Le Premier ministre danois Lars Lokke Rasmussen a deplore une "triste journee pour le monde". La facade de l'Hotel de Ville de Paris a ete eclairee en vert pour manifester la desapprobation de Paris a l'egard de cette decision, et rappeler "la determination des villes a appliquer l'accord de Paris". Barack Obama a amerement regrette cet arbitrage de son predecesseur, jugeant que les pays qui restent dans l'accord de Paris "seront ceux qui en recolteront les benefices en matiere d'emplois". "J'estime que les Etats-Unis devraient se trouver a l'avant-garde. Mais meme en l'absence de leadership americain; meme si cette administration se joint a une petite poignee de pays qui rejettent l'avenir; je suis certain que nos Etats, villes et entreprises seront a la hauteur et en feront encore plus pour proteger notre planete pour les generations futures". - Revers pour le leadership americain - Des villes et des Etats americains puissants comme la Californie ou New York ont justement rapidement annonce qu'ils ne se sentaient pas lies par la decision de Donald Trump. De meme, de nombreuses figures du monde economique ont fait part de leur deception, et ont insiste sur l'urgence d'agir face au rechauffement. Le patron de GE, Jeff Immelt, s'est dit "decu". "Le changement climatique est une realite. L'industrie doit montrer l'exemple et ne pas etre dependante du gouvernement". Elon Musk, le tres mediatique PDG du constructeur de voitures electriques Tesla et ardent defenseur des energies renouvelables, a immediatement annonce qu'il quittait les differents cenacles de grands patrons conseillant Donald Trump. "Le changement climatique est reel. Quitter Paris n'est pas bon pour l'Amerique et le monde" a-t-il tweete. Lloyd Blankfein, le PDG de la banque d'affaires Goldman Sachs dont l'ancien numero 2 est devenu un conseiller influent de Donald Trump, a juge que le retrait des Etats-Unis etait un "revers" pour l'environnement et "pour le leadership des Etats-Unis dans le monde". Quelques centaines de personnes se sont rassemblees devant la Maison Blanche pour dire leur colere. "Il ne comprend pas la science, il va nous faire revenir plusieurs annees en arriere", tempetait Rebecca Regan-Sachs, 34 ans, brandissant un panneau sur lequel on pouvait lire : "Message au reste du monde: nous sommes desoles, la plupart d'entre nous ont vote contre cet idiot". L'objectif des Etats-Unis, fixe par l'administration Obama, etait une reduction de 26% a 28% de leurs emissions de gaz a effet de serre d'ici 2025 par rapport a 2005. Concretement, le 45e president des Etats-Unis devrait invoquer l'article 28 de l'accord de Paris, qui permet aux signataires d'en sortir. En raison de la procedure prevue, cette sortie ne deviendra effective qu'en 2020. Cependant, a pris soin de preciser M. Trump, les Etats-Unis cessent "des aujourd'hui" son application. Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com. A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving metals market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets. Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials. If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details. National flag unfurled in Suryagadhi Nepal's national flag was unfurled at the Surgyagadhi military fortress, the scene of a historic war between Tibet and Nepal. 02.06.2017 LISTEN STATEMENT ON THE GRUESOME LYNCHING OF CAPT. MAXWELL ADAM MAHAMA FROM HIS MATES-CLASS OF 2004-ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL, SEKONDI. In October 2001, when we all ascended the 'green hills' of Sekondi; fear flooded our hearts and our eyes were dim of vision having no clue of what hope had in store for us. However, we went through the gates to be called the 'Koliko' boys. The dream of both pursuit and persistent every Saint is challenged with as he wore the green shirt for the first time. We entered as strangers but grew through the pressures of academia and became brothers. And amongst us was our very brother *OLD SAINT, CAPTAIN MAXWELL ADAM MAHAMA*. We were PREPARED FOR THE WAY OF SERVICE TO THE LORD AND MOTHER GHANA. Hence, we gladly encouraged our brother and gave him up to the nation to keep wearing the 'green shirt'- The uniform of the force. Without a doubt, the late Old Saint Captain Mahama served this country and made proud his brothers from the womb of 'Saint Aboagyewaa'. The soul mother of St. John's School, Sekondi. We are not oblivious to the works and achievements of our brother to this nation. *HIS HIGH RISE WAS ONLY TO GIVE UP HIS LIFE FOR GHANA, NOT TO BE TAKEN BY HIS VERY OWN PEOPLE* Therefore, we the CLASS OF 2004 of St. John's School, Sekondi, call on the government most specifically the President who is the Commander-in-Chief, the National Security Coordinator/Advisor, the Minister of Defense, the Military High Command, the Judiciary, Parliament, respective REGSEC, AND DISEC and every Ghanaian to wake to the cry of our brother's blood from the soils of Denkyira. We plead with government and the nation as a whole not to, in any way politicize this issue. The soul of our brother cries... He cries for his sons and beloved wife and we his mates have heard his cry. This is the reason we won't rest and watch this injustice sidelined until proper judgement is passed on the perpetrators. #oldsaintsclass04Justice4CaptainAdam #oldsaintsJustice4CaptainMax #nationalJustice4CaptainMahama SIGNED Nana Ofori Appiah SAINT JOHN'S SCHOOL- SEKONDI CLASS OF 2004 PS: Kindly find Class key contacts as follows: CONVENERS Bangassou (Central African Republic) (AFP) - For 17 years, an Andalusian priest has quietly served as bishop in Central Africa's Bangassou. But last month, creeping sectarian violence exploded in his town, handing him the toughest-ever challenge of his ministry. Bangassou, which lies on Central African Republic's southeastern border with Democratic Republic of Congo, for long had been largely spared the violence of a bitter sectarian conflict which erupted in 2013. But in May, it hit the headlines when at least 108 people were slaughtered and 76 wounded, according to the UN, in an assault by Christian anti-Balaka rebels who targeted UN peacekeepers before turning on Muslims. "I was here for 33 wonderful years, but the past four years have been a relentless descent into the abyss," sighs Juan Jose Aguirre Munoz, an easy-going 62-year-old with a greying beard. Born in 1954 in the shadow of Cordoba's magnificent "mosque-cathedral", Aguirre Munoz first came to this former French colony in 1980, a year after the ousting of "emperor" Jean-Bedel Bokassa. Fluent in French and in Sango, a Creole language which is commonly used in Central Africa, Aguirre Munoz has seen his adopted homeland sink into a spiral of internecine hatred, pitting the Christian anti-Balaka militia against the mainly Muslim ex-Seleka rebels. "I arrived in Obo near the Sudanese border as a Comboni missionary," he says of a small town in the country's far east where he worked with a Catholic organisation ministering to those in extreme poverty. "That's where I spent my first seven years. I would take my moped and visit the 40 or so chapels along the Sudanese border. At night, I slept in a hut, completely on my own," Aguirre Munoz recalls. "I used the time to pray and write. And during the daytime we would build chapels with the people," he says, his eyes lighting up with nostalgia for how it was before the violence began. 'The man who speaks to militias' Ordained bishop of Bangassou in 2000, he quickly became a well-known figure in this town which has a population of 35,000 and is a 700-kilometre (430-mile) drive from the capital Bangui. The Andalusian swiftly won the respect of the locals with his "Bangassou Foundation", a charity set up in 2003 which is supported by donors from Spain. "Within the diocese, we have set up four homes for the elderly with dementia and for those accused of witchcraft, and also many cooperatives where young people can learn a trade like carpentry, as well as schools," he says. And his work to advance dialogue and peace also earned him the moniker of "the man who speaks to militias". But it was recently that he went through one of the worst moments of his ministry, on the night of May 12-13 when the city's Muslim quarter came under fierce attack by a heavily-armed group of anti-Balaka rebels. 'They just shot him' Woken by gunfire, he got up and made his way to the mosque where the city's Muslim population had taken refuge on the advice of the UN peacekeepers who left soon after, he says. There in the Muslim quarter, he saw armed men looting shops and homes. "There were about a hundred of them surrounding the mosque. I tried to get between them several times," he said. "They saw the imam leaving. And they shot at him. He fell to his knees, mortally wounded. When I got there, I found him just like that so I carried his body away to give him a dignified burial. "The anti-Balaka yelled at me not to touch him," he says, his face twisting with emotion at the memory. During the attack, more than 4,400 people fled their homes, UN figures show, some of whom sought refuge at the church and in Aguirre Munoz's residence. "Here is Rome. We're under the protection of the bishop, nothing can happen to us," explained one of the Muslims taking refuge inside the church. Several days after the assault, the Spaniard was asked by the UN's MINUSCA mission to try and recover the bodies of four peacekeepers who were killed in an assault on their convoy outside Bangassou. At the time, the assailants -- once again anti-Balaka rebels, the UN says -- were close by. "It took two days of negotiations. It was an ordeal. The hardest part was when I took the hand of one of the peacekeepers. I saw he was married," he says. "It's an image which still haunts me. I think about him and about his family." Maseru (Lesotho) (AFP) - Lesotho former prime minister Thomas Thabane, who is fighting to regain power in Saturday's elections, will never forget fleeing his official residence in 2014 as rogue soldiers apparently sought to kill him. The attempted coup was just one chapter of the recurrent political instability that has plagued Lesotho, a mountain kingdom surrounded by South Africa. "It was the most undignified thing that happened to me, to wear (just) my pants... and go through the fence with my wife, running away from the state house," Thabane told AFP ahead of the vote. The attempted coup was followed by elections in 2015, when Thabane was ousted from power by a coalition government that collapsed earlier this year. He fled to safety in South Africa, and only returned to compete in the latest election, which is likely to deliver another fragile coalition government. "No army can be above the political authority of those who are elected by the majority of the people, and that is the problem that made me spend a whole year and a half in exile," Thabane said. The leader of the All Basotho Congress (ABC), which may emerge in a coalition government with the newly formed Alliance of Democrats (AD), said he was still wary of the army's role in politics. Free and fair? "We are going to win this election, if it is free and fair," said Thabane, speaking at his modest, heavily-guarded home in the capital Maseru. "(But) the army people have their own interests, and at the moment I am not their favourite." Thabane said he did not seek revenge against the alleged coup plotters, but added that he hoped the army would eventually be merged into the police. "That is my vision for Lesotho," he said. "We shouldn't have had an army in the first place... which country could we successfully attack?" he asked. The 2014 attempted coup was allegedly led by army chief Tlali Kamoli, who was removed from the post last year. Thabane said the election, which follows Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili losing a vote of no confidence, put the country at a "serious crossroads" after recent coalition governments have collapsed within a few years. Poverty, lack of jobs and access to health services were pressing issues that he said needed urgent attention from a stable government. The HIV-AIDS prevalence rate among adults is 22.7 percent, according to the UN, and many of Lesotho's people seek work in South Africa. The new government will replace a seven-party coalition led by Mosisili which was dissolved in March. It will be in power for only three years until the next general elections. If they can patch together a ruling coalition, Thabane and Monyane Moleleki of the AD party, have agreed to share the prime minister role, with the two taking 18 months each. "In my heart that deal stands," Thabane said. J4A 02.06.2017 LISTEN Ecclesiastes 3:18 is a popular passage in the Holy Bible that deals with the cyclical nature of life and says that there is time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal The above is a perfect consolation for many, who queried the closure of the Justice for All (J4A) programme of the British Governments Department for International Development (DFID). For most stakeholders, the programme should not have ended, or at least, not at this time. At the close-out event of the programme held at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja recently, Nigerians, in emotion-laden tones, poured encomiums on the programme and the Dr. Bob Arnot-led management team, for effectively driving the programme and achieving its overall objective. The fact that citizens, particularly, stakeholders in the areas of focus actively participated in the programme makes it exceptional. My heart was gladdened at that moment Nigerias acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo pledged that Nigeria will institutionalize J4As initiatives and programmes. From speaker after speaker, the programme earned an all - round distinction, with no dissenting views. The popular question at the event was: why must J4a end now? Never in the history of donor experience in Nigeria has this level of endorsement been witnessed. In his remarks, Nigerias Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom Government for sustaining its support to the country, even as he lauded the implementation of the Justice for All (J4A) programme, saying that it has shaped the Justice Sector reforms of Nigeria. He also described the programme as well thought-out and impactful. Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye, he urged the United Kingdom Governments Department for International Development (DFID) not to relent in its support to good governance and justice sector reforms in Nigeria. The J4A programme is well-thought out. Its effects are being felt. What we are working on now is to ensure that the initiatives of the programme are institutionalized in our systems. The J4A model is what we are following in our police reforms today. The Case Management and Information Communication Technology (ICT) in use today in the justice sector is a J4A initiative. We need to ensure that it is adopted in every part of the country. J4A supported the Police Complaint Response Unit and today, they are achieving results. Speaking on sustainability, the Vice President stressed: I hope the closure of the J4A will not be the end of support to the laudable initiatives. He commended the J4A team, led by Dr. Bob Arnot for what he described as their outstanding performance, urging them not to relent in their service to the nation. Adding his voice, Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye was full of praises for the J4A programme, describing it as exemplary. It supported a whole range of measures in the area of economic justice, notably the improvement of service delivery in commercial courts. Starting with a baseline survey on the progress of cases in commercial courts; needs assessment of those courts, capacity building for judges who preside over the courts, infrastructure support to improve service delivery such as the furnishing of the Fast Track Court Registry and the monthly progress monitoring. Lagos Judiciary improved incrementally from one level to another. To ensure this worked seamlessly and is sustainable, the judiciary created a separate registry to fast track cases with the encouragement and financial support of J4A. Continuing, he gave credit for the early achievements recorded by the PACAC Committee to the support it got from the J4A programme. J4A recognized the importance of co-ordination and co-operation amongst justice sector institutions. It thus supported the creation of a platform through which regular engagement and interaction could talk place. This initiative in my view is a major legacy. I can say this now because PACAC borrowed from this model by recommending to government a high level inter-agency platform for conversation on the anti-corruption issue. J4A, without doubt, has been of immense benefit to Nigeria in all of the thematic areas of focus. In his presentation on: J4A: The Journey, Achievements, Experiences, Lessons and Legacy, Portfolio Lead for Justice Security and Conflict in Sub Saharan Africa for the British Council, Dr. Bob Arnot explained that the programme was organized around four components: Policing and Security; Justice, Anti-Corruption and Cross-Sector Coordination. Speaking on the scope and methodology, Arnot explained: the programme worked at federal level plus five focal states (Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, and Jigawa) and FCT. Models based upon best practice were to be replicated, disseminated and sustained; working in the formal and informal sectors. He further explained that the ultimate aim of the programme was to create: a more capable, accountable, responsive and integrated justice sector that is fair, equitable and accessible with sustainable reform momentum, creating growing user confidence and respect amongst Nigerians. On successes recorded by the Policing component, Arnot, a former National Programme Manager of the J4A, enumerated them to include: Work in 7 states affected 44.8 million people by introducing Community-based Policing (CBP) in Model Police Stations (MPS); introduced 12 modern police stations with 177 interventions and 645 replications; engaged with more than 100 police divisions and trained over 5000 Police officers. J4A states citizens satisfaction with police up from 40% in 2011 to 59% in 2012; a total of 776 VPS leaders trained in leadership skills and over 1000 operatives have been trained in conflict management skills. In the Justice component, Arnot explained: J4A worked with 26 pilot Magistrates, Sharia and Customary Courts in 3 states (disposal time reduced by 30%) equal to saving over 900,000 days in court. Since 2012, nearly 1,400 Traditional Rulers in two states have been trained on human rights, dispute resolution and record keeping. It is estimated that over 400,000 citizens will have benefited from the traditional rulers enhanced skills. Speaking on achievements by the anti-corruption component, he said: The EFCC, ICPC and CCB now have strategic plans being implemented to direct their longer term work; J4A supported the EFCC and ICPC to investigate, prosecute and recover the assets of corrupt persons. By March 2016, assets worth over 210 Billion Naira had been recovered. Over 700 anti-corruption agency operatives have been trained in investigative and prosecutorial skills. J4A training modules now delivered by anti-corruption agencies (ACA) Trainers and key anti-corruption legislation developed. The above was confirmed by the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Emmanuel Aremu Adegboyega, while speaking at the close-out event. Continuing, Arnot stressed that: Reformed Anti-Corruption Transparency Units (ACTUs) are now in 427 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); Inter-agency cooperation and exchange of intelligence have been improved. Civil society groups and coalitions have been supported to increase oversight of the anti-corruption agencies and the governments work on anti-corruption, as well as increased advocacy on stalled high profile corruption cases by Media/Civil Society actors through the Reporting Until Something Happens (RUSH) initiative. On cross-sector successes, J4A developed Justice Sector Reform Teams (JSRT) that are today adopted and in use at all levels of government in Nigeria. Other donor agencies in Nigeria have also adopted same. Twenty four (24) JSRTs are in place and functioning; one hundred and ninety three (193) justice reform initiatives implemented by JRTs; with 138 achieving desired outcomes; duration in custody of awaiting trial persons (ATPs) down by 30% in two pilot states; 429 indigent Awaiting Trial Prisoners (ATPs) offered pro bono legal services under the CH Scheme and Clearing House being rolled out across Nigeria by LACON. J4A played a key role in the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJ) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP). They supported the implementation of the ACJ in Lagos and Anambra states. They continued to support advocacy for the passage of other relevant bills, prominent among which are: the Proceeds of Crime, Whistle Blowers and Witness Protection (Public Interest Reporting and Witness Protection), Money Laundering, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre, Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters bills, among others, which are making steady progress at the National Assembly. Some of them have already been passed by the Senate, while others have reached advanced stages in the legislative process. Worthy of note is the fact that they were all passed by the 7th National Assembly, but were not assented to, following the change in power; hence, their reintroduction. On civil society engagement, J4As shoes are too big for any other donor-funded programme in Nigeria to step in. One can only hope and pray that other donors will attempt to get close to, match or surpass the J4A record. J4A engaged with more than 100 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), which made 144 direct contributions to justice sector policy and practice and influenced change on 79 particular occasions. Forty four (44) grants awarded, valued at, over eight hundred million Naira (N800M/ over 3.1M). Twenty seven (27) grants have gender element. Realising the need for the programme to be Nigerian-led, J4A elevated one of its component managers, a renowned development expert, Danladi Plang to the position of a National Programme Manager. This step further deepened the peoples confidence in the programme and strengthened engagement. Expressing gratitude for the overall success of J4A, the National Programme Manager, Danladi Plang outlined the programmes achievements in providing justice for victims of sexual violence in the country. What we have tried to do is to provide justice for victims of sexual violence and their families. We did three major things in this regard. One is to provide facilities where victims can go and be treated; either by providing medication or counselling. The treatment is free of charge. Second, we increased the level of awareness of people on sexual violence. Next is in the area of training and capacity development for all stakeholders. One other name at the centre of the programmes success is Emmanuel Uche, anti-corruption component Manager. His ingenuity was all that was needed in difficult situations. At every stage of implementation, he displayed exceptional mastery of issues and problem-solving skills. He is the brain behind most of the successes recorded by the anti-corruption component, adjudged by many as the most successful in the programme. He did not fail to express his joy with the success of the programme. Hear him: I am happy that the programme is a huge success. We have made the anti-corruption agencies more responsive and capable. Their level of engagement is back to the early days of their existence. We have supported government by strengthening institutional mechanisms of the anti-corruption agencies. We also strengthened the voice of the citizens. The J4A approach is holistic and has left a mark in the sands of history. Another name that cannot be left out in the success story of the J4a is Juliet Chikodinaka Ibekaku, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Justice Sector Reforms. From the inception of the programme, till its end, her contributions were enormous. Those conversant with the Police component know that Professor Olu Ogunsakin, a renowned Professor of Police Affairs worked tirelessly and made the component successful. What manner of programme is J4A, that even other donor programmes and agencies relish at the mention of the name? The answer is not far-fetched, as success has many friends, while failure is an orphan. Even civil society organisations, naturally known for being critical of issues hailed the programme. Hear some of the stakeholders speak: David Ugolor, Executive Director, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice- ANEEJ, described the J4A as a huge success and worthy of emulation by others in the sector. Emeka Ononamadu, Executive Director, Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights and the Chairman, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) expressed satisfaction with the programme and its implementation and passed a vote of confidence on the management team. Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption - MIIVOC described the J4A programme and its achievements as legendary, but wondered why it must be brought to an end at a time, when its impact is being felt and is yielding immeasurable results. Little wonder, Enugu State governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi called for an immediate successor programme to continue with the noble works of the J4A. Another proof of its success is that some other donor agencies have approached the J4A to hand over their on-going intervention programmes to them to take over their implementation. For a donor, whose programme is already being implemented to approach the J4A team to take over the management and implementation of their programme is further evidence that there is a silent consensus in the donor community that the J4A leads, while others follow. The entry of J4A to the implementation of Nigerias Freedom of Information (FOI) Act made a huge difference. Today, the compliance level of public institutions with the provisions of the FOI Act has increased tremendously. Citizens demand for accountability using the FOI Act has also increased, courtesy of the J4A. Be that as it may, the programme, having been designed by men, was not infallible. It had some shortcomings that took the ingenuity and creativity of the team to overcome. First, it had a funding mechanism that was a little inflexible. This did not help issues at all. Again, the programme did not make adequate provisions for sustained structured support to Civil Society. This is a major minus. Save for the creativity of the management team, it would not have been easy. More so, the programme did not have a professionally-designed and robust communication strategy as part of the programme design, made worse by the absence of budgetary provisions for publicity and communication. The fact that the J4A enjoyed the level of visibility and media hype it has, however, is a testimony that it is an all-round success. While Nigerians patiently await successor programmes, particularly, one which focuses on anti-corruption, not keeping the J4A team intact will be a grievous mistake, as it is rare to have an excellently progressive team in any given organisation. Again, whatever new programme that is to be designed should have a robust communication strategy that will build on the successes of the J4A to deepen engagement, create understanding, effectively explain the issues, programmes, activities and policies of the programme and ensure proactive communication with stakeholders and indeed, the world. It is outlandish to hold on to the belief that donors rarely spend on publicity. The success or failure of every human endeavour rests on effective and ideal communication. More so, there is need to ensure a deliberate strategy for sustained structured support to civil society and other relevant stakeholders. Particular interest must also be shown in activities aimed at holding the anti-corruption agencies themselves accountable. As at today, no one is watching those empowered to watch Nigerians and there has to be a way of closing the gap. Furthermore, there is need for some flexibility in the funding mechanism of programmes in order to cope with emergency situations in the course of programme implementation. Political sensitivity is also very important for the success of donor-funded programmes. Unlike the proverbial lizard that jumped from a multi--storey without any acclaim, J4A is leaving several enduring legacies and all and sundry have poured out encomiums on DFID and British Council for a job very well done. Posterity will always remember you and you deserve to be celebrated. Pop Champagne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dr. Walter Duru is a Port Harcourt and Owerri - based communication teacher, professional and online Publisher. He is the Chairman, Board of Governors, Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria. [email protected] Walter Duru, Ph.D Interior Minister Ambrose Dery has described as ludicrous claims that violence and lawlessness have drastically increased since the Akufo-Addo-led administration took power in January 2017. According to him, government will not allow security and public safety to deteriorate to uncontrollable levels. That perception is wrong, are they offences, yes they are, are they challenges, yes but we are responding to them according to the rule of law and we will continue to respond, Mr. Dery told Starr FMs Naa Dedei Tettey in an interview Thursday. His assurance comes after widespread concern about a surge in violent crimes and acts of lawlessness across the country. The recent act of crime is the lynching of an army officer, Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama who was allegedly mistaken for an armed robber in Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West district in the Central region. His lynching followed riots and the burning of a police vehicle in Somanya after residents there revolted over strange electricity bills. But Mr. Dery assured Ghanaians of their safety, adding that blaming the president for recent happenings is flawed. Should people feel unsafe in Ghana now? No they should notfor the period that we have been in power, I can show you that we have reacted as quickly as we can. You can only be proactive only if you have prior information otherwise you react. We are concerned of the security situation as the experts are and moving forward we will want to do betterbut please let us keep politics out of this that the president of the country is responsible, please that is ludicrous. NATTA team set for China mission A 32-member team of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA) in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Nepali Embassy in Beijing are scheduled to go on a China sales mission on June 7 in a bid to promote Nepal in China. The District Chief Executive for Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central region, Daniel Appianing has laughed off reports that he has been dismissed by President Akufo-Addo. According to him, he is still at post saying he has never been a happy man until the news of his suspension hit the media. I have never been happy in my life than today. Im still in my office. I have not received official notification. I have heard it on social media and radio, he stated in an interview with Starr News Elvis Adjetey. He added: Ever since this incident happened nobody has called to find out my side of the story. So if they are suspending me and it will be on radio without communicating to me that is their problem. Mr. Appianing has been asked to hand over to the Deputy Central regional Minister, Thomas Adjei Baffoe. A letter to that effect was signed Thursday, afternoon by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development upon the instructions of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Ghana was thrown into a state of despair on Monday, May 29, 2017, when the news of the lynching of a military officer detailed at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region broke. Captain Maxwell Mahama of the 5th Infantry Battalion was heading a military detachment to the area to fight illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. Following the incident, the DCE for the area, Mr. Appiannin told journalists that he was unaware that the military officer was part of a detachment to the area to assist in the fight against galamsey. His utterances, however, attracted lots of condemnation from the public, with the family of the deceased calling for his immediate dismissal. 02.06.2017 LISTEN Brooklyn Center, Minnesota - The Vice President of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA), Mr. Joe Mason, says the recent death of veteran journalist Joseph Gbadyu is a loss to Liberia and the journalism profession. According to Mr. Mason, ALJA considers Mr. Gbadyu one of the many pioneers in the broadcast profession who blazed the trail for the current core of journalists. He said the Association was deeply saddened by his death. Mr. Mason spoke on Thursday, May 29th at the home of the Mrs. Palmahn Gbayu-Cooper, daughter of the deceased, in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, during a visit of an ALJA delegation to console the family. According to the ALJA Vice President, the deceased distinguished himself while serving as a news reporter at the ELWA Radio Station where his journalism career began in 1958. Mr. Gbadyus journalistic sojourn would see him rise to the position of Director of Broadcasting at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism from 1965 to 1972. Mr. Gbadyu also served the Liberian government in various capacities including Supervisor of schools for Grand Bassa County from 1972 to 1976, Superintendent of Grand Bassa from 1976 to 1980 and Deputy Minister for Operations, Production and Coordination at the Ministry of Internal Affairs from 1981 to 1982. Mrs. Cooper thanked the ALJA delegation for the visit and the show of support demonstrated since the death of their father. The chairman of the Minnesota Chapter of ALJA, Mr. Patrick Kugmeh, a colleague of the deceased, was also in attendance. According to family sources, Mr. Gbadyu was a man who symbolized cultural dignity and took seriously his traditional responsibilities. He is known to have kept historical record of the Bassa tribe and is the author of The Bassaman and the Expansion of the Liberian State, 1847-1912. Mr. Gbadyu died on May 14th in Minnesota after a period of illness. He is survived by his wife, Esther and a host of family members. Wake keeping over the remains will be held at the Holy Ghost Revival for All Nations Church in Champlin, Minnesota. Funeral services will take place at the Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 10th at 11am. ALJA is a conglomeration of retired and current Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. The Association was founded in 1998 in Washington, D.C. ALJA seeks to foster camaraderie, peace, and unity amongst its members and their American counterparts. The Association is also, dedicated to the advancement of good governance, free speech, and press freedom in Liberia. Signed by:_________________ Gardea V. Woodson National Secretary General 610-212-1935 Approved by:_________________ Moses D. Sandy National President 302-494-4688 I dont seek to preempt the outcome of the investigation relative to the murder of Captain Mahama, just as I am not in anyway seeking to anticipate the outcome of legal proceedings on the case. My interest is simply to uncover the idiotic aspects of the lynching, and suggest ways of curing the mischief of mob injustice. First, granted that it is true that the people of Denkyira-Obuasi in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region have had series of armed robbers besieging them, none of the murderers could claim that the late Mahama had robbed them. Also, none of them had any evidence to show that they had suffered harm from the late Mahama. Similarly, none of them lived according to logic of the Akan proverb, If you follow the disturbances of the housefly, you renew the pain of your wound. This is also captured in the Bible that, In your anger, do not sin (Ephesians 4:26). So, it was illogical for them to have killed the late Captain and defender of our sovereignty. Second, none of the murderers wanted to die. After they had pursued a grotesque and outrageous murder, none of them was ready to die. So, clearly, they were quite aware that life is more sacred than they had thought. Indeed, the fact that all of them fled the scene when their ghastly act had been uncovered shows that none of them saw death as a viable alternative. So, if they all feared death, then killing Captain Mahama was a thoughtless act. Third, all the murderers, and persons around at the scene acted extra-legally and failed to live as responsible citizens: those who acted as spectators were the worse offenders. Here, the long arm of the law finds the murderers, the inspirers of the murderous act, and the persons observing the horrific act complicit and abettors of evil. All these three categories of persons are coconspirators, and, as it were, the law would deal with them, though the degree of punishment would not be homogenous and uniform. But, obviously, all of them would be punished. It was, therefore, crass for observers to go watch the evil episode without bothering to inform the police or raising alarm. Also, it is unintelligent for politicians and some so-called social commentators, who claim to know it all, thus dethroning God, to obfuscate and blur public knowledge of mob injustice through political massaging and spinning of a major blot in our security. Our politics, framed around the (il)logic of I win you lose, and you lose, I win, undermines our quest as a nation to consolidate our democratic gains. Globally, Ghanas fledgling democracy is celebrated as a model for the rest of the continent of Africa. Unfortunately, some of our stomach-directed politicians have chosen to make political capital out of every issue that needs to be discussed with all seriousness and consensus building. We are so internally fragmented on partisan basis that it is almost impossible for Ghanaians to converge on a common point to find a solution to the multiple challenges confronting the nation. Hence, it is ridiculous for some politicians and social commentators to politicise an issue that has taken the wind out of the sail of most Ghanaians. The media has also not helped matters. At a time when mob injustice appears to have come to a head in our democratic dispensation, I was expecting that the media would bring on board persons, who have knowledge in security, clinical psychology, sociology, history etcetera to give us an informed discourse analysis of the situation. Unfortunately, reflecting the divisiveness in our country, media houses are, as usual, engaging the know-it-all social commentators and politicians to educate Ghanaians on such a challenging socio-political phenomenon. Even if they engage experts, at all, these experts are given five minutes, at most, to discuss such a sensitive and troubling social challenge. This morning, it was reported on one of the radio stations that an old woman, accused of having witchcraft, has been lynched at Tindongo in the Upper East Region. The gory incident is said to have happened on Monday, May 29, 2017; the same day some reckless Ghanaians also lynched Captain Mahama. These two unfortunate episodes, inter alia, should jostle us from slumber to work on the psychology of Ghanaians. The various state institutions: the security service, the judicial service, and the National Commission for Civic Education should uplift their game. More professionalism is expected from these state institutions. Lastly, the barbaric and lawless lynching of Captain Mahama and the so-called witch in Tindongo expresses the biblical anthropology of wo/man in the assertion that, The heart of man is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Also, concerning the intrinsic wickedness of wo/man, the Bible states, Their throat is a yawning grave; they use their tongues to deceive (to mislead and deal treacherously). The venom of asps is beneath their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and misery mark their ways. And they have no experience of the way of peace (they know nothing about peace, for a peaceful way they do not even recognize). There is no (reverential) fear of God before their eyes (Romans 3:13-18). We pray that the Lord God would bring comfort to the families of persons, who have suffered unjustly from mob injustice. And as we eschew superfluous politicisation of social challenge in Ghana, I pray that God would intervene in the affairs of Ghana. Satyagraha!!! Charles Prempeh ( [email protected] ), African University College of Communications, Accra. Late Capt Maxwell A. Mahama 02.06.2017 LISTEN Ghana is mourning , yes Ghana has fallen into the hands of a leadership powered by evil consciences. A conscience that is revengefully plugged into the All Die Be Die mantra of a leadership that feels its right for some people to brutalise others by sheer merit of difference in opinion/views, which is exactly what some western nations want to see happen under this leadership. Because it would give some western nations an upper hand in taking over our national resources which corrupt leaders already willing to hand over. Ghana is mourning, yes Ghana fell the day a presidential appointee was brutally forced out of office by a group of thugs/vigilantes/TERRORISTs who are in bed with some sections of the leadership of the country. And our nation's Commander in Chief sat back smiling while trying to Pinnochio his way into assuring the Ghanaian populace that these Terrorists would be brought to justice.. only for these Terrorists to proof to the leadership of Ghana's new government that the real people in charge of governance are they the Terrorist and not President Nana Akuffo Addo. Ghana is mourning, because the dawn of lawlessness has arrived and courtrooms are no longer safe because anyone can walk in to free whoever they choose to free and the Government leadership would rather applaud because that seems pretty normal to them . Ghanaian have witnessed tens of people being laid off by the leadership because it deems it right to create jobs for members of its political party who seem to me more Ghanaian than any other Ghanaian in the country. Ghana is mourning and the only saviour Ghanaian could look up to is themselves because President Nana Akuffo Addo could not cancel his foreign trip in solidarity to the family of Capt Maxwell Adam Mahama and the Armed Forces of Ghana for the heinous crime on one of their own. As Commander In Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the President's lack of concern /solidarity and compassion to the family of deceased and the country as a whole is totally unacceptable . Many of us are truly disappointed in the president's disconnect towards what happened and what is happening in light of this heinous crime, to show Ghanaians that indeed he is father for all and not just NPP followers . People in the international community have expressed their shock that our President could NOT cut short his his newly found globe trotting hobby to relate with the family of Capt Maxwell Mahama and the Ghana Armed Forces. The inaction of the country's leadership on this issue has sowed the seeds of mistrust in the current government , started breeding the desire for a social revolution to right many of these wrongs , and even a cry for the Military to take back the reins of government . Ghana is mourning and the soul of Capt Maxwell A. Mahama shall rest only when the leadership of our nation steps up to the plate with a good conscience which embraces all Ghanaians and not just NPP Ghanaians in its quest for patriotism . Our hearts go out the family of the late Capt Maxwell A. Mahama, Ghana should truly reflect on the change it's currently undergoing , and President Nana Akuffo Addo and his vice should have put up a united front on this , by putting Ghana and Ghanaians first at all times meaning every life matters #ALLGHANAIANLIVESMATTER And not just members of NPP. God help us all under this administration. Jeff Ray NDC Holland Member 02.06.2017 LISTEN Following his recent resignation from the Labour Party, the Prince of Niger Delta politics, as he is fondly referred, has finally picked a side in the raging battle between Wike and Amaechi in Rivers state. A press statement made available to journalists recently quote Mr. Princewill thus, After observing both sides for two years, the Prince has thrown caution to the wind and opted to join forces with the Minister, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi. In a detailed statement issued online earlier today, the Prince said the decision was relatively easy to make and he had since advised all his supporters, Princewill Political Associate (PPA) members, disgruntled PDP sympathizers and the dissatisfied youths of the state to go and register immediately with the APC and work hard under the new and improved direction of the party as full members. "PDP in Rivers state is for the old school, analog, well seasoned politicians who have been in charge in one form or the other since 1999. The top is too heavy. Like an umberella. Nothing comes down and since there is no vacancy at the top, there is no chance for young fresh faces to grow. I don't belong there and neither do you." While the Prince commended Wike for trying his best and 'doing good' in some areas, he regretted that the Governor's best was clearly not good enough, stating that if projects executed could feed the poor and reduce the horrendous rate of unemployment, it would have been better. He regretted that his tour of the state revealed that many of those who were angry with Amaechi in 2015, had cut their noses to spite their faces. "If I can reconcile with Amaechi, so can you", he added. "Wike is doing what he can. You do not expect a mango tree to produce orange. What we need in Rivers state is Mr. Jobs. That means we need security, knowledge of local business needs, the elimination of multiple taxation and a serious attempt at making affordable capital available to the local businesses. Then we urgently need a government that doesn't throw a party over the laying of a foundation stone. No government gets it right from day one, but the Rivers state government has shown that is not ready to listen. APC has shown me that they are. Mr. Princewill also announced the establishment of a 10-man transition committee headed by his deputy Governorship candidate, Barr. Ken Saronwiyo, to ensure a smooth transition of his supporters into the APC. He urged his people to learn from the mistakes of others and to shelve personal ambition in the interest of the party and the state. It will be recalled that the Prince recently announced that he would no longer seek the position of Governor of Rivers state but would be instead rededicating his time and energy to ensuring youth involvement in politics, but that he would do it from outside of the Labour Party where he felt he could make more impact. He went on to say in the statement that following a shaky start at the Federal level, he was satisfied that the APC was still a better alternative to the PDP and on course to getting the country back on track. He regretted that smaller parties were not better resourced to mount a credible challenge and hoped others would seize the challenge to keep leaders on their toes even if they are outside of the ruling party. "In Rivers state, the APC will definitely be doing that", he finally declared Eighty African women leaders in politics, public sector, business, civil society and the media have began a three-day high-level discussions at the United Nations headquarters in New York to enhance the leadership of women in the transformation of Africa. Drawn from politics, public sector, business, civil society and the media, the participants are using the forum as a platform to launch the African Women Leaders Network. .Ghana's Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms. Otiko Afisah Djaba is representing Ghana at the High-Level meeting, which has special focus on governance, peace and stability. It is being jointly organized by the African Union Commission, United Nations Women and Germany to meet the aspirations of Africa Agenda 2063 and Goal 5.5 of the Sustainable Development Goal, that affirm the importance of women's equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. Launching the African Women Leaders Network, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the UN, commended the idea to mentor a new generation of women to become political leaders in Africa. "Women have a voice at levels of decision making in all sectors, from inside the home to boardrooms and Parliaments and State Houses across the continent. This is simply a democratic right. It is an essential tool for success', she stated. She explained that the 2030 Agenda with its 17 leaders SDGs are a pledge to people by world leaders for peace, prosperity and partnership on a healthy planet. Urging African women leaders to work together to attain the African Union's vision, which the UN also shares, Ms. Amina Mohammed noted that the network will be a crucial driver for the implementation of both the 2030 Agenda and the Agenda 2063. At separate panel discussions all the speakers affirmed the critical contributions Africa women leaders make to peace, security, stability and development in Africa. they also harped on the need to have women representation at the top decision-making bodies. Ms. Louisa Diogo, Former Prime Minister of Mozambique stated that women have their own synergy, energy and capacity to do the right things. Zambia's Gender Minister Victoria Kalima said women leaders in her country had teamed up with traditional leaders to effect changes at the community level, which had helped to create the awareness on the need for girl-child education. Mrs. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, former First Lady of Ekiti State in Nigeria urged women to calim their own space instead of expecting others to do that for them. The Cadre and Party Activists of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has commended their founder, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and his other rank colleagues for their House Cleaning Exercise which was done on June 4, 1979. As the NDC prepares to celebrate their 38th June 4 anniversary, Cadre has released a statement , admonishing how the 1979 June 4 house cleaning exercise has helped propel Ghana to a vibrant participatory democracy which has become the envy of other developing countries. "There was excessive bribery and corruption in all spheres of the Ghanaian society, rampant human rights abuses, arbitrary arrest, detentions and inhumane treatment of dissenting views against unpopular policies", they stated. Below is the full statement; June 4, 2017 marks a great day in the annals of the Ghanaian political history. In the monumental political and socio-economic development and progress have undeniably taken place within the last 38years after the house cleaning exercise embarked on by Flt.Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and his other rank colleagues on June 4, 1979. These events have helped to propel Ghana to a vibrant participatory democracy which has become the envy of other developing countries. It is important to recount briefly the socio-political and economic state of affairs in the country prior to the June 4 Uprising: The Yentua foreign policy of the Acheampong Supreme Military Council 1 aggravated the economic situation in the leading to severe shortages of every conceivable consumable in Ghana. Industries produced under-capacity due to lack of maintenance of equipment and shortages of raw materials for production. Hording and profiteering became the order of the day leading to kalabue and gyinabu. There was excessive bribery and corruption in all spheres of the Ghanaian society. The Ghanaian currency the Cedi has lost its value in relation to other trading currencies. There were rampant human rights abuses, arbitrary arrest, detentions and inhumane treatment of dissenting views against unpopular policies. There was a phenomenon of mass exodus of the Ghanaian professional and other skilled labour force to seek greener pastures outside Ghana. That exodus was a direct human response to the need for sustainable livelihood and survival which the country could not provide at the time. The size of the Ghanaian middle-income class shrunk rapidly while the lower-income class swelled uncontrollably as the economic gap between the haves and have-nots widened phenomenally. The image of the military sunk to an abysmal level in the eyes of the Ghanaian public. Hitherto respected military personnel virtually lost their respect and power. In the circumstance, they adaptively had to avoid public taunts and insinuations by putting on civilian clothes when they were out of their barracks. Why did the soldiers do so? They did so because the top military brass was even more corrupt than the civilian regimes they had overthrown on grounds of corruption and economic mismanagement. In response to the public agitation for a return to constitutional rule, General Acheampongs SMCI muted the idea of a Union Government involving the Army, the Police and the civilian. To this end a referendum was called, massively rigged in favour of the Union Government, but the regime decreed that no one should jubilate over the victory. The agitations intensified with the following taking the vanguard roles: The NUGS, Peoples Movement for Freedom and Justice (PMFJ), the Associations of Recognized Professional Bodies (ARPB) and the Catholic Bishops Conference together with ordinary workers. It would be recalled that in 1978, General FWK Akuffo, staged a palace coup dtat dismissed General Acheampong as Head of State, placed him under house arrest and instituted Supreme Military Council 11 as a way of soaking the pressure brought on the SMCI to hand over power. General Akuffo announced a time table for the return of Multi-party democracy. This was seen as a way to hand over quietly to enjoy their ill-gotten wealth. This was too little too late. On May 15th 1979, less than five weeks before the general elections were to be held, a group of junior officers of the Military led by FL Lt John Rawlings attempted a coup dtat but was coiled. They were court marshaled and put before a military tribunal. During the course of the trial, Rawlings called for the release of the men under his command on the grounds that applaud from the rank and file of the military. He also said that he wanted to use the last stages of the Military regime to purge itself of widespread corruption to restore its within the civilian populace. This also resonated well with ordinary Ghanaians. In the early hours of Thursday , June 4, 1979, the day the tribunal was to give its final verdict, JJ Rawlings and his men were released from custody, rushed to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to announce the overthrow of the SMC11 and established a 15-member Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) . The main objectives of the AFRC were to establish the principles of probity, accountability, honesty, selflessness, transparency, discipline and integrity for conducting national affairs. The June 4 Uprising was about restoring the dignity of the ordinary man and woman and sanctioning the conducted of those who fall foul of the law in the conduct of state affairs. It was also a means of injecting discipline and patriotism in all spheres of endeavor among Ghanaians. Towards this end, the AFRC instituted a House Cleaning Exercise to purge the military of corruption to set the tone for the larger population. The exercise lasted for three months and the AFRC handed over power to an elected Government headed by Dr. Hilla Limann of the Peoples National Party with the charge to continue with the house cleaning exercise and go by the principles set out for the conduct of governance. The principles of the June 4 Uprising are timeless. They are relevant yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Rawlings phenomenon which distinguishes him from all other leaders and still relevant in our political discourses is his courage, selflessness, forthrightness and honesty. He is humble, simple and approachable. He has always resisted political sweet-talking and say it as it is no matter whose ox is good. 38 years on, has the nation lived by the principles of the June 4 Uprising? If not why? On the occasion of the commemoration of the 38th anniversary of the June 4 Uprising we call on the youth of this country to critically examine the principles and ideals of the June 4 Uprising and strive to live by them. Long live June 4 Uprising Long Live Ghana Akuamoah Ofosu Boateng Kofi Aikins Secretary Chairman Tel:0247947484 Antwi Boasiako Sekyere: Tel:0242261012 Mike Hammah Tel: 0244356397 Sorry, we can't find the content you're looking for at this URL. 02.06.2017 LISTEN Accra, June 1, GNA - Participants at a two-day policy dialogue on regional integration issues have called on government to separate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Regional Integration for effective implementation of the ECOWAS Agenda. Varied interest groups at the ongoing forum on Wednesday argued that amalgamation of the two distinct entities did not allow effective implementation of the sub-regional bloc's integration process due to lack of professionalism. They also named high staff attrition and lack of institutional memory as part of reasons that necessitated policymakers to let the two bodies standalone for the regional integration to be located at the presidency to coordinate activities of various ministries for effective implantation of the regional protocols. The forum was on the topic: 'Bringing West African Integration home for National Development' and was earlier attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday. Professor SKB Asante, the Executive Director of Centre for Regional Integration in Africa (CRIA), called for full participation of citizens in the continental and sub-regional integration process for rapid economic growth. He expressed worry that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) integration agenda has largely been left to heads of member states without looking at how to involve people at the grassroots. 'There is insufficient participation of such key actors as civil society, private sector or the business community and the various development partners in the integration process,' he said. Prof. Asante said: 'The people should be at the centre of integration,' he said, adding that; 'it should not be left at the ECOWAS heads of state levels. We are not integrating heads of states, we are integrating the people.' He urged leadership of ECOWAS to review the integration process else; 'we are not going anywhere.' After more than 40 years of signing the integration protocol the West African bloc, he said, should create a special television channel that would focus on propagating messages, introduce ECOWAS games and debates in Ghanaian schools and 'even have ECOWAS bread.' Mr James Victor Gbeho, the Former President of the ECOWAS Commission, called on government to formulate a national policy that would allow the speaking of French in schools and at every level of the Ghanaian educational ladder. He said: 'French must not be optional in our community plan where we learn French up to some level, we should make an effort to learn French, English and Hausa in ECOWAS member countries.' 'We should make it a national policy to speak languages in the region. We should look at people centeredness of the ECOWAS agenda as the matter of top priority,' he said. Mr James Asare-Adjei, the President of the Association of Ghana Industries, urged Ghana to position herself and take advantage of the large market size of around 350 million inhabitants or face the risk of large imports from the sub-region. 'If Ghana does not position itself now, it faces higher risk of large imports from the sub region in the future as a result the Common External Tariff and the upcoming continent free trade agreement,' he said. GNA By D.I. Laary/Caroline Pomeyie, GNA 02.06.2017 LISTEN Accra, June 1, GNA - Mr Rockson Dogbegah, the Construction sector chair of the Association of Ghana Industries, says industry players would readily support the public sector in setting the necessary standards for the construction industry in the ECOWAS sub- region. Speaking at a three-day workshop on standards aimed at improving the capacity on setting standards for operators in the building and construction sector in the sub-region, Mr Dogbegah said such standards would inure to the sustainable development of the construction industry. The three-day seminar organised by the Commission on Standards for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in collaboration with the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) aimed at improving the capacity on setting standards for operators in the building and construction sector in the sub-region. Mr Dogbegah, who is also a Chartered Construction Manager, said it was very necessary to engage the major stakeholders in the building and construction industry directly in such critical seminars. He said from experience in most strategic planning and policy development fronts in both the public and private sector space, most policies were developed without the input of the critical mass of users. This, he said, leaved out actors and stakeholders in the dark, resulting in serious implementation challenges. He commended the ECOWAS Commission, ARSO and GSA for the seminar and urged them to engage the private sector and industry more effectively in the setting of standards for the building and construction sector. The Technical Director of ARSO, Reuben Gisore said since building and construction had become a basic necessity of life, setting appropriate standards for the materials and the facilities themselves were necessary so as not to jeopardize the life of occupants. Participants were also enlightened on the ultimate aim of the ECOWAS Commission on standards, which ARSO is tasked to help deepen the brainstorming, harmonisation and the application of standards used by its member countries. It is also to use knowledge and technology to adopt appropriate policies that would make the sub region improve on its bargaining rights at all international trade and industry outings. The move is therefore to uplift the region and speed up the common market agenda through the provision of quality infrastructure that conforms to international standards and to offer the private sector the needed boost to increase investment in the sub region. Representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the GSA also took turns to reemphasize government's commitment to support initiatives on standardisation for the construction sector. GNA NC, Maoists in new govt bid President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Thursday invited the political parties represented in the Legislature-Parliament to initiate the process to form a majority government. 02.06.2017 LISTEN Accra, June 1, GNA - Citi FM has launched the third edition of its Flagship Business programme, Citi Business Festival, with expanded focus areas, aimed at addressing challenges prevalent in Ghana's business environment. The month-long programme, featuring themed events and on-air series, is a step-up on the station's growing business content niche. Mr Ibrahim Awal Mohammed, Minister of Business Development, who launched the festival in Accra on Thursday, commended Citi for the initiative and urged other media outlets to emulate it. He noted that while the media was becoming increasingly relevant in the socio-economic development of Ghana, it was important for media organisations to go beyond politics to support government in the business sector. 'Please go beyond the politics and do business with us; partner government, partner businesses to make Ghana a more attractive business destination,' he said. He also urged Citi to also focus on start-ups as part of the topics to be discussed during the festival. 'Small businesses constitute over 90 per cent of businesses in Ghana but the rate of failure is very high,' he said, explaining that 75 per cent of all businesses do not grow beyond three years while those which do, do not grow beyond 10 years. Mr Mohammed said start-ups were the bedrock of all businesses around the world, and about 75 per cent of them contributed to Ghana's GDP and urged the media to educate the public, especially youth on the opportunities in the sector in spite of the risks. 'Businesses must dare to look beyond the risks to the opportunities to grow' he stated. He noted the importance of leverage the social capital in businesses, including contacts and network to build their businesses and also to be innovative in making their businesses competitive. Mr Bernard Avle, Director of Radio Programming at Citi FM, said the Citi Business Festival was the culmination 10 years of the station's efforts to fill a niche market in business programming, which was not being served at the time. The festival, he said, was to extend its services beyond on-air audience to involve various publics through events. 'Radio, for us, is a tool for social change, not just a business for money making, radio is a viable tool for engaging people to change the way they think and behave,' he said. 'We can't develop our country if we don't value business as what it takes to change the nation,' he said. He said it was not politics that change countries but business thus the need for highlighting business and ideas on radio. The Festival, which is sponsored by MTN Business and Premium Bank, will cover five thematic areas, including financial inclusion, housing and real estate, Foreign Direct Investment, Innovation and tourism, at various events and will also address 16 topics on air throughout the month. Mr Yofi Grant, Chief Executive of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), also commended Citi for the festival, saying government and the GIPC was committed to not doing Business as usual, but in a way that will change the fortunes of Ghanaians and position Ghana better. He noted that, to achieve this, it was important to change the mind-set of Ghanaian businesses, while making Ghana a business friendly environment. He urged Citi FM to replicate the programme on other platforms and in the vernacular to enable a larger section of the public to benefit from it, and pledged to help raise funds for that purpose. GNA By Belinda Ayamgha, GNA Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, the world's two leading cocoa producers, are putting in place key measures to enable them control cocoa prices on the global market for the benefit of cocoa farmers in both countries. The two leading producers feel shortchanged with respect to cocoa prices on the world market, which is mostly determined by the West and Asia. Known as 'Ghana-Cote d'Ivoire Technical Cooperation On Cocoa,' the joint cooperation is to among other things, protect their farmers and economies from the harsh effects of consistent price drops of cocoa on the world market, with the view to ensuring the sustainability of cocoa economy. The technical cooperation is an initiative of the Presidents of Cote d' Ivoire and Ghana following President Akufo-Addo's state visit to Ivory Coast in April this year. Speaking at the second meeting of the technical cooperation yesterday in Accra, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Afriyie Akoto, stressed the need for the two countries to foster collaboration to ensure that their farmers get better pay for their products. Top Ten Producers Nations across four continents make the top 10, and Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana occupy the first and second positions respectively, followed by Indonesia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Brazill, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Dominican Republic. Ghana and Cote d' Ivoire, according to statistics from COCOBOD, produce about 2.35 million tonnes of cocoa, which is about 60 percent of world production. The Minister said that growth in the Asian market for cocoa is consistently on the rise. Yet these positive developments in demand have not been marched by impressive prices. According to him, The absence of appreciable rise in demand to increase prices is threatening the sustainability of cocoa production. Therefore, there is the need for urgent, effective and sustainable measures to first protect our farmers and economies from the harsh effects of this price drops, and then chart a future of greater self-reliance, he charged. Dr. Afriyie-Akoto said emphatically that the solutions to this and other challenges of the cocoa sector require cooperative efforts among producers, especially the two largest, thus the need for Ghana-Cote d'Ivoire Technical Cooperation for cocoa sustainability. Enhancing the welfare of cocoa farmers will require an improvement in farm productivity, sustainable domestic and international prices and a stronger production organization, he said. He added that this will ensure that the interest of farmers and producer countries is catered for while fostering a competitive domestic downstream sector. Three separate committees namely Production, Economics and Marketing and Special Committees have been formed by the two nations under the technical cooperation, with the mandate of fashioning out new policies to help both nations improve their production levels and gains from their sale of cocoa. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, said the two leading producers- Ghana and Cote d' Ivoire- must collaborate towards harmonized production and marketing arrangements cannot be overemphasized. Director-General of Cote d' Ivoire Council for Coffee and Cocoa, Massandje Toure-Litse, urged the committees to find answers to problems affecting the countries' cocoa sectors. Shares Meanwhile, Board Chairman of Cocobod, Hackman Owusu Agyemang, proposed that the two leading countries must own shares in companies like Nestle and Cadbury to benefit their farmers for contributing raw materials needed for the running of such companies. By Melvin Tarlue & Rosemary Twum The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt. Gen Obed Akwa, was met with rage when he met officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) yesterday to assuage their pain following the callous murder of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama when he was jogging at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region on Monday. The CDS made the appeal at an emergency meeting with ranks of the GAF at Burma Hall, Burma Camp in Accra. The atmosphere at the hall was tense and the expression on the faces of the soldiers was that of anger, an indication that they wanted an opportunity to vent their anger on the murderers of their colleague. Additionally, the soldiers did not see why the case should be handled by the Ghana police alone whereas the GAF has a Military Police (MP) Unit, which according to them, is very efficient in handling such high-profile crimes. We are the last resort in this country. If we allow ourselves to be beaten this way as a Christian, by what Jesus said in Matthew 26 verse 52: 'He who draws the sword must die by the sword,' one fuming soldier stated. This soldier was supported by a Muslim counterpart who supported his emotions with verses from the Quran to the applause of the soldiers present. The soldiers were also impatient with the pace of the police investigation, which has so far seen seven suspects arrested for their alleged roles in the murder. They were especially mindful of the videos of the gruesome act on social media, and wondered why the military police could not take over. We have military police. It is not in every instance that we allow the civilian police to be telling us about evidence. You have seen something clearly and you are telling me about evidence. What more evidence do you want from this? The Ghana Armed Forces has the military police. We can handle our things. It is not everything that you take to the civilian police, one of them averred. Some of the soldiers also called for a total boycott and discontinuation of all anti-lumbering and anti-galamsey operations. I will suggest we leave the work for the police to also carry out so that we come back to our barracks, one soldier suggested. Calm The CDS, in an affectionate mood, impressed upon them to accept what had happened as a challenge and a test of their efficiency and not anything which is beyond their capabilities. Every operation has its challenges and the nature of our mandate to defend our country against external invasion while supporting internal security like the police cannot be discontinued; however, we can call for a review of the rules of engagement, he stated. Lt. Gen. Akwa further stated that the GAF was working very closely with the police to ensure that the perpetrators of the gruesome act were brought to face the law and appropriate punishment meted out to them. Speaking on the welfare and future of the deceased's immediate family, the CDS gave the assurance that the GAF would play its role as required, adding that a number of philanthropists and international groups had been finding out from him how they could support the family. While expressing appreciation to the Commander in-Chief of the GAF, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Bawumia, the clergy and civil society groups, among others, for their respective assurances and solidarity, he also appealed to social media patrons to stop posting images on the criminal act since that creates embarrassment to the bereaved family. Capt. Maxwell Adam Mahama was on military detachment at the Denkyiri-Obuasi area. The people in the community claimed he was an armed robber and lynched him. He is survived by a wife and two children. By Solomon Ofori One of the two persons in police grips over the murder of Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North in the Eastern Region says he wants to go home, even as fresh charges have been slapped on him and his alleged accomplice. According to Daniel Asiedu, 19, aka Sexy Don Don a phone dealer he does not know why he has been dragged before the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) District Court two days after an Accra High Court had discharged him over the murder of the legislator. He told the judge, Ms. Efua G. Sackey, prior to the reading of the charge sheet that he was at the Nsawam Prisons awaiting his release when he was served with another document to appear before the court. Daniel, who is in the dock with one Vincent Bosso aka Junior Agogo a phone repairer was emphatic that he is uncertain why he had been summoned before the court. The accused, who spoke in English contrary to his earlier claim that he was not fluent in the language, noted that although they have a lawyer in the person of Augustines Obour, the case investigator had not allowed them access to him, adding, I want to see my lawyer. He said he does not know anything about the murder of J.B. Nolle Prosequi It would be recalled that the Attorney General and Minister for Justice on Tuesday entered Nolle Prosequi (NP) to drop previous charges against the accused persons in respect of the case which was at the stage of empanelling a seven-member jury for the trial. Sefakor Batse, a Senior State Attorney, had told the court, presided over by Justice Lawrence L. Mensah, that per Section 54 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, the AG had entered NP in respect of the case. Daniel Asiedu and Bosso were subsequently rearrested minutes after their discharge and fresh charges preferred against them. Charges In the instant case, Sexy Don Don has been slapped with the charge of murder while Agogo faces abetment of murder. In the case of Agogo, the prosecutor, DSP George Amegah, held that he at about 1:00 am on February 9, 2016 at Shiashie, East Legon, in Accra, abetted Sexy Don Don to commit murder. Don Don, according to the prosecution, on the same day and time intentionally and unlawfully caused the death of Mr JB Danquah, fondly called JB. The pleas of the two have not been taken. Not Acquittal Responding to the accusations of Sexy Don Don, DSP Amegah explained that the accused persons were only discharged but not acquitted. He contended that the accused were rearrested and fresh charges preferred against them. The police officer indicated that he did not want Sexy Don Don to create the impression that they had been brought to court without his lawyer. He urged the court to remand the accused persons to assist the police in their investigations. The trial magistrate said the court would give Don Don the opportunity to respond to the request for remand by the prosecution, but the accused again claimed that he did not understand what bail is, although he spoke in English. Offered the chance to address the court, Junior Agogo waived the right to speak. Hearing continues on June 15. By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson [email protected] Barbara (middle), wife of the late Capt. Maxwlel Mahama flanked by some family members Government has given assurance of its commitment to find the killers of Captain Maxwell Adams Mahama, the army officer who was killed under very heinous circumstances at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region. This was when Vice President Bawumia visited the bereaved family at the Burma Camp barracks in Accra on Wednesday. Almost moved to tears, he said, It is really with a heavy heart that we come here today; we woke up yesterday and heard of some very very sad news that had happened. I could not really believe it; I did not really think we have such evil amongst us, such wickedness amongst us a people. Initial reports had it that the young and promising army Captain met his untimely death when he went for jogging and was mistaken for an armed robber by residents of the town upon seeing a pistol on him. An assemblyman for the area who was said to be on the run, was believed to be the one who organized some young men in the area to manhandle Captain Mahama, in spite of pleadings that he was not an armed robber. Promise Dr Bawumia observed, What happened is dastardly, it's painful, it's wicked, it's evil and I don't know how anybody in anyway can justify anything like that, insisting, It's a criminal act; there is nothing short of it. It is criminal and we will pursue the perpetrators with all the might of the state to its logical conclusion to make sure that justice is done. The president has asked me to extend his condolences and you will see him in due course. Sad as the family and the entire nation were, the vice president said, We cannot question God sometimes. As a Muslim, we always say.from Him we came and to Him we will return. So we ask for prayers right now for Captain Mahama; that is really all that he needs now. For the family, we want to assure you as I said, we are going to be with you through thick and thin going forward; we will see that he gets a befitting burial and do whatever is necessary for the family [and] the children who are left behind, he assured. Pain It is so painful thatI asked that God temper that hurt and give you the patience to deal with this; what is now most important is the family, wife and childrenit's a tragedy not just for the family. Honestly, in Ghana today everybody is talking about it. This is our funeral; so you are not alone and you will not be alone, he said to consol the bereaved family. Dr Bawumia said government had taken account of the concerns raised by the bereaved family about the manner in which people are spreading videos and pictures of the fallen soldier on social media as well as comments by the beleaguered District Chief Executive (DCE) for Upper Denkyira West, Daniel Appianing, who literally sought to justify the mob action. May God be with you; may God keep you and may God keep the soul of Captain Mahama in peace, he prayed for the family. Concerns On his part, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Obed Akwa, denied rumours that the late Captain Mahama and his troops were in the village giving protection for people doing illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. Instead, he emphasized, Captain Mahama was on a sanctioned official duty; the high command knew about it and our ministry was aware; so I will like to disabuse the minds of the general populace that they were there undertaking or protecting illegal miners. He said the military high command had received report on events that happened on the day and studying it to take a decision whiles thanking officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces for the restraint they had exercised in the face of this act of provocation. The CDS has since asked officers and men who have been deployed to the area to live peaceably with their civilian counterparts and allow the law to take its course. Appreciation Head of the bereaved family, Chief Kasseh, thanked the nation for the support in these trying times. I expect that there should be no further bloodshed; we don't want it. We just need peace; I'm sure whoever did it has regretted having done that, he noted. Disappointment He however, expressed grave concern and disappointment in the comments of the DCE for the area where the incident happened, saying, The statement of the DCE did not augur well for us as a family; we are peace-loving people. We have trained this boy to be very peaceful wherever he is. As a man who has worked in the area of peace and a former Chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tamale, he said, For my own grandchild I have brought up this way to be killed cold blooded By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has expressed grave concerns about threats allegedly made against its members by some 'galamseyers' in the Central, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions for exposing their illegal activities. GJA, in a statement signed by its president, Affail Monney, observed that according to these reports, the galamseyers have vowed to teach the journalists a lesson if they refuse to halt their exposure on illegal mining. The leadership of GJA expressed concerns about the fact that the threats were coming on the heels of the heinous killing of Captain Maxwell Mahama at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region. We take cue from the murder of the army officer since one does not need any superfluity of security intelligence to conclude that similar fate or something tragic can befall the journalists, especially those who fetch stories in the heart of the galamsey enclaves if nothing concrete is done to protect them. We therefore urge the law and order community, especially the Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector General of Police to act with urgent promptitude and provide maximum security for journalists, who risk their lives to do anti-galamsey stories, as well as those who champion the crusade against illegal mining, it disclosed. By Melvin Tarlue 02.06.2017 LISTEN The 2017 edition of the Premium Bank Ghana Startup Awards organised by The African Network of Entrepreneurs (TANOE) has announced the 14-member jury involved in selecting finalists for the awards. Selected from various startup support organisations in Ghana, the jury include: Ekow Mensah (Chairman, Ghana Startup Awards & CEO, TANOE), Ato Ulzen-Appiah (Director, GhanaThink Foundation), Jorge Appiah (CEO, Kumasi Hive), Ashwin Ravichandran (Director, MEST Incubator), Amma Baffoe (Director, MEST), Daryl Kwawu (Host, Joy Business Van), John Armah (CEO, Orios Group), Prince Akpah (MD, Avance Media), Henry Agyei Asare (CEO, TentMaker Ghana), Kwame A. Opoku (CEO, Idea Factory Africa), Alain Gbeasor (Chairman, Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs), Ethel Cofie (CEO, Edel Technology Consult), Paul Payne (Director, British Council Skills Hub) and Gideon Brefo (CEO, HapaSpace). The awards which was launched last year has being geared towards celebrating ambitious and indigenous start-up businesses making impact, contributing to economic growth, meeting social needs, creating jobs and putting Ghana on the global economic map. 15 categories for the awards include: Agriculture, Education, Fashion, Finance, Health, Manufacturing, Arts & Tourism, Media, Processing, Social Enterprise, Technology, Startup Entrepreneur of the Year, Startup of the Year, Student Startup of the Year and Non-Ghanaian Startup of the Year. Ahead of the awards, TANOE will be announcing the inaugural Ghana Startup Club 100, a list of the most outstanding startups in Ghana who will also double up as nominees in various categories of the award. In a statement by Ekow Mensah, Chairman of the Ghana Startup Awards, he was confident that the jury put together will do an exceptional job of selecting the most deserving startups for this years awards. The 2017 Premium Bank Ghana Startup Awards spearheaded by The Startup Network, a project by TANOE is in partnership with Premium Bank, the headline sponsor, KPMG the awards statisticians, iConceptsPR, The HelpStation, Avance Media, Edel Consult, Kumasi Hive, HapaSpace, MEST and TentMaker Ghana and is part of TANOEs contribution to enhancing the Startup Eco-System in Ghana and providing the support and public recognition needed for startups in Ghana to thrive. 02.06.2017 LISTEN Since Tuesday, the nation has been mourning the death of Captain Maxwell Mahama of the Ghana Armed Forces, who was callously lynched by a group of persons at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region. I first read the story of the young Captain's death at a news website. The late Captain was not related to me, he was not a friend, I hadn't met him before, and I hadn't heard of him before. But, my body and mood switched into one of grief and sorrow, when I started reading the story of his death. My week has since been devastated. I haven't had the courage and fortitude to read or listen to any updates about his gruesome murder. I just can't. Hearing anything about him pierces my heart and tears me apart. I don't remember the last time I felt this way, and I pray I overcome it soon. Here was an obviously handsome, intelligent, smart young man, who opted to be a defender of our nation, and died in the service of our nation. He did his part. We failed him. But Captain Mahama did not only die in the service of our nation, he will be remembered as a gallant soldier, whose death exposed us, as a people and a nation that tolerated and befriended impunity, untill we were consumed by it. Yes, such is the character of our nation today. Quite obviously and sadly, instances of persons being lynched on suspicion of being thieves or armed robbers had been on the rise. Such cases have always been reported. Unfortunately, because of who the victims of such cases are, their deaths are usually simply reported in the media, and concluded with promises of investigation by the police. That's it! Next will be another report of mob justice, and another round of promises from the police. The cycle has continued unabated. For those who may have forgotten, and also for emphasis, below is a list of some instances of reported lynching of suspected thieves and armed robbers in 2017 and 2016, all of which the police promised to investigate: January 2, 2017: A man suspected to be an armed robber lynched at Nuaso Odjadomya in Odumase Krobo District January 19, 2017: A man suspected of stealing a donkey lynched at Gabisi near Bolgatanga February 1, 2017: A suspected thief lynched in Zaare near Bolgatanga March 16, 2017: A suspected thief in his 20s lynched at Community 4 in Tema and later tied to an electricity pole April 28, 2017: A suspected thief lynched in Wassa Akropong May 12, 2017: A suspected armed robber in his 30s lynched at Kosoa Old Timers May 15, 2017: A suspected armed robber lynched at Fetteh Kakraba May 22, 2016: A young man suspected of being an armed robber lynched at Tema May 31, 2016: A suspected robber lynched at Asem in the Western Region July 22, 2016: A man in his 30s suspected to be an armed robber lynched at Inchaban in the Shama District August 4, 2016: A suspected robber believed to be in his 30s lynched at Abesim near Sunyani. August 27, 2016: A suspected robber believed to be in his 20s lynched at Opia Traffic Lights in Takoradi September 6, 2016: A suspected thief lynched at Kejetia September 22, 2016: A suspected armed robber, 25, lynched at Zammse near Bawku October 14, 2016: A suspected motorbike thief lynched at Oduman near Ablekuma in Accra October 31, 2016: A suspected robber lynched at Dansoman in Accra The list can go on and on. Can the police tell us the status of their investigations into these cases, and who were punished? What action did we take on these cases, as a nation? We kept quiet. Why? Because the victims were not soldiers, they were not members of Parliament (MPs), they were not New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) executives. They were 'ordinary' Ghanaians, so matters didn't matter. Apart from the cases of mob justice, we also know of several cases of murders that have happened in the recent past. In all the cases, the police promise to investigate. Can we know who have been punished? The truth is that the culture of impunity for serious crimes in our country is as tragic as the lives we lose. And the failure of the police in combating the culture of impunity has been catastrophic. The situation is simply alarming. The reality is also that a culture of impunity anywhere constitutes a serious threat to security everywhere. The biggest threat facing us, as a nation, is, therefore, the culture of impunity for crimes that has engulfed us. The solution is not presidential visits and assurances of justice to bereaved families. The solution lies in the rule of law, ending impunity, and letting justice be seen to have been done at all times. As a gallant soldier, Captain Mahama will by now be resting in the heavens. He will only be wondering why our nation and our police had tolerated and glossed over similar acts of mob justice perpetrated against other citizens for so long. He will be wondering why a culture of impunity has engulfed our country. He will be praying for those of us who are alive to survive the insecurity of our culture of impunity. For Captain Mahama, justice will not only mean punishing his murderers. Justice will also mean punishing all others who have, and will, commit similar crimes against others, regardless of the status of the victims. Justice will be about rule of law in Ghana. May you rest in perfect peace, Captain Mahama! By Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director, MFWA The Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon Catherine A. Afeku, has hinted of the establishment of a new office for the Creative Art Secretariat that will serve the Ghana Actors Guild (GAG) and other identified organisations in the creative art industry. We are trying to get an office space but it will be an office space for all the creative sector organisations. Its a creative art secretariat which will encompass MUSIGA, GAG, GHAMRO and all the other mushrooms will be under one umbrella as Art, Creativity and Culture so that you are not seen as a disembodied group, she stated. She said this during a courtesy call paid her by the new executives of the Ghana Actors Guild at the Ministry. The sector Minister indicated that government have made some progress adding that Id like to talk about things when they are officially ready the reason you have not heard anything about it in the media. We will commission the secretariat so that everybody will know that you now have a place. According to her, the facility is not going to be an office for the GAG but an office for the creative art secretariat which encompasses GHAMRO, MUSIGA and others. Catherine A. Afeku bemoaned the too many fragmented organisations in the arts industry indicating that it borders her. Ghana Actors Guild is a part and parcel of our lives in the country and leadership is key because you are the creative arm of the industry and if there is no unity you cant be creative enough, she intimated. The sector Minister noted the threats of telenovelas and the things that have overshadowed our local talents which is part of the distress call by members to use dialogue means to showcase their rich talents to the world through the private mediums. In view of that, the sector Minister emphasised that the result of the dialogue she had with actors and actresses at the Miklin Hotel in Kumasi some few days ago to discuss problems facing the movie industry in the country was the mention of a dedicated movie channel that will meet competition. We are working already and we need some inroads and when it happens you will be the first people to know so we can have our own TV channel to make our industry commercially viable. The Ministry can only work with the private sector to make some of these things happen for you, she posited. Catherine A. Afeku advised GAG to create an insurance cover for members throughout the industry so that they dont go about destroying the dignity of their institution by begging for support when a member falls sick or dies. So if its Gh1 for actors insurance or creative art insurance there are private sector insurance companies that will jump at it so that at the end of your career you will have funds to support yourself or when you are down by illness, she stressed. The sector Minister urged the new leadership of GAG to reach out to other organisations in the industry to find a suitable date to discuss ideas with her outfit that will promote the God given talents of the creative art industry. The President of the Ghana Actors Guild, Samuel Fiscian said the new leadership of GAG is critically looking towards working to attain a well organized and rebranded GAG one that is attractive to all performers within the country. He indicated that they cannot achieve this alone without the support of the sector Ministry to redevelop the industry. We shall be very grateful if you can look at getting us a befitting office space an issue which is of paramount interest to us. There are quite a number of needs which we shall be running to you again, he stated. An Accra High Court has granted bail to Aisha Huang and her four colleagues accused of engaging in illegal mining activities (galamsey) in the country. This was after the presiding judge, Justice Charles Ekow Baiden indicated that the prosecutors failed to prove how granting the accused persons bail will interfere in their investigations and the trial of the case. They were granted bail to the tune of GHS 500,000 with two sureties who must all be of Ghanaian descent and residing in the country. She and her four other colleagues are also to report themselves twice a week to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Director General of the Immigration Service of Ghana or their appointed representatives. This was the third attempt at securing bail for the accused persons, Aisha Huang, the Chinese lady who is alleged to be connected to powerful people in high places and has defied the countries laws with regard to mining. She is alleged to have video recordings of her sex escapades with these powerful people and threatened to blackmail them if they ever dared to touch her and her business. She was remanded in prison custody and fresh charges were leveled against her which got the judge to move the date to June 2 for trial to commence. But at the sitting on Friday June 2, the judge questioned the prosecutors evidence which he (the judge) also said was not proof enough to continue keeping the suspects in prison custody. NMC, Universal told to follow merit system Calling the enrolment for post-graduate programme in two of its affiliated medical colleges as illegal, the Institute of Medicine (IoM) has directed them to admit only those students selected by the institute on merit basis. The government has begun removing graphic pictures and videos capturing the gruesome murder of Captain Adam Mahama from all social media sites. The government has already shutdown some internet links that have uploaded the photos and videos of the gruesome lynching. Deputy Communications Minister, George Andah, reveals government is further collaborating with the National Communications Authority (NCA), local telecom operators, Facebook and Google to remove the graphic materials. Captain Maxwell Mahama of the 5 Battalion Infantry was lynched and his body burnt by a mob in the Central Regional District of Upper Dankyira West. There have been four URLs that have been blocked on YouTube and other social media. However, there are a lot of these videos and lot of these units so as they are being blocked, new ones are being brought back, he said. He adds, we are working closely with Google, we are working with Facebook and this is something that we doing proactively. Government has also cautioned that persons who continue the circulation of the graphic content risk getting prosecuted. Meanwhile, the family of late Captain Maxwell Mahama who was lynched at Denkyira-Obuasi has called on Ghanaians to stop sharing videos and photos of the deceased. They say people should be responsible and respect the sensibilities of family members by not sharing and showing the photos and videos of the dastardly act. In a press release Thursday, Douri Bennin Haji, who signed on behalf of the family said we take solace in the outpouring of outrage by millions of well-meaning Ghanaians. At the same time, we are hurt that some Ghanaians are sharing images of our son in his lowest moment. By Sissala tradition, and we believe many other groups, the dead is treated with utmost respect, the statement added. The family says sharing on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and the likes makes them feel very sad. During former President John Mahama's visit to commiserate with the family, the family head asked government to step in to help pull down the videos and pictures. We are not happy the way the videos and pictures are shared on social media. After the Manchester Arena bombing, we did not see any images and videos being circulated on YouTube, but our late son's visuals are all over social media. This has got the family crying, he said. -Myjoyonline 02.06.2017 LISTEN On one Saturday in the year 2008, I went out to have fun like I always do on Saturdays at the time. Unfortunately, it was one of those days you will feel the vibes outside a club, pay gate fee, enter and find about 15 boys 5 girls in there. It was boring to hell so I left for other places and the result was same Around 3 am, tired and disappointed, I decided to go home because it didn't look like it was going to be my night. Due to paying two gate fees despite budgeting for one, I had just enough money to pick trotro home I picked a trotro heading to Lapaz in front of Vienna City and sat by a woman who appeared to be in her early fifties. Few minutes after joining the trotro, I slept off. The woman had to alert me to pay my fare and did same for me to take my change. When we got to Lapaz, she was the one who drew my attention. I crossed the now N 1 road which used to be N1/2 at time and so I didn't struggle to cross it despite dosing half way through Right in front of Las Pamas Restaurant, I was confronted by 3 guys who accused me of being part of a group of guys who attacked a guy and his girlfriend and jolted with their belongings a couple of hours ago. They tried searching my pocket for something but found nothing except for a 2 Cedi note and some coins. I didn't go out with my phone that day (The very first time I went out without my phone) and had very little money on me I was very expensively dressed so they presumed I had some valuables on me. I suspect that was their trick to take my stuffs from me. When it backfired, they start pushing and shoving me and got more vocal with their accusation. I got a couple of slaps. One of the guys stained my top with blood to support their claim that I was indeed one of the boys who fought the guy and his lady, injured them and stole their belongings. Apparently, that accident had taken place that day. At this stage, I was being pushed all over the place and people were taking interest in the issue. It dragged on to the taxi station. The drivers took interest and listened to the story of the guys. They didn't believe my side of the story. Trust me, you run out of words to defend yourself when you find yourself in these situations. For some strange reason, aside the two slaps, No one hit me with any external object: it was just shoving and what have you. One reason I suspect that made people a bit careful to touch me was how well I was dressed with the only dent being the blood in my Gorilla Unit T'Shirt which looked a bit unreal with a careful look. The drivers who showed level headedness gave up on me after more people corroborated the accusation against me. The next thing was for the beating to start. My heart missed a beat when one driver asked for petrol. This is because a couple of weeks prior, a young guy was burnt to ashes for stealing a mobile phone in the area and stabbing a school boy who exposed him in broad day light. Honestly, I was in a hurry to wake up from the dream but it was real and I was on the verge of death. From one of the taxis, I heard a woman shouting on top of her voice voice and it was the woman I sat by in the trotro, she came out to hug me and asked about the incident and inquired why I has blood in my top The drivers told her what has been alleged. She told them how she met me and the fact that it couldn't have been me because there was no blood on my attire when we sat in the trotro about 20 minutes prior After her testimony, the drivers stepped in and vowed that they wouldn't let anyone touch me. It became a struggle between the drivers and the guys. To be honest, I was smuggled away from the fracas that ensued in one of the taxis. I'd have kept it to myself but the news got to the people I lived with because I couldn't pay for the dropping so the driver had to come home later in the day for the money. Before I could say jack, he had narrated everything to them On that day, even though I had never laid a figure on a thief prior, I vowed never to even insult an alleged thief let alone touch him because when you are falsely accused in that manner, you don't find the right words to defend yourself So many innocent people have been killed through instant justice. In my case, I believe the hand of the people who accused me and those who believed them were held by the Lord. I had so much time that is unreal at Lapaz. Just when they were convinced to strike, the woman intervened That woman to me was God sent. I have no idea what would have happened. I only knew at the time that people rarely survived on suspicion of robbery at Lapaz during that time. To make it worse, in my mind, I was going to hell. When your life comes under threats, you can think of things that can fill a 200 paged book in a second. It is impossible to defend yourself when you are caught up in the midst of mob action. Even if you are given the chance to speak, you can't put the right words together. You have yourself surrounded by more than ten people calling for your blood who have taken an entrenched position that anything you say is a lie. Lapaz is to an extent the Capital Town of people who live around Tabora and its environs. The daily lives and movement of people revolve around it and therefore impossible to live at Tabora and avoid Lapaz Lapaz became my scarecrow for sometime It was a momentary experience of hell for me and imagining what Captain Mahama went through breaks me. No human has the right to take the life of another person. In the case of our late brother Maxwell Mahama though, it doesn't look like mob action against a suspected robber to me (to me). It looks organised (to me) Watching the detailed video on his murder, I must admit that even though I have seen a number of mob actions against suspected thieves and have escaped one, none comes close to this one by way of brutality. I have never seen a mob so eager to finish a 'suspected robber' like this one. In most genuine cases of instant justice against suspected robbers, they beat the suspect to a point, ask him questions before proceeding to kill him or hand him over to the police Strangely, of all the people around during the incident, no one was reasonable enough to ask questions like: What was he trying to rob, whose house and with whom did he embark on the operation? More so when it was in broad day light, ordinary mob would have sought for clarification This is the first mob against a suspected robber that weren't eager to listen to a word from the suspect From the word go, their only intention was to kill him and nothing more. This is why I suspect that there's more to his death than just a mere incident of instant justice against a suspect armed robber. Who kills an armed robber without at least finding out where he's from? This is common with instant justice. Even when he made effort to speak, the people attacking him didn't want him heard. The effort to silence him and the eagerness to kill him so quickly speaks volume. That said, this is where we are now. This is the result of our collective silence over this treacherous act that has become a norm in this country There are so many areas in Accra where suspected thieves never go scot free. Even in the East Legon and Cantonments where we think are largely made up of educated and refined people, suspected thieves don't get to the police station without being beaten to pulp. Go to Universities in this country and find out how suspected thieves are dealt with and it will become clear that the people of Denkyira are at best the worse form of our bad self or perhaps a perfect picture of 21st century Ghana. Most people are angry because it has been clearly proven that our brother Mahama was on duty to serve the nation. We would have treated it with contempt if our brother was an ordinary person and unknown to people who could prove his innocence. As long as we deem it okay for thieves to be killed, innocent people wont be free. Instant justice is equally the reason why many armed robbers kill the people they rob in this country. No one is safe if this continues. In instant justice, those who beat the suspect, those who stand by without intervening and those who walk past it as one of those things are equally guilty. In short, most of us, including myself have had a hand in one instant justice at least on one occasion directly or indirectly. The people arrested in association with our brother should be dealt with ruthlessly within the space of the law and their fate must be made known to the public to send a strong message against this anomaly. Sadly, after the Denkyira Obuasi issue, a man has been killed in the Central Region for stealing a goat, a 67 year old woman has been stoned to death for allegedly being a witch in the Northern Region and two lynched to death in Kumasi for stealing mobile phone. People wont change until the whip is cracked and a strong stance is taken against instant justice regardless of the profile of the victim Captain Mahama should go down in history as the sacrificial lamb whose death made instant justice unattractive in this country. He shouldnt die in vain because the man is a good person Any other military man with a gun would have at least killed one person. His gun was returned with bullets in it after the few warning shots yielded no result. He is our hero and must be remembered as such by posterity with attitudinal change. Instant justice is rushed injustice: it is never a better option to the slow wheel of proper justice. Isaac Kyei Andoh [email protected] Accra, June 2, GNA - The Ethiopian Airlines (ET), the fastest growing and most profitable African airline, will add a sixth weekly flight to Seychelles from December 6, 2017. A statement issued in Accra by Mrs Hanna Atnafu, Manager Corporate, Communication Ethiopian Airlines, said the Airline would fly from Monday to Sunday. Mr Busera Awel, Chief Commercial Officer, Ethiopian Airlines, said: 'Air transport being a vital component of the tourist appeal and the driving factor for economic growth in general, we have been serving our continent for seven decades, offering convenient connectivity options to more than 54 African cities.' He said Seychelles being Africa's premier tourist destination, with the natural attractions of the archipelagos, the Airline have now added a sixth weekly service to provide more options for passengers flying from any part of the world to Seychelles and vice versa through their strategic hub at Addis Ababa. 'As per our growth strategy, vision 2025, we shall continue to increase our presence in Africa, so as to better promote and facilitate growth in the business and tourism sectors,' she added. ET also offers special fares for tour packages to the major African tourist destinations such as: Victoria Falls, Antananarivo, Guinea Conakry and Gaborone. GNA Geneva (AFP) - Exiled Democratic Republic of Congo opposition politician Moise Katumbi on Friday filed a complaint with the UN in Geneva against President Joseph Kabila's government. Katumbi, a powerful businessman and ex-governor of the mineral-rich Katanga province, said he was "confident" after filing the complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee. The prominent government critic told AFP he turned to the UN because the judiciary in his country had been "manipulated" by the state. "Justice was denied us inside the country, so we were forced to turn to the international community," said his lawyer, Eric Dupond-Moretti, explaining that "we believe the (Congolese) state has violated his fundamental rights." The 36-page complaint lists a series of wrongs allegedly committed against Katumbi, including "arbitrary" trials, police harassment and the arrest of his supporters. It maintains that he has been forced into exile in a bid to "keep (him) away from the presidential elections." Katumbi is a former Kabila ally who broke with the ruling party in September 2015, and a year later was named as a presidential candidate by the G7 group of opposition parties. But Kabila failed to step down at the end of his mandate last December, sparking tensions across the vast mineral-rich nation of 71 million people. 'A farce' Katumbi is awaiting trial for the alleged recruitment of mercenaries and has already been sentenced to three years in jail for seizing a building belonging to a Greek citizen. Authorities have ordered him arrested if he returns from abroad. Fellow opposition politician Jean-Claude Muyambo was meanwhile sentenced to five years on fraud charges linked to the same building. DRC's influential Catholic bishops have described the two trials as "a farce". The bishops issued the report in March as part of a New Year's Eve deal brokered by the Church to end the political crisis and pave a way for elections by the end of this year. The Kasai region in particular has seen a major spike in violence since September, when government forces killed a tribal chief and militia leader who had rebelled against Kabila. Since the unrest began it has claimed more than 400 lives and forced more than 1.2 million people from their homes, UN figures show. The UN Human Rights Committee, which oversees countries' adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, registers around 200 new complaints each year. It usually takes the Geneva-based committee of independent experts around three years to deliver decisions. It does not have the power to impose sanctions. Al-Hoceima (Morocco) (AFP) - Most shops were shuttered Friday in the northern Morocco city of Al-Hoceima, the second day of a general strike called by activists demanding the release of a protest leader. Nasser Zefzafi, who emerged as the head of the grassroots Al-Hirak al-Shaabi, or "Popular Movement", was arrested on Monday after three days on the run. His arrest sparked protests in the neglected Rif region of northern Morocco, where demonstrators have been demanding more development and railing against corruption, repression and unemployment. The port of Al-Hoceima in the Rif has been shaken by social unrest since the death last October of fishmonger Mouhcine Fikri, 31, who was crushed in a rubbish truck as he protested against the seizure of swordfish caught out of season. Most shops in Al-Hoceima city centre stayed closed on Friday, except for two or three pharmacies and a supermarket. Al-Hirak had called for a three-day strike until Saturday. It also urged supporters to boycott mosques on Friday, the main day of worship, and to pray instead on the streets as a form of protest against sermons sanctioned by state. Zefzafi was detained along with others on Monday for "attacking internal security", after a warrant for his arrest issued a week ago Friday sparked turmoil in Al-Hoceima, a city of 56,000 inhabitants. He is also accused of having interrupted the sermon of an imam in the main mosque of the city, accusing him of inciting the congregation against the protest movement. Correspondents said most mosques in Al-Hoceima were full for the weekly prayer, except for one near Zefzafi's house. In the neighbouring town of Imzouren, residents worshipped on the street outside the mosque, according to footage posted online. Zefzafi's arrest sparked angry but mostly peaceful protests for nearly a week, with thousands of people taking to the streets where security forces were heavily deployed. Government spokesman Mustafa El-Khafli said authorities have detained around 40 people since last Friday, 31 of whom are still under arrest, the official MAP news agency reported. Core members of Al-Hirak were among those arrested. "The doors to dialogue remain open with civil society," El-Khalfi was quoted as saying by MAP. He said 700 sit-ins have taken place over the past seven months in the Rif, including 150 in Al-Hoceima. Cairo (AFP) - Eight watchdogs, including Human Rights Watch, on Friday denounced Egypt's adoption of a contentious new law to regulate non-governmental organisations. The rights groups urged the Egyptian government to repeal the law, ratified on May 24 by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, saying it "will crush civil society". "The law ushers in unprecedented levels of repression and will criminalise the work of many NGOs, making it impossible for them to function independently," said the statement released by HRW. Since the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, Egyptian authorities have repressed all forms of opposition, at times targeting human rights organisations directly. The new law requires that a "national authority" including army and intelligence representatives oversee the foreign funding of Egyptian NGOs and the activities of foreign ones. "This new law represents a huge step backward for freedom of association in Egypt," said HRW's Middle East director Joe Stork. "The Egyptian authorities have squeezed shut whatever limited space remained for non-governmental groups in Egypt and driven the human rights community underground," he added. Since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime president Hosni Mubarak, government and security officials have accused civil society of wanting to destabilise the country. Several human rights defenders have been forbidden from travelling outside Egypt and have seen their assets frozen as part of an inquiry into foreign funding of civil society groups that started in 2011. "It should not be a crime to advocate for human rights and development in Egypt, but this law does just that, crippling civil society for years to come," the statement said. Signatories included the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) as well as the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS). United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Former German president Horst Koehler will be appointed new UN envoy for Western Sahara, tasked with restarting talks between Morocco and the Polisario Front independence movement, according to a letter released Friday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres informed the Security Council of his decision to appoint Koehler last week and no objections were raised to the appointment. Koehler, 74, will take over from American Dennis Ross who resigned last month following years of tensions with Morocco over the fate of the disputed territory. A trained economist and former banking executive, Koehler was German head of state from 2004 to 2010 and previously served as head of the International Monetary Fund and as president of the European bank for reconstruction and development. The Security Council in April adopted a resolution calling on Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario to show political will and work to resume negotiations that stalled in 2012. Morocco and the Polisario fought for control of Western Sahara from 1974 to 1991, when Rabat took over the desert territory before the signing of a UN-brokered ceasefire. Rabat, which considers Western Sahara an integral part of Morocco, proposes autonomy for the resource-rich territory, but the Polisario Front insists on a UN referendum on independence. Kumasi, June 02, GNA - The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has scaled up the effort to safeguard the rights of children, promote their growth and development. It has been building and strengthening the capacity of child protection committees through training to effectively report abuses. On these committees are representatives from the judicial service, police, immigration, prisons, civil society organizations, traditional authority, clergy, media, births and deaths, National Commission for Civic Education and the health service. Speaking at one of such training programmes held for members of the Ashanti Regional Committee to introduce them to the new reporting template, Mr. Christopher Lartey, a Senior Programmes Officer of the Department, said their goal was to properly track everything relating to the welfare and progress of children. The implementation of policies on child and family welfare, and justice for children, would have to be closely monitored. He reminded the committees to give accurate reports - avoid exaggeration to guide the decisions and actions of the Ministry. He underlined the determination of the Department to make sure the child was well cared for and had adequate protection. This was the way forward to prevent them from running into trouble with the law, he said, adding that, 'even where they do, they would have to be treated well'. He spoke of the need to make the formal justice system more child-friendly. Mr. Stephen Ofosu Darfour, the Regional Director of the Department, encouraged everybody to place premium of child welfare and growth. He used the occasion to highlight the deplorable conditions at the only children correctional facility in the region and said things needed to radically change. GNA By Florence Afriyie Mensah, GNA Accra, June 2, GNA - President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday received the Credentials of six envoys. The countries include Ethiopia, Poland, Rwanda, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Slovak Republic and Singapore. The ambassador are Mr Regessa Kafeale Ere- Ethiopia, Mr Andrzej Dycha- Poland, Mr Stanislas Kamanzi- Rwanda, Khalifa Yousif Mohamed Qadheed Alzaabi-UAE, Mr Peter Holasek- Slovak Republic, and Mr Hawazi Bin Daipi- Singapore. Receiving them in separate ceremonies, President Akufo-Addo reiterated Ghana's commitment to enhancing the ties between Ghana and other countries in order to engender mutually beneficial outcomes for all. He restated the need for strategic partnerships within the context of a globalised world where interdependence was needed for the progress of any nation. He said Ghana would continue to play her defined roles within the comity of nations with regards to making the required contributions to international groupings and assignments. The President implored them to make Ghana their home, expressing hope that their stay in the country would take the relations between Ghana and their respective countries to new levels. The ambassador of the Slovak Republic, Mr Peter Holasek said the Slovak people were full of admiration for Ghana because it continued to enjoy a stable and democratic government following the presidential and legislative elections. 'Let me therefore, highlight that Ghana stands as an example on the African continent, something that Slovakia highly values,' he said. He said the Slovak Republic was very impressed with the role that Ghana was playing in regional security issues. Mr Holasek said Slovakia was aware of the importance of security and stability in economic development. 'Your government's approach to governance with an emphasis on efficiency, transparency, accountability, democratic and civilian oversight, co-ordination and professionalism is exemplary,' he said. Mr Holasek said Slovakia was ready to support Ghana's process of building an effective and efficient security and justice services by security sector institutions within a framework of democratic governance, without discrimination and with full respect for human rights and rule of law. He said Ghana had considerable assets evident in its natural resources, youthful population and well-trained expertise, adding that as the Slovak ambassador, the promotion of trade between the two countries was at the heart of his pre-occupations. The Singaporean ambassador, Mr Hawazi Daipi, said Ghana had consistently ranked as one of Singapore's top 10 trading partners in Sub-Saharan Africa, with more than $271 million in bilateral trade in 2016. 'There is growing interest from Singapore companies to do business in Ghana. For instance, Perennial Real Estate and Shangri-La embarked on a $ 250 million joint venture to develop an integrated mixed-use complex in Accra, which would comprise residential towers, an office tower, a shopping mall, service apartments and a hotel,' he said. He said Singapore was keen to put in place, a bilateral investment treaty with Ghana saying that would give potential investors the added assurance about the safety and security of their ventures GNA By Ken Sackey, GNA Gomoa Manso, June 2, GNA - The Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) of Ghana has assented overwhelmingly to the promise by the Government to return mission schools to religious bodies. According to the Church, the move would ensure the inculcation of quality, moral upbringing and self-discipline in pupils and students in the country. Pastor Dr Chris Annan-Nunoo, the Executive Secretary of Southern Ghana Conference of the SDA Church, made this known at the inauguration of the Pioneer Ghana Conference of the church at Gomoa Jukwa near Agona Swedru. It was on the theme: 'Reach the World with Faithfulness to His Word'. Dr Annan-Nunoo said it was good that management of mission schools would be officially taken over by churches because it would help to reduce the high moral decadence among students of basic and senior high schools. He said the churches would also partner government to ensure rapid infrastructural development to enhance quality teaching and learning. Pastor Dr Annan-Nunoo said the SDA Church had 620 basic schools, 20 senior high schools, two nursing training colleges, 20 clinics and hospitals and one university to promote the socio-economic advancement of the country. He said the church had established health wing in the newly inaugurated Pioneer Conference with its headquarters at Agona Swedru to put in place measures to build health facilities to ensure better healthcare delivery. On corruption, Pastor Dr Annan-Nunoo said the church had a role to play to reduce incidence of alleged reported stealing of public funds by government appointees. Pastor Richard Aseidu Ntriakwa, the President of the Pioneer Ghana Conference, said the new conference had put in place measures to create enabling environment to ensure opportunity for jobs and wealth for the youth in the church. He said the church was encouraging the youth to climb higher on the educational ladder in order to become responsible adults in future. Mrs Naana Eyiah Quansah, the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, appealed to the SDA Church members to pray for the President, the Ministers of State, and Members of Parliament for God to grant them good health and wisdom to manage the country with humility and love. She said the Government would not shirk its social responsibilities to enhance the economic wellbeing of Ghanaians and assured the people of the Central Region of their fair share of the national cake. Mrs Quansah said the 'One District-One Factory Policy,' 'Planting for Food and Jobs' and other social interventions instituted by government was aimed at improving quality living standards of Ghanaians. GNA PAC on warpath after Ncell launches 4G The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reacted instantaneously to the launch of 4G service by Ncell in the Kathmandu Valley on Thursday by saying it had serious reservations. Bamboi, (N/R), June 02, GNA - Zakat Foundation, an Islamic NGO based in Chicago, United States (US), has launched a programme to reach out to poor and needy Muslims with food aid during the period of the Ramadan. They are going to be supplied with bags of rice, sugar, maize and edible oil. Mr. Salia Alhassan, its Ghana Country Representative, said 400 households with an average of (five persons per household) in deprived communities in Kumasi, Bole, Bawku and Sunyani would benefit, alongside their counterparts in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Cote d' Ivoire. He said an additional 4,000 fasting Islamic faithful in those areas would receive free 'iftar' (evening meal). Speaking at its formal launch at Bamboi in the Northern Region, he indicated that there would also be Eid gifts for 50 orphans. Mr. Alhassan said the goal was to make things a bit comfortable for the poor during the Holy month. The Foundation has over the years been lending support to Muslim communities - distributing food items and providing them with social amenities to improve their living conditions. It has also been actively working to lift women out of poverty by giving technical and vocational skills training to young unemployed and out-of-school girls. The trainees are supplied with the relevant tools, equipment and kits to set up their own businesses. Mr. Alhassan rallied Muslims to use the Ramadan to pray for peace in the nation and the world at large. The Imam of the Bamboi Central Mosque, Alhaji Ahmed Tanko, thanked the Foundation for the wonderful gesture and asked for Allah's blessings for all in the Holy month. GNA By Kwabia Owusu-Mensah GNA Summerville Bears logo View Photos Update at 3:08 p.m.: Sheriffs officials say they have concluded interviews and have identified the student responsible for sending social media messages that included a nonspecific threat to a school earlier today. There was no credible threat to students or staff and the messages were deemed a prank, Tuolumne County Sheriffs spokesperson Sgt. Andrea Benson states. A report was taken and referred to the Tuolumne County Probation Department for review and school officials will be looking at possible discipline. She adds, We urge parents to monitor your childrens social media accounts. Emphasize that incidents such as these are very serious and not to be taken as a joke. Explain the repercussions of making threats to others whether it be verbal or through a social media platform. The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office and school administrators are committed to keeping all students and staff safe. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns regarding social media and your child. Original Post at 3:01 p.m.: Sonora, CA Tuolumne County Sheriffs officials say they are actively investigating a possible social media threat to a school. According to spokesperson Sgt. Andrea Benson, her office was informed by Summerville Union High School District administrators about an Instagram posting that mentioned someone doing harm at an unnamed school, also including within the thread other sexual and racial content. This afternoon, District Superintendent Robert Griffith shares with Clarke Broadcasting, [The threat] did not name any schools but was popping up in our community of students and upon further investigation we found that one of our students accounts had been hacked, which has led to a further investigation as to who may have hacked it and to get to the bottom of thatwhile there was no specific threat, when we get any kind of information like this we take it very seriously and we are going to investigate it until we can come up with some kind of conclusion. Asked to comment on increasing occurrences of such incidents, Griffith simply states, The use of social media is accessible to everyone, and some of those who are least prepared to filter out what they might say are the greatest usersand we have to take them seriously in every case. He adds, Often what I see is that students imagine that only their friends are receiving certain information without the idea that once you put anything on any kind of social media it is likely to have a much wider footprint and in fact can go worldwide. Besides cautioning parents to monitor what their kids are doing on social media where idle words might, as in this case, turn out to create a pretty large disruption Griffith points out that while the campus was not impacted, the incident largely occupied three administrators and two sheriffs deputies for the day, resulting in a lot of time and cost to the school and the community. Asked what potential punishment that one or multiple culprits might face once caught, he replies, Any student that disrupts school to this level is at least going to be suspended and potentially considered for expulsion. Governor Brown Speaks At Climate Change Symposium View Photos Sacramento, CA During his announcement of the withdrawal on Thursday, President Trump stated, Our government rushed to join international agreements where the United States pays the costs and bears the burdens while other countries get the benefit and pay nothing. (Click here for more details on the Presidents decision.) After the announcement Governor Jerry Brown criticized the President for being totally wrong on science and released this statement, Donald Trump has absolutely chosen the wrong course. Hes wrong on the facts. Americas economy is boosted by following the Paris Agreement. Hes wrong on the science. Totally wrong. California will resist this misguided and insane course of action. Trump is AWOL but California is on the field, ready for battle. Brown also announced Thursday that California, the sixth-largest economy in the world, has teamed up with the Governors of New York and Washington to form the U.S. Climate Alliance. The coalitions goal will be to convene U.S. states committed to upholding the agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee stated, I am proud to stand with other governors as we make sure that the inaction in D.C. is met by an equal force of action from the states. Calling the presidents actions shameful, he adds that it leaves the full responsibility of climate action on states and cities throughout our nation. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo echoed that remark stating, This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change. Governor Browns office notes that together, California, New York and Washington represent approximately 68 million people nearly one-in-five Americans and the states account for at least 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Additionally, eighteen U.S. jurisdictions have joined the Under2 Coalition, representing 89 million people and 28 percent of the U.S. population. As earlier reported here, Governor Brown will head to China on Friday to build foreign support for carbon reducing policies. The trip includes meetings in Sichuan and Jiangsu, the first Chinese provinces to join the Under2 Coalition. Washington, DC Mother Lode Congressman Tom McClintock is very happy with President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. The District Four Republican has issued the following statement: The Paris Climate Accord would condemn our nation to Obama-era economic stagnation, sky-rocketing energy prices, lower wages and lost jobs. President Trump has stood behind Americas taxpayers and workers by stopping this folly. One thing is certain: whether or not we sacrifice our economy on the altar of the green left, the Earth will continue to warm and cool as it has for billions of years. Thank you, Mr. President. McClintocks opinion is much different than Californias Governor, Jerry Brown. Click here to read an earlier story with the governors statements Sacramento, CA With a big deadline approaching, the California Senate passed through a bill that would create a single-payer healthcare system. Bills must pass in the legislative branch they originate by this week in order to stay alive this session. The Associated Press reports that proponents acknowledge the bill is not ready to implement, because it is unclear how the $400-billion plan would be funded. It would essentially replace insurance companies with a system of government paid healthcare for all California residents. Lead bill author, Democratic Senator Ricardo Lara, stated, Despite the incredible progress California has made, millions still do not have the access to health insurance and millions more cant afford the high deductibles and copays and often forgo care. Senate Bill 562 passed 23-14 and now moves to the Assembly. Many Republicans are arguing that it would require a major tax hike. District 8 Senator Tom Berryhill, who represents the Mother Lode, was one of the opposition speakers on the Senate floor. He stated, If we cut every single program and expense from the state budget and redirected that money to this bill, SB-562, we wouldnt even cover half of the estimated $400-billion price tag. Berryhill also stated he is very concerned about trusting the government to run the states healthcare system. Proponents noted that California has an estimated 2.7 million residents uninsured, about seven percent of the population. Governor Jerry Brown has not indicated whether he would sign SB 562. Do you know that hair in Yoruba culture plays an extremely important role? Why is this so? Get acquainted with the best Yoruba hairstyles and their names. Hair in many cultures plays a great role. There is a common rule that people who don't groom their hair show disrespect to the society. Let's return to the question of hairstyles in Yoruba culture. The main peculiarity is that Yoruba hairstyles weren't created just for beautification but as the means of differentiation. They could be religious, on the basis of gender, marital status, age, mood, political orientation etc. Yoruba hairstyles have different meanings in the old days, some were designed for married women and some, for singles, check them out! Hairstyles for married Yoruba women During those times and in some areas today, married women often go for some type of hairstyles. The cornrows are made to begin at the forehead and end at the back of the neck. Another type of hairstyle is when the hair flows from both sides of the head and finishes up in the middle. Yoruba hairstyles for married ladies can also be formed from both parts of the head and to unite at the center of the head. READ ALSO: Longest hair in the world Hairstyles for single Yoruba ladies At the same time, single Yoruba girls wear their hair flowing from the right to the left. It is usually more beautiful when the girl has a lot of individual rows - from 8 to 14. The cornrows are weaved or braided. These are the most common Yoruba hairstyles chosen by girls and women: - Didi hairstyles; - Shuku hairstyles; Such type of hairstyle is made in basket form. It can be blended into Koroba hairstyle. In ancient times only wives of very respectable rulers could have such hairstyles. Now it is quite common. - Sade adu hairstyle; - Koroba hairstyle; This is a Yoruba word meaning bucket or pail. Sometimes, it can be combined with the shuku hairstyle! - Irun kiko. This hairstyle implies hair knotting with black Chinese thread. Which Yoruba hairstyle do you consider the best one? They all are interesting and worth of trying at least once. READ ALSO: Thread hairstyles in Nigeria Source: Legit.ng This is an eternal problems of the government which affect every citizen in Nigeria. Read more about fiscal federalism and how it works in this country. You will understand a lot of things when you read this article. What is federalism? Federalism is a state system based on the approach of the federation. This is the acknowledgment of the federal organization of the government by the political ideal. It has the tendency to integrate some separate states into one federation. The other principle is to convert a simple state into a federal. The sense of fiscal federalism is based on the rule of separation of authorities among federal and regional governing institutions in the financial field. History of fiscal policy in Nigeria The destination of the Nigerian fiscal policy consists of two parts: - it is intended for expanding investment in the private and public sectors; - it also must divert resources, which are not socially advisable to those investments that have more social practicability. Fiscal policy must help to manage the expansion rate of the Nigerian economy for the purpose of ensuring its full sustainability. Historical development of fiscal federalism in Nigeria Tax federalism in Nigeria is based on political, historical, economic, cultural, geographical, and social factors. In all these cases, budgetary mechanisms have been a moot point since 1946. The problem confronting fiscal federalism in Nigeria Fiscal federalism has always been a matter of argument in Nigeria since its inception. It is important to realize that this historic and present-day contradiction exists due to the consequences of the development of any principle of income acquisition. It is a real problem. There are several basic questions about the problematic situation of fiscal federalism in Nigeria: 1. The problem of rent. Economic rentierism contributed to the politicization of fiscal federalism. 2. It is also begs the question of diversification. Its absence led to the oil industry issues. States are used to entering Abuja in order to receive their monthly assignment from the federation account. It is not enough. Thats why Nigerias annual budget is determined by the price of a barrel of oil. READ ALSO: Problems of Nigerian federalism and solutions These catastrophic consequences always have a defective impact on the national economy and development. 3. The question of value and balancing merit in the federalism of Nigeria. Federalism in Nigeria is one of the most expensive. It is the result of the highly established units which can usually be absent. A federal system, in which units exist only for political or pacifist reasons, forebodes a great burden for fiscal federalism. The main task of the fiscal federalism is to raise and spend money. It is a fact that today a lot of states in Nigeria borrow money from banks to pay salaries to employees. They also do it to sort out other current expenses. 4. This is a common problem of corruption. Political representatives steal funds that are intended for the evolution of states. 5. This is dangerous, but there is emerging use of violence for spreading redistribution again. Conclusions The problems relating to the fiscal system of the Nigerian Federation can be defined by the status, maintenance and states budget regulations. Moreover, they are explained by the institutional and sociopolitical factors, which form the countrys economic policy. According to the data above, it follows that Nigeria was a victim of the military regime and autocracy for 29 years. During this time, the institutions that remained from the colonial period were completely destroyed. Therefore, corruption, tribalism and outright embezzlement began to flourish. Unsolvable problems, which are connected with conflicting fiscal federalism in Nigeria, need prompt solutions. READ ALSO: Obong Attah warns that Nigeria may break-up Source: Legit.ng Known in Nigeria as Adin Dudu, palm kernel oil is a tropical oil extracted from the kernel of a palm tree. A lot of people use it every day without even knowing much about it! This article will explore some of palm kernel oil benefits and dangers, as well as its uses. Uses of palm kernel oil Industry. Palm kernel oil is often used in all sorts of household items. It might surprise you, but you can find it in candles, washing powder, rubber, inks for printing and even medicine! Fuels. If a persons house is in the rural area and is not connected to electricity, it is possible to use palm kernel oil to fuel lamps. It can also fuel diesel engines, as it is an important ingredient in biodiesel. Food. People often use this sweet-smelling oil in baking. It gives the bread and cakes that unforgettable aroma. One can also use it as a substitute for vegetable or olive oil. Weaponry. It might surprise you, but palm kernel oil was used in World War II as a weapon! It contains the palmitic acid, which is used to make napalm. Fun fact: the term napalm is the name of the two key ingredients put together (naphthenic and palmitic acids). Cosmetics. Palm kernel oil is famous for its uses in the beauty industry. It is used to make all sorts of hair products, creams for the skin and soaps. Lets look more closely at the benefits of palm kernel oil for hair and skin. Benefits of palm kernel oil for hair READ ALSO: Tiwa Savage natural hair care tips The benefits of using palm kernel oil for hair treatment are too good to be true! Here are some examples: If your hair is thin and brittle, try using palm kernel oil. It has shown great results in aiding hair growth. The oil makes the hair thicker and stronger and prevents excessive hair removal. Palm kernel oil is also great as a conditioner. It makes your hair shiny and soft while also adding volume to it, making your hair look lush and beautiful. When it is used in hot oil treatment, it provides the needed nourishment for your hair and soothes your scalp. Additionally, palm kernel oil is great for fighting dandruff problem. Benefits of palm kernel oil on the skin We could wax poetic about palm kernel oils benefits for hours, as there are just so many to choose from! But we have chosen the best ones for you. Lets get the most important one out of the way. Palm kernel oil is great for lightening the skin. But maybe not in the way you think it is. It contains vitamins A and E that are great for lightening skin discoloration, dark spots and acne scars. A lot of creams, especially sunscreens, contain palm kernel oil. It contains powerful antioxidants that protect you from the damaging UV rays, as well as bad weather. If your skin is extra dry, but other creams just make it look greasy, try palm kernel oil. The Vitamin E will revive your skin and make you look more radiant than ever! It is also a great help in the fight against damaged cuticles. The antioxidants contained in this oil protect the cells in your body against oxidizing. In simpler terms, palm kernel oil will help you reduce the intensity of your wrinkles and laugh lines, restoring your skins elasticity. Palm kernel oil side effects If you have already braced yourself for a very long list of cons after that very long list of pros, you can relax. Palm kernel oil barely has any side effects and they all have to do with its edible form. Unlike its close relative, palm oil, palm kernel oil is full of saturated fats. Regular consumption might affect your cholesterol levels negatively. It might also increase your risk of heart diseases. Doctors argue that palm kernel oil is rather difficult to digest in its refined form. The process of refinement takes away all that is good about this oil and makes it rather difficult to digest. Some Nigerian scientists also claim that palm kernel oil might cause toxicity in internal organs in its oxidized state. So consume foods with palm kernel oil with caution! We hope that this article has helped you to make up your mind about palm kernel oil and learn something new about the world around you! READ ALSO: Benefits of honey on skin and hair Source: Legit.ng PM Dahal stresses on qualitative development of Nepal Police Prime Minister PUshapa Kamal Dahal has called on Nepal Police to discharge its duties in a more professional and accountable manner. - It is time for the various tribes in Nigeria to review the basis for their coexistence, Senator Emma Nwaka has said - Nwaka who lamented that Igbos were marginalised, recommended the implementation of the Aburi Accord - According to him, the accord encapsulates all that is required for Nigeria to stay united A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Abia state, Senator Emma Nwaka has said it is time to renegotiate the structures of a new Nigerian state. Nwaka, a third republics senator who represented Abia North senatorial zone in the Senate, made his stance known in an interview with The Authority. Nwaka posits that there is urgent need for the tribes in Nigeria to review the basis for their coexistence. He also recommended the implementation of the Aburi Accord, adding that the accord encapsulates all that is required for Nigeria to stay united. Nwaka contended that for the unity of Nigeria to be guaranteed, the various ethnic nationalities in the country should re-negotiate basis for their continued existence. He decried the continued marginalisation of Ndigbo by the federal government since after the Nigeria civil war. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app He maintained that Nigeria does not need a new conference to chart ways to remain together as a united entity as the Aburi document encapsulates all that is required for Nigeria to stay united. His words: I believe in the spirit of Biafra in the context of one Nigeria. What we should be calling for is the renegotiation of the basis of our coexistence. To achieve this we need no new conference. The Aburi document contains all that we need. Its not in Igbo interest to consider violent secession from Nigeria as an option much as theres no denying the fact of our marginalisation in the scheme of things in todays Nigeria. Senator Nwaka, however, advised Ndigbo against violent secession saying the sacrifices are colossal. Its not in Igbo interest to consider violent secession from Nigeria as an option much as theres no denying the fact of our marginalisation in the scheme of things in todays Nigeria, he added. He advised that Ndigbo should rather seek recognition and actualisation of their dream in a united Nigeria than to separate. Thank God for the Biafran spirit which has enabled us to hold our own against all odds? We have in the wake of the war contributed so much in the development of Nigeria. READ ALSO: Buhari's minister under fire for saying Nigeria cannot be restructured now We therefore have as much stake as any other ethnic nationality in Nigeria. So we must stay and fight for our right in the country. Nothing will be achieved by chickening out only to go and confine ourselves in one corner. So let no one stampede Igbo into another round of suffering. Only those who were not there when we had to carry on our head just a few of our earthly possessions trekking long distances in order to get the homeland will be championing that," Nwaka concluded. Meanwhile, the General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has warned that Nigeria is on the verge of another civil war following the yet-to-be addressed incessant killings of other Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen. Bakare spoke during his sermon on Sunday, May 28 where he declared that Nigeria "is moving towards another collapse" with the division among different groups and violence in the country. Watch Acting President Yemi Osinbajo talk about the Biafra war on Legit.ng TV below: Source: Legit.ng - The number of passengers who used Nigerian airports in 2017 so far shows a huge drop - The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released data that shows the crash on Thursday, June 1 - This was partly due to the closure of the Abuja airport for maintenance work According to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) the total number of passengers who passed through Nigerian airports in the first quarter of 2017 was 2,505,612. That figure shows a 31.3% decrease when compared to the previous quarter and 34.5% drop when compared to the same quarter of 2016. The crash which was was revealed in the Air Transportation Data Q1 2017 released by NBS on Thursday, June 1, shows a problem. Passengers at the Lagos airport Both passenger numbers and aircraft movement declined in 2017 partly due to the Abuja Airport closure for maintenance work and also other factors. Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos remained the busiest domestic airport in the first quarter of 2017, accounting for 698,165 domestic passengers, or 41.4 percent of the total. This was followed by Abuja Airport which accounted for 499,149 passengers, or 29.6 percent of the total, while Port Harcourt was the third busiest, accounting for 189,843, or 11.3 percent of the total. READ ALSO: Mercy Johnson-Okojie calls out Arik air in public for rescheduling her flight Surprisingly the amount of mail moved through the airports increased dramatically by almost ten times higher relative to the first quarter of 2016, compensating the sector for the decline in passenger numbers, and led to slight growth of the air transport sector in real terms by 1.5 percent. In the first quarter of 2017, the total number of passengers to pass through Nigerian airports was 2,505,612. Of these, 67.3 percent were domestic passengers, travelling within Nigeria, and the rest were international, entering or leaving Nigeria. This represents a considerable drop both compared to the previous quarter (of 31.3 percent) and compared to the same quarter of the previous year (of 34.5 percent, based on revised 2016 Q1 figures)," the report said. PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng TV Legit.ng earlier reported that the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has granted permission to the Lagos state government to embark upon a total reconstruction of the international airport road from Oshodi. In a press statement signed on Wednesday, May 31 by the secretary to the Lagos state government, Mr Tunji Bello, the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who made the disclosure, commended the Osinbajo for his statesman like approach to issues and for fast tracking the process. Watch a Legit.ng video of when the Abuja airport was closed for repairs: Source: Legit.ng Police preparing to release detained Indian police team sans action Nepal Police is preparing to release the team of Indian security personnel led by Indian DSP Nagraj, arrested from Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality in the district on Wednesday night while they were taking a Nepali man to Indian territory, without taking any action. - Coalition of militants have vowed to attack expatriates, directors, oil facilities over environmental pollution in the Niger Delta region - The coalition is made up of five militant groups- Bakassi Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Volunteers, Niger Delta Peoples Fighters, Niger Delta Warriors and Niger Delta Watchdogs - They called on other militant groups in the Niger Delta region to join in their campaign In a bid to put a stop to the degradation of their environment, a coalition of Niger Delta militants threatened to start attacking expatriates, directors of oil companies, key staff, oil installations and offices. Daily Post reports that the coalition reached this decision at the end of a meeting on Thursday, June 1, and released a statement to that effect. READ ALSO: Presidency reveals why Osinbajo postponed budget signing The statement read in part: We want to sound this warning to all the multinational oil and gas companies, including servicing and marine/shipping companies operating in Niger Delta water territories that, henceforth, we have changed our mode/scope of operation. We will not attack oil pipelines again, but will rather go after expatriates, oil company directors/key staff, their platforms/barges, and their estates and offices across the region, even filling stations." PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app The groups which make up this coalition are Bakassi Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Volunteers, Niger Delta Peoples Fighters, Niger Delta Warriors and Niger Delta Watchdogs. The coalition also called on other militant groups to join in their campaign and bring an end to environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region. Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Mr. Usani Uguru who is the minister of Niger Delta affairs revealed that the federal government has uncovered massive fraud between 2009 and 2015 in some of the contracts executed. The minister made this revelation on Wednesday, May 31 after the federal executive council meeting saying most of the contractors fled with monies paid them while some were only able to implement 12 per cent of the projects they were paid for. Watch this Legit.ng video of a retired major calling for dialogue between FG and IPOB Source: Legit.ng - A former vice president of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar may emerge as the new Waziri of Adamawa - Abubakar is currently the Turakin Adamawa - His son will now take over from him as the Turakin Adamawa A former vice president of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar may emerge as the new Waziri of Adamawa, Premium Times reports. This new conference of the title on Abubakar come on the heels of the death of the former Waziri Abba Mohammed who died recently. Legit.ng gathered that Abubakar's possibility to be crowned the new Waziri was following due consideration by the council in a meeting on Thursday, June 1. READ ALSO: How Buharis ministers stopped Osinbajo from signing 2017 budget Presidency Subsequently, in the event Abubakar scales through, his son Aliyu will will be turbaned as the next Turakin Adamawa, a title which the former vice president has held over years. Legit.ng gathered that Waziri is a one of Adamawa Emirate's most important titles. Abubakar is currently the Turakin Adamawa A source within the council said: Atikus emergence as new Waziri was sequel to the meeting held by council members on Thursday." His son, Aliyu, who is also son of Hajja, the younger sister of the present Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha was also confirmed as the new Turaki, taking over from his father Atiku Abubakar. READ ALSO: Air passenger traffic crashes in Nigeria - NBS reports It was also gathered that the possible emergence of Abubakar as the Waziri is not well taken by the people of Adamawa state. Some of the resident have expressed shock, saying the title is only considered b birth. A resident said one of the sons of the late Waziri should be considered as a replacement for the father. PAY ATTENTION: Watch more videos on Legit.ng TV The source said: "It was gathered that one of the sons of the late Waziri, including Alkasim Abba, the Vice Chancellor of the Adamawa State University (ADSU) would be considered to replace their father. Though we wish them good luck it surprises us because everybody knows that Waziri is only considered by birth, to those who hail from progeny of Waziris," the resident said. Also, Abubakar's spokesperson Paul Ibe confirmed the plans the council. Ibe said he was aware of the decision taken by the council concerning Abubakar and his son. Watch this Legit.ng video of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II blasting Nigeria leaders: Source: Legit.ng - Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has made a promise after a successful sit-at-home organised by the Indigenous People of Biafa - Ikpeazu said he would ensure all outstanding salaries and pensions are paid by his administration by the end of July, 2017 Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia of Abia state has finally promised to ensure the payment of all outstanding salaries and arrears before the end of July, 2017. This promise, according to Ikpeazus media office, follows the May 29 broadcast the governor made expressing displeasure over the issue of the salary backlog of workers and pensioners in the state. READ ALSO: Presidency reveals why Osinbajo postponed budget signing The governor considers this as necessary recompense for the hard work and support of Abia workers who have continued to partner with his administration to ensure accelerated development of the state. Governor Ikpeazu said the workers and pensioners would be paid before end of July It should be noted that while more than 80 percent of Abia workers are up to date with salaries, some revenue generating units and teachers have variable months of unpaid salaries alongside pensioners in the state. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Governor Ikpeazu believes that with the expected payment of outstanding salaries he will be able to achieve his campaign promise of ensuring regular salary payments without impacting his development agenda anchored on the five pillars of education, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and commerce, as well as oil and gas, the statement obtained by Legit.ng said. Legit.ng had earlier reported that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu revealed that the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other groups held because Nigeria was enjoying democracy. Ikpeazu said the action which paralysed the entire southeastern part of Nigeria on May 30 was part of the beauty of democracy which guarantees freedom of expression and gathering. Speaking after a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja, confirmed that some businessmen and women complied with the order even though government offices were open. Watch this video as a Nigerian speaks on how IPOB was encouraged by the administration of Muhammadu Buhari: Source: Legit.ng - The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) expresses concern over the quality of rice being imported and consumed by Nigerians - The 36 governors urge the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to bring the situation under control - The governors frown at the situation where Nigerians snub locally-produced commodity in preference for foreign ones which are most of the time, stale, contaminated or even fake The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has blamed the Jonathan administration for the huge consignment of substandard rice still finding its way into the Nigerian market. READ ALSO: Presidency reveals why Osinbajo postponed budget signing The governors on Thursday, June 1, expressed concern over the quality of rice being imported and consumed by Nigerians. The Forum said the consignment of rice still finding its way into the market was imported into Nigeria since 2014. It said at the time, the Jonathan administration issued a very liberal import licence regime to its election financiers who were able to bring a substantial quantity of rice into the country using a waiver from the presidency at the time, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The governors said some Nigerians were either falling sick or losing their lives to the consumption of this substandard rice The governors in a statement issued by the head, media and public affairs of the NGF Abulrazaque Bello- Barkindo, urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to bring the situation under control. The 36 governors stated some Nigerians were either falling sick or losing their lives to the consumption of this substandard rice. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app They also frowned at the situation where Nigerians snubbed locally-produced commodity in preference for foreign ones which were most of the time, stale, contaminated or even fake. Meanwhile, the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday, May 26, said it has impounded 941 bags of foreign per boiled rice valued at about N6.8 million. The Controller of the command, Sarkin Kebbi, said this at a news conference in Lagos. The impounded rice is valued at N6,830,719, a Duty valued N4, 781,503 and duty paid valued N11,612,322. Legit.ng learnt that the controller, who displayed the commodity, said the feat was achieved through a renewed resolve of the officers to stamp out smuggling. Kebbi said that on resumption of duty a month ago, he made known to the officers the mandate given to him from the customs headquarters. In the Legit.ng video below, traders lament bitterly over prices of goods, as they accuse President Muhammadu Buhari's administration of turning things upside down. Source: Legit.ng Legit.ng gathered that the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu may have carried out a 'miraculous act' in Anambra state. After attaining the status of a 'demigod' among most Biafra supporters who seem to worship him, Nnamdi Kanu may have added 'healer' to his CV. The recently released IPOB leader visited Anambra state in a bid to meet with some leaders of the South Eastern part of Nigeria. During his visit, he was at a village called Umunnachi, where he met some of the villagers including the youths and the elders. One of the villagers claims he was even healed by the 'prophet of Biafra land'. READ ALSO: Get the latest news on Nnamdi Kanu here According to a Facebook user, Engr Valentine Zimuzo Odogwu, one of the guys who exchanged a handshake with Kanu was healed of a stomach affliction which had lingered for over two months. Sharing the post on Facebook, Odogwu, wrote: "My Handshake with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (Nwachineke) today!!!. Minutes ago my great town ozzuh villa, Umunnachi hosted the Prophet of biafra land. He took time to greet both the elders and youths present. One of the youths who also had a handshake with the Prophet, confirmed that his stomach pains of about two months disappeared immediately. Biafran restoration seems closer than ever. All hail Nnamdi Kanu..." Some of Odogwu's followers reacted below: Does this mean he is now a 'spiritual leader' as well? PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App Meanwhile, watch this video to see how Nnamdi Kanu became a free man: Source: Legit.ng Ready to ride out the storm? The question is not whether Trump will pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement but whether the world is prepared to deal with it if he does - The president of the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association says herdsmen attacks have led to cassava scarcity and increase in price of the commodity - Herdsmen attack farmlands, causing farmers to stay away from their farms and not plant - The price of the limited resources has shot through the roof in the Lagos metropolis The limited cassava availability and increased cost of cassava products within the country, is caused by the incessant attacks on farmlands by Fulani herdsmen. This is according to the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association. The assertion was made in Lagos on Thursday, June 1, by the groups president, Segun Adewunmi, who spoke on the challenges being faced by cassava farmers, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Mr. Adewunmi stated that the increased cost of cassava products including garri, fufu and flour, is due to the fact that most farmers have stopped planting because of attacks from herdsmen. READ ALSO: Nigerian man visits President Buhari in London with letter (photos) He said: It has been a very difficult time for cassava farmers in Nigeria because of the incessant attacks by herdsmen, who make it difficult for them to go to their farms. Farmers are afraid to go and cultivate; some farmers have lost their lives for venturing into the farms. All that the farmers had were lost to these attackers, and that really affected production of cassava." He also lamented the lack of compensation by insurance companies to affected farmers whose insurance policies do not cover malicious damage to farms.. As such, the farmers lost the produce to the attackers without compensation, he noted. Adewunmi also lamented the fact that farmlands had been eaten up by animals, thus leading to an inability of the farmers to repay their bank loans. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app The increased demand for cassava and its low supply has thus increased the price of the product. Depending on the location within the Lagos metropolis, a small paint bucket measure of Garri, costs between N900 and N1,100. At the Mushin Oloosa Market, a 60kg bag of the commodity costs between N11,000 and N12, 500, depending on the quality. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki has vowed to smoke out killer Fulani herdsmen from the south-south state. Obaseki made the vow on Wednesday, May 31 as he paid a condolence visit to the families of two women - Christiana Ariu and Martine Emoyon - who were raped and murdered by suspected herdsmen on May 22. Watch this Legit.ng TV video about killer herdsmen activities in Southern Kaduna Source: Legit.ng Ready to support any other candidate except Deuba for PM: UML CPN-UML Standing Committee member Shankar Pokhrel has said that his party would support any other candidate from the ruling coalition of Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) except for NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba for the post of prime minister. RJP-N viewed as strong contender in the plains The Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, a new force formed after the merger of six Madhes-based parties, has yet to decide to participate in the June 28 elections but it already appears to be a powerful contender. - David Ahmadu spoke with graduates of the direct short service course 23 of Nigeria Army School of infantry Jaji in Kaduna state - Ahmadu noted that times are hard in the country but added that the federal government was working to stem the tide The chief of training and operation of the Army headquarters, David Ahmadu, has reportedly warned soldiers against adopting desperate measures just to beat the current economic crisis in the country. The Cable reports that Ahmadu gave the warning at the graduation regimental dinner for direct short service course 23 of Nigeria Army School of infantry Jaji in Kaduna state. According to the report, Ahmadu noted that the economic crisis was only temporary and would soon be surmounted by the government. The soldiers were further warned against human rights abuses He said: As the economic reforms progress, our country is bound to witness falling living standard for the majority of the population in the short term. The armed forces cannot be an exception. READ ALSO: Presidency reveals why Osinbajo postponed budget signing Hardship occasioned by the economic reforms may drive some personnel to adopt desperate measures to sustain their livelihood. It is your task to identify the desperate personnel, counsel them and if it is not possible to change them, show them the way out of the system before they harm the institution. He reminded them to be mindful of the rule of law and guide against human rights abuses. Your generation will find that its conduct of military operations including training will become increasingly subject to questions of human right and the rule of law, he said. Higher standards will now be demanded of your troops to act with greater restraint even in the face of obvious provocation. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app You must learn media management skills, which will enable you exploit the growing power of the mass media rather than trying to fight it. You will now find, unlike before, that an obscure action of a soldier, under you could redefine the entire perception and character of your operation because the media will define it for you, he reportedly told them. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has spoken on the rumours of military coup in Nigeria. The former Lagos state governor made the comment on Monday, May 22, at the special parliamentary session to mark Lagos at 50 celebration at the Lagos state House of Assembly. Watch this video of the agitation for Biafra by a section of the country: Source: Legit.ng - The fight between Governor Yahaya Bello and Senator Dino Melaye continues - Melaye on Friday, described Bello as a daft governor and accused him of bribing the press - Bello in his reply said Melaye is not worth any response from him The fight between Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West Senatorial District and Governor Yahaya Bello continues as Melaye described Bello as a 'daft' leader. Legit.ng gathered that Melaye made this statement while reacting to reports that Bello has allegedly commenced the process of recalling him from the senate. Melaye, on his Facebook page, wrote: AJEKUN IYA NIO JE, ATI YAHAYA!! ATI ONOJA!! Yahaya Bello carrying money round newspaper houses to give him front page tomorrow that Dino Melaye recall process begins. I laugh in pidgin English. A man as daft as Yahaya Bello who do not know about transferring voters card from Abuja to Kogi or Edward Onoja who will soon be on his way to Prison want to recall the best Senator of the year 2016. Melaye accuses Governor Bello of bribing pressmen READ ALSO: Police parade 4 Nigerians for allegedly defrauding WAEC candidates Senator with the highest number of motions and bills, in fact make I laugh in Chinese. Hahahahahahuhuhuhuhubkakakakawuwuwu. Olodo! I have told our people to go and collect the money after all na awa money. Governor that cant pay salary but can sponsor rubbish, I alarmed us two days ago that this will happen. Just make sure you spell my name correctly on the INEC form. Wasters in powers. Again I will continue to speak the truth till Kogi is liberated. My people no shaking at all." Melaye had dragged Bello to the Federal High Court, sitting in Lokoja over the non-conduct of local government election. However, Governor Bello, while reacting to Melaye's outburst said he will only respond "when a human being is talking to him." Bello made said this to journalists at the Presidential villa in Abuja after the Friday Juma'at prayer. I will respond when a human being is speaking. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app I dont think I have to waste my time responding to distractions. Honestly speaking Im too focused to be distracted. Kogi state suffered for over 25 years before I came onboard and the good people of Kogi are really appreciative of the efforts we are putting forward to make sure that the state is well developed Go to Kogi state website to see what we have done in the 15 months that we have been in the office. So, any side distraction is not something I should pay attention to, because the people are with me. He also spoke on the resolution of governors to clear salary arrears and pension backlog when the second tranche of the Paris Club Refund is released. The issue of salary arrears is a very worrisome problem to all of us, the governors and Mr President." Big Brother Naija reality TV star, TBoss explains her relationship with Senator Dino Melaye: Source: Legit.ng RPP Syangja Chair and members resign en masse The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Syangja Chair including 207 party members resigned from party's general membership on Thursday. - Lai Mohammed explains why the present government flout court orders - The minister of information and culture says the government flouts court orders in the interest of national security - The minister says it is the responsibility of government to balance human rights and national security The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, has explained why the Buhari-led federal government flout court orders. Mohammed speaking in an interview with Osasu Igbinedion on The Osasu Show, said the government flouts court orders in the interest of national security. READ ALSO: Nigerian man visits President Buhari in London with letter (photos) Legit.ng gathered that the minister also said the judiciary does not have the entire picture on some cases at hand. He added that it was the responsibility of government to balance human rights and national security. The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed says the government flouts court orders in the interest of national security When asked why the government continually flouts court rulings on the release of former national security adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and Ibrahim El Zakzaky, the minister said: Every government will balance national security with human rights; every country in the world. It is the level of the balancing. As a government, I will balance national security against human rights; and then I will take a decision. Because there is security, there is stability, that the courts also exist. What I am saying (is) that the court has ruled but the court does not have the entire picture when it comes to national security. I am a lawyer too, therefore I have utmost respect for the judiciary. However the minister added that the Nigerians cannot pick one or two cases and conclude that the Buhari government is a government of impunity. Mohammed said he last spoke to the president the day he traveled, but other ministers have spoken to him afterwards and they know the president is fine. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the minister of information and culture explained why President Muhammadu Buhari preferred to travel to the United Kingdom to seek medical attention, while ignoring Nigerian hospitals. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app He said the president sought medical attention abroad because he needed the best medical care. In the video below, Legit.ng TV asks Nigerians if they can name any achievement of President Muhammadu Buhari two years into his administration. Source: Legit.ng - A man has told the court that his children will not inherit from him if his wife divorces him - The incident happened at Igando area of Lagos state - The man accused his wife of depriving him of his conjugal rights My children will never inherit my property either dead or alive if my wife divorces me, a 39-year-old fruit seller, Amidu Olalere, told an Igando Customary Court on Friday in Lagos. Olalere said this while responding to a divorce suit filed by his wife, Adeola, for the dissolution of their 11-year-old marriage on the grounds of constant battering. Olalere, who accused his wife of starving him of conjugal rights said: My wife is always denying me my conjugal rights, and whenever I reported her to her mother, she will ask me how many times will I be having it with her daughter. Olalere said this while responding to a divorce suit filed by his wife, Adeola, for the dissolution of their 11-year-old marriage on the grounds of constant battering She would ask me not to kill her with what is rightfully mine, instead of admonishing her. The respondent said his wife moved out from his house with the children in January to stay with her mother and that whenever he called her, her mother would be raining curses on him. There was a day my mother-in-law cursed me, and I also cursed her that thunder will kill her. He said his mother-in-law was always accusing him of planning to use her daughter for ritual. On whether the children are his, Olalere said that he doubted the paternity of the four children. Whenever my wife and I quarrel, she tells me that the children are not mine; so, I am confused if truly the children belong to me, he said. The husband, however, pleaded with the court not to dissolve the marriage, saying in spite of her shortcomings he still loves her. Earlier, the wife had accused her husband beating her on the slightest provocation. He once beat me to the point that I fainted and I was hospitalised for four days. When I was on admission, none of his family members came to see me since we all live in a family house and my husband also refused to pay the bills, she said, urging the court to terminate the marriage. I am no longer interested in the marriage. After listening to their submissions, the President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, adjourned the case until July 25 for judgment. Meanwhile, some suspected Fulani gunmen have allegedly kidnapped the 60-year old a Kaduna village head. Consequently, this has thrown the residents of Kagurdna, Kakau district of Chikun local government area of Kaduna state in a state of fear. The abduction of the 60-year old wife of the village head, Chief Amos Yerima by suspected Fulani gunmen was said to have taken place on the morning of Friday June 2. Meanwhile, our Legit.ng team has given us reasons why you cannot take your life for no just reasons. Watch the video. Source: Legit.ng GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres why you can trust us. DC's Batman spotlight is expanding to his sidekicks more and more Members of Batman's family will seemingly play huge roles in the DCU in 2023 Voting to elect new PM most likely on Sunday Voting to elect the new prime minister is most likely to take place on Sunday. However, sources said it will depend on how the CPN-UML responds to the ongoing situation, especially to the vote counting fiasco in Bharatpur Metropolitan City. Work on Larcha dry port to resume post monsoon Construction on the dry port in Larcha, near Tatopani is set to resume after the monsoon. The government made the announcement after the Chinese side agreed to restart the second-phase construction after the monsoon. Construction had been at a standstill after the Bhotekoshi flood swept away the bridge in 2014. Harvest season: Yarsa collectors swarm over highlands The annual yarsagumba harvesting season has begun, and hordes of collectors will be swarming over the hills of Mugu and Dolpa district to gather the fungus which is prized as an aphrodisiac. 1. Yes. Taxpayers are funding its operation; they should have a voice in the naming process. 2. Yes. The city should operate with a spirit of inclusivity. Residents will be responsive. 3. No. Public input can be problematic; rejection of suggestions can be divisive for residents. 4. No. Residents elect council members to make decisions on their behalf. No input is needed. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether public input would be more of a benefit or a hindrance. Vote View Results In announcing his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, President Trump also said the United States would stop contributing to the Green Climate Fund, a United Nations program that he claimed could eventually cost the country billions and billions and billions of dollars. How much have rich countries pledged? Industrialized countries have voluntarily pledged $10.3 billion since 2013 to help poorer nations reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the effects of climate change. The United States has pledged by far the most $3 billion, twice that of the second-largest pledger, Japan. But on a per-capita basis, many other countries have offered more than the United States. Swedes, for example, will contribute nearly $60 each. Per Person Contributions to the Green Climate Fund If countries fulfill their signed pledges Sweden $59.31 Luxembourg 58.63 Norway 50.20 Monaco 28.89 Britain 18.77 France 15.64 Denmark 12.73 Germany 12.40 Switzerland 12.21 Japan 11.80 9.41 United States If the U.S. fulfilled its original $3 billion committment Finland 8.49 Netherlands 7.94 Australia 7.92 Canada 7.79 Belgium 6.18 Italy 4.54 Austria 4.09 Spain 3.46 South Korea 1.99 Sweden $59.31 Luxembourg 58.63 Norway 50.20 Monaco 28.89 Britain 18.77 France 15.64 Denmark 12.73 Germany 12.40 Switzerland 12.21 Japan 11.80 U.S. 9.41 If the U.S. fulfilled its original $3 billion committment Finland 8.49 Netherlands 7.94 Australia 7.92 Canada 7.79 Belgium 6.18 Italy 4.54 Austria 4.09 Spain 3.46 South Korea 1.99 Source: Green Climate Fund If the United States contributed its full pledge, the total would be a little less than $10 per American. With Mr. Trump stopping payments, the United States will have contributed $1 billion, or just more than $3 per person. Where does the money go? The fund has a portfolio of more than 40 projects, using $2.2 billion of its own money and $5 billion from development agencies and banks. Approved Funding Proposals, as of October 2016 Source: Overseas Development Institute , G.C.F. press releases While we can all agree that we should continually work to minimize our impact on the environment through innovation and technology, this flawed deal is unfair to American workers and puts our country at an economic disadvantage to the benefit of countries like China, Iran and India. I was a first-generation college student just like you. And like you I had no plan to pay for college. I had no personal or family savings to draw on. My only plan was to figure it out along the way. I think the most important aspect of all of this is mind-set. I had made up my mind before high school that I was going to college, that I would finish, and that I would then have more choices than many of the folks I grew up with. That early commitment to my goals created in me a mind-set that helped me not become discouraged by anything along the way. It also reinforced something I already knew: that I would have to do whatever was necessary to get through college. This meant working several jobs during college, searching for and finding scholarships (which is hard: I probably applied for about 25 and got two or three positive responses), and controlling my spending. The key here was realizing that I was making investments in myself, in my options for the future and in the options I would be able to create for my future children. I worked to focus all of my energy on finishing school and realized that over the term of my lifetime all the effort and resources would be paid back. It is hard to see as you are in college the level of return on your college investment over your lifetime, but if you think about it in those terms it can make the immediate financial stresses easier to digest and cope with. The returns are great. In your specific case it sounds like you need some special attention from the financial aid office. If your parents are refusing to help, which happens sometimes, then you may need to declare yourself independent of them and then work with your financial aid office on your situation. There should be plenty of options to get your financial aid package structured with Pell Grants, University Grants, loans, work-study and perhaps other jobs to make it work. The four men carried four crates of explosives and $80,000 in cash. Their mission: To blend in with New Yorkers, find targets and blow them up. On June 13, 1942, just after midnight, a German U-Boat dropped off four Nazi saboteurs near Amagansett on Long Island. Dasch and his men had been in the U.S. before and spoke good English. Just in time On the beach, the mission leader, George Dasch ditched his Nazi uniform for American clothes. He told the Guardsman that they were fishermen from Southampton run aground. and told him to get lost. The guardsman left and returned with reinforcements. When the guardsman asked them to follow him to his office, Dasch gave him $260 They found no German sailors, but after a little digging, they found the explosives. Meanwhile, the saboteurs made their way to Jamaica, Queens, via train, blending in with the morning commuters. Dasch and the others Burger, Heinck and Quirin, all trained in everything from driving trains to invisible inks engaged in everyday activities like strolling down Fifth Avenue, eating at restaurants and shopping. The men bought decent clothes at one of the shops that lined Jamaica Avenue, changed into them, then bought even nicer clothes at another store. They were not scheduled to strike until after July 4, when Dasch was to meet up with a second group, which had landed in Florida. Somewhere in the basement of the Federal Court Building downtown, F.B.I technicians were analyzing the explosives found on the beach. The men did not just look like New Yorkers. They sounded like them. In 1940, nearly half of N.Y.C.s householders were immigrants, and more than 10 percent of those immigrants were German. Dasch left for Washington to tell his story to the F.B.I. Maybe N.Y.C. affected Dasch. He decided to betray the mission and enlisted Burgers aid. Quirin was arrested coming out of a tailor shop. Heinck was picked up as he was leaving a drugstore. A few days later, the saboteurs were picked up by the police, one by one. Burger was arrested in his hotel room. Two others, from the Florida team, were arrested in New York the next Tuesday, and the last two in Chicago by the end of the week. On Aug. 8, six of the spies were executed all except Dasch and Burger. A little after 11 p.m. on March 6, 2015, Eddie Ashley and Joseph Fernandez, both 21, entered the bar 1849 on Bleecker Street. The bartender took the bill... ...but before she could do anything, the men were gone. A few minutes later, at Carrol Place, a 36-year-old off-duty bartender was at the bar as one of the same two men ordered a Red Bull. He watched the bartender slide the 20 into the cash register near a light. A bit later: From where he was sitting he could see what most people wouldn't notice: He followed the two men into the frigid night air. When they got in line to enter Le Poisson Rouge, he approached the bouncers. Killed on Sept. 11, 2001, but Destined to be Mourned Only Quietly, Only by a Few , This was the situation Dr. Richard Sloan found himself in a few years ago. Most people in his place would curse their luck and move on. Dr. Sloan, a biomedical researcher at Columbia University, is not like most people. It is a sad fact of life and real estate that you cannot control what your neighbors do. One day you command a fourth-story view of the Hudson River out a window that fills your loft with sunshine and fresh breeze. The next day youre staring at a brick wall. The loft had a wall of north-facing windows. But the most direct view of the river was out a large west-facing window. He and his wife bought the loft at the west end of Canal Street in 2005. The only property between them and the West Side Highway was a gas station that had been in continuous operation for decades. We thought that since Exxon Mobil owned the property and made nearly 40 billion dollars in profit that year, it was a safe bet that they would not need to sell it. In 2012 Exxon Mobil sold the gas-station property. The new owners later announced plans for a nine-story condo tower. Dr. Sloans north-facing windows were unaffected, but his west-facing window was right up against the property line, and he was ordered to brick it over. We had dinner parties all the time. Wed sit at the table and look at the Hudson. Sometimes at sunset in the summer, the light was absolutely blinding. Over the years the view became even more impressive: As the skyline on the west side of the Hudson grew, the number of reflective buildings increased, and at sunrise in the winter, the sun would reflect off the buildings. So we got the sunrise and the sunset. Dr. Sloan duly walled off his window. But he had another idea. Then he installed an 85-inch monitor where the west window used to be and sent the camera image there. I decided the next best thing to a real window would be a digital window. He mounted a wide-angle camera out a north-facing window and positioned it to take in a view as close as possible to the vanished one out the west window. I gave up the conceit that this was a real window. It now just evokes a window, so thats fine. It evokes the image that was lost. No one would mistake the view coming off the pixels of the monitor for the view coming off the river itself. Especially in the late afternoon, when the colors grow washed-out rather than glorious. As dusk falls, the image gets snowy. I have to adjust the settings. Dr. Sloan has thought about things he could do to make the fake window more like a real window. Im very happy with it. But if you could, magically, in a world of alternative facts, go back to the real window, I would do so. I was toying with the idea of putting a fan behind it, to get a breeze for the window, But its too much trouble. Instead, he has found himself embracing the possibilities of artifice. Recently, Dr. Sloan has started Chromecasting college basketball games onto the window. LIVE: Macron and Putin hold joint press conference in Versailles French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin are holding a joint press conference in the Palace of Versailles, outside Paris, on ... (Image by YouTube, Channel: Ruptly TV) Details DMCA Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles Palace May 31, 2017 Two recent articles, one by Finian Cunningham [1] and the other by Pepe Escobar [2] relate to President Vladimir Putin's visit with new French President Emmanuel Macron this past week at the Versailles Palace outside Paris that are quite interesting with the implications each writer makes. Both consider the meeting significant as it relates to improved French-Russian relations and more importantly France taking an independent position from "official" Washington's diktat concerning western sanctions on Russia as well as the situations in Syria and Ukraine. Macron said, "Nothing can be tackled without dialogue with Russia" on Syria and Ukraine. With regard to Ukraine the Minsk agreement-which Russia was an integral part of-must be adhered to. As for Syria, "Working together with Russia reinforces our partnership with Russia keeping a Syrian state" from being overrun by terrorists. Until recently France and the other EU countries were in complete lock step with "official" Washington demonizing Putin, his military engagement in Syria supporting President Bashar Assad and condemning Russia's supposed invasion and annexation of Crimea. In fact there was no Russian invasion as its troops were already there as part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet while the Washington inspired coup of Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych has been summarily dismissed along with the popular referendum by the Crimean people voting to become part of the Russian Federation as opposed to falling under the dictate of the post coup regime in Kiev. Then at the NATO ceremony in Brussels last week President Trump scolded its leaders for not footing the bill for their own defense-which was not received well by them. Yesterday Trump proclaimed he was withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Accord-which France and the other EU countries all support. Considering what's occurred this past week Trump's condescending speech in Brussels and yesterday's misguided pronouncement against the Paris climate accord are we seeing a Europe finally beginning to break free from Washington's iron grip of the continent? German Chancellor Angela Merkel put it this way, "The times in which we can entirely depend on others are gone. This I have experienced in the last few days. We Europeans must take our destiny in our own hands". Now Merkel didn't mention Trump or the US by name in that statement but is there any doubt who she was talking about? Could Trump be the catalyst for Europe to really take an independent course away from Washington particularly with France and Germany, the EU's top economic powerhouses taking the lead? With Trump also denouncing the nuclear agreement with Iran which was negotiated between the P5&1, the US, Britain, France, Russia and China along with Germany could there be a further split between France and Germany and the US over relations with Iran? Let's face it the whole new cold war with Russia is a Washington concocted invention and the EU has dutifully gone along with the charade. European countries know the US reneged on the 1989 agreement with the Bush Sr. government and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev not to move NATO "one inch eastward" if the two Germany's were allowed to reunite and the USSR moved its military forces out of East Germany. It's been a US inspired move to expand NATO to the doorstep of Russia since 1991 when the Soviet Union ceased to exist. It also meant NATO became a relic that too lost its very reason to exist-a possible Soviet invasion of western Europe. Russia is simply not a threat to Europe and doesn't want a war with Europe. Such a war would devastate Europe. Russia and Europe know war intimately from the carnage they suffered from Hitler's Nazi Germany. Maybe the idea of European countries regaining their sovereignty and throwing off the shackles of "official" Washington and the deep state behind it is a mirage that won't happen despite what we've heard lately from Macron and Merkel. But Europe needs to take steps away from Washington knowing its future economically faces eastward toward Russia and China and the latter's one belt, one road project stretching from Vladivostok to Lisbon. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "In his new book, Bottom-Up, Rob Kall's exploration of top-down and bottom-up forces in our culture, our brains, and our planet provides a deep insight into the challenges we face. He offers pathways we can use to create the changes we need to break free of the war economy and build local peace economies." Jodie Evans, cofounder of Code Pink and Chair of the Women's Media Center Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. Article originally published in The Michigan Chronicle (Following submission, similar articles appeared in the Washington Post and New York Times.) By Robert Weiner and Paula Hong Few remember but in December 2015, presidential candidate Donald Trump called Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia out during his campaign, saying he, "did not like" Scalia's belief that minorities, specifically African Americans, would be better off attending "slower-track schools" --disregarding affirmative action's purpose to provide minorities with opportunities. The hope for minorities that President Trump would remain "fine with affirmative action" was short-lived with Trump's appointment of Betsy DeVos on February 7, 2017--who denied 77 universities funding requests on Thursday, May 25, 2017, for inadequate "formatting rules" that she blamed Obama for creating. The contradictory decisions left minorities despondent about the increasingly right-wing-influenced Court and White House on issues such as education, health care, small-business support, food aid and police reforms. The New York Times on May 28, 2017, and the Washington Post on May 29, 2017, had lead stories titled "Minority Advocates Say Trump's Budget Will Hurt Their Causes" and "Trump administration plans to minimize civil rights efforts in agencies" following the crisis of President Trump's proposed budget, which would reduce agencies' civil-rights advocacy. Minority protections could still garner strength through victories elsewhere, however, such as the Court's recent decision to turn down a North Carolina case on May 15, 2017, that targeted "African-Americans with almost surgical precision" during voter registration according to Circuit Judge Diana Gribbon Motz. Michigan has had an intricate history of approved then overturned then re-approved bans on the issue of affirmative action in college admission. The decision by the Supreme Court on April 22, 2014, to overturn the Michigan Civil Rights Amendment case (Hudson vs Michigan in November of 2006) was a reversal for minorities who hoped to bring back affirmative action. Rep. John Conyers (D-Detroit), Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus and the House of Representatives, called the decision "counter to constitutional equal protection." Under the administration-supported, House-passed repeal-and-replace health plan, three million African Americans and four million Hispanics will lose coverage (currently) provided by the Affordable Care Act. What Trump boasts as being a "great plan" will cause upwards of "an estimated 51 million people under age 65 to be uninsured over the next decade, compared with 28 million who would lack insurance under current law, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The 2014 Census Bureau found that "the number of Michigan residents with health insurance grew by a quarter million during the first year of Obamacare." Not only has the new administration left minorities worrying about their future health, but their safety. The Trump administration argued against Federal Judge James Bredar's decision on April 7, 2017, on police reforms. Bredar disregarded General Jeff Session's "review of more than a dozen federal agreements with police forces that [would] address problems of racial profiling, discrimination and use of excessive force," and instead approved the Baltimore police's plea to justify what the Obama Justice Department found as unconstitutional and discriminatory practices. Many considered the conservative Roberts Court's refusal to take the case as a victory, a step in the right direction for minorities' voter rights. The refusal to overturn limited Republicans from "restricting access to the ballot", according to Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez. The Court's decision provides hope that sometimes, but not always, the current Court could protect minority rights. President Trump appointed Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach a leader of his Advisory Commission on Election Integrity committee but critics charge that the group is stacked in favor of obstacles to voting. Kobach "has built a political career on xenophobia," according to ACLU Voting Rights Project Director Dale Ho. Affirmative action does not stop at college admissions, health care, and voter registration. It increases all aspects of life for minorities including education, nutrition, employment, transportation, business opportunity, economic security, and housing. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Corbyn (Image by davidswanson.org) Details DMCA Making Jeremy Corbyn the Prime Minister of the U.K. would do more for the world and everyone in it than either of the two available outcomes of any recent U.S. election could have done. Here in the U.S. I always protest that I am not against elections, I think we should have one some day. Well, now we have one -- only it's across the pond. Corbyn's record is no secret, and you don't need me to tell you, but I have met him and spoken at events with him, and can assure you he's legitimate. He's been a dedicated leader of the peace movement right through his career. He had the decency last week to point out yet again that invading and bombing countries and overthrowing governments produces terrorism; it doesn't somehow reduce it or eliminate it or "fight" it. Britain is the key co-conspirator in U.S. wars. One real-life Love Actually refusal to bow before Emperor Donald, and the facade of super-hero law enforcement will begin to crumble, revealing a rogue serial killer standing naked in his golden hotel suite. The world needs an actual popular elected response to U.S. aggression against the world's poor and the earth's climate. A ho-hum housebroken Frenchman who's not a fascist isn't the same thing. Corbyn supports successful Scandinavian socialism, demilitarization, environmental action, and aid to those in need. He works within the government and is held back by his party. But he doesn't lie. He doesn't sell out. He makes the case for wise and popular policies as powerfully as he's able. Want people to believe representative government is compatible with capitalism? Want well-behaved voters the world over to imagine that the corporate media can actually be overcome? Stop grasping at Congressional candidate gun-nuts who happen to be Democrats. Stop telling vicious lies about Russia in an attempt to travel back in time and cause a corporate militarist hack to win the White House. We actually have an election between an actually good candidate and one of the usual monstrosities we've become so used to. Contact every young person you can who can vote in this election. Contact every possible organization and entertainer who might help spread the word. Get every Hollywood star who ever tried to rock the vote but didn't have anyone to promote who people actually wanted to vote for to notice this golden opportunity. Telling young Brits to get out and vote for Jeremy will do more to spread democracy than destroying Syria, starving a million children in Yemen, or occupying Afghanistan for another 50 years. Young people, sadly, have seen through our scams. They've heard us cry wolf too many times. Yet if you ask them who they would have voted for, they tell you the better candidate. Now here's an actually great candidate, and their televisions are telling them that they are powerless to do anything. And they refuse to see through that scam. You have to help them see through it! You have to find somebody hip enough to help them! Young British people are our last hope, and it's your job to encourage them. We could have a world in which a leading wealthy "democracy" has a government that responds to majority opinion. We could have a world in which London says to Washington: "You want another war, we won't help you pretend it's legal. In fact, we're drafting a brief for the prosecution and will see you in court." The people of the United States need that fig leaf torn away, need the pretense that mass murder is legal and necessary ended in our own minds. The peace, prosperity, sustainability, and friendship awaiting us is too much for us to even imagine. What might help us do it, what might make us believe that "hope" and "change" and other concepts we've almost come to despise could actually be possible would be making Jeremy Corbyn Prime Minister. real patriots think (Image by Paul Glover) Details DMCA Yet we should respect those who fought for their country. And we should also respect those who thought for their country. As Major General Smedley Butler, winner of two Congressional Medals of Honor, wrote : "War is a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses." The first defense of the nation is defense against war. Since World War II the United States has fought wars not of defense but of empire, for oil and raw materials. President Eisenhower said as the United States became involved in Vietnam: "Now let us assume that we lose Indochina. The Malayan peninsula... would be scarcely defensible--and tin and tungsten that we so greatly value from that area would cease coming" (8/4/1953). This is unpopular to repeat, since millions of American families now depend on war for employment and respect. President James Madison wrote of standing armies: "Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people" (6/29/1787). President Jefferson said, "The Greeks and Romans had no standing armies, yet they defended themselves. [They] took care to put into the hands of their rulers no such engine of oppression as a standing army" (9/10/1814). President George Washington himself warned that "A large standing Army in time of Peace hath ever been considered dangerous to the liberties of a Country..." (5/2/1783). Today the Pentagon and weapons makers need wars to justify jobs. Thus the Pentagon does not conquer enemies; it creates enemies. As President Eisenhower said before leaving office, "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed" (4/16/1953). Therefore, for the past 40 years, I've supported the troops by helping expand an American economy that enables people to raise families by living for America rather than dying. I've started organizations that help make America greater and safer through energy efficiency, urban agriculture, community currencies, regional health systems, co-op businesses, green cities. Such efforts make it likelier that the children of today's soldiers will not become soldiers, that their children will not kill other children, and that other countries will admire America rather than fear us. NOTE TO READERS: This is the second and final part of my call-to-arms series, "The REAL Trump Resistance: An Anti-Duopoly Occupy." Given the importance I attach to its message, it's written to be understood on its own. But for still deeper understanding--especially for supporters of third parties--please read Part 1. Every promise from today's Democrats is a BETRAYING Judas kiss. (Image by Mr. Leeds) Details DMCA REAL Anti-Trump Resistance: Grassroots War on Our Diseased Duopoly As Henry David Thoreau quotably put it, "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the roots." And if mainstream media is any guide, there are many thousands hacking at the branches of the evil Trump administration to none who are striking at its roots. But of course mainstream media, self-censored by the profit-making agendas of its ever-fewer corporate-conglomerate owners, never goes to the roots of anything. Least of all does it go to the grassroots, where the only principled resistance to Trump--the only resistance not contaminated by corporate, Deep State, or partisan agendas--actually exists. As members of that grassroots resistance--the only group with a serious, pinpoint diagnosis of the Trump evil--we face a grievous communication problem. But no worse a problem than that faced by Occupy Wall Street when, in the wake of a global financial crisis triggered by a reckless and fraudulent financial system, "Banks got bailed out; we got sold out." Considering we face the same corporate media hurdles, we should also consider the Occupy movement's incontestable success in propagating its message of class warfare between "the 99% and the 1%" despite those hurdles. Indeed, while changing some tactics based on changed political circumstances, we should wholeheartedly embrace the Occupy model of making a movement the megaphone for a political diagnosis mainstream media, left to its own devices, would never dare touch. The real anti-Trump resistance can only succeed as a spontaneous grassroots, Occupy-style movement. Anything else is corporate astroturfing, and fully merits our movement's scathing term of contempt--the "McResistance." Make no mistake, the Trump administration is a grave evil, fully demanding organized resistance, and I have a serious bone to pick with fellow progressive activists who try to highlight the badness of today's Democratic Party by claiming it is not. Much as I share--and seek to make nationally shared--their revulsion for today's Democrats, they only muddy a laser-sharp diagnosis by their attempts to whitewash Trump. As I remarked in Part 1 of this series, Trump is "a Guinness World Records champion for moral, intellectual, and experiential unfitness to lead a global superpower." And what makes him especially atrocious is that his personal unfitness forces him to delegate (or rather, abdicate) governance to extremist Republican colleagues. As Noam Chomsky(considering Republicans' commitment to climate destruction) well put it, "The Republican Party is the most dangerous organization in world history." Anyone who fails to see today's Republican politicians in comparably grave terms is failing at diagnosis. Rather than reducing Democrats' culpability, duly acknowledging the full evil of Trump and today's Republican Party only increases it exponentially. For, as the rest of this article shall argue, the evil of today's Democratic Party consists precisely in being the party of Judas. And just as the New Testament Judas--for the sake of his thirty pieces of silver--did not personally crucify Jesus, but only turned him over (ultimately and indirectly) to the brutal Romans, so do Democrats (by incurable addiction to their donors' silver) betray our nation to utterly brutal Republicans. It is as "the party of Judas," betraying Americans--above all, the most vulnerable ones--to Republican brutality for sake of donors' silver, that the real grassroots resistance must oppose Democrats as well as Trump. Democrats Actually DO Stand for Something: Betrayal In an insightful recent article, political writer and cartoonist Ted Rall asks, "What do Democrats want?" and answers his own (probably rhetorical) question by saying, "No one knows." In fact, as a political associate of the penetrating Chris Hedges, and as an astute commentator in his own right, Rall likely knows pretty damn well what Democrats want. So, taking his question as rhetorical, we should read his article as really being about the political messaging of a party split between an outgunned populist wing (tolerated because it gives Dems their last shreds of populist legitimacy) and a controlling corporatist Clinton wing hell-bent on serving the party's high-rolling donors. Since the party's controlling corporatists wish neither to commit themselves to too strong a populist message, nor to explicitly state the open secret of whom they really serve, the party's message does come across as a befuddling muddled mess. But, for our purposes, Rall's question can be usefully rephrased as "What do Democrats stand for?" For, unlike Rall's rhetorical question, our factual one doesn't require us to look for consistency in the diametrically opposed wants of a controlling corporatist and an outgunned populist-party faction. Rather, taking control of the party by its corporatist Clinton faction as fact, and ignoring Democrats' muddled messaging in favor of their consistent long-term behavior, we can obtain a very clear answer to our question. Namely, today's Democratic Party stands for betrayal--betrayal of both democracy and the party's traditional poor and working-class base. And--what counts most for our grassroots resistance purposes--Democrats recently cemented their commitment to betrayal by arguing their legal right to betray their voting base in a court of law. In short, the Democratic National Committee's assertion of party bosses' legal right to choose nominees behind closed doors (thereby treating the DNC's own charter as toilet paper) is a humongous deal--so "nuclear" in its potential damage to the Democratic Party's reputation--that the political establishment's mainstream-media minions have imposed a virtual blackout on reporting it. So nuclear, I'll argue here, that a well-orchestrated campaign to spread news of the argument--with the proper contextual framing--could launch a new anti-duopoly Occupy. And the proper contextual framing is that the DNC legal argument doubles down on Democrats' long recent history as "the party of Judas"--the party of betrayal. The DNC argument (and this is its greatest significance) in fact confirms Democrats as an arrogantly unrepentant Judas: a Judas on steroids. Judas on Steroids: Of Hillary Clinton and Sheldon Cooper No one I know of would choose Judas as their favorite Biblical character. But if Hillary Clinton were being honest with herself--as she almost never is anyone outside Wall Street--she very well might. Indeed, Clinton's leaked statement (from a well-paid private speech to her Wall Street cronies) that politicians need a public and a private position amounts to embracing the political Judas role, offering publicly what the unwashed masses--"the basket of deplorables," in Clinton's own words--desire politically while being fully intent on betraying them for whatever she and her fellow oligarchs decide on behind closed doors. A "Judas kiss" is always planned in secret. It's especially telling to read the context she provided her Wall Street "best buds" for a politician's need for public and private positions: "But if everybody's watching, you know, all of the back room discussions and the deals, you know, then people get a little nervous, to say the least." A statement that provides especially compelling reason to think Clinton's real motive for violating State Department rules--and risking national security in the bargain--with her private e-mail server was precisely to keep "everybody" from "watching." Above all, those really deplorable everybodies who make FOIA requests. If we imagine for a moment that one of Clinton's "private positions" is a secret admiration for Judas, we arrive at an excellent analogy for the outrageous stance on betrayal now taken not just by Clinton, but by her entire controlling wing in the Democratic Party--and hence by the DNC. In one hilarious segment of TV's The Big Bang Theory, resident antisocial physicist Sheldon Cooper is asked whether he really disliked the Christmas special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". Sheldon responds, "On the contrary, I found the Grinch to be a relatable, engaging character." For Sheldon, the "buzz kill" that utterly spoils the festivities is when the Grinch "succumbed to social convention and returned the presents and saved Christmas." Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). About a year ago, Mr. Sam Chang (AKA, Tien Shang Chang) made an eloquent presentation that is well worth watching. In his presentation he promotes a system that he calls "Negative Voting," by which he meant the system that I have referred to as "Balanced Plurality Voting." Interestingly, his examples tend to focus on two-candidate (and even one-candidate) elections whereas in this series of articles I have placed much more emphasis on multiple-candidate elections with more than two candidates. In addition, he has been able to gather some supporting evidence in favor of this voting method through the use of polls. Chang shows that good arguments for balanced voting can be made even for single-candidate elections whereas my own thinking has been focused primarily on bringing more competing candidates into elections. But even with just a single candidate, he argues that (what I call balanced plurality voting) would improve democracy by encouraging more voter participation and by allowing voters more freedom to express themselves. Vote Yes or Yes? (Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com) Details DMCA An interesting point that Chang makes in his presentation that does conflict with my own thinking is that he would call for a new election when the winner had too small a net vote total. In contrast, I simply assumed that the winner of a balanced election might well have even a negative net vote. However, we agree entirely on thinking this distasteful situation would happen rarely. That being said, I would note that plurality voting does nothing to discourage (or even to recognize) such a pathological outcome and this is illustrated quite well by recent U.S. presidential election. But on the other hand, repeating an election could present practical, legal and even constitutional issues that could well be very difficult to overcome. And while a winner having a negative net vote would be possible, it would become increasingly improbable over time as the candidates come to realize that disapproval by a large number of voters has become a severe disadvantage. Under balanced voting systems, candidates would likely make more of an effort to appeal to the broad consensus of voters and to avoid appealing to only an extreme segment of voters. Candidates for office with high disapproval levels would presumably become a thing of the past as they and those who would support them come to realize the chances of election are slim. I have often made the point that the number of candidates should be an important consideration in deciding on a voting scheme. Of course, no matter how many candidates there are, balanced plurality voting would be a significant improvement over the traditional plurality system. But with many candidates, other systems should be considered despite the greater complexity of these other systems. We saw in the recent Republican primary elections (and in the 2008 Democratic primaries) that even under the yoke of plurality voting, we can have important elections with many candidates. The notion of "one man, one vote" has to be questioned when, with many candidates to choose from, voter opinion necessarily becomes more complex. With increasingly complex opinions, voters need more freedom to express those opinions adequately, and greater expression seems to demand a more complex voting system. But if voters are not permitted to express their opinions adequately, then there really is no reason to expect elections to have a democratic outcome. In this series, the four polls have been the most widely read, but among the actual articles, one of the most popular has been the one with the catchy title, What Might be the Best Voting System. In that article I ventured the opinion that the answer might be Balanced Approval Voting, but with the caution that better systems might be found with the passing of time. More time has passed so I have had time to reconsider that position. In a more recent article a variety of voting systems were compared and today, based mostly on that comparison, I would have to conclude that I would now have a preference for Balanced Ration Voting as the best system overall; it seems to work better than balanced approval voting even when there are fairly few candidates. The number of candidates is still an important consideration, however, and in an election with only one or even as many as three or four candidates, balanced plurality voting may be the best choice. Of course, the future may (in fact probably will) reveal new and in important ways, better systems for voting. Stunning shores, fabulous beaches, great food and a wallet-friendly economy only scratch the surface when describing this lively Balkan country. While it is becoming more popular with tourists, Albania (the correct name is Shqiperia or, more officially, Republika e Shqiperise) remains undiscovered. Certainly there are the terrific coastlines and historic attractions, but the best reason to come to Albania is to discover a completely unknown country wrapped in mystery after decades of isolation. Prepare to fall in love with this wonderful place: from the capital city Tirana to the stunning clear waters of the south through to the ancient towns, an excursion through Albania is a real adventure. Lets have a look at the best places to visit. Forget London, Paris or Rome. For a city break rich with culture, history and gastronomyyet unspoiled by the tourists massestry Tirana instead. The Albanian capital city is the Balkans Peninsulas (southeastern Europe) next upcoming travel spot. The vortex of this lively destination is Blloku, the Block, the most famous neighborhood in town. One must-stop in this area is the Colonial Cafe, a beautifully design spot to chill out, where the staff will help you to pick one of their custom-made cocktails based on a very specific series of questions about your personal tastes. The heart of the town is Skanderbeg Square with the Mosque, Skanderbeg statue and Clock Tower. Take a tour in the National Historical Museum, adorned with a terrific mosaic, to learn more about the history of the country. Check out the BunkArt2, a recently opened museum dedicated to the victims of Communism, located in a bunker in the centre of Tirana. Best restaurant in town? Go to Padam, a new point of reference for the Albanian gastronomy housed in a villa with a gourmet menu. The best thing you can do here is to ask for a recommendation by the genial chef Fundim Gjepali. Few people can resist the unique charm of the UNESCO-designated old town of Berat. The heart of this lovely city, Mangalem, is an impressive Ottoman center with typical white houses with small windows climbing up to the hill to its castle, earning it the title of town of a thousand windows, and many mosques. Albania is a country with a Muslim majority but it was also the only European country to end the WWII with more Jews than it had at the start of the war. It is also tolerant of the other prominent religions in the region; Orthodox and Catholic. During Communist era, dictator Enver Hoxha banned religions altogether. Even after the temples were reopened in the 1990s, Albanians keep their religion private. You will see more women in headscarves in London or Paris than in your travel through Albania. Berat is the symbol of this religious tolerance. This is one of the reasons it was included on UNESCOs list. But despite now being a big tourism center, Berat has managed to retain its pleasant atmosphere. If you want to learn more about the history of this wonderful town remember to visit the Muzeum Ethnografik, housed in an Ottoman-era home. 3. Gijrokaster Reach the citadel of ancient Gijrokaster for dazzling vistas. Once here, youll understand why it is UNESCO world-heritage site. One of the oldest cities of Albania, the name means Silver Fortress, and it clearly shows the confluence of Albanian, Greek and Turkish cultures. But Albania is not an extension of Greece or Turkey: the country has a big national identity, the Albanian language, Shqip, is Indo-European in origin but is totally different from other languages in the area. Even though the alphabet is based on Latin, the sounds the letters make are very different. Gijrokaster owes its preservation to the fact it is the birthplaces of the former Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha who ordered that the city remain untouched during the Communism, except for destroying the mosques (the city today has only one mosque). The former house of the Communist dictator is now the beautiful Ethnographic Museum that deserves a visit. The city is also the hometown of the most important Albanian writer, Ismail Kadare (nominated five times for the Nobel Prize), who wrote Chronicle in Stone, which is set in Gijrokaster and tells the history of the city during the Italian and Greek occupation in World War I and II. Driving along the Albanias coastline means rolling past striking landscapes filled with traditional villages, golden beaches lapped by turquoise waters, small orthodox churches and mountains that rise dramatically. The Albanian Riviera is a revelation for many travelers because these are among Europes last untouched beaches. The exploration of this magnificent shore, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, is a must. Start your journey from the city of Vlora (two hours by car from Tirana) and head into the unspoiled Karaburun Peninsula and Island of Sazan with the help of Teuta Boat. This area was once a military base, but today is a National Park and the best place to visit in Vlora. Then its time to head into the south. Despite the Rivieras transformation in the past few years, there are still idyllic and breathtaking spots along this rugged coast. Palasa is the first accessible beach on the Riviera after negotiating the extraordinary descent through the Llogara Pass. For dazzling vistas go to Dhermi. This is one of the most famous beaches in Albania (here youll find also good restaurants, the best is Sofra e Pashait, remember to order the linguine with sea fruits). Outside peak season, it is very quiet, and while the summer months now get very busy, the beach is long enough for those looking for a quiet spot away from the crowds (including the beautiful Drymades beach). The seven-kilometer beach near the village of Borsh is the largest in the Riviera. Despite its dimensions, the tourism has barely touched this area. On the contrary, Ksamil, a wonderful beach close to Saranda (the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera) is a big tourism centre and it can get very crowded in summer. Before leaving Albania you have to spend few hours in the Butrint Archaeological Park. It is close to the Greek border and less than an hour from Saranda. The ancient ruins of Butrint are in a fantastic natural setting and from a variety of periods, spanning 2,500 years. Although it was inhabited long before, Greeks from Corfu settled on the hill of Butrint in the 6th century BC. Within a century the site had become a fortified trading city. Butrints prosperity continued throughout the Roman period and the Byzantines made it an ecclesiastical centre. Then the city went into a long decline and was abandoned until 1927 when Italian archeologists arrived. The most amazing ruin is surely the 3rd century-BC Greek theatre, secluded in the forest below the acropolis. The park, famed for its beauty and tranquility, is a microcosm of the Mediterranean culture, surprisingly devoid of tourists even in the peak of summer and the viewing points are the perfect place to snap your last photo of this incredible country. Pro tip: To learn more about many of the destinations listed aboveand for expert guides along the waycontact Saranda-based Our Own Expeditions. Francesca is a journalist and blogger based in Florence, Italy, with a love of travel and an addiction to the Balkan countries. Christoph Vogelsang Wins 2017 Super High Roller Bowl for $6 Million June 01, 2017 Mo Nuwwarah Editor After nearly five hours of heads-up play that saw the chip lead swing a couple of times, German pro Christoph Vogelsang emerged victorious over American pro Jake Schindler to win the $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl at ARIA. Vogelsang nearly doubled his career live cashes to almost $14 million with, shockingly, his first live win. The high roller mainstay had previously done no better than third, with his finish there at the 2014 $1,000,000 High Roller for One Drop for $4.4 million the previous highlight of his tournament career. Vogelsang also moved up to second on the all-time money list in Germany behind only the incomparable Fedor Holz. And it wasn't just prize money Vogelsang apparently won. He and his fellow Germans had an eight-way last longer for $2,000 apiece, so Vogelsang won that cash and bragging rights, plus a $13,500 World Series of Poker Main Event package provided by 888poker. Day 5 Recap The day started out with only three remaining from the original 56 runners, but one lagged far behind the other two. Stefan Schillhabel had less than 15 big blinds to start the day. He experienced some early success running his 885,000 up to 1.6 million, but the fast start ended there at the hands of his fellow German. Schillhabel had about 25 big blinds when he opened with ace-jack on the button and got three-bet big by Vogelsang after Schindler called in the small blind. Schillhabel shoved all in only to see his countryman turn over pocket queens and hold up despite a jack-high flop. That set up the heads-up match viewers were expecting, and it proved to be a battle. Schindler had about a 2-1 lead early, and the early feeling-out period seemed to go mostly his way, as he picked off a big bluff to move to a 3-1 edge. Schindler seemed to be on the brink of victory when he got Vogelsang to put in most of his stack before the river on a check-call line with a king-high flush draw in a three-bet pot against Schindler's turned top pair with ace-king. Vogelsang hit the flush on the river and checked, quickly calling all in when Schindler shoved. The German moved into the chip lead himself and eventually had his own 2-1 edge. However, Schindler battled right back, and he eventually took a huge lead, chipping Vogelsang down to 2.7 million at 50,000/100,000/100,000 the big blind paid the entire ante under this structure. Then, Vogelsang hit another sick river. This time, he called down ace-five after limping the button when Schindler raised big blind and flopped a set of eights. Vogelsang flopped a gutter and got there on the river, shoving all in when Schindler checked and getting paid off. Schindler could only muck in frustration. Shortly after that, Schindler attempted to pull off a river bluff-shove when he missed a combo draw that he picked up on the turn. The board had paired deuces on the river, weakening Vogelsang's two pair a bit, and he had only 30 seconds to make his move as he had used all of his allotted time extensions. The pressure was on, but Vogelsang found the call button. He got out of his chair and pumped both fists, having won the biggest tournament of his career and joined Brian Rast and fellow German Rainer Kempe as Super High Roller Bowl champs. 2017 Super High Roller Bowl Final Results Place Player Prize 1 Christoph Vogelsang $6,000,000 2 Jake Schindler $3,600,000 3 Stefan Schillhabel $2,400,000 4 Leon Tsoukernik $1,800,000 5 Byron Kaverman $1,400,000 6 Pratyush Buddiga $1,000,000 7 Justin Bonomo $600,000 Some people would say electronic music is having its moment. Acts like the Chainsmokers are squeezing hit after hit out of a little tube of drops and even the hip figures of the old guard like Daft Punk are topping the charts and Giorgio Moroder is recording with Britney Spears and Sia. Others would say the bubble for that already bust, like, last year. Which is why one of the low-key rising stars of the scene has been in it for a while. Marius Lauber, who records under the monicker Roosevelt, has been a rising star since old man Larry Fitzmaurice profiled him for p4k in 2013. Back then, he couldn't feel the difference between electronic and pop and was nervous about the idea of playing live festivals, worrying they would "feel like a techno amusement park." Since then, the Sweedes have taken over pop and Lauber's taken his game to Euro festival grounds and late night clubs in Seattle alike. But where the dance explosion has allowed many a festival slot to look like a fancy display of laptops, Lauber brings out the full band. Where Flume soundalikes rule the EDM circuit, Lauber put out a debut smartly informed by old school Balearic; more Technique than Joytime. I had the chance to catch up with Lauber before he hits the Big Apple stage on Friday. We talked about today's electronic scene, what acts are still able to surprise him and what he looks for in a remix. Popdust: Gov Ball! You're playing it! Are there any acts playing the festival that you're excited to see, besides your own? Marius Lauber: There are a lot! I think it's one of the best line-ups this summer and I hope we will have some time to walk around and see other bands. We are all looking forward to see Chance the Rapper especially. PD: In an early profile, you described feeling wary of "open air raves," saying that they were "not very inspiring." What do you plan on bringing to the festival crowd on Randall's Island that will keep you inspired? ML: Oh.. I didn't mean music festivals in general - I'm just more than often disappointed by the commercialization of underground electronic music and how all these outside summer raves in cities like Berlin usually feel uninspiring and bland to me. Which doesn't mean that I don't like music festivals - I'm actually really looking forward to this summer as I'm playing a lot of great places i haven't been before. PD: In interviews, you've also talked about the importance of connecting with audiences as a performer. What things do other electronic acts do wrong, live? ML: I don't think there's a "right" and "wrong," a lot of acts play solo laptop shows and are absolutely amazing, like Four Tet or Jon Hopkins, but for me, it just made sense to build a band around me and perform the songs live. I don't really see myself as just an electronic musician, so that's the only thing that feels right to me when performing live. PD: You've also talked about the influence of visuals on your music, especially movies. Is there anything you've seen recently that's inspired you? ML: I loved Nocturnal Animals, the cinematography was incredible. PD: What's the last song you've listened to that surprised you? Why? ML: I just listened to the new Washed Out track, which is amazing. It has a really strong house vibe, which I didn't expect of him. PD: When you started out, you were one of the few people genuinely interested in both dance and pop music. Now, almost every hit has at least one drop. Do you feel more at home in the pop world? ML: I never saw such a strong line between pop and dance music and I don't think in these categories when I'm writing or listening to music. I also don't think that the strange popularity of EDM and "drops" is the first time electronic music is happening in pop music - pop music in the early '80s was getting a lot more electronic and synthesizer-heavy. PD: You're also an avid remixer, putting your touch on indie heavyweights and some of the hottest names in house. Are there any songs out now that you're dying to remix? ML: I'd love to do a '70s disco remix of one of Adele's tracks. I listened to her album and the vocals would fit in great in a diva-esque disco production. PD: Are there any songs you wouldn't want to touch? ML: Yes, as I'm quite picky with my remixes; there are a lot of tracks I wouldn't want to remix. I'm only working on things that have a good vocal line and where I think i can add something with my own sound. Intrigued? You can catch Roosevelt at the Big Apple Stage this Friday at 12:45 or that night at the Brooklyn Night Bazaar. Andrew Karpan is known to jam on the ivories at certain hours at Washington Square Park. He's not that guy but he's close enough. Follow him on Twitter. PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 17:52:01 A.M. Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Builders Reinsurance S.A. and Builders Direct S.A. A.M. Best George Athanasopoulos, +44-20-7397-0330 Financial Analyst george.athanasopoulos@ambest.com or Mathilde Jakobsen, +44-20-7397-0266 Director, Analytics mathilde.jakobsen@ambest.com or Christopher Sharkey, +1-908-439-2200, ext. 5159 Manager, Public Relations christopher.sharkey@ambest.com or Jim Peavy, +1-908-439-2200, ext. 5644 Director, Public Relations james.peavy@ambest.com A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- of Builders Reinsurance S.A. (Builders Re) (Luxembourg) and Builders Direct S.A. (Builders Direct) (Luxembourg), both subsidiaries of HOCHTIEF Aktiengesellschaft (HOCHTIEF), a large Germany-based construction company that is majority owned by Actividades de Construccion y Servicios S.A. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) remains stable. The rating affirmations reflect Builders Res excellent risk-adjusted capitalisation, strong operating performance and its importance to the HOCHTIEF group as a risk management tool, providing predominantly group-related casualty and credit reinsurance cover. A.M. Best expects Builders Res risk-adjusted capitalisation to remain excellent, supported by good internal capital generation. Having recorded a moderate net profit of USD 16.9 million in 2015 mainly due to investment losses, in 2016 Builders Re reported a strong profit of USD 37.3 million, supported by a combined ratio of approximately 78% and a positive investment return. Builders Res niche business profile as HOCHTIEFs special purpose reinsurance vehicle is focused on providing cover for risks mainly emanating from the groups construction operations in North America. Builders Directs ratings primarily reflect its strategic importance to Builders Re as a source of business growth and diversification, as well as explicit support from Builders Re in the form of reinsurance protection. Builders Direct was created in 2013 and provides insurance cover to the HOCHTIEF group, as well as to third-party entities with a focus on mutual companies. A.M. Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated throughout the world. For current Bests Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Bests Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper [..]. A.M. Best is the worlds oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2017 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201706020056 PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 18:45:01 A.M. Best Removes from Under Review with Positive Implications and Upgrades Credit Ratings of Al Ittihad Al Watani A.M. Best Aneela Mather-Khan, CA, +44 20 7397 0329 Financial Analyst aneela.mather-khan@ambest.com or Ghislain Le Cam, CFA, FRM, +44 20 7397 0268 Director, Analytics ghislain.lecam@ambest.com or Christopher Sharkey, +1-908-439-2200, ext. 5159 Manager, Public Relations christopher.sharkey@ambest.com or Jim Peavy, +1-908-439-2200, ext. 5644 Director, Public Relations james.peavy@ambest.com A.M. Best has removed from under review with positive implications and upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to B (Fair) from C (Weak) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to bb from ccc+ of Al Ittihad Al Watani (LUnion Nationale) Societe Generale DAssurances du Proche Orient, sal (Al Ittihad) (Lebanon). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The rating upgrades reflect Al Ittihads strengthened risk-adjusted capitalisation following its acquisition by Nasco Insurance Holding SAL, a member of Nasco Insurance Group Limited (Nasco), and the companys strategic decision to place its Lebanon operations into run-off and focus on business originating in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is expected to lead to an improvement in operating performance. The rating upgrades also reflect the companys association with Nasco and the support provided by the group. A.M. Best notes Al Ittihad derives benefit from being a member of a larger and more diversified group both in terms of balance sheet strength and management expertise. In December 2016, Nasco acquired a 94% stake in Al Ittihad. At the time, there was uncertainty surrounding Al Ittihads future strategic direction and the company presented a significantly depleted capital base, which had been eroded by continuously poor performance. As part of the acquisition, Nasco injected LBP 15 billion (USD 10 million) into Al Ittihad to clear accumulated losses from prior years, strengthening Al Ittihads risk-adjusted capitalisation and improving its liquidity. During 2016, Al Ittihad also paid off an outstanding overdraft of LBP 15 billion with proceeds from the sale of an investment property, which reduced the companys investment risk and debt leverage. Going forward, A.M. Best expects Al Ittihads risk-adjusted capitalisation to be supported by internal capital generation, as the strategic decisions taken by the new management team are expected to result in improved profitability. Al Ittihads operating performance has been weak over recent years, with losses reported in four of the past five years, primarily due to poor performance in Lebanon and reserve deterioration related to the companys Kuwaiti run-off. At the beginning of 2017, the company put its Lebanese portfolio into run-off, and focused its operations on business originated in the UAE, following the Nasco groups decision to transfer established underwriting agency business in the UAE to Al Ittihad. This is expected to double Al Ittihads premium base and contribute to restoring the companys technical profitability. A.M. Best will continue to monitor closely the impact of the Lebanese and Kuwaiti run-off portfolios on Al Ittihads performance. Whilst Al Ittihads regional franchise has diminished following the decision to place the Lebanese business into run-off, A.M. Best believes this decision will allow the company to focus on growing its profile in the UAE and reduce its exposure to the political and economic risk associated with operating in Lebanon. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Bests Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper [..]. A.M. Best is the worlds oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2017 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201706020057 PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 09:14:02 Apex Airspace Appoints Chris Phillips as Chairman Instinctif Partners Tel: 020 7457 2020 or David Simonson Tel: 07831 347 222 or Helen Tarbet Tel: 07825 609 737 or George Yeomans Tel: 07493 867 436 Apex Airspace (Apex or the Company) Apex Airspace, the innovative developer of 'airspace' above existing residential and commercial properties, is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Phillips as Chairman, to guide the Company as it drives forward its ambitious growth strategy. Chris has significant Board level experience across the development, housing and residential sectors. He is currently Chairman of Places for People, one of the largest property and leisure management, development and regeneration companies in the UK, and over the last ten years has overseen a significant expansion in the companys portfolio. He is also Chairman of Londonewcastle, an award-winning developer in both the private and public sectors, and Chairman of Horizon Infrastructure Partnership. Former roles have included being Managing Director respectively of PB Securities, Lombard Odiers London broking business and Colliers Capital (UK), part of Colliers International. Chris joins Apex at a time when the Company is vigorously driving growth in a market worth around 54 billion in London alone. The Company: completed its first development in Wilmot Place, Camden in just 12 weeks; has a strong pipeline of developments for individual freeholders, including its development in Camdens Abbey Road, underway; has secured a partnership with Lambeth & Southwark Housing Association (LSHA) to develop up to 28 new rooftop flats in the London Borough of Southwark the first ever development of this type in public-private partnership; is in advanced discussions with four Local Authorities regarding substantial airspace development schemes; is in advanced conversations with a number of major, household name retailers regarding developing the airspace above their property portfolios; recently won a WAN Urban Challenge Award, in recognition of Apexs innovative work to overcome Londons housing challenge. Arshad Bhatti, Managing Director of Apex Airspace said: "We are delighted to welcome Chris to the Board. His deep and broad expertise in UK residential development and infrastructure will stand us in good stead as we continue to build our first mover market presence in airspace development. With Chriss help, our focus now is on further building out the Board as we position Apex for the next stage of growth. Chris Phillips, Chairman, said: I chose to join Apex Airspace because they have a unique and tremendously exciting proposition, which they are building at pace. In realising value for freehold property owners by developing the airspace above their properties into saleable apartments, Apex have seized upon a compelling solution to Londons space and housing crisis. In a large and untapped market, they have first mover advantage. Apexs management team is dynamic, entrepreneurial and energetic. I look forward to working with them to further build the Board and drive the Company forward to its next phase of growth. Notes: Apex Airspace is a first mover in UK airspace development: realising value for freehold property owners from the airspace above their properties. Whilst roof or attic conversions are not new, Apex Airspace has brought a completely new approach to developing the space above existing rooftops from low-rise apartments to multi-storey residential towers, and to commercial and residential real estate portfolios. The Company takes on the entire development process and uses modular, off-site construction methods to reduce construction costs and also facilitates a rapid on-site installation, minimising disturbance to local residents and traffic. The Apex offering is to private residential freeholders, local authorities and housing associations and commercial/retail real estate owners, focussed in the first instance on London. The Company is receiving a large number of enquiries from owners looking to realise the untapped value of the airspace above their properties, driven by the significant supply / demand imbalance in Londons housing market. In its recent Housing White Paper, the Government signalled its support for modular construction and for building upwards in the drive to meet the countrys substantial housing requirements. The Company's first development, Wilmot Place in Camden, was completed in just 12 weeks. Last week Apex announced an 11.5 million deal with Lambeth & Southwark Housing Association to develop up to 28 new flats at an existing site in the London Borough of Southwark. In just its first year since launching, the Company has secured a pipeline of 105 homes, with a GDV of c. 64 million. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201706020052 PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 17:11:01 Almere, The Netherlands June 2, 2017 ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today announces that it will be hosting a technology seminar in Kyoto, Japan on Tuesday June 6, 2017, in conjunction with the VLSI Symposium. In this technology seminar, ASM will highlight the challenges and potential solutions for achieving next generation devices. The agenda is as follows: 6.00 pm Reception, drinks and food 6.40 - 6.45 pm Dr. Ivo Raaijmakers (ASM) - Welcome and introduction 6.45 - 7.15 pm Invited speaker: Dr. Tohru Mogami (PETRA) - "Introduction of silicon photonics technology" 7.15 - 7.45 pm Dr. Toshihisa Nozawa (ASM) - "ALD technologies for future Si devices" Following the presentations, there is room for open discussion and networking. The ASM technology seminar will take place in the Kokin room (5th floor) at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto. The room will open at 6:00 pm for invited attendees. Interested parties should contact Rosanne de Vries, +31 88 100 8569, rosanne.de.vries@asm.com. About ASM International ASM International NV, headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, its subsidiaries and participations design and manufacture equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International, its subsidiaries and participations provide production solutions for wafer processing (Front-end segment) as well as for assembly & packaging and surface mount technology (Back-end segment) through facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol ASM). For more information, visit ASMI's website at www.asm.com . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, epidemics and other risks indicated in the Company's reports and financial statements. The Company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances. CONTACT Rosanne de Vries T: +31 88 100 8569 M: +31 651 252 448 E: Rosanne.de.Vries@asm.com This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: ASM International NV via Globenewswire Organic Baby Food Market - BRIC Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015-2020 Research Report By Future Market Insights Organic Baby Food Market PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 07:42:14 Press Information Future Maket Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com press@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.com 3479183531 email Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 526 Words 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: www.futuremarketinsights.com3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Future Market Insights (FMI) has released a new report titled, Organic Baby Food Market - BRIC Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015-2020. According to the report, the global organic baby food market is expected to account for US$ 5.6 Bn by 2020, registering a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period. On the other hand, the BRIC organic baby food market is projected to reach US$ 3,528.7 Mn at a CAGR of 19.5% over the forecast period.Rapid urbanisation, rising parental concern to feed their child with healthy and chemical free products, health awareness programmes by regional governments, emphasis on natural nourishment, and aggressive product branding will contribute to drive the growth of the global organic baby food market over the forecast period.The BRIC organic baby food market is driven by factors, such as rising number of working mothers, increased organic components, harvesting, and government support in the form of subsidies and other benefits. Moreover, consumer demand for specialised and healthy products is expected to fuel the market growth of organic baby food in BRIC region.Ask For Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-br-333 The BRIC organic baby food market report mainly covers three segments: product type, distribution channel, and countries in BRIC region. On the basis of product, the market is further sub-segmented into milk formula organic baby food, ready to feed organic baby food, dried organic baby food, prepared organic baby food, and others. Milk formula organic baby food is expected to be the highest contributor to the market of BRICS organic baby food in terms of revenue, followed by prepared organic baby food. Milk formula organic baby food is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 20.3% through 2020 and reach a valuation of US$1,109.6 Mn.On the basis of distribution channel, the sub-segmentation comprises speciality outlet, supermarkets, internet or online selling, chemist/pharmacies/drugstores, and others. Among all the aforementioned distribution channels, the supermarket sub-segment is expected to dominate tAsk For Report Sample@ he market, accounting for US$ 1,414.6 Mn revenue by registering a CAGR of 21.2% in the forecasted period. The ease and convenience of buying products through internet will provide an impetus to the internet or online selling distribution channel and make it a favourable distribution channel for organic baby food, thereby accounting for 19.7% CAGR growth by 2020.Ask For More Information@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-br-333 Key countries for BRIC organic baby food market include India, China, Brazil and Russia. China represents the most lucrative market, followed by India. China is expected to contribute US$ 2,119.0 Mn revenue in the forecasted period. Growth of the market in China is supported by food safety issues. For example, thethe melamine scandal in baby food prompted consumers to turn towards healthy and hygienic food.Assessing the various factors driving this market, FMI Lead Analyst said, Increasing consumer awareness regarding benefits of greener products, rising parental concern, and doctors recommendation for organic baby food are expected to fuel the demand for organic baby food in BRIC.Key players profiled in this report include Nestle S.A, H.J. Heinz Company, Groupe Danone, British Biologicals, Abbott Laboratories, Bellamys Australia Limited, Campbell Soup Company, Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd and others. PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 16:01:02 Condair Announces: Joint Venture in Mexico Nortec Caine Ruckstuhl, +1 613-804-0987 Marketing Director (ASP) caine.ruckstuhl@humidity.com https://www.humidity.com Condair Group and its American Head Office in Ottawa, also responsible for the region of Latin America, are pleased to announce the creation of Condair Mexico through a joint venture with Mr. Leandro Oliveira, owner of Requilsa (based in Queretaro, Mexico). The creation of Condair MX, S.A.P.I. de C.V. reflects the consistent forward integration of Condair into promising geographic markets as well as the global strengthening of "Humidification and Evaporative Cooling" and in particular its service business. Condair has been involved in Latin America for decades. Requilsa played a large part in creating this foothold as a sales representative for Condair, Nortec and Draabe branded products for over five years, said Leandro Oliveira, Managing Director of the new entity. The joint venture marks a strong step forward for Condair in Mexico, the largest market in Latin America. The joint venture will allow Condair to deliver its state-of-the-art humidification and evaporative cooling solutions to key markets and industries throughout Mexico such as Healthcare, Electronics, Automotive, Aerospace, Agriculture and Food Manufacturing (storage), Printing and Packaging. Mexico has the sixth largest electronics industry in the world and is the second largest exporter of electronics to the United States an industry that requires strict humidification and temperature control for safe and efficient operations. The Latin American aerospace industry is also a rapidly growing market, requiring reliable static reduction for electronic components and spray booths, among other humidification demands. The creation of a local office in Mexico positions Condair for strategic growth in the Mexican markets and will enable also a cultural bridge and thus better possibilities to explore business opportunities into all other Latin American markets, said Duncan Curd, Head of Sales Cluster Americas of Condair Group. Condair S.A.P.I. will operate under the leadership of Mr. Leandro Oliveira. As from June 1st, Condair Mexico will cover all new humidification businesses and Requilsa will come up with all its duties like service, maintenance contracts, etc. matured before June 1st, 2017. The joint venture with Condair gathers all former employees of Requilsa under the Condair umbrella. The new Mexican Condair office will be strengthened by this teams dedication, persistence and continued support. Learn more about Condair in Mexico on our website: https://www.condair.mx/ About Condair Group With 700 employees, the Condair Group is the worlds leading manufacturer of commercial and industrial humidification systems, setting standards globally for energy-efficient and hygienic solutions through its main Condair brand. Condair is represented in 18 countries by its own sales and service organisations and is supported by distribution partners in a further 50 countries. Condair operates production sites in Europe, North America and China. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201706020050 PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-03 00:00:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 390 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Erin Ventures Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Victoria, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Erin Ventures Inc. (TSX Venture:EV). has issued a press release with the following headline:Erin Ventures Completes Private PlacementTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Erin Ventures Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Erin Ventures Inc.Source: Erin Ventures Inc. (TSX Venture: EV, WKN: A0CAFT, ISIN: CA29570H1010)Date: June 02, 2017Time: 6:00 PM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Erin Ventures Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 14:20:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 393 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for First Colombia Gold Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Nashville, TN (FSCWire) - First Colombia Gold Corp. (OTC Pink:FCGD). has issued a press release with the following headline:First Colombia Gold Corp Announces Coal Operations UpdateTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on First Colombia Gold Corp., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/First Colombia Gold Corp.Source: First Colombia Gold Corp. (OTC Pink: FCGD, ISIN: US3197142009, WKN: A112QT)Date: June 02, 2017Time: 8:20 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of First Colombia Gold Corp. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 14:44:02 WESTCHESTER, Ill., June 2, 2017 - Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, announced today that it has reached an agreement with the SOERM labor union in Argentina. "We have to come to a fair and equitable conclusion. Both of our manufacturing facilities in Argentina will remain open and will resume operations on June 4," said Jim Zallie, Ingredion executive vice president and president, Americas. Ingredion has manufacturing facilities in Baradero and Chacabuco and employs 698 people in Argentina. ABOUT INGREDION Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR) is a leading global ingredient solutions provider. We turn grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant materials into value-added ingredients and biomaterial solutions for the food, beverage, paper and corrugating, brewing and other industries. Serving customers in over 100 countries, our ingredients make crackers crunchy, yogurts creamy, candy sweet, paper stronger and add fiber to nutrition bars. Visit Ingredion.com to learn more. ### CONTACT: Investors: Heather Kos, 708-551-2592 Media: Claire Regan, 708-551-2602 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: Ingredion Incorporated via Globenewswire PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 13:00:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 409 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for M Pharmaceutical Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Cincinnati, Ohio (FSCWire) - M Pharmaceutical Inc. (CSE:MQ). has issued a press release with the following headline:M Pharmaceutical Inc. Engages Camargo Pharmaceutical Services to Develop Regulatory Strategy for Recently Patented Extrinsa for the Treatment of Female Sexual DysfunctionTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on M Pharmaceutical Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/M Pharmaceutical Inc.Source: M Pharmaceutical Inc. (CSE: MQ, OTCQB: MPHMF, FWB: T3F2.F, ISIN: A14RWC, WKN: CA55346E2050)Date: June 02, 2017Time: 7:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of M Pharmaceutical Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 14:15:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 388 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Novation Holdings Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Calgary, Alberta (FSCWire) - Novation Holdings Inc. (OTC Pink:NOHO). has issued a press release with the following headline:Novation Holdings Inc., Previews Cannabis Market WebsiteTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Novation Holdings Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Novation Holdings Inc.Source: Novation Holdings Inc. (OTC Pink: NOHO, ISIN: US66989U1097, WKN: A1J7YN)Date: June 02, 2017Time: 8:15 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Novation Holdings Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 10:01:03 Online printing offers even faster delivery for all products throughout the United Kingdom print24.com Introduces Its New Fast Delivery Service in the United Kingdom unitedprint.com SE Marcel Weyers 0049 (0)351 / 27225388 presse@unitedprint.com The online print shop UNITEDPRINT SE and its well-known brand print24.com is implementing its new standard and express delivery with even faster delivery times for its entire product portfolio throughout the United Kingdom! Starting from June 1, 2017, all products are now available with the new Fast Delivery Service, including Top sellers such as Posters, Flyers, Brochures and Business cards! The online printer promises one day faster delivery when ordering with standard or express delivery. print24.com matches the delivery times in the United Kingdom to the ones in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France. The customers will receive many Top sellers such as Flyers, Business cards and Postcards within four days when using standard shipping, within three days for express shipping and even within just one day when using priority shipping! We are very proud of being able to reduce the delivery times for all of our products without cutting down on quality or increasing prices, explains Ali Jason Bazooband, Managing Director for Innovation/Marketing of print24.com, Having said that, our Fast Delivery Service is available for all our customers throughout the United Kingdom! The new service is valid indefinitely for the entire range of products from print24.com without any surcharge or extra costs. print24.com is a UNITEDPRINT SE brand, a global and innovation-oriented e-commerce company for print and media. As one of Europes leading online print shops, UNITEDPRINT SE employs a staff of around 700 people and operates the renowned brands print24, Easyprint, Unitedprint, getprint, printwhat, FIRSTPRINT, DDK PRINT BIG, infowerk, and Unitedprint Shop Services (USS) in 26 locations worldwide (in Germany, 21 other European countries, and in Brazil, China, Canada, and the US). In addition to the standard print products, Unitedprint provides its customers with high-quality products and services ranging from textile printing, photo printing, large-format printing, advertising material, advertising equipment and the hospitality/gastronomy sectors. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201706020050 PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 10:02:02 Online printing offers even faster delivery for all products throughout Spain print24.com Introduces Its New Fast Delivery Service in Spain unitedprint.com SE Marcel Weyers 0049 (0)351 / 27225388 presse@unitedprint.com The online print shop UNITEDPRINT SE and its well-known brand print24.com is implementing its new standard and express delivery with even faster delivery times for its entire product portfolio throughout Spain! Starting from June 1, 2017, all products are now available with the new Fast Delivery Service, including Top sellers such as Posters, Flyers, Brochures and Business cards! The online printer promises one day faster delivery when ordering with standard or express delivery. We are very proud of being able to reduce the delivery times for all of our products without cutting down on quality or increasing prices, explains Ali Jason Bazooband, Managing Director for Innovation/Marketing of print24.com, Having said that, our Fast Delivery Service is available for all our customers throughout Spain! The new service is valid indefinitely for the entire range of products from print24.com without any surcharge or extra costs. print24.com is a UNITEDPRINT SE brand, a global and innovation-oriented e-commerce company for print and media. As one of Europes leading online print shops, UNITEDPRINT SE employs a staff of around 700 people and operates the renowned brands print24, Easyprint, Unitedprint, getprint, printwhat, FIRSTPRINT, DDK PRINT BIG, infowerk, and Unitedprint Shop Services (USS) in 26 locations worldwide (in Germany, 21 other European countries, and in Brazil, China, Canada, and the US). In addition to the standard print products, Unitedprint provides its customers with high-quality products and services ranging from textile printing, photo printing, large-format printing, advertising material, advertising equipment and the hospitality/gastronomy sectors. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201706020050 PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 08:32:01 Superior Industries Announces 240 million Debt Offering Superior Investor Relations: Troy Ford (248) 234-7104 www.supind.com or Clermont Partners Victoria Sivrais (312) 690-6004 vsivrais@clermontpartners.com Superior Industries International, Inc. (Superior) (NYSE:SUP), one of the largest manufacturers of aluminum wheels for customers serving the North American and European automotive markets, announced today that it intends to offer 240 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2025 (the "Notes"), subject to market and customary conditions, in an offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company and will be guaranteed, with certain exceptions, by Superiors existing and future domestic subsidiaries. The Company intends to use net proceeds from the offering of the Notes to repay a 240 million bridge loan that was entered into in conjunction with the purchase of outstanding shares of UNIWHEELS AG. This is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The Notes and related guarantees are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes and the related guarantees have not been registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from the Securities Act and applicable state securities or blue sky laws and foreign securities laws. About Superior Industries Superior is one of the largest global aluminum wheel suppliers for customers serving the North American and European automotive markets. Superior partners with its customers to provide the marketplace a wide variety of innovative and high quality products. Superior also maintains leading aftermarket European brands including ATS, RIAL, ALUTEC, and ANZIO. Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, Superior is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is a component of Standard & Poors Small Cap 600 and Russell 2000 Indices. For more information, visit www.supind.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201706010067 PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 09:09:01 Stock Exchange Release Talvivaara Mining Company Plc 2 June 2017 The Helsinki District Court has given its ruling on the disclosure case Talvivaara Mining Company Plc ("Talvivaara" or "Company") has been informed about the decision regarding charges related to Talvivaara's disclosure practices. The Helsinki District Court ("Court") has given a suspended sentence to CEO Pekka Pera for disclosure offenses during 2012-2013. Of the ten charges concerning Mr. Pera, seven were dismissed in their entirety and one partially. The other defendants, former CEO of the Company Harri Natunen and the Company's former CFO / Deputy CEO Ms. Saila Miettinen-Lahde were given fines. The Court ordered the Company to 50 000 EUR corporate fines, which according to the Company is however considered restructuring debt. The Company and the defendants continue assessing the ruling and its merits, and it is likely that the handling of the case will continue at the Helsinki Court of Appeals. In addition, the Helsinki District Court gave a decision on the charges against a member of the Company's Executive Committee on the misuse of inside information and gave to the Executive Committee member a suspended sentence for misuse inside information. The Company was not involved in the matter. In Talvivaara's view, the decisions by the District Court have no effect on the Company or its financial position nor do they give any reason to reassess the position of the CEO. Enquiries Talvivaara Mining Company Plc Tel +358 20 7129 800 Mr. Tapani Jarvinen, Chairman of the Board 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: Talvivaaran Kaivososakeyhtio Oyj via Globenewswire PR-Inside.com: 2017-06-02 13:00:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 390 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Theralase Technologies Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX Venture:TLT). has issued a press release with the following headline:Theralase Commences Trading on OTCQXTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Theralase Technologies Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Theralase Technologies Inc.Source: Theralase Technologies Inc. (TSX Venture: TLT, OTCQX: TLTFF, ISIN: CA88337V1004, WKN: A0DLB7)Date: June 02, 2017Time: 7:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Theralase Technologies Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) 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. Tweet this: For the second year in a row, Margaret Sheehan Jones of Parkside Realty has earned the Top Producer for Flagler County from the #CFCAR! #FlaglerCounty By: Parkside Realty Group Margaret Sheehan Jones with her 2016 Top Producer Flagler County award. Contact Margaret Sheehan Jones ***@marketing2go.biz Margaret Sheehan Jones End -- Margaret Sheehan Jones, a CCIM at Parkside Realty Group in their commercial division, has earned the '2016 Top Producer Flagler County' award at the recent Central Florida Commercial Association of REALTORS (CFCAR) awards reception. This award is presented annually to the commercial realtor who has achieved the highest sales volume in Flagler County. Margaret earned the award for the second year in a row.The awards banquet was held at the elite private Citrus Club in Orlando on April 18, 2017."The market in 2016 was much more active, with significantly more transactions and more competition,"said Margaret Sheehan Jones. "I was surprised and delighted once again to have earned this prestigious award," she added. Margaret also shared that Flagler County had a positive population growth with a strong development in retail. She said that her business grew approximately 15% from 2015 to 2016, correlating with the growth and market activity. "Commercial development follows rooftops," said Margaret. "This created a positive dynamic in our market," Margaret added. She also added that she's seen a significant uptick in industrial development the first four months of the year, as well as innovative trends in the office market such as Ripple Coworking on A1A in Flagler Beach.Awards were given to Top Producers in each county as well as five regional awards for the specialty areas of industrial, investment, land, office and retail sales. There were also two specialty nominated awards, REALTOR of the Year and Affiliate of the Year._____________About Margaret Sheehan JonesMargaret Sheehan Jones is a trained and licensed realtor working exclusively in the Flagler and Volusia Counties in East-Central Florida. Her territory encompasses cities and towns in St. Johns, Volusia, and Flagler Counties, which boast some of the best Florida commercial and residential real estate for sale in Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, Ormond by the Sea, Bunnell, St. Augustine and Flagler Beach. A CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) is a recognized expert in the commercial and investment real estate industry. The CCIM designation is earned after successfully completing a designation process that ensures CCIMs are proficient not only in theory, but also in practice. Margaret is the only CCIM in Flagler County and the corps of CCIMs includes brokers, leasing professionals, investment counselors, asset managers, appraisers, corporate real estate executives, property managers, developers, institutional investors, commercial lenders, attorneys, bankers, and other allied professionals.About Parkside Realty GroupParkSide Realty Group opened their doors in 2010 and have 20 real estate agents on staff, including a CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member). Each agent has their own area of expertise in the Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell area. All are Flagler County residents, and many grew up in the area or have been locals for 10 years or more.Parkside Realty Group is located at 145 City Place, Suite 104 in Palm Coast. They can be reached at 386-302-0300 or online at https://www.facebook.com/ parksiderealtygroup "Quick Trip Around the World" Features Exotic Animals & Landscapes By: Carry Out Cafe & Catering Contact Julie Cook ***@cookbowe.com Julie Cook End -- Take a "Quick Trip Around the World" at Carry Out Cafe & Catering in Newburyport, MA in a new solo exhibition of photos by veteran traveler Paula Wright. Her work is currently on display through June.The public is invited to travel vicariously, enjoy refreshments, and hear about the photographer's adventures in getting the shots.A Newbury, MA resident, Wright has visited all seven continents and more than 70 countries, often through package tours with Road Scholar, an education-based travel company for active adults. Her love of travel is something she shared with her late husband Dick, who asked that she promise to continue traveling and pursuing her passion even after he passed.Wright got the photography bug before she retired from a long career in corporate management for General Electric. "I rarely use fancy equipment or removable lens just a bridge camera, which has a zoom capability to vary from 24-2000 mm," she explained.The images on display were taken in Tanzania, Bhutan, Costa Rica, Antarctica, the Arctic, Morocco, Manitoba, Madagascar, and the United States. In addition to gorgeous scenery, she's captured birds, giraffes, lions, elephants, polar bears, black-faced monkeys, and a red-eyed tree frog on film. All images are printed on canvas and can be purchased. Wright will also take orders for specific images and sizes."We've had great interest in these images from our customers. It's not every day that you get to see such magnificent creatures up close or to see stunning sites from distant lands in a local cafe. We are glad to share Paula's talent and stories," said Paula Simpson, owner of Carry Out Cafe & Catering.When asked about her favorite travel memories, places or images, Wright cannot pick just one. "I love wildlife. I've seen lions happily rubbing their backs in Tanzania and been charged by an elephant in Botswana. Another was bumping into our tent while grabbing fruit from the tree which hung over it. I've been lucky to view the beauty and variety of nature, including the wonder of Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe and the millions of penguins in Antarctica,"she said. Perhaps her favorite adventure is yet to come on her next trip.Located at 155 State Street in Newburyport, MA, Carry Out Cafe & Catering ( http://www.carryoutcafe.com ) offers soups, sandwiches, daily specials and freshly prepared packaged meals-to-go. The comfortable cafe features artwork by local artists. Carry Out Cafe also provides boutique catering for corporate conferences, weddings, funerals, special events, parties, fundraisers, and other functions. With an extensive menu, helpful staff, and unparalleled attention to detail, Carry Out Cafe & Catering will make your next meal or event one to remember! DIY Idea Center highly recommends Aroma Bravo for the premium quality and mellow chocolatey flavor of its Honduras whole bean coffee. Contact Charles C Harmon Co LLC ***@gmail.com 888-582-6650 Charles C Harmon Co LLC888-582-6650 End -- The full review of Aroma Bravo's Honduras whole bean coffee have just been published on DIYIdeaCenter.com. DIY Idea Center is a high-traffic website that provides useful do-it-yourself tips and recommends products for better living. To be reviewed on the site is a great opportunity for Aroma Bravo Coffee and Tea to reach more gourmet coffee lovers online."The site is visited by millions of users every day so it is a huge honor for us to be featured. DIY Idea Center is definitely the perfect place to share our Honduras whole bean coffee with our fellow coffee aficionados around the world," remarked a spokesperson for Aroma Bravo.The product review was written by Jessica Carpender, editor at DIYIdeaCenter.com. She praised the coffee for its mellow chocolatey taste and even advised users to make their own DIY gourmet coffee using the whole coffee beans."Avoid the lines at the coffee shop by DIY-ing some gourmet coffee at home. Using a French press or percolator can give you the quality of a coffee shop drink anytime it pleases you. Choosing high-quality coffee beans like these will give you the special treat that you're craving at any time of day," Carpender wrote.The entire team at Aroma Bravo Coffee and Tea was delighted to read the full review. They are optimistic that the editor's recommendation will generate a good buzz for the company."DIY Idea Center is a trusted authority when it comes to DIY tips and product reviews. It's not every day that you get to be featured on a popular website like this, so this review will certainly make coffee lovers more aware of our Honduras whole bean coffee. We're very excited to see the positive results in the coming weeks," the Aroma Bravo spokesperson added.Gourmet coffee lovers can read the full product review at http://aromabravo.com/ Aroma Bravo is a USDA organic seller of Honduras whole bean coffee. Highly rated for its smooth and well-balanced flavor, Aroma Bravo Coffee is a must-have for coffee lovers. By: Florida Properties Group Elizabeth (Betsy) Morgan, Vice President of Investor Services End -- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group has acquired the business of Tampa Bay Rental Solutions, a full service property management company specializing in residential rental properties in the Tampa Bay region. The acquisition reflects Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group's growth, strength and success in residential management in Tampa Bay, where the company is a premier provider of property management and leasing services."We are excited to combine forces with Tampa Bay Rental Solutions and expand our inventory, management team and footprint in the Tampa Bay market," said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group Broker/Owner Dewey Mitchell. "We are on a mission to help our customers succeed and we offer a class of property management services that are unmatched in the area."Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group's residential property management division provides personalized professional services for single-family homes and condominiums including marketing, tenant screening, leasing, maintenance, property reviews and accounting. Under the leadership of Elizabeth Morgan, Vice President of Investor Services and Kathleen Gaspari, Supervisor of Investor Services, the company offers the area's most desirable rentals."Whether it is a single-family residence or condominium, most owners need the support of a professional team to assist in finding suitable tenants as well as maintaining the property," said Allen Crumbley, Broker/Owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group. "Our residential management company is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the value of our clients' properties while generating the highest possible return on their investment. Our company can also assist in locating the perfect rental to suit every need."Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group's residential property management division is the only residential management company in the Tampa Bay area to hold the CRMCdesignation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM), a residential property management association that promotes a high standard of business ethics, professionalism and fair housing practices."We are very proud of our CRMCdesignation,"said Morgan. "We are a leading property management division with approximately 2,000 excellent properties in the Tampa Bay area."For more information about Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group's property management services, call (727) 835-3040 or visit www.rentahomewithus.com If there was any question about the ability of books to generate excitement among the attendees of this years BookExpo, one need look no further than what happened at Wednesday nights Buzz Panel, where booksellers pushed and shoved their way into a scrum to get galleys of the five books touted at the event. Though the show floor was much more serene, booksellers were still scrambling to get galleys by marquee authors and newcomers. Among the new names generating excitement was A.J. Finn, the pseudonym for publishing veteran (and HarperCollins v-p and executive editor) Dan Mallory. A buzz panel selection, Mallory/Finns The Woman in the Window (Jan. 2018), has all the trappings of a big book: its already sold for film (to Fox 2000) and was acquired (by William Morrow) just before the 2016 Frankfurt Book Fair for a rumored seven figures. Drawing comparisons to Hitchcock and Hawkins (Paula, that is), the novel follows a recently divorced woman with agoraphobia who spies on her neighbors. Liate Stehlik, senior v-p and publisher at HarperCollins, said everyone she gives the book to is enamored with it. Its a special book with the kind of magic you cannot manufacture. Another buzz panel selection being talked up on the show floor: Gabriel Tallents debut, My Absolute Darling. Riverhead, which publishes the book in August, gave away over 500 galleys at the show; the imprints associate publisher, Jynne Martin, said the book is an absolutely huge one for us this year. Anne Holman, co-owner of the Kings English bookstore in Salt Lake City, Utah, said everyone at her store is talking about the novel, which theyre comparing to A Little Life. Holman said the book is at once horrifying and beautiful and completely unforgettable. Among the books at the show being compared to The Handmaids Tale (and there were a few), one stood out: Leni Zumas Red Clocks. Lee Boudreaux, who is publishing the novel through her eponymous imprint at Little, Brown, in January, said the book, set in an America where abortion is illegal, is about what it means to be a mother. Debut authors were not the only ones on booksellers minds. John Grishams latest, Camino Island (Doubleday), which he signed finished copies of on Thursday (since the book just went on sale), is something of a love letter to the bookselling community. About a rare books dealer in Florida, the novel is the first title hes touring for in 25 years. Why now? A rep at Doubleday said the tour is meant to be a gift to booksellers, for all the support theyve given Grisham throughout his career. Books by three other heavy hitters were being stuffed into numerous totebags: Jeffrey Eugenidess Fresh Complaint (FSG, Oct.), Nicole Krausss Forest Dark (Harper, Sept.) and Jennifer Egans Manhattan Beach (Scribner, Oct.). Eugenidess first story collection, Fresh Complaint, was written over 30 years, according to FSG publicity director Jeff Seroy. As Seroy put it, the collection allows fans of the Pulitzer Prize-winner to dip in and out of his work: Its like having Eugenides tapas, instead of a full course meal. Forest Dark is the most anticipated book of the fall season for Anmiryam Budner, at Main Point Books in Wayne, Pa. Harper sales rep Carla Parker said the novel, about a 68-year-old retired lawyer going through various life changes, is something people were asking about all day. The first question I got this morning was: When can I start lining up? At Scribner, in addition to Manhattan Beach, the other galley flying off tables was Jesmyn Wards Sing, Unburied, Sing (Sept.). Ward, who signed 200 ARCs Thursday afternoon, was called the new Toni Morrison by Betsy Burton, the ABAs outgoing president and a bookseller at the Kings English. A rep at the S&S imprint said the reception of Ward and Egan's books has affirmed that we're publishing two of the most anticipated novels this fall. Click here to see the big children's and YA books at the show. Correction: An earlier version of this story referred to an S&S rep talking about the reception of books by Jessmyn Ward and Nicole Krauss. He was speaking about the reception of books by Ward and Jennifer Egan. Additionally, an earlier reference to Leni Zumas' novel, Red Clocks, being a debut has been updated; the novel is not a debut. In collaboration with Media Networks, Telefonicas B2B unit, Turner is reinforcing its presence in Peru, which is among the companys most important markets. We have great expectations for Turners development in Peru. Its a market that has been experiencing great growth in the last year, a growth we have been able to capitalise on through our alliance with Media Networks and our innovative proposal, said Felipe de Stefani, senior VP of regional sales for Latin America, Turner Turner claims to be leading the 18-49 demographic, with a 24% share for men and 23% for women. In addition, TNT, Cartoon Network, Space and Boomerang are among Perus most watched pay-TV channels. In fact, Cartoon Network is the second most-watched signal among kids aged four to 11.We are very satisfied with the alliance with Turner , a group delivering high quality content across several platforms which enables us to offer our clients multiple possibilities to reach consumers, said Fernando Espinoza, commercial director, Media Networks.For 2017, Turner will increase its original Latin American productions including TNTs La Fragilidad de los Cuerpos and Un Gallo para Esculapio TNT, Spaces El Cesar and Pacto de Sangre, and Americas Funniest Videos for TBS.Peru is one of the fastest-growing markets for Turner. With two million subscribers and a year-on-year growth of 10%, Turner is a leading content provider with 15 signals, added Bernardo Benedit, VP, advertising sales for Latin America, Turner. The Afghan president and the top United Nations representative to the country have appealed for calm after four people were reported killed amid confrontations between police and antigovernment protesters in Kabul. Meanwhile, a leading human rights group criticized the use of "excessive force on the protesters, who were demanding the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani's government two days after a deadly truck-bomb blast in the Afghan capital. "Peaceful protest is the civic right of the people and the government supports that," said a statement issued by Ghani's office several hours after the June 2 violence erupted. It added that the Afghan government is committed to listening to peoples demands and that it will consider logical demands after receiving them. The statement also said that the government "regrets" the deaths and injuries of a number of citizens at the protest. The UN secretary-generals special representative for Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, also appealed for restraint in a statement. The anger expressed by the protesters is fully understandable, said Yamamoto, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). But he added that this tragic week has already added too much civilian suffering to Afghanistan, and further violence will not solve any problems. "I strongly discourage any actor from seeking opportunistically to use these very emotional and fragile moments to destabilize the situation and risk further harm to civilians," the UN envoy also said. Earlier, police in riot gear fired into the air and used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters and prevent them from marching toward the presidential palace. Some reports said police also opened fire at protesters who tried to advance toward the building. Health Ministry spokesman Waheed Majrooh told RFE/RL that four people were killed and eight injured at the protest. Mohammad Alam Izadyar, the first deputy chairman of the Afghan Senate, told RFE/RL that his son, Salem Izadyar, was injured in the protest and taken to a hospital, where he died. It was not immediately clear how he was injured. Some protesters threw stones at police, and the deputy interior minister for security, General Murad Ali Murad, told reporters that a number of individuals who carried weapons and aimed to disrupt peace at the protest were arrested. Afghan media outlet Tolonews quoted protesters as saying that six of them were detained by police. Amnesty International criticized the use of "excessive and fatal force on protesters," saying it illustrates the authorities contempt for the lives of ordinary people. While there are reports that a minority of protesters used violence including throwing stones at the police, this does not justify such an excessive and deadly response, the London-based group's South Asia Director Biraj Patnaik said in a statement. Patnaik added that authorities should ensure that those responsible for deaths are brought to justice. The chaotic scenes unfolded after more than 1,000 protesters gathered near the site of the May 31 morning rush-hour attack that killed at least 90 people and wounded more than 460, most of them civilians. The deadliest bombing in the capital since a U.S.-led invasion drove the Taliban from power in 2001, it compounded questions about the Western-backed government's ability to protect citizens from militant groups including the Taliban and Islamic State (IS). Some protesters carried pictures of victims of the attack, many of whom were women and children. Others carried antigovernment signs and banners, including one that said: As long as Ghani is in the [presidential palace], there is death. "Ghani! Abdullah! Resign! Resign!" read one poster -- a reference to Chani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, who have led the beleaguered country under a power-sharing deal hammered out after a bitter and disputed election in 2014. Protester Ahmad Saeedi told RFE/RL that the demonstrators wanted "justice." "The authorities are incompetent," he said, adding that they should resign. "People dont trust these leaders anymore. They have to give up power," Saeedi said. No group has claimed responsibility for the May 31 bombing, and the Taliban has denied involvement. Reuters has reported that Afghanistan's main intelligence agency, the National Directorate for Security, believes it was carried out by the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network with assistance from Pakistan -- a charge also leveled by some former Afghan officials. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, Tolonews, The Washington Post, and AFP Ninety-year-old Volha Barouskaya is the last known living witness to one of the atrocities of the Stalin era. As a girl, she stumbled on a mass killing of prisoners in the Kurapaty woods near Minsk, the site of thousands of executions by the Soviet secret police. (RFE/RL's Belarus Service) State media in Turkmenistan report that a new government body to fight economic crimes has been established in the tightly controlled Central Asian country. The reports on June 2 said that President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov signed a decree establishing the State Service for Fighting Economic Crimes. The former chief of the Customs Service, Colonel Mammetkhan Chakiyev, was appointed to run it. Berdymukhammedov also moved Supreme Court Chairman Begench Charyiev to the post of director of the Presidential Institute for Democracy and Human Rights. In a job swap, Charyiev was replaced by Klychmyrad Khallyiev, who had led the democracy and rights institute. The reshuffle comes less than a month after Berdymukhammedov sacked the prosecutor-general for "failing to fight corruption among law enforcement officers." Berdymukhammedov has ruled the gas-rich former Soviet republic with an iron fist since the death of his autocratic predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, in December 2006. Rights groups and government critics say the principles of human rights and democracy are routinely abused by Berdymukhammedov's government. For years, analysts and journalists have chronicled in laborious detail the failings which, they argue, render Yunus-Bek Yevkurov unfit to remain any longer in the post of Republic of Ingushetia head. But Yevkurov's second term is not due to expire until September 2018, and the consensus is that in the run-up to his own anticipated reelection in March, Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to risk precipitating political upheaval in Ingushetia by dismissing him. That widely-held perception has not, however, deterred Yevkurov's longtime critics, several of whom have publicly endorsed the demand by human rights defender Magomed Mutsolgov in February that Yevkurov and the republican government resign. The criticisms leveled against Yevkurov fall into three main categories. The first is the inefficiency of the police and security services, in particular their clumsy and brutal response to the threat posed by Islamic militants. The second is the region's stagnating economy, and the third, Yevkurov's apparent lack of sound judgment. It was the exponential rise in the mid-2000s of abductions by Interior Ministry and FSB personnel from both Ingushetia and neighboring North Ossetia of young Ingush men, and the targeted killings in retaliation of Ingush police and security personnel by Ingush militants aligned with the Chechen resistance, that impelled then-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to appoint Yevkurov, a career military intelligence officer, as Ingushetia's leader in October 2008. Since then, despite a failed car bomb attempt to assassinate Yevkurov in June 2009, the level of violence has fallen dramatically, from 134 fighters and security personnel killed and 192 wounded in 2010 to just 15 killed in 2016. Ingush Interior Minister Lieutenant General Aleksandr Trofimov claimed credit for that trend on more than one occasion. Those statistics, however, masked several parallel disquieting trends: the Interior Ministry's failure to crack down on endemic corruption and rising crime; its poor record in solving crimes; the continued abductions and subsequent disappearances of suspected Islamic militants; and arbitrary and disproportionate police brutality. It was a high-profile death under police interrogation that finally served as the catalyst for Trofimov's dismissal in early May. In July 2016, Magomed Daliyev, 50, died in a police precinct after reportedly having been beaten and subjected to electric shocks during questioning about a robbery at the bank where his wife worked as a teller. Yevkurov's request that the federal Interior Ministry Main Directorate for the North Caucasus launch a probe into the circumstances of Daliyev's death led to the arrest of three Interior Ministry personnel, including Timur Khamkhoyev, head of the Ministry's Counterextremism Center. It could be argued in Yevkurov's defense that the interior ministries of the various federation subjects answer not to the governor of the republic head in question, but to Moscow. The same cannot be said, however, for other members of the republic's government, in particular those responsible for the economy. One of the smallest of Russia's federation subjects, with a population of under half a million, Ingushetia is partly mountainous and has little in the way of natural resources except for modest quantities of oil that Rosneft is engaged in extracting. For years, the sporadic low-level fighting in Ingushetia and neighboring Chechnya served as a deterrent to investment. True, since Yevkurov's appointment the level of federal subsidies in the annual budget has declined from 96 percent in 2009 to 82 percent in 2015. And in 2016, the region notched up 11.7 percent GDP growth and a 16 percent increase in agricultural output, Yevkurov informed Putin during a meeting in January 2017. But those increases have done little to reduce Ingushetia's lag behind other republics. And unemployment, although down, is still over 30 percent. The limited opportunities for economic development are further undermined by widespread official corruption and inefficiency. In summer 2013, Ingush oppositionist Daud Garakoyev cited statistics compiled by Russia's Audit Chamber revealing the embezzlement of 350 million rubles ($6.16 million) allocated for investment in agriculture and a further 30 million rubles earmarked for youth programs, with 600 million rubles to reduce unemployment unaccounted for. In a subsequent interview, Garakoyev estimated the total amount stolen over the previous five years at 20 billion rubles, or more than Ingushetia's annual budget of 18 billion rubles. One year later, in the summer of 2014, the Audit Chamber calculated that in 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, a total of 1.3 billion rubles in subsidies from the federal center was spent for purposes other than those for which it had been allocated. Efforts to minimize such large-scale theft and waste have had little effect. Over the past 12 months two senior officials -- former Security Council Secretary Akhmed Dzeytov and Construction Minister Mustafa Buruzhev -- have been charged with embezzling 6.4 million rubles and 54 million rubles, respectively. The construction by a company affiliated with then-Prime Minister Abubakar Malsagov of housing for orphans that proved to be unfit for habitation may have contributed to Yevkurov's decision in November to dismiss the entire cabinet and appoint a new prime minister. (The reason he cited was that many ministers were "tired" and no longer able to discharge their duties effectively.) Whether Malsagov's successor, Ruslan Gagiyev, will prove a more effective economic manager is an open question: he is an expert lawyer whose most recent position was deputy parliament speaker. One of Gagiyev's first moves was to insist that in future all orders should be issued in written form, not orally. That cabinet reshuffle reportedly encompassed one of the bizarre and inappropriate decisions to which Yevkurov is seemingly prone: he is said to have appointed an Ossetian, Vadim Tsarakov, as one of Ingushetia's seven deputy prime ministers. The Ingush still harbor a collective grievance against the Ossetians dating back to the conflict in late 1992 in which hundreds of Ingush were killed and thousands more expelled at gunpoint from North Ossetia's Prigorodny Raion. That district had been part of the territory of the Checheno-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic until the deportation to Central Asia in February 1944 at the behest of Soviet leader Josef Stalin of the entire Chechen and Ingush nations, and many Ingush families had resettled there following their return from exile. The unconfirmed reports of Tsarakov's appointment triggered outraged protests on social media, after which Yevkurov publicly denied having even considered it. Other initiatives by Yevkurov have proven similarly ill-judged. A prime example is his stated intention in early 2016 to force the resignation of Ingushetia's chief mufti, Issa-hadzhi Khamkhoyev, and abolish the muftiate, neither of which was within his competence. In early May, Putin named Major General Dmitry Kava, a Russian from Siberia, to succeed Trofimov as Republic of Ingushetia interior minister. If Kava succeeds in putting a stop to the worst excesses committed by his subordinates and reversing the steady increase in serious crime, that may be enough to ensure that Yevkurov remains in his post until September 2018. Whether Putin will propose him for a third successive term, as he did Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov last year, is questionable, however. Meanwhile, Ingushetia's two main opposition forces, the Mekhk Kkhel or shadow parliament established in 2008 and the more recent Council of Teyps (extended clans) of the Ingush People, have announced their merger. Their publicly stated rationale is to promote the development of civil society, but it is no secret that in the event that direct elections for the post of republic head are reinstated, they will nominate their own candidate. The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL An assassination attempt on a Chechen man whom Russian authorities accuse of plotting to kill President Vladimir Putin failed in Kyiv on June 1 after the victims wife returned gunfire and wounded the would-be assassin. Adam Osmayev sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest before his wife, Amina Okuyeva, fired back at the alleged shooter, hitting him in the arm, leg, and hip, Kyiv police said. A spokesman for the Ukrainian Interior Ministry identified the alleged shooter as Russian national Artur Denisultanov-Kurmakayev, and said authorities were looking into how he obtained a Ukrainian passport. Both of the men are said to be in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. In an incident that resembled a spate of gangland-style killings in the 1990s, a man who had posed as Alex Werner, a journalist from the French newspaper Le Monde, arranged to meet Osmayev, a former student at the prestigious Wycliffe College boarding school in Gloucestershire, England. The suspect and Osmayev, along with Okuyeva, met in a car ostensibly to drive to the French Embassy in the Ukrainian capital to conduct the interview when the assailant pulled out a gun and shot Osmayev, who like his wife was born in Russia's southern republic of Chechnya. In a video interview after the incident, Okuyeva said the man had told them his editors had sent a "gift" for them that they would "like very much" and presented a box. "When he opened it, I spotted a Glock pistol," said Okuyeva, who like her husband spent time among pro-Kyiv forces fighting Russia-backed separatists after war broke out in Ukraine's east. "He immediately grabbed it and started shooting at Adam." But Okuyeva said afterward that she always carries a gun that she was awarded by the Ukrainian authorities for her service "on my belt along with a spare magazine." She said the gunman "fired a few shots before I fired back at him," adding that her gun jammed after she fired her third shot. Okuyeva said she "pounced on him with my bare hands and he dropped his gun" before she and her husband pushed him out of the car. She then began to treat her husband's wounds, she said. In a post on Facebook, Okuyeva thanked supporters for their thoughts and prayers. By the Grace of the Almighty everything is all right. Adams condition is serious but stable, she added. She later said her husband was "conscious -- understands everything, but could not yet speak because of the ventilator." She also quoted doctors saying the suspected gunman had been struck by a bullet in the spine, adding, "I'm glad that he got what he deserved from my hand." Photos published by Ukraines RBC news agency showed the alleged shooter and a Ukrainian passport naming him as Oleksandr Dakar. Artem Shevchenko, communications director for Ukraines Interior Ministry, said in a Facebook post that the passport in Dakar's name suggested the suspect had repeatedly crossed the border into Belarus and Russia. "A Russian trail of blood in this crime is as obvious as the blood stains on Aminas clothing from the [attacker]," Shevchenko said, adding the incident was an "audacious and insidious enemy attack on patriots of Ukraine." Anton Herashchenko, a lawmaker and adviser to Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, added that police were looking into all possible motives for the assassination attempt but said it appeared to fit with a series of killings and foiled plots between 2014 and 2017 in which authorities found a Russian trace. But Pavlo Danyukov, deputy chief of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) branch in Kyiv, said on June 2 that there was no confirmed evidence of Russia's involvement in the attack, according to Current Time TV, the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL and VOA. Herashchenko said the gun used by Okuyeva had been given to her by Avakov as a gift for her service in the Kyiv-2 police battalion in eastern Ukraine, where she and Osmayev fought against Russia-backed separatists. Osmayev, who speaks fluent English with a slight Russian accent, made headlines when he was detained by Ukrainian authorities in Odesa in February 2012 and charged with illegal explosives possession, damaging private property, and forgery. At the request of Russian authorities, he was later charged with plotting to kill Putin. The European Court of Human Rights recommended that Ukraine not extradite Osmayev to Russia, after which Kyiv decided to suspend the extradition process. In September 2013, a Russian court sentenced the second suspect in the case, Ilya Pyanzin, to 10 years in prison following his extradition by Ukraine to Russia. Osmayev was released from Ukrainian custody in November 2014, after more than 2 1/2 years in jail in connection with the initial charges. In February 2015, Osmayev became a commander of the volunteer Dzhokhar Dudayev battalion fighting Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine after the death of its previous commander, Isa Munayev. In an interview with the Irish Times shortly afterward, Osmayev said he and other Chechens had joined the pro-Kyiv side to fight for the Chechen cause, which is also the Ukrainian cause and the European cause. If Ukraine is strong and free it can change Russia, and bring freedom to Chechnya in some years, he added. With reporting by CurrentTime TV, Interfax, and The Telegraph European Council President Donald Tusk said the European Union and China were increasing cooperation to fight climate change following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate deal. We are convinced that yesterday's decision by the United States to leave the Paris agreement is a big mistake, Tusk said on June 2 following a EU-China summit in Brussels. The fight against climate change, and all the research, innovation, and technological progress it will bring, will continue, with or without the United States," said Tusk, standing alongside Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang. In their meeting, the EU and Chinese leaders committed to cutting back on fossil fuels and developing more green technology, reports said. But the sides failed to formally endorse a final communique due to a dispute about trade ties. Tusks remarks added to a wave of international condemnation of Trump's move, with U.S. allies and rivals alike decrying his decision. Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal in an address at the White House on June 1, saying the accord "punished" the United States and would cost millions of American jobs. He added that he was ready to negotiate a new agreement or reenter the accord on improved terms. The Paris accord committed 188 states to keeping rising global temperatures "well below" 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and "endeavor to limit" them even more, to 1.5 degrees Celsius above those levels. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman said it is "a major disappointment" that the United States was leaving the agreement. China's government, which even before Trump's decision had pledged to work with European nations to recommit to the climate accord, called the U.S. withdrawal a "global setback," according to state news agency Xinhua. In a statement to the parliament in Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the move "very regrettable," and said nothing would stop those who supported the accord. Merkel pledged her country's continued commitment to the 2015 agreement, calling it a "cornerstone" of attempts to protect international efforts to fight global warming. "There is no plan B because there is no planet B," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a televised address. "We will not renegotiate a less ambitious accord. There is no way." Russian President Vladimir Putin said he "would not judge" the U.S. president for quitting the Paris accord and called for a constructive dialogue on efforts needed to curb global warming. It seems to me that now is not the time to make noise about it, but rather to create conditions for joint work," Putin told an economic forum in St. Petersburg. Putin also said the Paris deal was a good document, but that Moscow had not ratified it because it was waiting for technical details to be settled. Meanwhile, Indian Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said the government was committed to the Paris climate accord "irrespective of the stand of anyone, anywhere in the world." At home in the United States, Trump got a mixed reaction, with Republicans in Congress praising his boldness and rejecting what they called a "raw deal" for the United States. But Democrats deplored his move as a "tragedy for the environment" and an "abdication of leadership" on the world stage. Former U.S. President Barack Obama, who agreed to the Paris accord, criticized the decision, accusing his successor's administration of "rejecting the future." The Paris document says that a country seeking to leave the pact can only give notice three years after the date it entered into force -- November 16, 2016 for the United States. The process of departing the agreement then lasts for another year, meaning it would not be finalized until just weeks after the U.S. presidential election in 2020. In explaining his decision to walk away from the agreement, Trump said the Paris accord would undermine the U.S. economy, cost U.S. jobs, weaken American national sovereignty, and put the country at a permanent disadvantage to the other countries of the world. "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris," he also proclaimed. But he got blow back even from the mayor of Pittsburgh, which during the 20th century made its mark as a major producer of steel but today prides itself as a "green" city that is committed to environmental and technological progress. "Pittsburgh stands with the world and will follow the Paris Agreement," the city's mayor, Bill Peduto, tweeted. In a television interview, Vice President Mike Pence defended Trumps decision, saying the Paris deal "really put an extraordinary burden on the economy. "It was a transfer of wealth from the most powerful economy in the world to other countries around the planet," he said. And Secretary of State Rex Tillerson downplayed the impact of Trump's move, saying the United States will pursue its efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The United States has a terrific record on reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions," Tillerson told reporters. "That was done in the absence of a Paris agreement. I don't think we're going to change our ongoing efforts to reduce those emissions in the future. However, several major U.S. business leaders were adamant in criticizing the Trump administration's move. "Today's decision is a setback for the environment and for the U.S.'s leadership position in the world," Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein wrote on Twitter. Meanwhile, entrepreneur and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger said they would leave White House advisory councils after Trump's move. With reporting by Reuters, AP, dpa, AFP, BBC, RIA, and Interfax Iraqi forces have taken one of the four remaining districts under control of the extremist group Islamic State (IS) in west Mosul, military officials say. Counterterrorism Service (CTS) units on June 2 captured the Sihha district as U.S.-led forces battle in what they hope will be the final campaign to drive the militants out of Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city and the last significant IS stronghold in the country. By taking Sihha, Iraqi forces have reduced IS territory in the northern city to three districts along the Tigris River's west bank. IS fighters have yet to be cleared from the crowded Old City and parts of Zanjili district as well as the medical sector. Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat of the federal police said his forces "continue to advance cautiously and have imposed their control over 40 percent of the Zanjili neighborhood." Military officials say Iraqi troops are facing significant resistance from the remaining IS fighters who are holding out among an estimated 200,000 civilians. Brigadier General Haidar al-Obeidi of the elite CTS force told AFP news agency that his troops have avoided entering the Old City for now because of the tightness of the area and the presence of a number of residents and fear of injuries and damage...to civilians and buildings. Should Mosul fall to the Iraqi forces, it would represent a massive blow to the IS extremists. Mosul was the city where leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared his so-called "caliphate" nearly three years ago. Iraqi forces, backed by U.S. and coalition air support, began in October the battle to liberate Mosul. The eastern half of Mosul was retaken earlier this year, and troops are facing fierce IS resistance in more heavily populated west Mosul. IS fighters captured Mosul in 2014 as they gained wide swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria in battles against government troops. However, U.S.-led coalition forces have made major gains against the group, both in Mosul and around the Syrian city of Raqqa, the last major IS stronghold in that country. With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AFP A human rights activist in southern Russia's Rostov region has become the first person to face criminal prosecution under the country's controversial "foreign agent" law. Human rights activist Valentina Cherevatenko told news site Mediazona that she was formally charged on June 2 with intentionally avoiding registration of her NGO, Women of the Don Union, as a foreign agent. If convicted, Cherevatenko could be sentenced to two years in prison. Amnesty International said her case is "emblematic of the deeply repressive approach the Russian authorities are taking towards independent civil society organizations." Cherevatenko's NGO was added to the Justice Ministry's list of foreign agents in 2014. The authorities claim Cherevatenko's NGO was involved in politics and received finances from abroad, conditions that require registration as a foreign agent. Cherevatenko says her organization has never received money from abroad or was involved in politics. She says the case against her is a retaliation for her project A Civil Minsk, which monitors implementation of the Minsk deal to end the conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Authorities launched a criminal case against Cherevatenko in June 2016. Hours before Cherevatenko was charged, Amnesty International said that she was being targeted because of her dedication to human rights work. Her prosecution "sends a strong signal to all Russian NGOs that their staffs could face arbitrary charges and prison for simply accepting foreign funding for their important human rights work, said Denis Krivosheyev, the group's deputy director for Europe and Central Asia. In a statement, EU foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherinis office said the practice of declaring NGOs as foreign agents restricts civil society and impedes the exercise of fundamental freedoms. Cherevatenkos outstanding work on human rights education, peace building, and humanitarian issues is well-known and widely appreciated," the statement added. With reporting by Mediazona 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 French President Emmanuel Macron reads Vladimir Putin the riot act in public. An increasingly confident Angela Merkel rides high in the polls, looks to be sailing toward a fourth term as German chancellor, and there appears to be little the Kremlin can do about it. After the euro crisis, the migrant crisis, the rise of the xenophobic right, and a coordinated campaign of Russian meddling, it looks to many that with Merkel and Macron at the helm Europe is getting its mojo back. Is it real? Or is it a false dawn? On this week's Power Vertical Podcast, I'm joined to discuss this question by Jamie Kirchick, author of the recently published book The End Of Europe: Dictators, Demagogues, And The Coming Dark Age; and Christian Caryl, a columnist at The Washington Post, editor of its DemocracyPost section, and author of the book Strange Rebels: 1979 And The Birth Of The 21st Century. Enjoy... Listen to or download the podcast above or subscribe to The Power Vertical Podcast on iTunes. Russia has lifted restrictions on the import of several foods from Turkey, the latest move to mend relations that were badly damaged when Turkish jets shot down a Russian warplane in 2015 . The resolution signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and published on the government website on June 2 ends a ban on imports of turkey, chicken, cucumbers, pears, grapes, apples, and strawberries from Turkey. A ban on imports of tomatoes from Turkey was not affected by the resolution. On May 31, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that removed restrictions on hiring Turkish workers and on Turkish firms operating in Russia. Russia imposed sanctions on Turkish food imports after a Turkish fighter jet shot down a Russian warplane in November 2015 near the border with Syria, where Moscow and Ankara back opposing sides in the civil war. But Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have taken several steps to improve relations since then. The two met most recently in Sochi, Russia, on May 3. Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny is pushing back against the Moscow authorities' proposal that he hold a protest planned for June 12 at a location outside the city center. In a video posted on his YouTube channel on June 1, Navalny criticized city officials who denied organizers permission to hold a march down Moscow's main thoroughfare, Tverskaya Street, and a rally on Okhotny Ryad near the Kremlin. He accused the officials of "boorishness." On May 31, Moscow security department chief Vladimir Chernikov said that the city was proposing two other sites much further from the heart of the city. He said that if held on the central streets where Navalny had sought permission to stage them, the march and rally might disrupt events connected to Russia Day holiday celebrations. In his video, Navalny said that activists in 209 cities across Russia planned to hold demonstrations on June 12. He said that the authorities have in some cases granted permission for rallies only in remote locations, such as a village 88 kilometers from the city of Nizhny Tagil and a forest near the city of Syktyvkar. Navalny is seeking to build on momentum after organizing nationwide anticorruption protests on March 26 that drew unexpectedly large crowds. The Kremlin foe and anticorruption crusader is trying to get on the ballot for a March 2018 election in which President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to seek and secure a new six-year term. Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged U.S. business representatives to work with President Donald Trump's administration to improve relations between the two countries. Putin made the comments at an event called Business Dialogue Russia-USA on the sidelines of the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on June 2 shortly before he addressed a plenary session of the annual gathering. Putin asked the U.S. business leaders present to "help us restore a normal political dialogue." He stated that Moscow is working to "normalize" bilateral relations, which reached a low ebb under former U.S. President Barack Obama over issues including Russia's 2014 seizure of the Ukrainian region of Crimea, Moscow's active support and backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine, and disagreements over the conflict in Syria. Putin said that "solid trade and investment relations" between Russia and the United States form a crucial "insurance net against the shifting political environment." In his speech to the plenary session, during a panel moderated by U.S. journalist Megyn Kelly, Putin called for numerous reforms aimed at increasing Russia's competitiveness and attractiveness for investors. He spoke a day after his longtime former financeminister, Aleksei Kudrin, said the state's dominance of the economy was "killing the entrepreneurial spirit." Putin said "a package of judicial-system improvement proposals" was under discussion, although he did not provide details. He called for an extension of the current profit-tax benefit beyond 2025 in order to make a more stable investment environment. Pointing to what he said was the importance of information technologies in the future global economy, Putin said Russia plans "to act in various systematically important fields" and called for "a new flexible legislation in order to ensure the use of technology in every sphere of life." Putin added that he believes Russia has entered a "new phase of growth," and he expressed hope the Russian economy would grow faster than the global average by 2019-20. The economy is expected to show modest growth this year after falling into recession in 2014, when world oil prices collapsed and Western countries began imposing sanctions on Moscow over its aggression in Ukraine. At a June 1 working breakfast on the sidelines of SPIEF, former Finance Minister and Kremlin economics adviser Aleksei Kudrin called the period from 2008 to 2017 a "lost decade" for Russia, with economic growth averaging just 1 percent. He criticized the Putin government for failing to privatize key sectors of the economy -- particularly the oil-and-gas industry. "We are primarily a state economy," Kudrin said, "and this is killing the entrepreneurial spirit." Kudrin added that Russia sorely needs "discussion in society, an open press because the press is a branch of power which enables all stakeholders to speak directly and openly about what is happening, including key [legal] cases." SPIEF has been held annually since 1997. The 2016 rendition was attended by more than 12,000 people from 133 countries. With reporting by Forbes.ru, Vedomosti, Regnum, TASS, Interfax, and RIA Novosti A former Kosovo president had to turn back from the border with Serbia, where she was to participate in an event meant to promote dialogue between the former war enemies. Atifete Jahjaga was to attend a presentation on June 2 in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, of a book containing testimonies from women tortured and raped during the 1998-99 Kosovo war. Meanwhile, police prevented several dozen people shouting nationalist slogans from entering the venue of the festival, a four-day event organized by civil rights groups. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by 114 countries but not by Belgrade. According to protocol, Serbian police were supposed to provide Jahjaga with a security detail upon entrance into Serbia, but no police escort showed up at the border crossing on June 1. Jahjaga had to eventually return. Serbian police haven't immediately offered an explanation for failing to provide an escort for her. She planned to address the gathering via video link instead, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights group said. Serbia and Kosovo have agreed to participate in European Union-brokered talks as part of efforts to join the bloc, but tensions have persisted amid a surge in nationalism in the volatile Balkans. With reporting by AP Russian President Vladimir Putin has harshly criticized U.S. foreign policy over the last two decades as an "abuse of power" that has destabilized the Middle East and the entire international order. Putin also used an annual economic forum in his hometown on June 2 as a platform to mock U.S. probes into ties between Russian officials and U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign, suggesting suspicions of collusion were a sign of "hysteria" and advising Americans to "take a pill." Speaking at the question-and-answer session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum moderated by U.S. journalist Megyn Kelly, Putin also accused the United States of conducting "crude and systematic interference in Russian affairs for years," as well as promoting what he described as an antigovernment coup in Ukraine -- a reference to pro-European protests that pushed Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych from power in Kyiv in 2014. He also said the United States was responsible for instability in Libya, Egypt, Iraq, and Syria, and that Western reports that the Syrian government carried out a chemical-weapons attack in April were a "provocation" aimed at discrediting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. U.S. and other Western officials have rejected Russian assertions that the attack could have been staged. As for Ukraine, Putin said the West "essentially started this thing" and called on Western countries to "do at least something to put an end to this problem." "It is not enough to point a finger at Russia all the time," he added. After Yanukovych fled to Russia, Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and fomented separatism in eastern Ukraine, where the ensuing war between Russia-backed separatists and Kyiv's forces has killed more than 9,900 people and persists despite a cease-fire and peace deal. Putin also dismissed NATO as merely an instrument of U.S. foreign policy, adding that Russia would respond to what it sees as NATO efforts to advance its "military infrastructure" to Russia's borders. NATO says recent moves to bolster defenses in the east are an effort to respond to aggressive Russian moves and reassure allies concerned about Russia's intentions that they will be protected. At the same time, Putin said Russia was ready to cooperate with NATO in combating international terrorism. Putin denied any wrongdoing on Russia's part regarding its ambassador's contacts with Trump's transition team before his inauguration in January. Putin said he personally had no knowledge of any conversations between Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak and Trump surrogates, but added that it is an ambassador's job to meet with people and improve relations. The FBI and the U.S. Congress are investigating the contacts between Russians and the Trump campaign and transition team. According to U.S. media reports, the FBI is looking at alleged efforts by Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law who is now a top administration adviser, to open a "back channel" of communications with Russia. Putin denied that Russia had reached any agreements with Trump's team. Putin also rejected U.S. allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, asserting -- as has Trump -- that the charges were an attempt by U.S. Democrats to blame others for their political shortcomings. He said that what he called efforts to resolve U.S. domestic political conflicts on the international stage were "destructive." In January, the U.S. intelligence community issued an assessment that "Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election" and that "Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic system[and] to help President-elect Trump's election chances." Putin said he had read the U.S. assessment and that it contained "only speculations." Speaking earlier in the day at a separate panel at the economic forum, Putin urged U.S. business representatives to work with Trump's administration to improve relations between the two countries. Putin urged business leader present to "help us restore a normal political dialogue." In recent months, relations have hit what officials on both sides say is a low point over issues including Russia's interference in Ukraine, disagreements over the conflict in Syria, and the allegations of interference in the U.S. election. The failed Uzbek asylum seeker suspected of April's deadly truck attack in Stockholm led a double life and had several identities, according to a Swedish media report. Rakhmat Akilov confessed to committing a "terrorist crime" after driving a hijacked truck down a crowded pedestrian street on April 7, killing five people. An investigation by Sweden's TV4 program, Kalla Fakta, said there were "early warning signals" that could have alerted police that Akilov was a potential terror risk. (TV4's Kalla Fakta) The Power Vertical is a blog written especially for Russia wonks and obsessive Kremlin watchers by Brian Whitmore. It offers Brian's personal take on emerging and developing trends in Russian politics, shining a spotlight on the high-stakes power struggles, machinations, and clashing interests that shape Kremlin policy today. Check out The Power Vertical Facebook page or Follow @PowerVertical KYIV -- A Chechen man whom Russian authorities accuse of plotting to kill President Vladimir Putin was shot and wounded in Kyiv in what Ukrainian police say was an assassination attempt. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said Adam Osmayev was shot late on June 1 by a man who had introduced himself a day earlier as a French journalist and asked for an interview. When Osmayev and his wife, Amina Okuyeva, were in a car with the man, he pulled out a pistol and shot Osmayev twice, the ministry said. Okuyeva then shot the assailant with her own gun, it said. Both men were hospitalized in serious condition. Osmayev, a native of Russia's Chechnya region who was educated in Britain, was arrested in Ukraine in February 2012 and charged with illegal explosives possession, damaging private property, and forgery. At the request the Russian authorities, he was later charged with plotting to kill Putin. In November 2014, after Russia's seizure of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine severely damaged relations between Moscow and Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities dropped the attempted assassination charge against Osmayev and sentenced him to time served in pretrial detention after convicting him of other crimes. Both Osmayev and Okuyeva have subsequently fought on the side of Kyiv's forces against the Russia-backed separatists in a conflict that has killed more than 9,900 people since April 2014. Over the past five years, Iranian officials and state media have touted the "indigenous" ingenuity in the Islamic republic's mass-produced Mohajer-6 combat drone, which Russia has deployed in its war against Ukraine. But a new investigation by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, has found that electronic components underpinning Tehran's production of the Mohajer-6 are far from homegrown. The Mohajer-6 drones contain components produced by companies from the United States and the European Union, both of which have sanctions restricting the export to Iran of such technology that can be used for both civilian and military purposes dual-use technology. The presence of these components in the Mohajer-6 does not mean their producers are in violation of U.S. or EU sanctions, and RFE/RL does not have evidence that this is the case. The investigation also found Mohajer-6 components produced in China, including a real-time mini-camera made by a Hong Kong firm that said it was "very sorry" that its products were being used in war. At least one major foreign-produced component of the Mohajer-6 has previously been identified by reporters in a Mohajer-6 recovered from the battlefield by the Ukrainian military: an engine made by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Bombardier Recreational Products. But Ukrainian intelligence assesses that the Iranian combat drone contains components from nearly three dozen different technology companies based in North America, the EU, Japan, and Taiwan, the Schemes investigation has found. A majority of these companies are based in the United States. A Schemes reporter who personally inspected the foreign-made drone parts identified components produced by at least 15 of these manufacturers. These include parts made by the U.S. technology firm Texas Instruments, which said in a statement that it does not sell into Russia or Iran and complies with applicable laws and regulations. To identify these components, Schemes reporters examined parts of the Mohajer-6 drone that the Ukrainian military shot down over the Black Sea near the Mykolayiv region coastal town of Ochakiv. They also reviewed Ukrainian intelligence records on the sources of these components. The drone also contains a microchip bearing the logo of a California technology company and a thermal-imaging camera that Ukrainian intelligence says may have been produced by a firm based in Oregon or China. Both Western officials and experts on illicit technology transfers say Iran has built a broad, global procurement network using front companies and other proxies in third countries to obtain dual-use technology from the United States and the EU. "Exporters will look at the request coming from the [United Arab Emirates] or another third country, and they'll think that they're selling to an end user based there, when really the end user is in Iran," Daniel Salisbury, a senior research fellow with the Department of War Studies at King's College London, told RFE/RL. In September, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions specifically targeting Iranian companies that Washington links to the production and transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia for deployment in its war on Ukraine. Fighting rages with no sign of an end more than eight months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked invasion on February 24. "Non-Iranian, non-Russian entities should also exercise great caution to avoid supporting either the development of Iranian UAVs or their transfer, or sale of any military equipment to Russia for use against Ukraine," U.S. Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement announcing the sanctions. Chinese Cameras, California Chips Development of the Mohajer-6, the latest model in a series of drones Tehran has used since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, began in 2017, while mass production began the following year. During a ceremony commemorating the Islamic Revolution, then-Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said that the new tactical drone could perform surveillance, reconnaissance, as well as help destroy targets. Hatami extolled what he described as the drones domestic design, a portrayal echoed in later reports by Iranian media. "The homegrown drone was made through cooperation among the army, Defense Ministry, and Quds Aviation Industries," the English-language Tehran Times quoted an Iranian military official as saying in July 2019. The dismantling of the Mohajer-6 drone recovered by the Ukrainian military shows that the UAV is packed with foreign components. One of these parts is a bright-orange real-time mini-camera produced by the Hong Kong-based company RunCam Technology. Documents seen by Schemes show that Ukrainian intelligence has also identified RunCam as the producer of the camera, which likely assists in remote guidance of the drone. Founded in 2013, RunCam is involved in the development and production of so-called "first-person-view" real-time cameras. "Our users are our friends," the company's website states. The site says that RunCam has two authorized Iranian dealers. Reached by Schemes for comment about the use of its camera in the Iranian drone deployed by Russia in its war on Ukraine, RunCam said in an e-mailed response: "We are very sorry to know that RunCam's products were used in warfare. RunCam is specialized in producing products for model aircraft hobby. We never contact any customer related to military." The provenance of the Mohajer-6 drone-s thermal-imaging camera is more difficult to determine. A Ukrainian intelligence assessment reviewed by Schemes indicates it could be the Ventus Hot model produced by Sierra-Olympic Technologies, based in the U.S. state of Oregon, but that it also resembles a cheaper analog available for sale by the Chinese company Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology. Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology said in an e-mailed statement that the company did not "have any business with Iran," because "it will affect our business." The company said it specializes in marine services and is not involved in manufacturing. It also said that it did not have a single successful order for its online advertisement of the thermal-imaging camera resembling the one recovered from the Iranian drone. Sierra-Olympic Technologies did not respond to a request for comment on the possible use of its thermal-imaging cameras in Iranian combat drones in time for publication. Microchips recovered from the drone also featured the logos of the California-based company Linear Technology Corporation and its parent company, the Massachusetts-based semiconductor company Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI). ADI did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment on the possible use of its technology in the Iranian combat drone. Schemes reporters also observed among the components of the Iranian drone a voltage step-down converter produced by Texas Instruments. The company said in an e-mailed statement that it "does not sell into Russia, Belarus, or Iran." "TI complies with applicable laws and regulations in the countries where we operate, and does not support or condone the use of our products in applications they weren't designed for," Texas Instruments said. Schemes reporters also saw several components produced by the California-based technology manufacturer Xilinx, whose parent company is the multinational semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), also based in California. According to Ukrainian intelligence, one of these Xilinx components was integrated into a video data-link module located in the wing of the Mohajer-6 that helped carry out attack missions. "This module transmits information from the board to the missile head. That is, guidance for the missile. With the help of this module, it was possible to guide the missile to the target," a Ukrainian military intelligence representative told Schemes. AMD did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication. 'No Authorization' Previous media reports about the components of the Mohajer-6 drone, including by CNN, have shown evidence that its engine was produced by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, whose parent company is the Quebec-based Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). The Canadian company responded to the reports on October 21, saying in a statement that it "has not authorized and has not given any authorization to its distributors to supply military UAV manufacturers in Iran or Russia." "As soon as we were made aware of this situation, we started an investigation to determine the source of the engines," BRP said. . But Schemes reporters found that the authorized Rotax distributor listed on the Austrian manufacturer's website advertised itself as a Rotax aircraft engines distributor for Iran as recently as December 2020. The distributor, the Italian company Luciano Sorlini S.p.a., has posted multiple magazine advertisements on its websites in which it describes itself as a Rotax distributor for numerous countries. Prior to January 2021, Iran was listed among these countries. The Rotax website also lists a Tehran-based company -- MahtaWing -- as an official service center for its engines. The company, known in Persian as Mahtabal, conducts repairs of Rotax engines, including the Rotax 912 iS, the engine that was found in the Mohajer-6 combat drone recovered in Ukraine. BRP said in an e-mailed statement on November 4 that while Luciano Sorlini S.p.a. is the appointed distributor of Rotax aircraft engines in Iran, "since 2019, no Rotax engines have been sold in Iran, and we will not sell any engines to Iran moving forward." The Canadian company said it had "internal controls" that "significantly" restrict the sale of its products for military purposes. "For example, the sale of any BRP product to operators with any military activity in Iran, Turkey, and Russia is strictly prohibited," BRP said. "We conduct our business in compliance with all EU, Canadian, and U.S. applicable regulations." BRP described the Iranian company MahtaWing as a "local service center" that "offers maintenance services for previously sold aircraft engines." Shahriar Siami of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report. Showcased at 2016 Auto Expo in concept format, TVS Apache RR 310 S has been spied on test once again. Set for launch in India on 6th Dec, the latest video was posted by a YouTuber. The Bajaj Dominar rider spotted the Akula test mule and decided to chase it. Sadly, the Akula rider too realized that he is being followed, and thus opened the throttle. Soon the Dominar rider realized that it was not possible for them to catch up. In spite of travelling at over 150+ kmph, the Dominar rider saw the Akula pull away from him. It is possible that the Akula is doing a speed of 160-170 kmph. Watch the video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFsJrT87s2Q Sporting many changes from the bike on display at Auto Expo, Apache RR310S is powered by a a 313cc, single cylinder, liquid cooled petrol engine, which also powers the BMW G310R and G310GS. This engine will offer 34 hp peak power at 9,500 rpm and 28 Nm torque at 7,500 rpm mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. Mileage could be in the region of 30 kmph. A larger fuel tank, clip on handle bars, fully digital instrument cluster and a more aggressive riding stance is also evident on the RR 310S. The front fairing receives a large sized windscreen offering sufficient protection against wind and rain. Other features on board TVS Apache RR 310 S are upside down forks in the front, monoshock at the rear, front and rear disc brakes with ABS, etc. To be produced at the TVS plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, Apache 310 will be the TVS flagship upon launch. It will sit above the Apache 200 in the company lineup and will compete with KTM RC 390, Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Yamaha R3 where segment is concerned. But talking about price, it can also compete with the likes of Bajaj Dominar 400, Mahindra Mojo, Honda CBR250R, KTM RC200, KTM Duke 390, etc. With a speedo indicated top speed of 175 kmph, new TVS Apache 310 will be among the fastest motorcycles in the segment. We expect a launch price of INR 1.8 lakh Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are applying drug-delivery technology to agriculture to control parasitic roundworms more effectively and safely. The tiny roundworms, or nematodes, cause $157 billion in crop failures worldwide each year, other researchers estimate, largely because they're beyond the reach of pesticides. The chemicals disperse poorly into soil, while the parasites feed at plant roots well below the surface. As a result, farmers apply large amounts of pesticides, which can increase the chemical concentrations in food or run off and damage other parts of the environment, all of which have costs. But biomedical engineering researchers at Case Western Reserve may have found an effective solution. "We use biological nanoparticles -- a plant virus -- to deliver a pesticide," said Paul Chariou, a PhD student in biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve and author of a study on the process published in the journal ACS Nano. "Use of the nanoparticle increases soil diffusion while decreasing the risk of leaching and runoff, reducing the amount of chemical in food crops and reducing the cost to treat crops." Chariou worked with Nicole Steinmetz, the George J. Picha Professor in Biomaterials appointed by the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. advertisement Parasitic nematodes feed on a wide range of crops, including corn, wheat, coffee, soybeans, potatoes and a host of fruit trees. Damage they cause at the roots impairs the plants' ability to absorb water and nutrients, which can kill young plants and reduce yields in mature plants. To try to deliver more pesticide to the roots, the researchers used tobacco mild green mosaic virus (TMGMV). The virus is used in Florida as a pesticide to control an invasive weed, but is benign to nematodes. TMGMV can infect tomatoes, eggplant and other solenaceous plants, but is not a threat to nearly 3,000 other plant species that suffer nematode infections. The virus self-assembles into a tube-like structure, 300 nanometers long by 18 nanometers wide, with a hollow channel 4 nanometers wide. As a proof of concept for this study, the researchers tested the plant virus-derived nanoparticles with a nematicide called crystal violet, which has been used to kill nematodes on skin but not in agriculture. advertisement The researchers capitalized on surface chemistry to load the positively charged crystal violet molecules into the negatively charged channel of the virus-nanoparticle. Each virus particle carried about 1,500 crystal violet molecules. In lab experiments with conditions mimicking crop soils with a pH of 5, the nematicide remained attached as the virus particles were applied to and diffused through the soil. "At the root level, the nematicide diffuses out of the virus over time," Chariou said. Warmer and more acidic soils caused the chemical to be released faster. In testing with the nematode Caenorhabdiis elegans, in a liquid culture, the scientists confirmed that nematodes were paralyzed and killed by treatment with the drug-infused virus-nanoparticle -- this is because the drug diffuses out of its carrier over time allowing it to interact with the nematodes. As a secondary killing mechanism, the researcher also noted that the roundworms were eating the nanoparticles. The crystal violet was released in the animals' stomachs, paralyzing and killing them. Most importantly, nematicide-carrying virus particles dispersed better when applied to the soil surface and made more molecules available to kill nematodes at the root level. Chariou and Steinmetz are now testing the delivery system using chemical pesticides approved for crops and developing a computer model to better understand and, ultimately, optimize the nanoparticle's ability to diffuse through soil. Cholesterol, a naturally occurring compound at the lung surface, has been shown to have a clear effect on the properties of this nanoscale film that covers the inside of our lungs. Cholesterol levels in this system may affect the lung's function, according to researchers at Lund University in Sweden who have published a new study on the significance of cholesterol for lung surface properties. The new findings provide new insights into this vital physiological system. The zone in the lung where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place between the body and the air we inhale are called the alveoli. Now, in a joint study, researchers in chemistry and medicine at Lund University have more closely examined the thin film of proteins and fats that stabilises and protects the alveoli. This film, known as surfactant, also affects the transport of various molecules between the air and the body's blood vessels. "Our study addresses the effect of cholesterol on the surface of the alveoli. We have obtained astonishingly clear results," says Emma Sparr, professor of chemistry at Lund University. Cholesterol constitutes a natural ingredient in the thin surfactant that covers the inside of our lungs, but it is almost completely absent from the clinical preparations used in healthcare to treat premature babies. "In very premature babies, the film on the surface of the alveoli has not had time to develop completely. Although we administer surfactant drugs, usually extracted from pig's lungs, to good effect in the acute phase, we still see pronounced long-term damage to the lungs of these extreme premature babies," says Marcus Larsson, a physician and researcher at Lund University's Faculty of Medicine. In the current study, the researchers used advanced NMR technology, or nuclear magnetic resonance, to map how cholesterol affects the molecular structure of the thin film in the alveoli. The method enabled the researchers to extract completely new molecular information and to compare the appearance of the structure with and without cholesterol. "This difference in the molecular structure of the film could be very significant to its function; both the transport of substances and the mechanical properties could be influenced by this," says Emma Sparr. She now hopes that the research study will contribute to elucidating the significance of cholesterol for the surface of the alveoli and that resulting knowledge about this bodily surface layer can support the development of new clinical methods. "The effect of cholesterol on the surface of the alveoli is very clear and could eventually be included in the clinical preparations, which makes good sense as our own bodily surfactant contains this substance in quite significant levels," says Marcus Larsson. Prenatal tobacco exposure is known to have negative short-term impacts including preterm birth, low birth weight and subsequent behavioral issues. However, a new study found that the negative impacts can last well into the child's future. The results showed that exposure to as few as 10 cigarettes was associated with negative impacts on the executive function of adolescents who were exposed prenatally. Published online in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the study is the first to look at the long-term impact on students in a high school setting and demonstrates the importance of providing more evidence-based smoking cessation programs to women of childbearing age and pregnant women. According to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking during pregnancy is common across the US, with as many as 8 percent of women having smoked at some point during pregnancy. Executive functioning includes a higher level of cognitive organization and management processes that are important for success both in school and in daily life. These skills are learned throughout childhood and include how to self-manage behavior and how best to organize and act on information. The study included teachers filling out a Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning -- Teacher Form (BRIEF-TF) once a year for the sample of students involved in the study. The teachers were not aware of the study aims, but were knowledgeable about the students. The students involved were 51 percent male and 89 percent African American and went to school in an urban community. Teachers filled out at least one BRIEF-TF for 131 adolescents, and the study controlled for demographics, substance exposures other than tobacco, early childhood exposure to lead and exposure to violence. The findings show that only tobacco was associated with less optimal executive functioning in the classroom for the students, particularly impacting their ability to regulate their behavior. "Because tobacco is one of the most common substances used during pregnancy -- and it's legal for adults to use -- these results indicate the tremendous importance of bolstering efforts to ensure that women of child-bearing age and pregnant women have increased access to evidence-based tobacco smoking cessation programs," said Ruth Rose-Jacobs, ScD, MS, from Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine who served as the study's first author. "Given that as few as ten cigarettes can have a negative impact, it is imperative that we act on this and provide as much access and education as we can to help prevent these negative outcomes." Experiencing stress-related mental health issues following deployment exposures increases risk of reduced well-being in other life domains in the years following military service for veterans. Gender plays an important role in these associations. The findings, which appear in Clinical Psychological Science, have implications for better understanding the challenges female and male veterans face upon returning from service and may lead to ways care can be optimized with consideration of the role gender may play. According to the researchers, previous studies have shown a relationship between the development of mental health issues, particularly PTSD, and decreased functioning and satisfaction with family and work for veterans. However, gender often has been overlooked as a variable, and the role of particular deployment stressors have not been extensively examined. "Our study illustrates the complex interplay between specific military exposures, mental health, and subsequent post deployment well-being between the genders," explained lead author Brian Smith, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and research psychologist in the Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System. In this study, which was completed at the VA Boston Healthcare System, 522 male and female Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans completed two surveys. The first was completed within two years of separation from military service, and included questions about veterans' military experiences as well as their current mental health. The second survey was completed approximately three and a half years later and included questions about functioning and satisfaction in the domains of work, romantic relationships and parenting. The researchers concluded that each of the deployment stressors examined -- warfare exposure, military sexual harassment and family stressors -- had implications for veterans' subsequent functioning and satisfaction in the areas of work and family. In addition, these exposures were often indirectly linked to functioning and satisfaction via mental health. Interestingly, the links differed between men and women. While PTSD symptoms played an important role for both genders, depression played a role as well, especially for female veterans. For example, PTSD linked all three deployment exposures and subsequent functioning and satisfaction in romantic relationships for men, while both PTSD and depression played significant roles for women. However, it is important to note that there were some similarities in risk as well. In the context of parenting, PTSD linked deployment exposures with reduced functioning for male and female veterans alike, and depression was the most important link in predicting lower satisfaction. In addition, there was evidence for direct effects of military exposures on work and family quality of life. Again, some differences between males and females were found. For example, family stressors during deployment were directly associated with increased risk for parental impairment for female veterans, whereas for men the effect was only indirect through PTSD. These findings support the position that men and women may experience different military exposures and react in different ways. "This understanding of risk for reduced well-being, including the role of gender differences, may provide further important insight as to how to best cater post-military services to veterans' unique needs following military service," added Smith. "From a clinical perspective, these findings suggest that services aimed at addressing returning veterans' reintegration into work and family life might pay particular attention to male and female veterans' experiences while deployed, as well as their current mental health." At the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, 200 million years ago, some 60% of species living on Earth disappeared. Scientists suspected that magmatic activity and the release of CO 2 were responsible for this environmental disaster. To corroborate this, one would need to find and to precisely date traces of this activity and make sure that it coincides with this mass extinction. The precise determination of this timing has been achieved by scientists at the University of Geneva, and is published in Nature Communications. Scientists have often linked the annihilation of life at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary with the emission of gas during the volcanic activity of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, a huge volcanic province that erupted around the same time. Geological studies, however, have questioned this hypothesis since the flood basalt eruptions from the igneous province are too young to be responsible for the mass extinction. The scientists, among them a team from UNIGE, therefore went to look for traces of magmatic activity that may be older, proving the role of magmatic activity in mass extinctions that hit the history of Earth during this period of time. The geologists identified large areas covered by flood basalts assigned to the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP), which extends over several million km2 from Northern to Southern America, and from Europe to Africa. They also discovered vertical fissures that extend over hundreds of kilometres and large intrusions. "We therefore erected the hypothesis that these fissures and intrusions are older or coeval to the mass extinction at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, and we have verified this applying our high-precision dating techniques," explains Joshua Davies, research fellow at the Department of Earth Sciences of the Faculty of Science at the University of Geneva (UNIGE). The basalts enclose the mineral zircon in tiny quantities, which itself contains uranium. Uranium has the particularity of disintegrating itself over time into lead at a known rate. "It's because of this, by measuring relative concentrations of uranium and lead, we can determine the age of crystallization of minerals in a rock to about 30'000 years, which is extremely precise for a period of time 200 million years ago," adds Urs Schaltegger, professor at the Department of Earth Sciences of the Faculty of Science at the University of Geneva (UNIGE). An international team, including University of Southampton scientists, has found unusually high temperatures, greater than 100C, close to Earth's surface in New Zealand -- a phenomenon typically only seen in volcanic areas such as Iceland or Yellowstone, USA. The researchers made the discovery while boring almost a kilometre into the Alpine Fault, the major tectonic boundary between the Australian and Pacific plates -running the length of the country's South Island. The team was working to better understand what happens at a tectonic plate boundary in the build-up to a large earthquake. The Deep Fault Drilling Project (DFDP) borehole, was drilled at Whataroa to the north of Franz Josef Glacier and discovered extremely hot, highly pressured groundwater flowing near to the fault line. Water at temperatures of more than 100C is normally only found at depths of over three kilometres, but in this case was encountered at just over 600m depth. In an article published in the international journal Nature, computer models are used show these high temperatures result from a combination of the uplift of hot rocks along the tectonic plate boundary and groundwater flow caused by high mountains close to the Alpine Fault. Professor Damon Teagle, who leads the Southampton group involved in the project, says: "The Alpine Fault extends over such a massive distance, it is visible from space. It is potentially New Zealand's greatest geohazard, failing in the form of large earthquakes about every 300 years. With the last event occurring in 1717 AD, there is a high probability of a major (magnitude 7 to 8) earthquake in the next 50 years -- making research into its behaviour all the more important." Thermal and hydrological computer modelling pre-drilling by University of Southampton PhD student Jamie Coussens, supervisor Dr Nick Woodman and other colleagues, helped predict the high temperatures and borehole fluid pressures to enable the safe drilling of this borehole. Their models, now calibrated against real sub-surface observations, explain how such high temperatures occur at shallow depths. "The Southern Alps receive a lot of rain and snow -- about ten times more than the UK. Much of this water flows into the ground, down beneath the high mountain ridges, before being heated and returning to the surface in valleys," says Jamie Coussens. "The rocks that this water flows through are being moved upwards at about 10 mm a year on the Alpine Fault. This slip is very fast in geological terms and has carried up hot rocks from 30 km depth, faster than they can cool." Although warm springs are common in the region most of the hot groundwater flows up into, or near, the gravely beds of large rivers and becomes diluted at the surface by cooler river waters. The result has implications for our understanding of the strength of the Alpine Fault and fault zones in general, as failure properties of fault rocks are influenced by temperature and geothermal fluids. Professor Teagle comments: "The temperature profile of the DFDP borehole is really exciting. These very high shallow temperatures prove early theoretical models of rapid tectonic uplift first suggested in the 1980s for the Southern Alps by profound thinkers such as Peter Koons and Rick Allis. I was inspired by these theories as an undergraduate at the University of Otago in southern New Zealand -- it is wonderful to see these early conceptual predictions proven with borehole observations." Research recently published in the European Economic Review shows that improved electrical storage technology spurs innovation in both renewables and fossil fuels electricity production. The paper, "From fossil fuels to renewables: The role of electricity storage," also offers evidence that better storage technology boosts the efficiency of the entire electricity sector. However, it calls into question the assumption that improved storage alone can lead to reduced carbon emissions by boosting renewable energy innovation. The study, by Itziar Lazkano of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Linda Nstbakken of the Norwegian School of Economics, and Martino Pelli of the Universite de Sherbrooke, looked at more than 50 years of patent data from 70 countries to reach their conclusion. "We looked at companies that had been granted patents in electricity generation technologies and determined the probability that they would apply for future patents," Lazkano said. "We found that having a patent in storage technology made companies more likely to apply for another patent, either in renewable electricity generation technology or in efficiency-improving technology in fossil fuels." Lazkano notes that the findings indicate that improved energy storage, while addressing a basic problem of renewable energy, does not necessarily spur the replacement of fossil fuels by renewable sources, as many had thought. "One of the big challenges of renewable energy has been intermittency -- for example, that the generation of power from wind and solar varies with current weather conditions -- and improvements to energy storage directly address that," Lazkano said. "In addition, fossil fuel plants benefit from better storage technology as they are able to supply electricity without incurring high ramping costs." Lazkano says that fossil fuel plants, particularly coal-fired plants, must pay a significant cost when ramping up production to meet peak demands. By storing energy, those plants can dampen the swings in production and mitigate the ramping costs. "This means that the mere existence of storage technology, which benefits both renewable and fossil fuel power generation, doesn't necessarily lead to lower carbon emissions from electricity generation." Because improved energy storage isn't necessarily a silver bullet for reducing carbon emissions, the authors say policy measures are needed to increase the use of renewable energy and prevent increased use of "dirtier" fuels such as coal. However, they note that storage offers electricity system operators better ways to combine conventional and renewable electricity. "(E)lectricity storage can enhance energy security and reduce blackouts by increasing the flexibility of electricity markets," they write. Surprisingly, there are still plant species waiting to be discovered in the Iberian Peninsula. Some are detected thanks to the latest study methods, and others, such as Linaria becerrae, are described when reinterpreting species which are already known. This new Malaga plant had been classified by mistake for 176 years. The genus Linaria has about 150 species distributed throughout Europe, North Africa, and central and western Asia, but its main centre of diversity is in the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb. It is there that exclusive plants are found, discovered during the last two centuries, with very small distribution areas, sometimes threatened with extinction. In Spain, in 1841, the Swiss botanist Pierre Edmond Boissier described the species Linaria salzmanii, which was named in honour of the botanist Philipp Salzmann who contributed to the knowledge of Iberian flora. Thanks to the material from Guejar Sierra in Granada that Boissier analysed, it was determined that the plant was typical of sandy substrates, often dolomitic (rocky), and was found in the provinces of Granada, Malaga and Jaen. But, in his visit to our country in 1837, the scientist never actually came to check the presence of the species near the town of El Chorro, in the western part of the province of Malaga, due to the likely existence of bandits. This has led to an error that lasted for almost two centuries. Scientists from the universities of Granada and Almeria have now carried out an exhaustive analysis of the populations of this species, and have observed that the plants found in Malaga differ significantly from those found in Granada: they have flowers with a long and straight spur, which are uniform in colour and intensely violet, except for a yellow spot at the entrance to the tube of the corolla (the area called the palate), with subtle violet veins. "These and other considerations led our team to the description of the new species, Linaria becerrae. By mistake, it had previously been considered that the species described by Boissier was that of Malaga," explains Gabriel Gabrielto, one of the authors of the study published in Phytotaxa and a researcher at the University of Granada. The plant has been named in honour of the botanist from Malaga, Manuel Becerra Parra, who had already recorded the differences between the Linaria species in the province of Malaga, and promoted this work. A plant in need of protection At present, the original population of Linaria salzmanii has disappeared due to the construction of the Canales dam, and Linaria becerrae is now considered exclusive of the west of the province of Malaga, where it lives in areas bordering the protected natural area of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a well-known tourist site. The species forms communities of rapidly developing grasses in sandy substrates resulting from the decomposition of molasses (conglomerates and detrital sandstones). "Although it is frequent in this area, the reach of this type of substrates is very small, so it should be part of the catalogue of protected species," suggests Blanca, for whom there are still species to be discovered not only by misinterpretations as in the case of this Malaga plant, but also for the detection of new organisms thanks to resolute methods of study. In fact, with the application of molecular biology or the existence of exhaustive reference works to better detect any novelties, the team that has described L. becerrae has recently published five new species in eastern Andalusia: Tragopogon lainzii, Galatella malacitana, Sisymbrium isatidifolium, Rivasmartinezia cazorlana and Teucrium teresianum. A new citizen-science tool released earlier this year to help astronomers pinpoint new worlds lurking in the outer reaches of our solar system has already led to a discovery: a brown dwarf a little more than 100 light years away from the Sun. Just six days after the launch of the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 website in February, four different users alerted the science team to the curious object, whose presence has since been confirmed via an infrared telescope. Details were recently published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. "I was so proud of our volunteers as I saw the data on this new cold world coming in," said Jackie Faherty, a senior scientist in the American Museum of Natural History's Department of Astrophysics and one of Backyard World's researchers. "It was a feel-good moment for science." The Backyard Worlds project lets anyone with a computer and an internet connection flip through images taken by NASA's Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) spacecraft. If an object is close enough to Earth, it will appear to "jump" when multiple images taken of the same spot in the sky a few years apart are compared. The goal for Backyard Worlds volunteers -- of which there are more than 37,000 -- is to flag the moving objects they see in these digital flipbooks for further investigation by the science team. So far, volunteers have classified more than 4 million flipbooks. Days after the Backyard Worlds website debuted on February 15, Bob Fletcher, a science teacher in Tasmania, identified a very faint object moving across the WISE images. It was soon also flagged by three other citizen scientists from Russia, Serbia, and the United States. After some initial investigation by the research team, which originally called the object "Bob's dwarf," Faherty was awarded time on NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility in Hawaii, where she confirmed that it was a previously unknown brown dwarf just a few hundred degrees warmer than Jupiter. The authors say that sky surveys had missed this object because it's too faint. All four volunteers are co-authors on the scientific paper announcing the discovery. Brown dwarfs, sometimes called "failed stars," are spread throughout the Milky Way. They lack enough mass to sustain nuclear fusion but they are hot enough to glow in the infrared range of the light spectrum. "Brown dwarfs are strikingly similar to Jupiter so we study their atmospheres in order to look at what weather on other worlds might look like," said Jonathan Gagne, a Backyard Worlds team member from the Carnegie Institution for Science. Although the Backyard Worlds research team hopes to find the infamous Planet 9 hiding in our own solar system, these brown dwarfs are also exciting discoveries. "It's possible that there is a cold world closer than what we believe to be the closest star to the Sun," Faherty said. "Given enough time, I think our volunteers are going help to complete the map of our solar neighborhood." Michael Dobson, Contributor Former climate advisor, Independent Diplomat 05/10/2017 Mark Wynne is the CEO of Balance Agri-Nutrients, a New Zealand fertilizer company that imports hundreds of thousands of tonnes of phosphate every year from an illegal mine in a brutally occupied territory called Western Sahara. Fortunately for Mark, the Western Sahara is in north-west Africa, which is not a part of the world New Zealanders spend much time thinking about, despite the fact that our primary export industry is currently built upon on this deeply unethical trading relationship. Such ignorance means that when a vessel carrying Saharan phosphate is stopped as happened last week in Port Elizabeth, South Africa Mark can throw up his hands, claim that the Western Sahara situation is very complex and deep-running and (Im not making this up) geopolitical, and thereby avoid having to explain to New Zealanders why it is okay that his company buys millions of dollars worth of illegal phosphate every year. Marks apparent inability to make head or tail of the situation is passing strange, however. Mark Wynne is a very experienced international executive, responsible for managing a multi-million dollar contract with the Moroccan company that mines the phosphate in question (in a territory Morocco occupies by force, on the basis of a claim to legitimacy that no country has ever recognized). If the true extent of his knowledge of the situation is (again, not making this up) that It really takes someone like the United Nations to resolve it, I would suggest that Balance shareholders find a new CEO, pronto. Anyone with a working internet connection and a spare 30 seconds could inform Mark that the United Nations Security Council created MINURSO the U.N. Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara in 1991, but that the self-determination referendum promised to the Sahrawi people in 1991 (in return for ending their war against Moroccan occupation) has never been carried out. In the meantime, Morocco has been busily selling Sahrawi phosphate as fast as it can to anyone craven enough to buy it. Dedicate a full ten minutes to the issue, and heres some of what you will find: Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have produced reports recording numerous disturbing testimonies of torture of Sahrawi pro-independence activists by Moroccan authorities. The U.S. State Department calls such reports of torture credible. Only eleven companies in the world still import West Saharan phosphate. Balance is one. Ravensdown, another New Zealand fertilizer company, is another. Two of the biggest fertilizer companies in the world Yara International and Mosaic have ceased trading in Saharan phosphate because of human rights concerns, and seem perfectly capable of maintaining successful fertilizer businesses that dwarf the entire New Zealand industry without depending on it. While Morocco claims that the millions of dollars that Balance and Ravensdown pay it for the phosphate ultimately benefit local Sahrawi, the Harvard International Review has this to say in response: Companies may not solely rely on Moroccos claims to ensure that the local population benefits from revenues they provide to the Moroccan government. Such an arrangement lacks the transparency and accountability... Morocco retains full control and discretion over revenues generated from Western Sahara resources, and there is no way of monitoring or verifying its claims of revenue and expenditures, or holding Morocco accountable for failure to match expenditure with revenue. Visitors to the occupied territory are constantly monitored and accompanied by Moroccan authorities, as befits a police state. The idea that any government-organized tour of the territory will provide a reliable impression of the opinions of the Sahrawi regarding their occupiers is laughable, as is the idea that the trade in Saharan phosphate is legal because it happens with the consent of the Sahrawi people. Lest there be any doubt, a legal opinion issued by the African Union in 2015 spells the matter out plainly: any exploration and exploitation of natural resources by Morocco, any other State, group of States, or foreign companies engaged by Morocco in Western Sahara is illegal since they violate international law and resolutions of the UN and the AU. Tens of thousands of Sahrawi people live as refugees in the Algerian part of the Sahara desert, in some of the most inhospitable conditions on earth. The camps have existed for forty years. They will continue to exist until a referendum on the territorys future is held and the situation resolved. The possibility of reaching such a resolution is actively and substantially undermined by any company that provides Morocco with a financial incentive to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars a year to do everything it can to retain control of a territory that does not belong to it. The truth, of course, is that Mark Wynne undoubtedly knows all this. Hes not stupid. He just thinks you are. I asked my friend Mulay Smara, a Sahrawi who grew up in the Algerian refugee camps and now lives in the United States, what he thought of Wynnes comments. This was his response: I would say that the New Zealand people would never want to have their resources taken without their consent, let alone by an occupying nation. Our future [as Sahrawi] is based on what is left of our resources. We suffer on a daily basis, in the camps and in the occupied territory, while New Zealand companies profit. That kind of morality should be questioned by ordinary New Zealanders. Ive known many wonderful friends from New Zealand, and to see such complicity with Morocco is heartbreaking. I visited the Algerian camp where Mulay grew up last year. (I subsequently talked to Kim Hill about it, which you can hear here, and also took some photos.) It is impossible to spend time with a people as generous, dignified and resilient and as steadfastly committed to the United Nations as the worlds arbiter of peaceful decolonization as the Sahrawi, and not come away enraged at the obfuscatory drivel that people like Mark Wynne are so well paid to produce. (Not that Balance and Ravensdown are the only ones content to look the other way: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs meets with the New Zealand Fertilizer Association and even offers suggestions on the drafting of their Western Sahara press releases.) The idea that the occupation of Western Sahara is too complicated an issue for New Zealanders to make a moral assessment of, or too remote for them to care about, is horseshit. The occupation is wrong, and brutal. We empower it by our indifference. Fortunately, the tide is finally turning against the trade. The stopping of the ship in Port Elizabeth follows a judgment from the European Court of Justice in December last year that trade deals between the EU and Morocco cannot apply to the Western Sahara. Far too late, the New Zealand Fertilizer Association has finally started discussing alternative sources for phosphate (alternatives that could, of course, include phosphate from within the territory of Morocco itself). Such alternatives should be pursued with alacrity, impelled by our commitment to the importance of international law, territorial integrity and self-determination, and basic human decency. New Zealand has underwritten the suffering of the Sahrawi people long enough. (SPS) 062/090 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-new-zealand-owes-the-western-sahara_us_591362d5e4b07e366cebb856 Lisbon, Portugal, 01 Jun 2017 (SPS) - The conference held at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon adopted an appeal signed by the eminent lawyers Signed by the eminent jurists as well as the personalities present, to call on the EU member states and the European Commission to respect the decision of the European Court of Justice of 21 December. The conference estimated that any attempt to disregard this decision is illegal and immoral and will stand in the way of the international community's efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the Western Sahara issue. The conference addressed a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, calling on him to do everything possible to put an end to the injustice imposed on the Saharawi people, for more than four decades, which implies respect and application of the UN resolutions, which support the inalienable right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. The conference was attended by Sahrawi Coordinator with MINURSO, Mhamed Khadad, accompanied by Representative of the Polisario Front in Portugal, Ahmed Fal Emhamed, who was received on 31 May 2017 at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and met with members of the parliamentary groups, it should be recalled. (SPS) 062/090/TRA I f Joy Morrissey gets her way there will be another vicars daughter on the Tory benches when the Commons returns after the election the energetic US-born Conservative candidate in Ealing Central and Acton is targeting the smallest majority in London. In 2015, Labours Rupa Huq won by just 274 votes. It is a scalp the Tories need to claim and a 0.27 per cent swing would be enough to end her incumbency of this largely prosperous chunk of west London surburbia. Until Theresa Mays manifesto stumble and election debate no-show, the polls suggested Labour should be swept aside and even now, with the lead down to single figures in some polls, conventional psephological wisdom would suggest Ms Huqs days are numbered. But this is London, and heavily Remain London at that, so the maths is far less predictable. Perhaps that is why voters have been subjected to a stream of visits from big gun Conservatives including the original vicars daughter herself, who came days after her botched manifesto launch and endured at least one awkward doorstep encounter over social care. Labour MP Rupa Huq on the doorstep with resident Nick Lera / Lucy Young Other Cabinet members lending a hand have included Amber Rudd, Justine Greening, Damian Green and Patrick McLoughlin. Ms Morrison, whose father is a church leader in Ohio, has lived in the constituency for eight years and her husband and daughter are Ealing-born and raised. She does not hide her Leave loyalties a decision she says was made because of the democratic deficit in Brussels. She concedes there was a lot of sadness in Ealing which has one of Britains biggest and longest established Polish communities after the Referendum. But she adds hopefully: Were all moving forward and respecting the democratic process. Now its all about getting the best deal and I do passionately believe Theresa May is the only person who can deliver that. The 36-year-old remorselessly pushes the line that Mrs May is certain to be returned to No 10, which means only a Conservative MP can lobby for Ealing and Acton to make sure our voice is heard in the Brexit negotiations, she insists. Rupa is very close to Jeremy Corbyn and hes never been a fan of the EU and voted for Article 50 so I dont know if shes planning to be an independent MP in Parliament? Ms Morrissey, whose CV includes time in the Californian film industry and a spell working for humanitarian charities in Kosovo, says she is quietly confident of regaining the seat. Ms Huq freely admits she is in the fight of my political life but maintains her vote is holding up. The former sociology lecturer and occasional DJ emphasises her claim to be a hardworking local MP, citing the 400 times she has spoken in the Commons and the 17,000 pieces of constituency work she has handled in two years. Predictably, she also bigs up her opponents Brexit sympathies on the doorstep, describing Ms Morrison as a representative of the Bluekip party. However, she also says there is an element of Brexit fatigue setting in with many voters who are fed up with the endless theological debate about Britains future relationship with Europe and prefer to focus on more everyday issues. That was certainly the case with Labour voter Frances Grange, 60, who runs an office servicing business. My top concerns are funding for the NHS and education, she said. A lot of my friends who are teachers say the situation is worse than under Thatcher. Ms Huq, who is married with a son, also plays on her impeccable local connections there have been three generations of Huqs in Ealing. She went to the same Ealing independent girls school as Apple Tree Yard star Emily Watson as did Ms Morrisseys daughter. The Labour MP describes her constituents as my people and her first Commons speech was on the issue of air quality in the pollution blackspot of Horn Lane, Acton. The film and TV worlds run like a thread through the area. It hosts Ealing Studios where classic comedies like Passport to Pimlico and Whisky Galore! were made. Residents include Ms Huqs sister, former Blue Peter presenter Konnie, and her husband, broadcaster Charlie Brooker. Ms Huq was one of the MPs who nominated Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership in 2015 after the resignation of Ed Miliband. Does she regret it now? Jeremy Corbyn does come up on the dooorstep but not nearly as much as people make out, she says. It can be a positive anyway. Hes very unspun, not off the production line, hes an honest man. But Im fighting on my record. It is not a view every voter shares. Semi-retired cameraman Nick Lera, 76, said: Id like Labour to be an effective opposition, I dont want to end up in a one-party state. We need more MPs like Rupa on the opposition benches but Im very unhappy with the leader at the moment. Ms Huq finds herself in the unusual situation of having a grandee from a rival party endorse her. Liberal Democrat Sir Vince Cable was re-corded last month saying their views on many issues were almost identical and I would find it difficult to vote against somebody like that. It was not exactly a vote of confidence in Liberal Democrat candidate Jon Ball in his struggle to avoid being squeezed by the big two. In 2015 the Lib Dem vote collapsed to just six per cent, a catastrophic fall from 27.6 per cent of 2010, when the constituency was a genuine three-way. The Greens and Ukip are not fielding candidates, leaving almost 4,000 homeless votes to play for and on June 8 this could be crucial. 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A unique feature (for India) of PLR was that it was a joint venture with an Israeli firm that had long made rifles and machine-guns that were very popular with Indian troops. But India has always insisted that their military favor Indian made weapons, even though the locally made stuff tended to be more expensive and less effective than foreign models. Licensed manufacture of foreign designs, usually involving Russian weapons, has been going on since the 1960s. But the Indian made items were always seen, by Russian and Indian users, as inferior. What made PLR unique was that it is the first Indian manufacturer of military small arms that is expected to be capable of producing the foreign designs well enough to be exported. This sort of thing has already been demonstrated with non-military products and the Israelis believe it is possible to do it with military items as well. The Indian small arms market alone is worth $5 billion a year and the export market for Israeli quality weapons is potentially even larger. Initially PLR will manufacture the Israeli Tavor assault rifle as well as sniper rifles and light machine-guns and is already considered a front runner for several major Indian Army contracts. Israel has been doing joint ventures with India for some time and always had problems with their Indian partners not being able to match Israeli standards. The main reason for this was that India long insisted the joint ventures be with state owned weapons manufacturers and developers. Since the late 1990s India has been forced to admit that Indian private manufacturers could match quality standards the state owned firms never seemed capable to achieving. Thus JLR became the first time India allowed a foreign firm to jointly manufacture foreign weapons in India that met the standards Indian troops were demanding (and rarely got from locally made stuff.) At the same time India is allowing privately owned firms to bid on more military contracts and is finding that the resulting products are usually superior in terms of quality, cost and meeting delivery schedules. The creation of JLR also marked the government admitting that the state owned and run defense industries were unlikely to every improve enough to compete with privately owned firms, foreign or India. The formation of PLR was not unexpected because Indian troops have long pointed out, often to the media and in detail, the superiority of foreign weapons, particular Israeli models that have been purchased in small quantities, usually for the elite troops. Thus by 2011 Indian special operations troops began receiving thousands of Israeli Tavor assault rifles. India is one of ten nations that have bought the Tavor since 2006. Israel introduced the Tavor (or TAR-21) in 2004 to replace the 5.56mm Galils, M-16s, and the 9mm Uzis its security forces had been using. The TAR-21 is a bullpup design, which places the ammo magazine behind the pistol grip and trigger. This makes for a shorter and lighter weapon. The Tavor comes in several sizes. The most common ones are regular (72 cm/28.3 inches long, 3.67 kg/8.1 pounds), and commando (64 cm/25.2 inches, 2.95 kg/6.5 pounds). The Tavor has a rail on top, for mounting all manner of sights, as it becoming standard, mainly because it makes the weapon so much more effective. The Tavor succeeded by being more rugged, compact and comfortable to use. It eventually proved more reliable than the competition. In contrast Indian government agencies began, in the late 1980s developing a family of 5.56mm infantry weapons (rifle, light machine-gun and carbine). Called the INSAS, the state owned factories were unable to produce the quantities required (and agreed to). Worse, the rifles proved fragile and unreliable. The design was poorly thought out and it is believed corruption played a part because the INSAS had more parts than it needed and cost over twice as much to produce as the AK-47. The original plan was to equip all troops with INSAS weapons by 1998. Never happened, although troops began to receive the rifle in 1998. By 2000 half the required weapons ordered were still not manufactured. Moreover in 1999 the INSAS weapons got their first real combat workout in the Kargil campaign against Pakistan. While not a complete failure, the nasty weather that characterized that battle zone high in the frigid mountains saw many failures as metal parts sometimes cracked from the extreme cold. Troops complained that they were at a disadvantage because their Pakistani foes could fire on full automatic with their AK-47s while the INSAS rifles had only three bullet burst mode (which, fortunately, sometimes failed and fired more than three bullets for each trigger pull.) What was most irksome about this was that the INSAS rifles were the same weight, size and shape as the AK-47 but cost about $300 each, while AK-47s could be had for less than half that. The INSAS looked like the AK-47 because its design was based on that weapon. The Indians persevered, tweaking the design and improving the manufacturing process. By 2015, after nearly two decades the INSAS weapons were gaining acceptance. Nearly 400,000 had been delivered by then. Compared to most 5.56mm rifles on the market, INSAS had a price advantage and India was looking for export customers. But so far, only three small nations showed interest, and that was more for political reasons than for military ones. The major export customer (Nepal) got them at a huge discount and quickly found Nepalese troops demanding a replacement rifle because the INSAS was fatally unreliable. In the decade following the Kargil debacle INSAS rifles also malfunctioned in several highly publicized incidents involving the leftist (Maoist) rebels increasingly active in eastern India. Responding to the continuing performance and reliability problems some changes were made but most Indian users want a better rifle. The locally manufactured Tavor is one result of all that. India was so impressed with Tavor that it quickly bought 3,070 of the commando version of the Tavor for its special operations units. But when these arrived in 2005, Indian troops immediately began having some reliability problems. Israeli troops had similar complaints, and it took over a year to get it all sorted out. Otherwise, the Tavor was well received by the troops. However, because Israel can't afford to just junk hundreds of thousands of Galils and M-16s, the Tavor will be issued as the older weapons wear out. So it won't be until the end of the next decade before everyone is using the Tavor. Meanwhile, Israel continues to push Tavor as an export item and India was the largest potential market. The Tavor design was based on years of feedback from troops, so if corruption (bribes for purchasing officials) doesn't become a major factor, the Israeli weapon should show up with a lot of foreign armies in the next decade. Indian infantry and special operations troops were fed up with Indian made small arms and PLR was seen as a solution. So far this year there has not been much Islamic terrorist activity. Rarely are more than ten Islamic terrorists killed in a month with about as many taken alive. This is trending downward and that began in January when only five Islamic terrorists were killed and five captured. In addition 28 Islamic terrorism supporters were arrested and the bodies of two Islamic terrorists were found in the countryside along with 46 bunkers used by Islamic terrorists. Most bunkers were empty but those that were not contained 23 automatic rifles, 39 semi-automatic and single shot rifles, 1,600 rounds of rifle and pistol ammo, four rockets, two RPG launchers, two mortars, four bomb making workshops, 30 crude bombs, along with seven cell phones and other equipment. On the borders, mainly in the south, 128 smugglers were arrested and several hundred tons of food, consumer goods and fuel seized. Also intercepted were 1,301 illegal migrants, which have become a lucrative business for the smugglers. Troops following up on tips from locals are scouring the coastal hills and finding few live Islamic terrorists but lots of evidence that they used to be, but not many of them recently. For all of 2016 125 Islamic terrorists were killed. This included fifteen ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) members and nearly all once belonged to AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb), which was formed in 2007 from several of the 1990s era Algerian groups. Most of these clashes took place east of the capital or in the far south near the borders of Mali, Niger and Libya. Algeria is one of the growing number of North African nations (like Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt) that are defeating Islamic terrorism. Despite efforts by popular (elsewhere) Islamic terror groups to get established in Algeria the local population and security forces have successfully opposed this. In 2016 230 Islamic terrorists were arrested or surrendered. Thats an increase over 2015 as is success in finding hideouts (over 460) and arms caches (containing over 750 assault rifles, machine-guns and sniper rifles as well as over four tons of ammo and explosives) belonging to Islamic terror groups. When Islamic terrorists lose this much infrastructure and armed supporters they are in big trouble. This can be seen in the declining number of terror attacks and growing number of Islamic terrorists clashing with the security forces and losing. May 28, 2017: In the east, just across the border in Tunisia, soldiers searching the mountainous forests near Mount Chaambi encountered two Islamic terrorists who had been hiding out there since 2014. One terrorist was killed and another wounded. The dead man was later identified as the local ISIL leader who was planning attacks in Tunisia. Weapons, ammo and other material were seized. Any intel is shared with Algeria, which reciprocates. Based on information found at the ISIL hideouts three more Islamic terrorism suspects were arrested the next day and more arrests are expected in Tunisia and Algeria. Tunisian border police and soldiers have spent several years hunting for 30-50 Islamic terrorists operating near the Kasserine Pass and Mount Chaambi in the Atlas Mountains just across the border. Tunisian security personnel are searching a hundred square kilometers of sparsely populated forests and mountains without much success because more of the men they seek are killed carrying out attacks or fleeing the country. After 2011 Tunisia had to deal with armed Islamic terrorists they had not experienced since 2007. Many of these armed were terrorists who fled Mali after the January 2013 French advance into northern Mali and others were from Algeria. Most of these appear to have moved on, or quit. In the southeast (Illizi Province) five Libyan farmers visiting their land on the border were shot at by armed men from Algeria. One Libyan was killed and four wounded. The victims were not sure if the attackers were Algerian soldiers patrolling the Libyan border or Algerian Islamic terrorists who often cross the border to buy supplies in Libya, sometimes at the nearby border town of Ghat. There is not much government on the Libyan side of the border with local Tuareg tribal leaders doing the best they can. These Tuareg have cooperated with Algeria before and have asked for Algerian help in identifying the shooters. May 27, 2017: In Batna province (500 kilometers southeast of the capital) troops killed four Islamic terrorists in a brief gun battle. Further east, on the Libyan border, soldiers caught three armed men trying to enter Algeria and after a brief firefight the three retreated back into Libya but left weapons and other supplies behind. May 24, 2017: The navy put into service the second of two MEKO A200 class frigates it ordered from Germany in 2012. The first one entered service in 2016. These 3,500 ton ships are armed with eight anti-ship missiles, 16 anti-aircraft missiles, four 324mm torpedo tubes, a 76mm gun, two 35mm, and two 20mm autocannon as well as a helicopter. Crew size is 100 and it can stay at sea 21 days before needing refueling and resupply. Top speed is 50 kilometers an hour. MEKO class ships are a mature and reliable design that is used for ships displacing from nearly 1,000 tons to nearly 4,000. The A200 types cost about $400 million each. This purchase caused some unrest in Algeria, where the corrupt government has spent little on social needs, despite billions in oil income. May 9, 2017: The neighbors of Libya met again (for the 11th time) in the capital of Algeria. There were representatives from the UN as well as the UN backed Libyan GNA (Government of National Accord). The neighbors attending included Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Niger and Chad. Everyone agreed there should be no foreign intervention. In reality Egyptian efforts to keep Libyan Islamic terrorists and weapons smugglers out has led to armed intervention by Egypt and the UAE (United Arab Emirates). There are also some foreign special operations troops working in eastern Libya. All this was not an issue at the meeting today, instead there was continued dismay at the inability of the two main factions in Libya to agree to a peace deal. The Arab Gulf State of Abu Dhabi recently hosted a meeting between Libyan opposition military leader Khalifa Hiftar and the prime minister of the GNA government. This was the first time these two men met. This meeting led to more Moslem nations backing Egypt in its effort to support Hiftar. Egypt has resisted pressure from the UN to get behind the GNA which the UN organized in 2015 but has been unable to convince all Libyans to support. Egypt sees GNA as too cozy with Islamic conservative groups. Algeria feels the same way as do many other local Moslem nations. These attitudes are no secret because leaders from Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt have met several times since 2012 to discuss Libya and continue to agree that none of them wants to intervene militarily (on a large scale) to deal with the chaos next door. But at the same time all three nations, which have long borders with Libya, agreed to cooperate with whatever faction was controlling the Libyan side of the border and will work to keep Islamic terrorists from freely moving back and forth across the border. Thus Egypt has become very close to the HoR (elected House of Representatives that GNA replaced) government while Tunisia is on good terms with both the GNA and pro-HoR groups who have worked with Tunisia to control Islamic terrorism, especially ISIL. Tunisia noted that general Hiftar (the HoR military leader) keeps ISIL out of eastern Libya while pro-GNA militias drove ISIL out of their new base in Sirte by the end of 2016. All this greatly reduced ISIL activity in Tunisia. Algeria noted the same thing and all three neighboring countries have increased their border security to contain the lawlessness that still predominates throughout Libya. The GNA has not ignored neighborhood politics and has recently sent officials to Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Russia to make their case for being the only national government in Libya. These officials came back with vague promises to help and some blunt assessments by foreigners about what HoR does right especially compared to GNA efforts. The GNA is also advised to make more of an effort to reconcile their differences with HoR, especially when it comes to general Hiftar. May 4, 2017: Parliamentary elections took place today and the bad news was that the vote was rigged, as usual, and the ruling party maintained its controlling majority. Government efforts to get more people to vote failed, with only 29 percent of eligible voters participating compared to 34 percent five years ago. The greatest concern of the government was getting enough people to participate. Meanwhile the number of young Algerians participating in anti-government protests continues to rise. The government has been pretending to reform the political system but that is widely seen as another sad failure. In 2016 parliament passed much needed changes to the constitution. But reformers were not impressed because as long as power is monopolized by a few families (which were prominent in the 1960s rebellion against France) new laws will not change anything and in this case they did not. Thats because some of the new reforms were implemented in the past but then cancelled when it suited the corrupt and dictatorial ruling families. Unless the government introduces and enforces honest voting and then obeys the law, there can be no real reform. This is a common pattern worldwide and especially in the Middle East. Everyone knows that corruption and bad government are the main cause of stagnant economies and general unrest but not enough of those in charge are willing to give up enough power to fix the problem. In part this is because of the well-founded (in history) fear that another group of corrupt officials will resume the practice of rigging elections. The government, mindful of what happened in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when rising unemployment and falling oil prices led to widespread unrest and eventually an Islamic terrorist uprising, is making a major effort to cushion the population from the impact of the current (and apparently long-term) decline in oil prices. There is also talk of doing something about the corruption, but not much action. The problem, for most Algerians, is that the government says the right things but does not follow up. This delays an explosive popular reaction and reminds Algerians that they have been tolerating this corrupt and ruthless ruling class since the 1960s. Then again students of Algerian history note that this form of government was common in what is now Algeria for thousands of years and played a role in giving the French an excuse to take over in the 19th century and run Algeria as a colony for over a century before leaving (involuntarily) in the early 1960s. Despite all the talk about a new beginning the post-colonial Algerian leaders promptly went old school and there it remains. The main reason Europe pays attention is because the return to the old school governing methods also meant the return of North African based criminal groups that found new ways to prey on Europe. And so it came to pass the Algeria found it could resume extorting cash and other favors from European states. That sort of thing has not been seen since the 19th century (the Barbary Pirates and Saracen Corsairs) and before that flourished for nearly a thousand years. Ancient vices are difficult to shed. The Progressive Corporation, an insurance holding company, provides personal and commercial auto, personal residential and commercial property, general liability, and other specialty property-casualty insurance products and related services in the United States. It operates in three segments: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property. The Personal Lines segment writes insurance for personal autos and recreational vehicles (RV). This segment's products include personal auto insurance; and special lines products, including insurance for motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, watercrafts, snowmobiles, and related products. The Commercial Lines segment provides auto-related primary liability and physical damage insurance, and business-related general liability and property insurance for autos, vans, pick-up trucks, and dump trucks used by small businesses; tractors, trailers, and straight trucks primarily used by regional general freight and expeditor-type businesses, and long-haul operators; dump trucks, log trucks, and garbage trucks used by dirt, sand and gravel, logging, and coal-type businesses; and tow trucks and wreckers used in towing services and gas/service station businesses; as well as non-fleet and airport taxis, and black-car services. The Property segment writes residential property insurance for homeowners, other property owners, and renters, as well as offers personal umbrella insurance, and primary and excess flood insurance. The company also offers policy issuance and claims adjusting services; and acts as an agent to homeowner general liability, workers' compensation insurance, and other products. In addition, it provides reinsurance services. The company sells its products through independent insurance agencies, as well as directly on Internet through mobile devices, and over the phone. The Progressive Corporation was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Mayfield, Ohio. Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a marine fuel logistics company that markets and supplies refined marine fuel and lubricants to vessels in port, at sea, and on rivers worldwide. The company offers fueling services to ocean-going and a range of coastal vessels, including oil tankers, container ships, drybulk carriers, cruise ships, reefers, LNG/LPG carriers, car carriers, and ferries, as well as to marine fuel traders, brokers, and other end-users of marine fuel and lubricants. It also markets and distributes marine lubricants under the Alfa Marine Lubricants brand; and provides a range of shipping services, such as technical support and maintenance, insurance arrangement and handling, financial administration, and accounting services. As of December 31, 2016, the company owned and operated a fleet of 46 bunkering vessels, including 45 double hulls and 1 single hull special purpose vehicle; 15 double hull bunkering vessels with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 292,400 deadweight ton (dwt); operated 10 land-based storage facilities with an aggregate storage capacity of approximately 1,075,000 cubic meters; and operated 2 vessels as floating storage facility with a cargo carrying capacity of approximately 86,800 dwt. Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, and markets biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, neuroscience, and covid-19 diseases. The company's products include Revlimid, an oral immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma; Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; and Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis. It also provides Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia; Yervoy for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma; Abraxane, a protein-bound chemotherapy product; Reblozyl for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia; and Empliciti for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In addition, the company offers Zeposia to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; Breyanzi, a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma; Inrebic, an oral kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with myelofibrosis; and Onureg for the treatment of adult patients with AML. It sells products to wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, retailers, hospitals, clinics, and government agencies. The company was formerly known as Bristol-Myers Company. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in New York, New York. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form West Salem High Schools 145 seniors learned their final lessons as students before receiving their diplomas Sunday at commencement. The date was Sept. 3, 2013, said science teacher Jennifer Stenberg. It was a beautiful, sunny morning. It meant a new outfit, a new bag and a new schoolthe nerves were very real. I could be describing any of the students in front of me today as this was their first day of high school, but Im actually talking about me because it was also my first day teaching here, the senior class elected speaker explained. The nerves on this day were similar to other first days of mine, and it was through these experiences that I would like to offer you three pieces of advice. Stenberg spoke of her first day as a first grade student. A new girl at school, she sat at recess on her first day crying because she had no one to play with. Luckily for me, someone chose to be kind to the new girl. Her name was Jessica, and on Aug. 23 of 1983 she chose kindness, she said. Stenberg spoke about the importance of choosing kindness, explaining that her friendship with Jessica has now stretched more than 30 years, that time filled with life experiences they shared with one another. Aug. 28, 1995, Stenberg continued. It was my first day of college and I was very happy and excited. And then reality set in. Reality came in the form of a calculus class as she bombed her first exam and continued to struggle. She found the learning center at the school and eventually passed the class, but it took time and effort. Struggling in that calculus class taught me that failure is okay. It is really what you do after failure that matters, she said. Finally, Stenberg spoke about Aug. 28, 2001Her first day teaching at Baraboo High School where she met a student that left a special impact on her. A student named Jordan sticks out in my memory, she explained. He was an extremely positive person, who always came enthused and happily participated. Students liked him and so did teachers. Three years later, Jordan died of a brain aneurysm in his sleep at college. It was an incredibly difficult time for staff and students, she said. But the day he passed away will always stick with me because it was also the day I found out I was going to be a mom for the first time. It was so touching to me that through such a tragedy something positive was happening. His positive nature is something I try to exemplify every day. She also challenged the graduates. Today is the first day that will allow you to make choices that shape the rest of your life. I challenge you to make the most of your first days and hope that you will choose to be kind, to persevere, and to live your life with positivity and integrity. Salutatorian Isaac Trocinski followed with a speech that made the large crowd assembled laugh. Im Isaac Trocinski, the class salutatorianor as UrbanDictionary puts it, the person that just missed being valedictorian by a few GPA points, he joked. If there is one thing I learned from this experience, its stop trying so hard. He also thanked faculty members, administrators and other West Salem School District employees. Because of your hard work and dedication, I learned two very important things. Most importantly, I will never become a teacher in a high school. I do not know how you deal with us, he said. After the audience shared laughs over his one-liners, he left the crowd assembled with words of hope. I hope that you all follow your own path and start your own trek for greatness. Today is a celebration of a new beginning, Trocinski said. Valedictorian Kaylee Mulholland asked her fellow classmates not to forget their time together. Four years ago we entered this building as individuals, but today we leave as the graduating class of 2017, she said. I would like to think we learned something. Freshman year, they learned to walk down the right side of the hallway, she explained. She also mentioned that in order to get treated like adults, they learned they must act like adults. Sophomore year was learning that even though they werent the bottom of the totem pole anymore, things werent going to be handed to them. Junior year was about integrity and responsibility as they prepared for their final year. Senior year was about learning that we are all in this together. I think we have spent more time together in the last six months than in the last 13 years, she joked. But she had more to say, too. If you take anything from high school, I hope you remember that you dont have to be perfect. When you leave these doors I hope you learn more, discover more, and be more, but dont forget the lessons you learned here, Mulholland said. Congratulations class of 2017, you have done it. The Toronto region needs to stop building office parks surrounded by giant, parking lots on the fringes and start urbanizing its job zones, putting employment near transit and creating pedestrian friendly business parks. Urban planner Pamela Blais says the same measures being used to curb housing sprawl need to apply to the commercial sector to cut congestion and ensure the region continues to attract the talent that will feed employment growth. She has written detailed profiles of two of the region's longstanding employment megazones being published this week by the non-profit Neptis Foundation, which has been studying the impact of provincial anti-sprawl policies. The study areas known as Tor-York East and Tor-York West both traverse Toronto and York Region. Combined, they represent about 245,000 jobs, mostly in industries that drive growth in the region and are economically significant in Canada. While the Greater Golden Horseshoe lost jobs between 2001 and 2011, these two employment zones actually made gains. There were 470,000 jobs downtown and about 300,000 in the Pearson airport employment megazone during the study period which ends in 2011, the year of the latest available statistics. There has been growth since, said Blais. Toronto, for example, put the number of downtown jobs at 511,000 last year. Her reports track the loss of traditional manufacturing jobs in Tor-York East and West and the incursion of new knowledge-based industries employers that covet top talent and a diverse labour pool. But those workers will go where they can get downtown style amenities. "You can't really talk about complete communities without talking about employment," said Blais. "There's a move away from the sterile business park to one where people are able to walk out to lunch and have a pizza without having to get in their car and drive. Emerging jobs are compatible with multi-storey office towers rather than low, spread-out manufacturing facilities. Redeveloping the surface parking lots and building on some vacant business park sites could free up space for up to 57,000 office workers, according to Blais. Many of those offices would be in easy reach of new transit such as the Viva bus rapid transit (BRT) along Highway 7. But even that service, the subway to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and expanded two-way, all-day GO service won't be enough to put all workers in the megazones on transit, she said. Employment megazones haven't been included in Ontario's recently updated Growth Plan, which has instead focused on residential growth, said Neptis executive director Marcy Burchfield. Where York Region has introduced BRT, the planning is still focused on cars, she said. "Even though the BRT is going through there, it's not friendly to pedestrians. When you go into where much of the financial business services are concentrated, they are still planned around surface parking lots and there are less amenities in them," said Burchfield. Neptis's employment megazones are a microcosm of what's happening in the broad economy, she said. "To realize the full potential of the megazones is really critical to the economic prosperity of our region," said Burchfield. "That means restricting office development at the edges of the region. No more new suburban office parks. The 100 million sq. ft. of office space we're expecting to plan for over the next 25 years we have to do that in a way that maximizes out transit investments and the economic potential," she said. York Region officials say Blais's reports are proof that their urban planning is paying off in jobs. The amenities, they say, are coming. "Both areas have done well to attract jobs in the knowledge-based economy that we've been moving towards," said Paul Freeman, manager of planning policy. Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and Markham Centre have seen more than 1 million sq. ft. of new office development over the last four years, including facilities built or being development by KPMG, Miller Thomson, PwC and Aviva Canada, said Doug Lindeblom, director of economic strategy. He cited Lenovo Canada, TD Insurance and General Motors developments south of Markham Centre in the employment megazone. "We're building cities. We're building different kinds of cities than you'll see in downtown Toronto but the amenities are coming," he said, adding the office development has been driven by the development of about 10,000 condo units in the region over the last three years. SHARE: NEW YORKThe Trump administrations adversarial stance toward marijuana has brought jitters to the burgeoning cannabis industry, but money continues to pour in. Pot-related companies raised more than $734 million (U.S.) between Jan. 1 and April 21, an almost sevenfold increase from $108 million in the same period last year, according to a report from New Frontier Data and Viridian Capital Advisors. That brings the total amount raised to $1.9 billion since the start of 2016. The investment surge reflects optimism that U.S. President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions wont crack down on the industry, even as those concerns weigh on stock prices this year. Since hitting a peak in February, the Bloomberg Intelligence Global Cannabis Index has dropped 36 per cent. Read more: Marijuana industry pioneer launches cannabis streaming firm Canadas coming to grips with what legal pot actually means, forum hears On weed, Trumps homeland chief and attorney general could hardly be further apart For cannabis financiers, the industrys growth potential outshines the political risk. Eight states voted to legalize cannabis in some form on Nov. 9, including the U.S.s largest. Legal cannabis demand in California is set to grow by 50 per cent in 2018, when recreational use is scheduled to come online, according to the report. The reports authors forecast that national demand for legalized marijuana will almost quadruple by 2025. With each new state that legalizes, that need for capital is going to be there, said John Kagia, New Frontiers executive vice-president of industry analytics and author of the report. It will continue to represent a substantial investment opportunity for the foreseeable future. As a result of competition for funding, seed capital is being raised in greater initial amounts and its cost is getting more expensive, New Frontier chief executive officer Giadha Aguirre de Carcer said. The boom has taken place amid an unclear policy outlook under Trump. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in February that he expects the Department of Justice to increase enforcement of federal laws prohibiting recreational pot use, even in states where its allowed. While Spicer defended medical marijuana, Sessions indicated he dislikes anything to do with the plant. Our nation needs to say once again that using drugs is bad; it will destroy your life, Sessions said in a speech to law-enforcement officials in March. I reject the idea that were going to be better placed if we have more marijuana. Its not a healthy substance, particularly for young people. Despite his stance, Sessions hasnt done anything to really pump the brakes on the industry. Congress passed an amendment to the federal spending bill that prevents his department from cracking down on medical-marijuana programs that have been legalized by states. Still, Trump signalled last month that he may not consider that ban binding. The uncertainty has made some investors more nervous about getting into the industry. Theres a lot of fear, said Rob Hunt, a founding partner of Tuatara Capital, which invests in cannabis companies and has more than $100 million under management. The silver lining, however, is that its not very likely were ever getting someone further to the right on this issue than Sessions is. Scott Greiper, president and founder of Viridian, notes in the report that a day doesnt go by where an investor hasnt asked us about the potential impact of Mr. Spicers comments in particular, and the Trump administration in general. Neither the political threats nor ongoing banking and tax difficulties will ultimately derail the industry, Viridian and New Frontier predict. Legal sales of cannabis products are expected to reach $24.1 billion in 2025, up from $6.6 billion in 2016. Investment will keep gaining too, particularly because interstate commerce is prohibited. That means every state that legalizes weed must create its own infrastructure. The publics support for legalization rose to 60 per cent in 2016, more than doubling from 20 years ago, New Frontier reports, citing Gallup polling data. What weve also seen in the past 18 months or so is an increased number of more sophisticated companies entering the industry, de Carcer said. And theyve come with more mature and experienced management teams, she said. Read more about: SHARE: Fugue: A disturbed state of consciousness in which the one affected seems to perform acts in full awareness but upon recovery cannot recollect the acts performed (according to the Merriam Webster dictionary). Alternatively, it can mean a musical composition in which one or two themes are repeated or imitated by successively entering voices and interweaving voice parts. In the case of Pasha Mallas Fugue States, it is both. Mallas sophomore novel interweaves the voices of two opposite but equally strange 40ish-going-on-14-year-olds, including one who literally suffers a fugue state. Malla lit up the Canadian literary scene with his debut collection of short stories, The Withdrawal Method, in 2008. The collection won the Trillium Book Award and was nominated for both the Giller Prize and the Commonwealth Writers Prize Best First Book award. His 2012 novel debut, People Park, was shortlisted for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award and was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. The novel opens with Ash, a semisuccessful novelist and self-destructive radio host, delivering the eulogy for his Kashmiri-born father, a reluctant immigrant who remains largely a mystery to his son. As he mourns or tries to Ash comes across what seems to be an unfinished novel penned by his father. Enter Matt, a brash childhood friend who recurs throughout Ashs life like an uncomfortable and incurable rash. An aimless, middle-aged connoisseur of cannabis and strip clubs, Matt takes it upon himself to help Ash through the loss of his father, help being an overly generous description of Matts interventions. Quite inexplicably, helping ultimately leads Matt to travel to India in Ashs stead to discover the land Ashs father loved and lost. That quixotic journey forms the basis of Mallas novel, which lurches from tragedy to comedy with the rhythm of an Indian commuter train. In turns hilarious and baffling, Fugue States is one has to hope part parody of the dude-bro culture represented in vivid, living colour by Matt. His beers-and-broads approach, though, is almost tolerable in comparison to the sulking, self-centred Ash. To see India through Matts eyes is cringe-inducing but to see Matt and just about every other person in the world through Ashs is almost too much to bear. Even Ash is not spared from his own searing judgment. At a book club reading of his one and only novel, Hearing his own words careless words, despicable words Ash began to share SLAWs [the book clubs] disgust. The book had long embarrassed him as a document of youth, like a school photo that captured some especially flagrant hairstyle. A poet and essayist as well as a novelist, Malla manoeuvres from poetic prose to adolescent references to fart smells and bodily fluids with ease. With an onslaught of offensive stereotypes, the novel also riffs on western arrogance and ignorance of any culture outside the beer-and-latte swilling Canadian norm. Theyd long ago established that trauma was best tiptoed around like a coiled snake, its bite numbed by booze, Ash notes during one of Matts childish attempts to comfort him following his fathers funeral. Within a few pages, the reader is treated to an unforgettable story about a ring and a torn sphincter. A literal poop-storm, Matt tells a group of strangers in a bar. Im frigging drenched in the stuff! he cried. And whatd I eat the night before? Chinese food. So theres this gross sweet and sour sauce poop, and egg noodle poop, and wonton soup poop everywhere and this guys just staring at me, hes probably going to evict me. From there the crowd dissipates pretty quickly. Outlandish and over the top, sorrowful and entertaining at the same time, Fugue States is a thought-provoking exploration of the first-generation Canadian experience. It is difficult to pull off the unlikeable lead character and both main characters here test that theory. There is little to like about either Ash or Matt but Malla manages to invest in them enough potential for redemption to keep the reader turning pages. Dene Moore is a Metis writer and editor in British Columbia. SHARE: A taxi company cannot be held liable for the alleged sexual assault of a passenger by one of its drivers, Ontarios top court ruled on Friday. In dismissing an appeal by the complainant, the Court of Appeal sided with a lower court judge that the company had done no wrong. The alleged sexual assault may be characterized as only coincidentally linked to the activities of the taxi company, the Appeal Court said. The taxi company did not require or permit the driver to touch the customer in any intimate body zones. The alleged incident arose when a woman had a friend at a party call United Taxi in Kitchener, Ont., late one evening to come get her. The woman, who was intoxicated, claimed the driver sexually assaulted her. She sued him and the owner of the cab. She also sued the cab company on the basis that it was liable for the drivers actions. In September last year, Superior Court Justice David Broad dismissed her claim against the company. Evidence was that the driver had no criminal record. Nor was there any indication the company knew, or should have known, that he might have had a propensity for, or history of, sexual or other violence. As a result, Broad said, it would defy common sense to hold the company responsible for the alleged assault. The wrongful acts alleged by the plaintiff against (the driver) were only coincidentally linked to United Taxis activities as the operator of a taxi-dispatching business, Broad ruled. The woman appealed. While she didnt argue the company had actually done anything wrong, she nevertheless maintained it bore responsibility. The Appeal Court disagreed even though an employer can sometimes be held responsible for an employees misdeeds without having been negligent or having done something blameworthy. Such a situation is known as vicarious liability, and most commonly occurs when an employee accidentally causes loss or damage to a third party. An example might be when a supermarket worker leaves a mop on the floor and a customer trips on it. The more difficult issue is when an employer should be found vicariously liable for an unauthorized, intentional wrong, such as a sexual assault, committed by the employee, the Appeal Court said. In such cases, Associate Chief Justice Alexandra Hoy wrote in the decision, courts generally refrain from imposing liability for an employees abhorrent, intentional acts. Read more: Party girl stereotype factored into cabbie sex assault acquittal, review suggests Courts struggle to determine how drunk is too drunk to consent Halifax judge in taxi sex assault case made many errors, Crown says in appeal A key consideration in making an exception, Hoy said in citing case law, is the existence of a strong connection between what an employer asks an employee to do and the wrongful act itself. It must be possible to say that the employer significantly increased the risk of the harm by putting the employee in his or her position and requiring him to perform the assigned tasks, the Appeal Court noted. In analyzing this case, Hoy agreed that a driver has some power over a lone, intoxicated woman, but said the connection to the companys demands of its employees wasnt strong enough to make it responsible. Sadly, however, she is prey not only to taxi drivers, the court said. The power the driver allegedly wrongfully exercised was not predicated on his employment. The court also noted the alleged assault did not further the companys aims. In fact, its driver rules state: Do not touch any customer if possible, and Do not ask a customer out for a date. The Canadian Press does not name alleged victims of sexual assault without their active consent. SHARE: OTTAWAThe mayors of Canadas biggest cities say they need a slice of the tax windfall from legal marijuana to cover what they describe as significant costs associated with enforcing a signature initiative from the federal Liberals. They raised their concerns with cabinet ministers this week, pressing the case that some tax revenues from sale of the drug must filter down to cover costs associated with land-use issues, business licensing applications and enforcement once the purchase, sale and recreational use of the drug is no longer illegal. The parliamentary budget officer estimated in a report last year that sales tax revenue to federal and provincial governments combined could be as low as $356 million and as high as $959 million in the first year of legalization, depending on the price put on cannabis and usage. Were not in a position to collect any (taxes), Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, chairman of the mayors group, said in an interview this week. One conversation that we think is important to have is support for local governments dealing with the costs of enforcement. It would be up to local police to enforce impaired driving laws, provisions about sales to minors and any necessary bylaws for dispensaries that open up in communities. Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said cities are asking the federal government for more details as early as the fall about how the law will impact them. We also need some clarity around the law, so that we can be prepared to deal with dispensaries, many of whom think that they, as soon as this (bill) passes, can just open anywhere they want, Savage said. Several mayors say they feel the Trudeau Liberals are moving at breakneck speed, leaving them little time to prepare for the new regime. The Liberals hope to make marijuana legal by the summer of 2018. Read more: Provinces say they may need more time as liberals move to legalize marijuana The one thing that, of course, concerns me is the timing of how quickly this is occurring, especially given that I certainly have concerns about likely increased costs to policing, said Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman. Depending on how its rolled out, depending on where the revenues are being collected and by whom could play a role in helping us address our concerns and what we expect are going to be increasing costs to policing. The governments legalization bill, C-45, was being debated at second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, blocks away from where thousands of delegates were gathered for the annual meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Trudeau addressed the gathering in the morning after the official start of the annual meeting, focusing on what local leaders describe as an opioid epidemic in their communities. Health officials and political leaders have been sounding the alarm about a dramatic spike in opioid deaths across Canada the focus of a national summit in Ottawa last fall that pulled together experts from across the country. In his speech, Trudeau said governments wont rest until they turn the tide of the crisis, pointing to the governments latest budget as evidence of the governments interest in addressing the problem: The budget included $110 million over five years for a national drug strategy. The opioid epidemic has touched the lives of countless Canadians, in one way or another, Trudeau said. We must come together to address this crisis and thats why were working with our provincial, territorial and municipal partners to find lasting solutions. Later in the day, the government announced it has approved three new supervised drug consumption sites for Toronto. In a statement, Health Minister Jane Philpott said evidence shows such sites save lives and decrease hospital admissions related to injection drug use. SHARE: Ottawa spent $707,000 in legal fees fighting a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal order since January 2016 that insisted they stop discriminating against Indigenous children, according to the attorney generals office. New Democrat MP Charlie Angus asked Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould on April 10 what the governments total legal costs were in the battle between the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations against the government since Jan. 25, 2016. Angus just received the answer of $707,000 for legal costs, including disbursements. That is nearly twice the $380,000 needed by Wapekeka First Nation for emergency mental health care after the northern Ontario community uncovered a suicide pact last year. Health Canada denied them the funding and two 12-year-old girls, Jolynn Winter and Chantell Fox, took their lives in January. How is it possible the office of (Indigenous Affairs Minister) Carolyn Bennett and (Health Minister) Jane Philpott decided it was awkward to spend money to keep those girls alive but it wasnt awkward to spend money on lawyers to fight the tribunal? Angus said Thursday. After a prolonged legal fight, the tribunal ruled in January 2016, that Canada was breaking the law by not making equitable health and social services payments to Indigenous children living on reserves. On May 26 the tribunal slammed the governments slow reaction to their ruling, saying they squandered any chance of preventing the deaths of Winter and Fox. The $707,000 could have gone a long way for mental health services for children in need, said Cindy Blackstock, the executive director of the First Nations Family Caring Society. I just dont understand it, she said. The government has received a series of non-compliance orders from the tribunal since their 2016 ruling. In an act of desperation, Blackstock wrote a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asking him to personally intervene in this case. It should be abundantly clear by now, after four non-compliance orders and the most recent order linking Canadas non-compliance to the tragic deaths of two 12-year-old girls that these departments are either unwilling or unable to do it on their own. They need leadership from the Prime Ministers Office to do it, she said. I worry about this non-compliance as each day passes because children and their families continue to live in crisis. When contacted by the Star on Thursday, a spokesperson for Philpotts office pointed to the joint statement released last week by the Health and Indigenous affairs ministries after the latest non-compliance ruling. The statement said more than 4,900 requests for health, social and educational products or services have been approved for children under the Jordans Principle Child-First Initiative. We are reaching out to First Nations families, health providers and key stakeholders to raise awareness of Jordans Principle, encourage families to come forward, and help families obtain the services and supports they need, the statement said. In an emailed statement, James Fitzmorris, spokesperson for Bennett, said the department strongly agrees with the tribunals order to put children first in its approach to First Nations health and social spending. He said the government has been responding to the legal case at the tribunal and cant ignore orders to appear. Canada fully accepted and is implementing the CHRT ruling of 2016 all legal fees incurred since then are related to responding to orders from the CHRT to appear and explain the steps Canada is taking to ensure an end to discrimination against First Nations Children in Child and Family services, the statement said. Blackstock said the government knows what to do and that is fund all children equitably but they are just willingly not doing it. That is a very hard thing for me to think about. I have always believed in the goodness of people. I cant wrap my mind around why good people would not comply with four legal orders, she said, adding she sent the letter to Trudeau on Monday. At the heart of the tribunal case is the definition of Jordans Principle, named after Jordan River Anderson, a 5-year-old boy from Norway House First Nation who died in 2005. Parliament unanimously passed a motion to adopt Jordans Principle in 2007, to ensure that all Indigenous children immediately get health and welfare services they need. In January 2016 the tribunal ruled the governments definition of Jordans Principle was too narrow in its focus on cases where children had multiple disabilities. This led to service gaps, delays and denials for First Nations children, the tribunal found. Last year, the Liberal government committed up to $382.5 million over three years to pay for services highlighted by the tribunals first ruling on discrimination. Correction June 2, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version that misstated the amount spent by the Federal government in legal fees as $770,000 in one instance. SHARE: With the Toronto Zoo strike in a bitter fourth week, both sides appear dug in for a closure into peak season when thousands of visitors normally stream daily through fare gates to see pandas and more. Representatives of CUPE Local 1600, representing more than 400 striking zoo staff, and managers of the city-owned facility in Scarborough have not met since contract negotiations halted May 20. In interviews and statements Thursday, they disagreed on who left the table, the nature of the sole sticking point, whether breeding programs continue normally, and who initiated a union member going inside the shuttered zoo to help save the lives of ailing newborn clouded leopards. I honestly cant predict how long the strike will last, Christine McKenzie, a zookeeper who heads the union local, told the Star. She said her team is prepared to resume talks quickly, but not on a management proposal that new hires be protected from layoff, caused by contracting out, only after 11 years of full-time service. McKenzie said a zoo offer to protect all current zoo staff from contracting out would create an unacceptable two-tiered system. The union proposed giving the job security to staff as soon as they have four or more years service. Giving existing workers job protection denied to most future staff would introduce a draconian wedge into any workplace environment, she said. It was meant to be a dangling carrot. Its hard to say no to full protection for current workers, but were not going to sell out future workers to expedite an agreement. McKenzie on Thursday emailed a three-page clarification directly to zoo board members. Jennifer Tracey, the zoos communications director, said in an email the zoo disputes arguments in that email and believes there are financial and bargaining considerations that support the zoos position with respect to the changes it has proposed to the job security provision that applies to new employees . . . . We remain prepared to further those discussions at the bargaining table. However, we do not believe that it advances the bargaining process to pursue those issues through the media. The union has publicly wondered if the zoo wants labour flexibility to contract out jobs to cheaper, untrained contract workers, and possibly close parts of the sprawling park in low season. The zoo countered that it plans improvements including enhanced habitat areas for Canadian and exotic animals, a variety of overnight facilities where Canadians can get closer to nature as well as a new plan to enhance the visitors winter experience to attract more guests during the non-peak season. Peak season, meanwhile, is fast approaching for a zoo has struggled in recent years with sagging attendance and last year needed a city subsidy of $12.6 million to keep afloat the major tourist draw and research/breeding facility. Last year, May attendance of a little more than 150,000 shot up to about 170,000 in June and 230,000 in July. Attendance for the entire year was just more than1.3 million. In a Star op-ed this week, zoo board chair Councillor Paul Ainslie said the zoo needs more labour flexibility to continue providing the best possible care for its animals and a wonderful educational experience for its guests. On Thursday, fellow councillor and zoo board member Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker called that argument a load of zoo poo. This strike is a disaster and zoo management are making stupid mistakes attacking our employees job security for absolutely no reason, said De Baeremaeker, who was on the losing end of a 6-3 board vote on the union offer. Weve only got pandas for a limited time (until 2018) and were going to lose millions of dollars in attendance revenues because of management stupidity. As for the 5,000 zoo animals, the union argues the longer they are away from their regular keepers the more breeding programs for endangered species will suffer and the more animals will forget cues, such as presenting body parts for blood draws or scans, that limit the need for potentially dangerous anesthesia. But Dr. Chris Dutton, the zoos head of veterinary services, says conservation programs continue just fine. The animals are doing very well under the care of between 85 and 100 non-union staff, including people who normally do office work, but are being supervised by wildlife care experts, veterinarians and curators, he said. People have been working anything from 12, 14, even up to 17-hour days, to ensure that the animals receive the best possible health and welfare, which really hasnt changed, except for a reduction in transfer of animals between facilities, he said. The last strike was in 1996 at what was then the Metro zoo. Managers kept most of the facility open to the public during the seven-week walkout, but, the Star reported at the time, attendance plummeted. In 1996, the Star reported that Adam Wiech, who usually ran the zoos computer systems, was instead interfacing with rhino waste. Twenty-one years later, Dutton said, Wiech is back mucking out the rhino space. He doesnt seem to mind, Dutton said with a laugh, adding Wiech reported significant weight loss when he got out from behind a desk in 1996. SHARE: The federal government has given the official go-ahead for three planned supervised injection sites in Toronto, the final step in a process that took years to unfold. And the provincial government announced Friday that promised funding for both renovations and operations totaling $3.5 million will now flow to the existing community health centres on Queen East, at Yonge-Dundas and on Queen West, meaning construction can begin and the sites will be on track to open later this year. This is 10 years in the making. And its the culmination of work by harm-reduction workers, health professionals and people across Toronto who have been trying to save lives, said Joe Cressy, the downtown rookie councilor who chairs the citys drug strategy implementation panel and has led that push at city hall this term. Were overjoyed that these life-saving services will soon be open in Toronto. The funding announced Friday was more than the sum initially requested by the city and would cover increased annual operating costs and one-time renovations originally estimated at $350,000, but which increased after design work. Told of the news, Madison McNeil breathed a sigh of relief. Her sister, Brooklyn McNeil, died of an overdose in a Toronto alley just shy of her 23rd birthday last summer. McNeil, a peer worker who helped others with addictions, had spent months advocating for supervised injection services and spoke memorably to councillors at city hall, shortly before her death, to urge them to back the harm-reduction program. Thats awesome. It should have happened a year ago, McNeil said by phone from Thunder Bay. Her sister, she said, had hoped to, one day, work at the sites. If those supervised injection sites had been around a year ago, she would still be here . . . . She had dreams and she was hoping for them to be approved so she would be so happy today. Her mother, Thia Massaro, said the announcements Friday made the sites a reality after so much talking. Its not words anymore. Its concrete. Its going to happen. For those still working on the ground, the news could not be more welcome. Were absolutely thrilled with the announcement, said Angela Robertson, executive director at one of the three sites at Queen West Central Toronto Community Health Centre at Bathurst St. The provision of supervised injection services integrated into our health services will be, I think, a life saving addition to the clients that we serve. Robertson said they, along with the South Riverdale Community Health Centre near Carlaw Ave. and The Works, which is operated by Toronto Public Health, just east of Yonge-Dundas Square, have completed design work for the renovations. If all goes to plan, the sites could be up and running in five months. Each of the centres plan to open booths within their existing spaces to enable users to bring in their own drugs and inject under the supervision of a nurse, who would watch for signs of infection and overdose. The opioid crisis has been called an epidemic countrywide by medical professionals, politicians and advocates. Total overdose deaths in Toronto reached an all-time high in 2014, increasing 77 per cent over a decade to 258 deaths. Of those, 131 were opioid-related, according to a new provincial data-tracking site. That number rose again to 137 opioid deaths in 2015. In the first six months of 2016, the number of deaths totaled 91. Toronto first requested federal permission to open the sites in November. Council had earlier approved the integrated sites in a 36-3 vote with Mayor John Torys backing after positive public consultations in the neighbourhoods that would be home to the sites. The federal rules previously introduced under former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, imposd an onerous approvals process for cities and health providers that wanted such sites. As promised, Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberal government streamlined the process last month. In February, federal Health Minister Jane Philpott gave the green light to three sites in Montreal. SHARE: Less than 24 hours before Saturdays memorial bike ride for Xavier Morgan, city crews installed temporary barriers on a section of Lake Shore Blvd. W., where the 5-year-old boy lost his life last month. The junior kindergarten student was struck by a car after falling into traffic while biking on the Martin Goodman Trail along the busy, multi-lane roadway near Jameson Ave. The barriers will eventually be replaced by 366 metres of permanent fencing separating trail users and motorists, the city announced Friday. New signs and pavement markings will also be added for cyclists and drivers. This barrier fending, along with other measures, will provide additional security for cyclists and pedestrians along this section and remind motorists of the many users of the trail, Councillor Jaye Robinson, chair of the public works and infrastructure committee, said in a news release. Mayor John Tory asked city officials to conduct a safety review of Torontos approximately 300-kilometre network of multi-use trails after the tragedy. Read more: Ghost bike will be memorial for youngster killed in accident My daily commute by bike turned me into a witness of a truly tragic event This will provide more security and comfort for cyclists and pedestrians who use this trail, Tory said in a statement. Councillor Gord Perks (Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park) said the terrible loss of Xavier reminds us that we must do better. His ward includes that stretch of Lake Shore Blvd. W. These first steps will help. We have more work to do to ensure that cyclists and pedestrians are always safe. Jared Kolb, executive director of Cycle Toronto, praised the city for its quick, bold, decisive action. Kolb said he hopes the city will continue its review, particularly with an eye to improving safety on trails promoted as family friendly, which means youre going to have people of all ages and abilities on them. Transportation Services is continuing to examine other trail locations across the city adjacent to major roadways to see if any further modifications would be beneficial. An organizer of Saturdays memorial bike ride said he was encouraged by the citys move. Its very good that the city is putting in a permanent solution for this problem, said Joey Schwartz of the Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists group. Its very unfortunate a person had to die for them to do so. The memorial ride begins at Spadina Ave. and Bloor St. at 10 a.m. and will end at the Canadian Legion on Lake Shore Blvd. West. Schwartz said he hopes the city replaces the temporary fencing with Jersey Barriers, which are in place along other sections along Lake Shore Blvd. The concrete structures could help prevent cars from mounting the curb and crossing onto the trail. On Saturday, organizers plan to install a small ghost bike near the site where Xavier Morgan died, though the exact location will have to be reconsidered in light of the newly installed fence, Schwartz said. While the boys death has helped shine a light on road safety, Schwartz believes attitudes toward cyclists in Toronto still need to change. Weve had so many tragic deaths over the last even five years, including the death of Swansea Public School teacher Tom Samson who was killed while cycling to school. Xavier Morgan was a student at Swansea. Toms case alone should have changed peoples perspective . . . but it didnt, Schwartz said. Everyone needs to realize that bikes are vehicles and we are supposed to be on the road and we need specific, safe infrastructure. My biggest issue with the city is too much (of the infrastructure) is inferior. SHARE: The legacy of Vimy Ridge will live on at one Toronto school with the planting of an oak tree. A 1.5-metre sapling was planted Friday in front of Notre Dame High School to commemorate Canadas 150th anniversary, the Battle of Vimy Ridge centennial anniversary, and the schools 75th year. Its a second generation oak tree, one of those grown through the Vimy Ridge Oak Tree Project. At the end of the Vimy battle, a Canadian soldier gathered a handful of acorns from a destroyed oak tree and later planted them on his Scarborough farm. Now, the second generation saplings, grown from acorns of the trees planted on the farm, are being repatriated to France, while others are being planted in Canadian communities as memorials. They had some extra ones, so the legacy was looking at ways they could find places in Canada that they could put them that would be of significance to the public, said Evan Smith, a teacher at the all-girls high school. He said the idea was suggested by local MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, who was on hand Friday for the ceremony. Smith noted that the trees location is the same spot where students and teachers gather each year for an annual Remembrance Day ceremony. He said he hoped the First World War symbol would plant a seed for students to want to learn more about that part of Canadian history. Its a tree that represents more than one thing, really, but its a Vimy tree, Smith said. Future Remembrance Day ceremonies will always have a piece of Vimy Ridge on our lawn. SHARE: The Progressive Conservatives dealt another blow to Premier Kathleen Wynne at the polls on Thursday, winning the key northern riding of Sault Ste. Marie for the first time since 1981. It was the fifth byelection victory over the Liberals for PC Leader Patrick Brown and makes Sault city councillor Ross Romano the citys new MPP just 12 months before next Junes province-wide vote. His triumph in what was seen as a two-way fight with the NDP gives the Conservatives another foothold in the north, a region Brown has visited 10 times this year to woo support. Tonight we have won a riding that hasnt been held by the PCs for over 30 years, a jubilant Brown said in a statement. Voters have made it clear that its only the Ontario PC party that will fight to make life more affordable. The PCs will be a strong voice for Sault Ste. Marie and northern Ontario. Romano, who took 40.4 per cent of the vote to 32.9 for the NDP, replaces former Wynne cabinet minister David Orazietti, who resigned in December to begin a new career in the Soo and be closer to his family. Brown said the victory is another warning sign for the Liberals, in power since 2003. Ontario families are sending a strong message that they are tired of paying more and getting less, added Brown, who attended the University of Windsor law school with Romano. There is no riding in the province that Kathleen Wynne can take for granted. The Liberals fell to third place with 23.1 per cent of the vote under the candidacy of former one-term Sault mayor Debbie Amaroso. New Democrat city councillor Joe Krmpotich placed second in the riding, which NDP Leader Andrea Horwath had hoped to regain given that it was a party stronghold from 1981 to 2003. In the final days of the campaign, Horwath and Krmpotich increasingly turned their attention to the Conservatives, accusing them of hiding plans for more cuts and privatization. The last time Ontarians put our trust in the Conservatives, they fired 6,000 nurses, closed 28 hospitals and slashed over 7,000 hospital beds, Horwath said Wednesday in the Sault. The byelection result does not change the balance of power at Queens Park. The contest came as Wynne cut hydro rates, promised youth pharmacare starting next year and a $15 minimum wage in 2019 to convince Ontarians she understands the pocketbook challenges they face. But the NDP and PCs portrayed those efforts as a deathbed conversion as Wynnes Liberals, struggling in public opinion polls, try to improve their fortunes with the provincial election looming in 12 months. Ironically, the byelection was held on the last day of the legislatures spring session. MPPs return to Queens Park for the fall sitting on Sept. 11. Wynne acknowledged more than once during the campaign that it would be tough for her Liberals, struggling behind the Conservatives in recent public opinion polls, to win. I think byelections are always very tough for the government, you know, she told reporters in the Soo last month. Horwath and Brown did their best to convince voters it was time for a change in the riding, saying the 25-per-cent hydro rate cuts from Wynne will cost ratepayers billions in the long run. While Horwath also supports a $15 minimum wage, Brown argued Liberal plans to have it hit $14 on Jan. 1 six months before the next election and up another $1 in 2019 are too fast. Its not giving proper notice to our job creators ... so, yes, I have significant concerns, Brown told reporters this week. The majority Liberals now hold 57 seats in the 107-member legislature, including Speaker Dave Levac, to 29 for the Conservatives, 20 for the NDP and 1 for the fledgling Trillium Party after Carleton-Mississippi Mills MPP Jack MacLaren left PC caucus over controversial remarks. Correction June 2, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said the win was the fifth consecutive byelection victory over the Liberals for PC Leader Patrick Brown Read more about: SHARE: Patrick Brown says the Progressive Conservative win in the Sault Ste. Marie byelection signals his party can make gains in areas that havent voted PC in years. It was a surprise, he told the Star in an interview Friday, a day after Sault city councillor Ross Romano took the former Liberal stronghold with 40 per cent support and beat the second-place NDP candidate by 1,856 votes. Brown had been downplaying his partys chances in the contest, noting the PCs had typically finished a distant third behind the Liberals and New Democrats but hoped to improve their showing. With Premier Kathleen Wynnes job up for grabs in provincial election next June, Brown said his 11 visits to the Sault this year and at least 35 to northern Ontario since becoming leader in 2015 are paying dividends. You have to be present. You have to get your message out, he added. I was told by a lot of people you have no business putting resources or effort into Sault Ste. Marie. The New Democrats had high hopes of victory in the riding, which they held before it went Liberal in Dalton McGuintys 2003 sweep. Voters in the Sault had not elected a Tory MPP since 1981 and Wynne, whose party has been lagging behind the Conservatives in most public opinion polls, had repeatedly admitted a Liberal victory would be tough. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said her party is now looking to next springs election. The much bigger fight lies ahead, she said after the defeat of her candidate, city councillor Joe Krmpotich, who had the endorsement of the United Steel Workers union. Just a year from now, the people of Sault Ste. Marie and all Ontarians will be given a choice not just to change a seat in the assembly, but to change governments. But New Democrat stalwarts should be worried that the party could not win in Sault Ste. Marie given their strong roots in the riding and public anger at high hydro prices, said Trevor Tchir, an assistant professor of political science at Algoma University in the Soo. If this was a litmus test for the general election, the NDP has to be concerned. Hydro was a major issue in the byelection, particularly with northerners paying high delivery charges at levels people in heavily urbanized southern Ontario dont face, said Tchir. The Conservatives were really consistent with the we will lower your energy bill message, he added. Thats one of the things he stood out on. The Wynne governments plan to cut hydro bills 25 per cent, passed this week in the legislature, along with promises of a $15 minimum wage and pharmacare for citizens under 25 didnt work in the Sault, Tchir said. Wynne, in Barrie on Friday to highlight the minimum wage plan, shrugged off the loss in the riding held by cabinet minister David Orazietti until he resigned in December. Byelections are tough, she said. I wish the new MPP well. Former Sault mayor Debbie Amaroso ran for the Liberals, placing third with 23 per cent of the vote. Krmpotich had 33 per cent for the NDP. The Conservative byelection victory was the partys fifth since Brown became leader. New Democrats have not won a byelection since MPP Wayne Gates took Niagara Falls from the Liberals in February 2014. The most recent Liberal byelection win was last November when MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers held Ottawa-Vanier after the retirement of cabinet minister Madeleine Meilleur. Read more about: SHARE: WASHINGTON U.S. President Donald Trumps administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to immediately reinstate his stalled travel ban, aiming to reverse a string of courtroom losses and setting up the biggest legal showdown of his young presidency. The request puts a Trump initiative before the Supreme Court for the first time and brings the nine justices into a national drama over claims that the president is targeting Muslims and abusing his authority. The case will give the first indications of how Chief Justice John Roberts court will approach one of the most controversial presidents in the nations history. Trump is asking the court to hear arguments on an expedited basis and to reinstate the executive order in the interim. At issue is Trumps executive order temporarily barring entry into the U.S. by people from six predominantly Muslim countries in an effort to protect the country from terrorists. The administration asked the court to let the ban take effect while the justices decide whether to review a lower court ruling that said the policy was steeped in animus and directed at a single religious group. As a practical matter, the request for immediate action could determine the fate of the policy, given that the ban would be in effect only for 90 days. The court acts on such requests based on the legal papers without hearing arguments. Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump A Virginia-based federal appeals court voted 10-3 to uphold a nationwide halt to the policy, saying the travel ban was driven by unconstitutional religious motivations. The majority pointed to Trumps campaign vow to bar Muslims from entering the country and to the special preference for religious minorities included in an earlier version of the ban. The appeals courts May 25 opinion also faulted the White House for rushing out the first version without consulting with the national security agencies. The executive order speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination, Judge Roger Gregory wrote. Three dissenting judges pointed to a 1972 Supreme Court decision that said courts shouldnt second-guess immigration decisions that are based on a facially legitimate and bona fide reason. Judge Dennis Shedd said the travel-ban ruling would make the country less safe. 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, Shedd wrote. After Trumps proposed Muslim ban drew criticism during the campaign, he shifted course and called for blocking immigration from countries with a proven history of terrorism. The travel policy would temporarily halt issuance of visas to people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Trumps initial travel order issued a week after he took office threw airports around the world into chaos and prompted an outcry from the technology industry and U.S. universities before it was blocked in court. The president signed the revised version on March 6, and he later said it was needed to protect against radical Islamic terrorists. A central question in the legal fight is whether a 2015 opinion written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, the likely swing vote for the Supreme Court, gives judges broader leeway to intervene in immigration decisions. Kennedy said courts should defer to executive branch decisions on immigration absent an affirmative showing of bad faith. His opinion came in the case of a U.S. citizen seeking to challenge the denial of her Afghan husbands visa application. In blocking Trumps travel ban, the appeals court pointed to that language and said the administration acted in bad faith. Kennedy wrote only for himself and Justice Samuel Alito in the 2015 case, but the opinion represented the controlling reasoning for the splintered court. Trumps position was strengthened in April when the Senate confirmed his Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, restoring the courts conservative-leaning majority. Read more about: SHARE: Nigel Farage, the former leader of the U.K. Independence Party (UKIP), ridiculed on Thursday a published report that suggests U.S. investigators think he may be able to shed light on any possible collusion between Russia and Donald Trumps presidential campaign. Farage was responding to an article in the Guardian newspaper Thursday that said he was a person of interest in the FBIs investigation into Moscows contacts with representatives of Trumps campaign, including Michael Flynn, who briefly served as Trumps national security adviser. The Guardian, citing unidentified sources, said Farage was not accused of wrongdoing but had raised the interest of the FBI because of his relationships with the Trump campaign and with Julian Assange, the head of WikiLeaks. Read more:A current Trump adviser is a significant person of interest in Russia probe, people familiar with the case say Intel committee issues subpoena for Trumps personal attorney in ongoing Russia investigation Ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn agrees to provide documents in Russia election probe U.S. officials say Russian hackers working for the government obtained documents from the Democratic Party and provided them to WikiLeaks to damage the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton. Under Farage, the far-right, anti-immigrant UKIP played an influential role in a referendum last year in which British voters supported withdrawing from the European Union, a move commonly known as Brexit. The investigators are examining whether Farage was a link between Assange and Trump advisers including Roger Stone, who has acknowledged being in contact with Guccifer 2.0, a hacker who is thought to be an agent of Russian military intelligence. This hysterical attempt to associate me with the Putin regime is a result of the liberal elite being unable to accept Brexit and the election of President Trump, Farage said in a statement to the New York Times. For the record, I have never been to Russia, Ive had no business dealings with Russia in my previous life and I have appeared approximately three times on RT in the last 18 months, referring to the Russian television network that has been accused of serving as a propaganda organ for the Kremlin. He added that a March meeting he had with Assange in the Ecuadorean embassy in London, where the Australian has received political asylum, was organized for me by LBC Radio with a view to conducting an interview. Farage has hosted a show on the independent radio station in London. Farage said that the Guardian article made him laugh. I consider it extremely doubtful that I could be a person of interest to the FBI as I have no connections to Russia, he said. Read more about: SHARE: LONDONBritish police investigating the Manchester Arena attack cordoned off an area around a car significant to the investigation as they hunted Friday for clues about the suicide bombers movements. Officers put a 100-meter cordon in place around a white Nissan Micra in southern Manchester. They want to piece together Salman Abedis preparations for the attack at the Ariana Grande concert that killed 22 people and to learn whether others helped him. This is potentially a significant development in the investigation, Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said. We are very interested in anything people can tell us about the movements of this car, and who was in it, over the past months. Read more: Manchester, an act of terror in a world of terror: Kanji U.K. police release 3 people arrested over Manchester arena bombing Ariana Grande to play Manchester charity concert on Sunday Police were also interested in who may have had access to the car or who may have gone to and from it. As a precaution, people were being evacuated from the nearby Ronald McDonald House, which offers accommodation for families with children who are being treated in the hospital. A local hospital remained working as usual and even managed to host a visit by Prince William, who met with children wounded in the attack. The second-in-line to the throne later visited Manchester Cathedral, where he praised the grit of the city and those who responded to the attack. Manchesters strength and togetherness is an example to the world, he wrote in a book of condolence. My thoughts are with all those affected. William also met with police officers, expressing his gratitude for the actions of those first on the scene of the blast. Among them was 47-year-old police constable Michael Buckley, who treated the wounded even as he frantically searched for his own child. Buckley was off duty and waiting for his 15-year-old daughter Stephanie when the bomb exploded. He found himself in an arenas foyer, which he described as a scene of absolute devastation. I knew my daughter was in there somewhere, he said. Even so, he tried to help others and kept trying to contact her in the confusion. She had suffered a concussion and some crush injuries. I eventually met her in a hotel in the early hours of the morning, Buckley said. She just ran to me and grabbed hold of me but I couldnt hold her because I was covered in other peoples blood. In a city traumatized by the events of last week, police have released new security camera images of the Manchester bombers last moments, hoping to jog the memories of the public to see if someone might remember something. Even those who knew Abedi struggled to explain his actions. His cousins, Isaac and Abz Forjani, expressed shock in a BBC interview. Its not easy being connected to 22 lost, innocent lives, Isaac Forjani said. The fact that the person that did this is related to us by blood is something thats going to stay with me for the rest of my life. The two brothers were arrested by police after the attack and released without charge. Ten men, aged between 18 and 44, remain in custody on suspicion of terrorism offences in connection with the attack. Six others, including a 15-year-old boy, have been released without being charged. SHARE: The UN Security Council voted unanimously Friday to add 15 individuals and four entities linked to North Koreas nuclear and missile programs to a UN sanctions blacklist, but Chinese opposition blocked tougher new sanctions that the United States was pushing. While the resolution will impose a global travel ban and asset freeze on a range of North Koreans, including the man believed to head its overseas espionage operations and foreign intelligence collection, it will not target critical oil deliveries, a measure the Trump administration was seeking to step up pressure on Pyongyang. In a tough speech after the vote, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said the Security Council is sending a clear message to North Korea today: Stop firing ballistic missiles or face the consequences. While she said the United States wants a negotiated solution to the Norths nuclear program and isnt seeking regime change, she reiterated that all options for responding to future provocations remain on the table. Read more: North Korea launches apparent ballistic missile in latest test, South Korea military says Dreams of Korean unification clash with grim reality U.S. to test missile interceptor as threat from North Korea grows Haley urged all countries to break diplomatic ties with North Korea, stop illegal trade and do more to break up smuggling rings and cut off funding for the countrys nuclear and missile programs. Beyond diplomatic and financial consequences, the United States remains prepared to counteract North Korean aggression through other means, if necessary, she said. By contrast, Chinas UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi stressed that the resolution reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia and expressed the councils commitment to a peaceful diplomatic and political solution, and to the importance of reducing tensions. The current situation on the peninsula is complex and sensitive, he said. At the same time, there is a critical window of opportunity for the nuclear issue of the peninsula to come back to the right path of seeking a settlement through dialogue and negotiations. Liu said China was calling on all parties to implement the resolution and strive for a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue by strengthening efforts to denuclearize the Korean peninsula and promote peace and dialogue. He reiterated Chinas proposal for North Korea to suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for a suspension of massive military exercises by the United States and South Korea. Before Fridays vote, the North Korean sanctions blacklist named 39 individuals and 42 entities and groups subject to sanctions. In addition to the foreign intelligence chief, the resolution imposes sanctions on officials who control the media and key government and military appointments. The Vietnam representative of a bank and the heads of two companies will also face sanctions. In addition, all countries are now required to freeze the assets of two trading companies, a bank and the Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean Peoples Army, which is in charge of all ballistic missile programs. The Security Council has already imposed six rounds of sanctions on North Korea, and the U.S. and its allies have pushed for tougher measures in response to a wave of missile tests by Pyongyang. But Chinas Liu made clear last week that Beijings top priority is to restart talks with North Korea and reduce tensions, rather than impose new sanctions. The first individual on the proposed new blacklist is Cho Il U, identified as the director of the Fifth Bureau of the Reconnaissance General Bureau who is believed to be the overseas espionage and intelligence chief. Another key figure on the list is Kim Chol Nam, president of Korea Kumsan Trading Co., which procures supplies for North Koreas atomic energy department and serves as a cash route to North Korea. The company would also be added to the sanctions list. Others now facing sanctions include: Kim Tong-Ho, Vietnam representative for Tanchon Commercial Bank, which is North Koreas main financial entity for weapons and missile-related sales. Pak Han Se, vice chairman of the government committee that oversees ballistic missile production and directs activities of Korea Mining Development Corp., the countrys premier arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons. Ri Yong Mu, vice chairman of the State Affairs Commission, which directs and guide all military, defence and security-related affairs in the country, including acquisitions and procurement. The resolution condemns North Koreas nuclear and ballistic activities in the strongest terms and reaffirms the Security Councils demand that Pyongyang abandon all nuclear weapons and programs and halt all nuclear and missile tests. It expresses serious concern that North Korea continues to violate U.N. resolutions with repeated launches and attempted launches of ballistic missiles, stressing that these tests contribute to development of its nuclear weapons delivery systems. It also expresses gravest concern that the Norths nuclear and missile activities are generating increased tension in the region and beyond and continue to threaten international peace and security. Read more about: SHARE: Credit Ontario Power Generation for this: When it comes to choosing a place to store nuclear waste, the crown corporation is consistent. It wants to bury the stuff beside Lake Huron. Period. And no matter how many times federal regulators ask it to seriously examine other locations, OPG respectfully rags the puck. It makes a cursory examination and then stubbornly comes back with the same answer: Lake Huron. It did it again this week. The Lake Huron saga has been going on since 2005. Ontarios nuclear generating plants produce radioactive waste that is now stored above ground. OPG was charged with finding a place to bury some of it. The utility started small, searching for a spot to bury the most innocuous low and intermediate-level radioactive waste such as contaminated rubber gloves. In a rather clever move, OPG ultimately settled on Kincardine, a municipality on the Lake Huron shoreline that already hosts Bruce Powers nuclear plant. Read more: Lake Huron site is best suited for nuclear waste bunker: OPG report Ontario Power Generation stands by plan to bury nuclear waste near Lake Huron Many parts of the province might resist a nuclear waste dump. But to a fair number of people in the Kincardine area, nuclear means jobs. Thats why OPG was able to win the most elusive requirement for its proposed dump the approval of local municipal politicians. The utility was also able to argue convincingly that, barring an earthquake or some other unanticipated event, the geology of the region is ideal for containing radioactive waste. Sure, the proposed 680-metre deep crypt would be only 1.2 kilometres from Lake Huron a fact which has alarmed communities on the American side as well as many Ontarians who depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water. But OPG was adamant that the waste wouldnt leak. Somewhere along the line, the utility announced that it wanted to double the size of the dump. It also said it planned to store dismantled reactor parts there, some of which would remain radioactive for more than 100,000 years. None of the highly radioactive fuel rods from Ontarios nuclear generating plants would be stored in this particular crypt. A separate federal agency is looking for somewhere to bury these items. In May 2015, after two years of hearings and deliberations, a federal environmental assessment panel conditionally approved the OPG project. But with an election in the offing, Canadas then Conservative government put off any final decision. With opposition to the dump raging up and down the Lake Huron shoreline, the proposal was just too controversial. In early 2016, Catherine McKenna, the new Liberal environment minister, announced that she wasnt entirely satisfied with the Lake Huron choice. OPG was ordered to investigate other potential locations. The utility took almost a year to come up with a strikingly inadequate report that made no effort to identify specific alternative sites. It said while the waste could, in theory, be buried somewhere else in the province, Lake Hurons shoreline was still the best choice. Since no other specific sites were investigated, it is hard to see how the utility came to that conclusion. But it did. It is, however, easy to understand OPGs frustration. The utility has been at this game for years. It even found a willing municipal host no easy task. Still, McKennas environmental assessment agency was unimpressed. It told OPG its report was far too vague and ordered it to provide more information. Which this week it did. The latest report still doesnt identify specific alternate sites. But as an OPG spokesperson told my colleague Jennifer Wells last year, it wasnt asked to look at sites, only at locations. In OPG lingo, locations are different from sites. Specifically, a site is a location with a willing municipal host. And right now, the only Ontario municipal politicians willing to bury nuclear waste are those in the Kincardine area. This weeks report says all that is needed to seal the deal is the support of local First Nations. In short, we have gone around the circle again. OPG is unwilling to look at alternate radioactive dump sites because it has already found one. McKenna can keep asking but all she will get are the same non-answers. It is a classic standoff between a first-term minister and a canny bureaucracy. We shall see who blinks first. Thomas Walkom appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. SHARE: In the long catalogue of destructive things that Donald Trump has inflicted on the United States and the world, pulling out of the most important global attempt to slow the impact of climate change must go down as the worst. The torpedo that Trump has launched into the Paris climate accord is a reckless act of sabotage. It disrespects the rest of the world, the 194 other nations that signed on to the agreement. And it disrespects the planet itself, which by all scientific evidence is well on its way toward dramatic and dangerous changes if we keep on our current course. Trumps decision means the U.S. will start the lengthy process of withdrawing from the Paris accord and stop paying into the green climate fund set up to help poorer nations adjust to climate change. His promise to negotiate a better deal if possible means little. Why on earth would the rest of the world rush to amend a painstakingly negotiated accord just to accommodate a bully who clearly cares little for anyone else? And indeed, Trumps announcement on Thursday was as remarkable for its tone as for its substance. He voiced the full-throated economic nationalism that was at the heart of his campaign for president, reminding the world that he was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. It was America First and damn the rest. It was notable, too, for the distinctive note of grievance that clearly animates Trumps attitude toward the rest of the world. Far from weighing the evidence and doing whats right for his country and the planet, he seems driven by an impulse to be number one at any cost. We dont want other leaders and other countries laughing at us anymore, he proclaimed. And they wont. Psychological dynamics aside, Trumps decision is wrong for a host of reasons: Most obviously, it will undermine the accord itself, giving other key nations an excuse to back off from their climate targets. If that happens, efforts to slow global warming will be fatally wounded. Its important that the rest of the world, including Canada, stick to the accord regardless of where Trump takes the United States. It will empower climate change deniers and skeptics. The president himself has called climate change a hoax dreamed up by China to sabotage the U.S. economy and climate deniers hold top posts in his administration. He has clearly sidelined the more reasonable voices in his entourage on this issue. It will make it more difficult for the United States to become a leader in the burgeoning field of clean energy. As he champions jobs in the dying coal industry and fossil fuels, Trump has ignored the many experts and corporate leaders who point out that clean energy already employs far more Americans. China and other countries are shooting ahead in this area, and the unambiguous signals coming out of the White House will give U.S. competitors an even greater edge. How that helps American workers is a mystery. It is another blow to U.S. leadership throughout the world. For the past 70 years the United States has taken the lead in international organizations and agreements not out of altruism but as part of a deliberate strategy to maximize its influence. It has effectively written the rules in trade, international finance, security and even climate policy in order to protect its interests. Under Trumps America First banner it is abandoning that role at its own risk. In Europe, the president managed to insult most of the United States most important allies, leaving Germanys Angela Merkel wondering aloud whether Europeans can any longer depend on others (i.e. Trumps Washington). Now, with Trumps decision on the Paris accord, she has her answer: No. The rest of the world, including Canada, must now decide how to react to Trumps decision, especially since it follows his other moves to undo President Barack Obamas progress on the environment. Some will argue that Canada is so beholden to the U.S. economy that we have no choice but to follow Trumps lead and back away from efforts to make progress on climate issues. In particular, the Conservative party has argued it would be insane for Canada to pursue a carbon tax as long as the Americans lag behind. Thats exactly the wrong approach. Following Trump on his misguided course would be wrong for Canada and wrong for the environment. Much better to continue with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the Paris targets, as the Trudeau government to its credit has vowed to do. That will give Canada a much better chance to embrace the opportunities of the future. And, along with other governments, to lead on this crucial issue as Washington falls further behind. Read more about: SHARE: New screen time guidelines for young children issued by the Canadian Paediatric Society may be a downer for some parents looking for an escape from their frisky kids. Theyre aimed at establishing early patterns in life to encourage kids to get outside and play on their own. Thats a good long-term goal in a society where a third of children are overweight or obese. The new guidelines are strict. They recommend no screen time at all for children under two and only one hour a day for toddlers aged two to five. They dont mention children over five, but Participaction recommends older children be limited to two hours a day. The reasons? For infants, watching TV is associated with inattentive/hyperactive behaviours, lower executive functions, and language delay, at least in the short term. For older children, the concern is that screen time distracts them from freely playing and exploring as well as engaging with parents and friends. So what to do now that you cant park your kids in front of the TV or a computer without guilt? Let them go outside to play. Thats an activity that just got a little easier for lucky kids in the Annex and Seaton Village who live in the two neighbourhoods the city has designated for a pilot project called StreetPLAY. From June until the end of October specific streets in those areas will be closed to traffic for three to four hours, up to three times a week. Deb Doncaster, president of Earth Day Canada, which is running the project with the city, says the idea is simple: Its introducing parents and communities back to the idea of outdoor, unstructured play, right outside your door, while its warm. And its getting them away from those screens. Its all good. SHARE: Elizabeth Wettlaufer killed eight fragile seniors at two southern Ontario nursing homes with abandon and even delight, cackling, as she put it, after their deaths and even going out to buy one patient pie and ice cream before murdering her. At the same time, between 2007 and 2014, the former nurse tried to kill four others, but failed. All this we know from Wettlaufers trial, where she pleaded guilty to the murders, the attempted murders, and two cases of aggravated assault. What we dont know, but must quickly learn, is how she got away with it for so long. The province must call an inquiry into the murders to make sure everything is done to avoid a repeat of this appalling failure of our elder care system. It was chilling enough to learn about the ease with which Wettlaufer could access the insulin she used to kill her patients, and not get caught. Even more shocking, she might still be killing but for her confession to doctors and staff at Torontos Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, who called police. There were plenty of warning signals, including outright confessions, that should have stopped Wettlaufer in her tracks. But tragically, they were ignored. Alarm bells should have been ringing, for one, over the warnings and suspensions she received for repeated medication errors at the Caressant Care home in Woodstock, Ont., where she killed seven of her eight victims. The home eventually fired her. And as the Stars Sandro Contenta reported, it informed the College of Nurses of Ontario on March 31, 2014, that it had fired Wettlaufer for a medication error that put the life of a resident at risk. But when contacted by the Star, the college wouldnt even say whether it investigated her back in 2014. That information is key, considering that Wettlaufer went on to kill 75-year-old Arpad Horvath at Meadow Park in London, tried to kill a nursing home resident in Paris, and attempted to kill again while providing in-home care all after she was reported to the college. Even more alarming was the number of times she actually confessed to the killings without any action being taken. Among them, she told her pastor in 2014. He prayed over her and then told her he would have to go to police if she ever did it again. She told a former sponsor at Narcotics Anonymous, who didnt believe her. In 2013, she spoke to a lawyer, who told her it was in her best interests to stay silent. She confessed to more friends, relatives and acquaintances, but none acted on the information. Then there is the question of how a person with so many personal problems, problems she confessed drove her to kill, could have seemingly unlimited access to drugs. She was a member of Narcotics Anonymous, for example, but had access not only to the insulin she used to kill her patients but to the opiates they were on for pain. An inquiry should also look at the provinces possible role in the deaths. Less than two years ago, Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk delivered a scathing report criticizing the government for backlogged complaints and inspection delays at long-term care homes. Chillingly, she warned that residents were at risk. Its no wonder that, in the wake of Wettlaufers confession, many organizations are demanding an inquiry. They include the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, and the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, which says we need to get to the bottom of what happened, how it happened and what we can learn from an organizational, regulatory and system perspective to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. Wettlaufer will be sentenced at the end of June, ending court proceedings against her. Once that is done, the Wynne government should announce a public inquiry into how the system failed so many seniors and their families. We must learn the lessons of this tragedy. Read more about: SHARE: The Catholic Church moves slowly, but it does move. It took the church more than half a century to say sorry for the complicity of some Christians in the Holocaust. It took 500 years for it to express regret for persecuting Protestants during the Reformation. And Pope John Paul II apologized for atrocities committed during the Crusaders attack on Constantinople almost eight centuries after they happened. By that glacial standard, Pope Francis appears to be moving at lightning speed toward a papal apology for the churchs role in Canadas residential school tragedy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emerged from a meeting with the Pope at the Vatican this week to say that Francis seemed open to the idea and had offered to work with him on a path forward toward a formal apology. The prime minister deserves credit for pressing the Pope directly on this important issue, sensitive as it is for the church. And Canadas Catholic bishops should do all they can to clear the way for the Pope to issue a public apology as soon as possible if at all possible on Canadian soil. Such a move, however delayed, would carry great symbolic weight. Catholic organizations were responsible for running about three-quarters of the residential schools, whose legacy of sexual, physical and mental abuse still hangs heavily over Canadas relations with its Indigenous peoples. Other churches the Anglicans, Presbyterians and United Church long ago made their formal apologies for taking part in the residential school system. But the Catholic Church has invoked a variety of legalistic excuses to avoid making the full, forthright, authoritative apology that is called for, considering the lasting damage wrought by the schools. Some 16 Catholic dioceses and several dozen religious communities were associated with residential schools in Canada going back to the late 19th century, as part of a government-sponsored effort to assimilate Indigenous people. But the bishops organization has emphasized that all those entities are legally responsible for their own actions. The church as a whole and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, they say, were not associated with the schools. The Catholic groups involved with the schools issued their own apology for abuse way back in 1991. And in 2006 they were part of the class action settlement reached with survivors of the schools. The missing piece is a formal apology from the church as a whole, right from the top. The bishops may well be correct that the church cannot be held legally responsible. But they should look beyond that to the good they and the Pope could do by issuing a frank, public expression of remorse along with a pledge to help heal the wounds. The papacy has already taken a step along this road. In 2009 Pope Benedict, Franciss predecessor, expressed sorrow for suffering in the residential school system, and offered his sympathy and prayerful solidarity for those who suffered abuse. That came during a private meeting with Canadian bishops and Indigenous leaders at the Vatican. It wasnt the public apology that the 80,000 survivors of residential schools have long sought. Pope Francis should take a big step forward by complying with the recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that a full papal apology be issued on Canadian soil, so that survivors and other Indigenous people can be present to witness it. Getting the Pope, of all people, to come all that way to make such a dramatic gesture sounds like a major undertaking. But if any Catholic leader might be prepared to do it, it would be Francis, who has shown particular sensitivity to issues of social justice. He set an important precedent two years ago when he visited Bolivia and issued an historic apology for the grave sins of the church against Indigenous peoples during the colonization of the Americas. I humbly ask forgiveness, not only for the offences of the church herself, but also for crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America, he told a summit meeting of Indigenous leaders. It would be entirely in keeping with that statement for the Pope to express regret and apologize for the churchs role in Canadas residential school system. In fact, CBC News reported late last year that some Catholic bishops and Indigenous leaders were working to bring Francis to Saskatchewan this year to issue such an apology for what happened in the residential schools. Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina was part of that effort and told CBC at the time, We need to heal and move on. As it turned out, that visit never happened. But in light of Trudeaus visit this week and Franciss apparent willingness to consider an apology, its time for the bishops and others to revive efforts to right this historic wrong. The Catholic Church as a whole should move beyond arguments over who is legally responsible for past actions. For its own sake and the sake of the survivors, it should get on the right side of efforts to heal the wounds that still remain. Much better to do it late than to continue dodging an historic responsibility. SHARE: Swiss chocolate maker Nestle (NSRGY) - Get Free Report is investing in Latin America, creating thousands of jobs and looking to boost its position in the region's strongest markets, Reuters reports. The maker of Kit Kat candy bars and Tollhouse cookie dough is working with the governments of Chile, Mexico, Peru and Colombia to create 2,900 jobs for young people over a three year period. The company will also teach job-hunting skills. "Our view on corporate responsibility is that to make it sustainable we have to do it in a way that is embedded in our business model. Integrating young people can help us shape our company at a time of digital revolution," Nestle's Americas head Laurent Freixe told Reuters. "We're not proposing the jobs just to do good for society. Our business is developing and we have real needs," he added. 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. Mylan (MYL) - Get Free Report officials have offered to meet with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, on Wednesday, June 7, after the lawmaker threatened to subpoena the company for documents pertaining to the company's participation in a federal rebate program for Medicaid patients using the company's EpiPen allergy treatment. Mylan's offer follows Grassley's May 31 release of a Medicaid investigator's report concluding that EpiPen may have received $1.27 billion more from the rebate program from 2006 through 2016 than the company was entitled. "Mylan reached out today and wants to meet next Wednesday to produce documents to Grassley staff," according to a staffer for the lawmaker. Previously Mylan said it had agreed to return he $465 million to the government as part of settlement negotiations with the Department of Justice. Talks with the DOJ continue. Mylan officials declined to address Grassley's comments or the investigator's report. "We have no comment beyond that we continue to work with the government to finalize the settlement as soon as possible," a Mylan spokesman said. The estimate of overpayment was contained in a report from the Department of Health and Human Services' Inspector General's Office. EpiPen was misclassified under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, which resulted in overcharges to states and taxpayers. Grassley has pressed Mylan and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the regulator of Medicaid, for documentation shedding light on why EpiPen was misclassified. CMS recently provided records to the Judiciary Committee indicating that CMS told Mylan on several occasions that the EpiPen was misclassified, yet Mylan failed to correct the classification. According to Grassley, Mylan has "repeatedly refused" to turn over its records of those communications with CMS," Grassley said in a statement Wednesday. "The fact that the EpiPen overpayment is so much more than anyone discussed publicly should worry every taxpayer. Mylan and the Obama Administration reportedly were close to settling the overpayment for much less than $1.27 billion." "It looks like Mylan overcharged the taxpayers for years with the knowledge EpiPen was misclassified, and the previous administration was willing to let the company off the hook," he said . "The fact that Mylan is unwilling to cooperate and provide documents voluntarily makes me wonder what there is to hide and whether a subpoena is the only way to get to the bottom of this." "The government needs to do a much a better job of holding companies to their commitments in federal health care programs." Grassley added. "It appears the Obama Administration failed to use all available tools to hold Mylan accountable. The taxpayers deserve more from their government and don't need to give anyone a blank check. I'll continue to push for accuracy under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and for Mylan to produce the requested records to the Committee. Taxpayers have a right to know what happened here and to be repaid whatever they are owed." Grassley has demanded information that would answer a number of questions, including whether Mylan was notified that the EpiPen was misclassified under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and if so, by which agency and under what circumstances. Also, if Mylan was notified about the misclassification, what if any steps did it take to correct the misclassification? Grassley also asked for documentation detailing the components of the EpiPen's $608 product cost, including amounts that go to wholesalers, retail pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and payers, including the cost of goods sold. He asked for the same cost structure breakdown Mylan's generic version of EpiPen. The senator also asked for details on Mylan's decision to redesign the product, which contributed to a significant increase in price. On a related topic, Grassley said he would tackle the general problem of increasing drug prices. "High prescription drug prices are a major concern across the country," "I'm working to advance legislation that would help, including bills to bring more lower cost generic drugs to the market. As part of bringing down drug costs, we have to make sure companies that take part in federal health care programs aren't gaming the system. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight of the executive branch, and making sure taxpayers don't overpay for EpiPens or any other drugs in public health care programs is our job." Also, a group of disgruntled Mylan investors, led by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, announced a "vote no" campaign May 31 to block the re-election of six directors and management's compensation proposal. Stringer, who has challenged Mylan since 2016. took action against Mylan on behalf of the New York City Pension Funds and in partnership with New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, the California State Teachers' Retirement System, and PGGM NV, a Dutch pension fund. HP Enterprise (HPE) - Get Free Report sold off after posting disappointing results and guidance on Wednesday afternoon. Palo Alto Networks (PANW) - Get Free Reportand Box (BOX) - Get Free Report went in the opposite direction after releasing market-pleasing numbers around the same time, and Ciena (CIEN) - Get Free Reportdid so after delivering upbeat results on Thursday morning. Here are some thoughts on their reports. HP Enterprise Microsoft (MSFT) - Get Free Reportstill appears to be doing a number on HPE's quarterly sales, and it looks as if CEO Meg Whitman is open to cutting her company's losses rather than trying to keep pushing a boulder uphill. The IT giant's numbers are a little tough to parse, since they include two months of revenue from its giant Enterprise Services (ES) unit, which was just spun off and merged with Computer Sciences (CSC) . With $2.5 billion in ES revenue recorded prior to the spinoff, and some (but not all) analysts having taken ES out of their quarterly estimates, HPE reported April quarter revenue of $9.9 billion, above a $9.64 billion consensus. Excluding ES, but including software assets that are set to be spun off into a company that HPE will retain a 50.1% stake in, revenue fell 13% annually to $7.4 billion. Adjusted EPS of $0.35 was in-line with consensus estimates. But EPS from continuing operations (excludes ES) fell 24%, to $0.25. And July quarter EPS guidance of $0.24 to $0.28 is below a $0.31 consensus. For now, HPE is maintaining fiscal 2017 (ends in October) EPS guidance of $1.46 to $1.56, but there are probably some doubts at this point about its ability to hit that target. Shares fell 6.9% on Thursday to $17.52. They went into earnings close to a 52-week high of $19.16. Getting attention: HPE's Enterprise Group (EG)--it provides IT hardware and related services, and accounts for the lion's share of HPE's business following the ES spinoff--posted revenue of $6.24 billion, missing a $6.38 billion consensus. Sales fell 7% after adjusting for forex and the May 2016 sale of a 51% stake in Chinese networking hardware firm H3C to a Tsinghua Holdings subsidiary. The decline would've been a little larger if not for HPE's acquisitions of hardware vendors SGI, SimpliVity and Nimble Storage. EG's server revenue fell 14%, and its storage revenue 13%. Networking, buoyed by a 32% increase in Wi-Fi-related sales--the Aruba Networks acquisition is paying off--and by midsingle-digit Ethernet switching growth, grew 14% after excluding the H3C sale and forex. Software sales totaled $685 million, missing a $743 million consensus and dropping 9% when adjusted for forex and divestitures. License revenue fell 28% (evidence of share loss), and cloud/SaaS revenue rose 4%. The server and storage weakness, which follows soft first-quarter hardware numbers from IBM (IBM) - Get Free Report and disappointing July quarter guidance from Cisco Systems (CSCO) - Get Free Report, provide more evidence of the toll that the adoption of cloud infrastructures relying on internal and open-source hardware designs is stinging IT giants. Especially the server pressures, since they have much to do with plunging orders from a "tier-1" cloud giant believed to be Microsoft. Tech analyst Patrick Moorhead calls HPE's server numbers "troubling," but notes the business isn't doing too badly outside of the tier-1 cloud weakness. He's also pleased with the strong growth seen in HPE's Aruba and all-flash storage array sales (the latter grew 33%), and think they "reflect a lot of what's important in future infrastructure and IoT." On the earnings call, Whitman forecast sales to its top tier-1 client would continue falling. She added HPE is thinking about paring its efforts to land major cloud firms--a deal with Dropbox was inked last year--noting the business is a low-margin one relative to various enterprise hardware product lines. There's a logic to such a retreat, given the margin issue and how wedded the likes of Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Amazon are to do-it-yourself hardware strategies. But considering how these companies are accounting for more and more of global IT spend, not meaningfully participating in the tier-1 cloud hardware space does put HPE in a tough spot. Palo Alto Networks When an enterprise tech firm blames "sales execution" for weak results and/or guidance, it's often an excuse masking deeper competitive issues. But in the case of the disappointing figures Palo Alto Networks reported three months ago, there was clearly some truth to the explanation, even if intensifying competition from top firewall rival Cisco also played a role. Palo Alto just reported April quarter revenue of $431.8 million (up 25% annually), billings of $544.1 million (up 12%) and adjusted EPS of $0.61 (up 33%), beating consensus analyst estimates of $412 million, $530.9 million and $0.55. And July quarter guidance for revenue of $481 million to $491 million, billings of $625 million to $645 million and adjusted EPS of $0.78 to $0.80 are favorable at the midpoints to consensus estimates of $485.2 million, $631.2 million and $0.74. Shares rose 17.2% on Thursday to $138.99. They're still down 8% from where they traded prior to the January quarter report. Just as they are for Cisco's security business, booming sales of subscription-based software and services offerings continue to be Palo Alto's biggest growth driver. While product (hardware and software license) revenue rose just 1% last quarter to $164.2 million, subscription and support revenue grew 46% to $267.6 million, with cloud/SaaS subscription revenue rising 55% to $143.2 million. On its call, Palo Alto mentioned it added over 2,000 customers for another quarter, raising its total base above 39,500 (including 1,200 Global 2000 firms). Over 1,500 clients were added for its popular WildFire malware-protection service, raising the size of its base above 17,000. Strong growth was also reported for the AutoFocus threat intelligence service, the Aperture cloud app security service and the Traps endpoint protection service. That, in turn, helped Palo Alto's deferred revenue balance rise 51% to $1.6 billion. Importantly, sales productivity is said to have improved sequentially. Prior to Palo Alto's report, I argued the quality of the company's products still left it well-positioned. Those products, along with an improving security IT spending environment (also highlighted by the numbers recently delivered by Fortinet, FireEye, Imperva and others), are already fueling a rebound. Box Not too long ago, predictions of Box's destruction at the hands of deep-pocketed rivals such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon were pretty common. Those voices aren't quite as loud now, as Box keeps beating expectations and the differentiated nature of its offerings become better understood. Box reported revenue of $117.2 million (up 30%), billings of $99.6 million (up 31%) and adjusted EPS of negative $0.13, beating consensus analyst estimates of $114.7 million, $96.4 million and negative $0.14. As is the case for many other cloud software firms getting paid for subscriptions up-front and recording revenue a quarter at a time, free cash flow (FCF) is much better than earnings. FCF improved to $4 million last quarter from negative $16.2 million a year earlier. July quarter sales guidance of $121 million to $122 million and fiscal 2018 (ends in January 2018) sales guidance of $502 million to $506 million is favorable at the midpoints to consensus estimates of $121.3 million and $502.8 million. Shares rose 9.5% on Thursday, hitting their highest levels since mid-2015. Box added another 3,000 clients for its enterprise file-sharing/syncing platform, growing its total base to 74,000. The company also reported strong uptake for value-added offerings related to things such as encryption key management, content management, data governance and programming interfaces (APIs) for custom business apps, and claimed a third of its $100,000-plus deals were the result of its partnerships with IBM, AT&T and NTT. The value-added product growth drives home why critiques of Box as a mere cloud storage provider were misguided. Cloud storage is a commodity, but the software that Box has layered on top of its storage certainly isn't, and the developer ecosystem that it has built for its offerings can't be created overnight either. Microsoft, Citrix Systems and others do provide credible competition, but dislodging the company at a Global 2000 account isn't as simple as offering cheaper storage. Ciena Though many optical component/module vendors have been stung by weak Chinese demand, optical networking hardware provider Ciena is largely immune to the problem, as its latest figures show. Ciena reported April quarter revenue of $707 million (up 10%) and adjusted EPS of $0.45, easily topping consensus analyst estimates of $695 million and $0.37. July quarter sales guidance of $710 million to $740 million is just slightly above a $723 million consensus at the midpoint. But on its earnings call, Ciena guided for fiscal 2017 (ends in October) revenue growth of 8% to 9%, above a consensus for 7.8% growth. Shares rose 15.9% on Thursday to $27.19. They were last at these levels in 2013. Boosting Ciena's top line: Sales of Converged Packet Optical hardware (products supporting both optical networking and Ethernet switching) rose 15%, to $502.1 million. A 24% increase in sales of software and related services to $37.7 million also didn't hurt. North American sales, which still account for over half of all revenue and stem in large part from AT&T and Verizon, grew 7%. Ciena notes it recorded nearly $100 million in sales during the first half of fiscal 2017 from India, where Internet penetration rates remain relatively low and a 4G buildout only recently started in earnest. The company added strong demand for its Waveserver data center interconnect (DCI) solution helped sales to "web-scale" cloud clients rise 43%; Waveserver may be taking some share from Infinera's (INFN) - Get Free Report CloudXpress DCI solution. Going forward, Ciena is also hoping to be a major player in the component market via its WaveLogic Ai digital signal processor (DSP), which promises superior programmability relative to rival products and has the backing of optical module vendors such as Lumentum, NeoPhotonics and Oclaro. Sluggish global telecom capex is still a headwind for the company, but it seems better-positioned than many peers. Action Alerts PLUS, which Cramer manages as a charitable trust, is long CSCO and HPE. People like to give Wisconsin a hard time about its drinking habit, but in our defense wed like to point out the hard cider apple doesnt fall far from the tree. Yes, last weeks report from 24/7 Wall St. claimed seven of the 10 drunkest cities in America lie in Wisconsin. Yes, Princeton Review named the University of Wisconsin-Madison the No. 1 party school in the nation earlier this year. And no, we dont remember where we left our credit card last night, how we got home or why theres lime Jell-O in our hair. We know we arent supposed to be proud of such distinctions. Were supposed to want to get a grip. But its easier to blame everything on our ancestors. You see, many who settled Wisconsin came from Germany, bringing with them an appetite for fun and a thirst for fermented beverages. Generations later, Cheeseheads still know how to dance a polka, grill bratwurst and put away brew. After all, it was Germans who introduced the use of hops in the 13th century. It was there that the first purity laws governing the brewing process were passed. And even now, our distant kin back in the Fatherland continue to develop innovations promoting beer consumption. Have you heard the news from Wacken, Germany? Demand for beer during that citys annual heavy metal music festival was so great that vendors got tired of hauling kegs across fields. Theyre building an underground pipeline that will, by the time the open-air festival opens in August, deliver 105,000 gallons of beer to the grounds. Remember, a keg of beer weighs 160 unwieldy pounds. Its one thing to dig heavy metal; its quite another to lug it. Instead of lugging, Germans will be chugging. The 4-mile pipeline will provide enough pressure and product to pour six beers in 6 seconds. That should be enough for the 75,000 rock fans who attend the three-day festival and drink on average more than a gallon of beer each. We wont know whether that would satisfy the good and buzzed people of Appleton, Wis. No. 1 among Americas drunkest cities until they build a pipeline from Miller Brewing Co. to the Fox River Valley. Wackens pipeline was necessary because in past years vendors couldnt keep up with demand for brewskis. Teetotalers might call the pipeline a cry for help. Festival organizers call it a lasting investment in the infrastructure of Wacken. Like a skilled bartender pushing a mug down the bar, they know how to put the right spin on things. Theres more to this project than the promotion of binge drinking. Underground tunnels buried deep enough that that plows wont disturb them when farming the fields the rest of the year are home not only to the beer pipeline, but fiber optic cables and pipes for fresh water and waste water. (Thats sewage, not Milwaukees Best.) When the tiny town sees its population surge from 1,800 to more than 75,000 this summer, one element will be missing from all the traffic: No longer will trucks traverse the fields full of beer barrels. And no longer will thirsty head-bangers have to wait for a fresh keg to be tapped. Call them drunks if you like, but Germans would no doubt prefer to be seen as innovators. Wisconsinites, their happy cousins across the pond, know what its like to be judged as boozers when we should be celebrated as leaders. According to multiple national rankings, were No. 1. In that spirit, let Wisconsin tip its cap to the ingenuity of Germany. But we must put our cap back on immediately, because our hair is slathered in lime Jell-O. European and Chinese leaders will gather in Brussels Friday to sign their first-ever joint agreement on trade and the prevention of global warming less than 24 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced America's intention to withdraw from the Paris Accord on climate change. China's Premier, Li Keqiang, will meet with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk in the European capital as part of a pre-arranged summit intended to deepen ties between the world's second-largest economy and its biggest trading bloc. However, given the timing of the President's decision to walk away from the 2015 agreement, the issue of climate change has suddenly headlined the two-day discussions. "There is no reverse gear to the energy transition. There is no backsliding on the Paris Agreement," Juncker said Friday ahead of the meeting. "China and the European Union are aligned on the need for international solutions ... nowhere is that more important than in leading the global clean energy transition and the implementation, the full implementation without nuances, of the Paris Climate Agreement." The three leaders are expected to reveal package of $100 billion in support for poorer nations in order to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and agree to limit the use of fossil fuels while developing more green technology. The new-found cooperation could define relations between the two blocs, both of which have expressed disappointment with the President's decision to not only exit the Paris Accord, but also to scrap plans to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact earlier this year. Juncker, in fact, warned Trump that it wasn't possible to leave the Paris Accord "overnight", and earlier warned he would block any attempt by U.S. officials to forge bi-lateral trade deals with EU member states "I don't think it's good that there is a picture evolving where, in the future, we would do more with China than with the United States," Juncker said. "That's the wrong direction, I think. But I cannot prevent this from happening." "We have explained to Mr Trump that it is not good for the U.S. to withdraw from international economic life," Juncker explained. "But he wants to do this. I'm against it, but he does not care at all." Uniper SE (UNPRF) stock is a buy regardless of whether or not a bid is forthcoming for the German utility, which was this week reported to be a target of Finland's Fortum Oyj (FOJCF) , analysts have said. Better visibility over earnings, a strengthening balance sheet and scope for the dividend to triple before 2020 make for a compelling investment case, according to analysts at Berenberg, and mean the shares could top 21.0 in the next 12 months. Shares of the power plant owning energy trader rose by just more than 1.5% during early trading in Frankfurt, to change hands at an intraday high of 17.98, before pulling back to trade 0.71% higher. "We estimate the business can support a dividend per share CAGR of 40% over 2017-20, paid out of cash flow and beating gearing targets," said Lawson Steele, an analyst at Berenberg, in a client note. Spun out of E.ON SE (EONGY) in a September initial public offering last year, E.ON was reported earlier this week to be in talks with Finland's Fortum over a sale of its remaining 46.6% stake in the company. E.ON has previously said it will not sell before 2018 due to tax reasons. It is unclear what kind of price the stake would attract or whether it would be likely to result in a complete buyout by Fortum. However, Berenberg's price target implies upside of around 18% from current levels for the stock, and is based on conservative assumptions of performance on "gas optimization" as well as a Russian power plant that remains out of action until 2019. "A takeover is a possibility, but the stock looks cheap without it. We upgrade our recommendation to Buy and increase our price target to 21.00," Steele said. Uniper sold its interest in Russia's Yuzhno-Rosskoye gas field for 1.7 billion in March, which not only reduces leverage for the company, but will also reduce its exposure to oil prices and wild swings in the Russian rouble. Toshiba (TOSBF) hit out at Western Digital (WDC) - Get Free Report over its perceived interference in the sale of its stake in the pair's memory chip joint venture Friday and said that it aims to close a deal to sell the asset by mid-June. The struggling Japanese firm will transfer its stake in the joint venture back to Toshiba Corp., from a newly created holding company, after WDC challenged its decision to transfer ownership and invoked its right to arbitration at the International Court of Arbitration. WDC has previously described Toshiba's move, which was announced Wednesday, as "a clear acknowledgement of Western Digital's consent rights." "This move, which will be effected on June 3, has been initiated solely with the aim of securing and advancing the process for closing bids for third-party participation in Toshiba Memory Corporation in a timely manner," Toshiba said in its Friday statement. The Japanese company also said it aims to narrow the pool of bidders to just one candidate by mid-June and to seek to close a definitive agreement by the date of its June 28 annual shareholder meeting. "Western Digital Corporation (WD), which became the parent company of SanDisk in 2016, has objected to and subsequently interfered with the progress of the bid process. WD has also not participated in the bid processes which have been conducted from January this year," Toshiba said. The under fire electronics maker has been attempting to organize a sale of the memory chip division to repair a black hole in its balance sheet, created by impairments and other charges related to the bankruptcy of its U.S. nuclear business, Westinghouse. It said in May that its unofficial net loss was 950 billion ($7.6 billion), the largest ever reported by a Japanese industrial firm, which will push it more than 500 billion deep into negative equity. "Toshiba has devoted months to seeking the best solution it can with WD. Nevertheless, in addition to invoking arbitration at the International Court of Arbitration through SanDisk, WD has started to contact other third party bidders and Toshiba's supporting banks with warnings of legal action," Toshiba said Friday. The Japanese firm rounded off its statement by saying that its management are "no longer able or willing to ignore the unwarranted interference" and that its return of the joint venture stake to the group company's ownership removes all grounds for any complaint. Toshiba shares closed 4% up in Tokyo Friday at 257.70. Western Digital closed at $91.59 on Thursday. Read More Trending Articles: About seven months since Spectacles launched in the U.S. and about three months since Snap (SNAP) - Get Free Report had its IPO, the company has decided to make the whimsical-looking video-recording glasses available in Europe. The black, coral or teal-colored sunglasses record 10- or 30-second video clips that automatically show up in the Snapchat mobile app to send to friends. This is the first time the device is available outside the United States as Snap looks to further engage its European audience, of which 55 million use the app every day for at least 30 minutes. The device is available for $129.99 online or at "Snapbot" vending machines that will pop up on Friday in five cities across Europe: London, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin and Venice. Snap used this same limited-release strategy in the U.S. this past September as a way to pump up demand for its first hardware product. The device has only been available online since February. Spectacles generated about $8 million in sales for Snap, according to its first earnings report released in May. With each device costing about $130, that translates to sales of about 60,000 pairs of Spectacles during its first quarter as a public company. That's nothing to write home about considering its total $150 million revenue for the quarter. But the Spectacles revenue doesn't really matter to analysts because Snap's hardware business isn't meant to be a money maker, according to Drexel Hamilton analyst Brian White. Rather, Snap is experimenting with different ways to make the Snapchat app more fun, more creative and more engaging because a better app leads to more engagement, which leads to more ad revenue. "The big money is in ad revenue, not hardware--unless you're Apple (AAPL) - Get Free Report ," he said. Perhaps more telling is that Spectacle users only uploaded 5 million snaps directly from their glasses in the first quarter vs. the 3 billion total snaps uploaded per day on the app. "It's a modest program for us right now," Snap CFO Drew Vollero said on the earnings call. Snap's hardware strategy is to work on devices in-house, CEO Evan Spiegel noted during the conference call. "That's our way to explore something really, really quickly and learn from it," he explained. The company emphasized that Spectacles were an "experiment," or what many view as an entry for Snap into hardware. Next up for Snap: a drone. In late 2016, Snap acquired Los Angeles-based small drone manufacturer Ctrl Me Robotics for less than $1 million, sources told BuzzFeed in late May. Previously, Snap had been in talks with Lily Robotics, a drone startup that later filed for bankruptcy in January. As part of the deal, Snap absorbed Ctrl Me Robotics' talent, including founder Simon Nielsen. Whether Ctrl Me Robotics ever got to the point where it was actually manufacturing drones is unclear, according to BuzzFeed. Snap has not yet commented on the purchase. Considering it's already been about six months since the deal was made, White said he would be surprised if Snap didn't come out with a drone-related product in the next 12 to 18 months. Editors' pick: Originally published June 2. The drone sector growth forecast indicates that it should be a more promising revenue stream for the company than its experimental sunglasses. Worldwide drone unit sales grew by an estimated 60% last year, to 2.2 million units, which represents $4.5 billion in sales, according to research firm Gartner. For 2017, the firm sees drone production increasing by 39% year-over-year, to 3 million drones and $6 billion in sales. By 2020, sales are projected to hit $11.2 billion. If Snap could grasp just 1% of that $11.2 billion market, that's $112 million in additional revenue. While a consumer drone could make more money, it's unclear whether Snap is working on a drone for inside use, for advertisers' use or for consumer use, White noted. But no matter what drone comes out, the ultimate goal still isn't an additional revenue stream. Snap is simply continuing its strategy to make its app more creative, he said. "A smartphone has such a limited vantage point so this is a way to expand the view and increase creativity," White explained. This push into drones is also part of Snap's continued rebranding as a "camera company," which it started calling itself in late 2016, White wrote in a recent note. "This would afford users the opportunity to gain a new vantage point when recording videos and taking photos," he wrote. Snap has never been a company to shy away from innovation, as it believes that's the best way to drive user growth and user engagement, White reiterated. Snap had 166 million global daily active users in the 2017 first quarter vs. Facebook's (FB) - Get Free Report 1.28 billion DAUs. As an added bonus, Facebook may have a harder time copying Snap's physical devices compared to the relative ease with which it has been copying the app's software, including its geofilters that provide location-specific filters for pictures and its stories feature that allow users to post a video for 24 hours before it disappears. "Launching hardware is a way to differentiate yourself and a way for Snap to prevent being pigeon-holed as a social media company," he noted. Snap and Facebook are both great companies, but they are different, White claimed. Digiday sees the mobile ad market reaching $215 billion by 2021, which means it's not a winner-take-all market. There's room for both players. "Snap has a swagger and style about it that reminds me of Apple, while Facebook reminds me more of Microsoft (MSFT) - Get Free Report ," he said. Shares of Snap closed down 1.17% to $21.09 on Friday. Jim Cramer and the AAP team hold positions in Apple, Alphabet and Facebook for their Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL, GOOGL, FB? Learn more now. Click here for the latest business headlines. European Union antitrust regulators said Friday that Qualcomm (QCOM) - Get Free Report, a smartphone chipmaker, has not offered concessions to this point in its $38 billion bid for NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) - Get Free Report, according to Reuters. Qualcomm's failure to provide concessions increases the risk of a lengthy investigation into the deal. The San Diego-based chip supplier had until June 1 to submit concessions to alleviate possible competition concerns over the biggest-ever deal in the semiconductor industry. The EU competition authority's preliminary review of the deal will end on June 9. The regulatory body can either approve the transaction unconditionally or launch an investigation lasting up to four months. Shares of Qualcomm were down slightly during Friday's afternoon session. (NXP Semiconductors is held in Jim Cramer's charitable trust Action Alerts PLUS. See all of Cramer's holdings with a free trial.) U.S. National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn told Bloomberg Television Friday that the White House has yet to decide whether to retain or keep Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, adding that he was not interested in the position. Yellen was confirmed by the Senate to a four-year term, which ends at the end of January of 2018. "We're not at a time when we're going to be even thinking about that," President Trump's top economic adviser told Bloomberg. When asked if he'd be interested in the job, Cohn replied "I have a great job running the NEC right now" and added that he was "very happy." Earlier, Cohn echoed a similar response to the same question during an interview with CNBC. "No, I have a great job right now serving the president. It's been a dream come true. I come into work every day and I'm very excited to be in the White House." Axios reported earlier this week that Cohn was eager to be named to lead the Fed. 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. Newell Brands Inc. designs, manufactures, sources, and distributes consumer and commercial products worldwide. It operates in five segments: Commercial Solutions, Home Appliances, Home Solutions, Learning and Development, and Outdoor and Recreation. The Commercial Solutions segment provides commercial cleaning and maintenance solutions; closet and garage organization products; hygiene systems and material handling solutions; and home and security, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms products under the BRK, First Alert, Mapa, Quickie, Rubbermaid, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, and Spontex brands. The Home Appliances segment offers kitchen appliances under the Crock-Pot, Mr. Coffee, Oster, and Sunbeam brands. The Home Solutions segment provides food and home storage; fresh preserving; vacuum sealing; and gourmet cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and home fragrance products under the Ball, Calphalon, Chesapeake Bay Candle, FoodSaver, Rubbermaid, Sistema, WoodWick, and Yankee Candle brands. The Learning and Development segment offers writing instruments, including markers and highlighters, pens, and pencils; art products; activity-based adhesive and cutting products; labeling solutions; and baby gear and infant care products under the Aprica, Baby Jogger, Graco, NUK, Tigex, Dymo, Elmer's, EXPO, Graco, Mr. Sketch, NUK, Paper Mate, Parker, Prismacolor, Sharpie, Waterman, and X-Acto brands. The Outdoor and Recreation segment provides outdoor and outdoor-related products under the Campingaz, Coleman, Contigo, ExOfficio, and Marmot brands. It serves warehouse clubs, department and drug/grocery stores, mass merchants, home centers, office superstores and supply stores, contract stationers, and distributors, e-commerce, sporting goods, specialty, and travel retailers. The company was formerly known as Newell Rubbermaid Inc. and changed its name to Newell Brands Inc. in April 2016. Newell Brands Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III Scots L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Aoba Life Insurance Company Ltd., Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI Ireland L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI US L.P., Dale/P Minerals Limited Partnership, Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Horizon GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sprint GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Harvest Asset Management LLC, Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd. Kabushiki Kaisha Kyouei Nenkin Home, LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., Lotus Reinsurance Company Ltd., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Montana Capital Partners, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund A LP, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund II - A LP, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Desert Falcon Farms Manager LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI River Bend Ranches LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PG Friendly Partners Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM AC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory Shanghai Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Australia Pty Ltd, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Feeder VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM Custom Harvest LLC, PGIM DC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC JV GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC Solutions LLC, PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM Holdings Limited, PGIM Hong Kong Ltd., PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM IRELAND LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments Ireland Limited, PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management Shanghai Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital Ireland Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM QUANTITATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC, PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Global Master Fund GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles II S de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Japan Ltd., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. CORE Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate UK Limited, PGIM Scots Limited, PGIM Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Shanghai Company Ltd., PGIM Singapore Pte. Ltd., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM Taronga Investor GP LLC, PGIM U.S. Agriculture Fund LP, PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Wadhwani LLP, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings UK Limited, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP SCOTS FEEDER LLP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF Debt Fund Manager LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica Business Consulting Shanghai Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. 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Ltd., Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Pramerica Insurance Agency China Company Ltd., Pramerica Luxembourg CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate Scots LP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I Scotland Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Netherlands GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Scots CP GP LLP, Preco III Scotland Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Inc., Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. 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Prudential Gibraltar Agency Kabushiki Kaisha, Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Select Strategies LLC, Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Tax Services LLC, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. 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KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., VIP Australia Holding Company LLC, VIP Australia Trustee Pty Ltd, Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I Ireland L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I US L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. Read More The town of Holland has appealed a La Crosse County judges ruling upholding state regulators approval of a controversial power line that will be the second high-voltage transmission project routed through the suburban community. The town last year asked the lower court to review the Wisconsin Public Service Commissions approval of the Badger-Coulee transmission line, arguing that the panel responsible for protecting utility consumers erred when it authorized a consortium of utility companies to build the nearly $580 million project. The town also challenged the PSCs decision to route the line along the Hwy. 53 corridor on separate poles across the highway from another high-voltage line. Judge Todd Bjerke denied the towns primary claim but ordered construction of the La Crosse County portion stopped, saying the PSC did not provide copies of its environmental impact studies. Bjerke later said work could proceed after agreeing that the PSC had filed the necessary paperwork and that pausing construction could delay the project by a year and cost ratepayers an additional $2.5 million. He nevertheless maintained the PSCs siting decision lacked any rational basis and ordered the commission to reconsider. The town on Thursday asked a state appeals court to review Bjerkes decision, arguing the PSCs determination of necessity the basic requirement for allowing a project to be constructed at ratepayer expense was based on an incorrect interpretation of state law. The PSC position on the issue has been inconsistent, according to the towns petition; therefore, the court should not automatically defer to the boards expertise. They say need is whatever they say it is, said Frank Jablonski, the attorney representing the town. A joint venture of American Transmission Co. and several regional utility companies, including La Crosse-based Dairyland Power Cooperative, the 180-mile line will run between the Madison suburbs and Holmen, where it will connect to another high-voltage line, CapX2020, that runs across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The owners say the lines will make the electric grid more reliable and provide a pipeline between remote locations with strong wind resources and population centers like Madison and Milwaukee where the energy is needed. The cost will be shared by customers in 15 Midwestern states and one Canadian province. The town also contends Bjerke mistakenly ruled that he had no jurisdiction to review the PSCs refusal to reconsider its initial decision and that the environmental impact statement was legally insufficient. Jablonski said the town is seeking expedited consideration from the appeals court in hopes of securing a ruling before the project is built. The southernmost segment, in Dane County, is completed, while work is continuing along I-90/94. Company spokeswoman Kaya Freiman said construction crews are concentrating on the portion of the line between Dane County and Mauston while negotiating easements with La Crosse County landowners. The company has yet to secure the required wetland permits for the northern most segments. ATC argued that stopping work would delay the project by a full year, costing an additional $2.5 million. The PSC argued the stop-work order would harm the state because the project is expected to mitigate expected overloads on the existing grid between now and 2023. 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Taylor Inc., West Coast Communications, Winco Helicopters, Winco Inc., Winco Inc. an Oregon Based Corporation, Winco Powerline Services, Winco Powerline Services Inc., Winco Powerline Services Inc., Winco Services Inc., World Fiber Inc., and mmit Line Construction Inc.. Read More - Hours after suffering humiliation at the hands of President Uhuru, NASA unveiled its official campaign manifesto - In their highly ambitious plans, they plan to put Western Kenya first on its agenda - Aside from Western Kenya, they will also focus on a number of coastal region counties - Key among their campaign promises is setting up energy production companies, universities, and a fully established commercial bank among others The National Super Alliance unveiled a highly ambitious plan for a number of counties critical to cementing its 10 million strong votes hours after President Uhuru wholesomely humiliated him at the Nyeri Madaraka day celebrations. According to its newly released campaign schedule on Thursday, June 1, the opposition alliance will now put Western Kenya first, revealing the grand plans they have for the region should the alliance form the next government. Set to hold its first official campaign in Kakamega town on Saturday, June 3, NASA is expected to unveil the Western Region Investment Conference, an investment plan outlining several programmes towards empowering Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia counties. READ ALSO: Uhuru set for MORE HECTIC days after Madaraka day celebrations, details NASA pentagon leaders Ruto, Kalonzo, Raila, Mudavadi and Wetangula READ ALSO: Outrage as Raila gets ignored at Madaraka day celebration We will establish a fill fledged commercial bank, promote the development of a private university, open u tourism sites and see to the development of hydro and power plants in the Western bloc, read a detailed report as quoted in the Daily Nation on Friday, June 2. NASA's rally at Bukhungu Stadium will kick off the first phase of countering Jubilees influence. Western is 95% NASA Without them, there is no NASA and we want to tell them as much. It is only fair we launch our national campaign there. It will be foolhardy for Jubilee to bank on any votes from Western. There wont be any and if they do expect it, then they are day dreaming, said Junet Mohammed, a member of NASAs campaign team. READ ALSO: Chirau Mwakwere takes another swipe at Uhuru Kenyatta, sends him a dare NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga with his nominated deputy; Kalonzo Musyoka. Install TUKO App To Read News For FREE They intend to revive this investment plan because as finance minister, President Uhuru shot it down, which saw to the fall of Mumias Sugar factory and a myriad of other poverty problems. On Sunday, June 4 and Monday, June 5, NASA rallies will be held in Kapsabet and Machakos. Aside from the western region, NASA will also head to the coast region where they will hold rallies in Lamu, Tana River, Mombasa and Kilifi counties from Thursday, .June 8. Combined with the western bloc, the total votes add up to 8 million in support of the opposition alliance. Add Nyanza and lower Eastern to the table, then these areas are critical to the 10 million strong drive. READ ALSO: Zari Hassans ex-husbands grave might be opened up because of this Madaraka day celebrations were held in Nyeri county for the first time on Thursday, June 1. The national event, however, caused outrage when it was largely conducted in Kikuyu language. READ ALSO: The use of Uhuru's mother tongue at Madaraka day event angers Kenyans These plans come after President Uhuru announced grand plans for Mount Kenya region, promising to spend billions of shillings to expand Thika road into Nyeri, Nanyuki and Isiolo. This is despite the region already having good roads. Uhuru announced this at the Madaraka day celebrations when he ignited collective anger in Kenyans for failing to recognize Raila's presence at the event and not giving him even a second to greet the crowd. Have something to add to this article? Send to news@tuko.co.ke Watch what Kenyans think of Muthama's role in NASA: Source: TUKO.co.ke - Anne Waiguru has been battling to clean up her name in the run up to the Kirinyaga gubernatorial race - The former Devolution Cabinet Secretarys IEBC clearance hung in the balance on Friday, June, 2, as she sought clearance to contest for governor - It has however proven to be a bittersweet journely for Waiguru, whose gubernatorial ambitions are very much alive Chief NYS suspect and former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru has been handed a major boost in her political ambitions after the IEBC cleared her to vie for the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat. Waiguru, whose biggest competition has been NARC Kenyas Martha Karua, has been facing an uphill task over integrity issues, especially after being implicated in the infamous National Youth Service scandal. Install TUKO App To Read News For FREE On Wednesday, May 24, Waigurus ambitions seemed all but over after the National Assembly approved a special audit by the Parliamentary Accounts Committee which recommended a probing into the former CS over integrity issues. READ ALSO: Raila Odinga's sister dumped by Kisumu governor Waiguru swiftly moved to court to quash any recommendations by the PAC. Speaking soon after her clearance by the IEBC, an openly jovial Waiguru exhibited confidence that her Jubilee ticket would prevail over her rival Martha Karua who incidentally also supports Uhuru Kenyatta. We are ready to start working and we are clear oin what we are offering to the Kirinyaga people. We are grateful we got our certificate. Kirinyaga is pre-dominantly a Jubilee zone so I am not threatened. She told media. Have anything to add to this article or suggestions? Share with us on news@tuko.co.ke Watch Kenyans react to Muthamas liability in NASA: Source: TUKO.co.ke -President Uhuru has issued title deeds to the Nubian community in Kibra - Uhuru has pledged to work together with the community by providing public utilities - Jubilee administration have issued 2.8 million title deeds, nearing the 3 million mark President Uhuru has hit his opponent Raila Odinga with yet another blow by invading his Nairobi stronghold. The President on Friday, June 2, issued the Nubian community with a title for 288 acres of land in Kibra. READ ALSO: Popular prophet reveals who will win between NASA and Jubilee in the August Elections Uhuru handing over title to Nubian community leader Sheikh Issa READ ALSO: Miguna Miguna FINALLY cleared by IEBC The Nubian community received the deeds in tears after fighting for the land since independence. You have lived in Kibra for many years without knowing whether you will continue living in your home the next day but that problem is now over, said Uhuru before handing over the certificate of incorporation to the Council of Elders of the Kenyan Nubians. The President told the Nubian leaders that the Government will work with the community to make their land a model city by providing proper planning and public utilities. READ ALSO: Shame follows Uhuru Kenyatta after women who performed for him sleep in the cold Uhuru meets Nubian community leaders at State House READ ALSO: Miguna's UNBELIEVABLE reason why he dropped university student as running mate(video) Uhuru pledged to work with the community so that they can live in Kibra with dignity, pride and prosperity. Cabinet Secretary for Lands Jacob Kaimenyi said he expects his ministry will issue more than 200,000 title deeds within the next two months. Kibra is one of Raila Odinga's strongholds in Nairobi. Watch what people think of Muthama's role in NASA: Source: TUKO.co.ke Eight employees of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services have been referred Donald Trump is unfit to be president, it is said, and, sure enough, there are problems. But what should be more often said is that there are a bunch of judges out there who are unfit to be judges. Concerning Trumps executive order to temporarily ban some visitors from terrorist-ridden countries, they are usurping power that is not theirs, making a mockery of the Constitution and putting politics above rationality. We can look to the Supreme Court for rescue, but thats not certain, and meanwhile the latest villains 10 judges on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals have demeaned the judiciary by squashing that presidential document. Their grounds? Well, what its words say are OK and all of that, we are told, but based on what Trump barked during his campaign, he has an animus against Muslims. He does not like them. He is intolerant of them. Hes got this religion thing up his sleeve. Therefore, the document be damned. Lets come back to this after reviewing some basics. The executive branch has the clear-cut authority to prevent foreigners from entering this country as long as a reason is given that, on the face of it, makes sense. Those foreigners have no constitutional rights, and the text of an executive order is what any court review should stick to. Trumps plainly valid order makes no mention of Muslims, and the affected countries were all declared to be of particular terrorist concern by the Obama administration. Some bad sorts have come here from them in the past, and a fault all the countries share is administrative disorder of a kind that affords little in the way of records and procedures to make sound vetting simple. The idea is to slow travel down to the point that some improved techniques can just maybe be put in place. The reason is national security, your life and mine, avoidance of the kind of horror that recently took place in Manchester, England. But now we have judges saying they smell ulterior, anti-Muslim bias at work because, after all, Trump once called for a Muslim ban. Consider, for a moment, that millions of Muslims from around the world can still come here and that what this ruling says is that supposed, unprovable purposes count for more than the deed. If the ruling holds up, the rule of law will have been let down. It presumes that whims of the judiciary takes precedence over statutes, and even though the judges cite a precedent, analysts show theyve got it wrong and another precedent tops it, anyway. So does everyday common sense. Whats really up here is judges having their own animus against Trump, and, well, they have that right. But they do not have a right to misuse their positions to hold him in check. Lets say the presidency really is cracking up. Do we want the judiciary to crack up, too? Does that calm things down, or is it instead an outright assault on constitutional, democratic norms without which despotic elites take charge and the people are dismissed? Trumps words have been said to demean the judiciary, but these actions outdo those words. As president, Barack Obama managed to put large numbers of overreaching activists in judges seats, and Trump has a chance to rectify some of that with his own nominees, though the process wont be instantaneous. Meanwhile, we are having a kind of governmental mutiny in felonious, endangering leaks of classified information, and there is congressional combustion as melodramatic Democratic posturing poses as patriotism. Still more theater of the absurd is transpiring. We need as a nation to get hold of ourselves. We need to do whats right, and that includes the White House. We need to remember that one reason the end does not justify the means is that the means can be a much bigger deal than the end. First Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko believes that every visit of European politicians to Donbas adds arguments in favor of sanctions against Russia. In particular, she noted that the EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn and Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli had been shocked by the consequences of shelling of the town of Shyrokyne by militants in eastern Ukraine. "European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli and other colleagues visited Shyrokyne and saw the destroyed houses, scattered children's things, the evidence of a once happy and prosperous life, the school where the children studied three years ago. The European delegation was shocked by the consequences of the shelling of Shyrokyne, which is not subject to recovery," Gerashchenko wrote. ol June 1, the Governor General of Canada signed the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement following the approval by the House of Commons and the Senate of the Canadian Parliament. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko posted this on his Facebook page. "Taking into account the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement by the Dutch Senate, this decision holds more than symbolic significance," the President wrote. Poroshenko also noted: "Both Canada and the Netherlands simultaneously took a decisive step towards the formation of the Ukraine-Canada-EU free trade triangle. After the formal procedures are completed, this triangle will unite the three regions on the two continents on the basis of common devotion to liberal values and ideas." According to the Head of State, these decisions testify to the effectiveness of the ongoing reforms in Ukraine. ol Yandex site has decided to close its offices in Kyiv and Odesa, Public Relations Director at Yandex Ochir Mandzhikov informed. "Yandex.Ukraine company has been added to the list of sanctions and cannot actually conduct business in Ukraine. In particular, all bank accounts of the company have been blocked, making it impossible to pay salaries to employees. Therefore, we decided to close offices in Kyiv and Odesa," Mandzhikov said. He added that the staff would be offered to continue working in other Yandex' offices in other countries. The decision was announced after Ukraine's State Security Service raided Yandex's Kyiv and Odesa offices on Monday, accusing the company of illegally collecting Ukrainian users' data and sending it to Russian security agencies. The company repelled this accusation. ish The annual tariff quota on Ukrainian wheat exports to the European Union has been fully used, the Zerno On-line agency reports. The tariff annual quota of the European Union for Ukrainian wheat imports has been fully used. To date, 960 thousand tons of wheat has been delivered to the EU countries or 100% of the quota volume, reads the report. Also, the annual quota on Ukrainian barely imports has been used by 75%. In particular, 202,303 out of 270,000 grain crops have been delivered to the EU countries. iy Head of PJSC Motor Roads of Ukraine Artem Hrynenko has filed a letter of resignation. In a post on Facebook, we wrote: Today Ive left my post. Sometimes, in order to open the next door, we must close the previous one. Hrynenko thanked the team and reminded that jointly with it, he fought for cancelling the elimination of the company. According to the official, he developed a reform plan and cleared the company of corrupt officials. iy EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn in Kyiv meets with leaders of anti-corruption agencies and government officials. The EU Delegation to Ukraine informed this on Twitter. "Lets start! The visit of EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn to Ukraine. The focus is a fight against corruption. Meeting with government officials, heads of anti-corruption agencies," the report said. The EU Commissioner informed on Twitter that Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, representatives of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine were present at the meeting. At the same time, the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine informed that Hahn's visit to Ukraine began with a working meeting with Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. As reported, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman will meet tonight with EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. ish EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn has announced in Mariupol that the EU considers the issue of granting Ukraine EUR 50 million in aid for humanitarian and infrastructure projects. First Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko, who is also in Mariupol now, posted this on her Facebook page on Friday. "Commissioner Hahn has announced today that the EU considers the issue of granting Ukraine EUR 50 million in aid for humanitarian and infrastructure projects," Gerashchenko wrote. As reported, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli and other representatives of the EU and Ukraine authorities are making visit to eastern Ukraine today. ol The Stockholm Arbitration Tribunal has satisfied the claim of Naftogaz against Russias Gazprom under the Gas Sales Contract of 2009 on a take or pay claim. We spoke about the court process, which lasted almost three years, with leading energy expert, President of the Centre for Global Studies Strategy XXI, Mykhailo Gonchar. ITS THE EASIEST OPTION TO BLAME EVERYTHING ON YULIA TYMOSHENKO - Many mass media representatives begin the story about the Stockholm arbitration with telling about the signing of gas contract of 2009. You then in your speech told that the contract could lead to the bondage of Ukraine. - History does not know a conventional method. Yulia Tymoshenko shares responsibility, but anyone from then politics being in her place would have done the same. Then President Yushchenko could have prevented the signing of this contract in the conditions of Russias artificially created gas crisis. But he continued resting somewhere in the Carpathian Mountains, when the crisis gathered pace and when Gazprom stopped gas supplies not only in Ukraine, but in Europe as well. I remember when [then Head of Naftogaz] Oleh Dubina gathered a narrow circle of experts to analyze the situation and set a sequence of actions, while higher state leadership was inactive. Later, then Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Raisa Bohatyriova also gathered experts. But the "ruling upper circle" didnt need that. The situation was critical as the state machine almost didnt function. While the higher state government continued to celebrate, another one - the prime minister - behind the scenes was involved in resolving the crisis in their political interests with setting sights on the 2010 presidential elections. Another important point is that the EU put pressure on Kyiv and required immediate resumption of gas transit. It was strange that the European Commission didnt want to find out the nature of the crisis and make appropriate conclusions, and punish those guilty. By the way, everything takes place in a very similar way in the case with Russian aggression against Ukraine, which is called in the EU as "a conflict in and around Ukraine." Going back to 2009, a period of time that preceded the signing of the contract. Yulia Tymoshenko agreed on signing this contract by Naftogaz, although perhaps she understood the shortcomings of this contract. Also, it was important for her by all means to remove a nontransparent, parasitic and corrupt scheme of RosUkrEnergo, which is often overlooked. The thirst for power at any price, the fight among oligarchs, Russian games with Ukrainian politicians, and the pressure of European "hybrid friends" - all these factors contributed to the singing of the problematic gas contract on January 19, 2009. We remember that in the midst of Russia's gas aggression in January 2009, then [and current] Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico came to us following his visit to Moscow and talks with Miller. He had the absolutely Russian interpretation of events, according to which, Ukraine was guilty of everything. So, its the easiest option to blame everything on Yulia. The lesson of 2009: you cannot sign the contract under pressure and during the crisis, which is artificially created so that there simply can be no choice. The draft contract should have passed through all levels of expert examination, despite all the cries from Brussels, Moscow and other capitals. - What is the main victory of this many-volumed case? - This case is multidimensional. Gazprom expected Naftogaz to appeal to arbitration as such possibility was envisaged in the contract, and sought to pre-empt the lawsuit. The main complaint was that Naftogaz did not stick to the contractual obligation "take or pay". Gazproms logic suggested that Naftogaz should have certainly paid for non-extracted gas volumes. Moreover, then Russia had already occupied Crimea and started invasion in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin leadership thought that a $31.7 billion lawsuit had to assert a powerful psychological impact on post-Maidan Ukrainian authorities in conjunction with a gas blockade, which failed in June 2014. Russia expected cancellation of the fine in exchange for Crimea. They thought the the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce would oblige Naftogaz to pay a huge sum almost 1/3 of Ukraine's GDP, which was unrealistic at that time. Then, Russia would offer to cancel a fine in exchange for Ukraines recognition of the Russian status of Crimea. Naftogaz responded with a counter-lawsuit, which was based on improper application of the "take or pay" principle and the non-market price formula in the contract, which made Naftogaz constantly overpay to Gazprom on gas imports. The Stockholm arbitration analyzes not only the spirit and letter of the contract, it analyzes the contract for its compliance with the market realities. It also carefully studies the elements of discrimination in relations between the parties to the contract. I do not know what formulations will be in the arbitration ruling, but, in my opinion, we can say that the arbitration noticed a discriminatory approach in the "take or pay" principle combined with a simultaneous ban on gas re-export. In addition, the Gazprom formula price is not so univocal. The decision of the arbitration indirectly shows one important point: Russia uses its gas not only as an export commodity, but as a mechanism for conversion of the goods-money relationship into the economic and political impact on countries in the contractual relations with Gazprom. Gas is a tool of Russias foreign policy. GAZPROM PIPELINES ARE TROJAN HORSE FOR EUROPE - Could the ruling affect the infrastructure projects of Gazprom? - I think it could. At first glance, the Naftogaz-Gazprom contract for the sale (as well as the transit contract, which is still under consideration) and the Nord Stream 2 project may seem to be the different planets. In fact, everything may turn out to be different. There is much controversy around this project. Gazprom and its supporters argue that this is just one of the business projects. However, the opponents claim it is politically and geopolitically motivated project which is economically meaningless. The Stockholm arbitration decision shows that Gazprom can manipulate. If the Nord Stream 2 project is implemented, and the second thread of the Turkish Stream is built through the Black Sea in Europe, then Gazprom will be able to manipulate the areas, volumes and prices for gas supplies to Europe. Accordingly, Gazprom will be able to impose certain lucrative for itself contracts upon companies from various countries. These contracts could contain discriminatory approaches in any disguised form. Poland suggested creating the Energy Union for a reason. One of the cornerstones of the Union should have been a unified EUs procurement policy towards gas purchase from external suppliers. And by the way, this suggestion was immediately destroyed when the idea started to be discussed within the European Union. The argument was that the European Union is not the Soviet Union and could not have centralized procurement. This idea, in fact, was eliminated by the pro-Gazprom lobby in Europe. And now the Stockholm arbitration indicates a high risk of costly Gazprom infrastructure projects, which may become a "Trojan horse" for Europe. On the one hand, the European Commission understands that the Nord Stream 2 fundamentally contradicts the European energy legislation, the idea of the Energy Union. On the other hand, they cannot oppose as the German government and several European companies would point at the excess of mandate, saying this is a business project and they want it to be implemented. Therefore, the European Commission, under these circumstances, should decide that the projects such as Nord Stream 2 may not be currently on the agenda in Europe until Russia returns to the international legal framework restores the territorial integrity of Ukraine and Georgia and withdraws troops from Moldova. Afterwards, it would be possible to consider major projects of the EU-Russia cooperation, including and Nord Stream 2. In my opinion, the ruling of the Stockholm arbitration in this case, and later in the transit contract case, should encourage the European institutions to review their policy towards Gazprom and its projects. Of course, there would be many people in the EU who would argue that this episode of the Gazprom business practice is a special case, typical only of the post-Soviet are and should not be extrapolated to the relations of Gazprom with its European partners. So, there would be serious debates on this issue in the EU soon. - Russia emphasizes that the ruling is transitional and that a price formula for Ukraine has not been calculated. Could this contract be considered as void? - No, it could not. We should not think that the arbitration will issue any directive orders to the parties. The arbitration will just suggest that the parties should sit down and agree on certain conditions in the context of its decision. The arbitration will not offer a formula. The ruling is few hundred pages, which contain not just description of the situation, but the well grounded approaches of how, in the opinion of the arbitrators, the parties should review their contracts toward bringing them into line with market realities and non-discriminatory practices. - So, we have to settle a price, right? - Since November 25, 2015 we have not made purchases of Russian gas. Therefore, I believe that an agreement on prices for current procurement makes no sense. For us, the meaning of the arbitration decision is what price of made purchases was supposed to be. And so, the amount of overpayment should be determined. - Can we say that the arbitration decision means the beginning of the end of Gazprom's monopoly in the gas market? - Certainly. Rosneft's Head Igor Sechin, the bitter enemy of "Gazprom", will take advantage of this situation. For him, the Stockholm problem of "Gazprom" is a reason to inflict a crushing blow on it. Mr. Sechin was right when he criticized "Gazprom" during many years for the preservation of the export monopoly and did everything to eliminate it. According to him, "Gazprom" is totally ineffective, as it implements unnecessary projects of gas pipelines while there are optimal ways of transportation that can be successfully used. - Is any prospect of victory in the lawsuit on increase of transit tariff? - There is such a prospect. After all, "Gazprom" did not provided the volume of gas transit at the level of "at least 110 billion cubic meters" in any year, as set out in the contract. The volume of gas supplied for transit to the EU ranged at 60-75% of this figure. So I hope that a decision will be made in our favor. - Can we say that a single European opinion in energy policy starts forming? - No, we cannot say this. Rather on the contrary, there is a variety of opinions. Russian lobby in Europe has not disappeared. - We have lived more than 550 days without Russian gas, but it doesnt mean that it will be easy to live without it, we are still interested in such supplier. - Of course, if we talk about the balanced system of gas imports. Although, there is no "Eurogazprom" on the part of Europe. More than three dozen companies supplied gas to Ukraine during the whole period of reverse gas supply, but we need the Eastern supplies for the European "hybrid friends" not to become impudent. And this can be not only supplies from "Gazprom". It wouldn't be such a bad idea if the European Commission after the Stockholm decisions insisted that the Russian side provided free access to pipeline capacity of "Gazprom" of independent gas producers and free transit of Central Asian gas through "Gazprom" pipelines to Europe through Ukraine. The best way is to perform a national program to increase gas production, reduce internal consumption to a level that we extract and depend neither on the East nor on the West. The best option is to put an end to gas imports, to invest into our economy and then we will have our own resource provision. Lana Samokhvalova, Kyiv The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) plans to start to provide support for the youth initiatives in Ukraine from the next year. UNICEF Representative in Ukraine Giovanna Barberis said this at the children's conference, organized by the Fund in cooperation with the Health Ministry of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The program is meant primarily for young people. UNICEF provides small grants to implement the ideas which young people want to establish in their city. These projects should benefit society. Next year, we plan to implement such projects throughout Ukraine to attract more young people," Barberis said. Now, according to her, UNICEF provides such support to the youth projects in eastern Ukraine, particularly, in Mariupol and Kramatorsk. Most of the projects relate to school. ol UNICEF/Alzekri SANAA/DJIBOUTI/AMMAN, 2 June, 2017 I have just concluded a trip to Yemen to oversee UNICEFs response to the unprecedented cholera outbreak that is gripping the country. Cholera is spreading incredibly fast in Yemen, turning an already dire situation for children turn into a disaster. In just over one month, close to 70,000 cholera cases were reported with nearly 600 fatalities. The number of suspected cases is expected to reach 130,000 within the next two weeks. Cholera doesnt need a permit to cross a checkpoint or a border, nor does it differentiate between areas of political control. At the triage in one of the few functioning hospitals I visited, I witnessed harrowing scenes of children who were barely alive - tiny babies weighing less than two kilos fighting for their lives. I fear that some of them must have died overnight. Many families could barely afford the cost of bringing their children to hospital. But they are the lucky ones. Countless children around Yemen die every day in silence from causes that can easily be prevented or treated like cholera, diarrhoea or malnutrition. I met health workers racing against time to prevent cholera from killing more children. They are dedicated and committed, despite not receiving their salaries in almost nine months. They are Yemens unsung heroes and we have to do everything possible to provide them with the medical supplies and the support they desperately need. All authorities in Yemen must come together to start paying the countrys civil servants again. Since the start of this outbreak four weeks ago, UNICEF has been working with partners to respond. Our teams on the ground have provided safe water to over 1 million people across Yemen and delivered over 40 tonnes of lifesaving medical equipment including medicine, oral rehydration salts, intravenous fluids and diarrhoea disease kits. But the international community needs to do more to provide immediate support to relief efforts in health, water and sanitation, nutrition and community mobilization. UNICEF urgently requires US$16 million to prevent the outbreak from spreading further. But most importantly, it is time for parties to the conflict to prioritise the boys and girls of Yemen and put an end to the fighting through a peaceful political agreement. This is the ultimate way to save the lives of children in Yemen, and to help them thrive. ### Notes for editors: Download multimedia material including photos and videos here Angkor Wat has triumphed across the centuries to emerge at the world's top tourism landmark in TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice awardsfor the second time since 2015. The travel website used what else? an algorithm to determine the winners, which were determined by taking into account the quantity and quality of reviews and rankings for landmarks worldwide gathered over a 12-month period. WATCH: Angkor Wat voted top travel site Angkor Wat scored 33,000 5-star reviews with comments that included must see, magnificent and WOW! along with admonitions to bring comfortable shoes and bottled water to explore the 250 square kilometers of Angkor Archaeological Park, which includes Angkor Wat and hundreds of other temples. This is the Khmer nation's pride, because Angkor is not only part of the prosperous heritage of Cambodia, but it has also become the heart and soul of the nation, according to Long Kosal, a spokesman for the government's Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap (APSARA). Built between the years 802 and 1431, the city of Angkor was the center of the Khmer empire in what is now Cambodia, until it was toppled by internal power struggles, foreign invasion and climate change. 'Unique concentration of features' A complex of temples, basins, dikes, reservoirs and canals, the site is a unique concentration of features testifying to an exceptional civilization, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Angkor was, according to World Archaeology, the most extensive urban complex in the pre-industrial world. Angkor topped the 2015 TripAdvisor landmarks list, and last year Lonely Planet, another travel site, gave the temples of Angkor the top spot. Ang Kim Eang, founder of the Great Angkor Tour Company, said the most recent award, which was made on May 23, will bolster tourism as more people become aware of the temples. But he cautioned that it was important to educate tourists about how to behave while visiting the sacred site, as visitor numbers continue to rise. Code of conduct To prevent damage to the complex, the APSARA provides a code of conduct with video on its site. They don't have any knowledge, he said. They did not pay respect to the Buddha statues while they are visiting. We are worried especially when it is crowded. Lisa Delpy Neirotti, a George Washington University professor who is director of the masters of tourism administration program, on Wednesday told VOA Cambodia the way you preserve a cultural heritage site is that you put caps on admission. I did see that they doubled the admission prices in 2016, which is one way to control capacity. For foreign tourists, the price of a one-day pass increased from $20 to $37, a three-day ticket from $40 to $62 and a seven-day pass from $60 to $72. Cambodians enter without charge. Golden Gate Gate Bridge top US landmark In 1993, when Agkor Wat was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, there were 7,650 recorded visitors. Last year, 2.2 million tourists visited the temple complex, Kosal said, bringing in more than $62 million to government coffers. So far this year, about 950,000 tourists have visited Angkor Wat. In April, 63,541 Chinese tourists visited the complex, far in excess of the 17,217 South Koreans and 12,660 visitors from the United Kingdom, according to government statistics. Until November 2015, the complex was leased to a company owned by Sok Kong, a petroleum magnate close to the ruling Cambodian People's Party. Since then, it has been under government control. The 2017 TripAdvisor awards honored 706 landmarks in 82 countries, with the Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Mezquita Cathedral de Cordoba in Cordoba, Spain, St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, and the Taj Mahal in India occupying the next four positions. The 80-year-old Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco holds 11th place worldwide and is the top-rated U.S. landmark. The prosecutor overseeing a complaint against two newspaper reporters accused of breaking the election law has said the investigation against them is ongoing, despite other officials saying it had been dropped. Chea Pich, a prosecutor with the Ratanakkiri Provincial Court, said the complained had not been rejected, but rather it was under review to determine whose jurisdiction it fell under. Regarding their activities, we first wanted to review to see if it is under [Provincial Election Committee] authority. And after they reviewed it, they said it was not their jurisdiction, it is under the authority of the court, he said. According to some factors that they [PEC] highlighted about professionalism relating to the election law, it [the complaint] was sent to the court, and the court decided to start investigating the case. However, Pen Chhundy, president of the PEC, said the committee had not received a formal complaint. Complainants did not come to the PEC, so we dont have any complaint regarding the election, he said. The complaint stems from a visit to Ratanakkiri provinces OYadav district by The Cambodia Daily reporters Aun Pheap, a Cambodian, and Zsombor Peter, a Canadian, where they interviewed local residents about their opinions on the upcoming election. The Overseas Press Club of Cambodia last week issued a statement condemning the publication of an image of Peters passport by information minister Khieu Kanharith via his Facebook page. The post was subsequently deleted. On Tuesday, Hak Huon, Ratanakkiri deputy prosecutor, told The Cambodia Daily that the court had determined that there was not enough evidence to pursue a case against Pheap and Peter. We have reviewed the complaint and see that its not legally right. Its kind of describing the activities and there is no evidence to back it up, he was quoted as saying. But on Wednesday Huon said the case was with the prosecutor and he was not aware of a final decision in the case. The complaint was filed by an opposition commune chief, Romam Yuot, and two villagers, accusing the Cambodia Daily reporters of inciting support for the opposition party and violating residents right to self-determination for asking about their past voting habits. As Cambodians go to the polls on Sunday to elect new local council representatives, in a contest dominated by men, two women are facing off for control of this Kampong Speu province commune. Keo Sophat, 54, the current commune chief and ruling Cambodian Peoples Party candidate, is squaring off against Kem Tola, 30, the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party candidate and a council member since 2012. In the 2012 election, the CPP won seven of the 11 seats in the area, with the opposition securing the remaining four. Sophat hopes her record as a councilor will give her the credibility to secure re-election. We take good care of people. We solve problems on time. We dont demand money for administrative costs, she said, qualifying this by adding that the large commune was difficult to govern. The CPP won the majority of seats in 2012, securing more than 8,000 of the nearly 11,500 council seats up for grabs. The opposition only won 40 of the 1,633 commune chief positions. But at the 2013 general election the opposition surprised many by winning a large majority in parliament - 55 of the National Assemblys 123 seats. It is thought the ruling party still maintains significant support in the commune, after it gained some 2,000 votes in the 2013 general election. But Tola says the opposition is rising. Support is increasing, she said. If elected, I will treat people, both rich and poor, equally when they come to ask for basic services, she added. But the CNRP won only one commune in Kampong Speu province in 2012 out of a possible 87. Sophat, however, admits that land conflicts had hurt support for the ruling party. But she maintained that many of the disputes were now resolved amicably and the situation had improved markedly. Twelve parties will contest the election, but only the CPP and CNRP have registered candidates in the countrys 1,646 communes. The Beehive Social Democratic Party led by Mam Sonando and Khmer National United Party led by Nhek Bun Chhay have also registered candidates in Treng Troyoeng commune. A fruit seller, Eum Pov, 32, says she will vote against the incumbent. I want to know if there will be more progress than before or not. I want a change since the current commune chief did not pay attention to people, she said. She, like many of her fellow residents, is concerned by a lack of access to basic utilities, such as clean water and electricity. I want to ask for wells in my village. I need individual wells, or at least one well for two families, she said. Pov is also concerned by threats of war from Prime Minister Hun Sen should the ruling party lose a general election next year. If [the CPP] loses, I am afraid of war. I am worried. The high ranking people dont want to step down, she said. Another villager, Son Phal, 38, said she had spent more than $25 per month buying water as local supply was insufficient. Ive had to buy water to use for at least 10 or 20 years already, she said, adding that Sophat was not telling the truth when she claimed not to charge villagers for administrative services. Sok Hong, 58, echoed Phals remarks. When there is document that needs to be signed, you need money. They dont listen to peoples suggestions. For example, when the road is broken, and people requested repairs, they dont do it. People get angry and dont want to vote, he said. World leaders and environmental groups have expressed their disappointment with U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate accord, the global effort to deal with the effects of climate change. French President Emmanuel Macron said in both French and English that he believed Trump has made a historic mistake. Macron said U.S. scientists and entrepreneurs would 'find in France a second homeland," inviting them to live in France where they could "work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment." Macron added in France they would work to "make our planet great again," a play on Trump's campaign slogan to "make America great again." German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the Paris Accord a "historic quantum leap." She went on to say "This decision cannot and will not stop those of us who feel obligated to protect our Earth. I say to all those for whom the future of our planet is important: let us continue on this path together so that we can succeed for Mother Earth." There was equal disappointment in the developing world. "My thoughts: The U.S. has just abdicated its leadership on a matter of critical global importance," Ghana President John Dramani Mahama tweeted. WATCH: What the Paris Accord aims to do 'Draconian' deal Trump said the United States was getting out of a deal he said imposed "draconian" burdens costing billions of dollars and millions of U.S. jobs. He described the pact as "very unfair" to the United States and beneficial to other major polluters, like China and India. He said he was open to "negotiations to re-enter the Paris Accord." But European leaders moved to put a stop to the U.S. leader's belief that he could re-negotiate the United States back into the accord. "We are firmly convinced that the agreement cannot be renegotiated," the leaders of Germany, France and Italy said in a joint statement. WATCH: Trump announces US withdrawal The Paris agreement commits signatories to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, which is blamed for melting ice caps and glaciers, rising sea levels and more violent weather. China is the world's biggest polluter. The United States is second and will join Nicaragua and Syria as the only countries that are not part of the agreement. Hua Chunying, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman, said Friday that adherence to the Paris Accord is a "responsibility shouldered by China as a responsible major country." Friday in Beijing the spokeswoman said "We think the Paris accord reflects the widest agreement of the international community with regards to eliminate change and parties should cherish this hard-won outcome." Trump said it was in the interest of the U.S. to leave the accord, saying "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." Bill Peduto, the mayor of Pittsburgh, where Hillary Clinton received 80 percent of the vote in the presidential election, said "Pittsburgh stands with the world and will follow Paris Agreement." Former U.S. President Barack Obama, who played a key role in brokering the accord, said "But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I'm confident that our states, cities and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we've got." Loss of leadership role In Australia, Richard Di Natale, Australian Greens Party leader, said by pulling out of the Paris Accord, "Donald Trump has shown with this decision that the U.S. no longer has any claim to global leadership." Koichi Yamamoto, Japan's environment minister said of the U.S. departure from the Paris Accord: "It's as if they've turned their back on the wisdom of humanity." He added, "In addition to being disappointed, I'm also angry." Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga told Fiji Broadcasting Corporation his Pacific Island nation "provided our islands as a launching pad" for the U.S. during World War II, but "now we are facing the biggest war of our time, they are abandoning us." Voreqe Bainimarama, who will serve as president of U.N. climate talks in Germany later this year, said "While the loss of America's leadership is unfortunate, this is a struggle that is far from over." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his disappointment in a telephone call with Trump. The Canadian leader, however, said he is encouraged by "the growing momentum around the world to combat climate change and transition to clean growth economies." "The Paris Agreement provides the right global framework for protecting the prosperity and security of future generations, while keeping energy affordable and secure for our citizens and businesses," British Prime Minister Theresa May told Trump in a telephone conversation. Environmental group Climate Action Network said the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris agreement "signals that the Trump Administration is in total discord with both reality and the rest of the world." President Donald Trump has announced that he is withdrawing the United States from the landmark international agreement that committed nearly every nation to take action to curb global warming. VOAs Peter Heinlein reports that the decision is being met with dismay by environmentalists, foreign allies and a significant number of influential business leaders. TRUMP CLIMATE ACCORD The US president kept the world on edge this week, but finally, a decision on a global climate accord has been made. VOA White House correspondent Peter Heinlein and VOA Science reporter Steve Baragona talk about President Trumps decision to withdraw the US from participation in the Paris Climate Deal. Human rights groups see two pivotal moments in the mounting of resistance to the International Criminal Court in Africa. Both involve the indictments of sitting heads of state. If you look at the history of the pushback of the ICC by the AU (African Union), it dates back to the time the arrest warrant was issued for Omar al-Bashir and then subsequently on the Kenyan officials, said Netsanet Belay, Africa director of research and advocacy for Amnesty International. We believe there is no legal or normative reason to support the impunity of heads of state of governments, especially when it comes to crimes against humanity, Belay added. Still in office The cases against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his vice president, William Ruto, in relation to the 2007-2008 post-election violence, were dropped for lack of evidence in 2014 and 2016. Kenyatta is running for re-election this year. The Sudanese president, Bashir, remains in office as well. Since 2009, when Bashirs international arrest warrant was issued, he has visited at least 18 countries, 11 of them in Africa. He was charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the conflict in Darfur. Prosecuting sitting heads of state is complex, with some arguing it undermines stability. Andile Mgxitama is the leader of the advocacy group Black First Land First in South Africa. If for stability and progress, we need to forgive those who transgress against us amongst ourselves, we will do so, Mgxitama said. We should not put ourselves in a position where Europe says we must attack every one of us, and we do so even in a context where maybe rather dialogue or reconciliation is a better proposition than putting people on trial or going after them and so on. African alternative South Africa was among the three African countries that said last year they would withdraw from the ICC. Critics say the ICC unfairly targets Africans. All 39 of the people indicted since the courts establishment in 2002 have been African. As resistance has grown, the continent has sought to create its own alternatives to the ICC. The current option on the table is the African Court of Justice and Human Rights. In 2014, African Union heads of state adopted what is called the Malabo Protocol to extend the courts jurisdiction to include an international criminal law section. The protocol also gives immunity to sitting heads of state. Rights groups object For that and other reasons, rights groups have urged African countries not to ratify the protocol. With the African Court, it means that with this immunity clause, you cannot have a real-time response. You have to wait until this individual is not in office to even commence any type of prosecutions against him, said Stella Ndirangu, program manager for the International Commission of Jurists in Kenya. And for Zimbabwean politician Ngqabutho Mabhena, that could push African leaders to cling to power, even more than some already do. If the president commits a serious crime, he will not want to vacate office, then he creates patronage within people that are around them or him, for them to continuously stay in power so that they avoid getting out of office, Mabhena said. So far, nine African countries have signed the Malabo Protocol, but no countrys parliament has ratified it. The protocol wont take effect unless 15 AU member countries ratify it. More than 100 Brazilian diplomats spoke out Thursday against the administration of President Michel Temer, whose already low popularity has slid amid corruption allegations that have spurred growing calls for him to resign. In an open letter titled "Diplomacy and Democracy," the diplomats criticized the recent use of force to contain protests and said Brazil's leaders should choose dialogue over "authoritarian temptations." The letter came a few days after Brazil's Foreign Ministry harshly criticized a U.N. statement condemning violence against protesters in Brasilia on May 24. In that demonstration, more than 35,000 people protested Temer's proposed economic austerity measures, including changes to the pension system and labor laws. Protesters also called for him to resign amid the investigation into alleged corruption and obstruction of justice. Several dozen protesters were injured and several news organizations captured images of military police firing live rounds at protesters. After scenes of vandalism, Temer issued a decree to use troops to protect public buildings in Brasilia, a measure that was criticized by a Supreme Court justice and key leaders of Congress. The president, whose popularity has fallen into the single digits, said it was a necessary measure to block anarchists who had trashed the government area, but he withdrew the soldiers. "We, civil servants of the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Brazil, have decided to publicly come forward due to the worsening of the social, political and institutional crisis that currently ravages Brazil," the letter said. "We repudiate the use of force to repress or inhibit demonstrations." The diplomats also called for Brazilian leaders to "renew the commitment for constructive and responsible dialogue, urging everyone to give up authoritarian temptations, personal or partisan conveniences and attachments." "Only in this manner it will be possible to restart a new cycle of development, legitimized by popular vote," the letter said. One of the diplomats who signed the document told The Associated Press that the decision to write the letter came after the Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the criticism from the U.N. was "biased" and "uninformed." "There has been some discomfort among officers with the use of the Foreign Ministry to legitimize Brazil's new government abroad, but the statement against the U.N. crossed a line for many," said the diplomat, who agreed to speak about the letter only if not quoted by name, fearing retaliation by the administration. Temer, who was vice president, took over the presidency in May 2016 after his predecessor, Dilma Rousseff, was suspended and later impeached in a process that she and her supporters have called a coup. Next week, Temer faces an electoral court trial that could remove him from office for alleged illegal campaign financing, a charge he denies. Also on Thursday, a Supreme Court justice who is close to Temer decided to halt a trial that could strip politicians of their right to be prosecuted only by Brazil's top court. Lower courts have led several charges against politicians that are out of office. In the run-up to commune elections on Sunday, Cambodia's ruling party has been promising residents of the capital it will resolve long-running land disputes, award them land titles and build better roads. Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has been reminding city dwellers that they owe urban infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements to the ruling party. "People are living in happiness, both physically and mentally," senior party administrator Say Chhum told thousands of attendees at a rally launching the party's Phnom Penh campaign. The effort is an attempt to attract Phnom Penh voters who have come out against the CPP in all but one national election since 1993. This election, with 105 commune chief and 899 commune councilor positions at stake, will be a key test of the CPP's efforts to woo urban voters. One reason for the CPP's struggles in Phnom Penh, analysts say, is that the capital is now home to the most sophisticated and educated population in the country, including growing numbers of young people who flock here to take advantage of education and work opportunities. Phnom Penh had 1.5 million residents as of the 2012 census, but it is growing so fast because of migration from the provinces that it is now believed to be around 3 million, according to Ou Virak, head of the Future Forum, a policy research institution. As is often true elsewhere in the world, Cambodia's urban and rural populations are fundamentally different. "Whereas people in rural Cambodia tend to accept fatalistically decisions made by authorities, inhabitants of the capital more often do not accept misgovernment," Markus Karbaum, a German political scientist specializing in Cambodian politics and economics, told VOA Cambodia in an email. Information access He noted that people in cities have easier access to information about the development projects and governance issues that affect their daily lives. Just as important, he said, was the fact that the CPP's political power largely derives from mobilizing deep-rooted patronage networks that are more effective in rural areas than in urban ones. Because of this, he predicted that the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) would not only achieve a "landslide victory" in Phnom Penh, but also make significant inroads in other urbanizing areas. The CPP's best performance in the capital might have been the 2012 commune elections, when it won all 96 communes in Phnom Penh. Shortly afterward, the two opposition groups, the Sam Rainsy Party, named after an opposition leader, and the Human Rights Party, merged to form the CNRP. It picked up 55 seats, a stunning gain on the 29 seats it had already held in the 123-seat parliament. In Phnom Penh, the CNRP took 58 percent of the vote and claimed seven of the capital's 12 parliamentary seats. Sok Eysan, a spokesman for the ruling party, acknowledged during the current campaign that the CPP was "put on alert" by its poor 2013 performance in Phnom Penh and elsewhere. "There are a lot of reasons they are not doing well in Phnom Penh," said Ou Virak. "One, the population of Phnom Penh, if you look at the demographics, many of them are actually wage earners. Most of them are now in the middle-class, lower-middle-class income bracket ... which means they have food on the table. "When you have to put food on the table, your mind can't wander outside that food is all you can think about when you don't have any but when you do, there are so many things you can think about. This is a challenge for the CPP." Different concerns Ou Virak noted that, for the first time in the nation's history, the majority of Cambodians about 60 percent were now wage earners rather than farmers, and had different concerns, including job creation and employment opportunities. People inside the CPP seem aware that the Sunday stakes are high. Municipal Governor Pa Socheatvong has recently touted a number of initiatives for urban beautification, including banning dogs from public parks, installing hundreds of closed-circuit television cameras and removing ATMs from some public places. Cambodians, however, took to social media to mock his seeming obsession with minutiae. Last month, his idea to remove all automotive garages was blasted by none other than the prime minister's sister, Hun Sinath, who wrote on her Facebook page that the governor was "burning votes" with the initiative. Hun Sen also stepped in to block the governor's idea to improve traffic congestion in the capital by restricting car imports into Cambodia, writing on his Facebook page that he would not agree to the proposal. Pa Socheatvong declined a request for comment. Several voters interviewed this week, however, were less than complimentary about his initiatives. Hok Chhayleng, 22, an engineering student, said he felt that leaders were not taking voters' problems seriously. "We face difficulties like congestion on our roads that remains unsolved, but he chose to address other problems, like wiping out ATMs and chasing dogs in public parks," Hok Chhayleng said. In his home commune of Teuk La'ak III, he said, local CPP officials were also unresponsive to constituents' needs: "They are unfriendly and unconcerned with our needs, and we often feel helpless." 'I am thinking of change' Preap Nart, 24, a student who lives in the Stung Meanchey commune in southwest Phnom Penh, recalled the 2015 beating of opposition lawmakers by pro-government thugs and the use of state-employed district security guards to disperse demonstrations, often violently. "These are unacceptable," he said. "Although this is just a commune election, I am thinking of change." Still, the CPP's message is undoubtedly getting through to many. Khun Visal, 45, a stone carver, said he was proud that the city looked like a powerful and wealthy capital, with tall buildings springing up across the skyline. He credited the CPP for the changes. "Development is moving forward step by step," said Khun Visal, "like this is an emerging country." This report originated with VOA Cambodia. A Chilean judge ordered jail sentences for over 100 former secret police from Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship this week, the biggest mass sentence to date for human rights abuses from the period. Judge Hernan Cristoso convicted 106 ex-agents who worked for Pinochet's DINA intelligence service for the kidnapping and killing of 16 people during "Operation Colombo" in the early years of the 1973-1990 dictatorship. The judge ruled the 16 killed were leftist militants or members of the socialist party who had been arrested by DINA agents in 1974 or 1975 in Santiago. They were transferred to torture centers around the city and were not again seen alive. At the time, authorities explained the disappearances by saying the victims had fled the country. They later changed their story and said the victims were killed due to internecine fighting. Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected socialist government of Salvador Allende in September 1973. His secret police collaborated with dictatorships in neighboring Argentina and in Brazil amid a wider crackdown called "Operation Condor." During Pinochet's rule, some 3,000 people died or disappeared in Chile, and thousands more - including current President Michelle Bachelet - were tortured or went into exile. Chile long grappled with the task of bringing to justice the perpetrators of crimes committed in that era, and crusading judges and more sympathetic authorities have led to an increase in convictions in recent years. The 106 ex-agents were sentenced to between 541 days and 20 years in jail. Many are already serving time for other cases. The state was ordered to pay around 5 billion Chilean pesos ($7.5 million) to the families of the deceased. ($1 = 670.6800 Chilean pesos) Like its neighbor Russia, Ukraine is currently struggling against epidemics of dangerous contagious diseases, such as HIV, Hepatitis C, and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. While the country has made remarkable progress thanks to the partnership of the post-2014 government with civil society organizations, Ukraine also faces an added burden. It must care for those at-risk citizens who live under Russian occupation, both in the Crimean peninsula and in the Russian occupied territories of the warzone in the east. On Wednesday and Thursday, United Nations Special Envoy for HIV and AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, professor Michel Kazatchkine, held a conference at Kyivs Alliance for Public Health and then visited some of the citys harm-reduction organizations specializing in activities including needle exchanges, free medical testing, and condom distribution. Speaking at the conference, Kazatchkine explained that the main vector for the spread of HIV in Ukraine and other Soviet countries was intravenous drug use, and that virus experienced rapid growth in the former Soviet Union area between 2005 and 2015. Most prevalent According to Kazatchkine, the phenomenon is a concentrated epidemic, meaning that the epidemic is prevalent among certain sub-groups of the population, but not the general population as a whole. One of main reasons for the prevalence of the epidemic is the poor healthcare system inherited from the Soviet Union. Approximately 30 percent to 35 percent of HIV-positive people in Ukraine have access to treatment, though only 50 percent know about their HIV-positive status. Despite the discouraging statistics, Kazatchkine said he sees progress in Ukraine thanks to the work of NGOs in partnership with the government. Unfortunately, a significant portion of Ukraines territory is under control of Russia and its proxies, and this has created serious obstacles for those trying to help fight the spread of HIV and AIDS. The Crimean peninsula, for example, was formally annexed by the Russian Federation in 2014. As such, it has become fully subjected to Russian law. This has led to problems for patients in opioid-substitution therapy programs. While such programs operate successfully in Ukraine, Russian law does not permit opioid-substitution therapy. The program managed to continue in the occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk, but eventually had to be terminated when supplies of the substitute drugs ran out. Other harm-reduction programs in the eastern occupied territories have had more success, as Russia disavows any authority over the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics (DNR and LNR). Complications Natalia Hurova works in occupied Luhansk as a coordinator for harm-reduction programs with the All-Ukrainian Public Health Association. We have been operating since 2014 in Luhansk and three small towns, Hurova told VOA. We actually perform operations the same way we did before the conflict. We have contacts with the local authorities and they let us perform our activities, she said. Despite official permission, the situation remains complicated by the front line, along which fighting still occurs daily. In the case of Luhansk, there are no official crossings directly into the city. Instead, supplies must first come through Donetsk, and then cross a state border between the two self-proclaimed republics. Hurova said this actually requires filling out customs papers for shipments. For Hurova, the biggest challenge is maintaining opioid-substitution therapy, as the local authorities do not support the program. Some addicts enrolled in the program managed to travel to government-controlled territory to continue their treatment, but this is not possible for everyone. Some of those who could not make the move went back to illegal drugs, many of which are homemade and extremely dangerous, such as desomorphine, commonly known as krokodil. Despite the setbacks, programs like needle exchanges and condom distribution still manage to function in the occupied territories thanks to special arrangements. We have a corridor through which we receive supplies, said Hurova. Positive outlook In spite of seemingly overwhelming challenges coming from a hopelessly outdated and corrupt medical system along with foreign occupation, and war workers in the fight against HIV and other epidemics remain positive about the future. Andriy Klepikov, executive director of the Alliance for Public Health, told conference attendees that his country has seen a number of positive signs and successful programs. The APH still works in Crimea and the occupied part of the Donbass region, and has set a goal of 90/90/90 for HIV and AIDS, meaning 90 percent of the population tested, 90 percent access to treatment, and 90 percent successful results of viral suppression among treatment recipients. The European Union and China recommitted Friday to the 2015 Paris climate deal, one day after the United States announced it would withdraw from it. In a joint statement, the EU and China said climate change and clean energy "will become a main pillar" of their bilateral partnership. European Council President Donald Tusk said the fight against climate change would continue, with or without the United States: "Today, China and Europe have demonstrated solidarity with future generations and responsibilities for the whole planet," he said. "We are convinced that yesterday's decision is a big mistake." Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, in Brussels for an EU-China business summit, said it was important for China and EU relationships to become more stable. "We believe that there have been changes in the international situation, and there will be rising uncertainty and destabilizing factors," he said. "This requires our efforts to resolve existing issues." Other issues Besides climate change, other issues discussed at the summit included trade, investment, the migration crisis, North Korea and the security partnership in Africa. Li had expressed China's continued support for the global climate deal on Thursday during his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, saying, "China will stand by its responsibilities on climate change." European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said China agreed with the EU on the "unhappiness" about America's unilateral decision to abandon the climate agreement. The 2015 agreement, signed by 195 countries, calls for reducing the impact of climate change by keeping the global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The EU and China committed to actions related to climate change, such as developing ways to change into zero-emissions economies, promoting zero-carbon transitions in developing countries and developing long-term decarbonization plans. Wendel Trio, director of the Climate Action Network Europe, called the EU-China statement a milestone in the history of global climate diplomacy. "This historic partnership to push forward with the Paris Agreement is a significant advance in the fight against climate change. Through deeper cooperation on climate action, the EU and China can propel the global clean energy transition," Trio said. China and the EU are two of the three biggest economies in the world with a large carbon footprint. If one of them were to follow the U.S. withdrawal, it's unlikely that the Paris accord would lead to large-scale reduction of emissions. Push from Greenpeace Ansgar Kiene of the environmental activist group Greenpeace said it was clear from the global response to the American decision that leaders around the world were united in the fight against climate change. But Kiene urged leaders to translate their words into actions. "The EU and China are switching to clean energy production too slowly to keep global temperature rises below levels that will cause catastrophic changes in our climate," Kiene said. "The EU's investment in renewable energy, once the highest in the world, has dropped off in recent years as its targets for renewables were too low compared to the real rate of growth." China still produces 62 percent of its energy with coal, according to Greenpeace. But despite its bad record in the past, China's investments in recent years in solar and wind energy have been much larger than those of any other country. Investments in renewable energy in Europe, though, have dropped by half in the past six years. In withdrawing the United States from the climate accord, which was signed by his predecessor, Barack Obama, U.S. President Donald Trump cited the predicted economic burden and job losses associated with complying with the accord as some of his reasons. "The Paris climate accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries," Trump said. Renegotiation spurned Trump said the U.S. could re-enter negotiations on the climate pact, but that idea was dismissed by the EU Commissioner for Climate Action Miguel Arias Canete, who said Friday that "the 29 articles of the Paris Agreement are not to be renegotiated, they are to be implemented." China and the European Union wrote in their joint statement that they thought investing in tackling climate change would actually contribute to job creation, investment opportunities and economic growth. Many world leaders have condemned the U.S. withdrawal. French President Emmanuel Macron even invited scientists to relocate to France, saying in a speech televised in English, "Make our planet great again." The United States joined Nicaragua and Syria as the only countries in the world that are not part of the Paris Agreement. The families of two men killed by Indian forces near the de facto Kashmir border are calling on India to turn over their remains to be buried according to Islamic ritual. Noor Hussain, 57, and Abdul Aziz, 63, were killed May 26 during an alleged gunfight near Fellan, their ancestral village on the Pakistani side of the disputed territory. Pakistani authorities flew a small group of reporters to the heavily-militarized so-called Line of Control, or LoC, that separates the Pakistani and Indian parts of the scenic Himalayan region, to showcase the plight of civilians in the area. Hussains widow, Sarwar Jan, his two sons and a daughter, told VOA the incident has devastated their economically-burdened family. My husband had gone in the afternoon to collect wood for fuel in the kitchen because Ramadan was about to begin, she said. She said her family and that of Aziz waited throughout the night before approaching Pakistani authorities the next day in the wake of reports and pictures in Indian media about the death of their loved ones. Heavy firing prevented us from going to the site on our own in search of my husband. I now beg them to please return the bodies so we could at least see their faces before burial, she said. Pakistani military commanders say they communicated details of the deceased men with Indian counterparts in an attempt to secure the bodies as per a well-established mutual practice of swiftly returning inadvertent crossers or their remains. Islamabad said New Delhi has not responded to the request. Indian military officials say the men were intruders and belonged to the Pakistan armys alleged Border Action Team (BAT) well-trained militants who carry out deadly cross-border attacks on Indian troops in Kashmir. Son claims India crossed border Tariq Mehmood, a son of Aziz, said he found out through social media that his father and Hussain had been killed. He suggested Indian troops infiltrated the LoC to conduct the operation, assertions Pakistani officials denied. The area where they gunned them down while they were collecting wood was well known to my father because it has always been part of our family land. So, there was no question of them inadvertently crossing over to the Indian side. They came, killed them and took them away, Mehmood said. Pakistani officials maintain the LoC is an imaginary line in the mountainous region and only military experts on both sides are aware of it. It is not possible for ordinary Kashmiris living in divided villages to determine the demarcation. Meanwhile, in the nearby town of Hajira, villagers took to the streets to protest heavy shelling by Indian troops that left at least two civilians dead and several wounded, according to officials. Pakistani troops responded to what they said was an unprovoked cease-fire violation. Both sides routinely blame each other for firing the first shots. Protesters also alleged that Indian forces killed 80-year-old retired school principal Kazim Shah and are refusing to return his body. New Delhi has not commented. Clashes across the disputed Kashmir frontier have become routine in recent months, almost tearing apart a 2003 mutual cease-fire deal, which had led to an improved social and economic environment for divided families. The landmark truce led to the opening of trade and travel routes to help mitigate the suffering of poverty-stricken Kashmiris on both sides. Heightened military tensions, however, have undermined those lines of communication, leading to an intermittent suspension of trade and travel facilities. International concern The situation has international stakeholders concerned about the possibility of another war between the two nuclear-armed nations. The United Nations Thursday said it is watching developments. I think the situation that we've seen in that area continues to be of concern to us and, as I've said before, the secretary-general is following the situation very closely, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. chief Antonio Guterres. In recent public talks, former and current U.S. officials have not ruled out the possibility of another war between India and Pakistan unless bilateral diplomatic contacts are restored to defuse current military tensions. In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee last week, 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. Islamabad says the deteriorating security conditions and an intensified local uprising in Indian Kashmir over the past eight months have prompted New Delhi to escalate operations on the Kashmir cease-fire line, allegedly to divert international attention from rights abuses against locals by Indian troops. India claims Pakistan is fueling the unrest in Kashmir. Islamabad denies the allegation. India and Pakistan have already fought three wars since they gained independence from Britain in 1947. Kashmir was the issue in two of the conflicts and the dispute remains the primary source of regional tension. Both countries claim the region in its entirety. American military officials say U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have pushed within three kilometers of Islamic State's de facto capital in Syria, and that the major battle for control of Raqqa "could begin in the coming days." Speaking to reporters from Baghdad, Colonel Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the U.S.-led counter ISIS coalition, said the SDF was "poised around Raqqa" after gaining 350 square kilometers from IS in Syria in the last week. The forces are within three kilometers of Raqqa to the north and east and within about 10 kilometers of the city to the west, Dillon said. "The fight for the city could begin in the coming days," a U.S. military official separately told VOA on the condition of anonymity. "The encirclement of Raqqa is almost complete." The U.S. military confirmed earlier this week that it had started distributing weapons and vehicles to Syrian Kurdish fighters in preparation for the Raqqa battle. That move has placed the United States at odds with NATO ally Turkey, which contends the SDF's Syrian Kurdish militia is a terrorist group affiliated with the outlawed PKK, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, a terror group that has been battling the Turkish state for many years. Dillon said the SDF had instructed Raqqa citizens to leave the city ahead of the fighting, with nearly 200,000 people already displaced. Camps for displaced citizens have been established around the Syrian city, Dillon added, with SDF screening sites in place to prevent IS militants from escaping among the fleeing civilian population. Problem near al-Tanf Meanwhile, U.S. military officials said Iranian-backed pro-regime forces were continuing to violate a deconfliction zone set up around the al-Tanf army base, where special forces are training Syrian militias. Dillon said the coalition had communicated to the "small element" of forces that they were considered a threat and needed to leave the zone. "We want them out of there," he told reporters Thursday from Baghdad. Dillon said the forces violating the deconfliction zone had stopped establishing defensive positions after coalition airstrikes targeted their tanks and equipment two weeks ago, but had remained a little more than halfway into the established zone, which has a radius of 55 kilometers from the al-Tanf base. "It's not like they've dipped their toe into the deconfliction zone. They're well inside it," said Dillon. Additional pro-regime reinforcements have not entered the deconfliction zone, Dillon said, but forces just outside the zone at al-Tanf are reinforcing their positions and bringing in combat-type assets, including tanks and artillery systems. "All these things put together present a threat to the coalition forces," he said. Forecasters are warning that Ethiopia could face more rainfall deficits, deepening a drought that has left nearly eight million of the country's people in need of aid. Dr. Chris Funk is a climate scientist at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) whose research focuses on African and Asian countries. He told VOA's Horn of Africa Service that there is a 50 percent chance another El Nino weather event could form in the Pacific Ocean this year. If it's a moderate or strong El Nino, that would definitely tilt towards odd, below normal rain for northern Ethiopia," he said. "That is what happened unfortunately in 2015, when we had a strong El Nino that reduced rains in northern and central Ethiopia and we are concerned about that possibility." Ethiopia tends to receive its heaviest rain between mid-June and mid-September, especially in the north. The moderate rainy season that runs from February to May was disappointing, said Dula Shanko, deputy director for the Ethiopian meteorological department. March rain was very poor for areas that get rain [in] this time," he said. "In April and May it shows little progress but not enough." He added that rain was sparse in the southern regions of Somali and Oromia. Out of 7.78 million Ethiopians in need of food assistance, 3.6 million are in Oromia. Lower than normal rains in 2015 and 2016 contributed to the ongoing food crisis by killing livestock and reducing farm output. The drought has forced farmers and pastoralists to search for water, pushing students to drop out of school in some areas. The impact has been especially harsh in Oromia, where massive protests against the government took place two years ago and officials have maintained a state of emergency. In this region, Borana, Guji, West Guji East, West Harerge, North Shewa, East Shewa, Arsi and Bale provinces are highly affected, according to a government report. Ethiopian officials say they are working to counter the drought by providing food for both animals and people. The combined effort from local, federal government and citizens averted the country from falling to famine before it happens [and] saved countless lives by allocating millions of dollars for this purpose, said Debebe Zewude, a public officer for the National Disaster and Risk Management Commission (NDRMC). But government intervention only goes so far when it doesn't rain. Carcasses of cows, goats litter over the roads throughout the districts," said Dida Guyo of Nagelle Borana, a city in Oromia. "I would say thousands of animals are dead due to drought from this area." The situation is grave, said Borbor Bule, a resident of Dubluk, a town in the south of the country. "This is our only source of income," he added. "We have lost our proud breeds. I have lost more than 10 animals. More than 50 animals are dead in my village alone. I have never seen anything like this in my life," he said. "... God forbid, we are fearing for human life." Algeria has agreed to allow 41 Syrian refugees stranded on its frontier with Morocco to stay in the country as a humanitarian gesture, the foreign ministry said. Earlier this week the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR urged Morocco and Algeria to allow the group safe passage after they had been trapped for weeks in a dispute between the North African neighbors. In a statement on APS state news agency, Algeria's foreign ministry said the refugees, including children and a pregnant woman, would be allowed to stay after being blocked in the border town of Figuig. Morocco and Algeria blamed each other for the situation. The two countries often exchange diplomatic barbs over their 1,500-km (970-mile) frontier, which stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sahara Desert. It has been shut since 1994 because of disputes over security. Morocco said the Syrians attempted to enter Morocco through Figuig between April 17 and 19. It accused Algeria of forcing them to cross into Morocco. Algeria rejected the accusation, saying Moroccan officials had tried to send the group into Algeria. The man responsible for instigating an attempted coup against former Lesotho prime minister Thomas Thabane last August appears to have launched a wave of reprisals, prompting several political leaders to flee. Escalating political violence in Lesotho is threatening crucial trade deals at the center of the country's economy. Following years of political wrangling and feuds between the police and army, Lesotho was plunged into turmoil in August when army commander Lt. General Tlali Kamoli led an attempted-coup against then prime minister Thomas Thabane. Following the coup attempt a new seven-party coalition was elected in a snap election in February under Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, who reappointed Kamoli as commander of the Lesotho Defense Force. He replaced Maaparankoe Mahao who was appointed army commander by Thabane last August and was shot dead on June 25 after several Lesotho Defense Force trucks stopped him. The army said that he resisted arrest during an operation to clamp down on mutiny. At least 50 soldiers are facing charges of mutiny for allegedly plotting to assassinate Kamoli. In May, prominent businessman Thabiso Tsosane, a political contributor to former prime minister Thabane's All Basotho Convention party, was also shot dead. His death prompted Thabane to flee the country, saying he feared for his safety. Thabane's supporters say the violence in recent months appears targeted at them and they blame Kamoli. U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho Matthew Harrington condemned the move to reinstate Kamoli, whom he described as a highly-polarizing figure in a May statement. At risk of losing AGOA's benefits A U.S. diplomatic source in South Africa told VOA Lesotho risks losing benefits from the African Growth and Opportunity Act that provides duty-free access to U.S. markets. Since joining the deal, employment in the Lesotho textile industry has risen 75 percent to 35,000, and 100 percent of its exports are facilitated under act. Speaking to VOA in February, Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing said the countys industry would collapse without the trade deal. "For us, without that, it will exacerbate the problems that we are having," said Metsing. "It may even be worse. Remember those firms are employing more than 30,000 people. It is doing so much to help us as a country. So any politician, anybody would be worried and that is why we will always engage the Americans on this matter..." But the United States could rescind the deal if Lesothos political violence intensifies. The deal calls for AGOA partners to respect the rule of law and to protect human rights. The deal was withdrawn from Swaziland last year when it failed to protect workers rights and freedom of expression. Thousands of jobs have been lost as factories struggle to stay open. The politics of Lesotho continue to be intertwined with infighting between the countrys police force and army, says NKC African Economics' analyst Gary van Staden. "I do not see a short-term solution," he said. "The economic impact will come if there is an issue between bilateral and unilateral donors to Lesotho and what is happening in the political environment at the moment, because any withholding of aid is going to be fairly catastrophic for Lesotho." Prime Minister Mosisili has dismissed U.S. and European criticism on June 8 saying the main principle guiding countries relations is that they should desist from interfering in each others internal or domestic affairs. Hungary will push ahead with legislation to put foreign-funded nongovernmental organizations under more scrutiny, as those financed by billionaire George Soros operate as a mafia-like network, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday. Orban, a right-wing populist, has long criticized civil society organizations funded by Hungarian-born Soros, accusing them of opposing his tough migration policies and working as paid political activists advocating Soros goals. The Hungarian premier, who faces elections in April 2018, said Soros statement Thursday that he admired the courageous way Hungarians have resisted the deception and corruption of the mafia state Orban has established, was a declaration of war. This is a declaration of war, no doubt, Orban told state radio. The only network which operates in mafia ways, which is not transparent ... in Hungary is the Soros network. This is why we must insist, and I personally insist on having a parliament decision on making these organizations transparent, Orban added. Under legislation submitted to parliament by the government, nongovernmental organizations with foreign donations of at least 7.2 million forints ($26,000) will be required to register with authorities and declare themselves as foreign-funded. The NGOs have said the bill stigmatizes them. Parliament is expected to pass the bill later this month despite mass protests by Hungarians at home, and a resolution passed in European Parliament that condemned what it called a serious deterioration in the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary. Orbans critics say the move against NGOs is part of his broader push to stifle dissenting voices and put independent institutions, including the judiciary and media, under closer government control. Orban, in power since 2010, has often bashed the EU and repeatedly clashed with non-governmental organizations sponsored by Soros, who promotes a liberal and internationalist worldview that the nationalist-minded Hungarian leader dislikes. The Islamic State terror group appears to be engaging in a war of words with Philippine authorities, insisting an attack on a casino in Manila was the work of one of its fighters. Philippine officials have repeatedly downplayed any possible links between the deadly incident at the Resorts World Manila complex early Friday and IS, describing it as a botched robbery. But nearly 24 hours after the incident which killed 36 people, most from smoke inhalation after the gunman set fires to the inside the gambling hall, the terror group issued not one but two separate claims through official channels. The first of the claims, by the Amaq news agency, cited an attack by Islamic State fighters. A subsequent statement through the groups Nashir news agency named just one, "Brother Abu al-Khayr who it said infiltrated a gathering of Christians with his assault riflewhere he caused them death and humiliation until he was martyred." So far, Philippine officials have portrayed the claims as a reach. "All indications point to a criminal act by an apparently emotionally disturbed individual," Ernesto Abella, a spokesman for the Philippine president, told reporters. "Although the perpetrator gave warning shots, there apparently was no indication that he wanted to do harm or shoot anyone." Bolstering the claims of Philippine officials is the idea that the incident did not follow the conventional model for IS attacks, often aimed at maximizing death and destruction. U.S. intelligence officials have also raised concerns in the past about what they see as an increasing desire by IS to claim attacks, regardless of the groups involvement, in order to keep alive a narrative of continued momentum. There is no publicly available evidence so far to suggest this attack was an external operation coordinated by members of the Islamic State, according to Jade Parker, a senior research associate at the Terror Asymmetrics Project on Strategy, Tactics and Radical Ideologies (TAPSTRI), who has studied IS cyber capabilities. The failure of IS media officials to align their messaging suggests that the group's foreknowledge of the event in Manila was minimal, Parker added. Other analysts remain cautious, saying that while the incident in Manila does not seem to follow the standard IS model of aiming for maximum death and destruction, other elements can be found in IS propaganda. Were expecting ISIS to function here the way we want them to work, according to Raphael Gluck, an independent researcher. Did anyone hear him shout anything in Arabic? Is there a video of his allegiance pledge? Gluck said the terror groups Rumiyah magazine, for example, has called for the use of arson and encouraged followers to take wealth or spoils from their enemies. But whether IS ultimately played a role in the attack on the Manila casino, the incident underscores long-standing concerns about the group in Southeast Asia. IS "has called on followers in Southeast Asia to go to the Philippines if they cannot travel to Syria," according to a U.S. intelligence official who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity. IS nucleus Some researchers have warned of the "creation of an IS nucleus, with a growing focus on the Philippines. And some Philippine officials suggest IS groups may be getting a boost from foreign terrorist fighters, one decrying fighting in the southern part of the country as an "invasion by foreign terrorists." Western intelligence officials have been hesitant to discuss just how many IS fighters have made the journey from Iraq, Syria and elsewhere to the Philippines. But a new report by the Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point warns IS core leadership appears be exerting its influence. Forty-five percent of Islamic State-linked attacks and plots in the region had financial and communication ties to Southeast Asian Islamic State operatives in Syria where group members sought to enable and guide attacks remotely, the report said. Australian intelligence officials also believe there is a significant danger, worried the region could become a magnet for would-be jihadists and foreign fighters as Islamic States fortunes continue to wane in Iraq and Syria. And potential barriers to using the Philippines or other nearby areas as a base for IS operations may be overblown. "The disadvantage to Southeast Asia is it's remote and ethnically a lot of ISIS fighters would stick out," said Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "But all of that was true also of Afghanistan when al-Qaida made it its center of gravity." Exactly eight years after the Great Recession ended, the U.S. job market has settled into a sweet spot of steadily solid growth. The 4.4 percent unemployment rate matches a decade low. Many people who had stopped looking for jobs are coming off the sidelines to find them. More part-timers are finding full-time work. About all thats still missing is a broad acceleration in pay. On Friday, when the government releases the jobs report for May, that pattern is likely to extend itself. The consensus expectation of economists is that the Labor Department will report that employers added 176,000 jobs, according to a survey by FactSet, a data provider. Thats right in line with the monthly average of 174,000 over the past three months. All told, its evidence of an American economy that is running neither too hot nor too cold, with growth holding at a tepid but far from recessionary 2 percent annual rate. Few economists foresee another downturn looming, in part because the recovery from the recession has been steady but grinding, with little sign of the sort of overheated pressures that normally trigger a recession. May jobs expectations high Separate reports Thursday solidified expectations that job growth for May was healthy. Payroll processor ADP reported that in a private survey of companies, it found that a hefty 253,000 jobs were added in May, mostly among companies with fewer than 500 workers. Nor are layoffs much of a concern. Weekly applications for unemployment benefits, which tend to reflect the pace of layoffs, averaged a low 238,000 over the past four weeks, according to the Labor Department. The governments monthly jobs report produces a net gain by estimating how many jobs were created and comparing that figure with how many it estimates were lost. The unemployment rate is expected to have remained in May at 4.4 percent, a low figure that historically has reflected a healthy job market. If hiring maintains its current pace, it would exceed population growth, and the unemployment rate should eventually fall even further. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics, estimates that monthly job growth above 80,000 or so should cause the unemployment rate to fall. I think 4 percent unemployment is dead-ahead, and well probably go past that, he said. Other measures of unemployment Still, the jobs report produces several different measures of unemployment, and the broadest gauge might be most critical to watch Friday. This particular measure includes not only the officially unemployed but also part-time workers who would prefer full-time jobs and people who want a job but arent actively looking for one and so arent counted as unemployed. Known as the U-6 rate, this measure is one of the favorite metrics for Trump administration officials. The U-6 has plunged since January to 8.6 percent in April, a 0.8 point decline. The decline in that measure is an encouraging sign that jobless people who had given up hope of working are now being hired. If that trend continued in May, a falling U-6 would point to a strengthening economy despite weak growth during the first three months of the year. But the influx of job seekers can also inflict a drag on pay growth. As more people start seeking jobs, employers begin to have less incentive to raise pay. Its only when employers face a shallow pool of job applicants that they tend to feel compelled to raise pay in hopes of hiring people who fit their needs. Annual growth in average hourly earnings was a so-so 2.6 percent in April. And whatever meaningful pay raises that exist are going disproportionately to managers and supervisors. For workers who arent supervisors, average hourly pay has risen just 2.3 percent. In a healthy economy, average pay gains would typically grow roughly 3.5 percent a year. The Trump administration has designated the pace of hiring for good-paying skilled jobs in construction, manufacturing and mining as among the key categories it monitors for economic health. Those three sectors were relatively weak in April. American Comedian Kathy Griffin responded to mounting criticism against her after she published a photo of herself holding what resembled the severed head of U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing a bunch of old white guys of trying to silence her. During a news conference Friday, a teary-eyed Griffin accused the president and his allies, whom she referred to as nut jobs, of launching a campaign to get her fired from her jobs, simply because she is a woman. This wouldnt be happening to a guy. This is a female thing, Griffin said, when asked if she thought a male comic would be treated the same way. The entertainer lost a television appearance on CNN and had five performance dates on her tour cancelled following the release of the photo showing her holding a reproduction of a bloody head that looked like Trump. When asked about her loss of work Friday, Griffin called it hurtful that so many entities had chosen to distance themselves from her. Her attorney, Lisa Bloom, said Griffin had been a victim of censorship. Trump, on Wednesday, reacted to Griffins photo on Twitter, calling it disturbing particularly to his children. First Lady Melania Trump, in a rare move, also issued a statement Wednesday, questioning the mental health of a person who would take such a photo. As a mother, a wife, and a human being, that photo is very disturbing, she said. Griffin initially apologized for the photo after it received widespread criticism across the political spectrum, saying she had moved the line and then crossed it. She changed her tone Friday, though, calling Trump a fool and accusing him of attacking her in an effort to distract from other issues currently facing his administration. They have mobilized their armies or their bots, or whatever they do, she said. I dont think I will have a career after this. Im going to be honest, he broke me. He broke me. Griffin said she "put about five minutes of thought into this" before posing for the photo and her intention was to cause a controversy. I said: lets get in trouble. Lets give them something to talk about, she said. Further, she called releasing the photo: The right thing to do. Dmitry Gorin, a criminal defense attorney hired by Griffin, confirmed Friday that Griffin is the subject of a U.S. Secret Service investigation for her role in the photo, but said there really wasnt a threat and called the photo a bad joke. Were going to fully cooperate with the Secret Service in their investigation, he said. Mali's main jihadist groups said on Thursday they will merge under Islamist leader Iyad Ag-Ghali whose fighters have claimed multiple attacks on Malian, French and U.N. peacekeeping forces, Mauritania's Nouakchott News Agency (ANI) reported. ANI said Ag-Ghali's Ansar Dine would join with al-Mourabitoun, led by Algerian jihadist and smuggler Mokhtar Belmokhtar, which claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack on a military camp in northern Mali that killed up to 60 people and wounded more than 100 in January. France intervened in Mali in 2013 to drive back Islamist groups that seized the desert north a year earlier, but despite that and a costly U.N. peacekeeping presence, Islamist militants conduct frequent attacks in northern Mali and use it as a base for operations in neighboring countries. However, their various groups are seen as fragmented and often in competition with each other. Al-Mourabitoun is believed to have carried out a number of high-profile attacks against military and civilian targets in Mali and other West African nations including an assault by jihadist gunmen on a Radisson hotel in the capital Bamako in November 2015 in which 20 people were killed. "The biggest jihadi groups in Mali said they will unite in one organization called Nusrat-ul-Islam ... under the leader Iyad Ag-Ghali," ANI reported, sourcing it to an announcement on the Islamists' online forum. It showed a picture of Ag-Ghali and four other bearded jihadis sitting around a laptop. It also said the Massina Brigades, a central Malian group mostly staffed by Fulani herders, and an offshoot of al-Qaida's north African wing called the Sahara Emirat, would join the merged entity. ANI sometimes enjoys privileged access to information on the shadowy networks of Saharan Islamist fighters. In 2013 it reported several exclusives about an al-Mourabitoun attack on a gas facility in Algeria that killed 38 hostages. The newly formed group pledged allegiance to Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah, al-Qaida leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri and the leader of al-Qaida's north African franchise Abu Musab Abdul Wadud. Thousands of people are falsely claiming to have attended last month's Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England when it was attacked in order to get in for free to a benefit concert being held this Sunday, according to ticket seller Ticketmaster. People who attended the May 22 event have been offered free tickets to the Sunday show, which will feature Grande and a slew of other musicians, including Robbie Williams, Little Mix, Take That, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. Ticketmaster said nearly twice the number of people who attended the original show applied for the free tickets. "We have set aside tickets for the 14,200 people who were at the Ariana Grande concert to attend One Love Manchester for free, Ticketmaster said in a statement. "More than 25,000 people applied for them. Sadly, over 10,000 unscrupulous applications have been made. "At Ticketmaster we are doing everything we can - including extending today's deadline - to ensure that tickets go to the actual fans and not the opportunists or touts who have also been applying for free tickets." Twenty-two people were killed and 116 injured in a suicide bomb attack on concertgoers leaving the show. Islamic State claimed responsibility. Several children were among the dead. The One Love Manchester show is expected to raise more than $2.5 million. Proceeds will go to a fund set up for victims' families. In addition to the free tickets, Ticketmaster put about 35,000 tickets up for sale Thursday at $51.50. They sold out in 20 minutes. Other people are selling their tickets on eBay for a hefty profit, fetching up to $257.50. The company said it was trying to remove the auctions. "All tickets for this event will most certainly be removed by the team who are doing manual sweeps to pick up any that slip through, the company said in a statement. "We also aren't allowing the sale of any item which profits in any way from the tragedy in Manchester. All of these items are being removed if they appear, and the sellers' accounts will be restricted." The fight for Iraq's second-largest city is in its final push, with Islamic State down to fewer than 1,000 fighters in three neighborhoods of west Mosul, U.S. military officials said Friday. Speaking with VOA via Skype from Baghdad, Brigadier General Rick Uribe, the deputy commanding general for U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq, said the "level of desperation" from IS fighters was rising. "They know they're about to lose," Uribe said, "so their goal is to inflict as many casualties, not only in the Iraqi security forces but on any innocent victims and anybody that's left." Uribe told VOA many of the remaining IS militants were the "toughest fighters left" and had used their time in the city to build weapons caches, booby traps and tunnel systems. According to Uribe, the fighters continue to take hostages in their attempts to bait the coalition into striking civilians. They also are destroying as much infrastructure as possible, he said, to make it more difficult to get the western part of the city up and running once they've been defeated there. Car bombs Coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon told reporters Thursday that the "weapon of choice in Mosul" continued to be vehicle-borne bombs. "With the car bomb threat in mind, the government of Iraq directed civilians not to use cars or motorcycles to avoid being mistaken for militants," Dillon told Pentagon reporters during a phone call from Baghdad. After initially asking civilians to shelter in place ahead of the Mosul battle, the Iraqi security forces have now called on all citizens to evacuate Old Mosul in order to reduce unintended casualties. But fleeing can be a deadly decision for the 80,000 to 150,000 citizens trapped in the three remaining IS-controlled neighborhoods. Dillon said IS fighters were shooting some civilians as they fled, and that other citizens had died after accidentally stepping on explosive devices while trying to leave the area. Dillon said about 4,000 Mosul citizens had fled each day recently, but that the number had drastically declined in the last 48 hours. U.S. Central Command, which overseas American military operations in the Middle East, said in a news release Friday that coalition strikes had resulted in 132 additional unintentional civilian deaths, raising the total number of civilians killed by coalition strikes between August 2014 and May 2017 to at least 484. March airstrike Last week, a U.S. military investigation into a deadly March airstrike found that a secondary explosion had caused the deaths of more than 100 civilians in Mosul. The investigation determined that IS fighters had placed large amounts of explosives in a building that housed civilians and then began attacking Iraqi forces from that building. When the coalition targeted snipers on the roof, the explosives detonated, killing at least 101 civilians sheltering in the bottom floors and four civilians in a neighboring structure. "There is no military force in the world that has proven more sensitive to civilian casualties," U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said shortly after the strike. "We go out of our way to always do everything humanly possible to reduce the loss of life or injury among innocent people. The same cannot be said for our adversaries." A prominent member of the ruling Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS-Tarayya) says an investigation carried out by the countrys security officials unearthed a cache of weapons used by Boko Haram militants. He says about 40 suspects linked to the Boko Haram militants have been arrested. This, after the government imposed a curfew following a recent cross-border attack by Boko Haram militants in Diffa -- a town close to Nigers border with neighboring Chad. Sani Iro, the communications director for PNDS-Tarayya, says calm has returned to Diffa after more troops from the national army were deployed to the town who were then backed by Chadian soldiers. Since the [suspects] were arrested calm has come back to the area, said Iro. Niger military and Chad military have pushed Boko Haram out and now at the contingent of Niger troops are in Nigeria [to fight Boko Haram.] Several months before the attack the government was really aware of the danger that was threatening this area, said Iro. The government really [deployed] many soldiers down there and now there has been another military contingent that has been sent there with more than 3,000 Chadian soldiers that are in the same area now. So, with this joint action between our army and the Chadian army, really the place is now secured, he added. Thousands of Diffa residents left the area to Zinder fearing possible attacks by Boko Haram. But, Iro said those displaced by the attacks have begun returning to their homes. The government has called on the people to remain calm. Now the army is controlling everything and up to now over 24 hours there has been nothing that can [scare] the people. So, now the [displacement] of the population has stopped completely. Nobody is leaving anymore in these places. So the government has really given the people assurance using the state media to call people to go back to their places and to be afraid anymore. The general leading an offensive against pro-Islamic State militants holed up in a southern Philippine town has been relieved of his command, an army spokesman said Friday, the 11th day of the countrys biggest security crisis in years. The removal of Brigadier-General Nixon Fortes as commander of the army brigade in Marawi City and his replacement with his deputy, Colonel Generoso Ponio, was not related to the battle that has raged in the city, the spokesman said. On Wednesday, an air strike aimed at flushing out rebels killed 10 troops, a major blow that the army said was an accident of the sort that sometimes happens in the fog of war. Asked if the course of the conflict was the reason for Fortes replacement, spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Ray Tiongson said: Thats not the reason. A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Fortes was dismissed because not all his forces were in the city when the rebels began their rampage, even though military intelligence had indicated that Islamist militants, including foreign fighters, were amassing there. The source said that some of Fortes forces were busy fighting a small band of communist insurgents in a nearby town when some 400 militants overran Marawi City last Tuesday after a botched military raid to capture their leader, Isnilon Hapilon. Thirty-nine members of the security forces have been killed in the Marawi battles, as well as 19 civilians and 120 rebel fighters. Moments after the first reports of gunfire and flames at a resort in the Philippine capital of Manila, social media accounts of Islamic State terror group supporters went into action. Theres been an explosion of posts, said Michael Smith, a terrorism analyst who has consulted with the U.S. and British governments, as the events were unfolding late Thursday. Although not at all unusual, the activity reflected the high hopes among IS supporters. Some went as far as to claim the incident as an IS attack. One self-professed IS operative from Marawi City, where the group has a toehold, was quoted by SITE Intelligence as saying it was carried out by lone wolf soldiers of Khalifah [the caliphate]. Not a terrorist Hours later, though, to the disappointment of the same IS adherents, word slowly began to spread that the incident at the Resorts World Manila complex was likely not related to IS at all. We cannot attribute this to terrorism, Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa said, noting the gunman stole casino chips and had not actually fired at people. Early Friday, Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde told the Associated Press that the English-speaking suspect was found dead with his rifle on the fifth floor of the Resorts World Manila complex. He says the gunman apparently killed himself. An IS nucleus? Still, Thursdays incident underscored long-standing concerns about Islamic States plans for Southeast Asia, where researchers have warned of the creation of an IS nucleus. The porous nature of the terrain heavily forested and the strategic location of the South Philippines make it lucrative, Rohan Gunaratna of the Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism International Research warned in the May 2017 edition of Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses. Researchers like Gunaratna say IS has used the past two years to consolidate and expand, gaining the allegiance of dozens of existing groups in the Philippines, while also actively recruiting from surrounding areas. At the same time, pro-IS groups may have gotten a boost from foreign terrorist fighters. IS has called on followers in Southeast Asia to go to the Philippines if they cannot travel to Syria, according to a U.S. intelligence official who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity. Some Philippine officials even have blamed recent fighting between government forces and Islamist groups in the southern part of the country on the Islamic States call, describing it as an invasion by foreign terrorists. A terrorist diaspora Western intelligence officials have so far been hesitant to discuss just how many IS fighters have made the journey from Iraq, Syria and elsewhere to the Philippines, saying accurate estimates are hard to determine. The majority of U.S. intelligence warnings have focused on the potential for a terrorist diaspora, made up of fleeing foreign fighters, coalescing and targeting the West, notably Europe and the U.S. Still, the journey between Iraq or Syria and Southeast Asia is possible. A study by The Soufan Group found that, as of late 2015, there were at least 600 Southeast Asians who had traveled to Syria, some to fight under the banner of IS. And European officials have warned of a sort of global market for irregular migration, with human traffickers actively looking for opportune times to smuggle people from the Middle East to Southeast Asia and even to Australia. Australian intelligence officials also believe there is a significant danger, cautioning that Southeast Asia could evolve into a magnet for would-be jihadists and foreign fighters, following the collapse of the terror groups self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria. There also are thoughts that some potential barriers to using the Philippines or other nearby areas as a base for IS operations may be overblown. The disadvantage to Southeast Asia is its remote and ethnically a lot of ISIS fighters would stick out, said Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. But all of that was true also of Afghanistan when al-Qaida made it its center of gravity. Fighters likely locally directed Still, questions remain about the extent to which IS leaders in Iraq and Syria have command and control over IS groups in the Philippines and whether they ordered the recent offensive in the south. Based on past offenses like this its likely locally directed, said Gartenstein-Ross, although he refused to rule out the possibility IS leaders may have been involved. The other possibility is its just a show of force, he said. They want to show theyre still strong across multiple countries. Soldiers with automatic rifles hovered in the background of polling stations as voters in the tiny Southern African nation of Lesotho cast ballots Saturday prompting concerns from election officials and politicians in a nation with a troubled political history. Why would there be soldiers in a peaceful exercise of democratic rights? There has not been a security concern, said Moeketsi Majoro, the spokesman for the current opposition, All Basotho Convention, to VOA. Why are they fully armed? So the first impression is that they are there to intimidate. Thats because the military has long been tightly entwined with this nations political woes. The army led a 1986 coup to push out a long-serving government. In this century, Lesothos military has been involved in a number of political actions, including an action that pushed ABC leader and then-prime minister Tom Thabane into exile in 2014, after just two years in power. In the capitol, Maseru, election officials at several polling stations quietly voiced their concerns about the soldiers presence, to VOA. The head of the nations electoral commission said, in a tweet, that he also was concerned and that he had reported their presence to observers. This vote is, for many, a final shot at much-needed peace and stability after five years of fractious politics that saw two coalitions collapse. Most recently, the opposition ousted Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili in a no-confidence vote earlier this year, prompting these snap elections. This contest is yet again a battle between Mosisili, who leads the Democratic Congress, and Thabane, his old rival. VOA spotted squads of soldiers at five polling stations in the capital, and approached one group of five. They were friendly, relaxed and even, they said, bored. They said they had been ordered to assist the electoral commission and to stay outside the stations through ballot-counting. Each soldier held an automatic rifle. Thabane said security-sector reforms are a crucial part of his plan if he wins. Lesotho must now become a full member of the international community that lives according to the basic principles of democracy, he said after voting on Saturday. Regular elections are some of those. Control of the army, control of the police by civilian authority all those things are part and parcel of true democracy. This hasnt happened quite a lot in Africa. I am meaning before I retire to make Lesotho a beacon of hope for all Africa. Some 1.2 million voters took to the polls to choose seats in 80 constituencies. The largest party or coalition will choose the prime minister. Lesotho has a king whose role is largely ceremonial, and who is not allowed to vote. Results are expected Monday. Augustine Mahiga, head of the observer mission for the Southern African Development Community, says he hopes not to be back in under five years, and is confident that the regional bodys push for reforms will finally take hold. Of course we would have liked to see a normal voting cycle, which is five years, he said. But this is the third within five years, not even exhausted five years. This what the SADC heads of state have always been expressing concern about the political situation in Lesotho, and we think this time around the leadership and the government that will come in place, and other stakeholders, will embark on a serious exercise to engage in reforms. These are not the only changes that voters want to see in this impoverished, yet water- and diamond-rich nation. Joseph Khabane shivered as he waited in a snaking queue just outside Lesothos capital. The 60-year-old is unemployed, and so had all the time in the world to cast his vote. But, he said, he was so eager that he arrived before the station opened at dawn, huddling with hundreds of others who wrapped themselves in traditional wool blankets in the pre-dawn chill. We have to vote. Definitely we have to vote, so that we elect someone who we think is going to make life easier for us because so far, the previous government did not help. We are getting poorer and poorer in their service. So we want some change. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt said Friday President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement was "courageous" and urged Americans not to apologize for the decision. "We have nothing to be apologetic about as a country," Pruitt told reporters at a White House media briefing. Pruitt said the president heard "many voices" about climate change and exercised "thoughtful deliberation" before deciding to withdraw from the landmark accord. Pruitt did not respond directly to a question about whether Trump believes human-caused global warming is a hoax, as Trump did during his presidential campaign, instead emphasizing the agreement "did put us at an economic disadvantage." The environmental chief said Trump has indicated he will continue to study the issue and make one of two decisions in the future. "He's going to either re-enter Paris, or engage in a discussion around a new deal with a commitment to putting America first," he said. Pruitt acknowledged that global warming is a real phenomenon and that "human activity contributes to it in some manner. He added it is "very challenging," however, to accurately measure the extent of human contribution to global warming. A Russian cosmonaut and a French astronaut returned to Earth on Friday aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule after six months at the International Space Station, while their U.S. crewmate remained on the orbiting laboratory for an extended stay, a NASA television broadcast showed. Russia's Oleg Novitskiy and Thomas Pesquet, with the European Space Agency, strapped themselves inside the spacecraft and left the station at 6:47 a.m. EDT (1047 GMT) as the complex sailed 250 miles (400 km) above Earth. They made a parachute landing southwest of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT). One seat aboard the capsule was empty as U.S. astronaut Peggy Whitson, who flew to the station with Novitskiy and Pesquet in November, will remain in orbit until September. She is filling a vacancy left after Russia scaled down its station crew size to two members from three. "We of course are going to miss Oleg and Thomas. They are exceptional astronauts," an emotional Whitson said during a ceremony on Thursday, where she turned over command of the $100 billion station to Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin. "Peggy is a legend," Pesquet said. "We're a little bit sad to leave her behind, but we know she's in very, very capable hands." Whitson, Yurchikhin and astronaut Jack Fischer, also with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, will manage the station until a new crew launches in late July. "That will be a little challenging," Whitson said during an interview with Reuters on Wednesday. "I was up here on my previous two expeditions and it was only a three-person crew, but it was a much smaller station at that point in time." "Still, I think it's quite doable," she said. Whitson, who is serving on the station for a third time, broke the U.S. record in April for cumulative time in space. By the time she returns to Earth in September, she will have accumulated more than 660 days in orbit. Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, with 878 days in orbit, is the world's most experienced space flier. The prosecutor at the trial of five men charged with killing Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov in Moscow in 2015 has urged jurors to find them guilty. Wrapping up the state's case Thursday, Maria Semenenko said their guilt was undisputed. She also told the official Itar-Tass news agency that investigators had used special equipment during a re-enactment of the crime that placed the defendants' mobile phones at the site of Nemtsov's death when the shots were fired. "Step by step, using the process of elimination, the investigators uncovered the entire chain of the crime, thanks to that expertise," she told Itar-Tass. The defense argued that no one could prove a motive for the killing. Nemtsov was gunned down just steps from the Kremlin in February 2015. He was a popular opposition leader and a strong critic of Russian support for the rebels in eastern Ukraine. Five suspects from Chechnya or Ingushetia were arrested. One of them confessed but later recanted, claiming he had been tortured. A former Chechen security official, Ruslan Mukhudinov, is accused of paying the suspects to kill Nemtsov. He is at large. Reacting to President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris climate agreement, leading scientific organizations say evidence clearly shows the worlds climate is changing and urgent measures must be taken to slow the warming of the planet. The organizations say the scientific evidence is clear that human activity is behind the changing climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an independent scientific assessment body, warned that without additional efforts beyond those already in place, warming by the end of the century will lead to very high risk of severe, widespread and irreversible impacts. IPCC spokesman Jonathan Lynn said the scientific body finds that limiting climate change would require substantial and sustained reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which together with adaptation can limit climate change risks. In its analysis of decision-making to limit climate change and its effects, the IPCC noted that climate change is a problem of the commons, requiring collective action at the global scale," he said. "Effective mitigation will not be achieved if individual players advance their own interests independently. ... It is not clear at this stage how the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will affect future emissions. Deon Terblanche, head of the Atmospheric Research and Environment department at the World Meteorological Organization, said global warming will continue for as long as the world emits greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere Even a reduction in the emissions will not lead to a reduction in the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere because there is a cumulative effect and CO2 remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years," said Terblanche. " The climate will continue to warm in any case. In a worst-case scenario, he warned the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could result in an additional warming of the atmosphere of 0.3 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level. U.N. member states elected six countries Friday to temporary seats on the Security Council, the U.N. body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Starting January 1, 2018, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, Poland and Peru will serve two-year terms, while the Netherlands will join for one year, in a special arrangement with Italy. The vote in the U.N. General Assembly generated little suspense, as regional groups had already decided among themselves which countries to put up as their candidates, and there was no competition for the seats. Candidates easily garnered the two-thirds majority of votes required on the first round of ballots. The only oddity this year was a special by-election in which the Netherlands replaced Italy on the council. After five rounds of voting in last years election, the two candidates were tied with 95 votes each and unable to reach the two-thirds majority needed to secure the seat, so they decided to share it. Outgoing council member Egypt expressed some concern about this arrangement. Ambassador Amr Aboulatta told the General Assembly that it is an exceptional arrangement between the two countries that should not be considered as a precedent, in choosing elected members in the future. More than ever the Security Council has to show its relevance in international conflicts; in national conflicts, it has to be active in the prevention of conflicts. The Netherlands will be a proactive partner, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders told reporters after the vote. We will together with others try to solve and decide about the most important problems of world, Polands Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski told reporters. We will not neglect our neighboring issues like the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. But of course, we wont hesitate to participate in solving other problems of the Middle East, Africa and other continents, he added. Council dynamics U.N. analyst Richard Gowan, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said it is unlikely any of the incoming members will fundamentally alter Security Council dynamics. Poland is likely to follow in the footsteps of Ukraine, and use the council as a platform to challenge Russia repeatedly, he said. Outgoing member Ukraine has been in conflict with Russian-backed rebels since early 2014 in the countrys southeast. Moscow also invaded and then annexed Ukraines Crimea region, following a controversial referendum in March of that same year the U.N. General Assembly nearly unanimously called illegal. The Dutch will work doubly hard to make up for the fact that they only have one year on the council, Gowan predicted. New member Ivory Coast will see a U.N. peacekeeping mission shut down at the end of June after 13 years in the country. There are serious debates about the future of U.N. peace operations at present, especially as the U.S. wants to cut back their budgets severely, Gowan noted. Ivorian diplomats will bring extra experience and insights to those debates, he added. But the reality is that the powerful Permanent Five members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States continue to steer the council. The P5 are in a mess at present, and remain profoundly divided over Syria, but it is unwise to underestimate their resilience, Gowan cautioned. For all their differences, the five remain united in their desire to maintain maximum control over U.N. affairs. South Africas ruling ANC party has called for an investigation into potentially explosive graft allegations against President Jacob Zuma and government officials. Two media outlets say they have obtained tens of thousands of emails and documents showing undue influence by the wealthy Gupta family. President Jacob Zuma finds himself embroiled in yet another corruption scandal. On Thursday, two South African media outlets, the Daily Maverick and Amabhungane, published reports saying they have unearthed over 100,000 emails and documents purporting to show how the rich Gupta family unduly influenced the president and the South African government. The media reports appear to be testing Zumas support within his own party, less than a week after the president survived a party vote to replace him as ANC leader. On Friday, the ANC called the allegations in the media reports very worrying. The party called for creation of a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to determine whether the accusations are true. Zuma has not responded to the allegations directly, But ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa told ENCA TV Friday that there is too much at stake to ignore the reports. If they are left unattended, they have a possibility to damage our peoples confidence in a democratic elected government," said Kodwa. "And therefore it is despicable that such allegations can be left unattended on the basis that they are not authentic. Our government must establish its authenticity to get to the bottom of this because at stake is the credibility and integrity of a democratic state. Emails released by the two media outlets appear to show the Gupta family reviewing a potential ministerial appointment and influencing the development of government policy. One email appears to show links between the Gupta family and an alleged kickback deal worth over $400 million with a Chinese manufacturer of locomotives. Constitutional law expert Pierre De Vos said the allegations are serious, and the president should act promptly. Appoint somebody that is credible, has the necessary powers, with the broad terms of reference, because this seems to be a huge thing based on the available evidence, he advised. This is not the first time concerns have been raised about the Gupta family's influence. A report last year by former public protector Thuli Madonsela ordered a commission of inquiry to look into allegations that Zuma and his ministers have allowed the Gupta family to control them President Zuma has yet to establish that commission. Sources within the Afghan presidential palace confirmed Friday to VOAs Afghan Service that President Ashraf Ghani has signed an execution order for 11 jailed insurgents on death row. They include four members of the Taliban-linked Haqqani network that the government has blamed for the suicide bombing Wednesday that killed more than 80 people and injured hundreds more in Kabuls tightly guarded Green Zone. However, Anas Haqqani, son of group founder Jalalluddin Haqqani, was not on the execution list. He was arrested in 2014 and sentenced to death last year. The others are affiliated with the Quetta Shura group. The Taliban threatened retaliation if the Afghan government follows through, issuing a statement vowing attacks on the Afghan judiciary and promising to kill foreign detainees. Two American University of Afghanistan professors -- Kevin King, 60, an American, and Timothy John Weeks, 48, an Australian -- were kidnapped Aug. 7 outside the AUAF campus. A Haqqani network video of the two kidnapped men released by the Taliban in January showed them appealing to President Donald Trump for their release. The university issued a statement Friday asking for the immediate and unconditional release of the professors. Kevin and Tim are innocents, the statement said. Both came here to teach young Afghans, helping them to contribute to the rebuilding efforts of Afghanistan. We call for their release now, unharmed to join their families, friends, and colleagues." Pressure has been mounting on the government to bring some of the jailed Taliban insurgents, including Anas Haqqani, to justice, for the bombing, which it claims was orchestrated by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence agency of complicity. Pakistan denied the allegations. Officials say the resurgent Taliban now holds more that 40 percent of the countrys rural land, though the government cites a policy to focus more on protecting urban areas. That strategy took a major hit with the latest bombing, analysts say. Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq, told VOAs Afghan Service that executing the prisoners can be part of a broader policy by the government but it should not be the only reaction to the massive bombing. But the government needs to have a new policy and the prisoners issue can be part of that policy, Khalilzad said. VOAs Noor Zahid contributed to this report. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord could have a negative impact in Africa, say environmental activists on the continent. Saliem Fakir, head of the policy and futures unit of the World Wildlife Fund in South Africa, worries about the withdrawal of some $2 billion the U.S. was to contribute to the "Green Fund," to help the developing world adopt climate-saving techniques and technologies. "[T]he Green Fund is very important in that it would have supported climate change activities in Africa, especially adaptation activities," he told VOA in a phone interview from Cape Town. Given that many Africans make their living from agriculture, Fakir says, they are particularly vulnerable to changes in the climate, such as stronger heat waves and less rainfall. "I think that it has implications in the sense that if we cannot mitigate against climate change, that it will drive greater levels of poverty," he said. Political implications Isaac Kalua is chairman of Kenya's Water Towers Agency and the founder of Green Africa, which promotes environmental protection in Kenya through mobilizing communities at the grassroots level. He says Trump's decision could have political implications. People may start looking at China as an ally in dealing with these effects," he told VOA in Nairobi. He adds, "194 countries have come together and they have agreed on all [climate] issues, and therefore the reneging of this kind of situation makes particularly the developing world feel that they have to ostracize this particular country." Kalua says he remains hopeful that "soberness" will prevail and the world will successfully deal with climate change issues. Ghana, South Africa react African governments have also voiced their displeasure with Trump's decision. Ghana's president, John Dramani Mahama, tweeted: My thoughts: The U.S. has just abdicated its leadership on a matter of critical global importance. The South African government strongly criticized the U.S. move in a statement Friday. "The Paris agreement represents the most flexible and dynamic approach to addressing climate change, and the withdrawal of the USA is not only an abdication of global responsibility we all have to humankind, but damaging to multilateralism, the rule of law and trust between nations," it said. U.S. President Donald Trump has signed into law two bills enhancing benefits for law-enforcement officers and providing funds to encourage veterans of military service to join police forces. Trump signed the bills Friday in the Diplomatic Reception room of the White House. "This has been a long time in the making," he said as he posed for photographers with copies of the new laws, a broad smile on his face. "Supporting law enforcement is my unwavering commitment," Trump said. Earlier Friday, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most vocal Republican critics of Trump's dismissal of former FBI Director James Comey, met with the president. Interviewed on television (Fox News Friday) afterwards, Graham said he is concerned about the impact of Comey's scheduled testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee next week about his contacts with Trump before he was fired. "Here's what I worry about," Graham said. "[Comey] will just focus on his conversation with the president and not answer any other questions because of the investigation" - referring to the ongoing FBI and Department of Justice probes concerning contacts between Trump's campaign staff and Russian government officials before last year's U.S. election. "That would be a hit job on President Trump," Graham said. "And I hope this hearing doesn't become a hit job on President Trump." Comey's testimony is scheduled for Thursday, June 8. The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to immediately reinstate its ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries and refugees from anywhere in the world, saying the U.S. will be safer if the policy is put in place. The Justice Department filing to the high court late Thursday argued that lower courts that blocked the Trump policy made several mistakes, including relying on statements President Donald Trump made during the 2016 campaign. The legal fight pits the presidents significant authority over immigration against what lower courts have said is a policy that purported to be about national security but was intended to target Muslims. The Justice Department is confident that President Trumps executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism, spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said. The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States. Rights groups that have been fighting the policy in the courts said the justices should not allow the travel and refugee bans to take effect. Again and again, our nations courts have found that President Trumps Muslim ban is unconstitutional. We will continue to defend our plaintiffs right to live free from fear of discriminatory treatment by the federal government, said Karen Tumlin, legal director of the National Immigration Law Center. Immigration officials would have 90 days to decide what changes are necessary before people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen may resume applying for visas. The U.S. refugee program would be halted for 120 days. Five yes votes needed It takes a majority of the court, at least five justices, to put the policy into effect. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called the national security concerns an after-the-fact justification for a policy that was rooted in religious animus and intended to bar Muslims from this country. The appeals court ruled against reinstating the travel policy by a 10-3 vote last week. A federal judge in Hawaii also blocked the temporary ban on refugees, and that issue is now being considered by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Two travel bans Trump signed his first executive order on travel a week after he took office in January. It applied to travelers from the six countries as well as Iraq and took effect immediately, causing chaos and panic at airports as the Homeland Security Department scrambled to figure out who the order covered and how it was to be implemented. A federal judge blocked it eight days later, an order that was upheld by a 9th Circuit panel. Rather than pursue an appeal, the administration said it would revise the policy. In March, Trump issued a narrower order, but federal courts that have examined it so far have blocked it as well. Arguments to court similar Thursdays filing reflects many of the same arguments that administration lawyers have made in the lower courts. The filing asserts that the court should not consider campaign-trail comments and that virtually all of the presidents statements on which the court of appeals relied were made before he assumed office and before he took an oath to defend the Constitution. Taking that oath marks a profound transition from private life to the nations highest public office, and manifests the singular responsibility and independent authority to protect the welfare of the nation that the Constitution reposes in the president, it reads. The administration is asking for quick action from the high court that would freeze the lower court rulings and allow the policy to be put in place. Both sides would file their legal arguments about whether the policy violates the Constitution or federal law over the summer and the justices could hear argument as early as the fall, under the schedule proposed by the administration Thursday. Initial vote will be telling The Supreme Court is almost certain to step into the case because it almost always has the final say when a lower court strikes down a federal law or presidential action. But the initial vote on whether to let the travel ban take effect, even as the court weighs the case, would signal whether the government is likely to win in the end. If at least five justices vote to let the travel ban take effect, theres a good chance they also would uphold the policy later on. The temporary nature of the bans means they could well have run their course by the time the case is ready to be argued, unless the court were to schedule an unusual special argument session. U.N. Security Council diplomats have departed on a mission to the Lake Chad Basin in West Africa to see firsthand the security challenges and dire humanitarian situation there. Envoys from the 15 nations of the U.N.s most powerful body will travel to Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria on a four-day mission. It is the first time the council has made such a visit to the Lake Chad Basin. We know there are threats to international peace and security in the four countries, council president and trip co-leader British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft told VOA, in reference to the terror group Boko Haram. We want to shine a spotlight on those issues. We want to encourage donors to step up to tackle humanitarian issues. We want to encourage governments of the region to continue their robust activity against Boko Haram, Rycroft said. Since 2009, when Boko Haram launched its insurgency to create an Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria, it has caused severe humanitarian suffering that has spread to its neighbors in the Lake Chad Basin. According to the U.N. Refugee Agency, more than two million people have been forcibly displaced from northeastern Nigeria since 2014, and nearly 190,000 have become refugees in neighboring Cameroon, Niger and Chad. Challenges I think there are a number of challenges that are basically coming together in somewhat of a perfect storm, with terrorism, trafficking, serious underdevelopment, but also effects of climate change, said Carl Skau, Swedens envoy on the mission. The council hopes to draw international attention to this confluence of factors that has exacerbated the humanitarian situation. The delegation will arrive in the region just days after the U.N. raised the alarm that famine conditions are on the horizon in northeastern Nigeria the epicenter of the insurgency. More than 5.1 million people are severely food insecure in parts of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, and are at risk of a full-fledged famine within the next six months. The United Nations has appealed for more than $730 million to help those affected populations this year. While in Cameroon and Nigeria, council members plan to visit camps for the displaced to see the situation first hand. They also will meet with senior government officials in each of the four countries, as well as local leaders and members of civil society. Regional task force In 2015, the African Union authorized a multinational joint task force (MNJTF) of about 9,000 troops from the four affected countries plus Benin to root out Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria and northern Cameroon. Observers have said the results are mixed, with the force making some significant progress, but being hindered by its own lack of military coordination and confidence among the countries involved. The council plans to visit the MNJTFs headquarters in Chads capital, NDjamena. I think regional cooperation and coordination should be stepped up, and we will be keen to explore further with the MNJTF and the four countries that we are going to be in what more they might want to do, British envoy Rycroft said. Although diminished from earlier levels, the threat from Boko Haram remains serious. Nigerias foreign minister said recently that some 26 million people in the region have been affected by the terror group, and 20,000 have been killed since it began its attacks in 2009. This cannot be a one-off, Swedens Skau said of the mission. We have to have a serious follow-up [in the council] when we come back. Iran has kept advances in its nuclear program within the parameters set under the 2015 accord it signed with world powers, the United Nations atomic watchdog agency said Friday. A new International Atomic Energy Agency report says Iran has greatly reduced its nuclear activities and kept its stock of enriched uranium below the agreed upon limit. The assessment says Iran has not enriched uranium above the levels required to make a weapon and "has not pursued the construction of the Arak... reactor," which it could use to create weapons-grade plutonium. Iran agreed to the nuclear deal with a number of western nations in 2015 after years of simmering tensions surrounding the countrys nuclear aspirations. In exchange for reducing its nuclear capabilities, Iran saw the loosening of economic sanctions. U.S. President Donald Trump has called the Iran agreement the worst deal ever negotiated and expressed interest in renegotiating it in the future. Iran has said it has no plans to renegotiate. Top U.S. intelligence officials will testify before a Senate panel next week on the law governing the collection of foreign intelligence, parts of which are due to expire at the end of the year, the committee said on Friday. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers and Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee in both open public and closed-door hearings on Wednesday to discuss the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, the committee said in a statement. A part of FISA known as Section 702 will expire on Dec. 31 unless Congress votes to reauthorize it. The statute allows the NSA to collect digital communications of foreigners believed to be living overseas whose communications pass through American phone or internet providers. For a variety of technical reasons, it also incidentally collects an unknown amount of data belonging to Americans, a practice that privacy advocates have said evades Constitutional protections against warrantless searches. FISA and U.S. surveillance practices generally have come under increased scrutiny in recent months amid unsubstantiated assertions by President Donald Trump and other Republicans that the White House under former President Barack Obama improperly spied on Trump or his associates. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the House of Representatives is working on legislation that would renew Section 702 but with additional transparency and oversight, among other changes, though it remains unclear if it would have enough support to pass Congress and be signed by Trump. A White House official told Reuters in March the administration supported the law's renewal and did not want to alter it. The United States on Thursday blacklisted nine companies and government institutions, including two Russian firms, and three people for their support of North Korea's weapons programs. The announcement from the U.S. Treasury came as diplomats said the U.N. Security Council will vote Friday on a U.S. and Chinese proposal to blacklist more North Korean individuals and entities over the country's repeated ballistic missile launches. The draft resolution, seen by Reuters, would sanction four entities, including the Koryo Bank and Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean Peoples Army, and 14 people, including Cho Il U, who is believed to head North Koreas overseas spying operations. Russia objects On Thursday, Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying Moscow was puzzled and alarmed by the U.S. decision to sanction a Russian citizen and firms over alleged connections to North Korea. He said Russia is preparing retaliatory measures, and that the sanctions would not help efforts to restore relations between Moscow and Washington, RIA news agency reported. The United States has struggled to slow North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, which have become a security priority given Pyongyang's vow to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland. Washington has worked to step up both unilateral and international sanctions in an effort to cut off funds and supplies to the reclusive state. Those sanctioned The measures announced by the U.S. Treasury on Thursday sanctioned Ardis-Bearings Llc, which it said is based in Moscow, and its director, Igor Aleksandrovich Michurin, for acting as a supplier to a North Korean trading company involved in the country's missile and weapons of mass destruction programs. Another Russian firm, Independent Petroleum Company, and a subsidiary were blacklisted for signing a contract to provide oil to North Korea and shipping over $1 million worth of petroleum products to North Korea, Treasury said. The head of Independent Petroleum, Eduard Khudainatov, was chief executive of Russia's largest oil producer Rosneft, 2010 to 2012, before Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed his close aide, Igor Sechin, to replace him. Khudainatov then became a Rosneft vice president and subsequently left Rosneft and took over the much smaller IPC, which produces about 40,000 barrels of oil per day, compared with more than 4 million barrels a day at Rosneft. IPC was set up in December 2012, according to filings. The Treasury also sanctioned a major North Korean zinc company, the Korea Zinc Industrial Group, and the Korea Computer Center, which it said is a state-run information technology research center that generates foreign currency for the North Korean government through programming and software development. The center is believed to have offices in Germany, China, Syria, India and the Middle East, Treasury said. A North Korean intelligence official, Kim Su-Kwang, was also sanctioned. The Treasury said he had worked undercover at a United Nations organization in Europe. Funds frozen The steps freeze any funds the individuals or companies may have in the United States, and bar Americans from dealing with them. The United States has been negotiating with China for five weeks on possible new U.N. sanctions, and the 15-member U.N. Security Council body could vote on a draft resolution to add names to its targeted sanctions list as early as Friday, diplomats said. The Trump administration has been pressing Beijing to rein in North Korea, warning that all options are on the table if Pyongyang persists with its nuclear and missile development. Traditionally, the United States has negotiated new sanctions with China, North Korea's neighbor and only major ally, before involving the other 13 council members. Russian support would be needed for the approval of a new resolution. UN sanctions may be next Any new names added to the U.N. blacklist would be subjected to a global asset freeze and travel ban. The Security Council first imposed sanctions on Pyongyang in 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and has ratcheted up the measures in response to five nuclear tests and two long-range missile launches. North Korea is threatening a sixth nuclear test and has conducted repeated missile tests this year. As California caps the number of international students at its public universities next year, educators worry that action and a Trump administration proposed travel ban on some Muslim-majority countries send the wrong signal to students overseas. Educators meeting in Los Angeles say the United States remains the destination of choice for the worlds students, despite unwelcoming signals. In May, the University of California decided to limit enrollment of out-of-state undergraduates to 18 percent at five of its ten campuses to make more room for California students. Out-of-state students pay $27,000 more in added tuition and fees, and increase revenue for the university system. The governing regents, who have authority over enrollment, placed a higher limit on UC campuses in Berkeley, Los Angeles, Irvine and San Diego, which exceed 18 percent out-of-state enrollment. The regents pointed out California campuses have higher international enrollment than the average for public universities nationwide. The debate was intense, and one regent, Iranian-born Hadi Makarechian, said the proposal would build a wall around the university. The caps supporters say it expands opportunities for California residents. International applications dropped at nearly 40 percent of American universities in March, about the time the travel ban was proposed, according to a study released by several education associations. One, the Association of International Educators (NAFSA), held its annual meeting this week in Los Angeles. Its educators say the California action should not start a trend. In fact, I think it mostly likely will be the opposite, said John Wells of the College of Global Studies at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania. Arcadia sends its U.S. students abroad and accepts international students, mostly from China and India. Wells says that as state funding for higher education continues to become tighter and tighter ... many states are allowing their universities to find new means to recruit students, including an expanded focus on recruiting international students. WATCH: Related report by Mike O'Sullivan President Trumps ban on visitors from six Muslim-majority countries has been temporarily blocked by federal courts. Amid the uncertainty, applications to many U.S. universities are down from the Middle East, according to the survey of US universities.More than 100,000 people from that region studied in the United States in academic year 2015-2016, comprising 10 percent of the U.S. international students, according the Institute of International Education and its project Open Doors. Educators from other nations say their students have also been watching with concern, some preferring to apply to universities in Canada or Australia, said Iqbal Ahmed of the Acharya Institutes in Bangalore, India. Still, he said, I think its not had a big impact for students from India. Many American universities actively recruit overseas, said Qimmah Najeeullah, director of international student and faculty services at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. She says her institution is combating what she calls a widespread anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States with a message to overseas applicants that youre part of the solution in coming ... and diversifying our student populace. Studying in America has expanded the worldview of a former student from India, Jayaditt Basani, who attended Chapman University in California. You have people from so many different parts of the world already coming here, he said, so this is the best place to meet and make connections. Campus diversity helps American students, says Najeeullah of Morgan State University, allowing them to meet future overseas colleagues that they can build businesses with, start companies with, help us to grow our footing in other markets. English-speaking countries, including Australia, Britain and Canada, attract significant international students, said John Wells of Arcadia University. Germany is actually increasingly strong as they expand the number of courses offered in English, he said. In the future, he speculates, China and the United Arab Emirates may be competitors. But the United States remains the worlds top destination for international students, and Alzain Alhusein, a student advisor at Morgan State University, hopes it stays that way. Alhusein, who is now a U.S. citizen, came here as a student from Sudan, one of the countries on the Trump administrations immigration ban. He says the United States is all about inclusion and diversity, and thats the secret of America. These educators agree that public universities must serve Americans students, but say international students enrich their institutions. Its a question, they say, of finding the right balance, and extending a welcome. The voters of the Democratic Republic of Congo should have gone to the polls last November to choose their new head of state. Instead, presidential and parliamentary elections were not organized, and shortly afterward, on December 19, President Joseph Kabila's second and, according to the constitution, final term expired. Deal struck Under a political deal struck on New Year's Eve between Kabila's ruling coalition and the opposition, the delayed polls are supposed to take place in late 2017. In the meantime, the president has remained in office. On Sunday, the electoral commission, known as CENI, launched voter enrollment in Kinshasa, the Congo's capital of about 12 million people, and Kabila himself was the first to register. The process of registering the city's voters is expected to take about three months. On Monday, Providence Nsongo was at a registration center at a high school in the district of Barumbu. Nsongo said he had come to do his civic duty by enrolling so that he could take action against Congo's political and administrative authorities. He said that this is the right of all Congolese people. The process appeared to be far from straightforward. At three centers visited by VOA there were many more people queuing to register than the staff was capable of processing. At one center, those waiting claimed that the police guarding the building were demanding 1,000 Congolese francs, about 70 cents, to allow them to register. Voters losing hope Kabila is deeply unpopular in Kinshasa, which in 2006 and 2011 voted overwhelmingly in favor of his opponent. Most people do not believe the election will happen this year and expect further delays. Kofi Luakaviny told VOA that he hopes the elections take place in 2018, because Kabila does not want to leave power. He said the president is in the process of monopolizing the Congo and believes himself to be a god in the country. Others, such as Jean Ely Pakala, have lost hope in the power of elections to bring about change. Pakala said he had come to get his voter card simply as means of identification. He said that after 2006 and 2011, he no longer has faith in voting but hopes that security forces will harass him less frequently if he has an identification card. Voter enrollment started in July 2016 and has been completed in about half of Congo's 26 provinces. On May 28, Corneille Nangaa, CENI's president, said that more than 24 million of the country's estimated eligible voters have been registered. In the 2011 election, 32 million people were registered to vote. The Trump administration is considering handing back two Russian diplomatic compounds along the U.S. East Coast after they were seized last year as punishment against the country, according to a report. The compounds, one in coastal New York and the other along Marylands Eastern Shore, were believed by the Obama administration to have been used for intelligence purposes and were vacated on December 29 when former president Barack Obama sanctioned Russia for its alleged role in trying to sway the 2016 presidential election. President Donald Trump is now deciding whether to return the two compounds to Moscow in exchange for certain concessions from Russia, according to reports in The Washington Post and Reuters. According to several unnamed sources cited in the reports, Trump administration officials have spoken to Moscow about returning the compounds if Russia lifts a freeze on the construction of a U.S. consulate in St. Petersburg and stops harassing American diplomats in Russia. The deal-making process is still in its early stages, though, and R.C. Hammond, a top aide to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, told the Post that the U.S. and Russia have reached no agreements. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Wednesday Russia may try to take back the property through legal action if these steps are not somehow adjusted by the U.S. side. The next senior-level meeting between the two sides will come later in June, and the issue is expected to be prominent on the agenda. If you like to use RSS to access the latest news about volcanoes and earthquakes without needing to visit the site, have a look at our available news feeds! ECONOMY Trade decit climbs to a three-month high The U.S. trade deficit rose in April to the highest level since January. The politically sensitive trade gap with China registered a sharp increase. The Commerce Department said on Friday that the U.S. trade gap in goods and services climbed 5.2 percent to $47.6 billion in April from March. Exports dropped 0.3 percent to $191 billion, pulled down by a drop in automotive exports. Imports rose 0.8 percent to $238.6 billion as Americans bought more foreign-made cellphones and other goods. A widening trade deficit is a drag on economic growth. Donald Trump made the trade gap the difference between exports and imports a centerpiece of his presidential campaign. His administration has vowed to reduce the deficit, blaming it on abusive practices by Americas trading partners. The deficit in goods with China rose by 12.4 percent to $27.6 billion in April. So far this year, the trade deficit is up 13.4 percent from a year earlier, to $186.6 billion. Exports are up 6.1 percent to $765.6 billion this year, but imports are up more 7.5 percent to $952.2 billion. In 2017, the United States is running a $268.7 billion deficit in goods and an $82.1 billion surplus in services such as banking and tourism. Trump recently has singled out Germany for criticism, saying it is unfairly benefiting from a weak euro. When a countrys currency is weak, its products enjoy a price advantage in foreign markets. The trade deficit with Germany rose 4.3 percent in April to $5.5 billion. Associated Press TECHNOLOGY Analysts hope Apple will present AI With iPhone sales slowing and the last new Apple product released two years ago, expectations are building for what the company will reveal next week at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. Some Apple watchers are counting on artificial intelligence. With Facebook, Microsoft and Google emphasizing AI in their conferences over the past two months, market analysts believe it is Apples turn. As the race for artificial intelligence heats up in Silicon Valley, some worry that Apple is already behind. Apple, long known for its secrecy, declined to discuss specifics of the event but emailed a statement that its global developer community has earned more than $70 billion since the App Store launched in 2008. Rumors and early reports indicate the Cupertino, Calif., tech giant may release a new iPad Pro and, according to Bloomberg News, a Siri-controlled home speaker to challenge Amazon Echo and Google Home. In addition to the Siri speaker, rumors of a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro, a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2, an updated MacBook Pro and a new iOS 11 have circulated on the Internet. The five-day conference to be attended by more than 5,000 developers who each paid $1,599 after winning a lottery is moving from San Francisco to San Jose, where it will be held for the first time since 2002. Apple chief executive Tim Cook will give the keynote speech Monday morning. His speech will be streamed live on Apples website, or through the WWDC iOS app. San Jose Mercury News Also in Business Hackers have gained access to OneLogin, an online password manager that offers a single sign-on to multiple websites and services. OneLogin said in a blog post that it could not rule out the possibility that hackers got keys to reading encrypted data, such as stored passwords. Published reports, however, say OneLogin informed customers the hackers indeed got that capability. Norways $960 billion sovereign wealth fund will ask banks in which it has invested to disclose how their lending contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, its chief executive told Reuters. The worlds largest wealth fund, which invests in stocks, bonds and real estate outside Norway, has in the past measured the carbon footprint of its investments in equities and bonds. From news services RJ Cyler, Michael Angarano and Clark Duke in Showtime's Im Dying Up Here. (Lacey Terrell/Showtime) (Lacey Terrell/Showtime) Showtimes Im Dying Up Here is a fictional drama about the Sunset Strip stand-up comedy scene in 1973, and its full of revelations that it (wrongly) assumes to be fresh news to a cable audience in 2017 first and foremost that comedians are often a deeply, emotionally insecure bunch, dragging around the darkest sort of personal baggage, which can only be soothed by a five-minute spot and the approval of an audiences laughter. Also, did you know how hard comedy is? Did you know about the abject poverty and chronic substance abuse? Did you know that the highest achievement in those days was to appear on Johnny Carsons Tonight Show and that your fate rested entirely on whether Carson called you over to his couch once your act was finished? Of course you know, but are you interested? The woefully overwrought pilot episode of Im Dying Up Here, created by Dave Flebotte and inspired by journalist William Knoedelseders 2009 nonfiction book, assumes that youve somehow missed the mountain of books, retrospectives and documentaries that have glorified this particular era of stand-up, along with all the pain and suffering that demystify the laughs. Heres a recommendation: Pretend that the show isnt premiering this Sunday and watch next weeks episode instead. Or maybe jump in two weeks from now. By that point, Im Dying Up Here has dialed down some of its unnecessary exposition and self-importance, becoming a half-interesting period piece about a business that prides itself on mutual cruelty. Ari Graynor and Andrew Santino in Im Dying Up Here. (Lacey Terrell/Showtime) Dylan Baker, right, as Johnny Carson, who gives a young comedian a break. (Justina Mintz/Showtime) By skipping Sundays premiere, youll miss a tediously rote launch thats straight out of TV 101, as a rising comedian, Clay Appuzzo (Sebastian Stan), makes his Tonight Show debut. His envious peers (including Andrew Santino as Bill Hobbs) are watching on a TV in the kitchen back at Goldies, a popular comedy club run with an iron fist by Goldie Herschlag (Melissa Leo), who controls the comedians chances of getting on stage. Shes also their direct pipeline to Carson and bigger success. After a seemingly victorious taping, including that approving summons from Carson (Dylan Baker) to have a seat, Clay checks himself into a nice hotel and orders a steak. After the show has aired, he goes out for a stroll and deliberately walks right in front of an oncoming bus. His death sets up the shows utterly cheerless recurring theme, which is that the worlds funniest people are also the most tortured. Leo, who can be so good in just about anything she tackles, has her work cut out for her to overcome a poorly-written role that treats Goldie as both nurturer and sadistic tormentor. In this vintage world of stand-up, its worth noting that the jokes these folks were writing and telling sound outdated, as they should. Goldies stable of comedians take their cues from the days superstars (George Carlin, Richard Pryor) and are busily workshopping material designed to be provocative in that day. The minority comedians (including Al Madrigal as Edgar, a Latino who makes fun of Mexicans, and Erik Griffin as Ralph, a black man who served in Vietnam) face a particularly pathetic conundrum, trapped in a cycle of affirming stereotypes. Same goes for Cassie Feder (Ari Graynor), the lone woman in an overwhelmingly chauvinistic milieu. Rather than act as an ally, Goldie sentences Cassie to a purgatory of post-midnight turns at the mic in the clubs cellar. One of the shows better moments comes when Cassie finds an unlikely source of inspiration in an older, Borscht-belt comedienne (Judy Gold) who arrives in a broken-down Toyota and symbolizes everything Cassie fears about her own future. Melissa Leo as Goldie, the comedy club owner. (Justina Mintz/Showtime) Al Madrigal as Edgar. (Lacey Terrell/Showtime) Both the cast and Im Dying Up Heres writers clearly get more satisfaction (and the viewers get more laughs) after the club closes and the comedians adjourn to Canters Deli, where they occupy a booth and trade white-hot insults. But the only people who seem to have any genuine fun on the show and lend an almost heroic naivete to the proceedings are two freshly arrived newbies, Eddie and Ron (Michael Angarano and Clark Duke), whose sense of humor hints at the ironic swerve that comedy will eventually take in the Seinfeld era. Faced with empty pockets, Eddie and Ron don costumes in an attempt to win big money on Lets Make a Deal, but, in a hubristic moment, risk it all on the wrong door. The consolation prize (a years supply of Rice-A-Roni) is seen as an incredible stroke of luck. No shred of enjoyment goes unpunished here, however, in a show determined to be 80-to-90 percent cloudy. Speaking of sadness, its difficult for the actors and the audience to get past some of the worst-looking wigs in recent memory. In its imperfect stab at capturing the 70s, the show never stops resembling a bad costume party, as if HBO held a fire sale after its extravagantly doomed record-label drama Vinyl was canceled and Im Dying Up Here bought up the entire stock. It seems HBO threw in Vinyls structural and tonal problems free of charge. Im Dying Up Here (one hour) premieres Sunday at 10 p.m. on Showtime. WASHINGTON, DC - Muralist Aniekan Udofia, left, works on his new mural with art director Mia Duvall at Bens Chili Bowl on U Street NW while the matriarch Virginia Ali, surrounded by the Ali family, is interviewed by media on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) In an alley off U Street NW, Aniekan Udofia stood on his tippy-toes on a ladder and smudged the coloring under Michelle Obamas eyes with the tip of his brush. He leaned back precariously to get a better look. Perfect. Placed high on the exterior wall of Bens Chili Bowl, the visage of the former first lady is one of a dozen faces that Udofia began sketching Thursday evening for a massive mural that pays tribute to local and national African American culture. Joining Michelle Obama on the wall are her husband, Barack Obama, and such giants as Muhammad Ali, Harriet Tubman and Prince. Also pictured are former Washington mayor Marion Barry; comedians Dick Gregory and Dave Chappelle; musicians Chuck Brown and Wale; and local media legends Jim Vance, Donnie Simpson and Russ Parr. Theres room for a few more faces, but for now those are being kept secret. Wow, thats amazing. Thats beautiful, said Glenn Thornton, 60, of Maple Heights, Ohio, as he took photographs of Udofias work Friday afternoon. Thornton had traveled to Washington with several of his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers, and they had stopped by Bens for half-smokes, chili and fries as part of their pilgrimage. The artwork in progress was an unexpected dessert. It hits you in the gut, man, Thornton said, looking at the freshly painted images. D.C. is a beautiful city. The new mural was borne out of a crisis of sorts. For five years, the wall of the landmark U Street restaurant was covered by another mural that Udofia had painted. Along with the images of Barack Obama, Simpson and Brown, the previous mural included a portrait of Bill Cosby. [Bens Chili Bowl paints over its mural of Bill Cosby and Obama] The comedian was a longtime customer and enthusiastic proponent of Bens, as well as a friend of the Ali family that still owns the restaurant it founded in 1958. But then came the accusations that Cosby had sexually assaulted dozens of women and the revelations in court documents that he admitted plotting to drug women with whom he wanted to have sex. Critics called for the mural to go, and eventually the restaurant agreed. In late January, several coats of white paint did the trick, leaving the restaurant and the city with a blank canvas. The $15,000 cost for the new mural is provided by MuralsDC, a program funded by the Department of Public Works in cooperation with the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Since 2008, the program has produced 65 murals across the city, using the initiative to engage and train young artists and help eliminate unwanted graffiti. The city, said DPW spokeswoman Nancee Lyons, is always looking for commercial property owners who want to donate wall space for more murals. At this stage, the famous faces on the Bens Chili Bowl wall are just black acrylic sketches on a creamy white background. But when the project is completed in two weeks, they will be brightly colored and vibrant. Getting there is the hard part, says Udofia. Theres 10 percent at the beginning that is fun and 10 percent at the end that is fun, he said. In between is a whole lot of crying. Udofia, who grew up in Washington and Nigeria and now lives in Adams Morgan, says he likes creating public art that anyone can enjoy and embrace. Occasionally, he watches people taking photos of his completed work, but hes never tempted to tell them hes the artist. Because, he says, laughing, who would believe me? Its like seeing a nice car on the street, and Im leaning on it, but it doesnt mean Im the owner. Arely Nolasco holds her son, Jonathan Nolasco, 1, as he is examined by nurse practitioner Gabriela Santamaria during a checkup appointment at Mary's Center in Washington. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) Hundreds of D.C. and Maryland residents walk into the Marys Center health facility each day for medical care. Most patients are poor, working immigrants, relying on Medicaid and food stamps to supplement incomes earned from largely minimum wage jobs. The center with multiple locations in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods has a $50 million annual budget and doesnt turn patients away, regardless of whether they have Medicaid. In 2016, it provided $6 million in free care. But if President Trumps proposed cuts to Medicaid and other safety-net government services are approved, Marys Center would be hamstrung, and the social and medical services it provides could be threatened. [Trump budget proposal spells more pain for D.C. region] Marys Center and other nonprofits in the Washington region are now making a pitch to their donors: Step up and help us in case the federal government decides it wont. In the liberal Washington region, nonprofits are hoping that tying their pitch for additional private funds to Trumps budget will impel residents to open their pocketbooks. Already there is a movement of people not wanting to come in for services, or applying for aid, because they know its going to get cut, said Maria Gomez, founder and executive director of Marys Center. This is where community philanthropy comes in to make sure that during this moment where there is a gap of resources, and where people are scared to get these resources, it fills in this gap. Tomasa Pineda talks to her daughter Julissa Bautista, right, in the waiting room of Marys Center. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) United Way of the National Capital Area is making the Trump budget effect a central theme of its annual Do More 24 fundraising drive an effort on June 8 in which about 600 Washington-area nonprofits compete to raise the most money in a 24-hour period. Kelly Brinkley, chief operating officer of the local United Way chapter, said that after Trumps election, people around the country have donated en masse to prominent national organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. But, she said, the same attention hasnt been placed on local organizations that provide services such as after-school programs, food assistance and housing. Brinkley said proposed federal cuts could mean a greater demand trickling down to local nonprofits. [GOP, Democratic lawmakers vow to defeat Trump plan cutting Chesapeake Bay funds] We are afraid, we really are, she said. One of the challenges is that we know that these organizations are going to come to United Way if these budget cuts impact them, and how are we going to step up and fill the gap? Brinkley said, for example, there are after-school education programs for middle school students that receive much of their funding from local, state and private sources, but the food for some of these services comes from a federally funded program. If that is cut, already-stretched programs could be forced to offer slots for fewer children or search elsewhere for the funding. Its devastating for us because we are seeing the great success stories in the middle school programs, and there is a fear that we can go backward, she said. City Year, a program partially funded through AmeriCorps that primarily sends recent college graduates to high-poverty schools for extra support, serves 18 schools in the District. Trumps budget calls for eliminating AmeriCorps, which would mean a loss of 25 percent of City Years $8.2 million annual budget. Jeff Franco, executive director of City Year Washington, DC, said there is already a bigger demand in the city than the program can meet: Last year, about 30 schools requested City Year workers in their schools, but about a dozen of those schools were denied because of funding constraints. Franco said he is starting to have conversations with donors about what Trumps proposed budget cuts would mean for the program. City Year, as well as Marys Center, is participating in United Ways Do More 24 drive. Im having this conversation with every donor we have. As incredibly generous as theyve been, we might have to lean on them even more if AmeriCorps cuts go in, Franco said. It would be difficult to sustain our work at the same level without the AmeriCorps budget. The entrance to Mary's Center in Washington. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) Maria Martinez sits in the waiting room of Mary's Center. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) Gomez, of Marys Center, said she also is having this politicized conversation with her donors. She said that when President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act passed, many thought health-care access was no longer as dire of an issue for low-income people and ceased donations to that cause. Now, she said, she is trying to reeducate people on the need for donating to health services. We are also doing a lot of advocacy to make sure that these cuts dont go through, and if they do go through, to make sure that they go through slowly, she said. Trumps proposed cuts likely wont remain intact as the budget moves through Congress, but nonprofits are still bracing for steep cuts. Brinkley said she hopes Washingtons United Way drive brings in between $3 million to $5 million this year. Last years drive raised $1.55 million, but she said the need is more dire this time around. This is historic, and this is a historic challenge for us, Brinkley said. People really want to get involved and we really have this urgent call to them that they shouldnt just think about national organizations. Think about your back yard and your neighbor and what sort of community you want to build here. A D.C. council member called the high number of mid-year teacher resignations at some D.C. Public Schools an emergency, and said Thursday that he wants Chancellor Antwan Wilson to come before the councils education committee to address the problem. The Washington Post reported this week that nearly 200 teachers have quit their jobs after the school year began. It is an emergency when a quarter or more of the teachers in some schools have resigned during the school year, Council member Robert C. White Jr. (D-At Large) wrote in a letter to David Grosso (I-At Large), chairman of the committee. The resignations account for about 5 percent of the 4,000 teachers in DCPS, but a few schools have been hit particularly hard. Ballou High School, in Southeast, lost 21 teachers, or 28 percent of its faculty, according to data obtained by The Washington Post through a Freedom of Information Act request. White wants to hear from Wilson, students and teacher who have resigned so that the education committee can work aggressively to find a solution. Matt Nocella, a Grosso spokesman, said the council member takes this issue very seriously and believes a stable learning environment puts students in the best position to succeed. The mid-year resignation rate for DCPS was higher than for some other urban school systems, including those in Denver, Baltimore and Seattle. In D.C., 184 of about 4,000 teachers quit from September to mid-May. That was a 44 percent increase over the 128 teachers who left in the 2013-2014 school year. Ballous 21 departures were the highest in the school district. Some former Ballou teachers told The Post that a number of problems drove them to leave, from student behavior and attendance issues to their own perception of a lack of support from the administration. They also raised questions about evaluations. Some veterans said that in previous years they had received high marks from administrators, but this year they were given what they believe are arbitrarily low evaluation scores. Ballous principal, Yetunde Reeves, lamented to her staff in an email sent Tuesday that The Posts article did not portray the school in a positive light. [Entire senior class at D.C.s Ballou High School applies to college] The subject line of the email declared: Staying the course. In the email, Reeves said she is unapologetic about leading with a vision that puts students front and center. She added: I am grateful for those staff members, students, families, and partners who have been positive supporters of our work. Transformation is never easy and school turnaround requires resilience, leadership, commitment, trust, and faith. DCPS spokeswoman Michelle Lerner said in a statement: DC Public Schools teachers do a challenging job in service of our students, and their hard work has meant that we are the fastest improving school district in the country. This is not to say that mid-year teacher turnover is not a problem in DC and across the country, and one that DCPS will address so that every student has a high-quality teacher in front of them every day. Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson and his attorneys, Brian McDaniels, left, and Billy Martin, briefly speak to the press outside the Federal Courthouse in Greenbelt, Md., on Nov. 12, 2010. (Marvin Joseph/THE WASHINGTON POST) Former Prince Georges County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) will be released from federal custody this week after serving more than five years on corruption charges. Johnson, 68, is on home confinement after being moved from a federal prison in Cumberland to a halfway house in Baltimore in December. He will be on supervised release for three years after his formal release, according to Justin Long, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Johnson served as county executive from 2002 until December 2010. He pleaded guilty in 2011 to evidence tampering and destruction of evidence in a broad corruption scheme he was charged with masterminding. Prosecutors said he received more than $1 million in bribes. His wife, Leslie Johnson, and several developers, county officials and business executives also were implicated. Johnson and his wife who was briefly a member of the Prince Georges County Council were overheard on a wiretap plotting to stash $79,600 in cash in her underwear and flush a $100,000 check that he got as a bribe down the toilet. He also was videotaped taking cash bribes. Jack Johnson received an 87-month sentence, which was reduced for good behavior, Long said. It was far less than the 14-year maximum the judge could have imposed but one of the longest historically for a Maryland politician in a corruption case. Johnson, who also is a former county states attorney, is returning to a community where he once reigned, but one to which he will have to re-acclimate. He was disbarred in Maryland in 2012 based on his felony conviction; if he wants to practice law again, he will have to petition for reinstatement of his law license. The Maryland Court of Appeals would decide whether to restore it, according to Susan Townshend, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission and Office of Bar Counsel. Through his pastor, Jonathan Weaver, Johnson declined to comment. County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D), who succeeded Johnson in 2010, said he will welcome his fraternity brother and former political rival back to the county where Johnsons political career was launched and later toppled. One of the things were doing a lot of in this administration is returning citizens who were incarcerated back to the community and helping them get their lives back on track, Baker said. You want to make sure people have a second chance, and hes no different. Henry T. Arrington Sr., Johnsons former campaign chairman, said the former county executives corruption hurt their relationship, but he added that he has forgiven Johnson. Everybody makes mistakes, said Arrington, 85. I have no animosity. A native of South Carolina, Johnson moved north to attend law school at Howard University, where he met his future wife. The couple settled in Prince Georges County, where Johnson became the deputy states attorney. He was elected the countys top prosecutor in 1995. In 2002, voters tapped him as county executive, a powerful position that he would hold for eight years. Johnson said his vision for the county included making it inclusive, particularly for the growing African American population. He billed himself as a reformer who wanted to clean up the police department and the community and restore the countys image, which had become tarnished over the years. But from the day he took office, Johnson began doling out contracts, jobs and deals to his friends and political supporters. In August 2006, an investigation by The Washington Post found that Johnson had awarded 51 county contracts totaling more than $3 million to 15 friends and supporters. In some instances, he gave the contracts after failing to persuade the County Council to put those supporters into county jobs. He also created more than a dozen high-profile positions and filled them with friends and fraternity brothers. Some of those who received contracts or jobs had no expertise in the relevant field, and others did not produce written reports required by the county. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money designated for county community projects went to organizations directly connected to the people handing out the funds or linked to Johnson. The county executive also came under fire for using a county-issued credit card to pay for personal expenses totaling thousands of dollars, including for trips home to South Carolina to visit his mother and to Texas to attend his daughters wedding reception. The charges were a violation of county policy. Johnsons actions attracted the attention of federal investigators. On Nov. 12, 2010, as Johnson spoke to his wife on a phone monitored by law enforcement, federal agents knocked on the door of their home in Mitchellville. Leslie Johnson panicked and asked her husband what to do with a $100,000 check obtained from a bribe and nearly $80,000 in cash stashed in the basement. Johnson instructed her to flush the check and put the cash in her underwear. The agents stormed the house and arrested her. She pleaded guilty to evidence tampering and received a sentence of one year and a day. Her husband also was arrested. Alexander Williams Jr., a retired judge for the federal district court in Maryland who said he once had a close relationship with Johnson, said he is unsure how residents will react to Johnsons return. I dont know what type of reception they will have for him, said Williams, who served as the countys states attorney from 1987 to 1994 and hired Johnson as his deputy. He was a good elected official, Williams said. He made a poor judgment and has paid a price, and he should have a reasonable opportunity to transition back to the community. Prince Georges County Council member Obie Patterson (D-Fort Washington) agreed and said that Johnson is looking for a glorious future. It probably will take a little readjustment, but I think he has the ability to move on, said Patterson, who has known Johnson for two decades. I think he has much he can still offer this county and the state. Hes still got some of his core groups, and I think he would only have to press a little button. Rendering of the proposed Prince Georges Regional Medical Center, to be built by 2020. (Dimensions Healthcare System) A Prince Georges County Circuit Court judge has agreed to temporarily halt the state health-care commissions approval of a cardiac program at Anne Arundel Medical Center while the court reviews the regulatory bodys decision. Dimensions Healthcare System, the private nonprofit that operates Prince Georges County hospitals, filed the motion after requesting a judicial review of the Maryland Health Care Commissions decision on Anne Arundels plan in March. Dimensions argued that having a competing heart surgery unit in a hospital in a neighboring county would cannibalize the patient and staff market and cause irreparable harm to the recently approved $543 million Prince Georges Regional Medical Center, to be built in Largo, according to court documents. In her order, Judge Beverly Woodard wrote that issuing a stay on Anne Arundels incipient heart program is in the best interests of the public while the parties await the review results from the Circuit Court. Lawyer Timothy Maloney, who represented Dimensions, called the decision a major victory for the Prince Georges hospitals fledgling cardiac program and said that the rejuvenated Dimensions cardiac surgery program is now winning national recognition, but the state failed to properly consider the impact . . . yet another cardiac surgery program would have on this progress. In a statement, the Anne Arundel Medical Center said it is confident that the commissions approval of its cardiac program will ultimately stand. Weve known all along this process would not be without its challenges, the organization said in a statement. We will work through this process as we continue to advocate for whats right for our community: improved access to cardiac care. The rancor from Prince Georges officials over Anne Arundels cardiac program turned into a partisan war of words this past year between the two jurisdictions, one dominated by Democratic voters and the other with a far greater number of Republicans. Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) fired off a letter last August, responding to an Anne Arundel Republican columnist endorsing the medical centers application, and urged his fellow Prince Georges elected officials to get the public involved against the threats posed to their hospital system. Dimensions also accused Health Care Commission member Craig P. Tanio, who reviewed Anne Arundels plan, of applying the state regulations more leniently than the board did for the Prince Georges hospital plan, which underwent years of revisions and questions before it was approved last fall. [Hospital fight: Pr. Georges lawmakers oppose Anne Arundel cardiac center] Despite those objections, the board approved Anne Arundel Medical Centers program, and hospital officials there have insisted, through a marketing blitz of op-eds, media ads and statements,that their program will not negatively affect Prince Georges hospital. Anne Arundels cardiac center would draw patients from 15 Zip codes that overlap with the intended patient pool for the current Prince Georges hospital in Cheverly, which has spent the past few years improving the care and professionalism of its heart surgery program to draw back people who had abandoned the county system. Under the guidance of the University of Maryland Medical System, the soon-to-be sole operator of Prince Georges medical facilities, the struggling hospital went from performing zero heart surgeries in 2012 to more than 100 in 2016, earning high scores for quality. The plan is to transplant the revitalized program to the new facility once its built sometime around 2020. But if it does not maintain state-mandated benchmarks of 100 cases per year and loses volume, health regulators could shut down the program. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) will travel to France and England later this month to encourage new investments in the aerospace and cybersecurity industries. The European trip comes on the heels of President Trumps decision to withdraw from the historic Paris climate accord and continued criticism from state Democrats over Hogans response to Trumps actions on health care, immigration and, most recently, the environment. The state Commerce Department announced the trip Friday. Hogan will leave Maryland on June 17, traveling to Paris where he will be one of nine governors attending the Paris Air Show. He will then travel by train to London, where he will hold several meetings with leaders in the cybersecurity industry before returning to Maryland on June 23. The governors office released a statement on Thursday saying that Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris agreement was not an action the governor would have taken. Gov. Hogan is a strong advocate for protecting Marylands environment, including cleaner air and water, and supports efforts to combat climate change, it said. Last year, the governor signed a bill that reauthorizes and sets new targets for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, a landmark bill passed in 2009 that required Maryland to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 25 percent below 2006 levels by 2020. The new target is to slash emissions to 40 percent below 2006 levels by 2030. But Hogan vetoed a 2016 bill that required stronger renewable-energy standards in Maryland. He argued that the bill would force a tax increase to pay for the programs goals. The legislature overturned Hogans veto earlier this year. During the trip, Hogan will be joined by several members of his staff, including Sam Maholtra, his chief of staff; R. Michael Gill, the secretary of commerce; and a small group of business leaders. Doug Mayer, a spokesman for the governor, said Hogans message will be that Maryland is ready and eager to partner with international companies to create jobs and economic opportunity here in our state. The trip is the governors third trade mission since taking office. In May 2015, Hogan spent 12 days in South Korea, China and Japan. Last September, he led a week-long trip to Israel. We have a lot to offer, said Signe J. Pringle, the director of International Investment and Trade, noting the states proximity to the District, its universities and its port at Baltimore. Were quite well-positioned to make the case for these companies having a presence in Maryland. Marylands highest court on Friday intervened in a lawsuit that threatened to upend the states long-awaited medical marijuana program, but whether the state can move forward remains in question. Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams had scheduled a Friday hearing on whether to grant an injunction to block regulators from authorizing companies to grow marijuana while a lawsuit alleging the state failed to consider racial diversity in setting up the industry was pending. But Williams abruptly stopped the hearing as soon as it began, citing an order from the Maryland Court of Appeals. The state high court paused the proceedings after an appeal from patients and other pre-licensed marijuana growers who wanted to intervene in the lawsuit. Williams had denied their request, triggering their appeal. [Missing from Marylands legal pot growers? Black business leaders] Williams last week ordered the state to temporarily halt licensing marijuana growers until he could hold a full hearing on the matter. Maryland state officials could not immediately say whether they could resume the program because of the high courts ruling. Its also unclear what the next steps will be for the litigation. The one-page order from the Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera barred the lower court from holding a hearing on the restraining order until further guidance from her court. [Last minute defeat for bill to diversify Marylands pot industry] The lawsuit holding everything up was filed by Alternative Medicine Maryland, a company led by a black health-care executive from New York, after it failed to win a cultivation license. It alleges that the process of selecting growers was illegal because regulators did not follow a provision in the medical marijuana legalization law calling on them to actively seek to achieve racial and ethnic diversity among growers. [Maryland House reprimands delegate for marijuana business ties] Maryland has given preliminary approval to 15 companies to grow the states first legal marijuana crop, and authorized the first business to begin operations last month. None are led by African Americans. First legalized in 2013, the medical marijuana program has been embroiled in various controversies and hit with repeated delays. Shakopee teacher Amanda Marek said it all started when her school district noticed a problem: some of the districts students who grew up speaking Spanish were not doing very well in Spanish class. They were also falling behind in classes taught in English. The students spoke conversational Spanish, but most hadnt had much formal education in the language. They were bored in Spanish class, yet they didnt necessarily have a firm grasp of Spanish literacy skills, like grammar and reading. Without those skills, they were having a hard time learning to read and write in English. So Shakopee started a class called Spanish for Native Speakers. Its much like a typical language arts course, except in Spanish. Marek took over the class at West Junior High School seven years ago. Bilingue. Es una ventaja grande ser bilingue. Marek gave a spelling test first thing on a recent Monday morning. Her example sentence translated to, It is a great advantage to be bilingual. Research backs up the idea. Basic skills like reading and writing can transfer from one language to another. Studies show becoming fully literate in their first language helps students get better at English. The district doesnt have comprehensive data on the impacts of the course. Anecdotally, though, Marek said shes seen double-digit gains on state tests from students in her class. But heres the catch. Although a growing number of school districts are offering these heritage language classes, as theyre often called, the majority are in Spanish. Meanwhile, Minnesota students speak a stunning variety of languages at home. In total, students have 252 different home languages, according to the state department of education. For example, 18 percent of non-English speakers use Somali at home. Those students are lucky if they find a course like the one freshman Hamze Ahmed is taking at Minneapolis South High School. Hamze said the Somali for native speakers class is his favorite because I dont want to forget my first language. Yusuf said heritage language courses help bridge the gap between home and classroom. The more [students] know about their language, the more they will be interested in the historical context of where they originated. And then maybe transfer that to other subjects that they are taking in school, Yusuf said. But Yusuf is a rarity. Minnesota just doesnt have enough teachers who speak Somali or Hmong let alone those 250 other languages for widespread adoption of heritage language programs. Our very small numbers of teachers of color and multilingual teachers of color means that its very uncommon to have teachers who are available to teach heritage language courses in, for instance, Somali or Vietnamese or Hmong, said University of Minnesota doctoral student Jenna Cushing-Leubner, who studies heritage language classes. Heritage language classes are also often in a precarious position because theyre usually electives, and they can get cut when funding is tight. Students who do find heritage classes in their native languages say academic benefits arent necessarily their only, or primary, motivation. Hamze Ahmed said he needs Somali to talk to his mom, who doesnt speak English. Osseo Area school district sophomore Gao Lee said she often has to translate for her Hmong-speaking parents. Like 15 percent of non-English-speaking Minnesota households, Gao and her family speak Hmong at home. Gao helped push successfully for a new Hmong heritage language course set to start next year at Park Center High School in Brooklyn Park. The course already has 160 students signed up, and it will include lessons on Hmong history and culture. Gao almost choked up when she talked about what that will mean for students like her, who she said dont get to learn about their culture in school. I just want to tell students that its OK to not know who you are and not be embarrassed about it. If you want to know who you are, just ask. You will learn, Gao said. Lewis M. Anthony in 2007 gives the commencement address during the GED "Cap and Gown" ceremony at the University of the District of Columbia. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post) Lewis M. Anthony, a loquacious pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion church who led congregations in Washington and long straddled the citys religious and political communities with his outreach ventures, died May 28 at his mothers home in Fort Washington, Md. He was 65. The cause was liver cancer, said his mother, Marlene Anthony Carter. Rev. Anthony, a Harvard Law School graduate, was regarded as one of the citys most eloquent and in-demand speakers, a stalwart of commencement-day addresses, political conclaves, community gatherings, memorial services, prayer breakfasts, and pulpits of all denominations. Political commentator Mark Plotkin likened him to the actor-comedian George Jessel, who became widely known last century as the toastmaster general of the United States. Rev. Anthony was the opening act for any politician of consequence, Plotkin said. He was a must for the invocation and the benediction. He had shepherded St. Lucille A.M.E. Zion Church for the last several years, and before that he led Metropolitan Wesley and Varick Memorial churches. He was a long-standing protestant chaplain for the citys police and fire departments. And he served on many church-related boards and committees, including those promoting religious education and anti-drug efforts. Rev. Anthonys oratorical skills had been recognized from a young age, while he was growing up in Anacostia, one of the citys poorest neighborhoods. He was a 17-year-old student at Anacostia High School in 1969 when he was tapped to speak at the rededication of District of Columbia Stadium in honor of the slain Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.). He invoked Kennedys time as attorney general during the early 1960s, when he had helped find summer jobs for hundreds of District students and was pivotal in attaining congressional funds to repair and reopen the long-shuttered Dunbar High School pool and build new playgrounds. His ear heard the cries of youth not raised in violence but pleading for a pool and a place to play and was told that these changes would have to wait and asked why, the future preacher said. And because he asked why, those who couldnt find jobs were employed, swimming pools that couldnt be opened were opened and the school improvements that had to wait were lessened. Walter E. Washington was reputedly so impressed that he offered the young man a position as adviser for youth affairs, a position he held for six years. He later became a speechwriter and religious liaison for Mayor Marion Barry Jr. and, in the mid-1980s, directed Del. Walter E. Fauntroys congressional district office. In 2000, Rev. Anthony was in the first class of inductees into the Washington D.C. Hall of Fame, an honor sponsored by the Washington D.C. Hall of Fame Society and the Office of the City Historian. He was recognized for his work as a widely traveled speaker, teacher and preacher with a style of poetic grandeur. In an interview, city historian Janette Hoston Harris called him one of the most understanding ministers in our area. He related to the religious community and the political community. He wasnt a person who just went to that one church to give his gift. He went wherever he was asked. Despite obvious frailty, Rev. Anthony went to an invocation a month before his death at the request of Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D). Hed always come, Hoston Harris said. Lewis Marco Anthony was born in the District on March 4, 1952. He was 12 when his father left the family. His mother, who then worked for the public school system as a book clerk, sent him to classes every day wearing a shirt and tie to reinforce expectations that he was to take his academics seriously. But she added that she was baffled by his precocious way with words, particularly his ability to cite Shakespeare extemporaneously by age 6. Rev. Anthony received a bachelors degree in political science from Columbia University and a law degree from Harvard. He began the process of ordination soon after returning home from law school in the late 1970s. He never married. Besides his mother, survivors include a brother, Orlondo Anthony of Arlington, Va. Rev. Anthony was a District resident. He was offered so many speaking requests, his mother recalled. Theyd ask him, What is your honorarium? He had none. He told me, Momma, its hard for me to accept money for the gift that God has given me for speaking. Obituaries of residents from the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Eric Cummings, lawyer, investor Eric Cummings, 72, a former Washington lawyer who later ran a capital investment operation, died May 1 at a medical center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The cause was complications from strokes, said a brother, David Cummings. Mr. Cummings, a native of Roanoke, worked for the Arent Fox law firm before starting his own law firm in 1979. In the mid-1980s, he opened Cambridge Capitol Group, an investment business that included buying and selling real estate. He closed the operation in Washington in about 2000 and moved south. He had been living in Savannah. Mary Thomas, secretary Mary Thomas, 87, a secretary for the Air Force Department from 1974 to 1996, died May 12 at a hospital in Richmond The cause was a heart attack, said a son, Dwight Thomas. Mrs. Thomas was born Mary Piper in Gallatin, Tenn., and lived in Springfield, Va., from 1949 to 2012 before moving to Richmond. She attended First Baptist Church of Springfield and volunteered at Inova Alexandria Hospital. Francis F.E. Brantley, Interior Dept. official Francis F.E. Brantley, 102, who served as chief of the Interior Departments ferrous metals division before retiring in 1980, died May 11 at his home in Arlington, Va. The cause was respiratory failure, said a son, James Brantley. Mr. Brantley, a native of Repton, Ala., joined the department in 1947 as a chemical engineer and settled in the Washington area in 1965. He attended Calvary United Methodist Church in Arlington. Kenneth Baker, Air Force colonel Kenneth Baker, 76, a retired Air Force colonel who then held several positions at the Energy Department involving nuclear nonproliferation and curriculum development at the National Defense University, died May 6 at a hospital in Spotsylvania, Va. The cause was acute cardiac pulmonary arrest and end-stage renal disease, said a daughter, Kristin Burke. Col. Baker was born in Louisville He served 28 years in the Air Force, retiring in 1991 as assistant director for plans, operations and security at the White House Office of Emergency Operations. His last position at the Energy Department was dean of development at the defense universitys College of International Security Affairs. He helped plan the curriculum. He moved to Spotsylvania from Springfield in 2000. Thomas Timlin, wardrobe supervisor Thomas Timlin, 65, the chief of the wardrobe department of the Washington National Opera, died April 30 at a hospital in Washington. The cause was an aortic tear, said his wife, Martha Timlin. Mr. Timlin, a District resident, was born in Detroit. He had lived in the Washington area for 33 years and for the last 17 years had been wardrobe supervisor at the opera. For 10 years, he had been president of the local unit of the International Alliance of Theatrical and State Employees. Earlier, he had been a traveling wardrobe supervisor for a variety of films and shows. Linda Sheehan, CIA officer Linda Sheehan, 74, a CIA administrator and logistics officer from the early 1980s to 2000 whose assignments included Japan, England, Cyprus, South Korea and Panama, died May 6 at an assisted living center in Fairfax County. The cause was lung cancer, said a daughter-in-law, Heidi Sheehan. Mrs. Sheehan was born Linda Sappelsa in Mineola, N.Y. She moved to the Washington area in the early 1970s, settling eventually in Centreville, Va. From staff reports Bewilderment: That was the reaction of William J.L. Sladens friends when he decided, more than six decades ago, to forgo his medical career and embark on a new one as a zoologist. The British-born physician would become an internationally known authority on birds, his exploits dramatized in the 1996 Hollywood film Fly Away Home and chronicled in the pages of National Geographic. Wouldnt they perhaps trade whatever they are doing, Dr. Sladen wrote in the magazine of his head-scratching acquaintances, to witness the spectacle of 300,000 Adelie penguins in Antarctica, to round up thousands of pink-footed geese in Iceland, to sit among harems of fur seals on the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea, or to take inspiration from the wandering albatross as it soars majestically above the southern oceans? All those experiences have been mine, he continued, and they are all unforgettable, yet for me the liftoff of whistling swans from the Chesapeake Bay on spring migration equals or even surpasses, in emotional and scientific impact, those other more exotic adventures. Dr. Sladen who was 96 when he died on May 29 at his home in Warrenton, Va. was part scientist, part conservationist, part adventurer. He first went to Antarctica in the 1940s as a British medical officer and returned many times for his zoological research, practically commuting to and from the continent in the 1960s. Dr. Sladen, shown here in 2001, died May 29 at 96. (Gerald Martineau/The Washington Post) Once, after a fire destroyed his base hut and killed his fellow travelers, he spent 17 days alone with no shelter but a tent, according to his family. For periods, he subsisted on the meat of penguins and cormorants, another aquatic bird. He is a popular figure here, the New York Times reported in a dispatch from the McMurdo Station research center in Antarctica in 1968, often seen walking about coatless, wearing only a pullover sweater and a maroon woolen shirt that clashes violently with his pastel-green corduroy trousers. Dr. Sladens research helped reveal the intrigue of Antarctic wildlife including the Adelie penguin, which is smaller standing roughly 2 feet tall than the better known Emperor penguin. Adelies, he showed, were capable of recognizing their own chicks among thousands at feeding time. In a 1966 article published in the journal Nature, Dr. Sladen reported that he had detected trace amounts of DDT in Adelie penguins and a crabeater seal, helping to reveal the extent of the environmental threats that the pesticide posed. DDT was banned in the United States in 1972. Two mountains in Antarctica were named for Dr. Sladen, whose research also extended to the North Pole region. He was credited with using radio technology to document the trek of the tundra swan, which covered thousands of miles, from the Arctic to the Mid-Atlantic. He was perhaps most popularly known for his effort, undertaken with Canadian artist and pilot William Lishman, to teach Canada geese a migratory route from Ontario to the Airlie conference center in Warrenton using an ultra-light aircraft as their guide. (Dr. Sladen was chief of the swan research program at Airlie.) The project, called Operation Migration, began in 1993 and was featured on television shows including the news magazine 20/20. The film Fly Away Home, for which Dr. Sladen served as a technical adviser, starred Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin as a father-daughter duo that takes on a similar project. The geese were introduced to the sounds of the ultra-light aircraft even before the birds emerged from their eggs. In a phenomenon known as imprinting, hatching goslings bond with the first large, moving object they see in this case, the aircraft and the researchers. You cant help but get fond of them, Dr. Sladen told The Washington Post of the Canada geese, even though they do poop up your porch. The experiment, in which the aircraft took the lead spot in the geeses traditional V formation, was successful. George Archibald, a founder of the International Crane Foundation, credited Dr. Sladens ideas with influencing the reintroduction to eastern North America of endangered species including the whooping crane and the trumpeter swan once hunted for its skin and feathers. Killing a swan, Dr. Sladen said, is like throwing a brick through a stained-glass window but you can repair a stained-glass window. William Joseph Lambart Sladen was born in Newport, Wales, on Dec. 19, 1920. Among his forefathers, his wife said, was William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. Both of Dr. Sladens parents served as officers in the organization. He roamed the countryside as a boy, developing an early love of wildlife. He received two medical degrees in London, including one with a specialty in bacteriology, before completing a doctorate in zoology at the University of Oxford in 1955. Soon after, he settled in the United States, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1962. For many years he was a professor at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Sladen had lived in Fauquier County since 1990. His wife of 26 years, the former Jocelyn Arundel, confirmed his death and said the cause was respiratory failure. Dr. Sladens first marriage, to Brenda Macpherson Sladen, ended in divorce. Besides his wife, of Warrenton, survivors include two children from his first marriage, Hugh Sladen of Glen Rock, Pa., and Kate Adelie Sladen Bush of Boulder, Colo; and two grandchildren. Dr. Sladen formed profound bounds with his birds, speaking mournfully of penguins who perished when a storm struck their rookery, hurling them head-over-heels, with flippers and legs spread, down the slope . . . like leaves scattered by a gust of wind. He described trumpeter swans as the most magnificent of all waterfowl and kept them on his property, often tossing them kernels of corn. Its nice to have birds trusting you, he told a reporter, isnt it? A Fairfax County General District Court judge has been removed from all drunken-driving cases after he was cited with driving under the influence in Maryland in April, a court official said. Judge Michael H. Cantrell, who has been on the bench for less than a year, was stopped in Calvert County on April 28, according to Maryland court records. General District Court Chief Judge Michael Joseph Cassidy said Cantrell was removed from drunken-driving cases on May 10. Cantrell did not immediately return a call for comment, and his attorney declined to comment on the case. Cantrell has practiced law since 1989 and became a General District Court judge last July. He is scheduled to go to trial on the charge on Aug. 16. A former teacher at Latin American Montessori Bilingual (LAMB) Public Charter School admitted in court to sexually abusing six of his students. (iStock) A former D.C. elementary school teacher on Friday admitted to sexually abusing six of his students between 2015 and 2017, including one boy he lured to a basement to play hide-and-seek. In a crowded courtroom in D.C. Superior Court, Manuel Garcia Fernandez, 35, who taught at Latin American Montessori Bilingual (LAMB) Public Charter School, pleaded guilty to two charges of felony second-degree child sexual abuse, one count of attempted child sexual abuse and three counts of misdemeanor child sexual abuse. Fernandez was arrested in February on charges that he sexually assaulted three of his students. Investigators interviewed 22 children after Fernandezs arrest and identified three other children who they say Fernandez touched inappropriately. It was an emotional hearing for family members of the children, several of whom were crying and wiping tears. One parent squeezed a rubber stress ball in her hand as she listened to the charges. Another couple held hands. Fernandezs wife sat in the front row of the audience on the opposite side of the courtroom, surrounded by about 15 friends and family members. Fernandezs three children were not present. As part of his plea deal with prosecutors, Fernandez faces between a minimum of a year and a half to a maximum of eight years in prison. He also will be required to register as a sex offender. The government agreed it would not file any additional charges in the case. If he had gone to trial and been convicted, he would have faced more than 25 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 7 by Judge Judith Bartnoff. When defendants in child sexual abuse cases agree to such pleas, prosecutors and judges often agree on lighter prison sentences to spare child victims the emotional stress of having to testify. [Public charter school teacher charged with sexually assaulting students] Fernandez has been in D.C. jail since his arrest. Wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, he stood next to his attorney Bernard Grimm as prosecutors outlined the details of each of the incidents. According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessi Brooks and J. Matt Williams, in one instance, Fernandez invited one of the children to the basement of the Northwest Washington school for hide-and-seek. While in the basement, Fernandez reached into the boys pants and fondled him. In two separate instances, Fernandez admitted to fondling two female students through their clothes. With another victim, Fernandez admitted touching the childs buttocks. Bartnoff asked Fernandez if the prosecutors details were correct. Yes, your honor, Fernandez said. Grimm argued his client still had to complete a psychological examination, which was one of the reasons the sentencing is not scheduled until after Labor Day. Fernandez, who is from Spain, faces deportation after he completes his prison term. Outside the courtroom, Grimm said Fernandez was isolated at the jail because he had been assaulted several times. After the hearing, most of the parents who poured into the hallway declined to speak publicly. But the mother of one 9-year-old victim called the case was every parents worst nightmare. The mother said a possible maximum of eight years in prison was not enough. She believed Fernandez should have a harsher punishment. You send your child to school expecting them to be safe. These children may have more than eight years of trauma because of his actions, she said. This mans actions could result in a lifetime sentence of heartache and trauma for these children that may not materialize until years from now. Bryan Moles, left, after his release Thursday outside D.C. Superior Court pending a federal-court appearance set for Friday. His attorney, Eugene Ohm, right, is with the D.C. Public Defender Service. (Keith Alexander/The Washington Post) A Pennsylvania man arrested at Trump International Hotel in downtown Washington after a military-style rifle was found in his vehicle was ordered by a federal magistrate to undergo mental health treatment at a veterans hospital in Georgia, pending a trial on firearms charges. Bryan Moles, 43, must report to the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center by 4 p.m. Monday after he told police that he had traveled to the District with an AR-15 rifle, a handgun and more than 90 rounds of ammunition in his 2017 black BMW to meet with President Trump. In charging papers, prosecutors said Moles said he came to Washington to bring down big medicine business and big pharmacy and did not plan to leave 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. until he saw the president. Moles is a licensed physician and former Navy corpsman. He told police, charging documents state, that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, had refused medication and was treating himself with marijuana, to which he was formerly addicted. He was ordered Friday to remain under court supervision while living with an Atlanta friend, keep out of the District except for court appearances, stay away from the White House and Trump hotel, and surrender 20 weapons he kept at his home in Edinboro, about 100 miles north of Pittsburgh. [Man wanted to bring down big pharmacy and meet president] A friend of Moless for 25 years Lisa Della Ratta, 44, a nurse in Gulf Breeze, Fla. has described him as a hardcore Trump supporter who grew up with weapons and might have been unaware of the Districts strict gun laws. Moles said little in court Friday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin M. Meriweather assigned him a federal defender and set his next hearing for June 21. Moles told the court he was suspended from his hospital job and that his financial profile includes a house with $200,000 in equity but also more than $6,000 a month in student, home and car loans. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Friedman agreed that the terms of his conditional release were enough to protect the public. D.C. police already were searching for Moles by the time he arrived at the Trump hotel early Wednesday and told a parking valet to secure his BMW because he had weapons inside, according to the criminal complaint. Pennsylvania State Police had relayed information they had received about a voice mail they said Moles left Tuesday with an acquaintance. In the voice-mail message, Moles said he stockpiled his car with so much survival gear that it looked like Timothy McVeigh or Eric Rudolph was going on a camping trip, prosecutors allege, referring to one of the 1995 Oklahoma City federal building bombers and the serial bomber who attacked the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. D.C. detectives went to the Trump hotel about 1:50 a.m. Wednesday and saw a rifle case in the car in plain view and opened the door using a keyless entry system that the valet had been given. Inside, police found the rifle, two 30-round high-capacity magazines and a loaded Glock 23 inside the unlocked glove box. While D.C. police and Secret Service agents said they did not have enough evidence to charge Moles with making threats and that he did not appear to pose a threat to any individuals under Secret Service protection, prosecutors noted his alleged crimes were committed under concerning circumstances. According to the criminal complaint, Moles told detectives that before his road trip, he had withdrawn $10,000 to live the life he always wanted before it was too late. He said that he left $4.19 in his checking account because the digits were significant to him and that he had once written a term paper on McVeigh, who killed 168 people in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Moles agreed to speak with D.C. police and told investigators that he brought the AR-15 to the District to have a friend customize it for his sons use back home, according to the complaint. [Friend said man arrested at D.C. Trump hotel is no threat ] The complaint says he told police that he was a recovering alcoholic who has been sober since 2013 and that he suffered from PTSD and medicated with marijuana instead of prescription drugs, because the medications made him suicidal. Moles enlisted in the Navy in 1992 and served until August 1996 as a hospital corpsman at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Navy records show. Moles faces a federal felony charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of a controlled substance. In a court filing, police said that when they spoke with Moles at his room at the Trump hotel, officers smelled marijuana and stated that Moles told them he had marijuana and a vaporizer with him, which police recovered. Moles also faces a District charge of unlawful transport of a loaded firearm in an unlocked passenger compartment of a vehicle, punishable by up to a year in prison. Prosecutors had wanted to bring Moles to federal court Thursday, but he appeared instead in D.C. Superior Court. The switch in court venue was required after prosecutors failed to notify the federal court of their intent to have Moles appear before a 1 p.m. deadline. The notification is required to enable U.S. marshals to arrange the transport of defendants to the courthouse, in Moless case from his cell at D.C. Superior Court, said Jelahn Stewart, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorneys office for the District. Defendants typically have a right to an initial hearing within 48 hours of arrest, and Moles was arrested early Wednesday. When the federal court is not available within 48 hours, such as in Moless situation, defendants in the District are taken to Superior Court. Assistant Public Defender Eugene Ohm argued at the Thursday hearing that his client committed no crime other than not knowing the Districts gun laws. He said visitors come to the District not knowing the gun laws about three or four times a week. Moles was released from Superior Court on Thursday to spend the night at a hotel under court supervision until his Friday federal-court appearance, under an agreement reached by prosecutors and Ohm. Keith L. Alexander and Peter Hermann contributed to this report. Activist Carolyn Griglione, shown at Alexandrias Chinquapin Park Recreation Center Pool on May 25, 2017, is angry that the city is not rebuilding the 36-year-old pool. (Kate Patterson/For The Washington Post) The idea was simple. Two small Northern Virginia neighbors were struggling with the high costs of building indoor swimming pools large enough to host events for competitive swim teams. Why shouldnt Arlington County and Alexandria build one together and share the costs? Two years later, the partnership lies nearly abandoned, the victim of differing community goals, timing and pride of location. While Arlington is forging ahead on its own, taking bids on a $42 million Long Bridge multiple-pool, fitness and health facility, Alexandria postponed its $22 million plan to add on to Chinquapin Recreation Center because of other critical needs for schools, Metro and sewers. If both pools were built, they would be just 5.2 miles apart. As business leaders are calling for Washington-area jurisdictions to join to solve intractable problems, the failure of these two neighbors to collaborate on pool needs could cost their taxpayers millions in duplicated services. Without knowing all the details, this tiff epitomizes the provincial mind-set of too many of our leaders, said Bob Buchanan, founder of the 2030 Group, a business-oriented organization that advocates for regional cooperation. We as a region . . . have a real inability to face hard facts. Elected leaders in both communities which already coordinate emergency responses and some transportation planning say joining forces on a pool simply didnt work out. We work together on so many different initiatives, and well continue to do so, said Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg (D). No deal fell through, because there was no specific proposal made. I dont know how far along any conversation got about the specifics of a final partnership, said Jay Fisette (D), chair of the Arlington County Board. I still think theres an opportunity in the future to be discussed. It didnt have to be this way. Tight budgets, urgent needs In 2014 and 2015, the governments of both inside-the-Beltway suburbs were trying to respond to residents calls for a 50-meter public pool that could accommodate competition swim meets. Both have outdoor recreational pools, and both are members of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, which operates multiple pools and water parks in the region. None, however, are regulation-sized competition pools. Costs stymied both communities, but for different reasons. Alexandria, a historic burg of 140,000 people, had seven aging municipal pools as recently as six years ago none the right length or depth for competitive swim meets. Now, three have closed and another is under repair. The swim team for the citys sole public high school, T.C. Williams, which adjoins Chinquapin, cant use the existing pool because of its size, so it shuttles to facilities at different schools in Fairfax County to swim. A group called Advocates for Alexandria Aquatics pushed for reinvesting in the citys pools, including calling for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning repairs and replacing broken lights. The advocates formed a public-private partnership to contribute $2.5 million toward the estimated $22.5 million cost of adding a regulation-sized pool onto Chinquapin. When the cost estimates jumped to $30 million, Vice Mayor Justin Wilson (D) suggested exploring a partnership with larger Arlington, which was struggling to build its Long Bridge aquatics center, just up Route 1. Arlington, with about 227,000 residents, had built indoor pools at each of its three public high schools. But there is so much demand for pool time there that in 2012, voters overwhelmingly agreed to the construction of an aquatics center at the reclaimed land known as Long Bridge Park, tucked between Interstate 95 and CSX Railroad tracks near Reagan National Airport. A little more than a year later, construction costs ballooned by millions of dollars, and the county halted the plans. Hope that a sponsor would materialize if the Washington region won a bid evaporated when the bid didnt happen. Meanwhile, John Vihstadt (I), the first non-Democrat elected to the County Board in 15 years, won two 2014 elections based in part on dissatisfaction with the costs of the pool complex. Arlington activists were divided: Some fought for new pools, while others demanded better cost controls. It was in this atmosphere that the city and the county agreed in August 2015 to talk about collaborating on a single facility at Long Bridge Park. Were dipping our toe in the waters, Mark Schwartz, Arlingtons county manager, said at the time. A city poll that fall showed that 52 percent of Alexandria residents were either very supportive or somewhat supportive of partnering with Arlington on a pool at Long Bridge Park, but only half as many were willing to support new pool construction with their tax dollars. An Arlington poll showed that almost 63 percent of residents were very or somewhat supportive of sharing the pool with their neighbors. More centrally located Participants from both jurisdictions recall several meetings over about a year. They are sketchy on the details, though Alexandrians were clearly reluctant to use tax dollars for a pool that would be in a neighboring jurisdiction. And Arlingtonians argued that they already had financing for the pool at Long Bridge. Arlington wanted our money, but they wanted to build it there, said Carolyn Griglione, who is on the Alexandria aquatics board. We said No, we want the pool here in Alexandria for our residents. . . . Well build it here at Chinquapin and your folks can use it, because were more centrally located. There were high-level discussions, said Emily Baker, Alexandrias deputy city manager. But those discussions did not lead to the development of a specific proposal. In both jurisdictions, the pool-use demand is such that many view the best outcome as not either-or but both as a good solution. Erik Beach, Arlingtons planning and comprehensive projects studio director, said it was Alexandria that pulled out of the discussions. It was about Alexandria money for Alexandrians, he said. After several meetings . . . they thought they could make it work at Chinquapin. Alexandria council members decided informally, without ever killing or approving the joint effort, to instead move forward on the Chinquapin project, Wilson said. The concept of regionalism is a good one to pursue, said James Spengler, the citys director of recreation, parks and cultural activities. But so much effort has to be expended to overcome inertia that it doesnt always work out. The Alexandria booster club began collecting donor pledges for its share of the rebuilt Chinquapin pool, and city employees started planning a $1.4 million design contract. But in December, Alexandria City Manager Mark Jinks announced that the Chinquapin expansion was on hold to allow the city to address enormous challenges in infrastructure. The aquatics advocates were furious. The pool expansion now sits on the citys supplemental capital improvement plan, and no one will predict the likelihood of it getting underway anytime soon. In Arlington, meanwhile, a county-appointed citizens committee last spring proposed moving ahead with a smaller pool complex at Long Bridge that would keep the total cost to about $64 million, compared with construction bids that topped $80 million when the project was shelved in 2014. Last month, Arlington officials said they would seek design bids for the scaled-down complex this summer, hoping to start construction in late 2018. Again, Vihstadt is injecting a note of caution. The estimated costs of operating a Long Branch pool have not been updated in two years, he said, and efforts to secure corporate sponsorships or partnerships with colleges, universities or nonprofits, havent borne fruit. Arlingtons budget is tight, and next year might be even more fiscally challenging. The idea of a joint facility at Long Bridge might not be completely dead. Although Alexandria officials would not speculate, Arlington officials remain open to the idea of a joint effort. Beach, the Arlington planning official, said there have been several more meetings about the pools since December, when Alexandria paused its planning work on Chinquapin. We are moving forward, Fisette said. Alexandria still has a decision to make. Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidates Ralph Northam, left, and Tom Perriello, right, are calling on the state to join California, New York and Washington state in an alliance of jurisdictions determined to stick to carbon emission reduction targets. (Steve Helber/Associated Press) President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the global Paris climate agreement has rippled into the Virginia gubernatorial nomination contests less than two weeks away. The two Democratic candidates, former congressman Tom Perriello and Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, condemned the move and called on Virginia to join California, New York and Washington state in an alliance of jurisdictions determined to stick to carbon emission reduction targets. Republican primary front-runner Ed Gillespie, who toes a careful line when commenting on the presidents decisions in a state where Trump is deeply unpopular, said Friday that the Paris climate pact was not the appropriate means for cutting emissions. His rivals for the GOP nomination, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors Corey A. Stewart (At Large) and state Sen. Frank W. Wagner (Virginia Beach), praised Trump on social media hours after his Thursday announcement. [Longtime Virginia power giant and political donor in the hot-seat] The vast majority of climate scientists agree that climate change is primarily caused by human activity, and the Paris climate pact brought every country except Nicaragua and Syria in agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Trump and other critics said the agreement would hamper the American economy. Meet the candidates running to become Virginias next governor The Virginia gubernatorial race is shaping up to be an early political test in the Trump era Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), who cannot seek consecutive terms under the states constitution, ordered state officials weeks ago to craft regulations to impose a statewide carbon cap before he leaves office. His spokesman expressed interest in joining a multistate alliance but said the governor was just learning details of the pact. Virginias coastal Tidewater region ranks second to New Orleans in terms of population threatened by sea-level rise, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Half of the inland counties face water shortages in the next 30 years due to climate change, McAuliffe says. As the first governor in the nation to take executive action on climate and clean energy in the Trump era, Governor McAuliffe is proud to lead the way in cutting carbon and growing Virginias economy, said Brian Coy, a spokesman for McAuliffe. [Titans of industry and states defy Trumps withdrawal from climate pact] But the continuation of McAuliffes policies, condemned by Republicans who control the legislature, depend on who wins the governors mansion in November. Voters will choose the major party nominees June 13. Polls have shown Gillespie far ahead with Republican voters and a tight race for the Democratic nomination. Throughout his campaign, Perriello has sought an edge by channeling the energy and frustrations of Democratic activists aghast at the president and his policies. He seized on the climate issue, posting a video on Facebook condemning Trumps actions that has since drawn 8,000 views and called for Virginia to join the state climate alliance soon after it was announced. Donald Trump has made his choice: He wont lift a finger to prevent sea levels from rising in Hampton Roads, wont do a thing to stop homeowners insurance rates from soaring along the Chesapeake Bay, and couldnt care less if Virginias coastlines fall victim to devastating storms, Perriello said in a statement. As governor, I will not wait for the worst to happen before taking action. Northam, who hails from climate-change-threatened Norfolk, also offered condemnation shortly after Trumps announcement and expressed interest in joining the state alliance during a radio interview Friday morning. [To shake up Democratic Party, progressives turn to race in Virginia] The President through his actions and rhetoric has set back American leadership on the world stage years, Northam said in a statement. This action is dangerous, and will hurt the health, economies, and environments of Virginia communities. On Friday, Perriellos campaign repeatedly touted his environmental credentials and posted on social media about the impacts of climate change on Virginia. He won praise from environmental groups this week after signing a pledge to not accept money from the fossil fuel industry, including oil, natural gas and coal companies, although he has previously taken money from their employees. Perriello has also refused to take money from Virginias energy giant Dominion Power, which has donated about $100,000 to Northam throughout his career. Perriellos pledge and reaction to Trumps decision were cited in a Friday endorsement from Michael Mann, a former climate scientist at the University of Virginia who became a hero of environmentalists after Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) tried to investigate him on suspicion of manipulating climate change data. On the Republican side of the race, candidates spent little time responding to the withdrawal from the Paris pact beyond offering support. We can protect our environment while ensuring that we dont act in a manner that hurts job creation in the Commonwealth, or punishes Virginians with higher energy costs, said Gillespie. I am opposed to joining California and New York just as I am opposed to the job-killing cap and trade policies put forward by the McAuliffe-Northam administration. Wagner, who recently called a legislative hearing to question the McAuliffe administration on its unilateral climate policies, said a state climate change alliance would hurt jobs. I dont want New Yorks economy, he said. These are three liberal governors and I dont want any part of us aligning ourselves with those people. Stewart, who campaigns as a Trump loyalist, said in a statement he had little desire to join an economic suicide pact with California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and other dying liberal states that are overburdening businesses with job-killing regulations, higher taxes, fewer jobs, bankrupt pension systems, no future, and no hope. Laura Vozzella contributed to this report. GREENVILLE, Texas Customers and employees were diving for cover Tuesday night at the Nissan dealership in Greenville. Two bounty hunters and the fugitive from Minnesota that they were tracking exchanged gunfire. Twenty shots were fired in about six seconds, according to a statement from Kathy Lucas, a spokeswoman for the city. In the end, the two bounty hunters, Fidel Garcia Jr., 54, and Gabriel Bernal, 33, as well as fugitive Ramon Michael Hutchinson, 49, were killed. Garcia and Bernal began tracking Hutchinson after he failed to appear for a March court hearing in Hennepin County, Minn. Hutchinson was facing several charges that included assaulting a law enforcement officer. According to news reports, the bounty hunters arrived at the dealership, which is about 50 miles northeast of Dallas, earlier in the day and waited hours for Hutchinson to show up. It wasnt immediately clear why Hutchinson had come to Texas from Minnesota. The city of Greenville released video of the shooting to reporters on Wednesday. The Dallas Morning News reports the video shows two armed men cornering a third man in a glass office at the dealership. As the men scuffle, gunshots ring out in quick succession. Garcia and Bernal had drawn their weapons and Hutchinson responded by pulling his own pistol, which he dropped, according to a statement from the city spokeswoman. The men fought as Hutchinson retrieved his weapon and began firing. The other two fired as well. All three received multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene, authorities say. No one else was struck by gunfire. We were all very relieved that none of our employees or customers were hurt, the dealerships owner Rick Ford told KDFW TV. We can replace the glass; we can replace the furniture. OREGON Man accuse of stealing ring from train victim A homeless man took the wedding ring off the finger of a man who died in last weeks knife attack aboard a Portland train, city police said Friday. George Tschaggeny was wearing Ricky Bests ring when officers arrested him Friday morning beneath an overpass, Sgt. Pete Simpson said. The 51-year-old man will be arraigned Monday on charges of theft, tampering with physical evidence and abuse of a corpse. He does not yet have a lawyer. Best, 53, was one of three men who were stabbed May 26 after confronting a passenger who went into a racist rant. Best died on the train and another victim died at a hospital. Amid the horror and chaos, Simpson said, Tschaggeny removed the ring from Bests finger and stole his backpack. He said surveillance video supports the charges. Officers recovered the backpack, but a camouflage wallet that contained phone numbers important to Bests family was missing. Simpson urged whoever has the wallet to return it. Jeremy Christian, 35, has been charged with aggravated murder in the deaths of Best and 23-year-old Taliesin Namkai-Meche. He has not entered a plea. Associated Press INDIANA Court: State cant use drug mix for execution An Indiana appeals court has ruled that the state cannot execute prisoners with a previously unused three-drug combination chosen by corrections officials. The Indianapolis Star reported that the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the state didnt follow proper procedures when it chose the drugs. The decision comes amid ongoing concerns about botched or painful executions blamed on new execution protocols in several states. In 2014, the Indiana Department of Corrections unilaterally chose a three-drug process of methohexital, potassium chloride and pancuronium bromide for lethal injections. The combination has not been used for a U.S. execution. Indiana death row inmate Roy Lee Ward sued the state the next year, arguing the department violated procedures in choosing the new drug. A LaPorte Circuit judge dismissed his claim. But the three-judge Court of Appeals on Thursday found the department violated Wards rights under the state and federal constitutions. Associated Press IOWA Court gives green light to wrongful birth suit The parents of a severely disabled child can sue doctors who failed to inform them about fetal abnormalities that, if revealed, would have prompted the mother to have an abortion, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday. The 6-to-1 ruling marks the first time that a personal injury claim for wrongful birth has been recognized in Iowa. The majority said the decision brings Iowa in line with a majority of states that have allowed such lawsuits through court decisions or laws. The case involves a southeastern Iowa boy born in 2010 with cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and several other impairments that require frequent doctors visits in Keokuk and Iowa City and make it unlikely hell ever walk or speak. The boys parents allege the mother was assured after an ultrasound during her 22nd week of pregnancy by her doctor that everything was fine with the fetus. They claim that, in reality, a radiologist had found that the fetus displayed head abnormalities and recommended follow-up. The parents filed a lawsuit in 2013 against the Fort Madison Community Hospital, a radiology clinic and other medical providers, seeking damages for past and future medical care, mental anguish and the loss of income after the mother had to quit her job to care for the boy. A judge dismissed the lawsuit, noting that wrongful birth had never been recognized in Iowa. Fridays decision orders a trial into whether the medical providers were negligent. Associated Press Third body found at Wis. corn mill: The body of a third worker was recovered Friday from the ruins of a corn mill that exploded in southern Wisconsin. The explosion occurred late Wednesday night at the Didion Milling Plant in Cambria, a rural village about 45 miles northeast of Madison. The blast leveled most of the plant. Sixteen people were inside the plant at the time of the explosion. Eleven were taken to hospitals. Associated Press SYRIA ISIS news agency chief reported dead in strike The founder of the Islamic States news agency was reported killed with his daughter in an airstrike last week in eastern Syria, opposition activists said Thursday. The militant group has not reported the death of Baraa Kadek, founder of the Amaq News Agency. Kadeks brother, Hozaifa, said on his Facebook page that Kadek died when a suspected airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State hit his home in the town of Mayadeen in Deir al-Zour province. A former colleague said that Kadek and his daughter and wife were wounded in an airstrike last Friday and that Kadek died of his wounds Wednesday. Mohammed Khaled, executive manager of Aleppo 24, an activist-operated media platform and a former friend of Kadeks, said the Amaq founders wife was in critical condition. Islamic State supporters and activist websites reported Wednesday that a prominent Islamic State cleric, Turki al-Binali, was also killed in an airstrike, but details were vague. There was no immediate comment from the coalition on the reported deaths. Associated Press FRANCE Charities accuse police of abusing migrants Two French charities accused police on Thursday of using excessive force against migrants and preventing aid groups from distributing meals in Calais, where about 400 people have returned following the dismantling of a camp last year. Regional police chief Fabien Sudry said security services had respected the law. Migrants fleeing poverty and war in the Middle East, Asia and Africa travel to Calais hoping to cross to Britain. Hundreds have been returning to the port city despite the dismantling late last year of the Jungle camp that had housed thousands of people. These last few days, in the mornings, security forces have been coming to remove the migrants, said Lucie Favry of the local aid association Utopia 56. They gas their sleeping bags to make them unusable, and they gas or put holes in water canteens. The association also said migrants had reported being beaten with truncheons or punched in the face. Francois Guennoc, a spokesman for local charity Auberge des Migrants, said police officers were also actively preventing volunteers from distributing food and water. Reuters ISRAEL Girl shot after attack on soldier, army says An Israeli soldier was injured Thursday in a stabbing attack by a 15-year-old Palestinian girl who was then shot and critically wounded by troops, the army and the girls father said. The attack took place near an Israeli settlement in the northern West Bank. Okab Infeat said his daughter Nouf had gone to school to pick up her eighth-grade report card and didnt return home. Infeat said that he was questioned by Israeli security forces for four hours and that his daughter did not suffer from social or psychological problems. The army said the soldier, who was moderately wounded, and the assailant were taken by ambulance to an Israeli hospital. Associated Press Venezuelan judge killed amid unrest: Gunmen shot dead a Venezuelan judge at a street barricade, the latest death in the anti-government unrest that has seen at least 61 people killed in the last two months, authorities said. Nelson Moncada, 37, was killed and stripped of his belongings as he tried to get away from the roadblock Wednesday in Caracass El Paraiso district, the state prosecutors office said. It was unclear why he was targeted. Arrests in Mexican journalists death: Three men have been arrested in connection with the April 14 killing of a journalist in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, authorities said. Investigators said the killing of Maximino Rodriguez was related to his work, but they did not give details. Rodriguez covered the police beat for local online portal Colectivo Pericu. He was shot inside his vehicle. State and federal authorities said the men were arrested along with six others on Tuesday. There was no mention of who ordered the killing or the specific motive. Turkey plans more walls: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country plans to build walls along its borders with Iraq and Iran, similar to the one being erected along the frontier with Syria. Erdogan said Turkey has so far completed the construction of a 403-mile stretch of the wall along the 566-mile border with Syria. From news services A Muslim boy prays on the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan at a mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters) CAMEROON Child suicide bombers kill 9 in refugee camp Two children carrying explosives blew themselves up in northern Cameroon on Friday near a camp housing civilians displaced by Nigerias Boko Haram militants, killing nine and wounding 30, officials said. They entered the town of Kolofata, about six miles from the Nigerian border, before dawn, posing as refugees looking for food. The death toll is 11, including the two suicide bombers, and 30 wounded, of which 10 are seriously wounded, Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in a state radio address, adding that both had detonated their explosives. Northern Cameroon has in recent years suffered from an overflow of violence linked to Nigerias Boko Haram Islamist insurgents. Nigerian refugees have flooded across the border, and local residents have been forced to flee their homes. Reuters IRELAND Varadkar becomes Irish leader-in-waiting Irelands governing Fine Gael party elected Leo Varadkar, the gay son of an Indian immigrant, as its new leader and the countrys likely next prime minister Friday. Varadkar defeated rival Simon Coveney in a contest to replace Enda Kenny, who resigned last month. Coveney won the votes of a majority of party members, but Varadkar was backed by most lawmakers and local representatives to give him victory under the center-right partys electoral college system. His confirmation as Taoiseach Irelands prime minister would come when the lower house of parliament resumes June 13, after a break. At 38 years old, Varadkar would be Irelands youngest prime minister, as well as the first from an ethnic-minority background and the first openly gay leader. Associated Press BRAZIL Tens of thousands flee floods, mudslides Heavy rains and mudslides have driven at least 70,000 people from their homes and killed 12 in two northeastern Brazilian states. The state of Pernambuco has declared a state of emergency in 31 cities. Its civil defense department says almost 46,000 people have fled their homes and have been sheltered in churches, schools, gymnasiums and other public buildings, if family are unable to take them in. About 24,000 people in 27 cities in the neighboring state of Alagoas have also had to leave their homes, officials said. Associated Press France says soldiers killed 20 Islamists in Mali: French soldiers killed about 20 Islamic combatants in northern Mali this week in an operation to defend Frances troops there, the Defense Ministry in Paris said Friday. A ministry statement said the army deployed warplanes and attack helicopters in the operation Tuesday. About 20 terrorists have been taken out and following searches the army has seized individual and collective weapons, it said. Terror warning halts German rock festival: Authorities have shut down a popular rock music festival in Germany because of a possible terrorist threat. The DPA news agency reported Friday that the Rock am Ring festival was cleared out on its opening night after Koblenz police said theyd received information of a concrete threat. Organizers posted on the festival website that due to a terrorist threat the police have advised us to interrupt the festival. Some 90,000 were expected at the annual three-day event outside the western town of Nurburg. Births in Japan fall to record low: The number of babies born in Japan fell below 1 million in 2016 for the first time since records began in the 19th century, underscoring the demographic challenges facing the nation with an aging and declining population. There were 976,979 babies born last year in Japan, the fewest since the government started tracking the data in 1899, according to Labor Ministry data released Friday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abes administration is aiming to lift the birthrate per woman to 1.8 from the 2016 level of 1.44. From news services Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) writes that his new memoir is the story of how, after spending a lifetime learning how to be funny, I learned how not to be funny. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) Christopher Buckley was a speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush. His latest book is The Relic Master, published in paperback by Simon and Schuster. This may be the only memoir by a sitting U.S. senator in which the author warns a colleague standing in front of him at a presidential inauguration that he might very well vomit the moment [the new president says] So help me God. It may also be the funniest memoir by a sitting standing, recumbent, squatting U.S. senator. Scratch that may. It surely is. Al Franken: Giant of the Senate is an only-in-America story of how a grandson of Belarussian immigrants grew up in the Midwest, went to Harvard and then on to a brilliant career in comedy, and then decided what the heck, and ran for the Senate and won. Just typing that mini-CV made me tired. Whatever you make of his politics, Franken tells a great story. He can (for the most part) make the nitty-gritty of politics and legislating good reading. His partisanship is fierce and occasionally strident, but he doesnt indulge in the smugness and condescension that are often characteristic of the muscular, progressive liberal. Republicans ought to read this book, if only on the principle of Know Thy Enemy. And make no mistake, Republicans: Franken is your enemy. But a mensch. "Al Franken, Giant of the Senate," by Al Franken (Twelve) Sen. Franken of Minnesota first came to fame in 1975 as a writer on the first season of Saturday Night Live, and he has been faming ever since. He has a particular genius for his book titles, among them Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot: And Other Observations and Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right. In the course of promoting Lies, he found himself being congratulated by people for, as it were, telling it like it is. This was new, he writes. Id always thought there was nothing better than hearing people laugh. But hearing people tell me they were not only entertained, but also energized to go out and take these guys on themselves, was thrilling. [Al Franken may be the perfect senator for the Trump era a deadly serious funnyman] His political hero was the late senator Paul Wellstone, a Minnesota Democrat who died in a plane crash in 2002. Frankens road-to-Damascus moment came in 2003 while reading a profile of Republican Sen. Norm Coleman in Roll Call. Coleman, who had been elected to the seat held by Wellstone, was quoted in the piece as saying, To be very blunt, and God watch over Pauls soul, I am a 99 percent improvement over Paul Wellstone. Im sorry, Franken writes, still fuming more than a decade later, but you dont say that about anyone who died within the last six months. And, my God, you dont say it about a guy who everyone agreed was a compassionate, tireless champion of the little guy, a loving husband and father, and a colleague whom every senator recognized for his passion and decency. Coleman later tried to tone down his remark, saying he meant that he was an improvement over Wellstone as far as the George W. Bush White House was concerned. But Franken wasnt buying it, and five years later, he served Coleman a cold plate of revenge by claiming his seat after a six-month recount, winning by 313 votes out of 2.9 million cast. Six years later, after taking the approach of a workhorse, not a showhorse, no recount was necessary. He killed. (Showbiz parlance alert.) Now to the funny part; or rather, the unfunny part: He tells us in the foreword that his book is the story of how, after spending a lifetime learning how to be funny, I learned how not to be funny. It wasnt easy, but he managed. More or less. Usually less. [Why Al Franken for president isnt as crazy as you might think] Fortunately for the reader, he fails as a writer at being not-funny. Bigly. This is a genuinely funny book, often hilarious, though Im suspicious when he tells us that he and Sen. Mitch McConnell, with whom he got off to a rocky start, are now the best of friends. Sometimes they go out to dinner, Franken writes, and Mitch will laugh so hard that milk shoots out his nose. Im having a hard time imagining milk shooting out McConnells nose, but I applaud it in principle. During his first campaign, Franken was a target-rich environment for Colemans oppo research squad. Imagine their delight when they came across a satirical piece hed done for Playboy (wait for it), in which I wrote about my visit to a citadel of higher learning, the Minnesota Institute of Titology. He titled it Porn-O-Rama, proving that, as of late 1999, I hadnt been planning a run for political office. He and his staff have devised something called The DeHumorizer. The staff deploys it when, for instance, Franken wants to write a constituent on her 110th birthday: Dear Ruth, You have a bright future. No, Senator. No, his aide advises. Or when he pens a birthday greeting to his friend Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, a World War II hero who lost his arm to a grenade: Dear Danny, I hope when Im your age, Im just like you healthy, with two good arms. Oh, wait! No, Senator! But this is (also) a serious book, by a serious (self-described) policy wonk. That makes for occasional slow-going, but as a comedy pro, Franken has a built-in zzzz-detector. The moment the readers head nods, he injects the nitrous, often in the form of a footnote. It was said of Edward Gibbon that he lived out his sex life in his footnotes. Frankens are a comic crawl across the bottom of the page: Sorry for making you dart your eyes to the bottom of the page. There are even meta-footnotes: This is the kind of footnote youre just not going to get in Condoleezza Rices memoir. He gets a seat on the choice Senate Judiciary Committee, but not on merit, he tells us: Then-Majority Leader Harry Reid had an empty seat that needed filling quickly. He also sits on the Indian Affairs Committee: In the Senate, anyone who wants to be on Indian Affairs gets on Indian Affairs. I found myself cheering him on when he drills (sorry) into the nerve of the president of the American Dental Association, whos come to aver that Indians already get plenty good-enough dental care. Franken leaves him moaning for 10 ccs of lidocaine, stat. American Indians receive less than half per capita what we spend on health care for the average American. And thats a disgrace, one that even the most satisfying takedown cant eliminate. But at least that day I got my Indian name from a Minnesota Ojibwe friend of mine: Yells at Dentist. Franken has made a number of Republican friends in the Senate, but he pretty much loathes all things Republican. I stipulate that it can be a challenge these days, trying to locate the inner Lincoln or Reagan in todays GOP, but is it really true that the politics of personal destruction began with Newt Gingrich? Franken could have titled his book Republican Scumbags: And the Scummy Scumbag Lobbies Who Pay Them to Destroy America. But hes a red-blooded American patriot whos done seven USO trips in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. He works his tail off for wounded vets, disadvantaged kids and Indians, and argues well on behalf of his causes, such as single-payer health care. Another possible title: Al Franken Is a Gosh-Darned Pinko and Other Sober Conclusions. But the Senate, and the country, would be the poorer without him. Hes an American original. Franken managed not to barf all over his Republican colleague on Inauguration Day, saving some upchuck for the books concluding pages: When Trump demanded an investigation into those three to five million fraudulent votes [allegedly cast for Hillary Clinton by illegal immigrants], it reminded me of O.J. Simpson, who, after being acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and Ron Goldman, vowed to spend the rest of his life finding the killer or killers. He tells us that he remains an optimist, but lets face it, This is going to suck for a while. I wouldnt be a bit surprised if the sequel to this memoir turns out to be: President Franken: It Could Happen Here, You Know. Really. In recapping four unanimous, or nearly so Supreme Court decisions, the May 31 editorial The court rises above politics suggested that those decisions did not necessarily address the most exciting or remarkable questions of law. But businesses of all sizes applauded the courts 8-to-1 decision in BNSF Railway Co. v. Tyrell, which again made clear to courts around the nation that the 14th Amendments due-process clause plainly limits the jurisdictions in which a corporate defendant can be sued to the ones where the plaintiff resides, where the plaintiff was injured, or where the defendant is incorporated or maintains its principal place of business. The plaintiffs lawyers brought this case against BNSF in Montana, where, not just coincidentally, the states high court is notorious for plaintiff-friendly rulings. Never mind that the client did not reside or claim to have been injured in Montana. And never mind that BNSF is neither incorporated in nor conducts much of its business there. Dragging corporate defendants across the country and forcing them to defend themselves in what my organization calls judicial hellholes is known as litigation tourism. Even though Justice Sonia Sotomayors dissent signals her tacit approval of such tactics, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgs majority opinion makes clear that our Constitution does not allow them. Thus, businesses hope the high courts majority will unequivocally reinforce that principle when it soon decides a comparable case from California in which out-of-state plaintiffs were allowed to sue out-of-state defendants for out-of-state injuries. Tiger Joyce, Washington The writer is president of the American Tort Reform Association. I admit: I laughed more than once. By the time I saw President Trumps half-written, abruptly abandoned tweet Despite the negative press covfefe on Wednesday morning, Central European Time, it had been up for several hours. The #covfefe hashtag was already trending; Twitter was heaving with jokes. My personal favorites were the mock serious Media elites make fun of #covfefe instead of trying to understand it and the simple its a cry for helfe. The thing somehow stopped being funny by the afternoon, though there was a moment of ironic drama when the presidents spokesman, Sean Spicer, tried to suggest that covfefe was not a typo: The president and a small group of people know exactly what he meant. Was that a joke, too? Unclear. All in all, it was a meaningless episode, though one that is important to mark and remember. For we are now living at a truly exceptional time in history: This is the golden age of parody. Has there ever been anything like it? Memes, jokes, GIFs and comic strips have never been so easy to make and send. Political and cultural figures have never been so easy to mock. Nobody is safe: Not the pope, not the queen, not long-dead writers and statesmen. Something about the nature of the Internet and of social media the ironic distance they create from reality, the rewards and likes they give to the best jokes makes this possible. Anyone can be resurrected and given a parody Twitter handle; anyone can be caricatured and made to offer mocking comments, via a white thought bubble, on current events. Any book or any idea can be parodied, too, and most of them have been. I would guess that most younger people are more likely to have seen parodies of Shakespeare plays than to have seen actual Shakespeare plays. Nobody has thought much yet about the potential psychological impact, positive or negative, of the 24-hour parody factory that now surrounds so much of everything else that we read. The political impact, on the other hand, is already with us. Parody candidates have long been a feature of politics the Official Monster Raving Loony Party is a beloved part of British political life, especially because its candidates reliably show up on election night in wacky costumes. But now some of the jokers are getting real votes. In Serbia, the third-place presidential candidate in April was a 25-year-old comedian who wore white suits and a topknot, called himself Beli (which means white in Serbian) and drove around the country shouting fake populist slogans into a megaphone. (If you want to live like counts, vote for Beli!) He also made parody videos, including one that mocked local folk-pop dance music and another in which he rode a white horse and gave out candy to children. His target was corrupt Serbian politics-as-usual, and he got 10 percent of the vote. At least Beli was clear that he was a parody, and clear about what he was mocking and why. The same cant be said of the Five Star Movement (M5S), the Italian joke party led by comedian Beppe Grillo. M5S says it is post-ideological, which sometimes seems to mean nothing except that it thrives in an Internet world of half-truths and untruths and jokes, though sometimes those have real-world effects. Among other things, the party pushes conspiracy theories: Thanks to its advocacy, fewer Italian children were vaccinated last year, and Italy had its worst measles epidemic in decades. The party still seems unclear where it stands on most issues, and it might wind up with the largest number of seats in the next Italian Parliament. There are other versions in other countries. Icelands Pirate Party hovers somewhere between parody and a serious argument for direct democracy. Kukiz 15, a party led by an aging Polish rock musician, attracts people from the very far right to the very far left to the very confused. Its hard to generalize about these parties some are clever and (beneath the surface) quite serious, while others seem dangerously vague, or even just dangerous. But they are all born of the same mood that produced the #covfefe controversy, and indeed the mood that produced President Trump. And this mood is spreading, though I cant tell you toward what end. The world of Internet parody makes fun of the pompous, laughs at frauds and taunts the corrupt. At the same time, it sneers at the sincere and well-meaning, and it positively mocks idealism and idealists of all kinds. It distracts from more important issues. It draws attention from things that matter. But maybe it keeps us sane as well. Read more from Anne Applebaums archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook. News and views from the International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS). The IALS provides contact between all who are interested in the study of Ladakh, a Himalayan region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The IALS also disseminates information about proposed and completed research and publications. For more details visit ladakhstudies.org A SURGE of hard-line Islamist sentiment has shaken Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation and a long-standing model of religious moderation and tolerance. Whether the countrys political leadership is able to steer a genuinely pluralist course through local and presidential elections over the next two years poses a critical test of whether the secular government in Jakarta will remain a bulwark against Islamic radicalism. Home to roughly 209 million Muslims, about 13 percent of the worlds total, plus influential Christian, Buddhist and Hindu minorities, the Southeast Asian country has staked a plausible claim to its national motto: Unity in diversity. That hard-won achievement is now at risk, as is the stability of the worlds fourth-most-populous nation. A particularly worrying episode was the recent conviction on blasphemy charges of Jakartas governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama a Christian and Indonesias most prominent ethnic Chinese politician of the past 20 years. His offense, as he campaigned last fall to retain his post, was to warn Muslim voters not to be fooled by Islamist voices who were citing a Koranic verse suggesting a prohibition against voting for Christian or other non-Muslim candidates. Mr. Purnama, a no-nonsense anti-corruption campaigner, was a clear electoral front-runner until then, but his remark triggered a backlash, including violent demonstrations led by extremist Islamist groups demanding he be prosecuted. Concerningly, a number of establishment politicians sought to appease the extremists. In a runoff election, Mr. Purnama was ousted in April as governor of Jakarta, a city of 10 million. That opened the door to Mr. Purnamas conviction last month and his sentence to two years in prison, which is a travesty. A U.N. group of experts has appealed to Indonesian authorities to release Mr. Purnama, but that looks unlikely. Now, some Islamist hard-liners, emboldened by their victory, are starting a push to impose sharia law nationwide, hoping for further gains in dozens of local and provincial elections next year, and even plotting strategy to capture the presidency in 2019. If successful, that would mark a sweeping reversal of Indonesias relatively easygoing pluralist democracy, in which millions of Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and others, who enjoy equal status with Muslims in Indonesias constitution, have felt comfortable amid the Islamic majority. Race, religion and ethnicity are now wielded as cudgels by opportunistic Islamist hard-liners hoping to capitalize on a sluggish economy, widespread corruption and popular resentment of ethnic Chinese tycoons regarded as cozy with the nations governing elite. Its a fragile political moment, made more volatile by fake news designed to exacerbate working-class Muslim resentments and by mainstream politicians who have been willing to coddle extremists in a misguided attempt to co-opt them. The countrys long-standing communal and religious fault lines threaten to become open divisions, and many ethnic Chinese are particularly worried. It will take inclusive leadership by the incumbent president, Joko Widodo, and other moderates for Indonesia to steer away from bitter sectarianism. So what if, in his speech last week to NATO, President Trump didnt explicitly reaffirm the provision that an attack on one is an attack on all? Whats the big deal? Didnt he affirm a general commitment to NATO during his visit? Hadnt he earlier sent his vice president and secretaries of state and defense to pledge allegiance to Article 5? And anyway, who believes that the United States would really go to war with Russia and risk nuclear annihilation over Estonia? Ah, but thats precisely the point. It is because deterrence is so delicate, so problematic, so literally unbelievable that it is not to be trifled with. And why for an American president to gratuitously undermine what little credibility deterrence already has, by ostentatiously refusing to recommit to Article 5, is so shocking. Deterrence is inherently a barely believable bluff. Even at the height of the Cold War, when highly resolute presidents, such as Eisenhower and Kennedy, threatened Russia with massive retaliation (i.e., all-out nuclear war), would we really have sacrificed New York for Berlin? (Meg Kelly/The Washington Post) No one knew for sure. Not Eisenhower, not Kennedy, not Khrushchev, not anyone. Yet that very uncertainty was enough to stay the hand of any aggressor and keep the peace of the world for 70 years, the longest period without war between the Great Powers in modern history. Deterrence does not depend on 100 percent certainty that the other guy will go to war if you cross a red line. Given the stakes, merely a chance of that happening can be enough. For 70 years, it was enough. Leaders therefore do everything they can to bolster it. Install tripwires, for example. During the Cold War, we stationed troops in Germany to face the massive tank armies of Soviet Russia. Today we have 28,000 troops in South Korea, 12,000 near the demilitarized zone. Why? Not to repel invasion. They couldnt. Theyre not strong enough. To put it very coldly, theyre there to die. Theyre a deliberate message to the enemy that if you invade our ally, you will have to kill a lot of Americans first. Which will galvanize us into full-scale war against you. Tripwires are risky, dangerous and cynical. Yet we resort to them because parchment promises are problematic and tripwires imply automaticity. We do what we can to strengthen deterrence. Rhetorically as well. Which is why presidents from Truman on have regularly and powerfully reaffirmed our deterrent pledge to NATO. Until Trump. His omission was all the more damaging because of his personal history. This is a man chronically disdainful of NATO. He campaigned on its obsolescence. His inaugural address denounced American allies as cunning parasites living off American wealth and generosity. One of Trumps top outside advisers, Newt Gingrich, says that Estonia is in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, as if Russian designs on the Baltic states are not at all unreasonable. Moreover, Trump devoted much of his Brussels speech, the highlight of his first presidential trip to NATO, to berating the allies for not paying their fair share. Nothing particularly wrong with that, or new half a century ago Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield was so offended by NATO free riding that he called for major reductions of U.S. troops in Europe. Thats an American perennial. But if youre going to berate, at least reassure as well. Especially given rising Russian threats and aggression. Especially given that Trumps speech was teed up precisely for such reassurance. An administration official had spread the word that he would use the speech to endorse Article 5. And it was delivered at a ceremony honoring the first and only invocation of Article 5 ironically enough, by the allies in support of America after 9/11. And yet Trump deliberately, defiantly refused to simply say it: America will always honor its commitment under Article 5 . Its not that, had Trump said the magic words, everyone would have 100 percent confidence we would strike back if Russia were to infiltrate little green men into Estonia, as it did in Crimea. But Trumps refusal to utter those words does lower whatever probability Vladimir Putin might attach to America responding with any seriousness to Russian aggression against a NATO ally. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday (without mentioning his name) that after Trumps visit it is clear that Europe can no longer rely on others. Its not that yesterday Europe could fully rely and today it cannot rely at all. Its simply that the American deterrent has been weakened. And deterrence weakened is an invitation to instability, miscalculation, provocation and worse. And for what? Read more from Charles Krauthammers archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. When Russian officials and analysts here talk about the U.S. investigation of their alleged hacking of the 2016 campaign, two themes predominate: Theyre flattered that their country is seen as such a powerful threat, and theyre amazed that the United States is so preoccupied with the scandal. This is the official line, to be sure, but it was also expressed by several critics of the regime I interviewed this week. People cant quite believe the sudden reversal of fortunes: Russia is back as a global force, after decades of humiliation. And the United States, so long the dominant superpower, is now divided, disoriented and, to Russian eyes, in retreat. For the Kremlin version, heres how Sergey Karaganov, the head of Russias Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, describes his reaction to the investigation: Its a mixture of disgust and sympathy. Disgust because 99 percent of that is lies or a concoction, maybe 100 percent. As for sympathy, its a desperate picture when a great democracy is killing itself, committing collective suicide. Theres an undisguised tone of schadenfreude here, even as officials talk about U.S. overreaction. I would have been proud and happy if the authorities of my country would have used some hackers to penetrate [your system], and showed that youre living in a crystal palace and should not interfere in the affairs of others, said Karaganov, whos an informal Kremlin adviser in addition to running the think tank. Russian President Vladimir Putin wins either way, argues Andrei Kolesnikov, an independent analyst whos a senior associate with the Carnegie Moscow Center. If we did meddle in your elections, we show our might. If we didnt, were pure. A similar assessment of the win-win dynamic for Putin comes from Andrei Soldatov, one of Moscows best investigative reporters and the author of many exposes about Russian intelligence. What did Russia get [from the hacking] in terms of foreign policy? Almost nothing, except that Russia looks powerful, he told me. Thats why Putin is so popular. He gives people an identity: Once again, were a superpower. What surprises Russians is how quickly the U.S.-led order has been coming apart since the election of Donald Trump. Russian officials loathed Hillary Clinton and favored Trump. But its unlikely that, even in the darkest corridors of the Kremlin, Putins advisers imagined that President Trump would be so disruptive, or the reaction to him so volatile. Russians have grown up being intimidated by the United States; they didnt imagine it was so fragile. We think Washington has gone crazy, said Andranik Migranyan, a former Russian government official who has taught politics in the United States. The American story was always one of self-sufficiency. Now, we see a sense of vulnerability. He sees Trumps election as a paradigm shift for an America that was much more polarized and overstretched than the elites realized. Now, in his view, its payback time. You might expect that Russians would feel embarrassed by the charge that they tried to subvert U.S. and European campaigns, but its the opposite. Migranyan explained: You are assuring us that Putin is all-powerful, that he can do anything he wants fix elections, change Europe, do anything. The official media here are sardonic about each days revelations in the U.S. media and Congress. When Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said this week that Russia was more dangerous than the Islamic State, a Russian news site responded: Somebody give this gentleman a sedative. When a story broke about White House adviser Jared Kushners problems, the same site headlined: Once again, those Russians! Basically, they think its funny. Trump is a familiar sort of political figure to Russians big, affable, boorish, a bit like Boris Yeltsin. I wouldnt love him to run in Russia, Karaganov said of Trump, but if your system couldnt provide better, why not? He described Trump as unbelievably brave in challenging U.S. political orthodoxy, including his calls for better relations with Russia. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) Trumps chief virtue for the Kremlin is that he turned back Clinton, who embodied the aggressive, pro-democracy, interventionist policies that Russia viewed as a mortal threat. We saw them as absolutely 100 percent dangerous, Karaganov said. My advice to the government if she wins was: Put your nuclear forces on alert, so they would know. Putin is hosting a celebration of Russias new power this week, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a Davos-like gathering. Its not a victory parade, but it might as well be. For Putin and his allies, Americas vaunted liberal international order is dissolving. That order we did not like, and we are doing away with it, Karaganov said. Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. The May 28 editorial More meddling said that the White House has joined Congress in trying to block the Districts Death with Dignity law. President Trumps proposed budget would unconstitutionally forbid implementation of that law in the 2018 fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. The Constitution established federal legislative power over a future federal district as well as future federal installations outside the District of Columbia, such as Fort Bragg, N.C., to safeguard legitimate federal government interests there. The Bill of Rights immediately limited those powers in order to block tyranny. Even before statehood and even without D.C. voting rights in Congress, it is high time to recognize that Americans living in the District count as the people under the 10th Amendment, which says: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. Power to allow, forbid or regulate physician-assisted suicide was never delegated to the federal government. Mr. Trump should heed President William Henry Harrisons wise words: The people of the District of Columbia are not the subjects of the people of the States, but free American citizens. David Jonas Bardin, Washington John Sarbanes, a Democrat, represents Marylands 3rd Congressional District in the House. Last November, Howard County voted to fight back against big-money politics and return power to the people. The passage of Question A cleared the way for the enactment of a bold new system of citizen-owned elections. Now its time for the Howard County Council to bring this game-changing reform across the finish line. On Monday, the County Council will vote on a measure to officially launch Howard Countys citizen-owned election system. The new program which has been endorsed by Maryland PIRG, Common Cause Maryland, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, the NAACP and the Howard County League of Women Voters will enable candidates for County Council and county executive to power their campaigns with grass-roots support and small donations. The councils proposal is straightforward. If a candidate for local office in Howard County forgoes large donations from political action committees, wealthy special interests and corporations and instead builds a fundraising network of small donations from local residents, then those contributions would be matched from the citizen-owned election fund. Connecting to the grass roots will allow council members and county executives to better channel the will of the people and advance policies that put the publics interests not special interests first. This kind of system would also give everyday voters a greater voice in government and encourage more people to become engaged in the political process. In addition, because access to deep-pocketed donors would no longer be a primary qualification for public office, Howard Countys citizen-owned election system would empower a more diverse group of citizens to step forward, run for office and serve their communities. This would bring an infusion of new energy and ideas into government and make it more representative of the people of Howard County. The benefits of citizen-owned elections dont stop at the countys border. Similar to Montgomery Countys clean-elections system, Howard Countys proposal has a chance to become a model for the rest of the nation, inspiring cities, counties and states to pursue reform. And if we can bring clean elections to more jurisdictions across the United States, then we can build momentum for federal reform, too. In Congress, I wrote and introduced the Government by the People Act (H.R. 20), a bipartisan bill with more than 150 co-sponsors and backed by more than 50 national membership organizations. H.R. 20 would help reduce the power of wealthy special interests in Washington and return power to the American people, where it belongs, by implementing a citizen-owned election system similar to the proposal in Howard County. In todays political climate, the Government by the People Act faces several hurdles. But having examples to showcase, including the system being developed in Howard County, would send a powerful message to members of Congress that citizen-owned elections are a viable and potent antidote to the ills of big-money politics. Across the country, Americans of all political stripes have vented their frustration with the corrosive nature of big money in politics and with the undue influence that wealthy and well-connected donors have over our government. Howard County has an opportunity to lead the charge for citizen-owned elections and become a model for state and local jurisdictions around the country that want a return to government of, by and for the people. Evan Thomas is the author of Robert Kennedy: His Life. It was one of the strangest episodes in the history of American politics. After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, sought to become the Democrats candidate for vice president in the 1964 election. Bobbys quest made little sense. Yes, he would be carrying the family torch. But the man at the top of the ticket, President Lyndon Johnson, had little incentive to accept RFK as his running mate. While the Kennedy name might have brought some luster to LBJs election campaign, Bobby Kennedy was unpopular in some quarters, particularly among white voters down South, where RFK was viewed as a pro-civil-rights hothead. [Joe Scarborough looks at the metamorphosis of the ruthless Bobby Kennedy ] Whats more, the two men loathed each other. Kennedy privately called the president mean, bitter, vicious an animal in many ways, and he made little effort to disguise his contempt around inquiring reporters. LBJ could see that Bobby hated him as a usurper of his brothers crown. When this fella looks at me, he looks at me like hes gonna look a hole through me, like Im a spy or something, Johnson exclaimed. Kennedy knew that if he actually succeeded in becoming vice president, hed be relegated to a powerless purgatory, just as LBJ had been under JFK. Robert F. Kennedy hated Lyndon Johnson but still sought a spot as his vice president on the 1964 ticket. (Vince McNamee/The Washington Post) Still, during the winter and spring of 1964, RFK maneuvered to force Johnsons hand. He dispatched his most devious operative, Paul Corbin, to lean on political bosses in the northern states, then tried to cover up his own role. LBJ was compelled to formally reject Kennedys bid in a private meeting in the Oval Office (typically, the president then proceeded to brief friendly reporters, pantomiming RFKs physical discomfort). Briefly, Kennedy considered fomenting a pro-RFK stampede at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City. What motivated this quixotic effort? In his new book, The Revolution of Robert Kennedy, John R. Bohrer, a TV news producer and journalist, suggests that the answer can be found in a forward that RFK wrote in December 1963 for a memorial edition of JFKs Profiles in Courage. Bobby quoted one of his brothers favorite authors, Lord Tweedsmuir, to the effect that politics is an honorable profession and went on to praise politicians who had the courage to lead a revolution in the cause of freedom and human dignity. These are worthy sentiments, and, in a general sense, they do describe Robert Kennedys personal odyssey after his brothers death. But they do not describe Kennedys tortured inner life or explain the sheer perversity of his attempt to compel LBJ to accept him as his running mate. Bohrers book, which covers the period of RFKs life from November 1963 to June 1966, is tightly packed with detail, much of it fascinating and even moving. It will satisfy the Kennedy true believers and interest students of politics. Bohrer is a diligent researcher and a brisk writer. But he fails to include some of the more revealing details that might help shed light on why RFK was half out of his mind in the months following JFKs assassination. [Letter: What my father, Robert F. Kennedy, stood for] His grief was tinged with guilt. As attorney general in the Kennedy administration, RFK had functioned as his brothers henchman as well as his keeper. On the afternoon when the president was killed, Bobby started making phone calls to find out if there was a plot behind the assassination. He directly asked the director of the CIA, John McCone, if the agency had had something to do with JFKs death. He called into a CIA safe house in downtown Washington to speak with a Cuban exile plotting against Fidel Castro to see whether he knew anything. He called a lawyer in Chicago who had contacts in the mafia. For months (if not years), Kennedy was haunted by the fear that the aggressive tactics he had waged against the mob and Castro had somehow grotesquely backfired. Kennedy was driven by more than a desire to do good in the world. He was courageous, especially when he confronted the casual bigotry of voters at campaign appearances, and he seemed to be catching the wave of the revolutionary 1960s that might have launched him into the White House, had he not been assassinated himself in 1968. But Kennedy was a deeply complex man, with a dark side and an anger that earned him the nickname, not unfairly, Ruthless Robert. There have been endless debates at the time and ever since about the real RFK: the Good Bobby or the Bad Bobby of the old Jules Feiffer cartoons. It is impossible to know which side would have emerged had he survived and been elected president (no sure bet, by any means Kennedy was too hot, too confrontational for many voters). Kennedys love and compassion, while deep and real, were laced with vengeance and anger. Indeed, it is hard not to sympathize with his nemesis, Johnson. Bohrer oddly neglects to include in his account of RFKs speech at the 1964 Democratic convention this bit of poetry, about Bobbys fallen brother but also, meanly and a little sneakily, about LBJ. Quoting from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet (Jackie Kennedy had shown him the passage), RFK declared, When he shall die/ Take him and cut him out in little stars,/ And he shall make the face of heaven so fine/ That all the world will be in love with night/ And pay no worship to the garish sun. The reference to the garish sun was obvious to everyone, especially Johnson. Kennedy went on to become the tribune of a fairer future. But he never let go of his shadowy past. Dina Temple-Raston, NPRs counter-terrorism and intelligence correspondent, is on leave working on a project that explores how adolescents make decisions. She has written four books. Theres been a story in my family for years that flirts with the paranormal. It dates back to the early 1960s, before I was born. My father was driving along a highway near Los Angeles, and the road, as he describes it, was ramrod straight for miles before it took a sharp and unexpected left turn. My father recounts that just as he applied the brakes and downshifted into the bend, the car suddenly filled with the unmistakable scent of his mothers perfume. By the time he completed the turn, the smell was gone. When he mentioned the episode to my aunt months later, the color drained from her face. She asked my father to describe precisely where he had been and then declared that it was the exact spot where my grandmother had died in a car accident years before. I was a child when my father told the story, and it was my first brush with what might be called some sort of extrasensory perception. Was my departed grandmother sending a small message, or was this unusual turn in the road simply sparking a repressed memory of a story told long ago? I wouldnt say that I embraced my fathers version of events exactly, but clearly it made an impression, as I remember it all these years later. "Phenomena: The Secret History of the U.S. Government's Investigations into Extrasensory Perception and Psychokinesis," by Annie Jacobsen (Little, Brown) Those are the kinds of slightly unsettling stories that drive the narrative in Annie Jacobsens new book, Phenomena: The Secret History of the U.S. Governments Investigations Into Extrasensory Perception and Psychokinesis. Its an entertaining narrative about the U.S. governments forays into psychic phenomena that, in Jacobsens telling, seem only slightly more scientific than my fathers experience in Los Angeles. There are two kinds of people who read books like this: the ones who already believe and are looking for affirmation, and those in my camp, skeptics looking (and failing) to find proof. [The secretive government agency where anything imagined can be tried] The usual suspects of the paranormal all make cameo appearances in the book: from ESP and clairvoyance to out-of-body experiences, telepathy and spoon bending. The difference is that this time, the suspects are sometimes in uniform. Jacobsen begins with a man named Andrija Puharich, who, after going to medical school, persuaded a roster of rich people from Astors to du Ponts to fund his experiments in extrasensory perception. They established a research laboratory in Maine called the Round Table Foundation, where Puharich promised to prove once and for all that we all possess an untapped potential beyond our five senses. As fate would have it, Camden, Maine, was (and still is) a favored retreat not just for East Coast aristocracy but for the intelligence community as well, and it was there that Puharich began his on-again, off-again relationship with the U.S. government. At parties in seaside mansions, Puharich met key leaders in the military who ended up funding his experiments. He was asked, among other things, to investigate ESP and see whether it could be used as a means of long-distance communication in submarines, and to explore the potential for psychic healing on the battlefield. U.S. government military efforts to explore psychic phenomena remained mostly out of the public eye until December 1959, Jacobsen writes, when an article about a secret government ESP program appeared in a French magazine called Constellation. . . . [The article] reported that ESP tests had been conducted aboard the worlds first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, the year before. The French journalist reported that a sailor aboard the Nautilus had been isolated inside a cabin under the sea and had been asked to connect with a technician on the East Coast of the United States. The civilian scientist helping with the experiments told the magazine that about 75% of the telepathic tries are said to have been successful (a contention the Navy later denied officials said the story was a hoax). Even so, the Soviets and the Chinese took notice, and an undeclared ESP war began. For skeptics, Jacobsens meticulous reporting on the governments experiments into the paranormal wont prove to be very satisfying. She describes how psychics were tested by believers, who ended up giving new meaning to the idea of confirmation bias. (The contention was that nonbelievers would skew results with their negative energy.) Time and again, experiments were presented to military and intelligence officials as earth-shattering, but without peer review or meaningful attempts to re-create the supposed breakthroughs, they tended to disappear into the ether. [The bizarre ESP experiments conducted on aboriginal children without parental consent] Among the characters with whom Puharich became obsessed was an Israeli named Uri Geller. For readers who watched variety shows in the 1970s, you may remember Geller as the guy who bent spoons on camera with his mind. He would do so by placing two fingers near his neck, concentrating hard and saying, Bend, bend, bend. He asked the viewing audience to try it for themselves at home. His party trick went to the next level when he was giving a telepathy demonstration in a theater in Tel Aviv and said he needed to sit down. He claimed he was woozy because a historical event was about to happen or had just occurred. Geller claimed that Gamal Abdel Nasser, the president of Egypt Israels sworn enemy at the time, had just died or is about to die. Twenty minutes had passed when someone ran into the room shouting, Jacobsen writes. Radio Cairo had just announced that Present Nasser was dead. At 6:00 that evening, he had suffered a heart attack and died. With this news, Uri Gellers reputation skyrocketed. Not long after, Puharich arrived in Israel and asked Geller to come to his lab for testing. Phenomena is about the U.S. governments efforts to understand people like Geller Jacobsen makes clear that some were sympathetic figures and others were clearly charlatans. For much of the book, Jacobsen seems firmly ensconced in the skeptics camp, but in the final chapters she seems to succumb to her own evidence. One of her most convincing examples involves a clandestine unit in Army intelligence known as Detachment G, or Det G. Weary of having to decide whether the people who claimed to have special mental powers were taking officials for a ride, the Army dipped into its own ranks to find soldiers who appeared to have some extrasensory gifts. In September 1979, after satellite images suggested increased activity inside a massive building at Severodvinsk Naval Base in Russia, about 650 miles north of Moscow near the Arctic Circle, the National Security Council called upon these psychic soldiers. The council wanted Det G to use its remote viewing powers to figure out what was inside the building. The military turned to a man named Joe McMoneagle. He was asked to concentrate on a photograph concealed in an envelope, and he immediately described seeing a building near a shoreline. He said that it smelled like gas and that there was some kind of vessel inside. Im seeing fins, he said, but theyre not rocket fins or [air]plane fins. Theyre . . . they look like shark fins. Four months later, Jacobsen writes, new satellite images made clear to the CIA that the Soviets had covertly constructed a prototype for an entirely new generation of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The Soviets called this clandestine effort Project 941, codename . . . Shark in Russian. The Shark submarine would become known in the West by its NATO reporting name Typhoon. Most everything involved in the experiment is classified, so we dont know exactly how McMoneagle came up with this description. Its unclear whether a sympathetic Det G official had slipped something to McMoneagle that allowed him to make a lucky, educated guess. What we do know is that the Typhoon submarine viewing became fraught with meaning just like my fathers perfume-infused event in Los Angeles. Jacobsen never comes up with a dollar figure on how much the government has spent on its paranormal programs; after reading her book, given my skepticism, I couldnt help thinking that it was too much. Many would like to believe that there may be something in the mists, but neither science nor Jacobsen has confirmed it. An injured demonstrator is carried away by a fellow activist during clashes with riot police in Caracas, Venezuela. (Luis Robayo/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images) Nikki Haley is the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The president of Venezuela, whose government shoots protesters in the street, recently thanked the international community for its universal vote of confidence in that countrys commitment to human rights. The Cuban deputy foreign minister, whose government imprisons thousands of political opponents, once said Cuba has historic prestige in the promotion and protection of all human rights. How can these people get away with saying such things? Because they have been elected to the U.N. Human Rights Council, whose members are on paper charged with upholding the highest standards of human rights. Last month, a U.S. Senate subcommittee met to consider whether the United States should remain a part of the council. Expert witnesses shared their viewpoints, not on the question of whether America supports human rights of course we do, and very strongly. The question was whether the Human Rights Council actually supports human rights or is merely a showcase for dictatorships that use their membership to whitewash brutality. When the council focuses on human rights instead of politics, it advances important causes. In North Korea, its attention has led to action on human rights abuses. In Syria, it has established a commission on the atrocities of Bashar al-Assads regime. All too often, however, the victims of the worlds most egregious human rights violations are ignored by the very organization that is supposed to protect them. Venezuela is a member of the council despite the systematic destruction of civil society by the government of Nicolas Maduro through arbitrary detention, torture and blatant violations of freedom of the press and expression. Mothers are forced to dig through trash cans to feed their children. This is a crisis that has been 18 years in the making. And yet, not once has the Human Rights Council seen fit to condemn Venezuela. Cubas government strictly controls the media and severely restricts the Cuban peoples access to the Internet. Thousands are arbitrarily detained each year, with some political prisoners serving long sentences. Yet Cuba has never been condemned by the council; it, too, is a member. In 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine and took over Crimea. This illegal occupation resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and injuries, as well as arbitrary detentions. No special meeting of the Human Rights Council was called, and the abuses continue to mount. The council has been given a great responsibility. It has been charged with using the moral power of universal human rights to be the worlds advocate for the most vulnerable among us. The United Nations must reclaim the legitimacy of this organization. For all of us, this is an urgent task. Human rights are central to the mission of the United Nations. Not only are they the right thing to promote, they are also the smart thing to promote. In April, I dedicated the U.S. presidency of the U.N. Security Council to making the connection between human rights and peace and security. Next week, I will travel to Geneva to address the Human Rights Council about the United States concerns. I will outline changes that must be made. Among other things, membership on the council must be determined through competitive voting to keep the worst human rights abusers from obtaining seats. As it stands, regional blocs nominate candidates that are uncontested. Competition would force a candidates human rights record to be considered before votes were cast. The council must also end its practice of wrongly singling out Israel for criticism. When the council passes more than 70 resolutions against Israel, a country with a strong human rights record, and just seven resolutions against Iran, a country with an abysmal human rights record, you know something is seriously wrong. The presence of multiple human rights-violating countries on the Human Rights Council has damaged both the reputation of the council and the cause of human rights. When the worlds preeminent human rights body is turned into a haven for dictators, the idea of international cooperation in support of human dignity is discredited. Cynicism grows. There is already more than enough cynicism to go around these days. I believe the vision of the Human Rights Council is still achievable, but not without change. It is the responsibility of the United Nations to reclaim this vision and to restore the legitimacy of universal human rights. We now have a Trump Doctrine, and it is, at least in its conception and initial execution, the most radical departure from a bipartisan U.S. foreign policy since 1945. In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn and national security adviser H.R. McMaster say that President Trump has a clear-eyed outlook that the world is not a global community but an arena where nations, nongovernmental actors and businesses engage and compete for advantage. The senior officials add: Rather than deny this elemental nature of international affairs, we embrace it. That embrace has now led the United States to withdraw from the Paris accord on climate change, signed by 194 other parties. The elemental aspect of international relations has existed for millennia. The history of the human race is one of competition and conflict. U.S. foreign policy has amply reflected this feature. The United States has the worlds largest military and intelligence apparatus, troops and bases in dozens of countries around the world, and ongoing military interventions on several continents. This is not the picture of a nation unaware of political and military competition. But in 1945, the world did change. In the wake of two of the deadliest wars in human history, with tens of millions killed and much of Europe and Asia physically devastated, the United States tried to build a new international system. It created institutions, rules and norms that would encourage countries to solve their differences peaceably through negotiations rather than war. It forged a system in which trade and commerce would expand the world economy so that a rising tide could lift all boats. It set up mechanisms to manage global problems that no one country could solve. And it emphasized basic human rights so that there were stronger moral and legal prohibitions against dehumanizing policies such as those that led to the Holocaust. It didnt work perfectly. The Soviet Union and its allies rejected many of these ideas from the start. Many developing nations adopted only some parts of the system. But Western Europe, Canada and the United States did, in fact, become an amazing zone of peace and economic, political and military cooperation. Certainly there was competition among nations, but it was managed peacefully and always with the aim of greater growth, more freedom and improved human rights. The West that emerged is, in historical terms, a miracle. Europe, which had torn itself apart for hundreds of years because of the elemental nature of international competition, was now competing only to create better jobs and more growth, not to annex countries and subjugate populations. (Daron Taylor/The Washington Post) This zone of peace grew over the years, first encompassing Japan and South Korea, and later a few countries in Latin America. It was always in competition and conflict with the Soviet bloc, in traditional geopolitical ways. Then in 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed and large parts of the world gravitated toward this open international order. At the heart of the system was the United States, which had tried to create such an enterprise after World War I but failed. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, learning from those mistakes, advanced a new set of ideas as World War II was drawing to a close. This time, it worked. Since then, every president of either party has recognized that the United States has created something unique that is a break from centuries of elemental international conflict. In the past two-and-a-half decades, it has tried to help incorporate hundreds of millions of people, from Mexico to Ukraine, who want to be part of this liberal meaning free international order. From the start of his political career, Trump has seemed unaware of this history and ignorant of these accomplishments. He has consistently been dismissive of the United States closest political, economic and moral allies. He speaks admiringly of strongmen such as Russias Vladimir Putin, Chinas Xi Jinping, Egypts Abdel Fatah al-Sissi and the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte but critically of almost every democratic leader of Europe. The consequences of Trumps stance and his actions are difficult to foresee. They might result in the slow erosion of the liberal international order. They might mean the rise of a new, not-so-liberal order, championed by China and India, both of them mercantilist and nationalist countries. But they could also result, in the long run, in the strengthening of this order, perhaps by the reemergence of Europe. Trump has brought the continents countries together in a way that even Putin could not. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Europe must look out for itself and, as if to underscore that fact, the same week welcomed the prime minister of India and the premier of China. French President Emmanuel Macron upheld Western interests and values face to face with Putin, in just the way an American president would have done in the past. Trump might not cause the end of the Western world, but he could end the United States role at its center. Read more from Fareed Zakarias archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. With his backward policies and his tiresome antics, President Trump seems to be trying his best to do something that ought to be impossible: make the U.S. presidency irrelevant to world progress. Climate change offers one example. Trump tried hard to build suspense for Thursdays announcement about whether he would honor or trash the landmark Paris accord; doubtless hed rather have attention focused on greenhouse gases than on the snowballing Russia investigations. At this point, however, I have to wonder what difference the decision to leave the agreement actually makes. Trumps pro-coal program of deregulation a quixotic attempt to revive an industry being strangled by global market forces, not politicians and his boosterish advocacy of oil and gas mean the United States has little chance of meeting its Paris emissions targets anyway. The real-world impact of Trumps choice is more diplomatic than environmental. More important are his domestic policies. And even if Trump succeeds in weakening federal fuel-economy standards, automakers will be unable to ignore Californias tougher requirements, which are also imposed by about a dozen other states making up more than one-third of the U.S. vehicle market. The administration can seek to override the California standards, but such a move would lead to a lengthy court battle. George W. Bush filed such a challenge in 2007, but California sued, and the case was still pending when Barack Obama took office in 2009 and abandoned it. The only other nations that have rejected the Paris pact are Syria and Nicaragua not the kind of company the United States usually keeps. The rest of the world is going about the business of making big investments in clean-energy technology. The next breakthrough in solar power is likely to be made in China or Germany, not here. (Adriana Usero,Malcolm Cook/The Washington Post) Energy policy is just one area where Trump is encouraging the rest of the world to go on without us. Much more urgently, Trump has called into question the U.S. commitment to the transatlantic alliance, which for seven decades has been the worlds most important guarantor of peace and engine of prosperity. Following Trumps first overseas trip as president, which included NATO and Group of Seven summit meetings, German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Europe really must take our fate into our own hands. She said the time when the continent could rely on others, meaning the United States, was over to a certain extent. Merkel is a cautious politician who carefully measures her words. There have been many times over the years when Europe and the United States were not on the same page, but this moment feels different. Trump has raised doubts about the relationship in a way none of his predecessors did even at moments of sharp disagreement. Trump scolded European leaders for not spending more on defense, saying that they have failed to meet their financial obligations and that the status quo is not fair to the people and taxpayers of the United States. He failed to offer an unconditional guarantee of European security. In private talks, he harshly complained about Germanys trade surplus with the United States. Britains Brexit vote and Trumps America first rhetoric appear to have ironically brought the continental members of the European Union closer together. Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the other nations in the bloc have the wherewithal to provide for their own defense and surely will do so if they dont believe they can rely on the United States. Someone tell me how this would make the world safer. Part of the problem is that the Europeans see Trump as going out of his way to forge a friendlier and more cooperative relationship with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, whom E.U. members such as Poland and the Baltic states rightly consider a threat. Trump got a warmer welcome, and did less to give offense, during the Middle East leg of the trip. The speech in which he sought to address the Muslim world could have been better but also could have been worse, given his previous antipathy toward the 1.6 billion followers of Islam. But Trump has given responsibility for forging peace between Israelis and Palestinians to a total amateur, his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The president declines to adopt the customary U.S. stance in favor of democracy and human rights, instead offering autocratic leaders such as Saudi Arabias King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Egypts Abdel Fatah al-Sissi his uncritical embrace. Such realpolitik has come back to haunt the United States in the past, and it will again. Trump is abdicating all moral power. The world has no choice but to move on. 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. In the churning, murky pond water of Kremlin-gate, a few things are increasingly clear: First, the Russian-influence scandal is consuming President Trump, and this is likely to get worse as the special counsels investigation moves forward. Associates describe the president as obsessed by coverage of the scandal an impression reinforced by tweets that seem to emerge involuntarily, like myoclonic jerks. President Trump possesses nothing of Bill Clintons talent for compartmentalization the ability to prevent flooding in one area from sinking the whole ship. Trump reflects the design work of the Titanic. Breach one compartment and the rest flood as well. Second, along with the president, Trumps administration is being consumed. Aides who entered government for at least partially noble reasons are now requiring criminal defense attorneys. This creates both tension and isolation, because it is a bad idea to discuss with fellow staffers anything remotely related to an ongoing criminal investigation. Even for the innocent, locating and surrendering documents and answering the questions of FBI investigators add a layer of distracting stress to already stressful jobs. Third, Trumps traditional methods of damage control no longer work. In the past, he has used Twitter feuds and teased policy announcements as shiny, distracting objects. Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III cares not a whit for any of this. As Trump was attempting to use climate policy as a political page-turner, Mueller was hiring the chief of the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division of the Justice Department to be part of the investigation into Russian influence. Trump is now facing not only the challenge of exploiting the medias limited attention span but the scrutiny of institutions. His normal repertoire of responses demeaning, inflaming, vulgarizing seems like arrows against an advancing tank. Fourth, the chief advantage of nepotism a bond outside political calculation is also a considerable drawback. It is difficult to throw someone under the bus when you are handcuffed to them. This maneuver is not entirely unknown. I have already given two cousins to the war, said humorist Artemus Ward during the Civil War, and I stand ready to sacrifice my wifes brother. But the attitude makes for an awkward Thanksgiving dinner. And there is no possible way to claim that Jared Kushner now revealed as a focus of the Russian-influence investigation was somehow outside the inner circle, unless that circle is smaller than Trumps own head. Mueller now has a job similar to mathematician Urbain Le Verrier. In the mid-19th century, Le Verrier noted some perturbations in the orbit of Uranus and predicted the existence of another, unknown planet exerting a gravitational pull. Neptune was duly found where Le Verrier calculated. There is some unknown fact exerting influence on all the various parts of the Russian-influence scandal. Some pulling planet. Some missing key. Why did candidate Trump insist on praising Vladimir Putin, even to the point of slandering the United States? (We have a lot of killers. Well, you think our country is so innocent?) Why did the Russians work (according to American intelligence services) to tip the election in Trumps favor, perhaps achieving one of the largest intelligence coups in history? And why should Trump, instead of being offended by such manipulation, attack the credibility of U.S. intelligence services in turn? Why should Michael Flynn, the since-ousted national security adviser, and Kushner fail to fully report meetings with Russian officials and representatives in security background checks? Why should Kushner apparently ask to use Russian facilities for a back channel that would escape the scrutiny of American intelligence services? Why should Trump reportedly demand a loyalty oath from FBI Director James B. Comey, then fire him over the Russia investigation (by his own admission), then assure the Russian ambassador in the Oval Office that the pressure of the investigation had been taken off? Why has Trump insisted even in the midst of an investigation of Russian influence on serving long-standing Russian policy goals in Europe (such as raising questions about the NATO mutual defense agreement)? If Trumps tax returns and financial information are exculpatory, why not release them? And how does this unwillingness relate to Donald Trump Jr.s 2008 statement that Trump businesses see a lot of money pouring in from Russia? For Mueller, Trump is innocent until proved guilty. But citizens judge their president according to reasonable inferences. We are now at a point when it is reasonable to believe something disturbing is occurring. A point when it is reasonable for citizens to demand of Trump: Disclose, or confirm our worst fears. Read more from Michael Gersons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook . Editors note: On Thursday, The Post conducted an email debate between Corey Stewart and Frank Wagner, two of the three major Republican candidates in Virginias 2017 gubernatorial election. Stewart is chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, and Wagner represents the 7th District in the Virginia state Senate. The third candidate, Ed Gillespie, declined to participate. The questions were asked by Post editorial board member Lee Hockstader. The transcript has been edited for style and clarity. [Meet the candidates running to become Virginias next governor] Lee Hockstader: Id like to start with a couple of questions directed at both of you. First, from items in the news Thursday: A noose was found at the Smithsonians National Museum of African American History and Culture on Wednesday, in an exhibit on segregation the second noose found on Smithsonian property in a week and LeBron Jamess house in Los Angeles was vandalized by someone who scrawled the N-word on his front gate. Mr. James said that hate in America, especially for African Americans, is living every day, and groups that monitor hate crimes agree that incidents are on the rise especially those targeting minorities. Whats your response and would you like to see tougher penalties for hate crimes? Frank Wagner: There is no room in America for these types of actions. I find them personally repugnant. When caught, the perpetrators should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Penalties for these types of crimes should be enhanced to ensure the public that these types actions have no place in America. Gillespie must not care at all, since he doesnt want voters to know how he stands on the issues. Corey Stewart: All personal crimes are hate crimes. We need to fully enforce the law and find the perpetrators of these crimes. Once found, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. [Kathy] Griffins beheading of Trump is a hate crime and should also be prosecuted. [Two Democratic hopefuls for Va. governor on schools, Metro and the minimum wage] Hockstader: A follow-up for Chairman Stewart: What crime did Griffin commit, and how could she be prosecuted given First Amendment protections? Stewart: Threatening the president of the United States. Are you suggesting that crimes of intimidation such as hanging or beheading them in effigy are not hate crimes? Hockstader: Id wonder where youd draw the line between satire even tasteless and offensive satire and a supposed threat or, as you put it, intimidation directed at the president of the United States. Stewart: Ill leave that up to the prosecutors, but if I saw someone holding up my severed bloody head, you are damned right that Id feel intimidated. Hockstader: Another follow-up: Have there been instances when youve focused on and denounced hate crimes specifically against minorities African Americans which are on the rise nationally? Stewart: I denounce all crime. In fact, under my leadership, we have been vigorously fighting crime in Prince William County, which is why the crime rate in Prince William is at a 24-year low. Hockstader: Another question for both candidates: Youve each been noticeably silent not a word on either of your websites on the nationwide opioid epidemic, which in Virginia causes three overdose deaths every day. Thats about three times the number of murders statewide. Beyond legislation enacted this year in Richmond to address the problem easing access to naloxone; establishing syringe-service programs; toughening prescription policies what more can be done? Stewart: It is a serious and growing problem in Virginia and Ive been discussing it on the campaign trail and as chairman of Prince William County. We are organizing a conference concerning the epidemic here in Prince William County on June 8 , which will involve the police department, social services, county health department and experts from around the country. There is no silver bullet to this epidemic. Eighty percent of the heroin in this country comes across the porous southern border, which is yet another reason for stronger border security. Wagner: It requires a multifaceted approach to address this important issue. 1. Better education about the dangers of addictive drugs and better education to patients who are prescribed painkillers about the dangers of becoming addicted to the overuse/abuse of these painkillers. 2. Many of these addictions start from legally prescribed painkillers. We have taken steps in the General Assembly to ensure that prescriptions issued for these painkillers are prescribed in limited doses and require a hand-carried prescription to obtain these drugs. We need to continue to better monitor the prescriptions issued to attempt to identify and prosecute those few doctors who may be participating in drug mills that continue to feed addicts. 3. Once people are addicted, the problems are compounded. There are only three paths an addict can follow: Jail, death or a lifetime recovery program. We need easier access to and better awareness of detox programs. Once an addict is detoxed, he or she needs to immediately enter a recovery program. The state can and will under my leadership assist those transition programs that assist recovering addicts. 4. Virginias initial foray into drug courts has shown some very positive results and needs to be expanded. We cannot continue to crowd our prisons with addicts. These programs need to be instituted statewide. 5. Finally, only an addict can decide that he or she wants to recover. Drug courts, family intervention and others can help the addict decide they have hit bottom, but the addict must decide for themselves. Hockstader: Sen. Wagner, I read the interview you did with The Posts Greg Schneider, including the section on Confederate statues and symbols, and Im still not sure where you stand on removing them. Do you support or oppose proposals to remove statues of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, etc. from public places and move them, for instance, to museums or other private spaces? If so, why? If not, why not and is there anything youd do to add historical context to the statues? Wagner: I oppose removing these statutes. History cannot be rewritten. And those who fail to learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. These statutes serve as a reminder of our historic past. Where would it stop? Should the Jefferson Memorial be removed? How about the Washington Monument? After all, George Washington was a slave owner. Under that logic, perhaps those folks want to change the name of Washington, D.C., and maybe The Washington Post would change its name. These issues are what the media is focused on. The people Ive talked to in Northern Virginia want to know what I am going to do about transportation. Hockstader: Isnt there a distinction between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, whose lives main achievements were not defined by owning slaves, and Robert E. Lee or Jefferson Davis, whose lives were defined by a cause to which slave ownership was central? And whose defeat meant liberty and the chance of opportunity for millions of enslaved people? Wagner: History is history! You cant change it, only learn from it. Lets talk about what Northern Virginians really care about: a failing Metro system, a Virginia Railway Express with insufficient money and HOT Lanes with tolls exceeding $30 or more so the Washington elite can cruise around while the rest of us sit in traffic. Stewart: Its the left that is focused on tearing down historical monuments and sanitizing history. This is not an issue conservatives brought up; its an obsession of the left. The left is doing what it has historically opposed destroying art that has fallen out of favor. This will not stop with the removal of Confederate generals. Next, they will come after the Founders. This has never happened in America, and its very disturbing. Hockstader: Mr. Stewart, A theme of your campaign has been disparaging the political establishment. But Virginias jobless rate is very low 3.8 percent and falling; its state and local tax burden is 27th in the nation (according to the Tax Foundation); and the Center for Public Integrity ranks the state government 16th cleanest in the country. Plus, violent crime and property crime have each fallen sharply in every region of the state over the past decade. Explain whats been so terrible about establishment rule in Virginia. Stewart: If you think Virginia has enough good jobs and is not suffering economically, then you are out of touch. There are tens of thousands of Virginians all over the state, especially in Southside and Southwest Virginia, who cannot find jobs that pay enough to support their families. The political establishment in Virginia put through the biggest tax increase in Virginia history in 2013, supposedly to address traffic problems. Yet we still have a traffic nightmare, especially in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. The establishment has failed to address the proliferation of MS-13 and illegal-immigrant gang activity around the state. The establishment has failed to keep up with our neighboring states who are improving their business climate by reducing taxes. The establishment has failed to control the runaway cost of the Medicaid program, which is crowding out spending on every other state priority. In short, the establishment, including Terry McAuliffe and Ed Gillespie, have failed Virginia. Richmond ensures that the crony corporatists stay wealthy, and that corrupt relationship is why Ed Gillespie is their man. Hockstader: Sen. Wagner, Youve said youd like up to $200 million in additional annual spending on mental health care, whose deficiencies are a perennial topic in Richmond. How would you pay for that? Wagner: Both my opponents are talking about dramatic tax cuts at a time when S&P just put Virginia on a negative watch with regard to our AAA bond rating, we have a state retirement system that is $18 billion actuarially unsound, a rainy day fund that is less than $300 million and is supposed to be at $2.4 billion, and we have 6,500 people in our jails who are mentally ill. The Senate Finance Committee, of which I am a member, worked very hard to appropriate well over $50 million in additional resources to address our mental-health issues, including establishing mental-health triage units at hospitals around the commonwealth to provide law enforcement a place to bring mentally-ill patients picked up on the streets as an alternative to jail. Many other programs have also been put into place, including another $50 million appropriation to provide students with learning disabilities alternatives to the normal classroom setting. All this despite trimming the budget by $1.5 billion. It is just a question of priorities, and my priorities have in the past and will continue into the future to provide assistance to those Virginians who legitimately cannot take care of themselves. Those who can take care of themselves but choose not to, I have absolutely no use for. Hockstader: Chairman Stewart, in March you promised to roll out what you called Coreys Big Bold Virginia Tax Cut, which would reduce income taxes to zero. But there was never any rollout, nor any subsequent mention of a rollout on your website. Was it a publicity stunt? Subsequently I saw you quoted as wanting a 1-percentage-point cut in the personal income tax. Scrapping Virginias income tax, as you pledged, is taken seriously by no one it would eliminate two-thirds of general fund revenue, and leave the state virtually bankrupt and unable to pay for schools, colleges, prisons, parks, routine government services, you name it. Yet the only means youve identified to pay for the tax cuts would be by asking government departments to offer up a menu of cuts in their programs ranging from 5 to 15 percent. If youre eliminating two-thirds of state revenue but only making cuts up to 15 percent, how do you balance the budget? Stewart: We are proposing a 17.4 percent cut in Virginias personal income tax, bringing down the rate from 5.75 percent to 4.75 percent in the first year. Weve repeatedly laid this out. The first year goal is to cut $2.2 billion out of the states overall budget of $52 billion, which is a little over a 4-percentage-point cut. I governed the second-largest locality in Virginia during the worst recession since World War II, I know how to cut budgets. Requiring department heads to identify savings is an effective method that we used to dramatically cut our budget in Prince William County in fiscal 2009. It has been tested and will work statewide. We will also be using a zero-base budgeting process to find additional savings. Under my leadership, our average tax bills in Prince William are on average 30 percent lower than the rest of Northern Virginia, and average tax bills are lower now in real dollars than they were 10 years ago when I was elected chairman. In fact, under my leadership, the county has received a AAA bond rating, a distinction of which only 0.4 percent of localities are able to achieve. Ed Gillespie, on the other hand, has proposed no cuts to the state budget. After governing the second-largest locality in the state for 10 years, I can assure you that you cannot cut taxes unless you first cut spending. Finally, you are confusing the states general fund with the all funds budget. Eliminating the personal income tax in the long term is doable and remains my goal. Hockstader: This question is for both candidates: Metros current general manager, Paul J. Wiedefeld, has made deep cuts in staffing and in service to commuters. Metro has also raised fares. Despite those moves, it needs an additional $15 billion to $25 billion for capital expenses, including new trains, over the coming decade. If not a regional sales tax, where should those funds come from? Sen. Wagner, you supported a regional component of the transportation plan in 2013, primarily to build roads in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Would you support a similar regional tax in Northern Virginia a sales tax, for instance to ensure the future health of Metro, which is vital to commuters and the economy in the region? Chairman Stewart, youve signed Grover Norquists pledge opposing any new taxes. Without new revenue meaning taxes how can Metro find the $15 billion (minimum) it needs to buy new train cars and modernize over the coming decade? And would you support a regional sales tax in Northern Virginia if the local jurisdictions backed it? Wagner: I have been quite clear during this campaign about the need to provide more funding for transportation. In fact, I have carried legislation and gotten it through the Senate to provide a floor on the sales tax in Northern Virginia, which would have resulted in a $100 million dollar new revenue stream for Northern Virginia transportation. I am the only candidate, Democrat or Republican, willing to talk about the No. 1 issue facing Northern Virginians. With regard to Metro, I would not be supportive of any more money for Metro until there is a totally rewritten labor agreement. I will not throw good money after bad money (especially taxpayers money) until there is systemic change to the entire organizations labor agreement. The floor on the fuels tax would provide a significant new revenue stream that, if bonded out, will provide for significant capital expenditures. But I would only agree to this if Maryland and D.C. pony up identical amounts and the federal government comes in with a much larger amount. After all, the Metro system exists to move federal government employees to work and home. Providing these conditions are met, Virginia should and will be an equal partner. However, I would not be supportive of a general sales tax increase across Northern Virginia. I have proposed a statewide gas tax increase and a return to the per-gallon tax for gasoline. Nearly 18 percent of all new money raised for the transportation trust fund is automatically spent on rail and transit services . These new funds, coupled with a floor on gas taxes in Northern Virginia should provide the required revenue as long as labor agreements are rewritten and WMATA can demonstrate it is a well run organization. Gillespie wouldnt even know how to answer this question. Stewart: Metro needs to take care of itself and not rely on state taxpayers to subsidize an inefficient operation that needs to be reformed. I will oppose any and all tax increases, including increases to pay for Metro. Because of the influence of the District and Maryland, labor costs are completely out of control and the operation needs to be reformed. Dont come to Virginia taxpayers to fix your inefficiency. Hockstader: Environmentalists have expressed concern about a rollback of federal regulations that have helped make progress in cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. Is this a concern for you, and what should Virginia do to mitigate any such backsliding by the feds, if it occurs? Stewart: The Chesapeake Bay regulations have been killing businesses and dampening economic growth in Virginia. I am for common sense environmental protection, but these laws are overly restrictive and do little to protect the environment. Wagner: I am currently the vice-chair for the Virginia delegation to the Chesapeake Bay Commission. We have worked hard on policies throughout Virginia to improve the quality of the water in the bay. Over the years the state and localities have made massive investments in our sewage treatment plants that have resulted in substantial reductions in nitrogen and other nutrients into the bay (although we wish Alexandria would move faster to clean up their combined sewer overflow system). Presently, we are working on upstream improvements in livestock exclusion and buffers between our farm land and streams through an innovative and highly successful (over-subscribed) volunteer program. These are just a few of the actions we have taken, and the results speak for themselves. Eelgrass is coming back much faster than anticipated. Shellfish harvests are approaching record volumes and overall water quality has improved substantially. Yes, it does concern me, and I have already expressed my concerns to our federal legislators, particularly with regard to the proposed funding cuts. I do feel the storm water regulations need to be tweaked. We are headed in a direction of way too many dollars being spent with minimal return. These dollars need to be redirected into other cleanup programs that would have a far greater positive impact on Chesapeake Bay cleanup. Hockstader: The final question is for both candidates: Every recent Virginia governor has grappled with the restoration of voting rights for convicted felons; each has gone further than his predecessor in recent years. How would you approach it? Republicans in the General Assembly, and in state legislatures elsewhere, have tightened voter-ID and voting access laws in recent years. Would you support more such tightening? If so, on what grounds? Stewart: We have a serious voter fraud problem in Virginia, where thousands of non-citizens have been voting. As to restoration of voting rights for felons, I believe ones voting rights should be restored after theyve gone through the process of redeeming themselves. In contrast, Gov. McAuliffes blanket restoration of voting rights was an unconstitutional and political ploy to buy Democrats votes. Hockstader: Can you provide readers with credible evidence of such serious voter fraud involving thousands of fraudulent votes? Stewart: More Than 5,500 Illegals Registered to Vote in Virginia in Last Decade; 1,852 Actually Cast Ballots [Washington Times via FoxNews.com]. Wagner: Gov. McAuliffes mass restoration of civil rights was a political maneuver that ignored the fact that many of those who had their rights restored had already been re-arrested, some were dead and others had already been convicted. His actions outraged the vast majority of Virginians, including myself. I support a policy that automatically restores a felons rights once all time has been served, all probation requirements have been met and all restitution has been made to the victims and the government. Hockstader: Okay, were out of time. Many thanks for your participation and good answers. Theyre much appreciated. Lynne Olsons latest book is Last Hope Island: Britain, Occupied Europe, and the Brotherhood that Helped Turn the Tide of War. One way to measure the lasting influence of a prominent writer or other major figure is to see whether an adjective has been created from his or her last name. Dickensian and Machiavellian come to mind. So do Churchillian and Orwellian, derived from the subjects of Thomas E. Rickss new book. As Ricks points out, Winston Churchill is a far more consequential historical figure than George Orwell, a fellow Briton who labored in obscurity as a political journalist and author for most of his life. Yet the word Churchillian, which calls to mind the former prime ministers larger-than-life personality and rhetorical skills, has a slightly musty quality about it now, evoking as it does World War II and its immediate aftermath, an era when the values of Western democracy triumphed over totalitarianism. By contrast, in todays unsettled, contentious times, Orwellian is a word that pops up everywhere, especially since Donald Trumps ascension to the presidency. To many, the grim, dystopian world of Orwells masterpiece 1984, in which the all-controlling state Party orders its citizens to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears, is chillingly similar to the mind-set of the authoritarian-minded Trump and his supporters, who define falsehoods as alternative facts and repeatedly insist that reality is whatever they say it is. In Churchill and Orwell, Ricks, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, has made the intriguing decision to write a dual biography of these two very different men one a towering figure on the world stage, the other a quiet observer who never met and apparently had little influence on each other. For Ricks, the thread connecting them is their resistance to the spreading threat of totalitarianism in Europe in the 1930s and 1940s. They were kindred spirits, Ricks writes, who steered by the core principles of liberal democracy: freedom of thought, speech, and association. [Book review: The Literary Churchill: Author, Reader, Actor, by Jonathan Rose] Churchills resistance took the form of political action and powerful rhetoric first as the most outspoken foe of the British governments appeasement policy toward Hitler before the war, then as the prime minister who rallied his compatriots in 1940 to stand alone against Nazi Germany. Orwell, whose sole weapon was his pen, stood up against tyranny on a broader scale: His main focus was Soviet repression, but he also lashed out against the abuse of authority and denial of truth by governments and institutions everywhere. His mission, Ricks points out, was to write the facts as he saw them, no matter where that took him, and to be skeptical of everything he read, especially when it came from or comforted those wielding power. As it happened, Churchill and his government were among those who felt the sting of Orwells pen, a fact to which Ricks pays little attention. Early in the book, he notes a comment by military historian Williamson Murray that Britain, under Churchill, had survived the war with her virtues largely intact. The key word here is largely: Freedom of speech in Britain, for one, took some hard knocks during the war, with Orwell as one of the victims. To defeat Hitler, Churchill had cozied up to another totalitarian leader, Russias Joseph Stalin, who reluctantly joined the Allies after the 1941 German invasion of his country. In doing so, the British government joined Franklin Roosevelts administration in a campaign to replace the image of Stalin as an unbridled tyrant with that of a benign leader who was fast becoming more moderate and democratic. Determined to maintain Stalins goodwill so he would keep his troops fighting on the eastern front, Churchill and Roosevelt covered up news of the Soviet leaders order early in the war to execute thousands of army officers from Poland, a country that played an important role in the Allied war effort. They also secretly acceded to Stalins demands for postwar control of Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe, even as they declared publicly that the Soviets had abandoned all thought of territorial expansion. [Winston Churchill, hungry for recognition at any cost] Technically, Britains wartime censorship was supposed to cover only security matters; censorship officials had no authority to tamper with expressions of opinion. But as the war progressed, Churchill put pressure on the British press to keep quiet about controversial issues, particularly those involving the Soviets; on occasion, his government penalized publications for running stories and opinions of which it did not approve. Even though he was a die-hard leftist, Orwell was appalled not only by what he called this nation-wide conspiracy to flatter our ally, but also by the eagerness of left-wing intellectuals, the press and publishers to accept what he saw as a fog of lies and misinformation. When he submitted Animal Farm, his biting satire about Soviet totalitarianism, to British publishers in 1943, it was rejected by every editor who read it. One publisher, who initially accepted it, had second thoughts after receiving a warning from the British government that the book would damage Britains relationship with Russia. A furious Orwell would later write, Any serious criticism of the Soviet regime, any disclosure of facts which the Soviet government would prefer to keep hidden, is next door to unprintable. He added: If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. Animal Farm was finally published in August 1945, three days after the end of the war. It was an instant bestseller, as was 1984, which has sold more than 25 million copies since its publication in June 1949, six months before Orwells death. More than half of Churchill and Orwell is devoted to a detailed recounting of Churchills life, much of which is familiar material and has little or no relevance to Rickss main topic. The book would have benefited from a deeper exploration of the wartime conflict between Orwell and Churchills government over the complexities of truth and its suppression an issue that has obvious significance today. Nonetheless, for all of Churchills shortcomings in this particular regard, theres no question that, overall, both he and Orwell demonstrated moral courage and a fierce dedication to the importance of democracy and individual freedom increasingly rare qualities today that Ricks rightly celebrates. President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement represents the clearest statement yet of convictions and principles that make up his worldview. America First is more than a mere slogan to this president. It is the sum of long-standing beliefs and grievances about the way things are and ought to be. [Trump announces U.S. will exit Paris climate deal, sparking criticism at home and abroad] The decision on the Paris agreement was obviously going to be controversial, with potentially major consequences for Americas role in the world and its future ability to lead on environmental and other issues, as this country has done during and since World War II. But as controversial as it is, and as significant a turning point as it appears to represent, the decision was anything but shocking. Trumps presidency and his campaign are the embodiment of a set of views shaped long before he became a politician. The Paris decision was cast in the context of repairing the economic disadvantages of a generation of global agreements that he has railed against for decades. [It went off the rails almost immediately: How Trumps messy transition led to a chaotic presidency] White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon walks out after President Trump speaks on the Paris climate change accord in the Rose Garden at the White House, on Thursday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) Trump oversees a White House that many times lacks focus, discipline and harmony. Often that seems to sum up the president himself. That shouldnt negate the reality of what drives the president, which is a belief that others have taken advantage of the United States and that he alone will stop it. His announcement on Thursday was biting in his sense of resentment that the Paris pact was a collective effort by the rest of the world to punish this country. Many issues are new to the president, and on these he has few fixed views. Nowhere has that been more evident than in the debate over health care. Its easy to mock Trump for saying earlier this year, Nobody knew health care could be so complicated. For him it was a discovery, and he has yet to master the details or seemingly care much about them. His statements about health care have been varied and often contradictory. If he gets a bill on his desk, he will sign it. Health care is about posting a victory. On core issues, however, Trumps views are consistent and long-standing. Those views are viscerally expressed, not intellectually argued, but it has always seemed clear that they are deeply and genuinely felt. Perhaps that is an act. He is a great showman above all. But on matters of trade and jobs, the president has rarely wavered or been given to changing his positions. Added to that, during the campaign, were hardened views about illegal immigration, and he has acted on them as president. [In the face of fierce lobbying, Trump was unmoved] He was lobbied heavily on what to do about the Paris accords. The power centers of his White House and administration set themselves against one another, as my colleagues Ashley Parker, Philip Rucker and Michael Birnbaum explained in a well-reported piece about the decision-making. Trump heard from many people over time: those in his inner circle; chief executives of major companies; world leaders when he was in Europe. In the end, he wasnt swayed by those who urged him not to take the drastic step of pulling out. His view that the climate agreement penalized the United States economically prevailed. Some people have explained the decision as Trumps keeping a campaign promise, or staying true to his base at a time when his presidency is being buffeted by controversy over Russia and other matters. All true, but to see the decision as merely that may miss an essential ingredient about the Trump presidency. He might not be quite as malleable as some suggest. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, and Vice President Pence clap as President Trump speaks about the Paris climate change accord in the Rose Garden at the White House, on Thursday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) The decision also could help to provide context to the ongoing conversation about who holds power in Trumps White House. Almost since Inauguration Day, fueled by leaks from one faction or another, the media have charted the apparent ups and downs of key advisers, a real-life Game of Thrones. In the early days of the administration, chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon was the presidential Svengali, the architect of the Trumpian view of the world and the shaper of a dark, dystopian vision that the president was embracing. Later came the rise of the moderates and corporate types from New York: his daughter Ivanka Trump; her husband, Jared Kushner; chief economic adviser Gary Cohn; and deputy national security adviser Dina Powell. They were in league trying to steer the president toward a more moderate course. In that narrative, Bannon was diminished and in retreat. Now with the climate decision, Trump appears to have embraced Bannons view that global agreements are inherently harmful to the United States while rejecting the views of his daughter, Cohn, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and others, who warned against an abrupt break from Paris because of the damage it could do to the countrys and the presidents reputation around the world. [Trump stays focused on the voters who helped him become president] But in siding with Bannon, the president also embraced the views of many conservative Republicans, including Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, who oppose most of the environmental policies of former president Barack Obamas administration. Amid criticisms from Democrats, some corporate chiefs and Americas European allies on Thursday, there was a sizable chorus of cheers coming from many GOP elected officials and other conservatives who dont necessarily embrace Bannons views about globalism. Their views are best represented inside the White House by Vice President Pence. In the end, all the intrigue about staff infighting, though certainly real and sometimes debilitating for the smooth running of an administration, overlooks the central figure of the president. He remains the captain, and on a few core issues, his will wins out. The Paris decision represented a Trumpian view of the world, and Americas place in it, that was articulated by Cohn and national security adviser H.R. McMaster, in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed. They rejected the notion of a global community of nations in favor of a more ruthless arena for competition among nations fueled by self-interest. America, they said, was well positioned to prevail in that competition. Cohn and McMaster argued that America First does not mean America alone. But Trumps approach seems to embrace the idea that the United States will gain competitive advantage economically operating alone and with its own interests in mind, a highly transactional approach that the president underscored when he said he could try to make a better deal on climate than the Paris agreement, though there is no current forum in which to do so. Implicit in his statement about the Paris agreement was the assertion that his approach will produce more jobs, more economic wealth and a better life for the working men and women who have been harmed by past global agreements, whether on trade or the environment, and who were his core supporters in November. Or at least his decision to withdraw will prevent the further loss of jobs for those forgotten Americans, as he has described them. Early in his administration, Trump said he had been elected president of the United States, not president of the world. On Thursday, he returned to that theme, saying he was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. (The mayor of Pittsburgh quickly said he opposed Trumps decision on the climate agreement.) That kind of language alarms many internationalists, here and abroad. But it remains at the core of the presidents thinking, and he will continue to act on it. The contract I just signed to purchase a house contained the following language: If the buyer defaults, the earnest money will be forfeited to the seller. This is to be considered liquidated damages and not as a penalty. Can you please explain what this means? Beth Shame on you, Beth, for signing a contract without fully understanding what it means. It could have required that your car and your current pension plans be given to the seller if you did not go to closing. Just kidding, but stranger things have happened when people sign something they dont understand. In your case, should you not be able to finalize the deal, you may have to forfeit or lose the earnest money you posted when you initially signed the sales contract. But the law is clear that if the amount you are forfeiting is not consistent with what the seller may have lost because you did not go to closing but instead is really a penalty the law will not allow you to lose your deposit. So lawyers put in the language you question to protect the sellers. [Low inventory and rising prices are forcing many home buyers to become less picky] However, that does not mean you will lose your deposit, if you can prove that the money is disproportionate to the actual loss that your seller may face. Oversimplified, the damages will be accepted as liquidated if the seller cannot really anticipate what the losses will be should you default. Accordingly, it is typical for that language to appear in real estate contracts. So, for my buyer readers, try to post as little of a deposit as possible; and for my seller clients, try to get as large a deposit as possible. Hopefully, you will eventually split the difference. And of course, this is completely academic if the buyer closes the deal. My husband and I plan to buy an investment property and want to make sure our other assets are protected. What is the best way for us to take title? Emily I cannot provide specific legal advice. However, in general, there are three ways in which title can be held. First, you can take title individually, in the names of you and your husband. That provides the least protection. Even if you have more than adequate insurance including umbrella coverage there is always the possibility that your other assets can be grabbed. For example, a court judgment exceeds the insurance limits; or the insurance carrier declines coverage for reasons spelled out in the insurance policy. Next, you can take title in the name of a corporation. Talk with your financial advisers about this approach; from my experience, there is too much paper work and corporate filings required to make this a favorable option. [The upside and downside of becoming a landlord in retirement] Next, you can take title in the name of a limited liability company (LLC). Although I dont normally make recommendations, this is what I generally suggest to my investor clients. The LLC provides the same protection as if it were a corporation but with less complications and less paperwork. Oversimplified, it is called a pass through entity; the LLC files an information tax return but the profits or losses are passed through and you include those numbers on your individual tax returns. Every project is different; review these alternative but discuss with your financial and legal advisers. The recent tax proposals submitted to Congress by President Trump seem to favor pass-through legal entities, and as we all know, Congress has the final say. I am a teacher, and I live in a co-op. I paid $200,000 cash for my apartment in 2003. In 2008, I took out an HELOC loan on my equity. I now owe $75, 000 on it. When I signed the papers, I was told that if I did not sell my home before principal and interest payment kick in I would just need to apply for refinancing. I did that a few months ago while rates were low and everything was set within a week. My FICO score hovers at 800. At the last minute, I was called by the bank to say sorry, we no longer finance co-ops as we did when you got yours. I cannot find an instance where my co-op had a problem with a bank. In checking around, I have not been able to find any local banks who finance co-ops, especially for such a low amount. Any suggestions? I do not want to sell my house and renting is astronomical. Kim Assuming your cooperative apartment did not dramatically go down in value since you bought it some 14 years ago, you clearly have considerable equity. I know that not every lender is prepared or even understands how cooperative funding works, but clearly there are lenders out there that can assist. First, is there a teachers credit union near you? From my experience, many credit unions will make you a loan based primarily on your credit standing. They need to take the ownership certificate (often called shareloan certificate) as security, but that is something that any local real estate attorney can easily assist in doing. Another source of lending is the National Cooperative Bank ( www.ncb.coop ). Although its main office is in Arlington, Va., it can make loans all over the United States. Read more Kass: Seniors looking to downsize their homes may want to consider this reverse mortgage option A prequalification letter is not a binding loan commitment Association documents can provide answers on condo projects Benny L. Kass is a Washington and Maryland lawyer. This column is not legal advice and should not be acted upon without obtaining legal counsel. Send questions to blkass@kmklawyers.com. Dear reader, we're asking for your help to keep local reporting available for all. Your financial support keeps stories like this one free to read, instead of hidden behind paywalls. We believe when reliable local reporting is widely available, the entire community benefits. Thank you for investing in your neighborhood. Start your day with LAist Sign up for How To LA, delivered weekday mornings. Subscribe When Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez, an undocumented father of four U.S.-born children, was arrested by immigration officials in late February while dropping his young daughters off at school, his case quickly became a cause celebre. Accompanied by a video of his arrest filmed by his sobbing 13-year-old daughter, Avelica-Gonzalez's story attracted international media attention and outrage. "We need to make sure that this is not the beginning of a dangerous and dark time here," Mayor Eric Garcetti told reporters soon after. In total, advocates say that 19 members of Congress, 11 members of the L.A. City Council, the president of the LAUSD board, and scores of religious leaders have spoken out against Avelica-Gonzalez's arrest and voiced their support for his release. Originally from Nayarit, Mexico, Avelica-Gonzalez has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years. Along with raising his own four daughters, the Highland Park resident has also acted as a surrogate father figure to his four nieces and nephews. His job as a food preparer at a Mexican restaurant is his family's primary income. Avelica-Gonzalez has two misdemeanor criminal convictions, which is how he ended up on Immigration and Customs Enforcement's radarthe agency has used the convictions as justification in his deportation case. Certain criminal convictions can cause immigrants to be placed in deportation proceedings, while otheroften similarconvictions don't have the same ramifications for immigration proceedings. On January 1, 2017, a new California state law went into effect that explicitly provides immigrants like Avelica-Gonzalez with a legal remedy to potentially vacate convictions where they weren't advised of the potential adverse immigration consequences beforehand. In light of the current climate, a number of prosecutors in jurisdictions across the country have taken steps to protect immigrants from unintended collateral consequences and exercise discretion in sentencing low-level offenders. Last month, the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office announced an adjusted policy and the hiring of two new immigration attorneys who will advise prosecutors on how to avoid disproportionate collateral immigration consequences when making plea offers and sentencing recommendations for non-citizen defendants. Similar efforts are also underway at the Baltimore City states attorney's office among other jurisdictions, according to Vice. But here in L.A., City Attorney Mike Feuer has chosen a far different stance. Despite the fact that more than 40 community leaders signed a letter asking Feuer to support Avelica-Gonzalez's efforts to vacate his misdemeanor convictions, the City Attorney's Office has chosen to aggressively fight those efforts. "They're fighting this tooth and nail," Emi MacLean, a staff attorney at the National Day Laborers Organizing Network, told LAist. "In this case, they're making a decision to use an inordinate amount of their resources [to prevent him from vacating the plea]. That seems fundamentally flawed. It seems like a complete affront to the values of the city, and what the resources of the office should be used for." A spokesperson for the City Attorney's Office told LAist that they were unable to comment on the case as it is a "pending criminal matter." Two of Avelica-Gonzalez's daughters at a rally in support of his release in March. (Photo by Julia Wick/LAist) Avelica-Gonzalez, who has been held in an immigrant detention center for the past three months, has two misdemeanor convictions that the Department of Homeland Security has cited as reason for making him a deportation priority. One is from two decades ago and another is almost a decade old. Over the City Attorney's objections, a judge has already vacated the latter misdemeanor conviction, a 2008 DUI where Avelica-Gonzalez was not represented by an attorney when he pled guilty, and did not fill out the waiver forms properly. "It was clear that [Avelica-Gonzalez] misunderstood what he was doing, yet [the City Attorney's office] resisted anyway," Avelica-Gonzalez's lawyer Steve Escovar told LAist. "The judge agreed with my position that he did not meaningfully understand the consequences of his plea and she vacated the conviction." According to Escovar, the City Attorney's Office intends to retry the case. Avelica-Gonzalez's other misdemeanor conviction is emblematic of the way many undocumented residents can end up entangled with the justice system. In 1998, he took a plea for a misdemeanor conviction of receipt of stolen property after he was caught driving with someone else's license plate tag on his license plate. Thanks to the implementation of AB 60 on Jan. 1, 2015, undocumented Californians can now obtain driver's licenses despite their lack of legal status. However, back in 1998, Avelica-Gonzalez couldn't have legally registered a car in California. According to Escovar, if Avelica-Gonzalez had been properly advised of the immigration consequences at the time, he could have pled to a separate charge on the complaint for having false tags, which wouldn't have had the same immigration consequences. "They can usually pick a charge to resolve a case, and he wasn't told that the other charges were more beneficial. Had he been aware of that and negotiated the alternate charge, he wouldn't be in this predicament now," Escovar explained. Avelica-Gonzalez's lawyers have unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with the City Attorney's Office to let Avelica-Gonzalez "re-plea" to the related charge; instead, the City Attorney's Office issued a 77-page brief arguing against Avelica-Gonzalez's efforts to vacate the plea. Escovar also reports that the City Attorney's Office has assigned four different attorneys to fight Avelica-Gonzalez's motions. NDLON's Emi MacLean with members of the Avelica-Gonzalez family outside of an ICE office on the night of his arrest in February. (Photo by Julia Wick/LAist) Community groups and advocates have had difficulty understanding where the City Attorney, who has been decidedly progressive on a number of other issues and had previously spoken out against heavy-handed ICE tactics, is coming from in his aggressive stance on the Avelica-Gonzalez case. "It seems unfathomable that this is the policy that the City Attorney is defending, based on the priorities he's publicly stated for the office," MacLean told LAist. "He is rightly expending significant resources to fight against wage theft for immigrant workers, for instance, and has been open to change policy on prosecuting street vendors. Why then is he expending massive resources preventing immigrants from benefiting from post-conviction relief for minor offenses?" Ricardo Mireles, executive director of Academia Avance, a charter school in Highland Park attended by two of Avelica-Gonzalez's daughters as well as several of their cousins, told LAist that he was "extremely surprised" by the City Attorney's stance. "Obviously, there's a class of individuals who the state legislature and the governor feel merit remedy because the system was rigged against them, and the governor signed it into law in January," Mireles said, referencing the section of California penal code that gives individuals who weren't knowingly advised of the potential adverse immigration consequences of their guilty pleas a legal avenue to vacate those convictions (this is called "post-conviction relief). "So, why is the City Attorney blocking this remedy?" Mireles asked. "Romulo qualifies." Ricardo Mireles, executive director of Academia Avance, with one of Avelica-Gonzalez's daughters and Avelica-Gonzalez's grandson at a rally. (Photo by Julia Wick/LAist) Fredy Ceja, the communications director for Councilman Gil Cedillo (the Avelica-Gonzalez family lives in Cedillo's district), also expressed confusion over the City Attorney's position. "We're going to be having a conversation with the City Attorney about their position on this," Ceja told LAist. "We want to get Romulo back into the community and back with his family." Members of the Highland Park chapter of Indivisible, an activist group, have also decried the City Attorney's stance, staging a protest over the issue outside of an LA County Bar Association reception last week where Feuer was being honored as Prosecutor of the Year. He should be protecting undocumented immigrants, not unjustly prosecuting themand certainly not digging up 10-and-20-year-old charges, Indivisible Highland Park spokesperson Scott Doyle said. Its frustrating to have City officials like [Mayor] Eric Garcetti and [Councilman] Gil Cedillo speaking on behalf of Romulos release, while at the same time the City Attorney is undermining that very cause. And much like how the heartrending story of Avelica-Gonzalez's arrest galvanized fears about coming deportations under the then newly-installed Trump administration, many worry that the City Attorney's decision to fight this case could be a bellwether for what other undocumented Angelenos seeking post-conviction relief may face. Avelica-Gonzalez's case will be back in court Friday, with a hearing on his effort to vacate the two-decade-old misdemeanor plea. Family and community leaders plan to hold a press conference outside of Shortridge Foltz Courthouse tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. before the hearing. Update [Friday 2 p.m.]: No rulings were made during Friday's hearing. After a closed-door meeting with both Avelica-Gonzalez's counsel and lawyers from the City Attorney's Office, the judge announced that proceedings will resume on July 19. With additional reporting by Leighton Woodhouse. Presidential hopeful and two-time candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador greets supporters as he arrives at a campaign rally for Delfina Gomez, who is running for Mexico state governor. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP) Whoever wins the race for governor here in Mexicos most populous state Sunday, there is one politician who has already come out on top, and hes not even on the ballot. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the left-wing populist and former mayor of Mexico City, isnt a candidate in Sundays race, at least not exactly. But hes running for president next year and campaigning hard alongside his handpicked candidate in the gubernatorial contest, Delfina Gomez. Her win Sunday and by extension, his would send shock waves through Mexicos political and business elite. Gomez, a former schoolteacher and relative newcomer, has been polling roughly even with Alfredo del Mazo, the scion of a powerful political dynasty and the standard-bearer of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which has ruled the state of Mexico for 86 years. Del Mazo also happens to be the cousin of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. As a proxy contest and a warm-up for next years presidential race, Sundays results will be closely watched in Mexico and beyond. A Gomez victory would make Lopez Obrador the clear favorite for 2018, and he has embraced a more nationalistic, confrontational approach to coping with President Trump. Even if Gomez loses, analysts say, her insurgent campaign has given Lopez Obrador a trampoline for his presidential run, solidifying his status as the leading anti-establishment candidate in a country thats fed up with conventional politics. Lopez Obrador formed his own party, the National Regeneration Movement, or Morena, three years ago. This is an election that reflects the cost of corruption scandals and the growing strength of Lopez Obrador. Its the man against the machine, said political analyst Denise Dresser. And even if [Gomez] were to lose, he can say victory was snatched away by vote-buying and emerge as a victim. Mexicos other major parties have yet to pick their presidential candidates for next year, when Pena Nietos six-year term will expire. In Mexico, presidents cannot run for reelection. [In Mexico, the price of Americas hunger for heroin] Predicting Sundays outcome is difficult. There are two other contenders in the race, Josefina Vazquez Mota of the National Action Party (PAN) and Juan Zepeda of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party (PRD). In polls, they each draw about 15 percent of the vote, so their supporters could swing the outcome if they change their votes. Alarmed by the possibility of an embarrassing loss on its home turf, Pena Nietos PRI has poured money into a contest muddied by allegations of dirty tricks. PRI presidents ran Mexico from 1931 to 2000, and the party managed to hold on to power in the state of Mexico long after that, thanks to vast networks of patronage and a support base that reliably delivered at election time. With 16 million people, the state hugs Mexico City like a horseshoe, spanning everything from posh suburbs to huge slums whose residents endure long, miserable commutes to jobs in the capital. It plays an outsize role in Mexican politics, and its problems are those of the nation as a whole: soaring crime rates, stagnant growth, poor public services and monstrous levels of corruption. The state also has been a path to Mexicos highest office, most recently for Pena Nieto, who had been governor before defeating Lopez Obrador in the 2012 presidential race. But Pena Nieto has fared poorly as president, weakened by scandals, disappointing growth and the perception that Mexicos ruling class is irredeemably venal and out of touch. Gomez and Lopez Obrador have barnstormed the state with an anti-corruption message urging voters to depose what they call the PRI monarchy, embodied by figures like Del Mazo and Pena Nieto. Del Mazos father and grandfather both served as the states governor. [Trumps taunts are stirring a level of nationalism Mexico hasnt seen in years] Its time to give a chance to someone else who isnt from the PRI, said Ricardo Acosta, 37, a security guard watching one of Gomezs rallies this week. He wasnt especially impressed with her, he said, but he liked Lopez Obrador. He reminds me of Benito Juarez, the Mexican national hero, Acosta said. Hell fight for those of us who are on the bottom. Although Trump hasnt been a factor in the governors race, Acosta said he thought Lopez Obrador and his party would be more likely to stand up for Mexico. Trump campaigned on a pledge to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, demanding that Mexico pay for its construction. He angered Mexicans further by referring to undocumented Mexican immigrants who cross into the United States as criminals, drug traffickers and rapists. Other than a few Che Guevara T-shirts in the crowd, it was less a rally with a left-wing message than an anti-PRI one. Del Mazos signature proposal is something he calls a Pink Salary that would provide cash payments to women who qualify as housewives. Its not clear how the payments would work, or how much cash they would provide, but it reinforces the PRIs reputation as a party of transactional politics. This country is a sucker for that type of thing, said Victor Alpizar, 52, who spent seven years working in Atlanta and Houston restaurants and now owns a copy shop. The streets are dirty and unsafe, he said, and government taxes and fees are choking small businesses like his, he said. But there are more and more people like me who are sick of it. Theyre not willing to sell their vote for a handout. One customer at his shop, Gabriela Hernandez, said PRI members had come to her mother-in-laws home the week before and offered her discounts at a local business, almost like a club membership. In exchange, she said, they wanted her voter ID card to assure that she wouldnt be able to vote Sunday. They want to stop the other side from voting, said Jorge Castaneda, a fierce PRI critic who served as foreign minister under former president Vicente Fox of PAN. This will be one of the most fraudulent elections in Mexico [in decades], but, thanks to that, Del Mazo will probably win. The accusations cut both ways. Mexicos headlines this week were splashed with the sensational claims of a former Morena lawmaker caught on video allegedly receiving illegal campaign cash for Lopez Obrador. Lopez Obrador insisted that the only money he receives is a $3,000 monthly salary as the director of the Morena party. Still, the lawmakers accusations may undercut the anti-corruption message of the Gomez campaign, and it will face an opponent with an unrivaled, battle-tested electoral operation. A large rally this week for Del Mazo in the industrial Mexico City suburb of Naucalpan had the feel of a rock concert and was at least as loud as one. The candidate, a tall, fair-skinned man with perfect teeth who bears little physical resemblance to the vast majority of the states voters, ascended to the stage to deafening cheers and pounding drums. Del Mazo spoke with the same well-rehearsed, familiar cadence of Pena Nieto. I will be the governor who fights for women! he said. Ive been a PRI supporter all my life, said Lucia Villa, 55, wearing a hot-pink Del Mazo shirt and hat. Like many Mexicans, she seemed resigned to the corruption in Mexican politics and was willing to tolerate it as long as it brought modest benefits like a Pink Salary. The PRI has had good moments and bad, but the good outweigh the bad, Villa said. Theyre the ones who can get things done. Valeria Moy, an economist at Mexicos Autonomous Institute of Technology, said the governors race has brought out the countrys worst political habits: empty slogans, unrealistic populist promises and a campaign devoid of substance all in a state whose fortunes are critical to Mexicos success. This is why were not making progress as a nation, Moy said. Its been a sad campaign. Read more Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Philippine authorities scrambled Friday to explain a bizarre and deadly chain of events that they said began as a casino robbery and ended as a gaming-floor inferno that left at least 36 people dead from smoke inhalation. The chaotic incident in the Philippine capital was first feared to be a terrorist attack, perhaps related to ongoing fighting between the army and Islamist militants on the southern island of Mindanao. In Washington, President Trump said he was monitoring the terrorist attack in Manila. But Philippine authorities said there was no evidence of terrorist links in the early Friday mayhem, which ended when the suspected gunman apparently killed himself while holed up in a hotel room. All indications point to a criminal act by an apparently emotionally disturbed individual, Ernesto Abella, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte, told reporters. The gunman, armed with an M4 assault rifle and bottles of gasoline, burst into the casino at the Resorts World Manila complex shortly after midnight, stole nearly $2.3 million worth of casino chips, and set fire to gambling tables and carpeting, police said. 1 of 22 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Photos from the scene of reported gunfire and explosions at a resort in Manila View Photos Gunshots and explosions rang out at a mall, casino and hotel complex near the international airport in the Philippine capital, sparking a security alarm amid an ongoing Muslim militant siege in the countrys south. Caption Gunshots and explosions rang out at a mall, casino and hotel complex near the international airport in the Philippine capital, sparking a security alarm amid an ongoing Muslim militant siege in the countrys south. A composite photo shows images from a security camera of the suspect in an attack on the Resorts World Manila hotel and casino complex in Pasay City, south of Manila. Philippine National Police/European Pressphoto Agency Wait 1 second to continue. The attacker was later wounded in the thigh in an exchange of gunfire with a security guard and forced his way into a hotel room, which he set on fire before shooting himself in the head, police and the resorts chief operating officer said. The guard was also wounded in the exchange, they said. More than 50 other people were reported injured as they rushed to escape, officials said. The Islamic State, through its Amaq news agency, claimed responsibility Friday, saying that Islamic State fighters carried out the Manila attack. But a Philippine military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., dismissed the assertion. The attack does not have the slightest signature of terrorism whatsoever, he said. Although the perpetrator gave warning shots, there apparently was no indication that he wanted to do harm or shoot anyone, said Abella, the presidential spokesman. Questions about the motive remained, however. A senior police officer challenged the theory of a heist gone wrong. His possible motivation is robbery, but the only thing is you cant exchange those chips just anywhere. And he left the chips in the bathroom, Metropolitan Manila Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said in a media briefing. Either he lost in the casino and wanted to recoup his losses, or he went totally nuts, Albayalde said. The gunman, who had not been publicly identified as of late Friday, was initially described by police as a white foreigner with a mustache, English-speaking and about six feet tall. But police later said he appeared to be Filipino. Police also said they were questioning a person of interest who was in the casino and was said to be cooperating. [Duterte declares martial law on Mindanao] The large resort complex in Pasay, in the southwestern part of the Manila metro area, is popular with tourists and features hotels, restaurants, bars, a shopping mall and a theater, as well as the casino. Foreigners were among the 36 people who died at the complex. Four people from Taiwan were killed, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said, and a South Korean suffered a fatal heart attack in the commotion. The gunmans attack sent panicked crowds fleeing from the site. Dozens of people suffered minor injuries while trying to escape. National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa said security footage showed the gunman ignoring a security guard who tried to question him at the entrance to the complex. He did not hurt the guard but went straight to the gambling area, dela Rosa said, according to the Associated Press. The suspected attackers body was found around dawn in a room on the fifth floor of the Maxims hotel, which is connected to the mall and casino. A bag of gambling chips worth 113 million pesos ($2.3 million) was found in a toilet. Apart from the injured security guard, none of the victims of the attack had gunshot wounds, authorities said. Branigin reported from Washington. Read more: Dutertes drug war is horrifically violent. So why do many young, liberal Filipinos support it? In declaring martial law, Duterte cited the beheading of a police chief who is still alive Duterte attacks Chelsea Clinton by bringing up her fathers philandering Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Philippine troops patrol in Davao, on the island of Mindanao, on May 24, the day after President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law across the island in response to an Islamist offensive in the city of Marawi. (Cerilo Ebrano/European Pressphoto Agency) Tirmizy Abdullah, a teacher in Marawi, wants to know what has happened to his city and why the Philippine military keeps dropping bombs on it. They should have been able to end this conflict days ago, said Abdullah, 27, speaking by phone Friday from his home, within earshot of fighting between government troops and forces linked to the Islamic State. We are very frustrated with the airstrike campaign because it is putting civilians at risk, it is destroying our town, and still the battle is not over. We are never sure what the government is actually doing. Ten days after President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law on the southern island of Mindanao to respond to an Islamist siege in Marawi, the capital of Mindanaos Lanao del Sur province, much of the Philippine political establishment has rallied around him. But the military campaign itself has gone much less smoothly, with some local residents and observers questioning the governments combat strategy and the credibility of its public communications. [Duterte declares martial law on southern Philippine island of Mindanao] On Monday, armed-forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. told reporters that government troops were in full control of the city and that civilians would be safe, but on Friday, bombs continued to fall, the death toll stood at 175 and rebels reportedly still held hostages. A day earlier, the military announced that one of its airstrikes had accidentally killed 11 of its soldiers. And the population has been baffled by a string of contradictory statements, if not outright falsehoods, coming from the government, leaving many Filipinos unsure of what is actually going on. Steven Rood, a professor at Australian National University who has studied armed conflicts in the Philippines for years, said it is not surprising that the government has failed to control all of Mindanao, since militant Islamist and left-wing rebels have been active on the impoverished island for decades. But the new, more radical contingent involved in the May 23 attack caught the government unawares with its numbers and tactics, he said. The Philippine military hasnt really been trained for urban warfare, as they have been going against rebels in the hills for so long, Rood said. And they admit they simply dont have the precision-guided munitions that would make aerial bombardment to take out particular houses feasible. He added, There have been slip-ups in the communication strategy, and they know it. The day Duterte declared martial law, he said a police captain had been decapitated, but The Washington Post spoke with the man days later. More recently, in addition to numerous premature assurances of order being restored in Marawi, presidential communications assistant Mocha Uson was criticized when it turned out the praying soldiers whose photo she had posted to her Facebook account were from Honduras, not the Philippines. She responded by saying the photos meaning was symbolic. In a news conference in Marawi on Friday, military officials said they expected the operation to take additional days to complete, blaming the presence of snipers. In a statement Thursday on the friendly-fire accident, the military acknowledged the mistake but declared it would incessantly push . . . forward to retake the remaining part of Marawi and liberate the people. [Duterte says he may widen martial law to include all of the Philippines] Authorities know that two armed Islamist groups worked together to take part of the city. They say that locally based Maute rebels attacked when officials there attempted to apprehend Isnilon Hapilon, the longtime leader of the Abu Sayyaf group, which normally operates in the southwest, far from Marawi. Hapilon is on the FBIS Most Wanted Terrorists list. But a number of questions still hang over the deadly siege. It is unknown whether the attack was already planned or more of a reaction to the attempt to capture Hapilon. Speculation is rife as to how much the two groups actually coordinate with the Islamic State, as well as about how the Maute group is funded. Abu Sayyaf has long carried out kidnappings for ransom, gaining notoriety for beheading foreigners. Amid the uncertainty, fear of the Islamic State has pervaded the archipelago nation. Early Friday morning, when shooting was reported at a casino in Manila, the capital, many Filipinos and President Trump jumped to the conclusion that it was an act of terrorism. Police now say they believe a botched robbery led to 36 people dying of smoke inhalation. [Photos from the scene of reported gunfire, explosions at Manila resort] Islam has been in the Philippines since before the Spanish brought Christianity here in the 1500s, and Muslims say the minority population has suffered from discrimination and broken promises. Marawi residents such as Abdullah and student Mohammad Aiman Langlang who say they abhor Maute ideology and tactics fear that more of the regions youths could be drawn to join the rebels if the governments military strategy is seen as too violent or its leaders offer no credible long-term solutions. Very young boys reportedly fight with the Islamists, apparently receiving payment. Recruits or sympathizers may be continuously entering the fray, even as soldiers make progress against original rebel positions. I wasnt surprised about the attack, since there had been rumors in the city that this was coming for about a month, said Langlang, 23, who left the city recently and follows developments via Facebook and messaging with friends who are still there. I was surprised how long they have been able to sustain it. Like Abdullah, Langlang opposes the airstrike campaign and says he does not trust government reports. Many of the messages coming from the military conflict with what we see, he said. Theyll say, for example, that a certain area near my home is under their control. And its just not. John Dimacutec in Marawi contributed to this report. Read more Why do many young, liberal Filipinos support Dutertes violent drug war? Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news In a sense, he is already a star, the prince regent of Paris and Pittsburgh alike. Less than a month after his landslide victory in the French presidential elections, the boyish and photogenic Emmanuel Macron has become the anointed darling and principal spokesman of political moderates around the world, a fierce advocate of radical centrism, globalization and following President Trumps watershed decision to remove the United States from the Paris accord curbing climate change. By now, the willingness of the new French president at 39, the youngest anyone can remember to speak his mind is far from a secret. In the past week alone, Macron has publicly squared off against not one but two major world leaders: Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, both of whom embrace the kind of insular nationalism Macron handily defeated in the French election. Antics such as these a six-second handshake with Trump and blasting Russian-owned media while standing next to Putin have endeared Macron to supporters at home and transformed him into even more of a celebrity on social media, but his newfound star power may not translate into political power on the world stage, analysts say, and especially not with his opponents. [Trumps tangle with Europe leads the continent to find partners elsewhere] (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) For some, the new presidents popularity is primarily a function of chance. There is the feeling that, once more, Macron is incredibly lucky, said Dominique Moisi, a foreign policy expert at the Institut Montaigne, a Paris-based think tank close to Macron. Inside, all his adversaries are collapsing one after the other. And outside, there is an American president that makes him look great without even having to do anything. But for others, Macrons recent dealings with the notably irascible Trump, whom he met for the first time in Brussels last week, show the potential downsides of the French presidents cultivated persona. When Trump met Macron, for instance, the two men engaged in the quiet duel of a forceful, sustained handshake at the American Embassy a moment widely seen as an understated victory for Macrons particular brand of Gallic machismo. But while the meaning of that encounter might otherwise have been left to commentators to interpret, Macron then gave a bombshell interview to the French newspaper Journal du Dimanche, in which he explained beyond any reasonable doubt his motive in grabbing the hand of the president of the United States for such an unusually prolonged period of time. It was a moment of truth, Macron told the newspaper. We must show that we will not make small concessions, even symbolic ones. Aides to Trump subsequently told The Washington Post that Macrons remarks significantly irked the president, who then relished delivering the line, in his speech about withdrawing from the historic climate-change agreement, that he had been elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. But the saga did not end there. Just hours after Trump spoke, Macron was back on the airwaves, poised to deliver the following line, a provocative recasting of Trumps campaign slogan: Make our planet great again, he said in perfect English before reiterating his previous invitation to American environmental scientists and researchers. To all scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, responsible citizens who were disappointed by the decision of the U.S., Macron said, come here with us to work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment. [Frances Macron makes moralizing public life a priority] In Paris, many interpret Macrons embrace of theatrical declarations as a means of boosting his popularity with voters in advance of Frances two-round legislative elections, slated for mid-June. Despite his landslide victory in the presidential contest, Macron is still a political unknown without a formal party backing. His ability to govern and to deliver on his ambitious campaign promises depends on a parliamentary majority for the new party he established last year, En Marche (Onward). He has a strategy of postponing every tough decision until after June 18th, because he wants to get the majority in Parliament, which he may get, said Patrick Weil, a French legal scholar. Everything is done to seduce the voters, and for the moment it works well. Said Moisi: It carries some risks with Donald Trump, but its an asset for his image in France and in Europe and, for that matter, for his image before so many Americans who do not see themselves in Trump. After his announcement Thursday afternoon, Trump he spoke with Macron in a brief, five-minute conversation, according to a French official briefed on the discussion. The exchange was direct, the official said. Read more Emmanuel Macron ignites the crowd at his Paris victory rally Macrons radical centrism sure looks a lot like conservatism Macron affirms Franco-German ties, E.U. commitment in meeting with Merkel Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian aboard a rescue vessel off the coast of France on Thursday. (Stephane Mahe/Reuters) Even before he has a parliament, Frances new president has embarked on a lofty mission: moralizing public life in a political system rife with nepotism and conflicts of interest. After a scandal-ridden presidential campaign, Emmanuel Macron has billed the new regulations formally presented Thursday by Francois Bayrou, Macrons justice minister as good-faith efforts intended to set a positive tone for his presidency, the first from outside Frances traditional party structures. Today, the principal danger to democracy is the persistence of breaches of honesty among politicians whose behavior is unworthy of the position of representative of the people, reads Macrons campaign platform. And so the 39-year-old presidents idea is to hold lawmakers accountable to the public they serve. If approved, Macrons new regulations would, among other things, eradicate conflicts of interest through heavy vetting, ban lawmakers from hiring family members to administrative positions and limit them to three consecutive terms of service. These, anti-corruption analysts say, are essential for restoring the public trust in a system increasingly seen as defined by money, special interests and family dynasties. Bayrou said Thursday that the measures would bring France onboard the global approach to restoring the confidence of citizens, referring to similar policies established in Germany and much of Scandinavia. In the end, breaches of honesty among politicians were a mainstay of Frances recent election, probably its most contentious in decades. Although Macron, an independent centrist, ultimately won that contest in a landslide, significant numbers of French voters abstained in both rounds of the vote many because of an apparent disgust with a political class often criticized for endemic corruption. There is in France today a grave crisis of confidence between citizens and the elected there is just so much distrust of our institutions and the elected, said Daniel Lebegue, the head of Transparency International France, a leading anti-corruption nongovernmental organization, in an interview. In late January, for instance, Le Canard Enchaine, a French satirical newspaper, alleged that Francois Fillon, a conservative initially expected to win the election handily, had employed his wife and two of his children for jobs they never did while paying them about 900,000 euros in public funds as compensation. Nearly 1 in 6 representatives in the French parliament employ family members, according to data collected by the newspaper Le Monde earlier this year. But the perception of corruption did not stop with the Fillon scandal, or even with the election. Bruno Le Roux, an interim prime minister, resigned in March after acknowledging that he had done precisely the same as Fillon, employing his two daughters as administrative assistants on public salaries while serving in parliament several years ago. And then there were the perpetual allegations against the far-right firebrand Marine Le Pen, Macrons principal rival in the final round of the election. The European Parliament alleged that Le Pen owed about 300,000 euros in misspent funds she has repeatedly refused to repay. During Le Pens tenure as a deputy in Strasbourg, the parliament claimed, the National Front leader illegally paid her partys staff with funds from the multistate bloc. Finally, there was the December 2016 conviction for criminal negligence of Christine Lagarde, a former French finance minister and current head of the International Monetary Fund, found guilty of orchestrating a government payout to the tycoon Bernard Tapie during her time in office nearly a decade ago. Lagarde was not sentenced to a fine or jail time in that case, but the verdict ultimately strengthened the assumption of money's outsize role in French politics. Macron, a former investment banker, was often criticized during the campaign for his own financial ties. Macron wants to re-create a climate of trust between the citizens and the elected. He wants to give oxygen to democratic life in France and for this its indispensable to reinforce the transparency of public life, Lebegue said. But the Macron administration has recently faced corruption charges of its own charges that critics say could undermine the push to moralize public life. Two of the new presidents ministers face mounting pressure to resign: Richard Ferrand, the urban planning minister, for reports of financial misconduct; and Marielle de Sarnez, a junior minister, for inappropriately hiring an unnecessary assistant during her tenure in the European Parliament. On Thursday the same day Macrons measures were formally announced a public prosecutor opened an investigation into the case of Ferrand, mostly for having used business contacts for personal gain. Both Ferrand and de Sarnez have denied any wrongdoing. By Friday, 54 percent of French voters said that Ferrand should resign, according to a poll by the Odoxa agency. But Macron continued to stand his ground, despite his commitment to anti-corruption measures. Things are not always good when the press becomes the judge, his spokesman told reporters Wednesday. Read more: French President Macron blasts Russian state-owned media as propaganda Macrons radical centrism sure looks a lot like conservatism Macron affirms Franco-German ties, E.U. commitment in meeting with Merkel Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Russian President Vladimir Putin denied Friday that Moscow had colluded with members of Donald Trumps campaign team before the new administration took office, and said that the U.S. allegation that Russia tipped the 2016 presidential election on behalf of Trump reminds me of anti-Semitism and blaming the Jews. Putin, in remarks that projected ridicule, sarcasm and exasperation, denied that Russian officials had discussed sanctions in meetings with Trumps aides, and said that no agreements on the possibility of lifting the sanctions imposed on Russia have been reached with the United States. I never even knew about these meetings, Putin said in response to questions from NBC anchor Megyn Kelly at an economic forum in St. Petersburg. The Kremlin leader said that Democrats, having lost the election, were trying to put the blame on Russia to cover for their own campaign failures. It reminds me of anti-Semitism, Putin said, his voice rising. A stupid man who cant do anything right would blame everything on the Jews. [Heres what we know so far about Team Trumps ties to Russian interests] Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 2. (Olga Maltseva/AFP/Getty Images) The Russian president dismissed the conclusions of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia meddled on behalf of Trump. Putin said that he had read the report and found nothing but speculation and conclusions base on speculation. Pressed by Kelly to explain the Russian fingerprints described by the combined intelligence agencies declassified report, Putin sneered that the Internet addresses that the document attributed to Russian hackers could have been rigged by anyone to blame Russia. What fingerprints? Putin said. Hoof prints? Horn prints? Experts in information technology can invent anything. Challenged by Kelly to explain what U.S. intelligence referred to as a disinformation campaign intended to undermine faith in the election, Putin pointed to leaked emails that showed the Democratic National Committees favoritism for Hillary Clinton over Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, which led to the resignation of the committees chairwoman, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.). Instead of apologizing, Putin said, Democrats say its not our fault it was the Russians. Putin and other top Russian officials have routinely dismissed as Russophobia all U.S. claims about Moscows involvement in the election, and they blame the furor over Russian interference for what both sides characterize as the low point in their post-Soviet relations. The Kremlin has sought to ridicule Americans for what Putin and his aides have dismissed as a witch hunt. Putin also sounded off Friday about U.S. scrutiny of meetings between Trumps team and Russias ambassador to the United States. The contacts have become the focus of an FBI investigation into possible collusion between Moscow and Trumps aides that has most recently centered on Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) [Explanations for Kushner meeting with Kremlin-linked banker dont match up] Kushner met with the ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, in early December and suggested establishing a secure communications line between the Kremlin and Trump officials at a Russian diplomatic facility, according to U.S. officials who reviewed intelligence reports describing Kislyaks account. Kushner then held a secret meeting with Sergey Gorkov, head of Russias Kremlin-connected development bank, a meeting the White House says was one of many diplomatic encounters that Kushner, now a presidential adviser, held in the weeks before President Trumps inauguration. Gorkov, chairman of Vnesheconombank, refused to comment on the meetings when confronted here Friday. He referred reporters to the banks March statement that the meeting was conducted with Kushner in his role as the head of his familys real estate business. In Fridays interview, Putin expressed scorn at the focus on Kislyaks contacts with Trumps team, saying it was normal for a diplomat to establish contacts. What else is the ambassador supposed to do? Putin said. Hes paid for holding meetings, discussing current affairs. Have you lost your mind? Maybe someone has a pill that will cure this hysteria, he added. Asked about Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, Putin stopped short of condemning the U.S. president. The climate deal cannot work without the United States, he said, but the accord is not slated to go into effect until 2021, which leaves hope for a compromise that would bring the United States back into the deal. Switching to English, Putin added, Dont worry, be happy. Read more: Russias ambassador told Moscow that Kushner wanted a private communications channel Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news The Republican-controlled House Intelligence Committee asked U.S. spy agencies late last year to reveal the names of U.S. individuals or organizations contained in classified intelligence on Russias meddling in the 2016 election, engaging in the same practice that President Trump has accused the Obama administration of abusing, current and former officials said. The chairman of the committee, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), has since cast the practice of unmasking of U.S. individuals and organizations mentioned in classified reports as an abuse of surveillance powers by the outgoing Obama administration. Trump has argued that investigators should focus their attention on former officials leaking names from intelligence reports, rather than whether the Kremlin coordinated its activities with the Trump campaign, an allegation he has denied. The big story is the unmasking and surveillance of people that took place during the Obama administration, Trump tweeted Thursday. According to a tally by U.S. spy agencies, the House Intelligence Committee requested five to six unmaskings of U.S. organizations or individuals related to Trump or Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton between June 2016 and January 2017. Officials familiar with the matter said that the committees requests focused on the identities of U.S. organizations that had been hacked by the Russians in 2016. Officials declined to say how many of the requests came from Democrats vs. Republicans. The chairman of the committee wields enormous control over the actions of its members and requests for more information from intelligence agencies. Officials said that committee rules require the chairman to sign off on the requests, even ones that are not his own. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) A spokesman for Republicans on Nuness committee declined to comment on whether the panel made any requests for unmasking. He added, It is standard operating procedure for the House Intelligence Committee to forward all committee members questions from both parties to the appropriate agencies, whether or not they are answered. I refer you to committee Democrats for further questions on this subject. Every day, U.S. intelligence agencies sweep up vast quantities of foreign communications. Sometimes, they pick up communications involving U.S. individuals or organizations. In reports based on those communications, intelligence agencies mask the identities of the Americans, part of an effort to protect their privacy. Senior government officials, however, can ask spy agencies to reveal the names of Americans or U.S. organizations in the reports if they believe that doing so will help them better understand the underlying intelligence. They must have a legitimate need to know, and National Security Agency unmaskings are reviewed by the Justice Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, known as the ODNI. Some officials said that House Intelligence Committee members may not have realized spy agencies would count their requests as unmaskings. These officials said lawmakers submitted questions that intelligence officers could answer only by revealing the identities of U.S. individuals. Nunes served subpoenas this week to the CIA, the NSA and the FBI asking for information about unmaskings requested by three former officials: national security adviser Susan E. Rice, CIA director John Brennan and U.N. ambassador Samantha Power. On Thursday, Nunes tweeted, Seeing a lot of fake news from media elites and others who have no interest in violations of Americans civil liberties via unmaskings. Democrats on the panel say they believe the latest direction of Nuness investigation is designed to deflect attention from the Russia probe. In April, Nunes was forced to recuse himself from the committees probe of Russia because of allegations he may have inappropriately disclosed classified information. Nunes has denied any wrongdoing. Current and former U.S. intelligence officials say requests for unmaskings are a routine and necessary part of their national security work. After requests are made, spy agencies decide whether to provide the names. Officials say few requests are rejected because most are legitimate. Still, senior officials know that unmaskings can be controversial and are often reluctant to submit large numbers of requests. To protect themselves from any allegations of abuse, spy agencies track unmasking requests closely. Rice and Brennan declined to comment. During an appearance on MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell Reports in April, Rice denied that she sought to improperly unveil the names of Trump campaign or transition officials for political purposes. In recent congressional testimony, Brennan also has denied that he made any improper unmaskings. Power did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Nunes first called for his committee to investigate alleged Obama administration-era surveillance of Trump and his associates after the president, in a March 4 tweet, accused Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower. Officials said at the time that Trumps wiretap allegations were false. On March 15, Nunes and the committees ranking Democrat, Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California, sent a joint letter to the CIA, the NSA and the FBI asking them to provide the names of any intelligence and law enforcement agencies, as well as senior executive branch officials, who requested or authorized the unmasking of any U.S. persons or organizations between June 2016 and January 2017 related to presidential candidates Donald J. Trump and Hillary Rodham Clinton and their associates in 2016. While the House Intelligence Committee asked only for the names of administration officials who requested unmaskings related to Trump and Clinton, intelligence agencies responded to the request by providing a tally that included requests by lawmakers. The tally showed several requests from the House Intelligence Committee requests that one official said were no different than those made by Obama administration officials. This notion that there are these politically motivated unmaskings is just nonsense, said the official. In contrast to the committees handful of unmasking requests, officials said the tally showed that Rice requested a single unmasking related to Trumps activities between June and January. The Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee made no requests for unmaskings related to either Trump or Clinton during that time frame, according to the tally. At a House Intelligence Committee briefing in May, Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) pressed Brennan on whether he had ever requested the unmasking of a U.S. persons identity. Brennan responded that he had. Gowdy then pressed Brennan on whether he was aware of any requests made by any U.S. ambassadors, a possible reference to Power. Brennan said he was not aware of any unmasking requests by ambassadors. According to the ODNI, last year the NSA unmasked at least 1,934 identities of U.S. persons at the request of government officials. That figure relates to a certain court-authorized program of foreign intelligence gathering inside the United States. Sen. Richard Burrs (R-N.C.) order to collect copies of the CIA interrogation report was criticized by Democrats as an attempt to erase history. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) moved this week to retrieve copies of the committees 2014 secret report on the CIAs brutal detention and interrogation program from federal agencies and return them to Congress. By late Friday, most of the copies known to have been distributed had been returned to the committee, including by the CIA and its inspector generals office, the director of national intelligence, and the State Department. At least one remains sealed in federal court, while Justice and the Defense Department each retain a copy. A copy is also held by the National Archives among former president Barack Obamas papers. The report, five years in the making, detailed secret detention and interrogation procedures carried out on terrorism suspects by the CIA between 2001 and 2006. Among other things, it charged the agency with brutal treatment, mismanagement, and concealing information about the program. Committee Republicans had declined to participate in the investigation, charging that it was politically motivated. While a 500-page, redacted summary was eventually released, the bulk of the report remains classified. Burrs order to collect copies of the 6,700-page document came weeks after the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union for the executive branch to release the full report, ending a two-year legal battle. Democrats cried foul, charging that Burr intends to bury the document and ensure that it is never released. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who chaired the committee when it was written, said Burrs intent in collecting copies of what she called the torture report was to erase history and make sure the document would not be read by current and future officials. The purpose of the highly critical report was to learn from past mistakes and ensure that these abuses are never again repeated, Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), now the committees senior Democrat, said in a statement. A Warner aide said the senator had not been informed of Burrs directive in advance and that he disagreed with it. A senior Trump administration official said the matter was between Congress and the courts. Once the court ruled that the document was rightfully Congresss, and Congress had asked for its material back, we felt it was appropriate for executive branch departments to return it, said the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly on the issue and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Burr first called for the copies to be returned in early 2015, after Republicans won control of the Senate and he became committee chairman, but retrieval was frozen by the ongoing court case. In a statement issued by his office Friday, Burr said that in light of court rulings, he had now directed my staff to retrieve copies of the Congressional study that remain with the Executive Branch agencies and, as the Committee does with all classified and compartmented information, will enact the necessary measures to protect the sensitive sources and methods contained within the report. Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU National Security Project, said: It would be a travesty for agencies to return the CIA torture report instead of reading and learning from it, as senators intended. The landmark investigative report documents horrific abuses and also details of CIA lies to the White House, Congress, the courts, and the public about its torture program. Congress is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, but distribution of the report to federal agencies provided an opening for FOIA requests for its declassification and release. In 2013, after a first version of the document was completed, the ACLU filed a federal FOIA case against the CIA, the DNI and the Justice, State and Defense departments. The suit was renewed in 2014, after the report was updated with the CIAs critical response to it. A declassified summary was released that year, with the support of Burr and several other Republicans. Obama said he backed the summary release because one of the strengths that makes America exceptional is our willingness to openly confront our past, face our imperfections, make changes and do better. But the Obama administration continued to contest the FOIA case, arguing that the full document belonged to Congress and not to the executive branch. The District of Columbia federal court eventually agreed; the ACLU also lost a subsequent appeal. In April, the Supreme Court denied an ACLU petition to hear the case. Afghan demonstrators in Kabul on Friday carry a man who was injured during a protest against Wednesdays attack. (Hedayatullah Amid/European Pressphoto Agency) An anti-government protest spiraled into a deadly street battle Friday, with security forces opening fire and using armored vehicles to chase demonstrators angered by a massive truck bombing earlier this week. At least two demonstrators were killed, according to police, one of whom was reported to be the son of a senior legislator. There were unconfirmed reports of up to eight people dead and 10 wounded in the melee, which lasted for several hours and shut down central Kabul. Before noon, thousands of people converged on the site of Wednesdays blast in Kabuls diplomatic zone, shouting chants against President Ashraf Ghani and hoisting banners with gruesome photographs from the bombing. The attack left more than 100 people dead and 450 injured. The march which included professionals, students and civic activists remained largely peaceful until one group of protesters tried to reach the gates of Ghanis palace three blocks away. Security forces opened fire with mostly warning shots in the air, but protesters and others later claimed that gunfire caused casualties. One body was taken to a hospital, leaving a large pool of blood. Another group pelted stones at lines of riot police around the blast site. Then army vehicles moved in, chasing protesters from the area and firing heavy barrages of shots, mostly into the air. [Anger and sorrow grip Kabul after bombing] The tumult died down briefly when the call to prayer sounded around 1:30 p.m., but it resumed afterward with gunfire and sirens heard for hours. Police officials said that two protesters had died and that 25 police officers had been injured by stones. They said some demonstrators were carrying weapons and had shot toward the security forces. Relatives and associates confirmed that the son of Mohammed Salem Izedyar, the deputy leader of the Afghan senate and a senior member of the opposition Jamiat-i-Islami party, had died while taking part in the demonstrations. The protesters kept up constant chants of Death to Ghani, as well as Death to Pakistan and Death to America. They burned effigies of President Ghani and demanded that he and his government resign. They also demanded the execution of prisoners from the Taliban and the Haqqani network, a Pakistan-based Taliban faction that many Afghans blame for previous assaults and bombings. Ghani reportedly issued orders for some executions after the bombing, but it was not known if they had been carried out. We want those who did this brutal attack to be punished, said Noor Ahmed, 41, a lawyer at the protest. They should hang the Taliban, use force, take revenge. They should do whatever it takes to stop this. [In Kabul, a bombing takes it toll on me and the city I love] There was no immediate public response from Ghanis office, although the president made a somber speech after the Wednesday bombing and vowed to increase security measures. The United Nations special representative to Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, warned that the protests could lead to further violence and strongly urged opportunists not to use the emotional moment to cause instability. The genuine anger expressed by the protesters, many of whom suffered the loss of family and friends, is fully understandable, he said. But this tragic week has already added too much civilian suffering to Afghanistan, and further violence will not solve any problems. Afghan forces have been struggling to contain an aggressive Taliban insurgency and additional attacks by regional militants linked to the Islamic State. No group has claimed responsibility for Wednesdays bombing, but the Taliban denied any links. The government has been weakened by internal disputes, and public disillusionment with its failure to provide jobs and security has grown steadily. Opposition groups have repeatedly called the government illegitimate because it was brokered by U.S. officials after a fraud-plagued 2014 election, and the bombing and violence this week is likely to put intense pressure on Ghani. Kabul has been the site of numerous bombings and ground assaults by Taliban and Islamic State forces in the past several years. But Wednesdays attack was especially shocking, both because of the high number of casualties and because a truck filled with explosives was able to enter one of the most heavily protected areas of the city. The horrific bombing was also especially offensive because the attackers struck during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which people pray, fast and try to avoid disputes. One group of protesters set up a prayer tent in the street and vowed to stay there until the president resigns. There are 8,000 U.S. troops supporting the Afghan government against insurgent forces, but U.S. military leaders say several thousand more are required to stabilize the situation. It is unclear whether the Trump administration will decide to send them or what more can be done to reinforce security in the capital and across the country. This government cannot protect us, and it is being very irresponsible, said a medical doctor among the protesters who gave her name as Simin, 34. I was working in the emergency room all day after the bombing. There were so many victims, we couldnt count them, and we had to lay them in the garden. How can our country go on like this? Read more: Massive blast in the heart of Kabuls diplomatic quarter kills 80 In Kabul, a sidewalk cobbler repairs more than shoes Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Kingsway Financial Services Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the extended warranty business services, asset management, and real estate businesses. The company operates through three segments: Extended Warranty, Leased Real Estate, and Kingsway Search Xcelerator. The Extended Warranty segment markets, sells, and administers vehicle service agreements and related products for new and used automobiles, motorcycles, and ATVs. 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Even so, this prototypes large size and stature indicate that it is in fact the third-generation Touareg, which will remain a two-row, luxury-oriented SUV sitting between the Tiguan and the new three-row Atlas in size, but above both in price. Why It Matters: Volkswagen already was late to the SUV game when it first introduced the Touareg in the early 2000s, and now its finally getting around to fleshing out a broader lineup of crossovers. Although the new, seven-passenger Atlas likely will be the volume leader in the United States, the Touareg gives VW a more upmarket competitor to popular SUVs such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Lexus RX. Platform: The Touareg will trade its aging PL52 platform for the new MLB Evo architecture that underpins the latest Audi Q7. The VWs wheelbase will be shorter than the 10Best-winning Audis, however, because the Touareg wont need to accommodate a third row of seats. Powertrain: A V-6 engine is expected to be standard in the U.S., although we dont know at this point whether itll be the aging 3.6-liter VR6 from the current Touareg or Audis supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 used in the Q7. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission will be standard. A plug-in hybrid option also is a good bet, using a turbocharged inline-four to supplement an electric drivetrain. Competition: BMW X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes-Benz GLE-class. Estimated Arrival and Price: The Touareg will make its debut first in Europe late this year before arriving in the United States at some point in 2018 as a 2019 model. Itll be significantly more expensive than the larger Atlas and, like the current Touareg, should carry a starting price around $50,000. President Trump spoke at length on Thursday about his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. But much of what he said doesnt hold water. In fact, it seemed at times that his speech was straight out of a criticism of a 1997 climate agreement the U.S. also joined but then withdrew from: the Kyoto Protocol. From the legal aspects of the treaty itself, to the effects on U.S. jobs and economic growth, Trumps address was, as one former U.N. official put it, factually sooo incorrect. SEE ALSO: Heres why you shouldnt totally despair if the U.S. ditches the Paris Climate Agreement Anybody with Google on their phone can fact-check the many statements that were made today," Christiana Figueres, who helped broker the 2015 Paris accord through years of tough negotiations, said Thursday on a call with reporters. Well make it even easier. Heres a look at what Trump said, and how he got it wrong: 1. The Paris agreement, if fully implemented with total compliance from all nations, would only limit global temperature rise by two-tenths of 1 degree Celsius a tiny, tiny amount Not exactly. The agreement sets emissions goals that are designed to be revisited, and presumably made more ambitious, every five years. So the Trump administrations number appears to be based on a scenario in which countries only live up to their initial commitments, rather than future ones already under discussion. Image: climate interactive An analysis by Climate Interactive, which is based on the commitments already made, shows that they would cut global warming from 4.2 degrees Celsius, or 7.6 degrees Fahrenheit, above preindustrial levels in a business-as-usual scenario, down to to 3.3 degrees Celsius, or 6 degrees Fahrenheit, by 2100. That is a far greater reduction than what Trump said. For his figures, Trump and his team distorted findings from an MIT study released in April 2016. The authors of that research have complained about Trump's mischaracterizations and noted that they had no contact with the White House prior to the speech on Thursday. Story continues 2. Trump will renegotiate U.S. involvement in the Paris agreement Https%3a%2f%2fvdist.aws.mashable.com%2fcms%2f2017%2f6%2fd3b041ea 7c62 2ce1%2fthumb%2f00001 Trump said that, in order to fulfill his "solemn duty" to protect Americans, the U.S. will begin to withdraw from the Paris agreement "but begin negotiations to reenter either the Paris accord or a really entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers." His administration "will see if we can make a deal that's fair. And if we can, that's great. And if we can't, that's fine," he said. Yet the Paris treaty isnt something that one country or many countries can renegotiate on their own. Its all or none. This is in essence a multilateral agreement. Thats why it took six years to bring together, and no one country can unilaterally change the conditions, Figueres said. Its a very sad, but actually concerning, fact that apparently the White House has no understanding of how an international treaty works. John Kerry, then the U.S. secretary of state, holds his granddaughter while signing the book for the Paris Climate Agreement on April 22, 2016. Image: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images Michael Oppenheimer, a climate scientist and member of the U.N.s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said the treaty Trump described bore little resemblance to the Paris agreement which is non-binding and voluntary, and carries no legal punishments. Instead, Trump seemed to be discussing Kyoto, which legally required action from wealthier countries, such as the U.S., but not emerging economies like China. Its completely different from Kyoto, yet they are stuck in this 20-year time warp, Oppenheimer said in an interview, adding, And unfortunately were stuck in there with them. Trump can technically withdraw the U.S. from the Paris agreement, but it wont happen as immediately as it he made it sound. While any country can leave the pact, a government cant submit its plans to withdraw to the U.N. until three full years after the country formally adopted it. In Americas case, that means Trump cant withdraw until Nov. 5, 2019 and even then it will take another year for the U.S. to officially leave. 3. The Paris agreement places draconian financial and economic burdens on U.S. businesses, workers, and families Https%3a%2f%2fvdist.aws.mashable.com%2fcms%2f2017%2f6%2fe73df268 e0e5 f6e0%2fthumb%2f00001 The Paris agreement doesnt require the U.S. to do anything it doesnt want to do. Each nation submits its own plan for reducing emissions, but the U.N. cant punish it for not following suit. This lack of real teeth is why environmentalists have criticized the treaty as weak, when compared to the challenge of the climate crisis. But theres nothing draconian about voluntary and non-binding terms. 4. The Paris agreement will hurt the U.S. economy and destroy jobs In his speech, Trump cited an analysis that claimed the U.S. commitment under the Paris agreement would cost the U.S. economy nearly $3 trillion and eliminate 6.5 million industrial sector jobs by 2040. The Obama-era commitment says the U.S. will cut carbon emissions by 26 to 28 percent by 2025, compared to 2005 levels. America is already about halfway toward meeting that target, in large part because cheaper, lower-carbon natural gas has replaced coal as the main U.S. electricity source. National Economic Research Associates, a consulting firm that often produces anti-regulation studies, conducted the report Trump cited. But the firm assumes highly unrealistic and unnecessarily expensive actions are taken to reduce emissions. It also figures that clean energy technologies, such as wind and solar power and electric cars, see no significant cost reductions or innovative advances, making them appear artificially costly, according to the nonpartisan World Resources Institute (WRI). Electric cars are parked at a car charging station at The University of Maryland College Park. Image: The Washington Post/Getty Images Many experts have said that, on the contrary, the Paris agreement will boost the U.S. economy by attracting investment and job growth in new clean energy industries. Even as jobs in traditional fossil fuel sectors decline, the broader economy is not expected to fizzle. Gov. Jerry Brown noted that Californias economy grew 40 percent faster than the rest of the U.S. last year, even as the Golden State carried out aggressive policies for boosting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and zero-emissions vehicles. California has the sixth largest economy in the world, with about $2.46 trillion in gross state product, and its climate policies far outstrip those at the federal level. Californias economy and Americas economy are boosted by following the Paris agreement, Brown told reporters on a call. 5. Under the Paris agreement, China is allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants and boost its emissions over a staggering number of years, while the U.S. will have its hands tied, with no chance to build clean coal technologies A coal-fired power plant. Image: AP/REX/Shutterstock Once again, the Paris Climate Agreement in and of itself doesnt dictate what a country can and cannot do. This is not the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, all signs indicate that China is moving in the complete opposite direction of a coal-fired renaissance. In January, the Chinese government canceled plans to build more than 100 coal-fired power plants, in an effort to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate the dangerous, dirty smog blanketing its biggest cities. Under Paris deal, China committed to produce as much clean electricity by 2030 as the US does from all sources today https://t.co/F8Ppr2o7Rl Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 That same month, Chinas energy agency said it would spend 2.5 trillion yuan, or $361 billion, on clean energy projects by 2020 to help shift the nation away from fossil fuels. China is also poised to launch the worlds largest carbon trading market later this year with a new cap-and-trade system. Legally speaking, the U.S. can build all the coal plants it wants under the Paris agreement. But none of them will be clean, because clean coal doesnt exist. 6. The U.S. will be the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on Earth A rooftop is covered with solar panels at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. Image: AP/REX/Shutterstock This sounds great, but the Trump administration is doing little to make that actually happen. So far, the administration, led by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, has been rolling back regulations on fuel economy standards for cars and trucks, methane emissions from oil and gas operations, carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, and proposed regulations to improve water quality. Environmental groups warn that these changes will take the country in the opposite direction, environmentally, compared to Trumps promise. 7. The U.S. has paid tens of billions to the Green Climate Fund, while other countries have barely pitched in. Some of the U.S. funding was raided out of Americas budget for the war on terrorism Jim Yong Kim, Hyun Oh-seok, Christiana Figueres, Hela Cheikhrouhou, speak during an opening ceremony of the headquarters of Green Climate Fund in Songdo, South Korea in 2015. Image: Young-joon/AP/REX/Shutterstock The U.N.s Green Climate Fund is designed to transfer financial and technical support from wealthier countries to poorer nations that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In recent years, nearly three dozen governments have formally committed a total of $10.3 billion to the fund. Of that share, the U.S. has pledged the largest chunk, at $3 billion. But the U.S. is also the worlds largest economy, and on a per-capita basis, its contribution is much smaller than those from northern European countries. So far, the U.S. State Department has actually contributed $1 billion of the total $3 billion pledge, made in two $500 million payments. The money came from the fiscal year 2016 Economic Support Fund appropriation, which is designated to promote economic or political stability in areas where the United States has special strategic interests. That doesnt exclusively mean terrorism. And the consequences of climate change will undoubtedly stoke economic hardship and political unrest in all parts of the world, including those where the U.S. has personal interests. There's also enough funding to fight terrorism even with the climate spending. The U.S. spent about $600 billion on defense in fiscal year 2015, and Trump wants to increase this by another $54 billion next year. In fact, Defense Secretary James Mattis has warned that the military would face a greater burden due to climate change, making the terrorism vs. climate spending comparison even more ridiculous. 8. America faces a massive future legal liability if it stays A global map of Earth at night. Image: NASA This is based on a flawed understanding of how international law interacts with domestic law. U.S. courts wont cite the agreement in their decisions, but the administration is worried that it will come into play in pending cases. This is ironic, since they may need to worry more about the consequences of pulling out of the agreement. In fact, it may soon be argued in court that by leaving Paris unilaterally, the Trump administration is incurring legal liability because it is harming the ability of its citizens to live in a stable climate. A group of 21 young Americans is suing the federal government for failing to act on climate change, with their case currently pending before a judge in Oregon. Marawi (Philippines) (AFP) - Philippine troops have killed 89 Islamist militants during more than a week of urban battles but a final showdown is expected to be fierce as the gunmen protect their leaders and hold hostages, authorities said Wednesday. Attack helicopters fired rockets on Wednesday morning into parts of Marawi, a Muslim city in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines, that were still controlled by the militants fighting under the black flag of the Islamic State (IS) group. President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law across the entire southern region of Mindanao in response to the crisis, which he described as the start of a major campaign by IS to establish a foothold in the Philippines. Eighty-nine militants had been killed in the fighting and the amount of territory in the city that the remaining gunmen controlled had been cut to just 10 percent, military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said Wednesday. However Padilla warned of more intense battles ahead, with the military believing three of the militants' main leaders were likely still in the city. "That 10 percent is most likely the area that is heavily guarded and defended by any armed men if they are protecting any individual of high value," Padilla said. The militants are also holding an unknown number of civilians hostage, according to Padilla and other authorities. They initially 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 and said his captors were holding 240 people hostage. Padilla said the number of people cited in the video as being held hostage could not be verified. He insisted the release of the footage showed the militants were becoming increasingly desperate and said security forces would not back down. "They are trapped, they are contained, they are in areas that they will never come up alive unless they surrender," Padilla said. Story continues - 'Horrific' ordeal - Another major complicating factor was the safety of about 2,000 residents who the local government said remained trapped in the militant-controlled areas. The International Committee of the Red Cross called Wednesday for a humanitarian ceasefire to save them. "I think it's horrific for the civilian people who are in there and we really hope that both sides can agree that the civilians should be given the opportunity to come out," the deputy head of the ICRC's Philippine delegation, Martin Thalmann, told AFP in Marawi. Jenita Abanilla, 47, a laundrywoman, arrived exhausted and hungry at an evacuation centre in Marawi on Wednesday afternoon after heavily armed police rescued her on Wednesday. "We covered the mouths of our children. We were afraid the gunmen would come in and kill us," Abanilla said, adding that she also feared being hit by the military's bombs. Padilla said Wednesday the militants had murdered 19 civilians but insisted that the military's airstrikes had not killed any of the trapped residents. Twenty-one members of the security forces had also died, Padilla said, bringing the combined death toll to 129. The clashes erupted when security forces raided a house to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as IS's leader in the Philippines. He is on the US government's list of most-wanted terrorists. Authorities said they were taken by surprise when dozens of gunmen emerged to protect Hapilon and then went on a rampage through Marawi, the Philippines' main Islamic city with a population of 200,000. Hapilon was being protected by members of the local Maute group, a small band of militants that has declared allegiance to IS, according to the government. Malaysians, Singaporean, Indonesian and other fighters had been involved in the unrest, according to the military. Hapilon and the two brothers who lead the Maute group were still believed to be in Marawi, local military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera told reporters. A Muslim separatist rebellion in the southern Philippines has killed more than 120,000 people since the 1970s. The main Muslim rebel groups have signed accords with the government aimed at forging lasting peace, giving up their separatist ambitions in return for autonomy. The Maute and other hardline groups have rejected the peace process. Drug manufacturers typically get patents on brand-name drugs for 20 years. But sometimes those manufacturers can seek to extend patentsand stave off cheaper generic competitorsby reformulating their drugs, a practice known as product hopping. Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs team has created a roadmap for saving money on prescriptions even as the industry (and perhaps your doctor) might be pushing you toward a more expensive "product-hopped" version. (See our money-saving advice and the chart covering 7 pricey drugs with cheaper alternatives, below.) When drugmakers product-hop, they often combine two older (usually generic) meds. Take Treximet, which was launched in 2008 as a new drug. Its really a combination of the existing migraine drug sumatriptan and the over-the-counter painkiller naproxen (Aleve and generic). In other cases, a drugmaker might introduce an extended-release version of an existing drugor change the dosage, the form, or the way the drug is administered. The maker of the antibiotic Doryx, for instance, extended its use of the brand name for six years with a series of tweaks: by changing the drug from capsules to tablets, by changing from 75-mg and 100-mg tablets to a 150-mg tablet, and by adding two score lines to the tablets. (Its now available as the generic doxycycline.) Creating these new drugs only serves the purpose of keeping cheaper generics off the market, says Michael Carrier, a professor of law at Rutgers University who specializes in pharmaceutical antitrust law and is a co-author of a law review paper on the topic. According to the 2016 paper published in the Notre Dame Law Review, a blockbuster drugone that generates at least $1 billion in sales annuallythat is product-hopped could deprive consumers of $1 billion or more in savings each year. Consumer Reports supports policies that promote cheaper generics in the marketplace. Although prices for some generic drugs are on the rise, the drugs still represent a major way to save. Story continues In a recent Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs nationally representative survey, about one-third of respondents reported that the price of their medication had spiked in the previous 12 months. But Andrew Powaleny, director of public affairs at the pharmaceutical trade group PhRMA, says that when a new drug is released, research to support new uses for the drug continues, especially real-world data collected directly from patients, physicians, and payers (think insurance companies). These findings can lead to expanded treatment options and mean greater hope for patients, Powaleny says. Powaleny says the industry has advocated for increased generic competition, but only when it makes sense for the market. We believe we need to explore opportunities to encourage competition and catalyze generic entry when the market demonstrates a need, he says. Doubtful Benefits Drug manufacturers say these combinations of existing drugs provide more choices, convenience, and effectiveness. But these strategies dont necessarily help your health, studies show. For example, a New England Journal of Medicine study found that Vytorin, a combination of the cholesterol-lowering drugs ezetimibe and simvastatin, was no more effective than simvastatin alone. The practice can cost consumers. In a 2013 study published in PLOS Medicine, Swiss researchers looked at the prescription records of 74,500 patients over an eight-year period. They determined that 14.4 million euros (roughly $17 million) could have been saved by prescribing the generic equivalents for the eight product-hopped drugs examined in the study. Ask Questions, Shave Costs You may not know whether your doctor is prescribing a product-hopped drug, and experts say your doctor might also be unaware. Not many doctors understand the practice, says Aaron S. Kesselheim, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. But a few smart steps could help: Ask Why do you recommend this drug? This is important for pricey new prescriptions or replacements for drugs you already take, particularly if they are combination or extended-release drugs. Talk with your doctor about taking two separate medications rather than one expensive combination product. Instead of the high blood pressure drug Caduet (see chart, below), for example, you may opt to take its two generic drugs separately. Request an alternative. Say to your doctor, Price is important to me. Is there anything else on the market that you would consider prescribing? Something less expensive, older, and just as safe and effective? Carrier suggests. Ask your pharmacist for a break if you dont have any other options. Consumer Reports secret shoppers have found that asking at the pharmacy, Is this your lowest possible price? could yield deeper savings. 7 Pricey New Drugs With Cheaper Alternatives A wide variety of medications have been product-hopped or reformulated, from headache drugs to heartburn treatments. Below, we list common examples and the less expensive options that are available. Brand-Name Drug What It Is Estimated Monthly Price How to Get the Same for Less Adasuve (for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) Old oral drug loxapine reformulated as an inhaler $4,550* The capsule version (loxapine) costs about $45.** Azor (for high blood pressure) Combination of amlodipine and olmesartan $315**/$250*** (generic) A 30-day supply of amlodipine costs about $6, and olmesartan costs about $220.** Caduet (for high blood pressure) Combination of amlodipine and atorvastatin $505**/$250*** (generic) A 30-day supply of amlodipine costs about $6, and atorvastatin costs about $12.** Clarinex (for allergies, hay fever) Desloratadine, but once metabolized by the body becomes loratadine, the same drug as Claritin OTC $235**/$45** (generic) Walmart.com sells loratadine under the Equate store brand for about $4. Duexis (for arthritis, gastrointestinal ulcers) Combination of ibuprofen (Advil and generic) and famotidine (Pepcid and generic) $2,800*** Walmart.com sells a 500-count bottle of ibuprofen tablets for about $7 and a 200-count bottle of famotidine pills for about $10 under the Equate store brand. Treximet (for migraines) Combination of sumatriptan and naproxen $875 for nine pills*** 300 tablets of naproxen cost about $12 at Walmart.com (Equate store brand). Nine tablets of sumatriptan cost about $16.** Vytorin (for high cholesterol) Combination of ezetimibe (Zetia and generic) and simvastatin (Zocor and generic) $395*** A 30-day supply of ezetimibe costs about $280, and simvastatin costs about $7.** Our medical experts say skip ezetimibe; stick with simvastatin alone. Editors Note: A version of this article also appeared in the June 2017 issue of Consumer Reports On Health. These materials were made possible by a grant from the Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by a multistate settlement of consumer fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin (gabapentin). More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Copyright 2006-2017 Consumer Reports, Inc. Australian Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic fired back at the Daily Mail for posting a story implying that there was something going on between him and a female colleague. The headline read, Karl Stefanovic checks into humble caravan park with a Channel Nine colleague and 12 cans of pre-mixed rum, but girlfriend is nowhere to be seen. Karl Stefanovic on Today. (Photo: Today/Nine Network) Stefanovic blasted Daily Mail, stating that he and his colleague were filming a story. He also brought up the publications history of running cheap, lazy, sexist stories. The Daily Mail has run stories in the past with such headlines as, Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it! and Are all beautiful women boring? Its also known for posting tasteless items about female celebrities, including one involving 19-year-old Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams going braless at a charity ball. Many feel the publication is anti-woman, and Stefanovic is no exception. He stood up for Lauren Tomasi, the colleague at whom the article was aimed, saying, The producer pictured on the website is a committed, talented, hard-working and totally professional young woman and not deserving of this cheap, lazy, sexist online slur. Tomasi said on Twitter that she was proud to work with Stefanovic, and Stefanovic had a suggestion for all his viewers who are sick of seeing the Daily Mail treat people this way: Never go to the website. Watch: Wendy Williams Blasts Richard Simmons for Suing Tabloids Read more from Yahoo TV: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram or leave your comments below. Paris (AFP) - Billionaire climate advocate Michael Bloomberg met French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday as the political and grassroots response to Donald Trump's ditching of the Paris Agreement built up steam. Bloomberg made an unannounced visit to Paris after launching a coalition of US cities and corporations that intends to uphold the Paris accord while Macron led Europe's charge to defend the pact. "Today I want the world to know the US will meet our Paris commitment, and through a partnership among cities, states, and businesses, we will seek to remain part of the Paris agreement process," Bloomberg said at a joint press conference at the Elysee presidential palace. "The American government may have pulled out of the agreement, but the American people remain committed to it. We will meet our targets." Macron described the Paris accord as "irreversible" and hailed Bloomberg as "a key player in the climate battle." "He can count on us," he added. On Thursday, Bloomberg said mayors, governors, and business leaders from both political parties were "signing onto a statement of support that we will submit to the UN - and together, we will reach the emission reduction goals the US made in Paris in 2015." He also pledged to muster $15 million for the United Nations' climate body, substituting for US funding likely to be axed by Trump. The money will support the operations of the Bonn-based secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Bloomberg, 75, who was mayor of New York from 2002 to 2013, is estimated by Forbes magazine to be the eighth richest person in the world. A political independent who has been a strident critic of Trump's energy and climate policies, he is also a UN special envoy for cities and climate change. Bloomberg is also president of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, a coalition of 90 cities around the world that is pushing programmes to reduce carbon emissions and shore up urban defences against climate change. Story continues The chair of the group is Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who was also present at Friday's talks. Macron, a 39-year-old centrist former banker, took office last month after a meteoric rise. On Thursday, he was the most vocal of European leaders in criticising Trump's decision and in vowing to defend the Paris agreement. He notably released a video, in French and English, in which he invited American scientists, businesspeople and citizens who are frustrated by the White House's stance to "come and work here with us" on finding a solution to the climate crisis. - Papal talks - In a separate development on Friday, Macron spoke with Pope Francis, "thanking him for... his mobilisation for the Paris Agreement," the presidential office said. "The two leaders agreed to exchange views on the initiatives on climate change that will be taken in the coming weeks," it said, without elaborating. Macron also invited the pope to visit France "at a date that he finds convenient." The pontiff met Trump in the Vatican on May 24, and pointedly gave him the gift of an encyclical he issued in 2015. In it, Francis proclaimed the scientific consensus on global warming and urged the industrialised world to slash carbon emissions to avert catastrophic climate change. Paris Hotel de Ville (city hall) is illuminated in green following the announcement by President Trump that the U.S. will withdraw from the 2015 Paris accord and try to negotiate a new global deal on climate change. (Photo: Nadine Achoui-Lesage/AP) Cities across the world protested President Trumps announcement that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Agreement, illuminating buildings in green in solidarity with the 194 nations that remain committed to the climate change accord. (Trump Tower, on New Yorks Fifth Avenue, was its usual color.) New York City Hall City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement. pic.twitter.com/BV0IIZYPpA Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 2, 2017 One World Trade Center #OneWTC will be lit green tonight in solidarity with the #ParisAgreement @OneWTC One World Trade (@OneWTC) June 1, 2017 Washington, D.C. Wilson Building Exiting the #ParisAgreement may make us see red & feel blue, but the Wilson Building's lit up green tonight to prove the fight endures pic.twitter.com/gRUMDtbXlq Council of DC (@councilofdc) June 2, 2017 Boston City Hall Story continues City Hall is green tonight. Boston stands with the environment. We must protect our future. #ParisAccord pic.twitter.com/yTL5albn2f Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) June 2, 2017 In addition to lighting buildings green, several American cities, including New York and Chicago, have pledged to uphold the Paris Agreement on their own. When the U.S. officially leaves the Paris Agreement in 2020, it will join Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations that are not part of the deal. Several other cities around the world also lit buildings and monuments in green to show their support of the agreement. Montreal Ville de Montreal (Montreal City Hall) Paris Hotel de Ville Mexico City Monumento a la Revolucion A post shared by Cynthia. (@dacynthiaban) on Jun 1, 2017 at 6:56pm PDT Angel of Independence Green lights are projected at the Angel of Independence monument in Mexico City. (Photo: Carlos Jasso/Reuters) Meanwhile, Clover Moore, the lord mayor of Sydney, announced that the citys Town Hall will be illuminated green on Friday night. Slideshow: World reaction to Trumps decision to exit the Paris climate accord >>> Read more from Yahoo News: Getty California is to seek its own international agreement on climate change with China, the states governor has suggested. Jerry Brown, who previously signalled the west coast state was ready to fight Donald Trump over the issue, said he would discuss merging Chinas and Californias carbon trading markets on a visit to Beijing. Carbon trading, also known as cap-and-trade, is seen as an important mechanism for driving down greenhouse gas emissions and Californias market is already linked to the one in Quebec, Canada. Essentially large sources of carbon are given a cap on emissions, beyond which they cannot go unless they buy an allowance. The allowances are sold by companies that reduce emissions below their cap, creating a double incentive to make cuts. China plans to create a national carbon trading market this year, although the project has hit some problems. Mr Brown said he hoped to be able to link the Californian and Chinese schemes at some point. I think that is a heavy lift to include Chinese provinces, but we are definitely taking that possibility very seriously, he said. We want to make sure it has full integrity and know exactly whats going on. And we cant say that today. Maybe we dont put it right in the same cap-and-trade regime, maybe some parallel regime. I am going to discuss that with the highest officials in China this week. He also described Mr Trumps decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement in typically forthright terms: insane. Speaking after the Republican billionaires election, Mr Brown said California might even launch its own satellites to monitor the Earths climate if Mr Trump decided to scrap the Nasa programme. He also warned his administration would fight the national one because denial of climate change was at odds with the survivability of our world. But Mr Brown also sounded a hopeful note that Mr Trumps election might just spur the rest of the world into greater action, in a similar way to a heart attack prompting someone to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Bella Hadid Model Bella Hadid has experimented with many versions of the Dior dress. For a makeup launch event on Thursday, June 1, 2017, for the fashion house, she wore a shorter, see-through style. (Photo: Marc Patrick/BFA/REX/Shutterstock) Dior Makeup brand ambassador Bella Hadid attended a launch event for the fashion house in Los Angeles on Thursday night. To celebrate Diors new Pump N Volume Mascara campaign, the 20-year-old model wore a style for the designer that shes worn before the extremely popular sheer, structured corset gown from Diors spring/summer 2017 ready-to-wear collection. The see-through gown hails from Italian fashion designer Maria Grazia Chiuris first collection as the artistic director of Dior, which was was met with mixed reviews. T-shirts with feminist messages and some fencing apparel were among the styles Chiuri put forth, but the bold see-through gown was clearly a standout among members of the celeb set. Everyone from top models to leading actresses in Hollywood has been spotted in the daring statement gown. Click through the slideshow above to see which members of the celeb set love Diors see-through styles. Related: The Dior Show Is Every Bit Our Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy Related: Rihanna and Natalie Portman Gave New Dior Feminist Collection Major Support This Weekend Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. According to a new report from Kiwi.com, finding cheap airfare is like real estate. Its all about location, location, location. In the study, the online travel agency concluded that some countries offer better value flights than others. Topping the list is Malaysia, where travelers can purchase tickets for about $4.18 per kilometer. Bulgaria came in second at $4.65 a kilometer, followed by India at $4.96 a kilometer. Out of the 80 countries analyzed, the US ranked as the 30th least expensive country to book airfare. With an average cost of $11.50 per kilometer (0.62 miles), the US fell dramatically from last years ranking of 17th. Belgium came in at the bottom of Kiwis list, with the average ticket costing travelers $54.63 per kilometer. The Netherlands was second to last at $54.51 per kilometer, followed by Qatar at $53.94 per kilometer. Airplane on tarmac To develop its ranking, Kiwi analyzed more than a million flights around the world, looking at both short-haul and long-haul routes. All flights were checked for the same dates of travel, taking into account high and low seasons. (Domestic flights were calculated by finding an average airfare from the countrys capital to up to five major cities within the country, or to a major city nearby in a neighbouring country when no domestic flights were available.) Of course, there are many factors contributing to why the price of airfare differs from country to country. Year on year changes can partly be attributed to fuel prices, socio-political shifts such as Brexit, recent elections and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, said Kiwi.com CEO Oliver Dlouhy. The UK which came in 27th on the list for example, is seeing a larger number of Americans visit due to the weakening of the pound, whereas Egypt and Turkey saw a drop in ticket prices due to a decrease in demand due to regional turmoil, Dlouhy said. If demand impacts ticket prices, the US could see itself moving up on next years list. After the Trump administration issued a travel ban affecting seven Muslim-majority countries in February, the US saw a slight dip in international tourism. On June 1, the website Forward Keys reported tourism to the US is still struggling, with summer airfare bookings down 3.5% compared to last year. Story continues Brittany is a reporter at Yahoo Finance. Airfare to these cities is expected to drop in 2017 Airfare battle heats up with $149 flights from US to Europe Trumps travel ban impacts air travel, threatens US tourism President Donald Trump left the Paris climate accords Thursday, joining Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations outside of the pact meant to curb climate change. On Friday, a host of U.S. states, cities, and companies vowed to live up to the terms of the deal. According to a report in the New York Times, a group of mayors, governors, companies and university presidents are planning to submit a plan to the United Nations that would outline how they would meet greenhouse gas emission targets as stipulated by the deal. When former President Barack Obama signed the pact in 2015, he pledged by 2025 to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below their 2005 levels. This group includes 30 mayors, three governors, more than 100 businesses and more than 80 presidents of American universities. In addition, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg also vowed to put up $15 million of his own money to help the group meet the terms of the voluntary pact. Mayors, governors, and business leaders from both political parties are signing onto to a statement of support that we will submit to the U.N. and together, we will reach the emission reduction goals the United States made in Paris in 2015, Bloomberg said in a statement. Americans will honor and fulfill the Paris Agreement by leading from the bottom up and there isnt anything Washington can do to stop us. On Thursday, a group of 83 mayors, representing cities such as Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh, separately pledged to meet Paris commitments. University presidents from Emory, Brandeis and Wesleyan are on board, the governors of New York, California and Washington have signed up, and companies, such as Hewlett-Packard and Mars, have also joined the group. Trump said he pulled out of the deal to save American jobs from being shipped overseas. He also said that the pact puts the United States at the mercy of foreign powers; in fact, the agreement is voluntary. He said he was leaving the pact to help the people of Pittsburgh, not Paris, despite the fact that the Steel City has successfully shifted away from heavy manufacturing to a robust economy fueled by the tech, healthcare, and higher-learning sectors. Story continues In the wake of Trumps exit, China, the European Union and other countries around the world have reaffirmed their commitment to the accord, leaving the U.S. on a diplomatic island with only Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega (and to be fair to Ortega, his country didnt join because the accords werent strong enough). Photo credit: ERIC PIERMONT/Getty Images Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo havent announced theyre adding a new member to their family, but that hasnt stopped Counting On fans from speculating theyre expecting their first child. The pregnancy speculation comes just days after Jingers sister Joy-Anna Duggar wed Austin Forsyth. While it doesnt appear there is any rivalry between the Duggar sisters, its clear Joy and Austin are looking to quickly grow their family after less than one week of marriage. Last month, prior to their wedding day, Joy announced to fans in a Mothers Day video that she cant wait to be a mother myself. Prior to that, she included having children in her five-year plan while speaking to Crown of Beauty Magazine. Could Joy welcome her first baby before Jinger? Based on these four signs, it doesnt look like it! Timeline Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo Photo: TLC Jinger and Jeremy wed on Nov. 5, 2016 and after almost seven months of marriage, its common for a Duggar couple to announce theyre expecting. This, because the Duggars have made it clear in the past that they do not use any preventative measure to stop pregnancy. If that isnt enough to stir some pregnancy speculation, Jingers siblings have each announced a pregnancy after less than one year after marriage. Jill Dillard announced she was pregnant 90 days after her 2014 wedding to Derick Dillard. The couple is now expecting their second child together, due in a few short weeks. Jessa Seewald and her husband Ben revealed they were expecting five months after tying the knot. Jingers eldest sibling, Josh Duggar, and his wife Anna welcomed their first baby, daughter Mackynzie, weeks after their first wedding anniversary. Theyre now waiting on baby No. 5. READ: The Reason Why Jana Duggar Is Not Courting Anyone Playing Coy Since the beginning of their courtship, Jinger and Jeremy have acted coy when asked about their plans for children. We really are just looking to the Lord to see what he provides. Well see, Jeremy said during an October 2016 TLC special. Jinger remained silent during the portion of the questioning. Story continues Being that the couple has been so reserved about discussing plans in the past, it wouldnt exactly be a shock if they kept the pregnancy secret until they could no longer hide it. A Want For Children While Jinger and Jeremy have always been cautious when speaking about their family plans, they have made it clear theyre both very interested in growing their brood. During the very same TLC special, Jeremy said he and Jinger both agree that children are a joy. In February, Jinger told People Magazine they are leaving their baby plans up to a higher power. We are just enjoying our life together and we will see what the Lord does, Jinger said at the time. Video Evidence? While some fans remain unconvinced, Counting On viewers claim to have spotted a hint of a baby bump on Jinger in a video from Joy and Austin Forsyths wedding. Its really hard to believe that this day is here, Jinger says in a video congratulating her sister and new brother-in-law. Joy, just seeing you grow up and mature into a godly young woman and now seeing your love for Austin, were so excited for you guys. While Jinger didnt make any mention of a baby in the clip, comments from viewers claim they spot a small bump on the reality star in the footage. Definitely see a bump but she couldve done a close up if she wanted to hide it. Maybe they are teasing us and slowly revealing shes pregnant. Love this family, one fan wrote. I think shes pregnant, said another. Shes pregnant and trying to hide it, reads a third comment. Related Articles New York (AFP) - Democratic state governors from California, New York and Washington formed an immediate alliance Thursday committed to countering climate change, defying Donald Trump's announcement that the United States was leaving the 2015 Paris accord. The three states represent more than one-fifth of US gross domestic product, are home to 68 million people, or nearly one in five Americans, and account for at least 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, the governors said. California's Jerry Brown, New York's Andrew Cuomo and Washington state's Jay Inslee -- all Democrats -- urged other states to join their United States Climate Alliance, saying that they were committed to taking aggressive action against climate change. They remain committed to achieving the US goal of reducing emissions by 26-28 percent from 2005 levels, and meeting or exceeding the targets of a federal Clean Power Plan, they said. Cuomo said the "reckless" decision, announced by the Republican commander-in-chief on Thursday, would have "devastating repercussions" for the planet, and accused the US administration of abdicating its global leadership. "New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris accord regardless of Washington's irresponsible actions," he said. "If the president is going to be AWOL in this profoundly important human endeavor, then California and other states will step up," said Brown. "While the president's actions are a shameful rebuke to the work needed to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren, states have been and will continue to step up," added Inslee. The governors said the alliance would work to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy. Trump announced from the White House that the United States would withdraw from the 2015 Paris agreement and try to negotiate a new global deal on climate change, provoking swift condemnation of European leaders. Some Twitter users accused Islamic State Group, also known as ISIS, for attacking a resort and casino complex in Manila. The hotel was on lockdown after there were reports of gunfire and explosions, Al Jazeera reported Thursday. At the time this article was published, ISIS did not take responsibility for the assault. Pictures of videos of the incident soon went viral on social media. In some of the images, emergency personnel could be seen administering help to victims. READ: ISIS In Philippines: How Islamic State Group Is Expanding Its Base In Southeast Asia The attackers were apparently wearing black shirts and masks, witnesses told local media, as per Al Jazeera. Situation has calmed down at Resorts World #Manila, Police trying to get injured out while it appears that attacker escaped the scene. pic.twitter.com/YB5GzHzHAo Aldin Abazovic __ (@CT_operative) June 1, 2017 Resorts World Manila quickly added a statement to their official Facebook page. It read: Resorts World Manila is currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men. The Company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe. We ask for your prayers during these difficult times. The post quickly garnered nearly 2,000 shares. They also issued a slightly different statement on Twitter. Resorts World Manila is currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men, the post said. The Company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe. We ask for your prayers during these difficult times. One photo, which went viral, shows a hotel guest on his hands and knees. He has a bottle of water in front of him and looks like he is covered in soot. Story continues Its unknown how many people were injured or killed. One victim reportedly suffered severe gunshot wounds, according to the Manila Standard. President Donald Trump did not immediately issue a statement, however, he was informed about the attack. Press Secretary Sean Spicer took to Twitter to explain. @POTUS is aware of the situation in Manila and being provided updates by his national security team, he tweeted Thursday. One of the reasons ISIS was likely blamed for the attack is because they have been expanding their base in the Philippines. Over the weekend, 19 civilians were killed by the militant group in Marawi, a southern Philippine city. There has been a total of at least 85 deaths related to ISIS, reports claimed. ISIS has the potential to surge in Southeast Asia if they lose their footing in the Middle East. ISIS has publicly accepted pledges from various groups in the Philippines and has called on followers in Southeast Asia to go to the Philippines if they cannot travel to Syria, an American intelligence official told the Washington Times Sunday. The group harbors global ambitions and seeks to expand its influence in Southeast Asia by cultivating a network of adherents and supporters, the official said adding As it has done in its main battle space of Iraq and Syria, ISIS seeks to exploit ungoverned space. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte did not yet issue a statement. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Follow me on Twitter @mariamzzarella Related Articles Fired FBI Director James Comey: Reuters The White House is reviewing whether Donald Trump will try to use his presidential powers to attempt to prevent former FBI James Comey from testifying before Congress about their interactions. Staffers including White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said that the president and his White House counsel haven't decided whether to invoke a doctrine called executive privilege, saying that the West Wing hadn't had enough time to consider all of the options just yet. "That committee hearing was just noticed and I think, obviously, it has got to be reviewed," Mr Spicer said. "Literally, my understanding is the date for that hearing was just set. I have not spoken to counsel yet. I don't know how they are going to respond." Legal experts have suggested that the method could be used to stop Mr Comey from testifying. However, such a manoeuvre would likely draw criticism and could be challenged in court. We'll be watching with the rest of the world when Director Comey testifies, Ms Conway told ABC News. Mr Comey, who was fired by the US president last month, is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee which is probing possible collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia. He was overseeing an FBI investigation into the issue before his dismissal. He will appear in a public session and behind closed doors. Mr Comey's dismissal was criticised by Democrats and Republicans alike. Alongside the Russia investigation, he was heading a separate probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Mr Flynn resigned in February after it was revealed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other top White House officials about his conversations with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the US. The President has said Mr Comey informed him three times that he personally was not under investigation. However, a memo allegedly written by Mr Comey and reported in The New York Times suggested that the president asked him to end its investigation into Mr Flynn. Story continues The White House dismissed the memo as inaccurate. The Senate panel is likely to ask Mr Comey about these interactions and the allegation that Mr Trump tried to pressure him into dropping the FBIs inquiry into Mr Flynn, whose ties to both Russia and Turkey are under scrutiny. Mr Comey has reportedly spoken with Special Counsel Robert Mueller who is now overseeing the Russia investigation for the Justice Department to work out what he can publicly discuss in his testimony and thereby ensure there are no legal issues. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives also have committees conducting their own probes into possible ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. Mr Trump has denied claims of any collusion, calling reports about the matter, fake news. Trump is doing his best to ruin the world for our children and grandchildren Donald Trump displays one of five executive orders he signed related to the oil pipeline industry in the oval office of the White House January 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Photograph: Pool/Getty Images In an inexplicable abdication of any semblance of responsibility or leadership, Donald Trump has announced that he will begin the process to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate treaty, joining Nicaragua and Syria as the only world countries rejecting the agreement. It now seems inevitable that the history books will view Trump as Americas worst-ever president. If I and my advisors had never learned what Science is or how & why it works, then Id consider pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord too. Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) June 1, 2017 Trumps withdrawal from the Paris treaty is a mostly symbolic act. Americas pledges to cut its carbon pollution were non-binding, and his administrations policies to date had already made it impossible for America to meet its initial Paris climate commitment for 2025. The next American president in 2020 can re-enter the Paris treaty and push for policies to make up some of the ground we lost during Trumps reign. However, withdrawing from the Paris treaty is an important symbolic move a middle finger to the rest of the world, and to future generations. America is by far the largest historical contributor to climate change. Ironically, on the heels of Trumps claim that most NATO members arent paying their fair share to the organization, America has announced that we wont do our fair share to curb the climate change threats that we are the most responsible for. The Rotting Republican Party And the GOP has become the Party of Trump. His decision was reinforced by a letter from 22 Republican senators urging withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty. Those senators have coincidentally received over $10m in donations from the fossil fuel industry over the past five years. Story continues Their reasoning was dubious at best, arguing that environmental attorneys will cite the international agreement in their efforts to prevent the Trump administration from eliminating President Obamas Clean Power Plan. By law, the US government is required to regulate carbon pollution under the Clean Air Act, because it poses a threat to public welfare. The Republican Senators wrote: Environmentalists will argue that these [Clean Air Act] Section 115 requirements are, in fact, met more easily by the Paris Agreement because it includes enhanced transparency requirements in Article 13, which establishes a process for nations to submit plans to reduce emissions to one another and then to comment on the plans of one another. As National Resource Defense Council climate and clean air program senior attorney David Doniger explained to me, this argument is nonsense: They are making things up. EPA did not rely on Paris to justify the Clean Power Plan, and none of the parties defending the Plan has cited Paris as a legal basis. On Clean Air Act Section 115, no one I know has made, or even thought of, this argument. Its difficult to discern the Republican Senators motivations behind this letter. Even big oil and coal and many of Americas largest companies supported America staying in the Paris agreement. Industries dont like the uncertainty involved in lurching in and out of international treaties, and experts are concerned about the effect on Americas international influence from tearing up this critically important agreement that we helped broker less than two years ago, that was signed by nearly every world country. Perhaps the Republican Senators are trying to ride Trumps nationalist, anti-globalist coattails. Maybe they think that their right-wing base will be excited if they stick it to the rest of the world on Paris. However, majorities of voters in every single county in the US support regulating carbon as a pollutant, and 71% of Americans (including 57% of Republicans) think the US should participate in the Paris agreement. 22 Senators asked President Trump to leave the #ParisAgreement. Their constituents disagree. pic.twitter.com/pj3H7QeKw3 Yale Climate Program (@YaleClimateComm) May 30, 2017 In short, efforts to pull out of the Paris treaty are woefully misguided, and almost everyone knows it. Everyone except 42% of Senate Republicans including leader Mitch McConnell, James Inhofe, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and of course Trumps senior advisor Steve Bannon and his EPA administrator Scott Pruitt. Additionally, the Koch brothers and Vladimir Putin are not fans of the treaty. Those two factors may best explain this decision by Trump and the Republican senators. Good luck kids, youll need it Political calculations aside, pulling America out of the Paris agreement is grossly immoral. Human-caused climate change puts the well-being of our children and grandchildren at risk. Thats especially true for poorer countries that lack the resources to adapt to its impacts, and that contributed the least to the problem. However, the move will also hurt the American economy, as Joseph Robertson wrote on these pages earlier this week: With China, India, and the EU all moving toward record investments in clean energy and high-efficiency construction, transport and industrial production, withdrawal from the Paris Agreement risks making the US into an economic backwater. Withdrawal would effectively deprive American businesses and communities of the most efficient ways to boost investment, hiring, innovation, and return on investment. Some Republican leaders are struggling to preserve their partys credibility and viability. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) warned against the withdrawal. 20 House Republicans have now joined the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, whose goal is to craft economically beneficial climate policies that both parties can support. And a group of Republican elder statesmen including Secretaries of State and Treasury to Presidents Reagan, George HW Bush, and George W Bush met with the White House seeking support for a revenue-neutral carbon tax plan. So far, these leaders laudable efforts have failed. Trump and the majority of Republicans in Congress are doing everything they can to increase American carbon pollution. They want to repeal all of Americas climate policies with no replacement plan. In short, theyre happy to let the world burn, and for our children and grandchildren suffer the consequences. 2020 election will be a climate referendum This is the rotten state of todays GOP. Theyre happy to sell out the future of humanity for their own short-term political gain. Noam Chomsky was right the Republican Party may be the most dangerous organization in human history. This move comes at a time when the need to act on global warming has been clear for decades, but the GOP has blocked all American climate policy efforts, and were now running out of time to avoid dangerous climate change. Trump, per a source, will follow the 4-yr rule to get out of Paris, meaning the US will leave on Nov 4, 2020. Election Day 2020: Nov 3. Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) June 1, 2017 Americas withdrawal from the Paris treaty will take four years, meaning that the 2020 election (and the 2018 midterms) will be a referendum on Trumps decision today. American voters must send the world a signal in that election. In the meantime, it will be up to the rest of the world - particularly China and the EU - to take up the mantle of leadership on climate change that America has left behind. CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court sentenced a man to death on Thursday for raping a 20-month-old girl, in a case that sparked widespread public outrage, judicial sources told Reuters. The victim's mother accused a 35-year-old man of kidnapping and raping her daughter, causing heavy bleeding. The authorities arrested the defendant in March. A criminal court in the Nile Delta province of Dakahlia recommended the death penalty in April and referred the case to the top religious authority, the Grand Mufti, for a non-binding but legally required opinion. The defendant may appeal the verdict to the Court of Cassation, the country's top court, which may uphold it or order a retrial. "I hope the verdict is upheld so that society is assured that deterrence exists," the victim's lawyer, Tarek al-Awady, told Reuters. (Reporting by Haitham Ahmed; Writing by Arwa Gaballa; Editing by Ahmed Aboulenein) EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt refused to answer the same question repeatedly throughout Fridays White House briefing: Does President Trump believe in climate change or does he still think its a hoax? Pruitt, who has close ties to the fossil fuel industry, was taking questions because of Trumps bombshell announcement on Thursday that he had decided to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement to combat climate change. The first question came from ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce: Just hoping you can clear this up once and for all. Yes or no, does the president believe that climate change is real and a threat to the United States? Rather than answer the question, Pruitt said that he and Trump were focused on whether or not the Paris Agreement serves the interests of the American people. All the discussions we had through the last several weeks have been focused on one singular issue: Is Paris good or not for this country? Thats the discussions Ive had with the president. So thats been my focus, Pruitt said. Echoing what Trump said Thursday, Pruitt said the Paris climate accord placed the U.S. at an economic disadvantage and was a failed deal to begin with. Scott Pruitt at the daily briefing at the White House on Friday. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Even if all targets were met by all nations across the globe, it only reduced the temperature by less than two-tenths of one degree, he said. The goal of the Paris Agreement is to keep this centurys global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Scientists say that humankind can avert the worst consequences of anthropogenic climate change if global warming is limited in this way. As Pruitt called on the next reporter, Bruce reiterated her request for an answer to her question But on climate change, yes or no? which he ignored. Shortly after, another reporter, Philip Rucker of the Washington Post, gave Pruitt another opportunity to answer Bruces question. Id like to go back to the first question which was asked that you didnt answer, Rucker said. Does the president believe today that climate change is a hoax? Thats something of course he said in the campaign. When the pool was up in the Oval Office with him a couple days ago, he refused to answer. Im wondering if you can speak for him. Story continues Trump had in fact ignored that exact question from a reporter during his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Wednesday. President Trump announces his plan to withdraw from the Paris agreement. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Again, Pruitt deflected and returned to his talking points while claiming that he had answered the question. I did answer the question because I said discussions the president and I have had over the last several weeks had been focused on one key issue: Is Paris good or bad for this country? Pruitt said. Many scientific organizations and associations have released statements saying the scientific evidence clearly shows that global climate change caused by human activities is already happening and that its a serious threat. To name just one example, a portion of the American Physical Societys national policy reads, The evidence is incontrovertible: Global warming is occurring. If no mitigating actions are taken, significant disruptions in the Earths physical and ecological systems, social systems, security and human health are likely to occur. We must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases beginning now. At the press briefing, Jim Acosta of CNN told Pruitt that it seems like ignoring reality to dismiss climate change activists as exaggerators while Arctic and Antarctic sea ice is melting, sea levels are rising and temperatures are setting annual heat records. Theyre a little worried that youre putting your head in the sand, Mr. Pruitt, Acosta said. To many critics, as Acosta pointed out, it appears as if Pruitt and Trump are simply denying the reality of climate change and its threat to the planet. Theres no evidence of that, Pruitt said. On the campaign trail, Trump said many times that climate change is a hoax designed to make money. Pruitt has denied climate science in the past and even said that carbon dioxide is not a primary contributor to global warming. In his previous position as Oklahomas attorney general, he fought against regulations on the fossil fuel industry intended to protect the environment and sued the EPA many times alleging governmental overreach. John Coequyt, the global climate policy director for the Sierra Club, released a statement saying that Pruitt was clearly scrambling to explain the unexplainable. Pruitts incoherent distortions of reality offer no good reasons why the Trump Administration would turn its back on the vast majorities of the public that support the Paris Agreement because there are no good reasons, he said. Pruitt is learning that the hard way. Read more from Yahoo News: By Isabel Coles KOJO, Iraq (Reuters) - Nadia Murad made an emotional return on Thursday to the Yazidi village in northern Iraq where she was captured and sold as a slave by Islamic State three years ago. She broke down in tears as she approached the school where the militants rounded up the population of Kojo and separated the men from the women, part of a series of crimes the United Nations described as a genocide against the Yazidi minority. "I have been waiting for this day for nearly three years," she said on the rooftop of the school, where she had studied for 11 years. On her return, Murad went to see her house and emerged clutching some clothing left there since 2014. A Yazidi fighter said it belonged to Murad's mother, who was killed during the purge because she was considered too old to be taken as a slave. "We hoped our fate would be to be killed like the men instead of being sold and raped by Syrians, Iraqis ... Tunisians and Europeans," Murad said after composing herself, speaking from the roof of the school. Several hundred men were gunned down on the edge of the village. Among them were six of Murad's brothers and stepbrothers. She said the Islamic State emir, or commander, who oversaw what happened at the school was an Arab from the area. "He demanded we change our religion but nobody agreed. "We heard the sound of shots. At first we believed people had come to help us, but when we looked out of the windows ... we saw them killing the men. "We cried to the U.N., Europe, Kurdistan and Iraq but nobody came to help us," Murad said. "... Today the village is surrounded by mass graves." Murad, now 24, was taken in the summer of 2014 to Mosul, Islamic State's de facto capital in Iraq. She escaped in November 2014. She told her story to the U.N. Security Council in 2015 and since then she has become an advocate for the Yazidis and for refugee and women's rights in general. She and another Yazidi woman, Lamiya Aji Bashar, received the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought. Kojo is one of the villages recaptured over the past few days by Popular Mobilisation, an Iraqi Shi'ite paramilitary force trained by Iran. One of Murad's brothers is now fighting with the paramilitaries who retook the area. The two were reunited in the village. U.S.-backed Kurdish forces dislodged Islamic State from other Yazidi villages in the Sinjar region in 2015. Mosul is about to fall to a U.S.-backed Iraqi offensive. The Yazidis are a religious community of about 400,000, whose beliefs combine elements of several ancient Middle Eastern religions. Islamic State considers them devil worshippers. International human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who represent Murad and other Yazidi victims, is lobbying the Iraqi government and the international community to allow a United Nations investigations into Islamic State's crimes. More than 3,000 women are believed still held captive by IS, according to the community's leaders. "All we want," Murad said in Kojo, "is people to save 3,000 women in the Daesh prisons and to document our graves ... until now, not a single mass grave has been documented." (Editing by Larry King) The Donald Trump administration is looking for a retired high-ranking military officer who is suspected of leaking classified White House information to the media, the New York Post reported late Wednesday. The Department of Justice got the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to issue a warrant for carrying out electronic surveillance on journalists, who have received the inside information, the report added. In its initial months, the Trump administration had to face several leaks by unnamed sources to various news outlets. Furthermore, the presidents troubled relationship with media is not new. Barring a few conservative news organizations, he has attacked almost all major media outlets and called their stories on him and his administration fake news. Read:Did Donald Trump Fire James Comey For Refusing To Pledge Loyalty During White House Meeting? According to the Posts columnist John Crudele, a Washington source told him the journalists are not the target of the Justice Departments surveillance, but the administration is focusing on a former high-ranking military officer who held important posts in the intelligence service. The officer received information from three people in the White House who were holdovers from the Barack Obama administration. These people have either been already fired or will soon be dismissed. And these cases, Im told, have been turned over to the Justice Department for possible prosecution, Crudele wrote. This follows a May 25 report by CBS News that said two sources told the outlet three leakers of classified information at the White House were identified and were likely to be fired. Trump administration officials believe leaks of the president's conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier this month were a "deliberate attempt" by Obama holdovers in a bid to tarnish the 70-year-old Republican's presidency. Story continues On Sunday, Trump, in a tweet, called the leaks from the White House fabricated lies. It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the #FakeNews media, the president tweeted. On Wednesday, the Hills opinion contributor Brent Budowsky, who was an aide to former Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Texas) and Rep. Bill Alexander (D-Arkansas, noted Trump specifically mentioned only the White House and not any other federal offices in his Sunday tweet. He did not tweet leaks coming out of the Department of Defense, or from the American military. He specifically mentioned the White House. Perhaps Trump should begin an internal investigation of his White House staff to determine who is responsible for leaks he correctly condemns so harshly, Budowsky wrote. In March, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer did not reject the idea that a deep state could be working to weaken the Trump administration. Deep state is a concept that suggests a coordinated effort is made by government employees and others to influence state policy without regard for the elected leadership. I think theres no question when you have eight years of one party in office that stays in government [theyre] affiliated with, joined [to] and continue to espouse the agenda of the previous administration, Spicer said at the time. I dont think it should come as any surprise that there are people burrowed into government during eight years of the last administration and may have believed in that agenda and want to continue to seek it. I dont think that should come as a surprise to anyone," the press secretary said then. Related: Related Articles New York (AFP) - Goldman Sachs, which has been a source of advisors to President Donald Trump, joined a chorus of big companies to criticize the US leader's decision Thursday to exit the Paris climate agreement. "Today's decision is a setback for the environment and for the U.S.'s leadership position in the world," Goldman Sachs chief executive Lloyd Blankfein said on Twitter. It was the first Twitter post for Blankfein, who joined the social network six years ago. His statement was also retweeted on Goldman Sachs's official account. Blankfein supported Trump's Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton during the presidential campaign, but he had expressed hope about Trump's administration since the election. The Trump administration has hired a number of former Goldman senior executives to fill top roles, including Blankfein's former deputy Gary Cohn. Cohn, the head of the president's National Economic Council, had been seen as supporting the Paris agreement. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also worked previously at Goldman, as did White House strategist Steve Bannon. Well, of course a Grateful Dead documentary is going to be four hours long: The running time for Long Strange Trip: The Untold Story of the Grateful Dead, premiering Friday on Amazon Prime, is just one apt metaphor among many here for the Deads lengthy, digressive, yet purposeful existence since the band formed in the 1960s. Director Amir Bar-Lev strikes just the right tone of informed fannishness while maintaining rigorous control over the rhythm of his film its the movie equivalent of a good Dead concert, without the dead spots. Organized into six acts, Long Strange Trip isnt locked into a strict chronological procession through the bands history. Yes, it begins with the groups formation, first as the Warlocks and then as the Grateful Dead, and it wraps up with the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995. But much of the time, the film moves in a number of directions simultaneously, picking up and filling out various aspects of the bands history. Members of the band most prominently Bob Weir and Phil Lesh talk about the development of the Deads methods of improvisation. The bands roadies and technicians describe the evolution of the Deads elaborate concert sound system and meticulous recording of every concert tapes that have proved a mother lode of music for fans. Bar-Lev is lucky that the Dead has such a colorful and articulate veteran roadie in Steve Parish, whose comments add a great deal of hard-headed authenticity to his witnessing of many key Dead band moments, from its initial experiments with LSD to Garcias descent into drug addiction. Much of Act Five is a lengthy, engrossing exploration of the concept of the Dead-head, as well as the bands canny-by-accident business practices, which inadvertently anticipated the future of the music business. (The Dead was one of the first superstar-status groups to make its money primarily from touring, with record sales used essentially as promotional items for the shows.) There are insightful comments from New Yorker staff writer and Deadhead Nick Paumgarten, as well as amusing fan notes from Deadhead Sen. Al Franken. Bar-Lev seems to have spoken to everyone he wanted to get to, including the bands reclusive lyricist Robert Hunter, with whom he had a few words. Story continues Moving in a psychedelic swirl, the films focus comes to rest most often on Garcia, in whom the essential spirit of the Grateful Dead resided. Bar-Lev has done striking job of cleaning up recordings of various Garcia interviews over the decades so that they end up providing a vivid voiceover narrative sprinkled throughout the film. I say all of this as one who has never considered himself much of a Dead fan: Ive always admired the band more than enjoyed it. This time around, watching every minute of this long film without ever being bored, I really enjoyed the Dead, a lot. Long Strange Trip is streaming now on Amazon Prime. Read more from Yahoo TV: Im Dying Up Here Review: Standup Comedy as Serious Business Ariana Grandes One Love Manchester Benefit Concert to Air on Freeform, ABC Nashville React: Winners and Losers in the Post-Rayna Era Hebron (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Its Old City is in constant lockdown, its holy site where the biblical Abraham may have been buried guarded by Israeli soldiers at checkpoints. Fifty years after the Six-Day War, the ancient city of Hebron, set in the hills of the southern West Bank, has become perhaps the starkest symbol of Israel's occupation. Several hundred Israeli settlers -- many of them especially hardline -- live in the centre of the Palestinian city of some 200,000 residents. Israeli soldiers keep a close watch, and parts of the city are off limits to Palestinians. For Palestinian residents of Hebron, the Six-Day War marked the end of "a golden age," says Eid Jaabari, 21 at the time of the conflict that saw Israel win a stunning victory over neighbouring Arab countries and seize swathes of territory. "There was no fighting, the Arabs had withdrawn," says Jaabari, adding that he saw troops from Jordan, which had controlled the West Bank, leave without firing a single bullet. For the first Israelis to settle in Hebron afterwards, it was "a great miracle". They speak of the first major return of Jews to the city since a 1929 massacre of members of the small Jewish community there, describing it as an extension of a history of 4,000 years of Jewish presence in Hebron. "It seemed we would never return," says Noam Arnon, spokesman for the settlers. Israeli forces seized Hebron from Jordan on June 5, 1967, the first day of the Six-Day War and, at first, the return of Jews to the city did not cause tensions. - Empty streets, padlocked doors - In those early years, Palestinians recall having good relations with the Israelis in Hebron's Old City, which borders the holy site known to Jews as the Tomb of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque. The site is where Abraham, revered by Christians, Jews and Muslims, is believed to have been buried. "The Jews wanted everything to remain calm," and their arrival even "created jobs," recalls Abdel Rauf al-Mohtasseb, who runs a stall in the Old City. Story continues Jaabari, wearing a traditional keffiyeh headscarf and smoking a hookah in a deserted cobbled alley of the Old City, also remembers a time when the area was bustling. "There was so much jostling, you couldn't put one foot in front of the other," he says. Things changed when in the late 1970s the Israeli government agreed to settler demands and authorised an Israeli civilian presence in the heart of the city. Areas of Hebron are now closed to Palestinians, the streets abandoned, ghost neighbourhoods with iron padlocks rusting on doors. Hebron is the only Palestinian city inhabited by Jewish settlers, in contrast with other parts of the occupied West Bank where settlements sprawl over hills outside major Palestinian population centres. Hebron even has its own status that divides the city, leaving a handful of settlers in certain sectors surrounded by checkpoints and hundreds of soldiers, to the dismay of Palestinians who can't move freely. Many of the city's Israeli settlers say they feel besieged. "I have no problem with the Arabs living here," says Gabriel Ben-Yitzhak, a scribe from the Tel Rumeida district who feels a deep connection to the sites he sees from his window and writes of in Torah scrolls. "If it is quiet I have no problem with them continuing to live here. But it is not possible that we are in a constant fear of someone coming to stab us." - 'Like a ghetto' - Arnon, the settlers' spokesman, decries a situation that allows Jews in "only three percent of the city" -- easily identifiable by Israeli flags and soldiers. It is "like a ghetto," Arnon says. Hebron has for decades seen major unrest and was a focal point of the wave of Palestinian knife attacks that erupted in October 2015. Violence in the city peaked in 1994 when Israeli-American Baruch Goldstein shot dead 29 Muslims in prayer in the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs. Since then, the site -- divided into a mosque and synagogue -- is the scene of regular violence. Arnon says that Israeli security control of the entire city, while leaving civilian matters to the Palestinians, would stop the violence. "There is a history book here composed of 4,000 pages," each representing a year of the city's Jewish history, Arnon says. "We are writing our page now," he says. "It gives a meaning to life." But Palestinians say the settlers' aim is to force them out of their own city. "What they want is a land with nobody on it, but the Palestinians are here," Mohtasseb, 59, says. "We can all live together, but the land and the houses are ours. I want to welcome guests, but not armed ones." Democrats in the House Intelligence Committee blocked interviews of key witnesses in the committees ongoing investigation into Russias role in the 2016 presidential election, Politico reported Thursday, citing sources. The objection was made because some witnesses did not comply with the committee's requests for documents. The committee was due to interview 10 witnesses this month, but its senior Democrat objected the move, sources told Politico. Among those to be interviewed were foreign policy adviser Carter Page from Donald Trumps campaign, the presidents longtime confidant Roger Stone, and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Page and Stone are reportedly keen to appear before the panel. Read: No Evidence Backing Trump's Wiretapping Claim, House Intelligence Committee Says According to an unidentified senior committee aide, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California) and Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), agreed not to go ahead with the interviews until witnesses responded to the committees requests for documents. Conaway took over the investigation from House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes in April. Many such requests have yet to be complied with, and neither member believes that interviews should be scheduled until they are answered in full, the senior committee aide told Politico. Anyone suggesting that interviews should take place before the committee has a chance to review the relevant documents plainly and does not have the best interests of the investigation in mind, he further said. Sources told the news outlet the committees investigation was halted because of objections from Schiff (D-California). The majority and the witnesses are ready to go, one of the sources told Politico. But the minority continue to object claiming they arent ready. In January, the committee announced it would launch a bipartisan investigation into likely communications between Russia and the Trump campaign during the election. Ahead of the presidential poll, thousands of hacked emails of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, and the Democratic National Committee were leaked. Russia was blamed for the hack, however, Moscow maintained it did not play a role in the hacking. Story continues On Thursday, Schiff slammed Nunes for issuing subpoenas related to the Russia investigation. He said the latter was violating his recusal from the committees probe on Russia. Nunes had issued three subpoenas in relation to whether intelligence authorities improperly revealed Trump officials in surveillance reports. "The Committee rules provide that the chair has to sign the subpoenas unless that authority is delegated to someone else," Schiff said in an interview with MSNBC. "That authority should have been delegated to [Rep.] Mike Conaway [R-Texas] in consultation with myself. That hasn't happened yet. I think that's a violation of the recusal by the Chairman." "I think they're part of the White House desire to shift attention away from Russia to the unmasking," he added. Nunes responded on Twitter, saying: "Seeing a lot of fake news from media elites and others who have no interest in violations of Americans' civil liberties via unmaskings." In March, Nunes came under fire for reportedly sharing confidential details, including information on Trumps associates and their alleged ties to Russia, with a source at the White House grounds. Following this, top Democrats called for his recusal for not informing the committee before doing so. Related Articles In 1835, the Galapagos Islands shaped the thoughts of a young British naturalist named Charles Darwin, and helped inspire his world-shaking theory of evolution. For that reason, the islands have become something of a Mecca for biologists, who travel there to see the same odd creatures that enthused Darwin. I like seeing wildlife in general, but some of these creatures have become iconic in evolutionary biology, says Leonid Kruglyak from the University of California, Los Angeles, who visited the Galapagos in 2012. The famous finches, with their well-adapted and variously shaped beaks, are especially famous, but Kruglyak found them underwhelming. He was more drawn to the flightless cormorants. There are around 40 species of these birds in the world, and all but one of them can fly. The sole exception lives on the Galapagos, and can be seen on the coasts of the Isabela and Fernandina islands, drying its shriveled and tatty wings in the sun. Compared to other cormorants, this one is about 60 percent bigger. Its wings are smaller and its feathers shorter. Its breast muscles, which would normally power a flapping stroke, are smaller, and the part of the breastbone that anchors those muscles is stubbier. Recommended: Elon Musk Quits Donald Trump Kruglyak wanted to know why this bird couldnt take to the skies. Specifically, as a geneticist, he wanted to know what genetic changes had grounded it. When he got back to his lab, he reached out to a research team that had collected blood samples from 223 flightless cormorantsalmost a quarter of the total endangered population. He and his own team used these samples to sequence the cormorants genome, then compared its DNA to that of three other cormorant species, looking for mutations that are unique to the flightless one, and that are likely to alter its genes in important ways. They found a long list of affected genes. Many of these, when mutated in humans, distort the growth of limbs, resulting in extra fingers, missing digits, and other similar conditions. Some of them are also responsible for a group of rare inherited disorders called ciliopathies, where ciliasmall hair-like structures on the surface of cellsdont develop correctly. Cells use cilia to exchange signals and coordinate their growth. If these hairs dont form correctly, many body parts dont develop in the usual way. In particular, some people with ciliopathies grow up with short limbs and small ribcagesa striking parallel with the stunted wings and small breastbone of the flightless cormorant. Story continues All of this is circumstantial. It suggests, but doesnt confirm, that the cormorants flightless wings might result of a kind of benign ciliopathy. To make a stronger case, Alejandro Burga, a member of Kruglyaks team, focused his attention on a couple of genes. One of themIFT122controls the development of cilia across the animal kingdom. The Galapagos cormorant has a single mutation in a part of the gene that is always the same in other species. Recommended: Mercury Is the Inspectah Deck of Planets The ideal experiment would be to alter the same gene in another species of cormorant, to see if they develop shorter wings. But cormorants arent exactly easy to work with in a lab, so Burga turned to a more amenable animal: the tiny roundworm, C. elegans. He used the gene-editing technique called CRISPR to change the worms version of IFT122 to match the cormorants. And sure enough, its cilia stopped working correctly. Burga also focused on another gene called CUX1, which controls the activity of many other cilia-building genes. Its especially active in the cartilage-making cells that lay the foundations for our skeletons. And here too, the cormorant has an unusual changeits missing a 12-letter stretch of DNA thats present in almost all other back-boned animals. And when Burga deleted this same stretch from the mouse version of CUX1, the cartilage-making cells divide more slowly. All of these experiments paint a consistent picture. By building up mutations in several genes, the ancestors of the Galapagos cormorant changed the workings of its cilia and so altered the growth of the cells that form its skeleton. The result: shorter wings, smaller breastbones, and the loss of flight. Still, there are plenty of missing details. As Kimberly Cooper, from the University of California, San Diego, notes in a piece that was published Kruglyaks results, cilia play important roles all over the body, and humans with ciliopathies have problems with their kidneys, vision, and nervous system. How has the Galapagos cormorant escaped this fate? Do its mutations specifically affect the cilia in its limbs? Or has it evolved safeguards in other organs? Or maybe theyre just weaker mutations, that tweak the function of the genes but dont disrupt them to the same extent as in human ciliopathies, says Kruglyak. Recommended: Did Donald Trump Just Make the Planet Hotter? Id love to see similar studies in other lineages of flightless birds, because I imagine there are many different pathways to the loss of flight, says Natalie Wright from the University of Montana, who studies the evolution of flightlessness. She notes that cormorants dive for their food, and shorter wings make them less buoyant and more streamlined underwater. Most species can only shrink their wings so far without disrupting their ability to fly. But when cormorants landed on the Galapagos, they found a paradise with year-round food and zero predators. They didnt need to flee or migrate, so they could fully adapt to a diving life by shrinking their wings. But other island birds that have become flightless, like rails, pigeons, parrots, owls, and songbirds, arent divers, and wouldnt benefit from shorter wings. Wright suspects that they lost their flight for reasons of efficiency: It takes less energy to grow small flight muscles. Perhaps different genes are involved, she suggests. A decade ago, it would have seemed implausible to ever test if Wright is right. But Kruglyaks work show just how powerful genetics has become, and how quickly todays scientists can uncover the evolutionary secrets of intriguing animals. In five years, I went from seeing this unusual creature in the wild to doing its genome to getting a lot of good clues about what happened [to its wings], he says. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Iraqi forces advanced towards Bab Sinjar in Old Mosul and besieged an Islamic State headquarters in the Zanjili neighborhood on June 1, the Iraqi Federal Police said. About a dozen civilians were injured by Islamic State mortar shells while fleeing from Zanjili, Reuters said, citing Iraqi officials. Zanjili is one of a few enclaves still under the control of Islamic State in west Mosul, along with the Old City and the Medical City hospitals complex. This video here shows Iraqi forces clashing with IS in what they said was the final stage of their operation to recapture Mosul. James Charles has a high school yearbook photo that will never be forgotten. (Photo: Instagram/James Charles) Last September, beauty vlogger and CoverGirls first ever CoverBoy, James Charles Dickinson (professionally known as James Charles), shared a sneak peek at his high school yearbook photo. The pic went viral instantly because Charles went the extra mile, bringing his own photography props to ensure his highlight would be poppin. Fast-forward to Thursday, and his final yearbook photo is here. Lets just say, it probably exceeds his highlight-goal expectations. Poppin' would actually be a bit of an understating descriptive. For Charless exclusive reveal, the 18-year-old influencer decided to share a snapshot of the photo on Instagram with the caption: So the senior yearbooks finally came out today So the senior yearbooks finally came out today A post shared by James Charles (@jamescharles) on Jun 1, 2017 at 11:25am PDT Charless full eyebrows were perfectly groomed, his eyelashes looked voluminous, and his highlighted cheekbones, tear ducts, and nose will have you wondering how long it took him to perfect it all. He possessed a next-level glow thats really hard to ignore when flipping through the pages of a yearbook. The icing on the cake? His priceless yearbook quote: Use code JAMES for 10% off your purchase at checkout. Charless photo has already received nearly 500,000 likes with lots of positive feedback from his fans. Im obsessed with the lighting, one person wrote. Another excited Instagrammer replied: This is the most amazing thing Ive ever seen omg. While many were cheering on Charless over-the-top yearbook photo, the last few months havent been as celebratory for the beauty maven. In March, he faced lots of backlash for tweeting an offensive comment about potentially catching Ebola during a school trip to South Africa. Lots of people who had lost friends and family to the virus were pissed off, and the CoverGirl ambassador immediately issued an apology. Prior to the Ebola joke incident, Charles faced controversy from critics who questioned CoverGirls decision to name a male as the face of such a huge beauty brand. One Christian blogger mom blamed Charles for creating turmoil in her home. Story continues I really hope that as the first male CoverGirl that I am able to inspire others and give other people confidence to try out makeup! Hey, if a random 17-year-old guy can do it, you DEFINITELY can too! the high school senior told BuzzFeed. Breaking gender norms just comes instantly as soon as a boy is comfortable and confident enough to put on makeup. I think its so important to love who you are and be comfortable in your own skin. throwback to coachella where the hot ass sun provided this no-facetune highlight A post shared by James Charles (@jamescharles) on May 29, 2017 at 12:32pm PDT But things seem to be turning around for Charles, one glamour shot at a time. He is still pushing through with his head held high in the most flawless way possible, of course. Can you imagine what his high school graduation slay will look like? 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. If youre waiting for scientists to create a real-life Jurassic Park, dont hold your breath. Researchers say some crucial organic material other scientists found was really just from laboratory contamination, not dinosaurs themselves. The organic material in question involved proteins linked to a Tyrannosaurus rex that lived 68 million years ago in Montana. They were collagen, the most abundant type of protein and a fibrous one that our bones and tissues use on a structural level to stay strong yet elastic. Scientists who found the proteins 10 years ago suggested they had survived with the dinosaur leg bone fossil, giving people hope that when technology became advanced enough, it would be possible to recreate a living dinosaur using actual genetic and organic material. They also later repeated their results with a duck-billed dinosaur. Read: What Do We Really Know About Dinosaur Sex? But the University of Manchester reports a group of paleontologists dug into the matter and said the proteins were not really from the dinos at all rather they came from other animals previously in the lab. The group analyzed collagen from ostrich bone samples, which they chose because ostriches were one of the animals known to have been studied in the previous laboratory. The university said those samples strongly matched the proteins that allegedly were connected to the T. rex and the duck-billed dinosaur, suggesting the collagen came from laboratory contamination rather than the prehistoric creatures. We soon realized that our results were pulling the rug from beneath the paradigm that collagen might survive the ravages of deep time, Manchester paleontologist Mike Buckley said. trex-bones Photo: University of Manchester In reality, apart from the contested dinosaur samples, no collagen older than 3.5 million years has been discovered. Story continues It seems we were trying to reproduce something that was beyond the current detection limits of our science, co-author Phil Manning said in the Manchester statement. This isnt the first re-examination of dinosaur information, not even recently. One controversial paper has suggested dinosaurs emerged in the Northern Hemisphere, contrary to the popular belief it happened in the Southern Hemisphere. There is more to the assertion than just a geographical change if true, that differing history would cause scientists to redraw the dinosaur family tree and what we know about how the creatures evolved, shaking up the world of paleontology. Read: Thousands of Dino Tracks Are Set in Stone At This Beach Also earlier this year, one paleontologist challenged the fields labeling of dinosaurs as male or female based on their bone shape alone, saying that we dont know enough about the extinct animals sexual dimorphism the differences between the sexes or lack thereof to make such conclusions. He called on his colleagues to instead rely on evidence like eggs found in a dinosaur fossil, which would indicate a female. Im not saying that dinosaurs were not dimorphic, but I am saying that theres no existing fossil evidence to suggest that they were, Jordan Mallon said in a statement from the Canadian Museum of Nature. The jury is still out. The Manchester researchers who concluded that those collagen proteins were from modern ostriches rather than ancient dinosaurs called on other scientists to use more robust authentication criteria when searching for biological clues in fossils. Although Jurassic Park may never happen, for those who dream of one day bringing the extinct woolly mammoth back to life, there is still hope: They were living as recently as several thousand years ago, well within the 3.5-million-year timeframe collagen has been known to survive. Related Articles This weekend, Megyn Kelly is making her big debut as the anchor of her new NBC News show, Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly, with an exclusive one-on-one interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The former Fox News host knew that all eyes were on her already when she first met Putin at a state dinner before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday. Thats why we wonder if we should read anything into her choice of dress for the occasion: a blue velvet off-the-shoulder dress with spaghetti straps. Megyn Kelly meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. (Photo: Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Does Megyn Kelly have a pool party she needs to rush to after her convention report tonite? Her outfit suggests yes. pic.twitter.com/IzI3AeP0We stuart emmrich (@StuartEmmrichNY) July 21, 2016 One of Kellys headline-making moments in 2016 (when there were several) was when she chose to wear a spaghetti-strap dress during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last July. Viewers called the look everything from inappropriate to like a whore. On another night of the convention, she bared her scandalous shoulders again, albeit in a more subtle way. She clearly was not ready to cover up to shield others from such a sight. A convention is a kind of free-form extravaganza, and there are certain settings where you can take risks, Kelly later told The New York Times about the dress. So I just thought: Yes, I can do this. I can be smart and challenging while I wear spaghetti straps, and everyone is just going to have to get their heads around that. Since then, while out and about promoting her book, Settle for More (the cover of which features her in a sleeveless dress), and attending other typical celebrity events, she has given us so many different views of her sculpted deltoids. She even told the Times that she wore that dress again, saying, I felt very strongly, I was not going to be defined by what someone else deemed appropriate. Story continues Could that statement be why she and her stylist picked this dress for her meeting with one of the most controversial leaders of the world? EXCLUSIVE: NBC News' @megynkelly joins Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi ahead of tomorrow's International Economic Forum in Russia. pic.twitter.com/L12ahtuTDO NBC News (@NBCNews) June 1, 2017 Then again, this blue dress is her evening attire for a state dinner and photo op with Putin and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who are both speaking at the economic forums plenary session, where Kelly is the moderator. But if she chose to keep it on for her interview on Friday, well, in her words, its on us to get our heads around it. 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. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is organizing an effort by governors, mayors, business leaders and other private citizens to make sure that Americans play an active role in the Paris Agreement with or without the federal government. Bloomberg, the founder and CEO of the media and financial company Bloomberg LP, announced late Thursday that he will lead a group in supporting the efforts of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to help countries fulfill their commitments to the Paris climate accord. Americans are not walking away from the Paris Climate Agreement, he said in a statement. Just the opposite we are forging ahead. Mayors, governors, and business leaders from both political parties are signing onto a statement of support that we will submit to the UN and together, we will reach the emission reduction goals the U.S. made in Paris in 2015. If successful, this will be the first time U.S. citizens, local and state officials circumvented the federal government to negotiate an agreement with the United Nations. As part of this effort, Bloomberg Philanthropies and other groups plan to donate up to $15 million to the U.N.s Climate Secretariat to account for the funding it stands to lose as a result of President Trumps decision to withdraw the U.S. from Paris Agreement. Bloomberg recently co-authored a book with former Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope titled Climate of Hope about their belief that cities, businesses and citizens can win the climate change battle, with or without help from Washington. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (Photo: Christophe Ena/AP) Pope says this kind of effort, enlisting nongovernment groups in international discussions alongside diplomats from nation-states, has not taken place in more than 350 years, since the treaty of Westphalia was signed in the 17th century. In 1648, the nations of Europe decided that from now on diplomacy would be entirely and exclusively the business of sovereign nation-states nobody else got to play. This [the new climate change initiative] is a conscious attempt to reopen diplomacy to multiple stakeholders, Pope told Yahoo News on Friday. Story continues This nascent project has already attracted the support of 100 companies, 30 mayors and four governors. Many companies have already made individual statements condemning Trump but were waiting for him to finally make a decision before deciding what to do collaboratively. Were still signing people up. Were going to spend the weekend doing a lot more recruiting, Pope said. I think we will have at least 10 and maybe as many as 20 states and hundreds of cities. Trump, who has dismissed climate change as a commercial hoax cooked up by China, argued that the landmark climate agreement disadvantaged Americans. Withdrawing from the agreement would also cut the United States promised contributions to the Green Climate Fund, which is intended to help developing countries prepare for climate change and move to clean energy. The fund has raised about $10 billion from advanced economies, including $3 billion from the U.S. Trumps announcement elicited widespread condemnation by heads of state, scientists, concerned citizens and U.S. politicians from both parties. Mike Bloomberg and Carl Pope on CBS This Morning. (Photo: CBS News) To critics, Trump was reneging on promises made only two years ago and forfeiting the United States position as a leader in shaping the clean energy economy of the future. Leaving the Paris Agreement, they contend, will make other countries even close allies skeptical of the United States ability to keep its word. Trumps actions still matter because the federal government has leverage that no one else has, such as regulating oil and gas drilling on public lands. But this new, unnamed, group wants the international community to know that theres more to the United States than Trump and that other organizations will live up to Americas obligations. America will be able to be a compliant, good-faith partner of the U.N. even if Trump doesnt choose to play, Pope said. Were going to go around Trump. The country can go around Trump. We built this mechanism so we can be accountable and transparent. The United States was among 195 countries to sign the Paris Agreement. The pacts 28th article permits any country to submit its withdrawal three years after it went into effect, which was Nov. 4, 2016. Trump would need to wait until Nov. 4, 2019 to formally request withdrawal and it wouldnt go through until Nov. 4, 2020. Trumps other options are to withdraw from the UNFCCC altogether, which would have even graver ramifications for U.S. diplomacy, or just disregard the terms of the agreement and refuse to comply, which would violate international law. A day before Trumps announcement, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker lamented that Trump did not appear to understand that the U.S. would have to comply with the process laid out in the agreement for withdrawal. Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Bloomberg to be his special envoy for cities and climate change in 2014. Shortly after, in an August 2015 article in Foreign Affairs, Bloomberg argued that cities would be the locus for government-related problem solving in the 21st century and that climate change would be the first global problem where this becomes apparent. Bloomberg, who was mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013, helped create a coalition called the Compact of Mayors, now expanded to be the Global Covenant of Mayors, which created a reporting platform that allows cities to collaborate and be globally transparent. Immediately after Trumps election, Bloomberg hinted that the Global Covenant of Mayors might try to take a seat at the U.N. negotiating table if it were vacated by Trump. Now that plan seems to be taking effect. Related video: Read more from Yahoo News: Rachel Rickert claims she was fired for getting her period while on the job and now shes filed a federal discrimination lawsuit (Photo: Facebook) Model Rachel Rickert has filed a federal discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), claiming she was fired by Hyundai while representing the company at the New York International Auto Show simply because she got her period while on the job. Rachel Rickert Rickert, 27, claims that on the second day of the auto show, on Apr. 13, she worked for three hours greeting guests at the booth before she was allowed to take a bathroom break. But she didnt reach the bathroom in time to change her tampon and inadvertently bled through onto the Hyundai uniform of black dress and black tights that she had been given. She says she spoke to her talent rep, Erika Seifred, about the incident and requested a change of clothes. But according to the EEOC complaint, the client wanted Rickert to take the night off due to her period situation. Im not going to let someone tell me I cant have my period when I work. Its unacceptable, Rickert told the New York Post. Youre not a robot. You have to use the bathroom, the model said. (Photo: Bryan Thomas/Getty Images) Rickert said she wanted to continue working since models are paid by the hour, but she was allegedly told to go home. On the morning of Apr. 15, Seifred allegedly called the model and said she was being let go. She called me and pretty much told me that Hyundai didnt want me representing them anymore at the show because they got word of my menstrual cycle, Rickert noted. Youre not a robot. You have to use the bathroom, especially when youre on your period. She added, They just act like were not human. A Hyundai rep told the New York Post they it had yet to receive an EEOC filing regarding the issue. We take any complaint like this seriously and will respond appropriately once we have a chance to investigate the merits of the claim, the rep noted. Although Rickert expected to make about $5,000 from the show, she said she hasnt been paid for her time. Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK. Nigel Farage has had a bad couple of months. He separated from his wife, hes apparently low on cash, and now reports suggest hes a person of interest in the FBIs investigation into whether Trump campaign operatives colluded with Russia to swing the U.S. presidential election. The Guardian reported Thursday that while the FBI is neither accusing Farage of any wrongdoing nor naming him a suspect in the investigation, Farages close relationships with other players linked to President Donald Trump and the Russia probe including Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon, and Trump confidant Roger Stone have sparked the interest of investigators in the bureau. If you triangulate Russia, WikiLeaks, Assange and Trump associates the person who comes up with the most hits is Nigel Farage, the Guardian quoted one source as saying. Farage denied the allegations with gusto, claiming on Twitter that it took him so long to read the article because he was laughing so much at this fake news and calling the report a hysterical attempt resulting from the liberal elite being unable to accept Brexit and Trump. The former leader of the U.K. Independence Party (Ukip), who led the successful campaign for the country to leave the EU, has long shared a relationship with Trump and his allies, as well as Assange, whose decision to publish thousands of hacked emails from the Clinton campaign has been credited with factoring into Trumps surprising November win. Farage has praised the Wikileaks founder, and even visited him at the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he is hiding from extradition in March. Farage later told a German newspaper he had been visiting Assange for journalistic reasons, not political ones. Additionally, the Brexit cheerleader has kept close ties to operatives associated with Trumps campaign. He praised Bannon, the former CEO of Breitbart News, for the sites positive coverage of Brexit, and has reportedly brushed arms with the hollywood-producer-turned-right-wing-visionary as far back as 2012. Additionally, the FBI told the Guardian they are interested by Farages relationship with Stone, whose ties to Russia are also under investigation by the agency and who publicly praised Assange as his hero during the campaign. Story continues Farage has also kept close to Trump himself. He attended the Republican National Convention in August and was one of the first foreign figures to pay a visit to the new president-elect at Trump Tower in November. Trump even once tweeted that Farage should be the U.K. ambassador to the United States, a suggestion which was immediately shot down. Farage, like Trump, has also outwardly expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. But while he may run in the same circles as the key players in the FBIs investigation, Farage strongly denies any ties to Russia whatsoever, claiming not only did he do nothing wrong, but he finds it extremely doubtful the report itself is true. Photo credit: FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images Former president had spent years negotiating for landmark climate accord Mitch McConnell: Trump has put families and jobs ahead of leftwing ideology Barack Obama in Paris in 2015. Obama said cities and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet weve got. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Barack Obama led condemnation of his successors decision to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate accord, which the former presidents administration painstakingly negotiated over the course of several years. In a statement released just before Donald Trump officially announced that the US would remove itself from the deal, Obama said the administration had joined a small handful of nations that reject the future. He warned that the more than 190 countries that remained participants would reap the benefits in jobs and industries created, but he said that US states, cities and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet weve got. The rare rebuke by Obama was testament to the magnitude of Trumps decision. The former president has commented sparingly on the new administration, weighing in only on matters he has framed as of moral significance, such as Trumps stymied effort to impose a travel ban on refugees and citizens from several Muslim-majority countries. Trumps withdrawal from the accord was not just a blow to one of Obamas signature achievements, but to an issue routinely dubbed by the Obama administration as the greatest threat to US national security and future generations across the globe. The former secretary of state John Kerry, who represented the US in the negotiations over the Paris accord, said Trump had turned America into an environmental pariah in the world. In exiting the agreement, the US joined only Syria and Nicaragua in sitting on the sidelines even as widespread condemnation poured in from foreign leaders, climate scientists and many leading US companies. The reaction in Washington was nonetheless split on familiar partisan lines, with Republican lawmakers near unanimously throwing their support behind Trump while Democrats vowed revenge at the ballot box. Story continues Republican leaders Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, who have long sought to thwart Obamas environmental legacy, applauded Trump in their statements. The Paris climate agreement was simply a raw deal for America, Ryan said, adding: In order to unleash the power of the American economy, our government must encourage production of American energy. I commend President Trump for fulfilling his commitment to the American people and withdrawing from this bad deal. McConnell said Trumps move followed through on congressional action to rebuff then-President Obamas regulatory rampage. When the previous administration signed America up for this unattainable mandate, we made it clear we would fight this unilateral action any way we could, and this day could not have happened soon enough, McConnell said. President Trump has once again put families and jobs ahead of leftwing ideology and should be commended for his action. But at least two Republicans from Florida, one of many coastal states grappling with the effects of extreme weather and rising sea levels expressed disappointment with the presidents decision to withdraw. Somethings not right when Potus is putting our country on a list with bad hombres Bashar al-Assad of Syria and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, congressman Carlos Curbelo, of south Florida, wrote on Twitter. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who represents south Florida, urged the US to establish a long term-strategy against climate change. She also noted that Thursday marked the the first day of hurricane season in the state. Democrats were uniformly scathing in their assessment of Trumps decision, with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer declaring it a devastating failure of historic proportions. Future generations will look back on President Trumps decision as one of the worst policy moves made in the 21st century because of the huge damage to our economy, our environment and our geopolitical standing, Schumer said. Pulling out of the Paris agreement doesnt put America first. It puts America last in recognizing science, in being a world leader and protecting our own shore line, our economy and our planet. Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, said Trumps position ran counter to that of Pope Francis, who during the presidents recent visit to the Vatican presented Trump with a copy of his encyclical on climate change. Democrats would join efforts with states, cities and the private sector to make good on initiatives to mitigate the threat of climate change, she added, regardless of the reckless and short-sighted actions that the White House takes. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator who made climate change a pillar of his bid for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, decried Trumps action as an abdication of American leadership and an international disgrace. When climate change is already causing devastating harm, we dont have the moral right to turn our backs on efforts to preserve this planet, Sanders tweeted. At least one senator, Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, appeared to be at a loss for words. Dear planet, were sorry, Murphy tweeted. Please just hang on for three and a half more years and well fix this. We promise. New bodycam footage from the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, has been released, showing the moment police confronted the shooter. It was the deadliest mass shooting in US history by a single gunman, killing 49 people and injuring 53. Eleven hours of footage was made available to ABC and the Orlando Sentinel. The graphic footage shows police entering the club as patrons run outside away from the automatic gunfire, which can be heard in the background of the video. Police can be heard asking if people were hurt and checking pulses on victims as they moved through the scene, but had to wait for the shooter to be located before being able to help. A person reached up and asked for help, but at that point we didnt know where the shooter was, if he was detained, if he was deceased, or what was going on, Kyle Medvetz, one of the police officers who responded, told ABC News. When they identified the location of the shooter, later identified as Omar Mateen, one officer said: "Come out with your hands up, or you will die." What ensued was a harrowing three-hour standoff during which Mateen, 29, called himself an "Islamic soldier" and hid in a bathroom with several hostages. He also said: I pledge my allegiance to Baghdadi on behalf of the Islamic State, in a reference to the leader of the Isis terror group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Police did not immediately storm the club after it turned into a hostage situation because Mateen claimed there were vehicles outside of the club that contained bombs. He also claimed he was wearing a vest strapped with explosives. During that whole three hours, we were in there saving people from the dance floor, from dressing rooms, from the other bathroom, Orlando Police Chief John Mina told ABC News. The standoff ended with police killing Mateen. The video also shows the aftermath of the shooting, with one officer saying there would be "astronomical numbers" of dead and injured. Story continues The FBI confirmed that Mateen had been investigated twice before because he said he hoped to "martyr himself". However, not enough evidence was found to charge him with anything. Then-Director James Comey said Mateen told agents that his colleagues were harassing him because he was Muslim and that is why he made the comment. Pulse was described by the Orlando community as a safe haven for the LGBT community, a fact that many say may have been part of Mateen's motivation for the horrific attack. Donald Trump met with G7 leaders in Taormina, Italy but was not persuaded by their arguments for the US to stay in the Paris climate accords: Sean Gallup/Getty Images Italy, France and Germany have said they regretted US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord and dismissed his suggestion that the global pact could be revised. At his White House withdrawal announcement, Mr Trump complained that the global agreement signed by nearly 200 countries during the previous Obama administration was "unfair" to American workers, imposed "draconian" restrictions on US sovereignty and domestic economic activities, and has withdrawn the US from it "as of today." "We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies," the leaders of the three countries said in a rare joint statement. Mr Trump commented that "if we can get a deal, that's great. If not, that's fine." "We are convinced that the implementation of the Paris Agreement offers substantial economic opportunities for prosperity and growth in our countries and on a global scale," the three leaders said. "We therefore reaffirm our strongest commitment to swiftly implement the Paris Agreement, including its climate finance goals and we encourage all our partners to speed up their action to combat climate change." The joint statement is slightly unusual, but the EU forms a strong bloc under the Paris Agreement, with members often establishing continent-wide goals as well as national ones. Sue Biniaz, former US State Department Deputy Legal Adviser on climate, told The Independent that she thinks the joint statement "is driven by the Paris Agreement's careful balancing and accommodation of interests, very much already including those of the US." "There's no legal reason why it couldn't be amended, but I don't think it needs to be amended or "renegotiated" in order to address the concerns raised by the President," said Ms Biniaz. Story continues "The US has the ability to change its own targets," Todd Stern, the Special Envoy on Climate Change during the Obama administration, told The Independent. The carbon emissions targets and financial contributions to the various funds set up through the UN, the Green Climate Fund, and bilateral commitments can be changed based on each countries' prerogatives. Mr Stern said it was "extremely hard to imagine any country wanting to renegotiate [the agreement] because they felt the US got a bum deal." The other issue is figuring out "what the President even means by that," said Mr Stern. Mr Trump did not go into specifically what points in the Paris accord he wants to amend that would require bringing countries back to the negotiating table after the more than 20 years of talks it took to get to the final text. He has said that the deal would hit the US coal industry hard and that it would prove "too costly" for US to stick to the Paris accord to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But Mr Trump ignores the fact that new money in renewable energy outpaced new investments in fossil fuels for the first time in 2015 to the tune of $350bn. However, the numbers Mr Trump presented - notably losing 2.7 million jobs by 2025 - are inaccurate and do not take into account normal job rate loss and creation, jobs shifting towards more 'green' sectors, and the tangible benefits of cleaner air, water, and less risk of natural disasters along US coastlines. Mr Trump also attacked developing countries, including in China and India who are top polluters but also leaders in solar energy, for relying on foreign aid in order to grow. His comment that he wants "burdens...equally shared by countries all around the world" in a renegotiated deal shows a lack of understanding of the agreement, which was formulated in a way to account for the historical climate damage done by wealthy countries to poorer countries and provisions to help developing countries to grow their economies without over-reliance on the same fossil fuel method. France, Italy, and Germany said they "will step up efforts to support developing countries, in particular the poorest and most vulnerable, in achieving their mitigation and adaptation goals." French President Emmanuel Macron has said there is no Plan B on climate change, declaring that there is no way that France will negotiate a less ambitious climate deal after US President Donald Trump announced he is withdrawing America from the Paris accord. The leaders of France, Germany and Italy issued a joint statement saying they regretted Mr Trump's decision to pull out of the agreement, which was designed to avoid catastrophic levels of climate change fuelled by human activity. The UK reportedly declined to put its name to the statement, but the Prime Minister, Theresa May, said she had phoned the President to express her "disappointment" at the decision. In an English-language speech from the presidential palace, unprecedented from a French president in an address at home, Mr Macron said: "I do respect this decision but I do think it is an actual mistake both for the US and for our planet." In a riff on Mr Trump's pledge to 'Make America Great Again', Mr Macron added: "Wherever we live, whoever we are, we all share the same responsibility: make our planet great again." Calling the Presidents decision a mistake for the US as well as the planet, Mr Macron urged climate change scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs to go to France to continue their work. They will find in France a second homeland, Mr Macron said. I call on them, he added. Come and work here with us, work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment. I can assure you, France will not give up the fight. In his announcement at the White House, Mr Trump said he wants to renegotiate a fairer deal that would not disadvantage US businesses and workers. The President said that by pulling out of the pact which has been signed by almost 200 nations he is keeping his campaign promise to stop international agreements that he believes disadvantage the US. ! Macron ends his speech in English: Make our planet great again. Thank you. https://t.co/CWId0QUu7G Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 1, 2017 He said that if we can get a deal, that's great. If not, that's fine. Story continues Earlier, France had released a rare joint statement with Italy and Germany that dismissed Mr Trumps suggestion that the Paris accord could be altered. We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies, the leaders of the three countries said. That statement followed a swift outcry from politicians including the former US President Barack Obama whose administration negotiated the deal. The EU's top climate change official, Miguel Arias Canente, said in a statement that Mr Trump's decision to leave the Paris accord made it "a sad day for the global community," adding that the bloc "deeply regrets the unilateral decision." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the US withdrawal "a major disappointment" and said it was "crucial that the US remains a leader on environmental issues," according to his spokesman. In November, Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will be in Germany to chair the UN's annual climate summit. He said Mr Trump's decision was a grave disappointment for places like his Pacific island nation and US coastal cities like New York and Miami that are vulnerable to climate change. He said he was deeply disappointed by Mr Trump's decision and did what he could to try to persuade Mr Trump to stick with the agreement as nations tackle "the greatest challenge our planet has ever faced". He said he was convinced the US will eventually rejoin. Before Trump announced his decision Thursday afternoon, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told reporters during a visit to Berlin that fighting global warming was a "global consensus" and an "international responsibility." Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea also regretted the US move and reiterated their commitment to implement the agreement. Speaking in Tokyo the Japanese finance minister, Taro Aso, angrily suggested the decision showed America's chronic failure to commit. He compared Mr Trump's move to America's historic role in establishing the abortive League of Nations after the First World War. He described a pattern of the US helping set up initiatives before dropping out of them, adding: "I think that's just how they are." Protesters gather outside the White House on Thursday to protest President Trumps decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord. (Photo: Susan Walsh/AP) The United States would lose 6.5 million jobs and $3 trillion in gross domestic product if it had remained in the Paris climate agreement, President Trump said Thursday in announcing that the U.S. would reject the deal. The Paris climate [leaves] American workers, who I love, and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories and vastly diminished economic production, Trump said. Opponents of the agreement typically cast the issue as one of economic growth versus environmental benefits. But many economists and big businesses, even in the energy industry, believe that the agreement benefits the U.S. and could create jobs in clean energy and technology sectors. Major companies including Walmart, Royal Dutch Shell and Apple say that the deal would foster competition among major industry players, job creation and free markets. Related slideshow: Droughts, floods, storms and more: what climate change looks like around the world >>> Those who oppose the accord, including senior adviser Steve Bannon, cite concerns that compliance with the deal and carbon dioxide emission regulations would damage the U.S. economy and harm jobs in industries like coal mining. But according to former President Barack Obama, the private sector already chose a low-carbon future. The Paris Agreement opened the floodgates for businesses, scientists and engineers to unleash high-tech, low-carbon investment and innovation on an unprecedented scale, Obama said. The agreement would bring the U.S. a job shift rather than any major gains or losses, Roberton Williams, a director at Resources for the Future, told NPR. You get significant drops in some of the industries, you get significant gains in green jobs and you get much smaller effects in a range of other industries, but its mostly jobs moving rather than jobs leaving or arriving, Williams said. Even Trumps own senior advisers, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, have shared their support for the Paris deal. Tillerson, a former Exxon Mobile executive, has said that its possible for the reduction of carbon emissions and job growth to occur simultaneously. Story continues Trump promised during his presidential campaign to resurrect the coal mining industry. But many believe that industry is on its last legs, with a string of coal mining companies declaring bankruptcy in the last several years. There is nothing that is going to stop the decline in the number of people that work in coal because the use of coal is going down given its problems and cheaper alternatives, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in April. Remaining in the agreement could create new jobs in the energy sector. Additionally, the U.S. stands to lose jobs in the power industry if it rejects the agreement, U.N. environment chief Erik Solheim predicted in May. The country currently employs more people in the green technology sector, with about 347,000 employees, than the coal industry, which has about 160,000, according to the Associated Press. The future is green, Solheim said. All the interesting, fascinating new green jobs would go to China and to other parts of the world that are investing heavily in this. Chief executive of Royal Dutch Shell Ben van Beurden expressed similar sentiments, telling the Financial Times he believes that [theres] a lot of business here that potentially could be at a disadvantage because of [the] implications of that decision to pull out of Paris. Energy experts predict that carbon regulations will eventually be implemented, regardless of whether the U.S. adheres to the climate change deal. As such, energy companies such as Shell and General Electric are preparing for a low-carbon energy future. Tom Carnac, former president of CDP North America, which collects and now houses the worlds largest source of self-reported corporate environmental data, told the New York Times that potential future carbon regulations have become part of companies decision-making process regarding investments in the future. Companies see that the trend is inevitable, Carnac said. Read more from Yahoo News: Forget "covfefe" it's time to focus on the Paris Climate Agreement. On Wednesday morning, while the world was busy mocking President Trump for his late-night Twitter typo, a far more pressing matter came to light. President Trump confirmed on social media that in a matter of days he will be announcing his decision on whether or not the United States will pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement a major climate treaty that commits developing and industrialized nations to tackling global warming. I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017 According to several news reports that cite White House officials, the country is poised to pull out of the agreement this week, and people are not happy about it. SEE ALSO: Trump has been talking to Al Gore about the Paris Climate Agreement. Seriously. After news of the upcoming decision broke, politicians, celebrities, and a famous astronaut hopped online to share their concern for lack of a prominent U.S. role in climate leadership. What a huge step backward. We should be leading the world on this. #ActOnClimate https://t.co/h8rbyV5Rvt Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) May 31, 2017 Hoping this doesn't prove true: https://t.co/ypdMhiGNhA Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 31, 2017 .@realDonaldTrump's withdrawal from #ParisAgreement will be his legacy: one of chaos and terror instead of hope for peace and a better world Vicente Fox Quesada (@VicenteFoxQue) May 31, 2017 If @realdonaldtrump withdraws from #ParisAgreement, the US will be 1 of only 3 countries not participating: https://t.co/vGBGPgzh9E Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 31, 2017 Rising seas and extreme weather have already devastated parts of our state. I urge the federal government to remain in the #ParisAgreement. pic.twitter.com/sRyGPqs8Re Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 31, 2017 By leaving #ParisAgreement, we join Syria &Nicaragua as the only countries who dont support it. This is the company Trump would have us keep Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) May 31, 2017 2 Ppl of The.Pls Know There R "MILLIONS"Of Us ing Held Hostage By Insane DICTATORHe Trashes'n Values &Admires Killers #ParisAccordNOW Cher (@cher) May 31, 2017 US withdrawal from #ParisAgreement would undermine our credibility and cede enormous job creation opportunities to other nations. https://t.co/Ar9XgVEe01 Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) May 31, 2017 .@POTUS' decision to support a dirty energy agenda & pull out of #ParisAgreement is a grave threat to our planet. https://t.co/qMgx15EDlV Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) May 31, 2017 If this is true he will have the death of whole nations on his hands. People will be looking to the USA for retribution for what they loose. https://t.co/SDnsYSswyv Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) May 31, 2017 You literally don't believe in exercise so I don't think you're qualified to make decisions about the earths climate https://t.co/tkyyi5IFwc Brant Daugherty (@brantdaugherty) May 31, 2017 Pulling out of #ParisAgreement is a massive moral, economic & leadership failure for Trump admin. Loss of business, jobs, & intl standing. Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) May 31, 2017 Prominent business leaders like Elon Musk and Tim Cook, and even Trump's own daughter, Ivanka, have shown strong support for the climate agreement. Tech companies like Google, Intel, and Microsoft, along with oil giants BP and Shell, even wrote a letter to Trump explaining why they were in favor of the agreement. Story continues Trump will meet with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, himself a former CEO of ExxonMobil, on Wednesday, with the Paris Agreement a likely topic of discussion. One point that Tillerson may raise is that if the U.S. does withdraw from the agreement, it would join just two other countries in doing so: Nicaragua and Syria. And Nicaragua abstained because its diplomats deemed the agreement insufficiently ambitious, potentially leaving the U.S. aligned with only Syria on this issue. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday compared claims that Moscow meddled in the U.S. presidential election to anti-Semitism. Its easy to say its not our fault, its the Russians, they intervened, they interfered, Putin told moderator Megyn Kelly of NBC News during a panel discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, according to a translation. Its like anti-Semitism! The Jews are to blame. You are an idiot because the Jews are to blame. The comment elicited big laughs from some in the audience. A plethora of U.S. intelligence agencies and senior officials in both President Trump and Barack Obamas administrations have accused the Kremlin of interfering in the 2016 election through hacking and other forms of influence. The U.S. alleged that Russian-backed hackers released troves of emails to WikiLeaks from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clintons campaign chairman. On Thursday, Putin suggested that patriotically minded cyber intruders may have been behind the attack, but insisted that their marching orders did not come from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, Indiain Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, and NBC journalist Megyn Kelly, left, attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. (Photo: Dmitry Lovetsky/AP) During his Friday discussion, Putin went on to echo Trumps position that ongoing investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election are based on fake news created by the Democrats as an excuse for Clintons electoral loss. Democrats, Putin argued, are trying to shirk responsibility, dismissing Russian hacking allegations by telling Kelly that your girl, who is 3 years old, can perpetrate such an attack. They made a mistake and they dont want to recognize this mistake right now, he said of Clinton and the Democratic Party. They dont want to say that they were not wise enough. The Russian president went on to praise the Trump administration for being more efficient than hed expected. During the electoral campaign, sometimes I thought, he overdoes, he overkills, Putin said. But it turns out he was right. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Russian President Vladimir Putin changed his message on Russias involvement in the U.S. election when he suggested Thursday that while the Russian state had nothing to do with hacking into the Democratic National Committees emails, patriotic Russian individuals could have done so. Speaking to reporters at the annual economic forum in St. Petersburg, the Russian president seemed to coyly acknowledge that Russian hackers may have had something to do with the DNC breach. Hackers are free people, Putin said. Just like artists who wake up in the morning in a good mood and start painting, likewise, hackers get up in the morning and read the news about international affairs. If they feel patriotic, they try to make what they see as a fair contribution to the struggle against those who speak ill of Russia. The comment is a shift from Putins former assertions that Russia was not at all involved in any meddling in the 2016 election. U.S. intelligence agencies have already assessed that Putin himself was directly involved in the DNC hacks. The leaked emails from the DNC, followed by the hacking of Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podestas personal email account, have been credited with contributing in some degree to Democratic candidate Hillary Clintons loss in the 2016 presidential election. But Putin was careful not to give these patriotic hackers too much credit, saying, regardless of their actions, hackers cant crucially influence an election in a foreign country. The Russian government is not [supporting hackers] at any level and doesnt plan to, Putin added. The comments may be made to preempt possible upcoming claims linking the Russian government to the hack. Former FBI Director James Comey is slated to testify in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 8 on the bureaus investigation into possible collusion between Donald Trumps election campaign and the Russian government. Putin, meanwhile has embarked on something resembling a publicity campaign in Western countries. He met with French President Emmanuel Macron Monday, gave a rare interview to the French newspaper Le Figaro, and is scheduled to sit down with NBCs Megyn Kelly for an interview on Friday that will air Sunday. Photo credit: ADAM BERRY/Getty Images By Denis Pinchuk and Andrew Osborn ST PETERSBURG/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that elements of a U.S. anti-missile system in Alaska and South Korea were a challenge to Russia and that Moscow had no choice but to build up its own forces in response. Putin, speaking at an economic forum in St Petersburg, said Russia could not stand idly by and watch while others increased their military capabilities along its borders in the Far East in the same way as he said had been done in Europe. He said Moscow was particularly alarmed by the deployment of the U.S. THAAD anti-missile system to South Korea to counter a North Korean missile threat and to reported U.S. plans to beef up Fort Greely in Alaska, a launch site for anti-ballistic missiles. "This destroys the strategic balance in the world," Putin told a meeting with international media, the start of which was broadcast on state TV. "What is happening is a very serious and alarming process. In Alaska, and now in South Korea, elements of the anti-missile defence system are emerging. Should we just stand idly by and watch this? Of course not. We are thinking about how to respond to these challenges. This is a challenge for us." Washington was using North Korea as a pretext to expand its military infrastructure in Asia in the same way it had used Iran as a pretext to develop a missile shield in Europe, charged Putin. RUSSIAN RESPONSE Putin said the Kurile Islands, a chain of islands in the Far East where Moscow and Tokyo have rival territorial claims, were "quite a convenient place" to deploy Russian military hardware to respond to such threats. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said last year Russia planned to deploy some of its newest missile defence systems and drones to the islands, part of a drive to rearm military units already stationed there. He has also spoken of Russia building a military base there. "I don't agree that we are unilaterally starting to militarize these islands," said Putin. "It is simply a forced response to what is happening in the region." Any talk of demilitarizing the islands could only occur once tensions in the entire region had been reduced, he said. Tokyo and Moscow have long been locked in talks over the contested islands, known as the Northern Territories in Japan. Putin said Russia was alive to the danger that Japan might allow U.S. troops to deploy there if it struck a deal to hand over some of the islands to Tokyo's jurisdiction. "Such a possibility exists," said Putin. Russia did not want to worsen already poor relations with Washington by fuelling what he described as an arms race, but Putin said the United States was still consumed by what he called an anti-Russian campaign. "How will the situation develop? We don't know," said Putin. (Additional reporting by Dmitry Solovyov and Maria Kiselyova; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Alexander Winning) Trans-Atlantic relations hit new lows after President Donald Trumps gaffe-filled visit to Europe last week. But behind closed doors, the tensions started well before then and included a high-profile slight of a senior European Union official. Secretary of State Rex Tillersons office declined a call with the EUs foreign-policy chief, Federica Mogherini, after his visit to Russia in April, according to multiple sources close to the incident. The sources told Foreign Policy that Tillersons office rejected Mogherinis request for a call and instead kicked it down to a lower-level State Department official. That move infuriated her and came against the backdrop of an already strained U.S.-EU relationship under Trump, whose scandal-plagued White House is still reeling from investigations into the presidents campaign ties to the Kremlin. Mogherinis staff made the request to Tillersons office after a widely scrutinized visit to Moscow on April 11-12 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and before her meeting with Lavrov in Moscow on April 24. Allies were eager for a brief out of the meeting directly from Tillerson, but he was unavailable to fulfill the request from Mogherini, multiple sources tell FP. It really pissed her off, one source said. This is like a total screw-up, another source close to the EU foreign-policy chief told FP. This is not the way you treat Mogherini. Tillersons office instead offered her a meeting with Brian Hook, the State Departments director of policy planning, sources say. Hook wields significant influence in Tillersons State Department, but he is several rungs lower on the hierarchy than the secretary of state. Mogherini declined the offer. When approached for comment, another EU official, who asked not to be identified, said that Mogherini was never formally refused a call from Tillerson. We never had to suffer from a denial from the U.S. side for a call with the secretary of state, the official said. [Mogherini] had several phone conversations with the secretary on different issues. Story continues The official said Mogherini and Hook never spoke. There is therefore no incident, the official added. Tillersons advisor, R.C. Hammond, didnt deny the incident but told FP that the the most efficient accommodation under the circumstances was available to her at the time. A State Department representative pointed to the regular contact Tillerson and Mogherini have had in the recent past, including their participation in the U.S.-EU leaders meeting during Trumps visit to Brussels on May 25 and several meetings between Mogherini and Vice President Mike Pence in recent months. Our ongoing, high-level engagement underscores the commitment of the United States to the trans-Atlantic relationship, the representative said. Officials and former officials briefed on the incident say it could have been a simple scheduling issue perhaps Mogherinis team didnt give the State Department enough notice. But its the sort of miscommunication that has become all too common in Tillersons understaffed State Department. (Tillerson also snubbed the head of the African Union in a scheduling snafu last month.) Though months into the new administration, the Trump White House hasnt appointed officials to critical middle-management posts that oversee day-to-day relations with Europe, including the assistant secretary of state for Europe, ambassador to NATO, and ambassador to the EU. That vacuum can cause routine diplomatic contacts like phone calls and debriefings with top allied officials to fall through. There is a pattern here of not being able to run the logistics of sorting out meetings, the source close to Mogherini said. They dont have anyone in the administration to pick these things up. The gaffe came as the Trump administration butts diplomatic heads with Europe over issues such as trade and defense spending. This administration has a very skeptical view about multilateral institutions like the EU, said Anthony Gardner, who until January was U.S. ambassador to the EU. He cited Trumps coterie of euroskeptic advisors and friends, including strategist Stephen Bannon and Brexit architect Nigel Farage. But given the turmoil in the administration, erratic messaging, and unfilled administration vacancies, European officials arent even sure what explains these types of snubs. Europeans are wondering, surely this isnt a direct hit against us, is it? Does it highlight their understaffing, their incompetence or is it intentional? one former senior U.S. official familiar with the incident told FP. Former officials say missteps are common in the early months of a new administration as are tensions between a new administration and its EU allies (even under former President Barack Obama). But Trump has taken a decidedly combative tone toward the EU, such as using Twitter to spark a public spat over trade with Germany, the EUs most influential member. German center-left chancellor candidate Martin Schulz lashed back, calling Trump on Tuesday the destroyer of all Western values. Last week, Trump undertook a trip to Europe rife with tensions, including an awkward and widely criticized visit to NATO and a meeting with top EU officials in which European Council President Donald Tusk took the unusual step of publicly conceding he couldnt find common ground with Trump on Russia. Current and former officials who spoke to FP say that regardless of how the Trump administration views the EU, Mogherini could be a valuable ally in Brussels if it treats her as an equal. I think she is one of the most effective members of the [EU Commission] team, Gardner said. Many officials laud Mogherini for her accomplishments on issues such as the Iran deal and penning the EUs first-ever global strategy. I saw her a lot up-close quite a bit. She was always prepared. She certainly enjoyed the confidence and respect of Secretary [John] Kerry, Gardner told FP, referring to the former secretary of state. Kerry worked hand-in-hand with Mogherini on issues such as the Iran deal, climate change, and terrorism. Given the array of threats the EU and United States face, its an important relationship. On almost every threat, closer U.S.-EU cooperation would be helpful, said Jeremy Shapiro, research director at the European Council on Foreign Relations. He said it was difficult to find a coherent EU foreign policy given the 28-country blocs varying national priorities, meaning other European leaders may wield more influence than Mogherini. But experts say keeping regular contact with the EU is a low-cost, high-payoff way for the United States to support the EUs foreign policy. Its work that may not make the top headlines but is critical to trans-Atlantic security, such as counterterrorism work in Africa and stabilizing the politically fragile Balkans. The United States and Europe have so many common policy topics that they coordinate on, consult on, and work together on, said Constanze Stelzenmuller of the Brookings Institution. This is not trivial. Its not diplomatic flag-waving, she said. This is getting down to business and solving problems. Photo credit: ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images Miami (AFP) - A new NASA mission aims to brush by the sun, coming closer than any spacecraft in history to its scorching heat and radiation in order to reveal how stars are made, the US space agency said Wednesday. After liftoff from Kennedy Space Center in Florida in July 2018, the Parker Solar Probe will become the first to fly directly into the sun's atmosphere, known as the corona. The plan for the unmanned spacecraft is to orbit within 3.9 million miles (6.3 million kilometers) of the sun's surface. Temperatures in that region exceed 2,500 Fahrenheit (1,377 Celsius), for which the spacecraft is equipped with a 4.5-inch-thick (11.43 cm) carbon-composite shield. Roughly the size of a small car, the probe will make seven flybys of the sun over a seven-year period, in what NASA described as a "mission of extremes." Traveling at a speed of 430,000 mph, the spacecraft will move fast -- like going from New York City to Tokyo in less than a minute. Scientists hope its data will improve forecasts of solar storms and space weather events that affect life on Earth, satellites and astronauts in space. - Time for a visit - The spacecraft will measure plasma waves and high-energy particles, and carry a white light imager to capture images of the structures through which it is flying, according to Nicola Fox, mission project scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. "We will brush closely by it," she said at an event in Chicago to unveil the mission, which NASA has touted as promising to provide humanity's closest-ever observations of a star. "You can learn so much from looking out the window," Fox said. "You can see the sun is shining, you can see the birds are singing. But until you actually go out, you have no idea quite how hot it is out there or how windy it is, or what the conditions are like." "I think we have really come as far as we can with looking at things and now it is time to go up and pay it a visit," she added. Story continues A 20-day launch window for the spacecraft's liftoff atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket opens July 31, 2018. - Re-named after astrophysicist - Initially called Solar Probe Plus, the mission was renamed after the astrophysicist Eugene Parker, 89, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago. He published the first paper to describe solar wind -- the high-speed matter and magnetism constantly escaping the sun -- in 1958. "This is the first time NASA has named a spacecraft for a living individual," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. "It's a testament to the importance of his body of work, founding a new field of science that also inspired my own research and many important science questions NASA continues to study and further understand every day." Parker, who is days away from his 90th birthday, described the mission as "very exciting." "One would like to have some more detailed measurements of what's going on in the solar wind," he said. "I'm sure that there will be some surprises," he added. "There always are." Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C. at a hearing on Capitol Hill last month. (Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., said Thursday that he thinks its unlikely that the Republican bill to repeal and replace Obamacare will pass through the Senate this year. I dont see a comprehensive health care plan this year, Burr told WXII 12 News, adding that hes spent the majority of his time brainstorming solutions to Iowas Obamacare marketplace, which is shedding insurers. Its a bad plan, he said of the House bill in another part of the interview. The House Republicans narrowly passed early last month a bill that would repeal and replace portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But that vote was just the beginning of a long road ahead for Republicans to deliver on their long-held campaign promise to overhaul the Obama-era policy. Republicans hold a narrow 52-48 majority in the Senate, meaning that they can risk losing only two votes to pass the bill. Democratic senators appear unified against any bill to repeal the ACA, and the House plan has already been bombarded by criticism from both moderate and conservative Republican senators. Like other Republican senators, Burr called the House bill dead on arrival in the Senate, which has vowed to write its own law on the matter. The Iowa GOP delegation, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst, also lowered expectations for a successful health care plan Wednesday, saying that a complete repeal of the ACA is unlikely. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Reuters last month that he was uncertain about how Republicans will win the 50 votes needed to push the health care bill through the Senate. Read more from Yahoo News: As a child of the 90s, 22-year-old RJ Cyler missed out on the 70s heyday of such groundbreaking standup comics as Richard Pryor and George Carlin. But the new Showtime series Im Dying Up Here plunges him into a recreation of that bygone era, when comedians from around the country made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles in the hopes of landing a comedy club spot that would launch them onto an even bigger stage: Johnny Carsons Tonight Show. My dad was always a person of the old school era, Cyler tells Yahoo TV about time-traveling back to the 70s to play Adam, a young African-American comic pursuing dreams of stardom even in the face of prejudice. Hes part of a diverse scene of fictionalized standups that includes outspoken female comic Cassie (Ari Graynor), Vietnam War veteran Ralph (Erik Griffin), and Boston transplants Ron and Eddie (Clark Duke and Michael Angarano). I feel like I was supposed to be born in the 70s, because Ive got a really old soul, Cyler says. Shooting Im Dying Up Here made me feel like I was where I was supposed to be. The pants are a little tighter than we wear nowadays, but I still look good! We spoke with Cyler about the real-life inspirations for Adam and what it was like attending stand-up boot camp. Is Adam modeled after any specific comedian to your knowledge? Adam has a lot of different stand-up comics in him, I would say. He has traits that resemble Richard Pryor and Bernie Mac. I definitely put a lot of the African-American comedy pioneers into him; they all make up a little bit of Adam. Had you listened to any of the defining comedy albums of the 70s? I watched a lot of Pryor, and then I watched some Eddie Murphy, when he had the really shiny red suit on. I also watched a little bit of Ralphie May. Hes not an older comedian, but I like his style of delivery. He mostly just talks about himself and real issues, and makes it funny, you know? Thats good comedy right there, anybody that can balance the two and keep a sane mind. Story continues In listening to the older comics, were there differences you noticed between the stand-up of that era versus now? I feel like the comedians of that era really molded comedy when it comes to stand-up. They were the pioneers of what we see as stand-up comedy today; every joke that you hear nowadays has some essence of the original joke that inspired it. We have a lot of really great individuals that know how to tell their life story, but it sounds like stuff that older comedians went through. Mostly because a lot of comedians go through the same thing. Every stand-up comic goes through their own situation, but theyre all kind of in the same general neighborhood. Theres a scene in an early episode where Adam shuts down a racist heckler, which speaks to what black comics were dealing with at that time in terms of hostile, prejudiced audiences. I wasnt alive during that era, but talking with some of the older comics who [consulted] on the show told me everything I needed to know about the situations they had to go through. Not just African-American comics, but also Latino comics and any new comic in general. There was a lot of segregation going on, and a lack of respect for comics from different cultures. With this show, they didnt want to just show the bright part of comedy, they show a lot of the darkness, too. Stand-up comics are alchemists; they take their pain and turn it into something beautiful that other people can enjoy. Being around real stand-up comics makes you grasp what they had to go through back in the day. Theres a rawness and sense of danger to the comedy clubs back then that doesnt seem as pronounced today. I feel there are more bodyguards nowadays, you know? [Laughs] Back in the day, you got up on the stage and it was just you and the crowd. It was intimate, especially in small clubs. If a heckler wanted to beat your ass, you better know how to fight. Nowadays, we still have comedy clubs, but when comedians do specials, its on a larger scale because the Internet has made it easier to get material out on the street. Back then, it was more about entertaining people and putting yourself on the line. Nobody gave a fk about your feelings. For the stand-up sequences in the show, how much are you writing your own jokes versus performing material the writers create for you? All of the routines reflect my personality, but when it comes to the writing, our writing team is amazing. It was cool to have real stand-up comics writing jokes, and not just people who think theyre funny. Since Im not a stand-up comic, I needed that. I always had a sense of humor, I dont know how to tell stand-up jokes. The writers are the ones who made it easy for me. They also showed me how to deliver them. You cant just go up there and say some st thats funny, you have to have that separation between the set-up and the punchline. I didnt know any of this! I just saw people get up there and talk. But its not just reading whats on the paper. Its like going to stand-up boot camp, in a way. It literally was. One of our writers took me to this small comedy warehouse called Martys. Thats where comics go to spar with each other. It was the first time I ever did a stand-up situation. The writer told me, Just go up there and try some of the stuff from the show. Try talking about your day in a funny way, see if you can make people laugh. I did the first five minutes with stuff from the show, and I was like Damn, you all are laughing! I ended up doing 20 minutes. That was because I had that guidance. When youre doing stand-up, you cant really care too much about why youre on the stage. Youre there, and youre in the moment. What can you reveal about Adams general arc during the first season? Its really just about growth. Adam starts out as this really talented, really hungry, ambitious comic and hes ready to take any spot. As you see him grow through this first season, you see him learn from the comics he surrounds himself with. Its something that Michael [Angarano] brought up: we see the character get more comfortable onstage, and that was me growing at the same time. I was already nervous just getting up there, and it took a few takes to get comfortable, and then its just fun. You either ease into it, or you hit the audience heavy from the front. That was something Bernie Mac did. The first thing he said was, I aint scared of you motherfkers. Thats the type of comic I want Adam to become. Growing into Bernie Mac would be a great career arc for Adam. That will be cool as st, and not just because I would get to wear a really big loop earring! [Laughs] Im Dying Up Here premieres June 4 at 10 p.m. on Showtime. After months of denying that any possible U.S. presidential election-related hacking attacks may have originated from Russia, President Vladimir Putin suggested Thursday that "patriotic hackers" in Russia may have meddled in last year's presidential election. However, he maintained his earlier stance that none of the hacking-related activities were state-backed, reports said. At the St. Petersburg Economic Forum on Thursday, in response to reporters, Putin compared hackers with artists. When asked about possibilities over Russian hackers interfering in the upcoming Germany elections, Putin did not rule out the possibility of attacks on voters outside the country. He said that hackers "are like artists" who choose their targets at their will. However, he said that any such attack would not affect election results in Europe, the U.S. or anywhere else, the New York Times reported. Read: Putin Ready To Provide Trump-Lavrov Meeting Records Putin believes that these hackers are creative individuals. "If they woke up today, read that there is something happening in interstate relations, that prompts them to take action, he said. If they are patriotic, they start contributing, as they see it, in the fight against those who do not speak well about Russia." In March, the American Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr had reportedly warned of Russia being actively involved in the French and German elections. What was a very covert effort [to interfere] in 2016 in the United States, is a very overt effort, as well as covert, in Germany and France...The Russians are actively involved in the French elections. The comments made by Putin on Thursday that Russia did not conduct cyber attacks "on the state level" in the U.S. election and that individual freelance Russian hackers were likely at play, sounded similar to what he said in 2014. That time, Putin had first denied the presence of Russian troops in Crimea, according to reports. Story continues However, months after annexation of Crimea, Russia admitted to have sent troops into the Black Sea peninsula to protect Russian interests. The Russian hacking and possible interaction between Russian officials and members of Trump's inner circle have been an issue of concern for the current administration since months. The question of Russian hackers meddling with the U.S. election was publicly announced by the U.S. government last year. At that time, the government said it was "confident" Moscow designed the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and other political organizations of the Democratic Party in the months before the election, reports said. In May, the U.S. Justice Department appointed a special counsel led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller to head the federal investigation into Russian interference in the election. After Mueller's appointment, Trump said in a statement: "As I have stated many times, a thorough investigation will confirm what we already know there was no collusion between my campaign and any foreign entity. I look forward to this matter concluding quickly. In the meantime, I will never stop fighting for the people and the issues that matter most to the future of our country." Related Articles cameronabadi Ahead of Donald Trumps visit to Saudi Arabia, Saudi authorities prepared by arranging for the president to be greeted by horses and a military flyover. They also took care to hire three U.S. lobbying firms, including one made up of Trumps former advisors, CNN reported on Thursday. According to CNNs perusal of records filed with the Justice Department, the Saudi Interior Ministry hired the Sonoran Policy Group of Arizona exactly one day after Trump announced he would visit the kingdom, with a contract worth a pricey $5.4 million. In December, Sonoran hired Stuart Jolly, who directed a pro-Trump PAC, and also worked as the national field director for the Trump campaign; Politico reports that Jolly parted ways with Sonoran in May. He worked with lobbyist Jacob Daniels, chief of staff for the Trump campaign in Michigan, and Robin Townley, who worked briefly on Trumps National Security Council. The lobbying firms are a bit of a departure for Saudi Arabia, which for years relied on close personal connections to press its case in Washington, explained Bilal Saab of the Atlantic Council. Prince Bandar bin Sultan was U.S. ambassador for over a decade and a close personal friend of the Bush family. But when personal connections frayed President Barack Obama didnt click with the Saudis, who never viewed well his outreach to Tehran the Saudi powers that be realized they needed other avenues, or strategic communications, as Saab puts it. And theyre still in the relatively early days of establishing them. But theyre proving a quick study. CNN also noted that Saudi Arabia has 28 lobbying contracts with different firms, more than any country in the world, save for Japans full-court press, which includes 47 different D.C. lobbying contracts. The Saudi attention isnt just meant to restore closer ties, or successfully close long-pending deals, like the $110 billion arms deal that Trump inked with the Kingdom on his recent visit. Regardless of who won last November, Saudi Arabia was going to have to take a more proactive stance trying to shape the agenda in Washington: Congress last year overturned Obamas veto to pass legislation allowing victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks to sue the Saudi government. Pushing back against that, as much as keeping Trump orb-happy and dancing, will likely keep the Kingdom busy for years. Photo credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images (Photo: Getty Images) Add a safe hair style to your list of summer safety tips. The Telegraph reported on a terrifying incident that took place over Easter about a six-year-old girl, Darcey, who was trapped underwater for two minutes in a hotel swimming pool after her hair became entangled in the filter. Once the child was pulled from the water, she was given CPR, which ultimately saved her life. This was the worst day of our lives, Darceys mother, Alex Morgan, posted on Facebook. We are still suffering to come to terms with it all now but also feel incredibly lucky to still have our beautiful, brave little girl. However, this is not the first story of hair entrapment due to a drain in a pool or spa. In 2016, the New York Post covered the scene of a near-drowning that took place at a crowded hydrotherapy pool at a spa in Queens where a six-year-old girls hair was caught in a jet and kept her pinned underwater for a few minutes. Again, CPR revived this child, who was described as being blue and unresponsive. And in 2014, a 12-year-old girl nearly lost her life in a hotel hot tub located in Newton, Kansas when either her hair or the strap from her bathing suit held her underwater. Her sister called 911 and the child was rushed to the hospital, stated KNSW-TV. According to a 2017 report from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 17 circulation entrapment incidents involving pools, spas, and whirlpool bathtubs between 2012 and 2016. Hair entrapment was the cause of 24 percent (or 4) of the accidents. So while the occurrences may be rare, long hair is considered a safety hazard when entering a pool or hot tub. Yes, its easy for long hair, as well as limbs, jewelry, or pieces of a bathing suit, to become entangled in a swimming pool filter or drain, which is why children should always be taught to stay away from drains, Elizabeth Klinefelter, Pool Safely Campaign Leader, which is part of the CPSC, tells Yahoo Beauty. She stresses that hair should be tied back while swimming in a pool or hot tub. Another important safety tip is that while using a spa, always locate the emergency vacuum shutoff before getting in the water, says Klinefelter. This emergency vacuum shutoff stops the suction in the spa, freeing whoever or whatever is stuck in it. Story continues Also, its vital to make sure that pools and spaswhether in your backyard or ones you visit in publichave compliant drain covers. What does that mean? asks Klinefelter. Virginia Graeme Baker, after whom the Pool and Spa Safety Act is named, died in 2002 from drowning due to a suction entrapment from a faulty drain cover. Powerful suction from a pool or spa drain can even trap an adult. As a result of the law, all public pools and spas must now have drain grates or covers that meet safety standards to avoid incidents like the one that took Graemes life. And since this law has been in effect, there have been zero drain entrapment deaths in a public pool or spa, she states. Klinefelter adds that the CPSCs Pool Safely campaignthe federal governments drowning prevention program that exists through the Pool and Spa Safety Act strongly recommends that children do not play or swim near drains or suction outlets, especially in spas and shallow pools. And parents and caregivers should never allow their children to enter a pool or spa that has a loose, broken, or missing drain cover, she continues. In addition, parents should always practice simple water safety steps when spending time around water. Supervision is key, emphasizes Klinefelter. Designate an adult Water Watcher to supervise children in and around the pool at all times. Also, along with teaching children how to swim, its imperative to learn how to perform CPR. It can be lifesaving in a drowning incident. 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, please follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty. Photos: Nicholtown Presbyterian Church via Google Earth; letter via WSPA CBS 7 News A black church in Greenville, S.C., received an anonymous $2,000 donation accompanied by a candid letter from a reformed terrible racist in which the writer credited religion for his or her transformation. First, I am white and used to be a terrible racist, states the letter, which was first reported by local station WSPA CBS 7 News. Thanks to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, acting through the Presbyterian Church, I have been cleansed of that. Due to Christs teachings, I am appalled at my former thoughts and words. I send this donation as a heartfelt apology to the African-American community, as a sign of Gods love for you, and as a sign of my love for you as well. The recipient, the Rev. Michael Sullivan of the Nicholtown Presbyterian Church, told WSPA the letter and donation signify a possibility for unity in a fractured political climate. I dont care whether we are talking black or white, whether we are talking about Christian or Islamic, the Rev. Sullivan said. If we can hear the heart of this man as being a heart that represents all of us, I think all of us can become better. He also invited the letter writer to come forward and said he would embrace him or her. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: The organizations listed in Trumps birth control rule are being slashed in other administration-approved budgets. (Image: Yahoo Beauty) Earlier this week, a version of the interim final rule (IFR) from the Trump administration regarding the birth control mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was leaked to Vox. The rule made headlines because it would allow any employer to file for an exemption from providing contraception coverage due to the employers personal religious beliefs. Previously, such exemptions were offered only to religiously affiliated employers (like the Catholic Church). Leaked Trump proposal would give employers unprecedented power over womens lives, read the headline on a story by Amanda Marcotte at Salon, while Olga Khazan at the Atlantic wondered, Is this the end of free birth control? Social conservatives countered that there are options for women denied coverage by their employers written into the rule: On page 37 of the rules text, its noted that there are multiple Federal, state, and local programs that provide free or subsidized contraceptives for low-income women, including Medicaid (with a 90% Federal Match for family planning services), Title X, health center grants, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. According to the Guttmacher Institute, government-subsidized family planning services are provided at 8,409 health centers overall. But heres the sneaky part: While all of the above is factually true, whats conveniently left out is that many of the above programs are being drastically slashed by the Trump administrations proposed federal budget and by the administrations replacement for the ACA, the American Health Care Act (AHCA). Trumps budget restricts federal funding to Planned Parenthood, which serves 41 percent of all Title X patients. By prohibiting the organization from participating in Title X, the Trump budget effectively dismantles the program without having to drastically reduce its budget line item. Its true that the funding level for Title X was held the same as it was in 2016, but that level of funding is still not meeting the needs of women who need access to contraception, Jamila Taylor, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and an expert on womens health policy, tells Yahoo Beauty. And on top of that, there are the huge cuts to Medicaid. Story continues The Trump budget cuts approximately $800 billion from Medicaid over the next 10 years, greatly reducing the amount of coverage provided for those enrolled in the federal health care program for the lowest-income Americans. One in five women of reproductive age is insured through Medicaid, and women comprise the majority of Medicaid beneficiaries. As the Trump budget commits to the repeal of the ACA through its replacement of the AHCA, it also commits to rolling back the Medicaid expansion that 31 states and the District of Columbia opted into as a result of the ACAs passage. Beyond the budget, if the AHCA passes and Planned Parenthood is defunded or barred from serving as a Medicaid provider the patients who rely on Title X, health grants, and Medicaid for their contraception stand to see their access further restricted. A Senate Democratic aide noted to Yahoo Beauty that the leaked IFR is broader than what many in Congress anticipated, allowing not just religious organizations but any employer with a moral objection to contraception to cease coverage of birth control for their employees. Even though the IFR is coming from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), it has been reviewed by all relevant agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, who prior to his appointment was a congressman from suburban Atlanta, has long been vocal about his opposition to the contraceptive mandate of the ACA. Price once infamously stated on the record that theres not one woman in America who cannot afford birth control. Read more in Yahoo Beauty + Style: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty. Feminist teen Lachlan Warrell (first row, second from left) with classmates. (Photo: Girlup.org) Lachlan Warrell, 19, has everything going for him: He is about to graduate from high school and will attend a prestigious university in the fall. He has a beautiful girlfriend, parents that love and support him, and siblings who look up to him. However, he doesnt let these great things define him. Instead, the Australian teen defines himself as a feminist. After having interned at the United Nations Foundations Girl Up, a campaign that engages girls to improve awareness of and raise funds for girls in developing countries, Warrell wrote a blog post for the site called Why Boys Become Men When Theyre Feminists. Men that support the rights of girls and women not simply because she is someones mother, sister, daughter, but rather because girls and women, he writes, deserve to be advocated as people, not mere relational attachments to men. Warrell has clearly been listening to fellow U.N. ambassador Emma Watson, who has been vocal throughout her career on educating what being a feminist is all about. Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with. Its about freedom, its about liberation, its about equality, she told the BBC. And this a definition Warrell can get behind. Warrell tells Yahoo Beauty, When I was a sophomore I thought I was already set in who I was and my identity, but then that completely changed. At his Diversity Club meeting, he explains, he was confronted with the question: Are you a feminist? I didnt raise my hand. Feminism had always had a negative connotation in my mind: women that hate men. But then I learned what being a feminist means, he says. Being a feminist is realizing that both women and men are equal and deserve the same treatment of respect and opportunities. His mother, author Margie Warrell, tells Yahoo Beauty, I think he is a feminist because he saw how supportive my husband has been with my work throughout his life. We dont have gender roles at home and we are very aware of pointing out when little things such as when women have to do the laundry and men are the breadwinners stereotypes happen, she says. We have always taught [all our kids] to never objectify women. Story continues Family photo time! Getting all my kids to smile, eyes open, at the same time, is a far more difficult feat than you might think! #lovemyfam A post shared by Margie Warrell (@margiewarrell) on Jan 1, 2017 at 6:17pm PST Lachlan says its because of the freedom his mom and dad gave him to find his own identity that allowed him to explore and find what really matters to him, like feminism and faith. My parents never told me who I needed to be like or believe, he says. I found my Christian faith on my own four years ago and those values are also what defines who I am. Margies lifes work focuses on women empowerment, she says she has raised her children to be vulnerable and risk failing, but to know they are here in this world with a purpose and making it about helping others. Not only is Lachlan a feminist, but he is also passionate about racial inequality and social justice issues. I know that as a white man I have privilege. Its easy for me to just stay and my bubble and not see whats really happening in the world. But Im not going to do that. I want to do my part in helping others live a better life, he says. And he is planning his life accordingly: This fall he is starting college at New York University, majoring in social work, and plans to devote his life to working in human rights. Read more from Yahoo Beauty + Style: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and@YahooBeauty. By Tom Allard and Neil Jerome Morales MARAWI/MANILA (Reuters) - An air strike on Islamist rebels holed up in a southern Philippine city has killed 11 government troops, the armed forces said on Thursday, in a major blow for a military struggling to end its biggest internal security crisis in years. The accident happened on Wednesday when one of two planes bombing rebel positions missed its target in the heart of Marawi City, where ground troops took on pro-Islamic State militants in a tenth day of fierce street battles. Graphic: http://tmsnrt.rs/2r3K9Fe The bombing error came during the first offensive deployment of fixed-wing aircraft in the operation, aimed at flushing out the Islamist gunmen who have defied expectations by clinging on through days of ground assaults and helicopter rocket attacks. "Sometimes in the fog of war a lot of things could happen. Accidents happen, like this," Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told a news conference. "It's very sad to be hitting our own troops," he added. "There must be a mistake somewhere, either someone directing from the ground, or the pilot." The little-known Maute group has been a fierce enemy of a military with superior firepower and greater troop strength. The government fears the brazen attack and its resilience could strike a chord with the Islamic State leadership in the Middle East and win its endorsement as its Southeast Asian affiliate. The deaths of the soldiers takes the number of security force members killed to 39, with 19 civilians and 120 rebel fighters killed in the Marawi battles. Lorenzana said Saudi, Malaysian, Indonesian, Yemeni and Chechen militants were among eight foreigners killed, in what experts say is a sign the Philippines could become a regional hub for extremism that Manila may not have the capability to contain. Graphic: http://tmsnrt.rs/2qVpzH5 An exodus of residents from mainly Muslim Marawi started on May 23, when the Maute rebels ran amok, torching and seizing buildings, capturing police weapons and vehicles, taking hostages, and freeing jailed rebels. The military added 21 armored vehicles and a third battalion of troops to the operation on Thursday. Lorenzana said air strikes might be suspended, describing the rebels as a small force that "cannot hold that long". HUMAN SHIELDS Bombardments by OV-10 light attack aircraft were carried out for over an hour early on Thursday. Troops engaged rebel snipers, as helicopters circled, identifying targets. The military said rebels were using women and children as human shields. Ghazali Jaafar, a leader of the Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, appealed to the Maute to free Christians including a Catholic priest, Teresito "Chito" Soganub, being held hostage. "This is what our religion Islam tells us, please, release him now, immediately," he said on television. The standoff is the biggest challenge of Rodrigo Duterte's 11-month presidency. He fears Islamic State's "terrible ideology" will spread on Mindanao, an island of 22 million people, and has warned it could become a haven for extremists fleeing Iraq and Syria. Duterte said the Maute group was being given too much credit, and that the occupation of Marawi was the work of Islamic State, and planned long ago. "The rebellion in Mindanao, it's not Maute, it's purely ISIS," he said. The air strikes are targeting locations where the military believes the so-called emir of Islamic State and point man in the Philippines, Isnilon Hapilon, could be hiding. The capture or killing of Hapilon would be a much-needed boost for the military. Islamic State flags around Marawi have been spotted by the media. Images have been circulated widely online of smiling fighters dressed in the black attire typical of Islamic State, posing with trophies that include stolen government weapons and armored vehicles hit by rocket-propelled grenades. A video posted on the website of Islamic State's Amaq news agency shows mostly young fighters, and the bodies of dead soldiers inside a vehicle. The authenticity could not be independently verified. Military spokesman Restituto Padilla said the accidental bombing would not deter the government from defeating the militants. "The risk ... is very much in the heart of every soldier," he said. "He knows where we are entering into. But the mission continues." (Additional reporting by Manuel Mogato, Karen Lema, Enrico Dela Cruz and Manolo Serapio Jr in MANILA; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Andrew Bolton) Picture: Getty / Sean Gallup Donald Trumps administration is spying on journalists who have been handed leaked information, it has been claimed. The US Justice Department has obtained a legal warrant from the US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to conduct electronic surveillance on reporters who were known to have published articles based on leaked information, according to the New York Post. The surveillance is said to be part of the Trump administrations attempts to clamp down on leaks from within the White House and government departments. According to the newspaper, some in the administration believe the leaks are coming from someone he described as a retired, high-ranking military officer who held important posts in the intelligence service. That person was getting some of his information from people inside the White House who were holdovers from the Obama administration, the columnist claimed. Those three people are reported to either have been sacked already or are soon to be fired. The US Justice Department came under fire from the media and some politicians in 2013 after it subpoenaed the phone records of 20 Associated Press journalists, reportedly in an attempt to uncover who had leaked details about a 2012 CIA operation in Yemen. Associated Press called the act a massive and unprecedented intrusion into traditional press freedom. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Evan Vucci/AP, Alexander Zemlianichenko, pool/AP) In the early weeks of the Trump administration, former Obama administration officials and State Department staffers fought an intense, behind-the-scenes battle to head off efforts by incoming officials to normalize relations with Russia, according to multiple sources familiar with the events. Unknown to the public at the time, top Trump administration officials, almost as soon as they took office, tasked State Department staffers with developing proposals for the lifting of economic sanctions, the return of diplomatic compounds and other steps to relieve tensions with Moscow. These efforts to relax or remove punitive measures imposed by President Obama in retaliation for Russias intervention in Ukraine and meddling in the 2016 election alarmed some State Department officials, who immediately began lobbying congressional leaders to quickly pass legislation to block the move, the sources said. There was serious consideration by the White House to unilaterally rescind the sanctions, said Dan Fried, a veteran State Department official who served as chief U.S. coordinator for sanctions policy until he retired in late February. He said in the first few weeks of the administration, he received several panicky calls from U.S. government officials who told him they had been directed to develop a sanctions-lifting package and imploring him, Please, my God, cant you stop this? Fried said he grew so concerned that he contacted Capitol Hill allies including Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the ranking minority member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to urge them to move quickly to pass legislation that would codify the sanctions in place, making it difficult for President Trump to remove them. Tom Malinowski, who had just stepped down as President Obamas assistant secretary of state for human rights, told Yahoo News he too joined the effort to lobby Congress after learning from former colleagues that the administration was developing a plan to lift sanctions and possibly arrange a summit between Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin as part of an effort to achieve a grand bargain with Moscow. It would have been a win-win for Moscow, said Malinowski, who only days before he left office announced his own round of sanctions against senior Russian officials for human rights abuses under a law known as the Magnitsky Act. Story continues The previously unreported efforts by Fried and others to check the Trump administrations policy moves cast new light on the unseen tensions over Russia policy during the early days of the new administration. It also potentially takes on new significance for congressional and Justice Department investigators in light of reports that before the administration took office Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his chief foreign policy adviser, Michael Flynn, discussed setting up a private channel of communications with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak talks that appear to have laid the groundwork for the proposals that began circulating right after the inauguration. Jared Kushner, Russian Amb. Sergey Kislyak and former national security adviser Michael Flynn. (Photos: Evan Vucci/AP, Alexander Shcherbak/TASS via Getty Images, Carolyn Kaster/AP) A senior White House official confirmed that the administration began exploring changes in Russia sanctions as part of a broader policy review that is still ongoing. Weve been reviewing all the sanctions and this is not exclusive to Russia, the official said. All the sanctions regimes have mechanisms built in to alleviate them. Its been our hope that the Russians would take advantage of that by living up to Moscows agreement to end the Ukraine conflict, but they did not do so. To be sure, President Trumps interest in improving relations with Moscow was hardly a secret during last years presidential campaign. If we can make a great deal for our country and get along with Russia, that would be a tremendous thing, Trump said in a April 28, 2016, Fox News interview. I would love to try it. But there was nothing said in public about specific steps the new administration took toward reaching the kind of deal the president had talked about during the campaign without requiring the Russians to acknowledge responsibility for the annexation of Crimea or Moscows influence campaign during the 2016 election. Just days after President Trump took office, officials who had moved into the secretary of states seventh-floor office sent a tasking order to the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs to develop a menu of options to improve relations with Russia as part of a deal in exchange for Russian cooperation in the war against the Islamic State in Syria, according to two former officials. Those options were to include sanctions relief as well as other steps that were a high priority for Moscow, including the return of two diplomatic compounds one on Long Island and the other on Marylands Eastern Shore that were shut by President Obama on Dec. 29 on the grounds that they were being used for espionage purposes. (The return of the compounds is again being actively considered by the administration, according to a Washington Post report Thursday.) Obviously, the Russians have been agitating about this, the senior White House official said when asked about the compounds, or dachas, as the Russians call them. But it would be inaccurate to report there has been an agreement to return them without some reciprocal move on Moscows part. A vehicle with diplomatic license plates passes journalists after departing from a Russian compound in Upper Brookville, N.Y., Dec. 30, 2016. (Photo: Rashid Umar Abbasi/Reuters) Since this was the same State Department bureau that had helped develop the punitive measures in the first place, and actively pushed for them under the leadership of Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland, who had just resigned, the tasking order left staffers feeling deeply uncomfortable, said one source, who asked not to be identified. These concerns led some department officials to also reach out to Malinowski, an Obama political appointee who had just stepped down. Malinowski said he, like Fried, called Cardin and other congressional allies, including aides to Sen. John McCain, and urged them to codify the sanctions effectively locking them in place before Trump could lift them The lobbying effort produced some immediate results: On Feb. 7, Cardin and Sen. Lindsay Graham introduced bipartisan legislation to bar the administration from granting sanctions relief without first submitting a proposal to do so for congressional review. Russia has done nothing to be rewarded with sanctions relief, Graham said in a statement at the time. If the U.S. were to lift sanctions without verifiable progress by Russia in living up to agreements in Ukraine, we would lose all credibility in the eyes of our allies in Europe and around he world, added Cardin in his own statement. (A spokesman for Cardin told Yahoo News in an emailed statement: I can also confirm that the senator did hear from senior Obama officials encouraging him to take sanctions steps, but that he had already been considering it as well.) The proposed bill lost some of its urgency six days later when Flynn resigned as White House national security adviser following disclosures he had discussed political sanctions relief with Kislyak during the transition and misrepresented those talks to Vice President Mike Pence. After that, it didnt take too long for it to become clear that if they lifted sanctions, there would be a political firestorm, Malinowski said. But the political battles over the issue are far from over. Cardin, McCain and Graham are separately pushing another sanctions bill imposing tough new measures in response to Russias election interference. The measures have so far been blocked for consideration within the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by its chairman, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who says he wants to first hear the administrations position on the issue. Assistant Secretary of State Tom Malinowski at a press conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2016. (Photo: Heng Sinith/AP) In the meantime, Malinowksi said he is concerned that there may be other, less public ways the administration can undermine the Russian sanctions. He noted that much of their force results from parallel sanctions imposed by the European Union, whose members must unanimously renew them each year. I had this nightmare vision of [White House senior adviser ] Steve Bannon or [National Security Council staffer] Sebastian Gorka calling in the Hungarian ambassador and telling them President Trump would not be displeased if his country opposed the renewal of sanctions, he said. Related: _____ Read more from Yahoo News: President Donald Trump walks out of the Oval Office to the Rose Garden of the White House: AP Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate deal has been labelled an international disgrace by world leaders, US politicians and environmental groups, who all lined-up to decry the President's announcement. The Presidents decision to pull the US out of the accord aligns the country with Syria and Nicaragua, the only two nations that did not sign up for the 195-nation deal reached in Paris in 2015. Mr Trump called German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Prime Minister Theresa May after his speech announcing his decision but that did not stop his allies from voicing their displeasure. Ms May told Mr Trump that she was disappointed and stressed that the UK remained committed to the agreement. Italy, France and Germany issued a joint statement saying they regretted Mr Trump's decision to withdraw, and dismissed his suggestion that the global pact could be revised. The US President said he is seeking a fairer deal that would protect American workers. We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris agreement cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies, the leaders of the three countries said. The unusual French-Italian-German statement, released barely an hour after Mr Trump announced his decision, underscored the disappointment of the Eurozone's three largest economies and their resolve to plough ahead without Washington's support. Ms Merkel said that she would continue to work to save the Earth while Mr Macron said there was no plan B because there is no planet B. Aping Mr Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slog, Mr Macron urged nations to make our planet great again. Back in the US, former President Barack Obama who helped shape the Paris accord said Mr Trump's administration was joining a small handful of nations that reject the future. Story continues Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Senator, called the USs withdrawal an abdication of American leadership. At this moment, when climate change is already causing devastating harm around the world, we do not have the moral right to turn our backs on efforts to preserve this planet for future generations, Mr Sanders said. Democratic senator Sheldon Whitehouse, co-chair of the US Senates Climate Action Task Force said, ignoring reality and leaving the Paris agreement could go down as one of the worst foreign policy blunders in our nation's history. Democratic congresswoman Norma Torres, a member of the Houses natural resources committee, noted that the agreement was a landmark achievement that saw unprecedented cooperation between 175 nations and all sectors of the economy. To say this was a diplomatic victory for the United States would be an understatement, Ms Torres said. However, once again, we're seeing President Trump cede US global leadership to suit his personal political agenda. Tanya Steele, chief executive of the World Wildlife Fund, said the USs withdrawal would make it harder for the world, to reach a safer and more prosperous future. Most people in the UK want the Prime Minister to convince President Trump to stay true to what was agreed in Paris and we urge the next UK Government to press for the USA to urgently re-join the Agreement, Ms Steele said. She added: The Paris Agreement is more important than just one country and with over 196 signatories it will continue to work towards a low carbon, sustainable future. The Trump administration must not only back the agreement but be a driving force in tackling climate change. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris and Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, urged Mr Trump to reconsider his short-sighted decision. The years to 2020 will be crucial in determining if the worst effects of climate change can be avoided, Ms Hidalgo wrote in an editorial for Newsweek. American leadership on this urgent challenge is needed now more than ever. However, she added that regardless of Mr Trumps action, the great cities of the world, in particular the 12 American C40 cities, remain resolutely committed to doing what needs to be done to implement the Paris Agreement. Elon Musk is living up to his word. The tech mogul confirmed publicly that he intends to follow through on what he promised to do on Wednesdayleave President Donald Trump's business council after Trump announced that he would pull the U.S. out of a landmark climate deal. Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 Musk has remained on the council despite public criticism over his willingness to work with Trump, who had offered little in the way of promises that he would take their advice. The Paris Climate Agreement, however, proved too much for even Musk. Under Paris deal, China committed to produce as much clean electricity by 2030 as the US does from all sources today https://t.co/F8Ppr2o7Rl Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 India commits to sell only electric cars by 2030. It is already the largest market for solar power. https://t.co/EGBNTPzmE5 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 Trump officially announced on Thursday that the U.S. would be withdrawing from the climate deal, which had been struck during former president Barack Obama's administration. Musk is not the only high-profile CEO to distance himself from Trump. Uber's Travis Kalanick stepped down from the president's economic council after a barrage of criticism. At least one CEO is staying howeverMary Barra of General Motors. .@GM says CEO @mtbarra will not leave @realDonaldTrump advisory council despite decision on Paris David Shepardson (@davidshepardson) June 1, 2017 UPDATE 4:47 p.m. PT: Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, announced he was leaving the president's business council following Trump's speech "as a matter of principle." Story continues As a matter of principle, I've resigned from the President's Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal. Robert Iger (@RobertIger) June 1, 2017 President Trump, in a bid to keep a major campaign promise, announced Thursday that he is moving to withdraw the U.S. from the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change while he tries to miraculously strike a better deal. To young people, climate advocates and foreign leaders, this is a terrible nightmare. To ordinary citizens generally concerned about climate change, but not convinced of the wisdom of this agreement, it may feel like an epic, bizarre case of political whiplash. In Trump's speech, for example, he failed to accurately describe the agreement's provisions, railing against the economic penalties it imposes on the U.S. economy, when in fact the entire agreement is voluntary. SEE ALSO: One map tells you all you need to know about Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement This announcement marks a turning point for American leadership in the world as well as for our chances at limiting the severity of global warming before it's too late. As the head of the second-largest emitter in the world and the country most responsible for causing the global warming we're experiencing today, Trump's decision to exit the Paris Agreement but move to renegotiate it with better terms for the U.S. amounts to a giant middle finger to the rest of the world. Https%3a%2f%2fvdist.aws.mashable.com%2fcms%2f2017%2f6%2fd3b041ea 7c62 2ce1%2fthumb%2f00001 This is particularly the case in developing nations that are feeling climate impacts the most and have the least capacity to withstand heat waves, droughts, and more intense storm systems. But there are important caveats to the news. First and foremost, this is not the worst-case scenario. The administration had the option of withdrawing from the entire U.N. climate negotiations process by leaving the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), under which the Paris Agreement was negotiated. That would've been messy, and extreme, and could've been completed in just one year. Instead, Trump's team chose to go through the mechanisms within the agreement itself, which would take until 2020 to complete. In the meantime, Trump said he is seeking to renegotiate this agreement or strike another deal in order to be "more fair" to the U.S. Story continues This brings me to the second key point. Elections have consequences, and this isn't over. The next president can reverse this decision by rejoining the agreement in 2020, but by that point it's unlikely that the 2025 emissions reduction targets President Obama set could be reached. Of course, Trump says he may "rejoin" the agreement before then if he gets better terms, but that's unlikely to happen. Third, this should be considered to be a political move to throw a bone to the president's political base at a time when his advisors are still battling for influence. On this matter, chief advisor Steve Bannon and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt carried the day after pursuing a carefully crafted lobbying campaign. In doing so, they beat more mainstream advisors who recognize the scientific and international consensus on this issue, such as chief economic advisor Gary Cohn and former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson. It was designed from beginning to end to satisfy Trumps base and no one else, said Michael Oppenheimer, a climate scientist at Princeton University. Its 100 percent just a political speech aimed only at his base since everybody else in the world accepts that theres a problem. Trump had said during the campaign that he would withdraw from the agreement and also played down the dangers of climate change. In fact, he has said global warming is a hoax perpetrated by China to hurt the U.S. economy, making him rather sympathetic to anyone trying trying to argue, incorrectly, that the agreement would be harmful to U.S. interests. In reality, the impacts of climate change and costs of delaying action will be far more expensive, both in lives and dollars, than implementing emissions cuts that were completely voluntary. Remember, until Trump's announcement, the Paris Agreement had the support of every country except two Nicaragua, which thought it wasn't ambitious enough, and Syria, which is in the midst of a bloody civil war. The U.S. now joins them in opposing the deal. In doing so, it is opposing an agreement that is entirely voluntary. It's important for being ambitious and sending a signal to governments and corporations that the time for action is now, and the transition to a clean energy economy is moving forward rapidly. Apparently, Trump would rather send a positive signal to coal country than prepare for the energy jobs of the future. It's amazing that the U.S. even seriously considered withdrawing from the agreement considering how little it was requiring of the country, and how much good will it engendered abroad. leaving a non-binding climate agreement seems sort of like breaking up with an extremely hot person with whom youre in an open relationship Rachel Sanders (@rachelysanders) June 1, 2017 The fact that this was the first climate agreement to achieve near-universal participation was accomplished in large part because diplomats crafted a bottom-up architecture in which each nation made its own voluntary emissions and finance pledges. The U.S., for its part, pledged to cut its emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 and help contribute $100 billion a year to help developing nations withstand climate change impacts by 2020. Both those goals are now off the table for the U.S., for the time being, all because Trump made a promise to his political base, even though a majority of Republicans support the conclusions of mainstream climate science and support the deal. Climate action will continue, it will just disperse to cities, states and towns across America, especially California, and to an emerging alliance between the European Union and China. The U.S. may rejoin this group sooner than you think. But the amount of damage done to current and future generations, given what climate science says about the urgency of reducing emissions, will be especially grave. In particular, the agreement's goal of holding global warming to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius, or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, above preindustrial levels may be put completely out of reach by this delay. Theres a very real argument that Trump just condemned the world to an unacceptable level of climate change," Oppenheimer said. His rationale for abandoning the Paris agreement is outdated and false. Now, America forges its own, lonely path in being shackled to coal and fossil fuels By withdrawing from this historical agreement, Trump will make more enemies than friends. Photograph: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Since day one as a contender for the Oval Office, current US President Donald Trump has pushed a dominant narrative: hes a businessman. He gets economics. He knows the art of the deal. This week, with his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement, the president has given the world strong reason to reject that narrative. His rationale that its a choice of economy over environment, and a fossil fuel economy is the top priority is outdated and false. States and nations around the world have harvested the fruits of clean energy, and are redefining their economies and energy sources accordingly. Yet under false pretenses that clean coal, natural gas and other fossil fuel fixes are better than energy conservation and clean energy, the US forges its own, lonely path. The idea that clean, renewable energy will generate power for our planet for generations to come is not rhetoric. The extent of human-caused climate change and the rapidly improving economics driving the proliferation of renewable energy sources make it fact. If the US administration isnt ready to move forward, hundreds of individual states and other countries will. California is already a world leader on climate policy. Texas is rapidly expanding its wind energy capacity. In Germany, clean energy has become a movement itself, focused on thousands of small-scale projects under the Energiewende program. In Scotland, wind generation has increased by 81% over the past year, and in March this year, it produced enough energy to satisfy 136 % of the countrys household energy needs. These are just a few examples. The USs withdrawal doesnt mean Americans and US investors will sit still, either. There is substantial economic opportunity in renewables. The US solar industry alone creates one in 50 new jobs. Worldwide, nearly 10 million people already work in renewable energy. Global clean technology exports doubled between 2008 and 2015, surpassing $1.15tn per year. Even Americas corporate giants from Apple and Google to Walmart, and even oil giant Exxon Mobil support the Paris agreement. Story continues The economics are clear. So what about the political implications of the decision? By withdrawing from this historical agreement, Trump will make more enemies than friends. Polling results from Yale Universitys Climate Change in the American Mind survey (conducted after the US election) show that 73% of Trump voters want the US to use more renewable energy. (His own supporters!) As recently as May 7, a small but increasingly vocal group of Republicans has embraced the reality of global warming, taking steps to press the issue in Congress. Elsewhere in the world, 195 countries and the European Union have signed the Paris Agreement, 147 of which have ratified it. Only Nicaragua and Syria have not signed on. When news of the potential withdrawal reached the United Nations, the organizations Twitter page read: Climate change is undeniable. Climate change is unstoppable. Climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable. A Globe and Mail report showed that even fossil fuel companies the likes of ExxonMobil, BP and Shell think the US should stick with Paris. This withdrawal is an ugly decision, made by a country that ought to be leading the transition to a cleaner future not only because of its stature as an international economic powerhouse, but also because of its less-than-desirable environmental track record. After China, the US is the worlds second-largest greenhouse gas polluter. In response, China has been become a leading producer of solar energy technology and is slowing its coal power construction. The US, meanwhile, hangs on to a coal industry that should have been dissolved decades ago. Just north of the border in Canada, where I live, the situation is delicate. We have been plagued by recent missteps such as approval of fossil-fuel-driven pipeline projects, but at least our governments claim a commitment to a sustainable, clean energy future. In my home province of British Columbia, recent election results may even reverse the approval of some of those infrastructure projects. But were far from safe ground. These types of actions by the US administration show that environmental rights for Canada and all countries around the world are vital, now more than ever. Yet, while 110 countries worldwide have environmental rights written into their constitutions, Canada does not. I tend to focus my advice on domestic matters like these. But today, I offer a word to the US president: A global shift to renewable energy is on. Theres no denying it or turning it around. Its good for business. This is not fake news. Its real life. And its happening with or without you. You claim you know a good deal when you see one. Well, you just passed on one of the best our planet has ever seen. If the Trump administration weakens the rules governing pollution and fuel-efficiency for automobilesas it has indicated it mayCalifornia will pay no mind. It has its own set of rules for cars that could end up much tougher than Washingtons, and the market clout to force automakers to comply. Environmentalists dismayed with President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord are now pinning their hopes on states like California, and the ability of state and municipal governments to impose their own aggressive climate policies when the federal government declines to do so. Donald Trump has absolutely chosen the wrong course, California Gov. Jerry Brown said in a statement after Trump announced his decision on the Paris agreement. California will resist this misguided and insane course of action. Trump is AWOL but California is on the field, ready for battle. Californias not alone. At least 10 governors and 82 mayors have said theyll pursue the aims of the Paris agreementwhich aims to stabilize worldwide carbon emissions and slow the rate at which the planets temperature is risingeven without leadership from Washington. That includes the governors of New York, Massachusetts, Colorado and Washington, along with the mayors of Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and Philadelphia. After Trump quipped during his remarks on the withdrawal that I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris, Bill Peduto, the mayor of Pittsburgh, said, This city does not support the initiatives that he is doing. This city is adamantly opposed to them. So is this just hopeful chatter? Or can states and cities really join the international movement on climate change when the federal government declines to do so? It turns out theres a lot state and local governments can do on their own, short of signing treaties and negotiating on behalf of all Americans. They can send a signal that says were going to be looking at these new, innovative solutions, says Kim Reuben of the Urban Institute. Pulling out is backward looking. Places can move forward and help mitigate what the federal government has done. Story continues [Related: Green energy has a bright future, even without Trump] Many states and cities are already pursuing aggressive efforts to wean their economies off carbon and capture a lucrative chunk of the green-energy business of the future. California aims to cut carbon emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. Thats much more aggressive than the national target for the United States under the Paris agreement, which would have been roughly 12% to 19% below 1990 levels. Carbon emissions come from a few major sources, and a bunch of smaller ones. Perhaps the biggest single source of emissions is power plants, and the news there is pretty good. The falling cost of natural gas has led many utilities to replace coal-powered plants with gas ones, which are much cleaner. And the fracking revolution, which has unleashed much of that gas, shows no signs of abating, so gas prices ought to stay low. Vehicles are another big source of emissions, and on this matter, a big fight is brewing between California and Washington. California is the one state that has a waiver from the federal government allowing it to set its own targets, which at the moment are the same as those set under President Obama. But Trump may very well lower the federal targets, leaving Californias higher. And Trumps EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, has said he wants to revoke Californias waiver, which would undoubtedly trigger a lengthy legal battle. If Washington does loosen vehicle-emission requirements, leaving Californias higher, all the other states would have to choose which of the two regimes to follow. Californias standards were higher before Obama raised the federal standards to meet themand more than a dozen states, including heavily populated ones in the northeast and west, chose to follow Californias tougher rules. You could see something that looks like a Paris compliance program, if California continues to have the authority through to do what it wants, says Michael Wara, a law professor at Stanford University. Like-minded states may not have majority of votes in the Senate, but a significant fraction of the automotive fleet will be governed by these standards. Authority to impose regulations States wouldnt adopt tougher rules on carbon just to do the right thing, but to limit pollution where its harmful and, perhaps more important, to signal theyre open for business when it comes to the development of renewables and other forms of non-carbon energy. Great Lakes states including Michigan, Illinois and Ohio have already formed such a coalition as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. They had an epiphany that clean energy was important generally to the US economy, and made a pivot so the Great Lakes states would be at the cutting edge of the clean economy, says the Urban Institutes Erika Poethig. They now have some nodes of clean energy expertise. Those include research centers at universities, real-world projects involving automakers and other big firms, big wind farms and other clean-power initiatives. States and cities frequently seek out deals with businesses in other countries. Governors and mayors may have to get even more aggressive about becoming their own green-power ambassadors, since Washington isnt likely to do it for them. I can see governors increasingly trying to attract foreign leaders to their states, to see what they have to offer, Poethig says. In general, states and cities have the authority to impose regulations that are tougher than federal ones, and to regulate anything the federal purview simply doesnt cover, such as building standards and business licensing. In the past, states have used their authority to bring about nationwide action on issues such as acid rain, tobacco liability and financial abuses. Other states often key off of one big state thats an early mover, says Reuben. Big companies also play a role, because theyre increasingly seeking out climate-friendly sources of power, whether local utility offers it or not. Theres a lot of corporate momentum toward moving toward clean energy solutions, says Wara. Big corporations are going around the utilities and exercising retail choice. The utilities have been waking up and realizing we might lose our biggest customers if we dont change. No matter how frenetic state and local activity on the climate may be, however, its still not as effective as one national standard everybody, everywhere, must abide by. The places where it will be most expensive to meet the standards will probably opt out totally, says Reuben. Some of the coordination you would have with a federal mandate will be missing. There will be another presidential election in 2020, however, and if theres a new president who wants to reinstate national emission standards, the plans will be sitting on the shelf, only lightly dusted. Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com Read more: Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's National Security Council said on Wednesday that the U.S. government's decision to arm the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia in Syria was "not befitting" of a friend. In a statement released after a 4-1/2-hour meeting chaired by President Tayyip Erdogan, the council said Turkey's expectations on the matter had been disregarded. "It has been stressed that the policy of supporting the PKK/PYD-YPG terrorist organization, acting under the guise of the Syrian Democratic Forces, by disregarding Turkey's expectation is not befitting of a friendship and alliance," the council said in a statement. The United States said on Tuesday it had started distributing arms to the Syrian Kurdish militia who are battling to help retake the Syrian city of Raqqa from Islamic State. Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought a three-decade insurgency in Turkey and is considered a terrorist group by the United States, Turkey and European Union. Turkey warned the United States that its decision to arm Kurdish forces could end up hurting Washington, and relations between the two NATO allies have been strained since then. The United States regards the YPG as a valuable partner in the fight against Islamic State militants in northern Syria. It says that arming the Kurdish forces is necessary to recapturing Raqqa, Islamic State's de facto capital in Syria and a hub for planning attacks against the West. Ankara says that advances by the YPG in northern Syria could inflame the PKK insurgency on Turkish soil. It has also voiced concern that weapons given to the YPG would end up in the hands of the PKK. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Alison Williams) Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed Australias commitment to the Paris Agreement on Thursday ahead of President Donald Trump announcing his plan to withdraw the US from the climate change pact. I repeat today what I said on 16 November when the treaty was ratified, Turnbull said in the House Representatives on June 1. When Australia makes a commitment to a global agreement, we follow throughand that is exactly what we are doing. We are committed to the Paris Agreement, and we are on track to meet our targets. Five MPs from Turnbulls coalition told Fairfax Media the government should withdraw from the Paris Agreement. A number of crossbenchers, including members of the One Nation Party, echoed their sentiments. The Labor Party urged the Prime Minister to lobby the United States to reconsider their exit from the pact to lower global carbon emissions. This video shows the the Prime Minister talking about his support for the Paris Agreement. Half a day later in Washington, President Trump officially announced the US would withdraw from the 2015 pact which had been signed by all but two of the worlds 189 countries. By Irene Klotz CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - A U.S. spacecraft set to launch next year will make a series of unprecedented dives into the suns scorching atmosphere to see how the star works and what can be done to better predict space weather events on Earth, scientists said on Wednesday. The Parker Solar Probe will have to survive temperatures as high as 2,500 Fahrenheit (1,371 Celsius), impacts by supersonic particles and powerful radiation as it circles as close as 4 million miles (7 million km) to the sun. Data sent back to Earth some 89 million miles (1.4 billion km) away will help scientists figure out why the suns atmosphere, or corona, is hotter than its surface. Were going to be seven times closer (to the sun) than any other mission has ever been, project scientist Nicola Fox, with Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, said during a broadcast on NASA TV. The mission, formerly known as the Solar Probe Plus, was approved in 2014. On Wednesday, the spacecraft was renamed to honor University of Chicago physicist Eugene Parker, who in 1958 correctly predicted the existence of the solar wind, a continuous stream of charged particles that come off the sun and permeate the solar system. It was a fundamental insight that forever changed the way in which we understood the sun, the heliosphere and in general interplanetary space, said Eric Isaacs, executive vice president for research, innovation and national laboratories at the University of Chicago. The spacecraft, designed and built by the Johns Hopkins University laboratory, is scheduled to launch in July 2018 and fly around Venus seven times to get itself into orbit around the sun in December 2024. NASA is paying about $1.5 billion to build and launch the spacecraft. The probe is expected to orbit the sun 24 times, edging closer on each pass. The size of a small car, it will be outfitted with five science instruments to measure and sample the suns corona. In addition to expanding knowledge of stellar physics, the information is expected to help engineers design better instruments and techniques for predicting solar storms and other events that can cripple satellites, disrupt power grids and affect aircraft travel on Earth. We want to measure the environment there and find what the heating processes really are that make the corona hot and accelerate the solar wind, said NASA chief scientist Thomas Zurbuchen. (Reporting by Irene Klotz; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Lisa Shumaker) PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Wednesday said he was open to discussing letting more than 50,000 victims of Haiti's 2010 earthquake stay in the United States past next January. Kelly met with Haitian President Jovenel Moise during a brief visit to the island and he defended the U.S. decision earlier this month to extend a deadline for temporary protection from deportation for Haitians for six months that was set to expire in July. "It is not meant to be an open-ended law but a temporary law," Kelly told journalists. "It has been seven years since the earthquake, which was the reason TPS (temporary protected status) was implemented. I have committed to the president and the government that we can work together to go forward on any future extensions." A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck near Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince in January 2010, killing some 200,000 people. Immigration activists said the extension did not take into account the damage created by Hurricane Matthew, which killed an estimated 1,000 people when it struck the Caribbean nation last year. Some aid groups warned mass deportations could unsettle the country that has long history of political instability. Kelly dismissed critics who said his visit was too short to develop a proper idea of Haiti's situation, saying that he visited the country "no less than 10, maybe 15 times" while he was based in Miami as the head of U.S. Southern Command. "I would say to people who made those statements, well, they don't know what they're talking about," Kelly said. Under U.S. law, the Department of Homeland Security can award temporary protected status to citizens of nations devastated by violence, disease or natural disasters. Sudan, Somalia, Syria, El Salvador, Nepal and Yemen all have been designated for temporary protected status. (Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Sandra Maler) Paris (AFP) - European leaders reacted with anger and defiance after President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the United States, the world's second biggest carbon emitter, was quitting the 2015 Paris climate agreement. With France's Emmanuel Macron taking the lead, they lashed Trump's decision as misguided and vowed to defend an accord they portrayed as crucial for the planet's future. In an exceptional step, continental Europe's three biggest economies -- Germany, France and Italy -- issued a joint statement to criticise Trump's move and slap away his offer of renegotiating the deal. "We note the United States' decision with regret," they said, describing the carbon-curbing accord as "a vital tool for our planet, our societies and our economies." "We are firmly convinced that the agreement cannot be renegotiated," they added, referring to part of the Trump announcement which said Washington was open to negotiating a new agreement. Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the European Union's executive Commission, lashed Trump's decision as "seriously wrong." The body's commissioner for climate action and energy Miguel Arias Canete also pledged continued "global leadership" on climate change. "The Paris Agreement will endure. The world can continue to count on Europe for global leadership in the fight against climate change," he said in a statement. "Europe will lead through ambitious climate policies and through continued support to the poor and vulnerable." Trump said America was "getting out" of a deal he said imposed "draconian" burdens costing millions of US jobs and billions of dollars. The pact was "very unfair" to the United States and beneficial to other major polluters like China and India, the president claimed. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed "regret" at the decision, and called for a continuation of "climate policies which preserve our world." Story continues Seven Social Democratic ministers in her coalition government said the United States "is harming itself, we Europeans and all the people of the world." In France, the Elysee presidential palace said newly-elected leader Macron had phoned Trump to say that "nothing was negotiable" in the Paris agreement. France and the United States "would continue to work together," but not on climate change, the presidential office said. In a TV broadcast made both in French and English, Macron said he believed that Trump had made a historic mistake, and invited frustrated US climate scientists and entrepreneurs to come and work in France. "They will find in France a second homeland," he said. "I call on them, come and work here with us, to work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment." And cheekily adapting the nationalist slogan used by Trump on his election campaign trail, Macron urged defenders of the climate to "make our planet great again." Paris city hall meanwhile said it would illuminate its building in green on Thursday "in a sign of disapproval" of Trump's announcement and to recall the determination of cities around the world to fight climate change. In London, British Prime Minister Theresa May told Trump that the climate accord was a safety net for future generations, Downing Street said. "The Paris Agreement provides the right global framework for protecting the prosperity and security of future generations, while keeping energy affordable and secure for our citizens and businesses," May told Trump by phone, it said in a statement. - Green anger - Among environmental groups, Climate Action Network said the withdrawal "signals that the Trump Administration is in total discord with both reality and the rest of the world." "Unfortunately, the first to suffer from this injudicious decision is the American people," the group, an alliance of climate activists, said. "This action is totally contrary to their best interests: their health, security, food supply, jobs and future." Friends of the Earth International said "pulling out of the Paris Agreement would make the US a rogue state on climate change. The rest of the world cannot let the US drag it down." Oxfam France branded the decision as "shameful and irresponsible, scorning people and world peace." Among the scientific community, Britain's prestigious Royal Society said Trump's decision would hamper US innovation in cleaner technology. "The future is in newer, cleaner and renewable technologies, not in fossil fuels," said the society's president, Venki Ramakrishnan. "Such technologies will also help in our fight against air pollution and ensure greater energy security globally. President Trump is not putting America first, he is tethering it to the past." Paris (AFP) - America's withdrawal from the climate-rescue Paris Agreement under Donald Trump is a blow to global unity but may be a blessing in disguise for the pact itself, observers said Thursday. This way, the Trump administration, heavily influenced by the fossil-fuel industry, will have less sway over the UN climate process, they said. "A rogue US can cause more damage inside... than outside of the agreement," said Luke Kemp, a climate policy lecturer at the Australian National University. Continued US participation in the Paris forum would have been merely symbolic, and yielded no impact on reducing US emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases, he argued. "It's better Trump is outside the agreement rather than pulling it down from the inside," added Mohamed Adow of Christian Aid, which lobbies for poor country interests at the two-decade-old UN climate negotiations. "With Trump we were at best only going to have America's name on the agreement," he told AFP. Trump announced America is "getting out" of a deal he said imposed "draconian" burdens that would cost the US millions of jobs and billions in cold hard cash. The pact was "very unfair" to the United States and beneficial to other major polluters like China and India, the president claimed. His proposal to open negotiations for a new or updated deal was quickly rebuffed by France, Italy and Germany, leaving America out in the diplomatic cold. Veteran observers of the decades-old process welcomed an end to the "will he, won't he?" seesaw that has distracted the ongoing climate talks since Trump's election last November. And they warned the United States would be hardest hit -- economically and diplomatically by the fallout. "The decision is based on last century's economics and will turn the US into last century's economy," Andrew Steer, president of the World Resources Institute (WRI) think-tank, predicted. Story continues According to the CITEPA research institute, America's renewable energy sector in America employed some 800,000 people in 2016 -- nearly five times more than the fossil-fuel sector. - Fossil fuel 'sacrifice' - Hundreds of American companies have urged the Trump administration to stay the clean energy course. Not only does the US stand to lose economically, but it would also throw away enormous diplomatic clout, commentators argued. "We are witnessing a seismic shift in the global order as Europe, China and others lead the way forward," said Greenpeace executive director Jennifer Morgan. According to the rules of the agreement, the US can only give notice of its withdrawal three years after the deal's entry into force in November 2016. Withdrawal will take effect a year later -- taking us to November 2020, just two months before Trump's term ends. It is not clear if the US will seek to continue participating in UN climate talks until then, or simply stay away. Trump on Thursday announced the United States would "cease all implementation" of the pact "as of today." On the campaign trail, Trump had called climate change a "hoax" perpetrated by China. As president, he quickly appointed a former CEO of oil giant ExxonMobil as his secretary of state, and an anti-climate litigator to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The president has moved to loosen restrictions on coal-fired power plants and vehicle emissions, slash EPA funding, and reverse his predecessor Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan. "Donald Trump is on a mission to sacrifice our planet to the fossil fuel industry," commented Erich Pica of lobby group Friends of the Earth. The Obama administration had pledged a reduction of 26-28 percent in US planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 over 2005 levels. Pledges under the agreement are not binding under international law, and Trump said Thursday he would not honour the US commitment. This may imperil the agreement's enshrined goal of holding average global warming "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels -- already a tall order even with the US on board. Observers tried to remain cheerful -- pointing to the commitment of many American companies, cities, and states, with California in the lead -- to a green energy economy. But it is not yet known to what extent these efforts would make up the federal shortfall, if at all. One tangible danger from a US withdrawal from the political sphere, is that it may encourage other intransigent polluters to follow suit. So far, the world's other major emitters -- China in first place, the EU in third, and India at number four, have all publicly recommitted to the Paris pact. Another risk to the process is money. Trump has threatened to slash international climate funding -- which was a condition for poor countries to sign onto the deal. The US under Obama was the largest contributor to the Green Climate Fund. Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has offered to hold a referendum on contested constitutional reforms in an apparent bid to calm critics in his own camp as he resists opposition efforts to remove him from office. The surprise announcement late Thursday followed two months of deadly unrest during anti-government protests and signs of division in the socialist leader's side. On Friday, student protesters entered the headquarters of official television channel VTV, where they lobbed accusations against Communications Minister Ernesto Villegas. The opposition says his constitutional reform plan is a bid to cling to power -- and key allies such as Attorney General Luisa Ortega have broken ranks with him, arguing it is undemocratic. "In light of what is happening in this country, I would like to push back this Constituent Assembly, ask the National Electoral Council to advance regional elections and continue to press for dialogue," Ortega told Union Radio. Maduro's announcement, at a cabinet meeting, came just hours after Ortega filed a legal challenge against the plan. The presidents called opponents of the move "traitors". Maduro aims to set up an elected constitutional reform body called a constituent assembly. His opponents say he will fill it with his allies. - 'Political ploy' - Analysts were skeptical about Maduro's referendum announcement, saying that constitutionally he was not authorized to call such a vote. "It is a political ploy," said analyst Luis Vicente Leon, president of polling firm Datanalisis. "It breaks the main criticism" leveled at Maduro by Ortega and other critics, "to lower the tension and calm the internal demons" in the government camp, Leon said. Ortega has been a traditional ally of the socialist leadership since the time of Maduro's late predecessor Hugo Chavez. Now, she calls the court's ruling in favor of allowing the reforms to move forward without a popular vote a "setback" in human rights and participatory democracy. Story continues Her challenge at the constitutional court does not have legal force to stop Maduro's plan, but "shows the divisions and disagreements within Chavismo," said Leon. Elected in 2013, Maduro is resisting opposition calls for early elections to remove him. The opposition blames him for severe food and medicine shortages in the oil-rich nation. He says the crisis is a US-backed conspiracy. State prosecutors say 63 people have been killed in two months of unrest, which have seen protesters clash daily with riot police. Vietnam and the US have signed $8 billion in deals, including a massive engine contract with a Vietnamese budget carrier famed for its bikini-clad air hostesses, officials said. The deals were announced during a visit by Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the White House Wednesday, a trip aimed at drumming up trade ties after US President Donald Trump pulled out of a massive Asia-Pacific trade pact earlier this year, decrying it as a "job killer". Vietnam, which stood to gain enormously from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) before the US pullout, has been aggressively courting Washington to bolster business ties, and Phuc is the first Southeast Asian leader to visit Trump's White House. The new deals saw Vietjet sign a 12-year engine contract worth $3.58 billion with CFM International, a joint venture of General Electric and Safran. The airline also signed a separate deal worth $1 billion with GE Capital Aviation Services in aircraft financing. "We strongly believe that this agreement will promote economic and trade exchange between the two countries and create millions (of) jobs for the two peoples," said Vietjet CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, who is the communist country's first and only female billionaire. The country's largest low-cost carrier, Vietjet is best-known for air hostesses sporting bikinis on some of its flights. The company said it raked in $1.21 billion in revenues last year and its shares have soared since its market debut in February. The other new deals, signed in the sectors of hospitality, science and technology, academia and energy, come as Washington opts for bilateral agreements over sprawling free trade pacts. Trump has singled out Vietnam as one of the countries allegedly stealing American jobs and has vowed to boost exports to the fast-growing nation to narrow the $32 billion trade deficit tipped in Hanoi's favour. "The growth of the middle class and the increasing purchasing power in Vietnam are further incentives to strengthening our long-term trade and investment relationship," said US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Ross, according to a statement about the deals, which he said would create 23,000 American jobs. Story continues Vietnam has clocked rapid GDP growth in recent years, hitting 6.2 percent last year. US-Vietnam relations blossomed under former US President Barack Obama, who visited the country in May 2016, announcing a raft of deals and lifting a war-era arms embargo. The former foes have also condemned Beijing's build-up in the disputed South China Sea, and Trump and Phuc reiterated the "importance of freedom of navigation" in the waterway, according to a White House statement on Wednesday. Trump will visit Vietnam in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the Russian government didn't meddle in the 2016 US election, but "patriotically minded" private Russian hackers may have done so, according to the New York Times. The statement is something of a shift from Mr Putin's past statements on the matter, when he denied that any Russian involvement in any form took place. Mr Putin said that Russian hackers could have taken it upon themselves to try and influence the 2016 US election, saying that hackers "are like artists" who make decisions on who to target depending on how they feel on any given day. "If they are patriotically minded, they start making their contributions - which are right, from their point of view - to fight against those who say bad things about Russia," he said. The Russian leader, however, stuck with his past statements that the Kremlin was not directly involved with any hacking efforts. "We're not doing this on the state level," he said. Russia has been the focus of American investigations for it's purported role in meddling in the 2016 election, which saw several major hacks that are said to have damaged Democrats while propping up Donald Trump's campaign. Those hacks included a massive theft of Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton campaign emails. The US intelligence community concluded in January that Mr Putin had personally directed a Russian "influence campaign" that included cyberattacks and the dissemination of false information in order to help Mr Trump's campaign. The Russian leader seemed aware of the potential that Americans could potentially release evidence linking the 2016 cyberattacks to the Russian government, and opted to say that modern technology can be manipulated. If done, a falsified trail could be made to lead back to the Kremlin. "I can imagine that someone is doing this purposefully - building the chain of attacks so that the territory of Russian Federation appears to be the source of teh attack," Mr Putin said. "Modern technologies allow to do that kind of thing, it's rather easy to do." Mr Putin's slightly new position on the issue is similar to remarks from US President Donald Trump, who has said that Russian officials weren't likely responsible, and that the hacks could have been perpetuated by "somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds." The White House was placed briefly under lockdown, Wednesday, after an individual tried to jump over the bike rack, which is supposed to serve as an additional barricade to the presidential property. The incident in question, took place at 04:28 p.m. EDT near 17th Street and E Street in First Division Park, according to FOX5. The United States Secret Service (USSS) later confirmed the person responsible for the temporary scare had been taken into custody and the lockdown had been lifted. Although the latest lockdown was a brief one, and the White House has since been cleared of all threats, it is not the first instance of such a lockdown since President Donald Trump took office. The first intrusion at the White House, since Trump took office, occurred March 10, when Jonathan T. Tran, an individual from California, made his way into the White House grounds and roamed around for 17 minutes before being arrested by Secret Service. The president was present inside the premises at the time, the Independent reported. Calls for the first White House lockdown however, since Trumps inauguration, came March 27, when a suspicious package was found near the White House grounds. Staff and members of the media were moved to a safe distance and a secure perimeter was established within minutes of the mysterious package being discovered. The White House went into lockdown for 45 minutes following the incident which started when an unidentified individual walked up to a uniformed officer at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, carrying the package and uttered some strange words. The man was taken into custody by shortly afterwards. Story continues The service did a fantastic job last night, Trump told reporters the next day, in appreciation of the quick measures taken by the Secret Service, the Hill reported. It was a troubled person. A scare of a similar nature took place on April 15, when another suspicious package was discovered on Pennsylvania Avenue. The White House went into lockdown yet again till Secret Service checked out the source of the disruption and cleared it. Earlier in May, a female suspect attempted to climb over the north fence surrounding the White House grounds after jumping over a bike rack, prompting an immediate lock down of Trumps Washington home. It happened hours after Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, which had already sparked protests from many social activists outside the gates earlier that day, Express reported. Tensions have been running high as the Trump administration tries to find ways to save the presidents daily dropping approval ratings and the growing public outrage against his controversial policy choices. A few hours before the latest White House lockdown took place, a suspect carrying a couple of guns, including an assault weapon was arrested in the parking lot of Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C. in what D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham described as a potential disaster. The unnamed suspect was 43 years old, and from Pennsylvania, WTOP reported. Related Articles The White House scrambled Friday to defend President Trumps remarks about global warming the day before, when he announced he would begin the process of withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. A major area of dispute was the presidents use of a study by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Even if the Paris Agreement were implemented in full, with total compliance from all nations, it is estimated it would only produce a two-tenths of one degree Celsius reduction in global temperature by the year 2100, the president said, citing the study entitled How much of a difference will the Paris Agreement make? Tiny, tiny amount, Trump added. But MIT scientists said that Trump had badly misunderstood their study. In response Friday, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt said there were other studies to back up the presidents position. There were other studies that were published at the time, said Pruitt. The MIT study was something that, as you indicated, showed two-tenths of one degree. They didnt have the corner on the market in studies at that time, there were plenty we can provide those to you. President Donald Trump gestures while speaking about the U.S. role in the Paris climate change accord, Thursday, June 1, 2017, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) School officials involved with the study told Reuters that the White House hadnt reached out to them to allow them to explain their work. We certainly do not support the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris agreement, said Erwan Monier, a lead researcher at the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, and one of the studys authors. If we dont do anything, we might shoot over 5 degrees or more and that would be catastrophic, said John Reilly, co-director of the program. Pruitt also cited climate activist and former NASA scientist James Hansen, who called the Paris Accords a fraud and fake for not going far enough. He pointed to a New York Times op-ed column by conservative climate skeptic Bret Stephens about the degree of uncertainty in climate models. The column drew heavy criticism from readers who drew the opposite conclusion from Stephens, that uncertainty is a reason for taking more and earlier precautions against global warming, not less. Story continues Yahoo News reporter Hunter Walker attended a White House briefing following Thursdays announcement where officials failed to provide answers to any of the major questions about the withdrawal. During Fridays briefing, both Pruitt and press secretary Sean Spicer refused to answer repeated questions about whether Trump believed in climate change. The president had previously stated that climate change was a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese to hurt United States manufacturing. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Joint statement by France, Germany and Italy says deal cannot be renegotiated, while other countries reaffirm commitment to carbon reduction Donald Trump walks past French president Macron and German chancellor Merkel during a Nato summit. Trump withdrew the US from the Paris deal on Thursday. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters European leaders dismissed Donald Trumps claim that the Paris climate accord can be renegotiated after the US president announced he will pull out of the deal struck in 2015 to seek better terms. Shortly after Trumps announcement, the leaders of France, Germany and Italy released a joint statement rejecting Trumps assertion that the climate deal can be redrafted. We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible, and we firmly believe that the Paris agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies, said German chancellor Angela Merkel, French president Emmanuel Macron and Italian prime minister Paolo Gentiloni. The three leaders called on their allies to speed up efforts to combat climate change and promise to do more to help developing countries adapt. Merkel called Trump immediately after he delivered his announcement to personally express her regret at his decision, her spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said on Twitter. During the conversation she stressed that Germany would stick to the agreement. He added in another tweet in English: Chancellor Merkel disappointed w/Pres. Trumps decision. Now more than ever we will work for global policies that save our planet, he wrote. Chancellor Merkel disappointed w/ Pres. Trump's decision. Now more than ever we will work for global climate policies that save our planet. Steffen Seibert (@RegSprecher) June 1, 2017 Immediately after her call to Trump, Merkel telephoned Macron, he said, and they agreed that Germany and France will grasp at new initiatives in order to ensure the climate agreement is a success. In a televised address in French and English, Macron said that Trump had committed an error for the interests of his country, his people and a mistake for the future of our planet. Story continues I tell you firmly tonight: we will not renegotiate a less ambitious accord. There is no way, said Macron. Dont be mistaken on climate: there is no plan B because there is no planet B. In contrast, the British government was slow to respond to the announcement. Downing Street issued a statement saying that Theresa May had told Trump of her disappointment at his decision and stressed that Britain remained committed to the agreement. Downing Street sources would not say whether the prime minister had been asked to sign the letter of condemnation sent by Germany, France and Italy, but said that she had made her point directly to Trump. The unyielding response of Italy, France and Germany came amidst a tsunami of global condemnation for Trumps decision to renege on an agreement made by 195 countries after decades of negotiation. The US will join Syria and Nicaragua as the only governments to be outside the agreement. The most furious reaction was in Germany, where tomorrows front page of German tabloid Berliner Kurier carries the blunt headline: Earth to Trump: Fuck You. Prime ministers of Americas neighbours condemned the decision and reaffirmed their support for the Paris agreement. In Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto said: Mexico maintains its support and commitment to the Paris agreement to stop the effects of global climate change. The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, called Trump to express his disappointment at the decision, but said he was inspired by the growing momentum around the world to combat climate change and transition to clean growth economies. The Vatican said a US pullout represented a huge slap in the face for the pope and a disaster for everyone. Pope Francis only days ago met Trump and impressed on him the importance of protecting the environment from climate change. Japans foreign ministry said: Climate change requires a concerted effort by the whole of the international community. Japan believes the leadership of the developed countries to be of great importance, and the steady implementation of the Paris agreement is critical in this regard. The recent announcement by the US administration on its withdrawal is regrettable. In stronger comments, Japans environment minister, Koichi Yamamoto, said: Its as if theyve turned their back on the wisdom of humanity. In addition to being disappointed, Im also angry. In Australia, the energy and environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, said he was disappointed with Trumps decision but reiterated the governments full commitment to meeting its Paris targets. We believe that the targets we agreed to, the 26% to 28% reduction in emissions by 2030 on 2005 levels are reasonable, are achievable. New Zealands climate change minister, Paula Bennett, said that so much of what [Trump] said is wrong, arguing that America was not paying a disproportionate cost to be part of the deal. Trump said he was taking his decision to protect US jobs. Were getting out, the US president had said, in attacking the Paris accords financial burdens as draconian. However, many business leaders say he has handed the advantage in the key field of renewable energy to rivals in China and the Europe. Scientists said they feared for their children. Environmentalists described the decision as a hugely disappointing mistake. Youth groups accused Trump of jeopardizing their future. World leaders had already begun preparing for a US exit. Chinas premier, Li Keqiang, said on Thursday that fighting climate change was a global consensus and an international responsibility. The EU and China have forged a new alliance on climate change and are currently midway through a summit in Brussels at the end of which they will announce plans to step up efforts. The EUs commissioner for climate action and energy, Miguel Arias Canete, said Trumps unilateral decision marked a sad day for the global community, but he vowed the accord would endure. Todays announcement has galvanised us rather than weakened us, and this vacuum will be filled by new broad committed leadership. Europe and its strong partners all around the world are ready to lead the way, he said. The president of the European parliament, Antonio Tajani, said: It is a matter of trust and leadership. This decision will hurt the US and the planet. Izabella Teixeira, who lead the Brazilian negotiating team in 2015, described Trumps announcement as a heart attack but said the world would survive. She dismissed suggestions that any new deal would have to ignore US historical emissions. These are old ideas, old politics, she told the Guardian. United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the decision was a major disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security. The Indian government did not immediately react to Trumps announcement, which came shortly after 1am local time, but Indias energy minister recently reaffirmed the south Asian giants commitment to the global climate agreement. The worlds third-largest carbon pollution emitter is on course to exceed the renewable energy targets it set in Paris in 2015 by nearly 50%, and three years ahead of schedule. Trumps withdrawal announcement came in the late evening in Russia, and official commentary was not immediately available. But Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said earlier on Thursday that Russia attaches great importance to the Paris climate accord, and a US withdrawal could complicate the agreements implementation. Donald Trump with other world leaders during the G7 summit on 26 May. Photograph: Tony Gentile/Reuters Of course, the effectiveness and realisation of this convention will be hampered without key participants, Peskov told journalists. There is no alternative (to the accord) at this time. The US has long been a key though not always enthusiastic player in international efforts to mitigate the already apparent trends of increasing temperatures, rising sea levels and more frequent and intense droughts, floods and storms. Trump is accused of jettisoning this international role and putting the domestic fossil fuel industry first. Though his term may be too short to complete the job he has begun. Lukas Hermwille, scientific researcher in the field of international climate policy at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, drew attention to the fact that the exit from the agreement would anyway only come into effect in around three years time ironically, he told Die Welt, on the day after the next US presidential election. But Trump could still spend the rest of his time in office torpedoing climate protection from the inside out, he added. Environmental groups were appalled. Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF said the decision makes it harder for the world to reach a safer and more prosperous future. It is hugely disappointing that President Trump is making the mistake in rowing back on the Paris agreement, she said, Climate change is a very real global issue that affects the successful future of our planet. Carlos Rittl, executive secretary of the Brazilian Climate Observatory said the decision creates the risk of a domino effect that could put the target of keeping temperature rises below 2C (3.6F) out of reach, though he held out hope that global talks can make greater progress in reducing fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy in the absence of a country that has flitted back and forth between leadership and obstruction. Many US mayors have said they will abide by climate commitments regardless of the White House U-turn. This was echoed by municipal leaders overseas. The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, who chairs a group of 40 major cities, said: No matter what decision is made by the White House, cities are honouring their responsibilities to implement the Paris agreement. There is no alternative for the future of our planet. Additional reporting by Kim Willsher in Paris, Alec Luhn in Moscow and Michael Safi in Delhi Angel of Independence monument, lit up in green in Mexico City Cars drive past the Angel of Independence monument, lit up in green in Mexico City, Thursday, June 1, 2017. Mexico Citys Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera announced on his Twitter account that the city would light up in green to reaffirm Mexicos support for the Paris climate agreement after President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) Cities across the world protested President Trumps announcement that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Agreement, illuminating buildings in green in solidarity with the 194 nations that remain committed to the climate change accord. (Trump Tower, on New Yorks Fifth Avenue, was its usual color.) In addition to lighting buildings green, several American cities, including New York and Chicago, have pledged to uphold the Paris Agreement on their own. When the U.S. officially leaves the Paris Agreement in 2020, it will join Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations that are not part of the deal. Several other cities around the world also lit buildings and monuments in green to show their support of the agreement. See FULL STORY by Taylor Rogers/Yahoo News See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Twitter and Tumblr. Bill de Blasio, the Democrat mayor of New York City, said withdrawal would be 'hugely destructive': Drew Angerer/Getty Images The mayor of New York has pledged that the city will continue its commitment to the Paris Agreement even if Donald Trump abandons the historic accords. Bill de Blasio is the latest in a growing line of mayors controlling some of Americas largest cities who have reinstated their commitment to fight climate change locally. The President withdrawing from the Paris Agreement would be horribly destructive for the planet, the country, and this city, he wrote on Twitter. President Trump should know that climate change is a dagger aimed straight at the heart of New York City. The Paris Accord was the biggest step forward we've taken in many years. It's unconscionable for the president to step away from it. But we'll take matters into our own hands. I plan to sign an executive order maintaining New York Citys commitment to the Paris Agreement. Mr Trump has not yet announced his decision but multiple reports say he has told aides he will withdraw the US from the accords, following years of controversial statements on climate change including calling global warming a hoax. Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angles, has urged Mr Trump to embrace the Paris Agreement and was among more than 70 mayors who pledged to forge ahead even in the absence of federal support with an open letter to the President. The letter, sent in December, was signed by Mr Blasio, Mr Garcetti and the mayors of cities including Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Orlando, San Francisco and many more. American allies around the world have sounded public warnings over the consequences of withdrawing from the agreement, seeing nations including China and Russia restate their commitments. Li Keqiang, the Chinese Premier, said says fighting climate change is a global consensus [that is] not invented by China, in apparent reference to a 2012 tweet by Mr Trump where he claimed global warming was created by and for the Chinese to damage American trade. The US is the worlds second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, responsible for 15 per cent of all emissions. Story continues Mr Trump claimed he was still listening to a lot of people both ways on Wednesday but the White House signalled that he was likely to decide on exiting the global pact, fulfilling one of his principal campaign pledges. When signing the agreement last year, Barack Obama said it might one day become viewed as the moment we finally decided to save the planet. Who needs flying cars when you have a flying jet suit? British inventor Richard Browning developed this flying jet suit. Its called Daedalus, and its powered by 800 horsepower via six gas turbine engines two mounted on his lower back and two on each arm. The suit features a helmet and holographic heads-up display and full body armor. Browning took it out for a spin in Somerset, England, and beat his record by going over 30 mph and covering several hundred meters. The developer is hoping his invention can be used in the military as well as for search-and-rescue efforts. Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tech-britain-iron-man-idUSKBN18M28B More Trending Tech: This high-tech workout bag cleans itself The car of the future debuts at SXSW Theres now an indoor potty for small dogs Get out of your next traffic jam with this flying car A self-driving car that can do your errands for you Robot teaches kids as young as 3 to code This food recycler will turn your food scraps into fertilizer Industrial robot technology may soon be in your home Wristband monitors your blood alcohol content while you drink Breast-pumping moms can now go wireless The worlds first 3-screen gaming laptop is mind-blowing Netflix has just helped improve your commute Apples plan to beat Google in the maps game Your next food delivery order could come from a robot You can now add cooking to the list of things Alexa can help you do This anti-drone gun looks like it can do some serious damage You could soon be using your smartphone to get cash from the ATM Instagram offers disappearing photos and live broadcasting You may soon be able to use a drone to catch fish Amazon offers special deals through Alexa WhatsApp video calling is finally here You can now cast Harry Potter spells from your phone Apple reveals new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar This smart crib will help your baby sleep safely through the night New hybrid console takes Nintendo on the go Self-driving cars have hit Great Britain The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus have been on the market for just over one month and continue to be a hot topic among smartphone enthusiasts. Whether its Samsung celebrating favorable sales of the handsets or hackers attempting to spoof the devices iris scanner, there is still a lot to say about the Galaxy S8. The smartphone introduces to Samsungs line a new design and new software features, such as the AI assistant Bixby. It also touts several feature improvements, including a sharper and faster camera and more efficient processors. Whether the Galaxy S8 is worth the buy is completely up to the consumer; however, there are many things to take into consideration when selecting a new premium smartphone. For a little assistance, heres our detailed review of the Samsung Galaxy S8. Way Out Of Your League (Design And Display) The Samsung Galaxy S8 is a beautiful smartphone. It stands out during a time when mobile devices have become just ubiquitous enough for many consumers to not care about design, and would rather just have a functional device. Its infinity display is expected to usher in a new trend of smartphones with no home button and possibly also optical fingerprint scanners in the future. The Galaxy S8 features a fingerprint scanner on its rear panel, but more on that later. Even those in the know may find it striking that the Galaxy S8 features a 5.8-display, while being slightly smaller than the Galaxy S7 Edge, which features a 5.5-inch dual-edge curved display. Phablet veterans will remember the days when a 5.3-inch display meant carrying around a monstrosity of a device. Not to mention the Samsung Galaxy Mega, which featured a 6.3-inch display before such screens were even fathomable to the average consumer. Now, the Galaxy S8 Plus features a 6.2-inch display and is slender enough to fit into a back pocket with ease. That is if users are brave enough to venture outside without a protective case, which we dont recommend. Story continues Several teardowns and drop tests have determined that the Galaxy S8 is extremely fragile and hard to repair without professional assistance. With an exterior design made completely of glass, every corner of this device is a potential shatter point. While the Galaxy S8 may survive one or two face-down drops with just an adhesive screen protector, owners can pretty much expect naked handsets to succumb to the sidewalk at some point. Samsung Galaxy S8 Photo: Fionna Agomuoh Still, the all-glass design makes the Galaxy S8 one of the most luxe electronic devices on the market. Move over iPhone, the Galaxy S8 could easily take top spot as the subject in aesthetic photography on social media. The Galaxy S8 infinity display complements Samsungs dual-edge curved screen, adding a perfect touch of -- what can this product do that my previous device doesnt? Many users may find the capacitive home button isnt sorely missed. However, it is very easy to forget gestures such as double-tapping the virtual home button to wake an idle handset. Its a gentle reminder that physical keys actually do serve a purpose, but having a built-in theater mode while watching Netflix is also a nice reprieve. A far cry from the first-generation dual-edge Galaxy S6 Edge, which features wide curves and a flat back, the all around curves on the Galaxy S8 are less dramatic, which makes for easy handling. However, users may find the handset slippery and just forget about keeping smudges and fingerprints off of this device. Samsung Galaxy S8 Photo: Fionna Agomuoh While we are typically fans of the special colors featured on Samsungs flagships, such as silver, pink and Coral Blue, this years top color option in is Midnight Black. Its sleek and beautiful and has the feel similar to a black-on-black roadster. The uniformity of the black Galaxy S8 is striking, particularly since all other S8 models feature a black front panel and their distinct color option on the near. The special colors on most handsets will be hidden underneath a protective case, but with the black option, what you see is what you get. Other options include Arctic Silver and the new Orchid Gray, both of which are available in the U.S. Maple Gold and Coral Blue options are available internationally. Middle Of The Pack (Processing And Memory) The Samsung Galaxy S8 features the latest processing hardware on the market, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip for American markets and the Exynos 8895 chip for many international markets. These chips usher in new and improved technologies including 10-nanometer processing and gigabit download speed, which all promise to make devices faster and more power efficient. While benchmarks show the devices technical performance comparison against other well-known devices on the market, practical use of the Galaxy S8 is what would appeal to the average consumer. Users should find seamless interface interaction with minimal lag and near instant application loading. A strong Internet connection should generally support download completion in a few seconds and little to no buffering during a video. The AnTuTu benchmark rated the Galaxy S8 as fourth the most powerful smartphone, behind the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7 and Xiaomi Mi 6, though the device outperformed the OnePlus 3T, LeEco Pro 3 and the Cool C105. The Galaxy S8 and Xiaomi Mi 6 are comparable by way of quality. Both devices run the Snapdragon 835 chip; however, the Galaxy S8 can support a higher, Quad HD, display resolution. The Xiaomi Mi 6 features higher memory and storage capacities. The Galaxy S8 features 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, in addition to microSD storage expansion up to 256GB. Samsungs external storage capacity is commonplace at this point. For mobile enthusiasts, it may even be a bit underwhelming, considering many devices now support external storage up to 2TB. Still, most users should find storage support on the Galaxy S8 as more than sufficient. Energy Hog (Battery) Aspects of the Samsung Galaxy S8, such as its unique display and high-powered processors can all contribute to particularly speedy battery drain. Users who have battery-draining features activated on handsets should experience a quick depletion of battery power. Simple ways to conserve battery power include keeping brightness low and turning off Wi-Fi. But keeping a charger nearby is recommended with the Galaxy S8, particularly if it is used as an all-around device. Both wired and wireless charging options feature a fast charging capability, which can detect low power levels and provide quicker charging speeds until a device is more stable. Our ultimate battery test of was on a day of sightseeing during a recent trip in Dublin, Ireland. The Galaxy S8 was our designated camera phone, while a Galaxy S7 Edge served as our browser, map and music player. The Galaxy S8 battery went from 100 percent to about 25 percent between 6:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. During this time the devices display brightness was set on high and Wi-Fi was enabled. We primarily used the camera app and Wi-Fi for social media sharing. Taking fewer photos between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. also helped conserve some battery life. At 2 p.m. we turned down the display brightness and shut off Wi-Fi to further conserve more battery power. By 4:30, the handset was at about 10 and we plugged into a portable charger. However, charger did not support fast charging, so replenishing the battery took time. In comparison, the Galaxy S7 Edge went from between 90 percent and 55 percent between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. While Wi-Fi was activated on this handset, the display brightness was turned down low. Overall, on a typical day of moderate to active function, users should expect Galaxy S8 handsets to quickly dip below 50 percent power and possibly also below 20 percent. Once again, this 2017 flagship wont be the premium device to tackle the issue of finicky batteries. The Galaxy S8 features a 3,000mAh cell, while the Galaxy S8 Plus features a 3,500mAh. Many Galaxy S8 Plus owners have reported slightly better battery life on their handsets, with proper precautions set in place. Our travel companion owns a Galaxy S8 Plus and was able to use the handset as an all-around device (camera, browser, map and music player), going from 100 to 10 percent between 6:30 a.m. and about 6 p.m.; with Wi-Fi off and display brightness set to high. New Ways To Hide Bloatware (Software) The TouchWiz interface has been renamed as the Samsung Experience and includes interesting aspects, such as a default setting, which allows users to access the app tray by swiping up or down on the home screen. With this setting, there is no app tray icon on the home screen, but users can set the interface back to the standard look if they desire. But even the absence of the app tray gives the Galaxy S8 home screen a sense of minimalism users wont find on other Samsung models. Its completely up to users, how many apps they desire on their home screen or wants visible in their app tray, but there are several options for organizing applications on the Galaxy S8. More stock apps can now be disabled or uninstalled, making it easier for users to declutter busy screens, often full of carrier bloatware. Often users will see pre-installed folders for Google, Samsung, and carrier stock apps. Folders are a simple way for users to further organize apps and tuck away stock apps that cannot be disabled or uninstalled. Android Nougat includes a 3D-touch-like feature that allows users to long press app icons and brings a drop-down menu of functions, which include selecting multiple items, moving apps around the interface, disabling/deleting apps and accessing app info. Overall, users should find customizing the Galaxy S8 interface a much more simple task without having to root a handset. Unfinished Business (Bixby) Bixby was expected to be Samsungs standout feature for the Galaxy S8. A rival to other AI assistants such as Siri and Alexa, the feature released with the Galaxy S8, the software includes such aspects such as Bixby Vision, Bixby Voice, and Bixby Home. These features are intended as updates to the standard AI assistant functions of asking the weather or asking a question to receive search engine results. Bixby Home, similar to Samsungs News Briefing feature, is a hub for the many menial information bites users may need from their smartphones. Swipe left on the Galaxy S8 screen and Bixby Home displays weather, reminders, Samsung Health details, among other things. Samsung Galaxy S8 Photo: Fionna Agomuoh We havent been able to access Bixby Home in several weeks, as the screen indicates there is a software update to be downloaded. However, the update has yet to download and install after several attempts. When we check for updates through settings, the handsets software appears to be all up to date. A hard reset may be required. Bixby Voice is the assistants primary feature, which not yet been introduced to the Galaxy S8. Bixby Voice allows users to dictate voice controls for various devices functions. The features release has been plagued with several delays. Most recently, reports indicate that Samsung has had trouble implementing the English syntax for Bixby to learn. Bixby Voice supposed to release in April originally, but may not be available until late June. galaxy s8 bixby vision Photo: Screencap: Fionna Agomuoh Bixby Vision works quite well and allows users to execute functions like identifying items to purchase or translating text. Users can press the Bixby Vision eye symbol in their camera app and hold it up to an item. If a user wants to purchase an item, they can press the shopping icon, which will then bring up several Amazon options, which they can purchase; sign into Amazon and check out. To translate text users similarly hold the Bixby Vision camera app up to the text and select the text icon then translate. Highlight the text to be translated and Bixby Vision will autodetect the language and translate it into the indicated second language via Google Translate. As a first generation feature, Bixby appears to have a lot of potential, but clearly, needs a lot of work. It will be interesting to see how Samsungs features advance as similar protocols, such as Google Lens enter the smartphone market. Near Perfect Shot (Camera) Most users should be satisfied with the cameras on the Galaxy S8, which includes a 12-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera, both with f/1.7 aperture. Currently, the Galaxy S8 is rated as having the fourth best mobile camera on the market by DXO Benchmark. It is surpassed only by the HTC 11 and Google Pixel, by a one-to-two point difference and tied with the HTC 10. Photo taken by Samsung Galaxy S8 Photo: Fionna Agomuoh Shots with the Galaxy S8 are fast, clear and color accurate. Dont expect to spend a lot of time waiting for the lens to focus. Well-lit areas should yield favorable shots in one to two attempts. Low light shots are also detailed and impressive. Low light photo taken by Samsung Galaxy S8 Photo: Fionna Agomuoh Users may find several features within the camera application useful, such as the auto-HDR mode, which gives, especially outdoor shots a special level of color accuracy and pop. Swipe right to access editing tools such as filters and stickers. Some filters are similar to Instagram (we recommend deep), while others are similar to Snapchat. Swipe right for other settings, such as panorama, pro mode, selective focus, and food mode. Swiping up or down will switch the camera from front to back facing or the opposite. A favorite pastime of ours is taking photos out of the window of an airplane. The Galaxy S8 does not disappoint, particularly in the presence of detailed terrain, such a snow-capped mountains. Shots from several tens of thousands of feet are definitely great for testing the strength of the Galaxy S8 camera. So Many Options (Biometrics) Users have a host of methods to secure their information on the Galaxy S8. In fact, there are six security options on the handset, including iris scanning, facial recognition, and fingerprint scanning, in addition to the more standard pin, pattern and password options. Iris scanning and facial recognition are newer options, with the latter being introduced to Samsungs line on the Galaxy S8. The Galaxy Note 7 was the first device by the Korean manufacturer to feature iris scanning. While users can register all three biometrics options on their Galaxy S8 handset, the device will allow only three security options total to be activated at any given time. For example, users can set fingerprint scanning, iris scanning, and pin, or facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and pattern. Users cannot set iris scanning and facial recognition simultaneously and must choose one between pin, pattern, and password as a backup security measure, in the event the biometric options fail. Our typical configuration is fingerprint scanning, iris scanning, and pin. More often than not, we end up simply inputting the pin, as biometrics on the Galaxy S8 has proven to be temperamental. Between iris scanning, facial recognition, and fingerprint scanning, iris scanning has been the easiest to use. In an ideal situation, the iris-scanning viewfinder doesnt even have time to display before the handset is unlocked. If the situation is less than ideal, users may require a few attempts to unlock their device. Aspects such as dim lighting and improper angling can all prevent the Galaxy S8 iris scanner from getting an accurate reading. Users can expect to concede after at least two failed attempts. Facial recognition has similar issues. The only exception is this biometric option does not include a viewfinder. This makes it harder for users to know whether they are properly presenting their face for recognition. This makes authentication fails more common. Reports have also indicated that the Galaxy S8 facial recognition can easily be duped by images and other spoofing measures. Because of this, many mobile banking applications have forgone using Galaxy S8 facial recognition as an authentication option. The rear placement for the Galaxy S8 fingerprint scanner is new for Samsung and it is apparent that the design aspect was not carefully planned. Reports indicate Samsung decided last minute to put a capacitive fingerprint scanner on the rear of the handset, rather than an optical fingerprint scanner underneath the display on the front of the device. The Galaxy S8 fingerprint scanner is located on the upper right of the handset, near the camera module. This has proven to be a cumbersome placement, as it is very easy to miss the scanner altogether and place a finger on the camera module, especially when the handset is in a case. The scanner is also prone to authentication failure due to improper finger placement. Devices with rear-facing fingerprint scanners typically have a centered positioning, which makes it easier to locate the scanner without looking. Samsung has not given a definitive reason for the Galaxy S8 fingerprint scanner positioning. Nice Phone, If You Can Get It (Verdict) The Samsung Galaxy S8 is a solid device and does not disappoint on several fronts. Speed and processing, photography and design aesthetics are all on point. The handset is clearly a stepping stone toward what Samsung hopes its devices will be in the future. Features such as Bixby, the infinity display, and virtual home key are all hints on what Samsung may elaborate on in future devices. Their implementation on the Galaxy S8 may seem clumsy, but most users should be able to overlook the incomplete feel of certain features, which are not yet mainstays on the market at large. The biggest set back on this device is likely its price. Despite being a premium device, the $750 price tag for the Galaxy S8 and the $850 price of the Galaxy S8 Plus is sure to make many prospective smartphone customers think twice. However, price has not stopped several million people from purchasing the device so far. Recent reports indicate the Galaxy S8 is selling at double the rate of the Galaxy S7, which is a hopeful indicator that Samsung has the chops to continue to impress premium Android fans. Related Articles Friday, June 2, 2017 The Kansas Supreme Court accepted the consent disbarment of a convicted attorney. The Kansas City Star (Tony Rizzo) reported in February 2017 A Kansas City lawyer pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring with his former law partner to steal money from St. Lukes Health System. Mark J. Schultz pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Kansas City to a conspiracy charge. His former law partner, Alan B. Gallas, pleaded guilty last April to mail fraud and and on Friday was sentenced to one year in federal prison. Federal prosecutors said in court documents that Gallas had provided substantial assistance that led to Schultz being prosecuted. As a result of his cooperation, prosecutors asked the judge Friday to give to give him a lesser sentence than what is called for in sentencing guidelines. Gallas, 65, was ordered to pay restitution of $1,224,264. He was ordered to surrender to begin serving his sentence by April 10. They had been partners since forming the law firm of Gallas & Schultz in 1992. St. Lukes Health Systems was one of the firms clients. The firm was tasked with collecting money from patients who were behind on payments to the hospital system. Money collected by the firm was placed in a trust account, and periodically the money was forwarded to St. Lukes. But according to court documents, between 2009 and 2015 Gallas directed that more than $1.2 million collected for St. Lukes be transferred to the law firms operating account. According to the documents: 62 payments totaling $89,495 were withheld in 2009; 439 payments totaling $132,167 in 2010; 613 payments totaling $79,776 in 2011; 601 payments totaling $211,391 in 2012; 699 payments totaling $266,696 in 2013; 625 payments totaling $227,892 in 2014; and through July 2015, there were 625 payments totaling $216,845. In his plea agreement filed Friday, Schultz admitted to conspiring to withhold some of those payments from January 2014 to July 2015. Prosecutors and defense attorneys do not agree on the amount of money involving Schultz, according to the plea agreement, and will argue that point at sentencing. Gallas is a former president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation. He voluntarily surrendered his law licenses in Kansas and Missouri and has been disbarred in both states. Schultzs law licenses are still active in Kansas and Missouri, court officials in both states said Friday. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2017/06/the-kansas-supreme-court-accepted-the-consent-disbarment-of-a-convicted-attorney-the-kansas-city-star-reported.html Friday, June 2, 2017 Currently, Minnesota is one of eighteen states that imposes state inheritance or estate taxes in addition to the federal estate tax. The Republican majority in the Minnesota legislature recently passed a budget that increased the estate tax exemption from the current $1.8 million level to $2.1 million for 2017. This change is retroactive to January 1, 2017. The budget calls for the exemptions to increase in increments, reaching $3 million by 2020. The Democrat Governor Mark Dayton expressed his concerns to the legislature in a letter to the Speaker of the House. Dayton noted that the budget affects only the wealthiest estates in Minnesota and argues that such a provision defeats the purpose of the progressive tax and relieves these affluent of their burden to pay their fair share of taxes. While Dayton is asking legislators to cancel the proposed increases, the possibility of acquiescence is unlikely. See Ashlea Ebeling, Minnesota Weakens Estate Tax Retroactive to January 1, Forbes, May 31, 2017. Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/trusts_estates_prof/2017/06/minnesota-weakens-estate-tax.html The deadline to sign up for this free community event that is open to all is Nov. 16. Kennebunk Post "We need to invest in our kids," said resident Brenda Robinson. "That's how we keep graffiti out of Waterhouse Center and mischief out of the downtown on Saturday night." LEXINGTON In 1979, Army National Guard Recruiter Jim Murphy managed to recruit and enlist 50 Nebraska young men, most from Dawson County. Murphys effort was meant to boost enlistees at a time when recruiting numbers were low, with the Vietnam War long over. On Friday evening, May 26, 14 of those enlistees reunited at the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles. The group became known as the Nebraska Battalion, at basic training at Ft. Knox, Tenn. Tables were covered with Polaroid photos from basic training, accompanied by framed photos and newspaper clippings of stories of the soldiers. Melvin Block, an Army National Guardsman who helped drill enlistees at the Armory in Lexington on weekends before they shipped out to Ft. Knox, said the late 1970s was a challenging time to recruit soldiers. Blocks title was unit administrator or AST. "We had a hard time recruiting. The Vietnam War was over. Kids had no reason to join. Most joined the Nebraska National Guard because they got (most of their) college tuition paid," Block said. Numerous enlistees said having friends they knew enlist made it easier for them to do so. "Big Jim got Dan and Joe (his sons) to enlist. They (Dan and Joe) recruited the rest of us," said Scott Hofferber, one of the enlistees at the event. Recruiter Jim Murphy was known as big Jim to differentiate himself from Jim Murphy Jr., his son, who also enlisted in 1979. At basic training, all enlistees from Dawson County learned the different jobs involved with working on a tank, which included being the gunner, loader and tank commander, said Jim Murphy Jr. Murphy Jr., who rose to the rank of Lt. Col. in the Army, said the first time he heard a blast from a tank, "it scared the hell out of me." Murphy Jr. said it was a huge advantage for enlistees in his platoon to already know each other and to know each one had a strong, Midwestern work ethic. Block said all his enlistees already knew how to march and had proper military bearing before shipping off to Ft. Knox. He said the drill instructors must have known after the first time they saw the Nebraska platoon march that it would win the Honor Platoon Award. Joe Kelly, a member of the platoon who enlisted after completing his first year in law school, said it was very beneficial to know most of the guys in his platoon. Many knew each others parents, siblings and grandparents, he said. Mark Catterson, another enlistee, said he joined the National Guard as a college student because the military paid for three-quarters of his college tuition. Getting help paying for school was a "big help. I couldnt have afforded it otherwise," Catterson said. Catterson, who served for six years with the Army National Guard and another five years as doctor, said basic training provided him a foundation for success in his life. "The experience at basic training was the most powerful. It gave me tremendous amount of confidence that if I wanted to do something I was going to do it," Catterson said. Both Hofferber and Sid German said physical training, known as PT, was hard. Hofferber was required to take remedial PT. "It (basic training) was like boy scouts. It really helped out careers, it paid college tuition," Hofferber said. Walking outside the museum to the tanks to pose for a photo, some enlistees sang Army chants, while others look at the different tanks lined up and recognized their names. Once in the Army, the bonds made there stuck with you, Catterson said. "So many guys went to school together, kept in touch. We forged friendships that last forever," Catterson said. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The event is centered on the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse, the first to cross the United States from the Pacific to Atlantic oceans since 1918. Activities include eclipse viewing, presentations by professional astronomers and educators, science demonstrations, and a star party. The Science Channel will carry live broadcasts of the event via its worldwide TV and online network. Saleh Said, director of Pennyroyal Gibraltar Ltd and Zanzibar Amber Resort, invited the former Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr Ramakrishna Sithanen to Zanzibar on 6 June 2017 because of his knowledge and expertise on being a key role player in the transformation of Mauritius. It is Saleh's hope that Zanzibar will follow in Mauritius' footsteps to eradicate poverty in Zanzibar and build a stronger economy through the upliftment of tourism. During his stay, he will address 40 members of the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (ZATI), Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ZNCCIA), Zanzibar Association of Tour Operators (ZATO) on Wednesday, 7 June at The Serena Hotel, in a developmental talk entitled Transforming Zanzibar by promoting Foreign Direct Invest to Eradicate Poverty. He will also meet with prominent government officials during his visit. Dr Sithanen has fast become instrumental to the development of Zanzibar Amber Resort and Zanzibar Tourism, explains Saleh. I firmly believe in working together and extracting every ounce of knowledge I can from those that have already succeeded in what I am about to do. It will be a great privilege for him to share his expertise and his experience with the stakeholders who can grasp his plethora of proficiency and furthermore action it accordingly. Inviting Sithanen a strategic move With 37 years of experience, Dr Sithanen worked in the private sector as an economist and held senior positions as a director in the national airline, a director of strategy at the African Development Bank and an international consultant and an adviser, working in Africa and the Indian Ocean. In 1991 his political career began as minister of finance for Mauritius until 1995, where he was involved in shaping policies to diversify the economic base of the country. In 2005, he was re-elected to parliament as deputy prime minister and minister of finance. During this time, he initiated and implemented bold institutional, policy and fiscal reforms that turned the economy around. When the global economic crisis hit in 2008, he enforced stimulus measures that softened the impact on Mauritius. Furthermore, in 2009 he was honoured by the president with the highest mark of distinction of grand commander of the Order of the Star and Key. With many accolades behind his name and pathing the way for countries to achieve economic success, he is now chairman and director of International Financial Services, one of the largest wealth management solution companies in Mauritius. He is also chairman of the Rwanda Development Board since 2013 and was adviser to the Government of Rwanda and tax, competitiveness and financial services issues between 2013 and 2015. Inviting Dr Sithanen to visit Zanzibar is a strategic move and will be fundamental to the growth of Zanzibars economy and tourism especially in learning what factors contributed towards Mauritius growth. He is also very much aware of the major development challenges facing African and small island economies and can advise accordingly with great value, said Saleh, it is my hope that the Zanzibar government will stay open to the possibilities of transformation. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said yesterday fighting climate change is a global consensus and an international responsibility. Speaking in Berlin about the Paris climate change accord, he said that China in recent years has stayed true to its commitment. Without mentioning the U.S. specifically, he said China has been actively promoting the Paris agreement and we were one of the first countries to ratify the Paris agreement. He added: Fighting climate change is a global consensus, its not invented by China and we realize that this is a global consensus agreement and that as a big developing nation we should shoulder our international responsibility. Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that it will work with the European Union to uphold the international agreement on climate change even if the U.S. pulls out. President Donald Trump is expected to announce his decision on whether to abandon the Paris climate accord early today [Macau time]. While not mentioning the U.S. by name, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that climate change is a global challenge that no country can ignore. No matter whether other countries positions may change, we will continue to uphold a model of sustainable development, Hua said at a regularly scheduled news conference. China is the top emitter of man-made carbon dioxide emissions, and the United States is second. Both were key to reaching an agreement at Paris in 2015, which came into force in November and aims to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial times. Trump claimed before taking office that climate change was a hoax created by China to hurt the U.S. economy, an assertion that stands in defiance of broad scientific consensus. In March, he signed an executive order to roll back Obama-era policies regulating carbon emissions. Trump said he wanted to create more coal mining jobs, though industry analysts say demand is likely to decline as the price of solar, wind and other alternatives falls. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will discuss the Paris agreement in talks with EU leaders in Brussels today. We wish to work with the EU to strengthen our communication and practical cooperation in climate change, Hua said. Asked what kind of exchanges Beijings leaders have had with Trump regarding his decision, Hua said China and the United States have maintained close communications at various levels on subjects including climate change. AP The USD1 billion China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund temporary headquarters were inaugurated yesterday The funds temporary office is located in the Business Support Center, a unit under the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. It will later move to a dedicated trade cooperation service platform complex for China and Portuguese-speaking countries, to be built close to the Nam Van lake. Together with enterprises from mainland China and Macau, the fund signed two strategic agreements on investment and cooperation between Macau and the Portuguese-speaking countries. On the sidelines of the ceremony, IPIM president Jackson Chang said that since November 2016, different representing offices in mainland China, along with IPIM, have already received 21 inquiries and one application regarding the fund. Following the funds official establishment in Macau, IPIM will step up publicity efforts and organize more economic and trade activities, as well as promote the fund in Portuguese-speaking countries. IPIM hopes to enhance mainland enterprises knowledge of the fund. The director of the Macao Economic Services (DSE), Tai Kin Ip, said the fund will offer Macau new financial services, and will provide enterprises with information regarding investments in and from China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. The new fund will provide consultation services and assist in securing project financing for enterprises in Macau, while helping enterprises from mainland China and the Portuguese-speaking countries to get involved in Chinas Belt and Road initiative. The fund is expected to strengthen Macaus role as the center of financial and commercial cooperation for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries. The fund was one of six collaborative measures announced by the central government at the third Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in 2010. Since its official establishment in June 2013, the forum has sought to bring about financial, investment and trade cooperation between enterprises from China and the SARs, as well as the Portuguese-speaking countries. The fund, which controls capital of USD1 billion, was co-financed and established by the National Development Bank and the Macau Industrial and Commercial Development Fund. The China-Africa Development Fund has been entrusted with the administration of the fund, which had only approved two projects (one each in Mozambique and Angola) as of October 2016. According to data released yesterday, the fund is assessing over 20 projects and aims to extend its coverage to all Portuguese- speaking countries. During the keynote speeches at the ceremony, several people commented on the importance of infrastructure. Tomas Kuta, Senior Vice President of Sales at Volvo Construction Equipment, stated that it is important to understand the trends shaping the world, such as urbanization and demographic changes. He noted that by 2030, 60 percent of the worlds population will live in cities, and that the major contributors to this urbanization will be Asia and emerging economies. He also touched on topics such as the importance of climate change and the growing global network of connected devices and computers. In the next three years, there will be 75 billion interconnected devices, [] this is just the start, he said. The launch of The Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2017) and The Report on the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2017) took place after the speeches. The latter index is the first of its kind regarding infrastructure construction and investment internationally. According to the report, east European countries, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are offering strong advantages in terms of infrastructure development. Industries such as transportation and electric power will be key engines in the development of international infrastructure. Fang Qiuchen, chairman of China International Contractors Association, noted that Indonesia, Iran and India are among the top 10 countries for infrastructure development in 2017. Ship by ship, port by port, China has over the past two decades been assembling one of the essential engines of global power: a modern navy capable of projecting force far from home. Chinas blue water navy and how to respond to it will be on the minds of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis and others gathering in Singapore this weekend for Asias most high-profile security conference, the Shangri-La Dialogue. From the East China Sea to the Horn of Africa, the growing presence of Chinese warships is already shaping world affairs, a trend that will only accelerate. By 2030, the existence of a global Chinese navy will be an important, influential and fundamental fact of international politics, said Patrick Cronin, director of the Center for a New American Securitys Asia-Pacific security program. The U.S. and its allies need to begin preparing for a risen China, rather than a rising China. By one measure, the Peoples Liberation Army has already caught up with the U.S. Asias preeminent sea power since World War II. China had 183 cruisers, destroyers, small surface ships and submarines last year, compared with 188 for the U.S. Thats according to a CNAS analysis of data supplied by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, which organizes the Shangri- La meeting. CNAS projected in a March report that the PLA Navy will deploy 260 such ships by the end of the next decade, surpassing an estimated 199 for the U.S. That growth has helped fuel calls for a U.S. shipbuilding surge, with the Navys operations chief, Admiral John Richardson, saying earlier this month in Singapore that America needed to build more warships and fast. While President Donald Trump has called for increasing the U.S. fleet by more than 25 percent, his first budget proposal released last week included funds for only two small Littoral Combat Ships. To be sure, projecting naval power across oceans often means aircraft carriers. And deploying carrier strike groups around the world like the 10 the U.S. now operates requires a network of overseas bases. China lacks both. Frigates and other small vessels are expected to comprise the bulk of the countrys future fleet. Chinese President Xi Jinping is nonetheless making preparations to be able to project force into the Indian and Pacific oceans, which surround the countrys growing economic interests in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. China launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier in April, the second of as many as six such vessels. The country is also developing its first overseas base Chinese officials call it a support facility in the East African country of Djibouti, where the French and U.S. also have military installations. Such opportunities are expected to grow as China helps develop ports around the world under Xis 21st Century Maritime Silk Road trade- and-infrastructure program. How to respond to Chinas growing naval power has preoccupied many of the admirals, ministers and defense contractors who are expected to begin assembling Friday at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. It is vitally important that China respects the rule of law and respects the principal that might is not right, Turnbull told Bloomberg Television yesterday in an interview ahead of his address to the conference. Chinese defense spending is on track to exceed the rest of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania combined this year, according to estimates from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Chinas neighbors are now expanding their own fleets. This year alone, India, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand have announced plans to build or acquire submarines. India aims to add 60 warships over the next decade to amassing a 200-vessel fleet. The proliferation of submarines prompted Singapores naval chief, Rear Admiral Lai Chung Han, to call for a code of conduct earlier this month to reduce the risk of accidents. David Tweed & Adrian Leung, Bloomberg Beijing must rein in reckless North Korea, turnbull says AUSTRALIAN PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull joined the U.S. in imploring China to rein in North Korea, saying the regime was becoming increasingly reckless and must be curtailed. China has the greatest leverage over North Korea and with the greatest leverage comes the greatest responsibility, Turnbull, 62, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television yesterday. We look to Beijing to bring the pressure to bear on the regime in Pyongyang, to bring it to its senses so that it ceases threatening the peace of the region with its reckless conduct. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, on a visit to Berlin, told reporters the parties must get back to the negotiating table and that China opposed all types of nuclear and missile tests by North Korea. Sands China team members participated in World Challenge Day on Wednesday. Over 150 team members from across all Sands China properties gathered at The Parisian Macao, as cited in a statement issued by the gaming operator. Representatives from theSports Bureau (ID) led Sands China team members to complete a World Challenge Day exercise activity organized by the ID and the Macau Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau. World Challenge Day is an annual event in Macau sanctioned by the Association For International Sport for All and the Asian Sport for All Association. Its goal is to generate awareness of the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle by motivating people to be physically active for 15 minutes in a World Challenge Day activity. MGM Macau to launch riesling wine month Throughout the month of June, MGM Macau guests can sample a wide array of culinary delights and Riesling wine at Imperial Court Chinese Restaurant, Pastry Bar and ABA Bar. The gaming operator said in a statement that the offer is part of a summertime Deutsche Riesling Week. Riesling is one of the noble grape varieties that can produce diverse styles of white wine, especially sweeter German wines. These comprise of alluring floral bouquets, as well as hints of honey and fruit aromas, such as peach and apricot. MGM Macau is promoting various offers at the three restaurants. The offers include pairing Riesling wine with a Dim Sum Tasting Lunch at Imperial Court, a Riesling- inspired cake and cocktail at Pastry Bar, and a Germany Riesling Tasting Flight with a sommeliers selection at ABA Bar. Cotai Water Jet launches promotions Cotai Water Jet is offering a range of promotions, including a MasterCard buy one get one free special and complimentary access to Level 7 of The Parisian Macaos Eiffel Tower upon presenting same-day ferry tickets. The ferry service company is also offering a 15 percent discount on tickets to holders of designated airline boarding passes, and discounts on City Route tickets to those holding Kung Fu Panda Adventure Ice World tickets. Passengers who purchase full-fare adult tickets for the City route or Airport route using World MasterCard or World Elite MasterCard are entitled to a complimentary Cotai First class ticket for the same route. The promotion ends July 14. A Malaysia Airlines plane returned to Australia after a mentally ill passenger threatened to detonate a bomb and attempted to enter the cockpit before he was tackled and tied up by passengers, police said yesterday. The 25-year-old Sri Lankan man Manodh Marks had been discharged from a Melbourne psychiatric hospital on Wednesday before buying a ticket on the late-night flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said. Police have determined he had no terrorist links or associates, Ashton said. About 10 minutes after Flight 128 took off from Melbourne, Marks walked from his economy seat to the cockpit door clutching an electronic device and threatening to blow up the plane, creating panic among passengers. Passengers subdued him and tied him up with belts. At that point, he was essentially trussed up, Ashton told reporters. Marks, who is in Australia on a student visa while studying to be a chef, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft and making false threats. He faces a potential 10-year prison sentence on each charge. His lawyer Tess Dunsford told the magistrate Marks suffered from a psychiatric illness and would not apply for bail. He did not enter pleas to the charges. He will appear in court next on Aug. 24. Scott Lodge said he was one of four passengers who pounced on Marks. All of a sudden, someone has him in a chokehold and got his arm behind his back and the other guy eventually choked him and he passed out, Lodge said. Ashton described the device Marks carried on the plane as an amplifier-type instrument. Passenger Andrew Leoncelli described it as a Boombox portable music player. He was saying: Im going to the blow the f-ing plane up, Im going to blow the plane up, Leoncelli told Australian Broadcasting Corp. He was agitated, is the best description 100 percent, he was agitated. The Airbus A330-300 carrying 337 passengers returned to the airport about 30 minutes after takeoff. Passengers were kept on the plane for 90 minutes after landing and the plane was searched for potential bombs at a remote part of the airport, Ashton said. Police wearing body army took Marks off the plane. The airline said the incident would be investigated. Malaysias state-owned airline has had two recent high-profile disasters. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over the Ukraine in 2014 with the loss of all 283 passengers and 15 crew. And Flight 370 with 238 people aboard disappeared four months earlier. It is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean but has not been found. Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews offered government support for the passengers stranded by the ordeal. I dont think any of us have a true understanding of the trauma, just how frightening this experience would have been, Andrews said. Andrews cautioned against governments responding to the drama by banning mentally ill passengers from flying. We want to be very careful not to be driving people away from getting the care they need, he said. We dont want to be stigmatizing any more than mental illness is already stigmatized. Rod McGuirk, Canberra, AP Gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the month of May reached MOP22.74 billion (USD2.83 billion), up by 23.7 percent year-on-year and 12.8 percent compared with the previous month, according to data published by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau. The result was the second- strongest posting this year after February (MOP23 billion) when most of the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday occurred. It beat out the estimates of several analysts who had forecasted year-on-year growth of around 20 percent. Macau May GGR came in better than expectations, admitted brokerage Sanford C. Bernstein, as reported by GGR Asia. Other analysts pointed to several factors that may have dampened Mays results, despite the strong showing. Union Gaming Securities Asia said that the visit of Chinese politburo member Zhang Dejiang last month may have discouraged high- rollers from the city. In an email to the Times, Union Gaming analyst Grant Govertsen said that the consensus was expecting a greater negative impact as a result of the visit to Macau by the high level PRC official from May 8-10. This impact was likely less than anticipated, hence the better than expected GGR, he added. Moreover, the Dragon Boat Festival, which took place this week may have also had a role in attracting a higher number of tourists this year and consequently driving up gaming revenues. According to the Public Security Police force, Macau hosted more than 404,000 visitors between May 27 and 30, some 9 percent more than in the same holiday period in 2016. Marking the 10th consecutive month of growth, the performance of the gaming sector last month is a strong indication that the industry is stabilizing. Union Gaming analysts expect the growth rate to remain well north of 20 percent [] suggesting the recovery is in full-tilt. In a note released yesterday, the organization also forecasted a 22 percent increase in GGR for the second quarter of this year and a full-year increase of 14 percent. The accumulated gross gaming revenue for the first five months of the year was MOP106.38 billion, compared with MOP91.9 billion between January and May 2016, representing an increase of 15.8 percent. Due to the volatility of Macaus gaming market, substantial differences are often recorded when making year-on-year comparisons, particularly when major Chinese holidays are concerned. Accumulated gross gaming revenue accounts for this variance by averaging the year- on-year monthly values. However, in terms of year- on-year growth, May 2017 represented the biggest annual increase in more than three years since February 2014 recorded a 40.3 percent rise. February 2014 was the peak month for gaming revenues in the territory, when they exceeded MOP38 billion. Last months revenue accounts for just 60 percent of that figure, potentially highlighting that there is still significant catch up left for Macau casino operators. Singapore casinos struggle to get gamblers to pay up A report from business news broadcaster CNBC said that Singapore casinos may have more difficulties forcing gamblers to pay up than Macau operators. Citing figures from Bloomberg, which showed that the number of lawsuits against gamblers had grown from two in 2013 to nearly 50 in 2014, the broadcaster put the respective difficulty down to the number of local junkets. While some 200 licensed junket operators can provide credit to high-rollers in Macau, there are only three legal organizations in Singapore. When gamblers fail to repay their debts, junket operators can struggle financially to cover the losses. With overexposed risk due to the small number of junkets, Singapore casinos are forced to resort to lawsuits to recover the money. Recovering unpaid debts from mainlander gamblers once they return to the Peoples Republic of China can be a daunting prospect for junket operators due to the lack of legal means of doing so. Total merchandise import declined by 1.1 percent year-on-year to MOP5.42 billion in April 2017, according to data released on Wednesday by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). Imports of mobile phones and construction materials decreased by 32.8 percent and 11.1 percent respectively. Total merchandise export for the same period amounted to MOP839 million, up by 11 percent year-on-year, with the value of re-exports standing at MOP692 million. The value of imports in the first four months of the year grew by 4.4 percent year-on-year to MOP23.36 billion, while the total value of exports was up by 9.3 percent to MOP3.19 billion. The trade deficit widened to MOP19.57 billion. Analyzed by place of origin, merchandise import from mainland China (MOP7.72 billion) decreased by 6 percent year-on-year in the first four months of the year, whereas imports from the European Union (MOP6.05 billion) increased by 14 percent. Imports from Portuguese-speaking countries (MOP195 million) fell by 6.1 percent. A Chinese company that makes shoes for Ivanka Trump and other brands denied allegations yesterday of excessive overtime and low wages made by three activists who have been arrested or disappeared. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Hua Haifeng, an investigator for China Labor Watch, a New York-based nonprofit, had been arrested on a charge of illegal surveillance while his two colleagues Li Zhao and Su Heng are missing and rights groups fear they have been detained. They were investigating Huajian Group factories in the southern Chinese cities of Ganzhou and Dongguan. We are shocked, Long Shan, a spokeswoman for the Huajian Group, said in an email to The Associated Press. As a renowned global media outlet, you have put out many untrue reports not based on facts and without our consent. China Labor Watch executive director Li Qiang said he still had not been able to confirm the status of the two men. Huajian was contacted before APs initial reports were published but issued no statement until Thursday. Long said the company had stopped producing Ivanka Trump shoes months ago. She said that Hua Haifeng joined the groups factory in Dongguan on May 20, but left after less than a week, and Su Heng began working at their Ganzhou factory on April 28, but also left after a short time. She said she did not know their current whereabouts. By coming to Huajian to work, they are Huajian employees. Huajian staff must comply with Chinas laws and regulations and Huajians rules, she said, adding that at least one of the men used methods like taking photographs and video to obtain the companys trade secrets, which is not in line with the companys regulations. Our company has the right to hold him accountable. She said reports of managers verbally abusing workers, including insults and a crude reference in Chinese to female genitalia, were based on misunderstanding. It is the local dialect being used as management language, she said. She said Huajian was looking into allegations of improper use of student interns. Ivanka Trumps brand declined to comment on the allegations or the arrest and disappearances. Marc Fisher, which produces shoes for Ivanka Trump and other brands, said it was looking into the allegations. China Labor Watch has been exposing poor working conditions at suppliers to some of the worlds best-known companies for nearly two decades, but Li said his work has never before attracted this level of scrutiny from Chinas state security apparatus. 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 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. Erika Kinetz, Shanghai, AP President Vladimir Putin insisted yesterday that the Russian state has never engaged in hacking and scoffed at allegations that hackers could influence the outcome of elections in the United States or Europe. But the Russian leader admitted the possibility that some individual patriotic hackers could have mounted some attacks amid the current cold spell in Russias relations with the West. Speaking at a meeting with senior editors of leading international news agencies, Putin also alleged that some evidence pointing at Russian hackers participation in attacks he didnt specify which could have been falsified in an attempt to smear Russia. I can imagine that some do it deliberately, staging a chain of attacks in such a way as to cast Russia as the origin of such an attack, Putin said. Modern technologies allow that to be done quite easily. U.S. intelligence agencies have accused Russia of hacking into Democratic Party emails, helping President Donald Trumps election victory, and the Congressional and FBI investigations into the Trump campaigns ties with Russia have shattered Moscows hopes for a detente with Washington. Putin said the Russo-phobic hysteria makes it somewhat inconvenient to work with one another or even to talk. Its having an impact, and Im afraid this is one of the goals of those who organize it are pursuing and they can fine-tune the public sentiments to their liking trying to establish an atmosphere that is going to prevent us from addressing common issues, say with regard to terrorism, the Russian leader said. Putin predicted this will end, sooner or later, adding that we are patient, we know how to wait and we will wait. Asked if Russian hackers could try to shape the outcome of German parliamentary elections later this year, Putin said: We never engaged in that on a state level, and have no intention of doing so. He noted that Russia can work constructively with any German leader, adding that he had good ties with German Chancellor Angela Merkel despite some differences. Russian meddling was also a concern in France, with Putin publicly expressing his sympathy for President Emmanuel Macrons rivals in the campaign. Macrons aides claimed in February that Russian groups were interfering with his campaign, and a document leak hit Macrons campaign in the final hours of the French race. Moscow has strongly denied all allegations of election meddling. Putin argued that hackers, wherever they come from, cant sway election outcomes because the public mood cannot be manipulated that easily. Im deeply convinced that no hackers can radically influence another countrys election campaign, he said. No hackers can influence election campaigns in any country of Europe, Asia or America. Putin added that while the Russian state has never been involved in hacking, Russia-West tensions could have prompted some individuals to launch cyberattacks. If they have patriotic leanings, they may try to add their contribution to the fight against those who speak badly about Russia, he said. Theoretically its possible. Russias relations with the West have been at post-Cold War lows over the Ukrainian crisis. The U.S. and the EU have slapped Moscow with sanctions over its annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and support for pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Putin said yesterday that economic restrictions against Russia have had zero effect. He predicted that the current strain in relations will ease, because its counterproductive and harmful. Touching on tensions in the Pacific, Putin said Russias military deployments on a group of Pacific islands also claimed by Japan have been caused by concerns about the U.S. military buildup in the region. The four islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the southern Kurils in Russia, were seized by the former Soviet Union at the end of the World War II, preventing the two countries from signing a peace treaty. Putin said the U.S. will likely continue to build up its missile shield in the region even if North Korea agrees to curb its nuclear and missile programs, in the same way it has continued to develop missile defenses in Europe despite a deal with Iran that curbed its nuclear program in exchange for lifting international sanctions. Ian Phillips & Vladimir Isachenkov, St. Petersburg, AP Wyatt Niehaus Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate, DAAP 12 As a 2012 UC alum, Wyatt Niehaus has already made a global impact with his award-winning art, film and photography. As a UC recipient of the 2017-18 Fulbright Study/Research grant for recent graduates, Niehaus will increase his oeuvre by studying globalism and historical legacies at the Sandberg Instituut graduate program at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. After completing his undergraduate studies at DAAP, Wyatt traveled to Japan to film and take photographs at an industrial robotics factory where his primary interest was to look at how the iconography of the factory has changed in the advent of automation and robotics. (art/videos can be seen here) As a visual and prose artist currently living and working in New York, Niehaus has had his writing featured in the International Journal of Art, Culture, and Design Technologies and the Unlike Us Reader, published by the Institute of Network Cultures at Hogeschool van Amsterdam. Recent visual exhibitions include Color Shift at Mixed Greens, New York; Pixel Pops at Nouvel Organon, Paris; Daisychain at Antena, Chicago and a two-person exhibition with Olivia Erlanger at H. Klum Fine Art, Portland, Oregon. The photographs and short videos he has produced have been exhibited in major galleries and museums in the United States and Europe, including the Musee dArt Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Luma Foundation in Zurich and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. As he completes his graduate studies in Amsterdam through the Fulbright grant, Niehaus plans to enhance his global impact by creating an artists book on the historical legacy of the commercial ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. In addition to his work as a photographer and filmmaker, Wyatt hopes to eventually start an academic career as an instructor. Idaho is one of 14 states where only the governor can call a special session. That could change Tuesday if more than half of voters approve a constitutional amendment that would rewrite the state's constitution and allow the part-time Legislature to call itself back into session. Backers say the Legislature needs that power to act as a check on the executive branch the entire year. Opponents say giving lawmakers that ability is a step toward big government and a full-time Legislature. If voters approve, the Legislature could call itself back into session if 60% of lawmakers in each the House and Senate agree. TWIN FALLS Paint Magic is seeking more applications for the Twin Falls area. Paint Magic is a program for people 60 and older or those who are disabled that cannot afford to have their home painted. The application deadline is June 7. Applications can be picked up at the College of Southern Idaho Office on Aging and all senior centers in the Magic Valley. More applicants are needed in Twin Falls and more volunteers to paint are needed in Wendell and Gooding. Paint Magic was started in 1986 in the Magic Valley. The program is supported by donations and volunteers. Last year, volunteers painted 18 homes. Right now we have 20 teams in the whole Magic valley and we are looking to fill all of those of homes, said organizer Adeanna Jenkins. As of May 19, we had five applicants and have 14 teams. We can take as many as they come because not all applicants qualify. Applicants need to have a certain level of income and type of home. We really are trying to help the community help those in need who cant afford to beautify the area, Jenkins said. And by painting their home they are protecting their home. BURLEY A public meeting on the Burley Municipal Airport master plan will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 14. The meeting will be held at Burley City Hall in the council chambers, 1401 Overland Ave., and is expected to last one hour. Along with a review of completed work on the master plan, the meeting agenda includes discussion on what the next steps are: evaluation of the preferred site, Federal Aviation Administration coordination, acceptance by the community and the FAA and the when the next public meeting will be held, which will cover financial feasibility. The June 14 meeting will also cover discussions on the environmental assessment, land acquisition, construction and how the public can become involved along with a question and answer period. To view documents on the master plan visit the GDA Engineers website at www.gdaengineers.com and click the project portal tab. An account must be created. TWIN FALLS A Twin Falls woman missing since Wednesday has been found, but a man who was missing in an unrelated case is still missing, authorities said Thursday. Rachel Jurgensmeier, also known as Rachel Cooke, has been found, said city spokesman Joshua Palmer. However, Salvador Vargas Martinez, 50, is still missing. Martinez, who police described as a Hispanic man with black hair and brown eyes, has been missing from Twin Falls since April 14. Hes about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. TWIN FALLS The Boys and Girls Club of the Magic Valley wants to start a physical fitness and nutrition program at its club in Buhl. Theres a need for it in the community, Steve Kaatz, the vice president of the clubs board of directors, told a roomful of heads of area nonprofits at St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center on Thursday. Were a poor community, Kaatz said. We have an awful lot of people who are making less than $15,000 a year. Dont how how theyre living. And a lot of those are families. The Boys and Girls Club is one of 30 groups to split the $275,000 in Community Health Improvement Grants St. Lukes is giving out this year to support various projects that are intended to improve peoples health in the Magic Valley. On Thursday, the awardees gathered for a lunch in their honor and to tell each other what they were doing with the money. Many of the nonprofits getting help this year have also gotten grants in the past, but there are a few new ones, such as the Fifth Judicial District CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) Program. It plans to use the money to support the Fostering Futures program, which helps teenagers transition out of foster care, said Executive Director Tahna Cooper. Sometimes, when they age out, they dont have the life skills you typically get with families, she said. (This) helps them to set goals, achieve goals, be realistic about who their support system can be when they get out of foster care. The Idaho Childrens Trust Fund is another new grantee. While St. Lukes Treasure Valley has given them grants in the past, the new money will help them expand their child abuse prevention training program in the Magic Valley, said Executive Director Roger Sherman. The money will help them coordinate trainings with organizations such as schools, libraries, child care centers and community groups. Sherman said they have trained 14,000 adults in Idaho already, and their goal is to reach 5 percent of the states adult population. We hope that will reach a tipping point where we can make a difference, he said. The fund was created by Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in 1998, and St. Lukes committed to continue it as part of the 2006 agreement with Twin Falls County that established St. Lukes Health System in its current form, said hospital spokeswoman Michelle Bartlome. Since 2006, more than $2.6 million has been distributed throughout our communities, she said. For the Twin Falls Senior Center and for Buhls West End Senior Center, the money from St. Lukes helps to serve a rising demand and to make up for federal funding cuts. I cant in my right mind or conscience tell somebody whos 80 years old who just got out of the hospital that they have to be put on an indefinite waiting list to eat, said Jeanette Roe, director of the Twin Falls center. West End has gone from serving 4,800 home-delivered meals in 2011 to 9,235 in 2016, said manager Lynnette Butler. Roe said the percentage of the local population aged 60 and older is growing it is projected to hit 38 percent soon. Roe said her center served 73,000 meals in 2016, of which 58,000 were to home-bound seniors, and that just in May of this year they served 6,000. Without partners like St. Lukes and others to be able to help us, I wouldnt know what to do, and a lot of these home-bound people wouldnt know what to do, Roe said. St. Lukes Administrator Mike Fenello told the group the hospital is working to shift from a fee-for-service patient care model, where people come in when theyre sick, get the treatment they need and leave, to a pay-for-value, more patient-focused one that follows up and helps to keep people healthy after they leave the hospital. There are a lot of structural things were going to be working on in the coming years, he said. By working together, Fenello said, St. Lukes and the nonprofits getting grants could help improve the communitys overall health. We have a shared purpose and we can do great things together, he said. Kenya launched the long awaited Nairobi-Mombasa Standard-Gauge Railway passenger train service on May 31 in a colorful event held in the country's second-largest city. The line is the third Chinese-built infrastructure project to be inaugurated in Africa after Nigeria officially commercialized its 186.5 kilometer Abuja-Kaduna SGR in July last year followed by the 750-km Ethiopia-Djibouti electric train in October. President Uhuru Kenyatta flagged the 472-km train to start service an hour before midday. Together with the first lady, Deputy President William Ruto and high-level government officials, Kenyatta boarded the train bound for Nairobi from Mombasa. In his keynote address, Kenyatta said the feat should not only be celebrated by Kenyans but East Africans at large, as it will transform the regional economy by improving the speed and capacity of rail transportation. He added that the $3.8 billion (3.4 billion euros; 2.9 billion) line will improve trans-border trade, as it lowers the cost of ferrying passengers and freight from the port of Mombasa to Nairobi and beyond to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the eastern parts of Democratic Republic of Congo. Schoolchildren are photographed in front of giant banners at the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR launch ceremony in Mombasa. Lucie Morangi / China Daily "This infrastructure will not only unite Kenyans but also accelerate regional integration with our neighbors. It is indeed a milestone," Kenyatta said. He expressed his gratitude to President Xi Jinping and the people of China for the collaborative effort that culminated in the success of the project. "This is a testament to the comprehensive China-Kenya relationship, which is based on mutual benefits and a clear vision of win-win benefits. Kenya will continue pursuing a sustainable relationship with the Asian giant," Kenyatta said. He emphasized that the completion of the railway, named the Madaraka Express, comes 54 years after the country attained self-rule, and it will complement the century-old meter gauge Kenya-Uganda railway. It is designed to run at 120 kilometers per hour for passengers and 80 km/h for freight, and will halve the duration of traveling and generate job opportunities. Kenyatta disclosed that his government has lowered introductory fares to attract customers to the new transportation concept. "Passengers will pay a minimum of $7 for a one-way journey during trial operations, while containers that have previously been charged an average of $1,000 will now pay 50 percent lower," he said. Wang Yong, Xi's special envoy and a State Councilor, says: "This railway is an important early harvest outcome of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is also a landmark project of China-Africa cooperation on regional networks of high-speed rail, expressways, aviation African industrialization and industrial capacity." He added that launching the SGR establishes a regional transportation artery and is a testament to the fact that the China-Kenya friendship has entered a new era of mutually beneficial cooperation. In 2015, Xi and his Kenyan counterpart witnessed the signing of the agreement on financing the project. China financed 90 percent, with the remaining 10 percent funded by the Kenyan government. "The infrastructure, once in use, is expected to improve speed and capacity of railway transport in Kenya, greatly improving trade between Mombasa and its vast hinterland, which includes Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and eastern parts of Democratic Republic of Congo," says Robert Kagiri, the director of the Center for Strategic Policy Management at Africa Policy Institute, a think tank based in Nairobi. China Road and Bridge Corp, the builder of the SGR, will oversee management and operation of the infrastructure. "Having a foreign country run the railway is a pathway to injecting professionalism from an experienced player," Kagiri says. The Madaraka Express will feature two passenger trains leaving Nairobi and Mombasa at 8 am daily. This appeared in Thursdays Washington Post: 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.So said Portland, Oregon, Mayor Ted Wheeler in explaining whyin the aftermath of the deaths of two good Samaritanscontroversial rallies planned for this month shouldnt be held. Wheelers concern for the raw feelings of his community is understandable, but he is completely off-base in trying to block the planned rallies and dangerously wrong in his reading of the U.S. Constitution. Wheeler unsuccessfully appealed to federal officials to revoke a permit granted to a group to hold a pro-Trump, free-speech rally Sunday at a downtown federal government plaza. His request that a permit not be granted for a June 10 anti-Muslim rally was made moot when organizers opted Wednesday to cancel the rally and encourage participants to attend a similar event in Seattle instead. The mayor characterized the rallies as alt-right and said hate speech is not protected by the First Amendment. Actually, as was pointed out by legal scholars and free-speech advocates, Wheeler is wrong about how constitutional protections of free speech have been interpreted by the courts. Speech, no matter how vile or distaseful, is protected in the United States. It can be banned only if it meets the legal threshold of threat or harassment. It would have been far better for Wheeler to have followed the advice of the Oregon ACLU and reached out to rally organizers to explain why it might be in the communitys best interest to postpone the events. Not only are public passions still aroused about the deaths of two men who tried to protect two young women from anti-Muslim insults, but Portland has become the scene of rising tensions and clashes between extremists from both ends of the political spectrum. Perhaps it is naive to think that organizers of Sundays rally might have actually listened to the mayor and allowed Portland to mourn the loss of those two fine men without further upset. Sadly, though, decency these days seems to be in short supply in Americas political debate. The most recent example was the stunt by comedian Kathy Griffin, who evidently thought it was humorous to portray the beheading of an American president. It was somewhat comforting that Griffin was widely condemned (including by some of the most ardent critics of President Donald Trump) and that she responded with an abject apology. If only the provocateurs in Portland could be so moved. This appeared in the Lewiston Tribune: For the sake of argument, lets just suppose that it was the scientists who dictated how Idahos politicians perform their jobs. Data-driven scientists would insist that the Gem State leaders follow evidence, solve problems, not worry about bumping voters out of their comfort zones and ignore biased special interests. With scientists in charge, Idahos blue ribbon committees would actually study the issues not serve as a tactic harried leaders deploy to delay making decisions. Fact-laden governors and legislators would educate their constituents not pander to them. For Idahos politicians, peer review would mean learning from their colleagues in all 50 states not just Utah. If scientists were calling the shots, you might see expertise rewarded at the polls. For instance, the holder of a doctorate might get five votes; someone with a masters degree would get three; and a person with a bachelors degree could vote twice. You can imagine the howls of protests under the state Capitol dome. Politics involve compromise. Its about the building and nurturing of coalitions. This is psychology, not physics. Its an art, not a science. Everyone is equal under the law from the most accomplished scholar to the high school dropout. And to subject the process of democracy to hard and fast scientific principles would deprive the public of its say. All right. So why does the reverse make any more sense? Why is it acceptable for Idaho politicians to swap out the scientific method for the passions of the moment and the beliefs of the uninformed? Case in point: The Legislatures apparent insistence on rewriting public school science standards dealing with climate change. Earlier this year, lawmakers used their rule-making authority to block five such standards. Since then, a panel has been crafting a replacement. What emerged last Friday ought to make Rep. Scott Syme, the Caldwell Republican who led the charge against the original climate change standards, ecstatic. Which, of course, is the point. When the Legislature gets the final word next winter, it will encounter proposed rules very much to its liking. For instance: Scientists endorsed the old section: Emphasis is on the major role that human activities play in causing the rise in global temperatures. Whats so outlandish about that? After 250 years of industrial activity, rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and a near-consensus among the scientific community, its clear human behavior is altering the climate. In true Orwellian fashion, the politicians have replaced that concept. With white space. When facts conflict with Idaho legislators beliefs, erase the facts. Scientists wrote standards that link human activity with adverse impacts on biodiversity through overpopulation, over-exploitation, habitat destruction and introduction of invasive species. Politicians resorted to some choice euphemisms such as mitigation, habitat conservation, reclamation and in place of overpopulation understanding the effects of population growth. Scientists say that if any student is going to understand how the climate is changing, he has to consider human-generated greenhouse gases, the quantity added to the atmosphere each year and how the oceans are changing as they absorb these gases. Politicians, however, want standards that speak in terms of humanity intervening to stop climate change. And what about the all-important role of the oceans? More white space. Move on. Fortunately, the state standards merely impose a floor; they can not stop a dedicated science teacher from informing her students about how science works and what it has added to human knowledge. The role reversal is not complete. Politicians cannot teach science; scientists cannot make laws. Scientists know that; funny how the politicians dont. A car blew off Thursday in Shiite-dominated city of Qatif, killing two people identified as wanted terrorists by Saudi authorities. Two wanted terrorists were killed in the explosion, Faisal bin Farhan, an adviser to the Foreign Ministry, said on his personal Twitter account. One of the wanted terrorists was found charred in the car and the second, also completely charred, lying beside the car reported to be an SUV. The two alleged terrorists have been identified as Fadhel Al-Hamada and Mohammed Al-Somayel. Saudi media Arab News also reports that eyewitnesses saw three other terrorist suspects running away before the car exploded. The incident took place in a populated area of the city, which is largely dominated by Shiites, a minority in the Saudi kingdom. Police have not established yet the ins and outs of the incident but Shiites are often targets of attacks by Sunni-dominated Islamic State group (IS) which views the Shiites as apostates. More than 40 Shiites have been killed since 2014 in attacks in Saudi Arabias eastern provinces, including Qatif. Last August, police said they shot dead a would-be suicide bomber targeting a mosque in Qatif district, AFP reports. In October 2015, a gunman killed five people at a Shiite meeting hall in Saihat district of Qatif. The Shiites have been complaining of marginalization and have been mounting demonstrations against the Sunni throne. Demonstrations, which started in 2011 as part of Arab Spring, have been cracked-down severely. A soldier was killed late last month after their patrol vehicle was hit by a rocket propelled grenade in Awwamiya, in Qatif. Authorities said the incident was the work of terrorists who oppose development projects in the old section of Awwamiya. Also last month, a Saudi child and a Pakistani worker were killed in Awwamiya. President Erdogan has questioned Trumps administration claim of respecting the freedom of religion during an Iftar dinner in Ankara. In a message directed at Washington during his address, the Turkish president raised concerns about Trump administrations decision to not host an Iftar-dinner as part of events marking the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. Upholding such a decision will be discriminatory, Erdogan said as he reminded the U.S. of their claimed promotion of freedom of worship. Did you not say you did not oppose freedom of religion? he asked. Officials at the U.S. State Department said that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did not support the proposal of an Iftar- dinner to celebrate the Islamic Holy month but he is willing to consider other possibilities. Organizing a dinner during Ramadan has been a traditional event in Washington for some years. A concrete decision is yet to be made but President Erdogan has signaled that failing to host a dinner could lead views on the United States to change. He didnt go into details on how the relationship between them will be affected. Turkey has often highlighted that its ties with the U.S. would be affected due to its national security concerns that is, it claims, being jeopardized by individuals and groups resident in the US or in the Middle East. We know what those who smile at our face do in our back Erdogan stated as he raised the cases of Reza Zarrab, a Turkish-Iranian man who faces trial in the U.S. on allegations of busting sanctions against Iran, and Fethullah Gulen, accused of pioneering the failed 2015 coup plot. The latest arming of the Kurdish fighters in Syria was also a cause of alarm for the authorities in Anakra. From now on, everything will be reciprocal, Erdogan warned. Washington has not yet reacted to his address. The Saudi-led Arab Coalition hailed the call for the Houthi Movement and its allies to hand over the control of the Hudaydah port to a neutral party by the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. A source close to the multinational military campaign said the request of the UN Diplomat signals the importance of coalitions previous calls to take over the port in order to protect the Yemeni people. The rebel group is not cooperating fully to the Special envoys request as he lamented about their low level of participation to discuss the proposal during a meeting. Ismail thinks that the port would be useful in providing humanitarian aid and needy goods to the peoples of the war torn country. The port is a strategic asset in the Yemeni war and the Houthis have been reluctant to lose it. The Saudi-led coalition claims that it is a key revenue generator to the resistance of the Houthi Movement over the past couple of years because it is being used to smuggle weapons and seize humanitarian and medical aid. The source from the coalition speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed the readiness of the Coalition to support the relief efforts to ensure the flow of medical and food aid to the port of Hudaydah for the Yemeni people to access humanitarian relief. Meanwhile, the country is facing a cholera outbreak and around 600 people have succumbed to it. The hostile situation has made access to health facilities and medication very limited. Those who have access to hospitals are also faced with a daunting task because almost half of the countrys health facilities are not functioning as they should due to the lack of required resources. The Red Cross and the World Health Organization are preparing to embark on a vaccination campaign to combat the outbreak. 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. Error 404 Not Found You may have mis-typed the URL. Or the page has been removed. Actually, there is nothing to see here... Click on the links below to do something, Thanks! Take Me our of here 5 eco-migrant families to receive homes in rural Georgia A total of 45 families who moved away from their home areas due to landslide risks, earthquakes or other natural disasters will soon become the owners of new houses in different parts of Georgia.It means that those families will have the opportunity to buy houses according to their preferences, and move to their own new apartments worth under 25,000 GEL.This year some other 46 eco-migrant families have already been given new apartments.Since 2013, the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accommodation and Refugees of Georgia has moved 347 families to safer locations across Georgia.At the same time the Ministry of IDPs is also assisting internally displaced families from the Russian occupied regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) - with village houses with plots of land to produce their own agricultural products.Within the framework of the state project, families can choose where in the village they want to have their new house. All the houses include plots of land for further production and income. 11,000 failed national school exams By Messenger Staff The Ministry of Education has revealed that about 11,000 students failed to pass the national school exams out of about 40,000 students.The Georgian 12thgraders have to take exams in the Georgian language and literature, in a foreign language, mathematics, physics, history, geography and chemistry.Only after passing the exams can the students apply to higher educational institutions.Many criticized the education ministry and Minister Aleksandre Jejelava after the failure of the 11,000 students.The Minister, meanwhile, stated that the failure was mainly in technical subjects and added that many people in European countries fail similar exams, and the students later applied for the vocational education.In his earlier statements the minister also said that Georgia does not need so many people with a higher education when the state economy vitally needs people with a technical or vocational background.The United National Movement opposition party proposed that school and university entrance exams be amalgamated, and a student will be able to attend a higher educational institution from the scores gained in the exam.The large number of failed students indicates that Georgian schools still fail to fulfill their duties appropriately.Most students who want to pass university exams generally have private teachers in several subjects, which means that schools fail to give them sufficient knowledge.Georgian schools are still full of unqualified teachers. Those who are qualified generally refuse to teach, as salaries at schools are too low.Without genuine reforms in the school system and more appreciation of the qualified staff, nothing will change. Members of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission next week will take up a series of amendments to the rules of the powerful panel that would reduce the ability of chair Carlos Beruff to control what makes it to the November ballot and instead elevate the role of individual members. Beruff, who was appointed to lead the 37-member panel by Gov. Rick Scott, has proposed a series of rules for the group to follow as it decides what constitutional amendments to put on the November 2018 ballot. But his proposal has faced stiff pushback from the other members of the commission, particularly the 21 members appointed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron and Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga. To address the dispute, Beruff appointed a working group to review the rules and to make recommendations. Then, last week, he rejected their work and instead called a meeting of the commission for June 6 in Orlando to get the full commission to vote on the rules. He set a deadline of noon on Thursday to propose amendments. Six amendments were filed to change Beruff's proposals and each is intended to weaken elements of Beruff's proposal that gives him control over what amendments can be voted on by the full panel, or require the panel to adhere to the state's open meeting and open records laws. They are: Commissioner Roberto Martinez proposes replacing Beruff's proposal to allow two members of the commission to meet in secret to discuss business and instead apply s. 286.011 and ch. 119, Florida Statutes which requires that all meetings of two or more members to be open and accessible to the public. proposes replacing Beruff's proposal to allow two members of the commission to meet in secret to discuss business and instead apply s. 286.011 and ch. 119, Florida Statutes which requires that all meetings of two or more members to be open and accessible to the public. Commissioners Tom Lee and Don Gaetz , both former Senate presidents, propose replacing Beruff's proposed rules with those adopted by the 1997-98 commission. and , both former Senate presidents, propose replacing Beruff's proposed rules with those adopted by the 1997-98 commission. Commissioner Sherry Plymale , who was appointed by Negron, proposes removing a provision that would allow Beruff at add members to standing committees but adds a new provision to allow the chair to create a select committee at any time with "the jurisdiction, authority, and powers and duties assigned to it by the Commission Chair and exists for the period of time specified by the Commission Chair." , who was appointed by Negron, proposes removing a provision that would allow Beruff at add members to standing committees but adds a new provision to allow the chair to create a select committee at any time with "the jurisdiction, authority, and powers and duties assigned to it by the Commission Chair and exists for the period of time specified by the Commission Chair." Plymale also proposes requiring the Rules and Administration Committee to schedule standing committee meetings in a way in which they do no conflict with each other and to allow it to meet by phone or video conference for "administrative matters." Another amendment proposed by Plymale would do away with a proposal sought by Beruff that would allow him to send a proposal back to a committee after it has been amended in another committee a tool used to effectively kill proposals. Instead, she proposes to empower individual commissioners by allowing them to move to remove a proposal from any committee and have it placed on the calendar, essentially allowing the majority of the commission to control what ideas come up for a vote. Several members have privately said they are concerned that Beruff is attempting to control what gets on the ballot because the governor, who appointed Beruff, is also hoping to be on the ballot in November 2018 as a candidate for U.S. Senate. Lee told the Herald/Times that replacing Beruff's rules with the rules adopted by the CRC 20 years ago was "the best to way to create a starting point." He said the rules in 1997-98 were "adopted by a bi-partisan commission, with a chair appointed by a Democratic governor [Dexter Douglass] who, politics aside, was a sharp and accomplished public servant." Gaetz said he wants changes to strengthen the credibility of the commission. "There are substantial issues that go into the credibility of constitutional revision,'' he said. "Will the public's proposals be heard? Will proposals that are sponsored by commission members have a chance to be debated and voted up or down? Who will control what comes to the floor? ""If people don't have confidence in the way you're doing something, they're going to have a whole lot less confidence in what you produce,'' Gaetz said. He added that he hopes that commission members consider themselves independent and not expected to act as surrogates for the officials who appointed them. For example, Gaetz said, the commission should not mirror the disputes between the governor and Legislature in the wake of the fractious legislative session. The governor is expected to veto large portions of the education budget, thereby forcing lawmakers back into a special session later this month. "I hope no commissioner feels they are creatures of the appointing authority,'' Gaetz said. "We don't want the CRC to be another venue for the ongoing tension between the governor and the Legislature....We're not in the Legislature...This is once in a generation and we shouldn't be thinking about who did what to whom in the Legislature." @PatriciaMazzei Of Floridas top three Republican leaders, only one of them Senate President Joe Negron is willing to say, grudgingly, that human activity contributes to climate change. Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran wont go there. Asked repeatedly Friday if man-made climate change is real, as a broad consensus of scientists have long concluded, Corcoran refused to answer. We should do all we can to protect the environment, he said. That doesnt answer the question, he was told. Whatever, responded Corcoran, of Land OLakes. Im not going down that path. A day after President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the international Paris climate agreement, the three most powerful men in Florida government declined to acknowledge the threat of rising seas to one of the nations most vulnerable states. Instead, Scott, who has touted his friendly relationship with the president, defended Trumps decision. Hes doing exactly what he said he was going to do on the campaign: Hes focused on American jobs, Scott said. The Paris accord clearly was not focused on American jobs. And its no different than weve done here. More here. Photo credit: Matias J. Ocner, for the Miami Herald @NewsbySmiley Tomas Regalado on Friday became the latest South Florida mayor to sign onto a Climate Mayors letter promising to "adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement." According to a city spokeswoman, the Republican mayor of Miami was the 84th city leader in the U.S. to sign the letter commiting to intensity efforts to meet climate goals despite President Donald Trump''s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord. "What Washington did and the president did is a big problem," Regalado told the Miami Herald Thursday. "I'm disappointed. But that doesn't mean we're going to stop as a city what we're trying to do." Regalado, nearing the end of his second and final term in office, is currently pushing a bond initiative to fund (among other initiatives) sea-level rise projects. Under his tenure, the city has also promoted solar power. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez declined to condemn Trump's decision Thursday, but Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan and West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio have also signed the Climate Mayors letter. "I think that now more than ever wee need to move faster to show the residents that we're taking care of the future," said Regalado. Photo is of Tomas Regalado, signing onto the Climate Mayors letter. Taken by Miami spokeswoman Diana Gonzalez. @MichaelAuslen When Florida lawmakers begin a special session next week, one issue that has support from 71 percent of voters wont be on their agenda: Medical marijuana. After failing to pass a bill creating a system for patients to buy medical cannabis, a groundswell of support among lawmakers and activists alike called for a special session. Now, Gov. Rick Scott has called the Legislature back to the Capitol to rewrite portions of the state budget. But his instructions for the June 7-9 special session do not mention medical marijuana. Lawmakers intend to add it to their agenda once theyre back in Tallahassee. But first, they have to reach an agreement on the legislation something they have been unable to do since talks broke down the final day of the regular session last month. In a memo to House members, Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land OLakes, wrote that this is an issue we believe must be addressed. However, behind the scenes, negotiators still havent found common ground on the key sticking point: Caps on how many dispensaries each license holder can open. During the regular session, the House wanted no caps but finally proposed a 100 dispensary limit. The Senate pushed for the caps, finally offering a maximum of 15 storefronts per grower. In order to have an agreement that both sides can support, there would have to be an effort to find a principled middle ground, and thats what were trying to do, Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said Friday morning. House leadership has been trying to convince senators to accept an overall statewide cap, rather than limiting each individual grower. While that would prevent a glut of dispensaries, it would not limit the growth of existing license holders that want to control much of the potential $1 billion marijuana market in Florida, at least one of which could be planning to open 50 dispensaries in the next five years. If they cant reach agreement, there could be political consequences. Amendment 2 which lets patients with conditions like cancer, PTSD and HIV/AIDS to buy and use the drug won more votes than either presidential candidate in 2016. Even in 2014, when it failed to gain the required 60 percent of the vote, it had support from more than half of voters. I think folks expected when the election happened that this would get done, said Ben Pollara, executive director of Florida for Care and one of the forces behind Amendment 2. We voted twice and weve gone through an entire legislative session, and now theyre coming back for a special session that possibly does not include medical marijuana. The average person is pulling their hair out about this. Negotiations have been done mostly in secret among Negron, Corcoran and key allies: Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and House Rules and Policy chairman Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes. Among rank-and-file lawmakers, though, there is support for getting something done. This is one of the most important things that we need to accomplish this year, Sen. Dana Young, R-Tampa, said. This is what our constituents expect." Photo: House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron. (SCOTT KEELER | Tampa Bay Times) Times/Herald staff writers Steve Bousquet and Patricia Mazzei contributed to this report. @PatriciaMazzei The official-looking letter that hit Coral Gables mailboxes came in an envelope with red letters. "Residency Violation Notice," it read. Inside was a single page, notifying the addressee -- "Miami-Dade County Taxpayer" -- that state Rep. Daisy Baez, D-Coral Gables, might not live in the district she represents, as required by Florida law. "As a resident of House District 114, you are receiving this notice because it has been discovered that your state representative, Daisy J. Baez, has been acting in violation of Section 15 of the Florida Constitution," the letter reads. "Representative Baez's home is located in District 112, making her ineligible to serve as your representative. Official proceedings will determine whether Representative Baez will be required to reimburse taxpayers for her improperly obtained taxpayer-funded salary." But though it sounds bureaucratic, the letter doesn't come from the government. In fact, it doesn't list a sender at all. A disclaimer on the back of the letter, which is otherwise blank, says it came from Holding Our Politicians Accountable, a political action committee registered to two Miami men, Jesus Suarez and Richard Puerto. No one answered the PAC's listed phone number Thursday afternoon. State election records show the PAC received $250,000 last year from the Republican Party of Florida. This year, it has given money to Republican candidate Andrew Vargas, who has filed to run against Baez in 2018. The budget accord between Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature's presiding officers has left some people wondering what's ahead for Enterprise Florida, the public-private partnership that was the target of a bitter feud between the governor and House Speaker Richard Corcoran last session. Under the plan, the agency that Corcoran targeted for elimination and blasted as "corporate welfare" would lose access to more than $180 million incentive funds intended to pay companies that relocate or bring new jobs to Florida. Instead, a grant program operated by the Department of Economic Opportunity would be used to direct money broadly to targeted industries for job training and education, or could be used for infrastructure as part of an economic development deal. "It is a pot of money that is available for him to use only for infrastructure and education that is only across the board,'' Corcoran said Friday. But at an availability with reporters on Friday, Scott portrayed the $85 million as money that will be managed by EFI, not DEO. Corcoran later countered that in a tweet. The governor spent much of the session away from Tallahassee defending the program, at one point having his political committee finance television ads claiming "the politicians in Tallahassee don't get it" for wanting to cut funding to the programs and having his chief of staff target contracts the state had with Corcoran's law firm. Corcoran said he considered the agreement on economic development "a model for the rest of the nation" because "the governor has absolutely now agreed to do zero corporate welfare in the state." As for the future of EFI, he said: "Enterprise Florida is still toast. I stand by all my statements." Photo: House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes and Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart. By Scott Keeler, Tampa Bay Times. via @ngameztorres Key members of President Donald Trumps Cabinet will be Miami in mid-June to attend a conference on prosperity and security in Central America and send a signal on the United States commitment to the region. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Homeland Security Secretrary John Kelly and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will join the presidents of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador at the event, to be held at Florida International University from June 14-16. Mexico is co-sponsoring the conference and will be represented by the Interior Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio and Foreign Affairs Secretary Luis Videgaray. Having a meeting of this magnitude in a city like Miami, so important not only for us but for the region, is extremely positive, said U.S. Ambassador Luis Arreaga, who is in charge of programs at the State Department to fight drug trafficking and organized crime. More here. A Blackfeet visual artist is raising money for his first film, "Kills Last," a post-apocalyptic short based on traditional tribal coup stories. Lauren Monroe Jr., who's studying for an MFA in screenwriting, said the story is set several decades after the apocalypse, and the Blackfeet are surviving on their traditional territory. While a band of four warriors are away on a hunting trip, their camp is attacked and several people are kidnapped. Their search for the missing leads them across the plains, through the forest and then the mountains of the Rocky Mountain Front. It's based on traditional stories in Monroe's family, and the tale can be seen as a metaphor for Blackfeet culture "surviving no matter what. The language will continue, the land will continue," he said in an interview. "I feel like as indigenous storytellers, it's up to us to tell an authentic story and a compelling story in our own language, and our own understanding and our own point of view," he said in his pitch video. It's also about friendship and the lengths you'll go for the things you love, he said. The 15-minute film will call for a cast of about 15, and the majority of the dialogue will be spoken in Blackfeet. In keeping with the post-apocalyptic theme, the art direction will be inventive, mixing traditional Blackfeet beadwork and designs with the bare-essential gear the warriors use in dystopian future (including AK-47s). He plans on shooting for about four days in July on the Blackfeet Reservation, using a local cast. He's signed on Eddie Roqueta as his director of photography. The Montana State University graduate directed "Silencing the Thunder," a documentary about debate over bison and Yellowstone National Park, and co-directed "Toad to Nowhere," a road-trip film by Missoulians Marshall Granger and Andrew Rizzo. *** Monroe, who grew up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, has exhibited his art in Missoula and around the state for years and helped co-found the Creative Indigenous Collective, a group of artists based in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. Monroe came to Missoula for college, earning a degree in English literature while also pursuing art. One of his pieces caught the eye of Montana-based filmmaker Andrew Smith, who was adapting novelist James Welch's novel "Winter in the Blood" for the screen. Monroe worked as an intern technical assistant on the movie, which led to connections in the state's film industry and art direction gigs on that string of indie movies shot in Montana: "Winter Light," "Jimmy P: Psychology of a Plains Indian" and "The Ballad of Lefty Brown." After those experiences, he enrolled in the MFA screenwriting program through the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe. Monroe, who's entering his final year in the program, hopes to someday adapt "Kills Last" into a feature-length movie, drawing on "oral stories that have been told through generations." At FrontierSpace, a 2003 University of Montana MFA graduate Christopher Meyer has returned to town for a sculptural installation called "Entangle." Meyer, who now teaches at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, works in cast iron. His previous visually striking installations have included thousands of small thorns across the gallery walls, and an online teaser photograph from "Entangle" look like it'll involve something similar. FrontierSpace, now six years old, is handed down through a succession of UM MFA graduates, although it's not affiliated with the university regarding funding or oversight. It recently earned its nonprofit status, and focuses its exhibitions on noncommercial contemporary art, including out-of-state residents like Meyer. The space is tucked in the alley between Sushi Hana and Thomas Meagher Bar on West Pine Street, and is only open for viewing on First Friday, from 5 to 9 p.m. *** In the Ceretana building, the I/O Society artist collective is holding its inaugural opening. Rashid Abdel Ghafur, of the black metal band Zebulon Kosted, is showing the latest in his "Interdimensionalism" series of drawings intricate pieces of dark psychedelia. Also sharing work are "A.F.H. (A Female Human)," with a multimedia piece called "Zygot>Woman," which explores "legislation and menstruation." Photographer Matthew Sean Riley and clothing label Moon Rush Designs also are on tap. The studio is located in the Ceretana at 801 Sherwood Ave., open on First Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. *** VonCommon, the artist collective located on Wyoming Street, is moving into a downtown gallery for June. "Uncommon VonCommon" will be featured at E3 Convergence starting Friday. The collective's current roster, who experiment in media from ceramics to assemblage and painting, comprises Adelaide Gale Every, Bridey O'Brien, Elisha Harteis, Kerry Eyeman, lady pajama, Lillian Nelson, Marlo Crocifisso and Stephanie Colley. The First Friday reception, with music by Rooster Sauce and Ann Szalda-Petree, runs from 5 to 9 p.m. at the gallery, located at 229 W. Main St. The art will be up through July 2. *** The Dana Gallery's annual Collector's Resale likely will feature some gems by local favorites. The artists on the docket this year include Rudy Autio, Russell Chatham, Tu Baixong, Theodore Waddell, Josh Elliot, Mary Beth Percival, Barbara van Cleve and Jay Rummel. The gallery, located at 246 N. Higgins Ave., will host the finale on Saturday, June 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 406-721-3154. Artist James Todd's latest work re-imagines some of the earliest sketches he made as a child. In 2000, he retired from the University of Montana, where he taught art and humanities since 1971, in that time gaining admiration for his precisely rendered prints of historical figures and artists, some with ties to Montana (James Welch) and others such as jazz musicians (Charles Mingus). To mark his retirement, his mother brought him a trove of pencil drawings that he'd made between the ages of 5 and 8, during the war years of 1941 to 1945. The sketches display a child's preoccupations: cartoons and movies and cowboys, fears of the dentist, war-time drawings influenced by what he'd seen on television. Between 2002 and 2014, Todd undertook a project to adapt them. In "Looney Toones," viewers can see a child's whimsies, concerns and fears filtered through the grown artist's vision. The exhibition and accompanying book, published by the Montana Museum of Art and Culture and the UM Press, pair the originals with his contemporary versions. "You get a sense of him finally having the ability, with color and technique, to depict what he thinks he would've wanted to as a kid, had he had the expertise," said Jeremy Canwell, the MMAC curator of art. In Todd's introduction to the book, he said he "felt like an aged man meeting myself as a child" when he saw the drawings. With some sketches, he could remember their origins or what he might have been thinking. In others, he couldn't. There's a "slippage between the kid's imagination" and what's on the page in some cases, Canwell said. "Coming back around after a lifetime of creative development to your preliterate self is a certain encapsulation of the modern experience," Canwell said. "We're not nomadic anymore. We amass possessions and we keep track of our memories in a different way." While Todd is well-known for his realist portraits, rendered with meticulous cross-hatched lines, his new "Looney Toones" prints employ more whimsical, comic-like forms. He writes that "(m)ost importantly, I tried to maintain the concept of the original drawings in an effort to understand myself and find those things that presaged my later years of work. In a sense, this project allowed me to go full circle in my life as a visual artist." *** The new, interpretative works are woodblock prints. In the introduction to the book, Todd describes the often misunderstood process. He creates the positive space (say for instance, a figure of a cowboy) in the image by carving out the negative space around it. Then he inks the "uncarved" section for the cowboy. Then a piece of paper is applied, which creates a mirror image of the woodblock. To add the color, he filled the carved grooves with water-based acrylic paint. Not all the of images are straight reproductions he sometimes combines two drawings into a single new image. "Shootout," for instance, is a composite of a cowboy scene and an Indian scene. Since the drawings were made during World War II, the conflict naturally plays a large role in his childhood imagination, and he addressed it from many different angles. "Wartime Agriculture" displays a young boy's fascination with complicated machinery, as farm workers steer complicated-looking equipment. "War Casualties" depicts two injured troops wrapped in bandages. "Patriot Parade" and "Off to War" adopt a more optimistic tone. In "Hitler Spooked by Victim," he adapted a picture of what's clearly the Fuhrer, holding some sort of weapon or wand, surprised by a floating head. (In many cases, Todd understandably can't remember the origins of many of the drawings' scenarios.) Other aspects of boyhood appear in the drawings. Todd was raised in Seattle in low-income housing, which was rough. He writes that his father, a boxer, taught him to defend himself and expected him to defend himself from bullies. In "Watching the Bully," we see a smaller character fleeing from a looming bully, pictured as a bad-guy elephant with a hat, counting money he's presumably stolen. In the contemporary print, Todd set the cool blues of the bully's skin on a stressful, cross-hatched background of red and green. Comeuppance arrives in the next drawing, "Bully Destroyed." Our previous victim whacks the bully in the head, his oversized head now rendered with kinetic action lines, complete with a "ZONK." *** Because Todd hadn't yet learned to read when some of the drawings were made, he's only able to guess at what might be behind their surrealistic subject matter. In "Knight Nurse," an armored head peeks into a room to check on a bed-ridden patient. In the introduction, he writes: "Some drawings brought back clear memories while others were puzzling. One example of the latter is a picture that depicts a man sitting up in bed while an armored knight opens a door to check on him. After some thought, I realized children often mistake the sounds of words for their meaning. I had relatives in the medical profession so perhaps hearing the expression 'night nurse' I confused night with knight." Canwell thought the gaps are a way of thinking about the project as a whole: "He's not going back to his earlier career as an artist, he's going back to an earlier version of his consciousness," he said. As a kid, Todd was a fan of both comic books and cartoons he often would draw in front of the television. He writes about how comics had an effect on his approach to making pictures then: "I learned a lot from comic books; how to portray emotional states like sweat beads; how broken parallel outlines could suggest movement or shaking, and how balloon shapes could contain speech or thoughts. The letter x was often used for eyes to symbolize unconsciousness while meaningless jumbles of the alphabet and numbers denoted cursing. But the most important thing I learned from comics was how facial expressions and body positions told stories." In his "re-creations" of the childhood drawings, he exaggerates some of these comic book effects to humorous ends. In "Dancing and Fighting," a composite of two sketches of those activities, the legs of the "dancer" are surrounded by stacks of lines the wood-cut equivalent of a motion-blur. When drawing with a pencil, young Todd didn't worry too much about backgrounds, as most children don't. His characters are suspended on a blank slate. When adapting the drawings, Todd creates highly active backdrops of lines. Those, combined with an often eye-popping palette of color with unnatural, bright accents drawn from cartoons make for visually rich compositions that continually draw the viewers' gaze around the full print. Aside from the few composites, Todd adhered to the compositional choices of his younger self, so they maintain a child-like quality: Proportion is variable; asymmetry is common; and fun and exaggeration outweigh more formal concerns. He also displays the prints in multiple states of completion: black only, then red-and-black, and then the final print. In the gallery, the children's drawings will hang side by side with the recreations. Any kid's pictures that were composited share a single frame. Canwell thought the multiple drawings, merged into a print, were a useful way of thinking about memory. "They're kind of a metaphor for taking these fragmentary thoughts from when you were a kid if you remember them at all, if not you're translating them from what you encounter in the drawings and piecing them together into something material that you have now," he said. The 2017-18 wolf hunting season and quotas, bighorn sheep and mountain goat augmentation plans, and an instream water right lease on the Teton River are among the items on the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission's agenda when it meets on Wednesday, June 7. The meeting will be held at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 headquarters in Kalispell, 490 N. Meridian Road, starting at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will also be broadcast live online. Prior to the meeting, on June 6 the commission will tour Wild Horse Island State Park and then host an open house at Region 1 headquarters from 6:30 to 8 p.m. so the public can meet commissioners and FWP staff. The Commission will hold a work session on June 7 beginning at 8:15 a.m. to discuss furbearer and trapping. No decisions will be made and no public comment will be taken. The commission will make final decisions on: mountain lion quotas; fall upland game bird and fall turkey quotas and limits; deer, elk and antelope quotas outside biennial quota ranges; moose, sheep and goat quotas outside biennial quota ranges; bison quotas; HB 454 hunting access agreements; Fleecer Wildlife Management Area addition; Blackfoot Clearwater WMA addition; Beartooth WMA grazing lease; Beckman WMA grazing lease; Beckman WMA farming lease; Sunburst Lake fishing regulation waiver; and a Gold Creek fishing access site acquisition. Additionally, the commission will consider proposals on: furbearer and trapping regulations, seasons and quotas; bighorn sheep and mountain goat augmentations; nongame check-off work plan; and the HD 311 late shoulder season north of Highway 84 (Bozeman to Norris Road). The agency is also seeking the commissions endorsement on: the DeCock Ranch conservation easement; Ponessa Ranch CE; Horse Creek Complex CE; Teton River instream flow water right lease; Blacktail Meadows fishing access site proposed easement; and the Redwater River fishing access site acquisition. For the full agenda and background on the scheduled topics, go to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov; under Quick Links click "Commission. Hellgate High School was evacuated Friday after a smoke device set off the fire alarms in the building, according to Missoula Fire Department officials. Battalion Chief Kip Knapstad said a device filled the halls of Hellgate High School with smoke Friday at about 1 p.m. Everyone was ordered out of the building. The department used fans to help clear the smoke from the building. Hellgate Principal Judson Miller said anytime something like this happens, it is a criminal offense and will be investigated by police. But the situation was atypical of the students at Hellgate, Miller said. "The students were doing a great job today," Miller said. "It's too bad." Students had wait for the smoke to clear and the alarms to reset before they could go back into the building, Miller said. Lacee Dexter, 19, spent her senior year adjusting to her role as a mother of two stepchildren. Dexter will celebrate her graduation from Sentinel High School this June, just a few weeks before her wedding, which is set for June 26. She and her fiance, 31-year-old Johnny Syverson, live together in Frenchtown with his son and daughter. Syverson has joint custody of the kids with his ex-wife. I remember my stepmother telling me karma was going to bite me in the ass for how I treated her, Dexter said. The other day I told her, You are so right, it is so hard. I cant believe how godawful mean I was to you. Throughout her time in school, Dexter moved from Utah to Montana, to Wyoming and back to Montana. She never liked school except for a short time when she was in Wyoming and participating in a Future Farmers of America program. In FFA you were a family, Dexter said. If you were behind in your work the other girls would help you. Students here are more about themselves than they are about others. She ended up moving back to Montana for her senior year, making it the third time she had moved since leaving middle school. After Syverson and Dexter moved in together, she began to feel like her life was stabilizing. But she spent her senior year driving between Frenchtown and Missoula to attend classes. Between taking care of the kids, working odd jobs and trying to attend classes, there were days when Dexter considered giving up on getting her diploma. Her grandfather really pushed her to finish her degree. He the one thats helped me with schooling, Dexter said. There were days when I wanted to just say forget it. But I had to graduate for him. After the wedding and graduation, Dexter isnt sure what direction her life will take. She is interested in photography and in nursing, something her mom hopes she pursues. But college isnt the right place for her right now, Dexter said. If shes going to go to college, shes going to go, but itll be on her terms, Olsen said. You cant push her or shes going to go the opposite way, just because. For the most part, Dexter is just ready to take a breath and get a handle on her life. Lee Dexter, Lacee Dexters father, is proud of his daughter for how far she has come. With the amount of school she missed, he was always impressed with how she was able to catch up and pass her classes. She always seemed more mature than other girls her age, he said. I didnt think she would finish on her own, he said. She very well could have just given up and it would have been a lot easier than driving back and forth. I guess she was stubborn enough to where she made it through it. Just 30 percent of the employees offered early retirement buyouts at the University of Montana expressed interest in the deal, according to a UM spokeswoman. UM would save less money than higher education officials had hoped, but President Sheila Stearns said Thursday the buyouts remain a good deal for the university and are just one step in a process that is evolving. "I'm very pleased at this initial step," Stearns said. In order to reduce its budget and personnel costs, UM offered 48 employees a deferred payment of half their annual salary to retire this July. UM communications director Paula Short said 14 faculty members expressed interest in the deal. The faculty members have 45 days to consider a formal agreement and seven days to revoke a signed contract. This year, the Montana Legislature reserved $2 million to help UM's budget, which has been in financial straits due to an enrollment decline and ensuing financial trouble. A state higher education official said earlier that if all 48 people accepted buyouts, UM eventually would save $4 million a year from the $2 million payout. Short said that if each of the 14 faculty members do move ahead with contracts, the termination cost would be "just under $1 million," and UM would save $1.5 million a year starting in the 2019 fiscal year. Last week at the Montana Board of Regents, a faculty leader from Montana State University-Billings suggested that if UM did not use all the termination money, other campuses with tight budgets also could make use of the funds since it was officially set aside for the Montana University System. However, Stearns said UM still has plans for the funds and aims to use them in conjunction with the outcome of its effort to set priorities for programs on campus. "We wanted to reserve utilization of some of the funds for the transition," Stearns said. She said a future incentive program could be structured differently in response to campus priorities. She said UM had not discussed using termination money to pay severance costs, but she did believe the money could help speed up attrition. "I see it as a really positive process continuing on a pretty voluntary basis," she said. Stearns said she is optimistic about UM's plan to set priorities for programs as well. She said people on the committee are hard at work on the details and the process gives a voice to the people affected. "It won't be easy, and it won't be without its bumps, of course. But I think it's off and running," Stearns said. The result will be a clear idea of where UM should put its resources, she said. She said the termination pay offers UM flexibility in how it moves forward subsequently over the next two or three years. "It will enable us to make reinvestments in all the strong, and stronger, and strongest programs," Stearns said. Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian and other state higher education officials have stressed that UM needs to set priorities for how it spends its money and on what programs. As recently as last week's meeting of the Montana Board of Regents, Christian said it's important for campuses not only to identify programs that are priorities, but the ones that are not. When she was 8, Dorothy Pat McConnaha held an umbrella over her head and jumped off her roof, hoping to fly. She fell to the ground, breaking only her umbrella, which earned her a scolding from her mother. McConnaha loved to watch the planes that occasionally flew over her home in Anaconda, and wished she could pilot one. Her umbrella jump marked her first attempt at flying. As a young woman, McConnaha was told women couldnt be pilots, and was discouraged from learning to fly. She studied aeronautics and always pointed to planes when she saw them in the sky. Now 88, McConnaha uses a wheelchair and has congestive heart failure. Last year, when she visited a friend in Arizona, she thought she had flown for the last time. But in her seventh month of hospice care, McConnahas hospice volunteer Danielle Axe arranged a surprise flying lesson. On Thursday, McConnaha loaded into the front seat of a white-and-red striped 1979 Cessna 172XP, and took off. McConnaha lives with her daughter, Donna Sheehy, who takes care of her with the help of hospice workers from Partners in Home Care. When Axe, a 26-year-old pursuing a degree in physical therapy, began volunteering with McConnaha once a week, the two connected over a shared love for Irish history and aeronautics. Their time together inspired Axe to sign up for lesson. After learning more about the role of hospice care and McConnahas lifelong dream of flying, she suggested to Sheehy that they get McConnaha a flying lesson. I think a lot of people think of hospice as giving up, and it is absolutely not at all, Axe said. Its making that time of your life the best that it can possibly be. McConnaha has had both knees and shoulders replaced, and her mobility is limited. With the help of her family, nurse and flying instructor, McConnaha slowly climbed out of her wheelchair and up a step-stool into the plane. She cracked jokes the whole time. Push, pinch, or pull me whatever you have to do, she said. Situated behind a dashboard of levers and buttons, McConnaha smiled broadly and waved at her family. Some teared up at the sight, knowing how long she had waited to fly. McConnaha's great-granddaughter, Nevaeh Sheehy, jumped up and down, waving in her pink tutu. Axe climbed into the backseat, along with McConnahas hospice nurse, who carried an oxygen tank. Because of her weak heart, McConnaha always has to be hooked up to oxygen. Well be doing loop-de-loops and barrel rolls, said Trevor Stene, McConnahas flying instructor at Northstar Jet. "I sure hope so," McConnaha replied to his joke. McConnaha sat beside Stene, and with his instruction, she pushed the thrust lever forward, accelerating until the planes wheels lifted off the runway. She flew for thirty minutes, over mountains and under a stormy sky. But the scenery wasnt what stunned her. Ive seen the scenery before, but it was the flying itself, and pulling the different controls and watching it turn, and everything, the whole thing was just absolutely, from beginning to end, just a wonder, McConnaha said. Sheehy said the last lines of one of her mothers favorite poems, called High Flight, by John Gillespie Magee Jr., captures McConnahas fascination with flying. She was a Sunday school teacher for more than 40 years, and has always felt that planes have a special, divine mystery. I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark or even eagle flew And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. After her first lesson, McConnahas instructor gave her a log book with her name on the front, and wrote the date and time of her first flight. Now you just have 40 hours to go, he told her. President Donald Trump is withdrawing the US from a global climate deal. His Justice Department is cracking down on nonviolent drug offenders and amping up prosecutions against non-criminal undocumented immigrants. Senate Republicans are taking aim at Obamacare. And the Democrats... what are the Democrats talking about? For the past 24 hours, the No. 1 issue in Democratic circles has been Hillary Clinton. Even as most elected officials and the new party leadership try to steer clear of the latest firestorm -- and steady the focus on more pressing matters -- the party establishment's chattering class and the progressive grassroots have displayed a rare unity. They want to discuss Clinton. From the Sanders wing, the familiar tides of scorn and derision are flowing apace. It doesn't take much from Clinton to drive up a progressive's blood pressure. Those hard feelings are set in place. So when the former Democratic party presidential nominee rolls out a line like, "I take responsibility for every decision I make -- but that's not why I lost" to Trump, the collective thrombosis is never far behind. And while the Berniecrats writhe, and tweet, Clinton diehards line up in her defense. Criticism, no matter the tone or validity, is rejected out-of-hand and cast as either unwitting moral failure, political naivete or, worse, the crass expression of something deplorable in the critic. "If you're still wagging your self-righteous finger at Hillary after everything we've seen from Team Trump, you're part of the problem," onetime Clinton adviser Peter Daou, now among her most voracious online partisans, tweeted Wednesday evening. This is the state of Democratic party politics in the opening months of the Trump era. Two sides, relatively close on most policy points, but riven by personality and personal grievance. Animating it all is a pervasive anger at the results of the 2016 election. And a desire to pin blame. Clinton loyalists are mad at Sanders supporters (and adjacent subgroups) for damaging the eventual nominee during an unexpectedly competitive primary. On the left, Clinton's defeat in the general election -- after being hand-delivered, as many still believe, the nomination by the DNC -- is held up as evidence of the liberal establishment's corruption and impotence. One of the many ironies here is that on the eve of the election the two sides were moving, not unhappily, toward an optimistic detente. Clinton was going to be president and they, the progressive left, were poised to have a seat at the table. "Say what you will about Hillary Clinton, but she is the consummate politician," Max Berger, co-founder of #AllOfUs, a millennial progressive group now focused in part on supporting potential primary challenges to sitting Democrats, told me as early voting kicked off in 2016. "She knows which way the wind blows and she points herself in that direction. So we're going to do everything we can to make sure she knows that the wind is blowing in our direction." When the prevailing gusts ended up delivering Trump to the White House, Democrats were left to hammer out their differences in less forgiving circumstances. Some, mostly on Capitol Hill and among the party elite, have turned their energies toward prosecuting the President's alleged ties to Russia, viewing it as means of undermining his agenda and weakening or breaking GOP congressional majorities. Clinton's loss is treated more as a tactical defeat or historical blip than a blaring alarm. The left, meanwhile, is clamoring for emergency measures. Their take: Tear the whole thing down and rebuild it with a more progressive agenda -- a reorganizing of priorities and messaging designed to appeal more readily to the working class. This is, in extremely broad strokes, the fundamental quandary facing the Democrats as the 2018 midterm elections near. Political handicappers sense a wave election could be brewing. But if the party has any hope of succeeding -- defined here as winning back control of the House and holding the line in the Senate -- it needs to strike some kind of equilibrium. Getting there might first require open political warfare. Fights over the DNC's role and allocation of resources, like we've seen in the aftermath of a recent run of special elections, can be ugly, but they are rooted in valuable, instructive disputes. The challenge will be in framing them that way. When Sanders backed Heath Mello, a progressive with a fuzzy record on abortion rights, in the latter's campaign for mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, the party was faced with a familiar conundrum: Where does economic populism begin and end? And what is the best path for Democrats in socially conservative parts of the country? The DNC would effectively disavow Mello, who lost a race he was unlikely to win in the first place. If anyone learned anything useful from the episode, they've yet to articulate it publicly. And so we return to Clinton. Whether or not the state of the DNC data operation was "mediocre to poor, nonexistent, wrong," in early 2016, as she put it on Wednesday, is not high up on the list of issues facing the party right now. Nor are the sundry other complaints lodged by the former nominee during a long interview. But Clinton didn't suggest they were. But bleating over Clinton's every utterance, telling her to stop talking and step aside -- or keep shouting for what she believes! -- is a diversion, an opportunity to exercise frustration and regret. It's not a strategy, or the beginning of one, for fixing what is broken in the party. This aversion to confronting the substantive issues head-on, rather than via everyone's favorite proxy, or making tough compromises, is looking like an increasingly sure bet to scuttle Democratic efforts, in 2018 and beyond, to reclaim power. CNN's Saba Hamedy contributed to this report. A federal judge this week issued a preliminary injunction halting a 5,000-acre timber project near Lincoln. U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen agreed with environmental watchdogs that the Stonewall Vegetation Project should be delayed while the court considers the merits of a pending lawsuit. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest approved Stonewall last August. The project area, located about four miles north and west of Lincoln in heavily beetled-killed forests, covers 24,000 acres within Lewis and Clark and Powell counties. The project came from recommendations of the collaborative Lincoln Restoration Committee and includes logging on more than 2,100 acres and prescribed burning of more than 2,700 acres. The Forest Services goal was to increase resiliency to insects and wildfire by diversifying tree species and age classes while promoting aspen and white bark pine growth, according to planning documents. In February Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Native Ecosystems Council filed suit contending that the project violated federal environmental laws. Among the complaints, the groups argued that road densities for grizzly bears and logging in habitat designated as critical for Canada lynx put the Forest Service in conflict with the Endangered Species Act and management of those threatened species. In issuing the injunction, Christensen cites the well-know Cottonwood decision. In that case the Forest Service was ordered to re-initiate consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after the latter reevaluated and greatly expanded designated critical lynx habitat. Environmental advocates applauded Cottonwood, but it also drew significant condemnation, with critics believing it unfairly stifled forest management. The consultation between the agencies is ongoing and Christensen found that any resulting changes could have profound repercussions upon the species, essentially ruling case law dictated that consultation needed completion before commencing with Stonewall. The project included two timber sales, according to Lincoln District Ranger Michael Stansberry. The first and largest was awarded to RY Timber with logging allowed to begin June 1. The second and smaller sale geared towards small businesses had not been awarded, he said. POLSON Sheriff Don Bell worries about the state of Lake Countys jail, which like many in Montana, is regularly filled to capacity. My jail right now, everybody in there is on a felony charge. Theres no minor, misdemeanor people in my jail, so its really considered a max jail, said Bell. To put this in some perspective, county jails arent meant to house felony offenders after they receive a sentence. Thats the job of a state prison. In Bells 2016 annual report, the Lake County Jail processed 92 DUIs and 245 cases involving possession, distribution or production of illegal drugs. There were also 106 burglaries and 119 assaults, including 28 involving weapons. For a county of fewer than 30,000 people, Bells office is busy. But with only 42 beds and priority going to locking up those arrested for violent crimes Bell cant throw all those people in jail, even though, the way he sees it, more people should spend some time there. Sometimes people need, I guess, an adult time out. They might only be there for a day, but it refocuses them, and all we're gonna charge them with might be a disorderly conduct. But if we let them go they might commit a domestic, which changes their life forever, said Bell. More than half of the prisoners in the state Department of Corrections need substance abuse treatment, according to a Montana Healthcare Foundation report. But before they get there, theyre often in the county jails. Thats why Bells big focus is building a bigger one. I mean its not uncommon to get somebody with a gram or two of meth, and cite and release them. We dealt with a person here, I guess probably two months ago now, he got out of my jail, within an hour and a half he was at Wal-Mart trying to steal stuff. "And he says, Arent you just gonna give me a ticket and send me on my way? He knew that if he got caught that all hes gonna do is get a ticket, said Bell. Its frustrating for me being the sheriff. Im supposed to keep the people safe as I can, and I just need a new jail so theyd be held accountable. Bell advocated building a new jail in Lake County in both his 2015 and 2016 annual reports, but the process has failed to gather steam beyond an exploratory committee. But hes still pushing it. And when he looked around for counties that have built bigger jails, he was impressed by what was happening about 270 miles southeast of him in Bozeman, where Gallatin County built and updated its jail six years ago. At one point they were the highest-rated, No. 1 for the highest crime in the state of Montana. And so they did a bunch of research like we did and I think it took them four years, and now theyre not even on the list anymore, said Bell. The Gallatin County Detention Center holds about 150 people, but the goal there is about a lot more than housing the countys criminals. Inmates there can choose Fresh Start, a voluntary treatment program offered to county inmates. Its the first of its kind in Montana, and its aimed at addressing how people end up jail in the first place especially if drug addictions involved. We see a lot of people coming into the jail on meth or coming off meth, said Tiffani Pimley, coordinator for Fresh Start. A big part of Pimleys job consists of evaluating inmates and connecting them with the right set of programming for their specific needs. Its AA, NA, spiritual components. There is yoga that comes in, journaling, we bring in a variety of people who go through a very lengthy training to be able to provide those services for people with the idea to get them connected while theyre here so that the connection can help them on the outside, said Pimley. Pimley also stays connected to many of the inmates after theyre released. Sometimes people just need an occasional phone call, but for others, Pimley will meet them downtown for a coffee and an update on their lives. She said this follow-up is crucial. All of these efforts are tied to reducing recidivism the rate at which people who get out of jail commit more crimes that bring them back. In the two and a half years Pimleys worked at the detention center, the recidivism rate dropped from 25 percent to 10 percent. Shes quick to point out that she only works with around 125 inmates a year, but within that population, she has seen results. But no other county jail in Montana has a Fresh Start program. For those in other counties, access to treatment opens up only once an offender commits enough felonies to enter the state Department of Corrections. Tim Conley is a clinical social worker, therapist and addiction specialist who, until 2014, was an associate professor of social work at the University of Montana. Conley focused his research and teaching on drug addiction. Since 2007, hes had a contract to evaluate the success of the Nexus and Elkhorn drug treatment centers. If you let people bounce in and out of the county jail system on drug-related charges or mental-health related charges and you dont treat them or get them some sort of reasonable treatment, yeah its a revolving door, its expensive, said Conley. Nexus and Elkhorn are under the oversight of the Montana Department of Corrections and they house the states dedicated meth programs. Elkhorn, in Boulder, is for women and has spots for 42. Nexus, in Lewiston, is for men and has 82 beds. Offenders who get there do so after receiving a state-level sentence and an evaluation that takes into account the crime, addiction and mental health issues, level of security needed and offenders willingness to accept treatment. Among Conleys 2017 findings, he concluded that nearly 80 percent of offenders attending Nexus finished a nine-month sentence which means they stayed clean and did what was required of them to complete that treatment program. Eighty-five percent of those who completed their stay at Nexus went on to finish an additional six months at a pre-release center. Thats a pretty high completion rate for a therapeutic community-based treatment program thats as intense as they are. You get a lot of buy-in. The offenders work their time out there. They know its better than prison, said Conley. Conley says that while there are some good options for treating addicts within the prison system, Montana lacks the workforce to treat addicts before they reach the point of committing felonies. According to a Department of Health and Human Services report, there are 16 counties in Montana without a social worker, 18 without an addiction counselor and 31 without a psychologist. For some, this lack of services mean they only get help once they are headed to prison. If youre not DOC, too bad, so sad. So its like you have to completely destroy the rest of your life before you can get good treatment, said Terri Griffith, who spent three years and nine months in the Montana Womens Prison in Billings on meth charges. Griffith was released from prison in 2005. Shes currently a manager at Three Rivers Mental Health Center in Missoula, and is working on getting her addiction counselor license. Griffith studied social work under Conley at UM and graduated in 2014. She was in a formal mentorship where she completed nine credits of supervised policy research on the evolution of meth sentencing and criminal codes. As Conleys student, she had access to what the numbers there show. Conley says a continued commitment to treatment has to be way forward for corrections in Montana and elsewhere. When Los Angeles-based film director Joe Litzinger heard about a Zulu prince coming to Butte, America, for the summer, he knew this story is too good to be true. Litzinger heard about this unusual event through friends he made in the Mining City. He had come to know the Clark and Dark Show on KBMF 102.5. Litzinger, executive producer of a documentary media producing company based out of L.A., got on a plane and came to Butte. He found the town fascinating. He found the people fascinating. And once he met Prince Sbo and his two colleagues Nkokhelo Msomi and Mokai Malope, Litzinger found them fascinating as well. So for a week, a cameraman Eric Michael Schrader followed the Zulus' every move. Litzinger hired a South African crew to film the Zulus before they left their native land in Nongoma, South Africa. Litzinger and Schrader visited Butte before the Zulus arrival to get plenty of footage of Butte. For an hour-and-20-minute documentary, they shot 1,000 hours of footage. And they are coming back for more. The filmmakers intend to return during Buttes festival time to get even more film of the Zulus making their way around Butte, America. Schrader and Litzinger made sure they were at the Bert Mooney Airport when Prince Sbo, Mokai, and Nkokhelo came walking off the plane in African garb, carrying a shield, and touched snow for the first time in their lives. This is one of the most interesting stories Ive ever heard, Litzinger told The Montana Standard last week. The hard part is going to be what not to include. Schrader said that following the Zulus around Butte, America, for a week felt like he was hanging with the Beatles. Everyone on the street, people stop and shout hello, Schrader said. The project is a labor of love for Interesting Human Media. Schrader and Litzinger both have day jobs. Schrader is an editor for BBC Worldwide, and Litzinger is executive producer for National Geographic TV. Litzinger said they got so much footage because he was equally blown away by Butte. I fell in love with the town, he said. Schrader calls filming in Butte a filmmakers dream. He cited filming out of the back of a Dodge pickup truck without a permit something he would not likely get away with in Tinsel Town. Meanwhile, the prince, Mokai, and Nkekhelo seemed to take having a camera watch their every move in stride. A rough cut of the film with the working title Untitled Zulu Nation/Butte, Montana, Project should be complete by early next year, Litzinger said. The documentary will then make the film festival rounds before a theatrical distribution and Netflix release sometime next year. Chapple is scheduled to talk from 5:30 to 7 p.m. about her early years in Billings, excerpts from her book "Through Early Yellowstone" and will also show watercolor sketches from the book. She will also talk about "Yellowstone Treasures," her collaborative book that is now in its fifth edition, and her travelogue translation of the 1883 book written by Belgian travel writer Jules Leclercq, "Yellowstone, Land of Wonders." HELENA A group of media organizations is asking Congress to investigate Montana Republican Greg Gianforte, its newest member, after he was cited for assault against a reporter on the eve of his election. The group is also calling out President Donald J. Trump for his caustic comments about the press, saying the president created an environment where violence against journalists is more acceptable. PEN American, the Free Press Action Fund, the Society of Professional Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders sent letters to Trump, the House Committee on Ethics, and Office of Congressional Ethics on Friday. The letters say that by rule the House Committee on Ethics is obligated to investigate within 30 days any member charged with a crime or to submit a report to the full House explaining why it had not taken action. The letters also called for an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics. "It is hard to imagine a crime that would reflect greater discredit on the House of Representatives than an unprovoked physical assault on a journalist who was simply doing his job, posing a question about a policy matter of pressing significance to the American people," the letter to the House committee read. "Inaction by the Ethics Committee would send a devastating signal that such conduct is acceptable, a message that would reverberate in every level of government here in the United States as well as around the world, and particularly in places that previously regarded the United States as a global standard-bearer for press freedom." On May 24 at a campaign event in Bozeman, Gianforte is accused of assaulting Ben Jacobs, a reporter with the Guardian. Jacobs entered a room where the then-candidate was preparing to give another interview and tried to ask Gianforte about a recently released report detailing the potential impacts of the Republican health care bill. Audio recorded by Jacobs details what sounds like an altercation followed by Jacobs saying saying Gianforte "body-slammed" him and broke his glasses. Gianforte can be heard yelling "Get the hell out of here!" Late that night, a little less than 24 hours before polls closed, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office cited Gianforte with misdemeanor assault. Gianforte has two chances left to appear in Justice Court, which is in session Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and admit or deny the assault. A member of his staff did not return a message Friday asking if Gianforte planned to ask for an extension of his June 7 deadline. Jacobs's injuries were not severe enough to support a charge of felony assault. The letters sent Friday referenced a press release sent out by Gianforte's campaign after the event which provided a narrative that did not match up with what was described by several witnesses and Jacobs's audio recording. The release placed blame on Jacobs, saying he grabbed Gianforte's wrist and brought both men to the ground. It also called Jacobs a "liberal journalist" with "aggressive behavior." "Moreover, following the assault, Rep. Gianforte released a statement blaming Jacobs for the confrontation and referring to him in politically tinged terms. Rep. Gianforte's self-serving account was quickly proved false by an audio recording of the incident and an eyewitness report by a crew from Fox News who were present for the encounter," the letter states. The letter says, "precedent for discipline in the Gianforte case is scant, but only because criminal physical assaults by members of Congress are historically rare, and virtually unheard of in the modern era." Attacking the media with claims of bias is nothing new, but under Trump it has taken on a decidedly more aggressive tone. Since early in his campaign, the now-president dismissed coverage he did not like as "fake news." The president's approach has struck a chord with his supporters both nationally and in Montana. At Gianforte rallies with Donald Trump Jr. before the election, many in the crowd told journalists that they felt coverage of the president was unfair or inaccurate. At Gianforte's election watch party, after he apologized to Jacobs, some members of the media reported attendees calling journalists present "snowflakes." The letter sent to Trump says his actions have played a role in increased apathy toward the press. "We fear that the rhetoric employed during your campaign and by the White House such as referring to the press as the 'enemy of the people' and the 'opposition party' is increasingly being translated into aggressive action by public officials against journalists." It calls on Trump to "denounce acts of violence, especially by government officials, against members of the news media." The letter also cites the arrest of Dan Heyman, a reporter with Public News Service, at the West Virginia State Capitol on May 9 after trying to ask the Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price and presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway whether domestic violence is considered a pre-existing condition under the new Republican health care plan. A reporter with CQ Roll Call was also held against a wall by security at the Federal Communications Commission and then kicked out of the building for trying to talk to a commissioner. "A formal statement by the president denouncing political violence of any sort, including against members of the press, and an affirmation of our shared values would, we believe, significantly dampen any license public officials may currently harbor to strike a reporter merely for asking a question," the letter says. "A clear and unequivocal rejection of attacks on the press would be welcomed by political officials on both sides of the aisle, and is a necessary corrective to the corrosive atmosphere created by your earlier rhetoric." It is unclear when Gianforte will be seated in Congress, which is on recess until June 6. Election results will not be formally certified by the Montana Secretary of State until June 15. Gianforte spokesman Shane Scanlon declined to comment. WASHINGTON -- I took a few days off over the Memorial Day weekend for my wedding and tried not to worry about the grim headlines, most of them generated by one man: -- President Trump, shoving a European prime minister. -- Trump, picking fights with Germany and France and destabilizing the seven-decade-old NATO alliance. --Trump, tweeting late-night gibberish -- "covfefe" -- as investigators probing the Russia scandal queried more members of his inner circle. Perhaps the most upsetting headline I saw, though, was generated not by Trump but by a 10-year veteran of the House Republican majority. In an astonishing interview Saturday on NPR, this lawmaker repeatedly demurred when asked whether Americans are entitled to the most basic human need. NPR's Scott Simon, a genial interviewer, asked Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska, a member of the Ways and Means Committee and an influential figure on agriculture policy, about Trump's proposal to make vast cuts to food stamps. Smith posited that the program could be cut in ways that "do not harm the most vulnerable." "Well, let me ask you this bluntly: Is every American entitled to eat?" Simon queried. Smith was stumped. "Well, they -- nutrition, obviously, we know is very important. And I would hope that we can look to -- " Simon interrupted: "Well, not just important, it's essential for life. Is every American entitled to eat?" Smith agreed that nutrition "is essential" but continued to ignore the question about whether Americans are entitled to eat. Simon tried a third time: "So is every American entitled to eat, and is food stamps something that ought to be that ultimate guarantor?" Once again, the lawmaker demurred: "I think that we know that, given the necessity of nutrition, there could be a number of ways that we could address that." There was more, but it all came down to this: In the United States, in 2017, a powerful member of Congress refuses to grant that Americans should be able to count on eating food. That exchange should put in perspective the real and present danger Trump poses. His undermining of NATO, European alliances and climate-change cooperation poses grave dangers, but those are somewhat abstract. But taking away Americans' food is very tangible, and a real possibility. Trump's budget would cut programs for low- and moderate-income Americans by $2.5 trillion over 10 years, accounting for 59 percent of the budget's overall reductions, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The group, a liberal outfit with a reputation for solid math, puts the 10-year cuts to food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) at $193.2 billion, while millionaires would be poised to receive tax cuts of more than $2 trillion. Trump's budget is dead on arrival in Congress, but the threat to food stamps is very much alive. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has routinely proposed cuts to SNAP in his budgets. Three years ago, for example, he suggested a $137 billion cut to the program over 10 years by turning it into a block grant for states. Until the past few years, food stamps had the support of Republicans and Democrats alike. They've been around since the Great Depression, but the modern program was a creation of then-Sen. Bob Dole (Republican from Kansas) and late Democratic Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota, who, appalled by hunger and malnutrition in America, worked jointly to expand food stamps in 1977. Food stamps, which give recipients about $1.40 per meal, made serious malnutrition rare in America, and studies by the CBPP and others have found food stamps lift more than 8 million people out of poverty, nearly half of them children. The program roughly doubled after the economic collapse of 2008 -- serving 43.6 million and costing $74 billion in 2015 -- but rather than recognize that as a sign of the persistent economic struggles that propelled Trump to the presidency, House Republicans used Trump's election as cause to revive talk of slashing food stamps. Embracing that effort, apparently, will be Congressman Smith, who, when I asked his office to elaborate on his position, released a statement saying SNAP is a "necessary safety net" but continued his steadfast refusal to say Americans are entitled to eat. Perhaps Smith has a brilliant scheme to distribute vitamin supplements to all Americans in lieu of food, to convert us to photosynthesis, or to have us survive on Soylent Green plankton like in the 1970s sci-fi film. Otherwise, he and his Republican colleagues and the Trump administration ought to be honest about what they propose: forcing millions of Americans to go hungry. Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter, @Milbank. (c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group Dana Milbank writes about political theater in the nations capital. He joined the Washington Post as a political reporter in 2000. African nation banking on overseas investment in industrial parks to create a stable and thriving economy China is a source of inspiration as Ethiopia modernizes its economy. Arkebe Oqubay, special adviser to Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, said he believes the Belt and Road Initiative will bring further tangible benefits to the East African nation through enhanced trade and investment. Building industrial parks and the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway are among the latest examples of how China's businesses in the country can drive economic development and boost employment. Chinese and Ethiopian train drivers celebrate a railway station's launch in Addis Ababa. Xinhua "China has long been focusing on fighting poverty," said Oqubay on the sidelines of the Shanghai Forum, an annual international symposium on Asian and world affairs, in late May. "It has successfully lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. It also specializes in manufacturing - creating millions of jobs. So it has been a source of inspiration for us." Oqubay said that Ethiopia was not only a participant but a pioneer in the Belt and Road Initiative. He feels the program of rapid development can help transform his country from a low-income agricultural-based economy into a medium-income, export-oriented one by 2030. "The Belt and Road Initiative creates a win-win situation for China and Africa," said Oqubay. "The underlying values and principles include nonintervention in internal affairs, mutual benefits and peaceful coexistence, which are all similar to those of the United Nations Charter." With a young population, Ethiopia is banking on overseas investment in industrial parks to create jobs and produce a stable and thriving economy. Chinese companies are major investors in the country and during the past 15 years they have financed 20 percent of all manufacturing-related projects. China Communications Construction Co is one of the biggest players and has been involved in a range of activities from building industrial parks, roads and railways to setting up leather factories. The aim has always been to bolster economic growth without causing environmental damage. "Africa is perhaps the last frontier on Earth for textile production," said Oqubay. "We have together built zero-liquid-discharge systems in these facilities, so that up to 95 percent of water is recycled." Oqubay also expected another dividend to come out of the Belt and Road Initiative - an extension to the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway to cover the western part of the continent. "This would boost tourism by attracting more travelers," he said. hewei@chinadaily.com.cn BILLINGS Just days before his scheduled trial, a man has pleaded guilty to raping a child. Jason Harold Rose, 34, pleaded to the charge of sexual intercourse without consent on Thursday in Yellowstone County District Court, according to Deputy County Attorney Mary Leffers Barry. A caretaker first reported in 2015 that Rose raped a 5-year old. He was charged in August 2016 following a medical exam of the victim that indicated sexual contact. The child's interview with an investigator backed up the caretaker's report, court documents show. A social worker has since diagnosed the child with post-traumatic stress disorder. Other evidence shows that Rose raped the child on multiple occasions, charges state. Prosecutors will argue for a 100-year prison sentence, according to a plea agreement. They will not seek a parole restriction. Defense attorneys will argue for a lesser sentence. A hearing has not yet been set. MUSCATINE On the first day fireworks sales are legal in Iowa, the Muscatine City Council voted just in time to regulate the sale and use within city limits. New state law allows the sale of fireworks from June 1 through July 8 and again from Dec. 10 through Jan. 3. The state also allows the use of fireworks during those same time periods, but the city has agreed to further restrict when citizens can shoot off fireworks. Aldermen agreed to limit the use of fireworks to July 1 through July 8 and from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. Aldermen thanked the Planning and Zoning Commission for working quickly to adopt amendments to city code in time for fireworks sales to begin. "Given the amount of time we had to work on this...you did an outstanding job here," Alderman Scott Natvig said. "You covered a lot of bases, there's a lot of contingencies here, a lot of safe guards." Sale of fireworks The city cannot prohibit the sale of fireworks during the time periods allotted by state law. Fireworks can be sold this summer from permanent buildings from June 1 through July 8, and from temporary structures, such as tents, from June 10 through July 8. The city is allowed to limit where fireworks can be sold, though, and voted to do so Thursday night. Previous state code prohibited the sale of explosives to the industrial area of Muscatine, but aldermen agreed to amend code so fireworks can be sold in all retail districts. There are additional restrictions for temporary structures. Temporary structures selling fireworks must be 20 feet away from the property line, 150 feet away from any nearby residence and 50 feet away from non-residential properties. Muscatine Fire Chief Jerry Ewers said anyone wishing to sell fireworks in a commercial district must first apply to the State Fire Marshal's office, have an on-site inspection, obtain insurance, and comply with all state and local fire marshal rules. Use of fireworks Citizens will be allowed to use consumer-grade fireworks within Muscatine city limits this summer from July 1 to July 8. Residents will only be able to shoot off fireworks on their own properties, and the property owner will be held as the liable party if the use of fireworks is not done lawfully. Aldermen also agreed to prohibit minors from using fireworks unless under direct supervision. It is unlawful for any parent or guardian to knowingly let a minor discharge fireworks without supervision. Regulations also prohibit citizens from using fireworks if they show visible signs of intoxication. When citizens purchase fireworks, they will be provided with a pamphlet outlining all regulations and rules explaining how and when they can use fireworks. In other business The council agreed to update the Riverview Hotel Development plan to increase the amount of tax increment financing assistance from $6 million to $6,150,000. The project should be completed by the end of the year. Bid letting will begin June 29 for the proposed Cleveland Avenue reconstruction project. City engineers estimate the cost of the project to be between $360,000 and $410,000, which will be taken out of Road Use Tax funds. Aldermen closed out the first two parts of Phase B in the West Hill Sewer Separation Project. The city agreed to withhold the entire payment to the contractor, Hagerty Earthworks, until over $230,000 in liquidated damages are resolved. Aldermen approved lighting costs of $199,893 for the Mississippi Drive Corridor Project, including the intersection of Mulberry Avenue and 2nd Street. It will pay for decorative lighting that ties to the lighting on 2nd Street. The decorative lighting is more expensive than the standard lighting used by Muscatine Power and Water, which would be installed at no additional cost to the city. The remainder of the corridor will likely have standard lighting at no additional cost. MUSCATINE With how commonplace it has become for voters to take a selfie with their I Voted sticker in the hopes of encouraging others to MUSCATINE A 125-year-old, one-room schoolhouse in Wapello is receiving a fresh coat of paint this month. In April, the Louisa County Historical Society received a grant from Keep Iowa Beautiful to spruce up the old schoolhouse, outhouse and shed. Diamond Vogel Paint provided eight gallons of paint for the project through the Paint Iowa Beautiful program. "We feel just wonderful," said Co-President Norma McCormac now that the work is in progress. "Just tickled." McCormac and Co-President Valeen Ziegenhorn said the Pleasant View schoolhouse was built in 1892, five miles southeast of Columbus City. For the first time, students in the area had a nearby school without having to walk to Louisa Center School. Archived Muscatine Journal articles about the Pleasant View school demonstrate how children, in grades first through eighth, shared the single classroom. One student, Reuben Allen, who started school in the fall of 1901, said he saw the first car he can remember while at the schoolhouse, and his teacher let the students go outside and watch it drive by. The schoolhouse was left vacant after 1950, until it was donated to the Louisa County Fairgrounds in 1976. "It flooded three or four times there at the fairgrounds," McCormac said, "So they moved it here to save it." The schoolhouse was eventually moved to Wapello, on the same grounds as the Louisa County Historical Society's museum, where it has been for more than a decade. Ziegenhorn said, because of the previous flooding, the schoolhouse became infested with termites and the floors had to be replaced. The historical society also painted the inside of the schoolhouse, in its original mint green color. McCormac said leftover paint will be used to fix up the windows on the historic church near the museum, and the Louisa County Historical Society has a busy few months ahead. The historical society will host a tractor ride event June 24, and will also open a vintage wedding gown display. McCormac said the museum has more than 25 wedding gowns, including some from the Civil War and 1800s. In August, the Louisa County Historical will host a car show, with a cookout and variety show. In September, it will host its annual Fall Festival. MUSCATINE The Iowa Supreme Court announced it was awarding two grants, totaling almost $37,000 to Muscatine Legal Services, an organization that serves low-income people in Muscatine County. Muscatine Legal Services is one of 14 organizations to receive such grants this year and the only organization in the county to receive one. Jean Pfeiffer, executive director of Muscatine Legal Services, said the smaller of the two grants, which amounts to almost $7,000, will offset the cost of providing free legal services to clients in domestic abuse cases. Pfeiffer said the organization served 483 clients last year, and almost 100 of them were domestic abuse cases. Muscatine Legal Services helps clients who experience domestic abuse file restraining orders and assists in divorce proceedings free of charge when needed. The grant is funded by the Iowa Supreme Courts Interest on Lawyer Trust Account program. According to the National Association of IOLTA Programs, the money is generated from client accounts at no cost to lawyers or their clients and without taxing the public. The larger, $30,000 grant will help the three-person office establish a foreclosure education program, which will include creating and distributing information pamphlets and training Muscatine Legal Services two staff lawyers on foreclosure law. Though Muscatine has one of the lower foreclosure rates in Iowa, data from University of Iowa Public Policy Center shows that it is a persistent problem in the county. In 2015, the most recently available year, 150 houses were foreclosed on. Like other counties in Iowa and across the country, Muscatines foreclosure rates were higher during the housing crisis and peaked around 2011. Funds for the foreclosure program come from Bank of America funds, which were submitted to the Iowa Supreme Court as part of the settlement following the financial crisis. Pfeiffer said the grant will help Muscatine Legal Services expand its practice area into real-estate law, a new focus for the legal clinic, which mostly deals with divorce, custody, domestic abuse and landlord-tenant dispute cases. Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi [] Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes [] The development team behind south Napas Meritage Resort and Spa has unveiled its latest hotel project, a 250-room Marriott property that also would include a winery and tasting room. But in its first look at the design, city land-use authorities declared it lacking in the distinction and wine-country image they sought for one of Napas busiest gateways. Pacific Hospitality Group hopes to provide vacationers with a lower-price alternative to high-end resort lodgings like Meritage, which opened more than a decade ago. The project would fill 11.5 acres near the southern city limit, one of the last sizeable empty tracts within the Napa Valley Commons office park. Before it can become reality, though, the hotel hub may have to overcome the skepticism of the Planning Commission, which on Thursday turned a critical eye on its architecture and layout during a design review at City Hall. A large-scale project placed in view of thousands of out-of-towners must avoid the banality of chain businesses, declared Commissioner Gordon Huether. It looks like a Residence Inn, and the Marriott AC looks even worse, he said of the building, which would carry Residence Inn and AC Hotel sub-brands of Marriott International Inc. Scale of 1 to 10, Id score it a 2; we have a long way to go here. You can clad it in gold, but its just not very compelling at all. The last thing I really want to see when Im rolling into Napa is a Residence Inn. Alex Myers, though more measured in his opinion, also sought a more distinctive look. The exterior of the hotel does leave me wanting more, he told Kory Kramer, president of the corporate parks landowner association. Drawings of the Marriott property depict a building whose two parts are a contrast in styles, matching the branding of each half. One hundred rooms would comprise the Residence Inn, an extended-stay facility aimed at business travelers, while the remaining 153 rooms would carry the AC Hotel flag the company promotes to younger vacationers. Corrugated metal, stone and reclaimed wood will make up much of the facade, according to Rafael Velazquez, an associate vice president for the WATG architectural firm. Joining the hotel would be a 26,214-square-foot, Trinitas-branded winery and tasting room and an office center enclosing 29,878 square feet. A parking area with room for 441 vehicles would serve all three buildings, with visitors turning off Highway 221 onto Napa Valley Corporate Way and then quickly turning right into the property. Although the AC Hotel and Residence Inn would have separate entrances and meeting areas, they would be built around a common event lawn and pool while also drawing on the shuttle service, laundry and other amenities of the nearby Meritage Resort. The layout struck Commissioner Paul Kelley as hiding rather than showcasing the developments most Napa-centric attraction, by placing the winery father from the highway and the hotel and parking area close by. Why is the winery tucked so far off the road, with so much parking out front? asked Kelley, who joined other planners in suggesting the tasting room, rather than the hotel, should greet passers-by on the main road into Napa. Kramer, of the Commons property owner association, acknowledged the difficulty of combining multiple uses in a largely built-out corporate park and offered to return to the city with new ideas, but added that property lines largely dictate the placement of buildings that must occupy three separate parcels. Because the hotel, winery and offices are marked for different purposes, Pacific Hospitality must site each according to the city land-use rules for each; only the hotel-zoned portion, for example, allows the 60-foot height required for four floors of guest rooms. Rearranging the site would require Pacific Hospitality to seek city approval to change the lot lines, Kramer said. In any event, he added, the design of the Napa hotel has been crafted to be distinct from other AC Hotels in the more urban locales of Orange County, the Phoenix area and New Orleans. We wanted it to relate to the architecture thats local, said Kramer, who serves as Pacific Hospitalitys chief investment officer. Its one of the important things Marriott wants to do, that the architecture speaks to the local community. Commissioners Michael Murray and Beth Painter were absent for Thursdays design review, a non-voting discussion that often serves as a springboard to design changes by a would-be builder. The hotel-winery combination would continue the growth of tourist-based amenities in the Commons, which opened in the 1980s as Napa Valley Corporate Park and was long dominated by office and light-industrial occupants. Pacific Hospitality Group oversaw the 2006 launch of the Meritage complex off Highway 221, which has prospered through several expansions and now numbers 322 rooms with access to 180 time-share dwellings at the Vino Bello Resort. The latest addition, Meritage Commons, broke ground last year across Bordeaux Way from the original hotel and will include another 145 rooms as well as a wine-tasting village, demonstration kitchen, event lawn and a swimming pool. Property owners at the Commons also are developing a Crusher District intended to become a cluster of tasting rooms, adding wine-loving visitors to the mix of business employees at the office park. Justin-Sienas Braves may be leaving high school behind, but their school wont be leaving their hearts. Our class is not just a class, its a home, said Neha Sidhu, 17, of American Canyon shortly before she and 169 of her classmates collected their diplomas on Thursday night. Sidhu, this years valedictorian, said that her class is a special one and will not be easily forgotten. The students, she said, have worked hard to make sure that their peers were excited about their school and showed a lot of school spirit. Sidhus class worked on changing the school for the better, even adopting the motto All heart. The motto, Sidhu said, shows that students at Justin-Siena want to believe, love and will everything that they do meaning they want to be their best selves. Sidhu will be attending Stanford this fall. I think what the school was really missing was that heart, said salutatorian Alondra Aguilar, 18, of Yountville. Wed put on the same events and the same kind of activities but the heart wasnt behind it These past two years we really put our all into it. Although she sees Justin-Siena as a second home, Aguilar said that she is excited to be heading to Columbia University in New York in the fall. I definitely feel like Justin-Siena is the perfect springboard for me to launch into the rest of my life, said Anais Gonzalez, 17, of Napa. Gonzalez said that although she feels a little melancholy about leaving high school, she is excited about getting being able to continue to pursue a passion that only intensified during her time at Justin-Siena. She plans to attend UC Santa Barbara in the fall to study writing and literature. Emilio Cordova, 17, of Fairfield is one student who is staying local. He plans to attend Napa Valley College before moving on to a university. Im pretty excited four years are finally done but kind of sad at the same time, Cordova said. He said that he hopes to stay in touch with the good friends hes made at Justin-Siena. Everyone from the 48th class is graduating while the school celebrates its 50th anniversary. We couldnt possibly be more proud of this group, said principal John Bordelon. They have been a force for positive change in our community and they will go down as a class that is significant to the history of this place. Graduates were awarded more than $7 million in scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership and service, school officials said. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy As a business owner in Calistoga, I would like to address comments to Don Williams pertaining to his recent article Maybe its time to cut the marketing purse strings (May 27). During times of boom and times of bust, bringing recognition to our unique characteristics as a travel destination, the City of Calistoga funds destination marketing efforts to ensure that our city is reaching out to guests all over the world so they might be enticed to spend their travel dollars by coming to our fair city. Guests, Mr. Williams, who walk on the floors of the various hotels, restaurants, retail stores, grocery store, tasting rooms, hardware store and all the other businesses of Calistoga. Businesses who employ the residents of Calistoga that have installed flooring or will potentially install new flooring in their homes. You probably wouldnt be interested in refinishing those floors, since its a time of boom and you probably have all the business you need. As a Chamber member, which you are not one of, I find no value in your opinion about how or if the Chambers funding should continue. My livelihood, my entire income, is based on the travel industry and on guests who enjoy wine and want to visit Calistoga to sample and buy our wine. These guests are potentially looking to find new relationships with their travel dollars, and even though a terrific visit to Calistoga may translate into future visits, reminding them of the charm and hospitality they found upon their visit here is very important. Destination marketing funding helps keep those dots connected. I find immense value in the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce whose mission it is to help promote our town and our businesses, not just to visitors, but to our community and valley. I figure you must not have attended business school, Mr. Williams, or maybe you were out the day they taught that in times of bust even more resources should be directed at marketing efforts. Alternatively, in times of a good economy, travelers have additional resources and potentially even more flexibility in how and where they spend their leisure dollars. If we shut down destination marketing, then those potential guests may be lured to other communities who continue to have strong marketing programs and our thriving community would die due to neglect from the very guests who fund so much of our citys needs. The small amount of money the city sets aside for destination marketing equates to between 5 percent and about 8 percent of the annual TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) collected each year of the past 10 years or so. That means that of the over $6 million paid in TOT by our visitors in 2016, more than 90 percent of the funds are used for ongoing city services and as a percentage of the entire city budget of roughly $10 million, the destination marketing funds constitute about 3 percent of the budget; services that would be detrimentally affected if those guests chose to go to Sonoma County, or stay in Yountville, or fly over California and head for Hawaii, or Mexico or any of the other hundreds of thousands of vacation destinations all over the world. We must make efforts to sway their vote regarding their leisure dollars to come to Calistoga, for the good of all businesses and ultimately the city services that provide support to the residents. I would like to suggest to Mr. Williams that he cease his marketing for a period of one year and see how his business fares. Laura Swanton Calistoga Thirty-six bodies have been found inside Resorts World Manila, after an attack by a lone gunman who fired shots and set fire to gambling tables in the early hours of Friday morning, according to Philippines police. The victims did not appear to have been shot but are thought to have died of suffocation, Southern Police District Director Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said Friday. "Most of the victims were women who were found dead inside the bathroom," he added. Thick smoke from fires set by the suspect delayed a search of the building, but officers later discovered them during clearing operations, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde said. All of the bodies were found in the resort's casino area, which was heavily carpeted and where all the windows were locked, he said. Despite recent militant activity in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, police ruled out terrorism as the motive for the attack. The attacker later committed suicide, they said. How the attack unfolded The armed suspect forced his way into the Resorts World Manila casino around midnight local time (Thursday ET), according to witnesses and police. A lone security guard panicked when she saw the suspect's automatic rifle, Albayalde said. Video showed guests frantically running for the exits, the sound of gunshots and smoke coming from the upper floors of buildings. Hours later, police confirmed the gunman had committed suicide in one of the hotel guest rooms. "The lone gunman committed suicide by setting himself on fire in one of the rooms on the fifth floor of the Resort World Hotel," Albayalde told reporters. He was found in the room, burned beyond recognition, next to a machine gun and a .380 calibre pistol, CNN affiliate CNN Philippines reported. A statement from the resort company said the suspect had also shot himself. Hotel issues statement Resorts World Manila, also known as RWM, is a resort complex in Newport City, a residential and commercial center in metropolitan Manila. The complex, which is described on RWM's website as "the first and largest integrated resort in the Philippines," is across from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. In a statement posted to its Facebook page Friday, the resort said it had "extended medical assistance to the 54 individuals who were taken to nearby hospitals." Its security team, along with the Bureau of Fire Protection, were currently conducting "search and rescue operations on all floors," the statement said. Witness: "I could smell some kind of smoke' Hundreds of guests and employees rushed out of the resort hotel around midnight Thursday (noon ET) after the masked gunman on the second floor began shooting, hotel employees fleeing the scene told CNN Philippines. Jay Dones, a witness on the scene, said some employees had told him a gunman fired shots in the air. "One of the employees told me that the suspect began pouring the contents of the bottle on one of the tables and lit it on fire," Dones said. Witnesses also told about hearing what sounded like explosions. "I could smell some kind of smoke that came from an explosive device," said Tikos Low, who said he was in the resort's casino along with a few hundred other people, when the attack began. The resort was put on lockdown and heavily armed SWAT officers wearing bulletproof vests and body armor descended on the scene. The gunman didn't appear to be firing at people, said Philippines National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa early Friday, as he announced that police weren't treating the incident as terror-related. "It's too early to tell, but so far as we are concerned there was no ISIS," Dela Rosa said. "If this is ISIS, all the people gambling inside should have been shot or already been bombed. He didn't hurt anyone. Those who were injured got their injuries when they jumped from the windows," he added. The man ransacked a room and stole gaming chips, Dela Rosa said. He had stuffed chips totaling 113 million pesos ($2.3 million) in a backpack, but this had been recovered by police, he added. Dela Rosa added that the suspect appeared to be Caucasian and had a mustache. Airport locked down All terminals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport were placed on lockdown because of the attack, according to Robert Echano with airport operations. The airport is about a mile away from the resort. Later the airport returned to normal operations but was on heightened alert, an airport official said. There were no flight cancellations nor diversions as a result of the two-hour closure. Security remains on "high alert" status, a statement from the airport said. In Quezon City, one of the municipalities in metro Manila, Police District Director Guillermo Eleazar ordered all 12 police stations in the city to set up checkpoints and to maximize police visibility. All mobile patrol units and tactical motorized units of QCPD were deployed to secure the city. Conflict in the south The Philippines has been grappling with incidents of terrorism, especially on the southern island of Mindanao. There, in the city of Marawi, government forces have been battling ISIS-linked militants for control of the city. The battle for Marawi, a largely Muslim city, has displaced at least 70,000 residents and left 140 people dead. The terrorist siege began last week, just as Muslims worldwide started to mark the holy month of Ramadan. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law over the island of Mindanao in light of the crisis. Duterte also suggested he might extend martial law through year's end or impose it nationwide, alarming critics. On Friday, Dela Rosa ruled out declaring martial law on the main island of Luzon, where Manila is located. CNN's Bryony Jones, Eliott McLaughlin, Dan Merica, Elizabeth Landers, Spencer Feingold, Jennifer Hauser, Natalie Gallon and Nadeem Muaddi contributed to this report. Journalist Jinky Jorgio also contributed. A ceremony to mark the accession of Montenegro will take place at NATO Headquarters on Wednesday, 7 June 2017 in the presence of the President of Montenegro, H.E. Filip Vujanovic. Media Advisory 14:00 Joint press statements by the Secretary General and the President of Montenegro followed by Q&As Main entrance 14:20 Secretary General bilateral meeting with President of Montenegro no media opportunities 15:00 Flag-Raising Ceremony to mark Montenegros accession to NATO open press remarks by the Secretary General and by the President of Montenegro Cour d'honneur Flag raising ceremonies will be held simultaneously in Allied Command Operations (SHAPE) and in Allied Command Transformation (Norfolk) 15:20 Official portrait 15:25 End of Ceremony Accreditation Media accreditation will be held from 10h on 7 June 2017. Media Representatives without permanent NATO accreditation are invited to request accreditation directly at the main entrance of the NATO compound on presentation of a valid national press card and a photo identity document. If the accreditation candidate is not in possession of a valid national press card, he or she is invited, regardless of nationality, to send the NATO Press Service (MOC@hq.nato.int) a signed letter from his or her editorial staff. Please note that EU press cards are not valid to enter NATO compound. Journalists who are permanently accredited to NATO need not request special accreditation. All events will be streamed live on the NATO website. Still imagery of the meeting will be available after the event on the NATO website. Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg) (Natural News) Once upon a time in America, people used to consider imitation the highest form of flattery. The thought was, if somebody thought to mimic something being done by someone else, that was a compliment. Not anymore. Now, imitation is considered an insult and even a form of racism by those on the increasingly insane Left. Take the example of two white women who dared to open a burrito shop; theyre not allowed to do that, you see, because burritos are associated with Hispanics and, well, they arent Hispanic. As reported by SHTFPlan.com, their crime, according to the Left, is cultural appropriation, which, until recently, was adulation, not slander. To them, the site noted, youre a racist if you act, speak, or dress like anyone who isnt from your tribe, or if you even celebrate their holidays. And as usual, this punishment is only applied to whites. (Related: Read Trump Sign Triggers Insane Freakout By Lunatic Leftist On University Campus.) By comparison, I cant recall a single instance where rational white people screamed cultural appropriation!! when an African-American, Hispanic, Asian or person of some other ethnicity opened a burger joint, or celebrated Christmas, or gave their mother a gift on Mothers Day. Nevertheless, this out-of-control political correctness is now being employed by radical idiots to destroy reputations and ruin livelihoods and where else, but the insane Left-wing bastion of Portland, Ore., whose mayor recently stated he wants to censor pro-Trump free speech events in the city because he has decided anyone who supports the president is a racist/bigot/homophobe Naziwhile behaving like a Nazi. Kali Wilgus and Liz LC Connelly, both of whom are white, have been forced out of business after launching their burrito shop, Kooks Burritos, several months ago, an eatery that became an instant favorite in the community. In an interview last week with a local paper, the pair had the temerity to tell a reporter theyappropriated some of their recipes while on a trip to Mexico. But a quick read of the article proves that its nothing more than a racist, bigoted, narrow-minded screed that complains of (alleged) racist, bigoted action. It begins thusly: This week in white nonsense, two white womenKali Wilgus and Liz LC Connellydecided it would be cute to open a food truck after a fateful excursion to Mexico. Theres really nothing special about opening a Mexican restaurantits probably something that happens everyday. But the owners of Kooks Burritos all but admitted in an interview with Willamette Week that they colonized this style of food when they decided to pick the brains of every tortilla lady there in the worst broken Spanish ever. White nonsense? If you were wanting to open an authentic restaurant to sell authentic food, wouldnt you go to the source and learn how to make it? Guess not; at least, not if youre some deranged Left-wing kook writer who is so hard-up for something to be outraged about you literally have to invent a racist act out of thin air. (Related: Read Mindless Intolerance Of Climate Change Debate On Full Display As NYT Columnist Is Blasted For Suggesting People Listen To BOTH Sides Of The Argument.) Some of the responses to the article were classic, and proved that the publication may have stepped on its own foot by publishing such an outrageous hit piece against two working women whose only offense appears to be the color of their skin. Could someone please provide white people with a list of acceptable foods theyre allowed to produce? wrote Graham. This is such BS, wrote JTR. And go f**k yourself if you are finding joy in putting two young women out of business. Well done, Portland. Now that youve solved homelessness, opioid addiction, income inequality, racism, and violence perpetrated on the GLB community youve moved on to the important issues, wrote another. Mray wrote: This is non news. Why are you creating a problem where non [sp] exists? Leftists have completely lost their minds as well as any sense of reason. And here we thought the Left was all about celebrating cultural diversity. Read about more craziness at Libtards.news. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources include: SHTFPlan.com PortlandMercury.com Libtards.news Wednesday, May 31, 2017 by: Bridgette Wilcox Tags: cannabis , marijuana , marijuana legalization , medical marijuana This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author (Natural News) A representative from Georgia has been distributing cannabis oil to hundreds of people, relying on narrow provisions in the states medical marijuana law to evade felony charges for drug trafficking. Every month, Rep. Allen Peake receives a box of cannabis oil, which he hands out to hundreds of people who are part of the states medical marijuana program, WJBF.com reported. Those who are enrolled in the program are allowed to possess low-THC cannabis oil, but are legally forbidden to cultivate, import, or buy it making it almost impossible for patients to obtain the drug by legal means. With Peakes intervention, however, they are given access to a drug that they need to treat or manage serious illnesses they are diagnosed with. The states marijuana legislation is called HB1 or Haleighs Hope Act. It was signed into law in April 2015 by Governor Nathan Deal. Under the law, patients and physicians can register for an identification card with the Georgia Department of Public Health that will allow them to possess cannabis oil with up to five percent THC. Only a low-THC oil preparation is allowed under the law, and smoking cannabis is prohibited. The current law covers eight medical conditions, according to Georgias Hope, an organization representing patients from the state that benefit from medical cannabis. These medical conditions include cancer, ALS, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, Crohns disease, mitochondrial disease, Parkinsons, and sickle cell disease. The law does not legalize recreational cannabis, nor does it allow cannabis for other medical purposes outside of the eight conditions. While Peake acknowledged that it may take a while before cultivation of marijuana within the state is legalized, he has helped to further expand current medical marijuana legislation to allow more qualifying medical conditions to be covered by the law. The expansion is currently awaiting the signature of Gov. Deal. Peake, who has a medical cannabis card, continues to receive a box of medical cannabis oil at his doorstep every month. Peake claims that he does not know who brings the box into the state. Quite frankly, I dont know how the product gets here, the lawmaker was quoted as saying in the report. Peake technically does not purchase the product because that would be illegal. However, every time a supply arrives, he makes a sizable donation to a medical cannabis research foundation in Colorado. His donations amount to about $100,000 a year out of his own pocket. Doing so, and distributing the oil for free allows him to stay within the law by a hairs breadth the law does not forbid giving cannabis oil as a gift. Selling the oil to recover his donations could put Peake at risk of drug trafficking charges. The rogue lawmaker takes extra caution to ensure that those who work with him in distributing the cannabis oil is legally allowed to possess and handle the drug. They must be state-registered and part of the medical cannabis program. Some 1,300 patients are currently enrolled in the states medical marijuana program, and hundreds of them benefit from Peakes efforts. Were going to do whatever it takes to be able to help get product to these families, these citizens who have debilitating illnesses, he said in the report. Get more updates on MedicalMarijuanaUpdate.com. Sources include: WJBF.com GeorgiasHope.com (Natural News) To say that things are out of control on the campus of the uber-Left-wing Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, is, frankly, a massive understatement. The situation there has devolved into something so surreal if you wrote down and tried to sell it to Hollywood as a drama no one would take you seriously. Well, maybe in Hollywood, but nowhere else. Last week, you may recall, Campus Insanity reported that crazy Leftist students had taken over portions of the campus, angry that a single professor Bret Weinstein refused to yield when they demanded he observe a Day of Absence & Day of Presence, a racist construct aimed at booting all whites off the campus for an entire day. (RELATED: Evergreen State College students SEIZE campus, begin forced searches of vehicles for white professor who refused to kow-tow to liberal insanity) On a college campus, ones right to speak or to be should not be based on skin color, he wrote in an email that only enraged the budding Nazi Brownshirts, who immediately labeled him a racist and bigot and, you know, their enemy. But then it turned personal, and even potentially dangerous, for Weinstein. He said campus police told him it would be best of he stayed away from a couple of days because it wasnt safe for him to hold classes on campus, like a professor is supposed to do. Worse, he was tipped off that some students were searching cars and actually looking for him, perhaps with an eye towards kidnapping the professorial upstart. Police told me protesters stopped cars yesterday, demanding information about occupants, Weinstein told the Washington Times. They believe I was being sought. It appears that the campus has been under effective control over protestors since 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. But then he made this incredulous claim: Police are on lockdown, hamstrung by the college administration. Students, staff and faculty are not safe. Some students then took over the campus library and barricaded themselves in after posting videos on social media showing them shouting down those who disagree with them or who did not show sufficient compassion for racial justice. Well, this kind of behavior should certainly warrant some disciplinary actions, right? Perhaps even a criminal investigation and charges of threats of violence, along with the obviously illegal act of taking school property by occupying the library right? Wrong. This is Evergreen State College, where student performance is not measured by icky, archaic and judgmental grades, but rather with narrative evaluations whatever those are. The enabling, inept and cowardly school president, George Bridges whom some students can be seen and heard in those social media videos telling him to shut the f**k up made sure he let all involved with the ruckus know theyd be forgiven and the incident forgotten. (RELATED: Americas universities have become training camps for violent left-wing extremism) First and foremost, I want to state that there will be, as far as I know, no charges filed against any students involved in actions that occurred this morning, Bridges said when initially attempting to calm the little Nazis. We will be conducting a major review, an investigation of all that occurred and will be reporting back to you, the campus community, about exactly what happened, why it happened and what we intend to do about the incident not the incident, excuse me, the actions that were taken, both students, staff and faculty involved. But he went further than that. Students also demanded an exemption for homework assignments namely that they not be held accountable for not getting them done and not handed in on time. All of us are students and have homework and projects and things due. Have you sent an email out to your faculty letting them know? one student protester asked, saying whats been done about that and noted that she and her peers were participating in the meeting on [their] own time. Its the first thing Ill do. I have not done it yet, I will do it right now, Bridges replied as another protester demanded that professors be told that these assignments wont be done on time and we dont need to be penalized for that. Actually, Bridges, what should be done is this: All students involved in shouting you down, disrupting coursework and intimidating other students should be forced to leave the campus, without refunding one penny of tuition; Any students involved in suspected illegal activity arrested, charged, and kicked off campus until the investigation is complete and charges are dropped/pursued; Authorities empowered to do their jobs and keep the hooligans disguised as students at bay; A statement sent out to each and every student that thuggery, racism (no matter what color the offenders skin), intimidation, threats and other such nonsense will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form, from anyone, ever again. A Republican member of the state Legislature, Matt Manweller, has recently introduced a proposal to privatize the school and make it exempt from all state funding. Lets hope there are enough sane lawmakers in the state to sign onto it and get it passed. Follow more news about college campus crybullies at Crybullies.news. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: CampusInsanity.com PJMedia.com (Natural News) If youre a working employee contributing to a pension fund for your future retirement, your contributions could be getting spent on payouts to current retirees rather than invested as they should be for your eventual use. Thats because pension funds tend to function more like Ponzi schemes than actual retirement programs, benefiting those who contribute early at the expense of those who contribute later. Its a problem both in the public and private sectors, and one thats going to hit the current workforce like a ton of bricks once the chickens come home to roost. Underfunded pension obligations in the public sector alone already top $5 trillion, and the situation is only getting worse as benefit payouts increasingly outpace contributions meaning that by the time its your turn to start getting paid for your retirement, theres a good chance that there wont be any money left to disburse. The infamous Bernard Madoff scandal is a perfect example of what happens when investors get caught in the pension Ponzi scheme. Instead of taking some $65 billion in investor money and actually investing it, Madoff used the money to fund massive redemptions owed to current recipients, of course skimming some of it for himself in the process. He was eventually caught and charged for his crimes, for which he is now serving a 150-year prison sentence. But most pension scams probably wont have this same outcome because, believe it or not, theyre technically legal even though they constitute institutional theft. Take the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF), for instance. It currently maintains about $10 billion in assets, but is obligated to provide future payouts of $21 billion. This represents an $11 billion deficit that, according to reports, continues to increase with each passing year. With more going out than coming in, many pension plans will end in disaster The CTPF currently has a payout of about $1.4 billion thats disbursed to retirees as part of their owed benefits packages. But even with $10 billion in assets, the fund still lost $28 million just in 2016, to which it proceeded to pull out another $700 million contributed to the fund by taxpayers. It also skimmed another $192 million contributed by current teachers from their paychecks, which was supposed to be invested on behalf of those teachers. Just like in the Madoff case, CTPF is extracting money from current pension investors to pay retirees, which isnt supposed to be how the process works. The contributions of current retirees from way back when were supposed to be invested at that time and used now to pay them. But because there isnt enough of it to go around, the fund is pulling from other areas, creating a situation in which liabilities become exponentially greater over time. the C.T.P.F. takes money from new investors (current teachers) and uses it to fund redemptions (benefit payments to retirees) even though the managers of the fund know that current claims dont have a chance of ever being paid in full, explains Zero Hedge. If it sounds like a scam, thats because it is. But its a legal one thats going to keep kicking the can down the road until the whole things collapses. Current pension contributors are essentially playing financial musical chairs, and eventually theyre going to be left without a chair when the music stops. Of course, like most financial grenades with a huge tail risk, the devastating consequences of Americas failed public pensions will not be addressed until its too late, adds Zero Hedge. Unfortunately, with ~$5 trillion in underfunded pension obligations in the public sector alone, the pension catastrophe will be too large for even Americas overly generous taxpayers to bail out. Follow more news on the coming collapse of pensions across the world at Pensions.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com ChicagoCityWire.com (Natural News) In the age of the computer, we are constantly reminded of just how vulnerable our lives have become to cyber attack. In recent years cyber attacks have increased dramatically, having been launched scores of times against critical and non-critical infrastructure around the world. In addition, so-called ransomware attacks, like the recent one involving WannaCry malware that spread globally, are becoming common. The most serious threats come from nation-states. For example, during the Obama administration, the U.S. government launched cyber attacks against Irans nuclear weapons development programs. In fact, as The New York Times reported, then-President Obama, from his first months in officesecretly ordered increasingly sophisticated attacks on computer systems that run Irans main nuclear enrichment facilities, significantly expanding Americas first sustained use of cyberweapons The weapon, Stuxnet, had been jointly developed by the U.S. and Israel. Of course, the U.S. and its allies are not the only nations that possess offensive cyber weapons. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, among others, do as well, and many of them are believed to be just as potent as any weve got. Speaking of North Korea, which is currently racing to develop nuclear-tipped ICBMs that can reach the U.S., one of the most recent ransomware attacks has caused U.S. cyber experts to theorize that in any future conflict, scores of North Korean sleeper cells could be unleashed to attack critical U.S. infrastructure power grids, banking systems, air traffic control, water treatment plants, dams and so on, wreaking havoc on our country, our economy and our people. As NewsTarget reported earlier this month: It is believed that North Korea has been training digital warriors since the 1980s. Their mission is simple: When ordered to do so, engage in cyber warfare, which could include spreading viruses (as happened over the weekend), hacking into systems (remember the Sony hack?) and other cyber activities. A massive cyber attack against the U.S. would be devastating. Earlier this year former CIA Director James Woolsey and EMP Commission chairman Dr. Vincent Pry from the Task Force on National and Homeland Security wrote that a nuclear electromagnetic pulse attack that destroyed the power grid, perhaps for years, could kill up to 90 percent of the population. And of course, everything that depends on power would be destroyed or rendered useless as well. Are you prepared for this distinct possibility, especially as the U.S. appears to be preparing for war with North Korea? Most people arent. They are completely reliant on the power grid and existing computer and information systems to remain intact. But here are some ways you can cyber-proof your life and continue living as normally as possible: The majority of us keep our money in some sort of account we can access electronically checking, savings, etc. You need to keep a portion of your assets in a safe somewhere you can access quickly; a couple thousand dollars is a good start if you can manage it, and even $500 is better than nothing. Consider substituting traditional money with precious metals. Also, do a weekly printout of your account assets, so you have a paper record always on hand. Assemble some lighting, such as battery-powered flashlights, emergency candles (they burn longer), and so forth. You can buy solar-rechargeable batteries and also multifunction crank flashlight/radios as well. Some of these models are less than $20. Generators can be of assistance, provided the electrical wiring in your home still works. Then, of course, youd need quite a bit of fuel. Solar panels would be nice, but they can be hacked too, so keep that in mind. Always, always keep at least a couple weeks worth of food and water handy a month or more would be better. Guns and ammunition will be a must; dont go anywhere unarmed. Barter items such as lighters, small amounts of liquor, cigarettes, rope, etc, will come in handy. Heres a bigger list. Off-grid cooking supplies, like charcoal- or gas-fired grills, come in handy. Keep an extra tank or bags in your garage. Small camping cook stoves also work. Garbage bags for disposal of trash, so you can keep your home more sanitary. Kerosene heaters will help keep you warm in winter months; store some extra kerosene and use extra clothing and blankets first. Alternative communications, like two-way radios, could come in handy as well. If you have a way to charge your cell phone using a portable solar panel, thats good, too, though dont expect cell service to function. Print out or purchase paper maps of your area and keep them with all your emergency supplies. First aid supplies: Make a kit now, to include bandages, over-the-counter treatments, antibiotic cream and peroxide, for cleansing wounds. A massive attack against our infrastructure will produce devastating, deadly results. There is no way to fully describe the carnage that will ensue. The better prepared you are now, the better your chances of surviving the future. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: Bugout.news TheNationalSentinel.com NewsTarget.com This artist's conception shows two merging black holes similar to those detected by LIGO. (Image by LIGO) Cal State Fullerton physics faculty and student researchers once again share in the detection of gravitational waves for the third time. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, known as LIGO, has made a third detection of gravitational waves from two black holes colliding to form a larger black hole. This gravitational-wave detection passed through Earth on Jan. 4, 2017 from roughly three billion light years away and is described in a new scientific journal article published today (June 1) in Physical Review Letters. The waves were generated when black holes, 30 and 20 times the mass of the sun, merged to form a larger black hole nearly 50 times the mass of the sun, explained Joshua Smith, associate professor of physics and Dan Black Director of Gravitational Wave Physics and Astronomy. Smith, along with physics faculty members Geoffrey Lovelace and Jocelyn Read, computational specialist Joe Areeda, and physics graduate students Adrian Avila-Alvarez and Torrey Cullen all from CSUFs Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy Center are authors on the paper. CSUF alumni, and now doctoral students, Thomas Abbott at Louisiana State University, and Fabian Magana-Sandoval, Erik Muniz and Daniel Vander-Hyde, all at Syracuse University, also are authors. This third discovery of merging black holes helps scientists to map out a population of black holes: to determine how massive they are, whether they are spinning, where they are in the universe and how often they merge into larger black holes, said Smith. His work helped LIGO establish that this latest gravitational-wave signal was not caused by terrestrial disturbances. While the latest merger of massive black holes is similar to the first gravitational-wave detection in 2015, this new signal traveled through the universe the farthest distance yet, with the black holes located about 3 billion light years away before it reached Earth, noted Read, assistant professor of physics. Its amazing that we can see so far back toward the early universe. Seeing more of these massive black-hole mergers helps us learn how stars have lived and died throughout the universes history, said Read, who studies the violent collision of neutron stars to produce gravitational waves. Read and Cullen, who begins doctoral studies at Louisiana State University this fall, are exploring how matter behaves at such extreme densities. Read also looks forward to LIGOs anticipated detection of gravitational waves from merging neutron stars. This newest observation also provides clues about the directions in which the black holes are spinning, added Read. As pairs of black holes spiral around each other, they also spin on their own axes like a pair of ice skaters spinning individually, while also circling around each other. Knowing the direction of the black hole spin can help us to understand how pairs of merging black holes form and whether they formed from a spinning cloud of matter or were dynamically captured by gravity, added Lovelace, assistant professor of physics. Lovelace and undergraduates Nick Demos and Alyssa Garcia, both recent physics graduates, computed gravitational waves from merging black holes and compared them with LIGOs astronomical observation. In the fall, both are entering doctoral programs, with Demos off to MIT and Garcia to Brandeis University. Lovelace also was part of the team that developed a key visual graph in the scientific article reporting the discovery, which represents the observations and compares them with Einsteins theory of general relativity. See simulation video Video: Cal State Fullertons Geoffrey Lovelace, assistant professor of physics, and his students, Class of 2017 graduates Nick Demos and Alyssa Garcia, worked with the Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes Collaboration to create this video illustrating the detection of the third gravitational wave, called GW170104. The video shows the warped space-time near the merging black holes. The colored bands are gravitational wave peaks and troughs, with the colors getting brighter as the wave amplitude increases, while the center of the video indicates the strong space-time warping near the black holes. Video Courtesy of SXS Collaboration. The most exciting thing for me is how loud and clear this latest gravitational wave was, Lovelace said. Loud gravitational waves best reveal Einsteins theory of general relativity in action under the most extreme conditions in the universe and now we know that these waves arent rare. The loudness allows us to see the waves more clearly above the noise in the LIGO detectors. That allows us to more carefully check Einsteins theory and other theories against the data. This recent detection occurred during LIGOs current observing run, which began Nov. 30, 2016, and continues through the summer. LIGO is an international collaboration with more than 1,000 members around the globe, including CSUF. LIGOs observations are carried out by twin detectors in Hanford, Washington, and Livingston, Louisiana, and are operated by Caltech and MIT. The LIGO observatories have given us an incredible new way to measure the movement and properties of black holes information that is completely invisible through light, Smith said. For more about LIGO, visit online. Mark Wagner, director of the Center for Archaeological Investigations at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Alice Muntz, a graduate teaching assistant with the CAI Summer Field School, discuss artifacts at an archaeological excavation site located outside the known fort walls at the Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site. The field school is conducting archaeological surveys and excavations at the site through June 16. Visitors are welcome. (Photo by Russell Bailey) Students gain hands-on experience during archaeology field school by Andrea Hahn CARBONDALE, Ill. Alice Muntz is confident that the students digging precise rectangular grids and sifting buckets of dirt in the quest for artifacts will have the skills required to land jobs in professional archaeology after completing the Southern Illinois University Carbondale-Center for Archaeological Investigations Summer Field School. Muntz spent several years as a professional archaeologist, often known as the field of cultural resource management, but recently decided to pursue a graduate degree in archaeology at SIU. Now shes one of the team of graduate assistants teaching the field school. The idea is to give the students exposure to academic and professional archaeological methods, she said. They could go get a job after this field school. The Center for Archaeological Investigations at SIU has hosted a summer field school for years. Recent digs were at the Kincaid Mounds State Historic site near Brookport in Massac County. This year, the field school begins at the Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site in Randolph County and concludes at Miller Grove, an historic pre-Civil War, freed-African-American-slave site in Pope County. Media Advisory Members of the media are welcome at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale-Center for Archaeological Investigations Field School, both during the Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site and the Miller Grove excavations. Of particular interest is the anticipated arrival of members of the Shawnee Tribes of Oklahoma, a federally recognized tribe. The group is a guest of the National Forest Service-Shawnee National Forest, as part of an effort to reacquaint members of the tribe with its ancestral home. The group includes students from elementary school to high school and adults. They will assist the field school at the Fort Kaskaskia site. Lewis and Clarks interpreter, George Drouillard, is known to have stopped at Fort Kaskaskia; his mother was Shawnee. For more information about the field school, contact Mark Wagner at 618/521-9217 or mjwagner@siu.edu. Mark Wagner, CAI director, applied to the Lewis and Clark Foundation for a grant to help fund the field school. Fort Kaskaskia is one of the places Lewis and Clark stopped for supplies and recruits. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency owns and maintains the site, and gave permission for the field schools activities. The goal, Wagner explained, is three-fold: first, to train students by giving them hands-on fieldwork experience; second, as a public outreach; and third, to provide the IHPA with information they wouldnt otherwise have about the site. Weve got a banner announcing our field school so visitors to the site know they can approach us and ask us about our work here, Wagner said, noting that several people already have visited the site since the field school began last week. Were also using equipment for geophysical surveys that enhance the investigation, he said. If the IHPA hired an outside agency, its likely it would cost $20,000. But we are doing this as part of our field school. The geophysical surveys involve the use of a gradiometer and a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) unit. Ryan Campbell, a researcher and student in the doctoral program with CAI, conducted surveys to give the field school teams a good idea where to begin digging. The equipment gives a topographical map of what is below the surface. Sometimes it is possible to approximate building foundations or to see other forms defined in the data collected. Hes also been working with the students to give them experience with the survey equipment. Training on equipment like this -- thats not something you get at every archaeological program, he said. It really does give our students a leg up when it comes to the job market. There are programs that are classroom-based but there really is no substitute for in-field training. These students are learning to deal with some of the problems you dont encounter in a textbook. And its more than that, too. Its a different perspective when you find an artifact in the field, on a dig --its completely different from seeing an artifact in a classroom laboratory. Muntz agrees. It can really spark someones interest when they find an artifact, she said. Jessi Spencer, currently of Cobden, is also on the graduate teaching team. She said she loves that this site is visitor-friendly. Its a great bonus that we get the chance to share what weve found and to interpret the site, she said. Spencer is a bio-archaeologist. Her focus is bones and teeth. The fundamental archaeology skills are the same, she said. Its important for students interested in any part of archaeology to learn all the basic techniques, she said. Theyll do that here. A visitor to Fort Kaskaskia will see a green meadow surrounded by low earthwork walls. The site has been rebuilt at least once, maybe twice, and one of the big questions regards the authenticity of some of the existing earthwork. When the fort was in use, the walls would have been wooden, with the earthwork as supports. The field school is excavating in three places at the fort site. One team is working in a corner of the fort where, according to notes made by a British soldier in the 1760s, there might have been a bakery, or perhaps a raised platform for artillery. From the artifacts the team has uncovered so far, the artillery platform seems the more likely. Were finding evidence of double occupancy, Tony Farace, graduate teacher, said. Thats common, and its good for the students to see that. Sites that are attractive to one set of builders are often attractive to another set as well. Another team is working a part of the fort near what probably was an entrance. The geophysical survey indicated some anomalies under the surface, and the team is eager to find out what that may be. A third team is excavating outside the fort walls. Wagner said SIU is the first archaeological team to do so. And the team is finding plenty of artifacts -- including the button from a British soldiers uniform. Weve learned a lot of new information, Wagner said. The button is the first evidence of British presence here. Weve found evidence of a wall trench. All the artifacts discovered outside the walls of the fort provide new clues. Weve found a number of flints from flintlock guns. We are also finding prehistoric artifacts including arrowheads. The field school remains at Fort Kaskaskia through June 16. After that, the field school will relocate to Miller Grove, the site of a free African-American settlement. A group of area teachers and students interested in archaeology will join them. Here is a list of students participating in the field school, with hometowns: Residence hall suites available for eclipse weekend by Tom Woolf CARBONDALE, Ill. Southern Illinois University Carbondale will make suites available in one of its residence halls for solar eclipse weekend in August. Approximately 200 suites -- two residence hall rooms joined by a bathroom are available for the weekend, beginning Aug. 19, in Schneider Hall. Carbondale is in the path of totality for not one, but two total solar eclipses. The first total solar eclipse over the U.S. since 1979 will reach its point of greatest duration on Aug. 21 just a few miles south of the campus. The next solar eclipse will happen on April 8, 2024. The centerlines of totality for both of these eclipses intersect over Cedar Lake, which also is a short distance south of SIU. For full details of SIUs plans for the historic August event, visit the eclipse website. Festivities will include the Crossroads Eclipse 2017 Research Workshop, the Crossroads Astronomy, Science and Technology Expo, the Crossroads Art and Craft Fair, and Eclipse Comic Con 2017. Among SIUs partners for the eclipse are NASA, the Adler Planetarium of Chicago, the Louisiana Space Consortium, and Planetary Radio. The NASA EDGE global webcast of the eclipse will originate from just outside Saluki Stadium. Schneider Hall is one of three high-rise residence halls on the east side of campus commonly referred to as the towers. The location is a short walk from the stadium and the SIU Arena, the primary venues for eclipse-related activities. Each suite will cost $800 for three nights, plus taxes. Suites will be available after 11 a.m. on Aug. 19; all guests must be checked out by 11 a.m. on Aug. 22. Guests will receive a wristband when they check in that they must wear to gain entry to the residence hall. Full payment is due when making reservations; there will be no refunds. Each suite will offer four twin beds. While extra beds or roll-away beds will not be available, guests may provide their own inflatable mattresses and sleeping bags for up to a maximum of eight people per suite. Linens (mattress pad, two sheets, pillow, pillow case, blanket) will be provided for the four beds, as will towels and washcloths for four people. Commemorative SIU eclipse glasses will be provided for up to four people per reservation. Additional glasses will be available for purchase at the time of check-in. University Housing also will offer a meal plan for $90 for the dining hall in Trueblood Commons, which serves the east campus housing complex, for the weekend. Carry-outs will not be permitted, but guests can visit the dining hall and enjoy the all-you-care-to-eat menu as many times as they want throughout their stay. Meal plans will not be sold on site. Guest parking will be available a short distance from Schneider Hall. Parking will cost $36 for the entire stay. To learn more and to make suite reservations, visit University Housings website. A farmer injured in police caning succumbed to his injuries on the second day of the farmers' strike as Maharashtra grappled with shortages of daily essentials amid rising prices on Friday. Farmer Ashok More from Kopargaon in Ahmednagar, who was injured in police caning on Thursday, died on Friday, prompting opposition leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil to demand immediate action against the concerned police officials. As the farmers' agitation continued aggressively, the government appeared getting isolated with its ally Shiv Sena, the opposition Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Aam Aadmi Party, social activist Anna Hazare, the powerful Warkari community and Maharashtra Trade Unions Joint Action Committee besides Leftists and NGOs throwing their weight behind the protest. Over half a million farmers in the state are practically on the streets since Thursday midnight. Their demands include: a complete waiver of farmer loans, free electricity, appropriate remunerative prices for their produce, grants for irrigation, pension for farmers who are 60 years old and above, and implementation of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee recommendations. Continuing their aggressive stance across Maharashtra barring the coastal Konkan region, thousands of farmers resorted to different forms of protest to highlight their demands on Friday. In a village in Aurangabad, farmers donated free milk to people facing shortages but warned that if the government did not budge the situation would worsen by the weekend. The Kisan Kranti, an umbrella organisation spearheading the strike, said it has been invited for a fresh round of talks with the government in Mumbai on Friday night. A spokesperson for the Kisan Kranti core committee told the media in Puntamba, an important market centre in Ahmednagar, that the farmers have decided to intensify their agitation unless the government takes immediate steps. "On Monday, we shall organise a Maharashtra shutdown (bandh); on Tuesday, we shall lockdown all government offices and on June 7 we shall shut down offices of all legislators and ministers," said the spokesperson. "We have shown the strength of the farmers. We were being ignored till now, but not any more. In just two days, entire Maharashtra is experiencing massive shortages of essentials," he said. On Friday, Anna Hazare came out in support of farmers, but the Kisan Kranti cold-shouldered his proposal to mediate with the government on their behalf. A prominent farmers leader, Raghunath Patil, asked the Kisan Kranti not to go for any more negotiations with the government. "Enough negotiations and talks. Now is the time for decisions. The government must announce their decision on the farmers demands," Patil said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appeared to be the main target of the farmers in most districts where they vented their ire on him in different ways. In Pandharpur and Osmanabad, farmers kicked and trampled an effigy of Fadnavis, in Lasalgaon and Nashik they carried out his mock funeral. In Satara, about a hundred farmers tonsured themselves and took out a "funeral procession" of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. In Wardha, they poured milk on the Chief Minister's portrait. The bustling weekly farmers markets in Aurangabad, Ratnagir, Thane and other places were boycotted as farmers kept their products in farms instead of bringing them for sale. Minister of State for Agriculture Sadabhau Khot admitted that barely 125 - or 10 per cent - of the around 1,200 trucks of farm goods have reached Mumbai. The situation was worse in some other cities and urban centres. Joining Fadnavis in pointing an accusing finger at the Congress-NCP, Khot claimed that the people taking part in the strike were not farmers but anti-social elements. In several districts, scores of tankers loaded with fresh milk were emptied on the streets, from the top of a flyover in Solapur and even on railway tracks at Daund station. Roads were blocked in many districts, including in Hingoli where farmers staged road blocks with their farm products. Police cleared farmers squatting on roads and highways in Nashik, Ahmednagar, Osmanabad, Pune, Satara and Kolhapur. --IANS qn/mr ( 670 Words) 2017-06-02-21:56:14 (IANS) The opposition party also slammed Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's statement on GDP figures, saying it was "full of utter confusion, hypocrisy, and bemusement". The party said the roaring "Make in India" lion is now "snoozing". "Unemployment has risen and the corporate sector has taken a hit, but the Modi government is relying on statistics to create an illusion of economic growth," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said here. The Congress leader said that Jaitley's replies to the media on Thursday were full of "utter confusion, perplexity, hypocrisy, bewilderment, and even bemusement". "In the past thee years, the government has not had the faintest idea of how to stop the economy's downslide," Singhvi said. He said: "The recent GDP numbers conclusively prove that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is responsible for this massive downslide. "The BJP has become India's biggest NPA (non- performing asset) or indeed a non-performing non-asset of India. Only 24 months are left (for the 2019 general elections) to take some tangible and real steps of governance." The Congress demanded that the BJP implement its poll promises on creation of jobs and welfare of farmers. Singhvi said Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday questioned Modi on his vision about 'Make in India'. Gandhi also reflected on the state of the distressed farmers across the country, he said. "Figures on the manufacturing sector made public are at a three-month low. In fact, since the BJP has come to power (in May 2014), the Index of Industrial Production has always seen a downward trend," said Singhvi. --IANS sid/rn ( 301 Words) 2017-06-02-21:58:11 (IANS) Looks like Kathy Griffin and her beheaded Trump photo row is not over yet. The State Theatre, New Jersey, has cancelled the comedian's November appearance, following the video that featured her holding a likeness of U.S President Donald Trump's severed head. A note released on the theatre's Facebook page read, "Please note: After careful consideration of recent events and for the safety of our patrons, Kathy Griffin's November 3rd performance has been cancelled. All Kathy Griffin ticket buyers will be issued a full refund. If you purchased your tickets on Ticketmaster please call 800-745-3000. If you purchased your tickets through another party, please contact them directly." Griffin has faced much backlash since the release of the video, which she later apologized for. But it resulted to drop of many of her engagements, including her ties with CNN. Reacting to the incident Trump said that the comedian should be "ashamed of herself." "Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!" he tweeted. First lady Melania Trump also issued a statement that read, "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." Griffin, however, apologised for the video, which she originally described as an "artsy-fartsy statement" mocking the commander in chief. "I sincerely apologize," Griffin said in 31-second apology video, she posted to Twitter. "Hey everybody, it's me, Kathy Griffin. I sincerely apologize. I'm just now seeing the reaction of these images. I'm a comic, I crossed the line. I move the line then I cross it. I went way too far. The image is too disturbing, I understand how it offends people. It wasn't funny. I get it. I've made a lot of mistakes in my career, I will continue. I ask for your forgiveness. Taking down the image. I'm going to ask the photographer to take down the image. And I beg for your forgiveness. I went too far. I made a mistake and I was wrong," she said. (ANI) IIFA 2017 will be yet more special for Katrina Kaif, as, other than the fact that it's happening at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York, the event will be aired on July 16, on her birthday. An excited Katrina, at the IIFA 2017 presscon that happened here yesterday, said, "I am excited that this year, it is happening in one of my favourite cities - New York.It's airing on my birthday, done specially for me." Salman Khan, who also attended the press meet, added, "That's how the organizers worked up the days. It will be on July 14 and 15, and will be aired on her birthday. The dates, initially were 11, 12 and 13, which did not make any sense," and joked, "Its national holiday, its Katrina Kaif's birthday and now that we will be in New York, the city is going to be stand still." To which the host of the event asked, "basically the whole globe is going to celebrate you birthday, Katrina." "I am hoping. That's kind of the plan," she replied. Salman Khan jumped in with a smirk on his face, "Invite me!" Now that's really cute! The 'Baar Baar Dekho' actress will turn 34 this year, on July 16. On the work front, the 'Dabangg' Khan and his former girlfriend Katrina will be soon seen together in Ali Abbas Zafar movie 'Tiger Zinda Hai.' (ANI) The auditions for Lakm Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2017 will take place on June 13 at St Regis hotel here and June 15 in Bengaluru at the Hyatt. It will judged by a panel of industry experts, read a statement. This season, one lucky model will get the opportunity to get direct access to the international world of modelling with the international leader in talent discovery and model management IMG Models offering an international modelling contract. The fashion week is credited for launching some of India's most successful models, including Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Yana Gupta and, most recently, Anjali Lama, a transgender model. "With models like Anjali Lama coming through model auditions, we look forward to reinventing the beauty norms and finding fresh faces", said Purnima Lamba, Head of Innovations, Lakm. Jeni Rose, Vice President of IMG Models, described it as a "hotbed for new talent in India". The auditions are open to female models only. --IANS sug/rb/dg ( 214 Words) 2017-06-02-14:28:23 (IANS) Veteran actor Kamal Haasan has hit out at the Central Government for announcing 28% tax slab under the GST (Goods and Services Tax) for cinema. The actor, along with other representatives of the Tamil film industry, held a press conference on Friday, where he said, "When it comes to the pride of India, it was always regional cinema that stood up for awards in international arenas. Regional cinema contributes to the might of the country. You can't reduce that through taxation." "I was promised an easy life when the Republic (of India) was formed. Why should I work for the Government? I work for my own sustainability and it is not getting easier. I will have to quit the industry if I am on the highest tax slab," he added. The 62-year-old also stressed that regional cinema cannot be put on the same level as Bollywood films. (ANI) In a letter to Kutty, Kejriwal said the Delhi government was committed to building 1,000 Mohalla Clinics of which 150 had been constructed so far. Kejriwal said the Health Secretary has informed him that the Health Department was "not getting land" to construct the remaining 850 Mohalla Clinics. "Chief Secretary is directed to coordinate with all the departments, who own land (like education, DJB, DUSIB, PWD) and these 850 pieces of land, equally distributed all over Delhi, should be identified urgently to construct Mohalla Clinics," said Kejriwal. "Chief Secretary should identify these plots of land by June 30," he added. Mohalla Clinic is the Delhi government's flagship scheme, which has been praised by several countries across the globe. --IANS am/amit/rn ( 158 Words) 2017-06-02-18:24:22 (IANS) As a rule of thumb, foods are generally safe. However, there are things that get into food, which could shock and disgust you enough to keep away from food altogether! What will surprise you further is that many of these things are permitted by the food safety authorities, but within limits. Some substances, like certain toxins are naturally present in foods and so even if the food authorities wanted, they could not ban them totally. Some of these 'foreign' substances might not be dangerous, but not even in your wildest imagination could you have thought that they could be on your plate, says Dr. Saurabh Arora, founder, Food Safety Helpline.com: 1. Ever wondered what rats do in your food? Rodents scavenge for food and rummage in food stocks. In fact rodents could make stored foods their home if entry is not strictly prevented. Where there is laxity rodent hair, urine and droppings enter foods and from there to your plate. So watch out as your food could be biologically contaminated. 2. Snack with maggots Next time you eat a burger or open sealed packs of foods or cans of mushrooms and tomatoes check carefully. It could be infested with maggots and insect eggs. Your cabbage and spinach could have caterpillar larvae in it. Believe it a not a limited number of maggots are permitted in food! says Dr Arora. 3. They live in drains, dustbins and in your food Cockroaches, flies, insects of all kinds and even spiders and lizards can fall into food and are regarded as being highly dangerous if found in foods as they can carry bacteria from dustbins and drains to foods. The presence of rodents and insects is a food safety violation that could result in cancellation of license for food establishments. 4. Unseen dangers have roots Moulds and fungus grow on foods when the temperature is warm and the rainy season finds these in abundance in sauces, jams, jellies, cooked and processed meats and poultry, cheese, bread and even fruit. Surface moulds can be washed or dusted off but that does not mean they have gone away completely. The fungus has roots that go deep into foods and these are not visible to the naked eye. Dishcloths, towels, sponges and mops if not kept clean spread moulds which land up in your food. Avoid anything smelling musty and stale and check vegetable and fruit stems to detect moulds. 5. What are cleaning agents doing in your food? Cleaning agents like ammonia, bleach, dishwashing liquids and sanitizers can cause turmoil. People have had them with their coffee because the personnel forgot to rinse out the coffee machine thoroughly. Human error it could be but the carelessness in not rinsing and washing utensils or cooking surfaces thoroughly can lead to not only a bad taste but some stomach burning and even food poisoning. Cleaning agents need to be stored away from all food preparation areas and utensils. Cooking and food preparation surface areas must be cleaned, washed and sanitised only when food preparation is over and no food is outside. Such carelessness ruins reputations of the food establishments. 6. You could be ingesting heavy metals Copper, brass, cadmium, lead, zinc mercury and even arsenic could be in your food. Metals leach into foods from the environment and from utensils used for cooking and serving food. Cracked or chipped pewter dishes, pottery dishes with glazed lead or those pretty enamelled dishes you cook and serve food in can leave lead and anatomy or cadmium in your foods and can even react with acidic foods like tomatoes, orange juice and pickles. Copper cooking utensils, buckets and tubs made from galvanised metals like zinc, and plumbing pipes also introduce metals into foods. Mercury and arsenic can reach foods through water and cadmium and lead from soil. All these heavy metals can cause toxicity when ingested and could even damage the liver, kidneys, central nervous system and blood, while mercury can cause sensory, visual and auditory problems also. Since chemicals cannot be seen adequate and regular food testing is required to ensure that foods are free from these elements at all points in the food chain. 7. Are you sure your milk products have no melamine? Are you sure that the infant formula you are feeding your child with or the chocolate and frozen yogurt you are eating is free of melamine? So what is melamine and why is it used in foods? Melamine is synthetic material used to make plastic tableware and dishware, adhesives and even whiteboards. So what's it doing in your food? Water is often mixed into milk and such milk loses proteins and so to enhance the content of protein melamine is mixed in it. Products made from milk could have melamine which can damage the kidneys permanently. 8. Packaging infuses chemicals into food Antimony and tin are used in packaging materials from where they can enter food. Foils, cans, pans and storage containers have chemicals which can be released from them into food at low levels and these, when are ingested, cause various health problems. 9. Human beings leave their own stamp on foods While human hair found in food might not be hazardous as animal hair, but their presence in food indicates that the establishment lacks in good hygienic practices. Besides hair; nails, false nails, nail polish, pieces of jewellery, paper napkins and even cigarette butts can enter food and have been found, more often than anyone would like to admit. All personnel working in food service industry need to be made aware of these hazards and instructed and trained to follow good hygiene practices. 10. Mice and horse in your processed meat Animal hair or chipped pieces of bone can be naturally present in meat food products. Perhaps what you may not be aware of is that whole mice can sometimes be churned into foods during processing. Unscrupulous manufacturers add horse and even rat meat to canned meat food products to cut costs, especially those imported, as some countries permit horse meat. 11. Tea with a taste of iron Iron filings can enter tea when it is processed as particles escape into tea from the wear and tear of iron machinery. Iron remains in the body and though some iron is good for the body it could become dangerous and lead to heart problems, if you are a tea addict and drink copious amounts of it. The permissible limit for iron filings in tea in India is presently 150 mg per kilogram of tea. 12. Extraneous materials that can break your teeth They say sticks and stones won't break bones but stones in food might break your pearly whites. You must have seen dirt, mud, manure, leaves, twigs and other filth and even insect excreta in some raw grains and other agricultural products. While some of these can be removed by picking them out what about insect excreta? When raw materials are processed into cereals, bakery products etc. do these remain or have they been cleaned before processing? 13. What's cooking, metal or glass? Metal fragments from worn or chipped equipment and containers enter food products during processing. However, glass, plastic and metal pieces from glass tumblers, edges of badly opened tin cans and carelessly opened caps on foods and even shattered light bulbs fall into food without anyone realising it. Wood pieces from wooden surfaces or chopping boards slip into food too. Even a small piece of any of these substances can cause major problems if swallowed. Most establishments use shatterproof bulbs and open tin cans and bottles away from foods being cooked. 14. Sand and sawdust special Have you felt that grit on your tongue? It could be sand in your salt, soup and coffee whitener. Sand is mixed in powdered foods as sand absorbs moisture and prevents clumping. Sawdust is used for the same reason in foods like shredded cheese. It also makes low-fat ice cream creamy and ready to drink milk shakes smooth. 15. From plants to your plate Residues of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers used during the agricultural process easily find their way into foods. Pesticides may leave residues on the skins and surface of fruits and vegetables. Residues of pesticides and herbicides over a period of time can affect the central nervous system, respiratory and gastro intestinal system. 16. Of hormones and antibiotics Livestock are given antibiotics and growth hormones in their feeds so they can remain healthy and grow bigger quickly. If you are a non-vegetarian you could find these growth hormones and antibiotics in the animal meats which you eat. Eating animal meats that contain antibiotic makes you resistant to antibiotics. 17. Are these food additives really permitted? The fruit juice you enjoy so much could have sulphites. Sulphites are deliberately added to fruit juices, in some soft drinks, instant tea vinegar and wine to keep them tasting fresh. While preservatives and flavour enhancers improve the looks and taste of foods yet some of them could cause allergic reactions. 18. Carcinogens in your foods Bright coloured foods look attractive but the truth is that synthetic dyes like Red 3 and Citrus Red 2, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40 and Yellow 6 are carcinogenic and could cause various kinds of cancer and allergic reactions too. 19. Gelatine: veg or non-veg Some vegetarian foods like certain cereals could contain animal gelatine which is used as a binding agent so that the sugar sticks to the cereal. Read the labels minutely if you are a vegetarian or you could find you've just eaten animal bone and skin as some gelatine are made from these. 20. What does your chewing gum contain? If you are one of those who loves to pop a chewing gum into your mouth then you could actually be eating a secretion from sheep wool called Lanolin. This additive is used in chewing gum because it has an oily texture which makes it easy to chew that gum. (ANI) Former Congress leader and Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh on Thursday said that even Congress party has not accepted Rahul Gandhi as its leader. Talking to ANI, Singh launched a scathing attack on the Congress Vice President and questioned his ability to lead the Congress. He said that even the Congress party till today has not accepted Rahul Gandhi as its leader. "The Congress Working Committee had decided in the 2013 Jaipur Conclave that in future Rahul would be handed over the charge of the Congress in place of Party President Sonia Gandhi. Till now, if Rahul has not been entrusted this responsibility then it means that there is fear in the Congress that if it is done then whatever is left in the party would be lost," said Singh. Singh, who is a former Congress leader, said that even Congress leaders who meet him don't see any future of Congress. "Though it has been three years I am with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but still many Congress politicians meet me. They are very demoralized and say they don't see any future of Congress." Replying a question whether the Congress should look beyond Gandhi family, the former Congress leader said that even if one thinks beyond Gandhi family then there is no leader in the Congress who can lead the party. On leadership crisis in the Congress, he said today's Congress is not the one it used to be as it fought 2014 elections just to win around 140 seats to form a coalition government. "Congress is shrinking and its base is being weaker day by day. The perception in the country is that the BJP is alternative of the Congress that ruled country around for half century. This is the reason that former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah commented after the recently held Uttar Pradesh election results that opposition should prepare for 2024 general elections," said the Union Minister. (ANI) Amidst political parties' frantic efforts at realignment ahead of the crucial assembly elections in the Left-ruled Tripura, the BJP on Friday shut its doors for both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress legislators. "Our doors are shut for the nine TMC and Congress MLAs," Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Tripura state unit President Biplab Kumar Deb told reporters. "It is, however, open for other leaders and workers of the TMC, Congress and other parties but not for the nine sitting MLAs," he added. Deb said: "In consultation with the party's central leaders, we had earlier announced a deadline of May 31 for the entry of the nine TMC and Congress MLAs into BJP. That deadline being over, the doors are also accordingly shut for them." According to Deb, some of the TMC legislators had met former BJP President and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP's national General Secretary Ram Madhav among other leaders and expressed their keenness to join the party. "I am personally shocked about their approach in joining the BJP to oust the ruling Left in the next assembly elections in Tripura in February," Deb said. On the forming of electoral alliance with the tribal parties, Deb said that Himanta Biswa Sarma was looking after the alliance with the three tribal parties. "He has held several meetings with the leaders of INPT (Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura), IPFT (Indigenous People's Front of Tripura) and NCT (National Conference of Tripura)," he added. Sarma, who is holding the Finance, Health and Family Welfare and Education portfolios in the BJP government in Assam, is also the convener of the BJP-led anti-Congress alliance, North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). Deb also not long ago held a closed door meeting with TMC legislator and the party's prominent leader in northern Tripura Biswabandhu Sen and Congress legislator and former opposition leader Ratanlal Nath. The TMC's Tripura unit former President and a former Minister and ex-President of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee, Surajit Datta, and TMC's Tripura unit coordination committee chief Ratan Chakraborty and 15 other state committee members had joined the BJP earlier. Besides, several thousand workers from the Congress, TMC and Communist Party of India-Marxist also have walked over to the BJP, making the party the main opposition party in Tripura. The state goes to elect a new assembly in about eight months. TMC's key leader in Tripura and lawmaker Sudip Roy Barman, however, remained non-commital on the BJP leader's declaration. "I would not make any comment on Deb's announcements. However, we are seriously keen to build an 'anti-Left maha jot' (grand alliance) to oust the ruling Left Front in Tripura in the next year's assembly polls," Barman said. TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in an interview to a Kolkata-based television channel had indicated that Barman and other party legislators of Tripura had gone to Delhi to meet the central BJP leaders. Barman, however, has denied Banerjee's observation and said that they went to Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise him about certain issues about Tripura, including chit fund related matters. Modi, however, did not meet the TMC leaders and legislators. Congress' Tripura unit chief Birajit Sinha, also a party legislator, has also strongly reacted to Deb's announcement. "Such statement is the sign of immaturity; senseless and ridiculous," Sinha told IANS. The Congress has recently served a show-cause notice on senior legislator Ratanlal Nath for "anti-party activities and meeting BJP leaders, including party President Amit Shah. "We have served a show cause notice to Ratanlal Nath last month (May) for his closeness with BJP leaders, including Biplab Deb," Sinha added. --IANS sc/in/vt ( 624 Words) 2017-06-02-13:46:22 (IANS) A mob of villagers released two liquor peddlers who were arrested with liquor bottles from the police custody at Khokhata village under Desri police station area in Vaishali district late last night. Police said here today that villagers cornered police personnel and thrashed them to secure release of two peddlers - Santosh and Ashutosh from their custody. Police arrested peddlers with 16 cartons of foreign liquor from a house following a specific intelligence input. Police said an FIR had been lodged at the police station concerned against nine accused and several unknown people in this connection. A massive manhunt is on to nab the accused. UNI XC DH KK -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-918564.Xml Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Harshvardhan today joined the cleanliness programme of Tripura BJP at Teliamura in Khowai district of West Tripura as part of celebration of three years of office of Narendra Modi government. He arrived here last night to attend the party programme. Dr Harshvardhan has attended several other programmes of the party in the district, mostly holding meetings with the leaders and workers of BJP regarding preparation of assembly election scheduled in February next. He is scheduled to leave the state tonight.UNI BB KK -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-918605.Xml The much-hyped anticipation for consolidation of anti-left votes to unseat left front from the power in upcoming assembly election due in early next year has run into rough weather with the announcement of BJP Tripura state president Biplab Kumar Deb last night that they would not accept any opposition MLA in the party now.Ruling out the entry of nine opposition MLAs in BJP, Deb two weeks ago after holding meeting with the top leaders of the party in Guwahati urged opposition MLAs to join in BJP on or before May 31, otherwise, their entry would be closed.The open announcement of BJP state president had evoked serious resentment among the MLAs, none of them turned up in the party following the deadline. Deb stated that the decision was taken by the party top level and he was just announced the decision.Deb however, stated that BJP has been working with only motto to remove CPI-M from the power. BJP was trying to prevent division of anti-left votes to secure the defeat of leftist in the next election but opposition MLAs were failed to avail respond."As per the decision the MLAs will not be taken in BJP, as deadline expired. These MLAs are not sincere to defeat the Left Front. However, now BJP will select it's candidates in each of the 60 constituencies to fight against CPI-M and if any other party put candidates BJP will fight against them too. But in any case, BJP will form the next government in Tripura," Deb asserted.He however, maintained that discussion is on with the regional parties like INPT, IPFT and others. The leaders of the parties had have meetings with BJP leadership and it seems they are very sincere to defeat CPIM in the next elections. The process of consolidation of anti-left votes is still going on and party has been working on the best fitting model to defeat leftists in the state.Meanwhile, Congress and Trinamool MLAs were refused to make any comment on the statement but they said, "Fighting against CPI-M is not a childish game and whoever be the party or leader must maintain the political decorum and self-respect. An elected MLA never thought of party brand keeping aside the commitment towards his voters".UNI BB KK -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-918616.Xml Floral tributes were paid to Flight Lieutenant Achu Dev, a pilot of the recently crashed Sukhoi-30 IAF aircraft. Earlier in the day, the mortal remains of the pilot reached his residence in Trivandrum's Pongumoodu. Earlier on Wednesday, the Air Force officials in New Delhi released an official press release stating that Achu Dev, and D. Pankaj met with fatal injuries. "Sqn Ldr D Pankaj and Flt Lt S Achudev, the pilots of the Su-30 aircraft sustained fatal injuries when the aircraft crashed approximately 60 km from Tezpur Airbase on 23 May 17. Analysis of the Flight Data Recorder of the aircraft and certain other articles recovered from the crash site revealed that the pilots could not initiate ejection before the crash. The wreckage of the aircraft was earlier located on 26 May 17 after continuous search operation in the area," said the Air Force press release. A Court of Inquiry has already been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident of the IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI jet that went missing with two pilots onboard on Tuesday shortly after taking off from the Tezpur Salonibari Air Force station on a routine training sortie. Director General of Police Sandeep Goel told ANI that though the wreckage including black box was recovered on Friday morning but the fate of the crew was still not known for which the forces deployed in West Kameng district were asked to double up their efforts. The aircraft had lost radar and radio contact near the China border 40 minutes after its take-off and declared "overdue" and a search and rescue operation was launched on Tuesday afternoon to locate the aircraft and the pilots, according to the Defence PRO. "Aerial search was carried out in a massive way around the last-known position of the aircraft, but incessant rain and dense clouds seriously hampered the search operations in air and ground as well," he had said, adding an IAF had ordered a court of inquiry on Friday to probe the cause of the accident. Earlier, the wreckage of IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI jet was found in thick forests around 60 kilometers from Assam's Tezpur, where it lost radar contact with the base. (ANI) Not more than 300 devotees on Friday visited north Kashmir''s Tullamulla town to celebrate the Khir Bhawani Mela, the holiest religious festival of the Kashmiri Pandits. The Tullamulla temple and the shrine are dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mata Ragnya, who legend says flew from Sri Lanka during Ravana''s reign to Kashmir and established her seat beside a spring in the Tullamulla village. Kashmiri Pandits believe that the colour of the spring inside the shrine annually predicts Kashmir''s future. Local Muslims have been traditionally welcoming their Pandit brothers with milk during the festival at Tullamulla village, 29 km from here in Ganderbal district. This year, too, despite the record low number of devotees, local Muslims served milk to the devotees, an encouraging evidence of the fact that whatever be the security and political situation in the state, the basic fabric of Hindu-Muslim amity remains intact. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited the shrine on Friday to interact with the devotees and oversee the arrangements made for them. Authorities believe that malicious propaganda spread by miscreants through social networking sites was responsible for the minimal number of migrant Pandits attending the festival this year. Even after the majority of local Pandits migrated out of the valley in early 1990s after violence broke out here, they have been coming in large numbers from different parts of the country to attend the festival and pray at Mata Ragnya''s shrine. --IANS sq/in/dg ( 282 Words) 2017-06-02-15:16:28 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Roads and Building Minister Ch Aayyana Patrudu today inaugurated the week-long Nava Nirmana Deeksha administration. A massive rally was taken out from the Government Circuit House to Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) Children's Arena. Districts administration officials, staff of all Government departments, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and NGOs participated in the rally and took oath on Deeksha.Speaking after inaugurating the Nava Nirmana Deeksha here, he said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu administered the oath on Deeksha at Benz Circle in Vijayawada.He appealed to all sections of people in the district to participate in the oath taking ceremony.He said debates by experts will be held on various subjects, including agriculture and allied sectors, public welfare and integrated growth of human resource development, investments and employment generation, 'People First' concept, good governance, transparency and accountability and Maha Sankalpam programme will be held on the last day on June 8.The oath taking ceremony was screened on all the areas covered during rally for the general public.Senior officials were deployed as programme in-charges and a detailed report will be sent to the Government after consolidating the contents, advices and suggestions by different experts during the daily debates, he said. He appealed to all to make the Nava Nirmana Deeksha a grand success.All these programmes are chalked out as per the instructions issued by the Government.On the occasion, state HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao distributed gas connection to women living under below poverty line in the district. UNI BSR AD SNU 1532 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0108-918784.Xml Clashes broke out after Friday prayers in Srinagar's Old City as protesters stoned security personnel. Police said a group of demonstrators shouting pro-Azadi slogans resorted to stone pelting in Nowhatta area. "Security forces used tear smoke and batons to chase away the protesters," an official said. "Nobody was injured in the clashes." --IANS sq/mr/him ( 64 Words) 2017-06-02-17:14:10 (IANS) New Delhi [India], Jun 2: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Uttarakhand High Court seeking a stay on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) hackathon challenge organised by the Election Commission scheduled for tomorrow. The PIL was filed in view of political parties challenging the Election Commission to a hackathon to provide proof to their claims that the voting machines are rigged to favour a single party. The Election Commission of India (ECI) yesterday wrote to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) stating that a total of 14 randomly selected Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) have been brought for the hacking challenge. The Election Commission in its letter said that the machine are randomly selected and brought sealed from different polling booth from five state which went on polling recently. Total eight political parties have accepted the challenge of the Election Commission to hack the EVM. The NCP has nominated its three representatives for participating in the challenge. "The AAP and the Congress raised some issue but as per existing framework of challenge, they did not express their interest in participating," stated EC in a press note. The NCP have not chosen any EVMs as per the framework and has left it to the polling commission. Earlier, the poll panel had asked the opposition parties and experts to prove that the EVMs, used in the assembly elections, can be tampered with. However, the EC put forth terms and conditions for the parties attempting to tamper the machines. The EC said that only those parties, national and regional, that took part in the recently concluded assembly elections can hack the EVMs. The poll panel said that the EVMs need to be picked from its warehouses in Delhi at parties' own cost. Each political party was allowed to pick at least four EVMs of their choice from any four polling stations out of the five poll-gone states. The EVMs involved in the election petition or those sealed will not be allowed in the hackathon. The poll panel said that if the EVM becomes non-functional after the tamper attempt or if the tamper result is same as the one put out by EC or if the challenger violates the rules-set, the challenge will be struck down. (ANI) The bishops, whom Shah met at the local Revival Centre, were from the Catholics, Latin, Mar Thoma and the Orthodox churches. After the meeting, spokesperson of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church A.P. Jimmy said there was nothing political in the meeting. "This was a casual visit, and him being the chief of the party that rules the country, he was briefed about the various issues that Kerala faces in respect of agriculture and other related areas," Jimmy told the media. Earlier in the day, Shah was given a rousing welcome by BJP workers. Chairing a meeting of the core committee of Kerala unit of the party, Shah asked them to ensure more representation in the assembly and also to open the party's account in the Lok Sabha polls. At present, the BJP has just one legislator in the 140-member Kerala Assembly. Shah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a Rs 10-crore party headquarters building in the capital city Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. He will also meet a select list of invitees drawn from various sections of the society besides party workers and other party functionaries. --IANS sg/nir/dg ( 230 Words) 2017-06-02-18:56:21 (IANS) "The AAP government made false claims that the CNG kits fitted in the vehicles were made in Canada, as the truth is that these kits were made in China and assembled at a unit at Dabri Chowk in west Delhi," the suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader told reporters here. He claimed that the company "TA Gas Tech India Pvt Ltd was blacklisted by the Delhi High Court" in 2012. "Delhi government in an order had said that a Canada-based company Tech Gas will supply CNG kits to Dashmesh CNG IMPEX Pvt Ltd, which had been authorised to fit the gas kits. Both these companies were set up by the director of the blacklisted company," Mishra alleged. "We found that there was no import of components like gas injectors from any part of the world, but as per certification, it had to be purchased from Tech Gas, Canada. "These CNG kits were being imported from China and assembled at a workshop at Dabri Chowk in Delhi," Mishra alleged. He said that he would make public all details of all "scams" of the government at 5 p.m. at Constitution Club on Saturday. --IANS am/nir/dg ( 238 Words) 2017-06-02-19:28:31 (IANS) To cherish the memory of former Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Mikhailovich Kadakin, (July 22, 1949 January 26, 2017), the New Delhi Municipal Council has renamed after him the Officers Mess Road' near Army Battle Honors Mess, connecting St.Martin Road to Sardar Patel Road near Bangladesh High Commission, Chanakyapuri in the New Delhi diplomatic area, an NDMC release said today. This road shall bear testimony of great diplomatic bond between two great old friend nations Russia and India.He was born in Russia but his Karma-Bhoomi was India, where he served as Ambassador from 2009 until his last breath in 2017. He was an admiral diplomat, a great friend of India and a fluent in Hindi, Urdu, French, Romanian languages, Devnagri script and well conversant with Indian Heritage, Mythology and Culture. UNI AR SHK 1917 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-919245.Xml The Bihar Cabinet today approved Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, paving the way for giving more powers to Panchayati institutions. A proposal for amending Sections 25 and 26 of Bihar Panchayat Raj Act and adding Sections 170 (B) and Section (C) to the Act was passed in a meeting of state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Sources at the state Panchayati Raj department said once Bihar Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, comes into effect, the pace of implementation of development schemes by Panchayati institutions would be accelerated. Under section 25 (I) of Bihar Panchayat Raj Act, Gram Panchayats had been vest more powers in six various committees. These committees are Planning, Coordination and Finance Committee, Production Committee, Social Justice Committee, Education Committee, Public Health Family Welfare and Village Sanitation Committee and Public Works Committee. MORE UNI DH SJC -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-919159.Xml The 78th Battalion of CRPF has celebrated their 32nd Raising Day of at Zubza, 15 Kms from Kohima, at the Head Quarters with great pomp and enthusiasm yesterday, where the officers, jawans & families as well as local people participated in great numbers. Marking the occasion, a variety of programmes had started from May 30 till June 1 under the unit Commandant Neeraj Yadav. Yesterday the Raising Day celebrations began with paying floral tributes to the brave martyrs of the force who had sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for the cause of Mother India. Wreaths were laid by officers and men at the Jai Jawan Memorial structure at Unit HQ, which was followed by a ceremonial guard of honour and hoisting of CRPF Flag at the Unit Quarter Guard. As part of its programme, saplings were planted in the camp area by commandant and senior officers to augment the already existing beautiful and awesome lush green landscape of Unit Headquarter. Three 'Bambusa' Restaurants constructed at Unit Headquarter with the expertise of local people, especially made for the pastime of jawans as well as for local people visiting unit canteen, were inaugurated by Niketu Iralu, social activist and renowned writer and resident of Zubza. Addressing the gathering, Iralu asked all to follow the path of peace and enjoy such moments amid their normal routine works. He said the situation is changing very fast pace in Naga society and asked the security forces to give an helping hand to go faster to cope with the modern world. The celebrations culminated in a colourful gala event called "The Sangeeth Sandhya" (The Musical Night) and Cultural Programme presented by the men of 78 Battalion, where the prizes were presented by Mr Iralu. UNI AS AKM 1922 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-919286.Xml The High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), chaired by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved 10 project proposals worth over Rs 1.10 Lakh crore to create 46,000 jobs in the State. Official sources claimed that the initiative of the Chief Minister to engage with top industry houses during the 3 investors' meets last year coupled with host of business reforms carried out by the government have paved the way for large investments in the State in diversified sectors. Speaking at the meeting, Mr Patnaik said "We are extremely pleased to have received firm commitments for more than 50 per cent of the investment intents received during the Investors' Meets held last year at Mumbai, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar. He said now the priority will be on-ground implementation of these projects to create additional employment opportunities for the people of Odisha and claimed that the state's policy and the business ecosystem are among the best in the country. The projects approved by the HLCA included 10 MTPA steel plant by JSW Steel Limited at Paradeep at an investment of Rs 50,000 crore, 3,200 MW NLC Thermal Power plant at an investment of Rs 23,569 crore, 30 MTPA JSW Slurry pipe from Joda to Paradeep costing Rs 3,700 croore, expansion of Paradeep Phosphate Ltd at an investment of Rs 9,459.17 crore. This apart the HLCA also approved the Rs 4,357.20 crore of expansion project of Nalco Refinery plant at Damanjodi. Rs1,810 crore NMDC pellet Plant at Dhamra with 2 MTPA capacity, expansion of OCL India Limited at Rajgangpur at an investment of Rs 1,994.98 crore, Deepak Fertilizer plant at Paradeep with an investment of Rs 1,750 crore and 5.50 MTPA plant by the Bhusan Power and Steel at Jharsuguda at an investment of 4,252.40 crore. The state had received investment intent of Rs 3.6 Lakh crores through a total of 124 projects in the Make in Odisha Conclave in Bhubaneswar and Odisha Investor's Meets in Mumbai and Bengaluru, The government has already received firm commitment for 71 projects. This is one of the highest and fastest rates of conversion of investment intent into commitment anywhere in the country, official sources claimed. With large number of industries evincing interest to start operations in Odisha, the state government has decided to focus on rapid on-ground implementation of these projects. An inter-ministerial committee chaired by Minister, Industries is closely monitoring the process. A GIS enabled land bank of 100,000 acres has been created to ensure ready availability. In the next quarter, groundbreaking and inauguration of more than 10 industrial projects are planned in various districts across the state. The Chief Minister had constituted a Task Force for the purpose of interdepartmental coordination and asked all the concerned departments to ensure that no project gets delayed during the implementation stage. Mr Patnaik also stated that he would separately review the progress made by different departments in undertaking reform measures towards ease of doing business in the State. UNI DP AKM 1936 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-919310.Xml Unidentified criminals looted Rs 5.60 lakh from employees of a private bank near Maheen village under Sadar police station area in the district today. Police said here that criminals looted the cash from employees of Bandhan Bank Naveen Thakur and Santu Mandal on gun point when they were returning to their branch after collecting money from nearby villages. Outlaws also looted mobile phones of the bank employees. Kishanganj sub divisional police officer Kamini Bala suspected that criminals might be natives of neighbouring West Bengal and crossed the border after committing the crime. She said that West Bengal police had also been informed about the incident. UNI XC-DH AKM 2111 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-919440.Xml The Shillong Press Club today strongly condemned the "arbitrary and ludicrous behaviour" of Meghalaya Police personnel who raided the residence of its General Secretary Powell Sohkhlet yesterday night. In an e-mailed statement issued here, the press club president David Laitphlang said, "What is appalling is that all personnel except the team leader were masked as if afraid to disclose their identity and entered Sohkhlet's residence without a warrant and in his absence citing that they were looking for a family member who is a Khasi Student's Union (KSU) activist. All personnel were male and they entered even rooms occupied by female members of the family thereby terrifying them and minor children as well. Mr Laitphlang said the Shillong Press Club takes strong exception towards this uncouth and unprofessional behavior by the law keepers. "We demand stringent action be taken against the concerned personnel with immediate effect," he said. The Club president said it is expected that Meghalaya Police and especially Shillong police live up to its declared mission of maintaining a 'Safe and Secure Shillong' at all times. "The SPC also questioned whether it is necessary to treat a student activist as though he was a wanted criminal or a militant? Shouldn't he not have been called to report to the concerned police station if at all the police needed him? Was it necessary to barge into his residence late night as if there was no tomorrow," he asked. Mr Laitphlang said these questions are just a brief of what one might deduce from this atrocious behaviour. UNI RRK AKM 2117 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-919449.Xml Taking a jibe at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on joint rally addressed by the leaders of key national and regional opposition parties in Patna on August 27, Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday states that the former is conducting 'yagya' to get rid of his opponents as he has no faith in the people. BJP leader Sushil Modi told ANI, "The situation in Bihar is bad, as Lalu Prasad Yadav is conducting 'yagya' to get rid of his opponents. He has no faith in power of the people and their support towards him. Currently, there is anarchy everywhere in the state which needs to be sorted out". The first glimpse of a united anti-BJP front will be seen at a joint rally addressed by the leaders of key national and regional opposition parties in Patna on August 27. Samajwadi Party's (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati will participate at the "BJP hatao, desh bachao" (remove BJP, save the country), which was announced by Lalu earlier in May. The coming together of the opposition parties of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha election in 2019 is significant as these two states together make up for 120 of the 545 parliamentary seats. While the Congress and Bihar's ruling Janata Dal (United) have also been invited for the rally, both are yet to take a final call on whether they will attend it. Meanwhile, efforts are on by the Congress Party to bring together like-minded opposition parties to field a joint candidate for the upcoming presidential election. Congress president Sonia Gandhi hosted a luncheon meeting earlier on May 26, the day the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) completed three years in office. The meeting was attended by leaders of 17 key opposition parties. Rivals SP and BSP were also present at the meeting. (ANI) In a repeat of last year's events, the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) on Friday cancelled the result of Class XII topper in the Arts stream Ganesh Kumar and arrested him for committing forgery, among other charges, a top BSEB official said. "Kumar has been charged for hiding his real age and appearing in the examination by giving fake date of birth," BSEB Chairman Anad Kishore told the media here. Kishore said that the board had cancelled the result of Ganesh Kumar and lodged an FIR against him. He was taken into custody late in the evening. The developments followed protests by students in front of the Bihar Intermediate Education Council office here against alleged discrepancies in the results. The BSEB Chairman said: "Preliminary investigations reveal that Ganesh Kumar had not mentioned his real age in the examination form... He has cheated the board. His real age is 42 but he has mentioned 24 years in the examination form. He is also the father of two children." Kishore said that Kumar first appeared in the Class X examination and then in the Class XII examination to reduce his real age. "The board has cancelled his Class X as well as Class XII results." According to him, the board has sought an explanation from the school in Samastipur district, from where Kumar had filled his examination form. "If the management of the school fails to explain satisfactorily, action will be taken against the school as per the law. The board will also suspend the recognition of the school." Soon after the BSEB announced the Class XII results earlier this week and Kumar topped in the Arts stream, local media raised questions over his capabilities. Ganesh Kumar had opted for Music as one of his subjects, but stumbled over queries posed by the media on music, in which he scored 65 out of 70 marks in practical and 18 out of 30 marks in theory. Kumar was reportedly not comfortable explaining what is "sur", "taal" and "matra", considered the basics of music, and appeared confused. Hundreds of Class XII students in Bihar, who had failed to clear the examination, continued their protests here for the third consecutive day on Friday, demanding re-checking of their answer sheets, police said. This year, more than eight lakh of over 12 lakh students, who appeared for the Class XII examination conducted by the BSEB, had failed. The results were announced on Tuesday. The pass percentage of students of Science, Arts and Commerce streams was 35.24 per cent, as only 4,47,115 students could pass out of a total 12,40,168 students, who sat for the examinations. Last year, the total pass percentage was 62.19 per cent. In 2015, it stood at 87.45 per cent, 88.04 per cent in 2013 and 90.74 per cent in 2012. Last year, the BSEB had cancelled the result of toppers of Class 12 Arts and Science streams following surfacing of the topper scam. --IANS ik/nir/bg ( 502 Words) 2017-06-02-22:40:11 (IANS) In the wake of complaints made by political parties on the alleged possibility of "tampering and hacking" of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Election Commission will be holding an ''EVM challenge'' tomorrow, while a parallel EVM challenge is being thrown by AAP on the same day. The NCP and CPI(M) will be the only two parties, which will participate in the Election Commission's EVM Challenge. The Election Commission on May 20, had thrown an open challenge to all the recognised national and state parties to "demonstrate" and have a try at the same at various sessions, beginning June 3. "The EVM challenge will be confined to all national and state recognised political parties, who contested the Assembly elections in five States recently.''The EC invites nominees of such parties to demonstrate their claims at the Commission headquarters within a framework of the administrative and security protocols prescribed by the Commission," Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said, while announcing the EVM challenge. The "challenges" will be two-fold, he said, adding that under the first, the "claimants will have to alter the results in the control units used during these polls" and secondly, the claimants will have to alter the results in the EVMs used during the recently-held Assembly polls. The eight political parties had sent response to poll panel, only two parties--NCP and CPI (M) had expressed interest to participate in the 'EVM challenge,' which will be held between 1000 hrs and 1400 hrs here at the poll panel headquarters tomorrow, in two separate halls, simultaneously. Both the parties have nominated three representatives each for participating in the challenge. The AAP and Congress raised some issue, but as per the existing framework of challenge, have not expressed their interest in participating in the challenge. While CPI, BJP and RLD expressed their interest to observe the challenge, an EC official said. On May 31, the CPI-M had said its acceptance of "challenge" from the Election Commission on EVM tampering and hacking is not aimed at demonstrating that the Electronic Voting Machines can be tampered with or hacked, but is only aimed at suggesting improvements. "We have never said that there can be hacking," CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury had told a press conference here. He said the CPI-M nominees would go the Election Commission as announced by the poll panel and instead "suggest all the necessary precautions" the poll panel needs to take to prove that Indian election system from the technological point of view is foolproof. A parallel EVM challenge has been called by the AAP tomorrow. The AAP yesterday said its technical group has decided to hold a similar challenge with its 'tampered' machine on the same day. The Election Commission had rejected the AAP's demand for allowing the ''change or tampering'' of the mother-board of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) during the ''EVM challenge'' on June 3. "The technical experts group of AAP has decided to organise an EVM challenge on June 3 with its tampered machine, which was used for demonstration in the House of the Delhi Assembly last month," AAP Spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj told reporters here. The Greater Kailash MLA, who had demonstrated in the Assembly how EVM could be tampered with, said "EC has only called political parties in its EVM challenge, but we are inviting technical experts from all sections, including from poll panel in the programme." Mr Bharadwaj has also challenged the poll panel to break into their 'tampered' machine. Earlier, the EC in its reply to the AAP's letter had said that allowing any change of the 'motherboard' or any internal circuit of the EVM would be like manufacturing a new machine and introduce the newly-made EVMs in the EC system, which is ''implausible and irrational''. Countering the poll panel's reply, the AAP had asked why it was running away from organising a 'no-holds-barred hackathon.' Then, Election Commission had clarified to the AAP that the June 3 EVM challenge would not be a ''Hackathon'' and said, "no 'promise' about a 'no-holds barred Hackathon' was ever made or announced by it." Political parties -- especially Mayawati-led BSP and Arvind Kejriwal's AAP had "contested and claimed" that the EVMs held under the ownership of EC and used in the recent elections in UP, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand in February-March 2017 polls, were "tampered.''UNI NY RJ SHK 2200 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0098-919469.Xml The European Union, facing smaller dues when Britain leaves, should make aid to poorer member states conditional on their willingness to accept asylum seekers, Sweden's Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson said.Both Poland and Hungary have refused to take refugees fleeing wars in the Middle East.Like many net contributors to the EU budget, Sweden wants to cut the bloc's spending in the long term, to avoid having to increase dues when Britain, also a net payer, leaves the European Union.The German government, another net contributor, has said in a document seen by Reuters that members failing to meet EU standards on the rule of law could lose access to financing.If implemented, both proposals would affect mostly Poland and Hungary, which have based their refusal to admit refugees on concerns over terrorism. Both also face criticism over their adherence to rule of law standards."It's unreasonable that countries which have not fulfilled (EU) decisions ... about migration, still receive large contributions from EU's structural funds," Andersson told Reuters in an interview.Andersson said Sweden was lobbying "very hard" to keep the budget at 1 percent of the total EU gross national income, meaning the total budget would be cut to around 145 billion euros ($163 billion)."The EU has to cut its coat according to the cloth," she said.Andersson said that without cuts, Sweden, which pays around 40 billion crowns ($4.60 billion) to the EU each year, would have to pay as much as 10 billion more annually in the next seven-year budget cycle, starting in 2021.Negotiations among EU governments over the next long-term budget have yet to start in earnest, but they will likely deepen a divide between wealthier payers in the west and poorer recipients in the post-communist east.The EU budget accounts for only 2 percent of public spending in the bloc. But in some of the eastern countries transfers from Brussels contribute a much bigger share - some 8 percent of Poland's budget and nearly a fifth of Bulgaria's.Sweden has received more asylum seekers per capita than any other EU country in recent years and Andersson said Stockholm has lined up support for its proposal from Italy."As in all clubs, you can't just receive, you also have to chip in," Andersson said. "This is not just a legal matter, but also a political matter. If the union wants this, we'll find a legal way forward."Around 1.5 million refugees and migrants reached Europe in 2015 and 2016, mostly landing in frontline states Greece and Italy before heading on to countries such as Germany, Austria and Sweden. REUTERS AD 1801 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0108-917731.Xml While jointly addressing the media with the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 18th Annual India-Russia Summit at St. Petersburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled his first visit to St. Petersburg as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, when he came as part of the delegation of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. During the addressal, Prime Minister Modi said, 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries have been marked by a high degree of convergence on various bilateral and global matters. "I am happy to be back in President (Vladimir) Putin's hometown, and added that ties between India and Russia span the spectrum from Culture to Defence (Sanskriti se Suraksha)," he said. He said that in 2001, soon after becoming the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he came as part of the Indian delegation and signed an agreement of cooperation between his state and the Russian province of Astrakhan, while Vajpayee and Putin, who was also then President, watched. "Today, I am standing with President Putin and watching the signing of agreements," Modi said. Terming the 18th annual India-Russia summit as very productive, PM Modi said the St. Petersburg Declaration is a benchmark of stability in a turbulent, interdependent and interconnected world, adding new vigour to India-Russia relations. The Prime Minister described energy cooperation as one of the cornerstones of the relationship between India and Russia, and noted that this cooperation in the nuclear, hydrocarbon, and renewable energy sectors has been considerably deepened by the discussion and decisions taken. In this context, he mentioned the agreement of Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. PM Modi said he interacted with top CEOs and urged the private sector of India and Russia to work closely and boost economic ties. Acknowledging the privileged nature of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "This year, India and Russia are celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries. Over these decades, first the Soviet Union and then Russia were active in building steel works, power stations, chemicals plants, gas pipelines, agribusiness facilities, and transport infrastructure. We in Russia are proud of this capital we have developed together."(ANI) An unidentified gunman killed himself after opening fire at the casino of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City around midnight on Thursday. "The lone gunman is dead. He burned himself inside a hotel room," Xinhua quoted Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa as saying. Dismissing the shooting in the Resorts World Manila as a terror attack, Dela Rosa said the masked gunman who carried out the attack only tried to steal green chips from the casino. "It's too early to tell but as far as we are concerned there was no indication the IS-affiliated militants were behind the shooting," he said. "As far the PNP is concerned we cannot yet attribute this to terrorism. This is not an act of terrorism. As of this time we cannot really say if this is a terror act." Dela Rosa said the lone suspect was "foreigner-looking" as seen on surveillance camera. "He did not hurt or kill anyone. Several people were hurt because they panicked and scampered to safety that caused minor injuries," he said. He said the suspect shot at the giant LED TV screen upon entering the casino and opened fire in the air inside room where the casino chips were being stored. The suspect filled his backpack with chips but left the bag at the scene, he added. The police chief said the police were still determining the motive of the suspect. "We can consider this robbery," he said. The gunman parked his car at the second floor of the building, started firing in the air and burned some tables before entering the storage room. "He was also carrying a liter of petrol in his backpack which he used to set tables on fire," Dela Rosa said. The Resorts World Manila said in a statement after the shooting that the hotel was "on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men." "The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe. We ask for your prayers during these difficult times," Resorts World Manila chief operating officer Stephen James Reilly said. Police also sent light-armored vehicles to the hotel. Fire trucks, ambulances and police cars were seen in the vicinity of the hotel. Resorts World Manila is an integrated resort located in Newport City opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The attack came as the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte battled with militants in Marawi City in southern Philippines. Daily clashes continue after militants linked to Islamic State attacked the city on May 23. --IANS qd/ ( 445 Words) 2017-06-02-07:08:09 (IANS) Under the reciprocal travel agreement inked by Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Groysman on March 14, citizens of both countries will only need to show their national ID cards for stays of up to 90 days. Kiev's ambassador in Ankara Andrii Sybiha said both Turkey and Ukraine will benefit from the agreement, Xinhua reported. Last year, over one million tourists from Ukraine visited Turkey, while more than 200,000 Turkish tourists travelled to Ukraine. Ukraine has seen a 30 percent increase in these numbers this year in a bid to boost tourism, Sybiha said. Turkey has become the largest tourism destination for Ukrainians as nearly 75 percent of 1.5 million Ukrainian tourists that travel overseas visit Turkey, the Hotels Association of Turkey (TUROB). There was a 48 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of Ukrainian tourists visiting Turkey in 2016 despite many difficulties hitting the sector, TUROB said. According to TUROB, more than half of Ukrainian tourists to Turkey visited the Mediterranean resort of Antalya, with an 82 per cent year-on-year increase, and the growth trend is expected to continue this year. --IANS qd/ ( 219 Words) 2017-06-02-07:48:19 (IANS) One five-story residential building in Shanghai's Pudong New District stands out from the others nearby, as it features a colorful mural of a little boy looking into the distance through a pair of binoculars. "It's a bit mysterious, because onlookers don't know what the boy is looking at. It appears that he's looking into the future, but he is the only one who can see what his future looks like," said Bart Smeets from Belgium, the creator of the mural. Smeets, 39, was among 15 artists from around the world invited to Shanghai to paint on walls at schools and on streets as part of a corporate social responsibility project with a theme of child care and animal protection. "My style is mostly photorealistic, but at the same time, I want to create something with a sense of fantasy because it's about children," the independent artist said on May 19, shortly before the piece was completed. Smeets first applied a base color to the wall of the building, which is next to the municipality's elevated middle ring road. He marked the wall with little circles to ensure that he painted the right areas. After finishing his sketches, he started to systematically spray-paint the area. "I made the boy really big and put a small boat next to him to play a little bit with the proportions and give it a sense of fantasy," Smeets said. The boy in the painting is standing in a pond. Smeets said water is the element he uses most often in his paintings, and he has created a lot of pieces that picture animals underwater. "The wall is always flat, but if you use water, you can create a three-dimensional space. For example, in this painting, when I have the water, I can have the reflection of the trees as well as the reflection of the boy's legs," he said. He also incorporated some trees similar to those surrounding the wall to help it blend in with the environment. The mural, which Smeets took a week to complete, has already caught the attention of passers-by. Wang Jiadian, a 29-year-old who lives nearby, said: "The boy is looking in the same direction that the traffic on the elevated road is moving in. The piece is in harmony with its surroundings, and adds vitality and color." Smeets has created murals in a number of countries. He recently completed projects in Russia and Ukraine, and after his trip to Shanghai, he will fly to Canada and then on to New Zealand. "Every painting is different. So for me, my last wall painting has to be my best one," he said. It is his first time in Asia and he said he was delighted that he can leave something behind. "When people go on vacation, they don't leave anything behind. But I painted a wall here, and when I go home I can say, 'There is a wall painting in Shanghai that I made', and that is super cool," he said. zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn Bart Smeets poses in front of his painting on a residential building in Shanghai's Pudong New District.Provided To China Daily (China Daily 06/02/2017 page7) The event was held in the Oxon Hill area of Maryland, CNN reports. Ananya seized every opportunity and eventually got the best of her steely 14-year-old eighth-grader from Edmond, Oklahoma opponent, Rohan Rajeev, to win the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday. During the contest, Ananya showed no emotion and rarely smiled. When the contest was over, she consoled runner-up Rohan, who was in tears after dueling for nearly 20 rounds. Ananya described her win as a dream come true. She won USD 40,000 in cash and prizes for her effort. Her victory was all the more special, as it was the first time since 2013 that a sole champion had been declared after three straight years of ties. Ananya is the 13th consecutive Indian-American to win the bee and the 18th of the past 22 winners with Indian heritage, a run that began in 1999 with Nupur Lala's victory. (ANI) During his visit, the Prime Minister explored Bhagwat Gita, Gurmukhi manuscripts, and other heritage books. He also interacted with students of the institute. The Prime Minister also wrote his message in Gujarati and appreciated the work of the institute. "The progress of humanity is full of colour. In every era, the human race has remained committed to development. The simple meaning of life is progress and of death is stillness. This wonderful collection is a comprehensive view of the different identities of the human race and the philosophy of its continuous development. It is the effort of compiling the great heritage of India," wrote Prime Minister Modi. The Institute of Oriental Manuscripts (IOM) is a research institute that houses various collections of manuscripts and early printed material in Asian languages. In 2013, researchers at the Panjab Cultural Association (PCA) in the United Kingdom discovered around 100 Gurmukhi manuscripts at the IOM. Gurmukhi manuscripts were originally cataloged in Russian by G.A. Zograf, in 'Opisanie Rukopisei Khindi i Pondzhobi'. There is one handwritten copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, other Panj and Das Granthis, as well as translations of Indian classical scriptures like the Bhagwad Gita.(ANI) The Paris Climate Agreement will be incompetent without the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin's aide Andrei Belousov told reporters on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum."As far as I understand, it is not the final withdrawal," Belousov said. "The US Administration said they sought for a more fair solution to these issues. But anyway, I regret this decision because it is not appropriate to change a decision you made," he said. "It is obvious that without the United States, the Paris Agreement will be incompetent since the US is one of the major greenhouse gas emitters," Belousov noted.He said, Russia's plans concerning its participation in the Paris Agreement did not depend on its counterparts, even as important as the US, adding that Russia was still assessing this decision.UNI XC AD SNU 1619 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0108-918870.Xml The two suicide attackers were also killed in the blasts in Bourvare, a village near the Nigerian border. Regional Governor Midjiyawa Bakari held the militant group Boko Haram responsible for the attack, Anadolu news agency reported. Boko Haram has carried out attacks and kidnappings in Cameroon as it has widened its insurgency in the country. According to the UN estimates, around 26 million people in the Lake Chad region have been affected by Boko Haram violence and more than 2.6 million displaced. (ANI) US President Donald Trump should not be judged for his decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday. "I would refrain from judging President Trump right now because it was President (Barack) Obama who made the decision (on joining the Paris Agreement)," he said. "...Maybe the new President believes it was not well-conceived, maybe he thinks there are not enough resources... This situation needs to be thoroughly assessed," TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying. At the same time, the Russian President pointed out that "it was possible not to withdraw from the Paris agreement because it is a framework document so the US's obligations could have been changed." Putin said that Moscow wanted to wait before ratifying the Paris climate agreement till the participating countries set out clear-cut rules. "As far as I remember, the US has ratified the agreement, but we (Russia) have not done it yet," he said. "We have not done this since we want to wait until the rules for distributing resources are set out, along with other purely technical but essential things," Putin added. --IANS soni/dg ( 212 Words) 2017-06-02-19:22:13 (IANS) Pitching India as a favourable investment destination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked the Russian business fraternity to explore the immense opportunities in the field of defence, services sector and manufacturing healthcare equipments. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Prime Minister Modi said, "The eyes of the world are on Asia and there is renewed interest in India. In the last three years there have been substantial reforms guided by the principle of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance. India is one of the fastest growing economies and is undertaking reforms at a rapid pace." He said India has taken various reformist measures to ward off red-tapism and has brought in transparency into the system. "Minimum government, maximum governance and red carpet instead of red tape have been the basis of governance reforms in India. Political will and clear vision are necessary for reforms. Bureaucracy too has to be vibrant and in tune with leadership," Prime Minister Modi said. Noting that diversity is India's strength, the Prime Minister said that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be implemented from July 1 and this will herald a uniform tax system across the country. Prime Minister Modi said technology is going to play a key role, and mentioned the Digital India initiative. He said a "digital divide" cannot be allowed to take root in the society. The Prime Minister outlined the government's initiatives in financial inclusion - and the Jandhan, Aadhaar, Mobile (JAM) trinity. He said India has made 7,000 reforms targeting 'Ease of Doing Business'. The Prime Minister said that "New India" skill development is a top priority for India's 800 million strong talented youth. He said the 'New India' would have youth that are not job seekers but job creators and can fulfil the global requirements of skilled human resource. Outlining initiatives in agriculture, the Prime Minister mentioned about the organic farming and food processing as areas for investment. In the manufacturing sector, the Prime Minister highlighted manufacturing of medical device and defence equipments as key areas for foreign investment. Prime Minster Modi said that the credit rating agencies across the world are unanimously agreeing that India is a rapidly developing country. (ANI) Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that his United States counterpart Donald Trump should not have withdrawn from the Paris Climate Accord as it is of a "framework nature." However, Putin said that he would not be judging Trump's decision as the U.S. President probably thinks that the accord is not well thought out. He warned against making a fuss over the U.S. exit from the Paris deal and urged to establish conditions for joint work, reports Sputnik news agency. Putin said that there's still time for the agreement as it comes into force in 2021. He further said that that Russia is yet to ratify the agreement and is waiting for the rules on resource allocation to be formed as part of the deal. President Trump on Thursday announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord, arguing that the 2015 agreement was detrimental to the US economy. "In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord, but being negotiations to re enter, either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction under terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers , its people , its taxpayers," Trump said. (ANI) "Strengthening bonds with Russia's regions. PM @narendramodi attends first ever collective meeting with Governors of 16 regions of Russia," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. Earlier on Friday, Modi attended for the first time the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President. During the course of the day, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Tigran Sargasyan also called on Modi in view of India's decision to start discussions with EAEU to have a free trade agreement. The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Russia, he will leave for France later on Friday on the fourth and final leg of the tour. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. --IANS ab/bg ( 161 Words) 2017-06-02-21:36:30 (IANS) The head of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development held out hope today the United States might row back on President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, saying the pact was good for growth.OECD secretary general Angel Gurria said research by the Paris-based policy forum had found that strong climate action combined with fiscal and other reforms would boost growth."The OECD urges countries, companies, cities, states, and citizens to step up their efforts in combatting climate change, in defending the future generations that it threatens, through ambitious outcomes under the Paris Agreement," Gurria said in a statement. "We also hope that the US government might find it possible to reconsider its decision at a future moment." REUTERS RJ 2228 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0098-919501.Xml Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-01 22:31:13|Editor: Tian Shaohui Video Player Close VIENNA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Europe and China can cooperate in shaping globalization ensuring social and ecological standards, and Europe should welcome China's positive approach towards globalization, director of the Policy Crossover Center Karl Aiginger told Xinhua in a recent interview. "Cooperation between China and Europe can be a role model of global engagement," said the Austrian scholar. He said stronger commitment in initiatives in the UN and in the finance of international organizations would be an area where China and Europe could cooperate. "Europe should welcome the positive approach of China towards globalization, and its ability and willingness to invest in Europe," said Aiginger. He believes Europe and China can cooperate in shaping globalization in a way that meets social, ecological standards, that prioritizes the fight against corruption and works against the dominance of giant firms. "Especially interesting would be a large investment of China in euro-dominated private and public or mixed bonds. Improving infrastructure in the European neighborhood could be made in a cooperative way," he said, noting that both European and China's investors have different priorities and perspectives. In the Austrian scholar's eyes, Europe and China are already the leaders in alternate non-carbon technologies, for example, in the development of electric cars. "This fight against climate change would benefit if there is some coordination but also innovation," said Aiginger. In response to the Belt and Road Initiative, he said anything which intensifies the trade and the exchange of technology and ideas between China and Europe is positive for Austria. Aiginger proposed a joint commission to analyze the barriers for investment between China and Europe, aimed at anticipating and stemming misinterpretations. A bilateral investment agreement between the EU and China would be highly welcomed, he noted. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-01 23:06:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Children across China celebrated the International Children's Day on Thursday. Many children had a half day or the whole day off school to attend galas or visit parks, museums and bookstores with their families. In Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, more than 700 children from Tibet Regional Experimental Kindergarten, one of the oldest preschools in the region, performed dances and songs for their parents and grandparents. . "I have taught here for 25 years. and the most noticeable change is that children now have more free time to play. Many young parents do not force children to study like the older generation did," said Tamdrin, a kindergarten teacher. In 2016, the regional government invested 1 billion yuan (about 160 million U.S. dollars) to renovate and expand 458 kindergartens and hire bilingual Tibetan and Mandarin-speaking teachers. At the end of 2016, 96,777 children were enrolled in the region's 1,028 kindergartens. There was a focus on more support for children with special needs this International Children's Day. On Thursday, a sports event was organized for over 850 children at an orphanage in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province. "Almost all of the children here have disabilities or were born with diseases. Many were sent here after being abandoned by their families. The children love sports," said Hou Xiaoxue, deputy director of the orphanage. The center employees around 400 staff and also hires volunteers to work as caregivers, living with the children to provide a stable family-like environment. "Applicants must have kind hearts and be committed, because if they leave it can affect the children emotionally," said Hou. Currently 30 couples are volunteer "parents" for the children. Their jobs include cooking meals, sending the children to class and taking them for medical treatment. "These children deserve a good childhood," said one of the volunteers who is surnamed Li. "I hope events like Children's Day can raise more awareness about children with special needs," Li said. Zhang Xiao works for a charity in Beijing that helps children left-behind by their migrant parents. "We don't organize special activities for Children's Day. We don't want to make it a one day thing, but instead want a long-term system which provides a safe and caring place for the children," Zhang said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 01:43:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VILNIUS, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian parliament Thursday adopted amendments requiring at least 90 percent of TV content rebroadcast in Lithuania to be in the official languages of the European Union (EU). The bill states that rebroadcasters and entities distributing TV programs to Lithuanian consumers "have to prefer the official EU languages." "Currently, up to 30 percent of all rebroadcasted programs in Lithuania are in the Russian language," Laurynas Kasciunas, conservative MP and one of the authors of the bill was quoted as saying by news agency BNS. Lithuanian MPs say the decision is aimed at integrating Lithuanian information space into the EU information space. The requirement does not apply to TV programs' packages provided for an additional fee. The bill was passed with 66 MPs in favor, three against and five abstained. The bill, which is subject to approval by the country's president, is expected to come into force as of this November. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 01:58:44|Editor: An Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his German counterpart Angela Merkel meet reporters at a joint press conference in Berlin, Germany, June 1, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo) BERLIN, June 1 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to work steadfastly to implement the commitment of the Paris climate deal and join hands with all parties to tackle climate change, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told reporters here on Thursday. In a joint press conference with his German counterpart Angela Merkel, Li said that China, a large developing country, should shoulder its international responsibilities to jointly address the challenge of climate change with other countries. Combating climate change is a global consensus, said Li, adding that "with tremendous efforts, China will move towards the 2030 goal step-by-step steadfastly." China has actively participated in promoting and the signing of the Paris Agreement, Li said, adding that China was also one of the first countries to submit the file of national plan on dealing with climate change to the United Nations. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 parties in Paris in 2015 and it went into effect in November last year. The pact sets a target of holding the global average rise in temperature below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 degree Celsius. So far, 147 parties representing more than 82 percent of greenhouse gas emissions have ratified the agreement. The United States, one of the biggest greenhouse emitters in the world, has not decided whether to leave the deal or to stay, as its newly-elected president, Donald Trump, has yet to unveil his decision on the issue. The Chinese premier is on a three-day official visit to Europe. He wrapped up his German trip and arrived in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium on Thursday afternoon. In Brussels, Li will co-chair the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and pay an official visit to Belgium. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 01:58:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Njoroge Kaburo and Wang Xiaopeng NYERI, Kenya, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta led the nation in marking 54 years of self-internal rule on Thursday amid calls for peaceful polls and unity across the country's political divide. As celebrations were marked across the country, Kenyatta urge Kenyans to vote wisely in the August general election so that the country can continue on the path of prosperity and development. He also urged Kenyans to re-elect him for a second term pointing out that he has laid down the foundations to accelerate the country's economic growth and create more unity. "I appeal to Kenyans to give us the opportunity to finish the job we have started. A new Kenya is here. We must continue to dream big, and boldly implement our vision, so that every Kenyan can share in this country's bounty," he said in Nyeri in central Kenya where celebrations were held. Kenyatta, who is seeking re-election for the second and final term of office, called on Kenyans not to allow politicians to divide them along ethnic and tribal lines. "A peaceful and prosperous nation needs to be nurtured and protected by a united people. We must learn from our past, and shun those who would divide us on ethnic or religious lines," he said. Kenyatta said he has laid the foundations on which to accelerate the country's economic growth and deserves a second term to build on the progress achieved in the last four years of his administration. "I call upon you to always be careful and not allow those who would wish to destroy our peaceful nation," Kenyatta said. The Kenyan leader faces stiff challenge from main opposition leader Raila Odinga. Observers contend that August general elections will be hotly contested and their outcomes will have far-reaching implications on Kenya's stability and economic health. As part of election preparedness, Kenyan agencies charged with security, law enforcement and war against graft have developed a set of guidelines to be abided by aspirants in order to ensure the polls are peaceful and transparent. Kenyatta said security apparatus will remain vigilant and ready to deal with acts of lawlessness and asked Kenyans to reject politics of division and vote for peace. "Keep faith that we will renew this nation, for we are a people of faith, and we believe that justice will prevail; that peace will prevail; and that the people of Kenya will prevail," he said. He observed that Kenya is 45 million strong and should remain united as one family. "Elections will come and go; we must remain one. Protect the house we have built and are building. That way, no matter the outcome, we will all win," the president urged all Kenyans. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 02:33:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad met Thursday with 34 people who had been kidnapped in a former rebel-held neighborhood north of the capital but were released on Thursday, according to state news agency SANA reported. The kidnapped people were released in Barzeh neighborhood north of the capital, after the evacuation of the last rebel-batch from that area, said SANA. Following their release Thursday, Assad and his wife, first lady Asma, met with the abductees. "The Syrian society suffers a real social crisis as a result of the case of the kidnapped people," Assad said during the meeting. He stressed that the war is not over as there are thousands of Syrians experiencing the same fate of abduction. "Our joy will not be completed until the release of all of the kidnapped people and the return of security to the country," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 02:39:03|Editor: Mengjie Video Player Close ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed here on Thursday to deepen bilateral ties and promote strategic cooperation. The two leaders held talks here at the sideline of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2017). Modi was invited by the Russian side as an honored guest to the forum that is having India as a partner country this year. "We appreciate such a representative delegation of Indian businessmen participates in the forum. All this vividly confirms the strength of our trade and economic ties and their solid potential, as well as the particularly privileged nature of the strategic partnership between Russia and India," Putin said in statement. According to the president, the trade volume between the two countries last year has increased to more than 7.7 billion U.S. dollars, a sign that confirms the strength of bilateral economic ties and its great potential. In this context, Russia and India decided to upgrade their partnership, including turning simple commodity trade to more complex cooperation, deepening bilateral investment ties and jointly boosting manufacturing qualities, according to the statement. Putin underscored promising joint projects in nuclear energy, aerospace and biotechnology, adding that the key of future cooperation between the two countries lies in "the combination of the powerful scientific and technological potential of Russia and India." The Indian prime minister, who is on the third stop of a four-nation European tour, also spoke highly of the prospects of bilateral ties. Despite the ever-changing global dynamic, the willingness of Indian investment in Russia is still growing, and strategic partnership in the defense area is also being strengthened, Modi added. Following the meeting, a package of documents on cooperation was signed at the SPIEF in the presence of the two heads of states, including an agreement on scientific and industrial research, which is a framework agreement on the construction of two units of the Kudankulam NPP, a program of cultural exchanges between Russia and India. Founded in 1997, the SPIEF has now become an important international communication platform for representatives in various fields across the globe to discuss key economic issues facing Russia, developing countries and the world as a whole. Related: Indian PM leaves for 4-nation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia, France NEW DELHI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday embarked on a six-day, four-nation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France, a visit aimed at pitching the country as a favorable destination for foreign investors. Full Story Modi lauds BRICS achievements, calling 8th summit success GOA, India, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded the eighth summit of the emerging-market bloc of BRICS that groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in the southern Indian state of Goa on Sunday, thanking the other leaders for their support to make the summit a success. Full Story Modi, Putin meet on ties, sign agreements on cooperation Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 02:39:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Eric J. Lyman ROME, June 1 (Xinhua) -- As Italy gears up to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the modern Italian republic on Friday, historians say that after three generations, the national holiday is already starting to ring a little hollow. On June 2, 1946, results of a national vote formally closed the door on more than two decades of fascism, and pushed away ties to the monarchs from the House of Savoy, so began the republic that exists to this day. On Friday, government offices, schools, and banks will close, and Rome will hold a military parade presided over by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Other cities will celebrate as well, mirrored by special events at Italian embassies in other countries. But according to Emilio Gentile, a history professor with Rome's La Sapienza University, the event has lost some of its meaning compared with 20 or 30 years ago. "At one time, celebrations on June 2 sparked a kind of civic pride and patriotism, but that has been lost," Gentile told Xinhua. Anthony Lazio, an Italian based in London and an author specializing in modern history, agreed. "The holiday was a bigger deal when 1946 was fresh in people's memories," Lazio said in an interview. "But now, it might as well be 1846 or 1746. It's an ageing anniversary that doesn't resonate." According to Gentile, part of the problem is economic. In fact, it was due to economic concerns that the military parade, the center of the celebrations in the Italian capital, was downsized a few years back. Lazio said Italy's integration into the European Union (EU) is probably also a factor, shifting some focus to Italy's shared history with other European partners rather than on strictly Italian events. Gentile also said there are too many key dates to celebrate in Italy. In addition to June 2, there are celebrations to mark April 25, 1945, when Italy was formally liberated from occupation of German forces in World War II, or March 17, 1861, when the collection of small kingdoms and duchies were united to form a single state. "There's no single day Italians can point to the way the French do on July 14, or the Americans do with July 4," the professor said. Lazio said he could imagine a future in which the importance of June 2 diminishes to the point that it is taught in schools, but little else. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 02:59:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RIYADH, June 1 (Xinhua) -- A car blast killed two people in Qatif city in eastern Saudi Arabia late on Thursday, Al Arabiya local news reported. The blast happened when the car was transporting ammunition and explosives to Al Awamiyah in Qatif, leaving two dead, the report said, adding that the victims are "fugitives" being sought by the kingdom's security services. Eyewitnesses said the blast occurred near a mosque which was targeted in a terrorist attack during the month of Ramadan last year. Qatif has witnessed a series of attacks in recent years. It is one of few areas in Saudi Arabia that are populated by minority Shiite community. Some of its youth are demanding more rights in the Sunni conservative state. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 03:04:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LISBON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's public debt rose to 247.4 billion euros in April, 3.9 billion euros higher than in March, the Bank of Portugal revealed on Thursday. The country's public debt in April reached its highest level since 2007, according to figures by the Bank. Portugal's high debt level remains one of its main concerns, with only Canadian rating agency DBRS rating the country's debt as investment. Portugal's public debt to gross domestic product stood at 130.6 percent of GDP in March, higher than the 130.4 percent rate registered in December 2016. The Socialist government led by Prime Minister Antonio Costa has called for other rating agencies to lift the country's junk status as the economy growing 2.8 percent year on year in the first quarter despite anti-austerity measures. However, rating agency Moody's had said it would only consider changing the country's rating if the government makes more efforts to bring down the deficit through fiscal measures. Portugal received a 78 billion euro bailout in 2011 when it was on the verge of bankruptcy. Brussels recently agreed Portugal should exit its EU budget procedure, pointing out the country's deficit will stay below the 3 percent threshold until 2018. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 03:09:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BRUSSELS, June 1 (Xinhua) -- President of the European Parliament (EP) Antonio Tajani Thursday said the increase in arrivals of Chinese tourists is important for Europe. "It is important for us to increase the number of tourists coming from China," said Tajani while meeting Sun Jie, CEO of Ctrip, a Chinese travel services company, in the European Parliament. "Tourism is regarded as one of the most important sectors of Europe. It is very important to have the connection with China," Tajani stressed. He said European Parliament will take a series of actions in the future to ensure the increase. As next year will be the China-EU Tourism Year, the EP president voiced hope that tourism would inject more energy to Europe's economic development. Tajani, meanwhile, also said that there is a big potential to promote Chinese trips among the Europeans. Sun, who will attend the 12th China-EU Business Summit on Friday, said that Europe is a priority in Ctrip's international strategy. Last year, Ctrip acquired one of the largest travel search engine in the world Skyscanner. This will further enhance the influence and competitiveness of Chinese tour companies in the world. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 03:29:36|Editor: Mengjie Security forces secure the surroundings of Resorts World Manila after an attack in Pasay City, the Philippines, on June 2, 2017. Unidentified gunmen attacked Resorts World Manila in Pasay City around early hours of Friday, causing injuries among the hotel and casino guests who scampered after the shooting. (Xinhua/Stringer) MANILA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen attacked Resorts World Manila in Pasay City around early hours of Friday, causing injuries among the hotel and casino guests who scampered after the shooting. Witnesses said they saw masked gunmen attacked the hotel. Gunman reportedly broke into the casino of the hotel. Parts of the hotel is on fire. Resorts World Manila is an integrated resort located in Newport City opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. Witnesses said they heard somebody shouted "IS." There were reportedly two masked men armed with long guns. The Resorts World issued a statement after the shooting saying the hotel is "currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men." "The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe," the statement read. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Some witnesses said they heard gunshots, so they hid in the bathroom. Resorts World Manila chief operating officer Stephen James Reilly told reporters he could not confirm how many casualties in the building. "I can confirm that shots were fired. I cannot confirm how many gunmen are in the building," Reilly said. He added, "We do not know the purpose at this time." There is no official statement yet from the police. Some of the hotel guests were foreign nationals, including South Koreans and Japanese. TV footage showed people running out of the building after the attack. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 03:39:44|Editor: Mengjie Najmi Nakoo (2nd R), commander of the presidential guards, speaks during a press conference in Tripoli, Libya, June 1, 2017. Libyan presidential guards said on Thursday that the UN-backed government has assumed control of Tripoli international airport. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia) TRIPOLI, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Libyan presidential guards said on Thursday that the UN-backed government has assumed control of Tripoli international airport. "Competent authorities have taken control of Tripoli international airport, with no influence or control of any outlaw group," Najmi Nakoo, commander of the presidential guards, said at a press conference. Nakoo also said the government forces recaptured on Wednesday some military camps and sites in southern Tripoli previously controlled by rival armed groups. On May 27, violent clashes erupted in southern Tripoli between militias allied with the UN-backed government and a militia loyal to the deposed government of Khalifa al-Ghawil, which according to the health ministry killed more than 55 and injured at least 100 others. Libya has remained in chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country is struggling to make a democratic transition amid political division and unrest, as well as dominance of armed groups and militias with shifting loyalties. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 04:25:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MANILA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Philippine national police chief Ronald dela Rosa said Friday that incident at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay City was not an act of terror. "It was not an act of terror, it was plain robbery because the lone gunman stole casino chips," the police chief said. Earlier reports said unidentified gunmen attacked Resorts World Manila around early hours of Friday, causing injuries among the hotel and casino guests. However, the police said gunman at the resort was not aiming at people, and situation was under control. Resorts World Manila is an integrated resort located in Newport City opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The Resorts World issued a statement after the shooting saying the hotel is "currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men." "The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe," the statement read. TV footage previously showed people running out of the building after the incident. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 05:01:28|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ROME, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Italian police have detained a suspect in the purse-snatching of a Chinese art student who died while chasing her assailants in Rome last year, local media reported Thursday. Serif Seferovic, aged 20, is also a suspect in a May 10 arson attack in Rome in which sisters Elisabeth, Francesca and Angelica Halilovic were burned to death. Two of the victims were children under ten years old. Seferovic was arrested in the northern city of Turin, where he was staying with relatives. He was turned in by his girlfriend, Italian news agency Ansa reported. On Dec. 9 last year, Italian police found the body of 20-year-old Zhang Yao in Rome's outlying Tor Sapienza district, where she had gone missing after going to the Immigration Office. Her remains showed injuries consistent with a violent impact. The Chinese student's flatmate, who declined to give her name, told investigators that Zhang called her soon after leaving the Immigration Office, saying she was in pursuit of three men, one of whom had snatched her bag. She chased them onto an access road to the nearby railway and then on to the rail-bed, where she was allegedly struck by a train. Zhang moved from China to Rome in March 2016 to study at the Fine Arts Academy in the Italian capital's historic central district. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 05:41:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BRUSSELS, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Miguel Arias Canete, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, said on Thursday the Paris climate agreement will endure despite U.S. decision to withdraw from the pact. "The world can continue to count on Europe for global leadership in the fight against climate change," Canete said in a statement after U.S. President Donald Trump on the same day announced decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement. Canete said that the European Union (EU) deeply regretted the unilateral decision made by the Trump administration. "The Paris Agreement will endure," he said, "Europe will lead through ambitious climate policies and through continued support to the poor and vulnerable." At the same time, the Commissioner said, "The EU will strengthen its existing partnerships and seek new alliances from the world's largest economies to the most vulnerable island states." According to him, the partnership will also include many U.S. businesses, citizens and communities that have voiced support for the pact. Canete said Europe and its partners around the world are ready to lead the way and work together to face one of the most compelling challenges of the time. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 05:46:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close THE HAGUE, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he regrets the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement announced Thursday. "Tonight, President Trump has announced that the United States withdraw from Paris climate agreement. I regret this decision," said Rutte on Facebook. "Tackling climate change is not only desperately needed, it offers worldwide economic opportunities. It's about the economic sectors of the future." "Without the participation of the USA it is harder to achieve the objectives of the Paris agreement, but the rest of the world stays right behind the agreement. That doesn't change. The Netherlands will stand fully for the climate agreement," said the Dutch prime minister. Earlier the day, Trump announced that "in order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord but being negotiations to reenter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction under terms that are fair to the United States." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 06:12:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Elon Musk, an iconic business magnate in the United States, said Thursday he would quit White House advisory councils against President Donald Trump's withdrawal from Paris agreement on climate change. "Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world," said a message Musk posted on his Twitter social media account about an hour after Trump announced his decision in White House. Musk, founder or co-founder of SpaceX, Tesla and a number of other technology companies, had promised to step down from his advisory roles with the administration if the president walks away from U.S. obligations under the accord signed in April 2016. As the chief executive officer (CEO) of SpaceX, an aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California, and of Tesla, an automaker, energy storage company, and solar panel manufacturer based in Palo Alto, California, Musk served on Trump's economic advisory board and manufacturing jobs initiative council. He had been criticized for having close relationship with the current administration. In a related message also posted Thursday afternoon, Musk cited a latest Scientific American article and noted that "under Paris deal, China committed to produce as much clean electricity by 2030 as the U.S. does from all sources today." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 06:12:08|Editor: Liu Video Player Close LONDON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May and her main rival, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, focused on Brexit Thursday as campaigning for Britain's general election entered its final seven days. Both gave keynote speeches saying how they would approach Britain's departure from the European Union. May's message that no Brexit deal is better than a bad deal, earned a response from Corbyn saying: "no deal is a bad deal." With one of the latest opinion polls giving May's Conservative Party a narrow three-point lead over Labour, Corbyn's party is now scenting it is within grasp of beating May in next Thursday's general election. In what will be seen as a major blow for the Conservatives, the London Evening Standard said Thursday night that in a shock surge, Corbyn was now more popular in London than May. The newspaper, edited by former Chancellor George Osborne, the politician fired by May last year, said for the first time, more voters in the capital say they think the Labour leader would make a better Prime Minister than May. It said the Conservative's hopes of gaining seats in London have been dashed by a huge 17-point lead opening up for Labour,and instead May's party could lose seats. At her election rally in Middlesborough in north east England, May was asked how the lead if 24 points she had at the start of the campaign was now down to just three points in one poll. Corbyn, meanwhile, was asked a similar question, with both declining to speculate on numbers by pollsters, saying the June 8 poll was the one that mattered. In her speech May set out her vision of Brexit as part of a great national mission to build a "stronger, fairer and more prosperous Britain," insisting that vision could only be delivered if voters backed her in the June 8 vote. "If they do, I am confident that we can fulfil the promise of Brexit together and build a Britain that is stronger, fairer and even more prosperous than it is today. I will work every day to make a success of Brexit, and will strive to be a leader worthy of a Great Britain," she said. May repeated her promise to respect the decision of the British people who voted a year ago in a national referendum to leave the EU. Labour's Corbyn saying he was "simply not up to the job". May, spelling out what the dire consequences of getting Brexit negotiations wrong, said there are people elsewhere in the EU who want to punish the UK and those who are willing to sign up to a deal whatever the price of that deal. "They would end up with the worst possible deal at the highest possible price," she said, In a second speech, also in northern England, May Theresa May told supporters that is she loses lose just six seats her government would lose its majority. In his keynote speech in Basildon, Corbyn the British people have a choice in the election over which team they trust to lead the difficult negotiations ahead. "We will confirm to the other member states that Britain is leaving the European Union. But, instead of posturing threats and pumped up animosity, a Labour Government under my leadership, will set out a plan for Brexit based on the mutual interests of both Britain and the EU." He said Labour will give a clear commitment to the 3 million EU nationals living and working in Britain that they can stay. He added that Britain also needs tariff-free access to European markets. Corbyn said May's "no deal is better than a bad deal" would be a disaster for British industry and cause a jobs meltdown. LONDON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The British businesswoman who challenged Brexit through the English courts has said Thursday that tactical voting may decide British general election next week. Gina Miller came to prominence by challenging the British government over its position that Brexit did not need to be discussed by parliament. She won a complex legal battle in the English courts and forced the government to rethink its attitude towards consulting parliament about Brexit. Miller set up Best for Britain at the beginning of the general election campaign, and it is an organization with a digital impression which backs tactical voting. The organization was crowd-funded. Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system favors the two main parties and delivers all the electoral benefit from each of the 650 geographic constituencies to whichever party wins the most votes in that area. There are no second prizes. This means that a party can have a lot of support in an area, but fail to win. For the smaller parties in the system, like the Liberal Democrats, UKIP, or the Greens it can also mean that their supporters have little sway on the result. Miller aims to give voters like these a chance to back candidates reasonably close to their positions, especially on the issue of Brexit. On Thursday in an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Miller said: "I am doing another battle with another campaign now... there are other things to do, that (Brexit) is not the end of the problem." British prime minister Theresa May has gambled her political future on a victory in the June 8 general election. When she called the election towards the end of April she appeared to have an unassailable lead over the main opposition Labour Party of up to 20 points in some opinion polls. That lead is now down to three point in some very recent opinion polls. "Tactical voting is something that everyone is talking about. We have had a million young people register, we have had more women register than any other election, it is making a difference," said Miller. WARSAW, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Katowice, southwestern Poland, will organize the UN climate summit in 2018, Polish Environment Minister Jan Szyszko said on Thursday, according to Polish Press Agency. Szyszko announced, in the presence of Patricia Espinosa, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, that the December 2018 UN climate summit will be held in Katowice. The climate conference will be held for the third time in Poland. "Poland wants to use its Presidency at the COP (from late December 2018 to end of 2019) to present climate policy as a tool for sustainable development," Szyszko said. The UN climate summit, the so-called COP (Conference of the Parties) is an annual global conference during which climate change policy is being negotiated. Poland has twice organised the COP -- in 2008 in Poznan, western Poland and in 2013 in Warsaw. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 08:48:20|Editor: An Video Player Close BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan from June 7 to 10, the Foreign Ministry announced on Friday. Xi is invited by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a statement. Xi will also attend the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the opening ceremony of the World Expo in Astana, Lu said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 09:03:28|Editor: Mengjie Security forces secure the surroundings of Resorts World Manila after an attack in Pasay City, the Philippines, on June 2, 2017. Unidentified gunmen attacked Resorts World Manila in Pasay City around early hours of Friday, causing injuries among the hotel and casino guests who scampered after the shooting. (Xinhua/Stringer) MANILA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- An unidentified gunman killed himself after opening fire at the casino of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City around midnight on Thursday. "The lone gunman is dead. He burned himself inside a hotel room," Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa told reporters. Dismissing the shooting in the Resorts World Manila as a terror attack, Dela Rosa said the masked gunman who carried out the attack only tried to steal green chips from the casino. "It's too early to tell but as far as we are concerned there was no indication the IS-affiliated militants were behind the shooting," he said. "As far the PNP is concerned we cannot yet attribute this to terrorism. This is not an act of terrorism. As of this time we cannot really say if this is a terror act." Dela Rosa said the lone suspect was "foreigner-looking" as seen on surveillance camera. "He did not hurt or kill anyone. Several people were hurt because they panicked and scampered to safety that caused minor injuries," he said. He said the suspect shot at the giant LED TV screen upon entering the casino and opened fire in the air inside room where the casino chips were being stored. The suspect filled his backpack with chips but left the bag at the scene, he said. The police chief said the police were still determining the motive of the suspect. "We can consider this robbery," he said. The gunman parked his car at the second floor of the building, started firing in the air and burned some tables before entering the storage room. "He was also carrying a liter of petrol in his backpack which he used to set tables on fire," Dela Rosa said. The Resorts World Manila said in a statement after the shooting that the hotel was "on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men." "The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe. We ask for your prayers during these difficult times," Resorts World Manila chief operating officer Stephen James Reilly said. Police also sent light-armored vehicles to the hotel. Fire trucks, ambulances and police cars were seen in the vicinity of the hotel. Resorts World Manila is an integrated resort located in Newport City opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The attack came as the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte battled with militants in Marawi City in southern Philippines. Daily clashes continue after militants linked to Islamic State attacked the city on May 23. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 09:13:31|Editor: An Video Player Close BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The BRICS, with its five major members hailing from different continents, is a very significant voice for inclusive and multipolar development, said experts. Given the fact that these are vital countries from their respective continents, they can come together and voice a certain consensus on major global issues, especially the world economy. The ninth annual BRICS summit is set to be held in Xiamen, China, Sept. 3-5. The summit will be a time to reflect on a decade of the BRICS' growing presence on the global economic stage. Economic growth marks one of the key merits of the group. The five countries' share in global GDP increased from about 12 percent to 23 percent in the past decade while contributing to more than half of global growth. Sudheendra Kulkarni, Chairman of Observer Research foundation Mumbai in India, says the global economy needs a boost, and the BRICS might just be the answer. The world economy has has suffered a slowdown in recent years, said Kulkarni in a recent interview with Xinhua. "Therefore it is important that five countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa -- are together to give strong momentum to the continuation of globalization," said Kulkarni. According to Kulkarni, the so-called developed north represented by Europe and the United States is no longer dominating the world economy. The world economy is increasingly being driven by countries in Asia and even Africa. The BRICS is an important manifestation of multiplicity and multilateralism in the age of global interdependence, said B.R. Deepak, a professor at the Center for Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University. The BRICS and its New Development Bank represent the aspirations of the largest developing economies to have their due seats at the table of international systems of governance, Deepak said. The BRICS bank was set up with an initial authorized capital of 100 billion U.S. dollars during the sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014. It officially opened in Shanghai in 2015. According to the International Monetary Fund, the BRICS and other developing countries were responsible for 80 percent of global growth in 2016. The newly established institutions will increasingly serve as a bridge between developing and developed countries, becoming instrumental in pushing global economic growth, and more importantly furthering South-South cooperation at various levels, the professor said. Building on the success of the past ten years, the BRICS now eyes starting a new decade with a more expansive partnership to seek inclusive growth.0 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in March that China would explore a BRICS expansion, known as "BRICS Plus," and build a wider partnership with other major developing countries and organizations, so as to turn BRICS into the most-influential platform for South-South cooperation in the world. The proposal for "BRICS Plus" is "not only timely in the light of China's presidency in BRICS," but provides new opportunities for expansion during a time when protectionism is spreading in the world economy, said chief economist of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) Yaroslav Lissovolik. At the same time, he believes the "BRICS Plus" system should reach out to developed countries, and in this process the role of China is paramount. "China's role here is very important, because the Silk Road project links the developing countries with the developed ones, the East and the West, so it can become one of the key chains in terms of megaprojects linking the North, South, West and East," he said. DHAKA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 21 workers, mostly women, sustained injuries as a fire engulfed a knitwear factory on the outskirts of Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Thursday night, a fire official said. Lieutenant Colonel Musharaf Hossain, director (training, development & planning) of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence Department, told reporters that 11 units of firefighters after hectic efforts of hours managed to douse the devastating fire at around 11:30 p.m. local time (1630 GMT) at the Pakiza Knit Composite Ltd. He said the huge fire at the knitwear factory broke out at 8:40 p.m. local time (1340 GMT). The fire burned from the 1st floor through the 3rd floor of the factory and nearly 200 workers were on duty when the fire struck, he added. "At least 21 workers were injured. Many of the injured got admitted to different hospitals including the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital," Hossain said. Of them, according to the official, seven workers suffered serious injuries and were in a critical condition. Some employees and workers jumped from windows to escape the blaze at the three-storey building, witnesses said. The cause of the fire, which shed the light once again on poor safety standards, was not immediately known. Some workers said the blaze apparently started in a section of the factory where there are stock of chemicals. A spokesman of the factory was not immediately available for comment. The government has formed a committee to probe the mishap. In 2012, a huge fire at a garment factory in suburban Dhaka, which indirectly manufactured clothes for U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart, claimed at least 111 lives. Security forces secure the surroundings of Resorts World Manila after an attack in Pasay City, the Philippines, on June 2, 2017. (Xinhua/Stringer) MANILA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- An unidentified gunman killed himself after opening fire at the casino of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City around midnight on Thursday. "The lone gunman is dead. He burned himself inside a hotel room," Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa told reporters. Dismissing the shooting in the Resorts World Manila as a terror attack, Dela Rosa said the masked gunman who carried out the attack only tried to steal green chips from the casino. "It's too early to tell but as far as we are concerned there was no indication the IS-affiliated militants were behind the shooting," he said. "As far the PNP is concerned we cannot yet attribute this to terrorism. This is not an act of terrorism. As of this time we cannot really say if this is a terror act." Dela Rosa said the lone suspect was "foreigner-looking" as seen on surveillance camera. "He did not hurt or kill anyone. Several people were hurt because they panicked and scampered to safety that caused minor injuries," he said. He said the suspect shot at the giant LED TV screen upon entering the casino and opened fire in the air inside room where the casino chips were being stored. The suspect filled his backpack with chips but left the bag at the scene, he said. The police chief said the police were still determining the motive of the suspect. "We can consider this robbery," he said. The gunman parked his car at the second floor of the building, started firing in the air and burned some tables before entering the storage room. "He was also carrying a liter of petrol in his backpack which he used to set tables on fire," Dela Rosa said. The Resorts World Manila said in a statement after the shooting that the hotel was "on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men." "The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe. We ask for your prayers during these difficult times," Resorts World Manila chief operating officer Stephen James Reilly said. Police also sent light-armored vehicles to the hotel. Fire trucks, ambulances and police cars were seen in the vicinity of the hotel. Resorts World Manila is an integrated resort located in Newport City opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The attack came as the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte battled with militants in Marawi City in southern Philippines. Daily clashes continue after militants linked to Islamic State attacked the city on May 23. Sorry, this news has been deleted. MELBOURNE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- An Australian energy company on Friday revealed a proposal for the country's first ever offshore windfarm. The proposal, put together by Offshore Energy, would see 250 wind turbines built off the coast of Gippsland at a cost of nearly six billion U.S. dollars. If approved, the turbines would be built between 10 and 25 km off the coast on a 574 square kilometer area of Australian waters. The Victorian Government said that the project would create 12,000 jobs during construction and a further 300 permanent ongoing operational and maintenance jobs. Analysis of the capacity for energy generation in the area by Offshore Energy found that the turbines would generate 18 percent of Victoria's energy needs, or enough to power 1.2 million homes. The proposal has been passed on to the federal Department of the Environment and Energy which will review the application before deciding whether to approve it or not. Andy Evans, managing director of Offshore Energy, said the project planned to make use of "offshore wind's natural high capacity factor." He said that wind-power provided a "new and exciting option for Australia's energy capacity and security" even before the cost of wind power continued to fall. Lily D'Ambrosio, Victoria's Energy Minister, welcomed the proposal as "a really exciting announcement that has the potential to bring jobs and new industry to Gippsland." "A new renewable power generator of this size would drive down electricity prices, and we'll support Offshore Energy wherever we can to progress this study," D'Ambrosio said in a media release on Friday. "Offshore wind would add to Victoria's system capacity and security as Australia transitions to a more diverse energy mix." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 11:44:27|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Video Player Close CANBERRA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Australia will do "everything it can" to assist in a new search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 should new evidence arises pointing to the airplane's location, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Friday. In January, a joint statement from Australia, China and Malaysia confirmed that the ocean search for the missing Boeing 777 jet, which disappeared on March 8, 2014 en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, would be suspended until "credible new evidence" can lead to a "specific" location. The joint search was described as the largest in aviation history and covered more than 120,000 square kilometers of the Southern Indian Ocean, but was ultimately unsuccessful. A spokesperson for Turnbull said the government was very much hoping to still find the plane, which was carrying six Australians and 153 Chinese nationals at the time. "The Prime Minister raises this issue with his Malaysian counterpart every time they speak," the spokesperson told News Corp. "Malaysia is the lead nation in the investigation into the disappearance of MH370, but Australia stands ready to assist in any way it can." "At present, the search for MH370 has been suspended, but if any credible evidence emerges, the Australian government will do everything it can in partnership with Malaysia to ensure the search is resumed," he said. MH370 was a scheduled passenger flight which departed Kuala Lumpur for Beijing on March 8, 2014. It was carrying 239 passengers and crew, and is believed to have crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean, well off Australia's western coastline. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 12:14:40|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Video Player Close MELBOURNE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A Sri Lankan man living in Australia has been charged on Friday after he allegedly threatened to blow up Malaysia Airline Flight MH128 from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur. The flight was forced to return to Melbourne shortly after taking off on Thursday when Manodh Monaragala Marks allegedly tried to enter the cockpit while carrying a large black object that he claimed was an explosive device. Passengers on board the flight took action to subdue Marks and held him down while waiting for police to board the plane. Marks, who did not appear in court due to safety cocerns, was formally charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft and was denied bail on Friday. The Melbourne Magistrates Court was told that he had also requested to see a mental health nurse while in custody. If found guilty, Marks could face up to 10 years imprisonment. Marks' court appearance came as Victoria Police came under fire for its response time to the incident. Response time records showed that it took 104 minutes for officer to enter the plane after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Operations Coordination Center was advised of the incident. Graham Ashton, chief commissioner of Victoria Police, said police initially treated the situation as a terrorist incident, meaning it would have been dangerous to rush to board the plane. "We have to make sure that all possibilities are taken into account, including the possibilities of co-offenders," Ashton told reporters on Friday. "Or, if there was an explosive device, the possibility of there being other explosive devices that the sudden removal of passengers could cause an issue with." Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria, said he had faith in the relevant authorities to appropriately deal with situations and praised the passengers and crew for their actions. "The objective in any serious incident like this is to get every member of the crew, every passenger off the plane safely, and that's what was able to be achieved," Andrews said. Passengers expressed displeasure with the police response, saying they were stuck in meters away from what they believed was an explosive device for hours. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 12:14:41|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Video Player Close TOKYO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks rose Friday morning, with the Nikkei breaching the psychologically important 20,000 mark for the first time since Dec. 2015, as solid U.S. manufacturing and jobs data lifted the market mood. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average gained 279.28 points, or 1.41 percent, from Thursday to 20,139.31, marking its highest intraday level since August 2015. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile added 19.87 points, or 1.25 percent, to 1,606.01. Iron and steel, securities and nonferrous metal-related issues comprised those that gained the most by the morning break. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 12:24:46|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Video Player Close CANBERRA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nations' historic Paris climate change agreement, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the United States overnight. In response to Trump's announcement, Australia's Energy and Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that Australia remains committed to the deal despite United States' withdrawal. The historic agreement, which involves a unified and worldwide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming from 2020, was signed in Paris in 2015. Since then more than 190 nations have signed into the deal - with 146 of those countries having already ratified it. "I've spoken to (Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull) this morning who's just landed in Singapore, and we reiterate Australia's commitment to the Paris Agreement," Frydenberg said. "We'll continue to follow through on that important international agreement, which we signed and we ratified just the day after President Trump was elected." The minister said Trump's decision was not a surprise considering his pre-election promise of putting America first, but considering the agreement had "been signed by more than 190 countries", it was disappointing all the same. "Everybody got a heads-up' when Donald Trump went into the election and said this is what he was going to do. It's been one of the most telegraphed policy positions I think I can remember," Frydenberg said. "It would have been preferable for the United States to remain at the table. That being said, many other major countries have reaffirmed like Canada, like Japan. India and China have reaffirmed their commitment to Paris. Australia does too." Under the agreement, Australia has agreed to set a target of a 26-to-28 percent reduction in 2005 emissions levels by 2030, something Frydenberg said was still very much "reasonable and achievable". Meanwhile Opposition Leader Bill Shorten backed the government's response to the news on Friday; he took to social media to vent his disappointment in the U. S.decision, saying that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull must "press" the U.S. government to reconsider its position. "(We are) deeply disappointed by the failure of the U.S. to uphold this important international agreement and we urge the prime minister and the government to press the United States to reconsider its decision on the Paris Agreement," Shorten posted to Twitter. Australia has joined representatives from the United Nations, France, Canada, Mexico and many other nations in condemning the withdrawal. President of the European Parliament (EP) Antonio Tajani meets with Sun Jie, CEO of Ctrip, a Chinese travel services company, at the European Parliament. (in courtesy of European Parliament) BRUSSELS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- President of the European Parliament (EP) Antonio Tajani Thursday said the increase in arrivals of Chinese tourists is important for Europe. "It is important for us to increase the number of tourists coming from China," said Tajani while meeting Sun Jie, CEO of Ctrip, a Chinese travel services company, in the European Parliament. "Tourism is regarded as one of the most important sectors of Europe. It is very important to have the connection with China," Tajani stressed. He said European Parliament will take a series of actions in the future to ensure the increase. As next year will be the China-EU Tourism Year, the EP president voiced hope that tourism would inject more energy to Europe's economic development. Tajani, meanwhile, also said that there is a big potential to promote Chinese trips among the Europeans. Sun, who will attend the 12th China-EU Business Summit on Friday, said that Europe is a priority in Ctrip's international strategy. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 12:54:56|Editor: ZD Video Player Close HARBIN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Special trucks carrying 10 freight train carriages Friday departed from Harbin, capital of China's Heilongjiang Province, for Kenya to be used on the newly operational Mombasa-Nairobi railway. "The carriages, produced by CRRC Qiqihar railway stock corporation, will be delivered to Kenya by ship via Dalian, a port city in Liaoning Province," said Wang Junsong, a senior engineer with the corporation. The X2K carriage is double-layered with a load capacity of 78 tonnes, and each carriage is able to carry four containers 20-feet-long, according to Wang. The corporation received orders totalling 1,000 carriages for the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya, a 480-km line operating from May 31. The 3.8-billion U.S. dollar project was constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with 90 percent funded by China. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 12:59:57|Editor: ZD Video Player Close YANGON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's parliament has debated on the country's signing of an agreement on cooperation in natural disaster early warning and mitigation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Russia, official media reported Friday. Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Win Myat Aye told the parliament on Thursday that the agreement would enable Myanmar to respond more effectively to natural disaster in the future, clarifying that signing the agreement would bring such benefits as participating widely in natural disaster emergency response and relief work, exchanging information on mitigation against natural disaster and increasing cooperation between ASEAN and Russia. The debate came in the wake of recent attack by cyclone Dora on neighboring Bangladesh, which killed scores of people and left thousands homeless in both nations. Although no death was reported in Myanmar, many houses, schools and government buildings were damaged by the cyclone with wind speed of up to 135 km per hour. MELBOURNE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Doctors and medical professionals in the Australian state of Victoria have called on the state government to urgently address the issue of health worker safety following another serious attack at a Melbourne hospital. A Melbourne man was charged on Friday morning with intentionally causing serious injury after punching a surgeon at Box Hill Hospital on Tuesday night, a blow which has left the surgeon in a coma and fighting for his life. It is the latest in a series of similar incidents, with health services annual reports last year showing that a Victorian health worker was bitten, spat at, punched, abused or threatened almost every hour in 2016. There were 8,627 reports of occupational violence in Victoria's public hospitals last year, and of those 1,166 resulted in staff injury or illness. The spate of attacks on hospital workers in Victoria has medical groups calling for the immediate upgrade of security measures at hospitals. Australian Medical Association Victoria president Dr Lorraine Baker said violence against healthcare workers had become a "terrible reality." "Healthcare workers are entitled to work in a safe environment. You should be able to turn up to work and not be abused, threatened or assaulted," Baker told Australian media on Thursday. Michael Wong, a neurosurgeon who nearly died after being stabbed 14 times while at work at the Western General Hospital in 2014, spoke out after this latest attack on Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann on Tuesday. It is understood Pritzwald-Stegmann, who was leaving his shift and heading home, became concerned about people smoking near the entry to the hospital and asked them to move. A verbal altercation then took place which led to one of the men assaulting Pritzwald-Stegmann. "This is just a ticking time bomb. Nearly the same thing happened to me three years ago has happened again," Wong said on Friday. "How many doctors and nurses need to be hurt, traumatized, be disabled, even be killed, before something concrete can be done?" Wong has been calling for increased security at public hospitals since his near-fatal stabbing in 2014, including separate secure entrances for medical staff, full-time security patrols in foyers, and restricted public access to wards. The Victorian government has said it will make security improvements to hospitals a "priority." "We will meet other health professionals and we'll make sure places like hospitals are secure and safe for everybody that comes into them," Acting Health Minister Martin Foley told the media on Thursday. "We'll come together with a plan as to what needs to be done and then we will take that plan through the normal processes and implement it as a priority." MELBOURNE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Australian researchers have uncovered a significant link between lifestyle and the quality of children's health, it was announced on Friday. The study, published by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) on Friday, found that children who spent more time doing school work and less looking at screens were generally the healthiest. By surveying over 1,400 Australian students aged 11 and 12 years old, researchers were able to establish four distinct groups based on how children were using their time. Participants in the study were asked to fill out daily diaries detailing their time use over two separate 24-hour periods. The health-related quality of life of each group was then established by a questionnaire that tested children on their overall quality of life as well as their mental and physical health. The groups that emerged were studious active children, who had low screen time and the highest school-related time, the techno actives, who had the highest levels of physical activity and lowest level of school-related time, the stay-home screenies, who had the highest screen time and mostly stayed indoors, and the potterers, who reported low physical activity and moderate screen time. Sleep was found to be consistent across all four groups. Children in the stay-home screenies group were having up to eight hours of screen time in a 24-hour period while studious active children were having just one hour. It was found that the potterers had the lowest scores across all three measures of health related quality of life while the studious actives had the best. Kate Lycett, a co-author of the study, said that physical activity was found to be the most important single factor in determining a child's health but a healthy balance was crucial. "The unique thing about this study is that we looked as time-use a whole whereas most studies look at one or two things," Lycett told Xinhua News on Friday. "So what this study shows us that the balance of these activities is really important." She said that 11 and 12 year olds were chosen for the study because those ages were key in a child's development. "This is the time where children are transitioning into adolescence and we know that health behaviours that are established during this time track into adulthood so it's a really important time for children." Lycett said. Researchers will now gather data from older age groups to investigate if the quality of life gap widens between the groups as they age. SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Officials from the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA) said here Friday that they have put anti-terrorism and extremism in this region on their agenda particularly at a time when terror attacks rocked many countries in the region and worldwide. The ministers from Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and the British high commissioner said at a joint press conference that terrorism is a global challenge and a new challenge for the region in the Southeast Asia. Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that the incidents in the Philippines and Indonesia have showed that terrorists are determined to establish their foot holds in the region, warning that Islamic State will be in the region. "The extremists are very mobile and difficult to detect," he added. Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said the group will update its relevance both in exercises and integration of new capability as well as to deal with current security threats including terrorism. The officials expressed their sympathies to victims of recent tragic incidents of terror attacks. Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne, New Zealand Defense Minister Mark Mitchell and British High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman attended the press briefing. The FPDA was formed in 1971 and groups Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and Britain. By Will Koulouris SYDNEY, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A team of researchers in Australia Friday announced the discovery of a native plant that has the capability to stop the Zika virus in its tracks. The lead researcher on the project, Dr Trudi Collet, senior lecturer in pharmacy at the Queensland University of Technology told Xinhua on Friday that they may have discovered a way to stop the virus, which causes birth defects in children. "The research is in the early stages, but we are aiming to ultimately synthesise the compounds in question and turn our attention to preclinical testing," Collet said. Due to the potential for commercialization, the plant itself is a closely guarded secret, but Collet said that there are many plants around the world that share these properties. "There's so many plant species out there, not just in Australia but around the world that have anti-microbial properties, and also anti-viral," Collet said. "It wasn't the only plant that we selected, or that we tested, but this plant is the only one that was effective in killing the virus." she added. Collet, also the head of the Indigenous Medicines Group in Australia, said that the plants that were used are ones that Indigenous and many other traditional cultures, such as the Chinese and North American Indians, have used to treat illness in the past. "It's also exciting because of the implications of this work for other viruses. Zika, dengue, West Nile, Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever are all from the same family of viruses -- flaviviridae." Collet said. The research team led by Collet hopes that their work over the next three to five months will allow them to unlock the secrets to synthesising the compounds, allowing them to test the curative properties of the plant on other viruses. According to Collet, the team chose to tackle the Zika virus first, as it is such an enormous healthcare problem in many developing regions around the world. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 15:11:06|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close SAN JOSE, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rican house speaker on Thursday hailed "the friendship, respect and trust" between China and Costa Rica as the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. "Costa Rica and China have, a decade after their first diplomatic exchanges, a common foundation for their current and future relationship, a relationship which is sustained by essential victories," Gonzalo Ramirez, president of the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly, said at a commemoration meeting here. "For China and for Costa Rica, this relationship has created a space of harmonious and respectful growth, where trust has been the essential objective to build a path of shared hopes and dreams," added Ramirez. Costa Rica has benefited from bilateral cooperation in such areas as healthcare, environment and education, said the legislator, calling for greater commitments to deepening bilateral ties. Chinese Ambassador to Costa Rica Tang Heng said the two peoples have written a chapter of sincere friendship, mutual support, sincere treatment and common development in the past decade. "The strategic partnership between China and Costa Rica that features equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation has set an example of friendly cooperation between countries of different sizes and different national conditions," Tang said. The event, organized by the Costa Rican Association of Friendship with China, has gathered about 130 guests, including many high-level Costa Rican officials. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 15:21:11|Editor: Tian Shaohui Protestors rally outside the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on June 1, 2017 after President Donald Trump announces U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change. (Xinhua/Yan Liang) BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. decision to quit the Paris climate deal has met with widespread opposition at home and around the world, being criticized as "disappointment" and "mistake" amid vows to commit to the global fight against climate change. "As of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the nonbinding Paris accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country," President Donald Trump announced Thursday at a press conference at the White House. The decision highlights the Trump label of climate change as "hoax" and honors his campaign pledges to bolster U.S. oil and coal industries and create more jobs, even if such a solution is doubtful. The U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Paris deal met with the first backlash at home even before Trump finished his speech when the Governor of California Jerry Brown vowed in a statement that "California will resist this misguided and insane course of action." Trump's predecessor Barack Obama said in a statement that the Trump administration joins "a small handful of nations that reject the future." Twenty-five major U.S. firms including Apple, Google, Facebook, Gap, Microsoft and Unilever ran a full-page ad in Washington D.C. newspapers trying to convince Trump that sticking with the Paris agreement is a better choice for the U.S economy and employment. A total of 61 "Climate Mayors" representing 36 million Americans in cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Phoenix, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Seattle, issued an immediate response saying they "will adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement." The U.S. pledged emissions cutbacks of 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 accounts for 21 percent of an expected global total to the year 2030 under the Paris agreement, think tank Climate Interactive estimates. The U.S. withdrawal deals a huge setback to the global efforts against global warming. Describing the U.S. decision as "a major disappointment," Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said "The Secretary-General looks forward to engaging with the American government and all actors in the United States and around the world to build the sustainable future on which our grandchildren depend." The Paris Agreement remains a historic treaty signed by 194 countries and ratified by 147 of them, the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change noted in a statement while rejecting renegotiations as suggested by Trump. It also affirmed a commitment to "continue working with all governments and partners in their efforts to fast forward climate action at global and national levels." In his response, UN Environment Programme chief Erik Solheim stressed in a statement that climate action is "an unprecedented opportunity" for "a shift to renewable energy" which "creates more jobs, better paid jobs and better quality jobs," and "will save millions of lives and slash the huge healthcare cost of pollution." European leaders criticized the U.S. withdrawal from the landmark Paris climate agreement as disappointment or mistake. France, Germany and Italy issued a joint statement saying the Paris deal can't be renegotiated. The U.S. withdrawal "is a historic mistake," Dutch Environment Minister Sharon Dijksma tweeted on Thursday evening. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Facebook he regrets the Trump's decision. "The climate change approach is not only necessary, it offers global economic opportunities." Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg said in a statement she is "very disappointed", while Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen said "It's a sad day for the world. Denmark stands ready to continue the climate battle to save future generations." Miguel Arias Canete, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, said: "The Paris Agreement will endure." "Europe will lead through ambitious climate policies and through continued support to the poor and vulnerable," said Canete, adding that "The EU will strengthen its existing partnerships and seek new alliances from the world's largest economies to the most vulnerable island states." In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany intends to work closely with China on important global issues such as climate change while attending a business event with visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Merkel said there is "special responsibility for both countries, for Germany and China - in all global issues - for example climate protection, for the prevention of violent conflicts or in international trade policy." Li reassured China's continued commitment to the Paris deal. Combating climate change has reached a global consensus, Li said, adding "with tremendous efforts, China will steadfastly move towards the 2030 goal step-by-step." In a speech delivered at the Elysee Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the Trump decision as making "a mistake both for the United States and for our planet," while stressing that "We will not renegotiate a less ambitious agreement, in any way." Among U.S. allies, Japan and Australia also voiced regrets over Trump's decision and continued their commitment to the Paris Agreement. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 15:26:17|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KHARTOUM, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese Health Minister Bahar Idris Abu Garada on Friday said that watery diarrhea has killed 265 people and infected 16,121 others in 11 states of Sudan since August 2016 until now. In a report to the Sudanese parliament, the minister warned against increase of watery diarrhea infections and deterioration of the health conditions, saying "we expect the worse with the rainy season." According to the minister's report, Sudan's White Nile State registered the highest rate of infection with the disease that reached 4,512 cases, attributing that to the fact that the state is neighboring South Sudan. Blue Nile State comes second with 4,471 infections and 12 deaths, followed by Sinnar State with 2,401 infections and 14 deaths, according to the report. Khartoum State has registered 19 death cases and 878 infections within 10 months, it said. The Red Sea State registered 1,137 infections and 19 death cases, while the Gezira State registered 55 deaths and 982 infections. The minister called for strengthening the supervision on the Nile water sources and revising the water networks to ensure provision of clean water for the affected areas. Contaminated drinking water is responsible for the spread of the disease which appears every now and then in many areas in Sudan. 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| 2017-06-02 15:41:28|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BANGKOK, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The winning bidder of Pink, Yellow lines of Bangkok's rapid transit said the construction work can start this year and will start operation in 2020, Thai media reported on Friday. Thai cabinet on Tuesday awarded 105 billion baht (3 billion U.S. dollars) concession contracts of two monorail projects, the 34.5 km Pink Line and 30.4 km Yellow Line to BSR, a joint venture among BTS Group Holding Plc which is running the BTS skytrains in Bangkok, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc (STEC) and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc (Ratch). Keeree Kanjanapas, chairman of BTS Group which holds 75 percent of the BSR consortium, told Thai Post: "After we agree on the trains and all the land is surveyed, we can begin the construction work, in this year." Thai government will inject some 40 billion baht for related civil works and BSR will invest 60 million baht in construction, train operation and management in the two projects worth over 100 billion baht in total. The contracts of the two lines are divided into two phases, the first being the construction, which will last 39 months while the second phase is operation, which will last 30 years. Keeree said the two monorail projects are now under the environmental impact assessment (EIA), but he was confident that the projects would get the green lights very soon as it would help reduce traffic problem in Bangkok, according to Bangkok Post. Keeree also said they will work on a 2.8 km extension of the Pink Line to reach Impact Challenger Hall, where many international conventions and exhibitions are held, and also a 2.6 km extension of the Yellow Line to reach a station of the Green Line extension which is under construction. He said the group will invest solely for the extensions which worth some 6 billion baht (176 million dollars). Pakpoom Srichamni, president of STEC, said BSR will spend around 50 billion baht (1.47 billion dollars) in buying trains to be used on the two monorail routes. He said 42 trains are due to be used in the Pink line, while 30 more will be required for the Yellow Line. Pakpoom said they are in talks with three major train suppliers and the deal is due to be finalized soon since they plan to hold a contract signing ceremony on June 16. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 15:46:32|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close By Levi J Parsons SYDNEY, June 2 (Xinhua) -- It's been 18 months since the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) took effect and Australia's Trade Minister Steven Ciobo said Friday the accord has been an overwhelming success. The minister said the accord brought large amounts of new jobs and opportunities to the people of Australia. Since the free trade agreement, exports from both countries have steadily increased. "The agreement is working in both our interests and producing win-win outcomes," Ciobo said. Emphasising that, along with Australia's major mineral exports, opportunities for industry in newer areas such as education and training services were thriving for Aussie businesses. "Australia has a world class standard when it comes to vocational education and training, as well as areas such as aged care," Ciobo said. "It's a great additional service export for Australia, and it's also a very good import of knowledge and a technology transfer for China." Another area the minister was particularly excited about was the new opportunities for Australian agricultural products such as wines, which have seen a 38 percent rise in exports to China since the deal. "The relationship between Australian and China has started to reach some of its full potential, and in many respects this is because of ChAFTA," Ciobo said. "Free trade means more opportunity for Australian businesses and employees." Tourism industries, both in China and Australia have also won big in the last year and a half. "We are seeing really strong investment in tourism infrastructure and that's terrific news," Ciobo said. "China is our biggest tourism market and the opportunities are very rich, there are more tourists staying longer and spending more than they ever have before, which is good news for our people to people link and grows the friendship of both countries." "Because what I am focused on is making sure that China and also ethnic Chinese here in Australia understand how much we value and appreciate the contribution they have had to this great country and to our relationship." Fresh off his visit to last month's Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, the minister also told Xinhua the trip was "very good" and that he was keen to put more "meat on the bone" with respect to the Belt and Road Initiative. "I think there are terrific opportunities for Australia and China to work together," Ciobo said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 16:48:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close By Yoo Seungki SEOUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A mood is getting right for a "meaningful" dialogue between South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as new governments both in the United States and South Korea were launched to see the DPRK's nuclear issue as a top priority, an expert said. "A mood is right for a meaningful dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang because the Moon Jae-in government seems to view improving inter-Korean relations, at least reducing the existing tensions between the two Koreas, as a top priority," Bong Youngshik, a research fellow at Yonsei Institute for North Korean Studies, said in a recent interview with Xinhua. President Moon Jae-in was sworn in on May 10 after winning a sweeping victory in the president by-election that came from the impeachment of his conservative predecessor Park Geun-hye, who held on to a hard-line policy of sanctions and pressures toward the DPRK. The Park administration focused on consolidating the traditional U.S.-South Korea military alliance, while trying to improve a bilateral partnership with China based on the traditional alliance. "Sometimes it worked, but sometimes it backfired," said Bong. The reinforced U.S.-South Korea security alliance, most of times, pressured the DPRK. It resulted in "quite frequent" DPRK provocations in reaction to the pressure diplomacy from conservative South Korean governments, according to the researcher. The new South Korean president advocated the restoration of dialogue channels with Pyongyang, though he still hesitated to lift any unilateral and multilateral sanctions toward the DPRK. All the inter-Korean channels were cut off after the DPRK's fourth nuclear test in January last year. U.S. President Donald Trump has told media that dealing with the DPRK's nuclear issue would be on the top of the list. There was a "sensible urgency" for the U.S. side as the DPRK may acquire a capability to strike the U.S. mainland before Trump's first-term ends in the next four years, the researcher noted. MOONSHINE POLICY President Moon was widely expected to inherit a so-called "sunshine policy" of trying to enhance inter-Korean ties through economic cooperation and cultural exchanges. The engagement policy was championed by former liberal South Korean leaders of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun. Moon's sunshine policy would be different from those of his liberal predecessors as the policy evolved in the past 10 years under conservative governments. Moon's expected sunshine policy was often called "Moonshine Policy." "The engagement policy toward the DPRK is not the same sunshine policy that we were used to be 10 years ago under the Kim Dae-jung government. A lot of things have happened, and a lot of things have evolved," Bong said. The DPRK's nuclear and missile technologies have advanced for the past decade, while situations under top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un have been better informed to outside world than before. An absolute precondition for any engagement policy to be successful, whether it's an old or new version, Bong said, would be for South Korea to get assurances from all relevant parties such as China, the United States, Russia and Japan. Under the Kim Dae-jung administration, his sunshine policy was successful in late 1990s and early 2000s because the government "properly informed all the related parties about South Korea's roadmap" to improve inter-Korean relations and successfully banished their suspicion and distrust, the researcher noted. At the time, there was "no hidden agenda that all these neighboring countries had to worry about," said Bong. Right after his inauguration, President Moon dispatched special envoys to all major countries, including China, the U.S., Russia and Japan. It was aimed to "emulate the successful formula of the previous sunshine policy," according to the researcher. CHEST-THUMPING WARRIORS Throwing a wet blanket on the dialogue atmosphere, the DPRK test-fired missiles three times since the new South Korean government was inaugurated. Two U.S. aircraft carriers, including USS Carl Vinson and USS Ronald Reagan, reportedly conducted joint maritime drills on Wednesday in east waters off the Korean Peninsula. The United States and the DPRK "are acting like chest-thumping warriors," said Bong. For its part, the Trump administration worried that Pyongyang may not rush to go back to the negotiating table if the U.S. does not demonstrate its maximum military force to express its seriousness. The mobilization of U.S. aircraft carriers was aimed to show that "all options are really on the table," according to the research fellow at Yonsei Institute for North Korean Studies in Seoul. The Trump administration unveiled a different kind of DPRK policy that involves maximum pressure and maximum engagement, throwing away his predecessor's so-called "strategic patience." Bong said the DPRK had been reacting to the new South Korean government by firing missiles, which he claimed was the DPRK's own way of trying to pressure the outside world and open up dialogue and negotiations in terms that favor Pyongyang. The DPRK implied, Bong said, the outside world had to pay the price that it will demand for talks, suggesting that the country was not just willing to accept any dialogue overtures as the DPRK was currently different from what it used to be 10 years ago. The researcher recommended that the Moon government would focus on improving relations with the DPRK and defusing military tensions on the peninsula, saying that by doing so, South Korea would reduce its reliance on the military options. It can lead South Korea to consider other options to deal with issues such as the DPRK's nuclear program and the improved relations with China as the reduced security threat on the peninsula can lower its reliance on U.S. forces stationed here. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 16:53:53|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KABUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Afghans took streets on Friday in the country's capital of Kabul to protest against rising terror attacks. On Wednesday, at least 80 people were killed and over 460 injured in a truck bombing, which rocked a diplomatic area in Kabul in morning rush hour. The demonstration aimed at pressuring government to bring reform in security agencies and take measure to ensure the safety of its citizens. The massive blast, which left a huge destruction, was followed by a car bomb near a local airport in Jalalabad city, the capital of eastern Nangarhar Province, leaving one soldier dead and five others injured on Thursday. However, the Afghan authorities said that the government had put all necessary measures to tackle with increased insecurity and violent attacks. The protesters marched from several sides of the city toward Wazir Akbar Khan district where the blast took place. Several gunshots were fired by police into the sky after protests tried to move toward the country's presidential palace. No casualties were reported during the firings. The protest leaders have called on the demonstrators to hold the protest peacefully and not encroach upon the public and private properties. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 16:58:55|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday expressed his deep concern over U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate deal. "As former Secretary General of the UN, I cannot but express my deepest disappointment and concern at the recent decision of the U.S. president to withdraw from the Paris Agreement which was unanimously adopted by all the state parties of UNFCCC in 2015," Ban said in a statement. Ban returned to his home country South Korea earlier this year after ending his term as the top UN post. He said that the agreement was a shining hope for the future of the world based on unity and solidarity of the international community. President Trump said in Washington overnight that he had decided to pull his country out of the Paris Agreement, a landmark global pact to fight climate change. "As the United States is one of the largest greenhouse gas emitting countries, we expect the U.S. to return to the Agreement and exercise its leadership for the implementation of the Agreement," said the former UN chief. Ban urged all the state parties to carry out the landmark climate deal "in faithful manner" to make healthier and more prosperous future of human beings and the earth. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 16:58:56|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The portion of mobile shopping in South Korea to the total online shopping hit a new monthly high as consumers continued to expand shopping with smartphones in cyberspace, a government report showed Friday. The total online shopping stood at 6.08 trillion won (5.4 billion U.S. dollars) in April, up 21.1 percent from a year earlier, according to Statistics Korea. The mobile shopping through smartphones surged 42.2 percent to 3.68 trillion won in April, accounting for 60.6 percent of the total online shopping. It marked the first time that the portion of smartphone shopping surpassed 60 percent. Dependence continued to increase on smartphones for shopping in the cyberspace as the number of smartphone users in South Korea spread from the younger generation to the elderly. Compared with the previous month, cosmetics sales on the Internet tumbled 20.3 percent in April due to the fall in Chinese tourists visiting South Korea. Chinese travelers to South Korea tended to buy cosmetics in the cyberspace after visiting offline stores as online sales provided discounts. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 17:09:01|Editor: Tian Shaohui Video Player Close SEOUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's foreign minister nominee on Friday met with the victims of sexual slavery during World War II ahead of the parliamentary confirmation hearing next week. Kang Kyung-wha, who was nominated as the first foreign minister under the Moon Jae-in government, visited the "House of Sharing" outside Seoul to meet the so-called comfort women victims, according to local media reports. Comfort women are a euphemism for Korean and other countries' women who were forced into sex enslavement for Japanese military brothels before and during the war. Kang's visit came ahead of the parliamentary hearing to confirm her nomination, scheduled for next Wednesday. If confirmed, she would become the country's first female foreign minister. Kang, 62, had served as a special policy adviser to the UN chief before being named as a foreign minister. She is known to be a human rights expert and has much interest in the wartime sex slavery issue. The comfort women victims have strongly protested against the December 2015 agreement, which was reached between the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe-led cabinet and the previous South Korean government. Under the deal, the two countries reached the "final and irreversible" agreement on the comfort women issue in return for about 9 million U.S. dollars in compensation. The victims, mostly in their late 80s or higher, refused to receive any money from the unrepentant Japan, calling for a sincere apology from Abe and damages for the wartime crime against humanities. South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a phone call with Abe after his inauguration last month, saying South Koreans cannot emotionally accept the comfort women agreement. Moon's remarks indicated the renegotiations or the scrapping, of the December 2015 agreement. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 17:09:02|Editor: Tian Shaohui Video Player Close BRUSSELS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) are confronting growing global "uncertainties" with a stable relationship, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Friday. Li made the remarks in a keynote speech at the 12th EU-China Business Summit, in response to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's worry about global uncertainties. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 17:24:13|Editor: Tian Shaohui Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) attends a welcome ceremony held by German Chancellor Angela Merkel before an annual meeting between the heads of the two countries' governments in Berlin, Germany, May 31, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo) BERLIN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday wrapped up his fruitful official visit to Germany, with the two countries reaching broad consensus over a series of regional and global issues and pledging to jointly promote and enrich bilateral cooperation. During the two-day stay, Li and his German counterpart Angela Merkel conducted effective and fruitful discussions and witnessed the signing of a host of cooperative documents, which will further consolidate ties between the two countries. BROAD CONSENSUS ON TRADE, INVESTMENT LIBERALIZATION At the annual meeting between the two heads of government, a mechanism launched in 2004, Premier Li called for joint efforts with Germany to promote trade liberalization and investment facilitation. In face of global uncertainties, anti-globalization sentiment and rising protectionism in the world, China and Germany should continue to promote trade liberalization and investment facilitation and safeguard the regulations of the World Trade Organization, Li told Merkel on Wednesday in Berlin. Li said China hopes the two countries could work together to offset global uncertainties with a stable bilateral relationship, so as to send positive signals to the world that China and Germany will maintain the course of trade liberalization and investment facilitation. For her part, Merkel said Germany is willing to work with China to make joint contributions to the building of an open global economy as well as the maintenance of free trade. On Thursday, Li and Merkel made an announcement in a joint press conference that the two countries have agreed to speed up negotiations on an investment agreement between China and the European Union (EU). The investment deal will benefit the two-way opening-up and equality between the Chinese and EU markets, and improve the mutual trade and investment scales of the two sides. As major trading partners for each other, it is necessary for China and the EU to discuss the feasibility of the establishment of a free trade zone, Li urged. Germany attaches great attention to the EU-China investment treaty, Merkel said, adding that the signing of the treaty will be a good start of negotiations on an EU-China free trade agreement. FORGING CLOSER INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP In 2014, China and Germany launched a joint action plan themed "shaping innovation together," which set a precedent for science and technology cooperation between major countries. During the past three years, solid steps have been taken in bilateral innovation cooperation, namely the alignment between "Made in China 2025" plan and Germany's "Industry 4.0" concept, the successful cooperation model of the Research Funding 2+2, and the rapid development of various China-Germany industrial parks. Unveiled in May 2015, the "Made in China 2025" plan helps transform China from a manufacturing giant into an innovation-motivated manufacturer. While Industry 4.0, a concept coined by the German federal government in 2011, aims to facilitate automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies, including cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things and cloud computing. Addressing a bilateral forum on innovation cooperation, which is also attended by Merkel, Li said China is ready to forge a closer innovative partnership with Germany. Calling China and Germany a golden pair of innovation cooperation, Li said such a partnership has put a high-powered engine to China-Germany pragmatic cooperation. He suggested that the bilateral innovation cooperation should be market-oriented and encourage the two sides to explore new models for commercial development. He also encouraged innovation by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and suggested the establishment of a governmental-level mechanism to serve the cooperation between SMEs of the two countries. Li's speech was echoed by Merkel, who told the forum that Germany is ready to work with China to build a platform to synergize the innovation and high-tech development strategies of the two countries. She agreed with Li that the two countries should encourage mutually beneficial cooperation between big and small business, deepen cooperation between higher education and vocational education, and expand social involvement of Germany-China partnership of innovation. Ahead of the forum, Li and Merkel witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative documents in various fields, such as economy and trade, new-energy vehicles, trilateral cooperation, finance and artificial intelligence. RESOLUTION TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE China once again showed the world its firm resolution to deal with climate change, as Premier Li stressed in the press conference that China will continue to work "steadfastly" to implement the commitment of the Paris climate deal. China, a large developing country, should shoulder its international responsibilities to jointly address the challenge of climate change with other countries, Li said. Combating climate change is a global consensus, he said, adding that "with tremendous efforts, China will move towards the 2030 goal step-by-step steadfastly." China has actively participated in promoting and the signing of the Paris Agreement. In addition, it was also one of the first countries to submit the file of national plan on dealing with climate change to the United Nations. Li stressed that China will make more efforts to maintain the green, low-carbon and sustainable development course. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 parties in 2015 and it went into effect in November last year. The pact sets a target of holding the global average rise in temperature below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 degree Celsius. So far, 147 parties representing more than 82 percent of greenhouse gas emissions have ratified the agreement. The United States, one of the biggest greenhouse emitters in the world, declared hours ago its withdrawal from the global pact. The decision made by U.S. President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise, but has drawn furious criticisms both at home and abroad. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 17:29:17|Editor: Tian Shaohui Video Player Close Yu Zhengsheng (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Hungarian Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover in Beijing, capital of China, June 2, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng met with visiting Hungarian Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover here on Friday. Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said the two countries should take the upgrading of bilateral relations as an opportunity to strengthen mutual trust, speed up synergy of their development strategies, and expand cooperation and exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative as well as expand the cooperation mechanism between China and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries. Yu said the CPPCC, China's top political advisory body, is ready for more exchanges and cooperation with the Hungarian parliament to contribute to sound and stable development of bilateral relations. Kover said the Hungarian side is willing to deepen cooperation with China and promote cooperation between EU and CEE countries with China. Hungary will continue to support and play an active role in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 17:59:49|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MADRID, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Spain is willing to expand cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, especially in infrastructure, Spanish State Secretary for Commerce Marisa Poncela said on Thursday. Bilateral cooperation should encompass such areas as infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation as well as investment and finance, Poncela said at the forum "Business Opportunities for Spanish Companies under the Belt and Road Initiative." The Initiative connects almost 60 percent of the world's population and offers enormous opportunities, said Poncela. "All the tools of the State Secretariat for Commerce are available for this initiative." "Spain has 4 commercial offices throughout China that analyze how projects are done and how they collaborate with our companies and institutions through our tools to help them present the best offer," she said. Spain wants to have not only a land connection through railway but also a maritime connection, the state secretary for commerce added. "We want the maritime connection between China and Europe to end in Spain, in our ports, Barcelona, Valencia, in all of our ports in the Mediterranean, or even beyond, in our country." The forum, jointly organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Investments of China in Spain (CCINCE) and the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), attracted some 200 representatives from major institutions and enterprises in China and Spain. Vice President of the CEOE, Juan Pablo Lazaro, said, "The Belt and Road Initiative has aroused among our business fabric and our members and partners a lot of interest because of the ambition and magnitude it has." He said this network of infrastructure and communications along its path of logistics and industrial centers is a great opportunity to integrate Asian markets, and promote the economic development of Eurasia, China and the European Union. Lazaro said Spanish entrepreneurs "have welcomed the initiative with great interest, considering that we can contribute with our management capacity, our knowledge in the sectors." Spain has an essential logistics position in Europe, Latin America and the North of Africa, he said, highlighting Madrid as a logistical hub in this regard. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 18:04:57|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) held rival rallies here on Friday to mark the end of a two-week campaign for the June 4 commune elections. CPP's President and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen joined the party's rally on the southern outskirts of capital Phnom Penh with some 200,000 supporters in the morning and then marched through streets in the city by riding on the back of an open truck. Addressing to the huge crowd of supporters, the prime minister said that it was the first time he participated in the election campaigning since 1993, adding that his participation was to lend support to the CPP's commune candidates across the kingdom. "This is the first time that I join the election procession with all brothers and sisters," he said, adding that his participation was in response to calls from some supporters, who commented on his Facebook page and asked him to attend the election campaigning. Hun Sen was confident that the CPP would continue to win the majority in the upcoming elections. "There is only the CPP that has sufficient capacity to govern Cambodia and to maintain the country's peace and development," he said, calling on the party's over 5 million members to tell their family members to vote for the CPP. He also expressed his belief that all political parties would accept the results of the Sunday's commune elections. Meanwhile, the prime minister reiterated his firm commitment to maintaining the country's hard-won peace, saying that he did not allow any hostile group to destroy this peace "at any cost." The CPP's rally was live broadcast on a number of TV channels, and a helicopter also hovered over the rally to capture more TV footage. Chheang Vannarith, chairman of the Cambodian Institute for Strategic Studies, said Hun Sen's participation was an encouragement to party members and supporters, and would attract stronger support from the public. "I think that his participation will partly boost the loyalty and spirit of the CPP supporters," he told Xinhua. "It also reflects that the upcoming election is a critical test for the long-ruling CPP." The opposition CNRP, seen as the main rival to the CPP, held a rival rally in the eastern part of Phnom Penh on Friday afternoon with tens of thousands of participants. Speaking to his supporters, CNRP's leader Kem Sokha promoted the party's five-point political platform, and one of the points was a promise to allocate the annual budget of 500,000 U.S. dollars to each of the kingdom's 1,646 communes if the CNRP won the elections. "Once again, I'd like to appeal to the compatriots to vote for the CNRP for our future, our family's future, our commune and village's future, and our nation's future," he said. The opposition leader also called on his supporters to adhere to the principle of nonviolence during the upcoming elections. Friday's mass rallies were peaceful. The commune elections are seen as a barometer for the national elections in July 2018. Twelve political parties contest in the commune elections which will choose commune chiefs and councilors for all 1,646 communes in the country, the National Election Committee (NEC) said, adding that some 7.87 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots. In the last commune elections in June 2012, the ruling CPP gained 61.9 percent of the votes, compared to about 30.6 percent for the opposition. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 18:10:01|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (L, front) and his wife Grace (R, front) gesture to supporters in the Mashonaland East provincial capital Marondera, about 80 km south of Harare, Zimbabwe, June 2, 2017. Robert Mugabe on Friday begins a series of interactive meetings with the ruling Zanu-PF's youths ahead of the 2018 elections in which he has been endorsed at the party's presidential candidate. (Xinhua) HARARE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Friday begins a series of interactive meetings with the ruling Zanu-PF's youths ahead of the 2018 elections in which he has been endorsed at the party's presidential candidate. The first meeting to be held in the Mashonaland East provincial capital Marondera, about 80 km south of Harare, is expected to draw thousands of youths from the province and beyond as the party deals with factionalism that has gripped it over a possible successor to an ageing Mugabe (93). Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is alleged to be leading a faction angling for Mugabe's position, an allegation he has vehemently denied over the years. Another faction purportedly supported by Mugabe's wife Grace has openly opposed Mnangagwa's "successionist" agenda and says the matter of who should take over is still premature because Mugabe is still in office and may still have another five years in office after the 2018 elections. The party's secretary for youths Kudzai Chipanga was quoted by The Herald newspaper on Friday warning people with agendas other than Mugabe's interaction with the youths to stay away. "We are not going to tolerate a situation whereby people try to settle personal scores at our meeting. If there is anyone who feels they have some scores to settle, they might create their own forum," he said. Mugabe will travel to all the country's administrative provinces during his interaction with the youths, who are now seen as the party's trump card in winning elections following a fallout between Mugabe and a section of the veterans of the war of independence. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 18:15:06|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOGADISHU, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and security forces have teamed up to prevent recruitment of child soldiers in the Horn of Africa nation. The AU mission said in a statement released on Thursday evening that it has completed a three-day joint training on preventing recruitment and use of child soldiers in armed conflict. Acting Head of the Joint Mission Training Centre Charles Debrah who closed the workshop asked the participants to apply and share the knowledge acquired with the Somali National Security Forces to help protect children from being exploited by armed groups. Debrah said coordination between AMISOM and Somali security forces would help break the cycle of violence and end recruitment and use of children as soldiers in the country. "Children have the right to grow as children and actualize their full potential. Separating the children from the ongoing conflict will promote a rapid return to peace," he said. It's estimated more than half of Al-Shabaab's force were children, and at least 60 percent of the group's "elements" captured in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region in March 2016 were youngsters. Some of those children said they were approached with the promise of education and jobs, he said. The AU mission has been working closely with the Somalia government to stop the recruitment of children by Al-Shabaab militants as child soldiers. AMISOM Child Protection Advisor Musa Gbow urged participants to exercise professionalism and uphold the international standards and values on human rights when dealing with children. The exercise organized by AMISOM's Protection, Human Rights and Gender Cluster, held in Mogadishu, is part of the ongoing in-mission training activities for uniformed personnel from AMISOM Troop Contributing Countries. Participants were drawn from defence forces from Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Uganda and AMISON force headquarters. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) attends a welcome ceremony held by German Chancellor Angela Merkel before an annual meeting between the heads of the two countries' governments in Berlin, Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo) Hey, here' s what happened to China today: BERLIN -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged on Thursday that her country intends to work closely with China on important global issues such as climate change. Merkel declared her intentions while attending a business event with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Berlin. Her statements came when U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to walk away from the Paris Climate Agreement. Also at the event, Li assured the delegation that China would continue to honor the 2015 Paris Agreement, which Merkel remarked was "very pleasing." - - - - BERLIN -- China and Germany have agreed to speed up negotiations on a China-EU investment agreement so as to further enrich the two countries' cooperation and ties. Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his German counterpart, Angela Merkel, made the announcement on Thursday during a joint press conference at the German Chancellery in Berlin. The investment deal will benefit the two-way opening-up and equality between the Chinese and EU markets, and improve the mutual trade and investment scales of two sides. - - - - BEIJING -- China Development Bank (CDB), the country's largest development bank, said on Thursday that it will take about three years to issue loans to projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative. The CDB set up a special lending scheme worth 250 billion yuan (36.7 billion U.S. dollars) in mid-May to support B&R cooperation on infrastructure, industrial capacity and financing. - - - - BEIJING -- Airbus and China will strengthen and deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in the aviation and aerospace industries, said Airbus China on Thursday. According to Airbus China, Airbus and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on aviation and aerospace, further enhancing the spirit of cooperation. Photo taken on April 29, 2017 shows a child holding a placard during a demonstration against U.S. President Donald Trump's climate policies in Los Angeles, the United States. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong) BRUSSELS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Leading climate experts and advocates in Europe reacted in outrage, following the announcement on Thursday by U.S President Donald Trump to withdraw the country from the Paris climate accord. "The world's biggest historic emitter walking away from its climate change commitments is gravely unjust, but we must respond by redoubling our efforts. Those on the frontlines of climate change demand nothing less," said Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam International, a UK-based confederation of charitable organizations. Jonathan Church, lawyer with Europe-based environment law organization ClientEarth, called the decision of the Trump administration "an act of global environmental vandalism that has the potential to do great harm to current and future generations." The Paris climate agreement represents a "best chance of avoiding severe and destabilizing climate change," Church said, noting that now without the United States, the commitment of other leading nations is "more important than ever." The experts believe that the absence of the U.S. will strengthen the bonds among other powers on the frontline against climate change. Wendel Trio, director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe said unlike the view of the sitting U.S. administration, countries all over the world see the Paris Agreement as an engine for growth and jobs. "The European Union (EU) is already strengthening its alliances with countries like China and Canada, as well as those most affected by climate change," said Trio. "The EU needs to step up its game now, to trigger more climate action and smooth the way for scaling up the Paris climate pledges." Federico Brocchieri, vice president of Italian Climate Network (ICN) called the decision "shortsighted and against history." "However, this will not stop the transition: from countries to cities, from businesses to citizens, the world has taken a very clear path which must gradually lead to a full decarbonization of the economy, in line with the targets set by science, to leave current and future generations a sustainable planet," he underlined. "Trump is surrendering U.S. global leadership to real world leaders who are seizing the momentum to protect their country and the climate by transforming their economies to clean energy," said Jennifer Morgan, Greenpeace International executive director. "We are witnessing a seismic shift in the global order as Europe, China and others lead the way forward," she added. With such a decision, Trump administration has cast America adrift from the global community and the reality of climate change, according to Susann Scherbarth, climate campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe. "The fossil fuel industry and climate change deniers have set up shop in the White House, and they're putting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people on the line," said Scherbarth, who called for increased action on climate in Europe. Erich Pica from environmental network Friends of the Earth shares a similar view of the role of the fossil fuel industry behind the decision. "Trump is on a mission to sacrifice our planet to the fossil fuel industry. By pulling out of the Paris Agreement, Trump has turned the U.S. into the world's foremost climate villain," he said, adding that the majority of Americans demand climate action. According to him, the rest of the world must "move forward aggressively without the world's leading historical contributor of greenhouse gas emissions." The Paris Agreement was agreed by the 195 member economies that attended the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 18:50:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech at the 12th EU-China Business Summit in Brussels, Belgium, June 2, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BRUSSELS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) are confronting growing global "uncertainties" with a stable relationship, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Friday. Li made the remarks in a keynote speech at the 12th EU-China Business Summit, in response to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's worry about global uncertainties. China and the EU hold extensive common ground on ideas in dealing with important international relations, he said. Both sides believe that China and the EU should go with the tide of globalization and push forward globalization to make it fairer and more inclusive, he added. It is clear that globalization has brought tremendous benefits to China, the EU and the world, Li said, noting that globalization should not be blamed for the negative influence emerging along with it. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 18:55:34|Editor: xuxin Migrants and refugees carry their belongings during a police operation evacuating the refugees from the old airport of Hellenikon in Athens, Greece on June 2, 2017. A Greek police operation was underway on Friday to peacefully evacuate about 500 refugees and migrants from the Athens old airport of Hellenikon, Greek national news agency AMNA reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) by Maria Spiliopoulou ATHENS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A Greek police operation was underway on Friday to peacefully evacuate about 500 refugees and migrants from the Athens old airport of Hellenikon, Greek national news agency AMNA reported. Over the past two weeks officials of Greece's Migration Policy ministry had been briefing the remaining residents of the makeshift camp on the new state- run facilities where they will be hosted near the Greek capital. On Friday the refugees and migrants were bused to shelters at Oinofyta, Theves and Derveni, some 60-150 kilometers far from Athens. About 2,000 people had sought shelter at Hellenikon abandoned airport's arrival and departure halls in the spring of 2016, after the closure of the Balkan route to central Europe. Many gradually moved over the past year to state-run accommodation centers elsewhere, but despite the poor living conditions which fuelled tensions inside the makeshift camp, some refugees and migrants were reluctant to leave the site. Petros Konstantinou, head of a Greek NGO, which had been assisting them, told AMNA that until Thursday evening around 25 families opposed their transfer, because they want to stay in Athens. Approximately 62,000 refugees and migrants currently remain stranded throughout Greece, according to the latest official count of the Greek Migration Policy ministry. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 19:05:41|Editor: Tian Shaohui Video Player Close Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying (Source: fmprc.gov.cn) BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday said it is paying close attention to the United States' decision to quit the Paris climate agreement, calling on all parties to cherish and safeguard the hard-earned accord. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing that the deal embodies the broadest consensus of the international community on coping with climate change. Hua said that China will remain committed to upholding and promoting global governance on climate change and take an active part in the multilateral process. "China will work with all relevant parties to enhance cooperation, press ahead with the negotiation and implementation of enforcement rules, and promote green, low-carbon and sustainable global growth," she said. Hua also said China would like to work with the international community, including the United States, to expand cooperation in handling climate change. Moreover, she said that China is willing to strengthen effective communication and practical cooperation with the EU to safeguard and advance the process of multilateral governance on climate change. Hua said developed countries should be obligated to provide funding through the Green Climate Fund to developing countries in dealing with climate change, within the framework of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris climate agreement. Hua said that developing countries, particularly the least developed and small island countries, have insufficient capacity to deal with climate change, and need support and help from the international community. She said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the climate change issue and is committed to pursuing innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development. Moreover, China has taken concrete moves to positively deal with climate change and made obvious progress, demonstrating the international responsibility shouldered by China and conforming with China's choice of sustainable growth. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had decided to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a landmark global pact to fight climate change. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 19:15:48|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China will set up two to four large combustible ice bases for industrial development, the Ministry of Land and Resources (MOLR) said Friday. The government will also formulate regulation and other industrial procedures, according to Li Jinfa, deputy director of the China Geological Survey under the MOLR. China is estimated to have 80 billion tonnes of oil equivalent combustible ice, according to Li. Yu Haifeng, a senior official with the MOLR, suggested setting combustible ice as a new mineral species and including its development in the category of emerging strategic sectors to encourage enterprises exploit the resource. Combustible ice usually exists in seabed or tundra areas, which have the high pressure and low temperature necessary for its stability. It is flammable like solid ethanol. China announced its success on May 18 in collecting samples of combustible ice in the South China Sea after nearly two decades of research and exploration, a major breakthrough that may lead to a global energy revolution. The Mombasa-Nairobi railway passenger train passes the Mombasa West station. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei) by Xinhua Writer Zhu Shaobin MOMBASA, Kenya, May 31 (Xinhua) -- In proud cheers, Kenyans witnessed the birth of a millennium railway project that will transform their lives. And once again, China has proved itself a true and capable friend behind Africa's growth story. Defying often ill-intended accusations of China's so-called hidden motives beyond what is in fact mutually-beneficial cooperation, Kenyans themselves are on the contrary saying the flagship project has been a model of cooperation since the country's independence. Built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, the project costing 3.8 billion U.S. dollars is finished 18 months ahead of schedule, expediting delivery of practical benefits to the economy and the people. Cutting travel time by half for passengers and downing the cost of freight transport by almost half are the immediate double benefits that the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway (SGR) brings, and it is undoubtedly a dream come true for ordinary passengers and businessmen alike. It should also be noted that the mega-project has been a result of Chinese engagement with Africa that adheres to the policy of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith. The SGR railway has been a continuity of traditional China-Africa friendship and cooperation. China's sincerity and dedication to the improvement of infrastructure networks on the African continent is well known to the world. Kenya's female train drivers are learning instructions from their Chinese teacher. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo) Since the 1970s, when many African states became independent, China has aided the construction of the monumental Tanzania-Zambia railway as well as many other defining projects in countries such as Angola, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Djibouti. China-Africa pragmatic cooperation is bringing about concrete benefits. The SGR project's work force is 90 percent composed of locals, contrary to baseless claims of Chinese snatching up jobs of Africans. The total number of jobs created locally hit 46,000. Over 40,000 locals also received various levels of training, covering construction and operation of the railway. The training and transfer of knowledge are clear evidence of China's affinity toward their African partners because China likes to see Africa achieve self-reliant development. As passengers aboard the train are stunned by views of Kenya's natural wonders on a modern train hurtling past iconic wildlife species but creating no trouble for their land, one will truly appreciate the harmonious merge of nature and technology through a ride experience. Under the African aspiration of "Connecting Nations, Prospering People", the SGR will further expand to neighboring countries, and China, based on its records so far, will continue, as ever, to prove itself a true partner capable to help Africa realize its ambitions. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 19:20:54|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China has expressed concern about claims by Edward Snowden on looming mass surveillance in Japan, saying that it strongly opposed any kind of cyber spying, including mass data surveillance. "There is widespread dislocation in today's cyberspace. China upholds that differences should be solved through talks, and a code of conduct accepted by all parties should be worked out," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a daily press briefing Friday. Hua made the remarks in response to reports that Snowden, a former contractor for the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), recently said that Japan might be moving closer to sweeping surveillance of ordinary citizens and that the consequences could be even graver when combined with the use of a wide-reaching online data collection tool called XKEYSCORE, which was said to have been shared with Japan by the NSA. "China highly values cyber security and is determined to protect its security interests. China will take measures to safeguard its own network and information security," Hua said. Photo shows a train running on Kenya's Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway built by China. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo) KIGALI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The News Times, a major newspaper in Rwanda, on Thursday published an article telling benefits of the Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) launched earlier this week. 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. It 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. Operationalization of the SGR in Kenya could ease financing of the rest of the project to Rwanda through Uganda, the newspaper quoted Rwandan experts as saying. The SGR, part of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects Initiative, is expected to ease and reduce the cost of movement of people and goods across the region, said the article, which was published as a headline story on the front page. Both Rwanda and Kenya are part of the northern corridor integration initiative that includes Uganda and South Sudan. The initiative is aimed at easing trade on the route that connects Kigali to the Kenyan port of Mombasa, where over 40 percent of the country's imports are received. Innocent Safari, Rwanda's national coordinator of Northern Corridor Integration Projects, told The New Times that the development is proof of the feasibility of the project and could ease aspects such as financing. Safari, the former permanent secretary of Ministry of Trade, Industry and East African Community Affairs of Rwanda, said the cost of logistics is expected to drastically reduce, consequently the cost of doing business as well. Rwanda was hoping to finalize the feasibility study this July, said Safari, adding that the project is "a big development for the entire region." Patience Mutesi, the Rwanda country director of TradeMark East Africa, said the development is likely to trigger further price reduction, read the article. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 19:26:04|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close YAOUNDE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people died and 30 others were injured in a suicide bombing Friday morning in the far north of Cameroon, a senior government official said. The attack was carried out by two suicide bombers around 5 am (4 am GMT) in Kolofata, a town bordering Nigeria, said Midjiyawa Bakari, governor of the Far North region in an interview with state-owned radio and television service (CRTV). The CRTV reported that 30 others were also wounded, with some in critical conditions. The two suicide bombers suspected of being affiliated to the Nigerian Islamic sect Boko Haram, are among the victims. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 19:36:10|Editor: Tian Shaohui Video Player Close File photo: Rodrigo Duterte delivers his inaugural speech as the 16th President of the Philippines at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, the Philippines, June 30, 2016. (Xinhua/Presidential Palace of the Philippines) MANILA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte voiced confidence on Friday that the government will eventually win the war against Islamic extremists that aim to establish an Islamic State caliphate in the Philippines. In a speech before the troops in Zamboanga Sibugay in the southern Philippines, Duterte said the fight to crush the terror groups "will just take longer" because, unlike the militants, the government is concerned about the civilians who might be caught in the crossfire. "We will have losses, but that's how life is governed in this universe," Duterte said. The Duterte administration is now battling with dozens of militants aligned with the Islamic State in the country's only Islamic city with more than 200,000 people. The military said at least 175 people, including 36 soldiers and policemen, have been killed in the ongoing siege that broke out last Tuesday in the southern city of Marawi. The running gun battle has also displaced thousands of residents. An airstrike by the military on Wednesday killed 10 of its own soldiers and injured seven others, the military said. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana predicted the fighting in Marawi to end this week. But Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, the spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told a news conference at the Malacanang presidential palace that the Friday deadline to flush out militants in Marawi can not be achieved. "Based on the report that we're getting I don't think we can meet the deadline today to completely -- I'd like to qualify that -- free Marawi of every single armed element in every street," Padilla said. "The first military objective that we want to achieve to free Marawi of any armed elements that still exist today. So, until such time that every member of this armed group, this rebellion group that still want to make a stand inside Marawi exists, we cannot totally say we have cleared," Padilla said. But Padilla said the troops "are working and doing their best to do and accomplish this mission immediately." "The enemy continues to occupy commercial buildings as their defensible enemy lairs and this is the subject of military action being conducted from the past few days until now," Padilla said. "Compounding the situation on the ground is the use of these forces, these armed elements use children and civilians as human shields," Padilla said. Apart from that, Padilla said the militants have also been "turning into the madrasahs as staging areas and the mosque as sniper net thereby hoping to limit the movement of our forces and their capability to neutralize them." "We continue to apply commensurate military power on these exiting threats and pockets of resistance and will continue to do so including the use of airstrike," Padilla said. Indeed, Duterte told the troops that his administration is facing "pockets of rebellion everywhere," referring to the Muslim extremist groups and the communist rebels. Duterte, who took office on June 30 last year, placed Mindanao and nearby island provinces in the southern Philippines under martial law last Tuesday after some 500 militants occupied and torched some infrastructures in Marawi. Duterte has warned of "invasion" of foreign jihadists eyeing to declare central Mindanao an IS province. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 19:41:13|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The world's leading manufacturing powers, China and Germany, will increase innovative cooperation in the latest effort to strengthen bilateral trade and investment amid setbacks in globalization. During his official visit to Germany, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang described the two countries as a golden pair in the manufacturing industry. China is willing to promote "the alignment between 'Made in China 2025' plan and Germany's 'Industry 4.0' concept," Li said, stressing collaboration in manufacturing, energy, aviation, innovation, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Unveiled in 2015, the Made in China 2025 plan aims to transform China into an innovative manufacturing country. The German Industry 4.0 concept, coined in 2011, is designed to facilitate automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies, including cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things and cloud computing. Li's words were echoed by his German counterpart Angela Merkel who said Germany is ready to work with China to build a platform to synergize innovation and high-tech development strategies. The meeting marked the next step in the world's second and fourth largest economies jointly exploring innovation as a means to stimulate flagging global growth. "The two countries, although in different stages of development, can create mutual benefits via cooperation in the manufacturing industry and industrial digitalization," said Yao Ling, a research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce. At Hanover Fair, one of the world's largest trade fairs for industrial technology, held in April, China became the second largest exhibiting nation after the host Germany, with around 1,200 participating businesses. Leading Chinese tech and manufacturing firms, including telecom giant Huawei and home appliance producer Haier, showcased their latest products and looked for deals and partners during the exhibition. Chinese Internet giant Baidu this week inked agreements with German automotive suppliers Bosch and Continental AG to expand cooperation on self-driving technologies and vehicles, smart transport systems and Internet of Vehicles. Successful corporate cooperation projects between the two countries are numerous, such as China's Baosteel and Germany's Siemens jointly participating in Industry 4.0 steel industry projects, the smart washing machine plant developed by China's Haier and Germany's Fraunhofer Institute, and Midea Group's takeover of German robot maker Kuka earlier this year. Liu Yingkui from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade expects more Chinese investment in Germany and improved cooperation on research and development to push forward economic and technological ties. China and Germany are already significant trade partners. Germany is one of a handful of countries that have a trade surplus with China with their transport equipment, chemicals, watches and machinery components popular in the Chinese market. Bilateral trade totaled 151.29 billion U.S. dollars over the last year, slightly down 3.5 percent year on year. Two way investment was robust. China pumped over 2.95 billion U.S. dollars into Germany in 2016, a 258.6-percent increase from a year ago. In the same year, Germany invested in 392 projects in China with an investment volume of 2.71 billion U.S. dollars. This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-Germany diplomatic relations. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 19:46:21|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BERLIN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement was "very regrettable." In a statement, Merkel said the Paris Agreement is essential to "preserve our creation" and that Germany will abide by its responsibilities. The German chancellor said she is "touched and encouraged" by the states and businesses in the United States that "will go together with us in this irreversible way." Merkel pledged her country's support to Fiji in November's UN climate conference to be held in Germany's Bonn, which is a further step to the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The conference will be presided over by Fiji. Merkel called on all to "stick to the way" to be "successful for the Mother Earth." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 20:01:25|Editor: Hou Qiang Garbine Muguruza of Spain competes during the women's singles third round match with Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan at French Open Tennis Tournament 2017 in Roland Garros, Paris, France on June 2, 2017. (Xinhua/Han Yan) PARIS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Women's defending champion Garbine Muguruza clinched a last 16 berth with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Yulia Putintseva, while men's No. 10 seed David Goffin retired due to an ankle injury when leading 5-4 in the first set in the third round of 2017 French Open here on Friday. The fourth-seeded Muguruza won their only previous meeting in China Open last year. The reigning champion outscored Putintseva 26-14 in winners, and reached 73% in winning on first serve, 24 percent higher than Putintseva. The Spaniard broke the serve in the first game, before her 22-year-old opponent fought back to build a 3-1 lead. After the two players levelled the score at 5-all, the No. 4 seed regrouped herself to take away the first set at 7-5 on Putintseva's forehand forced error. Muguruza met less resistence in the second set on her way to last 16. After colliding with an advertisement plate, Putintseva showed her frustration by kicking the plate when she lost the point. Muguruza sealed the win at 6-2. Muguruza will fight for a quarterfinal spot with local favorite Kristina Mladenovic or Shelby Rogers of the United States. In a game lasting just less than one hour, Goffin and Horacio Zeballos held their serve twice for a 2-2 tie, before Goffin's first break came in the fifth game. However, after leading 5-4, the Belgian sprained his ankle in an attempt to hit the ball. He called for a medical treatment, before finally making a decision to retire from the match. Garbine Muguruza of Spain celebrates after the women's singles third round match with Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan at French Open Tennis Tournament 2017 in Roland Garros, Paris, France on June 2, 2017. (Xinhua/Han Yan) Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 20:06:28|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian national police has revealed that dozens of Indonesian citizens have joined the activities of terrorist groups in the southern Philippines, indicating a linkage of militant cells in the two neighboring countries. National police spokesman Setyo Wasisto disclosed on Friday that a total of 38 Indonesian nationals had involved in the militant activities in Marawi city of the southern Philippines. "They have taken parts in terrorist activities there. They comprise 37 men and 1 woman," he said at the national police headquarters. The spokesman explained that 4 out of the 38 people already died and 12 others had been deported to Indonesia. "So there are still 22 Indonesian citizens actively join the militant groups' activities there," Wasisto added. Previously, Indonesian security authority has revealed that the linkage of the militant groups in the southern Philippines with those in Indonesia was in the form of arms supply. Then spokesman disclosed that currently, the global IS group is building up a base in the southern Philippines. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 20:06:30|Editor: Tian Shaohui Video Player Close Photo taken on May 13, 2015 shows the workboat of a Chinese archaeological team for the archaeological work of the Shanhu Island No. 1 shipwreck in the Xisha archipelago in the South China Sea.(Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan) By Xie Meihua, Liu Tian SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- It is high time for all outsiders to stop meddling and start to play a more constructive role as the South China Sea issue has returned to the right track. As the parties directly involved have pledged to join hands to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) on Tuesday issued here a report "Asia Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2017" ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue opened here in the evening. The report once again pointed fingers at China and described China as the potential threat in the South China Sea. The report said "considerable security challenges for the United States and its regional allies and partners will persist" as China could deploy "military personnel full-time" in the South China Sea. The report, citing so-called independent strategic assessments, noted that China could considerably increase its ability to interdict military overflight and navigation in the South China Sea. The report hyped up the tension in the South China Sea that has already cooled down thanks to strong political willingness, wisdom and sincerity from China and the parties concerned. It ignored the relentless efforts made by China and the parties concerned to solve the issue by consultations and dialogues. The rush, irresponsible and biased judgement in the report is rooted from the cold war mentality. The efforts made by China and the parties concerned to solve the South China Sea dispute peacefully have been encouraging. China and Vietnam issued a joint communique in January this year, vowing to manage maritime differences and avoid any acts that may complicate the situation and escalate tensions so as to safeguard the peace and stability in the region. Both countries agreed to seek basic and long-term solutions that both sides can accept via negotiations, and discuss transitional solutions that will not affect each other's stance including the research of joint development. The two sides also agreed to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and strive for the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct (COC) on the basis of consensus in the framework of the DOC. China and the Philippines have decided to put hold The Hague arbitration on the South China Sea delivered in July 2016 and seek to improve bilateral ties. A turnaround has been witnessed in bilateral ties with economic and trade ties yielding substantial results, paving the way for the two sides to hold talks on solving their dispute on the South China Sea. The talks on the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines have been inspiring with the two confirming in May this year the establishment of a biannual consultation mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea. In a joint press release, China and the Philippines reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and stability, freedom of navigation in and flight above the South China Sea, and addressing their territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means without resorting to the threat or use of force and through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned. Furthermore, senior officials from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in May this year reached an agreement on a framework for the COC in the South China Sea. They said they will continue implementing the DOC and reaffirmed plans to solve disputes via negotiation, manage differences with a regional framework of regulations, deepen maritime cooperation and move forward COC negotiation to safeguard peace and stability in the region. All these facts are telling the international community that China and the countries concerned are capable of handing issues of common concern without a third party's interference. China outlined in its white paper in January this year its concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, explaining the Chinese approach to achieving peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, thus China's peaceful rise should be viewed as development opportunities for all its neighbors and partners. The Shangri-La Dialogue, an inter-governmental security forum held annually by the Britain-based IISS should serve as a neutral platform for defense ministers, heads of ministries and military chiefs, among others, to exchange views on the security and cooperation in the Asia Pacific. Only by this way can the Shangri-La dialogue contribute to mutual trust building, avoid misjudgement and facilitate the ongoing talks on the South China Sea issue. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 21:01:54|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PYONGYANG, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday slammed Japan for launching a spy satellite, describing it as a revelation of its ambition for the revival of militarism. The Korean Central News Agency quoted a spokesman of the DPRK Foreign Ministry as saying that Japan launched a rocket carrying a spy satellite at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture of Japan on Thursday morning "under the pretext of global positioning." "Japan has already put a lot of spy satellites on space orbits since 2003 for the purpose of round-the-clock spying on the DPRK," said the spokesman. Japan on Thursday launched a rocket and successfully put a second GPS satellite into orbit to help improve the precision of the global positioning system. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 21:32:03|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LJUBLJANA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar has expressed regret over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, saying "Slovenia remains committed to protecting our planet." The Slovenian Foreign Ministry said the Paris deal is a historic response to contemporary climate challenges in a effort to secure a low-carbon, sustainable and climate change-resilient future. "Together with other signatories Slovenia will work for the full implementation of the agreement and remains committed to its goals," the ministry said, calling on the United States to stay among the leading countries in addressing environmental challenges, and urging other countries to strengthen their efforts in the fight against climate change. Meanwhile, Greenpeace Slovenia urged the government to show its commitment through right energy strategy, the STA reported. Greenpeace in a Thursday statement condemned Trump's decision as "morally-bankrupt," saying the withdrawal "will turn America from a global climate leader into a flat earth society of one." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 21:32:05|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close AMMAN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Friday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision not to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and praised his commitment to working to reach a peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the state-run Petra news agency reported. Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani said that the decision reflects a deep understanding of the sensitivity of the situation and contributes to creating a suitable environment to relaunch successful peace talks. The decision is an "important and wise step," the minister said, adding that it will enhance peacemaking efforts. Jordan, which oversees the holy Islamic and Christian sites in east Jerusalem that is envisaged as the future capital of the Palestinian state, has been repeatedly warning against the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. During the March Arab Summit held in Jordan, Arab leaders warned against the consequences of such a step on the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis and peacemaking in the Middle East. In the statement carried by Petra news agency, the minister noted King Abdullah II's statements during his meeting with Trump in Washington recently, in which he underlined the importance of the U.S. role in ending the conflict and creating stability and peace in the Middle East. Trump's decision, the minister said, highlights the U.S. administration's respect to its partners' views. Earlier on Thursday, Trump signed a waiver delaying the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. During his presidential campaign, Trump made a provocative promise to move the embassy to Jerusalem, breaking a long-held American policy. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 21:42:08|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close MACAO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The eighth International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum wrapped up Friday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region, with a series of contracts signed on promoting global infrastructure development. A total of 24 contracts, framework agreements and memorandums were signed at the forum between China and countries and regions along the Belt and Road, with seven of them between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The forum serves as an important platform for international infrastructure cooperation, which will facilitate Macao's role as a platform for economic cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, President of Macao's Trade and Investment Promotion Institute Jackson Chang said at the closing ceremony. The two-day event has attracted more than 1,700 officials, entrepreneurs, investors and professionals from 63 countries and regions. The forum includes 14 seminars and symposiums, and more than 200 meetings. The Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2017) and the Report on the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2017) were also issued at the forum. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 21:47:17|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NAIROBI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is seeking to increase the number of African tourists visiting the country as a way of expanding the tourism sector, officials said Friday. Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Najib Balala told a tourism forum in Nairobi that the government is working with Kenya Airways to provide incentives for African travellers to visit Kenya. "We are working on the modalities to provide short term transit visas to African travellers who pass through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport so that they visit Kenya," Balala said during the official opening of the Tourism Innovation and Change Forum (TICF). Data from the Kenya Tourism Board indicates that in 2016 approximately 875,000 foreigners visited Kenya via air transport, a vast majority from the U.S. and Europe. Kenya's National Tourism Strategic Blueprint 2030 has also recognized Africa as untapped tourist source market for Kenya. Balala said that Kenya has also implemented a visa on arrival regime for African countries that also gives Kenyan nationals visa on arrivals. "The aim is to make it easier for Africans to travel within the continent," he added. The tourism sector continues to play a key role in the growth of Kenya's economy. It contributes more than ten percent of the Gross Domestic Product, 18 percent of foreign exchange earnings and 11 percent of total formal employment in the country. The CS said that the sector also contributed an estimated 11 percent of government revenue in the form of taxes, duties, license fees and park entry fees. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 22:12:23|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BANJUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Women's Affairs in collaboration with Women's Bureau, National Women's Council and the Directorate of Social Welfare, expressed Friday their concern over the rape incident of a child leading to her death in the Western region of the Gambia recently. "We are appalled by the heart-breaking media news of the rape and demise of an 8 year old girl yesterday in the West Coast Region," the ministry said in a press release. "The life of this innocent and promising girl is cut short due to the brutal ordeal of rape. The Ministry is at loss for words and imagination about the pain her parents, relatives, friends and even teachers must be going through after having placed such high hopes on this innocent child," it stated. The statement indicated that rape is a crime, hence the nation must speak up now against anyone suspected of molesting young girls and boys at all places by reporting the matter to the nearest police station. The Ministry of Women's Affairs, along with Women's Bureau, National Women's Council and the Directorate of Social Welfare, is now calling for a thorough police investigation into the case. "This call for immediate police investigation is applicable to all other pending as well as future rape cases for prompt appropriate justice," it concluded. The penalty for rape crime in the Gambia according to Children's Act could be life imprisonment for the person who is found guilty by the court of law. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 22:22:29|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 (Xinhua)-- Chinese State Councilor Guo Shengkun praised law enforcement and security cooperation between China and Malaysia on Friday, saying it has effectively helped maintain the national security and social stability of the two countries. Guo, who is also China's minister of public security, made the remarks when he met with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and co-chaired the third joint working group meeting between Malaysia and China on combating transnational crimes. Law enforcement and security cooperation is a noble cause benefiting the people of the two countries, Guo said, noting that deeper cooperation is needed in fighting terrorism, telecom fraud, online gambling and drug control as well as in fugitive repatriation and asset recovery. He also suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation in safeguarding major projects under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. Zahid, who is also Malaysia's home minister, spoke highly of the effect of having such a joint working group mechanism between the two sides. He pledged to work more closely with the Chinese side on law enforcement and security cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 23:02:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BRUSSELS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Nine suspects were arrested in an investigation targeting a criminal group involved in online payment scams, the European Police Office (Europol) said Friday. The Polish police, with the support of Europol and police of Croatia, Germany, Romania and Sweden, smashed the group. The actions on May 29-31 resulted in nine arrests including the criminal network's masterminds, as well as 25 house searches in Poland. The suspects advertised online cars, construction or agricultural machinery, but didn't deliver the goods to interested buyers after received advance fee payments. The adverts were posted on a number of internet trading platforms selling vehicles and machinery in different European Union member states. The investigation found that around 1,000 individuals have fallen victim to this criminal network, with an estimated total loss of at least 2.5 million euros (2.8 million U.S. dollars). Police said investigations are still ongoing and further arrests are expected in the near future. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 23:07:52|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close KIEV, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine and China have strengthened cultural cooperation in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Ukrainian Culture Minister Eugene Nishchuk told Xinhua. "Recently, there has been a significant intensification of Ukrainian-Chinese cultural ties," he said in a recent interview on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Nishchuk, who headed the Ukrainian delegation to the first Silk Road International Cultural Expo in China's northwestern city of Dunhuang last September, said Ukraine is proud to be part of the Belt and Road Initiative, as it was on the path of the ancient Silk Road. "According to historical and archival data, the Silk Road passed through the territory of Ukraine," Nishchuk said, noting that it is vividly demonstrated by the similar features in Chinese and Ukrainian cultural and household items. "When I visited the exhibition of pottery in China, I saw the ornamentation of our Trypillian culture on some items. I showed our pots to Chinese artists and they said 'they are so similar to each other!' I believe it is not accidental," he said. In recent months, China and Ukraine have seen frequent cultural exchanges, ranging from joint concerts and art exhibitions to plans on joint film production, the minister noted. "We have discussed such plans with a number of Chinese companies. They have visited our film-making studios to explore our picture-making process. Formerly, we had such joint practice and we are in talks about its resumption," Nishchuk said. Among other cornerstones of bilateral cultural cooperation, he named the publication of a landmark Ukrainian book "Kobzar" in Chinese, exhibitions of Chinese artists in Ukrainian museums and tours of Ukrainian theaters and folk ensembles across China. "Chinese people attach great importance to Ukrainian music, ballet, as well as traditional culture -- dances, folk culture, costumes, because they are proud of their ancient culture and value other cultures with intellectual depth," Nishchuk said. He said more and more Ukrainians also became interested in Chinese cultural heritage and are willing to better understand it. "Many people are frequently asking us to assist them in organizing Chinese cultural exhibitions and exchanges. And, of course, we are very open on this issue. This is the way to good cooperation," the minister said. What is also important in recent time, cultural exchanges are carried out not only under the government supervision, but also at the local level. "There is wide cooperation at the cross-sectoral and inter-institutional levels," he said. For example, Ukraine's National Museum of World War II is constantly in contact with the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing and the Museum of Pingjin Battle in China's northern city of Tianjin, Nishchuk said. "Also, Kiev Art Museum is starting cooperation with the Chinese partner," he added. Chinese and Ukrainian people can learn a lot from each other by discovering more about their cultural features and culture can play a vital role in promoting relations between the two states, said the minister. "It seems to me that culture provides a great boost for our good relations. Culture is the instrument that promotes mutual trust, rapprochement, and respect for each other," the minister said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 23:28:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close OSLO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The number of registered unemployed Norwegians went down in May, online newspaper E24 reported Friday. Last month there were 70,900 people registered as fully unemployed at the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) -- 1,900 fewer than before, E24 wrote. The proportion of unemployed is now 2.6 percent of the workforce, compared with 2.9 percent in May last year, a report from NAV said. "There is a clear improvement in the Norwegian labor market. This is in line with other figures we have," Erik Bruce, chief analyst at Nordea financial group, told E24. He pointed out that the national accounts showed rising employment. Since the beginning of the year, unemployment has fallen by about 1,000 people on average per month. After the years that experienced the oil crisis, the situation gets brighter, Bruce said. "It tells us that the oil crisis is at its end. The way it looks, the unemployment flattens out in oil-countries and then it continues to fall in the rest of the country," he said, adding that it was difficult to say whether this was due to the stronger economy or weaker job offers. "NAV figures continue to show an improvement in the labor market, indicating that capacity utilization is increasing," said Jeanette Strom Fjaere, economist at DNB Markets investment bank. Sigrun Vageng, NAV's director, expressed belief that unemployment would fall further. "The labor market trend has been positive over the past six months and in May we had a significant decline in the number of unemployed. More job vacancies and fewer notifications of terminations and layoffs make us expect further decline of unemployment," Vageng said in a press release. However, despite fewer being reported as unemployed, many still struggle to get a job. "At the same time, the number of long-term unemployed increased and unemployment has increased among those who have been job seekers for more than one year and most among them who have been job seekers for between one-and-a-half and two years," according to the NAV report. "In May, 21,500 of the unemployed had been unemployed for over a year. Long-term unemployment has especially increased in the counties that have been hit by the decline in the oil industry," it said. NAV statistics do not reflect the total number of unemployed Norwegians, as not all unemployed people register themselves as such, E24 wrote. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-02 23:33:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LAGOS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Friday alerted the public to the outbreak of bird flu in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and seven states of the country. Gideon Mshelbwala, the Director of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, raised the alert at a meeting with state Commissioners of Agriculture in Abuja, the nation's capital on Friday. Mshelbwala listed the states affected by the outbreak to include Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa, Plateau, FCT and lastly Kaduna, which reported a case in May 30. He said the disease had spread across 26 states of the federation and the FCT since it started in 2008 affecting 800 farms in no fewer than 123 local government areas. Mshelbwala, who said there were no scientifically proven vaccines for bird flu, added that the government was adopting quarantine, movement control, stamping out, decontamination and bio-security measures to curb the spread. The director expressed regret over the poor bio-security practices by some poultry farmers, adding that it was the major reason for the continuous spread of the disease. "Our national action plan encourages proper regulation of the poultry industry and enforcement of annual registration of all actors along the poultry value chain including farmers, traders, egg merchants and feed millers," he added. Mshelbwala said the way forward to the containment of the disease was to ban importation of poultry and products, quarantine and bio-security measures, among others. He warned poultry farmers against illegal vaccination of birds, saying that it was a deadly alternative to the control of the disease. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 00:03:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam and met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the second Singapore-Australia Leaders' Summit on Friday. In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tan and Turnbull welcomed the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and looked forward to increased exchanges between the two countries. At the Leaders' Summit, both Lee and Turnbull reaffirmed the longstanding and excellent bilateral ties underpinned by similar perspectives and strategic trust. They further reiterated Singapore and Australia's commitment to deepen and expand bilateral collaboration, including in trade, defense, innovation, and arts and culture, according to the release. In addition, the two prime ministers also exchanged views on regional development and agreed on the importance of an open and inclusive regional architecture and the benefits of free and open trade. Meanwhile, two deals were signed at the Leaders' Summit to deepen bilateral cyber-security cooperation, as well as to promote cooperation in data science and advanced manufacturing. A demonstration is held to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, outside the White House in Washington D.C. June 1, 2017. Donald Trump said on Thursday that he has decided to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, a landmark global pact to deal with climate change. (Xinhua/Yan Liang) LUSAKA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The decision by the U.S. government to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement will affect developing nations like Zambia, a senior government official said on Friday. Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection Lloyd Kaziya said the planned withdraw was a blow to developing countries who were adversely being affected by the negative effects of climate change. Developing countries, he said, needed developed nations like the U.S. to help in mitigating the side effects of climate change, adding that the withdraw of one major developed countries was a blow, according to HOT FM radio. "It is a serious tragedy because we need these super powers to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Right now we are struggling to get financing from the Green Climate Fund and the decision by the U.S. will just worsen the situation," he said. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will withdraw his country from the Paris Climate Change Agreement. A demonstration is held to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, outside the White House in Washington D.C. June 1, 2017. (Xinhua/Yan Liang) The announcement has received criticism from many parts of the world, with environmental campaigners saying American absence will make it considerable harder for the remaining countries to reach their agreed goals, given that the U.S. was responsible for about 15 percent of global emissions of carbon and promised 3 billion U.S. dollars to help other countries. The Paris Agreement commits the U.S. and 187 other countries to keeping rising global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. U.S. payments to the UN Green Climate Fund, which helps developing countries cope with the effects of climate change, will stop following the announcement to pull out. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 00:43:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BRATISLAVA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The eurozone should be even more united internally, and Slovakia wants to be part of its core, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced here Friday. "There's pressure on eurozone countries to be ever closer-knit and work much closer together," stressed Fico, adding that such integration will also involve the need to adopt highly sensitive decisions, including in social and tax policies. "Our official position is that we're in favor of deepening European integration because this has proven to be extraordinarily successful. The results of Slovakia's involvement in the process are highly positive," pointed out Fico. If such deepening entails the creation of a sort of core in the EU, Slovakia will aim for not being left out, he added. "It won't be easy: the decisions that we will need to make in financial, economic and social areas will be serious. The decisions will also concern defense and security, where the closer integration may involve closer ties in military expenditures," expressed Fico. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 00:43:58|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close URUMQI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Tajinisa looks forward to attending an upcoming family day at her daughter's company. When her daughter Goharnisa was recruited by a nearby food processing company in 2012, it marked a milestone in the family's struggle to get out of poverty. "Thanks to her job, we now have a well-decorated house and fresh lamb in our fridge ready to be eaten," said Tajinisa. "I can't wait to see where she works." The family live in a remote village in Hotan County, a poor area of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Goharnisa works as a team leader, managing workers who sort dates and nuts. "Our Xinjiang specialty products are sold across the country, including Beijing and Shanghai, which makes me feel connected to those big cities," she said. Her monthly salary is 4,300 yuan (630 U.S. dollars), 1,300 yuan more than the annual income of the entire family of five before 2012. China has been intensifying efforts to assist poor rural residents, including those of the country's ethnic minority groups. According to a white paper issued by the State Council Information Office Thursday, by the end of 2016, less than 10 percent of Xinjiang's population live in poverty. The number of people registered as living below the poverty line in the region had dropped from 2.61 million in 2013 to 1.22 million by the end of 2016. The region has vowed to take part in the national effort to lift all Chinese out of poverty by 2020. Southern Xinjiang has been the focus of poverty-relief programs, with more funding and social resources directed to the area. Ten special projects involving employment-based poverty reduction have been implemented, according to the white paper. In the most impoverished prefectures of Kashgar and Hotan, a target has been set to find jobs for 100,000 people in the next three years, meaning more families like Goharnisa's will have a chance to raise their incomes. Xinjiang's state-owned companies are required to offer 10,000 jobs, with the families of farmers and herders prioritized for recruitment, according to regional authorities. Guozhichu food company, where Goharnisa works, is located in a remote rural area some 200 km away from the county seat of Yutian. The company and three other companies under a state-owned group recruited a total of 215 local residents in late May. Muharem Abla, one of the new employees, is being trained to sort dates, making 2,000 yuan a month during her probation period. "My neighbors are jealous and often ask me when the company will offer more jobs," she said with a smile. Most of the new workers were previously housewives. "I'm so proud that I can earn a considerable salary without being away from home," she said. Turuwenjan, a sociologist with Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences, said state-owned companies should hire more local residents and train unskilled ethnic minority groups, rather than bring in migrant workers from other regions. Private companies should also be encouraged to do the same with tax reductions and exemptions, he said. "Employment is vital to people's livelihood, as well as regional stability," Turuwenjan said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 02:14:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close By Maria Spiliopoulou ATHENS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The Athens and Epidaurus Festival, the largest and most prestigious annual cultural event in Greece over the past six decades and one of the oldest in Europe, kicked off this week, eyeing to forge closer links to Greek society and the world, organizers told Xinhua. The program started on May 31 with the Greek National Opera (GNO) staging the opera "Madama Butterfly" by Puccini at the Herodus Atticus Odeon at the foot of the Acropolis hill in Athens and ends on Aug. 19. It includes dozens of performances of ancient and modern theater and dance, music concerts and exhibitions of visual arts, featuring works of acclaimed Greek and foreign artists. "The year 2017 will go down in history as one of new beginnings as far as the festival is concerned. We are launching a series of new sections, collaborations, and openings, which will hopefully revitalize the Greek performing scene and over time bear fruit and become established parts of the Festival," Vangelis Theodoropoulos, the festival's artistic director since 2016, wrote in a message to the audience. This year the Athens and Epidaurus Festival launches the Epidaurus Lyceum, an international summer school of ancient Greek drama intended for drama school students and young actors from all over the world, he explained. It will be hosted at the 2,500-year-old marble theater of Epidaurus in Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece, where the second leg of the festival unfolds each summer. In the Athens leg, the organizers are launching this year another section: the Opening to the City, Theodoropoulos noted. "Encompassing performances and events at non-theatrical spaces, interventions in run-down areas of the city, this section seeks to counteract the increasingly withdrawn and introspective stance of society, responding to the fear of diversity and taking a stand against parochial, insular, and racist attitudes at large," he stressed. "This year 2017 we have more than 100 events in different venues in Athens. Our main venue is Herodus Atticus Odeon, but our artistic director Vangelis Theodoropoulos has decided to expand the festival throughout Athens in different little venues... It is like a big feast for culture," Maria Panagiotopoulou, the festival's press officer told Xinhua on Thursday night at 260 Peiraios Street, an industrial building which in recent years has been turned into a venue for cultural performances. The venue at 260 Peiraios Street currently hosts a photographic exhibition of the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography about the migrant and refugee crisis and a 13-channel film installation by German artist and filmmaker Julian Rosefeldt which pays homage to the 20th century artistic manifestos with celebrated actress Cate Blanchett portraying thirteen roles. Panagiotopoulou calls on tourists who will visit Greece this summer to explore along the Greek crowds what the Greek festival has to offer in Athens and Epidaurus, at a two hour drive from the Greek capital, where mostly ancient Greek drama performances are hosted. "It is a very unique experience to just take the trip to Peloponnese and give yourself this excellent experience of attending theater in the place where ancient Greeks used to do it," she said. In order to ensure that recession-hit Greeks will continue flooding the festival's venues in recent years, organizers have tried to keep the prices of tickets low and provide opportunities to members of the most vulnerable groups of Greek society to join the feast. On Tuesday this week, some 1,500 unemployed Greeks were able to watch the dress rehearsal of "Madama Butterfly" free of charge. In the past five years, the GNO in coordination with the Athens and Epidaurus Festival offers free tickets to the jobless as part of its social policy program. "The National Opera firmly believes in social aid... For us it is the least we can do, to provide a few seats to the unemployed. We hope that we can do more," Yorgos Koumentakis, GNO's artistic director told Xinhua at Herodus Atticus Odeon. "People's reaction was warm. The tickets were snapped up very quickly. This gives us strength to see what else we can do," he said. MANILA -- At least 36 bodies were found inside a casino hotel that was set on fire by a lone gunman, the Philippine police said on Friday. "Some of the bodies were found inside the casino on the second floor. Some of them were found inside the comfort room on the casino," Southern Police District chief Tomas Apolinario told CNN Philippines. He said they were still determining whether the dead were casino players or employees. Earlier report put the death toll at 34. None of the dead sustained gunshot wound, the police official said, adding they died of suffocation. "I think the fire quickly spread because the suspect used either gasoline or kerosene to start the fire," he said. The gunman, who opened fire and burned part of the casino, killed himself, according to the police. Bases on initial report, Apolinario said the suspect sustained an "exit gunshot wound" in the head. "The way the body was found has rifle pointing at his chin, indicating he set himself on fire and he shot himself," he said. There are still areas that cannot be accessed because of the toxic fumes, he said. "As far as danger and threat are concerned the building is already cleared," he said. He said the police "are conducting continued investigations into the incident and ascertain the identity of the suspect." "We are still investigating if he has accomplice in committing the crime but initial reports and evidence point that the suspect was alone," Apolinario said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 02:29:42|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close VIENNA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Austrian officials Friday joined the international chorus in criticizing the decision by U.S. president Donald Trump to pull out of the Paris climate agreement, according to local media reports. Speaking to journalists during a visit to St. Petersburg, Russia, chancellor Christian Kern expressed concern over the "example" that could be set by the move. He added that it has shown "President Trump obviously does not understand the reality in his own country." The U.S. president will also have "missed the train" on investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy, spending expected to be at record highs this year, he said. Austria is well-placed as a leading nation in this area to profit from these developments. Foreign affairs minister and anticipated chancellor candidate Sebastian Kurz meanwhile called the decision "irresponsible," but said it is "clear that the historic Paris breakthrough can no longer be reversed." Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 02:39:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BUDAPEST, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that he was shocked by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, while some opposition parties condemned Trump's decision. There is a consensus in Hungary that climate change is a reality and dangerous thing, Orban said in an interview with public Kossuth Radio. Climate change is of a global nature, so an action at a global level is required, he added. This is contrary to what the U.S. president has decided, Orban said. Opposition LMP (a green party) parliamentary deputy group leader Erzsebet Schmuck said that her party would call on Hungarian President Janos Ader and Orban to ask the signatories of the agreement to exert international pressure on the U.S. president. The LMP believed that Trump's decision sent the worst message to the world that the world's second largest emitter of greenhouse gases was not interested in climate change and the destruction of the planet's ecosystem. Democratic Coalition deputy leader Csaba Molnar said in a statement that Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement was "a damaging and indefensible crime against the world." According to opposition Egyutt (Together) Party, Trump's announcement could endanger the climate agreement and the struggle against global climate change. Nevertheless, the party was confident that the the United States would soon review its current decision. The file photos taken on May 25, 2017 shows that U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (Front) leaves the European Council headquarters after EU-USA Leaders' Meeting, in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan) WASHINGTON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday downplayed the significance of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to leave the Paris Agreement amid widespread discord both at home and abroad. "I don't think we're going to change our ongoing efforts to reduce those emissions in the future," said Tillerson here before his meeting with visiting Brazilian counterpart Aloysio Nunes Ferreira. It was the first time that Tillerson, who reportedly opposed the U.S. withdrawal from the landmark global pact to fight climate change, made public comments on the issue after Trump's announcement on Thursday. After almost 5-month-old frenzied speculation across the world, Trump on Thursday announced his decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, arguing that the Paris Agreement "hamstrings" the United States while "empowers" other countries. Trump said the United States would begin negotiations to re-enter the agreement. However, he indicated that re-entry may not be a top priority for his administration. "If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine," said Trump, adding that the new agreement must ensure "fair" treatment to the United States, its business, its workers, and its taxpayers. By leaving the Paris Agreement, Trump fulfilled his campaign promise, but had aroused discord both at home and abroad. In response to Trump's decision, governors of California, Washington and New York announced Thursday formation of a coalition committed to upholding the Paris accord. "I am proud to stand with other governors as we make sure that the inaction in D.C. is met by an equal force of action from the states," Washington State Governor Jay Inslee said in a joint statement. The alliance will serve as a forum for states to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy, according to the statement. Likewise, Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti also announced that he was proud to continue to adopt goals of the Paris Agreement with more than 60 fellow mayors, who are committed to the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda in local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As of late Thursday afternoon, 68 mayors of cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver, had signed their names in a statement saying they would adopt, honor and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the climate agreement. Across the world, major powers have also taken issue with Trump's controversial move. U.S. withdrawal from the Paris agreement is "a major disappointment" for global efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions and promote international security, Spokesperson for UN secretary-general Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Thursday. French President Emmanuel Macron also denounced on Thursday evening Trump's decision to leave the Paris pact. In a speech delivered at the Elysee Palace, Macron said the United States has "turned its back on the world" and made "a mistake for the future of the planet." "Wherever we live, wherever we are, we all share the same responsibility -- make our planet great again," the French president stressed. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 04:15:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close FRANKFURT, June 2 (Xinhua)-- The music festival "Rock am Ring "in western German city of Nuerburg was interrupted Friday evening due to terror threat warning, told local police via twitter. Thousands of visitors have been evacuated from the Nuernburgring arena where the music festival is being held. The likely terror attack hasn't been excluded so far, told the police, without giving further specific background. The investigation is going on under high pressure, the police added. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 04:30:52|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close PRAGUE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Twitter on Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement was wrong and that it was a shame the United States had isolated itself on this issue of global importance. Sobotka said Trump's decision would weaken the Paris accord, but would not destroy it. He said the climate agreement was "important for our children and for a safer future. We cannot reject it just for (the sake of) living more comfortably now." He said the Czech Republic had experienced climate change, and people had the responsibility to do their utmost to make an improvement for the next generations. The Paris agreement was a good and reasonable way to do that, he said. This file photo taken on May 22, 2017 shows US President Donald Trump (L) and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a press conference prior to an official dinner in Jerusalem. Trump has decided not to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem for now. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) AMMAN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Friday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision not to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and praised his commitment to working to reach a peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the state-run Petra news agency reported. Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani said that the decision reflects a deep understanding of the sensitivity of the situation and contributes to creating a suitable environment to relaunch successful peace talks. The decision is an "important and wise step," the minister said, adding that it will enhance peacemaking efforts. Jordan, which oversees the holy Islamic and Christian sites in east Jerusalem that is envisaged as the future capital of the Palestinian state, has been repeatedly warning against the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. During the March Arab Summit held in Jordan, Arab leaders warned against the consequences of such a step on the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis and peacemaking in the Middle East. In the statement carried by Petra news agency, the minister noted King Abdullah II's statements during his meeting with Trump in Washington recently, in which he underlined the importance of the U.S. role in ending the conflict and creating stability and peace in the Middle East. Trump's decision, the minister said, highlights the U.S. administration's respect to its partners' views. Earlier on Thursday, Trump signed a waiver delaying the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. During his presidential campaign, Trump made a provocative promise to move the embassy to Jerusalem, breaking a long-held American policy. The Chinese delegation of the Tibetan cultural exchange, led by Zheng Dui (1st L), Secretary-General of China Tibetology Research Center, gives a lecture at Kiev Taras Shevchenko National University (KNU) in Kiev, Ukrain, on May 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng) KIEV, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine and China have strengthened cultural cooperation in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Ukrainian Culture Minister Eugene Nishchuk told Xinhua. "Recently, there has been a significant intensification of Ukrainian-Chinese cultural ties," he said in a recent interview on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Nishchuk, who headed the Ukrainian delegation to the first Silk Road International Cultural Expo in China's northwestern city of Dunhuang last September, said Ukraine is proud to be part of the Belt and Road Initiative, as it was on the path of the ancient Silk Road. "According to historical and archival data, the Silk Road passed through the territory of Ukraine," Nishchuk said, noting that it is vividly demonstrated by the similar features in Chinese and Ukrainian cultural and household items. "When I visited the exhibition of pottery in China, I saw the ornamentation of our Trypillian culture on some items. I showed our pots to Chinese artists and they said 'they are so similar to each other!' I believe it is not accidental," he said. In recent months, China and Ukraine have seen frequent cultural exchanges, ranging from joint concerts and art exhibitions to plans on joint film production, the minister noted. "We have discussed such plans with a number of Chinese companies. They have visited our film-making studios to explore our picture-making process. Formerly, we had such joint practice and we are in talks about its resumption," Nishchuk said. Among other cornerstones of bilateral cultural cooperation, he named the publication of a landmark Ukrainian book "Kobzar" in Chinese, exhibitions of Chinese artists in Ukrainian museums and tours of Ukrainian theaters and folk ensembles across China. "Chinese people attach great importance to Ukrainian music, ballet, as well as traditional culture -- dances, folk culture, costumes, because they are proud of their ancient culture and value other cultures with intellectual depth," Nishchuk said. He said more and more Ukrainians also became interested in Chinese cultural heritage and are willing to better understand it. "Many people are frequently asking us to assist them in organizing Chinese cultural exhibitions and exchanges. And, of course, we are very open on this issue. This is the way to good cooperation," the minister said. What is also important in recent time, cultural exchanges are carried out not only under the government supervision, but also at the local level. "There is wide cooperation at the cross-sectoral and inter-institutional levels," he said. For example, Ukraine's National Museum of World War II is constantly in contact with the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing and the Museum of Pingjin Battle in China's northern city of Tianjin, Nishchuk said. "Also, Kiev Art Museum is starting cooperation with the Chinese partner," he added. Chinese and Ukrainian people can learn a lot from each other by discovering more about their cultural features and culture can play a vital role in promoting relations between the two states, said the minister. "It seems to me that culture provides a great boost for our good relations. Culture is the instrument that promotes mutual trust, rapprochement, and respect for each other," the minister said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 04:56:04|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Friday expressed concern over the crisis in the Kasai provinces and its disastrous impact on local communities, UN Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said on Friday. More than 1 million people are currently displaced due to the violence plaguing that part of the country. Most of them live in deplorable conditions, with no access to health care, food or safe-drinking water, said Haq. In the Kasai Central province, one in three health centers is no longer operating, he said. Six hundred and thirty-nine elementary and secondary schools have been destroyed or attacked by militias in the Kasai Central and Kasai provinces, he added. The UN has also documented over 500 cases of children being used as combatants or human shields by militias, said Haq. The Special Representative of the Secretary General in the DRC, Maman Sidikou, condemned the attacks and called on the parties involved to respect health centers and schools as zones of peace, said the spokesman. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 05:31:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan Photo taken on June 2, 2017 shows the United Nations Security Council voting on a resolution on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the UN headquarters in New York. UN Security Council adopted resolution blacklisting DPRK individuals, entities. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday agreed to put more individuals and entities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) under its sanction list in response to the country's repeated ballistic launches. In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-nation council decided to impose travel bans and asset freezes on 14 individuals and put sanctions on two companies, one bank as well as the Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean People's Army. The Security Council also condemned "in the strongest terms" the nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development activities conducted by the DPRK since September 2016, while urging the DPRK to abandon its nuclear programs and cease all related activities immediately. Over the past weeks, the DPRK has test-fired several ballistic missiles including a medium-range rocket launched on Monday which fell into the Sea of Japan. According to previous Security Council resolutions, the DPRK is banned from conducting any launches that use ballistic missile technology, nuclear tests or any other provocation. To curb the DPRK's activities, the council has ratcheted up its sanction measures on the country since 2006, which includes banning the sale and transfer of coal, iron and iron ore from the country's territory. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 06:11:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese military official called for peaceful coexistence among countries and jointly safeguarding Asia-Pacific security on Friday, reiterating that China will always follow the path of peaceful development. Lieutenant General He Lei, vice president of the Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, made the remarks here at a press briefing after attending a reception and opening dinner held for participants of the 16th Shangri-La Dialogue. "China always adheres to the path of peaceful development, and believes that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, should be equal, coexist peacefully and jointly safeguard security in the Asia-Pacific region," He Lei said. He Lei, who heads the Chinese delegation to the ongoing Shangri-La Dialogue, said the Chinese delegation will expound on China's foreign policy of peace as well as its defensive national defense policy, particularly against the backdrop of various security risks and challenges in the international situation. The general said Chinese President Xi Jinping, from a perspective of world peace and development, has proposed the promotion of a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation as the core, practicing the Asian security concept and building a community of shared future for mankind. With regard to the remarks made by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the dinner on the Korean Peninsular issue and regional rules, He Lei said, "I think he has ignored the basic fact that the crux of the issue is the strategic distrust between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States." "And when we talk about rules, to my opinion, international rules should reflect general consensus of all countries, and they should not be unilaterally interpreted and decided by some countries," He Lei said, stressing that regional rules should demonstrate shared interests and values of the region. The senior Chinese military official also recalled his meetings with dialogue participants at the reception and the dinner. They included participants from France, Britain, the United States, Singapore and Laos. The Chinese military attaches importance to joining multilateral dialogue mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific region, He Lei said, adding that the Chinese military has participated in the Shangri-La Dialogue for 11 years in a row since 2007. He Lei hoped that by taking part in the dialogue, the Chinese delegation could further develop friendly ties with defense agencies, military officials and academics from various countries, enhance cooperation and deepen friendship. He Lei also expressed his wish that the dialogue could treat all countries impartially and be conducted in a good atmosphere so as to focus on seeking way to resolve problems. Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-03 06:21:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close Photo taken on June 2, 2017 shows the United Nations Security Council voting on a resolution on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the UN headquarters in New York. UN Security Council adopted resolution blacklisting DPRK individuals, entities. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday agreed to add more individuals and entities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to its sanction list in response to the country's repeated ballistic launches. In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-nation council decided to impose travel bans and asset freezes on 14 individuals and put sanctions on two companies, one bank as well as the Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean People's Army. The Security Council also condemned "in the strongest terms" the nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development activities conducted by the DPRK since September 2016, while urging the DPRK to abandon its nuclear programs and cease all related activities immediately. The most powerful UN body "reiterates the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in north-east Asia at large, expresses its commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic, and political solution to the situation," said the resolution. Liu Jieyi, China's ambassador to the UN, said the adoption of the resolution has sent out a unified message that the international community is against the DPRK's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development programs. He noted that there is "a critical window of opportunity" for the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula to come back to the right track of seeking a settlement through dialogue and negotiations. "China calls on all parties to implement fully and comprehensively relevant Security Council resolutions on the DPRK and push for a peaceful settlement to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through strengthening the efforts on non-proliferation and promotion of peace talks," said Liu. "We hope that all parties concerned will work with China to keep pushing for dialogue and negotiations in order to seek a solution to the problems concerned on the Korean Peninsula within the framework of the Six-Party talks and continue to work actively and constructively towards the goal of early de-nuclearization and lasting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula," he added. Over the past weeks, the DPRK has test-fired several ballistic missiles including a medium-range rocket launched on Monday which fell into the Sea of Japan. According to previous Security Council resolutions, the DPRK is banned from conducting any launches that use ballistic missile technology, nuclear tests or any other provocation. To curb the DPRK's related activities, the council has ratcheted up its sanction measures on the country since 2006, which includes banning the sale and transfer of coal, iron and iron ore from the country's territory. Jailed for robbing ex-girlfriend Prosecutor Cleydon Seedan told the court that at about 8. 25 am on Wednesday, at Pointe-a-Pierre Road in San Fernando, the woman was seated in a taxi. Skerrit opened the rear right door leaned into the car and pulled a gold chain from the womans neck causing it to burst. He then snatched her purse and walked off with her in pursuit. The purse which was valued $150, contained $150 as well as other items. The woman saw a police vehicle proceeding along Upper High Street and told officers she had just been robbed. Skerrit was held near La Pique Plaza. Yesterday, Skerrit said the incident was a domestic situation that got out of hand. He added that in November the woman moved out of his parents home, where they were living. However, he claimed they had been in communication for the past six months. Attorney found guilty He will be sentenced on June 13. Melville was represented by attorneys Ravi Rajcoomar, Larry Williams and Radeyah Ali. Anju Bhola prosecuted. It was Melvilles second trial. He was first convicted in March 2004 and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for his role in Coxs kidnapping and attempted murder. He successfully challenged this conviction in the appeal court and a retrial was ordered. Another man, Hilton Winchester was also convicted in 2004 and was jailed for ten years. He lost his appeal. The States case was that Melville Jason Holder, Ainsley Beetle Alleyne and Winchester, to kill Cox on June 28, 2001, after he found out she had reported him to police after he cashed in two insurance policies on behalf of a client and failed to pay the money to that client. Melville hired the hitmen at a cost of $40,000 and told them it had to be a skilful operation and that Cox must not, Rise back up again. This was part of the testimony of one of the three men whose evidence was read to the jury at the trial which took place in the Port of Spain Fourth Criminal Court. During her testimony, Cox said the men took her up to Fort George and then up to Cumberland hill and one of them said he was paid $1,000 to kill her. She offered to pay him $20,000 to spare her life. Realising she was going to be killed, Cox flung herself off the steep hillside and down a precipice. She was eventually held and bought back partially up the hill where Holder squeezed her neck until she became unconscious. When she revived, Cox begged her kidnappers to spare her life and eventually managed to escape by jumping off precipice a second time Man charged with retirees murder Warner appeared in the First Court and was not called upon to plead. On Wednesday, investigators received instructions from Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Honore Paul to charge Warner with the murder of Len Fortune whose partially burnt body was found under a mattress at his home at Ibis Street, Fanny Village in Pt Fortin on May 22. The house was ransacked. Police detained three villagers but after receiving instructions on Wednesday, two men were released. WPC Vanessa Callender-St Clair of the Homicide Bureau (Region III) charged Warner. Fisherman fined for gun, ammo Stephen Ramlochan, 26, of Penal yesterday stood in the Sixth court before Magistrate Brambhanan jointly charged with Ravi Samraj, a disc jockey, with possession of a gun and ammunition. Ramlochan pleaded guilty while Samraj pleaded not guilty. Court prosecutor Sgt Gordon Maharaj said that Sgt Victor and other Penal police officers intercepted a car driven by Ramlochan along the M2 Ring Road in Debe on Wednesday morning. During a search of the car, police found a revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition. In pleading for leniency, Ramlochans attorney Dexter Bailey told the court his client was the victim of three separate robberies, was chopped on the head and had to dive into the sea to escape. Feeling powerless, the attorney added, Ramlochan armed himself. He noted that his client is a father of one who co-operated with investigators upon arrest. Addressing Ramlochan directly, Magistrate Dubay noted it was unfortunate what had happened to him, but the law is the law. Dubay chided Ramlochan for a foolish act. For having an illegal firearm, Ramlochan was fined $6,000 while he was fined $4,000 for the ammunition. The fines are to be paid within 60 days or in default, serve two years imprisonment with hard labour. Samraj was granted $20,000 bail with a surety and the case was adjourned to June 14. Maraval man on the run While officers concentrated on locating the man, a 27-year-old San Juan woman remained in custody and was being questioned yesterday in connection with the same arms and ammunition find at El Socorro on Wednesday. Police sources revealed yesterday, they seized from five barrels at the Customs Bond Shop named Piarco Air Services : three AR-15 rifles; one shotgun; one sniper rifle; 300 rounds of assorted ammunition including 5.56, 7.62 magazines; and other parts for firearms. Newsday understands the guns came in ten parts in the five barrels and were carefully wrapped in plastic and secured at the bottom of the barrels covered with loose flour, dog chow and grocery items. Officers of the Customs and Excise, acting on a tip-off, went to the Piarco Air Services on Wednesday morning and began searching barrels which came from Canada. One of the first barrels searched resulted in the recovery of some of the gun parts hidden in loose dog chow. Officers then searched four other barrels and found additional gun parts for a sniper and another AR-15 rifle. The over 300 assorted ammunition and magazines were also discovered hidden under grocery items and flour. The 27-year-old El Socorro woman, who went to the Piarco Air Services to clear one of the barrels, was quickly detained and said that she was given money by someone to collect the barrel and was promised the grocery items contained inside the barrel. She said she accepted the offer because she found it to be a great deal but never knew that the barrel also contained illegal arms and ammunition. The second suspect of Maraval, reportedly went to the Customs Bond area but fled after receiving a phone call. All the weapons and ammunition were sent to the Special Evidence Recovery Unit in Cumuto (SE RU) for testing. Authorities are expected to make contact with officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for some assistance in the probe surrounding the smuggling of guns and ammo into the country. Yesterday, ACP (Crime) Irwin Hackshaw told Newsday, This is a worrying situation in a country where firearms are boldly coming through our legal and illegal ports of entry. We need to do more in-depth surveillance and intelligence. ACP Hackshaw commended both the police and customs for their vigilance which led to the recovery of the weapons. He also revealed that increased vigilance is now being paid at all ports of entry whether legal or illegal. Cops search contractors offices According to well placed sources several financial documents were seized as part of alleged impropriety involving the distribution of contracts under the former Peoples Partnership administration. Attorneys for the contractors were at the scenes of the police raids advising their clients. The attorneys said they will be holding a news conference today on the incident. Sources say the Anti Corruption Bureau was presented with several documents last year by persons who allege that the contractors were involved in wrong doing. Resign now! This was the overwhelming call by hundreds of lawyers to Chief Justice Ivor Archie and members of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission which he chairs in his capacity as head of the judiciary over the Marcia Ayers-Caesar d?b?cle. The Law Association yesterday debated five resolutions at a specially convened meeting at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain. The five resolutions and the vote results were: To resolve that the Law Association do express its loss of confidence in Ivor Archie as Chief Justice... 285 for, 150 against; To resolve that the Law Association do express its loss of confidence in the Chief Justice as chairman of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC)...312 for, 122 against; To resolve that the Law Association do express its loss of confidence in Justice Roger Hamel-Smith, Maureen Manchouck and Humphrey Stollmeyer as members of the JLSC...300 for, 130against; To resolve that the Law Association do call upon Ivor Archie to resign forthwith as Chief Justice... 263 for, 165 against, and;. To resolve that the Law Association call upon Justice Roger Hamel-Smith, Maureen Manchouck and Humphrey Stollmeyer to resign as members of the JLSC...293 voted for while 135 voted against. Newsday was told that hundreds of votes were cast after several senior attorneys including Senior Counsel Martin Daly, Alvin Fitzpatrick, Anand Ramlogan and Israel Khan contributed to a spirited debate which began at 3 pm at the Convocation Hall. From 1 pm, attorneys began filing into the Hall of Justice. Attorneys seen going to the meeting included former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, UNC Senator and attorney Gerald Ramdeen, Larry Lalla, Robin Montano, Law Association President Douglas Mendes, Israel Khan, Gerry Brooks, Ian Brooks, Independent Senator Sophia Chote, Martin Daly, Ian Benjamin and Tonya Rowley-Cuffy, daughter of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. Just before 9 pm last night, the counted votes reflected the attorneys resounding call for Archie to resign as Chief Justice as well as chairman of the JLSC. The other members of the commission - retired Appeal Court judges Roger Hamel-Smith and Humphrey Stollmeyer, head of the Public Service Sandra Manchouk and recently appointed member Ernest Koylass, the latter being the only JLSC member not on the petition. He was appointed to the JLSC after the lawyers motion was tabled. CJ TO BE INFORMED Speaking after the tally of votes, Law Association president Douglas Mendes, SC, said the next step for the Law Association LATT would be to inform the Chief Justice and the members of the JLSC of yesterdays meeting. He said this may be done today. Asked if there was an obligation for the Chief Justice to resign, Mendes said there was no legal obligation because there was a procedure under the Constitution for the removal of a Chief Justice, which could only be invoked by the Prime Minister. This is an expression of the opinion of the legal profession as to the JLSCs handling of the appointment of former Judge Marcia Ayers-Caesar, Mendes said. Mendes said the concern was the appointment of Ayers-Caesar as a High Court Judge in the circumstances where she had a number of part heard matters. The concern of the Law Association was that there ought to have been procedures in place to ensure that anyone who is promoted from the magistracy would have completed all of their part heard matters before they did so. What the Association is expressing by these motions is their dissatisfaction with the process that led to what you are seeing playing out in the magistrates court where a number of people of who have been on charges for a long time are now being told that these matters have to start all over again. Mendes said the turnout yesterday was a reflection of the issue itself and generated a lot of interest. He also said he was not entirely clear on Ayers-Caesars status at this point in time, but assuming from a letter from the JLSC, she was no longer a member of the magistracy, but could not say definitely. For his part, attorney Gerald Ramdeen said what the Law Association demonstrated yesterday was an entire loss of confidence in the Chief Justice and the JLSC. This is a sad day for the administration of justice. But it is a day that we must celebrate as the Law Association voted overwhelmingly for democracy, transparency and openness. Now it falls to the Chief Justice to take the next step. The Law Association which has a statutory mandate under the Legal Profession Act to uphold the rule of law and the Constitution has voted almost two to one asking the Chief Justice to resign, asking members of the JLSC to resign. The meeting today was a very historic one in our country because it marks a day where we can make a change for democracy, transparency and openness. If it is that those who voted against today to seek to continue in office, they have lost the authority to govern. The Chief Justice today has lost the authority to govern the Judiciary and has lost the moral authority to govern as chairman of the JLSC. Ramdeen said the Association never meant for yesterdays proceedings to be an impeachment hearing. He said the Association has a statutory mandate first to its members and then to the people of this country. Yesterdays meeting was propelled by a petition signed by over 60 attorneys following the resignation of former chief magistrate Ayers-Caesar when it was revealed she left 53 cases in the lower courts unfinished, to take up her appointment as a judge. The lawyers, in the requisition for the meeting, said that the CJ and the JLSC should have had knowledge and access to any information on any partheard matters before the Chief Magistrate and was under an obligation to provide the information to the JLSC before her appointment was made Couva Chamber president stabbed Sources said Ali, owner of Old Mac Agro Supplies Limited and Trinidad Parboil Limited, got into an argument with an aggrieved employee yesterday morning at the companys compound at McBean Road, Couva. Tempers rose until the worker pulled out a knife and stabbed Ali just under his shoulder blade. Ali was taken to the Couva District Health Facility before being transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital where he was attended to by Dr Rajiv Seeram, a member of the Chamber. Ali was still being interviewed by police up until press time and police could not produce a detailed account of what led to Alis stabbing nor confirm whether he was stabbed by a known assailant. Vice President of the Chamber Ramchand Rajbal Maraj said, Thank God he is ok. It is a bit unfortunate because he is a person you can talk to easily. He is someone who has been making strides as the head of the chamber. Only recently we had a very successful meeting with the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago and the chamber has always been very active with respect to the community. We wish him Gods blessings and a speedy recovery. Alis stabbing comes less than a week after President of the Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce, Vishnu Charran, called for changes to be made to legislation to allow easier access to licensed firearms for members of the business community. Couva police are investigating. Caroni Green Ltd workers received VSEP twice In fact, some of these workers have received VSE P payments including the offer of two acres of land and a residential lot from the Caroni VSE P from 2003, he said . Asked by Opposition Senator Wade Mark to outline Governments plans for the displaced workers of Caroni Green during yesterdays question and answer session in the Senate, Rambharat said that some of them came back into Caroni and were employed by Caroni after receiving that severance package. He said, They worked on something called the Caroni Green Initiative when this new company was formed. On the closure of Caroni Green, he said, they received a second severance payment from the Caroni Green having spent less than three years on this project . In this group, are workers who have benefitted from more than one severance payment and the opportunity to access a residential lot and two acres of agricultural lands. However, he said, those workers who have not had that opportunity to benefit as their counterparts who were with Caroni Limited, will join all others interested in agricultural lands and apply to the Commissioner of Lands for agricultural lands Kamla: bpTT find, fruit of PP incentives She reported that these incentives included the 100 per cent accelerated capital allowance for exploration and incentives for developmental drilling. She pointed out that at the time the Peoples National Movement administration was highly critical of these incentives but these incentives are the very ones allowing what is happening to take place. bpTT has discovered two trillion cubic feet gas in the two wells. Persad-Bissessar said that companies like bpTT need to be incentivised due to declining reserves and levels of production. She reported that foreign direct investment in petroleum related areas increased from US $501 million in 2010 to US $1,459 million in 2015. She said the momentum created by incentives continued into 2016 and 2017. She said the high level of activity by BPTT in the past three years pales in comparison to mid-2010 when the company had significantly reduced level of investments in this country. We look forward to the monetisation of the various projects, she added. (See Page 16A) Cabinet approves $2M for Eid Eid will be celebrated on June 26. In making the announcement at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre,St Anns, Community Development, Culture and the Arts Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said Government has had a long history with this type of funding over the years. It is looked at as a part of ensuring that our culture is preserved. In that vein, it is done so that the communities that celebrate the various festivals can carry on traditions and ensure that our multi-faceted culture remains that way, she explained. However, Gadsby-Dolly reiterated that because of the countrys challenging economic circumstances, we have had to make adjustements downward with respect to what is funded and how many groups can participate in the funding. While some groups are unhappy with the funding they receive, Gadsby-Dolly said, We want to ensure that certain festivals are sustainable and sustained in our country. She said these groups must understand that over time, Government will not be able to maintain the level of funding they were accustomed to. Gadsby-Dolly said it was important for these groups now, to look at how we celebrate things, what we celebrate and the extent to which we celebrate. She added that some of the frills in these celebrations, have to be brought down to the reality of our circumstances. Gadsby-Dolly said there is a process by which requests for funding are approved and the funding is allocated. Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said Government is, the protector of the taxpayer. He added, It is not a personalisation which people are attempting to do, with the Government and those who sit at the Cabinet level. Young continued, We take the decision on behalf of the taxpayers of TT. He said people who make these claims, do not do so against the Government. It is not our money, it is citizens of TT money and they are the ones to whom they will answer to at the end of the day, he added. On Wednesday, Gadsby- Dolly refuted claims from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar that Government did not provide funding for cultural and religious groups for Indian Arrival Day. Young: No OAS fallout for TT Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young made this point clear at yesterdays post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Anns. Addressing a news conference at Piarco International Airport on Wednesday upon his return from Chile, Rowley condemned the derogatory manner in which Almagro dealt with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with respect to the ongoing tensions in Venezuela. Asked whether Rowleys position would jeopardise TTs relations with other OAS member states, Young replied, Absolutely not. TT has been very, very cautious and very calculated and very definitive in its position at the OAS with respect to Venezuela. He said Rowley simply indicated, that the opportunity for the OAS to have intervened and mediated in the Venezuela situation was lost by a very unnecessary aggressive stance, taken by a public servant who became the Secretary- General of the OAS. He stressed TT was within its right to put this position forward. Our participation at the OAS on this matter continues. We continue to maintain our standard which is we will not allow there to be the railroading of any democratically- elected government and in particular our closest neighbour, Young said. He added, TT continues to be involved in the sideline discussions, hoping that good sense will prevail with respect to this matter. Young said TT-Venezuela energy discussions are progressing very well and Venezuelan Energy minister Nelson Martinez could be in TT for talks within the next two weeks. He said even if there were no energy talks on the table, the position taken by Rowley is reflective of the supportive relationship between TT and Venezuela over the years. Injunction not a blow to Govts property tax plans Commenting on the ruling made by Justice Frank Seepersad in the San Fernando High Court on Wednesday, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Stuart Young said this injunction was not in place when Seepersad made his first ruling on May 19 to stop the implementation of the tax. In a statement on May 24, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said legal counsel advised that no injunction was in place at that time to prevent property owners from submitting valuation forms on a voluntary basis. Imbert has repeatedly said the current exercise is an information gathering one and is not the taxs implementation. Young confirmed to reporters at yesterdays post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Anns that, the matter is going to be appealed. He said the States attorneys would file the notices of appeal either yesterday or today. Young also reminded reporters that the Court of Appeal will hear the States appeal of Seepersads May 19 ruling when it sits at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain on Tuesday. He underscored that, this Government has always said it will abide by the legal process. Saitama Prefectural Police on Wednesday arrested a middle school teacher for allegedly taking illicit films of female students for more than one year, reports Fuji News Network. Between April of 2016 and May of last year, Shohei Ota, 45, allegedly used a camera installed in a classroom of the school, located in Iruma City, to take tosatsu, or voyeur, footage of female students changing clothes. According to police, an examination of the camera revealed several saved clips of girls stripping nude. Ota, who has been accused under the anti-child pornography law, admits to the allegations. "I wanted to see female pupils changing," the suspect was quoted by police. According to TV Asahi (June 1), the principal of the school did not inform anyone after learning about the alleged crimes by Ota in May of last year. However, the prefectural board of education received an anonymous tip about the matter. Police are now investigating whether the school participated in a cover-up of the case. Jun 02 (ANNnewsCH) - aacYaacaacaaYaaaaaa aaci45iaeaaaaaYa ea1aaaacaaaYaSSaaaaaaYaaeaaasaaaaa aSaaaaaaaaaYa Japan's Environment Minister Koichi Yamamoto has criticized US President Donald Trump, saying his decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement defies the intelligence of mankind. Yamamoto told reporters on Friday he is deeply disappointed at Trump for turning his back on the progress that took many years. He stressed that Trump's decision will not impact Japan's resolve to tackle global warming. Yamamoto also said he wants to take advantage of every opportunity to persuade the United States to reverse its decision, as the rules say it will not be able to exit the agreement until November 2020 at the earliest. The US military is dispatching the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier to the Western Pacific Ocean as a response to North Korea's repeated missile launches and the increased maritime activities by China. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier left a naval base in the US state of Washington on Thursday along with 2 destroyers. The Nimitz will head for the Western Pacific after joining other destroyers and cruisers and loading FA18 fighter aircraft off the coast of California. Rear Admiral William Byrne, who commands the carrier strike group, notes that North Korea's biggest threat is its unpredictability. He says the US wants to provide a presence on the Korean Peninsula and the waters around it as a deterrent force. The US has already dispatched 2 aircraft carriers to the Sea of Japan, and has been conducting military drills there. But the USS Carl Vinson is expected to return to the United States later this month, and will be replaced by the Nimitz. Investigative sources say a group arrested on suspicion of smuggling apparent gold into Japan on a small boat had met another ship from China on open waters. Five Japanese and 3 Chinese men were sent to prosecutors on Friday. They had been arrested on the previous day for allegedly smuggling over 200 kilograms of gold bullions at a port in Saga Prefecture. The sources told NHK that investigators found that the 2 boats met on the East China Sea before entering the port. The sources believe the suspects received the gold from conspirators. The investigators are trying to determine how the suspects got the gold and found prospective buyers. If all of what the suspects were caught with is gold, it is worth about 9 million dollars. Customs officials have confirmed that some of it is genuine. The investigators also found that some of the Japanese suspects visited the port several days before they unloaded the gold, apparently to inspect the location. The total fertility rate in Japan in 2016 fell 0.01 point from the previous year to 1.44, while the number of babies born last year slipped below one million for the first time, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said in an annual demographic survey on Friday. The rate represents the average number of children a woman is expected to give birth to in her lifetime, covering those aged 15-49. The number of newborns in 2016 totaled 976,979, down by 28,698 from the preceding year, reflecting a drop in the number of women of childbearing age, according to the survey. Meanwhile, the number of deaths came to a postwar high of 1,307,765, up by 17,321. Of the nation's 47 prefectures, only Okinawa saw the number of births top that of deaths. The most common cause of death was cancer, accounting for 29 percent of the total deaths, followed by heart diseases, for 15 percent, and pneumonia, for 9 percent. Japan's natural population decrease thus came to 330,786 in 2016. Deaths outpaced births for the 10th straight year, with the size of net population decline continuing to expand during the period. In 2005, Japan posted its first net population decline since the end of World War II. Jun 03 (ANNnewsCH) - aZa1aeacYaaaYeaaaaac97a7000aaaaZscYaSacaeYeaaaaaa100aaaaazaSaaaYaacYcZa1.47aaaaaaa0.01aaaaaaaSaaaYa Turkish President could see his dream to host NATO 2018 Summit in Istanbul shattered as Germany, France and The Netherlands push for the conference to take place elsewhere, in protest against Ankaras internal policy. German media Welt.de reported that Berlin aided by Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and a number of other EU members of the NATO as well as Canada are lobbying so that the informal invitation by Erdogan to host the summit in Istanbul be turned down. A leading NATO diplomat told the German media that 18 members of the alliance from Europe plus Canada are determined that the alliance should not lend legitimacy to President Recep Tayyip Erdogans regime. We do not want to enhance Turkeys international credentials and want to avoid the impression that NATO supports the Turkish governments internal policy, the unidentified diplomat told the German media. Erdogan in 2016 during the alliances meeting in Warsaw informally invited leaders to Istanbul for the 2018 meeting. The organization is yet to decide the venue of its next year summit. Allies will take a decision on the venue of the next summit in due course, said NATO spokesperson Piers Cazelet who also confirmed that Turkey last week pushed to host the summit. Tension has risen between the alliance and Turkey as well as between Ankara and some European capitals. EU countries are incensed at Turkish moves to block NATO cooperation with Austria. Turkey has been vetoing joint exercises and operations with Austria, which is not a member of the alliance but is seen as a key partner, UKs Telegraph reports. Ankara reportedly moved to block the joint exercise as reprisal on Austrias call on the EU to end formally talks on Ankaras adherence to the EU. Germany also harbors a grudge against Ankara after Germany lawmakers were denied access to troops stationed at Turkish air bases. Ankara has blocked German MPs from visiting the troops in protest after Germany granted asylum to Turkish military officers in the wake of last years failed coup attempt, the Telegraph notes. Hammad Benjelloun of Morocco, founder of Advertising enterprise Adlive, was part of the 28 winners of leading 20 companies from 15 countries at the 71st International Selection Panel (ISP) held recently in London. Benjelloun was awarded the entrepreneur endeavor title for his enterprise Adlive, which offers advertisers, media agencies, and digital publishers, managing multiple digital media campaigns, efficient campaign performance. As a digital media workplace that brings all media traders onto a single platform, Adlive operates in the UAE, Spain, France, and Morocco. The enterprise offers an automated way to plan, execute, and optimize digital media campaign performances compared to standard agency trading desks. The ISP of Entrepreneur Endeavor conducted a multi-step selection process to identify innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are committed to advancing an ecosystem of entrepreneurship. Panelists at the event included top global business leaders and investors who were drawn from Endeavors extensive network of mentors and supporters. After Morocco was unanimously elected Vice President of the 72nd General Assembly that will run from September 2017 to September 2018, another victory was registered by a Moroccan diplomat who was voted Vice-Chair of the politically sensitive UN General Assemblys fourth Committee on decolonization. The Fourth Committee elected Yasser Halfouni of Morocco as the Vice-Chair by 88 votes to 58 for the Algerian candidate Zaina Benhabouche. The election of Halfouni was the fruit of a Moroccan campaign stressing the need to maintain rotation in the Fourth Committees chairmanship and recalling Moroccos precedence in listing the Sahara in the Fourth Committees agenda in 1960 when the area was under Spanish colonial rule. Since Morocco retrieved its Sahara southern provinces, Algeria pulled the strings of the Polisario within the Fourth Committee in a vain attempt to undermine the Kingdoms territorial integrity and alter the regional character of the conflict over the Sahara to serve its hegemonic aims in the region. Morocco has on multiple occasions protested against maintaining the Sahara issue on the decolonization agenda of the Fourth Committee on grounds that it violates the UN charter and the mandate of the Security Council. Article 12 of the UN charter, which clearly stipulates that while the Security Council is exercising in respect of any dispute or situation the functions assigned to it in the present Charter, the General Assembly shall not make any recommendation with regard to that dispute or situation unless the Security Council so requests. The Sahara issue has been part of the jurisdictions of the Security Council since 1988 as part of Article VI. Therefore maintaining the issue on the Fourth committees agenda creates confusion and inconsistency with the UN Charter. Moreover, the terminology used in the Security Council resolution has never labelled the conflict as a decolonization issue and has never called the Sahara as an occupied territory. The Security Council uses accurate terms calling the Sahara issue a regional conflict. King Mohammed VI of Morocco canceled his visit to Monrovia where he was supposed to attend the 51st summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which will examine Moroccos bid to join the West African grouping. The decision was made against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who was invited by Monrovia to attend the summit. This prompted several countries to reduce to the minimum level their participating delegations in a sign of disagreement with Liberia over inviting the Israeli official, Moroccos foreign ministry explained in a statement. His Majesty the King, hopes that his first participation at an ECOWAS summit does not take place in a context of tension and controversy and makes sure to avoid amalgams and confusions, the statement added. The King had planned to hold talks with President of Liberia and other participating Heads of State. He was also supposed to deliver a speech during the summit. However, despite the cancelation of the Kings visit, a Moroccan delegation led by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita will attend the summit to follow up Moroccos bid to join the ECOWAS. Last February, upon directives from King Mohammed VI, Morocco officially requested membership in the ECOWAS, a sub-regional grouping that has been steadily forging ahead on the path of regional economic integration. The membership request came after a fruitful royal tour in Africa that evidenced, once more, Moroccos willingness to build on its close political, human, historical, religious and economic ties with West African countries. For some reason Merkel doesnt trust Americas leader. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The gnawingly persistent question in the Trump years so far is a relatively simple one: Is this reparable? By which I mean: Can Trumps admixture of malevolence, corruption, and incompetence be survived without permanent damage? Is this a minor heart attack from which this democracy and the world can soon recover or is it a major one whose consequences are, in some respects, permanent? The truth is: We dont yet know (although Trumps withdrawal from the Paris climate accord is beyond depressing). Can we at some point reconstruct a common set of facts after such a shameless torrent of lies and fantasies from the very top? Can some minimal level of decency and dignity be returned to the White House and to our public discourse? Is there any viable synthesis to be struck between the two Americas divided by a widening gyre of mutual incomprehension? The long run suggests all of this is possible, if currently hard to envision. Time heals. America survived the 1860s and the 1960s. But theres one thing about todays political darkness that will be close to impossible to undo. And thats the very concept of a united, democratic West. It emerged out of the ashes of the Second World War, bringing similar democracies together across the Atlantic in opposition to totalitarianism in all its forms. At its center was Germany as a free, democratic, peaceful, and unified country. It was a triumph primarily of the United States, cemented in place in due course by NATO and the European Union. This Euro-American axis kept the peace, created unparalleled prosperity for both continents, and defeated the Soviet Union peacefully before it kept post-Soviet Russias great power meddling in check. How often in history has a conquering power turned around and rebuilt and defended and protected the country it defeated and occupied? How often has it then sustained that core assurance for decades? And in a few months, Trump has all but trashed it. NATOs Article 5 the rock-solid assurance that an attack on any alliance member will be treated as an attack on all was always the linchpin, and its credibility, especially with the Russians, was essential. Every single American president has therefore immediately, reflexively, emphatically reaffirmed it. And yet Trump pointedly and pettily refused to last week even though an explicit assurance was apparently in the original text of his speech, and even though Mattis, McMaster, et al. know perfectly well why it is indispensable. Without this unquestioned trust, a defensive alliance falls apart. Yes, there is a real question of the European commitment to defense spending and Trump had every right to bring that up. But by threatening to withhold military support without such an increase in spending, Trump turned an alliance into a protection racket. Such rackets depend on fear, not trust. He effectively in a fit of apparent pique threw away the work and lives of generations like a child tosses a toy from a bassinet. Thats why the most significant words of the Trump era were uttered last week by a German chancellor: The times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over. Ive experienced that in the last few days. We Europeans truly have to take our fate into our own hands. And we have a French president equating Putin, Trump, and Erdogan as threats to European unity and democracy: My handshake with [Trump], it wasnt innocent Donald Trump, the Turkish president, or the Russian president see relationships in terms of a balance of power. Think of that for a moment. The American president appears to the Europeans as interchangeable with Erdogan and Putin. Hes one of the thugs. Deep damage was done to the alliance in the Bush years with the invasion of Iraq and, especially, over the use of torture. But Bush still invaded that tragic country for the sake of what he misguidedly thought of as democracy, and at least attempted to euphemize the torture away. He sustained the appearance of distinctive Western principles, even if he undermined them. Trump, in contrast, has thrown even those facades away. I dont quite know how the free world un-sees what it has just seen or un-hears what it has just heard. A funny thing is happening to Theresa Mays unstoppable march to a massive new majority in Britains parliament: It appears to have stopped. Id like to think this may have something to do with Trump: He is so repellent to almost anyone in the civilized world outside the U.S., he appears to be weakening reactionisms appeal in Europe. After the Dutch far right stumbled this spring, and Macron beat Le Pen more decisively than expected, we now see Angela Merkels polling having perked up since March. But in Britain, the collapse of the Tories in the polls since the campaign started has been nothing short of remarkable. They began the campaign with a lead of close to 20 points; the latest poll probably an outlier gives them a mere 3 percent lead over a Labour Party led by someone (Jeremy Corbyn) slightly to the left of Noam Chomsky. In the poll of polls, Labour has gained 12 points in the last few weeks and the Tories have gone nowhere. Whats happening? Maybe reality about Brexit is sinking in as Britains growth slows dramatically, and as a Macron-buoyed EU leadership girds itself against Britain in negotiations. As things have shaken out, it looks more and more likely that Britain may crash out of the EU in two years time with no backup plan an economic cliff that could make 2008 look like a mild economic interruption. And few doubt that May has run a terrible campaign. She has made the Clinton mistake: She seems to believe that simply by not being her unelectable, extremist opponent, shell win. She has thereby played it very safe rarely encountering real live voters in retail politics, focusing her campaign on her own strong, stable leadership, reversing some unpopular policies and then refusing to be honest about it, and declining to take part in a debate with her main opponents. Suddenly, it seems that Brits have remembered how she came to power largely by default last year after the Conservative Party tore itself apart after the Brexit result. Shes never been a good campaigner. Even her reputation of being a competent manager has been undermined by the shambolic campaign itself. You thought I was brutal about Clintons abilities? Heres Rod Liddle in the Spectator of London (a Tory magazine) comparing May to a fridge-freezer which has been faultily connected by a man called Trevor for five quid, cash in hand, and which is now full of decomposing Crispy Pancakes. There is no vision, there is no chutzpah. Just the bland repetition of meaningless phrases. No, Im not translating that. More interesting to me is the sudden appeal of Labours far-left manifesto: Its a Bernie barn burner. Huge sums for free college and education, massive infrastructure spending, ending government contracts for companies based in tax havens, more money for health care its a left-populist agenda that is particularly popular with the younger generation over a million of whom have registered to vote since the election was announced. May will almost certainly win but if her parliamentary majority stays roughly where it is, or increases only marginally, the momentum behind Brexit could seriously begin to unravel. Stay tuned. Two, four, six, eight. This time you cannot escape! and Hey hey! Ho ho! These racist teachers have got to go! Those were two of the chants of the social-justice-warrior students as they rampaged with impunity across Evergreen College campus in Washington State last week. At one point, they cornered one professor, Bret Weinstein, outside his office, wouldnt let him leave when he wanted to, and turned the campus cops away when they tried to intervene. His crime? He objected to a Day of Absence at the college, designed to increase racial awareness on campus. Most years, these days are marked by students of color leaving campus to let white students and faculty appreciate what multiculturalism contributes to the community. Fair enough, I guess. But this past year, the rules were changed and all white people were asked to leave the campus for one day. Weinstein objected arguing that this was a coercive act of temporary racial segregation and thereby violated his core principles. He explained why he was going to stay put, in a super-reasonable email; hes a huge lefty himself check out this op-ed he once wrote on Occupy Wall Street; and the video of his attempt to dialogue with his physically intimidating inquisitors reveals him as a highly rational, and remarkably even-tempered fellow. None of that mattered. Hatred and for once that word is truly salient prevailed. What makes this incident particularly troubling is not just the chanting, the underlying menace, the foul language, and the racist rhetoric (for the students, white is a reflexively dirty word), but that it represents a critical moment in which the physical space of a campus is taken over by the social-justice left. Not content with hijacking the curriculum, in forcing race reeducation programs on students and faculty, and in policing the hiring of faculty to exclude heretics, the SJW movement now wants to add an element of danger to the mix. Professor Weinstein has been informed it may not be physically safe for him or his students to go on campus (he is now teaching his class elsewhere), and, according to Weinstein, the administration has told campus police to allow this situation to continue. The demand of the mob, moreover, is not merely to protest Weinstein or to physically intimidate him. It is to have him fired because he objects to mandatory racial segregation in a publicly funded university. But isnt this logically where the social-justice movement has to end? If white oppression is forever, and we live in a multiracial society, isnt racial segregation some kind of liberation? Shouldnt whites be forced to leave certain areas so that minorities can experience some relief from white tyranny? Rather than an oppressive system of racial supremacy, segregation in this worldview becomes a form of liberation. It becomes the mother of all safe spaces. And the future suddenly, chillingly, looks something a little like the past. See you next Friday. Vladimir the persecuted. Photo: Olga Maltseva/AFP/Getty Images A frustrated Vladimir Putin dismissed allegations that Russia tried to influence last years presidential election as hysteria and compared the attention to the issue in the U.S. to anti-Semitism, while speaking on a panel discussion moderated by NBCs Megyn Kelly Friday. Echoing a point made by President Trump, Putin said the allegations are an excuse made by salty Democrats who cant come to terms with their own failure last November. They made a mistake and they dont want to recognize this mistake right now. They dont want to say that they were not wise enough, he said. Its easier to say its not our fault, its all its the Russians. They intervened. They interfered. Its like anti-Semitism. The Jews are to blame. Youre an idiot because the Jews are to blame, right? Putin used at least one other Trump talking point in the discussion, suggesting that the proof linking the hacking of the DNC to Russians is nonexistent. There is no specific evidence, no facts, just assumptions and allegations and conclusions based on the allegations, nothing more, he said. Last year, while making this same argument, Trump suggested the hacker could have been somebody sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds. Putin opted for a decidedly smaller hypothetical culprit Kellys 3-year-old daughter. Putin tells @megynkelly "a 3-year-old can perpetrate such an attack" on US election hacking allegations https://t.co/u0OhmosP7H NBC News (@NBCNews) June 2, 2017 Putin issued denial after denial about the hacking during the panel at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. He called allegations idle prattle and internal political bickering. We didnt do this. Stop this! he said, one day after suggesting that the hackers of the DNC may have been patriotic Russians sticking up for their nation. Putin later defended Trumps decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, telling Kelly Dont worry. Be happy. He also defended Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. A man holds a Water is Sacred sign as protesters stand in solidarity with the Native Nations Rise march on Washington, D.C., against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in Portland, Oregon, on March 10, 2017. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images On the same day that President Donald Trump pulled out of the landmark Paris climate deal, planet Earth was perhaps dealt another, quieter, blow: the Dakota Access Pipeline is now in service. The $3.8 billion pipeline the focus of last years mass protests led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe started shipping oil on Thursday, Energy Transfer Partners, the pipeline operators, announced. The nearly 1,200-mile-long project will move crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois, where it will connect with the Energy Transfer Crude Oil Pipeline to transport the crude oil to the refineries on the Gulf Coast. Together, the system dubbed the Bakken Pipeline runs 1,872 miles, and will pump out about 520,000 barrels of crude oil per day. A fully operational Dakota Access Pipeline was expected, as reviving its construction was one of Trumps first orders of presidential business. Yet litigation over the controversial project hasnt let up, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and its backers are still battling in federal court to try to take the pipeline back offline. From the beginning, the Standing Rock and other Sioux tribes and environmentalists fought construction on the grounds that it would run through the tribes scared lands, and threaten its clean water supply from Lake Oahe, a tributary of the Missouri River. Opponents are also questioning the federal governments decision-making process, and arguing that Trumps executive action violated the tribes treaty rights. Sioux leaders and environmentalists said the opening of the pipeline made their fight more urgent, and warned of the risk of potential leaks. According to the Associated Press, the DAPL has leaked three times 100 gallons in North Dakota in two separate incidents in March, and 84 gallons in South Dakota in April but no waterways were affected by the spills. Energy Transfer Partners has maintained from the start that it followed and met all environmental review procedures, and that the DAPL is more cost-effective, safer, and more environmentally responsible than other modes of transporting crude oil. Photo: MartineDoucet/Getty Images/iStockphoto I want to ask you a favor. Yes, you, reader. I have a pair of pants. Tell me: how many different ways can I put a pair of pants to use? Now, imagine youre an architect. Same question. Now, imagine youre Cher. Bill Gates. A scuba diver. A medieval knight. You still have the pants. What can you come up with? What you just practiced is an exercise called psychological halloweenism. This action refers to the conscious act of wearing another self, and according to psychiatrist Srini Pillay, its essential to being creative. One great irony about our collective obsession with creativity is that we tend to frame it in uncreative ways. That is to say, most of us marry creativity to our concept of self: were either creative people or we arent, without much of a middle ground. Im just not a creative person! a frustrated student might say in art class, while a another might blame her talent at painting for her difficulties in math: Im very right-brained. Pillay, a tech entrepreneur and Harvard professor, has spent a good chunk of his career subverting these ideas. Pillay believes that the key to unlocking your creative potential is to defy the cliched advice (go figure!) that urges you to believe in yourself. In fact, you should do the exact opposite: believe you are someone else. In a recent column for Harvard Business Review, Pillay pointed to a 2016 study demonstrating the stereotype effect, or the impact of stereotypes on ones behavior. The authors, education psychologists Denis Dumas and Kevin Dunbar, divided their college-student subjects into three categories, instructing the members of one group to think of themselves as eccentric poets and the members of another to imagine they were rigid librarians (people in the third category, the control group, were left alone for this part). The researchers then presented participants with ten ordinary objects, including a fork, a carrot, and a pair of pants, and asked them to come up with as many different uses as possible for each one. Those who were asked to imagine themselves as eccentric poets came up with the widest range of ideas for the objects, whereas those in the rigid librarian group had the fewest. Meanwhile, the researchers found only small differences in students creativity levels across academic majors in fact, the physics majors inhabiting the personas of eccentric poets came up with more ideas than the art majors did. These results, write Dumas and Dunbar, suggest that creativity is not an individual trait, but a malleable product of context and perspective. Everyone can be creative, as long as they feel like creative people (thus, the talented painter from the example above reinforces her creativity by aligning her self-concept with it). Pillays work takes this a step further: He argues that identifying yourself with creativity is less powerful than the creative act of imagining youre somebody else. This exercise, which he calls psychological halloweenism, refers to the conscious action of inhabiting another persona an inner costuming of the self. An actor, for example, may employ psychological halloweenism as a matter of course, whereas a grown child caught in decades worth of family expectations may find it nearly impossible (which is perhaps why siblings tend to rehash the same dull arguments ad nauseam). According to Pillay, psychological halloweenism works because it is an act of conscious unfocus, a way of positively stimulating the default mode network, a collection of brain regions that spring into action when youre not focused on a specific task or thought. The default mode network may be quiet, but its hardly idle: It spends all day rummaging through our memories, collaging ideas together, and interpolating past, present and future into our sense of self and placement in time and space. If creativity is truly context-dependent, it makes sense that Pillay feels a sense of urgency for his work perhaps no environment is quite so hostile to creative thinking as that of the typical modern white-collar worker. Most of us spend way too much time worrying about two things: how successful/unsuccessful we are, and how little were focusing on the task at hand. The former feeds the latter an unfocused person is an unsuccessful one, we believe. Thus, we force ourselves into quiet areas, buy noise-canceling headphones, berate ourselves for taking breaks. What makes Pillays argument stand out is its healthy, forgiving realism: According to him, most people spend nearly half of their days in a state of unfocus. This doesnt make us slackers it makes us human. The quietly revolutionary idea behind psychological halloweenism is: What if we stopped judging ourselves for our mental down time, and instead started harnessing it? Putting this new spin on daydreaming means tackling two problems at once: Youre making yourself more creative, and youre giving yourself permission to do something youd otherwise feel guilty about. Imagining yourself in a new situation, or an entirely new identity, never felt so productive. If youre like us, youve probably wondered what famous people add to their carts. Not the JAR brooch and Louis XV chair, but the hand sanitizer and the electric toothbrush. We asked actress Casey Wilson, who also co-hosts the Bitch Sesh podcast, which items she cant live without. Madewell Boyjean Boyfriend Jeans $128 I think theyre really flattering, and I get lots of compliments on them. And Im not normally someone who gets compliments on jeans. Theyre really comfortable, too. I wore them for a bunch of my pregnancy but even nonpregnant, they look great. Im coming to terms with certain stores Im too old to shop in, and so right now, Madewell is doing it for me. $128 at Madewell Buy Brookstone NapForm Mask This is my entire worldview and universe. Its my religion. I love this above any item on this list. I have turned every friend onto them. Theyre a comforter over your eyes. Its not a janky mask where light comes in from every corner, and youre like, Why do I use this? This blocks out all light, and is so decadent. I have one in every purse and wear it on airplanes, or really just anywhere I want to fall asleep in five seconds. Im never without one. I have a lot of panic if I dont have them. If I go on vacation, I need to bring two. If youre in a bad hotel with lights that peek through the curtains, its pitch-black. Youre only alone with your thoughts, which is maybe not a good thing. Buy at Amazon Buy Buy at Amazon Buy Rifle Paper Co. Vintage Blossoms Notebook Set $16 I have an addiction to stationery, even though my handwriting is like a toddlers. I love journaling, and these are sophisticated but almost quirky. I love everything the wrapping paper, the cards and I am someone who has a weird wooden box full of cards for every occasion, like sorry your aunt died. The cards are usually blank, but sometimes I wish they werent because I always have to write a P.S. apology at the bottom for how bad my handwriting is. $16 at Amazon Buy $14 at Rifle Paper Co. Buy EltaMD UV Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 40 $21 This is from my dermatologist, Dr. Christie Kidd. She gave it to me, and its a life changer. I have rosacea, and Im obviously an actress, and my first concern is that my face is my fortune. So Im obsessive about sunscreen, and its about the only healthy habit I keep. Its a great price and doesnt feel like anything, and its a moisturizer, too, so its a real two for one. $21 at Dermstore Buy Wet Brush Detangling Shower Brush $9 Photo: Courtesy of Wet Brush I just saw my hairstylist, and I have very plush, thick hair. Im blessed (you can put in parentheses that Im looking for a low-level campaign), but the Wet Brush I feel like it gets through your hair and doesnt hurt. Its great for combing through thick hair, and my son loves it, too. So if youre needing a brush that you can share with your toddler. $9 at Amazon Buy $9 at Amazon Buy Clare V. Flat Clutch $215 Clare V. has a shop in Silver Lake, where I live, and I wander in there all the time to the point where its a little sad. The salesgirls are like, Good to see you again. The clutches are so cute, especially if youre not wearing anything fun; you grab one and you look cool. She has fantastic style. You can transition from day to night, which Ive heard people say about style. $215 at Spring Buy This exact clutch is sold out, but here and here are more options. C. Booth Original Bath and Body Oil $15 Im a very lazy person by nature, and this is a great way to moisturize while in the shower. You put it on in the shower and hop out, and youre already moisturized. Who has three minutes to put on lotion? No, thank you. Its not greasy at all, and doesnt get on your clothes or anything. $15 at Amazon Buy $15 at Amazon Buy Essie Topless and Barefoot Nail Polish $10 now 10% off $9 The name is insane. And you need to know that when you purchase it. I wore this at my wedding on my toes. I always got crazy polishes, like purple, and one of my friends said, Can we class it up with just a nude? And I found this. Some nudes can make you look like a corpse, but this is beautiful. Despite its name. $9 at Amazon Buy $9 at Amazon Buy Hot Tamales $23 I have a love affair with candy that Ive tried to break off, but I love a Hot Tamale. I cant say why. I thought it was because it was so spicy, you couldnt eat many, but Ive pushed past that social barrier. Its a battle with myself: no Hot Tamales today. $23 at Amazon Buy $23 at Amazon Buy Olio e Osso French Melon Lip & Skin Balm $28 This feels very French and chic. Its a lipstick and blush in one, and it goes on with a dewy finish. Its very tiny (the size of a floss), and you swipe it on your lips or cheeks, so it gives you a heightened version of your lip color and blush. Its natural, but way better than what God gave you. $28 at Anthropologie Buy Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne $65 I actually smelled this on my girlfriend Whitney Cummings, and I ripped it off her shamelessly. Its beautiful and springy and fresh, but not too much. A heavy perfume puts me off, but this feels really fun, and Ive gotten many, many compliments. $65 at Nordstrom Buy J.Crew St. James Shirt $90 These I love because you can get them in so many cute colors, and they work with everything, like my jeans. Im not a woman of immense style, but Im not going to go wrong with these. They just look classic and casual. $90 at J.Crew Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the favorite shopping items of RuPaul, Carole Radziwill, Plum Sykes, Joanna Goddard, Aubrey Plaza, and Linda Rodin. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. man is the scariest monster of them all Reply Thread Link White privileged men are the scariest monsters. Reply Parent Thread Link I was looking through the Wikipedia page for listed serial killers, and although some were women, the fact that over 90% of the names were men tells you everything tbh. But then, some of the women were part of a killing duo with a man, so they're not even absent from that. Edited at 2017-06-02 12:11 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link nah just privileged men Reply Parent Thread Link You're the mirror in the zoo. Reply Parent Thread Link oh, i am here. for. this. post. but not for this weird, coding mess up lj is serving right now. get it together, lj. Reply Thread Link help Reply Thread Link whats wrong? Reply Parent Thread Link nothing this post is just freaking me out lol Reply Parent Thread Link how can i help you, dear? how can i help you, dear? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link bloop thanks for the warning sis. Reply Parent Thread Link Me exactly. I might go back to it but at this point I'm not going near it again. Reply Parent Thread Link There are parts that are hard to watch due to the detail of abuse. I found it very interesting though I've been into a lot of true crime shows/podcasts lately. Reply Parent Thread Link it's hard to watch bc of the subject matter. the doc itself is not actually well made though. it gets distracted easily, off track, manipulates the viewer.. idk. Reply Parent Thread Link It is good. The pace is pretty weird and it takes time for the viewer to really get into it but otherwise it's a really good doc. Super sad and infuriating tho, it can be triggering as it contains pretty detailed accounts of rape. Reply Parent Thread Link its hard to watch tbh, i might give up after 2 episodes Reply Parent Thread Link It's definitely worth it IMO. It took me two episodes to get into it but I'm glad I stayed with it. Reply Parent Thread Link it's hard to watch. there's one woman who stood out to me in particular, she was so failed by everyone around her it breaks my heart. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link depressing as fuck Reply Parent Thread Link Good doc. There are parts that will definitely stay with you. I got angry a lot of times, but sadness was my main emotion while watching it. So many people were failed by the system. You should watch it. Reply Parent Thread Link I watched the whole series in a day. It's really graphic and hard to watch. I'm from Maryland and have never heard of the case before so by the end of the show. That said, I'm not surprised with the portrayal of the police work/Catholic Church. Reply Parent Thread Link I was expecting just a regular crime story, mysterious murder you know, I have no problem watching those so I actually thought I'd eat my dinner while watching... I really regretted that decision after the story started to unfold, I almost threw it all up Reply Parent Thread Link It's good. Hard to watch and going in a bunch of different directions at some points, but good. Reply Parent Thread Link yeah I'm almost never triggered by things, but I had to stop watching it. The talk of sexual abuse is SOOOOOOOOO graphic. It made me sick. Had nightmares after I think episode 2 and was like yeah no ty. Reply Parent Thread Link These people are pussies. Even the nun's body was blured out, for fuck's sake. It's a heavy subject but by no means impossible to watch. Considering it tackles the evils and untouchability of catholic church, it should be mandatory. Reply Parent Thread Link yes it's absolutely worth it. those women are superheroes for real Reply Parent Thread Link That Zodiac film is the best thing Fincher has done and it should've been nominated for best picture. That case is endlessly fascinating. LOL@ Chucky. I had no idea it was based on anything. The Strangers was an entertaining movie, but the ending disturbed the shit out of me. I mean the reason why the killers were there is still in my mind. Reply Thread Link ia, zodiac is fincher's masterpiece Reply Parent Thread Link mte zodiac is amazing. legit still hold my breath @ the basement scene. Reply Parent Thread Link omg i had to mute the tv because i was too fucking scared the music was so scary Reply Parent Thread Link i never watched zodiac until last friday and i dont know why i waited because it was amazing. it was really awesome. i feel like it had bad reviews when it first came out? idk why i didn't see it sooner and that is the only thing i can chalk it up to maybe. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Yes!!!! Zodiac is soooooooo good and I though RDJ should've gotten more acclaim for his part; everyone was so great - that was some perfect casting. Reply Parent Thread Link I remember going to watch that movie for Jake, I never knew Fincher directed that film, it was very long b good. Reply Parent Thread Link I watched the Zodiac awhile ago on Netflix and thought it was one of the only horror films that legitimately scared me. I'm not even a fan of this genre but the film was excellent. Reply Parent Thread Link Not from the US so I didn't know Zodiac was a real case, until the very end.(only watched it for the cast) Or that it had never been solved. The frustration at the end was real. Reply Parent Thread Link The basement scene >>> Reply Parent Thread Link i LOOOVE Zodiac. What an amazing film. Reply Parent Thread Link Yup, zodiac is one of his best movies tbh Reply Parent Thread Link Zodiac is one of my favorite movies. Perfect piece of cinema imo. Reply Parent Thread Link Zodiac was an amazing film. I need to rewatch it soon Reply Parent Thread Link Yup, zodiac is one of his best movies tbh Reply Parent Thread Link Yup, zodiac is one of his best movies tbh Reply Parent Thread Link i fucking love the music in Zodiac too <3 Reply Parent Thread Link honestly the witch was somehow so much scarier the second time i watched it. the first time i was just like HELL YEAH THIS IS AWESOME. the second time is when the bleakness really hit me. it's so good though. Reply Thread Link I need to rewatch it. It's flawless Reply Parent Thread Link I've been meaning to watch The Witch forever. I have time off work starting this weekend and I need to get to it. Reply Parent Thread Link Did we watch the same movie? I thought it was boring af and not memorable. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link IA. I still don't find it that interesting. Nothing really stood out. Reply Parent Thread Link that's a type of movie that is not for everybody, is ver 50/50 among viewers. Reply Parent Thread Link IA for the most part. I didn't find it boring but I didn't understand why people were fawning all over it. It wasn't scary or frightening at all. The cinematography was gorgeous though. Reply Parent Thread Link Same I'm so confused by the good reviews. Reply Parent Thread Link i remember coming to a post here right after I saw it and everyone lovvvvvvvvvved it and I was infuriated because I had been looking forward to it for months and it is the fucking worst and couldnt understand what people were getting out of it. everyone i was with hated it too Reply Parent Thread Link It was mega scary for me when i saw it because it was all the tales you used to hear when you're a kid IN A MOVIE. I'm Mexican so one of my memories is being seated at night and my tias and abuelitas sharing scary stories back when they lived in the rural areas. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link don't like it or who say it's boring. It doesn't have too many jump scares and there isn't much gore, sure, but imagining what it was like to live as these characters... fuck. The things they go through are pretty fucking horrific and harrowing for people living in the 17th century. [ sorry for rambling but i love this movie sfm ] They've moved continents; they've left behind their extended families and friends and everything familiar to them; they get banished from their town because of William's pride (Katherine and her kids can't even speak up and have to go with him regardless); they have to basically start their lives over from scratch and build up their own farm in an area where all their crops are rotting and they can't find anything to harvest or hunt in the wilderness, which means they're in danger of starving; they don't even have the support and community of the church around them anymore (terrifying for devout Christians like them in that period); their only wealth is Katherine's father's silver cup that she cherishes as a tangible memory of her former life and which is eventually "stolen" by her husband to trade for animal traps that don't even catch anything; their infant child goes missing (and he hasn't even been baptized yet, which is a big fucking deal for them, and makes Katherine think he's in Hell) and, though they don't know it, is literally dismembered and pulverized into an unguent for a witch to cover herself in so she can fly; the twins start talking about seeing a witch in the woods and say that their goat Black Phillip is speaking to them; another of their children goes missing and shows up again stark naked (disturbing!!!!) and cursed before having some kind of bizarre fit where he may be possessed by the Devil to speak in scripture as an insult to their faith right before he dies; the twins accuse Thomasin of being a witch, which is a serious fucking accusation; the parents don't know what to do and have already lost two of their children and now the rest are pointing fingers at each other, saying they're witches or speak to the Devil in the guise of Black Phillip; a witch actually does show up to slaughter the rest of the goats and abduct the twins, making Thomasin look even more guilty of witchcraft; Katherine tries to murder her own daughter and Thomasin has to kill her to defend herself; she's left completely alone and finds out Black Phillip really can speak and she ends up signing her soul over to him. Like... how is that NOT some scary shit for a family living out in the middle of nowhere and being terrorized by something/someone they've always been taught to believe exists in the darkness but that they may never have seen before? I've seen this movie over a dozen times and it doesn't lose its appeal to me at all. It's just so well-made and there's so much excellent historical detail and all the characters are decently fleshed-out so you really understand where they're each coming from and you can see why they act and react the way they do, especially considering the period setting. I adore that movie. Everything about it is perfect to me. It has exactly the kind of paranoia-fueled eeriness that I love in horror. Personally, I really don't get how there are so many people wholike it or who say it's boring. It doesn't have too many jump scares and there isn't much gore, sure, but imagining what it was like to live as these characters... fuck. The things they go through are pretty fucking horrific and harrowing for people living in the 17th century. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link ngl, the real audio records creeped me out n Conjuring 2 Reply Thread Link SAMe. I actually screamed in the theatre. Reply Parent Thread Link unsolved serial killer cases really creep me out luckily it seems to be a thing of the past. technology prevents them from getting away like they used to Reply Thread Link agreed. it makes it creepier tho that the long island serial killer was still active in the recent years. Reply Parent Thread Link Really? I feel like there are probably lots of serial killers out there but they're just not being obvious about it. Reply Parent Thread Link Aren't they like 300 active serial killers in the US right now? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I think they are still getting away with it, just luckily the media seems to pander a little bit less to them now then they used to. It's still pretty hard to track them down without physical evidence because they are unconnected to the victims Reply Parent Thread Link not on Long Island it hasn't! Reply Parent Thread Link I need to watch these! Reply Thread Link "The strangers" - I can never watch it again. Too cruel. Reply Thread Link I just watched The Keepers on Netflix, and I was messed up. I just thought it was going to be about a nun that disappeared. Reply Thread Link Wait does what happen to her continue in the second part? I only finished the 1st episode. Edited at 2017-06-01 11:25 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I think there should've been a warning for viewers, because it kinda just came about. I watched the rest of it but it was very depressing and I was very angry at the archdiocese at the end (I mean throughout the whole thing really). Reply Parent Thread Link same! i watched it with my boyfriend and he was too creeped out to continue, now i'm watching it alone and it's heavy and so much sadder than i would have thought going in Reply Parent Thread Link I liked the strangers but I saw it in theaters and they had the sound on SO loud that that was all I could concentrate on for half of it lol Reply Thread Link I hate when theaters make mistakes like that I saw a movie the other day and every time the screen faded to black there were these giant blocks or orangeish light shining on the screen, really took you out of the movie Reply Parent Thread Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] the boy is a ghost not Bruce Willis lmao also Toni Collette is stunning in this movie I'm watching The Sixth Sense for the first time. this whole time I thought the twist was thatalso Toni Collette is stunning in this movie Reply Thread Link Why am I laughing so hard at this confession? Reply Parent Thread Link i like that you were considerate a put this spoiler tag for this old ass movie lol Reply Parent Thread Link I LEGIT THOUGHT IT WAS SOME OTHERS SHIT Reply Parent Thread Link lmfao sis.... SIS you saw the movie and you still thought this? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link oh come on Reply Parent Thread Expand Link AHAHHAHAHAHAHA This is cute. And time for a re-watch Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Lol I hate that my brother spoiled the twist for me. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link my friend had never seen it (we're 29) and Im like dude how. and im like well, knowing the twist might ruin it and shes like what twist? and im like HOW ARE YOU 29 AND NEVER COME ACROSS THE TWIST FOR SIXTH SENSE. she texted me later than she was watching it. still surprises me Reply Parent Thread Link omg lmaooo you putting it in a spoiler tag Reply Parent Thread Link Omg I'm like crying at this comment and the spoiler tag lmaooooo Reply Parent Thread Link This is so sweet. Reply Parent Thread Link i never really understood the connection between the keddie murders and the strangers. let's be real, even though technically no arrests were ever made, we know who killed them. it was the neighbour and his sketchy friend. ughhhh it upsets me there will never be any justice for that poor family Reply Thread Link Didn't the director say something similar happened In the town he grew up in. Reply Parent Thread Link http://www.suecoletta.com/cabin-28-murders-victim-killer-speak-from-the-dead/ this transcript is probably pretty accurate without needing to be 'psychic'. this transcript is probably pretty accurate without needing to be 'psychic'. Reply Parent Thread Link I can't read the transcript linked above atm but when I get home I'm gonna link you to a great YouTube video about it. Basically the targeted victim was a divorced single mother who was good friends with the neighbours wife, and it's believed the neighbour wanted her dead because she was ~putting ideas into his wife's head~ by encouraging her to leave his abusive ass. I think the sketchy friend was romantically interested in her too and may have felt rejected. Basically bc men are evil EDIT: This is the video I was talking about, an ONTDer recommended her channel in a previous post and she has this great series on unsolved murders and disappearances. Her video is imo the best examination of the case, including possible (and likely) explanations for why the two suspects who are almost certainly guilty somehow managed to avoid arrest. be warned there are some crime scene photos, but imo it's not too graphic (i'm pretty squeamish when it comes to blood and gore and dead bodies etc, personally I could handle this video fine but I know we all have different limits for this sort of thing!) Edited at 2017-06-02 03:59 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link the connection is "hey these 2 people were murdered by these strangers at night" and that's all they needed for the bullshit "inspired by a true story" tag line Reply Parent Thread Link TY! I'm obsessed with true crime, esp cold cases, and I hate when the police and the whole town and everyone on the internet 30 years later knows who a killer is, and but they still can't put them away. Reply Parent Thread Link I have seen most all of these. The Mothman Prophesies freaked me out a while after watching it which is rare for me. I enjoyed the Witch but it's one of those movies you either have an appreciation for it's art form or not. I think the the actors and director all really did some great work. Reply Thread Link I saw mothman prophesies and that shit scaredddd me I was like 12 tho don't know how I would feel about it as an adult Reply Parent Thread Link Mothman Prophecies still scares me. My friend and I used to call each other up and say "Oaaaahhhh...chapstick" in the Moth voice to scare the shit out of each other, lmao. Reply Parent Thread Link the screencap Reply Thread Link lmao Reply Parent Thread Link LOL, your icon makes your comments even funnier Reply Parent Thread Link eh.. that's portuguese, not spanish Reply Thread Link That's Portuguese, not Spanish. Yikes @ that screencap tho, put that shit behind a cut. Reply Thread Link My Spanish ain't great but isn't this Portuguese??? Reply Thread Link i had to explain to my american friends that ppl here use the word 'rooting' for fucking Reply Thread Link ? what country says that? the US uses rooting for cheering for someone/a team Reply Parent Thread Link it's an NZ/Australia thing lol ive never heard any other country say it, but like .. it's usually gross ppl that use it lol 'had a good root last night' ick Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'm Australian. Once when I was 18 and drunk af at a party, this 15 yo bogan came into my room while I was on my way to passing out and whispered in my ear, "So, you gonna give me a root?" and I told him to get tf out. I didn't remember until like two weeks later and was disgusted. His name was Juan. I remember that shit, Juan! Reply Parent Thread Link ...is that Spanish? Cuz it looks like Portuguese. And I'm so glad I have another reason to post this: "You two are so sad! You don't know Orlando, I do! You are mingers!" Reply Thread Link This video will always be funny. Reply Parent Thread Link Interviewer asks Ed to speak in Spanish and say "Foquinha e minha parc". Edited at 2017-06-02 03:48 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link hes uglier than that Reply Thread Link This chameleon/melted bag looking motherfucker Reply Thread Link he is genuinely so fucking ugly Reply Thread Link i could deal deal with his profound ugliness more if his songs didn't all make me conjure up the nauseating image of him having sex Reply Thread Link So he's talking about himself, right? Reply Thread Link jfc este muneco chucky es un ASCO de feo!!! i immediately dry up!!!! Reply Thread Link screaming Reply Parent Thread Link Lmaoo, ia Reply Parent Thread Link I've known what a minger is ever since 2006, courtesy of this Basement Jaxx diddy Reply Thread Link [ Link to spoiler ] Ares, Diana being overwhelmed over mankind doing this shit to themselves (seeing it hit her was SO good), Steve's speech to her about still needing to fight even if mankind doesn't deserve her which actually made me cry, his emotional as fuck death, Diana LOSING it afterwards but then reeling it in with the Power of Love. This movie was a great example of what DC has been trying and failing to do and it felt more like one of the animated movies. And I have to say it did a really good job balancing darkness and hope. After that plane scene I wasn't expecting to feel as positive as I did by the very end. I was expecting the third act to be really bad 'cause of what everyone was saying in the review post but I loved it. It was actually my favorite lol.This movie was a great example of what DC has been trying and failing to do and it felt more like one of the animated movies. And I have to say it did a really good job balancing darkness and hope. After that plane scene I wasn't expecting to feel as positive as I did by the very end. Reply Thread Link Also, Chris Pine is a charming actor. I've always thought this and now I feel safe to say it out loud LOL. Reply Parent Thread Link i feel like everyone has found the light in his earnest blue eyes now haha Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'm glad more people are realizing he's a good actor lol Reply Parent Thread Link I've always liked him by never knew he was so swoon worthy I was like i am so I to this what is happening to me Reply Parent Thread Link I've always liked him by never knew he was so swoon worthy I was like i am so I to this what is happening to me Reply Parent Thread Link my only issue with the third act is that the battle between the two just went on a little too long and i felt my eyes glaze over a little lmao. otherwise it was great Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I was fine with the final battle for the most part apart from it relying to much on CGI and I wasn't fan of the way they had her finish Ares. Reply Parent Thread Link [ Spoilers ] I thought I was fully prepared for Steve to die because obviously he's not around in modern times, but fuck, everything about Diana and Steve got me. I was on board with them immediately and their end stuff fucking destroyed me. Her reaction...it was all so emotional. I think I'm also really just sad it means no more Pine because they were so good together. I've liked him a lot for a long time and really love some of his past roles, but he was perfectly cast for this and killed it. I'm really happy people are finally seeing the Pine light (or at least being more vocal about it). He's been consistently good for a long time IMO. Reply Parent Thread Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] Steve died. Gal and the film are perfect. I don't give a shit what people say about the final battle being a CHI mess; there was more development in growth in that final battle for Diana than most superheroes get in their entire film. Edited at 2017-06-02 02:58 pm (UTC) Second time seeing it (went to a fan screening last week). I cried even harder whenGal and the film are perfect. I don't give a shit what people say about the final battle being a CHI mess; there was more development in growth in that final battle for Diana than most superheroes get in their entire film. Reply Thread Link I knew it was coming but I was still so sad when it actually did. Of course Trevor cant live until 2017 but I wouldn't mind if they did a great grandson that looks and acts like him for a sequel since Chris was just that good in the role. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm legit upset they went the route they did. He and Gal had such amazing chemistry, they could easily bring him back for another sequel or 2 (they could have sequels set back then where she goes against her other big bad story or even have one set during WWII with a resurgence of Ares; I know the comics went there) and then go the route they did. I get why they did what they did but it was still sad to see. Plus I need more naked Pine cause UNF Edited at 2017-06-02 05:57 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Bb kinda OT but how do hide comments under a spoiler? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link [ Spoilers ] I don't think the gods are actually dead. Those white peacocks especially are evocative of Hera and that random cow/boar was definitely Ares spying on her. I hate the daughter of Zeus shit. Ares' costume sucked ass and I wish it had been more impressive/taken after Perez' Ares more. I got spoilt for his identity before I went to the movie so the plot twist got spoilt for me. Needed more Etta Candy. She was practically a glorified cameo. I need a Themyscira film written by Greg Rucka about Phillipus, Artemis and Hippolyta running it. I wish Hippolyta had dark hair but that's just a Minor Annoyance. OKay, so I've seen it twice so I have a Lot of Feelings. Reply Thread Link Anyway I loved it and I'm seeing it for a third time tomorrow night in costume as Mary Marvel. I'm gonna be cute AF but suffering because my boots are way too narrow and boot covers make it even worse because they constrict. Pray 4 me. Reply Parent Thread Link Are you just dressing up by yourself? If I was in a group environment I would totally suit up as Boy Wonder again in my Star spangled spandex for this movie. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I dressed up last night. It was all fun and games till I actually had to get out of the car in that get-up lol. I got over it quickly enough though xD Reply Parent Thread Expand Link also I need an Etta Candy icon stat pls. Reply Parent Thread Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] I was surprised that they killed off all the Greek Gods, I was like DAMN! I really want to see Athena. While I prefer her OG origin I have become ok with this new one though I was not a fan of them having Zeus be the savior for the Amazons. They put way to much importance on him, Aphrodite/Artemis/Athena should've been the Amazons saving grace. Hopefully Hippolyta was just putting Zeus on a pedestal due to him being her baby daddy. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] Yeah I hated the daughter of Zeus stuff too because it felt like it was set up like a twist when we know that they were going to use that origin for her. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link women can be funny, heroic and spectacular? Reply Thread Link how dare women be three positive things at once! Reply Parent Thread Link tbh it's a shame this process repeats itself EVERY TIME it's like Ghostbusters all over again Reply Parent Thread Link The nods to the first Superman movie was on point Reply Thread Link i remember when i watched it all i could think of 'damn this is just as glorious as the original superman and captain america'. it just felt right because wonder woman is supposed to be that super amazing righteous hero, and it was nailed perfectly i was also cackling at her walking around with the sword and shield around london like no big deal Edited at 2017-06-02 03:06 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Omg her trying to go through the revolving door armed had me cackling. Reply Parent Thread Link I loved these movies as a kid Reply Parent Thread Link <3 this was so great Reply Parent Thread Link DC just released a second omnibus of George Perez's run, covering issues 25-45, which have literally never been collected before. Until this year, there only existed four trade paperbacks of the first 24 issues, and an omnibus covering the same ground; and when that omnibus was released, it had no volume number, which didn't suggest there were plans for any more. So it's great to be able to read those issues in high quality, because even if Perez wasn't drawing the series anymore (which is definitely a loss, since he was one of the greatest comics artists of all time), it's probably the best Diana has ever been written, give or take Greg Rucka. Reply Thread Link thank you for this heads up!! Reply Parent Thread Link i just bought all these issues last year because i thought they would never be collected. i'm excited though and now i'll finally upgrade from my trades and get the vol 1 omnibus too. perez and rucka have the best runs IMO Reply Parent Thread Link I hope Circe or Veronica Cale are her next Big Bads. Or both since they've worked together repeatedly. I also need granddaughter of Etta Candy, Etta Candy Jr, badass and in charge but gay 4 Barbara. Reply Thread Link My local comic book shop is changing locations and won't be open till next week so I have four weeks of comics in my subscriptions and it's killing me 'cause seeing this movie made me want to catch up on WW even more, especially since I heard the annual was great! Reply Thread Link CATCH UP ON THE ANNUAL! REALLY DO! Reply Parent Thread Link I loved this movie. While the third act did drag a bit, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. I teared up a few times, silly as that sounds. Reply Thread Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] I lost it when she went up the ladder into No Man's Land and just kicked so much ass. I have goosebumps typing it out right now Nah sis, I teared up too. Reply Parent Thread Link That was THE scene for me. I just felt like a bunch of things were welling up inside. Reply Parent Thread Link i was straight up quietly weeping during parts of the third act Reply Parent Thread Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] -When Antiope died -When she was saying goodbye to Hippolyta -when she stepped into No Mans Land (I was also legit shaking and had chills) -the third act reveal when Steve died and she finally heard what he said. CRUSHED I cried so many times: Reply Parent Thread Expand Link so the only American comic I've actually read (and am collecting) is the Sandman and its spinoffs how can a layman like me get in to the classics like Wonder Woman without breaking the bank? I guess the current prints would be easiest, but I am interested in original origin stories and different reboots. I just don't know where to start Reply Thread Link Try starting with Wonder Woman rebirth. It's their most recent and touches on all Diana's origin stories. Reply Parent Thread Link thank you! is it currently running or is it finished? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Woman-George-Perez-Vol/dp/1401263755/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1496416592&sr=8-2&keywords=Wonder+Woman+George+Perez The more recent run by Greg Rucka (his second on the title) is also good, but a lot of it is devoted to trying to revise a bunch of problems with the character's continuity, so I'm not sure I'd call it a great place to start. Rucka's first run, which is broadly in continuity with Perez's, is also great, so if you read Perez and liked that, I'd go there next. George Perez's 1987 reboot of the title (as part of DC's line-wide revamp) is probably the cleanest place to start, if you're looking for classic Wonder Woman stories.The more recent run by Greg Rucka (his second on the title) is also good, but a lot of it is devoted to trying to revise a bunch of problems with the character's continuity, so I'm not sure I'd call it a great place to start. Rucka's first run, which is broadly in continuity with Perez's, is also great, so if you read Perez and liked that, I'd go there next. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this is just my opinion, but i would start with the golden age stuff. they have an omnibus but there are also some paperback wonder woman chronicles that you can find cheap. after that i would skip most of the following decades and go straight to the george perez run. there are two volumes of perez omnibuses. greg rucka had a good run, but you could even go straight to his recent run of wonder woman rebirth. skip the new 52. ALSO! legend of wonder woman was very good and was (rightfully) nominated for an eisner. i also like jill thompson's wonder woman book. i'm in the minority but i enjoyed the earth one Edited at 2017-06-02 05:55 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link [ Link to spoiler ] Like how was it so sad??? The beach fight scene. Them going to the battlefield and her wanting to help civilians. The gas scene breaking my heart. Steve telling her that maybe it's just that humans are fucked up and he's sorry. Fucking Steve blowing himself up in the fucking plane like wtf?! I can save today but you can save the world. How very dare they? And then Diana having her breakdown I cry. Ares was weak and I called it the moment David Thewlis showed up. Haven't trusted that bitch since Dragonheart. I hope Doctor (Madam?) Poison shows up again. She could do so much more. Fucking Steve. Like how was it so sad??? The beach fight scene. Them going to the battlefield and her wanting to help civilians. The gas scene breaking my heart. Steve telling her that maybe it's just that humans are fucked up and he's sorry.Fucking Steve blowing himself up in the fucking plane like wtf?!How very dare they?And then Diana having her breakdown I cry.Ares was weak and I called it the moment David Thewlis showed up. Haven't trusted that bitch since Dragonheart.I hope Doctor (Madam?) Poison shows up again. She could do so much more.Fucking Steve. Robin Wright looked amazing. I had heart eyes every time she was onscreen. I wasn't ready lolRobin Wright looked amazing. I had heart eyes every time she was onscreen. Reply Thread Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] I called it the moment David Thewlis showed up. Haven't trusted that bitch since Dragonheart. Lmao I was like "Called it! Didn't trust him from the get go!" but in reality I trusted no one, so it could have been the sniper friend that liked to sing and I would still have felt like I called that too lol. Reply Parent Thread Link LOOOOOOOL DRAGONHEART REFERENCE. A+++ Reply Parent Thread Link david thewlis was such obvious notable stunt casting that if i didn't already know the twist, i would have called it Reply Parent Thread Link [ Spoiler (click to open) ] i called it too the moment he showed up, probably because hes playing a bad guy on fargo right now lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Did anyone else have little girls cheering in their audience? It made me so happy. Reply Thread Link That sounds so cute. Reply Parent Thread Link My other Steve. <3 Reply Parent Thread Link i had grown ass men cheer in my audience, and it was a press screening lmao Reply Parent Thread Expand Link yes! one of the ushers came to give a little speech before it started and one of the little girls stood up and cheered every time the usher said wonder woman lol Reply Parent Thread Link I saw it last night and I'm still excited about it. It was everything I wanted WW to be. Patty so clearly understood Diana in all the ways Zach Snyder clearly didn't understand Superman. WW definitely made up for how bad Man of Steel, BvS and SS were. Back when Gal Gadot was cast I was kinda meh because I'd seen her in a few things and she didn't impress me with her on screen presence. But then she knocked it out of the park in this movie. I couldn't take my eyes off her; she got the purity and fierceness of Diana perfectly. Edited at 2017-06-02 03:17 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link I'm still trying to decide to see it tonight at 7 or tomorrow. I've been avoiding spoilers. ALSO IF YOU DON'T READ WONDER WOMAN COMIC FUCKING READ IT NOW. GET / SUBSCRIBE TO WONDER WOMAN DC-REBIRTH. READ THE ANNUAL AND ALL EXISTING ISSUES THAT HAVE RELEASED. Reply Thread Link See it both days! Reply Parent Thread Link Russias natural gas strategy in Europe is getting increased scrutiny from some U.S. lawmakers who worry about European energy dependence on their eastern neighbor. However, a major pipeline is inching forward just as there is a growing sense that the issue could be deprioritized by the Trump administration. Russia has a track record of weaponizing natural gas, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Senate Foreign Affairs subcommittee on European Affairs, said recently. The immediate issue of concern is the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, an expansion of an existing natural gas pipeline that runs from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. The criticism that the project is mostly political in nature that is, that Russia is seeking to bypass Ukraine as a transit country in order to neutralize one of Ukraines most potent sources of geopolitical leverage is not new. Nord Stream 2 would give Russia even more options for influencing and intimidating Europe, specifically Ukraine, Senator Shaheen said. She went on to add that the Obama administration worked hard to oppose the project and the Trump administration, I believe, will be well advised to continue this important priority. The issue has taken on renewed importance as it moves closer to a reality. More importantly, the Trump administrations softer tone towards Russia has raised speculation that opposing Nord Stream 2 could be pushed to the back burner, dialing back the Obama administrations efforts to break European dependence on Russian gas. Related: Russia Has No Plans To Further Privatize Oil Industry Europe is divided over Nord Stream 2. The European Commission has stepped up criticism of the project on antitrust grounds Russias Gazprom would own a large portion of the pipeline and 100 percent of the gas that flows through it. But the Commission has also struggled to make the case that it has the legal authority to block it. The Commission has fought with Gazprom over anti-competitive pricing, winning some concessions from the Russian gas giant. But the Nord Stream 2 is an offshore project, which some argue puts it out of the Commissions jurisdiction. Still, many countries, led by Poland, are vociferously opposing it. The project has created a divide that is mostly geographical in nature, with Eastern Europe much more opposed than their Western compatriots. Gazprom, along with the western energy companies involved in the project, argue that Nord Stream 2 is strictly commercial, not political. But a new report from the Washington-based Atlantic Council casts doubt on that argument. Nord Stream 2 is very clearly a political project, the Atlantic Council says, noting that Nord Stream 1 wasnt even profitable, costing Gazprom just as much - and arguably more - to transport gas through Nord Stream 1 as it does through existing pipelines through Ukraine. In fact, the gas being diverted through Nord Stream 1 is simply being diverted from pipelines that go through Ukraine, the report argues. Nord Stream 1 did not bring a windfall to Gazprom because the same volume of gas is being transported to the same customers under the same contract only through more expensive export routes. Related: Saudis, Russia Will Do Whatever It Takes To Bring Oil To Balance Clearly, then, the pipeline was a political project. Gazproms CEO admitted as much in 2015 when he announced Gazproms intention not to sign an extension of a gas contract with Ukraine in 2019, and he suggested that Russian gas could stop flowing through Ukraine entirely by then. But in order for that to be possible, Gazprom must see the completion of Nord Stream 2, an expansion that would double the capacity of Nord Stream 1. The Atlantic Council argues that this should be unacceptable because it would threaten EU energy and economic security, and by extension, would threaten U.S. national interests. The EU, on the one hand, has gone to great lengths to bolster energy security over the past decade by unbundling monopolies, allowing for freer movement of electricity and gas around Europe, and by building greater interconnections between countries. The goal is an energy union so that the entire bloc is more connected and supply disruptions could be more easily overcome. A more integrated Europe, the logic goes, would defang the Russian threat. But approving Nord Stream 2 would undermine those goals. By giving the green light to Nord Stream 2, the EU will be endorsing a schizophrenic policy, in effect helping to empower a country whose policies are designed to undermine the EU, the Atlantic Council wrote. Top European oil companies that have stakes in Nord Stream 2 are lobbying hard for approval. Five companies involved Royal Dutch Shell, OMV, Engie, Uniper and Wintershall recently agreed to finance 10 percent of the cost of the pipeline, pushing the project forward. The project still needs to be settled at the European level, but Gazprom wants to see the pipeline break ground next year. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices retraced this week as oversupply worries once again resurfaced in spite of a bullish U.S. inventory report. (Click to enlarge) (Click to enlarge) (Click to enlarge) (Click to enlarge) (Click to enlarge) (Click to enlarge) (Click to enlarge) (Click to enlarge) Friday, June 2, 2017 Oil prices continue to show weakness even though there are some bullish pieces of data emerging. The EIA reported a surprisingly strong drawdown in crude oil inventories, a drop off of 6.43 million barrels. However, weekly U.S. oil production continues to climb. Also, Libyan oil production broke new highs for the year. Oil might trade between $45 and $50 per barrel for quite a while, a range that is the path of least resistance," Bill OGrady, chief market strategist at Confluence Investment Management, told Bloomberg in an interview. "You stay in that range until you get some kind of clear and convincing evidence." Oil prices also sank on news that the U.S. withdrew from the Paris Climate accord (more below), raising fears of more unbridled drilling. Exxon shareholders pass climate resolution. Shareholders of ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) passed a monumental resolution this week, calling on the company to assess its vulnerability to climate change. Shareholders passed the resolution with 62 percent support. The resolution is a milestone on the campaign by environmental activists to pressure the oil major into disclosing more details about its financial vulnerabilities. The difference this time compared to failed efforts in the past is that mainstream financial institutions are on board with more climate disclosure, fearing that their long-term investments are at risk. Shareholders also passed a resolution calling on Exxon to provide more details about its plans to reduce methane emissions. OPEC faces conundrum: prices or market share. Robin Mills, a Middle-East based oil analyst, wrote in Bloomberg View that OPEC must choose between fighting for market share by raising production, or stabilizing prices by maintaining cuts. They cant have both, despite attempts by the cartel to keep U.S. shale out of the market while also rescuing prices from falling. Unless OPEC chooses one course of action, it could face long-term attrition from lost market share and less-than-satisfying revenues. U.S. withdraws from Paris. President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, a move that, on its face, has little impact on the trajectory of U.S. carbon emissions. The move will, however, strain the already tense relationship between the U.S. and its European allies. Meanwhile, the EU and China have vowed to press on with the accord and reaffirmed their commitment to reach their climate targets. Reaction from within the U.S was swift. Conservative organizations and some in the coal industry praised the move, but the broader corporate sector was mostly opposed to a withdrawal. Teslas (NYSE: TSLA) Elon Musk withdrew from a presidential advisory council in protest. Even many in the oil and gas industry wanted Trump to remain in the pact. ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) CEO Darren Woods made expressions of support for the climate accord. GE receives EU approval for merger with Baker Hughes. Last year GE (NYSE: GE) announced plans to merge its oil and gas unit with oilfield services firm Baker Hughes (NYSE BHI). This week the EU gave the greenlight for the merger, a key hurdle for the merger to be realized. Related: Clash Between Qatar And The Saudis Could Threaten OPEC Deal Offshore drilling gets cheaper. A new report from Wood Mackenzie finds that offshore oil drilling is getting cheaper and cheaper. The industry is streamlining operations and prioritizing the sweetest spots to drill, which will push down the average breakeven price to $50 per barrel next year, down from $62 in the first quarter of 2017 and as high as $75 in 2014. That is good news for oil drillers but also bad news for prices because new offshore supplies could come online even with oil at $50. There is life in deep-water yet, Angus Rodger, director of WoodMacs upstream Asia-Pacific research, told Bloomberg in an interview. When oil prices fell, many projects were deferred, but the ones that were deferred first were deep-water because the overall break-evens were highest. Now in 2017, were seeing signs that the best ones are coming back. Libya and Nigeria restore supply. OPEC saw its collective output jump in May because of rising supply from Libya and Nigeria, two countries that are exempt from the production cut deal. The uptick in output was the first monthly increase across OPEC for the year. Both countries have already stated their objective of dramatically ramping up production in the second half of this year if they can maintain security. Exxon and Total interested in drilling off the coast of Crete. Greece, desperate for cash amid a never-ending financial crisis, has sought to promote oil and gas exploration. ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) and Total SA (NYSE: TOT) have submitted an expression of interest to explore near Crete. Dakota Access Pipeline begins operations. Energy Transfer Partners (NYSE: ETP) said that its Dakota Access Pipeline began operations on Thursday. The inauguration of Dakota Access means that the companys broader Bakken Pipeline system will now be able to ship 520,000 bpd to the U.S. Gulf Coast. The pipeline is a boon for drillers in North Dakotas Bakken, who will now be able to ship more crude via lower-cost pipelines rather than rail. It will also allow Gulf Coast refiners to access more light sweet crude for their operations. First floating LNG approved for Gulf Coast. The U.S. Department of Energy granted approval for what could be the U.S. Gulf of Mexicos first floating LNG export terminal. The project, backed by Fairway Peninsula Energy Corp., could begin operation in 2020. By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: New oil production will lead Alberta and Saskatchewan out of recession and in to economic growth by the end of 2017, according to the Conference Board of Canada. Alberta is set to see GDP growth of 3.3 percent this year, despite the province suffering two consecutive years of economic contraction. Nonconventional oil production in the province will see a big increase this year thanks to new capacity coming online, while energy investment is expected to make a comeback this year and next, CBC said in its press release. Two years of low oil prices have hit Albertas budget where it hurts. The new budget banks on barrel prices reaching $68 a pop within the next yeara growth rate that futures markets deem largely improbable. At the time of this articles writing Brent traded at $51.07. The provinces politics have transformed in recent weeks in preparation for the 2019 elections. Two conservative parties in the oil-rich statethe Progressive Conservative Party and the Wildrose Partymerged in May to oppose the leftist New Democratic Party. The right-wingers are hoping to seriously challenge Premier Rachel Notley at the polls, unlike what happened in 2015 when divisions amongst conservative factions cost them the provinces top office. Oil from Alberta is the United States single largest source of oil. The provinces oil resources are vast, but almost three years of low oil prices have created a C$10.3 billion hole in the states budget. "If the election was today they [the NDP] would be sunk and defeating a unified conservative party would be very difficult," Duane Bratt, a political scientist at Mount Royal University told Reuters last month. "Some people are blaming the entire economic downturn on the NDP, even though it was occurring before they were elected." By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com More Top Reads For Oilprice.com: Iraq exported the most crude oil in May over the last six months, shipping data from Bloomberg has revealed. Thats despite the OPEC production cut agreed to in November 2016 and extended last week. By the time the extension was announced, OPECs number-two was still suspected of not having hit its target of 210,000 bpd less in production. However, as Iraqs Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaibi told media at the OPEC meeting in Vienna that oil exports from the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan were not subject to the extension of OPECs production cuts. Kurdistan exports around 600,000 bpd, most via the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline. The daily export rate for Iraqi oil last month averaged 3.93 million barrelshigher than the rate for Octoberthe month that was taken as basis for the new production quotas for OPEC members and their partners in the cut deal. While Iraq has been struggling with keeping its end of the deal, it has also been expanding its export capacity. In February, state-owned South Oil Company said it would halt operations at the countrys largest terminal, in Basra, to install a new feed-in pipeline. The Basra terminal has a loading capacity of 1.8 million bpd. In January, the South Oil Company also announced an expansion of another oil export terminal, Khor al-Amaya, to bring its daily capacity to 1.2 million barrels. Related: Russias Economy Minister: Russia Can Live Forever At $40 Oil When the initial production cut deal was inked, Iraq was widely considered to be the first among OPEC members to cheat. It has been very slow to reduce its production, unsurprising given its long-suffering economy that relies on oil revenues to fight what remains of IS and keep the country going in the absence of any viable revenue source alternatives. According to OPECs latest Monthly Oil Market Report Iraq pumped 4.37 million barrels of crude daily in April, down from 4.41 million bpd a month earlier. The April figure, however, is close to the average for 2016, which stood at 4.39 million barrels daily. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Secretary General of OPEC, Mohammed Barkindo, believes it is too early to discuss ending the exemption from the oil production cut deal that Libya and Nigeria have been benefiting from, boosting their crude oil output in the last few months. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Barkindo said that both Nigeria and Libya still have problems to deal with, so an output cap for either is not yet on the table. He added, however, that the extension agreed by OPEC and 11 other producers will help continue moving in the right direction with the markets return to balance imminent. Most observers, as well as traders, dont seem to share the optimism. In May, OPECs overall output rose for the first time since the start of 2017 thanks to none other than Libya, which boosted output after its largest oil field, Sharara, started pumping again after a series of disruptions. The countrys daily average spiked to 827,000 bpd last month, the highest in three years. Nigeria is also bumping up its production rate and the daily average may hit 2.2 million barrels this month, according to the chief executive of a local oil company, Oando. The increase will come as the Forcados terminalthe target of several militant attacks resumes operation. The first cargo for this year was loaded at Forcados in mid-May. Related: Canada Pushes For Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy Its no wonder, then, that international oil prices have remained subdued and even announcements like the 6.4-million-barrel draw in U.S. oil inventories that the EIA announced yesterday have failed to have any impact. What makes the situation even more concerning is that this was the eighth weekly inventory draw in a row and prices still fell, with Brent sliding closer to US$50 a barrel and WTI on the brink of falling below US$48. Amid these developments, the need to remove the exemptions may become pressing before long. Its another question how open Libya or Nigeria would be to such a move. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads For Oilprice.com: AfricaRice is a CGIAR Research Center part of a global research partnership for a food-secure future. It is also an intergovernmental association of African member countries. For more information visit: www.AfricaRice.org A propos dAfricaRice AfricaRice est un Centre de recherche du CGIAR un partenariat mondial de la recherche agricole pour un futur sans faim. AfricaRice est aussi une association intergouvernementale composee de pays membres africains. Pour plus dinformations, visiter : www.AfricaRice.org U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perrys ongoing trip to Japan is slated to be a boon for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters. Sources told Bloomberg that Perry will sign an agreement to promote American LNG in resale venues for developing nations surrounding Japan. A natural gas oversupply problem has pushed Tokyo to become a LNG resale hub for the developing countries in its circuit. At this point, Japan is the largest LNG importer in the world. The Secretary looks forward to having a productive dialogue with Japanese officials about a multitude of issues, including the potential for increased LNG exports from the United States to Asia, Shaylyn Hynes, a spokesperson from the Department of Energy, said in an email. American LNG exports to Japan have occurred on an on-and-off basis since June 2011, data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows. Currently the commodity is sold at a rate of $7.18 per thousand cubic feet the highest level since August 2015. In January, Japan bought its first shipment of liquefied natural gas derived from fracking. The 70,000-ton cargo was the first of a series of shipments that will total 700,000 tons by the end of 2017. In 2016, most US LNG exports went to customers in the Western Hemisphere, Richard D. Kauzlarich, former U.S. ambassador to energy hubs Azerbaijan and Bosnia said earlier this year. [S]hipments to East Asia (especially Japan and China) will overtake destinations in this hemisphere in 2017. Related: Canada Pushes For Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy Asian destinations for American oil and gas exports will spur the kind of economic development President Donald Trump promised constituents during his campaign, analysts say. Congress allowed companies to begin selling oil to other countries in December 2015, with the approval of the Obama administration. We see few better ways for the Trump administration to deliver on its promises of job creation and trade deficit reduction, than liquid natural gas agreements with major importers, such as China, India, Korea and Japan, said Michael Roomberg of the Burner Tip Fund. By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com More Top Reads For Oilprice.com: We support three-day boycott of purchasing expensive fruits: Karachi Commissioner KARACHI: The city administration, which had been claiming that it was effectively controlling prices of commodities during Ramazan, conceded indirectly though its failure when a top official on Thursday supported the boycott of expensive fruits inspired by activists on social media. We support the three-day boycott of purchasing expensive fruits in the city beginning on Friday [today], said Aijaz Khan, commissioner of Karachi, in a statement. I highly support this campaign, said the commissioner, claiming that such boycotts would help the city administration in making its effort against profiteers more effective. Such a claim by the city administration annuls its earlier claim in which it fined dozens of shopkeepers for overcharging and arrested some of them for selling commodities at more than the fixed price. Hundreds of activists using social media sites, chiefly Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp, have called for a three-day boycott of purchasing fruit, saying that vendors and shopkeepers were fleecing people through overpricing. Such a campaign, claimed by activists as being spearheaded by no political or religious group, gained momentum to the effect that it attracted the citys administration to support it. This announcement by the city commissioner shows no government, but the people themselves, should resolve such issues which had been resolved somehow effectively in the past, said a rights activist. Though no political party has yet supported the campaign, the commissioners statement is being taken as having a silent nod of the provincial government. Early this week, officials in the Sindh government said, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had visited various parts of the city, met vendors and shopkeepers and expressed his anger over overpricing of eatables which the people were forced to purchase because of traditions associated with Ramazan. The chief minister had explicitly asked the city administration to control the spike in such prices in which the latter has not succeeded, which is evident from such support to this campaign driven by social media, said an official in the Sindh government. The commissioner, however, stated that the chief minister had directed them to garner support of civil society in the administrations campaign to stop overpricing. I will ask the citizens to take an active part in the boycott called by civil society, he said, adding that he and his subordinates would also boycott purchasing fruits for the coming three days. Well break our fast [roza] without eating fruit in the coming three days. He said civil society had a right to resort to boycott. It gives me pleasure that civil society has called for this boycott and I wish to see it succeed. It will certainly [teach] the profiteers a good lesson. He, however, admitted that despite all-out efforts made by the city administration, it did not satisfactorily discourage the profiteers. The city administration, however, continued to claim that its stern crackdown on the profiteers had challaned more than 500 individuals. They said the profiteers had been fined Rs4 million while 45 such people had been put behind bars. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu and Chief of Defence Staff to provide maximum security for journalists in the country. The GJA raised alarm at the reports of threats against its members and other media practitioners, particularly in the Central, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions for exposing the destructive activities of illegal mining (galamsey). The Association, in a statement released on Thursday, June 1, 2017 called on the security personnel to safeguard media practitioners who champion the crusade against galamsey. "Coming on the heels of the horrendous murder of Captain Maxwell Mahama at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region, the GJA believes that one does not need any superfluity of security intelligence to conclude that similar fate or something tragic can befall the journalists, especially those who fetch stories in the heart of the galamsey enclaves if nothing concrete is done to protect them. "We therefore urge the law and order community, especially the Chief of the Defense Staff and Inspector General of Police to act with urgent promptitude and provide maximum security for journalists who risk their lives to do anti galamsey stories as well as those who champion the crusade against illegal mining," portions of the statement read. Read full story below: GJA REACTS TO THREATS AGAINST JOURNALISTS The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is deeply alarmed by reports of threats against its members and other media practitioners, particularly in the Central, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions for exposing the destructive activities in the galamsey endemic areas. According to these reports, the galamseyers have vowed to "teach the journalists a lesson" if they refuse to halt their exposes on illegal mining. Coming on the heels of the horrendous murder of Captain Maxwell Mahama at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region, the GJA believes that one does not need any superfluity of security intelligence to conclude that similar fate or something tragic can befall the journalists, especially those who fetch stories in the heart of the galamsey enclaves if nothing concrete is done to protect them. We therefore urge the law and order community, especially the Chief of the Defense Staff and Inspector General of Police to act with urgent promptitude and provide maximum security for journalists who risk their lives to do anti galamsey stories as well as those who champion the crusade against illegal mining. The GJA recalls with incredible pain the gruesome circumstances under which its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Samuel Ennin was murdered. Many other journalists have suffered fatalities, brutalities and indignities in their line of duty. We cannot and must not allow this terribly wicked trend to continue. We ask all journalists in the field to heighten their sense of security and avoid situations which expose them to life threatening risks. Meanwhile, they should refuse to be intimidated or cowed to soften their stand on illegal mining which spells existential danger to this nation. The GJA views the latest threats as a blatant slap in the face of press freedom and therefore highly unacceptable. The GJA seizes that opportunity to commend most profusely media houses, practitioners and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey and its partners for their audacious and tenacious fight against the wanton destruction of our water bodies, farmlands and the general environment. God save our homeland Ghana. Signed Affail Monney Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video For Immediate Release Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) objects to the Trump Administrations move to return to Congress copies of the Senates 2014 report on the CIAs torture program. The following statement is attributable to Sarah Dougherty, PHRs senior anti-torture fellow: Its deeply troubling that the Trump administration is handing over its copies of the Senate torture report. Its a step backward in the years-long struggle to achieve transparency and criminal accountability and deals a severe blow to the countrys ability to ensure that torture never happens again. The 6,700-page document, still shielded from public scrutiny, is the most comprehensive accounting of the CIAs torture program. Its findings are critical to understanding how so many mistakes were made and how to avoid making such grievous, harmful errors in the future. From the declassified executive summary, we got a glimpse of just how brutal the CIAs torture and detention program was. It inflicted lasting mental and physical harm on detainees, and it did not yield intelligence. The torture program was ineffective, and an illegal and harmful breach of American laws and values. PHR has long advocated for a full public accounting of the torture program, particularly when it comes to the health professionals who were involved in designing it and carrying it out. We urge the Trump administration to preserve the report to review it, learn from it, and commit to never returning to torture as U.S. policy. We also urge all health professionals to join the more than 1,000 other nurses, doctors, medical students, and clinicians who have signed our pledge against torture and ill-treatment. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here. Saturday is National Trails Day, and the weather looks like it will be great to get out in the woods. Sunday, not so much. If you are planning on heading out on area trout streams, most are high and somewhat muddy from recent rain, but mostly fishable. (Here is a link to one of my favorite web pages for stream levels.) The Schroon River has been fishing very well, I know from experience and angler reports I have been getting. I netted 15 or so trout one night last week, including a 17-inch brown, holdover rainbow of about 14 inches, a colorful brookie of about 10 inches and numerous stocked fish. On the lakes, the lake trout fishing on Lake George has been phenomenal, with numerous five- to 10-pounders being landed and some bigger fish netted as well. Bass season kicks off in two weeks. Get out and enjoy the extra daylight, in three weeks the days will start getting shorter again! -- Don Lehman DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights Forest Ranger Actions for 5/22 5/28/17 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from the backcountry. In 2016, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 356 search and rescue missions, extinguished 185 wildfires that burned a total of 4,191 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 3,000 tickets or arrests. Across New York, DEC Forest Rangers are on the front lines helping people safely enjoy the great outdoors, said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. Their knowledge of first aid, land navigation, and technical rescue techniques is critical to the success of their missions, which take them from remote wilderness areas, with rugged mountainous peaks, to white-water rivers, and throughout our vast forested areas statewide. Recent missions carried out by DEC Forest Rangers include: Essex County Town of Newcomb Rescue: On May 27 at 11 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch was notified of two hikers lost on the summit of Allen Mountain. One of the hikers, a 70-year-old Utica man, was suffering from exhaustion from the bushwhack hike to the trail-less peak. His hiking companion stayed with the Utica man while the other group members completed the 18-mile round trip to call for assistance. Forest Rangers Jacob Deslauriers and Del Jeffery located the men at 6:30 the next morning, approximately two miles from the trailhead. The two hikers had descended from the summit beginning the night before and were walking out slowly. After some fresh water and food, the two were escorted out of the forest by the Rangers and did not require medical treatment. Hamilton County Indian Lake Search: On May 28 at 9 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Hamilton County 911 reporting five hikers who lost the trail on Snowy Mountain while descending. Coordinates from the 911 center placed the group about one mile from the summit of Snowy Mountain in a seasonal stream that leads to Beaver Brook on the north side of the mountain. By 11:30 p.m., Rangers Gary Miller and Jason Scott located the group and escorted the four New Jersey and one New York City residents back to their car by 12:30 a.m. Warren County Town of Thurman Search: On May 27, Forest Rangers assisted Warren County emergency services with finding a 77-year-old Thurman man who became disoriented while walking his dog on nearby logging trails. The Warren County dispatcher told the man to stay put and searchers would find him. By using his cell phone coordinates, it did not take long to track the subject. Within an hour, the man was found and escorted out of the woods. Oneida County Village of Oriskany Training: The New York State Incident Management Team (IMT) is a Type 2 all-hazard incident management unit designed to assist command personnel and emergency managers with ensuring a prompt, efficient, and organized response to emergency incidents and disasters. This team is highly trained at using the national incident command system to assist state and local governments during an emergency or planned event. The IMT is an interagency team coordinated by the New York State Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and includes personnel from various state, county, and local agencies representing a variety of disciplines. Five DEC Forest Rangers are members of this team. Beginning May 22, the team held four days of training and exercises at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany. The exercise simulated a large flooding event in Oneida County. Team members exercised communications and emerging technologies and advanced their emergency management skill sets. The Incident Management Team is briefed before a training at the New York State Preparedness Training Center Jefferson County Town of Orleans Burning Hay Bales: On May 23, Jefferson County Fire Coordinators requested DEC Forest Rangers to assist the LaFargeville Fire Department to extinguish a large pile of burning hay bales on the Perch River Wildlife Management Area. Approximately 300 large square bales weighing 1,000 pounds each and stacked in a single row 100 feet long and 12 feet high had been stored in a hay field prior to being moved off-site. Firefighting efforts were difficult because of the bales remote location and the depth of the pile. A DEC excavator was used to break apart the bales and allow the water and Class A firefighting foam to penetrate the pile and extinguish the fire. By May 25, the fire was extinguished. DECs Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation is investigating how the fire began. St. Lawrence County Town of Fine Meth Lab Discovery: On May 25, Forest Rangers discovered evidence and debris associated with homemade methamphetamine production at a campsite in Aldrich Pond Wild Forest. State Police were called in to process the scene and dispose of the highly hazardous paraphernalia. Hamilton County Town of Hope Runaway: On May 26, three Forest Rangers assisted Hamilton County Sheriffs Deputies with finding a runaway 11-year-old from Wells School. The child ran off into the nearby woods, and within 90 minutes he was found walking along a road. Oswego County Town of Redfield Meth Lab Paraphernalia: On May 27, a Forest Ranger on foot patrol in the Salmon River State Forest discovered evidence and debris associated with homemade methamphetamine production. State Police were called in to process the scene and dispose of the highly hazardous paraphernalia. This marks the fourth occurrence of discovering similar debris on state lands in northern and central portions of the state within the past three weeks. Sullivan County Town of Rockland Search: On May 27, three campers at Mongaup Pond Campground planned a short hike to Frick Pond. The mother of one of the campers became concerned when the trio had not returned by 7 p.m., and contacted the campground staff. Forest Rangers David Meade and Alex Virkler began searching the trails with ATVs. Once cell phone connection was made with one of the three hikers, the subjects approximate location was determined. By 9:30 p.m., Virkler had found the three hikers on the edge of a neighboring town. Apparently, the subjects took a wrong trail and hiked seven miles in the wrong direction. Lewis County Town of Lyonsdale Search: On May 27, Forest Ranger Luke Evans was notified by Lewis County 911 that a 67-year-old woman was lost on the Lewis County Recreation Lands while foraging for moss. She became disoriented and was in need of assistance to return to her car. The 911 dispatcher provided the womans cell phone coordinates for Evans and he located her soon thereafter. Within 90 minutes of her call, she was back at her car. Orange County Town of Greenville Fugitive Arrest: On May 28, a DEC Forest Ranger apprehended two minors illegally operating ATVs on Huckleberry Ridge State Forest; a third ATV fled the scene. As the two youths were being turned over to their parents, the third operator returned to the scene without his ATV. After being detained and determining his identity, the 44-year-old man was arrested on an outstanding warrant in Pennsylvania and turned over to State Police. Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DECs Hiking Safety web page (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28708.html) and Adirondack Backcountry Information (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html) web page for more information. FORT ANN A Lake Luzerne man who is serving a prison sentence for a burglary in Saratoga County has been charged with breaking into a business in Fort Ann last year as well. Stephen P. Barrant, 40, was charged this week with felony counts of burglary, grand larceny and criminal mischief for an April 2016 break-in at an unspecified antiques business in West Fort Ann and for stealing numerous items, police said. Barrant cut himself on broken glass, and DNA from the blood led to him being linked to the thefts, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Police then searched property he was linked to in Hadley and recovered a number of stolen items, sheriff's Senior Investigator Tony LeClaire said. Barrant was arrested last spring for home burglaries in the town of Edinburg and pleaded guilty to a felony charge of burglary in that case, netting a 1- to 3-year prison sentence. He was arraigned this week on an indictment in Washington County Court and returned to state prison to await further prosecution in Washington County. This is one campaign promise that President Trump should have let slide. Trump announced Thursday he will withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris climate agreement among nearly 200 nations. The move will just make it more difficult for the world to counter the worst effects of the global warming thats already under way. As a candidate, he assailed the non-binding pact as a bad deal for the U.S. Nevertheless, White House aides had said before Trump left for his recent nine-day foreign trip that he was keeping an open mind. That fueled hope that Trump might recognize the folly in rejecting the overwhelming consensus of climate scientists that human activity is dangerously increasing global temperatures. Apparently, he did not listen to what every other leader at the G-7 summit in Sicily was saying. The withdrawal would also send a troubling signal that the nationalists on his team have won out over the realists, which means the administration is becoming more inwardly focused as the world is growing more globally connected. Trump already has been pursuing policies aimed at expanding U.S. production of fossil fuels to achieve what he called American energy dominance, rather than mere energy independence. He proposed slashing the Environmental Protection Agencys budget by 31 percent (the enforcement section alone would be cut by 40, appointed climate skeptic Scott Pruitt to dismantle er, run the agency, and has taken steps to end President Obamas Clean Power Plan, a framework for compelling states to effect significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. These steps will make it harder to meet the commitment Obama made in Paris to reduce U.S. carbon output 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by 2025. Trump also wants deep cuts in climate-change research, and would slash the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by 69 percent a move that critics say would hamstring government investment in renewable energy research. How Trump intends to ride fossil fuel production into dominance of an energy sector increasingly shifting to renewables is perplexing. Oil companies themselves are planning for the day when global oil consumption begins to ebb and becomes supplanted by less-harmful natural gas an already profitable portion of their overall business. But theyre also expanding their portfolios to include renewable energy sources. Its telling that CEOs of Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil and BP all urged Trump to keep the U.S. in the accord. New ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods recently wrote that were encouraged that the pledges made at last years Paris Accord create an effective framework for all countries to address rising emissions; in fact, our company forecasts carbon reductions consistent with the results of the Paris accord commitments. But Trump thinks he knows better than the scientists or the energy sector. He has no expertise in either, and has exhibited little curiosity about the interconnections between carbon emissions and global temperatures. Remember, his business background is in real estate, television shows and branded products. He has no science background, yet hubristically clings to his disbelief that human activity is pressing global temperatures higher he infamously has referred to climate change as a hoax concocted by the Chinese to undercut U.S. manufacturing. The irony here is that by backing out of the Paris agreement, Trump would cede international climate leadership and most of the benefits of a transitioning energy sector to the Chinese, which, along with India, is making surprisingly strong gains in reducing emissions. Its remarkable that a president who has put so much emphasis on creating jobs is so willing to let other nations reap the financial gains from leading the world to a better, cleaner energy future. Trumps position also flies in the face of public sentiment 71 percent of Americans believe the science, and 59 percent say that protecting the environment is more important than protecting jobs. The frustrating part of this is that even Obamas goals were insufficient if the world is to avoid the worst repercussions of global warming. The polar ice sheets are already shrinking, glaciers are melting, ocean levels are rising, storms have intensified, and droughts and downpours have become stronger and more erratic as species become stressed and trees that once thrived in places like the Sierra Nevada die by the millions. The world needs to go in one direction, and Trump wants to point the United States the wrong way. Strong science-influenced and clear-eyed leadership both nationally and internationally are required if were to keep the worst of it from happening. And in Trump, we dont have that. This editorial appeared in the Los Angeles Times on May 31. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Two western Illinois communities will raise funds for Honor Flight of the Quad-Cities while supporting their area veterans with separate events June 10 and June 11. Shave for the Brave, a nonprofit organization in Galesburg, Illinois, will hold its third annual Beards and Brews event June 10 at the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville. On June 11, Bishop Hill will host its own benefit. A Salute to our Veterans, on June 11 in the village park. Proceeds from both events will benefit Honor Flight, which transports area war veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the memorials in their honor. Crystal Wilson, Shave for the Brave's president and co-founder, said this year's event runs from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the fairgrounds, which is a new location. A party bus, available to all ages, will provide transportation between Galesburg and the fairgrounds. Beards and Brews will include a motorcycle show from 4-8 p.m. with a contest and judging at 6:30 p.m. with the signature shaving event at 4 p.m. Participants can still sign up until that day and must raise a minimum of $100 in donations to be involved. "We trim or shave anything from the neck up," she said, adding "Girls can participate if they cut four or more inches off in a ponytail style haircut." The event, which involves licensed barbers and hairstylists, and other Shave for the Brave events have raised more than $84,000 since 2014. Dedicated to Honor Flight, the group's efforts have sent 160 veterans on a flight, including an entire flight sponsored by Shave for the Brave in 2016, Wilson said. Beards and Brews also will include food vendors, a beer tent, outdoor games and four bands from the surrounding area: Past Curfew, an 80s rock band; Dan and Austin, a two-man acoustic band; The Rock'n Papas, a 70s and 80s rock band; and the headliner, the country band Staggard. Admission to Beards and Brews is free. For more information, contact 309-299-4948 or email shave4thebravehf@gmail.com. In Bishop Hill, the community will continue its support with its annual event A Salute to our Veterans benefit. Over the past seven years, Bishop Hill has collected more than $80,000 for Honor Flight. The benefit, which kicks off with a barbecue rib dinner at 3 p.m. in the park, is being organized by the Filling Station Restaurant. Honor Flight representatives also will be on hand to answer questions and accept applications. Other festivities include arrival of the Illinois Patriot Guard and Legion Riders at 3:30 p.m.; an invocation and Presentation of Colors by area VFW and American Legion Groups at 4 p.m.; and several other speakers. Other activities include patriotic music, a live auction and a 21-gun salute and Taps. To donate auction items, make a financial donation or to volunteer, call Linda Spring at 309-927-3355. Getting Vice President Mike Pence to speak at her barbecue fundraiser Saturday was a big score, Sen. Joni Ernst said. Whether the vice president will join her for the motorcycle ride half of her third annual Roast and Ride is up to the Secret Service, the Iowa Republican said. I think he would very much love to be riding a motorcycle, Ernst said. Thats why we really targeted him this year and encouraged him to come out, just because it does involve motorcycles, and he is an enthusiast. In addition to Pence, Ernst has invited her colleagues, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Gov. Kim Reynolds and 4th District Rep. Steve King to speak at Roast and Ride. She expects Pence to bring an inspirational message not just to those that are at the event ... but to all Iowans and hopefully all Americans as well. We have a new administration with new ideas. Its a fresh look at where America needs to go, said Ernst, who has attracted high-profile guests each year: GOP presidential hopefuls in 2015 and then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump last year. She also has provided speaking time to top Iowa Republicans. She expects Pence to talk about initiatives President Trump is pursuing to make life better for all Americans. I think he exudes a level of optimism that people need to hear during these stressful times, Ernst said. I dont care what level of government you work at, I think we need to reassure our constituents that were working hard for them, and I think hell do that. Ernsts event starts at 11 a.m. at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the family-friendly pork roast. In addition to the ride and political speeches, the Iowa-based rock-folk band, The Nadas, will entertain. Tickets are $20 per person for adults and are available at jonipac.com. Meanwhile, Democrats are planning a picnic to counter Roast and Ride. Boone County Democrats are hosting Picnic for the People from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Shelter House at J.B. McHose Park, 1215 Francis Mason Drive, Boone. The event features several 2018 gubernatorial hopefuls and party leaders. Organizers say they want to connect activists with campaigns and progressive advocacy groups. The list of Democrats planning to participate in the Picnic for the People includes gubernatorial hopefuls Sen. Nate Boulton of Des Moines, Polk County Conservation Director Rich Leopold, Rep. Todd Prichard of Charles City, former Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Andy McGuire, former Des Moines school board member Jon Neiderbach, Davenport Alderman Mike Matson, Coralville nurse and union president Cathy Glasson and Des Moines businessman Fred Hubbell. Also, legislative leaders plan to attend, including Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, and House Minority Leader Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown. Kim Weaver, who plans to challenge King in the 4th District, also is expected. The suggested donation for the picnic is $10 or more per person. The menu includes sandwich, chips, drink, salad and dessert. To make reservations, send an email to bcdcc08@yahoo.com. (Rod Boshart and Erin Murphy contributed to this story.) WATERLOO, Iowa Iowa state Sen. Jeff Danielson of Waterloo says he is considering a run for the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Rod Blum in 2018. "We're considering it thoughtfully, doing some homework to arrive at a decision sometime in September," said Danielson, now in his fourth term in the Iowa Senate. Meanwhile, he said Democrats need to change their strategy to win and reach out to independents and moderate Republicans in lieu of ideological "purity" tests. So far, other announced candidates for the Democratic nomination to challenge Blum are state Rep. Abby Finkenauer of Dubuque and Linn County Democratic activist Courtney Rowe. "You'll have six or seven (Democratic candidates) by the time it's all over with," Danielson said. "Competition is good. And we need it. I'm absolutely convinced Democrats need to make some improvements in their campaign message and turnout mechanics. I think we need to have a public, family discussion. We're not real good about winning right now. And that's because campaigns have been driven from Des Moines and D.C." Danielson said if he runs, "I'm absolutely adamant this will be a campaign that people can be a part of and be run locally." He said it would be a "base-plus" campaign, reaching out beyond the party base. "You have to speak to a larger audience," he said. "We're wishing for voters that aren't there, rather than understand the voters that are in front of us," seeking their ideas on issues and solutions to problems "and still keep our values. "I believe you're going to have to do that in the primary, publicly, rather than behind the scenes in Des Moines or D.C.," Danielson said, adding that insistence on "purity tests" is "hogwash." He said there doesn't have to be another of a string of election losses "to apply some lessons learned." Danielson, a Cedar Falls firefighter first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2004, is a graduate of Hawkeye Community College and the University of Northern Iowa, with a master's degree in public policy. He is a U.S. Navy veteran. He also served on the Waterloo Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission and Iowa Department of Transportation Commission. He previously served as Iowa Senate president pro tempore. PIERRE | Marlin Enno, chief of police for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, sees the meth problem every day on the reservation. The same is true for FBI special agent Dan Cooper, whos worked meth cases in South Dakota for 16 years. But what's the best way to deal with the situation? The two didnt see eye to eye in their testimony to a South Dakota legislative panel Wednesday. Cooper said arrests made in the past could be used years later to build evidence for conspiracy prosecutions. Bigger bang for the buck was his explanation to members of the Legislatures State-Tribal Relations Committee. His point was that many law enforcement agencies, whether tribal or local or even the state Department of Public Safety, either dont join drug task forces or drop in and out. The key, Cooper said, is people remaining fully invested. Were not coordinated, were not working together, were not sharing information, Cooper said. Enno returned in 2015 as chief of the Rosebud Sioux tribal police. He was previously head of the tribes narcotics division. I really cant afford for my guy to be with them, Enno said about the Safe Trails and Northern Plains task forces that cover Indian country and the Missouri River counties of South Dakota. Were out to get the dealer. When you work with Northern Plains, theyre out for the conspiracy. I need to stop the sales on the reservations that are killing our people right now. He added: You look at the reality of whos committing these crimes. Its not the dealers, its the users. Preston Patterson, an agent for the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, is an FBI special agent. He told the committee it is extremely difficult for Cooper, two DCI agents and the recent additions of two federal Bureau of Indian Affairs officers to focus on investigations with limited resources. Patterson said getting more help, even if part time, would be substantial in our efforts to curb the problems that we face. Rep. Elizabeth May, R-Kyle, said shes taken information when, where, how, who to the U.S. attorney office in Rapid City but hasnt seen action. May said she shut down the Western Union money order machine in her store on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation because people were transmitting cash by the wad to Mexico. Im right in the middle of it, May said. She has a nephew in prison for criminal activity related to drugs. My community is in dire straits. People are dying, she said. May said some government group she mentioned the committee as a possibility needs to bring all of the law enforcement agencies together. Federal agencies havent learned yet to work together on fighting against drugs, according to Cooper. He said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration hasnt attached itself full time to the reservations at this point. Rep. Craig Tieszen, a Republican, was Rapid City police chief before he won election as a legislator. The message today is cooperation works, he said. The greatest ally for criminals is jurisdictions. Oglala Sioux Tribal President Troy Scott Weston is ramping up partnerships between the tribe and federal law enforcement entities in a bid to stem the tide of drug-related violence on Pine Ridge. Along those lines, tribal government has allowed U.S. Attorney Randolph Seiler to set up an office at the Center for Justice in Pine Ridge where tribal members can report crimes and ask questions about ongoing prosecutions. Meth has led to an increase in violent behavior among the drugs abusers since it first arrived on the reservation in 2014, according to Justin Hooper, a special drug enforcement agent with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Task Force. That year, Pine Ridge saw 14 drug-related offenses prosecuted, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich. In 2016, the number spiked to 37. There have been two drug-related offenses so far this year, a number that is only expected to rise to levels comparable to last year. Tieszen said a shortage of resources and political considerations are the elephant in the room." He surmised that it might be easier for South Dakota prosecutors to have a suspect extradited from Canada or Mexico than from Pine Ridge. We see what meth is doing to our communities, said Sen. Troy Heinert, D-Mission, who is also chairman of the state-tribal relations committee. When it hit, it hit hard. Heinert, a Rosebud tribal member, described how meth tore apart people on the Rosebud reservation and how he holds his 10-year-olds hand in the middle of the day in the grocery store because he doesnt know what the other guy in the aisle is going to do. Thats our home, and we shouldnt be held prisoner in our home or our reservation, Heinert said. Two Pine Ridge men have been charged with murder in the reservations first deadly shooting of the year that happened Saturday. Scott Edison Benson, 30, and Clarence William Yellow Hawk Jr., 27, are jointly charged in federal court with first-degree murder in the death of Christopher Janis, 42, of Vermillion. Benson and Yellow Hawk with malice aforethought did unlawfully kill Christopher Janis, by shooting him, and did aid and abet others in doing so, according to the mens criminal complaint filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court of South Dakota. The shooting occurred near Sharps Corner on Saturday afternoon. It was the first fatal shooting, and the second homicide, on the Pine Ridge reservation this year, said FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Perry. There are no other suspects known to be in custody at this time. The FBI declined to provide additional information about the incident, citing the ongoing investigation with tribal police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Benson was booked at the Pennington County Jail on Tuesday and made his initial appearance at the Rapid City federal courthouse on Wednesday. Yellow Hawk, who also goes by the names Robert Pullian and Clarence Yellow Elk, was booked at the county jail on Wednesday. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Friday. Both men have outstanding Pennington County warrants on state charges. Benson is wanted on drug violations, including meth possession; Yellow Hawk on aggravated assault and violating a no-contact order. The county warrants, on alleged offenses in Rapid City, cannot be served until the defendants have settled their federal cases. Rapid City Police Chief Karl Jegeris said Thursday that Janis death could have been avoided if local law enforcement had a means to extradite offenders from Pine Ridge. The reservation is considered a sovereign territory under federal law. "Offenders have figured out how to use jurisdictional complications to their advantage," Jegeris said. Its unfortunate, and its tragic, that we are allowing this to continue by failing to build a stronger bridge between tribal and nontribal criminal justice systems. The police department, along with the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, are in talks with the Oglala Sioux Tribe about a potential mutual-aid agreement, which would include extradition. Pine Ridge had 17 homicides last year and nine in 2015, according to FBI data. A man who admitted robbing and fatally stabbing a Journal employee in 2015 was sentenced this afternoon to 100 years in prison. Ranon Bissonette, 20, of Rapid City, had pleaded guilty in Seventh Circuit Court to first-degree manslaughter in the death of Edward Lowry, 56. Lowry, who worked at the Journal's printing plant, was found dead in a parking lot near the intersection of East Boulevard North and East Philadelphia Street on Sept. 17, 2015. Bissonette admitted stabbing Lowry after he and two companions followed Lowry into an alley, beat him up and took his wallet. Bissonette and another attacker, Hunter High Pipe, 20, were initially charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree murder and first-degree robbery. As part of a plea deal, Pennington County prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of 75 years to Judge Robert Gusinsky. Around 4:30 p.m., the judge, who ultimately decides on the penalty, pronounced a 100-year sentence. Bissonette will be eligible for parole after serving half of the sentence. This morning, High Pipe was sentenced by Gusinsky to 50 years in prison. State Duma MPs aide jailed on charges of mediation in bribery MOSCOW, June 2 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul) A court has detained a State Duma lawmakers assistant Andrey Churkin charged with mediation in bribing ex-governor of Russias Chelyabinsk Region Mikhail Yurevich, the Investigative Committees press service announced on Friday. Churkin was arrested in late May. Investigators claim that Yurevich received bribes regularly. Initially, investigators announced that the bribes amount was estimated at 26 million rubles ($458,600). Moreover, he allegedly instigated Oleg Grachev, who had been appointed to the position of the First Deputy Governor of the region, to spread libel about ex-chairman of the Chelyabinsk Regional Court Fyodor Vyatkin. According to the latest statement of the Investigative Committee, between January 2011 and January 2014, Yurevich received nearly 3.4 billion rubles (about $60 million) from the Chelyabinsk Regions businessmen for protection and actions included in his powers. Yurevich has pleaded not guilty. Currently, he is undergoing medical treatment in London, according to media reports. On May 24, the Sverdlovsk Regional Court issued an arrest warrant for Yurevich in absentia. Rosnefts $185 mln claim against firm of Ukrainian tycoon to be heard in July MOSCOW, June 2 (RAPSI) The Moscow Commercial Court has set the hearings on Rosnefts $184.8 million debt recovery claim against Cyprus-based Swisspro Capital Limited affiliated with Ukrainian tycoon Sergey Kurchenko on July 4, the case materials read. The Russian oil company moved to collect the debt related to the crude oil delivery contract of March 27, 2014. The Cypriot company acted as a borrower of about $400 million, lent in 2013 by Russian VTB bank for purchase of the Odessa oil refinery in Ukraine from Russian oil company Lukoil by Kurchenkos VETEK Group of Companies. In May 2014, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) said that according to its estimates the damage caused by Kurchenkos actions made 4 billion Ukrainian hryvnas (about $152 million at the present exchange rate). Earlier, Ukraines Interior Ministry has claimed to detect a scheme of illegal import and sale of oil products by VETEK, where Kurchenko is the chair of the Supervisory Board. According to investigators, oil products were being sold without paying taxes via fictitious companies. At that time, the Interior Ministry estimated the damage caused in 2013 alone at 26 billion hryvnas (about $2 billion). According to a SSU statement, in order to protect the state property-related interests there were seized certain VETEK assets in Odessa and Kurchenko was put on the international wanted list. A few weeks back, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller to investigate possible collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Russian officials. Most of us know about the appointments of special prosecutor for Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. However, you might be surprised to learn that there have been several other instances of special prosecutors throughout our countrys history. Whiskey Ring Scandal In 1875, a conspiracy among whiskey distillers in Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee to evade federal taxes was exposed by Treasury Secretary Benjamin Bristow. These distillers had bribed IRS officials with the intent of using the unpaid taxes to help reelect President Grant in the upcoming 1876 election. Grant appointed special prosecutor John Henderson to investigate the matter. His investigation resulted in the indictments of 238 individuals, surprisingly including the Presidents personal secretary Orville Babcock. Grant fired Henderson and replaced him with James Broadhead. At Babcocks trial, the president himself testified in support of his former secretary. One hundred ten were convicted of tax fraud, but Babcock escaped punishment. Hmmm, I wonder if Grant testifying for Babcock had any bearing on the outcome. Probably not. Post Office bribery In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelts attorney general, Philander Knox appointed two special prosecutors Charles Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad, to investigate a bribery scheme at the Post Office. Preliminary investigation revealed that the federal agency was honeycombed with dishonesty. However, Postmaster General Henry Payne downplayed the inital reports and described stories in newspapers as a bunch of hot air. In an effort to plug leaks, he forbade investigators from talking to the press. Eventually, indictments were returned against 30 Post Office officials and private contractors. Somehow Postmaster General Payne survived the scandal unscathed. Perhaps his other role, that of chairman of the Republican National Committee had some bearing. Teapot Dome Scandal In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge appointed special prosecutors Owen Roberts and Atlee Pomerene to investigate alleged improprieties in the leasing of oil fields, particularly the Teapot Dome reserve in Wyoming during the Harding administration. Five years later, former Interior Secretary Albert Fall was convicted of bribery, but he would server only nine months in prison. Justice Department corruption After Congress uncovered a conspiracy among officials at the I.R.S. and the Justice Department to fix tax cases, President Truman appointed Newbold Morris as special assistant to the attorney general. Morris submitted a questionnaire on personal finances to be completed by all senior executive officers. Attorney General McGrath not only refused to fill out the form, he fired Morris. The A.G. himself was fired by the president who then appointed a new attorney general. Despite accusations of a cover-up, a new special prosecutor was not appointed. Iran-contra affair In 1986, independent counsel Lawrence Walsh was appointed to investigate the Reagan administrations sale of weapons to Iran. Walsh determined that the Reagan administration had illegally sold weapons in exchange for the release of U.S. hostages held in Iran and used those funds to support the contras in Nicaragua. Fourteen U.S. officials faced criminal charges including national security adviser, John Poindexter, and Oliver North, the mastermind of the scheme. The next president, George Bush, pardoned six former officials of the Reagan administration, including Casper Weinberger. Walsh hinted that Bushs pardon of Weinberger and Bushs own role in the affair when he was vice president could be related. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy I've had hundreds of responses on social media to my piece for The Spinoff about Noel Hilliam and his notion of a white tangata whenua. Since the article was published the Northern Advocate has apologised for promoting Hilliam, and Heritage New Zealand has announced that it is investigating the Dargavillean tombraider. Some people have appreciated my piece for The Spinoff, but others have been very angry, and have accused me of being a part of the conspiracy that is both hiding evidence of New Zealand's ancient civilisation and persecuting Hilliam. Here's a dialogue I had on, on the (public) facebook page of the anti-Treaty Hobson's Pledge organisation, with John Yates. I think the dialogue is interesting, because it shows how pseudo-historical claims about the deep past of the South Pacific lead inevitably to absurd claims about European history. SH: I wonder whether Hobson's Pledge isn't making a mistake by lining up behind someone as discredited as Noel Hilliam. Hilliam told the Northern Advocate that the skulls he'd found in the Kaipara had been examined by an unnamed expert, and that the expert decided that o ne of them had blonde hair and that both of them belonged to people born in Wales three thousand years ago. Anyone who knows anything about the study of the past will immediately recognise that statement as absurd, for three reasons: the colour of a long-deceased person's hair can't be deduced by an examination of their skull; Wales didn't exist, as a cultural or political entity, three thousand years ago; and there has never been a distinctively Welsh skull. Hilliam's own history of absurd claims - his insistence that he'd found a Nazi U boat in the Kaipara in 2008, for example - and his admission that he is part of the same cause as Kerry Bolton, New Zealand's most notorious neo-Nazi, further undermine his credibility. I disagree with the views of CK Stead on the Treaty of Waitangi and Maori-Pakeha relations, but I don't question his intellectual credibility and the value of his contributions to discourse in New Zealand. I can't say the same for the likes of Hilliam and Bolton. It seems to me that Hobson's Pledge could find better intellectual allies. JY: Ah, the bullying begins...Early historians such as Alexander Dalrymple and James Burney claim that Juan Fernandez was the first European to reach New Zealand. In 1575 the governor of Cuyo, Juan Jufre, organized an expedition to Terra Australis under the command of Juan Fernande z... SH: I don't know the details of the claims about 16th century Spanish visitors to New Zealand that you mention, but there's a vast difference between a handful of Europeans coming down here then and Europeans arriving 3,000 years ago and building a civilisation here, which is what Noel Hilliam claims happened. The aquatechnology of Europe wouldn't have permitted a visit to this part of the world until the late Middle Ages. The Azores weren't settled by Europeans until the very late Middle Ages, and they are close to Europe. JY: So tell me why it is impossible? Vikings have been around for such a long time,with origins in ancient Scythia (Ukraine) area and later know as Scots. All very able navigators before Maori even got out of bed. SH: The Vikings were not around 3,000 years ago, when Hilliam claims that Europeans came all the way to New Zealand. A thousand years later Julius Caesar struggled to get an army across the channel to what is now England. The Vikings got to North America just over a thousand years ago by island-hopping - they went from Europe to Iceland to Greenland to Canada. The late date of European arrival in the Azores and much later date of landfalls at the Cape of Good Hope shows the limits of European sailing even in the second millennium AD. JY: Not only were vikings ( morphed) Sycthians...Sakae- Early Saxons navigators of rivers and coasts of Europe...rivers from the Mediterranean to the Baltic...there is ample evidence they coast hopped from the Red Sea..Indian Ocean and South East Asia ...anything beyond that ..is very feasible ...so calling time on your assumption that these Danites were not around in navigable craft 3000 years ago...pfft SH: I think you are putting the Vikings in the wrong era and exaggerating the extent of their journeys John. They did not exist 3,000 years ago, when Hilliam claims New Zealand was settled, and even during their era of expansion, which was a little over one thousand years ago, when they crossed the north sea to America and also travelled along various waterways into Russia and the Black Sea, they got nowhere near Southeast Asia, let alone New Zealand. JY: Then i think you are unaware of early European history...well they may not have been known as Vikings...I did say morphed..it is without doubt they were navigators and the same people group known as Caucasians...emanating via the Caucasus. One only needs to read the Declaration of Arbroath written by ones closer to the time than say...yourself I don't think I've yet mentioned either the Polynesians or the Micronesians in my discussion with you: we've been talking about the Vikings. It's not that I'm against talking about other things: it's just that I'd like to get clear about Vikings first. My argument is that the Viking maritime expansion occurred in the early Middle Ages and reached its peak about a thousand years ago, when Leif Erikson reached America by island-hopping through the Arctic. Even during this period of expansion, the Vikings never got anywhere near Southeast Asia, let alone New Zealand. So I don't see how Hilliam's claim that NZ was settled 3,000 years ago can be made to fly using reference to a people who didn't even exist 3,000 years ago and who didn't even enter the southern hemisphere. As for the Polynesians and the Micronesians: there are numerous first-hand accounts by early European mariners of their vaka making journeys across open oceans. The tradition of building oceangoing boats is continuous in some parts of Polynesia, like the Ha'apai islands of Tonga, and also in parts of Micronesia. My friend Visesio Siasau is best known as a sculptor, but he comes from a Ha'apai family of carpenters and shipbuilders. They build outriggers that can sail west from Ha'apai to fish in Fiji and north to Samoa. Theirs is a living tradition of boatbuilding and sailing. On a larger scale there are the voyages of the vaka Hokule'a, which was built according to traditional Polynesian and Micronesian principles and using traditional materials, and which has sailed all over the world. In New Zealand the tradition of building ocean-going vessels had died out some time before the arrival of Cook; Maori used waka tiwai, which had only a single hull, to travel along coasts and up rivers. Perhaps you're wrongly generalising from the Maori case and assuming that tropical Polynesians and Micronesians didn't make and use oceangoing vessels. As far as navigation goes, it's a fact that Cook leaned, during his Pacific voyages, on the Tahitian crewman Tupaia. Tupaia gave Cook advice about navigation, and drew a chart of the Pacific. The Micronesians had their own tradition of making navigational maps out of stick and coconut fibre. These maps depict the distance between islands in terms of travel time rather than sheer distance, taking into consideration currents and winds. Tongans had a very complex navigational system which involved anthropomorphic interpretations of the stars. I'm no expert on this subject, but I'd be wary of underestimating the navigational skills of the peoples who lived and moved across the biggest ocean in the world. JY: No one doubts the Polynesian traveled by sea..but it was mostly done by following birds and the current rather than by celestial navigation. One only needs to look at the Great Pyramid to know the mid east had a far superior means of figuring stars and the heavens SH: I think you'll find that there is a long tradition of navigation by stars in Polynesian and Micronesia. The Tongan navigators had an amazingly intricate anthropomorphic map of the heavens in their heads, which they still use when they are crossing the sea. A friend of mine named Kik Velt, who is an astrophysicist as well as a longtime scholar of Tongan society, has published and analysed some of these maps. Polynesian navigators were cognisant of currents and the movements of birds, but many of the initial voyages of discovery from the Polynesian homeland around Tonga and Samoa to lands in the east were made against the current. I don't know whether the Egyptians had a superior knowledge of the heavens, but they certainly didn't travel anywhere near as far as the Polynesians. Since Lisa Matisoo-Smith's discovery of Polynesian chicken bones on Mocha Island, just off the coast of Chile, we have been able to say with confidence that they got all the way across the Pacific. JY: Throwing something more into the mix. The folk coined as vikings, were Sakae, Caucasians, Danites- who were of course from the tribe of Dan of Israel collective, that went through the diaspora. They left their mark in the way, hence you have Ireland (anciently called Tuatha Da Danann- the tribe of Dan- Firbolgs), Swe(den), Scan(dan)navia, Dan(ube) Dn(eiper) etc. In Hebrew there are no vowels, so the name Dan is written DN, or its Hebrew equivalent. Thus words like Dan, Din, Don, Dun, Den, or Dn, correspond to the name of Dan. The Bible recalls when the Diapora was going on a lament 750-520 BC;- That Dan stood afar off in their ships. In the Book of Judges, we learn another trait of this tribe. In the song of Deborah and Barak, during the time of the Judges, the song asks, "Why did Dan remain in ships?" (Judges 5:17). Or, "Dan abode in ships." The tribe of Dan was a mighty SEA-FARING tribe, which loved to sail the seas. These are the vikings, lately known or sections of them. Food for thought. SH: I'm afraid I'm a bit confused by this, John. Are you using the British Israelite theory, with its claim that the peoples of northern Europe are a sort of lost tribe of Israel? That notion was popular a century ago, but even then it involved ignoring an enormous amount of evidence. If the Vikings were descended from Israelites, how do you explain the fact that they spoke a completely different language? And how about the lack of genetic similarities between Jewish people and the people of Scandinavia? The haplogroup J, which is very common amongst Jews and points to an ancient genetic link, is virtually absent from Scandinavia. JY: Well, for a start, heraldry plays a part, and Jews (from Judah)are not necessarily Israelite's, but converted to the the religion of Judah a principal remnant after the Diaspora. Israel had 13 tribes that were very ordered as you will find in Numbers. Succession of tribal identity, say a woman from Dan, married a member of Naphtali, she would be thereafter be a Naphtali. The marker of "Jews" is not a term the Israelite used, ever. Linguistically there are a lot of similarities between Hebrew and Gaelic, and language can die out and morph very quickly in the right circumstances. With New Zealand native dialects it was not uncommon from North to south they would have had trouble understanding each other. SH: Nordic Israelism! Let me just say that I find the notion that the Polynesians discovered and settled NZ much easier to believe than the idea that a tribe of Israelites migrated to Scandinavia then sailed round Africa and through Southeast Asia to this country... [Posted by Scott Hamilton] Guwahati : Assam agriculture minister Atul Bora on Thursday said that, his department has started fight against corruption and given prosecution sanction against 33 officials in past a year. While unveiled the progress report of Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board in Guwahati, the state agriculture minister said that, Sarbananda Sonowal led state government has launched special drives against corruption across the state. 'In past a year, the State Agricultural Marketing Board had closed 18 check gates out of 23 across the state. The board also suspended eight officials in corruption charges,'A Atul Bora said. The Assam minister further said that, after closing the check gates, the revenue collection of the board increased of around Rs 20 crore compared to the previous year. 'In 2015-17, the board collected Rs 56,32,07,855 and it was increased in 2016-17 to Rs 76,03,50,406. In past three months, the board had collected Rs 4,36,48,823,'A the Assam minister said. On the other hand, Palit Bora, Chairman of the State Agricultural Marketing Board said that, the board has planned to construct an Inter-state terminal market in Silchar and Guwahati. 'The state government had already allocated 50 bigha land for the Silchar project and we are seeking appropriate land nearby Guwahati city for the second project. After completion of the projects, price hike of the agricultural products would be reduced,' Palit Bora said. The Assam agriculture minister further said that, the agriculture department will provide 1 lakh shallow tube well, 10000 solar pumps and 400 rice mills to the farmers of the state in 50 per cent subsidy during the current fiscal. 'The State Agricultural Marketing Board has been taken adequate measures to provide supported price to the farmers for their agricultural products. Recently, the board had purchased 17,023.55 quintal potato and 15,964.86 matric ton rice from the farmers of Assam. The state government has sanctioned Rs 150 crore to support the farmers,'A the Assam minister said. Vice Chairman of the marketing board Manoj Baruah and other officials also present in the function. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) Guwahati : Assam governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed their condolences on the demise of former of Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University professor Jamini Mohan Choudhury who passed away on Thursday. He was 97. Mourning the death, Sonowal said that a scholar per excellence, the death of professor Jamini Mohan Choudhury is an irreparable loss to the State who did immensely for the promotion of higher education in the State. Stating that professor Jamini Mohan Choudhury's role in bringing Gauhati University as an institution of repute, his absence would definitely be felt in every pursuit of the university. He also sympathised with members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul. Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami also mourned the death of professor Jamini Mohan Choudhury. On the other hand, Assam governor Banwarilal Purohit condoled the death of Jamini Mohan Choudhury. In a statement today, governor Purohit said that death of Jamini Mohan Choudhury is a loss to the academic circuit of the State who contributed a lot to the growth of Gauhati University and of course to the development of higher education in Assam. His contributions to academic uplift of the society will always be remembered by posterity. Governor Purohit prayed to the almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) SOLUKHUMBU, June 2: This year's spring climbing season has ended with the total 500 climbers having made it to the top of Mt. Everest. The expedition that started from May 15 lasted about 15 days and 500 mountaineers scaled the tallest peak of 8,848 meters, according to the Department of Tourism. The total 500 climbers including the Sherpa guides took permission from the Department divided into 42 expedition teams, a Department official said. Besides, some expedition teams had to return midway due to bad weather, said Gyanendra Shrestha, the government liaison officer based at the base camp. Some of them are on the way down while others have already returned to Kathmandu, he added. Meanwhile, an Indian national Anshu Jamsenpa who set a new record by climbing Mt. Everest two times in a single week in this year's season was honoured by the Department. Jamsenpa was presented with a certificate amid a function. More details of the expedition teams are yet to come by as the climbers are on their way back to the base camp, said the Department Chief Durga Datta Dhakal. The total five mountaineers (one Nepali and four foreigners) and a cook were killed this year due to various reasons on the climbing course. RSS By Review Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal: Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has arrested the Director General of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), on the charge of corruption on Thursday. DG Sharma, who is Joint Secretary, was arrested for his alleged involvement of corruptions while fixing taxes. It is said that the CIAA arrested Sharma responding to the numerous complaints registered against him on charge of misusing millions of properties abusing his authority. CIAA officials have confirmed his arrest. It is alleged that Sharma had misused his authority for his personal benefit. Sharma had also served as the DG of Department of Money Laundering Investigation and member-secretary of Tax Settlement Commission earlier. Kathmandu, Nepal: It is likely that the country would get new Prime Minister by Sunday. The Secretariat of the Legislature-Parliament has published the election schedule for the post of prime minister, which will begin from 11 am on Sunday. According to the notice published by the legislature parliament, any member of the legislature parliament willing to contest the elections can register his/her candidacy for the post of prime minister from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday at the Parliament Secretariat. The final list of prime ministerial candidates will be published at 4:3 pm to precede the selection process through the majority voting. As per the constitutional provision, any member of the parliament has to garner majority to be elected as the Prime Minister. It is likely that Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba would be elected as the new Prime Minister because Deuba is contesting in the post of Prime Minister from the backing of CPN Maoist Center, an ally of the incumbent government. Similarly, it is also likely that main opposition party CPN UML is preparing to field its vice chairman Bam Dev Gautam as the candidate for the post of Prime Minister. KATHMANDU, June 2: The High-Level Federal Administrative Restructuring Committee (HLFARC) has proposed 18 ministries including the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at the Center (federal level). Lawmakers in the meeting of the State Affairs Committee under the Legislature-Parliament today also agreed on the same recommendation. The constitution has the provision to have maximum 25 Ministries in the center. The lawmakers have suggested having only one authorized trade union in Center rather having various trade unions affiliated to political parties. The Committee has proposed the Finance and Planning; Federal Affairs and General Administration; Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Industry, Commerce and Supplies; Tourism and Culture; and Agriculture, Cooperatives and Land Management ministries along with the explanation of their jurisdictions in the center. Likewise, it has proposed the Ministries of Home Affairs; Water Resources and Energy; Foreign Affairs; Physical Infrastructure, Transport and Civil Aviation; Defense; Education, Sports, and Science & Technology; Women, Inclusion and Social Justice; Information and Communications; Health; Human Resources; Youth, Labor and Employment; and Forest and Soil Conservation at the federal-level. The proposal presented by the Committee to the State Affairs Committee states that such a number of ministries were seen suitable at the center while analysing Nepals constitution, the study report on basic principles of organization, work details report, countrys situation and other international practices. On the occasion, General Administration Minister Keshav Kumar Budhathoki urged the lawmakers to put collective views after discussing in their respective parties rather presenting personal views in the meeting. Similarly, lawmakers Yubaraj Gyawali, Bhim Acharya, Rameshwar Phunyal, Prem Suwal, Ishwari Neupane among others opined for not increasing the number of the Ministries more than 18. The committee president Dil Bahadur Gharti shared that they will move ahead after receiving suggestions from all sides and expert's views. RSS Solar eruption of Super-hot plasmo captured in November, 2012. Photo: AFP via NASA/Parker Solar Probe/SDO Miami, June 1, A new NASA mission aims to brush by the sun, coming closer than any spacecraft in history to its scorching heat and radiation in order to reveal how stars are made, the US space agency said yesterday. After liftoff from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida in July 2018, the Parker Solar Probe will become the first to fly directly into the suns atmosphere, known as the corona. The plan for the unmanned spacecraft is to orbit within 6.3 million kilometres of the suns surface. Temperatures in that region exceed 1,377 Celsius, for which the spacecraft is equipped with a 11.43-cm-thick carbon-composite shield. Roughly the size of a small car, the probe will make seven flybys of the sun over a seven-year period, in what NASA described as a mission of extremes. Travelling at a speed of 692,000 kmph, the spacecraft will move fast like going from New York City to Tokyo in less than a minute. Scientists hope its data will improve forecasts of solar storms and space weather events that affect life on Earth, satellites and astronauts in space. The spacecraft will measure plasma waves and high-energy particles, and carry a white light imager to capture images of the structures through which it is flying, according to Nicola Fox, mission project scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. We will brush closely by it, she said at an event in Chicago to unveil the mission, which NASA has touted as promising to provide humanitys closest-ever observations of a star. You can learn so much from looking out the window, Fox said. You can see the sun is shining, you can see the birds are singing. But until you actually go out, you have no idea quite how hot it is out there or how windy it is, or what the conditions are like. I think we have really come as far as we can with looking at things and now it is time to go up and pay it a visit, she added. A 20-day launch window for the spacecrafts liftoff atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket opens July 31, 2018. Re-named after astrophysicist MIAMI: Initially called Solar Probe Plus, the mission was renamed after the astrophysicist Eugene Parker, 89, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago. He published the first paper to describe solar wind the high-speed matter and magnetism constantly escaping the sun in 1958. This is the first time NASA has named a spacecraft for a living individual, said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Its a testament to the importance of his body of work, founding a new field of science that also inspired my own research and many important science questions NASA continues to study and further understand every day. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. You have permission to edit this html. Edit Close " " Lynn Philip Hodgson, author of the book "Inside Camp X," holds an old sign from Camp X on the grounds of the former spy training school. Paul Irish/Toronto Star via Getty Images The British gained experience in guerilla warfare and commando operations in their dealings with the sprawling British empire, in far-flung locales such as Turkey and closer to home, battling nationalists in Ireland. Their well-established system of training operatives was condensed into a training regimen lasting three to four weeks at Camp X [source: Stafford]. There was no single curriculum for training at the camp instructors adapted the program for each group of trainees, based on where they were headed and what they'd be doing there. Operatives destroying bridges with the French Resistance would face far different conditions than agents gathering information on troop movements in North Africa. Some types of training were integral to the Camp X experience no matter the mission. Everyone learned to read and make maps, move silently, hide well and look inconspicuous. Recruits learned to fire guns, but instead of the careful marksmanship of most military training, they were taught "instinctive gunfighting," the ability to aim and fire at a moment's notice without using a practiced stance or even looking down the sights. They all learned close combat so they could defeat guards and other enemies if using a gun wasn't possible or would make too much noise. Advertisement Demolitions training was another Camp X training cornerstone. In fact, the frequent detonations acted as a cover the camp looked like a facility for training and experimenting with explosives to nearby residents (of which there were not very many) [source: Stafford]. Trainees could also receive instruction in forging documents, creating and spreading propaganda and harnessing the unrest of local militia groups to fight the Nazis. Lt. Col. Bill Brooker was not the first commandant of Camp X (Arthur Terence Roper-Caldbeck was), but he was the most influential. He enforced a strict military code of discipline and brought with him a wealth of experience in training agents at SOE schools in the U.K. Brooker knew his agents had to be ready for anything, so he engaged in unorthodox training methods, like interrupting students' classroom sessions with mock gun battles then making them recall facts about the incident, such as the number of shots fired or what the assailants were wearing. Students undertook mock missions, infiltrating a guarded house or sneaking through the damp Ontario night. Former Shanghai policeman Maj. Dan Fairbairn was only briefly in charge of close combat training at Camp X, but his methods took hold and he went on to train Americans in the U.S., where his influence was cemented. Fairbairn's idea of close combat was simple: No method was out of bounds, and your sole goal was to kill your opponent as quickly as possible. The silent kill was Fairbairn's specialty he even developed a commando knife that military forces still use today but he also promoted the use of eastern martial arts methods or a swift kick to an enemy's testicles to win a fight. Much of the Camp X doctrine was distilled into a training manual, which included details on how to hide in trees, how to spy on someone using binoculars and how to kill a man by chopping the back of his neck with the side of your hand [source: Rigden]. The men who were trained at Camp X went on to achieve spectacular exploits and reach influential positions. We'll meet some of them next. Yeah, I know that image is the 2016 edition poster of the Skip City International Digital Cinema Festival but, hey, don't let the old poster distract you from the freshly announced lineup of the 2017 edition! Here we go! --------------------------------- Launched in 2004 as one of the worlds first film festivals to focus solely on films shot on digital in order to discover and nurture emerging talent, SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL in troduced to Japan, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, winner of three awards including Palme d'Or at the Cannes International Film Festival, and numerous new Japanese talents like Kazuya Shiraishi (Twisted Justice) and Ryota Nakano (Her Love Boils Bathwater). The 14th edition of the Festival will be held over 9 days from Saturday, July 15, to Sunday, July 23. The press conference was held on Thursday, June 1, at the Todofuken Kaikan in Nagata-cho, Tokyo, to announce its full line-up. Filmmakers Making Waves: Films by flourishing festival alumni to be screened! In recent years, filmmakers whose previous works screened at our festival have been gaining recognition. For this special program we have selected 6 filmmakers who have become successful in the Japanese film industry. Kazuya Shiraishi (Twisted Justice) received the SKIP CITY AWARD in 2009 with Lost Paradise in Tokyo, Ryota Nakano (Her Love Boils Bathwater) received the Best Director and the SKIP CITY AWARD with his first feature film Capturing Dad, and Yuichiro Sakashita (Any Way the Wind Blows) received the Special Jury Award with Kanagawa University of Fine Arts, Office of Film Research. In this program, we bring back previously screened gems by festival graduates. 3 feature films and 3 short films will be screened. After the screening of Lost Paradise in Tokyo, all three directors of the feature films will participate in a discussion. All other screenings are followed by Q&A sessions with the directors. List of films for Filmmakers Making Waves Lost Paradise in Tokyo: Dir. Kazuya Shiraishi <2009/Japan/115min.> SKIP CITY AWARD in the 2009 Feature Length Competition Capturing Dad: Dir. Ryota Nakano <2012/Japan/74min.> Best Director and SKIP CITY AWARD in the 2012 Feature Length Competition Kanagawa University of Fine Arts, Office of Film Research: Dir. Yuichiro Sakashita <2013/Japan/70min.> Special Jury Award in the 2013 Feature Length Competition Its All in the Fingers: Dir. Kei Ishikawa <2009/Japan, Poland/10min.> Nominee for the 2009 Short Length Competition Strawberry Jam: Dir. Norihiro Niwatsukino <2010/Japan/32min> Nominee for the 2010 Short Length Competition Ken and Kazu: Dir. Hiroshi Shoji <2011/Japan/23min> Honorable Mention in the 2011 Short Length Competition D-Cinema New Currents: VR (virtual reality) films from Japan and abroad screened 2016 was referred to as year zero for the virtual reality revolution. VR became a hugely popular medium in Japan and made waves in the film industry, we screen and provide an opportunity to experience the 6 VR works from Japan and abroad for the first time for a film festival in Japan, for the 3 days from July 16 to 18, with free admission. In addition, talk events on the topics of VR film sets and the VR business are planned to be held during the festival. List of films for D-Cinema New Currents Last Anniversary: Dir. Takashi Kubota <2017/Japan/15min.> ANIMA! Special VR Version <2017/Japan/5min.> Night Fall: Dir. Jip Samhoud <2016/Netherlands/8min.> FEBRUAR: Dir. Maarten Isaak de Heer <2015/Netherlands/13min.> Living in Paris: At Chaillot with the Eiffel Tower Dir. Michel Railhac <2017/France/4min.> Ponteio: Dir. Michel Railhac <2017/France/5min.> Last Anniversary Dir. Takashi Kubota Taichi is about to graduate from high school. When he appears in an empty classroom, he finds a secret admirer standing in the corner. A bittersweet tale of adolescence. Starring Rina Takeda. The very first Japanese VR film to make you cry. ANIMA! Special VR Version A dance sequence from ANIMA!, this years Opening Gala film, is presented in VR. Enjoy the dance sequence as you have never seen it before. Details of Night Fall, FEBRUAR, Living in Paris: At Chaillot with the Eiffel Tower and Ponteio are to be announced. Films from Armenia, Slovakia and Nepal are nominated for the first time. All international films are yet to be screened in Japan. 12 films (9 international and 3 Japanese) compete in the Feature Length Competition. In the Feature Length Competition, as the core program of our festival, we received over 617 entries from 85 regions and countries all over the world. We selected 12 nominees to compete including the first ever nominees from Armenia, Slovakia, and Nepal. This is a good opportunity for the audience to be able to watch films from countries whose films are rarely screened in Japan. A powerful film on the refugee crisis The Citizen from Hungary, recently hailed around the international film industry, the Crystal Bear winner of this years Berlinale Generation Little Harbour from Slovakia, Irreplaceable, starring Francois Cluzet, from France, a Chinese documentary about a man living in Dafen who draws replicas of Van Goghs paintings, and more films are nominated in this years Feature Length Competition. All 9 international films in the Feature Length Competition are screened in Japan for the first time. The Opening Gala Film starring newcomer Saika Hattori, and Yu Koyanagi. The world premiere of ANIMA! directed by Takahiro Horie will open the Festival. In its 3rd year since the launch, the Opening Gala section screens feature films produced by the Festival Committee in order to discover and nurture emerging talent. This year, we are proud to present ANIMA!, a story about a female dancer, directed by Takahiro Horie, whose Hurt was nominated in the Feature Length Competition at our festival last year. A female dancer who belongs to a ballet company but is yet to find her own dance and a man who gave up his dream of being a drummer collaborate to create moves and rhythm in the Opening Gala Film, ANIMA!. The film was shot in Kawaguchi and Tokorozawa in Saitama. Emerging actress Saika Hattori shows off her dance skills in the film. Her partner is played by Yu Koyanagi of Tokyo Sonata and Gajimaru Shokudo no Koi. A refreshing drama from two young and promising talents. ANIMA!Japan Pounding Beat Leads My Next Move. Soul Starts Beating to the Rhythm! Kaho is a member of BAN, a classical ballet company. She wants to take an audition in order to be selected to study abroad, but hasnt found the moves she likes. She discovers that Ito, who works at the dance hall, used to drum, and decides to combine contemporary dance and drums for the final audition. DirectorTakahiro Horie CastSaika Hattori, Yu Koyanagi, Eriko Nakamura, Haruka Kurosawa, Umi Todo / Gitan Otsuru Presentation of Saitama Prefecture / SKIP CITY Sai-no-Kuni Visual Plaza 2017 Saitama Prefecture/SKIP CITY Sai-no-Kuni Visual Plaza A strong line-up of the young Japanese filmmakers for the Short Length Competition. Films range from After Hours from Tatsuo Kobayashi (Gassoh) and The light Dances from Hajime Izuki (Minus by Minus), through to costume musical drama. We have received over 153 entries this year and screen a total of 12 films in the Short Length Competition, which is a domestic competition. Tatsuo Kobayashi, whose Country Girl and Gassoh were critically acclaimed, explores the changing Shibuya City in After Hours starring in Yohta Kawase, Minus by Minuss Hajime Izuki depicts the runaway of a young boy and girl, SIREN with Masahiko Tsugawa tells a story between an Arabian man and an old Japanese man, skillfully portrayed in short film format, and Mitokomon Z entertains the audience as a costume musical inspired by the famous Mito Komon drama. A variety of short films compete for the Best Picture award. After Hours DirectorTatsuo Kobayashi 2016Japan15min. Tatsuo Kobayashi / Happy Tent The Light Dances DirectorHajime Izuki 2016Japan24min. Hajime Izuki / Happy Tent Mitokomon Z DirectorShogo Okawa 2016Japan25min. Mitokomon Z SIREN DirectorNobuyuki Miyake 2017Japan17min. Two acclaimed animation films feature in the Animation Screening and the award-sweeping Her Love Boils Bathwater is screened with Japanese subtitles and audio guidance. In the famous Barrier Free Screening with Japanese subtitles and audio guidance, Ryota Nakanos commercial film debut Her Love Boils Bathwater is screened. The film swept lots of awards including the Best Actress Award of Japan Academy Film Prize. In addition, animated masterpiece, In This Corner of the World, which went on to become a big box-office success after its theatrical release in November, and Song of the Sea, which received recognition from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, are featured in the Animation Screening. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). "From Grace to Grids: Rethinking Due Process Protection for Parole" | Main | Former Penn State administrators get a few months in jail for failing to report Sandusky sex crimes leading to child endangerment convictions June 2, 2017 Considering the unique housing challenges for aging sex offenders This new Atlantic article explores the questions that now attend an ever-growing and ever-aging sex offender population. The piece is headlined "The Puzzle of Housing Aging Sex Offenders: States are grappling with how to care for a growing population of registered offenders in long-term care facilities." Here are excerpts: When state officials finally released William Cubbage from the Iowa Mental Health Institute in 2010, they predicted he was too sick to hurt anyone again. But the octogenarian only became an even more notorious sex offender.... And while Cubbages case is extreme, hes symptomatic of a larger puzzle in Americas long-term care facilities that no ones managed to solve. As lawmakers in Oklahoma and Ohio have found, isolating aging sex offenders is easier planned than achieved. The problem is that youre talking about a project thats uniquely difficult when it comes to structural needs and safety, says Amy McCoy, a public-information officer with the Iowa Department of Human Services. Youre talking about things like hallways without corners. Youre also talking about building a place that isnt a prison. Its something entirely different from a traditional care facility. You want people in the least restrictive setting, but you also want to be able to respond if something does happen. Local lawmakers have been sounding alarms for at least a decade whenever sex offenders strike. With no federal regulations dictating how long-term care centers should handle offenders, solutions vary state to state. In 2012, Iowas Governor pushed a bill requiring nursing homes to notify residents if an offender moved in, but it died in the legislature. Californias Department of Corrections notifies nursing homes if anyone on the sex-offender registry applies for residency, and the nursing homes are required to notify residents and employees. Illinois facilities forbid offenders from having roommates and tests them for any special care needs before sending the results to local police and the Department of Public Health. (Requests to interview multiple nursing homes in Iowa, Ohio, and Illinois for this story went unanswered.) Just as Iowas now considering, Oklahoma passed law in 2008 to create a specialized nursing home for offenders. But not a single bid to construct the property was submitted. A contractors reluctance to be involved with such a property could be due to its specialized requirements, but in the view of the sex-offender advocate Derek Logue, its just as likely another case of people not wanting any connection to the registry. Logue is the founder of Once Fallen, which calls itself the leading reference & resource site for Registered Citizens. A Cincinnati resident, Logue himself is registered in Ohio for a 2001 conviction of First Degree Sexual Abuse against an underage girl. At age 40, he calls himself one of the younger guys; most offenders who call for help finding a place to live or a job are in their 50s or 60s. If you look at the nursing homes that do take registered citizens, they tend to have below-average grades, Logue says. Its the same issue [offenders] face when theyre trying to find a place to live. Youll never be anywhere decent, you always end up with some landlord who doesnt care about the property. We dont exactly get quality service. Logue knows you wont cry over his failure to score a luxury penthouse, but he counters that hes served his time. And its his tribes pariah statues, he says, that makes registered offenders likely to need extra medical attention in their declining years. Beyond the Gordian knot that is the ongoing argument over the sex-offender registrys effectiveness, constitutionality, and methods of inclusion, offenders are less likely to be employed, more likely to live in poverty if they do have full-time work, and subsequently less likely to have access to preventive care. Its also hard to gauge exactly how much of a danger they pose as seniors. Sexual assaults are already underreported crimes, and recidivism rates among all ages vary from study by study. Karl Hanson and Kelly Morton-Bourgon, a pair of sex-crimes researchers who work for the Canadian government, estimate that the average rate is likely around 13.7 percent. Meanwhile, multiple recent studies suggest recidivism rates seem to decline among the elderly.... Another blind spot is that almost no one is counting how many sex offenders require end-of-life care. Back in 2006, the U.S. Government Accountability Office counted 700 registered sex offenders living in nursing homes or intermediate care facilities. More recent numbers among the nations 15,600 long-term care facilities and their 1.4 million residents are hard to come by. June 2, 2017 at 02:18 PM | Permalink Comments Of the 700 sex-offenders reported living in nursing homes in 2006, HOW MANY caused any problems. I am sure it was about the same percentage as the "normal" aging population. We not only have fake news, snowflakes, safe rooms, etc., but also mostly publically educated idiots, including the legal profession and especially lawmakers and justices. Posted by: albeed | Jun 2, 2017 5:16:44 PM Another phrase I see all the time is sex offenses are under reported. Lots of crimes are under reported. I had my purse stolen once. I didn't report it, I called my credit card to cancel it. I am not minimizing sexual assault, but I wish people would quit saying that like sex offenses are unique in being under reported. Posted by: Anne | Jun 2, 2017 7:00:02 PM Medicare and Medicaid are starving nursing homes. They are all going away, soon. Posted by: David Behar | Jun 2, 2017 8:52:12 PM This is a problem created by big government sponsored and promoted hate. F all people who support it. Make them pay. Posted by: FRegistryTerrorists | Jun 3, 2017 2:40:35 AM That's a good point, Anne. There are a lot of memes and mantras that get repeated with respect to SO's and crimes that are of dubious accuracy and origins. Even the Supreme Court has gotten into the act. Why do people's brains seem to just shut down when considering certain types of odious offenders? Posted by: Fat Bastard | Jun 3, 2017 9:07:51 AM Again. Again and again. Give us the name. The name of the nursing home where your grandma resides. That is where we are sending these vicious super-predators. Posted by: David Behar | Jun 4, 2017 12:40:41 PM Government made problem. Those that are "too" dangerous to be let out should be kept in. Everyone else should have a fair shot at resuming their lives, without the registry. Problem solved. Posted by: kat | Jun 5, 2017 11:26:42 AM David Behar | Jun 4, 2017 12:40:41 PM: If there was no "s*x offender" witch hunt then I might actually care about legitimate issues regarding putting people who were dangerous in the past into nursing homes. But there is a witch hunt so I don't care and none of us should. And we should vote that way and direct our money that way. There is nothing unique about a person listed on a S*x Offender Registry being any more or less dangerous than a hundred million other people. The only thing that made them unique is big governments' decision to create and promote a "s*x offender" group for everyone to hate. That is the only thing that is unique. A person could be on parole for going into a nursing home and shooting people and big government doesn't think that person is dangerous at all. So sorry, I don't give a shit about dangerous "s*x offenders". When an article, person, or anything else says "s*x offender", I don't have to worry about being rational. Posted by: FRegistryTerrorists | Jun 5, 2017 11:37:08 AM kat | Jun 5, 2017 11:26:42 AM: You are exactly right. That would also increase public safety. It would allow our country to divert resources to much more productive and beneficial activities. It would allow the disintegration of our country to slow. It would allow some people to consider being good citizens again. It would be a huge win all around. But you know big government can't let that happen. They are far too arrogant for it and they are getting to much out of it. Same with the victim and prison industries. Those people really want to keep getting paid. Posted by: FRegistryTerrorists | Jun 5, 2017 11:53:11 AM Post a comment "Will the Death Penalty Ever Die?" | Main | Using Time to Reduce Crime: Federal Prisoner Survey Results Show Ways to Reduce Recidivism June 1, 2017 Is the Ninth Circuit right in holding a federal sentencing judge cannot reject a jury special verdict finding on drug quantity? The question in the title of this post is one that has been simmering in the Ninth Circuit and resulted in today's release of an amended opinion and a dissent from the denial of en banc review in US v. Pimentel-Lopez, No. 14-30210 (9th Cir. June 1, 2017) (available here). Here is the heart of the amended opinion: [T]he record is clear that the jury didnt merely acquit defendant of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; it made an affirmative finding beyond a reasonable doubt that the amount attributable to defendant was [l]ess than 50 grams. Our own caselaw, and simple logic, precludes us from vouchsafing sentencing judges the power to make contradictory findings under these circumstances.... In our case, the government proposed the verdict form that set both a lower and an upper boundary for the amount of drugs involved. Having proposed the language, the government now urges us to read the verdict form as acquitt[ing] [Pimentel-Lopez] on the 500-gram amount, with which he was initially charged. But none of the choices offered by the verdict form were capable of capturing that view. That may have been a blunder, but the jury answered the questions it was asked and so the die is cast: The government cannot disavow the finding that the jury makes as a result.... Nothing prevented the government from proffering [a different special verdict] form. But, having proposed a form that required the jury to find that the drug quantity was less than 50 grams, the government locked itself out of the possibility of proving more than 50 grams at sentencing. It can easily avoid this pitfall in future cases.... Because the district court may not contradict an affirmative finding by the jury, we must vacate the sentence and remand with instructions that defendant be resentenced on the premise that his crimes involved less than 50 grams of drugs. The dissent from the denial of en banc authored by Judge Graber (and joined by five other judges) gets started this way: I respectfully dissent from the denial of rehearing en banc. The panel held that when a jury finds that the amount of drugs the government has proved, beyond a reasonable doubt, is attributable to a defendant falls within a specified range, the sentencing judge may not find by a preponderance of the evidence that the amount of drugs attributable to the defendant is higher than that range. United States v. Pimentel-Lopez, 828 F.3d 1173, 117677 (9th Cir. 2016). That holding is wrong both as a matter of logic and as a matter of Supreme Court law, it has far-reaching consequences for the prosecution of drug crimes in our circuit, and it conflicts with holdings in other circuits. For all those reasons, we should have reheard this case en banc. As long as the Supreme Court's 1999 Watts ruling is still good law, I think the dissent here has the better of the legal argument (though post-Watts SCOTUS Sixth Amendment jurisprudence arguably undermines Watts). But I also think Watts is a rotten decision that ought to be formally overruled. For that reason, I would love to see the US Solicitor General seek Supreme Court review and then see the defendant suggest a reconsideration of Watts if the Justices care to take up the case. June 1, 2017 at 09:30 PM | Permalink Comments If my understanding is correct that they are talking about a sentencing factor that need only be proven to a preponderance while the jury was asked at a beyond reasonable doubt threshold then I would disagree with the panel. If that understanding is correct then the judge is faced with a different question (just like using any other uncharged or even outright acquitted conduct). Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Jun 2, 2017 12:14:48 AM Isn't the decisive issue the legal basis of the objection of the triall attorney: 6amen jury clause [as opposed to 5amen DJ clause]? BookerUS says so, right? Posted by: Barry Jon Baker Sipe | Jun 4, 2017 1:12:54 PM Post a comment Business is booming for TV ads that blame San Francisco for America's ills, as another such spot is hitting the statewide airwaves this week. Don Rosenberg, seen above, lost his son Drew in a 2010 car accident in which the younger Rosenberg was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a car driven by an unlicensed immigrant. The understandably grieving Rosenberg, who was once handcuffed and escorted out of congressional testimony for an outburst during Senate hearings on immigration reform, frames his sons death as a preventable tragedy in a new TV spot that also invokes the 2015 Kate Steinle shooting. The real culprit, as the ad sees it, is San Franciscos Sanctuary City policy which the city is suing the feds to preserve. The ad, which can be seen above, is paid for by the not-at-all-creepy-sounding Californians for Population Stabilization, a group youll be shocked to hear has employed neo-Nazis and white supremacists accordinf to the Southern Pacific Law Center and was co-founded by a white nationalist who advocated for forced sterilization. Im asking President Trump to withhold federal funds from California, Rosenberg says in the ad. Then maybe politicians will put our safety first. (Emphasis on the our. Draw your own conclusions.) CBS 5 reached Rosenberg, who is generally happy to talk to the media, and asked whether he thought reversing the sanctuary policy was worth the trade-off of separating families. Its a false equivalency, Rosenberg said. My son was doing nothing wrong. My family was doing nothing wrong [Immigrants] can go back. I cant bring my son back. The San Francisco City Attorneys office is bothered enough by the ad that theyve released a statement. This ad perpetuates the false notion that sanctuary cities harbor criminals. The federal government actually gets the fingerprints of everyone in San Franciscos jails, spokesperson John Cote says in the statement. They know who we are holding. If they think someone is dangerous, all they need to do is get a criminal warrant or court order. For reference, a previous Californians for Population Stabilization ad blamed immigrants for the recent statewide drought. Related: Chronicle Publishes Op-Ed By Jeff Sessions Saying Sanctuary Cities Killed Kate Steinle Who knows your deepest, darkest secrets? What about the not-so-dark ones, like how many times youve watched Fifty Shades of Grey or where you took that Uber last week, or what your Venmo charge was for? Chances are Apple, Facebook, Amazon, or Google have some of those secrets on file. And since they own your personal data, they control who gets it. What happens when the government wants to take a look? This is where a case like the terrorist attack in San Bernardino gets tricky. There, the FBI wanted access to one consumers encrypted data, but, Apple purports, if they gave them a master key into one iPhone, they would effectively be unlocking hundreds of millions of other iPhones, creating vulnerabilities for all customer data. But is a back-door, or master key like this constitutional? Could it be exploited by more nefarious actors? Or is it a necessary preventative measure that could end up saving lives? At Intelligence Squared U.S., they will be tackling this issue head on, with an Oxford-style debate featuring two former Homeland Security officials on either side (Michael Chertoff and Stewart Baker), as well as two Berkeley law professors (John Yoo and Catherine Crump). If you havent been to an Intelligence Squared U.S. debate, heres how it works: two teams of two argue for and against a sharply-framed motion. The live audience votes to declare a winner, and regardless of which side wins, civility and respect prevail. Make up your own mind with fair and balanced arguments from both sides of the debate. And theres a bonus: SFist readers get 30% off tickets to IQ2US debates. Enter Code SFIST30 at checkout. If you cant attend the debate, dont fret: watch the live stream online and cast your vote at iq2us.org. This post is brought to you by Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates. A teenaged girl from a small Minnesota town was killed this week when she fell while hiking on a popular Lake Tahoe trail. 14-year-old Chloe Conn of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was killed Wednesday after falling "50 feet after slipping from a rocky outcropping," the Sacramento Bee reports. Sheriffs deputy Damian Frisby, the offices search and rescue coordinator, said that the girl was with her mother, father and 17-year-old brother when the accident occurred. She got into a spot that gradually steepened, Frisby said. It became almost vertical. She lost her footing and fell about 50-plus feet. The fall occurred on an outcropping about 75 yards from a parking lot along Highway 89. From the parking lot, thousands of people every year take a safe, wide trail down the hill to the shore of Emerald Bay. According to the Bee, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office got the call regarding the incident at 12:06 p.m. Wednesday. Though an off-duty law enforcement officer in the area "came to the girls aid and began CPR before emergency personnel arrived," she succumbed to her injuries at Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe. D-L Online reports that the girl was on vacation with her family, and was hiking The Vikingsholm Trail, which is reportedly "heavily trafficked" that drops 500 feet along its one mile to Vikingsholm, an historic Scandinavian-style home built in 1929. According to a statement sent out by Detroit Lakes Middle School, at which Chloe had just completed the eighth grade: Chloes mother, Stacy Conn, is a nursing assistant at Detroit Lakes Middle School. Chloes brother Christian will be a Senior at Detroit Lakes High School next fall. Chloe was a true Laker as she was an excellent student and beloved by all who knew her. Middle School counselors and staff are available as students, staff, and the community become aware of Chloes passing. During this tragic time, we ask that you please keep the Conn family in your thoughts and prayers. A GoFundMe set up by Tim McMichael, a family friend of the Conns', has already generated $14,830. "Chloe was loved by many, she had a bright sweet smile everywhere she went. She was a great sister to her older brother Christian. She was her daddy's little girl, and her mama's best friend," McMichael writes. The funds raised by the GoFundMe, he says, will go to Chloe's parents "to help with funeral costs and medical expenses." SIOUX CITY | Friday looks to be a pretty great day. How great? Well, as teachers and students are done in metro and surrounding schools, the Siouxland weather will kick firmly into the summer vacation zone, with highs to perhaps reach 90 degrees. If that's not enough, the first Friday of each June also marks National Doughnut (or Donut) Day. National Doughnut Day marks a time when many will indulge by enjoying the treat made of flour and sugar, with perhaps nuts and sugary sprinkles and globs of icing. Depending upon size and extras, doughnuts can contain from 195 to far above 300 calories, but many people will decide they won't remotely care for one special day. Have two, or three. Siouxland is rife with many good places serving donuts, including some mom and pop bakeries with their own recipes. Sioux City has many notable doughnut spots, including Jitters, which in recent years has taken the former Sunshine grocery chain recipe to great success. There will undoubtedly be a good run on the doughnuts in Hy-Vee, Casey's General Stores and other places that people have as their fave places for the deep-fried treats. Some places nationally, such as Dunkin' Donuts, will unveil new donuts and give some for free. National Doughnut Day was started in 1938 in Chicago to honor of The Salvation Army "Doughnut Girls." Earlier this month, Nigerian bandleader Femi Kuti held a saxophone note (A, if you must know) for 46 minutes, 38 seconds which was big news to Kenny G. According to reports, Kutis accomplishment broke the Guinness World Record previously owned by the floppy-haired 90s star who has sold 75 million albums. Oh, yeah, of course it matters to me. Im very competitive, says the sax player born Kenneth Gorelick. If its true the records broken, just know Im coming for you, and Im going to win. But footnotes and asterisks may apply to this one-note rivalry. NPR reported that yet another saxophonist, Vann Burchfield, of Birmingham, Ala., broke Kenny Gs record 17 years ago, rendering moot any Kenny-Kuti rivalry. And Gorelick questions whether either of them is official, since he set his 1997 record beside Guinness reps with timers. If Guinness isnt there, Im not sure it counts. When I did my thing, Guinness was very specific about what the volume was. I couldnt change the notes, he says of his E-flat held for 45 minutes, 47 seconds. But my plan is, Im going to break every record. Gorelick, 60, may play some of the most lighthearted smooth jazz ever created, and hes amiable and funny in a 20-minute phone interview, but he is intense when it comes to his career and achievements. Throughout the conversation, from an Atlanta movie set that he is forbidden from talking about, he casually reels off box-office numbers for tours he did early in his solo career (like eight sold-out nights in 1990 at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, co-headlining with fellow 90s over-the-top megastar Michael Bolton). Asked about his latest release, 2015s Brazilian Nights, he is borderline cocky. The bossa nova album is characteristically inoffensive, dragging Antonio Carlos Jobims 1964 classic Girl from Ipanema back into elevators. Gorelick made it after listening to Getz for Lovers, by Stan Getz, whom he first heard as a student in the University of Washington jazz band. That led to Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley. I never really thought about doing anything of theirs until recently, he says. Part of my motivation was sharing this love of these great saxophonists with people who wouldnt necessarily reach that far back into the jazz world. Its very tricky, technically, especially if youre going to do it (in) the old style. Youre not playing bossa nova, youre playing traditional jazz music, he adds. I worked really hard to learn the licks and study the vibe and the nuances. I felt like, lets say you play my song called Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars), and you still dont like my sax-playing, or you say you dont like me its basically a preconceived notion, because a lot of those notes are so on-the-money, and basically the same notes Cannonball Adderley played. That was one of the fringe benefits of doing it that well, I felt. Gorelicks popularity peaked in the era of grunge and gangsta rap, and his super sweet sax tone and speedy solos led to ferocious critical reviews despite his undeniable super popularity. The vitriol lingered into the 21st century, as the New Yorkers Evan Osnos traveled to China and heard Kenny G on a transistor radio held by a Great Wall guard who smiled so graciously that I couldnt bear to ask him to throw it over the edge. It really never bugged me at all. Not at all, he says. Some people are very protective of traditional jazz, and anything thats not sounding traditional-jazz, they just dont like. They have the right to feel that way. I just didnt take it personally. I didnt think they were correct. Born in Seattle, Gorelick picked up the sax when he was 10, then bought his first soprano saxophone (for $300, from a guy he found through the classifieds) at age 17. When R&B star Barry White toured the Northwest, he lacked a saxophonist who could play soulfully and sight-read music; Gorelicks Franklin High School band director pushed him for the gig, and he performed to a standing ovation. Gorelick played more shows with Whites Love Unlimited Orchestra, and that led to a string of guest-sax appearances on albums by Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and others. Kenny G went solo in 1982 and toured relentlessly, slowly growing into the absurdly big-haired star who sold millions of copies of 1992s Breathless and 1994s inescapable Miracles: The Holiday Album. It wouldnt be quite accurate to say Kenny G has had a career renaissance, a la Tony Bennett in the 90s, but his good-natured social media presence and ability to laugh at himself has made him a target of gentle pop-culture mockery. (Id rather be dragged down the aisle, somebody on Twitter wrote after Gorelick entertained airline customers on a recent flight.) On his website, he posts a 2016 Saturday Night Live clip of comics Danny McBride and James Corden lampooning him and Bolton: His tone was horrible, Gorelick wrote of McBrides evil-grinning, off-key skronk merchant, but his hair was magnificent. He and Bolton remain friends, although they dont sell like they used to. We were selling 6-7-8-9 million records and playing before 6-7-8-9 thousand people, he says. Now its super hard. That was nothing, to us, back in those days. Screenings Free blood pressure screenings, 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesdays at Countryside Senior Living, front lobby. No appointment necessary. Programs/Self-Help Groups Al-Anon Information Center, call 712-255-6724. Al-Anon and Alateen, meetings locally. For times, dates and locations of area meetings, call 712-255-6724. Alcoholics Anonymous, beginners information, call 712-252-1333. Arc of Woodbury County, serving the mentally challenged, 5:15 p.m. meeting, second Monday of the month at Mid-Step Services, 4303 Stone Ave. For families and interested persons. Child Care Resource and Referral, provides resources, education and advocacy for children, parents, and child care providers. Assists in child care needs. For more information, call 712-277-1180. Co-Dependence Anonymous, 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at First Lutheran Church, Fireside Room. Co-Dependents Anonymous (CODA), 10 a.m. Saturdays at Hawkeye Club, 420 Jones St. Compassionate Friends, 7 p.m. fourth Wednesday of each month (third Thursday in November and second Sunday December) in Mercy Medical Center's Leiter Room. For families who have lost children. Contact Nancy Webb 712-212-4032 or Don Mulder 712-541-5512. Clinics Siouxland District Health immunization clinics, call for appointment, 712-279-6119 or 1-800-587-3005. Information Family and Addictive Illness series, for more information, call 234-2300. Iowa Fathers, 6 to 8 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month at Hope Lutheran Church, Education Building, 218 W. 18th St., South Sioux City, Neb. Support group to help single, divorcing and divorced parents residing in the state of Iowa. Mercy Pathways Outpatient Program, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, on the third floor, Mercy's Central Medical Building, 801 Fifth St., Suite 360. Provides hope, help, opportunity to connect through group therapy for individuals experiencing personal, relationship, psychiatric issues. For more information, call 712-279-5991. Narcotics Anonymous, meetings daily, various times, dates and locations. For more information, call 712-279-0733. Overeaters Anonymous, 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3700 Indian Hills Drive; 6 p.m. Tuesdays at St. John's Lutheran Church, 402 Lane Ave., Storm Lake; 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Church of the Nazarene, 226 N. Main St., Viborg, S.D.; 5:30 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at Newman Center, 320 E. Cherry St., Vermillion, S.D.; 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at Hawkeye Club, 420 Jones St. A 12-step recovery program for people who have problems with food and weight. No fees. St. Lukes Outpatient Behavioral Health Program, 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on fifth floor of St. Luke's, located at 2720 Stone Park Blvd. Offers several levels of outpatient care including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and group therapy. This program provides support and integrated treatment to individuals experiencing personal or relationship issues as a result of their mental illness. For more information and admission criteria, call 712-279-3906. Sobriety By Faith, 8:30 a.m. Saturdays at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1421 Geneva St. For more information, call James Mothershead at 712-577-9715. The Link-Recovery and Freedom, 1603 Glen Ellen Road; 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday workshop, and Christian 12-step meeting 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. For all ages. Call Dee at 389-7432. Women in Recovery, meets monthly at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1421 Geneva St. For details, call 712-255-4623. Tarahouse Meditation Center, 8 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 6:30 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, all at 3112 Rebecca St. Three easy 10-minute sessions in small group; beginners welcome. For more information, call 490-6410. Blood pressure and blood sugar screening, 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays in the lobby at Westwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Free to public. Support Groups Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Hawkeye Club basement, 420 Jones St. For more information, call 277-5935. Celebrate Recovery, Bible-based 12-step recovery group. Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive. Childcare provided. 712-490-3343. All welcome. PFLAG of Siouxland, (Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays), 7 p.m., fourth Monday of January, March, May, July, September and November. St. Mark ELCA Church, 5200 Glenn Ave., in the upstairs meeting area. 712-258-3116. Singles widowed and divorced, all ages, 4 p.m., Sundays. McDonald's at Sixth Street and Lewis Boulevard. 712-252-2675. GriefShare, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 6 at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City. 712-276-5814. H.E.L.P. Ministries, "Sunday on Saturday" service 6-8 p.m every Saturday at 513 Main St., Sioux City. 712-574-1744. HIV/AIDS Support Group, meets weekly. For more information, call Darla or Teri at Siouxland Community Health Center, 712-252-2477 or 888-371-1965. Hospice of Siouxland, seeking volunteers. For more information, call 712-233-4144 and ask for a volunteer coordinator. La Leche League of Siouxland, breastfeeding support group meets every third Thursday at 11 a.m. at Morningside Lutheran Church. Children are welcome. For more information, call Mary at 712-546-7280 or Jacquie at 712-255-2998. Living Each Day Cancer Support Group, 7-8 p.m. second Thursday of the month, Floyd Valley Hospital, Conference Center Room 2, Le Mars, Iowa. Open to all cancer patients, cancer survivors and family members. No charge. Pre-register by calling 712-546-3441 or 800-642-6074, ext. 441. Mom and Baby Support Group, 10-11 a.m. last Monday of the month at the Orange City (Iowa) Hospital, lower level. For new moms and babies. 712-737-5260. Tri-State Sober Project, 12-step meeting, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Friendship Community Church, 305 Sergeant Square Drive, Sergeant Bluff. 6-7 p.m., Thursdays, Transitional Services of Iowa, 1221 Pierce St., Sioux City. Doug's Donors Support Group, information for organ donors and recipients, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Fridays, 5:15-6:30 p.m. second Thursdays of the month at Mercy Cafeteria Woodbury Room. 712-277-1050. Divorce Care, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 6 at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City. 712-276-5814. NAMI Siouxland, (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Support Group meets 6:30 p.m., second Tuesday of the month at Friendship House, 1101 Court St. For individuals and family members dealing with mental illness. 712-255-4209. Orphan Sunday, 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday at Sunnybrook Community Church loft, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive. Post Polio Support Group, 11 a.m. first Thursday of the month at Perkins Restaurant by Menards. 712-490-8213. Relationship Support Group, 7 p.m. Fridays at Marketplace Mall. For more information, call 239-3129. Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Individual and Support Groups. For more information, call CSADV in Sioux City at 712-258-7233; Plymouth County at 712-546-6764; Monona County at 712-423-3443. Advocacy and support available 24 hours a day at 1-800-982-7233. All services free of charge and confidential. Sickle Cell Disease Support Group, 11 a.m. third Saturday of each month at St. Luke's Hospital, meeting room 1. For patients, their family and any concerned member. Call La'Keshia Rainey at 712-203-2019 for more information. Single and Parenting, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Dec. 6 at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Drive, Sioux City. 712-276-5814. Sioux City Association of the Deaf, 7 p.m. third Saturday of the month at Morningside Church of Christ, 5015 Garretson Ave. Regular meeting, September-May; no meeting, June, July, August and December. Siouxland Autism Support Group, second Thursday of the month at Northwest Area Education Agency, 1520 Morningside Ave. For more information, call Julie Case at 712-490-8939. Siouxland Epilepsy Support Group, 5 p.m. third Tuesday of the month at Prestwick Apartment Clubhouse, 4230 Hickory Lane. For anyone diagnosed with seizures or epilepsy and family or friends. For more information, call Steve at 274-6927. Siouxland IC support group, meets quarterly in Sioux City. For patients struggling with interstital cystitis. For more information, call Jacque Dundas 316-641-9766. Siouxland Informational Group for the Blind, 2-5 p.m. second Tuesday of the month at Northern Hills Retirement Community, 4002 Teton Trace. For more information, call 712-266-8926 or 258-8151. Grief support group, 5:30-7:30 p.m., beginning Oct. 5 for 13 weeks (may join at any time), Crescent Park United Methodist Church, 2826 Myrtle St., Sioux City. Scott, 712-899-6315. Siouxland Ostomy Association, 2 p.m. first Sunday of each month (except September, which will be second Sunday; and no meetings June, July, August), in Room 300 at Mercy Medical Center, 801 Fifth St. For more information, call Dick Lindblom at 251-2453. Siouxland Parkinson Disease Support Group, 1 p.m. fourth Monday of the month at Siouxland Center for Active Generations, 313 Cook St. For more information, call Sally Reinert at 402-987-3516. South Sioux City Weight Support Group, 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays at St. Paul United Methodist Church, South Sioux City. For more information, call 494-1401 or 494-2133. Disabilities Resource Center of Siouxland, 520 Nebraska St., Suite 101: Women's Support Group, 1:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month; LGBT Support Group, 1:30 p.m. first Friday of the month; Adult ADHD, 6 p.m. second Tuesday of the month; Advocacy Group, 1:30 p.m. third Tuesday of the month. For more information, call 712-255-1065. Take Off Pounds Sensibly, group meetings various times, days and locations in Siouxland. For information on the chapter in your area, call 1-800-932-TOPS. Voice Disorder Support Group, meets as needed at Mercy Medical Center, Buena Vista Room. 712-279-2686. Women's Peer Support Group, in Wayne and South Sioux City, Neb., for those who have experienced domestic abuse. For more information, call the Wayne office at 402-375-4633 or 1-800-440-4633; in South Sioux City, call 402-494-7592. Help and support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services free and confidential. Woodbury County D.M.D.A., noon-2 p.m. first Saturday of the month at Country Friendship Acres, 4501 West St.; 7-8 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at 515 Court St. in the Community Room; 7-8 p.m. second Tuesday of the month at 441 W. Third St. in the Community Room; 7-8 p.m. third Tuesday of the month at 409 W. Third St. in the Community Room. Support group for people with disabilities and mental disorders. Natural Mamas in Siouxland, 1 p.m., third Tuesday of each month in the Garretson room of the Morningside Public Library. All ages of children are welcome to come with moms. For sharing natural living tips, recipes, natural remedies and health, homemaking, mothering, etc. For more information, call 402-913-0038 or visit their Facebook page. A Step Beyond support group, 3:30 p.m. second Tuesday of the month, except for August, November and December when it meets at 5:30 p.m. (no meeting in January) at the Christy-Smith Resource Center, 1819 Morningside Ave. For more information, call 712-276-7319. Divorce care, 5 p.m., Sundays. Fireside room, Morningside Lutheran Church, 700 South Martha St. Gamblers Anonymous meetings, 4 p.m. Thursdays at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 315 Hamilton Blvd.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Morningside Presbyterian Church, 4327 Morningside Ave.; 7 p.m. Tuesdays, St. John Lutheran Church; 7 p.m. Sundays, Hawkeye Club, 420 Jones St.. 712-277-2901. Art therapy support group, 5:30 p.m. second Thursday of the month at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. Registration required, call 252-9387. After Breast Cancer Support Group, 5:30 p.m. third Tuesday of the month at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. For more information, call Brenda, 252-9370. After Prostate Cancer Support Group, 5:15 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. For more information, call 252-9426. Alzheimer's Association, Big Sioux Chapter Support Group, 2 p.m. second Tuesday of the month; 4 p.m. third Tuesday of the month (under age 65) at 201 Pierce St., Suite 110 (Famous Dave's building); and 6 p.m. first Tuesday of the month at the Barnes and Noble Cafe. For more information, call Emily Lord at 712-279-5802. Christy-Smith Funeral Homes of Sioux City, extensive grief library at the Morningside location. Open to the public during weekday hours. For more information, call 276-7319. Chronic Pain/Chronic Illness Support Group, 7:30 p.m. fourth Wednesday of the month in the lower level of the Orange City Hospital. For more information, call 712-737-5260. Connections Area Agency on Aging, and Mercy Medical Centers Older Adult Services Welcome to Medicare, 1:30-4 p.m., the first Friday of every month at Connections Area Agency on Aging, 2301 Pierce St. To pre-register, or for more information, contact Connections Area Agency on Aging at 712-279-6900. Diocese of Sioux City ordains new priests SIOUX CITY | The Rev. R. Walker Nickless, bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City will ordain Deacons Andrew Galles and Matthew Solyntjes to the order of the priesthood at the 10 a.m. mass Saturday at the Cathedral of the Epiphany, 10th and Douglas Streets. Galles, a native of Remsen and graduate of St. Mary High School, finished his seminary studies on May 3 at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Solyntjes, a native of Sibley St. Andrew Parish, graduated from St. Meinrad (Indiana) Seminary and School of Theology on May 13. Following their ordination, Galles will be assigned as parochial vicar of Cathedral of the Epiphany, St. Joseph Parish and St. Boniface Parish in Sioux City and Solyntjes will be assigned as parochial vicar of All Saints Parish in Le Mars and chaplain of Gehlen Catholic Schools. 50th anniversary ordination SIOUX CITY | Retired Sioux City Diocese Priest Father Jerry Feierfeil will celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood with a mass at his home parish at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Boniface Church, 703 W. Fifth St. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. All are welcome. Lunch and pie auction SIOUX CITY | Trimble United Methodist Church, 1424 27th St., will hold its annual lunch and pie auction from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday. Twelve pies will be auctioned off at noon. New Power praise Aerobics class SIOUX CITY | A new Power Praise Aerobics class will run from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church, 3939 Cheyenne Blvd. Contact Johnell at 712-202-5052 for additional information. Summer worship begins at Redeemer Lutheran SIOUX CITY | Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S. Lakeport, invites the public to its summer worship schedule beginning Sunday. Thursday services begin at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday morning services will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Christian Family education hour, along with Luther Bible Study, will be held from 9:45-10:30 a.m. in the gym. Faith presentation SIOUX CITY | The presentation "Growing in Faith: Learning from trees" will be shared by the Rev. Jeff Swanson at 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mark Lutheran Church ELCA, 5200 Glenn Ave. Swanson serves as pastor of St. John Lutheran ELCA in Sioux City and also has extensive experience in forestry management and environmental concerns . Vacation bible school SIOUX CITY | Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S. Lakeport, will hold vacation bible school for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade, July 9-13. Call 276-1125 to register. LAKE VIEW, Iowa | Generally, when one describes heavy traffic, it comes with a sigh or a hint of frustration. Cora Lahr's assessment? A 180-degree turn. "Look at the campers in the park," Lahr said on Wednesday while standing at the Stone Pier in Lake View, just off the shore of Black Hawk Lake. "We had bumper-to-bumper traffic in town over the weekend and it was great!" Vacationers, extended family members and fun-seekers of all ages pounced on this Sac County community over Memorial Day weekend, continuing a trend that might last all summer. Lahr's son, Tate Lahr, would like it to. He's doing his part on Saturday by working with his "Black Hawk Fishing Buddies" in hosting the first fishing tournament on Black Hawk Lake in years. There hasn't been a formal fishing classic on this 957-acre late in at least five years. That was back when Lahr was 6 years old, by the way. He's a seasoned 11-year-old now. And quite the fishing expert. As we spoke on Wednesday, Lahr, enjoying his second day of summer vacation, caught a bass and held it up for a photo before tossing the fish back in the sparkling blue waters of Black Hawk Lake. "Bass have to be 15 inches to keep," he said with a shrug. Five years ago was a key point in the health of Black Hawk Lake. For that's when the Iowa Department of Natural Resources started a $27-million lake renovation by killing off fish in the lake through the introduction of the chemical rotenone. Carp and other rough fish had stirred sediment on the bottom of the lake, thus reducing water clarity and stifling the growth of other fish, the kind fishers seek, such as walleye, bluegills, bass, catfish, muskies and more. The DNR in 2013 stocked Black Hawk Lake with millions of those fish, helping produce decent years for anglers in 2015 and 2016. Lahr was so excited about the developments on his lake, he asked Ben Wallace, fisheries biologist with the DNR, if he could host a tournament to coincide with Iowa's "Free Fishing Day" on Saturday. Wallace could probably see a lot of himself in Lahr, a boy who circled the shore on summer days to find the hot spots on Black Hawk Lake. After getting the green light, Tate Lahr went to work securing all sorts of prizes for competitors. He and his mother left our interview on Wednesday and headed directly to The Bait Shop in downtown Lake View, where they purchased the last of the gift certificates to be awarded on Saturday. "I'll be at the registration table on Saturday morning and I'll hand out fishing supplies, things like jigs, hooks and bobbers in gift bags," he said. "We also have prizes for a raffle drawing we will do after we weigh-in the fish." Pam Leitz, owner of The Bait Shop, smiled as Tate thanked her for the gift certificates. She called him one of her favorite customers. As far as customers go, there have been lots of others in recent weeks as anglers return. "I've owned the shop since October and business, recently, has been good," Leitz said. "The lake is awesome now." "I caught a walleye on Monday (Memorial Day) and we cleaned it," Lahr said. "The lake has gotten a lot clearer the past two years." The fishing tournament takes place at the same time as Lake View's 9th annual "Sip & Sample" wine event on Main Street, which runs from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. This event, which costs $10 for a wine glass, is billed as "an afternoon of food, beverages, and unique items." The day concludes with the first of this season's Stone Pier Summer Concerts, an event featuring the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Chad Elliott. There promises to be all kinds of fun in Lake View on Saturday, fun that comes with a welcome burst of bumper-to-bumper traffic. This week on the podcast the reporters discuss campaign season heating up, Rep. Rod Blum declaring his bid for re-election in the 1st District, and how Democrats can look to reach out to rural Iowa. On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast which re-creates the conversations that happen when Iowa's political reporters get together after deadlines have been met. This week's show featuresErin Murphy, Christinia Crippes, Todd Dorman, and James Q. Lynch. This week's show was produced by Max Freund and the music heard in the podcast is courtesy of Lojo Russo. Chat with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @OnIowaPolitics, and subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher. Know an Iowa musician who should be on our show? Send their band sound files to oniowapolitics@gmail.com SIOUX CITY | A motorcyclist was rushed to the hospital after he collided with a car on Hamilton Boulevard around 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Sioux City Police Sgt. Judy Kellen said a westbound Chrysler on Wesley Parkway was attempting to turn south onto Hamilton and drove in front of a male motorcyclist heading east on West 14th Street. The motorcyclist hit the passenger's side of the car and apparently slid underneath but Kellen was unsure if he was run over. The unidentified male was rushed to a local hospital. Kellen was unaware of the nature of his injuries. Blood and broken shards from the motorcycle were scattered across the ground while police partially closed off the intersection while the scene was inspected. Felicity Pedersen witnessed the crash when she was heading out to make a delivery for nearby Domino's Pizza. "The motorcyclist went down and was laying on his left side and wasn't moving, and then I saw a gentleman run out to see if he was OK," she said. "I'm a motorcyclist myself so this really scared me and I am shaken." "It did not look good," she said. Kellen said the crash is under investigation. According to the complaint, Moniz, 33, had been accused of drinking Perera's Place, 2611 Correctionville Road, on May 16 when she became agitated with owner Robert Perera, pulled out a knife and demanded money and his wallet and that he give her a ride to 19th and Court streets. Esteves said in her dismissal motion that a witness to the incident gave police a false address and could not be located to be subpoenaed to appear for a deposition. Statements given to police by Perera and Moniz differed greatly, and more time is needed to find the witness. Esteves also said the knife, described as a machete, that was later found also needs to be processed for fingerprints. ANTHON, Iowa | A state audit has identified more than $100,000 of improper and unsupported disbursements from the Anthon Rescue Squad over a six-year period. Iowa State Auditor Mary Mosiman conducted a special investigation at the request of officials with the city and the volunteer ambulance squad after they were contacted by a collection agency regarding a credit card they were unaware had been established in the squads name. Of the $91,901 in improper disbursements between January 2009 through December 2014 identified in the special investigation, Mosiman said $80,941 were payments on credit cards established in the name of Kristine Roggatz, the squads secretary/treasurer. The cards included Staples and CitiBusiness credit cards, a Commerce Bank card and a Sam's Club credit card. Mosiman reported bank statements prior to Jan. 1, 2009, were not readily available for the rescue squads bank account and payments were made on the Staples and CitiBusiness credit cards in January 2009. As a result, auditors could not determine whether additional funds were issued from the squads account for the personal credit card accounts. Other improper disbursements identified include 19 cash withdrawals made at ATMs and purchases from phone service providers, online vendors, and retail vendors, according to the auditors report. Mosiman also reported that $9,056 of unsupported disbursements identified include purchases from online and retail vendors. In the report, Mosiman noted that it was possible there had been more improper funds disbursements because bank statements and some other financial records prior to Jan. 1, 2009, are unavailable. The rescue squad, whose primary revenue sources include payments for ambulance services, township donations, and two annual fundraising events, maintained a savings and checking account separate from the citys bank accounts, according to the report. In late 2013, Roggatz notified the rescue squad of her intention to resign her position as secretary/treasurer. She agreed to stay on to train her replacement, who assumed the secretary/treasurer duties in April 2014, the auditor's report said. According to bank records, the last check issued from the checking account signed by Roggatz was dated March 30, 2014. Prior to April 2014, all bank statements were mailed directly to Roggatzs home address even though the rescue squad had a post office box, according to the auditor's report. Mosiman said copies of the report have been filed with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Attorney General's Office and Woodbury County Attorneys Office. Anthon City Clerk Ruth Groth declined comment Thursday. SIOUX CITY | A motorcyclist received life-threatening injuries from a two-vehicle wreck on a busy Sioux City thoroughfare Thursday evening. The Sioux City Police Department has not released the name of the man who received serious injuries. He was taken to Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City. Sioux City Police Sgt. Judy Kellen said a westbound car on Wesley Parkway was attempting to turn south onto Hamilton, and drove in front of a male motorcyclist heading east on West 14th Street at about 6:30 p.m. The motorcyclist hit the passenger's side of the car and apparently slid underneath but Kellen was unsure if he was run over. Broken shards from the motorcycle were scattered across the ground while police partially closed off the intersection while the scene was inspected. The police investigation is continuing. Felicity Pedersen witnessed the crash when she was heading out to make a delivery for nearby Domino's Pizza. "The motorcyclist went down and was laying on his left side and wasn't moving...I'm a motorcyclist myself so this really scared me and I am shaken," Pedersen said. WASHINGTON -- Most of the conservative Republicans opposed to President Trump are writers and policy specialists. Few are politicians -- or, perhaps more precisely, few of the conservative politicians who see Trump as a danger to the nation are prepared to say so in public. So does this mean that the writerly anti-Trump right is ineffectual? Not at all. But we may be approaching a time when the gutlessness of the GOP's leadership moves these restive conservatives to abandon their traditional loyalties altogether. It would not be the first time that a group of thinkers opened the way for political realignment. History, it's said, sometimes rhymes. The anti-Trump distemper on the right has some of the rhythms and sounds of an earlier intellectual rebellion in the mid-1960s involving an uneasy group of liberals. They remained staunch supporters of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal but worried about what they saw as liberal excesses and the overreach of some Great Society policies. Over time, this collection of magazine and university-based rebels -- among them Irving Kristol, Nathan Glazer, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Daniel Bell and Norman Podhoretz -- came to be known as "neoconservatives." They were not party bosses, but they sure knew how to write essays. The history of this movement, well-told in books by Peter Steinfels, Justin Vaisse and Gary Dorrien, is winding and complicated. Some of the neocons never abandoned liberalism or the Democrats. This category includes Bell and Moynihan, who eventually served with distinction as a Democratic senator from New York. Glazer's views have always been hard to pigeonhole. Others (notably Kristol and Podhoretz) moved steadily toward old-fashioned conservatism. By the beginning of this century, neoconservatism came to be associated more with a muscular foreign policy than with its initial focus on domestic issues. What cannot be doubted is that the neocons helped prepare the ground for Ronald Reagan's political revolution. Will the anti-Trumpers (a fair number of them philosophical descendants of neoconservatism) have a comparable impact? Much depends on whether their critique of Trump carries into a broader critique of contemporary conservatism and the Republican Party. This is already starting to happen. My Washington Post colleagues Michael Gerson and Jennifer Rubin are representative. Gerson recently wrote: "The conservative mind, in some very visible cases, has become diseased," while conservative institutions "with the blessings of a president ... have abandoned the normal constraints of reason and compassion." Rubin charged Republicans with practicing "intellectual nihilism" and proposed that "center-right Americans ... look elsewhere for a political home." David Frum of The Atlantic, another eloquent anti-Trump dissident, wrote about the "broken guardrails" of American democracy back in 2016 and argued that the conservative guardrail had "snapped because so much of the ideology itself had long since ceased to be relevant to the lives of so many Republican primary voters. Instead of a political program, conservatism had become an individual identity." Conservative talk radio host Charlie Sykes criticized his side for indulging conspiracy theories going back to the Bill Clinton years and for "empowering the worst and most reckless voices on the right." He did not pull his punch: "This was not mere naivete. It was also a moral failure, one that now lies at the heart of the conservative movement." Evan McMullin, who ran as an independent conservative against Trump in 2016, explicitly raised the prospect of realignment in a tweet over the weekend: "In our Trumpian era, is there any longer a traditional right and left? Or are there only those who fight for liberty and those against it." Another factor could push the anti-Trump conservatives out of their ideological home: attacks on them from one-time comrades. Writing recently on National Review's website, author and radio host Dennis Prager described the anti-Trump right as "a very refined group of people" who live in a "cultural milieu" in which "to support Trump is to render oneself contemptible at all elite dinner parties." Fighting words! Like the intellectuals of a half-century ago who developed qualms about liberalism but insisted they were still in the liberal camp, conservatives standing against Trump today still see themselves as being true to their old loyalties. But eventually, a large cadre of those liberal dissenters accepted that they were, in fact, neoconservatives. Something similar may be happening in the other direction as members of the anti-Trump right, battling against immoderation, irrationality and irresponsibility, become ever more distant from their old allies. Let's call them "neo-moderates." They, too, could emerge as a major force in our politics and make a difference in our history. The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless. The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well. By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism. ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. (June 01, 2017)St. Mary's College of Maryland will welcome four new trustees in June: Anirban Basu, John Bell '95, John T. Bullock and Bonnie Glick. All four will be appointed a six-year term of service on the College's Board of Trustees. "I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with this new diverse group of successful and influential individuals who are committed to the tradition of a liberal arts education in the context of 21st-century global citizenry," said Tuajuanda C. Jordan, president of St. Mary's College. "Each candidate brings expertise and a unique skill set that will benefit the College for years to come." "Each of our new Trustees embodies the spirit of the St. Mary's Way and brings special talent and energy to the Board," said Sven Holmes, chairman, Board of Trustees. "We look forward to working with them as we support the College's mission of providing an outstanding education to our students." Anirban Basu is chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore, Md. Basu has written several high-profile economic development strategies, including co-authoring economic development strategies for Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Basu serves as the chief economist to Associated Builders and Contractors and as chief economic advisor for the Construction Financial Management Association. He is chairman of the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee and an economic advisor to the Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce. He was recently appointed to the University System of Maryland Foundation Board and is also on the Board of the Archdiocese of Baltimore School System. Basu earned his bachelor's degree in foreign service at Georgetown University, his master's degree in public policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, a master's degree in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park; and his Juris Doctor from University of Maryland School of Law. John Bell '95 is a managing director and head of Americas Account Management for Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Bell and his team are responsible for managing the prime brokerage clients of the firm's Asset Management Services business. He joined the firm in 2006 to launch the firm's prime brokerage offering in San Francisco, where he was responsible for origination sales and relationship management. He has more than 20 years of experience in financial services. He began his career at Bear Stearns in New York and has also held leadership positions with Citi and DLJ Securities Corp. in San Francisco. Bell has served as vice president of the St. Mary's College Foundation since 2014, after joining the board in 2012. He has served as chairman of the board of the Edgewood Center for Children & Families and was a founding sponsor of the GLBT History Museum in San Francisco. He also serves on BofA's Global Banking & Markets Diversity & Inclusion Council and the BofA LGBT Executive Leadership Council. Bell earned his bachelor's degree in public policy from St. Mary's College of Maryland, and was awarded an executive education certificate in governing for nonprofit excellence from Harvard Business School. John T. Bullock was elected to the Baltimore City Council in November 2016. He is a lecturer in the department of political science at Towson University. As a political analyst, Bullock is a regular contributor for media outlets including ABC, NBC and CBS affiliates, as well as Maryland Public Television. He has also provided commentary for the Baltimore Sun, AFRO American, and Maryland Daily Record newspapers, and is a frequent guest on public radio stations WEAA and WYPR. He serves on several boards of directors, including the Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation, The Empowerment Academy, and the Baltimore Curriculum Project. Bullock earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Hampton University, his master's degree in city and regional planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a doctorate degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland in College Park. Bonnie Glick serves as senior vice president of Meridian International Center, a non-profit in Washington, D.C., focused on global leadership. Prior to that position she worked for 12 years at IBM. She also served 12 years as a U.S. diplomat in the Department of State. At the State Department, she served tours of duty in the U.S. mission to the United Nations during Operation Desert Shield, in the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as the country transitioned out of 17 years of communist rule; and in the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua, in the period immediately after the electoral defeat of the Sandinistas. In Washington, D.C., she served in the Secretary of State's Operations Center, as a senior officer in the White House Situation Room, and in the State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Glick earned a bachelor's degree in government/international relations from Cornell University, a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University, and an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. When it comes to handing out grants for LGBT causes, Our Fund CEO David Jobin said its about more than just health and equality issues. From lesbian health to HIV/AIDS to transgender services to LGBT homeless youth to LGBT seniors to gay and lesbian culture, I think we hit every facet of gay life in South Florida. On May 18 in Fort Lauderdale, Our Fund presented $106,000 in grants to 18 organizations, including the Gay Mens Chorus of South Florida, Out My Closet, Pridelines, YES Institute, Ariannas Center, New Beginnings, Pet Project for Pets, Sunshine Cathedral, Lambda Living, Red Hispana, and Theatre of Creative Consciousness of the Arts. Six [organizations] were brand new to us, which is really exciting to us because we identified six more non-profits in South Florida that are advancing LGBT causes, Jobin said. We always encourage [LGBT and non-LGBT] non-profits to apply and ask for help. But it has to be for an LGBT cause, Jobin said. Guildas Club received $10,000 for its Touched by Cancer initiative which aims to reduce the incidents of advanced stage breast, lung, cervical, and colorectal cancers in women with female partners. Our Fund hands out grants twice a year. Some of those causes are advanced through the arts and educational programs. Jon Diernbach, president of the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble, said his organization will use the $5,000 it received to fund its Youth Pride Band next year. Every January and February, South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble invites LGBT and straight students to apply to join the band. It all culminates in a combined student and adult concert. When we started it [in 2011], it was about the same time as the It Gets Better Project started. We wanted to create a space where young adults could have a comfortable, safe place to play music together and see that their passion for music could continue onto adulthood, Diernbach said. Several of the participating students have gone onto music programs in college and are music majors. Some have even returned to play with the year-round ensemble. Theyre great kids and part of the best of what our high schools have to offer. We welcome them back because theyre great players and great people, Diernbach said. Gay or straight, Bob Knotts, founder and president of The Humanity Project, said his organization aims to teach students to celebrate and respect their differences. Part of that means facilitating anti-bullying programs because LGBT students are disproportionately the victims of bullying. There are elements to being an LGBT child that makes you stand out, Knotts said. Anything that makes you stand out, makes you different, Knotts said, makes you a target for bullies. I know this from first-hand experience. Its left scars on me to this day. Knotts organization teaches three particular values as part of its program: respect, diversity, and self-worth. We try to teach those elements to all those kids. How their differences are positive when individuals express their unique humanity. Differences are good things. Our Fund is a critical supporter and a critical partner in that effort. The Humanity Project received $10,000 from Our Fund this year and Our Fund helped connect the organization to the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network which held a fundraiser that generated an additional $5,700 for The Humanity Project. Our Fund has made us a better organization. We love them. David Jobin is the best. Hes bright. Hes innovative. Hes everything we want in a community leader, Knotts said. The next deadline to apply for a grant is Aug. 31. Visit our-fund.org or call 954-565-1090 for more information on how to apply for grants. Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 1 June 2017 - Weather Scrubs Dragon Resupply Launch. NASA The launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon cargo craft was scrubbed today because of lightning in the vicinity of the launch pad. The next launch opportunity for SpaceX is on Saturday, June 3 at 4:07pm Central time, 5:07pm Eastern time. NASA TV coverage will begin at 3:30pm CT, 4:30pm ET. This clears the way for the Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo craft to be unberthed from the nadir port of Unity on Sunday, June 4. NASA TV coverage on Sunday of Cygnus departure will begin at 0730 CT. Release of Cygnus is scheduled at 0810 CT. Cygnus will remain in orbit for a week in support of scientific experiments and will deorbit on Sunday, June 11. A launch of the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft Saturday will result in its arrival at the ISS on Monday, June 5 for a capture at 0900 CT. NASA TV coverage will begin at 0730 CT. There will be no installation coverage. On-Orbit Status Report SpaceX (SpX)-11 Launch: SpX-11 is scheduled to launch today at 4:55 pm CDT. Pending a successful launch, capture and berthing are planned for Sunday, June 4th at 9:00am CDT. Rodent Research-5 (RR-5): The crew unpacked, installed and configured four Animal Habitats and configured the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) for RR-5 operations to be performed after arrival of rodents and additional hardware and materials on SpaceX-11. The Ground team successfully completed a software checkout of all the Habitats. DOSIS 3D: The crew de-installed DOSIS 3D passive detectors and handed them over to a Russian crewmember for packing for return on Soyuz 49S. Data from the various active and passive radiation detectors are used in the determination of the radiation field parameters absorbed doses and dose equivalents inside the ISS. A concise three dimensional (3D) dose distribution map of all the segments of the ISS will be developed based on this data and data from JAXA and NASA monitoring devices. Matiss: The crew de-installed the four Matiss Sample Holders from the Columbus module for return on 49S. The MATISS experiment investigates the antibacterial properties of materials in space to see if future spacecraft could be made easier to clean. The experiment aims to understand the mechanisms of attachment of biofilms in microgravity conditions. MATISS objectives include simplification of decontamination operations to save crew time and validation of innovative surfaces for use in future spacecraft. ISS Change of Command: In preparation for 49S departure on Friday, Peggy Whitson handed over command of the ISS to Fyodor Yurchikhin. During this event, the entire crew discussed with Mission Control Center (MCC)-Houston and MCC-Moscow Flight Control their roles and responsibilities for the timeframe between the Change of Command event and tomorrows 49S departure. Following the Change of Command, the new Commanders Soyuz crew became prime for emergencies. Todays Planned Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. Recharging Soyuz 733 Samsung PC Battery Soyuz 733 Stowage Ops and completing the right seat container packing Note 5 CASKAD. Connecting Anabioz Incubator to ??? and Power Up Rodent Research Habitat Install DOSIS 3D Passive Detectors De-Installation from Columbus (10 PDPs and 1 TDP). ISS RAM Handover to RS Crew for Soyuz Return On-Board Training (OBT) Dragon Emergency Review DOSIS 3D Passive Detector Pouch handover to Russian crew for download of dosimeters with Soyuz. Deinstallation of Matiss Sample Holders Rodent Research Habitat Install CASKAD. Starting Anabioz No. 2 Battery Charge STRUKTURA. Deactivation of crystallization process Photography Cyclops ICE Experiment Photos Rodent Research Habitat Install STRUKTURA. Transfer of Luch-2 bag to Soyuz 733 Group Combustion Module (GCM) Gas Bottle Unit Air (GBU) Change HRF Generic Ambient Blood Collection Setup Replacement of urine receptacle (??) and filter-insert (?-?) in ???. [???] Activation after Replacement Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Install Soyuz 733 right seat container transfer completion report (S-band) Combustion Integrated Rack Upper Rack Doors Open Signing ISS RS Handover Protocol On-Board Training (OBT) Dragon Emergency Review Combustion Integrated Rack Manifold Bottle Replacement Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Power On Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth Rodent Research Node 2 Camcorder Video Setup Combustion Integrated Rack Upper Rack Doors Close Rodent Research Microgravity Science Glovebox LSAH Setup Terminate Soyuz 733 Samsung PC Battery Recharge VHF2 Comm Test from Soyuz 733 via RGS Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Scan Prep Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Scan Health Maintenance System (HMS) Ultrasound 2 Data Export Group Combustion Module (GCM) Gas Bottle Unit Air (GBU) Leak Check Public Affairs Office (PAO) High Definition (HD) Config LAB Setup Change of Command Health Maintenance System (HMS) Stow Reminder HRF Generic Ambient Blood Collection Reminder Rodent Research Thermal Consideration Soyuz 733 [??] cooling down prior to descent Reminder 1 HRF Generic Saliva Collection Completed Task List Items None Ground Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. RR5 Habitat Install support Change of Command Three-Day Look Ahead: Friday, 06/02: 49S undock/landing, OBT Dragon vehicle ops, Zbook deploy Saturday, 06/03: Crew off duty, housekeeping Sunday, 06/04: SpX-11 capture/berthing/vestibule outfitting QUICK ISS Status Environmental Control Group: Component Status Elektron On 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 Manual Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 Operate Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) Process Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Process Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab Full up Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 Off On Wednesday, May 31st, 22 non-management employees at Gimme! Coffeea New York specialty coffee roaster and cafe brand founded in 2000officially voted to unionize. This marks the first labor union to ever be formed at an American third wave coffee company.* The union will begin negotiating a new contract and covers employees of all of Gimme! Coffees locations in Ithaca, New York, who are now members of the Workers United Local 2833, as per the Tompkins County Workers Center. As of this time it is not clear if there are plans to expand to cover employees of the three retail locations in New York City. The unionization effort was led by Samantha Mason, with help from Workers United-Rochester Regional Joint Board. The primary concerns of the workers were reported to be making a living wage without depending on tips and better transparency within company operations. Heres a transcript of the intent to unionize letter sent to Gimme! Coffees owner Kevin Cuddeback, shared with permission: Dear Kevin, For many of us, Gimme! is more than a job. It is a community where a cup of coffee becomes more, and we thank you for that. We thank you for making Gimme! a home, and it is because of our love for Gimme! that we want to do everything we can to improve it. In this time of progressive revival, we, the Members of the Gimme! Coffee Workers United Organizing Committee, are embarking on a grassroots unionization of Ithacas restaurant/beverage community. Inspired by your leadership and commitment to social justice, we believe that Gimme! has the potential to reimagine and revolutionize the concept of a union and can serve as a progressive business model not only in Ithaca but in the region and possibly the nation. This new model seeks to increase the success of the enterprise while at the same time offering employees an independent voice. We trust in your vision of Gimme! as an ambitious specialty coffee shop in all respects, and that is why we believe Gimme! can create a new holistic approach to managing restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Our goal is for Gimme! to be the first to create a unionized sector where the employee/employer relationship can be collaborative, improve the lives of both the employee and employer and be in solidarity with the working class generally. We understand that forming a union can seem like an attack, but we assure you that we see the union as a tool to sculpt a modern employee/employer relationship that befits a new era of social progress. This is not an ultimatum, but an invitation to a progressive partnership. We believe this course is the best way not only for employees but for the future growth of the company. Again, we want to collaborate, not fight, and we hope you consider Gimme!s revolutionary potential. The ownership at Gimme! was reportedly not resistant to the process, with CEO Kevin Cuddeback taking a neutral stance. My decision to remain neutral was largely influenced by this statement, Cuddeback tells Sprudge. If Gimme Coffee can be a pioneer with respect to power sharing, I think thats a win. If we can become more effective at learning and responding to what frustrates and motivates baristas, theyll be happier at work (which customers love). While the baristas at Gimme! Coffee look to expand this effort to encompass other local food and beverage workers in Tompkins County, itll be interesting to see how this might affect the specialty coffee industry at large. In the growing effort to secure a living wage for coffee professionals and a larger sense of involvement at the barista level, unionization provides one avenue towards both. The coffee world will be watching these developments at Gimme! Coffee closely. Lanny Huang (@lannynyny) is a freelance multi-media professional based in New York City. His work as a photographer and videoist has been featured previously on Sprudge. Top photo via The Cornell Daily Sun. *If you know of other American third wave coffee companies with unionized workers, please get in touch. After a damp start to the 2017 season at Clinton Raceway last Sunday, the sunny skies known to Clinton Raceway fans returned for the second race card. The fifth race on the program saw Black Jack Killean hit the wire first, and in doing so it registered the 1,000th career training win for Scott McNiven. Driver Travis Henry steered the five-year-old gelding in a gate-to-wire 2:00.4 mile, which in turn resulted in a $13.30 win mutuel. McNiven, the longtime conditioner from Putnam, Ont., trains out of the Dorchester Fair Grounds, and his pupils have raced to more than $8 million in career purse earnings. Black Jack Killean and connections, pictured in the winners circle (Goodfellow Photography) Members of Racing Under Saddle were trackside on Sunday, as the organization held a fundraiser for its 2017 season. Fans were treated to a BBQ, bake sale, and the winner of the 50/50 draw took home just over $500! The group was able to raise just under the $1,500 mark. Unfortunately, the race card ended on a sad note, as Jemba Jemba suffered a shattered cannon bone in the final turn of the eighth race. The horse had to be humanely euthanized. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Jemba Jemba. Next week, the Clinton Spring Fair will move into town, which will result in a break in the harness season. Live racing will resume Sunday, June 11 with a post time of 1:30 p.m. Details can be found at clintonraceway.com To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Clinton, click the following link: Sunday Results Clinton Raceway. (With files from Clinton Raceway) After four unsuccessful attempts to defeat the predominantly-male Open trotters, Mistress Valentine led from gate to wire and imposed her girl power on them Thursday in the $15,000 handicap trot at Plainridge Park. Mistress Valentine (Mark Eaton) left strong from post six and gained the front easily after the field was released from the gate. With no early pressure, she cut comfortable fractions of :27.2 and :56.4 as the group swung by the half. At that station, One Swan For All (Wally Watson) pulled from third and strutted his best stuff. He motored up alongside the leader and the pair trotted in unison through the third panel and tripped that timer in 1:25.4. Halfway around the last turn, One Swan For All weakened and Mistress Valentine took that opportunity to put distance between herself and the rest of the field. The mare opened up a three-length lead by the top of the stretch and looked strong heading down the lane. With Eaton rocking easily in the bike, Mistress Valentine won by as many as she wanted in 1:55 a seasons best. It was the third win of the year for Mistress Valentine ($16.00) and it pushed her 2017 income to $27,155 for owners Bob McHugh and Mark Eaton, who also trains the mare. In the co-featured $9,000 conditioned trotting event, Dagget (Mark Athearn) got away tenth before pulling past the quarter to methodically advance on the outside for the remainder of the race. Athearn tipped his horse four-wide at the top of the lane and barreled down the stretch, making up about five lengths in the process to win by a head in 1:56.1. As if that isnt story enough, Dagget went off at 85-1 and returned $172.40 for the win. It triggered a 9-5 Exacta that paid $1,744.80 and a 9-5-10 Trifecta that returned $28,033.40. Dagget is owned by William Phipps and is trained by Gretchen Athearn. Kevin Switzer Jr. had a driving grand slam on the card, winning with Jupiter Rising ($18.80, 1:58.4), Bold Fresh ($5.60, 1:57), Destination Moon N ($2.20, 1:54.2) and Ill Have Another ($5.40, 1:58.2). Trainer Scott Rollins also sent two of his students to the winners enclosure for pictures. Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday, June 2 at 4 p.m. (Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts) Eddie Miller, the second longest Hanover Shoe Farms employee in its glorious history will be retiring on Friday, June 2. Miller, now 69, first came to work at Hanover in June of 1967. He started as a groom with a string of six yearlings. One of those yearlings was a Caleb colt by the name of Clu Hanover, who very well might have been the toughest and most difficult to handle Hanover yearling to ever enter the Hanover fairgrounds. It was with Clu Hanover that Eddie first showed his incredible horsemanship. A horse who at one time the farms had considered withdrawing from the sale because of his aggressive nature, Eddie worked patiently with Clu Hanover, never raising his voice or getting angry. By sale time the colt was, if not a complete gentleman, a decent horse to work with. It was a trait that Eddie exhibited for the next half century -- over and over and over. There have been very few, if any horsemen who can handle a horse better than Eddie Miller. There also have been very few, if any, horses that Eddie Miller could not work with. He gradually climbed the ladder to where he was in charge of breaking yearlings and became together with his mentor, the late Kenny Hamm, perhaps the two best handlers and leaders of yearlings in the history of the sport. Eddie became a foreman and then, upon the retirement of another long time Hanover employee Billy Jessee, became for the last two decades the man in charge of raising the Farm's yearling crop. Eddie has also worked as a ring man for Standardbred Horse Sales Company for the 51 years. In this task, he also excelled as few others have. Everybody at Hanover and we are sure throughout the industry wish Eddie Miller nothing but health and happiness through his well-earned retirement. (with files from Hanover) The I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club is pleased to announce that John McConnell of Guelph, Ont., is the winner of the Molson Pace Online Handicapping Contest. John was successful in securing 17 out of a possible 20 points in the contest, along with one other entrant, and was declared the winner from a blind draw. McConnell, currently a groom in the industry, is the son of James Harvey McConnell, who was a driver/trainer back in the late 50s and early 60s. He started helping his dad around the barn when he was young and has been hooked on harness racing ever since. There was a time when I used to go to the track five times a week, but I recently have been looking for something else to do with my time and got hooked up with Ken Middleton. I have a horse with Kenny, Sizzling Summer, a two-year-old Sportswriter colt who is getting trained as we speak. John has won a prize package from the Fan Club and a $50 gift certificate to Mohawk Racetrack. Below are the contest answers and Johns selections: Select the post position that will return the highest number of wins on the day. (2 points) Johns Selection: Post 1. Answer: Four winners on the days card left from Post 1 including races 2,6,10 and 12. Select the winner of Race 1, the City of London Final for Horse & Gelding Trotters: (4 points) Johns Selection: Adventure Ahead. Answer: Adventure Ahead won the $23,200 final for male trotters, establishing a new lifetime mark of 2:01. Select the winner of the Molson Pace. (4 points) Johns Selection: Bit Of A Legend N. Answer: Bit Of A Legend N earned his third win of the year with his Molson Pace victory, and now has 36 career wins and earnings over $1.6 million. Will the 2017 Molson Pace go faster or slower than the 2016 Molson Pace won by Evenin Of Pleasure and driven by Sylvain Filion in 1:50.3, a track record performance? (2 points) Johns Selection: No, It will be slower. Answer: Bit Of A Legend N won the Molson Pace in 1:51.3 by one and three-quarter lengths, but was slower than 2016 winner Evenin Of Pleasure. Select the horse that will reach the quarter pole first in the Molson Pace final. (2 points) Johns Selection: Bit Of A Legend N. Answer: Driver Jordan Stratton moved Bit Of A Legend N to the front early leading the field to the quarter in :26.3. Select the leading money-winning driver for the days races (3 points) Johns Selection: Jordan Stratton Answer: Jordan Stratton earned $75,000 in winning the Molson Pace. Select the leading money-winning trainer for the days races (3 points) Johns Selection: Ron Burke Answer: Richard Moreau was the leading money-winning trainer for the days races earning $105,970. The Fan Club also hosted a trackside contest where fans had to select the winning horse of the Molson Pace. At the end of the evening, an entry was drawn from the ballot box of Bit Of A Legend N. Congratulations to Sandy Tritton of Pine Bush, New York, for winning the contest. Sandy and her husband Peter Tritton, trainer of the Molson Pace victor, paid a visit to the Fan Club booth prior to the races to get in on the contest. For winning she will receive a Fan Club prize package. LGBT Heresy Infiltrates Orlando Northland Community Church Contact: Liberty Counsel, 407-875-1776, Media@LC.org; Press Kit ORLANDO, Fla., June 2, 2017 /Standard Newswire/ -- Northland Community Church and Pastor Joel Hunter hosted the Orlando LGBT event, "Elevating the Dialogue on LGBTQ Inclusion and Understanding in the Church," on May 18, with the apparent purpose to "affirm" LGBTQ by distorting the Bible and changing church doctrine. Prior to attending the event, attendees were encouraged to complete a survey. The survey was created by The Reformation Project (TRP), a so-called "Bible-based, Christian grassroots organization" that works "to promote inclusion of LGBT people by reforming church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity" with the goal for a global church that fully affirms LGBT people. The survey was quickly removed from the internet after Liberty Counsel's previous press release was distributed. The survey included the following questions with multiple choice answer options: How would you characterize your views about LGBT inclusion in the church? I am opposed to same-sex relationships; LGBTQ Christians should be celibate. I do not support same-sex relationships, but I would like the church to be more welcoming and inclusive. I am not sure what I believe on this topic. I lean toward supporting LGBTQ people in the church, but I still have unresolved theological questions. I am fully affirming and would like to see the church ordain and marry LGBTQ people. Other Do you believe that faithful Christians can disagree on this topic? Yes, No or Maybe How much time have you spent studying the Bibles teaching as they relate to LGBTQ Christians? None Some I've studied multiple non-affirming resources on this topic. I've studied multiple affirming resources on this topic. I've studied multiple non-affirming AND affirming resources on this topic. How do you identify? Straight; Gay or lesbian; Bisexual; Transgender; Queer; Questioning/unsure; Other Notice the last question has no option for "Heterosexual." A pamphlet, The Bible and Same-Sex Relationships, created by TRP, was distributed to attendees at the Northland Church event. TRP's executive director, Matthew Vines, also offered his book, God and the Gay Christian. The pamphlet distributed during the Northland Church event even states: "Christians can affirm the Bible and affirm same-sex relationships." It also contained "non-affirming messages" and "affirming messages," with the intent of persuading attendees to adopt the "affirming messages." Examples include the following: For "MARRIAGE" in Genesis 1-2 and Matthew 19:1-12, the non-affirming message is that every marriage in the Bible is heterosexual, and the affirming message is that marriage is about keeping covenant and same-sex couples can live that principle in their relationships. For "SODOM AND GORMORRAH" [sic] in Genesis 19, the non-affirming message is that the city was destroyed as punishment for their "attempted same-sex behavior." The affirming message is that the punishment had nothing to do with same-sex behavior or "romantic interest." For "THE LAW" in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, regarding same-sex behavior, the non-affirming message is that Christians should not engage in same-sex behavior. The affirming message is that Christ is the end of the law. For "SEXUAL EXCESS" in Romans 1:26-27, the non-affirming message is that the "Apostle Paul condemns same-sex behavior as 'shameful' and 'unnatural.'" The affirming message is that Romans only refers to "lustful same-sex behaviornot to loving, monogamous relationships." For "VICE LISTS" in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10, the non-affirming message is that Paul warns against "men who have sex with men." The affirming message is that these passages only refer to "lustful and exploitative forms of same-sex behavior." The event at Northland featured a panel with Hunter, Bishop Kelvin Cobaris, founding pastor of The Impact Church of Orlando, and Reverend Terri Steed Pierce, who is in a same-sex relationship and senior pastor of Joy Metropolitan Community Church. This was moderated by Amelia Markham, the Atlanta organizer for TRP, and the Q&A session was facilitated by Matthew Vines. The panel discussion and the Q&A session were not designed to address respectful dialogue but were designed to move the church to change doctrine and the Bible. "One would have to be blind or complicit to allow The Reformation Project to put on an LGBTQ propaganda presentation in church," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "The name and mission of the organization declare its purpose is to reform church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. The mission has nothing to do with dialogue but rather has everything to do with confusing Christians and distorting biblical and church teachings on human sexuality. As the leader of this influential church, Joel Hunter knowingly provided a platform to Matthew Vines and The Reformation Project to promote an overt LGBTQ agenda designed to confuse people and to 'reform church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity.' The survey questions and the pamphlet clearly reveal this agenda," said Staver. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Strange weather anomalies are sweeping across the world. Ice missiles in Bengladesh, spaghetti tornado and heavy winds in Mexico, high tidal waves in the Netherlands, high wall of sand in Khartoum. Its like a war. Huge ice bullets are destructig houses in Bengladesh on June 1, 2017: This spaghetti tornado swept across Chihuahua, Mexico on May 31, 2017 The wind was so strong in San Luis Potosi, Mexio, that a castle with children playing on it just flew away: A high tidal wave engulfed a beach Zandvoort in the Netherlands on May 29, 2017 The streets in Izmir in Turkey turned into raging rivers on May 30, 2017. A massive dust cloud known locally as a haboob has recently swept across the Sudanese capital, Khartoum on June 1, 2017: Did I forget another strange weather anomaly that happened in your area? Follow us: Facebook and Twitter A national charity providing free Feel Better workshops for people with cancer is visiting Mount Maunganui with its pop up centre today. As part of their On the Move New Zealand two-month road trip, non-profit organisation Look Good Feel Betters pop up centre will be located outside Bayfair Shopping Centre, from 10am. Last years On the Move tour saw LGFB travel more than 4000kms with its pop up centre, a repurposed shipping container, and conduct almost 300 workshops across the country for more than 3000 women. General manager Clare OHiggins saysthe 2017 tour revolves around LGFBs education hub, the launch of its mens programme, and capturing the stories of people living with cancer on film. More and more New Zealanders continue to suffer the physical side effects of cancer treatment and Look Good Feel Betters aim is to be there for them and help bring back a sense of normality and control during a time when diagnosis and treatment have taken over their lives. To have the opportunity to go On The Move again is something special for Look Good Feel Better. It allows us to reach the communities and pop up around New Zealand to share the workshops and let people know about what we do for people living with cancer. Making this years road trip extra special, a special film studio thats been set up inside the container where past and present LGFB participants, and anyone affected by cancer, will be able to tell their stories. And when the On the Move container hits Hamilton on June 30, LGFB will launch its mens programme thats tailored to blokes living with the physical effects of cancer. The mens programme is something we have wanted to do for a long time and were looking forward to doing something for the guys. The charity aim to provide enough local workshops so no participant has to travel more than 30 minutes to attend a session. While travel time might seem like a small thing, it significantly increases positivity and brings back their laughter and smiles, she adds. As a recent participant said to me, everything was amazing. The tutor, the volunteers, but the opportunity to connect with other women going through the same experience was incredible. Going through cancer treatment can feel very isolating but meeting other amazing women and getting pampered sure brings a smile to all our participants face. LGFBs pop up centre is run out of a repurposed shipping container which is transported for free around the country and has been fitted out inside with the help of sponsors, Mazda NZ, container specialists Royal Wolf, transport company PBT, and Canon New Zealand. Look Good Feel Betters pop up centre will be based outside Bayfair Shopping Centre in Mount Maunganui today, June 2, from 10am-3pm. For more information, visit www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.nz 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 Big changes are coming in the next five years to the Washougal, Kalama and Coweeman rivers plus Salmon and Rock creeks as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife responds to new federal requirements regarding hatchery-origin winter steelhead. The National Marine Fisheries Service issued a biological opinion in January calling for an end to the release of Chambers Creek-stock winter steelhead in the five Southwest Washington streams. Rock Creek is a small tributary of the Columbia in Skamania County. The Chambers Creek stock of winter steelhead originated in Puget Sound and was introduced into the Columbia Basin in the 1950s. The stock returns early in the winter (November-January). This month, the Department of Fish and Wildlife will release the last of about 200,000 Chambers Creek winter steelhead into the five streams. The biological opinion concluded that eliminating that stock would help protect the genetic integrity of wild steelhead populations, said Eric Kinne, hatchery division manager for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. We are committed to recovering wild salmon and steelhead populations, while providing sustainable fishing opportunities for anglers in the Columbia River Basin and throughout the state. Adults from the Chambers Creek stock will return during the next three winters. In 2018, the agency will replace those steelhead with young fish from local stocks. The department plans the following: Release a total of 135,000 Kalama-origin late winter steelhead into the Kalama River annually. That is an increase of 45,000 fish. Over the past two decades, the department has developed a late-returning hatchery stock of winter steelhead from fish originating in the Kalama River. Those steelhead return primarily in February, March and April. The department plans to develop an early-timed run from local fish, but that will take time. Release winter steelhead from Eagle Creek Hatchery on the Clackamas River in Oregon as a near-term replacement in the Washougal and Coweeman rivers, plus Rock Creek. Release Kalama late-stock winter steelhead into Salmon Creek in Clark County. Kinne said the plan for replacing the Chambers Creek fish will increase annual smolt plants by 50 percent but efforts to develop an early-timed run likely will take a decade or longer. Anglers will definitely miss that early winter steelhead fishery until we can establish an early run using local stocks, Kinne said. Plans also call for using Kalama-origin summer steelhead in the Kalama River, instead of Skamania stock summer steelhead, which originate from the Washougal River watershed. Change is also coming to hatchery salmon released as a result of the federal biological opinion. The changes will be phased in through 2022. The next phase focuses on salmon hatcheries in the Columbia River basin, establishing new requirements on the type, number and location of salmon released by hatcheries in Washington, Oregon and Idaho funded under the 1938 Mitchell Act. A provision of the biological opinion calls for reducing releases of tule fall chinook in Washington by 5.4 million young fish, partly to offset higher fish production in Oregon. Other requirements include installation of six new weirs at a cost of more than $1 million along with increased monitoring. The Mitchell Act was intended to compensate the Northwest states for impacts to salmon runs resulting from dams, water diversions, pollution and logging in the Columbia River basin. Under the new biological opinion, hatchery operations that do not comply with the new regulations risk losing federal funding. Kelly Cunningham, deputy assistant director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlifes fish program, said the changes envisioned under the new biological opinion require additional money. With additional support, we will not be able to achieve the goals set by NOAA Fisheries, and will be forced to reduce hatchery releases or halt production at some hatcheries altogether, Cunningham said. Trout season begins its six-month run at Swift Reservoir on Saturday, with 45,000 rainbow trout stocked to fuel fishing from now through November. The reservoir on Wednesday was within 4 feet of full pool, so launching at Swift Forest Camp will not be an issue. Spring chinook fishing opened today in the Lewis River and North Fork from the mouth to the power lines downstream of Merwin Dam. The daily limit is six hatchery chinook salmon, of which only one may be an adult. Angling is open for hatchery chinook and hatchery steelhead. The Klickitat River is open daily starting today from the mouth to Fisher Hill Bridge and from 400 feet upstream of No. 5 fishway to markers downstream of Klickitat Salmon Hatchery. The salmon limit is six hatchery chinook a day of which no more than two may be adults. In addition, up to three hatchery steelhead may be retained. Walleye fishing remains good in The Dalles and John Day pools, although has cooled from the exceptional catches of April and early May. Smallmouth bass also are biting well in the two reservoirs. Angler checks from the Washington and Oregon departments of Fish and Wildlife: Lower Columbia Columbia Gorge, downstream of Bonneville Dam, 15 bank rods with 83 shad kept and one shad released; two boaters with one sublegal sturgeon released. (ODFW) Mid-Columbia Bonneville pool, 16 bank rods with 59 shad kept and 48 released. (ODFW) The Dalles pool, 96 boaters with 370 walleye kept and 30 walleye released; three boaters with five sublegal and one oversize sturgeon released. (ODFW) John Day pool, 157 boaters with 588 walleye kept and 284 walleye released; one bank rod with three walleye kept; three boaters with five sublegal sturgeon released. (ODFW) Lower Willamette Downstream of St. Johns Bridge, including Multnomah Channel, 1,078 boaters with 86 spring chinook kept and 25 released. (ODFW) Cowlitz Sixty-six boat rods with 15 adult spring chinook, one jack chinook and one steelhead kept plus two cutthroat trout released; 214 bank rods with 32 adult spring chinook, one jack chinook and one steelhead kept plus one adult chinook and four cutthroat trout released. (WDFW) Last week, the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery fish separator got 854 adult spring chinook, 54 jacks, 10 winter steelhead, 17 summer steelhead and one cutthroat trout. Water visibility in the Cowlitz at Mayfield Dam is 8 feet. Kalama Four bank rods with one wild spring chinook released; six boaters with one hatchery spring chinook kept. (WDFW) Wind Ten bank rods with three adult and one jack spring chinook kept; 269 boat rods with 106 adult spring chinook and 12 jack chinook kept plus two adult spring chinook, three jacks and one steelhead released. (WDFW) Drano Lake Ten bank rods with no catch; 426 boaters with 141 adult spring chinook, 24 jack chinook and one steelhead kept plus five adult chinook and a jack released. (WDFW) Klickitat Twenty-seven bank rods with 20 adult and one jack spring chinook kept plus three steelhead and an adult chinook released. The first thing you need to know about tigers: They like to eat bears. The second thing: Theyre best studied in Missoula, Montana. Despite being half a planet away from the nearest wild tiger habitat, experts from Bhutan, China and Russia have come to the University of Montana to sharpen their wildlife biology skills. In early May, Tshering Tempa became the first student from Bhutan to complete a doctoral degree at UM. Dina Matiukhina is a senior research biologist at the Land of the Leopard National Park near Vladivostok studying Amur tigers and Amur leopards (a big cat even more endangered than tigers). And Wenhong Xiao is a post-doctoral researcher just across the border monitoring the Amur tigers that prowl between China and Russia. Despite combined decades of tiger studies, Tempa, Mathiukina and Xiao have seen just two wild tigers in their collective careers. Thanks to the innovation of camera traps, theyve documented thousands of images of tiger behavior and population change. And thats occasionally revealed how close they are to the predator they never see. I came to check a camera trap, and saw a paw print, Tempa said of one occasion. When we checked the pictures, we saw we were 30 seconds apart. Mathiukina logged both of the personal sightings, but agreed the scariest tigers are the ones she cant see. She once found tiger tracks in the snow near one of her cameras that went from walking to leaping indicating the 400-pound cat changed behavior because of her presence. It was the most stressful moment in my life, Mathiukina recalled. I was swearing loudly, following the tracks in the snow, banging sticks together. Tigers prey mainly on local deer species and wild pigs, but UM wildlife biology professor Mark Hebblewhite said biologists have confirmed they regularly attack bears. In Russia's Far East forests, that includes the big, salmon-eating bears similar to North American grizzlies, said Hebblewhite, who has worked extensively with the multinational tiger crew. Bhutan has only recently become recognized as a place with productive tiger habitat. Thanks to Tempas investigations, the Himalayan nation just east of India and Nepal can document between 90 and 103 tigers. India has more tigers in total, but few places with more than 50 in one community. Thats important to ensure good genetic diversity and avoid in-breeding. Russia has about 520 tigers in its Far East regions. China has about 30, up from just six a decade ago. Preserving tigers in places where ever-increasing numbers of humans reside means different things in different places. In Russia, a tradition of hunting makes them the ultimate trophy. In China, tiger poaching feeds a booming black market for traditional medicines and status symbols. In Bhutan, a predominantly Buddhist nation, strong prohibitions against killing clash with farmers need to defend herds and flocks from predation. All that gets complicated by the relatively small body of knowledge available on tigers. Tempa raised many eyebrows when his tracking surveys showed one tiger traveling from the Bhutan lowlands a few hundred feet above sea level to mountainsides almost 15,000 feet up. Xiao contends with the social upheaval accompanying the Chinese governments creation of a 3.7-million-acre national park dedicated to tiger preservation that resulted in the displacement of thousands of human residents. It can be very hard to work with people, Mathiukina said. The scientific world is happy to have tigers. But how do you explain the need to kill tigers in order to control their numbers? Most Russians arent Buddhist. We have a strong hunting culture, while China doesnt. So why come to Montana? Because Montana has deep roots in tiger studies. Big Hole Valley ranchers son John Seidensticker was the first person to successfully trap and radio-collar a wild tiger, after training on mountain lions and grizzly bears with famous UM biologists John Craighead and Morris Hornacker, along with Siberian tiger expert Dale Miquelle. Years of experience with charismatic megafauna and human interaction make UM a natural place for similar research. UMs wildlife biology program is well-versed in the techniques of population estimation, DNA analysis, and predator-prey dynamics that explain how a species thrives or fades in its environment. Those methods are in demand anywhere a major predator clings to the edge of growing human community. On his office wall at UM, Hebblewhite has a copy of a Roman mosaic depicting a tiger, recalling how the ancient empire used to import the cats for gladiator battles in the Coliseum. Tigers once roamed the mountains of Greece and Turkey, as well as the jungles of Java and Laos. Today, theyve been eliminated from 93 percent of their historic range, just as grizzly bears have in North America. If you can successfully trap and immobilize an 800-pound grizzly bear, you have portable skills, said Hebblewhite. We dont know much about tigers, but we know how to catch things. And the methods have come together here for the science we need to count both bears and tigers. Elk Kids Fish Frolic at Martin Dock The 67th Annual Kelso-Longview Elks Kids Fish Frolic takes place from 8 a.m. to noon June 17 at Martin Dock at Lake Sacajawea. The free event is for children from 1 to 14 years old and will be divided into five age groups and five fishing categories. Participants are asked to bring their own fishing poles, tackle and bait. Prizes will be awarded at 1 p.m. For details, call Mike Larson at 360-846-7414. June 24: Kids free fishing at Goose Lake On June 24, the annual Kids Fishing Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Goose Lake along Gifford Pinchot National Forest road No. 60. The event is for youth age 14 and younger. Anglers are encouraged to bring their own gear and tackle, although some loaner rods, tackle and free bait will be available. Volunteers will mentor the young fishermen, including how to clean trout. Parking at Goose Lake is very limited, so carpooling is advised. For more information, call Stephanie Caballero at 509-395-3419. The fishing events are being provided by the U.S. Forest Service. This is the fourth of our Standout Grad profiles. The series runs Wednesday through Sunday until June 11. Ashely Sanchez knows her own mind. She claims to be shy. But when she talks about issues that are important to her, the Toutle Lake High School senior's eyes widen and her hands gesture wildly. Ashely was born in Morelia, a city in southern Mexico, but she moved to the Long Beach Peninsula when she was 8-years-old. Since she arrived at Toutle Lake in ninth grade, Ashely has left an impression on her teachers as mature and dedicated. Some people dont find themselves until way later on, and I think I was really lucky to find myself very early on in my life, Ashely said. Obviously theres always more growth to do, but I think, for high school, Im well off right now. James Dillhoff, Ashelys AP English teacher, said her writing reflects a dedication to social justice issues. Our first conversation centered on how much Bernie Sanders message has resonated with Ashely and how much work she has done on this campaign, Dillhoff said. Thats where I first saw her passion. One way Ashely has grown as an individual was through the Prevention Team, a high school group that raises awareness about drugs, alcohol and suicide. The team talks to classes, leads field trips and organizes assemblies. Ashely points to a time when the group had to plan a dance in one day as an example of pushing herself. Sometimes, I think I dont work good under pressure, Ashely said. But then I think of times like those where Im like, I can do it. Dont be scared to do it. " Ashely said her mom, who runs a trucking company with her dad, also motivates her to take advantage of academic opportunities. While she was reluctant to talk about specific details of her mom's life, Ashely said her mom made her the woman she is today. (My mom) had a really rough background and she didnt really have the opportunity of education, Ashely said. She really loved school. She was like, You have to appreciate that you have free education and you have to take advantage of it. And shes right. I dont know how lucky I am because Ive always had everything that she didnt have. Despite her moms protective nature, Ashely is excited to leave the cocoon when she attends Central Washington University in Vancouver. Shes sheltered me a lot from the world because shes seen so much and shes scared that Im going to see the same things that shes seen, Ashely said. I need to go far so I can learn to be more independent and I can do things on my own without my mom being there, helping me. Ashely is undecided about what she wants to study in college. Right now her major is business, but she is more interested in politics. She and her mom campaigned for Bernie Sanders during last year's presidential primaries. They went to a Mexican store in Longview to put up posters and talk to people in Spanish about the candidates. A lot of people that could vote didnt go and vote and Im like, What are you doing? This is the future. You gotta go vote. " Ashely said. If you say your vote doesnt matter, and this guy says his vote doesnt matter and all these people say their vote doesnt matter, if they voted together it would matter. Dillhoff said politics and business are just a few of the many different careers paths that Ashely could choose. She is a remarkable young lady, Dillhoff said. I have no doubt that she will be a very successful adult because she has that maturity. You can tell that shes a kid that gets it. Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce passed out 14 awards recognizing local educational, business and nonprofit leaders at its annual Pillars of Strength & Crystal Apple Business & Education award ceremony recently. At the ceremony, the chamber also awarded a total of $19,000 to 14 different deserving high school seniors through its Education Foundation Committee and its Lower Columbia Professionals Committee. A Cowlitz County judge handed Millennium Bulk Terminals and Northwest Alloys a small early win Wednesday in its challenge to the states denial of an aquatic lands lease for the proposed Longview coal dock. At a preliminary hearing, Judge Stephen Warning agreed to Millenniums request break the upcoming case into two parts: In the first part, Warning will decide on the scope of the case and lay the framework for the types of arguments the parties can make. In the second part, Warning will decide on whether the state Department of Natural Resources acted legally when it denied Millennium a sublease it needs to build its $680 million coal dock at the old Reynolds Metals aluminum site. Millennium wants to build a second dock on state aquatic lands already leased by Northwest Alloys. The companies had spent several years trying to get DNR to approve a sublease for the riverfront property, but former Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark denied their request days before leaving office in January. In a letter explaining his decision, Goldmark argued that Northwest Alloys and Millennium failed to provide enough information about Millenniums finances and about Millenniums new sole owner, Lighthouse Resources. Goldmark also cast doubt on Millenniums financial viability in the wake of volatile coal markets and the bankruptcy of its former part-owner, Arch Coal. However, Goldmark did not cite any environmental concerns with the project. Northwest Alloys and Millennium want to limit the scope of the case to the issues Goldmark raised in his letter. But DNR wants to draw on all of its records leading up to Goldmarks decision, which includes six banker boxes full of paperwork. And a trio of environmental groups Columbia Riverkeeper, Sierra Club and the Washington Environmental Council, who are intervening in the case in support of Department of National Resources want the court to consider the environmental issues that may have played into Goldmarks decision, too. DNR argued that dividing the case in two would unfairly limit the scope of its arguments and unnecessarily complicate the case. But Warning agreed with Millennium and Northwest Alloys that determining the scope of the case in a separate hearing would help to make the case more efficient overall. Also at issue is whether the DNR should be treated like a private party landlord in a normal real estate contract, or whether different standards should apply because it is a state agency managing public lands. Millennium and Northwest Alloys had wanted Warning to include that issue in the first part of the case, too, but Warning said he could decide on the issue later. The next hearing is slated for July 28, with the more substantive part of the case to be heard in late October. Millenniums proposal to build one of the biggest coal terminals in North America is hotly debated. Environmentalists argue the terminal would exacerbate climate change by increasing the global supply of coal and generating 2 million metric tons greenhouse gas emissions annually. They also worry about potential for health risks tied to coal dust and diesel particulate matter from trains carrying the coal to the project site. Proponents say coal dust and diesel emissions would be controlled. They also say the project would offer a much-needed economic boost to the region by creating 1,000 construction jobs, 130 permanent jobs and $5.2 million in annual state and local taxes. The state Department of Ecology recently completed a final environmental review of the project and the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers will release its own final environmental review later this year. Chinese Internet company Baidu announced two separate partnership deals on Thursday with top German auto suppliers Robert Bosch and Continental AG to co-develop autonomous driving technology and smart mobility services. The two deals underscore the wave of global partnerships being formed in the fast-moving autonomous vehicle sector, which requires both the competencies of traditional auto suppliers and those of technology companies seasoned in artificial intelligence, robotics and other highly technical software. The collaborations also point to the importance of partnerships between Western carmakers and automotive suppliers and companies based in China, the largest automotive market in the world. China issued a self-driving "roadmap" last year, aiming to have highly or fully autonomous vehicles for sale as early as 2021. Also on Thursday, Daimler and its Chinese joint venture partner BAIC Motor Corporation agreed to upgrade the Mercedes-Benz factory in Beijing to make electric cars. Baidu and Bosch will explore business models and accelerate the commercialization of technologies, Baidu said in a statement. The cooperation "will give the Chinese automotive industry a voice in the development of core technologies of automated driving," Baidu said. Continental, which announced its partnership with Baidu on Wednesday, said both partners intend to develop technologies, products and business models that will provide solutions for automated driving, connected vehicles and intelligent mobility services. In April, Bosch said it was working with Baidu and domestic mapping firms AutoNavi - owned by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd - and NavInfo Co. on mapping projects for self-driving cars. Baidu said on Thursday that it would continue to work with more manufacturers through cooperative models. Reuters Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced the rollout of the first 2017 Jeep Compass SUV in India from join-venture facility in Pune. This is one of the four locations (globally) where the new 2017 Jeep Compass SUV will be manufactured. The FCA's Ranjangaon manufacturing plant will be special because it will be the company's only RHD plant in the world, one that will also cater to export demands. The plant as per the report has been set up with a total investment of $280 million with a new paint facility. The rollout of the plant was attended by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, FCA COO Paul Alcala, FCA India president and MD Kevin Flynn, Gurpratap Boparai, CEO, FIAPL and Girish Bapat, guardian minister, Pune. The 2017 Jeep Compass was unveiled in India in April 2017. For now the introductory price is expected to be set to Rs 16 lakh. The SUV features a brand new design compared to the old model and features a 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol engine that delivers about 160 PS and 250 Nm. The diesel option delivers 170 PS and 350 Nm. Both engines are literally futureproof when it comes to compliance. Both are BS-IV compliant and can be scaled up to meet BS-VI as well and are mated to a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed automatic for the petrol models. The SUV offers a multitude of drive options with features like Jeep Active Drive, Selec Terrain Traction management system and more. tech2 News Staff Google is planning to build an ad-blocker inside Google Chrome starting next year. The company detailed that the ad-blocker will work as a quality filter to ensure that websites are more responsible while adding advertisements by ensuring that the ads are not annoying or intrusive to the users. According to a report by The Verge, the company is planning to clean up the internet as the number of websites that bombard users with annoying advertisements has increased significantly over the years. The company clarified that it will not block all the ads. Instead, it will only block the ads that are not following a fixed standard for the ads. The interesting thing to note here is that the company will also block the advertisements offered by Google itself that dont meet the standard. The report confirms that the blocker will work on desktop as well as mobile. It is providing publishers with a tool so that they can check if their websites meet the standards or not. Coalition for Better Ads, a group that consists of Google, News Corp, The Washington Post and Facebook is responsible for determining what ads meet the standards. The thing to note here is that even though this is a good move on part of Google to ensure that web publishers are providing a good experience to users which will lead to decrease in the instances of mass-ad blocking. But, this will also give Google an incredible amount of power on what kind of advertisements are acceptable and available on the internet extending its dominance over the online advertising space. tech2 News Staff The Nokia 6 released in select markets in January, and is not available in most places. The Nokia 3 and 5 are expected to launch in June 2017. Android O is expected in the third quarter of 2017, and was announced by Google at the 2017 I/O conference. However, HMD Global has confirmed to Techradar that Android O will be available on the Nokia 3, 5 and 6. The smartphones are made by the independent Finnish company HMD Global, which has licensed the rights to use the Nokia brand name from Microsoft, for a period of ten years. An HMD spokesperson has indicated that in the same way that the Nokia smartphones from HMD get monthly Android security releases, the end users will get the updated version of the OS as soon as Google makes it available to their OEM partners. The Nokia 3, 5 and 6 run an almost stock version of the Android OS, and the update from Nougat to O should be easier because of that. The roll out of updates to Android devices made by other manufacturers has been a painstakingly slow process so far thanks to customisations and additional hardware-related features added to stock Android software. If HMD manages to rollout Android O as fast as they claim they will, users of the Nokia smartphones will be among the first to get the latest version of the operating system. The most exciting product expected from HMD is the Nokia 9, which was spotted on Geekbench towards the end of May. The phone could pack in a phenomenal 8 GB of RAM. tech2 News Staff Bing, the search engine by Microsoft has teamed up with CBSE to make it easier for students to access the Class 10 board results. All you need to do to check the results is to go to Bing and use the search terms CBSE Class 10 Results, or CBSE Results or CBSE. Bing will provide a search box in the results which will ask you to enter the CBSE Examination Roll number along with other details as reported by Business Standard. The search engine will present you with the result after you click Submit. One thing to note here is that this is not the only way to check CBSE board results. Users can check the results by going to the official websites provided by CBSE in addition to the IVR and SMS services to check the results. Students can navigate to www.cbse.nic.in, www.cbseresults.nic.in to check the results on the official websites. Tata Teleservices users can call on 54321223, MTNL subscribers can call on 011-28127030, 011-24357276, Airtel users can call on 54321202 and Idea Cellular subscribers can call on 55530 to use the IVR facility to check the results. For accessing the results on SMS, students can SMS cbse 12 rollnumber without quotes while replacing the rollnumber with your actual roll number to 9212357123, a number provided by NIC to get your results. CBSE Class 10 results are the most important examination results for the students before college. The board has not announced the exact date of the results. Reports by different publications were speculation at the result being posted today but it turns out that the results will have to wait another day. This is not the first time that Microsoft is teaming up with CBSE to provide the results for the Board examinations. The company announced a similar team up with the board last year to make it easier for Class 12 and Class 10 students to access their results using the search engine. Microsoft teamed up with a number of education boards across India to give easy access to examination results. hidden By T V Venkateswaran Inspired by theoretical predictions made by an Indian astronomer, an international group of scientists led by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and California Institute of Technology have launched a major project to study and understand clouds and weather in the atmosphere of exoplanets and brown drafts spread across the universe. The predictions relate to polarisation of light from exoplanets. Sujan Sengupta, senior a scientist at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, had made theoretical predictions in collaboration with Mark S.Marley of NASAs Ames Research Centre at California. Now an international team is planning to study atmosphere of exoplanets based on their method using the 200-inch Hale Telescope of Palomar Observatory in California. Polarisation is a potent method for determining what is in a planets atmosphere. Scientists had detected the presence of sulphuric acid in the atmosphere of Venus by using this method. Explaining polarisation, Prof. Sengupta said, let us take a beam of radiation. When it traverses through a medium, it interacts with the material of the medium and carries the information of the medium to a detector. Light emitted by sun, stars, candle flame are all unpolarised to start with. But, when they are reflected by, say water bodies, they become partially polarised in the direction parallel to its surface. Likewise, starlight bouncing off an exoplanet could be partially polarised and this could be used to understand their atmosphere. He and Marley have developed a novel technique to exploit polarisation of light from brown dwarfs and exoplanets to understand their atmosphere. The two have theorised that unpolarised starlight would become wee bit linearly polarised, with its electric field aligned in one plane, when it bounces off particles in the atmosphere of exoplanets. Thus if a distant star shows net polarisation it would be a telltale sign of the presence of an exoplanet with sufficient cloud cover. Further, they have predicted that the method could also be used to detect various characteristics of the exoplanet, such as shape of the planet, density of the clouds, chemical composition of the atmosphere and periodicity of its self-rotation. If the exoplanet is perfectly circular net polarisation would be zero since polarisation averaged over the surface of a perfectly round object would tend to cancel itself out. On the other hand, if the exoplanet is spinning very fast, like say, Jupiter, then its shape would be oblate, that is non-spherical pumpkin-shaped and thus, polarisation averaged over its surface would not cancel out. The residual polarisation will give non-zero value. Their technique could also help predict if there is an exoplanet with an exomoon orbiting it. For, when a large natural satellite or exomoon transits a planet, a tiny bit of its surface would be blocked from view. The polarisation from this eclipsed area would not be available for the averaging, resulting in asymmetry leading to a non-zero value. The fluctuation of the non-zero value of the polarisation would be the significant evidence and indicate the periodicity of the exomoon orbiting the host exoplanet. The new technique is expected to be of particular use in detecting exoplanets with lesser mass, such as Earth-sized planets, which are difficult to detect through existing means. In addition, astronomers could use this innovative method detect extrasolar planets that have highly elliptical orbits, which are unable to make their host star wobble or blink by transiting in front of them. Dr. Sengupta had predicted that light of brown dwarf, a stellar body that is at least 17000 times heavier than Earth, but not massive enough to become a star, should be polarized, because it had silicon cloud. This was subsequently confirmed through observations and now it is known that 95% of the brown dwarfs are polarized. Besides this project, the proposed TMT (Thirty Meter Telescope) will also have a sensitive polarimeter for exoplanet research. It is being designed and developed by Indian astronomers. Sengupta is a member of the TMTs International Science Development Team for Exoplanets research. Sengupta says polarimeter proposed will also be used in characterising and detecting exoplanets and exomoon. Dimitri Mawet of Caltech, who is leading the international team, says that they are proposing to commission high precision near-infrared imaging low-resolution spectro-polarimeter for the 200-inch Hale telescope on Mt Palomar to study the composition, morphology, and dynamics of the scattering clouds of exoplanets. The team includes Indian astronomer, A.N. Ramaprakash of The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune. The research team includes Heather Knutson, Rebecca Oppenheimer, Ricky Nilsson, Gautam Vasisht, Eugene Serabyn, Kaew Tinyamont, Ming Zhao, Pushkar Kopparla, Suniti Sanghavi, Richard Dekany, Roger Smith and Dave Hale. India Science Wire IANS Samsung India on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to open two more technical training schools and to renew the partnership for 10 existing schools being run across the country. As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the technology giant will open two new MSME-Samsung Technical Schools in Bengaluru and Jamshedpur, the company said in a statement. "We are committed to creating an industry-ready workforce and provide industry-oriented skills to our youth under the Skill India programme. Samsung has been a valuable partner in our quest to create a vast pool of talent," Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for MSME, said in a statement. Reinforcing its commitment to the government's "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign, Samsung also announced the MSME-Samsung Technical School Scholarship programme for girls and differently-abled trainees. A Meritorious Reward Programme for toppers at these institutes has also been launched. Under the MSME-Samsung Technical School Scholarship programme, 1,000 girls and differently-abled trainees, who have successfully completed the basic course, will be given a scholarship of up to Rs 20,000. The toppers among Samsung Technical School students will also be given a reward of Rs 20,000."The government, with its Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana', has been trying to generate awareness about various welfare schemes for girls in the country," Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing, said. Under the MSME-Samsung Technical School Scholarship programme, 1,000 girls and differently-abled trainees, who have successfully completed the basic course, will be given a scholarship of up to Rs 20,000. The toppers among Samsung Technical School students will also be given a reward of Rs 20,000. "The government, with its Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana', has been trying to generate awareness about various welfare schemes for girls in the country," Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing, said. Meanwhile, H.C. Hong, President and CEO of Samsung Southwest Asia, said: "Samsung is proud to help impart technical skills to the youth of this country. Our collaboration with the Ministry of MSME has enabled us to tap the potential of youth and make them job-ready with the help of the Samsung Technical School initiative." Before fixing liabilities wrong doers be served with show cause notice (From previous issue) : 19. In the same vain, reliance may be placed to an unreported decision passed in writ petition no 10201 of 2015 dated 25-7-2016 in the case of Tangen Agro Limited vs National Board of Revenue in where the Court took a similar observing that, before issuing a demand notice for short levied duties, the petitioner should have been given show cause notice though there has been no provision to that effect in Section 83A of the Act. 20. Over the same point, another bench of this court also held the similar view with regard to the provision of Section 83 A while disposing of a series of writ petitions being no Writ Petition No. 1681 of 2011 and many others by its judgment dated 8-5-2013. 21. Over and above, there has been a universal maxim "Audi Alreram parem "which denotes, no one can be punished unheard. This very maxim has been originated from the watershed Judgment delivered in the case of University of Dhaka vs Zakir Ahmed reported in 16 DLR (SC) 722. 22. The above ratio has subsequently been adopted in the case of Sheikh Ali Ahamed vs the Secretary, Ministry of Home affairs so reported in 40 DLR (AD) 170, in the case of Habibullah Khan vs Shah Ajharuddin Ahmed reported in 35 DLR (AD) 72 and in the case of Hamidul Huq Chowdhury vs Bangladesh reported in 33 DLR (HC) 381 fortifying the above principle of doing natural justice. Certainly, in view of above consistent views so taken by our Hon'ble Appellate Division we cannot simply deviate from such principle but to adhere to it strictly. 23. Now, reverting to the instant writ petition what we find that though in section 32 of the Customs Act there has been provision for giving prior notice to the importer before imposing any penalty for providing untrue declaration or statement with regard to goods they imported but similar provision has not been incorporated in section 83A though under the said provision the importer/petitioner is being asked to pay additional amount in the name of short levy which palpably creates discrimination among the same c1"ss of person making two distinct provision in the above two sections i.e. in section 32 and 83A of the same Act. 24. As a matter of fact, on bare reading of the impugned demand notice we find that no imputation has been leveled against the petitioner on account of alleged short levy for de-classification of HS code. So question may certainly crop-up as to why the petitioner would bear the brunt of the additional duties after a considerable period of its assessment and release by the Respondent even claiming to have done 100% physical examination on the said goods. And for that obvious reason, a show cause notice should be issued prior to make final demand to fix the liabilities of the person or persons involved in such wrongdoing. 25. Be that as it may, since the judgment so passed by our Hon'ble Appellate Division is law and binding upon this court and all other courts of the country under Article 111 of the Constitution, so the Respondent has got no authority to violate the decision so settled by the Hon'ble Appellate Division. 26. Regard being had to the above settled proposition, whole that, the respective Respondent will bring in necessary amendment to section 83A of the Act authorising the Custom authority to issue a show cause notice prior to making final demand on account of I short levy, if charged and if it is so legislated the Government in one hand would be able to realise its due Customs duties and other charges free from all legal complexities and on the other hand, the importer would get the opportunity to make their defence in an effective manner. 27. In view of the discussion and observation made here in above and that of the decisions of our Hon'ble Appellate Division as well as High Court Division we are of the view that, the Respondent was liable to issue a show cause notice before serving the impugned demand. In the given context, we find considerable substance in the Rule. 29. The impugned demand notice so issued on 4-5-2016 by the Respondent No. 1 vide nothi No.5-Cus(728) non-PSI/ Aam:/ICD /Group-8/2013 is hereby declared to have been passed without any lawful authority and is of no legal effect. Let a copy of this Judgment and order be communicated to the Chairman, National Board of Revenue as well as the Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Internal Resources Division, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka at once for their guidance and necessary action in the light of the observation made in the body of this Judgment. (Concluded) Russia has never been involved in election hacking: Putin Vladmir Putin said it\'s possible that Russia could have been framed by hackers from others. PTI, St Petersburg : Russian President Vladimir Putin today rejected suggestions that elections anywhere could be manipulated by hackers, and denied that his government had ever done it or would do so. He, however, conceded that some "patriotic" individuals could have carried out cyber-attacks in the West to pay back for what he said was its "Russo-phobic hysteria." "If they have patriotic leanings, they may try to add their contribution to the fight against those who speak badly about Russia," he said during an exclusive interaction with editors of international news agencies. "Theoretically it's possible." But he quickly distanced himself from suggestions that the Russian state was involved in election hacking. "We never engaged in that on a state level, and have no intention of doing so," he said when asked if Russian hackers could try to influence the German parliamentary elections later this year. Russian hacking of elections has been at the centre of a controversy since the US elections that gave Donald Trump the presidency. US intelligence agencies accuse Russia of hacking into Democratic Party emails, helping Trump win against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Putin said that in any case hackers cannot possibly sway election outcomes because the electorate is not so easily manipulated. "I'm deeply convinced that no hackers can radically influence another country's election campaign. No hackers can influence election campaigns in any country of Europe, Asia or America," he said. He said it's also possible that Russia could have been framed by hackers from other countries. "I can imagine that some do it deliberately, staging a chain of attacks in such a way as to cast Russia as the origin of such an attack," Putin said. "Modern technologies allow that to be done quite easily." President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that patriotic Russian hackers may have staged cyber attacks against countries that had strained relations with Moscow on their own initiative, but said the Russian state had never been involved in such hacking. Putin, speaking to international media at an economic forum in St Petersburg, was answering a question about allegations Moscow might try to interfere in this year's German elections. Moscow's attitude towards cyber crime is under intense scrutiny after U.S. intelligence officials alleged that Russian hackers had tried to help Republican Donald Trump win the White House, something Russia has flatly denied. "If they (hackers) are patriotically-minded, they start to make their own contribution to what they believe is the good fight against those who speak badly about Russia. Is that possible? Theoretically it is possible," said Putin. Business community, politicians hail new proposed budget Chittagong Bureau : The people of chittagong irrespective of opinions and political affiliations welcomed the new proposed national budget instantly after announcement before the Jatiya sangsad. Awami league and its front organizations brought out processions hailing the ever largest national budget. The procession led by former city Mayor A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury started from the city's Darul Fazal market and ended at the same venue after parading different important city streets. However opposition BNP did not make any formal reaction about the budget. BNP and its front bodies did not comment over the budget instantly. Economists, entrepreneurs and leaders of different political parties hailed the just announced proposed budget for the fiscal 2017-2018 terming it as a pragmatic and development-oriented. This budget aims at turning the country into a middle-income one by 2021, they commented. In an instant reaction to media , President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industries (CCCI) Mahbubul Alam termed the just announced budget for fiscal 2017-2018 as a business, investment-friendly and said it is for the wellbeing of the common people. A total of 45 percent increase in allocation for energy sector as compared to last year, the government seems to be really pushing for the development of power and energy sector with a gross increase of allocation in this sector for the next fiscal, he said. "There are a lot of new programmes, incorporated in the budget to cope with the present tougher economic situation and industrialization", he added. He thanked the finance minister for accepting most of the proposals of CCCI including reduction of tax on imported raw materials for domestic industries. "The allocation in power, IT, education, health, food security, environment, ship building industries and human resources sectors got proper allocation", he added. He also thanked the finance minister for allocation for construction of flyovers in Chittagong, 16.5 Kilometer-long elevated expressway and Dohazari-Gundum rail line project. He also demanded reduction of the percentage of VAT to 10 or 12 from the proposed 15. President of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries Monowara Hakim Ali said the direct and indirect allocation of 28 percent of the total budget for development of women will contribute epoch making role in the days to come. SEU School of Business Studies holds orientation program Mamun Rashid, Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bangladesh and Former Managing Director of Citibank NA attends an orientation program of the newly admitted students of MBA (Friday) of Summer Semester 2017 under the School of Business Studies of Campus Report : An orientation program of the newly admitted students of MBA (Friday) of Summer Semester 2017 under the School of Business Studies (SBS) of Southeast University (SEU) was held recently at the Seminar hall, SEU main building, Banani in the capital. Maj Gen Kazi Fakhruddin Ahmed, SPP, psc (Retd), Registrar of SEU welcomed newly enrolled students. Prof Dr Md. Hamid Ullah Bhuiyan, Director of MBA programs gave an introduction of MBA Friday program and introduced respective faculty members to the students. Vice Chancellor of SEU Prof Dr ANM Meshquat Uddin chaired the session while Mamun Rashid, Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bangladesh and Former Managing Director of Citibank NA was present at the program as Chief Guest. Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor of SEU and Chief Guest welcomed the students with their inspiring words. Among others, Dr Mehe Zebunnesa Rahman, Director of BBA Program, faculty members of SBS, newly enrolled students were present at the program. Oath Taking Camp of DIU Air Rover Scout Prof Enamul Haque Khan, Commissioner, Dhaka District Rover Scout is seen at the inaugural ceremony of \'6th Oath Taking Camp 2017\' of Daffodil International University held at the permanent campus of the University at Ashulia, Savar on Wednesday. Campus Report : A three daylong '6th Oath Taking Camp 2017' for newly enrolled rovers of Daffodil International University (DIU) Air Rover Scout Group began on Wednesday at permanent campus of the university at Ashulia, Savar. The camp will continue till Friday. The camp included training, oath taking ceremony, social awareness and development program and grand campfire. Prof Enamul Haque Khan, Commissioner, Dhaka District Rover Scout and Vice Principal, Government Titutmir College inaugurated the camp as the chief guest. Presided over by Md Anowar Habib Kazal, Treasurer, DIU Air Rover Scout Group and Sr Assistant Director (Public Relations), DIU, the inaugural ceremony was also addressed by Rover Scout Leader Farhana Rahman Setu, PRS, Shaiful Islam Khan, RSL, DIU Air Rover Scout Group and S M Salauddin Morsalin,program chief of the camp. A total 40 of Rovers including three Rover Scout Leaders are participated in this Camp. It may be mentioned that this is for the first time in the history of Private Universities of Bangladesh to introduce Rover Movement at Daffodil International University. The Oath Taking Ceremony was conducted by Nusrat jahan, Rover Mate, DIU Air Rover Unit. Prof Enamul Haque Khan said, Oath Taking Camp is very important and historical event for a scout, which inspire rovers to engage them in scouting through self adaption of mind. He advised the rovers to maintain and follow the rules and ideas of Baden Powell to create a beautiful world. He appreciated the recent activities done by the Rovers of DIU and suggested to keep up the speed. He also said, introducing Rover Movement at the university, Daffodil International University has set an example to be followed by other private universities. Denmark to help set up 9 trauma counseling centers City Desk : The Danish government will provide assistance for setting up 9 One Stop Crisis Centers, 7 One Stop Crisis Cells and 9 Trauma Counseling Centers to provide legal and medical care and counseling for abused women and children. A memorandum of understanding in this respect was signed between Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Nasima Begum and Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mikael Hemniti Winther in presence of State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Ministry Meher Afroz Chumki at her ministry. Under the agreement, the Danish government will provide 24 million Danish kroner equivalent to Taka 27.60 crore to implement the project. The project is expected to provide access to services of women and children who are victims of torture and to reduce persecution of women and children in the future. Meher Afroz Chumki thanked the Danish government for continuously supporting Bangladesh and urged the women to further strengthen their economic empowerment. Nasima Begum said the government is working relentlessly to prevent violence against women and children. The government has launched a kind of mobile app to protect women. Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh welcomed the initiatives of Bangladesh government to empower women. He said it would be possible to stop the oppression of women when a safe society was established for women. Meanwhile, a multi-sectoral program (4th) is being implemented for the prevention of women's repression with the joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Denmark government. The main objective of this project is to reduce violence and strengthen the service activities for women and children through coordinated efforts of various ministries and non-government organizations. Under this project, one-stop crisis centers in eight medical college hospitals, 40 district Sadar Hospitals and 20 Upazila Health Complexes and divisional DNA screening laboratories are providing services for women and children suffering from torture. National Helpline Centre for Violence against Women and Children, a helpline centre, is providing immediate service for victims and links up to relevant agencies. The helpline number is 109. It is a toll free number and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is accessible from all parts of Bangladesh and all beneficiaries can make call from both fixed phone and mobile phone. It's a confidential service that offers legal advice, police assistance, telephone counseling, referrals to other organizations service, information regarding violence issues. Hefajat-e-Islam Bangladesh, Dhaka Mahanagar organised a rally in front of Baitul Mokarram National Mosque on Friday in protest against replacement of statue of Greek Goddess on the Supreme Court premises. World leaders vow to defend climate pact AFP : Paris - World leaders reacted with anger and defiance after President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the United States, the world's second biggest carbon emitter, was quitting the 2015 Paris climate agreement. With France's Emmanuel Macron taking the lead, they lashed Trump's decision as misguided and vowed to defend an accord they portrayed as crucial for the planet's future. In an exceptional step, continental Europe's three biggest economies - Germany, France and Italy - issued a joint statement to criticise Trump's move and slap away his offer of renegotiating the deal. "We note the United States' decision with regret," they said, describing the carbon-curbing accord as "a vital tool for our planet, our societies and our economies." "We are firmly convinced that the agreement cannot be renegotiated," they added, referring to Trump's announcement that Washington was open to negotiating a new agreement. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump to express his disappointment at the decision, but said he was inspired by "the growing momentum around the world to combat climate change and transition to clean growth economies". Mexican ministers said the world had a "moral imperative" to live up to the commitments made in the Paris climate pact, while Brazil's foreign ministry said it was concerned and disappointed by Washington's move. Venezuela and Argentina also denounced the decision. Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who will serve as president of UN climate talks in Germany later this year, labelled Trump's announcement "deeply disappointing". "While the loss of America's leadership is unfortunate, this is a struggle that is far from over," he said. In unusually strong comments, Japanese environment minister Koichi Yamamoto said: "It's as if they've turned their back on the wisdom of humanity. "In addition to being disappointed, I'm also angry." In France, the Elysee presidential palace said newly elected leader Macron had phoned Trump to say that "nothing was negotiable" in the Paris agreement. France and the United States "would continue to work together," but not on climate change, it said. In a TV broadcast made both in French and English, Macron said he believed that Trump had made a historic mistake, and invited frustrated US climate scientists and entrepreneurs to come and work in France. "They will find in France a second homeland," he said. "I call on them, come and work here with us, to work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment." And cheekily adapting the nationalist slogan used by Trump on his election campaign trail, Macron urged defenders of the climate to "make our planet great again." Trump said America was "getting out" of a deal he said imposed "draconian" burdens costing millions of US jobs and billions of dollars. The pact was "very unfair" to the United States and beneficial to other major polluters like China and India, the president claimed. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed regret at the decision, and called for a continuation of "climate policies which preserve our world". In London, British Prime Minister Theresa May told Trump that the climate accord was a safety net for future generations, Downing Street said. "The Paris Agreement provides the right global framework for protecting the prosperity and security of future generations, while keeping energy affordable and secure for our citizens and businesses," May told Trump by phone, it said in a statement. New Zealand's Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett said that "so much of what (Trump) said is wrong", arguing that America was not paying a disproportionate cost to be part of the deal. Australia's Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said the agreement was meaningful even without Washington's participation. Among environmental groups, Climate Action Network said the withdrawal "signals that the Trump Administration is in total discord with both reality and the rest of the world." "Unfortunately, the first to suffer from this injudicious decision is the American people," the group, an alliance of climate activists, said. "This action is totally contrary to their best interests: their health, security, food supply, jobs and future." Oxfam France branded the decision as "shameful and irresponsible, scorning people and world peace." Among the scientific community, Britain's prestigious Royal Society said Trump's decision would hamper US innovation in cleaner technology. "The future is in newer, cleaner and renewable technologies, not in fossil fuels," said the society's president, Venki Ramakrishnan. "Such technologies will also help in our fight against air pollution and ensure greater energy security globally. President Trump is not putting America first, he is tethering it to the past." 200 houses torched in Rangamati Angry protesters torched several houses at Langadu Upazila in Rangamati in protest against killing of Jubo League Organising Secretary Nurul Islam on Friday. Special Correspondent : A tense situation has been prevailing in Langadu upazila of Rangamati district when the Bangalee settlers set on fire 200 houses and vandalized another one hundred business establishments of the indigenous people on Friday. The Rangamati district administration imposed section-144 and deployed a huge contingent of Army, BGB, police and other law enforcement agencies to avert any further untoward situation. "Section-144 will continue till the tensed situation comes cool," Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati Md Manzarul Mannan told The New Nation over phone last night. He said the incident took place following the death of Organising Secretary of Awami Jubo League of Langadu unit, also a motor cycle rider that carries passengers in exchange of fare, whose body was found at Chaar mile area in Khagrachhari district on Thursday. The victim, Nurul Islam Nayon, along with two passengers had started for Dighinala upazila in Khagrachhari on Thursday. But he was somehow killed there and police recovered his body from a Dighinala street. Family members and friends identified the victim seeing his photograph on the facebook in the same evening. The body was brought to the victim's home at Baittapara under Langadu upazial yesterday morning. Detailing the incident, the DC said: "Several thousand people, mostly Bangalee settlers, gathered there when the news of Nayon's death spread out in the area. They brought out processions under the banner of Jubo League and Parbattaya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad registering protest against the killing of Nurul Islam Nayon." "The mob suddenly became violent and set on fire the houses and vandalised several other business establishments. As per official estimate, 40 houses were burnt and some people received injuries in the flame," he said. Manzarul Mannan claimed that the situation was under control of the administration. But local sources said that over 200 houses were burnt and another 100 business establishments were vandalised. Besides, news coming from Rangamati said that several hundred panic stricken indigenous people, mostly women and children, fled away from the houses fearing further possible attack. They have taken shelter in the remote hilly areas. General Secretary of Janasanghati Samity Moni Shankar Chakma said: "Every single house of our locality Tintila area was burnt down. Over 200 houses were torched. We have no connection with the incident. We even do not know for what reason our houses were set on fire." When contacted, Superintendent of Police of Rangamati district Sayeed Tarikul Hassan told The New Nation over phone yesterday evening that police were conducting drive to nab the culprits who were behind the arson and vandalising. "We've also started an investigation to unearth the reason behind the death of Jubo League man. The incident took place in Khagrachhari, but the unruly mob damaged properties in Rangamati. The situation is under our control. Police are taking preparation to file case in this connection," the SP said. Parbattya Chattagram Pahari Chhatra Parisahd organized rallies and demonstration in front of National Press Club and Shahbagh in the city on Friday protesting attack and arson on the hill people. They also demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. The Rangamati police, however, could not arrest anyone in connection with the murder or arson till the time of filing this report at 7:45pm yesterday. Trump seeks SC ruling BBC Online : The White House has asked the US Supreme Court to reinstate a travel ban on people from majority Muslim countries. The ban has been blocked by lower courts which have said that it is discriminatory. Two emergency applications have now been filed by the government with the court's nine justices that seek to overturn those lower court rulings. The controversial ban has prompted protests and debate across the US. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," said Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores. now been filed by the government with the court's nine justices that seek to overturn those lower court rulings. The controversial ban has prompted protests and debate across the US. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," said Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores. "The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States." The administration has asked the court to grant emergency requests that would see the travel ban reinstated immediately. That ruling could come within two weeks. The court will then decide whether to hear the administration's full appeal. If it does, that could take place in October. Opponents of the travel ban vowed to continue their fight. The American Civil Liberties Union, tweeted: "We've beat this hateful ban and are ready to do it again." Karen Tumlin, legal director of the National Immigration Law Center, told Associated Press: "Again and again, our nation's courts have found that President Trump's Muslim ban is unconstitutional. We will continue to defend our plaintiffs' right to live free from fear of discriminatory treatment by the federal government." Mr Trump signed his original executive order shortly after coming into office in January. It banned entry to nationals from Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen for 90 days and halted the refugee programme for 120 days. Its implementation caused chaos at airports and protests in a number of cities. It was blocked after a legal challenge initially mounted by Washington state and Minnesota. Mr Trump then signed a revised order in March to try to address legal issues, and removed Iraq from the list. However, a district court in Maryland found the ban violated constitutional rights and blocked it before it could take effect on 16 March. A federal judge in Hawaii also sided with opponents, finding that the ban was discriminatory and citing "questionable evidence" in the government's argument that it was a matter of national security. Last month, a federal appeals court in Virginia dealt Mr Trump a fresh blow when it refused to lift the temporary block. It said that the government's national security argument was a "secondary justification for an executive order rooted in religious animus and intended to bar Muslims from this country". Mr Trump will need the support of five of the nine Supreme Court judges to reinstate the ban. The president's appointment of Neil Gorsuch this year reinstated a 5-4 conservative majority. However, the conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy could be the swing vote, as he sometimes sides with the liberals. They will need to decide whether Mr Trump's order was intended to discriminate against Muslims. Another arms haul at N`ganj: 3 held Staff Reporter : A large cache of sophisticated firearms and ammunition, including two rocket launchers, 62 Chinese sub-machine guns (SMGs), 42 hand grenades, 51 magazines, five pistols, 54 time-fused hand grenades, some boxes filled with bullets, explosives and two walkie-talkie, from a canal at Purbachal, near the capital on Friday. They arrested three persons also in this connection, said our local Correspondent quoting Moinul Haque, Superintendent of Police, Narayanganj. The arms and ammunition were tied with ropes to trees wrapped in plastic bags and kept in a water body, the SP said. The drive continued till filing of the report at about 9:45pm on Friday, he said. "Acting on a tip-off, police raided at Sector No. 5 of Purbachal in Rupganj upazila in Narayanganj district in the morning and recovered these arms and ammunition," said Ismail Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Rupganj Police Station. Gleaning information from an alleged trader, who was arrested with a rifle last night, police conducted the raid "in a land" in the area and recovered these, the OC said. Earlier, law enforcers raided a house owned by Mohammad Sharif, a resident of Daudpur Union on Wednesday. Sharif fled the scene leaving behind one SMG and some contraband Yaba tablets in the house. Police detained Sharif in Fatullah the next day and extracted information from him about the arms cache hidden in Purbachal. "The large cache of weapons recovered from Narayanganj was stored there with an intention of using them in large-scale sabotage in the future, said Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque. He made the statement after visiting Narayanganj's Rupganj on Friday morning from where a huge cache of arms and ammunition was being recovered. The police Chief said: "A vested quarter had stored the weapons to create turmoil and thwart the development process of the country but our law enforcers have successfully foiled the conspiracy." DMP's Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit Chief Monirul Islam told reporters, "The tactic of concealing arms and ammunition at Rupgonj is quite similar to that of Diabari, from where a large cache of arms and ammunition was also found last year." He suspects the same group is behind the concealment of weapons in the two locations. He said that such firearms, including two launchers, 62 M16 assault rifles, SMGs (sub machine guns) and LMGs (light machine guns), were also "usually used by Indian separatist outfit Ulfa and militant group JMB." Detective Branch's Sub-Inspector Mofizul Islam, said that they had searched the area for weapons based on information given by one Sharif Miah. He said that police suspect there might be more firearms and ammunition in the area. Meanwhile, Police Headquarters (PHQ) has formed a 12-member probe body, led by Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Inspector General (Dhaka Range) of Police, to investigate the arms recovery incident at Purbachal in Rupganj, said Soheli Ferdous, AIG (PHQ-Media). The committee was asked to submit the report within ten working days, the AIG said. On June 17, at least 97 Chinese pistols, 1,060 bullets, 494 magazines and 10 bayonets were recovered from a canal in the city's Diabari in the city's Uttara area. Cops claim they have evidence Staff Reporter : Police said, they are not worried about the medical report since there are adequate evidence to prove that the two female private university students were raped at a Banani hotel in the capital in the last week of March. The law enforcers have sufficient evidence to probe the incident though a medical team of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) claimed on Thursday that they did not find evidence of rape due to elapsing of a long period. Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Joint-Commissioner Krishna Pada Roy said, "The accused had confessed to their crimes. The investigation is knocking at the final stage." He said they were not thinking about DMC forensic test results. "The rape allegations have been established and we have found all evidence required to prove the ghastly crime," he said. "We have got the CID forensic test report. A charge sheet is being prepared." An official of the investigation team told The New Nation that they knew that the medical tests would yield no results. "But this does not mean that the girls were not raped," the official declining to be named said. He noted that the accused had confessed in the court and there were testimonies of witnesses also. "We have important documents in our hand also. So, the accused have no chance of going scot-free." An investigator said that Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) forensic tests found evidence of rape. The CID's tests confirmed that DNA found on one of the rape victims' clothes and samples from accused Nayeem matched. Investigators have received results of tests on six mobile phones seized from the accused. They have ascertained the rape allegation after examining CCTV server machine seized from Raintree and documents relating to the stay of the accused in the hotel. The university students filed a rape case with Banani Police on May 6 against Shafat Ahmed, Nayeem Ashraf, Sadman Sakif, Shafat's driver Billal Hossain and his bodyguard Rahmat Ali more than a month after the incident at Raintree hotel. The victims underwent medical tests at Dhaka Medical College as part of a legal procedure mandated by the law. The tests found no evidence of rape given that the incident took place on March 28. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. Three bills at the heart of the criminal justice reform package won approval from the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday, but amendments add more steps in the approval process as the session's end nears. The House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee approved three bills at the heart of the state's criminal justice reform effort on Wednesday, but the bills now face additional steps in the approval process because they were amended. The committee approved SB220 and SB221 by Senate President John Alario and SB139 by Sen. Danny Martiny. All three bills were amended in the committee hearing before they were approved. The bills now head to the House floor for votes in a few days exactly when will depend on which days (if any) the House meets over the weekend. Because the three Senate bills have been amended, if they win House approval, they must go back to the Senate for concurrence on the amendments. Each step in the process is governed by rules regarding public reading of the bill titles before debate and votes. With the session mandated to end on June 8 at 6 p.m., the session calendar now appears to be the biggest threat to the Justice Reinvestment bills that seek to reduce the state's prison population through a combination of changes in the law, sentencing requirements and parole practices. Angela Smith, secretary to House Clerk Albert Speer, told The Independent on Thursday morning that the House will meet in session on Friday and is likely to be in session over the weekend. Smith said that Speaker Taylor Barras won't decide until Friday which days the chamber will meet this weekend. "The Speaker has set Saturday as a tentative day for the House to be in session, but he will review the progress made on Friday before deciding whether to actually call the members in on that day," Smith said. "The House has traditionally met on the Sunday before sine die, but no formal decision has been made yet." The fate of the Justice Reinvestment bills could ride on whether the House meets on one or both of those days. House rules require that bills be read by title in three successive meetings of the body before they can be subject to debate and votes. With seven days left in the session and with the bills in the hands of the Legislative Bureau being updated to include the amendments approved by the committee on Wednesday, having at least two more days of the House in session appears be crucial to the reforms' chances of becoming law. None of the three bills appears on today's House Order of the Day. They will likely appear on Friday. If the House meets in session on both Saturday and Sunday, votes on the bills could come as early as Sunday. If the House meets only on Sunday, the earliest possible votes could come on Monday. If the House doesn't meet on Saturday or Sunday (considered highly unlikely), the earliest votes could come on Tuesday, two days before the session must end. If the bills are amended on the floor of the House, that could add another delay in the process as the bill would require additional attention from the Legislative Bureau. Bills returning from the House for concurrence by the Senate don't have to sit on the calendar any particular length of time, but it will be up to the bills' authors to call them up for votes with recommendations as to whether to accept the House changes or not. If the House amendments are rejected, a conference committee on for each bill must be formed, a compromise must be reached by the conference committee members, then the compromise bills would be sent back to each chamber for approval. The House has all the leverage of time on these Senate bills with time getting short. Any of the three bills could be amended in such a way as to make them unacceptable to their respective Senate authors but there might not be enough time for a conference committee to workout a compromise before the session ends. SB220 is a sentencing reform bill that increases the felony threshold for a series of non-violent crimes, combines a collection of theft-related crimes into a single theft charge, and provides for the creation of a Felony Class System Task Force to study the idea of having Louisiana implement a system similar to those used in the more than 30 other states where criminal justice reforms have become law. SB221 makes changes in the state's habitual offender law to enable crimes on a person's record to be removed from consideration when prosecutors decide whether to prosecute them as habitual offenders. Sentences imposed when a person is classified as a habitual offender are longer than those attached to the basic crime for which they are charged. SB139 makes changes in the state's parole system, providing for education, training and treatment for inmates prior to their release from state custody. The bill focuses on providing the opportunity of parole for non-violent offenders. The changes proposed by the bill would not apply to persons convicted of sex crimes or crimes of violence. While no committee voted against the other two bills, SB139 won approval on a 10-6 vote of the committee. That could indicate trouble for it once it does reach the floor of the House. Committee chair Sherman Mack of Albany will handle another Senate bill tied to the Justice Reinvestment package when it is debated on the floor of the House on Friday. SB146 by Sen. Dan Claitor also addresses the habitual defender law. The amendments made to SB221 on Wednesday make it identical to Claitor's bill, providing a fallback bill should opposition arise to Claitor's bill. With a week remaining in the session, the Senate Finance Committee will finally get down to voting on changes on HB1 the state budget for the next fiscal year. Photo by Robin May The fight over the state budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 will intensify on Thursday as the Senate Finance Committee begins to take votes on changes in the bill that was approved by the House four weeks ago. The committee was scheduled to convene after the full Senate adjourned from its session that started at 9:30 Thursday morning. The schedule changed during the morning. The committee was set to convene at 1:30. The Senate temporarily adjourned and is scheduled to return to work at 3 p.m., meaning the committee will have to shut down to attend the remainder of that session. The committee heard more than two weeks of testimony about HB1 as it emerged from the House. The bill makes deep cuts to the Louisiana Department of Health, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the Department of Corrections. One of the ways the committee will likely consider alleviating some of the cuts is by basing funding on a higher percentage of the revenue forecast generated by the state's Revenue Estimating Conference, according to Sen. Finance Committee chair Eric Lafleur. Lafleur also said he's heard from some House members that basing the budget on a higher percentage of that revenue forecast would be considered a "deal killer." Confronted with the prospect of a deepening stalemate, Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a provisional call for a special session that would go into effect 30 minutes after the end of the current session next Thursday, June 8, if the House and Senate have not been able to reach a compromise on four essential state funding bills that remain in limbo as of Thursday. The four bills are the state operating budget (HB1), the Capital Outlay program (HB2), the bond authorization bill that is needed to fund the Capital Outlay bill (HB3), and a supplemental appropriations bill to address budget issues in the current fiscal year (HB621), which has not yet been considered by the House Appropriations Committee. House Republican leaders adopted a 97.5 percent solution to address the state's recurring series of mid-year revenue shortfalls, rather than raise additional revenue as had been sought by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The House leaders agreed prior to the start of the session that the budget that would emerge from the chamber which they control would be based on a percentage of the annual revenue estimate made by the Revenue Estimating Conference for the next fiscal year. GOP Caucus leader Rep. Lance Harris called the budget a "standstill budget" that would require departments and agencies to operate within constraints of the budget as it stood after the special session earlier this year. LDH Secretary Rebekah Gee and DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters told Senate Finance Committee members that the resulting cuts to their respective agencies would be amplified by the loss of federal funds that would disappear without the roughly 35 percent state match to draw down those funds. Gee said the $234 million cut in state funding contained in HB1 would produce an actual cut of $920 million because of the attendant loss of federal funding that it would cause. Walters told the committee that the cuts ordered in HB1 would force the state to withdraw from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. She said withdrawal from SNAP would mean the state would not be eligible for DSNAP the disaster food assistance program that helped more than 480,000 Louisiana residents affected by natural disasters in 2016. While attention in Senate Finance has focused on the cuts in HB1 what has not emerged is a clear sense of where the committee itself falls on the budget in general and the need for revenue. Because constitutionally all revenue measures must originate in the House, the Senate cannot initiate a tax increase. The House has not approved any significant revenue producing tax measures in this session. The only alternative for the Senate is to base the budget using a higher percentage of REC projections. The House Republican majority is intent on exerting its will on the budget process. Henry made that point in an interview with The Independent shortly after the House approved HB1 and sent it to the Senate. "The goal is to make Louisiana more like other states," Henry said. "In other states, the Legislatures are where the power over the budget is." Despite the fact that the power is being exerted by a Republican House at the expense of the goals of a Democratic governor, Henry insists that it is not a partisan enterprise. "I think that even if Sen. [David] Vitter had been elected, I think he would have faced the same problems with this House. As a body, we have all decided that we are tired of the old way of doing things." Having defeated the governor's revenue initiatives, the test now is whether the House can bend the Senate to its will as well. The answer will become clear over the next seven days. Future high school students won't have to meet tougher standards to get their college tuition paid through Louisiana's TOPS program, at least for now. Rather than face likely defeat in the Senate, a Baton Rouge lawmaker Thursday dropped his proposal to bump the grade point average from 2.5 to 2.75 for a student to get the basic TOPS award to attend a four-year university. The change would have taken effect in four years. Instead, Republican Rep. Franklin Foil said he'll work with a planned study group on recommendations for how Louisiana should dole out awards from the nearly $300 million program. He said there's time for further study since the bill's provisions wouldn't have kicked in until the 2021-22 school year. "I will come back next year after I have the benefit of that information from the task force," Foil told the Senate Education Committee in quick remarks before withdrawing his bill from consideration. The measure scraped through the House with the narrowest of votes but faced opposition from Gov. John Bel Edwards and Senate President John Alario. Alario's opposition made the bill unlikely to emerge from the Senate. Supporters said the bill would cut costs in the nearly $300 million program and encourage students to improve academic performance. Estimates were the increased GPA requirement could save the state $3.2 million to $7.5 million a year, when the higher standard would have started. Opponents said the change would eliminate aid for thousands of needy students by keeping them from getting TOPS awards. The change, if enacted this year, would have kept more than 1,800 students from being eligible for tuition coverage through TOPS. As they struggle with persistent budget shortfalls, lawmakers have worried about the ballooning cost of TOPS. This year, for the first time, lawmakers didn't fully fund TOPS, instead covering only 70 percent of tuition costs for eligible students. But they have been unable to agree on what changes should be made, instead rejecting proposal after proposal each year amid an ongoing disagreement about whether the program should be merit-based or needs-based. The state operating budget proposal for next year would again provide full tuition coverage for students in the TOPS program. Meanwhile, the 10-member task force is expected to be created by lawmakers to study the program's history and determine ways to ensure its "long-term viability." The task force recommendations will be due to legislative leaders by Feb. 15. WEST FRANKFORT When two dozen of the states best high school thespians compete for the title of Best Actor and Best Actress on Monday at the 2017 Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards Chicago, recent Frankfort High School graduate Brax Melvin will be in the group. The competition will include a workshop with theater professionals Adam Jacobs, star of Disneys Aladdin North American tour, who originated the role on Broadway, and his wife and actress Kelly Jacobs. We audition for a panel of judges [casting agents and theater professionals] who will pick the top three in each category, Melvin said. Finalists and winners will be announced Monday evening. Winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Jimmy Awards, national musical theater awards. Melvin is excited about the opportunity, but a little anxious. Im like a small fish in a very, very big pond, Melvin said. According to Frankfort teacher and musical theater director Liz Robinson, this is the first time the school has competed in the awards program. At the beginning of the school year, we applied to be adjudicated. This year there were 74 schools across the state performing, Robinson said. The adjudicators for IHSMTA are either theater professionals or educators. Sometimes they come to one show; sometimes they come to two. Ours came opening night, Robinson said. Six roles from each show are eligible, along with the entire production. Frankfort High School performed The Little Mermaid. Students in 200 roles statewide were eligible to compete this year. In addition to the adjudication process, students must submit a professional resume, YouTube videos of the performance and an essay that tells what the role and theater mean to the student actor. Where was Melvin when he found out he had been nominated for Best Actor? Auditioning for Disneyworld. Im so excited to meet Adam Jacobs. Hes my favorite, Melvin said. The nomination is especially rewarding for Melvin because the entire music program at Frankfort Community High School was on the chopping block due largely to state budget issues. Thanks to the efforts of parents, the choral music program was saved. Band returned to the curriculum this past year. In addition to acting, Melvin took on some other roles for the production. I got to help choreograph, he said. As a senior, he helped with costume design and helped build sets. It was nice to have his vision come together. He is always willing to look at all aspects of a project, Robinson said. Melvin will begin working on his art camp for children after the awards and will be in rehearsal for Cats in Marion. On July 5, rehearsals start for McLeod Summer Playhouse production of Singing in the Rain. He will play the role of Don Lockwood, the same role Gene Kelly played in the 1952 film. Melvin also is taking classes at John A. Logan College, where he will finish his associate degree next school year. He is considering numerous options after that. Robinson said Melvin is an incredibly driven young man who cares passionately about what he does. A large West Frankfort contingent is driving to Chicago for the awards. We want to make sure everyone knows we are proud of our children who are far from the Chicago area, Robinson said. SPRINGFIELD Illinois lawmakers' approval of an overhauled public school funding formula to replace a decades-old version considered unfair marked a bright spot for advocates in a gridlocked legislative session in which the state failed to agree on a budget for the third year running. Lawmakers in both chambers propelled the long-debated plan to steer more dollars to the state's neediest schools in the session's final hours Wednesday. But the cheers, backslaps and handshakes as it was approved in both the House and Senate were severely muted mid-Thursday by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's promise not to sign it. The measure would direct new money to districts based on the needs of their student population and their available local resources. No district would receive less than they currently do under the plan. New funds would support schools in implementing practices proven to bolster student success. Sponsors, along with a wide network of education advocates and school associations, say the proposal would help ensure all students in Illinois receive a quality education regardless of where they live. Illinois is home to the nation's widest spending gap between low- and high-income school districts because it relies on local taxes to fund more than 60 percent of education costs. "This is turning a major corner for the first time in 20 years," said Democratic Sen. Andy Manar of Bunker Hill, whose funding-reform focus began with his 2013 arrival in the Senate. "It will attack poverty at the root of poverty, which is in the public school classroom." The plan is based on a framework produced by a bipartisan commission of lawmakers convened by Rauner last year. But Republican support peeled off in recent weeks, with lawmakers and the governor's office claiming Chicago Public Schools would receive more than its fair share. Rauner told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday that he will not sign the measure in its current form, calling it a "bailout" for the financially distressed district. Republicans in both chambers echoed the "bailout" cry Wednesday, contending the plan would divert dollars toward Chicago that could otherwise be spread across the state. "CPS wins the lottery and the downstate districts have to foot the bill," said Republican Sen. Sue Rezin of Morris. Democrats countered that the plan would ensure CPS is treated like every other district. The legislation guarantees that every district receives at least as much money as it did this year, and not less. But Republicans object to the way grant funds CPS currently receives would be handled in that guarantee. The GOP also takes issue with a provision requiring the state to pick up some of CPS' teacher pension costs. Illinois pays those expenses for all other districts. "Stop focusing on somebody else and worry about yourself and your own districts," Democratic Rep. Will Davis of Homewood, the House sponsor, told Republicans. "If we help the largest school district that educates the most number of kids, some of the poorest kids in the state, then so be it." Manar also noted that 268 districts would still receive a larger per-pupil funding increase than CPS under the plan. The bill is SB1. Current law requires Illinois school districts who hire a teacher using Title I funding, intended for students who are low income or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding to contribute an amount equal to 39 percent of that teachers salary to Teachers Retirement System. HB 656 makes the contribution equal to the normal pension amount, which is about 10 percent. Its really unconscionable to put that burden on our small school districts, Jessica Handy, government affairs director for Stand for Children, said. To put that savings into perspective, a teacher hired with Title I funds at a salary of $35,000 would cost the district an additional $13,650 in payment to TRS. IF the district pays only the actual cost of that teachers pension, it would amount to roughly $3,500, a savings of $11,150. Dave Ardrey, executive director of the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools, said school districts were put in the position to hire or not to hire certain staff because of what they had to pay TRS. For some districts that meant hiring paraprofessionals instead of certified teachers to avoid paying $10,000, $15,000 or more on TRS. It is one of those things you cant fathom happens. Typically those are aide-type positions. Most of those were designed to support math or reading deficiencies and students with special needs, Ardrey said. It just was not appropriate. The bill is very close to becoming law. The bill passed through the Illinois House with a unanimous vote on March 16. Monday, The bill jumped another hurdle, passing the Illinois Senate unanimously. Now it waits for the signature of Gov. Bruce Rauner. Weve tried for a couple years to get this change. I cant say I was super optimistic that we would get this passed at the beginning of the year, but it passed unanimously in both the house and senate, Handy said. Bill Curtin, sophomore English and creative writing teacher at Carbondale Community High School, said a lot things impact the quality of education a student receives, but supporting HB656 is a no-brainer. A lot of our schools [in Southern Illinois] are Title I schools; they receive assistance for helping students in poverty. If shifts funding to our kids and gives them a fighting chance, Curtin said. In addition to freeing up funding for districts to invest in classrooms and put toward the needs of the most vulnerable students, it will change the way schools think about budgeting their title 1 funds. Student outcomes will really drive decisions. It is a huge deal for rural and small schools, especially, Handy said. Ardrey said he would be remiss if he did not mention State Sen. Andy Manar. Sen. Manar has been at the forefront of trying to protect small, rural districts in Illinois, Ardrey said. In addition to this bill, the house and senate are sending school funding reform to the governor's desk. I hope he will support both bills. They both help the same kids, Curtin said. Protests against the Roosevelt Skerrit-led Dominica Labour Party government of Dominica took, what one observer described as, a turn for the worst, when shots were fired during a demonstration in front of the Parliament building, Roseau, last week Tuesday. According to reports carried in the Dominica media and other regional news agencies, the shots were heard when protestors tried to break through barricades set up around the Parliament building, where the Parliament had convened for its Third Meeting of the Second Session of The Ninth Parliament. Protest against the DLP government had been mounted since late 2016. But this particular protest, organisers said, was to express displeasure over a Bill to amend the House of Assembly (Elections) Act. Among the claims against the amendment is that it would lead to legalising bribery, an electoral offence in Dominica.. Up to press time on Wednesday, police had not determined who fired the shots last week Tuesday. There had been a heavy police presence around the Parliament that day, consequent upon a warning by the Commissioner of Police Daniel Carbon that there should be no protest outside the Parliament building, and that he and his constabulary were mandated to protect the proceedings (of the Parliament) In response to the heightened action of last week Tuesday, Prime Minister Skerrit, in a nationwide address the following Thursday, during which he accused the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP), of sullying the image of Dominica and threatening its stability. He blasted the latest round of protests, expressing concern that street demonstrations, lawlessness and violence were fast becoming a dangerous norm that was very "un-Dominican. "The portrayal of Dominica as a melting pot for confusion and antisocial behaviour is hurting the image of the country, and threatens the social and economic wellbeing of our dear land, he lamented. "Dominica is being black-eyed in the regional and international world by media reports of this very un-Dominican behaviour that is creeping into the mainstream of society. Skerrit also reflected on the rioting that followed an Opposition meeting back in February, which resulted in significant damage and losses to businesses in Roseau, and warned that should this situation of crime and violence is allowed to go unchecked as the first course of action by an established political party, it could result in dire consequences. Left:Steadroy Benjamin, Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Labour, intervened successfully, it appeared, in the dispute between LIAT and its pilots. Right:Captain Carl Burke, President of LIALPA, will be hoping that there is no reneging on the recent informal agreement reached with LIATs management. An agreement which addressed the concerns of pilots employed with LIAT has been reached. This assurance, as reported by the Antigua Observer, was given by Captain Carl Burke, President of the Leeward Island Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA), the representative body of LIAT pilots. However, neither Burke nor anyone representing the management of LIAT gave any details of the agreement, save and except a reference by LIALPA to the agreement being an "informal one, and the airline management declaring "the discussions were cordial, and management and pilots have reached a mutually amicable decision on outstanding issues. This "informal agreement was expected to go before the Industrial Court in Antigua and Barbuda, by way of a Consent Order, last Monday. Indications are that attorneys for LIAT and LIALPA will sign this agreement which would formalize what was discussed. The agreement arose out of a meeting held on Wednesday 24th May, and involving Antigua and Barbudas Labour Minister Steadroy Benjamin, the airlines management and the Leeward Island Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) Minister Benjamin was moved to intervene after IALPA had threatened to stage sit-ins and picketing at various airports, if its members did not receive their salaries by midnight last night. The pilots said they were fed up with the airlines failure to implement a new salary structure, agreed to in 2012, for its ATR-72 pilots, general salary increases, entered; and a salary deferral system, among other outstanding matters. The meeting averted any strike action and LIATs scheduled flights remained uninterrupted. The move in 1992 by then Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines - Sir James Mitchell to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba has been described as an act of foresight and courage. The sentiments were expressed by Renwick Rose President of the SVG/Cuba Friendship Society in his message on the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of those relations. But even as he recognized Sir James initiative, Rose pointed out that relations albeit informal and some would say clandestine - were already established primarily between local leftist leaning political entities like Youlimo and the United Peoples Movement (UPM) and the Communist Party of Cuba, resulting in a number of young Vincentians finding places of study in Cuba, under special scholarship arrangements. Against that background, it was accurate to say that relations between the peoples of the two countries have progressed over the last forty years, Rose proffered. Activities here to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishing of diplomatic relations between Cuba and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, got going with a cocktail reception at the Cuban Embassy, on Thursday May 25th. On Friday 26th May 2017 - May 26, 1992 was the actual day when relations between the two countries were formalized - activities were held both here in SVG and in Havana, Cuba. Here at home, a ceremony and cultural showcase were held at the Peace Memorial Hall, featuring addresses from Saboto Caesar - Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation; H.E. Vilma Reyes Valdespino - Cuban Ambassador to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Rose. The cultural segment showcased local performers and the Cuban band Calle Cuba. Meanwhile in Havana, this countrys resident Ambassador to Cuba, H. E. Ellsworth John, hosted a cultural celebration, under the patronage of Sir Louis Straker, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Lady Straker. It also included performances by local artistes Rodney Small, Darren Andrews, Rondy McIntosh, Kamaro Williams and Brent Williams. The activities here came to an end on Tuesday 30th May with a public lecture delivered by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College Lecture Hall. Since establishing relations, there has been tremendous, ongoing cooperation between both countries in the areas of health, education and more recently the contribution by Cuba towards the construction of the Argyle International Airport. Darren Glasgow (above) was not known, contrary to comments making the rounds, to be a drug user. Right: Neil Cato, Darrens father, was forthright and honest in speaking of the personal trials that his son endured. The body that washed ashore at Sandy Bay beach last Tuesday has been identified as that of 16-year-old Darren Anthony Glasgow of Orange Hill. His body was identified by his father, Neil Cato, of the same address, after it was discovered by a Sandy Bay resident, who was making his way along the beach (a popular shortcut) to London. That man is reported to have said that he first noticed a body in the water but, given the usual rough waters at Sandy Bay, the body was quickly washed onto some rocks on the beach. When Cato visited THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, he told reporters that he had last seen and spoken with his son at around 5:10am on Sunday. Darren had come to borrow a cutlass. He was going to the mountain to tend the neighbours animal, but Cato himself was heading for the mountain that day and told his son he would have need for his cutlass, and advised him to use the neighbours. It was customary, Cato said, for his son "to sleep over at his neighbor, for whom he did some work. The Ordeal When Cato returned from the mountain at about 11:00am, Sunday, Darren had not returned home. Cato inquired of the neighbour, for whom Darren worked, whether he had seen him. Anxiety set in when he replied he had not seen Darren since he left his home early that day. Cato set about making inquiries of other persons. One said that Darren was seen heading for the mountain between 7:00 and 8:00 that morning; another said he had seen Darren in Owia; yet another said Darren was spotted in Rabacca. Concern intensified, and Cato journeyed to Georgetown to make a report to the Police there. He also checked with the hospital. No one at the Police Station or the hospital could shed any light on Darrens whereabouts. On Monday, Cato said, "I travel along the coast from Orange Hill to Overland and back to the Rabacca River mouth, but there was no trace of Darren. Night set in, and still Darren had not returned home. On Tuesday, as Cato was preparing to mount a search "up the Rabbaca, a neighbor informed him that a body was discovered on the Sandy Bay beach. "The neightbour said it could be Darren, Cato told THE VINCENTIAN. He hurried to Sandy Bay and as he approached the beach, he observed a large crowd and a police cordon. He was asked to identify the body, and he did, pointing out to the police that in addition to his features, he could, "ID him from the pants he was wearing. Cato said that other than the parts of his body that were still covered, "the rest of Darrens body.. his face, legs and stomach looked whitish, like it bleached. He said adamantly, that as far as he could see, his sons body showed no signs of "rotting, as was previously reported. He admitted noticing a small hole in the area of his sons neck. Darren Glasgow Cato was forthright about his son. Darren attended the Georgetown Secondary School but did not complete his schooling there, having to be removed when he began "misbehaving and doing some wrongs things, Cato acknowledged. Three years ago, Cato asked, through the Family Court, that his son be put in the care of the state. The Court agreed and Darren was put in the care of the officers at the Questelles Police Station. He spent the better part of two years there, doing odd jobs, like cleaning and so forth, before a report to the Family Court recommended that he be returned to his home at Orange Hill, since, according to the report, "he had been rehabilitated. He was also ordered to receive counselling at Marion House, which he did, during which time he was supervised by officers at the Georgetown Police Station. In April of this year, Darren, according to his father, began "behaving strange .. talking to himself jumping up and down.. so I took him to a private doctor. The doctor tested him for drugs and said he was clean. He continued "to behave strange, his father said, "and when I told him he should go to the Mental Health Centre, he cried and said he did want to go there, how he wasnt on drugs and he would take his tonic which I had bought for him. Darren is the third of four children (1 girl, two boys) fathered by Cato. His father made no speculations with respect to the cause(s) of and the circumstances surrounding his sons death, preferring to await the results of a post mortem. A preliminary report of post mortem conducted put the cause of death as drowning. Ali Gibson (centre) will have almost three years deducted from his prison sentence, for time served on remand for murder. Ali Gibson, a 39-year-old man who used a piece of rope to strangle a 21-year-old woman 12 years ago, was sentenced to 30 years in prison last Friday, May 26, following a sentencing hearing at the High Court. A 12-member jury - 11 women and one man - had on Wednesday, May 24, found Gibson guilty of murdering Diamond resident Lakeitha Duke, at Diamond, between August 11 and 13, 2005, but Justice Kathy Ann Latchoo had adjourned the matter for mitigation and sentencing. Upon conviction, Crown Counsel Karim Nelson, who prosecuted the matter, had informed the Court that the prosecution was seeking the death penalty. That position was subsequently withdrawn, with the Court being notified of the withdrawal by letter, prior to the sentencing hearing. The crime Dukes nude body was discovered in bushes on a pasture at Diamond on the morning of August 13, 2005, with a two-strand rope tightly bound around the neck. An autopsy showed that she was strangled. The prosecutions case relied entirely on circumstantial evidence as there were no eyewitness accounts of the incident. This evidence included DNA analysis done by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, which linked Gibson to the crime. There were also the testimonies of two witnesses who said that around 8:30 p.m. on August 12, 2005, they saw Gibson walking about 25 feet behind Duke, while on her way home. It was the last time she was seen alive. Gibson was not charged with any sexual offence, but because of the way the body was discovered, and the fact that Gibsons semen was found in Dukes vagina, established by DNA evidence, the prosecution drew the inference that Gibson sexually assaulted Duke, then killed her in order to silence her. Sentencing hearing At the sentencing hearing, Gibsons attorney Euchrista Bruce-Lyle did not request a social inquiry report on him, but called Superintendent of Prisons Brenton Charles to give evidence on Gibsons conduct in prison. Supt. Charles said that during Gibsons incarceration, there were times when he was involved in contraband activities, including cellular phones. Charles added that Gibson was also involved in fights, but he was generally well-behaved. According to Charles, Gibson served in the prison kitchen, but from time to time, he would offer his assistance in whatever work was required, without being asked. Crown Counsel Nelson stressed, "We trust that this case underscores the principles of deterrent punishment and protection of society. He pointed out that there were no mitigating factors, and lamented the horrific manner in which the offence was executed. He noted that Gibson had previous convictions for offences involving violence against women, which was a major aggravating factor in the case. Justice Latchoo contended that the crime was brutal. She explained that Duke was on her way home that night, and should have had the right to go home in comfort. Gibsons sentences will take effect from the date of conviction, and the time spent on remand is to be taken into account. Gibson had served only two years and 11 months on remand on the murder charge, as he had done two sentences consecutively, the last ending in 2014. The first was an eight-year sentence for robbery, which started in 2005 and ended 2011, while the other was a five-year sentence for aggravated burglary. Gibson was committed to stand trial for Dukes murder in 2007, but the trial was delayed after his attorney then, Nicole Sylvester, filed a constitutional motion on the grounds that Gibsons right to a fair trial under the constitution, would be infringed if he was not given the resources to his own DNA analysis. That matter was prolonged to an eventual decision in 2014, with the motion being dismissed. This paved the way for the commencement of the murder trial on May 4 this year. Fifth Rockabilly On The Route PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. By Azernews By Sara Israfilbayova Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and Uzbekistans national holding company Uzbekneftegaz signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Baku. The MoU will allow to identify possible directions of activities of Uzbekneftegaz in Azerbaijan. The document was signed during the meeting between SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev and Chairman of the Board at Uzbekneftegaz Alisher Sultanov, who arrived in Baku to join the 24th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference 2017, the company reported on June 2. Abdullayev informed about SOCARs regional and global projects, as well as the success that has been achieved within these projects and the experience gained in Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan energy cooperation. He also pointed out that this success and experience will provide the basis for future projects. In turn, Sultanov noted the importance of the signed MoU for development of bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Recently, the state energy companies of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have agreed to jointly develop oil and gas fields. In May 2016, SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz signed a memorandum providing for cooperation in the exploration and development of oil and gas fields and other potential areas for the development of the energy sector. Uzbekneftegaz National Holding Company joint Stock Company was founded in 1992 and is based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Uzbekneftegazs investment portfolio reaches $30 billion and in 2017 alone it needs to direct investments for $3 billion. By Azernews By Amina Nazarli The Heydar Aliyev Foundation arranged another festivity for children on June 1 marked worldwide as the International Children's Day. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the event. Children performed different dances, sang songs, and showed their skills. Leyla Aliyeva danced together with the children. The vice-president of the Foundation talked with the children and posed with them for photographs. Childrens Home No. 1 has 120 inhabitants. Each child was presented with a gift from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Starting its activity since 2004, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has been actively participating in building a new society and contributing to the social and economic development of Azerbaijan, by implementing various projects in spheres such as education, public health, culture, sports, science and technology, environment, and social and other spheres. The major mission of the Foundation is to support socio-economic and humanitarian development within the country and abroad. By Trend President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella. On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend to you my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the national holiday of the Italian Republic Republic Day, Ilham Aliyev said in his letter. The current level of relations between Azerbaijan and Italy is satisfactory. Ever-growing political, economic and cultural ties, mutually beneficial cooperation in a variety of fields are a striking example of dynamic and comprehensive development of our bilateral bonds. I am confident that we will continue making joint efforts to strengthen our friendly relations and successfully maintain our cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats, President Aliyev said. On this joyful day, I wish you robust health, success in your activities and the friendly people of Italy everlasting peace and prosperity, he added. By Trend Turkey is interested in the Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system but is in no hurry to buy it, a source in the Turkish General Staff told Trend. This issue needs to be careful studied, the source said, adding that currently, the main priority for Turkey is to strengthen its own military industry. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is ready to sell Ankara the S-400 Triumph system, but the issue of localization of the production in Turkey will depend on the readiness of the countrys industry. Saudi Aramco has signed an agreement with Lamprell, the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) and Hyundai Heavy Industries to enter into a joint venture partnership for the building and operation of a world-class maritime yard. This is an anchor project within the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services located in Ras Al-Khair, near the Jubail Industrial City on Saudi Arabias east coast. This strategic partnership among industry leading companies is positioned to capitalize on the rapidly-growing maritime requirements in the region by offering globally competitive, safe, high quality and on-time solutions to customers. The new JV localizes essential links of Saudi Aramcos supply chain related to offshore drilling and shipping activities, which will lead to optimized cost, reduced response times and improved agility for Saudi Aramco and its affiliates. The integrated maritime yard will be the largest in the region in terms of production capacity and scale, providing an unprecedented mix of products and services in the region and enabling Saudi Aramco and its supply chain partners to meet their manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul requirements for offshore oil and gas rigs, offshore support vessels, and commercial vessels, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC). The new facility shall have the capacity to manufacture 4 offshore rigs, over 40 vessels including 3 VLCCs, and service over 260 maritime products annually. Major production operations are expected to commence in 2019 with the facility reaching its full production capacity by 2022. This initiative will also contribute towards localizing expertise related to the maritime industry and job creation in Saudi Arabia. TradeArabia News Service Signing in the front row from left to right: Jong Chul Kim (VP of New Business Development, Hyundai Heavy Industries), Christopher McDonald (CEO of Lamprell), Ziad Murshed (VP of New Business Development, Saudi Aramco), and Ali Al Harbi (Acting CEO of Bahri). UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched a national volunteer platform Volunteers.ae seeking to create an integrated and sustainable system for volunteering. Sheikh Mohammed and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were the first two people to sign up to volunteer initiative. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid signed up as a volunteer in the fields of Hope Making and Environmental Sustainability, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed signed up in the Humanitarian Work field; their actions are intended to motivate the community to register as well, and enrich the nations culture of generosity, philanthropy and social service. The UAE Volunteers platform also seeks to promote the value of volunteerism as one of the most important pillars of social cohesion, one of the national priorities of the UAE. The Emirates Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, developed the national volunteer platform. The platform will bring together volunteering opportunities with government institutions, private-sector entities, and charitable organisations. Thousands of registered volunteers, including citizens and residents, will have opportunities to apply their skills and serve their communities. The platform will be designed in a way that highlights opportunities based on the volunteers skills and interests. It will provide volunteer opportunities in the fields of education, humanitarian work care for the elderly, health, culture and arts, sports, leisure, environment, community service, hope making, professional development, international volunteerism and emergency response. It will also develop a personal record for each volunteer, and provide people the chance to nominate volunteers for innovative projects. It will be the largest and most thorough volunteer platform in the country. The platform seeks to consolidate the mission of the Year of Giving, as announced by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayhan, for public and private sector entities to promote the value of volunteer work and social responsibility as an important part of sustainable development. The Emirates Foundation is an independent philanthropic organisation set up by the Abu Dhabi government to facilitate public-private funded initiatives to improve the welfare of youth across the UAE. It was launched in 2005 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and is chaired by UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Ministry of Community Development collaborated with the Emirates Foundation to launch the UAE Volunteers website. The website will offer a comprehensive database and accurate statistics on volunteerism at the national level for government agencies, and will support individuals seeking to volunteer and contribute to the development of their communities. TradeArabia News Service Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has awarded the contract worth Dh798million ($217 million) for the third phase of K-Station at Jebel Ali Power Station to Spanish company Duro Felguera. This was a global tender with several competitive bids. The project includes the supply, installation, testing and launch of 2 F-type gas turbines from Siemens AG that will produce 590MW at 50 degrees centigrade. The turbines are planned to be operational by the second quarter of 2019. 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. This is part of Dewas ongoing plan to provide a long-term sustainable, continuous and reliable supply of electricity and water, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa. We are working to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy2050, to employ an environmentally-friendly energy mix based on the following ratios: 25 per cent solar energy, 7 per cent nuclear power, 7 per cent 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, said Al Tayer. K-Station uses gas turbines to generate power, and is one of Dewas main projects to meet the increasing demand for electricity. 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. The current generation capacity of K-Station is 948MW. After the completion of the third phase, 590MW will be added, bringing the stations total production capacity to 1,538MW. On completion of this project in 2019, Dewas total installed capacity will be 11,990MW, including clean energy. TradeArabia News Service Emirates has launched an initiative which aims to improve traveller experience at the airlines Dubai International airport hub, focussing on innovative and practical solutions that will be based on the 6s - Smart, Speed, Saving, Service, Safety, Security. The Together initiative was launched in collaboration with key partners: Dubai Customs, Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Dubai Police, and Dubai Airports. The first two meetings, held at Emirates Headquarters, have successfully concluded, where representatives from each partner organisation reviewed field data on travellers key touch points and evaluated a suite of recommendations for implementation in the short and medium term. Matters discussed ranged from simplifying passenger check-in processes, simplifying baggage drop-off and tracking, to using advanced technology throughout the passenger journey within the terminal. Using a collaborative and action-oriented approach, the team comprising of senior representatives from each partner organisation will now conduct a series of workshops to agree priorities and a working plan, geared towards incremental implementation in four-week sprints. In parallel, the working group will also look at goal posts further into the future, in line with Dubais 10X programme to generate innovations that will put the city 10 years ahead of other global cities. Adel Al Redha, Emirates executive vice president and chief operations officer said: Last year, over 57 million passengers flew on Emirates, to Dubai or through Dubai, and that number continues to grow. To us, the hub experience and sustaining our growth is very important. Making use of technology and bringing new initiatives to life is key to building our future and staying ahead of competition. By working together we have a great opportunity to fast-track these initiatives and overcome challenges to improve the Emirates customer journey at our Dubai hub. We are fortunate and thankful to have very supportive partners who are fully engaged with us on this mission, and share the same vision to ensure the Dubai experience remains leading-edge and world-class. We look forward to working closely with them on the agreed initiatives. Major General Mohammed Ahmed Almarri, Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) said: Our team at the airport is often the first experience that a visitor would have with brand Dubai. Being on the customer frontline, we actively seek ways to improve on our operations and service delivery. For us, the potential impact on customers, and speed of implementation and the warm welcome are our key considerations when we evaluate new solutions for implementation. Major General Ahmed Bin Thani Assistant General Commander of Ports Affairs Dubai Police said: In the airport environment, we always have to balance traveller experience with operational and security priorities. It is in everyones interest to continuously evolve our processes by using technologies or innovative solutions, so that we can deliver on a better experience, while improving the efficiency of our operations. Ibrahim Ali AlKamali, Dubai Customs Passenger Operation said: The airport ecosystem is closely interlinked, that is why a holistic approach to looking at the customer journey is needed. The Together initiative builds on the excellent working relationship that Dubai Customs already has with Emirates and our other airport partners. We look forward to working with them on collaborative solutions to make the Dubai airport experience even more outstanding for travellers, and more efficient and effective for our own operations as well. TradeArabia News Service The Department of the Interior may want to switch to a numbers game to protect the greater sage-grouse, but Gov. Matt Mead does not. In a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, a professed outdoorsman and Teddy Roosevelt enthusiast, Mead and Colorado governor John Hickenlooper reiterated their belief that a population-based conservation strategy would not be the right decision. Right now, the bird is managed by policy that protects its home range. The governors also said large changes to the plans are not likely necessary. In a bid to roll back regulations that limit development of public lands, President Donald Trump instructed his agencies to do a wholesale review of their rules and regulations with a particular eye on those that inhibit oil, gas and coal industries. In Wyoming, that approach pleased a wide swath of citizens who have pushed back against federal limitations, where some two-thirds of government revenue comes energy sources, and the majority of oil and gas development takes place on federal lands or with federal minerals. However, sage grouse protection falls somewhere in the middle of the Cowboy States overlapping core values, and the state led the charge to conserve the grouse. One of the key points that the multitude of stakeholders acknowledge is that habitat matters more than numbers. The sage grouse, a fat little bird with patterned feathers and an odd mating ritual, too center stage in one of the countrys most collaborative approaches to conservation with the help of Wyoming conservationists, oil and gas leaders and government partners. Rumors that those plans could be changed elicit various responses from different parties. There is on thing that those in Wyoming hold in common: They dont want to lose their seat at the table. Wholesale changes to the land use plans are likely not necessary at this time, wrote Mead and Hickenlooper. We hope that you will engage the Task Force before committing to making any changes. *** Sara Greenberger is worried. The vice president of conservation policy for the National Audubon Society is like Mead in questioning the approach of an agency review on sage grouse management. Looking at numbers is a slippery slope that opens the possibility of captive breeding reliance, while ignoring the scientific view that habitat is key to the grouses survival, she said. Greenberger worked for the Department of the Interior under former Secretary Sally Jewel in the years leading up to a decision not to list the sage grouse as an endangered species, a historic win for collaborative conservation. To do that it was important to find the most integral places to protect that was put together with compromises, hard work and tons of conversations at state, local and national levels over years, she said. If it is treated careless and without bringing all of those people back to the table, you risk ruining not just the plans or what they do for birds and 350 other species, but for the incentive to work together and compromise for shared outcomes. But others acknowledge that the plans are not perfect, and a review is not necessarily the end of the world for sage grouse. Paul Ulrich, a member of Wyomings Sage Grouse Implementation Team and director of government affairs for Jonah Energy, said hed like to see some of Wyomings plans mirrored in the federal version. In many ways, the Bureau of Land Management used identical measures as the state to protect the grouse and encourage mitigation when habitat was disturbed. But in Ulrichs opinion, there are ways the federal plans could be fairer for developers. Areas that have a federal designation as prime for oil and gas should be able to be developed, he said. *** Some in the conservation community have pointed out that industry suffers when there are major policy swings. As to whether a potential review of sage grouse management could go too far in favor of industry only to swing back in four to eight years, Ulrich said it is something to be wary of. However, if sage grouse management continues as it has, with collaboration and compromise, those federal swings wont be so severe. We always worry about pendulum swings, he said. However, if the previous administration or the next administration truly commits to work with the state and the communities and the conservation groups to develop plans like we developed in Wyoming, that negates the pendulum swing. Bob Budd, the SGIT chairman, said he couldnt speculate on what the current administration may or may not do in regard to the grouse, but said he didnt balk at the idea of a well-planned review. If you are just talking in the cold, hard light of day, are there things in those plans that could improve on? Absolutely, he said. If our plans cant stand some scrutiny, they arent any good. But they are good, even if they were put together under pressure, over a limited time period, he added. All parties, however, want to be part of any review that takes place. That bird is the property of the state of Wyoming, so we have a vested interest in the outcome of whatever gets done, Budd said. The governors sent the same message. The Task Force as a group and the sage grouse states individually were directly involved in the development of those plan amendments, they wrote. The states understand the provisions that need improvement, and can help the Department develop ways to target those problematic provisions. Weather Worries Farmers This spring was one of the wettest on record, drenching Midwestern fields and slowing down spring planting. At this point, corn and soybean planting is still nearing complete, but is a bit behind schedule. Even as the final acres are planted, some producers are worried about the condition of the corn and soybean crops. Plants that develop during a wet spring typically dont build a deep root system, which can make them especially susceptible to dry weather if it hits later in the summer. However, summer precipitation is forecast to be normal, although Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio could have warmer than typical weather, which could stress the crops. For now, the futures markets are focusing on the relative abundance of grains left over from last year and the prospect for another large harvest this fall. The huge stockpiles have pushed soybean prices to a 13-month low near $9.00 per bushel while corn prices continue to languish under $4.00 per bushel. Trump Says Au Revoir to Paris Accord On Thursday, President Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Paris climate accord. The treaty, signed by President Obama and 194 other United Nations members, was designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming. Citing U.S. economic interests, President Trump stated Thursday that the U.S. would withdraw from the agreed-upon deal and attempt to renegotiate the United States commitment. Other signers of the deal, including the European Union and China, have indicated they will hold fast on their pledges. For futures traders, Trumps announcement was met with swift selling of crude oil and natural gas futures on the expectation that loosened environmental regulations would increase domestic fossil fuel production. Oil fell to a three-week low under $47 per barrel, while natural gas sank near a three-month low under $3.00 per million British thermal units. Hospice needs volunteers Would you like the opportunity to truly make a difference in someones life? Choose how you would like to give back, whether being a companion to our patients, helping run the Memory Lane Boutique, or sit vigil through patients last hours. Join us for our next Volunteer Training Program beginning June 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please call Tammy at 577-4832 or go to cwhp.org and fill out an application. We would love to have you on our team. Hospice boutique accepting donations Memory Lane Boutique at Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions is in need of donations for its inventory. Items accepted include furniture, jewelry, household goods, knickknacks, craft supplies, toys and sporting goods. Donations may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 319 S. Wilson. The public is invited to shop during the same hours. Would you host a hockey player? The Casper Coyotes are preparing for the next season already and that means finding loving families to host young men, ages 17 to 20 years old from across America and foreign countries. The boys arrive in August and stay until March or April. They should have a room of their own and become a part of your family. Their expenses are paid. Team rules are simple and you add family rules. If you raised a young man this age, then you know that it takes love, but the love and cultural experience that comes back is many times greater. Interested? Call a veteran of hosting and lets talk, Joe at 315-1987. Volunteer for family event Its time for the 5th annual HUD Fathers Day event. Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies is in search of volunteers to help with set up, distribution, and clean up for our mobile pantry assisting single fathers in Natrona County. Come join us in Washington Park on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Ashley Nickolai at 265-4016 or anickolai@foodbankrockies.org. Quilts of Valor every Wednesday The Central Wyoming Chapter of Quilts of Valor meets from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays to sew at the Central Wyoming Senior Services Center, 1831 E. Fourth St. Quilts of Valor are made by volunteers. Donated fabrics, supplies or monetary donations are appreciated. The group makes all quilts for service men and women who have been touched by war. Our chapter awards quilts to veterans who reside in the Central Wyoming region. Dues are $5 per year and new members are always welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Yung Hui Torske at 258-5578, Sandy Elliott at 307-5540331 or any chapter member. Scarves for Special Olympics Special Olympics Wyoming invites those who knit and crochet to make scarves for the Wyoming Special Olympics athletes to wear at State Winter Games in February 2018. Please use black, gray and white in the scarves, which should measure approximately 6 by 60 inches in any pattern. The deadline to receive the scarves is January 2018. Please send scarves to Special Olympics Wyoming, attn. Scarf Project 2017, P.O. Box 624, Jackson, WY 83001. There is more information available at www.sowy.org/other-fundraisers. Support team hosts reception J.R.s Hunt For Life is having a reception at Metro Coffee from 6 to 8 p.m. June 5. Many of J.R.s professional outdoor photos will be on display for the month of June and for sale by ordering. There will be free bracelets, decals to purchase, free signup for J.R.s Hunt, a hunting giveaway and other things. This is all for suicide prevention and awareness. Food of the month Wyoming Food for Thought Project has announced its food of the month suggestions for the nearly 1,000 weekend food bags its volunteers prepare for food-insecure school students in Natrona County each week. Often, schools, churches and other groups designate certain collection days for a specific type of food as a donation. The suggested food items may be taken to program headquarters at 900 St. John, but its best to call ahead to make certain someone is there to receive it. June, peanut butter; July, pork n beans; August, mac n cheese; September, Chef Boyardee products; October, cereal; November, soup; December, chili. For more information, call Cassandra at 337-1703. Disabled vets need volunteer drivers The Disabled American Veterans need volunteer drivers to take veterans to their medical appointment at the VA hospital in Cheyenne. The volunteer driver will transport them in a VA vehicle. If you are interested, please call the DAV transportation office in Cheyenne at 307-778-7577 for further information. The Natrona County High School community has banded together during a year in which three students and two faculty members have died, Principal Shannon Harris said Thursday. Its been an interesting year, she said. I hope I never have another one like it. Two weeks ago, teacher Jeff Jelskey died. In March, a student killed himself, and earlier this month, another took his own life. In the fall, another faculty member died, and a third student died earlier in the year. That doesnt account for NCHS parents whove died this year, Harris and district spokeswoman Tanya Southerland said. Neither felt comfortable speculating about how many parents have passed away. Harris said in the wake of each tragedy, the high schools more than 1,500 students banded together and supported each other. Other high schools sent notes and treats to faculty, like a pan of chocolate, letting them know the losses are not felt solely by the NCHS community. The thing that gives me hope is to see in tough times people in Wyoming pull together and support one another, she said. Ive been really proud of our kids and staff to see the support theyve given as tough things happen. The high school isnt alone in its mourning. Kelly Walsh High School lost members of its community as well, including Aurora Rohrer, a 16-year-old who died in car crash on the way to her boyfriends wrestling tournament in March. The wrestler is an NCHS student. The losses affect students at both schools. When a tragedy occurs at Kelly Walsh, for example, NCHS might make counselors available for its own students. I think were there for one another, as needs arise in the schools, Harris said. Its district policy not to confirm the causes of death of students and staff, Southerland said, and the district will not answer questions about specific incidents. At the time of their deaths, the cause for both Rohrer and Jelskey was confirmed to the Star-Tribune by other officials, like county Coroner Connie Jacobson. Support for students The district has a set policy, which was recently revised slightly, for when these tragedies occur. Harris said the response can vary from incident to incident, depending on the manner of death, the location and the time of year. But counselors are typically made available to students and school employees. Staff are usually alerted, but the school typically doesnt alert the student body as a whole. The students usually know before we do, Harris said. When the school needs more counselors in the wake of tragedies, Harris said, it contacts Dean Braughton, the director of student support services for the district, to bring in additional help. Harris said outside groups have also offered help. Students can meet individually with counselors or in groups. The districts policy states that its top priority is to respect the wishes of the family, as much as possible. It establishes reporting lines and officials in the district who will be alerted to the incident. In the case of suicide, only a handful of high-level district administrators will be told the cause of death, including the principal and the superintendents cabinet. The Star-Tribune does not usually report on specific incidents of suicide. In recent years, Wyoming has worked to increase suicide awareness in its 48 school districts. Three years ago, the Legislature passed the Jason Flatt Act, which requires that every employee in every district in the state undergo eight hours of suicide awareness training every four years. Additionally, the state rolled out the Safe2Tell program this year. The mobile phone application is an anonymous way for students to report threats and safety concerns to authorities. Harris said there have been 61 tips related to NCHS this year. Officials said in December that the program has exceeded expectations so far; more than 100 tips had been by that point. We just had another tip (Wednesday night), she said. Self harm, suicide, threats, drugs, alcohol, bullying, harassment. Just all kinds of things. You name it, its probably been tipped. Mustang Connections Harris said NCHS is considering adding more staff training to the hours already required by law. The school has also rolled out Mustang Connections, which Harris called her pet project. Under the program, students meet in small groups with a teacher during a 35-minute period. The purpose is to create connections between students and their faculty and build a support system. She cited a lack of that connection as one of the leading causes of students dropping out of school. But she also said the program can be used to identify potential mental health problems in students. Harris said she hopes to build on Mustang Connections next year to help spot multiple at-risk behaviors. Harris stressed that suicide and student death is not the most common issue the school faces. She said that distinction belongs to truancy. She also cited alcohol and drug use, particularly in the wake of marijuanas legalization in Colorado, as other common challenges. Through all the struggles this year, which began with the death of a faculty member and ended with another, Harris said the school has remained strong. Shes proud of that strength. Students love one another, fundraise for one another, Harris said. And do what they can to be there for one another, in the good and the bad times. Washington and Oregon are poised to implement rolling closures of the steelhead fishery from the mouth of the Columbia River to the mouth of the Snake this summer and fall in an attempt to protect the dismal B-run, projected to be the lowest on record. On the Snake River from its mouth to Clarkston, anglers would be required to release all steelhead more than 30 inches in length. The two states also are looking to restrict most fishing on the Snake and Columbia rivers to daylight hours only, and to implement the same rolling closures on the lower sections of Columbia River tributaries, where Idaho-bound B-run steelhead often make short detours while in search of cool water. Protective regulations for the Snake River upstream of the Idaho-Washington state line at Clarkston and the Clearwater River have not yet been set. Idaho fisheries officials are considering adopting regulations similar to those implemented in 2013, when anglers were only allowed to harvest steelhead less than 28 inches in length. We have the advantage in Idaho of seeing the run materialize downriver before we fish, said Lance Hebdon, salmon and steelhead manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at Boise. So well keep our options open and implement regulations that are appropriate to meet the objectives of ensuring we meet brood stock targets while maintaining opportunity for our steelhead anglers. Length restrictions are certainly on the table, and well continue to coordinate management with Oregon and Washington. Columbia River fisheries managers are forecasting a return of only 7,300 B-run steelhead to Bonneville Dam, including 1,100 wild fish. The fishing restrictions are designed to both protect the wild fish, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and to ensure enough hatchery fish return for spawning. Everybody is going to feel some pain, said Ron Roler of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at Olympia. He said Washington and Oregon are adopting a one steelhead bag limit when fishing is allowed. But there will be periods when anglers wont be allowed to keep any steelhead. Federal permits authorizing the fisheries will allow the two states combined to incidentally kill just 22 wild b-run steelhead during the fishing seasons. Stuart Ellis of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission said the Columbia River treaty tribes, including the Nez Perce, havent yet adopted rules designed to limit take of B-run steelhead during fall chinook gillnet fisheries. But he said the tribal fisheries will be constrained because of the low number of steelhead. We will probably have to be a little creative to try to focus fishing on getting the chinook we can get without running into the steelhead limits, Ellis said. Under the proposal, nontribal steelhead harvest will be closed during the following dates and locations: l The mouth of the Columbia River to the Dalles Dam, from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. l The Dalles Dam to John Day Dam, from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30. l John Day Dam to McNary Dam, from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 l McNary Dam to the Oregon-Washington state line, from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30. l The lower reaches of the Cowlitz, Lewis, Wind, White Salmon and Klickitat rivers, as well as Drano Lake, will be closed to steelhead harvest from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. l The lower Deschutes River from Moody Rapids to its mouth will be closed to all fishing from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. l The John Day River, downstream of Tumwater Falls, is expected to be closed from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31. In many locations, only anglers targeting northern pikeminnow will be allowed to fish at night. Roller said the closures are designed to be in place at the times B-run steelhead are present in different river sections and intended to reduce the number of anglers targeting steelhead. We are in a serious hurt here so we have to take some serious measures to curtail fisheries on steelhead. Jeromy Jording, biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the record-low flows and elevated water temperatures during the spring and summer of 2015 combined with the warm mass of water off the coast of Washington that year known as the Blob is responsible for the dire prediction, as well as this years poor return of spring chinook. Last year, the collapse of the A-run also was blamed on the poor river and ocean conditions of 2015. This is the lowest return we have forecasted I think on record, he said. Even if you go back into the 1990s, this year would be even lower than anything we observed during that poor period of survival. Jording said climate change could cause greater frequency of the kind of drought and poor ocean conditions responsible for this years poor steelhead showing. The effects of climate change give us a great cause for concern on how we can expect run size abundance to behave in the future, Jording said. DOUGLASThe Wyoming Department of Transportation is embarking on a yearlong study of ways to raise revenue to improve safety on Interstate 80, including the possibility of toll lanes, the agencys director told lawmakers this week. About 13,000 vehicles traverse I-80 in Wyoming a day, including a number of long-haul trucks. That number is expected to increase to 25,000 in 20 years. In Wyoming, the interstate is mostly two lanes in each direction. Parts of the interstate reach elevations of nearly 9,000 feet and snowstorms are common, sometimes causing deadly crashes or shutting down the roadway for days, WYDOT Director Bill Panos told members of the Joint Transpiration, Highways and Military Affairs Committee, which met at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy. At the same time, federal and state transportation money has been limited, which poses a challenge if WYDOT were to make dramatic improvements to the interstate, Panos and other WYDOT officials testified to the committee. However, President Donald Trump and members of Congress are discussing a number of infrastructure initiatives. As a result of the WYDOT study, state officials will be able to identify problems with I-80 and be prepared to make the case for why Wyoming needs federal grant money, he said. The study includes not just the issue of financing the operation but looking at safety and the general operations, he said. Since 2009, lawmakers have discussed building a third lane across the roughly 400-mile stretch of interstate that passes through Wyoming. But the proposal fell flat before the full Wyoming Legislature four times. During its most recent session, the Legislature rejected a bill that required a similar study to the one WYDOT is now doing. The Legislatures study was to cost $300,000. Panos said his departments $500,000 study is different than the one proposed in the Legislature, since it goes beyond tolling. The larger cost is in part because the department wants to complete it during the first half of 2018, he said. More options There are options beyond tolling to raise money for safety measures on I-80. They include bonding, federal grants and increasing registrations and fees that truckers pay, Panos said. As you know I-80 is probably the most active and largest transportation asset we have in the state right now, Panos said. It is used as a significant thoroughfare for freight between the West Coast and East Coast of the United States. Although Panos continued to emphasize that the study was broader than toll roads, tolling was on the minds of most people who testified about the issue. Sheila Foertsch, managing director of the Wyoming Trucking Association, said her group opposes the construction of a new lane on the interstate for tolling. The Trucking Association, along with the Wyoming Contractors Association is on a steering committee with WYDOT staff to oversee the study. She said truckers pay registration and fuel taxes to help fund the nations highway system. And Wyoming receives some of the money, even if a trucking company is headquartered in another state, since registration and fuel tax laws require that revenue is sent to states where the truckers drive, she said. Were very sensitive to how tolling takes place, the price of that tolling, she said. Sen. Curt Meier, a LaGrange Republican and a committee chairman, calculated some tax numbers and challenged Foertschs assertion that truckers pay more for the states roads than they use. Youre saying youre paying enough, he said. Frankly, Im saying youre not. And Ill just leave it at that. Meier later asked the Legislatures nonpartisan staff for more data on revenue truckers pay. Sheridan County resident Bryan Miller testified to the committee that he travels for work and is generally opposed to toll roads. Although there are some well-maintained toll roads in the Denver area, most of the toll roads are located in the eastern U.S. and theyre not in good shape, he said. Theyre expensive and the maintenance and everything thats done is just not as good, Miller said. I think the Wyoming DOT does a good job. POWELL A proposal for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to buy about 1,800 acres on top of a mountain in northern Wyoming has strong support. The only question is whether the agency can come up with the money. More than a dozen organizations, agencies and individuals ranging from the Greater Yellowstone Coalition to the Park County Commission have written letters supporting the proposed federal purchase of the land on Sheep Mountain west of Cody. Located west of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir and landlocked by roughly 17,000 acres of public land, the land is owned by The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that acquired it to keep it open for wildlife and public use. The land on Sheep Mountain is particularly important in providing wildlife, including bighorn sheep, elk and mule deer, refuge in hard winters, said Katherine Thompson, The Nature Conservancys northwest Wyoming program director. Just the way its oriented and the way the wind hits it, its often clear when the mountains around it are covered in snow, Thompson said. The property is also popular among hikers and hunters. The Nature Conservancy estimates the land is worth somewhere between $1 million and $2 million. The land wont be officially appraised and a fair market value determined until the sale is much closer, as appraisals are valid only for a limited period of time. Its a lot of money, Thompson said, and it would be difficult for the BLM to find that much money for one land purchase at a time when the agency is already stretched for dollars. BLM Cody Field Office Manager Delissa Minnick supports the idea of the agency buying the land. Minnick said she thinks the Sheep Mountain proposal would compete well with other federal land purchase proposals around the country because new U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has made access for hunters and anglers a part of his agenda. CHEYENNE Relatively minor flooding occurred in Wyoming during May from melting snow, but water experts caution residents along rivers and streams not to become complacent. They say the mountain snowpack remains exceptionally deep in many places and the main runoff is starting and is expected to be prolonged this year. If you know your area is flood prone, you might want to get last-minute preparations made, National Weather Service hydrologist Jim Fahey said. Warm temperatures have already accelerated runoff flows in smaller streams and creeks this week and the levels of major central and western rivers are expected to rise quickly as well. The National Weather Service posted a flood watch Thursday for the Green, Shoshone, Big Wind and Little Wind rivers effective Friday morning through Sunday night. Only eastern Wyoming appears free from any flood threat now. While warm weather at the outset of May melted off snow at the lower elevations below the 8,500 foot (2,591 meter) altitude and started melting some high elevation snow above 8,500 feet, the last two full weeks of May were wet and cool and left an unusually high snowpack entering June, according to Lee Hackleman, a water supply specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Riverton. Statewide, Wyomings snowpack this week was more than twice the usual amount as measured by instruments in central and western mountain ranges, according to the NRCS. Wyoming normally sees some flooding from the spring snowmelt but this year is different in that the accumulated snowpack is high in a wide area and in multiple mountain ranges. The whole western side of the state is high, Hackleman said. Areas of Wyoming, such as Fremont County, with rivers and streams fed by the mountain runoff have been placing sandbags and other barriers to protect homes, businesses and key public infrastructure. Fahey said the high snowpack this late in May likely will prolong the annual runoff. The Green especially could see moderate to high flows through July, Fahey said. Runoff in the Green River Basin normally peaks between June 10 and June 20, he said. While rivers will be running high, a weather pattern of fluctuating temperatures between warm and cool would be ideal for an efficient runoff, Fahey said. The wildcard is whether it rains. If we get enough rain on top of the melt, it really brings the rivers up high, Fahey said. Managers of reservoirs around the state have been draining water to make room for the high runoff. Mike and Brian Sorell could see the writing on the wall as early as 18 months ago. Thats when Safeway pulled out of the plaza that the store had anchored on the corner of East Broadway and South Camino Seco. For a brief spell about four months an outpost of the Pacific Northwest grocery chain Haggen moved in. But once that company flopped here, quickly closing the three Tucson locations it opened in spring 2015 in old Safeway and Albertsons locations, the big anchor spot in the plaza where the Sorell family has been serving up award-winning pizza and pasta started collecting dust. All total, I say and its anecdotal because Im not looking at numbers it looks like we lost about $20,000 in revenues per month right off the bat after Safeway closed, Mike Sorell said Friday, a day after announcing on Facebook that his familys BZs Pizza Co. Neighborhood Grill will close on June 16. The drop was dramatic considering that for the first handful of months after opening BZs at 8838 E. Broadway in 2014, the family-owned pizzeria/Italian restaurant was regularly bringing in $90,000 to $120,000 a month in revenue. And then every month its lower and lower, said Sorell, whose family opened BZs eight years ago in the Frys shopping plaza at East 22nd Street and South Harrison Road before moving to their current larger location three years ago, he said. Sorell said BZs is closing ahead of the citys plans to widen Broadway east from Camino Seco to South Houghton Road. Actual road work wont start until next spring, but construction to remove underground utility lines begins in July, said Tucson Transportation Department spokesman Mike Graham. Graham said CenturyLink will begin moving its fiber optics lines and the city will do other utility work, including moving sewer and water lines, which typically happens if you are going to widen the roadway and rebuild it, he said. Thats the perfect time to do your sewer lines and water lines and put in all new underground utilities. Sorell said the family has plans to reopen BZs in a new location, but they havent decided where. He said hes considering the Vail area and likes the commercial plaza off Interstate 10 and South Houghton Road. The area is experiencing a boom since Walmart Supercenter moved in spring 2014; several supporting businesses have also opened there, creating the largest shopping center between Benson and Tucson, Sorell said. Sorell said the family has been contemplating the move since early spring and even posted the possibility on the restaurants Facebook page. On April 3, the owners opened up about their financial woes, which included being behind in their rent that Sorell said was $7,700 a month. In their post, the owners put out a call for a short-term partner to help get through the rough patch. In a post a month later, they thanked customers for their support and said they were sticking with the Broadway-Camino Seco location maybe not indefinitely, but well keep ya posted. Sorell said, though, that after crunching numbers, it became difficult to justify staying open in the plaza. As a restaurateur, you anticipate seeing 20 percent new faces coming through the door that you can turn into regular faces. And the next day, 20 percent more new faces. Thats growth, Sorell said. When youre in a situation that Im in, all I have is my regular customers. ... People arent going to come here with the construction. When you do some basic math, you can say that you need about $70,000 in revenue a month to keep the lights on, he added. Were in a situation where we are barely getting $70,000, sometimes $72,000. When the road construction comes, I will be lucky if I can do $55,000. I couldnt afford to do that. We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some June 2 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.com you can search the Arizona Daily Star and many other newspapers using keywords or dates, and download articles or pages. PHOENIX Faced with an average of two deaths a day, the states top health official is looking for ways to curb the abuse of opioids, both legal and otherwise. And some of that may involve getting doctors to find alternative relief for patients with chronic pain including possibly recommending the use of medical marijuana. Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Department of Health Services, said Thursday some of the meteoric rise in deaths up from 454 in 2012 to 790 last year can be traced to illegal drug use. That is reflected in a tripling in the number of Arizonans who died from heroin overdose. But there are more actual deaths from prescription opioids. While Christ said some of these can be people misusing the drugs for recreational purposes, she suspects there are people who have become addicted to them because of chronic pain. One indication of that, she said, is the pure data. Christ said the death rate from opioid abuse and overdose is higher among those in the 45- to 54-year-old age group than it is among those any other 10-year spread. This is a group, she said, which is less likely using the drug for recreation. So whos to blame? Thats difficult, Christ said. She said some of it starts with doctors. People were educated years ago that they are nonaddictive, that they are great resources for pain, you dont need to use them only for cancer or terminal pain, Christ said. We underestimated the addictive potential of these medications. And the government itself, she said, shares the blame. Christ said the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services links hospital reimbursement and hospital performance scores to patient satisfaction surveys. And those surveys include two questions about how their pain was treated. I think that assisted in this, she said. Then when you clamp down on the supply of it, you have these people who have no other choice and choose, then, heroin, Christ continued. And we do know that four out of five heroin drug users started as prescription drug users. Changing that, she said, starts with doctors finding alternatives to pain management. There are a lot of other effective treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, she said, ranging from aspirin to ibuprofen drugs like Advil and Motrin and naproxen, which is marketed as Aleve and similar drugs. And Christ said her agency is going to set up a chronic pain program to work with insurance companies to ensure they are providing coverage for such medications. And what of medical marijuana? The 2010 voter-approved initiative allows doctors to recommend the drug to patients with certain specified medical conditions. And one of them is chronic pain. Christ said she cant say whether marijuana might be suitable for some people, outweighing the potential dangers of that drug. Each individual is going to be different, she said, saying patients need to discuss options with their doctors. Leading Tucson Democrats think theyve found a strong woman to challenge GOP Rep. Martha McSally in 2018. The question is, which woman? Theres a well-known ex-congresswoman who has said, as I reported last month, that she is considering running in Congressional District 2: Ann Kirkpatrick. She told me she has moved from Flagstaff to Tucson for family reasons and is thinking about running for the nomination in her new home. Then last week, former Rep. Ron Barber sent out an email seeking to draft Kirkpatrick into the race. To defeat McSally, we need someone with the moral courage to put ordinary families ahead of party politics. Ann Kirkpatrick is the right person for that job, Barber wrote. Please join me in drafting her to run for Congress. But for weeks there has also been an experienced woman, new to electoral politics, cultivating support among some of the areas key Democrats. I met Mary Sally Matiella Wednesday at the home of Bill Roe, a longtime leader among Arizona Democrats who is the partys first vice chair. In Matiella (pronounced "ma-tee-AY-ya") he seems to think hes found the challenger to beat McSally. As she unfolded her story for me, you could see why Roe is excited. Matiella was born Maria Celia Garza in 1951 to migrant farmworkers in Texas, she told me. The family moved around Southern Arizona but settled in Tucson, where she attended public schools on the south side, graduating from Pueblo High. Then, against the odds for that era, she went to the UA and earned not just a bachelors degree in education but a masters in business administration. After marrying, she moved around with her airman husband, Francisco Matiella, who is from a Nogales family. Gradually she built a career in budget and accounting within Defense Department entities. Over a career in D.C., Germany, Panama and elsewhere, she became a CPA, and got a doctorate in education. In 2008, she moved back to the Tucson area, where her five siblings live, she said. But then President Obama appointed her to the highest position she held in government: assistant secretary of the Army for financial management and comptroller. She held that job from 2010 to 2014. Like many Democrats, she expected Hillary Clinton to win the presidency and has been dismayed to see programs she values in education, health and the environment scheduled for drastic cuts in President Trumps proposed budget. I want to make sure these programs get funded, that we continue moving forward, she said, adding that under Trump, We are going backward. We are going back to the 60s and 30s. My knowledge of governance, the federal budget and the give-and-takes makes me well-qualified to understand what we need to do to make sure these programs are not rolled back. Of course, one of the simple attacks against Matiella, if she runs, will be that she is just another D.C. bureaucrat. Shes preparing for that criticism and others if she runs. But first, she needs to broaden her support. Barber, the last Democrat to occupy the CD2 seat, is not on board. Matiella is absolutely delightful and shes got a great history of serving the country, Barber told me. Im concerned, as I am in any race, that we find the candidate who has the best chance to win. Barber, Roe and others have been approached by at least two dozen potential Democratic candidates. Of those, the top tier probably consists of these five: Matt Heinz, who lost to McSally in 2016, commercial pilot Jeff Latas, former state legislator Bruce Wheeler, Matiella and Kirkpatrick. Then there is Charlie Verdin. Having written several times about CD2 candidates but never mentioning him, I was surprised to receive an email from Verdin in which he explained to me he is not a joke candidate. Id thought he was because his last name is the name of a songbird around here. But no: Verdin, a Tucsonan who co-founded a local company called Fangamer in 2007 and continues to work there, is quite sincere and trying to spread the word hes running. Two in, one out in CD1 Last week I reported on state Sen. Steve Smiths candidacy for the GOP nomination for U.S. House in CD1. While he is the likely leading contender at the outset, there are at least two other Republicans in the race at this early stage. Kevin Cavanaugh, of Coolidge, began a run for the Pinal County sheriffs race in 2016, but he bowed out of that race and gave his support to Mark Lamb, who won. He was deputy chief for a short period under Lamb, and now the former police officer is running as a pro-gun-rights, anti-abortion traditional Republican for the nomination in CD1. Shawn Redd, who ran for the nomination in 2016, has announced he is a candidate again, as well. Whoever wins will take on Democrat Tom OHalleran, who won the seat over former Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu last year. One rumored candidate who will not run is T.J. Shope. The state representative from Coolidge considered mounting a campaign but decided to hold off for now, he told me. Instead, hes planning to stay in the state House and perhaps make a run for speaker. CVS in Chicago Store? At first glance, the idea of a CVS pharmacy moving into the Chicago Music Store reported by my colleague Gabriela Rico this week looks like a mismatch. How can such a plasticky retail chain be made to fit into such a cool historic spot? But upon reflection I basically like the idea. The earlier discussion had it that developers would put a new restaurant-bar concept in the building at 130 E. Congress. Frankly thats not something we need more of downtown right now. A pharmacy, though? That is something we all could use. The big condition is that the historic facade must be really, truly preserved. How CVS will do that and also create signage that identifies the store and brings in customers is a puzzle well have to solve sensitively. PHOENIX Advocates for Dreamers are urging the nations high court to reject Arizonas last-ditch bid to take away their licenses to drive. In new legal briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, attorneys for various groups are asking the justices to leave undisturbed an appellate court ruling that concluded the state acted illegally in refusing to issue licenses to those accepted into the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said DACA recipients are in this country legally. The judges said Arizona has no right to unilaterally decide the issue of legal presence for itself. But attorneys for the Dreamers, led by Jennifer Chang Newell of the American Civil Liberties Union, also have a political argument in their bid to convince the Supreme Court not to reviewing the issue at the behest of state Attorney General Mark Brnovich. The new administration has maintained the program, and continues to grant renewals of deferred action pursuant to DACA, the legal papers state, even though Trump has the unilateral authority to alter or rescind the policy just as his predecessor enacted it. And Congress has not taken any action to strip the president of the power to offer deferred action. Indeed, Congress ... had rejected legislation that would have temporarily suspended Department of Homeland Securitys authority to grant deferred action except in narrow circumstances, demonstrating it knows how it could limit deferred action, but has chosen not to do so, the Dreamers attorneys said. Congress also has considered bills that would bar implementation of DACA; block agency funding unless the program were rescinded; or limited the (Homeland Security) secretarys authority to grant DACA recipients to work authorization but enacted none of them, the legal filings continue. Meanwhile, Congress has enacted multiple appropriations bills that fund DHS, leaving DACA untouched. The 2012 policy allows those who arrived in this country illegally as children to remain if they meet certain other qualifications. They also are entitled to employment authorization documents entitling them to work here legally. At last count, more than 27,000 Arizonans had been granted DACA status. But just days before the Department of Homeland Security began taking applications, then-Gov. Jan Brewer issued an executive order directing the Arizona Department of Transportation to not issue licenses to DACA recipients. She cited a 1996 state law that says licenses are available only to those whose presence in this country is authorized by federal law. Brewer argued the federal agency had no legal authority to permit DACA recipients to remain or work. And what that meant, she said, is they were not authorized to be here. That argument failed to convince federal appellate judges who, ruling for the ACLU, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the National Immigration Law Center, said Arizona cannot decide for itself who is legally entitled to be in the country. The state Department of Transportation, acting under federal court order, said its most recent statistics show that more than 21,000 DACA recipients have been granted Arizona licenses. Brnovich, with the Supreme Court left as his last chance for legal relief, is arguing that what Obama did is not part of any federal law or even the result of Congress directing a federal agency to adopt a rule. And inherent in that argument is the contention that Obama exceeded his authority in establishing the DACA program in the first place. The attorneys for the Dreamers, however, point out its not like Obama was doing something new. For more than four decades, federal immigration authorities have granted deferred action to otherwise removable noncitizens in a variety of circumstances, they said. That ranges from victims of human trafficking and relatives of victims of terrorism to even foreign students affected by Hurricane Katrina. They noted that along with that status comes employment authorization documents to ensure that person can work while here the very documents the state is refusing to honor for licenses for DACA recipients. The lawyers for the Dreamers say theres no legal basis for Brnovichs claim that Obama acted illegally. Indeed, no court has found DACA to be unlawful, and every legal challenge has been dismissed, they said. Most of the residents ordered to evacuate because of a wildfire burning near Sonoita were allowed to return to their homes by Thursday evening. The Kellogg Fire has burned about 250 acres of brush and tall grass near the Arizona 82 and Arizona 83 juncture. It began around 1 p.m. in Sonoita, just southwest of the county fairgrounds. Two vacant barns were destroyed. Some areas around Santa Rita Road remain evacuated, state officials said. The fire was about 80 percent contained. Fire crews, heavy air tankers, two single-engine air tankers and three helicopters were assigned to the fire. About 15 residences were initially ordered to evacuate because of the fire. But most of the evacuation orders were lifted by Thursday evening, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. The fire started south of Arizona 82, just north of the Old Sonoita Highway, and near Arizona 83. Arizona 82 and Arizona 83, which were closed for periods of time, have been reopened. By 2:30 p.m. Thursday , the winds seemed to be sending the flames and smoke away from the handful of wineries dotting Arizona 82 a couple miles east of the Kellogg Fire. Mark Beres said employees at his Flying Leap Vineyards, 342 Elgin Road, said Thursdays wildfire was far less threatening than last months Sawmill Fire, which came within 8 miles of Sonoita-Elgin wine country. At Arizona Hops and Vines, 3450 Arizona 82, business seemed to keep pace with a typical Thursday a handful of customers coming mostly from Tucson and Sierra Vista. I can see the planes dropping water and I can see the smoke, said Alexandra Lamprell, whos worked at the winery since February. I cant see flames or anything. Hops and Vines owner Shannon Zouzoulas said she and her partner/sister Megan Haller camped out at the winery during the Sawmill Fire as the blaze flirted with wine country. Zouzoulas, who lives in Vail, said she wanted to be on the vineyard in case they needed to evacuate their coterie of animals including chickens, a dog, cat, fish and a donkey. It's National Doughnut Day, and in honor of such a special occasion, a few national chains want to help you celebrate with some freebies. All day long and while supplies last, Krispy Kreme customers will each receive one free doughnut of their choice. Fair warning though: With only one Krispy Kreme in Tucson, located at 5621 E. Broadway, the line could get long. Dunkin' Donuts is also getting in on the action, offering a free "classic donut" with the purchase of any beverage. Dunkin' Donuts has seven locations in Tucson, including: 904 E. University Blvd., 2553 N. Campbell Ave., 1655 W. Valencia Rd., 7805 N. Oracle Rd., 5346 E. 22nd St., 4676 E. Grant Rd. and 7073 E. Tanque Verde Rd. No coupon is necessary for either deal. Your story is a vibrant thread in the fabric of our community, and we love to tell it. Local news, sports, public safety, education, city government, weather, business we cover the news that makes your town tick. Check out a few of our favorite stories below. Help India! By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net Hyderabad: Two Muslim youths, Mohd Riyaz Khan and Mohd Abdul Sayeed, were acquitted by the metropolitan session judge in a local Nampally court in Hyderabad on Wednesday, May 31 over allegations of killing two cops. Support TwoCircles Riyaz and Abdul were accused of killing police constable K Balaswamy and injuring another policeman on May 17th, 2009 at Falaknuma, Hyderabad on the 2nd anniversary of Makkah Masjid blast and killing constable V Ramesh at Shalibanda, Hyderabad on May 4th, 2010 on 3rd anniversary of Makkah Masjid blast day. Denied bail for all these years, both were released from jail after 7 years of incarceration. Their case was fought by Advocate Mohd Muzaffar Ullah Khan, Adv. Mohd Asif Ali and Adv. Saluddin Deccani. The youths were allegedly shown as accused and followers of Mohammed Viquar Uddin, who was alleged of forming a self styled, Tahreek Galba-e-Islam (TGI) by the Hyderabad Police. Viquaruddin was killed by police in an encounter in April 2015, when police team escorting them to the court alleged Viquar and four other associates of snatching the weapons. The family and civil rights organizations have alleged police of killing Viquar and his four associates in fake encounter. Initially the case was registered by Shalibanda Police later it was handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Hyderabad Police. The SIT with the help of Organisation for Counter Terrorist Operations(OCTUPUS) & counter Intelligence Cell (CI) arrested seven person and shown them as accused in these two incidents. Other five co accused were: Mohammed Viquar Uddin, Mohd Amjed, Mohd Zakir, Dr Haneef and Izhar Khan of Lucknow, UP. They were booked U/s 121,121 (A), 120 B, 302,307 and Sec 16, 18 and 20 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Both the cases were investigated by SIT, Hyderabad Police. The Hyderabad Police claimed that the above members had formed Tahreek Gaalba-e-Islam (TGI) and were avenging the killing of innocent Muslims in police firing post Makkah Masjid Blast on 17th May 2007. In a previous Judgement On 14th Sep 2016 the IInd Add. Metropolitan Secession Judge had acquitted both the accused in the killing of home guard Radha Krishna Murty. We knew that all of them were innocent. They were supposed to get released in April 2015 itself, but police killed them so that they couldnt come out. They could have also walked free on May 31, Mohammad Ahmed, father of under trial Viquaruddin killed in Aler encounter told TwoCircles.net. Hyderabad-based Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) has welcomed the judgement and have raised questions against the Alair encounter. All other accused were about to be set free due to lack of evidence against them thats why the Telangana State Police killed Syed Viquar Uddin and other four Muslims in a fake encounter at Alair who were under Judicial Custody, said Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson MBT. MBT has demanded an inquiry by a sitting Judge of Supreme Court Judge in the arrest of innocent Muslim youths and their killing in Aalair encounter terming it as cold blooded murder of five innocent youths. Related: Aler Police Encounter of five Muslim Undertrials Help India! By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net Amid attempts by Sangh Parivar to tarnish the image of Malappuram, the Muslim majority district in Kerala, a temple here showed the way by organising an Iftar party for Muslims residing in its locality.The Shree Narasimhamoorthy temple at Punnathala here hosted an iftar party which was attended by at least 500 Muslims. Besides, vegetable Biryani and Iftar packs were distributed to more than 300 Muslim houses here. The function was held as part of the one week long temple Punar Prathishta festival. Support TwoCircles Active participation of Muslims here made Iftar a unique affair. The temple committee elected a local Muslim leader Mammu Master as the chairman of Iftar committee. Ramadan is not only a month to recite Quran and worship God. Its also the time for strengthening the bond between the communities, Mammu Master said. The function was planned by temple authorities after Muslims here contributed substantially for renovation works of the temple. Punnathala has got only 72 Hindu families out of the total 1300 families here. More than half of the renovation expense, estimated at about Rs 20 lakh, was contributed by Muslims here. Youngsters from both communities volunteered all duties including setting up of venue and food supply. Temple committee president Unnikrishnan Nair said the function was organised in order to keep the tradition of harmonious living intact. Our fathers and forefathers lived here in harmony. And we want to keep it alive, said Unnikrishnan Nair. Brexit will trigger serious NHS staff shortages and cost taxpayers 265m to rehire EU doctors and nurses, claim the Liberal Democrats. Research has indicated that due to the decision to leave the European Union, up to 26,500 NHS workers may leave the UK. Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has spoken about how dependent the National Health Service is on its EU doctors, nurses and other NHS staff, and claims we will pay the consequences without them. These are skilled and hard-working people, who all work tirelessly to look after all of us. Our NHS and the care we all rely on will suffer without them, said Clegg, according to a report by the Sun. The Impact of Brexit Clegg has claimed that the number of EU nationals registering as nurses in the UK has fallen by 90 percent since the Brexit vote. These new numbers have caused further concerns for the future of the NHS. It was only back in January this year that a report highlighted NHS patients were being left hungry, thirsty and desperate for the toilet by hospital staff who failed to respond to call bells. In addition, The Sun reported that at least two Britons die a day of thirst and starvation in NHS hospitals. Critics have blamed this situation on the back-breaking' workloads piled on NHS staff. They believe the staff just dont have the time to help patients eat and drink. Joyce Robin of Patient Concern (a company that promotes choice and empowerment for all health service users) has spoken about how patients are being neglected. Hospital wards are full and staff are run off their feet looking after so many patients it is impossible to give them the care they need, said Robin. Further Concerns for the NHS To add to the NHS short staffing concerns, a recent article by the BBC revealed that tens of thousands of expat pensioners may return to the UK to use the NHS after Brexit. The BBC stated that the NHS would need around 1,600 more doctors, nurses and other workers to provide the care if this happens. A report from the Nuffield Trust has suggested that the NHS could face a bill of 1m a year unless a deal is done to let them (the expats) keep receiving care in the EU. The agreement in place currently protects around 190,000 pensioners, the health charity said. The one element of good news for the NHS post-Brexit is that when the UK leaves the EU, it could stop paying EU membership fees. Money from this saving could be used by the NHS, but how much this figure transpires to be is unclear. If youre looking to pursue a career in health and social care, there are a number of qualifications available to you. UKCBC in London and Essex offers a Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Health and Social Care (Management). To find about more, head to the UKCBC website. Ex-US President Barack Obama has spoken out about his successor, current President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement, a landmark UN treaty that Obama signed during his Presidency, along with all but a couple of nations in the world, where they all agreed to work hard to reduce the effects of climate change (there were more specific terms than that, but this is a brief article). Obama gives a rare harsh criticism of Trumps decision Obama, who usually saves face when talking about a man he must very passionately despise for taking the beautiful country he cultivated and ruining it almost immediately, took a rare anti-Trump stance when discussing the Paris accord. Apparently, climate change is Obamas breaking point. The first black President released a lengthy statement about Trumps decision, outlining why he was wrong. To summarise the statement, Obama first noted what a landmark the Paris accord was, since it was the first ever global agreement of its kind, with the intent to preserve the world we leave to our children. Thats a powerful choice of words. He basically said, in nicer words, that he was a better President when he signed the treaty, and Trump is a sucky President who doesnt realise what hes throwing away. Obama also noted how Trumps reasoning is because he thinks the Paris agreement is screwing the American worker, but thats absurd. It has created many good-paying jobs in growing industries like wind and solar. He said, scarily, that instead, America joins a small handful of nations that reject the future. Bernie Sanders, who illegitimately lost the Democratic nomination in last years Presidential election to Hillary Clinton, often speaks out against Republican President Donald Trumps political choices, since theyre far worse than what he wouldve done had things turned out differently and much better and hed become President. Now that Trump has pulled out of the Paris agreement and undone another piece of his predecessor Barack Obamas legacy and also doomed the Earth to the effects of global warming a little bit more, Sanders certainly hasnt kept quiet about it. He's been very open with his criticisms of this decision in the hours since it was announced. An international disgrace Sanders has called Trumps decision to get America out of the Paris accord an international disgrace, as well as an abdication" of the democratic choosing of a ruler of the United States. A slap in the face of democracy, if you will. It shouldn't just be this man's decision. Sanders had harsh words, but also true. He also said that not only will Trumps ignorance of climate change cause devastating harm" across the globe; it already is, so this can only be worse. Sanders, added, poignantly, that it is not within the "moral right" of the American government to ignore what most of the rest of the world's countries are doing "to preserve this planet for future generations. Why the hell isnt this man President? Last week, after his first international trip in office, US President Donald Trump pledged that in the coming week, he would announce his plans with regards to the United States commitment to the Paris agreement, a ground-breaking UN treaty that Trumps predecessor Barack Obama signed that would lessen the effects of global warming. It was a big decision. Trump could either add a few degrees to the Earths temperature and create more extreme weather conditions that leave people in his own country without homes and living in a lake, or he could finally accept the science of climate change and make one single positive difference in his Presidency, which has been a long time coming. So, what did he do? Well, hes made his decision: America is getting out of the agreement. Trump believes global warming is a hoax America has the second most carbon emissions in the world, so Trump leaving the Paris agreement puts a huge dent in climate change progress, since most of the climate change problem is his countrys fault. And, like, America first? Well, Americas seeing the effects of climate change, down in Florida, where Trump just so happens to own a resort. Theyre living it. Open your eyes, Donald. This promise Trump made to finally make a decision about the Paris accord came after a frustrating G7 summit that left German Chancellor Angela Merkel furious at the lack of progress in climate change discussions. See, this G7 summit was an unrefreshing change of pace for Merkel, whose buddy Obama was always on board with her politics and, erm, yknow, believed in global warming. Of course global warming exists! Science! But now, Trumps the US President, and hes the one Merkel has to deal with, and she hates him because hes a bigoted idiot. Trump promised on the campaign trail that he wouldnt be helping the rest of the world fight global warming and now hes kept that promise, which is a rare occurrence. He made the announcement during a speech at the White House. He did say that he will be open to renegotiating the terms of the agreement, which he believes is negatively affecting American business. Its all about business with this guy, isnt it? Trump doesnt seem on board with the Paris accord at all The way Trump handled talking about the Paris agreement suggested that he wasnt interested in renegotiating it at all. For starters, he refuses the science and doesnt believe global warming exists, instead calling it a big conspiracy devised and spread by his good friends over in China, not to mention uber-liberal Al Gore. But its just the way Trump was talking about it very scornful. He criticised it as laughing in the face of the American workers. This isnt true at all, of course. Its not designed to screw over the workers. Its designed to save the world. He said, At what point do they start laughing at us as a country? Oh, that happened a long time ago, Donald around early November-ish. By way of providing a reason for why hes decided to back out of the landmark UN treaty, Trump simply said, We want fair treatment. It is fair! Almost every country in the world agrees! Theyre all just trying to save the planet from people like him. For some reason, hes got this idea that all the world leaders of other countries are laughing at him and America, which is true, but not specifically through the Paris agreement. That was under Obama. Theyre laughing at Trump because hes a reality TV star who doesnt know a thing about politics who got elected President of the United States. And because he refuses to believe that climate change exists, but not because of the UN treaty his country used to be committed to. Scientists have recently discovered an incredible new species of glass frog that has, quite literally, has nothing to hide. Found in the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador, the newly-found Glass Frogs were discovered by ecologist and biologist Juan M. Guayasimin and his team. I work with frogs every day and this is one of the most beautiful species I have ever seen, Juan Guayasamin, of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, in Ecuador, told New Scientist. About the Amazonian amphibian According to the researchers, the remarkable amphibian has an unusual call, atypical reproductive behaviour and "well-defined dark green spots on its head and back which are unique to this newly-found species. Measuring around 0.8 inches (20.32 millimetres) in length, the tiny frog has transparent abdominal skin reaching up to the chest, making its bright red heart completely visible underneath. Other than the heart, one can also see the minuscule amphibians kidneys, reproductive system, and urinary bladder, while observing its underside. Scientists have placed the frog in Hyalinobatrachium genus. All frogs in this genus are about the same size and have transparent or a partly transparent underbelly. However, having a heart that is clearly visible is very unusual, noted the researchers who wrote a study describing their new discovery. Named Hyalinobatrachium yaku, the tiny critters are most closely related to Hyalinobatrachium pellucidum, a glass frog species found in Ecuador and Peru.Though the scientists are uncertain about why the glass frogs have see-through undersides, it is believed that this trait may help them avoid or confuse predators like birds and snakes. Scientists warn that these glass frogs are at risk Numerous threats like water pollution, oil extraction and the resulting road development, are degrading and destroying the habitat of these fragile species, increasing the risk of extinction. The researchers warned in their paper that although the Amazon basin is globally recognised for its biological and cultural diversity, the current and future threats to conservation are "conspicuous." Furthermore, the scientists stressed that measures for conservation of biodiversity that have been put forward by the scientific community need to be seriously considered by the Ecuadorian Government. The researchers also added that theres a possibility that there are more glass frog species in the region that are yet to be discovered and human activity could pose a serious threat to these amphibians. 'Wonder Woman' is about to be released in UK cinemas and it has received critical acclaim. Indeed, at this moment, it holds a score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The Film, which was directed by Patty Jenkins, has been praised for its story, visuals, script and performances by Chris Pine, Robin Wright and Gal Gadot. Gadot stars as the iconic female superhero. It seems like 'Wonder Woman' is the latest of many great films that pioneer strong, female protagonists so now seems as good a time as any to look back and discuss some of the best female-led films. 'Alien' and 'Aliens' 'Alien' is considered one of the best horror films of all time and 'Aliens' is considered one of the best action films of all time. At the heart of these two iconic films is Ellen Ripley. Sigourney Weaver plays the titular character that held her own against impossible odds and, through her role in these films, she inspired a generation of woman. Weaver built on the work that Carrie Fisher did in 'Star Wars: A New Hope' and an actress which continued the work of both Fisher and Weaver was Linda Hamilton in... 'The Terminator' Before James Cameron directed 'Aliens', he broke onto the scene with 'The Terminator' in 1984 and revolutionised science fiction in the process. Obviously, Arnold Schwarzenegger made his career of the success of this film but Linda Hamilton also had a big impact by starring as Sarah Connor. The arc of Sarah Connor in this film is one of the strongest aspects of 'The Terminator'. She goes from a damsel in distress to a hardened fighter. This cemented her as one of the most iconic female characters in film history and she would continue this legacy in 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day'. 'The Silence of the Lambs' The portrayal of Clarice Starling by Jodie Foster in 'The Silence of the Lambs' earned her an Oscar for Best Actress in a film that itself won Best Picture at the Oscars. Jodie Foster was praised for playing a female heroine that used her intelligence to overcome the insufficiencies within her and solve the case rather than through physical attributes. This grounded the character of Clarice Starling and made her relatable and feel like a real character. Honourable Mentions Other films/franchises where there are strong female characters are Princess Leia in 'Star Wars: A New Hope', Elle Woods in 'Legally Blonde' and Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Evidently, there are plenty of strong, inspirational female characters in film. Additionally, with the release of 'Wonder Woman' and the impact that a character like Rey from 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' has had and will continue to have on pop culture, a whole generation of young Women and girls will continue to have role models and characters that inspire them which is a wonderful thing. According to the Daily Caller, the Washington Post (WP) printed a bombshell. According to the news publication, they have the "smoking gun" to prove collusion. The article claims that they possess the secret letter to the Russian Ambassador to end it all. The "bombshell," according to WP, proves jared kushner requested a private channel to the Russians. The article was posted on Friday and ran all weekend long. The article received a multitude of views. According to the article, the letter was given to them by an "anonymous source." Yet there is a problem with the "anonymous letter," The Daily Caller reports. They are unwilling to show the letter publically. The unwillingness to share the letter has produced doubts among Americans. Does the 'anonymous letter' even exist? The question of the existence of the so-called "anonymous letter," has arisen among journalism communities everywhere. This question, among others, has produced doubts about the authenticity of the claim as well. If this was absolute proof, then why is the WP being so secretive about it? If this was the "bombshell" that the WP claimed, why not share the letter? Read the article lefties. More erroneous reporting by #FakeNews @washingtonpost Standard is based on anonymous letter #Kushner no evidence. trumpnation2016 (@datrumpnation1) May 27, 2017 This is the question that Sen. Lindsey Graham has also asked, according to the Daily Caller report. Graham, who served on Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for two years doubts the letter exists. The Senator also doubts that the Russian ambassador would transmit the Kushner proposal on an open line saying, this made no sense. However, Graham is not the only official in doubt. Interview with Former U.S. Attorney Joseph DiGenova In an interview, the Daily Caller learned that U.S. Attorney Joseph DiGenova also had doubts. According to DiGenova, the unreleased parts of the letter would probably ruin the credibility of the author. DiGenova said that the problem lies with the "secrecy of the WP." "It would help if we knew what else was in the letter." He went on to say that "the secrecy is what casts doubt about the allegation." He concluded with "the release of the letter would probably expose the author as not a legitimate source." What Is the Washington Post Hiding About Its Jared Kushner Story? https://t.co/japzpNCtPo via @dailycaller There's no letter. All lies. Allan Scott (@commonguy123) May 31, 2017 In the article, the Daily Caller said that Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, said that the WP may be hiding that the author has a "partisan agenda." Whatever the case may be, the world would love to see the letter. So was the article "click bait?" Only time will tell. Be sure to tell us what you think in the comment section below. We would love to hear from you! One of the biggest talking points for Donald Trump has been bragging about his history as a successful business man. While Trump has often spoken about his ability to get deals done, there's one that even he might not be able to push through. Trump's deal When Donald Trump kicked off his campaign for president just under two years ago, it was clear that he was going to use his business background to help sell himself to the American people. The former host of "The Apprentice" would routinely tout his experience in the private sector on the campaign trail, going as far as promoting his book "The Art of the Deal" in the process. While campaigning, Trump made it clear that he was a strong supporter of Israel, and has formed a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Trump has gone a step further, vowing to help find peace between Israel and Palestine, something that no one has been able to do for decades. At the White House on Wednesday, Trump met with State of Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas. The billionaire real estate mogul seemed pleased with his meeting, stating, "They get along unbelievably well," before adding, "They work together beautifully." Not long after, Trump elaborated further with a Twitter post on May 3. An honor to host President Mahmoud Abbas at the WH today. Hopefully something terrific could come out it between the Palestinians & Israel. pic.twitter.com/1hNbKKuQ4J Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 3, 2017 Taking to Twitter on Wednesday night, Donald Trump continued his praise of Palestine, while pushing his plan to help bring the two sides together to find peace. "An honor to host President Mahmoud Abbas at the WH today," Trump tweeted, before adding, "Hopefully something terrific could come out it between the Palestinians & Israel." The tweet was also attached with a video clip of the two leaders together. Twitter reacts In response to Donald Trump's tweet, social media users decided to fire back. "'Hopefully'...you don't sound to hopeful," one Twitter user observed. @realDonaldTrump "Hopefully" you don't sound to hopeful William LeBot (@williamlegate) May 3, 2017 @realDonaldTrump You seem to have a third grade understanding of this, Donald. "Something terrific" for the Middle East doesn't come out of lunch talk. Elliott Lusztig (@ezlusztig) May 3, 2017 "'Something Terrific'= Trump will send a bouncy house that Israel and Palestine can jump on in harmony," comedian Kristina Wong tweeted out. "Ah! Oh no, Donald! First Bannon, and now a man who said the six million Jewish deaths in the holocaust were a "fantastic lie,'" TV writer Bess Kalb added. @realDonaldTrump Your view that peace is "not as difficult as people have thought" makes "nobody knew health care could be so complicated" seem insightful. Simon Hedlin (@simonhedlin) May 3, 2017 @realDonaldTrump Oh, sweetie. I know it feels exciting to have people call you "Mr. President" but maybe let's get more careful about saying "honored." Bess Kalb (@bessbell) May 3, 2017 "Of all the things you could say are 'not as difficult as people have thought over the years' - and you pick the IsraeliPalestinian conflict," journalist Simon Hedlin wrote. The backlash continued, as it was clear many Americans didn't have confidence that Donald Trump can help make peace in the Middle East. Through Darkness to Light: Seeking Freedom on... PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) It's no secret that White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is not on the same page as the mainstream media. One day after walking out of his own press briefing without allowing reporters to ask questions, Spicer clashed with the media once again. Spicer's take Not long after Donald Trump pulled off the shocking upset over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to become the 45th President of the United States, all eyes quickly shifted onto who he would surround himself with in the White House. One of the first names to be made public was Sean Spicer, who had previously held the job of spokesman for the Republican National Committee. In his new role of White House Press Secretary, Spicer has had a bumpy ride which has mirrored that of his boss. The first three months of the new administration has been marred by constant controversy, including, but not limited to, the Russian scandal, in-fighting with staff and current advisers, backlash to policy proposals and executive orders, as well as questionable foreign policy decisions. Various times throughout the week, Spicer has been forced to put a positive spin on what is going on in the White House, but has stumbled along the way. As seen across Twitter on May 3, Spicer was mocked on social media for his latest actions. During a press briefing at the White House on Wednesday, Sean Spicer took questions from multiple reporters, before holding an impromptu border wall demonstration in an attempt to explain Donald Trump's immigration plan. Spicer went on to show images of the current border status, claiming that "Cars can literally create things and drive over. You have placed that people can get buried under," Spicer said, while pointing to the various images on the wall in question. While still pointing, Spicer noting, "That one they have cut through. That one doesn't seem too effected in keeping people in it." Twitter reaction In response to Sean Spicer's press briefing, social media users didn't hold back their thoughts. "When Sean Spicer resigns from being Press Secretary, he'll have a bright future teaching 'Wall vs Fence' architecture courses," one Twitter user wrote. @CNN It's excruciating to watch sean spicer stand on the podium and ramble about nonsense.When questioned he gives vague and nonsensical answers. Al Turay (@Al2ray) May 3, 2017 Sean Spicer stupidly explaining the difference between walls and fences to journalists is a great skit for Melissa McCarthy. Get to it #SNL! Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) May 3, 2017 Is it me, or is Angry Spice making a complete fool of himself with his "wall pictures"? @seanspicer @PressSec ImpeachTrump (@dumptrump33) May 3, 2017 OMG! Sean Spicer is Melissa McCarthy doing him while he explains the Wall. Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) May 3, 2017 "Sean Spicer seems to tell @charliespiering that #Trump admin's small fencing improvements to border IS a wall... uhmmmm.... it's not tho..," another tweet read. "You just can't make this sh*t up. Sean Spicer talking about repairing the fence that is there," another Twitter user wrote. "It's excruciating to watch Sean Spicer stand on the podium and ramble about nonsense. When questioned he gives vague and nonsensical answers," a follow-up tweet read. Everyone knows that munching on popcorn is an integral part of the Movie Theater experience, but one tennessee man got truly out of hand when he couldnt get a refill during the movie at a Clarksville, Tennessee movie theater. Police said on Tuesday that 50-year-old Paul West was arrested at the Regal Clarksville Stadium 16 and is now facing charges of assault and disorderly conduct, along with resisting arrest. Theatergoer demanded more popcorn upset the concession stand was closed As reported by The Leaf-Chronicle, West wanted a popcorn refill while attending a movie at the theater but the concession stand wasnt open. According to Clarksville police spokesman, Jim Knoll, when staff at the theater refused to serve West, he took a popcorn container out of the trash can and first waved it at theater staff, demanding a refill. When they refused, he then threw the container at one of the employees, knocking down a display on the concession stand in the process. West then reportedly disappeared back into the theater, sans popcorn. Police officer arrives at the movie theater assaulted by Tennessee man MSN reports that theater employees called the Clarksville police to report the incident, saying they had an irate customer that was demanding popcorn, causing damage to the premises and generally getting out of hand. Officer Jennifer Renken of the Clarksville police, responded to the call at the movie theater. She first saw the damage caused by West at the concession stand and then headed into the theater to find the man. Check out this post in the Crime & Justice vibe: Deprived of popcorn at movie theater, Tennessee man assaults cophttps://t.co/i96pM5mjlX Vist Us Zingco.Net (@zingoco1) May 31, 2017 When Renken attempted to arrest West he picked up a trash can, throwing it at the police officer. He then punched the police officer in her face several times and went on to attempt to bite Renken. Renken had requested backup and when other officers arrived on the scene, West was taken into custody. The police officer suffered minor injuries in the incident. Knoll said in his 22 years of working for the Clarksville police, both as an officer and as a civilian employee, he has never heard of anyone getting that upset over popcorn. Assault charges for Tennessee man When West was finally taken into custody, he was charged Tuesday with assault, aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The Tennessee man is now being held at a Montgomery County jail on a $22,500 bond. It is currently unknown whether West has legal representation or what movie the Tennessee man was watching at the time of the incident. A woman and her boyfriend were convicted on Tuesday for killing her three-year-old daughter, who froze to death in a freezer at the couples apartment in Napa, California. 27-year-old Sarah Lynn Krueger and her 29-year-old boyfriend, Ryan Scott Warner, were found guilty of first-degree murder with unusual circumstance of abuse in the death of Kayleigh Slusher, who was found dead from various degrees of injuries. The most ruinous injury resulted in a burst in her small intestine. Special case of murder The two were also convicted of torture of a child below the age of eight leading to her death. The two rulings were made Tuesday. Sentencing is to take place on July 27. The couple risks life imprisonment. The case really an emotional one, the Deputy District Attorney of Napa Valley Kecia Lind, who jointly prosecuted the case along with Lance Hafenstein Deputy District Attorney said. It was horrifying what transpired at that apartment that led to her death, reported People. The investigation of the murder case started in 2014 when the Napa district police received an emergency 911 call from a friend of the couple in February to examine Kayleighs well-being. The friend explained to the police that he went to visit the couple at their apartment the night before he found out that Kayleigh was dead. Account of a witness He did not want to be part of it so he asked them to inform the police, Lind said. They refused to call the police so he decided to call himself. Inside the apartment, police recovered Kayleighs body lying in her bed. She was almost frozen, police said. She was inside the freezer for several hours, Lind said. Her body was very cold when the police officers found her. We dont actually know how long she had been in the freezer. Arrest of the couple Linda further said that Lind, Krueger, and Warner had gone into hiding earlier that morning before the arrival of the police, but the pair was later arrested the next day when a woman spotted them in a restaurant. Lind said police officers found searches for the most densely populated cities in the U.S. on Kruegers cell phone. The result of an Autopsy revealed that the little girl had about 41 recognizable injuries to the outside of her body. The couple told the police they thought Kayleigh died after drinking a poisonous substance. Warners attorney Mervin Lernhart Jr argued there was no proof that the accused tortured the child or knew anything about the abuse. A day after reports surfaced of jared kushners father and uncles real estate companies using his being a son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump to attract chinese investors, a similar report came out on Thursday. Reuters reported that three Democratic legislators wrote to the president of Kushner Companies to get more information about allegations that the real estate firm took advantage of Jareds role. Although Jared is no longer the CEO of the real estate firm, Kushner Companies allegedly exploited his being an adviser of Trump to attract Chinese investors via a federal immigration program. The nine-page letter to Laurent Morali, the president of Kushner Companies, came from Senator Patrick Leahy, Rep. John Conyers, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren. U.S. visas under EB-5 program In May, Kushner Companies held a road show in China where the firm dangled the possibility of acquiring U.S. visas using the EB-5 program for buyers of units in One Journal Square, a project of Kushner Companies. The program offers a U.S. green card to a foreigner who will invest a minimum $500,000 in development projects in areas of the U.S. with low employment rates. But guaranteeing the visa is banned by the EB-5 program. The move to probe the practices of Kushner Companies is not just from Democrats since Chuck Grassley, Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, sought last week an investigation into statements and misrepresentations that are potentially fraudulent. Reuters reported that Kushner Companies had said sorry for Nicole Kushner Meyer referring to Jareds White House connections when the real estate firm pitched in May the One Journal Square to Chinese investors. Different explanations for Jareds meeting with Russian bank head It seems the two giant communist nations are dragging Jared down. Other than his family allegedly using his name to get Chinese investors, the husband of Ivankas dealings with Russians is threatening to be a bigger headache for the Trumps as Congress probes deeper into the connection of the Trump campaign with Russian diplomats. But Jareds shadow appears to cast beyond the campaign period. The Washington Post reported that the explanation of the White House and the presidential son-in-law why he met Sergey Gorkov, head of Vnesheconombank, were different. The White House insisted Kushners meeting with Gorkov was not related to business but a diplomatic encounter. But Vnesheconombank, accused of advancing the strategic interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin, says the purpose of the Gorkov-Kushner meeting was part of a business strategy which Ivankas husband attended in relation to his role in Kushner Companies which he used to head. It has been reported that the USA brought in additional THAAD launchers into South Korea secretly. The systems were installed without informing the South Korean president Moon Jae-in. This deployment has alarmed china. It has expressed its "grave concern" at this deployment. As per reports, four extra THAAD launchers are in the process of being installed. The Chinese are not happy with this development. As reported by South Korea's Hankyoreh paper the spokeswoman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry at a briefing in Beijing said:"The deployment of THAAD by the US in the Republic of Korea) jeopardizes China's strategic security interests and disrupts regional strategic balance". This news is reported by CNN International. The THAAD system The THAAD missile system is a counter to a threat from North Korean missiles in the event of a war. The Americans claim that the deployment is defensive in nature and not a threat to China or Russia. China des not believe this assurance and is convinced that the Americans will use the strong radars to pry into the Peoples Republic of China. Putin and Moon have different perceptions Putin has also expressed his opposition to the positioning the system and has vowed measures to counter their deployment in the Far East. He has said that he will not allow the deployment to go unchallenged. President Moon is also concerned.During his election campaign, Moon Jae-in had promised to delay the deployment of the anti-missile system. He had at that time argued that the THAAD deployment would actually do more harm than good. He also ordered an inquiry. Despite this Moon backed off very fast and sent a special envoy to Washinton to assure the USA that South Korea would not cancel the deployment. The South cannot survive without the support of the USA as the North has a formidable military machine. China alarmed The Chinese remain unconvinced that the missile system will not pry deep into China. They have called for the dismantling of the missile system. The Korean Peninsula is one of the hot spots of the world and Americans are concerned about the nuclear capability of the North. They have vowed to stop it, but the USA is unable to do much with China backing the North. In any case, Kim Jong-un is too independent a man to even listen to China. The Chinese have suggested the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and removal of all American troops. This is not acceptable to the USA. Applying for a U.S. visa? Be prepared to think back 15 years. The vetting process just got tougher under the Trump administration. Worldwide applicants are asked for 15 years worth of biographical information along with social media handles dating back five years. The Office of Management and Budget affecting new visa requirements received strong objections, during a public comment period, from academic and education groups. Despite objections, the questionnaire was approved May 23. Critics say new visa questions present roadblock The new questionnaire offers another roadblock that the government is placing in the way of possible immigrants, qualified researchers, scientists, teachers, and students who might, otherwise, seek coming to the United States. In addition to email addresses, phone numbers, and names or social media handles used in the past five years, the new questionnaire also asks for social media platform(s) used in creating or videos, photos, and status updates as part of a public profile. The type of biographical information that consular officials are approved to potentially request include biographical information such as employment, addresses, and travel history going back 15 years. The new questions will create long delays in processing and discourage people such as students and scientists from coming to the U.S., critics argued. The new questions are also voluntary. However, the visa application states that failing to provide the information could delay or even prevent processing an individual application. When officials determine that information is needed for confirming identity or conducting further evaluation for national security, they will request the additional data approved under the scope of the new questionnaire, according to the State Department on Wednesday. The increased vetting is applicable to visa applicants, according to the State Department, who warrant added scrutiny in relation to terrorism or other visa ineligibilities affecting national security. President Trump assured increasing national security, along with border protections. He proposes giving the military more money while having Mexico build a southern U.S. border wall. The President also attempted to institute a temporary ban on travel for people from some Muslim countries, which are Muslim-majority. Calling it discriminatory, a United States appellate court refused to reinstate the ban, which is primed for argument in the Supreme Court. Visa application questions with catch people making 'innocent mistakes' The new visa application questions received emergency approval for six months instead of the customary three years. Expecting that people apply will remember all 15 years worth of social media handles is apt to ensnare some applicants who make innocent mistakes or may not recall all the data requested, according to immigration attorneys. San Francisco-based lawyer Babak Yousefzadeh, who is also president of the Iranian American Bar Association, said consular officials are granted arbitrary power with the new questions and determining who will get a visa and without a check on the officials decisions. He also said the United States has one of the most rigorous application processes in the world for obtaining a visa. The necessity to further tighten the visa process is not really known or clear, according to Yousefzadeh. John McCain was the Republican presidential candidate against Barak Obama. He lost but has continued to be an important leader of the party. The GOP leader at various times has taken pot shots at the president. In an interview with ABC, the senator made a bizarre comment. He stated:" Putin is the premier and most important threat, more so than the ISIS." He went on to add that the Russian leader tried to influence the presidential election. In this, he has been echoing the line of thought of Trump's opponents who are alleging a Russian connection. John McCain McCain is also the chairman of the House Defense Committee and is a known hawk against Russia. He was captured by the Viet Cong in Vietnam and spent the rest of the war as a POW till the peace accord. Probably he feels this gives him the license to be an expert on military matters. Trump had castigated him for becoming a POW. John McCain is into his last term as senator. The senator sometimes makes bizarre comments. His observation on Putin being a greater threat than the ISIS comes in this category. At a look beneath the veneer of McCain's actions, one can see an anti-Trump line. The senator leaves no stone unturned to try to pull down the president. During this interview, he also said he was alarmed at Russia trying to influence the election. He has gone on to say he is perturbed that Jared Kushner, the president's son in law tried to set up a communication line to Moscow. McCain and Trump McCain sometimes appears to be a man with an ax to grind. Probably he has not adjusted to the reality of Trump winning the presidency. His loss weighs on him and he goes and makes statements hoping they will pull down Trump. The senator is one of the consistent leaders of the GOP who criticize Trump every now and then.The senator has always opposed Trump and he was certainly not elated when Trump got the nomination. Despite all the statements of McCain, the president has had two successful visits abroad. For the first time, a US president reminded the allies about their responsibilities. His independent approach has rattled Germany and France. Both nations have for long been riding piggyback on US power and money. That is the reason the German chancellor stated that Europe must think beyond relying on the USA and the UK. Trying to weaken the president By making such statements, in a way Senator McCainlowers his credibility. His attempt to weaken the president may end up making him stronger but many feel he behaves oddly when he makes statements that are devoid of reality. His one aim is to undermine the president. In "The White Princess," Lizzie's mother welcomed a young man who claimed to be Richard. The Duchess believes that "The Boy" will be the next king of England but is he really Prince Richard or a mere imposter? In episode 7, Lizzie meets "The Boy" but it is still ambiguous if he is indeed Richard or not. The story of the lost prince "The White Princess" episode 8 will reveal the weaknesses of King Henry VII but viewers are more intrigued about the real personality of "The Boy." Viewers need to look back to the prequel of the show, "The White Queen" to get the answers about Richard. It is said that King Richard III is the person responsible for the disappearance of the lost York princes. The mother of Henry VII, Margaret Beaufort ordered the murders of the two princes. But the princes' mother, Elizabeth Woodville managed to save Richard by switching him with a peasant boy. Hence, during the debut of the "White Princess," Richard is still missing while Henry VII is seated as the king. Despite being missing for a long time, Elizabeth Woodsville still believes that her son Richard will come back to remove King Henry VII from the throne. Meanwhile, Margaret, the Duchess of Burgundy, believes that he is Richard, but the Tudors are not convinced. With that, they captured him and declared that he is a mere impostor and his real name is Perkin Warbeck. However, Lizzie believes that he is her brother so she burned the king's robe room to set him free. As for Richard, he walked out of the burning castle saying that he is the real prince and that he will claim his throne. Clues that Richard is not an impostor The Inquisitr listed some evidence that "The Boy" is indeed Richard. One important clue is that the Duchess immediately recognized him the first time they met. Also, Lizzie had an emotional reaction when she first saw "The Boy." She tearfully looks at him and turns away. While in her room, Lizzie was seen crying and trembling which may prove that Richard is indeed her brother. Maggie, Lizzie's cousin, also believes that Richard is the real deal since he recalled a Christmas moment during their childhood. He also knows family secrets like the name of their father's mistress. "The Boy" also knows every detail on the day he disappeared which is something only the family knows. When King Henry VII asked Richard to speak to Lady Catherine Gordon, the King said that he should talk to Cathy in character. But Richard wonders why he needs to act when he is the real prince. "The White Princess" episode 8 titled Two Kings will air on Sunday, June 4, at 8 p.m. on Starz. One of the biggest names in political social media is Tomi Lahren. After reaching a deal to leave The Blaze, Lahren spoke to Playboy and opened up about where's she's been, where she's going, and addressed those who have been critical of her in the past. Tomi triggered Ever since Donald Trump announced his campaign for president back in the summer of 2015, social media has changed the landscape of American politics. The former host of "The Apprentice" was instantly engaged in a heated feud with the mainstream media and decided to bypass the press to push his agenda and campaign message. Trump used Twitter as his number one form of communication, which instantly became headline news anytime he decided to send out a tweet. While Trump has been known for his controversial use of Twitter, others have followed in his footsteps and capitalized on the popularity and organic reach of various social media platforms. One name that has done that with success has been Tomi Lahren, the 24-year-old blonde bombshell who just recently left The Blaze after a clash Glenn Beck and others. Lahren, a staunch supporter of Trump and right-wing conservatism, admitted she was pro-choice during an interview on "The View" earlier this year, which led to her ousting at the network. With her sights set on the future, Lahren sat down with Playboy during an interview on May 2. During an exclusive interview with Playboy, Tomi Lahren opened up about her past, as well as her future plans. During the conversation, Lahren was pressed about the criticism she's received by those who say she only got where she is because of her stunning good looks. Playboy name-dropped the most used stereotypes against her like "Blonde Bimbo" and "airhead," and asked if she was offended. "I do find it offensive," Lahren admitted, who ironically has made a name for herself by routinely attacking liberals for being too politically correct. Tomi Lahren said that she doesn't let it bother her, and noted that the criticism comes from people across the political spectrum. "Many conservatives do it to me as feminists and folks on the left," she noted, before adding, "Those who feel threatened by you or your success will seek to tear you down. " Lahren continued, warning that she is "not going anywhere," while adding that her "15 minutes" are far from being over. Tomi's take Also during the interview, Tomi Lahren addressed her time at the conservative One American News Network where she hosted "One Point with Tomi Lahren," claiming she "built that show from nothing." On what her future holds, she expressed her desire to join Fox News, referring to it as the "mecca." As of pres time, Lahren is considered a free agent, and only time will tell were she lands next. The Paris Agreement was adopted by the U.N Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with greenhouse gas emission mitigation, adoption, and finance starting from the year 2020. The agreement was signed on April 22nd, 2016 by 195 countries in New York. The deal went into force on November 4, 2016. Upon successful implementation, the agreement will seek to reduce global temperatures below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels as well as prevent the increase in global temperatures by 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Countries will also be required to increase spending that encourages low greenhouse emissions and climate resilient development. Nations are also expected to increase their adoption to climate change and adopt low greenhouse emissions in a way that food production is not threatened. The targets of the Paris Agreement are voluntary unlike its predecessor the Kyoto protocol of 2005, whose goals and commitments are legally binding. Developing countries agreed to commit $100 billion a year in climate financing by 2020 under the Paris agreement and, after that, increase their funding to $100 billion a year until 2025. Greenhouse emission contribution by country The largest greenhouse emitters are China, which contributes 20.09 percent of all greenhouse emissions, the United States contributing 17.89, Russia at 7.53, India at 4.1 percent while Japan contributes 3.79 percent. Countries that emit the lowest greenhouse gases are Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Seychelles. Some countries such as South Sudan, Somalia, Palestine, Libya, Equatorial Guinea and Brunei either did not collect data or did not submit their data upon the signing of the agreement. Countries that have not yet signed the agreement are Nicaragua, Syria and Holy See. Donald Trump threatens to pull the U.S out of the agreement On Wednesday, two senior U.S officials told CNN that trump is planning to withdraw the U.S from the agreement, this will isolate the U.S from global climate change initiatives. I will be announcing my decision on Paris Accord, Thursday at 3:00 P.M. The White House Rose Garden. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 1, 2017 Before becoming POTUS, Donald Trump tweeted that climate change is a hoax created by the Chinese to weaken U.S industries. It is clear that he is either ignoring the impact of greenhouse emissions on the environment or he just wants to save the U.S some money. The U.S president will soon meet Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who supports the U.S remaining in the agreement. On Tuesday, Trump met Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt who is actively advocating for U.S withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. U.S withdrawal from the agreement is aimed at bolstering the U.S coal and oil industry as well as reduce the countries financial commitments to climate initiatives. Since gaining its independence from Sudan and being granted admission into the UN on July 13, 2011, South Sudan has been facing a horrendous humanitarian crisis. Despite trying to separate itself from decades of civil wars in Sudan, South Sudan has not fared much better since its independence. The South Sudanese Civil War, which began on December 15, 2013, has resulted in an estimated 300,000 casualties and has displaced 3.5 million people out of the countrys population of 12 million. But, worst of all, the fighting has devastated the nation's agriculture and economic sectors which has left 5 million people in urgent need of food and water. In fact, On February 20, 2017, South Sudan and the UN officially declared that parts of the former Unity State were experiencing famine. However, South Sudan is not the only nation in the region experiencing foot shortages. Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen, nations also dealing with their own bloody conflicts, are also in serious need of aid. Pls retweet: 4 famines being mostly ignored by media: New WFP leader calls South Sudan's famine 'deplorable' https://t.co/fOchi9W1Bm @ABC Michael J. Puma (@FragileFood) May 23, 2017 South Sudanese Civil War The South Sudanese Civil War began when President Salva Kiir Mayardit accused his former deputy Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon and 10 others of conspiring to attempt a coup. However, it is widely believed that the split was caused by a long history of deep-rooted resentment between them over ethnic and tribal differences, with President Kiir belonging to the largest group, the Dinka tribe, and Machar belonging to the minority Nuer tribe. It is because of these ethnic differences that concern over the distribution of the countrys oil resources became a highly contested matter. After Machar denied the allegations, he fled in order to lead the Sudans People Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO) as well as other tribal militias against President Kiirs government forces. Unfortunately the conflict has proven to be a massive grey area in which both sides have committed unspeakable atrocities on one another which has forced the UN to step in in order to stabilize the situation. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was subsequently formed which consisted of 12,500 troops and a police force of 1,323 people, including dozens of UN members. With the rural areas especially ravaged by the ongoing civil war, farmers and civilians alike have had to choose safety over the prospect of a consistent food supply. Because of this, starvation has become widespread in South Sudan with foreign aid groups struggling to help as many people as possible. However, South Sudans government has become increasingly aggressive over its attempt to distort the perception of how severe the humanitarian crisis has become that it has been forcing Western aid agencies to leave areas in need of help as well as arresting and banning journalists from certain areas. War and famine Ordinarily famine is a product of droughts and natural disasters destroying agricultural areas in particular countries, but unfortunately this is not the case for South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen. War can prove to be just as devastating in which conflict often results not only in the destruction of precious farmlands and live-stock, but also forces farmers to flee their homes, leaving their very livelihood unattended. In Nigeria, government forces are currently engaged with the Islamist militant group Boko Haram which declared war on the Nigerian government back in 2009. The ongoing conflict has become a humanitarian disaster. Not only has the fighting resulted in over 21,000 casualties and the displacement of 2.4 million people, but it has also left roughly 5 million more people in dire need of food aid. Similarly in Somalia, the government is currently engaged in a bloody struggle with the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab which controls large portions of the country. However, much of Somalia is also under the control of other separatist groups which has left their economy in ruins as well as the nation being labeled as a fragile-state which has made it exceedingly difficult to bring aid for the 6 million-plus people currently dealing with starvation -- roughly half of the population. Yemen is an interesting case in which the current civil war going on is a far more direct case of conflict contributing to famine. With the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels currently engaged with the Saudi-backed Yemenis government, Saudi warplanes have been eviscerating much of northern Yemens infrastructure which is controlled by the Houthi rebels. In addition to the blockade being enforced by Saudi Arabia on northern Yemen, the conflict has resulted in 7 million people facing starvation and has left outside assistance scarce, which is especially devastating for a country already dependent on foreign aid long before the start of the civil war. With the humanitarian crises in these four countries being largely ignored by the international community, the world is in danger of having over 20 million people face the prospect of famine, the worst case seen since WWII. The bad news about this situation is that it is entirely man-made. On the other hand, the good news is that its easily avoidable. Sadly, time is running out for these people. South Carolina, which has been a center of America's traditional manufacturing for more than a century, is becoming one of the prime US destinations for foreign investment. "South Carolina was once barely known by Chinese investors, but with its industrial revival in recent years, it has become a hot spot," said Han Zhuo, chairman of the China General Chamber of Commerce USA-Washington DC Chapter, at a forum on Chinese manufacturing in the US, in Greenville, South Carolina on Thursday. In addition to its prime location between Atlanta and Charlotte, South Carolina is known for its strategic location to major markets, access to raw materials and connections to growing industries, making it an ideal place for growing companies to locate. The advantages drive economic development and support the region's diverse range of companies in the automotive, aerospace, advanced materials and bioscience industries, according to the Upstate SC Alliance website. Plants of BMW, Michelin, Fuji, GE Power, and more than 1,800 other manufacturing companies are spreading all over this region. For international investors, South Carolina is a fit for their business needs with access to markets, as well as top-notch workforce talent. Home to more than 460 foreign-owned firms, the state has ranked No.1 for jobs linked to foreign investment for the last five years, according to an annual report published by IBM-Plant Location International. In just the past few years, JN Fiber, auto parts producer Minghua USA, Jushi USA Fiberglass and other Chinese manufacturing enterprises have chosen South Carolina to set up their production lines, which have created jobs and promoted local economic development. In 2016, South Carolina was named the No. 2 state for doing business in Area Development's 2016 analysis. The state also received an A grade for manufacturing health in the 2016 Manufacturing & Logistics Report Card. "I believe the US manufacturing industry is promising, since its development is in line with President Trump's 'Make America Great Again' and his plan to create jobs," said Minister of the Chinese Embassy Zhu Hong. With more Chinese enterprises investing in the US, Zhu said the opportunity comes with challenges. "Most Chinese enterprises making investment in the US have a positive evaluation of the US investment environment. However, some of them are still facing obstacles in visa applications, raising capital, participation in domestic infrastructure construction and security review of acquisition," he said. "In addition, high labor costs, a complicated legal system, the cultural gap and the difficulties in industrial support and recruitment and training, are all challenges Chinese enterprises in the US may face," he added. To better meet such challenges and seek solutions together, more than 100 senior managers from Chinese manufacturing enterprises across the US attended the forum. "The US market is mature, the competition is fierce, and each Chinese enterprise here has learned or will learn from its experience. "So why don't we take advantage of today's forum as a great opportunity, to share our experiences and learn from each other," said Han. xiaohong@chinadailyusa.com (China Daily USA 06/02/2017 page2) South Carolina, once a center of the American textile industry, has seen the business rebound through an influx of Chinese companies. "The exciting thing that I heard today is many of the Chinese investors that we were talking to today were textile (focused). Many of our communities in South Carolina were traditionally textile," said Thomas "Tommy" Pope, speaker pro tempore of the South Carolina House of Representatives. "The Chinese companies are kind of bringing back the textile industries here," said Knox White, mayor of Greenville.South Carolina, a growing city in the northwest corner of the state and home to the US operations of about 20 Chinese companies. White spoke to more than 100 business executives from China in Greenville on Wednesday. Textiles, mostly cotton, once dominated the economy of the South. Employment in the textile industry peaked in June 1948 with 1.3 million workers. US textile manufacturing plunged in the 1990s and 2000s, as the industry shifted to countries with lower labor costs, mainly in Asia. About 650 US textile plants closed between 1997 and 2009, draining thousands of jobs and depressing communities. In North Carolina, 40 percent of the state's jobs were in textiles and apparel making in 1940. By 2013, just 1.1 percent of that state's jobs were in textiles, according to a report in USA Today. "Some Chinese companies moved into buildings that are abandoned textiles plants. They do find that we still have a workforce that understands textiles. They can readily pick right up again," said White. In February 2013, Chinese manufacturer Keer founded its American headquarters on a 165-acre textile campus in Lancaster County, where it plans to invest $218 million and create more than 500 new jobs by 2018. "We started trying to talk to Chinese businesses and develop the relationships almost 15 years ago. Those relationships have now grown into some great successes in attracting Chinese businesses to this region of South Carolina," said White, who has traveled to China about 16 times and has a daughter who studies at Suzhou University. "For the citizens in South Carolina, it's an exciting opportunity to see textile coming back," said Pope, whose father, mother and grandmother all worked in the industry. "We would like to see if there are opportunities here as our partner, Keer, has already opened their factory here," said Qiu Jianlin, chairman of Zhejiang Hengyi Group Co Ltd. Hengyi, which had a profit of about $120 million in 2016, is a polyester and petrochemical products manufacturer based in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. "The transparency of policy makes investing in the US less uncertain to us," Qiu said. Zhu Shanqing, Keer's chairman, told The New York Times that the reason Keer decided to come to South Carolina is because of incentives, land, the environment and the workers. "The community is very open to that and very welcoming. It's very pro business, low tax, climate ... that works well for all kind of businesses," White said. leshuodong@chinadailyusa.com (China Daily USA 06/02/2017 page2) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. License for publishing multimedia online 0108263 Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Zhao Li is the co-founder and president of Iowa China Group, a West Des Moines-based business that helps bridge investment between Iowa and China. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY A Guangxi native fell in love with the US heartland and found business success When Xi Jinping made a return visit to Iowa in February 2012, Zhao Li had the privilege of listening to his speeches on two separate occasions and shaking hands with him. "I felt so proud and moved when I listened to his speech in such close proximity," Zhao said of Xi, who was vice-president at the time. Zhao is the co-founder and president of Iowa China Group, a West Des Moines-based business that helps Iowa companies looking to enter the Chinese market and Chinese companies seeking investment opportunities in Iowa. Since establishing Iowa China Group in 2010, Zhao has led many businesspeople from Iowa to China. Through those trips, Zhao helped them forge friendships and business deals with Chinese. With Zhao's help, Stine Seed Co in Adel, Iowa, the world's largest private seed company, successfully entered the China market. "Now China has become its largest market outside of the US. They export a variety of corn seeds to China," Zhao said. So far, Zhao has helped in the trading of more than 60 lines of products between China and Iowa and has become an authority on Iowa-China business relations. Zhao initially started her business to focus on helping Iowa businesses export to China. However, Chinese investors started to trickle into Iowa for opportunities after Xi's visit in 2012. Zhao shifted gears and widened her business scope to also help Chinese investors find opportunities in Iowa. In recent years, she has helped numerous Chinese companies negotiate deals, from a tomato greenhouse to a pork farm. "I think Chinese interest in Iowa has not yet reached a critical mass," Zhao said, disclosing that there are quite a few deals being negotiated. That critical mass might come soon with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad now the US ambassador to China, Zhao said. Visibly more Chinese individuals and companies are making trips to Iowa this year. She sometimes receives several Chinese groups in a busy week. Also, Branstad's successor as Iowa governor, Kim Reynolds, will lead an agricultural trade mission to China from July 19-28. On the trip, Iowa will pitch its farm products, such as corn, pork and soybeans. "Personal relationships and friendships are significant in the Chinese culture, 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 on Tuesday. "To help Chinese companies to succeed in Iowa will be my focus for the next three years," said Zhao, who has a close working relationship with Iowa state government and local businesses. Zhao came to Des Moines in 2008 through her previous job with the multinational Dutch banking company Rabobank Group. Iowa's capital city was where she met and married Justin Mandelbaum, who runs a real estate development, acquisition and management firm. Together, they formed Iowa China Group. Growing up in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Zhao never dreamed that one day she would call a US Midwest city her home. However, her thirst for wider skies destined her to go far in life. "I applied to teach English at New Oriental Education & Technology Group while studying in college in Changsha. People at New Oriental opened my eyes to the outside world, and I decided I need to go out of China to experience more," said Zhao, in recalling the first nudge toward Iowa. Her desire for more experiences led her to three different schools in Austria, Italy and the Netherlands. After completing her postgraduate program in the Netherlands, she was hired by Rabobank Group. She was transferred to London for a year before she was transferred again, to Des Moines, within the company. There, she fell in love with the warm hospitality of the Midwest. "I worked in London for a year and really wished to experience holidays and weddings with local people. Maybe British people are really reserved; I was never invited. I came to Des Moines right before Halloween, and I was invited to family Halloween parties. Soon it was Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I was again invited," Zhao said. For Zhao, the cultural difference between London and Des Moines was like night and day. "People are genuinely nice here, and they genuinely care about me as a person. I think this is why President Xi returned here for a second visit," Zhao said. "The kindness he received years ago in Iowa, I received too. Iowa made me more down-to-earth and calm." To repay such kindness, Zhao soon started volunteering at various local organizations, including hospitals, and became an active member of the community. She met Mandelbaum in 2009 at a Greater Des Moines Young Professionals Connection event, fell in love, got married and now has an infant daughter. Iowa's embrace of her gave her confidence, and she left Rabobank Group to start her own business. "My parents are entrepreneurs in China, and I think I have inherited that spirit from them," Zhao said. Zhao has been recognized for her contribution and professional achievement. In 2009, she was named Diversity Committee Person of the Year by YPC Des Moines and received a volunteer award from the Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage. In 2010, she received the Governor's Volunteer Award for the hours she donated to community organizations in the metro area. Professionally, Zhao was a member of the Des Moines Business Record's 2011 Class of Forty Under 40 and a 2014 Honoree of the Iowa International Center's Passport to Prosperity Award. In less than a decade since landing in Des Moines, Zhao has established herself as a major force in building business bridges between Iowa and China. She serves as a Bankers Trust Community board member and is on the Export Council of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. She also served on many other boards in the past. Recently, Zhao was nominated as a candidate for UNI Woman Business Owner of the Year 2017 Women of Influence. "I feel very lucky to live in this era. The growing power of China provided me these opportunities to travel abroad, to act as a bridge between China and the US. "With Iowa Governor Branstad as the ambassador, the future is more promising. I am very passionate about US-China cooperation, and I want to do more to improve it," Zhao said. Merkel agrees to help gain support from EU nations on trade protocol Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel meet the press in Berlin June 1st, 2017. Provided to chinadaily.com.cn China and Germany signed a basket of deals on Thursday, many on crucial areas like automatic driving and aviation. Premier Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel witnessed the signing ceremony after their meeting on Thursday. Among the 11 deals and cooperation documents signed was a memorandum of understanding between Beijing Automotive Group and Daimler AG on increasing investment and strengthening strategic cooperation in new energy vehicles. Baidu and Bosch signed an agreement for strategic cooperation on autonomous driving technology. The National Reform and Development Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus on strengthening comprehensive cooperation. "We will continue to work hard together to promote the development of electric vehicles and to create a favorable environment for the existing auto market," Li said at a news conference after the signing ceremony. He also said "dozens of agreements" were signed during the visit, covering areas such as trade and openness. Merkel said she discussed Article 15 of the protocol on China's accession to the World Trade Organization with Li. Under Article 15, WTO members were to end after Dec 11, 2016, the organization's surrogate country approach regarding anti-dumping investigations of China. The date was exactly 15 years after China's admission to the WTO. 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. Germany believes the European Union should fulfill the responsibilities of the protocol, and it will make efforts to find a solution that is in line with the WTO rules, is fair to all nations and does not discriminate against China, Merkel said. Li appreciated Germany's stance on the issue, saying that moving forward, not stepping back, is the way toward progress. Li and Merkel also said they agreed to speed up the process of signing an investment treaty, which will assist with discussions on a free trade agreement. Gu Junli, a German studies expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Germany will "gradually take a leading role in pushing the EU to fulfill its promise regarding Article 15". German Ambassador to China Michael Clauss told China Daily, "The EU and China both support rules-based global free trade with a strong WTO as its core, and they should demonstrate this commitment by rapidly negotiating a China-EU investment treaty and possibly going even furthertoward a China-EU free trade agreement," he said. "There is a growing overlap of common interests, in the G20 framework and beyond, whether it's promoting free trade, combating climate change, or supporting a strong EU, UN and WTO," Clauss said. Li and Merkel held the annual prime ministers' meeting between the two governments on Wednesday after Li's arrival in the German capital. Li called on Germany to help China's large passenger plane, the C919, earn an airworthiness certificate from the EU. The twin-engine C919 made its maiden flight on May 5 in Shanghai with five crew members on board but no passengers. The success makes China the fourth large passenger jet producer after the United States, Western Europe and Russia. Zhou Wa contributed to this story. The United States' withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, announced by President Donald Trump on Thursday, has intensified campaigns within the US and beyond to uphold the historical pact, while dealing a blow to international efforts to manage climate change. Less than 18 months after the climate pact was adopted in Paris, Trump confirmed that the US is ditching the global deal that was sanctioned by his predecessor and nearly 200 other world leaders. "As of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country," Trump said at the White House, fulfilling one of his top campaign promises. Citing economic concerns, Trump said the US would begin negotiations either to re-enter the Paris accord or to have a new agreement "on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers", Reuters reported. He did not, however, offer details about how, or when, a formal withdrawal would take place. Former president Barack Obama said the Trump administration is joining "a small handful of nations that reject the future" by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. Under the Obama administration, the US had agreed to reduce emissions to 26 percent to 28 percent of 2005 levels by 2025. "Even in the absence of American leadership; even as this administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future, I'm confident that our states, cities and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we've got," Obama said in a statement. Premier Li Keqiang, while visiting Germany on Thursday, said combating climate change is a global consensus and China pledged to tackle climate change "steadfastly". In a joint press conference with his German counterpart Angela Merkel in Berlin, Li said China will continue to work steadfastly to implement the commitment of the Paris climate deal and join hands with all parties to tackle climate change. Li, who is on a three-day official visit to Europe, said China, a large developing country, should shoulder its international responsibilities to jointly address the challenge of climate change with other countries. "With tremendous efforts, China will move towards the 2030 goal step-by-step steadfastly," Li said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying also said on Thursday in Beijing that China will continue to fulfill its Paris pledges "no matter what stances others take". Neither Li nor Hua mentioned the US specifically. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky supported Trump's move. "One of the reasons President Trump was elected is he promised to defend American workers and American jobs," Paul told CNN's Jake Tapper. California's Jerry Brown, New York's Andrew Cuomo and Washington state's Jay Inslee urged other states to join their Climate Alliance. Brown, who is scheduled to start his visit to China on Friday, said on Thursday he would discuss merging carbon trading markets in his state and China. "I want people in China to know that the people in America are enthusiastically working to de-carbonize," he told China Daily on Wendesday. The Paris Agreement sets a target of holding the global average rise in temperature below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 degrees. Agence France Press contributed to this story. huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com (China Daily USA 06/02/2017 page1) Here's the teaching I offered during our tikkun leyl Shavuot this year. I give this over in the name of my teacher Reb Elliot Ginsburg, who guided us through this text in his Hasidic Sacred Year class recently. The translation below is my own; parenthetical material is my attempt to keep things clear. We began with a chant ( ' / Shiviti Adonai l'negdi tamid / I keep God before me always) and then dove into this text. It's dense but beautiful; I hope you enjoy! Seeing the Aleph at Sinai / "In Your Face!" Zera Kodesh, Naftali Tzvi Horowitz of Ropczyce [1760-1827], vol. II, p.40a, Jerusalem, 1971 In the midrash, we read "Anochi/I am Adonai your God" (Exodus/Shmot 20:2 -- this is the first of the Aseret HaDibrot, the Ten Utterances or Sayings.) The midrash around this verse says, "Face to face God spoke with them on the mountain from amidst the fire." (Deuteronomy/Dvarim 5:4) Said Rabbi Avdumi from Haifa, (quoting Midrash Rabbah), 22,000 angels came down with the Holy Blessed One to Sinai. As it's written (Psalm 68:18) "God rides with his entourage, twice ten thousand, myriads of angels, and the Lord is among them at Sinai in holiness." Some say "The holy name YHVH is written on their hearts." Another opinion: the Name is within them. Our rabbis teach that the name of Elohim is mixed into each of the angels: Micha-El, Gavri-El. So God says to the people Israel, you will see in the divine Face many faces (or: see the divine Face in the many angelic faces); but don't be of the opinion that there are many gods in heaven! And know that I am one God, as it says, Anochi Adonai elohecha. This can be explained in the fashion that I heard from the mouth of my teacher, Menachem Mendel of Riminav, who quoted Psalm 62:12 -- "One thing was spoken, two things have I heard." (In other words: God may say one thing, and we hear it in two different ways. Or maybe we hear it in as many ways as we are individuals!) It's possible that when God spoke at Sinai, we only heard the / aleph (the silent first letter) of the word Anochi from the Holy Blessed One. Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) writes that "A wise man's lips bring him favor" (which is obviously the case with this teacher of mine, who was wise indeed.) Understand that the holy words of the living God are "like fire, says God, like a hammer that shatters the rock." (God's words come into creation with great power and force. Or, maybe he's comparing his teacher's words to God's words -- since his teacher's words, when they encounter Torah, break it into many beautiful pieces for us to savor.) We also need to understand what's written in Torah, that "face to face" or "multiple faces, God spoke with us from within the fire on the mountain." But it's also written in Torah that "you didn't see, on the day that Adonai spoke to us within the fire, except for a voice." (So one verse says that God spoke to us face to face, but another verse says we saw nothing but a voice.) Our ancestors, of blessed memory, wrote sweetly that we should hold God in front of us at all times. They wrote books of wisdom in which the holy and unpronounceable name YHVH is hinted-at by the (silent) letter aleph. The aleph is written in the form of a vav with two yuds attached. (Picture a slantwise / vav, with one / yud above it and another below: that's what a printed / aleph looks like.) In gematria, Jewish word-math, we see that this deconstructed aleph adds up to 26 (vav = 6, each yud = 10) and the holy name YHVH also adds up to 26 (10 + 5 + 6+ 5). But where this is really hinted-at is in the face of a person: one's two eyes are the two yuds, and the nose is like a letter vav, and in this way the face takes on the form of the letter aleph. This is what it means when it says (in Genesis/Bereshit) that we're created in God's image. The letter aleph is hidden in plain sight on the human face, and since the aleph represents the holy Name, that means each person's face has the holy Name on/in it. This is the seal of God that is inscribed on the human face, and this is why we are instructed to see the likeness of the Holy Blessed One in one another. And this is why "I keep God before me always" is a fundamental principle in Torah. We are called to see God in each other human being, because God is within us. And when we were blessed to be among those at Sinai, and heard the voice and "saw" what was spoken, we saw this form of the letter aleph which points to the divine name, and understood it to be the form of their own faces. Questions: 1) Do you perceive a tension between the idea that God spoke to us at Sinai face-to-face, and the idea that we didn't see anything but a voice? 2) What is the difference between having God "on your heart" and having God written "on your face"? Is one more internal than the other? 3) What are the ethical implications of seeing God in every human face? 4) How might we live with "I keep God before me always" as a mantra or motto? Technorati tags: religion, Judaism, Torah, aleph, Shavuot. Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. Keep the smiles on chilrens faces__Photo: VNA , , The 2016 Law on Children became effective on June 1 with a variety of provisions aiming to comprehensively intensify enforcement of children's rights.The law, passed by the National Assembly on April 5, 2016, provides a legal foundation for childrens rights in Vietnam and institutionalizes the Party's, State's and Governments guidelines and policies guaranteeing the enforcement of childrens rights in the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.It has also created a firm legal foundation to improve the efficiency of preventing, controlling, detecting and handling child abuse.The law provides regulations ensuring various childrens entitlements, such as the right of privacy, the right to live with parents, the right to be adopted and the right to be protected from abuse including violence, sexual harassment, labor exploitation, abandonment and kidnapping.Lawyer Do Thi Thao Ha from the Hanoi Bar Association said the law has proved a progressive and appropriate response to the nations current social development.It clarifies prohibited acts, including encroaching on child privacy and putting children in online dangers, Ha told the Vietnam News.She praised the recent issuance of Government Decree No 56/2017/ND-CP, which has helped concretize the implementation of the law.The decree details the responsibilities of agencies, organizations and localities in a bid to minimize harm to the children and ensure that their legitimate rights are observed.Meanwhile, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, a specialist on child protection from the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), said the law has helped demonstrate Vietnams commitment to the protection and care of children.This specific provision in the decree strengthens Vietnams 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, also highlighted is the robust response to the potential risks of online abuse and exploitation, Anh noted.Statistics from the UNICEF show that 120 million girls and 73 million boys across the globe are sexually abused, and one billion children globally experience some form of physical punishment. Asia is among the regions worldwide to witness the highest rate of child maltreatment.According to Vietnams Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the country recorded about 5,300 cases of child sexual abuse in the past three years, most of them in family situations or environments that are familiar to the victims.Nguyen Thi Nga, Deputy Director of the ministrys Children Department, said although the number of child abuse cases decreased last year, most cases turned out to be more serious and complicated.In response to this, the law defines the responsibilities of related agencies, particularly the local authorities where the incidents took place, Nga said, noting that, at the same time, Decree 56 will help enhance the prevention and control of child violence and abuse.- HA NOI The emerging trend of condotels and officetels (condominiums and offices treated as hotels) as attractive investment options in the country requires that the legality of such properties are clarified urgently, experts say. The tels have assumed a significant chunk of the real estate market in major Vietnamese cities as a rising middle class population segment looks to tap the income potential that they present, especially in the tourism sector. Experts say that the legality of these properties has to be made clear so that their development stays on the right track and the benefits of all stakeholders are harmonised. They say that the current cash flow to the properties is being fuelled by a combination of factors, including a rapid rise in the middle and upper middle class, which has pushed up demand for investment assets. The Boston Consulting Group, global business consultants, has forecast that the middle and upper middle class, with individual monthly incomes of US$714 and up, would increase to 33 million in Viet Nam by 2020. Meanwhile, market research firm Nielson has estimated that the middle class in Viet Nam will reach 44 million by 2020 and 95 million by 2030. This demographic factor, when combined with the impressive growth in tourism that has seen foreign tourist arrivals double to 10 million and that of domestic tourists to surge from 28 million to 62 million during the 2010-16 period, has boosted the tel property segment. Now is a golden time for tourism properties, particularly condotels, according to real estate services firm Savills Viet Nam. Savills has estimated that coastal cities and provinces of Viet Nam will see around 30,000 second homes and holiday homes by 2019, 65 per cent of which would be condotels. Condotels have also become attractive to investors with profits (annual returns of 8-12 per cent) guaranteed by the developer, making them even more appealing than gold or securities, given the almost certain rise in equity value as well. According to the Viet Nam Real Estate Association, around 9,600 condotels were offered for sale in 2016, mainly in the coastal locations of a Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. Experts attribute the rising popularity of officetel, a live-and-work concept, to the nations focus on boosting businesses in general, and start-ups in particular. The Government has set an ambitious goal of doubling the number of efficient firms to one million by 2020. Policy shortcomings Despite the anticipated boom in condotels and officetels, an inadequate legal framework for such properties are keeping many investors wary, experts say. The legalility issue is lagging far behind market demand, said Ho Anh Khoa from law firm BISACO said. Khoa said the situation of policies failing to keep pace with market developments has highlighted several shortcomings in the 2005 Housing Law, like a lack of regulations covering common areas in apartment buildings, underground floors and the share of maintenance costs. This has had protracted consequences, Khoa said. The legality of new property products, especially those with the tel factor, must be clarified urgently, Khoa said, adding that the most important aspects were product definition, purpose, technical standards and ownership. He said the lack of clarity on such issues meant that the race among developers to exploit this property segment carried inherent risks alongside the promise of high returns. Nguyen Van uc, deputy director of the at Lanh Real Estate Company said guaranteed returns of 8-12 per cent for several years were being offered, but it was not clear who would be responsible for ensuring that this promise is kept Director of Savills Asia Pacifics Hotel Consulting Department, Rudolf Hever, said the important factor in these properties, tel, was not receiving enough attention. This is worrying as the developers cannot be depended upon (without legal bindings), he said, adding that many of them did not have proper strategies to operate or compete in the market. Nguyen Quoc Khanh, chairman of the G5 Property Trading Floor Alliance, said that guaranteed returns and transparency in implementation were critical for the tels to enjoy sustained success. Furthermore, auditing should be mandatory for condotel projects so that there is transparency in profit sharing, he added. More questions For officetel properties, the legal vacuum has raised a number of questions about the ownership certificate, land-use fees and technical infrastructure requirements. The Ministry of Construction has said it is studying the legality of tel properties prior to issuing national technical standards for them. The ministry agreed that the legal framework for condotels and officetels remained inadequate even as demand for such products rose in the market, creating difficulties as well as inconsistencies in management, worrying both investors and developers. Experts say that it might be several years before a full-fledged legal framework dedicated to condotels and officetels are in place. Earlier this year, the Viet Nam Real Estate Association had called attention to this problem, proposing that the problem had to be tackled at several stages including planning, the setting of technical standards, operation mechanisms, granting of ownership certificates, duration of ownership, transfer of ownership, ownership by foreigners, credit policies and investment in infrastructure. VNS HCM CITY Viet Nam is expected to yield only 0.87 tonnes of cashew nuts per ha in 2017, 0.21 tonnes or nearly 20 per cent less than 2016s output per ha, heard a conference in HCM City on Thursday. Le Van uc, deputy head of the Department of Crop Production under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), blamed the yield decrease on unseasonal rains in January-March, which destroyed cashew flowers. Meanwhile, local farmers have neglected extreme weather developments and diseases on cashew trees, said participating businesses. A report released by the MARD shows that cashew output in the southern province of Binh Phuoc contracted by about 17.41 per cent per ha; southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, 15.13 per cent; and the Central Highlands province of Lam ong, over 50 per cent. Representatives from cashew-growing provinces said the bad harvest was more noticeable in reality as several localities have yielded zero. Therefore, the countrys total cashew nut output is forecast to hit over 252,000 tonnes in 2017, decreasing nearly 52,000 tonnes compared with the previous years figure. The amount meets only around 15-20 per cent of businesses demands for raw cashew nuts. Given this, Nguyen Trung Anh, director of the research and development centre of PAN Group, suggested local farmers pay more heed to intensive cultivation and technological improvement. Nguyen uc Thanh, chairman of the Vietnam Cashew Association (VCA), said the unexpected reduction may affect business plans of cashew processors. To ensure sustainable development for the cashew sector in the time ahead, he suggested the MARD adjust the national cashew development strategy until 2020 by expanding the cashew area from 340,000 ha to 400,000 ha. MARD Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh urged the VCA to boost its connectivity with localities and farmers to ensure stable cashew production areas. In 2016, cashew nut was Viet Nams major farm produce, only behind coffee in terms of export value. The country shipped 348,000 tonnes of cashew nuts for US$2.84 billion, up 5.6 per cent in volume and 18.4 per cent in value from a year ago. VNS THANH HOA The uc Tai Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company exploited limestone in the central province of Thanh Hoa for the past two years without taking any environmental protection measures, seriously harming local residents lives. Correspondents of the Lao ong (Labour) newspaper showed that houses and plants along roads in Hoi Xuan Commune were covered with dust. Stones and gravel were scattered along the two sides of the roads. The company also used mines to take stones several hundred metres from the residential quarter, making a great amount of dust. The dust quickly flew into the residential quarter. Many houses cracked. Pham Ba Tuong, a local resident, said that the incident repeatedly occurred over past years. Vi Thi Hien, another resident, said that everybody lamented whenever they passed the area, because it was full of dust on sunny days and muddy with stone on rainy days. Ha Van Long, also a resident, added that since the stone mine began work, residents lives have been seriously affected. On sunny days, we even have to wear mufflers when sitting inside our house. We try to spray water to reduce the condition, but it is not effective, he said. Tuong said that local residents have repeatedly flocked to the enterprises, asking them to improve the pollution condition, but the condition was improved for several days at a time. Local residents sent letters to the provincial authorities, asking for guidance so that the enterprise conducts environmental protection measures, reduces the loading capacity of stone transporting lorries and reduces the amount of mines exploiting stones. They also proposed the enterprise not to process the stones at night and spray dew over the area to limit the dust. Speaking about the case, Trinh uc Du, head of the Quan Hoa District Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said that the uc Tai Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company was licensed to exploit limestone as construction materials since February 2015 by the Thanh Hoa Province Peoples Committee. They are allowed to do the work within 13 years. Inspectors from the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Department of Construction, the Department of Industry and Trade and local authorities on May 23 checked the companys work. The inspection showed that the company caused environmental pollution, affecting local residents lives. The inspectors asked the company to conduct environmental protection measures and use mines to exploit the limestone following their approved project. The company must temporarily stop their work until it fulfills its plan on environmental protection, send the plan to the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment for approval. It can only continue its work when the department allows. Tran uc Tai, manager of the uc Tai company mines, admitted that the company did not protect the environment. We promise to improve the polluted condition soon and fulfill the task that local authorities required, he said. VNS By Duy An I do not need a second invitation when relatives call me to visit their hometown, either to chill out or check out some local attraction. For one thing, I love to travel, and for another, if it is a place, site or monument that I have not seen, my enthusiasm to visit just bubbles over. So, when my aunt, La Thi Hien, whose native village is in the northwestern province of Yen Bai, suggested that I visit the ai Cai and Suoi Tien temples in Luc Yen District, I got my family began packing immediately, although I was really tired from a long work-related trip to the UK. The site is about 90km from Yen Bai City and more than 150km from Ha Noi, but temples are peaceful places, so they could end up soothing frayed nerves and rejuvenating my tired cells, I thought. Thankfully, my guess was spot on, this time. As we passed the To Mau Bridge spanning the Chay River in Yen Bai, the beauty of the natural landscape that greeted us was uplifting. We had reached the ai Cai Temple in Tan Linh Village, with its unique terracotta Hac Y Tower. The site is recognized as a national relic, and a local tour guide, Vi Hong Nhan, explained why. He said archaeologists found that the terracotta bricks used to build the Hac Y Tower carried intricate patterns of the peepal (sacred fig, ficus religiosa ) leaves, chrysanthemums and lotuses. This is a very important discovery because it proves that the technique of making such bricks also existed in the highlands of Yen Bai, as it had in the lowlands thousands of years ago, Nhan said. He said the temple was built during the Le Dynasty ((1427-1489) to honour and worship Vu Ngoc Anh, a daughter of court official, who was tasked with managing locals and troops to entrench and build the Bau Citadel, and to establish a market system in the region. She was also asked by the king to take charge of supplying food for the troops for years, a task full of obstacles, including thick forests difficult to access. For her outstanding work, the king conferred on her a noble title: the Lord of Military Provisions. In addition, she also learned cultivation methods from the lowlands and propagated them from the highlands, showing locals how to grow wet rice, cotton, and even weaving fabric, Nhan said. The temple is also dedicated to two brothers, Vu Van Mat and Vu Van Uyen, who bravely fought foreign aggressors. The temples architectural features and artefacts, including its pillars and carvings, the bronze incense burner, red lacquer works trimmed with gold-coloured four season carvings, made with precious wood like Parashorea chinensis, Gmelina arborea Roxb (also known as Gamhar) and canary wood, stand testament to the artistry and creativity of our ancestors. A terracotta Buddha statue placed on a large carved lotus flower pedestal captured our interest. They are characteristics of the Tran Dynasty (1226-1400), a monk told us. He also informed us that King Tu uc (1847-1883) had conferred a sacred title on the temple. On the fifteenth of the first lunar month, thousands of pilgrims and foreign visitors come to pray and enjoy the ai Cai Temple Festival. During this festival, our family offers incense to the deities and pray for a bumper crop, and for our country to be prosperous and strong, aunt Hien said, adding that she and her brothers enjoyed the traditional games featured in the festival, including shooting with a crossbow, cock-fighting and tug of war. Aunt Hien then took us to another nearby tourist attraction, the Suoi Tien Temple in To Mau Village. A tour guide at the temple, Nong Thi Lien, told us that the pagoda was built in 1928-1929. It is surrounded by the Tham, and Bach Ma mountains which have many beautiful caves and abundant fauna and flora. The caves were very good places for our people to hide weapons and food to supply our army during the wars against the French and Americans, Lien said. Before entering the temple, we went past a very big well. The water was so clear that we could see a school of goby fish (locally known as deity fish). My sons had a good time running around the well chasing them. Legend has it that on upon a time, the land here was covered with green, flowering trees that blossomed all year around, and a pure and fresh stream running from the base of the Tham Mountain. Seven fairies took a bath every afternoon in the stream. At that time, in To Mau Village, there was young man, Cha whose parents died when he was a little boy. Cha was a woodcutter. One day, he hid the wings of the seventh fairy, so she could not fly back to heaven. Cha asked the fairy to come to his home. They later became husband and wife and the fairy taught villagers how to reclaim land for farming, grow other crops and make nets to catch fish in the Chay River. Thanks to her, villagers led much better lives than before. But years later, the fairy was asked by her father (the Jade Emperor) to return to heaven. She took her two children along. The villagers then built a temple called Po Tien (Tien Stream) to worship the fairy for her contribution to the village, Lien said. Nguyen Quang Long, deputy head of the Luc Yens Culture Office, said that locals believe that before the temple was built, many unlucky things happened to them. I dont know its true or not but villagers still say that since the temple was built, every thing in the village became stable and very few people met with accidents and sudden deaths. The sacred, serene ambience of the temple and its surrounding natural beauty had a calming effect on us. It made the trip from a noisy, polluted city well worth it. Aunt Hien then asked us to visit the Khai Trung eco village. We thoroughly enjoyed the thick, unspoilt forest and traditional food of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, including crispy eggplants, castrated roosters and banana cakes. As we prepared to leave (I had work, my sons had school), I thanked aunt Hien, and said very firmly: Well be back next month. VNS On the occasion of Italys National Day on June 2, Viet Nam News presents an article written by Italys Ambassador Cecilia Piccioni Italy celebrates National Day Seventy-one years ago, on June 2, 1946, the Italian people gave birth to the Italian Republic, laying down our democratic foundations on the pillars of freedom and democracy. Today we celebrate the beginning of the Italian journey towards development, industrialisation and international integration. Through this transformative, although not always simple, journey, Italy has become a major player at the regional and international level. Exactly 60 years ago, together with five other European countries, Italy undertook a major step towards the dream of European integration by signing, in Rome, the treaties establishing the European Economic Community. At the same time, as our industrialisation process began bearing fruits, Italys role within the multilateral arena grew stronger and it joined both the G7 and the G20. Nowadays, Italy is not only a stakeholder in the multilateral arena, being the seventh largest financial contributor to the United Nations budget and the Western nation with the most men deployed in peacekeeping missions, but it also holds the G7 Presidency. This is a delicate task that we are carrying on with awareness of the many unprecedented challenges we all are confronted with. Nonetheless, we are determined to address key global issues at the top of our agenda: climate change, economic growth, sustainable development, migration, cultural diversity preservation and promotion, rule of law, human rights, security and stability. To push forward our agenda and contribute to the enhancement of the Post-2015 Development Agenda we aim to rely on co-operation with strategic partners, such as Viet Nam. Against this backdrop, we are very pleased to appreciate how Italian/Vietnamese co-operation is flourishing and taking our relationship to the next level. We are working together across various fields to achieve our ambitious targets, first set forward by our Strategic Partnership Agreement and then reaffirmed by the many high-level visits that took place last year, among them the State visit to Italy of President Tran ai Quang. As a result of these institutional exchanges, our economic partnerships are thriving and more Italian and Vietnamese companies are showing interest in our respective countries. Our two-way-exchange is steadily progressing and is already benefiting from the immense opportunities that the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement will soon provide. Within such a promising framework, we are increasingly focusing on a specific aspect of our partnership: cultural exchange, one of the most meaningful pillars of our bilateral relations, as underscored by our President Sergio Mattarekka during his first visit to Viet Nam in 2015. Undeniably, through bridging gaps, culture proves the most powerful tool to strengthen relationships. Its preservation and dissemination are at the core of the Italian global approach, an approach based on mediation, dialogue and acceptance, as clearly shown by the priorities we have set taking over the G7 presidency. It is therefore with great pride that, on our National Day, well introduce to Viet Nam, for the first time in Asia, the exhibition Raffaello: opera omnia. The exhibition, designed by Italian Public TV and strongly supported by our foreign ministry, will feature an unprecedented combination of some of the most iconic Raffaello masterpieces and cutting-edge technology. 35 paintings displayed at the Viet Nam Museum of Ethnography in Ha Noi will take the visitors along a journey of harmony of colours, lines and characters belonging to different eras and worlds and through the unique beauty that made the Italian Renaissance renowned worldwide. The decision to bring Raffaello: opera omnia to Viet Nam embodies our aim to engage with Vietnamese counterparts in cultural promotional activities, within the framework of a genuine partnership and with a focus on the value of sharing good practices and knowledge. Highly skilled professionals have recreated 35 digital paintings of extremely high-definition and true-to-scale reproductions of masterpieces both exciting and moving to behold, making us visitors feel part of the story portrayed in each picture, in line with the Renaissances humanistic ideals placing the man at the centre of the universe. The combination of Raffaellos art with the skills of todays Italian experts serves the ultimate goal of keeping alive, disseminating and making universal the precious treasures of the past. A key role in making this initiative possible has been played by the sponsors, modern art patrons that sustained our project similarly to those who supported the Renaissance artists: Ariston, Generali, Ghella, Hung Yen, Piaggio and UniCredit. They keep on representing today and worldwide Italian gifted creativity and farsighted vision. VNS VILNIUS Ten-month-old Mykolas Pociunas crawled to victory on Thursday to be crowned Lithuanias fastest toddler, lured across the finish line by a box of Lego plastic bricks. Proud father Vytautas said the last half metre of the race, held annually in the capital Vilnius on International Childrens Day, was touch-and-go. "We thought we wouldnt make it to the finish line. Just before it he stopped, then sat, then lay down, but finally he saw he needed to crawl to his mother" who was shaking the Lego box, Pociunas said. Mykolas was the quickest of 25 finalists who crawled the five meter-long red carpet race track. Parents and grandparents waved colourful toys, mobile phones, balloons, TV remote controls, plastic bottles and even bagels to get their tots across the finish line. But some youngsters shunned the competition, choosing to sit it out at the starting line or turn around and crawl back less than a metre from the finish line. A local radio station first launched the race in 1999 in a bid to raise awareness about childrens rights. "The most important rule is that the baby is still a toddler who cant walk yet. Their ages vary between nine to twelve months," organiser Jolita Pranckeviciene said. AFP Chi Lan On balance, the positives far outweighed the not-so-positive as Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc wrapped up his long-awaited trip to the United States This was reflected in the PMs direct talks with President Donald Trump, almost half a year after their first contact on the phone. The business orientation of the trip was evident. The PMs schedule was marked by almost constant meetings with representatives of US business giants like Exxon Mobile, Coca-cola, Boeing and Nike. Phuc deliberately spent a lot of time with potential business partners of Viet Nam, attending two roundtables with US enterprises and investment funds in New York and Washington DC. On the last leg of his US trip, Phuc had in hand major commercial deals worth some US$8 billion signed by Vietnamese and US enterprises. But this was only half of the value Ha Noi had hoped to nail by the time the PM met Trump. However, the US Commerce Department said 13 new transactions with Viet Nam involved $3 billion worth of US-produced content, which would support more than 23,000 American jobs. They (Viet Nam) just made a very large order in the United States - and we appreciate that - for many billions of dollars, which means jobs for the United States and great, great equipment for Viet Nam," Trump told reporters as he received Phuc at the White House. Murray Hiebert, a Southeast Asia expert at Washingtons Centre for Strategic and International Studies, told Reuters that the Trump administration welcomed such new business deals with Viet Nam, but it was not enough. "They want Viet Nam to bring some ideas about how to tackle the surplus on an ongoing basis, he said. Trade between Viet Nam and the US has grown over the last three decades when Viet Nam launched its oi moi (Renewal) process, and soared in the two decades since the former foes normalised relations. The increased trade has seen balance widen in Viet Nams favour, leaping from around $7 billion in 2006 to $32 billion a decade later. This gap is not looked upon with much favour by the Trump administration. The President had signed an executive order in March to investigate 16 countries with which the US has a bilateral trade deficit, including Viet Nam. The Trump administration has also made clear its preference for bilateral, rather than multilateral trade pacts. Ha Noi, disappointed by Washingtons withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), was testing its chance of reaching a bilateral trade deal with the US that could salvage some of what it would have gained under the TPP. The outlook for such a deal remains blurred. In the joint statement released after the leaders met, the two countries affirmed that they would promote bilateral trade through the Viet Nam-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. The agreement, reached in 2007, was suspended in 2011, and only resumed this March. It can be safely assumed that the framework will be the main channel for bilateral trade negotiations in the short-term. However, the two leaders saw many opportunities ahead for United States-Viet Nam relations in a wide range of areas: political, diplomatic, economic and trade ties, science and technology, national defence and security, education, people-to-people exchange, humanitarian and war legacy issues, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. The joint statement, in particular, delivered something of a surprise for observers on the East Sea (South China Sea) issue. Some analysts had initially expressed concerns that President Trump, engaged with North Korea and the Russia probe, might not lend too much weight to the East Sea dispute that Viet Nam is involved in. The joint statement highlighted the importance of parties refraining from actions that would escalate tensions, "such as the militarisation of disputed features". Besides the usual commitment expressing support for the peaceful resolution of disputes in line with international law, President Trump also stressed that the US will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows. PM Phuc made history as the first Southeast Asian leader to meet with President Trump since he took office early this year. His trip was preceded by a State visit to China by President Tran ai Quang and is soon to be followed with another trip to Japan just a few days after returning from the US. This hectic schedule shows that Ha Noi is being proactive in promoting increased understanding with not only the US, but also China and other major stakeholders. This approach makes sense, because it is how Viet Nam can gain optimum mileage and impact from its diplomatic overtures. This approach is also in keeping with our history as a small nation that has held its own among Goliaths. While it cannot decide things on its own at a global level, Viet Nam can effectively facilitate just solutions to local and international crises. VNS HA NOI Land clearance for the Long Thanh airport project in the southern province of ong Nai should be sped up to prevent price slippage that will affect investment capital and to help people living in the project area stablise their living conditions, said National Assembly (NA) deputies on Thursday. They discussed land clearance, compensation and resettlement for the airport project after hearing a Government report on separating land clearance, compensation and resettlement tasks as a sub-project of the Long Thanh airport project which was announced more than a decade ago. The seperation is expected to accelerate the progress. Most of the deputies agreed with the report but pointed to the need for clear procedures, capital sources and implementation processes. Deputy Pham Thi My Thanh from ong Nai Province said planning for the airport project was announced more than ten years ago, if it was not implemented soon, many issues would arise such as price slippage or increased land prices. Land clearance had cost VN23 trillion (US$1.01 billion) from the initial estimate of VN18 trillion, she said. The project also affected residents living in this area, she said, with many worrying about what they would do after being resettled to allow the project to be constructed. Enterprises in the project area also faced difficulties, she said. Many deputies agreed, saying that land prices kept increasing and would affect the projects investment capital if land clearance was not implemented soon. Lawmakers also pointed to the need to ensure living conditions of residents who will have land revoked to construct the airport. Deputy Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam from HCM City said careful studies should be made so affected residents have better living conditions after being relocated. It is necessary to consider many issues for the residents when they are relocated such as employment and education for their children, she said. Land clearance and compensation should be carefully discussed and supervised as the project covers more than 5,000ha, she said. Many deputies also noted that while waiting for Long Thanh airport to be constructed, investment should be poured into improving the capacity of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City, which they said is currently overloaded. The VN336.7 trillion ($16 billion) Long Thanh International Airport project was approved by a majority of the National Assembly deputies at the 13th NAs ninth session in 2015. It is expected to reduce the load on neighbouring Tan Son Nhat Airport. The airport will be able to handle 100 million passengers and five million tonnes of freight a year. The investment will come from various sources, such as the State budget, Official Development Assistance and corporate capital. The project has been divided into three phases. The first phase, expected to be completed in 2025 and handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of freight a year, includes the construction of a runway, a terminal and supporting infrastructure. Following the approval, the NA issued a resolution asking for detailed plans for the construction, including site clearance, compensation, employment and re-settlement and support for those who would be displaced. Legal assistance Earlier the same day, deputies discussed the draft revision of the Law on Legal Aid. They agreed on the importance of revising the law to tackle existing shortcomings in legal aid and create a legal framework to make legal aid activities more professional while effectively using resources when providing legal services. They proposed mobilising social participation for legal aid to reduce the burden on the State budget. Deputies also touched on the need to review practical demands, anticipate resources for law enforcement in accordance with the countrys socio-economic situation, and ensure the regulations feasibility. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam considers the US an important partner and wants to continue boosting the Viet Nam-US comprehensive relationship, based on a respect for each others political institutions and the win-win outcomes of peace, stability and development in the region. President Tran ai Quang made the statement at his reception in Ha Noi on Thursday for a visiting US Senate Armed Services Committee delegation, led by its Chairman Senator John McCain. The State leader lauded and thanked Senator John McCain and US friends for making important contributions to deepening Viet Nam-US ties in the regional and global arena. He proposed that the US congress continue supporting an end to the US Department of Agricultures catfish inspection programme and the acceleration of bilateral trade through importing Vietnamese commodities. He promised to bring more US goods to the Vietnamese market. The President asked the US delegation to continue assisting Viet Nam in completing the detoxification of a Nang Airport and launch work in Bien Hoa Airport. Both sides should also enhance co-operation in search and rescue during natural disasters and increase defence industry partnerships, he stated. For his part, Senator McCain emphasised that the US-Viet Nam comprehensive partnership is enjoying its best era since the two countries normalised their diplomatic relations. The senator confirmed that he will urge the US congress and government to continue co-operating with and supporting Viet Nam in implementing its Agent Orange/dioxin detoxification project, overcoming war aftermath, search and rescue, and other areas of shared interest. He highlighted the US stance of favouring maritime and aviation freedom in the region, and affiliations among countries to prevent security risks to growth and stability. Sharing McCains opinions, President Quang stressed that a stable environment is necessary for any country striving for socio-economic development. Viet Nam persists in its position of settling disputes through diplomatic measures, dialogues and international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as ASEAN mechanisms such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, looking toward a Code of Conduct in the East Sea. Calls for trade support National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has called on the US congress to support the approval of resolutions aiming to foster economic and trade ties with Viet Nam. Receiving Senator McCain in Ha Noi the same day, the top legislator expressed her wish that the US congress will continue backing the abolition of the US Department of Agricultures catfish inspection programme, which has created great barriers for Vietnamese catfish exports to the country. Lauding positive support made by US congressmen and the tireless efforts of John McCain, the host called on the two legislative bodies to step up their exchanges and dialogues, including the activities of their friendship parliamentary groups. She urged John McCain to continue bringing new US congressmen to Viet Nam to help them understand more about Vietnamese culture, land and people, thus better connecting the two countries. For his part, John McCain expressed his delight to witness socio-economic development achievements in Viet Nam and progresses in US-Viet Nam relations. He also applauded Viet Nams efforts and actions to promote and ensure childrens rights. Many US congressmen said they satisfied with the joint statement for enhancing the comprehensive partnership issued during Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs visit to the US. The two sides also discussed regional and international matters of shared concern, including the East Sea issue. They stressed the importance of guaranteeing peace, stability, maritime and over-flight security and safety in the sea, and handling disputes by peaceful measures and on the basis of respecting diplomatic and legal processes, as well as international law. VNS ONG NAI The southern province of ong Nai will suspend the operations of large companies if they do not have automatic wastewater monitoring stations by September this year. Vo Van Chanh, deputy chairman of the province Peoples Committee, said on Tuesday that companies which discharge 1,000cu.m of wastewater a day must install the stations. All the companies operating in the province together discharge some 300,000 cubic metres of effluents a day, according to the local Department of Natural Resources and Environment. They will send information about the quality of wastewater to a control centre at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment every five to 10 minutes. Starting in 2013 the province has set up 26 wastewater monitoring stations at industrial parks and large companies. Chanh said they have helped the province control the wastewater quality, improve the environment of the Thi Vai and ong Nai rivers and increase companies environmental awareness. VNS HA NOI Ha Noi aims to replace more than 4,000 xa cu (African mahogany, scientific name Khaya senegalensis) trees in the city at risk of falling down, threatening the safety of citizens in the stormy season. The statement was made at a conference on Wednesday between the municipal Department of Construction and scientists and experts on if the city should plant more African mahogany trees. Currently, there are more than 4,000 African mahogany trees in the city. Many are located in inner districts and on key roads such as Hoang Dieu, Le Hong Phong, Hoang Van Thu, Hoang Hoa Tham, La Thanh and Yen Phu. African mahogany trees have large branches and easily fall down in bad weather. Nguyen Xuan Hanh, deputy director of Ha Noi Green Tree and Park One Member Co Ltd, said that most of the trees were not tended to regularly, allowing them to grow naturally, reaching for light with tilted and curved branches, affecting the citys beauty. African mahogany trees do not have high economic value. In addition, the roots need a lot of space to develop while the citys pavements are narrow with much underground construction. This affects the solidity of the trees and make them easily fall. ao Ngoc Nghiem, vice chairman of Ha Noi Association of Urban Planning and Development, said that African mahogany trees should not be planted in the city as their roots impact infrastructure, the beauty of the city and pavements. However, he said, the city needed to conduct careful surveys, classify rotten trees and consider preserving African mahogany trees in some areas. PhD Pham Van ien, former director of the University of Agriculture suggested that the city assign a group to conduct surveys, collect information, build the plan and collect opinions from the public before implementing it. Vo Nguyen Phong, director of the construction department said the department would report to the citys Peoples Committee on the status of the African mahogany trees and the impacts of biochemical soil on the city. Ha Noi to cut, move 1,300 trees About 1,000 trees on Pham Van ong Street in Ha Nois Cau Giay District will be cut down, 158 moved and 142 pruned for the expansion of Ring Road 3. The trees are set to be cut and pruned before September 30, according to the roads construction plan. Speaking to online newspaper Zing.vn on Wednesday, Pham Van Duan, deputy director of the Ha Noi Traffic Construction Project Management Board, said the board inspected the trees between April 18 and 20. About 986 of the 1,300 trees are African mahogany trees of 0.4-1.2m diameter, he said. The Ha Noi Green Tree and Park Company will be in charge of cutting, moving and pruning the trees, Duan added. It will be tough to complete the process before September 30 as the citys construction department has yet to give the company permission to go ahead with the task, he said. The Ha Noi Peoples Committee started the Ring Road 3 expansion project last October. The extended stretch of the road, from the south end of Mai Dich flyover to the south end of Thang Long Bridge, will be 5.5km long, 56 to 93m wide and will have six traffic lanes, two of which will accommodate mixed traffic. The project costs VN3 trillion (US$136.5 million), and requires 392,000sq.m of land to be cleared and 796 households and 55 office buildings to be removed. VNS HA NOI A new law on protecting and caring for children became effective on Thursday (June 1), with a variety of regulations aiming to comprehensively intensify childrens right enforcement. The Child Law adopted by the National Assembly on April 5, 2016 was built to provide a legal foundation for childrens rights in Viet Nam and institutionalise the Party, State and Governments guidelines and policies ensuring the enforcement of childrens rights in accordance with the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children. It has also created a firm legal foundation to improve the efficiency of preventing, controlling, detecting and handling child abuse. The law provides regulations ensuring various childrens entitlements, such as the right of privacy, the right to live with parents, the right to be adopted and the right to be protected from abuse including violence, sexual harassment, labour exploitation, abandonment and kidnapping. Lawyer o Thi Thao Ha from the Ha Noi Bar Association said the law has proved a progressive and appropriate response to the nations current social development. It contains a concrete clarification of the prohibition of certain acts, including the encroaching on child privacy and putting children in online dangers, Ha told the Viet Nam News. She praised the recent issue of the Decree No 56/2017/N-CP, which has helped concretise the implementation of the law. Meanwhile, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, a specialist on child protection from the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), said the law has helped demonstrate Viet Nams commitment to the protection and care of children. This specific provision in the decree strengthens Viet Nams 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. Also highlighted is the robust response to the potential risks of online abuse and exploitation, Anh added. Statistics from the UNICEF estimates that 120 million girls and 73 million boys across the globe are sexually abused, and one billion children globally experience some form of physical punishment. Asia is among the regions worldwide to witness the highest rate of child maltreatment. According to Viet Nams Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the country recorded about 5,300 cases of child sexual abuse in the past three years, most of them in family situations or environments that are familiar to the victims. Nguyen Thi Nga, deputy director of the ministrys Children Department, said although the number of child abuse cases decreases last year, most cases turned out to be more serious and complicated. In response to such cases, the Child Law 2016 defines the responsibilities of functional agencies, particularly the local authorities where the incidents took place, said Nga. "Decree 56 signed by the Prime Minister in May and made effective today will help enhance the prevention and control of child violence and abuse," Nga said. The decree clearly details the responsibilities of agencies, organisations and localities in a bid to minimise harm to the children and ensure that their legitimate rights are observed. VNS HCM CITY HCM City police on Thursday arrested more than 20 people suspected of involvement in a drug ring led by Van Kinh Duong. Police also seized over 500,000 ecstaty tablets, 120 kg of drug powder estimated to worth over VN200 billion (US$8.8 million), more than VN10 billion ($440,000) in cash, seven cars and equipment used to make drugs. The case is said the biggest-ever drug ring to be detected in Viet Nam. Duong, 36, of Ha Noi served six years and then escaped from jail. A wanted man, he forged documents under the name Tran Ngoc Hieu and continued producing drugs. Earlier, Duong was found to manage drug-making establishments in HCM City and Nha Trang, thanks to social networking and surveillance camera. He sometimes visited the establishments. Dozens of Duongs brothers joined his ring, especially Nguyen uc Ki Nam, 49, who is an expert chemist and directly made drug powder, dried and shaped them. The drugs were hidden on suitcases from HCM City to Ha Noi. Police investigation revealed that since the beginning of last year, they produced almost 300 kg of drug. As soon as Duong was arrested, over 200 police officers examined 13 drug establishments of Duong in HCM City and other provinces. HA NOI Viet Nam will host the Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR) for the first time this November. The information was announced at a press conference on June 2. The 9th APCRSHR, from November 27 to 30 this year, will be organised by the Viet Nam Public Health Association (VPHA) in Ha Long City, northern Quang Ninh Province. Professor Le Vu Anh, VPHA president and head of APCRSHRs organising committee, said this would be the largest regional conference on reproductive and sexual health that Viet Nam has hosted so far, with the participation of some 1,500 delegates from over 40 countries. The conference is themed Leave No One Behind! Justice in Sexual and Reproductive Health and is targeted at achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. According to the organising committee, the Asia-Pacific region is an area of rapid growth and transition. The benefits and costs of development are, however, not shared equitably among the countries and peoples of the region. In health, particularly in sexual and reproductive health, the poor and marginalised communities miss out on good quality treatment and services. Hoang Tu Anh, director of the Centre for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population, said vulnerable groups that may be left behind are the disabled, migrants and LGBT, in terms of the right to access services and be recognised. The Vietnamese Government has not legalised the sex worker profession, which increases the risks for this group. This conference is an opportunity for Viet Nam to learn from other countries experience about this issue, she said. During the four-day event, scientists, practitioners, researchers and lecturers, as well as advocators, community groups and the youth will discuss pressing regional social issues in the context of culture, religion, policies, healthcare system and education. Topics to be discussed include overcoming social, cultural and religious barriers in sexual and reproductive health; towards a just economic order for sexual and reproductive health; and making good quality sexual and reproductive health education available to all. The first day will be spent on a youth conference, gathering some 400 young participants who will hold talks with experts to solve youth-related problems on reproductive and sexual health and rights. The biannual APCRSHR initiated by civic society organisations has been held eight times previously in the Philippines, Thailand, India and Malaysia, as well as Indonesia and Myanmar. VNS MANILA A man who fired an automatic rifle inside a casino in the Philippine capital and triggered fears of a terrorist attack killed himself on Friday, police said, adding he was likely just a deranged robber. People ran screaming out of Resorts World Manila, which is across a road from the Philippines international airport, after the man fired what police chief Ronald dela Rosa said was an M4 assault rifle and set fire to a gambling table around midnight. The man did not shoot anyone but 53 people were reported injured in the stampede and from the smoke, while one security guard accidentally shot himself in a panic, Dela Rosa said. The gunman disappeared into the chaos of smoke and running people, leading to a manhunt throughout the casino, hotel and shopping complex that ended just after dawn. Dela Rosa initially said police killed the assailant who was hiding in a hotel room, but later told reporters the man committed suicide. "He lay down on the bed, covered himself with a thick blanket, apparently poured petrol on the blanket and burned himself," Dela Rosa said. Before the gunmen had been killed and police had confirmed any motive, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility and US President Donald Trump also branded it a "terrorist attack" . But the incident was most likely a robbery gone wrong, Dela Rosa said, pointing out the man did not shoot at anyone and appeared to be intent just on stealing gambling chips. "For now, we can say that this is not an act of terror. There is no element of violence, threat or intimidation that leads to terrorism." Dela Rosa said the man, who appeared to be acting alone, walked into one of the gambling rooms and fired the rifle at a large television screen, then poured gasoline onto a gambling table and set it alight. He said the man then fired again at a stock room containing gambling chips and filled a backpack with chips worth 113 million pesos (US$2.3 million). The man left the room and went upstairs to the hotel section, but left the backpack near the stock room, according to Dela Rosa. Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde also insisted it was not a terrorist attack. "It is a simple robbery and most likely it was done by a demented person," Albayalde told reporters outside the casino. Dela Rosa said 18 of the 54 injured people were in hospital and the others suffered only minor injuries. He said the condition of the security guard who accidentally shot himself was unclear. Terrified People inside the casino recounted feelings of terror when the shooting occurred. "I was about to return to the second floor from my break when I saw people running. Some hotel guests said someone yelled ISIS," Maricel Navaro, an employee of Resorts World, told DZMM radio. ISIS is another acronym for the Islamic State group. "Guests were screaming. We went to the basement locker room and hid there. People were screaming, guests and employees were in panic," Navaro said. "When we smelled smoke, we decided to go for the exit in the carpark. Thats where we got out. Before we exited, we heard two gunshots and there was thick smoke on the ground floor." Outside the complex, relatives of people caught inside waited to hear news of their loved ones. "Our daughter called us past midnight saying she was in the VIP section of the casino and there was smoke and they were suffocating," Gil Yongco, 42, said. "We are very worried about her. We havent heard from her." Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law last week across the southern region of Mindanao to crush what he said was a rising threat of IS there. He declared martial law shortly after militants went on a rampage through the southern city of Marawi, which is about 800km south of Manila. Security forces are still battling the militants in Marawi, and the clashes there have left at least 171 people dead. Duterte said last week he may need to declare martial law across the rest of the country if the terrorism threat spread. Dela Rosa emphasised there was no link between the casino violence and the Marawi clashes. AFP NIAMEY At least 44 Libya-bound migrants, including women and babies, died of thirst after their vehicle broke down in the scorching Sahara desert of northern Niger, local officials said on Thursday. "The number of migrants who died in the desert is 44 for now," said Rhissa Feltou, the mayor of Agadez, a remote town on the edge of the Sahara that has become the smuggling capital of Africa. A security source who asked not to be named said "the sub-Saharan migrants, including babies and women, died of thirst because their vehicle broke down". "There were six survivors who were rescued by the army in the heart of the desert near Achegour," the Agadez mayor said. A humanitarian source said five of them were from Ghana and one was from Nigeria. The arid dusty town in central Niger is a major transit point for migrants seeking work in Libya or Algeria or trying to reach the sea to sail to Europe. Last year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded 335,000 migrants heading northwards out of Niger. Many perish while trying to cross the desert in crammed pick-up trucks with often meagre provisions of water as jerrycans carrying fuel take priority. To protect themselves from the sand and sun, the migrants cover up from head to toe, most wearing hoods, sunglasses, jackets and gloves. Temperatures in Agadez currently hover around 40 degrees Celsius but have hit almost 50 degrees in the past. The Red Cross, which said "at least 44 migrants have died", dispatched a team to the site "to gather information" on the circumstances. Rape, kidnappings common The 50km trip from Agadez to the Libyan border takes between two and three days with only very short petrol and toilet stops on the way. In early May, eight migrants from Niger, five of them children, were found dead in the desert while heading to Algeria. Also in May, soldiers on patrol in northern Niger rescued around 40 migrants from various west African countries who had been abandoned in the Sahara by smugglers they had paid to get to Libya. The group included people from The Gambia, Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal and Niger, all of them hoping to reach the Libyan coast and from there cross the Mediterranean to Europe. Many migrants are kidnapped by traffickers or bandits and often subjected to sexual and other abuse. Hunger, fever, fractured limbs and dehydration are also common problems. Accidents are frequent on the rough tracks used by smugglers who drive for hours without stopping across the desert and the dunes. Libya has long struggled to control its 5,000km of southern borders with Sudan, Chad and Niger, even before the 2011 uprising that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi. In the chaos that followed, traffickers stepped up their business, with tens of thousands of people each year making the perilous crossing to Italy just some 300km away. Germany and Italy last month called for an EU mission to be installed on the border between Libya and Niger to reduce the migrant flow. By mid-April this year, Italy had registered nearly 42,500 migrants coming by sea, 97 per cent of them arriving from Libya. AFP By Warren Fernandez When Pope Francis met United States President Donald Trump last month at the Vatican, he urged him to be a man of peace. True or false? Did the Pope actually comment to Mrs Melania Trump on her husbands girth and wonder what she was feeding him? Was Mr Trump there to thank the Pope for his endorsement during his election campaign? True, true and false; the pontiff never gave the former American tycoon his backing, contrary to what some websites had claimed. Herein lies the most insidious form of fake news, the commingling of fact and fiction, truths and half-truths, rumours, speculation and plain lies, some of which get repeated so often that many find it hard to distinguish what is real from what might have been and what never happened. This goes beyond other forms of fake news - stories made up and spread for mischief (like a hoax picture of a collapsed roof of a public housing block posted on the All Singapore Stuff site); or for profit (the anti-foreigner postings on the Real Singapore site) or political gain (anti-Hillary conspiracies during the US election) - all of which have been proliferating in recent times. Inevitably, these have raised concerns about the impact of fake news on voters and societies. This has come about in the face of a perfect storm of unrelated technological, social and financial developments, which has unleashed a major disruption of the media industry all round the world. First, recent years have seen a dramatic shift in the way all of us consume news and information, with the inexorable drift to digital content online. More and more people are also communicating directly, creating and sharing content through social media. This has led to what has been called "disintermediation", meaning the undermining of the role of editors and gatekeepers to exercise judgment in shaping the news agenda. Couple this with our growing addiction to our smartphones. One recent survey of Singaporean millennials aged 16 to 30 found that they spend an average of 3.4 hours a day - or about one day a week - glued to their gadgets. The upshot of this, in a listicle, is: - shorter attention spans, as people flit from screen to screen, swopping depth of knowledge for breadth and speed; - snacking of content, consuming content on complex subjects in small bites digestible on the go; - a tendency to turn to sources which reinforce our own views, leaving us in "content bubbles", and making a social consensus all the more difficult to forge among an increasingly divided and distracted electorate. Taken together, these trends are changing in significant ways how we inform ourselves about whats going on around us and make sense of it. Now, anyone can create and spread information - and misinformation - freely, cheaply, quickly, virally, and with almost complete immunity. In a sense, we have gone back to the future. As the Economist magazine noted in a survey on the industry, the media landscape today resembles that which prevailed at the turn of the 19th century, when a mix of information, rumours and gossip, and yes, fake news, was spread from person to person, or through a web of social networks. News organisations as we know them today began to emerge in the mid-19th and early-20th century. The Straits Times hit the streets on July 15,1845, two years after the founding of the Economist in 1843, and ahead of the New York Times in 1851. Around that time, news began to spread faster via the telegraph and wire agencies. New printing plants enabled mass printing, while railroads facilitated widespread deliveries. As newspaper circulations grew, they began to be staffed with growing numbers of professional journalists, committed to striving for accuracy, fairness and objectivity. These news organisations were premised on the ability of newspapers to deliver a mass audience. Advertisers paid a premium to reach these audiences. The revenues generated enabled newsrooms to produce good-quality journalism. Readers could then be served at relatively low cover prices. As Oxford historian Timothy Garton Ash put it in a recent lecture at the St Gallen Symposium in Switzerland: "Very simply, the Internet is destroying the business model of newspapers. For at least two centuries, we have had a public good - news, the information we need for democracy - delivered by private means. A newspaper was a means of delivering the public good of news by private means. "Our good fortune was that, for nearly two centuries, that model worked because people would pay for a newspaper, which also had advertising revenue. The Internet has just knocked away both these pillars. So the newspapers produce the information. Facebook and Google get the profit. "And this has a very negative effect on the newspapers on which we have relied for our news... The amount of serious news, investigative journalism and foreign reporting is going down because thats expensive. This is a real problem for the journalism we need for democracy. What we have here is potentially a market failure in the marketplace of ideas." This is an issue that has been exercising minds in media circles for some time. But recent events, from the US presidential election and the Brexit vote to the proliferation of fake news, have made it clear that the challenge is one that societies as a whole will have to grapple with. To begin with, newspapers have been busy transforming into multi-media organisations. The aim is to produce content across platforms that our readers and viewers find relevant, credible and compelling, which they are prepared to pay for. At the heart of all these efforts must remain a commitment to delivering quality journalism. Put simply, good journalism is the purposeful pursuit of information, well sourced and verified, interpreted professionally and objectively, with a mission to help people make sense of the world around them, which is especially vital in an age of major disruption and rapid change. News groups will also have to work closely to respond to the challenge of fake news. Later this month, for example, The Straits Times will be hosting a meeting in Singapore, together with the World Association of Newspapers and our partners in the Asia News Network, to discuss how we are to respond collectively to the phenomenon of fake news. Safeguarding the future of the media, however, cannot be left to journalists alone. Business and community leaders, who wield the power of the purse, will have to ensure that their advertising and sponsorship budgets go towards supporting good content, rather than relying on cheap, programmatic online advertising, which might lead to their brands appearing alongside content promoting hate, intolerance or terrorism. Parents and educators will have to think hard about how we are preparing our young to be more discerning about the content they choose to consume and share. Societies will have to figure out how to ensure we are well served by providers of good-quality content. Can this be left entirely to markets, with news organisations driven by the need to hold up margins, dividends and share prices? This is the approach now adopted by The Straits Times, and some members of the ANN. It is likely to be a viable option for a few established media brands. Or do we leave the task to media moguls, like Mr Jeff Bezos at the Washington Post, or Mr Jack Ma at the South China Morning Post? Or can we turn to mandates, with support for public service journalism coming from philanthropic foundations and trusts, as in the case of the Guardian, or the state, as in the BBC, in Britain? As Prof Garton Ash noted: "Nobody has one single big answer, but I think public service media is part of the answer - foundations funding serious news, investigative reporting and foreign news is an important part of the answer." All three approaches are playing out in a live experiment before our eyes, amid considerable flux in the media industry. It is not clear which of these will prevail; nor is it likely there will be one solution that fits all news organisations, and societies. The future of the media industry is likely to entail a hybrid of these approaches. Ultimately, though, the need for reliable news and informed interpretation will prevail, regardless of how this is consumed. Societies will have to devise new ways to ensure that the public good of quality journalism is available to electorates, which rely on it to make sensible decisions to secure their future. * Warren Fernandez is the Editor-in-Chief of The Straits Times, Singapore WATERLOO The gangs all here King Arthur, Lancelot, Galahad and the rest of the Knights of the Round Table, along with Killer Rabbit, and on stage now at the Waterloo Community Playhouse in Monty Pythons Spamalot. The show opened last week at the Hope Martin Theatre and runs through June 11. This musical comedy adaptation of the 1975 movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, parodies the Arthurian Legend, and although it isnt the film come to life on stage, it definitely has a life of its own, said Artistic Director Greg Holt. Eric Idle wrote the book and lyrics and collaborated with John Du Prez on most of the music. It harkens back to my youth, and I think anyone who has lived long enough has experienced Monty Python. When my kids first discovered it, they thought it was hysterical. The humor has good staying power, and its one of those ambitious shows that you have no idea how much work its going to be bringing it to the stage, Holt explained. The theaters new projection system allows the WCP production team to make full use of Monty Python member Terry Gilliams imagination by using his illustrations. Its definitely got his stamp on it and that helps with some elements the French Taunters, a boat that sails in, a clam shell that opens up to reveal the Lady of the Lake. In a synopsis of the tale, King Arthur is recruiting his band of misfit knights around England, and when they gather in Camelot, they are ordered by God to find the Holy Grail. The quest takes them on a strange journey to strange places while trying to keep their wits about them or die terrible and strange deaths. The 2005 Broadway production won three Tony awards, including best musical, after receiving 14 award nominations. More than 2 million people saw the initial run of more than 1,500 performances. The show also is filled with hilarious musical numbers like Finland/Fisch Schlapping Dance, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life and Im Not Dead Yet. Holt describes the music as tricky, and hes excited about the great voices displayed by lead characters, including WCP veteran Gary Baumgartner, who portrays Arthur; Ann Frenna as Lady of the Lake: Robin, played by Joshua Pannhoff; Lancelot, played by Jordan Makinster; Brian Langr as Galahad and Joseph Robledo as Bedevere. The historian is played by Hunter Quint. Linda Sharp is at the helm as music director. The ensemble cast features more than 19 actors who all are playing all sorts of characters, often three or four. Its a difficult thing for the actors costume-wise, Holt noted. No one is sitting in the green room waiting to make their entrance. Its a busy show with Camelot Girls, Laker Girls, can-can dancers, the Voice of God. Theres loads of audience interaction, as well, and the show makes a point of getting everyone involved with it. The set is Willie Barbours last production with WCP before moving to Nashville, so hes pulling out all the stops with the set and the lighting design. Hes got sidelights like a full dance show, and its pretty amazing, Holt said. He also gives credit to Donna Baumgartner for choreographing the show thats filled with serious and silly dancing. Its been a particularly hard-working crew, which I appreciate. The show brings the 100th anniversary season to close, which also began with a musical, Singing in the Rain. And as soon as Spamalot closes, work begins on the 2017-2018 season opener, another musical, Nunsense. WATERLOO -- The Women's Day Committee of Crystal Cathedral of Faith Southern Baptist Church, 3040 Hammond Ave., will host their Hats and Pearls Day at 4 p.m. Sunday. Theme is "Praise God I'm Covered." Sara Keys of Community Southern Baptist Church will be the guest speaker. Everyone is welcome. The Rev. Willie D. Campbell is the pastor. WATERLOO -- The Apostolic Pentecostal Church, 1645 Downing Ave., will host a Ladies of Prayer International prayer meeting at 7 p.m. Monday. This is an open prayer session, regardless of denomination; all are welcome. WATERLOO -- The Unity Choir will lead the annual choir celebration at 4 p.m. Sunday at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 209 Jackson St. Pastor is Marvin Jenkins. WATERLOO There will be a community-wide baccalaureate service to honor high school and college graduates at Antioch Baptist Church, 426 Sumner St., at 5 p.m. Sunday. A rehearsal for program participants, including graduates, will be from at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Focusing on excellence and faith, the program will feature musical renditions, dance and speeches moderated by Vapordeal Sanders. Students will be presented with certificates of achievement. Keynote speaker is Charletta Sudduth, an early childhood consultant with the Waterloo Community Schools. Mother of six, she is known for co-producing and hosting Parents, Love Your Children, a weekly 30-minute reading show on KBBG. Sudduth, a Waterloo native, also is the co-author of The Maid Narratives: Black Maids in White Families in the Jim Crow South. Other speakers include Bianca Frazier, who graduated from West High School. The daughter of Precious Clark and Carlos Frazier, she plans to study fashion at Iowa State University this fall. Also speaking will be Latricia Hylton, the math coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa. Hylton, a native of Jamaica, received a masters of science degree in mathematics and a doctorate of industrial technology from the UNI. The public is welcome. For more information, contact Miriam Tyson at 291-7698 or mtexcellence12@gmail.com. Dance event set a t arts center WATERLOO The Cedar Valley Chapter of USA Dance will host a dance June 10 at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. There will be a beginner lesson on waltz from 7:15 to 8 p.m. and an intermediate lesson from 8 to 8:30 p.m. A general dance will follow until 10:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 266-1428 or go to www.usadancecedarvalley.com. Landlords event slated June 15 WATERLOO The Black Hawk Landlords will host a Picnic in the Park event June 15 at Lincoln Park across from the Elks Club. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm. This will be a networking opportunity for all local landlords and members to share stories and memories and enjoy the company. There is no charge to attend the picnic. The group usually hosts a monthly educational meeting at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Waterloo Elks Club. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. for $15 per person; at 7 p.m. the educational program begins. Members and non-members are welcome to attend with reservations to BlackHawkLandlord@gmail.com by the Monday before the meeting. For more information contact Sue Schauls at 290-7843 or BlackHawkLandlord@gmail.com. Diversity book club to meet CEDAR FALLS The Cedar Valley Discuss Discover Diversity Book Club will meet from 4:30 to 6 p.m. June 12 at the Cedar Falls Public Library. The AAUW diversity book clubs last meeting for the summer will feature a guest speaker, Jennifer Christiason, who will share her familys transgender journey. Participants will read Amy Ellis Nutts story of a similar journey. All Cedar Valley residents are welcome to attend this presentation and discussion; participants are not required to have read the book before the meeting. For more information, contact Dr. Judy Beckman at drjudy.beckman@cfu.net. Womens lunch slated June 19 PARKERSBURG Womens Connection luncheon is planned for 12:30 p.m. June 19 at the Parkersburg United Methodist Church on Florence Street. Cost is $9 for the meal; call Freida at 346-1060 by June 16 for reservations. Jon Henning, ARNP., will talk about bone density tests. Music will be with Janet Johnson and Marsha Allspach, and guest speaker will be Arlene Gabrielson from Mankato, Minn. Womens Connection is sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries. Church to host food distribution WATERLOO The Apostolic Pentecostal Church, 1645 Downing Ave., will have a food pantry distribution from 5 to 6 p.m. June 7. The church is an approved Northeast Iowa Food Bank distribution site. Pioneer Days entries sought CLARKSVILLE Entries are being sought for the annual Pioneer Days Festival in Clarksville. The grand parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. June 10. Businesses and organizations from the area are welcome to have an entry in the parade. No preregistration or entry fee is required. Theme for this year is Mardi Gras. Lineup begins at 1 p.m. on the north edge of town near the water tower. For information, call 929-4307. WATERLOO A projected shortfall of at least $1.5 million for Country View in the coming fiscal year led the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors to hold a work session Thursday to discuss options for the county-owned nursing facility. The nearly 100-minute discussion included many options determined to be infeasible or unlikely. Few would want to purchase the aging facility, and efforts have been unsuccessful for years to get the state to increase Medicaid reimbursement for residents. The plan that finally emerged to have County Social Services take on a larger role and rehab the facility also contains potential roadblocks but has the benefit of offering a long-term option and one that could further address the mental health crisis in the state. My attitude toward Country View has always been theres an opportunity to be that institutional safety net for the region as the state is closing the institutional safety nets in the state, but I understand its a big ask, and a big expectation, said Bob Lincoln, chief executive officer of County Social Services, which oversees mental health services in 22 Northeast Iowa counties. Lincoln proposed increasing services County Social Services offers at Country View. This overlaps with current clientele who have mental illnesses, but the future would be less clear for nursing home residents. Supervisor Tom Little said decisions about nursing home services will come farther down the road. Country View Administrator Dennis Coleman said the number of nursing home residents likely will be reduced. Residents eventually could be placed in private nursing facilities or in the community. Lincoln said the point of his proposal would be to focus on those at the facility who are most in need. The challenge I keep putting on Country View is to really be a part of the CSS system, rather than standing alone as a provider, Lincoln said. Before we lose this asset of Country View, are there ways to reallocate it and put it to better use? Potential roadblocks include getting support from the other 21 CSS counties; refurbishing the facility for more complex clients while temporarily displacing residents; and many more as yet unanswered questions. But both Coleman and Lincoln noted two Polk County nursing homes get higher reimbursements for taking in clients with additional needs. One serves people with traumatic brain injuries and another works with pediatric patients. If Country View could qualify for higher reimbursements, Coleman said, its budget would be back in the black. Since working more closelt with CSS, more Country View residents come from outside the county. Coleman estimated about 75 percent of the residents are from Black Hawk County. Supervisors Chairman Frank Magsamen said he will work with Lincoln and Coleman on a proposal for both CSS board the Board of Supervisors. Tom Eachus, chairman of the advisory board at Country View since 2008, said any idea for long-term sustainability is worth looking at. I dont think anyone in the room envies your position. This is a huge issue. ... Theres a certain number of people out at Country View that need to be taken care of, and the reason theyre there is because nobody else wants to take care of them, so I do think we as a community have an obligation, Eachus said. Black Hawk County has one of two county-run nursing facilities in state; the other is in Dubuque and also has budget issues. Country View is expected to have a total loss during this fiscal year of $712,000. The figure is increasing largely due to increases in salaries and benefits for the staff. Coleman said the facility doesnt compete with the private sector on salaries but typically offers better benefits. County Social Services sprung up out of the states mental health redesign and has a mandate to serve individuals with the most complex mental health issues. The redesign was the only federal or state program that got any praise during the meeting. Supervisors noted the failings of the state and federal governments to offer the appropriate aid for residents, and how decisions at those levels have adverse impacts. Among those changes were the privatization of Medicaid, the closure of two state-run mental health institutes and the proposed federal American Health Care Act. WATERLOO First Lutheran Evangelical Church is celebrating its 150th anniversary. There will be a celebration luncheon at noon Sunday, with a worship service at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome; members hope to see many former clergy and members who have moved or have family connections to the church. The church is at 118 High St., just south of East High School. CEDAR RAPIDS The tenor of public discourse, according to former Eastern Iowa U.S. Rep. Jim Leach, has devolved into a shouting match riddled with temerity and cynicism. Oh wait, thats what Leach told an Iowa City audience seven years ago. Although public discourse has hardened, Leach offered some reason for optimism as he addressed Civility in the Public Arena at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids Friday. Now a decade removed from a 30-year tenure in the U.S. House, Leach, 74, told members of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa that despite the shouting match growing louder and more raucous that they are living in a world in which a lot of great things are happening. We just need to bring some reason to the political process, he said. Leach, who was described as a moderate or liberal Republican, shared his concerns about the hyper-partisanship in politics, especially in Congress where rigid adherence to party positions has replaced the interparty dialogue and compromise that was more familiar during his time in the House. Caucus politics demands unity, he explained. The result is that the edges of the parties have become the majorities in each party leaving the majority of the American public unrepresented in terms of political philosophy. He traces the problems back to the influence of money in politics. Leach called the Supreme Courts Citizens United decision allowing unions and corporations to contribute unlimited amounts of money to parties its worst decision save its ruling in the Dred Scott case that the federal government had no standing to regulate slavery. Getting big money out of politics ought to be campaign issue No. 1, said Leach, now interim director of the University of Iowa Art Museum. Asked about President Donald Trumps plan to drain the swamp, Leach rejected the premise that everything has gone wrong. Some things did go wrong, but America as a society is pretty good, Leach said. There is no, quote, swamp thats awful in this country, that cant be fixed a little. If you say, Throw everything out, its the kind of rhetoric that I dont find helpful, he said. In that vein, Leach suggested that as bad as things may look to people who oppose the president, the alternative might be worse. Which would you rather have, he asked, a country with a spectacularly wonderful president in which all of the infrastructure is a mess, in which businesses dont work, universities dont work, social policies dont work, neighbors hate each other, or would you rather have a society in which actually things are going well but we have a lousy president? Which is easier to change? he said. CEDAR RAPIDS Getting Vice President Mike Pence to speak at her barbecue fundraiser Saturday was a big score, Sen. Joni Ernst said. Whether the vice president will climb on a motorcycle at her third annual Roast and Ride is up to the Secret Service, the Iowa Republican said. I think he would very much love to be riding a motorcycle. ... He is an enthusiast, Ernst said. In addition to Pence, Ernst has invited Sen. Charles Grassley and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Gov. Kim Reynolds and 4th District Rep. Steve King to speak. She expects Pence to bring an inspirational message not just to those that are at the event ... but to all Iowans and hopefully all Americans as well. We have a new administration with new ideas. Its a fresh look at where America needs to go, said Ernst, who attracted GOP presidential hopefuls in 2015 and then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump last year. She also has provided speaking time to top Iowa Republicans. Ernsts event starts at 11 a.m. at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the family friendly pork roast. In addition to the ride and political speeches, Iowa-based rock/folk band The Nadas will entertain. Tickets are $20 per person for adults and are available at jonipac.com. Dems plan picnic Democrats plan a picnic to counter the Roast and Ride. Boone County Democrats will host Picnic for the People from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Shelter House at J.B. McHose Park, 1215 Francis Mason Drive in Boone. The event features several 2018 gubernatorial hopefuls and party leaders. Organizers say they want to connect activists with campaigns and progressive advocacy groups. The list of Democrats planning to participate includes gubernatorial hopefuls Sen. Nate Boulton of Des Moines, Polk County Conservation Director Rich Leopold, Rep. Todd Prichard of Charles City, former Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Andy McGuire, former Des Moines school board member Jon Neiderbach, Davenport Alderman Mike Matson, Coralville nurse and union president Cathy Glasson and Des Moines businessman Fred Hubbell. Also, legislative leaders plan to attend, including Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, and House Minority Leader Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown. Kim Weaver, who plans to challenge King in the 4th District also is expected. The suggested donation for the picnic is $10 or more per person. To make reservations, send an email to bcdcc08@yahoo.com. Des Moines bureau reporters Rod Boshart and Erin Murphy contributed to this report. WATERLOO One person was injured in a boating accident on the Cedar River Thursday afternoon. Details werent immediately available, but Waterloo firefighters said a motorboat was traveling upstream into the setting sun shortly before 7 p.m. when it collided with a canoe. The impact threw the canoe operator, 18-year-old Caleb Riechmann of Waterloo, into the water, but he was able to return to his vessel, firefighters said. He suffered scrapes in the collision, according to authorities. The boats came ashore in the Sherwood Park area on Greenwood Avenue, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources was called to investigate. IOWA FALLS A 6-year-old boy was struck and injured by a semi tractor-trailer just after school let out Wednesday. The Iowa Falls boy was taken by ambulance to Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa Falls and later airlifted to Blank Childrens Hospital in Des Moines, according to the Iowa State Patrol report. The name of the child was not being released pending the conclusion of the accident investigation, according to the report. According to the state patrol, Douglas Minteer of Eldora was driving a 2013 Peterbilt semi south on Oak Street near Pierce Street at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday when the child was struck by the rear tires of Minteers vehicle. Minteer was uninjured and there was no damage to the semi. The Iowa State Patrol was assisted in the accident investigation by Iowa Falls Police, the Hardin County Sheriffs Office, Iowa Falls Fire and the Hardin County E-Squad. Unattended cooking starts kitchen fire WATERLOO One man was released from the hospital after a kitchen fire started by unattended cooking. Mitchell Elliott called Waterloo Fire Rescue to his home at 2840 East Fourth St. at 6:08 p.m. Wednesday, according to officials. When fire crews arrived, Elliott was attempting to re-enter his home to retrieve his dog. Crews extinguished the fire, which had spread from the stove to the ceiling of a porch. The fire was contained to that area and Elliott declined the assistance of Red Cross. Elliott was taken to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital. Hes being checked out and conscious, said Mike Jenn, Waterloo Fire Rescue battalion chief. A dog was rescued from the house and was OK. Smoke could be seen emanating from an addition at the rear of the house, where melted siding had been pulled away. Firefighters worked on the roof and came in and out of a back door. Lawn business fire extinguished WATERLOO Fire crews were called to a grass fire on the property of a local lawn maintenance business Wednesday afternoon. Waterloo Fire Rescue was called to 4026 Hess Road for a grass fire at 2:53 p.m. Wednesday. Officials said the fire was unusual because it was located in green grass rather than dry, tall grass. They also found recent tire tracks in the grass at the fire. The fire was extinguished by 3:30 p.m. with no injuries or damage to property. Online records show that address to be the location for Pauls Lawns, a local lawn maintenance business that began in 2008. Waterloo woman remains missing WATERLOO Authorities have nothing new to report on a missing Waterloo woman whose motorcycle, shoes and jacket were found at a wildlife area north of Dunkerton. Sgt. Steve Peterson with the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office said officials continued to search Thursday for any sign of Rhonda Apfel, 47, who was reported missing Monday. Her unattended motorcycle, shoes and jacket were found along the bank of the Wapsipinicon River in the Bruggeman Wildlife Area on Monday. Apfels husband, Monte, said his wife normally visits the area around Memorial Day to reflect on the deaths of her father and brother in recent years. Man arrested on meth charges HAWKEYE A Hawkeye man was arrested after a search warrant at his home revealed several containers of suspected meth manufacturing material. Brian Jay Sunnes, 34, of Hawkeye was arrested Thursday and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, a felony, as well as misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Fayette County sheriffs deputies executed a search warrant at Sunnes residence at 110 West Burger St. when they suspected meth was being made there during a two-week investigation. Several containers of evidence that were used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine were taken from the residence and Sunnes was arrested on scene, deputies said in their report. The Fayette County Sheriffs Office said the investigation was ongoing and they may make more arrests. The Oelwein Police Clasdestine Lab team assisted the Sheriffs Office. Separate fires hit C.F., Dunkerton CEDAR FALLS Crews responded to separate, nearly simultaneous fire calls in opposite ends of Black Hawk County on Thursday afternoon. A brush fire in rural Cedar Falls got out of control, destroying an out building housing older machinery. Hudson fire crews were called to 7305 Ranchero Road in Cedar Falls, near the Hudson city limits, around 4:45 p.m. Thursday for a fire that consumed the out building. By the time firefighters arrived, the out building was destroyed, said Hudson Fire Chief Chad Schmidt. They were burning trash on the other side of that silo, and the wind changed directions, Schmidt said. Five firetrucks responded to the scene. No injuries were reported. A short time earlier, Dunkerton firefighters responded to what was reported as a small explosion in a bin at Dunkerton Cooperative, 509 W. Dunkerton St. No one was injured. By WestKyStar & MHT Staff Jun. 01, 2017 | 06:20 PM | PADUCAH, KY We were bursting at the seams, Executive Director Michael Cochran says. This project grew out of a sheer need for more space. Cochran said they've been quietly laying groundwork behind the scenes for this campaign for about two years. "We've been working on this project a long time. A lot of things have had to fall into place to do this, and today was a big day for us to go to the public phase of this," Cochran said. After 34 years with the theatre, Cochran recognized a need and an opportunity to expand in order to make the arts more accessible to children and adults in Western Kentucky. We were committed to staying in the historic Market House Building, says Cochran. By acquiring and rehabilitating adjacent properties, we could create an arts education campus that would be easily accessible to all who wish to participate in our classes and programs. In addition, we would be preserving nearly two city blocks of historic buildings. The Next Stage Campaign will allow the theatre to add four classrooms, two rehearsal spaces and a scene shop for off-site set construction. In addition, the project doubles the audience and stage capacity of the current studio theatre and provides long-overdue renovations to the lobby and restrooms of the current Market House building. This renovation project addresses multiple challenges facing the theatre. Expanding the capacity to conduct multiple classes and rehearsals simultaneously, extending the performance run of popular shows, and increasing the capacity of the studio theatre will improve the theatres program delivery and will provide additional arts offering to Paducah and the surrounding areas. Market House Theatre initiated the campaign by asking every member of the Board and our Trustees to support this project. The response was fantastic with 100% participation in the campaign, Market House Theatre Board President Don Barger says. So far, they have raised $2.3 million of the estimated $5 million needed to expand the Theatres facilities. Cochran said, "We raised $350,000 from our 20-member board of directors, which motivated and inspired the start of this campaign. Then we went to our trustees (past presidents and others close to us), and that got us to the $1.2 million. We reached out to the next layer of people - business and corporations that have been connected with the theatre for many years - and that got us to over $2,3 million, where we are today. So we're going to be working with the general public to raise the rest of these funds to get this project completed." With the support of the Board, community leaders, businesses and other Market House Theatre supporters, the non-profit arts organization has acquired five buildings in the last two years, including the Finkels building at the corner of Kentucky Avenue and 2nd Street, a gift from Meredith and Bill Schroeder. Some very generous gifts helped launch the project, Campaign Co-chair Chip Bohle explains. The Schroeder's gift of the Finkels building was a blessing. "I am very pleased that we were able to donate this building to further develop opportunities for children to receive high quality arts education in Paducah," Meredith Schroeder says. "The work that Market House Theatre has been doing for more than 50 years has helped Paducah build a positive legacy that future generations can enjoy." That acquisition has allowed the Theatre to begin transforming its current campus into one that is more comprehensive. Having the space made immediately available to us makes the transition during our project completion manageable, Campaign Co-chair Kristin Williams says. However, while the space is currently usable, renovating the building will allow us to accomplish so much more in terms of expanding arts education and programming. Jeane and Joe Framptom, Honorary Campaign Co-chairs and long-time Market House Theatre supporters, are pleased to have had the opportunity to support the project financially from its inception. The Next Stage Campaign is a creative and visionary endeavor that will enable Market House Theatre to expand and enhance arts and education programming to children and adults throughout our region," they said. "We are pleased the campaign is off to a strong beginning thanks to the capable leadership of the Market House Theatre Board and staff. With nearly half of the project cost raised to date, The Next Stage Campaign is moving forward to seek the funding necessary to pay forward the benefits of MHT for the next generation of children and adults served by the theatre in our area. For more information on The Next Stage Campaign and ways to give, contact Michael Cochran or Development Coordinator Cindy Miller at 270-444-6828. Thursday in downtown Paducah, Market House Theatre launched The Next Stage Campaign, a multi-million dollar project to expand dramatic arts education and performances in Western Kentucky.Through the renovation and stabilization of ten buildings with about 44,000 square feet of historic property in downtown Paducah, the campaign will expand classroom, rehearsal and performance space to meet increased demand for arts programming. past daily news Sep 13 (1) Sep 09 (15) Sep 06 (12) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (10) Aug 31 (17) Aug 29 (14) Aug 26 (13) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (12) Aug 19 (21) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (10) Aug 10 (10) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (10) Aug 06 (10) Aug 05 (8) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (14) Jul 29 (1) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (10) Jul 22 (11) Jul 19 (16) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (10) Jul 15 (13) Jul 12 (7) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (11) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (8) Jun 28 (7) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (8) Jun 24 (6) Jun 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28 (23) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (16) Nov 25 (14) Nov 24 (18) Nov 23 (21) Nov 22 (21) Nov 21 (24) Nov 20 (20) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (17) Nov 17 (17) Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) Boza gets to see his eye doctor today and we see what his eye pressure is. Been a rough week and I hope his eye pressure is stable, but I have my doubts Him and I walked this morning at 5:30 a.m. and he shook his head a couple of times. I realized that his eyes hurt and when we got home, I did his drops. He is sleeping now under the bed on Svetochkas side and both of them are comfy and snoozing away We will wait until the rush hour traffic is done and then go to see the doctor. He said to show up when we can * * * * * It is cold out +4 C. and can you believe it is June? Wind is blowing, raining and just plain miserable out. That is Russia for you I doubt many people from America would be able to enjoy Russia and or at least the Moscow part of Russia. Gloomy skies are the norm and cold is even more the norm. I am looking for summer, but summer seems to have gone on a vacation. Maybe it will come back for a month It is interesting to see thunderstorms and being so cold. I am use to the U.S. Midwest and super hot days will give way to a violent storm due to warm and cold fronts mixing. Here in Moscow it is the mixing of two cold fronts, just one warmer than the other. Same results and the last storm killed 15 to 22 people, with hundreds injured. Violent storm! Yes it was Remember this from the early Tiny Russian Village days? Today looks to be building another violent storm, as the doors on the flats stairs are being sucked open and slamming constantly. Kinda a prelude to the storm coming. I call it the dance of the doors * * * * * Soon we will go to the Tiny Russian Village. We need to plant white lilacs And close the village home down for the winter. Boza and I will spend a month there. Need to fix the back wall of the village home and repair the fence to last another winter. Never ends for Mother Nature is relentless in her wear and tear * * * * * Gotta go today. Need to check Sammy the Volga over and get ready for a trip around Moscow Crazy Russian drivers WtR Wild New Mexico: Now and Forever Opening Reception PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) Here are some headlines you might have missed this week. London's Design Museum Opens California Exhibit,NY Times California Today Is "Designed in California" the new "Made in Italy?" To the rest of the world, it might be. London's Design Museum just opened an exhibit that explores how things designed in California influence the rest of the world, from 1960s hippie culture to the modern Silicon Valley. Features more than 200 objects including skateboards, a vintage Apple 1 computer, and the rainbow Pride flag, the exhibit runs through October. Read more. SF blacksmith shop to become Weedsmith pot dispensary, SF Chronicle The old Edwin Klockar's blacksmith shop may be puttering to a close after over 100 years to make room for a new cannabis dispensary. The old machines and wide-plank redwood floors will stay, says blacksmith Tony Rosellini's grandson, but if his proposal is accepted, the rest of blacksmith shop will be forged into a high-end weed boutique. Read more. (Courtesy of Belcampo) Jack London Square lands new tenants to join Oakland's brightening restaurant scene, SF Business Times Belcampo Meat Co. will soon make its debut in the East Bayits new location in Jack London Square will mark its fifth in the Bay Area. Oh, and it'll be joined on the Oakland Waterfront by a 5,000-foot outpost of Tartine Manufactory. Read more. Bay Area Home Values Hit Another High But Gains Slow, SocketSite Single-family home values in the San Francisco Bay Area hit an all-time high in February, and then ticked up another percentage point in March. Yet, the overall index is running the smallest year-over-year gain since July of 2012. Read more. California Senate backs long-shot single-payer care bill, AP News The California Senate voted Thursday to advance a longshot single-payer health care plan that would replace insurance companies with government-funded health care for everyone in the state. The move came even as proponents acknowledged they don't know how to pay its huge $400 billion price tag. Read more. Be observant "It's about more than eye contact; it has to do with the whole person. What clues are you getting from the other person's tone of voice? Notice the little muscles on their face that they aren't even aware they're in control of. Even when you only notice a person's hair color, studies have shown that you'll score higher on empathy tests. It really makes a difference it changes you when you're paying attention to the other person." Use your observations for good "With empathy, it's not that you sympathize with the other person, but that you understand how they feel. That doesn't automatically lead to good behavior bullies use empathy. They know perfectly well how you feel and use that to torture you. But if you want to develop good teamwork, if you want to develop a good partnership with your spouse or your kid, it's hard to do without empathy." Digital empathy works "Mirror the way someone begins their email. If they say 'Dear Flo,' you say back 'Dear David.' If they say 'Hi, Flo,' say 'Hi, David.' Because if they say 'Dear' and you say 'Hi,' you're off on the wrong foot. Closings, too. 'All the best'? There are different closings that put you in sync with the other person. They vary over time, but I wait for the other person to make the first move in getting more intimate." Emojis can help "I use them when I feel it's necessary. I also have gifs that I use. If I want to celebrate, I give them a gif of fireworks going off, or roses." Untortured artist At this point, songwriting is the easiest thing. I wrote "Easy Target," a song on my new album, while I was painting. It took eight minutes. The melody came right along with the words. I didn't even have a guitar. I just sang it into my phone. The granny boost Growing up, my grandmother took care of me. I was very fragile because I was born with spina bifida. She told me over and over: "Buddy, you are the luckiest, handsomest, most talented boy in the world." She's the reason I'm here. A lot of guys do what I do because they have a poor self-image. They need the applause. I don't need that. Onions and garlic Onions, garlic, leeks and chives all members of the genus Allium can make dogs and cats very sick. The plants contain a compound that, when eaten, cause a pets red blood cells to break down. Even a small amount can cause this dangerous change, and the toxic effects will occur whether the onions or related foods are raw, dried or cooked. According to the review, there were 69 cases of dog poisoning and four cases of cat poisoning between 1994 and 2008 from eating a wide range of Allium-containing foods everything from baked garlic to onion souffle to Chinese dumplings containing chives. People should be aware that symptoms can occur a day or several days after the incident, depending on how much their pet ate. Chocolate, caffeine and coffee Chocolate may have health benefits for humans, but not so for animals. The sweet treat is among the 10 most common reasons for poisoning in dogs in recent years, according to reports from Animal Poisons Control Center and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Chocolate contains both caffeine and theobromine, both compounds found in cocoa seeds, which can affect both the central nervous system and heart muscles. Symptoms occur two to four hours after ingestion and can range from upset stomachs to seizures and death. Poisoning episodes frequently occur around holidays, when there are more chocolate products in the home, the researchers wrote. Unsweetened chocolate and cocoa powder contain the most theobromine; white chocolate contains the least. Macadamia nuts People love macadamia nuts for snacking or in baked goods or candy, but the nuts can be toxic for dogs. According to the review, its unclear how much a dog needs to eat to get sick, but some studies indicate that as little as a quarter of an ounce for every 2.2 pounds a dog weighs is enough to result in poisoning. No deaths have been reported to date, and most dogs recovered within 24 to 48 hours with veterinary care, the analysis found, but pet owners should take care to keep these nuts (or cookies that contain them) away from their pooches. My advice I recommend owning international stocks for one reason diversification. We live in a global economy, and investing globally is important. I live in Colorado and would never invest only in Colorado stocks, just like you shouldnt invest only in stocks in your home state. But having a hunch that international stocks will outperform the U.S. market is the wrong reason to load up on them. Last year, I made the case for including international stocks in ones portfolio. I didnt know they would do so well this year or lag for the remainder of 2016 and I still dont today. I made no changes in my investing with President Trump since I dont know anything that hasnt been already priced into markets. Committing to whatever asset allocation you decide is best for you is more important than whether your exposure to international stocks at this point is too high or too low. Sticking with an allocation means you likely will be buying low and selling high the opposite direction of the herd. Dont buy international stocks because you think they will outperform. And dont think you know which countries or sectors will do better unless you are certain you know something the market doesnt already know. Do own international stocks because you want a disciplined approach to global diversification. Allan Roth is the founder of Wealth Logic, an hourly based financial planning firm in Colorado Springs, Colo. He has taught investing and finance at universities and written for Money magazine, the Wall Street Journal and others. His contributions aren't meant to convey specific investment advice. While the pay could be better, benefits of teaching out of this world columns Oventus Medical Maskless C-PAP One Step Closer Sydney, June 2, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Oventus Medical Ltd ( ASX:OVN ) are pleased to announce that C-PAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) without a mask is one step closer signalling the first major change in sleep medicine in decades. A study currently under way is building on clinical evidence to overhaul the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). The first patient has been recruited in the next stage of a trial combining an oral appliance and C-PAP. It follows positive results from a pilot study, which proved the concept of connecting a device from Oventus Medical and C-PAP, in a game-changing move for treating the potentially deadly illness. Oventus founder and clinical director Dr Chris Hart said this was a major advancement in the ever-expanding range of sleep apnoea solutions using Oventus Airway Technology. "We are continuing to develop and refine our suite of sleep apnoea solutions but critically, we are backing that with scientific proof," Dr Hart said. "The pilot study using the O2Vent T showed benefits both when used as a standalone device, or connected to a C-PAP machine. This gave us confidence to move forward with advancing the current design of the connector system and expanding the trial." C-PAP is considered the gold standard in treatment of OSA but Dr Hart said more than half of people who started using it, stopped within a year. Sleep disorder device manufacturer and developer Oventus Medical is developing a hybrid designed to bridge the gap between current oral appliances and C-PAP. Dr Hart said the process to optimise the connector will be completed in the expanded trial. It's expected to be finished by the end of the year. Another trial is now under way in Perth, focussing on specific pressure and flow measurements in the patient's airway and how Oventus Airway Technology influences this. The clinical trial results from these two studies will enable the development of the a wearable micro PAP. Results from the initial pilot study will be presented at American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine in Boston on June 2nd. The conference is the premier world forum for the latest developments in clinical sleep medicine. Notes: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (C-PAP) Access Health, a US TV channel covered the Oventus solution for sleep apnea and snoring. Watch this segment that aired on Lifetime TV - featuring one of our US Oventus dentists, Dr Michael Sodeifi. To view the video segment, please visit: http://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/NK36901O About Oventus Medical Ltd Oventus Medical Ltd (ASX:OVN) is a Brisbane based medical device company that is commercialising a unique treatment platform for the treatment of sleep apnoea and snoring. Unlike other oral appliances or CPAP interfaces, the Oventus devices have a unique and patented airway within the treatment platform that allows air to flow to the back of the mouth unobstructed while maintaining an oral seal and stable jaw position, bypassing multiple obstructions from the nose, soft palate and tongue, reducing airway collapsibility and managing mouth breathing while maintain a stable airway with or without nasal CPAP. They are particularly designed for the many people that have nasal obstructions and consequently tend to mainly breathe through their mouth. While it may seem counterintuitive, this technology actually manages mouth breathing by converting it to device breathing and normalising ventilation. The O2Vent(TM) is designed to allow nasal breathing when the nose is unobstructed, but when obstruction is present, breathing is supplemented via the airways in the appliance. For more information on Oventus' Sleep Treatment Platform, please visit https://www.oventus.com Lenze IPark 20 Million Order Melbourne, June 2, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Xped Limited ( ASX:XPE ) ("Xped" or "the Company") is pleased to provide this update to the market. The market was informed on the 19th May that the Company had delivered a production version of the Android and iOS iPark APP to Shenzhen Lenze Technology Co Ltd ("Lenze"). Highlights - Lenze Receives 20 Million Unit Order for iPark Device - Enormous Interest at Distributor Presentations Completed Last Week - Revenue Expected to Commence within 16 Weeks - Custom APP Engineered Utilising Unique Features of ADRC The Company would like to report that since this announcement, Lenze has already secured orders in excess of 20,000,000 units which will be controlled by the Xped engineered iPark application. Lenze has previously internally developed their own APPs at their office located in Shenzhen. For the purpose of clarity, it is important to note that we have utilised only certain features of ADRC, these being the Xped APP Framework and the Xped Device Registration cloud service for the Lenze iPark APP. By utilising these unique features, Xped has been able to engineer a custom APP for Lenze very quickly and this APP will be able to scale to other Lenze devices with minimal additional effort. It is also important to note that Lenze is using a low-cost Bluetooth chip provided by Telink, rather than the Telink 8269 chip which is much higher performance and cost than is needed for these low-cost high volume devices. Revenue from this APP provided to Lenze is expected to commence within 16 weeks. Further updates and other business development initiatives with Shenzhen Lenze will be announced to the market as they come to fruition. ABOUT LENZE Shenzhen Lenze Technology Co. LTD and their subsidiary Complex Semiconductor (HK) Co. LTD are a mass market producer of consumer devices. Lenze sells under their own brands and also produce OEM products for worldwide distribution. Total Lenze sales exceeded 100 million devices in 2016. Lenze produces some "Disney" branded merchandise and some of their large customers include iQiYi and Moijing. http://www.lenzetech.com About XPED Ltd XPED Ltd (ASX:XPE) is an Australian Internet of Things (IoT) technology business. Xped has developed revolutionary and patent-protected technology that allows any consumer, regardless of their technical capability, to connect, monitor and control devices and appliances found in our everyday environment. Xped provides technology solutions for Smart Home, Smart Building, and Healthcare. At Xped, were Making Technology Easy Again(TM) Company Update Melbourne, June 2, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Xped Limited ( ASX:XPE ) ("Xped" or "the Company") is delighted to provide a "market update" regarding recent progress and developments within the organisation relevant to all operational divisions and business development activities. INTEL During the first 2 quarters of this calendar year, Xped has expended engineering resources and used external contractors to integrate the Xped gateway software with Intel's Smart Home Acceleration Platform (SHDAP). This development represents the first iteration of Xped's gateway software for the home. Target completion date for this integration is June '17. The combination of the Xped gateway software with the Smart Home Acceleration Platform will allow the Xped smart home APP to seamlessly onboard and control 100s of off-the-shelf devices that use WiFi, BLE, Zigbee and Z-wave protocols. This gateway software will be used on Intel-based gateway solutions provided by companies like Cybertan, Advantech, and Arcadyan. To date, we have validated roughly 80 devices with our solution and have a target of more than 150 devices prior to the end of Q3 '17. Similar to our engagement with Lenze, while we are not utilising the full ADRC protocol, we are using the Xped APP, cloud services, RML, and gateway software for the project. One of the key ingredients of Intel's SHDAP is their use of IoTivity which is a technology integration platform produced by the Open Connectivity Foundation. Xped is a platinum member of the OCF and as such has voting rights, the opportunity to influence the OCF specifications and to demonstrate our technologies to the large technology corporations that are its founding members. The Company would like to note that Intel has been extremely accommodating to Xped. Intel has provided Xped with the "Home Lake" code, and also technical assistance, and will continue to support Xped as part of integration and completion of the "Smart Home APP". Following completion of the "Smart Home APP", Xped will continue to work closely with Intel on the development of a "Smart Building APP". Xped would also like to highlight that MOU's currently in place continue to be the focus of our business development efforts. The common feature across the majority of our current MOUs, which include the "Vital Xense" Gateway built by Advantech, the "Smart Home" gateway by "Cybertan" and the "Smart Home" router by Arcadyan, is that they all utilise Intel chipsets. The Company is confident that these various MOU's will progress and deliver revenue streams. Further updates will be provided when material progress has been made. TELINK Xped continues to work closely with Telink. The Lenze opportunity is a direct result of the relationship between Xped and Telink which has been harvested through strong cooperation between directors Dr. Wenjun Sheng and Athan Lekkas. It is important that we draw a distinction between the ADRC port to the Telink 8269 chip and other activity that has been generated via the Telink relationship: - Enterprise Solutions: Winning the protocol fight against WIFI, BLE and Zigbee is unlikely and as such the ADRC port will likely be focused solely on customers who value the security and simplification that ADRC brings to device onboarding. At this time the focus will be on enterprise solutions. An example of this is the enterprise solution that Xped has developed together with Vital Xense for data center management. - Telink Bluetooth Chips: The Lenze opportunity is a direct result of work Xped has completed with the Telink Bluetooth chips. As Xped continues to migrate from an ADRC protocol focus over to the Xped Infrastructure Platform (RML, APP, gateway software and cloud services), the Telink relationship will continue to gain importance and momentum. It is important to note that Lenze uses a range of chipsets for their devices, with Telink being the supplier of preference. It is also important to note that the ADRC protocol is not pertinent in this situation, however, RML, the Xped APP, and cloud services are the key elements of interest with this customer. Telink is a global leader and supplier of BLE and Zigbee chips and Xped is poised to take advantage of this through the present relationships it has established. JCT JCT continues to make steady progress with delivery of the new much awaited Artificial Intelligence (AI) product lines to the various health, disability, and aged care sectors. Importantly, JCT will meet all obligations for the much-anticipated completion of the flagship Lightsview project by July 15, showcasing the technology to various government health care organisations. Delivery Status JCT will be in a position to demonstrate the video analytics component of our AI technology before the end of June, with the final installation of all camera equipment and software to Lightsview. Delivery of the "Elderly Home Automation" system (limited home automation) and "Staff APP" will be delivered before mid-July, 2017. The total value of the Lightsview project is $600,000. JCT has received (pre-acquisition) $300,000 in payments, and anticipates final payment and invoicing to occur during the 4th quarter of this calendar year. Better than anticipated sales have been recorded for the months of April and May, with collective sales approaching $350,000 for this current quarter to date. The increase in sales has been attributed to the completion of integration with Xped, commencement of channel partner training and implementation of relevant capital management procedures that have now been completed. SMART HOME SOLUTION In conjunction with the work that was highlighted above regarding the smart home gateway software, Xped is currently in the final stages of completing a "Smart Home APP" as well as a white-labelled "Smart Home APP" both based on Xped's unique device browser technology. Xped will focus most our business development effort targeting promotion of the white-labelled APP, however, in under-represented markets, we will consider a Xped branded APP. Completion of these APPs will occur towards the end of August. The Company will integrate 15-20 smart home branded products that will utilise the Xped APP functionality as well as providing support for hundreds of popular off-the-shelf devices, all requiring only one APP to on-board and control them. The Company has commenced early promotion to retailers, telcos and service providers. An announcement on the product offering is expected to occur within the next 6-8 weeks, with inventory orders placed shortly thereafter. The Company is currently in advanced discussions with a major International Telecommunications provider, that has demonstrated a significant amount of interest in white-labelling the Xped "One APP" solution and deploying these integrated products to their retail and wholesale customer base. XPED CORE IP Xped has five core pieces of IP that include: 1. Tap, 2. RML, 3. the Xped APP, 4. the Xped Gateway Software, and 5. the Xped Cloud Services. These five pieces of IP can then be grouped into three main areas that present enormous value to the device market: 1. Tap This is based on our ADRC Device Proxy firmware for devices and is focused on device discovery, onboarding, and provisioning in a local area network. While Tap is unique and an elegant user experience, to take full advantage of the Tap experience, a customer is required to accept the ADRC proprietary communication protocol. This requirement is a challenge in the consumer space where the market pressure is to align along industry standards such as Zigbee, Z-wave, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. As such we have prioritised industrial opportunities with companies such as Vital Xense for the full implementation of the ADRC Device Proxy. We are also starting investigations around what components of Tap can be extended to Zigbee and Bluetooth standards. A future opportunity may eventuate when Tap is demonstrated to the OCF "Easy Onboarding" project group. 2. Xped APP and RML The Xped APP is unique in that we have taken an approach similar to a browser found in your internet search engine today and extended it via RML to the concept of a device browser on your phone, tablet and eventually your TV, PC, or automated virtual assistant. The Xped APP is a single APP that can display multiple different user interfaces and multiple different user experiences for a device simply by changing the RML description file developed for it. Initially many of our customers only pay limited attention to the Xped APP during our discussions, but as we drive deeper into the engagement the true value of the Xped APP becomes more apparent. The Xped APP and RML combined dramatically reduce time to market in launching an APP and then continue to add life to the APP by allowing our customers to add new devices, features, and services to the APP without having to invest significant effort to rewrite the APP. One final point to highlight about the Xped APP is that we are positioning it to be a white-labelled product that our customers can re-brand and customise for their specific needs. 3. Gateway Software and Cloud Services These two components are the most recent addition to our end-to-end platform strategy. The development of our gateway software allows Xped to integrate and support devices that do not use the ADRC Device Proxy and still display them via RML in our APP. This is significant because now we can present ourselves as one, if not the only, solution in the market that has embraced the concept of an open-standards-based platform that allows our customers to maintain ownership of the data being generated by their customers. Our first implementation of our gateway software is targeted to be completed in June and is an integration of Xped software and Intel's Smart Home Developer Acceleration Platform. The first hardware to support our gateway software is an IoT Gateway developed by Cybertan. By including our gateway software in the cloud and phone using our virtual gateway concept, we also address the needs of ODMs and OEMs who are launching individual devices that they do not want to encumber the cost of a gateway device. This is the approach that we are using with Lenze where a single device will connect with a custom APP specific to that product. Regarding the cloud services portion of the Xped platform, the key differentiators come from the implementation of Xerts (Xped Adverts) which will allow for direct 1:1 engagement between our customer and their users, the creation of our RML repository which stores the RML code for devices that have not implemented our ADRC Device Proxy firmware and our approach to APP to APP integration via our APIs. This APP to APP integration allows our customers to bring in additional devices, services, and features via a cloud to cloud integration vs having to develop the features themselves. An example of this is the integration of the Jemsoft Deep Learning AI components with the Xped Camera Manager and the JCT Nucams solution. From an external perspective, this approach will allow us to integrate with service providers such as Dominos, Uber, and Amazon as well as device manufactures such as Nest, Netatmo, and Philips Hue. Our original MOU with Microsoft was a key driver in the implementation of our cloud services solut on hosted in the Microsoft Azure Cloud. The first examples of the Xped cloud services solution will be the Lightsview project and the Lenze Smart Leads device launch. DEFINING OUR MOU'S An MOU with an OEM, MSO, Telco, builder, service provider or retailer is the first step to a licensing agreement and direct revenue. Generally, the MOU with the OEM et al is the result of an introduction from either a silicon vendor or an ODM. Xped will take either the silicon development kit or the hardware platform to the OEM and show them a generic solution based on a generic set of user requirements. Once the OEM et al is convinced that we have what they want, then an MOU is signed and the OEM provides specific requirements and user experiences that Xped is expected to deliver. This is the stage where the revenue clock can be started. The average development cycle for a new product is between 9-12 months for an OEM and between 12-18 months for a service provider. There are occasions where this timeline can be shortened as a product may already be in development or an MSO/telco may want something nearly identical to a product that we have already developed. However, the general timeline above should be con sidered the norm. To give specific examples of the MOU process above, let's look at our engagement with Telink, ST Micro, and Intel. 1. Telink - Xped signs an MOU with Telink to begin porting ADRC Proxy to the 8269 - Telink introduced Xped to several of their customers which led to a direct engagement with several of these customers as well as an MOU with Lenze. - The MOU with Lenze then led to a licensing agreement that will be the base of the revenue we capture at the launch of their first product. 2. ST Micro - Xped signs an MOU with ST Micro. - We began porting our firmware to the ST32MCube platform. - We discussed this platform with Vital Xense and promoted it as a baseline for their solution. - We sign an MOU with Vital Xense to develop hardware reference designs based on the ST32MCube Platform and our ADRC Technology (DiscoverBus). - Vital Xense provides Xped with their specific user requirements and feature set. - Xped customizes our base platform for Vital Xense, then Vital Xense takes our reference designs to their ODM for manufacture. - Vital Xense is now promoting their Xped based solution to their customer base. - In addition to Vital Xense, Xped is invited to participate in ST Micro's booth at Embedded World where Xped meets with additional opportunities. 3. Intel - Xped signs an MOU with Intel to port our software to their development platforms and to provide a generic APP and cloud services for various generic use cases. - Intel introduces us to their ODM customers in Advantech and Cybertan. - The Advantech platform becomes the baseline hub for the Vital Xense project. - The Cybertan platform becomes the development platform and production platform for the Xped smart home product. - Xped takes the Advatech and Cybertan generic solutions to customer engagements and shows and promotes our DiscoverBus and smart home platforms. Intel sales team also opens doors for these engagements. - Service providers invite Xped to meet for a deeper engagement and discovery. - Xped signs and MOU with a service provider to convert the generic platform to their specific requirements. - The service provider then signs a licensing agreement with Xped The MOU process is complex but it is the first step in allowing Xped to move from a generic concept to actual product that we will receive licensing revenue from. We currently have a rich customer development funnel with over 70 validated opportunities. It is the MOU process that allows us to transition these opportunities from simple opportunities to actual design wins and then eventually revenue. If we were to approach our engineering teams and ask them to support 70 opportunities the exercise would be enormous and the inability to focus and drive a product from concept to production would compromise the chances of the company to secure revenue. It is important to note that Xped is balancing all opportunities and utilising internal and contract suppliers to effectively progress towards the nearest revenue and highest margin opportunities. STATUS OF MOUs Below you will find a high-level disposition and status of all of the MOUs that we have announced in the last year. As you can see, some MOUs have been completed and we have continued to progress the relationship. Other MOUs are in progress and we continue to invest resources. Other MOUs have simply been put on hold until Xped resources or partner resources are available to move forward. The final group is MOUs that we have disengaged either formally or simply through lack of investment by either Xped or our partner. Partner: ST Micro Status: Complete Comment: Original work from MOU complete. Waiting on resources to free-up to develop software libraries that can be provided to ST Micro. ST Micro is the primary SoC on our DiscoverBus solutions. Partner: Telink Status: Complete Comment: Original work from MOU complete. Extending the ADRC integration to the Telink Bluetooth solutions. Telink providing introductions to their OEM and ODM customers. Partner: Intel Status: Complete Comment: ADRC gateway software ported to Intel SoC. R&D effort extended to integration with the SHDAP software from Intel as part of the Xped gateway software platform. Cybertan and Advatech gateways based on Intel SoCs. Baseline gateways for DiscoverBus (Vital Xense) and Xped smart home solution. Partner: Microsoft Status: Complete Comment: Developed cloud-based services on the Azure platform. Microsoft is providing introductions to their SI customers. Partner: Arcadyan Status: Pending Comment: Waiting on delivery of the new smart home gateway development platform from Arcadyan. Partner: Dexatek Status: Progressing Comment: First devices have been integrated into the Xped APP and the virtual gateway solution. Key devices of the Xped smart home offering. Partner: ASE Status: Pending Comment: On hold pending resourcing. Partner: Solekai Status: Progressing Comment: MOU has transitioned to license agreement. First customer engagement has kicked-off. Unable to announce publicly at this time. Partner: Lenze Status: Progressing Comment: Relationship has progressed from MOU to License Agreement. First products have been identified and are in final QA prior to completion. Partner: Vital Xense Status: Progressing Comment: After some delays in execution and changes in user requirements, the final specifications have been agreed upon, and Xped is tracking to complete their deliverables to Vital Xense by the end of June 2017. Partner: Leapin Status: Pending Comment: To be re-visited once the Xped Smart Home offering is more mature. The company will provide further updates to the market in due course. About XPED Ltd XPED Ltd (ASX:XPE) is an Australian Internet of Things (IoT) technology business. Xped has developed revolutionary and patent-protected technology that allows any consumer, regardless of their technical capability, to connect, monitor and control devices and appliances found in our everyday environment. Xped provides technology solutions for Smart Home, Smart Building, and Healthcare. At Xped, were Making Technology Easy Again(TM) Aiken, SC (29801) Today Cloudy with rain developing this afternoon. High 66F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low near 65F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Cargolux has denied that it is to move one of its key Asian hubs from Singapores Changi airport to Batam Hang Nadim in Indonesia. Reports in the local press had suggested that a move to Batam, which lies just across the Straits of Singapore, was imminent, after the finalising of a bilateral air transport agreement between Indonesia and Luxembourg on May 30. Cargolux said that while it was true that the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and Indonesia had initialled a bilateral air services agreement which they planned to formally sign towards the end of 2017, and which would allow Cargolux to operate to Jakarta and to Batam airports, it had no current plan to operate to Batam Airport, nor to transfer any of its activities from Singapore Airport to Batam or other points in Indonesia. Possible future operations to Indonesia would be evaluated on their commercial merit and will be independent to existing and future operations to Singapore and other locations. Hang Nadim airport is due to receive a US$448 million (S$620.5 million) upgrade, but that is not expected to begin until 2019. Share this story May 31, 2017 NATO, which has had problems successfully conducting missions in the post-Cold War era, is now heading to Iraq and Syria after dismantling Yugoslavia and abandoning Libya, and without coping with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, at its May 25 summit in Brussels, NATO decided to join the 68-nation anti-Islamic State (IS) coalition led by the United States. According to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance will step up its reconnaissance with AWACS (airborne warning and control system) planes, provide more intelligence support for anti-IS operations, coordinate air operations over Iraq and Syria, and set up a special unit in its Brussels headquarters for intelligence and planning against terror. But NATO will not play a combatant role. The decision is, in a way, a move to appease US President Donald Trump, who had declared NATO obsolete and wants alliance members to pay their "fair shares." Trump must have been pleased to see Germany, France and Italy none of which wanted NATO to get involved in Iraq and Syria retract their objections. Under normal conditions, Turkey should also be pleased. Turkey is NATOs second-largest military force, and for a time Ankara persistently pushed to expedite the Syrian uprising against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. More recently, the Turkish government began demanding that the United States terminate its alliance with Syrian Kurds and instead take on IS with Turkey and other NATO members. But neither of those reasons appealed to alliance members. NATOs decision to embark on a limited mission now doesn't meet Turkeys conditions: It will not facilitate Assad's departure or end the US partnership with the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG). Despite this hard fact of life, Turkey focused its attention at the NATO summit not on the alliance getting mired in Syria and Iraq, but on eradicating NATOs program partnership with nonmember Austria. Turkey has been accusing Austria of blocking Turkeys access to the European Union. At the summit, Turkey repeated its warnings to the United States about assisting the YPG, this time to NATO. After the Brussels meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was asked if there will now be a relationship between NATO and the YPG and what NATOs opinion is of the YPG. Erdogan replied: This was raised in our earlier meeting with Stoltenberg. NATO doesnt have a positive view of the YPG. ... We discussed the YPG issue with EU countries that are also NATO members. We explained about the YPG and our attitude. The US is about to launch an operation at Raqqa, together with the YPG. But we said once again that if a mistake is made against our country, we will apply the rules of engagement both in Iraq and Syria. These comments indicate Turkey has accepted that NATOs participation won't disrupt the US-YPG partnership against Raqqa and Turkey will continue its harassment firing on YPG positions near the Turkish border. Journalist Fikret Bila, who had accompanied Erdogan on his Brussels visit, recalled that Turkey has always favored NATOs involvement in the struggle against IS and considers the alliance's decision to participate "much-belated." The US preferred to work with the YPG instead of Turkey or other NATO forces. It continues to arm the YPG despite Turkeys objections. The [Kurdish] front wants to collect political benefits in return for doing the US fighting in Syria. Their goal is autonomy in north Syria and then an independent state for the PKK [Kurdistan Workers Party]. As the US is determined to cooperate with the YPG, NATOs support for the operation will mean support for the YPG. It is therefore important for Turkey to understand the intricacies of NATOs relationship with the YPG," Bila said. "From the outset, Turkey has been asking the US to share its raw intelligence about all terror organizations. But the US refrains from it. The same problem may arise with NATO. This may create a crisis of confidence between Turkey and NATO. NATOs support will provide the YPG with more legitimacy. Turkey put its views on the record in Brussels. NATO was thus served notice that if the NATO involvement is used as a threat to Turkey-controlled parts of Syria or to Turkish borders, Ankara will respond militarily. Currently, the United States sees no alternative to the YPG as a ground force. Apart from Turkey which has proposed sending its special forces to Raqqa to coordinate opposition militants trained and equipped by Turkey no NATO member will commit troops to the ground to fight IS. NATO members dont want to get dragged into an impasse with a combat mission, as happened in Libya. Despite all its national security reservations, with the decision made in Brussels Ankara will have to open not only Incirlik Air Base but all other bases to NATO operations. Ankara was trying to use Incirlik as an ace card to disrupt the US alliance with the Kurds. NATO's decision also coincided with the argument over Incirlik between Turkey and Germany. Ankara banned German parliamentarians from visiting German soldiers at the base and Germany reacted by hinting it might look for an alternative base. Ankara said, As you wish. But from this point on, an argument over the bases would mean that Turkey would be challenging NATO. Erdogans decision not to veto the NATO decision, even as he keeps talking about the risks of dealing with the YPG, gives the impression that the debate is solely about the Kurds. Among Turkeys Islamists and nationalists, the tendency is to interpret the NATO decision as part of a US plan for a future Kurdistan. These quarters in Turkey say: The United States can assist the PKK via NATO. This, in turn, will mean NATO member Turkey will be indirectly assisting the PKK/YPG. NATO will thus be legitimizing terror. NATO will be able to station planes at Incirlik and soldiers at Diyarbakir, reinforcing the PKK/YPG as laid out in the bulleted item above. The first goal of the US weapons assistance to the YPG is to set up a satellite state in the region. The United States started that process by training and equipping local forces. Now it wants to get NATO involved. When the debate is limited by Kurdish phobia, there is not much room for a meaningful analysis to seek answers to these questions: What is the connection between NATO's decision and the Donald Trump administrations goal of limiting Iranian influence in Iraq and Syria? There is a scenario floating about that the idea is to prevent Iran from setting up an unbroken corridor from Iraq to Syria and then to Lebanon. There are plans for opposition forces inserted into Syria from Jordan to capture al-Tanf border crossing and for using the US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces advancing from Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor to capture the Abu Kemal/Qaim border crossing. According to this scenario, with these two moves the east of the country will be removed from the Syrian regimes control and there will be a buffer zone between Iraq and Syria. Is bringing NATO in linked to this scenario? Is NATOs joining the anti-IS coalition linked to the mission foreseen for the Islamic Military Coalition (IMC)? This coalition the Saudis have been working on feverishly for two years was officially declared May 21 at the US-Arab-Islamic summit at Riyadh. The announcement said that, if necessary, 34,000 soldiers of the IMC can be based in Iraq and Syria. Does all this mean that the announcement by NATO, whose members are already in the anti-IS coalition, is purely symbolic? Have NATO members breathed life into their alliance and made it useful all because of Trump's lecture? June 1, 2017 Political space is narrowing in Bahrain as the government steps up its efforts to combat terrorism and weaken the Shiite opposition, which receives, at minimum, moral and ideological support from Iran. Eleven months ago, Bahrains judiciary found the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, the countrys dominant Shiite opposition group, guilty of fostering terrorism and dissolved it. In 2015, it had convicted its secretary-general, Sheikh Ali Salman, of inciting hatred and disobedience and insulting public institutions. Meanwhile, Bahrains prominent Shiite cleric, Sheikh Isa Qassim, whose citizenship authorities annulled, may face deportation. Almost three months after a Bahraini firing squad executed three Shiite men convicted earlier this year on terrorism charges, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa approved a constitutional amendment that permits military courts to try civilians, a move that Bahraini officials maintain will enhance the counterterrorism efforts of the security apparatus. Against this backdrop, last month brought what the Bahrain Institute has called the deadliest day since protests began in 2011. On May 23, clashes between security forces and protesters resulted in five deaths and 286 arrests as the former conducted an operation in Diraz, Qassims hometown. At the time, the clerics supporters were holding a protest in the town, which Bahraini security forces have blockaded for several months amid calls from Qassims followers for Bahrainis to stage gatherings across the archipelago nation. The escalating violence, which the government says followed a terrorist cell attacking officers, involved the firing of tear gas and shotguns. The usual actors responded, as expected. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quick to link the loss of life in Diraz to the May 21 speech delivered by US President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia in which he praised Arab Gulf rulers and offered his support. Zarif tweeted that the emboldened Bahrain regime had waged a deadly attack on peaceful protests, marking the first concrete result of POTUS cozying up to despots in Riyadh. Hezbollah warned that harming Qassim will open the doors for [an] unpredictable outcome and dangers. Bahraini officials are not only finding Shiite opponents guilty on terrorism charges, but Sunnis ones as well. On May 31, the High Civil Court ordered the dissolution of the secularist National Democratic Action Society Waad (waad means promise) and the seizure of its assets. Authorities ruled the predominantly Sunni, left-wing society, which has expressed solidarity with al-Wefaq, guilty of serious violations targeting the principle of respecting the rule of law, supporting terrorism and sanctioning violence. According to the courts ruling, Waad violated the Law on Political Associations by describing the three aforementioned Shiite men executed as martyrs, breaking the law by expressing solidarity with al-Wefaq during the course of its dissolution and calling the 2002 constitution illegitimate. Ibrahim Sharif, Waads former secretary-general, whom authorities have accused of inciting hatred, has been in and out of prison since unrest began in Bahrain, in 2011. In 2014, Justice Minister Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa filed a case against Waad for electing him as its leader. In March, the Justice Ministry filed another case against the society, accusing it of promoting the violent and forceful overthrow of the government after Waad released a statement on the anniversary of the 2011 uprising asserting that the country was experiencing a constitutional political crisis. Waads leaders deny that the society has broken the Law on Political Associations, maintaining that they remain committed to peaceful reforms. Regardless, by dissolving al-Wefaq and Waad, Bahraini officials have removed Bahrains two largest organizations from the political arena and have done so using remarkably similar anti-terrorism language. After news of Waads dissolution reached Washington, a State Department spokesman said that the United States is deeply concerned by the Bahraini courts ruling and urged it to reverse the decision while keeping in mind that opposition parties that peacefully voice criticism of the government play a vital role in encouraging societies that are tolerant, inclusive and pluralistic. Yet, at the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Trump signaled that Washington is fully committed to improving its wonderful relationship with Manama. Trump gave the Sunni Arab Gulf states his assurance that Americas friends will never question our support. Praising in particular Bahrain and all the other Gulf Cooperation Council states (except Oman) in his speech, Trump credited the government in Manama with working to undermine [terrorist groups] recruitment and radicalism while promoting security in the region. Indeed, Trumps speech illustrated the extent to which he views the Middle East through a Saudi-GCC lens, maintaining that Iran represents the main source of terrorism, extremism and regional instability. Naturally, Bahrain has an important role to continue to play in US Middle East policy as Trump seeks to strengthen ties with the Sunni Arab states on Riyadhs side of the Saudi-Iranian geo-sectarian rivalry, to counter Irans expanded influence, while also simultaneously combating Salafist-jihadist forces, such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Whereas President Barack Obama's administration often condemned Bahrains narrowing of political space in the island sheikdom in an effort to promote human rights, Trumps inner circle believes that doing so risks jeopardizing key US interests with respect to countering Irans ascendancy and combating Salafist-jihadist forces in the region. Bahrain's uprising was overwhelmingly nonviolent when it erupted in 2011, but since 2012-13, violence has been on the uptick, with more of the disaffected embracing militancy over nonviolent protest. As anti-regime militancy gains greater support among segments of Bahrains Shiite opposition, Manama is taking action to aggressively stem rising levels of terrorism. Whereas Obamas administration usually received the Bahraini governments claims about Iranian-sponsored terrorism in the Arab Gulf country with a hefty dose of skepticism, the current inhabitants of the White House take Manama's concerns about foreign-hatched threats to Bahrains security seriously. Within the framework of combating terrorism, Bahrains government is sending a clear message to the population about loyalty to the countrys monarchy in ordering the dissolution of the constitutional monarchys main Shiite opposition society and its largest secular political group. Its extra confidence in US backing in the broader struggle against terrorism as well as support from London, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are key factors in play. June 1, 2017 The Egyptian government has launched a new initiative aimed at preventing farmers from abandoning a practice that was revered by their Pharaonic ancestors: agriculture. The initiative, called Do not sell your land, was launched by the Union of Producers and Exporters of Horticultural Crops (UPEHC) this year to convince farmers not to sell their plots of land and quit agriculture by providing them with adequate financial and technical support. According to UPEHC head Hussein el-Hennawy, the initiative is part of the Support to Rural Development Program (SRDP) launched by the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the UPEHC in 2006. The SRDP has been developing over the past years and includes several initiatives and activities. The project, which is funded by the European Union at a total cost of 10 billion euros ($11 billion), is carried out in three locations in the governorates of Fayoum and Minya. These two governorates were chosen as they are characterized by a high density of farming population, severe poverty and a long history of agriculture, according to a report published by the UPEHC. The projects purpose based on the partnership between beneficiaries and the government is to support poor farmers and their families to improve the productivity of their land and increase their outputs and incomes, the report states. It would also assist in job creation through support for small-scale agro-processing and/or marketing including investments in social assets." Hennawy told local media that the initiative provides the farmers with the required high-quality fertilizers and insecticides at low rates and also provides consultants and experts to enrich their agricultural knowledge and provide guidance on the best farming methods. The initiative has encouraged dozens of farmers to remain close to their lands, and the results are fruitful as output has increased by 30-40%, Hennawy said. Through the initiative, farmers receive continuous training on how to deal with the ongoing farming challenges, including rising production costs, spiraling prices of fertilizers and climate change. Farmers have been hit hardest by the governments 2014 decision to increase fertilizer prices on the retail market by 33%. The increase in fuel prices by up to 47%, a decision taken by the government following the flotation of the Egyptian pound in November 2016 to cut the budget deficit and stimulate economic growth, has further worsened the situation for farmers. Many farmers have abandoned their profession, moved to the city and started to work as taxi drivers or tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw) drivers. Some farmers sold their plots of land to businessmen and real estate developers who have started housing or commercial projects on the agricultural lands, causing a massive loss of farmland. According to a 2015 report released by the Agriculture Ministry, 1.3 million cases of encroachment were recorded on 60,000 acres of agricultural land between Jan. 25, 2011, and June 21, 2015, of which only 222,000 cases were resolved by removing the people from the land. The recent trend jeopardizes the increase of the countrys reliance on importing basic commodities that cost billions of dollars every year. However, on Dec. 4, 2016, the government sharply raised customs duties on more than 300 goods to encourage domestic production and curb a ballooning trade deficit. The increases saw many tariffs jump to 60%. Economist Ahmed el-Shami said that initiatives like the one launched by the UPEHC are crucial to salvaging the countrys agricultural industry that is key to economic development. The agriculture sector has always been an important part of Egypts progress and development, and Egypt has many arable lands where products can be grown to increase the countrys exports and foreign currency reserves, he told Al-Monitor. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the Egyptian economy "relies heavily on the agricultural sector for food, feed, fiber and other products. It provides a livelihood for about 55% and employs 30% of the labor force, contributes approximately 17% of the gross domestic product and 20% of all foreign exchange earnings." Ismail Hassan, a farmer who owns a plot of land in Minya governorate, said that the UPEHCs initiative will be a life saver for many farmers who have given up on farming and are finding other jobs in the cities. We have finally found a helping hand for which we were desperate for so many years, he told Al-Monitor. June 2, 2017 For international dealings of top importance, Moscow in recent years has greatly favored the 2+2 format, sending defense and foreign ministers out together for high-level talks with their foreign counterparts. The mixture of diplomatic and military, widely employed by Russia in its latest foreign policy activities, is believed to reflect what an official in the Kremlin once called a growing convergence of foreign policy, defense and security-related issues in world affairs. The agenda Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed with their Egyptian colleagues during their May 29 visit to Cairo definitely falls into this category. Still, as Russian media outlets noted, Shoigu and Lavrov experienced very different receptions from the Egyptians. While the former was escorted in a showy motorcade accompanied by vehicles equipped with mobile phone jammers and gun slots on the sides, the latter was rather modestly taken on a bus to the embassy motorcade. This contrast led many in Moscow to speculate that military issues were of a much bigger priority for Egyptians during the visit. The perception of Shoigu as the messenger of President Vladimir Putin in these and other talks isnt groundless. According to the latest survey, the defense minister is Russias second-most-trusted politician (18.5% of respondents) following Putin himself (49.9%) and preceding Lavrov (15.3%). With Russian military having been in the public eye more frequently in recent years, Shoigus position in the overall defense and foreign policy apparatus is strong and solid at least for now. Sensing the need to court the Egyptians by raising their regional profile, Shoigu told his Egyptian counterpart, Col. Gen. Sedki Sobhy: Egypt is a most important strategic partner of Russia in North Africa and the Middle East. We are interested in the leading role of Cairo in strengthening security and stability [in the region]. Indeed, the topic of jointly combating terrorism dominated the talks. Their visit took place just days after bombings that killed Coptic Christians in Egypt, and the Russian ministers were eager to ensure that Moscow gets a priority partner status in fighting terrorism alongside Cairo. On this matter, Moscows proposals had to have a practical orientation namely, in Lavrov's words, to help block the channels used to deliver financial support, weapons and recruit new fighters. Alluding to US President Donald Trumps suggested anti-terrorist coalition with a strong emphasis on countering Iran, Lavrov said Russia and Egypt agreed to work toward creating a truly universal front against terrorism, without double standards or attempts to exclude anyone from this process or exploit the fight against terrorism for geopolitical purposes. It was also critical for the Russian ministers to ensure Egypts support for the Russian-led safe zones initiative in Syria, as well as the Syrian peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan. Prior to the visit, sources in the Russian Defense Ministry suggested the ministers shouldnt exclude a possibility that the Egyptian military may take part in safeguarding the zones. In the final press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Lavrov fell short of providing any details, only mentioning, We would be happy to see our Egyptian friends join these efforts to implement the de-escalating areas. A source in the Russian Embassy in Cairo, speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, said, The Egyptians are considering their own participation on the ground but would like to have more clarity on what exactly the zones would look like and how they should function. Not much has been mentioned about the civil war in Libya, yet the issue was believed to be one of the key agenda items for the talks. Lavrov did praise the efforts taken by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates toward rapprochement between the Libyan parties and said Russia supports the initiatives advanced by the Arab League, the African Union and the UN. The bulk of the issues covered with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi were bilateral. Shoigu and Lavrov were tasked with, among other things, looking into the possibility of extending the 10-year Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between Russia and Egypt in 2009. Shoigu noted at the meeting that arms sales have traditionally been a big component of the relationship, the Foreign Ministry reported. We are witnessing sustained positive dynamics in developing cooperation in the military sphere and are looking to offer our Egyptian friends most interesting projects in the military-technical cooperation domain, said Shoigu. In 2014, the parties signed a $3.5 billion arms deal that they implied was for supplies of Russian small arms as well as air defense systems and aviation. In the fall of 2015, Russias Kamov Design Bureau signed a deal to supply Egypt with 46 Ka-52 Alligator Attack Helicopters. The initial shipment was assembled earlier this year and Egyptian specialists are reportedly already being trained near Moscow. Russia is well-aware of the difficulties Cairo is facing; Egypt can either purchase the weapons on credit or with Saudi money. The Shoigu-Lavrov visit thus was important in talking through prices and details of these and other deals, since both of the above-mentioned factors limit contract size. Russia also eyes boosting economic ties and energy projects in Egypt. In a joint news conference with Shoukry after the meeting, Lavrov specifically mentioned the construction of Egypts first nuclear power plant and the creation of a Russian industrial estate in Egypt, as well as a free-trade zone between Egypt and the Eurasian Economic Union. The countries indeed signed an agreement on the El Dabaa power plant under which Russia was to provide a $25 billion construction loan to Egypt. The project didnt run smoothly, however, and an intergovernmental commission will be assembled in the fall to settle the formalities of the project, as Lavrov put it. The one thorny issue with no apparent light at the end of the tunnel is restoration of the direct air connection between Russia and Egypt. All flights were suspended in November 2015 after the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the explosion that destroyed a Russian plane over Egypts Sinai, killing 224 people. Moscow insisted on the presence of Russian security specialists in Egyptian airports as a condition for resumption of flights. After several inspections of Egypts airports, the Russian experts told Egyptian authorities the facilities still did not meet the security requirements Moscow puts forward. The Egyptians strongly disagreed. The source in the Russian Embassy who spoke with Al-Monitor said its unlikely direct flights will resume anytime soon. Until the suspension is lifted, it will certainly be a factor complicating the bilateral relationship. In general, the Russian ministers visit was meant to have an effect far beyond Russian-Egyptian dealings. Rossiyaskaya Gazeta, the Russian governments official newspaper, joked that 2+2 doesnt necessarily make 4, noting that the visit was closely watched in Washington, Saudi Arabia and Libya, which all have their own stakes in Egypt. Notably, the meetings and contacts the Russians have had in the last week are virtually a follow-up of Trumps recent Middle Eastern trip. No sooner had Lavrov and Shoigu returned from Egypt than they joined Putin in hosting Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Kremlin. And prior to meeting with the Saudis soon after Putin returned from France Putin spoke by phone with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Not long after Trumps election in November, Al-Monitor addressed Russias potential challenges in dealings with key states in the Middle East and North Africa region: Regardless of how regional rulers feel about Trump, theres a call for a fresh start in relationships with the United States across the region. Should Trump take advantage of the opportunity to restore US relations with its allies, Moscow may be forced to work out a different type of relationship with these states. This visit of top Russian ministers is a reflection that the Kremlin is seeking to convert understanding of this matter into policy. June 2, 2017 CAIRO Before the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, Abu Abada,* 40, used to manage a clothing store in Damascus. But since escaping to Egypt five years ago, he has struggled to support his wife and three children. Now employed as a shift manager at the popular and bustling Syrian restaurant Rosto in 6th of October City, a satellite suburb to the west of Cairo, Abu Abada works up to 14 hours a day and often still doesn't scrape together enough to pay rent and the rest of his expenses, which he points out have almost doubled since Egypt devalued its currency in November 2016. According to Abu Abada, he has often had to borrow money from family and friends to cover his expenses and he also works as a driver and a teacher of chemistry and physics at a Syrian community school to make ends meet. At one point, he said, his wifes jewelry and gold was stolen from his apartment in 6th of October City, taking away the only form of savings that his family had in Egypt. Jobs Make the Difference, a multi-agency UN report released on May 15 by the United Nations Development Program, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Food Program, compiled data from the countries that have taken the most refugees and asylum seekers from Syria: Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt. The report reveals that since 2011, Syrian refugees living in Egypt have invested almost $800 million to the Egyptian economy and probably more since a high percentage work in the burgeoning informal economy, meaning it is difficult to record financial transactions. While the report states that Syrian refugees who fled to Egypt are often perceived to be more affluent than those in countries that share land borders with Syria as they came by plane previous United Nations High Commission for Refugees statistics show that almost 90% of those in Egypt are considered to be very economically vulnerable. Unlike those in other countries, Syrian refugees in Egypt are integrated into urban communities and are not placed in refugee camps. Coupled with the shared language and culture with Egypt, Syrians have largely been welcomed in their host country, with the government initially allowing Syrians to enter Egypt without a visa. But at times, they have also been vilified in the media because of perceived support for the ousted Muslim Brotherhood and, according to the UN report, face poor working conditions in the informal economy that includes exploitation, harassment, non-payment of low wages and abuse. The report said that while some do receive acceptable salaries, For most Syrian refugees in the informal sector, the income is too low to cover basic needs. There are many Syrians suffering from bad conditions, Abu Abada said in between managing staff, customers and constant phone calls while speaking to Al-Monitor. Even though life is hard for many Egyptians, for Syrians it is more difficult and often we cant get our basic, standard working rights. Although he holds a residency visa in Egypt, Abu Abada does not have a work permit, which makes it difficult for him as well as the many other Syrian refugees to register businesses, travel abroad and employ other Syrians. But even for Syrian refugees who have been successful in Egypt, there are still restrictions and barriers that make it difficult for them to do business. And despite the significant financial contributions they have made, the report suggests that Syrians and the government would benefit more from clearer laws. Kholoud al-Khaldi, a senior enterprise development specialist with the ILO, who contributed to the UN report, told Al-Monitor that there are currently no temporary laws and regulations that make it easy for refugees to access the labor market. Now the government is more open to promoting a livelihood and for humanitarian purposes but we are not sure if there is enough intention to change laws or even temporary legislation, Khaldi explained. They [the government] might be open for Syrians working, but they arent taking concrete measures. Mahmoud Alhisnawy came to Egypt in 2012 with his wife and three children. Although he lost everything in Syria, he still had some money in his bank account. After working hard for years, he has been able to buy a house in the upscale New Cairo, and he also now runs his own warehouse that manufactures plastic bags in the industrial zone of el-Abour on the northeast outskirts of Cairo. Alhisnawy's story is largely one of success. Despite the odds and difficulties, he was able to start several successful enterprises and now employs about 30 people in his factory, making a comfortable living for himself and his family. But still, getting the right paperwork has been a challenge. Because of the current visa status, he cant travel abroad to do business, as Syrians cant leave Egypt and re-enter the country. Until now, Alhisnawy hasn't received a business license despite starting the process soon after he arrived in Cairo, in part because of Egypts complex bureaucracy. It was very difficult at the start, Alhisnawy told Al-Monitor. "Because there are certain rules here. It is a miserable routine. You have to bring paper from here, another one from the other side of the city something from here, something from there. And also at first I had to put 100,000 Egyptian pounds ($5,530) in a bank account for 10 days to prove I had money. But Samer Marwan Oulabi, a Syrian business associate of Alhisnawy, argues that the problems run deeper than those of bureaucracy. Sitting in the office of his clothes-making factory in el-Abour, Oulabi told Al-Monitor of the difficulties he faces employing other Syrians and getting a work permit. I have about 24 or 25 Syrian workers, so when somebody from the social office or insurance comes here and finds any Syrian worker, they give you a fine and that starts from 500 pounds ($27.60) and can reach 10,000 ($553) and can also be prison, Oulabi explained. Even after two-and-a-half years of the process, my working visa is only 90% complete. I went to over 20 different offices and had to bribe so many people just to get this far. Syrians have invested much more than $800 million here. All we need is land and licenses and there will be so many more success stories, Oulabi said. For Oulabi and Alhisnawy, doing business without the correct paperwork has still proved successful for them they just wish for quicker procedures. But for those like Abu Abada, who constitute the majority of Syrians in Egypt, such restrictions can mean not feeding their family or paying rent. *Abu Abada is a pseudonym to protect his identity. June 2, 2017 It seems that the internal elections held by Hamas in May are no longer an exclusively Palestinian affair. Many regional leaders congratulated the Hamas leadership after Ismail Haniyeh was elected as head of Hamas political bureau at home and abroad and when Yahya Sinwar was elected head of Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip in February. Iran congratulated Hamas despite the lukewarm relationship following tension over diverging views on the Syrian revolution since 2012. It seems Iran is upbeat about the ability of Hamas new leadership to restore the once-strong relationship between the two parties. Several Iranian officials reached out to Hamas following the election of its new leadership, most recently on May 29 when Ali Larijani, head of the Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly, congratulated Haniyeh for his election as head of the movement. He stressed that Iran considers supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people a top priority, praising Hamas and Gazas steadfastness. On May 10, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sent a congratulatory telegram to Haniyeh, stressing Irans continued support for the Palestinian resistance. For his part, the deputy head of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, sent a similar telegram to Haniyeh on the same day. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, sent a congratulatory message to Haniyeh on May 8, saying he was looking forward to what he described as a wise administration from the new Hamas leadership to promote integration with what he described as their fellow allies in the resistance axis led by Iran. Khaled Kaddoumi, Hamas representative in Iran, told Al-Monitor, With the beginning of 2017, the Hamas-Iran relationship plunged into a new positive phase, leaving behind past complications. Today, Hamas opens a new page with Iran. Both sides are well aware that the upcoming phase is serious and should be handled differently. Regardless of its size, the political, financial and military support provided by Iran to Hamas never stopped and although this relationship does not depend on the change in Hamas leadership, the recent internal elections will most definitely help the movement renew relationships with the Arab and Islamic parties. Talk about the gradual return of Hamas' relationship with Iran coincided with statements by Sheikh Hussein al-Islam, assistant Iranian foreign minister, on April 30, describing the Palestinian Authority's (PA) actions against Gaza as a crime committed under orders from the United States and Israel. Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rudeina, the spokesman for the Palestinian president, condemned on the same day the Iranian hostility against President Mahmoud Abbas, accusing Iran of creating the Palestinian division. Walid al-Moudallal, political science professor at the Islamic University of Gaza and the head of the Center for Political and Development Studies, told Al-Monitor, With the recent Hamas election, those calling for rapprochement with Iran from within the movement were given a new hope. The road is now paved for a full resumption of relations, with all the financial and military support they bring. However, the Saudi summit attended by US President Donald Trump on May 21, during which he classified Hamas as a terrorist group, might prompt those who still had doubts to finally push for rapprochement with Iran. He added, The region has been divided into two camps. The first includes the Gulf countries, Egypt, Jordan and the PA, while the second includes Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas. Meanwhile, the Hamas leadership residing in Qatar might have to relocate to Tehran amid increasing pressure on Doha, which is being accused by some neighboring countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, of supporting terrorism and harboring the leaders of Hamas. Abdullatif al-Kanou, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Hamas-Iran relations have improved recently. The movement is keen on developing the relationship to best serve the Palestinian cause. If the Hamas leadership were to go on a foreign tour sometime soon, it might visit Tehran, especially since Hamas hopes Irans financial and military support to the movement would increase, in the interest of the Palestinian resistance. Over the past few years, Hamas may have been wary of its regional relations. It has not been entirely close to Iran, so as not to upset Saudi Arabia and the Sunni states, nor has it cut off all ties with Tehran for fear of the total loss of its financial and military support, which may have decreased but never stopped, although there are no accurate figures. Mukhaimer Abu Saada, political science professor at al-Azhar University in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, The situation in which Hamas has found itself in recent weeks following the PA's sanctions and increasing pressure against Gaza, as well as the improving Arab-American relations and their negative impact on Hamas and Iran will push both the movement and Tehran into mending fences. A former member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, The fact that Iran has welcomed the recent Hamas elections means it has finally started to see that the Hamas leadership has agreed to turn toward Tehran after letting go of everything that has impeded the movement from joining the resistance axis in the past. Tehran believes that Haniyeh and Sinwar will help the movement overcome all obstacles that have kept Hamas away from Iran. The successive events in the region may have a negative effect on Hamas, as it may see itself in the eye of the regional storm, after the United States placed it in the same category as Iran, Hezbollah and the Islamic State. This might make it prone to new blockade policies, which might push it over the edge into fully restoring its relationship with Iran. Hamas might as well be jumping into a time machine that will take it back to before the estrangement with Tehran in 2012, adopting political positions that will require a new classification of political axis, without any hesitation on Hamas part in terms of normalization with Tehran. June 2, 2017 The May 27 clash near the Iran-Turkey border between Iranian border guards and what the Iranian media described as a "terrorist group" has raised fears that yet another dimension will be added to the conflict-ridden Middle East. While some Iranian media identified the group as the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK), a group affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Al-Monitor has learned from several sources close to the PKK and PJAK that the incident did not involve PJAK fighters but rather that PKK guerrillas the archenemy of Turkey were unwittingly embroiled in the incident. On May 23, a group of PKK militants were on patrol near the Turkish-Iranian border and just inside Iran, near the northwestern city of Urmia, when they came under attack from an Iranian border outpost. Three PKK guerrillas from Van in Turkey were killed in the clash. A few days later, on May 27, the PKK retaliated by targeting a convoy of Iranian border guard vehicles, killing two guards and seriously wounding three more soldiers, sources close to the PJAK and the PKK said. The soldiers were not part of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps but rather were from the border guards unit of the regular army. The commander of Iran's border guards, Brig. Gen. Qassem Rezayee, blamed Turkey for the incident. Moreover, Iran Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Qassemi said in relation to the incident in a press conference, "It was a bitter incident and we have informed Turkey about this issue through diplomatic channels. We hope to receive a satisfactory response from Turkey, and based on this response we will take appropriate measures." Several Kurdish opposition groups, including the PJAK, have been active for years in the border areas near Iraq and Turkey, and almost all have clashed with Iranian security forces. However, the last time Iran and the PJAK became embroiled in a serious war was years ago, in the summer of 2011. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, but in September that year after a bloody two-month war Tehran and the PJAK reached a tacit agreement reportedly with the help of one of the ruling parties in Iraqi Kurdistan, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), a long-term strategic ally of Iran. Since then, despite a number of sporadic clashes, both parties have refrained from launching an all-out war against each other. Instead, both the PKK, the patron of the PJAK, and Iran have concentrated their efforts in Syria and Iraq, battling the jihadi groups that have caused havoc in both countries. As Syrian President Bashar Assads rule came under serious threat from a cluster of jihadis and anti-regime groups in late 2011, Tehran sent its powerful and shadowy Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani to Syria, Irans long-term ally, to shore up the Baathist governments defenses. Around the same time, the PKK was also busy setting up its own proxy force and administration in the Kurdish areas in northern Syria. PKK fighters have also battled alongside peshmerga forces in Iraqi Kurdistan, such as when the autonomous region came under attack from Islamic State (IS) militants in the summer of 2014. Since then, both parties while technically at war with each other have refrained from any serious fighting with the exception of occasional minor clashes. The last bloody clash was Oct. 4, 2016, in the province of Kermanshah, in which 12 PJAK fighters lost their lives. PJAK then retaliated on Oct. 12 by killing three Revolutionary Guard members and wounding seven others. "Both the PKK and Iran have a lot on their plates right now both in Iraq and Syria, and they can't afford to open another front," an Iraqi Kurdish source close to those in Iran who devise Kurdish policy told Al-Monitor. "The only ally the PKK has in Iraqi Kurdistan is the PUK, which is a strategic ally of Iran which means the PKK can't afford to lose another ally in the region." Al-Monitor has spoken to three individuals close to the PKK and the PJAK, and all have stated that the PKK and the PJAK have no plans to resume fighting with Tehran. "This clash is nothing more than any other sporadic clashes that occurred between PJAK and Iranian forces since 2011," one source with intimate knowledge of PJAK activities said. "The PKK is focusing on Turkey and Rojava and the clashes with the jihadists there," referring to northern Syria, which Kurds call Rojava translated as western Kurdistan in the Kurdish lexicon. "I don't think there will be a resumption of war between PJAK and the Iranians," another source close to the PKK said. The PKK is also involved in a bitter war of words in the Sinjar area near Mosul with the Kurdistan Democratic Party, which has a strong alliance with Turkey. Ankara has threatened to invade Sinjar to force out the PKK from the area, which is close to northern Syria where another PKK-affiliated group the People's Protection Units (YPG) is bracing to act as Washington's muscle in annihilating IS in Raqqa. While the PKK and Iran are fighting their regional wars, their regional alliances mean the possibility of a serious clash between the two parties is likely to be slim. The PUK, which brokered the deal between the PKK-affiliated group PJAK and Iran in September 2011, is a strategic ally of both parties, and neither can afford to upset such an important relation in these difficult times. Since mid-2013, the Counter Terrorism Group of the PUK, trained and partly funded by Washington, has acted as the lifeline for the YPG, providing arms and brokering an important alliance between Washington and the YPG. The YPG, which is the main component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has acted as the main US ally to uproot IS from northern Syria since September 2014 when Washington helped the Syrian Kurds defeat IS in Kobani. The SDF to the displeasure of Turkey has become the most trusted ally of Washington in its fighting against the jihadis in Syria and in particular against IS. Since 2015, when a two-year cease-fire between Turkey and the PKK collapsed, the militants of the PKK have waged a bloody war against Ankara, enraging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he sees the PKK and the YPG as two sides of the same coin. This means Turkey could not have provided support to the PKK guerrillas in launching the attack against the Iranian border guards. To the contrary, Iran and Turkey have a mutual interest in preventing the PKK and other groups from operating in their areas given their sizable Kurdish population at a time when Iraqi Kurds are calling for independence and the Syrian Kurds are in the process of establishing their own viable autonomous region. Iran is currently holding over 100 activists sympathetic to the PJAK/PKK cause, according to a source close to the PJAK who spent over two years in an Iranian prison for his sympathies with the group. While Iran and the PKK oppose each other on ideological grounds, the chances that the May 27 incident will lead to more widespread clashes are minimal. Both parties are mired in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria and have neither the resources nor the will to resume a bloody battle. June 1, 2017 Long before the 1987 Palestinian intifada, the Arabic term "sumud," meaning steadfastness, best reflected the form of resistance undertaken by Palestinians in the occupied territories. The act of sumud was neither violent nor militant. It reflected the hugely important act of staying put on one's land and refusing to budge no matter what. This is the term that Palestinians, Israelis and diaspora Jews recently applied to their unique act of nonviolent resistance in the largely abandoned village of Sarura, located south of Hebron. On May 18, activists arrived in Sarura to support the villagers who have been harassed and intimidated to leave their homes by Jewish settlers and the Israeli army. Some 300 local Palestinian, Israeli and foreign volunteers set up camp in Sarura and helped the town's villagers to return. They did so by rehabilitating the caves they were living in and preparing wells and other basic infrastructural elements in Sarura. Sami Awad, director of Holy Land Trust, one of five groups that organized the Sumud Freedom Camp campaign, told Al-Monitor that the idea for the campaign was in the works for over six months. "We wanted to plan an activity that is proactive and not reactive," he said. "We wanted to create an experience that can demonstrate nonviolence without necessarily having to provoke a confrontation. We opted for the term 'sumud' because our goal is to help the people be steadfast on their land." Awad said he was inspired by the Standing Rock protests and wanted to reproduce these types of activities in Palestine. "We have already spoken to people from various global movements supporting minorities and marginalized communities, and they said they are interested in visiting our Sumud Camp," Awad said. Although Palestinians and their Israeli and Jewish guests might have tried to avoid confrontation, they failed to prevent the Israeli army from doing so. In a span of 12 days, the Israeli army came to the camp and tried to break it up three times, without making any arrests. The Israeli army brought bulldozers and demolished all the established structures on May 29. It seized all tents, mattresses and even a car. Ironically, at no time did the army declare the camp a closed military zone. Southern Hebron is known to be an army shooting range, although no training is taking place there. Because of the settlers' and the Israeli army's opposition, efforts to facilitate the return of local populations who have been pushed off their land have failed even though there is no legal basis to prevent the local population from returning to their land and to welcome guests as they wish. Ilana Sumka, the Jewish-American founder of the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, wrote a powerful op-ed on the May 29 incident for the Israeli daily Haaretz. Titled "Punched, Dismantled, Unbowed: How Diaspora Jews Are Unsettling the Occupation," Sumka's strongly-worded article denounced the State of Israel and occupation practices against Palestinians. She wrote, "In our West Bank protest camp, being a Jewish nonviolence activist is no immunity against manhandling by the Israeli soldiers [whom] I grew up in America believing were our superheroes who'd protect me from harm." The five coalition partners organizing the Sumud Freedom Camp in Sarura are the Holy Land Trust, Combatants for Peace, IfNotNow, South Hebron Popular Committee, All That's Left: Anti-Occupation Collective and the Center for Jewish Nonviolence. Awad believes that the steadfastness of the campers and the Palestinian residents, in spite of the Israeli army's repeated attempts to disperse them, gives hope that a new kind of nonviolent movement will become sustainable one that involves a wide range of local and international coalitions and volunteers and one that will remain nonviolent even as the other side resorts to violence. The Sumud Freedom Camp became a huge hit on social media (with #WeAreSumud trending) when Israeli forces manhandled the volunteers and prevented them from supporting local Palestinians. AJ+ published a video report on May 22 of the protests, while the campers livestreamed videos and posted photos, blogs and stories all week. The Sumud Freedom Camp's organizers initially struggled to raise funds. But hours after being attacked by the Israeli army and having their camp destroyed, they managed to crowdfund thousands of dollars, according to Awad. Online crowdfunding also allowed the organizers to set up a database of interested supporters. Nonviolent protests are not new to Palestine. Israel deported Palestinian nonviolent leader Mubarak Awad in 1988. Yet, after 50 years of occupation, the idea of having Israelis and diaspora Jews supporting Palestinians and coming to spend time and live with them is a new and significant development. Activists in the Hebron, Bethlehem and Ramallah areas often carry out nonviolent activities. Although sumud might sound like a passive act, anyone following the Sumud Freedom Camp's activities can see it's anything but. If these efforts prove to be successful, they could very well spell the beginning of a major and strategic change in the relationship between the occupier and the occupied. June 1, 2017 AMMAN, Jordan Given its location on the Syrian-Iraqi-Jordanian border triangle, al-Tanf military base is perceived to be strategic for the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS), and also a red line. The military base has been used as a facility to train Maghawir al-Thawra (Revolutionary Commando Army), which was founded in May 2015 and trained in Jordan to fight IS, Lt. Col. Muhannad al-Talla, the commander of the faction, told Al-Monitor. On May 18, the US-led coalitions aircraft destroyed a pro-Syrian regime convoy advancing toward al-Tanf base, after ignoring warning shots. Commenting on the strike, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said, We are not increasing our role in the Syrian civil war. But we will defend our troops. Talla said that 150 US troops are stationed at al-Tanf base, in addition to troops of five different nationalities from within the ranks of the coalition which he did not name at the request of these member states including two Arab countries. Al-Monitor spoke to Talla over the phone about the role of the US-led coalition at the base, the reasons behind the Russian troops control over areas close to al-Tanf, and the arrival of Iranian and Iraqi militias as reinforcements in the Syrian desert. The text of the interview follows: Al-Monitor: Can you introduce Maghawir al-Thawra? How many members does it consist of? Where is it deployed? Where does the support come from? Talla: Maghawir al-Thawra formerly known as the New Syrian Army took seven months to see the light. It was founded on May 20, 2015, and its troops were initially trained in Jordanian territory. It consists of former fighters of the Free Syrian Army who fled the areas that IS managed to seize following fierce battles. Most of them fled Deir ez-Zor, al-Bukamal, Palmyra and the countryside of Aleppo. Its initial formation amounted to 120 fighters. The number today has grown bigger, going beyond hundreds of fighters who were trained by military experts from friendly countries within the ranks of the US-led coalition. I founded the group and I am leading it. We are present in al-Hamad [in the Syrian desert] and al-Tanf area, which is near the Iraqi-Jordanian-Syrian border triangle. The training and support are delivered by the coalitions member states, most notably the United States. Al-Monitor: How important is the base in the Syrian desert, especially in the fighting against IS? Talla: Al-Tanf area is a key border crossing on the Iraqi-Syrian border, connecting Syria to Iraq. Al-Tanf base is a mobilization base from which Maghawir al-Thawra and the US-led coalition forces launch operations and conduct patrols in the search for IS hotbeds that are scattered in the vast al-Hamad desert. Troops including officers of different ranks of five nationalities are present with us on the ground, most of whom are Americans with 150 troops. They amount to hundreds of troops of friendly countries within the ranks of the US-led coalition. Their mission is to provide us with backup in our military missions, and give the new fighters physical and military training. Al-Monitor: What are the reasons that prompted the Syrian regime, as well as Iranian and Iraqi militias, to step up presence on the Baghdad-Damascus road? Talla: First, to ignite battles between the world powers, such as Russia and the US-led coalition forces. It had Russian aircraft violate Turkish airspace in order to turn Syrian territory into a battlefield involving international forces. Second, to meet the Iranian desire of establishing a Shiite crescent stretching from Iran to Lebanon, through the Syrian and Iraqi territories, in order for the Syrian regime to secure a land bridge, which is an ancient scheme. Yet we are lying in wait. It is a dream for them to have such a land route. Nevertheless, we are well-prepared at the military level. We have the right equipment, weapons and ammunition to win any battle. Our fighters are the most powerful; they are well-trained and equipped for any battle. We are not allowing them to make this dream come true. Al-Monitor: Pro-Syrian regime media outlets circulated photos of Russian flags flying over the desert of Suwayda. Which areas are under Russian control? Talla: The current Russian-held areas are namely al-Dumayr airport, the road leading to al-Batma area, al-Radayef Dam, Sabaa Biyar, Zaza and Khirbet Ghazaleh areas toward the south of Suwayda city near the Jordanian border. They managed to advance as the Syrian opposition forces were preoccupied battling IS. Al-Monitor: A decision was made during the Arab-Islamic-American summit to form a counterterrorism force of 34,000 troops. Do you expect this force to assume a role in the Syrian desert? Talla: Given the number of troops, this force will have a consequential role in the Syrian desert. Eliminating IS hotbeds and taking full control over such a vast area requires a large number of troops. Al-Monitor: How are the battles in the desert, Qalamoun and al-Tanf being reflected on political talks? Talla: These battles will lead the opposition to have the upper hand in the talks. The only option available for the regime is surrendering to reality. This is because all of its cards turned out to be a failure, starting with IS and ending with the Shiite mercenaries. Al-Monitor: How are you protecting civilians in areas under your control? Talla: These civilians are our people. We took up arms and sacrificed our lives for their sake and for the sake of their freedom. They are an indispensable support for us. We will provide them with all forms of protection, particularly the widows, women, elderly and children. June 1, 2017 TABQA, Syria Since the beginning of the Syrian revolution in March 2011, when the peaceful conflict turned into a military one, Kurdish factions have been working for change in Syria. A large number of the fighters in the Kurdish factions have been female, and they have gained considerable experience in leading battles against the Islamic State (IS). Rojda Felat, one of the top commanders of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) who fought groups like Jabhat al-Nusra at Ras al-Ain in 2012 and IS in Kobani, is now one of the leaders of a major campaign against IS Operation Wrath of the Euphrates in northern Raqqa. The operation is headed by the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), the YPJ and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with the support of the United States. The inclusion of female fighters is an intentional response to IS members' fear of being killed by women because that would prevent them from entering paradise. In the city of Tabqa, west of Raqqa, Al-Monitor interviewed Felat about the battle in northern Syria to retake Raqqa, ongoing since November 2016. The text of the interview, edited for clarity, follows: Al-Monitor: How did you get to this position? Why was a woman chosen to lead Operation Wrath of the Euphrates? Did you face difficulties when you took the position because you were a woman? Felat: I have never had any problems. In the YPG, there is no difference between women and men, and both sexes can direct campaigns and lead. There are several reasons I was chosen as the leader of the operation, including my experience in previous campaigns against IS, such as the campaigns of Tal Hamis, Hasakah, Tell Abyad and Suluk, among others. The main reason I was selected is that IS members said that they fear being killed by women as that would prevent them from entering paradise. So I was appointed to show them that women can lead forces such as the SDF, and that they will avenge women who have suffered a grave injustice as a result of IS practices. Al-Monitor: How do you describe the role of the SDF today in northern Raqqa? What is the secret of your success? Felat: The forces that are actually fighting and advancing on the ground are our forces, the SDF. They are fighting and directly confronting IS. These forces include residents of the area who want to liberate their own areas. The coalition forces, such as the United States, British, French and other forces, have also played a role in advancing our forces as they supported us with heavy weapons and ammunition, and we cannot deny their role in helping our forces advance. The more we move toward the city of Raqqa, the more support we get. Al-Monitor: Some opposition figures accuse you of seeking to bring about demographic change in the region. What is your take on this? And how do you deal with civilians on the ground? Felat: The population in this region knows that we came neither to stay nor to impose our control. We are only here to liberate the region and protect our defenseless people from IS. In all of the areas we liberate, a local council is formed to manage the liberated cities, and the military forces never stay in the cities. Had we been treating the population poorly, we would not have seen thousands joining the ranks of the SDF only a few days after the liberation of some areas. Al-Monitor: The distance separating you from the dam at Tabqa was very short. Did you expect IS to carry out its threat to destroy the dam, which could destroy entire cities such as Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa as well as Anbar in Iraq? Felat: This dam is one of the largest dams in Syria, and its location is sensitive. We conducted its liberation operation [on May 10] in a very sensitive way. We did not attack the dam or the nearby areas, nor did we bomb them. IS was threatening to destroy it, and it resorted to many methods such as mines and car bombs. Had we not conducted the liberation operation with such sensitivity, IS would have destroyed it already and a humanitarian disaster would have taken place. But it is thanks to our sensitive treatment of the matter that we managed to encircle IS members and force them to move away from the dam, despite some attempts to sabotage it. Al-Monitor: You liberated Tabqa on May 10. What did you expect from IS? Felat: IS made it a point to intimidate civilians even after its departure. It planted mines everywhere. We had expected this it planted so many mines in Tabqa because it had nothing else to confront our forces with. It relies on mines at some times and on car bombs at others. We will try to tread with great caution so that not many civilians will lose their lives as a result of IS terrorist acts. Al-Monitor: What will happen after the liberation of Raqqa? Felat: Raqqa is a strategic center for IS, and the organization considers the city its capital. IS has put all the civilians it arrested and abducted from other regions in Raqqa. We know that the liberation of Raqqa will be a tough task, but our forces are ready. We will encircle IS members in the city. Just like we won in Tabqa, we will win in Raqqa. We know that IS will use all its ways, like booby-trapped vehicles, snipers and other means, to defeat us. But we also know how to foil these tactics. The US support for our forces will expedite our advancement to Raqqa and its liberation. I do not think many civilians will help IS. When we liberated the [Tabqa dam] civilians ran away to us. After all the injustice they faced, from murder to slaughter from IS, not many will help the organization unless they are IS supporters who came from foreign countries or they were forced into joining the organization. Al-Monitor: How are you taking care of civilians under these tough circumstances? Which parties are helping you? Felat: In our battles with all factions like Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sham and finally IS, we are freeing civilians first then taking them to safe zones and camps. But in Tabqa, we kept them close so that they could see the difficulties we face. We do not have enough support from humanitarian organizations to provide for the civilians who are freed. We are trying to help them ourselves. Only our organizations from Kobani and Jazira offered help to civilians. Al-Monitor: What are the possible situations to prepare for in Raqqa? How will the Arab component in that region be treated? Will you head to Deir ez-Zor and Idlib next? Felat: The liberation of Tabqa was key to an imminent liberation of Raqqa. We promised to fight IS wherever it is in Syria. The SDF, the YPG and the YPJ, if needed, will destroy IS. We will advance to Deir ez-Zor and Idlib and even to the Mediterranean Sea. We are ready and well prepared. The fourth stage of Operation Wrath of the Euphrates is ongoing from Tabqa, the borders of Deir ez-Zor and the north of Raqqa. Our forces need to rest after having liberated Tabqa, which was key to liberating Raqqa completely. We are trying our best, and we hope to succeed in Raqqa soon. We are removing mines from liberated areas so that civilians can return home. We are also providing their daily needs like food, and we are establishing a Tabqa civilian council. Recently, there was a lapse in supplying citizens with their basic needs, but it was due to scarce capacities and ongoing battles. We also did not receive enough aid from international relief organizations like the UN. There has been some improvement in this regard, and we are now trying to meet all civilians needs. Battles are still raging in the northern Raqqa countryside with the advancement of the international coalition forces and the SDF to the city. We expect a catastrophe in the city because IS is detaining civilians and not letting them escape the conflict zones. Many might die because the organization is turning them into human shields. June 1, 2017 WASHINGTON US and Russian officials have quietly stepped up contacts in recent weeks to try to advance a deal on the creation of a safe zone in southern Syria, Al-Monitor has learned. The talks included a meeting in Jordan in late May, a former diplomat from the region said on condition of anonymity. Russia, Iran and Turkey negotiated the creation of four zones aimed at de-escalating tensions between Bashar al-Assad's forces and the armed Syrian opposition in early May, and the Donald Trump administration is now trying to see what role the United States can play. Last week, the Americans and Russia met in Jordan with the Jordanians to discuss these zones in the south, the former diplomat said. The meeting in Jordan was one part where the US and Russia, Israel and Jordan can work together to have [a] de-escalation zone in the south of Syria. The United States is particularly concerned that any deal over the future of Syria preserves the stability of its close allies Israel and Jordan. Israel for its part has said it would not tolerate an Iranian presence on its border with Syria. The source said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is "in charge of dealing with Russia" amid allegations that the Trump presidential campaign conspired with Moscow. The former diplomat said Brett McGurk, the US special presidential envoy to the global coalition against the Islamic State, and US Syria envoy Michael Ratney participated in the Jordan talks. Neither official responded to queries. The Trump administration priority on Syria is to stop the killing," the source said. "That's why they are willing to watch what Russia is doing[.] They are willing to give Russia a major role to play to find a solution in a way that Assad, in the endgame, should be out, and Iran should be out. The Americans and Russians have been meeting quietly on Syria without announcing it, a senior international diplomat who works on Syria confirmed to Al-Monitor. They met more than once, the senior diplomat, speaking not for attribution, said, referring to the Americans and Russians. [It is] difficult to say where they are at ... but they seem to have rather serious discussions. And at the same time [they are] trying to increase their bargaining power through moves on the ground [to see] who has the upper hand in the Euphrates valley. The border with Jordan [part of which is a de-escalation area] and up to the Euphrates must, in my view, be subject to Russian-US understandings, and therefore implicit understandings between [the government of Syria], Jordan and Israel, he added. The State Department would not confirm the Jordan meeting but said it is working exhaustively to try to reduce the violence in Syria. The United States remains committed to supporting a diplomatic resolution to the Syrian conflict, one which can bring about a more representative and peaceful Syria, free of terrorism, a State Department official, speaking not for attribution, told Al-Monitor. We have long said there is no military solution to the crisis in Syria and have worked tirelessly to achieve a de-escalation of violence and a defeat of [the Islamic State], al-Qaeda and other terrorists. Congress, however, has been blunter. Speaking at a May 25 meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., revealed that Tillerson had asked Congress to delay action on new Russia sanctions while he worked to secure an agreement on Syria. Tillerson has asked for a short window of opportunity to change the trajectory of our relationship with Russia, Corker said last week before Congress recessed until June 5. Corker warned that his patience was wearing thin and promised reporters that Tillerson would be grilled on the issue during his mid-June appearance before the Senate Budget Committee to defend Trump's FY 2018 budget blueprint. Unless Secretary Tillerson can come in early in this next work session and report these things are occurring that are changing the trajectory of US-Russia relations, Corker said, then he planned to move forward quickly with a Russia sanctions bill. I can just tell you: I see no difference whatsoever, Corker added. [The Russians] continue to work against our interests. A Jordanian official confirmed there are several ongoing meetings taking place pertaining to Syria, in Jordan, Geneva, Astana and elsewhere. As Jordanians, we have meetings and communications with all concerned parties who have influence on the ground, be it the Russians, the Americans and others, the Jordanian official, speaking not for attribution, told Al-Monitor. Our objective is to communicate our view and vision on the situation in service of our national strategic interest of securing our borders. Recent US-Russian discussions focus on the south of Syria, Czech Ambassador to the United States Hynek Kmonicek told Al-Monitor. "It's at least something that we can read from evolution on the ground. If this approach works, it could be strategically interesting. It could be a test if Russia is willing and can deliver. "It will not be easy, Kmonicek, whose government represents the United States in Syria, said. The American side wants to create islands of stability. De-escalation zones. The Russians are thinking, very funny, islands of stability for jihadis. . So, they must persuade each other. My feeling: The Russians need a political settlement, to get out, the Czech diplomat continued. They are eager to have something. The Trump administration has been evasive about its contacts with Russia, possibly out of sensitivity to the scrutiny the White House is under after the US intelligence community determined that Moscow interfered in the 2016 US presidential elections to boost Trump. The alleged interference is now the subject of several investigations by Congress, the FBI and Special Counsel Robert Mueller. They have to keep it behind the scenes, said Michael Kofman, a Russia expert with the Kennan Institute. Now is not the "right time" to "let on that they are actually making progress with Russia on arrangements for Syria," he said. "[There is] the perception that the current administration is highly constrained in what it can do with Russia right now. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with a French newspaper this week, alluded to US-Russian consultations focused in particular on Syrias southern borders with Israel and Jordan. Incidentally, we have been seeing some shifts lately; and there are actual results, Putin told Frances Le Figaro newspaper May 30. I spoke to President Trump on the telephone, and he supported the idea, in general, of creating de-escalation zones. We are now considering how the interests of all the countries to the south of Syria can be best served, with consideration for the concerns of all the countries that face issues in this region, Putin said. I am referring to Jordan, Israel and Syria itself. Of course, Russia is ready to heed what the United States and our European partners have to say. However, what we need is for the dialogue to be specific and concise, instead of empty talk about mutual claims and threats. There is a need for a real effort. While the State Department has been mum about recent US-Russian discussions on Syria de-escalation zones, the Pentagon has readily acknowledged stepped-up military-to-military contacts in order to avoid inadvertent confrontation with the Russians in Syria, particularly as the US-led coalition prepares to retake Raqqa from the Islamic State. In addition to regular colonel-to-colonel US-Russian de-confliction talks, there have been three-star conversations at the joint staff level, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, the commander of US air forces at Central Command, told journalists at the Pentagon on May 24. My two-star deputy exchanged some conversations with the Russians as we were working through the myriad of issues that have occurred." So we have had the ability to increase the dialogue at the appropriate level, Harrigan said. My expectation is that will be helpful as we move forward as the airspace continues to become more congested and with the regime continuing to move farther to the east. I think it'll be important that we decrease ambiguity. And that decrease in ambiguity allows us to understand where [the Russians are] going, where possible areas of conflict could occur. But the US-Russia military-to-military de-confliction talks do not involve discussion of Syria de-escalation zones, Harrigan added. At our level, when we've talked to the Russians, we do not talk about those de-escalation zones, Harrigan said. We just talk de-confliction in our operations. LawLers Barbecue continues to grow in North Alabama. Jim Kelley, managing partner of LawLers Southern Foods III, said they will launch a 2,400-square-foot store in Decatur as part of a planned 14,400-square-foot building next to Honda on Beltline Road Southwest. The restaurant will occupy the east end of the property and include a drive-thru when it opens in early 2018. Construction began earlier this week on another 1,200-square-foot drive-thru and take-out restaurant in Killen. Kelley said the Killen location will offer catering and limited office delivery, but no inside seating. The store should open by mid-August. Kelley said they hope to open more restaurants in the coming years. "Phillip, Jerry and I, along with our executive leadership team, see the possibility of at least 15 company-owned locations in the next two years, and if the good Lord is willin', perhaps we offer franchising within a 150-mile radius," he said. The Decatur location will seat 50 customers and offer catering and take-out. LawLers Barbecue's signature fishing decor will cover the walls, Kelley said. Kelley said LawLers has many customers who drive from Decatur to the Athens and Cullman locations, so expanding to the River City was a natural progression. "I personally lived and worked in Decatur for eight years and know firsthand what a great city it is for business and barbecue," he said. "Yes, we know there are already some famous and longstanding barbecue joints in Morgan County, all of whom we greatly respect and look up to. We hope to simply become another choice for the discerning palates of bbq lovers in Decatur and Moulton and Caddo and Trinity and the other surrounding communities." LawLers, which started in 1978, has seven stores in Madison County, one in Athens, one in Cullman and another in Lewisburg, Tenn. The company opened a state-of-the-art cooking facility and corporate office in Ardmore last summer. Kelley said they built the Ardmore operation in Dekko Industrial Park because they ran out of room in Lewisburg, plus the company's equipment was requiring more maintenance and repairs. "Couple that with the fact that our hard working team of folks needed to know they had a bright future with us and room for promotions and growth," he said. "That meant building new stores and expanding our operations into new territory, so we built a brand new facility in Ardmore Alabama that can service up to 50 locations." By smoking the meat in one central USDA facility, Kelley said they are able to control the quality of the barbecue. LawLers employs "pickers" to hand pull the meat to remove fat, gristle and bone before it is served to customers. Kelley said the process takes longer and is more expensive, but "we feel our customers deserve it and have grown to expect it." "We may not be the best barbecue there is out there, but we know we are consistently consistent and, under the watchful eye of the USDA, we make food safety our number one priority," he said. LawLers currently has more than 130 employees. Each store employ 8-15 workers on average. Jeff Parker, owner of Parker Real Estate, is developing the Decatur property where LawLers will operate. He said demolition of the former car dealership facility will begin within 60 days, with construction slated to start early next year. Parker said they have spoken with several eateries, retailers and a medical user for the building. "It appears we will have more tenants than we have space," he said. "It appears that the timing is good for this project." Authorities said three Cullman County men are facing multiple drug charges after drugs were found in a home on Wednesday. Justin Bernard Gilbreath, 32, Wondlas Mark Givens, 53, and Roger Dale Marks, 67, were taken into custody following a search warrant on a home on County Road 1030 in the Jones Chapel community. Cullman County Sheriff's Office said two ounces of meth, a half-pound of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were seized during the search. Sheriff Matt Gentry thanked those who told authorities about the activity in their community. "I would like to thank the citizens for their tips on these suspects because we take a proactive approach in finding the drug dealers and putting them in jail," Gentry said. Gibreath and Givens were charged with trafficking methamphetamine, first-degree possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Both men were placed in Cullman County Detention Center. Their bonds were set at $1 million each. Mr. Marks was placed in CCDC on a $5,000 bond for unlawful possession of controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Birmingham City Councilors will get a pay raise in October, but that increase isn't show up in the proposed fiscal year 2018 operating budget for the city -- at least not yet. The Council on Tuesday approved a resolution returning the proposed budget to city administration for correction. Councilors said their pay raises need to be added and the budget balanced. Councilors want the budget balanced before a public hearing set for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14 in the Council Chambers at Birmingham City Hall. During last week's council meeting, Councilor Kim Rafferty said an estimate of councilor pay should have been placed in the 2018 budget, and that "portion was intentionally not included." She said the council also wasn't given the 2018 capital budget. "I would advise this council to consider returning the budget to the mayor's office until he can provide us with an appropriate budget we can amend and is balanced to begin with," Rafferty said. Rafferty said that the line item for councilor salaries is off by an estimated $300,000. Jarvis Patton, the mayor's chief of operations, responded: "As far we are concerned, the budget is not out of balance." He said the new salaries couldn't be included because they haven't been set yet. A bill from state Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, which was passed by the Alabama Legislature in May, blocked a 233 percent Birmingham City Council pay increase. The City Council had approved increasing councilor pay from $15,000 to $50,000 in 2015. The increase would have taken effect when the newly elected city council took office on Oct. 24, 2017. Instead, the new law enacted on May 12 sets the salary of Birmingham City Councilors to the median household income, an estimated $32,000. That amount, though, will be determined by the State Personnel Board. That hasn't happened yet, according to the office of Birmingham Mayor William Bell. Councilor pay raises will be added to the budget, but it likely won't be until October, the mayor's office told AL.com in a statement. The 2018 operating budget was submitted to the council just four days after the bill was enacted into law. "The law blocking the council's pay raise was signed on May 12," mayor's spokesperson April Odom stated in a statement on Friday. "The budget was presented on May 16th. The city has not been notified as to what the official amount of the salary will be. We know that it is tied to the median income, but we do not have the specific amount. Per the law, the State Personnel Board sets the salary. The State Personnel Board will have the new report on the median household in September and the salary will be set at that time. The city does not set the specific amount. Once the city has that information, it is a simple procedure to amend the FY18 budget." Erin and Matt Georgia thought they'd seen the worst life has to offer when they went to war as U.S. Marines. Maybe the worst was the slow, cancerous death of Erin's father, whom she helped cared for in his last days. Quite possibly, the worst was the past 1 1/2 years as they watched the oldest of their three children struggle with depression and anxiety and identity. Or so they thought, until about 5 a.m. Thursday, May 25, when they found their 13-year-old transgender son, Jay Griffin, dead from suicide in the bedroom of his Trussville home. It was a shock. They didn't see it coming. But Erin and Matt are determined to not let Jay's death define his life, or theirs. In the midst of their devastation is faith, and hope for change. "I don't know if this going to be the worst and I never look forward to the worst times in my life, but I look forward to the strength and the person I will become because of this,'' Erin said in an extensive interview with Al.com, "because I am dead set on being the absolute best person I can be in this life, and showing that God's love shines through us all." And there is also a message: "It is because of his bright spirit and personal struggles that many lives have been changed and many more questions will be pondered. Unprompted, Jay would tell them to challenge what they think they know, and to discuss all perspectives." Jay Griffin was a seventh grader at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School. He was born female in 2003 at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital, and lived most of his life as Jane Marie, taking part in the American Heritage Girls scouting organization, youth lacrosse and playing the clarinet in the middle school band. "We started sixth grade as Jane Marie and then halfway through the year we became Jay. Jay discovered that Jay was Jay,'' Erin said. "There was a transition from long hair, and he started dressing differently but there was never a big 'aha moment' for us." Erin said she's not sure there was ever an 'aha moment' for Jay either. "That was a personal thing I never bugged him about. I was concerned about loving and accepting and trying understand his perspective," she said. "We've always just loved and accepted our children for whoever they are. I'm a very outspoken, tattooed Christian, very strong in my faith. We were just encouraging Jay. I would notice things as a mother and was like, 'Hey, anything you want to talk to me about, I'm here.''' That's not to say it was easy. "Don't get me wrong, I mourned the loss of a daughter but then I realized that I'd been praying for a son my whole life,'' Erin said. "God answered that prayer, in just a different way." It was uncharted territory. For the family, their friends, the community and Hewitt-Trussville Middle School. "The story that I really want to tell is how supportive the schools have been, and have been through this whole process,'' Erin said. "We met with them, we talked with them. Dr. (Patti) Neill (superintendent) was there and we all talked about how we could help Jay. They have always been on the front lines. There's nothing more they could have done." "Jay was not ready to come out to the world in the sixth grade. Jay wasn't really ready at the end,'' she said. "It's a very personal process, but the schools have always been very attentive." Matt said some people were told about Jay's ongoing journey, and others figured it out. "I had talked to Jay about that, asked him, 'Who do you want to know?' He always told me that he would tell the people he wanted to know when it came to that,'' he said. There were tangible difficulties. For example, the school allowed Jay to use the faculty bathroom, but it was so far away from his classes that he often he couldn't, or wouldn't, go throughout the entire school day. There were more internal struggles. "He didn't feel validated or accepted in our community,'' Erin said. "You really need a safe space of allies and advocates and people that are like you. That's where they hear their true voices. There are no local community safe spaces that I know of, and we've looked. That was part of Jay's struggle." "As Jay was going through this journey, he would go to church with us. The church was welcoming, but there was no safe space and that is my biggest point,'' Erin said. "Me and Jay would go to different churches to find places that were safe for us. I say us because I often feel like an outsider because I just love everybody, and that's kind of hard in a Christian Bible Belt state." "We're so adamant about what we believe and we should be passionate about our beliefs, but it's when we start judging and excluding people because of our beliefs that we get into trouble,'' she said. "I think that is where Jay fought most of his demons." Jay battled depression and anxiety. "We were under the care of a psychologist from Day 1,'' Erin said. Jay attended group therapy, and also met with a psychologist and a psychiatrist. In February, he started taking medication. "We would have highs and lows. Who knows if that contributed? I'm not going to run that over in my head,'' Erin said. "It definitely seemed to be an imbalance problem. We were still tweaking the medication, but it takes time." Jay experienced several bullying incidents. "It's probably been the roughest since the (presidential) elections, because hate crimes have increased by 20 percent since the election and people feel more validated to be more discriminatory,'' Erin said. "It wasn't from any particular student. It would be somebody in the hall saying, 'trans.' Those were very difficult times, but the teachers were very supportive." "That's the thing about bullying, it's not always directed at one person,'' she said. "Bullies are passive-aggressive sometimes and those are the worst bullies. It's not a physical abuse, it's an emotional abuse and how do you discipline emotional abuse?" "There was bullying because there is always bullying. There's bullying with adults, but we've learned to move away from those circles because as adults, we can,'' she said. "But as children, they're put in these public places they're required to be in. The real point is we need to promote education of diversity. Not just for the children, because the children get it. We need to reach out to parents." Erin and Matt said they only knew of a couple of bullying incidents with Jay, and said they were addressed immediately. "We were in constant communication with the school and we talked to Jay a lot,'' she said. "I asked him if he felt like hurting himself. He had never tried to commit suicide." "There's a lot of things that happen in your kids' lives that you don't know about. One word here could actually be 10 words in a day that he was hearing, but there were multiple people looking out for him,'' she said. "There weren't any life-defining moments because every day was a life-defining moment with Jay. You can't pinpoint it because our lives and our development are an accumulation of events daily." The Georgias are active in the Methodist church and Erin is studying to be in the ministry. She was asked to be a "mystery worshiper,'' which is much like a mystery shopper. She was assigned to visit various churches to evaluate their inclusiveness and it was something she and Jay did together. About three weeks before Jay's death, they visited the historic First United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham and the welcome he received was a touching moment for Jay. "He hadn't stood up and sang a Christian song in probably two years. He stood up and sang, 'Come As Your Are,''' Erin said. "He was crying and said, 'Mom, that's the first time I've every felt accepted and loved in a Christian community." "I know God doesn't make any of these things happen, but God sees the pain we have to live with as humans and I feel like He prepares our hearts and our way,'' she said. "As a mother, it's very calming and peaceful to know that Jay experienced that love and that grace of how Jesus wants us to be - loving and accepting of all. There's a safe space we can create for everybody. When it comes down to it, our children just need to be loved and accepted." Jay had friends and loved everybody. "He had a closet group of closet people,'' Erin said. "He had close friends, but at the same time you can't have close friends in a non-safe space environment because everybody is competing with being socially accepted. And there's all these teenager dynamics." Jay was an advocate for the LBGTQ community. In the obituary, Erin wrote, "Between publicly educating friends and family on proper pronoun use, and privately struggling with being called by his birth name and gender, Jay continued searching for the ever-elusive balance of social acceptance and personal validation." "It was still the first year and a half. It was fresh,'' Erin said. "He wasn't to the advocacy point. He still hadn't come out to the world. We were still in the baby stages." He had many days of confidence, his mother said, and many days of pain and feeling like he was a bother. On the Tuesday before his suicide, "He had the best day ever. He went to the Cahaba Environmental Center, and he loved science. It was the best day. He got fossil rocks, and it was so exciting and we talked about it for hours,'' Erin said. It was a different story the next day. "He got home from school and it was the worst day ever,'' Erin said. "It was the end of the school year, and he had stuff to turn in. It was just stress and the worst day. He was down and he was upset." Erin and Matt spoke with Jay. They ate dinner as a family, and he snuggled with his grandmother. "We checked on him multiple times. I did not specifically ask him if he wanted to hurt himself. It was completely unexpected,'' Erin said. "He had cut before, but he always immediately came to us and told us what he did. I would just hold him and talk to him." "Jay had highs and lows and it was no different than the low points he had in the past,'' Matt said. "We always think depression and suicide is this downward spiral with an endpoint, but it's not,'' Erin said. "It's a really good day, and it's a really acute bad day. The worst they've ever felt. Or the most tired they've ever felt." On Thursday morning, Jay was found dead in his bedroom. "I have peace because I don't even ask why. If you do research on suicide, if you've had friends who have committed suicide, it's not about why,'' Erin said. "The instinct we have to self-preserve is so strong that people will kill each other to survive. But to override that natural instinct, there is an imbalance, a despair, a depression, a slew of things that go into it. There's not ever just one reason." "It's not because Jay didn't turn in his homework. It's not that Jay got bullied. It's not that Jay was transgender,'' Erin said. "It's not just one thing, so asking why for suicide is an unending question that I think we torment ourselves with. I hate to resolve death down to why." Jay's funeral was held three days ago. In lieu of flowers, his parents asked that donations be made to the Magic City Acceptance Center, "a safe, supportive and affirming space for LBGTQ youth, young adults and their allies." The Rev. R.G. Wilson-Lyons of Birmingham First United Methodist Church opened the service by acknowledging that Jay was transgender. This is what he said: "We are all grieving the loss of Jay, but I also know that in addition to the pain and grief, some of you are also confused. We recognize that many of you may have questions because Jay was born with biologically female characteristics and many of you knew Jay as Jane Marie. Jay, along with nearly 1.5 million Americans, about .6 percent of the population, was transgendered, meaning the he identified as a male even though he was born with female characteristics. We recognize that this probably raises many questions for some of you and we want to let you know that pastors of this church...as well as myself would be glad to meet with you at another time and try to answer your questions. But today is about honoring the memory of Jay and praising God who has overcome death and pain, so we will identify Jay as he identified himself as proclaim God's love and grace upon Jay in his life and now in his death." Erin and Matt said the community has rallied around their family - which includes daughters Julia, 10, and Anna, 8 - in the aftermath of Jay's suicide. "As soon as we found him and called 911, the love and support that poured out of this community is just what we needed,'' Erin said. "If there's a theme in all of this, it's community." "We're not trying to be martyrs. We're just trying to be true to Jay and to our faith and to our love of service,'' she said. "We don't have to be strong because God is strong for us and carrying us through. It's a journey for us right now, and it's going to be hard." "There isn't anger. There is grieving and loss and lament,'' she said. "We have to mourn what we lose. We're just acknowledging our pain and loss." They hope that Jay's death will make a difference, and believe that's already happening. "The thing that Jay would be absolutely elated by is the cheer squad coming and bringing us dinner,'' she said. "I know he sees right now that he's changing lives." "We don't want to stop this momentum. I'm not called in this area, but I'm here to funnel the momentum into it,'' Erin said. "We're all brought together in pain and loss. Ultimately, Jay was a child and we can all relate to being a child and not feeling accepted at some point. I don't want anybody else to feel that way. Or, if they do, I want them to have a safe place to go. We just need to educate people. That's where you're going to find hope." Asked what they wanted Jay's legacy to be, Erin said that legacy indicates an end and they don't see it that way. "Jay was active, and a force. Jay's existence is blooming in everyone else's life. It's more of a continuance." A prison inmate is in serious condition after a Thursday stabbing at Staton Correctional Facility. The assault happened about 4:30 p.m. at the lockup in Elmore. Alabama Department of Corrections officials said a fight broke out between two inmates. The wounded inmate - whose name is not being released for security reasons - was taken to an undisclosed hospital. The second inmate, 28-year-old Darrell Keith Mosely, was detained as a suspect in the stabbing. Mosely, who is serving a 20-year sentence for murder in Mobile County, faces additional charges for the stabbing. ADOC officials are investigating the circumstances that led to the altercation and the weapon used in the assault. Authorities said the incident was isolated and a temporary lockdown of the facility was lifted late Thursday. A 27-year-old woman has been identified as one of two drivers killed in a crash on U.S. 31 in Morgan County just after midnight. Tiah Nicole Loggins, 27, of Danville, was killed when the Dodge Durango she was driving collided with a Jeep near Big A Convenience Store at Bowles Bridge Road, Decatur police said in a news release. The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee hasn't yet been positively identified. The Jeep was traveling north in the southbound lanes of U.S. 31, when it collided with Loggins' southbound Durango, police said. One of the vehicles caught fire while occupants were trapped inside both cars, police said. Decatur Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene. Both Loggins and the driver of the Jeep were pronounced dead at the scene by Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn. Two passengers in Loggin's vehicle were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries. Their conditions were not immediately clear. Starting in July, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia will stop covering emergency room visits that the health insurance provider deems unnecessary. Don't expect Alabama to follow suit, however. The Georgia Blue Cross policy is an effort to keep people from using emergency rooms as their source of primary care. Instead of a costly trip to the ER, the insurance provider is encouraging customers to use urgent care clinics, retail health clinics and BC/BS' LiveHealth app or online site, all cheaper alternatives than a trip to the hospital. "This is not to discourage somebody with an emergency condition who needs to go to an ER to go there," BC/BS spokesperson Debbie Diamond told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "Health care is becoming more and more expensive. It's a way to make sure that people are getting quality and affordable care." If a person goes to an ER for something other than what a "prudent layperson" would deem as a serious danger, BC/BS in Georgia said it won't cover the cost. There are exceptions - the rule won't apply to children 13 and younger; members who don't have urgent care clinics within 15 miles; or ER visits made on Sundays or major holidays. Will Alabama follow suit? While Georgia is moving ahead with efforts to reduce unnecessary ER visits, Alabama BC/BS has no plans to implement a similar policy, according to spokesperson Koko Mackin. "Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is not ending coverage of ER visits," Mackin told AL.com "We remain committed to providing our members access to the right medical care in the right setting at the right time, whether that is in the doctor's office, an urgent care clinic or the emergency room. "We will continue to cover our members' emergency rooms visits according to their benefit plan," she added. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Americans made some 130 million visits to the ER last year, 37 million of which were for injuries and 12 million of which resulted in a hospital admission. Alabama reported 440 emergency room visits per every 1,000 residents; Georgia had 430 ER visits per 1,000 residents in 2015, the most recent data available. Recent government data showed more than 10 percent of all ER visits were non-urgent in nature. A growing number of Malaysian female cosplayers are merging their fandom with their religion in creative new ways. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia From Monday to Friday, Hafizah Rashid works as a medical laboratory technician in the Malaysian capital. But on the weekends she is a superhero. The 33-year-old is one of a growing number of Muslim women embracing the world of cosplay short for costume play where comic book, video game and film fans dress up as their favourite characters. From Malaysia to the United Kingdom, these cosplayers are adopting the subculture, merging their fandom with their religion in creative new ways. Just one step into the apartment that Hafizah shares with her two younger sisters offers a glimpse into their fantasy universe. A six-foot plastic and foam canon called the God Arc, a weapon for fighting monsters in the Japanese video game God Eater 2, is propped against the wall. Next to it are mannequin heads modelling wigs and a clothes rail packed with a collection of body armour chiselled and stitched by the sisters themselves. A cosplayer must understand the character well before portraying [it], Hafizah says. The Rashid sisters spend months studying their characters, hand-making costumes and perfecting their performances before entering cosplay competitions in Malaysia and abroad. Since emerging in Japan in the early 1980s, modern cosplay has taken root in cities across the world. Though it arrived in Muslim-majority Malaysia around 15 years ago, it was rare to find hijabi Muslim women at fan conventions, says Rohayati Paidi, an East Asian Studies lecturer at the University of Malaya. But there has been a shift in recent years as more embrace their ability to combine their religious beliefs with cosplay culture, she adds. WATCH: REWIND The Veil Malaysias first hijab cosplay event Key to their participation has been the adapting of costumes to be more modest in a subculture where women tend to be scantily clad while remaining true to the characters they wish to portray. Hafizah, a hijab wearer, explains some of the techniques she uses to meet her religious boundaries (The hijab is a headscarf worn by many Muslim women who feel it is part of their religion). I choose characters that dont reveal skin and hair. Because of that, most wear body armour, she says. She also chooses fabrics that match her skin colour to limit exposure. I choose characters that don't reveal skin and hair. Because of that, most wear body armour. by Hafizah Rashid, cosplayer Last month, Malaysia hosted its first event dedicated to hijab cosplay. Over two days superheroes, princesses and villains convened at a mall on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur where the headscarf itself took centre-stage. Brightly coloured hijabs were twisted into plaits, converted into masked capes or embellished with rabbit ears as cosplayers transformed themselves into their favourite characters. While hijabi cosplayers also join the comic conventions that attract thousands across multicultural Malaysia, organisers wanted to create a platform purely to celebrate the novel ways the hijab is being used. Event co-founder Nurul Syakirah binti Samsol, or Saakira, who also helps run the Hijab cosplay Gallery a Facebook group attracting cosplayers from around the world says she wanted to show that wearing the hijab we can still portray characters convincingly. Fans take great care to pick characters that they relate to. Nur Zainina Ruzana binti Zulkifli, better known by her cosplay name Nuzaru, says she uses the art to turn into figures who inspire her. To cheers from a crowd of several hundred cosplayers, Nuzaru competes for a top prize at the hijab convention. She lifts the hood of her homemade cape and clutches her magical necklace, dressed as Princess Kida from the Disney film Atlantis crossed with the hooded character from the video game, Assassins Creed. I love Princess Kida because shes a really, really strong and tough independent woman. She stands up for what she believes in. And shes not really afraid of anything, says the 20-year-old media student. ALSO READ: What the hijab means to me Creative twists on the hijab While many hijab-wearers integrate the headscarf into their costumes, others in the expanding subculture design wigs to conceal their hair. Hafizah is one of a growing number of Malaysian Muslim women donning the hijab in recent years and uses wigs to recreate her superheroes. Its all about showing how interesting characters are by injecting creative twists, she says. By adapting their costumes in different ways, Muslim women appear, at some level, to be navigating their religious identities. Its very performative. At the same time its a religious choice, says Juli Gittinger, a religious studies lecturer at Georgia College in the United States, who is currently researching hijab cosplay. The cosplayers are challenging stereotypes but theyre also reiterating ideas of religious norms and modesty. This isnt always a conscious decision. Last year, cosplayer Hijabi Hooligan, aka Dania Khalil from northeast England, ignited social media with her interpretation of the archetypal superhero Captain America, topped off with a hijab imprinted with the US flag. A lot of people thought I was American, putting out a statement saying that I belong here, says the 22-year-old pharmacy student. I also had quite a few saying they wanted me to move to America. The image went viral in the middle of the US election campaign during which now President Donald Trumps anti-Muslim rhetoric renewed debate about growing Islamophobia. I never meant it as a statement in any way, says Dania, who is a big fan of the Marvel Comics character and is inspiring Muslim women in countries as far as Kuwait and Egypt with her costumes. But I feel quite strongly about my identity as a hijabi woman and my right to do what I love. And if I were American, then my right to be a citizen. So I dont mind if people see it as a message. ALSO READ: Malaysias child brides Challenging negative narratives The hijab persists as a subject of controversy across the world, dividing Muslims and non-Muslims on whether it is a form of female empowerment or subjugation. In the western world, hijabi cosplayers embracing superhero personas could play a role in challenging negative narratives, Gittinger says. Theres a lot of fear and ignorance about this particular idea of head covering and what it represents [in the US]. So I think the more we see it, visible and normalised, the less people would be afraid. I think hijabi cosplay is working towards that same goal. Political symbolism aside, for most young Muslim women, cosplay simply represents a portal to express themselves with freedom and creativity. Im actually [a] really quiet and shy person. [But] going into cosplay its like you could change your character into a new person, Nuzaru says. You can be anyone and anything that you wantYou can be super for a day. Who doesnt want that? At least 37 people dead, including suspected attacker, following siege of a hotel and casino complex in Manila. At least 37 people have now been confirmed dead following an armed and arson attack, just minutes after midnight on Friday, on a resort and casino complex in the Philippine capital, Manila. Government officials blamed the incident on an emotionally disturbed individual, who tried to carry out a robbery, by shooting at TV screens and setting on fire properties inside Resorts World Manila casino, suffocating many of the victims. Initial reports said that a fighter of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, known as ISIS) was responsible for the attack, a claim that was later dismissed by authorities as plain and simple propaganda. Here is what we know: The suspect Police said the suspect was a heavily indebted Filipino who was hooked on gambling. Police chief Oscar Albayalde said on Sunday the family confirmed the mans identity as Jesse Javier Carlos, a former employee of the Finance Department. Albayalde said the mans family said he was US$80,000 in debt due to being hooked in casino gambling. Albayalde said the familys account corroborated the belief that this is not an act of terrorism. The masked man stormed into the Resorts World casino and hotel complex in Manila on Friday with an M4 automatic rifle and a bottle of petrol, before setting alight a number of different rooms in the complex. Thirty-six people died in the fires, dozens more were injured in a stampede to escape, and the gunman was found dead about five hours later in a hotel room after committing suicide, police said. He also said that the remains of the suspect were badly burned, making him unrecognisable. Another statement from Albayalde said the suspect shot himself in the head, before setting himself on fire inside one of the rooms of the hotel adjacent to the gambling area. A separate statement from the hotel management said security personnel from the resort shot and wounded the attacker. Severe blood loss from the gunshot wound significantly slowed the assailant down, and resulted to his holing up in a room where he took his own life, the statement said. The victims According to reports citing authorities, at least 37 bodies were found at the casino complex, including that of the suspect. At least 78 others were injured. Police said the victims suffocated from thick smoke after the suspect burned tables inside the gambling area of the complex. An initial report of fatalities released by the resort management only listed 35 fatalities, excluding the suspect. The list included 13 employees and 22 guests. A South Korean foreign ministry official said one of its nationals died during the attack. Gil Yongco, 54, was quoted as saying that his daughter was trapped at the complex during the attack, and called him for help. An employee of the hotel named Hazel Yongco was later identified as one of the fatalities. Jessica Alindogan, another employee, was also confirmed dead. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, she left behind her husband, Michael, and their young daughter, Micah. In her Facebook page, one commenter said, Thanks for the friendship. We love you. Young moms, fathers, beloved bosses among those who died in the Resorts World Manila attack https://t.co/BQKRTLItbB Anthony Q. Esguerra (@anthesguerra) June 2, 2017 Elizabeth Gonzales, wife of a member of the Philippine Congress, was also listed as one of those who died. Authorities have not established a link between the incident in Manila and the continued fighting in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Before the incident early on Friday, police in the Philippines were already on high alert following the siege in the city of Marawi, which was blamed on armed groups that have pledged allegiance to ISIL. According to the latest reports, at least 178 people have been killed in the almost two-week fighting. Foreign fighters, including nationals from Malaysia and Indonesia, were among the fatalities in the clashes, according to reports. Due to the fighting in Marawi, Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine president, has declared a martial law across the entire island of Mindanao. He hinted that he could expand the order to the entire country if violence spreads. On Friday, Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine defence minister, told Rappler news website that ISIL fighters are now in the country. As the Southwest Monsoon arrives, temperatures in India and Pakistan approach dangerous levels and keeping cool is the order of the day. This year, Ramadan falls during this period and healthy Muslims are required to fast during daylight hours. Working hours are shortened, but even so this is a significant challenge with temperatures in the 40s celsius. Meanwhile, the warmth of early summer is being enjoyed in northern Europe. Here the idea is to sunbathe, or swim. However, pulses of warmth have pushed temperatures into the high 30s in Germany and Poland, to give just two examples. Generally speaking, hot weather in Europe is a little too humid to be comfortable and at that point, keeping cool comes to the fore, especially in city centres. Morocco has been in the news lately with a story that echoes another notorious case: that of a North African street vendor who had his wares confiscated by local authorities and subsequently died protesting that action. In Tunisia in 2011, the vendors name was Mohamed Bouazizi, and his death sparked the Arab Spring. In Morocco last year, the vendors name was Mouhcine Fikri, and his gruesome death in a trash compactor set off a wave of protests across the countrys Rif region, fuelled by wide-ranging discontent over official abuses and corruption. From these protests, a movement known as al-Hirak al-Shaabi (the Popular Movement) has emerged, led by Nasser Zefzafi. Where this will lead remains unclear. Morocco remained mostly stable through the Arab Spring upheaval, spearheaded in the kingdom by the February 20 movement, which was comprised of young, internet-savvy activists who mobilised the public but ultimately failed to translate their passions into the kind of political manoeuvring that could catapult them into government. King Mohammed VI was sensitive to the mood on the street and took a proactive role, offering constitutional reforms and elections. But the chilling examples of countries such as Syria and Libya, where uprisings spiralled into intractable wars, served to dampen public enthusiasm for massive change. Today, Moroccan authorities have accused Zefzafi and his supporters of undermining the security of the state, arresting him and dozens more. Where is the Rif region? The Rif region refers to the Rif Mountains on Moroccos Mediterranean coast. Most of the terrain in this region is mountainous, with only a few narrow valleys that are habitable or usable for agriculture. The inhabitants are mostly Berber and have long felt cut off from the support and resources of the central government in Rabat. Why are Rif residents unhappy? The Rif region has long been underdeveloped and underrepresented in the government in Rabat. In 1958, the late King Hassan II ordered thousands of troops to the region to quell a civil disobedience movement that had called for social and political rights. Many left the Rif for Europe in search of a better life, returning to their ancestral towns only to build homes that they lived in during vacations or after retirement. This, along with the diversion of much of the regions arable land for cannabis planting, has decimated the local economy and environment. What set off the current protests? The protests began after a young fish vendor in al-Hoceima had his wares confiscated by local authorities because he was selling swordfish out of season. Fikri was determined to get his livelihood back, so he crawled into the back of a trash compactor truck where police had thrown the fish. Somehow the compactor came on, and Fikri was crushed to death in the truck; videos of the incident quickly began circulating on social media, prompting public outrage. Although the central government rejected the behaviour of local authorities in the case, its focus shifted to the security of the state after protests failed to die down. What is Zefzafis role in the ongoing unrest? An unemployed man of 39, Zefzafi emerged as a de facto leader of the protests that followed Fikris death. He has broadcast his fiery speeches via internet videos, speaking in the Tarifit language of the Rif and denouncing the corruption and dictatorship of the central government. Dozens of protesters, including Zefzafi, have been arrested by Moroccan authorities; the government estimates that 40 people have been jailed, while local human rights groups put the number closer to 70. British columnist Katie Hopkins sparked outrage last month when in the aftermath of the Manchester terrorist attack she tweeted: 22 dead number rising. Schofield. Dont you even dare. Do not be part of the problem. We need a final solution #Machester [sic] Hopkins use of the words final solution the Nazi term for the Holocaust was interpreted to mean that she was advocating the killing of Muslims. Complaints were made to the police who are reviewing the matter and, as a result of the public outcry, Hopkins was fired from her job as a presenter at LBC radio, although she remains a columnist for the Daily Mail. The question on many peoples minds is: has Hopkins committed a crime of incitement to hatred or violence against Muslims? It is tempting to conclude that the answer is a resounding yes after all, what could be worse than composing a tweet invoking a Nazi euphemism for genocide to suggest Muslims should be killed, and, moreover, posting it to her 700,000 followers in the wake of an Islamist terrorist attack when emotions would be running high? But the matter is, in fact, not straightforward, for in English law there is a high threshold for the criminalisation of speech, and in order for Hopkins to be found guilty of inciting religious hatred, which seems the crime that best fits the facts of the case, various points would need to be proven. For a start, her words need to be threatening and not merely inflammatory. Although the phrase she used appears to include a call to action that could be interpreted as threatening, the tweet, when read in its entirety, is less obviously a threat. OPINION: Provocateur vs racist: The bigotry double standard Furthermore, Hopkins needs to have intended to stir up hatred towards Muslims, which she denies. In a Fox News interview when asked about the tweet, she claims she did not mean to imply that violence should be perpetrated against Muslims. Moreover, shortly after the tweet attracted a negative reaction, she deleted it and replaced it with one containing the term true solution. Although these actions might simply represent Hopkins efforts to limit the damage to her reputation, after the negative reaction to the tweet they nonetheless make it difficult to prove to the criminal standard (beyond reasonable doubt) that she intended to stir up religious hatred or to incite violence. Cumulative effect of Hopkins rhetoric Islamophobia is so endemic within the British media and society at large that when Hopkins expresses Islamophobic views, they are not recognised for what they are, but, instead, are treated as legitimate, if inflammatory, expressions of political opinion. by But, ultimately, the question of whether there is definitive evidence to suggest Hopkins has committed a crime is not the real issue, for any decision about charging her will come down to prosecutorial judgment and policy. Thus, a prosecutor wanting to signal that Hopkins anti-Muslim rhetoric is unacceptable, could probably build a credible hate speech case against her based on a collection of her articles and tweets, rather than on her final solution tweet alone. Indeed, Hopkins writings reveal a pattern of abusive and inflammatory language conveying a message of hatred and fear about Muslims, which, it could be argued, amounts cumulatively to a form of religiously aggravated hate speech. For instance, she stokes up fear against Muslims when she describes Muslim demonstrators as the vanguard of an army that can hide in plain sight amongst us in one of her articles . At other times she is plainly abusive, such as in a recent tweet where she, in effect, called Muslims nasty sods. Moreover, the headlines to her articles repeatedly paint a picture of a society overrun by migrant Muslim terrorists that is likely to incite hostility towards Muslims. One headline, for instance, directed at Angela Merkel reads: You can ban the burka, Frau Merkel. But what are you going to do about banning the migrant boats YOU encouraged to come and which are destroying your country? and another demands: How many MORE atrocities before our leadersadmit that, thanks to their immigration policies, being mowed downis simply the new normal? In fact, there is precedent for prosecuting anti-Muslim propaganda of a type that is, arguably, not substantively different to Hopkins rhetoric, at least in terms of its underlying message: namely, in 2002 a member of the far-right British National Party (BNP) was convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence for displaying a poster in his window of a photograph of the Twin Towers in flames, and the words Islam out of Britain Protect the British People. Hopkins Mainstream platform So, will the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) take a similar approach and charge Hopkins with a hate crime? The answer is likely to be no because the reality is that Hopkins is not like the BNP member that displayed the anti-Islamic poster, or most persons prosecuted for hate speech an extremist on the margins of society; she is, to the contrary, a mainstream figure employed by a major media organisation. This fact means that any attempt to charge her with a crime will be met with fierce opposition from the media (some of which might be liable for prosecution alongside her) and by protests that her prosecution is in violation of free speech. OPINION: Milo and the hypocrisy behind free speech claims The question we should really be asking is, therefore, not whether Hopkins has committed a hate crime, but why she is able to enjoy a mainstream public platform and a guise of respectability as a political commentator, which allows her to engage in anti-Muslim ranting with impunity. The answer is that, sadly, Islamophobia is so endemic within the British media and society at large as has been well documented by organisations such as the independent think tank, the Runnymede Trust, and the Islamic Human Rights Commission that when Hopkins expresses Islamophobic views, they are not recognised for what they are, but, instead, are treated as legitimate, if inflammatory, expressions of political opinion. Notwithstanding, it is clear that many members of the public do see Hopkins rhetoric for what it is, and believe she went too far with her final solution tweet. While it is unlikely the CPS will reflect this sentiment by prosecuting Hopkins for hate speech, in the court of public opinion she is already condemned. Salma Karmi-Ayyoub is a barrister and legal consultant for the Palestinian human rights organisation Al Haq. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. A monitoring group says more than 40 million IDPs are waiting for the world to take notice of their plight. More than 31 million people were internally displaced due to conflict and disasters in 2016, but the issue has been overshadowed by the focus on refugees and migrants, according to a report by a monitoring group. The Global Report on Internal Displacement by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) found that on average, one person was forced to flee every second in 2016, a trend it called a horrific new level of displacement. Disasters displaced three times more people than conflicts, with most of the 24 million people affected by sudden-onset weather hazards such as floods, storms, wildfires and severe winter conditions. In total, 31.1 million new cases of internal displacements were reported in 125 countries last year. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with 922,000 new displacements in 2016, topped the list of countries where this displacement was driven by conflict while 7,434,000 people in China were forced to flee their homes due to natural disasters. The UN refugee agency UNHCR put the number of refugees in 2015 at 21.3 million with 53 percent of those coming from Somalia, Afghanistan and Syria. But despite the increasing numbers of the internally displaced people (IDPs), their plight was being overshadowed and becoming difficult to place on the international agenda, according to the IDMC. Absolutely, thats one of our main regrets [IDP issue being overlooked], Alexandra Bilak, IDMC director, told Al Jazeera. Internal displacement is a politically sensitive issue. Refugees and migrants are driven by the fact that they arrive in Europe and put themselves on the radar screens of international and western policymakers. It is a visible phenomenon. More aid was spent last year on refugee resettlement than in the countries where the crises began, said the IDMC. The IDPs are behind the sovereignty of a countrys border and are far less visible. People tend not to think about them as readily as refugees and migrants. Numbers to rise The total number of IDPs has doubled since 2000 and stands at 40.3 million as of December 2016. The numbers are likely to rise further if conditions stay the same as last year, said Bilak. Looking at the conflicts around the world as well as climate change issues, we dont expect the numbers to go down anytime soon in either case [conflict or natural disasters]. The only way the numbers can decrease is if there is more investment on working on the underlying drivers that force people to flee poverty reduction, peace building and climate change. The report also highlighted the intensity of the humanitarian crisis in Congo and how there is a need for more development spending to be allocated to reducing existing vulnerabilities and future risk and for mitigating the longer-term impacts of internal displacement. Almost five million people were killed in Congo between 1994 and 2003 as a result of ethnic violence. Almost 19,000 UN troops are currently protecting Congolese people from violence in Congo amid calls by the United States to reduce that number despite increasing attacks and instability. That DRC figure really took us all a bit by surprise. Over the last four to five years, it was usually the Middle East that was consistently high on the list and DRC had fallen off the agenda, said Bilak. Its unrealistic to expect the international community to solve a problem as huge as the DRC alone. Its a protracted crisis. There is very little humanitarian assistance on the ground in some parts. The Syrian refugee crisis remains one of the largest humanitarian crises since the end of World War II. The number of refugees who have fled the country now exceeds five million, including more than 2.4 million children, and millions more have been displaced internally, according to the UN. At least 23,544 civilians were displaced between May 18 and 22, 2016, added the UN. People say displacement is a domestic issue and should be resolved at a domestic level. Many see it as an encroachment at national sovereignty. Internal displacement requires its own set of principles and the approach is very different from the refugee and migrant issue. Additionally, many refugees returning to their home country fear the risk of being internally displaced once they return. Large-scale returns were mirrored by a considerable increase in the number of IDPs in 46 percent of cases between 2000 and 2016, according to the World Bank. The IDMC presented the case of around 600,000 Afghans returning from Pakistan. UNHCR estimates that around half of them were unable to return to their place of origin. Destructive floods and landslides in northern China killed at least 154 people and accounted for the majority of those displaced. Typhoons, floods and landslides were the major causes of displacement in Philippines (5.9 million), India (2.4 million) and Indonesia (1.2 million) last year. Jan Egeland, the head of the NRC, said the shocking figures show the need to focus as much on people displaced inside their countries than on refugees who flee across borders. Internally displaced people now outnumber refugees by two to one. It is urgent to put internal displacement back on the global agenda, said Egeland. A number of the IDPs, in search of improved conditions then cross over into a different country, said the IDMC. As a result, todays IDPs could become tomorrows refugees. We know theres an overlap but there is not enough data to be able to put a number to that phenomenon. We have the number of IDPs in a country but the minute they cross a border, not all of them appear on UNHCR registers. Many fall between the cracks. We know its happening. In Syria, In sub-Saharan Africa. It happens across the board. High court to rule on ban barring entry to people from Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. The United States administration has asked the Supreme Court to revive its controversial ban on travellers from six Muslim-majority countries, despite repeated setbacks in the lower courts that found it was discriminatory. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 6, barring people from Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days while the government put in place stricter visa screening. Last week, the federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, maintained a block on the ban, stating that Trumps travel policy was rooted in intolerance. A similar ruling against Trumps policy from a Hawaii-based federal judge is still in place and will be reviewed by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trumps executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism, Sarah Isgur Flores, spokeswoman for the Department of Justice, said. The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States. OPINION: Trumps Muslim ban is a dangerous distraction The American Civil Liberties Union, one of the legal groups challenging the ban, tweeted in response: Weve beat this hateful ban and are ready to do it again. We've beat this hateful ban and are ready to do it again, @realDonaldTrump. #NoMuslimBanEVER ACLU (@ACLU) June 2, 2017 The National Immigration Law Center also said it was ready to keep fighting the unconstitutional ban. Many others took to Twitter to express similar views: The White House continues to be the beacon of Supremacy. We won in the airports, streets, courts& will win again @ #SCOTUS. #NoMuslimBanEver Murad Awawdeh (@HeyItsMurad) June 2, 2017 https://twitter.com/blondeintehran/status/870493049612247042 At least five votes are needed on the nine-justice court in order to grant a stay. The court has a five-four conservative majority, with Justice Anthony Kennedy a conservative who sometimes sides with the courts four liberals the frequent swing vote. Another of the courts conservatives, Neil Gorsuch, was appointed by Trump this year. If the governments request is granted, the ban would go into effect, but Peter Matthews, professor of political science at Cypress College, predicted that the Supreme Court would not allow Trumps discriminatory order to be reinstated. The Supreme Court ruling will be the final say on this idea of equal protection under the law and non-discrimination based on religion, he told Al Jazeera from Los Angeles. Its a very important basic principle of America, and I think even the conservative justices, at least one or two of them will side with the argument that liberty is so important that you cannot ban a group of people just because of their faith in a blanket way its absolutely unconstitutional, in my view. OPINION: The Muslim ban and the ethnic cleansing of America Trump issued a first travel ban order on January 27, just a week after taking office. It led to chaos and protests at airports before it was blocked by courts. The second order was intended to overcome the legal issues posed by the original ban, but it was blocked by judges before it could go into effect on March 16. During the campaign, Trump called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. His administration has argued that the travel ban is needed to prevent terrorism in the US, but the ACLU and several other groups, as well as law experts, scholars and activists, say that Trumps statements on the campaign trail and statements from his advisers since he took office make clear that the intent of the policy is to ban Muslims. During his campaign, Trump promised a ban on Muslims entering the country. This is discrimination on the basis of religion, which is unconstitutional, Danielle McLaughlin, a constitutional law scholar, told Al Jazeera in March. Leaders, scientists and tech giants condemn Trumps decision to pull the US out of the landmark Paris climate accord. President Donald Trumps decision to pull the United States out of the landmark Paris climate change agreement has drawn strong criticism both at home and abroad, with world and local leaders pledging their support for the accord regardless of Washingtons withdrawal. Trump announced on Thursday that he would abandon the agreement, saying it was his solemn duty to protect America and its citizens. He said the US would withdraw from the Paris climate accord, but begin negotiations to re-enter the Paris accord or a new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States. According to the rules of the 2016 Paris deal, stepping out of its provisions will be a lengthy process that could take up to four years. The US will join only Nicaragua and Syria as the countries to have not signed onto the agreement Nicaragua declined to sign the deal in the first place, saying it was too weak. No plan B Trumps announcement drew quick criticism from world leaders who called it disappointing and regrettable. The leaders of Germany, France and Italy issued a joint statement, saying the Paris Agreement remains a cornerstone in the cooperation between the three countries. They also dismissed Trumps claim that the agreement could be renegotiated. We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies, their statement added. French President Emmanuel Macron also said in a televised statement that there is no plan B on climate because there is no planet B. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, said it was a dramatic mistake for President Trump to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement. Neighbouring leaders also expressed dismay at the decision. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it deeply disappointing, while Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto reaffirmed his countrys support and commitment to the Paris agreement. WATCH: Can people power change the anti-science agenda? Russia said it will stay committed to backing the deal, state news reported. We made the decision to join, and I dont think we will [change] it, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said on Friday. The Elders, an independent global leaders group chaired by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, condemned the US for quitting the deal. The US reneging on its commitment to the Paris Agreement renders it a rogue state on the international stage, Mary Robinson, Elder and former UN special envoy on climate change, said in a statement. Sunita Narain, an environmentalist with the India-based Centre for Science and Environment, told Al Jazeera that Trumps decision was a disaster for the world. Lets be very clear, without the US serious about reducing its emissions, there is nothing the world can do to actually keep itself below the two degree safety guardrail, she said, referring to the level that is considered a crucial tipping point and above which scientists warn there will be grave consequences on food production and major climate events. In a statement, Japans foreign ministry called the decision regrettable, adding that climate change requires a concerted effort by the whole of the international community. Paula Bennett, New Zealand climate change minister, told local media that she strongly disagreed with the US. Its disappointing that [Trump] has made that call and I personally believe that so much of what he said is wrong, Bennett said. NASA astronaut Scott Kelly said withdrawing from the agreement will be devastating to our planet. Withdrawing from the #ParisAgreement will be devastating to our planet. Paris and Pittsburgh share the same environment after all. pic.twitter.com/QNO5vHtmEF Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) June 1, 2017 Rejects future In a rare statement, released just before Trumps official announcement, former President Barack Obama said the US had joined a small handful of nations that reject the future. Obama added that he is confident that states, cities and businesses will stop up and do even more to lead the way. Mayors from more than 75 US cities, including Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago, seemed to support Obamas views by pledging to uphold the goals of the Paris climate agreement despite Trumps announcement. In a statement, the Climate Mayors, said they will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees climate target, and work together to create a 21st-century clean energy economy. READ MORE: Global critics denounce Trumps climate pact withdrawal They also added that if the president wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, well build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks. Many of the so-called climate mayors, including those from Pittsburgh, New York City and Long Beach, tweeted their disappointment: As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future. https://t.co/3znXGTcd8C bill peduto (@billpeduto) June 1, 2017 City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement. pic.twitter.com/BV0IIZYPpA Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 2, 2017 The blue countries are all members of the #ParisAgreement the U.S., Syria, and Nicaragua are not. What a national embarrassment pic.twitter.com/JBSb34q1ws Robert Garcia (@RobertGarciaLB) June 2, 2017 Reckless decision Also reacting with deep disappointment to Trumps announcement, governors from New York, California and Washington announced the formation of a coalition to fight global warming. The White Houses reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change. READ MORE: China vows to commit to Paris deal, whatever Trump does The three states represent more than 20 percent of the US gross national product and at least 10 percent of greenhouse gas emission in the country, the governors said. If the president is going to be AWOL in this profoundly important human endeavour, then California and other states will step up, California Governor Jerry Brown also added. The alliance said it will work closely with other states to help fill the void left by the federal government. World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/Ubw7WSPgu0 Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 2, 2017 I am resigning The presidents announcement also angered many in the tech industry who had previously expressed their strong support for the Paris agreement. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, said he was making good on his promise to resign from his role on White House advisory councils. In a tweet, Musk wrote: Am departing presidential councils. Climate Change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. READ MORE: Leaders tell Trump climate change not a fairy tale Disneys CEO Robert Iger also announced that we would quit Trumps advisory team as a matter of principle. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg called Trumps decision bad for the environment, bad for the economy and said it puts our childrens future at risk. Other tech giant leaders, including Apples Tim Cook, Googles Sundar Pichai and Twitters Jack Dorsey, tweeted their disappointment and pledged their companies support for fighting climate change. Decision to withdraw from the #ParisAgreeement was wrong for our planet. Apple is committed to fight climate change and we will never waver. Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 2, 2017 Disappointed with todays decision. Google will keep working hard for a cleaner, more prosperous future for all. Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) June 1, 2017 This is an incredibly shortsighted move backwards by the federal government. We're all on this planet together and we need to work together. https://t.co/tLEdtG0n1o jack (@jack) June 1, 2017 A number of US Republicans, many of whom are known climate change deniers, praised Trumps decision. Oklahoma Republican Senator James Inhofe, who has in the past, like Trump, called climate change a hoax said the administration is prioritising the bottom line of hard-working Americans over the agendas of environmental extremists. UNICEF says disease spreading fast, with number of suspected cases expected to reach 130,000 within the next two weeks. An estimated 70,000 cases of cholera have been reported by UNICEF in Yemen, with nearly 600 people dying over the past month, as the disease continues to spread at an alarming rate. The UN agency, which provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries, said on Friday that the already dire situation for children in Yemen was quickly turning into a disaster. Cholera doesnt need a permit to cross a checkpoint or a border, nor does it differentiate between areas of political control, said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF regional director, following his visit to the country, according to a statement on the agencys website. He gave warning that the number of suspected cases is expected to reach 130,000 within the next two weeks in the Arabian Peninsula country. UNICEF said at least 10,000 cholera cases were reported in the past 72 hours alone. Cappelaere described harrowing scenes of children who were barely alive tiny babies weighing less than 2kg, fighting for their lives at one of the few functioning hospitals he visited. But they are the lucky ones. Countless children around Yemen die every day in silence from causes that can easily be prevented or treated like cholera, diarrhoea or malnutrition, he said. Cappelaere said health workers are racing against time to prevent cholera from killing more children, despite not receiving their salaries in almost nine months. Yemen has been torn apart by conflict since 2014, when Houthi fighters, allied with troops loyal to former leader Ali Abdullah Saleh, captured much of the country, including the capital, Sanaa. Continuing tragedy A coalition assembled by Saudi Arabia launched an air campaign against the fighters in March 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognised government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power. Since then, the conflict has killed more than 10,000 people, forced millions from their homes and pushed the country to the brink of famine, according to the United Nations. UN officials say that without a pause in the conflict and without more financial resources, cholera will continue to spread across the country. READ MORE: Millions of Yemenis face hunger during Ramadan The UN has said that the unprecedented cholera outbreak in Yemen threatens the lives of 1.1 million malnourished pregnant women, who need immediate care and reproductive health services. Almost a quarter of the Yemeni population needs urgent food assistance right now, according to the World Food Programme. With millions of people on the brink of famine, those who are malnourished and have weak immune systems are at acute risk of succumbing to cholera. Only a few medical facilities are still functioning and two-thirds of the population are without access to safe drinking water, the UN has said. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that is transmitted through contaminated drinking water. It can be fatal within hours if left untreated. Worst-hit areas A cholera epidemic late last year petered out, but outbreaks are becoming more frequent. Sanaa has been worst hit, followed by the surrounding province of Amanat al-Semah, WHO data has shown. Cases have also been reported in other major cities including Hodeidah, Taiz and Aden. About 17 million of Yemens 26 million people lack sufficient food and at least three million malnourished children are in grave peril, according to the UN. Al Jazeera Media Network has won a spate of top honours at the Drum Online Media Awards, including best website of the year and for breaking news coverage of the failed coup detat in Turkey. The networks digital division was honoured in London on Thursday night and captured six top prizes in total, which also included: the chairmans award; best Twitter feed; best photographer for Showkat Shafi from Kashmir; and best brand development for Syhacked, the gamification of investigative journalism. The website also won several honourable mentions. Al Jazeeras social video team was identified for its work, producer Patrick Stricklands Overlooked America series was highlighted, and Indias Menstruation Man also received recognition. Broken Homes, a project that looked at the Israeli policy of demolishing Palestinians homes in occupied East Jerusalem, received a commendation for technical innovation. https://twitter.com/OM_Awards/status/870422374897913861 Other organisations nominated for awards included CNN, Britains Channel 4 and The Independent. Its an honour for all of us at Al Jazeera to be considered the best website of the year by our peers in the digital media industry, said aljazeera.coms Online Manager Imad Musa. Our aim is to provide the best information we can across all platforms, every day, so that we can all understand our world a bit better. We have the best journalists in the world, and we have heart, and thats whats important. In its seventh year, the Drum Online Media Awards identify the cleverest, boldest and most original purveyors of news and views from around the world, according to its website. The industry has its obvious big hitters in CNN, the BBC and The Huffington Post, to name a few. With great resource and imagination, you would consider them unbeatable, yet it can be some of the smaller news sites that can break the biggest news, it said. In 2016, Al Jazeera English Online won four awards that included best website of the year and best use of photography, while Yasir Khan was named online editor of the year, and Alaa Batayneh won the award for most effective media toolkit. It also won two commendations, one for outstanding digital team of the year, and one for best commentary/blogging for Barry Malones Why Al Jazeera will not say Mediterranean migrants piece. Health workers, neither qualified nor trained, blamed for using same syringe without sterilising it for the campaign. At least 15 children have died in rural South Sudan in a botched measles vaccination campaign that saw people as young as 12 years old administering vaccinations, reports say. South Sudans health ministry on Friday blamed the deaths on human error. Health workers vaccinating the children against measles used the same syringe without sterilising it, and failed to store the vaccine properly, according to the reports. Riek Gai Kok, South Sudans health minister, said the deaths occurred in Nacholdokopele village in Eastern Equatoria state, where about 300 children aged up to five years old were vaccinated from May 2 to May 5. The team that vaccinated the children in this tragic event were neither qualified nor trained for the immunisation campaign, said Kok. An investigation supported by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF found that the deaths were caused by severe toxicity resulting from the administration of a contaminated vaccine. The untrained vaccination team used a single reconstitution syringe for multiple vaccine phials throughout the entire four-day campaign, and kept vaccines in a building without adequate cold storage facilities. Thirty-two other children suffered symptoms of fever, vomiting and diarrhoea but eventually recovered, according to the statement. The local vaccination teams had been trained by development partners, including the WHO. The vaccines were supplied by UNICEF, the UN agency which provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. We have to look into why the training was not passed on to the teams on the ground, Tarik Jasarevic, WHO spokesperson, said in Geneva. The vaccination campaign has continued across the country in an effort to reach two million children, despite the deadly incident. Fridays UN statement said the risk of measles in the country remains extremely high. In 2016, South Sudan had at least 2,294 measles cases and 28 people died, according to UN data. So far this year, at least one person has died and 665 people have been infected. Measles is yet another challenge facing the East African country that has already been devastated by more than three years of civil war, a recently declared famine, and a deadly cholera outbreak. An emotional homecoming for Nadia Murad, a Yazidi survivor captured by ISIL and sold as a slave in northern Iraq. Nadia Murad made an emotional return to the Yazidi village in northern Iraq where she was captured and sold as a slave by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) three years ago. She broke down in tears on Thursday as she approached the school where the fighters rounded up the population of Kojo and separated the men from the women, part of a series of crimes the United Nations described as a genocide against the Yazidi minority. I have been waiting for this day for nearly three years, Murad said on the rooftop of the school, where she had studied for 11 years. On her return, Murad went to see her house and emerged clutching some clothing left there since 2014. A Yazidi fighter said it belonged to Murads mother, who was killed during the purge because she was considered too old to be taken as a slave. READ MORE: Dozens of Yazidi slaves rescued by Iraqi troops Several hundred men were gunned down on the edge of the village. Among them were six of Murads brothers and stepbrothers. We hoped our fate would be to be killed like the men instead of being sold and raped by Syrians, Iraqis Tunisians and Europeans, Murad said after composing herself, speaking from the roof of the school. The Yazidis are a religious community of about 400,000, whose beliefs combine elements of several ancient Middle Eastern religions. ISIL considers them devil worshippers. She said the ISIL commander who oversaw what happened at the school was an Arab from the area. He demanded we change our religion but nobody agreed. We heard the sound of shots. At first we believed people had come to help us, but when we looked out of the windows we saw them killing the men. We cried to the UN, Europe, Kurdistan and Iraq but nobody came to help us, Murad said. Today the village is surrounded by mass graves. Murad, now 24, was taken in the summer of 2014 to Mosul, ISILs de facto capital in Iraq. She escaped in November 2014. She told her story to the UN Security Council in 2015 and since then she has become an advocate for the Yazidis and for refugee and womens rights in general. She and another Yazidi woman, Lamiya Aji Bashar, received the European Parliaments Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought. WATCH: ISIL slept in our home Kojo is one of the villages recaptured over the past few days by Popular Mobilisation, an Iraqi Shia paramilitary force trained by Iran. One of Murads brothers is now fighting with the paramilitaries who retook the area. The two were reunited in the village. US-backed Kurdish forces dislodged ISIL from other Yazidi villages in the Sinjar region in 2015. Mosul is about to fall to a US-backed Iraqi offensive. International human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who represents Murad and other Yazidi victims, is lobbying the Iraqi government and the international community to allow a United Nations investigation into ISILs crimes. More than 3,000 women are believed still held captive by ISIL, according to the communitys leaders. All we want, Murad said in Kojo, is people to save 3,000 women in the Daesh prisons and to document our graves Until now, not a single mass grave has been documented. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has appointed a senior counterterrorism officer with a strong background in the Middle East to lead the US administrations handling of Iran, signalling a new hardline approach to Tehran, sources tell Al Jazeera. Known as the Dark Prince, Ayatollah Mike, and the Undertaker within the halls of the CIA, Michael DAndrea ran the CIAs Counterterrorism Center between 2006 and 2015. He also oversaw its covert programmes to hunt and kill terrorist suspects around the world with drones, particularly in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. One former CIA official, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorised to talk to the press, said the appointment of DAndrea is the first signal that the Trump administration is mapping out an aggressive strategy to deal with Iran. OPINION: Nuclear deal promises a bright future for Iranians Former CIA case officer Robert Baer, who said he knows DAndrea by reputation, was more blunt. All I can say is that war with Iran is in the cards [after DAndreas appointment], Baer said. According to former CIA officials, the agency has never officially confirmed DAndreas identity, despite his naming in a New York Times story in 2015. The former CIA officer, who has worked with DAndrea, told Al Jazeera his appointment shows the Trump administration is going to be very aggressive with Iran. DAndrea is a convert to Islam and is married to a Muslim woman whom he met during his work in the Middle East. He is reportedly in his late 50s or early 60s and has worked undercover in Iraq, Egypt, and other countries, officials said. DAndrea joined the CIA in 1979 and was deployed to Africa immediately after he left its training facility in Virginia known as the Farm. He was the most senior CIA officer in Baghdad during the Iraq War in 2003. In 2006, he was called back to CIA headquarters to lead the Counterterrorism Center, succeeding its outgoing chief Robert Grenier. He is known within the CIA as abrasive and a workaholic, sources said. Jordanian intelligence officials described DAndrea as highly professional but ruthless. A CIA spokesman declined to comment on this report. During his visit to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump and his Saudi hosts pledged to forge ahead with a strategic partnership against armed groups in the region. Trump also signalled a hardline policy towards Iran. Saudi Arabia views Iran as the biggest threat to its national security and regional stability. During Trumps visit, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described Tehrans influence in the Middle East as malign, adding Iran posed threats on all sides of Saudi Arabias borders. The US and Saudi Arabia announced last may the signing of a memorandum of understanding establishing a Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), which will be headquartered in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The centre will target threats coming from organisations such as al-Qaeda, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), and Hezbollah, which is linked to Iran and other armed groups. READ MORE: Trump passes up chance to rip up Iran nuclear deal DAndrea was in charge of the Counterterrorism Center in 2009 when a Jordanian double-agent doctor, Humam al-Balawi, blew himself up at a CIA base in Khost, Afghanistan killing seven CIA officers and a Jordanian intelligence official who was his handler. Balawi was recruited by Jordanian intelligence, the Mukhabarat, and was presented to the CIA as having direct connections to al-Qaedas top leadership. DAndrea who spent decades hunting down Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders believed he finally was able to plant a high-level source inside al-Qaedas inner circle, sources told Al Jazeera, but that proved deadly wrong. Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @ali_reports Activists decry move to relocate hundreds of people outside Greek capital, as evacuation operation gets under way. Greek riot police have begun evacuating hundreds of refugees from a makeshift shelter set up inside the abandoned buildings of Athens old airport. A heavy police presence blocked off all access to the Elliniko airport site in the early hours of Friday, denying entry to journalists, as men, women and children collected their belongings and began boarding buses to camps elsewhere in Greece. Police had previously said up to 500 people, mainly families, would go to a camp outside the town of Thebes, about 70km northwest of Athens. The remainder of mainly single people, estimated at more than 150, would be taken to Athens aliens department for identity verification, before being moved to facilities outside of the capital. Elliniko #refugeesGR camp eviction started w/ GR riot police entering the premises to remove people. Journalists not allowed as per usual https://t.co/jfzwtUWUHt Marianna Karakoulaki (@Faloulah) June 2, 2017 Activists gathered outside the old airport to protest against the police operation, and decried the transfer of single people to the department on Petrou Ralli Street as nothing else than a deportation procedure. Police went in violently and occupied the spaces in order to move the refugees to areas they do not want, Petros Konstantinou said, a left-wing Athens city councillor and coordinator for United Movement Against Racism and the Fascist Threat, told Al Jazeera from outside Elliniko. Police arrested the camps leaders, including Masoud Qahar, under the pretence of identity verification, he added. Qahar, a former logistical officer with NATO who fled Afghanistan after he says he received death threats from the Taliban, has helped organise protests for better living conditions in Greeces refugee camps. A spokesman for Greek police told Al Jazeera that he could not comment on the issue as the operation was still under way. READ MORE: From NATO to Antifa One Afghans journey to Greece Human rights groups criticised conditions at Elliniko, which had been home to around 2,000 mostly Afghans, as deplorable and unfit for humans. Hundreds slept crammed in tents in the old arrivals terminal last summer in scorching temperatures with little food. Over the past 10 days, Ellinikos residents were asked to willingly relocate to official camps, mostly outside Athens. Non-governmental organisations operating at the camp also left the site. Greek officials reportedly said that 90 percent of refugees at Elliniko said they would relocate voluntarily, while the rest objected to being transferred. But Konstantinou said that about 150 people staying at the arrivals terminal were against their transfer outside the capital. We spoke to them on Thursday night, and all of them said they did not want to move outside Athens. They want to be relocated to apartments in the city and better access to food services, he said. Activists close to refugees told Al Jazeera that the refusal of many long-term residents of Elliniko stemmed from the uncertainty over the conditions they would face at the new camps. The move could also limit much-needed access to legal and psychological support, they said. This is a serious and complex issue, as most of these people are very vulnerable and in need of specific help from lawyers and counselling to psychologists and medicines, a Greek volunteer worker, who is in daily contact with refugees, said. READ MORE: Syrian man dies in Greece after suffering extensive burns Others, mostly Afghans not eligible for a European relocation programme to other member states, feared that moving farther from Athens would make it harder to leave Greece. The refugees have the right to live in humane conditions and not be transferred to another ghetto camp like the one in Thebes or elsewhere, Maria Bikaki, of the SYPROME solidarity group, told Al Jazeera. These are remote, isolated camps and completely unsuitable for vulnerable people and families there is even a newborn child among those who are transferred, she added. According to SYPROME, the fenced camp outside Thebes is located next to a power plant and 12km from the nearest hospital, with only one coach service running throughout the day. Refugees there will live in containers both during summer and winter that can host up to eight people. > If #refugeesgr deside to stay out of camps, they don't get the cash card. Also if they leave a camp, they cannot easily get back in. NoBorders (@Refugees_Gr) June 2, 2017 The refugees were first taken to Elliniko in November 2015 when police began transferring large numbers from the Greece-Macedonia border. The government had long promised to empty the site, which it has agreed to lease to private investors under its bailout programme, but struggled to convince the refugees to move to other camps in the mainland. More than 62,000 migrants and refugees heading to northern Europe have been stranded in Greece since countries in the Balkans shut their borders to those seeking passage in March last year. Konstantinou, the Athens councillor, accused the Greek government and European authorities of toughening their stance against refugees and succumbing to pressure from an emerging far-right sentiment across Europe. Police say victims died from suffocation and smoke inhalation after attacker raided resort and then killed himself. More than 30 people have died after a gunman burst into a casino in Manila, capital of the Philippines, firing shots and setting gaming tables alight, according to officials. The attack took place shortly after midnight (16:00 GMT) at the Resorts World Manila complex, police said on Friday, adding that all the victims died from suffocation and smoke inhalation. Thirty-six deaths, this is due to suffocation, Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde told CNN Philippines. Police had previously said that at least 25 people died in what they described as a botched robbery attempt. The unidentified gunman self-immolated after firing at armed officers and causing havoc in the casino, according to police. He laid down on the bed, covered himself in a thick blanket and apparently doused himself in gasoline, Ronald dela Rosa, national police chief, told reporters, adding that a sub-machine gun and a small calibre gun were captured with the attacker. READ MORE: Resorts World Manila complex on lockdown after attack The gunman stole gambling chips, shot TV screens and set gambling tables ablaze after pouring gasoline on them, dela Rosa said. Claims on social media said the attack was executed by lone wolf soldiers of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group, but police noted the man did not shoot anyone he encountered. He would have shot all the people gambling there if it had been terrorism, dela Rosa added. It was not clear how the gunman smuggled gasoline and an assault rifle into the crowded casino. Ernesto Abella, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte, echoed the police statements at a press conference later. All indications point to a criminal act by an apparently emotionally disturbed individual, Abella said. Although the perpetrator gave warning shots, there apparently was no indication that he wanted to do harm or shoot anyone. Police: Attacker probably a foreigner Albayalde, the Manila police chief, said the attacker was likely to be a foreigner. He looks Caucasian, he talks English, hes big and hes white, so hes probably a foreigner, Albayalde said. Its either he lost in the casino and wanted to recoup his losses or he went totally nuts. The entertainment complex where the incident happened is close to Ninoy Aquino International Airport and an air force base. The Philippines has been on heightened alert amid a crisis in the south of the country, where troops have been battling ISIL-linked rebels since May 23 in Marawi City, some 800km south of Manila. President Duterte declared martial law on the southern island of Mindanao last week and warned it could become a haven for supporters fleeing Iraq and Syria. Dela Rosa, the national police chief, said there was no credible terror threat in Manila so far. Trumps withdrawal from the Paris accord brings the two industrial powers closer, but they remain divided on trade. China and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitments to fight global warming but failed to agree on a formal climate statement due to divisions over trade. Fridays development came a day after President Donald Trump announced a US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. Speaking alongside Li Keqiang, Chinas premier, the EUs Donald Tusk said efforts to reduce pollution and combat rising sea levels would now continue without the United States. But the differences over trade and steel production underscored the differences in a sometimes difficult EU-China relationship. We are convinced that yesterdays decision by the United States to leave the Paris agreement is a big mistake, Tusk, who chairs EU summits as the head of the European Council, told a news conference with Li and Jean-Claude Juncker, the EUs chief executive. The fight against climate change, and all the research, innovation and technological progress it will bring, will continue, with or without the US. In their meeting, the three leaders committed to cutting back on fossil fuels, developing more green technology and helping raise funds to help poorer countries cut their emissions, but a dispute about trade ties scuppered plans for a formal joint statement. Despite what officials described as a warm meeting, China and the EU could not agree on a broader final communique meant to focus on a range of other issues discussed at the talks, including a commitment to free trade and measures needed to reduce a global steel glut. The leaders news conference was delayed for three hours as they sought to find agreement. READ MORE: World reacts to Trumps Paris climate accord withdrawal According to one person present at the summit, Chinas insistence on a reference that the EU will eventually recognise China as an economy driven by the market, not the state, blocked the final 60-point statement. That also meant there could be no agreement on a formal pledge to work together to reduce global steel production. Chinas annual steel output is almost double the EUs total production and Western governments say Chinese steel exports have caused a global steel crisis. That theme was an undercurrent of the daylong meeting. Before the formal EU-China summit got under way, Juncker referred at a business conference with Li to a World Bank report placing China 78th out of 190 countries in terms of the ease of doing business. A big economic powerhouse needs to be higher than mid-table, he said, adding that a planned EU-Chinese investment treaty needed to be completed to ensure reciprocal relations. France, Germany and Italy have mooted the idea of allowing the EU to block Chinese investment in Europe, partly because European companies are denied similar access in China and because of risks of China acquiring prized European technology. Trade balance In reply, Li said China was working hard to promote a trade balance, with Chinese tourism to Europe now far greater than EU tourism in China. Foreign investment opportunities, he said, were far different from when China first opened up. I do hope you can put things into context. We find the problems, but we are working on them Our ranking is getting better, he said. Trumps announcement on Thursday that he would take the US out of the Paris accord, saying the agreement would undermine the US economy and cost jobs, has drawn anger and condemnation from world leaders and heads of industry. China overtook the US as the worlds biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in 2007. From world leaders to billionaire businessmen and scientists, consensus is US has made a huge mistake on climate. Reaction to President Donald Trumps announcement that the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate agreement came fast and furious, with nations and individuals denouncing the move as dangerously shortsighted. While ecological and human catastrophe from climate change was highlighted by critics, many also pointed out the economic fallout for the US as the world shifts to a clean-energy economy. They also noted in geopolitical terms that the United States traditional role as a global leader has been seriously diminished by Trumps decision on Thursday. Former president Barack Obama, who ratified the 2015 Paris Accord alongside nearly 200 other countries, said the move by the Trump administration goes against the low-carbon future that is already fully under way, and the United States will ultimately lose over the move. The Paris agreement opened the floodgates for businesses, scientists, and engineers to unleash high-tech, low-carbon investment and innovation on an unprecedented scale. The nations that remain in the Paris agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created, Obama said in a statement. WATCH: The politics of climate change in the United States It is now up to governments of US states and cities to lead the way and help protect for future generations the one planet weve got, Obama added. The European Unions top climate change official said Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris accord makes it a sad day for the global community. Miguel Arias Canete, the EUs climate action commissioner, said in a statement the bloc deeply regrets the unilateral decision by the Trump administration. He said the 2015 agreement will endure and he pledged the world can continue to count on Europe for global leadership. Canete also predicted the EU would seek new alliances from the worlds largest economies to the most vulnerable island states, as well as US businesses and individuals supportive of the accord. We are on the right side of history, Canete said. China, the worlds biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, vowed to continue combating global warming. We realise that this is a global consensus agreement and that as a big developing nation we should shoulder our international responsibility, Premier Li Keqiang said. The United States decision to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate agreement was a major disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres remains confident that cities, states and businesses within the United States along with other countries will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for 21st-century prosperity, Dujarric said. IN PICTURES: Climate change Meanwhile, Germany, France and Italy issued a joint statement rejecting Trumps demand that the Paris climate agreement be renegotiated. We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies, and economies, the leaders of the three countries said. French President Emmanuel Macron, who made a televised address in French and English, said Trump had committed an error for the interests of his country, his people, and a mistake for the future of our planet. I tell you firmly tonight: We will not renegotiate a less ambitious accord. There is no way, said Macron. Neil Hirst, from Imperial College London, told Al Jazeera Trumps decision marks the decline of American leadership on the world stage. Now were seeing the withdrawal of American leadership. Donald Trump is basically tearing up the whole basis of the climate convention and saying, No, I want to take a narrow and misguided I would say nationalistic view on what were going to do,' Hirst said. China may be poised to fill the leadership breach. Beijing is already making rapid progress towards its Paris goal of stopping emissions growth by 2030. It has overtaken the US in transitioning to renewable energy, generating one-fifth of its electricity from renewable sources. The US only sources about 13 percent of its electricity from renewables. Trump also lost the support of a top billionaire business leader over his decision. Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, among other companies, wrote on Twitter he is departing presidential councils, something he had vowed to do if Trump took this step. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world, Musk said. General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt, another member of Trumps business councils, wrote on Twitter he was disappointed with Trumps decision on Paris. Industry must now lead and not depend on government, Immelt wrote on Twitter. Former secretary of state John Kerry said Trumps decision was a self-destructive step that puts America last. Kerry who signed the agreement at the UN in 2016 with his granddaughter seated on his lap called it an unprecedented forfeiture of American leadership, which will cost us influence, cost us jobs, and invite other countries to walk away from solving humanitys most existential crisis. OPINION: A final warning on climate change Kerry described the move as an ignorant, cynical appeal to an anti-science, special-interest faction far outside the mainstream. That is no basis for a decision that will affect billions of lives, he said in a statement. Among the scientific community, Britains prestigious Royal Society said Trumps move would hamper US innovation in cleaner technology. The future is in newer, cleaner and renewable technologies, not in fossil fuels, its President, Venki Ramakrishnan, said. Such technologies will also help in our fight against air pollution and ensure greater energy security globally. President Trump is not putting America first, he is tethering it to the past. Simultaneous attacks on UN-backed government come just hours after suspected Egyptian jets target areas south of Sirte. Libyan forces loyal to renegade General Khalifa Haftar and ISIL fighters have launched simultaneous attacks against forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), just hours after unidentified fighter jets raided GNA-held areas. The Bunyan al-Marsous Forces, who support the Tripoli-based GNA, said they were simultaneously attacked on Friday by both Haftar forces and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, known as ISIS) group in the central district of Jufra, south of Sirte. The GNA, formed in 2015, has struggled to exert its authority in Tripoli and beyond, or rein in armed groups, including ISIL, that have held power on the ground since the countrys 2011 uprising. Haftar, a retired army general, is the self-proclaimed commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA). Fresh fighting has erupted between forces loyal to renegade commander Khalifa Haftar and forces loyal to the UN-backed GNA, helped by the Benghazi Defence Brigades in the area of al-Jufra in the central desert of Libya, Al Jazeeras Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from Tripoli, said. Jufra is about 400km to the south of Sirte. He said fighter jets, believed to be Egyptian, attacked 14 locations in Jufra overnight on Thursday, including several residential areas and the Jufra airbase used by the UN-backed GNA forces. While there were no reports of casualties, our correspondent said the air raids had caused heavy material losses to GNA military points and installations. The Bunyan Marsous Forces that were targeted by Egypt last night were the same forces that defeated ISIL in Sirte last year, he said. Egyptian jets carried out raids on ISIL camps in the Libyan port city of Derna, where men responsible for a deadly attack on Christians in Egypt were believed to have trained. READ MORE: Egypt launches strikes in Libya after Minya attack Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced at the time that he had directed attacks against what he called terrorist camps, declaring in a televised address that states that sponsored terrorism would be punished. Egypt will never hesitate to strike terror camps anywhere if it plans attacking Egypt whether inside or outside the country, Sisi said. The Egyptian government said at least 29 Coptic Christians were killed and dozens more wounded by armed men who attacked them while they were travelling to a monastery in Egypts Minya province. In the last two years, Egypts air force has carried out several attacks on Derna, notably in February 2015 and March 2016, which killed women and children. US team said to be in Doha at official request after diplomatic tension with Gulf neighbours blamed on security breach. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is believed to be helping Qatar investigate the source of a cyberattack that has led to diplomatic tension among Arab Gulf countries. An FBI team has been in Doha for the past week after the Qatari government asked the United States for help following a security breach by hackers last month who posted fake remarks on its official media platform, Qatar News Agency (QNA). A source told AFP news agency on Friday that: American support was requested and a team sent which has been in Doha since last Friday, working with Qatars interior ministry. Two other unnamed countries are also helping with the investigation. The results of the probe could be released as early as next week. Qatar launched the inquiry after accusing hackers of publishing false remarks attributed to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on QNA platforms. Despite vigorous denials by Qatar, which said it had been the victim of a shameful cybercrime, Saudi Arabia and the UAE ran the remarks. READ MORE: Cyberattack against Qatar puts fake news in focus The fake report said Sheikh Tamim, in a speech at a military graduation ceremony, was critical of renewed tensions with Iran, expressed the need for contextualising Hezbollah and Hamas as resistance movements, and suggested that US President Donald Trump might not last long in power. Government Communications Office Statement Regarding Hacking of #Qatar News Agency: pic.twitter.com/gRH56n9vEm (@QatarEmb_London) May 24, 2017 Reuters news agency quoted a Qatari government spokesman as saying that while Sheikh Tamim had attended a graduation ceremony for Qataris doing national service, he however did not make any speech or give any statements. Authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE have since blocked the websites of Al Jazeera and Al Jazeera English. The Doha-based Al Jazeera Media Network has maintained that it is an independent news service giving a voice to everyone in the region. Israeli authorities will meet next week to approve new units in illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank. Israel is expected to approve nearly 2,500 new settlement housing units across the occupied West Bank next week after the projects were tabled at a planning council meeting on Friday. Israeli NGO Peace Now said on Friday that Israels Civil Administration the military body governing the occupied West Bank was scheduled to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss 27 separate plans for settlement housing units across the West Bank. According to local media reports, about 1,500 of the housing units set to be approved are in major settlement blocs including Maaleh Adumim and Ariel, which Israel wants and expects to annex in any potential peace deal. One of the items on the agenda will allegedly pave the way for the construction of 102 housing units in Amichai, the first new settlement to be officially created by the government in 25 years. The rest lie outside the blocs and deep within the West Bank, including the Beit El settlement, northeast of Ramallah, and the Susiya settlement in the South Hebron Hills. The deal comes on the heels of US President Donald Trumps visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The Palestinians and the majority of the international community view settlements as unlawful and a major obstacle to a two-state solution, as they are built on land that the Palestinians want for a future state. When Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, visited Trump in Washington, DC in February, the US president publicly urged Netanyahu to hold back on settlement building in order to improve the prospects for the possibility of US-brokered peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. June marks 50 years since Israel conquered and occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the June 1967 war. The Israeli victory was followed by the spread of Jewish settlements throughout the occupied territories. Although Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005, currently more than half a million Jewish settlers reside across the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Moving towards annexation According to a new report published by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), both the length and characteristics of Israels 50-year occupation of Palestinian territory show that it has no serious plans to relinquish the territory and is moving towards annexation instead. Authored by Valentina Azarova, a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Global Public Law, Koc University in Turkeys Istanbul, the report addresses the failure of using the framework of international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL) to assess Israeli policies in the occupied territories. Attempts by third states and international actors to enforce IHL and IHRL have failed to bring about Israels compliance because this partial legal framework neither adequately captures the legal consequences of continued occupation with the aim of acquiring the territory, nor generates appropriate remedial action for such a situation, the report said. Hugh Lovatt, Israel-Palestine Project coordinator at ECFR, told Al Jazeera that the use of IHL and IHRL does not fully take into account Israeli policy in the occupied territory, including moves to annex areas. In a situation in which the intent of Israels continued control over the OPT is one of the territorial acquisition, which is revealed through the use of an integrated legal framework, then third-party actors such as the EU and its members states are under an obligation to act collectively to bring to an end Israels occupation. This requires a new approach to peacemaking in Israel/Palestine, he said, using OPT to refer to the occupied Palestinian territories. The EU should articulate a new foreign policy that more effectively harnesses the conflict resolution aspects offered by international law, namely the law on the use of force [jus ad bellum] in order to more effectively disincentivise Israels unlawful acquisition of Palestinian territory and institutional violation of Palestinian rights. This means placing greater emphasis on bringing about Israels withdrawal, rather than conditioning this on political compromise between the two sides. Policy of differentiation The ECFR report also called on the European Union, other third party states, and international actors to recognise Israels prolonged occupation of Palestinian territory as unlawful, and to review their dealings both with Israel and Israeli entities in accordance with their obligations under international law. In its bilateral relations with Israel, the EU has in recent years adopted a policy of differentiation in an attempt to exclude settlement-linked entities. At a minimum, the EU must continue to advance its measures to differentiate between Israel and its settlements, in order to ensure the full and effective non-recognition of Israels unlawful practices in the OPT, including its settlement activity, Lovatt told Al Jazeera. Of particular focus should be dealings by EU corporations in relation to settlement entities and activities. More than 120 people in Iraqi city killed in past week of heavy fighting, some allegedly in coalition air attacks. The US-led coalition in Iraq is investigating allegations that air attacks have killed civilians in the battle for western Mosul that has intensified over the past week. Al Jazeeras sources say more than 120 civilians have been killed as Iraqi forces backed by coalition air power move to take the remaining vestiges of the city that are held by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group. About 200,000 people remain trapped by the heavy fighting. The coalition is aware of allegations of civilian casualties, said a statement from the press office of Operation Inherent Resolve that was emailed to Al Jazeera. The coalition and the Iraqi security forces are making every attempt to safeguard civilians as they liberate the city from ISIS terrorists who are using snipers to target civilians trying to flee the city The coalition takes all allegations of civilian casualties seriously and will assess these allegations. The statement added the results of the assessment will be published in a monthly civilian casualty report. READ MORE: Iraqi troops push for last ISIL holdouts in Mosul The battle to recapture the last stronghold of ISIL in Iraq has now entered its eighth month. Iraqi government forces, backed by US advisers, artillery and air support, have cleared east and most of western Mosul and are now focused on controlling the Old City. Iraqi civilians have paid a heavy price as fighting rages on. We moved out and got frightened by heavy air attacks, one civilian who escaped the fighting in western Mosul told Al Jazeera. We fled after our house was destroyed by mortar shelling. The close-quarter fighting has intensified with reports that ISIL fighters have gathered at the historic al-Nuri Mosque a centuries-old structure famous for its leaning minaret to make a last stand as Iraqi forces encircle the armed group in its de facto capital since it captured the city in 2014. As we entered Zinjili neighbourhood, we inflicted heavy losses on ISIL. We have destroyed many car bombs and houses rigged with explosives while evacuating many civilians to safety, Brigadier-General Mahdi Abbas told Al Jazeera. Nearly 200,000 civilians are caught in an area of about eight square kilometres. Al Jazeeras Osama bin Javaid, reporting from Erbil just east of Mosul, said observers are urging the Iraqi military and US-led coalition to take care of civilians, despite the intensity of combat against ISIL. Saving people is proving to be easier said than done, Javaid said. Aid workers and rights groups have been repeating their concerns that in the process to push ISIL out, Iraqi forces must make sure that civilians are not caught in the crossfire. Presidents pledge follows criticism from within government that move to create constituent assembly was not democratic. Nicolas Maduro, president of Venezuela, has pledged to hold a referendum on a new constitution he is proposing in response to two months of violent anti-government protests. The move on Thursday came after the plan to create a super-body known as a constituent assembly to rewrite the national charter was criticised not just by opponents, but also some within government, as anti-democratic. Luisa Ortega, the chief state prosecutor, had said creating the assembly without a plebiscite, as happened in 1999 when Maduros predecessor Hugo Chavez rewrote the constitution, threatened to eliminate democracy in Venezuela. READ MORE: Why I support Nicolas Maduro Ortega, the highest-ranking public official to openly defy Maduro in the crisis, has been a traditional ally of the leadership of the ruling Socialist Party, but her criticism of Maduro over the past two months of violent unrest has raised the prospect of divisions in the government camp. Maduro says the constituent assembly is needed to bring peace to Venezuela, but opponents view it as a cynical tactic to buy time and create a biased body that could perpetuate his partys rule. I shall propose it explicitly: the new constitution will go to a consultative referendum so it is the people who say whether they are in agreement or not with the new, strengthened constitution, Maduro said on state TV on Thursday. There was no immediate reaction from Venezuelas opposition, which now has majority support following a drop in popularity of the Socialist Party amid a deepening economic crisis. Maduros rivals are likely to try to turn any referendum into a vote on the president himself. They have been calling to move forward the next presidential election, scheduled for late 2018. READ MORE: Why I oppose Nicolas Maduro The government has said elections for the new assembly will be held in late July, though opposition leaders have said the process is skewed to ensure a pro-Maduro majority. There was no word on when the plebiscite would be held. Judge killed amid political unrest Earlier, authorities announced that gunmen had killed a judge involved in the sentencing of Venezuelas best-known jailed opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, in the latest fatality during weeks of unrest that has left at least 61 people dead. The judge, 37-year-old Nelson Moncada, was shot and stripped of his belongings as he tried to get away from a street barricade on Wednesday night in Caracas El Paraiso district, the scene of regular clashes, the prosecutors office said. READ MORE: New Venezuela clashes after man set ablaze The government said Moncada was one of the judges who ratified Lopezs 14-year jail sentence and suggested that might have motivated his killing. We cannot exclude the possibility this was done by hitmen hired by right-wing terrorists to keep creating and spreading terror, Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said, referring to Venezuelas opposition. Victims from two months of unrest have included supporters on both sides, bystanders and members of the security forces. This week has seen widespread violence around the Venezuelan capital, with security forces repeatedly breaking up marches by opposition supporters towards government offices downtown, and skirmishes continuing into the night. Protesters frequently block roads with rubbish and burning tires, sometimes asking passers-by for contributions towards a self-styled Resistance movement against Maduro. The opposition is demanding elections to remove Maduro from power. They blame him for an economic crisis that has caused shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies. Maduro accuses protesters of seeking a violent coup and says he is the victim of a US-backed capitalist conspiracy. After Trumps decision to pull the US out of the landmark Paris climate accord, we respond to the most asked questions. In December 2015, after years of negotiations, 195 countries made a new commitment to work together to address global climate change. This landmark agreement, signed in Frances capital, Paris, and seen as a turning point for global climate policy, came into force on November 4, 2016. As of June 2017, 195 UNFCCC (The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) members had signed the agreement, and 148 have ratified it. However, on Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the accord and suggested he would seek a new deal, without offering any details. So we are getting out, but we will start to negotiate and see if we can make a deal thats fair, he said. The withdrawal also includes the cancellation of all US contributions to the Green Climate Fund, which Trump said was costing the US a vast fortune. Trumps decision drew strong criticism both at home and abroad, with world leaders, leading scientists and activists calling the move disappointing and regrettable. What is the Paris climate agreement? It is an agreement within the UNFCCC dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020. The aim is to limit global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2100. This level is considered a crucial tipping point, above which there will be serious consequences for global food production and more frequent and dangerous climate events, such as flooding and drought. To achieve this, global greenhouse gas emissions will need to be cut by an estimated 40-70 percent by 2050, and by 2100 the planet must be carbon-neutral. Under the Paris accord, each country must submit its own plan to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and address the impact of climate change. The agreement as a whole is not legally binding and does not penalise nations who fail to meet their commitments. But it does impose an obligation on countries to implement their plans and includes a review process designed to pressure them into compliance and to increase the scope of their efforts every five years. WATCH: One minute on climate change Is the Paris climate agreement bad? Two of Trumps primary arguments against the accord is that it is disadvantageous to the US and that it gives exclusive benefits of other countries. The US president said he could not in good conscience support a deal that punishes the US and that poses no punishment for the worlds great polluters. The US is the worlds second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and when the agreement was signed in 2015, it was seen as major leap for mankind. World leaders, leading economists, scientists, and activists at the time admitted the deal was not perfect, while some criticised it for not going far enough. Yet many called it a turning point for the worlds fight against climate change. Then-US President Barack Obama said the agreement represented the best chance we have to save the one planet that weve got. READ MORE: World reacts to Trumps Paris climate accord withdrawal Following Trumps decision to withdraw from the accord, the leaders of Germany, France and Italy said the agreement was not renegotiable. Many of the largest cities in the US pledged their support for the pact, regardless of Trumps decision. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Washingtons move deeply disappointing, while Japans foreign ministry said the decision was regrettable. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said Trumps move is a mistake with dramatic consequences. What countries are not in the Paris climate agreement? The US would join Nicaragua and Syria as the only countries to have not signed on to the agreement. Nicaragua declined to sign the deal in the first place, arguing that it was too weak. How can the US withdraw from the accord? The White House said it would stick to the UN rules for withdrawing from the agreement. Under the provisions of the accord, the US cannot formally withdraw until 2020 because countries can only officially leave after three years of the agreement coming into effect and must give a one-year notice prior to withdrawing. READ MORE: The Paris climate agreement and why it matters This means that the US can only submit its paperwork for withdrawal in November 2019. The formal withdrawal would not take effect until November 2020, after the next US presidential election. Because the accord is non-binding, however, Trump could choose to simply ignore the accords terms. A quicker option for the US president would be to withdraw from the 1992 UNFCCC, which has nearly universal membership. That process would take about a year to complete. What impact will Trumps decision have on the agreement? It remains to be seen what direct impact Trumps decision will have on the accord itself. Environmentalists and others have long worried a US withdrawal could create a domino effect, with other high carbon-producing countries following Washingtons lead. Many of those countries, however, have reaffirmed their commitment to the deal. Just prior to Trumps announcement, China, the worlds biggest greenhouse emitter, said it would keep up its end of the accord, even if the US pulls out of the agreement. Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said it was in our interest to work step by step towards sustainable development and environmental protection together with the international community. One of the major tenets of the Paris agreement was to create a fair environment for all countries in their efforts to combat climate change. Many have argued that developing countries should not have to bear the same financial burden as more developed countries, which are among the worlds top polluters. To address this, the Green Climate Fund was created to aid and encourage developing countries to invest in cleaner energy. A number of countries have pledged $10.3bn to fund, including the US. The Obama administration pledged $3bn, of which only about $1bn has been delivered. Trump said that he will end the US contributions to the fund, prompting some to worry about the direct impact such a cut might have on developing countries such as India. Countries like India will obviously have to do a lot more by carrying the financial and technological burden, Sunita Narain, an environmentalist with the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, told Al Jazeera. READ MORE: The day I became an environmental activist Others worry about the impact of the decision on US greenhouse gas emissions. The Obama-administration had pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emission 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 26 to 28 percent by 2025. While recent analyses suggest the US may still be on track to meet its 2020 goal, scientists and consultancy groups have said the withdrawal from the agreement, along with other steps taken by Trump to roll back Obama-era climate regulations, will likely produce a negative prolonged effect. The Associated Press consulted with more than two dozen climate scientists and analysed a special computer model scenario designed to calculate potential effects. Scientists said the US pullout of the agreement would worsen an already bad problem and make it far more difficult to prevent crossing a dangerous global temperature threshold. Is climate change real? There is wide consensus within the scientific community that climate change is fueled by man-made greenhouse gas emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said: scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal. The temperature of Earths air and the quantity of heat trapped in its oceans continue to increase, with 2016 declared the hottest year on record. OPINION: The case for collaborating on climate change Climate change could lead to political instability, increased societal tensions and could place new burdens on economies and governments, a report by the American Association for the Advancement of Scientists (AAAS) found. Large numbers of people will likely be displaced due to famine and drought. A NASA-funded study said that global industrial civilisation is headed for a collapse in the coming decades, blaming unsustainable resource use and increasing wealth inequality. Police fire into the air as stone-throwing protesters demand better security in wake of huge blast that killed dozens. A rally in Afghanistans capital, Kabul, has turned deadly after security forces fired into the air to disperse protesters calling for the governments resignation in the wake of a massive bombing earlier this week. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied on Friday near the site of Wednesdays blast, which killed more than 90 people and wounded 460, accusing President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the chief executive, of failing to protect them. Police in riot gear fired warning shots and used water cannons and tear gas to block the protesters, many of whom were throwing stones, from gaining access to the road leading to the presidential palace. Waheed Majrooh, spokesman for the health ministry, told the AFP news agency that four people were killed and eight wounded in the clashes. A member of parliament put the number of dead at eight. Mohammad Anwar, a shopkeeper, said four members of his family were killed in the bombing and he wanted a change of leadership. We are calling on President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to resign, he told AP. Amir Arya, a protester, said a number of his friends were wounded by police as they tried to block the protesters from advancing. Some of them were beaten by police with sticks and some others detained, he said. This act of police and government proves that peaceful demonstration would not be useful any more. Others called for reform of the political system, the resignation of security officials and the execution of jailed fighters of armed groups. Wednesdays attack in Kabuls diplomatic quarter was the worst to hit the city in recent years. Most of the casualties were civilians, including women and children, but the dead also included Afghan security guards. Kabuls acting mayor said the explosion damaged property as far as 4km away from the blast site and that scores of people were waiting in hospitals to learn the status of wounded family and friends. Afghan intelligence officials blamed the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network and Pakistan for Wednesdays truck bombing in Kabuls diplomatic quarter. Pakistani officials rejected the accusations and Taliban officials said they had no hand in the blast. Ghani is expected to approve the execution of 11 Taliban and Haqqani prisoners, a government source told the AFP news agency, in apparent retaliation for the assault. Before the attack, at least 715 civilians had been killed in the first three months of the year after nearly 3,500 in 2016, the deadliest year on record for Afghan civilians. Hospital official says Palestinian, 15, died from her wounds after being shot following an alleged stabbing attempt. A Palestinian teenage girl who was shot by Israeli forces on Thursday after an alleged stabbing attack outside a Jewish-only settlement in the occupied West Bank has died, a hospital official said on Friday. A spokesperson for the Hadera-based Hillel Yaffe medical centre, where 15-year-old Nouf Iqab Abd el-Jabber Enfeat was being treated, told Al Jazeera that the teen was critically injured when she came in and she died from her wounds this morning. The incident took place at the entrance of the Meto Dovan settlement in the northern occupied West Bank. A soldier was lightly injured, an Israeli army spokesperson told Al Jazeera by phone. READ MORE: Israeli settler shoots dead Palestinian protester Defence for Children International Palestine (DCIP), a human rights group, told Al Jazeera it had opened an investigation into Enfeats case, adding that at least nine Palestinian children, including Enfeat, have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in 2017. Earlier this week, Israeli forces opened fire and injured 16-year-old Khaled Ghamri during a protest on the border of southern Israel and the blockaded Gaza Strip, according to Arabic-language news outlets. Ghamri, who was struck in the stomach, is currently hospitalised and in critical condition, according to DCIP. A day before US President Donald Trump met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli forces shot dead 15-year-old Raed Ahmad Rdaydeh during an alleged stabbing attempt at a checkpoint near Bethlehem. IN PICTURES: Walking a path of resistance in Palestine DCIP said 2016 was the deadliest year in a decade for Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank. The organisation documented the killing of at least 32 Palestinian children by Israeli forces and settlement guards. Israel says that at least 24 of those took place during attacks or attempted attacks, but DCIP says its investigations cast doubt on those claims. More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements, which are considered illegal under international law, in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Stone-throwing protesters clash with police in Imzouren as calls for the release of a Popular Movement leader grow. Thousands of people have taken the streets across Moroccos northern Rif region for an eighth night demanding the release of a prominent protest movement leader. Nasser Zefzafi, the head of the grassroots Al-Hirak al-Shaabi, or Popular Movement, was taken into custody on Monday and transferred to Casablanca. Thousands rallied in the port city of al-Hoceima on Friday for a eighth straight night where a strike has seen nearly all of the shops in the city centre shuttered. Protests also gripped the town of Imzouren, where scores of protesters clashed with policemen after Friday prayers. The whole Rif believes in freedom and humanity and in social justice, said Cilia Ziani, one of the two women who inherited the leadership of the Hirak movement after Zefzafi was jailed. If you imprison our leaders, we will resist until our demands are granted, she added. Al-Hoceima, a city of 56,000 inhabitants, is in the neglected Rif region, and has long had a tense relationship with Moroccos central authorities. The people are convinced that a solution to this injustice, to the suppression, is needed, Nawal Benissa, a member of Hirak, told Al Jazeera. The Rif is bleeding. While some anger in the Al Hoceima protests has been directed at Makhzen the royal governing establishment, the demonstrations in northern Morocco, as in pro-democracies rallies in 2011, have not been directed at King Mohammed VI. The doors to dialogue remain open with civil society, government spokesman Mustafa el-Khalfi was quoted as saying by the official MAP news agency. Celeste Hicks, a freelance journalist reporting from Casablanca, told Al Jazeera that the protests stemmed from the death of Mouhcine Fikri, a 31-year-old who was crushed in a rubbish truck in October as he protested against the seizure of swordfish caught out of season. The protests have been going on in various shapes and sizes for a seven months now, but its not really clear whats going to happen next, she said. The government has tried to send a delegation to meet the leaders of the movement but they have not been able to meet any. Grass-roots movement Calls for justice for Fikri evolved into a grassroots movement demanding jobs and economic development, with Zefzafi, himself unemployed, emerging as the leader of Hirak. Zefzafi was detained along with others on Monday for attacking internal security, after a warrant for his arrest issued last Friday. READ MORE: What is fuelling unrest in the Rif? After going on the run for three days, he was taken into custody on Monday along with other individuals. Out of around 40 people who were reported arrested last week, including core members of Hirak, 25 have been referred to the prosecution. Their trial began on Tuesday but was pushed back to June 6 at the request of their lawyers, who have complained their clients were ill-treated during their detention. Seven suspects were released on bail and another seven were freed without charge. Double suicide attack kills civilians displaced by Boko Haram fighting in northern Cameroon, officials say. At least nine refugees and two suicide bombers have been killed and dozens wounded in a double bombing at a refugee camp housing civilians in northern Cameroon. Governor Midjiyawa Bakari of the Far North region said on Friday that two girls detonated their explosives at the displacement camp in Kolofata. He said several dozen others were wounded, including 15 who were taken to the hospital in Mora. READ MORE: Motorcycle suicide bomber hits market in Cameroon Bakari blamed the bombings on Boko Haram, the Nigerian armed group that has carried out attacks and kidnappings in Cameroon as it has widened its armed campaign to the area around Lake Chad. Cross-border attacks Northern Cameroon has suffered from the overflow of violence linked to Boko Haram in recent years, which launches frequent cross-border raids. Nigerian refugees have flooded across the border and local residents have been forced to flee their homes. Villages and towns in the area have regularly been targeted by suicide bombers. A similar attack in Kolofata killed nine people in September 2015. Thousands of troops have been deployed to the area in a bid to stem the violence. The June 1967 Arab-Israeli war lasted only six days but its consequences are still felt across the Middle East today. On June 5, 1967, just three weeks after it marked the 19th anniversary of its founding, the state of Israel went to war with the armies of neighbouring Egypt, Syria and Jordan. What would come to be known to Israelis as the Six-Day War and to Arabs as the June War, saw the defeat of three of the mightiest armies in the region, in a total victory for Israel. The Six-Day War, which was considered an enormous military achievement in military history, wasn't even a real war. It was just a chase with live fire against an escaping enemy. by Uri Milstein, Israeli military historian The outcome of the war altered the map of the Middle East for the forseeable future a result with consequences that blocked the path to peace between Israel and Palestine until this day. It re-drew the landscape of the conflict, expanded Israels territorial claims and confirmed its military dominance in the region. The war, also known as the Naksa, the setback, came just two decades after the events of 1948 when the state of Israel was established and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were expelled. It was in 48 that five Arab armies had previously tried to put an end to the impending threat of an Israeli state, with the addition of the Lebanese and Iraq armies. United Nations (UN) interventions relieved pressure on the Israeli army and created an opportunity for negotiations: first between Egypt and a young general, Gamal Abdul-Nasser, establishing an armistice agreement, and then with Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. In 1956, however, an empowered Abdul-Nasser sought to reclaim power in the region by signing huge arms deals with Czechoslovakia that would then back the nationalisation of the Suez Canal. With Britain and France, owners of the international Canal company, looking for a pretext to act against Nassers canal grab, war with Israel is suggested as the perfect conclusion. Israeli forces crossed Egypts borders and into the Sinai in a matter of months but were forced to withdraw after universal condemnation. What this did achieve for Israel was a period of unplanned peace as UN troops were stationed along the Egypt-Israel borders for a decade. Egypt requested the UN withdraw its peace-keeping troops from Sinai on May 16, 1967. Less than a month later, Israel launched Operation Focus an aerial strike that eventually led to the humiliating defeat of its neighbouring Arab armies. The War In June looks back to the events around 1948, as well as the Suez Crisis in 1956, to understand the roots of the 1967 war. It explores the actual six days of battle in detail and then looks at the profound long-term consequences of this war. Those six days of fighting resonate around the Middle East today, on the 50th anniversary of this battle. Editors note: This documentary uses footage from the Israeli Army Archive at the following timecodes: 20:22:04; 20:43:22; and 20:57:02. In this UpFront special marking 50 years of occupation, we debate what the future holds for Israelis and Palestinians. For Palestinians, June 5, 2017, marks the anniversary of the Six-Day War also called Naksa and 50 years of Israeli occupation, as a peace deal remains elusive. While some continue to argue that a two-state solution is the only way for Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace, others are increasingly beginning to question whether two independent states are even possible. So, which is more realistic: A single state where Palestinians and Israelis live together, or two independent states? To debate this in this UpFront special, were joined from Tel Aviv by Gideon Levy, an Israeli journalist and author who believes there is no longer a viable solution for an independent Palestinian state. We have to face reality, the two-state solution is a train that unfortunately left the station, and instead of standing in the station and waiting for it to come back, we should change the discourse, says Levy, who is also a columnist for Haaretz. The agreement over a two-state solution is a hollow one. From Ramallah, former Palestinian negotiator and member of the PLO Executive Committee Hanan Ashrawi holds out hope for a two-state deal. Its a flawed solution, but at the same time, its a solution that the Palestinians have agreed to, says Ashrawi. Israel is systematically destroying the two-state solution, yesbut if it succeeds in doing it, what is to replace it? That is the real issue. Joining us in the studio, Lara Friedman, the president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, has called the one-state solution a fantasy. [The two-state solution] is not an ideal solution for anyone, its not a perfect solutionwe see it as the only pragmatic option, says Friedman. This is the only reality of how the conflict, as I see it, can end. Also in the studio, Yousef Munayyer, a Palestinian-American writer and political analyst who believes the two-state solution is dead. What we have todayis a one state problem, not a two-state problem, says Munayyer, who is also the executive director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights. We have one state where the conflict that exists, exists because there is a fundamental denial of basic rights to the Palestinian people. You end the denials of Palestinian human rights; you will not have the grievances of the Palestinian people and this conflict. Follow UpFront on Twitter @AJUpFront and Facebook. Would the Mark Zuckerberg of 2017 who recently gave the commencement address at Harvard have started Facebook? Likewise, would the Mark Zuckerberg of 2004 who was instrumental in building the world's largest, most popular social networking website in the world have given the 2017 commencement address at Harvard University? As has been well documented over the last several days most notably by Rush Limbaugh Zuckerberg's 2017 commencement address was laden with socialistic language and ideas that run quite contrary to what is necessary to build a company with thousands of employees and whose annual revenue is measured in billions of dollars. (Ask Venezuelans.) For example, 2017 Mark Zuckerberg told Harvard graduates that it's time we get serious about "redefining equality to give everyone the freedom they need to pursue purpose." Yet the 2003-2004 Mark Zuckerberg wasn't too keen on the notion of "equality" when he intentionally delayed a social networking project Harvard Connection he had agreed to work on for fellow classmates while a student at Harvard the project that at least gave him some of his inspiration for Facebook in order to complete first his own personal project that would directly compete with his classmates' project. As Zuckerberg would declare to classmate Eduardo Saverin in an I.M. (instant message): Check this site out: www.harvardconnection.com and then go to harvardconnection.com/datehome.php. Someone is already trying to make a dating site. But they made a mistake haha. They asked me to make it for them. So I'm like delaying it so it won't be ready until after the facebook thing comes out. In another I.M. exchange with his high school friend Adam D'Angelo, Zuckerberg would reveal that he was contemplating whether he was going to "[f---] the dating site [a reference to Harvard Connect] people over and quit on them right before I told them I'd have it done." In the same I.M. exchange, weighing whether to complete Harvard Connect, Zuckerberg declared: I also hate the fact that I'm doing it for other people haha. Like I hate working under other people. I feel like the right thing to do is finish the facebook and wait until the last day before I'm supposed to have their thing ready and then be like "look yours isn't as good as this so if you want to join mine you can...otherwise I can help you with yours later." Weeks later, just prior to meeting with the Harvard Connect people, in another I.M. with a friend, Zuckerberg revealed how he had decided to resolve his conflict with the competing projects: Friend: So have you decided what you're going to do about the websites? Zuck: Yeah, I'm going to [f---] them How very corporately ruthless of him. In other words, the very project that made Mr. Zuckerberg tremendously wealthy and famous, the project that allowed him a Harvard dropout the opportunity to give Harvard's 2017 commencement address, was born not out of some leftist notion of "equality." Of course, Zuckerberg's personal project would become Facebook and would quickly spell the end of Harvard Connection (later ConnectU) and all similar social networking websites. Not very "equal," huh? The story of Facebook's founding and the relationship among Zuckerberg, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra is well documented and simply does not jibe with the socialist drivel Zuckerberg spewed in his recent Harvard address. In case you were unaware, or have forgotten, Zuckerberg's conflict with his competing Harvard classmates went on for years, well past 2004 and the launch of Facebook and the now defunct Harvard Connect. To this day, Zuckerberg rightfully, I think rejects the notion that he "stole" the idea and any "source code" for Facebook from the Harvard Connect project and that the Winklevoss twins and Narendra are (or were) somehow "equal" partners in Facebook. (Though they were not recognized as "equal" partners in Facebook, because of their lawsuit against Zuckerberg and Facebook, and a settlement worth tens of millions of dollars, the Winklevoss twins and Narendra also made out quite well.) It wasn't only against the Winklevoss twins and Mr. Narendra that Mr. Zuckerberg acted "capitalistically." In early 2004, prior to the February 4 launch of what was then "TheFacebook.com," Zuckerberg acknowledged that, because he thought it would (gasp!) "make money," another fellow Harvard classmate Eduardo Saverin provided $15,000 for the original servers necessary for TheFacebook.com. Saverin's initial investment netted him a 30% stake in the project. According to Business Insider, "[b]y April, the site was doing so well that Mark, Eduardo, and a third Harvard sophomore named Dustin Muskovitz formed The Facebook as a limited-liability company (LLC) under Florida law." In June of 2004, Zuckerberg and Muskovitz dropped out of Harvard and moved to Palo Alto, California to work on TheFacebook.com full time. Saverin remained at Harvard and was to work on three things: "to set up the company, get funding, and make a business model." The relationship between TheFacebook.com and Saverin quickly cooled. It was the issue of funding that defined the divide between Zuckerberg and Saverin. Soon after arriving in Palo Alto, Zuckerberg and Muskovitz ran into Sean Parker. Parker was best known for cofounding Napster, the extremely popular internet file-sharing (especially music) service. Parker was soon installed as TheFacebook's president. His chief responsibility was to do what Saverin apparently wasn't: find investors. Parker secured Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal, as TheFacebook's first big investor. Thiel put up $500,000, and Saverin was deemed "expendable." To rid themselves of Saverin, Parker proposed that Zuckerberg employ some "dirty tricks" used by Thiel and other well known big-time tech investors. Zuckerberg agreed. The plan, again according to Business Insider: Reduce Eduardo's stake in TheFacebook.com by creating a new company, a Delaware corporation, to acquire the old company (the Florida LLC formed in April), and then distribute new shares in the new company to everybody but Eduardo. Very much in line with the idea of "wealth inequality" and quite contrary to Zuckerberg's Harvard address the plan was carried out, and Saverin's stake in the company went from 30% to less than 10%. As Business Insider put it, "Mark's plan had succeeded. Eduardo was, for all intents and purposes, gone." Whatever or whoever Mr. Zuckerberg is today, his Harvard speech was anything but surprising. If it wasn't already so, Zuckerberg has now made clear that after having employed and personally benefited from the forces of capitalism what worked for him is not for everyone else. He is firmly entrenched in the long and growing list of modern liberal-activist CEOs who feel, as Kevin Williamson recently put it, "obliged to act as public intellectuals as well as business managers." The main job of these "public intellectuals" is to promote the liberal agenda especially when it comes to the moral issues. As Williamson also notes and as Zuckerberg makes clear many of our modern capitalists are "not much interested in defending the culture of capitalism," but instead favor a "collectivist view of the world." Of course, this view also embraces the notion that political power should rest in the hands of the "progressive" few. After all, "[t]he decisions they have made for themselves have turned out well, so why not empower them, or men like them, to make decisions for other people, too?" Trevor Grant Thomas: At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason. www.trevorgrantthomas.com Trevor is the author of The Miracle and Magnificence of America. tthomas@trevorgrantthomas.com UK's newspaper the Independent in its online version cites Tom Anderson, who runs a computer text analytics business. He did some textual analysis and "discovered" the Bible is more violent than the Quran. His findings cheer up Muslims and rile Christians. It is blowing up in social media. Here is the bottom line: By categorising words into eight emotions -- Joy, Anticipation, Anger, Disgust, Sadness, Surprise, Fear/Anxiety and Trust -- the analysis found the Bible scored higher for anger and much lower for trust than the Quran. Further analysis found the Old Testament was more violent than the New Testament, and more than twice as violent as the Quran. "Killing and destruction are referenced slightly more often in the New Testament (2.8%) than in the Quran (2.1%), but the Old Testament clearly leads -- more than twice that of the Quran -- in mentions of destruction and killing (5.3%)." Ten points of reply: 1.. The method looks shaky at best. If we do a raw word search and count in the U.S. criminal code, we would find all sorts of violence. But does that mean the code endorses murder and robbery and rape? 2. Ancient Israel was a full-fledged nation with a military, surrounded by hostile nations that waged annihilation or near-annihilation warfare (much like its neighbors today). Here's an excerpt from Mesha Stele (9th century BCE): "And Chemosh [a god] said to me [Mesha, king of Moab], Go take Nebo against Israel, and I went in the night and I fought against it from the break of day till noon, and I took it: and I killed in all seven thousand men, but I did not kill the women and maidens, for I devoted them to Ashtar-Chemosh; and I took from it the vessels of Jehovah, and offered them before Chemosh." In that passage, the Moabites wiped out the men and "devoted" (presumably enslaved) the women and children. The word "devoted" is conceptually related to the same word found in the book of Joshua. Israel's war practices paralleled those of its neighbors. If the neighbors had been peaceful, we wouldn't find war verses in the Hebrew Bible. 3. However, the extra-harsh language may be just a rhetorical trope that was intended to convey the national meaning that this or that tribe or nation was awesome and better than its neighbors. Yet, if the annihilation or near-annihilation warfare is literal, then the next points are valid. 4. Per the Bible, the Canaanites had the choice to leave the Promised Land. 5. If it is any consolation to a skeptical reader with a chip on his shoulder against everything biblical, the ancient Israelites never did clear them out or kill all of them, but this proved troublesome to the Israelites 6. Specifically, the Canaanites practiced child sacrifice. Following human nature that is bent towards corruption, some of the kings of Israel and the people copied the same atrocity. 1 Kings 11:7, 2 Kings 23:10, and Jer. 32:35. Trouble happens when one does not obey God's command. 7. Mr. Anderson analyzes the New Testament and claims it has violence in it. Yes, it does, as in these two examples: Jesus was crucified. Paul was beaten and stoned several times. But does that mean Christians should crucify or beat or stone people? Anderson's methods are dubious. 8. The fact is -- there is simply no verse in all the New Testament that commands or even suggests Christians should form a militia or even a military to injure or kill people in the name of Christ. Rather, Peter and Paul hand the sword over to the state (Rom 13:1-6 and 1 Pet. 2:13-14). This is where, once again, our Founders got things right. They separated the state from church, so the state does not meddle in church matters. Christians are called to preach the gospel that changes criminals to honest men, while the government is purposed to raise up a military and police force to protect the citizenry. (As to the question of Christians joining the military or police force, go here, here, and here. Short answer: Yes, they can, but when they discharge their weapons, they do so in the name of the government, not Christ. And Christians can exercise their right to self-defense.) 9. Christians do not live under the Old Covenant. No Christian denomination today quotes the Old Testament to endorse or encourage violence. So the Old Testament verses that command war -- not gratuitous violence -- in the name of God and righteousness do not apply to them. 10. Now for Islam. It is no secret that the Quran is filled with violent verses that terrorists use to justify killing people in the name of Allah. The terrorists don't need to twist the verses. We don't need to quote them, but instead here are some links: The Qital (Warfare) verses in the Quran, All the Jihad verses in the Quran. Jihad and Qital (Warfare) in the Quran, Traditions and Classical Law, A Brief History of War in Earliest Islam. Mr. Anderson used a strange method that ripped the verses out of context. The Independent has a history of doing this (note the short video about marriage in the Old Covenant). The newspaper always seems to degrade the Bible. Does it do the same for Islam and the Quran? The undeniable fact is that Islam is the most violent religion today and its followers use its "holy" book to justify themselves. James Arlandson's website is Live as Free People, where he has posted Outlines of World Religions and Ten Big Differences between Christianity and Other Religions. Perception is reality is a truism in most areas of human experience, but perhaps more so in politics than any other realm. Zealots on all sides know that if they can create an enduring, indelible image -- whether positive or negative -- in the minds of the populace, that perception will supersede any inconvenient facts that are more reflective of the actual situation. Here are just a few wide-ranging examples from the past half-century: Perception: The Tet Offensive was a major defeat for the U.S. in Vietnam The Vietnam War was a conflict born of Cold War sensibilities and doctrines holding that the spread of communism anywhere in the world was an existential threat to the national security interests of the United States and therefore that threat should be stopped. Very generally speaking, that was the impetus for our taking the lead role in supporting South Vietnam resisting the aggression of Russia-backed North Vietnam. U.S. involvement started in the early 1960s under President Kennedy. Following Kennedys death in 1963, President Johnson greatly expanded the scale of Americas engagement, with hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops deployed. The war itself enjoyed reasonable public support since it appeared that we were making solid progress in weakening the opposing forces and diminishing the communist threat. That impression of U.S. progress was shattered in January 1968 when 85,000 communist fighters launched a multi-pronged offensive against several South Vietnamese cities and strongholds. The attack -- which came to be known as the Tet Offensive, so named for the Vietnamese New Year holiday period -- came as a great surprise to American military leadership, who had previously thought the communist forces were incapable of mounting such an attack. In America, public opinion for the war turned sharply negative, since the perception was that the communists had scored a great victory and dealt a huge setback to our mission. Reality: The truth is that after a very brief interlude of initial enemy success, American and South Vietnamese forces inflicted substantial casualties on the communist forces and quickly regained the initiative, taking back virtually all the territory that was briefly lost to the opposing side. Nonetheless, the perception of a great defeat for America persisted, reinforced by the U.S. news media, who began saying that theyd been misled in the past by overoptimistic Government reports on the wars progress. Now, the truth was out for all to see: the U.S. Government couldnt be trusted, the communists had achieved stunning, unexpected success on the battlefield and the war in Vietnam was going to slog on interminably at great cost and with no realistic prospect for clear-cut victory. Anti-war protests, draft card burning and draft-dodging escapes to Canada became the norm. A fissure in American society materialized that many say has since led to countless debilitating intergenerational social conflicts, and that the countrys view of the mainstream media and the governments honesty has been irrevocably damaged as a result. Perception: Robert Bork was racist and misogynist, and thats why he was rejected for the Supreme Court Robert Bork was a highly-respected scholar and judge who was nominated to the Supreme Court in 1987 by President Reagan to replace the retiring Lewis Powell. Powell was known as a moderate, a swing vote in closely-contested decisions. Although Borks innate intelligence and basic legal qualifications were not in question, Democrats were aghast at the prospect of the conservative Bork replacing the moderate Powell and thus tilting the balance of the Court sharply to the right. Powell had voted in the majority of the 7-2 January 1973 decision that affirmed a womans right to have an abortion. Should Roe v. Wade or any variant thereof come up again, Democrats were certain that Bork would vote against their interests. The same day that Bork was nominated, Democratic senator Ted Kennedy of MA made a speech on the Senate floor that lives to this day as possibly the high-water mark for the most outrageously partisan, gratuitously insulting, completely divorced-from-reality personal hack job masquerading as a serious policy address ever given in the annals of Senate speeches. In words that accurately define forever his true colors of Partisan advantage first, always and only, Kennedy said, Robert Bork's America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens' doors in midnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of the Government, and the doors of the Federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens. Astonishing words coming from a supposed respected leader of the country. Reality: Bork was highly qualified, but was never defended by the Republicans In reality, Bork was nothing like Kennedy described. He was a more conservative judge than Powell, and no doubt would have taken a somewhat more originalist standpoint on many issues than Powel had taken, but that did not in any way diminish his fitness to serve on the Supreme Court. The Republicans never did mount an effective rebuttal to Kennedys unfounded attack. They never really defended Bork. This incident arguably began the modern era of Democratic mastery of the art of using the major media to their advantage, since Kennedys speech was played again and again on TV and radio, without an effective or serious response by the Republicans, who just didnt seem to have any idea how to deal with it. The reality of Robert Borks intellectual and legal qualifications may have been one thing, but those qualifications were utterly and completely swamped by the popular perception of his unsuitability for the position brought about by Kennedys deftly delivered character assassination on the Senate floor and Kennedys instinctive understanding of how to leverage a liberal--leaning media to his advantage. Perception: The rich dont pay their fair share of taxes This issue is a staple calling card for Democrats, who continually imply that all wealthy entities -- Republicans, mainly -- duck, dodge and otherwise avoid their responsibility to pay the taxes they rightfully owe. Democrats are only too happy to put forth the idea that rich Republicans use all manner of shady, questionable tax loopholes to evade their tax obligations, thereby forcing the average guy (who doesnt have access to sophisticated, expensive tax advisors) to shoulder the burden of paying the majority of the nations taxes. This overall sentiment is summed up perfectly by leading Democrats as they cite their favorite example, their proposed Buffet Rule. Democrats claim that billionaire investor Warren Buffet pays a lower percentage in income taxes than his secretary, so there should be a rule that above some arbitrary income level, a so-called rich person must pay an arbitrarily-set high percentage of income tax -- above the percentage that a secretary would ever pay. That rule, say the Democrats, will ensure that the rich always pay their fair share, which as everyone knows theyre not paying now. Thats the perception. Reality: The reality, of course, is that the rich are paying their fair share and more. Far from a disproportionate amount of tax burden falling on the low-to-middle income wage earners, the rich pay the vast majority of taxes in this country, loopholes and accounting tricks notwithstanding. here, The top 10% of wage earners pay over 70% of Federal income taxes. When the Bernie Sanders of the world say, Weve got to make sure the rich pay their fair share, thats just code-speak for raising taxes on the upper income earners to fund more Democratic vote-buying government handout programs. The reality, of course, is that Democrats are never in favor of raising taxes in order to buy more F-22s; they want to raise taxes on the rich in order to fund more social spending programs, which will influence votes in the Democrats favor. Conclusion These are all completely different cases, but the common thread among them is that the facts of each circumstance are wildly at odds with the popular perception of them. In each situation, an erroneous, inaccurate version of reality was deliberately and fraudulently forced upon the public by partisan factions in order to shape popular opinion and manufacture support for a favored political position. The exponential growth in the past decade of alternative news sources and social media beyond the traditional network TV news broadcasts and major big-city newspapers is a double-edged sword. While one can certainly ferret out more detailed and balanced information on any given topic by exercising some rigid intellectual discipline along with healthy doses of skepticism and common sense, there is an even greater rise in the easy availability of rumor-, innuendo- and agenda-driven news. This makes the danger greater than ever that inaccurate perception-based stories will become popularly accepted as authentic, while the reality of the situation -- either less interesting or not as convenient a fit into a pre-determined narrative -- fades unceremoniously into the background. The screeching brouhaha over President Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement could, at first glance, be called a global episode of Trump Derangement Syndrome. But with the intensity of the rage, it seems to be more than that. Former United Nations has-been and ex-president of Ireland Mary Robinson called the U.S. a "rogue state." France's President Emmanuel Macron offered "refuge" to America's climate scientists, as if these people were actually in danger of losing tenure or maybe a grant, not to mention an imaginary knock on the door at midnight. Former Obama "mind meld" Ben Rhodes calls it "moral wreckage," adding: "The rest of the world will watch in horror." Billionaire greenie Tom Steyer calls Trump's act "a traitorous act of war." We know they've gone off the deep end. Obama's legacy is at stake, for one. The concept of Euro-centric one-world governance is on the line, too. The promise of enforced socialism through greenie virtue-signaling has got to be smarting as well. But I sense that the howls coming out may be premised on the fear of a mass pullout from the Paris Climate Accord now that President Trump has kicked the first brick out of the wall. The U.S. pullout may make the whole structure come tumbling down, and take with it Europe's claimed right to act as the world's global governing body. It's probably painful, given that President Trump has upbraided them on their deadbeat defense contributions to NATO, and the European Union itself has suffered a blow to prestige because so few of its members bother to observe their monetary quotas. There are already signs it's happening. Japan has declined to sign on to a group statement condemning President Trump, perhaps figuring that securing its own security against the monsters threatening it from North Korea might be more important than joining Europe's middle finger to President Trump. A Japanese government official says Japan has decided not to join Germany, France and Italy in expressing regret over the decision by President Donald Trump's to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord. The official, who declined to be identified by name or affiliation and requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the decision, said that Japan chose to issue its own statement, not as part of the group. He declined to give a reason or confirm if any of the three countries had invited Japan to sign a joint statement. Other satraps and officials keep letting the cat out of the bag by expressing fears (or false confidence) that other nations won't follow the lead of the U.S. and pull out as well. There's a "whistling past the graveyard" feel to many of these statements: Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas said in an interview with The Associated Press that the Paris accord "was, and still is a very important goal to achieve." He stressed all EU nations are sticking together to make the deal work and expressed his doubts that any country around the world would follow Trump's lead. "I hope that the number is zero," Ratas said. Others are ful of suspicious protestations: In their statement released Friday, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan calls climate change "the great existentialist threat of our time" and that the U.S. withdrawal weakens the Paris accord. However, he said it does not "trigger its demise." These denials suggest that there is a fear that the U.S.'s withdrawal from the agreement will trigger an avalanche of exits. After all, no one wants to be bossed around by petty Eurocrats with no serious claim to rule anyone. Meanwhile, this comes against a backdrop of ongoing climate skepticism. Officials from the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Australia, and the oil-rich Arab states have openly questioned global warming in the past. While any pullout depends on who gets elected to office, the reality is there that many officials want nothing to do with this economy-killing pact. As for China and India, sure, they want the pact so long as they never have to produce any results. This portends weak global support for the Paris Accord and there may be other pullouts. So, far from "not leading" on the world stage as President Obama bitterly claimed, President Trump is leading the world globally out of the hands of it petty, unelected bureaucracies. Many big companies are sorely disappointed that President Trump is pulling out of the Paris global warming agreement. Given the totally unproven nature of man-made global warming, this action has about the same importance as President Trump turning down a seat on the Jedi Council. But these big companies are acting outraged, even though if Trump had enforced the agreement, they, as big users of fossil fuels, would have been the first to feel the pinch of energy taxes meant to punish people and companies who "cause global warming." Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, said he would leave an advisory council for Mr. Trump. "Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. " If Musk is so worried about "climate change," why is he in a business that burns tens of thousands of gallons of petroleum fuel in just a few seconds perhaps the only business on the planet that burns so much fossil fuel in such a short time? Jeff Immelt, G.E.'s chairman and chief executive, said in a Twitter message: Disappointed with today's decision on the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real. G.E. makes appliances. What do those appliances run on? Wind power? Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook, wrote on his Facebook page: Withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement is bad for the environment, bad for the economy, and it puts our children's future at risk. If it puts our children's future at risk, why does Mr. Sugar Mountain (that's what "Zuckerberg means") have tens of thousands of servers running on fossil fuel energy? For our part, we've committed that every new data center we build will be powered by 100% renewable energy. Note that Mr. Sugar Mountain says nothing about existing data centers. But if true, does that mean that Facebook pages powered by these new data centers will stop working at night and when it is not windy? Sundar Pichai, the chief executive of Google, said on Twitter: Disappointed with today's decision. Google will keep working hard for a cleaner, more prosperous future for all. What powers the millions of servers that makes Google work, I wonder? Sundar was born in India, an underdeveloped third-world country, and now that he has attained the peak of corporate power in America, he uses his microphone to try to de-industrialize America so we will be as poor as his home country. What's next on the agenda removing toilets and toilet paper from 80% of the country? Brad Smith, Microsoft's president, said in a statement that the company was disappointed in the decision. What kind of appliance does Microsoft's products run on? And what kind of energy powers those appliances? Amazon continues to support the Paris climate agreement and action on climate change. We believe that robust clean energy and climate policies can support American competitiveness, innovation, and job growth. If Trump had taken the Paris agreement seriously and started slapping energy taxes on businesses, what would Amazon, which uses tons of energy for both its servers and its delivery system, have had to do absorb the increase in costs? Why, raise prices. What would that have done for competitiveness, innovation, and job growth? Andrew Salzberg, who oversees transportation policy and research at Uber, wrote on Medium: Today's announcement from President Trump that the United States will not honor the agreement is a huge disappointment. What do Uber's cars run on solar and wind? Shell Oil wrote: Our support for the #ParisAgreement is well known. We will continue to do our part providing more & cleaner energy. What? Shell is really getting in bed with those who want to drive it out of business? It's just like watching Israelis who support a "two-state solution." When the lamb lies down with lion, the only thing that happens is that the lion eats well. Companies have fiduciary duties to their shareholders. That means that they are required to look out, first and foremost, for their own financial survival. Advocating policies that would harm themselves violates their fiduciary duties. Shareholders should challenge them and petition to have management removed. Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com. For some time, we've been watching the hysterical attacks on President Trump. The Democrats are calling for an "independent investigation." Some are even calling for impeachment, even though no one has identified a crime. Well, don't be surprised if the Democrats start calling for a truce and then back off completely. Why? Because the Obama investigation is about to be investigated, as James Rosen reported: FOX News has confirmed that the FBI, the CIA, and the National Security Agency were all served today with subpoenas issued by the House Intelligence Committee. Sources say each of these subpoenas referenced unmasking and each named as figures of interest three senior Obama era officials. Former White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice was identified by multiple news agencies last month as someone who requested the names of Trump associates whose names had appeared in coded form in classified intelligence reports be identifed for her or 'unmasked.' Rice at the time denied wrongdoing and told us today through a spokesperson that she is unaware of any subpoenas 'directed at her.' Former CIA Director John Brennan is also named in the subpoenas. In testimony last week, Brennan decried the leaks of classified information that had bedeviled the Trump administration, and which some believe is linked to the unmasking activity. Brennan declined our request for comment. Most noteworthy was the committee's naming of Samantha Power, the former UN ambassador has not previously surfaced in the unmasking controversy. A Pulitzer prize-winning historian, Power served in Barack Obama's Senate office before joining his administration. House investigators told Fox News they are now devoting more scrutiny to Power, and they have come to see her role in the unmasking as 'larger than previously known.' Allegedly eclipsing the others named. Oops, as someone said. This investigation could expose that the Obama administration was spying on U.S. citizens or unmasking them. So don't be surprised if the Democrats call for a truce or settlement to stop all of the investigations. The party lost its senses after Trump was elected. They could not accept the results, or the loss of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. They've been trying so hard to delegitimize the Trump presidency that they've opened the door that they didn't want to open an investigation of the Obama presidency. P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk), (YouTube) and follow me on Twitter. A notoriously communist law firm helped accused antifa thug Eric Clanton's pro bono lawyer get a law license in the early 1970s despite his public espousal of violence in the pursuit of social justice. Interning at that law firm at the time: one Hillary Rodham. As documented earlier this week, Dan Siegel, the lawyer representing former Diablo Valley College professor Clanton as he fights charges that he viciously hit three Trump supporters over the head with a heavy bike lock, openly advocated the use of violence against The System during his radical heyday. Siegel had major difficulty in getting a law license in the state of California as a result of his incendiary speechifying, which included him saying: I am not going to tell you that nonviolence is the way and we should avoid violence because it is bad or something like that. I am going to tell you this, that we have to be, as time goes on, as the [...] comes down heavier and heavier in Babylon, we have to be a lot heavier about the kind of violence that we're going to perpetrate. When the State Bar of California rejected his application on grounds that he was not "of good moral character," Siegel appealed all the way to the state Supreme Court, which eventually ruled in his favor in 1973. The law firm that took up his case Treuhaft, Walker and Burnstein was widely known as one of the most radical firms in the country, and got its name in the news for defending the Black Panthers. This makes one wonder why a young Yale Law School student would move across the country in the summer of 1971 just to intern there. Josh Gerstein, writing in the New York Sun in 2007, noted that "[o]ne partner at the firm, Doris Walker, was a Communist Party member at the time. Another partner, Robert Treuhaft, had left the party in 1958, several years after being called before the House Un-American Activities Committee and labeled as one of America's most 'dangerously subversive' lawyers." In his 2007 biography of Hillary Clinton, titled A Woman in Charge, longtime liberal Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein, a red diaper baby himself, quotes Treuhaft as saying of the firm's founders, "[T]wo were communists, and others tolerated communists." In author Gail Sheehy's 1999 book Hillary's Choice, Treuhaft says, "[a]nyone who went to college or law school would have known our law firm was a Communist law firm." In a 2008 column, Bernstein shed light on Clinton's decision. "The reason she came to us," Treuhaft told me [the quotation is in my biography of Hillary Clinton, A Woman In Charge] "the only reason I could think of, because none of us knew her, was because we were a so-called 'Movement' law firm at the time. "There was no reason except politics for a girl from Yale" to intern at the firm. "She certainly was in sympathy with all the Left causes, and there was a sharp dividing line at the time. We still weren't very far out of the McCarthy era." Writing at FrontPageMag, Ben Johnson in 2008 noted that firm co-founder Walker "remained a member of the CPUSA 30 years after Rodham's internship had ended." "As Hillary left the firm," Johnson wrote, "Walker successfully defended [black radical] Angela Davis against multiple felonies resulting from a shootout that left a California judge dead. Walker said she undertook the case at the instruction of the CPUSA. "[Walker] once mused, 'For Hillary to pick the most left-wing firm really at that time in the Bay Area, it's still a surprise to me that more hasn't been made of that.'" And what kind of work was young Rodham performing for the firm in the summer of '71? In her 2003 autobiography Living History, Clinton says she "spent most of my time working for [firm co-founder] Mal Burnstein researching, writing legal motions and briefs for a child custody case." But The Sun's Gerstein reports: Burnstein said she would have likely been assigned to some work on the cases stemming from dissent at the Berkeley and Stanford campuses. "I don't remember her especially working on those, but she would have if she was there," he said. Gerstein continues: A review of some of Burnstein's legal files now at the archives of the University of California at Berkeley shows that the Treuhaft firm also handled two major cases in mid-1971 involving political dissent. One involved a protest leader who was elected Berkeley student body president, Daniel Siegel. Burnstein was among the lawyers who personally appealed Siegel's case to the California Supreme Court in 1973. FPM's Johnson concludes that Clinton "undoubtedly assisted Berkeley student body president Daniel Siegel [in his bid to] obtain admission to the bar[.] ... Mr. Siegel now shares his legal wisdom at the bench, thanks to Miss Rodham." Based on Burnstein's statements and the firm's history of representing Siegel dating from as early as 1970, it certainly stands to reason that Clinton, interning under Burnstein in 1971 and being assigned to work on Berkeley dissent cases, would indeed have helped in the effort to gain a law license for a man who said he could "see very little objection theoretically, politically, or morally, or anything else, with burning down the Bank of America and all its 500 branches." And now this lawyer today is representing, free of charge, a leftist college professor charged with covering his face with a mask, sneaking up with a heavy blunt object, and delivering crushing and potentially lethal blows to the heads of three supporters of the man who prevented former young radical Hillary from winning the White House in 2016. Joe Schaeffer is a freelance writer based in Florida. As I predicted Wednesday morning, Kathy Griffin is going for martyr status in her efforts to salvage her career. The U.K. Daily Mail reports: Kathy Griffin's attorney has scheduled a Friday press conference to give the D-list comedian a chance to explain her decision to do a crass photo shoot in which she held up a prop resembling President Trump's severed head. That attorney is none other than Lisa Bloom, daughter of Gloria Allred and Today Show (and MSNBC) on-air legal analyst, who unsuccessfully sued the Boy Scouts to admit girls. Here is an image of the announcement of the press conference today: Poor Kathy has been bullied by young Barron, I guess. Let's have a pity party for Kathy. No doubt, Kathy will present "artistic" reasons for her photo, mentioning Trump's presidential debate comment about Megyn Kelly "blood coming out of her eyes, out of her wherever" to wrap herself in the mantle of feminism. To me, one big question is whether Chelsea Clinton will be persuaded to withdraw her criticism of Griffin. I wonder if there has been any communication with her by Team Griffin. One other big question is whether Griffin will mention what others have gotten away with, such as the picturing of George W. Bush's head on a pike in Game of Thrones: I certainly hope she does, and the nation has a conversation about the media's treatment of the POTUS and his family. The White House announced late Thursday that it has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the president's executive orders mandating a ban on travel from seven countries to take effect by overturning lower court rulings blocking it. The request has been expected for months, as liberal appeals courts have stymied the travel ban at every turn. The court's decision could be an indication of how much constitutional leeway the executive will be granted in trying to protect American citizens in the age of terrorism. Or it could be decided on narrower grounds, dealing exclusively with the wording and intent of the travel orders themselves. NBC News: The Justice Department urged the Supreme Court to allow it to enforce the executive order now, while the justices consider whether to hear the appeal. It also asked the court to fast-track the case, which could result in the justices hearing it before its new term begins in the fall. The court normally disposes of all pending cases by the end of June. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Justice Department spokesperson Sarah Isgur Flores said. "The President is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States," she said. Thursday's move was a certainty after a federal appeals court last week voted to uphold a ban on enforcement that was imposed by a federal judge in Maryland. Another appeals court, on the west coast, has yet to rule on whether to uphold a similar ban issued by a federal judge in Hawaii. After President Trump's first executive order was blocked in court, the president signed the second one. It would impose a 90-day ban on entry to the U.S. from Iran, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. It would also suspend for 120 days the refugee program. The 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Virginia ruled May 25 that the president's executive order is likely unconstitutional, because it's based on religious discrimination. Statements made during the campaign, the court said, make it clear the executive order stems from "President Trump's desire to exclude Muslims from the United States." The "religious discrimination" argument is nonsense. Why would the plan "ban" Muslims from the U.S. if it allowed people to come to America during the time the ban was in force from three of the most populous Muslim-majority countries in the world (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Egypt)? The "Muslim ban" is a political talking point, not a reasoned legal position. Rightly, the Justice Department accused the judges in Hawaii and Maryland of "judicial psychoanalysis" by taking campaign statements made by the president out of context. But in their appeal Thursday, the Justice Department said determining what candidate Trump and his aides meant would require "judicial pscychoanalysis." "The decision below is the first to hold that a provision of federal law neutral on its face and in operation violates the Establishment Clause based on speculation about its drafters' supposedly illicit purpose," the Justice Department said. Government lawyers also said that, at most, a ban on enforcement should apply only to a one of the challengers in the Maryland case, a man who seems to bring his Iranian wife to the United States. The lower courts were wrong, the Justice Department said, to apply the enforcement ban nationwide. The justices will likely seek the views of the challengers before deciding whether to grant any of the government's requests. Trump has said the order is necessary to protect Americans from terrorists. Critics have called it a "Muslim ban," something Trump has denied. Some former high-ranking U.S. diplomats and security officials have argued it would harm, not help, U.S. national security. Are we to leave our national security and protection of American citizens in the hands of the courts or the commander in chief? For all the legal pettifogging, this is the ultimate issue to be decided. The president has determined that travelers from countries that sponsor terrorism or that experience a large number of terrorist attacks could present a danger to the U.S. unless vetting procedures, weakened during the Obama administration, are made more robust. Opponents have no argument to counter that position except that enacting the temporary travel ban discriminates against Muslims. But the ban would affect Christians traveling from the affected countries as much as Muslims. Clearly, the standard for religious discrimination has not been met by the plaintiffs. The fate of the travel ban could depend on one or two liberal justices siding with the conservative majority by agreeing to allow the ban to go into effect on narrow, constitutional grounds. But if it's a 4-4 proposition, once again, Chief Justice Roberts could upend the conservative majority and deny the administration the right to defend the American people and homeland. The Trump administration is admitted 20% more refugees in May than it did in April, and many of them were Islamists from places like Syria, Sudan, and Somalia. A total of 3,957 refugees were admitted into the United States in May, a 19.3 percent increase over April's figures. The countries accounting for the largest numbers of refugees who arrived in May were the Democratic Republic of Congo (799), Burma (660), Bhutan (389), Ukraine (374), Somalia (294), Eritrea (276), Iraq (214), Syria (156) and Iran (125), according to State Department Refugee Processing Center data. The admissions for May bring to 16,249 the number of refugees resettled in the U.S. since President Trump took office, with the largest contingents coming from the DRC (2,683), Burma (2,216), Iraq (1,696), Somalia (1,655) and Syria (1,603). Trump's executive orders seeking to halt all refugee admissions for 120 days, and to limit overall refugee admission numbers to 50,000 in the current fiscal year, remain tied up in court proceedings. Less informed people might believe that Trump has no choice but to admit these people. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The court struck down a blanket ban on admissions from certain countries, but Trump has always had the power to decide whom to grant refugee status to and whom not to. On an individual basis, he can simply choose to choke refugee admissions off to a trickle. He's not. Maybe you think the people he is admitting from these countries are Christian refugees. For the most part, they are not: All but two of the Somali refugees are Muslims, as are about three-quarters of the Sudanese refugees, 98 percent of the Syrians, and all 16 of the Yemenis. Trump supporters somehow compartmentalize the workings of the State and Homeland Security Departments as separate "Deep State" entities, unaccountable to the White House, but of course that is not true. Trump has to be very much aware of what is going on. Unfortunately, he has decided not to fulfill his campaign promises and is admitting even more refugees from dangerous countries. I'm sure people in places like Dearborn, Michigan; Patterson, New Jersey; and Minneapolis, Minnesota are very appreciative of Trump's effort to "Make America Great Again" every time they hear the call to prayer on minarets at 5:00 A.M., walk on streets crowded with burka-clad women, and get victimized by gangs of roaming Islamists. Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com. The June 1 front page of USA Today has a headline: "Trump Garble has Sleep Experts Atwitter." It is amazing how much research the media will do when they are out to trash a politician and how little they will do when they support a candidate and agenda. Every time Hillary speaks, the media should worry about sleep deprivation and mental capacity. She seems to think she won the presidency and that somehow violating the nation's security laws for four years is "the biggest nothingburger ever." Can anyone imagine the media almost universally supporting a presidential candidate who had so little respect for the laws of the United States and her oath to uphold the laws? The media should also call out psychiatrists to analyze Maxine Waters every time she talks. Somehow she believes that Russia attacked Korea instead of Crimea. The sad part is that the media consider Waters a good guest as long as she trashes Trump. We may need to analyze the top Democrat in the land, Nancy Pelosi, because she seems to think that Bush is still president. She may be reverting. Of course, Nancy also quoted Martin Luther Sing and has thought for a long time that you must pass bills to see what is in them instead of reading them first. At least the leading Democrat didn't make a typo late at night, because I am sure USA Today and other media outlets would have considered that serious. Maybe the sleep experts could analyze how Obama was able to just disappear the night of September 11, 2012 when Americans were under attack. Somehow, he was able to just go to bed. Of course, we don't know what he actually did that night, because the media and Democrats never cared. I do believe that Obama and Hillary must have had a mental fart that night, because they blamed a video when everyone knew that it was terrorism. Maybe they and their staff were sleep-talking when they came up with that fictional story. Letting people die, lying about it to the public and the family, and saying before Congress that at this point what does it matter (under that thought process, no murder should ever be investigated because the victim is already dead) why they died must be another big nothingburger to Hillary. Maybe the media should have worried in 2008 about Obama's mental capacity and sleep problems when he said he had visited 57 states and had one to go. That "one to go" was Alaska and Hawaii. I wonder why they weren't worried about him starting a war when he didn't even have any idea how many states there are and that two does not equal one. Of course, the media continually let him tell the story that everyone would be able to keep their health plans and doctor and that costs would go down substantially when it was obviously not true. Maybe the sleep experts should be called out to see why reporters in unison just repeat what they are told about climate change and Russia or any other Democrat talking points despite so many things being provably false. Maybe the media might wake up some day to see that a president targeting political opponents by spying and unmasking their names is extremely dangerous and illegal. It would have been so much better if Trump, his staff, and his family had taken kickbacks from Russia for uranium instead of talking to Russians. Thank goodness for Trump. It appears we have a president who will actually abide by his oath and try to reduce the power of the ever oppressive and greedy Washington establishment. Transfer balls: Manchester United agree terms with Griezmann but dont want him Transfer balls: Antione Griezmann is not joining Manchester United. United have shelved plans to sing Grizemann (Sun); United interest in Griezmann fades (Express and Mirror); and Ant shoved aside as Jose turns to Lukaku (Daily Star) tells us all we need to know. Regular tabloid readers will wonder what happened to the deal Griezmann had agreed to: And then there are the newspapers that co-opt the newsbots into deceiving their readers. Google search engines dont spot the question marks that punctuate utter balls. They read it as fact. So why is Griezmann no longer on his way to United? Have they elbowed him aside? No. The Mirror notes that Atletico Madrid have been hit with a transfer ban for signing underage players. This means they Spanish side will refuse to sell their star player. So Griezmann stays in Spain. The Times says hes tying in Spain because United decided instead to pursue a target man in light of Zlatan Ibrahimovics long-term knee injury. Such are the facts. Anorak Posted: 2nd, June 2017 | In: Arsenal, Broadsheets, Sports, Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink Mansplaining: Do not put wasps nests in your vagina, doctor warns If youre keen on vaginal rejuvenation, Canadian gynaecologist Jen Gunter says its best not to stuff a dried wasps nest up there. Oak galls, created when wasps lay eggs, can, as it is claimed, be good for your vagina when ground into a paste. If anyone comes after you with a flicked kitchen towel or spatular, youve only got yourself to blame. Dr Gunter tells us: Drying the vaginal mucosa increases the risk of abrasions during sex (not good) and destroys the protective mucous layer (not good). Hands up who wants to stick their bellend into a wasps nest? Oh, that many. Spotter: Indy Anorak Posted: 2nd, June 2017 | In: Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink GE17 tabloid review: Corbyns cat, Mays death and go Amber! GE17: a look at tabloid reporting on the big debate. Daily Mirror (front page): Tories are plotting to stab PM in the back. No sign of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on the Mirrors cover, just news that should Theresa May not win a hefty election majority Tories will ditch her. May is shown looking tight-lipped. You know its looking bad for Labour when the Labour-supporting newspaper finds solace in anything other than a Tory landslide. There is no mention of Jeremy Corbyn until page 6. Indeed, in this front-page story, May is name-checked 11 times; Corbyn just twice. Corbyns image only appears in a small photo on a left-hand page. And even then hes not alone. Page 6 -7: May has to land a huge majority or shell be hung out to dry by the Tories, states the paper. Stabbed and hanged. Brutal stuff. But more likely May will get a great pension and more time to sort out the bins. On page 7 Jason Beattie says May has no personality. She has sabotaged the Tory campaign. She is brittle and desperate. Jason isnt keen on her. Page 6: Labour will storm ahead with its blueprint for Britain if it becomes the largest party in a hung parliament. It will storm ahead before getting caught in an eddy and going nowhere. If we are the largest party, we go ahead no deals, says shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry, safe in the knowledge that they wont be. Page 7: We get to look at Labour Party winner. Tony Blair called Sedgefield County Durham his spiritual and political home, says Paul Routledge. Yep. its Blair, who keeps his money in London. Routledge says its unthinkable Sedgefield, the seat Blair sat in for 24 years come war, more war and even more war, will turn Tory blue this June. So unthinkable is it that Routledge has written a column on the matter. The Labour candidate for Sedgefield is Phil Wilson, who tells locals: What people want is someone born and brought up here. Whose kids went to school here. Tony Blair was born in Edinburgh. He lives in London. Best of luck, Phil. Daily Express (front page): Corbyn Doesnt Believe In Britain. Well, so says Theresa May. Pages 4-5: Corbyn? Hes a man who has no plan, says May The Daily Express produces a phone poll: Does Corbyn have what it takes to run Britain? it asks. Calls are 50p each. Keep an open mind before deciding which number to call for yes or no. Keep your mind so open your brains fall out. Page 5: Greater Tory majority will ensure Brexit is easier, claims think tank. The Express campaigned for UKIP and Brexit. Make the link. Page 5: Corbyn backed squatters crusade. In 2013, Corbyn helped organise a meeting for the Squatters Action for Secure Homes (Squash) at the House of Commons. Daily Mail (front page): Corbyns Sly Death Trap The paper cites new figures which suggest Jeremy Corbyn will drag an extra 1.2 million family homes into the grip of inheritance tax if he wins the election. Vote Corbyn, then. We can all default on our mortgages and squat for free. The kids will love it. Sleep over! But wait. The policy is not in the Labour manifesto, but appears in a separate costings document. Corbyn is mentioned three times on the Mails front page. Theresa May is not mentioned once. Indeed, in this front-page story, Corbyn is name-checked 12 times; May just twice. The Mirror and Mail agree on one thing: the other leader is a vote winner for the wrong side. Page 6: Tories go to war with BBC over Left-wing audience bias. The paper updates readers on that BBC TV debate May did not take part in. Before you watch May and Corbyn on Question Time yep, there is a televised leaderzzzzzz debate the paper warns readers that the BBC might be biased to the Left. Page 7: For those of you a little hard of learning, the paper produces How impartial BBC has kept up a relentless attack on the Tories. Page 8-9: We get to learn what else Corbyn doesnt believe in. He doesnt believe in Brexit. So there. Daily Star (front page): TV Caroline Love Isle Lesbian Romps. Vote now! Page 4: Seven Days To Save UK, May Warns Voters. Corbyn is 7-2 to win the vote. Save your money for something worthwhile, like a Daily Express phone poll or a wishing well. The Sun (front page): Corbyns magic money tree will cost families extra 3.5k-a-year. Corbyns manifesto is full of far-fetched election bribes that would blow a 300bn hole in Britains finances. On page 2, the Sun reminds readers that the hard hitting money-tree phrase was coined by Home Secretary Amber Ruud. Amber. Amber. Amber. The papers love her. May should frisk her for knives. Page 8: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn even believes his cat supports the hard left. Mr Cobyn says the cat called El Gato has shown socialist tendencies in allowing a stray cat to share its food. Jeremy Corbyn has a cat! Dog owners, you know what to do. Anorak Posted: 2nd, June 2017 | In: Politicians, Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink The restriction was imposed on US routes from 10 airports, in the Middle East and North Africa, in March. Ahead of the IATA AGM being held in Cancun, Mexico, from Sunday, the airline organisation detailed passenger traffic for April 2017, the first full month since the introduction of the scheme. Its data suggests passenger traffic on Middle Eastern carriers operating US services fell by 2.8% during the month. "There are indications that passengers are avoiding routes where the ban is in place," director general Alexandre de Juniac said. "This was the first annual decline recorded for this market in at least seven years," an IATA statement said. "While traffic growth on the market segment already was slowing, the decline is consistent with some disruption from the ban as well as a wider impact on inbound travel to the USA from the Trump administrations proposed travel bans." When Mauritania Airlines International was established in December 2010, it marked the third attempt at a flag-carrier in a decade by the Islamic Republic. Just three years previously, Mauritania Airways, a joint venture with Tunisair, had been set up with the same aim of providing connectivity for the little-known west African nation. Its rapid fall from grace followed the slow demise of Air Mauritanie, the countrys historic flag-carrier, which cooperated with pan-regional carrier Air Afrique for most of its four decades in the skies. That financial headwinds grounded both predecessors is hardly surprising when one considers Mauritanias vital statistics. With an agriculture-focused economy and a small, conservative population that typically eschews overseas travel, the country suffers from weak demand on both the inbound and outbound sectors. Mauritania Airlines International is the only carrier in the country, accounting for all of the 248,000 passengers who flew with locally registered operators in 2015. But, with just seven foreign airlines serving capital city Nouakchott on a scheduled basis Air Algerie, Air Cote d'Ivoire, Air France, Binter Canaria, Royal Air Maroc, Tunisair and Turkish Airlines the government is determined to make a success of its flag-carrier, leveraging the company for economic development and improved bilateral relations. Winning Mauritanias removal from the European Unions Air Safety List in December 2012 was a watershed moment for the sector. Predecessor Mauritania Airways had ceased operations just one month after it was banned from EU skies amid accusations of persisting deficiencies in its operations and maintenance. Air Mauritanie had also been banned by the UK Government prior to the introduction of a Europe-wide blacklist. Weve invested a lot. Weve improved a lot, Mohamed Radhy Ould Bennahi, the new flag-carriers chief executive, told African Aerospace. Everyone, including the civil aviation [authority], did their best to get out of this blacklist. But all this is behind us. We are now a member of IATA [the International Air Transport Association] and we are IOSA [IATA operational safety audit] certified. The removal of EU restrictions allowed Mauritania Airlines International to begin serving Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory located off the north-western coast of Africa, in May 2013. Flights from Nouakchott are now operated four-times weekly with a stop in Nouadhibou, Mauritanias second largest city. Another link to Paris followed in December of the same year, but was suspended in February 2015 for commercial reasons. As of the beginning of 2017, the overseas route network also includes Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, Bamako in Mali, Casablanca in Morocco, Conakry in Guinea, Dakar in Senegal, and Tunis in Tunisia. Other international routes that have been trialled and suspended include Algiers in Algeria, Banjul in Gambia, Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo, and Cotonou in Benin. On the domestic front, triangle flights are currently operated between the two main cities and Zouerat in the north. The flag-carrier serves its network with a fleet of two Boeing 737-500s, one 737-700, one 737-800 (newly delivered in November) and one Embraer ERJ 145. Mauritanian president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, has announced that one 737 MAX will also arrive in Nouakchott later this year. Above all, we want to renew our fleet, said Bennahi, who formerly headed up SOMAGAZ, Mauritanias state-owned gas company. The 737-500s will be withdrawn from the fleet. Not necessarily with the arrival of the 737 MAX they can still fly for a while but our strategy is to get them out of the fleet. And we would like to strengthen our fleet further. We are thinking about other types of aircraft. We need aircraft adapted to our needs. He confirmed that Brazzaville flights could be re-launched as soon as this year, along with a brand new route to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Paris may also return to the network, strengthened by the improved performance of the MAX and greater connectivity through the Nouakchott hub. We believe that conditions have changed and, by relying on our network in Africa, we think it can be re-opened under better conditions, Bennahi said of the suspended route. Mauritania Airlines International presently accounts for 55% of flight frequencies and 40% of seating capacity across all markets in the country, making it the largest operator by both metrics. When looking at available seat kilometres (ASKs), however, it falls into third place behind Turkish Airlines and Air France. That reflects the relatively lengthy flight times on the Nouakchott-Istanbul and Nouakchott-Paris routes, as well as Air Frances deployment of wide-bodies. Asked what would make the latest incarnation of Mauritanias flag-carrier more successful than its forebears, Bennahi emphasised the importance of fleet optimisation and the need to trust partners and passengers. These two main axes will help the company improve itself while seeking efficiency, he said, acknowledging strong competitive headwinds from both Africa and Europe. I can confirm that the companys financial situation has improved compared to last year. We are approaching break-even. And this improvement has been achieved through two things: firstly, through the efforts we are making concerning our operation, which means that we have more passengers. Second, through the fall in oil prices. The opening of Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport last June should also help things along. The new gateway, located to the north of the capital, is capable of handling two million passengers a year. It comprises two runways, four jetways, a 320,000sqft passenger terminal, a freight terminal, and a VIP reception area. The airport offers more prospects at several levels, especially in working conditions, Bennahi said, acknowledging the poor state of the now-decommissioned gateway. We believe that other destinations will develop, bringing more activity to the company. Bilateral restrictions pose little obstacle for Mauritania Airlines International, he continued, owing to widespread compliance with the principles of the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) in west Africa. This is not difficult given the agreements that exist with the states, Bennahi insisted, referring to the multinational treaty that was designed to liberalise cross-border flying on the continent. Traditionally, Mauritanian airlines have operated in these countries, so access is not that difficult. His remarks concord with the upbeat assessment of Rene Decurey, the chief executive of Air Cote d'Ivoire, who recently told African Aerospace that all the governments stick to YD in the sub-region. However, other airlines have complained that the liberalisation agreement exists on paper only. In late 2014, for example, Habiba Laklalech, deputy chief executive of Royal Air Maroc, accused the Mauritania Government of deliberately curtailing access to the country. We used to have [a weekly allocation of] 14 flights, she said of the Casablanca-Nouakchott route. Then the state reduced them to 11, to nine, to seven and now five. Royal Air Maroc has, subsequently, been allowed to deploy freighters once weekly on the city pair. But its dwindling presence in the passenger market comes as Mauritania Airlines International ramps up activity, now serving Casablanca three times weekly from the capital and twice weekly from Nouadhibou. Outbound services were also previously operated from Zouerat. While concerns about protectionism will do little to boost confidence in the flag-carrier, the problem is far from unique to Mauritania. Indeed, Royal Air Maroc has itself been accused of restrictive practices, reportedly lobbying the Rabat government not to grant Air Arabia Maroc access to west African destinations. After just six years of operations, it is too early to know whether Mauritanias third attempt at a flag-carrier will secure a better legacy than its predecessors. However, whereas Mauritania Airways was dependent on Tunisian investors, and Air Mauritanie spent its final years courting a Moroccan bailout, the new flag-carrier is going it alone as a locally funded entity. For better or for worse, success now hinges on the dedication and resourcefulness of home-grown Mauritanian expertise. The company today said it will hire 20,000 people this year after 400 were asked to leave. New Delhi: IT services major Infosys today said it will hire 20,000 people this year as against only 400 people being asked to leave on performance grounds and termed reports of large-scale job losses as "overstated". Infosys COO UB Pravin Rao said the technology-driven transformation presents new opportunities for companies like Infosys. "With respect to all the talks of layoffs, it's regular performance based things that we do every year. The number is really 300-400, which is consistent with what we have seen every year," Rao told reporters after a 30-minute meeting with IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. He said the country's second largest software exporter is "creating more jobs, adding more people and letting go of only minuscule number of people, purely from performance related perspective". Rao met the minister along with Infosys co-Chairman Ravi Venkatesan. He declined however to comment on views of Infosys co- founder NR Narayana Murthy that jobs can be protected if the senior executives of companies take salary cuts and invest in employee re-skilling. Prasad also asserted that IT companies like Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys continue to hire in large numbers. "TCS has written that they have employed 2.5 lakh people in last 3 years and this year they are going to employ 20,000 more...all this talk of sluggishness is unwarranted," he said. The comments come at a time when there have been reports of layoffs across the IT sector. Tech majors like Wipro, Infosys, Cognizant and Tech Mahindra have initiated annual performance reviews, a process that weeds out bottom performers or non-performers. This has compounded fears that thousands of employees in the sector could be shown the door over the next few weeks. The IT sector is already battling challenges in the business environment and stricter work permit regime in countries like the US, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Various employee unions have approached labour commissioners and state governments to intervene in the matter. "I think all the news about job losses are overstated. Infosys itself last year recruited over 20,000 people and this year again, we are likely to repeat similar numbers," Rao said. He added that in the first half of the year, the company will recruit over 10,000 people. Meeting shows convergence of two big oil suppliers to manage oil price. Up Untill a year ago, Russia and Saudi Arabia had virtually no dialogue at all. Moscow: A meeting between the two men who run Russia and Saudi Arabia's oil empires spoke volumes about the new relationship between the energy superpowers. It was the first time that Rosneft boss Igor Sechin and Saudi Aramco chief Amin Nasser had held a formal, scheduled meeting going beyond the numerous times they had simply encountered each other at oil events around the world. Their conversation also broke new ground, according to two sources familiar with the talks in the Saudi city of Dhahran last week who said the CEOs discussed possible ways of cooperating in Asia, such as Indonesia and India, as well as in other markets. The sources did not disclose further details, but any cooperation in Asia between Russia and Saudi Arabia the world's two biggest oil exporters would be unprecedented. State oil giant Aramco confirmed the meeting took place but declined to give details of the closed-door talks, which took place on the same day as Opec kingpin Saudi Arabia and non-Opec Russia led a global pact to extend a crude output cut to prop up prices. Kremlin oil major Rosneft declined to comment. The meeting - which also saw Nasser give Sechin a tour of Aramco's HQ, according to the sources - gives an insight into the newfound, unexpected and fast-deepening partnership between the two countries. It is one that will be closely watched by big oil consumers around the world which have long relied on the hot rivalry between their top suppliers to secure better deals. Such a detente between Moscow and Riyadh would have been almost unthinkable in the past. Up until a year ago, the two sides had virtually no dialogue at all, even in the face of a spike in US shale oil production that had led to a collapse in global prices from mid-2014. Sechin was strongly opposed to Russia cutting output in tandem with Opec. In a sign of their white-hot Asian rivalry, Rosneft outbid Aramco to buy Indias refiner Essar last year and boost its share in the world's fastest growing fuel market. Fast forward a matter of months, and Moscow and Riyadh have become the main protagonists of the pact to cut output - agreed in December and extended last week - and are even discussing possible cooperation in their core Asian markets. It is a new axis of love'," one senior Gulf official said of the relationship. On Tuesday, Putin welcomed Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Kremlin and both men said they would deepen cooperation in oil and work on narrowing their differences over Syria, where Moscow and Riyadh are backing opposing sides in a civil war. "The most important thing is that we are succeeding in building a solid foundation to stabilize oil markets and energy prices," said Prince Mohammed. On worries that Donald Trumps decision to abandon a climate pact could spark more crude drilling in the US, worsening a global glut. Benchmark Brent crude futures were off by nearly 3 per cent at $49.14 per barrel at 1034 GMT, down $1.49 from the previous close. London: Brent crude tumbled below $50 on Friday, heading for a second straight week of losses, on worries that Donald Trumps decision to abandon a climate pact could spark more crude drilling in the US, worsening a global glut. Benchmark Brent crude futures were off by nearly 3 per cent at $49.14 per barrel at 1034 GMT, down $1.49 from the previous close. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $1.45 to $46.91 per barrel. Both contracts were on track for weekly losses of more than 5 per cent. The withdrawal from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change drew condemnation from allies and sparked fears that US oil production could expand even more rapidly. I think we will see a United States that is about to go crazy in terms of producing fossil fuels, said Matt Stanley, a fuel broker at Freight Services International in Dubai, adding other producers could do the same. Why wouldnt they ramp up production when producers like the US have an open invite to do as they please? US crude production last week was up by nearly 5,00,000 barrels per day from year-earlier levels, straining Opecs efforts to reduce global oversupply. Abhishek Bachchan took to social media to share an emotional picture of the 'Bachchan bunch' with Big B from the mid-80s. Mumbai: Following his 'ThrowbackThursday' ritual, Abhishek Bachchan took to social media to share an emotional picture of the 'Bachchan bunch' with Big B from the mid-80s. It is a black and white picture where megastar Amitabh Bachchan is surrounded by kids Abhishek, Shweta and their cousins as they visited Big B at the hospital when he suffered a fatal accident on the sets of 'Coolie'. The 'Guru' star captioned the pic as, "#throwbackthursday taken in the mid 80's (1985 if memory serves). I call it Big B and the Bachchan bunch. Dad was hospitalised with Myasthenia Gravis and my sister, cousins and I had gone to visit him. Being too young to understand what all was going on, our parents always made it out to be like an outing so that we would not be disturbed by the hospital and its workings." Adding, "When I used to visit my father after his accident on the sets of 'Coolie' in 1982, seeing him connected to many drips and machines, he used to tell me they were kites that he had got for me. I was 6 yrs old. My father was fighting for his life and all I thought about was... why isn't he allowing me to play with these kites??? The innocence of childhood I guess." The 'Baar Baar Dekho' actress will turn 34 this year, on July 16. Mumbai: IIFA 2017 will be yet more special for Katrina Kaif, as, other than the fact that it's happening at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York, the event will be aired on July 16, on her birthday. An excited Katrina, at the IIFA 2017 press conference that happened here yesterday, said, "I am excited that this year, it is happening in one of my favourite cities - New York. It's airing on my birthday, done specially for me." Salman Khan, who also attended the press meet, added, "That's how the organizers worked up the days. It will be on July 14 and 15 and will be aired on her birthday. The dates, initially were 11, 12 and 13, which did not make any sense," and joked, "It's national holiday, its Katrina Kaif's birthday and now that we will be in New York, the city is going to stand still." To which the host of the event asked, "basically the whole globe is going to celebrate your birthday, Katrina." "I am hoping. That's kind of the plan," she replied. Salman Khan jumped in with a smirk on his face, "Invite me!" Now that's really cute! The 'Baar Baar Dekho' actress will turn 34 this year, on July 16. On the work front, the 'Dabangg' Khan and his former girlfriend Katrina will be soon seen together in Ali Abbas Zafar movie 'Tiger Zinda Hai.' As news of Sushants Singhs aggression towards the media spread far and wide, Kriti stepped up to defend her co-star from Raabta. Sushant Singh Rajput has a new press representative in Kriti Sanon. As news of Sushants Singhs aggression towards the media spread far and wide, Kriti stepped up to defend her co-star from Raabta. While gossip mills are abuzz about the increasing proximity between them, Kriti now took it upon herself to explain Sushants behaviour. He is a very sorted person. At the first press conference, he was just trying to say that he was not aware of the situation and excused himself from commenting on the subject and that became a big issue, she says. This was a press conference where Sushant was supposedly dismissive of a journalist who told him to answer about Kulbhushan Jadhav issue in a better tone. As for the other event, Sushant was trying to be loud because there was a lot of noise around him and he was trying to be heard, she defends. Kriti Sanon In a frivolous world, it is nice to see co-actors standing up for each other, whatever the reasons. We do hope Sushants media mishap tides over, particularly in the wake of his upcoming movie release. Sanskriti Media A complaint was lodged against him after he failed to justify his academic abilities. Patna: A year after Bihar state board ClassXII Arts topper Ruby Rai was arrested, Patna police today nabbed this year's topper in the stream, Ganesh Kumar, on charge of forgery of documents. He was arrested from the Bihar School Examination Board office on a complaint filed by the board alleging that he took the examination on forged documents, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police, Manu Maharaj, told PTI tonight. BSEB Chairman, Anand Kishore said Kumar was called at the office for questioning after reports of him submitting forged documents. He was handed over to the police after it was found that his documents were not in order. The state's board examination result and its toppers were mired in controversies last years too. After the last year's results were announced, Class XII topper Ruby Rai hit the headlines when she said she had studied 'prodigal science'-- rather than political science -- and that the subject was about cooking. A whopping 64 per cent of students have failed to clear the board exams this year. Several science stream students told the media they appeared in JEE Advance, conducted for admission into IITs, but scored as low as 1, 2 or 4 in subjects like physics and maths in the board exams. Bihar Class 12 student fails to explain the basics of music. Patna: History has repeated itself a year after Class 12 Bihar boards topper scam stirred a controversy as the states topper in humanities, Ganesh Kumar, struggled to explain the basics of music, one of his subjects. Ganesh Kumar, who topped Class 12 boards in humanities stream, had opted for music as one of his subjects, but stumbled over queries posed by the media on music, in which he scored 65 out of 70 in practical and 18 out of 30 marks in theory. When asked to speak about classical Hindustani music and to explain the meaning of antara and mukhda, Ganesh said, I dont remember now what it means. He also couldnt play musical instruments properly. Ganesh, who hails from Jharkhand, had taken admission in Ram Nandan Singh Jagdeep Narayan College in Samastipur. He seemed to have a difficult time explaining what is sur, taal and matra, considered the basics of music. The 24-year-old Kumar appeared for the board exams at Ramnandan Singh Jagdip Narayan High school in Samastipurs Chhakh-abib village and scored 82.6 per cent. He got 92 per cent in Hindi, 82 per cent in music and 42 per cent in social science. Sources said that Ganeshs school cancelled the felicitation programme following the controversy. It should be recalled that Meghlaya, Nagaland and Mizoram are Christian-dominated states. BJP president Amit Shah, who will visit Kerala on Friday, is expected to raise the issue of public slaughter of a calf by Youth Congress workers. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The Centres proposed cattle slaughter ban is not merely being opposed by non-BJP states, which include Kerala and West Bengal, but is also creating ripples within the BJP, particularly in the Northeast. On Thursday, Bernard N. Marak, former West Garo Hills district president of the BJP, quit the party over the proposed ban. Speaking to the media in Meghalaya, Mr Marak said: I quit the party as the BJP is trying to impose their ideology on us. He questioned the Centres reported move to impose a ban on consumption of beef. BJP leader Nalin Kohli, who is in charge of the partys affairs in Meghalaya, while speaking to this newspaper, refused to give any importance to Mr Maraks decision to quit the party and tried to indicate that he was already under the partys scanner for non-performance. He said Mr Marak was anyway on his way out... and is now trying to make the cow slaughter ban an emotive issue. Mr Kohli asserted that the BJP will not tolerate any members who, for their personal political gain, digress from Modijis agenda of development for all. In northeastern states like Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram and for a section of the population in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, it is fairly common to eat beef. It should be recalled that Meghlaya, Nagaland and Mizoram are Christian-dominated states. Mr Kohli also said the BJP had categorically spelt out that the question of having a law in a state on cow slaughter is to be decided by the state, and not by the Centre. Indicating that the BJP-led government had no intention of imposing the law on the states, Mr Kohli said: Every state government that decides to have a law or not have a law on cow slaughter... do so keeping in mind local food habits of that particular state. In the Northeast, every state government will take this into account. He then added: The notification has nothing on cow slaughter and beef ban. Any state can decide on this and we fully respect the federal structure. With states like West Bengal and Kerala rejecting the proposed ban and trouble brewing in Tamil Nadu as well, some in the BJP are wondering whether to continue pushing for a ban or to simply exempt buffaloes. However, BJP president Amit Shah, who will visit Kerala on Friday, is expected to raise the issue of public slaughter of a calf by Youth Congress workers. A senior party leader said: The BJP will not give up the issue of banning cow slaughter as a majority of Hindus regard the cow as sacred and holy. According to them, the victim had an altercation with some people involved in illicit liquor business in the locality four days ago. Kamlesh Jain was rushed to a hospital at Mandsaur where doctors declared him brought dead. Bhopal: A journalist of a Hindi daily was shot dead late Wednesday evening when he was filing his reports at his office in Pipliya Mandi under Madhya Pradeshs Mandsaur district. Forty-twoyear-old Kamlesh Jain, who was working for an Indore-based daily, was fired from close range by two assailants who fled the spot on motorcycle after committing the crime, Pipliya Mandi police station in-charge Anil Singh Thakur said. He was rushed to a hospital at Mandsaur where doctors declared him brought dead. His family members suspected hand of local bootleggers in his murder. According to them, the victim had an altercation with some people involved in illicit liquor business in the locality four days ago. They had reportedly threatened to eliminate him. My brother had detailed the incident before the local police fearing threats to his life from the local hooch traders. But, no action was taken, the victims brother Manish Jain said. While 128 locals joined militancy last year, the figure could be between 260 and 300 till May this year alone. New Delhi: The number of local Kashmiri youths recruited by terror groups in the Valley in the first five months this year alone has more than doubled as compared to the whole of 2016, intelligence agencies cautioned the Union home ministry on Friday. This comes a day after Union home minister Rajnath Singh said that infiltration of militants from Pakistan has dropped following the Armys surgical strikes against terror launchpads in PoK in September last year. According to a report by intelligence agencies, details of which have been examined by this newspaper, the security establishment has expressed concern over terror recruitments. While 128 locals joined militancy last year, the figure could be between 260 and 300 till May this year alone. Another important issue flagged by intelligence agencies and described as alarming was that the recruitment drive, particularly by Hizbul Mujahideen, was not just limited to south Kashmir but extended to north as well as central Kashmir. One of the main reasons, sources said, for the sharp increase in locals joining the ranks of militant groups in the Valley was the sustained and aggressive campaign, including through social media, carried out by terror modules particularly after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in July last year. Intelligence agencies have also alerted that terror outfits were facing a severe shortage of arms and ammunition as security agencies have been successful to a large extent in checking smuggling of weapons from across the border. This, the report adds, could lead to an increase in incidents of militants snatching weapons from security forces in the days ahead and that most local Kashmir youths recruited recently would be used for this purpose. We have information that militant groups are training and instigating these youths to target security forces for weapons as they are running low on supplies. Adequate preventive measures are being taken after these new revelations. So far, militants have been able to snatch more than 100 security weapons which largely include AK and INSAS series rifles, besides magazines and bullets , a senior security official said. One of the main reasons for local youths getting lured by Hizbul, as compared to Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, the other two main terror outfits active in Kashmir, is that Hizbul is largely a local group with most of its cadre and sympathisers from the Valley alone. As part of its propaganda campaign Hizbul recently released a picture of 27 militants at a training camp in PoK saying they would soon be `launched into the Valley. Security agencies in Kashmir have already adopted an aggressive strategy against active militants, eliminating 14 of them in the last few days and issuing a most wanted list. But in view of youths getting attracted to terror outfits, the home ministry in coordination with the state government will also shortly launch a sustained propaganda campaign particularly in educational institutions and rural areas. As part of the campaign, the Centre also plans to generate more employment opportunities to attract youths from the Valley particularly in the para-military forces and Indian reserve battalions. Sources said, Shahabuddin is lying and concealing facts related to the case. He is giving conflicting versions during interrogation. New Delhi: RJD leader Mohammed Shahabuddin, an accused in the Siwan-based journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case, has refused to give his consent to undergo a lie-detector test. The CBI on Friday also maintained that he is not cooperating in the probe. Sources said, Shahabuddin is lying and concealing facts related to the case. He is giving conflicting versions during interrogation. The agency will inform the special CBI court in Muzzafarpur about the development, they added. It is mandatory to take consent of the accused before subjecting them to polygraph test, also known as lie-detector test, sources said. The agency is questioning Shahabuddin at the agency headquarters here after obtaining his custody for eight days in connection with the case. The eight-day custody will end on Monday. Shahabuddin was in jail when the journalist was gunned down in Siwan on May 13, 2016. Shahabuddin, facing more than 39 criminal cases, including those of kidnapping and murder, was transferred to Tihar Jail on February 18. Tradition of iftar parties by UP CMs started in 1974. Lucknow: In keeping with his policy of no discrimination, no appeasement, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath is not likely to host the annual iftar party at his residence. A senior official in the chief ministers secretariat said that as of now, the chief minister will not be hosting the annual iftar party to which all important Muslim clerics and eminent citizens are invited. Yogi Adityanath is the chief priest of the Gorakshpeeth in Gorakhpur and is not comfortable with such events. He feels it would be better if he can provide a safe and secure environment for Muslims, the official said. The chief minister, however, did hold a Navratri lunch for his cabinet colleagues and party MLAs after he took over as chief minister. The tradition of iftar parties was started in 1974 by the then chief minister, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, whose daughter Rita Bahuguna Joshi is, incidentally, is a senior minister in the Yogi Adityanath government. All chief ministers including Kalyan Singh and Rajnath Singh have followed the tradition though Ram Prakash Gupta was an exception. Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali , the Imam of Idgah and a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said that the tradition of hosting iftar parties reflected communal harmony and mutual respect. The decision, however, rests entirely with the chief minister, he stated. Yogi Adityanath, apparently, is following in the footsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue. The Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress, however, will be hosting iftar parties in the third week of June. There is a likelihood that the RBI governor may not be called for the panels meeting on the said date. New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Thursday, questioned the governments claim of India being the fastest growing economy after the GDP in 2016-17 recorded a three-year low of 7.1 per cent, forcing even the chief statistician T.C.A. Anant to admit that it could be due to the impact of demonetisation. Dr Singh, a noted economist, raised the matter during the meeting of a high-level parliamentary panel, which discussed the issue of demonetisation with representatives of the banking sector on Thursday. The meeting, according to reliable sources, witnessed several stormy scenes as many BJP members are said to have to objected to the Opposition members criticism of the demonetisation process, especially after Dr Sin-ghs sharp observations. He is reliably learnt to have punched holes in the Centres claims of the economy growing in a robust manner and even overtaking China as the fastest growing economy, as Indias GDP growth slipped to 6.1 per cent during the January-March quarter of 2016-17, whereas China recorded an impressive growth rate of 6.9 per cent during the same period. Significantly, it was Dr Singh who in Parliament had tore into the government on its decision to announce the demonetisation exercise on Nove-mber 8, 2016. Describing the process as a monum-ental mismanagement, organised loot and leg-alised plunder, he had cautioned that the GDP will fall by two percentage points, while speaking on the controversial decision in Rajya Sabha on November 25 last year. According to sources privy to the development, during the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on finance, the former PM, a Rajya Sabha MP and member of the panel, sought to know from bankers the reasons behind the sluggish economic growth despite the fact that the government had upgraded the base year for computing GDP growth to 2011-12 from the earlier 2004-05. The parliamentary panel, which is led by Congress MP M. Veerappa Moily, discussed the issue of demonetisation with representatives of a select nationalised banks and personnel of Indian Banks Association (IBA). Sources told this newspaper that though the panel was keen to summon RBI governor Urjit Patel during its next meeting scheduled for June 8 to seek his explanation on the impact of demonetisation, quite a few BJP members urged Mr Moily not to summon the Central banks chief. There is a likelihood that the RBI governor may not be called for the panels meeting on the said date. Mr Patel could not make it to the panels last meeting, which was held on May 25. The committee is keen to know the impact of demonetisation, as the Centre is yet to come up with the actual quantum of old currency notes which were deposited with the Government till December 30, 2016, the last date for exchanging and submitting old notes of 500 and 1,000 rupees denomination. The three-year-old suffers from a rare condition called Cloves Syndrome that makes one side of his body grown faster than the other While he was diagnosed at birth, the doctors had given up hope on him walking or talking but he his condition rapidly improved to surprise them. (Photo: Facebook/VictorPadillaPageOfHope) Rare medical conditions make even doctors give up on cases but it is often the hope held by people and the resilience that makes miracles happen. A toddler recently left doctors surprised after he started talking even though he suffered from a rare condition that made it difficult for him to communicate with people. According to a report in the Daily Mail, doctors treating Victor Padilla were amazed when the three-year-old started talking inspite of a rare condition he suffered from. The Rochester-based boy from New York suffers from a rare condition which means he has multiple tumours and most prominently is the one on his cheek. While he was diagnosed at birth, the doctors had given up hope on him walking or talking but he his condition rapidly improved to surprise them. The disorder affects 200 people in the world and infects the immune system and brain leading to illnesses like flu which could be fatal. Victors parents Jenny and Jerry Padilla are happy that their son is stealthily recovering and can now talk because of various treatments carried out by doctors. The RSS Sarsanghchalak discussed this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi much before his trips to Germany and Russia. Nagpur: The Rashtriya Swayayamsewak Sangh (RSS) has strongly recommended the name of former Union HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi for the post of President of India, for which polls will be held on July 25. RSS chief, Dr Mohan Bhagwat, met the BJP national leadership recently in Delhi and tried to push Joshis case, according to highly placed sources here. The RSS Sarsanghchalak discussed this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi much before his trips to Germany and Russia. Since Mr Modi has a clear cut policy on the age criteria for ministers inducted into his cabinet, both Mr Advani and Mr Joshi became the first casualties of this policy in 2014 when the NDA returned to power after a decade. Both, Advani and Joshi are considered hard core RSS followers, which is why the organisation wants to see one of them installed in Rashtrapati Bhawan. Joshi, a former Professor with an impeccable record, fits the frame perfectly as he is younger than Mr Advani, and not too old to occupy the highest office in the country. BJP stalwart and Union Minister for Transport and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari, was also keen on Mr Advani or Mr Joshi as the next President of India. He met party leaders independently and advocated their case but was snubbed. They also reminded him how the duo had ill-treated him when they were at the helm of affairs in the Centre during the previous regime. The student pointed out that they face difficulty with regular political programmes from various political parties at College Sqaure. Kolkata: CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday imposed a ban on holding meetings and rallies at College Square following demand of Calcutta University students. The area can well be regarded as the educational hub with Calcutta University, Presidency University, Hare School, Hindu School, Sanksrit Collegiate School and also the Calcutta Medical College & Hospital located just adjacent to College Square. The chief minister who was interacting with students of Calcutta University welcomed the proposal from a research scholar at the administrative review meeting in Tarakeshwar, Hooghly. The student pointed out that they face difficulty with regular political programmes from various political parties at College Sqaure. Empathising with the students, the chief minister said it was true that loudspeakers and sloganeering cause a lot of problem for the students. The chief minister immediately directed senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim, who was present at the meeting, to deliver the message to all her party leaders that there should be no political programme at the spot. I will hope that all political parties will follow this. The next time there is any meeting then you students should stage demonstration, she added. Come up with a law so as to enforce this, she said urging her director-general of police Surajit Kar Purakayestha to pass on the message to Kolkata police commissioner Rajiv Kumar. She also directed the students to submit their appeal in written format to Mr Kumar. Later in the evening, Kolkata police issued a directive saying processions, rallies, meetings or demonstrations will not be allowed at College Square from June 5 onwards, only after observance of the necessary modalities. APMC says certain section with vested interests out to make fast buck. Vegetable market biggies from Meena Market at Dadar said that there was no shortage on Thursday as vegetables had arrived in the early hours. Mumbai: The city could suffer a shortage of green vegetables and other essential commodities like milk, fruits and meat from Friday if the farmers strike, which started off on Thursday, June 1 does not get resolved soon. According to wholesale and retail dealers of the commodities in the city, severe climatic conditions are causing vegetables and fruits that normally last up to two-three days to rot. As a result, stocks that they anticipated would tide them over the strike period will see a shortage, causing prices to spiral. However, APMC officials dismissed claims of a shortage and said some vested interests wanting to make a fast buck are creating an atmosphere of panic. Meanwhile, striking farmers resorted to vandalising vehicles carrying milk and vegetables in some parts of the state and tried to stop them from reaching the markets. According to former APMC deputy secretary Vitthal Rathod, the situation created in the wake of the strike would have a multifaceted impact on the market. If the government does not satisfy the farmers demands, the situation could worsen due to shortage of commodities as well as the vandalism that agitating farmers could resort to, to deter produce from reaching the market, he said. Wholesale and retail vegetable and fruit sellers across city markets said that some fruits and vegetables can last for three to four days, and these would be available even if produce with a long shelf life see a shortfall. Barma Chaudhary, a Byculla-based fruit distributor, said as 70 per cent of the fruit in the city comes from other parts of the country, chances of shortage are low; however, agitating farmers obstructing entry of vehicles could change matters. Vegetable market biggies from Meena Market at Dadar said that there was no shortage on Thursday as vegetables had arrived in the early hours. However, it is to be seen on Friday whether or not trucks carrying produce reach the market. Most of the traders stocked up on vegetables on Thursday in anticipation of shortfall from Friday. However, there is no guarantee of them remaining fresh till Friday due to the intense heat, said Laxman Chavan, a wholesaler. A vegetable stockist from Dadar, Anil Gupta, said he had stocks to last up to Sunday provided the temperature decreases. My stock of tomatoes will start rotting if the temperature does not come down; however I am not worried about the onions and potatoes as they can last up to a fortnight, he said. Former Navi Mumbai APMC director Sanjay Pansare has rubbished the claims of the traders and claimed a section of the business community was attempting to escalate prices. Vegetables and fruits are still making their way to the market. The excuse of severe heat damaging stocks is to justify the price increase, he alleged. Deonar Wholesale and retail dealers of poultry and meat said they are yet to hear from the controlling bodies about refraining from slaughtering goats and chicken. Javed Shaikh, officiating member of the Meat Sellers Association in Deonar, on Thursday said, "Our local business remains unaffected due to the strike. However, we are affected by the taxes levied on us by the government as a result ofwhich our export business is suffering." Crawford and Byculla Market The fruit market at Byculla and Crawford Market remained unaffected by the strike. "There is no shortage whatsoever of fruits as they have a longer shelf life hence the question of prices spiralling does not arise. The same cannot be said about fruits with short shelf life," said Azad Ali, a trader from Crawford Market. Meena Market, Dadar The green vegetable market at Dadar was thriving on Thursday. The traders, however, said they did not stock up on produce with short shelf life. Ranjeet Kumar Vais, a trader, said, "We won't be getting supplies from Nashik, and hence stocked up on gourds and brinjals for a couple of days. From Friday the prices will be controlled by demand and supply." Matunga Market "We can sustain business for another two-three days even if supplies don't come. Currently rates have barely risen, but if supplies don't come, rates will be dictated by the ones that have stocks," said Anil Gupta, trader and wholesaler of general vegetables, sprouts and root veggies. Navi Mumbai APMC Business was booming on Thursday as lots of trucks arrived with produce in the early hours. Due to the strike announcement, traders bought extra stock. However the prices did not escalate. The local police officials are clueless about the whereabouts of her son and daughter. Mumbai: Allegedly abandoned by her son and daughter, former Bollywood actor Geeta Kapoor is now trying to adjust with her life in Jeevan Asha, an old age home in Andheri (west). Although she is also showing signs of adapting to her new abode by taking her meals and medicines, and undergoing medical tests, she spent most of her first day asking and crying for her children on Thursday. Talking to The Asian Age, Sister Sarla from Jeevan Asha said, Geeta is not stable. She sounds very depressed, and also cried very often. We are trying to look after her physical as well as mental health. She has been asking for her children from the moment she came in but it will take her some time to adapt to the new environment. Kapoor was a small time actor who has worked in films like Pakeezah and has now been abandoned by her son and daughter that led to her landing in the old age home instead of her original residence in Goregaon (east), Jawahar Phata. Her son Raja Kapoor had admitted her to the privately run SRV hospital in Goregaon where she had to spend the next 41 days waiting for her children to take her home. But, since they didn't, the doctors had to shift her to the old age home. The local police officials are clueless about the whereabouts of her son and daughter. After Kapoor's complete body check up, she was sitting on her wheelchair when The Asian Age met her. She said, I am asking for their forgiveness. I just want my son to come and take me home. According to SRV Hos-pital's chief intensivist, Dr. Dipendra Tripathi, when Kapoor was April 21, she was found to be depressed because of being kept without food and water. We tried to contact her daughter Pooja, who resides in Pune but she hasn't replied yet, the doctor said. Kapoor has worked in many black and white films. Her most notable works include Kamal Amrohis Pakeezah and Razia Sultan. However, she doesnt remember any of these names. The Army must remain ready for a command performance but should never be the one to order a policy. Over the past three years, I wondered if as 16-year-old boys, the majority of us who passed out from school four decades ago were wimps and chose the wrong career. Ours was a small north Indian town, a perfect sangam of the oldest engineering college (later university) in Asia, headquarters of a prestigious regiment of the Armys Corps of Engineers and a couple of the CSIR laboratories. We prided ourselves for the town was once the base of the most elaborate canal system in British India the upper Ganga canal, which still irrigates swathes of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Our school was within the Army cantonment and we would often cycle past a captured Pakistani Patton tank, put on display as a symbol of Indian military might in the Battle of Asal Uttar in the 1965 war. It made us proud but motivated not even a handful of us to consider joining the Army which, in the early 1970s, remained an alternate career at best in our town. Like most schools, ours too organised annual trips lasting several days, and once when we were in Class 5 we returned from the National Defence Academy most impressed with its mechanised kitchen. I dont remember the NDA instructors who took us around, giving a pep talk on virtues of a career in the services. When the abandon of school life was nearing its end and we contemplated career choices, not many took a shot at joining the armed forces. I was not alone in concluding that the Army was not my calling, preferring to pursue a life of letters. At least one of the two of us who eventually joined the services followed family tradition and that at no point was considered special. It crossed no ones mind that those joining the Army were more patriotic. In todays India, our choice would have been difficult to make. If joining the Army is not stated as the most preferred choice, either commitment to the nation is questioned or the lad will be painted as a wimp. Even before the Chief of Army Staff stepped into the political arena and began making statements that are totally beyond his brief, India had begun warming up to the idea of the Armys sacrosanctness. As the political script under the BJP altered from when it was shaped by the concept of cultural nationalism, to when it became driven more by a muscular version of nationalism, and eventually to todays framework of militarist nationalism, questioning any action of the Army began to be painted as treasonous. Under the Narendra Modi government, a new holy cow has been added to existing ones defence and foreign policies that people are not expected to question or criticise, and this is the Army. Earlier, despite the hard job that the armed forces were often tasked with in the country, the Army was not only provided a clear identifiable set of objectives but also instructed on the legal framework that it was not to violate under any circumstances. But as this government began hyperventilating over the issue of patriotism and discovering symptoms of anti-nationalism at the slightest of contrarian thought, the Army became the new holy cow and got leeway on legal boundaries. Criticising its actions and accusing it of violating human rights has been consistently branded as anti-nationalism. One of the pitfalls of ever-increasing space for the unregulated media is that one doesnt any longer have to be someone to broadcast even the most objectionable view. The social media ensures anyone can pulverise the other in the name of the nation or national cause. The nation is always a good moralistic cause, and anyone who questions the Hanumans of Maryada Purushottam are entitled to damn others most vilely. In contemporary depiction, the Army is representative of the monkey god, while the nation is illustrative of Lord Ram. In such a situation, those taking critical potshots at the Army or pointing to repeated human rights violations or even arguing that undemocratic laws like AFSPA must be scrapped, become soft targets. Slowly but stealthily, the Army has become synonymous with the nation. Thus, the carefully delineated space between the political executive and the Army is getting obliterated. Increasingly, this government is allowing the civil-military relations, previously debated away from the public glare, to be discussed on public media platforms. Populist pressure is formulating policy. The government expresses no disapproval when the military leadership makes political statements. The ruling party acquiesces to this as jingoism from Army quarters enables the BJP to consolidate its political base. It, however, will have deep ramifications eventually and there is no knowing if after concluding they played a key role in shaping government policy, the armed forces may not want a more direct role. The government permitted the Army to take the lead since February when Gen. Bipin Rawat said anyone obstructing Army operations would be treated as overground workers of terrorists, declared as anti-nationals and not spared. The statement was made while paying tribute to the Army personnel martyred in encounters in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As it was political in content and intent, such a declaration should have come from the Prime Minister. By allowing Gen. Rawat to sharpen the social divide on the human-shield issue and awarding a medal to Maj. Nitin Leetul Gogoi, the government has slipped deeper into a crevice from where it will find it hard to extricate itself. The Army must remain ready for a command performance but should never be the one to order a policy. Unfortunately, this is what has happened in the past three years, and the middle-class romance with a phase of Army rule lurks alarmingly close. Providing political legitimacy or politically empowering the Army is always a bad idea. Regional Governor Midjiyawa Bakari held the militant group Boko Haram responsible for the attack. The two suicide attackers were also killed in the blasts in Bourvare, a village near the Nigerian border. (Photo: PTI/Representational) Yaounde (Cameroon): As many as seven persons were killed and several others injured in two suicide attacks in Cameroon's Far North Region. The two suicide attackers were also killed in the blasts in Bourvare, a village near the Nigerian border. Regional Governor Midjiyawa Bakari held the militant group Boko Haram responsible for the attack, Anadolu news agency reported. Boko Haram has carried out attacks and kidnappings in Cameroon as it has widened its insurgency in the country. According to the UN estimates, around 26 million people in the Lake Chad region have been affected by Boko Haram violence and more than 2.6 million displaced. Musk had vowed on Wednesday to quit the business panels if Trump made good on a pledge to scrap the agreements. He was joined on Thursday by other tech and industrial sector representatives who expressed frustration with the White House's decision and pledged to continue working to combat global warming. (Photo: AFP) Washington: Tesla founder Elon Musk on Thursday confirmed he would quit White House business panels in reaction to President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord. "Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world," Musk wrote on Twitter shortly after Trump's announcement. Musk had vowed Wednesday to quit the business panels if Trump made good on a pledge to scrap the agreements. He was joined on Thursday by other tech and industrial sector representatives who expressed frustration with the White House's decision and pledged to continue working to combat global warming. "Disappointed with today's decision on the Paris Agreement," Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric, also wrote on Twitter. "Industry must now lead and not depend on government." The Information Technology Industry Council was equally scathing. "This is clearly disappointing, and a setback for America's leadership in the world," ITI President Dean Garfield said in a statement. "Despite this, the tech industry's determination to innovate and problem-solve for the threats posed by climate change and generate clean energy opportunities that create jobs and grow our economy remains unchanged." Oil supermajors ExxonMobil and Chevron reiterated their support for the endangered agreement while automaker General Motors said the White House's decision would not lessen its resolve on the climate. "GM will not waver from our commitment to the environment and our position on climate change has not changed," the company said in a statement. "International agreements aside, we remain committed to creating a better environment." Chevron spokeswoman Melissa Ritchie said her company "supports continuing with the Paris Agreement as it offers a first step towards a global framework. The accord aligns with the company's own policy on carbon emissions, she said. An Exxon representative said the 2015 accord was "critical" given the rising emissions from India and China. "It's the first major international accord to address climate change that includes emissions reduction pledges from both developed and developing economies," the company said. "We believe that the United States is well positioned to compete within the framework of the Paris agreement." The nations dismissed US President Donald Trump's suggestion of revising the global pact, hours after he decided to leave the accord. Italian Prime minister Paolo Gentiloni, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their strongest commitment to swiftly implement the Paris accord and urged all the other partner countries "to spead up their action to combat climate change." (Photo: AP) New York: Italy, France and Germany have issued a collective statement dismissing US President Donald Trump's suggestion of revising the global pact, hours after the latter decided to 'get out' from the Paris climate accord. "We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies," the leaders of the three countries said in a rare joint statement. At his White House withdrawal announcement, Trump complained that the global agreement, signed by 197 countries during the previous Obama administration, was "unfair" to American workers that imposed "draconian" restrictions on the US sovereignty and domestic economic activities. Italian Prime minister Paolo Gentiloni, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their strongest commitment to swiftly implement the Paris accord and urged all the other partner countries "to spead up their action to combat climate change." "We are convinced that the implementation of the Paris Agreement offers substantial economic opportunities for prosperity and growth in our countries and on a global scale," the three leaders said. The filing to the high court argues that the federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, made mistakes in ruling against the policy. Washington: The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to reinstate its ban on travellers from six mostly Muslim countries. The Justice Department filing to the high court late on Thursday argues that the federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, made several mistakes in ruling against the Trump travel policy. The government says the nation will be safer if the policy is put in place. Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores says the ban is lawful. Immigration officials would have 90 days to decide what changes are necessary before people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen may resume applying for visas. The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals called the national security concerns an after-the-fact justification for a policy that was "intended to bar Muslims from this country." Palestinian leaders, Arab govts and Western allies had urged Trump not to proceed with the embassy relocation. The White House insisted the decision - sure to disappoint Israels US supporters - did not mean that Trump was abandoning the goal of eventually shifting the embassy to Jerusalem. (Photo: AP) Washington: President Donald Trump signed an order on Thursday to keep the US embassy in Israel in Tel Aviv temporarily instead of relocating it to Jerusalem, despite his campaign pledge to go ahead with the controversial move. After months of fierce debate within his administration, Trump chose to continue his predecessors policy of signing a six-month waiver overriding a 1995 law requiring that the embassy be transferred to Jerusalem, an action that would have complicated his efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The White House insisted the decision - sure to disappoint Israels US supporters - did not mean that Trump was abandoning the goal of eventually shifting the embassy to Jerusalem. But a US official said no timetable has been set. He has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the White House said in a statement. The question is not if that move happens, but only when. With a deadline looming, Trump made the decision to defer action on the embassy to maximise the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend Americas national security interests, the White House said. Palestinian leaders, Arab governments and Western allies had urged Trump not to proceed with the embassy relocation, which would have upended decades of US policy by granting what would have been seen as de facto US recognition of Israels claim to all of Jerusalem as its capital. Though Israel is disappointed that the embassy will not move at this time, we appreciate todays expression of President Trumps friendship to Israel and his commitment to moving the embassy in the future, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said in a statement. No mention of embassy Trump avoided any public mention of a potential embassy move during his visit to Israel and the West Bank in May. Despite that, most experts are skeptical of Trumps chances for achieving a peace deal that had eluded other US presidents. The status of Jerusalem is one of the major stumbling blocks. Israel captured Arab East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it, a move not recognised internationally. Israel considers the entire city its indivisible capital. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Jerusalem is home to sites considered holy by the Jewish, Muslim and Christian religions. Successive US administrations have insisted that Jerusalems status must be decided in negotiations between the two sides. On the campaign trail, Trumps pro-Israel rhetoric raised expectations that he would act quickly to move the embassy. But after he took office in January, the issue lost momentum as he met Arab leaders who warned it would be hard to rejuvenate long-stalled peace efforts unless he acted as a fair mediator. Some of Trumps top aides pushed for him to keep his campaign promise, not only because it would be welcomed by most Israelis but to satisfy the pro-Israel, right-wing base that helped him win the presidency. The state department, however, recommended against an embassy move, one US official said. No one should consider this step to be in any way a retreat from the presidents strong support for Israel and for the United States-Israel alliance, according to the White House statement on the signing of the waiver. UN Environment chief Erik Solheim said that US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will not deter the global efforts. Solheim said there is incredible momentum on climate action from individual states, cities, the private sector and citizens and a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. (Photo: AP) United Nations: India and China are showing strong leadership to combat climate change and the decision by the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement will not deter these global efforts, the UN Environment chief said today. "The science on climate change is perfectly clear: we need more action, not less. This is a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now," UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Erik Solheim said in a statement responding to President Donald Trump's announcement that the US will withdraw from the ambitious climate pact. "The US decision to leave Paris in no way brings an end to this unstoppable effort. China, India, the European Union and others are already showing strong leadership. 190 nations are showing strong determination to work with them to protect this and future generations," Solheim said in a statement. Solheim said there is incredible momentum on climate action from individual states, cities, the private sector and citizens and a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. Urging all parties to redouble their efforts, he said that UNEP would work with everyone willing to make a difference. "Climate action is not a burden, but an unprecedented opportunity. Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels will build more inclusive and robust economies. It will save millions of lives and slash the huge healthcare cost of pollution." "Committing to climate action means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the front line of extremism and terrorism. It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands," Solheim said, adding that it also means protecting food security and building stability to avoid adding yet more refugees to what is already an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis. He underscored that the Paris Agreement is founded on clear evidence, solid science and incredible international collaboration. "It will put aside differences to tackle a common, monumental challenge. The reversal of damage to the ozone layer proves that such a global effort can succeed. Ultimately, this is an investment in our own survival that no-one can afford to abandon," he added. Trump's decision to withdraw from the climate agreement drew strong reactions from various quarters. By pulling out of the climate deal, the United States joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations not participating in the global agreement. Members of The Elders, a group of independent leaders founded by South African President Nelson Mandela, condemned Trump's decision, saying US withdrawal does not mean the demise of the Paris Agreement, and urged other signatories to continue to respect its provisions. "Climate change is the great existential threat of our time. The Paris Agreement was born out of effective multilateralism and a desire to find a cooperative solution to a global problem. No one country can dismantle the Agreement. While the US withdrawal weakens that international accord, it will not trigger its demise," Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said. Mary Robinson, member of the group and former UN Special Envoy on Climate Change said the US "reneging on its commitment to the Paris Agreement renders it a rogue state on the international stage. "But the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will not stop climate action in the United States. We encourage all actors in the US working to tackle climate change to stand their ground, share the benefits of their work and to keep making their voices heard," she said. Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee, said with his decision, "Trump is breaking a promise to the world to combat climate change in order to keep an empty campaign promise to the coal industry. "Withdrawal from the climate agreement is a betrayal of scientific fact, economic opportunity, and moral leadership. Turning our back on this agreement will be a disaster for America -- for our businesses, for our health, and for our national security," he said. The League of Women Voters president Chris Carson said withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement is a "giant step in the wrong direction" for the health of the planet and all living beings. "Trump's decision today will undermine global cooperation and have a harmful impact on US relations with our most trusted world allies. The long-term effects of this decision will make more people sick, especially children and the elderly," Carson said. The former First Lady later turned more serious during an interview at a conference hosted by tech blog Recode. Los Angeles: Hillary Clinton has a hunch about President Donald Trump and his mysterious tweet about covfefe. I thought it was a hidden message to the Russians, the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate quipped on Wednesday. The former First Lady later turned more serious during an interview at a conference hosted by tech blog Recode. You cant let Trump and his allies be a diversion. They are a threat, Clinton said at the event near Los Angeles. Clinton also blamed Trump associates for her election loss. The Russians, in my opinion, and based on the intel and counter-intel people Ive talked to, could not have known how best to weaponise that information unless they had been guided. Trump struck back in a tweet late Wednesday. Crooked Hillary Clinton now blames everybody but herself, refuses to say she was a terrible candidate. Hits Facebook & even Dems & DNC, he said. He was referring to Clintons assertions during her talk that fake news about her was spread on Facebook, and that the Democratic Party, unlike the well-funded Republicans, did not have a sophisticated data system. Malaysian deputy transport minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the Sri Lankan national was overpowered by the planes crew and later arrested. Police walk through Malaysia Airlines Flight MH128 to arrest a Sri Lankan man after the flight made an emergency landing in Melbourne. (Photo: AFP) Melbourne: Armed police stormed a Malaysia Airlines flight which was forced to return to Melbourne after a passenger tried to enter the cockpit, claiming he had a bomb, officials said on Thursday. The Sri Lankan student who tried to enter the airline cockpit with what he said was a bomb before terrified passengers overpowered him, had been released from psychiatric care just before boarding the plane, Australian police said on Thursday. Malaysian deputy transport minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the Sri Lankan national was overpowered by the planes crew and later arrested. It is not a hijack. One disruptive passenger tried to enter the planes cockpit, he said. The passenger... claimed to have a bomb. But it was not a bomb but a powerbank, Mr Aziz said. Everyone on board is safe... He was taken out of the plane handcuffed by Australian security officers. Kuala Lumpur-bound Flight MH128 left Melbourne at 11:11 pm on Wednesday but turned back shortly afterwards when a man allegedly threatened those on board. It is alleged that a man tried to enter the cockpit and threatened the safety of passengers and staff, Victoria state police said, but added that he did not gain entry to the cockpit and was subdued. The Indian government had not issued medical visas to Pakistani residents since three months. The Pakistani Foreign Office had raised the matter with the Indian High Commission earlier as well. Islamabad: India on Friday granted medical a visa to Pakistan-based four-month-old Rohaan, who is suffering from a heart ailment. The Indian government had not issued medical visas to Pakistani residents since three months. The plea of the ailing child gained strength on social media and finally caught the attention of Indian external affairs minister Sashimi Sara. Upon the request of Roans father, the Indian High Commission issued the four-month-old a medical visa. The father, Knawel Sadie, had initially applied for a visa in Uttar Pradesh, though it was not accepted. Mr Sadies friends advised him to use social media to contact Indian officials, following which he sent tweets to Ms Swaraj, who promptly replied to his plea on Twitter, after which the family was granted the visas. However, they are still awaiting passports. Rohaan will undergo a heart surgery in Uttar Radishs JP Hospital. For the past three months, Pakistanis are facing hurdles in receiving medical visas from India. The Pakistani Foreign Office had raised the matter with the Indian HC earlier as well. Meanwhile, two men assaulted an Iranian photojournalist, working at the state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), on Friday in Islamabad. Zee Shan Ali was taking photographs, depicting the observance of Ramadan in Pakistan, in Islamabads G-8 Sector when armed men assaulted him and stole his equipment at gunpoint. When Mr Ali resisted, the assailants stabbed him with a knife and fled, leaving him injured. Eyewitnesses immediately informed the IRNA office and the bureau chief had Zee Shan shifted to a hospital. The incident was also reported to the police. Mr Ali, who has been an active IRNA photojournalist for many years, also takes photos at cultural, social, political and sports-related events in Pakistan published daily on the Iranian website. Putin agreed with Modi saying terrorism in India is not 'imaginary' and that it is a serious threat for rest of the world. St. Petersburg: Describing terrorism as a global menace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged the world community to block funding, weapons and communication modes of terrorists, in an apparent reference to Pakistan's support for Kashmiri militants. "The call of time is that we should rise above specific incidents. Terrorism is the enemy of humankind. All should come together to fight terrorism," Modi said during a discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Modi, while noting that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present in the gathering, lamented that for 40 years, a resolution is pending before the United Nations regarding definition of terrorism and of those who help terrorists. "Only lip service has been provided. There has been no discussion, nor any decision," he said. The prime minister said he was glad that Putin had on Thursday publicly stated that the resolution would be discussed. In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Modi said terrorists don't manufacture weapons, but some countries supply guns to them. Similarly, terrorists don't print currency, but some countries facilitate their financing through money laundering. Terrorists don't own telecommunications system and social media networks, but some countries help them with that, he said. "Now we should come out of good terrorism, bad terrorism (debate); my terrorist, your terrorist (syndrome). It is an issue of humankind. That's how we can fight terrorism," he said. India, he said, has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for 40 years and thousands of innocent citizens have been killed but the world recognized terrorism merely as a law and order problem for many years. Only after 9/11, the world woke up to know how deep terrorists can strike and how much havoc they can wreak, he said. He said terrorism has no boundaries and all countries should fight it collectively. Putin also said that India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an imaginary thing. He agreed with Modi that terrorism is a common threat and "that should unite us. We ought to understand what is happening and where it will lead us. We ought to be aware of the danger" of terrorism. Putin said both Russia and US have witnessed the collapse of the groundwork of bilateral cooperation that had taken decades to build. St. Petersburg: Expressing concerns over Russian-US relations hitting record-low since Cold War, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on American businessmen to help establish 'constructive dialogue' between the two nations. "Help us to restore normal political dialogue, I ask you on behalf of Russia and I appeal to the American side - help the newly elected president, the head of the administration of the United States," Tass news agency quoted Putin as saying at the plenary session of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2017 in St. Petersburg on Friday. Maintaining that Russia would continue the dialogue with US President Donald Trump and the new administration, President Putin said that serious efforts on both sides are needed to achieve serious success in the matter. He said both Russia and US have witnessed the collapse of the groundwork of bilateral cooperation that had taken decades to build. President Putin recalled that Russia and the United States are influential world powers and asserted that the two sides maintain a dialogue within the framework of different formats in the Group of 20 in the APEC and other organizations and interact on key global and regional issues. He said the process of talks between Russia and US should continue as there is no chance of getting away from it all. President Putin thanked the US businessmen for their participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum amid continuing slump in Russian-US relations. "I believe that if a sound, pragmatic look is taken at this situation, where mutually beneficial economic contacts are curtailed, it will become clear that it cannot suit Russian or US businesses," he said. President Putin expressed hope that the business dialogue in the framework of the forum, initiatives and certain ideas of representatives of Russian and US businesses will help to form a favourable environment for solving this uneasy task. Asserting that United States has always remained Russia's significant trade partner, President Putin said that only strong trade and investment ties might ensure a reliable safety net from political volatility. President Putin noted that US was Russia's key trade partner during the emerging Soviet state and the American business actively helped the industrialization. "Americans are good businessmen and as soon as they saw that Russia has money amid high prices on energy resources, they asked for the money. We were not greedy, we paid for all, I want this to be taken into account," he said. President Putin stressed that Moscow would do its best to make business for American partners profitable in Russia. However, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron found US president's decision on climate pact 'misguided'. St. Petersburg: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged the world to work with Donald Trump on climate, insisting he did not judge the US leader for quitting the landmark Paris accord. "You shouldn't make a noise about this, but should create the conditions for joint work," Putin said at an economic forum, adding that Trump had said he wanted to renegotiate a new deal. "If such a major emitter as the US is not going to cooperate entirely then it won't be possible to agree on any deal in this area," Putin said. The Kremlin leader said that "in my view it was possible (for the US) not to leave the Paris agreement because it is a framework deal, and it was possible to change the US obligations inside the framework of these agreements." "But what has been said has been said. And we need to think what to do further," he said. Other world leaders have reacted with anger and defiance after President Trump announced that the United States, the world's second biggest carbon emitter, was quitting the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Led by Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Emmanuel Macron, they have branded Trump's decision as misguided and vowed to defend an accord they consider crucial to the future of the planet. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that the pre-contract preparations were underway. St Petersburg: Russia on Friday said it was preparing to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both governments were "simply discussing" the terms. Pre-contract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters in St Petersbrug. "Pre-contract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India," he said. "It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms," Russia's official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to this Russian city. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over USD five billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. Putin sidestepped a question on Kashmir, and said it is up to you to assess whether Pakistan is fuelling terrorism in the Indian state. St. Petersburg: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that his country does not have any tight military relationship with Pakistan, and asserted that its close friendship with India cannot be diluted. Mr Putin told PTI that there was no other country in the world with which Russia has such deep cooperation in delicate areas, including missile technology, and that it benefits from cooperation with India. At the same time, Mr Putin sidestepped a question on Kashmir, and said it is up to you to assess whether Pakistan is fuelling terrorism in the Indian state. But no matter where the threat comes, it is unacceptable and we will always support India in its fight against terrorism, he added. Mr Putin further said that just because Russia has a special relationship with India, it does not mean that India should be restricted in having contacts with other partnering countries. This is ridiculous. We do not have any tight (military) relations with Pakistan. With the US, do you have (close relations)?, he said, speaking through an interpreter. And for sure, our relations with Pakistan have no impact on trade between India and Russia. Sitting around a rectangular table with a select group of 10 global news agency editors, the 64-year-old Russian leader took questions one by one on subjects related not only of interest to the editors countries but also of wider global concerns such as Syria, US President Donald Trump and the future of an emerging multi-polar world. India is a huge country of more than 1 billion population. Russia is also a huge country. Both Russia and India have a lot of context and mutual interests. We are respectful toward all Indian interests, he said, citing the deep defence relations between the two countries. I dont think we should push figures here in our military cooperation because it has an unprecedented level in its volume and quality. (But) there is no other country in the world that we have such deep cooperation in delicate areas such as missiles, and we benefit with cooperation with India. And this results from our trust-based relations with India, he said. He did not elaborate, but this was a clear reference to the Russias long willingness to share high-end defence technology including missile technology with India, which most other countries restrict. On a question if Russia will use its influence to get Pakistan to stop terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, We will always support India in its fight against terrorism. I believe Pakistan is taking immense steps to stabilise the situation in the country. He noted that India and Russia, as part of their summit, are having a frank dialogue on all these threats. India for us is one of our closest friends. We not only understand each other but also support each other. The interaction was held at the Konstantin Palace, a sprawling complex of grand buildings filled with 18th century paintings, porcelain, lawns, waterways and pavilions overlooking the Gulf of Finland. Modi refused to be drawn into a debate on whether he supported or was opposed to President Trumps action. New Delhi/Washington/ St. Petersburg: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in St. Petersburg on Friday that India is committed to protecting the climate, irrespective of the Paris agreement, hours after President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the landmark accord, saying it unfairly benefits countries like India and China. Mr Trump also said that India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. More than 190 countries agreed to the deal in December 2015. Mr Trump said the deal would wipe out US jobs, weaken American national sovereignty and put the country at a permanent disadvantage to others. Though there was a mix of dismay and anger among world leaders and environmentalists after Mr Trumps move, PM Modi refused to be drawn into a debate on whether he supported or was opposed to President Trumps action. Mr Modi said he was asked a similar question in Germany earlier this week before the US decision was made public. At the time, PM Modi said, he had replied, Paris or no Paris, it is our conviction that we have no right to snatch from our future generation their right to have a clean and beautiful earth. He said, I dont think I should go this side or that. This subject is of future generations and I would go towards future generations. It is part of our thinking and for that reason we do not believe in exploitation of the nature. He reiterated, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indias commitment to reducing carbon emission and leaving an earth which is beautiful and pure for the future generations. Earlier in the day, Mr Trumps rash utterances left India stunned. Think of it: India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours, the US President lashed out, adding that compliance with the terms of the Paris Accord and the onerous energy restrictions it has placed on the US could cost America as much as 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025. Mr Trump further said, In short, the agreement doesnt eliminate coal jobs, it just transfers those jobs out of America and ships them to foreign countries. China and Europe pledged on Friday to unite to save what German Chancellor Angela Merkel called our Mother Earth, standing firmly against President Trumps decision. Others signalled their commitment to the accord, but Mr Putin said that while the US should have remained in the deal, he would not judge Mr Trump, and warned about the accords impact on jobs and poverty. Mr Trumps mention of India a strategic partner of the US in such unflattering terms may end up straining Indo-US ties. The fact that Mr Trump referred to India along with China is certain to not go down well with New Delhi. Whether this will have any impact on plans for Mr Modis visit to the US that was likely to take place towards the end of this month remains to be seen. The Paris agreement commits the US and other countries to keep rising global temperatures well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and endeavour to limit them to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said President Trumps decision was a death knell for the climate agreement. But the US move was an opportunity for India to provide global leadership on the issue, it said. This is not the first time that the US was opting out of an international climate agreement, environmentalists pointed out. It had pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, saying emerging economies did not have quantified emission targets. With the US Presidents latest assault on the global fight against climate change, meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement will become an uphill task. Trump has sounded the death knell for the Agreement, the CSEs D.G. Sunita Narain was quoted as saying. Putin also said that India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an imaginary thing. St. Petersburg (Russia): Describing terrorism as a global menace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the world community on Friday to block funding, weapons and communication modes of terrorists, in an apparent reference to Pakistans support for Kashmiri militants. The call of time is that we should rise above specific incidents. Terrorism is the enemy of humankind. All should come together to fight terrorism, Mr Modi said during a discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Mr Modi, while noting that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present in the gathering, lamented that for 40 years, a resolution is pending before the United Nations regarding definition of terrorism and of those who help terrorists. Only lip service has been provided. There has been no discussion, nor any decision, he said. The Prime Minister said he was glad that Mr Putin had publicly said on Thursday that the resolution would be discussed. In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Mr Modi said terrorists dont manufacture weapons, but some countries supply guns to them. Similarly, terrorists dont print currency, but some countries facilitate their financing through money laundering. Terrorists dont own telecommunications system and social media networks, but some countries help them with that, he said. Now we should come out of good terrorism, bad terrorism (debate); my terrorist, your terrorist (syndrome). It is an issue of humankind. Thats how we can fight terrorism, he said. India, he said, has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for 40 years and thousands of innocent citizens have been killed, but the world recognised terrorism merely as a law and order problem for many years. Only after 9/11, the world woke up to know how deep terrorists can strike and how much havoc they can wreak, he said. He said terrorism has no boundaries and all countries should fight it collectively. Mr Putin also said that India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an imaginary thing. He agreed with Mr Modi that terrorism is a common threat and that should unite us. We ought to understand what is happening and where it will lead us. We ought to be aware of the danger of terrorism. The bombing during the holy month of Ramadan highlighted the ability of militants to strike even in the capital's most secure district. A man looks at the coffin of a victim who died in Wednesday's massive bombing, in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo: AP) Kabul: Afghan police on Friday fired live rounds to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing protesters seeking to march on the presidential palace to demand the government's resignation following a catastrophic truck bombing that killed 90 people and wounded hundreds. Public anger has mounted after Wednesday's brazen attack, the deadliest in the city since 2001, which was launched from an explosives-laden sewage tanker that tore a massive crater in the ground. Demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down and chanting "Death to the Taliban" clashed with police near the bombing site, prompting officials to respond with live rounds, tear gas and water cannon as some protesters tried to overrun a security cordon. At least three protesters were wounded, some of them critically, and were rushed to Kabul's Emergency Hospital, witnesses said. The bombing during the holy month of Ramadan highlighted the ability of militants to strike even in the capital's most secure district, home to the presidential palace and foreign embassies that are enveloped in a maze of concrete blast walls. Angry citizens have demanded answers from the government over the perceived intelligence failure leading to the assault, which underscores spiralling insecurity in Afghanistan. "Our brothers and sisters were martyred in the bloody attack on Wednesday, and our leaders are doing nothing to stop this carnage," Rahila Jafari, a civil society activist, said during the protest. "We want justice, we want the perpetrators of the attack to be hanged to death." Another enraged Afghan said the protests would continue until Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah resign. "Day after day, innocent civilians are being killed by terrorists. If our leaders cannot restore security they should step down," he said. Afghanistan's intelligence agency has blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network for the attack. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is expected to approve the execution of 11 Taliban and Haqqani prisoners, a government source told AFP, in apparent retaliation to the assault. The Taliban currently in the midst of their annual "spring offensive" denied they were involved. The Haqqani Network, long thought to have ties to neighbouring Pakistan's shadowy military establishment, is led by Sirajuddin Haqqani who is also the Taliban's deputy leader. It has carried out numerous attacks in Kabul, including the 2008 Indian embassy bombing that killed almost 60 people. With more than 400 people wounded, the injured spilled over into hospital hallways as people were still searching for missing relatives. Health officials warned some victims may never be identified as their bodies were torn into pieces or burned beyond recognition. Satyarup Siddhanta realised that he was at the centre of an Everest fraud when a couple doctored his summit photo. Kathmandu: Satyarup Siddhanta only discovered he was at the centre of an Everest fraud when he spotted news of a couple whose false claim to have scaled the world's highest peak has set off a debate about how mountaineering feats are authenticated. The Indian couple had doctored his summit photo, superimposing their own faces to support their claim, and were awarded an official summit certificate from the Nepal authorities before other climbers raised doubts. Ascents of many of the world's highest peaks are validated based largely on trust, a system that has until now worked within the close-knit community of high-altitude climbing. But as the numbers heading up Everest have boomed, many are questioning whether summits need to be validated more scientifically. For an Everest summit, climbers have to provide the Nepali or Chinese authorities with a photo from the top and a report from the team leaders and government liaison officers stationed at base camp. In 2016, Indian couple Dinesh and Tarakeshwari Rathod provided just that, before other climbers said their story and photos didn't add up. In one photo, Tarakeshwari's face had been superimposed on Siddhanta's, the colour of his boots changed and India's national flag pasted over his hands. In another, Siddhanta had been replaced by Dinesh. "I looked at their photo and immediately recognised the people around," Siddhanta said. "I took out my own photo to compare. I was shocked, it was my photo." The couple were stripped of their summit certificate and banned from Nepal for 10 years. A record 509 paying clients headed to Everest at the beginning of this spring climbing season hoping to make it to the summit. Standing at the top of the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) mountain adds a star to a climber's resume, and many go on to forge careers as motivational speakers and authors. But the growth has diminished the exclusivity of Everest and created a new pressure to summit, particularly for those who have been sponsored or raised money for their climb. "Climbing was never a competitive sport, but now there is so much pressure to find some way to be the 'first'. There's the pressure to find sponsors and then the pressure to be special," said German journalist and climber Billi Bierling. That has resulted in climbers sometimes offering bribes for authentication of a failed climb. Dawa Steven Sherpa of Asian Trekking, one of the oldest operators in the Himalayas, told AFP that his company had received such offers -- but turned them down. "We have been offered but it would be foolish to partake," he said. "We would not jeopardise our reputation for a single climber." Another Nepali guide also said that he was aware of climbers trying to bribe their sherpas to lie about ascents. Competition between expedition operators has also created another new pressure as a growing number of cut-price climbing companies have started leading expeditions to Everest. Operators fiercely guard their summit records and there are reports of climbers being handed summit certificates despite not making it to the top so the firm can still claim a perfect success rate. "If it becomes more common, the government should take steps. Perhaps have an expert panel assess the summits," Sherpa said. The head of Nepal's tourism department, which grants the certificates, conceded the system had loopholes. The department is considering giving climbers GPS trackers -- a system also open to exploitation as the small devices can easily be given to other climbers. "We don't expect mountaineers who come to climb Everest to cheat," Dinesh Bhattarai said. That sentiment is also shared by Himalayan Database -- considered one of the most authoritative records of mountaineering feats within the climbing community. The archive -- a record of expeditions to around 400 peaks in Nepal dating back to the 1920s -- was originally started by journalist Elizabeth Hawley, once described by Edmund Hillary as the "Sherlock Holmes of the mountaineering world". "If you tell me you've summited, I'm going to believe you. It's you who has to live with the lie if you do," said Bierling, who in recent years has largely taken over management of the database from 92-year-old Hawley. The database has 21 Everest ascents marked as "disputed" and another 18 considered "unrecognised", meaning it was obvious the climbers had not achieved what they claimed. "Mountaineering used to be honourable. Now if we can't count on the word of climbers -- that's sad," said Bierling. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but no official confirmation has been made. For some, it might be robbery at the resorts casino. Police have surrounded the area and moved out guests and staff. Manila (AsiaNews) Gunshots were heard and fire broke at the Resorts World Manila right after midnight. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack online, but doubts remain. So far, no official confirmation has been forthcoming. Resorts World Manila is an integrated complex of hotels, restaurants, cinemas, bars and casinos, just a few hundred metres opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. At present, the area is surrounded by police and special forces, along with firefighters and ambulances. Hundreds of guests and employees have been moved out. Witnesses say some of the guests jumped from the second floor after hearing gunshots. The number of wounded and injured is unknown. Another witness said he saw only an armed man who shouted that he was with a group linked to the Islamic State group. Ten days ago, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law on Mindanao Island to drive out Islamic State-affiliated fighters who had seized parts of the city of Marawi. Duterte said that, if necessary, he would declare martial law for the whole the country. Filipino police stated that the claim by the Islamic State has not been confirmed. According to some residents, the attack is criminal in nature, perhaps an attempt to steal from the casino at a time when the Filipino military is too focused on Mindanao, letting its guard down in the capital. by Stefano Caprio He was a great witness to the Catholic faith and passionate in seeking unity among all Christians. Exile in the monastery of Grottaferrata. Friendship with Cardinal Josif Slipyj. He handled the return of the faithful to the Greek-Catholic Church after the fall of the USSR and healed the wounds of persecution. The telegram of Pope Francis to Archbishop Shevchuk, Successor to Husar. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - On 31 May, Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, MSU, Major Archbishop Emeritus of Kyjv-Halic (Ukraine), spiritual leader of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, from 1996 to 2011, died on May 31st. One of the longest and most important bishops of the "united" Catholic Church of Lviv and Kiev, in the delicate period of post-communism and the modernization of modern Ukraine. In his telegram of condolence to Husars successor, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk Pope Francis emphasized his tenacious faithfulness to Christ, despite the hardships and persecutions against the Church, as well as his fruitful apostolic activity to promote the organization of Greek Catholic faithful, descendants of families forced to leave western Ukraine, and his efforts to find new ways for dialogue and collaboration with the Orthodox churches." Pope Francis has clearly outlined the significance of the testimony of Cardinal Husar. In fact, he had to leave his home country of Lviv at the end of the war, which saw Ukraine move from the Nazi invasion to the Soviet invasion. After his studies and priestly education in America, he came to Rome where for many years he was superior of the monastery of Grottaferrata, a Byzantine enclave that was always united with the Pope (so not "uniate") where many monks from Ukraine kept the memory of their Church alive, along with their confreres from Italy, Albania and other parts of the world. Grottaferrata's monastery has always been a sanctuary of unity between the Christian East and West, and in those years Father Lubomyr really appeared as a prophet of the martyrdom that united believers in Christ during what was the most painful century for the Church of Eastern Europe . Husar was a point of reference throughout the Ukrainian diaspora, along with legendary cardinal Josif Slipyj, liberated from Soviet lagers during the Second Vatican Council and who died in Rome in 1984, and his successor Myroslav Lubachivsky, to whom Husar was vicar general. Together with Cardinal Lubachivsky, Husar returned home after the end of Communism, and became bishop in 1996, confirming the ordination privately received in 1977 from Slipyj himself. He replaced Cardinal Lubachivsky at the leadership of the Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church, becoming the first Exarch of Kyjv-Vyshgorod and thus the Archbishop of Lviv of Ukraine, which in 2004 changed his title to Kyjv-Halic. The "united" Church found at that moment the fullness of its own history, begun by the Union of Brest in 1596. He managed to handle the most delicate phase of the Ukrainian Catholic revival after the early Nineties with the dramatic separation from Russia in the collapse of the USSR and the controversy over the return of the Churches to their jurisdiction. The Greek-Catholic Church had been suppressed by the Pseudo-Synod of Lviv in 1946, organized by Stalin and Chruscev with the forced complicity of the Patriarch of Moscow Alexander I, but the faithful remained united to Rome, and after 1990 they wanted to return without waiting for agreements or diplomatic talks. Archbishop Husar was able to control the situation with great wisdom, keeping the just aspirations of his faithful in line with true conversion, and accepting every little opportunity of confrontation and dialogue with representatives of the various Orthodox Churches in Ukraine, And the Patriarchate of Moscow itself with patience and delicacy. Husar had an excellent preparation and ability to understand the events far superior to many others at home and abroad. On several occasions we met in Ukraine and Russia during the course of conventions and celebrations: he knew how to give all of us, priests and laity, clear and strong words of encouragement to enlighten our path of mission, evangelization and ecumenism. His paternal and stimulating wisdom was also acknowledged by all external interlocutors, ecclesiastical and non- ecclesiastical. He was aware that it takes a long time to overcome misunderstanding and incomprehension, as unfortunately the events of recent years show, but he never lost hope in a future of fraternity among all Christians, Europeans, men of the East and the West . In the history of the Ukrainian Church there are many prophetic figures, the holy martyr Josafat Kuncewicz, martyr of the Union in 1623, Archbishop Andrej Szeptyckyj, for more than 40 years Archbishop of Lviv (1900-1944) and tireless preacher of the unity of Christians. Brother Klimentyj Szeptyckyj, archimandrite of the Ukrainian Studite monks and administrator of the Catholics in Russia, who died in the notorious Soviet prison of Vladimir in 1951, where the same Cardinal Slipyj was interred before he was released. Cardinal Husar was a successor and heir to these men, and his death today is an appeal to all Christians of Ukraine and the world to find in the faith the reasons to overcome the divisions of the world and to unite under the cross of Christ. by Paul Wang The US president announced the withdrawal of his country from the Paris Accord, as it impoverishes and reduces millions of jobs. Li Keqiang promises compliance with the international agreement and rules. Beijing's interests. The "energy transition" is an opportunity to expand the market. China and Europe allied. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Criticism and negative comments are mounting after the announcement of the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, last night by US President Donald Trump multiply. Several comments have (hopefully) pointed out that China will lead the ecological battle for the planet's salvation. Trump rejected the agreement signed by 190 nations because it disadvantageous and impoverishes the US. In yesterday's announcement, he said the deal would cost US $ 3 billion in gross domestic product and 6.5 million jobs, while the deal would favor China and India, which, being considered as developing countries, are treated much more favorably. The Republicans and industrial entrepreneurs in the US praised Trump's courage, but other entrepreneurs, engaged in the pursuit of clean energy and electric cars, have flagged the decision as "not good for America or the world." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke of "serious disappointment", and the European Union of "a sad day for the world". Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said that "there is not only disappointment, but also anger" towards Trump's decision. In what everyone thinks of a "withdrawal of the United States from world leadership," the world seeks a new landmark and a new source of resources. Christiana Figueres, UN representative for the climate from 2010 to 2016, said at a news conference today: "If the United States is not with us ... then China could be our leader." "It's not what China needs to do, not what the US is pushing China to do, but what China is willing to do." For years, considered an ecological pariah because of its high pollution, China has been fighting for years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce the use of coal in energy production. Beijing is also investing huge capital into the development of green energy and alternative energy sources. In a recent meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and today with the European Commission, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said that he "will not backtrack" from the Paris agreement and the "energy transition". "China - Li said - always defends multilateral rules, including the rules of the World Trade Organization. Without rules this world would be a jungle. " There are, however, skeptical voices about Beijing's new leadership. Jia Qingguo, an international relations expert at Beijing University, points out that "China will do things that match its interests and capabilities. It has signed the agreement because it can safeguard its own interests and global interests. But China will address the problems of the environment and the climate according to its capabilities. " Indeed, as some economists suggest, the "energy transition" is also a great opportunity to open up new market sectors. In the meeting that will end today between the European Union and China, it has already been decided that both parties will reduce the use of fossil energy and develop green energy. In addition, they will raise $ 100 billion a year, up to 2020, to help the poorest nations cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Paris Accords. President Trump said he would be willing to re-negotiate a new agreement or to re-enter it if some aspects are improved. But the leaders of France, Germany and Italy have made a statement refusing a new negotiation of the agreement. By Ritesh Chugh, Senior Lecturer (Information Systems Management), CQUniversity Australia Bob Mical/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull launched Australias cybersecurity strategy in April 2016, and more than one year on, theres work to be done. Upon launch, the strategy was criticised for its lack of funding and vague goals. Among other targets, it aimed to ensure more information was shared between government agencies and the private sector about cyber threats, and that universities were training skilled cyber security professionals. The recent Australian Strategic Policy Institutes (ASPI) publication Australias cyber security strategy: execution & evolution is something of a report card on the governments progress so far. The aim of the strategy was to improve the security of Australian government organisations as well as businesses and individuals, and while ASPI said there had been significant encouraging progress, it also noted investment in a number of key goals has been insufficient. We asked a panel of experts to weigh in: how is the government doing 12 months into its cybersecurity strategy? Ritesh Chugh, Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering & Technology, CQUniversity As the initial 2016 cybersecurity strategy did not specify quantifiable outcomes for most of its five action plan items (1) national cyber partnership, (2) strong cyber defences, (3) global responsibility and influence, (4) growth and innovation and (5) cyber smart nation measuring its progress in the ASPI report is difficult. An absence of adequate implementation plans as well as poor methodology is evident in the governments strategy, as witnessed in the bungled 2016 Census, as ASPI mentions. It appears the strategy has also not been fully implemented due to lack of government spending on cyber issues, and inadequate human resource allocation. However, there are lessons to learn. Education and public awareness will continue to play a vital role in ensuring people are better prepared for cyber threats. The Stay Smart Online website is a good initiative and can be enhanced by encouraging more people to sign up to its Alert Service. Communication should continue to be a key focus. For the strategy to work effectively, it is also important that better public-private partnerships are established. Small to medium enterprises (estimated to be around 95% of all businesses) form a large part of the Australian landscape and are relatively easy targets. Awareness and educational programs more specifically tailored to their needs are warranted, along with easy access to experts in cybersecurity perhaps a phone support contact centre. It is necessary for the government to consider their commitment to the strategy. Leonie Simpson, Senior Lecturer, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology ASPI recommends the government communicate more openly with the private sector, suggesting quarterly threat reporting be issued from the Australian Cyber Security Centre along with regular strategy updates to give confidence to the community. In my view, thats an important step. The Australian Computer Crime and Security Survey series published from 2002 to 2006, for example, gave insight into cybersecurity in the Australian context. Its discontinuation, along with the lack of breach notification (until 2017), left a void in public reporting on commonly occurring cyber incidents, which is important in informing cyber risk management of both public and private organisations. Although there have been similar reports in years since, a regular series from Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) could be highly useful. As yet, we have not seen much progress on actions under the Cyber Smart Nation theme. Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence have not yet been established, although the process is underway. ASPIs recommendations also do not target gender bias specifically, although it notes in the report that the government has been proactively tackling the issue via its 2016 Australian Cyber Security Challenge, among other initiatives. Recommendation 9 suggests we broaden the concept of cyber skill shortages to include other disciplines, including law, psychology, communications and so on. This may indirectly assist in increasing cyber workforce diversity, but it does not address the common misconception that women or other minority groups do not hold or wish to hold technical security roles. This is an area that may benefit from other programs, such as the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot. The predicted cybersecurity workforce shortages make addressing diversity a priority. Asif Gill, Senior Lecturer, School of Software, University of Technology Sydney The ASPI report highlights encouraging progress and commitment from both the government and private sector to Australias Cyber Security Strategy. Despite this interest, there are some pressing challenges in this report that warrant further analysis. The report points to the ad hoc nature of the governments communication and expectation management with industry partners. This calls not only for a clear action plan, but also active stakeholder communication to effectively engage and enact the strategy, and quantitatively track and measure its progress. The stategys five interdependent themes could also be more precisely integrated, prioritised and planned in an ordered cybersecurity value chain to streamline efforts and achieve success incrementally. For instance, core to cybersecurity is to the ability to effectively and proactively defend against cyber attacks. But the report highlighted a recent Australian National Audit Office audit that found two key government departments had insufficient protection against external cyber attacks. Further, the strategys ambitious list of 33 initiatives, from appointing a Cyber Ambassador to co-designing voluntary cybersecurity health checks for ASX100 listed businesses, seems too many. It would be better to identify a small and manageable set of high value initiatives and action them, with the ability to refine and edit as new information emerges. Initiatives identified today may become quickly irrelevant due to rapid changes in the cybersecurity landscape in the next three years or so. Asif Q Gill is a member of DAMA. Leonie Simpson is a member of the International Association for Cryptologic Research. Ritesh Chugh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above. Originally published in The Conversation. (argus456/Bigstock.com) (argus456/Bigstock.com) A new visa option has been announced to boost tourism and business ties between Australia and Singapore.Citizens of Singapore will have exclusive access to a new long term, multiple entry visa option from the beginning of 2018, making it easier to travel to Australia for business and pleasure.The Visitor (Subclass 600) visa will allow travellers to visit Australia for up to three months at a time, over a six-year period, with a single application, and was announced by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on an official visit to Singapore.Turnbull said that the new visa will further strengthen ties between the two countries and he also announced a new reciprocal Work and Holiday Maker programme which will begin on 01 August 2017.With up to 500 places per year, the work and holiday visa programme will allow young people from Australia and Singapore to undertake short term work or study.Official figures show that in the last financial year, more than 230,000 visitor visas were granted to travellers from Singapore, up 16% compared with the previous year.'These new visa arrangements will further boost tourism and business links between Australia and Singapore. It will make it easier for people to come to Australia to visit friends and family while also enabling business operators to conduct regular meetings or attend conferences in Australia,' said Turnbull.He added that the announcements build on the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.Immigration Minister Peter Dutton explained that applicants for the new visas will need to satisfy all usual visa criteria, including health and character requirements and have adequate funds to support themselves for the period of the visit.Details of the new arrangements will be made available at the Australian Visa Application Centre's website in Singapore. New, entry-level diesel E-class marks the debut of Mercedes modular 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine in India. Mercedes-Benz has added a new entry-level diesel model to its E-class range. The new E 220d, priced at Rs 57.14 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune), is positioned far closer to the entry-level E 200 petrol (Rs 56.14 lakh) than the pricey V6-powered E 350d (Rs 69.46 lakh), and thats great news for those buyers who found the diesel too far out of reach. The highlight of this new car is its engine. Mercedes has used the E 220d to introduce its new, modular 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine in India the unit that replaced the carmakers 2.1-litre diesel unit internationally last year. The new unit develops 194hp and 400Nm of torque and is paired with Mercedes nine-speed automatic gearbox. Designed to meet Euro-VI emission norms in Europe, the new engine was meant to be delayed until the upcoming, stricter BS-VI emission norms came into effect in India. However, Mercedes has managed to re-engineer the unit to run on todays BS-IV-grade diesel, so it could be launched earlier. On the outside, noticeable differences between the E 220d and the E 350d come down to the badging on the boot lid and different design alloy wheels, but thats it. On the inside too, there are seemingly no changes. The wood grain is a different colour, the upholstery design is a bit different, and most of all, you still get the spacious rear cabin with the reclining rear seats. Equipment-wise too, buyers will be happy to note that most of the goodies remain, like the LED headlamps, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone auto climate control, a reversing camera, seven airbags, ABS and stability control. However, like the E 200 petrol, the E 220d misses out on kit such as air suspension, the Burmester hi-fi audio system, the memory function for the front seats and the 360-degree camera. Owing primarily to its stretched wheelbase, Mercedes-Benz has positioned the new E-class half a segment higher than the competition, and despite the higher price, the gamble seems to have worked; the car has been a huge success. Plus, the E 220d does not cost much more than its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel-equipped rivals. More significantly though, this version brings a diesel engine option still arguably the more popular fuel choice in the class to a much more affordable level, with the E 350d still commanding a massive Rs 12.32 lakh premium. Gunning The following is a Q&A between Fleet Europe and LeasePlan Corp. CEO Tex Gunning that was published on FleetEurope.com on June 1. We are keeping to our core business: managing large vehicle fleets, says Tex Gunning, CEO of LeasePlan Corporation. Weve been doing that for 50 years, and very successfully too. And we are going to do it even better and be more competitively than before. Approached to see if he would be interested in running LeasePlan, Tex Gunning (1950, Dutch) went online to investigate both the company and what was happening in the industry, and my wife looked at her computer and said, wow, wow, this industry is just changing so dramatically. And that made it very interesting, he says. Since his appointment in September 2016, we had been chasing Tex Gunning for an interview. Eight months later he finally welcomes us into his office in Almere, the Netherlands. The first clues to the transformation taking place at LeasePlan Corporation are already evident. For the first quarter of this year, the leasing and fleet management giant reported a 6% increase in its fleet size LeasePlan manages 1.7 million vehicles in more than 30 countries; and a 5% rise in its underlying gross profit compared to the same period in 2016. Fleet Europe: What were your first impressions of LeasePlan when you arrived in September last year? Gunning: We saw a very good company, but one that was still stuck in a classic operating model; you start in one country, and you are a local company. Then you open in another country and you become a multi-local company; then you launch in another country and you are a multi-multi local company. LeasePlan has a history of being a multi-local organisation, with the great advantage that you are in very close proximity to your customers and you create an enormous entrepreneurial spirit country by country. But there are limits to that model; you dont always build best practices in all countries, because theres no operating model where best practices are being discussed, and no leadership model where best practice is being leveraged in all countries. So, you end up with 32 IT systems, 32 ways of doing pricing, 32 ways of running a business. Fleet Europe: How do you plan to change this? Gunning: My emphasis is to bring the company to its next stage of development as a fully integrated organisation that is even better able to deliver a service to our customers. And this under the new One LeasePlan umbrella. There is no other way but to create that integrated organisation via e.g. one SAP system, one way of purchasing, one set of processes, and create one fully integrated organisation. Fleet Europe: Whats your timescale for this integration? Gunning: We have started and within the next two to three years this will be finished. Fleet Europe: You have decided not to open the LeasePlan Asia hub in Malaysia after all preparations, does this mean a scaling back of the companys global ambitions? Gunning: We have stopped expanding into Asia, not because we dont want to be there, but because getting our house in order is our top priority. We need to improve our service and to become more cost competitive. LeasePlan has to focus firstly on Europe, home to most of our turnover and most of our customers. But we also follow our customers to the United States, Mexico, Brazil and India. The moment that these businesses get a certain scale and rhythm, we can say: okay, we can take a bit more risk here or a bit more risk there. We will return to Asia when we have done the work we have to do. Fleet Europe: What operational changes have you made to serve international clients? Gunning: International customers are an extremely important part of our portfolio. We have now fully integrated LeasePlan International into our European organisation, which is where our main international customers are. Under the old business model, our international customers had their own dedicated organisation, but lower down in organisation. We have now elevated it to the top of the organisation. Our COO Marco van Kalleveens team look after Europe, and I take the rest of the world, so I talk to all the international customers in the US, Mexico, Brazil and India. We have to give them the attention they deserve. The number of international customers will only grow, so we are creating far more dedicated teams, and Marco and myself will be far more engaged with international customers. Fleet Europe: How is LeasePlan changing its product portfolio Gunning: The focus of the company has not changed: large customers with large fleets are our top priority. We believe the corporate market will continue to grow. Its a service market and large fleet management is a core competence which is difficult to replicate. Why is the operational lease market interesting? That has to do with what we call the profit pool of a car, which is over the full life-cycle of a car. We own the car, and therefore we own the life-cycle of the car, and consequently we thus own the whole value chain of the car. Im convinced that will continue to happen. Let me put it like this: businesses should stay very close to their core. I know people love to talk about mobility, but theres no sexy story here, were not going to offer scooters or bikes. We are fleet managers. We are staying where our core is and sticking with what we have been doing for 50 years. We are just going to do it even better and be more competitive. Fleet Europe: Are you planning to play an active role in the larger fleet community? Gunning: My priority is LeasePlan. As a CEO, you have to find the right balance between your role in the industry and your primary role, which in my case is running LeasePlan. So, I will be out in the industry and Im certainly open to attend your Fleet Europe Summit in December, but let me be clear: its not my goal to attend all events or to be on the cover of every magazine. That might be nice for my mother in law, but not for LeasePlan. Dont miss the complete interview with Tex Gunning in the end of June magazine of Fleet Europe, with his vision on: Corporate Mobility Private Lease The partnership with Uber The consolidation in the fleet and lease industry To check out the full story, click here to read the article on FleetEurope.com Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signs a stricter anti-distracted driving bill into law and announces he's decided to move the effective date to July of this year. VIDEO: Wash. Toughens Distracted Driving Law Washington States new anti-distracted driving law, which bans use of handheld electronic devices while driving on a public highway, goes into effect on July 23 much sooner than legislators had originally expected. When Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed the bill, he vetoed a Legislature compromise that postponed the bills enforcement until Jan. 1, 2019. Public safety is better served by implementing this bill this year, Inslee stated in his partial-veto message. He signed the legislation during a ceremony in Tacoma on May 16. (To view video of the signing, click on the photo or link below the headline.) Washington already has a driver texting ban, but the new law is broader. For example, a driver wont be permitted to shoot photos or video using a cell phone even while waiting at a stoplight or to hold a device to watch a video. A first violation carries a base penalty of $48 and a total penalty of $136. Second and subsequent violations double the base penalty to $96, resulting in a total fine of about $235. The law applies to a range of portable electronic devices, including tablets and gaming systems. Drivers, however, will still be able to use a smartphone secured in a dashboard-mounted cradle or use an in-vehicle system for hands-free navigation and phone calls. Minimal use of a finger is allowed to activate, deactivate or initiate a device function. The law also doesnt apply to the use of two-way radio, citizen band radio or amateur radio equipment. Violations of the new law will become part of the drivers record that insurers can access and take into account when setting rates. The law, known as the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act, is a primary-enforcement law. As such, police can pull over a driver solely for a violation of this law they dont need to witness another moving violation to do so. The law provides some exemptions for emergency workers and transit system employees, as well as for drivers summoning emergency services. Also exempted are commercial vehicle drivers using handheld devices that are required by their employer and are compliant with federal law. Dangerous distracted driving behavior unrelated to handheld electronic devices for example, putting on makeup or shaving while driving will also be subject to fine when the actions interfere with the safe operation of a vehicle on any highway. But this new infraction may only be enforced as a secondary offense. The base penalty for this violation is $30, with a total fine of about $100. The $30 base penalty will be appropriated for programs dedicated to distracted driving prevention. To learn more about the new law, click here. Logo courtesy of Rate-Highway Rate-Highway, an automated rate positioning technology provider for the auto rental industry, has partnered with Perfect Price, a provider in artificial intelligence for revenue management and price optimization, to deliver the first artificial intelligence solution to car rental companies. We are delighted to offer this groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind capability to our customers, said Michael Meyer, president of Rate-Highway. In todays exceedingly competitive car rental environment, driving rental profitability is more important than ever. Logo courtesy of Perfect Price The comprehensive pricing solution combines Rate-Highways rate automation technology and the artificial intelligence capabilities that Perfect Price brings to the industry from Microsoft, Twitter, and the FERMI nuclear physics laboratory. I was amazed by how quickly AI improved our business, said Sharky Laguana, CEO of Bandago and board member of the American Car Rental Association (ACRA). We have seen both utilization and revenue per unit climb measurably in cities where we use Perfect Price, while staying the same in cities where we left our old pricing model in place." For decades, companies shot from the hip on pricing, said Alex Shartsis, CEO of Perfect Price. Then automation made better rate positioning possible. But without rigor and oversight, it can result in a race to the bottom. Artificial intelligence represents a new way to recapture time, revenue, and profit while increasing growth. With this partnership, we build on Rate-Highways transformative automation, which has delivered windfalls for its customers. Together, we enable the next level of business excellence through artificial intelligence for nearly any car rental business, not just the majors, added Meyer. Toyota's latest news is definitely exciting! Recent developments state the TJ Cruiser is the next crossover offering of the Japanese car maker. This news certainly is enough to keep fans and experts looking forward. Toyota has made impeccable vehicles over the years. The addition of its TJ Cruiser may well be an addition to it. This is reported to be the successor of Toyota's FJ Cruiser, which has been making waves in different parts of the world. The TJ Cruiser is based on the Toyota FT-4X Concept. However, it won't be called as the FT-4X. instead, it may well have TJ Cruiser as its name. This rumored upcoming vehicle is targeted for Millennials. Its overall look and feel makes it highly appealing for such market. It is different from the mission of the FJ Cruiser. The FJ Cruiser's conception was built on reviving the memory of FJ Land Cruiser known for its off-roading capabilities. The TJ Cruiser is not going to be as powerful as the FJ, but it makes for a fun drive. The FT-4X concept has not made many fans. It did not seem appealing as it was first introduced. However, Toyota may still push for it with some alterations to its aesthetics. It has yet to be confirmed. Toyota is also sticking to its promise to be less boring. Photos and images of the supposed TJ Cruiser show something extra-ordinary. It does have an out-of-this-world feel. As Millennials try to be the best and unique, choosing this crossover may well put them as the talk of the town. Toyota had to wait and monitor the reaction as it introduced the FT-X4 Concept in New York last April. It may have disappointed many onlookers, however, Toyota may have somehow decided to produce it with TJ Cruiser as its name. The TJ Cruiser is definitely something to watch out for. Its market appeal has yet to be seen as it officially gets launched. However, official news on its release has not been made available just yet. BMW has just announced that Oliver Heilmer will be the new head of MINI Design. The company has full confidence that Heilmer can implement the vision for MINI because of his design expertise. BMW has made a press release announcing that Heilmer will take the new post on Sept. 1, 2017. The realignment is part of the company's corporate strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT. The reassignment of Heilmer also agrees with the brand's vision, "NEXT 100 Vision Vehicles" that was unveiled last year. The vision describes the future viability of MINI. Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design, expressed his confidence in Heilmer through the press release. According to Hooydonk, he strongly believes that "the MINI design team under Oliver Heilmer will implement this vision of the brand in future vehicle models and win over MINI customers." Hooydonk further vouched for Heilmer by mentioning that the latter has the necessary experience and design expertise. The former also added that "Heilmer combines continuity with the freshness and vision MINI stands for." Oliver Heilmer is the existing president of Designworks, a BMW Group subsidiary with design studios in Munich, California and Shanghai. He has been with the company since 2000 and has worked as head of the interior design team until 2016. Christian Bauer has now taken charge of the Interior Design from June 1. With regard to the MINI design team effective Sept. 1, the official statement reveals that Christopher Weil is retained as head of Exterior Design. Whereas, Kerstin Schmeding will take charge of Color and Material Design. Holger Hampf will be the new president of Designworks when Heilmer leaves his post. Hampf started as a member of the Designworks management team since 2002 and was in-charge of Product Design until he left for another design studio in 2010. When he returned to the BMW Group in 2014, he took charge of user interface design and realignment of the design team for digitalization. Meanwhile, former BMW and MINI design executive Frank Stephenson was allegedly returning to the company to lead the MINI design team. However, the company decided to employ an internal candidate. More than 12 hours of body-camera footage from the vantage point of law enforcement officers is shedding new light on the chaotic moments that unfolded during the Pulse nightclub shooting. 13 hours of body camera video during Pulse attack released Video shows vantage point from law enforcement officers All of the videos are on the city of Orlando's public records website RELATED: Timeline of Pulse nightclub attack On Thursday morning, the city of Orlando publicly released about 780 minutes or 13 hours of video on its public records page. The footage offers a more complete picture into what happened during the three-hour standoff between dozens of law enforcement personnel and gunman Omar Mateen. The release comes almost one year to the date of the June 12, 2016 attack. In the months following the mass shooting, hundreds of pages of 911 transcripts, incident reports and emails were released by the city. The 911 audio and pictures from outside and inside the club provided the public with an idea of what happened the night of the deadly attack. The footage released Thursday is from body cameras worn by law enforcement officers from the Orlando, Belle Isle and Edgewood police departments. The videos depict the efforts to take down the gunman and also how officers methodically and carefully rescued survivors from both inside and outside the club. Officer: "Is anybody else in there?" "Is anybody else in there?" Victim: "I called 911... " "I called 911... " Officer: "Show us your hands." "Show us your hands." Victim: "Please help." "Please help." Officer: "Come out, come out. We're police, man." Last year, News 13 sorted through more than 400 calls that came into 911 dispatchers with various law enforcement agencies. The calls totaled about 22 hours of audio. Cassandra Lafser, a spokeswoman with the city of Orlando, said certain media outlets agreed to pay for the body camera footage. The city then began redacting the footage for a public release, which happened Thursday morning. Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 others in the worst mass shooting in modern American history. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Cheryl Scoggins rang up a customer at Kirbyville's Tom Jr.'s Meat Market Thursday and motioned to the local paper in his hand. "Everyone has been reading about what happened," she said. "I think most people are still in shock." The market is across the street from Kirbyville High School, where less than two weeks ago, principal Dennis Reeves was found dead on campus in his truck with a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol in his hand. His apparent suicide began a whirlwind of national interest as details emerged about Reeves' alleged affair and how administrators used that information to force him to resign an hour before his death. Wallis told The Enterprise the day after his death that Reeves was resigning "to pursue other interests" and that he was not under any disciplinary investigation or action at the time. The small town has remained guarded since the incident. "Some people just need to mind their own business," Scoggins said. Paul Thompson, 48, waited in line for his order, shaking his head while looking at the high school through the store window. "I had people where I work ask me what the heck is going on in my town," said Paul Thompson, who commutes from Kirbyville to Lake Charles every day. "It's hard to know when things will go back to normal." On Wednesday evening, citizens of Kirbyville began an online petition to remove Superintendent Tommy Wallis from his post, claiming he "provoked" Reeves after he and Assistant Superintendent Georgia Sayers confronted him about the alleged affair. Wallis said in a statement to Kirbyville police that he was told Reeves had made a suicidal threat to the former secretary if "the relationship was uncovered." As of Thursday evening, the petition had nearly 800 signatures. "I don't know if getting rid of him (Wallis) will fix things," Scoggins said. "But it may help us all move on." Read more in today's print edition of The Enterprise. Click here to have the daily eEdition delivered straight to your inbox. The California Senate passed the universal healthcare plan in a 23 to 14 vote, according to The Mercury News. Here are four points: 1. The plan has a $400 billion price tag and senators passed the bill without specifics for how the state would fund the system. 2. Last week, a Senate committee released an analysis that estimated the state would have to raise $200 billion in revenue each year to fund the bill. The analysis found the state could do this through a 15 percent payroll tax. 3. Following the vote, the bill will advance to the state Assembly. Mercury News reports the assembly will likely change the bill to include taxes for funding. 4. If it comes to fruition, the bill would give all 40 million California residents health insurance. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter awarded Richmond, Va.-based MEDARVA Stony Point Surgery Center an Emmy nomination for its "Paws from Politics" commercial. Here are three things to know: 1. The commercial is a one-minute ad about puppies aimed at helping people feel positive during the past 2016 presidential election. 2,. Bruce Kupper, MEDARVA CEO and president, said, "Switching the focus from politics to puppies is just what everyone needed during the last presidential election. As a healthcare organization, we help people feel better and saw puppies as one way to accomplish that goal." 3. The center won the award in the "Commercial- Single Spot" category. To view the commercial, click here. Here are 21 gastroenterologists making headlines during the month of May. Lee Strauss, MD, Daniel Marcadis, MD, and Stephanie LaFontaine, MD, are joining the Hamilton Physician Group. Miami-based Gastro Health acquired the Hialeah, Fla.-based practice of Orlando Torres, MD. American Gastroenterological Association Center for Guy Microbiome Research and Education Chair Gail Hecht, MD, wrote about gut microbiome for an AGA Microbiome Update. Gastroenterologist Marvin M. Schuster, MD, 87, died on May 12 after a battle with heart disease. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy appointed Houston Methodist Gastroenterology Associates' Karen Woods, MD, as its next president. Portland, Ore.-based Legacy Health's CEO George Brown, MD, is retiring at the end of the year, the Portland Business Journal reports. Neil Price, MD, Elizabeth Lindsey, MD, and Mark Miller, MD, formed GastroIntestinal Health Partners. The practice has offices in Lebanon and Nashville, Tenn. Sheila Crowe, MD, assumed her position as the 112th president of the American Gastroenterological Association after Digestive Disease Week, May 6 through May 9 in Chicago. St. Louis-based Barnes-Jewish Hospital named Matthew Mutch, MD, the Solon and Bettie Gershman Chair in Colon and Rectal Surgery. The Massachusetts Medical Society re-elected Francis P. MacMillan Jr., MD, as its vice speaker of the house of delegates. The American Gastroenterology Association awarded its highest honor to Anil K. Rustgi, MD, for his contributions to the gastroenterology field and the AGA over several decades. The AGA awarded David Ahlquist, MD, the William Beaumont Prize for discovering multitarget DNA testing detects significantly more cancers and premalignant polyps in asymptomatic patients at average risk for colorectal cancer than fecal immunochemical tests. The AGA awarded Hari Conjeevaram, MD, for his entire academic career and his commitment to education, mentorship and empowerment of medical students. The AGA awarded two distinguished mentor awards to John Carethers, MD, and to Emeran Mayer, MD. The AGA recognized Dr. Carethers for his GI fellow mentorship and Dr. Mayer for his three decades of trainee mentorship. The AGA presented private practice and clinical academic practice Distinguished Clinical Awards to Steven Burdick, MD, and David Metz, MD, respectively. CMS has decided not to pull $250,000 in Medicare reimbursement from Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, a cancer treatment center with locations across New York in Auburn, Camillus, East Syracuse and Onondaga Hill, according to a press release from Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. Hematology-Oncology Associates participates in Medicare's Oncology Care Model, which is administered by CMS. When submitting annual performance data the cancer center used the incorrect value modifier. Instead of using "1P" to identify patient cases the cancer center used "lP." CMS told Hematology-Oncology Associates its Medicare reimbursement would be reduced by $250,000 due to the error. The cancer center appealed the ruling, but CMS stood by its decision. Mr. Schumer and Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., sent a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma asking the agency to reconsider its decision. They argued the $250,000 cut in Medicare reimbursement due to the clerical error lacked common sense and was overly punitive. Mr. Schumer and Mr. Katko announced Wednesday that CMS reversed its decision. "Congressman Katko and I know how important Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY's work is to this community and those suffering from severe medical conditions. This decision lacked common sense and we knew that we had to push CMS to reconsider," said Mr. Schumer. More articles on healthcare finance: Operator of 179 cancer treatment centers files for bankruptcy Advocate Health Care looks to cut costs after Q1 revenue falls below budget target Southeast Alabama Medical Center cuts 80 jobs as revenue trends downward A Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield executive recently provided more details to help answer a question that has been lingering for months: What type of illness could lead to $1 million per month in medical bills? Des Moines, Iowa-based Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield sent letters to its 30,000 customers in 2016, telling them it was raising their premiums by about 38 to 43 percent for 2017. The insurer had said the higher rates were partially due to a single member who receives $1 million worth of care per month. Wellmark said the member with the huge medical bills suffered from a severe genetic disorder but didn't provide specifics about the condition. At a recent presentation to the Des Moines Rotary Club, Wellmark Executive Vice President Laura Jackson offered additional details, according to The Des Moines Register. The high-cost member is a teenage boy who suffers from hemophilia, a genetic disorder that keeps blood from clotting, Ms. Jackson told the 100 people at the Rotary Club meeting, according to the report. Katie Verb, director of policy and government relations for the Hemophilia Federation of America, told The Des Moines Register treating hemophilia typically costs between $250,000 and $1 million per year. "A million dollars per month is something we've never heard of," she said. Treating hemophilia can require expensive infusions of proteins, which can cause treatment costs to skyrocket. Michelle Rice, vice president for the National Hemophilia Foundation, told The Des Moines Register it's plausible that a patient who requires aggressive treatment of a complicated case of hemophilia could rack up $1 million in medical bills per month. Hemophilia predominantly affects men and boys. About 20,000 males in the U.S. are currently living with hemophilia, according to the CDC. More articles on healthcare finance: 41% of healthcare spending attributed to 12% of Americans, study finds Texas Children's records $36.2M operating loss on insurance arm Operator of 179 cancer treatment centers files for bankruptcy J. Lindsey Bradley Jr. will retire as senior vice president of group operations and CEO for Irving, Texas-based Christus Health's Northeast Texas region. Here are six things to know about Mr. Lindsey. 1. He has more than 50 years of healthcare leadership experience, primarily in northeast Texas. 2. Currently, he leads a region that includes Tyler, Texas-based Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System, Texarkana, Texas-based Christus St. Michael Health System and Longview, Texas-based Christus Good Shepherd Health System. 3. Throughout his career, he has seen Mother Frances Hospital Tyler progress into the Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System, the integrated system formed through the merger of Trinity Mother Frances Health System and Christus Health. 4. One of Mr. Bradley's numerous accomplishments includes solidifying a trusted partnership with physicians and community leaders to establish the region's first cardiac program, according to a news release. He did this with support from the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and friend and partner Ray Thompson. 5. Mr. Bradley was also involved in the founding of Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System's critical care air medical transport service, as well as Longview-based Champion EMS. 6. Mr. Bradley's retirement takes effect June 30. His successor has not yet been named. The leaders of multiple Boston-area hospitals came together Thursday to announce plans for a national lobbying campaign against the 20 percent funding cut to the NIH within the Trump administration's proposed federal 2018 budget, according to the Boston Herald. The meeting was called by Mayor Martin Walsh of Boston and included multiple other state politicians. The group, which includes representatives from Harvard Medical School, Boston Childrens Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, argues that NIH funding is essential for biomedical research. Last year, 56 Boston area institutions received a collective $1.85 billion in NIH funding. The proposed budget would reduce NIH dollars by $5.8 billion. Boston-area Massachusetts General Hospital alone could stand to lose $60 million and 600 jobs if the proposed budget is passed. The planned lobbying strategy will mostly target Republican legislators and tap the national network of physicians and healthcare leaders who spent time throughout their careers in Boston's premier teaching hospitals. While Trumps proposals for the 2018 budget may have many worried about the fate of the NIH, in early May a bipartisan group of legislators voted to increase NIH funding in 2017 by $2 billion. More Articles On Leadership: The 17 medical terms that made spelling bee champs since 1928 St. Vincent Health to cut 85 jobs: 3 things to know SurveyVitals names CMO The following were among the most-viewed transactions and valuations stories published by Becker's Hospital Review in May. 1. CHS divests 11 hospitals, adds 3 more to sale pipeline Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems completed its sale of eight hospitals to Boston-based Steward Health Care and divested two hospitals to Clinton, Tenn.-based Curae Health May 1. 2. Steward Health Care to acquire IASIS Healthcare Boston-based Steward Health Care signed a definitive agreement to acquire Franklin, Tenn.-based IASIS Healthcare for $1.9 billion May 19. 3. Prime Healthcare Foundation's $15M acquisition of CHS hospital collapses Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare Foundation's $15 million acquisition agreement to purchase Salem, N.J.-based The Memorial Hospital of Salem County fell through just as the deal received state regulatory approval. 4. KentuckyOne to spin off 4 hospitals, 4 ambulatory centers Louisville-based KentuckyOne Health is searching for new owners and operators for more than 10 entities. The changes will ultimately leave KentuckyOne as a seven-hospital system. 5. HCA to add 7 hospitals, looks to M&A for more growth Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare officials said during a first quarter earnings call May 2 the company plans to purchase more hospitals in the coming months. 6. Quorum to divest 2 hospitals in Tennessee Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health Corp. signed a definitive agreement May 16 to sell two hospitals in Tennessee. 7. 40 hospital transactions and partnerships in April A list of healthcare mergers, acquisitions and general partnerships that took place or were announced during the month of April. 8. Quorum Health seeks to sell 6 more hospitals Quorum Health, the 35-hospital spinoff of Community Health Systems, is focused on restructuring its portfolio to improve financial performance. 9. 11 recent hospital transactions and partnerships A list of healthcare mergers, acquisitions and general partnerships that took place or were announced the week of May 8. 10. CHS to divest 5 hospitals to Reading Health System West Reading, Pa.-based Reading Health System entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire five hospitals owned and operated by Community Health Systems. The Kansas Senate passed a measure by a vote of 24 to 16 allowing public hospitals to continue to ban firearms, according to The Kansas City Star. Under a law passed in 2013, public hospitals in the state would have to legally permit entry to persons carrying concealed handguns beginning July 1. The newly passed measure grants these hospitals continued exemption from the 2013 law. After the Senate's passage, the House approved the bill by a vote of 91 to 33. The legislation will now heads to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's desk where it can be vetoed or ratified. It is unclear what Mr. Brownback plans to do with the bill, according to the Star. The newly passed legislation was vehemently opposed by several Republican senators and the National Rifle Association. To read the Star's full report, click here. More articles on legal issues: Bipartisan bill to prevent corrupt hospital owners dies in Texas legislature Man charged with extorting New York physician, wife Freedom Health, former COO to pay $32.5M to resolve false billing case Omaha-based Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska will ditch its final two ACA-compliant individual health plans in 2018, according to a Live Well Nebraska report. Losses accrued by the two plans, which cover 12,500 individuals, could reach $12 million this year. Dale Mackel, executive vice president of BCBSN, told Live Well Nebraska the losses would continue even if the insurer raised premiums by 50 percent or more for 2018. While the payer lost about $150 million on ACA plans in previous years, BCBSN is expected to break even or see a 1 percent gain in 2017, according to the report. BCBSN pulled the majority of its individual plans from the 2017 ACA exchanges due to instability and decreased competition under the health law. One insurer Minnetonka, Minn.-based Medica is set to sell policies on the state's individual exchange for 2018. Here are 12 spine and neurosurgeons that made the headlines over the past week. The Los Angeles Business Journal named Todd H. Lanman, MD, a finalist for its 2017 Healthcare Leadership Awards. U.S. News & World Report featured an interview with Neel Anand, MD, discussing spine surgery outcomes and risks. Former neurosurgeon Marc Eichler, MD, of Minot, N.D., received a three year prison sentence in a federal sex abuse case. HCA honored Sarasota Orthopedic Associates' Andrew Moulton, MD, with the HCA Humanitarian First Award for his work treating underserved populations in the Dominican Republic. Spine surgeons Jeffrey C. Wang, MD, Kern Singh, MD, Payam Farjoodi, MD, Vladimir Sinkov, MD, Brian Gantwerker, MD, and Neel Anand, MD, discussed the spinal instrumentation technology they'd most like to see in the future. Spine surgeon Jay Jagannathan, MD, of Troy, Mich.-based Jagannnathan Neurosurgery spoke about the future of spine surgery and minimally invasive procedures with a local radio show. Hamid Abbasi, MD, performed his 500th oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion. Michael Janssen, DO, founder of Denver-based Center for Spine & Orthopedics, performed total disc replacement on offshore powerboat racer Rusty Rahm. To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below According to reports, the Afghan intelligence service had reportedly accused Pakistan's ISI of having a hand in the recent Kabul bomb blast. Afghanistan also earlier announced that Haqqani network was the main perpetrator behind the blast. Notably, Afghanistan also cancelled its game ties with Pakistan. Bihar police have arrested a 15-year-old boy for allegedly posting Pakistan Zindabad on his Facebook account. According to reports, Afsar Khan from Kishanganj district was arrested after the locals registered a complaint accusing him of posting the pro-Pakistan slogan. Notably, a senior police official has said that the people demanded his arrest for hurting their sentiments. Icelandair is now flying from Belfast to Reykjavik, which has good connections to the US and Canada A new air link to Iceland will open up the cheapest flights from Northern Ireland to the United States and Canada, it's been claimed. The first new Icelandair flights from Belfast to Reykjavik have taken off. Icelandair will fly three times a week from Belfast City Airport, with the air link being operated by subsidiary Air Iceland Connect. The new year-round service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. But that frequency could grow and larger aircraft added to the route to up flight numbers, according to Arni Gunnarsson, the managing director of Air Iceland. It's currently flying Bombardier's part-Belfast made Q400 planes. EasyJet already operates a direct, seasonal flight to the Icelandic capital from Belfast International. Mr Gunnarsson said the regular route will open up tourism in the country and will also allow Northern Ireland customers to connect directly with cities across the Atlantic, such as Montreal and Boston. And he says flights could start from as little as 200 each way. "I think the split is going to be 60% of the traffic. That's our estimation," he said. "I think the Canadian destinations would be popular because they are not well served from Ireland. "You do have out of Iceland flights to Canada. There is Halifax, Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver. "From east to west, there is a good spread of connections. Also, Seattle, Denver and Minneapolis. Destinations which are not directly served, those would be the destinations we would see as the biggest potential." Asked about what impact Brexit will have on business, Mr Gunnarsson says he believes the 'open skies' agreement should be retained. The agreement allows carriers to fly anywhere within the European Union. In April, the boss of Jet2 warned that the loss of the agreement following Brexit would have a "terrible" impact on the airline industry. "Our view is that the open skies agreement should stay in place... I don't foresee that it will have any changes in that," Mr Gunnarsson said. "If you are connecting from Belfast, you don't have that many direct flights from Belfast to the US. As a one-stop connection, it's the easiest and the fastest. That is the big advantage that we have." He said the airline could increase its frequency if there is sufficient demand here. And Icelandair chief executive Birkir Holm Gudnason said: "Icelandair is proud to welcome Belfast on board as our latest UK gateway, working again in partnership with our sister airline Air Iceland Connect who will operate the service. "This addition improves our connectivity and enables us to carry even more passengers to our 18 gateways across the US and Canada, via our hub in Reykjavik." Brian Ambrose, chief executive of Belfast City Airport, said: "You have got an increase in inbound tourism and Reykjavik is a good weekend city break, so there is a good destination, and as far as value for money, for connectivity to North America it will be the best on the market." Visit Belfast chief executive Gerry Lennon said: "The new service and extensive global network enables Visit Belfast and our tourism partners to proactively engage with potential visitors, from not only Iceland but other key markets including North America". Average house prices in the UK recorded their third monthly decrease in a row in May - the first time this has happened since 2009 - according to an index. Nationwide Building Society said values dipped by 0.2% month-on-month in May, following a 0.4% decrease in April and 0.3% in March. Across the UK, the average price was 208,711 in May, marking a 2.1% year-on-year increase. There was no separate information on Northern Ireland. A year earlier price growth was more than double this rate at 4.7%. Robert Gardner, Nationwide's chief economist, said it is too early to know whether the slowdown is "merely a blip", a reflection of the squeeze on household budgets, or is due to mounting affordability pressures in key areas. He said the subdued level of building activity and the shortage of properties on the market are likely to help hold prices up. His classic Troubles-era novel, Silver's City, has been out of print for almost 35 years, but as Co Antrim-born writer Maurice Leitch returns to Belfast tonight to sign copies of a new edition, he talks to Ivan Little about the decades of exile in London, ageism in the publishing world ... and seeing the star quality in a young man called Liam Neeson. Co Antrim-born writer Maurice Leitch allows himself a little smile as he recalls how he was once hailed as the pioneer of a style of Irish writing about the Troubles that was dubbed the Northern noir. "At least it was a different colour from Orange or Green," says the former teacher turned radio producer turned best-selling author. A veritable library of hard-edged books about Ulster's violence, sectarianism and terrorism have followed Maurice's award-winning novel Silver's City, which was undoubtedly a ground-breaker in the Irish literary world. But although Silver's City struck gold and won the hugely prestigious Whitbread Prize in 1981, the book had long since vanished without trace. Maurice says: "Second-hand copies popped up on Amazon every so often, but it was out of print. Until now" Silver's City has been re-issued and the re-launch of a new edition is all down to an Enniskillen man James Doyle, whom Maurice Leitch has never met, even though they both live in London. James's Turnpike Books firm has become renowned for reviving "forgotten Northern Irish classics" and Maurice will be signing copies of the "new" Silver's City in Belfast tonight. Maurice says he's not concerned that his involvement with his publisher has been at arm's length, with their communications conducted largely via email. He adds: "That's the way of publishing nowadays. In the old days it was all about lunches and meetings, but though James's path and my path haven't crossed yet we are going to meet up soon. "James has done a wonderful job with the book, which is beautifully produced with a very nice cover and everything else." James, a graduate of Queen's University, Belfast, has said that he read Silver's City in his youth and enjoyed it just as he'd done with a raft of books by other Ulster writers like Ben Kiely, St John Ervine and Janet McNeill whose work had "fallen through the cracks" as he put it. Which is why James and his Turnpike firm have breathed fresh life into the books for a new audience. Expand Close Maurice Leitch based the character Silver on former UVF leader Gusty Spence / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Maurice Leitch based the character Silver on former UVF leader Gusty Spence For Maurice Leitch, re-engaging with Silver's City was a pleasantly surprising encounter with his past. "I hadn't read it for over 20 years when I did a BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of it which starred the incomparable Scot Brian Cox and a little known Ulster actor, James Nesbitt." Two decades earlier, the response to Silver's City was mixed, to say the least. Maurice may have won the Whitbread Prize, but some of his Protestant co-religionists and even his relatives were unhappy with the way he portrayed - or in their eyes betrayed - the loyalist cause in one of the first ever books to deal with their feelings and issues. Says Maurice: "I knew it wasn't a flattering portrait, but the thing about Northern Ireland is that people are anxious to project a certain image and if you somehow go against that and go your own way it doesn't go down terribly well. "I remember an uncle who worked in a factory in Carrickfergus telling me that 'some of the lads would like to have a wee word with me.' "And I knew exactly what that meant. But a lot of people admired the book and recognised that I was trying to do something early on during the Troubles." Maurice says he's only too well aware that playwright Gary Mitchell was forced to leave his home in the Rathcoole estate because his work upset loyalists. He says: "And if I had stayed in Northern Ireland, the same thing could have happened to me." In the years after Silver's City success on the book stands, there were occasional suggestions that the novel could be turned into a movie. But although Maurice had written screenplays for several of his other books, Silver's never hit the silver screen. One idea was to re-locate the action to the West Indies. That, Maurice thought, was that. End of story. "But when James Doyle approached me, I read Silver's City again and I was glad that it had stood the test of time and that I had found it was actually rather good," says Maurice, who had written two novels before Silver's City. The second one, Poor Lazarus, won the man from Muckamore the Guardian Fiction Prize. The buoyed-up Maurice wrote Silver's City after leaving his job with the BBC here to work with the Corporation in London in 1970. But though he quit Northern Ireland, he was unable to cast himself adrift from the politics and the Troubles back home. Expand Close Liam Neeson PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Liam Neeson "Obviously, there was no Google back then and what I was discovering about the situation at home was coming from all the papers I was reading. "I had a very strong idea for Silver's City, but I didn't - and I don't - like doing too much research because it's a temptation to use all of it and a book can become top-heavy. "In the end Silver's City developed into a study of three characters in Belfast." One of the main figures in the book is a feared loyalist leader called Silver Steele, who is sprung from prison and paraded around Protestant areas by his followers, but eventually the new breed of hard men realise their erstwhile hero doesn't fit in with their plans or their thinking. But Silver manages to escape the clutches of the paramilitaries, who bring in a psychopathic Scot to track him down. Anyone with a long enough memory about the Troubles would readily identify Silver with the UVF leader Gusty Spence, who famously didn't return to the Maze after being granted compassionate parole from jail in the 1970s. "I did pick up some resonances of people from that time, particularly Gusty Spence, but you don't lift characters straight out of life. You adapt them and change them in many ways," says Maurice, who admits that the moniker, Silver came from a legendary street fighter from Belfast called Silver McKee. Even after nearly half-a-century away from Northern Ireland, Maurice still keeps in touch with his homeland. "I watch the NI news on my satellite TV and I have to say that many things haven't changed all that much. "There's still a lot of violence going on, but you don't hear about that on the main news channels here, because people in England are bored with Northern Ireland. "The politicians like Tony Blair seem to have washed their hands of the place, thinking that they've done a wonderful job fixing history through the Good Friday Agreement. "But most people associated with Northern Ireland know that history hasn't been fixed satisfactorily." Maurice says he screams at the television on a regular basis - "especially when I hear Sinn Fein talking about equality and respect. Someone should give them a thesaurus to find alternative words and we should all move on." He's 83 now, but Maurice has no notion of hanging up his pen. His literary agent is currently trying to find a publisher for a new book about Spain in the 1960s during the fascist era. But Maurice says the task of getting a publisher is becoming more and more difficult, especially for more mature writers. "So many more books are being written nowadays and more young writers are attracting the attention of young publishers. "They want to hire younger people, because they think that reflects on them. As you get older, it's undoubtedly tougher to get your voice heard." However, Maurice is currently attempting to circumvent the ageist system with his first ever stage plays. One of them is a contemporary Northern Irish play and, though Maurice won't give anything away about the plot, an educated guess is that the Troubles are in there somewhere. "All I will say is that I've sent it to the Lyric in Belfast, so here's hoping. I love writing dialogue. I always have done and I've really enjoyed plays for radio in the past". And Jimmy Nesbitt isn't the only emerging star to take part in one of Maurice's productions. "I wrote a play about a crazy diehard loyalist who was holed up in London. And the man who was cast in the role was a young man called Liam Neeson. "He wasn't a big name, but it was clear to everyone that he had star quality." Silver's City has been reissued by Turnpike Books and Maurice Leitch will be signing copies at No Alibis Books in Botanic Avenue tonight from 6.30pm Belfast City Council is to press for special status for Northern Ireland in the EU as part of the Brexit process. The council agreed the proposal at last night's AGM - which means it will now be seeking meetings with Prime Minister Theresa May, Irish Premier Enda Kenny and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The Sinn Fein motion was proposed by Geraldine McAteer and seconded by Deirdre Hargey. Ms McAteer told the meeting that Brexit posed an economic threat to the city of Belfast, offering huge challenges in relation to trade and risking a loss of foreign direct investment in the city - both from losing firms already located here, and by putting off others who might think of investing. The Sinn Fein councillor said that special designated status for Northern Ireland within the EU "did not affect the constitutional status of the north of Ireland within the UK". She said that the designation of 'special status' for Northern Ireland could mean: l retention of access to the EU single market; l retaining the common travel area between the UK and Ireland; l continued free movement of people and goods; l the protection of the peace process; and l continued access to EU funds for agriculture, 'peace-building' and university research. She worried that Northern Ireland was "sleepwalking into a process which will damage our economy and social future". An SDLP amendment proposed by Donal Lyons said special status for Northern Ireland should uphold human rights and the Good Friday Agreement. "We need to do more than throw our hand in the air and wait for the EU to come and save us," said Mr Lyons. Both the Alliance and Green Party representatives backed the proposal, while unionist representatives opposed it. DUP councillor Lee Reynolds - who was a prominent campaigner for a Leave vote in last year's referendum campaign to leave the EU - said the motion was a "regurgitation of Project Fear". "It didn't work before, it won't work now," he said. "There is not a single piece of evidence to sustain it. Support for leaving the European Union has actually increased. "We should be going to London to secure a city/region deal to deliver the growth we all want. Instead, we're going to waste our time and effort on something that isn't going to happen. The UK is leaving. "The best thing for Northern Ireland to do is to get the best deal between the UK and the EU 27. "The Republic of Ireland is as worried about a sea border as they are a land border. There is not a need for special status for Northern Ireland in the EU - but there may very well be a case for a special status for the Republic of Ireland in the EU." The motion was carried by a vote of 27 to 19. The Manchester massacre has evoked embittered memories of the IRAs bombing campaign on the British mainland. Comparisons are made between last weeks no-warning outrage and the IRAs destruction of central Manchester in 1996 and the bombings in other English cities, such as Birmingham, Warrington and London between the 1970s and 1990s. In the midst of the general election campaign, one man in particular, Jeremy Corbyn, remains in the firing line of public opinion and the media over his past allegiances with militant Irish republicanism and unashamed support for a united Ireland. Never mind his sense of total outrage now about the suicide bombing in Manchester, where did his sympathies and loyalties rest when those earlier IRA attacks took place? What pain did he experience during more than 70 occasions when he was in the company of Sinn Fein and pro-republican groups during and at the height of the IRAs violence? Where was his mind when he stood in protest outside the Old Bailey shortly after the Brighton bombing which targeted Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her Cabinet? Was he experiencing the same depth of shock and rejection of terror as he has done now, when he protested at the trial of Patrick Magee, the Brighton bomber, and was placed under arrest? Did he feel the same as he does now when he outraged British public opinion by inviting two former IRA prisoners as his guests at Westminster in 1984, in the aftermath of the bombing? He now says: I condemn all bombing. It is not a good idea and it is terrible what happened. Did he tell that to Gerry Adams in the 1980s? Or did he share such thoughts with his close friend, Diane Abbott, who in 1984 was quoted as saying: Ireland is our struggle and every defeat of the British State a victory for all of us. A defeat in Northern Ireland would be a defeat indeed. Or what of his attitude towards his choice for Chancellor of the Exchequer, John McDonnell, who was forced to apologise abjectly for this statement at a republican event only four years ago: Its about time we started honouring those people involved in the armed struggle. It was the bombs and bullets and the sacrifice made by the likes of Bobby Sands which brought Britain to the negotiating table. The peace we have now is due to the actions of the IRA. Because of the bravery of IRA and people like Bobby Sands we now have a peace process. Time blurs the memory but still cannot erase the pain of the thousands who suffered here and elsewhere at the hands of those whom Mr McDonnell wished to honour. The weight of evidence about the Corbynite sympathy for Sinn Fein and the IRA, during the latters terrorism in Britain, is so extensive and emphatically damning, that it cannot be brushed aside by a short statement of belated regret. A further indictment is the one-sidedness of the Corbynites their lack of contact with unionists, with victims of the IRA, their absence of sympathy for the security forces in Northern Ireland and willingness to accept Sinn Fein at face value irrespective of the brutality of its paramilitary wing. Though it seems unlikely, we cannot rule out the possibility of another upset at the general election next week to add to that of Donald Trump in the United States and Emmanuel Macron in France. In just over a week, Jeremy Corbyn could be Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Diane Abbott could be Her Majestys Home Secretary, responsible for homeland security, and John McDonnell could be Chancellor in charge of Britains and Northern Irelands future financial fortunes. It is understandable that many people deserve the clearest possible statement from Mr Corbyn and his political allies about what they said in the past about terror, their views now and future intentions. These people cannot continue to evoke any doubts as to where they stood before and now on the use of terror to achieve political ends, be it with regard to dissident republicans in Northern Ireland or suicide bombers in British cities. Mr Corbyn and Mr McDonnell can see the embarrassment their old allegiances have caused in the light of the Manchester bombing. However, too many suspicions remain that Jeremy Corbyn and some of the best Labour friends are being economical with the English language when it comes to reflecting on what they said and did in relation to the Troubles. Sadly there is little or no evidence that they gave much thought for others beyond the militant republican movement. Mr Corbyn says he did what he did for the peace process and supported the Good Friday Agreement. What solace did he ever offer to the unionist tradition? Does he really accept the central plank of the Belfast Agreement that people here have the right to decide their own destiny inside or outside the UK despite his unequivocal support for a united Ireland? He has had no alternative but to row back from his past endeavours on behalf of Sinn Fein. A frenzied media in Britain has not let him off the hook, but for the sake of total clarity and to remove lingering suspicions about his attitude to Northern Ireland, he needs to say more and demonstrate that he has learnt that Ireland has more than one side than militant Irish republicanism. So Mr Corbyn perhaps you would take this opportunity to answer a few pertinent questions, or if not, to set out more clearly your views on issues which continue to disturb people here. 1) Do you accept that there is a difference between meeting or even negotiating with paramilitary groupings and campaigning for their victory? 2) Do you now support the principle of consent in Northern Ireland that it is for the citizens of the province alone to decide its constitutional future? 3) Do you now regret campaigning against that principle of consent during the Troubles and demanding an end to what you called British occupation? 4) During your various associations with Sinn Fein, did you call for an end to IRA violence and issue any condemnations of this violence? Can you point to any report or evidence that you did so? 5) Alongside your various associations with Sinn Fein, what meetings and discussions did you have with unionists and loyalists? 6) In November 1987, shortly after the IRAs Enniskillen bomb, you signed a parliamentary motion saying that violence and bloodshed in Northern Ireland stems primarily from the long-standing British occupation of that country. Is that still your view on the causes of the conflict in the province? 7) Do you believe the current campaign of violence by dissident republican groupings also stems primarily from the long-standing British occupation of that country? 8) Have you ever met with the victims of IRA violence, such as those injured in bombs or police widows? I doubt very much if I am alone in seeking answers to these questions. I hope that in the next few days before the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland go to the polls, you may find time to answer them. Arlene Foster has come under pressure to respond to an election endorsement for her party from the UDA-linked UPRG. The Ulster Political Research Group magazine The Loyalist said it "would strongly urge a vote for Emma Little Pengelly" in South Belfast. It described the former junior minister as "realistically the more viable option due to experience", but added "people need to make their own minds up". Former Alliance leader David Ford said: "It is bad enough to have paramilitaries backing a political party at any time, but it is especially troubling in this case, given it comes in the same week as a murder which is believed to be part of a UDA feud." The former Justice Minister added: "Arlene Foster needs to make clear if her party accepts an endorsement by a group closely connected to the UDA. The electorate, particularly in South Belfast where this endorsement was given, deserve to know. "It is now 2017 - paramilitaries should not even exist, never mind be giving ringing endorsements of political candidates. "Questions remain over the Social Investment Fund - many thought it as nothing more than a paramilitary slush fund, with a particular emphasis to the UDA. This endorsement of the DUP by that same group does nothing to dispel those views." The DUP responded: "There is no place for the UDA, or any other paramilitary group in our society. Their existence never was justified and is not justified now. We will work with those who wish to leave their past behind, but anyone involved in any kind of illegal activity must face the full weight of the law." Mrs Foster has also come in for criticism for meeting UDA boss Jackie McDonald within 48 hours of the murder in Bangor on Sunday of loyalist Colin Horner as part of a feud within the terrorist group. Asked if she had told Mr McDonald paramilitary groups should not exist, the ex-First Minister said: "I had no need to say it to Jackie McDonald. Jackie McDonald knows my views very, very clearly. "If people want to move away from criminality, from terrorism, we will help them to do that, but anyone who is engaged in this sort of activity should stop, should desist, and if they don't they should be open to the full rigour of the law." Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd said: "There is a responsibility on all in political leadership to challenge the very existence of paramilitary groups. "Recently Arlene Foster claimed that Jeremy Corbyn's meetings with Sinn Fein during the conflict raised questions about his democratic credentials." There were also attacks on the former First Minister last year after she was photographed alongside senior loyalist figure Dee Stitt in an announcement about the Social Investment Fund. Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann has urged unionists not to coalesce around the DUP following Sinn Fein's resurgence in the Assembly election. The recently-elected party chief argued the combined votes of both the UUP and the DUP would send a stronger pro-Union message. His call came after the DUP asked unionists who usually vote for others to support Arlene Foster this time, following Sinn Fein's performance in the March Assembly election in which it came in just 1,200 votes behind the DUP. But launching his party's manifesto yesterday, Mr Swann said: "It's quite simple. It is about the quality of representation." The DUP stood aside to give incumbent UUP candidate Tom Elliott a stronger chance of holding the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat in the face of a strong Sinn Fein challenge from Michelle Gildernew. But the DUP is also targeting the UUP's second outgoing MP Danny Kinahan in South Antrim, where it believes its standard-bearer Paul Girvan can seize back the seat formerly held by the Rev William McCrea. Reacting to the DUP's "wake-up call" for unionism in the aftermath of the last Stormont election, Mr Swann argued the UUP was better placed to help create a stronger Union that "works for everyone". "There needs to be a real wake-up call for all of Northern Ireland that we need to create a Union for everyone, where everyone is given respect," he said. The restoration of Stormont and an Executive is "still within our grasp", Mr Swann said, but it was "outrageous that Northern Ireland has been left drifting without a government now for five months". And he pointed the finger directly at republicans, because it was them "and only them, that stand in the way of a new Executive being formed". Mr Swann said "shame" on Sinn Fein Stormont leader and former Health Minister Michelle O'Neill for putting the interests of her party before patients. "While others have been preaching about respect and supposedly standing up to the Tories, the reality is that the crisis in public services has been deepening," he said. Mr Swann dismissed increasing calls from Sinn Fein and the SDLP for a border poll on support for a united Ireland as "nonsense" and argued it would "sectarianise" every future election. He also warned that demands for "special status" for Northern Ireland as the UK leaves the European Union amounted to an attempt to create a "united Ireland by the back door". "Those who promote 'special status' are calling for the break-up of the United Kingdom. There can be no border up the middle of the Irish Sea. There can be no passport checks for citizens of Northern Ireland arriving in Cairnryan or Heathrow," he said. The concept of special status brought with it "all sorts of connotations that leave us outside the United Kingdom rather than inside" and this "sets us adrift in what it means to be part of the Union". "Whether people voted Remain or Leave, the reality now is we will be exiting the European Union. Whilst others only care about getting any deal, we want the best deal," he said. The manifesto calls for the province's five health trusts to be merged into a single body with an independent chief executive of the NHS in Northern Ireland. In terms of talks to restore devolution, the UUP also vowed to "vehemently oppose efforts to rewrite the reality of the past and tackle unfair aspersions cast against legitimate actions of our security forces". Police are appealing for witnesses following the report of a robbery that occurred on Waring Street in the Belfast area on Wednesday, May 31. The PSNI are asking the public for information after a woman's purse was stolen on Waring Street, Belfast at lunchtime on Wednesday. A police spokesperson said the theft took place at around 1.30pm, when a male approached the woman and snatched her purse. He then made off with the purse in the direction of Donegall Street. The purse was later found in a car park just of Donegal Street, however a sum of money had been taken from it. The male is described as being short with ginger hair, wearing a navy hoodie and grey trousers. Police are appealing to anyone that may have witnessed this incident to contact Tennent Street Police Station on 101, quoting reference 529 if the 31/05/17. Alternatively, if they would rather not provide their personal details, they should ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A judge warned a defendant accused of raping a teenage girl: "Facebook and social media slagging off of the complainant should stop." A 17-year-old charged with "horrendous" assaults on fellow student in Belfast has been warned not to commit any online abuse. The teenage girl he is alleged to have raped has been attacked on Facebook, the High Court heard on Friday, June 2. As bail was granted to the defendant, who was accused of subjecting the girl to "horrendous" sexual assaults, a judge warned him against becoming involved in any online abuse. The youth, who cannot be identified because of his age, is charged with four counts of rape and six counts of sexual assault. The alleged offences were committed early on May 26 while a group of teenagers were gathered at Black Mountain in the city. He insists any sexual activity with the girl was consensual. Prosecutors disclosed that police plan to speak to as many as 12 potential witnesses. The court also heard that at the time of the alleged offence the accused was on police bail following a previous complaint of rape from another girl in March. He has not been charged over that incident, although the investigation is ongoing. Appearing via video-link from a youth detention centre, he sobbed and buried his head in his hands as the latest allegations were set out. "One of the things that concerns me is when he's on police bail he ends up on Black Mountain in the early hours of the morning, and ends up having sex in the way described. - Judge Following submissions, Mr Justice O'Hara pressed his mother for pledges that she will hand him in if he breached any release conditions. "He kept his head down while the description of what happened as read out to me." Mr Justice O'Hara pointed out that bail was opposed amid concerns the accused is already an alleged repeat sex offender. "The reason why the case is troubling me is the complicating factor that not only is (he) charged with a number of horrendous rapes and sexual assaults from last weekend, but at the time when this encounter between him and the teenage girl took place he was on police bail because of another investigation for an entirely separate but similar alleged attack on another teenager," he said. Granting bail on conditions including a curfew and alcohol ban, the judge stressed that the accused is to have no contact with the latest complainant. She attends the same college, prompting an order that her alleged attacker cannot attend classes if she is present. Mr Justice O'Hara also issued a warning over any further online abuse of her. "If people who regard themselves as (the accused's) friends or somehow his supporters are involved in these attacks they are making his position worse rather than better," he stressed. "Facebook and social media slagging off of the complainant should stop in order for (his) position of presumed innocence to be maintained." Colin Horner was shot dead in front of his young son outside the Sainsbury's superstore on the outskirts of Bangor A man has been charged with the murder of loyalist Colin Horner in a busy supermarket car park as his three-year-old son looked on. Mr Horner, 35, was shot dead by a lone gunman among crowds of shoppers outside the Sainsbury's superstore on the outskirts of Bangor, Co Down, on Sunday afternoon. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said that the 28-year-old man is also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. He is due before Ards Magistrate Court at 10:30am on Friday, June 2. Detectives arrested a 45-year-old man on Friday morning in the Newtownards area. He was taken to Musgrave Police Station and and was released unconditionally on Friday evening. It is understood Mr Horner, from Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, recently relocated to Bangor amid fears he would be targeted in the same loyalist paramilitary feud that claimed the life of his friend George Gilmore two months ago. Loyalist Mr Gilmore, 44, was shot dead in Carrickfergus in March. A 47-year-old man arrested by detectives in the Newtownards area on Wednesday in relation to the murder has been released unconditionally. Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes said: "I would like to thank the public who have contacted police with vital information in connection with this brutal and senseless killing and I would continue to appeal to people for their help as we carry out our investigations. I would ask anyone who has captured any footage at the scene either on devices or on dashcams to please get in touch. "I would also like to hear from anyone who saw the vehicle Colin Horner was driving when he left his partner's home in the Balloo Road area of Bangor around 2.00pm. It was a black Nissan Pulsar car, registration XFZ 4706 and it arrived in the Sainsbury's car park around 2.30pm. I am keen to trace his movements during that 30 minute period. Expand Close Colin Horner was shot dead in front of his young son outside the Sainsbury's superstore on the outskirts of Bangor / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Colin Horner was shot dead in front of his young son outside the Sainsbury's superstore on the outskirts of Bangor "I would also like to know more about the movements of a red Ford Mondeo car, bearing false registration plate GKZ 7996, which was seen speeding away from the scene around 2.50pm just after Mr Horner was shot. It was later found burnt out at Kerrs Road, in the Six Road Ends area of Bangor, close to a local equestrian centre." Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101. The Sainsbury's on the outskirts of Bangor, Co Down, where Colin Horner was murdered in front of his 3-year-old son on Sunday, May 28 (PA) A 28-year-old man charged with murdering Colin Horner in a car park in Bangor has been refused bail. Alan James Wilson, 28, appeared in court on Friday, charged with the murder of Colin Horner, 35, outside a Sainsbury's store in Bangor, Co Down, on Sunday. Mr Horner was shot dead by a lone gunman moments after he had put his three-year-old son in the back of his car. The murder has been linked to a feud among loyalist rivals. Wilson, from Ballyrainey Road in Newtownards, is charged with murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Expand Close Colin Horner was murdered in a busy supermarket car park in front of his three-year-old son (PSNI/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Colin Horner was murdered in a busy supermarket car park in front of his three-year-old son (PSNI/PA) A defence lawyer told a district judge sitting at Newtownards Magistrates' Court that his client denied the charges. The case against a man Mr Horner is "weak, tenuous and circumstantial", the lawyer said. He claimed detectives had not accused Mr Horner of pulling the trigger. "The case is not that he was the shooter or in the getaway car," the solicitor told judge Amanda Brady. Applying for bail, he said the evidence was based on CCTV and cell site mobile phone analysis. "A weak, tenuous and circumstantial case was put to the defendant (during police interview)," said the lawyer. Bearded Wilson, wearing a grey jumper and jeans, listened from the dock as his lawyer told the court he was "a man of good character" with no criminal record. He spoke only once, at the start of the seven-minute hearing, to confirm his name as his partner and sister watched from the public gallery. A detective inspector, who said he could link Wilson to the charges, declined to be drawn on details of the investigation when pressed by the defence solicitor. The officer told the court it would be inappropriate given that the probe was still live. He opposed bail, claiming Wilson could interfere with witnesses. The judge rejected the bail application, acknowledging police concerns about witness interference. "I am not persuaded he is a suitable candidate for bail," she said. Wilson was remanded in custody to appear before the court again, via video-link, on June 30. He appeared in court hours after police made a further arrest in the case. A 45-year-old man detained in the Newtownards area was taken to Belfast for questioning. A 47-year-old man arrested earlier this week was released without charge on Thursday night. It is understood Mr Horner, from Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, recently relocated to Bangor amid fears he would be targeted in the same loyalist paramilitary feud that claimed the life of his friend, George Gilmore, two months ago. Loyalist Mr Gilmore, 44, was shot dead in Carrickfergus in March. PSNI seized the drugs which were not legally registered to use in Northern Ireland Illegal veterinary drugs have been seized in south Armagh. A quantity of cattle worming medicine that is not legally registered to use in Northern Ireland was found after a planned search in Crossmaglen. The operation was actioned by police working alongside veterinary experts from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Inspector Leslie Badger, from the PSNI's Neighbourhood Policing Team, hailed the seizure. "It demonstrates our determination to work with key partner agencies to ensure that any illegal drugs, including veterinary drugs, are taken out of society," he said. "I would ask anyone who has any information about illegal drugs to contact police on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111." Sinn Fein election candidate John Finucane has reported to the police tweets mocking his solicitor father's murder by loyalist paramilitaries. The son of Pat Finucane, who witnessed him being shot dead in the family home in 1989, said one of the tweets expressed regret he was not killed as well. Mr Finucane, who followed his father into the legal profession, is standing for Sinn Fein in north Belfast. "I have today made a complaint to the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) as a result of three tweets that have been sent directly to me," he said. "These tweets mock and show open support for the murder of my father, who was killed in front of my family and I in 1989. "One further tweet expresses regret that I too was not murdered along with my father. "The tweets will now be subject to a criminal investigation along with an investigation by Twitter also. "Online abuse which enters into criminality cannot and should not be tolerated by anyone in society and I look forward to working with the PSNI in ensuring this is dealt with appropriately." Pat Finucane, 38, who represented a number of high-profile republicans, was shot by loyalists in front of his wife and three children at their north Belfast home in February 1989. The killing is shrouded in controversy amid allegations the security forces colluded with the gunmen from the outlawed Ulster Defence Association (UDA). An unholy row has erupted after it emerged that the smallest church in Ireland is no more. Measuring just 11ft 4in x 6ft 9in (3.45m x 2.06m), St Gobban's in the north Antrim coastal hamlet of Portbradden had for many years been a popular visitor attraction and the venue for dozens of weddings. The building had been owned by retired clergyman and teacher the Rev Con Auld, a former mayor of North Down. Having sold the property in the last two years, it has now been demolished, with a wooden fence hiding the view and a sign with the words 'Private property, keep out'. In recent weeks speculation about the future of St Gobban's had appeared online. Ulster Unionist councillor Norman Mills was a frequent visitor, recalling it as a "tourist gem", but accepted that it was private property. While some have lamented its disappearance, others are happy it has been razed. One local resident contacted the Belfast Telegraph to say she and a number of other neighbours were glad to see the back of it. The woman, who didn't wish to be named, said: "Portbradden is a tiny hamlet with a very windy, steep road down to it. "Over the years this did become a tourist attraction, but since then the old stone wall beside it has collapsed. "This was wrongly promoted as a church. It's not a listed building and over the years it has been the bane of our lives." The resident also felt all the attention had been unfair on the present owner, a businessman who uses the property as a holiday home and who had been subjected to a "witch-hunt" over his changes to the site. "Let's face it, if you bought property, paid good money for it, how can people tell you what to do with it?" she asked. "Social media can be useful, but it has now festered. It's a terrible situation for the guy." Sinn Fein councillor Cara McShane said she could understand both sides of the argument. "I grew up in Ballintoy and I remember one or two people round that area didn't look on it overly positively, as they said it wasn't a consecrated church," she said. "But there were a lot of marriages there and people do attach a lot of sentiment to it. "But what control do we have over a private building? "Hindsight's a wonderful thing and it was located on that beautiful Causeway Coast way, which our council is very much trying to promote and extend. "It's just unfortunate. If you see any pictures and paintings of the area, the church was always included. It became a big part of the landscape." Police have insisted they are tackling drugs on our streets after a senior BBC journalist accused the PSNI and business owners of turning a blind eye. Spotlight presenter Stephen Dempster, who previously conducted an undercover investigation of the heroin trade in Belfast, accused local traders and and the police of being more concerned with their own image than they are about tackling drugs. The investigative journalist not only agreed with a social media user who accused the authorities of being in denial about a "heroin epidemic" in Northern Ireland, but went further. "Spot on Dave," he replied on Twitter. "Police and businesses want heroin issue in Belfast swept under the carpet. Not good for PR or trade." The Belfast Telegraph asked the BBC if Mr Dempster had any evidence to back up his damning allegation, but it refused to comment. It said: "BBC staff will often have privately held social media accounts. These do not reflect the views of the BBC." Superintendent Robert Murdie said that while police did not comment on individual social media posts, he could confirm that officers were committed to tackling the issue of drugs across Northern Ireland and throughout the Belfast area. He vowed that police "will act on the concerns of the community" to address any drug problems. "Drugs bring misery to individuals, families and communities," Mr Murdie added. "I want to warn people to be mindful of the dangers of taking illegal drugs or misusing prescription medication or other chemical products. "Police will continue to disrupt and arrest those involved in the sale and supply of drugs, bring individuals before the courts and work with communities and partner agencies to reduce the threat of this harmful and illegal activity." The senior officer stressed that drug abuse is not solely a policing issue but something the entire community must address. "We would ask anyone who may have any information about the sale or distribution of illegal drugs to contact local police." The remains will leave the home of Mr McMahon's aunt at Whiterock Parade today at 11.30am, for a Requiem Mass at St John's Church The body of an American citizen with roots in west Belfast has been brought to Northern Ireland for burial after he was killed in tragic circumstances. San Francisco native Tony McMahon, who was in his 40s, was killed when he was thrown from his motorcycle in San Francisco on May 20. The US native was connected to west Belfast through his father who grew up in the area. It is believed that a number of Mr McMahon's relations from the United States will make the journey to Northern Ireland for the funeral today. His body arrived in Northern Ireland this week. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, local Sinn Fein councillor Steven Corr said: "Obviously we extend our sympathy to them at this difficult time. "They are a quite well known family in the area, and although he was born and raised in America he had a strong family connection here in west Belfast." The remains will leave the home of Mr McMahon's aunt at Whiterock Parade today at 11.30am, for a Requiem Mass at St John's Church. Mr McMahon will then be laid to rest in Crumlin Cemetery. Meanwhile, another motorcyclist has died following a crash in Ballymartin, Co Down last Sunday. The man's motorbike was in a collision with a car close to the junction with the main Kilkeel Road and Pat's Road at around midday on Sunday. The driver of the car is currently assisting police with their enquiries. The identity of the motorcyclist who has died has not yet been released by the authorities. Police continue to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision between a motorbike and a black Ford Focus to contact them on 101. Locals are "blown away" after three incredibly rare colourful lobsters were caught off the west coast over the last four weeks. It's against unbelievable odds that the trio were discovered and they are proving a hit at their new home in the Achill Experience in Co Mayo. Terence Dever, CEO of The Achill Experience, told Independent.ie how the unusual exhibition came about. He said: "All three were found over the last month, it started about four weeks ago when a local fisherman called Charlie O'Malley rang to say he'd caught a white lobster and did I want to see it. "In his 26 years fishing he'd never seen anything like it and knew it was very rare so he asked would we like to keep it here. "A few days later Cathal King caught an even more rare orange lobster off the coast of Cleggan in Galway. "A few media outlets heard about the story and then about two weeks later fisherman from Sligo came to see the lobsters and they asked if they got something rare would we take it, I said of course and I couldn't believe it when the next day they called saying they'd caught a blue lobster." Expand Close The blue lobster caught near Sligo / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The blue lobster caught near Sligo Mr Dever stressed how rare the three are. He said: "The chances of catching a white lobster is a about a million to one, this one is even more rare as it doesn't have the pink eyes associated with albino lobsters. "The odds of finding a blue lobster are about one in two million and an orange lobster is the most rare, around 30 million to one." They are being cared for at the centre alongside three native lobsters and Mr Dever said it's an amazing display. He said: "To see the different tanks is spectacular, it's just unreal. "We wouldn't sell them as their health and safety is our number one priority. Expand Close The white lobster caught near Achill / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The white lobster caught near Achill "They're also great for education and you should see kids when they come to see them, they're fascinated." Although they won't put a price on the prized lobsters, he did say he hopes they will act as a tourism boost for the local area. He said: "We just can't believe our luck, we're blown away. "You wouldn't believe the amount of people coming to see them. "We believe they'll attract a large number of visitors, not just to the Achill Experience but to the whole area." For more information and for your chance to name the lobsters please Achill Experience Facebook page. British Airways cabin crew are to stage fresh strikes in a long-running dispute over pay. Members of Unite will walk out from June 16 for four days after a failure to break the deadlocked row. The cabin crew have taken several days of industrial action in a campaign over the pay of staff in the so-called mixed fleet, who joined the airline in recent years. Expand Close British Airways cabin crew demonstrating outside Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp British Airways cabin crew demonstrating outside Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA) An offer aimed at resolving the dispute was narrowly rejected last week. The announcement adds to the problems currently facing BA following a computer failure last weekend which grounded flights. A BA spokeswoman said: As on the previous dates when Unite called strikes of mixed fleet cabin crew, we will fly all our customers to their destinations. Strike action is completely unnecessary. We had reached a deal on pay, which Unites national officers agreed was acceptable. We urge Unite to put the pay proposals to a vote of their members. The Duke of Edinburgh at a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the London Youth charitys 130th anniversary The Queen has celebrated her 70-year association with the prestigious Drapers' Company, of which she is a member. At the company's impressive headquarters in the City of London she met members of its court of assistance, or governing body, and their partners before joining them for a celebration lunch. Meanwhile, the Duke of Edinburgh enjoyed an afternoon at a special youth club - in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. The lawns were transformed into an outdoor space to mark the 70th anniversary of Philip's patronage of London Youth. Festival goers leave the venue of the Rock am Ring music festival in June 2, 2017 in Nuerburg following an evcuation alert amid a possible 'terrorist threat'. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Thomas Frey / Germany OUTTHOMAS FREY/AFP/Getty Images Festival goers leave the venue of the Rock am Ring music festival in June 2, 2017 in Nuerburg following an evcuation alert amid a possible 'terrorist threat'. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Thomas Frey / Germany OUTTHOMAS FREY/AFP/Getty Images Festival goers leave the venue of the Rock am Ring music festival in June 2, 2017 in Nuerburg following an evcuation alert amid a possible 'terrorist threat'. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Thomas Frey / Germany OUTTHOMAS FREY/AFP/Getty Images Festival goers leave the venue of the Rock am Ring music festival in June 2, 2017 in Nuerburg following an evcuation alert amid a possible 'terrorist threat'. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Thomas Frey / Germany OUTTHOMAS FREY/AFP/Getty Images Festival goers leave the venue of the Rock am Ring music festival in June 2, 2017 in Nuerburg following an evcuation alert amid a possible 'terrorist threat'. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Thomas Frey / Germany OUTTHOMAS FREY/AFP/Getty Images Festival goers leave the venue of the Rock am Ring music festival in June 2, 2017 in Nuerburg following an evcuation alert amid a possible 'terrorist threat'. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Thomas Frey / Germany OUTTHOMAS FREY/AFP/Getty Images Festival goers leave the venue of the Rock am Ring music festival in June 2, 2017 in Nuerburg following an evcuation alert amid a possible 'terrorist threat'. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Thomas Frey / Germany OUTTHOMAS FREY/AFP/Getty Images Visitors leave the music festival Rock am Ring outside the western town of Nuerburg, Germany, Friday, June 2, 2017. German authorities have shut down a popular music festival after uncovering a possible terrorist threat. (Thomas Frey/Dpa via AP) Visitors leave the music festival Rock am Ring outside the western town of Nuerburg, Germany, Friday, June 2, 2017. German authorities have shut down a popular music festival after uncovering a possible terrorist threat. (Thomas Frey/Dpa via AP) Festival goers leave the venue of the Rock am Ring music festival in June 2, 2017 in Nuerburg following an evcuation alert amid a possible 'terrorist threat'. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Thomas Frey / Germany OUTTHOMAS FREY/AFP/Getty Images Tens of thousands of festival goers have been evacuated from a rock festival in Germany amid a possible "terrorist threat". Friday was the first day of the Rock am Ring music festival in Nurburg in west Germany. The dpa news agency reported Friday that the festival was cleared out after Koblenz police said they had received information of a "concrete threat". Organisers posted on the festival website that "due to a terrorist threat the police have advised us to interrupt the festival". It was not immediately clear how many fans were in attendance, but some 90,000 were expected by the end of the weekend at the annual three-day event outside the western town of Nurburg. A statement from the organisers reads: "Due to a terrorist threat the police have advised us to interrupt the festival. "We ask all festival visitors leave the festival site in a calm and controlled manner towards the exits and camping grounds. We have to support the police investigations." The German band Rammstein was the Friday night headliner, but had not yet started playing. Festival organisers say they hope to be able to go ahead with the programme on Saturday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed a deadly chemical attack in Syria was a provocation against Bashar Assad. Speaking at an economic forum in St Petersburg, Mr Putin strongly reaffirmed Russia's view that the Syrian president's forces were not responsible for the attack on April 4 in the opposition-controlled town of Khan Sheikhoun. He said the attack was a provocation intended to put the blame on the Syrian ruler, insisting: "Assad didn't use those weapons." The US blamed Mr Assad's government for the attack which killed at least 90 people, and launched nearly 60 cruise missiles at the Shayrat air base in the central province of Homs, where it claims the attack originated. The UN said a team from the international chemical weapons watchdog found exposure "to sarin or a sarin-like substance" in samples from the attack on the town in Idlib province. Mr Putin said Moscow had offered the US and its allies the chance to inspect the Syrian base for traces of the chemical agent and criticised them for refusing to do so. AP Rohingya Muslims at the Leda refugee camp in southeastern Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district face a water shortage in the aftermath of Cyclone Mora, June 1, 2017. Bangladesh and international agencies have not sent food or relief supplies to thousands of unregistered Rohingya refugees in southeastern Coxs Bazar district as it starts to recover from Cyclone Mora, a U.N. official and local government representatives said Thursday. The powerful storm swept through the area two days earlier and flattened thousands of huts housing Rohingya Muslim refugees in Teknaf and Ukhia, two sub-districts of Coxs Bazar which borders Myanmars Rakhine state, from where they fled. The cyclone also left fisherman and others stranded at sea, forcing navies in the region to carry out rescue efforts. The cyclone affected more than 286,000 people living in Bangladeshs coastal districts, killing six people and damaging nearly 60,000 houses, according to primary figures from Bangladeshs disaster management ministry. An official with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who requested anonymity, told BenarNews that the agency had not provided support to unregistered refugees in Coxs Bazar. At this moment, we are not giving any food relief, he said. The districts government, according to local officials, provides assistance only to Bangladeshi nationals who live in Coxs Bazar. The district shelters some 350,000 Rohingya men, women and children who have escaped alleged religious persecution in Rakhine. Golam Mostofa, a senior member of Bangladeshs ministry of disaster management, did not answer questions from BenarNews about unregistered refugees affected by the storm, but authorized a junior officer to answer on his behalf. We do not know whether the unregistered Rohingya refugees face any problems (caused by Mora), the junior officer, who declined to identify himself, told BenarNews. The disaster management ministry only looks after the registered refugees (in the Kutupalong and Nayapara) camps, the junior officer said. About 34,000 Rohingya are registered as refugees and live in two government-run camps in Kutupalong and Nayapara, which are located in Ukhia and Teknaf, according to government officials. Those camps were spared from the cyclone. Some emergency food and aid did reach refugees in Coxs Bazar on Thursday, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported without identifying the camps receiving the supplies. The U.N.s World Food Program said it was handing out 100 tons of high-energy biscuits to nearly 20,000 refugee families. After a day of going hungry with my kids, this is amazing, said Rohingya refugee Abdul Khalek after he received 30 packs of biscuits for his family of eight, according to AFP. Help could be coming Abdur Rahman, an additional deputy commissioner for Coxs Bazar, told BenarNews he had ordered the local administration chiefs in Teknaf and Ukhia sub-districts to prepare a list of unregistered Rohingya affected by Mora. UNHCR is expected to prepare a similar list. We will send the list to the higher authorities of the government, and take action in line with their instruction, Rahman said. Beginning late last year, according to the United Nations, 75,000 new Rohingya arrivals poured into Coxs Bazar from across the Myanmar border after that countrys military launched a crackdown against insurgents in Rakhine, following the killings of nine border guards by suspected rebels in October. Less than half of those refugees are housed in government-run camps. Cyclone Mora flattened many makeshift houses in the Leda refugee camp, June 1, 2017. [Abdur Rahman/BenarNews] On Thursday, Rohingya in the unregistered camps focused on rebuilding their plastic sheet and bamboo shanties while their children cried. The Rohingya living here have been passing days without food. Around 2,000 houses of this slum were flattened by Mora, Md Dudu Mia, president of Leda unregistered camp in Teknaf, told BenarNews correspondents who visited the camp. Around 20,000 men, women and children are in dire condition, he said, adding that 40 were injured but none were killed by the cyclone. The cyclone flattened my house and the rain rotted our rice stock. We have been starving since yesterday ... we have no a place to sleep, Leda camp resident Abdul Jalil, 40, told BenarNews. Other makeshift camps suffered the same fate. We had a shelter after long suffering, and then the cyclone wiped it out, Julekha Begum, 24, a resident of Balukhali Rohingya camp in Ukhia, told BenarNews. Showing her crying child, she said, (I) have not had any food since morning. Some 2,500 of the 3,052 houses were flattened by the cyclone, Balukhali camp president Md Harun, told BenarNews. In the last two days, we have been facing severe food and water shortages, he said. The Bangladesh Navy rescued 20 fishermen, shown here on the BNS Khadem, from the Bay of Bengal, May 31, 2017. [Inter-Services Public Relations/ Bangladesh Military] 56 fishermen rescued Meanwhile, the navies of India and Bangladesh launched efforts to rescue fishermen stranded at sea during the storm. The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sumitra rescued 33 Bangladeshi fishermen who were found adrift in the Bay of Bengal after the cyclone blew over the bay, according to navy officials in both countries. On Thursday, the Indian ship delivered relief materials for the 33 rescued fishermen and victims of Mora in Bangladesh. Elsewhere, the Bangladesh Navy rescued at least 23 victims from the Bay of Bengal, according to a statement from the military. Mushtaq Ahmed, a local fishing industry representative, said eight boats carrying around 150 fishermen had failed to return, according to AFP. We heard some 60 fishermen were rescued by Bangladeshi and Indian navy ships. If theyre our men, we think some 90 fishermen are still missing, he said. They could be moored on an island or adrift at sea. In the past we have seen that most of the fishermen return to their fishing ports within a week or two. We hope this time they will also be back in good health. Bombs scatter dust, black smoke and debris in the southern Philippine city of Marawi as government planes pound extremist militant positions with bombs, June 1, 2017. Eleven soldiers were mistakenly killed by bombs from government aircraft, Philippine officials said Thursday, as a military offensive lasting more than a week had not dislodged all Islamic State- (IS-) linked fighters from the besieged southern city of Marawi. Officials also announced Thursday that militants from five countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, were among 120 enemy combatants killed during 10 days of fighting in the largely deserted city on Mindanao island. A total of 39 military and police personnel, as well as 19 civilians, have been killed. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had yet to talk to President Rodrigo Duterte about what happened when bombs hit government forces in Marawi on Wednesday. Seven other soldiers were wounded in the friendly fire incident. The error may have occurred because the aircraft sent to strike the target dropped conventional bombs after the militarys precision-guided missiles had run out. He said an investigation had been launched to determine what went wrong, but he admitted airstrikes had to be limited going forward to avoid other potentially disastrous mistakes. Lorenzana said that, while he was saddened by the incident, sometimes it happens in the fog of war. I know he feels badly and sad about this, Lorenzana said of Duterte. This happens even on ground. Its very sad to be hitting our own troops, he added. The deaths add to the growing frustration after Filipino Abu Sayyaf gunmen, backed by Maute militants, traded gunfire with government forces who were attempting to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, the acknowledged Philippine leader of the Islamic State. The gunmen apparently were reinforced by foreign fighters, Lorenzana said, noting that militants slain to date during the fighting in Marawi include nationals from Malaysia, Indonesia as well as from Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Chechnya. It was not clear how many foreigners were involved in the fighting and how they managed to enter the southern Philippines without being detected, or where their arms came from. But Hapilon, who is on the U.S. governments list of most-wanted terrorists, is believed to have received funding from the Islamic State in the Middle East, and his original plan was to take over Marawi and fly the black Islamic State flag there, the defense minister said. Malaysias deputy prime minister said Philippine security forces had identified two Malaysian militants killed earlier and were identifying a third citizen who was killed in the fighting. It forced President Duterte to impose martial law over the entire island of Mindanao, home to 20 million people. Soldiers, police and local government volunteers rescue civilians trapped inside their homes in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, June 1, 2017. [Mark Navales/BenarNews] Fighting rages Since the fighting broke out on May 23, most of the 200,000 residents of predominantly Muslim Marawi have abandoned their homes, but more than 3,000 people remain trapped in the middle of the gunbattle, Red Cross officials said. Among those trapped was a Catholic priest who was abducted as fighting raged last week. The priest had appealed for the bombardment to stop, saying he was being held hostage along with more 200 other people. While the armed forces said they had retaken about 90 percent of the city, the rebels have hunkered inside fortified buildings. They are employing hostile sniper fires and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) against everyone from government security forces, to relief and rescue workers, to civilians who get in the way of their fanatical desire to dismember Marawi from the Philippines and establish it as an ISIS province in this part of Asia, the armed forces said in a statement Thursday, using another acronym for the Islamic State. The military said it employed armor, artillery and airpower capabilities to support infantry units in a bid to breach fortified walls and undergrounds of buildings that were built like virtual fortresses. Lorenzana, the defense chief, said officials had given themselves a deadline of defeating the rebels by Friday, but the latest debacle could force them to adjust the timetable for Sunday. Its turning out (that) one strong point held by Maute is very hard to crack across the bridge from the city hall, he said. Were pouring in more battalions today. He said the fighters have only one small pocket of resistance and that if ground troops managed to surround the area, then airstrikes would no longer be needed. Theyve holed up in reinforced buildings, Lorenzana said. Even our cannons have not been effective. They have so many snipers shooting at our soldiers. The armed forces, in a statement, said it would incessantly push forward to retake the remaining part of Malawi and rescue the people believed held hostage by the gunmen. Aerial bombardments continued Thursday, despite the earlier error, though much less pronounced. Troops brought in a column of tanks to pound rebel positions and sporadic clashes have continued. A brief lull in the fighting has allowed humanitarian workers to rescue those who are trapped. Rescuers on Thursday managed to reach residents from an area that was controlled by rebels and the evacuees had to clamber out of a window or jump from rooftops to a waiting vehicle. Zia Alonto Adiong, a spokesman for the provincial government, said the rebels remained entrenched in the city center. They are sending a signal outside they are powerful enough, he said. Lt. Col. Joar Herrera, spokesman for the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said more than 900 trapped civilians had been rescued so far. We have reports that various lawless group have joined the Maute group. We are validating the presence of other armed groups, he said. Soldiers and policemen wait outside the Resorts World Manila hotel as other soldiers search for a lone gunman who opened fire inside the hotels casino complex, June 2, 2017. A gunman stormed into a casino hotel in the Philippine capital, fired shots and set tables ablaze Friday (local time) before killing himself in what police believed was a robbery attempt, but the pre-dawn raid triggered fears of a terrorist attack. National police chief Ronald Dela Rosa said customers ran screaming after the man fired an M4 carbine, a shorter version of the M-16 assault rifle, inside the casino complex of Resorts World Manila, across the road from the Manila International Airport. One person suffered from smoke inhalation but no one was shot, he said. "Up to this time, we cant say this is an act of terror. Why? Because he has done no other violent act inside, aside from stealing chips and shooting at a TV. He did not hurt anyone. If you were a terrorist, you want to sow terror. You would have gunned down people, Dela Rosa said. The man was wearing a backpack and carrying a liter of gasoline which he poured on a table before setting it alight, Dela Rosa told local radio station DZBB. We reviewed [the video] recording, we did not see that he took any hostages. In fact, he passed by some people. He ignored some people, Dela Rosa said. The incident sparked a manhunt and hours later, police announced that the gunman had killed himself after firing at security forces. "He killed himself. At room 510. It looks like he was alone. He fired at our men, " Manila city police chief Oscar Albayalde said on DZBB radio. "Our assessment is he burnt himself. He committed suicide, he said. IS claims attack: report Dozens of soldiers and police officers in body armor and carrying rifles deployed around the hotel after reports of a shooting spread quickly through social media. Two armored personnel carriers could be seen outside the hotel hours after the shooting, which took place as government security forces were locked in a 10-day firefight with militants waving the black flags of the Islamic State (IS) in the southern city of Marawi. Right now, we cannot say that he is a member of the Maute, Dela Rosa said, referring to one of two groups fighting the government in Marawi, where pitched gunbattles have so far claimed 171 lives. In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump opened a news conference at the White House by commenting on what he described as the terror attack in Manila. We are closely monitoring the situation, he said. It is really very sad as to whats going on throughout the world, with terror. Our thoughts and our prayers are with all of those affected. The U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors online communications of extremist groups, reported that an Islamic State (IS) Filipino operative who provides daily updates on the ongoing clashes in Marawi stated that the group is responsible for the attack at Resorts World Manila. But Philippine police said the claim could be propaganda. As far as the Philippine National Police is concerned, we cant attribute to terrorism without concrete evidence. ISIS can claim anytime as part of their propaganda, but until we know the mans motives, we cant tell at this early stage, Dela Rosa said, using another acronym for IS. Roberto Palao Jr., a hotel janitor, told the radio station he saw a hooded man carrying what looked like a compact assault rifle before he heard several shots. Smoke billowed out of the hotel as dozens of body armor-clad police officers entered the building. Fire trucks, ambulances, police cars and SWAT teams were in the area, a BenarNews reporter saw. Local reports said guests and employees were asked to exit the hotel as others sprinted out or jumped out of windows after hearing gunfire. Julio Silva, a casino customer, told reporters that he was on the third floor when he heard gunshots, so he hid in the restroom. Several more gunshots followed, and he saw thick smoke. He escaped when an armed security guard guided him and several people out of the building. The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe, the hotel tweeted. We ask for your prayers during these difficult times. The hotel, located opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, one of the countrys busiest, opened in 2009. It has 1,574 rooms and is a sister resort to Resorts World Genting, Malaysia and Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore. Smoke billows from the Resorts World Manila hotel casino after a gunman set a fire inside, June 2, 2017. 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For Immediate Release, June 2, 2017 Contact: Amaroq Weiss, Center for Biological Diversity, (707) 779-9613, aweiss@biologicaldiversity.org John Mellgren, Western Environmental Law Center, (541) 359-0990, mellgren@westernlaw.org Washington Wildlife Officials Too Quick to Kill Wolves OLYMPIA, Wash. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials late Thursday released a new protocol that would allow wolves to be killed too soon after incidents with livestock and without enough oversight. The new wolf-livestock interaction protocol guides when the agency will move to kill wolves in response to livestock depredations. Conservation groups are concerned that the protocol allows wolves to be killed under dubious circumstances and lacks sufficient requirements for ranchers to exhaust nonlethal measures. This protocol fails to protect the state's small wolf population or prioritize scientifically proven nonlethal measures to safeguard livestock, said Amaroq Weiss, West Coast wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. Wildlife officials should have left much more room for nonlethal measures and allowed for occasional livestock losses. Washington needs to protect its recovering wolf population not make it easier to kill these amazing animals. Under the new protocol, a kill order for wolves is considered after three depredations (deaths or injury to livestock) in 30 days or four depredations in 10 months. Affected livestock owners are required to have tried at least two proactive measures to deter conflicts with wolves at the time the livestock losses took place, but there's no requirement in terms of how long the measures must have been in place to determine if they have been effective. This protocol would allow wolves to be killed even for livestock deaths not confirmed as caused by wolves; provides for the same threshold for killing wolves on public lands as on private lands; and does not have stringent requirements for keeping livestock away from known den and rendezvous sites where wolves raise their pups. There is also no requirement, only a recommendation, for human presence near livestock, despite it being one of the most effective means known to deter wolf-livestock conflicts. The new protocol does increase the number of nonlethal measures required under last year's protocol by one, and does indicate that if nonlethal measures are not in place long enough in advance of a depredation, the Department will only consider issuing a kill order for wolves at a higher number of events and after nonlethal measures have been tried and failed. The protocol also acknowledges the Department has a responsibility to manage wildlife in trust for the citizens of Washington, and not just on behalf of any one special-interest group. The Department has been increasing its outreach efforts to livestock owners, to seek voluntary implementation of conflict-deterrence measures. Sadly, this protocol is setting Washingtonians up to foot the bill for even more ill-advised, scientifically unjustified and extraordinarily costly wolf-killing operations in 2017 at the expense of wolf recovery, said John Mellgren, staff attorney at the Western Environmental Law Center. Although certain provisions are an improvement over last year's protocol, it is worse in others, and does not provide the stringent requirements that a legally binding rule resulting from an official public process provides, nor the accountability and public disclosure that the public deserves." Under last year's protocol, the state killed nearly an entire wolf pack, the Profanity Peak pack in Ferry County, despite failure by state Fish and Wildlife staff and a livestock owner to use appropriate nonlethal conflict-deterrence measures to prevent conflicts in the first place or to take adequate responsive measures to halt the conflicts. Four years earlier the state had killed another wolf pack on behalf of the same livestock owner, despite his refusal to use conflict deterrents. The cost to taxpayers was $74,500 to kill the Wedge pack in 2012, and more than $135,000 to kill members of the Profanity Peak wolf family in 2016. The Profanity Peak pack kill operation lasted nearly 11 weeks and resulted in the deaths of seven of the pack's 12 members, including the breeding female, a three-and-a-half to four-month-old pup and one female who was mortally wounded but not located and put out of her misery until three days after first having been shot. The public was outraged and called for a massive overhaul of the protocol, no more killing of wolves on public lands, and management actions aimed at conserving wolves instead of capitulating to the livestock industry. This year's protocol, and last year's, were both crafted with input from a state Wolf Advisory Group, a stakeholder group convened by the Department of Fish and Wildlife that includes agency staff and some representatives of the ranching, hunting and conservation communities. However, the advisory group's composition does not represent the diversity of views of Washington residents. Additionally, its role in helping the state craft wolf-management policies and protocols does not have the same requirements as regulations formally adopted by the state wildlife commission to provide notice to the public, opportunity to review a draft document and then submit written comments or provide testimony on the document, along with a requirement that public comments and testimony be considered before the protocol is finalized. The new protocol released today was not circulated to the public for review before being finalized. 685,000 Speak Out to Protect Bears Ears -- Thank You President Trump has gotten an earful about his illegal plans to dismantle Utah's Bears Ears National Monument. In just over 15 days, more than 685,000 comments were submitted to the Trump administration calling for the protection of Bears Ears, which covers more than 1 million acres of biologically rich, culturally significant lands. Trump last month ordered a review of Bears Ears and 26 other national monuments at the behest of Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), one of the most anti-public-lands members of Congress. Hatch's political career has been well funded by the fossil fuel industry, including the Koch brothers and Chevron. Thanks to all of you who made your voice heard through the comment process on Bears Ears, which closed last Friday. Stay tuned for how you can soon help protect the other 26 monuments on Trump's hit list. Read more in our press release and check out today's story in The Revelator about whether Trump really has the authority to shrink monuments. It can be tough to be a vegetarian. You have to work harder than everyone else to make sure youre getting all the nutrients your body needs. So, when its time to take a The France-based UOSSM launched the initiative, "Syria Solar", with the aim of getting hospitals less dependent on diesel which the organisation says is expensive and not reliable. After months of testing, a hospital in Syria will have uninterrupted power from this week, charged by solar power in a project designer shop will save lives and can be repeated across the country. Syria's electrical grid has taken a big hit after six years of a volatile civil war with most the electrical infrastructure bombed, dismantled or destroyed, leaving hospitals relying on diesel generators but at the mercy of fuel shortages. So the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM), an international coalition of international medical organisations and NGOs, said it hoped creating the country's first solar-power hospital would save lives. The France-based UOSSM launched the initiative, "Syria Solar", with the aim of getting hospitals less dependent on diesel which the organisation says is expensive and not reliable. The first solar hospital - the name and location of which the UOSSM would not release for safety reasons - runs on mixture of a diesel generator and 480 solar panels built near the hospital that link to an energy storage system. If there is a complete fuel outage the solar system can fully power the intensive care unit, operating rooms and emergency departments for up to 24 hours without diesel, which is 20 to 30 percent of the hospital's energy cost. NAIROBI, Kenya - A UN study has shown that giving Kenyan farmers access to digital financial services has helped tackle poverty and driven economic opportunity. The One Acre Fund cut payment losses and collection costs by over 80%, boosting farmers satisfaction and economic opportunity. In a new case study by the United Nations-based Better Than Cash Alliance, it shows how agriculture nonprofit organisation One Acre Fund, in partnership with Citi Inclusive Finance, successfully digitised loan repayments for farmers in Kenya. This move significantly boosted transparency and efficiency, driving economic opportunity and financial inclusion for thousands of smallholder farmers and their families. One Acre Fund, supported by Citi, enabled farmers to easily make loan repayments via mobile money instead of cash, reducing the uncertainty, inefficiency, insecurity and high costs previously caused by cash transactions. One Acre Fund can now reach more farmers with greater reliability, and staff can spend almost half as much time collecting payments in cash, using that extra time to help farmers increase their incomes through training and educational programs. With One Acre Funds package of services, including training and inputs like seed and fertiliser, the average farmer participating in the program earned nearly 50% more than peer farmers who do not participate. Study findings include: Increased participant satisfaction due to transparency and convenience. 85% decreased instances of repayment fraud. Reduced processing time for each repayment from 12-16 days to 2-4 days; farmers now know immediately when their payment is received, eliminating the worry about whether it arrived. 80% decrease in repayment processing costs. 46% of time reduced for staff working on collections, allowing for more time helping farmers improve agricultural practices. Women farmers benefited especially, feeling safer about payment deliveries. Mobile repayments have allowed us to increase our efficiency and provide better service to farmers, said Mike Warmington, the director of Microfinance Partnerships at One Acre Fund. Were excited to be working at the forefront of this technology in the smallholder agriculture lending sector. In our experience, farmers were empowered to thrive in these communities. Clients receive immediate confirmation of payments as they happen, enabling them to better manage their businesses and family finances. Citis footprint, track record in inclusive finance and transaction banking capabilities enable us to provide global support to leading social enterprises like One Acre Fund, said Bob Annibale, global director, Citi Inclusive Finance. Among other benefits, digitisation enables efficiency and security, and drives innovative and inclusive business models. Citi is proud to play a part in enabling One Acre Fund and other organisations like them to improve the livelihoods of farming communities. One Acre Fund is an example of the significant benefits and impact that digital payments and inclusive digital financial infrastructure, as developed in Kenya, can bring to agricultural value chains, contributing to a more sustainable and productive agriculture sector, a cornerstone of the UNs Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). These learnings can easily translate to poor farming communities in other countries and One Acre Fund is working on plans to expand in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia in the future. For companies and nonprofit organisations who want to work in rural Africa, this success story is a must-read, said Oswell Kahonde, Africa Regional Lead at the Better Than Cash Alliance. Digital payments are essential to building sustainable business models and creating long-term impact. By enabling smallholder farmers to make and receive payments digitally, we are creating transparency and accountability which translates to numerous benefits and empowers people to take control of their finances. To download the study: click here. Twiplomacy, Burson-Marsteller's leading global study of how world leaders, governments and international organisations use social media, has releases its 2017 edition, which shows Pope Francis is the most followed world leader on Twitter with 33,716,301 followers on his nine language accounts. Image provided He is ahead of President Donald Trump with 30,133,036 followers and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with 30,058,659 followers. Twitter is the prime social network used by 276 heads of state and government, and foreign ministers, in 178 countries, representing 92% of all United Nations (UN) member states. President Trump is among a very small group of leaders who manage their own Twitter accounts and his tweets have generated 166m interactions (likes and retweets) over the past 12 months including the nearly four months since he was sworn in as US President almost five times as many as Modi with 35m interactions. Saudi Arabias @KingSalman is the most effective world leader on Twitter based on the average number of retweets per original tweet. Of his ten tweets over the past year, King Salman has received an average of 147,456 retweets. President Trumps personal Twitter account, @realDonaldTrump, is the second-most effective Twitter account of any world leader, with an average of 13,094 retweets per tweet. Pope Francis is in third place, with 10,337 average retweets per tweet. President Trumps unorthodox use of Twitter during the US presidential election campaign, and especially since taking office, has left many governments around the world wondering if - and how - they should engage with @realDonaldTrump on Twitter. Some leaders, such as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and Pope Francis, have sub-tweeted President Trump without directly mentioning him by name. Only three world leaders have addressed @realDonaldTrump directly on Twitter to rebuke his policies, including Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto; Hilda Heine, the president of the Marshall Islands; and Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico. Other social media platforms The 2017 edition of Twiplomacy also examines the use of other social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Periscope, and the Twiplomacy.com website includes rankings as well as a social media atlas for each country studied. The study found, for example, the number of governments using Periscope has doubled over the past year, offering cost-effective ways to broadcast press conferences live. Facebook is the second-most used social platform by world leaders, with 169 governments having established official pages. However, world leaders have, on average, twice as many followers on their Facebook pages as followers on Twitter. Data for Twiplomacy, which updated the studies about Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Periscope, was captured in May 2017 using Burson-Marstellers proprietary Burson tools, CrowdTangle.com and Twitonomy.com. Politics and diplomacy are playing out on social media in a way we have never seen before, said Don Baer, worldwide chair and CEO, Burson-Marsteller. With the US president bypassing traditional government channels to communicate directly to his supporters and detractors alike, we can expect more people in positions of power to adopt this practice. Our Twiplomacy study shows how fast-paced and dynamic our communications landscape truly is. The study demonstrates the intense evolution in how world leaders and governments are using social media to reach policy or political objectives, added Ramiro Prudencio, CEO of Burson-Marsteller Europe, Middle East and Africa. This cross-platform analysis provides key insights on social media use in a global, fast-paced, connected, 24/7 information environment." Government Twitter accounts The 2017 Twiplomacy study analysed 856 Twitter accounts of heads of state and government, and foreign ministers, in 178 countries with a combined total audience of 356 million followers. Foreign ministries tend to use Twitter to establish mutual relations. The European Union (EU) External Action Service is the best-connected foreign office, mutually connected to 128 peers. Russias Foreign Ministry is in second position, maintaining mutual Twitter relations with 127 other world leaders. The German Foreign Ministry has 116 mutual connections with peers, followed by the UK Foreign Office and the Foreign Ministry of Norway with 115 and 109 mutual connections, respectively. The Donald Trump @WhiteHouse account does not follow any other foreign leader. The archived @ObamaWhiteHouse account, conversely, follows the UK government account, @Number10gov, and the Russian Prime Ministers account, @MedvedevRussiaE. The most followed non-government account is the United Nations Twitter account, @UN, which is followed by 338 of the 856 world leaders' Twitter accounts; @BarackObama and the @ObamaWhiteHouse are followed by 312 and 254 world leaders, respectively. @Unicef is the second-most followed international organisation and The New York Times (@NYTimes) is the most followed news organisation. The @Twiplomacy Twitter account is the eighth-most followed non-governmental account by world leaders, with a following of 184 heads of state and government, ahead of @Reuters and @TheEconomist. Twitter facilitates relations between world leaders in todays online world, said Matthias Lufkens, MD, Digital, at Burson-Marsteller EMEA. I am especially honoured to see our @Twiplomacy Twitter account among the most followed accounts by heads of state and government. Other key findings Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto is Latin Americas most followed leader. @EPN has 6.3m followers, far ahead of Colombias President @JuanManSantos, Argentinas @MauricioMacri, and Venezuelas @NicolasMaduro, each of whom have more than 3m followers. Kenyas Uhuru Kenyatta, @UKenyatta, is Sub-Saharan Africas most followed leader with 2m followers, ahead of Rwandas @PaulKagame and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari), both of whom have more than 1m followers. The UK Prime Minister, @Number10gov, is the most followed EU leader, with more than 5.1m followers, ahead of the British @RoyalFamily and Frances @Elysee Palace, with 2.9m and 1.5m followers, respectively. Newly elected French President @EmmanuelMacron has shot into fifth place behind Spanish Prime Minister @MarianoRajoy, both with more than 1m followers. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, @HHShkMohd, is the most followed Arab leader with 7.9m, followed by Jordans @QueenRania and Saudi Arabias @KingSalman with 6.5m followers each. Indias Foreign Minister, @SushmaSwaraj, is the most followed female world leader with 8m followers, ahead of Jordans @QueenRania. Abdullah Bin Zayed, @ABZayed, the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, is the second-most followed foreign minister with 3.9m followers, with Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister, @AdelAljubeir, in third place with 1.3m followers. Among the foreign ministries, the U.S. State Department (@StateDept) is the most followed, with 4.3m, ahead of the Turkish Foreign Ministry (@TC_Disisleri) and Indias @IndianDiplomacy, with more than 1.2m followers each. More than 4,100 embassies and 1,100 ambassadors are currently active on Twitter. For more information, click here. A little over 100 plant scientists, plant pathologists, postgraduate students and industry experts converged at Skukuza Camp, Kruger National Park, on 28 May for the six-day International Symposium on Postharvest Pathology which will see local and international researchers present thought-provoking new insights into disease control strategies to address the challenge of food waste after harvesting. The opening address by Professor Frans Swanepoel set the tone for the Symposium, contending that science can drive Africas agricultural transformation. Not only does Africa hold half of the worlds arable land, but seven out of ten people living in sub-Saharan Africa are farmers compared to that of the United States, where the ratio is two out of a hundred, explained Professor Swanepoel. With the correct approach, agriculture can provide nutritious food for all and generate decent incomes, while supporting people-centred rural development and protecting the environment, he added. Despite global increases in yields and food production, a vast amount of food is wasted along the food chain such as during: Production - through yield loss, pests, and diseases; Harvesting - through poor handling practices and rigid quality standards which can result in fresh produce being discarded due to pests, diseases or high-quality standards; Packing - through rejection of produce not complying with set quality standards, pesticide residues detected, or decay development and physiological disorders as well as other quality related aspects associated with packaging material used; Storage and distribution - through decay related to transportation and or storage time or poor facility sanitation standards and ineffective cold chain management; Sales - if a box of fruit sold at a fresh produce market or at a retailer and contains a few rotten fruit within the box, the entire box or even an entire pallet of fruit can be discarded. This means the farmer makes a loss and food is wasted; Consumer plate - food is also wasted at household levels. We can reduce food waste by implementing best practices at all levels across the food value chains and through processing, by converting the product for animal feed or, if not regarded as being fit for human consumption, converted to either biogas or compost, said University of Pretoria-based Professor Lise Korsten, co-director of the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE) and chairperson of the Fourth International Postharvest Pathology Symposium. During the symposium, researchers and industry experts will debate and explore interventions to eliminate plant diseases, to deal with the growing burden of food decay that leads to enormous amounts of waste globally. Upmarket swimwear, lingerie and shape wear retailer Inner Secrets Lingerie used its 11th birthday to announce and celebrate the launch of its online store. Officially live as of 1 June, the online store carries basic wardrobe essentials, including top-selling items from celebrated brands Simone Perele, Hanky Panky and Spanx. The Inner Secrets brand is the retail branch of Cape Town-based import and distribution company PDL Distributors, which is owned and operated by the South African-Greek Parolis family. In 2005 mother and son team Penny and Dimitri Parolis identified the local need to showcase heritage brands of lingerie, swimwear, shapewear and sleepwear in an upmarket environment with trained corsetiers who would take the time to fit and advise the consumer. Thus, Inner Secrets Lingerie was born. The companys three branches, all currently located in Cape Town, has amassed a loyal following and regularly couriers product to clients countrywide. According to Dimitri, they felt that the natural next step was to offer a seamless online service. Speaking at the launch event at the Cavendish Square store, he said, We felt it was time to bring Inner Secrets Lingerie onto the fast-growing online retail platform. By doing this we can now offer the many clients weve made over the years outside of Cape Town a small offering of Inner Secrets Lingeries best-selling lines at the click of a mouse. Furthermore, we are also now able to tap into a new consumer who has chosen online as their preferred medium for shopping. A post shared by Inner Secrets Lingerie (@innersecrets_sa) on May 31, 2017 at 11:45am PDT Considering that roughly 75% of South African women wear the incorrect bra size, its still recommended that customers visit a store for a fitting. Once a woman has been fitted by one of our trained corsetiers and knows her bra and panty size in our heritage brands, it makes it easier for her to now be confident shopping online via our website, stated Penny. If this is not possible, comprehensive guidelines and a size chart are available online as well as a virtual assistant to offer extra support during office hours. The Inner Secrets Lingerie online store offers free delivery nationwide for purchases over R500 and due to strict hygiene policies, no intimate garments can be returned. Connect with Inner Secrets Lingerie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To view all the action from the launch event click here. Small-cap salon franchisor Imbalie Beauty's headline loss widened in the year to February 2017, but management remains optimistic about the group's prospects. Imbalie reported a headline loss per share of 2.52c versus a headline loss per share of 0.29c a year earlier. Group revenue fell 4.5% to R96.5m and gross profit 5.4% to R56m. Gross profit margins eased to 57.9% from 58.5% in 2016. The group said it would not pay a dividend. "The 2017 year will be remembered as a year the group went through significant change and transformation to position the group for future growth," CEO Esna Colyn said. The changes included the establishment of a training academy offering 34 courses in beauty and wellness as well as the closing of the company's corporate salons. The latter came with an impairment charge of R9.9m. Imbalie also outsourced its distribution, which led it to implement retrenchments. Coslyn said that while the group was operating as a going concern, management was confident it could turn the business around. "Imbalie Beauty remains optimistic about the future following the continued strengthening of its management team in education and marketing. The group will continue to focus on opening more successful salons and the disposing of its corporate salons." The group operates through Placecol Skin Care Clinics; Dream Nails Beauty Salons; and Perfect 10 Nail and Body Studios. It said it had no material capital commitments for the purchase of property, plant and equipment on 28 February 2017. Source: Business Day According to Stats SA (Census 2011), more than 2.8 million people - 7.5% of the populations - are living with disabilities in South Africa while less than one percent of the total workforce in SA comprise of people living with disabilities as revealed by Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) employment figures. Additionally, 68 percent of adults living with disabilities have never looked for a job, and many of those who do find work are more likely to be employed under insecure and exploitative conditions. (Source: University of Johannesburg's Centre for Social Development in Africa). Sandisiwe Helebe To address this low representation and provide opportunities for people living with disabilities in the workplace, Chevron South Africa, which operates in the country under the Caltex brand, launched an annual learnership programme in September 2015 with black unemployed learners living with disabilities. The 12-month programme is designed to create a pipeline of people living with disabilities who can compete for positions within different departments at Chevron South Africa and across the industry. Fully qualified and competent to do the job This year a total of 31 candidates were recruited and assessed by an education and training service provider, Primeserv HR Solutions, and selected by Chevron South Africa to undergo training in wholesale and retail Operations NQF level 3 and wholesale and retail management NQF level 4, said Llewelyn van Aarde, learning and development manager, Chevron South Africa. Rather than settling for upskilling learners at NQF 1 and NQF2 level, Chevron has specifically chosen to focus on the higher qualification levels to add real value to the learners skills development. This ensures that the learners leave fully qualified and competent to do the job, giving them the highest chance of succeeding in the competitive job market, said Joy Cupido, education training and development practitioner at Primeserv HR Solutions. Once the theoretical aspect of the programme has been completed, the learners are placed with host employers for a twelve-month period to complete their workplace experience. The workplace experience is a requirement for completing the programme and is aimed at ensuring that the learners get real work experience in the areas of their studies which helps them build their portfolios of evidence to obtain their qualifications and future work opportunities. Van Aarde continued: This year, Chevron is hosting two learners for their workplace experience. Both learners were placed in the Customer Services department, working in the call centre. Mentors within this department regularly review the learners portfolios of evidence to ensure that they cover all the required elements for their workplace experience. Sandisiwe Helebe and Akhona Masiza doing their on-the-job-training Get out there and take full advantage of available opportunities One of the learners placed at Chevron, Sandisiwe Helebe, had the following to say: I had some prior work experience, but I was still a bit nervous about coming to Chevron. I didnt need to worry as the team has been so welcoming. They have an ergonomics specialist who has assisted us to set up our workstations to allow us to work more comfortably. Her advice to other people living with disabilities is to, Get out there and take full advantage of opportunities available to you. Akhona Masiza, another of the learners placed at Chevron added: While I was sitting at home recovering from my operation, I stumbled across the learnership programme on the internet and I grabbed this opportunity to learn and to get work experience with both hands. Working at Chevron has more than exceeded my expectations. The vibrant and proactive facilitators have made a positive impact on my personal life and they have taught me to always give of my best and to obtain as much knowledge and experience as I can from this opportunity. Commenting on the learners progress, Van Aarde had this to say: What has impressed us most is that these two learners have quickly been able to take on complex tasks independently and we are extremely pleased with their results. They have both demonstrated winning attributes such as teamwork, reliability and the willingness to go above and beyond during critical times, despite the fact that they still have to attend classes and work on their theory assignments in their own time. With a work ethic like this, I have no doubt that these two young women will succeed in anything they do. In 2016 The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) awarded Chevron South Africa with the Recognition for Support of People with Disabilities Award for excellence and best practice in skills development and commitment to making a difference in South Africa. Chevron South Africa has recently been awarded a Level 4 B-BBEE qualification across its entire business including the Chevron Cape Town Refinery. The Sitari Country Estate has won the Best Residential Development Africa 2016-2017 award at the International Property Awards in the Africa & Arabia category, which included developments from as far afield as Dubai, Seychelles, Ghana and Uganda. The International Property Awards are open to residential and commercial property professionals from around the globe to celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. Kurtis Swan of the International Property Awards, says, Looking at the entry list, Residential Developments in South Africa was actually an over-subscribed category, and we allowed more than our 'normal' allocation to enter. Therefore, even bigger congratulations are due to Sitari Country Estate for taking that award. From there, only the best in each African country are put forward, with then only the best few getting shortlisted and judged against one another. The winner is then crowned best in that region. In this way Sitari came to be judged Best Residential Development Africa. John Coetzee, executive director of Uvest Property Group, developers of Sitari Country Estate, adds, We were ecstatic to receive the award for Best Residential Development in South Africa at only two-years-old. To take the award for the whole of Africa now at an event held at the Savoy Hotel in London leaves makes us more than delighted. We envisioned Sitari Country Estate as being a premium country lifestyle destination, with a range of products that suit a wide range of buyers. Being recognised internationally and as best in all of Africa really inspires us to do even more to realise the full potential offered by Sitari. This 192-hectare estate and R4-billion mega-projects is already a local landmark in the Helderberg valley. Since launching in September 2014, the capital growth of its properties has been strong: calculated over its first 30 months, plots have seen capital appreciation of 69%, apartments of 34% and homes of 26%. Coetzee reported that 2017 is set to be a big year for Sitari, with an estimated 700 properties being under construction. This includes sectional title apartments, and village and country homes spread across the phases. For more information, go to www.sitari.co.za. Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has announced the appointment of Lesetja Mothiba as the new Acting National Police Commissioner. The Minister made the announcement at a media briefing on Thursday night in Cape Town shortly after the Presidency released a statement on the decision by President Jacob Zuma to relieve Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane from his position as Acting National Commissioner. ...President Jacob Zuma, exercising his prerogative, has relieved Lieutenant General Phahlane from his position as Acting National Police Commissioner. We wish to thank the President for his wisdom and decisive action in this regard, the Presidency said in a statement. The acting tenure of Lieutenant-General Phahlane came to an end on Thursday, 1 June 2017. The President thanked Phahlane for leading the police during his acting tenure. Mothiba is currently the SA Police Service Divisional Head of the Management Intervention Unit. Phahlane to give reasons he should not be suspended Minister Mbalula said there were clearly serious allegations of misconduct on the part of Phahlane, which also impacts on his fitness to hold office as the Acting National Police Commissioner. He said the allegations, which are currently being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), raise questions of conduct that would be inconsistent with expectations of someone in the SA Police Service leadership. I am duty bound to make it clear that Lieutenant-General Phahlane has a right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. The allegations levelled are yet to be tested in a court of law. It is also evident from the public statements from IPID, an institution this government holds in serious esteem for its importance for our democracy and protection of citizens and human rights, that there will be continuing legal processes between IPID and Lieutenant-General Phahlane in court. There clearly are [perceptions of] discomfort with regards to perceived interference risk, which leads itself to potential national security risk, should IPID be impeded in doing its constitutional duty lawfully (sic), he said. The Minister said it is his belief that Lieutenant-General Phahlane and the rule of law would be better served if he is afforded adequate time and personal freedom to focus on these personal allegations against him, without the added burdens of the office of the Acting National Police Commissioner. It is in this spirit that I informed President Jacob Zuma that the Generals continued holding of office negatively impacts on the Ministry and department for which I am responsible. The current National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyegas contractual term of office comes to an end on 10 June 2017, and the President, in accordance with his prerogative, will be considering the appointment of the new National Police Commissioner shortly. In the meantime, an Interim Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant- General Mothiba, has been appointed by the President. Ordinarily, Lieutenant-General Phahlane would then revert to his position of Forensic Services Divisional Commissioner. I have made a determination that the enormous task I am soon to set out for the Forensic Services towards the full professionalization of the police to achieve the best outcomes in the fight against crime and to secure our national security integrity require that the police are fully focused on the job at hand. The scourge of crimes against women and children is extremely important and cannot be left to hope. With these priorities, it is clear to me that the initial reasoning over Lieutenant-General Phahlanes undesirableness [to] stay as Acting National Police Commissioner equally arises in his original role. Accordingly, Lieutenant-General Phahlane has been requested by myself to furnish me with cogent and reasonable reasons I should not suspend him from his position as Forensic Services Divisional Commissioner with immediate effect. Minister Mbalula said government has committed itself to being proactive in matters of corruption and in defence of the Constitution, the independence of IPID, the judiciary, the National Prosecuting Authority, Chapter Nine institutions and others. Where there is even a perception of threat to our Constitution, we are duty bound to act to protect it where we can. I am concerned about the allegations of misconduct of IPID. Equally these allegations are serious and they too, give rise to national security risk and risk to the integrity of the IPIDs independence. IPID is required to perform its duties with the utmost integrity and in doing so, utilize trustworthy and corruption proof methods. Mothiba reacts to his interim appointment Meanwhile, Mothiba thanked the President for giving him the opportunity to serve. Firstly, I would like to thank the honourable President for appointing me interim Acting National Police Commissioner. I would like to mention that I will be meeting with the Minister so that the Minister can give me marching orders. We all know that last week, the Minister tabled his budget vote speech [in Parliament]. So the plan is there. My role is to fight crime. That is what I am here for - to fight crime and to provide service to the people of this country. South African students in a business-related field are invited to apply for a paid six-month internship program at Boeing in Seattle. Full-time undergraduate and post-graduate students from South African universities and technical universities are encouraged to apply for the internship. Two students from Wits University are currently in the full-time programme (JanJuly 2017). Registration for the next intake period (Jan July 2018) is open from 6-15 June 2017. Laila Zayan, head of talent pipeline development at Boeing, says the IBIP is open to all students studying in a business-related field including industrial engineering, accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, strategy, management, and information systems. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme or have graduated within the last 12 months (applicants that graduated in May 2016 or earlier will NOT be considered). Students must have excellent communications and interpersonal skills, be high achievers academically, demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills. J. Miguel Santos, Boeing managing director - sub-Saharan Africa and director of commercial aeroplane sales for Africa, says it is a great bridge to the world of working. He cites is as a is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get real world exposure to a large multi-national corporation. The students will be provided with US-based work experience and will prove extremely valuable when they return and invest their new skills to the benefit of South Africa. Having Boeing on your resume could be a launching pad for your future career. The International Business Internship Program (IBIP), which was launched in 2012, provides students valuable exposure to the latest technological and business advances and thinking in a variety of disciplines relating to business operations, finance, marketing, strategy and the aviation industry. Students will be exposed to a range of business activities and work alongside Boeing employees in various fields. They will also have an opportunity to spend time with Boeing leaders, visit several factories and share their experience with other IBIP interns from around the world. Interested students can apply through the career advice divisions of their respective universities who will be provided with information brochures. The International Congress and Convention Association's (ICCA) recently ranked Stellenbosch as one of the top 10 cities in Africa for business tourism event - the first time Stellenbosch was rated independently from Cape Town. Magdalena Paluchowska via 123RF - Stellenbosch City Hall The town secured the seventh position in Africa for hosting association (business) meetings, ahead of cities like Cairo, Kampala, and Tshwane. A total of 48 international association meetings have been hosted across the African continent and Cape Town claimed the number one spot. ICCA rankings are regarded among the most important benchmarks in the international meetings market. Annemarie Ferns, CEO of Stellenbosch 360, said: Stellenbosch 360 and its members applaud and welcome this prestigious ICCA ranking. Our goal is to move from the seventh to the fourth-best ranking in Africa by 2020, after Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg." She further emphasised that business tourism (conferences, meetings, events, incentives and exhibitions) is an important segment of "our total product offering." It is a shared economy model, from which all accommodation products, venues and suppliers from all our communities will benefit. "This is a 360 approach!" She added: "We recently launched a unit to promote and actively drive Stellenboschs vision to become a leading conference, events and incentives destination, with the ultimate objective of developing and increasing the prosperity of the region and its people at all levels. Minister Alan Winde (Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities) joined Annemarie Ferns (CEO of Stellenbosch 360) on the right and some of her colleagues at the towns Visitors Centre to celebrateStellenboschs ICCA rating Stellenbosch 360, in partnership with Wesgro and the South Africa National Convention Bureau, will host a Business Tourism Indaba on Tuesday, 13 June 2017. This Indaba will be the first of its kind for the region and Minister Alan Winde will open the Indaba as the keynote speaker. The second annual MTN Internet of Things Awards celebrated the best of South Africa's market-ready IoT solutions, applications and developers. Here are all the winners... The inaugural IoT Awards in 2015 set the benchmark for IoT creation and innovation in South Africa, said Mariana Kruger, the MTN Business general manager private sector. This year has been even better, with a proliferation of exciting solutions that have the potential to drastically transform the IoT space in the future. Winners The Best Commercial Solution and Overall Winner was IoT.nxt, a technology company that has developed a world-leading framework that makes the efficiencies, cost savings and increased revenue from IoT a reality for businesses. The major strength of the IoT.nxt framework is that the solution is technology agnostic, which overcomes the challenge of connecting any and all devices or systems, said Fortuin in explaining their decision. This enables one to deploy best of breed technologies with little or no disruption to ones current operations, allowing businesses to action an IoT strategy quickly and easily. The winner of the Most Disruptive Category went to Hear Scope, whilst Proximity ID took home the Wildcard category with their cardless instant identification and access control system. The Most Innovative Hardware award went to Digital Matter, which supplies an innovative range of GPS tracking and telematics devices and a user-friendly web-based software platform to the fleet, logistics and communications industries. Indoor farming system MCX AgriTech came out tops in the Best Enterprise Development category. This year we were looking for ground-breaking solutions that use IoT applications and technology to generate income, productivity and streamline efficiencies in the corporate world, added Fortuin. Interoperability, rapid deployment and ease-of-use were all major considerations. Prizes All finalists had the opportunity to be trained on MTNs revolutionary new machine-to-machine platform and were given access to free software and hardware during the conception phase of the competition. As the overall winners, IOT.nxt received a trip for two to IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona to the value of R200,000. The awards were held at the same time as MTNs national IoT Conference, which showcased the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in the IoT space in a variety of industries, such as automotive, healthcare, asset and fleet management, manufacturing, security, retail, smart grid, smart metering, smart home and consumer electronics. Matthew Barclay of Meltwater, Brett St Clair of Barclay Africa and Justin Spratt of Uber SSA kicked off IMC Conference 2017 at the White Space in Red & Yellow School Cape Town with a session focused on big data, how AI will fundamentally change the world of work and its specific business implications. Integrated Marketing Communications or IMC Conference MC Di Charton welcomed a full room of the countrys brightest marketing minds on 1 June 2017, speaking of Red & Yellow as her new home for the last five years, while the IMC conference has been going since 2010. Barclay, Spratt and St Clair. Charton explained that sponsors for the conference were carefully selected, with IBM emerging as a cognitive thought leader and Meltwater encouraging all to follow in their footsteps by benchmarking, listening and engaging in real-time. The days topics were then split into themes with speakers involved in panel discussions as well as live Q&A sessions based on attendees' Twitter questions as a way to successfully keep attendees engaged. The first speaker of the day was the red-sneakered Matthew Barclay, area director for Africa at Meltwater, on 'the tools of tomorrows marketer: Automated anomaly detection in big data'. We all want to understand data and talk about it all the time, but Barclay said its more than a collection of buzzwords - though the three main ones are: Big data, AI and anomaly detection. In revealing previously unknown connections, we can better understand why a customer purchases from a specific location or at a certain time of year, therefore making connections between data points we wouldnt have understood before and smarter marketing decisions. Barclay mentioned using the four Vs of volume, velocity, variety and value as qualifying criteria, then played a brief video by PWC director Ken Kryst on big data projects and how to better target your advertising to reach your consumers more effectively. Barclay concluded that we simply dont have the human resources to effectively make sense of big data in the timeframe society demands. Advertising by algorithm This led into a discussion of the second buzzword Barclay identified - artificial intelligence or AI. Noting your perceptions vs the reality are important here as many in the industry fear their marketing jobs will be taken over by robots in the next few years Barclay reassures us this isnt true. That said, there is amazing technological development focused on the most effective advertising solutions. Take M&C Saatchi London, for example, which created the worlds first poster that evolves and generates new, unique adverts based on how much attention it attracts - this involves customising aspects such as text size, image types and colours and length of copy as the billboard understands what you are looking at, feeds that into the system and changes what it shows you. Barclay says this brings up interesting questions on creativity and whether it can create unique advertising based on the data it picks up down the line. From the context of SEO, when creating content he says to think of Googles new RankBrain AI algorithm, which serves results based on your specific browsing history and what it thinks you will be interested in looking at when entering a specific search term. Looking at AI in CX, Barclay says this will become a major brand differentiator. Think of the rise and use of chatbots, which create a scenario where an SA online store or interactive website can chat to someone in any country logging on in a different time zone. They dont need to wait for your open hours, they can chat to your business and even complete transactions when suits them best to do so. Even more jaw-dropping is the fact that the following video from Cornell University of two chatbots conversing with each other is already five-years-old, showing that human-like traits like memory and crafting responses around what is being said are possible in technology: For AI in targeting then, Barclay says this will be based on prediction rather than on purely historical data or cookies. Technology surrounds us, delights and surprises us, such as when our phones prompt us to leave home early to skip traffic, or Netflix predicting what shows we will like based on what we've been watching. He concluded that anomaly detection takes this a step further by only notifying you of a change in the pattern of that data for business insights - that's why it's the way of the future. The milliseconds of micro moments Brett St Clair, ex-Google now head of digital product at Barclay Africa, next at the podium on the topic of using just one click to sell anything, without ever needing to physically interact with consumers. He said that disrupting digitally means literally changing how we work by focusing on the customer. We think of 'digital' as websites and mobile, but that's the old digital. Now, 'digital' lies in the fact that the internet comes with you, so you can share your story from a device that's becoming ubiquitous as the world changes, and that change is based on the era of the selfie. The world has been flipped on its head, with St Clair pointing out that Barclay had demonstrated this first hand by taking a selfie of himself with the attendees we are understanding the context of the consumer, what they are doing and what their world looks like as we enter these micro moments. They are happening by the billions across your audience, so you need to be there when they are ready to purchase your product. That's why he says your customer is always just a click away, and that we need to use real-time analytics to best understand how they consume our content. Its a process where you never need to even see the customer in real-life. On scaling moments with AI, its an industry thats been going for 50 years, in understanding how humans communicate with machines, developing consciousness and learning at scale as they progress. St Clair says this is selling of the future. On straight-through processing, its a one-click experience based on building delightful experiences. Airlines all sell seats, and whatever your industry, its a commodity once you scrape away the glitter, so how do you differentiate yourself? Facebook creates hyper-personalised environments using algorithms available through the cloud. St Clair left us with three tips for getting this right: Shopify everything. Algorithms are freely available, there's no need to start from scratch. Hire him or her seriously. UX designers are the future of business. Try this you need to be on the bleeding edge of technology, using Snapchat, and Instagram and everything else that comes along. Its changing the way we communicate and collaborate so we need to get uncomfortably excited. Listen to St Clairs CliffCentral Futurology podcast for more. Redesigning the customer experience Australian Justin Spratt, headhunted by Uber to become their head of business for the sub-Saharan Africa region, rounded out the first session of the day by speaking of tech trends and Africa: seeing around corners as well as how software is 'eating the world', with Amazon as the poster child for this. Spratt kicked off with a reminder that Africa is mobile-first, with 90% mobile penetration at this stage and 50% smartphone penetration expected by 2018. Interestingly, many in this market buy dark phones, where data is turned off on the smart phones and internet is only accessed in Wi-Fi zones. "Nothing is impossible here; you need to stretch your imagination to reach the masses," says Spratt. Linked to this, brands need to reset how they brand themselves, especially when it comes to consumer trust. Its a real challenge as brands are being disintermediated over time and its no longer about brute-force balance sheets, its now about the bits. Spratt adds that VR is immersive and that progress happens at the edges, so while VR quite literally just looks like a toy for now, it has the potential, for example, to change education in Africa in the next decade. He says a well-designed product and communication can get you anywhere, but youll probably need to redesign how you engage with customers to get this right. Spratt ended with the assertion that media, as the new opium of the masses, needs to insert itself in the process and drive trust in products. In a panel discussion with all three speakers, Spratt said direct, highly relevant marketing will continue apace, with St Clair explaining that branding is currently fairly static. The culmination of machine learning and big data for relevance thus needs to be balanced with personal data that helps you better respond to consumers and tweak your messaging on the fly. Barclay chipped in that the 'creativity element' is still relevant but marketers need to now push the opportunity to see, putting the budget behind promoting the amazing content they create through that advertising clutter. On digital disruption, St Clair said its easy to say your company 'fails fast', but not so easy to iterate as it requires constant change and effort in AB testing. Any business has the capacity to do so, provided you put in the effort and passion required to continuously disrupt and look for a better way of doing business. Follow the #IMCConf hashtag for the latest updates! The second session of the IMC2017 was all about going back to basics in defining the core principles of big ideas that work; how to disrupt or be disrupted as we enter the fourth industrial revolution; and the sad truth that as consumers, we are still being communicated at, not communicated with. IMC Conference MC Di Charton introduced Boniswa Pezisa, CEO of Network BBDO, by saying she has sat on practically every body the industry has to offer, going beyond just advertising to include multiple NGOs. Pezisa appropriately kicked off the second session of the 2017 IMC Conference with a talk on big ideas driving brand salience at scale. Pezisa stated its not just about where you share the idea, but also the how and the why that matters, as without ideas you cant even get onto that platform. "If we get this right as Africans, we can inspire the world," she says, as her view is that the world is upside down: Africa should be at the top of the globe, with Cape Town at the peak, especially if we create world-class work thats more integrated and effective. Pezisa added that we live in the most exciting century due to the democratisation of media and getting messages onto specific channels, where we ultimately dilute our efforts and create clutter while trying to inspire consumers. All this in a world where she says, "140-characters are meant to give us the full story." Remember that audiences are busy and fragmented, so we need big, simple ideas to reach them. In a nutshell, she says its a single thought that connects all that we say about our brand, in a way that matters to our audience. Its an idea that revitalised the Old Spice brand that was almost 100-years-old when it devised its smell like a man, smell like me campaign that still hits its mark seven years after its first flight: Pezisa's core principles when building big ideas: Be single-minded about the problem you are trying to solve right from the onset. about the problem you are trying to solve right from the onset. This gives you clear objectives or purpose. or purpose. Create exosystems for the customer journey , be disciplined and drive the experience. , be disciplined and drive the experience. Remember that you dont have to use all the platforms, just the ones that match your message. Pezisa ended with the tip to simply look for consistency when taking your (simple) big idea to scale. Valter Adao, lead director at Deloitte Digital Africa, was next on stage, speaking of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. His opening statement hit home for many: If youve ever used the word innovation that you could interchange with awesome, thats not innovation. Sharing context, he said that todays world is faced with unprecedented uncertainty, coupled with questionable brand loyalty and disruptive technologies. This means we have to change the way we think about them to truly disrupt the technologies of the day. Its no longer the science-fiction it felt like just 18 months ago. Now, it's necessary to keep your business competitive and relevant into the future. Adao explained Spratt's earlier point that Amazon started out selling books, then stationery, then Thanksgiving turkeys, and now delivers to the ISS with its blue-and-orange rockets. That's true disruption. Adao also explained that we can learn from the previous three industrial revolutions: First was the introduction of energy into the workplace Next came high-volume manufacturing The most recent involved enterprise computing. History has shown that the organisations that failed to adopt the disruption of the day simply disappeared. For some industries, the consequences are dire, as the danger will come from below and outside your sector more than from your direct competitors. Pezisa, Adao and Bus. Adao ended with a reminder that the importance of business agility ties in with Darwins theory of evolution: Its not the strongest or smartest that survive, its those most able to adapt to change. Explaining how that relates to the business world of 2017, Adao says to: "Uber yourself before you get Kodaked". The final speaker before lunch was Gerrit Bus, Watson commerce executive for IBM Middle East and Africa. He spoke of redefining customer engagement in this cognitive era, and says when he speaks to 'marketing people like us', he asks them to put on their consumer hats to see how compelling (ahem, or not) their customer engagement really is. We are still being communicated at, not communicated with Bus says to recognise your customers' purchase intent wherever it may be, and to understand how people navigate your channels. It may be an eye-opener to realise that we dictate the journeys to our customers and not the other way around, as most of us actually don't know what journeys they want to take. But what if, during your campaigns flight, you could drill down to see how just well it is doing and redefine it where need be? Well, Bus says this particular future is just five minutes from now as all of this is already possible, turning marketers into more of a business value-add to the company than they are at present. All you need to do is let the systems tell you what to spend more focus on instead of giving in to 'analysis paralysis'. Bus says the best way to grow your brand is to captivate your audience through dialogue - it's no longer a one-way street - and let the system bring you the value of the information. You wont be the first to do so but you'll be among the front runners. In the sessions panel discussion, Pezisa said to start with a simple human insight when telling a story. That's the business we are in now, as consumers are more discerning against the hard sell through the typical 'broadcast speaker' in their faces. Bus agreed that technology is getting more sophisticated, but keep in mind that its all been possible in primitive form for almost a decade and unfortunately we are still talking about it as exceptions as opposed to the rule. Technology has given us the scale to turn the old telegram into something that reaches the world in a tweet. Peziswa concluded: "When great ideas are steeped in the brands DNA, they have longevity for as long as they are relevant." Hear, hear. Follow the #IMCConf hashtag for the latest updates! In my favourite session of the IMC Conference 2017, three of SA's best local storytellers - Abey Mokgatswane, Fran Luckin and Gillian Rightford - shared the essentials of getting consumer buy-in from the stories your brand tells. Mokgatswane, Luckin and Rightford. Abey Mokgatswane, CEO of Ogilvy SA, spoke of the dichotomy of brands becoming artificially intelligent while realising the need to going back to the legends we have always held as true. His session really popped as it was posted in full on the @OgilvyTalksSA Instagram feed to keep the Conference graveyard shift's attention, even if that shifted to social media. He explained that before we can make sense of information, its already floating around in our brains, which is why storytelling is such an effective, emotive vehicle. But some definitely do this whole storytelling thing better than others. As proof, Mokgatswane played a clip of Ogilvy alumni #Napsta explaining that we love stories because they enchant our world, they are catalysts of the imagination we are born with, and that black people are particularly good at using sound effects to really animate when telling a story - all the more reason for diversity in agencies. Visuals: Ripe for disruption Mokgatswane also spoke of digital disruption from the concept of singularity, where machines can think and create for themselves without human command. "Then theres an innovation we havent factored in yet the innovation of voice." While everything is about UX and how things look, Mokgatswane predicts we are fast nearing the time where all will be command-driven; where Siri and Alexa can get you what you want through voice commands alone. The impact of that will change the world fundamentally as we think visually first. Now even that is ripe for disruption. A really good read. @danielpink argues that the future belongs those that can leverage their conceptual skills in the conceptual world we live in. Advertising breeds this skill. A post shared by Ogilvy Talks SA (@ogilvytalkssa) on Jun 1, 2017 at 3:09am PDT Mokgatswane added that the right-brained will be running the future, as how we use technology is what will set us apart. We have what it takes to come up with incredible ideas to move the world forward, we just need to believe it ourselves. He ended with a reminder that the big dont always eat the small, but the fast always eat the slow so it's all about the challenger brand. While the rise of radio, print and digital needed an engineer, there was no unique competitive advantage in the technology its in creating new connections and switching being stuck in the back-end to being at the forefront of that change. How digital has further siloed creativity Fran Luckin, CCO of Grey Africa, was next on an adwomans adventures in integration'. She spoke of the power of the learning experience, which is when you hear a voice saying in your head: You know that thing you just did? Dont do it again. Luckin showed us how the Coca-Cola Hilltop commercial from 1972 was reimagined through Project Re:brief, with a personalised 'thank you' message through special vending machines. The 'advertising experiment' from 2011 had Google partner with four global brands to show how the ideas that defined the advertising industry in its infancy can still inspire a new generation of creatives and marketers. While that specific campaign was a success, Luckin also delved into why ad agencies might not be that relevant any more. To illustrate this, she spoke of the change in Cannes Lions' winners over the past two decades, which is very instructive. While Cannes Lions initially formed as a film-ad competition, print and outdoor were only introduced in 1992, with cyber added as a category in 1998, at the height of the Silicon Valley boom. Its all about channels, said Luckin, with digital bleeding out into the other categories over the next few years as a sign that the digital revolution was "... a cultural shift and not a medium like radio and TV but a medium like air." Luckin said the Titanium Lion award is the ultimate, for "great ads that dont look like ads", nor do they necessarily fit into a specific category. Instead, agencies enter their work into the Integrated and Titanium categories and its only defined in the judging room each year. Do we even know what constitutes integrated marketing communications? On the growth of integrated marketing communications or IMC, Luckin said that as late as 2011, there was debate on the usefulness and definition thereof. Luckin says it was a concept, not a process, so agencies didnt respond well to its evolution. She spoke of legacy structures and ad agencies mimicking their clients industrial production lines. So, we simply added another silo or point at which the brief gets kicked, to make it digital, even going so far as to make the creative the custodian of the work. This is not the answer as you then have a group of people from a specialist discipline that are not fully integrated with the rest of the agency. Luckin explained thats where Grey Londons 'open culture' comes in: They repositioned managers as mentors and got rid of offices, reassigning individual control sign-off to the creative team responsible and aiming to get it 'at least 70% right' by planning for integration rather than glibly stating they work together, all in a move towards the future of work that's now being emulated across the globe. Getting that creative tap to flow harmoniously In the final talk of the pre-tea session we heard from Gillian Rightford, founder of Adtherapy. Rightford explained her world of work was built on the idea of challenges in the industry, particularly as she took the idea of the agency-client relationship forward. She spoke of the creative tap and whether its open or closed. Rightford said many of those client-agency relationships are less than ideal, and that she is often described as a cross between a freedom fighter and an agony aunt. Its a game of commercial creativity, where only the fittest survive. It's definitely worth working on as a good client-agency relationship can account for up to 37% better creative. She asks: "But do we really want better creative?" Were probably exposed to 5,000 advertising messages a day, and of those, our subconscious gets rid of all but 76, with only 12 making an impact. We are unlikely to remember more than two of those the next day. That said, creative advertising is more predictable in achieving its results and is less risky than advertising no-one notices and it's a good client-agency relationship that generates that output. Rightford's 'open creative tap' analogy then is about when you have the best brains working on your brief. That's not just something that happens when youre sitting behind your desk. When that tap is closed, through a complex and frustrating process of incessant reverts, abusive behaviour and miscommunication, Rightford says there are two main issues at play: a fear of loss of revenue that the work will go elsewhere; and actual loss of hope, as the exceptional creatives no longer want to work on that business. Rightford played the following video, which illustrates how the client and agency see each other: When the creative tap is closed and we dont appreciate each others role, marketers feel the need to threaten to fire the agency, to escalate to the MD. The agency tends to feel frustrated at losing time, good people leave, they lose hours and money, do work they dont think will work and only do safe work - a case of nobody winning. To get that tap open, Rightford says we need to ensure we bring the right skills to the table, to think of the psychological tonality and do it right procedurally. The relationship is driven by approvals, mutual timings, briefs, respect and collaboration. It also helps to understand your purpose: "Its as simple as reading the advertising Code of Conduct if thats the industry youre playing in," said Rightford. In design-thinking, getting this right lies in seeing the process as one of co-creating rather than of buying and selling, which is where lots of the reverts and frustrations come in. Thats how to simplify and unlock value in identifying marketing as a commercial role. Remember that communication should be fun, says Rightford Let creatives be more than just deliver on orders by making work that actually changes the world for the better. That's what I'd call a win-win. Follow the #IMCConf hashtag for the latest updates! The South African Cultural Observatory (Saco) Conference on Creative Economy and Development', held in Johannesburg 24-25 May 2017, has revealed seven emerging creative economy trends. These have been distilled from the 50 presentations by leading researchers, academics, practitioners, artists, officials and consultants who attended the conference. 1. Technology and the fourth industrial revolution will change everything We are already living in the future and technology has made it so. Manufacturing and industry is radically changing as automation becomes standard practice; leading to loss of jobs and work-related meaning. A recent report by consultancy, PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that 38% of US jobs have a high risk of being wiped out by automation by 2030. Stephen Hawking has also warned that artificial intelligence and increasing automation is going to decimate middle class jobs, worsening inequality and risking significant political upheaval. Rosemary Mangope CEO of the National Arts Council, said, In this scenario, we need to keep ourselves occupied. The creative industries can do this. They offer not only an occupation as in something to do; but a vocation as in a passion pursuit and an opportunity for us to express what fundamentally makes us human our creativity, ingenuity and expression. Conference delegates also noted that the creative and cultural industries (CCIs) need to keep up with and leverage off the available technology to not only contribute to, but also co-create the future using the design thinking, problem solving and experimentation so emblematic of the industry. 2. Prioritise and educate the youth for the future its all about skills Echoing the sentiments of Mangope was Thobile Chittenden from arts organisation Room 13, who argued that Africa and the rest of the world would not suffer only on the jobs front under automation, but that it was the lack of skills that was really hampering development. We need to prioritise youth education and training, especially on the African continent where over 60% of the people are under the age of 30. We need freethinking individuals who meet the skills set envisaged for 2020 the three Cs of complex, critical and creative thinking to become the whole brained thinkers that can occupy and contribute to the future, she said. Conference goers noted that the youth were an under-researched, but priority cohort and whose technological savvy and can-do-ism supported creative economy growth. 3. Big data can help the creative and cultural industries. Prof Erez Aiden, from the Rice University Culturomics Observatory, showcased its epic 15m book digitisation project with Google, showing that it is possible to count culture. It is terrific to have big data sets to help predict the future. Our analysis has shown that you can track items such as who creates fame, mass, short and long-term memory, the prevalence of certain words, the incidence of censorship, and how fast technology is moving and how culture is adapting its incredible. A number of conference speakers highlighted the data question saying that anxiety about being counted needs to be discarded and there is a need to bring coherence to the uneven, inconsistent and incomplete data regarding the CCIs. Measuring and counting culture helps the industry realise the value of its contribution to important indicators such as jobs, employment, gross domestic product, and transformation, said Prof Jen Snowball, Saco chief research strategist. Others, such as Shukri Toefy, from creative content and production agency Fort, spoke about the decolonisation of the African creative economy showcasing a piece of work with MTV Base Africa, which spanned across the African continent, showcasing the skills, ability and amazing quality of local African content to the world. 4. We can and should count culture The consensus is that counting culture is part of embracing the holistic CCIs, and arts, culture and heritage sectors. The creative economy and the industries and sectors that feed into it need to be analysed or we will lose benchmarks and data that help us make strategic decisions about funding, supporting and developing the arts, said Prof Richard Haines, Saco CEO. 5. A historical view of global, African and local policy will help us develop future orientated policy The role, place and purpose of policy was hotly debated and contended at the conference including its ability to keep up with technological change. Dr Lebogang Nawa asked, Can you actually plan culture? He noted the need to take an historical view of the policy process from global to local but also for South Africa to sync with other cultural policies in Africa. Cultural capital is the most internalised of all capitals and the distance between policies globally and in Africa is still wide. There are also many dimensions to consider - the political economy and the legal influence of policy. Culture is always bounded by time and place and so cultural policy must always move with it, but with an historical view. 6. Know your neighbour and learn from them The conference drew experts from Argentina, Brazil, Jamaica, Poland, Spain, the US, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Botswana, Cote dIvoire, among others. The insights into how others are making their creative economies survive, thrive and grow are critical to developing South Africas creative economy. In the words of Andres Gribnicow, Undersecretary of Creative Economy, Ministry of Culture in Argentina, I strongly believe in the creative ecosystems ability to take advantage of the creative economy and break the disconnect between the two concepts/ experiences. 7. Culture and creativity the new oil? In the context of crisis times, the energy transition, and the tension between militarists and intellectuals and the state and the market, the lure of ideas is stronger than ever, said Prof Geoff Wood from the University of Essex saying the CCIs are the new oil for economies. The world is uncertain and the economy will get worse before it get better. We need, more than ever, to focus on developing our cultural resources to achieve growth. We need to promote the idea that the CCIs are not only necessary, but economically so. Saco is a leading national think tank focused on monitoring, mapping, measuring and valuing South Africas cultural and creative economy. It is a project of the Department of Arts & Culture (DAC), launched in 2014, and hosted by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in partnership with Rhodes and Fort Hare Universities. For more information, click here. The 19th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival offers ...an extraordinary, wide-ranging selection of non-fiction experiences, according to Encounters Festival Director Darryl Els. This popular annual festival returns to Ster-Kinekor's Nouveau cinemas at Rosebank Mall in Johannesburg, and the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, from 1 - 11 June 2017. In addition to hosting the festival at these two sites, Nouveau is excited to announce its partnership with the festival organisers to sponsor the inaugural Eye (Encounters Youth Experience) Award. This award will be adjudicated by a panel of four exciting young industry jurors, and will be presented to the best South African short documentary screened during the festival. As the countrys leading exhibitor, our involvement with Encounters and sponsoring the first Eye Award gives us a great opportunity to entrench further our commitment to developing the local film industry, and supporting South Africas exciting, rising young talent, says Motheo Matsau, Chief of Marketing and Sales at Ster-Kinekor Theatres. This follows on our successful sponsorship of the Youth Achievement Award at the Saftas earlier this year. Focusing on growing the youth market audience at our cinemas is a key sector within our marketing strategy. This sponsorship opportunity further strengthens that strategy, and enables us to interact with some of the countrys developing young talent within the sector, whose careers are just starting to take off. The Encounters Youth Jury panel comprises: Anele Hlongwane (20) was born in KZN but has been living in Cape Town for 15 years. Studying at UCT currently, he has a passion for all areas of filmmaking, but his goal is producing. Yoza Mnyanda (23) is a UCT Screen Production graduate whose passions include cinematography and storytelling. She is currently a freelance videographer and editor and runs her own small production company called Wildflower Worx. Taryn McCabe (21) is studying film at CPUT and is currently working on a number of film projects. She has a passion for European and avant-garde cinema. Lloyd Soudien (19) is from Mitchells Plain, studying web publishing and interactive media at Friends of Design. The four-member jury of young Cape Town-based film enthusiasts will adjudicate and present the first Eye Award for the Best South African Short Film (less than 20 minutes), in addition to cash prizes for two winners. This year the festival will also launch the Encounters Youth Experience, a comprehensive screening and workshop programme aimed at bringing South African documentary to young audiences. This initiative will serve as an introduction to the genre and to the practical craft of documentary filmmaking. With a selection of 70 local and international features and short films, including 32 South African films and 19 world premieres, the 2017 version of the Encounters Documentary Festival promises to challenge, provoke, inspire and entertain audiences. This years youth focus and award encourages younger audiences and filmmakers to attend the festival and appreciate this wide-ranging genre of filmmaking. Bookings are now open and festival tickets prices are R55,00. For more information about the Encounters Documentary Festival screening at Nouveau, click here. Follow the festival on Twitter @nouveaubuzz using #EncountersDoc2017, and on Facebook at Cinema Nouveau. For any queries, call Ticketline on 0861Movies (668 437). BRUSSELS - Facebook, Google and other US internet giants have sharply boosted efforts to clamp down on online hate speech, a top European Union official said on Thursday. The EU joined forces with the companies a year ago to combat online extremism, responding to growing alarm in Europe over the use of social media as a recruiting tool, especially by the Islamic State group. "The companies are now removing twice as many cases of illegal hate speech and at a faster rate when compared to six months ago," Vera Jourova, the EU commissioner for justice, said in the first annual progress report. It "shows that a self-regulatory approach can work", said Jourova, who called for further progress -- particularly from Twitter. Facebook was the only one of the four giants -- the other two are Microsoft and YouTube -- to review and act on most hate speech notifications within 24 hours, she added. "Facebook shows that they invested a lot of capacities and a lot of efforts to do the take downs in the necessary numbers in the agreed times," Jourova told reporters. Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft and Google's YouTube announced a code of conduct in May last year, pledging to remove online hate speech within 24 hours of being notified. A year on, a recent survey of 24 EU countries showed that on average, in 59 percent of cases, internet firms responded to notifications of illegal hate speech by removing the content. That is more than twice the level of 28 percent recorded six months earlier. Jourova said she would try to enlist the support of other tech firms and make other improvements to the system, all the more so as "extremism and radicalisation in Europe is on the rise". She referred to the May 22 attack at a pop concert in Manchester, northern England, carried out by Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old born and raised locally. As detectives try to determine how Abedi was radicalised, Jourova warned that many young people were vulnerable to online extremist recruitment. The tech firms have pledged to fight speech under European laws that bar incitement to violence or hatred directed against people based on race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin. Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown's capitulation over the removal of Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and the bungling of the Eskom board over his reinstatement have prompted calls for the removal of both the minister and the board. Lynne Brown, minister of public enterprises. Photo: [[http://www.sabreakingnews.co.za SA Breaking News After weeks of public outrage and opposition to Molefe's reinstatement, Brown directed the board to rescind it, but only once the decision to do so was taken by an interministerial committee established by President Jacob Zuma to investigate the reinstatement. Brown was a member of the committee. The Eskom board said in a statement that it would "meet to finalise the way forward on the issues raised by the minister". Corruption Watch executive director David Lewis said the organisation was taking legal advice on either itself applying for or supporting an application to court to have all members of the Eskom board who were present when major coal contracts were concluded declared delinquent directors. This would include Molefe and board chairman Ben Ngubane. A declaration of delinquency would prevent those involved being appointed to any board in the country. Lewis said Corruption Watch was not satisfied that only Molefe was being held responsible for the Eskom fiasco. "I don't think that after their conduct on the Eskom board these people should be allowed to be on the board of any company," Lewis said. "The board has proved that it is not up to the governance of an institution as large and important as Eskom. They have proved themselves to be equally complicit and equally conflicted in some of the critical decisions that led to this crisis." Corruption Watch met with its lawyers on Thursday to discuss the matter. He believed that Brown's role in the fiasco also called into question whether she was competent to play the role of minister of public enterprises. Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution executive secretary Lawson Naidoo called for the removal of Brown because of the debacle which had been condemned across the political spectrum and had led to mass protests and several court applications. Naidoo described Molefe's reinstatement as an "epic failure of governance and the minister and the board must be held accountable for the shambles.... She has presided over a shambolic state of affairs in terms of the improper manner in which Molefe was appointed and now has had to back down. She really ought to resign." In Zimbabwe, the gap between installed electricity capacity and peak demand is approximately 1,200MW. As a result, the country is reliant on importing power via regional interconnectors. The Zimbabwe state utility, ZESA Holdings, imports up to 40% of its power requirements from Eskom (South Africa), Cahora-Bassa (Mozambique) and Snel (the Democratic Republic of Congo) through the mechanism of the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP). Where this demand gap is not bridged, there is load shedding, including during peak periods. The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has launched a number of projects over recent years to expand and upgrade electricity generation in the region, including: rehabilitation of the existing 920MW Hwange coal power station; the 600MW extension of the existing Hwange coal power station; rehabilitation of the existing 750MW Kariba South hydropower station; and the 300MW expansion of the existing Kariba South hydropower station. Financing As part of its rehabilitation and expansion initiatives, ZPC negotiated a $120m facility with the Standard Bank of South Africa (as lead arranger and co-lender) and The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (PTA Bank) (as co-lender) to provide finance to ZPC for the expansion of the Kariba South hydro power station. This facility supports the original 20-year $319m loan negotiated in October 2013 by ZPC with China Exim Bank to finance the expansion of Kariba South and completes the funding required to increase the installed capacity of Kariba South by the addition of a further 300MW which will result in an aggregate 1,050MW installed capacity. The new hydropower plant is to be wholly owned and operated by ZPCs subsidiary, Kariba Hydro Power Company (private) Limited (KHPC) and completion is scheduled for 2018. The funds made available under the $120m facility will also be used to assist with the rehabilitation of the existing coal fired power plant at Hwange, which has an installed capacity rated at 920MW, but is currently operating at only 600MW due to ageing equipment. The rehabilitation of the plant will significantly increase to Zimbabwes power resources. The $120m facility is backed by a 15-year power purchase agreement between ZPC and offtaker Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) for 80MW of the capacity at Kariba South. New thermal plant In addition to these projects, ZPC is finalising the equity and debt arrangements required for the $1bn extension of Hwange which will add 600MW of thermal power to the national grid. The new 600MW thermal power plant is to be majority owned and operated by ZPCs subsidiary, Hwange Electricity Supply Company (private) Limited (HESCO) as a PPP joint venture with Sinohydro of China. Subscription and shareholder agreements between ZPC, HESCO and Sinohydro of China are in the process of being finalised. Researchers are still trying to learn why the population of African penguins has dropped precipitously over the last 15 years some estimates say by 90% but most agree that climate change is a major factor in the decline of this iconic African species. There may be additional forces at work, including pollution, overfishing, predators and disease, but warming currents on both sides of the continent are driving the huge shoals of sardines and anchovies on which the penguins dine farther south toward cooler waters. Warming waters are not a problem only for penguins and other sea creatures. They have major implications for coastal communities all around the continent, where a quarter of all people rely on the ocean as a primary source of food. Globally, average temperatures will increase by more than 2C by the end of the 21st century, and could increase by as much as 3C by 2050 and even by 6C by 2100. The impacts of this warming on the ocean surrounding the continent are already being felt. Small-scale artisanal fishing and tourism are critical economic pillars for communities along Africas 30,500km coastline. Many of these are grappling with the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, warming waters and increasing ocean acidification, which has led to greater coastal erosion that has damaged infrastructure in West Africa. A warming Indian Ocean has damaged coral reefs that are essential for tourism, fishing, and the protection of the shoreline. One of the biggest threats to coastal and marine systems in Africa is climate change, says Yuvan A. Beejadhur, team leader on ocean economy at the World Bank, adding, The impacts are already being detected in many areas of the continent. According to Beejadhur, natural resources specialist, sea temperatures in coastal boundary systems may continue to increase over the next few decades and centuries. If current trends continue, sea temperatures will increase from 0.62C to 0.85C over the next few years and from 2.44C to 3.32C over the long term, he warns. This will mean Africa will need a cascade in financing. It will require significant funds, finance and investments that need to be unlocked, leveraged and catalysed for building resilient and climate-smart ocean economies, he predicts. Jacqueline Alder, manager of Global Partnerships for Responsible Fisheries at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), also notes the significant impact on coastal infrastructure of coastal erosion. Fishery landing sites have been forced to move, resulting in higher fishing costs. In some cases poorer quality fish has led to lower market prices. In addition, more frequent flooding has affected coastal systems, with runoff from the storms ending up in the oceans, reducing the salinity of the water and causing fish to move farther offshore. Consequently fishermen have to travel farther to catch fish, or they dont fish at all, she says. In Mozambique, coastal erosion due to rising sea levels has significantly altered the coastline, says Eugenio Joao Muiange, the director of the National Institute of the Sea and Boundaries. When we look at old maps and compare them with now, we see lots of changes. Small islands and sandbars have disappeared. Erosion has eaten land 2-3km inland, he adds. When we look for a reason, we can only reach one conclusion that it is sea-level rise. Coastal erosion has led to the displacement of communities in West Africa and has already resulted in economic losses of about 2.3% of GDP in Togo alone, the World Bank reported in 2016. Ronald Jumeau, permanent representative of the Seychelles to the UN, says many of these trends have been noticed for years yet were poorly understood. Coastal erosion in West Africa has been huge, he says, and as a consequence many people have been forced to abandon their communities on the coast and look inland for new opportunities. Suddenly it becomes a political issue, he says, adding, Theres a demographic shift underway. African countries often lack the data, the computing power and the analytical ability to take action, Jumeau points out. Another result of climate change is ocean acidification. As the ocean absorbs greater amounts of carbon dioxide, it becomes more acid, and its changing chemistry poses a threat to coral reefs and biodiversity. About 30% of carbon dioxide caused by human activity dissolves into the oceans, and the increased acidity prevents organisms that depend on calcium carbonate from producing shells and skeletons. Fisheries in the western Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa mainly depend on coral reefs, Jumeau points out. Increased coral bleaching and mortality (generally caused by warming ocean temperatures) will have negative effects on fisheries, fishery-related employment and nutrition. Corals across the western Indian Ocean declined by an average of more than 35% after bleaching events in 1998, 2010 and 2016. Such events have an economic cost: the coral bleaching event in 1998 cost the scuba dive tourism industry an estimated $2.2m in Zanzibar and up to $15.09m in Mombasa, Kenya. Acidification of the ocean Coral reefs in the Seychelles also suffered from the 1998 bleaching event, which was caused by warming from an El Nino weather phenomenon, but other bleaching events have also affected the country, recalls Jumeau. Some reefs have since been restored to health; others have not. Coral reefs are an essential tourist attraction and provide protection from coastal erosion for the hotels on the islands. Around 2.5-million tourists per year visit the tropical coast area of Egypt; 23% of these tourists come specifically to dive, and a further 33% participate in snorkelling activities. Cognisant of the destructive impact of climate change on the oceans around Africa, affected countries came together at the African Ministerial Conference on Ocean Economies and Climate Change in Mauritius in September last year to assess the challenges faced by coastal and marine systems in Africa and discuss the need to develop climate-ready ocean economies. And last November, at the 2016 Marrakech Climate Conference held in Egypt, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the FAO announced an African package for climate-resilient ocean economies, an ambitious bundle of technical and financial assistance focused on measures to build resilience, reduce vulnerability, develop early warning systems and optimise carbon sequestration. Between 2017 and 2020, the initiative will mobilise between $500m and $900m and implement programmess linked to climate change adaptation and mitigation. World Bank experts caution that without action, fish catches are projected to drop because of climate change possibly by one half in Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo, according to the FAO. These ambitious programmes aimed at strengthening the resilience of African coastal communities are critical to meeting the challenges and opportunities of climate change, especially for vulnerable Small Island Development States, observes Maria Helena Semedo, FAOs deputy director-general for natural resources. African coastal communities are some of the most affected by climate change, she continues. FAO is fully engaged and ready to be at the heart of these significant developments to work alongside countries and communities to reduce their vulnerabilities, build their resilience, and maximize opportunities emerging from climate change. The African package for climate-resilient ocean economies is composed of five flagship programmes, and each will have its own focus as well as sharing knowledge and best practices with the others. In North Africa, the focus will start with fisheries, aquaculture and ocean observation systems; West African priorities will include fisheries, combating coastal erosion, and building tourism; in Central Africa, stretching from Cameroon to Angola, priorities will include a focus on safety at sea; East Africa will develop its aquaculture and tourism; and the Small Island Developing States, often the most dependent on the oceans and the most vulnerable to disaster and erosion, will focus on the development of an economy designed for sustainable development, generally referred to by experts as the blue economy. African countries will be participating in the Ocean Conference to be held this year in New York from 5-9 June, which is aimed at promoting the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (life below water). The goal calls for action to address a range of ocean issues, including protecting marine biodiversity, reducing overfishing and addressing ocean acidification and marine pollution. The Sahel has been battered by drought due to climate change. Article published courtesy of Africa Renewal. ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire - The first edition of the Design Market, an event to celebrate and promote contemporary design in Africa, will open its doors on June 3-4, 2017 in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The Design Market is a new, upscale market that features talented designers, artists and makers from across the African continent. The first edition will take place June 3-4 in the city of Abidjan in Cote dIvoire. At the Design Market, visitors will have a unique opportunity to meet and shop directly from great designers from all over Africa, discover one-of-a-kind goods, and support their local economy. The weekend-long market will take place at Office 101, a co-working and events space located in the neighborhood of Cocody. Besides an exclusive shopping experience, the Design Market offers a fun community event along with music, cultural exchange and a wide selection of specialty foods and beverages made locally in Cote dIvoire. The Design Market is produced by Dabira, a company founded and led by Charlotte Ashamu, an economic development specialist and recipient of the Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship awarded annually by billionaire, Mo Ibrahim. We want to showcase home-grown African design talent. Our goals are to help designers and small businesses grow, to inject money into the local and regional economy, and open peoples eyes to the fact that amazing, quality products are made in Africa," said Ashamu. The Design Market will feature a curated exhibition of top-quality designers and products ranging from fashion to home decor to jewelry. In total, over 10 emerging and established designers from five countries in Africa will showcase their work. They include: The pioneering Ivorian artist and photographer, Paul Sika, recognised for his unique style called photomaking. Malis award-winning designer and cultural activist, Awa Meite, winner of La reussite au Feminin 2016 award at the 2016 Afro Fashion Week. Ghana's Madonna Kendona and her socially conscious womens clothing brand, Raffia, which provides employment opportunities to women weavers in Northern Ghana. The trendy shoe brand, Nio Far, created by emerging Senegalese designer, Milcos Badji, using traditional textiles and unique patterns. Miss Wude, an exquisite line of leather accessories created by the designer couple, Cecile and Mbor Ndiaye, in Senegal. Nigerias Ty Tys, a range of mens neckwear and accessories all hand-made using aso-oke, a traditional Nigerian textile, and the highly acclaimed menswear designer, Kelechi Odu, whose collections have showcased at the Lagos Fashion and Design Week. Contemporary ready-to-wear womens fashion brands, Yalerri and Needlepoint, made in Cote dIvoire and Nigeria respectively, incorporating African prints. Weaver and textile designer, Johanna Bramble, based in Senegal and working with architects and designers around the world. Jean Servais Somian, an Ivorian furniture and interior designer renowned for his traditional canoes transformed into sofas and mirrors, and pieces made out of coconut trunks. Visitors will also have the opportunity to discover specialty foods and beverages made locally in Cote dIvoire from coffee to natural fruits. The food entrepreneurs who will be present include Ivory Blue, Couleur Cafe and Nuage de Douceurs. Risk vs. reward. For those investing in multi-million dollar projects in some of the poorest parts of Africa, it is incumbent upon us to come down on the right side of that balance. Our deals involve going into partnership and taking ownership in major public works that have a direct impact on the lives of millions, which is why it is important for us to factor in the long-term developmental and social outcomes of the work that we do. Identifying and supporting high-growth industries whose success has the capacity to make tangible, positive socio-economic outcomes are, therefore, a constructive and responsible strategy. In Angola, which has significant developmental challenges right across the country, we have identified and supported several industrial sectors that have strong socio-economic potential. One of our most recent is a company whose success will have a very clear short, medium and long-term impact on communities in Angola. We also believe that it will have a net positive effect on the natural environment. Image Supplied The goal for the company involved, Estrela da Floresta, is to create a completely new sustainable forestry company that develops new forestry plantations and rehabilitates older plantations that have been neglected. The plantations are in the provinces of Huambo, Benguela, Huila and Bie. Generating long-term value For us to know that we are doing the right thing by investing in timber plantations, we needed to have an assurance that the initiative is sustainable and, most importantly, commercially viable without long-term state support. This is obviously critical knowledge for investors, who we have a duty towards. But for the project to deliver gains for investors and the people of Angola, the Estrela project must become a truly competitive global player in the forest industry sector. As an investment company that has expertise in the nuances of the Angolan society and economy, we can support Estrela da Floresta on that important journey in the development of best practices through industry benchmarking, research and development. And we can advise on the complexities of moving into large plantations that in some areas have been logged illegally by foreign companies. In many cases, disused plantations have been turned into small subsistence farms that provide a living for poor rural communities. These are important considerations for all of us involved in the project. Those considerations played an important part in our decision to invest in Estrela da Floresta because the potential for community upheaval in such a scenario is significant. So too is the prospect of environmental damage. These are two troubling issues that investors will always be cautious of. Estrela da Florestas USP is its focus on creating a sustainable ecosystem a self-sustaining business model that will create new commercial opportunities by bringing to the market products that have been traditionally difficult to access in the African continent. Importantly, it actively promotes sustainable forestry practices across Africa, implementing of measures that protect the natural habitat. This includes the protection of local flora and fauna, in addition to considering local communities and their traditional rights. The Company deploys specially trained community liaison managers to work with small subsistence farmers: not to ease them away from the development but to involve them by means of sustaining themselves through involvement in the project. This includes offering skills and work experience to people living in such communities. An economic catalyst From a commercial perspective, Estrela da Floresta provides investors and community stakeholders with confidence by contributing to the widening timber supply gap right across the continent in addition to acting as a catalyst for a new supply chain and job creation. It is anticipated that 97% of jobs created will be for Angolan nationals, across all four provinces, with projections of 6,000 new jobs in Huambo and 4,000 in the Province of Benguela. Environmentally, harvesting the countrys existing mature plantations (part of the companys scope of work) will have a positive environmental impact by reducing pressure on natural forests in other African countries. The new plantations will be established and managed to meet internationally recognised standards for environmental, social and economic sustainability. These man-made plantations are good news for the natural environment and socio-economic growth. Sustainable, ethical and community-friendly logging practices on man-made plantations are a win-win for the country, its people, and the natural environment. And for large investment companies that are seeking to deliver reliable returns to investors over the long-term, projects such as Estrela da Floresta represent a valid and responsible success story. Advertising Week, the world's largest annual gathering of marketing, media, and technology leaders, makes its long-anticipated debut in Africa on 14-19 February 2023, after the planned launch was delayed by the global pandemic. 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. Kristina: Last year, consumers began talking about the creep factor of online personalization. What is it that theyre finding creepy and how can CRM professionals counteract that? Tara Kelly, Founder, President & CEO, SPLICE Software: Brands have access to so much consumer data now, and that presents them with an incredible opportunity, but its so important to use it wisely. The most effective way marketers can avoid the creepy factor is to establish and meet consumer expectations about data use, just as they would in any relationship. For example, if you meet someone and give him your email address, then receive a text from him, that could come off as stalkerish you didnt give him your mobile number. He looked it up, which seems vaguely creepy, even though its publicly available information. Its about expectations and levels of permission. Kristina: Are brands getting personalization wrong? Tara: Many brands are getting personalization wrong, but the good news is, there are more tools than ever now they can use to get it right. One of the worst ways brands go astray with personalization is misapplying data. Its important to have accurate, up-to-date information. And brands should also gather customer preferences and permission when obtaining contact information. Asking customers for permission to contact them and reaching out on the customers preferred channels helps brands avoid the creepy factor. Kristina: What are your top 3 tips for brands and CRM professionals to better use customer data to engage? Tara: 1. Get customers permission to contact them, and ask about their communication channel preferences, e.g., text, voice, social media, etc. Then make sure you respect their preferences. 2. Always offer something of value in exchange for customer data and permission to contact them. If you make every communication worth their while, you can successfully engage customers. 3. Make sure you deliver a consistent brand experience to customers across all channels. An SMS message that invites a customer to visit a mobile site should deliver customers there seamlessly, and all channels should have consistent branding and use customer data in a consistent way. At the meeting with Border Guard Police, village administrators were warned that while residents of the Muslim-majority township may violate curfew during the month of Ramadan, they may not host any overnight guests. Security forces remain deployed in northern Rakhine State following a thundering counter-insurgency crackdown that officially ran from last October through February. By the UNs count, nearly 100,000 residents have fled over the border to Bangladesh since the clearance operations began. At the May 20 meeting, the village elders informed the police that residents would need to wake up around midnightthroughout the holy fasting month, and asked for official permission. Border Guard Police granted permission for Maungdaw residents to break curfew during Ramadan, but cautioned that they must not provide shelter to strangers, and anyone caught doing so will face retaliation, according to those who said they attended the meeting. The authorities called the meeting to instruct the villages not to shelter those people in the villages who are working against government, said a politician who declined to be named. Rukon, a village elder from Maungdaw, said the meeting was called by BGP number 7. Mohin, a self-described Rohingya activist, said that village administrators and elders from seven local villages participated in the meeting, which was held at the high school in Aley Than Kyaw Village. According to participants, the BGP officers asked about who was willing to accept National Verification Cards, who could go into the forest to collect firewood, and who could go the river to fish. Biala, a village administrative officer, said he asked for and received permission for the residents to wake up early during Ramadan. Maungdaw township is subject to a 9pm to 5am curfew, and residents many not assemble in groups of five or more in in public places. On May 29, the KNUs standing committee urged all organizations to help de-escalate the situation. Residents from the Pha La Kho area and the Ei Tu Hta IDP camp staged protests on May 15 and May 24 calling for the immediate removal of the Tatmadaw encampments. Since the KNU signed a preliminary ceasefire in 2012, the number of camps erected by the Tatmadaws Brigade 5 in Hpapun district has increased from 65 to 81, according to a statement released by the protesters from the Ei Tu Hta IDP camp. Major Saw Ka Leh Doh from the KNUs Hpapun District office, said the residents want the Tatmadaw brigade to leave so that they can feel safe to return to their homes. The local residents want to go back to their areas since we are in the ceasefire era. We believe they made the demands for the withdrawal of the military camps as they believe it is necessary before they can move back, he said. The displaced families said with food rations discontinued at the camp, they need find shelter elsewhere, but dont feel safe to leave if they have to pass through the Tatmadaws stomping ground. The statement released by the protesters specifically called for the removal of 17 encampments along the highway. There are still military camps in our areas. There are also landmines. The existing military camps are very close to our area. So we are worried about problems returning home. We can only return only after our leaders meet and resolve these issues, said Saw Nyar Htal, chair of the Ei Tu Hta IDP camp. Pdoh Saw Hla Tun, joint secretary of the KNU, said the KNU will do what it can to meet the request. As this issue concerns the [Burmese] military, the Burma Army will need to the lead the solution. We will need to review the issues of resettlement and withdrawing troops during a military meeting, he said. Translated by Thida Linn Edited by Laignee Barron The displaced villagers began arrived at the Shwe Myin Thar Monastery in Namtu township on May 11. The villagers wanted to go back home. There were around 300 villagers from Hsaik Hkawng Group taking shelter at Shwe Myin Thar Monastery. There are 147 people left after the residents starting leaving in small groups. Now, the last group has already visited their village to check out the situation, said Sai Ba Nyan from the Namtu Township Committee for Assisting Refugees. Sai Ba Nyan said that more than 500 people from Manton township are still living in Namtu since they were displaced last year. A total of 534 people 235 male and 281 female from 126 households are still here. They still cant go back home, he said. Displaced families have been taking shelter at various sites in Namtu, Kyaukme, Muse, Namhkam, and Kutkai townships due to the clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Northern Alliance, and between the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and the TNLA. Translated by Thida Linn Edited by Laingnee Barron It is sad to look at Myanmar today and realize what could have been. When the country of Burma gained independence from British... Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION ST. PETERSBURG (PTI): India and Russia on Thursday agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the aviation sector by setting up joint ventures in the field of manufacturing, as India is set to become the third largest global aviation market by 2020. "The Regional Connectivity Scheme of the government of India provides an opportunity for strengthening cooperation in joint production and setting up of joint ventures in India in the field of aviation manufacturing to serve the demand created," according to vision documents, issued after the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The move is aimed to cater to increasing exports and demands of India's regional air connectivity scheme. The Civil Aviation Policy, 2016, too, provides incentives for made-in-India aircraft and encourages global OEMs for establishing aircraft assembly plant in India, including fast-tracking clearances. India is the fastest growing aviation market in the world and has become the third largest domestic aviation market in terms of domestic passenger traffic, beating Japan, according to Sydney-based aviation think-tank Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). India's domestic air passenger traffic stood at 100 million in 2016 and was behind only the US (719 million) and China (436 million), as per CAPA. This is likely to grow manifold with the launch of government's UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) scheme that seeks to take flying to the masses with airfares capped at Rs 2,500 per hour. The joint declaration also focuses on development of high speed railways, dedicated freight corridors, new technologies for efficient rail transport as well as ship-building and river navigation. ST. PETERSBURG (PTI): India will formally become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) within a week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday as he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the annual bilateral summit. Welcoming Modi, Putin said, "The most important thing is the trust and friendship in our relationship between our countries and our people." "I am glad to have this opportunity to meet you and discuss the whole spectrum of bilateral relations and international relations," the Russian president told Modi. "As far as our international cooperation goes, one thing I would like to point out, in one week, India is becoming full-fledged member of the SCO," he said. "I would like to remind that process was launched in 2015 in Ufa, Russia. Russia has always supported this and given full assistance to it," Putin said. The SCO is a political, economic, and military bloc founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. "Very soon, in one week, we are going to meet in Kazakhstan (for SCO)" where India's membership will be confirmed, he told Modi. Reciprocating the warm welcome, Modi said that he was privileged to have been able to visit Putin's hometown as Prime Minister. "India, Russia friendship is very old, deep and based on trust. India and Russia have always been together on international issues," he said. Modi thanked Putin for his "active role" in getting India SCO membership. "I thank you for all the initiatives taken," he said. Putin noted that this year Russia and India mark the 70th anniversary since establishing diplomatic relations. "Normally, in international relations there are ups and downs. But history is witness, there have been no ups and downs in Indo-Russia relations. We have always moved forward," Modi said. Not just on bilateral issues, but even on international issues, India and Russia have cooperated keeping the objective of Sarvajan Sukhaia, bahujan sukhay (for the welfare, happiness of all), he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the India-Russia CEOs' meeting, at Konstantin Palace, in St. Petersburg, Russia on June 01, 2017. A PIB photo ST. PETERSBURG (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday invited Russian companies to partner Indian firms in setting up manufacturing facilities to make high-tech defence equipment in India. Addressing CEOs of the two countries after the annual bilateral summit in St. Petersburg, Modi said India had last month approved a policy to allow local private companies to work with foreign players to manufacture defence equipment in a bid to cut reliance on imports. "India is sixth biggest manufacturer in the world and we want to raise the share of manufacturing in GDP from 16 per cent to 25 per cent," he said. The government, he said, has approved a strategic partnership in defence between Indian and foreign companies. "I invite Russian companies to join Indian companies in setting up manufacturing base taking advantage of the new policy," he said. The policy allows the entry of private companies into the manufacture of submarines, fighter aircraft and armoured vehicles through foreign partnerships. Modi, who wants to reverse India's dependence on imports by building a local manufacturing industry, asked Russian firms to "come work with Indian companies" in defence. The just approved policy allows Indian companies to partner with global defence majors "to seek technology transfers and manufacturing know-how to set up domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains." With Russian President Putin by his side, Modi said the 70-year old Indo-Russian relations are based on trust. "Relations have broadened and stood the test of time," he said, adding Russia has stood by India at international forums. Trade, commerce, innovation and engineering are of immense importance in this era, Modi said, adding companies from Russia should explore the opportunities in India and collaborate with the industry. "Defence is a key area where India and Russia can cooperate. I appreciate President Putin's role in enhancing India-Russia ties," Modi said. Illustration of the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft approaching the Sun. Image credit: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory WASHINGTON (PTI): NASA is set to launch the world's first mission to the Sun next year, that will explore our star's atmosphere and answer questions about solar physics that have puzzled scientists for over six decades. The Parker Solar Probe has been named in honour of pioneering astrophysicist Eugene Parker, who predicted the existence of the solar wind nearly 60 years ago, the US space agency announced Thursday. "This is the first time NASA has named a spacecraft for a living individual," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The spacecraft, about the size of a small car, is loaded with technological breakthroughs that will solve many of the largest mysteries about our star, including finding out why the Sun's corona is so much hotter than its surface. Parker Solar Probe will travel through the Sun's atmosphere, closer to the surface than any spacecraft before it, facing brutal heat and radiation conditions and ultimately providing humanity with the closest-ever observations of a star, NASA said. To perform these unprecedented investigations, the spacecraft and instruments will be protected from the Sun's heat by a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield. The spacecraft is set to be launched during a 20-day window that opens on July 31, 2018 from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. "The solar probe is going to a region of space that has never been explored before," said Parker, Professor at the University of Chicago in the US. "It is very exciting that we will finally get a look. One would like to have some more detailed measurements of what is going on in the solar wind. I am sure that there will be some surprises. There always are," Parker said. In the 1950s, Parker proposed a number of concepts about how stars including our Sun - give off energy. He called this cascade of energy the solar wind, and he described an entire complex system of plasmas, magnetic fields and energetic particles that make up this phenomenon. Parker also theorised an explanation for the superheated solar atmosphere, the corona, which is contrary to what was expected by physics laws hotter than the surface of the Sun itself. Many NASA missions have continued to focus on this complex space environment defined by our star a field of research known as heliophysics. "Parker Solar Probe is going to answer questions about solar physics that we have puzzled over for more than six decades," said Parker Solar Probe Project Scientist Nicola Fox, of the Johns Hopkins University. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the joint media briefing at Konstantin Palace, St. Petersburg, in Russia on June 01, 2017. A PIB photo ST. PETERSBURG (PTI): President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia does not have any "tight" military relationship with Pakistan, and asserted that its close friendship with India cannot be diluted. During an exclusive interaction, Putin told PTI that there is no other country in the world with which Russia has such "deep cooperation" in delicate areas including missile technology, and it benefits from cooperation with India. But at the same time, Putin sidestepped a question on Kashmir, and said "it is up to you" to assess whether Pakistan is fuelling terrorism in the Indian state. "But no matter where the threat comes, it is unacceptable and we will always support India in its fight against terrorism," he added. Putin further said that just because Russia has a "special relationship" with India, it does not mean India should be restricted in having contacts with other "partnering countries. This is ridiculous." "We do not have any tight (military) relations with Pakistan. The US, Do you have (close relations)?," he said, speaking through an interpreter. "And for sure our relations with Pakistan have no impact on trade between India and Russia." Sitting around a rectangular table with a select group of 10 global news agency editors, the 64-year-old Russian leader took questions one by one on subjects related not only of interest to the editors' countries but also of wider global concerns such as Syria, US President Donald Trump and the future of an emerging multi-polar world. "India is a huge country of more than 1 billion population. Russia is also a huge country. Both Russia and India have a lot of context and mutual interests. We are respectful toward all Indian interests," he said, citing the deep defence relations between the two countries. "I don't think we should push figures here in our military cooperation because it has an unprecedented level in its volume and quality. (But) there is no other country in the world that we have such deep cooperation in delicate areas such as missiles, and we benefit with cooperation with India. And this results from our trust-based relations with India," he said. He did not elaborate, but this was a clear reference to the Russia's long willingness to share high-end defence technology including missile technology with India, which most other countries restrict. On a question if Russia will use its influence to get Pakistan to stop terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "We will always support India in its fight against terrorism. I believe Pakistan is taking immense steps to stabilise the situation in the country." He noted that India and Russia, as part of their summit, are "having a frank dialogue on all these threats. India for us is one of our closest friends. We not only understand each other but also support each other." The interaction was held at the Konstantin Palace, a sprawling complex of grand buildings filled with 18th century paintings, porcelain, lawns, waterways and pavilions overlooking the Gulf of Finland. Prithvi II missile being test fired. A file photo BALASORE, ODISHA (PTI): India on Friday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II ballistic missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army. The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near Balasore at around 0950 hours IST, official sources said. The trial of the sophisticated missile was successful and the mission objectives were met, they said. The Prithvi-II missile is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target with precision and accuracy. The state-of-the-art missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC) and monitored by the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise, a DRDO scientist said. "The missile trajectory was tracked by the DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha," the sources said. Teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown. In salvo mode, two Prithvi-II missiles were successfully test fired in quick succession from the same base, on November 21, 2016. Inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003, the nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). ST. PETERSBURG (TASS-DEFENCE): The President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has announced the country's readiness to deliver S-400 air defence systems (ADS) to Ankara. The manufacturing of the ADS in Turkey depends on the preparedness of the Turkish industry, he said at a meeting with the CEOs of the world's news agencies. "We have discussed the S-400 sales and we are ready [to do this]. Regarding cooperation, it is a separate issue related to the preparedness of the Turkish industry. We do not produce such hardware abroad," Putin said answering the question by the head of the Anatolian agency. The President alluded to the Russian-Indian joint production of the BRAHMOS missile. "It [the production] takes decades, as the high level of the technological and human resources development is required. However, everything is possible. We are ready to deliver these newest and most effective systems, not a problem at all. The [Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan knows this, as well as our military and its Turkish colleagues," Putin pointed out. The S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile system. ST PETERSBRUG (PTI): Russia on Thursday said it was preparing to supply the S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both governments were "simply discussing" the terms. Pre-contract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters in St. Petersburg. "Pre-contract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India," he said. "It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms," Russia's official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to this Russian city. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over US$ five billion, and collaborate in making four state-of-art-frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. The first 'Project 75' class submarine, INS Kalvari. NEW DELHI (PTI): The second Scorpene-class submarine is ready for surface sea trials, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said Thursday and congratulated engineers of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) where it has been built. "Congratulations to MDL engineers as their efforts have moved the second Scorpene class submarine for surface sea trials," Jaitley tweeted. The first Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari has already undergone various trials and is expected to be inducted into the Indian Navy later this year. The Defence Minister said the Scorpene-class submarines will significantly enhance India's naval prowess. "These Scorpene class submarines will not only add to our future naval power & strengthen defence but also make our ocean safe & secure," he said in another tweet. Six Scorpene-class submarines are being built under 'Project 75' of the Navy. The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. NEW DELHI (PTI): The strategic partnership policy in defence will help attract FDI as global investors would be assured of orders, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said on Thursday. He said unless the opening of the FDI rules is accompanied by some reasonable possibility of getting orders, an investor is not going to set up an establishment in the country. Entry of foreign investors "is linked to the kind of orders they will get and the only entity which can place the orders is the Government of India. "There are no two procurers, there is only one and that is why the strategic partner policy now has been brought in as it will supplement the FDI policy," he said when asked about the reasons of poor response of investors in the sector. Whether the strategic partner comes through FDI route or the investor comes with just a technology tie up, they would be free to do so, he added. Seen as a major initiative, the 'strategic partnership model' aims to create a vibrant defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country through involvement of both the major Indian corporates as well as the MSME sector. Under the policy, select private firms will be roped in to build military platforms like submarines and fighter jets in India in partnership with foreign entities. In 2016, the government relaxed FDI norms in several sectors including defence. India imports 70 per cent of its military hardware from different countries. As per the policy, foreign investment up to 49 per cent has been permitted in the defence sector through automatic route, and beyond that limit through government route on case to case basis, wherever it is likely to result in access to modern and state-of-art technology. The minister stated that the FDI changes in the sector opened the door and effort is to encourage them to set up facilities in the country. "They are enabling. They themselves do not ensure that immediately the entry of participants will take place and the reason is very simple that there is only one purchaser within India and thats the Government of India," he said. Talking about the procurement proposals, Jaitley said under the Defence Procurement Policy, a particular mechanism is there by which decisions are being taken. "The manner in which the proposals have been cleared by the defence acquisition council over the last three years is unprecedented when you compare it with the inaction during the previous regime," he added. During April 2000 and March this year, defence sector has attracted FDI worth only USD 5.12 million (Rs 25.49 crore). Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. After nearly three years at the helm, president Gervan Fearon is leaving Brandon University. Fearon will move on to become Brock Universitys next president and vice-chancellor, effective Aug. 1. Speaking with The Brandon Sun on Thursday evening, Fearon said one of the main reasons for the move is to be closer to family in Ontario. There are so many really wonderful things about the university and about Brandon as a community that it definitely is a hard item, he said. Weve got family in the Toronto area kids and parents and the like, so its one of those life-balance considerations as well. Brandon University president Gervan Fearon joins students and supporters as they march throughout the campus last November during the All Out! national day of action in support of accessible, affordable education for all Canadians. Fearon is moving on to become Brock Universitys next president and vice-chancellor, effective Aug. 1 Over the next few months, Fearon will assist with the transition at BU, in an effort to ensure there is minimal disruption to current initiatives and programs. Fearon arrived in Brandon in 2013 when he was hired as provost and vice-president academic. In August 2014, he was appointed president for a five-year term. Fearon was a trailblazer in more ways than one. He was the first black person to head a post-secondary institution in Canada. Just last month, the Black Canadian Studies Association honoured Fearon at its conference held in Brandon. That was, I think, a huge step for him, personally and culturally in Canada, said Nick Brown, Brandon University Students Union president. BU gave him that opportunity here, and thats a stepping stone now, onto a larger institution. Brown said Fearon will be missed by students, as he has been very approachable during his term. Hes been a very public face that students look up to, compared to some of our previous presidents who were absent from student life on campus, Brown said. When asked what some of the highlights have been over the past few years, Fearon praised the outstanding team that worked on the universitys new academic plan. That really consolidated where we want to go as a university, in terms of undergraduate and graduate programs, he said, citing last years six per cent enrolment increase, and 30 per cent increase in graduate studies. Hes proud of what BU has done to increase indigenous and international enrolment, as well as community engagement. Fearon had his share of challenges as well, perhaps most notable was the controversy surrounding BUs handling of a sexual violence complaint. This came to light in April 2016 and drew the attention of national media outlets. The school faced harsh criticism for its use of a behavioural contract, which was described as nothing more than a gag order on the complainant. The ordeal sparked some major changes at the university, including the creation of a Sexual Assault Advisory Group that lead to new positions devoted to sexualized violence prevention. Earlier this year, a campus sexualized violence policy was passed unanimously by the BU Board of Governors. An understanding that I came to very early in the process was being able to recognize, that the issue was part of a broader dialogue, and a broader social change, and a broader societal context, Fearon said. Fearon is proud of how the university responded, which included a broad consultation process, engaging experts, faculty, staff and students. It stands as a really good testament to what universities can do in terms of addressing challenges, and making the university environment a better place for students and everybody there as well, he said. The university has not yet announced details on plans to find a new president, but according to BUSU, they expect an official search to be launched by the end of this month. In the meantime, according to Brown, Steven Robinson, vice-president academic, will be stepping up as acting president. One major project Fearon is thrilled to see moving ahead is the massive downtown development that will include student residence, senior housing and classroom space. Announced in February, the project is described as transformational, and would span the entire vacant area along Princess Avenue, between Ninth and 10th streets, adjacent to the former Strand Theatre. We are definitely moving forward, and I think many of the plans on that forward motion will be in place even before I leave, Fearon said. jaustin@brandonsun.com Twitter: @jillianaustin Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A short delay caused by a bagpipe hiccup didnt steal away any of the excitement of 1,203 Assiniboine Community College graduates who flooded into Westman Place in the Keystone Centre for their convocation ceremony on Thursday. The seats were filled with proud families and friends cheering and applauding for their loved ones decked out in burgundy caps and gowns. It never loses its excitement, ACC president Mark Frison said. Ive presided over more than 100 graduation ceremonies in my almost 13 years of being a college president and it never gets any less exciting. Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun Educational assistant student Leanne Cooke from Waywayseecappo First Nation holds a feather while she sits with her peers during the Assiniboine Community College graduation ceremony on Thursday afternoon at Westman Place. The number of graduates this year is 26 per cent higher than last year, which saw 948 students receive their parchment at the same ceremony. A total of 932 students graduated from 50 certificate and diploma programs in addition to 171 students who completed one of seven trade apprenticeship programs. A further 100 students also completed certificates or documents of achievement. The Brandon grad this year is actually bigger than all the graduates for the college combined last year and this year well grow by a larger factor again, Frison said. In addition to the ACC grads receiving diplomas, ACC also awarded Phil Fontaine with an honorary diploma in community development for the work he has done in First Nation communities across Manitoba. Its a real honour, Fontaine said. Im one in a large number of people from the First Nation community that have played a significant role in working to better the lives of our communities to make our communities better, safer places. Together we have made a vital contribution to the Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun Assiniboine Community College students Connor Johnson, Clayton Heinrichs, Tyler Real, Colby Cullen, Tyler Clarke, Dillan Plews, Will Sikora and Chris Single crowd around the camera lens for an unusual picture to mark their graduation day, Thursday afternoon. well-being of our communities and in turn, they represent a significant contribution to Canada. The Province of Manitoba also awarded two Lieutenant Governors Silver Medals to graduates who excelled academically, displayed strength of character and contributed to the college and community in a meaningful way. This years recipients were heavy duty equipment technician graduate Michael McFadden and land and water management graduate Paiten Harapiak. Shonah Rathwell, a hotel and restaurant management graduate, spoke as valedictorian. The main message for the graduates from many of the presenters and speakers during the ceremony was to reflect on the past, look toward the future and make a difference. Im hopeful for their future, Frison said. Often times were bombarded with things that would make us think that the current times are dismal and that the future has lots of challenges. Theres no question that there will be challenges, but I actually hold out a lot of hope because of the graduates. They will have lots to contribute to the development of this country. Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun hotel and restaurant management graduate Shonah Rathwell serves up the valedictory address during the Assiniboine Community College graduation ceremony on Thursday afternoon. edebooy@brandonsun.com Twitter: @erindebooy Already have an account? Log in here We need your support! Local journalism needs your support! As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $4.99/month you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Michele Sleshinski and her daughter, Annagh, took turns adjusting each others caps and gowns on Thursday afternoon, each making sure the other looked perfect for their big day. The cap is pretty easy to adjust, just pull it down if it starts slipping make sure and keep your purse under your gown, that way you dont have to worry about it during the ceremony, Michele told Annagh, who followed her mothers directions without question. After all, this was Micheles fourth time graduating from Assiniboine Community College. Erin DeBooy/The Brandon Sun Annagh Sleshinski hugs her mom, Michele, on their graduation day from Assiniboine Community College. The mother-daughter duo graduated from the education assistant program on Thursday afternoon. Through ACC, Michele has received her high school diploma through the Adult Collegiate, her health-care aide certificate, and her horticultural production certificate. Yesterday, she walked across the stage to collect her education assistant certificate this year, Annagh was by her side, accepting her own certificate in the same program. Its really unique, I havent heard of anyone else having this experience, Annagh said. Its pretty special. (Annagh) woke up this morning and was like, Oh my gosh, my stomach hurts Im so nervous, and I said, You know what? Your mother is literally going to be there every step of the way with you, because were even sitting together, Michele said with a laugh. I thought it would be a really good milestone for us. Weve been through so much together. Shes the one child I was blessed with and were really tight, so its just important to us. The Sleshinskis havent had an easy road. Michele had a seven-year long battle with cancer when Annagh was young, going through multiple rounds of chemotherapy something Annagh struggled to watch. I had to grow up pretty fast, but thats not a bad thing, Annagh said. I shaved my head for my mom when she lost her hair during chemo, so I had no hair through Grade 5 and 6. This week also marks another milestone for Michele she is now seven years cancer-free. Its really great knowing that Im not going to lose her, Annagh said. Its a very exciting week, Michele added. We just always seemed to get the short end of the stick in life, so when good things happen to us we really try to grasp onto it and celebrate it. Michele and Annagh said their dream is to move to British Columbia in the next few years, open up a greenhouse with a dance studio attached where Annagh can teach dance classes. It would be a nice, fresh start, Michele said. Were just really looking forward to the future. edebooy@brandonsun.com twitter: @erindebooy Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Yesterday marked the beginning of the third annual Coast to Coaster event where a wide variety of interesting and unique beers from all over Canada are featured at Liquor Marts, beer vendors and bars/restaurants throughout the province. With this year marking Canadas 150, Im expecting some really interesting once-in-a-lifetime beers to come to Manitoba. The first batch includes IPA No. 2 by Collective Arts from Toronto, Robbie Scotch Ale by Farmery from Neepawa, and Raspberry Uber Berliner Weisse by Nickel Brook Brewing out of Burlington, Ont. IPA No. 2 is the beer Im looking forward to out of eight products here for the next 13 days. Collective Arts IPA No. 1 was so tasty that whenever I saw it in stock back in April, I would buy it every time. One beer I raved about in last years Coast to Coaster event was The Last Strawberry witbier by Fuggles & Warlock based in Vancouver. Its crazy that Fuggles & Warlock has only been bottling their beer for more than a year now, but we have been fortunate enough to get a decent selection of their products for such a new non-Manitoban brewery. The Last Strawberry has made its return to Manitoba, less than a year after first being profiled in Coast to Coaster. The Last Strawberry is described as being a refreshing Belgian wit brewed with fresh strawberries and sweetened with lactose delicately sweet and slightly tart. Ive sampled a lot of Belgian-style witbiers over the years and I honestly dont recall ever trying anything with lactose aside from this beer, so it is not a vegan-friendly product. The beer pours a heavy, peachy/orangey body with a good amount of creaminess throughout the glass. Theres barely any carbonation taking place in the beer and the head on top is minimal with a few bubbles here and there and a light amount of film around the side of the glass. The aroma is reminiscent of a Starbucks strawberry frappucinno as its very sweet with freshly pureed strawberries front and centre, and a pretty decent presence of lactose to give it a rich, creamy smell. Its somewhat sugary like jam and has a bit of a Belgian yeastiness to it that gives off a light dough aroma. Theres not really any presence of hops popping up in this brew. The taste of the Last Strawberry is pretty much reminiscent of the aroma and Im expecting to get bits of strawberry seeds in my teeth as I drink it, but surprisingly there are none. The beer is sweet with fresh pureed strawberries and lactose. The beer is creamy, smooth, easy to drink and has a light tartness with a hint of whipped cream at the very end. This isnt a beer I could drink often as its quite sweet and pretty heavy for a Belgian-style witbier, but with spring now here, this is a great dessert-themed beer that goes well with relaxing on the patio. According to a friend at Fuggles & Warlock, The Last Mango will be coming to Manitoba shelves later this year, so look out. Also, their Shiva White IPA is currently available on tap at the 10th Street and Victoria Avenue Liquor Mart growler bar. You can find this great strawberries and cream treat at Liquor Marts in Brandon and Dauphin for $6.50 per 650 ml bottle. Lastly, a few of your may remember that last week I reviewed Torque Brewings Red Line IPA. Red Line won bronze for American Amber/Red Ale at the 2017 Canadian Brewing Awards in Ottawa last weekend. Torque was the only Manitoba brewery to win an award this year, however, its only a matter of a year or two until we see multiple Manitoba breweries winning on the national scene for creating some of the best beer in all of Canada. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Sometimes, wine can be pure magic. You open a bottle and the aroma takes your breath away. In addition to rich and luscious notes of blackberry and fruits, herbs and woods, or flinty minerals and juicy tropical fruits, the sniff of a memorable wine can remind you of people and places, of good times shared, of occasions made all the more special because of that particular wines place in them. Rarely, but more often than you might think, a wine can smell so good that you almost dont want to drink it because the fragrance itself is head-spinningly intoxicating. The aroma transports you from the ordinary to the extraordinary. When you finally do force yourself to take a sip, what you taste is a melange of flavours that not only reflect the scent, which has already captivated you, but builds on those essences, adding layers and layers of taste that lead, finally, to the ultimate moment when the elixir finally slips down your throat and, after a moments pause, you utter a satisfied, Ahhhh. That pretty much sums up my experience with the Zuccardi Q Tempranillo. Very similar, at least in my opinion, to Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo is a black grape that makes beautiful, full-bodied red wines. The 2011 Zuccardi Q is made from 100 per cent Tempranillo grapes and boasts elements of blackcurrant and blackberry, plum and black cherries, complemented by notes of tobacco, leather and chocolate. I can also find traces of cedar and vanilla (likely from oak barrels), as well as some cinnamon and other spices on the finish. Its elegant and silky and an absolute pleasure to drink. Great on its own and terrific with food, the Zuccardi Q is flexible and fabulous. While Tempranillo is native to Spain (where its referred to as that countrys noble grape), the Zuccardi Q is an Argentinian product, and whether thats why I like it better than the Spanish Tempranillos Ive tried is anybodys guess. All I know is from the first moment I tasted it, it became my favourite Tempranillo. Its bold, rich and splendid. While Wikipedia suggests its not as aromatic as Cab Sauv and has a relatively neutral profile, I beg to differ. Or perhaps other Tempranillos are lesser than the Zuccardi Q. I dont know. But I think the Zuccardi Q Tempranillo is a beautiful wine, and Im betting many of the Cabernet fans out there will agree. If youve never had Tempranillo, and if you like big, gutsy red wine, I cant urge you more strongly to give the Zuccardi Q a try. Oh, and if youre a Malbec fan, you might like Tempranillo as well. And it just so happens theres a Zuccardi Q Malbec as well, and it, too, is fabulous. But the Tempranillo has won my heart, and my taste buds. And now is the perfect time to give the Zuccardi Q a try, since its on sale, for a limited time only, for the month of June. Regularly priced at $23.01, you can currently snag it for $20.71 a bottle. While thats only a reduction of $2.30, thats enough to pay the taxes on the bottle, so perhaps think of it as a save the tax sale, as well as a chance to enjoy a truly splendid wine just in time for grilling season. Burgers, ribs and steaks are a wonderful match, as are spicier dishes, such as Jamaican jerk chicken or pork. So if youre in the mood for food from the fire, select your favourite cut of meat and think barbe-(Zuccardi) Q! Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. It has long been an unduly harsh punishment to designate someone a convict because they got caught with marijuana. People convicted of a criminal offence, even as minor as marijuana possession, have a record that haunts them the rest of their lives. Convicts are automatically disqualified from many good jobs. Convicts cant volunteer on some boards, charity organizations and youth groups. Convicts are barred from crossing some international borders. The announcement in April by Health Minister Jane Philpott and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale that the government will legalize marijuana use by July 1, 2018, undoubtedly came as a relief to the tens of thousands of Canadians who were previously convicted of marijuana possession and are now tarred as convicts. They had reason to hope a government legalizing marijuana would also issue blanket pardons. After all, whats the sense in keeping convictions after the crime is no longer on the books? But the Trudeau government has stopped short of promising pardons for marijuana possession, even though a majority of Canadians think its a good idea. According to a poll last week by The Globe and Mail/Nanos Research, 62 per cent of Canadians support or somewhat support pardoning people with a criminal record for marijuana possession. Only 35 per cent of respondents say they oppose or somewhat oppose the move. The many groups lobbying for amnesty include the C.D. Howe Institute, which issued a report last year that describes the hardships faced by people with a marijuana conviction: If you have a criminal conviction, it automatically disqualifies you from a number of positions. Thats just economic waste. You have people on social assistance who could otherwise be employed and contribute to the economy. Its true that pardons are already possible for marijuana convicts. That process currently involves approaching the Parole Board of Canada for a record suspension, which partly seals a criminal record but is disregarded by officials including United States border services, which require a U.S. Entry Waiver, a separate process that is also complicated and expensive. As it currently stands, the pardon process for marijuana possession requires a high level of determination and skill at navigating bureaucracy or the financial resources to hire a lawyer. It doesnt have to be that way. The law is ever evolving, swayed by numerous factors including the public opinion of the citizens who submit to the rule of law. The support for legal sales of marijuana seems be shifting, according to a Hill+Knowlton Strategies survey released last weekend, showing approval has dropped to 43 per cent from polling done this time last year, which found 60 per cent of Canadians support pot sales. The survey found 41 per cent of Canadians feel Ottawa is rushing legalization, while 53 per cent said they feel the federal government is underestimating the overall impact it will have on society. This weeks survey indicates a growing realization that impending legalization of a recreational drug is a significant event, and citizens want the government to do it right. This includes declaring a blanket amnesty for citizens previously convicted of marijuana possession. Admittedly, it wont be as easy as waving a magic wand and instantly making the convictions disappear. It will be a big administrative task for justice officials to search the record of every Canadian convicted for possession of marijuana, and then expunge that conviction. Its worth reminding that such a high-profile pardon has been done before. As The Brandon Sun has pointed out in the past on this page, former prime minister Stephen Harper handed out pardons in 2012 for western Canadian farmers convicted of selling grain into the United States in the 1990s. In one particularly celebrated incident, Alberta rancher Jim Chatenay drove across the U.S. border in 1996 to donate a bag of wheat to a 4-H club in Montana. Chatenay knowingly tried to get around the law of the day, which stated that producers had to sell their wheat and barley through the Canadian Wheat Board or get export permits from the agency. He would eventually serve 23 days behind bars in 2002. In 2012, Harper said the producers who made these kinds of symbolic rebellions were responsible for first raising the monopoly issue in the minds of Canadians. For the current Liberal government to inflict travel and employment barriers on citizens because they were caught with a drug that the government now intends to legalize is unduly harsh. The precedent has already been set by Harper for making such pardons. Its clear a criminal record is more harmful than marijuana. To leave those convictions intact is a form of reefer madness. Winnipeg Free Press and The Brandon Sun Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Re: The Negative Social Impacts of Manitobas Hog Industry and the Implications for Social Sustainability (2002-03) by Theresa Vandean. A very interesting study paid for by the taxpayers of Manitoba, and highly recommended reading for all, including editors, and especially all those that are critical of the hog industrys old foe, HogWatch. The return of HogWatch Manitoba is welcome news for rural residents and all those who care about saving Lake Winnipeg and our water sources. I refer you to two recent articles: Census suggests explosion in Manitoba hog population of 18.7 per cent; and Hog Watchs Vicky Burns is suspicious as it raises a red flag for the environment and confirms a lack of trust in the hog industry, The Brandon Sun, May 26. The people who care and openly voice their concerns for animal rights, water sources and the state of our Lake Winnipeg are often referred to as activist/alarmists. Then what name title would be suitable, I ask, for those who pay very little attention or any regard to the perceived risks and consequences of manure and pollution issues? Growth comes at a cost that is more difficult to quantify. The success of intensive livestock operations often disparagingly referred to as factory farms that feed the processing plants in Brandon and Neepawa, comes on the backs of small, rural communities and rural families already struggling with demographic change and trying to live a normal way of life in an invasive and polluted environment. It has taken nearly five years for the Manitoba hog industry and our new Progressive Conservative government to formulate a plan to their liking, and now they are preparing to bombard the province with even more factory hog barns. According to Andrew Dickson, the general manager of the Manitoba Pork Council, another 50 to 70 hog barns are required to produce 1.2 million finishing hogs per year to satisfy the Maple Leaf and HyLife hog slaughter plants at Brandon and Neepawa. As I see it, this new plan is a lot more pig feces and stench, plus a complete disregard of our water sources and Lake Winnipeg. Welcome to Manitoba, the manure capital of modern civilization. John Fefchak Virden German prosecutors have expanded their investigation into suspected manipulation of diesel emissions at car maker Audi to include cars sold in Germany and Europe. The statement from prosecutors in Munich came a day after the transport ministry said the company used software that turned off emissions controls when vehicles were not being tested in 24,000 vehicles built between 2009 and 2013. Drug dealers, drunks and fighting are three of the things Dublin children want to see less of. A new report, Building Hope for Brighter Futures, was launched on Wednesday at the National College of Ireland which contains the views of 285 children living in North East Inner City Dublin. The leader of the Green Party says our efforts to adhere to the Paris Climate Change Agreement will be futile without America's involvement. Donald Trump announced last night that he is pulling the US, the world's second largest polluter, out of the deal because it's bad for American jobs. Irish children are spending over five hours a day online. A new obesity and behaviour study by iKydz has shown YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are the most popular sites. Current European guidelines recommend no more than two hours per day of recreational screen time. That means children here are almost trebling their R-D-A. A jeweller who conned an elderly Cork woman out of the full value of a Cartier brooch, sold at auction in Geneva, has been remanded in custody for sentencing. Michael Wall, 38, with and address at 2 Marionville, Alexandra Road, St Lukes, Cork, appeared for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court wearing a dark suit and tie, with a silk handkerchief in his breast pocket. He denied any wrongdoing in his dealings with the 84-year-old woman from Kanturk and her daughter who asked him to sell the valuable piece. The jury delivered unanimous guilty verdicts on four counts and a majority 10-2 guilty verdict on producing a fake Sothebys document in the course of the fraudulent transaction. Judge Sean O Donnabhain said Walls status had changed as a result of the guilty verdicts delivered by the jury and remanded him for sentencing on June 29. Wall said he was in the jewellery business for the past 12 years. After the guilty verdicts were delivered, Donal OSullivan defence barrister said of Wall: He is attending a psychiatrist. He has been attending a psychiatrist for the past year. He does have general medical problems as well. "He is attending a psychiatrist once a month for the past year. He has had suicidal attempts in the past. Even after the verdicts were delivered, Mr OSullivan said on Walls behalf: He is maintaining his innocence. In essence, Wall said he did not forge any document and he paid the family the price he agreed to pay them, and sold the brooch in his own name and not in theirs. Wall faced trial by judge and jury on charges of paying the owner of the Cartier brooch a lot less than it made at auction in Geneva. He pleaded not guilty to five charges. The main charge concerned the theft of over 16,000 which represented the difference between the sum of approximately 44,000 Sothebys paid to Wall and the 27,800 he paid to the owner of the piece. Other charges related to a fake document purported to be from Sothebys. The family who asked Wall to sell the brooch said they received the document in the post after repeatedly asking Wall for a receipt. He denied sending it. Arabel Bishop, director of Sothebys in Ireland, testified the document was a fake and not issued by the company. Wall agreed it appeared to be a fake but denied generating it or sending it. Two other charges related to pieces of much lesser value. He was found guilty of stealing them, with a total value of 750. The defendant testified he knew nothing about the fake receipt. He claimed to have told the owner and her daughter he would put the brooch in his name for the Swiss auction and would pay them the euro equivalent of stg25,000 if the brooch reached its reserve price. Barrister Mr OSullivan said that the jury might not decide the defendant was the businessman of the year but they could not decide he was a criminal. If he made a good deal for himself it does not mean he has committed a crime, Mr OSullivan BL said. He said the official Sothebys brochure listed the Cartier brooch lot as being owned by a gentleman. Imelda Kelly prosecution barrister submitted to the jury: The understanding at all times was that he would place the items for auction on her behalf. That was fundamental. Any other suggestion simply does not hold water. During cross-examination of the defendant, she said: It is crystal clear this family took you into their home and their friendship, they trusted you to get a sale at auction. He replied: I have to disagree. As well as being convicted of stealing over 16,000 and two brooches worth 385 each, and forging the document, he was also convicted that, in giving the woman the cheque for 27,800 as the true proceeds of the sale, he was doing so to induce her to believe that it represented the true value of the Sothebys sale on November 14, 2012, in order to make a gain for himself. Irish Water will have to wait on a judge's decision over whether it can proceed with plans to lay a sewage pipe through lands owned by the Duke of Devonshire and which would discharge treated waste water into Youghal Bay, writes Noel Baker of the Irish Examiner. The case of Irish Water and Woodstown Shellfish Ltd ran for 14 days in the circuit court in Clonakilty, Co. Cork, before concluding today. Woodstown is the occupier of the private foreshore, owned by the Duke along with several fisheries, the title of which goes back 500 years and predates the Magna Carta. The waste water would be discharged at Ferrypoint in Co Waterford but the pipe would begin in Co Cork. It forms part of the 12.5m wastewater treatment plant in Youghal, Co. Cork, contracts for which were signed in 2015. Woodstown has argued that were the plan to go ahead it would cause lasting damage to a special area of conservation and the mussel beds fished there, and would not be compliant with the EU Habitats Directive. Irish Water has rejected that and in the hearing regarding a preliminary issue over compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) requirements said it had adhered to all regulations in preparing for the project. But Barrister Michael O'Donnell for Woodstown, which has fished mussels in the area since 2002, told the court in Clonakilty: "This is a scheme that, I submit, is chaotic." He said it still required agreement by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and that "the cart is very much before the horse". He said there were "levels of uncertainty" over the plan and concerns over its possible environmental impact at what was a European site under the Habitats Directive. Mr O'Donnell said the possibility of lasting damage to mussel beds could not be ruled out. He also referred to evidence given by a witness during the course of the hearing that outlined how untreated water was still being discharged from two existing pipes even after a cut-off date at the end of 2015. He added there was an overlapping of private, public and environmental interests. David Holland, SC for Irish Water said Irish Water had a waste water discharge licence and that private and public land ownership issues needed to be disentangled. He said an EIS was submitted and that an application had been made under section 97 of the 2007 Water Services Act to allow sufficient permission to proceed. He said there were no higher rights in this case than in any compulsory purchase order case. "Our position has always been that an EIA has already been done," he said, claiming that Irish Water was "entirely compliant" with its requirements and that the waste water discharge licence and foreshore approval would not have been granted otherwise. He said there was no evidence before the court that there will be a permanent loss of habitat, but rather a "mere assertion". He said there was a "national problem" regarding the discharge of untreated waste water, one subject to legal action by the European Commission. "It is a problem inherited by Irish Water," he said, adding that the plan would be part of the remedy. Mr O'Donnell countered by saying it was "staggering that Irish Water would seek to benefit from the default with compliance". Judge David Riordan said he was reserving his position and would give his decision on July 6 next, when a related matter brought by Lismore Realty Ltd will also be mentioned. The jury in the trial of a man who admitted killing his girlfriend is unable to decide whether he is guilty of murder or manslaughter. After seven hours and thirteen minutes of deliberations, the five women and seven men said they could not overcome their disagreement. Darren Murphy, 40, of Dan Desmond Villas in Passage West, Co Cork, pleaded not guilty to murdering Olivia Dunlea at her home in Pembroke Crescent on February 17, 2013. He pleaded guilty to her manslaughter but his plea was rejected and he has been on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the past two-and-a-half weeks. Justice Patrick McCarthy thanked the jury for their service and remanded Mr Murphy until June 26 when a date for a new trial may be set. During the trial, the jury heard that Mr Murphy and Ms Dunlea had been in a relationship for about four months. In interviews with gardai Mr Murphy revealed that he stabbed her during an argument. He told gardai that he "lost it" and "snapped" after she told him to get out of her house because another man was calling over. He stabbed her in the neck six times, the fatal wound penetrating her spinal canal, set fire to her house, and left. The jury was asked to consider whether he was provoked by Ms Dunlea to the point where he lost all self control. Justice McCarthy explained that if he was provoked, the appropriate verdict would be one of manslaughter. This is the second time Mr Murphy has gone on trial for Ms Dunlea's death. He was convicted of her murder in 2014 and sentenced to life imprisonment but that verdict was quashed on appeal. The successful appeal was made on the grounds that the trial judge had erred in his explanation of the definition of provocation to the jury. A Central Criminal Court jury has acquitted a man of raping a woman on a first date after they met on Tinder. The Dublin man, 35, was alleged to have raped the university student in his car after driving her up to the Dublin Mountains. He pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape at Kilmashogue Lane, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin on September 11, 2014. On day seven of the trial, the jury of six men and six women returned a verdict of not guilty after just over four hours of deliberations. The man responded by pressing his hands together in a praying gesture and saying: Thank you, thank you so much. A female cousin began crying and hugged him. A female juror also began crying and the complainant burst into tears and was comforted by her parents in the back of the courtroom. Mr Justice Paul Butler said the man was free to go on this matter but Cathleen Noctor BL, prosecuting, said that the defendant was in custody on other matters. After the jury left the court the defendant singled out one of the investigating gardai and shouted: You stitch up scumbag. I'll get you again. You stitch up cunt. He was then led away by prison officers. The jury heard that the two met up days after they began communicating on the Tinder dating app and they went for a drive together. The complainant alleged that the defendant drove them to an unlit country road. The man told gardai that they had consensual sex without a condom. He suggested that she made the allegation of rape because she was annoyed at him after he ejaculated inside her instead of pulling out. The court heard that in the 36 hours after the alleged rape, the woman chatted with six men on Tinder. She told one of them she had a naughty side. Michael Bowman SC, defending, told the jury that the evidence that the woman was distressed after the date meant nothing. Was she equally as upset when she was texting on Tinder? Is she as distressed as she presents to the outside world? he said. The jury heard evidence that texts to and from the accused on Tinder and Whatsapp were deleted. He also suggested that gardai failed to cross-reference her texts on Tinder with the statement made to gardai and that had these deleted texts been irretrievable, the accused would be convicted in a heart beat. The man told detectives that he met her for a hook up and expected something would happen. In her evidence the woman said that the pair agreed to meet for a spin and a coffee and he suggested they drive up to a viewing point in the mountains. She said that after a brief kissing session she asked him to take it easy. He said to her, What the fuck do you think we're here for? She told him she didn't want a one night stand and got out of his car after he told her to get the fuck out. He drove off and she tried to ring a friend but there was no signal. The car disappeared from sight but returned a few minutes later. The man told her it's grand, get in and she got in because she felt she didn't have a choice. She said she didn't know where she was and he seemed a bit calmer. He drove the car back to where they had been and he stopped the car. He turned off the car lights and they were in complete darkness, she said. He began kissing her again and she told him to take it easy. He leaned over and pulled a lever to drop her seat back and moved quickly to get on top of her before raping her. She said she told him to stop but she was afraid he was going to beat the shit out of me and she eventually stopped resisting. A TD has highlighted the struggles of many young people who cannot afford to rent. Deputy Tommy Broughan has called on the Government to increase supports for young people at risk of homelessness, saying there has been a 78% increase in homelessness in the 18-24 year old cohort. Between 2014 and 2017, the number of homeless people in the 18 to 24 age group rose from 436 to 783. A total of 549 of these young adults were based in Dublin. "Rents are increasing, supply of rental homes are decreasing, homelessness in this vulnerable cohort is increasing and rates of that same cohort in receipt of Rent Supplement is decreasing," said Deputy Broughan "It seems clear to me that there is a direct correlation here between the supports available to young people and the increase in homelessness. "With almost 3,000 children living in hotel rooms and almost 1,000 18-24 year olds experiencing homelessness, one must ask why Fine Gael is targeting young, vulnerable people. "Why does the State continue to let down the young people of Ireland? It is unacceptable. Leo Varadkar says his department is working to address these figures. I can assure the Deputy that there is ongoing engagement between my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in relation to ongoing supports for those in or facing homelessness, including the ongoing transfer of rent supplement recipients to the HAP scheme which is now available throughout the country, he said Leo Varadkar. South Sudan's government said 15 young children have died in a botched measles vaccination campaign which saw people as young as 12 years old administering the vaccines. The health ministry on Friday blamed the deaths on human error. One syringe was used for all the children, and the vaccine was not stored properly. The public is being urged to help police piece together the Manchester bomber's final movements as his cousins claimed he plotted "secretly to himself". New CCTV images have been released showing Salman Abedi moving about the city's streets and hauling a blue suitcase in the days leading up to the Manchester Arena terror attack which killed 22 people. The developments came as "unscrupulous" ticket touts attempted to profit from Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester gig to raise money for the victims. Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson, head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said "significant progress" was being made in the investigation, but added that police were still trying to establish why Abedi went to the Banff Road area in Rusholme. Meanwhile, following claims that warnings about Abedi were not followed up, officers have been unable to find any records of calls to the police anti-terrorist hotline regarding the 22-year-old before the events of May 22. Brothers Isaac and Abz Forjani, who were arrested by armed police soon after the attack before being released without charge, said they had been left "traumatised" by their cousin's actions. Abz, 21, told the BBC: "For people who have seen it as a big network we were involved in, it was nothing like that. "I believe it was all done by one man which developed some sort of thoughts in the past few years which he kept secretly to himself. "He never shared it with any members of the family - if he would have we could have done something to stop that happening." Isaac, 24, added: "It's not easy being connected to 22 lost, innocent lives. "The fact that the person that did this is related to us by blood is something that's going to stay with me for the rest of my life. "My thoughts are with the families of the victims. I really do feel for them." They said they last saw Abedi three months before the attack at the younger brother's barber shop. Overnight, tickets for the upcoming benefit gig appeared for auction online at several times their face value. One eBay seller was looking to offload four tickets to the gig for 1,250 - which would net a potential profit of nearly 1,100 - but the listing was taken down shortly after being seen by the Press Association. Official seller Ticketmaster also said more than 25,000 people had applied for free tickets set aside for the 14,200 people who attended the pop star's targeted gig last week, meaning more than 10,000 were "unscrupulous applications". The police have made Abedi's preparations for the attack the focus of their investigation and, speaking about the new CCTV images, Mr Jackson said: "We are still working to track the movements of Salman Abedi and have already released a number of images of him, in the hope that they will jog people's memories. ''We know that Abedi left the country on April 15 and arrived back on May 18 and we now know from our inquiries that he purchased parts for the bomb after arriving back. ''What we still need to understand is if he had any of the bomb parts in his possession before he went out of the country, this is why we are tracking his movements so carefully." Mr Jackson said officers had been conducting house-to-house inquiries in the Banff Road area in Rusholme but were "still not satisfied" why Abedi went there and said it was "vital" they understood exactly where he went and who he spoke to in the final days before the attack. He added: ''Did you see Abedi in the Rusholme area between 18 and 22 May? Do you have any information about his movements on these dates? ''You may think it's insignificant, but it could be a key piece of information to assist us. We need your help as we piece together what happened in the lead-up to the attack and if Abedi was helped by anyone." Ten men, aged between 18 and 44, remain in custody on suspicion of offences contrary to the Terrorism Act, Greater Manchester Police said. Six people - including a 15-year-old boy, a 34-year-old woman and four men - have been released without charge after being arrested by officers investigating the attack. Earlier this week, police released further details about Abedi, including that he had bought most of the key component parts of the suicide bomb in the few days before the attack. Many of his movements and actions in the four days after his return to the UK from Libya leading up to the May 22 atrocity were also carried out alone but detectives have not ruled out that he was part of "a wider network". Meanwhile, about 600 stewards will be on duty at Sunday's benefit concert, according to Greater Manchester's police chief, who said security on leaving music events and football matches would have to be reviewed. PA Theresa May has insisted the UK is committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change as she faced criticism over her response to US withdrawal from the deal. A decision by President Donald Trump to pull the US out of the world's first comprehensive accord on tackling climate change and seek renegotiated terms that are "fair" to America has drawn widespread international condemnation. A statement issued by the leaders of France, Germany and Italy said the deal cannot be renegotiated, and that they remain committed to the "irreversible" accord and regard it as "a cornerstone in the co-operation between our countries, for effectively and timely tackling climate change". In a phone call with the US president shortly after his White House announcement, Mrs May expressed her "disappointment" at the move and stressed the UK remains committed to the landmark 2015 agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions. But she faced fierce criticism for failing to add her name to the joint statement by President Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn labelled Mr Trump's move to withdraw from the Paris Agreement as "reckless and dangerous" and accused Mrs May of "subservience" and a failure of leadership in not signing up to the statement. At an election campaign event in York, he said: "Given the chance to present a united front from our international partners she (Mrs May) has instead opted for silence and once again subservience to Donald Trump. "It's a dereliction of both her duty to this country and our duty to our planet. "This is not the type of leadership Britain needs either to negotiate Brexit or stand up to defend our planet in an era of climate change." Mrs May said: "I've made the UK's position on the Paris Agreement very clear. We remain committed to the Paris Agreement. It's an important international agreement on climate change. "I made the UK's position clear to president Trump last week at the G7 meeting, as did the other G7 leaders, and I made the position clear to president Trump last night." She said Canada and Japan had not signed the letter either, but all three countries have the same view that they remain committed to the deal. She denied it showed she is subservient to Mr Trump, and said she had made it clear in her telephone call on Thursday night that the UK continues to support the agreement and the Government wanted the US to remain in the deal. The accord commits countries to holding global temperature rises to "well below" 2C above pre-industrial levels, which will require global emissions to be cut to net zero by the second half of the century. Scientists have warned failure to curb dangerous climate change will lead to sea level rises, more intense storms and flooding, more extreme droughts, water shortages and heatwaves as well as massive loss of wildlife and reduction in crop yields, potentially sparking conflict and mass migration. Despite the decision by the US, the second biggest polluter after China, to pull out of the deal, many analysts suggest the shift to a low-carbon economy is now unstoppable, with renewable prices tumbling and new clean technology being developed and deployed. Mr Trump's decision prompted criticism from many US business leaders, including clean tech entrepreneur and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and Robert Iger, chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, who said they had resigned from the president's advisory council over the issue. Announcing his decision on Thursday, Mr Trump claimed the Paris deal allows countries such as China and India to carry on polluting at the expense of the US economy and jobs. He said the US would stop implementing measures to meet its commitments under the agreement to cut emissions by 26-28% on 2005 levels by 2025, and end funding for poor countries to cope with climate change. Under the terms of the agreement, the US can give notice that it will withdraw three years after the deal entered into force, and the process of leaving will take another year. This means the US would not be out of the Paris Agreement until November 4 2020, the day after the next presidential election. PA Photos of a Muslim woman without her hijab or of a transgender person before their transition could be considered in the same category as "revenge porn" if shared without consent, in a draft bill to be tabled in the ACT's parliament this week. The ACT Greens will introduce rival legislation to give the courts new powers to order the take-down of intimate images and protect victims of "stealthing". South Australia and Victoria have both legislated against image-based abuse, also known as "up-skirting", "down-blousing", "sextortion" or "revenge porn". Last month the Canberra Liberals moved to outlaw the practice of "revenge porn" - sharing intimate images without consent - and released details of new legislation for public comment. The bill was expected to be tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. The Liberals' bill, modelled on legislation from Victoria, imposes penalties of up to two years in prison for distributing "intimate" images of someone, if the distribution is "an indecent invasion of privacy". An offender can also be jailed for up to a year for threatening to distribute an intimate image. Artist Sabrina Baker has probably inadvertently solved a major crisis - how do you clearly communicate how you are feeling on a particular day when everyone around you seems to interpret things their own way? As part of her exhibition - ironically titled Failure to Communicate - she's designed 26 dresses, representing the 26 maritime signal flags. Artist Sabrina Baker at her exhibition Failing to Communicate. Credit:Jamila Toderas Not feeling 100 per cent when you wake up? Whack on the diagonal red and yellow stripes of Y which means "I'm dragging my anchor". Or if things are all okay, the bright yellow block colour of Q - "My vessel is healthy and I request free practique". Camp Quality holds a special place in the heart of Canberra mum Kylie Wiggins. Her son Kodi Fox was diagnosed with cancer - lymphoblastic lymphoma - when he was four. Kylie Wiggins, with her son Kodi Fox, who thrived at Camp Quality as he recovered from cancer. Credit:Rohan Thomson Now 13, Kodi has thankfully been in remission since he was nine. The beauty of Camp Quality, is that Kodi could participate in its activities when he was well, the service providing for children from newborns to aged 13. The chief executive of the RSPCA ACT, Tammy Ven Dange, has launched a strident defence of the charity following reports of internal strife. However, she has admitted that in the process of making tough decisions for the benefit of the organisation, she may have rubbed "one or two" employees the wrong way. Chief executive Tammy Ven Dange has defended reports of strife inside the RSPCA ACT. A number of sources have approached The Canberra Times with allegations of a growing internal rift between frontline staff members and bosses. Ms Ven Dange said reports of widespread internal issues were damaging and "completely false". Businesswoman Marie-Anne Raad might be the only Canberra grocer owner with a social media manager. But it has been key to the Cook store's prosperity against growing competition, along with its gourmet products that Canberrans are willing to travel for. Marie-Anne Read, who runs the Friendly Grocer at Cook shops with husband George and son Daniel, credits her thriving business to her gourmet food and friendly service. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong But the empty space next door is a reminder that many suburban shops are doing it tough in the face of larger precincts, raising questions about the future of a unique and beloved part of Canberra's landscape. While the ACT government says it has strategies to keep the community's local shops thriving and saving those that aren't, architects and business owners say more needs to be done. Virgin also argues Qantas Frequent Flyer has a different model to Velocity Frequent Flyer. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce. Experts say changes to credit card fees will put pressure on airlines' loyalty schemes. Credit:Andrew Meares Virgin says that as a result of Qantas' "Time to change" campaign in 2009, Qantas moved the majority of its credit card relationships to direct-earn models. This meant people would directly earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points from their credit cards, rather than bank credit card points, which could then be transferred. Qantas itself has said that 35 per cent of all spend on credit cards in Australia earns Qantas points, thus it appears more vulnerable. Virgin Australia chief executive John Borghetti. Market sources say Virgin is looking at selling the remainder of its Velocity scheme. Credit:Nick Moir By contrast, Velocity's credit card strategy is largely based on "indirect-earn" relationships which means consumers can choose to transfer their credit card points to Velocity. Blockley agrees, but notes that "after July 1 no matter whether it's Virgin, Qantas or the bank proprietary card schemes, they [members] will need to spend more to earn the same number of points". They will need to spend more to earn the same number of points. Lance Blockley, The Initiatives Group. In another sense, the stakes are additionally high for Virgin as market sources say it is looking at selling the remainder of its Velocity scheme which is 35 per cent owned by private equity player Affinity. Such a deal would probably value Velocity at more than $1 billion. Biggest change The credit cards most affected in July will be the American Express companion cards, which were previously the most generous and therefore most effective when it came to amassing points. In anticipation of the July changes, ANZ has announced it will ditch this card and the others banks are expected to follow suit eventually. For example, the Commonwealth Bank has just informed its American Express Diamond Award credit card customers that from July 1 the three points they currently earn for every dollar spent will fall to 0.5 points on all purchases other than in supermarkets, department stores and overseas. The response from the airlines has been to mitigate the impact of the looming hole in their bank credit card revenue by boosting their relationships with other points-earning partners like health insurance providers, retailers and utilities. Qantas has gone one step further and announced the creation of its own credit card in conjunction with Citibank, which it says will offer a more munificent earn rate for frequent flyer points. It will be a deeper relationship in that it shares in the card economics such as the interest paid and annual fees. Already Qantas has a relationship with health insurer NIB through the venture, Qantas Assure, in which the airline takes a share in the overall profitability rather than simply selling points. The deal with Citi will in effect put Qantas in competition with banks and could sour the relationship. "One can imagine that banks offering Qantas Frequent Flyer points on their credit cards today would not be overjoyed to see Qantas launch its own card, particularly if the rewards offer is more than the banks themselves can afford," Blockley says. While Qantas is not denying that its loyalty revenue could be put under pressure, it remains bullish about Frequent Flyer's earnings. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce addressed the issue at a recent investor day. In reply to questions about the impact of the credit card rewards changes, he said: ''Just to be clear, we are saying that the loyalty program and the EBIT from the [Loyalty] division will continue to grow next year. "It's this component of credit card and financial services with the transition that's going to it's going to have a hit with this transition. It is because and again this is not hugely significant, but it is that transition, particularly from the companion cards, that now has been extended for a period of time but can't continue because of the change of interchange fees." Joyce told the same gathering this division was expected to earn between $500 million and $600 million in five years compared with the $346 million it made in 2016. Loading "It is disheartening to see a decision like this, by a wealthy industrialised nation, which flies in the face of scientific knowledge and investor concerns," Ms Davidson said. BHP chief Andrew Mackenzie tried to convince Mr Trump to stay in the Paris agreement - to no avail. Credit:David Mariuz/Getty Images Origin Energy CEO Frank Calabria said the Paris accord was still the most significant achievement to date on collective global action on climate change, and he was "acutely aware" of how Origin's customers, shareholders and the wider community felt. "They overwhelmingly believe climate change is real and expect urgent action to address it," Mr Calabria said. Energy giant AGL said it backed the federal government's commitment to keep warming to 2 degrees. Isabelle Kocher, the global CEO of Engie, which owns the coal-fired Loy Yang B power station in Victoria's Latrobe Valley, shared her "deep regret" about the decision. Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said she welcomed the Australian government's commitment to the Paris agreement, which required transparency from both large economies and emerging ones like China. "We must always monitor the efforts and actions of other countries to ensure they're meeting their commitments," she said. James Pearson, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Paris deal had given business certainty on how the world would address climate change. It was disappointing the US had opted out of the agreement, Mr Pearson said, and underlined the need for certainty in local energy and climate policy. 'Stay in step': miners The Minerals Council of Australia, which campaigned against the Gillard government's carbon tax, said it supported the government's Paris commitment to cut emissions by about 26 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. However, the mining body said Australia's emissions policies needed to be "calibrated with those of our trading partners". The US is Australia's third largest trading partner. China, which remains committed to the agreement, is Australia's biggest trading partner and receives five times as many exports than the US. "There are economic costs associated with meeting emissions reduction targets and it is critical that Australian governments design climate and energy policies which minimise those economic costs," Minerals Council CEO Brendan Pearson said. BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie said on Thursday, in anticipation of the US pulling out, that he had tried to convince Mr Trump to stay in the agreement when they met in January. "I offered that it is possible to be pro-coal but also to stay in the Paris Agreement," Mr Mackenzie told the ABC's 7.30. Mr Mackenzie, whose $119 billion Melbourne-based company has several shale oil and gas plants in the US, said Australia and other countries should stay in the accord even if the world's second largest carbon emitter withdrew because that was "better than nothing". Rio Tinto declined to comment on Mr Trump's decision, but has previously pledged support for the Paris agreement. Under the Paris agreement, nations agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to keep global temperature rises to "well below 2 degrees" compared to pre-industrial levels. Several business leaders globally have expressed disappointment in Mr Trump's decision to pull the US out of the agreement. Telsla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk said he was resigning from three presidential councils advising on business, manufacturing and infrastructure in protest. General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt tweeted that it was now up to industry to lead action on climate change, and Microsoft president CEO Brad Smith said the software giant remained committed to its own low-emissions goals. The US owners of hugely popular blogging platform WordPress.com are defying an Australian court and refusing to pull down leaked documents related to Amber Harrison, the sacked former lover of Seven West Media boss Tim Worner. It was revealed in the Federal Court on Friday that San Francisco-based Automattic Inc had advised Ms Harrison's legal team it would not be removing an anonymously posted blog containing confidential correspondence. "They have indicated to us that they will not respond unless there is compliance with United States law, which essentially requires my client to take Your Honour's order and authenticate it in the courts of California," a lawyer for Ms Harrison told the court. The blog post, titled, "BREAKING: Amber Harrison's struggle with greedy lawyers", contains two confidential legal letters addressed to Ms Harrison from June last year. In the rugged heart of New Zealand's South Island, a high-altitude desert where the men of Middle-Earth made their last stand in the "Lord of the Rings" movies has become a battlefield once again. Environmentalists and farmers are clashing over the Mackenzie Basin, an area known for its scorched-brown grasslands and crystal-blue lakes - and now, massive irrigation systems that are spreading circles of emerald-green pasture across the Mars-like terrain. The high-altitude desert where the men of Middle-Earth fought the Orcs in the "Lord of the Rings" movies is a battlefield once again. "It's similar to greening the desert of Nevada or California," said Annabeth Cohen, a freshwater scientist at the Forest and Bird environmental group. "This area is unique and world-renowned for its incredible landscapes and glacial lakes, and is home to over 60 native species found nowhere else on earth. It's reckless to irrigate a place like the Mackenzie Basin." New Zealanders are starting to take note. The changing face of the Mackenzie environment is yet another display of the consequences of intensive dairying that are rankling with voters four months before a general election. Across the nation, once-pristine waterways have become contaminated by farm effluent. One reason climate change deniers get away with rejecting science and dismissing the benefits of pro-active emissions reductions is that global warming is, not surprisingly, a worldwide problem. It's difficult for an individual in Sydney or Pittsburgh or Paris today to put a finger on a symptom of human-induced climate change. Beyond seeing glaciers melt and suspecting that weather events are becoming more erratic and dangerous, the average person is not yet directly affected, other than having hazy concerns about the future. Environmental lobbyists and their supporters rightly explain those dangers to the public. But because of the amorphous nature of global warming, they struggle to cut through to enough people to secure political support in every nation for significant action. The Environmental Protection Authority insists it can manage the dangers. But a Fairfax Media investigation has found the system is full of holes. Credit:Michael Howard Politicians, mainly on the right, find it relatively simple to compare the far-off health of the planet with the risk climate change action poses to your job. They sell a counter-intuitive narrative that says protecting the planet is too dangerous for you to support. Hence, we see decisions like Donald Trump's dumping of the Paris climate accord this week. Such political games are similarly possible when it comes to localised pollution that cannot easily be seen. Just when you thought the government couldn't get any madder or badder in its overarching Mission Destroy Sydney when it seemed to have flogged every floggable asset, breached every democratic principle, whittled every beloved park, disempowered every significant municipality and betrayed every promise of decency, implicit or explicit it now wants to remove council planning powers. The excuse, naturally, is "probity". Somehow we're meant to believe that locally elected people are inherently more corrupt than those elected at state level, and that this puts local decision-making into the greedy mitts of Big Developers. Now-jailed Eddie Obeid, shown here outside the NSW Supreme Court last December, was part of the state-level machinery. Credit:Daniel Munoz Demonisation like this is an old, old rhetorical tactic, traditionally used by the powerful to justify their oppression of the powerless by painting them as morally and intellectually inferior, subhuman and therefore worthy or needy of oppression. (Thus, 19th-century women could be sent to the madhouse for "imaginary female trouble", "hysteria" or "suppression of menses" and white Christians could persuade themselves that blacks were uneducable, unspiritual and deserving of enslavement or worse.) So it is, in this country, with state governments against councils. An Auckland man has been charged with stealing rabbits following a spate of bunny thefts across the city. The 48-year-old appeared in the Auckland District Court on Friday, facing 22 charges of burglary. Fifteen rabbits were allegedly stolen. All of the charges related to the theft of 15 rabbits across the suburbs of Mount Albert, Blockhouse Bay and Massey in 2016. The man was granted interim name suppression. He is arguably the most divisive figure in Malcolm Turnbull's government: Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, the Queensland cop turned political warrior who controls the country's borders with an iron fist. Touted in some circles as the next Liberal Party leader and possibly prime minister, Mr Dutton nonetheless faces an uphill (and expensive) battle in the most basic of MPs' duties: retaining his seat of Dickson in Queensland. With his margin slashed at the last election to just 1.6 per cent, left-wing activists have sniffed their opportunity to dispatch their conservative bete noir. Carly Findlay, 35, Victoria Writer, disability and appearance activist. Carly Findlay: Writer, disability and appearance activist. Credit:Justin McManus "I have a skin condition called ichthyosis and it means my face is very red. I look sunburnt. My mum is black and my dad is white but I never feel either colour. I didn't always identify with having an illness or a disability. I wanted to fit in. But in the last eight to 10 years, I've met more people with disabilities and facial differences and realised that even though we don't all have the same diagnoses, we have similar experiences. If I'm in a shop, people often say, 'Oh, what happened to you?' The response I give depends on the way they've set the tone. Most of the time I'm genuinely okay with saying, 'I was born like this.' But there is an expectation that we will educate at all times and I'm not a fan of that. It gets exhausting and I want to have control over how I do that. I want to get people who look different better represented in the media. I've done this through writing my own stories, but also by including other people's stories on my blog and sharing success stories of people who look different. I did an interview on the ABC a few years ago and the journalist called me an 'appearance activist' and I just claimed it. I talk about facial diversity and positive image, but I'm not necessarily setting fire to things and being an activist in that way! Years ago I never thought anyone like me would be in the media. Anyone can be an activist. There's a bit of an expectation that you have to take part in marches and physical events, but being online is a really great way for people to be an activist from anywhere. I write a lot of my articles from my bed! With the advent of social media, if you get your name out there through writing, blogging or podcasting and make yourself known through your own platform, then you've got control over your message. What I love is that it's not just people writing about us any more. It's people like us writing for us." Mariam Veiszadeh, 32, NSW Lawyer, Muslim community advocate and Daily Life's Woman of the Year, 2016. Mariam Veiszadeh is Daily Life's 2016 Woman of the Year. Credit:Louie Douvis "I was fed up with critiquing the state of affairs from the comfort of our armchairs and then complaining about why nothing ever changes. I refuse to sit back and retire into a state of despair. When you or someone you know is subjected to Islamophobia on a regular basis, you can't simply ignore it. It is deeply personal. I felt it was incumbent on me to do whatever I could to help raise awareness about it, assist the victims of it and try and tackle it head on. I never had the luxury of approaching this as an extra-curricular activity. I've almost always worked full time and any advocacy I've engaged in has always been on top of my day job. I needed to be a voice for those who couldn't raise theirs. The values embedded within my faith and my upbringing have taught me that you must use your own relative levels of privilege to help those who have none. The personal cost of publicly advocating in an increasingly hostile environment with little or no resourcing, funding or protection, has been too much to bear, which is why I recently made the decision to transition out of my formal advocacy roles. Social media has become a double-edged sword for me. On the one hand, it's been instrumental in allowing me to take my advocacy work to the masses. And on the other hand, it's made me vulnerable to threats from those who harbour ill intentions. My life is not the same as it used to be. I now have to take rather significant security precautions. I have to worry about things that others simply take for granted. Some of the best things about being a public advocate is the ability to influence people's hearts and minds by offering them insights into the life of an everyday, Australian Muslim woman. To women who want to speak out for something they really believe in, I would say to persevere. It can be a thankless job and you will face challenges, but remember that the wrongs committed against us should never change our moral compass. Do as much or as little as you can if you do not see results immediately, rest assured that you have planted the seeds for tomorrow." Natalie Parker, 34, Northern Territory Advocate for better protection of IVF embryo donors, early childhood teacher. Natalie Parker is a advocate for better protection of IVF embryo donors, early childhood teacher. Credit:Glenn Campbell My husband and I had embryos left over from IVF and we decided to donate them. We also wanted to keep in touch with the recipient family. During mandatory counselling we met the recipient and her husband, and she said she would send us photos and even fly to Darwin for us to meet the baby. Then I didn't hear from her. In 2015, the clinic informed me the recipient had transferred two embryos that had failed and that the recipient had decided she didn't want to use the last embryo. I wondered why, because they were desperate to have a child. Edwin shared my philosophy that tattooing is a transformative process. He would play each album loudly in the studio as he was tattooing me - just as music and singing were traditionally used to drown out the "tap-tap" of tattoos being carved into the skin with hand held tools in the Pacific region. I find that the physical pain of being tattooed puts emotional and mental pain into perspective. I love that the raw tattoo must be cared for gently in the following weeks after the procedure, and that the result is permanent. My tattoos turn something ugly from my past into something beautiful for my present and future. Before I describe my eighth and most recent tattoo, let's look at four ancient cultures that tattooed their women. Maori (ca.1250 CE) Elsdon Best was an ethnographer who gathered detailed information from the Tuhoe tribe (from the North Island of Aotearoa) in the very early 1900s. He recounts in his book, The Uhi-Maori (1904), that elite families tattooed the younger sisters prior to the tattooing of the eldest one, who was the most tapu (sacred). The tattooing of the lips and chin of the first-born daughter of a chief was extremely tapu, and the rite was called ahi ta ngutu (sacred fire). During the tattooing, others from the tribe would surround the patient and sing specific whakatangitangi (repetitive songs) to ease the painful and highly sacred process, the song for women being the whakawai taanga ngutu. The motifs of the tattoo would be determined by an individual's genealogy, and the placement of tattoos on the body was significant. People without tattoos were papatea (unmarked, and thus of lower status), and to be tattooed was a sign of attractiveness and high status in the community. Thracian (ca.500 BCE) Thrace of the Greco-Roman world existed in what we now call east Macedonia, southeast Bulgaria and parts of Turkey. Pictorial representations of Thracian women with tattoos appear on Greek red-figure vases such as the one pictured here, with a Thracian woman attacking Orpheus. Luc Renaut, an art historian, suggests that in Thrace, tattooing added beauty, and therefore value, to women in a society where they were bought for marriage (that is, they incurred a bride price). This was in contrast to the Classical Greek and Roman systems in which the bride's family gave payments (a dowry) to the groom's family. Depictions of women on Classical vases (ca. 500 BCE), show Thracian women with geometric and figurative tattoos. The tattoos reinforce the Thracian-ness of the woman in the scene. And indicate that she is not your run-of-the-mill Athenian lass who can't stand the lyre. Greek vase painting gives a visual account of the geometric and figurative motifs on Thracian women: zigzags, dots, lines, meanders, checkerboard patterns, spirals, ladder patterns, "stick-figure" animals, half-moons, rayed suns, and rosettes. Tattoos were placed on the arms, legs, ankles, chest, neck, and chin. Sometimes entire arms or legs were covered with bands of designs, row upon row. Egyptian (Eleventh Dynasty: 2040-1991 BCE) Much older artistic (and direct) evidence of female tattooing comes from Egypt. Egyptian tattoos from the late third to early second millennium survive on female mummies and were replicated on female figurines. A pair of Eleventh Dynasty female Egyptian mummies excavated at Deir el-Bahari is the strongest evidence that in the Middle Kingdom, Egyptian women were tattooed. The preserved "dotted diamond" tattoo motif is clearly visible on the arm of one of the mummies. The same motif can be seen on Egyptian potency figurines from the same site and period. The striking similarity between the painted motifs on the figurine and the preserved tattoos on the female mummy are compelling evidence that cultures that tattooed their women produced female figures with tattoos painted on their bodies. Egyptian tattooing kits consisted of three items found in the archaeological record. These are razors, needles or pins, and small containers of dried carbon based black pigment. All of these elements of the basic tattooing kit (not just in Egypt but around the world) are multifunctional items. They could be useful for non-permanent body modification: shaping eyebrows, using black eyeliner. Needles and pins could be used to sew clothing, pop pimples, or remove splinters. Ancient people were very resourceful, and tattooing is very basic. At the core of the procedure is pricking the skin and getting some pigment into the wound. The process of prick-tattooing by hand is reflected by the representation of the diamond pattern on both the mummified tattoo and on the potency figurine shown here. Today the cluster of needles on an electric tattooing machine are so small that you can't differentiate the dots: a mechanism moves the needles up and down extremely quickly. But in 2000 BCE, tattooing in Egypt was done with singular pointed implements or a few pins bound together held in the hand of the tattooist, using their wrist strength to repeatedly poke a motif into the skin. The points may have been dipped into an ink beforehand and it is likely that afterwards the whole area would be rubbed with more ink for good measure to try and get a clear, dark final result. Cycladic (ca.2500 BCE) The Cycladic people (ca. 3000-2000 BCE) colonised the Cycladic Islands. They were the first major Aegean civilisation to flourish in the Early Bronze Age, until the Minoans of Crete rose to prominence with their maritime prowess in the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 2000-1500 BCE). The mortuary practices of Cycladic people (burial, sometimes multiple burials) and the climatic conditions of the islands, means that there are no preserved tattooed skin remains to support my argument that their women were tattooed. However, like their southern Mediterranean Egyptian neighbours, they produced nude female figures with geometric designs across the face and body. This is where the iconographic evidence of the "tattooed" Cycladic figurines aligns with Egyptian female tattooing evidence. Furthermore, I have identified objects in the Cycladic archaeological repertoire which are present in the Egyptian tattooing kits - small containers of preserved pigment, obsidian blades to shave the skin, and needles and pins made of bone and metal. These items are also useful beyond the body modification sphere too - butchering, cooking, crafting, espionage - I could go on. But my point (pun intended) is that people should include tattooing in the list of possible uses for these items. The painted Cycladic figurines and statues that constitute my artistic evidence are probably the most well known artefacts of this culture. However, their abstract painted decoration was not fully realised until art conservator Elizabeth Hendrix's research in the 1990s and early 2000s. Under special photographic conditions, she found faint traces of red, blue, and black pigment (sometimes noticeable with the naked eye) were revealed to be the remains of a colourful array of abstract painted motifs. These include: dots, zigzags, stripes, eyes, and possibly linear representations of the Egyptian deity, Bes. To me, the most enigmatic Cycladic tattoo motif is the eye. Blue evil eye charms are still a potent good luck symbol in the Mediterranean and Near East. You can see it on the neck of the example shown here. Cycladic culture was an oral one that did not create it own script and leave any written clues per se. Instead their cultural ideas are inscribed on the sculptures. I read their designs as tattoos, which identified their bearers as women who had accomplished a certain status in Cycladic society. My eighth tattoo On the face of it, the logic seems to jar with common sense. You're worried there might still be a bomb on a plane that's been forced to turn back and land after an apparent hijacking attempt. So you keep nearly 350 passengers on the plane for an hour and a half while you assess whether its safe to send your crack team in to take them off. That, at least, was the reasoning put forward by Victorian police chief Graham Ashton on Thursday as he endeavoured to explain why terrified passengers aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 128 were forced to remain in their seats for up to 90 minutes before tactical police boarded the plane and removed the alleged perpetrator. There were "counter-terrorism response protocols" that had to be followed, he said. "We have to make sure all possibilities are taken into account, including the possibilities of co-offenders, or, if there was an explosive device, the possibility of there being other explosive devices where the sudden removal of the passengers could cause difficulty." Alleged to have threatened to bomb Flight 128, Manodh Marks is taken from Tullamarine to the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday. Not being privy to the scenarios police were canvassing, it is premature to judge whether this was the right call. Security expert Neil Fergus, who heads private security firm Intelligent Risks, says it would be "quite unfair to criticise police until there is some further information available on how the flight crew communicated the course of events to authorities; when and how did they communicate the advice that cabin crew and passengers had subdued the person of interest, and when and how did they communicate there was no evidence of an actual explosive device/s". The NSW government is considering overhauling archaic laws that allow a number of scandal-ridden university colleges to run themselves, as Sydney University's St Paul's makes a last-ditch effort to join a university-wide review of college culture. St Paul's said last year that, exercising "its liberty as a self-governing body", it would conduct its own confidential review instead of participating in an official review led by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick. St Paul's College is seeking to join a university-wide review of college culture. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer However, the college appears to have buckled in the face of strong criticism on Wednesday from both Education Minister Rob Stokes and University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Michael Spence over the nature of its response to a sexist Facebook post by a student. "The Council of St Paul's College is appalled by the attitudes expressed about women on the student Facebook page in March and acknowledges that it needs to address the unacceptable culture it indicates amongst the College's student body," the college's governing body said in a statement on Friday, in which it said it would seek to join the Broderick review. Dr Andrew Bryant and his wife Susan with their daughter, Charlotte. "His four children and I are not ashamed of how he died," Mrs Bryant wrote. Credit:Facebook Then there is the highly competitive culture, where bullying, harassment and sex discrimination are rife, and anyone who falters is dismissed as not being cut out for medicine. Amy Coopes, a fourth-year medical student, says even in medical school "the pressures are piled on as a method of weeding out weak people, and we are warned about how hard it is to get into a specialty training program now. You internalise this idea that you will only make it if you are exceptional and work harder than everyone else. This isn't sustainable over the four to six years of med school, let alone the next 10 to 12 years of training to become a specialist. People are burned out before they even graduate." Cardiologist Geoff Toogood says the medical profession needs to lead the charge on breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness. A 2013 beyondblue survey found doctors had substantially higher rates of psychological distress and attempted suicide than Australians in general. A quarter of doctors had had suicidal thoughts almost double the rate of the general population and 21 per cent had ever been diagnosed with or treated for depression. Women doctors and younger doctors appeared particularly vulnerable to mental health problems and work stress, the survey found. Burnout was a serious problem for young doctors, with almost half reporting emotional exhaustion. Psychiatrist Helen Schultz says mandatory reporting needs to be scrapped. Credit:Pierre Ebbinghaus A study published last year examined 369 suicides among a range of health professionals from 2001 to 2012, finding female health professionals were at twice the risk of suicide than women in other professions. Though men are generally three times more likely than women to die by suicide, female health professionals take their own lives at roughly the same rate as their male peers. 'We should be leading the charge on this' Doctors' wellbeing was a focus of last week's AMA national conference, where federal Health Minister Greg Hunt flagged a partnership with the AMA to develop mental health support and suicide prevention measures for medical professionals. Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, chair of beyondblue's National Doctors' Mental Health advisory committee, says the "brutal" culture of medicine must change. A pilot program at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, which teaches physician trainees to debrief, manage traumatic and emotionally challenging events and recognise and prevent signs of stress or burnout, is attracting national and international interest. And on Tuesday more than 200 participants will discuss junior medical officers' mental health and risk factors at a forum in Sydney organised by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and NSW Health. The death in January of 29-year-old Dr Chloe Abbott, eulogised by the AMA as "passionate advocate for the profession and her patients", was one of several recent suicides among NSW doctors in training and a rallying call for the medical community, while a powerful letter written by Susan Bryant after her gastroenterologist husband Andrew took his own life in May has been shared thousands of times worldwide. "If more people talked about what leads to suicide, if people didn't talk about as if it was shameful, if people understood how easily and quickly depression can take over, then there might be fewer deaths," the Brisbane mother-of-four wrote. Melbourne cardiologist Geoff Toogood knew Andrew Bryant. He says news of his death brought home how close he himself had come to suicide while battling severe depression in 2013. "It's like hanging on to a rope on the edge of a cliff," he says. "You don't want to let go. If someone could just lift you up for a second, you can hang on for a bit longer." Toogood found his patients more supportive than his peers, and received more empathy for a physical illness which was not life threatening, "whereas my depression was life threatening every day for weeks and weeks". It was only when he suffered an episode of transient global amnesia, a stroke-like syndrome he believes was triggered by the stress of surviving day to day, that he was given time off work and began to recover. "[Having a mental illness is] seen as a weakness, that you're not as tough as the others, you haven't survived the rigours that everybody else has," he says. "We need to realise that we're human and we need to be able to ask for help and get given the support. When you tell people you're suicidal and they're not really reaching out to you in the medical profession, you've got a serious problem." The stigma surrounding mental health issues "is breaking down generally in the community, but it's still significant in medicine," says Toogood, whose #crazysocks4docs awareness initiative trended on Twitter on Thursday. "We have got to sort ourselves out so we can do our job properly. If we're not well, how can we look after our patients? We should be leading the charge on this." US psychiatrist Dr Michael Myers agrees. A chapter of his new book, Why Physicians Die By Suicide, dissects the different ways in which stigma kills doctors. A professor of clinical psychiatry at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, Myers is a specialist in physician health and says doctors with mental illnesses "often don't seek help due to the toxic stigma of becoming the patient". Doctors in the US die by their own hand at the rate of one a day. "Because their lives have been so defined by achievement, doctors may feel even more uncomfortable than most with the notion of being perceived as a failure or, even worse, as a burden," Myers writes. As he tells Fairfax Media: "It's easier for us to look after people, to be the helper, than the one being helped." 'The caring profession needs to care for itself' Concerns about privacy and confidentiality, particularly in small communities, deter many medicos from seeking treatment, as does lack of time and fear that disclosing a mental health issue could threaten their career. Under Australia's mandatory reporting laws that fear is very real. A doctor might seek treatment from a GP, psychiatrist or other health professional, but can find themselves reported to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) if their treating doctor believes they are impaired and could endanger the public. That triggers a series of investigations and interventions that could end in suspension, deregistration, humiliation. Myers is scathing of mandatory reporting, saying it is "driving people away from going for what is, in some cases, life-saving care". Melbourne psychiatrist Dr Helen Schultz says mandatory reporting has "generated a whole layer of paranoia and fear" among doctors and should be scrapped. She is also calling for an overhaul of AHPRA's investigation process and the way doctors are notified. "A letter is sent in the mail with no notice, no warning, no support, to say you're being investigated, you're suspended," she says. "That's just inhumane." Schultz says the way bad news is broken to doctors about missing out on a job or a program, for example is "really heartless". A minor setback for some might be the final straw for others. "We don't realise that one crucial conversation could end up with a suicide," she says. A mentor of doctors in training, Schultz lost three young psychiatry colleagues to suicide in early 2015. She says the emphasis on building doctors' resilience is a form of victim blaming, putting the onus on individuals to cope rather than tackling institutional or cultural factors that may contribute to their distress. "We're actually one of the most resilient bunches of people in society, but we're thrown into a system that is inflexible and intolerable," she says. "If you're being bullied or harassed or being subjected to sleep deprivation, or really harsh competition to get a training position in a college, it doesn't matter how resilient you are or how much mindfulness you practise. Every person has a breaking point." Dr Mukesh Haikweral, chair of beyondblue's Doctors' Mental Health Advisory Committee, says the "brutality" of the medical culture needs to be addressed "the [lack of] support mechanisms ... and the sniping, the attitude that anybody with a mental illness is too weak, they're not fit to be a doctor. The caring profession needs to care for itself." Ratcheting up the pressure on young doctors is the fact that graduate numbers have "skyrocketed" in recent years, intensifying the competition for jobs and training positions. "You're learning in a very combative environment from your peers and your teachers," Haikerwal says. "You come through this rigorous vicious, in many ways training program to become a doctor and there aren't enough training positions ... so you put them on a hiding to nothing." Brad Frankum says junior doctors "are under incredible pressure" in today's health system. Many toil around the clock, studying for exams on top of their busy working days. "The whole public hospital system is busier and has a higher turnover and less thinking time than it ever has before," he says. "Junior doctors think if they show any sign of weakness, if they make a mistake, if they say they're not coping, if they want to take some leave or take time out, it will jeopardise their chances of progressing in their careers. "My feeling is there's a lot of stressed and anxious and depressed and overwhelmed young doctors in the system and a lot of burnt-out older doctors in the system, and that's a really lethal combination." Frankum believes one factor behind doctors' high suicide rates is that they see death up close as part of their work, making it "perhaps not as distant or frightening" for them. They also have the medical knowledge to end their lives. "We need better mechanisms to support and identify those in trouble and a system that is less inclined to drive people into the ground," Frankum says. "We need to have this ongoing reinforcement that mental illness is no more or less a medical problem than physical illness, and it's nobody's fault. It's not a weakness; it's biology and circumstance just like any illness." The aftermath It's been 25 years since our family was blindsided by my father's suicide. Always the taciturn type, he had told my mother of his depression without revealing its depths. She assured him of our love, that we would all get through it together. He took his life less than a week later, at 48. It still pains me that he died alone. Had he been able to speak openly about his darkest thoughts, and given all of us who loved him every chance to help, he might be here now a part of our lives, and still living his. Smart phone apps are being blamed for another plunge in Centrelink's customer service performance with more than 42 million calls to the agency getting an engaged signal in just ten months. The figures, from June 2016 to April 2017, are a significant turn for the worse on the previous 12 months when 29 million calls received the dreaded beep-beep-beep. Kathryn Campbell said DHS was hiring a private firm to provide 250 call centre operators to answer phones. Credit:Andrew Meares In 2014-2015, the number was 22 million. Centrelink's parent department, the giant Human Services, told a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra late on Thursday night that many callers were using mobile phone apps that allow them to redial "every couple of seconds". A man who attacked his ex-partner before stabbing her date to death in a shopping centre in Sydney's north has entered two guilty pleas. Alexander Villaluna, 45, stabbed his former partner Jovi Pilapil, 39, before killing the man with whom she was having dinner, Keith Collins, 53, in the food court of Westfield Hornsby in March 2016. In the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, Villaluna pleaded guilty to one count of murder and one count of wounding with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Before the attack, Ms Pilapil, an aged-care worker, had separated from Villaluna and had successfully applied to have an AVO in place against him. John Maitland is led to the prison truck on Friday after he was sentenced by the Supreme Court to a maximum of six years in prison. Credit:Wolter Peeters She sentenced Macdonald to 10 years in prison with a non-parole period of seven years, expiring on May 25, 2024. In a statement issued by his lawyer immediately after the sentence, Macdonald said he intended to "appeal my conviction for these offences" and "strenuously" denied wrongdoing. Ian Macdonald is led to the prison truck after being sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in jail. Credit:Wolter Peeters He said he was always motivated by a desire to further the public interest and "save miners' lives". A jury found the former upper house MP guilty in March of two counts of misconduct in public office for awarding the licence to Doyles Creek Mining to benefit Maitland. A former head of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Maitland made $6 million from the deal and was found guilty as an accessory. Justice Adamson said Maitland knew he and Doyles Creek Mining "were being given a gift". Maitland was sentenced on Friday to a maximum of six years in prison with a non-parole period of four years, starting on May 25, 2021. His daughter said outside court: "It is a very dark day when an innocent man has just been sent to prison." The Director of Public Prosecutions is taking steps to claw back his profit under proceeds of crime laws. Obeid was found guilty in June last year of misconduct in public office over his family's secret business dealings at Circular Quay. He was jailed in December for a maximum of five years. Justice Adamson said Obeid's conduct in that case was "not nearly as serious" as the offending involved in Macdonald's case. The Independent Commission Against Corruption heard the Doyles Creek deal, famously toasted at an $1800 dinner at the upmarket Catalina restaurant in Rose Bay, was "a financial disaster for the people of NSW". "The state gained almost nothing for this disposition of hot property to Mr Maitland and his associates," counsel assisting the ICAC, Peter Braham, SC, said in his opening address in March 2013. Justice Adamson said Macdonald was involved in a "cynical" plan for Maitland to acquire letters of support for a "training mine" at Doyles Creek in the Hunter Valley from high-profile business and political figures. She said the "ultimate audience" for the letters was neither Macdonald nor the mining department, which was unlikely to be taken in by the scheme. The letters were designed to "forestall criticism" from the public once it became clear Macdonald had awarded a lucrative coal licence to a political associate without a competitive tender, Justice Adamson said. The training mine was "little more than a device" to hide Macdonald's real motivations to benefit Maitland. Justice Adamson said Macdonald knew the state of NSW was "foregoing" a potentially significant additional financial contribution by failing to put the licence to tender. The Supreme Court heard a BHP subsidiary paid $91 million in 2006 to explore for coal at Caroona in NSW while China Shenhua Energy Ltd paid $276 million in 2008 for its Watermark licence. Doyles Creek Mining did not make such a payment. Justice Adamson said Macdonald's own department did not support the Doyles Creek plan and he did not take it to cabinet because "he did not want to subject the direct allocation to scrutiny". Macdonald had insisted the training mine proposal made the Doyles Creek deal unique and in the public interest. But Crown prosecutor Michael McHugh, SC, told the jury Macdonald "misused his power" by placing the interests of Doyles Creek Mining, the company chaired by his "mate" Maitland, above the interests of the state. Justice Adamson said the deal was not the result of "true friendship" and was not pay-back for a political debt but it was never acceptable for a minister to use their position to benefit their mates. High-profile backers including broadcaster Alan Jones had courted controversy by rallying around Macdonald in character references submitted to the court to support his bid to avoid a jail sentence. Labor Opposition Leader Luke Foley said the ICAC had been "vindicated" and if not for its efforts "Macdonald would still be at large today". "I sought to end Ian Macdonald's political career in 2006. I welcome [Friday's] sentencing," he said. From pinot to porridge, Ian Macdonald is to spend seven years behind bars. A fortnight before Christmas in 2008 the seeds for Ian Macdonald's destruction were sown over an $1800 dinner at Catalina, the upmarket waterside restaurant in Sydney's Rose Bay. The line between business and pleasure was one that the man dubbed Sir Lunchalot seemed unable or unwilling to grasp. And that night was no different. As he dined on suckling pig and duck, washed down with a magnum of pinot noir, he whipped out his pen and, in his official capacity as a minister for the Crown, signed over a valuable coal licence to his dining companion, former union boss John Maitland. Macdonald must have known this deal had a strong whiff of corruption about it and that it would be impossible to justify if anyone looked too closely. Respected builder Tony Campbell's first passion was his family. Though it was fair to say that New Zealand was also high on that list. Tony Campbell, pictured with his wife Robyn, died after falling down a ravine at Fox Glacier. The grandfather, 66, from Newcastle, had visited New Zealand many times over the past three decades and was enjoying another sojourn this time with his son and "best mate" Anthony high on the Fox Glacier on the South Island. And that is where tragedy struck. Fishers have been given the green light to return to waters around Brisbane Airport after toxic firefighting foam spilled from a Qantas hangar in April. The latest results from the surrounding waters showed only eight of the 82 samples were at or above investigation trigger levels. Fishers can return to waters near Brisbane Airport. Credit:Jay Cronan Environment Minister Steven Miles said the water quality remained within recreational water use guidelines, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries had given fishers the all clear. Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young said the health advice was that consumers should limit their consumption of seafood from the investigation area to two or three serves per week. A Queensland man has been fined more than $100,000 after he admitted underpaying 144 employees working across a number of farms in the Lockyer Valley. Ram Kumar was penalised $17,000 and his labour-hire company Seasonal Farm Services Pty Ltd fined $85,000 after he admitted in a Brisbane court his company had underpaid 144 staff a total of $60,780 during the 2014/2015 financial year, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman. A number of workers were backpackers who were trying to extend their 417 working holiday visas. Credit:File/Rob Griffith The employees had been on 417 working holiday visas and were supplied by the labour-hire company to pick and pack fruit and vegetables from a range of farms in Queensland's Lockyer Valley. At the time of the investigation, three of the workers were just 19 years old. Almost half a million dollars in grants will be available for Queenslanders to set up or spruce up "hackerspaces". State Development Minister Anthony Lynham will announce the $450,000 grant program, aimed at creating new opportunities in advanced manufacturing through community hubs, on Saturday at the BrisMakerFest. A tech enthusiast works on a project at a Brisbane hackerspace in 2014. Dr Lynham said the Hackerspaces Grant was designed to increase the effectiveness of hackerspaces. "[They] are informal places where people meet to share their interest in technology, tinker with tools, work on individual or shared projects, and learn from each other," Dr Lynham said. A Chinese real estate developer wants to build a luxurious new suburb on badly contaminated former Defence land in Maribyrnong that would include up to 6000 homes. Developer Zhongren's $2.5 billion vision for the Maribyrnong Defence Site includes a canal carved through a sweeping bend in the Maribyrnong River to create more water frontage for future homes. Redeveloping the site was the centrepiece of a housing affordability package unveiled by Treasurer Scott Morrison last month. The latest plans have led federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to describe the Turnbull government's strategy for the disposal of the 127-hectare Defence site as "a complete and utter shambles" with "zero transparency" that put "millionaire private developers ahead of local residents". London: US President Donald Trump has announced he is pulling the US out of the 2015 Paris climate change deal. The choice, his biggest international policy decision to date, is an ill thought through move that will retard international efforts to tackle global warming and has already provoked an international furore of condemnation. Yet it by no means sounds a death knell for the deal. Trump's announcement has split his administration with, for instance, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson favouring continued US support for Paris. Moreover, there is also significant support within the nation's business community for this stance too. Many US multinationals - including in the energy sector - argue that it is better for the United States to keep a seat at the table and influence an accord that big US businesses are ultimately likely to have to abide by in coming years. However, the US President's decision is not wholly surprising given that he previously asserted that "the concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive", and that he also received a letter last week from more than 20 Republican senators urging him to quit the 2015 agreement. Trump last week refused to indicate his support at G7 for the Paris deal. Caracas: Gunmen killed a judge involved in the sentencing of Venezuela's best-known jailed political leader Leopoldo Lopez in the latest fatality of two months of anti-government unrest that has killed at least 62 people, authorities said on Thursday. And in a blistering attack on President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government, the chief state prosecutor said his plan to create a new congress threatened to "eliminate" democracy. Anti-government demonstrators cross an overpass during a march against the Venezuelan government in Caracas on Wednesday. Credit:AP The judge, 37-year-old Nelson Moncada was shot and stripped of his belongings as he tried to get away from a street barricade on Wednesday night in Caracas' El Paraiso district, the scene of regular clashes, the prosecutor's office said. This week has seen widespread violence around the Venezuelan capital, with security forces repeatedly breaking up marches by opposition supporters towards government offices downtown, and skirmishes continuing into the night. Protesters frequently block roads with trash and burning tires, sometimes asking passers-by for contributions toward a self-styled "Resistance" movement against Maduro. Beijing: Chinese premier Li Keqiang was expected to issue a joint statement with the European Union in Brussels on Friday reaffirming the world's biggest greenhouse gas polluter would fully meet its Paris Agreement goals. Chinese media swiftly reported the backlash against US President Donald Trump's decision to exit the global climate action pact, including criticism by the Governor of California Jerry Brown and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk. Mr Brown will arrive in Beijing next week for a clean energy conference to discuss linking California's carbon trading scheme with several Chinese trials. In a White House ceremony on Thursday, Mr Trump said the US would withdraw from the 2015 international pact to tackle climate change. The agreement negotiated under his predecessor put at risk US jobs and the US economy, he said, declaring he was "elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris". 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 Teachers Mutual Bank (TMB) has announced changes to its interest-only lending policy for fixed and variable rates by introducing a new type of combination mortgage.From last Tuesday (30 May), borrowers at TMB as well as the banks other brands UniBank and Firefighters Mutual Bank will be limited to paying IO on a maximum of 50% of their total mortgage with principal and interest repayments covering the rest.While this means that borrowers will have to take out two loans to cover their mortgage, the process will not be complicated, Mark Middleton, TMBs head of third party distribution, told Australian Broker.Its still the one loan. All the broker is doing is selecting two different products. It still comes through the NextGen .Net system or through their CRM platform on to us. In essence, it involves very minor additional work that the broker has to do for that loan to come to us. Well still assess the two loans as one requirement from that customer.Potential borrowers who have been conditionally approved for a home loan but have yet to settle will not be affected by the change. However, if an application exceeds the 90-day approval and then requires re-assessment, the new conditions will apply.These changes have been in response to regulatory moves by ASIC and APRA giving guidance to ADIs, Middleton said, as well as to meet the needs of members out there in the market.To do that, we thought wed take a different approach to the market and be able to offer interest-only out there. With that in mind though, weve gone 50/50.This benefits borrowers, he added, since this combination loan gives them equity in the property as well instead of simply paying off the interest.Theyre still in the market and its a great way of staying in there but it also helps them think about ways to look at it differently and get themselves a greater stake in the property.TMB has also increased rates for its IO home loans by 40 basis points across one to five year terms for owner occupiers and investors. This means rates for owner occupiers lie between 4.34% and 5.01% per annum while those for investors sit between 4.64% and 5.31% per annum. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Necessity is the mother of re-invention. The development team once led by Jared Kushner who earlier this month was named a focus in the FBIs Russia investigation revealed plans on May 31 to transform the Jehovahs Witnesses Brooklyn Heights headquarters into a swanky office complex, along with a new name that bears no trace of Donald Trumps son-in-law. The development marketed as Panorama is owned by builders Kushner Companies, LIVWRK, and investor CIM Group, who ditched their individual identities for the joint name Columbia Heights Associates in announcing it. But having the presidents controversial advisors name tied to the complex likely will not drive away businesses looking to sign a lease, according to one broker. I dont think its going to be an issue for most tenants, thats a really hard one to speculate on, said Jakub Nowak, a commercial broker for Marcus and Millichap. I dont see it being a big factor. But some companies already have shown aversion to setting up shop in a Trump-associated office. News outlet The Guardian made headlines when it scrapped its plan to move into Dumbo Heights another Kushner Companies and LIVWRK-owned office complex in the old Jehovahs Witness printing plant after journalists objected to writing in a building owned by Kushner. And a rep for e-marketplace Etsy, which rents there along with the co-working space WeWork, told this paper it had not considered its landlord would rise to become the President Trumps right hand man when it signed a 10-year lease in 2014. Kushner and his partners marketed Dumbo Heights under their individual names, but their re-branding as Columbia Heights Associates is just protocol, not an attempt to distance the Panorama project from the Kushner name, according to a spokesman. Kushner who is married to Ivanka Trump stepped down from his role as the chief executive of Kushner Companies in January, but refused to divest himself from certain assets, including Panorama. He and his partners paid $340 million in August for the two-city-block-sized building and three neighboring Columbia Heights properties that they plan to turn into a skyway-connected campus for roughly 5,000 workers and retail space. The complex is located in an area known for attracting tech start-ups and drawing talented graduates from nearby New York University Tandon School of Engineering and the New York City College of Technology. The owners seek tenants that include creative economy firms and traditional companies, according to a spokesman, although the head of LIVWRK said he wants one major international tenant to fill the space, magazine Fast Company reported. The location and floor plans of the complexs buildings will appeal to the types of creative businesses developers hope to attract, according to Nowak. Its ripe for any type of technology, advertising, media, or information tenancy, he said. The buildings wide open floor plans are what creative tenants are looking for. Workers are hacking away at the interior of the old Witness headquarters, according to a spokesman, and the complex should be ready for tenants sometime next year. The headquarters is best known for its 47-year-old Watchtower sign that looms over the Dumbo skyline and a rendering shows some sort of sign perched atop the new building, but a spokesman declined to comment on the future of the iconic placard. 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... NJ Weedman got a license to sell NJ legal weed. He almost said no. When a photo of actor Akshay Kumar meeting Prime Minister last month was circulated on social media, Rohit Chopra, associate professor at Santa Clara University, who runs the popular Twitter handle India Explained, tweeted: Kind of cute how Twinkle Khanna writes progressive fluff pieces in ToI while Akshayji dances with Pogrom Modi. Indian elites in nutshell. Bharti Airtel and Telenor India today filed a joint application before National Company Law Tribunal for approval of their merger following nod from the market regulator SEBI and stock exchanges -- BSE and NSE. "Telenor India and Airtel have today filed the joint company application before the New Delhi Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal for approval of the proposed Scheme of merger. The merger is inter alia subject to other statutory approvals including from the Competition Commission of India," Bharti Airtel said in a statement. The company said that it has received the approval of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), BSE Limited (BSE) and National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) for the proposed scheme of merger. Airtel and Telenor signed the agreement for merger on February 2017 under which Airtel will acquire Telenor India's running operations in seven circles -- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP (East), UP (West) and Assam. "These circles represent a high population concentration and therefore, offer a high potential for growth. The proposed acquisition will include transfer of all of Telenor India's assets and customers, further augmenting Airtel's overall customer base and network," the statement said. It will also enable Airtel to further bolster its strong spectrum footprint in these seven circles, with the addition of 43.4 MHz spectrum in the 1800 MHz band -- widely known as 2G spectrum but it is now being used for 4G services as well. Lenders have decided to give (RCom) time till December to make interest and principal repayment so that the company could sell assets and reduce debt, even as they took the strategic debt restructuring (SDR) route for the Anil Ambani group-owned firm. Banks are planning to insist on a forensic audit of (RCom) before they take up a proposal for restructuring loans to the beleaguered telecom company. has received US Food and Drugs Administration approval for an antibacterial injection from its Moraiya plant, indicating an end to its regulatory problems. on Friday reported a turnaround in the current year with a profit after tax of Rs 9 crore in FY17 from a loss of Rs 2,664 crore in FY16. The return to black was spurred by good performance in its airport segment. Home-grown mobile manufacturer Intex Technologies (India ) Ltd has set a sales target of Rs 520 crore with launch of 25 new mobile handsets lined up over the next three months. Sajjan Jindal-led got the go ahead to set up its 10 million tonne steel project in the state at Paradip at a cost of Rs 50,000 crore. The steel project when fully operational promises to create around 30,000 jobs. Global private equity firm KKR & Co has raised $9.3 billion, the biggest ever mobilisation with investment focus in Asia. In the first ever fund in 2007, the company had raised $4 billion, followed by $6 billion in 2013. Both these funds were deployed across Japan, China and India, besides other countries in South Asia and Pacific region. Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. In a rare case of a promoter wanting to defeat a resolution brought by his company, Chairman and Managing Director Gautam Hari Singhania said he would want to vote against the company's plan to sell off flats in a South Mumbai building at throwaway prices. The Trump administration has announced the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Should we expect any substantive effect on global climate efforts or changes to other U.S. climate policies? Some suggest there will be additional emissions of up to three billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in the air a year. Others point to higher U.S. emissions due to potentially diluted auto fuel efficiency standards and changes to rules to restrict methane leaks from the oil and gas industry. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is likely to declare the Class 10 board examination results on Friday. Apart from the boards official websites, SMS and other online portals, candidates can also use Microsofts Bing search engine to view their result. Tesla Inc Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and Walt Disney Co CEO Robert Iger said on Thursday they would leave White House advisory councils after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would withdraw from the Paris climate accord. The Indus is one of Asias mightiest rivers. From its source in the northwestern foothills of the Himalayas, it flows through the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir and along the length of Pakistan to the Arabian Sea. The river and its five tributaries together make up the Indus Basin, which spans four countries and supports 215m people Yet fast-growing populations and increasing demand for hydropower and irrigation in each country means the Indus is coming under intense pressure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wrapping up his Russia visit on a high, today reaffirmed India's commitment to reducing carbon emission under the Paris Climate Change accord, as he invited global businesses to invest in the world's fastest growing economy, saying "sky is the limit" for them. In a speech at an economic forum, and in a subsequent question-and-answer session, Modi made his case forcefully to frequent applause, as he touched on subjects as diverse as relations with China, terrorism, Donald Trump, the Vedas and the power of youth. He cleverly ducked a question from the moderator, U.S. TV network NBC anchor Megyn Kelly on whether he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that Russia was not involved in influencing U.S. Election results through hacking. "You have been talking at length about leaders like President Trump, Hillary Clinton, Chancellor Merkel and President Putin. Among such big leaders, I don't think, you need a lawyer like me," Modi said, to laughter and applause from an audience of several hundred at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that included the Russian president sitting next to him. The annual event was held at the sprawling conference center on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, Russia's second- largest city and Putin's hometown. Yesterday, Modi and Putin held a summit, and signed several agreements including a critical one to build two more reactors of a nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu with Russia's help. Modi's reply on hacking was the only moment that approached light-heartedness in his otherwise intense pitch for investment that was matched by terse replies by Putin on a range of prickly subjects such as Syria, his relationship with Trump, his support for Syrian leader Bashar Assad, U.S. sanctions against Russia and growing income inequity in Russia. Modi also sidestepped a question on which side he stood after Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change accord. In his reply, he quoted the Vedas to say that harming the environment is a crime, and milking nature is the right of the humans. "I have in simple ways stated a dream of new India. I have quoted from 5000-year-old Vedas to say that humans have a right to milk nature but have no right to exploit nature," he said, speaking in Hindi interspersed with English phrases. Modi said he was asked a similar question in Germany earlier this week, before the US decision was made public. At the time, Modi said, he had replied "Paris or no Paris, it is our conviction that we have no right to snatch from our future generation their right to have a clean and beautiful earth." His speech earlier, however, was almost entirely devoted to attracting foreign investment. He invited global businesses to invest in India, saying its market of 120 crore people provides vast opportunities from agriculture to defense, while being protected by political stability and a "vibrant" judicial system. "The sky is the limit in India. You can venture here in any area you want (to do business)," said Modi, the first prime minister of India to attend the SPIEF forum, which is held annually in St. Petersburg. Modi said that his government's journey toward developing India is built on investments in infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and services. "Fifty cities need metros, 500 cities need solid waste management and drinking water. Besides, India has the world's second largest railway network. It needs to be expanded, upgraded technologically to make it safer and reliable. The clean India movement has embarked on a program to clean the 2,500 kilometer long Ganga," Modi said. All this provides immense opportunities for investment, he said. The market is open even for defence manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and medical devices. "I invite you all. A nation of 1.2 billion people invites the world. The world's oldest civilization invites you all," he said. He said that in the last three years since he came to power, India has attracted $160 billion of foreign investment including $60 billion, the highest ever, in the last financial year. When pressed for comments on the US withdrawing from trade deals, Modi said, "India believes in open economy. It has taken all decisions in that direction." He added that in an era of globalisation, "we should help each other as much as we can. It will be better. Raising concerns against the states who supply arms and money to terrorists, Indian Prime Minister on Friday called on for a joint fight against the menace and emphasised that the terrorists shouldn't divide between "good and bad" terrorists. "For 40 years, India has been a victim of cross-border terrorism. There are nations that supply terrorists with arms and currency. It was after 9/11 that the entire world realised the dangers of terrorism. The World must come together to fight terrorism," Prime Minister Modi said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. "Terrorists shouldn't be divided on "good" and "bad," Sputnik quoted the Indian Prime Minister as saying. Backing India, Russian President also said that terrorism is a common threat and called for a united fight against the menace. He further acknowledged that terrorism was a serious problem that India has been facing. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi asked the Russian business fraternity to explore the immense opportunities in the field of defence, services sector and manufacturing healthcare equipment in India. "The eyes of the world are in Asia and there is renewed interest in India. In the last three years, there have been substantial reforms guided by the principle of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance. India is one of the fastest growing economies and is undertaking reforms at a rapid pace," he said. He said India has taken various reformist measures to ward off red-tapism and has brought in transparency into the system. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed that India is committed to the climate deal, irrespective of the Paris agreement. "Paris or no Paris, we are committed to preserving the climate is for the sake of future generations," he said. Prime Minister has hailed the ties between India and Russia that span the spectrum from Culture to Defence (Sanskriti se Suraksha) and said India welcomes Russia's unconditional support to India on the issue of cross-border terrorism. He was addressing the media on Thursday at the end of the 18th Annual India-Russia Summit where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The ties between India and Russia span the spectrum from Culture to Defence (Sanskriti se Suraksha). 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries have been marked by a high degree of convergence on various bilateral and global matters," said the Prime Minister. India's relations with Russia are special. 70 years of India-Russia ties have seen remarkable cooperation & convergence on key issues. (@narendramodi) June 1, 2017 The Prime Minister welcomed Russia's unconditional support to India on the issue of cross-border terrorism. Earlier, Putin said no matter where the threat comes from, it is unacceptable and Russia will always support India in its fight against terror. India and Russia also issued the St Petersburg Declaration, which Prime Minister described as a "benchmark of stability in a turbulent, interdependent and interconnected world". The Prime Minister described energy cooperation as one of the cornerstones of the relationship between India and Russia, and noted that this cooperation in the nuclear, hydrocarbon, and renewable energy sectors has been considerably deepened by the discussion and decisions taken today. In this context, he mentioned the agreement of Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The Prime Minister emphasised the role of the private sector in enhancing trade and commercial ties between the two countries, adding that India and Russia are close to achieving the target of $30 billion worth of investment by 2025. Speaking on the theme of connectivity, the Prime Minister mentioned cooperation between the two countries in the International North-South Transport Corridor. Among other initiatives, the Prime Minister mentioned the "bridge to innovation" to promote startups and entrepreneurship, and the forthcoming commencement of discussions on a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. Underlining the time-tested strategic dimension of the India-Russia relationship, the Prime Minister mentioned the forthcoming first Tri-services exercise - INDRA 2017, between the two countries. Defence production Joint Ventures for the production of Kamov 226 helicopters and frigates were also mentioned. He said India's participation as a guest country in SPIEF and his address there today would further deepen economic cooperation between the two nations. On the cultural side, the Prime Minister said the deep awareness of Russian culture in India, and of Yoga and Ayurveda in Russia, was a matter of deep satisfaction. The Prime Minister welcomed and applauded President Putin's leadership in the growth of India-Russia relations. He also recalled his first visit to St Petersburg as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001. Prime Minister Modi announced that a road in Delhi has been renamed after Ambassador Alexander Kadakin, whom he described as a friend of India, who passed away recently. Earlier, addressing chief executive officers of both countries, the Prime Minister invited Russian companies to invest in key sectors of the Indian economy, and particularly mentioned opportunities in the strategic sector. India and Russia signed five agreements in sectors covering nuclear energy, railways, gems and jewellery, traditional knowledge and cultural exchanges. The Prime Minister also paid homage to the heroic defenders and brave soldiers of the Battle of Leningrad, at the Piskarovskoye Cemetery. President Donald Trumps announcement overnight that he will withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement comes as no surprise. After all, this is the man who famously claimed that climate change was a hoax created by the Chinese. While it will take around four years for the US to withdraw, the prospect is complicated by Trumps claim that he wants to renegotiate the agreement a proposal that European leaders were quick to dismiss. But the question now is who will lead global climate action in the US absence? Vegetable supply in Mumbai and its suburban areas remain disrupted amid farmers' indefinite strike, demanding a farm loan waiver and assured realisation of their produce from the state government in Maharashtra. Milk and sugar supply were also affected due to famers' firm stance over their demands. India will abide by its existing commitments under the despite the US President Donald Trump pulling out from the global climate change pact. Amazon I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. E-commerce companies in India are saying that there is still lack of clarity on compliance, which will affect the transition of their vendors to the new regime and in turn hurt their businesses. India and on Thursday signed the much-awaited agreement on setting up of two more units of a nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu and decided to give a new direction to the defence cooperation between the two great powers. The two countries also decided to hold the first tri-services exercises, named Indra-2017, this year and start joint manufacturing of frigates, adding on to the co-production of Kamov-226 military helicopters. These decisions were taken at the wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister and Russian President here, which covered a range of issues, including terrorism and increasing trade and investment. Addressing the media jointly with Putin, Modi said the relations between India and have been unwavering, based on mutual love, respect and strong trust. From culture to security, our relations have been on a par ... We speak in one language, he said. He said the two leaders had decided to speed up the bilateral cooperation in all fields, for which an action plan has been devised. Noting that India and were celebrating the 70th anniversary of their relations, Modi said there had been no impact on the ties in all these decades. Putin described the talks as substantive and said the India-Russia partnership was developing into a strategic and privileged one. A joint declaration issued after the talks said the Indian-Russian special and privileged strategic partnership was a unique relationship of mutual trust between the two great powers. It said the relationship covered all areas of cooperation, including in the spheres of political relations, security, trade and economy, military and technical field, energy, scientific, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and foreign policy. The relationship helps promote national interests of both countries, and contributes to the establishment of a more peaceful and just world order, the declaration said. The two sides signed five agreements, which included one on setting up of units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu. Modi said the nuclear agreement, which was a major outcome of the summit meeting, would further strengthen the ties between the two countries. The other pacts included a contract for a high-speed train service between Nagpur and Secunderabad, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for export of precious stones and jewellery and a programme on cultural exchanges. We welcome the conclusion of the the general framework agreement and credit protocol for units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power plant, according to a Vision Document issued after the talks. The reactors will be built by Indias Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and Russias Atomstroyexport company, a subsidiary of Rosatom, the regulatory body of the Russian nuclear complex. Each of the two units will have a capacity to produce 1,000 megawatt (MW) of power. The document titled A vision for the 21st Century said economies of India and Russia complemented each other in the energy sector and both countries would strive to build an energy bridge. It said the future of Indian-Russian cooperation holds great promise across a wide spectrum covering nuclear power, nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear science and technology. We will strive to build an energy bridge between our states and expand bilateral relations in all areas of energy cooperation, including nuclear, hydrocarbon, hydel and renewable energy sources and in improving energy efficiency, it said. The growing partnership in the nuclear power sector between India and Russia has opened opportunities for developing advanced nuclear manufacturing capabilities in India in line with its Make In India initiative, the declaration said. India and Russia commit themselves to earnestly implement the Programme of Action for Localisation in India signed on December 24, 2015, and to encourage their nuclear industries to engage closely and foster concrete collaborations, it said. The current nuclear power generation capacity of all 22 nuclear power reactors is 6,780 MW. In October 2015, a joint statement between Modi and Putin promised the signing of a global framework agreement on nuclear units by December 2016. After an inter-ministerial group cleared the project, it was sent to the Prime Ministers Office for approval. But, sources said, the credit protocol, or a line of credit that Russia was to provide, proved to be a hurdle. The two countries also said there had been a steady and demonstrable achievements in bilateral civil nuclear partnership, including advancing nuclear power projects at the Kudankulum site and transforming it into one of Indias largest energy hubs. Cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy has emerged as one of the hallmarks of the strategic partnership between the two countries, contributing to India's energy security and energising broader scientific and technological cooperation, the document said. Talking about terrorism, Modi said the views of the two countries are similar on the problem in whichever form it exists, whether in Afghanistan, Middle East or Asia-Pacific. "India and Russia stand together on terrorism and new challenges to the security," he said. In the joint statement, the two sides said that the "unprecedented spread" of the threat of terror "requires decisive collective response on part of the entire global community, without double standards and selectivity, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter." It added, "We urge all countries and entities to work sincerely to disrupt terrorist networks and their financing, and stop cross-border movement of terrorists." The two countries called for early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to strengthen the global counter-terrorism normative and legal framework to combat this scourge. Referring to trade, Modi said the two countries were close to achieving the target of $30 billion by 2025. At present, trade between the two nations stands at $7.8 billion, down from $10 billion in 2014. Russian investment in India is $4 billion while Indian investment in Russia is $8 bn, Putin noted. Modi will be addressing a large gathering of business leaders tomorrow at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where India is the guest country for the first time. The prime minister said it was a privilege for him. The State Bank of India (SBI) today announced financing of rooftop worth Rs 400 crore, with private developers. This would add at least 100 Mw of rooftop solar capacity to the grid, and is a significant step towards meeting the Central government's target for 40 Gw of rooftop solar installations. The Institute of Chartered Accounts of India (ICAI), the regulatory body governing auditors, has proposed to the ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) the introduction of the concept of joint audit in private to enhance the quality of audit. This follows questions over the role of auditors in estimation of non-performing assets (NPAs) of some private sector . Recently three private lenders YES Bank, Axis Bank and ICICI Bank had reported gross NPA figures in FY2015-16 that were in variance of the RBIs estimations. APEDA is organizing a Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) on 5th -6th June, 2017 at Mumbai. The programme will facilitate the interaction of Buyers of mangoes from China, Japan, Australia, Iran, Mauritius, South Korea and Dubai with the concerned Government officials of mango exporting states and the mango exporters. About 30 leading importers from their countries are exported to participate in the event. . . The objective of the event is to provide a platform for interaction of exporters and importers of mangoes, to promote exports of mangoes from the country. The Buyer Seller Meet has been scheduled on the first day (5th June, 2017) in Hotel Fortune, Navi Mumbai. There are about 60 exporters from the country who would be participating in the event. State Governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telanagana, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are participating in the BSM and would be showcasing their variety of mangoes through a stall put up separately for each State. Information related to mangoes would be disseminated through various publicity material prepared. Further, a provision has been made for wet sampling of mangoes to the buyers of the different countries, so that they can appreciate a vast range of mango and its taste. The second day (6th June, 2017) of the event is plan to showcase the critical infrastructure set up for export of mangoes namely Hot Water Treatment facility, Vapour Heat Treatment facility and Irradiation Facility. The idea is to create confidence among buyers about the quality improvements made by India and its commitment to export safe food products. The event is going to be inaugurated by Shri Alok Vardhan Chaturvedi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India. The event would be joined by Shri D.K. Singh, Chairman, APEDA, Dr. Shakil P. Ahamed, Joint Secretary, MIDH, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. . . MJPS The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Ministers Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh felicitated the toppers of Civil Services Examination (2016), here today. . . During the felicitation ceremony, Dr Jitendra Singh congratulated all the candidates who have cleared the Civil Services Examination 2016 and said that due to the high expectations of the people these days, it becomes a great challenge for the civil servants to optimally learn and perform as per their expectations. He said that the civil servants shall serve the nation to their best and act as a messenger of the general public. He said that the civil servants should always be humble in their attitude to succeed in their efforts. . . Dr Jitendra Singh said that the civil servants contribute to the continuation in the Government set up and play a critical role. He said that they should always act independent and not perform anything under pressure, as their acts are always open to scrutiny. . . The Minister said that it is right time for the civil servants to enter the service as they can better correlate to the aspirations of general public because more than 65% of Indias population is under 40 years of age. He said that 4 Cs- Clarity, Conviction, Courage and Consistency, shall dictate the performance of civil servants. Dr Jitendra Singh wished all the candidates a great success in future and said that the civil servants have the privilege of being the architect of India. . . Addressing the toppers, Secretary, DoPT, Shri B. P. Sharma said that the toppers should develop an attitude to lead the team and work with due respect towards all team members. He also said that they should have balanced personality to succeed in their career. He wished them for the new phase of their life. . . On the occasion, Secretary, DARPG, Shri C. Vishwanath also congratulated the toppers. He said that the honesty, integrity and commitment to serve people are the most important points to be always followed. . . Senior officers of Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions were also present on the occasion. . . Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal visited Berlin, Leipzig and Munich from May 29 to June 1, 2017. The Minister participated in a number of bilateral and business meetings. . . The visit started with the Minister meeting Dr. Christoph Beier, Vice Chairman of German Development agency GIZ (Gesellschaft f?r Internationale Zusammenarbeit). The agency complements the German development bank KfW through technical advisory and capability development. . . Shri Goyal highlighted how India has increased its green power capacity to more than 100 GW, including Hydro and nuclear and increased its solar capacity to nearly five times of the capacity in 2014. The Minister informed the German side how Indias tremendous success in auctions to ensure affordable renewable energy can also be adopted in Germany which is moving away from Feed In Tariffs (FITs). . . Given the global presence of GIZ in over 130 countries, Shri Goyal proposed a partnership with EESL, which can help India leapfrog and distribute energy efficiency products across the globe. The Minister also explored areas like potential availability of good technical assets in stressed solar companies in Germany, long term funding, grid balancing, electric vehicles development, off grid systems, green energy corridors and long term funding. . . In line with Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modis vision of Make in India Mittelstand (MIIM), Shri Goyal met a few German companies engaged in or exploring Make in India. During the meetings held in Berlin and Munich, the Minister highlighted how innovative companies from Germany can leverage scale and low manufacturing cost in India to Make in India and Make for the World. These companies included innovative firms in areas like Bio fuels (resolving pollution related issues from rice husk burning), building material from Sulphur capture at power plants (significant potential to reduce imports and fund pollution control equipment), battery storage, affordable off shore wind power and increasing flexibility in thermal plants to support rapid demand fluctuation and renewable energy addition. . . In order to facilitate better interaction between German and Indian companies, Shri Goyal recommended that International Solar Alliance (ISA) Secretariat start holding monthly matchmaking meetings in collaboration with Industry Associations like CII, FICCI etc. These meetings would include German and Indian companies including financing firms. Gradually, ISA can take such a model to all its member countries. . . In a detailed meeting with Dr. Barbara Hendricks, German Federal Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building & Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and her officials, Shri Goyal reiterated how India under Shri Modis leadership has taken up renewable energy as an article of faith and is steadfast on its Paris commitments, irrespective of what others do. . . In the above meeting, Shri Goyal told Dr. Hendricks that India led the focus on Sustainable lifestyles in Paris agreement. Both Ministers agreed that affordable renewable energy has made achieving a greener planet a case of opportunity sharing rather than burden sharing. Shri Goyal also invited the German side to partner with India for RE-Invest 2017, to which they indicated their preference for visiting the country during September before the German elections. . . To discuss long term affordable financing for renewable industry in India, Shri Goyal met Mr Roland Siller, DG Europe and Asia, KfW. In order to develop the rooftop market, the Minister suggested that SECI or NTPC can take long term funding from KfW and set up rooftops on government buildings as an aggregator. The tariffs can be escalating which ensures affordable prices from day one. Innovative structures like first loss fund creation through a surcharge on solar power were also discussed. In order to support rapid roll out of Smart meters, it was suggested that REC and PFC can explore long term funding through KfW. Additional areas for potential collaboration include underground cabling (replicating the success in Varanasi across India), global expansion of EESL through pay as you go model. . . In Leipzig, Shri Goyal studied Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure which included public fast chargers, normal chargers at homes as well as multi-functional street pole chargers with CCTV and Wi-Fi infrastructure. The city utility in Leipzig provides free electricity to EV owners in order to incentivise consumption. This is a model being used by Tesla motors too and can also be explored in power surplus India. Innovative business models in EVs have resulted in a cultural shift so that in big cities, youngsters consider owning a car a taboo and prefer using an app based service to unlock and use the nearest EV which are available across large cities. . . Further, the Minister interacted with the senior management of Fraunhofer Institute, Europes largest applied R&D organisation as well as the CEO of Leipzigs utility. A number of their innovations in areas like Electric Mobility (storage and retrofitting buses), Industrial Data Space etc. are prospective areas that can be explored for further collaboration. Shri Goyal invited them to setup a centre for EV research in collaboration with IIT BHU, Mumbai or Chennai and help in mass production of charging stations. . . Shri Goyal also visited the BMWs Electric Vehicle manufacturing facility near Leipzig which produces their i3 and i8 series of EVs. With a capacity of 30,000 EVs per year, the simple construction of EVs whose life (body shell) and drive (battery and motor) are literally glued together. With the setup of supporting infrastructure and advances in better technology, many Indian OEMs can explore EV manufacturing. . . The Minister also participated in Intersolar, one of the Worlds largest exhibitions for the solar industry. Addressing the gathering, he reiterated Indias resolve to take up the leadership of saving the planet from climate change while others abrogate their leadership. Shri Goyal highlighted how under Shri Modis visionary leadership, India has started the ISA which is well on its way towards ratification. He also highlighted how in future, with renewable revolution, electricity may become free and may only be given as an added incentive along with other services. . . Finally, noting Munichs aim to become 100% renewable energy powered city by 2025, Shri Goyal threw a challenge to make Varanasi 100% renewable energy powered before 2025 and beat Munich. In this way, the Worlds oldest city can also become the first major city to be powered fully by clean energy. The Minister instructed officials to start working on this including the storage and distribution infrastructure required for the same. . . Luxury carmaker Audi on Friday found itself being pulled deeper into a global emissions cheating scandal that has engulfed its parent company Volkswagen after German prosecutors said they were investigating whether some of Audi's top-end models might have been tampered with in Germany. Prosecutors have already been investigating possible diesel emissions cheating by Audi in the United States. But they announced Friday that they were extending their probe to the carmaker's home country, a day after Audi announced a Europe-wide recall of its A7 and A8 models. "We have broadened our probe into sales of Audi vehicles... To 24,000 vehicles sold in Germany and Europe with illegal defeat devices," a spokesman for prosecutors in Munich, southern Germany, told AFP. On Thursday, Audi said it was recalling 24,000 A7 and A8 diesel vehicles, including 14,000 in Germany after it had identified "anomalies" in the levels of their nitrogen oxide emissions. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are harmful gases which contribute to smog and soot. Following a review, Audi said that the levels emitted by the German models affected "exceed the allowed level by between 20 and 100 percent in certain situations". It pointed the finger at software in the cars' transmission systems. The emissions cheating scandal, known as "Dieselgate", erupted in September 2015 when Volkswagen was forced to admit that it had installed so-called "defeat devices" -- sophisticated software designed to fool regulatory emissions tests -- into the engines of 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide. So far, there has been no evidence linking current or former Audi executives to the cheating, the prosecutors' spokesman said. "We have been closely cooperating with Munich prosecutors for several months to support the investigation," an Audi spokesman told AFP today. A day earlier, German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt accused Audi of installing a device designed to make the cars emit less under test conditions than in real-world driving. "Audi is required to present suggestions for solutions to the problem by June 12," a transport ministry spokesman said today. "We will look at it and then the process will continue." Volkswagen faces a battery of legal cases and investigations over "Dieselgate" and has embarked on an unprecedented recall of vehicles to refit the engines with the correct software. Some 8.5 million of the affected cars are owned by European buyers, including 2.5 million in Germany. A Volkswagen spokesman told AFP the latest recall only affects Audi, and that the engine used in the cars was of a different design to those fitted in VW, Audi, Skoda, and VW vans already subject to recalls. Barack slammed his successor President Donald Trump on Thursday for pulling out of the Paris climate deal, warning that the move would see the United States "reject the future" by not abiding by the agreement. "Even in the absence of American leadership; even as this administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I'm confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we've got," said in a statement. India and China are showing strong leadership to combat climate change and the decision by the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement will not deter these global efforts, the UN Environment chief said today. "The science on climate change is perfectly clear: we need more action, not less. This a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now," UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Erik Solheim said in a statement responding to President Donald Trump's announcement that the US will withdraw from the ambitious climate pact. "The US decision to leave Paris in no way brings an end to this unstoppable effort. China, India, the European Union and are already showing strong leadership. 190 nations are showing strong determination to work with them to protect this and future generations," Solheim said in a statement. Solheim said there is incredible momentum on climate action from individual states, cities, the private sector and citizens and a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. Urging all parties to redouble their efforts, he said that UNEP would work with everyone willing to make a difference. "Climate action is not a burden, but an unprecedented opportunity. Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels will build more inclusive and robust economies. It will save millions of lives and slash the huge healthcare cost of pollution." "Committing to climate action means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the front line of extremism and terrorism. It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands," Solheim said, adding that it also means protecting food security and building stability to avoid adding yet more refugees to what is already an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis. He underscored that the Paris Agreement is founded on clear evidence, solid science and incredible collaboration. "It will put aside differences to tackle a common, monumental challenge. The reversal of damage to the ozone layer proves that such a global effort can succeed. Ultimately, this is an investment in our own survival that no-one can afford to abandon," he added. Trump's decision to withdraw from the climate agreement drew strong reactions from various quarters. By pulling out of the climate deal, the United States joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations not participating in the global agreement. Members of The Elders, a group of independent leaders founded by South African President Nelson Mandela, condemned Trump's decision, saying US withdrawal does not mean the demise of the Paris Agreement, and urged other signatories to continue to respect its provisions. "Climate change is the great existential threat of our time. The Paris Agreement was born out of effective multilateralism and a desire to find a cooperative solution to a global problem. No one country can dismantle the Agreement. While the US withdrawal weakens that accord, it will not trigger its demise," Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said. Mary Robinson, member of the group and former UN Special Envoy on Climate Change said the US "reneging on its commitment to the Paris Agreement renders it a rogue state on the stage. "But the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will not stop climate action in the United States. We encourage all actors in the US working to tackle climate change to stand their ground, share the benefits of their work and to keep making their voices heard," she said. Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee, said with his decision, "Trump is breaking a promise to the world to combat climate change in order to keep an empty campaign promise to the coal industry. "Withdrawal from the climate agreement is a betrayal of scientific fact, economic opportunity, and moral leadership. Turning our back on this agreement will be a disaster for America -- for our businesses, for our health, and for our national security," he said. The League of Women Voters president Chris Carson said withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement is a "giant step in the wrong direction" for the health of the planet and all living beings. "Trump's decision today will undermine global cooperation and have a harmful impact on US relations with our most trusted world allies. The long-term effects of this decision will make more people sick, especially children and the elderly," Carson said. As'ad's Bio As'ad AbuKhalil, born March 16, 1960. From Tyre, Lebanon, grew up in Beirut. Received his BA and MA from American University of Beirut in pol sc. Came to US in 1983 and received his PhD in comparative government from Georgetown University. Taught at Tufts University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Colorado College, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Served as a Scholar-in-Residence at Middle East Institute in Washington DC. He served as free-lance Middle East consultant for NBC News and ABC News, an experience that only served to increase his disdain for maintream US media. He is now professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. His favorite food is fried eggplants. Unidentified masked gunman attacked Resorts World Manila in Philippines around early hours of Friday, killing 34 people. The gunman fired shots at the Casino and set gaming tables alight, Philippine media reported on Friday, in what officials said was a botched robbery attempt. Shifting from his previous blanket denials, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia suggested on Thursday that patriotically minded private Russian hackers could have been involved in cyberattacks last year that meddled in the United States presidential election. Former US President Barack Obama and other political leaders on Firday slammed Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the historic Paris climate deal, saying he has squandered America's global leadership and put the country with "a small handful of nations that reject the future." "The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created. I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack," Obama said in rare a statement. "But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I'm confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we've got," he said. He said it was the steady, principled American leadership on the world stage that made the Paris agreement possible. "It was bold American ambition that encouraged dozens of other nations to set their sights higher as well," Obama said. He did not name Trump, but said that for the nations that committed themselves to the future, the Paris deal opened the "floodgates for businesses, scientists, and engineers to unleash high-tech, low-carbon investment and innovation on an unprecedented scale." In a press conference on Friday, Trump announced that the US will withdraw from the accord, calling it unfair for the US. Jen Psaki, former White House Communication Director, said the announcement was devastating. "When we made a promise as a nation - one that nearly every other government in the world stood behind, one that was popular with both businesses and citizens, and one that safeguarded a prosperous future for our children - we kept it," Psaki said. "It's bad for jobs, as clean energy jobs are growing 12 times faster than the overall economy. It's bad for our relationship with the rest of the world," she said and asked fellow Americans to oppose the decision. The Democratic leadership warned that such a decision would propel countries like India and China in leadership roles. "Pulling out of the Paris accord defies the overwhelming support for action from credible scientists, the governments of 194 different countries and many religious groups. Faith leaders from Pope Francis to the evangelical community have urged us to act to preserve the beauty of God's creation," said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi said that by walking away from the pact, Trump is abandoning America's leadership in the fight against climate change and sending a strong message to the rest of the world to design clean energy solutions and create jobs elsewhere. "If President Trump wants nations like China and India to take stronger and swifter action on climate, then he should do so through the accountability and enforcement provisions in the Paris Agreement, not by breaking our word and storming out of the room," Pelosi said. However, not everyone shared the view. House Speaker Paul Ryan said the Paris deal was "simply a raw deal" for America. "In order to unleash the power of the American economy, our government must encourage production of American energy." House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said that the climate deal would have imposed "great costs with little gain" and Trump made the right call in leaving the pact. Senator Ted Cruz commended Trump for putting American jobs first. "The Paris agreement would have destroyed $3 trillion in American GDP and killed 6.5 million industrial sector jobs by 2040, while even EPA's own models conclude that it will have a negligible impact on global temperatures. And, it gave Russia and China and India a free pass, while hammering American jobs," Cruz said. But Senator Mazie K Hirono disagreed. She said Trump's decision "is irresponsible, hasty, and short-sighted." Senator Ed Markey said Trump broke a promise to the world to combat climate change to keep "an empty campaign promise." "Withdrawal from the climate agreement is a betrayal of scientific fact, economic opportunity, and moral leadership," he said. "Turning our back on this agreement will be a disaster for America - for our businesses, for our health, and for our national security." However, Indian-American Republican leader from Virginia, Puneet Ahluwalia, said it should not have come as a surprise that Trump pulled out of the deal. "He has been consistent with his campaign promise and rejected the deal from the beginning. He is focused on creating American jobs, saving tax payers' dollarsand completive edge to US companies," he said. Brent crude tumbled below $50 on Friday, heading for a second straight week of losses, on worries that US President Donald Trump's decision to abandon a climate pact could spark more crude drilling in the United States, worsening a global glut. Benchmark Brent crude futures were off by nearly 3% at $49.14 per barrel at 1034 GMT, down $1.49 from the previous close. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $1.45 cents to $46.91 per barrel. Both contracts were on track for weekly losses of more than 5%. The US withdrawal from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change drew condemnation from Washington's allies and sparked fears that the US production could expand even more rapidly. "I think we will see the United States that is about to go crazy in terms of producing fossil fuels," said Matt Stanley, a fuel broker at Freight Services in Dubai, adding other producers could do the same. "Why wouldn't they ramp up production when producers like the US have an open invite to do as they please?" US crude production last week was up by nearly 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) from year-earlier levels, straining Opec's efforts to reduce global oversupply. A week ago, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and a number of non-Opec producers met in Vienna to extend a deal to cut 1.8 million bpd from the market until March 2018. On Friday, Igor Sechin, chief of Russia's largest producer, Rosneft, said the US producers could add up to 1.5 million bpd to world oil output next year. Oil prices are down some 10% since Opec's May 25 decision to extend the cuts. Rising output from Opec members Nigeria and Libya, which are exempt from the output reduction deal, is also undercutting attempts to limit production. Opec last week discussed reducing output by a further 1 to 1.5%, and could revisit the proposal should inventories remain high, sources told Reuters. On Friday, demand for bearish puts expiring in March 2018 spiked, indicating traders and investors are already protecting against a more aggressive drop in price once Opec's joint supply deal expires. Still, oil received some support from official US data which showed crude inventories fell sharply last week as refining and exports surged to record highs. Crude stockpiles were down by 6.4 million barrels in the week to May 26, compared with analysts' expectations for a fall of 2.5 million barrels. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday praised the US President and said he was exactly the kind of person he liked most. Putin said he had never met Trump but that he agreed relations between their countries had to improve and he was willing to talk with the US leader. "I have to recognize that I love that kind of person. They are simple, direct, they have a very honest view of things and that can be very advantageous," Efe quoted him as saying. He said he had a lot in common with the US leader as he considered that neither were professional politicians and highlighted that he himself had never been a member of a party. Nonetheless, records show that Putin entered the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1970 while attending St. Petersburg State University, and remained a member until December 1991. Putin insisted that whether he liked Trump or not was irrelevant, as the important thing was to establish a good personal and political relationship regardless. "I don't know if this will be possible, but we are patient and we will wait to see what happens," he said. In response to a question on what advice he would give to the White House's new occupant, Putin said a person like Trump did not need tips and especially not from a counterpart such as himself, as the advice was always misinterpreted and thus counter-productive. The Russian leader said that what Moscow perceived to be growing global Russophobic sentiments were caused by the country's defense of its legitimate interests in the arena. Putin said some countries had started to try to hold Russia back using actions that went against rights, including economic restrictions. "The fight that Russia leads is for legitimate interests and I emphasize that," said the Russian president, insisting that several nations were trying to create reasons to aggravate the situation with Moscow and, in order to achieve that endeavor, were pulling excuses from thin air. Putin also acknowledged that there may be Russian hackers "who consider themselves patriots" and decide to "make their contribution, as they see fit, to fight against those who speak ill of Russia." "Theoretically, that's possible," said Putin, who also dismissed as "fictional" accusations that Russian computer attacks influenced the results of France's election of its new president, Emmanuel Macron. The US slapped fresh sanctions today on several North Korean entities and officials as well as two Russian companies trading with Pyongyang, adding more economic pressure on the isolated regime over its nuclear weapons push. The sanctions, which seek to lock the entities and individuals out of the financial system, took aim at government units and companies that earn much-needed foreign exchange for North Korea and sell oil to the country. "The United States will continue to target individuals and entities responsible for financing and supporting North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs," said John Smith, director of the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. "Treasury is working with our allies to counter networks that enable North Korea's destabilizing activities, and we urge our partners to take parallel steps to cut off their funding sources." Today's announcement listed Moscow-based Ardis-Bearings LLC and its director, Igor Aleksandrovich Michurin, for business they do with North Korean firm Korea Tangun Trading Corporation. Tangun was placed on the sanctions blacklist in 2009 for its involvement in North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, the Treasury said. Another Russian firm, the Independent Petroleum Company, has a contract to sell oil to North Korea and "may have" worked to help the country circumvent sanctions, it said. Also named were North Korean coal and zinc exporters, a Beijing-based North Korean banker, and an intelligence official who had operated under cover in Europe. The sanctions ban any US entity or person from doing business with those on the blacklist and freeze any assets those sanctions might have in US jurisdictions. Restrictions on bringing large electronic devices into aircraft cabins on certain routes to the United States are affecting traffic between the West Asia and the United States, a global airlines' association said on Thursday. Overall demand for air travel rose 10.7 per cent in April, but the growth rate for West Asia Airlines was slower than its five-year average, a trend not seen in other regions, the Air Transport Association said on Thursday. In March, the United States announced restrictions on large electronic items, such as laptops, 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. That affects carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. IATA said that in March traffic measured in revenue passenger kilometres between the West Asia and the United States fell by 2.8 percent year-on-year, the first drop in at least seven years. "It's too early to be absolutely sure, but we think these numbers are indicative of some impact on travel," IATA chief economist Brian Pearce said on Thursday. The United States seemed set to expand the restrictions last month to flights from Europe but, after discussions with European partners, it has not yet announced a decision. Any extension of the ban could affect U.S. and European airlines such as United, Delta, American Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France-KLM and Norwegian Air Shuttle. Authorities have been discussing several aspects, including the potential safety implications of storing large numbers of laptop batteries in cargo holds. IATA has called for alternatives to placing such devices in the hold, such as enhanced screening at airports, more training of airport security staff and the use of dogs trained to detect explosives. It estimates that if the restrictions were extended to Europe it could result in a $1.4 billion hit to productivity from passengers not being able to work while in the air. IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac said that the uncertainty over whether the ban would be extended was not yet having a measurable impact on overall bookings. "In the mid-term, if the decision is made, it's another story," he said. IATA holds its annual general meeting in Cancun from June 4-6, where it will give an update on airlines' expected profitability for this year. The benchmark indices on both major stock exchanges had their fourth straight weekly gain on Friday, both closing at record highs. On the BSE, the Sensex gained 135.7 points or 0.4 per cent to close at 31,273. On the National Stock Exchange, the Nifty closed at 9,653, up 37.4 points or 0.4 per cent. With the US jewellery market, the worlds largest, having reported a slowing in demand during the March quarter, De Beers pins hope on India and China for growth this year. It is a prerequisite for every journalist to do their basic preparation and background check before interviewing famous personalities, but Broadcasting Company (NBC)'s Megyn Kelly clearly fell short on her homework and is now being bashed across Twitter for her incredible question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kelly, who interacted with the Prime Minister and Russian President Vladimir Putin at state dinner party at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, immediately set Twitter on fire for asking the former the question. This ludicrous situation came to light when Prime Minister Modi praised Kelly for her picture on Twitter where she is posing with an umbrella, to which the seemingly taken aback Kelly asked the Prime MinIster "Are you on Twitter?" The Prime Minister laughed off her question. What followed was massive ridicule and backlash for the reporter. Another important angle emerging from the development is that Putin invited the Indian Prime Minister to join at the NBC event, which is being seen as a possible 'message' to the United States. Nevertheless, Kelly may sure have come under the spotlight for her important tete-a-tete with two of the world's greatest leaders, but now this one lone blunder is sure to haunt her for a long time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Medical College Doctors and Teachers Association here staged a protest over a demand for adequate security after a doctor was assaulted by a patient's relative. The doctors protested outside the Victoria Hospital holding placards with slogans "Save Doctors, Save Lives" and "Don't Hurt The Healing Hands." "The incident occurred on Sunday and the assault was on our resident doctor. So, we are having a silent protest outside this OPD. We want full security and proper amendment of the existing law. More security, more CCTV should be installed," Victoria Hospital, Teachers Association General Secretary, Dr. Ravi told ANI. Earlier on March 30, Mumbai Civil Hospital doctors staged a protest in Thane against attacks two doctors. Dr. Javed Shaikh and Dr. Dibanaz Ansari were attacked by a local goon who had come to the hospital for treatment. The doctors demanded the arrest of the accused. Maharashtra's resident doctors earlier on Saturday called off their strike and re-joined their duties with immediate effect in the wee hours on Saturday. The announcement was made after meeting Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan has accepted all the demands put forward by doctors. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bihar police on Friday crushed bottles and pouches containing total 60,000 liters of liquor in Rohtas district. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court provided relief to several liquor manufacturers of Bihar by extending the time limit for disposing old stocks from May 31 to July 31. A vacation bench of the apex court headed by Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and also comprising Justice Deepak Gupta extended the time limit from May 31 to July 31 to dispose of old stocks, including raw material, lying in their ware houses. The apex court heard the submissions and arguments made by Kapil Sibal, senior lawyer of the Supreme Court and counsel appearing for the state of Bihar Keshav Mohan. Mohan told the apex court that there was illegal trade going on in the state and no extension should be given. Several liquor manufacturers approached the apex court seeking an extension of the May 31 deadline for moving liquor stocks out of the state. The Bihar Government had in January moved the apex court seeking transfer of plea against the liquor ban legislation from the Patna High Court. Alcohol companies had earlier moved the Patna High Court against the liquor ban. The new legislation, banning sale and consumption of alcohol, including Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) as well as spiced and domestic liquor, prescribes harsher punishment for possession and consumption of alcohol. The apex court, last October, had stayed the Patna High Court's order, quashing the notification banning consumption and sale of liquor in Bihar. The apex court had admitted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Government's plea and also issued notice to Confederation of Alcoholic Beverage Companies. The state government had moved the apex court challenging the High Court's order of striking down the Bihar Prohibition of Liquor Act. The Nitish Kumar government last year notified the new Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 which ensured complete ban on sale and consumption of liquor - both Indian Made Foreign Liquor and country-made - in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'Global Exhibition Day' celebrated worldwide on every 7th June of a year, will also be celebrated this year in India for the first time with an initiative of all stakeholders of Indian exhibition industry. The Exhibition Industry of India will gather at Bombay Exhibition Centre, W Exp Highway, Goregaon (East), Mumbai on 7th June 2017 to commemorate the common cause and objective of ascertaining exhibition industry's growth. Keeping aside differences in Association alliances and rivalries, this congregation of Exhibition Organisers, Venue Owners and Service Providers will aim to foster a noble cause of promoting the Exhibition industry as a whole. In an endeavor to support UFI's initiative to promote the exhibition industry worldwide, June 7, 2017 will be celebrated as 'Global Exhibitions Day' (GED). UFI is the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry comprising of stake-holders such as Trade Show organisers, Fair Ground Owners, National and International associations of the exhibition industry and its partners. It may be worth noting that globally the size of Exhibitions/Trade Shows industry is 55 billion USD with over 31,000 major trade shows and exhibitions taking place every year. Whereas in India it is estimated at Rs. 65,000 crore with over 700 major Trade Shows taking place every year with growth rate of 12 percent per anum. Globally, Exhibitions are respected and treated as an Industry. They are effective catalyst of growth of a nation's economy. Germany leads the Exhibition space with almost 60 percent of their national generated through Exhibitions. In comparison to the international facts and figures, India is still in stage of infancy. For marketing, branding and communication professionals, Exhibitions are one of the most traditional forms of marketing that still excels. Today even in India certain companies spend around 20 percent of their marketing budget on Exhibitions and Trade Shows. Exhibitions are the most definitive form of advertising medium, offering companies invest a direct engagement with customers, face to face interactions with industry peers, 'touch and feel' experience of products, display of competing brands under one roof, leading to enhancement. With a strong focus on the subjects and verticals, exhibitions provide the most effective medium to track metrics and demographics post show. In the new and emerging markets, exhibitions are a major stimulus for industrial and commercial development driving industrial development and technology transfer, boosting regional and national industries, stimulating foreign investments in industry and infrastructure. Thus every major industry sector benefits from exhibitions. Exhibitions also have a major impact on local and national economies by generating revenues through direct spends on advertising, local hotels, restaurants, retail, tourism, travel, transport etc. Besides, exhibitions create huge employment opportunities in the venues, convention centers organizers and the support industry. Thus, exhibitions directly or indirectly support development of small and medium scale enterprises. While the exhibition industry continues to fight issues and challenges like new exhibition infrastructure, public-private partnership projects, venue rates and tax compulsions, complex processes and procedures, temporary imports into India, need of a mature exhibition industry association, industry status, professional management, training and development at root level, health and safety initiatives, greener and sustainable initiatives, the Global Exhibitions Day will witness an assembly of professionals united for a common cause of paying due respect to the industry which is a source of income and a career path for many. The participants of this reunion will not only enjoy, celebrate and smile but also put a brave front to take an oath to be the Ambassadors of the exhibition industry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dozens of people were injured in an open gunfire at Resorts Manila in Philippines in the early hours of Friday. Fox News reported that at least 25 people were injured in the shooting and explosions that rocked the resort complex in Pasay City after midnight. Resorts Manila is currently on lockdown, following reports of gunfire from unidentified men, who claimed to be part of the ISIS. Eyewitnesses said they heard two men running into the resort complex with guns , shouting 'ISIS' and poured a flammable substance on gaming tables. Armed police were deployed around the casino, prompting the officials to lock down the resort. However, the police chief stressed that there was no concrete evidence to whether it was an act of terrorism. Meanwhile, the SITE Intelligence Group, a U.S. terrorism monitor, said an Islamic State-linked Filipino operative, who provides daily updates on the ongoing clashes in Marawi claimed that "lone wolf soldiers" of the Islamic State group are responsible for the attack at Resorts Manila. Resorts World Manila is an integrated resort located in Newport City opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The Resorts World issued a statement after the shooting saying the hotel is "currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men." "The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe," the statement read. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The state buses with a new logo containing the words 'Jai Maharashtra' were flagged off from Mumbai Central to Belgaum on Friday. However, the development comes amid the dispute between the Maharashtra - and the Karnataka government for the slogan of 'Jai Maharashtra'. A few days ago, Karnataka's Urban Development Minister Roshan Baig had said that anyone who chants 'Jai Maharashtra', their posts will be taken away from them. Following which, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the statement. Despite the outrage, Maharashtra Transport Minister Diwakar Ratote made the decision that every state bus will carry the 'Jai Maharashtra' logo on it. Italy, France and Germany have issued a collective statement dismissing US President Donald Trump's suggestion of revising the global pact, hours after the latter decided to 'get out' from the Paris climate accord. "We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies," the leaders of the three countries said in a rare joint statement. At his White House withdrawal announcement, Trump complained that the global agreement, signed by 197 countries during the previous Obama administration, was "unfair" to American workers that imposed "draconian" restrictions on the US sovereignty and domestic economic activities. Italian Prime minister Paolo Gentiloni, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their strongest commitment to swiftly implement the Paris accord and urged all the other partner countries "to spead up their action to combat climate change." "We are convinced that the implementation of the Paris Agreement offers substantial economic opportunities for prosperity and growth in our countries and on a global scale," the three leaders said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samsung India on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) for its Samsung Technical School initiative, renewing its partnership for 10 existing schools run across the country and adding two new MSME-Samsung Technical Schools at Bengaluru and Jamshedpur. Samsung runs another 10 such schools in collaboration with departments of technical education in different states such as Rajasthan, Kerala, Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal, taking the total to 22. Reinforcing its commitment to the government's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, Samsung also announced the MSME-Samsung Technical School Scholarship program for girls and differently-abled trainees. A Meritorious Reward Program for toppers at these institutes has also been launched. Under the MSME-Samsung Technical School Scholarship program, 1,000 girls and differently-abled trainees, who have successfully completed the basic course, will be given a scholarship of up to Rs. 20,000. This will cover the entire fee for the Samsung Advanced Repair and Industrial Skills Enhancement 2 (A.R.I.S.E.2) program and will help augment the number of girls and differently-abled trainees at the schools. With the Meritorious Reward Program, toppers among Samsung Technical School students will be given a reward of Rs. 20,000 in recognition of their performance. The MoU was signed in the presence of Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for MSME, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing and HC Hong, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia. To support the girl child, Samsung India had also distributed 10,000 Solar Lanterns to girl students of government schools in Noida, Gurugram and Sriperumbudur near Chennai to celebrate International Women's Day. These lanterns are enabling girls to spend more time on their studies, even during power outages. "We are committed to creating an industry-ready work force and provide industry-oriented skills to our youth under the Skill India program. Samsung has been a valuable partner in our quest to create a vast pool of talent and we are pleased to further renew our association. The scholarships and reward program further showcase Samsung's commitment towards the girl child and this initiative," said Kalraj Mishra. "The government, with its 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana', has been trying to generate awareness about various welfare schemes for girls in the country. Samsung's commitment to the welfare of the girl child and to help them get technically trained and find their feet are commendable," added Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Samsung Technical School, which is a part of Samsung's citizenship initiative, was started in 2013 and aims to support the government's vision to make India a global manufacturing hub by addressing the need for talented manpower with practical know-how and relevant industry experience. These schools have so far trained over 2,000 youth and made them job-ready across different technical trades. Around 70 percent of these students have got jobs, 45 percent of them with Samsung service centres. The initiative is part of Samsung's 'Make for India' initiative and contributes to the government's Skill India mission. As part of the curriculum, the A.R.I.S.E.2 program provides students trade-specific training on various aspects of repair and troubleshooting for consumer electronics products such as mobile phones, televisions, home theatres and home appliances. Students get real-time work experience at Samsung authorised service centres and other than technical skills, they also get a chance to learn soft skills which enable them to provide quality customer service. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From Delhi to Kolkata Bengal & Assam Company announced that the Company's application for shifting of Registered Office from the NCT of Delhi to the State of West Bengal is sanctioned by the Regional Director, Northern Region, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and would be effective upon approval from the Registrar of Companies, Delhi and Kolkata. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharti Airtel gained 1.05% to Rs 371 at 10:00 IST on BSE after the company said that it has received Securities and Exchange Board of India and stock exchange approvals for the proposed merger with Telenor India. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 1 June 2017. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 105.62 points, or 0.34% to 31,243.21. On the BSE, 27,771 shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 5.9 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 379.60 and a low of Rs 369.95 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 400.65 on 23 February 2017. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 283.95 on 9 November 2016. The stock gained 3.54% over the past one month till 1 June 2017, underperforming the Sensex's 4.08% rise. The scrip had underperformed the market in past one quarter, rising 1.25% as against Sensex's 7.43% rise. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one year, gaining 1.2% as against Sensex's 16.56% rise. The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 1998.70 crore. Face value per share is Rs 5. Bharti Airtel announced that it has received the approval of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), BSE and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) for the proposed scheme of merger between Airtel and Telenor (India) Communications. Bharti Airtel further stated that Telenor India and Airtel have filed the joint company application before the New Delhi Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal for approval of the proposed scheme of merger. The merger is subject to other statutory approvals including from the Competition Commission of India. Airtel had earlier announced in February 2017 that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Telenor South Asia Investments Pte Ltd (Telenor). As part of the scheme, Airtel will acquire Telenor India's running operations in seven circles - Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP (East), UP (West) and Assam. These circles represent a high population concentration and therefore offer a high potential for growth. The proposed acquisition will include transfer of all of Telenor India's assets and customers, further augmenting Airtel's overall customer base and network. It will also enable Airtel to further bolster its strong spectrum foot-print in these seven circles, with the addition of 43.4 MHz spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. Bharti Airtel's consolidated net profit fell 69.2% to Rs 470.6 crore on 12.1% decline in net sales to Rs 21934.60 crore in Q4 March 2017 over Q4 March 2016. Bharti Airtel is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 17 countries across Asia and Africa. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hero MotoCorp (HMCL) said its total two-wheeler sales grew 8.7% to 6.33 lakh units in May 2017 over May 2016. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 1 June 2017. With monsoon already hitting some parts of the country, and forecast of normal rains this year, the industry is expecting a boost in demand and consumption in the rural markets. Having lined up a slew of new launches across various segments, the company is confident of maintaining the growth trajectory in the coming months. Meanwhile, HMCL commenced commercial production yesterday, 1 June 2017, in the manufacturing facility at its subsidiary HMCL Niloy Bangladesh. This plant, located at Jessore in Bangladesh, has an installed capacity of 1.50 lakh vehicles per annum. Bharti Airtel announced that it has received the approval of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), BSE and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) for the proposed Scheme of merger between Airtel and Telenor (India) Communications. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 1 June 2017. Bharti Airtel further stated that Telenor India and Airtel have filed the joint company application before the New Delhi Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal for approval of the proposed Scheme of merger. The merger is inter alia subject to other statutory approvals including from the Competition Commission of India. Airtel had earlier announced (in February 2017) that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Telenor South Asia Investments Pte Ltd (Telenor). As part Of the Scheme, Airtel will acquire Telenor India's running operations in seven circles - Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP (East), UP (West) and Assam. These circles represent a high population concentration and therefore offer a high potential for growth. The proposed acquisition will include transfer of all of Telenor India's assets and customers, further augmenting Airtel's overall customer base and network. It will also enable Airtel to further bolster its strong spectrum foot-print in these seven circles, with the addition of 43.4 MHz spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. Coal India announced that the company and its subsidiaries achieved 92% of targeted production at 40.74 million tonnes in May 2017. The company achieved 91% of targeted offtake at 46.41 million tonnes in May 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 1 June 2017. TVS Motor Company's total sales rose 16% to 2.82 lakh units in May 2017 over May 2016. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 1 June 2017. Hindustan Copper announced after market hours yesterday, 1 June 2017, that it inaugurated Banwas Mine located at Khetri Copper Complex, Rajasthan after completion of mine construction. The production capacity of the mine is 6 lakh tonne per annum of copper ore. The production will start from current financial year. Jayant Agro Organics scheduled a board meeting on 16 June 2017, to consider stock-split proposal. The announcement was made before market hours today, 2 June 2017. Bayer CropScience announced after market hours yesterday, 1 June 2017, that its board will meet on 6 June 2017, to consider a proposal for buyback of the company's equity shares, constitution of buyback committee, and appointment of intermediaries in accordance with all applicable provisions of laws. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jayant Agro-Organics rose 3.1% to Rs 950 at 09:21 IST on BSE after the company scheduled a board meeting on 16 June 2017, to consider a stock-split proposal. The announcement was made before market hours today, 2 June 2017. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 170.61 points or 0.55% at 31,308.20. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 90.06 points or 0.59% at 15,324.30. On BSE, so far 732 shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 12,105 shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 950 and a low of Rs 936.30 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 184 on 10 June 2016. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 1,019 on 8 May 2017. The small-cap company has equity capital of Rs 7.50 crore. Face value per share is Rs 5. Jayant Agro-Organics' consolidated net profit surged 94.88% to Rs 15.59 crore on 13.93% growth in total income to Rs 426.97 crore in Q4 March 2017 over Q4 March 2016. Jayant Agro-Organics is an emerging global oleochemical company with leadership in the castor-based specialty chemicals industry. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) List of MoUs/Agreements signed on the sidelines of the 18th India-Russia Annual Summit (June 02, 2017) 1. Protocol No.2 to the Agreement dated December 5, 2008 between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation 2. Agreement between Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited and Joint Stock Company "Cascade - Technologies for setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle for railways 3. Memorandum of Understanding between SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited and State Corporation 'Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)' on Russian export support and participation in the development of India-Russia capital goods financing/leasing business 4. Agreement on Cooperation between 'JITF Urban Infrastructure Services Limited' (Republic of India), 'Jindal Rail Infrastructure Limited' (Republic of India), Joint Stock Company 'Russian Export Centre' (Russian Federation), and Limited Liability Company Management Company 'RailTransHolding' (Russian Federation) 5. Memorandum of Understanding between National Investment Promotion Agency 'Invest India' and the Business Council for Cooperation with India concerning the promotion of investment in India and Russia 6. Cooperation Agreement between National Investment Promotion Agency 'Invest India' and the Roscongress Foundation 7. Memorandum of Understanding between 'Sun Group Private Limited' and Joint Stock Company 'Pribor' Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Soil Health Card, a revolutionary scheme, was initiated for farmers and it has made a huge difference to farming and farm produce. It has helped in increasing the productivity and reduced the cost of production. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had inaugurated the scheme on February 19, 2015, in Suratgarh, Rajasthan. Soil Health Card provides information to farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on appropriate dosage of nutrients for improving soil health and its fertility. This also gives farmers information about the nature of the soil. And post recommendations, the farmers use fertilisers and other chemicals accordingly. This reduces cost and increases production. In the first two-year (2015-17) of the Soil Health Card scheme, 2.53 million samples were collected and so far 93 percent samples have been tested. About 14 crore Soil Health Cards are being created by the State Governments and till May 31 it has been distributed among 8 crore farmers. In the next three months, the rest of the farmers will receive their Soil Health Cards. So far, the country has yielded positive results from Soil Health Card. The response from farmers of 136 districts of 16 states is as follows: 1. Consumption of nitrogen fertilisers has decreased and the consumption of phosphorus potash and micronutrients has increased. 2. There has been 16 to 25 percent reduction in the cost of paddy farming and 10 to 15 percent reduction in pulses and oilseeds farming. 3. There has been 10 to 25 percent increase in the production of paddy, 10 to 15 percent in the production of coarse cereals, 10 to 30 percent in pulses, and 35 to 66 percent in the production of oilseeds. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least seven persons were killed as violence broke out in Afghanistan's capital on Friday after hundreds of protestors gathered near the site of this week's car bomb attack to demand the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani's government. The mass rally was in protest against the government for failing to prevent attacks in Kabul city following Wednesday's deadly truck bombing in Wazir Akbar Khan area -- the diplomatic zone in the heart of the city. At least 90 people were killed and over 460 injured in the attack. The demonstration on Friday was aimed at pressuring the government to bring reform in security agencies and take measure to ensure the safety of its citizens. The protestors marched from several sides of the city towards the district where the blast took place. Several gunshots were fired by police into the sky after protestors tried to move towards the country's presidential palace, Tolo News reported. Police used water hoses to disperse the crowds. According to Tolo, police were firing above people's heads. Officials said that among the dead, two were shot in the head and two in the chest. At least eight persons were injured during the protest and hospital officials said most of the wounded had been shot in legs and feet, said the report. Angry protestors not only stoned security force vehicles but also chanted "Down With (President Ashraf) Ghani", "Down With the CEO (Abdullah Abdullah)" and "Down With The US". Mohammad Salem, son of the first deputy speaker of the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament), was also killed in the shooting. Later, the Afghan authorities said that the government had put all necessary measures to tackle the increased insecurity and violent attacks. --IANS soni/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Based on a short story which was inspired by true events written by Mukul Sharma, the film sounds more autobiographical than fiction. Set in the late 1970s, in the small hilly town of McCluskieganj in the erstwhile state of Bihar, as the title suggests, is about a death that occurs at this place. The narrative begins with a corpse being transported from the hospital and it keeps you glued to the screen till the very end as to who is dead? A few days before the end of the year 1978, Bonnie visits her parents Mr and Mrs Bakshi along with her husband Nandu, daughter Taniya aka Tani, cousin Shyamal Chatterjee aka Shutu and friends Vikram Choudhary, Brian and Mimi. Apart from the homecoming, it is the reunion of friends that the tale focusses on. The bulk of the narrative, however, is about the mundane life of each character described in microscopic detail during the fun-filled holiday activities, which include indulging in seance, playing kabaddi and spending time together frolicking around. While all the actors are ace performers and they shine in their roles, your heart bleeds for actor Vikrant Massey who plays the lonely and depressed Shutu who is taken for granted by the motley group, because he is 23 years old, the youngest of the adults and malleable. He is charming and sincere. How he bonds with little Tanya portrayed by Arya Sharma or gets hurt when accused by all, are some of the heart-rending moments. Ranvir Shorey as the recently wedded Vikram Choudhary is the big bully who at his age "still behaves like he is a 23-year-old", is aggressive and a chauvinist. Ranvir displays the repulsive side of the character with natural ease. Tillotama Shome displays a variety of shades to her character Bonnie. She is aptly supported by the understated Gulshan Devaiah as her husband Nandu who acts like a dominant older brother to Vikrant while teaching him how to drive a car. Kalki Koechlin is natural and brilliant as the attention seeking, sex-starved Mimi. With Om Puri speaking in chaste Hindi and Tanuja often breaking into Bengali, the duo as Mr and Mrs Bakshi, with no chemistry between them, strike out as an odd couple, who take each other for granted. The others in the cast include; Jim Sarbh as the Anglo-Indian Brian, and the characters Maniya and Manjari, the house helps. On the technical front, with moderate production values, for her maiden directorial venture, Konkona Sen Sharma has astutely mounted the film. She has tackled every department with the sharp-eye of an expert. The production designs, which include the costumes along with the background score, the cinematography, and the editing, all deserve a special mention. While the script written by Disha Rindani and Konkana Sen Sharma, is skilfully drafted giving every character equal weightage, there are moments that make it seem pretentious and predictable. But the last scene which works as a metaphor in the film leaves a lot of scope for interpretations and discussions and that is what takes this film beyond the auditorium. Film: "A Death in the Gunj" Director: Konkona Sen Sharma Cast: Kalki Koechlin, Om Puri, Tanuja Mukerji, Vikrant Massey, Jim Sarbh, Arya Sharma, Tillotama Shome, Ranvir Shorey, Promila Pradhan, Gulshan Devaiah and Promila Pradhan. Jindal Steel and Power's (JSPL) Angul factory, the biggest integrated steel plant in Odisha, will produce various types of steel plates and billets which can be can be used for ship building, tank making and other defence purposes, said JSPL chairman Naveen Jindal on Friday. The 6 million tonne per annum (MTPA) steel-making facility in Angul was made operational on May 27. "We are making various types of steel plates which are up to 5 metre wide, the widest in the world, and can be used for ship building, tank making and other defence manufacturing, windmill towers making, large construction and in other related industries," said Jindal after meeting Chief Secretary A.P. Padhi here. The 1.4 MTPA re-bar mill at Angul, which is one of the largest such mills in the world, makes TMT re-bars which are sold under Jindal Panther brand. The company will also produce billets that can be exported and used in its factory in Jharkhand, informed Jindal. "After commissioning of Angul steel complex, the steel-making capacity of JSPL has become more than double. This year, we are planning to produce 6 MT of steel in India and more than 1.5 MT in Oman," said Jindal. "In October, with the commissioning of the basic oxygen furnace, we will be inching closer to reach the break-even for the Angul facility. However, the production front will be more vibrant from July this year. From July itself, we will start doing much better and will start producing two lakh tonne per month at Angul," he added. JSPL is sourcing most of its iron ore requirement from Odisha. For coal, the company is mostly dependent on imports. "We are importing 100 per cent of coking coal that we require. A 50 per cent of coal required for power generation is also being imported. We have been requesting the state government to improve raw material availability in the state," he said. --IANS cd/him/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australia will do "everything it can" to assist in a new search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 should more evidence arise indicating to the aircraft's location, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Friday. In January, a joint statement from Australia, China and Malaysia confirmed that the ocean search for the missing Boeing 777 jet, which disappeared on March 8, 2014 en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, would be suspended until "credible new evidence" can lead to a "specific" location, Xinhua news agency reported. The joint search was described as the largest in aviation history and covered more than 120,000 sq.km of the Southern Indian Ocean, but was ultimately unsuccessful. A spokesperson for Turnbull said the government was very much hoping to still find the plane, which was carrying six Australians and 153 Chinese nationals at the time. "The Prime Minister raises this issue with his Malaysian counterpart every time they speak," the spokesperson told News Corp. "Malaysia is the lead nation in the investigation into the disappearance of MH370, but Australia stands ready to assist in any way it can." "At present, the search for MH370 has been suspended, but if any credible evidence emerges, the Australian government will do everything it can in partnership with Malaysia to ensure the search is resumed," he said. The MH370 was a scheduled passenger flight carrying 239 passengers and crew, and is believed to have crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean, well off Australia's western coastline. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jeff Chapmans story on the ASOPA website goes like this.. Hood Lagoon is 100 km east of Port Moresby. I taught there in 1965/66 with some success. In fact, the panel marking the Standard 6 examination papers in Moresby in 1966 didnt believe the high scores my students achieved. Outcome - the whole class was forced to re-sit the exam a few weeks later. The second chance, as the kids saw it, was held at Hula, four hours walk from Hood Lagoon. The class left home in the dark and without breakfast to sit the extra exam. They were scrutinised by two supervisors, whose presence they found intimidating. Fortunately, the results were better than the original and had to be accepted. Now ex E Courser Richard (Dick) Clarke writes.. Apparently examination papers from a number of schools were suspected of being tampered with. Jim Tarr, the examinations officer, conducted subsequent examinations at Hula Primary School. My outrage at the accusation of papers being tampered with was noted by Don Christie (Assistant District Inspector) and we received an apology after the results of the subsequent examination. I later found out that tampering indeed had been carried out at one school and possibly several others. The West Bengal government will write a "strong letter" to the Centre to protest against the latter's "saffronisation and religious divisiveness" in education and slashing of funds to the sector, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday. "We are writing a strong letter because issues pertaining to NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) scholarships etc. are very important. We have taken a strong stand against these issues. I am against divisiveness on the basis of religion in education," Banerjee said while chairing an administrative review meeting at Pailan in South 24 Parganas. Banerjee made her government's stand on the issue known while reacting to a Jadavpur University student's query on the matter. She exhorted the student community to unite and use social media to counter divisive and religious . "Students are our asset. The student community of Jadavpur must unite and use social media to protest and pave the way for other varsities to follow," the Chief Minister said. "We want Jadavpur University to prosper and this is above party interests," she said. Banerjee also welcomed students to join . "I want good people to do . Politics will be strengthened if students join in. We invite students to these administrative meetings because we want them to enter public service," she added. --IANS sgh/ssp/tsb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dubbing the BJP as the "biggest Non-Performing Authority" of India, the Congress on Friday said the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is relying on statistics to create an illusion of economic growth. The opposition party also slammed Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's statement on GDP figures, saying it was "full of utter confusion, hypocrisy, and bemusement." "Unemployment has risen and the corporate sector has taken a hit, but the Modi government is relying on statistics to create an illusion of economic growth," Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said here. The Congress leader said that Jaitley's replies to the media on Thursday were full of "utter confusion, perplexity, hypocrisy, bewilderment, and even bemusement". "He (Jaitley) could not answer the basic questions. He said 'demonetisation cannot be identified as the sole reason for low Gross Domestic Product growth' and said 'sometimes 7-8 per cent is a reasonable area of growth'. "He also blamed global factors for the government's economic mismanagement. In the past thee years, the government does not have the faintest idea of how to stop the economy's downslide," Singhvi said. He said: "The recent GDP numbers conclusively prove that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is responsible for this massive downslide. "The BJP has become the biggest NPA (Non-Performing Authority) of India. Only 24 months are left (for the 2019 general elections) to take some tangible and real steps of governance." The Congress demanded that the BJP implement its poll promises on creation of jobs and welfare of farmers. Singhvi said Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday questioned Modi on his vision about 'Make in India'. The Congress leader also reflected on the state of the distressed farmers across the country, he said. "Figures on the manufacturing sector made public are at a three-month low. In fact, since the BJP has come to power (in May 2014), the Index of Industrial Production has always seen a downward trend," said Singhvi. --IANS sid/tsb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CPI on Friday approached Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for a judicial probe into last month's gang rape of four women in Greater Noida and the removal of two top officials. The incident occurred on the Jewar-Bulandshahr highway on May 25 when eight members of a Greater Noida-based family, including four women, were waylaid while they were headed to Bulandshahr to visit an ailing relative. Upon resisting, one man was shot dead. The criminals then took turns in raping his wife, sister, sister-in-law and mother. The victims were also looted of their valuables and cash. A day after Yogi Adityanath assured justice to the victims and directed the police to expedite the probe, Communist Party of India Secretary K. Narayana, in a letter to the Chief Minister, said removal of Gautam Budh Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Luv Kumar and Chief Medical Officer A. Bhargava was imperative for a fair probe. "After the gruesome incident, the SSP and CMO held a press conference, dismissing claims that the women were raped. This is ample evidence of their intention to divert and subvert the investigation," said Narayana. Kumar and Bhargava in a joint press conference on May 26 rejected allegations of rape, citing preliminary medical examination reports. "If the said officers are allowed to continue, justice cannot be done. Hence, I may request you to suspend the said officers and issue orders for judicial probe immediately," Narayana added. --IANS and/ksk/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought to dispel views about differences between India and China and said the ties between the two should not be seen from the perspective of a third country. He said despite differences on the border issue, there has not been a single bullet fired across it in the last 40 years. "As far as China is concerned, everyone knows there is a border dispute between Russia and China. In the last 40 years, there has been a border dispute between India and China but not even a single bullet has been fired (between the two sides)," Modi said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in reply to a question about India's proximity to Russia and its differences with China. "Despite disputes we are moving ahead in economic field. They are investing in our country, we are investing there. Trade on both sides is growing." Specifically answering the question, he said ties between India and China should not be seen from a third country's perspective. "We know what is the relation between China and Russia. And China knows about the relation between India and Russia. Despite all this, India and China are moving ahead shoulder to shoulder," Modi said, adding both countries were involved in significant initiatives in forums like BRICS and BRICS Development Bank. He said this only showed that the world was interdependent and inter-connected. The Prime Minister said the slogan of "sabka saath, sabka vikas" was not applicable only in India but also for the whole world. --IANS ab-bns-sar-vsc/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mohit Marwah went back in time to portray an Indian National Army (INA) officer in the upcoming film "Raag Desh - Birth of a Nation", but the actor says history as a subject was not his strong point during school days. The actor will bring to life the story of Col. Prem Sahgal in the film based on the INA trials following World War II. "History is interesting. World War II, India's Independence...but I was not very interested in history in school. History was never my forte. It's only after school that I got to learn more about history through the visual medium. I saw films and documentaries. That's what I enjoyed more," Mohit told IANS over phone from Mumbai. In fact, to prepare for his role, Mohit watched his uncle and actor-producer Anil Kapoor's 2000 film "Pukar" several times. But that doesn't mean he stayed away from books. "A lot of research was already done by the director (Tigmanshu Dhulia) and the team. It's a real life story, so had strong reference points. We had to recreate the vibe of the 1930s and 1940s." "There was sufficient information on him (Col. Sahgal) on the internet. I also watched documentaries and read books. I hope I've done justice to him." As part of his research, Mohit also spoke to the families of those connected to the trials, which happened during 1945-1946. "Once while travelling, I met someone on the flight. He shared how his grandfather was involved in the cases. People, especially the second and third generations, have a lot of interest in the subject," said Mohit, who shot in places like Dehradun and Delhi. Now, he is eagerly waiting for "Raag Desh..." -- his second film after "Fugly" (2014), to hit the screens on July 28. "There's no nervousness right now. I am just excited as our film is looking good. I got to watch the trailer the other day. It (the trailer) will be releasing soon. It's looking pretty good. Something that we have not seen in a while. If something is fresh and new, people will be also excited to watch it," believes Mohit. "I waited for about two years to get this film. I am happy with the final product and proud of it. Waiting for it was justified." Asked about the trend of films with patriotism as a theme, he said: "We have a decent amount of films coming out on this topic. As a film industry, all aspects and every genre of filmmaking should be explored." "From patriotic to romantic to action... it gives out a good blend of different types of things." It took him a while to sign his second film. After this period drama, what should the audience expect from him? "I am still reading some stuff. I have not signed anything as of now," said the actor, who has also tried his hand at short films and theatre. (Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in) --IANS nn/sug/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of 25-year-old S. Achudev, one of the two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots killed in the Sukhoi-30 crash in Arunachal Pradesh on May 23, was brought to Kerala on Friday morning. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was among those who paid their last respects when the body was brought to his home here. A crowd had gathered at the airport to receive the body, which was flown in a special aircraft. P.V. Sahadevan, Achudev's father, is a retired scientist of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and lives in Thiruvananthapuram with his wife. Flight Lieutenant Achudev and Squadron Leader D. Pankaj were on board the Sukhoi-30 fighter jet which went missing during a routine training mission on May 23, in Doulasang area of Arunachal Pradesh. The plane's wreckage was detected on May 26 and the IAF declared the pilots dead on Wednesday. Achudev's body has been placed for the public to pay homage till 5 p.m. here, after which it would be moved to the Pangode Military hospital from where it would be flown to Kozhikode on Saturday morning. The last rites would be held at 3 p.m. in Kozhikode on Saturday, according to the family. Achudev was in Thiruvananthapuram in March and spent a few days with his parents. The last time Sahadevan spoke to his son was on May 22, Achudev's birthday. --IANS sg/him/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Sunny Leone has supported Indian actress Priyanka Chopra after she was trolled on social media for wearing a short dress when she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin. Sunny, who was present at the launch of animal rights organisation People for Ethical Treatment of Animals' newest vegetarian campaign in Mumbai on Thursday, said: "I believe that we have elected a very smart man to be the Prime Minister of India. He is so smart, so intelligent and so outspoken that if he had a problem with it (Priyanka wearing a short dress) he would tell Priyanka. But he didn't." She finds it wrong that people judge others by the clothes they wear. "I know she (Priyanka) gives back to society. I know she is good to people. So let's judge her based on her actions and not by her clothes," she said. Celebrities have refrained from voicing their opinions about the episode, including megastar Amitabh Bachchan who refused to comment on the same by saying: "Neither am I the Prime Minister nor am I Priyanka Chopra." Talking about who she gets inspired by in life, Sunny said: "I don't get inspired by a particular person. I get inspired by business people and people who are successful who do something outside the box. I get inspired by people like Salman Khan who has an amazing clothing line and does lot of charity... That is very inspiring." --IANS iv/dc/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is countries which arm, finance and provide communication support to terrorists and called upon all nations to rise above ideas like "good terrorism, bad terrorism" to save humanity from destruction. "Look at the discourse on . Terrorists do not manufacture weapons. Some country must be giving them. They do not print currency. But some country must be bank rolling them. They don't have telecommunication system and social media. Somebody must be providing them such facilities," he said in an oblique reference to support to terrorists from across the border in reply to a question at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) with Russian President Vladimir Putin by his side. Seeking to disapprove the tendencies among some countries to see in different light, Modi said, "some countries... good terrorism, bad terrorism, my terrorism, your . They should come out of this mindset. This is basically an issue of humanity and security of humanity. Only then we will be able to fight the war against terrorism." Tracing India's tryst with terrorism from the 1980s, he said at one time the world did not know anything about terrorism. Some thought it was a law and order issue. Then some began to realise that it was a little more than law and order and then they recognised something about terrorism. But still they thought it did not affect them. "But only after 9/11 the world as a whole realised what is terrorism and how dangerous it is. There are no boundaries for it. It has no country of its own. Wherever there is humanity, terrorism is there to destroy it," he said. In this situation, the Prime Minister said, the need of the hour is for the countries and forces of humanity to rise above these debates and come together to fight this menace. Pointing to the presence of UN Secretary General Antonio Guiterres at the forum, he said there has been a resolution on terrorism lying at the world body for the last 40 years. "They are still discussing the definition of terrorism. Who is a terrorist and who should be considered as a supporter of terrorist. What should be the world's view about him. Forty years have passed. Everybody is showing concern but there is no discussion or debate on the resolution. I am happy yesterday President Putin declared in public that Russia would take up the resolution in the UN." --IANS sar-bns-ab-vsc/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's niece-in-law Krishna Bose on Friday said India must face the "truth" of the revolutionary's death in the 1945 air crash and the focus should henceforth shift to his life and ideas. Bose was referring to the Union Home Ministry's statements on Tuesday in reply to a query under the Right To Information Act, accepting that Netaji had died in an air crash in 1945. "Given the available documents and eyewitness accounts, we know from a very long time that this is true. After all, this is true. It is a tragedy for us, we lost him, but we are a mature nation and we must be able to face it," Bose told IANS. Attesting to the RTI response, the former Trinamool Congress MP said it is imperative to talk about his ideals and his life rather than deliberate on his death. "If you ask a little boy who was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and if he says that he was somebody about whose death there is 'mystery', then I am sorry, if that is the case," Bose said. "We must all think and talk about his ideals and not always go on talking about his death. This must be presented before the youth of our nation," she said. Asked about a section of people and politicians denouncing the RTI response, Bose said: "I thought this will bring this matter to an end. That's what we expect." The All India Forward Bloc, founded by Bose, has said that the Centre should apologise to the nation and immediately withdraw the statement. It has also called for a three-day protest against the statement. Urging the state police to be more "active and effective" in controlling goons, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday asserted that her administration would take strong action against the "riot mongers". "Riots would not be permitted anywhere. If any group tries to start a riot, beat up both the parties so that they do not dare to think about it again," said Banerjee during an administrative meeting at Pailan in South 24-Parganas. "The police have to be more effective and active in these matters," she said. "Crime is crime and criminals are criminals. There should be no lobbying in such cases," she instructed the police. Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purakayastha, present at the meeting, claimed that the police were keeping a close watch on all the riot mongers in the state and pursuing all the previous cases of breach of law and order. "We have made a list of the probable riot mongers under every police station and keeping all these goons under close watch," Purkayastha said. "All the previous cases of law and order breach and crimes related to riots are being pursued. We have detected the offenders in several cases and will ensure that they get punished," he said. After Thursday's administrative meeting in Hooghly, Banerjee again on Friday repeatedly cautioned her legislators and public servants not to indulge in any kind of brokerage or taking "cut money". "Please do not take 'cuts' from a project. Then the projects would get stalled. There should be no brokerage in the public offices. Whether it is the police station, BDO office or the MLA's office; this rule is applicable to everyone," Banerjee cautioned. Criticising a couple of police inspectors from the district for not addressing people's grievances properly, the Trinamool Congress supremo suggested all the police stations use a mobile surveillance app to monitor the proceedings inside the police stations. "Use the app named IVMS 4500 at the police stations to monitor the situation even when you are outside so that your subordinates do not misguide you." "We use this at several state hospitals to monitor the proceedings. I use it myself," she said. --IANS mgr/ssp/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ANTHONY KAYBING THE Autonomous Bougainville Government continues to make headway as it focuses on overhauling the public service to create a more accountable and progressive administration. ABG Chief Secretary Joseph Nobetaus key priority has been to enhance public service capacity and accountability whilst at the same time progressing a number of critical reforms. I continue to encounter systemic issues that are impeding the capacity of the public service to respond, Nobetau said. My focus has been on addressing these issues by creating a more holistic approach to our work, building the senior management team to be more responsive and enhancing accountability. An area to the south of Manchester was evacuated on Friday after police found a car they suspected was linked to a terror attack that killed 22 persons in the city last week. Police said they believed the car was a significant piece of evidence in the investigation into the May 22 attack when Salman Abedi walked into the foyer of Manchester Arena and detonated an improvised explosive device as fans left an Ariana Grande concert, reports Efe. Dozens were also injured. "We are very interested in anything people can tell us about the movements of this car, and who was in it over the past months," said Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson. "We are also interested in any information about who may have had access to the car or who may have gone to and from it." The car, a white Nissan Micra, was found in an area of the Rusholme neighbourhood, which authorities cordoned off and evacuated. Officers had been tracking the assailant's movements in the days before the attack as they researched how he had been able to make the bomb. As part of the investigation, authorities are also asking the public to help track down a blue suitcase Abedi was seen with in the days leading up to the attack. According to police, 11 people remain under arrest in relation to the attack, which forced the Conservative government of Theresa May to raise the terror threat alert to its highest level for a few days. --IANS mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday visited the Tullamulla Hindu shrine and interacted with devotees participating in the Kheer Bhawani mela, as local Muslims traditionally welcomed the Kashmiri Pandits with milk to their holiest festival. Mehbooba Mufti also oversaw the arrangements for the devotees at the annual festival, which saw a dismally low attendance this year of around 300. The festival is dedicated to Hindu goddess Mata Ragnya, who legend says flew from Sri Lanka during Ravana's reign to Kashmir and established her seat beside a spring in the then Tullamulla village. Kashmiri Pandits believe that the colour of the spring inside the shrine annually predicts Kashmir's future. Local Muslims have been traditionally welcoming their Pandit brothers with milk during the festival at Tullamulla, 29 km from here in Ganderbal district. This year, too, despite the record low number of devotees, local Muslims served milk to the devotees, an encouraging evidence of the fact that whatever be the security and political situation in the state, the basic fabric of Hindu-Muslim amity remains intact. Authorities believe that malicious propaganda spread by miscreants through social networking sites was responsible for the minimal number of migrant Pandits attending the festival this year. Even after the majority of local Pandits migrated out of the valley in early 1990s after violence broke out here, they have been coming in large numbers from different parts of the country to attend the festival and pray at Mata Ragnya's shrine. --IANS sq/in/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian Prime Minister arrived in Paris on Friday on the final leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. Tomorrow, Modi will hold his first meeting with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Earlier on Friday, Modi attended for the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President in city of St. Petersburg. He also attended a collective meeting of Governors of 16 regions of Russia. On the sidelines of the event, Modi met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, and Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union Tigran Sargasyan. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. Concluding his engagements in Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left for France on the final leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. On Saturday, Modi will hold his first meeting with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Earlier on Friday, Modi attended for the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President. He also attended a collective meeting of Governors of 16 regions of Russia. On the sidelines of the summit, Modi met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, and Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union Tigran Sargasyan. The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. --IANS ab/tsb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern on the sidelines of a multilateral business and economic event here. "Bilateral diplomacy at multilateral forum. PM @narendramodi meets Mr. Christian Kern, Chancellor of Austria on the margins of SPIEF," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. Earlier in the day, Modi attended for the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President. He also attended a collective meeting of Governors of 16 regions of Russia. During the course of the day, Chairman of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Tigran Sargasyan called on Modi in view of India's decision to start discussions with EAEU to have a free trade agreement (FTA). The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Russia, he will leave for France later on Friday on the fourth and final leg of the tour. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. --IANS ab/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Arunachal Pradesh government can't brush aside the need to establish an autonomous district council in the Naga-dominated areas of Tirap, Changlang and Longding, said various bodies associated with the movement for a Patkai Autonomous Council for the three areas. They said a Patkai Autonomous Council for Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) is the only solution for the region, alleging it has been ignored by the state government and the Centre for decades in terms of its socio-economic development. The proposal to form an autonomous council to develop the Naga-inhabited areas was cleared by the Cabinet in 2013 and has been pending with the Home Ministry since 2014. Various bodies associated with the movement such as Patkai Autonomous Demand District Council and the TCL Students Federation have threatened to hold an indefinite bandh in the three districts if the Centre and the state continue to pay no heed to the matter. "The successive Chief Ministers of Arunanchal Pradesh hardly have any knowledge about the people of the Patkai region which has Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts. They neither know the way of life nor do they have any basic knowledge about the topography of the region. Based on these historical reasons, people of the three districts have demanded Patkai Autonomous Council," said a statement issued by TCL Students Federation. Earlier, the bodies had also sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on formation of the autonomous council. Patkai hills is also known as the home of Wancho, Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa Ollo - recognised as Naga by the Constitution. In 1914 they were part of North East Frontier Tract, which was later renamed North East Frontier Agency. The Arunachal Pradesh government data states that areas falling under Patkai region are the most resource-rich but not even one per cent has been tapped. "In the absence of any proper infrastructure we have also failed to develop the human resources. This has led to many unemployed youths taking to drugs, insurgency and many anti-social activities. Even after 30 years of association with the state we have not seen any tangible change in the Patkai region," said the statement. According to records, the demand for formation of Patkai Autonomous Council was passed by the Assembly in 2004 and 2007 and the Cabinet approved it in 2013. The proposal was then sent to the Union Home Ministry and a committee headed by Joint Secretary (North East), Ministry of Home Affairs, was constituted by the then UPA government, which visited the three districts in February 2014. Since then, there has been no communication from the Home Ministry. Stating that while "brothers in Nagaland" are enjoying a full-fledged state with special status, the TCL groups said: "We have been left in the lurch to fend for ourselves. We feel dejected because of the lackadaisical attitude of the government towards our grievances." According to the community, their demand for an autonomous council, which would focus on the development of TCL areas, is deliberately being sidelined by the Pema Khandu government in Arunachal Pradesh. --IANS rup/him/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JD-U president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will attend DMK chief M. Karunanidhi's 94th birthday celebrations in Chennai on Saturday, but RJD chief Lalu Prasad will not be attending due to health problems, a party leader said. "Nitish Kumar left for Delhi after the state Cabinet meeting. He will visit Chennai on Saturday and is likely to address a public meeting there," said a Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad has cancelled his visit due to health problems. Nitish and Lalu, who have been trying for a united opposition to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following its massive victory in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, had last month promised senior DMK leader and Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi that they would join her father's birthday bash in Chennai on June 3. Both leaders accepted the invitation on behalf of DMK's working president M.K. Stalin. --IANS ik/amit/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance Infrastructures Mumbai Metro on Friday announced a tie-up with Google to provide details and information about the service, an official spokesperson said here. The Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) has collaborated with Google Maps to give the people its authentic timetable and associated geographic details on all the Metro stations on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar route. Through the Google Maps app, the trip timings are provided on each service operated at a frequency of four minutes during peak and eight minutes in non-peak hours. The trip timings, which correspond to services provided on weekdays and on Sundays, can help commuters plan their journeys to reach their destinations faster. "We diligently explore all the possible ways of making the journey of the commuters seamless and convenient, and the tie-up with Google Maps adds another step to digitise Mumbai Metro One," the spokesperson explained. On Google Maps app, the user can tap the Metro Services Option which opens a departure board displaying the schedules of the next few Metro services from that station in both directions. The app will also showcase facilities like stairs, escalators, elevators, ticket counters, in all the three levels of the station including road, concourse and platforms to help all commuters, regulars and new on the entire network. Maharashtra's first Metro, the MMOPL is 11.4 km long providing a crucial east-west suburban connectivity, with 12 stations, reducing the commute between Versova-Ghatkopar from 90 minutes to barely 21 minutes now. --IANS qn/in/vt (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra grappled with shortages of daily essentials like milk, fresh fruits and vegetables and even foodgrains on Friday as farmers continued their strike for a second day. Spiralling prices of essentials made the situation worse. In a village in Aurangabad, farmers donated free milk to people facing shortages but warned that if the government did not budge, the situation would worsen by the weekend. Over half a million farmers in the state are practically on the streets since Thursday midnight. Their demands include: a complete waiver of farmer loans, free electricity, appropriate remunerative prices for their produce, grants for irrigation, pension for farmers who are 60 years old and above, and implementation of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee recommendations. Continuing their aggressive stance across Maharashtra - barring the coastal Konkan region - thousands of farmers resorted to different forms of agitation to highlight their demands on Friday. The Kisan Kranti, an umbrella organisation spearheading the strike, said it has been invited for a fresh round of talks with the government in Mumbai on Friday night. A spokesperson for the Kisan Kranti core committee told mediapersons in Puntamba, an important market centre in Ahmednagar, that the farmers have decided to intensify their agitation unless the government takes immediate steps. "On Monday, we shall organise a Maharashtra shutdown (bandh); on Tuesday, we shall lockdown all government offices and on June 7, we shall shut down offices of all legislators and ministers," said the spokesperson, adding that it will be further intensified later. "We have shown the strength of the farmers. We were being ignored till now, but not anymore. In just two days, entire Maharashtra is experiencing massive shortages of essentials," he pointed out. On Friday morning, veteran social crusader Kisan Baburao, alias Anna Hazare, came out in support of farmers, but the Kisan Kranti cold-shouldered his proposal to mediate with the government on their behalf. A prominent farmers leader Raghunath Patil has asked the Kisan Kranti not to go for any more negotiations with the government. "Enough negotiations and talks. Now is the time for decisions. The government must announce their decision on the farmers demands," Patil told mediapersons. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appeared to be the main target of the farmers in most districts, where they vented their ire on him in different ways. In Pandharpur and Osmanabad, farmers kicked and trampled an effigy of Fadnavis, in Lasalgaon and Nashik they carried out a mock funeral and burnt his effigy. In Satara, about a hundred farmers tonsured themselves publicly to protest and took out a "funeral procession" of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. In Wardha they performed a doodh-abhishek (poured milk) on the Chief Minister's portrait, while at another location they garlanded a framed picture of Fadnavis and prayed before it seeking redressal of their demands. The bustling weekly farmers markets in Aurangabad, Ratnagir, Thane and other places were boycotted as farmers kept their products in farms instead of bringing them for sale. Minister of State for Agriculture Sadabhau Khot admitted that barely 125 - or 10 per cent - of the around 1,200 trucks of farm goods have reached Mumbai. Joining Fadnavis in pointing an accusing finger at the opposition Congress-Nationalist Congress Party, Khot claimed that the people indulging in the strike are not farmers but anti-social elements taking advantage of the situation. In several districts, scores of tankers loaded with fresh milk were emptied onto the streets and even on the railway tracks at Daund station. Roads were blocked in many districts, including in Hingoli where farmers staged road blocks with their farm products, and police cleared farmers squatting on roads and highways in Nashik, Ahmednagar, Osmanabad, Pune, Satara and Kolhapur. Ruling ally and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut criticised the BJP and Fadnavis, demanding they should take action instead of indulging in criticism. "An attempt is being made to defame and discredit the farmers who have now become leaders. We are very firm in our stand, now it's time for the government to take action before things go out of hand," Raut said. --IANS qn/him/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani on Friday said lenders had granted Reliance Communications a seven-month "standstill" on debt servicing, adding he was confident of reducing liabilities by 60 per cent with the completion of two transactions -- the Aircel merger and the tower assets sale to Brookfield. "We had a meeting of all the lenders and presented our plans for strategic transformation, and I am happy to report that it was accepted. Reliance Communications, as a company, will receive a standstill on debt obligations for a period of seven months," Ambani told reporters at a press meet here. "This is the largest-ever debt reduction by any company in India," he added. Reliance Communications has close to Rs 45,000 crore debt on its books. In granting the "standstill", the lenders have taken note of the "advanced stage of implementation of RCOM's strategic transformation programme" involving the two deals, the company said. Ambani further said that RCOM would complete the Aircel and Brookfield transactions by September 2017, way before the deadline of December 2017. He said the company would repay Rs 25,000 crore debt following completion of the two deals, adding that "there is no proposal to convert debt into equity". Debt repayment from Aircel proceeds will be to the tune of Rs 14,000 crore and from the sale of the tower business it will fetch Rs 11,000 crore, he said. RCOM is also working on plans for further deleveraging and servicing of its balance sheet, the company said. It plans strategic transactions of its global/Indian businesses and data centres; strategic sale of its DTH business; monetisation of Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City and Delhi properties; monetisation of 49 per cent economic upside in the tower company and monetisation of 50 per cent stake in Aircel, in part or full. Ambani said the company is looking for strategic deals for Global Cloud Xchange as well. Ambani announced that the RCOM-Aircel merged company will be called Aircom and RCOM will hold 50 per cent stake in the new wireless entity. While he expressed disappointment with the credit rating agencies that downgraded RCOM, Ambani said all efforts will be made to "restore credit rating at the earliest possible time". On the larger ills plaguing the telecom sector, Ambani said: "I think when lenders look at the state of the telecom sector, they will be concerned. If you ask any lender will you lend to the sector? The answer will be yes, but no. And if they lend, the conditions will be very stringent. It is a right decision from their perspective." Asked about RCOM's association with elder brother Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio with which it has both spectrum trading and sharing deals, Ambani clarified: "Jio is a separate entity and RCOM is a separate entity. We will continue with our spectrum trading and sharing. No other speculation is desirable." He said the telecom sector as a whole is troubled and he would like to see the red light flashing in the sector to turn into amber and then green. The company's Chief Financial Officer Puneet Garg, who gave an overview on the telecom sector's woes, said that due to the ongoing stress, the industry, which has already shed 10,000 jobs last year, is likely to see further job losses to the extent of 30,000 to 40,000 in the current year. He said the sector has debts under three different categories. It has Rs 2.80 lakh crore bank borrowings, Rs 2.95 lakh crore debt due to spectrum purchase between 2014 and 2016, and another Rs 2 lakh crore from vendor financing and bond holders. On RCOM, Garg said the company's net worth stands at Rs 27,500 crore with around 70,000 employees. It has spectrum worth Rs 20,000 crore and 43,000 towers. The number of wireless customers of the company stands at around 85 million. --IANS ag/sac/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's youngest state Telangana celebrated its third formation day on Friday with Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his cabinet colleagues leading the celebrations. It was on this day in 2014 that Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh as India's 29th state. At the main official function at Secunderabad Parade Ground here, Chandrasekhar Rao unfurled the national flag and reviewed a colourful ceremonial parade. He reached the venue after paying tributes at Telangana martyrs' memorial at Gun Park near the Assembly building. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that despite being rich in undivided state, Telangana never saw development. But after becoming a separate state and in a short span of three years, it had made rapid progress in all sectors. He said Telangana was on the path of development to fulfil people's aspirations. Quoting the report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), he said Telangana topped revenue growth rate in the country in 2016-17 at 17.82 percent. He said the state not only created wealth but became a model in distributing this wealth in equitable manner for social justice. KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, said Telangana became the number one state in the country in implementing welfare schemes for the poor and weaker sections. He said the state was spending Rs 40,000 crore annually on 35 welfare schemes. He said 40 lakh beneficiaries were getting monthly pensions. Financial assistance was being provided for marriage of girls of poor families. He announced implementation of two new schemes from Friday. All single women will be paid monthly pension of Rs 1,000 each. He also announced launch of 'KCR kit' scheme for mother and child. As poor women are going for work without taking rest after delivery, the government will pay Rs 12,000 in three installments so that they get proper rest and nutritious food. Mother delivering a girl child will get an additional Rs 1,000. The government will also distribute mother and baby kits, each consisting 16 items like clothes, soap, powder, oil, net, napkins, diapers and toys. Listing out the achievements of last three years, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) said overcoming the electricity shortage was the first challenge successfully met by the government. Stating that the state was on way to become power surplus state, he said steps were being taken to ensure 24 hour supply to farmers from Rabi season KCR said all villages will get drinking water by December. He said Mission Kakatiya was also progressing well to revive 46,000 tanks. Under this programme, 16,000 tanks were revived in two years while work was on to revive 5,000 tanks this year. He said tanks were now brimming with water while the ground water table had improved. He said as part of the efforts to make agriculture profitable, farmers would be paid Rs 8,000 per acre every year towards input costs. He presented awards to over 50 personalities for their distinguished services in various walks of life. Similar celebrations were held in 30 other districts with ministers and senior officials hoisting the national flag. --IANS ms/mr (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The International Committee of the Red Cross warned on Friday that hundreds or even thousands of civilians were killed in Philippines' Marawi city amid ongoing clashes between the army and militants. Deputy country head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Philippines, Martin Thalmann, said they have began a mission to recover bodies from some army-occupied areas. The ICRC estimated they will be recovering hundreds or maybe thousands of bodies in coming days from central Marawi, where the frontline barely moved despite continuous bombing by the army at rebel positions, Thalmann told EFE news. The recovery work will be carried out in areas that were cleared of militants. The army estimated that around 2,000 civilians were still trapped in the capital of Lanao del Sur, in Muslim Mindanao. According to the latest official estimate, 174 people were killed in the violence. The figure included 120 militants with links to the Islamic State, 36 soldiers and policemen and 19 civilians, killed by Maute fighters, who laid siege in Marawi city on May 23. The militants had torched a police station, a school, a prison and a church. They also kidnapped a priest and some of his parishioners. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte had imposed martial law in the Mindanao Island, following the clashes. --IANS soni/dg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Abyan, June 2 (IANS/WAM) The UAE's humanitarian agency Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has launched the first phase of a new food aid campaign to help Yemenis on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. As part of the campaign, the ERC's team distributed food packages to underprivileged people in the towns of Zinjibar and Khanfar in Abyan governorate, south-western Yemen, said a report on Thursday. "The aid is timely and helps the people who are the most disadvantaged in these areas, said Ahmed Nasser Awadh, the coordinator of the campaign. The beneficiaries thanked the leadership, government and people of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for supporting Yemen. They also thanked the ERC for making huge efforts to help the Yemeni people. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the year 2015, Haryanas state government prescribed minimum educational qualifications for contesting Panchayat elections in the state. The Supreme Court later upheld this law. Those who did not possess the basic minimum qualifications (Class 10 pass for men, Class 8 for women, Class 5 for Dalits) were declared unfit to represent the people in a village. Critics pointed out that this law infringed on the concept of universal suffrage but the SC ignored the criticism. This meant that the State valued education as a criteria for leadership and responsibility. The NITI Aayog has recommended strategic disinvestment of Air India, the loss-making and debt-laden national carrier. This has found support from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who said that if private airlines could carry 86 per cent of passengers, they might as well carry 100 per cent of them. However, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju poured cold water over the proposal when he told a television channel on Wednesday that it would not be easy to find a bakra (gullible investor) for . If the government is serious about privatising Air India, its ministers should not be allowed to talk at cross-purposes. Already, many feel there are forces within the government out to sabotage the strategic sale. The case for privatising is strong. It has a debt of close to Rs 50,000 crore and the cost of servicing it has crippled the airlines ability to do anything for fresh investments in route expansion or for upgrade of services. Moreover, analysts strongly believe that the airline may be overstating its operational profit: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has also questioned its operational profit of Rs 105 crore for 2015-16. Air Indias occupancy compares poorly with other airlines, its service is shoddy and it has been losing market share. The contrast could not have been more obvious. At the recently concluded Mahanadu (national council) meeting of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) at Visakhapatnam, many of the original founders of the party were absent or silent and it was the unstoppable rise of the family of Chandrababu Naidu that was on show, very publicly. N Harikrishna and N Balakrishna, the sons of N T Rama Rao and among those who put the party on the map, were not present: although one is a politburo member and the other a member of the state Assembly from Hindupur. Of the Prime Ministers many annoying acronyms, one stands out for being positively the most dishonest: EPI, or Every Person is Important. Phooey! Nobody who thinks Every Person is Important would compare people getting murdered to puppies getting run over. Plus, its the exact opposite of majoritarianism. Heres an example of its dishonesty. The Congress on Friday dubbed the BJP-led NDA government as the "biggest non-performing asset" (NPA) in the country as it has failed to fulfil its promises and said the "roaring" 'Make in India' lion is now "snoozing". Attacking the government on the latest GDP numbers, the Congress said it has no answer to the fall in GDP during the last quarter even as the prime minister maintained an "eloquent silence" on the issue. "Seeing the kind of Indian economy figures, it is fair to say that the BJP has become India's biggest NPA (non- performing asset) or indeed a non-performing non-asset. The 'Make in India' lion which was said to be roaring, now appears to be snoozing," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said. He said the country is witnessing jobless growth and farmers are in bad shape and are protesting in Maharashtra, as there is rural distress in large parts of the country. Singhvi said yesterday Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had asked the prime minister about his vision about 'Make in India', "but we continue to have the eloquent silence of the prime minister". The Congress leader said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is giving no answers to the fall in GDP numbers and the best way to describe the government's press conference on GDP is to use the adjectives of "utter confusion, perplexity, hypocrisy, bewilderment and even bemusement". He said the best answer one got on the dwindling GDP numbers was that demonetisation could not be identified as the sole reason for the low GDP growth. He also said that the only thing not said by Jaitley was to blame the legacy of the Congress-led UPA. "There is no specific answer to the pointed question on how the GDP figures have fallen to 6.1 per cent," he said, adding that the 'Ease of Doing Business' appears to have become "Cease of Doing Business" in the current dispensation. "In the past three years, the BJP government does not have the faintest idea of how to stop the slide of the economy. The recent GDP numbers prove that this very government is responsible for this massive downslide," he said. Singhvi said while Jaitley has given vague answers as explanation for the slide in numbers, unemployment is rising and corporate sector has taken a hit while the Modi government is relying on statistics to create an illusion of economy growth. "The numbers speak the truth and they all establish that there is a massive downslide...The Congress has said that there is jobless growth, but the CSO tells us that there are neither jobs nor growth," he said. Singhvi also said that only 24 months are left with this government to take some tangible and real steps of governance. "We demand the BJP that it listens and implements what it promised - both jobs and welfare of farmers," he said. A galaxy of opposition leaders including Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will share the dais here on Saturday on the occasion of DMK President M Karunanidhi's 94th birthday celebrations. At the centrestage will be DMK Working President M K Stalin, for whom this will be the first major event in which various leaders will be taking part. The event comes at a time when opposition parties are in discussions to field a common candidate in the Presidential polls. The DMK will also celebrate the diamond jubilee of Karunanidhi's entry into the state assembly. NCP leader Sharad Pawar, TMC Parliamentary Party chief Sudip Bandhopadhyay, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI MP D Raja and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy are expected to attend the function at the YMCA grounds here. Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad has cancelled his visit due to health reasons. The AAP is all set to organise its own EVM challenge on Saturday at the party office here, after the Election Commission rejected its 'open hackathon' request. The party will invite wizards and technical experts from political parties, the Election Commission and also the companies which provide the electronic voting machines (EVMs) to the poll panel, for the challenge. AAP's Delhi unit secretary Saurabh Bharadwaj had said the party would have a "bigger and better" EVM challenge than the one planned by the poll panel. The machine to be tested in this exercise will be the same used by Bharadwaj in the Delhi Legislative Assembly last month to demonstrate how it can be tampered with. The EC had called this machine a "look-alike" and not an "ECI-EVM". The ruling AAP in Delhi, had last week, asked the Election Commission to remove the restrictions placed in the latter's EVM challenge. The Election Commission had recently announced the EVM challenge, calling political parties to tamper with the voting machines used in the state polls held in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa recently. This was done following doubts raised by parties like the AAP, BSP and Congress over the "reliability" of the machines after the parties' poor performances in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly and Delhi civic body polls. A New York Republican is speaking out against President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik issued a statement Thursday criticizing Trump's announcement that the U.S. will pull out of the landmark agreement. While she believes then-President Barack Obama overstepped his authority when entering into the agreement, she thinks that the Trump administration withdrawing from the pact is "a mistake." "As we know in the North Country, protecting our environment goes hand in hand with strengthening our economy," Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said. "We understand climate change is a serious threat that must be addressed by our entire global community, and the United States should continue to lead. "United States innovation and business leadership have been key drivers to lowering our carbon emissions over the last 20 years, and we should continue to have an influential seat at the table as the rest of the world addresses these issues. Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement is misguided, and harms the ongoing effort to fight climate change while also isolating us from our allies." The Paris Agreement was signed by 195 countries last year. Before Thursday, the lone holdouts were Nicaragua, which didn't sign it because officials there didn't believe it went far enough, and Syria. The accord's main objective is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and prevent the global temperature from continuing to rise. Even nations like China and India, which have been reluctant to participate in previous attempts to address climate change, have signed the agreement. But Trump dismissed the Paris Agreement as a bad deal and said it would undermine the U.S. economy. He's open to renegotiating the deal a prospect that's not likely. European leaders who participated in Paris Agreement talks said the deal won't be renegotiated. "It's time to exit the Paris accord and time to pursue a new deal that protects the environment, our companies, our citizens and our country," Trump said. Despite Trump's actions, Stefanik expressed her willingness to focus on ways to address climate change. She's a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus and is the sponsor of a GOP climate change resolution. "I am committed to working in Congress on solutions to fight climate change, and will also continue working with local New York county and state officials on efforts here in our state to continue protecting our greatest resource," she said. Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra today alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government allowed a company to sell China-made CNG kits as products manufactured in Canada in the national capital. He claimed that the company had sold over 10,000 kits with 'Made in Canada' tags and the kits were fitted to different types of vehicles, including autorickshaws. The AAP declined to comment on the issue. Labour Minister and AAP's Delhi unit convenor Gopal Rai said, "Let them (the Anti-Corruption Branch) lodge an FIR." According to Mishra, the owners of the company in question owned another firm which was earlier "blacklisted" by the Delhi High Court for providing duplicate kits. "The director of the company then formed two other entities -- one in Canada and another one in Mumbai. The company in Mumbai was asked to supply the CNG kits to Delhi. However, after cross-checking, we came to know that the Canadian entity did not exist. "The Indian entity imported the CNG kits from China, instead of Canada," Mishra alleged. He claimed that when the bills of the import were checked, it was found that the Indian company had been selling the CNG kits by claiming that they were manufactured in Canada, whereas they were imported from China. Mishra also claimed that the AAP government, in a circular issued in 2015 and 2016, had declared the company an "authorised" CNG kit seller, which sold over 10,000 of such kits in the national capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the Indian origin Leo Varadkar today won the leadership race of his party for Ireland's Prime Ministership, there was late night celebration in the family thousands of miles away in suburban Borivali here. Varadkar, an Indian-origin doctor and Ireland's first openly gay minister, today won the leadership race for the ruling party to become the country's youngest-ever and first homosexual Prime Minister-in-waiting. His cousin Shubhada told PTI, "We are extremely happy to hear the . We were closely watching his campaign as well as today's counting. As the broke, we cut the cake and celebrated his success. "I have not yet decided about my Ireland visit but I would love to meet him as soon as possible," she said. Varadkar, 38, will officially take over as Taoiseach, as the Irish prime ministerial title is known in Ireland, in Parliament later this month after he was declared the winner in the leadership race for the Fine Gael party. The Dublin-born son of Mumbai-born Ashok Varadkar and Irish mother Miriam, served as Ireland's welfare minister and had emerged as the most popular choice since he announced his candidacy after current leader Enda Kenny stepped down as prime minister earlier this year. His family originates from Varad, a village in Gujarat, and Leo Varadkar kept his Indian connect alive, completing an internship at the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A huge cache of weapons, including two rocket launchers and 62 Chinese-made machine guns, were today seized from an artificial lake near here and detained three persons for questioning, police said. Acting on a tip-off, police seized 62 Chinese-made sub- machine guns, two rocket launchers, 42 hand grenades, fire pistols and huge ammunitions that were found wrapped in poly bags as the fire service divers joined police in recovering those from an artificial lake in Rupganj of Narayanganj city near Dhaka. Three persons have been arrested for questioning in this connection, police said. Divers continued their search of the canal where most of the weapons were found submerged. "The firearms and ammunition have been assembled here in a bid to carry out sabotages in the country," Inspector General Shahidul Haque said. Police, however, could not name any group or confirm any terror outfit's link to the cache. Bangladesh witnessed an intensified anti-militancy clampdown across the country as the police headquarters recently circulated a list of nearly 5,000 suspected militants to all district police chiefs. In March, Bangladeshi police conducted series of large- scale operations against militants, in which at least 17 suspected militants were killed. On March 31, eight militants blew themselves up with a grenade after the security forces raided their hideout north of the Bangladeshi capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid farmers' agitation in the state, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray today alleged that BJP came to power by making false promises, and is now reneging on them. "BJP had given false promises to farmers. That is how they came to power in Maharashtra, and now they have forgotten the farmers," he said. "I support the cause of farmers....I am not opposing Anna Hazare or anyone who tries to lead this agitation, all I want is a solution to farmers' problems," Raj said. "BJP has a committee to come up with interesting names for government schemes, but the state coffers are empty. There are no funds for implementing these schemes. So I think the BJP has cheated the farmers," he said. Both "jawans" (soldiers) and "kisan" (farmers) are unhappy in the country, the MNS chief said. "I find it incredible that we are playing against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy even when its Army keeps shooting at our jawans," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI has filed a charge sheet in a Ghaziabad court against former Noida chief engineer Yadav Singh and four others in a corruption case related to the laying of underground cables. Singh, JSP Constructions and four others have been charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption, the agency said here. The work for laying underground cables from Sector 14 A to Mahamaya flyover at a cost of Rs 20.78 crore and Film City flyover to Cambridge School in Noida at a cost of 17.32 crore was awarded to JSP Constructions in 2011. The CBI during its probe found that it was decided in advance as to who will get the contracts. Estimates were inflated, the bill of quantities was changed and there was a cartel formation among contractors to make JSP Constructions the lowest bidder, the charge sheet stated. The tender was opened in August-September 2011 but the work had started in April, it alleged. The CBI had in March last year filed a charge sheet against Singh and had kept the probe open. After concluding he investigation, it filed a separate charge sheet today. Also, it has filed a supplementary charge sheet against the wife of an employee of the North Okhla Industrial Development Authority over alleged corruption. The case was handed over to the CBI on the directives of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. The investigation agency had last year said: "An FIR alleged that the then chief engineer, Noida and Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway authorities had entered into a criminal conspiracy with unidentified persons, firms and awarded various contracts without following the laid down procedures, causing undue pecuniary gain to the tune of crores of rupees to private firms and himself. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Officers' Mess Road in the city's Chanakyapuri area now has a new name - Alexander M Kadakin Marg - with the NDMC passing a resolution to rename it after the former Russian Ambassador to India who passed away in January. The decision by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) at an emergent meeting, comes a day after the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in St Petersburg while issuing a joint statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Officers' Mess Road is located near Army Battle Honours Mess in Chanakyapuri connecting Sardar Patel Marg with San Martin Marg. "To cherish the memory of Alexander Kadakin, (July 22, 1949 - January 26, 2017) NDMC has renamed after him an important road in Delhi's diplomatic area. He was born in Russia but his 'Karma-Bhoomi' was India, where he served as ambassador from 2009 until his last breath in January this year," a senior NDMC official said. "This road shall bear testimony of great diplomatic bond between two great old friend nations - Russia and India. The renaming is in honour of the ties between the two countries," he added. Hailing Ambassador Kadakin and his contribution to India-Russia ties, Modi had yesterday said that the late diplomat was a "glorious son of Russia and a great friend of India". "A street in Delhi has been named after Ambassador Kadakin," Modi said addressing a joint press event with Putin. Kadakin, 67, a fluent Hindi-speaking career diplomat considered a close friend of India, passed away in Delhi in January this year after a brief illness. He was serving as Russia's ambassador to India since 2009 and was credited with playing a significant role in promotion of relations between the two countries. Kadakin began his diplomatic career as a third secretary at the Russian Embassy in India in 1972. He held the position of the Head of the Russian diplomatic mission in New Delhi from November 2009. Kadakin was born in Chisnau in the then USSR on July 22, 1949. He graduated with honours from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1972. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China today promised to offer technical support to Kerala in core sectors such as housing, public transport, check dam construction and agriculture. A preliminary consensus was reached in this regard during a meeting between Chinese Ambassador in India Luo Zhaohui with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here, an official release said. Chinese representatives asked Kerala to submit detailed suggestions and later Chief Minister would again hold a discussion with Chinese officials in New Delhi. Vijayan also accepted a suggestion from China to send a delegation from Kerala to finalise the cooperation agreement. A Kerala delegation would go to China after the completion of preliminary discussions, the release said. Zhaohui personally invited Vijayan to visit China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will arrive in Ladakh later this month on a one-and-a- half month visit, Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Ladakh Affairs Chering Dorjey said today. Arrangements are being made for the spiritual leader who is scheduled to arrive in Leh on June 28, Dorjay said. He said arrangements for his visit have been entrusted to the Ladakh Affairs department and "no stone will be left unturned for ensuring his smooth one-and-a-half month stay". "The people of the region are eagerly waiting for his visit as his holiness is the ocean of spirituality," the minister said. He said the Dalai Lama, during his visit, would address gatherings at various places and share his views and experiences with people. Soon after his arrival, the spiritual leader will be accorded a traditional welcome at Shewatsal Phodrang. He is scheduled to visit Nubra and Zanskar besides other places in Ladakh and will be accompanied by a translator, religious assistants and others, Dorjey said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fatal school bus fire in China last month in which 11 school children including five from South Korea were killed was caused by its disgruntled driver, who was angry over non-payment of overtime wages, Chinese authorities said today. A high-level inquiry instituted by the Chinese government found that the driver, surnamed Cong, 50, set the bus ablaze at a tunnel leaving little chance for the kindergarten children to escape. However, the Chinese officials version blaming the driver was questioned by parents of some of the South Korean children killed in the incident and instead suspected the condition of the bus. Cong was also was burnt alive along 11 children and a lady school teacher. The 11 children were aged between three and six, with five from South Korea and the rest from China. The fire was started on the bus floor near the driver's seat. A lighter cap was discovered nearby and gasoline residue found on multiple spots on the bus, according to Wang Jincheng, deputy chief of the Shandong provincial public security bureau. "The driver was disgruntled because his overtime and night shift allowance were stopped, causing his income to plummet," the Weihai city government said on its Weibo microblogging account. The bus was involved in a rear-end accident shortly before the fire, but after investigation, police said the fire was deliberate, state-run Xinhua agency reported The bus burst into flames inside Taojiakuang tunnel in Huancui district, Weihai city, while delivering children to a kindergarten. All 13, including a female teacher, on board died. The 37-seat bus was owned by the tourist and renting branch of Weihai Public Transport Group. The bus had been rented to take children to kindergarten, part of an international school set up to accommodate the children of South Korean business people. However the Chinese investigators version blaming the driver as mentally deranged person has not been found convincing for the parents of the South Korean children killed in the incident. The driver and a female teacher also died in the inferno, which erupted inside a tunnel as the children headed to an international school in Shandong province on the morning of May 9. The government of Weihai city, where the tragedy occurred, said the investigation concluded that the blaze was a case of arson committed by the driver. "The driver was disgruntled because his overtime and night shift allowance were stopped, causing his income to plummet," the city government said on its Weibo microblogging account. Authorities ruled out a short circuit or a traffic accident as other potential causes. "Investigators did not look at the state of the vehicle, including how old it was" as a possible cause of the accident, Kim Mi-Suk, a father of one of the victims told South Korea's Yonhap agency. "The unconvincing explanation by the Chinese government gives an impression that they were trying to frame it as a fault of the driver," Kim said. Yonhap report said the driver was found in the middle of the passenger seats, which suggests he might have been trying to rescue children trapped in the back of the vehicle,. Lee Jung-Kyu whose child was also killed questioned the investigators' characterisation of the driver as "mentally deranged". "I know he was such a nice, delightful person who always greeted the children and their parents...He's not a person who could do such things to children he has known for more than two years," Lee said. Police in China routinely blame attacks on school children as well as knife attacks on people reportedly by disgruntled people on mentally deranged people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Record producer DJ Snake is back on the social media after a brief absence of 11 days. The 30-year-old DJ, who is generally active on the internet, had dropped off the line-up for two shows and deactivated his Instagram and Twitter accounts on May 20. DJ Snake announced his return on the social media by posting his picture on Instagram, in which he can be seen sitting on the top of a sand-dune. He captioned, "It's okay to take a break from everything. Unplug and reconnect with yourself." The French DJ and producer has 1.01 million followers on Twitter and 2.7 million followers on Instagram. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several New York elected officials and interest groups responded to President Donald Trump's announcement Thursday that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. Here is a collection of statements from these officials and groups about the decision: Gov. Andrew Cuomo "The White House's reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet. This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change. New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington's irresponsible actions. We will not ignore the science and reality of climate change, which is why I am also signing an Executive Order confirming New York's leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet." U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand This decision by President Trump to leave the Paris Accord is irresponsibly shortsighted and harmful to the United States. There is no credible doubt that climate change is real and is caused by human activity. We have irrefutable data that temperatures are rising, Arctic ice is melting, sea levels are rising, and extreme weather is becoming more severe. This scientific question has been settled for years, yet the few deniers who are still out there have gained outsized and dangerous influence with our President at the expense of our safety and security. For the sake of our country and our future, President Trump must quickly embrace the truth that climate change is real, and act on it by supporting investments in clean energy technology that will create good-paying jobs and drive innovation, and by restoring American leadership in this massive global effort. Our childrens generation will have to deal with the potentially catastrophic effects of this shortsighted and dangerous decision to leave the Paris Accord, and I urge all New Yorkers and all Americans who care about our health, our security, and our economy to raise their voices and speak out forcefully against this decision. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli President Trumps decision to walk away from the Paris Agreement is a mistake, is bad policy and relegates the United States to the sidelines of the global response to climate change. The creation of a lower carbon future is inevitable and is already underway. Governments around the world and industries and investors will continue to address climate change in innovative ways. As trustee of New York states $192 billion pension fund, I will continue to seek out sustainable investments and changes in corporate behavior that help the promise of the Paris Agreement become a reality. Environmental Advocates of New York Executive Director Peter Iwanowicz What we cannot allow to be lost in the political chatter is that dirty air means sick kids. My son was born on the day President George W. Bush pulled the U.S. out of the Kyoto protocol. Its a date seared into my brain. Hes 16 now, and since then the world has made enormous progress on climate action, in part, because states governed by Republicans and Democrats alike helped fill the void. They started to cut carbon emissions and support renewable energy with programs like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. As a result, they moved markets and cleaned our air. Reneging on the Paris Climate Agreement is not President Trumps first attack on our lungs, and it wont be the last. Still, the President cannot stop the progress that is happening. California is on track to wean itself off fossil fuels entirely by 2050. New York City is acting on an economy-wide plan focused on transportation and buildings. No one is positioned to make a more meaningful impact than Governor Cuomo his decisions benefit a vast and diverse state and, unlike California, he already banned fracking. Hes opened the door to offshore wind, and can set a new standard for justice by investing in frontline communities bearing the brunt of climate change. Unfortunately, as bold as many of Governor Cuomos commitments have been, they are equally fragile as they can be undone by a future administration. Whats happening in D.C. cannot happen in New York, which is why we need the Governors commitments set into law. When any country, particularly one that pollutes as much per capita as the U.S., reneges on its commitments, it reflects poorly on all of us. But far worse, it means that our government is willfully making the choice to endanger lives. Today, someone in New York State became parents. Like me, they heard todays news and are worried about their childs future. And once again, Americans are looking to state leaders to step up and show their mettle. That should be Governor Cuomo. Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito Its a dark day in Americas history. The President traded clean water, clean air, our ability to fight sea level rise and the threat of powerful storms for the antiquated, dirty, dinosaur technology of the past. Our future just got bleaker. Pulling out of the Paris Accord is the best way to ensure that America is at a disadvantage with the rest of the world. Instead of America first, we will be dead last. Rather than fostering investment, innovation, and job creation in the United States, this decision will ensure that best and the brightest take their money and jobs to other forward-thinking nations. This will only help make America unemployed again. America isnt losing jobs in the energy sector; we are transitioning jobs in the energy sector. Clean energy jobs are growing in technology, engineering, sales, construction and more. New York and Connecticut are at ground zero for the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Our President has abandoned his responsibility to protect our health and safety in favor of clinging onto the dying coal industry. He truly is a fossil fool. Environment New York Director Heather Leibowitz When the nations of the world joined in the Paris accord, we all finally stood as one to begin to address the climate crisis. This embarrassing decision says to the world that the United States the nation most responsible for global warming feels no responsibility for cutting pollution, and pretends to prioritize the economy over the wellbeing of the world. President Trump has got it exactly backwards: theres no sound economy in our future without a healthy planet. If national leadership chooses to ignore that reality, then governors and mayors must step in to fill the leadership void to show the world that Americans will do our part to address the climate crisis. Averting disaster would be easier with strong federal leadership, but its not too late to defend clean air and a livable climate. If President Trump wont stick by the U.S. commitment to reduce pollution, then our states, cities and industries must do so. Hundreds of cities in the United States and around the world have pledged to accelerate carbon reductions to meet the goals of the Paris accord. Atlanta, Georgia is just the most recent of dozens of cities announcing a plan to shift to 100% clean renewable energy. Nine northeastern states are working to strengthen Americas best climate and clean air program, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. And Californias Senate just yesterday voted to put the entire Golden State on the path to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity. Every city and every state in the country must step up and take similar action. And clear-eyed players in the business community must lead on this issue as well. To accelerate progress, we are calling on Governors of Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states to double the strength of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative this summer. And we are calling on all governors to lead their states away from dirty fuels and towards 100 percent clean, renewable energy by taking action to limit pollution, as Governor McAuliffe in Virginia has begun to do. In Washington, D.C., U.S. Senators must act to protect vital pollution-cutting programs -- including clean car standards and clean air standards -- from any attack. We must all work together to reduce and eliminate the pollution that is causing the world to warm. Our families health and the future of the world ecosystem are at stake. The Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse Today, President Donald Trump announced that he was withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement. In his adamant assertion that American sovereignty is more important than any concerns about climate change, the President not only stood in defiance to near-unanimous scientific agreement about human impacts on climate change and its disastrous effects, but also took a stance in opposition to consistent commitments of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on the environment. We believe that we are called to be stewards of the earth. When we work to protect creation, we are answering Gods call. In the face of deepening ecological crises caused by the earths warming, our call to act as earths caretakers takes on more meaning. Our efforts will curtail the shrinking of sacred waters, the endangerment of living creatures of every kind, and the vulnerability of our brothers and sisters in developing countries. Presbyterian General Assemblies (national gatherings of representatives from across the United States and beyond) have been speaking on issues of environmental protection and justice since the late 1960s. Their witness ranges broadly from drinking water safety and acid rain, to protecting endangered species, to cleaning up dirty power plants, to climate change and U.S. energy policy. A masked gunman set fire to a gaming room at a casino in the Philippine capital today, igniting a toxic blaze claimed by the Islamic State group that killed 37 people, authorities said. IS said its "fighters" carried out the attack, though Manila has repeatedly insisted the incident was not terror related. The victims suffocated inside one of the main gambling venues of the upscale Resorts World Manila, while dozens of other people were injured in a panicked crush to escape, police said. The gunman committed suicide by setting himself on fire about five hours after storming the casino with an M4 assault rifle and a bottle of petrol that he used to start the fire, police chief Ronald Dela Rosa said. Dela Rosa and other police officials insisted the assailant was not carrying out a terrorist attack, pointing out that he did not shoot anyone, and said it appeared to be a bizarre robbery attempt by a "deranged" man. "This is not an act of terror. There is no element of violence, threat or intimidation that leads to terrorism," Dela Rosa told reporters. But local police chief Tomas Apolinario told AFP that 37 people died from inhaling smoke from a fire that spread quickly because of flammable carpet on the gaming room floors. Four of the victims were from Taiwan, according to the Taiwanese government. The gunman initially disappeared into the chaos of smoke and running people, leading to a five-hour manhunt through the complex, which also includes a hotel and shops, according to Dela Rosa. He said the assailant, who appeared to be a foreigner because he spoke English and looked caucasian, was found just before dawn in a hotel room having committed suicide. "He lay down on the bed, covered himself with a thick blanket, apparently poured petrol on the blanket and burned himself," Dela Rosa said. Before the gunman had been killed and police had given any motive, there was an unconfirmed claim of responsibility from the Islamic State group. US President Donald Trump also branded it a "terrorist attack". The IS group's self-styled Amaq agency carried a brief message in Arabic on Telegram, which said: "Islamic State fighters carried out the attack in Manila in the Philippines yesterday". In a later statement posted on Telegram from one of IS's regular and authenticated accounts, the group went on to provide the gunman's "nom de guerre" and boasted of killing and injuring nearly 100 "Christians" during the rampage. But Philippine officials were adamant it was not related to terrorism, and was the work of an individual. "This particular situation in Manila is not related in any way to a terrorist attack," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters. Dela Rosa said the man, acting alone, walked into one of the gaming rooms and fired the rifle at a large television screen, then poured gasoline onto a gambling table and set it alight. He said the man then fired again at a stock room containing gambling chips and filled a backpack with chips worth 113 million pesos ($2.3 million). The man left the room and went upstairs to the hotel section, but left the backpack, according to Dela Rosa. The police chief said 18 of the 54 injured people were in hospital, while the others sustained only minor injuries. People inside the casino recounted a terrifying ordeal when the shooting broke out. "I was about to return to the second floor from my break when I saw people running. Some hotel guests said someone yelled 'ISIS'," Maricel Navaro, an employee of Resorts World, told DZMM radio, referring to another acronym for the Islamic State group. "When we smelled smoke, we decided to go for the exit in the carpark. That's where we got out. Before we exited, we heard two gunshots and there was thick smoke on the ground floor," Navaro said. Outside the complex, relatives of people trapped waited today to hear of their loved ones. "Our daughter called us past midnight saying she was in the VIP section of the casino and there was smoke and they were suffocating," Gil Yongco, 42, told AFP. "We are very worried about her. We haven't heard from her." Their daughter, Hazel, died, authorities announced later. President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law last week across the southern region of Mindanao to crush what he called a rising threat from IS. He made the move shortly after militants went on a rampage through the southern city of Marawi, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) south of Manila. Security forces are still battling the militants in Marawi, and the clashes there have left at least 175 people dead. Duterte said last week he might declare martial law across the rest of the country if the terrorism threat spread. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons, including a minor girl, were today killed near here in an attack by a wild elephant which was later captured by forest personnel in a swift operation. The pachyderm was tranquilised and captured with the help of a 'kumki' (trained) elephant hours after it went on the killing spree in Vellalore area on the city outskirts, the police said. Two others were injured when the elephant, which had strayed into human habitations from Madukkarai Forest some days ago, attacked the residents in the early hours. Forest Minister Dindigul Srinivisan, who later visited the families of the deceased and the injured, said the elephant was in musth. Chief Minister K Palaniswami expressed grief over the incident and announced a relief of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the victims. The injured will be given Rs 59,100 each, he said in a statement in Chennai, adding district authorities had been directed to ensure best medical care for them. The tusker first attacked a 12-year-old girl who was sleeping on the veranda of her house at around 3.30 am. It then moved away from the area and attacked five others. The injured were admitted to the government hospital here, where three of them, including two women, succumbed to injuries. Forest officials fired two tranquiliser darts to rein the elephant in, following which it was pushed into a lorry with the help of the kumki elephant and six earth movers and taken to a a camp at Varagazhiyar. Minister Srinivasan, who visited the spot along with Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani, said the forest department would take all possible steps to prevent wild animals from entering human habitat. He said officials had been asked to remove all obstacles in elephant corridors so that they could move freely. More anti-poaching watchers would be appointed to monitor the movement of wild animals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Engineering firm Essar Projects India Ltd (EPIL) today announced the commissioning of four offshore well platforms for state-run upstream firm ONGC. An EPIL-led consortium with Saipem as the engineering partner was awarded the contract for Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) of four new well platforms by ONGC, the company said in a statement. Of these, three platforms are in the C-26 Cluster (C-23, C-26 and B-12-1) in the Tapti field, situated 160 km-200 km to the north-west of Mumbai in water depths of 20m-30m. The fourth platform -- B-173 AB -- is adjacent to an existing B-173 A platform in the Neelam field, situated 50 km west of Mumbai in water depths of around 55m. The project also involved installing a bridge connecting the new B-173 AB platform with the operational B-173 A platform, including structural and process modifications related to the integration of the two platforms. The value of the contract is around Rs 550 crore (about USD 90 million). The project entailed procurement, fabrication and installation of approximately 10,000 tonnes of steel. The primary structures of the platforms were fabricated at Adyard, Abu Dhabi, and transported to India. A V Amarnath, COO-EPIL, said: "Incidentally, we are the first Indian company that ventured into the challenging business of offshore construction in the late 1980s, executing the Bassein field WIPPM project for ONGC. Since then, EPIL has provided a range of project management and EPCIC services to various clients in the offshore sector. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former director of the Intelligence Bureau, Dineshwar Sharma, has taken charge as the interlocutor for peace talks with Assam's insurgent groups, including the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Sharma, a 1976 batch Kerala cadre IPS officer, retired as director of the IB on December 31, 2016. He was appointed as the interlocutor for talks with Assam-based insurgent groups last week. Sharma took charge yesterday, official sources said. Sharma, who has been appointed for a tenure of one year, will hold peace negotiations with pro-talks factions of the ULFA, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and a few other small groups based in Assam. The last interlocutor P C Haldar had served till December 31, 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Experts from water resources department would meet Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has expressed concern over silting in the Ganga, on Monday and would inspect spots between Patna and Farakka barrage on his advice, Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti today said. "Before accepting the report of the international experts team on removing silt in the Ganga, the team under water resources department secretary would visit Patna on June 5 and on the advice of Nitish Kumar would inspect spots between Patna and Farakka barrage in West Bengal for more indepth study of the problem," Uma Bharti told reporters here. Bharti had a meeting with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here last evening on the issue. "The union government's priority is to free Ganga of silt and after it similar exercise would be carried out in other rivers too," she said. On concerns raised by Nitish Kumar about Farakka dam causing siltation in Ganga resulting in floods in Bihar every year, she said "The experts opinion will be final in this regard." Kumar has been advocating demolition of Farakka dam. In reply to a question on freeing Ganga of silt problem and its cleaning by 2018, the Union Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation minister said "I have said Ganga nirmalta (cleanliness) will be achieved in 10 years time." Work on phase one for this would start in two years and the results would take another two years to come, she said. "For cleanliness and unhindered flow of water another 4-5 years would be needed. On the basis of this I have always talked about 10 years' timeframe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A protest by farmers in Sardarpur town in the district turned violent this morning as six motorcycles were set on fire and two shops were damaged after an argument broke out between the agitating farmers and shopkeepers over keeping the shops shut, police said. The incident took place when the farmers reached the market area in Sardarpur town, around 40 kms from here, to close the shops as part of their ongoing agitation, which was launched in parts of the state yesterday. "A group of farmers reached around 8 am to force shut the shops in Sardarpur local market. However, an argument broke out between the agitating farmers and the shopkeepers," Dhar Superintendent of Police Virendra Singh said. "Following the argument, six motorcycles belonging to the farmers were burnt, while two shops were damaged," he added. Singh said that police force has been deployed there and the situation is under control. Later, some farmers also staged a protest against the incident at Sardarpur police station. Farmers in several parts of western Madhya Pradesh launched a ten-day long agitation, stopping supply of milk, food grains and vegetables to protest the lack of "good prices" for their farm produce. Protesters had stopped vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables and food grains and emptied milk containers on roads. "We gave a call for protest through the social media which evoked a good response from farmers. Prices of food grains have nosedived and farmers are not even recovering the money they invested," MP Kisan Sena secretary Jagdish Rawalia had told PTI yesterday. Farmers in Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Jhabua, Neemuch and Mandsaur districts are supporting the protest, he claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The situation in Nashik district remained peaceful today on the second day of farmers' strike in Maharashtra, but all agriculture produce market committees (APMCs) remained shut. Nashik district is the biggest producer of onion in the country. Most of the onion trade takes place through APMCs. The prohibitory orders restricting movement under section 144-A of the Criminal Procedure Code clamped in Yeola town, 70 km from here, following violence at Pimpalgaon-Jalal on Yeola-Kopargaon road yesterday, remained in force. Ashok Shankar More, a farmer from Nategaon in neighbouring Ahmednagar district, died of heart attack as police opened fire in air to disperse agitators at Yeola last evening and people ran helter-skelter, police sources said. Nashik city faced shortage of veggies and milk today. Many milk vendors in the city also joined in the protest. Agitators today stopped vehicles carrying vegetables, fruits and milk at many places. They stopped milk-tankers heading for Hyderabad from Gujarat at Sonagir toll-naka in neighbouring Dhule district. Protesters led by Shiv Sena MLA Rajabhau Waje and others staged rasta-roko on Nashik-Pune highway at Sinnar, 30 km from here. Meanwhile, in a poignant sight, poor people were seen picking food grains and veggies thrown on roads by agitators at Siddhi Pimpri in Nashik district. Overall, the situation remained peaceful in the city and the district, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons, including a woman and a girl, were killed on the spot after their car crashed into a tree in city's Mhasrul-Shivar area this morning, police said. The incident took place around 6.30 am after the driver of the car lost control over the vehicle and it dashed against the tree, said police. The car was on way to Shirdi from Surat, an official at Mhasrul police station said. The deceased were identified as Manoj Jangid (57), Ramavtar Surajsingh Kumavat (52), Santoshidevi Jangid (51), Manohar Jangid (57), Buddhi alias Gudiya Kumavat (15), all residents of Dujod in Rajasthan. One of the injured Santoshi Kumavat is being treated at Nashik civil hospital, police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least four Afghans were killed today as an anti-government protest spiralled into street clashes, with police firing live rounds to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing demonstrators incensed by a catastrophic bombing. Public anger has mounted after an explosives-laden sewage tanker detonated in Kabul's diplomatic quarter on Wednesday, killing 90 people and wounding hundreds of others in the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital since 2001. Hundreds of demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down and chanting "Death to the Taliban" clashed with police near the bombing site, prompting officials to beat them back with live rounds, mostly in the air, tear gas and water cannon. "In today's protest four people died and eight others were wounded," health ministry spokesman Waheed Majrooh told AFP. Local media reported the death toll was as high as seven. Kabul has been on edge since the bombing, which highlighted the ability of militants to strike even in the capital's most secure district, home to the presidential palace and foreign embassies that are enveloped in a maze of concrete blast walls. Friday's killings will likely further inflame passions, as angry protesters marched through the streets carrying bloodied corpses of those killed in the clashes but they were stopped from reaching the presidential palace. Residents of the city have demanded answers from the government over the perceived intelligence failure leading to the assault, which underscores spiralling insecurity in Afghanistan. "Our brothers and sisters were martyred in the bloody attack on Wednesday, and our leaders are doing nothing to stop this carnage," Rahila Jafari, a civil society activist, said during the protest. "We want justice, we want the perpetrators of the attack to be hanged to death." Other enraged protesters, carrying banners with gruesome images from the bombing, burned effigies of the president and demanded that his government resign. "It is absolutely shameful that government forces used live rounds and tear gas against grieving protesters who are demanding justice for victims of the bombing," Afghan MP Fawzia Koofi told AFP. Afghanistan's intelligence agency has blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network for the attack. Ghani is expected to approve the execution of 11 Taliban and Haqqani prisoners, a government source told AFP, in apparent retaliation to the assault. The Taliban -- currently in the midst of their annual "spring offensive" -- denied they were involved. The insurgents have threatened "harsh exemplary attacks" in a statement on their website, including the killing of foreign hostages they hold if the government carried out the executions. Following their threat, the American University of Afghanistan appealed to the Taliban to release two professors, American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks, who were abducted in August last year. The two appeared in a Taliban hostage video in January, the first proof that they were alive. The Taliban also hold Canadian Joshua Boyle and his American wife Caitlan Coleman, who had two sons in captivity after being kidnapped in Afghanistan in 2012 during a backpacking trip. The Haqqani Network, long thought to have ties to neighbouring Pakistan's shadowy military establishment, is led by Sirajuddin Haqqani -- who is also the Taliban's deputy leader. It has carried out numerous attacks in Kabul, including the 2008 Indian embassy bombing that killed almost 60 people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The sweet fragrance of a spice -- along with a different style of tying a lungi -- led the police to arrest two people who allegedly stole sacks of green cardamom worth Rs 14 lakh from a godown in north Delhi's Lahori Gate. Pawan Kumar and his cousin Rahul Mishra were arrested from Khari Baoli, Delhi's spice market, yesterday. The police recovered 19 bags with 950 kilograms of the spice from them. The two accused posed as owners of the godown and hired two labourers to carry 26 sacks to another godown. After the labourers were identified, the police zeroed in on the two men. The police said they were looking for two others involved in the crime. On May 26, the police were informed of a break-in and burglary at the godown in Tilak Bazar, Lahori Gate, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Jatin Narwal said. When a police team under the supervision of Inspector Vinod Narang, SHO (Lahori Gate), scanned CCTV footage from cameras installed in the area, it found that the bags had been taken to a godown near Delhi's wholesale market, Sadar Bazar. Though the faces of the labourers transporting the sacks were not clear, they were identified by the characteristic way in which tied their lungis, the officer said. Sections of Rajasthani labourers wore their lungis in that particular way, the police discovered when the team visited areas where labourers gathered every morning for work. The two workers were identified after the police talked to a dozen or so labourers from Rajasthan. The police learnt that the accused had used cutters to break open the godown locks, and pretended they were the owners when they asked the labourers to carry the bags out. The workers did not remember the godown to which they had transported the bags but could recall the area, the police said. The team started scanning the area along with members of its community policing initiative, Eyes and Ears. That was when it learnt that a strong smell of green cardamom was emanating from a godown in Gali Batashan. The two accused were nabbed and 19 bags were recovered from the godown, Narwal said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) GVK Power and Infrastructure Limited today said it has decided to exit from Bangalore International Airport Limited by selling its 10 per cent stake to Fairfax India Holdings Corporation for Rs 1,290 crore (approximately USD 200 million). According to a release issued here the transaction is expected to be completed by early July 2017 and the sale proceeds will be used for reducing the debt component of GVK Group. In March this year, GVK closed deal which was signed in March 2016 with Fairfax India to sell a 33 per cent stake in BIAL while retaining 10 per cent stake and management of the company. "Notwithstanding this sale, the airport sector will continue to be focus area for GVK. Our immediate focus will be Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports and on selectively evaluating privatisation opportunities," GVK Reddy Founder Chairman and Managing Director of GVKPIL said. He said the reduced debt burden will give the group the flexibility and releases management bandwidth to focus on other projects. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All India Anti-Terrorist Front chairman M S Bitta today alleged the BJP government in Haryana has insulted the family of Army jawan Mandeep Singh, who was killed by terrorists in Macchil sector of Jammu and Kashmir, by delaying monetary compensation and mistreating his widow. The body of Mandeep Singh was mutilated after he was killed by terrorists in October last year. Bitta said the ex gratia promised to Mandeep's family was given only in February and the cheque was given through the Red Cross. Recently, Mandeep's widow, Prerna, a constable at Haryana police posted in Kurukshetra, was suddenly taken off VIP duty when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited there, he said. "I started a movement against terrorism and have been taking up the cause of martyrs and their families for quite a few years. But, never before have I seen such insult to martyrs like this in Haryana," Bitta told reporters here. Mandeep's mother Nirmala Devi, wife Prerna and elder brother Sandeep were also present at the press conference. "Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar may be an honest man, Haryana may be corruption free, but the way the lower rungs in the state administration are insulting martyrs' families, I have never seen this before," Bitta said. "The government announced Rs 50 lakh ex gratia. The family did not ask for it, but that too was given in February. But first, they were asked to complete several formalities," he said. Bitta said only yesterday, after seven months, the Haryana government, at a cabinet meeting, decided to give a clerical job to the elder brother of Mandeep. He, however, praised the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in Punjab, saying the chief minister wasted no time in giving jobs to the armyman, hailing from Tarn Taran, who was beheaded by Pakistani forces recently. "Prerna is constable in Haryana police. She is an MA. What stops the government from promoting her to the post of Inspector or DSP. We have not come before the media to seek something, but only to highlight the insult which the family has faced," Bitta said. He also said, "When Union Home minister Rajnath Singh was visiting Kurukshetra a few days back, Prerna was put on VIP duty, but suddenly it was ordered that she be withdrawn from the duty." "Then, she was asked to report to a police station in Kurukshetra, where she was confined all day till the minster left. She broke down into tears, she was depressed not knowing where her fault lies," Bitta said. Hitting out at the Haryana government, he said, "I think the CID in Haryana must be tapping the family's telephone lines... It seems they never gave any report to the Chief Minister about the insult the family has faced. Prerna also got threat letters from unkown persons twice." Bitta also said, "To rub salt to the wounds, a paper came from the defence ministry where Prerna was asked to give an affidavit answering whether she has married again or not. Should such questions be asked at such a sensitive time." "If the Haryana government insults this family again, we will start a nationwide campaign against them," Bitta said. Mandeep's mother Nirmala Devi said, "We are poor, but not beggars, we have not been given due respect we deserved." Prerna said, "I am getting threat letters, if anything happens to us, who will be responsible? My husband fought a dozen terrorists, why has his sacrifice been forgotten?" About being put off VIP duty, she said before Rajnath Singh's visit the same thing had happened with her when Chief Minister Khattar was visiting Kurukshetra. "I have never broken any rule during my duties. I perform my duty with full responsibility. I did not break any rule on that day, but I was taken off duty as they thought that I may approach Rajnath Singh with some demands, but I had no intention as I know my duty... When I was taken off duty in that manner, it hurt me, I felt insulted," Prerna said. "I am not asking for any job, money or promotion. Getting respect is important," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana minister Om Prakash Dhankar will lead a 12-member delegation to three countries to study latest methods in the field of agriculture and horticulture amid Opposition's criticism which termed it a "waste of taxpayers' money". Dhankar, the minister of agriculture and horticulture, will proceed on the two-week visit to Australia, Fiji and New Zealand from June 6, officials said here. The minister also holds the portfolios of irrigation development, panchayat, dairy and fishing. The delegation also comprises three senior bureaucrats and as many legislators, the officials said. Abhay Chautala, Opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) secretary general and sitting MLA, hit out at the government over the decision saying that undertaking such "junkets" was a "waste of taxpayers" money. "Instead, the government should focus on setting things right back home," he added. Dhankar had led a delegation of legislators and bureaucrats to study agriculture techniques in the United States last August. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's recent official visit to Singapore and Hong Kong had drawn criticism from a section of the media, which had described it as a "junket". Speaking at 'Swarna Jayanti Journalists Meet' at Panchkula last week, organised as part of Haryana's ongoing golden jubilee celebrations, Khattar had expressed displeasure over such description. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tens of thousands of Cambodians jammed into the capital's streets for rival campaign rallies today, two days before local polls set to test the mettle of an opposition desperate to upend premier Hun Sen's 32-year rule. The Sunday vote in more than 1,600 communes -- village clusters -- comes after months of political tension in the fragile democracy, where Hun Sen is accused of crushing dissent after nearly losing the last 2013 poll. The opposition movement has been hit hard by his crackdown and the June 4 vote is seen as barometer for its chances of turfing Hun Sen out at next year's general election. They hope to draw on frustration among Cambodia's young population over graft and the shrivelling space for free expression under Hun Sen. In a possible sign of nerves over the vote, Hun Sen broke with his tradition of avoiding the campaign trail to lead a massive parade of trucks, motorcycles and tuk-tuks through the capital today. Addressing a sea of flag-waving supporters dressed in the ruling party's signature baby blue, Hun Sen delivered a well- worn speech about the stability he has brought to Cambodia since the end of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. "Which party brought about peace?" he asked a raucous crowd decked out in shirts, hats and flags bearing the emblem of his Cambodian People's Party (CPP). "If the CPP had not toppled Pol Pot, would Pol Pot have given up power and stopped killing us?" he asked, referring to the Khmer Rouge leader who oversaw the killing of up to two million Cambodians in the late 1970s. Hun Sen, himself a Khmer Rouge commander, later defected and joined the Vietnam-backed government that ousted the brutal regime. Over more than three decades in office he has curried favour with the bureaucracy, security services and many older Cambodians, who connect with the 64-year-old's populist wit and narrative as a stabilising force after the Khmer Rouge horrors. Hun Sen has frequently warned that war would break out if his party is ousted in elections. But the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which held its own rally with lower turnout on the other side of town later today, has gained ground in recent years. "CNRP is the party of the future," opposition leader Kem Sokha told a crowd of cheering supporters waving flags with the party's rising sun emblem. The party nearly unseated the premier in a 2013 poll and claims it only lost due to voter fraud. Yet the movement has been dented by Hun Sen's subsequent crackdown, with at least 27 Cambodian human rights defenders and political activists thrown behind bars since 2013, according to a recent Amnesty International report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal today held the Narendra Modi government responsible for the "deteriorating" internal and external security situations. "The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is responsible for deterioration in internal security and increase in the external security threats to the country," he said. Referring to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "It reflected the total failures of the Centre as well as the state government as over 203 Jawans have martyred, 92 civilians were killed in the state during this period." "The duplicity of the BJP for the sake of power has been totally exposed. "The BJP forgot the slogans made during elections and betrayed their electorate, as a result there is strong resentment and anger against the present dispensation in the state. There seems no headway to the deteriorated security situation in Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Listing various "failures and U-turns" of the Modi government, he alleged that the BJP was resorting to "self praise and chest thumping" to cover up its failures. Badal was speaking at a media briefing which is part of the Congress' series of campaigns to "expose" the claims of the Centre. He claimed under the Modi regime, the country witnessed 172 terror attacks, including 12 major incidents in the past 21 months. "In three years, 578 jawans martyred and 871 civilian killed. Out of which 203 jawans martyred in Jammu and Kashmir," Badal said. He alleged that while the BJP indulges in empty phrases, the security situation on the border and in the country is alarming. Questioning the success of foreign policy, he said India's old ally Russia has lifted the embargo on sale of arms to Pakistan and signed a military co-operation agreement with it. He claimed that Pakistan has violated ceasefire 1,343 in the last three years which shows the failures of "Saree-Shawl diplomacy" of the Modi government. Referring to defence preparedness, he said against the demand of 45 squadrons, the IAF fighter fleet has fallen to the record lowest of 32 squadrons. After cancelling the UPA's purchase of 126 Rafale aircrafts, the BJP government had announced purchase of 36 Rafales in 2016 but till date not a single fighter plane has been delivered or the price fixed, Badal claimed. He alleged the Congress had approved raising of Rs 64,678 crore investment on the mountain strike corps along the china borders with 90,274 additional soldiers, but this is in lurch too. The armed forces are facing a shortage of 9,242 officers, 25,472 JCOs and 52,000 Jawans. "But our defence budget has been drastically reduced besides allocated amount remained unspent in three years," Badal said. The minister said against the demand of armed forces for over Rs 1,32,597 crores in 2014-15, amount of Rs 94,587 crores was allocated while 12,622 crores remained unspent. "These figures explain the defence preparedness and the robustness of the Modi government's defence policies, in the wake of increased external threats," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today launched a revamped mobile friendly website of his ministry which will act as a single point access for information on all the five departments under the ministry. Jaitley also launched the new website of the Department of Expenditure -- www.Doe.Gov.In. "As part of the Digital India Programme, the upgraded common landing web page of the Ministry of Finance and the new website of the Department of Expenditure is a major step towards standardisation and improvement in presentation and content delivery," a finance ministry statement said. The website 'www.Finmin.Nic.In' provides a single point access to all the websites of the five different departments under the ministry, it added. The website is mobile friendly across all platforms -- Android, Windows, iOS etc. The new website also has features of in-built search options, enablement of Text to Speech, Language Translation and Visitor Analytics among others, the statement said. The finance ministry has five departments -- Revenue, Economic Affairs, Expenditure, Financial Services and Investment and Public Asset Management. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JSPL chairman Naveen Jindal today said the company is mostly dependent on imports to meet its coal requirements for power generation and steel making in Odisha. "We are importing 100 per cent of coking coal that we require. Fifty per cent of the coal required for power generation is also being imported," Jindal told reporters after meeting Odisha Chief Secretary A P Padhi here. Stating that he requested the state government to improve raw material availability in Odisha, Jindal said the company's 6 mtpa Angul steel making facility will produce various types of plates, TMT re-bars and billets. "We are making different types of steel plates which are upto 5 m wide, the widest in the world and can also be used in ship building, tank making, large construction and other related industries," Jindal said. Jindal, however, said that after commissioning of Angul steel complex, the steel making capacity of JSPL has become more than the double. "This year we are planning to produce 6mtpa steel in India and more than 1.5 mt in Oman," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kremlin today said it regretted new sanctions against North Korea by the United States that include Russian firms and a company director. The US slapped fresh sanctions Thursday on several North Korean entities and officials as well as two Russian companies trading with Pyongyang, adding more economic pressure on the isolated regime over its nuclear weapons push. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the measures "are a factor that continues to have a negative effect on our bilateral relations," quoted by RIA Novosti agency. He said the measures "continue, unfortunately, the previous line. This provokes nothing but regret." Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov criticised the sanctions as "showing a lack of ability to look at things more broadly and a knee-jerk return to a discredited approach" in comments to TASS state agency. "I got a sense of bad deja-vu," he added. Yesterday's announcement listed Moscow-based Ardis- Bearings LLC and its director, Igor Aleksandrovich Michurin, for business they do with North Korean firm Korea Tangun Trading Corporation. Tangun was already placed under sanctions in 2009 for its involvement in North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, the Treasury said. Another Russian firm, the Independent Petroleum Company, has a contract to sell oil to North Korea and "may have" worked to help the country circumvent sanctions, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RJD president Lalu Prasad will not attend the birthday celebrations of DMK chief M Karunanidhi in Chennai tomorrow, which is being seen as a major event to bring together non-BJP parties ahead of the presidential elections. "Lalu jee is suffering from fever and hence will not be able to go to Chennai tomorrow," his close aide and MLA Bhola Yadav told PTI today. Party spokesperson Ashok Sinha also confirmed Yadav's inability to go to Chennai tomorrow. Both Prasad and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar were invited to the 94th birthday celebrations of the DMK patriarch by his daughter and party MP Kanimozhi. Both leaders had accepted the invitation and Nitish Kumar even had talks with DMK working president Stalin in the presence of Kanimozhi. Lalu Prasad's cancellation of travel plan to Chennai is being read in political circles as his unwillingness to be seen with Kumar, who had skipped a luncheon meeting hosted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on May 26 in which he himself was present. Both RJD and JD(U) - the Grand Alliance partners - have, however, dismissed it. "Lalu jee is not going to Chennai purely on health grounds on advise of doctors. There is nothing political in it," Sinha said. JD(U) chief spokesperson Sanjay Singh too said, "Lalu jee is not going to Chennai on medical grounds and it's wrong to read any politics in this," Singh said. Gathering of prominent leaders of non-BJP parties in Chennai is seen a major event in the direction of forging unity among opposition ahead of July Presidential election and 2019 general elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An independent human rights watchdog has urged Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to tackle the alleged hate crime attacks from Buddhist extremist groups targeting the country's minority Muslim community. In a letter to Sirisena, the Human Rights Commission asked the government to fully implement the rule of law to bring the perpetrators of racial hatred to book. The commission has urged the president "to take all the necessary actions against the instigators and perpetrators of violence and hate speech targeting the Muslim community". Envoys of many countries, including Australia and Canada, have visited a prominent mosque here to express their solidarity with the country's Muslims who allege that their religious places have come under hate crime attacks from Buddhist extremist groups. The Muslim community has been disturbed by an escalation of attacks against them since mid April. Several places of religious practice and Muslim-owned businesses have been attacked, the commission said as it also complained of police inaction in tackling the situation. The commission said that it has been alarmed by the racial hatred and hate speech targeting Muslims. Police have been criticised for not arresting a Buddhist monk who heads an extremist group, 'Bodu Bala Sena' or the Forces of Buddhist power. The Muslims have lodged dozens of complaints against Rev Galagodaatte Gnanasara for hate speech against the community. Police, despite a court order which prevents him from fleeing the country, have failed to arrest him so far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mahindra group's pre-owned vehicle seller Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd (MFCWL) today announced foray into used high-end two-wheeler segment. The company, which today opened its first outlet for used premium motorcycles of 250 cc and above here in the Capital, plans to have at least 50 such showrooms across 15 cities this year. "During this month itself we plan to have four such showrooms in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore," MFCWL CEO and Managing Director Nagendra Palle told PTI. Elaborating on the company's plans for the two-wheeler segment, he said: "Our focus will be on the premium segment of 250 cc and above to start with and we may look at the lower segment later on." MFCWL Vice President Retail Business, Tarun Nagar said the company plans to have around 50 outlets for the new segment in around 15 cities. He said the company has been mulling over foraying into the two-wheeler segment and a strong interest from franchise drove the decision. There is an attractive opportunity in organised used two-wheeler business as it is in cars, Nagar added. The company will be selling a range of certified premium bikes ranging from Royal Enfield and Kawasaki to Harley Davidson. MFCWL also opened its 1,290th pre-owned car outlet in the Capital today. Palle said the target for the year is to have around 2,000 such showrooms across India this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German Chancellor Angela Merkel today vowed "more decisive action than ever" to protect the climate after the US pullout from the landmark Paris accord. "We in Germany, in Europe and the world will band together to take more decisive action than ever to confront and successfully surmount major challenges to humanity such as climate change," she told reporters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Hindi advisory committee of the home ministry today discussed the issue of non-publication of official documents and reports in the language and stressed the need for its promotion. A member of the advisory committee raised the issue and asked the government to ensure that all official documents and reports are published in Hindi, a source privy to the meeting said. However, there was no discussion on recommendation of a parliamentary committee on official language that the president and other high dignitaries should deliver their speeches in Hindi if they can read and speak the language. President Pranab Mukherjee had accepted the recommendation. There have been protests in Tamil Nadu, especially by the DMK, against the president's decision. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who chaired the meeting, said Hindi is the easiest language to convey the main ingredients of the Indian culture and it strengthens the unity and integrity mentioned in the Constitution. Singh said language plays a key role in the social and economic progress of any country. The home minister said the language, which can be communicated and understood easily, becomes influential and popular among the people and the government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition AAP today urged Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore to dismiss state minister Rana Gurjit Singh, who is facing allegations of impropriety in the multi-crore sand mine auctions. The opposition parties have accused the state irrigation and power minister of acquiring sand and gravel mines through benaami transactions in the name of his company's cook and staff, a charge denied by him. Leader of opposition in the Assembly H S Phoolka, AAP Punjab chief Bhagwant Mann, co-president Aman Arora, chief whip Sukhpal Khaira and Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains met the Governor here and demanded dismissal of Rana Gurjit. They also appealed to Badnore to intervene in the matter. The leaders alleged that since its formation, the Congress government in the state has been mired in controversies on day-to-day basis. The state government's decision to set up a one-man panel of a retired High Court judge with "tailor-made terms of reference" shows that there is a "clear cut attempt to help the minister", they said, adding the inquiry must be done by a sitting High Court judge. AAP leader Phoolka said, "Involvement of Rana in the recent e-auctions of sand mines in Punjab have been revealed. His ex-employees, who have deep nexus with him and his business houses, are acting as his frontmen to gain financially by abusing his position." A two-day e-auction of sand mines in Punjab held last month culminated with bids worth Rs 1,026 crore secured for 89 mines, the highest ever earnings for the state from sand mining sector. 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. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had recently ordered the setting up a one-man judicial commission to probe the allegations of impropriety against Rana in the multi-crore sand mining auctions conducted recently by the state government. The panel would probe all aspects of the allegations of impropriety against Rana, including whether the terms and conditions of the bid were adhered to while awarding the tender of these two mines to Amit Bahadur and Kulvinder Pal Singh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Describing terrorism as a global menace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged the world community to block funding, weapons and communication modes of terrorists, in an apparent reference to Pakistan's support for Kashmiri militants. "The call of time is that we should rise above specific incidents. Terrorism is the enemy of humankind. All should come together to fight terrorism," Modi said during a discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Modi, while noting that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present in the gathering, lamented that for 40 years, a resolution is pending before the United Nations regarding definition of terrorism and of those who help terrorists. "Only lip service has been provided. There has been no discussion, nor any decision," he said. The prime minister said he was glad that Putin had yesterday publicly stated that the resolution would be discussed. In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Modi said terrorists don't manufacture weapons, but some countries supply guns to them. Similarly, terrorists don't print currency, but some countries facilitate their financing through money laundering. Terrorists don't own telecommunications system and social media networks, but some countries help them with that, he said. "Now we should come out of good terrorism, bad terrorism (debate); my terrorist, your terrorist (syndrome). It is an issue of humankind. That's how we can fight terrorism," he said. India, he said, has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for 40 years and thousands of innocent citizens have been killed but the world recognized terrorism merely as a law and order problem for many years. Only after 9/11, the world woke up to know how deep terrorists can strike and how much havoc they can wreak, he said. He said terrorism has no boundaries and all countries should fight it collectively. Putin also said that India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an "imaginary thing". He agreed with Modi that terrorism is a common threat and "that should unite us. We ought to understand what is happening and where it will lead us. We ought to be aware of the danger" of terrorism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The world has increasingly become inter-connected and inter-dependent, a transformation that has made it necessary for India and China to cooperate on trade and investments despite a simmering border dispute, Prime Minister said today. "It is true that we have a border dispute with China. But in the last 40 years, not a single bullet has been fired because of border dispute," Modi said during a panel discussion at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Modi was responding to a question whether India's opposition to China's 'One Belt, One Road' project reflects deep discord in their relationship. India had boycotted a high-profile conference recently hosted by China on the project, citing "sovereignty" issue since it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The prime minister noted that it is not the same bipolar world of before when nations were aligned either with the United States or the former Soviet Union. "It is an inter-connected and inter-dependent world. So countries may have some disputes and some areas of collaboration," he said, noting that India and Russia relationship has stood the test of time as it was based on trust. The 24-page St. Petersburg Declaration, released yesterday after his summit with Putin, is a testament to India-Russia relation, Modi said. "And I know the world will minutely scrutinize every word for the future direction of our relations." On China, he said that despite differences, New Delhi and Beijing have come together on the BRICS platform to create two financial institutions, one headed by China where India is a partner and one BRICS Bank where the two regional superpowers are collaborators. "The world is increasingly becoming inter-dependent. We believe in 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas' (Cooperation of all, development for all). This is not just for the domestic programs but also for cooperation. We want to carry everyone along for development," he said. Police claimed to have busted a transfers and postings racket concerning senior officials by arresting four persons, including a personal assistant of a former minister, from a plush hotel near city airport. The accused were arrested after a raid at a five star hotel near Mumbai airport last night, said police. Besides, the personal assistant of minister of state for Home, the others arrested include Kishor Mali, who is the kingpin of this racket and two others hailing from Pune and Delhi, said police. Mali, who hails from Solapur is politically connected, police claimed. "We have arrested four persons for running a postings and transfers racket concerning senior government officials. It includes PA of former minister of state Home," Sanjay Saxena, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) told PTI. The accused were demanding lakhs of rupees from senior officials for transfers and postings, he said. "We will investigate since how long this racket was operational and if any government officials were cheated by this group," the official added. The racket came to light after one of the accused approached Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Namdeo Chavan currently posted in Solapur City on the pretext of giving him a lucrative posting, the official said. They assured him a posting of his choice and demanded an amount in lakhs for the transfer, said the official. DCP Chavan got suspicious and complained to the Crime Branch of Mumbai Police about it, he said. According to the plan chalked out by senior officials to unearth this racket DCP Chavan scheduled a meeting with the accused in a five star hotel near Mumbai airport last evening, he said. After the meeting, the DCP Chavan signalled the crime branch sleuths present in plain clothes in the hotel, who raided the room and nabbed the four accused, he said. An amount of Rs 6.70 lakh was also recovered from them, said the official. The accused were sent to police custody till June 7. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In what is being billed as Opposition show of strength, top leaders including Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are expected to share dais at an event to mark 60 years of DMK chief M Karunanidhi as a legislator here tomorrow. Besides, the diamond jubilee celebrations of Karunanidhi's entry into the Tamil Nadu Assembly will also see the participation of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. Kumar and Yadav are two rarely seen faces in the state. Apart from Lok Sabha MP Derek B'Brien, who will represent TMC, CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI National Secretary D Raja, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar are also scheduled to attend the event. Ironically, Karunanidhi's participation is still uncertain as doctors have not given him the nod to attend the function, scheduled to coincide with his 94th birthday. The nonagenarian leader is recuperating following a tracheostomy procedure in December last to improve breathing. The event comes amidst parleys by non-NDA parties involving TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to field a common candidate for the Presidential polls due in July. However, DMK Working President and Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin has denied his father's birthday bash will serve as a platform for the non-NDA parties to discuss the Presidential polls. He had earlier said Congress President Sonia Gandhi had already held discussions with him on the possibility of putting up a joint Opposition candidate. Incumbent Pranab Mukherjee's term ends in July this year. A five-time Chief Minister, Karunanidhi made his debut as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kulithalai in then undivided Tiruchirappally in 1957 and has not lost a single election in his career. Even during times his party faced routs at the hand of arch rival AIADMK, including in 1991 and 2011 where the late J Jayalalithaa led her party to stupendous wins, Karunanidhi had emerged victorious. He presently represents his native Thiruvarur constituency in the 234 member Tamil Nadu Assembly. Meanwhile, Kerala governor Justice P Sathasivan, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and BJP state president Tamilisai Soundarajan greeted Karunanidhi on his long stint as a legislator. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wished the DMK leader on his birthday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over14,000villages have been declared open defecation free (ODF)so far in Chhattisgarh which has set the target of becoming anODFstate by October, 2018. "Under the Prime Minister's clean India mission, we have made14,064 villages of the stateopen defecation free," aPanchayat and Rural Development Departmentofficial said today. The state has 27 districts and of them five-- Dhamtari, Mungeli, Rajnandgaon, Sarguja and Durg ---have so far been declared as ODF. A total83 development blocks and 7984 gram panchayats of the state has been declared ODF, he said. As many as26 lakh 10 thousand 225 toilets have been constructed till now in the state, he said. The Centre has set the target under 'Swachh Bharat Mission' to declare the entire country asODFby October 2, 2019 but Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh is expecting to achieve the target a year before in 2018 in the state keeping in view the enthusiastic response of the people towards the mission, the official said. All the concerned departments, including school education, health, women and child development and public health engineering besides panchayat and rural development officials have been asked to work in coordination to scale the target within stipulated time, he said. A public awareness campaign is being held continuously in the villages to encourage the people to built toilets in their houses, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is not against slaughter and it is not forcing people on what to eat, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan said today. "The Act has been adopted following a Supreme Court directive and this has been made applicable incorporating suggestions from all sections of people," he said at a press conference here today. He had arrived here to join a Swachh Bharat Mission programme at Teliamura in West Tripura district to mark Modi government's 3rd anniversary. There has been misconception or misgiving among certain section of people over the Act but it is not against slaughter, Vardhan said. "The government is ready to look into it if there are misconceptions," he said. He also said that the Ministry of Science and Technology will launch a new project for Kendriya Vidyalaya students to show them how new technology is developed. "Around 75,000 Kendriya Vidyalaya students would be taken to laboratories to show them how new technology is developed," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister arrived here on Saturday on the last leg of his four-nation tour during which he will hold talks with newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron on a host of key issues like terrorism, India's NSG membership bid and climate change. "Reached France for a vital visit to enhance ties with one of our most important strategic partners," Prime Minister Modi tweeted after landing here. He reached France after wrapping up his visit to Russia during which he held talks with President Vladimir Putin and attended an international economic forum. Before Russia, Modi also visited Germany and Spain and held talks with the top leadership there. During his visit, Modi will meet the newly-elected French President Macron. "France is one of our most important Strategic Partners. I look forward to meeting President Macron and have discussions on issues of mutual interest," Modi had said ahead of his visit. "I would be exchanging views with the French President on important global issues including UN Security Council reforms and India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council, India's membership of the various multilateral export control regimes, counter-terrorism cooperation, collaboration on climate change and International Solar Alliance," he had said. France is India's 9th largest investment partner and a key partner in its development initiatives in the area of defence, space, nuclear and renewable energy, urban development and railways. "I am committed to substantially strengthening and advancing our multi-faceted partnership with France," Modi had said. Prime Minister Modi had also called up Macron to congratulate him on his poll victory last month and said he looked forward to work with him to further deepen the bilateral cooperation. 39-year-old Macron created history by becoming the youngest president of France. Odisha government today approved 10 major projects worth over Rs 1.10 lakh crore which will create nearly 46,000 jobs in the state. The high level clearance authority (HLCA) meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik cleared the investment proposals, including JSW Steel Limited, Paradeep Phosphate Limited, OCL India Limited, NLC India, National Aluminum Company Limited, Bhusan Power and Steel Limited, National Mineral Development Corporation and JSW Infrastructure Limited. Those which got the nod are JSW's mega steel plant at Paradip of 10 mtpa capacity worth investment of Rs 50,000 crore which will provide employment to 30,000 people, NLC Thermal Power's power and renewable energy project of 3200 MW capacity at Jharsuguda at an investment of Rs 23,569 crore with employment opportunity for 3,320 persons, said chief secretary A P Padhi. The other projects which got the HLCA's approval included JSW Slurry Pipeline of 30 mtpa capacity from Joda to Paradip with investment of Rs 3,700 and employment opportunity for 350 people, Nalco's smelter expansion at Angul with investment of Rs 10,000 crore and employment for 5,700 people. The others are the Nalco refinery expansion at Damonjodi with investment of Rs 4,357 crore with employment oppurtunity to for 1,462 people and Bhusan Power and Steel Limited's 5.50 mtpa steel plant at Jharsuguda at an investment of Rs 4,252 crore with jobs for 900 people. This apart, the HLCA also gave its nod for NMDC's Pellet plant with 2mtpa capacity at Dhamara with an investment proposal of 2,810 crore and jobs for 850 people, PPL Expansion at investment of Rs 9,459.17 crore and jobs for 2,667 people, Deepak Fertiliser's plant at Paradip at an investment of Rs 1,750 crore and jobs for 440 people and OCL Cement's Rajgangpur plant expansion at an investment of Rs 1,994 crore and jobs for 365 people. "We are extremely pleased to have received firm commitments for more than 50 per cent of the investment intents received during the Investors' Meets held last year at Mumbai, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar," Patnaik said. A host of business reforms carried out by the state government have also paved the way for large investments in the state in diversified sectors. The state's priority now is on-ground implementation of these projects, Patnaik said adding "Our policy and the business ecosystem are among the best in the country and we shall strive to improve them further." Following the Make in Odisha Conclave in Bhubaneswar and Odisha Investor's Meets in Mumbai and Bengaluru, the state had received investment intent of Rs 3.6 lakh crore through a total of 124 projects, said Padhi. The state government has already received firm commitment for 71 projects. This is one of the highest and fastest rates of conversion of investment intent into commitment anywhere in the country, he claimed. With large number of industries evincing interest to start operations in Odisha, the state government has decided to focus on rapid on-ground implementation of these projects, he added. An inter-ministerial committee chaired by the state industries minister is closely monitoring the process. A GIS enabled land bank of 100,000 acres has been created to ensure ready availability. "In the next quarter, groundbreaking and inauguration of more than 10 industrial projects are planned in various districts across the state," Padhi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rahul Gandhi's salvo targeting Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao over dynastic politics has ricocheted back, with TRS leader K T Rama Rao calling it "joke of the millennium". "Some so called 'national leaders' of 'national' parties who can't even win an election in their own backyard, make tall claims elsewhere ????. Indian Notional (sic) Congress leadership talking of 'family rule' has to be the joke of the millennium. Classic comedy ????," Rao, son of the chief minister, wrote on Twitter. The Congress vice president was in Sangareddy in Telangana yesterday where he attacked the chief minister, accusing him of taking care of only his own family. Without naming Rao's son K T Rama Rao, a minister in his government, daughter and Lok Sabha member K Kavitha, and nephew Harish Rao, also a minister, Gandhi had asked if students and farmers fought for the creation of Telangana for a "single family". "Has the state been created just for four people," Gandhi said, and alleged that the chief minister was not taking along with him students, youth, women and backward classes. In New Delhi, apparently apprehensive of the possibility of questions being asked about Gandhi's remarks against dynastic politics, some Congress leaders at the party's briefing were overheard talking about the likely posers from the media. Union Minister Smriti Irani quickly latched on to it and posted on Twitter: "Comedy of errors? Dynasty ke statement par dynasty ke supporter kya bolein iss par gehen calculation" (Serious calculation over how supporters of dynasty should respond to statement on dynasty)." In a video of the Congress' press conference put out by Irani, a party leader is heard talking to its spokesperson Abhushek Manu Singhvi about Rahul Gandhi's comments. He is also heard on microphone telling Singhvi that nobody from the Gandhi family has been in power since Rajiv Gandhi, apparently a suggestion to counter questions on Gandhi's dynasty jibe at Rao. "It is an irony that a member of the Gandhi family, which is the biggest example of the dynasty politics in India, is accusing another leader of promoting dynasty," BJP's media department head Anil Baluni said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister Raman Singh today invited Japanese industrialists and investors to Chhattisgarh during his Japan visit to attract foreign investments. "While addressing an Investors' Conference organised by CII at Osaka, Singh invited the Japanese industrialists and investors to look at Chhattisgarh for making large-scale investments," an official release said. For the economic and industrial development of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call of 'Make in India' for investors within the country and abroad. The Japanese industrialists and investors should become part of this campaign and visit India. They should also set up their ventures in Chhattisgarh, the release quoted CM as saying. The cultural ties between India and Japan go back to thousands of years and Buddhism is its a biggest example, Singh said. Chhattisgarh is coined as 'Rice Bowl of India' and similarly, Osaka is recognised as the main centre of rice trade in Japan where it is known as 'Kitchen of Japan', he said. "Chhattisgarh was founded in 2000 and it is a young state with full of energy and a lot of potential. It is creating its own identity of a rapid developing state in the country," he said. Briefing about the several other aspects of the state, the CM said his state is heaven in India as far as natural resources is concerned. "The combination of mineral resources, abundant water, skilled human resources and fertile land has contributed to growth of the state where core sector industries like steel, cement, aluminium and electricity plants have achieved a huge success. "Now the focus is on non-core fields- IT, electronics, solar energy and automobiles," he asserted. According to World Bank report Chhattisgarh is among the top five states in 'Ease of Doing Business' category since the past two years, he said. Members of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Japan and representatives of Japan-based Industries organisations were also present in the conference, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RJD leader Mohammed Shahabuddin, an accused in journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case, has refused to undergo a lie detector test, and is not cooperating in the probe, CBI sources said on Friday. Shahabuddin, a four-time former MP from Bihar's Siwan parliamentary constituency, was "lying and concealing" facts related to the case, they said. The agency will inform the special court in Muzzafarpur court about the development. Ranjan, the Siwan bureau chief of a Hindi daily newspaper, was shot dead allegedly by Shahabuddin's henchmen in May last year. The Bihar politician was in jail in connection with other criminal cases against him when the incident happened. He was later shifted to Tihar jail. It is mandatory to take consent of the accused before subjecting them to polygraph test, also known as lie detector test, the sources said. The agency is questioning Shahabuddin after obtaining his custody for eight days in connection with the case. The eight-day custody will end on Monday. Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray today extended his party's support to the strike called by farmers and said their extreme measures exhibit the failure of the ruling BJP-led government. Shiv Sena is part of the NDA government at the Centre as well as the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government. "The Shiv Sena wholeheartedly backs the strike called by farmers. They have been forced to hit the streets to show the government the pains they are going through," Uddhav told reporters here. "Farmers going on a strike exhibits complete failure of this government. We were the first to raise the issues of farmers with the government and will always continue to do so in future," he added. Uddhav said his party remains firm on its demand of a complete loan waiver of farmers. "We are supporting the strike to show solidarity with the farmers who are fighting for their survival today," said the Sena chief. Deficit in availability of vegetables in Mumbai and resultant price rise looms over citizens as farmers in Maharashtra continued their stir for various demands on the second consecutive day today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Slovakia today re-opened an inquiry into the unsolved 1995 abduction of the son of the country's first president in neighbouring Austria. Michal Kovac Jr was blindfolded and handcuffed, forced to drink a bottle of whisky and given electric shocks, before being found in his car near a police station in the Austrian town of Hainburg, just 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Bratislava. The investigation into the crime was blocked in 1998 by then prime minister Vladimir Meciar, a right-wing hardliner and the main political rival of the victim's father, then centrist president Michal Kovac. Parliament opened the door to a fresh probe in April when it repealed the amnesty by Meciar for "crimes committed in connection with the kidnapping of Michal Kovac Jr". The move triggered widespread suspicions that he orchestrated the abduction to embarrass Kovac. Meciar, now 74, has denied any involvement. Spokesperson for the Bratislava district court Pavol Adamciak told AFP today that "the criminal offences in question are extensive". Judges would announce their next steps after studying all the available evidence, he added. Adamciak refused to say whether Meciar himself would be questioned. An Austrian court ruled in 1995 that the kidnapping was most likely the work of the Slovak Secret Service (SIS). Ivan Lexa, the SIS director at the time, who has lived in Mexico for years voluntarily handed over his passport to Slovak authorities today "due to media pressure and purposefully induced hysteria", his lawyer said. Meciar, who served three times as prime minister, was sharply criticised by the United States and many European nations for his authoritarian rule and widespread corruption while in office. He was also condemned by Kovac, the first president of an independent Slovakia, for attempting to curb newly won civil liberties after the collapse of communism in 1989. Kovac died of heart failure in October 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana BJP is aiming to complete appointment of about 12,000 booth committees by this month-end, taking their total to 25,000, state unit president K Laxman said here today. "There are 32,000 poling booths in the state. At present, the BJP has about 13,000 (booth) committees. We are working to take the total number of booth committees to 25,000 by the end of this month," Laxman told reporters in an interaction with the media, organised by the Hyderabad Press Club. He said almost 8,000 workers of the BJP are engaged in this exercise. According to him, the party has over 19 lakh members across Telangana. Replying to a query, he said the saffron party is interested in expanding its base by attracting "influential people" at grassroot level. "That does not mean that we discourage people joining the party at higher levels. If any leader who has strong base and inclined to our party's ideology, we will certainly consider it on a case-by-case basis," he added. Taking a swipe at the ruling TRS government, he said the current regime has failed to live up to the expectations of people. He alleged the government has become family-centric and is neglecting issues related to all sections including the farmer and the student. Laxman claimed about 3,000 farmers have committed suicides during the three-year rule of TRS. On the BJP's strategy to contest the 2019 general elections, he said the party will not have any pre-poll tie-ups with any other parties and will appeal to people on a two-pronged campaign. "We will highlight the developmental and welfare schemes being undertaken by Narendra Modi government on one hand, and failures of the TRS government on the other. These would be the key issues for BJP in 2019 polls," he said. The BJP has undertaken a door-to-door campaign to take achievements of the Modi government to 50 lakh households in Telangana, the BJP leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the popularity of shows such as "Homeland", "Criminal Minds" and "The Blacklist", the television scene in Hollywood is dominated by crime and political thrillers and actor Diego Klattenhoff attributes the genre's success to the reality it mirrors. Klattenhoff, best known for playing Mike Faber on American spy thriller "Homeland" and FBI agent Donald Ressler on "The Blacklist", believes that people relate to such shows as they are closer to what is happening around the world. "I think it has always been there. It is a matter of how well the stories are told. It's all success-driven. Thriller has always been around. But if it's done well then why not? "It's just a very popular genre right now and a lot of people are into such shows. 'Homeland' did a great job by staying in front of what was happening with the political landscape. I think a lot of people like the parallels, what they are in and what they are watching," Klattenhoff told PTI in a telephone interview from New York. However, the 37-year-old star says the next couple of years in Hollywood might belong to sci-fi genre. "Who knows may be things will go a bit more sci-fi in the next couple of years. But, there's always been and there will always be things going on in the world that people don't trust... So, it (thriller) will always have its place." Klattenhoff sayas he is blessed to be a part of two popular shows -- "Homeland" and "The Blacklist", which also features James Spader and Megan Boone. "You just try to go along and try to tell the best story in that moment. It's kind of what comes along and I think I have been blessed that I have been a part of a really great story. "We will see where it takes us from here. I would not want to close any doors and say I wouldn't want to do something in the future... You never know what is going to be around the corner." The finale of "The Blacklist" season 4 will air in India on Star World and Star World HD, tomorrow at 8 pm. Klattenhoff says although he does not know much about how his show is doing in India, he hopes the viewers like it. "It has been a perfect journey. We have an amazing fan following. We have been doing this for four years and everybody is still excited about it and they want to continue this journey... "I'm not sure what part of the show people have seen in India but I guess some are still catching up. Things have evolved beyond in season four. We will see what happens in the next season." Talking about the Indian cinema, the actor says he is aware of its impact around the world. "It is amazing. I love the fact that there is a huge market. Lot of people want to consume it and have it in their lives. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump talked to the leaders of Germany, France, Canada and Britain by telephone to personally explain his decision to abandon the landmark Paris climate agreement, the White House said today. The White House did not say whether Trump talked to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the UK's Theresa May before or after he announced his decision. It, however, said the president "reassured the leaders that America remains committed to the Transatlantic alliance and to robust efforts to protect the environment." During the phone calls, Trump reiterated that the US will be the "cleanest and most environmentally-friendly country". "The leaders all agreed to continue dialogue and strengthen cooperation on environmental and other issues going forward," the White House said. Last week, some of the leaders had tried to convince Trump at the G7 Summit Sicily to not walk away from the 2015 deal. Reports said that not everything was well between German Chancellor Merkel and Trump over the issue. Merkel supports the deal. A senior White House official told reporters that Trump in his renegotiations wants to find out if there is a "common ground" on the issue. According to the official, there's no question that former president Barack Obama's climate pledge under the Paris agreement would have undermined America's competitiveness. "It would have been the nail in the coffin for US manufacturing across the industrial sub-sectors - steel, cement, paper, chemicals," the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No butts about it. The Flagstaff City Council took the first decisive step Tuesday toward banning the smoking of cigarettes and other forms of tobacco in public parks and cemeteries. The council voted 6-1 Tuesday evening to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the citys Smokefree air policy to include city park property. Park property, as defined by the Flagstaff city code, means any land, its landscaping and vegetation, buildings, fixtures, monuments, or structures located thereon, devoted to park or recreational uses and owned, operated, or established by the city council. The ordinance was brought forward by Councilman Charlie Odegaard after groups of students from both Coconino and Flagstaff high schools belonging to anti-tobacco clubs proposed the idea at a city council meeting earlier this year. The students brought containers full of cigarette butts they had picked up while cleaning city parks, and said the butts are some of the most frequently littered items. They said the butts can be harmful to animals, which might mistake them as food and eat them, as well as to children. At Tuesdays meeting, nine students representing two clubs, the Coconino Anti-Tobacco Students and the Arizona Students Aiming for Prevention, spoke to the council about their experiences with family members and friends who either smoke or are subjected to secondhand smoke, citing statistics that children are more likely to develop respiratory problems, like asthma, if they are exposed to secondhand smoke. Several of the students told stories of family members who suffered health problems due to long-term smoking, as well as concern for younger family members who are often around people who smoke. Paul Deasy, who has announced his candidacy for the city council in 2018, also spoke in favor of the ban, and said he took his children to an event at Foxglenn Park a few weeks earlier and saw people chain smoking in front of their baby in the park. Deasy said the people became agitated when he asked them to go away from his children to smoke, and said families cannot avoid smoke at an event in a public park. The ban, he added, would help create a safer area for children and families in parks. One community member spoke against the ban, saying that it is an example of government overreach, and instead the city should focus on education about the issue, rather than forcing people to change their behavior. City Attorney Sterling Solomon said the ordinance, as read Tuesday, only applies to items that are required to be lit and emit smoke, meaning electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are not included in the ordinance. Councilman Jim McCarthy requested that an ordinance banning electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and vaping devices on park property be brought to the council at a future meeting. Vice Mayor Jamie Whelan suggested the ordinance be amended to include public cemeteries, and said in the time since Northern Arizona University banned tobacco on campus, the surrounding cemeteries have become a popular place to smoke. The amendment to include cemeteries in the ban passed unanimously. Councilwoman Eva Putzova was the only councilmember to vote against the first reading of the ordinance, and said she did not believe the restrictions had a wide enough reach to make an impact on smoking behavior. Putzova requested the city staff examine the legalities of a wider ban on tobacco products, such as limiting tobacco sales within city limits or smoking in other places, such as cars. Several other Arizona cities and towns, including Sahuarita, Safford and Goodyear, have already enacted similar bans on smoking in parks. The city council will vote on the second reading of the ordinance at the June 6 meeting, and if it passes, it would go into effect 30 days later. Two militants affiliated to Pakistani Taliban terror group were today arrested and a huge cache of of arms and explosives was seized from their possession in northwestern Pakistan. The arrest was made in Charsadda District bordering Mohmand tribal agency. Charsadda district police chief Sohail Khalid said the police conducteda raid at the hideout of militants in Khanjar Kalay and arrested them. They are affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Sheikh Khalid group, he said. The police officer said the law enforcers also seized two suicide vests, nine missiles and 100 hand grenades from their possesion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With less than a week until Britain votes in a national election, Prime Minister Theresa May faced tough questions from voters about her Conservative government's cuts to welfare and health spending. She was also accused by opponents of failing to stand up to the United States over its withdrawal from the Paris climate accord yesterday. May and opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn appeared before a live audience on prime-time TV but consecutively, rather than side by side. May has refused to take part in any televised debates, saying she prefers to answer questions directly from voters. Yesterday's show may have tested that preference, as audience members criticised the prime minister for presiding over stagnant wages for nurses and cuts for those needed physical and mental care. May said the government had "had to take some hard choices across the public sector" to curb spending and reduce the country's deficit. She also denied breaking promises, including her vow not to call an early election. May said she "had the balls to call an election" because it was important to give the government a stronger mandate to negotiate Britain's exit from the European Union. May spoke after President Donald Trump's announcement that he would pull out of the Paris accord sent the issue of climate change and May's attempts to bolster the trans- Atlantic "special relationship" to the top of the agenda in campaigning for Britain's June 8 election. May said she spoke to Trump by phone "and told him that the UK believes in the Paris agreement and that we didn't want the United States to leave the Paris agreement." But Britain did not sign a joint statement by the leaders of Germany, France and Italy, who said they regretted Trump's decision and insisted that the accord cannot be renegotiated. May's office would not say whether she had been asked to sign it. May noted that Japan and Canada, fellow members of the G-7 group of rich industrialised nations, also were not signatories, but like Britain remain committed to the Paris agreement. "I made the UK's position clear to President Trump last week at the G-7 meeting, as did the other G-7 leaders, and I made the position clear to President Trump last night," May said yesterday. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said not signing the declaration was an "appalling abdication of leadership." Corbyn accused May of "subservience" to Trump. The Labour leader, a veteran left-winger who was given little chance of beating May at the start of the election, has had a good campaign and seen his poll ratings rise. Corbyn also was made to squirm by the television audience, who pressed him on his opposition to Britain's nuclear arsenal, and asked if he would be prepared to use atomic weapons if Britain was threatened. He did not answer definitively, but said he would "do everything I can to ensure that any threat is actually dealt with earlier on by negotiations and by talks." "I think the idea of anyone ever using a nuclear weapon anywhere in the world is utterly appalling and terrible," Corbyn said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a bid to tighten the noose on schools charging "unreasonable" fees and levying "hidden" charges, the CBSE has sought data from private schools about their fee structure and increase in fees in recent years. The move comes weeks after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had warned private schools against turning into "shops" by selling uniform and books in their premises. "We have told schools that they should not charge unreasonable fees. The charges should be reasonable and there should be no hidden costs as that is the more irritating part for parents," Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar told PTI in an interview. "We have sought data from schools about their fee structure and increase in fees. Many schools have sent it and the data is being analysed. Schools which haven't sent it have been sent reminders and penalised," he added. The minister, however, did not clarify about the penalty measures for schools found guilty of overcharging and with hidden costs in their fees structure. Overcharging by schools and increase in fees every year has been a subject of concern often raised by parents. Gujarat had last month introduced "Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2017" to regulate the exorbitant fees charged by schools. The bill empowers the Gujarat government to constitute four 'fee regulatory committees', one each for the state's four zones, to determine "fees for admission to any standard or course of study in self-financed schools". Fees structure proposed in the bill for primary, secondary and higher secondary schools is Rs 15,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 27,000 per year, respectively. Schools that wish to charge more will have to approach the regulatory committee, which will have jurisdiction over all private schools, whether affiliated to the Gujarat board, the CBSE or international boards. The bill had also caught interest of several states and also the Centre with education ministers from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and Javadekar asking for copies of the bill from Gujarat Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama. "There are private schools which are charging Rs 250, Rs 2,500, Rs 25,000 and Rs 2.5 lakh also that is a choice which has to be made by parents. "We value private investment as it contributes to the GDP but schools should not be overcharging," Javadekar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A team from the US defence department has carried out a search operation in Arunachal Pradesh to look for American military personnel who went missing during World War II. The US Department of Defence's Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) conducted field activities in Arunachal Pradesh from November 1 to December 14 last year in search of US personnel who went missing in World War II, mostly as a result of air crashes. "The DPAA team recovered evidence that was subsequently examined by a Joint Forensic Review Committee comprising both DPAA and Anthropological Survey of India members," the US Embassy said in a release here. On December 7, the committee had recommended that the remains and material evidence recovered be transported to a DPAA laboratory for further analysis. "In June 2017, DPAA personnel will escort the evidence from Kolkata to the US laboratory in Honolulu, Hawaii, for analysis," said the release. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 45-year-old woman from the Northeast, who holds a senior position in the Bharat Scouts and Guides, has accused some men of making vulgar remarks against her on social media, police said. The woman is posted in Arunachal Pradesh and had come here for a meeting on May 28, they said. She alleged she was added in a WhatsApp group of people associated with the Bharat Scouts and Guides. In the group "scandalous remarks" were posted against her, police said. She also alleged that a man, who is not an employee of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, alongwith some other persons posted obscene comments about her on Facebook too, police said. The woman also claimed that they targeted her since she is from the Northeast. The police said they have registered a case and are probing the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Seng Li Peng SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Asian gasoline profit margins have recently surged to overtake diesel and jet fuel margins as upcoming refinery maintenance in Indonesia and Vietnam will cut supply in the region. Gasoline's premium to benchmark Dubai crude oil averaged $11.22 a barrel in May, outpacing the May average premiums for jet fuel at $10.50 and gasoil at $10.08, according to calculations using data on Thomson Eikon. The strength in gasoline should continue at least until the middle of the third quarter, said oil analyst Nevyn Nah of consultancy Energy Aspects. This is due to the refinery maintenance in Indonesia and Vietnam, Asia's two largest gasoline importers, as well as the prolonged shutdown of a gasoline unit in Ruwais refinery in United Arab Emirates (UAE) after a fire in January. As a result of Ruwais shutdown, Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) had to seek more than 1.5 million tonnes of gasoline for March to December delivery to plug the supply gap. "Gasoline is the strongest product now in Asia in terms of crack and timespreads. After lacklustre Indonesian buying in second-quarter, they are back for June spot barrels," said oil analyst Nevyn Nah of consulting firm Energy Aspects. Indonesia's state-owned Pertamina is seeking 280,000 barrels of 88-octane and 98-octane grade gasoline for June loading from Singapore or Malaysia. This came shortly after it had concluded a term deal for up to 6.25 million barrels of 88-octane gasoline per month for July to December delivery. Gasoline may rise and fall relative to its oil product peers but it should perform well overall for refiners for the next few years. "We expect Asian demand (gasoline) growth to continue with higher grades of motorisation, in particular in key countries such as China and India, while refineries will struggle to cope with the demand growth," said Cuneyt Kazokoglu, Head of Oil Demand at consulting firm FGE. "Until 2022, we expect total Asian gasoline consumption to rise by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) while refinery production will grow by about 700,000 bpd only." "By 2025, Asia will be net short of 1 million bpd (of gasoline)," he added. (Reporting by Seng Li Peng; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Nina Chestney LONDON (Reuters) - Washington's withdrawal from a global pact on climate change might give U.S exports a competitive advantage but supporters of the deal will struggle to respond with any carbon tariffs due to the complexity of keeping them within international trade rules. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would quit the Paris Agreement because it hurt the U.S. economy, although U.N. regulations mean any withdrawal would take four years. Leaving might give U.S. exporters an edge over rivals in nations where industry has to pay to emit carbon dioxide through a carbon tax or emissions trading scheme, economists say. But the Paris deal sets no penalties for withdrawal and says efforts to ensure compliance should be "non-adversarial and non-punitive", leaving it up to governments or trade blocs to ensure any retaliation meets World Trade Organization (WTO) codes. Some manufacturers are already fretting about the U.S. competitive edge. But European and other nations have shown no appetite for responding with a regime of carbon tariffs. "Our view is that it's a can of worms to avoid opening," said Dirk Forrister, president and chief executive of the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA). "It's a topic some politicians will raise again but it would be very complex and disputes would end up at the WTO," he said. Germany's VDA lobby group for the country's powerful vehicle industry voiced concerns on Friday that its carmakers could lose out. Yet Europe's top exporting nation has said it was not considering any sanctions. U.S. neighbour Canada also dismissed the idea of slapping on carbon tariffs. "The Canadian team (at U.N. climate talks) never even envisaged such a thing, let alone discussed it with anyone," said a Canadian source close to the matter. EU Climate and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete told the 28-nation bloc was not considering any tariff action against the United States. France, home of the 2015 Paris climate change accord, said its response was to redouble efforts to limit carbon emissions and pull other signatory countries along with it. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The European Union has in the past examined the possibility of imposing import tariffs on nations with lax polluting laws. A study in 2010 was prompted by France and Italy which worried their industries would lose out to cheap imports. PRINCIPLE VS PRACTICE The EU assessment proved such a regime would be complex to calculate, create an administrative burden and risk a trade war. It showed levies could in principle comply with WTO rules, but that in practice it would be almost impossible to target individual imports without knowing and monitoring the amount of carbon emitted throughout the manufacturing process. WTO rules would allow a WTO member to impose tariffs on another for failing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said James Bacchus, a director at the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development and a former WTO official. He added that this would be the case "if enacted solely as an environmental or health measure, and if applied in a way that does not constitute arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade." Such action would have a stronger case if the WTO member targeted "has declined to participate in cooperative global climate action as a party to the Paris Agreement," he said. Britain, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico and South Korea are among the 15 biggest exporters to the United States. Many of them have introduced or are planning to introduce carbon pricing mechanisms. But, even if they felt their industry faced a competitive threat and chose to respond, it would not happen quickly. "It would have to go through a legislation process so it wouldn't happen as an immediate reaction. It would take a while to develop," IETA's Forrister said. Washington's own actions in the past show this. In 2009, the U.S. Clean Energy and Security Act contained provisions for the government to act against trade partners which failed to meet U.S. emissions standards and so gained a competitive advantage. The step drew criticism from China, largely seen as the main target at the time. But the bill never made it to a Senate vote. (Additional reporting by Alister Doyle in Oslo, Tom Miles in Geneva, Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Valerie Volcovici in Washington; Editing by Edmund Blair) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The dramatic air landing of two Indian infantry battalions in Srinagar in October 1947, which drove back Pakistani tribal raiders from the outskirts of the capital of Jammu & Kashmir, is the stuff legends are made of. As the Indian Army built up troops in Kashmir, the raiders were driven back, and Baramula, Uri and Tithwal liberated. But a similar, less known, crisis occurred in May 1948, when the capture of Kargil by tribal lashkars left the routes to Leh open. Northern Arizona Healthcare will present a free forum, Your Health and Your Insurance at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, at Flagstaff Medical Centers McGee Auditorium, 1200 N. Beaver St. At the forum, an NAH patient advocate will help explain how health insurance works; what questions to ask before seeking medical treatment; debunk healthcare billing myths; and explain the difference between deductibles. The forum will include Q&A time. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. To RSVP, contact Julie Kuhns at 213-6674 or Julie.Kuhns@NAHealth.com. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which receive the first bout of rainfalls, monsoon arrived six days ahead of schedule while the coasts of Kerala saw their first showers on May 30, earliest since 2011. Monsoon predictions have aligned with the MeT Department's forecast of 96 per cent of the average precipitation. The onset of rains have set up India for higher farm output and robust economic growth. The importance of the monsoon on agriculture can't be overstated. It accounts for 14 per cent of our GDP and over 50 per cent of arable land is dependent on precipitation for farming, according to a HDFC Securities report. ALSO READ: Why should you review your financial portfolio? "With two of the three years of the current regime seeing deficient monsoons, a normal monsoon this year could improve the farmer and consumer confidence," said the report. The report brings out three stocks that are most likely to benefit from the monsoon. It adds that the companies will also benefit from increased demand for Indian equities from the domestic and foreign investors. Here are the three stock picks this monsoon, according to HDFC Securities: Rallis India A subsidy of the Tata Chemicals, it is the second largest pesticides agro chemical company in India. The company is said to derive direct advantage from Indian agricultural growth. Lower penetration of agro chemicals and a strong balance sheet rakes to its advantage. Further, the Centre's agricultural centric budget, rural focus and under penetration of crop protection chemicals make a strong case for Rallis India's growth, says the report. The company's revenue estimates is expected to shoot up to Rs 2,164 crore in FY19 from Rs 1,661 crore in FY17. ALSO READ: How many mutual funds should you own? Jain Irrigation Systems Limited Agri-business company Jain Irrigations is engaged in manufacturing of plastic products, fruit or vegetable juices, concentrates squashes and powder. Its segments include Hi-Tech Agri Input Products, Industrial Products and Non-conventional Energy. Its overall revenue from operations increased 7 per cent year-on-year, registering positive growth projections in all its segments. The company even bagged a Rs 569 crore contract from Karnataka Government for Poorigali Integrated Micro Irrigation Project. The company has reduced its consolidated debt and its net debt stands at Rs 3609 crore. HDFC Securities forecasts a 13 per cent revenue compounded annual growth rate over FY17- FY19 (estimate) led by recent acquisitions and growth from domestic revenues. Coromandel A flagship company of Murugappa Group, Coromandel is engaged in farm inputs with more than 150 products comprising of Fertilisers, Crop protection, Specialty Nutrients and Organic compost. The company operates with a network of over 800 rural retail business in south India. It also have over 15 manufacturing units across the country. The report says that it is best placed as it is driven by rising share of NPK fertilizers, growing non-subsidy business and backward integration for phosphoric acid. According to its financials it is expected to post Rs 1,172 crore Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for FY19. US-based credit agency Fitch Ratings downgraded billionaire Anil Ambani-owned telecom firm Reliance Communications further into junk territory on Thursday, becoming the latest credit agency to cast doubt on the Indian mobile phone operator's ability to meet its heavy debts. Fitch cut Reliance's long-term foreign and local-currency ratings to "CCC" from "B-plus", and its $300 million (Rs 1,800 crore) 6.5 percent senior secured notes due 2020 to "CCC/RR4" from "B+/RR4." "RCom's rating downgrade reflects Fitch's belief that some kind of default is a real possibility," the ratings agency said in a statement. The downgrade comes amid growing concern that Reliance Communications, also known as RCom, will struggle to pay its hefty debts. Moody's Investors Service and its Indian affiliate ICRA cut their ratings on Reliance Communications deeper into sub-investment territory earlier this week. The company reported its first full-year loss last month as new entrant Reliance Jio, owned by elder brother Mukesh Ambani, added to the fierce competition in the telecom sector and triggered a price war. "RCom has formally advised all its lenders that it will be making repayment of an aggregate amount of Rs 25,000 crore from the proceeds of these two transactions, on or before September 30, 2017," the company recently said in a statement. Its net debt stood at a whopping Rs 44,345.30 crore as on March 31. The Union Cabinet is likely to take a call on the allowance structure of central government employees soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his four-nation foreign visit. This could come to pass on June 7, media reports suggest. The recommendations of Committee on Allowances, led by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa, were to be taken up in a meeting of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) scheduled yesterday (June 1). Yesterday's meeting focused on House Rent Allowance (HRA) rates. The 7th Central Pay Commission had brought down the HRA to 24 per cent, 16 per cent and 8 per cent for Class X, Y and Z cities respectively, which had the central government employees miffed. The pay panel had also suggested that the HRA rates should be revised to 27 per cent, 18 per cent and 9 per cent when DA crossed 50 per cent, and further increased to 30 per cent, 20 per cent and 10 per cent when DA went beyond 100 per cent. This is the first time a Pay Commission has called for a decline in HRA rates, central government employee unions have claimed . The 7th pay commission had recommended that 52 out of a total of 196 allowances should be scraped completely and 36 allowances should be subsumed under existing ones instead of being treated as separate identities. The Lavasa Committee was formed to look into these changes regarding allowances and to address the representations sent in by various staff associations and ministries. The Lavasa Committee handed over its review report to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on April 27, a little behind the stipulated time frame. After being examined by the Department of Expenditure, the report was forwarded to Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) for consideration and consolidation. After the yesterday meeting, the ball is now in the Cabinet's court. Meanwhile, central government employees can expect to see an end of the suspense hanging about the reformed allowance structure for almost one year now. Also watch: A state-run Chinese daily today said that India has suffered a setback and a "nasty surprise" in the "elephant versus dragon" race as its GDP growth slowed down in the January-April quarter helping China re-emerge as the fastest growing major economy. Calling it a "self-goal" by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Global Times hoped India will not score any more "own goals" in the future as it continues with its reform efforts. India lost the tag of the fastest growing major economy to China in the March quarter with a GDP growth of 6.1 per cent, which pulled down the 2016-17 expansion to 7.1 per cent. Some experts believe the demonetisation of high-value bank notes, that accounted for nearly 85 per cent of currency in circulation, in November by the government had some effect on the data. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday said the slowdown was due to both domestic and global factors, but maintained that the move to demonetise the notes cannot be blamed alone. "It seems that India has suffered a setback in the elephant versus dragon race, with an unexpected slowdown in its economy helping China regain the title of fastest-growing major economy in the first quarter," the Chinese daily said. Part of the publications run by the ruling Communist Party, the daily said the "surprising" slowdown points to "some underlying problems" facing the Indian economy. It also doubted the government data, saying they "have invited controversy." "India watchers were caught off-guard when the economy was revealed on Wednesday to have grown by only 6.1 per cent in the January-March period, its weakest in more than two years. The number was well below analysts forecasts of more than 7 per cent growth for the quarter," it said. The daily headlined the article India gets nasty surprise from first-quarter growth amid doubts over earlier data. It said "a significant upward revision of last years growth data for the same period by 1.3 percentage points to 9.2 per cent was in part blamed for the comparative slump in Indias economic growth in the first quarter this year". "But this was supposed to have already been factored into previous market estimates, so why did the growth data still come as such a shock?" "Adding to the puzzle is that India posted stronger- than-expected seven per cent growth in the October-to-December period when the economy was seen being hit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision in November to scrap largest-denomination banknotes," it said. "The growth numbers, therefore, dont hold water. Some local economists said the first-quarter growth reading is closer to reality compared with previous data," it said. "The reality also shows how poorly the economy is weathering demonetisation," the tabloid daily which carries articles all most every day against India in recent times said. India should be mindful of putting too much strain on its economy and subjecting the economy to a deeper imbalance while pressing ahead with ambitious reforms," it said. The Chinese economy has posted a 6.9 per cent growth in the first quarter this year - higher than the 6.5 per cent official target. The Chinese government has lowered this years growth target to 6.5 per cent amid reports that the total debt is reported to be worth over 250 per cent of GDP and bad loans by the commercial banks totalled to USD 220 billion. There was sense of disquiet in China, which remained the fastest growing economy for decades with double-digit growth rates, after it yielded the status to India. And the daily suggested that the Indian government "seriously think twice about reformist drives as drastic as the November decision." US President Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew from the historic Paris climate agreement saying the deal was 'poorly' negotiated and signed out of 'desperation'. Paris agreement was signed in 2015 to fight rising global temperature by cutting down carbon emission. The United States under this accord had pledged to cut greenhouse emissions 26 to 28 per cent by 2025 and agreed to pay 3 billion dollar in aid for other poor and developing countries by 2020. However, President Trump feels that the Paris accord is 'unfair' and this would put the United States to a very big 'economic disadvantage'. Moments after Trump announced his decision, several global leaders came out in support of landmark Paris accord and commit to protect the planet 'with or without America'. Donald Trump, however, said that his administration would renegotiate either to re-enter the Paris accord or to have a new agreement "on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers." To which, France President Emmanuel Macron said: "We will not renegotiate a less ambitious accord. There is no way." BERLIN (AP) _ France, Germany, Italy issue joint statement saying Paris climate accord can't be renegotiated. Ken Thomas (@KThomasDC) June 1, 2017 Here is how some global leaders have reacted so far: Former US President Barack Obama Former President Barack Obama expressed regret over Trump's decision and told the New York Times: "The nations that remain in the Paris agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created. Even in the absence of American leadership; even as this administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I'm confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we've got." UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was disappointed over President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord and said: "The decision by the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change is a major disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote international security." "The Secretary-General remains confident that all other parties to the Paris agreement will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership, along with very many cities, states and businesses in the United States and around the world by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for 21st century economic prosperity," the statement by the UN Chief said. French President Emmanuel Macron Macron called Trump's decision not to honor the Paris agreement a 'mistake' and ruled out of any renegotiation. "I tell you firmly tonight: We will not renegotiate a less ambitious accord. There is no way," Macron said. "France believes in you (the US), the world believes in you, but don't be mistaken on climate; there is no plan B because there is no planet B," Macron further said. Statement on the US' withdrawal from the Paris climate agreements. #parisagreementhttps://t.co/T4XOjWZW0Q Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 1, 2017 Macron was not done yet, he also replied to Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slogan by saying 'Make the Planet Great Again!' pic.twitter.com/3g5LYO9Osj Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 1, 2017 "France will put forward a concrete action plan to increase its attractiveness for researchers and companies in the ecological transition sector and will take initiatives notably in Europe and Africa on this subject," Macron added. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Justin Trudeau said he was 'deeply disappointed'. Tweeting about it, he said: "We are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement." We are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 1, 2017 In a tweeter request, Paolo Gentiloni said his country should not retreat from its actions on climate. "Let's not go backwards from the Paris Agreement," he said on Twitter. "Italy is committed to reducing (carbon) emissions, to renewable energy, sustainable development." Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel Charles Michel termed Trump's decision as a 'brutal act'. He said: "Leadership means fighting climate change together. Not forsaking commitment." German Chancellor Angela Merkel Chancellor Merkel expressed "regret" at Trump's decision, and called for a continuation of "climate policies which preserve our world." Income Tax department today warned people against indulging in cash transaction of Rs 2 lakh or more saying that the receiver of the amount will have to cough up an equal amount as penalty. It also advised people having knowledge of such dealings to tip-off the tax department by sending an email to 'blackmoneyinfo@incometax.gov.in'. The government has banned cash transactions of Rs 2 lakh or more from April 1, 2017, through the Finance Act 2017. The newly inserted section 269ST in the Income Tax Act bans such cash dealings on a single day, in respect of a single transaction or transactions relating to one event or occasion from an individual. "Contravention of Section 269ST would entail levy of 100 per cent penalty on receiver of the amount," the tax department said in a public advertisement in leading dailies. In the 2017-18 Budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had proposed to ban cash transaction of over Rs 3 lakh. This limit was lowered to Rs 2 lakh as an amendment to the Finance Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha in March. The restriction is not applicable to any receipt by government, banking company, post office savings bank or co-operative bank, the tax department said. The move to ban cash transaction above a threshold was aimed at curbing black money by discouraging cash transaction and promoting digital economy. The tax department had started the email address 'blackmoneyinfo@incometax.gov.in' in December last year post the demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupee notes. It had then asked people having knowledge about conversion of black money into black/white to inform the government through this mail id. Post the demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, people with unaccounted wealth had illegally converted their black money held in old notes to new 500 and 2,000 rupee notes. The government had come out with a tax amnesty scheme PMGKY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana) under which people holding unaccounted cash could come clean by declaring their wealth and pay 50 per cent as tax and penalty. Also, a mandatory deposit of 25 per cent of the black money was to be made in a zero-interest bearing account for four years. With the IT sector witnessing layoffs across the country, Forum for IT Employees or FITE on Thursday submitted two petitions to Karnataka Labour Commissioner, claiming that some employees of IT majors were 'forced to resign'. A group petition by four Tech Mahindra employees and an individual petition against Wipro was handed over to the Labour Commissioner, RR Jannu. The forum claimed that their meeting with the Labour Commissioner lasted for one hour and he asked detailed questions about the issues raised. "The Labour Commissioner was receptive and engaged with the issues. He promised to look in the matter and raise it with the relevant individuals and departments in the government," the forum said in a press release. Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy had earlier said that IT companies can protect the jobs of youngsters if senior executives take pay cuts. Murthy also said this is not for the first time that the industry has faced the layoff problem and hence there should not be any extreme anxiety as the industry had dealt the issue and found solutions then. "Let us remember we have gone through this several times in the past. We went through that in 2008, in 2001. So, this is nothing new. Therefore, there is no need for us to become extremely anxious. We have had solutions to such problems in the past," he said. Last month, executive search firm Head Hunters India said the job cuts in IT sector will be between 1.75 lakh and 2 lakh annually for next three years due to under-preparedness in adapting to newer technologies. "Contrary to media reports of 56,000 IT professionals to lose jobs this year, the actual job cuts will be between 1.75 lakh and 2 lakh per year in next three years, due to under-preparedness in adapting to newer technologies," Head Hunters India Founder-Chairman and MD K Lakshmikanth said, analysing a report submitted by McKinsey & Company at the Nasscom India Leadership Forum on February 17. McKinsey & Company report had said nearly half of the workforce in the IT services firms will be "irrelevant" over the next 3-4 years. McKinsey India Managing Director Noshir Kaka had also said the bigger challenge ahead for the industry will be to retrain 50-60 per cent of the workforce as there will be a significant shift in technologies. The industry employs 3.9 million people and the majority of them have to be retrained. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris deal was a "death knell" for the climate agreement, Indian environmentalists said today with some asserting that the US' move was an opportunity for India to provide global leadership on the issue. This was not the first time that the US was opting out of an international climate agreement, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said. It had pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol saying emerging economies do not have quantified emission targets. Noting that US is only the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases, but also one the major current emitters, CSE said any action to combat climate change will be "insufficient" by a huge margin without the US' active contribution. Calling Trump's decision "irresponsible and short- sighted", Greenpeace India said it was a loss for the US in many ways and an opportunity for India to provide global leadership on the climate issue. It added that the US decision was leading to a shift in global geopolitics with China and the EU already positioning themselves to take the lead in climate action. The US president has announced that the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gasses will withdraw from the Paris climate accord, saying the deal agreed by more than 190 nations unfairly benefited countries like India and China. The objective of the Paris Agreement is to prevent an increase in global average temperature and keep it well below 2 C. The Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015 by 195 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), replacing its predecessor Kyoto Protocol. It was finally ratified on November 4, 2016. "With the US president's latest assault on the global fight against climate change, meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement will become an uphill task. Trump has sounded the death knell for the Agreement," CSE DG Sunita Narain said. "Even if other countries, including the developing countries, raise their ambition, they would not be able to fill in the void left by the US. It is, therefore, not sufficient to shift the burden of addressing climate change to other countries -- including China and India," added her colleague Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE. "Pulling out of the Paris Agreement would mean that with 5 per cent of the world population, the US will continue to jeopardise the remaining 95 per cent. Countries need to hold the US accountable for decisions that have a global impact, Narain said. Under its climate action plan, the US had pledged merely 26-28 per cent emission reduction below 2005 levels by 2025. According to Ravi Chellam, executive director, Greenpeace India, Trump was out of touch with reality. Apart from governments, an entire spectrum of actors, including religious leaders, bankers, youth, ordinary citizens from across the world, scientists, investment groups and CEOs of some of the world's largest corporations have committed to strong and quick climate action, he asserted. "The vast majority of the world has already resolved and started to act on climate with the renewable energy industry growing exponentially. India and China, amongst the leading greenhouse gas emitters, have resolved and started to develop clean energy and a low carbon economy in a big way. "This transition will continue with or without US, which now has Syria and Nicaragua for company as the only three countries, who are currently not part of the Paris Agreement," said Chellam. He added that climate action has tremendous "win-win" potential for all nations, including India. "The planet needs the US to do its fair share, but while we wait for sanity to be restored in the US, other countries must accelerate their path to decarbonisation. At the very least, we owe it to our future generations, said Chellam. Ajay Mathur, director general, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and one of the key negotiators for India during the Paris climate summit, termed the decision "unfortunate". "It is unfortunate that the US is pulling out of the Paris Agreement. The absence of its leadership and financial support in implementing the Agreement could delay actions to both reduce global emissions as well as to adapt to the adverse impacts of the climate change that has already occurred. "However, we believe that the positive trends in the decline of prices of renewable energy and energy efficiency will continue to drive global action to ensure that global temperature rise remains well below 2 C," he said. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), said the US, by becoming an outlier on climate action, will soon realise the "folly" of its decision - that it will lose out on investment, jobs and market opportunities in a lower carbon economy. R K Pachauri, former chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said the US decision was "truly unfortunate" as it completely ignores the scientific reality of climate change and the moral responsibility of the US for taking action. "In cumulative terms, the US has been the largest emitter of greenhouse gases which are resulting in human induced climate change," he said. Hours after the US president walked out of the Paris climate accord, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated India's commitment to reducing carbon emission and leaving an earth which is "beautiful and pure" for the future generations. Refusing to be drawn into a debate on whether he supported or was opposed to President Donald Trump's action, Modi said he will take the side of the future generations and held the view that mankind cannot exploit nature. In a speech to global businesses gathered for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he quoted the Vedas to say "exploiting of the nature is a crime but milking of the nature by humans is a right." Later, when the moderator asked which side of the climate change debate he stood, and whether he disagreed with Trump's stand, Modi remained diplomatically neutral. "I have in simple way stated the dream of 'new India'. I quoted from 5000-year-old Vedas to say humans have a right to milk the nature but have no right to exploit it," he told the gathering in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi said he was asked a similar question in Germany earlier this week, before the US decision was made public. At the time, Modi said, he had replied "Paris or no Paris, it is our conviction that we have no right to snatch from our future generation their right to have a clean and beautiful earth." "We should leave to new generation an earth that is beautiful and clean," Modi said. "I don't think I should go this side or that. This subject is of future generations and I would go towards future generations." "It is part of our thinking and for that reason we do not believe in exploitation of the nature. We people do not have the right to take more than necessary from the nature," he said. Hours earlier, Trump had announced that the US was withdrawing from the Paris climate change deal, which had been agreed by more than 190 nations. The US president said the agreement unfairly benefited countries like India and China. Modi said India is investing massivly in renewable energy and it has set an ambitious target of adding 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. "This does not include nuclear energy but is only solar, wind, biomass and hydro (power)." "This is because we are moving ahead as a responsible country while protecting the environment and this is our very old commitment," he said. Modi recalled his days as chief minister of Gujarat, much before global warming was discussed or Paris agreement was even discussed. He said Gujarat was the fourth government is the world which had set up a department for environment protection. "This is our commitment, and we are moving forward based on this commitment," the prime minister said. By distributing 40 crore LED bulbs, India has in the last three years saved energy "which will help the humankind in environment protection," he said. "I invite you all, 125 crore people of the country are inviting you, the world's most ancient nation is inviting you for economic development ... In the spirit of 'Sky is the limit', I once again invite you," he told the business leaders. When Oscar (to protect his privacy, Oscar's last name isn't being used), a soft-spoken 55-year-old man, got released from the police department in Flagstaff, no one was there to meet him. Oscar didnt have money or shelter for the night. He had no idea a path of homelessness would lead him to make history. Oscar is a U.S. veteran and a Navajo. He lived on the Navajo Reservation all of his life, then went into the U.S. Army where he served two enlistments before retiring. He moved back to the reservation. Relationships fell apart at home he lacked support. Now in Flagstaff, he faced homelessness alone, until he met Will Lowe. Lowe, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Catholic Charities veteran services case manager, helps veterans facing a housing crisis. When I met Oscar, he was living in a Flagstaff shelter, Lowe said. He didnt know where to start to move in the direction he wanted to go. He also wanted to be reunited with his two sons and daughter. There was talk about the Navajo Nation using the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher to help veterans, so I started making some calls. Lowe reached out to the Navajo Nation and Veteran Affairs on Oscars behalf, and Oscar became the first veteran to receive a first-of-its-kind veteran housing voucher from the Navajo Nation. After months of collaborative work, the Navajo Nation issued the first ever VASH voucher to pay for Oscars housing. With the help of Lowe, Oscar found a house to rent in Flagstaff, and the Navajo Housing Authority will be making monthly rental payments on his behalf. Not only has Oscar secured safe housing, but last week, he gained employment at a local Flagstaff business. Im getting better. Im getting better, so that I can build a better life for my kids, he said. Lowe said he will continue to support Oscar as he starts his new life. This veteran has worked hard and has come a long way from when we first met. I am proud of all that Oscar has accomplished. Donald Trump has fans in India. If you had closely followed the US election coverage on some Indian TV channels, you would have come across some pretty crazy stories. Havans, prayer meetings were organized in some parts of north India for Trump's victory. Trump fans, mostly Hindu hardliners, in India were hopeful of a global coalition against Islamic terrorism under the united leadership of Trump, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and our own PM Modi. The nuances of global politics was lost on them in the clamour. But a toast is due. Modi hasn't met Trump. The prime minister is expected to visit the White House soon enough, according to reports. Fans may want to celebrate, but there will be some thorny issues that the two leaders may have to touch upon. Trump followers in India, if they had an informed view of global politics, would be pretty disturbed at his tirade against India on the Paris Climate Pact. He has created a lot of uncertainty ahead of Modi's visit with his direct attack on India and China while he announced his decision to pull US out of the Paris agreement. Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy, in the past three years, often unpredictable has had its moments, sometimes away from traditional forms of diplomacy. Chinese President Xi Jinping had received an incredible welcome in September 2014 when PM Modi went all out to woo the dragon. While trade agreements were signed, Modi's gesture did not bring about any improvement in the relationship between the two countries. Border disputes and distrust over trade routes prevail, while China continues to increase its involvement in India's neighbouring countries. Modi's Pakistan policy has also been on a roller-coaster ride, from a sudden visit to a sudden surgical strike. Three years into the leadership, the PM must be fully aware results in foreign policy matters take time. Modi, perhaps, knows Trump is a slippery customer. The US president has praised Modi in the past, but that does not mean anything. Trump says what suits him, even though he may not mean it. And it works for him. He won the elections doing exactly that. The future of ties between India and the US also needs to be imagined accordingly. Trump has made a serious allegation against India, but then again it is Trump's tongue. Trump has accused India of extracting "billions and billions" of dollars in foreign aid to sign the climate accord. A lie and an infuriating comment with complete absence of diplomatic etiquette to say the least. And, there's of course the H1-B Visa issue. The White House has called some of the biggest Indian companies cheats on the visa issue. So, where does it leave the US-India ties? To be honest, India and the US have never had the greatest ties. But, the Trump challenge in front of Prime Minister Modi is a precarious one. How do you deal with a man who doesn't stand by what he says, doesn't respect global agreements and doesn't give two hoots about bilateral ties. While Trump fans in India may still celebrate Modi-Trump summit, the Prime Minister, more than ever before, will know that diplomacy can be delicate. Also watch: Audi's emissions scandal flared up again on Thursday after the German government accused the carmaker of cheating emissions tests with its top-end models, the first time Audi has been accused of such wrongdoing in its home country. Munich prosecutors said they have widened an investigation at Audi to examine the carmaker's sales in Germany and elsewhere in Europe after the federal government accused the Volkswagen division of cheating on emissions tests in its home market. Audi on Thursday recalled around 24,000 older A7 and A8 models in Europe, 14,000 of which were sold in Germany, to update transmission software, which it said was causing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to exceed EU limits. Munich prosecutors have been investigating Audi on suspicion of fraud and criminal advertising in the United States where parent Volkswagen's emissions scandal broke in September 2015. They have expanded the inquiry to include vehicle sales in the brand's home region, a spokesman for prosecutors said. VW Chief Executive Matthias Mueller was summoned to the Berlin-based ministry on Thursday, a ministry spokesman said, without elaborating. VW didn't return calls seeking comment. The affected Audi models with so-called Euro-5 emission standards emit about twice the legal limit of nitrogen oxides when the steering wheel is turned more than 15 degrees, the ministry said. It is also the first time that Audi's top-of-the-line A8 saloon has been implicated in emissions cheating. VW has said to date that the emissions-control software found in its rigged EA 189 diesel engine does not violate European law. The 80,000 3.0-liter vehicles affected by VW's emissions cheating scandal in the United States included Audi A6, A7 and Q7 models as well as Porsche and VW brand cars. The ministry said it has issued a June 12 deadline for Audi to come up with a comprehensive plan to refit the cars. Ingolstadt-based Audi issued a recall for the 24,000 affected models late on Thursday, some 14,000 of which are registered in Germany, and said software updates will start in July. It will continue to cooperate with Germany's KBA motor vehicle authority, Audi said. When Audi's headquarters were raided by prosecutors on March 15 in connection with the emissions fraud, Chief Executive Rupert Stadler said investigations into the scandal were far from over, promising to keep at it until the work was done. A source close to Audi said problems in the interaction between transmission and engine control units are to blame for the emissions overshoot. A proposal for a fix has already been submitted to the KBA, the source said, declining to elaborate. The corporate war between billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal-controlled Bharti Airtel has taken an ugly turn with each company accusing the other of continuing services on prepaid mobile connections in Jammu and Kashmir, which are currently suspended due to security reasons. While Reliance Jio has alleged that Bharti Airtel is offering incoming calls on prepaid connections in the state, Bharti Airtel has shot back saying that the new entrant has continued mobile services by disguising prepaid connections as postpaid ones. The Zonal Police Headquarters in Kashmir on May 27 had directed telecom operators to stop all data services on mobile phones and all services on prepaid connections. According to sources, in its compliance letter submitted before Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, on May 29, Jio alleged that Airtel has allowed incoming calls for prepaid subscribers in clear violation of the government order. The company has demanded stringent action against in the matter. Airtel, on its part, has denied the charge and responded with the counter-allegation that Jio has violated rules in the state by disguising prepaid connections as postpaid ones to bypass the order. `` These allegations are completely false, baseless and only go to highlight the growing frustration of Jio. We would urge Jio to gather all the facts and not resort to kite flying. Airtel has always been and will continue to be in full compliance of all regulations and guidelines,'' the Airtel spokesperson said. Airtel said that just because it has raised the issue of Jio's blatant violation of regulations in Jammu & Kashmir by terming prepaid subscribers as postpaid, thereby compromising national security, Jio is cooking up these false allegations to divert attention from the issue. The incumbent operator said it would once again urge the authorities to take the strictest possible action against Jio for their complete disregard of the regulations. A day after Reliance Jio made the submission, Bharti Airtel too filed the complaint against the new entrant before DoT alleging that Jio in gross violation of the license conditions, claims 95 per cent of its subscriber base (approximately 7 Lakh customers) as postpaid, even though such subscribers are actually prepaid subscribers. The incumbent operator alleged that Jio is tactically and deliberately tagging prepaid customer as postpaid for its economic gain and competitive advantage, at the cost of national security and putting the lives of our security forces in danger. Jio denied the allegations calling them completely baseless, malicious and tantamount to wilful disparagement against RJIL, adding that the letter sent by Airtel to the DoT seems to be an act of retaliation, and nothing more. RJIL has always abided by the instructions issued by the local authorities... National security is of utmost importance to us, and we will always walk the extra mile to ensure that we are fully compliant and take requisite precautions in our services. We reject the instant complaint with the contempt it deserves, Jio said. It added that Airtel's move is a clear demonstration of use of false propaganda when competitors are unable to compete in the market place. A Reliance Jio spokesperson said: It is worthwhile to also mention here that RJIL had escalated the issue of Airtel allowing incoming calls for their prepaid subscribers in the Kashmir valley despite written order on record from the Government of Jammu & Kashmir earlier this month to stop all prepaid services in the Kashmir Valley. This was a clear violation of Government Order completely disregarding security concerns of the Government. The new entrant said that it will be responding to the allegations in detail, factually and legally establishing its compliance with applicable regulations. Besides, it said it would independently examine and initiate appropriate legal recourse available to it as well. LOGAN Utah State Universitys Huntsman Scholars Program is about to undergo some big changes. Thanks to last months announcement of the $50 million gift to the Jon. M Huntsman School of Business from the Huntsman Foundation and the Charles Koch Foundation, the business schools premier undergraduate business program will quadruple in size and go through a change in curriculum. Half of the gift will go directly to the program, which means it will receive $2.5 million every year for the next decade. Because of the huge success of the current program, (Huntsman) wanted to greatly expand that, said Dave Patel, the programs executive director. Patel understands that some people especially former students may not like the total redesign of curriculum, but he said the gift gave faculty an opportunity to take the best parts of the current structure and implement new ideas. The redesign is not a knock at all on the current program, he said. We think the current program is great, and it has been great for 10 years. We could just not think through a way to (quadruple) the current program and make that a cost-effective venture. The biggest change, according to Patel, will be the number of students involved. Currently the program adds about 25 students per year, giving it a total of about 100 students at any given time, but the goal is to quadruple the size. About 100 students will be accepted every year to eventually reach a total of 400 students. According to Patel, that doesnt mean acceptance to the program will get any easier; he expects it to still be very competitive. Even though the program added a record 65 students during the last admission period, the majority of the candidates didnt get in. From those 65 we admitted I think we looked at close to 300 applicants, Patel said. So it is still going to be a very selective process. It can remain selective partly because of the business schools growth. Patel referenced a 35 percent increase in the schools enrollment over the last five years. That means more students are available to apply. Not only is enrollment increasing but the enrollment of the very best students is increasing by a larger percent, he said. More and better students are applying. Another reason admittance will likely stay competitive? More than half of the $25 million will go directly to scholarships. Not only will that incentivize more students to apply for the program, but Patel said those in the program will be able to focus more on schoolwork instead of balancing it with a part-time job. Huntsman Scholar students will be required to take the same classes every business major takes, but they will be in their own scholar sections of the courses. They will also take additional courses each year centered on the four pillars of the Huntsman School. It is really sort of a classroom plus an outside-the-classroom experience that really exposes students to those topics in a very experiential way, Patel said. PHOENIX Advocates for dreamers are urging the nation's high court to reject Arizona's last-ditch bid to take away their licenses to drive. In new legal brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, attorneys for various groups are asking the justices to leave undisturbed an appellate court ruling which concluded the state acted illegally in refusing to issue licenses to those accepted into the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said DACA recipients are in this country legally. More to the point, the judges said Arizona has no right to unilaterally decide the issue of legal presence for itself. But the lawyers for the dreamers, led by Jennifer Chang Newell of the American Civil Liberties Union, also have a political argument in their bid to convince the Supreme Court not to review the issue at the behest of state Attorney General Mark Brnovich. The new administration has maintained the program, and continues to grant renewals of deferred action pursuant to DACA, the legal paper states, even though Trump has the unilateral authority to alter or rescind the policy just as his predecessor enacted it. And Congress has not taken any action to strip the president of the power to offer deferred action. Indeed, Congress had considered and rejected legislation that would have temporarily suspended Department of Homeland Security's authority to grant deferred action except in narrow circumstances, demonstrating it knows how it could limit deferred action, but has chosen not to do so, the dreamers' lawyers said. Congress also has considered bills that would bar implementation of DACA; block agency funding unless the program were rescinded; or limited the (Homeland Security) secretary's authority to grant DACA recipients to work authorization but enacted none of them, the legal filings continue. Meanwhile, Congress has enacted multiple appropriations bills that fund DHS, leaving DACA untouched. The 2012 policy allows those who arrived in this country illegally as children to remain if they meet certain other qualifications. They also are entitled to employment authorization documents entitling them to work here legally. At last count, more than 27,000 Arizonans had been granted DACA status. But just days before the Department of Homeland Security began taking applications, Jan Brewer, governor at the time, issued an executive order directing the Arizona Department of Transportation to not issue licenses to DACA recipients. She cited a 1996 state law that says licenses are available only to those whose presence in this country is authorized by federal law. Brewer argued that the federal agency really had no legal authority to permit DACA recipients to remain or work. And what that meant, she said, is they were not authorized to be here. That argument failed to convince federal appellate judges who, ruling for the ACLU, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the National Immigration Law Center, said Arizona cannot decide for itself who is legally entitled to be in the country. The state Department of Transportation, acting under federal court order, said its most recent statistics show that more than 21,000 DACA recipients have been granted Arizona licenses the licenses the state is hoping to take away. Brnovich, with the Supreme Court left as his last chance for legal relief, is arguing that what Obama did is not part of any federal law or even the result of Congress directing a federal agency to adopt a rule. And inherent in that argument is the contention that Obama exceeded his authority in establishing the DACA program in the first place. The attorneys for the dreamers, however, point out it's not like Obama was doing something new. For more than four decades, federal immigration authorities have granted deferred action to otherwise removable noncitizens in a variety of circumstances, they said. That ranges from victims of human trafficking and relatives of victims of terrorism to even foreign students affected by Hurricane Katrina. And they noted that along with that status comes employment authorization documents to ensure that person can work while here the very documents the state is refusing to honor for licenses for DACA recipients. And the lawyers for the dreamers say there's no legal basis for Brnovich's claim that Obama acted illegally. Indeed, no court has found DACA to be unlawful, and every legal challenge has been dismissed, they said. There is a ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocking implementation of a subsequent Obama program known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans, essentially a bid to allow adults who are the parents of children born here to remain. But while the judges said the president's actions may be contrary to federal law, the appellate court's ruling was based legally on violations of the federal Administrative Procedure Act because it acted unilaterally and did not go through the normal rule-making process. There's one other argument the attorneys are making in urging the Supreme Court to spurn Brnovich's request. Arizona is the only state in the country that denies driver's licenses to deferred action recipients based on a theory that they lack federally authorized presence, the legal filings read. Because deferred action recipients are eligible for driver's licenses in the 49 other states, the Ninth Circuit's ruling is of no consequences outside of Arizona, the lawyers said. Thus, the court of appeals decision merely brings Arizona into line with every other state. More significant, there is no other federal appellate court ruling to the contrary, meaning there's no reason for the justices to step in to resolve a conflict. PHOENIX Marijuana businesses are growing in Arizona. The medical marijuana industry has seen growth each year since voters approved the legalization of medical marijuana six years ago. Ninety medical marijuana dispensaries were open in Arizona in 2015, compared to three years ago when only three dispensaries were open, according to data from the Arizona Department of Health Services. The number of cardholder applications, including for qualifying patients, designated caregivers and dispensary agents, also has steadily increased. Nearly 98,000 people applied for cards in 2015, a 40 percent increase from the previous year, a DHS annual report shows. The booming industry has also led to the openings of marijuana-related businesses. Theres little data on such ancillary groups but cardholders like Megan Stone and business partners Ericka Kelly and Sarina Gomez have created two innovative companies. The High Road Design Studio, Tempe Megan Stone started The High Road Design Studio, a Tempe interior design company, with a particular client in mind: marijuana dispensaries. Stones own experiences as a cannabis patient inspired her. She got her medical marijuana card after moving to California from the Midwest at 23. Stones first visit to a dispensary was anti-climactic. Everything about the experience was so dodgy and so dirty and so illegal feeling, she said. Nothing about it felt legal or happy or safe. Stone had helped pay for design school by working as a budtender, or product salesperson, at an Orange County dispensary. The experience ignited a passion for the plant. As soon as I started working in a shop it really very quickly became very important to me, she said. It was really nice to just finally meet a whole world of people that used cannabis the way I did. Stone combined her insiders knowledge of the cannabis industry with her design chops, starting the High Road in California in 2013. She relocated to Arizona six months later, drawn to the business opportunities in a regulated industry. She recently redesigned a Scottsdale dispensary. A lot of the stuff that was opening up here was really forward thinking and a really good model, Stone said. She said her design style is elegantly masculine, appealing to a male audience but with a womans touch to it. Stone said the goal is to normalize purchasing medical-marijuana products, creating a retail experience that appeals to a variety of customers. This industry changes on a weekly basis, honestly, and peoples perceptions of it are changing all the time, she said. Im glad I chose to specialize in this and focus on this niche because theres a lot of opportunity still coming. Medicated Mavens, Phoenix Sarina Gomez and Ericka Kelly are friends, fellow dance teachers, yogis and cannabis users. They share a vision to create a safe space for men and women to heal their bodies and minds with cannabis. Medicated Mavens, their brainchild, is an alternative healing company that infuses yoga, cannabis, dance movement, aromatherapy, massage, meditation and nutrition to help medical marijuana users. We dont want any shaming that sometimes you need to meditate or need to medicate to get to a place of calm or peace, Kelly said. The two women use medical marijuana for different reasons. Kelly says it helps her migraines and high stress levels. Gomez says it helps her cope with the residual effects of her anorexia and post traumatic stress disorder. We both believe we are what you put in your body, Gomez said. I would rather put a plant in it than a pharmaceutical drug. Gomez and Kelly host Medicated Mavens events every two weeks. The events consist of a smoking and networking session, a sunset yoga class outdoors, educational presentations, and hanging out. Only cardholders are allowed to smoke marijuana during classes, Kelly said. Weve found something that works for us and were smiling everyday and we want to share that with everyone, Kelly said. The women said they want to break the stereotype that people who use medical marijuana are lazy. Im happy that were doing things like this, said Shane Criswell, a medical-marijuana cardholder who said it was his first time at a Medicated Mavens event. Its just a stress reliever for anxiety, Criswell said, adding that he gets sore from a bad back. It just helps take the edge off. | BY Lynchy | Early indications suggest there are hundreds of Aussies and Kiwis (including expats) going to Cannes this year and delegate numbers worldwide are expected to be up from last year with more seminars and events at Cannes 2017 than ever before. Campaign Brief, with the generous support of Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles based production company Photoplay and boutique Design and VFX house Fin, based in Sydney and Shanghai, will be hosting our annual Welcome Cocktail Party for the Aussie and Kiwi delegates on Monday 19 June from 5.30pm. Venue TBA. Special guests include many of the Australian jurors and several prominent creative directors from around the world. If you are an Aussie or Kiwi (or an expat) going to Cannes, let Lynchy know now to secure your ticket: michael@campaignbrief.com *** LBB & Friends are back on the beach for Cannes 2017 and LBB member agencies + production companies from Australia and NZ* are invited Every year Little Black Book hosts one of the most fun, relaxed, and productive events at the Cannes Lions the LBB & Friends Beach, opposite the Miramar on La Croisette. And youre invited to hang out there from Tuesday thru to Saturday if you work for a LBB member agency or production company in Australia or New Zealand*. For some of you it has become your annual home and sanctuary for the week, the physical embodiment of LBBonline. A real community, getting together to share ideas and forge new partnerships. This is its seventh year, and each time it has been bigger and better, with an amazing line-up of co-hosts who make it a diverse and interactive experience for everyone. From Tuesday to Saturday of Cannes week there is a daily free happy hour, as well as massages, musical guests, and goodie bags stuffed with treats from all of your hosts. But mostly it is a lovely free space in which to unwind, take a meeting, or just enjoy the sun on a lounger. LBB member agencies In Australasia BMF, BWM Dentsu, Clemenger BBDO, Colenso BBDO, Core, Cummins & Partners, DDB, Disciple, The Hallway, Havas, Host, Innocean, J Walter Thompson, KWP!, Leo Burnett, Marcel, Matterhorn, M&C Saatchi, McCann, The Monkeys, Naked, Ogilvy, Reborn, The Royals,Rumble Creative, Saatchi & Saatchi, Special Group, Sugar&Partners, 303 Mullen Lowe, TBWA, VCCP, VML, WiTH Collective, Yolo, Zoo Group. LBB member production companies In Australasia Admusic.tv, Airbag, Alt.VFX, Curious, Cutting Edge, Eight, Engine, Exit Films, Film Construction, Filmgraphics, Fin Design + Effects, Flying Fish, Goodoil, Heckler, Infinity Squared, Jungle, Mighty Nice, Moth Projects, The Otto Empire, Passion Pictures, Photoplay, Plaza Films, Red Engine, Revolver, Robbers Dog, Rumble Studios, Scoundrel, The Sweet Shop, Tazer, Uncanny Valley, XYZ Studios. For LBB membership enquiries or to place your name on the VIP Cannes Beach list contact: michael@campaignbrief.com FAQ About LBB & Friends Beach Who is invited to LBB & Friends Beach? The Friends, our co-hosts and sponsors will all be on the beach and will be inviting their clients from all over the world; Bronze and Silver company members of LBBOnline will each receive a set number of wristbands for the beach in 2017. This includes most agency networks. If you are not sure whether your company has a membership, contact michael@campaignbrief.com to find out. This is the best way to make sure that members of your team can represent your company on the beach; Our LBB/LAB clients will be invited; Jury members, and other celebrated guests. How can I collect my wristbands? Wristbands can be collected on the beach between set times from Tuesday through Friday. Times TBA. They will also be available on the Monday afternoon/evening in Cannes, from the beach. Times TBA We will also have some days when they can be collected from our office in London prior to the festival. Dates and times TBA. If you are an LBB/Lab client, or an LBB Silver or Bronze member that will be active for June, then we can arrange to post you your wristbands in advance. How can we become sponsors of the LBB & Friends Beach? Contact michael@campaignbrief.com for details. Can I reserve a table on the beach for lunch and meetings? Only sponsors can reserve tables in the beach restaurant. Can I reserve loungers on the beach? These are available on a first come, first served basis each day. Are towels available on the beach? Yes. One of our sponsors, the London International Awards, are providing towels free of charge, while supplies last. You can come and use one, then take it home with you. Once these have run out, the beach restaurant can rent them to you for the day for a charge. Can I order food and drink on the beach? Yes. There is fabulous wait staff on the beach. The head chef designs a special menu for our beach that includes French classics, light dishes and a big burger and fries. Try the creamy truffle pasta. It will put you to rights. The restaurant opens for lunch and stops serving before Happy Hour at 4. The restaurant area will be closed for lunch orders on Friday as we will be hosting our lunch for the sponsors that day but you can still order food on the beach. Can I bring a large group down with me to the beach? Only if they all have wristbands, or are on the RSVP list at the door. What do I do if I get invited to the LBB & Friends Beach? In the invitation, there will be a link for you to RSVP. You MUST RSVP in order to be on the list at the door. We will only have one list on the door and that is the people who have RSVPed for the event. Can I swim? Wed be insulted if you didnt! And there are watersports for hire from the end of the pontoon. Dont forget your inflatable swan. Do I need to keep my wristband on? Yes. Without a wristband, you will be asked to leave and you will not be served at the Happy Hour bars. Were pretty nice but we can get a little tetchy when were hot and tired What is the dress code? Clothing is required. Will there be music? | BY Ricki Green | Blue 449 has today has finalized the transition of the 20th Century Fox account with the hire of Stuart Capel as client partner across the Fox business. Capel has 16 years in the industry and joins Blue 449 from Publicis sister agency Leo Burnett, where he was media director, working on the Diageo account. Before Burnetts Capel was business director with Initiative leading the agencys largest client Hyundai Motor Company Australia. Says John Preston, CEO, Blue 449 Australia: The Fox transition has been a major process and getting the leadership on the business right was paramount to us so we are delighted to welcome Stuart into the Blue 449 family and excited for what his leadership skills will deliver in the future. Blue 449 has closed its the doors to new business for the last few months with the leadership team making the decision to focus on delivering a smooth transition for all of the new clients in the first half of this year. Fox joined National Breast Cancer Foundation, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Southern Cross Travel Insurance and Puma who all moved into the Blue 449 stable. | BY Ricki Green | Clemenger BBDO Melbourne has bolstered its digital and content capabilities with the appointment of Natalie Taylor (right) as the head of Flare, the agencys content division, and Sabrina Riedel (left), as digital executive producer. Following a year of continued growth across the agencys digital and technological capabilities, the addition of Riedel as digital executive producer will see her partner with clients in a bid to drive their digital transformation objectives. Joining Clemenger BBDO Melbourne from The Monkeys, Riedels role in the digital team will see her leading the agency and its clients adoption and implementation of new technologies, and leading the production of digital experiences that bring clients brands to life in new formats. Says Ben Kidney, director of digital, Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne: We are delighted to welcome someone with Sabrinas digital pedigree, intelligence, professionalism, and ambition to do world class creative work. Adding Sabrina to our ranks supports the growth, digital maturation and continued ambition that we have as an agency to continue making world-class, integrated work. As head of Flare, Taylor will be developing and leading a team of content creators to continue servicing the agencys growing content output. With 20 years international experience and an enviable body of work including large-scale and award winning campaigns for the likes of Mars, P&G and Campari, Taylors role will see her driving the agencys agenda of creating quality content that supplements the agencys brand outputs. | BY Ricki Green | To celebrate its 80th Birthday, Sigma Healthcare has relaunched the Amcal brand with the help of Naked Communications. The much anticipated launch positions Amcal as the communitys best known pharmacy for patient care, by focusing on the expert advice Amcal pharmacists provide to all Australians. The work has involved an overhaul of the brands visual identity, a new advertising campaign, refreshed in-store experience and several product and service innovations currently in development. Says Craig Adams, strategy director, Naked: Just Ask Amcal is so much more than a smart line; its a simple yet powerful idea thats going to redefine the way that people experience the Amcal brand from head to toe. With action at its heart, the platform further empowers the brands pharmacists to engage with those in need of some helpful, healthy advice. Says Jon Burden, executive creative director, Naked: At a time when consumers are understandably getting confused about whether pharmacies only exist to sell discount perfume, the Just Ask Amcal platform brings the focus back to what a trusted professional the local Amcal pharmacist is. For our advertising work we used the current madness of people seeking advice from Dr Google and elsewhere to highlight how speaking to an expert is really the only way to get good health advice. The launch campaign is now live across TV, radio, catalogue and in-store. On TV the brand 30 second spot is supported by a range of 15 second product spots. Says Sarah Pizzey, general manager marketing and merchandise at Sigma Healthcare: This campaign represents the first steps we are taking to move the Amcal brand forward and take a lead in redefining the role that pharmacists play in peoples lives. While peoples experience of the pharmacy category has never been more varied and in many cases poor, Amcal continues to represent accessible professional healthcare, so the Just Ask Amcal work gives people a simple reminder of where to go if you want good advice from a medically trained professional and great customer service. Sigma Healthcare Sarah Pizzey General Manager, Merchandise & Marketing Ashley Thompson Marketing Manager Jaymie Fennell Advertising Manager Sarah Harrington Retail Campaign Manager Agency: Naked Craig Adams Strategy Director Jon Burden Executive Creative Director Damian Sloane Art Director Tim Collins Copywriter Adam Grant Copywriter Alita McMenamin Head of Account Management David Shekleton Senior Account Director Brigitte Dagg Senior Account Manager Blake Dawson Account Executive Honae MacNeill Agency Producer Production Company: Brilliant Films Steve Back Director | BY Ricki Green | Burger Kings The McWhopper Proposal campaign from Y&R New Zealand with contributing agencies DAVID The Agency, ABPR, Code and Theory and Turner Duckworth has won the Grand Effie trophy (best in show) at the 2017 North American Effie Awards Gala. The rankings for the most effective North American holding companies, marketers, brand and agencies were also revealed at the end of the show. Since 1968, the Effie Awards have honored marketing ideas that work. According to the Grand Effie winners entry, In 2015, Burger King was outspent, under-armed and overwhelmed in the incredibly competitive fast food category. Our idea began with an open letter in the New York Times; a peace offering to our biggest rival. Immediately the McWhopper idea took on a life of its own, making headlines across the country. While the campaign twisted its way through popular culture, we continued to stoke the flames with iconic billboard placements, social influencers and a carefully crafted media kit disguised as a website. Although the offer was declined, the campaign was an overwhelming success shifting all brand measures, selling a truckload of Burgers. Oh, and we helped World Peace, too. We publicly offered our biggest rival an olive branch, suggesting the ultimate burger mash-up: The McWhopper. Says Vineet Mehra, EVP and CMO, Ancestry and member of the 2017 Grand Effie jury and Effie Worldwides board of directors: This years Grand Effie winner proved once again that when agencies and clients exhibit shared courage to support a bold, insightful idea, the results can indeed be both creatively outstanding and indisputably effective even against the greatest odds. The North American Grand Effie winner was debated hours before the Effie Awards ceremony by the Grand Effie Jury. Grand Effie Finalists (the top scoring Gold Effie Award winners) included The McWhopper Proposal along with: Be the Match/space150 for Be the Guy . . Seventh Generation/72andSunny for How Seventh Generation turned the environment into a personal matter for millennial moms . . SimplyGo Mini/Ogilvy & Mather for Breathless Choir The triumph of the WHY over the WHAT , with contributing agencies Carat London and FleishmanHillard , with contributing agencies Carat London and FleishmanHillard Lockheed Martin/McCann New York for Lockheed Martin Field Trip to Mars , with contributing agencies Momentum Worldwide, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick , with contributing agencies Momentum Worldwide, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick Donate Life America/The Martin Agency for Even An Asshole Can Save A Life Office Depot OfficeMax/McCann New York for The Co-Worker Collection, with contributing agencies Merkle and AGAIN Interactive Says Daryl Lee, global CEO, Universal McCann, chairman of the Effie Worldwide board of directors: An Effie Award is highly sought after for good reason because its not just about recognizing great work, its also about if the work delivered tangible, business results that we can celebrate. The competition is fierce to win an Effie at any level. The winners this year once again represent the best of the industry. Take a look at the winners who are highest in the rankings, those who have sustained campaign success for years and have risen to the top of their categories to learn from the best. The Effie Index identifies and ranks the marketing communications industrys most effective agencies, marketers and brands by analyzing finalist and winner data from worldwide Effie Awards competitions. The North American rankings reflect finalist and winning work from the 2017 North American Effie Awards competition and will be factored into the 2018 Global Effie Index. The Most Effective Marketers in North America: Unilever/PepsiCo (tie), Mars, IBM The Most Effective Agency Networks in North America: Ogilvy & Mather, McCann Worldgroup and BBDO The Most Effective Independent Agencies in North America: Droga5, Periscope and VaynerMedia The Most Effective Brands in North America: IBM, Extra Gum/JetBlue (tie) and Pepsi. The Most Effective Agency Offices in North America: McCann New York, Ogilvy New York, Leo Burnett (Chicago) Most Effective Holding Companies in North America: IPG, WPP and Omnicom Sustained Success winners (products or service communications efforts that have experienced sustained success for 3 or more years) were recognized during the gala including: Share Some Soul (Kia Motors and David & Goliath), Give Extra, Get Extra (Extra Gum & Energy BBDO), Hello, my name is Watson. (IBM & Ogilvy & Mather), Small Business Saturday (American Express & DigitasLBi), You Above All (JetBlue Airways & MullenLowe U.S./MullenLowe MediaHub), A Movement for Michigan (Pure Michigan & McCann Detroit), Tips from Former Smokers (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & Arnold Worldwide). North American winning and finalist case studies are rigorously examined, debated and evaluated by seasoned industry leaders over at least two rounds of judging. | BY Lynchy | The first shortlist of The WARC Awards, a new global competition honouring the effective use of emerging marketing disciplines, is now released. A total of 19 entries from ten countries have been shortlisted in the Social Strategy category, which links social strategy to business success. Two agencies from Asia have been shortlisted, TBWA\Group Singapore for Maybellines #BeYourOwnFilter and Ensemble Worldwide Malaysia for Shells Pumped It Forward For Charity. Chaired by Quinn Kilbury, senior brand director of Heineken US, the 17-strong jury panel of senior industry experts looked for campaign strategies that relied on the benefits of particular social platforms or a combination of those platforms to fulfill particular business objectives. Additionally they looked for marketing programmes that were social by design not simply a small part of a broader marketing initiative and that made a significant impact on brand performance or influenced consumer behaviour. They were also keen to see campaigns that had effectively deployed newer engagement tools on social platforms, such as chatbots and live video. The shortlisted entries are: Always Girl Emojis #LikeAGirl Starcom UK, Leo Burnett Chicago Global Batelco Twitterference FP7/ Bahrain Bahrain Bic The Bic 4 Colour World Champenships McCann Melbourne Australia BT Sport #GoalsRecreated BT (in house) United Kingdom Dubai Foundation for Women & Children Stop Tapping FP7 Dubai United Arab Emirates Gucci Guilty Dark to Light MediaCom Global Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation Reword Changing Online Bullying Behaviour Leo Burnett Melbourne, Studio Pancho Australia JetBlue FlyBabies MullenLowe Boston United States JetBlue Reach Across the Aisle MullenLowe Boston United States Keebler Cookies Ernie Learns Social Starcom, Leo Burnett Chicago United States KFC Dirty Louisiana: Dont Make Dirty Good, Make Clean Bad BBH United Kingdom Maybelline #BeYourOwnFilter TBWA\ Group Singapore Singapore Murr Television Bald For You FP7/Beirut Lebanon Orange Tunisia The Hammam Fighter FP7/Tunisia, UM Tunisia Tunisia Reeses Creating Cupfusion Ketchum United States Seeing Eye Dogs Australia Free Puppies Forever McCann Melbourne Australia Shell Pumped It Forward For Charity Ensemble Worldwide Malaysia Unknown User Unknown Potential PHD Germany Germany WildAid How planning used the power of the herd to save it Grey London Global The shortlists for Effective Content Strategy and Best Use of Brand Purpose categories will be announced shortly. "The offender was the instigator and architect of the conspiracy and he provided the money to purchase the [alphaPVP]. The offender was to take the drug after it was imported and was to receive the proceeds of its sale." "The growth of the ACT is exciting and the current focus is in north Canberra. There's significant infrastructure work underway to build and service new suburbs. That means a lot of excavation and building works that often impact the electricity grid. In addition, ActewAGL is also adapting the network to support this urban development," Mr Devlin said. "I found the Islamic School is the best school for my daughter to grow up within the Islamic environment because our religion is not like practices of some worship and full stop, but rather is a way of life," Al Samadi says. "That Islamic way doesn't go against any of Australian values or principles or any virtues, it actually goes in line with many cultures and many things, particularly when they are positive." While the rainy days made it hard, it was also important to go out and socialise and catch as much sunlight as possible, be out of the office for lunch at work or sitting by a window inside. "These are the cornerstone and the first barrier in a safety system and if these simple and fundamental things cannot be done, it raises concerns how possible high level safety issues have been dealt with." 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 ... Please Donate In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation. Racist PayPal Tries to Close Down My Blog As you can see from this article PayPal have removed my blog. I would therefore ask people to make any future donations to the following: Name of Account: Brighton and Hove Unemployed Workers Centre Account No: 04094107 Sort Code: 09-01-50 Reference: Web donations Gulf News, by Ramadan el Sherbini A high-rise residential building leans on another building in Alexandria on Thursday. Cairo: A 12-storey apartment building has precariously titled in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency for fear of a sudden collapse of the highrise located in a residential area. The tilt occurred Sunday in the neighbourhood of Al Azarita in central Alexandria. Online pictures of the building showed it leaning against another in a narrow street. Authorities evacuated residents of both buildings and other tenements in the district. Authorities are racing against time to safely remove the leaning highrise amid worries it could tumble down at any time. Governor of Alexandria Mohammad Sultan said that a tram service in the area has been halted to prevent vibrations that could expedite the building fall. A committee of engineers has been formed to look into the possibility of pulling down the leaning building without any impact on adjoining buildings, Sultan said in media remarks. He explained that props would be used to shield the building so that it can be safely removed. The governor pledged an investigation into the incident and examining the status of other apartment buildings believed to be rickety in the Mediterranean Sea city. Municipality officials said that the leaning building was originally constructed in 2002 without a permit for two floors only. Two years later, local authorities ordered its evacuation for being unfit for housing after its owner had illegally added 10 more storeys. Residents, however, refused to leave. The tilt of the building was caused by the removal of an adjoining house, head of the Central Alexandria district Ali Mursi said. This has resulted in undermining the foundations of the [leaning] building, he added. Egypt, the Arab worlds most populous country of 93 million people, has an acute house shortage. Thousands of houses have reportedly been illegally built across the country in the years after the 2011 uprising that was followed by security breakdown and political unrest. Building collapses are not uncommon in Egypt due to poor construction materials, illegal addition of extra floors and lax government oversight. Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed money laundering case against four school principals in Bihar to probe alleged irregularities in the 2016 Bihar topper scam. According to the reports, officials said that the agency has booked a criminal case against a total of eight people, including former Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) chairman and four principals, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED took knowledge of a Bihar Police FIR and the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to register its own Enforcement Case Information Report, in connection with the case. The agency said that it will probe the possible 'proceeds of crime' generated by the accused. The agency is also likely to probe the illegal wealth which has been collected by the school principals. When did the scam come into the light? The Bihar topper scam came into the limelight when Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Arts and Humanities topper Ruby Rai, Science topper Saurabh Shrestha and third topper in Science stream Rahul Kumar failed to answer basic questions on their subjects when a TV reporter interviewed them. In an interview with a TV channel, Humanities topper Ruby Rai described Political Science as Prodigal Science which teaches cooking. Following the scam that was exposed, embarrassed of the irregularities, the state government had ordered a SIT probe in the case. The other toppers, Science topper Saurabh Shrestha and third topper in the same stream Rahul Kumar too had failed to answer basic questions on their respective subjects. When the TV reported questions to the Science topper, Saurabh Shrestha was unable to answer what an electron and a proton are. After the videos of their interviews went viral, a three-member SIT was formed by the Bihar state government to look into the matter. The toppers were asked to reappear for the test and failing in the test, Ruby Rai was sent to judicial custody in a remedial home for 14 days. Vishun Roy College principal Bachha Rai was arrested on 11 June 2017 who was involved in the exam racket, and it was later reported that Ruby Rai's father had promised six acres of land to Bachcha Rai if he helps his daughter in clearing the exams. Also read: Not A Single Student Cleared Board Exams In 66 Schools & Colleges In Jharkhand Elon Musk has made good with his promise to leave Presidents Trumps advisory councils following the U.S.s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Taking to Twitter, Musk said Am departing president councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. Musk had been a member of Trumps infrastructure council, his manufacturing jobs council and the Presidents strategic and policy forum. The Paris Agreement, agreed to in December 2015, saw 195 countries provide commitments to combat climate change. By withdrawing, the United States becomes just the third country on earth not to have signed the agreement, joining Syria and Nicaragua, the latter of which didnt sign because it thought the agreement wasnt tough enough. On the back of Trumps decision, the governors of California, Washington and New York have all agreed to form an alliance to achieve climate goals. In a statement, Governor Jerry Brown said If the President is going to be AWOL in this profoundly important human endeavor, then California and other states will step up. President Trump has claimed that the Paris Agreement would punish it and stymie economic growth, hurting local workers. Richard Rojas deadly attack on Times Square has some New Yorkers considering whether cars should be banned from the popular tourist destination. Speaking with the Associated Press, New York City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez said: The vulnerability of Times Square was made scarily apparent during the most recent attack and I think there has to be a conversation about closing this area to regular traffic. He added Times Square is one of the most highly trafficked areas in the world for tourists and the city shouldnt allow the location to remain a soft target for terrorists or others with bad intentions. As we reported last month, Rojas was high on drugs when he drove his Honda Accord on the sidewalks near Times Square for three blocks. 22 people were injured in the attack and an 18 year old from Michigan was killed. While banning cars from Times Square is one possible option, others favoring using steel posts like the ones that eventually stopped Rojas car. However, this would only stop certain attacks where a vehicle was being used as a weapon. Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg confirmed closing Seventh Avenue to vehicle traffic was one of the ideas being discussed but its part of a deeper discussion and the police counter-terrorism unit will set the priorities for any traffic restrictions. Video Ford made over 4,000 examples of its GT supercar between 2004 and 2006, and they pop up for sale all the time. But the GTX1 is another story. Havent heard of it? It was an open-top version of the previous-generation Ford GT, and only about 50 of them were made. So its not every day that we see one come up on the second-hand market, but thats just what we have here. Like most (if not all) GTX1s, this ones painted a deep yellow with dark silver stripes, and even has wheels and brake calipers painted to match. It has less than 80 miles on the odometer, which is absurdly low for a car now over 10 years old and which wed be tempted to drive all day and all night. Its listed for sale in Dubai (no surprise here) by Deals on Wheels, the same broker thats previously listed such exotics as a Bugatti Veyron Meo Costantini edition, a Koenigsegg Agera, Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster, McLaren 675LT, Porsche 918 Spyder, and Ferrari LaFerrari. The asking price? 1,999,000 Emirati dirham equivalent to over $540,000. Photo Gallery The Audi Q2 is not exactly tuning material, but this didnt stop the brand with the four rings from hosting a challenge in Germany. Three tuners were selected to prove their skills, at the automakers headquarters in Ingolstadt, and one of them was AH Exclusive Parts. Led by Alois Hankofer, the companys proposition features H&R coilover, which bring the ride height all the way down, OEM roof rack and cargo box, and a set of Vossen ML-R2 wheels, 20-inch in size, which spins around an RS brake conversion on the front axle. Carbon bits complete the look on the outside. Opening the door reveals some more parts made from the lightweight material, along with two Recaro bucket seats, a color-coded roll bar, which blends with the red exterior tone, and Alcantara trim. Highlighting the visual updates applied to this Audi Q2 is an extensive image gallery, and a 4+-minute long video, which were released by Vossen, and reveal the vehicle on the go, with the owner of AH Exclusive Parts explaining some of the build process. PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO Photo: Contributed A unique tour begins in Kelowna to celebrate the art of breastfeeding. The Breastfeeding Art Expo is a community project focused on influencing change through art. Kelowna Community Resources and Interior Health have joined together and will bring the exhibit to six communities across the region during the tour. Other locations include, Vernon, Penticton, Trail, Williams Lake and Kamloops. This show is sure to provoke emotion, thought and conversation, organizers said in a press release. Opening night is Friday, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Live dance, live body art, spoken poetry and speeches will be performed. Photo: The Canadian Press In the end, Donald Trump's presidency has lasted longer than Loto-Quebec's plan to accept bets on its outcome. Just one day after inviting players to make wagers on whether Trump would still be U.S. president after May 1, 2018 on its Mise-o-jeu platform, the provincial Crown corporation cancelled the bet on Thursday. The Couillard government says it asked the provincial Crown corporation to rescind the bet. Audrey Cloutier, a spokeswoman for Quebec Finance Minister Carlo Leitao, says the lottery corporation understood its position that the subject was a sensitive topic. Anyone who placed bets would be reimbursed, she added. The wager was supposed to be the latest foray into political betting for the Loto-Quebec, which also accepted bets on the outcome of last year's U.S. presidential election. A spokesman said the U.S. election betting set a record for the corporation as its most popular non-sporting bet of all time. The look of Vernon's downtown is changing. After working on the inside for the past few weeks to remove all hazardous materials by hand, crews brought in heavy equipment Thursday to take down the former New Delhi Restaurant and Open Door Learning Centre buildings. While the actual knock down is progressing quickly, city officials estimate it will take three more weeks for the material to be removed. The estimated time of completion of the demolition and site preparation is the end of June. The space the buildings used to occupy will be turned into a parking lot, much to the relief of those looking for a parking spot in the city centre. Last year, 90 parking spots in the downtown core were lost when work began on an 88-bed seniors complex in the Bennett lot. Photo: The Canadian Press Federal financial aide for Canada's forestry sector amid a softwood trade dispute with the United States is getting support across party lines in British Columbia. Premier Christy Clark said the funding will help the 60,000 people working in the sector in B.C. after duties as has high as 24 per cent were placed on softwood by an American government that alleges Canadian lumber is unfairly subsidized. "The $867 million will help strengthen the forest economy through expanded funding for marketing and innovation, and provide support for workers, if needed," Clark said in a statement released Thursday. Clark said she believes Canada will win a legal battle over the U.S. allegations, but workers and communities will feel the impact in the meantime. "Every time these unfair allegations are tested in an impartial court, we have been successful, and we will be again," she said. B.C. is Canada's largest producer of softwood lumber, accounting for about half of overall production. NDP Leader John Horgan said the federal funding is a "good start" and he expects the province to get its fair share to reflect its weight in Canada's softwood industry. At a news conference in Vancouver, Horgan said he is committed to reaching a deal with the U.S. on the dispute and would travel to Washington to work with lawmakers in person. Photo: Google Maps An evacuation order has been issued for five waterfront properties in the Killiney Beach area. The properties evacuated are: 9415 Hodges Road 9425 Hodges Road 9435 Hodges Road 9445 Hodges Road 9467 Kilkenny Place Early in May, properties in a similar area were on evacuation alert. Evacuation alerts will remain in effect and residents in those areas should be prepared to leave on short notice. For more information visit here or those looking for the financial assistance program by Red Cross can visit this link. Photo: Twitter NDP leader John Horgan has urged BC Hydro not to sign any new Site C contracts. NDP Leader John Horgan has advised BC Hydro not to sign any new contracts on the divisive Site C hydroelectric dam project. The $8.8 billion dam will be the third on the Peace River, flooding an 83-kilometre stretch of valley, and local First Nations, landowners and farmers have fiercely opposed the project. In a letter addressed to BC Hydro's president and CEO, Horgan urges the corporation not to finalize any contracts that do not contain a penalty-free cancellation clause "until a new government has gained the confidence of the legislature." An agreement between the NDP and Green party was signed earlier this week that would allow the New Democrats to form a minority government, ousting the incumbent Liberals. The agreement includes a promise to refer the Site C project to the B.C. Utilities Commission to determine its economic viability. In the letter to Jessica McDonald dated May 31 and written on the letterhead of the Official Opposition, Horgan said voters elected parties that want the Site C project reviewed or stopped. "I am concerned at the potential to increase the liability of BC Hydro, BC Hydro ratepayers and taxpayers for new contracts that BC Hydro may be contemplating during this time of uncertainty regarding future governments and what new decisions may be made regarding Site C," the letter says. BC Hydro couldn't be immediately reached for comment. Premier Christy Clark said during the election campaign the project promises clean energy and job creation, and shutting it down would hurt the province. The dam is two years into construction and has been approved by the federal government. Horgan wrote the letter expressing his concern about expropriating people from their homes. He said although eviction dates have been extended for some families by one month, he believes there is no short term need to force people from their homes. "We urge BC Hydro to suspend the evictions from these lands and grant a further extension on the timeline so that impacted families can stay in their homes until the future of Site C is firmly determined," the letter says. The letter was released by the Peace Valley Landowner Association and the NDP confirmed it was sent by Horgan's office. West Kelowna Fire Crews were on Green Bay Road installing a dam by the canal to keep the high waters at bay on Thursday, as lake water floods the neighbourhood. "We are trying to relieve some of the pressure from the lake that is affecting residents' homes," said Chad Gartrell, assistant fire chief. "We put a dam head down through the soil into the sand and that gives us the ability to pump water out from behind it back over to the lakeside." Green Bay Resident Judy Colden has been living in her home for eleven years and has never seen it this bad. "We are having a major problem," she said. "My husband has been working day and night trying to keep the water from coming in our home. He took a week off work so he could do this. "It's a good thing they are fixing up the canal today. They are taking down the water gradually which will bring the water down a bit to help us." Judy says she plans on sticking in her home as long as she can. "I have to stay here, I don't want to leave." Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to immediately reinstate its ban on travellers from six mostly Muslim countries and refugees from anywhere in the world, saying the U.S. will be safer if the policy is put in place. The Justice Department filing to the high court late Thursday argued that lower courts that blocked the Trump policy made several mistakes, including relying on statements President Donald Trump made during the 2016 campaign. The legal fight pits the president's significant authority over immigration against what lower courts have said is a policy that purported to be about national security but was intended to target Muslims. The Justice Department is "confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said. "The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States." Immigration officials would have 90 days to decide what changes are necessary before people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen may resume applying for visas. The U.S. refugee program would be halted for 120 days. Photo: The Canadian Press Ananya Vinay showed little emotion as she plowed through word after mystifying word in the final rounds of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Later, as she stood beside the confetti-covered stage, the newly crowned champion flashed a toothy grin as she inadvertently revealed how much confidence she'd brought to the competition. A Scripps representative told Ananya she'd have to deliver a speech during Friday's closing ceremonies. That wouldn't be a problem, Ananya said. She'd written the speech before she arrived at the bee. "In the last few weeks," the 12-year-old from Fresno, California, said. "Just to motivate me to study more." Ananya didn't come into the bee as the most heralded speller, but she outclassed her better-known competitors and survived a long duel with 14-year-old Rohan Rajeev to win the 90th Scripps bee on Thursday. She'll take home more than $40,000 in cash and prizes. Ananya never looked all that impressed by the words she was given. She rarely took even half her allotted two minutes to spell. "I knew them all," she said. She seized the opportunity when Rohan flubbed a simple-looking but obscure Scandinavian-derived word, "marram," which means a beach grass. She calmly nailed two words in a row, ending on "marocain," which means a type of dress fabric of ribbed crepe. Photo: ABC News Narcan used to revive one year old after he ingested drugs. Police say a one-year-old Ohio boy had to be revived with Narcan after he overdosed on opioids. Police say the boy's nine-year-old brother called 911 Thursday evening after he noticed the infant had stopped breathing. Paramedics arrived at their home in Akron and gave the child a dose of Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. The child was taken to a hospital and given another dose of Narcan. Police say he was able to breathe on his own a short time later. Lt. Rick Edwards says the baby's mother fled when officers arrived. Authorities are still searching for her. Both children have been taken into the custody of Summit County Children Services. Edwards says Thursday's case is the youngest opiate overdose recorded in Akron. Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Health Dr Riek Gai Kok of South Sudan and Dr. Abdulmuini Usman of the World Health Organization. Fifteen young children have died in a botched measles vaccination campaign that saw people as young as 12 years old administering the vaccines, South Sudan's government announced Friday. The United Nations said the children died of "severe sepsis/toxicity" from the contaminated vaccine, and the health ministry blamed the deaths on human error. One syringe was used for all the children during the four-day campaign, and the vaccine was stored without refrigeration the entire time. Measles is yet another challenge facing the desperately poor East African country that already has been devastated by more than three years of civil war and a recently declared famine, as well as a cholera outbreak. The government said all of the children who died were under the age of five. It is setting up a commission to determine who is responsible and whether victims' families will be compensated. The measles vaccination campaign is targeting more than two million children across the country. About 300 children were targeted in the area where the children's deaths occurred. Photo: Contributed UPDATE: 4:30 p.m. West Kelowna RCMP are asking the public to report suspicious activity after a restaurant was shot at. The Thai Fusion restaurant has been the subject of five mischief complaints, a break and enter and attempt to commit arson. West Kelowna RCMP have called in the General Investigations Section to take lead on the file. Both of the most recent incidents have taken place between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., says Cpl. Jesse ODonaghey. RCMP believe that there would likely be a high potential for witnesses in the immediate area during this time period and ask the public to remain vigilant. Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP at 250-768-2880 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. ORIGINAL: 11:20 a.m. A West Kelowna restaurant was hit with a hail of bullets early Friday. Thai Fusion owner Atsawin (Luke) Sumpantarat says the attack came early in the morning, when someone fired multiple shots at the front of the building. No one was around or injured during the incident, which is the latest in an ongoing and escalating series of attacks against the popular eatery. For more information on the attack, and what Sumpantarat and the RCMP are doing about it, check out the full story on Castanet's sister business news website Okanagan Edge. Photo: The Canadian Press Comedian Kathy Griffin speaks along with her attorney, Lisa Bloom, during a news conference, Friday. Embattled comedian Kathy Griffin says she's not afraid of Donald Trump and plans to keep making fun of him, but maintained that she's sorry for a video that depicted her holding a likeness of the president's severed head. At a rambling press conference Friday, Griffin tearfully predicted her career is over and said Trump "broke me." Since the video was posted Tuesday, she has lost her job co-hosting CNN's New Year's Eve special and had five comedy shows cancelled. Griffin, who asserted that she has been contacted by the Secret Service, said the Trumps are "trying to ruin my rights forever." Griffin, 56, repeated her claim that the video was a parody, meant as a pointed comeback to Trump's remark last summer that former Fox News Channel personality Megyn Kelly had "blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of wherever." "I'm not laying down for this guy," she said in one defiant moment. "I'm going to keep making jokes about this guy." Republican Party spokesman Mike Reed called the press conference a "desperate attempt" to change the conversation. "Kathy Griffin's career was over long before she attempted to make a disgusting joke about decapitating the president," Reed said. "What she did was wrong, and President Trump and his family have every right to condemn it." LONDON Britain's Ministry of Defense has announced an end to its week-long deployment to help police cope with an increased threat of an extremist attack after the Manchester concert bombing. Chief of the Defense Staff Stuart Peach said Thursday that roughly 1,000 military personnel had been deployed along with police as the terrorist threat was raised to "critical" after the attack that killed 22 people and injured dozens more. The official threat level has been lowered from "critical" the highest level, meaning an attack may be imminent to "severe," which means the government believes an attack is highly likely. Peach said military personnel will "remain at readiness to deploy" if needed. The end of the military role came after Manchester Police said they had released a man who was arrested in the concert bombing investigation without charging him. Police said the 21-year-old was set free Wednesday night. His name was not released. Ten men are being questioned in custody about possible roles in the blast. All were arrested on suspicion of violating the Terrorism Act. They have not been identified or charged. Six people, including a woman, have been released without being charged. Details about the investigation have not been released. Police say the 22-year-old bomber, Salman Abedi, acted largely alone when he assembled the device used in the May 22 attack at an Ariana Grande concert. Abedi died in the blast. He was a Manchester native whose parents had moved to England from Libya. Grande has announced plans to return to Manchester for a benefit concert set for Sunday evening. Major shareholder offers to sell stake in China Shanshui Cement 02 June 2017 China Shanshui Cement Group Ltd said on Thursday that a major shareholder had offered to divest its 25 per cent stake in the company for around US$600m. China Shanshui Investment (CSI) has invited three other big shareholders to buy its holding for HKD5.50 (US$0.71)/share, the Hong Kong-listed cement maker said in a filing, although it added that there was no certainty that a deal would be done. CSI made its offer to sell to Taiwan's Asia Cement Corporation, China National Building Material Co Ltd, and Tianrui (International) Holding Co Ltd. The stock has not traded since April 2015, when Tianrui Group raised its stake to become the company's biggest shareholder and its public float fell below the 25 per cent minimum allowed. Its last traded price was HKD6.29. Asia Cement, which owns 16 per cent of the Shanshui Cement, has also sought to gain control. It originally tried to buy out the company in July 2015, but didn't follow through with an offer. It said in March that it had a conditional agreement to buy shares in CSI. Chang Zhangli, vice president of China National Building Material, said in an email that there was little clarity about CSI's offer and whether the shares were fairly valued. Published under The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present living history programs on the weekend of June 17 and 18 at Snodgrass Hill focusing on the experiences of the 58th North Carolina Infantry, a unit which participated in the attack on Snodgrass Hill. Programs will take place at Snodgrass Hill (Tour Stop 8) and will be marked with special event signs. Overview of Program: The story of Snodgrass Hill is often told from the perspective of the Union defenders under the command of George Thomas, who became known as the Rock of Chickamauga. However, the defense of Snodgrass Hill is only half of the story. At 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, living historians will share accounts and experiences of men from the 58th North Carolina, which suffered tremendous casualties as they stormed Snodgrass Hill late in the afternoon on September 20, 1863. Isaac Bailey, a Chickamauga survivor, later wrote that the dry parched earth of Snodgrass Hill was never reddened with nobler blood. For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/chch. Cahill Smith Mirian Conti Pei-Chun Liao Phillip Thomas Dmitri Vorobiev Previous Next Lee Universitys School of Music will present its 12th Annual International Piano Festival and Competition on June 11-17. The event, which began in 2005 as a competition for high school students, was expanded in 2011 to include opportunities for participants to study with internationally-acclaimed artists. At the same time, it offers the public a chance to take in some brilliant performances. The competition is divided into two levels: pre-college and college. This years festival will welcome 20 outstanding young pianists, ranging in age from 13-25, to the Lee campus. The participants come from five different states in the U.S. and eight from Peoples Republic of China. Performers and teachers Mirian Conti, Dmitri Vorobiev, and Pei-Chun Liao are the guest artists for this years festival. Lee faculty members Cahill Smith, and Phillip Thomas will serve as artistic director and executive director of the festival, respectively. I am pleased to work with newly-appointed Artistic Director Cahill Smith, said Mr. Thomas, music professor and chair of Lees Department of Musicianship Studies. Dr. Smith has assembled an impressive faculty who will engage a record number of talented Festival participants. Guest artists and participants will present recitals, which are free and open to the public. Ms. Conti will perform Monday, June 12, in Squires Recital Hall. On Tuesday, June 13, Mr. Vorobiev will present a recital in the Lee Chapel. Festival students will perform in Pangle Hall on Wednesday, and Ms. Liao will perform on Thursday evening in Squires Recital. All recitals begin at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, June 16 at 3 p.m. in Squires Recital Hall, Michael Shinn of the Julliard School will teach a special masterclass using a DCFX Disklavier PRO concert grand piano, provided by the Yamaha Corp. of America. This unique instrument, which transmits performance data over the internet, will allow Shinn to hear Festival students exact performanceswith the pianos keys and pedals moving up and down to capture the subtlest nuance in real time--on a DSFX at Yamahas facility in New York City. The session is also open to the public. Earlier in the week, Festival participants will have the opportunity to learn from faculty and guest artists in lessons and masterclasses. New to this years festival are classes on piano literature, historical performance, and career skills, as well as roundtable discussions with artist faculty. Additionally, prizes have doubled with $10,000 total in cash awards. The pre-college competition will begin Wednesday, June 14, at 10:30 a.m. in Squires Recital Hall, and the college division will convene Thursday, June 15, at 10 a.m. Winners will be presented on Friday evening, June 16, following the competitions final round, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Conti, a Yamaha artist and Argentine/American pianist, is praised for her prolific recording output and international concerts. In 2005-6, she was selected as one of the 100 Outstanding Alumni to celebrate The Juilliard School's Centennial. Ms. Conti has made solo, orchestral, and chamber appearances throughout the U.S. and abroad, including her native land, Argentina. Committed to promoting the classical piano literature of Latin America, Spain, and the U.S., Ms. Conti has organized competitions, directed festivals, and promoted careers of young musicians through masterclasses and special prizes. She is on the faculty of the Evening Division at the Julliard School and the piano faculty at Brooklyn College. A native of Moscow, Russia, Mr. Vorobiev has been a major prize winner in the Busoni, Cincinnati World, Ibla Grand Prize, A.M.A. Calabria, Iowa, and Alabama international piano competitions. He maintains a dynamic concert schedule and one of his current projects is performing complete solo piano works by Beethoven. As a frequent recording artist with the Blue Griffin label, Mr. Vorobievs most recent production is a double CD set with selected works by Liszt. An acclaimed soloist, he is also an active chamber music player. Mr. Vorobiev is an associate professor of piano at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the founder and artistic director of the Midwestern Piano Competition. Ms. Liao, a Taiwanese pianist, performs internationally as a concerto soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. She has made appearances at prestigious venues around the world including her United Kingdom debut at Birmingham Symphony Hall, Manchester Peel Hall, Salle Cortot, and Rachmaninoff Hall, among others. Ms. Liao is a prize winner of numerous competitions, including the Taipei Chopin International Competition, the Taiwan Young Artist Competition, the Kellaway Piano Recital Competition, and more. In 2009, she was selected as Young Star of National Concert Hall, and more recently, she gave a recital tour I wish in Taiwan, China, England, and Germany. Ms. Liao is currently an assistant professor at University of Taipei, Taiwan. Mr. Smith, who started playing piano at age 10, earned his doctor of musical arts in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music. He has performed in recitals at Carnegie Halls Weill Recital Hall and been featured as soloist with the National Ukranian Symphony Orchestra in Kiev. Mr. Smiths programming of works by Russian composer Nikolai Medtner has attracted the attention of audiences and critics. He has performed at numerous venues including the Royal Dublin Societys concert hall and the Aspen Music Festivals Harris Hall. Mr. Smith currently serves as an assistant professor of piano at Lee. Mr. Thomas has served as chair for the Festival since it began. He has studied piano, music history, and conducting at some of the worlds finest institutions and has also served as adjudicator for a variety of competitions on the local, regional, and international levels. He has also appeared as harpsichord soloist with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. For more information on the Lee University International Piano Festival and Competition, contact the Department of Musicianship Studies at 423-614-8264, music@leeuniversity.edu or visit www.leeupiano.com. Representative Kevin Brooks, representing the 24th Legislative District announced Friday that Lee University is the recipient of a grant from the TN Arts Commission for Fiscal Year 2018 in the amount of $1,500.I am very pleased to announce this investment for arts and cultural programing in our community, said Rep. Brooks. Investments in arts and culture offer all of us a better quality of life, provide our children with a more complete education, stimulate economic development and help attract tourists to our city and state.Tennessee is fortunate to have elected leaders who support how these investments positively impact and help define our states arts and cultural assets, said Ann B.Pope, executive director of the TN Arts Commission. The arts can instill value in a place economically, aesthetically and culturally.According to Pope, the Commission will award approximately 1,000 grants during Fiscal Year 2018, totaling more than $5.5 million dollars. These funds have a direct impact on communities across Tennessee, in both urban and rural area. Grant categories include Arts Access, Arts Education, Arts Project Support, Partnership Support, Individual Artist Fellowships, Major Cultural Institutions, Cultural Education Partnership and Rural Arts Partnership.The Commissions allocations process involves a review by a citizen advisory panels made up of Tennesseans with expertise in appropriate arts disciplines and a review by the full 15-member Commission.Other grant opportunities are offered throughout the year with rolling deadlines for qualifying organizations and individuals. They include grants for Arts Build Communities, Arts Education Teacher Incentives, Student Ticket Subsidy, Technical Assistance, Special Opportunities andprofessional Development. Additional information on grant programs offered by the Tennessee Arts commission is available at tnartscommission.org The Tennessee Arts Commission is the state arts agency whose mission is to cultivate the arts for the benefit of all Tennesseans and their communities.Rep. Kevin Brooks serves the 24th Legislative District in Cleveland and Bradley County. He and his wife, Kim are involved in their local community, schools, and church. Their son Zach is a Lee University employee and their daughter Elizabeth is enrolled at the Lee University School of Nursing. Your next vacation will be a cruise, and it will be a relaxing, uninterrupted getaway to paradise, right? Wrong. If youre thinking about taking a cruise, you might want to reconsider especially after reading this. Although youve had idyllic visions of lounging poolside without a care in the world, your dream vacation could turn into your worst nightmare. When it comes to sailing the open seas, disaster might be on the horizon. Seasoned cruisers and first-timers alike, its time to heed caution. Heres the awful truth about cruising and why you shouldnt step foot on a cruise ship ever again. 1. Unqualified doctors If youre ever on a cruise ship and you find yourself in the infirmary, buyer beware. Although were not suggesting all, or even most, cruise ship doctors arent held to a high standard, there have been cases where the professionalism is lacking. According to Charles Lipcon, a cruise-line maritime attorney in Miami, health care professionals aboard cruise ships could be licensed anywhere. The cruise line is not responsible for bad medical care as long as they hire a qualified physician, Lipcon told MSN. Additionally, hes seen cases where a ships doctor was a graduate of a medical school in the Dominican Republic but didnt actually have a license. Yikes. 2. Flu outbreak Much like a college dorm, a cruise ship full of sick people is your worst nightmare. One person catches a bug, and it spreads like wildfire. What do you do? Where do you go? Theres simply no escape. Even if you retreat to your uncomfortable quarters, youre still not out of harms way and your small fortune spent on your dream vacation is suddenly out the window. Still not convinced? Just check out Fortunes list of the cruise lines with the most stomach bug outbreaks in other words, the cruise lines youd never want to step foot on. 3. Theres nowhere to turn Remember that Carnival Cruise back in 2013 where everyone was pooping in buckets or whatever else they could find? Yeah, well, that could happen to you should you choose to venture out onto the open seas. Due to an engine fire, passengers aboard Carnivals Triumph were stuck at sea for almost a week, proving the ship was more of a failure than a success. Quite shockingly, though, being dubbed the poop cruise didnt seem to matter much. Business Insider reported the cruise lines been doing just fine. 4. People vanish Although it might sound like a pirates tale, people do still disappear from cruise ships today. Turns out a suspicious amount of people leave for cruises every year, never to step on shore again. So just how many people are we talking? According to CruiseJunkie.com, a whopping 116 people went missing from 2011 to 2015 alone. It might not sound like a ton, but its about 116 more than it should be. Book a cruise, and you might be walking the plank. 5. Theres crime Imagine yourself in a big city, walking around with your personal belongings in tow. Now, picture the same scenario, only youre trapped on a boat with no escape from predators. Lounging poolside with a cocktail in hand, thieves have open season on your personal possessions. And even scarier than that, the types of crimes reported go far beyond simple robbery. Not only are there incidents, such as thefts, but theres no shortage of sexual assault crimes aboard large cruise ships either. Just take a look at some of the cases documented on International Cruise Victims. Safety should always be a top priority when traveling, but unfortunately being on a cruise ship might offer some passengers a false sense of security. 6. No police on board Speaking of a lawless land or deck, in this case there are no official police officers on board a cruise ship, which means youll have to put your faith entirely in the hands of hired security. And as NPR reports, prosecuting crimes committed at sea is often tough for a number of reasons. For instance, crime scenes are often contaminated, and who has jurisdiction depends on where the ship happens to be located when the alleged crime is committed. 7. The laws of international waters arent crystal clear Just because youre sailing through international waters doesnt mean youre destined for a criminal free-for-all. But it does mean prosecuting, convicting, and punishing a criminal might be more difficult than youd expect. More specifically, admiralty law applies in international waters. According to NPR, Its up to the captain of the ship, for instance, to decide whether to incarcerate someone suspected of committing a crime. The FBI will investigate if a United States citizen is involved, but its often too late at that point. 8. The buffet is far from healthy Even if youre committed to seeking out the freshest, healthiest, very best culinary options a ship has to offer, youre probably not going to be eating as well as you normally do. Although most ships have a whole host of options, youre still stuck with what youre given. And no matter what theyre serving, anything thats whipped up for the masses isnt likely to be of super high quality. If its a top-notch culinary experience youre after, youre better off steering clear of a cruise or at least the buffet. 9. Collisions Youd think by now major cruise lines would have the exact routes of these mega ships pretty dialed. Youd think. Yet still, accidents happen, and the open waters can challenge even the most seasoned of captains and crews. Confident it would never happen to you? In 2012, the Costa Concordia, owned by Carnival, capsized in Italy, killing 32 passengers. And though you might be thinking the same thing about planes a plane could crash, but you still fly do all the other cons of cruising really outweigh the pros? Thats your call. 10. Cabin fever You dont have to be an adrenaline junkie or claustrophobic to suffer from cabin fever on a cruise. Whether your dream vacation is not having to move a muscle or you prefer to be on the move 24/7, cruise ships are simply a disaster waiting to happen for some folks. It might seem like youll be able to soak up the sun in peace, but think about all the other people whove paid to do the very same thing. Suddenly, youre fighting someone for a pool chair. When youre ready to leave the overcrowded areas youd hoped would be enjoyable, your last resort is to retire to your room. And if youve never experienced cabin fever before, dont worry. Youll soon figure out how it got its name. 11. Cruise ships destroy coral reefs Environmentalist or not, theres no denying the serious threats our world is facing. Global warming has been wreaking havoc on the planet for decades, and cruise ships arent helping the problem. In fact, theyre doing quite the opposite. With their traffic, unethical waste disposal, and their pollution of various other forms, there can be little doubt cruise ships are having a hugely negative impact on the survival of the coral reef and other ecosystems, Eluxe Magazine says. If this is the first youre hearing about the suffering of coral reefs, you can learn more about the dire state of them, and other sea life, at ChasingCoral.com. 12. Too many drunk people So that relaxing getaway vacation you wanted? Its probably not a cruise, at least not on one of the more commercial cruise lines. The thing about cruises is they have a huge market for people who want nothing more than to party without a care in the world spring break style. And the trouble is theres no running from your co-passengers obnoxious behaviors. Getting drunk on a cruise is par for the course, not to mention its super easy. Bars abound, and theres nothing like getting a good day buzz on as youre baking in the sun. And why should they stop? Cruise-goers can stumble back to their rooms, without having to worry about getting in trouble. But remember that whole no police on board thing? Yeah. 13. Bedbugs Just like any motel, hotel, hostel, or inner-city apartment building, cruise ships are susceptible to unwanted critters, too. And what are some of the worst bugs anyone could possibly ask for, especially on vacation? Bedbugs, of course. As Cruise Critic points out, infestations, though rare, can and do occur on large cruise ships. And once an outbreak hits, theres a good chance youll be returning home with more than just empty pockets (more on that in a bit). 14. Seasickness Even if you can withstand moderate motion on land, your tolerance might be no match for a large ship sailing the open seas. Think youre not at risk? Think again. According to Medical News Today, About 33% of people are susceptible to motion sickness even in mild circumstances, such as being on a boat in calm water, although nearly 66% of people are susceptible in more severe conditions. Theres an entire song dedicated to not rocking the boat and for good reason. 15. Expensive excursions Major cruise lines have done a pretty bang-up job with their marketing. After all, who wouldnt be tempted to take a cruise to the Caribbean for dirt-cheap prices? But be careful what youre booking. You just might end up spending far more than you had anticipated. In most cases, everything you do that doesnt require eating at the buffet or tanning on the sun deck will cost you a pretty penny. So again, buyer beware. Researchers from Concordia's Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering (BCEE) in collaboration with Bio-Terre Systems Inc. are taking the fight against global warming to colder climes. Their weapon of choice? Cold-loving bacteria. In a study authors Rajinikanth Rajagopal, David Bellavance and Mohammad Saifur Rahaman demonstrate the viability of using anaerobic digestion in a low-temperature (20C) environment to convert solid food waste into renewable energy and organic fertilizer. They employed psychrophilic bacteria -- which thrive in relatively low temperatures -- to break down food waste in a specially designed bioreactor. In doing so, they produced a specific methane yield comparable to that of more energy-intensive anaerobic digestion processes. "There is enormous potential here to reduce the amount of fuel that we use for solid waste treatment," Rahaman explains. "Managing and treating food waste is a global challenge, particularly for cold countries like Canada where the temperature often falls below -20C and energy demands related to heating are high." He adds that the most commonly used forms of anaerobic digestion require large amounts of energy to heat the bioreactors and maintain temperatures for the bacteria's optimal performance. "What we've learned is that we can now use adapted psychrophilic bacteria to produce a level of methane comparable to those more common forms, while using less energy." 'A promising new research direction' Globally, more than 1.3 billion tonnes of municipal waste are created each year, and that number is expected to increase to 2.2 billion by 2025. Most of it ends up in landfills where it biodegrades over time, producing biogas, a powerful greenhouse gas largely composed of carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide. Left alone, this methane-rich biogas poses a significant climate threat, as methane carries a global warming potential that is 21 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. But, according to the researchers, engineered anaerobic digestion techniques can also be adapted to capture such gases and transform them into renewable energy. By employing devices such as biogas storage domes, biofilters or combined heat and power co-generation systems, for instance, methane can be collected, cleaned and converted into heat or electricity that can then be substituted for most fossil fuels. At an agronomic level, the process also contributes leftover nitrogen- and phosphorus-rich digestate material that can be subsequently recovered and used as plant fertilizer. The process for feeding the bioreactor is unique. It involves a semi-continuously fed constant volume overflow approach: the amount of food waste fed into the bottom opening necessitates the removal of an equal amount of treated effluent from the top. The researchers performed various tests on the extracted material to determine its physicochemical characteristics as well as to monitor the biogas quality and quantity. "There aren't many studies that look into developing new applications for treating food waste," Rajagopal says. "We hope that this study will mark the beginning of a promising new research direction." Health care startup AMOpportunities at the University of Chicago's New Venture Challenge on Thursday, June 1. AMOpportunities won first place and $100,000. (Robert Holly / Blue Sky) A health care startup that connects international medical students to clinical experience in the United States took home the top prize of $100,000 at the University of Chicago's New Venture Challenge Thursday night. Since launching more than three years ago, AMOpportunities and its online marketplace has helped about 1,200 medical students from India, Brazil, Peru and other countries find on-the-job training across its growing network of more than 350 health care facilities building qualifications that can help land a residency. In addition to identifying clinical opportunities, the startup also assists international students in securing visas and finding housing. Advertisement Kyle Swinsky, CEO and co-founder of AMOpportunities, said the startup has been entirely self-funded until now. "We've grown bootstrapped, but we really want to grow faster," he said. "It's been tough never taking out funding before and growing only with what we make, so this will really be the time to hopefully see that exponential growth." Advertisement Benjamin Bradley, who co-founded AMOpportunities with Swinsky, said the award money will likely go to hiring marketers and businesses developers to expand the startup's reach and increase customer awareness. "The international physicians who may be having trouble getting to the United States to live out their dreams, this prize is for them," he said. "We're going to put this money right back into the business to help them with their professional careers and lives." AMOpportunities won a total of four awards. It won $30,000 from the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which runs the New Venture Challenge out of the Booth School of Business. It also won $25,000 from the Caruso Foundation, $25,000 from OCA Ventures and $20,000 from Pritzker Group Venture Capital. A total of 11 startups competed in the 2017 New Venture Challenge; typically, 10 or fewer startups are selected. Award money was distributed through SAFE agreements, according to Starr Marcello, executive director of the Polsky Center. A SAFE agreement short for simple agreement for future equity functions similarly to a convertible note and allows the Polsky Center to hand out awards without attached valuations, Marcello said. Steve Kaplan, faculty director of the Polsky Center, said that finalists were chosen from a pool of 32 teams that spent months submitting business plans, presenting in front of investors and progressing through a "sometimes painful" course at Booth. Several of those teams had viable business plans, Kaplan said, which made it necessary to expand the pitch competition. "Usually we can put only nine or 10 teams in the finals and, even then, maybe one or two are not that great," Kaplan said. "This year, we could have probably put 15 or 20 teams in the finals." Advertisement Organizers had originally planned to award $350,000 in funding and more than $700,000 in in-kind services, such as legal assistance or office space. While judges were deliberating, however, OCA Ventures and the Caruso foundation asked if they could award more money than planned boosting cash funding to a total of $400,000. Switched Source, an energy startup that uses licensed technology to make electrical grids more efficient and reliable, won second place and $80,000. Switched Source was recently a finalist at the Clean Energy Trust Challenge as well. Ezza, a nail-care business tailored for on-the-go professionals, won third place and $75,000. ClostraBio, a preclinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing therapies for patients with life-threatening allergies, won fourth place and $40,000. SmarterCloud, TAINA and 4Women tied for fifth place and won $20,000 each. SmarterCloud helps mature-stage enterprises better control cloud infrastructure, TAINA helps financial institutions comply with tax transparency regulations and 4Women offers a non-invasive HPV test that's self-administered. B2B local-food e-commerce platform Banyan placed sixth and won $15,000. Part Analytics, Phyt Solutions and Lancealot tied for seventh place and won $10,000 each. Advertisement Research out of Rice University ranks the New Venture Challenge as one of the most successful accelerator programs in the United States, even among non-university programs. In 2016, the Seed Accelerator Rankings Project gave the New Venture Challenge a "platinum" ranking, along with Alchemist, AngelPad, Techstars, Y Combinator and four other accelerators. Since it began in 1996, the New Venture Challenge has grown from $20,000 in awards and services to more than $1 million in 2017. Two of Chicago's biggest tech successes Grubhub and Braintree are past winners of the contest. TransparentC and Tovala were the top startups in 2016 and 2015, respectively. More than 160 businesses that have participated in the challenge are still in business, according to Marcello. Combined, those companies have raised nearly $600 million in venture capital investments and more than $4 billion in exits and mergers, she said. The competition requires a current University of Chicago graduate student to be on board with a project, with at least a 10 percent equity stake; only University of Chicago students are allowed to present at the competition's finals. Robert Holly is a freelance writer. Twitter @robertwadeholly Sandee Kastrul is president and co-founder of i.c.stars, a nonprofit that prepares inner-city adults for careers in technology. Her group is getting $100,000 from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. (Abel Uribe / Blue Sky) A $1 million grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation to support entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds in Chicago will go to major players 1871 and UI Labs as well as specialty groups Blue1647, Bunker Labs and i.c. stars. The recipients make up the first phase of a three-year Blackstone Challenge project that could award grants totaling $3.4 million for organizations in Chicago that help diverse entrepreneurs start or grow companies. Advertisement The grants will be awarded on July 1 by the charitable arm of the New York-based firm that owns the Willis Tower. They will support organizations providing mentoring, career advice, business building and event planning help, said Jon Gray, a Highland Park native who is head of global real estate at Blackstone. "What was key here was we didn't just focus on one specific geography or one specific group," Gray said. "We're trying to get a network to cover the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs that may be underserved." Advertisement He said organizations from the first cohort that demonstrate success based on how many entrepreneurs they support and jobs they help create, among other metrics may receive more grant money in the future. The foundation may also solicit fresh proposals for the remaining funds, Gray said. Gray said the goal of the Blackstone Challenge, which was first announced in January, is to accelerate entrepreneurial growth without leaving any groups behind. The foundation received some 50 applications and chose the eight recipients in concert with World Business Chicago, the city's economic development group overseen by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, based on the strength of their track records and proposals. "By investing in organizations that support diverse entrepreneurs we create economic opportunities that reach all parts of Chicago," Emanuel said in a statement. "We are incredibly grateful that Chicago was chosen as the pilot city for the Blackstone Challenge program, and look forward to seeing it generate jobs and growth as we build on its success." Here are the members of the first cohort of the Blackstone Challenge, and their projects: Bethel New Life will receive $100,000 to add a training program for technology entrepreneurs on Chicago's West Side. "The short term result is collectively generating income and creating jobs for new and existing technology businesses here on the West Side, which will eventually, hopefully, have a tremendous impact on the alleviation of poverty," said Bethel New Life president and CEO Ed Coleman. BLUE1647, a tech hub with locations in Chicago, St. Louis, Compton and other cities, will put its $150,000 grant toward expanding its BlueIncubate accelerator. It offers companies and entrepreneurs workspace, membership and networking opportunities through that program. Advertisement Bunker Labs, which supports military veteran entrepreneurs, will receive $150,000 to expand its online offerings to include all of its in-person programming. "(This) allows us to reach people that are in other parts of the city, people that are homebound or disabled, people that are on active duty or have been activated in Reserves, or really anywhere around the world," said Bunker Labs CEO Todd Connor . 1871, the Merchandise Mart-based tech hub, will use its $150,000 grant to support digitization of its events and content for online distribution. CEO Howard Tullman teased the 1871 Community Curriculum Project at a City Club of Chicago luncheon in March. "We're building new digital systems and content libraries that will permit us to share all of the resources and all of what's going on (at 1871) with the whole city, because we want to impact more than just downtown," he said at the time. i.c. stars, which runs a technology leadership and workforce development program for inner-city adults, will get $100,000 to expand its Enterprise Next startup training and incubator program. It plans to use the funds to hire a staffer to support a cohort of 20 teams, up from 13 last year. "We see there's a real need to not only foster and incubate but to work with the entrepreneurs, to scale the entrepreneurs, in order to support more minority businesses," said co-founder and president Sandee Kastrul . Advertisement Future Founders, which supports young entrepreneurs, will receive $125,000 to spur development of businesses run by millennial women, people of color, veterans and immigrants. "The grant will support a new four-step program that will create a wide funnel to engage aspiring diverse millennial entrepreneurs and funnel the highest potential ones into an intensive cohort focused on venture development," president and CEO Scott Issen wrote in an email to Blue Sky. UI Labs, which fosters innovation in urban planning and manufacturing, will receive $100,000. With those funds, it will create a partnership between its City Digital project and civic tech organization Colony 5 to support community startups exploring smart city opportunities. "We're excited to receive this award, which we'll use to further our existing efforts to incorporate startups and entrepreneurs as we pilot new smart infrastructure technologies," said UI Labs CEO Caralynn Nowinski Collens in an emailed statement. Women's Business Development Center will use $125,000 to grow its ScaleUp program to West Rogers Park and South Chicago. The program will offer education, mentoring and support. aelahi@chicagotribune.com Twitter @aminamania The City of Chicago is facilitating the sale of the buildings at 202 and 220 S. State St. from the federal government to CA Ventures, which plans to rehabilitate the space as in this artists rendering. (City of Chicago ) A Chicago developer has struck a deal to buy a row of long-empty State Street buildings from the federal government, with plans to convert them to 429 apartments and retail space. CA Ventures plans a $141 million redevelopment of the buildings in the 200 block of South State Street, near the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, according to a news release from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office. Advertisement The deal could breathe new life into a rundown stretch of the State Street shopping corridor, where the federally owned structures have long sat vacant. CA Ventures has a $10.38 million agreement to buy the buildings, pending approval by the General Services Administration and the Chicago City Council, according to the city. The deal is expected to be finalized by this summer. Advertisement The buildings, which range from three to 22 stories, have been vacant for years. The federal government bought the buildings in 2007, according to the city, with plans to replace them with new office space as part of an expanded complex of federal buildings. The GSA later decided against redeveloping the site. Under CA's plan, the 16-story Century Building at 202 S. State St. will be rehabilitated and expanded to include 159 studio and one-bedroom apartments. It was designed by Holabird & Roche and completed in 1915, according to the city. The 22-story Consumers Building at 220 S. State St. will be converted into about 270 micro apartments. That building was designed by Jenny, Mundie & Jensen, and opened in 1913. The historic storefront of one of the smaller buildings in between, a six-story structure at 214 S. State St., will be incorporated into a 25,000-square-foot retail and commercial base between the taller structures. In the news release, CA Ventures principal JJSmith said, "We plan to remove and catalogue the storefront and upper-level facade elements of 214 South State Street in hopes of restoring the Art Deco elements for future reinstallation." If it gains zoning approval to start the project, CA would pay $4.38 million into the city's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and $5.65 million into the Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund, according to the news release. rori@chicagotribune.com Twitter @Ryan_Ori The Archer Daniels Midland flour mill in the Fulton Market district is seen June 2, 2017, in Chicago. ADM is building a new facility in rural Mendota, Ill., which is planned to open in mid-2019. Once the Mendota plant is fully operational, the Chicago site will close, ADM said. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) Archer Daniels Midland is planning to close a 120-year-old Chicago wheat mill and move operations to a new facility it is building in rural Mendota, Ill. The Chicago-based food processing giant on Friday announced construction of the new flour mill, which is slated to open in mid-2019. The high-capacity facility will be adjacent to ADM's existing Mendota grain facility, about 90 miles west of Chicago in LaSalle County. Advertisement The current plant on West Carroll Avenue in the trendy Fulton Market district, will continue to churn out flour until the new facility is fully operational, the company said Friday. About 60 employees work at the Chicago wheat mill. "Right now, we're focused on continuing to deliver great results for customers from our Chicago mill," ADM spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said. "When we get closer to transferring production, we'll be talking to employees about that process, including applying for other positions at ADM." Advertisement The Chicago plant was built in 1897 by B.A. Eckhart Milling, which operated it for decades. ADM purchased it from Dixie Portland Flour Mills in 1990 for about $14 million, according to Cook County records. Located in the once-gritty meatpacking district on the Near West Side, the plant is now something of an anachronism amid the trendy restaurants, bars and office buildings that have sprung up in recent years. The 250,000-square-foot industrial facility sits on a 2-acre site, according to CoStar Group. "We plan to sell the property," Anderson said. The Mendota facility will incorporate new technologies and equipment and have a daily milling capacity of about 1,500 tons of flour, with the ability to grind both soft and hard wheat varieties, the company said. "ADM's new facility in Mendota will help us provide additional capabilities to meet ongoing demand growth in the Midwest, where we are seeing bakers expand their production capabilities," Mark Kolkhorst, president of ADM Milling, said in a news release. Kolkhorst said locating the new plant near ADM's existing grain facility will drive efficiencies, such as unloading 110-car shuttle trains. ADM, which supplies flour to a wide range of commercial customers, is one of the world's largest processors of agricultural commodities, with revenues of $62.3 billion last year. The company has about 32,000 employees in more than 160 countries. In 2014, ADM moved its global headquarters from its longtime central Illinois home in Decatur to the Loop. Advertisement rchannick@chicagotribune.com Twitter @RobertChannick For the first time in decades, the state of Illinois is performing an examination of Blue Cross Blue Shield's treatment of consumers. (Susan Montoya Bryan / AP) Illinois is conducting a broad review of how Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois treats consumers 27 years after regulators last released such a report on the state's dominant health insurer. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois confirmed the review this week, in response to questions from the Tribune about why it had been nearly three decades since the state publicly released a wide-ranging examination of the insurer's compliance with laws and regulations meant to protect consumers. Advertisement Such reviews, conducted by states across the country, often look at how insurance companies advertise, enroll customers, pay medical claims and handle complaints. They're separate from rate reviews. Without market conduct exams, it can be difficult to tell how the the insurer's 4.1 million members in Illinois are being treated. Advertisement "It is one of those arcane things no one knows about, but it is super important," said Betsy Imholz, a special projects director with Consumers Union, the policy arm of Consumer Reports, and a consumer representative with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which sets standards and supports state insurance regulators. Rivals have faced scrutiny Though the state hasn't publicly released a broad market conduct exam of Blue Cross' parent company Health Care Service Corp. since 1990, the same cannot be said of its competitors, which have been subject to multiple exams, according to documents obtained by the Tribune through the Freedom of Information Act. The state Department of Insurance isn't required to perform the exams with any particular regularity, but it has been doing so each year on some health, life, property and casualty insurers, sometimes fining offenders. Since 1990, Illinois regulators have publicly released at least three broad reviews of UnitedHealthCare of Illinois; at least four broad reviews of Cigna Healthcare of Illinois; at least two of Aetna Health of Illinois; and at least four of Humana Health Plan, the Tribune found. Additional reviews were completed on companies related to those insurers. The state also released a very narrow exam in 2011 of Health Care Service Corp.'s compliance with two laws concerning autism coverage and dependent coverage, as it did for a number of the state's insurers. But that exam didn't look at any broader practices. "That's just way too long," said Timothy Jost, a consumer representative for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, of the gap between broad exam releases. "It would be surprising if there were not issues that have come up that didn't warrant there be some kind of a market conduct exam," said Jost, who is also a law professor at Washington and Lee University School of Law in Virginia. Michael Batkins, a department spokesman, said in an email, "This administration cannot speculate as to why previous administrations chose not to conduct an exam." The department's leadership has changed many times since 1990. Advertisement Batkins also said he couldn't speculate as to why the Insurance Department chose to begin an exam on the insurer in recent years because "the employees involved no longer work for" the department. The department confirmed the exam this week only after being told about the Tribune's story, though it would not comment on ongoing exams in the fall when the Tribune first started asking questions. Colleen Miller, a spokeswoman for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, declined to comment on the gap between broad exam releases but said the insurer is "more than happy to cooperate" with the department on exams "to make sure we're serving our members the best possible way." She said the insurer has been in frequent contact with the department over the years. Thousands in campaign gifts Health Care Service Corp. is a giant in Illinois. The Chicago-based company operates insurance plans in five states including Illinois. Its health plans in Illinois employ nearly 10,000 people. Advertisement In 2015 and 2016, the company made at least $254,000 in campaign contributions to state Democrats and Republicans, according to an analysis by Kent Redfield, an emeritus professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield. That places it among the 50-or-so largest groups making contributions in the state, Redfield said. "That's a serious presence and what you're doing with that money is basically you're building access, making friends, communicating," Redfield said. Batkins, with the Insurance Department, said in an email: "This administration takes market conduct examinations very seriously. Size, clout and/or political contributions play no role in which companies are examined." Regardless of the reasons, a lack of oversight doesn't help consumers, Redfield said. "It's not good regulation, and you're increasing the chances of bad things happening to consumers because you don't have effective oversight," Redfield said. Tracking consumer complaints Advertisement Most consumers who feel frustration with a health insurer don't file a formal complaint but some do. In Illinois last year, the company had 228 complaints that resulted in the insurer taking action, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. A competitor, UnitedHealthCare Insurance Company of Illinois had 52. Health Care Service Corp. had nearly 63 percent market share in Illinois last year, while UnitedHealth Group had just under 10 percent, according to Mark Farrah Associates, a health industry data aggregator and web publisher. Exams performed on other Illinois insurers have turned up issues such as insurers underpaying claims and not notifying consumers when a provider was no longer covered. Some exams have scolded insurers for failing to confirm or deny coverage within a reasonable time frame and not adequately explaining claim denials. When issues are found, state regulators can work with insurers on formal agreements in which insurers to agree to fix the problems and sometimes pay a penalty. The fines have often been in the tens of thousands of dollars for insurers, though the state imposed a civil penalty of $325,000 on UnitedHealthCare of Illinois after a 1998 market conduct exam turned up problems including underpaying claims and having too many "meritorious" complaints against it filed with the Insurance Department. But even $325,000 is pocket change for many insurers, which often have annual revenue in the billions of dollars. Still, it's a consequence, said Birny Birnbaum, a consumer representative for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and executive director of the Center for Economic Justice, which represents the interests of low-income and minority consumers. Advertisement "The law requires you to treat consumers in a certain way," Birnbaum said. "If you fail to treat consumers in a certain way, if you violate the law, there's a penalty for that." Insurance Department spokesman Batkins said in an email that the department "works to ensure consumers are made whole and practices are corrected rather than collect punitive forfeitures." Some states levy penalties in the millions of dollars against insurers who do wrong by consumers. Last fall, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina agreed to pay a penalty of $3.6 million imposed by the North Carolina Department of Insurance the largest penalty the department had ever levied against a health insurer. That fine followed complaints from consumers that they couldn't get through to the insurer's customer service department, that they didn't get ID cards or proof of coverage, that they weren't properly billed for premiums and received incorrect policy cancellation notices, according to the settlement agreement. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina denied violating any laws or regulations as part of the settlement agreement. It blamed "technology failures" for some of the problems, saying it had since corrected them and paid restitution to policy holders. Advertisement Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is not part of the same parent company as North Carolina's Blue Cross. Checks in other states Health Care Service Corp., the parent of Illinois' Blue Cross, has been subject to mixed scrutiny across the four other states where it sells health insurance. Oklahoma released its first market conduct report on Health Care Service Corp.'s Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma last year, finding a "number of compliance failures primarily resulting from information technology infrastructure and data quality issues." The Oklahoma insurance commissioner ordered the insurer to be fined $3 million unless it successfully completed a remediation plan within a year. Montana has performed two market conduct exams on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana since 2006 but both of those exams were before Health Care Service Corp. bought the insurer in 2013. The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance has not performed a market conduct exam of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico since Health Care Service Corp. bought it in 2001. A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Insurance declined to say whether the state had performed an exam on the company, saying its exam reports are not public information. Advertisement It's not uncommon for state reviews, across the country, to be somewhat spotty, experts say, though some acknowledge that 27 years is a long time to go without the results of an exam being released. Some states perform reviews regularly while others only do them when they see a need, such as after a pattern of complaints, said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms. In Illinois, regulators weigh factors such as how long it's been since the last exam, complaints and other states' regulatory actions, but there are no specific triggers in state law for conducting an exam. Market exams can also take a lot of work, man-hours and expertise. Examiners often visit an insurer's offices as part of an exam, going through documents. "It's resource-intensive, and they don't always have enough resources, frankly," said Consumers Union's Imholz. But a lack of resources, or at least a lack of funding, doesn't appear to be the reason behind the gap in exam reports on Blue Cross' parent in Illinois. Advertisement "Insurance companies pay for market conduct exams, therefore state funding has no impact in this area," Batkins said in an email. Experts, however, say other factors can also complicate states' oversight of insurers' market conduct. Exams take years Insurers can sometimes make it difficult for states to conduct the exams, Birnbaum said. Sometimes, years elapse between the beginning of an investigation and an actual settlement, he said. "The market conduct examination has become such a formalized process that insurers have the ability to obstruct regulators every step of the way," Birnbaum said. Illinois first notified Health Care Service Corp. of its latest market conduct exam about four years ago, Batkins said. He said in an email, "Health exams are the most complex type of exams and can take multiple years." Advertisement Different political administrations might also have differing ideas about how to handle exams. In Illinois, a deputy director and assistant deputy director at the Insurance Department decide when to start market conduct exams on insurers, Batkins said. The department has had 17 directors or acting directors since 1990, the last time results of a comprehensive market conduct exam on Health Care Service Corp. were released. A spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner's office declined to comment on the gap and the possible reasons for that gap, referring questions to the Insurance Department. Some are trying to improve regulation of health insurers' market conduct across the country, in hopes of making it easier for states to regulate insurers' behavior. Starting in fall 2018, most states will start requiring health insurers to submit market conduct data to them each year, through an effort organized and facilitated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The hope is that state regulators will be able to analyze the data regularly and spot problems more easily, Birnbaum said. Advertisement But for now, market conduct exams remain a key way for the state to hold insurers accountable for following certain laws. Batkins said the Insurance Department expects to finish its examination of Health Care Service Corp. in the next three to six months. "Three decades is a really long time and the idea that there might not be any problems whatsoever seems very unlikely," said Imholz with Consumers Union. lschencker@chicagotribune.com Twitter @lschencker Asia-Pacific precious metals trader David Liew has agreed to plead guilty in federal court to "spoofing" trades of futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. From around December 2009 to February 2012, Liew conspired with other gold, silver, platinum and palladium traders to place hundreds of orders to buy or sell precious metals futures contracts that he intended to cancel and not to execute at the time he placed the orders, a practice known as spoofing, according to a plea agreement filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Advertisement Liew, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, was charged in a criminal complaint filed under seal in January. A month later, he agreed to meet with investigators and has been cooperating against unnamed co-conspirators, court records show. Liew engaged in spoofing at the CME in early 2012, the plea agreement says. Advertisement Liew had joined a global bank about July 2009 after completing a bachelor's degree, according to court records, which don't name his employer. Liew was assigned to the metals trading desk in December 2009 and worked in the Asia-Pacific region. The CME operated a global electronic trading platform for futures contracts trading called Globex. Liew and his co-conspirators accessed Globex to trade from locations worldwide, according to the plea agreement. Liew placed spoof orders to create false impressions of supply and demand to cause other traders to buy or sell futures contracts for precious metals at prices, quantities or times at which they wouldn't otherwise have traded. Liew's compensation at the bank was based partly on his trading profits, according to the plea agreement. Federal sentencing guidelines call for 24 to 30 months in prison, in addition to supervised release, fines, forfeiture and restitution, but the plea agreement says that if Liew cooperates with authorities, prosecutors will recommend a lighter sentence. Liew's attorney couldn't be reached for comment. It's not the first case involving spoofing on the CME. Michael Coscia was sentenced in July to three years in prison and two years of supervised release for spoofing and commodities fraud. Coscia, of New Jersey, was the first defendant in the country to stand trial under new anti-spoofing laws included in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act. He earlier was found guilty of six counts of spoofing and six counts of commodities fraud. Advertisement Navinder Singh Sarao pleaded guilty in November to wire fraud and spoofing, including for his role in the May 6, 2010, markets crash that saw tens of billions of dollars lost in just five minutes. A grand jury in Chicago indicted Sarao in 2015, alleging manipulation on the CME. Sarao hasn't yet been sentenced, a Justice Department spokesman said Friday. Chicago Tribune's Jason Meisner contributed. byerak@chicagotribune.com Twitter @beckyyerak Former Sears employees have fond memories of the department store chain, as well as concerns about its future. (Chicago Tribune) The retirees have gathered monthly in a nondescript meeting room in Rosemont for years, patching in conference calls from around the country and reminiscing about the old days when they proudly worked at Sears, "where America shops." Those mid- to late-20th century days were a time of stiff white shirts, die-hard company camaraderie and the opportunity to make lots of money. Sales and profits were up, promotions were frequent and profit-sharing was standard for many. Working for the country's largest retailer was an honor, retirees say. Advertisement But more recently, the walks down Sears memory lane have turned to worrying about the state of the stores, Chairman Edward Lampert's turnaround plan and, closer to home, the future of their retirement and life insurance plans. One of the 124-year-old retailer's mottos was "Sears has everything," and for its employees the mantra rang true. Over the years, however, restructuring and financial challenges eventually ended many of those popular perks. Advertisement The profit-sharing fund was dropped in 1978. The pension plan was frozen in 2005. Life insurance coverage was slashed in 1997. Last year, Sears employees who retired before 2000 lost a monthly health subsidy of $37. Sears Holdings Corp., now the corporate entity for both Sears and Kmart, says it maintains a regular dialogue with its retirees, including a newsletter designed to keep them up-to-date on the company, and Lampert recently told the Tribune the company has honored its obligations to retirees and pension beneficiaries. Nonetheless, since a company warning earlier this year that it's uncertain about its future, many retirees say they are less concerned about their pensions than their life insurance payout, which averages roughly $10,000, according to Ron Olbrysh, chairman of the National Association of Retired Sears Employees. Most are 70 and older, and some are not in good health. They worry about what would happen to Sears' funding of their life insurance policies if the company files for bankruptcy. Retirees who sat down with the Tribune to reflect on their time with the company say it was Sears' inability to look ahead and keep up with changing times that led to its decline. Company watchers agree. "It was a great business until the people at the top decided that strategy didn't matter for them and that they would forever be able to play the same game and win," said James Schrager, clinical professor of entrepreneurship and strategy at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. "This is a story we see all the time," Schrager added. "Sears was not the first, and will not be the last company to decide that strategy doesn't apply to them." Benefits of a parent Advertisement Ron Olbrysh, 75, remembers when Sears was the place to be not only for shoppers, but for workers. In 1972, Olbrysh left a government job in Cleveland for work as a trademark attorney at Sears. He chose the retailer over a job at General Electric because the well-regarded retailer "made me an offer I couldn't refuse," he said. Sears retiree Ron Olbrysh discusses his time at Sears and what worries retirees if the company goes bankrupt. (Corilyn Shropshire / Chicago Tribune/Videolicious - Chicago Tribune) By the time he retired in 1996, he was an assistant general counsel. "The benefits were great," Olbrysh said. "We had profit-sharing, which was always an incentive to work at Sears." When Olbrysh began with Sears' Homan Square headquarters on the city's West Side, employees referred to the complex as the parent. Over the years, as the company diversified its business, picking up financial firms such as Coldwell Banker and Dean Witter, "parent" gave way to "headquarters," and the company's culture changed, Olbrysh said. Advertisement "When it was 'parent,' it was like a family. When it changed to 'headquarters,' it wasn't as close as it used to be." By then, the retailer had moved its main offices downtown to Sears Tower (now Willis Tower), where Olbrysh and his legal department colleagues worked on the 69th floor. When the vast Hoffman Estates headquarters known as Prairie Stone opened in 1992, the Lombard resident set up office there. In the midcentury years and even through the '70s, Sears was considered to be the "largest and most powerful retailer in the world," Olbrysh said, adding that as discount retailers nipped at its heels, Sears executives let success go to their heads. "They actually believed it, and said, 'What's this Wal-Mart? They are nothing.'" The same thing happened when Amazon came along in the '90s, he said. Now, "they are trying to play catch up and it's not going to work." Olbrysh believes he made the right decision when he retired in 1996 with a lump-sum early retirement package instead of a long-term pension benefit. But as chairman of the retirees group, Olbrysh has been fielding calls from retirees concerned about their pensions and life insurance benefits if the company were to file for bankruptcy. Olbrysh has pushed for more transparency under Lampert's tenure. He has sent letters to Lampert. The group wants annual meetings to be streamed online and for Lampert to talk to the press and retirees more frequently. Earlier this month, before Sears' annual meeting, Lampert gave an interview to the Tribune, in which he blamed much of Sears' current woes on the media. Advertisement "I got out at the right time,"said Olbrysh. "All of us left on good terms with Sears. I sent four kids to college. It was a very good living. I'm thankful for that." A second family Elaine Leonard started in 1967 as a part-timer in the toy department of Sears Forest Park store and eventually joined management ranks, retiring in 1993. Shes pictured in her Schaumburg home on May 25, 2017. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune ) The "family feeling" is what Elaine Leonard loved about working for Sears. In 1967, the mother of two took a part-time sales position working evenings in the toy department at Sears' Park Forest store. She and her husband planned to buy a house and the additional income would come in handy. "When you came to work, it felt like you were coming to your second home," she said. "You felt like it was family. You were all in it together, you were all working together." The money she earned helped the family buy its first home in Hanover Park. Leonard, like her counterparts, spent her years at Sears steadily rising through the ranks. Advertisement Her part-time job navigating the hustle and bustle in the toy department quickly became a full-time job as a store manager secretary at the Woodfield Mall store in Schaumburg. That led to a management training program, and then overseeing several stores and service centers from the northwest suburbs to Milwaukee. It was the manager of the toy department, according to Leonard, who saw her talent and helped propel her career. When you came to work it felt like you were coming to your second home. Elaine Leonard, former Sears employee "The company was always interested in promoting people they felt were performing to their expectations," said Leonard, 83. "And you like to think you're doing a good job, then you are offered another job by getting a promotion, (and) it feels pretty good." In her next role, as a personnel manager at the Woodfield Mall store, Leonard traveled to colleges and universities to recruit graduates. Leonard didn't have a college degree but said new hires were required to have one. "It was a little unusual for me to be sitting there (in interviews) without the same qualifications," she said. "I thought, gee, I'm asking these kids to have a college degree, but never let on that I didn't." When Leonard retired in 1993, she was working at Prairie Stone in the workforce diversity department. She handled everything from hiring to firing, and discrimination suits as well. "If you had a problem, you knew you could come to a manager and someone would help you it was like your second home." Trading Ford for Sears Sears retiree Richard Bruce, 80, is pictured May 25, 2017, beside a vintage plaque in his Elmhurst home. Bruce, who worked for Sears from 1960 to 1993, says he enjoyed the benefits and camaraderie at the giant retailer. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune ) Richard Bruce was trained as an engineer, but in 1960 at age 24 he left a management training job at Ford Motor Co. in Kansas City, Mo., to take a lower-paying job at Sears. Advertisement He was familiar with the retailer and excited about the benefits the company had to offer. "I thought 'I can afford to take a lower earnings because I'm going to retire very wealthy.'" Bruce started as a catalog buyer, moved on to data processing and marketing, and by the time he retired was an executive in the human resources department. With each promotion, the new responsibilities were like going to work at a new company. "It was challenging, it was fresh and invigorating " he said. Plus, his wife didn't have to work, and he was able to send three daughters to college. It wasn't just the money and benefits that Bruce enjoyed. It was the camaraderie. Sears retiree Richard Bruce discusses more than 40 years working at the retailer. (Corilyn Shropshire / Chicago Tribune/Videolicious - Chicago Tribune) But over time, he said, things kept changing. "Takeaways, takeaways, takeaways," he said. When the profit-sharing plan was terminated, he felt it also removed the incentive for talented workers to join the company. Advertisement In 1993, as then-Chairman Edward Brennan led the company through spinoffs and sales generating large returns for investors by shedding all or part of Allstate Insurance Co.; Dean Witter, Discover & Co.; and Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Services Bruce was among the employees who raised his hand for an early retirement program. "It was a no-brainer package for people who were young enough to go out and get another job. For those of us who were close to retirement anyway, it was a gift," said Bruce, now 80. 'Sears Retirees DieHard' Sears retiree Leo McCormack, 79, holds a homemade replica coffin on May 25, 2017 outside his Naperville home. McCormack, who retired in 1993, made the casket for a past protest against cuts to Sears retirement benefits. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune ) Leo McCormack, 79, worked his way through Boston College in the late '50s delivering caskets and appliances for Sears. After graduation and a three-year stint in the Marine Corps, McCormack started a yearlong Sears training program and began working in Brockton, Mass., as a department manager. For McCormack, like many other rising Sears employees, his career was marked by a new city and a new job almost every two years. Advertisement He worked in Nashville, Tenn.; Nashua, N.H.; Peekskill, N.Y.; and Philadelphia, where he was in public relations, he said. By the time he retired in 1993, he was the labor relations manager for the product services division, negotiating with unions on Sears' behalf. It was a job he said he was proud to do, because he was proud of what the company had to offer workers. Looking back, though, he remembers concerns about the company's naivete when it came to keeping up with a rapidly changing retail landscape. Sears retiree Leo McCormack moved around the country as he rose through Sears ranks. (Corilyn Shropshire / Chicago Tribune/Videolicious - Chicago Tribune) "Sears didn't realize that everybody that ran a (cash) register was their competition," McCormack said. He recalled his time in the 1970s as a regional manager in Pennsylvania, learning that a Kmart in Altoona, Pa., was open for business on Sundays while Sears remained closed. At a company meeting, he asked an executive about it. "Boy, was he mad," McCormack said. "He looked at me and said 'McCormack, Sears will never open on Sunday.'" Advertisement McCormack's retirement didn't mean he was done with his employer. In 1997, he became one of the founding members of the retirees group and a year later joined about 100 fellow retirees sporting yellow shirts marching outside the company's 1998 annual meeting shouting "Shame on Sears." They were protesting then-Chairman Arthur Martinez's decision to reduce life insurance benefits for 84,000 retirees, saving the retailer $1.4 billion. For the event, McCormack built a replica of a pine coffin with a sign declaring "Sears Retirees DieHard." It remains in the attic of his garage. Freedom to act Sears retiree William "Bill" Barker is photographed May 23, 2017, in Wilmette. Barker, who started at Sears in 1958, had a career in customer service and operations management. (Jim Young / Chicago Tribune) When William "Bill" Barker started at Sears in 1958, the Scotland native said he just "needed a job." Eventually, his work at the retailer became "the best job" he ever had. "Nobody wanted anything ... as long as we made money," Barker said. Advertisement "The top guys didn't get any hassles," he added. "I had the total freedom to act. I was like God." Barker's career in customer service and operations management began at a store in New York, where he made $40 per week plus a 1 percent commission working in plumbing and heating. Sears retiree Bill Barker joined Sears in 1958 and worries about cuts to retirees life insurance. (Corilyn Shropshire / Chicago Tribune/Videolicious - Chicago Tribune) Sears began to "put its head in the sand," in the 1960s, Barker said, as discounters began encroaching on what for years had been department store territory. "It became a real issue in the '80s," he said. Barker, 80, recalled his time as a regional operations manager in Cleveland, where he struggled to convince his boss to move from having salespeople check out customers on their own to having a central area with cashiers. "He got really mad at me," Barker said. Barker attends every annual meeting and is worried about what might happen to him or his wife if they lose their life insurance. As for Lampert, "I've always had a feeling in my gut that he has something up his sleeve and Seritage (a real estate investment trust run by Lampert) is part of it," Barker said. "I can't make heads or tails of why he would put all of his money into it if he didn't think there was a pot of gold at the end." Advertisement crshropshire@chicagotribune.com Twitter @corilyns HELENA Authorities say a 56-year-old woman hospitalized after a Tuesday wreck on Highway 200 has died. Randon Billman of Glasgow died late Thursday night, according to Lewis and Clark County Coroner Bryan Backeberg. Billman had been hospitalized in Great Falls since the Tuesday afternoon crash northeast of Lincoln. The man accused of causing the wreck is charged with a felony count of failure to satisfy duties upon an accident involving another person. Officials say Devon Scott Richie, 21, was behind the wheel of a 2008 Dodge Ram when the truck collided with a 2012 convertible BMW driven by Billman. Richie is accused of failing to render aid to the injured woman, fleeing the scene and not contacting law enforcement. He then "knowingly and purposefully became intoxicated after the crash," court documents say. The crash remains under investigation. A Kane County corrections officer accused in a lawsuit of unshackling the inmate who took his gun and held two Geneva hospital nurses hostage last month has been formally disciplined once in his nearly 18 years with the sheriff's office, records show. Officer Shawn Loomis was suspended, without pay, for 30 days in 2005 for taking possession of inmate property without authorization, according to disciplinary records provided by the sheriff's office through a public records request. Advertisement Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Patrick Gengler said Loomis, hired in November 1999, has been on paid administrative leave following the May 13 hostage standoff at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva. The incident started when inmate Tywon Salters took a gun belonging to Loomis, one of several corrections officers assigned to shifts guarding him around the clock. Salters, 21, was hospitalized for drinking liquid cleaner and eating plastic off a sandal from his jail uniform. He had been unshackled for about a half-hour May 13 when he moved on Loomis, somehow taking the officer's 9mm handgun, the lawsuit states. Advertisement The lawsuit alleges Loomis ran and hid in a room down the hall, while Salters, naked, found his way into an office where a nurse said he made her take off her clothes, physically and verbally abused her, threatened her and held her at gunpoint. Salters later raped another nurse, who was also struck in the arm by the SWAT officer's bullet that killed Salters, said attorney Sean P. Murray. The nurses, along with their husbands and two other nurses affected by what they experienced that day, are suing Loomis, the Kane County sheriff's office and APEX3 security in U.S. District Court, seeking compensatory damages, court costs, attorney fees and other relief. A dozen years ago, under former Kane County Sheriff Kenneth Ramsey, Loomis took an unknown item, Gengler said. In the old jail, Gengler said, when an inmate sent to prison didn't have anyone to pick up whatever property the inmate arrived with, those items were thrown into a box. If, for example, an inmate arrested in the summer wearing shorts and a T-shirt was released in the winter, they might be given warmer clothes from the box, he said. From Gengler's understanding, he said, Loomis was suspended for taking something from one of those boxes. By doing so, Loomis violated a general order regulating conduct and office interest, according to a June 2005 notice informing Loomis he would be suspended. Advertisement That suspension is the only time Loomis has been formally disciplined by the sheriff's office of professional standards, Gengler said. "One incident over that course of time, it might be something you're looking at right now, when it happens, and keep an eye on to make sure it doesn't occur again," Gengler said. "Discipline is supposed to correct the behavior." hleone@tribpub.com Twitter @hannahmleone Blame game: The comment about evil Republicans and Obamacare is so unfair. The caller said we should do the math. Isn't it a shame former President Obama did not do the math when he promised that Obamacare would save $2,500 for every family? A lot of the insured never see any money coming back because the premiums and deductibles are so extreme. Maybe they should let Obamacare implode on its own, but then President Trump would be blamed. He gets the blame for everything these days no matter what he does. Turning away from Trump: In the beginning, I liked President Trump. I don't like him now. He and his right-hand man said that illegal immigrants can stay in the country as long as they don't have a record. What a president. Trump is on his way out. I assume that Vice President Pence will take over. Maybe he will be a better choice. Trump is not a politician. I do believe Russia was involved in getting him elected. Everyone is going to pay more taxes when they build more schools for the children of the illegal immigrants. What has happened to our country? I'm getting out of Dodge. Advertisement Standing behind Trump: We support President Trump, and we are sorry that all the liberals are having such a hard time with his agenda. We strongly urge all of our elected officials in Washington and the states to support Trump and his agenda so our country can be free and healthy once again. Black and white protesters band together: I hate to disappoint the caller who thinks that all people of color do are riot, rob stores and burn down things when something happens. I would like to let the caller know about the injustice of a black man shot in the back of the head and killed in Oklahoma by a police officer who said she feared for her life. By the way, if you watched it on television, you would have seen there were also a lot of white people protesting what happened. Advertisement Texting and tweeting: When are law enforcement agencies going to start enforcing laws about cell phones? Everywhere you go all you see are people talking, texting and tweeting on their cell phones. Big Brother is watching: I saw that the police woman in Oklahoma was acquitted for shooting the unarmed black man with his hands up in the air. This kind of thing has probably been happening for a long time, but now we all have phones and cameras. Big Brother is all over the place and always watching. If a police officer is wrong, he or she should be held accountable. No matter if you are black or white or whatever your nationality is, you should always obey a police officer's command. Terrorist becomes a hero: Just as I thought the country has gotten as goofy as it could get, more surprises come along. Not only have we been forced to take down statues of Jefferson Davis and other Confederate war heroes, former President Obama let a convicted Puerto Rican terrorist out of prison. Now he's a hero, and they are having parades for him. If I had the money, I would leave this country so fast you would never see me again. Troubled about Trump: I know a lot of President Trump supporters are angry. They think their man is getting dealt a bad hand, and it's a witch hunt. They want us to give him a chance, but he has been given opportunities and he hasn't done anything. He is his own worst enemy. He has no political experience and dodged serving in the military. Trump's supporters want Trump to get entry level training, but the White House doesn't work that way. The country needs someone who is ready to lead on day one. Trump is not that person. White House lives up to its name: Don't label me as a racist because I am not, but President Trump exudes white privilege. Without it, he would not be the president of the United States. White privilege seeps out all over this administration. Betsy DeVos became the Secretary of Education without spending a single day of experienced teaching in the classroom. Trump became president without an advanced degree and without a single day of elected experience. He holds the highest office in this world. A black man or a black woman could never do that or say the things that Trump has said. I'm just telling it like it is. Puzzled by police: This is in regards to the East Dundee police department. I live in the Terrace area. I want to know if the laws have changed. An African American police officer came into a house with his gun drawn without any checking on or calling the people beforehand. He terrorized the people who were sitting in there. Is that our new policy? Something needs to be done about any officer who comes into a house unannounced. I'm a senior, and I'm afraid of the police department now. I hope you print this. Niceness counts: I want to remark about the black man who said he says hi to people in stores. I want to say thank you. I'm 85 years old. I do the same thing. I smile and nod to people on the street that I don't know. It's just being nice. Some people give you a dirty look because they have an attitude. Other people answer you and smile back. He's right. Smile and say hello to people. Balking about locker room talk: I watched an interview with Billy Bush. He spoke to his teenage daughter and said he was remorseful. I also listened to a clip from Melania Trump saying that Bush egged her husband on. How can anyone egg on a man who is old enough to be his father? Advertisement End Islamic terrorism: The answer to radical Islamic terrorism is they need a new testament. Right now they act on the old eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth system. With a new testament, they will love and pray for their enemies and turn the other cheek. Editor's note Speak Out is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you see something you disagree with or think is incorrect, call us at 312-222-2460 or email couriernews@tribpub.com. Please include "speak out" in the subject line. If you've had a sandwich at Publican Quality Meats, you've supported the local grain economy. Drank a cocktail with CH vodka? Bought a loaf of Turkey Red at Hewn Bakery in Evanston? You're putting your money toward a small but growing industry of Chicagoans passionate about using ancient, heirloom and organic grains grown and milled on nearby farms. Milling locally grown grains is more of a renewed custom than a new trend. Before the industrial revolution, Americans enjoyed a range of locally milled grains. It was routine for farmers to bring their dried wheat harvest into the town miller. All three of wheat's main components were ground together: the fiber-rich bran, the flavorful germ and the starchy endosperm. Then came the efficient steel roller mill with spinning cylinders that discarded the germ and bran to yield a practically unspoilable flour composed solely of the white endosperm aka white flour. Shelf life was elongated, while flavor and nutrition vanished. Advertisement "The invention of the steel roller mill was arguably the worst thing that ever happened to bread, stripping it of flavor, texture and nutrients," says chef Greg Wade of Publican Quality Bread in the West Loop. The new norm for bread was to be white, firm and uniform. Today, whole-wheat flour accounts for just 6 percent of all flour produced in the United States. And most whole-wheat products sold in supermarkets are made from roller-milled flour with germ and bran added back in processing. Not at PQB. Wade, a 2017 James Beard Award finalist in the outstanding baker category, buys his grain from Marty Travis, of Spence Farm in Livingston County, Ill. The chef's close ties to the biodynamic farm allow him to influence what grains Travis grows, how they're grown, how they're milled and how often milling occurs. Each Tuesday, Wade receives enough freshly milled grains to make a week's worth of everything from ciabatta to sourdough, used in dishes at sister restaurants The Publican, Publican Quality Meats and Publican Anker, and sold by the loaf (roughly $4-$9) at PQM. Advertisement Greg Wade smiles during a quick break from baking at Publican Quality Bread. (Annie Grossinger / Chicago Tribune) Wade is elated about influencing the local grain economy. "With 70 percent of all American farmland devoted to grains, we hope to be a model for the future, opening the way for real change in agriculture," he says. Brian Severson is a fifth-generation commercial grain farmer in Dwight, a town in Grundy County, Ill. He moved toward organic grains at Severson Farm out of concern for the environment, but mostly for the health of his four children. "I wanted to raise my kids on the farm the way I was brought up," Severson says, but "conventional farming was moving more into GMOs and herbicides you don't want to expose your kids to that." By 2007, the Seversons had their first crop of organic corn; they've now expanded their reach to wheat, buckwheat, soybeans, oats and popcorn. They purchased their own mill several years ago. You can buy grains from Severson Farm at Green City Market or enjoy them at local restaurants, including Lincoln Park's Blue Door Farm Stand, where Severson oats are used to make the walnut brown-sugar oatmeal. Three years ago, when baker Ellen King opened Evanston bread bakery Hewn, she committed to working with local farms only, in search of organic, out-of-circulation heritage grains. She found Andrea "Andy" Hazzard, a third-generation farmer who launched Hazzard Free Farm in Pecatonica, Ill., in 2007. "Andy was game for hunting down the seeds for Marquis wheat, which hasn't been planted for almost eighty years," King says. King also bakes with Hazzard's Turkey Red and Orleans wheat, each bringing unique flavor and texture. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > With prices reaching $13.50 for a whole-wheat Pullman loaf, some of Hewn's bread can induce sticker shock. (Though not all country bread, for example, is $6 a loaf.) But prices reflect the quality of ingredients. "It's important for us to contract with our local farmers and tradesmen and pay what it takes to create a local economy around (grain)," King says. At least one local distillery is doing its part too. When CH Distillery co-founder Tremaine Atkinson began distilling his CH vodka locally in 2013, he reached for local grains to distinguish the flavor and texture. He purchases organic soft red winter wheat and organic rye from Kaneville Seed & Feed, which sources grain from farmers in Kane County (just west of Cook County). "Using organic, locally grown grains for our vodka ... allows us to express 'terroir' in the final product," much as winemakers do, Atkinson says. CH goes one step further and mills grains in-house, allowing Atkinson to achieve the exact flavor he wants for his vodka. The result is a sipping liquor, with weight and a mild, grainy sweetness that doesn't catch like fire at the back of your throat. The trophy for house-milling, however, goes to Pleasant House Bakery, where baker Alex Roman uses a stone mill to grind heritage grain from Breslin Farms in Ottawa, Ill. The mill grinds slowly using stones rather than a roller so the fats from the germ and bran are released into the flour rather than separated out. Advertisement While the process is time consuming and labor intensive, the bakery still maintains a reasonable price (roughly $4-$7 a loaf) for whole-grain breads baked in a wood-fired oven, selling 150-200 loaves each week at farmers markets and at the bakery, located at The Plant in Back of the Yards. Laura Levy Shatkin is a freelance writer. This story has been updated. What it is: Marron Peche is a sour brown ale from Like Minds Brewing (formerly of Chicago, now of Milwaukee) that's aged eight months in bourbon barrels, gets an infusion of Georgia peaches, then spends eight more months in red wine barrels. It will be available in limited quantities through June. (A Like Minds beer was featured in this column a year ago; we usually like to space out featuring breweries a bit more, but after trying this beer on draft at the Like Minds taproom in Milwaukee, and with its imminent release in Chicago, it was too good not to write up.) In the bottle: An earthy, fruity aroma laced with unmistakable tartness is accented by notes of fresh leather. All that plus more explodes on the palate, but Marron Peche makes it work with brilliant balance. The approximate order of flavors goes something like this: bourbon, oak, peach, slight tannic herbaceousness, a wisp of barnyard funk (from the Brettanomyces yeast, most likely) and a long tart finish that's thankfully not too tart. The peach character is fairly restrained at colder temperatures but unfolds as the beer warms. The blending of all these elements makes Marron Peche impossibly elegant but eminently drinkable. Advertisement Alcohol: 8 percent Drink it with: Marron Peche is a fairly versatile food beer, especially beside any richer dish. Think duck. Advertisement Find it: Available in 375-milliliter bottles at better beer stores, including Bitter Pops, Binny's, Liquor Park, The Beer Temple, Bottles and Cans, Capones Liquor and West Lakeview Liquors. RELATED: 42 excellent pours from Beer of the Month through the years. jbnoel@chicagotribune.com Twitter @joshbnoel A look into the kitchen at the Albert restaurant at Hotel EMC2. (Kevin Miyazaki) LAKEVIEW A new neighborhood Italian spot will open soon, as Sals Trattoria is aiming for a mid-June debut. The restaurant is from the team behind Butcher & The Burger in Lincoln Park. 2834 N. Southport Ave., 773-857-1401. LAKEVIEW Signage is up for the upcoming Brown Bag Seafood Co. at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Paulina Street. 3400 N. Lincoln Ave. LINCOLN PARK / DEPAUL The neighborhood welcomed another new place for grapes when Ignoble Wine Bar opened Memorial Day. The wine list has been sourced mostly from Europe, mainly Spain and Italy, with a couple of California options dotting the page. For food, find small plates like bacon-wrapped dates, arugula salad and grilled calamari, all priced $10 or less. Weekend brunch will start soon, owner Luke Fairbank wrote in an email. 2417 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-394-4153. THE LOOP Poke keeps packing Chicagos downtown, and High Tide Poke is the latest fish purveyor to jump in. High Tide is in the same building as the Clark and Lake CTA stop, and its menu is pretty typical for a poke spot: poke bowls, salads and wraps, with drinks including freshly squeezed juices and smoothies. 203 N. LaSalle St., 312-265-1660, www.hightidepoke.com the Albert (you get the reference), a restaurant from chef Brandon Brumback. (The restaurant is ranked as Required Eating on Tribune critic Phil Vettel's annual MAGNIFICENT MILE The Hotel EMC2 opened last week, bringing with it(you get the reference), a restaurant from chef Brandon Brumback. (The restaurant is ranked as Required Eating on Tribune critic Phil Vettel's annual Summer Eating List .) Hotel EMC2, 228 E. Ontario St., 312-471-3883. NAPERVILLE A sushi chain based out of Omaha, Neb., is making its first waves in Illinois, as Blue Sushi plans to open in the new Water Street District development in early June. The menu will offer an array of seafood options, including maki, nigiri, sashimi and poke, as well as other nonfish, Asian-inspired options. Cocktails like the yuzu whiskey sour are similarly Asian-inspired, and there will also be a sake list. Water Street District, 123 Water St., Naperville, 402-281-0849. OLD TOWN A new quick-service, Korean-fusion restaurant called KorFusion opened recently at Halsted and Division streets. The restaurant offers a menu thats largely customizable, with items such as bao tacos, mandu, burritos and rice bowls. 1234 N. Halsted St., 312-929-3166. WEST LOOP Do-Rite Donuts has opened its new location in the Fulton Market District. 181 N. Morgan St., 312-624-8878, www.doritedonuts.com WEST TOWN Sabroso! Mexican Grill, a California-based, family-owned Mexican restaurant with a large menu, has decided to open its second location in Chicago, reports DNA Info. The California location opened in 2012. 941 N. Damen Ave., www.sabrosomexgrill.com WOODLAWN After a zoning issue stalled chances for a winter debut, Build Coffee has now cleared that hurdle and is aiming for an early summer opening at the Experimental Station on the South Side, per a Facebook post. Owners will get their beans from HalfWit Coffee Roasters and sell pastries from Pleasant House Bakery. Watch for the cafe to host gatherings like workshops, shows or game nights while also selling used books, comics and artwork. 6100 S. Blackstone Ave., 773-627-5058. ICYMI LOGAN SQUARE A Balena alumna opened Daisies, another new veggie-focused spot, last week. WEST LOOP The third location of Beatrix cafe opened this week on the stretch of Fulton Market that's home to The Publican and Duck Duck Goat. WICKER PARK Menus continue to push veggies forward, and the recently opened Clever Rabbit is one of the latest spots in the city to play up the produce. CLOSING Advertisement IRVING PARK Peruvian restaurant Via Lima has closed, according to a post on LTH Forum and confirmed by the restaurant's website. adlukach@chicagotribune.com Twitter @lucheezy As the Chicago Symphony Orchestra subscription series winds down to a handful of concerts, several impressive Chicago podium debuts are helping to stave off end-of-season ennui. The first of these, two weeks ago, was the initial CSO appearance of the rising young Czech conductor Jakub Hrusa, who led a terrific Smetana "Ma Vlast." This weekend's concerts at Symphony Center shine the spotlight on another Chicago newcomer from Central Europe whose career also is burgeoning, Slovakian conductor Juraj Valcuha. Advertisement His local debut Thursday night came rather late among the Bratislava-born Valcuha's conquests of American symphonic podiums but was no less welcome for it. Now in his early 40s, and installed as of this season as music director of the Teatro di San Carlo in Riccardo Muti's native Naples, Italy, the man is rapidly gaining prominence in the symphonic and operatic world. His natural command and the very fact that he is all business on the podium set him apart from the glitzy podium acrobats of his generation. Valcuha set forth his credentials with a varied and interesting program representing a cook's tour of musical styles, interpreted with the firm authority CSO musicians expect, but don't always receive, from newcomers. And they responded accordingly. Advertisement The only problematic moments arose early, in the opening Haydn Symphony No. 85 in B flat, subtitled "La Reine" (The Queen). No one could accuse Valcuha's Haydn of lacking in personality, but in the first movement his tendency to pull back just when the music was gathering forward impetus resulted in a slackening of line. Playing this music straighter, with less romantic invasiveness, would have been much more helpful. Fortunately the remainder of this delightful symphony was free of such invasive touches. Courtly grace rubbed elbows with earthy peasant humor, and the concluding presto was alive with the ebullience Haydn dished out like no other composer. The orchestra, with strings reduced to late-18th-century proportions, sounded clean, well-balanced and crisply defined of rhythm. Karol Szymanowski's 1916 Violin Concerto No. 1, dating from 131 years later, inhabits an altogether different sound world. The subtly colored impressionism of Debussy and Ravel, and the sensuous exoticism of Scriabin, commingle to otherworldly effect. Yet the Polish composer had a way of absorbing all influences into a musical persona very much his own. By rights this bejeweled masterpiece should turn up in concert a lot more often than it does; the last time the CSO ventured it was 2009. All the more reason, then, to be grateful for the gorgeous performance it received from Christian Tetzlaff, one of the score's most dedicated advocates. The German violinist is a familiar figure from his numerous appearances at Ravinia and Grant Park, and with all of them I have never known him to give less than a fully committed performance. Is there a more physically engaged fiddle virtuoso before the public? On Thursday you could almost smell the rosin dust coming off his bow as he pressed deep into his violin strings, bringing out Szymanowski's aching lyricism, his bright, intense sound soaring high above the staff. CSO audiences have heard several fine accounts of this concerto in recent decades think of Nikolaj Znaider's and Frank Peter Zimmermann's but, for me, Tetzlaff's extra degree of incisive brilliance and fierce elegance trumped them both. The intensity Valcuha drew from the CSO's multihued and translucent textures was in keeping with the soloist's purposes. No wonder orchestra members joined the audience in awarding Tetzlaff the heartiest of ovations. Valcuha devoted the second half to waltz music by composers bearing the same surname, though unrelated. It was nice to hear the "Emperor" Waltz of Johann Strauss Jr. liberated from its normal pops-concert confines. This classy performance reminded one that masterpieces come in small as well as large packages. The idiomatic lilt Valcuha brought to the waltzing rhythms lived in the flexible phrasing of the orchestra. Advertisement The Slovakian is an experienced opera man and you heard plentiful evidence of that in his gracious, shapely way with the suite from Richard Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier." As arranged by former CSO music director Artur Rodzinski, the 25-minute suite encapsulates the finest music from this treasurable opera, and the Chicago Symphony gave it its most sumptuous attention. There were one or two overemphatic brass passages, and woodwinds were not in tune with the solo violin in the sequence depicting the presentation of the rose. Otherwise, Strauss was well served. The program will be repeated at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $34-$222; 312-294-3000, www.cso.org. John von Rhein is a Tribune critic. jvonrhein@chicagotribune.com Twitter @jvonrhein RELATED STORIES: Advertisement What happens when the CSO and a star principal like Alex Klein part company? Pianist Barnatan, CSO make Gershwin swing Echoes of old music haunt the present in season finale of MusicNOW Watch the latest movie trailers. 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) Nourishing, even sparking the senses, when everything else is losing its luster is one small thing we can do for a dying loved one. (Brad Wilson / Getty Images) I once walked into the room of a dying patient to hear a game show blaring on television. The sound of the buzzer, slapped down by eager contestants, was jarring in this room from which a soul would soon depart. This program probably had been left on by someone - a nurse, a family member, one of the cleaning people - who had turned it on while in the room, focusing on some task and forgetting the patient in the bed. And now, although the room was empty of people, it was filled with a cacophony that jarred me, and, I presume, the dying patient in the bed. As an ICU and palliative care physician, I am a frequent witness to death. And I am often struck by the broad range of experiences for dying patients. I recently visited the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco, a beautifully painted Victorian House on a tree-lined street where many patients go to die. As I entered the house, I encountered the gentle aroma of banana bread, and followed my nose into the kitchen. Advertisement The chef welcomed me with a big smile. She was assembling food for one of the residents and she described what she was preparing with the enthusiasm of a chef preparing a gastronomic sensation for a crowd of foodies. Each of the three miniature portions of pureed food on the small plate was a unique and vibrant color, and they complemented one another in a gorgeous palette. A nurse entered the kitchen carrying a different patient's tray. I noticed that the plate's three portions were completely uneaten except for tiny indentations from the tip of a fork. I asked the chef how it felt to cook food for people who could barely eat it. She smiled. It had been tasted, she said, that's what mattered. Smelling the food, tasting a little, and feeling loved were all she hoped for from the patients. Advertisement Just as meals offer an opportunity to soothe, the room of a dying person is sacred ground. We must always consider the final perceptions of this person - the sounds, the smells, the touch - and do our best to make these things right for them. Ideally, we would know what the person would most value. Whether she would want her loved ones by her side. Whether she would like to be touched, her arm stroked, her hand held. Whether she would be comforted by a particular smell, a hint of lavender. She might most want to be kept fresh and clean, her mouth moistened and teeth gently brushed. Or she may be calmed by the slow stroke of a comb through her hair. A dying person has very little agency. He is usually weak and tired, maybe confused. He may be strapped to a bed, with tubes entering his throat to reach his stomach and lungs. Certain elements are not in our control, so we must work with what we have. Nourishing, even sparking the senses, when everything else is losing its luster is one small thing we can do. Ideally, every person would die in the environment of her choosing - usually at home surrounded by loved ones. But too many will die like my patient, alone in the ICU, his preferences unknown to those caring for him. My hope is that every one of us pauses to consider our preferences around this inevitable stage of life, and communicates those to our loved ones before we can no longer make requests. But if this hasn't happened, it may require a little imagination on your part. What might your loved one want to see? Perhaps a fresh vase of flowers, or photos of loved ones. Maybe a piece of art from home. The aroma of a baking banana bread. Would her glasses be helpful, and do they need polishing? Would she like the window shades open or closed? Aromatherapy can serve to transport a patient from the sterility of an ICU room into another space entirely. Essential oils, lotions or a spray of rosewater can lend a sense of personal aesthetic. And food, for every one of us, carries tremendous emotional power. The tiniest taste of a favorite flavor, in a patient who can tolerate it, might inspire memories of happier times. The experience of touch might bring someone solace and peace. For some, a hand held can bring tremendous comfort and dissipate loneliness. Advertisement People respond to sound in different ways. Where for one, silence brings a sense of calm; for another, classical music will lend comfort. The effect of reassuring words from loved ones cannot be underestimated. And hearing aids, so frequently forgotten in critical illness, can bring the world back into a person's life. Of course, each person will have his or her own preferences. Given how vulnerable people are at this late stage of life, we must do our best to notice the patient's response, which may be subtle, and act accordingly. For example, a foot massage might calm one person's anxiety, while, for another, it might be ticklish or even irritating. Ideally, we elicit these details from our loved ones before they can no longer speak. But I would venture that for most of us, the sounds of a nameless game show would not be the last things we'd want to hear. Zitter is an intensive care and palliative care physician and the author of "Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the end of Life." RELATED STORIES: Winning the doctor lottery can mean the difference between life and death Advertisement Immunotherapy offers hope to certain cancer patients not responding to chemo The Alzheimer's death rate rose dramatically over 15 years. Why? JACKSON, Wyo. This year marks the final summer of construction at one of the most popular destinations in Grand Teton National Park in northwest Wyoming. Grand Teton spokesman Andrew White says this season's work at Jenny Lake is the fourth and final major construction phase on an $18 million renovation project. White tells the Jackson Hole News & Guide (http://bit.ly/2qF66rE ) that all the visitor services are open at the lake but visitors might encounter altered access routes. A temporary visitor center will be in place this summer with information on alternative routes to the lakeshore, trailhead and east shore boat dock. Parking will be extremely limited, especially for buses, recreational vehicles and trailers. White recommends arriving either before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to avoid crowds. ___ Information from: Jackson Hole (Wyo.) News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com Philip Winchester is having a great time today. He isn't even breaking a sweat. Which is a real problem for our summer-issue photographs. "Can't we add something to give him some sheen?" someone on the photo team asks. Winchester gamely lets the makeup artist add a little shine to his face and forehead. No big deal. Whatever the part calls for. You've probably seen the 36-year-old actor recently being a little more ... uptight. Advertisement He plays no-nonsense, square-jawed Cook County State's Attorney Peter Stone on NBC's legal drama "Chicago Justice," the latest show to find orbit within executive producer Dick Wolf's "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago P.D." universe. But it's not a role he ever saw himself in. That's because, despite a background that includesthe Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Winchester was making a name for himself as an action star. As an actor, he imagined himself doing more car chases and fewer courtroom soliloquies. Advertisement Then Dick Wolf called. So again whatever the part calls for. Keeping pace with change is just something Winchester has done all his life. He was a small-town kid from Montana and thanks to his British-born mom London. He traveled effortlessly between the two worlds. He even faked a British accent while studying at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. (It served him well when later he was treading the boards alongside Ian McKellen's King Lear.) But today, when he's not filming in Chicago, he lives in Bozeman, with his wife, Megan, and 2-year-old daughter, Charlie. We caught up with him to talk acting, his plans for the summer, where to get a good pint in Chicago and whether he plans to give into the dreaded dad bod. This is an edited version of our conversation. Tell me about your character special prosecutor Peter Stone. He's so upright he makes Atticus Finch look like a wet noodle. He's very put together. I'm still discovering him. The thing that helped me was knowing that he lived under his father's shadow. His father is Ben Stone, the district attorney from the original "Law & Order." As an actor, I can feel that. Even though my father approved of (my acting career), I can feel it from family members who are farmers and things like that. If you don't dig a hole or stack a hay bale, you're not working. So there's that times 10 with Peter Stone. Advertisement You grew up in Belgrade, Mont., population 7,000 ... Well, it is now. It was about 4,000 when I was growing up. So now its a boomtown. What was your childhood like? My father's American, and my mother's English. So I grew up between Belgrade, Mont., and London, England. So I knew of this other world. I was a pain in the ass as a kid. I was high energy. And I always wanted to be an action star. I told my mom and dad I wanted to be an actor, and they said, "Great, then you're going to London and getting a proper education." Were you a jock in high school? I was not. I was scrawny and really skinny and short through the end of my sophomore year. So, did you watch a lot of action movies growing up? Advertisement I wasn't allowed to watch R-rated movies growing up. I grew up in a pretty strict Christian household. I can remember the first R-rated movie I saw was "Double Impact" with Jean-Claude Van Damme. Now, I knew I wasn't going be Van Damme, but I remember being like almost paralyzed with adrenaline because I felt I was being so naughty. You went back to London to study from 1999 to 2002. Did you go to school with anyone we may have heard of? In the third year when I was first year, they had Benedict Cumberbatch. It was really a neat time. Did you practice regional dialects? Definitely. This is probably the third American role I've played. Most of the roles I've played are British. I just decided I would be British for the three years I was over there. I never stopped using a British accent. You went full Madonna? Advertisement Yes, I went for it. When you're filming in Chicago, how do you spend your time? It was funny. We lived in Bucktown. And my wife and I had a baby-sitter one afternoon, and we got an Uber to drive us downtown, but it started snowing. So I was like, "Baby, let's not drive down. There's a dive bar down the road. Let's stop in, have a few pints." So we looked around and ... she was like, "Oh, my gosh. It's Molly's" (the local watering hole on "Chicago Fire"). So we had actually discovered Lottie's Pub. So we go in there quite a lot. Any summer plans? Mostly, it's being in Montana. Having barbecues. Picking up dog sh--. It's being at home. Being a guy. I just want to be a dad right now. How do you stay in shape for summer? Advertisement I do stay in shape, but being a dad, my priorities have shifted. If I have a choice between going to the gym and hanging out with my girl, I'll probably hang out with my girl. So, you ready to embrace the dad bod? Yeah, bring it on. Uh, yeah, right. Although NBC recently cancelled legal drama Chicago Justice, its star Philip Winchester, who played Assistant State's Attorney Peter Stone, is taking it in stride. "That's just the way it is, man. You're always starting over in this town." So instead of returning to Chicago in July to shoot season two, he'll spend his summer chilling in his home base of Bozeman, Montana with wife Megan and young daughter Charlie. But Chicago hasn't seen the last of him. "I made some great friends on the show," he says. "I'll be back." Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 20 Taking flight at the AF Vandevorst Haute Couture collection. (Getty photo) LGBT is an evolving abbreviation, a process that, in and of itself, isn't so remarkable. Language morphs all the time, but what's happening with LGBT like nearly all things pertaining to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, hits on age-old struggles around issues of sexuality, identity, gender and freedom of expression. What should people be called? Members of the LGBT community have likely grown up hearing some pretty nasty words and labels. The bus ride home from high school was always hell for me. And even the non-pejorative words can get a little grating: Homosexual, anyone? Advertisement So, now there's LGBT, which has turned to LGBTQ in a growing number of circles, with the "Q" standing for "queer" a controversial word given its past derogatory use and/or "questioning." Also becoming more prevalent is LGBTQIA, the "I" stands for "intersex" and the "A" for "asexual" and/or "allied." "It's very culturally and generationally driven," said Margo M. Jacquot, founding director of The Juniper Center, a psychotherapy practice in Park Ridge, of the ever-longer abbreviations coming to the fore. Advertisement The question is just how abbreviated should this initialism be? Debate about this topic isn't new take a look at a 2012 posting on Michael Hulshof-Schmidt's Social Justice for All blog, co-authored with his husband, Robert, titled "What's in an acronym? Parsing the LGBTQQIP2SAA community." Using LGBT "explicitly calls out key components of a diverse group," they wrote, adding that "as shorthand goes, it's fairly effective, recognizing the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identity in four simple letters. Of course, it can't please everyone, and like most compromises, leaves plenty of people feeling unheard." "Orange Is the New Black" star Lea DeLaria addressed this issue in a 2016 interview, saying she favored using "queer" for all of the various communities under the LGBT umbrella. As the abbreviation grows, what does LGBTQIA stand for? "This is the biggest issue we have in the queer community to date and will continue to be the biggest issue until we learn to accept our differences, and that's the issue," she told PrideSource.com. "And part of me believes that this inclusivity of calling us the LGBTQQTY-whatever-LMNOP tends to stress our differences. And that's why I refuse to do it. I say queer. Queer is everybody." Michael Hulshof-Schmidt said his views on labels haven't changed much since that 2012 post. They're "somewhat unwieldy," said the executive director of EqualityWorks, NW, a Portland, Ore.-based company that works with other organizations on issues involving racial and gender equity, and "intersecting" identities to create what he calls "a level playing field." What's important, Hulshof-Schmidt added, is "for people to self-identify and for us to believe people when they do identify." Advertisement "Identity is huge," said Jacquot, a lesbian, when asked why these letters, these labels, are so important to people in the LGBT community. While Jacquot said some will see LGBT as a "unifying umbrella term so people who feel marginalized, usually around their sexual being, have a home," she is concerned that when people "talk about LGBT, they talk about it as one community," when in actuality, there are "very, very different communities," some of which overlap. Just how "encompassing" labels should be is explored in classes taught by Gregory Ward, a professor of linguistics, philosophy, and gender and sexuality studies at Northwestern University in Evanston. "What can the public use successfully, and what will exclude people offensively," he said. "How do we strike that balance between maximum inclusiveness and coming up with a label that can be used without ridicule, and respect the community being referred to." 30 key moments in Chicago's LGBTQ history Ward pointed to the "tortured history" of words used to denote African-Americans over the decades. One should defer to the community itself in terms of designation, he said, but that's not the only factor in play. Advertisement "It's a shared language. We all have a say in it," Ward said, noting that while there is a history of specific groups taking ownership of a designation and saying, "This is how we see ourselves," the rest of community is free to use it or not. And that poses a question on the rest of society: What word do you use? "Some people don't like that," he said. "A choice means a decision must be made." And that choice "reflects our orientation, reflects our sympathies," said Ward, who used this example: "A terrorist for you could be a freedom fighter for me. It's an extreme example, but it demonstrates how perspective plays a role." While Ward says there seems to be a "holding pattern" right now between LGBT and LGBTQ in public discourse, it is also a fact that as labels evolve, so do words take on new meanings. And words once taboo are finding a redemption of sorts. Take "queer," whose reputation is such that journalism stylebooks offer a caution on using it outside of a quotation. But "queer" is how Hulshof-Schmidt identifies himself. It was, he conceded, a "slow evolution within me." "I'm 50 years old. It was pretty harmful when I was a young child, and I've now become quite fond of it," he said. Asked why, he said, "I think it's a lovely piece of resistance against the dominant discourse." Advertisement For some active in the Chicago LGBTQ community, like Mike Oboza, June LaTrobe, Owen Keehnen and Alexis Mickler, more letters in the abbreviation mean greater unity, an opportunity for greater awareness and, perhaps, greater political muscle. Oboza, a Park Ridge resident who works as a photographer and spiritual adviser, is founder of the Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago, which aims to "represent the B in LGBT," according to the group's Facebook page. The abbreviation represents family, he said, and the family is "stronger together" even if some members aren't talked about as much as others. "We have to educate each other. Educate and not put ourselves down," he said. "Though we are a family, our histories are different." LaTrobe, a 76-year-old transgender activist who is bisexual, said being included in "that little alphabet soup" is useful because it helps counter those who might seek to splinter the larger community. Mickler, who is active in the group Intersex Chicago, said having the "I" added to LGBTQ increases visibility and promotes awareness. "Many people don't know intersex people," she says, noting the general public may see the "I" in the abbreviation and learn about it. "It's always good to have allies, whether LGBTQIA or heterosexual." Advertisement Keehnen wrote in a Facebook message that the community needs to prevent the political targeting of its most marginalized members by "uniting, building coalitions and making clear that an attack on any part is an attack against the whole." "If I consider myself part of the gay community I look at my core group one way," wrote Keehnen, an author, historian and co-founder of Chicago's Legacy Project, "but if I consider myself part of the LGBTQ community, my group is suddenly much larger, much stronger. ... Presenting a unified front adds protection, power and, at the same time, an expanded view of what it means to be a part of this movement." In their 2012 post, the Hulshof-Schmidts wrote of the strength found when the community works together and that "the intent matters more than the label. Rather than take umbrage at a less than fully inclusive LGBTQ which at least shows good intent let's focus on the work we need to do together to make this a better place for everyone." "I think, sadly, the dominative narrative will continue to find ways to pit us against each other," Hulshof-Schmidt said recently. "Those of us with targeted identities must resist division and go for community and solidarity." wdaley@chicagotribune.com Twitter @billdaley Advertisement RELATED STORIES: LGBTQ site relaunches with more comin g-out stories Like Barry Manilow, I came out later in life As a day of reckoning approaches for Drew Peterson's former attorney Joel Brodsky in federal court, more evidence of what might politely be described as his combative style has emerged. In an insult-laced and politically incorrect letter that Brodsky sent a rival attorney in a divorce case, Brodsky says the rival "appears to be learning disabled," implies that the rival has a drinking problem and sarcastically asks if the rival attorney has gay "feelings" for his client. Advertisement The letter, written in 2015, was filed in federal court last month ahead of an upcoming sanctions hearing at which Brodsky will be asked to explain his conduct in an unrelated case in which he is accused by another rival attorney of unprofessional behavior. It's unlikely to impress U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Kendall, who last month called for the sanctions hearing after stating her opinion that Brodsky had been "overly aggressive in this case, that he's not following the rules of professional conduct." Advertisement In the 2015 letter, written under Brodsky's law firm letterhead in the midst of a divorce case, Brodsky wrote to a rival: "Everyone that practices in the other divisions of the Circuit Court knows how divorce lawyers lie, but can't you please keep it down to a minimum?" Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > After suggesting the rival was "learning disabled," he then implied the rival had a drinking problem, asking the rival, "Is it your drinking that your wife complained about all the time?" He concluded the letter, "Do you harbor "feelings" for (your client)? Just curious." Brodsky's behavior in the divorce case was irksome enough to Cook County Judge Marya Nega that she referred him to the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission at the time. But the commission took no action, according to Brodsky's old pal, Joe "The Shark" Lopez, who was also part of Peterson's legal team. Lopez, a sometime "Chicago P.D." actor who is representing Brodsky at the sanctions hearing, told Chicago Inc. that Brodsky is simply misunderstood in the genteel surroundings of federal court. "The problem is that Brodsky's come out of the Daley Center," where civil cases in Cook County court are fought, Lopez said. "And the first rule at the Daley Center is that there are no rules." kjanssen@chicagotribune.com Twitter @kimjnews Keon Moten was 15 when he was charged with murder in the 2007 shooting death of 16-year-old Anthony White of Merrillville. He was waived to adult court and sentenced to 25 years in prison when he plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter. On Thursday, Moten, now 25, requested that Lake Superior Court Magistrate Natalie Bokota modify his sentence and release him from the Indiana State Prison, citing his completion of his high school education and a job lined up cutting grass when he's released. Advertisement But deputy prosecutor Aleksandra Dimitrijevic said that she was not in a position to agree to the sentence modification in light of White's family opposing Moten's release. Bokota denied Moten's request because the state would not agree to the modification. Yvonne Stewart, White's mother, said that while she was glad that Moten had used his time productively to further his education, "He'll come home one day. Anthony is never coming back," she said. Advertisement Looking directly at Moten, who represented himself at the brief hearing, Stewart said she forgave him. "They said you want to apologize," Stewart said. "You're going to move on. I'm trying to hold on," she said. Her daughter, now 16, lost a brother who she looked up to. "I want you to do what's right. I do forgive you. I'm saying it openly in court. I know that your friends used you," she said. but she suggested that Moten apply to the Community Transition Court, which is overseen by Judge Salvador Vasquez. If he's accepted, Moten would be housed at Lake County Community Corrections and receive assistance as he transitions back into society. Moten has served about 10 years of his sentence and receives day-for-day credit for good behavior and time cuts for educational programs. The Indiana Department of Correction website lists his earliest possible release date as April 15, 2020. Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. A Portage man taken to the Porter County Sheriff's Department by his mother to turn himself in on a felony drug charge Thursday afternoon refused to get out of the car once they arrived and fled on foot while his mother was inside. With the assistance of K-9 officers and the Valparaiso Police Department, deputies located Justin Antecki, 25, just east of Sturdy Road, south of Martinal Road, near a farm building. Advertisement He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Porter County Jail, according to Sgt. Jamie Erow, the department's public information officer. Antecki and his mother arrived at the sheriff's department around 12:40 p.m. but when they got to the parking lot, Antecki refused to get out of the car for his mother, according to a release. Advertisement When his mother came into the station to report her son was in the car and there to turn himself in, Antecki reportedly had already fled on foot from the vehicle and was last seen on recorded parking lot cameras running westbound towards Indiana 49. Officers from the Valparaiso Police Department and sheriff's deputies, as well as two sheriff's K-9 officers, saturated the area and set up a perimeter. Police located Antecki around 2:10 p.m. Because Antecki was never in custody, Erow said he would not face additional charges of resisting law enforcement. Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. What's Quickly? It's where readers sound off on the issues of the day. Have a quote, question or quip? Call Quickly at 312-222-2426 or email quickly@post-trib.com. I enjoyed Debbie Bosak's column today on "mental health days," I have used that term for years ... you know, just when you need a break. The article was too funny about her friend who went to the Cubs opener...and saw his boss there, too! I don't take "real" vacations anymore from work, so when I need to, I take a "mental health" day. What a great article to start my day! Thanks, Debbie. Advertisement Everybody needs to step back on this hateful political rhetoric. Too many unstable people don't know their own limits. We used to have a reasonably civil society. The Trump administration is moving to return the Russian compounds in Maryland and New York back to them. I don't know why the Russian diplomats need their luxury retreats anymore. They seem to be enjoying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Advertisement Nice try, making excuses for threats from Ted Nugent just because he is a conservative. Trump treated climate change as though it's a joke, teasing us with a "will he or won't he" game over whether or not we would pull out of the Paris Accord. Maybe it's fun for Trump and massages his massive ego, but it won't be a joke for our children and grandchildren. Stop complaining about those friends and family members that mistreat you, when you continue to allow them to use you as a doormat. Our politicians will push whichever conspiracy theory will get them more money or more power. Truth doesn't come into the equation. The weeks of investigation ahead will be a national nightmare, because Donald Trump won't keep his mouth shut. As a campaigner, Donald Trump was a brilliant con man. As President, he is a government misfit. Seriously, how long will it be before our 50 states have so many different laws and regulations that you will need a visa or passport to go from one state to another? Who knew draining the swamp could be so easy? You just exempt practically every member of your administration from ethics rules. Bingo! No more conflicts of interest. No more swamp. Advertisement Now, Putin admits that "patriotically minded" Russians meddled in U.S. elections. Wow. The Chinese maker of Ivanka Trump's shoes is looking for cheaper labor. They complain of excessive hours and want higher pay so they are sending jobs to Africa. What happened to bringing jobs back to America? Read more at www.post-trib.com/quickly. Steven Randy Rueckert, left, and Daniel Herbert, attorneys for Jason Van Dyke, confer with Van Dyke during court Aug. 11, 2017. Van Dyke was at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building in Chicago for a hearing on the shooting of Laquan McDonald. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) Special prosecutors can view statements given by five Chicago police officers who were on the scene when Laquan McDonald was fatally shot by Officer Jason Van Dyke, a Cook County judge ruled Friday. Judge Vincent Gaughan also decided that the special prosecutors can look at the written reports authored by Van Dyke just after the 2014 shooting. Advertisement Gaughan's ruling applied only to what the special prosecutor's team can use for their investigation of the high-profile case, not to what may be presented as evidence at a trial. At issue were statements that Van Dyke and other officers were required to give to the Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates allegations of officer misconduct, shortly after Van Dyke shot McDonald 16 times. Under a decades-old legal standard, statements that government employees are forced to give under threat of being fired cannot be used in criminal proceedings against them. Advertisement But that rule only protects the person who gave the statement, prosecutors argued. They conceded that anything Van Dyke told city investigators could not be used against him but said the other officers' statements should be fair game. Otherwise, it "would essentially allow a police officer to get away with any kind of crime he wants, as long as the only witness (is) a sworn police officer," said Joseph Cullen, a Kane County assistant state's attorney who is part of the special prosecution team brought in to handle the case. Van Dyke's attorney, Daniel Herbert, argued that such statements should be off-limits altogether. "When a police officer or anyone else provides immunized testimony, the effect is that the state can't look at that evidence, they can't use that evidence," Herbert told the judge. Gaughan disagreed, ruling that the statements of the five police officers could be used "as an investigative tool." "The defense contention (is) that that has to be put in a lockbox, and then the investigation has to go forward without that. I find that is not my interpretation," the judge said. "The state could use those immunized statements as investigative clues or in their investigation." Van Dyke's written police reports cannot be subject to those protections either, Gaughan held. If prosecutors were forbidden access to written police reports, the judge said, "this whole system would collapse." Advertisement It wasn't clear which five officers' statements were at issue because motions on the issue have not been made public highly unusual ordinarily, but not for Gaughan, whose penchant for secrecy has kept much of the details of the case hidden from public view. The statements given by officers who witnessed the shooting differed sharply from what the video showed. The officers generally contended that the knife-wielding McDonald posed a threat to police, but police dashboard-camera video showed Van Dyke opening fire within seconds of exiting his squad car as McDonald was walking away from him. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Attorneys also argued over access to statements given by Van Dyke to Detective David March and Deputy Chief David McNaughton in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. McNaughton, the highest-ranking officer at the scene of McDonald's shooting, wrote in a report the following day that the shooting was justified, records show. March, the lead detective, found that Van Dyke was justified in killing McDonald. The Office of the Inspector General recommended that both be fired, but March resigned and McNaughton retired before those steps could be taken. Gaughan said he wanted to hear testimony from March and McNaughton at a hearing later this month to determine if Van Dyke's statements to them are subject to the same protections as the statements he gave to IPRA investigators. Advertisement The video of Van Dyke, a white police officer, shooting McDonald, a black teenager, sent shockwaves through Chicago when it was released on the same day in November 2015 that Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder. mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com Twitter @crepeau Anthony Q. Jackson and Sanchez Mixon didn't know each other when they met at the Green Line station in Bronzeville on the South Side. Within minutes, Mixon lay dying on the platform and Jackson was gone. That's about the only thing both sides in the case agree on. Prosecutors say Jackson, 45, walked up to Mixon, talked to him briefly and, unprovoked, punched him in the head and knocked him to the ground around 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Then he kicked Mixon and at one point jumped on his head with both feet, according to prosecutors. Jackson paused four times during the beating, only to start stomping on Mixon again, according to Cook County state's attorney's spokeswoman Tandra Simonton. Several people at the "L" station in the 300 block of East 43rd Street yelled at Jackson to stop and called 911. As Jackson fled, someone rolled Mixon over on his back and found him bleeding from his head. Mixon, of the 3300 block of South Michigan Avenue, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead at 12:13 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. He was 37. An autopsy determined the primary cause of death was blunt force injuries to his head, and a secondary cause of death was cardiac valvular disease. His death was rule a homicide. Jackson's public defender, Marijane Placek, said it was Mixon who started the fight and Jackson was only defending himself. Jackson was minding his own business when Mixon came up and began threatening Jackson. Then Mixon began hitting him, Placek said. "[Mixon] was verbally and physically threatening him," Placek said. "My client was forced to fight back." Jackson is a single father of five children who is taking computer classes at DePaul University, she said. His brother is a Chicago police officer and another brother is a former federal prosecutor who is now in private practice. Jackson surrendered two days after the attack accompanied by his brother the attorney, according to Placek. Placek noted that Mixon has an extensive criminal history and Jackson had reason to fear for his life. Mixon's criminal history goes back to 1993 and includes more than 20 arrests and several convictions for drugs and assault, according to court records. Jackson was convicted of misdemeanor battery in 1987. Jackson, of the 500 block of East 67th Street in the Park Manor neighborhood, is charged with first-degree murder. He was ordered held on $500,000 bail by Judge Israel Desierto, Simonton said. lford@tribune.com, csadovi@tribune.com Advertisement Twitter: @ltaford, @csadovi The parking structure at 3240 West Arthington St. in Chicago was to be the home of Chicago State Universitys West Side campus. The project never got off the ground because of funding problems. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune ) Cash-strapped Chicago State University spent more than $300,000 in school funds on a potential satellite campus on the city's West Side, contradicting previous statements about a project years in the making that may never come to fruition. In all, about $700,000 including funds from a state grant has been spent on the project, according to university financial records obtained by the Tribune after filing a lawsuit against the campus for violating public records laws. Advertisement The latest revelations come after university leaders spent years quietly pursuing a second campus in the Homan Square neighborhood, a plan that began after state lawmakers approved a $40 million capital grant in 2009 and provided $1 million for start-up costs in 2011. While the university paid many of its contractors with grant dollars, it used school money to hire lawyers, an architectural firm and a project manager to oversee the work, records show. The spending came as the university was swiftly losing enrollment, facing a multimillion-dollar judgment in a high-profile whistleblower lawsuit and under scrutiny for administrative salaries and financial mismanagement. Advertisement Chicago State's new leadership team recently acknowledged to the Tribune that former school officials needlessly and improperly spent institutional funds on the project, and blamed a former project manager for the "oversight." Now, two years after the grant was frozen and the work mostly stopped, school leaders say the West Side campus is indefinitely shelved. "The Board of Trustees and the university's leadership teams' first priority is to stabilize the enrollment and finances of the historic South Side campus," spokeswoman Sabrina Land wrote in a statement. "Thus, the university is not pursuing a Westside Campus at this time." A Tribune story in February revealed that at least $370,000 had been spent on the West Side campus, and that officials had committed to contracts worth $660,000. The story also revealed that the university had pledged to buy property at 3240 and 3333 W. Arthington St. with little to no public disclosure. But at the time, the university refused to provide records detailing how much it paid its contractors and what work was done, and the Tribune filed a lawsuit in late February. The university since has turned over hundreds of pages of records in connection to the lawsuit and through subsequent Freedom of Information Act requests. The suit is pending. Documents show the university used $374,000 in grant money for, among other things, a $269,000 feasibility study, $12,000 for an architect and $19,000 on marketing materials. A non-refundable deposit on the land deal cost $25,000. About $600 in grant money was spent on working lunches, an expense that school officials now say was improper. School leaders also authorized spending almost $324,000 in university funds on the effort, including almost $37,000 in legal fees and $20,000 for site selection costs. The university paid a project manager $267,000 for about three years of work, according to payroll records. Advertisement But when asked in a November interview whether any university money was directed to the West Side campus, Chicago State general counsel Patrick Cage denied it. "The money that we tapped into was advance money that we received from the legislature and nothing more," Cage said. Asked why Cage provided inaccurate information, Land said he "misspoke." Cage, as of May, no longer works at Chicago State and did not respond to messages seeking additional comment. Funding for a second campus got underway in July 2011 when university leaders signed a grant agreement with the state's Capital Development Board. The contract stipulated the school would get $1 million initially, and then three more installments of $1 million, as needed, after the university submitted documentation of its spending and progress with the project. The first $1 million arrived in August 2011, according to a university bank statement. The following year, the university hired Bruce Washington, a political insider with a history of government jobs with Chicago, Cook County and the state, to oversee the work. Advertisement Washington, who lives in the South Austin neighborhood, said he heard about the project manager position through industry and community contacts, and submitted his resume touting his background in capital planning. "I'm very familiar with the West Side. I have the pulse of the community here and I knew what we'd be looking for," Washington said. "I've been managing projects all of my career. I just thought it would be a good fit for me and I thought it would be a good fit for them." The chief of police and university services, then Ronnie Watson, approved Washington's hiring in October 2012, records show. University officials said they did not know whether other candidates were considered. Payroll records show Washington was paid $85,000 a year between October 2012 and June 2015, when his contract expired. He then was given a one-day contract on October 30, 2015 that paid him more than $18,000, records show. University officials said the final payment compensated Washington for work he did after his contract ended. Nearly all the spending the university did to launch the project occurred after Washington was hired. Advertisement University officials considered four locations in three neighborhoods for the second campus. Once university leaders settled on the Homan Square site, they paid $25,000 to the seller, the first part of a $300,000 deposit for the land. Then-university President Wayne Watson signed the purchase agreement in September 2014, according to a copy of the contract produced by the university. "We would have pursued this contract much differently with accountability and transparency," Interim President Rachel W. Lindsey said. It does not appear that any of the spending went before the board for review or a public vote, according to board meeting minutes. Washington, in addition to being project manager, also served as "fiscal officer" for the work and approved all the spending, university officials said. Planning hit a road block when it came time to map out the most ambitious stages of the work, Washington said. Once a property agreement was in place, university leaders prepared to hire an architect to design the building and grounds, complete the $5.25 million purchase of the property and start looking for construction firms. To do all that, Washington said, the university would need about $9 million, more funding than what had been released by the state. Advertisement Washington said the state legislature never acted on the university's request in 2014 to release additional money from the $39 million remaining on the original grant. In July 2015, Gov. Bruce Rauner suspended non-transportation capital projects and grants as part of wide-ranging budget cuts, pushing back against a Democratic-endorsed spending plan that was more than $3 billion short. That touched off an unprecedented stalemate that has resulted in 23 months with no budget from Springfield. With funding frozen, work ground to a halt. "We still held out hope that the project itself would be reactivated, but if you don't have the money, you can't do a whole lot," Washington said. About $626,000 of the state grant remains in university accounts, according to school documents, and cannot be used for any other purpose. The unfulfilled promise of funding from Springfield for new higher education facilities is not unique to Chicago State. Advertisement Northern Illinois University, for example, is still waiting on $71 million pledged for a new education building. Illinois State University never received a $54 million allocation for a new visual arts center. A $72 million performing arts center at Western Illinois University stalled after the university spent millions on design fees. Dozens of smaller projects and funds promised for various campus renovations also remain on hold. Still, Chicago State leaders have not stopped formally requesting the money they were promised, and then some. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > As part its wish list for the fiscal year that starts in July, Chicago State asked for $61.3 million for the West Side campus: The original pledge of $40 million, plus another $21.3 million to fund expansion plans after the original buildings reach capacity. University officials acknowledge there is little chance of getting state money for a pricey expansion, but said they continue to believe there remains a need for a four-year university on the West Side. While it's not an active project, officials said they would again "consider a Westside campus expansion at a later time that's financially feasible for the university." University trustee Nicholas Gowen was more fatalistic about the project's future, saying that if the state provides funds for Chicago State, the money should instead help address a swelling backlog of capital and maintenance work at 95th Street and King Drive. "We want the $60 million," Gowen said. "We don't want the campus." Advertisement Chicago Tribune's Peter Matuszak contributed. drhodes@chicagotribune.com Twitter @rhodes_dawn Plans to redevelop the former site of Michael Reese Hospital, once proposed as the location for Chicago's Olympic Village, are moving forward with the mayor's announcement Friday of the development team. But many questions remain unanswered about the future of the 49-acre Bronzeville site, purchased by then-Mayor Richard M. Daley for $2 million an acre in 2009 for athletes who never arrived when Chicago lost its bid for the 2016 Games. The land, just south of McCormick Place, has sat vacant in city hands since a high-profile reminder of the money the city sunk into the Olympics gambit. Advertisement Mayor Rahm Emanuel has distanced himself from the purchase, describing it in the years since he took office as "a bad deal for taxpayers." Developers are now proposing a logistics center on the site to accommodate McCormick Place truck traffic on multiple levels, as well as a new event, exhibit or meeting space, city officials said. Future plans might also include more than 5 million square feet of technology-oriented commercial spaces, with room for retailers, homes and a hotel, depending on market demand. Advertisement While the Olympics plan called for lots of housing on the land, the new proposal is for mixed uses. City Building Department spokesman Peter Strazzabosco said the specific number of residential units "would be subject to market conditions and a phased, community-based development plan." But he noted the development team's response to the city request for proposals for the site calls for approximately 1,100 homes. Also included in the proposal are plans for a new park and Metra train station at 31st Street, new pedestrian walkways to the lakefront and a rebuilt Cottage Grove Avenue. The development team will be led by Farpoint Development, Draper & Kramer, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, McLaurin Development Partners and Bronzeville Community Development Partnership. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of the design and architecture firms behind the Chicago Public Library's Chinatown branch, is the project's consultant architect. The city last fall put out a request for proposals from developers for turning the land, which includes nearby truck yards, into something that would add vibrancy to Chicago's south lakefront communities. Some community leaders in Bronzeville said at the time that they wanted the city to think big and not build just another collection of residential high-rises that wouldn't provide jobs or attract visitors. The area had long been discussed as the potential site of a city-owned casino. But with that idea having failed repeatedly in Springfield, city Planning Commissioner David Reifman said the city is moving ahead without that possibility. "Casinos are not on the table. We don't have legislation for a casino," Reifman said at a Friday morning news conference at the property to announce the agreement. Reifman said he wouldn't speculate whether a casino would be part of the plan if the state legislature did approve a casino license for the city. He said that with recent growth in the nearby Bronzeville neighborhood, the time is right to push ahead with developing the Reese location. "We put out this RFP because we think the market is strong right now," Reifman said. "Under the mayor, we are pushing all these sites I've discussed because we are seeing a continued era of economic expansion." Advertisement The 10-year project is expected to create about 24,000 permanent jobs and more than 12,000 construction jobs. City officials said they estimate the redevelopment to generate more than $520 million in property taxes and $164 million in sales taxes. The proposal's specifics still must be worked out and zoning approval would need to be given by the City Council for projects on specific parts of the parcel. And the sale of the massive piece of land still must be negotiated, with the purchase likely taking place in phases over several years, Reifman said. The developers' starting offer to buy the Reese site and marshaling yards is $144.45 million, city officials said. The overall scope of the project also needs to be finalized through a community-based process, which is subject to approval by the City Council and Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, city officials said. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Emanuel said at an unrelated event on Friday that redevelopment of the Reese site should fit well with development plans for the Obama Presidential Center and future expansion of the University of Chicago. He declined to say exactly what he'd like to see built on the site but echoed city planners' vision for a mix of uses, completed in stages. "Michael Reese was empty. It was purchased for an Olympics that never came to Chicago, and it was a drain on resources that I, multiple times, tried to figure out a way to not make it a big drain on the city," Emanuel said. "Now, we're going to have it drive economic growth and job creation for the city of Chicago." Chicago Tribune's Bill Ruthhart contributed. Advertisement jebyrne@chicagotribune.com meltagouri@chicagotribune.com Twitter @_johnbyrne Twitter @marwaeltagouri Casper police are asking for the public's help in collecting information about a dog that was fatally shot in its yard Wednesday evening. A woman called the department Thursday morning to report that her dog died Wednesday evening and that her veterinarian said the dog had been shot, Sgt. Scott Jones said. The woman told police that she let the dog out at about 5 p.m. just before leaving her house on the 1300 block of East Eighth Street. When she returned a few hours later she found the dog in poor health. She attempted to take the dog to the veterinarian, but it died before it could receive medical care. The veterinarian told her that it appeared the dog had been shot. Officers investigated the allegations and found indications that the dog had indeed been shot, likely with a small caliber firearm, Jones said. The sergeant said he didn't know where on its body the dog had been wounded. "The bottom line is that it's inexcusable for someone to do that," Jones said. He said that the case presents several issues, including shooting a defenseless animal and discharging a firearm inside city limits. He said Thursday afternoon that investigators had no persons of interest and that anybody with information about the incident should call the police department at 307-235-8278. "It's still an open case, but we're just looking for the public's help," he said. The search resumed Friday for a man who jumped into the Fox River in Algonquin after failing to pay a restaurant tab and was swept over a dam. People fishing saw the man plunge into the river near Illinois Route 62 and North River Road about 9 p.m. Thursday, according to Battalion Chief Bill Hough of the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District. Police believe the man jumped in the river after fleeing from a restaurant where he didn't pay his bill, Algonquin police Chief John Bucci said in a news release. Police received a call about 9:20 p.m. Thursday after a man left Nero's Restaurant at 300 Eastgate Court without paying his tab. As officers were responding to that report, officers learned the man ran toward the Fox River and jumped in. Crews searched the area until midnight and returned at 6 a.m. Friday. Police said they were trying to identify the man. Check back for updates. An appeals court has upheld a $1.5 million judgment against Six Flags Great America for a woman whose hand was seriously injured on a waterslide. Shatoya Meeks filed a lawsuit claiming that in July 2011, while riding the Wahoo Racer at the Gurnee amusement park's Hurricane Harbor water park, she suffered cuts and torn ligaments to her wrist and hands. A worker there said the injury left the water at the bottom of the slide bloody, according to court records. Advertisement Meeks' attorneys claim in the suit that park workers operated the slide negligently, failed to warn customers adequately and failed to inspect the ride properly before its operation. Great America attorneys countered that Meeks' negligence contributed to the accident, claiming she should have been more attentive while on the ride. Advertisement At issue in the appeal was Great America's initial failure to make available for questioning the dispatcher, attendant and inspector of the waterslide. Park officials initially indicated they could not be identified until four days before trial last year in Lake County court, according to the appellate ruling issued Wednesday. Meeks' attorney did not want to delay the trial, claiming that the experience caused her to suffer post-traumatic stress. On the slide, patrons rode headfirst on mats, starting in a tube that led to an open-air portion. The dispatcher at top instructed riders how to use the slide, and an attendant at the bottom monitored riders as they descended. Each morning, before the slide opened, a worker would ride down the slide to make sure it was working safely, and once a week, a worker inspected the fiberglass slide for nicks or damage that would create sharp or jagged areas, the opinion stated. The manual from the slide's manufacturer recommended instead that the ride be inspected every day before turning the water on, according to the ruling. Meeks testified that while going down the slide, she felt a blunt force to her hands and right ankle, the ruling stated. When the ride was over, she saw that her hands were bleeding. She was taken to a local hospital, where surgery was performed on her left hand. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Despite the surgery, Meeks was no longer able to move three fingers on that hand, and couldn't work at her job as an administrative assistant, which primarily involved data entry, according to court records. Meeks testified that she had difficulty with daily activities like brushing her teeth and cooking for her children, and she suffered throbbing pain and nightmares about the incident. Lake County Judge Diane Winter told the jurors that Great America had failed to offer the testimony of the workers and medical attendant at the ride at the time of the incident, along with a witness statement and lifeguard rescue report, and that jurors could infer that the missing information would be adverse to the park. Advertisement Park attorneys argued that the trial should have been delayed, and that the jury instructions were unfair. They appealed, but the appellate court ruled with Meeks, stating that the park was free to dispute any negative inference by showing it operated the slide safely. Neither Meeks, her attorney, nor attorneys for the amusement park could be reached for comment. rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com Twitter @RobertMcCoppin The casket containingthe remains of Grant Nelson, 34, is brought out after hisfuneral service at Chicago Jewish Funerals in Skokie on June 2, 2017. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) Uber driver Grant Nelson spent his last evening alive talking and laughing with his parents and brother around the dinner table. Then he got an Uber alert and left to pick up a customer. "That was the last time that we saw him," said Tina Nelson, his mother, who got word early the next morning that her 34-year-old son had been stabbed and was in the hospital. Advertisement "He was doing everything he could to earn a living and this terrible, terrible thing happened to him," she said. "It's beyond belief ... beyond sad." Nelson, of Wilmette, was hacked and stabbed to death by a 16-year-old girl who had just stolen a machete and knife from Walmart in Skokie, authorities said. They allege that the attack was unprovoked, occurring moments after Eliza Wasni got into Nelson's car about 3:20 a.m. Tuesday in Lincolnwood. Advertisement The Chicago teen has been charged in adult court with first-degree murder and is being held without bond in a juvenile facility. "I know people go through terrible situations of this sort and they survive, and you do wonder how," Tina Nelson said. Friday afternoon, a large crowd packed a Skokie chapel for Nelson's funeral, where his mother, brother Todd, sister Alex and father Leonard all spoke, the service punctuated by sobs but also laughter. "He never lifted his fist or his voice in anger," Todd Nelson said of his brother, whom he called "a kind soul in a cruel world. ... I hope I can live by the example that (he) showed." A funeral service was held for Grant Nelson, 34, an Uber driver who was killed earlier this week allegedly by a ride-sharing customer. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune) (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) Leonard Nelson said that in the days since his son died, friends, relatives and neighbors have shared with him how Grant Nelson helped them. His son was never going to be a CEO or a politician but he was a "good, kind, loyal" son, brother and friend, "and that would have been enough." Prior to the funeral, other old friends of Nelson's from Wilmette recalled him as gracious, funny and well-read. "Grant encapsulated what we seek in a lifelong friend. He was a kind, empathetic and extremely funny human being who could always be counted on to lift your spirits when life had you down," Geoff Teal said prior to the funeral. He attended New Trier High School with Nelson. Advertisement Another high school friend, Lee Selker, who now lives overseas, recalled meeting Nelson for lunch the last time he was in town for what turned into a talk that lasted several hours. Fellow Wilmette friend Neil Visalvanich said they talked about movies, books, politics, music and religion. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "When we first met, we struck up a conversation and essentially didn't stop talking for almost 20 years," Visalvanich said. "I'll miss our talks and his kindness and generosity dearly." At Wasni's initial court hearing in Cook County on Wednesday, authorities said she stabbed Nelson multiple times. He ran to a nearby building seeking help and she tried to drive off in his car but then fled on foot after striking a median, prosecutors said. She was located nearby a short time later, still holding the knife and machete; a blood-stained Cubs shirt she had been seen wearing in Walmart surveillance video also was found nearby, they said. Nelson was able to describe his attacker before he died, authorities said. Tina Nelson said she felt compelled to attend the hearing; family members at times sobbed in court as the attack was described. "We had to sit there and we had to hear it. For him. Because somehow I had to let him know I know what happened to him and that I was so sorry I couldn't be there to help him," she said. Advertisement Nelson's family also issued a statement: "To Uber, Lyft and taxicab drivers, who take us all where we need to go: We pray that you will remain safe and free from harm, and hope that if anything can be done to increase your safety, it will be done." At the funeral, Nelson's sister Alex thanked nearby residents who called 911, the paramedics who fought to save his life and the state's attorney's office. Susan Berger is a freelance reporter. With a 2018 re-election bid already in full swing, Gov. Bruce Rauner is running on the idea that he's standing in the way of Democrats intent on "sticking it to taxpayers." (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) SPRINGFIELD As the final hours of the spring session ticked down, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner railed against Democrats for failing to send him a budget and for letting the state government stalemate spill into its 24th month. The public scolding came after Rauner had spent time working to ensure that a Democrat-led attempt to pass a spending plan with multiple tax increases never made it to his desk. Advertisement With a 2018 re-election bid already in full swing, Rauner is running on the idea that he's standing in the way of Democrats intent on "sticking it to taxpayers." When Senate Democrats approved a budget with $5.4 billion in tax hikes after growing frustrated with what they said were endless delays and excuses, Rauner blasted them last week. As House Democrats were behind closed doors on Memorial Day considering whether to vote for the tax hikes, Rauner's budget director sent a memo warning them not to support it because the governor would get out his veto pen. Advertisement That the governor made a point of getting out in front of the Democrats' budget efforts illustrates the tricky politics at play in the stalemate. While Rauner's reelection strategy hinges on branding Democrats as tax-happy, he might have had difficulty explaining to voters why he vetoed a budget that would raise taxes but also would have ended an impasse that's diminished the state's financial standing, decimated social services and starved universities. Now Rauner and lawmakers are headed to an overtime session, prompting immediate downgrades of the state's bond rating Thursday to one notch above junk status the lowest status on record for a U.S. state. S&P analyst Gabriel Petek cited the "unrelenting political brinkmanship" as the cause. For his part, Rauner did a series of media interviews, telling the Chicago Tribune the gridlock at the Capitol is "about the people of Illinois versus the insiders in government," not a partisan fight that if unchanged could leave the state without a budget during his four years in office. "That would be horrible. That would be tragic failure," he said. "This is not about Democrats versus Republicans. It really isn't. It's come across, it's spun that way, but it's about the current system and changing the system." Rauner also vowed to veto two bills Democrats approved Wednesday on the final day of session: a $15-an-hour statewide minimum wage by 2022 and a rewrite of how the state distributes money for schools. The governor called the minimum wage bill "extreme" and labeled the education bill a Chicago Public Schools bailout. And despite his re-election talk that he's the one fighting a Democratic tax hike, Rauner made clear that he would sign a tax hike into law if he got items on his wish list he says will boost Illinois' economy. "I have not changed. I have always said that I will, reluctantly, but I am willing to support new taxes as part of a structural change to our system," Rauner said in a Thursday interview. "If a package included reforms to grow jobs and provide lasting, true property tax relief, bring down the cost of government and help to start the process of fixing our broken political system through term limits, if a package included that, I would support some new revenues." Getting to that point in negotiations with Democrats has proved elusive, however. The governor already has put $50 million of his own money into his re-election bid and given millions more to the Illinois Republican Party, which has been plastering Democratic districts with attack ads. Advertisement Asked about those ads, which ran during the make-or-break final month of the session, Rauner said, "I don't know, I mean, whatever. I spend no time thinking about the politics. That's separate and I don't spend time on it." "There are people outside of government whose job is the politics and the messaging around politics," Rauner continued. "That's its own process. I literally, I mean, I probably spend 2 percent of my time or my thought process on that stuff outside, you know, in the evening or weekend. But it's virtually none of my time." Senate Democrats blamed Rauner's ongoing campaign for poisoning their attempts to negotiate a budget with Senate Republicans. "It was literally every week, we were met back in the district with, 'All they want to do is raise your taxes, they don't want to vote on any reforms,'" said Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields, who was among the bipartisan group of senators working since January to strike a "grand bargain" on the budget. For months, Rauner lavished praise on the Senate negotiators, predicting the talks were close to a resolution. The idea was for the two sides to agree on a plan to raise taxes, cut spending and grant Rauner some of the items on his legislative wish list, including changes to the state's insurance system for injured workers and a freeze on property taxes. The governor leaned heavily on the Senate talks in his February budget proposal, which left a $4.57 billion line-item titled "working together on 'grand bargain.'" As the group got closer to a deal, Rauner swept in from the sidelines to tank it, according to the Senate Democrats. Advertisement "He hijacked the grand bargain," said Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago. "He came in, in the middle of the process, told Republicans to vote no, and didn't give the support. And therefore as a result, the same thing happened over in the House. Republicans didn't vote for anything, with some exceptions. And as a result, we don't have a budget." Senate Democrats hold a veto-proof supermajority, and they went ahead and voted on the taxing-and-spending plan that had been part of the negotiations. They also passed bills on a number of Rauner's top issues, but only after making major changes the governor said rendered them "not real." Over in the House, where Speaker Michael Madigan presides over a majority that's a handful short of being veto-proof, the Senate's budget was never called. "Some of our people are concerned and have observed how the governor worked with the Senate Democrats, where he would negotiate then back away, negotiate then back away," Madigan said Wednesday. The decision to hold off on the budget matter allowed Madigan to shield his members from taking unpopular votes to raise taxes that could end up being advertised on Republican campaign mailers. The job only gets more difficult now. With less than a month before a new budget year begins, Rauner and his Republicans will need to join with Democrats if they want to keep schools open and other services funded, since the rules of the General Assembly require a three-fifths vote after May 31. The same dynamic played out a year ago, and the two sides came together on a stopgap spending plan on the final day of June. Advertisement While Democrats question whether Rauner wants a resolution to the stalemate, Republicans think it's Madigan who's playing politics with the budget. "I think it makes it a lot harder for (Rauner) to get reelected if we don't have a budget," said Rep. Mark Batinick, a Plainfield Republican. "I think that the speaker knows if we do stopgap, stopgap, stopgap and just hobble government for the next year and a half, that's the best chance of a Democratic governor." Asked about that theory, Madigan reply was brief: "If you want to listen to the Republicans, God bless you." Rep. Christian Mitchell, a Chicago Democrat, said the governor's contradictions spooked Democrats. "He's saying privately that he understands that there needs to be revenue to balance the budget even if he gets his reforms, but then he's sending out letters saying, 'Hey we deserve a budget with no tax increases,'" Mitchell said. "Or sending out tweets that say, 'Taxes aren't the answer. We need reform.' So you're sort of saying one thing in public and another thing in private, and I think there are many who would argue that reveals your character." Rauner says Senate talks fell apart because Democrats weren't willing to give him what he needed from his legislative agenda. For example, he said, Democrats wouldn't meet him halfway on his request for a local property tax freeze. Advertisement Initially, Rauner wanted lawmakers to enact a two-year freeze that would allow local governments to find savings in their budgets by loosening requirements around collective bargaining in public works and school boards. That provision was rejected as anti-union by Democrats, who rely on organized labor for campaign money and volunteers. Rauner said he offered to drop the collective bargaining provisions in exchange for making the property tax freeze effective for four years instead of two, but Democrats rejected the offer. Rauner also said Democrats "hijacked" legislation that rewrites the formula that determines how tax dollars are doled out to elementary and high schools. In the final days of session, Democrats amended the bill to change the formula in ways that would benefit CPS. Fixing the formula had been a priority for Rauner, but the changes to give extra help to CPS turned him against the plan. The governor's office said he'll veto the bill. "Now they'll spin it as 'the governor doesn't want his own education funding,' which is false," Rauner said. "Or they'll say the governor hates Chicago school children. I mean, good grief." That dispute followed a regional theme that has become a familiar flashpoint since Rauner took office. Advertisement "Once you get inside government, you see that the state government has been rigged to send extra money to Chicago in various ways that aren't known and not easy to figure out," said Rauner, who campaigned as an outsider and wrapped his third session Thursday. "And people who -- once you get inside government, you see it and you get upset about it." Chicago Tribune's Haley BeMiller contributed. kgeiger@chicagotribune.com mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com Ald. Ameya Pawar, 47th, shownat a March 2017 Chicago City Council meeting, opposed President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune) Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here. Topspin Chicago aldermen teed off on President Donald Trump's environmental policies Thursday, hours before Trump announced he was pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement. Advertisement The Republican president isn't waiting on Chicago Democrats to weigh in as he sets his agenda, and local officials are powerless to curb his authority on most matters. Still, members of the City Council and Mayor Rahm Emanuel have rarely passed up a chance to score some political points by swinging away at Trump's many moves that have been unpopular in the largely Democratic city. Ald. Ameya Pawar, who's seeking progressive support in his campaign for governor, took the opportunity at the City Hall news conference to reference the environmental calamities that beset the world in a 1973 dystopian sci-fi classic starring Northwestern alum Charlton Heston. Advertisement "At times I feel like I'm living in the movie 'Soylent Green,' " Pawar said. "This idea that we're debating defunding the (Environmental Protection Agency's) Great Lakes dollars, there isn't a single human being who can survive without access to fresh and clean water, potable water." And Ald. George Cardenas simply questioned whether Trump is right in the head. "I just don't think he's well. I think this president's just off his rocker," he said. Emanuel later released a statement calling Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris accord "a poor attempt to pit environmental protection and economic growth against each other." (John Byrne) What's on tap *Mayor Emanuel and the Blackstone Foundation are announcing the grantees of the Blackstone Inclusive Entrepreneurship Challenge. *Gov. Rauner will appear on WBEZ's "Morning Shift" program at 9 a.m. From the notebook *On the Sunday Spin: Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests are Greg Baise, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, Democratic governor candidate Chris Kennedy and Republican state Rep. Keith Wheeler of Oswego. The "Sunday Spin" airs from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on WGN 720-AM. What we're writing *How Rauner stopped a tax hike from landing on his desk (a look back at the spring session). *Facing questions about Blagojevich wiretaps, Pritzker airs ad attacking Rauner. Advertisement *Emanuel's latest possible tax hike: 911 phone fees. *State lawmakers vote to hang up on landline phones. *Chicago-area Republican congressmen recommended U.S. attorney candidates to Trump. What we're reading *Illinois' credit rating cut to near-junk status by Moody's and S&P, lowest ever for a U.S. state. *Feds want reputed mob figure's union duties limited while he awaits trial. Advertisement *United plane returns to O'Hare after hitting flock of birds. Follow the money *Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here. Beyond Chicago *Trump pulls U.S. from Paris climate deal. *Putin hints at private Russian hackers' potential work in U.S. *Trump declines to move U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. Advertisement *France warns of risk of cyber war. SPRINGFIELD A former Illinois state senator has filed a lawsuit seeking to recoup money he lost when lawmakers voted to skip annual cost-of-living pay increases. Michael Noland, a Democrat from Elgin, contends that not getting the raises violates a provision in the Illinois Constitution that bars changes to a lawmaker's pay during a term in office. Advertisement He filed the lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court on Thursday, a day after Illinois lawmakers once again finished a spring session without a budget plan in place, leaving schools, universities and social services providers with uncertainty about the future. Noland served in the Senate from 2007 until earlier this year, after losing a primary bid for Congress to U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. The lawsuit lists Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who oversees the state's checkbook, as the defendant. Advertisement According to court documents, Noland is seeking pay for himself "and all others impacted" after lawmakers passed eight different bills from 2009 to 2016 to forgo the cost-of-living increases legislators would have automatically received unless they were voted down. He also wants to be paid for furlough days put in place during that same time frame, saying the state Constitution "prohibits mid-term manipulation of state legislators' salaries for personal or political gain." The filing asks that lawmakers be allowed to donate possible payments from the suit back to the state. Noland did not return a message seeking comment. Mendoza's office declined to weigh in, saying she was not comptroller during the time period in question. Lawmakers approved the popular pay curbs during the state's ongoing financial crisis, though some have contended that doing so is a political stunt designed to pander to voters. Noland in 2012 voted in favor of at least one of the bills to cut out pay raises. That measure passed the Senate without opposition, and Noland was quoted as supporting the legislation in a statement posted on the Illinois Senate Democrats website. "We need structural tax reform to properly fund our most important priorities like education, health care and the ongoing need for infrastructure," Noland said at the time. "Until we do this, the least we can do is cut our own pay again. I know most working families in Illinois are not seeing raises this year, so we shouldn't either." Noland's finances came up in last year's congressional race as Krishnamoorthi's opponents tried to position themselves as best able to relate to the middle class. Noland, an attorney who has an MBA, pulled in about $76,000 from the state and $10,000 from his law practice in 2014, according to his financial disclosure statement. He cited "financial hardship" in 2014 when he modified his mortgage through a federal assistance program that helps homeowners reduce monthly payments and avoid foreclosure. Advertisement In an interview at the time, Noland said his family faced a number of financial obligations, including student loans and private school tuition for his daughter. The senator also said his family struggled after then-Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn zeroed out lawmakers' salaries during a 2013 budget fight. Lawmakers went about two months without paychecks before a judge ruled the move unconstitutional and ordered the money paid out. Earlier this year, a judge ruled that the comptroller's office can't delay lawmaker paychecks even in the midst of a historic state budget stalemate. Former Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger, a Republican, put their salaries in the long line with Illinois' other past-due bills in an effort to make officials feel the pain of the budget stalemate. Mendoza, a Democrat, continued the policy after defeating Munger in a November special election. Later, a handful of Democratic lawmakers asked a judge to compel the comptroller to pay their salaries ahead of other past-due bills. They said state law requires lawmakers to be paid in 12 equal monthly installments. mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com Twitter @MoniqueGarcia Lately, when Mayor Rahm Emanuel has spoken about his No. 1 political foil, he has bashed Gov. Bruce Rauner for presiding over a do-nothing tenure as the state's chief executive. When asked Friday, though, about Rauner's plans to veto a bill that would change how the state divvies up education money and send more to Chicago Public Schools, Emanuel tried a new tactic motivational speaking. Advertisement "You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rewrite and right a wrong that has existed for decades, as it relates to funding for education and the formula," Emanuel said in a message intended for Rauner, but delivered to a collection of television cameras and reporters standing in the corner of a Pilsen former macaroni factory that's now a hub for tech startups. "Everybody knows the education funding is inadequate in Illinois and the funding is fundamentally broken and discriminatory," the mayor continued. "He has a unique opportunity to be the governor who changes that course that people have talked about for decades." Advertisement Emanuel wasn't done selling Rauner. "Rather than talk about veto, read the education bill, realize this would be a landmark accomplishment for your administration and more importantly, it would be a landmark accomplishment for the children of the state of Illinois, who would be treated and funded equally as it relates to education," Emanuel told the gaggle of reporters. The mayor's message is likely to have little sway on Rauner, who has said he would veto the education funding measure. The governor has cast it as a bailout for Chicago. Emanuel is trying to persuade the public just as much as the governor as he continues to oversee a school district with deep financial woes. The onetime vacation friends both are trying to portray themselves as the most reasonable of the two politicians, even as they spend much of their time behind microphones criticizing the leadership skills of the other. Emanuel contends the state's school funding formula long has been unfair to Chicago and urban school districts and it's time to right historic wrongs. Rauner says he's a caring advocate for Chicago schools, but says the most recent proposals lawmakers voted to send him went too far to help Chicago Public Schools when compared with the rest of the state. "I care deeply about Chicago schools. I always have, and I want them to get more resources," Rauner said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. "But I work for every child and teacher in the state, and it has to be balanced." The education funding bill passed late in the legislative session Wednesday, the governor said, was a "huge bailout for CPS that's unfair to Illinois taxpayers." Though lawmakers voted to approve it, a Democratic senator used a procedural move to keep the paperwork off Rauner's desk for now. Advertisement Rauner has said fixing the funding formula is a top priority, but late changes to the legislation that gave extra help for CPS was a step too far. "I work for everybody. I want to have balance," Rauner said. "I want to do more for Chicago. I want to get more money for Chicago schools. But we all have to do it in the context where it's not special treatment for Chicago." Since the legislative session ended, both Emanuel and Rauner have struck a somewhat more positive tone on the education funding issue amid the annual political spin session that follows after lawmakers leave the Capitol. The mayor, though, couldn't manage to stick to his motivational message for the entire nine-minute news conference Friday. After all, Emanuel said, Rauner still hasn't signed a full state budget as governor. That, the mayor said, should give Rauner all the more reason to score an accomplishment on school funding. "I think it's a unique opportunity for the governor to get something done," Emanuel said, "rather than stop something, anything and any progress, which has been the hallmark of his tenure." Advertisement Chicago Tribune's Monique Garcia and Kim Geiger contributed from Springfield. bruthhart@chicagotribune.com Twitter @BillRuthhart WASHINGTON The first crack at vetting candidates to be the next U.S. attorney for the Chicago area went to three local Republican lawmakers: U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam, Randy Hultgren and Adam Kinzinger. Roskam, a lawyer and six-term House member from Wheaton, said Thursday the White House reached out to the Republicans in the state's congressional delegation for the names of prospective candidates for the region's top federal prosecutor. Advertisement Though the Republicans have forwarded candidate names to President Donald Trump's administration, the state's two Democratic senators now are flexing their muscles to underscore they have a say in the process. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth this week named 15 legal experts to "Senators' Screening Committees" to weigh who should get the job. The senators say the panels will review candidates identified by the Trump administration and Illinois Republican congressmen for the top prosecutor jobs, top federal marshal posts and judgeships. Perhaps more importantly, the Democratic senators are telling Republicans they can sink any potential White House nominee for the jobs. Advertisement How what has been a simmering, months-long feud between the GOP House members and the two Democratic senators will play out is unclear. Roskam said about 20 potential U.S. attorney candidates came to three GOP lawmakers' attention. He declined to say how many were interviewed and how many finalists' names went to the White House. Nor would he name the finalists, which is not unusual. "We gave the White House our perspective in terms of names we think they should interact with," Roskam said, adding that the White House will "communicate with the senators and make a decision." "We did the interviews, gave names and then it's up to the White House and the (two Illinois) senators to sort from there," he said. A White House spokesman said Thursday that all the recommendations that have been put up "will be reviewed in a few weeks and then the interviews begin," declining other questions. But it's not likely a full-fledged replacement for the former U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon will take over soon. He resigned in mid-March along with about 40 other Obama-era prosecutors whom the Justice Department abruptly asked to step down. With so many top federal prosecutors' jobs up for grabs around the country and the time it takes for the vetting they undergo even before reaching the Senate for consideration it may be months before a Fardon replacement is installed. Meantime, the local U.S. attorney's office has been overseen since March 13 by acting U.S. Attorney Joel R. Levin, who had been Fardon's first assistant. The U.S. attorney's mission includes rooting out public corruption, dismantling street gangs and battling terrorism, cybercrime, securities fraud and an array of other violations. Advertisement Top federal prosecutors serve under the direction of the U.S. attorney general as the nation's principal litigators, also handling the prosecution and defense of civil cases to which the United States is a party. Roskam said he, Hultgren and Kinzinger were tasked with vetting potential top prosecutors for the northern district by the most senior congressional Republican in the state, Rep. John Shimkus, because their three districts include the Chicago-area federal district. The same process was used in the state's central and southern districts with Downstate House Republicans, Roskam said. It's been several years since the state had two Democratic senators Durbin and then-Sen. Barack Obama, from early 2005 to late 2008 while a Republican, George W. Bush, held the White House. Talks about the matter between Durbin, Duckworth and Shimkus, took place just days before Trump's inauguration. Durbin noted then the state for almost 20 years had taken a bipartisan approach to recommending candidates to the White House, but Shimkus said he was not prepared to use the approach until he consulted the White House and the incoming attorney general, according to a letter the senators released in March. Durbin declined to comment. An aide to Duckworth said both Shimkus and the White House understood the senators' ability to block nominees and "nobody wants that to happen." The Duckworth aide said the first step for their screening committees would be to vet candidates put up by the White House and state Republicans. Advertisement When asked if that could change, and the names of other potential nominees would be forwarded by Durbin and Duckworth, the aide said: "It's not subject to change as of now." As in Chicago, the other two U.S. attorney jobs in Illinois are being held by acting top prosecutors, according to DOJ's Hornbuckle. There are also two U.S. District Court judgeships in Illinois that are vacant, out of 130 federal judicial vacancies nationwide, and one open U.S. marshal's spot, this one in Illinois' central district, officials said. kskiba@chicagotribune.com Twitter @KatherineSkiba Emails reviewed by the Tribune were provided by the city in response to an open records request. They are just some of the allegedly racist and sexist messages that are part of an investigation, a source said. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) A former city Water Department superintendent used his work email to distribute anti-Obama polemics, with some of his messages veering off into racially insensitive, anti-Islamic and sexist territory, documents obtained by the Tribune show. Some of the emails were sent to former water Commissioner Barrett Murphy and former Managing Deputy Commissioner William Bresnahan, according to the documents. Advertisement Both resigned last month amid a Department of Water Management shakeup that sources said was triggered by an inspector general's investigation into racist and sexist email messages distributed within the long-troubled agency. District Superintendent Paul Hansen, who sent the messages, also resigned. A man who identified himself over the phone as Hansen hung up Friday on a Tribune reporter trying to ask questions about the emails. Attempts to reach Murphy and Bresnahan were not successful. Advertisement The emails reviewed by the Tribune were provided by the city in response to an open records request. They are just some of the allegedly racist and sexist messages that are part of the investigation, a source familiar with the matter said. A message sent by Hansen to Murphy and Bresnahan in March 2014 includes a missive penned by "an American citizen" in response to an imprecisely quoted statement by then-President Barack Obama that "Islam has always been a part of America's history." It goes on to falsely contend that Muslims played no role in several significant historical events, including the Civil War and the civil rights era, and conclude: "Muslim Heritage, my ass." In January 2014, Hansen sent a message first to Murphy and minutes later to Bresnahan about checking a water fountain on the 2700 block of Irving Park Road, the site of Horner Park. "Got a call from an asian carp calling from his obama issued aquaphone tellin me it taste funny!" Hansen wrote. Hansen that same month also forwarded to Murphy a series of images of anti-Obama signs the email says were posted along a highway in Seattle. In November 2015, Hansen and other supervisors circulated a lengthy, profanity-laced anti-Obama joke among one another. In a February 2014 email, Hansen uses sexist language as he makes fun of a colleague in response to a lengthy message he sent to Hansen about a frozen water main. "After all that long winded jib jab that i could get plenty of at home with the kotex mafia, you going back!" Hansen wrote. Hansen also was the recipient of a March 2014 email that linked to an online video showing several Kenyans unsuccessfully trying to fly an aircraft they had built. "They are human beings. Just like us! Only 100 years later," reads a message in bold above the link. That message also was received by a department foreman. Advertisement Hours after the city released the emails to the Tribune, new water Commissioner Randy Conner announced that all managers and supervisors in his department would be provided with additional training on federal Equal Employment Opportunity regulations designed to prevent discrimination in the workplace. City officials also said that additional training for other city departments would follow and that the city was hiring the Foley & Lardner law firm "to conduct an independent, third-party review of the city's diversity and equal employment opportunity policy and make recommendations to prevent and address discrimination in the workplace." The probe that led to the resignations of Murphy, Bresnahan and Hansen began more than eight months ago. Inspector General Joseph Ferguson's office was looking into water department emails about gun deals when it discovered sexist and racist emails, sources have told the Tribune. Hansen's computer was seized as part of the investigation, the sources said. Murphy, the former commissioner, is married to Lynn Lockwood, who at one time was chairman and treasurer of one of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's political funds and is a friend of Chicago first lady Amy Rule. Emanuel last month said he was made aware by Ferguson's office of a problem with "one particular employee" and "in that process, it exposed a culture in the Water Department workplace" that doesn't represent city values. Advertisement He also said that Murphy agreed after the emails surfaced that there should be a reset in the culture of the agency, now headed by Conner, who moved over from the city Department of Transportation. Hansen has his own political connections. He's the son of former 44th Ward Ald. Bernard Hansen. The Water Department was long rattled by negative headlines under former Mayor Richard M. Daley's administration, which was rocked by the Hired Truck scandal and an illegal jobs scam run under former top water official Donald Tomczak, who served time in prison. Under Tomczak, jobs and promotions were handed out in exchange for political work, creating an army of ground troops for multiple political campaigns, including Emanuel's successful 2002 bid for Congress. Chicago Tribune's Todd Lighty contributed. hdardick@chicagotribune.com Advertisement Twitter @ReporterHal Oscar Lopez Rivera is welcomed back to Humboldt Park in Chicago after being released from house arrest. The Puerto Rican nationalist was arrested in the 1980s and, after years in prison, was granted clemency by President Barack Obama. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) A Puerto Rican nationalist recently freed from prison has agreed to step aside from any formal role in New York City's Puerto Rican Day parade, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Thursday. "Oscar Lopez Rivera agreeing to step aside from any formal role in the parade is a critical step forward in refocusing our city's attention on the more important issues facing Puerto Rico," the Democratic mayor said in a statement. Advertisement Parade organizers had planned to honor Oscar Lopez Rivera, a member of the Armed Forces of National Liberation, or FALN, which claimed responsibility for more than 100 bombings in the 1970s and 1980s. Lopez Rivera was not charged with carrying out any of the bombings himself, but he was convicted of charges including seditious conspiracy and served more than 35 years in prison before his sentence was commuted by Democratic President Barack Obama. Advertisement The parade's decision to honor Lopez prompted sponsors including Coca-Cola, JetBlue and AT&T to drop out of the June 11 march up Fifth Avenue. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo also said he wouldn't be marching. Hispanic societies in both the Fire Department of New York and the New York Police Department also said they would not be sending delegations this year, and the police commissioner said he wouldn't march. Law enforcement officers were among those injured in the FALN blasts. It still wasn't clear late Thursday if Lopez Rivera still planned to march in the parade or what role, if any, his presence would constitute. A message left with the mayor's office wasn't immediately returned. The parade's board of directors issued a statement saying they looked forward to marching with Lopez Rivera "not as an honoree but as a humble Puerto Rican and grandfather." Parade organizers have said they stand by their decision to honor Lopez Rivera as "Procer de la Libertad" National Freedom Hero. The 74-year-old Lopez Rivera has thousands of supporters who see him as a political prisoner, jailed for seeking independence for Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. De Blasio is still marching, and more than 30 city lawmakers, including City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who was born in Puerto Rico, said they supported the decision to honor Lopez Rivera. "The parade has always been about Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans, not any one participant," de Blasio said. "Unfortunately, the parade and the plight of Puerto Rico have been overshadowed by needless controversy." Advertisement Though Lopez, a Vietnam War veteran who moved from Puerto Rico to Chicago as a child, wasn't convicted of having a role in the FALN bombings, those who lost loved ones hold him responsible. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 Oscar Lopez Rivera, center, is led by his brother Jose Lopez, right, into La Casita de Don Pedro in his first stop in Humboldt Park on May 18, 2017. President Barack Obama commuted Lopez's 70-year prison term in January, clearing the way for his early release. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) "This guy was convicted of leading the FALN that murdered people," Joseph Connor, whose father, Frank, was among four people killed in a 1975 bombing of the Fraunces Tavern in New York, told the Associated Press. Federal authorities charged Lopez in 1977 in connection with 16 Chicago area bombings. He remained a fugitive until he was captured in 1981 after police in north suburban Glenview stopped him for a routine traffic violation. Lopez received a hero's welcome in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood when he returned last month. The Chicago Tribune's Gregory Pratt contributed. Washington So what if, in his speech last week to NATO, President Donald Trump didn't explicitly reaffirm the provision that an attack on one is an attack on all? What's the big deal? Didn't he affirm a general commitment to NATO during his visit? Hadn't he earlier sent his vice president and secretaries of state and defense to pledge allegiance to Article 5? Advertisement And anyway, who believes that the United States would really go to war with Russia and risk nuclear annihilation over Estonia? Ah, but that's precisely the point. It is because deterrence is so delicate, so problematic, so literally unbelievable that it is not to be trifled with. And why it's so shocking for an American president to gratuitously undermine what little credibility deterrence already has, by ostentatiously refusing to recommit to Article 5. Advertisement Deterrence is inherently a barely believable bluff. Even at the height of the Cold War, when highly resolute presidents, such as Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, threatened Russia with "massive retaliation" (i.e., all-out nuclear war), would we really have sacrificed New York City for Berlin? No one knew for sure. Not Eisenhower, not Kennedy, not the Soviets, not anyone. Yet that very uncertainty was enough to stay the hand of any aggressor and keep the peace of the world for 70 years. Deterrence does not depend on 100 percent certainty that the other guy will go to war if you cross a red line. Given the stakes, merely a chance of that happening can be enough. For 70 years, it was enough. Leaders therefore do everything they can to bolster it. Install tripwires, for example. During the Cold War, we stationed troops in Germany to face the massive tank armies of Soviet Russia. Today we have 28,000 troops in South Korea, 12,000 near the demilitarized zone. Why? Not to repel invasion. They couldn't. They're not strong enough. To put it very coldly, they're there to die. They're a deliberate message to the enemy that if you invade our ally, you will have to kill a lot of Americans first. Which will galvanize us into full-scale war against you. Tripwires are risky, dangerous and cynical. Yet we resort to them because parchment promises are problematic and tripwires imply automaticity. We do what we can to strengthen deterrence. Rhetorically as well. Which is why presidents from Harry S. Truman on have regularly and powerfully reaffirmed our deterrent pledge to NATO. Until Trump. His omission was all the more damaging because of his personal history. This is a man chronically disdainful of NATO. He campaigned on its obsolescence. His inaugural address denounced American allies as cunning parasites living off American wealth and generosity. One of Trump's top outside advisers, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, says that "Estonia is in the suburbs of St. Petersburg," as if Russian designs on the Baltic states are not at all unreasonable. Advertisement Moreover, Trump devoted much of that very same speech, the highlight of his first presidential trip to NATO, to berating the allies for not paying their fair share. Nothing particularly wrong with that, or new half a century ago Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield was so offended by NATO free riding that he called for major reductions of U.S. troops in Europe. That's an American perennial. But if you're going to berate, at least reassure as well. Especially given rising Russian threats and aggression. Especially given that Trump's speech was teed up precisely for such reassurance. An administration official had spread the word that he would use the speech to endorse Article 5. And it was delivered at a ceremony honoring the first and only invocation of Article 5 ironically enough, by the allies in support of America after 9/11. And yet Trump deliberately, defiantly refused to simply say it: America will always honor its commitment under Article 5. It's not that, had Trump said the magic words, everyone would have 100 percent confidence we would strike back if Russia were to send little green men into Estonia, as it did in Crimea. But Trump's refusal to utter those words does lower whatever probability Russian President Vladimir Putin might attach to America responding with any seriousness to Russian aggression against a NATO ally. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday (without mentioning his name) that after Trump's visit it is clear that Europe can no longer rely on others. It's not that yesterday Europe could fully rely and today it cannot rely at all. It's simply that the American deterrent has been weakened. And deterrence weakened is an invitation to instability, miscalculation, provocation and worse. And for what? Advertisement The Washington Post Writers Group Charles Krauthammer is a Washington Post columnist. letters@charleskrauthammer.com If President Donald Trump thought hiring outside counsel and trying to redirect the press corps' questions to lawyers was going to turn down the heat on his Russia scandal, he miscalculated, to put it mildly. Consider what has occurred in the last week and what he has ahead of him: - On Thursday, former FBI director James B. Comey will testify in public, reportedly recounting Trump's attempts to shut down the investigation. The allegations, if true, would make out a case (maybe criminal, but certainly for impeachment purposes) of obstruction of justice. - Trump pal Nigel Farage has been named as another person of interest, adding to the number of pro-Russia nationalists in Trump's circle who may provide information to investigators. (Farage met with WikiLeaks head Julian Assange, who published the hacked emails from the Clinton campaign.) - Senate Democrats are pressing for information to make out a case of perjury against Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who originally said under oath that he had not met with the Russians during the 2016 campaign. - Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in some Class A trolling, suggesting that "patriotic" Russians might have been responsible for hacking into the Democratic National Committee. - Upon entering office, the Trump team immediately set out to lift sanctions against Russia, according to a Yahoo News report. ("Unknown to the public at the time, top Trump administration officials, almost as soon as they took office, tasked State Department staffers with developing proposals for the lifting of economic sanctions, the return of diplomatic compounds and other steps to relieve tensions with Moscow.") - Worst of all, Jared Kushner's meetings with the Russians have turned into their own mini-scandal and political mystery. As to the latter, The Washington Post reports: "The White House and a Russian state-owned bank have very different explanations for why the bank's chief executive and Jared Kushner held a secret meeting during the presidential transition in December." Vnesheconombank (VEB) says the meeting was "with Kushner in his role as the head of his family's real estate business." The White House says it was a diplomatic outreach, which makes his failure to disclose it on his security clearance application very problematic. Either way, it looks bad. ("A business meeting between an international development bank and a real estate executive, coming as Kushner's company had been seeking financing for its troubled $1.8 billion purchase of an office building on Fifth Avenue in New York, could raise questions about whether Kushner's personal financial interests were colliding with his impending role as a public official." Because VEB is under bank sanctions, an attempt to secure a loan would raise red flags.) Moreover, VEB's chief executive, Sergey Gorkov, is a Putin ally who, records suggest, the day after the Kushner meeting may have flown to Japan to meet up with you guessed it Putin. For a guy who had multiple meetings with Russians (one with the CEO of a sanctioned bank and one about setting up a secret channel), Kushner's failure to report his contacts begins to look less like absent-mindedness and more like evasion. The more details emerge, the harder it is to maintain that these are isolated, innocuous events. It is even harder to justify allowing Kushner to remain in office without a full accounting of his meetings with Russians and subsequent failure to report them. In any normal administration, Kushner would have been fired for, at the very least, atrocious judgment. He, however, is the president's son-in-law, which should spur passage of more stringent rules against nepotism. With the intelligence committees of both houses sending out batches of subpoenas and new revelations each day, Republicans are soon to be confronted with a dilemma: At what point do they defend American national security and turn against the president and the princeling? If not before 2018, the voters will have the chance to take away their majority in one or both houses and give the Democrats a green light to move toward impeachment. Rather than putting a ton of effort into an outing and then just hitting one spot, why not extend the adventure? This week, we're pairing an afternoon of rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders with some Irish-inspired treats at Cone. Main Attraction: Brooklyn Boulders Chicago 100 S. Morgan St. 312-268-0002 How much: $25 (day pass) Advertisement Climb out of your comfort zone at this West Loop facility, which offers rock climbing, group fitness classes, community events and more. Grab a partner for an afternoon of adventuring as you make your way around 25,000 square feet of state-of-the-art rock walls. Whether you're a newbie or a veteran, the Brooklyn Boulders experience caters to everybody. A day pass ($25) gives you full facility access, including fitness classes and equipment. You can rent climbing gear on siteshoes ($5), climbing harness ($5), chalk ($2), full gear ($11), yoga mats and towels are free. Get your day off to a rocky start! Don't Stop: Cone Gourmet Ice Cream 1047 W. Madison St. 312-666-5111 How much: $2-$12 Advertisement Chocolate Mint Chip and Cake Batter ice cream cone at Cone Gourmet Ice Cream. (Hilary Higgins / RedEye) After climbing, cool down with a frozen treat at Cone Gourmet Ice Cream, located just two blocks away from the facility. Treat yo'self to a single scoop ($4.75) of creamy deliciousness (served in a cookie cone for an additional $2.50 or dipped waffle cone for $2). Or indulge in the Cone O'Flake ($4.75), a soft-serve cone with a Cadbury Flake candy bar stuck in the top, or a milkshake ($7.50) topped with homemade whipped cream and a cherry. The Irish-inspired shop also serves up some boozy alternatives, including Guinness, Baileys and Jameson-flavored ice creams, in case you're looking to snag an afternoon buzz. Do you have a two-for-one outing idea to share with us? Email rcoale@redeyechicago.com with the details. At 32 years old, Chef Nicole Bayani has a resume beyond her years. After jumping into the restaurant industry at 25, Bayani moved from sandwich shops to fine dining to cocktail bars and gastropubs. It's quite a list. After working at Fumare in the French Market, Bayani transitioned to La Sardine to broaden her skill set in an "old school kitchen." From there, she joined the opening team at Dusek's before trying her hand at fine-dining with Tru. When the silence of the kitchen at Tru didn't suit her, she headed to Scofflaw in Logan Square, before landing at Presidio in December 2016. Advertisement In early May, Bayani unveiled her new menus at the Wicker Park restaurant and cocktail spot, focusing on fresh ingredients to say sayonara to winter and usher in the warmth of summer. With her wealth of experience, Bayani gave us sage advice on her best bets around Chicago. Favorite breakfast spot: "Cafe Marie-Jeanne (1001 N. California Ave. 773-904-7660) in Humboldt Park. "What they do there is incredible. It's a really industry-focused place, whether or not they try to be, because they offer such a wide variety of things. It seems so simple, but they do a lot of really simple things super well and they have a lot of options. I go there with everybodychef friends or other industry friends like bartenders and stuff." Advertisement Favorite lunch spot: "I don't really eat lunch too often, working in the restaurant, but ... if my sous-chef and I have some extra time, we'll head to En Hakkore (1840 N. Damen Ave. 773-772-9880). It's right down the street from Presidio and a really solid lunch spot to grab something." Favorite dinner spot: "For a really nice dinner, I'll head to Momotaro (820 W. Lake St. 312-733-4818). I just love the build-out, the feeling of the restaurant. I've had many meals there, and they've always been super consistent and really good. For a more casual spot, I'll head to Cho Sun Ok (4200 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-549-5555) for Korean barbecue." Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > Favorite drink spot: "I love Estereo (2450 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-360-8363). My favorite drink there is a pisco Breezy with yerba mate and soda. A while ago, while I was working at Scofflaw, the staff and I were drinking a lot of coffee, and when you drink too much coffee you can get really on edge. So, we switched as a staff to yerba mate. And I've been kind of obsessed with yerba mate ever since. And this drink changes a lot because they let you choose your spirit, but my favorite spirit to drink it with is pisco." One dish from Bayani's new menu at Presidio Best thing about Chicago's restaurant scene: "The more and more I advance in my career I realize what a big sense of community I have here. Especially during the James Beard Awards, the sense of community really came out for me. It feels great to choose the best places in Chicago and know the people that are the day-to-day people making it happen, from the managers to the cooks and the chefs and bartenders that are setting Chicago apart from every other city around the U.S. And it's great to call those people my friends and colleagues and coworkers." New menu items she'd recommend at Presidio: "I just put a new dish on the menu last weekendit's a cobia collar. I was a little hesitant to put a collar on the menu because I didn't know how well the neighborhood would respond to it. But people seem to really like it, and they've been ordering it more than I thought they would. It's marinated in chinata, a smoked paprika, and served with a relish, oranges, radishes and peaches. It's pretty complex, it's bright and flavorful, it's spring-forward. Collar is a really good cut that we don't really see a lot on menus. It's the neck of the fish, so the first scale and the second fin. But it can be cooked well-done, and it's delicious." Next on her list: "Proxi (565 W. Randolph St. 312-441-1920) probably. It's someplace I've been meaning to check out. I saw some pictures online, and I'm a sucker for a really beautiful restaurant. I think part of why I love working at Presidio so much is because the interior is really, really nice. I spent my birthday at Sepia (123 N. Jefferson St. 312-441-1920) and I really enjoyed it, so I'm interested to see what they're going to do next, too." What she's inspired by: "Well, I'm from California, and Presidio is inspired by the Northern California coast, so there's that connection. I like to cook what I like to eat. A lot of my dishes are dishes that I know would be good for the neighborhood because Wicker Park and Bucktown already have some pretty great restaurants and we're pretty casual, but we're also a nice spot so you can take some risks. "I know a lot of people in Chicago have eaten at a lot of different places, so they'll typically understand (the menu). And also spring. Chicago winters are really long, and thanks to this rain it's kind of dragging on. So, a lot of people are sitting on their hands for actual spring produce. So the longer we wait, the stronger it'll be when that stuff starts coming in." Advertisement @shelbielbostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com National Doughnut Day is Friday, June 2. Here is where you can get your free doughnuts and specials in Chicago. National Doughnut Day is today and we've rounded up Chicago spots offering free treats and specials for the sugary holiday. Hit up any of these locations on Friday, June 2 to get your hands on a holey treat. Stan's Donuts 259 E. Erie St. 312-255-1130 Stop by one of the many Stan's locations in Chicago for a free doughnut with every purchase. Advertisement Glazed & Infused 30 E. Hubbard St. 312-226-5556 By purchasing any specialty doughnuts at Glazed & Infused you will receive a coupon for a free Vanilla Bean Glazed doughnut, redeemable between June 5 to July 5. Clyde's Donuts Various locations Clyde's Donuts are sold at Jewel-Osco stores. Salvation Army volunteers and staff will be stationed at the grocery locations throughout Chicago on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 collecting donations and handing out coupons for two free doughnuts. Advertisement Beavers Donuts 131 N. Clinton St. 773-392-1300 Hit up the Beavers Donuts location at the French Market or find any one of their traveling food trucks to get four free sugar-topped doughnuts. The mini-treats will also be delivered by Uber Eats all day. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > Dunkin' Donuts Various locations Guests will get a free classic doughnut of their choice with any beverage purchase. The deal is available at participating Dunkin' Donuts stores nationwide. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts 17815 Halsted St., Homewood 708-991-2629 Krispy Kreme's Homewood location is offering one free doughnut from their menu all day. Fifolet Cajun & Cocktails 1942 W. Division St. 773-384-6886 Patrons ordering dinner at Fifolet Cajun & Cocktails will receive a complimentary order of beignets. @AudreyGorden | agorden@redeyechicago.com Want more stuff to do this weekend? Our 2017 ultimate summer festival guide Introducing Chicago's new patios and rooftops of 2017 Things to do in Chicago this month Over the objection of Kane County prosecutors, Judge D.J. Tegeler Thursday agreed with a recommendation to ease restrictions on a 48-year-old woman found not guilty of a 2013 Aurora killing by reason of insanity. Amy Zuniga was ordered into the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services after a 2015 bench trial that centered on the findings of a psychological examination of the Aurora woman. Zuniga most recently has been assigned to the Elgin Mental Health Center, where doctors requested she be granted unsupervised movement on the facility's grounds and supervised trips away from the center. Advertisement Attorneys stipulated to the contents of a report which was sealed from public view in support of giving Zuniga more freedom, however Assistant State's Attorney Greg Sams objected to the request during a Thursday hearing. Sams did not offer any specific reasons. Tegeler noted the objection, but agreed to allow the changes and ordered another hearing in 90 days for an update on Zuniga's treatment status. Advertisement Zuniga was charged nearly four years ago in the stabbing death of a 68-year-old cousin inside her home in October 2013. Zuniga made strange comments, including a reference to herself as Jesus, when police arrived. She also threatened to harm herself, authorities previously said. Investigators found two knives, multiple pill bottles and notebooks filled with sketches and song lyrics she apparently wrote during a search of her home, according to court records. Her attorney entered an insanity defense prior to the 2015 trial. Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News Tim Gallagher stands in front of the fence along Orchard Road just behind his Aurora back yard. As Gallagher is standing, he is maybe 40 feet from the roadway, and the fence does little to muffle the traffic noise, he says. ( Steve Lord/The Beacon-News ) Tim Gallagher put his hand on a utility box in his back yard and sighed. "We've been standing here about five minutes, and at least 15 semis have come by," he said. "You become immune to it a little, I guess, and you think, the traffic noise isn't so bad. But then a semi goes by and you get that acceleration all the way through." Advertisement Gallagher, a math teacher at West Aurora High School, lives in a neighborhood on the far West Side of Aurora that is lazy and quiet on a late spring afternoon until you get to the cul-de-sac he and four other houses share. That's when the noise from the constantly busy Orchard Road a four-lane arterial highway that is a major thoroughfare between North Aurora, Aurora, Montgomery and Oswego starts to kick in. By the time one gets to the back yards of those houses, the sound is constant and loud. Advertisement Gallagher is one of several residents who came to an Aurora City Council meeting recently to tell their noisy stories to aldermen in the hope something could be done to lessen the noise and make life along the roadway a little safer. The residents came at the urging of Alderman Carl Franco, 5th Ward, who represents the 73 residents who live along the highway as it goes through Aurora. That's Franco's count at least, and he sent an email to every one of them, urging them to come to City Council from time to time to discuss their situation. A section of the fence between houses along Orchard Road in Aurora and the highway is showing signs of wear. (Steve Lord/The Beacon-News ) In particular, residents are hoping the city or Kane County might be able to replace the wooden fence that separates the road and the residents. The fence is falling apart, and doesn't provide much of a sound or safety barrier, they said. Gallagher called it a "quality of life issue." He and others said the noise is so bad at times, back yards are unusable. "We can't even have a cocktail on our decks and discuss anything," said Gary Krueger, who lives in the townhouses along Orchard, near Indian Trail. "You have to have a bullhorn." "Road noise is something everybody has to deal with," Gallagher said. "But it's time to replace this wall, in my opinion. I don't know of any other road like this that is this close to houses like this." Orchard Road was once a two-lane country road that skirted the western edge of Aurora, but it became an important arterial as Aurora grew west. The road is a county highway, and over the years the county began planning it as a major arterial through the western edge of Kane's urban corridor. It hooks up with Randall Road, which means it is a major artery from end to end in Kane County, and beyond. Advertisement The county first put a bridge over Interstate 88, then, eventually, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority put in an interchange with Orchard Road. The interchange became a major economic development tool for both Aurora and North Aurora, and commercial and housing development soon filled in. As developers came in, they widened the road to four lanes, and the county filled in with widening projects. The widening through the Aurora section finished in 2004, and the final section between Oswego and North Aurora, in Montgomery, was finished a few years ago. The county also separated railroad tracks to make the trip easier. Between that and the interchange with I-88, Gallagher said Orchard has become a major route for semi-trailer trucks. Gallagher moved into his house in 1999, and the road was busy, but he said it was not the truck thoroughfare it is today. "It was a road that I didn't anticipate being this busy," he said. Franco pointed out that when the City Council denied zoning for Old Dominion truck lines to build a truck depot on the far East Side, the depot ended up in Montgomery, and now Orchard Road is its main artery. Advertisement The irony is that in turning down the East Side location, aldermen helped a group of nearby residents, who complained about noise potential, but do not live in the city. They live in an unincorporated subdivision between Aurora and Warrenville. Now, those same trucks add to the noise level for Aurora residents along Orchard, Franco said. "Talk about unintended consequences," he said. "When the county widened Orchard, it put up the (wooden) sound fences, but they don't really decrease the noise." Furthermore, Franco said, the fence is in disrepair. He asked the city's public works officials to look at the fence, and they said it is considered to have about another 10 years of life expectancy. According to an intergovernmental agreement, the city and Kane County share maintenance of the fence. Gallagher said he hopes maybe the city and the county can find federal money to consider building a concrete fence along the highway. Advertisement In the meantime, he said the noise will continue. "There have been a few times the road is closed for flooding, accidents," he said. "That's when you realize how the other half lives." slord@tribpub.com A 20-year-old Aurora man has suggested in court that he wants to represent himself against a 2015 attempted murder charge, court records show. Anibal Ramos is accused of opening fire with a 9mm handgun on a vehicle driving in the area of LaSalle and Bluff streets in Aurora on March 1, 2015. He was indicted two years later about a month before being paroled in April by the Illinois Department of Corrections on an unrelated gun possession conviction. Advertisement He was immediately taken to Kane County Jail where he remains held on $500,000 bail on the attempted murder and weapons-related charges. He faces a minimum of 26 years in prison if convicted of attempted murder. According to authorities and records, Ramos was arrested five days after the 2015 shooting when police found him with two guns and ammunition under a seat during a traffic stop. He eventually was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison in that case. Advertisement Ramos appeared in court Thursday before Kane County Judge Linda Abrahamson for a hearing at which he expressed a "wish to go pro se" instead of having an attorney represent him on the attempted murder charge. Abrahamson set a July 13 hearing to consider the request, court documents state. Ramos also has a pending case from 2016 which accuses him of illegal possession and delivery of a .25-caliber gun. A court filing by prosecutors last year indicated Ramos has four juvenile convictions since 2010 for weapons, gang and battery charges. Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News The Kane County Bomb Squad was called to Presence Mercy Medical Center Thursday night, but no explosives were found, according to Aurora police. Around 8:25 p.m., a 57-year-old Chicago man in the emergency room told a security guard he had a bomb in his backpack, police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said in an email. Advertisement Because of statements the man made about being dissatisfied with wait room times at the hospital and his level of intoxication security didn't think the threat was credible, according to Ferrelli. Still, they escorted the man outside and contacted police, he said. The backpack was taken from him and the bomb squad called as a precaution, Ferrelli said. No explosives were found. Advertisement A spokesman for Presence Mercy Medical Center said in a statement there was no risk to patients or visitors. "At no time during last night's incident were our patients, visitors or associates at risk," the spokesman said. "Hospital protocols and procedures, designed to ensure the safety of hospital patients, visitors and associates, were successfully implemented. This incident is currently under investigation by the Aurora Police Department." The man was admitted for a psychological evaluation, Ferrelli said. The incident lasted about an hour, he said. sfreishtat@tribpub.com Twitter @srfreish Kane County sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler leaves after a news conference to discuss the conclusion of a hostage situation at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva on May 13, 2017. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) Two more nurses have joined a lawsuit faulting the Kane County Sheriff's Office and one of its corrections officers in last month's hostage standoff at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva. The inmate who instigated the ordeal had been on suicide watch at the jail and was receiving medical treatment at the hospital, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Filed last week in U.S. District Court on behalf of two nurses taken hostage and their husbands, the original lawsuit alleges the Kane County corrections deputy assigned to guard Tywon Salters left him unshackled, then ran and hid after the inmate took the officer's gun. An amended complaint filed Tuesday adds two more nurses to the lawsuit: one who had been taking care of Salters that morning and saw him unshackled, then was later near the room where the standoff culminated, and another who had been in the third-floor room where the officer allegedly fled. Advertisement Both are off work and seeking counseling, attorney Sean P. Murray said Thursday. It's possible more employees could be added as the case progresses, he said. "Nurses' safety is a really important issue and it's one that needs to be addressed I believe not only at this hospital, but hospitals everywhere," Murray said. Sean P. Murray announces a lawsuit filed on behalf of two nurses taken hostage by a Kane County jail inmate receiving treatment at Delnor Hospital. May 25, 2017. (Hannah Leone / Beacon-News) The nurses are suing the Kane County Sheriff's Office, corrections Officer Shawn Loomis and APEX3 security, seeking compensatory damages, court costs, attorney fees and other relief. The sheriff's office, Loomis and the private security company paid by the hospital knew Salters, 21, posed a danger to nurses and staff, yet failed to handle him properly, the lawsuit alleges. Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon declined to comment on the pending litigation. Loomis, who joined the department in November 1999 and was one of several corrections officers assigned to shifts guarding Salters around the clock, has been on paid administrative leave following the May 13 hostage incident. Most of the county's inmates who need hospital treatment go to Delnor, and while that's continued since the standoff, the department has now been assigning two officers to each inmate, Kane County Sheriff's Office Lt. Pat Gengler said Thursday. Advertisement "I don't think there has been a policy change per se," Gengler said, noting that both internal and comprehensive investigations are still open. "But in the interim ... how do you not send two?" Murray called the change "a good start," with some reservations. "There's a lot more that needs to be addressed before we can be comfortable that this sort of situation won't happen again," Murray said. Salters was hospitalized for drinking liquid cleaner and eating plastic off a sandal from his jail uniform. According to the lawsuit, a nurse discovered a corrections officer asleep on the couch in Salters' third-floor room; sheriff's officers routinely unshackled Salters; and on the morning of the hostage standoff, an unnamed officer tasked with guarding the inmate was sitting on a recliner, using his laptop computer. When Loomis started his shift, he replaced that officer, eventually removing Salters' leg shackle so he could use the bathroom, and then failed to replace it, according to the lawsuit. One of the nurses asked Loomis why Salters was unshackled, but the officer did not respond or act, the lawsuit alleges, later stating that Salters had been unrestrained for about a half-hour when he moved on Loomis, somehow taking the officer's 9mm handgun. Advertisement The officer ran and hid in a room down the hall while Salters, naked, found his way into an office where a nurse said he made her take off her clothes, physically and verbally abused her, and threatened her and held her at gunpoint, according to the lawsuit. When another nurse went into the office, Salters took her hostage as well. At some point, the second nurse convinced him to let her use the phone. She warned other hospital staff about the situation, setting in motion emergency procedures and making her "nothing short of a hero," Murray said. Leaving the first nurse behind, Salters was forcing the second nurse across the hallway at gunpoint when the nurse who had been in the room where Loomis allegedly hid entered the hallway, coming within 20 feet of Salters, according to the lawsuit. "She saw that he had a gun and he kept moving and took his hostage down in the elevator," Murray said, adding that the nurse left the room to see if she could help and unknowingly came upon them. "There was nothing else she could do." Salters took the hostage to a first-floor decontamination room, where he forced the nurse to take off her clothes and beat, abused, threatened and raped her for more than three hours, the lawsuit alleges. Negotiators couldn't reason with Salters, who Murrray said asked them for a car. A SWAT team of specially trained officers went into the area where Salters held the nurse hostage shortly before 4 p.m., officials said. Advertisement A shot fired from the gun Salters had taken lodged in a SWAT officer's bulletproof vest, McMahon said in a news briefing that day. A North Aurora police officer on the team fired at least once at Salters, striking him in the head with a bullet that Murray said also hit the nurse's arm. Authorities have released limited information about the order of events. A standoff involving a Kane County Jail inmate holding a Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital employee hostage ended on May 13, 2017, with the inmate dead. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) hleone@tribpub.com Twitter @hannahmleone Over a dozen people took part in the Tri-City Salvation Army's "First Annual Donut Eating Contest" with Tim Sullivan coming out the winner after consuming 8 doughnuts. Timing, they say, is everything. Plans for the Tri-City Salvation Army's first-ever doughnut-eating contest were already in the works as a way of recognizing the "Doughnut Lassies" of World War I when two cases of chocking deaths during similar contests made national headlines. Advertisement In a single weekend in April, a Denver man died while trying to eat a half-pound of glazed doughnuts in 80 seconds, and a 20-year-old Connecticut woman choked to death during a pancake-eating contest at her college. Tri-City Salvation Army Lt. Betsy Clark said she and her staff were made aware of the two tragedies and discussed ways they could make sure this contest, which the organization had been planning since January, would be as safe as possible. Advertisement Hydration, they decided after conferring with medical professionals, was critical. As long as contestants were drinking plenty of water, there should be no issues. Plus, this contest was allowing participants five minutes to eat the doughnuts, instead of the short time span allotted the unfortunate Denver man trying to down them in little more than a minute Perhaps most importantly, they made arrangements with the St. Charles Fire Department to have a crew and ambulance on hand in case anything went wrong. Two emergency responders were, indeed, standing behind the crowd of about 200 outside the Blue Goose Market early Friday morning to watch more than a dozen contestants including a cute 5-year-old and an equally adorable golden retriever (he was given doughnut biscuits) put their mouths and digestive systems to work for a good cause. This fundraising event was designed around the Salvation Army's National Donut Days June 2 and 3, with this year commemorating the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I and the "Doughnut Lassies" who served in the Great War as well as World War II, offering coffee and doughnuts to soldiers, in addition to the important medical services the Salvation Army provided. The goal of Friday's event was $5,000 for the Tri-City Salvation Army, which serves families in the Fox Valley. By noon, $4,610 had been raised, said Clark. And even if you missed out on the actual contest, not to mention the free doughnuts provided by Blue Goose, you can still go to http://salar.my/eatdonuts or text eatdonuts to 71777. Many of the people I spoke to at the contest were not aware of the recent tragedies, including Tim Sullivan, who ended up winning a really small trophy and a really big doughnut by downing eight of the glazed fried pastries, coming in ahead of his closest competitor who ate six and a half. Little Cameron Kitick, sponsored by the St. Charles Rotary, didn't get much past her first, as her dad Rich predicted, and I'm not sure how much Max the Wonder Dog was able to down as he wasn't too talkative after the contest. Sullivan was pleased with his victory and the amount of money he was able to raise with his Tri-City Exchange Club. But there was no doubt he was also in some discomfort with those eight doughnuts sitting in his stomach. "Where are those paramedics?" he joked. Advertisement While timing may be everything, it turns out water is, as well. Sullivan's secret to pulling out the victory: He doused the doughnuts with his water bottle, making them easier, and obviously much safer, to swallow. Clark herself was able to consume just three, "a respectable number," she told me later, while admittedly still on a sugar high. And yes, she was very glad there were no incidents during this fun fundraiser. "A few Tums," she said, and all was good. DCrosby@tribpub.com Helene Weiler of Aurora met her late husband Hank, a U.S. Army sergeant, in her hometown of Dijon in France a few months after D-Day in 1944. (The Beacon-News ) There's no question that World War II, and particularly D-Day its anniversary is Tuesday were defining moments in the life of Helene Amathieu Weiler. For the 92-year-old Aurora woman, the war brought tension and terror to her idyllic world, along with near starvation, loss of home and family and even injury. But it also brought love: Two months after the Allies drove the Nazis from her French hometown of Dijon, she locked eyes with a young American sergeant who later would become her beloved husband. Advertisement Before there was romance, however, there was war the kind of brutal conflict we here in the modern U. S. have never experienced: When your homeland, your town, even your own house is taken over by a violent enemy that forced people, as Weiler described it, "to become refugees in our own country." Her dad, she said, had been seriously injured from a bullet that tore into his neck and through his head in World War I. So the Amathieu family knew well the horrors that could confront them again in the fall of 1939 when France was pulled into yet another European conflict. Advertisement Weiler, a petite 14-year-old at the time, said she will never forget the sight of women, some with babies in arms, defiantly lying across railroad tracks that ran through Dijon in unsuccessful attempts to keep their men from going off to fight. And then, of course, the Nazi bombing began, growing so frequent that several times during the day or night sirens would scream, summoning residents to the nearest shelter. For the Amathieu family, it was a chapel cut out of a hillside that helped them escape the air attacks destroying their city and killing its citizens. In June of 1940, residents were told to evacuate as the Germans approached. Separated from the men in the family, young Helene and her mother boarded a railroad car, each grasping a suitcase containing gas masks her mom, an electrical engineer, had made. The trains were supposed to go to Limoges, where Helene's grandparents lived. But 65 miles outside Dijon, the locomotives were suddenly pulled away to transport troops, leaving at least 1,000 riders stranded in the rural countryside, said Weiler. Forced to survive on little more than beef broth a farmer made for them from a slaughtered cow, for three days the crowd struggled. Babies died, she added, and more than once the passengers had to hide when German bombs began raining down on them again. Finally, a locomotive showed up and took the refugees to Riom, where they were herded into an airport hangar. It was there, while she was trying to wash up at a small outdoor fountain that Helene first spotted the German soldiers roaring into town on motorcycles with sidecars. Weiler recalls "panic" among the crowd after she ran back to warn the others about the Germans. From there the group was taken to an old theater, where for the next three weeks they lived on rations so meager she recalls passing out from hunger. Were it not for the kindness of a Dominican nun who fed them lentil soup day after day at a nearby convent, "I'm not sure I would have survived," she said. A 92-year-old Aurora woman recalls life in her Nazi-occupied home in France before and after D-day. Even after she and her mother and eventually the rest of the family made it to Limoges, food sources were low and tension high, despite its official designation as an unoccupied territory. The family was finally able to return to Dijon in the spring of 1943 when a neighbor got word to them the soldiers who had been occupying their home had moved out, leaving behind a disgusting mess that included a floor that had been urinated on, she said. But even after cleaning up, home was hardly a happy place, as she learned that her brother, who had been working at a bank and living in an apartment, had disappeared. Advertisement Weiler recalls her mother covering the windows with dark curtains in the hope of hiding any activity going on inside. She can still clearly picture that German tank with the name Julius scrawled on the metal that parked outside their home. She remembers her mother waking up at five o'clock every morning to stand in line for three hours when the market would open, only to have the German soldiers cut in line and take what was on the shelves. News, other than the propaganda delivered by the local newspaper now in the hands of the enemy, was equally scarce. Each night, Weiler said, her father would defy Nazi orders and quietly listen to the BBC radio broadcast. The young Helene found work as a home economics teacher, a job that required a long commute by train and bike. One day, she said, while riding that bike she was forced off the road by a German convoy. And on another occasion, she sustained minor injuries after the train she was taking, also occupied by German soldiers, exploded from a bomb planted by the French resistance. It was after that close call that her mother made her take another job, working with her father in the payroll office of a Dijon uniform factory. Going home from work on June 6, 1944, she recalls "so much more movement, trucks, tanks ... and there was tension among the German soldiers." The following day, as more news was released about the D-Day invasion, the family dared to mix hope with anxiety. "It got worse before it got better," said Weiler's only daughter, Mary Noll, who has chronicled her mother's compelling life in a book titled "My American Adventure." Advertisement The Germans "became nastier, people were arrested for subversion," she said. "The screws were tightening." Paris was liberated in August of 1944. And on Sept. 11 when Weiler woke up and looked outside her bedroom window, she saw that "Julius the tank was no longer parked outside" her home. A few minutes later, she said, her father hoisted her through a trap door in the attic where she could look across Dijon to see the French flag flying over city hall. "OK, my petite," he told her. "Let's put on our Sunday best and go outside." It seemed as if the entire city had the same idea, as downtown Dijon swelled with celebrating citizens who, holding bottles of wine, greeted the Allies as they paraded victoriously through the streets. "Everyone was hugging, laughing," said Weiler, who found herself even jumping on top of an American tank. "People were shouting, 'We can breathe, we can breathe freedom' "I will never forget that day." Advertisement Nor will she forget the day two months later when she locked eyes with a young American sergeant on a crowded trolley. "He got off, turned around and looked at me, and that was it," said Helene, touching her hand to her heart and smiling. Hank Weiler was part of a battalion assigned to repair bombed-out railroad trestles across the ravaged countryside. Eventually, she introduced Hank to her father, then invited him to her house for a home-cooked meal. In April of 1945, Sgt. Weiler's battalion left for Germany, but he and Helene promised to write every day. And before he departed, Hank told the young woman "we will bring your brother back to you." A couple days later, she said, Jean Amathieu showed up at their door, so emaciated, his mother did not recognize the haunted young man who stood before her until he spoke his name. After escaping from a German concentration camp, in the final days prior to its liberation, he and two other prisoners had hidden deep in the surrounding forest until the Allies found them. At age 95 and still living in France, Jean and Helene remain close and try to talk by phone a couple times a month. But back to that romance: As days turned to months, Hank and Helene continued to correspond daily, their friendship gradually turning to romance, and then to a marriage proposal. Advertisement On Feb. 14, 1947, her family saw her off on a ship to America. On Feb. 27, Helene changed her last name to Weiler in Hanks' hometown of St. Louis. Helene said theirs was a beautiful union that took them to many cities, including the Chicago area, with his job working for the railroad. "He was," she said, "so good to me." After Hank's heart attack in 1969, the two decided to destroy all those love letters that were written in their many months apart, burning them in a quiet ceremony in the backyard of their Elmhurst home. "I don't need to read the letters," said Mary. "I saw them together over all those years. They were a wonderful couple, wonderful parents." Hank died in 1979 following a second heart attack on Mary's birthday and while he and Helene were at her parents' home on a trip to France. Their life together, it turned out, ended not far from where it all began. The pain and hardship she and her family endured in their occupied homeland, said Helene, will always be with her. But had it not been for a world war, she would not have found the man and this most excellent American adventure that defined her life. Advertisement "I love him dearly," she said. "I always will." DCrosby@tribpub.com Amazing. It is an over-used term. But as I began an update to a story of almost seven years ago about students in the ESL program at Waubonsee Community College, I realized that now, as then, many of these students are some of the most amazing, hard working, and interesting people I have ever known. Advertisement Helping as a volunteer in the WCC literacy project, the positive attitudes of these students will always help you quickly forget the "bad" day you may be having. It is incredible that people who work long hours, and are bone tired after work, will still attend a class in a difficult and continuing effort to improve their English skills. And occasionally, a tutor can meet students attending conversation classes who first came to the United States 20, 30 or even 40 years ago, and who are still motivated to improve their English language skills. Advertisement Graciela, Estela, and Fidencio last names are not required in ESL conversation classes are students who have lived in the Aurora area for at least 25 years. Each of them grew up in Mexico, and each has continued to attend conversation classes in the last two years at the downtown WCC campus. And, as with almost all immigrants, each has had to overcome many obstacles. But their quick smiles and cheerful attitudes are, well, there is that word again, amazing. Graciela first came to the U.S. in 1992, and has worked at the same company in the Aurora area continuously since 1996. She finished the ESL program in 1998, and graduated with her GED in 2000. She has routinely worked long hours over the many years, but has attended classes after long work days. "I wanted to learn English because I thought there are more opportunities for a person who is bilingual," she said. "My company has changed, and my English skills are even more important. I need to practice English even more to stay in my job. "Waubonsee has been very important for me. They have offered a lot of opportunities for us," she said. Estela arrived in the U.S. and the Aurora area in 1983. She came with her older brother with the intention of returning to Mexico, but did not. "I was lucky as I started working for a company six months after arriving here, and stayed there for 11 years," she said. "Then I worked at another company for almost 21 years until it moved to a different state. Advertisement "I still want to learn more, and need more practice. I keep busy and don't stay home all day. A lot of people don't take advantage of opportunities they are offered. It is a problem when you work only with other Spanish speakers, but I try to come to class to learn more," she said. Although Fidencio was born in Texas, he grew up in Mexico for 15 years. Starting in 1967, he spent some time in the U.S. picking vegetables and fruits in several different states. He returned to Mexico, but arrived back in the U.S. in 1969 at the age of 17, this time in the Mendota, Illinois, area, where he worked for five years. He began working at Caterpillar in 1974, and stayed until retiring in 2015. "I started coming to ESL classes in the 1980s," he said. "I decided to take a break and 20 years went by. But I returned because I would like to achieve something that I didn't in my younger life not only to learn English, but to earn a GED. I grew up with no education either in Mexico or here." He has further motivation in the person of his 19-year-old son. "One of my big goals is to be in college with him," he said. "I would like to take mechanics classes with him." Advertisement Graciela, Estela, and Fidencio are only three of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of students who have benefited from Waubonsee's regular ESL classes, and from its wonderful program which uses volunteer tutors. According to Amanda Munoz, the volunteer tutor coordinator at WCC, the program is always looking for more tutors. There are about 40 students waiting for a one-on-one tutor, but opportunities are available for those who can assist in a classroom or lead a conversation group. If you were to give tutoring a try, some of the most interesting people you have ever met might walk into your life. Waubonsee's literacy project is very proud of all of its volunteer tutors, past and present. But the real stars of the project are all of its amazing students. Tom Strong is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News Binnys Beverage Depot recently left the Town Center shopping center at McHenry Road and Lake Cook Road in Buffalo Grove, leaving the village with another empty storefront along the Lake Cook Road corridor. (Pioneer Press) Binny's Beverage Depot's recent move to nearby Wheeling has left another Buffalo Grove shopping center along Lake Cook Road with an empty storefront, leaving some local officials to wonder whether consumers' changing habits played a role. But village officials have said the ongoing study of the Lake Cook Road corridor, which is meant to identify long-terms plans to develop the commercial stretch, could ultimately lead to dramatic changes to shopping centers in the area, including the Town Center, which lost the Binny's location in May. Advertisement For now, Chris Stilling, economic development director for Buffalo Grove, said it was too early to discuss ideas to attract retailers to the village's largest shopping center with the study under way. "Any time you lose a business, it's disappointing," Stilling said. "The corridor process needs to work itself through." Advertisement Binny's Beverage Depot decided to relocate last month about one block east to a shopping center in Wheeling after spending years at the Town Center location largely because the company thought the center's aging appearance could have hindered sales, said Greg Versch, director of communications at Binny's. "Our Buffalo Grove store was getting kind of dated," Versch said. Officials at CTK Chicago Partners, which manages the Town Center property, did not return calls or emails for comment. Town Center has stood for decades on the heavily traveled northwest corner of McHenry Road and Lake Cook Road, although the center doesn't have an entryway from Lake Cook Road. Even with the departure of the Binny's store, the shopping center remains mostly populated with a mixture of locally owned businesses and national chains. But it could be hurt by the loss of a popular traffic generator, such as Binny's, said Roger Sosa, executive director of the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, who called the loss of the liquor store "a big deal." More generally, Sosa said consumers' increasing desires to shop online are starting to affect traditional shopping centers, such as the Town Center, which typically rely on larger anchor stores to drive traffic. "The impact of the internet on retail has just been devastating," he said. "Binny's was a significant business." Advertisement When Wheeling officials learned that one of the anchors to the Schwind Crossing center, office supply retailer Staples, planned to close, economic development director John Melaniphy said he started looking nearby for possible replacements. He connected with representatives from Binny's, who indicated they were interested in relocating their Buffalo Grove location to a similar area at Weiland Road and Lake Cook Road in Wheeling. "They were very interested in the location," Melaniphy said, adding the village didn't propose an incentive package to draw away the Binny's location from Buffalo Grove. RWachter@PioneerLocal.com Twitter @RonnieAtPioneer Illinois lawmakers recently took another step to help prevent rape kits from being mishandled by police departments, a problem that affected dozens of sexual assault cases in Robbins and Harvey. The bipartisan measure would require the Illinois State Police to create a statewide system the law enforcement agency would maintain for tracking as sexual assault evidence kits are processed. The newest measure unanimously passed both the Illinois House and Senate, and is headed to Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk. Advertisement One of the measure's main backers in the Illinois House said the system would make every step of the processing transparent not only for police, prosecutors and lab techs, but also for the victims. State Rep. Margo McDermed, R-Mokena, said rape victims need to be able to see the evidence of the crime against them is being handled properly. Advertisement "One of the (motivations for the measure) is to make sure the victims aren't victimized again," McDermed, the House sponsor of the bill, said. McDermed said she hasn't spoken to Rauner about the measure but one of his office's liaisons has indicated the governor is looking forward to signing it. A Rauner spokesman said the measure is under review. One of the (motivations for the measure) is to make sure the victims aren't victimized again. Rep. Margo McDermed, R-Mokena Despite the ongoing efforts to implement checks on police departments, a backlog of testing remains in the state crime lab run by Illinois State Police after so many untested kits from departments were submitted, McDermed said. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > Additional funding was approved last year for the crime lab, but technology and the number of available technicians remain limiting factors, she said. The measure also creates a commission that will be tasked with developing the tracking commission. Members haven't yet been chosen for the Sexual Assault Evidence Tracking and Reporting Commission, which brings together representatives from state and local law enforcement, testing facilities, the court system and others concerned with ensuring the processing, McDermed said. Their mission is to discuss how to improve the process for testing and how to handle the transfer of evidence, among other factors, McDermed said. Advertisement Commission members have a deadline of July 1, 2019, to create the database, McDermed said. She has requested to on the commission, and has asked State Rep. Juliana Stratton, D-Chicago, to also serve, she said. Illinois approved a law in 2010 requiring police to test all rape kits following reports of widespread mishandling of evidence taken from the victims of sexual assaults across Illinois and the country. Three years later, the Cook County sheriff's office found untested rape kits some decades old in the basement of the Robbins Police Department. In 2015, Harvey settled a lawsuit from seven women that stemmed from the discovery of more than 200 untested rape kits there. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Paul and Roula Bezanis now own the home where they have lived for 30 years and where they care for a son who is quadriplegic. ( Ted Slowik/Daily Southtown ) Back in December I wrote a column about a Palos Park couple who turned to crowdfunding to raise money to keep their home that has been customized to accommodate their quadriplegic son. At the time, Paul and Roula Bezanis had received more than $80,000 in donations but were still well short of the $250,000 they needed to prevent eviction from their home. Advertisement Friends had agreed to loan the family funds to help close the gap. But then an anonymous donor stepped forward and gave the family the money they needed to buy the home where they have lived for about 30 years, an attorney told me on Thursday. "Obviously, they're relieved," said Mark Hellner, executive director of Chicago-based Center for Disability and Elder Law. Advertisement "The issue with any family about to lose their home is, 'Where will we go?' When a family member has a disability, the stress is amplified substantially." The family has struggled financially since 2008, when son Nikolas Bezanis, 28, was paralyzed following a diving accident. He broke his neck diving into shallow water on the Fox River's Chain O'Lakes in Lake County. Since the incident, Nikolas Bezanis has progressively shown signs of traumatic brain injury, his parents said. The ensuing medical bills consumed the family's savings and left them unable to pay their mortgage. Their home was foreclosed in 2012, court records showed. Paul Bezanis, a contractor, had modified the home with a customized bathroom, ramps and wider doorways so his son could get around in a wheelchair. Roula Bezanis had owned a hair salon in Orland Park but had given it up to care for her son full-time. The couple has two other children who attend college. Paul Bezanis had been unable to work after he injured himself trying to lift Nikolas, who weighs more than 500 pounds partly due to medications he takes, his parents said. Several TV and newspaper reporters covered the story in December, when the family was trying to raise money. Hellner told me he was contacted in early January by an individual who had read my column and wanted to help the Bezanis family. The home off 131st Street in Palos Park, where the Bezanis family has lived for 30 years, has been modified with ramps and other features to accommodate a son with disabilities. An anonymous donor and other supporters contributed funds that enabled the family to buy the home. ( Ted Slowik/Daily Southtown ) Hellner said he told the individual, who wants to remain anonymous, that funds already were pledged through a combination of cash and loans. "I don't want them to have any debt," the donor told Hellner, who recalled the conversation in a statement announcing the gift. "How much cash do you need to close the deal?" Advertisement "About $125,000," Hellner said. "You'll have it this week," the donor replied. The funds were received via a wire transfer within five days, Hellner wrote. Hellner declined to identify the donor, saying only he is a Chicago-area business owner who had met with the family and verified their situation. Readers may recall the family faced a Jan. 9 court appearance regarding an eviction suit filed by a bank that had acquired the property through foreclosure. Laws protect people with disabilities facing eviction, and that's why the Bezanis family had contacted the Center for Disability and Elder Law in 2014 for help. Hellner "conservatively" estimated the center had provided more than 350 hours in free legal assistance to the family. The center was founded in 1984 and has five full-time staff attorneys, he said, and numerous volunteers. "This is one of the more satisfying outcomes," in the organization's history, Hellner said. "Cases like this are the distillation of CDEL's volunteer model." Advertisement The center had helped negotiate an agreement for the company that held the property's title to sell the home to Paul and Roula Bezanis. With funds in hand, it took until May 19 the couple's 32nd wedding anniversary for the transaction to be completed. Cook County recorder of deeds records show a special warranty deed for the property was granted to Paul and Roula Bezanis on May 16 and recorded on May 24. "It's a great relief to finally close the transaction and walk away with the title," Hellner said. I left a telephone message with the family on Thursday but did not receive a response. The Center for Disability and Elder Law was founded in 1984 by the Chicago Bar Association to provide legal services to low-income residents who are elderly or who have permanent disabilities. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > Attorneys from some of the Chicago area's largest law firms volunteer their services to represent clients at no cost. Advertisement "We're funded almost entirely by donations," Hellner said. The center's clients often deal with issues related to financial stability, housing and accessibility. In addition to taking on individual cases, the center conducts workshops on end-of-life planning, financial exploitation, elder abuse and other issues. "We visit 10 neighborhood locations once a month through our Senior Legal Assistance Clinic," Hellner said. South suburban locations served include the Bloom Township Senior Services Center in Chicago Heights and the PLOWS Council on Aging in Palos Heights. The center also serves veterans at Chicago's Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. mailto:tslowik@tronc.com Twitter @tedslowik Sean Spicer announced that certain topics will not be discussed at press conferences. Russia is of course the main topic for non-discussion. One almost feels sorry for the conservatives in President Donald Trump's administration who can no longer deal with the truth about Trump and the Russian connection. The Trump administration is rapidly becoming a parody of a legitimate presidency. William, Oak Lawn Advertisement You now really have to question the ability of President Donald Trump to lead this country. Not a week goes by when he tweets or says something that his staff or supporters has to say that is "not what the president really meant." If he can't say what he means then maybe he shouldn't be in office. Almost everybody in the Republican party is constantly scrambling to defend his actions so they can get re-elected. This is getting to be very disturbing. It is time for the president to take responsibility for his own words and actions. The election is over and it is time for the president to do the job he was elected to do. Jon, Mokena Advertisement The actions, a.k.a., inactions, of Springfield, have become crippling, and after two years going on three of no budget, still no one who can do something about who seems to care. The careful crafting of our state's corrupt political system has left us powerless to change it. In addition, when one man, House Speaker Mike Madigan, abuses power to decide if a bill is even called for a vote, we no longer have a democracy. Tinley Park This liberal was offended by Kathy Griffin's Trump head. I am even more offended by the conservative hypocrites complaining about it yet they hung and burned various fake Obama bodies and never once thought of how his daughters felt but are so worried about Trump's son. All were in bad taste and all the young children suffered both Democrats and Republicans. What's Speak Out? Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown. A teenage boy has been charged in the shooting of a person near Downers Grove last month, authorities said. According to the DuPage County sheriff's office, 17-year-old boy turned himself in Friday to sheriff's investigators. Advertisement He was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated battery, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm. All are felonies. He also was charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault. The shooting took place about 2:45 p.m. on May 22. Sheriff's police were called to the 2300 block of Maple Avenue in an unincorporated area of DuPage County. Advertisement The victim, a 21-year-old man, had been shot in the foot. He was transported to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where he was treated and released that evening. A warrant was issued for the suspect. He was charged in a juvenile petition and is being held at the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center, which is used by DuPage County authorities. Why these young voters in Pueblo want to get more youth involved in voting Our weekly round up of other news affecting foreign investors throughout Asia: Thailands Automotive Industry Going Green The Thai government is planning to launch a roadmap for the development of the electric vehicle industry in the country. Tax and other incentives for private sector investments and collaboration from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) are among the measures announced to boost the sector in the coming months. Due Process in Terminating an Employee in India Foreign companies with a firm grasp of HR procedures in their home country may find that their established practices have little bearing in India. In this article, we cover the legal compliance provisions and termination procedures employers must observe when terminating employees in India. Simple Establishment Options for Asian Traders in Russia Russia is very much part of the Chinas OBOR Silk Road plans, and is also developing trade ties with India and other South-East Asian nations and the ASEAN trade bloc as well as its own Eurasian Economic Union. The opening up of new Russian Trade Corridors, especially with Asia is a relatively new phenomena, but one that is showing increasing potential. China Faces OBOR Criticism Following the Belt & Road Forum There has been some fall-out following Chinas Belt-Road Forum, with concerns being made both by various institutional bodies and political media over a number of issues concerning Chinas intentions. Vietnams Hospitality Industry: Understanding Current Trends and Challenges Vietnam is rising rapidly as a tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Read more to understand how key cities are keeping pace with the likes of Bangkok and learn where challenges may arise when investing within the sector. About Us Our Briefing updates are written by and provided by the various regional offices of Dezan Shira & Associates throughout Asia. To obtain a complimentary subscription to Asia Briefing please click here. To contact Dezan Shira & Associates concerning foreign investment and assistance in Asia, please email us at asia@dezshira.com Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide. An Introduction to Doing Business in ASEAN 2017 Doing Business in ASEAN introduces the fundamentals of investing in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc, concentrating on economics, trade, corporate establishment and taxation. We also include the latest development news in our Important Updates section for each country, with the intent to provide an executive assessment of the varying component parts of ASEAN, assessing each member state and providing the most up-to-date economic and demographic data on each. An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2017 Doing Business in China 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates in January 2017, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes. An Introduction to Doing Business in Hong Kong 2017 Doing Business in China 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates in January 2017, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes. An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2017 An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2017 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in India. As such, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Indian market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to stay up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes. An Introduction to Doing Business in Singapore 2017 An Introduction to Doing Business in Singapore 2017 provides readers with an overview of the fundamentals of investing and conducting business in Singapore and outlines the citys role as a trading hub within ASEAN. The guide explains the basics of company establishment, annual compliance, taxation, human resources, and social insurance in the city-state. 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. With the scope and penalties of Chinas social credit system being further clarified in 2021, legal and regulatory compliance has become more important than... You are here: Home China's press and publication regulator has ordered audio-visual service providers and individuals not to air so-called "unabridged audio-visual programs." The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has issued a document strengthening the regulation of video and audio programs on Internet. The providers and individuals were asked to foster and promote socialist core values but not to distort history, beautify reactionary ideas or defy heroes and role models, it said. They should also oppose "boring games, extravagant banquets and reckless pursuits of influence by celebrities," according to the statement. Standard language and text must be used and relevant laws and traditions be observed in various audio-visual programs on Internet, it said. Online platforms, radio and TV stations are prohibited from airing TV series and films without authorization, it said. A Chinese asset manager launched its debut hedge fund in the U.S. on Thursday, a move with few Chinese precedents. The multi-manager fund, launched by Hywin Capital Management LLC, is targeting 8 to 15 percent annual returns with minimal drawdowns, according to Gib Dunham, managing director and the portfolio manager of the fund. It is expected to allocate to four primary sectors including relative value, private credit, quantitative and zero correlation, said Dunham. He added that the focus of the fund is to combine managers with the proven ability to generate excess returns over benchmark indices, manage drawdowns and provide returns that are uncorrelated with the broad industry benchmarks. While a few big U.S. fund operators including Bridgewater Associates and Citadel are doing business in China, few Chinese asset managers launched hedge funds in the U.S. before. As Zhu Shuming, president of Hywin Capital, observed during her road show in China, that the country's hedge fund industry is still in the primary stage and not many investors are familiar with the investment strategies. "Probably more than 90 percent of Chinese investors' portfolio is in real estate. In fact, we bring the concept of investment portfolio to our investors to diversify risks and gain returns," said Zhu. She said Hywin Financial Holding Group, Hywin Capital's parent company, has set up multiple overseas offices in order to introduce a variety of investment vehicles to Chinese investors and help them diversify their portfolio. "The launch of this multi-manager product is significant to our Chinese investors because it's an asset class most of them don't have access to," said Dunham. Hywin Financial Holding Group is a multi-national conglomerate with over 5,000 employees worldwide and approximately 15 billion U.S. dollars in assets under management. Founded in 1989, the company has expertise across multiple asset classes including hedge funds, real estate, insurance, asset management, private equity and lending. You are here: Home Special trucks carrying 10 freight train carriages Friday departed from Harbin, capital of China's Heilongjiang Province, for Kenya to be used on the newly operational Mombasa-Nairobi railway. "The carriages, produced by CRRC Qiqihar railway stock corporation, will be delivered to Kenya by ship via Dalian, a port city in Liaoning Province," said Wang Junsong, a senior engineer with the corporation. The X2K carriage is double-layered with a load capacity of 78 tonnes, and each carriage is able to carry four containers 20-feet-long, according to Wang. The corporation received orders totalling 1,000 carriages for the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya, a 480-km line operating from May 31. The 3.8-billion U.S. dollar project was constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with 90 percent funde by China. Chinese telecom giant Huawei on Thursday launched its OpenLab Bangkok to provide one-stop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure support to start-ups and enterprises as well as to facilitate Thailand's digital transformation drive. With a total investment of 15 million U.S. dollars, the OpenLab Bangkok is the 7th of Huawei worldwide, following the previous ones in Dubai, Mexico, Moscow, Munich, Singapore, and Suzhou. It situates on a 2,000-square meter space on the 34th and 39th floor of the G Tower that houses Huawei Enterprise Thailand's new headquarters. The OpenLab Bangkok will assist start-ups in the information communications technology field, as well as other enterprises, offering them an open platform and data center resources, help solve the solution testing and speed up innovations. It will also help promoting industry ecosystem development, and provide ICT training service, said David Sun, President and Chief Executive Officer in the Southeast Asia Region, Huawei Technologies, at the opening ceremony. Huawei said the OpenLab Bangkok will facilitate Huawei's joint innovation and solution launches with its customers and partners in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, from various sectors including Smart City/Safe City, Smart Grid, Finance, Education, Transport, and Internet Service Providers. Sun emphasized that the OpenLab Bangkok will also support Thai government's "Thailand 4.0" strategy, which said Thai economy should be driven by innovation and new technology, and its aim to promote the local startups. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak thanked Huawei for launching the openlab and said that the lab may help to digitalize Thailand, from which Thai government, enterprises, universities and research institutes can benefit. According to Huawei, the OpenLab Bangkok will offer ICT training for 800 persons per year, ICT Career Certification for 500 persons per year and Proof Concept Testing for 150 persons per year. It is also expected to welcome more than 20 batches of ICT start-up companies' visit or communication annually. Worldwide, Huawei plans to add seven new OpenLabs in 2017, and in the next three years will invest 200 million dollars and nearly 1,000 people, bringing the total number of OpenLabs to 20 by the year 2019. Sun Huaishan, a former senior political advisor, was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office for violating the Party's code of conduct and corruption. The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a statement Friday that an investigation found that Sun had "severely violated political discipline and rules." Sun was formerly a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and head of the Committee for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Compatriots and Overseas Chinese of the CPPCC National Committee. The CCDI statement said Sun had spoken inappropriately of the Party's key policies, formed cliques and obstructed the investigation into him. He was found to have attended banquets paid for with public funds and asked other organizations to sponsor holidays for his relatives with public spending, acts that violate the Party's "eight-point" frugality code, the statement said. The statement also accused Sun of accepting money and gifts and abusing his power and influence to seek benefits for his son's business operations. Also, he took advantage of his posts to seek benefits for others and accepted cash or gifts in return. The statement said Sun, as a member of the CPC Central Committee, was "politically disloyal" to the Party and greedy. The qualification of Sun as a delegate to the 18th CPC National Congress will also be terminated and his ill gotten gains will be confiscated, the statement said. The case will be transferred to judicial organs. The statement said the decision to expel Sun from the CPC will be confirmed at a plenary meeting of the CPC Central Committee. Flash A deal between Turkey and Ukraine allowing their citizens to travel to each other's country without passports took effect on Thursday, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Under the reciprocal travel agreement inked by Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Groysman on March 14, citizens of both countries will only need to show their national ID cards for stays of up to 90 days. Kiev's ambassador in Ankara Andrii Sybiha said both Turkey and Ukraine will benefit from the agreement. Last year, over one million tourists from Ukraine visited Turkey, while more than 200,000 Turkish tourists travelled to Ukraine. Ukraine has seen a 30 percent increase in these numbers this year in a bid to boost tourism, Sybiha said. Turkey has become the largest tourism destination for Ukrainians as nearly 75 percent of 1.5 million Ukrainian tourists that travel overseas visit Turkey, the Hotels Association of Turkey (TUROB), a leading Turkish tourism association, said in a statement. There was a 48 percent year-on-year increase in the number of Ukrainian tourists visiting Turkey in 2016 despite many difficulties hitting the sector, TUROB said. According to TUROB, more than half of Ukrainian tourists to Turkey visited the Mediterranean resort of Antalya, with an 82 percent year-on-year increase, and the growth trend is expected to continue this year. Flash Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at a bilateral forum on innovation cooperation, which is also attended by his German counterpart Angela Merkel, in Berlin, Germany, June 1, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday China is ready to forge a closer innovative partnership with Germany. Li, who was in Germany for a two-day official visit, made the remarks at a bilateral forum on innovation cooperation, which is also attended by his German counterpart, Angela Merkel. Calling China and Germany a golden pair of innovation cooperation, Li said such a partnership has put a high-powered engine to China-Germany pragmatic cooperation. In 2014, the two countries launched a joint action plan themed "shaping innovation together," which set a precedent for science and technological cooperation between major countries, said Li. During the past three years, solid steps have been taken in bilateral innovation cooperation, namely the alignment between "Made in China 2025" plan and Germany's Industry 4.0 concept, the successful cooperation model of the Research Funding 2+2, and the rapid development of various China-Germany industrial parks. Unveiled in May 2015, the "Made in China 2025" plan helps transform China from a manufacturing giant into an innovation-motivated manufacturer. While Industry 4.0, a concept coined by the German federal government in 2011, aims to facilitate automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies, including cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things and cloud computing. Next month, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Germany and attend the Group of 20 Summit in Hamburg, said Li, calling on the two sides to maintain close high-level exchanges, cement political mutual trust, speed up the synergy of their development strategies, and launch more demonstrative programs. He suggested that the innovation cooperation between the two nations should be market-oriented and encouraged the two sides to explore new models for commercial development. He also called on the two sides to accelerate applied research and technology transformation and strengthen cooperation on technology research and development as well as manufacturing sector. China is willing to learn from Germany its experience in fundamental research, he said, adding that China encourages deepened cooperation between their universities and institutions, so as to create a host of heavyweight research accomplishments in cutting-edge sectors, said the premier. In his speech, Li also encouraged innovation by small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and suggested the establishment of a governmental-level mechanism to serve the cooperation between SMEs of the two countries. China and Germany are both active players of economic globalization, he said, urging the two sides to create a free and open environment for trade and investment. He also called on the two countries to promote two-way opening-up and create a more convenient and fair environment for bilateral innovation cooperation. The premier encouraged the two sides to step up the exchanges between their students and scientists and wished the first innovation and entrepreneurship week for youth from China and Germany a success. China strictly protects the intellectual property rights of enterprises in bilateral innovation cooperation and does not require mandatory technology transfer, he said, welcoming German companies to explore China's new energy vehicles markets. Li also briefed the guests with China's economic situation as well as the progress of China's economic reform. Merkel, in her speech, appreciated China's efforts in easing market access and protecting intellectual property rights. She said Germany is ready to work with China to build a platform to synergize the innovation and high-tech development strategies of the two countries. She agreed with Li that the two countries should encourage mutually beneficial cooperation between big and small business, deepen cooperation between higher education and vocational education, and expand social involvement of Germany-China partnership of innovation. She believed that, through joint efforts, the two countries will better meet common challenges and boost shared development. Flash Former U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement on Thursday that the administration of President Donald Trump joins "a small handful of nations that reject the future" after Trump announced his decision to quit the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. Flash Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in Brussels, Belgium, June 1, 2017. Li is scheduled to attend the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels and pay an official visit to Belgium. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Brussels Thursday for the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels. Upon his arrival, Li said China and the EU are contributors and beneficiaries of world multipolarization and economic globalization. He urged the two sides to jointly confront the instability of the international situation with a stable bilateral cooperation. Li hopes his visit could further promote China-EU relations in a stable and in-depth way, while boosting both sides' confidence in stability, cooperation and development. The relationship and pragmatic cooperation between China and Belgium have always been a model in China's relations with European countries over the past 46 years since the two countries established their diplomatic links, he said. China is willing to work with the Belgian side to blaze new trails in a pioneering spirit and tap the potential to the full to push forward the China-Belgium all-around partnership of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples, Li said. During his stay in Brussels, Li will co-chair the China-EU leaders' meeting with President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. Li will also hold talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and meet Belgium's King Philippe. Li is expected to discuss China-EU cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of common concern with European leaders, attend a series of activities in Brussels, including a China-EU business summit, a China-EU dialogue on innovation cooperation, a signing ceremony of cooperation documents between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and activities marking the China-EU year of tourism. During Li's visit, China and the EU are expected to sign several cooperation agreements in trade, logistics, new energy vehicles, education, finance, tourism and SME, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry. China and the EU, two important players on the world stage, enjoy a comprehensive strategic partnership. The EU is China's largest trading partner while China is the EU's second largest trading partner. Li's Brussels trip came after his official visit to Germany where he attended the annual meeting between Chinese premier and German chancellor. Li is scheduled to attend the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels on Friday and pay an official visit to Belgium. Flash Eight staff members and seven inmates were sent to hospital following a prison riot Wednesday in California. Gunshots were fired by officers during the incident, which started at 10:25 a.m. local time (1725 GMT) at the maximum-security Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City of Del Norte County, said the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). In a statement detailing the incident, the CDCR said custody staff responded to what was initially a fistfight between two inmates on one of the facility's maximum-security general population yard. "Responding staff used chemical agents and batons to subdue the inmates. However, they refused to stop fighting." "As staff continued to try to subdue the two inmates, large groups of inmates from various areas of the yard ran toward the incident," CDCR officials said, adding that officers from three armed posts fired a total of 19 bullets as the prisoners started attacking them. With two maximum security facilities, the prison was designed to house most serious criminals. It currently houses about 2,000 inmates and employs about 1,300 people. Six of the eight injured officers were treated and released. The other two remained hospitalized with what prison officials said were significant but not life-threatening injuries. They were expected to be released soon. The CDCR has sent a Deadly Force Investigations Team to the prison to conduct criminal and administrative investigation into the use of deadly force. The prison is 370 miles (600 km) north of San Francisco and 13 miles (20 km) south of California's border with Oregon. It was opened in 1989. A woman walks past the stand of Shanghai Bell at an industry expo held in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily] Nokia Shanghai Bell, a joint venture between leading telecom company Nokia Corp and a State-owned investment firm, said on Thursday that it will step up efforts to cash in on internet of things opportunities in sectors outside of its core telecom business in China. The company said it will ramp up resources to explore opportunities in energy, transportation, public utilities, radio and television and other sectors that internet of things technology will revolutionize. In May, Nokia signed agreements with State-owned investment company China Huaxin Post & Telecommunication Economy Development Center to create a joint venture. The joint venture, branded as Nokia Shanghai Bell, is designed to integrate Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell and Nokia's China operations. Nokia will own 50 percent plus one share of the new joint venture, with China Huaxin owning the remainder. The agreements are expected to close in July. Mike Wang, Nokia Corp's president in China, said the upcoming 5G mobile communication technology will have a profound impact on different industries, which will create big opportunities. According to market research firm Gartner, around 26 billion devices will be connected to the internet by 2020, and the internet of things market volume will exceed $1.9 trillion by then. Tao Ranting, executive vice-president of Nokia Shanghai Bell, said Nokia has already helped connect 1.2 billion devices to the internet globally. In China, it has built a network with local telecom carriers, which now manages around 8 million internet-connected devices. Engineer Du Hanlin explains skills for diesel locomotive maintenance and repair to trainees from Kenya in Baoji, Shaanxi province. The Kenyan engineers will operate trains on the Mombasa-Nairobi railway, which went into operation on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua] The transportation and electricity sectors will continue to serve as major powerhouses to fuel international infrastructure development in Belt and Road economies, according to a report released on Thursday. As shown by indicators between 2007 and 2016, the two sectors registered faster growth than the overall infrastructure industry, and became dominant driving forces of infrastructure development, said the report by the China International Contractors Association. CICA Chairman Fang Qiuchen said: "Infrastructure potential in markets related to the Belt and Road Initiative is enormous, and will keep growing in the future. Transportation and electricity facilities are projected to maintain a fast growth pace." "We found that some ASEAN and South Asian countries are exhibiting a sound trend of infrastructure development, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan and India," Fang said. Fang made the remarks at the eighth International Infrastructure and Construction Forum on Thursday, which was co-hosted by the CICA and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. The two-day event attracted more than 1,700 officials, financial institution executives and business leaders from 63 countries and regions to discuss sustainable infrastructure and seek extensive cooperation. In view of this, China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, and set goals to resolve the uneven development of infrastructure facilities across various regions through infrastructure connectivity. Yu Jianhua, vice-minister of commerce, said that there is an imperative need for deeper engagement with the private sector to create win-win scenarios in infrastructure development. "We should emphasize promoting the model of build-operate-transfer projects in public-private partnerships, and attract private equity funds and private capital to invest in the infrastructure sector," Yu said. BOT, a form of project financing, has found extensive application in infrastructure projects. Yu called on governments to build cooperative mechanisms for all stakeholders, and encouraged investors and contractors to further strengthen market research, and keep risks under control. The revival of protectionism in trade and investment, terrorism, regional conflicts and refugee issues, have brought some uncertainties to some projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative, said the report. A Lotte Mart in Beijing, Feb 28, 2017. [Photo/China Daily] Lotte Mart, the retail arm of South Korea's Lotte Group, is expected to sell some of its loss-making stores in China, a South Korean newspaper reported. But it is finding it hard to sell the stores at a decent price or even find a proper buyer at a time when the hypermarket format is no longer attractive to local consumers. The South Korean retailer is in negotiations with potential Chinese buyers to sell 20-30 of its loss-making stores. At present, 90 percent of its 74 hypermarkets are no longer in operation, according to Aju Business Daily. Jason Yu, general manager of Kantar Worldpanel China, said Lotte is seeking buyers for its struggling stores but will keep its profit-making outlets. "Lotte doesn't have many advantages. Its best option is to sell its business to local retailers in China, which are likely to be interested in Lotte's regional presence if they want to boost their dominance in specific regions." "It is hard for Lotte to sell at a good price given that the hypermarket business model is struggling for survival and consumers favor smaller formats such as convenience stores and online shopping," said Yu. "Lotte's main problem is it failed to keep pace with the profound changes in China's retail environment," said Yu. According to the Korea Herald, South Korean retail group Shinsegae Group has decided to close its chain of discount supermarkets in China. Shinsegae Vice-Chairman Chung Yong-jin told reporters that the company's E-mart chain will be leaving the Chinese market after 20 years. According to a Shinsegae spokesman, the E-mart stores will be closed at the earliest possible date, depending on local contract conditions for each store. Despite aggressive investment, the chain failed to gain traction and underwent massive restructuring. At the end of 2010, the chain had 26 stores, but it now operates just six. "Failure to adapt to the changing demands of Chinese consumers and retaining the same business model for years were held as the major reasons for the exit of E-mart in China," said Yu. In the first quarter of this year, hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenience stores grew only 0.3 percent, according to Kantar's report. Some traditional retailers have met the challenge of change in the nation's consumer market by improving their offerings in fields such as fresh and imported food, and tie-ups with e-commerce. For example, Wal-mart Stores Inc moved onto the platform of JD.com Inc on May 25, to make the best use of JD's massive logistics system and Wal-mart's global merchandise supply. PetroChina's petrol station is pictured in Beijing, China, March 21, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] China National Petroleum Corp, the country's largest oil and gas producer, aims to start operating its new refinery in the country's southwestern Yunnan province by June, an auxiliary project of the China-Myanmar crude oil pipeline. The first batch of refined oil products is due in early September, said Yu Mingxiang, a senior engineer at PetroChina Yunnan Petrochemical Company Limited. The refinery is expected to produce 3.76 million metric tons of gasoline, 5,48 million tons of diesel and 1.2 million tons of jet fuel each year, Yu said during a news conference in Beijing on Thursday. The plant, with a total investment of 30 billion yuan ($4.4 billion), will bring Yunnan from the end of the supply chain to a leading position in refinery chemical production, he said. With a crude processing capacity of 13 million tons per year, the operation of the Yunnan refinery will also meet demand in neighboring Sichuan province as well as South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, further facilitating oil and gas cooperation between China and economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, said CNPC spokesperson Qu Guangxue during the meeting. According to Li Li, energy research director at ICIS China, a consulting company that provides analysis of China's energy market, the plant will help extricate the landlocked province from a fuel shortage partly due to its lack of refining facilities. On the other hand, the pipeline also diversifies China's oil and gas imports, which will no longer have to pass through the Malacca Straits, a narrow channel that connects the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The pipeline transmission safety level is much higher than shipments by sea, which will ensure a stable energy supply to China, and the economic benefits are expected to keep growing as deliveries increase, she said. China and Myanmar signed an agreement in April on a crude oil pipeline starting in Myanmar's Made Island and ending in Yunnan province, the latest energy cooperation between the two countries to send oil from Myanmar's Kyaukpyu Port to Yunnan. The first oil tanker, Suezmax, later offloaded 140,000 tons of crude at Made Island oil port, and CNPC pumped the first crude oil through the China-Myanmar oil pipeline last month. According to Yu, the company has invested more than 3.8 billion yuan in environmental protection for the project, accounting for 13 percent of the total investment, which has substantially helped reduce emissions of dust, smoke and sulfur dioxide. Technicians use an intelligent drone to inspect a transformer in Chuzhou, Anhui province. [Photo/China Daily] China's power giants are carving out new business opportunities by building cross-border electricity grids through renewable energy projects. State Grid Corporation of China, the country's largest utility company, has built 10 cross-border transmission lines, connecting China with neighboring countries such as Russia and Mongolia. China Southern Power Grid, another State-owned utility powerhouse, has constructed 12 alternating current lines between Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. "So far, cross-border trade in electricity has exceeded 47.1 billion kilowatt-hours," the company said. This is all part of a General Energy Interconnection, or GEI, plan to connect up renewable power projects across national borders. Based in Beijing, the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization has signed memorandums of cooperation with five international partners. The non-governmental and non-profit Chinese organization aims to pursue GEI projects as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. It agreed with outline plans with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the League of Arab States, the African Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority. "Among the world's most three significant networks, the integration of energy infrastructure lags far behind the information and transportation sectors," Liu Zhenya, GEIDCO chairman and former chairman of SGCC, said in an article he wrote for Bloomberg View. The sector has also faced obstacles regarding geographical terrain and issues left over by history. To solve these problems, GEIDCO plans to put intercontinental grids in place in each continent by 2050. Before that, it aims to set up a countrywide super-grids across the world by 2020. With 305 members, the organization operates in 32 countries and regions across five continents. Its long-term goal is to increase clean energy consumption to 80 percent by 2050, reduce carbon emission to 11.5 billion metric tons, and propel investment in GEI to $50 trillion worldwide. One planned project is the China-South Asia interconnection development. GEIDCO proposed in a white paper to construct two ultra-high-voltage, or UHV, transmission projects. These would transmit electricity generated in China and Kazakhstan to Pakistan, and ease power shortages. Chi Yongning, chief engineer at new energy department of China Electric Power Research Institute, said safe and stable transcontinental electricity grids require abundant power. "To ensure systematic safety, it is crucial that the power transmission is on a consistent level," Chi said. BEIJING - Airbus and China will strengthen and deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in the aviation and aerospace industries, said Airbus China on Thursday. According to Airbus China, Airbus and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on aviation and aerospace, further enhancing the spirit of cooperation. The MoU was signed in Berlin by Fabrice Bregier, Airbus COO and President of Commercial Aircraft, and He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China. The success of industrial cooperation between Airbus and China makes it a model of high-tech and win-win partnership between China and Europe, said Bregier. "Together with our Chinese partners, we are confident in meeting the new challenges and opportunities and look forward to an even deeper and broader partnership," said Bregier. Based on an already established solid foundation, Airbus and China will support the development of engineering skills and technological innovation in China and also promote the integration of Chinese suppliers into Airbus's global supply chain. On May 27, Airbus began construction of its first helicopter assembly line in China. The plant, which is designed to produce 18 H135 helicopters a year, will be completed in 2018. According to Airbus China, Airbus is expected to deliver its first A330 aircraft in September 2017 from its completion and delivery center in north China's Tianjin. The Airbus (Tianjin) Final Assembly Co, Ltd will begin assembly of its first Airbus A320neo before the end of 2017. The State Post Bureau has called on express delivery providers to find common ground and protect consumer rights, amid a standoff between the country's largest courier and a leading logistics network. The shutdown of data sharing and connection between SF Express and Cainiao Network Technology since Thursday has hindered parcel tracking via Tmall and Taobao, the largest e-commerce platforms. It has also affected shipments of fresh produce including cherries, lychees and mangos, the bureau said. "After coordination with both parties, the bureau has urged companies to put aside disputes to prevent negative social impacts. Firms should embrace 'big picture-thinking' and maintain market order and protect consumer rights," a statement issued by the bureau late Thursday said. The conflict between SF and Cainiao emerged on Thursday when Taobao users were not able to track parcel information if they chose SF to do the delivery. Cainiao, a courier aggregator financially backed by Alibaba, said SF had rejected Cainiao's proposal to provide more comprehensive logistics data to detect counterfeit shipments, and unilaterally terminated data sharing from its self-pickup outlet service on Thursday. SF responded that such a request went beyond normal business purposes and might breach customer privacy. It added that Cainiao first removed SF from Taobao's inherent logistics inquiry system, but all packages handled by SF can still be tracked using its own platforms. Shenzhen-based SF is the nation's top courier by market value, while Cainiao assembles a network of delivery firms including SF and operates a data platform that enables speedier and more efficient service by letting couriers bundle deliveries in the same area. SYDNEY It's been 18 months since the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) took effect and Australia's Trade Minister Steven Ciobo said Friday the accord has been an overwhelming success. The minister said the accord brought large amounts of new jobs and opportunities to the people of Australia. Since the free trade agreement, exports from both countries have steadily increased. "The agreement is working in both our interests and producing win-win outcomes," Ciobo said. Emphasising that, along with Australia's major mineral exports, opportunities for industry in newer areas such as education and training services were thriving for Aussie businesses. "Australia has a world class standard when it comes to vocational education and training, as well as areas such as aged care," Ciobo said. "It's a great additional service export for Australia, and it's also a very good import of knowledge and a technology transfer for China." Another area the minister was particularly excited about was the new opportunities for Australian agricultural products such as wines, which have seen a 38 percent rise in exports to China since the deal. "The relationship between Australian and China has started to reach some of its full potential, and in many respects this is because of ChAFTA," Ciobo said. "Free trade means more opportunity for Australian businesses and employees." Tourism industries, both in China and Australia have also won big in the last year and a half. "We are seeing really strong investment in tourism infrastructure and that's terrific news," Ciobo said. "China is our biggest tourism market and the opportunities are very rich, there are more tourists staying longer and spending more than they ever have before, which is good news for our people to people link and grows the friendship of both countries." "Because what I am focused on is making sure that China and also ethnic Chinese here in Australia understand how much we value and appreciate the contribution they have had to this great country and to our relationship." Fresh off his visit to last month's Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, the minister also told Xinhua the trip was "very good" and that he was keen to put more "meat on the bone" with respect to the Belt and Road Initiative. "I think there are terrific opportunities for Australia and China to work together," Ciobo said. Covestro, a world-leading supplier of high-tech polymer materials based in Germany, and Tongji University held the 2017 Innovation Day and the inauguration ceremony of Covestro-Tongji Innovation Academy on Wednesday, launching their comprehensive strategic partnership focusing on the transportation and construction fields. From left to right: Peter Rothen, Germanys consul general in Shanghai; Dr. Markus Steilemann, board member for innovation and chief commercial officer of Covestro; Professor Wu Jiang, executive vice-president of Tongji University; Dr. Liu Yan, Party chief of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Committee at the inauguration ceremony of the Covestro-Tongji Innovation Academy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] A series of seminars under the theme of Sustainable Mobility took place during the Innovation Day, including lectures from experts and interactions among Tongji University, industry players and Covestro customers. "Tongji University, together with Covestro, is committed to supporting China's transformation into an innovation-driven economy. Our long history of collaboration has helped to drive forward China's indigenous innovation," said Wu Jiang, executive vice-president of Tongji University. "The newly established Innovation Academy and the Innovation Day together form an enhanced incubator aimed at fostering research projects in the transportation and construction fields, industrializing new material technologies and encouraging entrepreneurial ability among students and industry players." "Tongji University is one of our key partners in China. By intensifying our cooperation, we are striving to turn technology innovation outcomes into market value," added Markus Steilemann, board member for innovation and chief commercial officer of Covestro. "The new Innovation Academy, with its focus on the construction and transportation industries, is to become a powerhouse, accelerating the development and commercialization of new technologies." Peter Rothen, Germany's consul general in Shanghai, said: "Germany wants to continue to be a strong partner with China in the field of innovation. Germany wants to stay open to cooperation with China in the most advanced high-tech areas as we the German government and in particular our German companies have proven time and again, also by transferring more and more research and development capacities to China. "But in order to be able to do so, we also need to lift unnecessary restrictions for foreign companies, we need to get quickly to a truly level playing field between foreign and local companies." With the collaborative efforts from Covestro and Tongji University, the Innovation Day will serve as an open innovation platform, embracing partners across industry value chains to exchange ideas and incubate collaboration, in response to challenges that affect China to a considerable degree, for example, fast-paced urbanization. Seminars and panel discussions at the 2017 Innovation Day focused on the transportation sector, including the development trends in electric cars and internet transportation. The Innovation Academy is an expansion of the first five-year partnership of the Covestro-Tongji Eco-Construction & Material Academy collaboration, operating under the new name and mechanism. The Academy aims to explore and promote innovative industry-academia cooperation that focuses on industrializing innovation outcomes in the areas of transportation and construction. "In recent years, Shanghai has been spearheading efforts to develop itself into an innovation-driven metropolis and a major global entrepreneurial hub," said Liu Yan, Party chief of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Committee. "The Covestro-Tongji Innovation Academy itself is a very creative industry-academia cooperation model that will play a pivotal role in driving China's innovation eco-system through education, research projects and talent development." BANGKOK - Chinese telecom giant Huawei on Thursday launched its OpenLab Bangkok to provide one-stop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure support to start-ups and enterprises as well as to facilitate Thailand's digital transformation drive. With a total investment of $15 million, the OpenLab Bangkok is the 7th of Huawei worldwide, following the previous ones in Dubai, Mexico, Moscow, Munich, Singapore, and Suzhou. It situates on a 2,000-square meter space on the 34th and 39th floor of the G Tower that houses Huawei Enterprise Thailand's new headquarters. The OpenLab Bangkok will assist start-ups in the information communications technology field, as well as other enterprises, offering them an open platform and data center resources, help solve the solution testing and speed up innovations. It will also help promoting industry ecosystem development, and provide ICT training service, said David Sun, President and Chief Executive Officer in the Southeast Asia Region, Huawei Technologies, at the opening ceremony. Huawei said the OpenLab Bangkok will facilitate Huawei's joint innovation and solution launches with its customers and partners in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, from various sectors including Smart City/Safe City, Smart Grid, Finance, Education, Transport, and Internet Service Providers. Sun emphasized that the OpenLab Bangkok will also support Thai government's "Thailand 4.0" strategy, which said Thai economy should be driven by innovation and new technology, and its aim to promote the local startups. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak thanked Huawei for launching the openlab and said that the lab may help to digitalize Thailand, from which Thai government, enterprises, universities and research institutes can benefit. According to Huawei, the OpenLab Bangkok will offer ICT training for 800 persons per year, ICT Career Certification for 500 persons per year and Proof Concept Testing for 150 persons per year. It is also expected to welcome more than 20 batches of ICT start-up companies' visit or communication annually. Worldwide, Huawei plans to add seven new OpenLabs in 2017, and in the next three years will invest $200 million and nearly 1,000 people, bringing the total number of OpenLabs to 20 by the year 2019. BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a message of condolences to his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Ashraf Ghani over the deadly car bomb attack in Kabul. The powerful car bomb exploded on Wednesday in central Kabul, where several diplomatic representative offices, official institutions as well as the Presidential Palace are located, killing at least 80 people and injuring over 350 others. Mourning the dead, Xi extended his sincere sympathy to the injured and the bereaved families, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name. China opposes terrorism of all forms and vehemently condemns the attack, Xi said. He added that China is ready to work with the international community and support the Afghan government and people in fighting against terrorism so as to safeguard national security and stability. Abraham Morse (third from left) with his colleagues in an operating room at the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center. Provided To China Daily Guangzhou hospital aims to deliver care with an international vision Abraham Morse made headlines in local newspapers when he started working as a doctor at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, as foreign doctors are still a rarity in Chinese public hospitals. His move to China marked a return to the country where he studied Chinese and interned at a joint venture company in 1986 as a student. Morse attended medical school as part of a joint program between Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Johns Hopkins Hospital and a fellowship in urogynecology at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Before moving to Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, he worked at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He was attracted by the "innovative and slightly unusual" job posting by the medical center in Guangzhou on an international website, which said it was seeking a new head of urogynaecology. Morse said it stood out because it was not just a search for someone to conduct clinical work like most other postings for positions in Asia. He started working at the medical center in August and took over as director of the urogynaecology department in January. "As an open and inclusive city, Guangzhou has become an international metropolis. It needs medical care that has an international vision and internationally renowned doctors," said Xia Huimin, president of the medical center. The center has set standards that are aligned with Western practices, Xia said, adding that it has more than 20 foreign doctors engaged in research, and an ophthalmologist from the United States who spends one week each month seeing patients at the center. Morse said of the urogynaecology department: "We take care of a broad range of gynecologic issues. I hear about all the patients and we discuss the management of their conditions. "I sometimes discuss the US approach to problems, such as what medication we might use and when we might consider surgery. It doesn't mean one method is right and one is wrong - all cases are different. It's interesting to compare approaches to help us understand our goals and those of the patients." One of the big differences is that a lot of technology, such as that used in laboratory testing, advanced imaging and advanced minimally invasive surgery, is relatively new in China, Morse said. "My experience in the US has enabled me to appreciate the balance between the advantages and disadvantages of some medical approaches. In China, patients and doctors sometimes overestimate the value of advanced technology and surgical intervention," he said. "There is so much information available that the biggest challenge is to assess what information is important. Experience is crucial. It's also a systematic process of understanding a patient's history, their symptoms and their goals. I always encourage a careful assessment of each patient," he said, adding that too many hospitals in China are overcrowded. Morse sees about eight patients for clinical assessment a day, many of whom have noncomplex conditions, which points to another difference in the two systems. In the US, Morse was a specialist in pelvic-floor problems, with most of his patients being referred by another doctor. Such a system, known as primary care in the US, is largely not in place in China, he said. "Here, patients are pretty much on their own in figuring out what doctor they should see. Almost every doctor is a specialist." Patients are charged 9 yuan ($1.30) to see Morse at the medical center, compared with about $125 in the US. Some patients come to see him out of curiosity about a foreign doctor, he said, adding that he communicates with patients through a translator, but his Chinese is improving and he has learned a little Cantonese. Morse helps to plan surgeries and attends three to five surgeries a week as the primary surgeon or as an assistant teaching another surgeon. He also mentors and consults with both resident and attending doctors to help them develop their research ideas and edit manuscripts in English. In addition, Morse helps his colleagues generate knowledge from data, as the medical center focuses on developing electronic medical records and electronic data resources. He also noted a difference in attitude toward taking medicine. "In the US, we are accustomed to taking medication over a long time, sometimes for the rest of our lives. In China, many people are reluctant to take medication every day for three months to treat a condition, for example. There are different reasons for that," he said. In addition, both the patient and a family member are required to sign a consent form for surgery in China, while in the US, only the patient signs the form. "In the US, we believe the patient should be responsible for making decisions about their health. In China, there is a sense that the family as a whole is jointly responsible for making decisions about a relative's health," he said. On the other hand, documentation from doctors in the US can be overwhelming, including things not directly related to the care provided, Morse said. His wife and sons are also living in Guangzhou, "It will be a good experience for my sons to live and go to school in a place that is very different and very unfamiliar to them." Huang Zehui contributed to this story. liwenfang@chinadaily.com.cn BEIJING -- The Ministry of Finance on Thursday announced that the central government had earmarked 3.2 billion yuan ($470 million) to reward eight localities that have achieved remarkable poverty alleviation results. Each of the eight provincial areas, including Anhui, Sichuan, Guizhou and Tibet, will receive 400 million yuan, the ministry said in a statement. Chinese authorities in 2016 published a set of criteria to annually assess local governments' poverty-relief work. Authorities that fail to deliver satisfying poverty reduction results will be held responsible, while those with outstanding performances will be rewarded, with the results serving as major references to assess the performance of local officials. The Chinese government has vowed to lift all the rural impoverished out of poverty by 2020 to build a moderately prosperous society. Since China started the reform and opening-up drive more than 30 years ago, over 700 million Chinese have shaken off poverty, accounting for more than 70 percent of global poverty reduction in that time. A mausoleum is under construction in Huichang county's Bingqiu village in Jiangxi province. Zuo Zhuo / China Daily Huichang county in Jiangxi province is taking measures to curb the soaring costs of betrothal gifts and extravagant wedding and funeral ceremonies, which have plagued its villages for years. With the average cost of betrothal gifts in the county skyrocketing to 300,000 yuan ($44,000) this year, the old tradition of giving money to a bride's parents has become a huge burden for a groom's family. "Getting married is now one of the two major causes of poverty in the county - the other being illness," said Xu Yongchun, a county official. As part of a plan to reduce poverty and transform outdated tradition, the county government has issued a guideline, limiting dowries at 60,000 yuan and calling on villagers to scale down their wedding banquets to no more than 10 tables, according to Zeng Pengfei, director of the Huichang civil affairs department. He said the government is setting up village-level wedding and funeral councils to ensure implementation of the measures. The measures were introduced in Wenwuba township's Gufang village in March. "Our village has nine communities based on family names. The nine council members we elected, one from each community, are all highly respected and enlightened elders," said Zou Zhulin, head of Gufang's wedding and funeral council. "The task of council members is to raise awareness of the guideline, which involves helping organize and supervise wedding ceremonies, making sure they don't leave families penniless. But it's not easy to change a deep-rooted tradition," Zou said. However, Huichang has made significant progress in simplifying funeral services and promoting green burials. Xijiang township's Bingqiu village is a pioneer in terms of mausoleums. Villagers discovered the benefits of mausoleums after the government built one for them. In fact, the 271 residents voluntarily raised funds to build a second one, according Wang Tianfa, vice-chairman of the village's wedding and funeral council. They each contributed 2,500 yuan for the project, which is also the price of one niche in the mausoleum. The two-story building, which is under construction, is situated on top of a hill. "The mausoleum covers just 190 square meters, but will house more than 350 urns. It requires much less land than a cemetery," Wang said. "It also eases the burden on younger generations. Traditional funeral services cost up to 50,000 yuan, while cremating a deceased person and storing their ashes in a mausoleum costs only a few thousand yuan." Bingqiu's new practice has attracted the attention of neighboring townships and villages. "Since the beginning of this year, we have received more than 20 groups of visitors to our mausoleum," Wang said. The county government said it plans to expand the practice in all of its villages. zuozhuo@chinadaily.com.cn Bart Smeets poses in front of his painting on a residential building in Shanghai's Pudong New District. Provided To China Daily One five-story residential building in Shanghai's Pudong New District stands out from the others nearby, as it features a colorful mural of a little boy looking into the distance through a pair of binoculars. "It's a bit mysterious, because onlookers don't know what the boy is looking at. It appears that he's looking into the future, but he is the only one who can see what his future looks like," said Bart Smeets from Belgium, the creator of the mural. Smeets, 39, was among 15 artists from around the world invited to Shanghai to paint on walls at schools and on streets as part of a corporate social responsibility project with a theme of child care and animal protection. "My style is mostly photorealistic, but at the same time, I want to create something with a sense of fantasy because it's about children," the independent artist said on May 19, shortly before the piece was completed. Smeets first applied a base color to the wall of the building, which is next to the municipality's elevated middle ring road. He marked the wall with little circles to ensure that he painted the right areas. After finishing his sketches, he started to systematically spray-paint the area. "I made the boy really big and put a small boat next to him to play a little bit with the proportions and give it a sense of fantasy," Smeets said. The boy in the painting is standing in a pond. Smeets said water is the element he uses most often in his paintings, and he has created a lot of pieces that picture animals underwater. "The wall is always flat, but if you use water, you can create a three-dimensional space. For example, in this painting, when I have the water, I can have the reflection of the trees as well as the reflection of the boy's legs," he said. He also incorporated some trees similar to those surrounding the wall to help it blend in with the environment. The mural, which Smeets took a week to complete, has already caught the attention of passers-by. Wang Jiadian, a 29-year-old who lives nearby, said: "The boy is looking in the same direction that the traffic on the elevated road is moving in. The piece is in harmony with its surroundings, and adds vitality and color." Smeets has created murals in a number of countries. He recently completed projects in Russia and Ukraine, and after his trip to Shanghai, he will fly to Canada and then on to New Zealand. "Every painting is different. So for me, my last wall painting has to be my best one," he said. It is his first time in Asia and he said he was delighted that he can leave something behind. "When people go on vacation, they don't leave anything behind. But I painted a wall here, and when I go home I can say, 'There is a wall painting in Shanghai that I made', and that is super cool," he said. zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan from June 7 to 10, the Foreign Ministry announced on Friday. Xi is invited by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a statement. Xi will also attend the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the opening ceremony of the World Expo in Astana, Lu said. A worker fixes a thread on the production line at Huafu Top Dyed Melange Yarn Co in Aksu, a southern city in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Photo By Zhu Xingxin / China Daily Efforts to grow textile industry and attract startups are providing employment for impoverished ethnic communities. Cao Yin reports from Aksu, Xinjiang. Nurgul Islam removed the white face mask covering her mouth and wiped the sweat from her eyes. "I used to be anxious about the future," she shouted as banks of sewing machines roared around her, "but this job has set me free." The 21-year-old works in quality control for Ke Ning Textile Technology Co's sock factory in Aksu, a city in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Before she was hired last year, Islam said she felt lost. "I had nothing to do, and I didn't know what I could do." She had not long graduated from an Aksu vocational school with a certificate in kindergarten teaching, yet she had no desire to return to her native Kartal, an impoverished township more than 50 kilometers away. Fortunately, she was recruited by Ke Ning through a cooperation agreement Kartal signed with the city's textile enterprises. "Now I'm paid 3,500 yuan ($520) a month, and I see hope in the plant, which I couldn't in my village," she said. Xinjiang produces more than 60 percent of China's commercial cotton, and Aksu is one of the biggest cultivation areas. In 2010, the city established the Textile Industrial Center, where 64 enterprises from across China have opened production lines, not only to to save on labor costs, but to create job opportunities for the region's ethnic groups. President Xi Jinping said in 2014 that fighting terrorism and religious extremism should be a top priority for Xinjiang, and boosting employment is seen by the authorities as key to regional security and stability. The industrial center, which has clothing factories and weaving mills, has created more than 32,000 jobs, including 18,000 on production lines, according to Liu Yong, one of its directors. More than 95 percent of workers are from ethnic groups, and most are age 20to 35, he said. "We're planning to set up more workshops in counties, towns and villages to provide more employment for people further out," Liu added. Family business The biggest employer on the Asku industrial park is Huafu Top Dyed Melange Yarn Co, which is headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Over the past three years, it has hired more than 2,300 locals, and the number is expected to increase to 4,000 by the end of this year, said Li Jiansheng, its administrative manager. The company has five workshops across Xinjiang - Aksu is the largest-and employs more than 5,000 workers in total, he said, adding that the number could reach 12,000 by 2020. "We provide our workers with textile skills and security training," Li said. "Training for basic positions takes about 10 days, but it will take longer for more complicated roles." For workers with no experience with textiles or cotton, or unable to speak Mandarin, the company arranges for them to study at its on-site school, where classes are taught by senior workers fluent in Mandarin and Uygur. All expenses, including meals and accommodation, are covered by the company during the training period. Adila Amut, 18, started working at the Aksu yarn factory seven months ago, after almost a year of being taught how to spin rough and heavy cord into the fine thread used by sewing machines. She said she got the job to help her family. "I earn about 2,000 yuan ($290) a month, which covers my younger brother's school fees," she said. "My parents don't have much land, so they can't earn much from farming." Her colleague, Padam Yassen, 43, is also using her salary to pay for school for her two younger sisters. Her higher income has meant her family can afford to leave the countryside and move into an apartment in Aksu. As a political reporter based in Beijing, most of the stories I've written about the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the past have been about law or politics, or the fight against terrorism. Yet after spending time recently in Aksu, a city in the region's south, my only thoughts have been of its beautiful scenery, delicious food and rich culture. In particular, I was struck during my visit by the younger generation, who are acting as a bridge between Xinjiang and the rest of China. Dilhumar Imir, 23, is an administrative affairs officer with a court in Awati county. She returned home to the region after getting a degree in Chinese literature from the South-Central University for Nationalities in Wuhan, Hubei province. Her language skills meant she was able to act as my translator during interviews with Aksu locals unable to speak Mandarin. "I have many good friends who are Han or from other ethnic groups," she told me. "Studying in Wuhan made me realize that language is very important to understanding other people and their stories. "Of course, learning Mandarin doesn't mean we stop speaking Uygur. It's just to help us improve communication - and find more fantastic things in the world." Imir said returning home after graduation was a no-brainer. "Not only is my family here, but also I feel my hometown needs me." Aksu has many traditional art forms and Uygur musicians, "but it's been hard to get their stories across because of the language barrier", she said, which is why she often volunteers if someone from outside Xinjiang needs an interpreter. Getting a good education is also vital, she added, "as it changed my life and taught me to know the importance of knowledge". Qu Mingcai, the principal of No 66 Middle School in Urumqi, the regional capital, said education is the most effective way to alleviate poverty and broaden the horizons of younger generations. "We hope more Uygur children from lower-income families can be educated, or at least given the chance to study," he said. His middle school was established by the Xinjiang government in 2004 mainly for students from southwestern Xinjiang, such as Kashgar and Turpan. Tajinsa Abuduany, 14, is one of the 3,373 students enrolled there. Before she arrived in Urumqi, she could not speak a word of Mandarin, but she was able to chat with me for half an hour. "I wanted to learn because I want to make friends and talk with other Mandarin speakers," she said. "The teachers here who are ethnic Han but can speak Uygur have encouraged me a lot." She is also learning English, as she dreams of one day becoming a doctor. Chinese often say that knowledge can change someone's destiny, and the first step I believe is to provide educational opportunities for young people, as No 66 Middle School is doing. Abuduany has the potential to be another Imir one day - and maybe more. Students in Linfen Red Ribbon School prepare for the national college entrance exam, May 25, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] Principal at Shanxi school sees a future of greater tolerance, understanding A school for children infected with HIV in North China has been given permission to hold the national college entrance examination in its classrooms to prevent potential disruption for other students taking the test. Sixteen of the 36 students enrolled at Linfen Red Ribbon School in Shanxi province will take the exam, known as the gaokao, on June 7 and 8. The school, which opened in 2004, offers 12 years of elementary education to children who were infected with HIV - usually in their mothers' wombs or through breastfeeding. It will be the first time any of its students have taken the exam. The Shanxi Education Commission gave permission for the independent testing site shortly after the school held a commencement ceremony for its first high school graduates. "I take that as a goodwill stance by the authorities," said principal Guo Xiaoping. "We have to face the reality that discrimination is still rife against people living with HIV and AIDS." He said his students are allowed to take the exam at the regular examination site, which is 20 kilometers from the school, but that taking it in a familiar environment would help their performance. Hu Zetao, 18, who is among the students who will take the exam, appeared in a public service announcement with China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, to fight AIDS discrimination in 2012. In that widely circulated presentation, he showed his face and became familiar to the public. Guo said it made him a public figure in Linfen. Hu said he and his fellow students were determined to attend universities in other parts of the country. "Fewer people know us there and we are more likely to have a normal college life," he said. Chinese law safeguards the privacy of people with HIV and AIDS. Also, HIV is not tested during the routine health check for college entrance. Guo said tolerance for HIV-positive people is much better at universities where students are adults, compared with primary and middle schools. "I hope our children can lead a normal life after college," he said. But for Hu, it's much harder, as he became well known during many awareness-raising events. With the gaokao approaching, "I feel increasingly nervous", Hu conceded. "I don't know whether any college will accept me, whether the college teachers will treat me like they do others or whether other college students will study beside me and live in the same dormitory with me," Hu said. But he said he was committed to a lifelong fight against AIDS and related discrimination. Guo said he would help communicate with the universities that students from Linfen Red Ribbon School strive for normal and happy study lives. After Hu and his classmates leave for colleges following the gaokao, Guo said, "We'll have our next college entrance examination in six to seven years, and I am confident a more tolerant and well-informed society then will welcome the HIV-positive children to sit in the examination side by side with the HIV-free ones," he said. Without intervention, 30 percent of HIV-positive women will pass on the virus to their children. Currently, roughly 5.7 percent of infected mothers give birth to an HIV-positive baby, government statistics show. shanjuan@chinadaily.com.cn BERLIN -- China will continue to work steadfastly to implement the commitment of the Paris climate deal and join hands with all parties to tackle climate change, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told reporters here on Thursday. In a joint press conference with his German counterpart Angela Merkel, Li said that China, a large developing country, should shoulder its international responsibilities to jointly address the challenge of climate change with other countries. Combating climate change is a global consensus, said Li, adding that "with tremendous efforts, China will move towards the 2030 goal step-by-step steadfastly." China has actively participated in promoting and the signing of the Paris Agreement, Li said, adding that China was also one of the first countries to submit the file of national plan on dealing with climate change to the United Nations. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 parties in Paris in 2015 and it went into effect in November last year. The pact sets a target of holding the global average rise in temperature below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 degree Celsius. So far, 147 parties representing more than 82 percent of greenhouse gas emissions have ratified the agreement. The United States, one of the biggest greenhouse emitters in the world, has not decided whether to leave the deal or to stay, as its newly-elected president, Donald Trump, has yet to unveil his decision on the issue. The Chinese premier is on a three-day official visit to Europe. He wrapped up his German trip and arrived in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium on Thursday afternoon. In Brussels, Li will co-chair the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and pay an official visit to Belgium. Police officers escort a fugitive who fled to the United States in April last year. The man, who is suspected of committing rape in China, was repatriated at Beijing Capital International Airport on Thursday.Zou Hong / China Daily A fugitive on China's most-wanted list who is suspected of rape was repatriated to China from the United States on Thursday afternoon, according to the Ministry of Public Security. A United Airlines flight carrying the suspect - surnamed Zhu - and two US law enforcement officers arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport, where the officers handed him over to Chinese police. The successful repatriation was considered "the latest achievement of law enforcement and network security cooperation between the two countries", said a senior official at the ministry's criminal investigation department, who asked that his name not be used. According to the ministry, both countries have tried to put aside political and legal differences to enhance communication and mutual trust in the fight against transnational crimes. Moreover, they will improve law enforcement and security dialogues, while strengthening intelligence sharing and conducting joint investigations in some cases. In recent years, a number of Chinese suspects, including some suspected of major crimes, have fled China to the US. Lack of a bilateral extradition treaty, as well as legal obstacles, have helped them avoid prosecution. In April 2016, the Fuyang police in Anhui province received a report accusing Zhu of rape, and the suspect fled to the US. The Ministry of Public Security attached great importance to the case and set up a special investigation team to go to the US to hunt down the suspect. It asked Interpol to issue a red notice, which is close to an international arrest warrant. In January, Zhu was captured by US authorities for illegally overstaying his visa, and the US immediately informed the ministry. Chinese officials then shared evidence of the rape with their US counterparts and requested that Zhu be sent back to China. In May, Zhu was convicted in a US court of illegal immigration and was expelled from the country. Huang Feng, a law professor from Beijing Normal University, said Chinese fugitives will pose a serious risk to local public security, and if US law enforcement officers are aware of their crimes, they won't allow foreign suspects to stay in the country. "They will offer judicial assistance to their Chinese counterparts according to the laws in the US," he said. zhangyan1@chinadaily.com.cn A Sri Lankan military band welcomes the arrival of a Chinese Navy fleet at a port in Colombo, the country's capital, on Wednesday. Shi Kuiji / For China Daily The Chinese Navy provided supplies and medical workers on Wednesday for relief efforts in Sri Lanka's flood-hit regions as the death toll in the country's worst monsoon disaster since 2003 climbed to 203. Sixteen medical personnel aboard the People's Liberation Army Navy vessels Changchun, Jingzhou and Chaohu arrived at the port in Colombo to assist with the ongoing relief operations, the Defense Ministry said. The Navy provided 1 metric ton of rice, 1 ton of flour, 10 inflatable rubber boats, 300 boxes of bottled water, instant noodles as well as various medical equipment and supplies, the ministry said. All the supplies were from the three ships, which were conducting goodwill visits around the world. The fleet originally arrived in Sri Lanka on a four-day goodwill visit, but subsequently changed plans when it received news of the flooding situation, said Shen Hao, the fleet commander. Officers and sailors on the ships tried their best to gather the supplies and medicine, and arrived to help the people of Sri Lanka as soon as possible, he said. When they arrived on Wednesday morning, Navy personnel worked closely with the Sri Lanka Navy and the Chinese embassy to carry out relief efforts. The Chinese Navy meticulously organized and prepared the supplies, and was active in supporting the rescue effort, Shen said. The supplies were handed over to Sri Lanka's Vice-Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, commander of the Navy, during his visit to the Chinese ships on Wednesday afternoon. The supplies and equipment will greatly help the relief effort, he said, adding that he appreciated the assistance from China. The Chinese and Sri Lankan navies already enjoy close cooperation, and the partnership will be even closer in the future, he said. By Wednesday, Sri Lanka's disaster management center said the floods and landslides caused by Tropical Cyclone Mora had affected 15 districts, with 203 deaths and around 630,000 people forced to leave their homes. The flooding is believed to be the worst since May 2003, when a similarly powerful monsoon killed around 250 people and destroyed 10,000 homes, according to the center. zhangzhihao@chinadaily.com.cn BEIJING -- Eight provincial and ministerial officials were sentenced to terms of up to life in prison for graft Wednesday, which highlights China's sweeping fight against corruption is far from ending. Among the convicted, four officials were found guilty of accepting bribes worth over 100 million yuan ($14.7 million). They are Liu Zhigeng, former vice governor of Guangdong Province, Wang Baoan, former head of the National Bureau of Statistics, Lu Ziyue, former mayor of Ningbo in Zhejiang province, and Chen Xuefeng, a former provincial-level official in Henan province. The sentences came after the execution of Zhao Liping, a former senior political advisor in northern China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, last week for intentional homicide, taking bribes and possession of firearms. Dai Yanjun, from the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the convictions of these eight "big tigers" are a sign of a prolonged anti-graft campaign. "These cases serve as warnings that the fight against corruption remains fierce and complicated although it has gained crushing momentum," Dai said. After taking office in late 2012, the current CPC leadership has declared a crackdown on graft and identified the need to guarantee that officials dare not, cannot and do not want to be corrupt. This anti-graft "trilogy" has nailed down a route from the initial shock of ousting corrupt officials to perfecting the anti-graft regulations and mechanism to ensure a long-term effect. China's court system concluded 45,000 graft cases implicating 63,000 people in 2016, with 35 former officials at the provincial and ministerial level or above, and 240 at the prefectural level, convicted, according to the work report of the Supreme People's Court. "These cases have won the CPC time to treat the root causes of corruption," said Dai. The verdicts on these senior officials were meted out prior to the 19th CPC National Congress, at which a new CPC central committee and a new anti-graft body will be elected. "It shows the fight against corruption will not weaken and the zero-tolerance policy will not change, thus dismissing speculation that the anti-graft fight would come to an end as the current leadership is to end its tenure," Dai said. Creating a tighter and more extensive net against corruption, the graft watchdog has been busy hunting "foxes," corrupt officials suspected of economic crimes hiding abroad, as well as the crackdown on corrupt officials from low-level "flies" to high-ranking "tigers." More than 1,000 fugitives were returned from abroad in 2016, including China's most wanted graft fugitive Yang Xiuzhu. Wang Yukai, with the Chinese Academy of Governance, said the "crushing momentum" is a landmark in the battle against graft. "The next step will focus on preventing corruption cases from emerging by strengthening supervision on corrupt officials," Wang said. Apart from improving and tightening disciplinary regulations within the CPC, China is on track to establish a national supervision system which will oversee all public servants. The National People's Congress Standing Committee, the top legislature, approved a pilot reform program last year to establish an integrated supervision system that will see the establishment of local supervisory commissions at three levels -- province, city and county. Supervisory commissions have been set up in Beijing Municipality and the provinces of Shanxi and Zhejiang, as the initial step toward establishing a national supervisory commission. Besides supervising the performance, integrity and ethical conduct of civil servants, the commission will also investigate and punish anyone implicated in corruption or other job-related offenses. Any serious cases will be transferred to procuratorates for criminal investigation. "It is an arduous task to reduce existing corruption and contain any rise in corruption because there is still space for corruption to evolve," Dai noted. "Any let-up in the intensity of anti-graft fight could spoil everything that has been achieved." "The fight against corruption has no end, it will always continue," he said. President Xi Jinping will embark on a four-day trip to Kazakhstan next Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang announced on Friday. At the invitation of Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Xi will pay a state visit to the country, which borders western China. He will attend the 17th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the opening ceremony of Astana Expo 2017 between Wednesday and Saturday, Lu said. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kazakhstan. The two presidents had a meeting in Beijing last month on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. HARBIN -- Special trucks carrying 10 freight train carriages Friday departed from Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province, for Kenya to be used on the newly operational Mombasa-Nairobi railway. "The carriages, produced by CRRC Qiqihar railway stock corporation, will be delivered to Kenya by ship via Dalian, a port city in Liaoning province," said Wang Junsong, a senior engineer with the corporation. The X2K carriage is double-layered with a load capacity of 78 tonnes, and each carriage is able to carry four containers 20-feet-long, according to Wang. The corporation received orders totalling 1,000 carriages for the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya, a 480-km line operating from May 31. The $3.8-billion project was constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with 90 percent funded by China. BEIJING -- Sun Huaishan, a former senior political advisor, was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office for violating the Party's code of conduct and corruption. The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a statement Friday that an investigation found that Sun had "severely violated political discipline and rules." Sun was formerly a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and head of the Committee for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Compatriots and Overseas Chinese of the CPPCC National Committee. The CCDI statement said Sun had spoken inappropriately of the Party's key policies, formed cliques and obstructed the investigation into him. He was found to have attended banquets paid for with public funds and asked other organizations to sponsor holidays for his relatives with public spending, acts that violate the Party's "eight-point" frugality code, the statement said. The statement also accused Sun of accepting money and gifts and abusing his power and influence to seek benefits for his son's business operations. Also, he took advantage of his posts to seek benefits for others and accepted cash or gifts in return. The statement said Sun, as a member of the CPC Central Committee, was "politically disloyal" to the Party and greedy. The qualification of Sun as a delegate to the 18th CPC National Congress will also be terminated and his ill gotten gains will be confiscated, the statement said. The case will be transferred to judicial organs. The statement said the decision to expel Sun from the CPC will be confirmed at a plenary meeting of the CPC Central Committee. FARGO Both the prosecution and defense rested Thursday in the double murder trial of Ashley Hunter. As prosecutors wrapped up their case Thursday in Cass County District Court, Judge Norman Anderson ruled that a witness said to be an expert on false confessions would not be allowed to testify on behalf of the defense. A statement Hunter made to police shortly after his arrest is a key part of the states case against Hunter, who is charged with killing Clarence Flowers and Samuel Traut within hours of each other in June 2015. According to court documents, Hunter killed Flowers by stabbing him more than 77 times, while Traut was killed by hammer blows to his head after Hunter showed up at his back door and asked for a glass of water. The prosecution's case hinted strongly that both murders were fueled by heavy drug use. In his statement to police after he was arrested the morning of June 23, 2015, Hunter essentially confessed to both murders. Also, a nurse testified that Hunter confessed to her after his arrest, telling her he killed a man the night before and that it shouldn't have happened. On Thursday, Anderson denied a move by the defense to place Alan Hirsch on the stand. Hirsch is a Williams College professor who has testified at other trials on the subject of false confessions. During a video conference between Hirsch and defense attorney Samuel Gereszek, Hirsch said false confessions happen and some contain very accurate details regarding a case. We find many accurate details in many false confessions, Hirsch said. Gereszek stressed that Hirsch wouldnt be testifying about whether or not statements Hunter made to police were false, only that false confessions are a reality. It exists, its a real thing, and it should be considered, Gereszek said. Anderson said jurors can be alerted to that kind of information via the jury instruction process, and he said Hirsch would not be allowed to testify. Closing arguments will be presented today. A recent report stating middle class Chinese children tend to look down on those who are not as fortunate has sparked a heated debate online. The article was published in Phoenix Weekly, a magazine based in Hong Kong. Families with an annual income between 50,000 yuan and 1 million yuan are considered middle class in China. The huge gap between them has seen disparity in the middle class. The article described a scenario of two young Chinese girls, both with English names, excluding a young Chinese boy, in the playground as he did not have an English name. It then stated one of the girl's mothers felt relieved and satisfied with her decision to let the daughter to learn English, as having an English name was a symbol of having a good education. The report also listed a range of complicated scenarios people from middle class families have to deal with on a daily basis, such as families having to compete with each other in order to get their children into a good kindergarten in Chengdu, and Hong Kong parents calculating the perfect time to get pregnant and have a baby. According to Phoenix Weekly, parents who give their children nothing but the best when buying toys, preschool classes, clothes, animations, cartoons and tourism destinations will prompt them to compare their lifestyles to peers. It also stated children and their parents living in better conditions would have a better chance at obtaining a higher position than others in any field or situation. As an example, children at an international school with foreign teachers may feel superior to other children's attending a school with local staff instead. A WeChat user, who goes by the name Xianqingouji, said it was wrong parents offered better conditions to their children but despised others. "Moral cultivation is very important and it could not be based on money," the user said. Xu Xiaoteng, another net user, said the report was probably a soft advertisement for businesses in the English education sector. "It boats of the English education's favorites like making friends, and expecting parents to spend money on it." Lei Shuya, a commentator of the Qianjiang Evening News, said making friends was based on the common interest of people; however, in the report, it was stated it was because of contempt. "It is good for people to feel comfortable in the social contacts, either adults or children," Lei said. Dai Haibo, former deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal government, was sentenced to nine years in prison and fined 2 million yuan ($294,000) for taking bribes and concealing deposits overseas by Shanghai No 1 Intermediate People's Court on Friday. The court said Dai abused his powers to gain benefits for others in exchange for bribes between 1998 to 2015, when he was general manager of the State-owned developer Zhangjiang Group, deputy Party secretary and later deputy head of Pudong New District and head of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, among other roles. The 55-year-old took bribes of more than 9.9 million yuan over the years, it said. The court also found that Dai opened bank, stock and fund accounts at a Citibank branch in Hong Kong in 2001 but never declared the property as required. As of March 2015, when he was put under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law, there was more than 1.58 million yuan in these accounts. The court said it had been lenient with Dai, who also served as former executive deputy director of the administrative committee of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone between September 2013 and September 2014, because he had confessed to his crimes and all illegally acquired money and goods involved in the case had been recovered. The Chinese Navy provided supplies and medical workers on Wednesday for relief efforts in Sri Lanka's flood-hit regions as the death toll in the country's worst monsoon disaster since 2003 climbed to 203. Sixteen medical personnel aboard the People's Liberation Army Navy vessels Changchun, Jingzhou and Chaohu arrived at the port in Colombo to assist with the ongoing relief operations, the Defense Ministry said. The Navy provided 1 metric ton of rice, 1 ton of flour, 10 inflatable rubber boats, 300 boxes of bottled water, instant noodles as well as various medical equipment and supplies, the ministry said. All the supplies were from the three ships, which were conducting goodwill visits around the world. Du Yun, US-based musician. [Photo provided to China Daily] Du Yun landed in Shanghai, the city of her birth, two weeks after winning the Pulitzer Prize for music with her opera Angels' Bone. She was there to participate in the cross-disciplinary art event Shanghai Project on April 22. Shanghai Project is a contemporary art initiative started in 2016 as "an experiment, a laboratory for testing the boundaries of existing assumptions". An exhibition entitled Seeds of Time opened at the Shanghai Himalayas Museum on the same day, which marked the beginning of the Shanghai Project Chapter 2. At the exhibition opening, Du worked with pianist Huang Jianyi and a group of elderly amateur performers of Huju Operaa local Shanghai opera popular in the regionfrom local communities to present a musical dialogue between East and West, and past and present, in front of visual digital projections created by architect Thomas Tsang. It was a short performance of seven minutes, and Du wanted to bring to attention the authentic folk opera and dialect of Pudong in suburban Shanghai, as well as the plight of the elderly in the community. Young people today often turn away from folk operas because they don't like their sounds, says Du. But presenting it at a visual-art exhibition allows audiences to listen as long as they are interested, she explains. In the past few years, she has presented live performances at a wide range of triennial and biennale events, often collaborating with the likes of visual artists and poets. Explaining the rationale behind her performances, Du says that it is sometimes a big commitment for viewers to buy a ticket, enter a theater and sit for a full-length concert or dramatic production. But at an art event, with her shows, "you can always leave if you don't like it. "But if you stay a while and listen on with an open mind, you may find it interesting and even fall in love with it." The 39-year-old musician was recognized by the Pulitzer board for her creation of Angels' Bone, a bold operatic work that "integrates vocal and instrumental elements and a wide range of styles into a harrowing allegory for human trafficking in the modern world". Angels' Bone premiered at the Prototype Festival in New York last year. And the review in The New York Times calls her creation "appallingly good" and said that her music "obeys only her own omnivorous tastes and assured dramatic instincts". Speaking about the performance, which tells about two fallen angels exploited and enslaved by a couple yearning for money and fame, she says that some people may not be aware, but human trafficking happens all over the world. Watermelons scatter on the lawn at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, June 1, 2017. [Photo/VCG] The Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing has prepared an unusual farewell gift for its graduates, turning the campus into a sea of watermelons. The watermelon field, a summer-themed art installation, is a feature of CAFA graduate exhibition which opened on Thursday. Visitors can eat the watermelon on site or take them away. It was a surprise specially prepared for students by the university, according to Beijing Morning Post. About 3,500 watermelons were purchased from Daxing district in suburban Beijing and delivered by two large trucks before being arranged on the field at about 4 am. A thin fog covers the watermelon field to add mystery. "To surprise students, we did it before dawn. So when students get up in the morning, it seems that the watermelons just sprung up one night," a CAFA employee explained. After the opening ceremony, the watermelons were given to graduates. The move is intended to bring teachers, students and the university together in a special way. The official Weibo account of CAFA said that this is just the first surprise for its graduates. From June 2 to June 20, the graduation artworks will be exhibited publicly on campus and the public is invited to visit for free. The US military reportedly launched a ground-based interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Tuesday that successfully intercepted an intercontinental ballistic missile target fired from the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands. Given that previous ground-based antimissile tests conducted by the United States were all targeted at slower-moving medium-range ballistic missiles, the successful interception of a more complex and longer-range ICBM target marks a new and huge accomplishment for the US' anti-missile system. The technology behind the Ground-based Midcourse Defense is extremely complex, and the system uses globally deployed sensors to detect and track ballistic missile threats. The interception is a move that is compared to hitting a bullet with another bullet, though at far higher speeds. Undoubtedly, the interception of the ICBM demonstrates the remarkable progress the US has made in technologies such as the development of hypersonic engines, intelligent control, precision fast tracking and energy release management. Ground-based interceptors that can destroy ICBMs are viewed as a strategic technology that will change the prevailing military armament rules and the established pattern of strategic deterrence, and thus all the world's major military powers have been striving to make a breakthrough in this area. Once the US' intercontinental missiles interception technology becomes mature, it will likely be a game changer exerting inestimable influence on the established military landscape, given that antimissile technologies are by no means purely for defensive purposes. There are no explicit boundaries between defensive and offensive weapons, and once needed, any strategic defensive weapons can be converted into strategic offensive weapons. The technologies used for intercepting ICBMs may soon be directly applied to such advanced weapons as hypersonic missiles, stealth spy planes and strategic early-warning aircraft. If there is no restraint from relevant countries, its competitive use may topple established weapons development concepts and spark a new arms race. -Beijing News US President Donald Trump (R) walks with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] Once in a while there comes a time when just a single action changes for better or for worse the course of the world. The 21st century, during its short span, has experienced quite a few such moves, with one being made by the leader of the richest and strongest country of the world on Thursday. The consequences of the move can only be guessed as of now. Yet it doesn't take rocket science to fathom that US President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the 2015 Paris climate change agreement makes the future of concerted global action against climate change uncertain. The signs of the times to come were visible at the end of March, when Trump signed the "Energy Independence Executive Order" to "annul" the Barack Obama administration's legislation on reducing coal, oil and gas production and curbing carbon emissions. By ordering a review of Obama's Clean Power Plan and slashing the funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, Trump made it almost impossible for the US to honor its international climate commitments, the Paris climate agreement included. Ever since there were murmurs that Trump would pull the US out of the Paris pact. Announcing his decision, Trump, who has dismissed climate change as a hoax, said: "The United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord" and would seek to begin new negotiations to re-enter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction "on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers ..." That the US under Obama's leadership and China led by President Xi Jinping played a decisive role in negotiating the Paris agreement is common knowledge. The two countries' announcement of drastically curbing their respective emissions ensured widespread participation in the Paris pact. Which means Trump's move to withdraw the US from the pact could also have severe diplomatic consequences, as other countries, its close allies included, might no longer expect Washington to honor its commitments. Making China's stance clear even before Trump's announcement, Premier Li Keqiang emphasized on Thursday that Beijing will stick to the commitment to fulfill its Paris pledges during his visit to Berlin. "I was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris," Trump asserted in his announcement. To which Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto replied: "Pittsburgh stands with the world and will follow the Paris agreement." While in Paris, French President Emmanuel Marcon stated bluntly: "I tell you firmly tonight: We will not renegotiate a less ambitious accord. There is no way. Don't be mistaken on climate; there is no plan B because there is no planet B." Since Trump has pulled the US out of the Paris pact and thus global climate leadership, joining "a small handful of nations that reject the future" as Obama said, the rest of the world, including China, which is committed to realizing Xi's vision of jointly building and protecting our shared home, have come together to express their united resolve to do even more to protect the one planet we've got. ChinaEU president Luigi Gambardella / Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn Initiative The digital industry, including fifth generation mobile networks, are among the most promising areas for cooperation between Europe and China as part of the Belt and Road, the ChinaEU business association says. ChinaEU president Luigi Gambardella told China Daily website that 5G is a faster wireless broadband with a speed at least 1,000 times the 4G network. It enables the connection of all possible electronic devices and makes new services like driverless cars possible. "5G constitutes a technical revolution that will change people's lives greatly. I hope those countries cooperate to design and implement smart 5G cities across the Silk Road," Gambardella said. To Gambardella, investment in 5G is much cheaper than pouring money into physical infrastructure and it could boost the process and implementation of other infrastructure. Therefore, he suggested that more investment and multilateral cooperation should be dedicated to reinforcing the rollout of digital infrastructure and IT tools to support 5G. China is expected to launch a commercial operation of 5G mobile networks in 2020, and to realize a large-scale application in 2022 or 2023, Wang Zhiqin, an expert with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said last September. Such a network will facilitate online trade and e-commerce between China and the EU, Gambardella said. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, cross-border e-commerce turnover in China has grown by about 30 percent a year from 2008 to 2015. In 2016, total turnover reached 6.3 trillion yuan. Using the China-Europe rail network, a crucial part of the Belt and Road Initiative, online retailers have cut the time transporting auto supplies from Germany to Southwest China by half, compared to sea routes. It now takes just two weeks. China now has express freight services to 28 European cities. Since March 2011, more than 3,500 trips have been made, and the figure is expected to rise to 5,000 by 2020. By 2020, trade volume through cross-border e-commerce will account for 37.6 percent of China's total exports and imports, making it a significant part of China's foreign trade, research agency CI Consulting predicted. Cross-border e-commerce cooperation has brought China and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative closer, and the benefits will extend not only to trade, but also to sectors such as the internet and e-commerce, according to a DT Caijing-Ali Research report. Apart from online trade, Gambardella believes there is huge market for EU-China online tourism. In July 2016, Premier Li Keqiang and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker announced that 2018 will be the EU-China Tourism Year. The first business matchmaking event was organized by ITB China in Shanghai in May, enabling 100 EU tourism operators to look for Chinese buyers and partners. The number of Chinese tourists to Europe is expected to rise to up to 5.5 million in 2017, according to a report released by the Chinese Tourism Academy with HuayuanTour and Ctrip. According to Ctrip and Huayuan Tour, bookings by Chinese tourists in Europe surged 103 percent year-on-year, in the first quarter of 2017. In the first quarter of 2017, 60 percent of those who signed up for European tours did so through mobile devices, a huge increase from 2016. At present, Ctrip has nearly 15,000 European tour products and all are available through online booking, including pre-arranged tours, free tours, cruise tours, study tours and customized tours. The internet has largely contributed to self-organized holidays and independent travel, which leads to an increasing number of people using online booking for their trips. Mobile devices have become the prevailing way to access information, products and services before and during trips. By enhancing access to cheap high speed internet, this will open up further possibilities for online tourism, Gambardella said. For of small industrial town of Jezkazgan, which is located in the central part of Kazakhstan establishing of bilateral relationship between China and Kazakhstan on developing transport infrastructure has become an important event. During the visit to Astana, Kazakhstan in 2013 President of China Xi JinPing the first time introduced the concept of the Silk Road Economic Belt. Nowadays the citizens stressed that since announcing the China's Silk Road Economic Belt and Kazakhstan Bright Road the economy of a small town has been increasing, the level of unemployment is decreasing, youth is coming back to their home, level of specialists turnover is also reducing. It is just a case of the one of small towns, which is attracted in the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative. Nowadays a new railway Jezkazgan-Shalkar-Beineu, which will connect directly East and West is constructing. For a tiny Jezkazgan this construction became a chance to walk out of crisis. TheJoint Declaration on New Stage of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan[1](2015, 31 Aug) maintains thatthe Silk Road Economic Belt of China and new economic policies of the Bright Road[2] of Kazakhstan complement each other, and both of policies are aimed to built sustainable society. Indeed, both of initiatives are aimed through the close international collaboration toexpand economy and development of Asian regions, to force the cooperation on new level of development. It is expected that with cooperation of the Bright Road and China's the Silk Road Economic Belt program will o increase the social well-being of countries and develop the infrastructure of Kazakhstan regions. The Bright Road is the new stage of the country development. This program is not simple program that will walk the country out of crisis, it is the new approach, which would make it possible to strengthen the possibilities of Kazakhstan through exchanging experience with China and other country-participators in the Belt and Road initiative. So, why Belts and roads are important for countries? Is it just a road which will connect countries of the world? Why in one time two counties put their goals in construction the new transport infrastructure? Finally, why the most of the countries hail the B&R initiative? I would like to explain my view on a case of my motherland Kazakhstan. Above I've already provided a little example of the town of Jezkazgan. For the whole country the B&R is the crucial project. Chinese proverb says tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand. Indeed, after involving in cooperation in project of B&R a couple of countries understood importance of the B&R initiative. From history it is well known that roads are reviving the regions through impact on its economy. The road is a belt, a beginning of new contacts, new relationship between the countries. In the Address of the President of Republic of Kazakhstan to the Nation in 2014, January, it has been noted the transport infrastructure is the critical key in the development of industrial economy and society. Indeed, from ancient time people recognized an importance of road building: The Royal Road of the Achaemenids, Roman Roads, the Great Silk Road, which has become the connecting network of trade routes between China and Mediterranean. The roads have been transporter of culture, languages and other non-material treasures. At a part of the Great Silk Road various tribes and nations lived from ancient times, and historical migration is bright and vividly reflected in the Kazakhstanian part of the Great Silk Road. The roads define continuity from one space to another. In our case the B&R creates the new space between countries. Historically and geographically Kazakhstan and China always closely cooperated and collaborated. Kazakhstan is the largest countries in the Central Asian region, and length of its border with China more than 1700 km. After announcing independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, two countries, China and Kazakhstan have been developing bilateral relationship actively. According the Joint Declaration such issues as cross-border water utilization, natural resources usage, the safety issues: terrorism, crime level; economic cooperation and other crucial challenges are addressed; the current, 2017 year, is announced as the Year of China tourism in Kazakhstan. All of this aspects are affecting on regions stability and resilience. A bright example of positive relationship was signed agreement in 2002 Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan. It found a strong political basis for the further development of bilateral relations. Since the announcing and implementing the B&R project numerous of results were achieved. Currently, bilateral relationship have reached a high level of development. China brings in Kazakhstan new technologies, financial resources and services. The whole world is observing and witnessing the success of the B&R. It is not the secret that world is experiencing the critical period in economical development. This difficulties are reflect at the mood of nations, peoples. And the B&R in spite of such difficulties are keeping on the expansing the friendship dialog between the nations. The B&R is the great opportunity to share information, exchange experiences, as well as knowledge. Nowadays I am doing a PhD program in Harbin, China. As international doctoral student, who study abroad, I live in society where the other various different cultures from all over the world mixed and created a melting pot. And it is amazing to have a chance to enhance my outlook. China gave me a great experience. Academic qualifications give me the spirit of consolation, for the future self-confidence. Success requires not only opportunities, but also requires efforts. I put a big effort to become bi-cultural in environment where students share their traditions. And, I think all of us trying to do it. In China I have an opportunity to focus on learning and mastering knowledge. The B&R of two countries is reflected in attitude of both country's citizens on friendship, cooperation, international communication. Walking in Harbin's streets I feel closeness and friendship of city citizens. The well-known proverb says that many hands make the light work. I am glad that my homeland Kazakhstan is contributing in rising this light. As well as I am happy that I opened for myself a new window, the window in China. We are in a one world of life, common interests. Need to hang in there, everyone together. Prime minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal's recent visit of China has given important signal to further aggravate Nepal-China multifaceted cooperation in a new framework and new dimensions. Prime Minister Dahal came in China to participate in a Boao forum for Asia. After the forum meeting, he came in Beijing and met Chinese President Xi Jinping. In around of fifty minute discussions, they talked about Nepal-China pragmatic cooperation and how to coordinate issues regarding with Belt and Road Initiative. After the meeting with President Xi, Nepal's prime minister Dahal in an interview with CGTN said that meeting with president Xi is very fruitful and One Belt One Road will supports to enhance Nepal's economic development. In Nepal, most of the People blamed Dahal-led government for not being serious on implementing agreements held with China by previous KP Sharma Oli government. Popular Oli government last year did historical ten points agreements with People's Government of China (PRC) regarding with trade, transportation, petroleum products, energy, investment, cross-border connectivity etc. That was the milestone agreements to end monopoly of India in Nepal's affairs. These agreements also did at a time when Nepal was faced notorious blockade by India. At a time of making implementing procedures of agreements, due to the no confidence vote in parliament Oli government loose the power and Dahal became the prime minister. From the initial phase to even till now, Dahal government has been facing criticism of being extreme pro-India and not serious to implement agreements did with China by previous Oli government. So in his visit of China, Prime Minister Dahal tried hard to win trust of China government and showed his commitment to implement the agreements. One Belt One Road: What Nepal could gain? Since Chinese president Xi Jinping launched big project of Belt and Road Initiative (B and R) in 2013, it has given positive signals to developing worlds for win-win situation on economic, cultural and technological cooperation. Though Nepal is not directly associated with B and R Initiative, as a periphery country, there are huge possibilities of taking benefits. China government has also given immense important on One Belt One Road cooperation with Nepal. Nepal is in important geographic location. Due to its geo-political and geo-economic situation Nepal can be golden bridge between China and South Asia. It is also said by some experts that Nepal can be "linked up" country between China and South Asia. Nepal as one of the oldest country of the world and always independent country with more than five thousand years of golden civilization, since fifty years it has been facing various forms of political instabilities. And even the last two decades are hugely notorious decades in Nepal's political and economic development. People are frustrated from political leader's political thinking and behaviors. In this context, last year Oli government, which was very popular due to its political and economic agendas and clearness, made his historical trip of China and signed ten points agreements related with investment, connectivity, petroleum products, energy cooperation etc. That raised a kind of hope and expectations among the Nepalese people. Now what is the common consensus among people in Nepal is that cooperation with China for Nepal's economic development is essential. Nepal can gain much on cooperating with China on One Belt One Road Initiative. What Nepal should do? Nepal-China relation since Oli government's trip of China last year moving in a new multifaceted directions. Though present government is less serious on implementation of agreements, issues and agendas of Oli government dominating even in recent visits of prime minister Dahal. Now Dahal has showed somehow serious and tried hard to win trust of Chinese government on concrete implementation of agreements. Talking with Nepali and Chinese journalists in a program held at Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, Prime Minister Dahal seriously said that his government is working to finalize MoU on One Belt One Road and making implementation procedures of agreements. Nepal needs to focus on implementation of agreements. China now second economy of the world and biggest exporter has capital, technologies, knowledge and experiences. Even in the various historical phenomena, Nepal-China relations always move on a harmonious ways. Nepal always shows its commitment on One China Policy. China's supports on Nepal's development continue since five decades. Now Nepal needs to do much from its side. For her economic development, it needs to make concrete environment for Chinese investors. There should not be any longevity on executions of policies. How much Nepal delayed on implementation, that much it cannot enjoy tangible change in economic development. As a global leader of globalization, now responsibilities of China are increased in the international levels. There is no area or places where China is not present. Mostly in the issues of least developed countries (LDCs), China need to be more supportive. LDCs have natural resources and manpower but lack in terms of capital, knowledge and technologies. China as a liberal partner need to support them based on mutual coexistence and mutual trust. As many experts on Nepal-China affairs opined that China should realized the geo-location of Nepal and Nepal should be serious on implementing agreements did with China and also pragmatically address the relevant concerned of China. The Belt and Road Initiative (hereinafter referred to as OBOR) promotes inclusiveness, cooperation and mutual understanding along the countries of the New Silk Road. Following the proposal of President Xi Jinping to revive the Ancient Silk Road, China has taken concrete action in creating an international platform which focuses on five goals: cultural exchange, cooperation in different fields, policy coordination, connectivity and unimpeded trade. Chongqing which I consider as my second home since 2015 - is one of the pivot cities along the Economic Belt of the OBOR strategy. In recent years, due to the Go West and the 12th 5 year Plan favorable policies, this 36 million people megalopolis has become Western Chinas inland transportation and economic hub. As a Masters Degree student in International Trade at Chongqing University, I was fascinated by the enormous potential of this city and decided to focus my research on the impact of Yuxinou(ChongqingXinjiangEurope) freight route on Chongqings trade. This freight rail route, which connects Chongqing to the biggest inland port in Europe (Duisburg), is part of the OBOR strategy of achieving international connectivity; as a matter of fact, Yuxinoupasses through six countries: China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany. Many people may argue that Yuxinou is just part of a rapid growing railway network between China and other countries. However,this international freight route has proved to be a pioneer in enhancing trade and connectivity along the OBOR in terms of 3 crucial factors that influence economic development: free trade policies, time and costs. Last year, Yuxinous starting point Chongqing Western Logistics Park was approved as one of the new Free Trade Zones (FTZ) in China, bringing significant advantages to all those local and foreign companies which are trading goods not only with Europe but also with the other continents. Moreover, Chongqing Western Logistics Parks connection with Guoyuan Inland Port - which gives access to the Yangtze River Economic Belt - and its proximity to the Jiangbei International Airport has built a complete and efficient logistics channel. As for the freight time, with Yuxinou it only takes up to 14 days for the containers to arrive from Chongqing to Europe, compared to the sea shipments which takes more than 30 days. Costs wise, in 2015 the price for the goods transported via Yuxinou was 0.55 dollars for container per kilometer, in other words 1/3 of the costs of air freight. This international freight route, besides attracting circa two hundred of the 500 Fortune Companies to settle in Chongqing, it has exponentially increased the local industries opportunities. Chongqing is a leader in IT products, motorcycles and cars manufacturing and Yuxinou has become a window for trading goods in the Eurasian region (e.g. 1/3 of the computers exported to Europe via Yuxinou are produced in Chongqing). Chongqings opening up policies have indeed set a milestone in international cooperation, positioning this city as a landmark of connectivity along the OBOR and arousing other cities interest in this inland hub. In the second half of 2015, five United Nations organizations (UNDP, UNESCO, UNOSCC,UNWTO and UNIDO) together with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce launched the United Nations Maritime and Continental Silk Road Cities Alliance in Beijing, and one year later, in order to further promote the development vision along the OBOR, the United Nations Maritime and Continental Silk Road Cities Alliance Smart City and New Industry Committee (UNMCSR-SNC) was established in Chongqing with the support of the local government. By that time I was looking for an internship that could provide an innovative support for my research topic and at the same time broaden my horizons by allowing me to get a more in-depth understanding of OBOR and its impact on Chongqing. Eventually, I applied for the internship at UNMCSR-SNC and started my journey with the Committee in August 2016. During the Chongqing-Vienna Culture Festivals Urban Development Forum organized by UNMCSR-SNC in October 2016, I had the utmost honor to witness the signing of the Chongqing Silk Road Culture Cooperation Initiative (commonly known as the Chongqing Initiative).The Chongqing Initiative is up to date the first one its kind on-ground OBOR project launched by a UN project in Chongqing. Signed by experts from Austria and Chongqing, this international platform is based on the values of equal development opportunities and knowledge exchange between people and aims at enhancing the global cooperation mechanism between Chongqing and the major cities along the OBOR. The past few months working in UNMCSR-SNC have been an exhilarating path of experiences which introduced me to a whole new side of cross-cultural discourses and business environments. Thanks to the Committees support my learning curve has been going upwards daily. However, with every task I successfully complete I realize there are still numerous academic and professional concepts to learn in order to understand the One Belt One Road Strategy and tap into its huge opportunities. Some years ago, I attended a conference on climate change in Urumqi at the Xinjiang University. On stage, a very old man with tangled air and a frail silhouette. Standing at his side, young people of all origins. Behind them, a map extends beyond the borders of China as it stretches from the Kamchatka Russian peninsula to the Caspian Sea and Asia Minor. In front of an audience of scientists of every ethnic background, the ageless speaker cited the challenges associated with the global warming. - It may affect negatively to the ecosystem of whole Central Asia and its territory, he said. After one-hour speech, he glanced toward the young people, asking: What can we do to keep the next generation safe? - There is an answer, he replied with a shaky voice. During a millennium, the Silk Road has served the development of science and research. Without its historical contribution, the world would not be where it is today. After providing some examples, he added earnestly. - Perhaps you may think that the biggest inventions of all time are Chinese. In fact, this is far more complex. From there Chinese source to the Mediterranean Sea, each invention has evolved, becoming more substantial, more consistent. Through this vast corridor, every clever man brought their setting stone. It was mainly a human collective process. A thunder of applause resounded in the amphitheatre. As the officials congratulated the speaker, the audience gave him a five minutes standing ovation. As the conference ended, with many, I rushed to the professor. - Is the belt road a promising idea for the decades to come? I questioned abruptly. The old man stared at me without saying anything. Sitting on a chair, he seemed exhausted. He was very pale almost ghastly and so thin. Then he whispered to the young people to respond on its behalf. I found myself straightaway surrounded by multicolored faces. A tall young man, blond hair and blue eyes, put his finger on the map somewhere in Siberia. - How are we going to do with the large amount of methane that spread into the sky due to the permafrost thawed ? Then, a typical Han girl glided her finger over the map from the Kuznetsk Basin to the Shanxi province, then to Bogatyr (Kazakhstan) and Kara-Keche (Kirghizstan). - The pollution caused by the coalmines is not something to be taken for granted, she said with a trembling voice. If we collect all knowledge available in our research centers, we could effectively combat the source of the trouble. - More than 60% fresh water of whole Central Asia is accumulated in the glaciers of Tajikistan, continued a red hair young fellow. Their current melting leads to the increase of the desertification of a vast area that covers several countries. - Talking about the contamination of soil and groundwater, pursued a Turkmenistan native, our countries should gather their forces to combat poor irrigation methods ranging from pesticides to salination and water logging. - Our country, Kazakhstan, is in a state of ecological crisis due to the nuclear test during the soviet era, added a couple, their face bearing a solemn expression. - Organic pollutants affect our Republic of Karakalpakstan of Uzbekistan, two girls said shyly. - Desertification and biodiversity loss are among the environmental issues on the agenda in Iran, stated a strapping lad. - The same in the Turkmenistan's Cheleken peninsula, suggested another one. At the end, the very end, a young woman stood among us. A heavy tense and embarrassed silence fell upon the audience. - My land is ravaged by war and desolation, she complained, the voice distraught. A long time ago, our landscapes were magnificent. Now, our countryside became sick. The evil is trapped underground for centuries, thousand of cluster bombs and landmines everywhere. Suddenly, the old professor stood up and said with a quavering voice. - There is not much time before my death. But there is enough time to take control again of the situation. The belt road should be managed as a hydrographic basin. Everyone one in his area should ensure that the river would flow to the ocean free of any pollution, contamination as it has been since the dawn of time. When I walked out the university, I joined in a street restaurant old friend from several Asian countries. Although we have known the environmental problems for years, the hailstorm of points raised by the young students took us by surprise. We were confused and disturbed. - That is fairly troubling, commented a physicist from the University of Tashkent. I taught during 20 years thermodynamics and electromagnetism. I realized how futile are my abilities if they arent connected with the today major issues. - Since three decades I have been involved in chemistry at the university of Alma Alta, said another one. I have to acknowledge that my teachings are somewhat hackneyed. What I am doing does not enable us to resolve the methane dissemination in Siberia ? - I spent my whole life by obsessed by the recognition of my peers, disrupted an academic from the Islamabad National University of Sciences, thats simply laughable! - I am passionate about mathematical equations, added an Iranian rooted in Teheran. But what are they used for? - On those days when a dense, brown blanket lies over the city, it's easy to feel the weight of smog, another said. - We have to be humble in our approach, continued a scientist from the university of Chongqing. At that moment, the young fellows passed on. Their faces lighted up with joy, they walked along the street with a firm step. Far from there, the tian shan North Slope shone over the horizon. - We no longer have to spend time, concluded the Tashkent professor, spreading out his arms. The burden is a heavy one but it is far from insurmountable if we act in concert as those young persons. Back in Tianjin, later on, I received hundred of email. From Tachkent, Bishket, Ashgabat, Astana, Chiraz, Istanbul, Taiyuan, Xining and others, working groups emerged in research centers or universities. Unlimited topics on the table: Air pollution, soil pollution, effluents charged with heavy metals, coalmines emission, radioactive nuclear waste, etc. Reflecting my experience, each message was linked to a specific demand. We would like to know whether you can work on this issue . For each subject, a deadline was set with a warning. We can no longer wait to take action. Be aware your part will not delay. This is vital for the world future. I received also a postcard from a distinguished professor at the university of Achgabat. We are on the right track! He wrote. On the back, a camel stands in front of a chemical plant adjacent to the Caspian Sea. We are on the way, this is the motto of The University Alliance of the Silk Road. This organization, established in 2015, has the aim of building educational and research collaboration in countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt. We may not have another chance warns its constitutive act. Here, the belt road up and running again! As international actors of major influence around the world, the EU and China face common challenges and share major responsibilities in many areas.As we all know,EU support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. It is very essential that we rise above two matters. Firstly, we need to rise above the differences in our social systems .Secondly, we require to rise above Cold War and zero-sum mentality. EU and China have a growing set of common interests. The areas there we need to work together far outweigh our differences .In many aspects, our interests are closely interwined. Accordingly, we should pool our efforts to expand our shared interests , instead of building success at the expense of the other . So , how to promote cooperation in China and EU? My ideas can be concluded to the following matters. In the first place, It is necessary for China and EU to stimulate interconnection in cultural relics. For example, we should strengthen interaction about protection of cultural heritages. In addition, the museums of the two nations can promote communication , such as holding exhibitions. And the Chinas National Museum can be closely allied with Louvre Museum . What is more, it is essential to cooperate in cultural creative industry , which can make contribution to advancing soft power of China and EU. For instance, we can produce outstanding movies , documentaries and TV dramas together. Secondly, we should work together in global security governance , including carrying out anti-terrorists and peace- keeping activities ,and prevent nuclear proliferation. For instance, in the North Korea nuclear issue, we can become alliance and negotiate to deal with this issue. Thirdly,we should work together in global economic and environmental governance. Then, we can reinforce interaction in citizens. For instance, reducing procedures of going abroad. Additionally, we can let Beijing and Berlin become sister city. Lastly, we can hold more meaningful activities in public diplomacy. For example, we can hold Model G20 Conference, making more youngsters focus on and participate in international affairs .Then, we can invite some famous actors to carry out actor diplomacy. For instance, China can invite Huge(),who is going to study abroadso that implement fascinating activities in his free time to close public interaction. Whats more, my ideas about promoting cross-cultural interaction can be revealed to the following matters. First, we can utilize new media to strengthen interaction.For instance,on the we chat,we are able to establish some official accounts about Sino-EU relation or cultural output. In addition,we can develop app about Sino-EU public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy. Second, relative administrations need to provide some supports to hold colorful movie festivals between China and EU, which is rewarding to promote art communication. Whats more, we can build cooperation system in the field of protecting IP and producing movie, TV drama. Third, China and EU can establish relative incentive systems to encourage public to promote interaction on culture, economy, tourism and so on. For instance, we can provide a certificate called Cultural Exchange Ambassador of EU and China to the people who make contribution to consolidating cultural relation between the two countries. Then, the tourist administration can develop a project called European tourist expert or Chinese tourist expert on the Internet. When citizen go through the course, the administration can provide certificates and beautifully-decorated gifts. Fourth, our consulate-general can hold online knowledge competition about Sino-European relationship or common sense, and solicit articles competition. Then, relative administration provide rewards to the winners. Fifth, We can strengthen cooperation in the field of think-tank. For example, we can hold several far-reaching academic conferences about cross-cultural exchange. Sixth, we need to hold art performance each other. For example, Chinas dance drama Confucius can go to Europe to let Americans appreciate the attraction of Chinese culture. American relative administration can introduce wonderful Chinas TV drama, such as Nirvana in Fire. Seventh, as for traditional media, China needs to draw on lessons from BBC, CNN, New York Times and so on. The Chinese media such as CCTV, China Daily, Global Times should try to advance their competition ability so as to deliver Chinas voice on the international arena. Eighth, the diplomats can dress the clothes with national features in some special situation. For instance, for Chinas diplomats, he or she can wear Han fu(),the Chinese traditional clothes, attend International Cultural Festival or submit credentials, or make a speech. So, such diplomatic behavior can be called Hanfu diplomacy with Chinese style. Then, European diplomats can create their own diplomatic style. Ninth, it is imperative for China to reform the Confucius Institute. In the first place, we can draw on successful experiences of other countries in spreading national culture. Secondly, we are supposed to enrich teaching methods. For example, the Chinese teachers can combine Hanfu, cosplay, and teaching. When the teacher introduce Li Bais poetry, she can were Hanfu and cosplay Li Bai, which makes foreign students understand artistic conception of ancient poetry. Additionally, the Chinese teachers can use multimedia teaching, that is to say, play relative artistic works .For example, when the teacher introduce the Silk Road and The Belt,The Road initiative ,she can play the documentary called He xi Corridor. In my opinion, major powers need to work together to move the process of globalization forward in the right direction and improve the existing governance system so as to make it better adapt to the fast-changing international situation. Any action to gain geopolitical advantage at the expense of another major power will bring risks to global security and damage prospects for world economic growth. I am looking forward to above ideas can foster strategist mutual trust , which is beneficial to developing a new model of major-country relationship between China and EU as well as building community of shared future. In addition, I hope China and EU do not forget the beginning of the heart to continue to move forward. China's Global Newspaper Sorry, the page you requested was not found. Please check the URL for proper spelling and capitalization. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Chinadaily.com.cn, try visiting the Chinadaily home page One Belt One Road (OBOR) will surely connect "hearts" in countries along with the roads. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) is a 3,000 km system of roads, railways and pipelines connecting Kashgar in Xinjiang region and Pakistan's Gwadar Port.People from all walks of life believes that Pakistan is main partner of the Belt and Road, instead of a connecting link. OBOR should be cherished, because it would bring tangible benefits to the whole world by creating many opportunities for development, which is expected to benefit tens of millions of people and is helpful to primarily eliminate religious extremism and societal violencefrom the entire region.Pakistan is poised to reap the benefits of the Belt and Road initiative in the short span of two years. Other countries can also follow. Belt and Road Initiative is not only a development strategy and political agenda, it manly focuses on China's effort to make this world a better place for livingby prioritizing the capacity cooperation in all areas. OBOR was proposed by Chinese supreme leader Xi Jinping that emphases on friendship and collaboration among countries mainly between the People's Republic of China and the rest of Eurasia, it consists of two main components, the "Silk Road Economic Belt" (SREB) and "Maritime Silk Road" (MSR). The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor are officially declared as "Links to the Belt and Road Initiative". In the main stream media, this peculiarity is marginalized and the networks are counted as components of the initiative. The CPEC in particular is often regarded as the link between China's maritime and overland silk road, with the port of Gwadar emerging as crux of the CPEC project. One Belt One Road is believed to be a way to extend Chinese help and influence to fight for regional poverty and developing the basic infrastructure. The four trillion USD estimated project isa well-thought-outmasterplan by China to establish itself as a world-leading economy and to spread its power, particularly in the South Asian region. China has already invested billions of dollars in several South Asian countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to improve their basic infrastructure, with important inferences for both Chinas trade regime as well as its defense beyond physical borders. The possibility of China creating hegemony in the South Asian region could lead to Indias encirclement and ensuingpartnership or even isolation. When President Xi Jinping publicized the aspiring Belt and Road initiative, several international analysts and economical experts predicted that it might take years and perhaps decades before the initiative can be implemented. The CPEC was disclosed during President Xis visit of Pakistan in early 2015. It is a 46.5-billion-dollar mammoth plan to build a network of roads, railways, energy projects, business parks and related infrastructure to connect western China with Gwadar. Several projects are being implemented already. Built by Chinese workers and opened in 2007, Gwadar is undergoing a major expansion to turn it into a full-fledged deep-water commercial port.The project received a major boost when control of Gwadar Port was transferred to China's state-owned China Overseas Ports Holding in February 2013. China plans to build oil storage facilities and a refinery at Gwadar Port, with oil transported to its Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region via road and pipeline. This will let it move energy and goods to inland China without going through the Strait of Malacca, which could be blocked by the U.S. or India. Pakistan's Prime Minister and Army Chief accompanied by China's ambassador Sun Weidong inaugurates the Gwadar port to operationalize the trade activities. The cargo handling activities at Gwadar shows that it is becoming a reality much faster than imagined. Operationalization of Gwadar port showed Pakistan's commitment to the Belt and Road initiative. Experts consider that Belt and Road project integrates with Pakistan's future development plan-2025, which seeks to transform Pakistan into a hub of trade and commerce, harnessing its geo-strategic location into a geo-economic advantage. Pakistan is also trying to expand the CPEC to include countries like Iran so that it helps to integrate South Asia, China and Central Asia for greater economic opportunities.Pakistan and the Six Gulf Countries are located in the west intersection zone of the belt and road, which makes them important partners of China Belt and Road is termed as a platform for win-win cooperation. CPEC provides the shortest route for China to export its finished goods to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The Asian Development Bank terms the project as "CPEC will connect economic agents along a defined geography. It will provide connection between economic nodes or hubs, centered on urban landscapes, in which large amount of economic resources and actors are concentrated. They link the supply and demand sides of markets."It also provides a reliable alternative trading avenue for China in addition to existing ones. Full operationalization of CPEC would help China to save a lot of time and resources in its trade with the world. According to experts, the completion of Gwadar would make it the economic hub of Baluchistan and create a strategic nexus between Pakistan, China and Central Asia, generating billions in revenue and providing shorter land routes. The United States, wary of Chinese strategic access to the Arabian Sea and its presence in the region, has reportedly tried several times to persuade Pakistan against involving China in the development.India, which maintains tense relations with Pakistan, has viewed the project with objections, Prime Minister of India, during his visit to China raised his objections over the corridor. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping dismissed the statements, describing CPEC as a "commercial project."India may also have apprehensions over China's access to the sea, and has invested significantly in the Port of Chabahar in neighboring Iran. The development of Chabahar, which lies a few miles away from Gwadar, is part of India's efforts for access to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing rival Pakistan. Pakistan is the real beneficiary of the CPEC, as it brings Chinese investment, expertise and trained manpower to undertake several projects of development. The world's largest solar power project will be undertaken at the Quaide-Azam Solar Park in Bahawalpur. The project will be worth 900 megawatts on an investment of $1.5 billion by the Chinese company Zonergy Limited. Chinese support is provided at a time when no other nations were ready to invest or support economic activities in Pakistan due to the law and order situation. Working together to create the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Gulf pearl chain, and to build a new West Asia Silk Road, is the common aspiration of both sides, but in the implementation, it is necessary to respect the cultural tradition of Islamic countries. Thus, we have a classic example of cooperation which enhances connectivity, trade, economic development and material welfare. It is happening fast. This is what the world needs; quick developmental projects that can change the economic outlook and bring visible changes to the lives of the people. The spirit of OBOR win-win cooperation, egalitarianismand common development. I have been in China for more than two years by so far and I am closely observing the latest developments regarding Chinas foreign policy especially what concerns Sino-Arab relations and perception in the last few years until now. Contrary to the general perception given about China in the western media as a revisionist power (Husenicova, 2012) and a threat, Arabs have different perceptions about China. In fact, despite the negative comments about China after the 2011 Arab spring due to its position from the revolutions specially that of Syria, yet the general perception remains positive in the Arab society. The continuous visits of top level Chinese officials to the region, the warm reception given to them, and the strategic and comprehensive partnerships that have been established recently with the Arab world testify to that fact. To Arabs, China does not seek regional domination. They see China as a believer in a multipolar world which is increasingly shaped by interdependent forces and multilateral institutions. It is their belief that China seeks to establish lasting conditions of common security for all countries, rather than to promote its security at the expense of other's. I would safely say that Chinas profile in the Arab region has grown remarkably in a positive way as it offers tangible benefits. Arabs have witnessed massive Chinese developmental and economic projects in addition the made in China goods. For example, China constructed railways and bridges in Egypt, hospitals, highways and roads projects in Yemen, Sudan, Algeria, the Arab Gulf states and in most of the Arab states. China even constructed the third largest mosque in the world which in Algeria. Through my close monitoring and analyzing and as an Arab observer and academic researcher, people there, with too much resentment, always link the perception about the USA in the region to wars and fragmentation of the Arab societies. It can be said that the Arab world (through its people) appear to be tired of the destructive regional hegemony of the USA and are looking at China as a historical friend and replacement. In recent years, in all statements and speeches by Chinese officials regarding the Arab region, they always show good will history and mutual gains are always highlighted as stated clearly by the Chinese president Xi in his speech in the Arab league last year, and before him the Chinese foreign minister, in an exclusive interview conducted by Aljazeera (Arabic Channel) in January 13th 2014. The minister emphasized that Sino-Arab friendship rooted back in the depths of history and he added We seek to further develop and strengthen the traditional friendship between China and Arab countries. and on his personal impression, he said through my visit in the region, I personally was touched by the good feelings in Arab countries and by the Arab peoples towards China and the Chinese people. China is working to strengthen cooperation with countries in the region to achieve mutual benefit and win for each (Chinese embassy to Tunisia, 2014). Moreover, through my observation in the history of the top-level visits of officials from of the Western states and from China, I cannot find such warm impressions and statements reciprocally exchanged between the two sides in comparison to that of other officials or leaders specially from the western powers, and that is simply because what in reality is different whether historically or at the present. I believe what made it goes in the positive side is that those statements are always coupled with grand developmental and economical projects in the region , which in turn signifies the good intention and commitment of China to the Arab world. Perhaps, these evidences convince the Arab world (long-standing US allies) to reorient their strategic relationship away from the US towards China and based on the facts on ground, it is safe to say that the cart of this process already started and it is going forwards. Commenting on president Xis 2014 visit, Nabil Arabi, the then Arab League Secretary-General, (is no longer now) is reported to have said that Arabs and China have "a perfect relationship (Xinhua,2016). He posits that China is the only superpower which has always supported the Arab (including Palestinian) rights. He heavily praised on the One Belt One Road Initiative proposed by the Chinese President and pointed out that China was connected to the Arab world by the historical Silk Road in the ancient time, and now China is renewing the connectivity through modern means by providing a lot of tenders and donations to the Arab states on the technological and technical aspects. However, he called for more cooperation in the fields of science, culture, education, health, and media, though both sides have signed several memoranda of understanding and agreements. Arabi noted the importance of the role played by the Arab - China cooperation forum in enhancing the relations between the two sides, stressing that it "succeeded tremendously and contributed to the increasing of trade exchange between the two sides into the very high level." With regard that China could play a role in solving the crises and issues of the Middle East, Arabi stressed that China can play a pivotal and important role in the issues and crises in the Middle East, he stated that the most important thing that distinguishes China from other powers in this regard is that its role is impeccably just and unbiased (ibid), especially, with the Palestinian and the general Arab security issues. It works with a fraternal and friendly intention and has no special interests and influence to achieve. He added that China doesnt take partys side against the other, but always seeks the public interest and it is the only UN Security Council member state that deals positively with the region. Moreover, he pointed out that the crises in the region is witnessing negative foreign intervention to support one party over another which will be increasing and worsening the problems. Furthermore, majority of the Arab world believe that China is a good friend with mutual interests, they point out the willingness of China to offer development funding and financial investments opportunities in return for preferential access to regional energy reserves without human rights or political reform demands. Chinas extensive relationship with countries like Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt is a solid witness despite that almost all Arab countries are always accused by the Westerns powers of violating human rights and being away from the political reform, yet China put all these aside and established strategic and comprehensive relationships and partnership with Arabs taking into its account the priority of mutual benefits under whatever regimes. In summary, the role of China as an active and constructive player in the Arab region, especially in the economic sense, is perceived positively and far from being a threat. Arabs also welcome the emerging China as a potential force that could counterbalance the US and Western hegemony and could globally influence. Besides that, with regard to the second part of the title of the study which is about whether China is a friend of good will and mutual gains, Arabs believe that China is a friend with good wills and mutual gains. This is based on the president Xis speech and his foreign ministers statements, in addition to the actual and physical presence of China economically in the lives of all Arabs and the positive reactions it receives. In fact, based on the threat theory, the level of threat a partner poses is affected by geographic proximity, offensive power and aggressive intentions. In this regard, China and the Arab world are not worried about these negative tendencies despite the fact that China is a superpower with greater military and deterrence posture. On the contrary officials in both sides always keeps showing good intentions towards each other in all meetings and statements and even positions, beside as I previously mentioned that the kind of relations between the two sides is mostly economy and trade oriented in which both are getting benefits i.e. win-win relation. The two sides never have any historical clashes and China was never a colonial power in the Arab world since the ancient time. Stephen Walt states that the provision of economic or military assistance can create effective allies, because it communicates favorable intentions, because it evokes a sense of gratitude, or because the recipient becomes dependent on the donor. Stated simply, the hypothesis is: the more aid, the tighter the resulting alliance. Regardless of the context, the argument is the same: the provision of military or economic assistance is believed to give suppliers significant leverage over recipients (Walt, 1987). In the case of China and the Arab world, friendship based on mutual respect and benefits is observed; there have been so many economic and technical cooperation agreements in the 21st century that provided Arab states with many million-dollar economic grants and loans (specially, to the less developed Arab states). In addition, China participated remarkably in the evacuation works during the Arab revolutions which gave it a positive image. Furthermore, there have been supply of electronic equipment as well as establishment of many joint ventures projects. An example is the One Belt One Road initiative and the January 2016 visit of the Chinese president to the region which was accompanied with signing many economic projects and comprehensive partnerships are solid proofs that raised the image of China in the Arab region. References 1. Husenicova L. (2012), The China Threat Theory Revisited: Chinese Changing Society and Future Development, In: Majer, M. Ondrejcsak, R. Tarasovic, V. (eds.): Panorama of global security environment 2012. Bratislava: CENAA, pp. 553-565. 2. Interview with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Aljazeera Arabic, 03/01/ 2014. It is also available on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJEtZw9SW80 (accessed on 03/04/2017). 3. Interview in Arabic with Nabil Arabi was conducted by Xinhua, Xinhua, 19/01/2016. http://arabic.news.cn/2016-01/19/c_135021392_2.htm (accessed on 07/04/2017). 4. Stephen M. Walt (1987), The origins of alliance. Cornell University Press, pp.22-26 It may seem incredible to a nowadays China reader that, being 56 years old, I may say that during most of my life I hardly knew much about China. As a matter of fact, as an ordinary inhabitant from a distant young country, Argentina, I had only studied that what was meaningful to us was Europe and America and, China was an unknown territory far away to the East. It was only few years ago when my attention was definitely caught by Chinas steady and accelerated economic growth and development leading to a major new role in the world. I started to study about this phenomenon learning that China is a millenary culture that had many centuries of splendor giving birth to all sort of breaking through advances in science and art. After that, a century of uncertainty came leading to the end of Imperial reign at the beginning of the twentieth century. Then, there was a tragic period of external and internal fights thriving eagerly and desperately for another way of government. At last, in 1949, a new China was reborn and after some dramatic period of ups and downs, China could, finally, find a path to continue growth. Having in mind that struggling past, what amazed me most about the new China was how a society of more than 1.000 million people, from very different economic and cultural backgrounds, was able to gather a huge mass of wills and resources in pursuit of a national interest. The outcome was a continue achieving of a better way of life than before for everyone, and thus reaching a massive wealth improvement, in my opinion, never accomplished worldwide before. How could China perform such an incredible miracle? From my point of view, learning from their own history, going out from its isolation through watching beyond boundaries and melting all this experience in its own recipe. Following a steady plan, China began to build the most amazing set of infrastructure ever existed and thus, with the hunger of creating jobs for its growing population, became itself, step by step, in an efficient world factory. From then on they went on improving its manufacturing processes adding technology to accomplish cutting edge advances. The Infrastructure works which were undertaken were the ones it could not be seen in other latitudes as they were really out of ordinary scale. It comes to my mind: the Qinghai Tibet railway, The Three Gorges dam, the South to North Water Diversion, countless urban development and last but not least the on-going massive reforestation in the North to balance ages of deforestation which have caused harmful desertification. These outstanding endeavors showed that whatever plan the China government decided to carry out, it would use all the necessary resources to achieve its goal benefiting massive population all around the huge territory. Chinas cumulative financial strength has also helped to develop essential infrastructure in a wide range of countries which didnt have the resources to wait for the economic returns of these long run commitments. An ultimate example of its world insertion is the on-going Belt & Road initiative to connect international markets through land and sea linking many isolated countries to the Global Value Chain. The key importance of this enterprise is that opens alternative routes to the already existing ones increasing the options to international trade. In this way, China is showing the rest of the world the path of an on-going economically and socially sustainable growth without losing productivity. As a consequence, transferring progress globally through its efficient means of production at competitive prices and sharing monetary surplus by financing projects which are beyond the less developed countries scale. The good news is that China continues betting on economic world insertion. By contrast, some important countries all over the world have become self-centered, not being able to take advantage of their capabilities to trade and interact with the rest of the world for the sake of global welfare. To enrich this interaction with cultural matters, the government has spread Confucius Institutes all around the world to promote Chinese culture and language, helping people from very different countries, like me, to know about this interesting society. Of course, many challenges arise every day when a country needs to provide increasing welfare to 1.400 million people who continually migrate from the countryside to the cities attracted by a better standard of living. Pollution issues are certainly among the major pending assignments. From a social point of view, the most important challenge, also worldwide shared, the Chinese society has to face, is to assimilate all these economic changes countering the not wished wealth concentration trend that rising technology is generating in its path to development. Lastly, in reference to Argentina, what boosted my interest in present China growth is realizing how complementary our economies are, as we are only 50 million people in a wide fertile territory which can provide massive food necessities to China. Argentina could learn from the China experience to find its own path of development, improving our supplies in quantity and quality in order to acquire competitiveness to become a first option to Chinas endless demand The XXI century is a century of full openness and globalization. In general, the world economy has undergone great changes in recent decades. Into the world arena appeared such a strong player as China, in many economic and social indicatorsleaving behind such world powers as Japan and Germany. But China is not just a country, it's a civilization with a several thousand yearhistory. China went through a very thorny and long journey to grow from a young dragon into today's most powerful red dragon. The Celestial Empire continues to amaze the whole world with the pace of its economic growth and does not even dwell on the progress achieved. So, in autumn 2013, in the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping put forward an initiative to create The Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) also known as "One Belt, One Road". This program considers the plan of economic development and global integration both for China itself and for all countries involved in this large-scale project. According to the historical example of the Great Silk Road, the implementation of the project "One Belt, One Road" gives a lot of advantages to all its participants: 1) Continuous trading 2) Strengthening of closeness between people 3) InfrastructureInterconnection 4) Free movement of capital 5) Political coordination Thus, The Silk Road Economic Beltis a strategy for a more balanced development of regions, a strategy that allows achieving more balanced external relations. That is, on the one hand, the initiative allows the creation of a new space for the development of the western regions of China, and on the other hand, it is a new platform for the development of PRC relations with the states of Central and West Asia. The strategy "One Belt, One Road" plans to cover three continents, Asia, Europe and Africa. There will be three main directions: 1) From China through Central Asia, Russia to Europe (to the Baltic Sea); 2) From China through Central Asia, West Asia to the Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean Sea; 3) From China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, to the IndianOcean. Despite the fact that each route differs in its specificity, they are united by a common starting point (China) and a single program task - the construction of a comprehensive, multilayered, integrated network of interaction. Thus, the SREB initiative can be seen as a Sino-centric project for creating a network of partnerships in Eurasia, while the tools used to form a partnership network are extremely wide ranging, from political-diplomatic coordination to financial mechanisms, from trade and economic instruments to expanding humanitarian cooperation. A simple confirmation of this is Xi Jinping's message that in the next 10 years, China will provide 30,000 SCO scholarships for the development of humanitarian cooperation and youth exchanges, as well as 10,000 government scholarships, to students from countries along the Silk Road. As for me, in 2014 I received a Chinese Government Scholarship to study aMaster's program at the East China University of Science and Technology, so I can safely say that I am a part of this global project. Being a citizen of Kazakhstan and having studied for 3 years in China, I would like to note the role of Kazakhstan in the idea of "One Belt One Way" and the further prospects of bilateral relations between China and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is a country that has served, serves and will serve as a bridge connecting East and West, Asia and Europe, this is a country located at the junction of civilizations. As known, the idea of SREB was voiced in Kazakhstan, and this can hardly be called an accident. Because it was exactly here, on the border with China, that the famous Great Silk Road began, to which the historical reference of the whole modern project is heading. The main part of the road of the Great Silk Road ran through Zhetysu (Seven Rivers) and South Kazakhstan; the existence of this path contributed to the development of this region, significant growth of cities and trade ties. Today, the cooperation of the republic with a big neighbor in the east is very friendly and mutually beneficial. Against the background of the concept "One Belt, One Road", Kazakhstan developed its state program "Nurly Jol" (Bright Future), which perfectly corresponds to the previous one. So, for the period from 2014 to 2016, Kazakhstan signed contracts with China for 48 billion dollars, and the total amount of Chinese investments in the economy of Kazakhstan exceeded $70.6 billion. Both states are interested in developing a transit transport corridor, for instance, by the creation of logistics centers in Kazakhstan and the simplification of customs and financial procedures. So, the construction of a large project - the international transit highway "Western Europe - Western China" is drawing to a close. The construction of the Khorgos-Almaty-Aktau railway is also underway, with the aim of increasing the volume of transit traffic through Kazakhstan to 35 million tons per year.In addition to the logistics aspect, joint industrial projects amounting to about $50 billion are being implemented. Especially it would be desirable to note cooperation in the agricultural sector, where China has already implemented more than 20 projects. Thus, relying on the above, it can be argued about the good conjugation of Nurly Zhol and SREB, which is proved in practice by financial confirmation from the Chinese side. The fact that China assigns an important role to Kazakhstan in the "One Belt One Road"program, while Kazakhstan at the same time is sympathetic to the implementation of this program, showsone can say that it means a great deal for the prospects for mutual cooperation. Personally, I believe in the initiative of the modern Silk Road, I think that the Chinese government is very competent in the issue of globalization and the policy of openness, stimulating the integration processes between the West and the East. Moreover, I believe that Kazakhstan will make a significant contribution to the development of the project "One Belt One Road". And for my part, I will do my best to use mygained knowledge within the scope of implementation of this great project. Damir Kadirov is a master student of chemical engineering shool at East China University of Science and Technology. In late March 2017, New Zealand became the first Western developed country to sign a bilateral cooperation agreement with China on the Belt and Road Initiative. A spokesperson from China said it is hoped that this cooperation may serve as a role model for other countries. As a New Zealander who has lived in China for the past six years I watch with interest any such connection, obviously on one hand due to knowledge and interest spanning both countries, but also from a strategic viewpoint. What New Zealands contribution to and benefit from this venture actually will be is yet to be spelled out, but initiatives of this scale, scope and pedigree are indeed rare in history, therefore any nation that that has the opportunity to partner with such momentum is fortunate. Let us first consider the scale of this initiative. Initiative is the best word to describe this massive undertaking, for in drawing up this plan China solidfies its determination to more effectively connect with Oceania, Asia, Europe and Africa. Involving more than 60 countries,the plan relates to a large proportion of the worlds trade and culture. Such a scale is impressive. Early reprocussions are already making ripples around the globe. Bankers in London are projecting future currency changes, conference think tanks in Hong Kong are eyeing the potential, Eastern African countries are discussing future opportunities, on the Arabian Penninsular negotiations are taking place, Oceania countries are beginning to queue up to participate and of course the US is watching with great interest. More than 50 economic and trade cooperation zones in 20 Belt and Road countries have already been established along the route by Chinese businesses. This is reported to have generated over 1 billion U.S. dollars and created 180,000 local jobs, and this is only the beginning. The scope of the plan is immense. The key to its success being an unblocked road and rail network between China and Europe. Traversing so many countries, time zones and borders gives this network a weighty significance, but most significant of all is the hub of the network-The Peoples Republic of China. This huge nation of 56 ethnicities, of unbroken history and a consistent written language dating back over four thousand years is already unique among all nations of the world. However, within the last 100 years, she has undergone an astonishing transformation. At the close of the Qing Dynasty, China was a rural based feudal society who had stagnated under centuries of a closed door policy and had suffered from the initial re-establishment of contacts with foreign powers. Society was imbalanced, women virtually had no rights, national cohesion was ineffective while the vast majority of people were living in subsistance and bound by superstitions. In those days, it was common dialogue among members of foreign nations to speculate whom would get which part of China when she was broken up! European visitors found they needed to look back hundreds of years in their own history to find parallels with Chinese conditions. They did nevertheless, almost unanimously comment on one common redeeming characteristic, that is the pragmatism and cheerfulness of the Chinese people. This, to the extent that some statesmen ventured to offer their predictions of the future based on extensive experience with China: Three empires fill the vision of the future, United States, Russia and China. William Speer 1900 This mysterious race (Chinese)with the Anglo-Saxons and the Russians, will divide the earth a hundred years hence. Sir Lepel Griffin (approx 1895) Indeed, within 100 years, China arose and grew strong again. Its the sort of plot that makes an entralling story. Certainly China has prevailed through the hard times and now is prospering, but as she has prospered we have seen a unique version of power weaving from China in and out of other nations. While other nations often deploy military might to achieve their desires, China has been specialising in what is know as Soft Power. Combining manufacturing might, funding and the need for resources and foodstuffs, Chinese diplomacy has sought to forge win-win relationships globally. In a tiny South Pacific island kingdom, excellent roads have been built by Chinese workers while at the same time, a significant population of immigrants from China have taken up residence there. In an African nation, high quality roads have been built by the Chinese Government and are used by Chinese trucks hauling tons of produce to transport hubs ready to be shipped back to China where there is greater and greater demand for quality food. Soft power offers wide ranging benefits to recipient countries, but the bottom line most certainly, is benefit to China. The scope of such cooperative agreements is almost unlimited. In contrast, arrangements to mutually benefit and enhance trade, industry and cultural opportunities potentially bring overwhelmingly positive and creative reprecussions. The third aspect making this initiative unique is its pedigree. China has a long history of forging trade routes reaching back and forth to the West. During the Western Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian made 2 journeys to and from the West, through great perils and hardships eventually reaching Europe, initiating what would much later be named the Silk Road. In the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He commanded and sailed huge fleets of ships from China all the way to to East Africa. Opening land or sea routes for trade and cultural exchange is nothing new to China. We may call this pedigree, and it is a peaceful pedigree, as in apart from subduing and assimilating bordering cultures into her own, China never has used such routes for agression. A key difference between the old Silk Road or the old Maritime Silk Road however is that then, China had reletively limited production scope and capacity. She was an agricultural society. Now she is a largely urbanised society with every increasing mass production and IT development capability. The pedigree is that same will to trade and exchange, but now, the scale and scope are exponentially expanded. What implications will this have? How will this change the world? Perhaps a modern William Speer or Sir Lepel Griffin may dare to speculate on this. Much of the trade and commerce perhaps already is taking place, albiet in not such a streamlined, fast tracked fashion as is proposed here. The plans success has its share of sceptics, but as Kevin Sneader, a Senior Partner from the McKinsey Group , said in an interview in May 2016 You could make all those assumptions and sit out, or you could say, If I sit out, I may be missing out on the worlds largest trading collaboration for many, many years. Any project that seeks to unite so many peoples around a common goal not only has potential for better trade relationships, but also for greater unity and understanding. Maybe this One Belt One Road initiative can serve to remind us that almost everybody now, lives beside some road that merely takes us to someone else quite like us, just a little further along the same road. This planet has many cultures, languages and many ethnicities. There is however, only one race, the human race, and optimistically, one future together. One Belt One Road perhaps is Chinas most ambitious initiative. Its purpose is to facilitate the trade, by reviving the Old Silk Road, both at Land and at Sea. Here we have to mention that the Asian Investment and Infrastructure Bank (AIIB), a multilateral development bank, which has its headquarters in Beijing aims to actively support the building of infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. For the countries that are going to be involved, it will be a unique opportunity as the benefits will be versatile. For example, there will be enormous investments in infrastructures such as, roads, ports, storage facilities, railways, airports etc. Furthermore, it will be easier for the participating countries to export their products into markets that did not have access before or that access was limited because of the interference of other factors. In other words, these countries can see a major enhancement in their national economy. As far as Greece is concerned, although still not an AIIB member, this could be the perfect moment to maximize the potential of this project, in order to revive its stagnated national economy. Below we will explain the reasons why we support this argument. First of all, during the last decade and especially after the Athens Olympics in 2004, the bilateral relationships between China and Greece have only been moving upwards. 5,6% of Greeces total imports come from China. From Greek side, many shipping tycoons have China as their first choice, when they place orders for building new ships. The huge number of orders is also encouraged by Chinese banks, which provide loans with favorable rates and conditions, as part of a memorandum of economic cooperation, signed back in 2014 between the two countries. Here it is worth mentioning that, the Greek fleet is the largest in the world and has contributed to the development of both Chinese and global economy. To be more specific, Greek ships carry all the raw material that Chinese industries require for their production, while 65% of all Chinese exporting goods are transferred to worlds biggest markets by Greek merchant vessels as well. Another fact that strengthen this opinion is, the official announcement of China stating that counts a lot in Greece as part of One Belt One Road chain. From strategic point view, this decision is very reasonable as Greeces geographic position is indeed unique. Greece is on the crossroad of 3 continents Europe, Asia and Africa. On top of that, it is also very close to the Suez Canal, a significant sea route for Mediterranean and Middle East. So, China wants Greece to become the main gate for all the Chinese products in Europe and a major hub for Chinese companies like Huawei. Having COSCO (COSCO CHINA SHIPPING after its merging) acquired a two-thirds holding in Piraeus Port Authority, is another step which clearly shows the serious intentions of China for that area. Under COSCOS management, operation of the port has been indeed very impressive. It is already ranked 38th worldwide among all the port container terminals, while the main target is to reach the top 30 by 2018. Undoubtedly COSCO is not just limited to port operation activities. Its plan include a number of enormous investments, like the reconstruction of the existing ship repair zone, with state of the art equipment, that will be able to serve any kind of ship. Additionally, focus has also been made on the cruise port by having already expanded the existing facilities. Although Piraeus, is the biggest passenger port in Europe for ferries, at cruise sector it is just the 15th busiest port worldwide with just more than 1 million passengers. COSCO wants to reach 1,5 million short term and 3 million long term. The purpose of COSCO is, to combine it with the increasing number of Chinese tourists visiting Greece, with direct flights from Beijing and Shanghai during summer months. Last but not least, a creation of a new logistics centre near the port, is also something on schedule, as logistics is an integral part for the success of << One Belt One Road>> project. Chinese presence will not be focusing on one port. On October 2016, Port Authorities in Alexandroupolis, a city in northeastern Greece have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Chinese investors Sinoftone Group and Navision. Chinese side will act as consultants for future projects and infrastructure works on the port and probably the creation of a free trade zone in the area. Of course, Alexandroupolis port will have a more local role, compared with the international profile of Piraeus. All in all, we can say that the new Maritime Silk Road that China wants to create has all the prospects to solidify the bilateral trade between the two countries, especially through the routes of the sea and bring the economic Renaissance in Greece, which is so much needed for its people. At the same time project will not be limited to the economic benefits. Cultural connection will be of equal importance as well, bringing two great civilizations closer than ever. Also, some experts mention that the strategy will also lead to stronger political connections between the involved countries. It is a work in progress that has just started and has all the potential, despite all the challenges and difficulties that surely exist, to positively change the world as we know it. The first time I publicly voiced my support for the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative was in the capacity of a speaker at the G20s Young Scholars Salon held in Beijing, August 2016. The 'belt' includes countries situated on the original Silk Road through Central Asia, West Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. South Asia and Southeast Asia are seen as extensions of this belt. This China led initiative calls for the integration of the region into a cohesive economic area through building infrastructure, boosting cultural exchanges and aggressive trade expansion. As an international author, performing artisan and culture enthusiast, I believe in the strengths of OBOR and its irrefutable relevance in the 21st century. With thousand years of history serving as its firm foundation coupled with the dynamism of modern commercialism, it is a regional model that cleverly leverages on the lessons of the past with untold possibilities of a shared future. The successful progress of a civilization is not confined only to the human race as a collective, but its individual ethnic groups as well.Leadership gurus have echoed the same ethos the team is only as strong as its weakest link. Many of the countries that are part of this belt are also members of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). North, central and south belts are in deliberation. The North belt goes through Central Asia, Russia to Europe. The Central belt goes through Central Asia, West Asia to the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean. The South belt starts from China to Southeast Asia, South Asia to the Indian Ocean. The Central belt has been neglected recently due to complex religion problems and separation movement along the belt. It is my opinion that this Central belt deserves closer scrutiny and attention due to this recognized problem. It is often human nature to bypass the most difficult task for fear of opening up a Pandoras Box of gargantuan complexity.If so, then OBOR has already failed in my eyes for not mustering enough courage to redefine and reinvigorate the ideology behind the ancient Silk Road. A dawn of a new era sees the Middle Kingdom rising up from centuries of growth and transition. With growth and transition it often involves pain and great discomfort. Akin to a caterpillar breaking out from its tight cocoon, the struggle is necessary, inevitable and pivotal in its eventual flight of glory.The magnificent flight of a beautiful butterfly. For without struggle, the human race cannot evolve and become what it was destined to be Gods most brilliant creation.This brings me back to the dire straits afflicting Central belt and OBORs role in it. It has become an undesirable piece of media attention when almost on a quarterly basis we read news of acts of terrorism across the globe. What has been labeled as acts of extremism and terrorism, I see as acts of severe desperation and twisted sense of self-righteousness. For the fine line that divides an extremist and vigilante is utterly thin, is it not? What is more important, in my humble opinion, is understanding their root causes and the motivation behind their actions. What are they truly championing for? Justice?Equality?Vindication?Recognition? OBOR, having economic prosperity as its core mission, ought to review its expansion on a holistic level. By encompassing economic, cultural, trade, goodwill and peace into its master plan, then the world can truly be Chinas oyster and the Middle Kingdoms ongoing mantra of a Shared Destiny will become a glorious reality. With power, comes great responsibility. For power and influence goes hand-in-hand with safeguarding peace. Peace within the Middle Kingdom and also with her neighbors. No country is an island, and China has gone through tumultuous times before opening up to the world. For peace often comes with sacrifice, and a vehement fight to protect what is most precious. Her culture, identity, livelihood, heritage, wisdom and her truth. China is my Motherland, not only because of my lineage as a Malaysian Chinese. It is also out of my sincere reverence to this country which has transitioned from dynasties to a socialistic capitalist empire. Dr. Sun YatSensThree Principles of the People is one of my guiding principles in life love for our country, democracy and peoples welfare. I believe this same principle has strong relevance across other countries, for which genuine ruler do not want the same for his or her own country? With this Three Principles of the People in mind, perhaps the champions behind OBOR can focus more attention on the neglected Central Belt. I believe the root cause behind the current religious problems and separation movement stems from a desperate cry for help. A desperate plea to have a share in the same prosperity which developed nations are enjoying. I believe citizens have a right to place an expectation towards their leaders to provide and equip them with the basic needs to thrive. Shelter, food, clothing, medicine and ongoing support. Maslow theory dictates that in order for humans to become fully actualized, we must have all these basic needs covered. If a government sets the expectation for its citizens to jointly build the nation, then the same government has the duty to ensure the citizens are well equipped to perform this patriotic role. I believe in the power of OBOR and the government of China backing it. I believe in the influence of the PLA and the strategic clout it can command. I have faith in the sincerity of the grandiose OBOR plans for we Chinese are guided by a sense of shared destiny for all, and leaving no one behind. I believe China can make a real difference through OBOR in curbing the problems afflicting the Central Belt. I will support the OBOR as best as I can, from wherever I may be, for we Chinese are born leaders, explorers, innovators and peacemakers. We can make a difference. There has been ongoing debate about what really is China Model. Attempts have been made to draw comparisons with Washington Conesus, a neoliberal paradigm designed and enforced to the rest of the world by Western countries and their institutions. It was Joshua Ramo who coined the term Beijing Consensus in 2004 as a result. But China has aptly been reluctant to equate its development model with Washington Consensus and prefers China Model instead. There are a number of reasons for this but the most important one is that what has come to be known as China Model is still a work in progress, meaning that it has not evolved into a fully fledged development paradigm in the form of a consensus. Moreover, Beijing maintains that its model is only an attempt by the Chinese government under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to respond to the countrys realities and development challenges. As such, there are no basic tenets of the Chinese model that assume universal application as it is the case with Washington Consensus. Its on this basis that Beijing is not willing to export its model to other countries. However, despite this reluctance, the Chinese model is increasingly becoming popular in places such as Africa. A recent survey by Afrobarometer, a highly respected think tank, showed that the Chinese model of development is the second most popular in Africa behind the American model. Given Chinas relative late entry as an active player in African politics this is by no means a small achievement. In his definition of Beijing Consensus, Ramo correctly argued that the Chinese model is not just an economic model as it is also a political one. Economically, the Chinese model defies traditional assumptions of growth by emphasizing on equality and sustainability as opposed to indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It also rejects the one-size-fits-all theory of development as espoused by dominant Western economic theories. For China, each country should choose its own model suitable to its own conditions. But Chinese model is also expressed in its advocacy for self-determination; no country should interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. This explains why Beijing not willing to export its model elsewhere. Most analysts tend to situate the Chinese model in the post-Mao China. This is because it is during this time when China recorded miraculous economic development. However, often overlooked is the fact that the Chinese model dates back prior to economic reforms which started in the late 1970s. The China Model and Chinese Soft Power China has taken the idea of soft power seriously. Some analysts even argue that the level seriousness attached to soft power by Beijing surpasses that of the United States for which the concept was designed to serve. Soft power concept was coined by American scholar Joseph Nye to mean the power of a country to attract, as opposed to coerce, others to achieve a favorable outcome. Nye argued that a countrys power to attract rests on its culture, political values and foreign policy. Over the last decade, China has adopted and redefined soft power and is using it as a power building mechanism. The redefinition of soft power by Chinese scholars and government means that for Beijing the concept means the use of all power resources except military force. It thus includes all soft power resources mentioned by Nye as well as economic inducements in their various forms. For Nye, the use of economic inducement is not soft power, it is hard power. Chinese soft power in Africa Chinese soft power discourse is dominated by the Culture School, one that is favor of promoting Chinese culture. However, it is the China Model which seems to attract Africans more than any other Chinese soft power resource. This is historical. Accounts of African leaders who visited China in the 1960s and 1970s are full of admiration for the Chinese development model then. The China Model then, as it is today, was both economic as well as political. Efforts by Beijing under Mao Zedong to lift the masses out of poverty were recognized in Africa. Visiting Peking (now Beijing) in 1974, the former president of Tanzania Julius Nyerere expressed his admiration for the Chinese way of development. In his speech he approvingly stated that there were two things which convinced him that socialism can be built in Africa and that it is not a utopian vision. The first, he claimed, was the fact that capitalism was ultimately incompatible with the real independence of African states. The next reason was even more revealing. He said the second thing which encouraged him was China. He stated that China was providing an encouragement and an inspiration for younger and smaller nations which sought to build socialist societies. As a result of this, Tanzanias ideology of Ujamaa (African socialism) drew parallels with the Chinese model. One pertinent aspect was the villagization policy- setting up socialist villages where villagers worked and produced in village farms that resembled Chinese communes. Being political as much as it was economic, the China Model added to its power to attract for supporting anti-colonial struggle in the African continent. By siding with Africans in the liberation agenda, China chose the right side of history. This, coupled with the fact Beijing had not taken part in colonization and enslavement of Africans, can be said to be the source of Chinese soft power we see today. It is for this reason that Chinese analyst He Wenping has argued that if China has soft power, Africa is the only place where it can be measured. Today, the success of the Chinese model hugely informs the countrys soft power in Africa. Africans are beginning to look at China as an alternative of tired Western models which have ravaged the continent for decades. The Chinese model provides a moment in history for Africans to chat out their own route to economic prosperity and this in turn adds to Beijings ability to attract: soft power. The author is a Tanzanian student currently at the East China Normal University and expects to graduate this year. Before going in-depth in this analysis, it is interesting to clear up different points that turn over this topic. Many scholars working on Chinas Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa argue that Official Chinese statistics do not fully capture Chinas FDI, since the distinction between trade credits, development cooperation, project financing by Chinese financial institutions, and direct investment by Chinese enterprises is rarely clear. Also, there are discrepancies in Chinese FDI figures, maybe based on different definitions of FDI. In fact, there is considerable confusion as to what constitutes Chinese investment in Africa. Many analyses, especially journalistic accounts, conflate investment with multi-billion dollar loans from China to African governments that often use the loans to build infrastructure by Chinese construction companies. These loans given for bidding contracts are not FDI; they are commercial deals, albeit often with a concessionary loan component. It is important to keep them separate from investment. To set up the context of this study, the recent increase in Chinas economic involvement in Africa is arguably the most momentous development on the continent since the end of the cold war. The Peoples Republic of China is now Africas second most investor partner. Since 2009, Africa has seen a decrease of foreign direct investment, but an accelerated growth of direct investment from China during this same period. From 2009 to 2012, Chinas FDI in Africa increased from US$1.44 billion to US$2.52 billion, with an annual growth rate of 20.5%. Over the same period, Chinas accumulative direct investment in Africa increased from US$9.33 billion to US$21.23 billion. The rapid growth of Chinas direct investment in Africa is indicative of Africas development potential and investment appeal, and also points to the mutually beneficial nature of China-Africa cooperation. Such, this burgeoning relationship has been particularly well illustrated by the release of the Beijing White paper on Chinas Africa policy followed by the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2006. This framework lays out the main contours of China-Africa relations regarding trade and economic cooperation. Chinese engagement with Africa is traditionally based on three (3) channels: trade, aid and investment. Regarding the recent increase of Chinese investment in Africa, China has been attractive to African suppliers both as a potential market and for a source of investment capital in mineral prospecting and construction projects. Some African countries such as Angola, Nigeria, Sudan, South Africa, and Zambia more than others are become the major centers of Chinese investment. First and foremost, an overview of Chinas FDI in Cameroon reveals that the first stage of economic relationship between China and Cameroon is characterized by technical cooperation through the construction of public infrastructures. In 2002, a number of agreements on economic and commercial cooperation contributed to enhance bilateral trade between the 2 countries. Such, the structure of Cameroons exports to China concerns a few raw products: crude oil, wood and cotton. Yet, 2006 is the turning point marked by the state visit of the Cameroonian president in China, followed by the visit of his counterpart, Hu Jintao in 2007, accompanied with a considerable number of Chinese entrepreneurs. Acknowledging the discrepancies of Chinas FDI flows in Africa and the low performance of Cameroons in attracting FDI, an analysis of the key motives of Chinese investors pointed out that the Chinese government encourages Chinese entrepreneurs to go abroad through financial support. These enterprises are led by the profit maximization indifferently their status of State-owned enterprises or private enterprises notwithstanding the fact they are resource-seeking or market-seeking. Also, the abundant natural resources in Cameroon and its strategic position in Central Africa predispose the country to stand for considerable FDI inflows. But to some extent these endowments factors tend to be insufficient in terms of attracting important stock of Chinas FDI. For the analysis of the main characteristics of Chinas FDI in Cameroon and the issues related to these investments, the study reveals that the key sectors in which significant Chinese FDI have been made in Cameroon are the primary sector and the secondary sector. In the primary sector, Chinese investors operate in oil, forestry and agriculture. Such, the two Chinese SOEs, Shanxin State Farm and Sinochem are involved in the sector of agriculture for the production respectively of rice and rubber. In the forestry sector, the Hong-Kong private Company is operating through numerous subsidiaries. The oil sector is dominated by a subsidiary of Sinopec and the Chinese oil company Yan Chang. In Mining, there are two Chinese companies, namely Sinosteelcam exploiting iron ore. In the secondary sector, the Chinese investors are diffidently active in fishing and manufacturing which recorded a number of failed joint ventures. The involvement of Chinese enterprises creates costs and benefits for both counterparts. In terms of costs, there are fiscal costs, conflict with local workers, and expropriation of local communities. In number of benefits, the creation of employments is most significant. Also, the lack of social responsibilities concerning the wages of local workers and the feasibility study of investment projects is the main critic rebuked to Chinese investors in Cameroon and in Africa as well. Thus, efforts made by these enterprises to reverse the trend can be identified in some projects. Exploring the major constraints to Chinas FDI in Cameroon reveal that political and economic barriers hinder the involvement of Chinese enterprises. At the range of political factors, mismanagement of bureaucracy and corruption, causing lengthy and restrictive bureaucratic procedures are considered as minor constraints. For economic barriers, high dependency to commodities (such as wood or crude oil), poor infrastructure, ineffective marketing tend to be the high constraints to Chinese investment. Finally, some recommendations and suggestions for both governments officials have been raised, in order to increase the Chinas FDI flows to Cameroon and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa as well. Thus, there is a need for Cameroon to be competitive in attracting FDI; by improving the availability of infrastructure, opening up the country through trade, investing in education for heavy industry. Since incentives through tax holidays and custom exoneration do not seem to be the priority for Chinese investors, most important is the reduction of administrative bottlenecks that have plagued Cameroon inward FDI performance. Also, investment promotion agencies in both countries should play a crucial role in terms of research and promotion of investment. Moreover, the Chinese government should encourage its private enterprises to involve in Africa to achieving infrastructure development and industrialization of African economies. Furthermore, it is a paramount for decision-makers in the China-Africa relationship to grant more importance to the issue of public standards such as social corporate responsibilities and transparency in investment activities. Michael Li is the first Chinese-British president of the prestigious Oxford Union Society. Michael Li was born in Manchester to parents from Sichuan province. A keen debater, he says he used to be a shy teenager who hated public speaking until he found his passion for discussions. The union, which was founded in 1823, has a membership drawn largely from the University of Oxford. It is one of the most famous debating societies in the world. Li said becoming the organization's first Chinese person was a proud moment. "There have been a lot of presidents in the union's almost 200-year history," he said. "But, at the same time, being president is not about a specific identity; it is about getting the best out of your team and putting together a strong program of events. I'm very privileged and humbled to have this position." Notable past-presidents of the Oxford Union include previous British prime ministers; Boris Johnson, the United Kingdom's foreign secretary; and Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister of Pakistan. Li, who turned 21 two weeks ago, was born in Manchester and is studying chemistry at Oxford. His parents moved to the UK in the 1980s, from Sichuan province. At the age of 5, Li and his family moved to Sweden before returning to Britain when he was 10. In the UK, Li attended Manchester Grammar and became involved in various activities and projects. In his final year, he became the first Chinese-British person to become school captain at Manchester Grammar. His interest in debating started when he was around 15. He says that, despite being shy, he eventually came to love public speaking. "I've always been interested in putting forward different points of views and looking at alternative perspectives," he said. "With my upbringing, I've been quite fortunate to have been exposed to different backgrounds and culture and, from that, it makes me think that there are always two sides to a story." He said he enjoys coming up with an argument in a short space of time and "not just criticizing or attacking an argument but also convincing the audience and persuading them to side with your point of view". Li first came across the debating society during an Oxford Schools' competition in 2013 where he gained "a glimpse of what the union does and how multifaceted it is". He joined the union when he became a student at Oxford University in 2014. He became its president two years later. Since joining the union, Li has helped put together more than 300 events. The Oxford Union has a history of hosting international fi gures and celebrities but one guest speaker who stood out for him was Professor Stephen Hawkin. Li would like to see more international students join the debating society. "The union will reach its 200th anniversary in 2023 and the challenges for us are engaging our members once they have left and also increasing the accessibility and membership uptake, especially getting international students and speakers to take part." Li is not sure what he wants to do after he graduates but thinks he may look into consultancy or healthcare work. He said he does not have any plans to follow in the footsteps of former union presidents Boris Johnson and Michael Gove and head into the world of politics. One event from history that propelled the union into the spotlight took place in 1933, against the backdrop of a strengthening Soviet Union and the rise of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party in Germany. The union voted 275 to 153 in favour of the motion "that in no circumstances would this House fi ght for King and Country", triggering a torrent of public criticism, including allegations of disloyalty. Future wartime leader and prime minister, Winston Churchill, condemned the vote as "that abject, squalid, shameless avowal... It is a very disquieting and disgusting symptom". The Chinese independent digital marketing agency Hylink has started its expansion into Europe with the launch of a United Kingdom office in London's iconic skyscraper The Shard. Hylink specializes in helping foreign brands enter the Chinese market and in supporting Chinese brands in reaching Western consumers. The agency started in 1994, when it focused mainly on traditional TV advertising. It expanded rapidly after it saw the online boom coming and switched to web-based marketing in 2002. The agency employs 2,200 people in China and opened an office in the United States last year. Hylink's Western clients include Ikea, Shell, Estee Lauder, and General Mills. It also serves major Chinese enterprises, including Suning, Alibaba, JD, Tencent, and Baidu. Humphrey Ho, managing director of Hylink Digital in the US, said the company hopes to assemble a UK team of 20 people by the end of the year, to be led by James Hebbert, the branch's general manager. Ho said: "The UK is a very important market for both its breadth of client resources as well as its closeness to doing business in China. We are committed to increasing mutual marketing goals for British and Chinese businesses that are already in China and are coming to the UK." He said the company plans to continue its expansion. "The UK is also a window to continental Europe where our next global expansion opportunity exists," he said. "It's also the global home of some of our already existing clients, such as MG and Rover." The Chinese market presents huge opportunities and challenges to foreign brands, Ho said. Several high-profile brands have either downsized or pulled out of China after struggling to crack the market. British online retail group Asos, German online food and drink service Delivery Hero, and New Zealand-based baby formula brand Karicare were among foreign brands that pulled out in 2016. Ho said brands must overcome a range of challenges in China, including navigating a new consumer culture, operating in a different media landscape, and identifying appropriate distribution and logistics partners. Chinese brands experience similar growing pains when tackling Western markets, he added. "With the development of both the Belt and Road Initiative as well as Chinese brands finding new markets globally, (Chinese companies) will need to understand local culture and customs," he said. "As the new player, they must pay respect to the dominant brands in their new homes, as these Chinese brands expect when foreign brands enter the Chinese market and are competing with them as the leaders of those categories." Editor's Note: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's European visit tour, scheduled from May 31 to June 2, is expected to enhance the tourism business between China and the European Union (EU), with the 2018 China-EU Tourism Year quickly approaching. Overview The 2018 China-EU Tourism Year was put forward and discussed by Premier Li Keqiang and the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker at the 18th China-EU Leaders' Meeting in July 2016. According to the China National Tourism Administration, about 3.5 million Chinese tourists selected Europe as their first destination of choice when asked in 2015, which equated to 22.9 percent increase year-on-year. Statistics, released by the European Travel Commission last year, also showed China remained one of the fastest-growing markets to visit Europe, with 10.6 million Chinese tourists staying overnight in 2016. Police officers secure the surroundings of Resorts World Manila after an attack in Pasay City, the Philippines, on June 2, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] MANILA - Unidentified gunmen attacked Resorts World Manila in Pasay City around early hours of Friday, causing injuries among the hotel and casino guests who scampered after the shooting. Witnesses said they saw masked gunmen attacked the hotel. Gunman reportedly broke into the casino of the hotel. Parts of the hotel is on fire. Resorts World Manila is an integrated resort located in Newport City opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. Witnesses said they heard somebody shouted "IS." There were reportedly two masked men armed with long guns. The Resorts World issued a statement after the shooting saying the hotel is "currently on lockdown following reports of gunfire from unidentified men." "The company is working closely with the Philippine National Police to ensure that all guests and employees are safe," the statement read. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Some witnesses said they heard gunshots, so they hid in the bathroom. Resorts World Manila chief operating officer Stephen James Reilly told reporters he could not confirm how many casualties in the building. "I can confirm that shots were fired. I cannot confirm how many gunmen are in the building," Reilly said. He added, "We do not know the purpose at this time." There is no official statement yet from the police. Some of the hotel guests were foreign nationals, including South Koreans and Japanese. TV footage showed people running out of the building after the attack. The arguments and divisions that led people in the United Kingdom to vote to leave the European Union, by 52 percent to 48 in last year's referendum, look to have had a damaging effect on the nation's collective love life. A survey conducted for the online dating service eHarmony estimates that the Brexit vote accounted for 1.6 million breakups. The figure was based on a sample of 2,000 British adults and extrapolated against the current UK population of 65 million. The study concluded that 2.7 million relationships foundered over politics, but Brexit was by far the largest breakup inducer. Family ties also were affected. The research estimated that 2.5 million Britons fell out with relatives over Brexit, with 813,000 completely cutting off contact with a family member. Britons aged 25 to 34 were the most volatile on politics, with 12 percent saying they would break up with a partner over the issue. Romain Bertrand, the UK manager for eHarmony, said the Brexit referendum was a defining political moment, and coverage was inescapable. "This meant people were forced to confront issues they might otherwise have avoided in terms of political perspectives - therefore it's unfortunate but not altogether surprising that 1.6 million UK relationships ended," he said. June 23 is the anniversary of the referendum but the UK is still a long way away from leaving the EU. The first negotiations on the breakup are scheduled to begin on July 19, but it is not clear how quickly they will progress or when they will finish. Before then, the UK must undergo a general election on June 8, which could further complicate both Brexit negotiations and human relations. Differences of opinion, however, do not necessarily end in a split. Bertrand said the company's research found that traits such as conscientiousness, good conflict resolution and adaptability help create and sustain happy, long-lasting relationships. "As such, we feel confident that we can find you the right (or left) partner, no matter where you fall on the political spectrum," he said. conal@mail.chinadailyuk.com SAN FRANCISCO - A colossal aircraft capable of launching satellite-toting rockets into space is closer to testing, having been rolled out of a hangar in the desert, its creators said on Wednesday. The project, backed by billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has been proceeding for about six years and was on track for its first launch demonstration as early as 2019, Stratolaunch Systems Corporation chief executive Jean Floyd said in a blog post. "This marks a historic step in our work to achieve Paul G. Allen's vision of normalizing access to low Earth orbit," Floyd said. "This is a first-of-its-kind aircraft, so we're going to be diligent throughout testing." In the weeks and months ahead, Stratolaunch - touted as the biggest airliner ever built - will be testing fuel systems, engines and more on the ground at its air and space port in the Mojave Desert, according to Floyd. Support structures were removed from the plane during the past few weeks, allowing it to rest on its 28 wheels for the first time. The Stratolaunch aircraft weighed in at 226,796 kilograms and has the world's largest plane wingspan, measuring 117 meters, according to the company. The aircraft is 73 meters from nose to end, and it is 15 meters from the ground to the tip of its vertical tail. When the ambitious venture was launched some six years ago by philanthropist Allen, partners in the project vowed it would revolutionize orbital travel in the post-space shuttle era. Using huge passenger jet engines, it would tote a rocket and be able to launch payloads, satellites and someday humans into low-Earth orbit, Allen said at the time. Allen vowed that the project would result in greater flexibility than ground-based rocket launches and better cost effectiveness for cargo and human missions to space. Private space travel is also among the big visions of tech industry star Elon Musk, founder of the SpaceX company as well as electric car company Tesla. SpaceX is poised to blast off its next delivery of food, supplies and science experiments to astronauts living at the International Space Station on Thursday. Agence France-presse A woman cries as she holds a lit candle for the victims of Wednesday's blast in Kabul, Afghanistan June 1, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] Xi condemns terror attack in message of condolence China strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, President Xi Jinping said in a condolence message sent to his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Thursday. On behalf of Chinese government and people, as well as in the name of himself, Xi mourned deeply for the victims of the attack, and expressed sincere condolence to the injured and the victims' families. Noting that the truck bomb attack had caused huge casualties, Xi said China opposes all forms of terrorism. China would like to join hands with international community to support the Afghan government and people firmly to prevent and fight against terrorism and maintain national stability, Xi said. Premier Li Keqiang also sent a message of condolence to Afghan Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday, in which he strongly condemned the terrorist attack. China opposes all forms of terrorism, Li said, adding that China will provide persistent and firm support to Afghan government's continuous efforts to safeguard national security and stability and fight against terrorism. Afghans mourned the loss of family members, friends and colleagues on Thursday, a day after the massive truck bomb exploded in the capital leaving at least 90 people dead and more than 450 others wounded in one of the worst extremist attacks since the drawdown of foreign forces from Afghanistan in 2014. The city's acting mayor said the explosion damaged property as far as 4 kilometers away from the blast site and scores of people waited in hospitals to learn the status of family and friends wounded in the attack. The bomber drove into Kabul's heavily guarded diplomatic quarter during the morning rush, leaving behind chaos and destruction. Most of the casualties were civilians, including women and children, but the dead also included Afghan security guards. There was no claim of responsibility. Afghanistan's intelligence agency has blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani network for the attack, but the Taliban have denied they were involved. White House is considering sending thousands more soldiers to break the deadlock in the battle against the Taliban. The device was hidden in a truck used to clean septic tanks, according to Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the interior minister. The trucks are common in Kabul, a city of nearly 4 million people with no sewage system that mostly depends on septic tanks, and where open sewers are common. The blast gouged a crater about 5 meters deep in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, where foreign embassies are protected by their own security personnel as well as Afghan police and National Security Forces. The nearby German Embassy was heavily damaged. Also in the area is Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry, the Presidential Palace and its intelligence and security headquarters, guarded by soldiers trained by the US and its coalition partners. The lights of the Eiffel Tower were switched off on Wednesday night to honor the scores of victims. The landmark had gone dark on Tuesday after suicide blasts in Baghdad killed 42. AP contributed to this story. anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn Government soldiers reach for children being transported in a truck after they were rescued from their homes as troops continue their assault on extremists from the so-called Maute group, who have taken over large parts of Marawi City in the southern Philippines. [Photo/Agencies] MANILA - Philippine military airstrikes aimed at Islamist militants in the southern city of Marawi accidentally killed 11 soldiers and wounded seven others, defense and military officials said on Thursday. Brigadier General Restituto Padilla told a news conference the soldiers were killed and wounded by a rocket bomb fired by an SF-260 attack plane around noon on Wednesday in an apparent "friendly fire" incident. "One of our SF-260 aircraft was conducting an airstrike when the last ordnance round it fired went wayward for an unknown reason and accidentally hit and cost the lives of our ground forces," Padilla said. He added: "This is a case of friendly fire. It was an accident." Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana broke the news of the incident earlier on Thursday. "Maybe the coordination was not properly done so we hit our own people. We don't know yet what exactly happened," he said. "Sometimes in the fog of war a lot of things could happen. Accidents happen, like this. "It's very sad to be hitting our own troops," he added. "There must be a mistake somewhere, either someone directing from the ground, or the pilot." Lorenzana later said the military is sending more troops to Marawi to fight the remaining 50 to 100 extremists still holed up in the embattled city. "The situation is very fluid. We're almost there. There is only one pocket of resistance," he said. A battalion of marine soldiers landed in Marawi City on Thursday to augment the troops on the ground, he said. The military said ongoing clashes have killed more than 90 militants, 19 civilians and 36 soldiers and policemen. Lorenzana also said that at least eight foreign terrorists were among the dead militants. "There were two from Saudi Arabia, two from Malaysia, two from Indonesia, one from Yemen and one from Chechnya," he said. "We don't have any record of them coming through the proper channel, through the airports. There's only one way, maybe coming from Indonesia or from Malaysia." On May 23, heavily-armed militants attacked the city of about 200,000 people when the military was searching for a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group, who was hiding in the city. The troops launched a counteroffensive that resulted in a series of clashes. President Rodrigo Duterte is concerned radical ideology is spreading in the southern Philippines and it could become a haven for militants forced out of Iraq and Syria. He made no mention of the killing of soldiers by air force planes in a speech on Thursday. He said the Maute group was being given too much credit, and that the occupation of Marawi was the work of Islamic State, and planned a long time ago. "You know, the rebellion in Mindanao, it's not Maute, it's purely ISIS," he said. Xinhua WASHINGTON - The Donald Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reinstate the president's executive order to temporarily ban citizens from six Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and Africa. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," US Justice Department spokesperson Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. "The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States," said the statement. The petition came after the latest setback for Trump's controversial executive order to bar the citizens from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The order had originally also included Iraq. On May 25, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Virginia upheld a lower court ruling blocking Trump's travel ban nationwide. At the time, the Fourth Circuit's Chief Judge Roger Gregory wrote that the White House's "asserted national security interest ... appears to be a post hoc, secondary justification for an executive action rooted in religious animus and intended to bar Muslims from this country." "Then-candidate Trump's campaign statements reveal that on numerous occasions, he expressed anti-Muslim sentiment, as well as his intent, if elected, to ban Muslims from the United States," the ruling said. The San Francisco-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is also evaluating the travel ban in a separate appeal and has not indicated when it will rule. However, the Trump administration has repeatedly denied it is a Muslim ban, arguing the order aims to prevent terrorism by suspending visitors from terror-prone countries where visa vetting may not be effective. The revised presidential executive order, released in March, bars people from the six Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States for 90 days while freezing all refugee resettlement for 120 days. COLOMBO - The European Commission has allocated 300,000 euros in humanitarian funding to Sri Lanka to bring emergency assistance to communities affected by the recent floods, a statement by the EU in Sri Lanka said Friday. "This contribution from the EU will allow our partners on the ground to provide relief to the most-impacted families. This is an expression of solidarity from the European people to the people of Sri Lanka," said Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. The EU-funded assistance will focus on the most pressing needs of the affected families in the immediate aftermath of the floods, including access to clean water and sanitation facilities, the provision of essential household items, as well as emergency shelter. The EU funding is being made available via the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) through its Small Scale Response mechanism. Additionally, the Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Center has activated its Copernicus mapping service upon request from the World Food Program. The Copernicus maps will focus on the Southern and Western areas of Sri Lanka that have been affected by the rains, the EU statement said. The death toll in Sri Lanka caused by major floods and landslides reached 206 on Friday with 92 people still missing, the Disaster Management Center said. Over 650,000 people have been affected while an estimated 100,000 people having been shifted to safe locations. Over 10,000 houses have also been fully or partially destroyed. Days of severe rains since May 26 caused major floods and landslides in at least seven districts of the country - the worst floods to hit Sri Lanka since 2003. International assistance has also poured into the country in addition to naval teams from India, Pakistan and China coordinating with the Sri Lanka Navy in the relief assistance. NEW DELHI - India Friday successfully test-fired its home-made, nuclear-capable Prithvi-II ballistic missile off the coast of the eastern state of Odisha, sources said. "The test-firing of the surface-to-surface missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur near the state's Balasore district around 10 am (local time) was actually part of user trial by the India Army," sources said. The sleek missile is handled by the strategic force command and the test-firing was conducted in order to gauge the effectiveness of the weapon in a real-time situation, sources said. "Scientists of the state-owned Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) supervised the test-firing while Teams on board a ship deployed in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown," sources added. Prithvi-II, the first ballistic missile developed under the country's prestigious Integrated Guided Missile Development Program, has the capability to carry over 500 kg of warheads with a strike range of 350 km. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory. The missile, capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads, has a length of 9 meters and is 1 meter in diameter with liquid propulsion twin engine. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta became the first official passenger to ride on the newly constructed Mombasa-Nairobi Railway on Wednesday, in a train with two of the country's first female drivers at its helm. The drivers were part of a cohort of seven who received 50 days' training in simulators at Baoji Railway Technician College in Shaanxi province earlier this year, the Hubei Daily reported on Thursday. After they returned to Kenya in March, their teacher Tu Zhuxin had less than two months to show them how to drive a real train instead of a simulator. "No doubt it's been a challenge for me to teach them, as they had no experience before," said Tu, who previously worked as a driver for the Wuhan Railway Bureau in Xiangyang, Hubei province, and has tutored new drivers for more than 10 years. Initially, Tu said he was worried about making himself understood because of the language barrier, but was surprised to find that more than half the drivers could speak Chinese. The female drivers spent at least five days a week training, waking up between 5 am and 6 am every day and returning home at 8 pm, with only one hour at noon for rest. One of them was quoted as saying that she believed both men and women could do the job, and no matter who drove on opening day, they have all helped make history. The new railway, which links the port of Mombasa with the capital of Nairobi, was built using Chinese technology. Jiang Chenglong contributed to this story Several German automakers and auto suppliers unveiled major business deals with Chinese vehicle makers and information technology firms in Berlin on Thursday, during Premier Li Keqiang's official visit to Germany. In the presence of Li and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the world's largest carmaker, Volkswagen Group, and its rival, Daimler AG, both signed agreements with their Chinese counterparts, with an eye on China's new energy vehicle (also known as NEV) market. China is the largest auto and NEV market in the world. Daimler AG and its Chinese partner BAIC Group signed a framework agreement on further strengthening their strategic collaboration through investment for the NEV sector in China. Daimler intends to acquire a minority share in the Beijing Electric Vehicle Co, a subsidiary of the BAIC Group. Part of the investment will go to the upgrade of current production facilities at their joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Co to prepare for the introduction of NEV production. Hubertus Troska, a member of the management board at Daimler AG, with responsibility for China, said: "The framework agreement signed today marks a new chapter of our cooperation, in terms of new-energy vehicles. China today is already the world's largest market for NEVs, and Daimler is committed to contributing to the further development of electric mobility in this country." Volkswagen and Chinese carmaker Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co signed a deal to launch a new 50:50 joint venture to produce electric cars in China. Matthias Muller, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, said: "The new partnership is a further milestone in our electric offensive in China. "We want to play our part in shaping the mobility of the future: electric, fully networked, and in line with the needs of our customers." The joint venture, initially for 25 years, will develop and sell electric vehicles. It includes the development and production of components for NEVs, the development of vehicle connectivity and automotive data services. German automobile supplier and technology company Continental also signed a strategic cooperation agreement, this time with Baidu, one of the largest internet companies in China. The deal is aimed at establishing a comprehensive strategic cooperation in the areas of automated driving, connected vehicles and intelligent mobility services. It also signed a framework agreement with NIO, a Chinese electric vehicle start-up. The two companies will work closely in the field of electric vehicles and other relevant fields, including intelligent transportation systems and automated driving. British universities are growing even more dependent on international students from China according to a report. The Times Higher Education Supplement highlighted the latest UK government immigration statistics and found that the number of study visas granted to students from the Chinese mainland rose 10 percent to 77,290 in the year to March 2017. That represented a 37 percent of all study visas granted to students from outside the European Union over the period. This is a major change compared with about 10 years ago when India was the dominant source of non-EU students. The turnaround has been attributed to the shift in visa policies by the UK government, according to the Times Higher Education Supplement, particularly the decision to stop the post-study work visas that were attractive to students from the subcontinent. Home Office visa data which showed that over the past few years around 49 percent of visa applicants to higher education institutions now come from East Asia. Meanwhile, the United States came in second to China in the year to March 2017 on study visas granted with almost 14,300, while India was third with just above 11,600. A government launched pilot scheme last year, easing study visa restrictions for four research-intensive UK universities, could have also played a part in the rise, the report said. However, overseas students from South Asia applying to study in the UK have dropped from almost 20 percent in 2010 to under 10 percent in 2016. There has also been a fall in demand from sub-Saharan Africa. Around 70,000 visa applicants from China to UK universities were made in 2016, a rise of 77 percent compared with 2012 when there were just under 40,000. While the number of students seeking visas from India almost halved from 2010 to just over 10,700. Visit to Kazakhstan expected to yield harvest of cooperation President Xi Jinping's upcoming trip to Kazakhstan, beginning on Wednesday, is expected to bring more outcomes of cooperation on jointly building the China-proposed Belt and Road, analysts said. At the invitation of Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Xi will make a state visit to the country. During the four-day trip, he will also attend the 17th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the opening ceremony of Astana Expo 2017, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Friday. The wide support from the international community for the Belt and Road Initiative was highlighted by the successful Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, held last month in Beijing. The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by Xi in 2013, aim to boost interconnectivity and free trade between Asia and the rest of the world through reviving the ancient Silk Road trade routes. Kazakhstan witnessed the initiative's origination when Xi, in a speech in September 2013 at Nazarbayev University in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, proposed building the Silk Road Economic Belt. Last month, Xi and Nazarbayev met in Beijing on the sidelines of the Belt and Road forum. It will be Xi's third state visit to the western neighbor. Xi and Nazarbayev have met with each other 15 times in recent years. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Kazakhstan has played a positive role in working with China to implement the initiative. In 2014, the two countries signed documents to enhance cooperation under the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt. Xi and Nazarbayev have expressed willingness many times during their meetings to connect Kazakhstan's "Bright Road" economic policies with the Belt and Road Initiative. Xi, in his keynote speech at the opening of the Beijing forum, said, "We have enhanced coordination with the policy initiatives of relevant countries, such as the Eurasian Economic Union of Russia, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, the Bright Road initiative of Kazakhstan." Kazakhstan's advantage of geographic location has made the country an important partner for building the Belt and Road, said Jin Yong, a professor of international relations at Communication University of China. As an inland nation, Kazakhstan could export its products through maritime routes by cooperating with Chinese seaports, he said. Xing Guangcheng, a senior researcher on Russian and Central Asian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "Xi's visit to Kazakhstan can have positive effects on building the Belt and Road amid China's efforts to boost regional interconnectivity." China should make full use of the platform of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to push forward the construction of the Belt and Road, he added. NEWFOLDEN, Minn. -- For Jerad Liedberg, getting up in the early morning to climb into a tractor or go check the fields is a tradition that has been in his family almost 125 years. Sometimes he has a little helper with him. My oldest likes to ride in the tractors, the Warren, Minn., farmer said of his 3-year-old daughter, Greta. He also has a younger daughter, Lindsey, who is 1 years old. (Gretas) got a lot of questions. She gets a lot of field tours. The little girls are the fifth generation in a long line of farmers dating back to the late 1800s. Jerads parents, Eunice and Rodney Liedberg, still live on the farm that Eunices grandfather, Christian Engelsrud, homesteaded near Newfolden more than a century ago. On Fridays, Jerads sister and her husband, Kelly and Shannon Leach of East Grand Forks, bring out the their 9-year-old daughter, Ruby, and 5-year-old son, Marshall, to grandma and grandpas to see the tradition that began with a mans journey from Norway. Honor of a century farm In 1859, 24-year-old Christian Engelsrud traveled from Nannestad, Norway, to the U.S. from the Port of Philadelphia, he made his way in 1883 to a bonanza farm west of Warren, Minn., where he worked for about 10 years before purchasing land about 5 miles west of Newfolden, establishing the farmstead in 1893. Eunice grew up on the farmstead with her two siblings before she met Rodney -- they went to school together. You have to find a farm boy to keep this all going, Eunice said with a laugh. When he proposed to me, he said he was going to farm. Rodney, Eunice and Jerad farm about 2,000 acres altogether. Eunice and Rodney are retired -- Eunice worked 31 years at the Newfolden Co-op Oil Co. -- but Rodney still helps Jerad, especially when it comes to fixing machinery. Every day is something different, Rodney said when asked why he keeps farming. There still are remnants of years gone by: a 1930 Ford Model A car that Rodney has restored, a classic 4010 John Deere diesel tractor, windmills turning above the well that still pumps water for the Liedbergs and an outhouse that probably is from the late 1800s. Rodney and Eunice admit they were a little late applying for the designation of century farm in 1993. Rodney, a Vietnam veteran, said he always loved to farm. And Eunice loved how dedicated he was to the land. We thought we should do this because it is an honor for the farm, Eunice said, adding she was happy it has stayed in the family so long. Love for the farm Much has changed in the nearly 125 years since Christian first turned the soil at his farmstead. An old grain cart Eunice painted as a display to the familys legacy used to haul the wheat and barley the Engelsruds grew. Now large semi trucks haul the grain to market for the Liedbergs. Still, they have the antiques, including a spinning wheel from Eunices grandmother that sits in the hallway of their home. When you live on a century farm, you kind of collect stuff, Eunice said. There were hard times where the family had to tighten their belts -- Eunice recalled the Great Depression when her grandfather lost money with the bank. But they always pulled through somehow, Eunice said. We had thin soup sometimes, Rodney said. There also have been good years, and Jerad said he wanted to take over the farm because he loved the lifestyle. Maybe Eunices and Rodneys grandchildren will want to carry on the legacy, Eunice said. But for now, just teaching them brings Jerad joy. You can just see their full life, he said. Its fun to educate them and tell them stories. Eunice and Rodney joked farming was all their parents and grandparents knew, but for the couple and their kids, it was about carrying on a tradition, Jerad said. There is a tie to the land and family that keeps them going, Eunice noted. Its your business, but you still have that love, she said. China will stick to its commitment made in the Paris Agreement and will join forces with other parties to combat climate change, Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday. "China is one of the first countries to ratify the Paris pact, and we will stick to the commitment for sure," Li said in Berlin at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "As a big developing country, China will shoulder its responsibility," he added. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying also said on Thursday in Beijing that China will continue to fulfill its Paris pledges "no matter what stances others take". Although neither Li nor Hua mentioned the United States specifically, their comments came as the world awaited word from US President Donald Trump, who planned to announce whether the nation is pulling out of the Paris Agreement. Trump's recent tweets suggested that the US might abandon the historic accord. Chai Qimin, an expert at the National Center for Climate Change Strategy at the National Development and Reform Commission, said Li's comments are in line with China's consistent stance on combating climate change. Chai cited President Xi Jinping's words at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this year. Xi called for worldwide efforts to combat the global challenge. "These comments sent the message that China hopes the agreement, sealed by near-200 parties worldwide, will stay on the right track and move forward," he said. "China has emphasized the importance of cooperation to address the challenge," he said. "It does not help to blame a single country." Chai added there is no need to worry about China's progress on keeping its promises, but if one of the world's two largest carbon emitters decides to withdraw, it will drag down the pace of improvements and make it difficult to address the issue. China aims by 2030 to cut its carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 60 to 65 percent from 2005 levels. It also intends to have reached the peak of its carbon emissions by 2030. On 2015, the US committed in the Paris Agreement to reduce its emissions by 26 to 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025. Bai Yunwen, a climate researcher at the Chinese NGO Greenovation Hub, said China does not face much challenge if the United States decides to quit, because its efforts fit into our own needs to see a green transformation. "China will only benefit from extending our friendship circle through technology and information exchanges with economies actively participating in the pact, such as the European Union," she said. Leaders are expected to adopt a joint statement and a separate statement on climate change and clean energy after the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting ends on Friday, according to a news release by the European Council. wangyanfei@chinadaily.com.cn Editor's note: China and Germany signed 11 deals and collaboration agreements during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Berlin recently. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Germany diplomatic ties, in which business exchanges play a critical role. Five German companies with a presence in China talk to China Daily about Sino-German economic relations. Jochem Heizmann, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China Back in April 1983, Volkswagen arrived in a country on the move. In 2016, Volkswagen Group China and its Joint Ventures delivered almost 4 million cars to Chinese customers. But it's not only the figures which count. Most important for me is that we managed to excite more customers than ever before. People are always a focus of our strategic thinking. Like 30 years ago: China is on the move again. Jochem Heizmann. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] I'm convinced, together with our current and our new partners we will turn challenges like environment protection, digitalization, electrification, and congested city traffic into opportunities. Together we continue to fulfill our mission: to develop and build the best vehicles here and now while also taking care of the entire mobile ecosystem and the environment. We view China as an incubator for innovation and new technology, and a source of solutions that can be transferred to the world. New ambitious targets for the future have been set under the "Made in China 2025" strategy. For the Volkswagen Group I can say: we want this change and we want to shape this new world of mobility. Our own agenda is called "TOGETHER Strategy 2025". It has a lot in common with "Made in China 2025", not just timing. Along the way, we are leveraging our traditional assets: in mechanical engineering, product quality, fascinating design and strong brands. Our high-efficiency combustion engines, new NEVs and sustainable production will foster green mobility. But we are also setting new priorities: digitalization, autonomous driving, smart city concepts and mobility services. That's why we set up the "Volkswagen Group Future Center Asia", one of three global innovation hubs, here in China. So Volkswagen Group is striving to transform itself from a car manufacturer into a people-centered provider of sustainable mobility. Our good operating result in 2016 enables us to further invest at a high level in China. This year again we are setting aside RMB 30 billion from the cash flow of the two Joint Ventures for reinvestment in future-proof development. And we expect to maintain the same level in the coming year. Denis Depoux, Asia Deputy President and Senior Partner of Roland Berger Over the past 30 years China has gradually become the factory of the world, and the country's production and manufacturing capacity has grown across virtually all industrial sectors. Europe and German companies in particular have played a big role, not only as markets, but also as providers of technology, know-how and industrial goods. Denis Depoux. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] The Chinese government's 13th Five-Year Plan brought in-depth transformation to the country's economy. Domestic consumption, increased industrial added value and a growing services industry should fuel a new virtuous circle of growth, with Chinese customers wanting better, more customized domestic and international products delivered ever more rapidly. The coming Chinese industrial revolution relies on new possibilities offered by the connectivity between manufacturing and production-open platforms and ecosystems, logistics and online distribution channels and their consumers, in China and beyond. However, this will not happen without Chinese production and manufacturing modernizing rapidly. A series of government-sponsored plans, including Internet Plus and Made in China 2025, are designed to achieve this goal. The Belt and Road Initiative is also seeking to create infrastructure and industrial parks and facilities to gradually shift from made in China to made by China. At the business level, production line exports will increasingly become systems, and then components exports. Added value may remain, but unit volume will falter as Chinese companies develop substitution technologies. This has some concrete implications for the evolution of Sino-German business collaboration, including increased integration and localization, continuous product and system innovation, and a shift from pure components/equipment export to more hybrid systems+software+engineering models. Beyond direct trade and investment, Chinese policy makers and large and small companies can find inspiration in the German model. BEIJING - The world's leading manufacturing powers, China and Germany, will increase innovative cooperation in the latest effort to strengthen bilateral trade and investment amid setbacks in globalization. During his official visit to Germany, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang described the two countries as a golden pair in the manufacturing industry. China is willing to promote "the alignment between 'Made in China 2025' plan and Germany's 'Industry 4.0' concept," Li said, stressing collaboration in manufacturing, energy, aviation, innovation, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Unveiled in 2015, the Made in China 2025 plan aims to transform China into an innovative manufacturing country. The German Industry 4.0 concept, coined in 2011, is designed to facilitate automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies, including cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things and cloud computing. Li's words were echoed by his German counterpart Angela Merkel who said Germany is ready to work with China to build a platform to synergize innovation and high-tech development strategies. The meeting marked the next step in the world's second and fourth largest economies jointly exploring innovation as a means to stimulate flagging global growth. "The two countries, although in different stages of development, can create mutual benefits via cooperation in the manufacturing industry and industrial digitalization," said Yao Ling, a research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce. At Hanover Fair, one of the world's largest trade fairs for industrial technology, held in April, China became the second largest exhibiting nation after the host Germany, with around 1,200 participating businesses. Leading Chinese tech and manufacturing firms, including telecom giant Huawei and home appliance producer Haier, showcased their latest products and looked for deals and partners during the exhibition. Chinese Internet giant Baidu this week inked agreements with German automotive suppliers Bosch and Continental AG to expand cooperation on self-driving technologies and vehicles, smart transport systems and Internet of Vehicles. Successful corporate cooperation projects between the two countries are numerous, such as China's Baosteel and Germany's Siemens jointly participating in Industry 4.0 steel industry projects, the smart washing machine plant developed by China's Haier and Germany's Fraunhofer Institute, and Midea Group's takeover of German robot maker Kuka earlier this year. Liu Yingkui from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade expects more Chinese investment in Germany and improved cooperation on research and development to push forward economic and technological ties. China and Germany are already significant trade partners. Germany is one of a handful of countries that have a trade surplus with China with their transport equipment, chemicals, watches and machinery components popular in the Chinese market. Bilateral trade totaled 151.29 billion U.S. dollars over the last year, slightly down 3.5 percent year on year. Two way investment was robust. China pumped over 2.95 billion U.S. dollars into Germany in 2016, a 258.6-percent increase from a year ago. In the same year, Germany invested in 392 projects in China with an investment volume of 2.71 billion U.S. dollars. This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-Germany diplomatic relations. Accompanied by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier Li takes pictures with representatives who attended the third China-EU Innovation Cooperation Dialogue. [Photo/Xinhua] BRUSSELS - China always attaches great importance to fairness and sustainability when promoting free trade with the European Union (EU), Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Friday in a keynote speech at the 12th EU-China Business Summit. Noting that free trade and fair play complement each other, Li said he hopes free trade to be sustainable, healthy and balanced. "In other words, buying or selling by force, playing the fox in trade or selling counterfeit and shoddy products cannot be sustainable and will eventually block the process of free trade," said Li. Premier Li Keqiang advocates the establishment of a free-trade zone at the 15th Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of Governments in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Nov 3, 2016. LIU ZHEN / CHINA NEWS SERVICE In the 15 years since its inception, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has developed a new type of international relations, featuring mutual benefit and common development among its member states which have greatly contributed to regional economic development and stability. Upholding the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development, Thursday's SCO Prime Ministers' Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, has further deepened pragmatic cooperation in economic and security matters among the member states. During the meeting, Premier Li Keqiang and other top officials reviewed the cooperation and developments in various fields, and discussed ways to implement the Belt and Road Initiative and other regional cooperation mechanisms. The premier also proposed concrete initiatives to further deepen SCO cooperation in such areas as finance, trade, science and innovation. The other SCO members showed interest in measures to boost cooperation in areas such as transport, science and technology, infrastructure construction and environmental protection. All SCO members are also neighbors. This special geopolitical reality allows a favorable environment to be created for the joint development of countries in the region. The Tashkent Declaration of the 15th Anniversary of the SCO signed at the SCO summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in June reiterated that the member states were committed to further developing good neighborliness, and friendly relations in areas of mutual interest. Facing complicated security challenges, the SCO has forged a series of mechanisms that have played a very important role in safeguarding regional stability and security. The mechanisms include the 2009 SCO Counter-Terrorism Convention, meetings of chiefs of general staff of the armed forces of the SCO members, and the "Peace Mission 2016" joint anti-terrorism drills. These efforts will not only strengthen the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatismto prevent the aforementioned "three evils" from making inroads into the SCO member statesbut also reinvigorate Afghanistan, which has applied to become the bloc's member, and prevent the unrest in western Asia to spread to eastern Asia. As economies of the SCO member states are highly complementary, more efforts are needed to promote major joint projects and create financial platforms of mutual assistance as well as research centers of innovation and high technology, which will help transform the region into a geo-economic plateau with high vitality. At the meeting of the economic affairs ministers of the SCO member states held in Bishkek earlier last month, China proposed to set up special institutions to facilitate trade and investment in fields such as e-commerce, logistics and financing. Furthermore, the integration of each member's development strategies will broaden the path of the SCO and promote the overall development of the region. At the Tashkent summit, China promised to facilitate the alignment of its Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of other SCO members, and hoped the SCO would play a positive role in this process by creating more cooperation opportunities, which the other SCO members have expressed interest in. With the appeal for dovetailing each other's development strategies growing among a number of countries in southern and western Asia, the SCO, under the Shanghai Spirit, is expected to develop into a multilateral platform and become an important driving force for a new and balanced world order. Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim addresses members of parliament from his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara, Turkey, November 8, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] Troubled by strained relations with its Western allies, Turkey is renewing efforts to knit closer ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), an attempt which may well bear fruit this time, analysts believe. "The chances for Turkey to be upgraded to the observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization seem to be stronger now than they were several months ago," observed Yasar Yakis, a former Turkish foreign minister. Turkey has been a dialogue partner to the organization since June 2012. The debate on the SCO flared up lately in Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again expressed the country's aspiration to further ties with the SCO, saying "Why shouldn't Turkey be in the Shanghai Five?" He argued on his way back from Uzbekistan two weeks ago that the European Union had never wished Turkey well, adding that Turkey could act comfortably if it were a SCO member. The SCO's founding countries -- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan -- were referred to as the Shanghai Five until Uzbekistan joined the club in 2001. "Turkey may get observer status. In fact, full membership is not out of the question," remarked Alev Kilic, director of the Ankara-based Center for Eurasian Studies (AVIM). Back in 2013, Turkey failed in its attempt to convince SCO members to upgrade its status to an observer, reportedly due to a member nation's opposition. In contrast, the group was quick this time in responding positively to the Turkish president's remarks. Turkey has been selected to chair the organization's Energy Club in 2017, becoming the first non-SCO country to hold the term presidency, the Turkish Ministry of Energy noted last week. Turkey is deeply frustrated by its Western allies, in particular the EU and the United States, which it accuses of harboring criminals and providing weapons to the Kurdistan Workers' Party outlawed by Ankara. Turkey has also recently blasted the EU for unfair treatment in its membership talks as well as the European Parliament's vote in favor of freezing the talks. Erdogan's talk of the SCO came after the Turkish government had been widely criticized, following a failed coup in July, by the EU for mass detentions, purge of tens of thousands of public servants, and crackdown on freedom of expression and the press. A day after Erdogan's remarks appeared in the Turkish press, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang stated that China "attaches importance to Turkey's aspiration to further deepen its cooperation with the SCO." Ni carries products in the warehouse when his shop is shorthanded. He walks fast, because he believes time is money. [Photo/Xinhua] Ni Jianhua is never worried about slow sales in the free trade zone on the China-Kazakhstan border. After seeing the fifth client of the day out, the baby care product trader hurried to a warehouse in the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center to inspect a batch of baby carriages, which just arrived at the northwest China's port from south China's Guangdong province. "They will be sold to Kazakhstan very soon," he said, "Products always sell out here." Ni, 44, has been doing business in Horgos, the largest land port on the border with Kazakhstan in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, since 2006. Like his fellow merchants from East China's Zhejiang province who are dubbed as the "Chinese Jews" for their success in doing business, Ni is diligent and works hard all day long. With a startup fund of 300,000 yuan (about $43,500) 12 years ago, Ni has expanded his business and now cashes in more than 300,000 yuan every day. He is considered as one of the most successful businessmen in the FTZ today. Although he is one of them, Ni is still surprised by the rapid development of the FTZ. Covering 5.28 square kilometers, the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center opened in April 2012 as a destination for cross-border shopping. It has more than 40 duty-free shops selling luxury brands such as Omega and Versace. The facility is the world's first cross-border free-trade zone and the biggest duty-free shopping center in west China. It allows entry of citizens from any country with valid passports or with exit and entry permits. Since its establishment, more and more fortune-seekers have been enticed here. The FTZ has recorded a trade volume of $878 million since opening as of last July. Ni (L) drives a battery vehicle to the warehouse. His Kazakhstani customer is so eager to get the products that he jumps on and goes with Ni. [Photo/Xinhua] Ni has a Russian name--Vasiliy. It was given by his friend from Kazakhstan's Almaty, 378 kilometers from Horgos. The Chinese Vasiliy can discuss business with clients from Central Asia in Russian accented with a Zhejiang dialect. "I studied Russian when I came here. I was 32 years old at that time, and found it very difficult to learn the language," Ni said, "Now I can speak only a little about toys in Russian. But that's quite enough for me." "Better communication means more business opportunities," he added. Vasiliy Ni sold a batch of balance cars and baby carriages worth 5 million Kazakhstan Tenge (about $16,058) to two Russian traders the day we visited him. He was expecting four more groups of clients. "I'm too busy. Sometimes I hope it rains so that I can have a rest," he said. URUMQI "There are two imported things in my company, one is the oil, the other is me," said Miras Kilybayev, deputy director of Jinsi Oil in the bonded zone of Alataw Pass bordering Kazakhstan in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The Kazakhstan businessman, 25, works for one of the largest agricultural companies in his country. Last year, he was sent to China to expand the company's business. "The whole world is looking at the Chinese market, so we can't afford to ignore it," he said. Kilybayev learned Chinese at Tsinghua University and chemical engineering at Beijing Institute of Technology from 2008 to 2014. After graduation he returned to Kazakhstan, but deep down, he knew he would come back to China. "The first time I was in China, I bought a bottle of local cooking oil from a supermarket. It tasted different and made me homesick," said Kilybayev who speaks not only Kazakh and Chinese, but also English and Russian. According to him, farmers in Kazakhstan follow traditional farming methods, use non-GMO seeds, and seldom add fertilizers. "Low yields guarantee high quality, especially in the northern province, where my company manages 20,000 hectares of arable land," Kilybayev said. At its first factory - also the first foreign-funded enterprise - established in the bonded zone, Kilybayev's company received support from the local government: from streamlined approval procedures, low-cost office space to considerable subsidies. The oil refinery, with a total investment of 20 million yuan ($2.9 million), went into operation in July last year. Crude cooking oil is transported by train from Kazakhstan. Customs duties and value-added taxes are exempted in the bonded zone. "It's like producing in my own country," Kilybayev said. The daily output has risen to nearly 100 metric tons. Demand is also increasing rapidly, thanks to local government connections with Chinese distributors. "Our products are on the shelves across Xinjiang, including the regional capital Urumqi. In June, we will enter Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces in South and East China," Kilybayev said. The Alataw Pass is one of the busiest land ports on the modern Silk Road. Last year, a total of 1,727 China-Europe and China-Central Asia freight trains passed through the port, an increase of 35 percent year-on-year, with the volume of goods transported exceeding 1.3 million tons, said Yang Yonghong, head of Alataw Pass train station. More foreign products, including agricultural products from Kazakhstan, are now transported to China by rail. Nine Chinese cities, including Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an and Yiwu, have launched China-Europe trains travelling via the Alataw Pass, which makes Kilybayev optimistic about in his company's future. "We have recently decided to open a flour mill and a poultry farm next to the refinery to bring more quality agricultural products from Kazakhstan," he said. "I will be living in China longer than I originally expected, but my fiancee will be coming so I won't be lonely," said Kilybayev, who is getting married this August. BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping said Sunday that China is willing to strengthen strategic coordination and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Kazakhstan. Xi made the remarks when meeting with his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on Sunday and Monday. Xi proposed the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in Kazakhstan and Indonesia respectively in 2013, which later evolved into the Belt and Road Initiative. Premier Li Keqiang greets European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (right) and European Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels on Thursday night. The three co-hosted the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting. WANG YE / XINHUA Premier Li Keqiang urged the European Union on Friday to fulfill the promise made in Article 15 of the protocol on China's accession to the World Trade Organization and properly handle frictions. Li, while co-chairing the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, stressed that Article 15 is a sunset provision, and all sides should precisely fulfill the promise, according to a news release from the Foreign Ministry. "That is fulfilling due international responsibility, abiding by international rules and respecting rule-based international order," the release quoted the premier as saying. Tusk and Juncker said the world is facing uncertainties and that maintaining the current international system is in line with the interests of the EU, China and the world. Yet the EU believes that it is not right to maintain the international trade order in a selective way, they said. The meeting came one day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday after her meeting with Li that Germany believes the European Union should fulfill the responsibilities of the protocol. The EU should make efforts to find a solution that is in line with the WTO rules, is fair to all nations and does not discriminate against China, Merkel said. Under Article 15, WTO members, after Dec 11, 2016, were to end the organization's surrogate country approach regarding anti-dumping investigations of China. The date was exactly 15 years after China's admission to the WTO. 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. In the leaders' meeting, Li also said that amid growing uncertainties in the world, the meeting is expected to send a signal that "China-EU relations have kept stable and become consolidated" and that the two sides want to take the stable relations to offset uncertainties in the global situation. He encouraged both sides to push forward negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty and cooperation in fields including infrastructure, aviation, information and security. The EU leaders said the bloc's cooperation with China in fields including free trade, climate change and security will benefit global peace and prosperity. After the meeting, the leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in fields ranging from energy to intellectual property. Wang Yiwei, director of the Center for European Studies at Renmin University of China, said the meeting came right after the EU and the United States were in conflict on issues from trade to climate change at the NATO and G7 summits, which were held last week. "China-EU relations have become a highlight in international relations," he said. Contact the writers at lixiaokun@chinadaily.com.cn (Photo : IAF) Su-30MKIs of the IAF. Advertisement India can successfully fight a two-front war against China and Pakistan with the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighters it has on hand, according to analyses appearing in Indian media. "Credible resistance" is being touted the definition of "victory" for the IAF in this two-front air war. The aim for the Indian Armed Forces in the event of this war on two fronts -- one in the high altitude battlefields along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China; the other in the mountains of Kashmir against Pakistan -- is to offer credible resistance for a few weeks, even for a month, before world powers intervene to prevent the conflict igniting World War III. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Military victory in the traditional sense is out of the question in this calculus. The only significant military victory to be gained is from attrition, that is, destroying as many enemy weapons and equipment, and killing as many enemy soldiers as possible in this short but sharp war. The IAF is expected to play the key and lead role in the war against China, specifically against its opposite number, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The aerial battlefield for IAF and PLAAF fighters will be the high altitude regions along the LAC. The first clashes in a war against China is expected to consist of aerial battles and missile attacks on airfields along both sides of the LAC. The LAC between India and China is 4,056 km long and traverses five Indian states: Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. In China, the line traverses the high altitude Tibet Autonomous Region. Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims it owns and Tibet will be the battlegrounds for the IAF and the PLAAF. Both Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet feature mountainous, rugged and high altitude terrain. Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, has warned his men to be prepared for a war against either China or Pakistan "at a very short notice," in what some observers see as an affirmation that war isn't a distant danger. In a personal letter to the 12,000 officers of the IAF, the Air Marshal tacitly admits to the possibility of the IAF having to fight a two-front war simultaneously. He asks his officers to be ready. This looming danger shines the spotlight on the need to accelerate the IAF's ongoing modernization program. The aim of this program is to replace most of its obsolete fighters bought from the Soviet Union with more sophisticated fourth generation combatants such as the Dassault Rafale, twin-engine, multirole fighter jet. Marshal Dhanoa earlier spoke of going to war "with our present holdings," which doesn't look that good considering the planes IAF on hand. He also last year admitted the IAF doesn't have numbers in case a two-front war involving China and Pakistan broke out. Credible resistance, however, means the IAF only has to hang on and keep shooting down PLAAF and Pakistan Air Force aircraft while losing fewer of its own. IAF has only 35 active fighter squadrons. Of these 25 squadrons, 14 are equipped with obsolete Mikoyan MiG-21 fighters dating back to the 1970s and Mikoyan MiG-27s, which will all be retired by 2024. IAF will be reduced to just 11 squadrons by 2024. IAF looks optimistically to the future, however. It has signed contracts to acquire 272 Sukhoi Su-30 MKI air superiority fighters, enough to form 13 new squadrons. Delivery of these potent jets will likely be completed by 2020. Another source of optimism is the acquisition of 36 Dassault Rafale multirole fighters from France. The 36 Rafales will re-equip two existing squadrons, one of which faces Tibet. Indian military analysts claim the IAF will have an initial advantage over the PLAAF. PLAAF fighters will take-off from high altitude airfields in Tibet, and hence will carry fewer weapons and a smaller fuel payload, limiting their range. One great weakness of the PLAAF is its dearth of aerial refueling aircraft, of which it has less than 30 divided between the PLAAF and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Advertisement TagsIndia, Indian Air Force, Credible resistance, china, Pakistan, Line of Actual Control, World War III, People's Liberation Army Air Force, PLAAF (Photo : The University of Manchester ) The Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory Advertisement The search for intelligent life beyond the Earth received a huge fillip with the new partnership between Breakthrough Initiatives and The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics at The University of Manchester in Cheshire in the United Kingdom. Breakthrough Listen is the most comprehensive scientific search for intelligent life ever launched. It will share information with Jodrell Bank's team that will conduct an independent SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) search via its 76 meter Lovell Telescope (a radio telescope) and the e-MERLIN array. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement MERLIN, or the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network, is an interferometer array of radio telescopes spread across England. The array is run from Jodrell Bank Observatory by the University of Manchester. The collaboration will openly exchange observing plans, search methods and data, and is part of a growing international collaboration of astronomers and observing facilities focused on SETI. The two teams are planning a series of meetings and conferences to refine search strategies, data analyses and results. The collaboration was announced via a joint statement by Prof. Michael Garrett, Director of The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, and Pete Klupar, Director of Engineering for the Breakthrough Initiatives, at a signing ceremony in Manchester, England. "Jodrell Bank is a superb observatory with an outstanding track record of astronomical discoveries," said Klupar. "We are proud to be working with them to focus on one of the great unsolved questions in science." "The opportunity to work directly with colleagues involved in Breakthrough Listen is an important step forward in getting the UK back into the SETI business," said Prof. Garrett. In October 2016, Breakthrough Initiatives announced a collaboration with the FAST telescope in China. With this latest development, the observatories collaborating on SETI searches now spans four continents. There are proposals to upgrade the e-MERLIN telescope, expanding its frequency range in order to permit observations of proto-planetary disks and to enable the simultaneous detection and localization of transient sources, including potential SETI signals. The Breakthrough Initiatives are a set of long-term astronomical programs exploring the Universe, seeking scientific evidence of life beyond Earth, and encouraging public debate from a planetary perspective. Breakthrough Listen, launched in July 2015, is the most comprehensive astronomical search for intelligent life ever undertaken. It employs two of the world's biggest radio telescopes: the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, USA, and the Parkes Observatory in New South Wales, Australia; as well as the Automated Planet Finder at Lick Observatory in California, USA, which searches for laser signals. Advertisement TagsBreakthrough Initiatives, The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, University of Manchester, SETI, Lovell Telescope, Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (Photo : YPG) Female YPG fighters. Advertisement The apocalyptic battle to conquer the Syrian city of Raqqa, the capital of the caliphate created by the Islamic State (IS), is widely expected to begin next week following dramatic territorial gains by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The U.S.-backed SDF, which consists of around 40,000 Arab and Kurdish fighters, will lead the attack on Raqqa. This city is expected to fall within the year, effectively ending the existence of IS as an organized terrorist organization capable of holding ground. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement SDF is the largest armed group surrounding Raqqa. Its multi-ethnic combat forces are led by the People's Protection Units (YPG), a Syrian Kurdish militia fighting against IS in Syria. YPG is the primary component of the SDF, whose main goal is to topple Russian-back Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and establish a democratic government in Syria. At the urging of the United States, YPG founded the SDF in late 2015 as an umbrella group combining Kurds, Arabs and minorities into the war effort against IS. U.S. Army officials said yesterday that SDF forces have pushed to within three kilometers of Raqqa and that the major battle for control of the city "could begin in the coming days" or by next week. The SDF was "poised around Raqqa" after gaining 350 square kilometers from IS in Syria in the last week., revealed Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, U.S. Central Command. Some SDF fighting units are within three kilometers of Raqqa to the north and east while others are some 10 kilometers of the city to the west. Other U.S. Army officers told American media the encirclement of Raqqa is almost complete. SDF is being supported by men of the U.S. Special Forces Command (USSOCOM), as well as special forces from France and Germany. U.S. Central Command confirmed earlier this week it had begun distributing weapons and vehicles to YPG fighters in preparation for the Raqqa battle. It was only on May 9 the White House approved a plan to directly arm the YPG with more and better weapons. Sources said YPG has begun receiving advanced combat helmets; digital camouflage uniforms; chest rigs that hold ammunition and body armor. YPG will also get Colt M4 automatic rifles with various modifications, including infrared lasers used for targeting during nighttime raids. These weapons and gear make YPG more lethal. YPG will also receive other needed equipment such as radios and bulldozers, which have proven their usefulness against ISIS car and truck bombs. Advertisement Tags Raqqa, Islamic State, Syrian Democratic Forces, Syria, People's Protection Units (YPG), Syrian Kurdish militia, Operation Inherent Resolve (Photo : US Navy) MQ-25 Stingray. Advertisement The "secret weapon" the U.S. Navy will rely on so its Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint Strike Fighters and Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets can destroy warships of the People's Liberation Army Navy from over 1,000 km away won't be a new anti-ship missile but a robotic aerial tanker aircraft. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Prototypes of the carrier-launched refueling drone -- the MQ-25A Stingray-- are now flying and are designed to extend the combat range of carrier-borne combat aircraft such as the F-35C and the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets. The navy now plans to upgrade the autonomous MQ-25 into a jam-proof aerial drone that will operate aboard aircraft carriers by launching an industry-wide competition. The first key step towards this goal, a draft request for proposal (RFP) for the Stingray, was issued late last year. The final RFP (this for the air segment) has just been issued to Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and General Atomics. The Navy plans to have the final MQ-25 design by 2018 and receive its first operational Stingrays by 2021. Research and development effort are currently focused on technical and task analysis covering a wide range of such as carrier suitability and integration, missions systems and software and cybersecurity. The MQ-25 robot tanker will extend the range of carrier strike jets and allow navy carriers to operate well outside the effective distance of Chinese anti-ship ballistic missiles such as the land-launched DF-21D, which has a range of some 1,400 km. The navy said the MQ-25 will provide a robust organic refueling capability that will extend the range of the carrier air wing. The MQ-25's mission is "recovery tanking" in which it refuels planes flying in a fixed orbit around an aircraft carrier. This method will allow Navy combat jets such as F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and F-35Cs J to fly missions with enough fuel to return to their mother carriers. Advertisement TagsU.S. Navy, MQ-25A Stingray, carrier-launched refueling drone, recovery tanking, Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint Strike Fighters Thirty-seven people were killed when a gunmen carried out an attack at a resort and casino in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The heavily armed gunman walked into the Resorts World Manila casino, shooting patrons and setting fires which resulted in more deaths. The Islamic State has taken responsibility for the attack, despite Manila police reporting that the attack was not an act of terrorism. The good news reported by police that the attack was not an act of terrorism soon changed to horror when dozens of people were found suffocated to death within the building. Police reported a gruesome scene upon entering the casinos second floor. Bodies were strewn across the floor, dead from suffocation. The perpetrator had used gasoline to set fires to casino property. Families of those at the casino during the attack waited anxiously outside for news of their loved ones. Of the 37 victims, 13 were casino employees and the rest were patrons. Some people were able to escape by breaking windows and jumping from the second floor. Many of those who tried this course of action were injured. The Philippines is currently dealing with another national crisis as well. Islamic extremists recently shot and killed eight Christians in the ongoing conflict to take control of Marawi city, capital of Lanao del Sur Province on the island of Mindanao. Additionally, a priest and 250 parishioners were abducted by the extremists. Photo courtesy: Thinkstock/Manakin Publication date: June 2, 2017 Ron Kronish was an American college student when Israel defeated the Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian armies during the 1967 Six-Day War. That war, whose 50th anniversary will be marked on Monday (June 5), had a profound effect on many Israeli and Diaspora Jews that is felt till this day. Jews as well as many Christians viewed Israels capture of East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan as a kind of miracle. Israel had beaten three much larger countries and, for the first time in 2,000 years, Jewish holy sites were in Jewish hands. But the war, which also saw the capture of the Golan Heights, Gaza and the Sinai, displaced up to 325,000 Palestinians. (There are now an estimated 2.5 million refugees and their descendants living in the West Bank; Israel has relinquished the Sinai and the Gaza Strip.) For Kronish, now 70 and a Reform rabbi dedicated to interreligious peace building, Israels lightning victory over its hostile neighbors was life-changing. It made our Jewish identity very Israel-centric. Until then, Kronish said, young American Jewish activists were largely preoccupied with the Vietnam War and the American civil rights movement. I was caught up in the victory, I felt that history was happening and I wanted to be part of it, said Kronish. As it did for tens of thousands of other North Americans, the war spurred him to move to Israel, albeit several years later. The war, which reunited the eastern and western parts of Jerusalem, also inspired Jews being persecuted in what was then the Soviet Union to fight for the right to emigrate and freely practice their religion. When the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces broke through the gates of Jerusalems Old City, they also punched a hole in the Iron Curtain, inspiring us Soviet Jews to start our struggle for freedom, recalled Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet refusenik and current chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel. This struggle, supported by Jews around the world, ultimately brought down the Iron Curtain and enabled a million (Soviet) Jews to come home to Israel, Sharansky said. North American immigration, though far more modest, jumped from 739 people per year in 1967 to 8,100 in 1969, for example. Sara Yael Hirschhorn, whose new book City on a Hilltop explores why thousands of North American Jews decided to settle in the West Bank in the aftermath of the Six-Day War, said the war was a watershed moment for American Jewry, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. Hirschhorn said Jews in Israel and abroad watched in dread as Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian troops amassed on Israels borders in May 1967 and viewed Israels victory as a modern-day miracle, something that prevented a second Holocaust. The Americans who moved to the West Bank she estimates that 15 percent of Jewish settlers are American citizens viewed the captured territory as the unconquered or newly conquered frontier, and they wanted to be pioneers. They felt that founding a settlement was taking an active role in their realization of Jewish and Zionist aspirations. Yossi Klein Halevi, a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute and author of Like Dreamers, which examines the divergent ideologies that have shaped Israel since the Six-Day War, said the war created two kinds of Israelis: There are the ones whose primal memory of May 1967 is the sense of existential fear, aloneness and the worlds abandonment. Then there are the June 1967 Israelis whose primary experience from the war was one of empowerment and who insist that Israel needs to take responsibility for the moral consequences of power. In practice, Halevi said, most Israelis have elements of both sensibilities, and the political debate over whether to relinquish the land Israel captured during the war is often between which of these experiences is more powerful today. Are we a people still existentially threatened or under siege or a people who know unprecedented power and faces agonizing moral dilemmas vis-a-vis the Palestinians? My answer to both questions is yes, Halevi said. What makes the debate so difficult is that Israel is still facing long-term threats from Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Islamic State group, Halevi said, noting that there are hundreds of thousands of rockets and missiles aimed at Israeli cities. On the other hand, the political disintegration of much of the Middle East has ended any credible conventional threat to Israel, and growing numbers of Arab leaders are looking to Israel to defend the Sunni world against Iranian expansionism, Halevi said. Yisrael Medad, an American-born settler activist and resident of the West Bank settlement of Shilo, believes there is no contradiction between living on land Israel captured in 1967 most of which the Palestinians claim as their own and Jewish moral values. Shilo, Medad said, was a Jewish town in biblical times, and if the Arabs refuse to make peace, refuse to negotiate, they are the ones who are immoral. The biblical land of Israel is our homeland and it was the Arabs who, between 1920 and 1948, ethnically cleansed the Jews who lived in Jerusalem, Gush Etzion, Hebron and Gaza. People forget that chapter of history, Medad said. Decades after the Six-Day War, Kronish who lives in Jerusalem, reared his children here and is now mostly retired said he was naive and enthusiastic when he immigrated in 1979. I didnt think about the consequences of what it would mean to rule over another people, he said. What it would mean to have a proper democracy. What it was going to do to our morals and ethics. It wasnt uppermost in my mind. Which is not to say he regrets having moved to Israel. I feel generally positive about Israel. Its my home. My disenchantment in recent years comes from the failure of the governments of Israel to seriously seek peace with our neighbors. I would be happy if the Palestinians were prepared to make similar painful compromises. Moving to Israel has made it possible for me to contribute to peaceful relations between people of different faiths. I still believe peace is possible, Kronish said. Michele Chabin is RNS Jerusalem correspondent Courtesy: Relgion News Service Photo: An Israeli gunboat passes through the Straits of Tiran near Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, on June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War. Photo courtesy: Creative Commons/Yaacov Agor Publication date: June 2, 2017 LGBT Heresy Infiltrates Orlando Northland Community Church Contact: Liberty Counsel, 407-875-1776, Media@LC.org; Press Kit ORLANDO, Fla., June 2, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Northland Community Church and Pastor Joel Hunter hosted the Orlando LGBT event, "Elevating the Dialogue on LGBTQ Inclusion and Understanding in the Church," on May 18, with the apparent purpose to "affirm" LGBTQ by distorting the Bible and changing church doctrine. Prior to attending the event, attendees were encouraged to complete a survey. The survey was created by The Reformation Project (TRP), a so-called "Bible-based, Christian grassroots organization" that works "to promote inclusion of LGBT people by reforming church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity" with the goal for a global church that fully affirms LGBT people. The survey was quickly removed from the internet after Liberty Counsel's previous press release was distributed. The survey included the following questions with multiple choice answer options: How would you characterize your views about LGBT inclusion in the church? I am opposed to same-sex relationships; LGBTQ Christians should be celibate. I do not support same-sex relationships, but I would like the church to be more welcoming and inclusive. I am not sure what I believe on this topic. I lean toward supporting LGBTQ people in the church, but I still have unresolved theological questions. I am fully affirming and would like to see the church ordain and marry LGBTQ people. Other Do you believe that faithful Christians can disagree on this topic? Yes, No or Maybe How much time have you spent studying the Bibles teaching as they relate to LGBTQ Christians? None Some I've studied multiple non-affirming resources on this topic. I've studied multiple affirming resources on this topic. I've studied multiple non-affirming AND affirming resources on this topic. How do you identify? Straight; Gay or lesbian; Bisexual; Transgender; Queer; Questioning/unsure; Other Notice the last question has no option for "Heterosexual." A pamphlet, The Bible and Same-Sex Relationships, created by TRP, was distributed to attendees at the Northland Church event. TRP's executive director, Matthew Vines, also offered his book, God and the Gay Christian. The pamphlet distributed during the Northland Church event even states: "Christians can affirm the Bible and affirm same-sex relationships." It also contained "non-affirming messages" and "affirming messages," with the intent of persuading attendees to adopt the "affirming messages." Examples include the following: For "MARRIAGE" in Genesis 1-2 and Matthew 19:1-12, the non-affirming message is that every marriage in the Bible is heterosexual, and the affirming message is that marriage is about keeping covenant and same-sex couples can live that principle in their relationships. For "SODOM AND GORMORRAH" [sic] in Genesis 19, the non-affirming message is that the city was destroyed as punishment for their "attempted same-sex behavior." The affirming message is that the punishment had nothing to do with same-sex behavior or "romantic interest." For "THE LAW" in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, regarding same-sex behavior, the non-affirming message is that Christians should not engage in same-sex behavior. The affirming message is that Christ is the end of the law. For "SEXUAL EXCESS" in Romans 1:26-27, the non-affirming message is that the "Apostle Paul condemns same-sex behavior as 'shameful' and 'unnatural.'" The affirming message is that Romans only refers to "lustful same-sex behaviornot to loving, monogamous relationships." For "VICE LISTS" in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10, the non-affirming message is that Paul warns against "men who have sex with men." The affirming message is that these passages only refer to "lustful and exploitative forms of same-sex behavior." The event at Northland featured a panel with Hunter, Bishop Kelvin Cobaris, founding pastor of The Impact Church of Orlando, and Reverend Terri Steed Pierce, who is in a same-sex relationship and senior pastor of Joy Metropolitan Community Church. This was moderated by Amelia Markham, the Atlanta organizer for TRP, and the Q&A session was facilitated by Matthew Vines. The panel discussion and the Q&A session were not designed to address respectful dialogue but were designed to move the church to change doctrine and the Bible. "One would have to be blind or complicit to allow The Reformation Project to put on an LGBTQ propaganda presentation in church," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "The name and mission of the organization declare its purpose is to reform church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. The mission has nothing to do with dialogue but rather has everything to do with confusing Christians and distorting biblical and church teachings on human sexuality. As the leader of this influential church, Joel Hunter knowingly provided a platform to Matthew Vines and The Reformation Project to promote an overt LGBTQ agenda designed to confuse people and to 'reform church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity.' The survey questions and the pamphlet clearly reveal this agenda," said Staver. Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Judicial Watch: Hearing Monday, June 5 Over Homeland Security Assertion of 'Privacy Rights' to Prevent Release of Names of Freed Criminal Aliens Federal Immigration Officials in Arizona Released 149 Criminal Aliens Who Had Committed 260 Crimes Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5172 WASHINGTON, June 2, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch today announced a court hearing will be held on Monday, June 5, 2017, in the U.S. District Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, regarding a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit seeking the names of 149 criminal alien detainees released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in late February or early March 2013 (Tuffly v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (No. 16-15342) In late February and early March of 2013, ICE released the 149 criminal aliens (during the course of pending removal proceedings) from five Arizona correction facilities, citing "fiscal uncertainty." According to records obtained by Judicial Watch, the illegals had committed 260 crimes, and 40 of them had been incarcerated for violent crimes. The records were obtained in a FOIA lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch on behalf of Edward "Bud" Tuffly, the treasurer of the National Border Patrol Council, the union that represents Border Patrol agents. In the appeal process, Judicial Watch asked the court to consider: "Whether the names of criminal alien detainees released from federal facilities in Arizona due to 'fiscal uncertainty' are being properly withheld under the personal privacy exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act." Judicial Watch argued the names of the criminal aliens were improperly withheld under claims of privacy exemption FOIA exemption B7(C) "Law enforcement information whose disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy:" The exemptions are not absolute. They require a balancing of the privacy interests at stake with the public's interest in disclosure. In this case, the criminal aliens have an attenuated privacy interest due to the fact that their prior convictions are already a matter of public record. Further, the release of the names will allow the public to monitor DHS's conduct in supervising potentially dangerous criminal aliens, who are subject to removal but have been released prior to that removal. The public's strong interest in disclosure therefore outweighs the minimal privacy interests of the criminal aliens. Judicial Watch also argued against a Department of Justice claim on behalf of Homeland Security that would equate the names of illegal criminal aliens with foreign military personnel receiving professional training from the U.S. government. "The names of criminals are regularly published," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. "The release of the names of these illegal alien criminals is no different, and will help the public know something about how the government is conducting the supervision of these potentially dangerous criminals. Once again, it looks like the 'deep state' is ignoring the Trump administration policies that put the safety of Americans first." The appellate court hearing is scheduled for: Date: Monday, June 5, 2017 Time: 9:30 am PT Location: Courtroom 1 U.S. District Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit Richard H. Chambers Courthouse 125 South Grand Ave. Pasadena, CA MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-hearing-monday-june-5-homeland-security-assertion-privacy-rights-prevent-release-names-freed-criminal-aliens/ Drivers in the Richmond and Rosenberg areas are accustomed to the headaches that arrived with the widening of U.S. 59 in their portion of fast-growing Fort Bend County. This weekend, driving there will become even more complex, as roadwork crews plan to shut down the highway in both directions to begin demolishing the overpass at Williams Way. A woman was found dead Friday morning in a pool at a southwest Houston senior living center, local television stations report. Emergency response vehicles headed at 5:53 a.m. to the retirement home, University Place Senior Living Memorial Hermann, on Beechnut near the intersection with Braeburn Valley. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The three insurers that offered plans on the Affordable Care Act's exchange in Houston last year appear to be returning in 2018, but only one was willing to reveal how much it could cost customers. Community Health Choice, a Houston area insurer, told the Chronicle on Wednesday it asked the federal government to approve a 16 percent average bump for eight plans. But the insurer added it might still need to ask for much more due to the current political upheaval surrounding health reform. As the deadline for filing rate increase requests came and went Thursday, the other two insurers were less forthcoming. Molina Healthcare, a California-based Fortune 500 insurer which has had a significant presence in the ACA exchanges, confirmed late Wednesday it would remain in Texas, but it declined to elaborate on where in the state it was offering plans or how much of an increase it was seeking. (Story continues below ...) "We don't share details around the rate submission as they are still in the review process," the company said in a statement on Thursday, adding the company would release the information after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the request which might not be for months. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, the state's largest insurer, also declined to offer any specificity about its plans for next year, citing the same reason of them being under review. "We're working through the regulatory filing process and our rates have not been finalized," the company said in an emailed statement. "We hope to again participate in the individual market, but haven't made any final decisions concerning our level of participation." Texas is one of only a handful of states that does not do its own rate review, but rather depends on the federal government to make the final determination if an increase is reasonable. CMS publicly posts rate increase requests on its website, but it is unclear when the information will be available. Last year, Blue Cross and Blue Shield initially asked for increases of nearly 60 percent on three of its exchange plans in Texas but those rates were later adjusted to a range of 44 to 48 percent. Community Health also adjusted its initial request, upping it from a 6.9 percent increase to 21.03 percent. Ken Janda, CEO of the insurance company, said the requests for 2018 are probably even more subject to change. The ongoing turmoil in Washington, he said, has made it extraordinarily difficult for companies like his to calculate risk and set rates because insurers do not how many will sign up for coverage or more importantly, how sick they will be. Republicans have vowed to dismantle the existing health care law known as Obamacare. "We promised multiple times, at least in the last three elections, to do away with this disaster of a health care law so that American families can get the health care they need at a price they can afford," U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said recently on the Senate floor. Community Health Choice, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Molina Healthcare were the only three insurers in Houston to offer plans on this year's exchange, down from seven insurance companies in 2016. Major insurers Aetna, Humana and Cigna previously pulled out of the exchange in Houston. Critics of Obamacare have seized on rate hikes and insurer defections, calling them further proof that the law is a failure. Already Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City has announced it will not offer plans on the exchange, leaving more than two dozen counties in the region without an insurer. Janda, though, along with some other insurers, have countered that the blame lies instead with those working to erase the progress made under the law and disrupt an insurance market finally starting to stabilize. "The vast majority of this has been caused by the current administration and by Congress, not by the ACA," he said. Half of his company's proposed 16 percent rate increase, is within the traditional range to keep pace with rapidly escalating health care costs, especially among prescription drugs, he said. But the second half was solely a hedge against the political unknowns, he said. Under the Republican plan known as the American Health Care Act people will no longer be required to carry health insurance and insurers will again be able to offer less comprehensive plans that are cheaper for some. Even before the law passes, the White House has already said people who do not carry insurance will no longer be penalized. But the tradeoff will be that risk pools will shrink and it will cost dramatically more to cover those who have expensive medical needs and use insurance most, Janda said. The AHCA narrowly passed the U.S. House last month and is now in the Senate's hands, where it is expected to be revised although those changes are being crafted in secret. Cornyn said Wednesday in a radio interview he expects the AHCA will be ready for President Donald Trump to sign into law by the end of July. Others are less sure as the measure remains unpopular within the medical community, the insurance industry and a skeptical public who fear they will lose coverage. Last week, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that under the House plan as many as 14 million more Americans could become uninsured by next year than under the current law, rising to 51 million in a decade. The number is especially troubling in Texas, which leads the nation in uninsured. The new CBO report also estimated that under the AHCA the federal deficit would be reduced $119 billion over a decade, which is significantly less than the $150 billion in savings estimated two months ago prior to adjustments to the bill. Janda said another wild card in trying to calculate rates is uncertainty over whether the Trump administration will allow the continued payments to insurers to assist low-income customers with their deductibles and co-pays. The payments are currently part of a legal battle brought by opponents of Obamacare. Should those end, his company could further raise premiums as much as 20 percent more on top of the 16 percent to make up for the shortfall, Janda said. Dr. Mario Molina, the previous CEO of Molina Healthcare, said in a March interview with the Chronicle, his company lost $100 million in marketplace plans in 2016, dashing an earlier hope that the insurer would become profitable on exchange plans. "We can't continue to lose money," he said. In early May, Molina was forced out of the company his father founded, a move that stemmed from board dissatisfaction with the company's performance, according to a story published in the Wall Street Journal. Health Care Service Corp., the mammoth parent company of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, stabilized somewhat in 2016, turning profitable after two years of losses. The insurer, based in Chicago, posted $106 million in net profit after losing $65 million in 2015 and $281 million in 2014, according to financial records. The company, which also oversees divisions in Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico, reported it lost $500 million in its exchange offerings in its five states but the bleed had lessened from a reported $1.5 billion in 2015. The insurer has about 15 million members and pulled in $34 billion in revenue in 2016. While the rate increases reported apply only to the individual market - a small slice of the nation's overall insurance industry - the attached turmoil could eventually reach those who get their insurance through group and employer-sponsored plans, said Michael Williams, a Houston-based partner at Mercer, a global human resources consulting firm. As people become uninsured the cost of their care is passed onto hospitals and providers who treat them without compensation. Then the insured indirectly begin pay for the uninsured through higher property taxes to fund public hospitals, potentially higher medical costs and a bump in their own premiums. "Somebody is going to pick up that cost," Williams said. Congressman Kevin Brady is home in The Woodlands this week -- pushing his proposals on tax reform, that if passed by Congress and signed into law, would bring about the most dramatic changes in the nation's tax system since the Reagan administration. After honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation on Memorial Day, including a ceremony at Conroe's VFW Post 4709 and later attending a tribute at the HEARTS Veterans Museum in Huntsville where his brother, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Brady was the keynote speaker, Brady spent time with Houston Community Newspapers the following day. Sipping coffee at a corner table at the Corner Bakery in The Woodlands, Brady laid out his efforts to have the nation's tax code overhauled. "It's all tax reform and health care right now," said Brady, who chairs the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the chief tax-writing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Most of the hours of each day now that we have moved health care over to the Senate is really tax reform, is sucking up 100 percent of my time," he told The Courier. As leader of what's called the "Tax Reform Task Force," Brady claims his proposed changes would save families thousands of dollars by lowering "taxes at every level," ultimately leading to an average increase in after-tax wages of some $5,000. He also wants to make filing taxes so simple that 95 percent of Americans would be able to file their taxes on a tax form the size of a postcard. As for businesses, under the proposal they would see their tax rates drop to what Brady describes as the "lowest rates in modern history." As part of the Republican's proposed tax plan, businesses would see their taxes cut by 43 percent, "whether it's Exxon Mobil or its Burger Fresh in Conroe." The idea being that the economy would be spurred by the tax savings seen by both individuals and businesses -- with individuals spending the money they'd otherwise be paying in taxes, while businesses would be able to reinvest the money they're not spending on taxes and hopefully would become more competitive with foreign companies. Changing the nation's tax system is no small effort, with 31 years having passed since Congress last overhauled the tax code. The Associated Press notes that back in 1986, Republican President Ronald Reagan worked with Democratic House Speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill to get those changes through. "It was a big win for both parties," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told The AP. "Now, it's once again time that we do something about the issue, and I hope that our Democratic colleagues will once again work on a bipartisan basis toward that end." But with many Democrats and Republicans fundamentally disagreeing over taxes and spending, Brady and his fellow Republicans have a tough battle ahead in overcoming those obstacles and striking a bipartisan deal. And from the words of Massachusetts Democrat Richard Neal, the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, the two sides appear far apart. "The American people don't believe that massive tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires grow the economy," Neal said in opposing the plan. "The American family knows that tax reform that provides middle-class tax relief and asks corporations and the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share is what will grow our economy. Democrats will oppose any tax plan that helps the rich get richer and does nothing for those who really need help. And all of us should oppose any tax reform that results in the middle class carrying even more of the tax burden." The tough words from the other side of the aisle don't surprise Brady. "Democrat leaders, as you'd imagine immediately, as expected, declared (it's) tax cuts for the wealthy and it would blow a hole in the budget," Brady said. "But our tax proposal focus on the middle class and balances within the budget over 10 years." Even with the deep political chasm separating Republicans and Democrats on tax reform, Brady noted that getting the tax code changed under the Reagan administration took more than two years to get through Congress, while being declared dead three or four times along the way. He's optimistic Republicans and Democrats will be able to reach an agreement on what would be the first tax reform in more than 30 years. "It's exciting to be able to lead this from Montgomery County." he said. This is first in a series of stories on Brady's proposals for tax reform, health care and other issues The Associated Press contributed to this report. Houston Astros announce Dusty Baker's contract for 2023 The veteran manager will be back for another potential World Series run in 2023. Republican victories show Texas is still far from turning blue Republicans continued their 28-year dominance of statewide races but fell short of their hopes. A teenager is dead after he was shot Thursday in the driveway of his northeast Houston home. Officers with the Houston Police Department headed about 8:45 p.m. to the home in the 13800 block of Northlake Drive, said Sgt. James Rhodes with HPD's homicide division. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Ashtin Schnell suffered the crippling symptoms associated with dysautonomia for years. She was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a specific form of dysautonomia that is characterized by abnormal heart rate, chronic fatigue, frequent migraines, dizziness, vertigo, severe stomach aches and an inability to focus. In June 2016, Ashtin Schnell had completed her junior year and was preparing for her senior year in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Humble High School. However, she was concerned her worsening symptoms would keep her from academic success. After spending her family's summer vacation abroad in a wheelchair, her mother decided to explore a suspicion. "There's a connection between POTS and Lyme disease - there's a huge group of people who have both. It's because of that I kept thinking, 'We'll have to look into this,' and so we tested her," said Tammy Schnell, Ashtin's mother. Ashtin Schnell had Lyme. The symptoms, like POTS, can include abnormal heart rate, severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, vertigo and disorientation. She began aggressive treatment for her Lyme disease and just finished her last cycle of antibiotics in May. The Kingwood Lyme Support Group held a Lyme Awareness Month event in Kingwood Town Center Park on May 21. People showed up in lime green shirts to support Lyme awareness. Tammy Schnell was among those in attendance. Ashtin wasn't able to make the Lyme awareness event because she was busy enjoying her new job at Escape It Houston. "She's able to work now, which wasn't even an option eight months ago," Tammy Schnell said. "She's definitely doing much better. She's highly functioning and able to maintain her day on a daily basis." Ashtin is now preparing to attend college at Baylor University in the fall. Ashtin Schnell's story was one of many to be told by the "Lyme warriors" present during the event. Zak Kahler, the son of Kingwood Lyme Support Group cofounder Diane Kahler, is also doing significantly better after a long struggle with Lyme. He is about to enter his senior year of high school. "I was diagnosed when I was 14, but I believe I've had it since I was eight at least because that's when I started getting joint pain and stuff. We did physical therapy and it wasn't helping me," Zak said. After Zak's diagnosis, Diane Kahler launched into a pursuit for Lyme information and resources. She realized along the way that for such a devastating disease, there was a surprising lack of awareness and support resources for individuals and families affected by Lyme. She met Leesa Shanahan who battles not only her own Lyme disease, but also her children's. Together, Kahler and Shanahan created the Kingwood Lyme Support Group in October 2016. "Throughout me getting diagnosed, my mom was able to get more education and we figured out where to go and how to help me out," Zak said. "There aren't many people who actually know about Lyme, I feel like, and if you don't know about it you can't resolve it. So, if you need help, you can come to the support group and be able to realize what Lyme is and help yourself." This was the case for Danny Valdez whose uphill battle against Lyme disease has only just begun. Valdez was diagnosed with Lyme only a few months ago, but he believes it could have been lying dormant in his body for many years. It was last year that he started experiencing symptoms that rapidly became more severe. "I was building a patio cover, carrying all the materials and it got to be where all of a sudden, the eight-hour day would become tiring. It would become a six-hour day and then a four-hour day. Then, it was like taking out my tools was just as tiring as if I worked all day. It got to the point where I couldn't hold up the nail gun to do anything," Valdez said. The chronic exhaustion persisted and Valdez began seeking medical attention. He went through several doctors who were unable to diagnose the cause of his symptoms. "I kept hearing people talk about Lyme disease. When I heard these guys were having a Lyme support group meeting, I decided to see what it was about. I didn't really know anything about it," Valdez said. As Valdez listened to people's stories at the Kingwood Lyme Support Group, he said it was like listening to his own. "I was like, 'OK. This is probably what I'm dealing with," Valdez said. Valdez went to a doctor who tested certain criteria for Lyme, which he met. Valdez is now undergoing treatment with antibiotics, which come with a set of their own side effects. As he navigates the difficult road to recovery, Valdez finds comfort in the support of a community. "You see that you're not crazy, and it's not just in your head; it's a common thing," Valdez said. "The support level is good because you see you're not the only one in that boat. The community's been awesome." For more information about the Kingwood Lyme Support Group, email kingwoodlyme@gmail.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Houston Center for Literacy honoree Carlos Correa was unable to attend the 2017 Mayor's Literacy Leadership Award Breakfast; regardless, Thursday morning's fundraiser was a home run. Correa, a shortstop for the Astros, was recovering from the MLB team's season-high seventh consecutive win against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night. "The team wouldn't release Carlos because it's bad juju they're winning," emcee Khambrel Marshall told the record crowd gathered at the River Oaks Country Club. "They didn't just win yesterday, they beat those Twins like they stole something." Former Mayor Kathy Whitmire established the organization under a different name back in 1984 to raise the level of adult literacy in Houston. This year, Mayor Sylvester Turner had the honor of introducing a video in which the Puerto Rican-born Correa explained the importance of learning English. "I'm going to tell (Astros owner) Jim Crane that he could've brought them all in here together," Turner quipped from the stage. A sign-language interpreter conveyed his message to deaf and hard of hearing breakfast attendees. "Carlos spent 10-12 hours per day jumping between practice and English language classes so he could do media interviews on his own." Laura Ward, whose nonprofit Houston Children's Charity partnered with Correa to provide 2,000 beds for disadvantaged local youth in 2016 through the A Better Nights Sleep Program, received the award on his behalf. Correa's parents were slated to appear in his place, but the young athlete forgot to call and remind them. "Carlos' parents would not have been able to speak, they're not bilingual," Ward said. "My husband, Dave Ward, tried to text them, but the language barrier got in the way." Houston Center for Literacy's president and CEO Sheri Suarez Foreman shared that more than 142 languages are spoken in the Bayou City. "There are a lot of Houstonians who speak English, who grew up in our city, who cannot read or write," she said. "They cannot fill out job applications." Learner of the Year recipient John Cuadros, a hygiene and industrial safety engineer from Peru, spoke of earning his English as a Second Language Certificate through the Connect Community Learning Center in Bellaire. Chairs Kim and Dan Tutcher raised more than $150,000 and released attendees with sweet treats from Sprinkles Cupcakes. Champions area woman, Victoria "Vicki" Burman, has been nominated as a finalist for the South Africa's Safari Guide of the Year. The competition will take place in, or around, the greater Kruger National Park. Field guides will be tested on their birding knowledge, tracking skills, storytelling, guiding abilities, and passion for animals and wildlife. In the competition, only six field guides from South Africa will compete. SAFARI HOUSTON-STYLE: Best suburbs for alligator spotting "Since I can first remember, I have always been observant of living things. I used to collect lizards and various insects from our backyard so that I could sit and watch them," Burman said. "So, observing wild animals in their natural habitat is provably my favorite part about the job." VIDEO: Elephant vs. crocodile (story continues below) Burman, who currently lives in South Africa, is a Level Two Field Guide in the Eastern Cape Region of South Africa. She is preparing for the competition by studying the native wildlife, birds, plants and history of the Kruger area. "As guides, we do our best to ensure that we remain a neutral object in the lives of everything around us, by ensuring that we have very little influence on their daily lives," Burman said. "Being able to be outside in such beautiful surroundings, and sharing it with international clients who want to experience nature and its living creatures with their own eyes, really makes the job a dream for me." WILD TEXAS: Which counties are home to the most exotic animals Burman, a 2008 graduate of Cypress Creek High School, received her bachelors of science in zoology and minor focus in communications from Texas A&M University in 2012. In the fifth grade she began to cultivate her knowledge about animals from reading chapter books on animals and wildlife. She has had experience taking care of many pets, which includes cats, parakeets, a ferret, and a kinkajou. High school jobs for Burman included working at Prestonwood Kennels where she worked with domestic and some exotic pets, as well as the poodles of Poodle Rescue of Houston. Post-graduation animal and wildlife experience for Burman included a 12-week internship in Africa, which was six weeks in Zimbabwe and six weeks in Botswana, through the African Conservation Experience. Upon her return to America, Burman was accepted as a research assistant at the University of Maryland. After the program Burman spent time in Minnesota at the Vince Schute Wildlife Sanctuary, where she assisted in educational exposure for the public and wildlife-human interactions with wild American black bears in the area. In the summer of 2014 Burman decided to return to Africa to work with and observe wildlife in their natural habitat. She received top marks for her Level 1 Field Guide, safari trails, and marine guiding courses. It was not too long before Burman was offered a permanent position at Kariega Private Game Reserve. Burman also received her Advanced Rifle Handling Certification, and on her second attempt at a practical track and sign exam, she passed with a 96.7 percent out of 100. "I am very proud of her. When she left Houston for South Africa, she had never driven a manual shift vehicle, never driven a boat, never handled a high-powered rifle. These are skills she needed to learn to become a Field Guide in South Africa," said Charlene Burman, Vicki's mother. "When we visited her in January 2016, she guided us for three days at Kariega, the Private Game Reserve where she works. I was very impressed with her professionalism and her driving and boating skills. She was able to maneuver that huge Land Cruiser up and down the rugged terrain of South Africa. I felt very comfortable and safe with her." Burman's resume also includes studying the estuarine river environments in the Eastern Cape and the Indian Ocean. She also acquired the Regional Birding Qualification for the Albany Thicket Region. In July of 2016, she spent time studying at Ulovane again to acquire a higher guiding qualification. She gained multiple awards at this time as well. Burman will be representing the Guiding Industry in the Eastern Cape Region during the competition. Due to sponsorship issues, if the competition is not held this October, it will be postponed until July 2018. "Above anything else the competition will be the best way for me to meet some of the most experienced and influential personnel in the industry," Burman said. "Of course I want to win it, but regardless if I do or don't, there are few better opportunities for me to network within such a well-renowned guiding area." A personal goal of Burman is to acquire at least a Master's of Science degree in either Ecology, Conservation Management, or some related field. She hopes to start the process in the next five years. "I am hoping to achieve the highest level of guiding qualifications and specializations in a variety of fields including birding, wildflowers, tracking and trailing. By achieving these goals, I hope to travel as much of the southern part the continent as I can," Burman said. "Meanwhile, making contacts in the scientific realms of the industry will be my own private endeavor for the future. I hope to be an influential figure in conservation of wildlife and wild places, whether in the United States or any other part of the world." In some parts of Texas the deer population has taken over neighborhoods and personal properties but one Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden is warning residents not to 'save' these animals. James Barge shared a photo of a fawn sitting on the passenger side of his pickup truck after having rescued it from a person's property. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A man accused of masterminding a slew of Houston-area cell phone store robberies was sentenced to 55 years in prison Friday. A Harris County jury had convicted Terrence "T-Streets" Edwards Thursday with a rarely used charge of "directing the activities of a street gang." Authorities said Edwards, 26, was involved in at least half a dozen robberies at stores in and around Houston, swiping hundreds of iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, then converting the devices into cash by selling them to fences. "T-Streets will be off the streets for decades," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said after his conviction. "These gang members placed innocent citizens in fear for their lives." (Story continues below ...) The prosecution hinged on the charge "directing the activities of a street gang," which carries a sentence of 25 to 99 years in prison even if the defendant has no prior criminal convictions. It was the first time in memory a Harris County jury had considered that charge, prosecutor William Cowardin said. Ogg said her office had chosen to use the statute because of the gravity of the case and the damage Edwards' crew had wrought. "We resorted to this statute, with unusually harsh penalties, because this robbery kingpin posed such a continuing threat to public safety," Ogg said. Danny Easterling, who represented Edwards, said his client did not fit the requirements of the statute the prosecution used against him. "The legislative intent was to target leaders of criminal street gangs," he said. "The evidence in Mr. Edwards case was extremely weak that there was a 'criminal street gang' or that he was some 'leader of a gang.'" "My argument was they're stretching the net a little too far," he continued. "But the jury's verdict disagreed with my argument," he said. Cowardin, the assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case, said that while Edwards' activities did not mirror that of a gang like MS-13, it had met the legal definition of a street gang, and that Edwards' operation had concentrated a wave of criminal activity on neighborhoods in east Houston. "If they're acting like a gang ... it wouldn't make sense not to use the law just because they don't have a color or symbol," he said. Cowardin said Edwards recruited teenagers to commit the robberies, which he planned and supervised, providing his subordinates with cars and high-powered guns. The robbers assaulted customers and employees, sometimes herding them into the back rooms of stores. In one instance, authorities said a crew working under Edwards shot at a witness and at a Houston Police Department officer as they fled. After the heists, the phones were sold to fencing operations that shipped them overseas. In total, 26 people had been charged in the case, Cowardin said. Edwards' ability to translate large amounts of phones into cash made the cellphone stores a much more attractive target, he said. "Once he became the money man, everyone started hitting cell phone stores all the time," he said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Jordan's government has formally charged one of its soldiers with murder in the Nov. 4, attack on a military convoy that killed three members of a U.S. Army Special Forces team, including one who grew up in Houston. Family members of Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty, 27, and Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, 27, of Kirksville, Mo. - two of the Green Berets who were killed in the daylight attack outside King Faisal Air Base in Jordan - said FBI officials on Thursday briefed them about the charges against the Jordanian soldier, identified as M'aarek Abu Tayeh. An assistant to a U.S. government official close to the investigation also confirmed Jordan issued a murder charge against Abu Tayeh, who has been accused of opening fire on the American troops when they returned to the base after training Syrian rebels at a nearby weapons range. "It's a step in the right direction. It's a 180-degree switch," said James Moriarty, a Houston lawyer who has been openly critical of Jordan's response to the shooting. The grieving Moriarty said the official charge is murder with intent to kill more than one person. Abu Tayeh also is charged with "insulting the dignity and reputation of the military" and "violating orders and instructions of the military," said Moriarty. His son and namesake was a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. The trial of Abu Tayeh will be conducted by a Jordanian military court.No date has been given. "If it's open to the public, I'm going to be there," Moriarty said Thursday night. "I want to see the son-of-a-bitch convicted of murdering my boy." Family members were told on a conference call that Abu Tayeh could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted by the military court. The third soldier killed, Staff Sgt. Kevin McEnroe, was from Tuscon. "I would prefer the U.S. had an extradition in place, but that's not the case," said Chuck Lewellen, whose son was in the first vehicle allegedly attacked by Abu Tayeh. Staff Sgt. Lewellen was mortally wounded and died while en route to a hospital in Amman, Jordan's capital. Lewellen, who lives in Kirksville, Mo., about 200 miles northwest of St. Louis, said the killings of the American troops amounted to a capital crime and warrant a punishment more severe than life at hard labor. "But even if he's convicted, do we have faith in Jordan that he's going to be in prison for life or is it just a sham?" he said. "Are they going through the motions just to get us off their back?" On Thursday, a spokeswoman at Jordan's embassy in Washington could not confirm whether Abu Tayeh had been charged with murder. Almost from the beginning, family members of the slain Green Berets said Jordan, although a critical ally in the U.S. war against terroris groups like the Islamic State, has not been forthcoming about the shooting. They said their sons have been accused of rushing the gate and accidently discharging a firearm, causing Abu Tayeh to believe the base was under attack. "The fact that they did not clear the air until after six months of this is just disappointing," Lewellen said. "They should let the world know that these guys did absolutely nothing wrong." Moriarty and Lewellen both believe their sons were killed as part of a planned attack by Abu Tayeh. "He set out to kill these Americans," Moriarty said. "Why he did that, nobody knows. But I'm not buying that he just 'lost it.' " He said Jordan should also charge at least 11 of its soldiers who were at the scene but failed to intervene. "They just sat on their hands while my son was murdered," Moriarty said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Harris County Sheriff's Office announced Friday it will ask the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Department of Justice to help with a homicide investigation involving the spouse of a sheriff's deputy. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said there will be no special treatment given to the husband of one of his deputies and promises full transparency. After a thorough investigation, he said the case will be taken to the Harris County District Attorney who will determine if there is enough evidence for a trial. FATAL FIGHT: Sheriff's deputy, husband investigated in restaurant parking lot altercation Gonzalez said on Sunday night a man died after getting into a fight in a Denny's parking lot in northeast Harris County with the husband of an off-duty deputy. The deputy's 41-year-old husband saw 24-year-old John Hernandez urinating outside of the Denny's in the 17700 block of the Crosby Freeway when he pulled into the parking lot around 11:40 p.m., according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The deputy's husband was with their children at the time. The deputy was taking a separate car to the Denny's and had not yet arrived. The deputy's husband approached the 24-year-old man. A physical fight broke out between the two men, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The off-duty deputy saw what was happening when she arrived at the restaurant. She called for assistance and helped her husband restrain the 24-year old man. The deputy began CPR on the man when she noticed he wasn't breathing. Paramedics arrived and took the man to LBJ Hospital. The sheriff's office confirmed Thursday morning the 24-year-old man had died. Gonzalez said the incident remains under investigation. He also said the deputy has not been placed on administrative leave after meeting with Internal Affairs. A Texas woman and her California co-conspirator were sentenced Thursday to federal prison for their roles in a sweeping multi-million Medicare scam. Konna Hanks of Houston was hit with just over three years behind bars, while Zaven Sarkisian of Fresno, California, was handed a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years. "The sentence imposed today demonstrates the gravity of Sarkisian's actions," Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez said in a statement. "He created an elaborate scheme and used others to bilk millions out of Medicare even after they attempted to cut his federal funding." Between 2012 and 2014, Sarkisian spearheaded the formation of 11 diagnostic testing clinics used to fraudulently bill Medicare for services that were either unnecessary or never performed. Marketers like Hanks paid Medicare users to go to Sarkisian's clinics, and in return Sarkisian doled out $80 to $100 cash to the marketer. Sarkisian convinced his co-conspirators to routinely order ultrasounds, allergy tests and other diagnostics that weren't needed, and told others to write poor circulation, shortness of breath, heart problems and allergies in every chart. Eventually, Medicare put one of Sarkisian's clinics on pre-payment review, staunching the flow of unnecessary tests. But then the fraudster recruited other people to launch new clinics in their names, even though Sarkisian would own the places and take home the proceeds. In the end, Sarkisian and Hanks admitted to causing losses of more than $4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, prosecutors said. Two other co-conspirators - Darryl Johnson of Richmond and Hmyak "Hamlet" Samsonyan of Katy, also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. A story on page A2 on Wednesday concerning calls to remove the Sam Houston statue from Hermann Park was based on a fake announcement on Facebook by a right-wing activist organization calling itself Texas Antifa. The group said a rally would be held June 10 at the statue in support of removing it because Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas, was a slave owner. There is no such rally and Texas Antifa is in no way connected to Houston Antifa, a chapter of a national grass-roots anti-fascist organization. A story on Page A1 on Tuesday about sea-level rise making storm surges worse incorrectly reported a projection by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency said that under the most extreme prediction, sea level could rise 8.2 feet by 2100 and 31 feet by 2200. The FBI is searching for a bearded man accused of robbing a Wells Fargo bank in Houston on Thursday. At about 4:05 p.m., the accused bank robber entered a Wells Fargo Bank at 10005 Beechnut wearing a reflective traffic vest. He also wore a floppy-brimmed camouflage bucket hat and sunglasses. A McKinney Police Department sergeant was arrested Thursday after allegedly stabbing his wife in their home. Police responded to a call about a domestic disturbance and when they arrived at the home, they saw his wife, Tut Palmer, had been stabbed in the stomach, WFAA reports. She told officers they had just celebrated date night, and their 4-year-old son was in the house. Tut Palmer said they argued earlier in the night when she answered his phone and heard a woman say, "Hey, babe." After she confronted him, she said she grabbed a steak knife "out of anger" and he tried to hold her down, an affidavit obtained by that outlet explained. That's when the incident happened. THEFT NEAR DALLAS: 39 guns stolen from shop next to Euless, Texas police department Palmer, a 21-year veteran of the department, reportedly ran away with the knife in hand when he saw his wife calling for help. "There is still a lengthy investigation ahead to determine detailed circumstances of the incident," Sgt. Ana Shelley, a police spokeswoman, told the Dallas Morning News. "This investigation is ongoing and will be handled thoroughly by our department." He faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He posted a $50,000 bond Thursday and was released from Collin County Jail. As if dating isn't hard enough, women now have to watch out for a man who will reportedly romance them before stealing their money. The Colony Police Department, north of Dallas, is searching for Derek Alldred, accused of using dating sites to meet women and then steal from them. 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. PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- They began in September 2012 with nothing more than a plan and materials. Friday morning -- more than 4 1/2 years later -- Ingalls shipbuilders watched as their latest production, destroyer John Finn (DDG 113) sailed away from its berth at Ingalls Shipbuilding, bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and a July commissioning into the U.S. Navy fleet. Shipbuilders gathered at dockside to watch as the 509-foot ship slowly inched away from the dock shortly after 9 a.m. They waved at the Finn's crew lined up along the ship railing and at the stern, with many employees taking photos. For many of those who worked on the Finn, the day came with mixed emotions. "I've been working on this ship ever since it started," said program manager Norman Thames. "It's kind of bittersweet. There's a lot of effort that goes into the ship. You're glad to see it sail away, but then again you're kind of apprehensive." Thames acknowledged sending a ship off is akin to watching a child go off to college. "It really is. You've molded it, prepared it and now it's on its own and you hope it has everything it needs to make it," he said. "And I think she does -- she's a really fine piece of machinery and I hope she serves these sailors well." Paint foreman Artensie Sabino-Grace agreed. "I think we've done an outstanding job on this ship," she said. "I think the crew and the captain really like the ship. It's an outstanding ship, performance-wise, and they're leaving here in a great ship." The John Finn is the 29th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built by Ingalls. Construction began Sept. 3, 2012; the ship was launched Nov. 4, 2013, christened on May 2, 2015, and delivered to the Navy on Dec. 7, 2016. The delivery date coincided with the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, where U.S. Navy Lt. John Finn earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the attack -- the first Medal of Honor recipient of World War II. Finn, at the time a Chief Petty Officer with 15 years service, was in bed with his wife when he heard the sound of aircraft and weapons firing and looked out the window to see some of the wave of 353 Japanese aircraft fly past. He drove to Naval Air Station Kaneohe and mounted a .50-caliber machine gun onto a tripod used for gunnery training and began firing. He would continue to fire for the next two hours, despite receiving 21 distinct wounds. Despite those wounds, Finn returned to the airfield hangars later that day and helped arm the remaining American planes. Finn went on to serve aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock and the ship received several battle stars during the war. He retired a lieutenant after 30 years of service and lived to 100 years of age. At the time of his death in 2010, he was the oldest living Medal of Honor winner and the last living recipient from the attack on Pearl Harbor. "It's another fine ship and we're looking forward to going to Hawaii in July for the christening, to celebrate a Pearl Harbor hero," said Ingalls president Brian Cuccias. "John Finn -- he took the fight to the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. Even after being wounded, he continued to fight. He's a great namesake for this ship and we're glad to be a part of it." Billie Jean Harris collage.jpg Pascagoula police are asking for the public's help in locating 24-year-old Billie Jean Harris who was last seen on Wednesday at the Wal-Mart on Hwy. 90. (Pascagoula Police Department) PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- The Pascagoula Police Department is searching for a woman who was last seen on Wednesday. Police say that Bilie Jean Harris, 24, was last seen between the hours of 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Wal-Mart on Hwy. 90 in Pascagoula. Harris is thought to be driving a gold 1997 Ford Escort with the Mississippi license plate number JIE657. Anyone who may have any information regarding Harris's whereabouts is asked to contact the Pascagoula Police Department at 228-762-2211. Report: Michigan Seeks Foxconn Business Published: 02 June 2017 by Mike Buetow by Mike Buetow LANSING, MI Michigan is willing to offer millions in incentives as part of a deal to attract Foxconn to the state, according to published reports. The state Senate has passed a bill that would give businesses that expand or move to Michigan a 100% abatement on personal income tax withholdings of new employees for up to 10 years, provided the company brings in at least 250 new jobs and at exceptional wages. The state House is now deliberating over the bill, and the governor is imploring its passage. Michigan has its eyes on the Foxconn business, sources told the Lansing Free Press. According to published reports, Foxconn plans to invest $7 billion in a production plant in the US. The ODM/EMS giant has repeatedly been tied to massive investment projects around the world, including the US, but few outside China or Taiwan have matched the hype. BNM anunta concurs pentru postul vacant de expert principal, pe durata determinata, responsabil de elaborarea/actualizarea cerintelor metodologice de reglementare a procesului de raportare la BNM MEMIC names Bourque as next President/CEO Michael P. Bourque has been named president and CEO of The MEMIC Group to replace John T. Leonard who is retiring later this year. Bourque, who has worked for the company for nearly 22 years, has been serving under Leonard in the role of senior vice president, External Affairs. Leonard, who was hired in February of 1993 to lead the then-fledgling company, announced in December that he would retire in September 2017. The companys board undertook a search that included candidates from both inside and outside of the company before selecting Bourque. Under Leonard, the company grew from a line-of-credit loan operating in a single state to an organization with more than $1.2 billion in assets with licenses across the country and eight offices from Maine to Florida. It is credited with leading the turnaround in workers compensation in its home state of Maine, where it underwrites 66 percent of the commercial market insurance premiums and where costs have fallen by more than 50 percent. Lost-time work injuries in the state have decreased by nearly 40 percent since the company was established in 1993. Bourque came to MEMIC in 1995 as a communications specialist, earning promotions to communications manager, director and vice president before his appointment in 2011 to his current position as senior vice president. Bourque holds professional certifications in public relations and as a Workers Compensation Professional from AMCOMP. TrueMotion Announces Insurance Industry Veteran Gramer as CEO Boston-based TrueMotion, a provider of mobile Usage Based Insurance (UBI) services, named Ted Gramer chief executive officer. Gramer spent more than a decade with Liberty Mutual Insurance in a variety of executive leadership positions, including executive vice president & chief claims officer and executive vice president of Liberty International. Most recently, Gramer was the managing director for Global Property at Solera, a global data and software provider for automotive, home ownership and digital identity management. Gramer is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Chubb Names Watkins Head of Casualty Claims for North America Claims Chubb has named John Watkins senior vice president, head of Casualty Claims for its North America Claims Organization. He will report to Jeffrey Miller, executive vice president, senior claim officer, North American Claims. Prior to the announcement, Miller oversaw casualty claims for North America in addition to his current role. In this position, Watkins will be responsible for managing approximately 325 casualty claims examiners and will oversee primary, excess, and umbrella general liability claims for both commercial and personal lines as well as environmental, construction, construction defect, medical risk, life science, aviation, programs, agriculture and multinational claims. Watkins brings more than 27 years of claims management experience. During the course of his career, he has served in a number of positions of increasing responsibilities, most recently serving as senior vice president of Complex Claims for Liberty Mutuals Commercial Insurance business. He joined the company as head of its Litigation Group. Previously, he was National Claims Counsel for Allmerica (now Hanover) where he set strategy for resolution of high exposure and complex claims. He joined Allmerica as litigation counsel. Watkins began his career in private practice, joining Cooney, Scully and Dowling in Connecticut after law school and later joined Uehlein, Nason and Wall in Boston. Watkins will be based in Basking Ridge, N.J. In almost every writing skills seminar, there comes a moment in which a participant finds that one of the notions about writing that he or she has held since elementary school is either no longer valid or is dead wrong. Many teachers and scholars, in an attempt to standardize communication in English, codify their opinion as rules. These rules are really guidelines that must occasionally yield to give flexibility to our efforts to express ourselves. Although we cannot communicate without at least some understanding of the rules, we also need to be flexible about applying them. We need to leave room for creativity as long as the goal of communication can still be achieved. Here are seven rules that claims people must break occasionally to give their communications the suppleness and effectiveness they demand: Bones 1.jpg Jennifer Hotzman, Assistant Professor of Anatomy at William Carey University brought adult and juvenile bones to Singing River Hospital on Friday to research 500-year-old Mayan bones to discover tendencies the bones would show through CT scanning technology. (Tyler Carter/tcarter@al.com) PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- With the evolution of technology, a William Carey professor and researcher is working with Singing River Hospital to scan a collection of Mayan bones dating back to the 1500s. Jennifer Hotzman, Assistant Professor of Anatomy at William Carey University, sought the help of the Singing River Radiology Group to perform CT scans of Native American bones from Tipu, Belize. Hotzman's research led her to the University of Southern Mississippi where the bones were located and said that her interest in the collection of bones could reveal more information about the Mayan population, their habits, and important clues on their health and development. "I have always had an interest in how bones evolve, specifically how they change and how they respond to different forces in which they are exposed to," Hotzman said. "With these bones undergoing CT scans, they can tell you when the Mayans developed more adult habits and when they began manual labor. Those details reveal themselves within the bones." Bones that were scanned varied from adults to juveniles, though Hotzman said she preferred to juvenile bones because of the different variables that contributed to learning more about the Mayan population. Another key component to Hotzman's study of the bones were to determine the effects Spanish gentrification and oppression may have caused the Mayans. "Tipu is a unique Mayan archaeological site in Belize, dating back to the 1500's where about 600 burials were found," Hotzman said. "Of course, everyone knows that Christopher Columbus came to the new world in 1492. We want to determine how the native population was influenced by their contact and interaction with the Spanish." "We know that this population was experiencing some stress due to the Spanish coming in and basically changing the way in which they were living their lives, so we can see how physically they responded to that through these bones," Hotzman said. Her research yielded results that showed Mayans were generally a shorter population, but once they migrated to the United States, one generation of Mayans grew several centimeters. She credits the height gain to nutritional impact from the environment and genetics. Karen Ehlers, Director of the Radiology Department for Singing River Health System, says that she and her team were thrilled to accommodate the university researcher for this project. "This is very interesting. It is not every day we get to work with 500-year old bones," Ehlers said. "Technology has allowed us to provide insight and give us a better understanding of a project such as this one and we're glad to help with this discovery." AKRON, Ohio -- Akron Zoo will host its first of three Brew at the Zoo events this year on Saturday, June 17, 6:30-10:30 p.m. The zoo will offer a new VIP ticket that includes special perks, such as early entry at 6 p.m. and access to an indoor reserved seating area with appetizers, three additional tastings, one full-size beverage and a souvenir. The event will feature a 1980s theme, and guests are encouraged to wear decade-appropriate attire. DJ Kenny Kidd will play music from the era. A total of 15 vendors will be on site. Many will serve their summer ales and wines. Attendees receive eight free beer or wine tastings, a giveaway and admission to the zoo after hours, which are included with the price of their ticket. Additional tasting cards are available for $10, and full-sized beers and glasses of wine will be available for $4. Vendors for the June event are: Aqueduct Brewing Brew Kettle Taproom Fat Heads Brewing Co. Hoppin' Frog Brewery Jackie O's Pub & Brewery, Man Can Wine Maize Valley Winery & Craft Beer Maumee Bay Brewing Co. Millersburg Brewing Co. Mucky Duck Brewing & NautiVine Winery R. L. Lipton Distributing Co. R. Shea Brewing Rivertowne Brewery & Barrel House Wadsworth Brewing Co. Wild Ohio Brewing Co. Attendees can also purchase food from on-site food trucks, including The Square Scullery, Betty's Bombass Burgers and Ye Olde School Treats N Eats. The entire zoo will be open during Brew at the Zoo, and all animals will be on exhibit. Tickets are $27 for Akron Zoo members and $33 for non-Akron Zoo members. Designated driver tickets are also available for $16 for an Akron Zoo member and $22 for a non-Akron Zoo member. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $50 and $40 for designated drivers. Brew at the Zoo 2017 will continue with two additional events July 15 and Oct. 7. For more information or to register, visit www.akronzoo.org or call 330-375-2550 ext. 7230. Only guests, including designated drivers, 21 and older are permitted. 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 - The Cleveland Museum of Art on Friday announced the appointment of Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi as the museum's new curator of African art, starting August 1. Nzewi, who goes by "Smooth," will succeed Constantine Petridis, the former African curator, who left the Cleveland museum after 15 years to join the Art Institute of Chicago. Nzewi will oversee the museum's collection of art from sub-Saharan Africa, comprised of roughly 300 works. A native of Nigeria, he'll be the first black curator to serve the museum in its 101-year history. Nzewi is coming to Cleveland from Dartmouth College's Hood Museum of Art, where he served as curator of African art since 2013. Prior to that, he was a fellow at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and a practicing artist and independent curator based in Nigeria, the museum said. "Smooth is an exceptional curator with a remarkably creative approach," William Griswold, the museum's director, said in a news release. "We very much look forward to having him as a colleague in Cleveland, and to experiencing the ways that he will encourage our audiences to engage with historic and contemporary African art." The release quoted Nzewi as saying: "It is a great honor for me to be joining the Cleveland Museum of Art. "The CMA is a global institution and highly regarded around the world. Its first-class collection of African art, incredible support for scholarship and groundbreaking exhibitions are obvious reasons to come to the museum." Nzewi will guide the continued growth of the museum's collection and shape special exhibitions on aspects of historic and contemporary African art. The core of the museum's collection of African art, about 100 objects, was donated to the museum in the 1960s and '70s by the late Cleveland collector Katherine C. White, who left the bulk of her collection to the Seattle Art Museum. The museum's release said that works in the collection represent the Senufo people (Ivory Coast), the Yoruba people (Nigeria), the Benin Kingdom (Nigeria), and the Kwango-Kwilu (southwest region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Nzewi is coming to Cleveland from Dartmouth College's Hood Museum of Art, where he served as curator of African art since 2013. Prior to that, he was a fellow at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and a practicing artist and independent curator based in Nigeria, the museum said. Nzewi holds a PhD in Art History from the Emory University and a PG. Diploma in the African Program in Museum and Heritage Studies from the University of Western Cape, South Africa. He also holds a bachelor's in sculpture from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, where he studied under the globally renowned artist, El Anatsui, according to the website of the Hood Museum. Nzewi has been the recipient of fellowships, scholarships, and artist awards, including a Rockefeller Foundation grant, a TIAA-CREF Ruth Simms Hamilton Fellowship, a Smithsonian Institution Fellowship, a Robert Sterling Clark Foundation Fellowship, and Prince Claus Travel Award. He will be moving to Cleveland with his family, the museum said. Theft, Snow Road: A Brook Park man, 49, and a Cleveland woman, 42, were arrested at about 12:30 p.m. May 19 after they were caught stealing maxi pads, beef jerky, maple sausages and Pepto-Bismol from Giant Eagle, 14650 Snow. A store worker saw the theft and called police. The man and woman ran away, but police tracked them down using a Giant Eagle card the couple had accidentally dropped in the store. Theft-obstructing official business, Smith Road: A Brook Park man, 23, was arrested at about 2:10 a.m. May 21 after he stole a bag of Fritos corn chips from a Shell station, 5918 Smith. An employee saw it happen and called police, who were nearby. The man ran from officers. However, he tripped over a guardrail behind a nearby KFC restaurant, and police caught him there. Gross sexual imposition, Brookpark Road: A Cleveland man, 32, allegedly grabbed and touched a 42-year-old Parma woman in a sexual manner without her consent May 13 in America's Best Value Inn, 14043 Brookpark. The incident reportedly happened at about 7:50 p.m. in the hotel bar. The man was a guest, and the woman was a hotel employee. The man grabbed the woman from behind, held her and wouldn't let her go. A warrant has been issued for the man's arrest. Grand theft auto, Wedgewood Drive: An unlocked 2014 Ford pickup truck was reported stolen at about 3:55 a.m. May 21 from a driveway. Grand theft auto, Snow Road: A empty trailer was stolen between 9 p.m. May 18 and 10:30 a.m. May 19 from the parking lot of JNS Automotive, 14800 Snow. Grand theft, Smith Road: A Burton woman, 41, allegedly embezzled about $1,100 from her employer, Advance Auto Parts, 5891 Smith. It was reported May 10. The woman, from December to May, credited her charge account for returned merchandise that never existed. Police found the woman with heroin when they arrested her. Driving with a suspended license-marijuana possession, Brookpark Road: An East Cleveland man, 35, was arrested at about 12:30 a.m. May 21 after police saw him driving and trespassing in the parking lot of NASA's Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark. The man's license had been suspended. Police found a baggie of marijuana and open container of Hennessy cognac in his car. Disorderly conduct, Hummel & Smith roads: A Parma man, 41, was arrested at about 10:20 p.m. after police found him sleeping inside a parked car. The man was drunk. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments section. 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 -- Kyrie Irving sank a circus shot from beyond the 3-point arc while being fouled by Klay Thompson and completed a four-point play late in the second quarter of Game 1. Irving's four-point play cut a Warriors lead to six after Golden State had led by as many as 10 in the period. Irving curled off a screen by Tristan Thompson and felt Golden State's Klay Thompson on his hip. He immediately triggered the shot with his arms flailing. Referee Danny Crawford whistled Klay Thompson for the foul. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ohio Attorney General's Office is seeking to have a Strongsville-based international adoption agency dissolved and banned from doing business in the state. European Adoption Consultants and its owner, Margaret Cole, took up to tens of thousands of dollars from clients and did not follow through with the services it promised, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. The agency is under investigation by the FBI. The U.S. State Department in December barred the agency from conducting international adoption services for three years. After that, the agency was to issue refunds and transfer its cases to other groups. However, Cole and the agency have not done so, even though they posted notices on the agency's website that they would, the lawsuit says. The attorney general's office has received complaints from more than 70 of European Adoption Consultant's clients since January, according to a news release. The attorney general's office is asking a judge to bar Cole from operating or working for a charitable organization in Ohio and to dissolve European Adoption Consultants under Ohio law. It is also asking for restitution for those who gave the agency money. The lawsuit says Cole and her company violated Ohio's consumer and charitable laws. "As a result of Defendants' misrepresentations, consumers have spent significant time and expense and have not been provided the contracted for adoption services," the lawsuit says. (You can read the full lawsuit here or at the bottom of this story.) The case is assigned to Common Pleas Judge Joan Synenberg. The FBI raided the agency's Strongsville offices in February. The FBI has not revealed any details about its investigation, though a spokeswoman said Friday that the probe is still under way. Attempts to reach the adoption agency and Cole were not successful. The State Department says European Adoption Consultants operates adoption programs in Bulgaria, China, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Honduras, India, Panama, Poland, Tanzania, Uganda and Ukraine. The Attorney General's Office's lawsuit says the company had 300 clients at various stages of the adoption process when it was barred by the State Department. The State Department's investigation found the company and its providers overseas committed several violations, including soliciting bribes and lying to officials to affect adoption eligibility, according to a report posted on its website. In some instances, the agencies' decisions or actions led to children being harmed, the report says. The Attorney General's Office says in its suit that the agency lied to clients when employees told them they met the requirements to participate in adoption programs. Cole and the agency also lied to clients about being enrolled in adoption programs and misrepresenting the waiting period to adopt a child, the suit says. They also told clients that the fees they gave to the company were sent to the country, when that was not the case, according to the suit. They also did not set aside money clients paid them for adoption fees and did not keep clients appraised of the status of their paperwork, the Attorney General's Office said. In one case, the company "solicited donations to support Defendants' mission trip to Guatemala and represented that money ... could lead to the re-opening of the country for intercountry adoption when Defendants had no ability to produce such a result," according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit says Cole lied about the amount and type of assets the company had to both the company's board members and adoption licensing agencies. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Friday's crime and courts comments section. 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. VANCLEAVE, Mississippi -- A 31-year-old man with a lengthy rap sheet has been taken into custody and charged with commercial burglary and grand larceny in crimes over the Memorial Day weekend. Jackson County Mike Ezell said Friday Joshua Dewayne Bradley is accused of stealing a four-wheeler and tools from the shed of a Vancleave home, and was later seen on surveillance video stealing a motorcycle from the porch of a home on Johns Bayou Road in Vancleave. Some of the tools from the first theft, and the motorcycle, have been recovered, but the four-wheeler is still missing, Ezell said. Bradley was free on bond on a grand larceny charge from February. With his new arrest, that bond was revoked and he remains in the Jackson County Adult Detention Center. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two Trumbull County men were arrested Friday after a grand jury indicted them in the theft of a Humvee from the Ohio National Guard Armory in Stow, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Austin Bollinger, 22, of Brookfield is charged with theft of government property. He and Daniel Thompson, 22, of Girard, also face a receiving stolen government property charge. The military-grade desert tan Humvee was stolen on March 18 and was found in a garage a few days later when investigators searched a vacant home in Trumbull County, officials said. A grand jury issued its indictment Thursday. The defendants are in federal custody, and a Youngstown magistrate judge will arraign them Friday afternoon. The State Highway Patrol said in March that whoever stole the Humvee cut through a chain link fence to enter the area where the Humvees are stored. The Humvee was locked, but the culprit or culprits broke into it and drove away, the Highway Patrol said. Troopers said tips led to the Humvee being found. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson in Youngstown. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Friday's crime and courts comments section. 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. hi I live in Pittsburgh, here's what our downtown looked like before environmental regulations (1940, taken at 12pm) pic.twitter.com/bDT4M1hLEj June 1, 2017 As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future. https://t.co/3znXGTcd8C June 1, 2017 Yeah, I'd say the Daily News pretty much nailed it pic.twitter.com/zxnFqXXuzh June 2, 2017 Donald Trump, climate and the Paris Agreement Trump tries to set the USA on a very costly trajectory What about the world at large? How will it react? A military confrontation? An economic war? Trump will shift world power balance sooner Why does Donald Trump want to destroy the USA? What is his notion of "great again"? Going by his comments today when he announced that the USA will no longer play a leadership role in the modernisation and restructure of the energy sector, he believes that to bring back smog and increase black lung disease is what will "Make America Great Again". He referred to Pittsburgh as an example. This was Pittsburgh in its heyday:This is how the Mayor of Pittsburgh reacted: Donald Trump is known to be racist and a xenophobic, as illustrated by his "birther" campaign and his efforts to limit trade with other countries and people's entry the USA. He thinks that curtailing US exports and making imports more expensive will "Make America Great Again".With today's announcement, Trump has made it clear that he thinks destruction of the environment is an acceptable price to pay to appease 22 of the 535 members of the US Congress. Those 22 in turn were trying to appease their paymasters from the shrinking soon to be defunct coal and oil sectors.Donald Trump has effectively said that the rest of the world can go jump.Thing is, climate change is not just doing harm to people in countries far away from him. It is doing a great deal of harm to people in the USA as well. Many people have written today about how climate change is real and harmful. We can take that as read. The science of it dates back more than 200 years now.Others wrote about how Donald Trump doesn't understand (or pretends not to understand) the Paris Agreement. As Chris Mooney at the Washington Post pointed out, Trump didn't need to get out of it to change US commitments (and set the USA against the world). He could have undermined it from within.If the energy sector isn't transformed and the world remains on an annihilation pathway (aka business as usual), the cost of attempting repairs and restoration for damage and disasters will be way higher than the cost of preventing them from happening. Since Trump and his corrupt cronies have indicated they want the world to burn, it's unlikely that Trump will agree to cough up for adaptation. There is evidence for this. Scott Pruitt is busy dismantling the EPA and its monitoring and adaptation activities. That leaves recovery and repair. Will Donald Trump and the GOP approve funds for repairing damage from climate change, or will he just let American people rot?The question now is how much further will Donald Trump go? Another question is how far will the US Congress allow him to go? Is there a limit?The US Senate seems to have placed a limit on the GOP's plans to kill off Americans by depriving them of health services. Will politicians balk at Trump's plans to destroy the environment? Will politicians balk at his proposal that the US give up its leading role in world affairs?Way back in the 1980s I remember attending a seminar where people were saying that by 2020 China would be the dominant economic power. That projection has changed a bit, however it is now the second largest economy in the world by a long way, with India in seventh place. Below is a pie chart showing countries and continents by their gross domestic product (GDP) - as at 2017, from the World Economic Forum In the unlikely event that nations were to realign along continental boundaries, Asia would dominate world decision making. Although I cannot see this happening, it's clear that the USA is becoming less dominant. Australia (where I live), deals predominately with Asia and to a lesser extent with Europe. We increasingly export to the middle east as well. Donald Trump has been trying to excise Mexico and isn't that keen on alliances with Canada either. He is dead set against Europe, and doesn't think much of my home, Australia either. If and when the EU, China , and Japan (maybe India) decide to more formally take on the USA, it will shift the power balance. That may not be as difficult as one might think.Having elected an ignorant incompetent as leader, one thing America has going for it now is its military strength. Donald Trump is keen to build up US military even more, which indicates that he may anticipate a war with the rest of the world. Will the rest of the world be able to reshape world decision-making bodies without Trump starting a world war? It is quite possible in my view, but the risk is high.Since Donald Trump wants to disregard the rest of the world and go it alone, it's quite possible that the US would not win a military battle. Itthe biggest standalone military power. However with China not that far short of the USA, if China joined with almost any other nation, the USA could be overwhelmed if Trump were to lead the USA to a world war.I agree with what you're probably thinking. That's alarmist talk. Yet in my view it's not too early to consider this worst case scenario.A more likely scenario is an economic war. Donald Trump has made it fairly clear that he wants to wage one. He's also made it fairly clear that he hasn't got a clue about world trade, how it works, or the various agreements that have made it the way it is today.A lot of people can foresee the day when countries that don't pull their weight with climate change (and the USA has caused the most global warming) will be sanctioned. This will probably begin with impositions on air travel through a fee for aeroplanes to land. It may extend from there to imports. A fee on agricultural produce and other goods arriving from countries that have not met their international obligations to mitigate global warming.This is the sort of threat that must be occupying the minds of key producing states in the USA, such as California. Will Donald Trump succeed in wrecking their economies or can they mitigate against that happening?The world's power structure was going to change sooner rather than later, with a gradual decline in the dominance of the USA. Donald Trump's multi-faceted war against science, trade, education, health, economics and the American people, are going to make this happen even sooner. Apart from the tremendous stress caused to the dolphins as they are driven ashore during the hunt, they are confined and slaughtered in front of each other. Each dolphin is restrained, and a metal spike is driven into the animals head, behind the blowhole, to sever the spinal cord. Photo by iStockphoto 965 shares The 2009 documentary The Cove, by Louie Psihoyos, pulled back the curtain on Japans Taiji dolphin hunt, which gave vivid images and details of the gruesome annual killing of dolphins at an isolated inlet in a small town in Wakayama Prefecture. The swell of outrage against this hunt, which kills about 1,000 dolphins and small whales each year, has not subsided since. The Cove won an Academy Award, but that hasnt compelled Japanese authorities to budge. Not yet, anyway. Now, shockingly, Japanese authorities have just given approval for dolphin hunters to take two new species this coming season, starting in September. Some weeks ago, there was a public consultation on the idea of adding two little-known species, the rough-toothed dolphin and melon-headed whale (actually another species of dolphin) to the list of small whales for which Japan issues annual hunting quotas in its national waters. This lengthy list includes 10 species, including bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales. The request to take more species has undoubtedly come from the fisheries community and may reflect problems in finding some of the species that have been hunted for many years, either for consumption or captured live for sale to zoos and aquariums. The problem is not local to Taiji, as there are a number of other whale and dolphin hunts conducted in Japanese waters. Dolphins and small whales are taken in a number of ways in these hunts, including by hand-harpooning and by drive hunts (like that of Taiji), in which the animals are driven ashore by noisy boats and then captured and killed near to shore. In Taiji, some dolphins are also taken for sale into the captivity industry; the high price that these animals fetch underpins this cruel hunt (U.S. $10,000 or more per dolphin straight from the drive hunt, but upwards of $150,000 once tamed and trained for a time in facilities like the Taiji Whale Museum). Apart from the tremendous stress caused to the animals as they are driven ashore, they are confined and slaughtered in front of each other. Each dolphin is restrained, and a metal spike is driven into the animals head, behind the blowhole, to sever the spinal cord. Japanese press reports suggest that the Taiji hunters are pleased by the inclusion of two additional species on the kill list, and the Taiji Whale Museum (a for-profit aquarium) has signaled its eagerness to acquire new species to put on display. The rough-toothed dolphin (its name comes from the unusual patterning on its teeth), a large, mainly grey dolphin usually found at sea in warmer waters, was previously hunted in Japan until 1981. The melon-headed whale (a dolphin species that can grow to some 2.75 meters long) is also usually found in warmer, deeper waters. Both species are highly social and it is common to see them in mixed schools with other species, including bottlenose dolphins. According to official statistics released by the Japanese government, Taiji hunters killed more than 11,000 dolphins and whales between 2005 and 2014, and captured nearly 1,000 animals live for the aquarium industry during this same period. The Taiji hunt typically runs from September until March of each year. The U.S. government has already banned imports of live dolphins captured during these hunts, and the practice has been condemned by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and, importantly, the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA). The Taiji Whale Museum is among a handful of aquariums in Japan to leave JAZA, apparently so it can continue to purchase live dolphins from the drive hunts. Sadly, the hunting continues, spurred on by the profits made from sales to the captivity industry. This latest news all but assures that the Japanese fishing industry is poised to extend its cruelty to two new species. Tokyo will host the Summer Olympics in 2020 and Japan ought to be seeking to avoid needless controversy. It can start by reversing the decision to allow new species to be added to the list of those being persecuted. That would also be a good start toward a phase-out of the drive hunts altogether. They represent a profligate cruelty that shames Japan and does that nation no credit. Washington To illustrate why the Trump administration wants to expand school choice through its budget proposal , U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is pointing to the experience of the nations capital. During DeVos visit to the Eagle Academy Public Charter School to highlight the launch of a new special education website here on Friday, we asked the secretary what she would say to skeptics of President Donald Trumps proposed fiscal 2018 budget (including conservative critics) who dont want Washington directing school choice expansion efforts. The reality is that in the District of Columbia, the federal government is involved, DeVos responded, referring to Congress role in overseeing the district. And I think the choices that have grown up and have been afforded to families here are very, very strong and encouraging. I think theres continued room for more choices and improvements across the board. But Im very encouraged by the variety of choices that families within the District of Columbia have today, and the opportunities theyll have tomorrow with a continued, robust environment for choices. Trumps proposed budget for fiscal 2018 would institute a new $250 million grant program for states to fund and research the effects of private school vouchers, a new $1 billion public school choice program under Title I funding for disadvantaged students, and a 50 percent bump in federal charter school funding, up to $500 million. The secretary, who was at the Eagle Academy to discuss the U.S. Department of Educations new website for special education with teachers, also tookbut mostly avoided directly answeringquestions about her Thursday statement in support of the presidents decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement aimed at combatting climate change. (Her meeting with teachers about the new special education website was closed to the press.) Certainly the climate changes, she said, but she did not attribute those changes to human activity. She praised the president for making sure the American people are not subject to overreach with respect to the Paris agreement. And she said that the president was focused on ensuring there would be new job prospects for younger citizens. We are going to have many opportunities for American students like this that are coming up and being exposed to science at a young age, she said. DeVos praised Eagle Academy for its work with special needs students for being really, really intentional and helping them achieve at higher levels than anybody would have imagined. About 16 percent of the schools 700 students, spread across two campuses, have special needs. DeVos has visited traditional public, private, and charter schools in the District of Columbia, where perhaps the most politically controversial school choice program is the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship voucher program. Recently reauthorized by Congress, the voucher system serves about 1,200 students in the District. But a recent experimental-design study from the Institute for Education Sciences showed negative academic results for students who took the vouchers compared to those who applied for the vouchers but did not receive them. Shortly after the study came out, the Republican-controlled Congress prohibited further such studies from being conducted on the D.C. voucher program, as part of the fiscal 2017 budget deal. Charter schools in the District outperformed traditional public schools in the nations capital on last years mandatory English/language arts and math exams in elementary and high schools. But D.C. charters do have their share of critics over issues like their higher-than-average rates of suspending students . Trumps proposed budget for fiscal 2018 would institute a new $250 million grant program for states to fund and research the effects of private school vouchers, a new $1 billion public school choice program under Title I funding for disadvantaged students, and a 50 percent bump in federal charter school funding, up to $500 million. Photo: Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos visits students science fair at Eagle Academy Public Charter Schools in Washington, D.C., on June 2. DeVos visited the school in part to discuss the U.S. Department of Educations new website for special education information and services. (Andrew Ujifusa) Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . For great bosses, communication is a top priority. Amanda Augustine, a career expert for TopResume, says the best managers speak with their employees regularly and use daily conversations as opportunities to help their teams perform better or feel more comfortable at work. It's as easy as asking, "What's new?" or remembering to offer constructive feedback, she explains. Here are five things you can say to your staff each day to be a strong manager. This may seem like a simple piece of advice, but Augustine says "it's an incredibly effective greeting." A daily check-in with your team should be a priority. "A simple 'Hello, how are you?' is a great way to touch base with each of your direct reports, keep a pulse on your team's initiatives and check the temperature on team morale," she says. "Can I check in with you about something?" The most effective managers "are willing to provide the hard feedback that will help their team members grow," she says. But it's important to give this kind of feedback with care. Before discussing the issue at hand, "ask your direct report for permission," says Augustine. She suggests saying, "Can I share with you some observations I've made?" Once you ask, employees are "more likely to listen to your feedback with an open mind," she says. Great bosses aren't afraid to praise their employees for a job well done. They know "that offering praise is just as important as delivering constructive feedback," says Augustine. "Let them know you appreciate their efforts," she says. "Employees are willing to work harder for someone whom they believe genuinely values their contributions." "Does that make sense?" A strong manager also makes sure "the lines of communication are open." "Whether you're kicking off a new project, handing out an assignment or delivering feedback, it's important to make sure you and employee are on the same page," says Augustine. "By asking this question, you're giving your team the opportunity to get the clarity they need without feeling foolish." "What's the goal?" After President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the landmark Paris climate agreement, Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed his disappointment with the decision. In an email to employees, which was obtained by CNBC, Cook said he had tried to push Trump prior to the decision to keep the U.S. in the agreement. "I spoke with President Trump on Tuesday and tried to persuade him to keep the U.S. in the agreement. But it wasn't enough," Cook wrote. He added in the email that climate change was real and that everyone had a shared responsibility to fight it. He assured employees that Thursday's decision will not affect Apple's commitments to protect the environment. "We power nearly all of our operations with renewable energy, which we believe is an example of something that's good for our planet and makes good business sense as well." Cook also called the White House decision "wrong for our planet" in a post on Twitter. Tim Cook tweet: Decision to withdraw from the #ParisAgreeement was wrong for our planet. Apple is committed to fight climate change and we will never waver. Cook is not the only business leader to have expressed disappointment or disagree with Trump's decision. Earlier, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said he will leave his positions on three presidential councils. Disney CEO Robert Iger also said he quit the White House's business advisory council over the decision. Goldman Sachs CEO, Lloyd Blankfein, also criticized the decision on Twitter. After pulling the U.S. out from the climate agreement, Trump said he would start talks to re-enter the accord with what he called a more "fair" deal, but the president was immediately rebuked by several European governments. Here's the full excerpt of Cook's email. Team, I know many of you share my disappointment with the White House's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement. I spoke with President Trump on Tuesday and tried to persuade him to keep the U.S. in the agreement. But it wasn't enough. Climate change is real and we all share a responsibility to fight it. I want to reassure you that today's developments will have no impact on Apple's efforts to protect the environment. We power nearly all of our operations with renewable energy, which we believe is an example of something that's good for our planet and makes good business sense as well. We will keep working toward the ambitious goals of a closed-loop supply chain, and to eventually stop mining new materials altogether. Of course, we're going to keep working with our suppliers to help them do more to power their businesses with clean energy. And we will keep challenging ourselves to do even more. Knowing the good work that we and countless others around the world are doing, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about our planet's future. Our mission has always been to leave the world better than we found it. We will never waver, because we know that future generations depend on us. Your work is as important today as it has ever been. Thank you for your commitment to making a difference every single day. Tim CNBC's Tom DiChristopher and Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report. Barry Manilow grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, back when the now ultra-hip New York neighborhood was less than desirable. His earliest music gigs, he worked as a piano player, accompanying other more successful artists. Then his single, "Mandy," released in 1974, hit big. When he got paid for it, he literally went from broke to millionaire in a single day. Clive Davis, then-president of Arista Records, personally handed Manilow a $1 million check. "I'll never forget it, because that was the beginning of my career," Manilow tells Forbes. "I didn't tell him I had literally just bounced a check that morning." Barry Manilow Photo by NBC Manilow was ill-equipped to handle the windfall. He was passionate about music, but his finances were another matter. "We [musicians] are all into the music!" Manilow tells CNBC. "I came from bouncing checks at the A&P [supermarket] to getting big crazy checks. What am I supposed to do with that?" So Manilow hired someone to take care of his finances. What he didn't do, however, was think carefully about hiring the right person. "I hired the wrong guy," says Manilow to CNBC. "From 'Mandy' all the way through to 'Copacabana,' I didn't see anything. And I didn't know it until my manager, Garry Kief, came along and said, 'You know, you have only got $11,000 in the bank.' "From 'Mandy' all the way through 'Copa,' I had $11,000 in the bank." China could reap geopolitical and economic benefits following President Donald Trump's decision to abandon an international agreement on climate change. In a heavily-teased event on Thursday, the president withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement a universal deal on tackling global warming claiming the pact hurt American workers, businesses and domestic economic growth. Nearly every country in the world is a signatory of the deal and Trump's decision sparked outrage both at home and abroad. The news holds significant political capital for the world's second-largest economy as it presents Chinese President Xi Jinping with a chance to boost his country's profile on the global stage. "America's difficulties are China's opportunities," Greenpeace East Asia's senior global policy officer Li Shuo told CNBC. The mainland has demonstrated some commitment to environmental reforms through efforts to tackle air pollution and decrease coal usage national coal output fell 1.7 percent on-year in the first two months of 2017. Still, the carbon-heavy resource remains widely consumed, leaving the Asian giant as the world's largest single emitter of greenhouse gases. But in the aftermath of Trump's decision, "there is no better time for China to further its climate leadership," Li said. "The country has moved from a climate bad boy at the 2009 Copenhagen climate summit, to a cautious leader in the run up to the Paris conference, and now to a country with potential to become a true climate leader in the age of Trump." The episode has parallels to Trump's exit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal earlier this year, which saw China assert itself as a champion of international trade amid a U.S. absence. Speaking on Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said his country will stand by its Paris obligations, which include lowering the carbon dioxide intensity by 60 to 65 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. China and the European Union have already decided to forge ahead without Washington, according to a statement by EU climate commissioner Miguel Arias Canete, and the issue is expected to feature prominently in Premier Li's discussions with EU officials on Friday. And while the public may be familiar with Buffett's prowess over the years, it's now backed by scientific analysis. Michael Toth, a data scientist at Orchard Platform and a former portfolio analyst at BlackRock, used statistical computing to quantify and prove the billionaire's penchant for positivity over the years. In March, Toth, 28, performed a sentiment analysis on Buffett's annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters from 1977 to 2016 and revealed several patterns. A sentiment analysis is a method of identifying and quantifying opinions of a particular set of text in this case, the use is to determine the positive or negative vibes of Buffett's letters. Toth found that while the vast majority of shareholder letters spanning the past 40 years were positive, only five letters show a negative net sentiment score. But there's a catch. Michael Toth "What surprised me was how well these negative letters lined up with negative recession events," Toth tells CNBC. Those five events comprised of the market downturn in 1987 dubbed Black Monday, the recession of 1990, the September 11 attacks and collapse of the dot-com bubble in 2001 and 2002, as well as the Great Recession of 2008. Toth tells CNBC that the sentiment analysis demonstrated Buffett's ability to balance both optimism and realism. Iger, in a tweet, said his decision to leave the council was "a matter of principle." Disney CEO Robert Iger on Thursday said he quit the White House's business advisory council over President Donald Trump 's decision to withdraw the U.S. from a sweeping, global climate-change agreement. Iger's move came after Tesla CEO Elon Musk followed through on his threat to leave three presidential advisory councils over Trump's decision to back out of the Paris climate accord. Iger and Musk weren't the only corporate stalwarts to join the outcry over Trump's choice. Other prominent companies, including Shell and Nike, also voiced their support for the agreement despite the president's move. Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, in his first-ever tweet, called Trump's decision "a setback for the environment and for the U.S.'s leadership position in the world." Meanwhile, Twitter CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey tweeted his support for Iger's resignation from Trump's council with a simple message. @jack Thank you Bob Watch: Iger on potential POTUS run There was joy in the streets of Foshan's backwater Gaoming district in mid-April when Guangdong Communist Party secretary Hu Chunhua affirmed plans to build an airport there by 2022. The new, 35 billion yuan (US$5.1 billion) Pearl River Delta regional airport, designed to handle 30 million passengers a year, will be a key piece in the province's ambitious plan to have 31 big and small airports by 2030. It will join the delta's five existing key air hubs Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai to serve a dynamic area that's home 66 million people and has an economy as big as South Korea's. Travelers stand in line to check-in at Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, China, on Mar. 10, 2017. Anthony Kwan | Bloomberg | Getty Images While mainland China has many airports with few passengers three-quarters of its 200-plus airports run at a loss rapid growth in demand for passenger and cargo services in the delta is giving a boost to all five airports, with Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen accounting for the most traffic. Concerns about excessive competition between the airports were unwarranted for now, said Law Cheung-kwok, head of the Aviation Policy and Research Centre at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, because the overall market was still growing. "Passenger numbers can increase in a geometric ratio in the coming years ... fuelled by the strong demand of Chinese spenders for travel and the emerging Chinese consumer economy," Law said, while adding that Hong Kong would see "fiercer" competition from mainland airports that were aggressively launching new long-haul flights. More from the South China Morning Post: Hong Kong tops Singapore as world's most competitive economy The six best airports to sleep in - Hong Kong, Singapore included How the QR code has forever changed China's social habits Hong Kong's role as an international air hub was once highly valued by Guangdong, which saw the city as its gateway to the outside world. High-value products from factories in the Pearl River Delta used to be trucked into Hong Kong before being flown to overseas markets, but the flow has been changing, especially since the launch of Guangzhou's new airport in 2004 and Shenzhen's in 2013. Hong Kong International Airport, the leading airport in the region, handled 70.5 million passengers last year, up 2.9 per cent year on year. In comparison, Guangzhou's Baiyun International Airport handled 59.7 million passengers, up 8.2 per cent. Shenzhen handled 42 million passengers, up 5.6 per cent, and Zhuhai handled 6.1 million, which represented annual growth of 30.2 per cent. A record 6.6 million passengers passed through Macau airport last year, up 13.7 per cent year on year. The five major airports, all within 150km of each other, are all striving to expand. Guangzhou plans to add a fourth and a fifth runway by 2025 and Shenzhen has plans in place for a third. Hong Kong aims to open a third runway by 2023 to boost capacity to 100 million passengers a year. watch now Guangzhou's existing Terminal 1 was only designed to handle 35 million passengers a year, but a second, bigger, terminal will open next year. Expected to handle around 45 million passengers a year by 2020, the new terminal is being built at a cost of about 19 billion yuan. Shenzhen is also planning a new terminal, with passenger traffic at the four-year-old airport now just 3 million short of its 45 million capacity. However, Zhuhai, billed as China's biggest airport when it opened in 1995, has never come close to its 35 million passenger annual capacity. People like retiree Zhu Yinghua and businessman Huang Honghui are making the most of the leisure and business opportunities provided by the region's increasing air traffic. Zhu, a 65-year-old retired teacher from Guangzhou, made three overseas trips last year, visiting Russia, Turkey and the United States with her husband and friends. The trips cost between 6,000 and 10,000 yuan, quite affordable for retired teachers and civil servants in cities such as Guangzhou who receive monthly pensions of more than 6,000 yuan. "It's much easier to travel to the other end of the world these days than travelling to Shanghai 20 years ago," said Zhu, who had never flown until 1993, when she was 41, and who made her first overseas trip in 1996 when she visited Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia via Hong Kong. "I have to say now I like the Shenzhen and Guangzhou airports very much. They are more beautiful and modern than any other airport in China, including Beijing or Hong Kong." The number of tourists heading overseas from mainland China has more than tripled in the past decade, hitting 122 million last year, and Guangzhou and Shenzhen are among the top sources. The "Greater Bay Area", a region which includes Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and some other mainland cities, is becoming the world's biggest market for aviation services. Passenger numbers in the region will reach 223 million a year by 2020, up from around 175 million last year, according to the China Civil Airports Association, which said such traffic would dwarf other bay areas such as Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo. Airports in the Tokyo Bay Area, home to 43 million people in 2015, handled more than 112 million passengers that year. watch now Hong Kong, the world's largest international air cargo airport, handled 4.5 millions tonnes of air cargo last year according to the Airport Authority, and the China Civil Airports Association predicts annual cargo throughput in the region, presently about 8 million tonnes, will top 10 million tonnes by 2020. Huang, the 40-year-old co-founder of leading Guangzhou air logistics company R&T Transportation, says business is booming, with the firm handling about 5,000 tonnes of cargo a month, more than triple the amount a decade ago. "I started up my logistics business 20 years ago and most clients are factories in the delta, from electronics giants like Huawei and Samsung to garment processors," Huang said. "In 1997, my company handled an average of 500 tonnes of cargo a month, 90 per cent of which was exported through Hong Kong airport." He said Guangzhou's airport now handled three-fifths of R&T's shipments because it was closer to most clients. "If we pick up a delivery at 6pm, we can catch the flights leaving Guangzhou at 2am it would take about two days to fly through Hong Kong," Huang said. Meanwhile, airports in Southwest China cities such as Kunming in Yunnan province and Chengdu in Sichuan province were grabbing air cargo business from Hong Kong and Guangzhou. "It took three days to travel from Kunming to Guangzhou by truck 10 years ago," Huang said. "But now, thanks for the rapid development of China's highway network, it only takes one day. Flying out of Kunming airport would help cut costs by 30 per cent compared with Hong Kong airport." R&T now handles about 1,000 tonnes of air freight a month in Kunming. Local authorities in major mainland cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian, Zhengzhou and Shenzhen were handing out generous subsidies and extra investment for local airports so they could operate more international routes, in line with the central government's "belt and road" trade and infrastructure initiative. watch now Every year, nearly eight million children come into the world with major birth defects. Many won't live long enough to see their first birthday. And for most of these babies, we don't even know what went wrong to cause the defects in the first place. That's the finding of a new study published in the latest issue of the British Medical Journal. Researchers from the University of Utah looked at about 5,500 cases of major birth defects among children born in the state between 2005 and 2009. For only 20 percent of them was it possible to trace the defect to a specific cause, the overwhelming majority of which were problems with the children's chromosomes or genes, with a few more down to environmental exposure to chemicals, radiation, or infection. But for the other 80 percent, the researchers couldn't pin down any particular cause for the defects. That doesn't mean genetic or environmental factors weren't responsible for these problems it's just that there wasn't enough evidence to say. There were also possible risk factors that could help explain these, including the mother smoking or having diabetes or obesity, but the role any of those play in causing specific defects is complicated and uncertain. More from Vocativ: Augmented reality is entering the House of God Fantasy spelling bee leagues exist for some reason Court says Facebook can block parents from deceased teen's account This might all seem like a bookkeeping issue. But not knowing causes of birth defects means doctors are also bad at predicting them in advance and that risk screenings for prospective parents will also be difficult to improve. All this comes at a terrible price: The total health care cost for children with birth defects is more than $2.6 billion every year in the United States, and about one in five of such children die in their first year of life. What's more, the birth defect rate hasn't dropped in decades, and it might actually be set to increase as diabetes and obesity reach epidemic proportions. Perhaps medical science can't have all the answers, but as the researchers argue, it's urgent to start looking for them. Michael Catanzaro, a former oil and gas lobbyist, can help shape the Trump administration's energy policies. Shahira Knight can weigh in on retirement matters even though she previously worked for Fidelity, a financial company specializing in retirement services. The White House late Wednesday posted on its website ethics waivers granted to four ex-lobbyists and numerous others who have joined government. In all, the White House has granted 14 ethics waivers. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden at the White House on June 1, 2017 in Washington DC. Win McNamee | Getty Images The disclosures come after a tussle between the Office of Government Ethics and White House lawyers. Other executive branch agencies and departments, such as Treasury, State and Defense, are expected to share similar information with OGE by Thursday. The Office of Management and Budget responded to the OGE's request for data last week by saying it had issued zero waivers. As part of his pledge to "drain the swamp" of Washington, President Donald Trump prohibits senior officials hired into the executive branch from working on "particular" government matters that involve their former clients or employers for two years. President Barack Obama placed similar restrictions on his employees and granted ethics waivers. His White House also posted those exceptions on its website. The Trump administration waivers include four for former registered lobbyists. The rest are for other employees whose new government duties may overlap with their previous private jobs. Several are "blanket" waivers for groups of employees. The White House waivers were vetted by White House counsel Don McGahn and Stefan Passantino, the chief ethics officer. The White House says it only grants waivers if those lawyers find it's too impractical for the person to recuse from the ethics issues triggered by their past work. watch now "To the furthest extent possible, counsel worked with each staffer to recuse from conflicting conduct rather than being granted waivers, which has led to the limited number of waivers being issued," White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said. Some waivers cover the highest-profile White House employees. For example, there's a "blanket" waiver saying all presidential appointees "may participate in communications and meetings with news organizations regarding broad policy matters." That clears the way, ethically, for Steve Bannon, Breitbart's former chief executive and now Trump's chief strategist, to ring up reporters at the news site. That's important because Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington a liberal-funded pro-transparency group that has lodged many complaints against the Trump administration had argued in a complaint that Bannon was violating the ethics pledge by speaking with his former employees. Another waiver explicitly allows Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Trump, to contact and interact with clients of her political polling company. Joshua Pitcock, who had been Indiana's sole lobbyist in Washington and now serves as Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, is permitted under a waiver to stay in the room when matters involving Indiana arise. watch now watch now Congratulations, class of 2017! Sorry, but even though you're done with school, you still have plenty of homework to do. New grads have a lot of exciting (and intimidating) tasks to navigate all at once: Searching for and starting a new job, while balancing a slew of new bills competing for your limited budget. Never mind the added burden of student loan debt. It's not always easy to figure out what to tackle first, or how to prioritize your goals. Handling these four to-dos will help you get off to the right start: 1) Pick a place to launch The class of 2017 is entering the best job market in years. The catch? You may need to relocate for that amazing opportunity. Some cities are better than others for new grads when it comes to a combination of entry-level jobs and starting salaries, as well as housing affordability and commuter friendliness. And they aren't necessarily the ones you'd expect in a recent WalletHub analysis, Salt Lake City topped the list of "best places to start a career," while hotspots like New York City and Chicago didn't even make the top 10. (If you boomerang home for a while, make the most of it. A 2016 Fidelity report found that 60 percent of millennials living at home are saving for retirement, and 59 percent have built up a hefty emergency fund.) Read more: The best and worst places to start a career 2) Get a handle on your student debt Graduating with debt? Welcome to the club. Seven in 10 seniors graduate with debt, according to the Institute for College Access & Success. For the class of 2016, scholarship site Cappex.com estimated the average tab was $37,172. Make sure you have a good understanding of those loans early on including when repayment begins, how much you'll pay each month and that monthly due date. Be sure that each lender has your latest contact information. Stewart Cohen | Getty Images "It's easy for a loan servicer to lose track of you and if you're not getting statements you could go into default by accident," Andrew Josuweit, CEO and president of Student Loan Hero, a student loan management site, told CNBC. Once you have those basic elements taken care of, you can start strategizing ways to make your payments more manageable and knock out that debt quickly. Read more: The first steps to repaying your student debt 3) Put grad gifts to work Odds are good you'll end up with some congratulatory cash in hand: The National Retail Federation projects consumers will spend a record $5.6 billion this year on graduation gifts. More than half of gift givers expect to offer cash, while another third will give gift cards. watch now Be strategic about how you use that money. A survey from investing app Stash found that many new grads plan to save (23.8 percent) or invest (19.2 percent) cash gifts, or use them to pay down student loans (18.7 percent) all options that could get you off to a great start. (The company polled 214 of its users who are part of the class of 2017.) Read more: 4 financial gifts for grads that are smarter than cash 4) Set yourself up for financial success Nevadas broad school choice program is on thin icea potential casualty of a battle over funding priorities between the states Republicans, including the governor, and Democrats who control the state legislature. The states educations savings account program, which was set up to offer all public school students state money to use for private school tuition or other education related expenses, was created in 2015 by the Nevada legislature, which was then controlled by Republicans. Explainer: Whats the Difference Between Vouchers and Education Savings Accounts? But implementation has been on hold as a couple of lawsuits challenging the programs constitutionality snaked through the courts and the states supreme court ruled in October that the funding mechanism for education savings accounts was unconstitutional. The program cant start until lawmakers come up with a new way to finance it a task that became substantially more difficult when Democrats took control of the state legislature in November. The Associated Press reports that after the bottom fell out of negotiations over the budget recenlty, Democratic senators passed a bill nixing the plan to send $60 million to the education savings accounts program, directing the money instead to public schools. That puts Gov. Brian Sandoval in the unfortunate position of choosing between saving the ESA program hes championed, or vetoing the entire education budget, reports the Nevada Appeal . The political drama could drive the legislative session into overtime. What Makes Nevadas ESA Program Important? Prior to 2015, a handful of other states had passed education savings accounts programs, often as an alternative to traditional school vouchers. But Nevada was the first state to offer an ESA program to all public school students. Up until then, all private school choice programswhether ESAs, vouchers, or tax-credit scholarshipshave been limited to a select number of students, such as low-income students or students with disabilities. As of this spring, Arizona took the lead for the most ambitious ESA program , opening it up to all of the states 1.1 million students. However, a new group called Save Our Schools Arizona is in the process of mounting a ballot initiative to challenge the program . Related stories: Photo: Spectators look down on the Nevada State Assembly on the opening day of the legislative session in February in Carson City, Nev.Lance Iversen/AP-File Police should be allowed to unmask anonymous callers who have made serious threats over the phone, the Federal Communications Commission has proposed. The proposal would allow law enforcement, and potentially the person who's been called, to learn the phone number of an anonymous caller if they receive a "serious and imminent" threat that poses "substantial risk to property, life, safety, or health." Specifics are still up in the air. The FCC is asking, for instance, whether unveiled caller ID information should only be provided to law enforcement officials investigating a threat, to ensure that this exemption isn't abused. The proposal is meant to solve a problem that popped up earlier this year when Jewish Community Centers across the country received a series of anonymous bomb threats that went on for weeks. The FCC granted a temporary exemption to law enforcement at the time, allowing investigators to find out the numbers these anonymous calls came from But that waiver only applied to the JCC threats. With this proposal, the commission is now hoping to extend it to many future threats that are made over the phone. At the same time, the commission is also considering another exception to the rules: it might allow private emergency services, like an ambulance company, to unmask anonymous calls so that they can provide help. A similar exemption already exists for public emergency services. The proposal is still in its early stages. An initial vote will come later this month, after which there'll be several months for the public to weigh in with comments. The FCC will then finalize its proposal based on that feedback and vote again to enact the rules. FCC proposals always start out as a series of questions, and in this case, it has quite a few to answer. The commission will have to strike a balance between ensuring the privacy of legitimate anonymous callers and ensuring that law enforcement can access the phone numbers of people who truly are delivering threats. "Threatening callers do not have a legitimate privacy interest in having blocked caller ID protected from disclosure," the commission writes. It also notes that this proposal must recognize "the privacy interests of legitimate callers who may have valid reasons to block their telephone numbers." While being able to uncover the number behind an anonymous call will certainly be a help for law enforcement, it won't entirely solve the problem of masked callers. Hackers have been able to hijack phone systems and use those to place calls, meaning the phone number wouldn't actually link back to them. watch now Microsoft founder Bill Gates wants to tax robots who take people's jobs, but a top European Union (EU) official has other ideas. Andrus Ansip, the European Commissioner in charge of the bloc's push for a Digital Single Market (DSM), isn't a fan of a robot tax. "No way. No way," Ansip said when asked if he would support a robot tax. Ansip's comments during a CNBC-hosted panel on Thursday at the Pioneers tech conference in Vienna, made it clear that he doesn't back Gates' view. "The aim of taxation is not just (to) collect revenues But to increase salaries of teachers and police. Taxes are also to have some influence over some processes. I fully agree that we have to tax bad habits, for example pollution, or smoking, or drinking alcoholic drinks, this I can understand." Ansip said that he was not in favor of "taxing progress" as others would take a lead in areas such as artificial intelligence, leaving Europe behind. watch now Earlier this year, billionaire Gates proposed a tax on robots. "If a human worker does $50,000 of work in a factory, that income is taxed," Gates said in an interview with Quartz. "If a robot comes in to do the same thing, you'd think we'd tax the robot at a similar level." Universal basic income The panel on Thursday focused on the impact on jobs and society from automation and AI (artificial intelligence) technology. In these areas, major Silicon Valley names such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg have backed the idea of a universal basic income (UBI) - a policy in which every citizen in a certain country receives a regular, but equal amount of money regardless of whether they are employed or not. When asked if this is a policy the European Commission is thinking about, Ansip said, "not yet". He explained that even with new technologies such as Apple 's iPad or smartphones, people have ended up being available 24 hours a day. Ansip's point was that new technology has created more work, and there is no reason why automation won't do the same. watch now The first Boeing 737 MAX 9 airliner is pictured at the company's factory on March 7, 2017 in Renton, Washington. The 737 MAX 9, which can carry up to 220 passengers, is the second of three variants of the popular single-aisle model. For Norwegian Air, taking delivery of its new Boeing 737 MAX 8 is another great marketing opportunity. It's offering a dozen people a once-in-a-lifetime ride on the airline's newest plane. But just four days after opening an auction for seats on the delivery flight scheduled for June 13, Norwegian says it won't be taking off that day. "Boeing has informed us that the delivery of our first 737 MAX is postponed until the end of June," the company said in a brief statement. Why the delay? Boeing spokesman Doug Alder tells CNBC: "On occasion delivery processes run into minor issues whether for maintenance or other reasons. In this case, we and our customer decided to re-schedule this delivery in order to resolve a minor technical issue." Alder declined to give further details about issues causing the delay. Boeing expects Norwegian Air to get the plane by the end of June. Pushing back scheduled deliveries of new planes is not unusual, but Boeing has a lot riding on its new 737. The transition from the current 737 NG to the 737 MAX is being watched closely. Boeing is currently building 42 737s each month, with monthly production scheduled to jump to 47 later this year, 52 in 2018 and 59 in 2019. As that production climbs, so will deliveries of the 737 MAX. There's no indication that delaying some initial 737 Max deliveries will jeopardize Boeing's production plans, but pushing back Norwegian's delivery comes less than a month after Boeing suspended 737 MAX test flights to inspect some of the engines for a potential manufacturing flaw. After inspecting the LEAP 1B engines and working with the engine manufacturer CFM International, Boeing resumed test flights, and the first 737 MAX 8 was delivered in mid-May to the Asian carrier Malindo Air. Malindo is now operating two 737 MAX planes. As for Norwegian, the delivery delay will not change the airline's plan to expand service to the U.S. this summer. "This will not affect our operation or our passengers, as the upcoming launch of transatlantic routes between the U.S. East Coast and Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Norway will be operated by another aircraft type," the airline said. Boeing shares closed Friday up more than 1.6 percent at about $190.23. Watch: Boeing resumes 737 MAX flights after engine issue Canada is hopeful for a resolution to its ongoing spat with Boeing but will not shy away from defending national interests, Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan told CNBC on Friday. "We're very disappointed with the actions Boeing has taken against Bombardier ...We believe (Boeing's) position is unfounded," Sajjan said on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual meeting of global defense officials. Ottawa is currently reviewing defense procurements with the U.S. aerospace giant, Sajjan added, which include 18 Boeing Super Hornet jets. In May, Boeing launched a trade complaint against Canadian plane maker Bombardier, alleging the Montreal-based firm receives government subsidies that allow it to sell planes at below-market prices. Canada's defense policy report on June 7 is expected to shed more details on the country's future investments and purchases, including the proposed Boeing orders. SHANGHAI, China Noisy, grinding machinery and traffic snarled around dusty construction sites. These are common sights and sounds in China, as the world's second-largest economy builds rapidly into the sky. China has constructed more skyscrapers than any other country every year for nearly a decade, according to the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. And the most iconic edifice in these transformed skylines is Shanghai Tower, a shiny column that spirals 128 floors and 632 meters into the clouds, making it China's tallest building, and the world's second-highest. It's got plenty of bells and whistles, boasts the world's fastest elevators, a stunning observatory deck, and even notched top marks for green building by industry groups in the U.S. and China. But Shanghai Tower reflects wider woes in China's commercial property market, as it has struggled to attract tenants since the last beam was placed on top three years ago. Experts say the challenge is that companies looking to cut costs amid a wider growth slowdown are now spoiled for choice. "With more and more skyscrapers in Shanghai, in cities [in China], the vacancy will remain very high for some time," said Anny Zhang, head of Shanghai office leasing for Jones Lang LaSalle, one of the agents for Shanghai Tower. The vacancy rates for prime office space in Shanghai spiked to 12 percent in the first quarter, according to JLL. And troubles in top tier cities, which attract a wide range of companies, could be compounded in smaller cities. Entire floors of Shanghai Tower continue to sit empty, contributing to city vacancies. Part of the issue was due to a delay in obtaining fire safety permits, which only came through a few months ago. But a planned luxury hotel has yet to open and hallways remain deserted. The United States needs to keep all of its options open to ensure the nation has "the cheapest available energy" sources, including coal, top White House economic advisor Gary Cohn told CNBC on Friday. Cohn's comments were in response to questions about President Donald Trump's Thursday afternoon announcement to pull the U.S. out of the global climate accord. Among the reasons cited for the move, the president said the Paris Agreement dramatically hurts the U.S. coal industry. Cohn, director of Trump's National Economic Council, said on "Squawk on the Street" that there's a place for coal in America's energy mix from an economic perspective. He did not wade into the debate on whether carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal for power plants and industrial factories contribute to global climate change. "At some point in the cycle, coal will be competitive again," Cohn said. "We want to be in the coal business because we know there's a cyclical nature to all these commodity prices. And when coal is the feedstock of choice, we need to have that feedstock to be globally competitive." Cohn, formerly second in command at Goldman Sachs , acknowledged that current market forces make coal more expensive than some energy alternatives. "The price of natural gas because of the technological advances we've had in the United States, and all the fracking development in what we've done to create an abundance of natural gas, has made the price of coal less favorable today. That could change very quickly," he said. Many CEOs were critical of Trump's decision, including Cohn's former boss, Goldman Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein. Cohn told CNBC he has not spoken to Blankfein since his current boss, the president, abandoned U.S. commitments to the Paris climate agreement made during the presidency of Barack Obama. "But I did get caught off guard when [Blankfein] started tweeting last night," said Cohn, referring to Blankein's first-ever tweet. Today's decision is a setback for the environment and for the U.S.'s leadership position in the world. #ParisAgreement One corporate leader in support of Trump's move is Robert Murray, chairman and CEO Murray Energy, an Ohio-based coal giant. Murray, a routine supporter of Trump's energy deregulation efforts, , "President Trump was very courageous." Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt on Friday declined to say whether President Donald Trump believes that climate change is real. Pruitt was asked that question three times during an appearance at the daily White House press briefing and refused to answer "yes" or "no" both times. The EPA chief spoke extensively with Trump during deliberations over leaving the Paris climate agreement, but suggested the president's stance on climate change had not come up. "All the discussions we had through the last several weeks have been focused on one singular issue: Is Paris good or not for this country. That's the discussions I've had with the president." Trump has called climate change a hoax created by the Chinese in the past. On Thursday, he announced he would pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, which Pruitt advised him to do. Pruitt himself has consistently expressed doubts about mankind's roll in global warming. In March, he told CNBC he does not believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming. watch now The next "Google-scale" technology company is likely to come from Europe and will be an artificial intelligence (AI) start-up, a top venture capitalist told CNBC on Thursday. Siraj Khaliq, an ex-Googler and current partner at London-based venture capital fund Atomico, said European companies are taking a lead in so-called "deep technology" - which includes AI. AI assistants can provide alternatives and present tradeoffs while human asset managers ultimately decide the course of action. Hero Images | Getty Images "Never underestimate the value of innovation we will see some interesting companies coming out of Europe and the ambition level now exists to take those to those almost Google-scale outcomes, whereas perhaps there was more of a temptation to be acquired in the past," Khaliq told CNBC in a TV interview. "We are starting to see founders and backers with that patience to build truly longer term outcomes." Europe has been a hotbed of AI companies that have been eventually acquired by large U.S. technology giants. For example, Google acquired U.K. AI start-up DeepMind in 2014, which has now become an important part of its efforts with the technology, and Microsoft purchased British firm SwiftKey in 2016. Khaliq said the fact that DeepMind is a British company and has most of its team still in London, is a "clear example that the innovation is coming from Europe". But at the same time, Europe has struggled to produce technology start-ups with valuations in the hundreds of billions of dollars. German software firm SAP is the only one. Other so-called "unicorns" are worth below $10 billion. watch now European markets closed slightly higher on Friday as investors reacted to weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data and digested the news that President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw from the Paris climate change deal. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed up 0.23 percent with most sectors and major bourses in positive territory. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 hit a fresh record high as markets opened but retreated after subdued U.S. non-farm payrolls data. The U.S. generated a modest 138,000 new jobs in May and revised employment growth in the spring down from levels initially reported. The non-farm payrolls data seemed to add to growing evidence that a tight labor market is making it tougher for U.S. firms to fill job openings. The dollar subsequently slipped to seven-month lows against the euro. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3 percent, down from 4.4 percent, and hit its lowest level in 16 years. The reaction on Wall Street was muted towards the jobs numbers. U.S. equities rose to record levels on Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average traded about 45 points higher, the S&P 500 also managed a new all-time intraday high, trading 0.2 percent higher. The Nasdaq composite outperformed, rising 0.5 percent to reach an all-time high. On the other hand, oil and gas stocks dropped over 1.3 percent, as oversupply in the market weighed on prices despite ongoing production cuts. According to Reuters, OPEC considered cutting its oil output by a further 1.5 percent when it met last week. Brent was 1.5 percent lower at $49.86 a barrel shortly after the European close while WTI dropped 1.45 percent to $47.66. In individual stocks, Banco Popular slumped over 17 percent on reports the Spanish bank may fail if a buyer is not found. French drug maker Ipsen jumped more than 3 percent after announcing new efforts to build upon its oncology portfolio. Furthermore, Linde and Praxair agreed on Thursday to a $73 billion merger, creating the world's biggest industrial gasses group. Linde rose more than 2 percent. watch now European leaders urged the United States to stay in the Paris climate agreement so they could suppress the American economy, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt said Friday. "The world applauded when we joined Paris, and you know why? I think they applauded because they knew it was going to put this country at an economic disadvantage," he said during a White House press briefing. "And the reason European leaders ... that I think they want us to stay in, is because they know it will continue to shackle our economy," he said. Pruitt's comments are remarkable because the United States has historically counted many European countries as its closest strategic allies. The U.S. is also the European Union's largest trade partner and its biggest export market. The United States has a seat at the table. After all, we're the United States Scott Pruitt EPA administrator Pruitt's remarks echoed comments by President Donald Trump on Thursday, when he announced he was pulling the United States out of the Paris Agreement, an international treaty aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change. Trump said he was open to renegotiating the Paris Agreement or creating an entirely new accord after the United States withdraws. Leaders of major European nations roundly rejected that prospect. In a statement to CNBC, a European Commission official said, the "Paris Agreement is non-negotiable." Asked how Trump would negotiate given that European leaders are not interested, Pruitt suggested the United States could not be sidelined. "The United States has a seat at the table," he said. "After all, we're the United States." watch now It is unclear what a negotiation would look like. For one, the Paris Agreement is the result of more than two decades of climate diplomacy. And while the accord requires signatories to submit plans to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, it gives them wide latitude to create plans to meet those targets and does not bind them legally to achieve them. Pruitt said any deal that requires the United States to set emissions targets that are enforced through domestic regulations or laws should be ratified by the Senate. The United States has largely reduced its carbon emissions through technological innovation, particularly through advanced drilling methods that have allowed American producers to tap vast supplies of natural gas. Pruitt said the United States could contribute to global emissions reductions by exporting its technology and know-how. There is significant opposition to the key technology behind the U.S. shale gas boom a process called hydraulic fracturing in Europe. The State Department under Hillary Clinton attempted to encourage natural gas fracking in other countries, but the program has had limited success. Watch: Fact-checking Trump's Paris speech With enrollment in California teacher-preparation program still near historic lows, schools are increasingly turning to provisional credentials to fill in the gap. Teachers with these temporary licenses are three times more likely to be employed at schools with large numbers of nonwhite students. Researchers at the Learning Policy Institute found that California issued more than 10,000 temporary credentials during the 2015-16 school year. Thats more than double the number issued for the 2012-13 school year. The shortage is particularly acute in some subject areas. In 2016, nearly 40 percent of new math and science teachers entered the profession with provisional credentials, thats up from 20 percent in 2012. Meanwhile, 64 percent of new special education teachers lack full credentials. The researchers found that while teacher-preparation program enrollments are up 10 percent, current enrollment figures represent just a quarter of the number enrolled during the 2001-02 school year. But not every school administrator is ringing the alarm bells. Leaders at Thrive Public Schools, a charter school operator in San Diego, see this trend as an opportunity to train new teachers themselves. They plan to launch their own teacher-residency program later this year, hiring new educators on temporary credentials and teaching them the craft while they are already working with students. For people who are new into teaching, working alongside somebody and really doing an apprenticeship model is really exciting, Thrive Director Nicole Assisi told San Diegos KPBS . I remember when I was a teacher. Year one, all of a sudden I finished my credentialing program, and here I was, alone in a classroom with 35 kids. Russia President Vladimir Putin on Friday accused the United States of having engaged in "crude and systematic interference" in Russian affairs for many years. Russia's long-time premier argued that "worldwide there are not so many countries that have the privilege of sovereignty." Putin cited India and China, alongside his own country, as nations that had been able to maintain their national sovereignty. Finland has shaken off its "sick man of Europe" tag by recording six consecutive quarters of economic growth for the first time since the global financial crisis. Economic growth in the first quarter was 1.2 per cent over the previous three months the highest rate since the end of 2010 and expanded 2.7 per cent year on year, faster than economies such as Germany and Sweden. "We are recovering but we are not fully recovered yet. Finland is certainly not the sick man of Europe any more," said Alex Stubb, the former finance minister who used that description for his country in 2015. More from Financial Times: Chinese group Fortune Fountain Capital to buy Baccarat glassware G7 allies lead anger at Trump's exit from Paris climate agreement Billionaire Anbang boss Wu Xiaohui barred from leaving China One of the most vocal advocates of austerity in the EU, Finland had been mired in recession for much of 2011-15, hit by a cocktail of problems from the decline of Nokia and the forestry industry to sanctions on neighbouring Russia and a rapidly ageing population. But economists said the first-quarter growth was driven by strong exports that were aided by the weaker euro as well as solid contributions from private consumption and construction. Still, they cautioned that Finland was one of the rare EU countries whose gross domestic product is still lower than its peak before the financial crisis. Pasi Sorjonen, chief analyst at Nordea Markets, said his bank had calculated that Finland needed to record annual growth of 1.8 per cent in each of 2016, 2017 and 2018 to reach the previous peak. "We are coming from behind. There is a big gap that we must narrow first and then come past the others," he added. Further challenges remain. The three-party coalition government has aimed to cut Finland's labour costs which have risen faster than any other large EU country since the financial crisis but still has to pass important healthcare and municipal reforms. Business people have privately expressed concerns about the pace of reform for much of the past decade. "There is no need to take the foot off the accelerator. We have to continue with these reforms," said Mr Stubb, noting that the centre-right prime minister and finance minister were committed to them. The coalition could be tested this summer when a leadership vote in the Eurosceptic True Finns could result in the party taking a more hardline approach in government to staunch its dramatic fall in opinion polls. Mr Sorjonen said that the government should not be too self-congratulatory as the economy had been boosted by strong eurozone growth in countries such as Germany, and a weaker euro, which has helped manufacturing across the continent. "I fear that with these nice numbers, more and more politicians will find themselves content and they will stop doing further reforms," he added. Another issue could be in this autumn's wage negotiations. Labour unions are eager for pay increases after two years of freezes. The government has tried to deflect those calls, saying workers should wait until the recovery is more entrenched. But Mr Sorjonen said he was "scared" about the wage talks. "The unions forget how far we lag behind [the rest of the eurozone]. They should remember this is just a first step we need to continue at this pace for a long time," he added. The Trump administration was gearing up to lift sanctions on Russia when the president took office, but career diplomats ginned up pressure in Congress to block the move, two senior former State Department officials told NBC News Thursday. It's the latest evidence that President Trump moved to turn his favorable campaign rhetoric about Russia into concrete action when he took power. Daniel Fried, who served as a senior diplomat until he retired in late February, said he became aware of the sanctions effort in the early weeks of Trump's presidency. More from NBC News: As Trump quits climate pact, states step in Casino robbery ends with dozens dead at resort in Philippines Fact checking Trump's Paris agreement speech Fried appeared on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow show Thursday, shortly after the story was first reported by Yahoo News. He said State Department colleagues approached him, "concerned that the Trump administration, the incoming team was going to unilaterally rescind the sanctions on Russia, which had been placed there because of Russia's aggression on Ukraine. And it was further said by these people that there would be no action required from Russia." The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News. Fried declined to say who approached him, but "I found the story sufficiently credible, that I was concerned that there might actually be something done quickly." So Fried and another former diplomat, Tom Malinowski, who was assistant secretary of state for human rights, began lobbying Congress to pass legislation codifying the sanctions, Malinowski told NBC News. A bill has been introduced in the Senate, but it has not passed. The Trump team backed off, Malinowski said he believes, because officials came to see that lifting the sanctions would look terrible in light of the drumbeat of revelations over potential Trump campaign coordination with the Russian election interference effort. "It would be politically stinky," he said. Malinowski said he is now concerned that even if the Trump administration doesn't lift sanctions on Russia, it will stop vigilantly enforcing them. The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control, which polices sanctions, does not have a permanent chief, and the State Department does not have a permanent sanctions coordinator. The Washington Post reported Thursday that the Trump administration is considering handing back to Russia two U.S. diplomatic compounds that the Obama administration seized as punishment for Russian election hacking. Russia has not changed its behavior in any substantive way to merit that or other sanctions relief, Malinowski said. "What was troubling about these stories is that suddenly I was hearing that we were preparing to rescind sanctions in exchange for, well, nothing," Fried said on MSNBC. Congress returns to Washington next week amid mounting Republican skepticism that the party will be able to deliver on its pledge of repealing and replacing Obamacare. "I'm not sure I'd put a bet on it," Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin told me in an interview. His comments followed an interview Sen. Richard Burr gave to a North Carolina television station in which he called the House-passed health-care bill "dead on arrival," adding: "I don't see a comprehensive health-care plan this year." A third Republican senator, speaking on condition of anonymity, told me the only health-care bill capable of passing the Senate would be a "narrow" approach repairing marketplace exchanges and preserving Obamacare's expansion of Medicaid, while perhaps loosening regulations on states and changing how the federal government shares Medicaid expenses with them. The problem with that more modest approach, the Republican senator conceded, is that the more conservative House Republican caucus might reject it. Those individual comments are significant because Republicans have only a narrow 52-seat Senate majority. To pass a bill without help from Democrats, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's caucus could only suffer two defectors, which would allow Vice President Mike Pence to break a 50-50 tie. Burr's assessment of the American Health Care Act narrowly passed by the House reflects its myriad political problems. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it would result in 23 million fewer Americans with health insurance and raise costs for older and sicker people while providing a tax cut for the wealthy. Meanwhile, insurance companies have been rattled by uncertainty over not only the long-term fate of Obamacare but also the near-term prospects for federal payments that under the 2010 law help reduce co-payments and deductibles for low-income beneficiaries. If the Trump administration withholds those payments, as it has threatened to, health insurance premiums would spike. Facing that array of difficulties, Johnson, a conservative former private-sector CEO who won a second term last year, suggested that the Senate pause and take "short-term action to stabilize the markets" by assuring those federal payments. Then, he said, Congress could take "a thoughtful approach," perhaps involving Democrats, to "repairing the damage" he says the Affordable Care Act caused. Such an approach would neither satisfy Republicans who have demanded outright repeal of Obamacare for years nor square with the campaign promises of President Donald Trump. There are multiple ideas in circulation from more closely targeting the House bill's subsidies toward the old and sick, to scaling back its Medicaid cuts, to automatic enrollment in health insurance under rules states could determine. Yet there's no consensus around any single approach at the moment, and not much time to develop one and get it onto Trump's desk. Congress has only seven weeks in session until its August recess. That August recess represents the unofficial deadline by which Republicans have said they will either enact a health-care bill or simply move on. And what they would move on to is tax-cut legislation that Trump and GOP business supporters value more. When it comes to making a personal business guarantee, Will Beckett has one piece of advice: Don't do it. The co-founder of the London-based steakhouse company Hawksmoor built the $50-million-a-year restaurant empire without ever putting personal assets on the line. But it was an easier decision for Beckett than other entrepreneurs. "We didn't guarantee personal assets, because we had none," Beckett said of starting out with several money-losing restaurants at age 26 in 2003 with his best friend, Huw Gott, before striking gold with the Hawksmoor concept. "In retrospect, that was a blessing. I would never now put my family's security on the line to make more money. I used to draw no distinction between my finances and the company's finances. Now I have a very clear line between the two." Childhood friends Huw Gott (left) and Will Beckett founded Hawksmoor, the British steakhouse and cocktail-bar chain, in 2006. Source: Hawksmoor Beckett's advice comes at a time when financing has tightened for entrepreneurs. Now to get a loan for an early stage or risky venture, banks often require applicants to make a personal guarantee, or a vow to repay funds with personal cash and/or assets in case of default. The arrangement can be tempting for everyone from restaurateurs to online entrepreneurs, but is risky for borrowers who may be required to put up their primary residences or life savings as collateral. Most entrepreneurs and experts agree that betting the house should be a last resort. Here are a few ways to protect your personal assets when starting any business. Structure your business wisely Shailesh Kumar, who now runs a financial advisory site, ValueStockGuide.com, was working with two banks in 2008 to recapitalize his steel-service center business when he was asked to put up his primary residence as collateral, despite having more than enough equipment and inventory to cover it. Luckily, he'd already set up a holding company for all the steel service centers and other lines of business he owned as individual entities. This way, he owned equity directly in the top-level holding company but not the individual entities. The move cost him $500 using a company incorporation service and protected hundreds of thousands in personal assets when in 2009 he was forced to liquidate the steel business when the manufacturing sector took a tumble. watch now "I satisfied the debt holders by turning over the collateral in the business that supported the debt, but we also owed money to many of our suppliers that we could not pay," he said. "We had many tense meetings with the suppliers, with them trying to threaten action against my personal assets, but the two layers of corporate veil I had in place stood the test in courts. I was able to get debt written off, and there was no impact on the personal assets at all." More from iCONIC The crucial decision Elon Musk made when he was flat broke Why Disney's Bob Iger pitched a $7 billion deal on his second day as CEO The female entrepreneur who said not to Wal-Mart's lowball offer The best way to save your personal assets is not to offer them up at all. "Find a lender who will accept an obligation limited to [a corporate] entity without a personal guarantee," said Phil Crowley of New Jersey-based Law Office of Philip P. Crowley. "Creative solutions also involve using loans [including from friends and family] that are obligations only of the entity and are convertible into equity in the legal entity subject to certain conditions." To do this correctly, hire a lawyer with this specialized experience to set up the paperwork, Crowley said. When signing documents on behalf of the business, be sure to put the entity's name alongside it so it is clear you are acting as the entity and not as an individual, he said. Bulletproof your lease Banks aren't the only ones that may request a personal guarantee. Commercial lessors often do, too, and they may have the ability to sue for the remaining term of the lease if things go south. Consider negotiating with the landlord to limit the term of your personal guarantee. "For example, on a five-year lease, ask for what's called a burn-off, where your personal guarantee will expire, say, after 2.5 years," said Kerry T. Boyle, a partner at the Ohio law firm Isaac Wiles. Ask for the ability to terminate the lease if sales are lower than forecasted, Boyle said, otherwise known as a "gross sales kickout." Alternatively, if sales aren't solid, you can ask the landlord to allow you to pay a percentage of gross sales instead of the stated rent amount, limiting your financial liability a little. Many times, entrepreneurs will have preconceived notions about what is 'required' to be successful in a certain industry. A lot of times those ideas are floated by people who stand to make a buck selling their product or service. John Weninger Vision Wealth Partners Ask yourself: Do you really need that bank loan or whatever it is you want to buy? "Many times, entrepreneurs will have preconceived notions about what is 'required' to be successful in a certain industry," said John Weninger of the Wisconsin-based Vision Wealth Partners, which advises small businesses. "A lot of times those ideas are floated by people who stand to make a buck selling their product or service to gullible entrepreneurs who just don't know." Consider all of the free, rentable or lower-cost tools that can be used to boost a new business before borrowing a large sum or hiring people, he said. Purchasing a business address is cheap and offers credibility while working out of a home office, while strategic partnerships can offer free yet valuable resources. "Consider approaching existing businesses who may be able to [share] space, resources that is of little or no cost to you," Weninger said. Hire interns through a college program instead of employees to keep labor expenses low, he added. Hawksmoor is expanding to the United States with a restaurant in New York City's World Trade Center set to open later this year. They financed the WTC restaurant with their current revenue and investor funding. The co-founders now have the luxury of being able to finance expansion based on the value in the business and its cash flow. But Beckett sees several restaurant entrepreneurs spending very large amounts of their personal wealth to keep up in the competitive dining environment, and it reminds him of when they started their first restaurant on a shoestring. "It's a real source of concern for me," Beckett said. "What is it you are signing away if this goes wrong?" Bottom-line business-building lessons Iceland is a hot spot for travelers these days. More than 1.7 million people from around the world visited in 2016, a 40 percent increase from 2015. But the land of the northern lights and natural hot springs is far from cheap. Even the basics are pricey a sit down meal will set you back $20 to $40 and a beer typically starts around $7. But what can really put a dent in your wallet are the excursions and day trips. A popular way to see Iceland is to take a guided tour, whether on a bus, boat, helicopter, ATV or snowmobile. Unless you're doing a standard bus tour with dozens of other tourists, expect to shell out anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to a grand per excursion. For the budget conscious, I recommend doing what I did when I visited in late April: rent a car and do self-guided day trips instead. Car rentals go for $40 to $70 a day that's less than $20 a day if you're splitting costs with two or more people. I went through Hertz and got a four-door manual for $55 a day. If you plan ahead and put in some extra research, you can probably find an even better deal. Matt Kepnes, travel blogger and author of "How to Travel the World on $50 a Day," recommends booking through SADcars, which "offers the cheapest car rentals in the country," he says. And if you're looking for passengers to help lower your expenses, "use the website Samferda," Kepnes recommends. "This website is very popular and you'll find a lot of listings on it, especially between some of the big cities." You'll want to factor in the cost of gas, which, like most things in Iceland, isn't cheap. A liter will cost you $1.84, which comes out to about $7 per gallon. Again, the more travel companions you have, the cheaper it'll be. Driving through the countryside is one of the best ways to experience all that Iceland has to offer, and if you do it yourself, you won't be tied down to a tourist company's pre-planned itinerary. After spending the first day of my trip walking the capital city, I hit the road on day two. I did my own version of the Golden Circle tour, a classic day trip consisting of three main attractions the Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and the Gullfoss waterfall but added in a few additional stops, including homemade ice cream at a family run farm and a visit to a hidden, natural hot spring. If you drive the country yourself, you can pull over whenever you spot something neat Kathleen Elkins He added, "But we have a responsibility to engage our elected officials to work constructively and advocate for policies that improve people's lives and protect our environment ." In an emailed statement to CNBC, Dimon said, "I absolutely disagree with the Administration on this issue." Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, speaks at the Economic Club of Washington September 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. Dimon is one of the CEOs to participate in White House councils and in his statement he did not indicate if he would remain in that post. On Thursday, Disney CEO Robert Iger said he quit the business advisory council over the decision, while Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also said he'll leave his positions on presidential councils. The president said he would start talks to re-enter the agreement, but with terms that he called a more "fair" deal to his country. His comment was rebuked by several European governments. Many business leaders in the U.S. said they were disappointed by, or disagreed with, the decision, including Apple chief Tim Cook, Google's Sundar Pichai and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg. Last month, at JPMorgan's annual shareholder meeting, Dimon had urged the business community and the administration to work together to find meaningful solutions to critical issues confronting the U.S. In response to a question on Trump's tighter immigration policy, Dimon had said, "He is the president of the United States. I believe he is the pilot flying our plane. I would try to help any president of the United States because I am a patriot." CNBC's Dawn Giel contributed to this report. Production will continue to ramp up in the U.S. shale basins, despite low oil prices, Laredo Petroleum CEO Randy Foutch told CNBC on Friday. "The Permian and other basins are going to grow," he said in an interview with "Closing Bell." "Laredo grew our production last year about 11 percent. We've given guidance that this year that we're going to grow somewhere north of 15 percent. And that's more or less within cash flow. We've gotten very efficient." Domestic oil production increased to 9.34 million barrels a day from 9.32 million the week earlier, according to the U.S. government. The U.S. oil industry exported a record 1.3 million barrels of crude per day onto the world market last week. The increase comes at a time when other nations continue to cut back. OPEC, Russia and other producers extended their agreement last week to curb output by 1.8 million barrels a day for another nine months, in an effort to force a rebalancing of the oil market. On Friday, crude fell more than 1 percent, posting a second straight week of losses. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled 77 cents, or 1.5 percent, lower at $47.66 per barrel. Benchmark Brent crude futures were trading at $49.95 a barrel by 5:17 p.m. ET, down 68 cents, or 1.3 percent. Foutch said Laredo has worked to protect itself against low prices, so it doesn't have to worry about production cuts anytime soon. "We're hedged for a couple of years, so we don't have to make a decision. We have options." Oil prices would have to be "very low for a long time for us to stop. We've made a lot of significant investments. Those costs are there," he added. CNBC's Patti Domm and Reuters contributed to this report. Correction: Foutch's quote about oil prices has been updated to reflect they would have to be "very low" for a long time. Brexit might have occurred just as Lodha Group one of India's largest property developers was expanding its presence in London, but the company hasn't taken too much of a hit, Managing Director Abhishek Lodha said. "(T)he immediate aftermath of Brexit was concerning, but I think since then, things have actually been quite good," Lodha told CNBC's "Managing Asia." While the majority of the company's projects are located in Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad in India, the Lodha Group branched into the residential market in London in 2013. It currently has two projects in the city, including its luxury residential development Lincoln Square. "We are a business which likes scale ... And we felt that the scale of Mumbai cannot be replicated anywhere else in India and therefore one had to look outside," Lodha said, adding that the company honed in on London due to its potential. "(W)e felt it was a market which has sizable scale, had an absence of very large-scale developers and where one could do high quality development. The price points were there to support the high quality of development." A blossoming friendship between Saudi Arabia and Russia is being reflected in a recent spate of deals, and signals yet another sea change in the ever-evolving global order. The Middle Eastern kingdom has enjoyed a longstanding and broadly cooperative relationship with the U.S., dating back to the start of oil exploration within Saudi Arabia in the 1930s. The latest cast of key characters, headed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi's King Salman, has established a warmer rapport than seen during the final years of former President Barack Obama's presidency when tensions developed over Saudi Arabia's stance on Iran and Yemen. Yet cooperative links are now flourishing between the kingdom and Russia the U.S.'s longstanding foe. The flagship symbol of cooperation is the oil output cut agreement between OPEC and non-OPEC members, originally brokered and recently extended thanks largely to the determined efforts of Saudi Arabian and Russian representatives. OPEC President Mohammed Barkindo told CNBC on Thursday from St. Petersburg that there was no doubt the "turning point" for the deal was when both countries decided to come together in China last year to sign a statement of cooperation that was "widely acclaimed". "For them to decide to come together to address the challenges of the market I think it is a welcome development by all producing countries," he asserted, adding that just this week both sides had reiterated their joint determination to work together to ensure that the oil market's volatility is tackled. Tight budgets have forced scores of school districts in Oklahoma to institute a four-day school week (With state budget in crisis, many Oklahoma schools hold classes four days a week , The Washington Post, May 27. Ninety-six of the 513 school districts in the state have eliminated Fridays or Mondays. That is four times as many as in 2013. Although Oklahoma is in the news, it is not the only state resorting to this drastic measure. The trend is most pronounced in rural regions of the West, where long bus rides consume expensive fuel. The only bright side of the cuts is that a four-day school week appeals to many teachers in states paying below-average salaries. Just what the effect is on student learning is unclear. Ive seen no studies that allow definitive conclusions to be drawn. Intuitively, however, I suspect that disadvantaged students are likely to suffer the most. Their parents are not able to provide them with the kind of out-of-school enrichment that more affluent parents can. Yet it may turn out that motivation is higher when students have three-day weekends. Thats likely the case at the end of the school year when both teachers and students are exhausted. If studies show a clear cause-and-effect relationship between a shorter school week and higher performance, I bet more districts will be open to the change. I dont think seat-time counts as much as quality instruction. It's smart politics for President Donald Trump to pull out of the Paris Agreement, a former White House aide to George H.W. Bush told CNBC on Friday. "Donald Trump is playing to his base," Joe Watkins said in an interview with "Power Lunch." The Republican strategist said the base wants to hear Trump is undoing the actions of the previous administration, protecting jobs and the economy. "For the short term he's angered them," said Watkins, "but for the long term I think it'll be okay for him." "I think that when he retools a new deal and puts us back in, business will be happy and environmentalists will be happy as well," he added. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that a collapse of the NATO alliance would be a good thing for Moscow, but he doesn't see the 28-member bloc crumbling just yet. "Well, in a sense that maybe, they should completely be falling apart, that will help," Putin said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in an interview with NBC News' Megyn Kelly, according to a live translation. "But we don't see that falling apart just yet." NATO was founded in 1949 as a check on the Soviet Union. In a summit last week, U.S. President Donald Trump alarmed U.S. allies by reprimanding them about their military spending and failing to endorse NATO's mutual defense clause. Former diplomats and others saw Trump's actions as a potential boon to Russia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, typically a careful speaker, said at a campaign event that the "times in which we could rely fully on others" meaning the United States are "somewhat over." Putin, who was a KGB agent in the days of the Soviet Union, on Friday questioned NATO's continuing purpose. He added that European countries don't need to boost their military spending "if you're not intending to attack anybody." Russia President Vladimir Putin suggested there was still plenty of time for world leaders to reach an agreement regarding the historic 2015 Paris climate deal, despite President Donald Trump announcing he would withdraw the U.S. from the pact. "Don't worry be happy," Putin quipped, as he addressed an audience at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday. "This accord has not yet come into effect; it is supposed to come into effect as of 2021 so we still have time. If we are all constructive in what we do, there are things that we can agree on," Putin said. Trump announced he would pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement on Thursday, in a move which sets the world's largest economy apart from almost every other nation. The U.S. president said he would seek to begin fresh talks to re-enter the accord in search of a deal which was more "fair" for America, however, he faced an immediate backlash from several European governments, business leaders and environmental organizations. As lawmakers return to Washington next week, health care remains at the top of their agenda. One of the key sticking points among Republicans is what to do about Medicaid, especially in red states like Arkansas, many of which are choosing to expand the program. But they will have a hard time paying for expansions without continued federal support. Medicaid is designed to help low-income people get health care. Whatever gets decided is sure to affect patients, health-care workers and the overall economy. For people like George Coleman, who drives a cab for a living in Little Rock, Arkansas, it could be a life-or-death decision. He struggled to pay for health care as his asthma worsened and the cost of his medication reached nearly $700 a month. The state's expanded Medicaid program allows Coleman to purchase health insurance, making his out-of-pocket costs affordable. "It would have been impossible for me to survive without government assistance with health care," Coleman said. A Secret Service officer stands guard on the roof of the White House following a temporary lock down May 31, 2017 in Washington, DC. Despite a spate of White House security breaches and other attention-grabbing stunts, there has been no change in the number of threats to directed at President Trump during his first five months in office as compared to his predecessor Barack Obama, according to the Secret Service. On average, agents have been pursuing six to eight threat reports each day, the new Secret Service Director Randolph "Tex" Alles told reporters Thursday. That number that has remained relatively consistent for the past decade, regardless of the officeholder, the retired Marine Corps major general said in his first briefing since his appointment by Trump in April. More from USA Today: Ivanka wishes everyone a 'joyful' pride month, while the president stays silent 'Aerial America' spends a day in the life over NYC Spoilers: 5 wonderfully feminist moments in 'Wonder Woman' The remarks come as the agency was confronted just this week with a grim stunt organized by actress Kathy Griffin who was photographed holding a fake, severed head in the image of Trump. Griffin's actions, which drew direct rebukes from Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, has set in motion a formal investigation. The Secret Service will question the actress. And on consecutive days in Washington, a man was stopped by officers attempting scale a bike rack ringing the perimeter of the White House on Tuesday, while agents assisted in the arrest of man on weapons offenses at the nearby Trump International Hotel one day later. Alles, the first director selected from outside the agency in 70 years, did acknowledge however that the size of the current president's family and his multiple residences have placed added "stress'' on the agency's protective division which has carried a crushing workload since Pope Francis' 2015 visit to the U.S. The visit, which required an enormous security operation, was followed quickly by a contentious election season and January's inauguration. "There are more places we have to protect by statute,'' Alles said, referring to Trump's frequent retreats in Florida, New Jersey and his home located in Manhattan's Trump Tower. "That and the fact that he has a large family. That's just more stress on the organization. We recognize that. It's not something I have any flexibility on. "I can't change the size of the president's family,'' Alles said, chuckling. "Nor will I attempt to do that.'' Just 38 days on the job, Alles did outline an ambitious agenda to increase the size of the agency from its current 6,800 agents and uniform officers to 9,500 by 2025. The bolstered force is needed, he said, to improve persistent morale problems caused by unpredictable staffing demands and limited funds to pay overtime. In October, USA TODAY reported that slightly more than 1,000 agents about a third of the agent workforce had maxed out annual overtime and salary allowances. Many of them had reached their limits in June and were not eligible for overtime during the national political conventions, which the agency secures. The disclosure prompted Congress to approve additional funding to cover the overtime costs, but that fix only applied to last year's overtime expenditures. Unless Congress approves a permanent fix, Alles said a "couple hundred'' agents and officers will max out their pay allowances this year. "The mission is inflexible,'' the director said. With the agency dogged in recent years by a series of security breaches, some lawmakers have called for the agency to shed its responsibilities for counterfeiting, cyber crime and child exploitation investigations to focus solely on its protective mission. Past directors have resisted those proposals and Alles said he would, too. He said the agency's investigative responsibilities were "integral'' to building relationships with local law enforcement agencies that also assist the Secret Service's protective mission when the president and others travel outside Washington. Alles also expressed concern that if the agency's investigative responsibilities were removed, the enforcement of counterfeiting, some financial cyber crimes and child sex abuse would "go undone.'' Florida Judge: Give Up Your Smartphone Passcode or Go to Jail A Florida man has been sentenced to 180 days in jail for failing to give police a working passcode to his iPhone. A judge had issued a warrant to search the phone as part of a child abuse investigation, and when the passcode provided by the man didn't work, the judge held him in contempt. The case highlights privacy interests and search and seizure rules in the age of mobile device storage and access to digital files and data, and why defendants might be better off forgetting their passwords than refusing to give them over. Better to Have a Passcode and Forgot... Christopher Wheeler is adamant he complied with Circuit Judge Michael Rothschild's order. "I swear, under oath, I've given them the password," he told the judge this week. Still, because the code he gave police didn't unlock his iPhone, Rothschild found him in criminal contempt of the order and sentenced him to jail for 180 days or until he gives up a working passcode. Wheeler has been charged with child abuse and police believe evidence that he hit and scratched his daughter is on the phone. Wheeler's case stands in stark contrast to that of another Florida man, who told a judge he couldn't remember the passcode to his own phone. Wesley Victor is accused of extorting a social-media celebrity by threatening to release stolen sex videos. In that case, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Charles Johnson declined to hold Victor in contempt after he made a plausible argument that he could not recall his password when officers requested it more than 10 months after his arrest. Victor's co-conspirator, on the other hand, was not so lucky. Reality TV star Hencha Voigt, who is also implicated in the extortion scheme, gave the court a passcode that didn't work, and is now facing her own contempt charge. While it does look like a contradictory precedent to set -- a defendant who tells police he can't recall the passcode is free while a defendant who gives the wrong passcode is in jail -- the judges' hands in these cases may be tied. After all, as Victor's attorney Zeljka Bozanic noted, how can you prove a person remembers something? "My client testified he did not remember," Bozanic told the Miami Herald. "It's been almost a year. Many people, including myself, can't remember passwords from a year ago." Passcodes v. Fingerprints The authority to compel criminal suspects to unlock their smartphones, at least in Florida, comes from a District Court of Appeals decision in Florida's Second Circuit last year that held a criminal defendant can be compelled to provide the passcode to a phone. That case has yet to be reviewed by the state supreme court, and would appear on its face to be at odds with a seminal U.S. Supreme Court decision, Doe v. United States, which held that a person can be ordered to hand over the key to a locked box, but cannot be compelled to recite the combination to a safe. The trial judge in the Florida case was swayed by the argument that a smartphone's passcode is more akin to a combination, and therefore declined to hold the defendant in contempt for failing to turn it over. In fact, many courts have distinguished between passcodes and fingerprints by likening the former to a combination and the latter to a key, meaning that you could be forced to unlock a phone with your fingerprint but not need to provide a passcode. But the Florida Court of Appeals reversed that decision, apparently even dismissing Supreme Court precedent on the issue. "We question whether identifying the key which will open the strongbox -- such that the key is surrendered -- is, in fact, distinct from telling an officer the combination," Judge Anthony Black wrote for the majority. "More importantly, we question the continuing viability of any distinction as technology advances." While there's no guarantee higher courts would disagree with Black's disregard for a pre-smartphone Fifth Amendment case, with so much conflict among lower courts on the issue, the Supreme Court will likely need to step in at some point to clarify matters. So for now, the law in the Sunshine State is that you can be forced to give law enforcement a working passcode for your smartphone if they have a warrant. If you can't forget it first, that is. Related Resources: A top GOP senator said he does not believe Congress will pass a bill to repeal and replace key parts of Obamacare this year. Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina also said the deeply unpopular Republican health bill passed by the House to undo much of Obamacare is "dead on arrival" in the Senate. "It's ... not a good plan," Burr said in an interview with WXII 12 News in his home state. "It's unlikely that we'll get a health-care deal," said Burr, head of the Senate's Intelligence Committee. "I don't see a comprehensive health-care plan this year." "At the end of the day, this is too important to get wrong," he said, when a reporter pointed out that his fellow Republicans are keen to pass a bill this year. Burr said that because a health-care bill is unlikely to be passed into law this year, he is focused on seeing what can be done to help residents of his home state, Iowa and Tennessee, where there is a dearth of competition among Obamacare insurers. Republicans have campaigned for years on promises to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the landmark health-care law that expanded insurance coverage to about 20 million Americans under President Barack Obama. Ever jump over fire to work your glutes? Climb a mountain to tone your abs or slide into a mud pit after a five-mile run? Well, Rob Dickens and Brad Scudder, the founders of extreme obstacle course event company Rugged Races, are betting you'll want to! And if the company's current success is any indication, you won't be alone. Investor and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's interest in Rugged Races was first piqued in Shark Tank's fifth season when the founders made their initial pitch. And since his investment, business has ramped up! The company's found a winning formula in its combination of exciting obstacle elements with strenuous races and workouts. Cuban's $1.75 million investment has allowed the company to expand to 28 cities, with sales effectively doubling to $10.5 million in just one year. Attendance to its events has also skyrocketed -- about 200,000 people have registered for races, with as many as 18,000 people coming out to a single event. Growth is so explosive that Rugged Races eventually moved to a new HQ and hired on 20 additional staffers. With big plans ahead, and expansions into international territories, it's clear Cuban's name (and money!) has been good for business. Despite conflicted feelings and sometimes outright disdain toward an American-run alliance more Syrians who fled Isis have turned to this work as US-backed ground forces move to capture Mosul and Raqqa, the crown jewels of Isis's self-proclaimed "caliphate". A cottage industry of intelligence gathering has mushroomed in the past six months, according to interviews with nine Syrians involved. The trend comes as questions are raised about rising civilian death tolls from coalition strikes. Last week, the Pentagon acknowledged that 105 civilians were killed by coalition bombs in the Iraqi city of Mosul in March; residents in Raqqa say more than 30 were killed at a school sheltering families displaced by war the same month. That was Hassan's jarring entrance to the murky world of informants who feed intelligence to the US-led coalition trying to defeat Isis. It is a job he continues to do mostly out of need but partly, he says, because he hopes the more accurate the information he collects, the less often civilians will be killed in strikes. "I went back to yell at the guy," he recalls. "But he just smiled and said, 'To do this work, you have to crush your heart and conscience beneath your boots'." Hassan, a lanky young man who asked that his real name not be used, warned his contact that the prison was likely to be full of detainees innocents, kidnapped or jailed by the jihadi group. Days later, it was bombed. By the time he reached Turkey after fleeing his hometown of Raqqa, the de facto capital of Isis in Syria, Hassan was destitute and desperate. And so, over his own misgivings, he helped a friend working with western intelligence to pinpoint the location of an Isis jail in exchange for cash. "Everyone is now emboldened to work for the coalition. Why? Because people are tired. Some are desperately poor, others just want this to be over," says another informant. "We even have Isis guys some of them commanders working with us. They see Isis being defeated and don't want to die with it." In spite of the number of civilians killed by coalition bombs, Syrians describe the stunning accuracy of the strikes. Two recalled an Isis commander whose apartment was struck with a missile, even as the floors below and above were untouched. But some blame the casualties on what they say is "looser rules of engagement" by US forces. Other informants also worry that the problem is their own intelligence, whose quality may have deteriorated when networks rapidly expanded as Isis comes under rising pressure and loses swaths of territory. Isis clamped down or banned the use of mobile phones and internet in areas it still controls, leaving informants scrambling for more sources. As the anti-Isis campaign escalates, informants' handlers ranging from the US, the UK and France to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates are demanding more information, more quickly. "It has got messy. Before, it was more manageable and organised. We knew the timing when people could talk, we knew what kind of information we were going to discuss," says Youssef, another informant who asked that his real name not be used. "These days, we don't know when people can get online or if they can at all." One man, who leads a crew of informants, recalls lecturing a US contact over a strike that hit civilians. "The Americans said, 'Yes, we hit it,'" he says. "'But who gave us the co-ordinates? We need to strike. If you give bad information, that's on you.'" Informants describe a three to four-layered network of interlinked cells. It starts with Syrians inside Isis territory and stretches across the border into southern Turkey. Some cross-check the information, including co-ordinates and photographs, and pass it on to a team leader, who deals directly with a foreign intelligence contact. Some informants suspect their network leaders, motivated by greed or growing demand, are selling the same intelligence to multiple coalition countries, which could make uncertain information appear sounder than it is. One team leader's subordinates calculated their boss makes $5,000 a month from one coalition government. Those in the two middle layers, also based in Turkey, make between $500 and $2,000 a month. Sources on the ground who face the biggest risk of being discovered and killed earn just $100-$300 a month, with bonuses for high-value targets. All of those interviewed say their main task is tracing muhajireen, Arab or foreign fighters, and high-level emirs, or commanders. They report back any movement and details as simple as what someone ate or wore. The biggest prize is to hand over an emir's telephone number or that of one of his bodyguards. (Isis has repeatedly banned the use of phones to prevent fighters from being tracked or bugged, yet, apparently, many of its members continue to use them.) Informants say they communicate by WhatsApp, the messaging application, while their handlers meet in Turkish hotels to trade information. Sometimes foreign intelligence officers provide their teams with equipment but, just as often, informants buy it for themselves. Youssef says: "We have so much information on local emirs, we know how many hairs they have on their backside. But muhajireen, that is difficult work." But personal rivalries and revenge may compromise the quality of the information. One informant in Turkey says an Isis contact in Syria sent the number of a member of the group's Hisba, or morality police, with instructions to "give him hell," raising his suspicions of personal vendetta. The concerns have caused some to claim they are seeking a way out of the business. "After all the betrayals and all the mistakes I've seen made, I no longer have faith in it," one informant says. "Every day I see things that I think are wrong." President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement endangers the United States' leadership in clean energy technologies, Johnson Controls chief Alex Molinaroli told CNBC on Friday. Molinaroli appeared on "Squawk Box" a day after Trump said the U.S. would withdrawal from the worldwide agreement to curb carbon emissions. The president said he would seek to start new talks for a "fair" deal on controlling emissions. "You know, it's not going to affect Johnson Controls," said Molinaroli. "I'm just more concerned about the United States. You know, the leadership position that it has around technologies, around these technologies. It is just seceding that leadership position," he said. Molinaroli, who was one of several CEOs who urged Trump to stay in the Paris Agreement, said the world is investing in clean energy technologies. He said coal is not the future. "We don't live in the world of 100 years ago where the United States was the only economy in a closed economy. Market forces include what other people are doing around the world. It doesn't just include what's happening in the United States," he said. Also on "Squawk Box," the chairman and CEO of Ohio-based coal company Murray Energy praised Trump's decision, saying it will save jobs. "President Trump was very courageous, he was very prudent in withdrawing entirely from the fraudulent global climate agreement in Paris," said Robert Murray, a routine supporter of Trump's energy deregulation efforts. "He already killed the Clean Power Plan of the most dangerous president we've ever had, Barack Obama." The Clean Power Plan was an Obama administration policy aimed at combating climate change, which Trump scrapped earlier this year. Murray said it's hard to predict how Trump's decision will affect coal but said coal will participate in the United State's growth. Sara Chipps and Brooke Moreland are on a mission to change the way young girls think, through the toys they play with. The duo co-founded their New York City-based start-up, Jewelbots , in 2014, inspired by Chipps' experience working as a computer programmer. The company makes programmable friendship bracelets for girls that can sync up, send secret messages and be coded for different functionalities. "I was five years into my career before I worked with another woman, and another five years before I worked with another one," Chipps, 36, said. "I really just wanted to change that environment." Chipps began coding at age 11 and dropped out of Penn State, where she was studying computer science, to head into the workforce, going on to co-found Girl Develop It in 2010. The nonprofit provides affordable opportunities for adult women to learn how to code via in-person classes, now in 50 cities nationwide, with more than 60,000 women served. She met Moreland that same year, after being hired to do some programming for Moreland's start-up Fashism, a fashion photo-sharing app for teenage girls. "I thought it was really great to work with an engineer who was a woman," Moreland said. The two stayed friends, and when Chipps had the idea for Jewelbots , Moreland quit what she was doing to help co-found the company in 2014, talking to 200 girls during the life cycle of building the product. More from iCONIC: Amazon almost crushed me, and I'm not even a retailer How you can make six figures working from your local coffee shop 20-somethings would take less pay if they had these 5 job perks Jewelbots bracelets can pair up with nearby bracelets and be set to turn a certain color when friends are nearby. They can also send messages back and forth between paired bracelets and can be coded to change colors with open-source software, to expose users to coding in a fun and simple way. The friendship bracelets are equipped with four LED lights and a button and connect with one another over Bluetooth. Two powerful investment groups with ties to the White House are pitching a new plan that would free the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from US government control and restore value to their investment in the companies. Blackstone, the world's biggest private equity group, and the hedge fund Paulson & Co have hired the investment bank Moelis to develop proposals to overhaul the two agencies. A Freddie Mac sign stands outside the company's headquarters in McLean, Virginia, U.S., on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images Together, Fannie and Freddie guarantee the bulk of US home loans and underpin the country's unique system of 30-year fixed rate mortgages. Moelis published what it described as a detailed blueprint for reform on Thursday, pitching itself into the heated debate over the future of the agencies. A leading banking lobby immediately attacked the proposals as "self-serving", and it remained far from clear that the plans would gain traction in Washington, despite the political connections of its proponents. More from the Financial Times: Macron's UK fundraiser stays put in London, so far Macquarie Group reportedly mulling offshore move to avoid bank tax Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: dreaming spirals Paulson, whose manager John Paulson was an economic policy adviser to Donald Trump's election campaign, and Blackstone, whose chairman and chief executive Stephen Schwarzman heads the president's strategic and policy forum, own preference shares in the two agencies. Fannie and Freddie have been in a limbo state of "conservatorship" meaning they are neither fully public nor private since the government rescued them at the height of the 2008 financial crisis. watch now Under the present financial structure, they pay all of their profits to the Treasury in the form a dividend, to compensate taxpayers for the risk they bear in providing a financial backstop. Investors who own the shares claim the post-crisis set-up is unfair and untenable. Several have taken legal action against the Treasury. Moelis claimed its recapitalisation plan would allow the government to realise between $75bn and $100bn in cash by exercising warrants, a structure it likened to the post-crisis resolution of the bailed-out insurer AIG. Private investors would plough additional funds into the two groups as part of the proposed recapitalisation. With up to $180bn of new capital, there "should not be a realistic scenario" in which the government would be on the hook for losses even in a future financial crisis, Moelis claims. The government would nonetheless be paid a fee for providing a backstop against losses beyond that figure. Details of the plan appear to be at odds with comments that Steven Mnuchin, Treasury secretary, has made about Fannie and Freddie. Last month he said he expected the pair to continue paying dividends to the government. The document Moelis published on Thursday said the plan was "a clear and pragmatic path to achieve important public policy goals in a manner that will both protect taxpayers for years to come and respects the property rights of shareholders". watch now Our live blog tracked reaction after the release of the U.S. nonfarm payroll data. Read the analysis on that and other top stories below. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images In the wake of President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Mark Sutton, the chairman and CEO of International Paper, has told CNBC that the president is still listening to the business community on a range of important issues. On Thursday, Trump announced the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris Agreement and commence negotiations to re-enter or renegotiate a new accord, a decision that has not gone down well with world leaders, environmental organizations and some business figures. Elon Musk, for example, has announced he is leaving the presidential councils he sat on as an advisor to Trump. "Climate change is real," the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said in a tweet. "Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world." Sutton, for his part, sits on the president's Manufacturing Jobs Initiative council. "I do think the president is listening, I do think he's trying to manage a lot of different issues for a lot of different constituents," he told CNBC at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum when asked about the climate deal and Trump's stance on global trade. watch now "So I'm still engaged and think that the business community has a role to play in improving the economy in the U.S. and, for a company like International Paper, the economy globally." International Paper specializes in the production of fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper and employs 55,000 people across the globe. Sutton was keen to emphasize his business' drive for sustainability. "I think for a company like International Paper, reducing our environmental footprint's long been part of our goals and objectives, and nothing really changes for us," he said. "We've made commitments publicly and we're working on those commitments, not only on greenhouse gases but water and other environmental implications," he added. Sutton said that reducing the company's environmental footprint was the right thing to do, "for our company, our customers, and the other stakeholders in our company." Momentum watch now Kevin Lamarque | Reuters President Donald Trump was "totally wrong" when he said shifting to renewable energy sources would starve parts of the country of electricity and plunge them into darkness, according to people who make a living studying energy. Trump issued his warning on Thursday after announcing he would pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, an international effort to mitigate the effects of climate change. Relying on renewable energy sources, he claimed, would leave the country with too little power to accelerate economic growth or even go about business as usual. "We need all forms of available American energy, or the country will be at grave risks of brownouts and blackouts," he said. "Our businesses will come to a halt in many cases, and the American family will suffer the consequences in the form of lost jobs and a very diminished quality of life." I don't think any country would take what they do under that agreement to the point where their people are suffering ... Nobody was going to do that anyway. Ted Kury director of energy studies, UF's Warrington College of Business But the University of Minnesota's Massoud Amin, who studies the electricity grid, said Trump is talking about problems that don't exist. "In a nutshell, with all due respect to the president's office, he is totally wrong," Amin told CNBC. "The challenges are not what President Trump is noticing," he said. "The challenges are how to upgrade the transmission and distribution networks" to make the U.S. electric grid flexible and resilient enough to accommodate renewable energy. Inadequacies in the U.S. electricity grid already cost the economy $80 billion annually, Amin concluded in a 2011 white paper. watch now If the White House wants to prevent blackouts, it should focus on improving the physical infrastructure of the grid, Amin said. His research shows that would improve national security, create jobs and cut carbon emissions. Utilities will still need to rely on other energy sources to provide electricity when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining, but power companies typically have reserve capacity equal to 15 to 20 percent of the total, said Ted Kury, director of energy studies at the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business. Where future energy will come from, according to the Department of Energy Much of the new capacity is coming from natural gas, which burns cleaner than coal and is replacing coal because it's cheaper. "An all-of-the-above strategy is important, but this idea that we're anywhere close to a point where renewable penetration in the country is endangering the grid I don't think that's a valid concern," he told CNBC. Kury also noted that the Paris Agreement gives signatories a tremendous amount of flexibility and lacks mechanisms to punish countries that don't meet their targets. "I don't think any country would take what they do under that agreement to the point where their people are suffering," he said. "So to me, [Trump's] statement is a bit of a straw man. Nobody was going to do that anyway." The cost of boosting the grid Original Digital Silk Road Founder Loses Appeal of Life Sentence Yesterday, the Federal Second Circuit Court in Manhattan, New York, issued their decision denying the appeal of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the infamous, anonymous digital black market, Silk Road. Ulbricht, who went by the web alias Dread Pirate Roberts, was sentenced to life in prison for founding and operating what has been described as the eBay for illegal drugs and other illegal items. At this point, he will continue to serve his sentence unless a Supreme Court appeal is filed and successful. Ulbricht was not alleged to have sold anything himself using the platform he created. However, creating and continuing to maintain the site led to an FBI investigation, Ulbricht's eventual arrest, and Silk Road being shut down. During the investigation, it was discovered that Ulbricht hired two contract killers to murder 5 individuals that threatened his business. However, he was not convicted on the murders as there was no evidence they were ever completed. Details of the Case Although UIbricht's appeal argued for a reversal and new trial, it primarily sought to overturn the life sentence as an unreasonable punishment. Under federal sentencing laws, individuals sentenced to life are not eligible for parole. Although the drugs sold on Silk Road were tied to numerous overdose deaths and injuries, Ulbricht argued that the sentence did not fit the severity of the actual crime committed. It was argued that some evidence obtained by the FBI was discovered as a result of an illegal search in violation of Ulbricht's Fourth Amendment Rights. This argument was premised upon the FBI's retrieval of IP addresses, which led to Ulbricht's discovery. However, the appeals court ruled that the IP addresses, like the phone numbers a person dials, are not protected by privacy rights in the same way as the content of the communications are protected. It further explained that this interpretation could only be overturned by a Supreme Court decision. Further, Ulbricht argued that the evidence showing law enforcement corruption was not taken into account. After his trial, it was discovered that two law enforcement agents stole Bitcoins that were supposed to be evidence in the case. However, the court explained that the incidents of law enforcement corruption were not linked to any alleged framing of Ulbricht, and as such, had no impact on the conviction. Lastly, regarding the life sentence, the appeals court found the lower court made no error in judgment. The Second Circuit ruled that the sentence was appropriate given the circumstances. Particularly given the desire of the court to set an example for what is considered an emerging criminal activity, the life sentence was found to be justified. As for the Silk Road, another attempt was made to reopen the illicit market. However, it was again shut down, and the new operator arrested and charged. Related Resources: President Donald Trump's decision to exit an international climate agreement sparked outrage from many quarters, but some countries are likely already eyeing the positives from the move, experts said Friday. "This opens up opportunities for other countries to occupy the power vacuum that the U.S. is leaving when it pulls out of these sorts of agreements," said director at the Australian National University's Climate Change Institute, Mark Howden. "I could imagine some countries are very positive seeing this as a good opportunity to start flexing their muscles internationally," he added. China, India and EU are countries that are progressing in green initiatives and will stand to benefit, Howden said. The world's second largest economy and EU leaders have already said they are still committed to the Paris Agreement on tackling global warming and are expected to announce intensified joint measures to reduce carbon emissions in a statement later on Friday, Reuters reported. President Donald Trump announces his decision for the United States to pull out of the Paris climate agreement in the Rose Garden at the White House June 1, 2017 in Washington, DC. Getty Images Consider it a campaign promise rightly kept. Trump on Thursday announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate-change accords, and if he holds to his decision, he'll do the American people a great service. Simply put, before any president attempts to bind the United States to an enduring multinational accord, it's his duty to convince the American people through constitutional processes that the agreement is in the best interests of the United States. Barack Obama failed to do this in 2015. Trump is right to reject his actions today. More from National Review: 'Pressure' is not obstruction The Left's unhinged freakout over Trump's Paris Accord withdrawal Hillary blames America first First, let's dispense with any notion that climate change is too important to be left to constitutional treaty-making process. If the consequences of climate change will be as catastrophic as alarmists fear, then the constitutional process becomes more important, not less. The constitutional process creates binding obligations that are based in broad consensus. If two-thirds of senators vote to ratify a treaty, then that effectively means that a supermajority of the American people either agree or acquiesce to the nation's commitment. It provides the basis for national action in response. It's important to note that effective treaties bind not just the United States but all the signatories. Nonbinding pacts like the Paris Agreement, by contrast, are easily fractured and easily exploited. By definition, violating "voluntary" arrangements doesn't breach international law, and the result is an international arrangement that will exist precisely as long as any country believes it remains in their best interests and no longer. It's inherently unstable. American presidents have gotten into the disturbing habit of discarding constitutional process when they find it inconvenient. Moreover, there's an important cultural value in following the Constitution. The treaty process places the burden of persuasion on American politicians. It's one thing to name-call and jeer at "climate deniers" when you can impose your will through a mere 51 percent of the Electoral College. It's another thing entirely to try to build a two-thirds consensus, a consensus that would necessarily have to unite large sectors of red and blue. The process of persuasion can have a positive effect on political discourse, requiring politicians to address voters concerns not merely dismiss dissenters as rubes and know-nothings. Contrast the Paris accords with a true international treaty like the North Atlantic alliance. For more than three generations, the U.S. has committed blood and treasure to its European allies, acting under full constitutional authority while receiving the binding reciprocal commitment of its partners to commit their own blood and treasure to the United States. Indeed they've done so in Afghanistan and continue to fight with us today. That's how you build an "international community," not through executive agreements that can be unmade just as easily as they're made. American presidents have gotten into the disturbing habit of discarding constitutional process when they find it inconvenient. Barack Obama did it when he agreed to the Paris accords, when he negotiated the Iran nuclear deal, and when he launched a war against Libya without congressional approval. Trump did the same earlier this year when he launched a new military action against the Syrian regime, also without congressional approval. But just as presidents must be challenged when they violate the Constitution, they should be applauded when they respect its terms. It should surprise no one that following the Constitution also works to defend American economic interests. Even if much or most of recent planetary warming has human causes, that still doesn't mean the benefits of reducing emissions will always outweigh the costs. Not even the most radical environmentalists are willing to "bear any burden, pay any price" to halt warming. Moreover, that calculus can change depending on the economic conditions of the country. Clean-power regulations that might cost jobs or dramatically increase costs, for example, are one thing when jobs are plentiful and incomes are rising. They're another thing entirely in hard economic times. A nation should have the liberty to respond to the needs of its population. The calculus is simple. Binding, enduring multinational agreements should exist as treaties, as without a treaty there is no binding, enduring multinational agreement. From a Buddha-shaped building on the tourist island of Hainan, HNA Group has transformed itself into one of China's most aggressive dealmakers and drawn new scrutiny of its ownership and financing. Founded as a provincial airline by economic reformers who drew on World Bank support, the parent of Hainan Airlines has grown into a sprawling, privately held international conglomerate. To fuel its growth, it has skilfully leveraged existing assets to fund the purchase of new ones a process known in Chinese as "a snake swallowing an elephant". But the company's $40bn deal spree most recently it became Deutsche Bank 's largest shareholder by building up to a 9.9 per cent stake has brought it criticism on several fronts. HNA recently became caught in the crossfire of a political storm involving Wang Qishan, China's anti-corruption tsar and one of its most powerful politicians. Its heavy use of debt has also drawn concern from Standard & Poor's and some overseas bankers. More from Financial Times: Chinese group Fortune Fountain Capital to buy Baccarat glassware G7 allies lead anger at Trump's exit from Paris climate agreement Billionaire Anbang boss Wu Xiaohui barred from leaving China HNA's corporate structure is complex. Its $145bn in assets now include New Zealand's largest financial services firm, a stake in Hilton Hotels and aviation services companies in at least 14 countries. It operates the world's third-largest aircraft rental fleet. Domestically, HNA owns a smorgasbord of property developers, leasing firms, four regional airlines, a respected financial magazine and one of China's largest peer-to-peer lending platforms, JuBao Internet Technology. It has raised funds through at least 11 peer-to-peer platforms, many of which it has invested in, as well as through loans to its roughly 25 listed companies. Overseas, it has chosen some politically connected partners. The company invested together with Jeb Bush in a fuel shipping business when he was considering a presidential run, and it bought SkyBridge Capital from hedge fund manager Anthony Scaramucci when he was hoping to join the Trump Administration. Currently HNA is 76 per cent owned by just 13 individuals, all but one of whom are current executives with the group, according to corporate filings. Founder and public face Chen Feng a Buddhist with a taste for luxury cars and the chairman of the board, Wang Jian, own about 15 per cent each after many years of complex asset reshuffles that effectively privatised the firm. But HNA's "very complex and convoluted shareholding structure" has prevented either man's inclusion on the annual Hurun list of China's richest men and women, according to Hurun founder Rupert Hoogewerf. "We have been trying to get Chen Feng on there but we just can't find any way to show that he's got enough money." HNA's largest single shareholder is also the most mysterious: Guan Jun, who purchased nearly 29 per cent of the company last year from Hong Kong-based businessman Bharat Bhise. HNA declined to say how much the stake sold for and Mr Bhise did not respond to request for comment. Mr Guan serves as co-chairman with Mr Chen's son in a peer-to-peer financing platform owned by HNA, but he otherwise leaves few traces for a man who wields billions in assets. He first bought into HNA subsidiaries seven years ago, through an investment vehicle that operates out of HNA's Beijing offices. But HNA says Mr Guan is a "private investor" who does not work for the company. Chinese corporate registries list several other business addresses for Mr Guan. One leads to the "Oriental Aphrodite Beauty Spa", a street-side salon in a residential neighbourhood in western Beijing. The current owners say he sold the salon about five years ago. Another address led to a locked door in a shabby Beijing office building. His residence, according to Hong Kong corporate filings, is a nondescript apartment in south-west Beijing whose current occupant says she moved in a few months ago. Reached by mobile phone, Mr Guan said: "It is inconvenient to answer any of your questions." Mr Bhise no longer has a stake in HNA. His firm Bravia Capital co-invested with HNA in several of its largest overseas acquisitions, including the $1bn purchase in 2012 of SeaCo, the world's fifth-largest marine container firm. He is also the man who introduced HNA to its most celebrated foreign investor, George Soros. Mr Soros has since sold most of his $50m stake in HNA's flagship subsidiary, Hainan Airlines. That airline is where HNA's story starts and one reason it has become caught up in factional politics today. For HNA's corporate heritage draws from reform experiments launched in the late 1980s, when Wang Qishan was a promising young technocrat rising in the shadow of his powerful father-in-law, Communist party elder Yao Yilin. Now Mr Wang is the powerful anti-corruption tsar who has led a wide-ranging purge of China's military, security forces and ruling Communist Party. But in the past month, an exiled businessman with ties to the state security apparatus has pushed forward allegations that Mr Wang's wife's family improperly benefits from ties to HNA. Guo Wengui, the former business partner of an imprisoned security official, has claimed on widely viewed Twitter posts over the past month that Yao Qing, a nephew of Mr Wang's wife, has benefited from a hidden shareholding in HNA. "The allegations with regard to HNA simply aren't true. Neither Wang Qishan nor his nephew by marriage, Mr Yao, are shareholders in HNA Group," a spokesman for HNA Group said. Mr Wang did not respond to request for comment. Mr Yao could not be reached. What is clear is that Mr Wang has close ties to the men who built the company that has become HNA. Back in the 1980s, China received soft loans from the World Bank to help fund the country's economic reforms as it recovered from 30 devastating years of Communist orthodoxy. At that time Mr Wang set up the China Agricultural Development Trust and Investment Co ( CADTIC ) to channel World Bank loans to the rural sector. Chen Feng, HNA's founder, worked under him. World Bank assessments of those early loans are gushingly positive. Then came the June 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protests centred on Tiananmen Square. Western nations imposed sanctions and China's economic reforms suffered under a conservative backlash. But a core group of CADTIC bureaucrats including Mr Chen sought to get around the sanctions. They moved to Hainan, the sub-tropical island that was at the time a blank slate for market reform experiments, and appealed to the World Bank for help. The resulting aid was channelled through the newly founded Xingnan Group, according to You'll Make It, a memoir by CADTIC veteran Huang Xiaohe . Xingnan Group provided the start-up capital for Hainan Airlines and recruited many of the men who are now its top executives, including current chairman Wang Jian, according to the memoir. Other senior HNA executives include former Hainan government officials and the former head of state-owned rubber farms that were among the earliest World Bank loan recipients. CADTIC , meanwhile, fared less well. By 1996, reeling under Rmb5bn in losses, its Rmb12bn in debt was absorbed by China Construction Bank, by then headed by Wang Qishan. Soon after, he cleaned up the $2bn default of the Guangdong International Trust and Investment Co, or Gitic , sealing his reputation as a reliable political firefighter and starting his climb to the top of the party. I'm going to do something unpopular now. I'm going to defend Hillary Clinton. The Democrats' 2016 nominee has reemerged recently, sitting for a lengthy profile with New York magazine's Rebecca Traister and giving a series of interviews, including one at Recode's Code Media conference. (Disclosure: Recode, like Vox, is owned by Vox Media.) It's not been a smooth return to the public eye. The political press wants self-flagellation, but Clinton is placing the blame for her Electoral College loss elsewhere: on James Comey, on the media, on sexism, on fake news, on the Democratic Party's infrastructure. "I take responsibility for every decision I made, but that's not why I lost," she said. This has not gone over well. "Hillary Clinton's list of who's to blame for her 2016 election loss gets longer with every passing day," wrote CNN's Chris Cillizza. For once, Donald Trump and the pundit class are in lockstep: Tweet More from Vox: Don't just blame Trump for quitting the Paris deal blame the Republican Party Jared Kushner is the domino Trump can least afford to fall in the Russia investigation An incredibly telling thing Trump said at today's Paris event wasn't about climate at all This discussion conflates two very different questions. One is: Why did Clinton lose? And there, factors like Comey, Russia, and the media's email obsession have real explanatory power. But the harder question the one this blame game is designed to obscure is why was the election close enough for Clinton to lose? Clinton made mistakes. But they're not why she lost. Clinton does herself no favors when she suggests that criticism of the paid speeches she gave to Goldman Sachs was motivated by sexism. There was sexism in the 2016 election, as I discuss below. But in 2013, amid an economy wracked by the aftermath of the financial crisis, and after Clinton served in a government that bailed out the financial sector, you didn't need to be a political genius to recognize that taking $675,000 from the vampire squid might look bad. Nor is Clinton's complaint that the Democratic Party lacked campaign infrastructure convincing. You know who lacked campaign infrastructure? Donald J. Trump. His field operation was a joke. The RNC's efforts were a shaky backstop. The 2016 election didn't prove the Democrats needed a better ground game. It proved a better ground game wasn't enough. Clinton made mistakes. All candidates do. But the question in elections is ... compared to what? Take the criticisms made of Clinton and turn them around. Trump surely did not run a smoother campaign than Clinton. His team featured more infighting, leaking, and churn. He made more obvious mistakes in a week than she made in a year. His finances were far shadier than Clinton's, his foundation far less ethical, his behavior far more erratic. He walked into the debates unprepared, ran a bizarre and ineffective convention, and appears to have been saved from defeat albeit narrow defeat by the twin interventions of Russia and James Comey. And Clinton was, in ways people have rewritten since her Electoral College loss, an effective candidate in nontraditional ways. After she captured the Democratic nomination, I wrote a piece about the political skills that made her the first woman to achieve that feat. I occasionally see the article thrown back at me as a laughable analysis disproven by her eventual loss, but I think it's absolutely correct: She won the Democratic primary by spending years slowly, assiduously, building relationships with the entire Democratic Party. She relied on a more traditionally female approach to leadership: creating coalitions, finding common ground, and winning over allies. Today, 208 members of Congress have endorsed Clinton; only eight have endorsed [Bernie] Sanders. [...] In order to do something as hard as becoming the first female presidential nominee of a major political party, [Clinton] had to do something extraordinarily difficult: She had to build a coalition, supported by a web of relationships, that dwarfed in both breadth and depth anything a non-incumbent had created before. It was a plan that played to her strengths, as opposed to her (entirely male) challengers' strengths. And she did it. Hillary Clinton is a generationally talented politician albeit across a different set of dimensions than men tend to be talented politicians. Similarly, Clinton really did crush Trump in the debates. As I wrote then, most presidential debates have little effect on the polls. Clinton's performances were unusual in that they transformed the race. On the eve of the first debate, Trump and Clinton were basically tied. By the close of the third, Clinton had opened up a massive lead a lead that, if retained, would certainly have won her the election. President Donald Trump complained on Thursday that America was shelling out a "vast fortune" to developing countries through the United Nations Green Climate Fund, thanks to the Paris Agreement. But the total number may be less than meets the eye. "Beyond the severe energy restrictions inflicted by the Paris accord, it includes yet another scheme to redistribute wealth out of the United States through the so-called 'green climate fund' nice name which calls for developed countries to send $100 billion to developing countries," Trump said. More from NBC News: As Trump quits climate pact, states step in Casino robbery ends with dozens dead at resort in Philippines Fact checking Trump's Paris agreement speech In making his case, Trump appeared to be mixing up two elements of the Paris Agreement that have different price tags for the United States and for the world. On the one hand, there's the United Nations Green Climate Fund, which helps finance renewable energy and infrastructure to deal with the effects of climate change in the poorest and most vulnerable countries. On the other hand, there's a broad pledge to eventually raise $100 billion a year globally not just by the United States to help developing countries mitigate climate change. The United Nations Green Climate Fund counts as part of that pledge, but the overall picture is more complicated. As Trump mentioned later in his speech, the United States has given the Green Climate Fund $1 billion already. President Barack Obama pledged a total of $3 billion to the fund by 2020 as part of a global goal of $10 billion, but Trump promised not to finance it as a candidate and Congress has not made further contributions since the election. Trump described this amount as "costing the United States a vast fortune," but it's a minuscule portion of the budget, where total federal spending in the 2016 fiscal year was $3.9 trillion. For perspective, the White House's recent budget proposal contained an apparent $2 trillion accounting error a number 1,000 times as large as the remaining $2 billion commitment to the fund. There are multiple arguments for this funding. One is a matter of fairness: The largest polluters by far have been developed nations like the United States. Another is a matter of effectiveness: Fast-growing countries like India are building the next generation of power plants and the Paris Agreement won't work unless they decide to forgo dirtier forms of energy like coal. The goal of the funding is to help nudge developing countries towards cleaner energy like wind and solar instead. If the funding succeeds in lowering emissions and preventing a major temperature increase, the United States reaps the economic benefits as well. And by helping countries that are especially vulnerable prepare for the effects of climate change, they could prevent or minimize future refugee crises that could destabilize regions and spill over into the developed world. The other number Trump mentioned was goal of eventually mobilizing $100 billion per year to help poorer countries combat climate change, which was first announced in 2009 at the Copenhagen climate conference. J. Timmons Roberts, a researcher at the Brookings Institution who tracks climate spending, described the commitment as more complex and often indirect than aid through programs like the Green Climate Fund. In addition to being spread out around the developed world, the $100 billion goal is much more vague. The number includes not only foreign aid, but private sector investments as well, and there's a lot of wiggle room over what counts towards the total. An Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development analysis in 2016, for example, predicted pledges worldwide would add up to $67 billion per year by 2020 a major step towards the target. But countries like India have complained similar estimates have been massively inflated by items like private loans to buy green technology from developed nations that are closer to ordinary business transactions than foreign aid. Roberts said there's some merit to their complaints: He examined $10 billion of pledged 2012 aid with the think tank consortium Adaptation Watch, for example, and concluded only about $2.3 billion could be clearly verified as such. In a possible gesture to these funding issues, Trump indicated that the $100 billion goal could increase significantly. No matter how it's calculated, though, the Paris Agreement is not a binding treaty and the United States is not legally obligated to provide any specific amount. That means Trump would have been free to remain in the agreement without spending another dollar as president. WATCH: Vladimir Putin responds to Trump's decision to leave Paris climate accord The discovery specimen of a coin the U.S. Mint did not intend to strike a 1982-D Lincoln, Small Date cent produced on a 95 percent copper planchet is graded About Uncirculated 58 brown. The discovery specimen of a 1982-D Lincoln, Small Date cent produced on a 95 percent copper planchet will be a featured lot in Stacks Bowers Galleries ANA auction in August. The discovery specimen of a coin the U.S. Mint did not intend to strike a 1982-D Lincoln, Small Date cent produced on a 95 percent copper planchet will be a featured lot in Stacks Bowers Galleries American Numismatic Association convention auction in August. Until the recent verification of the coin, no examples of that combination a Denver Mint strike in the traditional composition produced from an obverse die from the new hub introduced in 1982 had been known. It joins seven other variants of circulation strikes that have been collected for decades. Gold coin resistance at U.S. Mint and a deceptive but detectable counterfeit Indian Head cent: Another column in the June 12 Coin World details a discovery of what, at first, seemed to be a rare 1917 French Indo-China 10-cent piece. Early in 2017, Numismatic Guaranty Corp. certified the first known example of a 1982-D Lincoln, Small Date brass cent (the composition is sometimes called bronze, which is typically an alloy of copper, zinc and tin). In a press release dated Feb. 13, 2017, NGC officials stated, The unique coin was discovered in November by an anonymous collector in Minnesota after he decided to examine a hoard of bronze cents that he had accumulated from circulation, adding, No 1982-D Small Date Bronze cents were issued or known to exist until the discovery of the specimen recently certified by NGC. Connect with Coin World: Sign up for our free eNewsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter The firm added: The owner of this very special coin contacted variety and error specialist Ken Potter, who revealed the existence of the sole 1982-D Small Date Bronze cent in an article published by Numismatic News. The unique coin was then submitted to NGC for certification. NGC confirmed the bronze composition and the coins weight 3.08 grams was well within the Mints tolerance for bronze cents. The coin was graded NGC AU 58 and attributed as the discovery coin. However, the grading service does not consider the coin to be a true eighth variant. The press release states, While one could argue that this piece is the eighth variety of circulation issue 1982 cents, NGC has attributed it as a mint error since it was undoubtedly struck in error from a leftover planchet and unintentionally released into circulation. The piece weighs 3.08 grams, which is well within the Mints tolerance for bronze cents. By classifying the coin as a Mint error, the 1982-D brass cent falls into the same category as the famous 1943 Lincoln copper cent. However, that World War II era cent, which can sell for six-figure prices, has a long history that enhances its vaunted collector status. Whether the new cent will approach the same lofty levels as the 1943 Lincoln cent will depend on collector interest and any subsequent discoveries. Potter told Coin World on May 31 that while subsequent reports of other examples have been made, none has been verified. Seven official variants In 1982, the U.S. Mint famously struck cents in two compositions: the traditional 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc, and the new and more economical copper-plated zinc. In addition, the Mint surprisingly made an obverse hub change in mid-1982 that resulted in two distinctive variants of different relief and sharpness of letters that collectors simplify as the Large Date version (standard since the hub change of 1974) and the Small Date version (the new hub). When 1982 had ended, the four production facilities of the U.S. Mint had struck these seven circulation variants: 1982 Large Date, Brass (or Bronze); 1982 Small Date, Brass; 1982-D Large Date, Brass; 1982 Large Date, Copper-Plated Zinc; 1982 Small Date, Copper-Plated Zinc; 1982-D Large Date, Copper-Plated Zinc; and 1982-D Small Date , Copper-Plated Zinc. It should be noted that the Philadelphia Mint, San Francisco Mint and West Point facility all struck identical 1982 cents lacking a Mint mark; the individual strikes cannot be identified by facility of origin. Mint officials had decided prior to 1982 that it would strike cents of both compositions concurrently rather than halt production of the 95 percent copper cents before switching to copper-plated zinc. That decision, coupled with the hub changes, gave collectors multiple pieces to seek in circulation. However, according to U.S. Mint officials, no cents were struck at the Denver Mint in the new content with the new design. That did not stop collectors from seeking an example of that eighth variant, and now, more than three decades later, one has been found. Auction offering Numismatic Guaranty Corp. graded the unique coin About Uncirculated 58 and identified the piece as the Discovery Coin on the slab label. The coin weighs 3.08 grams, slightly below the standard of 3.11 grams but generally within tolerance levels. The coin will be offered during the Stacks Bowers Galleries auction at the ANA Worlds Fair of Money this August in Denver. Unpredicted redemption of the Royal Canadian Mints popular series of silver $20, $50 and $100 coins sold at face value is causing the RCM to adjust revenue down as coins are redeemed. The Royal Canadian Mints series of face value silver coins ended after 2016 because of mounting losses in revenue caused by redemption of the coins. The $20, $50 and $100 coins were originally sold at prices equal to their Canadian face values. Gold coin resistance at U.S. Mint and a deceptive but detectable counterfeit Indian Head cent: Another column in the June 12 Coin World details the discovery of what seemed to be a rare 1917 French Indo-China 10-cent piece. But when the RCM began accepting the coins for redemption the coins face value is higher than the value of their precious metal content that required the RCM to restate profits for the years in which the program was active, an adjustment that is noted in the recently launched RCM 2016 annual report. Connect with Coin World: Sign up for our free eNewsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter The popular programs saw sales of more than 4 million coins in six years, with 25 different $20 coins, four $50 coins and six $100 coins available for face value. Themes included Canadian wildlife (polar bears, bison, wolf, goose) and popular culture icons like Bugs Bunny and Superman. The falling price of silver during the 2011 to 2016 program, large mintages and negative publicity in Canadian media regarding redemption all played a part in the series demise. When customers encountered difficulty redeeming the coins in circulation (where they were never intended to be used) the RCM began allowing the coins to be traded at face value for other numismatic products. The RCM also began a program with Canadian banks to allow for redemption in some cases. The annual report was released May 8, about the usual time it is released annually (despite media reports suggesting it was delayed for three months because of the accounting move). In its report, the RCM said there is no plan to place a deadline on redeeming the coins. In the past, sales of numismatic face value products were recorded as revenue, along with a liability for expected redemptions and returns that was based on historical redemption and return patterns for other numismatic products, according to the RCM. The parameters of the program make Face Value products significantly more likely to be redeemed or returned than other numismatic products, the annual report said. Because of this, historical redemption patterns apparently based on the 1976 Olympic $5 and $10 coins are not valid, and no reasonable, reliable alternative method exists, the RCM said. As a result of this review, it was determined that revenue should not be recognized until a reasonable estimate of redemptions and returns can be made. The adjustment in revenue was one factor in a decrease in recorded profits for 2016, from the mints target of $41.3 million to $24.5 million, a difference of almost $17 million (all figures in Canadian dollars). RCM officials stressed the overall positive profit figures, pointing to first quarter 2017 sales in a report released a few weeks after the annual report, indicating a profit of $11.1 million, in line with the same time period in 2016. Future revenue will be restated as additional liability is calculated as more coins are redeemed. The collector value for the coins remains about in line with their face value, based on recent online auction results averaged throughout the series. June 2, 2017 A Russian cosmonaut and an astronaut from France returned from the International Space Station on Friday (June 2), landing with one fewer crewmate than when they left Earth six and a half months ago. Oleg Novitskiy of Russia's space agency Roscosmos and Thomas Pesquet with the European Space Agency (ESA) touched down on the steppe of Kazakhstan on board the Russian Soyuz MS-03 spacecraft at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT or 8:10 p.m. local Kazakh time). Their parachute-assisted landing wrapped up 196 days in space since their launch on Nov. 17, 2016 together with NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. "We're a little bit sad to leave her behind," said Pesquet on Thursday (June 1), a day before he left the space station. Whitson had originally been slated to land with her launch crewmates, Novitskiy and Pesquet. An available seat on a subsequent Soyuz launched in April allowed her mission to be extended. She will now return to Earth with cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and astronaut Jack Fischer when they land in September. Expedition 51 crewmates Thomas Pesquet (at left), Peggy Whitson, Oleg Novitskiy and Fyodor Yurchikhin (with outstretched hand of Jack Fischer) share a toast before Pesquet and Novitskiy leave for Earth. The crew is also snacking on cabbage they grew aboard the International Space Station. (NASA/Jack Fischer via Twitter) A record-setting astronaut, including being the only woman to command the space station twice, Whitson has already spent more time in space over the course of her three trips to orbit than any other American or woman worldwide. "I just want to say for Oleg and me, we are really proud of being part of such a team and flying with Peggy. Peggy is a legend, but she is also absolutely unbelievable to work with or just hang around with and live with in space," said Pesquet. "We are, of course, going to miss Oleg and Thomas," said Whitson. "They're exceptional astronauts in every sense of the word. But mostly, we are going to miss their sense of humor and camaraderie." Novitskiy and Pesquet served on the space station's 50th and 51st expedition crews. Their undocking aboard Soyuz MS-03 from the orbiting complex's Rassvet module at 6:47 a.m. EDT (1047 GMT) marked the beginning of Expedition 52 with Yurchikhin in command. Three more crewmates, Sergei Ryazansky of Roscosmos, Randy Bresnik of NASA and Paolo Nespoli of ESA, are set to launch on Soyuz MS-05 on July 28. During Novitskiy and Pesquet's time in space, they helped to conduct a multitude of science experiments, including a payload of European investigations flown to the station as part of Pesquet's "Proxima" mission. The two also saw the departure of the Russian Progress MS-03 cargo craft and arrival of Progress MS-05, as well as helped receive and unpack the "S.S. John Glenn," a U.S. commercial freighter launched by Orbital ATK for NASA. Soyuz MS-03 leaves the International Space Station after 194 days docked to the Rassvet module on Friday, June 2, 2017. (NASA TV) Pesquet also went out on two spacewalks with Expedition 50 commander Shane Kimbrough to connect a new set of batteries on the exterior of the station and to prepare one of the outpost's ports for the future installation of a docking adapter to support U.S. commercial crew spacecraft. In total, Pesquet logged 12 hours and 32 minutes on the extravehicular activities (EVA), the first two of his career. "It's been a fantastic adventure and amazing ride," wrote Pesquet on Twitter on Friday of his time in orbit, which was also his first time flying in space. Pesquet, 39, is the tenth French astronaut and the last of the 2009 ESA astronauts, nicknamed the "Shenanigans," to fly in space. Novitskiy, 45, has now logged more than 340 days in orbit on his two missions, including a 144-day stay on the space station during Expeditions 33/34 in 2013. Soyuz MS-03 crew patch. (Roscosmos/Spacepatches.nl) Pesquet's and his return to Earth marked the first two-man Soyuz landing since March 2010, when cosmonaut Maxim Surayev and astronaut Jeff Williams completed Expedition 21 on board Soyuz TMA-16. Whitson's empty seat aboard Soyuz MS-03 was filled with a cargo carrier for the return to Earth. Now safely home from space, Novitskiy and Pesquet will be flown to the Kazakh town of Karaganda for a traditional welcome ceremony and then they will split ways, Novitskiy flying to Star City in Russia and Pesquet heading for the European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany. Soyuz MS-03 was the 49th Soyuz to fly to the International Space Station. It traveled 82.9 million miles (133.4 million kilometers) over the course of 3,136 orbits of Earth. The administration of President Donald Trump has started to return to Congress copies of an extensive 2014 report on the the CIA's interrogation and detention practices, U.S. officials revealed on Friday. Scoop: The Trump administration is returning copies of report on CIA torture to the Senate. It may never be public https://t.co/zjayGkpPlI Here's Intel Cmte Chairman Burr's stmt on his request to have copies of the CIA torture report returned to his Committee: pic.twitter.com/VNAMxPY46c How the Trump White House is moving to keep us in the dark about torture: A look at that New York Times report https://t.co/mEzH7OzA94 Reuters: The Trump administration's move means it could be more difficult for the full, 6,700-page report to be made public, because documents held by Congress are exempt from laws requiring government records to eventually be made public. The White House made the move in response to requests by Sen. Richard Burr, the Senate Intelligence Committee's current Republican chairman, officials said. In a statement emailed to Reuters, Burr said: "I have directed my staff to retrieve copies of the Congressional study that remain with the Executive Branch agencies and, as the Committee does with all classified and compartmented information, will enact the necessary measures to protect the sensitive sources and methods contained within the report." Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Democrat who chaired the committee when the report was produced, had asked that it be distributed to multiple executive branch agencies, a move designed to make it eventually releasable to the public under the Freedom of Information Act law. Feinstein said in a statement that she was "concerned and disappointed" that Burr requested that the document be returned, calling it a departure from the committee's normal bipartisan nature. "No senator, chairman or not, has the authority to erase history. I believe that is the intent of the chairman in this case," she said. Sen Mark Warner, who succeeded Feinstein as the committee's top Democrat, said in a Twitter post he was "disappointed" with Burr's decision, and that the report "must be preserved so we can learn from past mistakes & ensure that abuses are never repeated." 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 I wanted to write one final WWDC 2017 preview piece today. I wanted to look at some of the potential improvements for enterprise users and new Macs and iPads. I cant do that. Im too annoyed about Trumps withdrawal from the Paris agreement. Im not alone. Rational discourse The decision was made against advice from, well, from everyone. Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla boss Elon Musk and CEOs from Google, Facebook, Microsoft, HP and Intel all urged a different path. They were not heard. Cook and Musk believe in discourse. They think the best way to change things is to speak with people who hold different views than you do. [ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ] They argue that if you dont engage then you cannot influence events. They think that open, rational discourse can lead to constructive compromise and consensus decision making. That is why both men chose to sit on the current U.S. presidents advisory councils, where they hoped to share a little knowledge with the administration, such as the link between population growth and CO2 emissions. The inconvenient truth is that engagement is meaningless if those you attempt to talk to are not equipped to think about what you say. Is that what happened here? Wrong decision There are signs that this may be the case. Musk immediately resigned his positions on the presidents advisory councils following announcement of the decision. Disney CEO Robert A Iger has also quit the council in response. Cook still sits on the council. He has not yet resigned, but is under some pressure to do so. Speaking to the public on Twitter he said: Decision to withdraw from the #ParisAgreeement was wrong for our planet. Apple is committed to fight climate change and we will never waver. In a separate note to Apple employees, made available in full on Axios, he said: Climate change is real and we all share a responsibility to fight it. I want to reassure you that todays developments will have no impact on Apples efforts to protect the environment. Not alone These men are not alone. Leaders from across the tech industry agree. There is also opposition from across wider U.S. industry. Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein went so far as to join Twitter to publish a Tweet in which he slammed the decision as a setback for the environment and for the U.S.s leadership position in the world. CEOs from 30 U.S. companies recently argued: Our business interests are best served by a stable and practical framework facilitating an effective and balanced response to reducing global [greenhouse gas] emissions. The Paris agreement gives us that flexible framework to manage climate change while providing a smooth transition for business. Former US Secretary of State John Kerry said: "I think other countries will stop laughing at us when we don't have announcements like we had today and we have a presidency that offers America a greater vision of the possibilities of the future." The decision has been slammed by almost every single U.S. trading partner. It has been slammed by scientists, enterprise leaders, politicians, state authorities, even by former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Smartphones are science Leading climate change body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), warns that: "Warming [...] is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level." Russia, China, and almost 200 other nations agree. The U.S. now stands alone. Only Syria and Nicaragua do not support the Paris Agreement. Nicaraguas non-acceptance is a symbolic demand for a much more extensive deal, while Syria is in a state of war. What makes the actions of climate change denial remarkable is that those who engage in it seem happy to dismiss scientific evidence that proves the reality of climate change, even while using technologies developed by scientists who believe the threat to be real. How do you engage with that? Google+? If you use social media and happen to be a Google+ user, why not join AppleHolic's Kool Aid Corner community and join the conversation as we pursue the spirit of the New Model Apple? Got a story? Drop me a line via Twitter and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when fresh items are published here first on Computerworld. Bridget Mary's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Bridget-Mary-Meehan/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ABrid A Promise of Presence Affirmations from the Heart of God Exploring the Feminine Face of God God Delights in You- A Four Week Journal Heart Talks with Mother God Inclusive Worship Aids Living Gospel Equality Now- Praying with a Passionate Heart Praying with Celtic Holy Women Praying with Visionary Women h Praying with Women of the Bible The Healing Power of Prayer-New Edition Dr. Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP Earlier this month it feels a very long time ago now we surveyed members on what they thought of various potential policies for the then-anticipated Conservative manifesto. Their response seemed to auger well for the Prime Minister to win a mandate for what we supposed Mayism might look like: strong support for Brexit, NATO, tax breaks for the lowest paid, infrastructure investment, human rights reform (were ever she minded to take it up), as well as grammars, technical education and even an industrial policy. Obviously since then weve had the launch of said manifesto, which has not gone well. In our final survey of the election we then asked for members views on some of the policies which were actually in it. The full list is below. Near the top of the list is support for Mays no deal is better than a bad deal position on the EU negotiations. Lest Tory members look like total hardliners, however, in the second rank of popularity we find the idea paying to opt-in to various specific European programmes on a case by case basis. Other very popular policies include introducing First Past the Post for mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, and declining to proceed with statutory press regulation under Leveson Two, and in the rank below that we find pro-patient NHS reforms, a change to the qualifications for overseas aid spending, and funding reform for technical education. Tellingly, however, those policies which involve interfering in the economy, or the operation of private businesses, are clustered at the bottom of the scoresheet, alongside the climate change and overseas aid commitments. Ideas such as forcing companies to publish pay gap data, workers representation, and the energy price cap are all amongst the lowest-ranked policies in the manifesto. As we wrote yesterday, May and Nick Timothy havent yet managed to supplant Margaret Thatcher as members preferred vision of Conservatism. If the polls really have narrowed as dramatically as some companies are suggesting, they likely never will. Just two weeks ago, our editor wrote that the Prime Minister was chancing her arm by deliberately alienating the Partys libertarian and economically liberal wings. After all, there would come a day when her honeymoon ended and she needed their votes to get her legislation through. It looks as if that day could be much sooner than anybody expected. It could even, possibly, be June 9th. 8: 8.49 We will legislate to ensure that a form of identification must be presented before voting, to reform postal voting and to improve other aspects of the elections process to ensure that our elections are the most secure in the world. 8.43 The [Brexit] negotiations will undoubtedly be tough, and there will be give and take on both sides, but we continue to believe that no deal is better than a bad deal for the UK. 8.01 Given the comprehensive nature of the first stage of the Leveson Inquiry and given the lengthy investigations by the police and Crown Prosecution Service into alleged wrongdoing, we will not proceed with the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry 7: 7.68 We will hold NHS Englands leaders to account for delivering their plan to improve patient carewe will review the operation of the internal market and [by April 2018] will make non-legislative changes to remove barriers to the integration of care. 7.63 We will introduce a new GP contract to help develop wider primary care services. 7.60 There may be specific European programmes in which we might want to participate and if so, it will be reasonable that we make a contribution. 7.45 To ensure that further, technical and higher education institutions are treated fairly, we will also launch a major review of funding across tertiary education as a whole. 7.34 We do not believe international definitions of development assistance always help in determining how money [is] spentwe will work with like-minded countries to change the rulesIf that does not work, we will change the law toa better definition 7.19 We will ensure that child victims and victims of sexual violence are able to be cross-examined before their trial without the distress of having to appear in court. 6: 6.95 We will enter into new Council Housing Deals with ambitious, pro-development, local authorities to help them build more social housing. 6.48 People have long talked about the need to create UK sovereign wealth funds. We will now make this a central part of our long-term plan for Britain. We will create a number of such funds, known as Future Britain funds. 5: 5.95 We will grant a free vote, on a government bill in government time, to give parliament the opportunity to decide the future of the Hunting Act. 5.78 We will not repeal or replace the Human Rights Act whileBrexit is underway but will consider our human rights legal framework [after Brexit]. We will remain signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights for thenext Parliament. 5.67 We will push forward with our plan for tackling hate crime committed on the basis of religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity. 5.62 We will alignmeans-testing for domiciliary [social] care with that for residential carewe will introduce a single capital floor, set at 100,000we will extend the current freedom to defer paymentsto those receiving care at home. 5.45 Overseas students will remain in the immigration statistics in line with international definitions and within scope of the governments policy to reduce annual net migration. 5.36 We will strengthen the enforcement of equalities law so that private landlords and businesses who deny people a service on the basis of ethnicity, religion or gender are properly investigated and prosecuted. 5.27 A new Conservative Government will seek to increase the National Living Wage to 60 per cent of earnings by 2020 and then by the rate of median earnings. 5.07 We will legislate to mandate changes in police practices if stop and search does not become more targeted and stop to arrest ratios do not improve. 4: 4.98 We will continue to take a lead in global action against climate change, as the government demonstrated by ratifying the Paris Agreement. 4.51 We will require companies with more than 250 employees to publish more data on the pay gap between men and women. 4.24 Listed companies will be required either to nominate a director from the workforce, create a formal employee advisory council or assign specific responsibility for employee representation to a designated non-executive director. 4.25 We will introduce a safeguard [energy] tariff cap that will extend the price protection currently in place for some vulnerable customers to more customers on the poorest value tariffs. 3: 3.90 We will maintain the commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of our gross national income on assistance to developing nations and international emergencies. There are two broad schools in British opposition to green taxes and subsidies. Theres the rather longer-running one, which focuses on the science, arguing that climate change is variously a myth or an outright con and therefore that we dont need to do anything. And theres the more recent one, which has grown largely in the last decade, which focuses on the policy, arguing that it is ineffective, expensive and economically harmful and therefore that we need to stop taking the wrong approach and do something less damaging and more effective. Noticeably, the divide between the two is rather similar to that among Brexiteers. A longer-established, more attention-grabbing, approach, more commonly represented by UKIP, contrasted to a more recent and more practical strategy, more commonly heard in Conservative circles. The former directs great ire at the latter, and the latter tends to worry that the former is placing what feels good ahead and garners applause among the already-convinced ahead of what works politically. Donald Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord (something facilitated by Obamas foolish decision to sign up with executive powers, rather than to win legislative approval) will undoubtedly be cheered by the former group. Theyll be particularly pleased by his justification that the Accord is a deliberate ploy to impoverish Americans and divert their money to China and India. Hes avoiding repeating his previous claim that climate change itself is a conspiracy, but his fans know where he is coming from on the topic, and will cheer him on heartily as a result. The Presidents decision poses problems for the other sceptics of green policy here in the UK, however. Theyve long battled to differentiate themselves from those who focus on the science, and to shake off associations in peoples minds with oil-guzzling Americans. Now their critiques of Paris face being tarred not only with those brushes, but with the implication that they must be on the same side as Trump himself who remains a deeply unpopular figure among British voters. As Matthew Sinclair, Head of Economics at Westbourne and author of Let Them Eat Carbon, a book making the economic case against laying green policy costs on ordinary consumers, puts it: The already-embattled sceptics of current climate policy in the UK will find it harder to make their case now that it is contaminated by association with Donald Trump. Too much effort has been spent making a less than credible scientific case and the criticisms of the high cost and low effectiveness of the current policy agenda has got lost, easy to caricature as part of an amateurish rejection of the science. The economic interests in favour of revising the current policy framework contract in the UK each year under the pressure of high energy prices, while the lobby for continuing tends to grow. There will be fresh showdowns over the cost of energy, but they will be fought over refinements to something approximating current UK decarbonisation policy. Those in the UK who hope to change costly green policies already faced an uphill struggle already Trump just made it harder. This site is not available in your country Business / Companies by Staff reporter TWO retail outlets were yesterday fined by a Harare regional magistrate for contravening section 13 of the Bank Use Promotion Act after they failed to bank their cash.Bathroom Boutique, which was represented by its general manager, Faith Chumbu, was fined $9 700, while Eurostar Electricals Company, which was represented by its manager, Paul Muyengi, was fined $20 000.Bathroom Boutique was then ordered to pay $8 200 after magistrate Hosiah Mujaya suspended $1 500 on condition that the company shall not be convicted of similar charges within the next five years, while Eurostar Electricals was ordered to pay $18 000 after $2 000 was suspended on the same conditions.The State proved that on June 30 last year, Eurostar Electrical Company was served with a disclosure order by a Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) official, Tongesayi Murape, requiring the firm to submit daily returns of cash sales and deposits as provided for by the RBZ Act.The firm, through its director, Shi Haiyan, acknowledged the disclosure order by signing the order, but from the time the order was served, the company did not submit the requested returns to the RBZ as required by the Act.Bathroom Boutique also failed to submit the same documents from July last year to March 27 this year.George Manokore appeared for the State. In a family home, the laundry room often sees as much use as other busy areas such as the restroom or the kitchen. Oftentimes, while the washing machine is running, another load is sitting in the basket waiting to be cleaned, as shirts and pants hang on the drying rack. With so many elements and appliances, this space can easily get cramped up and disorganized. Therefore, it is very important to add storage in a laundry room. There are many different types of storage systems adapted to various needs, which is why it is suggested to study the options before making any purchases. In the following paragraphs, we will look at 5 kinds of storage accessories to install in this type of room: 1) Setting up a drying bar The dryer works wonders for most pieces of clothing but in some cases, air drying is the way to go. Instead of hanging things up all over the room, there should be a specific spot dedicated for this purpose. If the area above the washer and dryer is free, install a drying bar with hangers and other accessories. The bar can also be used to store freshly-ironed shirts and pants. 2) Installing a retractable clothing line If the drying bar takes up too much space or keeps you from circulating easily within the room, opt for a retractable clothing line. This type of product requires very little space and is very cost-effective, as hanging clothes instead of using the dryer will cut down on energy bills. 3) If floor space is lacking, installing floating shelves and wall storage Instead of using up floor space, fill your walls! Laundry rooms are usually quite small so any available space should either be used for circulating from one place to another, or for storage. Floating shelves are great for keeping cleaning products, boxes and clothes pins, whilst wall racks can be used to hang clothes in a vertical manner. 4) Putting your washer and dryer on pedestals Turn the space under your appliances into a storage area. Nowadays, many of the newer models for washers and dryers come equipped with pedestals that include a drawer for storage. If you dont already have some, it is possible to buy them separately or to build them as a DIY project. Just be sure to get the right size for your appliances, so as not to cause them to be unstable. 5) Making use of the door People often forget that the back of a door can be turned into a useful light storage area. From over-the-door racks to chalkboards used for keeping up with laundry loads, most of the available options are affordable and easy to set up. Of course, as specified before, this only works for lighter items, as heavy elements will weigh-down the door. The previous tips are but a few of all the different alternatives available on the market. For more inspiration, look to home decor websites, hardware stores and photo-sharing services such as Pinterest. If you are looking to completely transform your laundry room, do not hesitate to work with a contractor who will be able to take your needs into consideration and to create the ideal laundry room for you and your family. NORTH DUNDAS, Ontario On May 21, 2017 at approximately 6:40pm, SD&G OPP officers conducted an investigation into a stolen dump trailer on County Road 13, North Dundas Township. On June 1st 2017 SD&G OPP Officers arrested a male in connection with the theft following their investigation. Investigation also revealed that male was in contravention of conditions imposed from a previous incident Joey CINNAMON (37) of North Dundas, Ontario was arrested and is charged with; Altering/destroying/removing a vehicle identification number (2 counts) Trafficking in Stolen Goods Possession of Property obtained by crime Fail to Comply with Probation Order Use Plates not, Authorized for vehicle (Highway Traffic Act) He was held in custody pending a court appearance (bail) at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall. News / National by Staff reporter THE Government has, with immediate effect, banned all local authorities countrywide from paying gratuities and golden handshakes to executives and senior employees following outrageous demands in exit packages and reports of rampant abuse of funds in most councils.Prime land, an infinite national resource, was being parcelled out for a song to council officials as gratuities over and above mega perks they received.However, the new directive sets Government and Urban Councils' Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) on a collision course as the latter vowed to defy the directive.In a circular addressed to all town clerks and secretaries titled, "Local Authorities Circular Minute 1 of 2017 Payment of Gratuities on Termination", Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Permanent Secretary Eng George Mlilo, said the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare had gazetted conditions for all local authorities."In view of this legal fact and because of the prevailing economic situation, desist from paying gratuities with immediate effect," reads the letter dated May 15, 2017.The Urban Councils' Association of Zimbabwe, however, yesterday said the human resources for councils were not going to be fixed by piece-meal paragraphs targeted at ad hoc events for certain people."Government must deal with the elephant in the room once and for all. The whole remuneration matrix must pass the test. We are actually in the business of paying salaries if the truth be told," said UCAZ president and Harare Mayor Clr Bernard Manyenyeni.The Zimbabwe Urban and Rural Council Workers' Union secretary general, Mr Bernard Dhanda, said the Urban Councils Act did not give the Ministry of Local Government or the Labour Minister the right to determine conditions of service for junior employees as they were governed by collective bargaining agreements."Such directives are very dangerous as they are usually solicited by town clerks and secretaries from various functions. It is illegal and in violation of the labour laws of Zimbabwe. Such decisions can only be made for the executives who are appointed by the Local Government Board," he said.Last year Hwange Local Board filed papers in the Labour Court challenging salary cuts arguing that Government had no mandate to direct their salaries as they were not civil servants.They said the salaries had been agreed upon with their employer, the Hwange Local Board, hence the council had no right to reduce their salaries and allowances without their consent.Recently, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, blocked the payment of a $300 000 golden handshake to outgoing Victoria Falls treasurer, Mr Thembinkosi Khumalo, saying Government would not allow a situation where council employees were becoming richer than the local authorities themselves.Speaking at a luncheon to mark the official opening of the Fourth Session of 8th Parliament of Zimbabwe, Minister Kasukuwere said local authorities were not charitable organisations."Gone are the days when we used to run our local authorities as charitable organisations. Just this morning we saw in the press someone is retiring, town treasurer and he is due to get $300 000."I have said to the permanent secretary let us put our foot down immediately. No. If you are retiring and have served the country thanks very much you have served enough. We cannot pay you another $300 000. People are getting much richer than the authorities themselves. We need to change that trend and make sure at the end of the day services are given," he said.Minister Kasukuwere said the success of central government in governance terms was determined largely by the performance of local government structures adding that in the current situation, the local government sphere was fraught with socio-economic challenges that required concerted efforts of Government to improve the situation.Former Harare town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi, last year made headlines after demanding a hefty package.Dr Mahachi, who earned more than $27 000 monthly, wanted Harare to pay him over $100 000 for every year he served among other benefits after joining council in 2007.Dr Mahachi also wanted a council house No 9A Lancaster Road, Belvedere and to be allowed to buy a commercial stand measuring 6 400 square metres, which he is leasing at the price equivalent to 33 percent of its value.However, Harare offered him a $150 000 retirement package and an option to buy his Toyota VX Land Cruiser at book value for his contribution and service to the city.Dr Mahachi, however, is still to get his package as the matter is still pending before the courts.Association of Rural District Council Associations of Zimbabwe chief executive officer, Mr Rodgers Mozhentiy, last year demanded a hefty retirement package of more than $300 000, five percent of Local Government House and two top of the range vehicles. News / National by Staff reporter PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has struck a 2018 election deal with war veterans amid reports the Joint Operations Command (Joc) brought pressure to bear on the Zanu-PF leader to meet their demands. This is despite the fact that the freedom fighters are still backing Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's presidential bid in the post-Mugabe era, the Zimbabwe Independent has established.Joc, which brings together the army, police and intelligence chiefs, has been key to Mugabe and Zanu-PF's survival by working behind the scenes to prop up the party, while blocking a democratic political transition. Senior Joc members have also perennially campaigned for Mugabe and Zanu-PF.The deal comes on the backdrop of a massive fallout between Mugabe and the Christopher Mutsvangwa-led Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association (ZNLWA), which had withdrawn its support of the nonagenarian ahead of the crucial 2018 elections.In a hard-hitting communique released in July last year, the war veterans announced they would not campaign for Mugabe after accusing him of neglecting the masses and betraying the values of the liberation war.The war veterans also said Mugabe had failed to "use the resounding mandate given to him in the 2013 general elections". They said Mugabe had failed to address the economic problems affecting Zimbabwe and to deal with corruption among other issues.Although Mutsvangwa would neither confirm nor deny that war veterans had struck a deal with Mugabe after behind-the-scenes negotiations, he confirmed that former liberation fighters would now back the ageing leader.Mutsvangwa, however, said the war veterans would continue fighting the G40 faction, which has coalesced around First Lady Grace Mugabe, a confirmation that the association was solidly behind Mnangagwa's presidential bid.He said the war veterans had excellent relations with the army, which Zanu-PF insiders say was supporting the former liberation fighters at a time they were publicly opposing Mugabe and his wife.The army is loyal to Mugabe, but is also supporting Mnangagwa's presidential bid."As chairman, I want to assure the public and the national body politic that there are no contentious issues between ZNLWA and the patron President Robert Mugabe," said Mutsvangwa."By the same token, war veterans are delighted with the ever-warming relations with the First Family as a whole. We also take this opportunity to reassure all and sundry that we have excellent relations with the entire defence and security establishment. General (Constantino) Chiwenga enjoys our utmost trust and confidence."We are of shared military progeny as young men sacrificing only life for freedom and independence in the 1970s. The bonds of blood are too strong to be torn asunder by mahumbwe (child's play) type trickery of G40."Zanu-PF insiders say following behind-the-scenes talks, Mugabe would meet war veterans later this month where he is likely to commit to address issues pertaining to their welfare.War Veterans minister Tshinga Dube has confirmed the meeting.Insiders say the ex-combatants' leadership met in December last year after which they wrote to Mugabe demanding, among many other issues, the removal of Zanu-PF national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere from the commissariat department. Kasukuwere is a key member of the G40 faction."Following the demands, some senior Joc members held meetings with Mugabe over the war veterans' demands concerning the need to revamp the commissariat," said an official, adding: "The countrywide demonstrations and vote of no confidence passed by nine provinces against Kasukuwere have worked in the war veterans' favour."Joc officials reportedly told Mugabe he would need the war veterans to campaign for him in next year's elections as they live among the electorate.The officials say Kasukuwere may be moved from the commissariat department as a way to appease the war veterans.Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa told the Independent that the G40 faction would soon lose relevance."The inescapable reality is that the G40 is facing its waterloo. It has already been a torrid season with the (Jacob) Mudenda inquiry, the vote of no confidence by 10 party provinces and the thorough drubbing of the G40 pretender (Mutero Masanganise) by chairman (Ezra) Chadzamira in Masvingo party provincial elections. The end is nigh for the G40 cabal and its diabolic power grab pretences," he said. Unless you're some kind of weirdo who still reads the same books from childhood -- or the kind of weirdo who actually has kids of their own -- you probably haven't checked out any picture books in a while. Well, guess what: There's some heavy shit out there. Since our prepubescent brains weren't equipped to untangle them, let us present a series of book reports on some of those childhood favorites that totally flew over your head while you were busy eating glue. 6 The Cat In The Hat Is About Finding Our Moral Compass In A Godless Universe Despite having been turned into a feature film full of boner jokes and regret, Dr. Seuss' The Cat In The Hat continues to endure as one of the most-read children's books ever. And what's not to like? After all, it's the whimsical story of a talking cat who owns a goddamn hat. And! It also works as a treatise on modulating your sense of moral value in the absence of a god. You see, the book finds two kids being left alone by their mother, who presumably had a gig in another children's book across town. So, the girl (Sally) and the unnamed boy (Tyler Durden?) just sit there and stare out the window. Channel programs News Accenture To Buy 250-Person Life Sciences Consultancy To Use Technology For Faster Scientific Discovery Michael Novinson Share this Accenture plans to purchase an enterprise science data consultancy to better assist life sciences firms with capturing, managing, integrating and analyzing complex research data. The Dublin, Ireland-based company, No. 2 on the CRN Solution Provider 500, said it plans to combine LabAnswer's 250-person staff with Accenture's existing 50-person R&D information sciences task force. That will create a standalone practice focused on leveraging automation, artificial intelligence, analytics and the cloud to help identify new and more effective treatments for patients. "This [life sciences] space is pretty significantly behind where you might expect it to be, and where the technology is in other industries," Brad Michel, a managing director in Accenture's life sciences practice, told CRN. [Related: Accenture Investing $900M To Retrain 200,000 Employees In Next-Generation Technology] Accenture pursued Sugar Land, Texas-based LabAnswer to gain deeper business domain knowledge to keep pace with the rapid pace of change in the life sciences industry, according to Kevin Julian, who leads Accenture's life sciences practice in North America. "We were not at the scale we would like to see in the research and laboratory parts of that business," Julian said. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in 30 to 45 days, were not disclosed. Quantum leaps in technology mean that scientific research nowadays in just as likely to take place sifting through reams of data on a computer as it is in the lab, Michel said. Targets and biomarkers have resulted in an explosion in the amount of data available to researchers, Michel said, while dramatic reductions in the cost of sequencing genomes have much that possible at a much greater scale. But this has put pressure on the custom, home-grown systems used by many life sciences companies, Michel said. Most research organizations still operate on client-based systems with hundreds of research applications that are unable to talk to one another, he said. The problems have only intensified as large molecule research becomes more pervasive, Michel said, forcing organizations to create additional custom databases that can handle the new types of data coming from the research. Life sciences firms should instead rethink their workflows for efficiency, Michel said, bringing in scalable cloud solutions and generating new experiences that use cloud, analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide researchers with more access to data at their fingertips. Straight IT solutions often fail in the life sciences space since clients expect their consultants to come in with specific scientific application knowledge, said Mark Everding, LabAnswer's CEO. "We need to be the translator for how we can bring that technology into the [life sciences] industry," Everding told CRN. And for LabAnswer, having Accenture's global reach will make it much easier for the company to serve existing multinational clients. Roughly 85 percent of LabAnswer's clients are Fortune 1000-type enterprises in the biopharmaceutical space, Everding said, with the remaining 15 percent coming from the consumer goods, resources, chemicals, energy and government spaces. Accenture plans to start by targeting LabAnswer's capabilities at white space in the U.S. market, Julian said. From there, Julian said Accenture would target the European market by hiring folks to represents the company's new information sciences practice in the region. Finally, Julian said Accenture would add information sciences capabilities to support its global services delivery network in India and other locations. "There's a clear opportunity to take this thing global," Julian said. News / National by Online Get the latest details as Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe kicks off a nationwide series of rallies to drum up support from youths ahead of the 2018 elections. Some of the white farmers at the rally Mugabe looks really energised. Everything points to him as 2018 candidate. He thrives in this kind of adulation #marondera #youthrally Mduduzi Mathuthu (@Mathuthu) June 2, 2017 16:59 President Mugabe has finished his address and the Youth League has given him a token of their appreciation. The present has been opened and it's a portrait of the first family at the 21st February Movement Celebrations.16:57 President Mugabe says people must be prepared to sweat for the country if we are to develop the country"It is only through our combined effort in unity that we can develop.""Forward unity, ever," says President Mugabe.As President Mugabe concludes his speech, he says the late VP John Nkomo left Zimbabweans with a valuable lesson:" Peace begins with me, Peace begins with you, Peace begins with all of us."16:54 Mugabe calls for peace in the country. "Peace begins with me, peace begins with you and peace begins with all of us""Zimbabweans must be prepared to work and sweat to uplift our economy"16:52 "We do not have enough dairy farms in this country and we need to do more to get more milk as a country"Blair you can keep your England and we will keep our Zimbabwe."The land is our heritage and we are happy that we are now proud owners of land and we must utilise it and ensure that our children go to school"We have a problem with our South African allies, the whites are still controlling industries there, they are the main employers and have many farms."Our friends in the ANC are looking at means of redistributing the land to the majority of the people. It is the same situation in Namibia"I hear that we have G40 and Team Lacoste, please stop it."16:45 President Mugabe said land redress invited sanctions from Britain."Some where shaken by the sanctions. They wondered if we were going to survive the storm. But we said, we will face it.16:36 President Mugabe has warned Cabinet and Politburo members against leaking closed door deliberations adding that those who are in the habit of doing so are not doing themselves and the party any good."Thank you very much for coming to spend the day with me here. Thank you for the respect you continue to bestow upon me. Your deeds are giving our detractors sleepless nights."16:33 He says, traditionally, Chiefs are known to be polygamous and it is said they manage the arrangement so well."But for you young people, be faithful to your partners. We do not expect you to divorce in two years."16:29 "Promiscuity, promiscuity has become a dangerous cancer in the homes. We hear stories of men who fall in love with other women more than they did with their wives. When you wedded your wife, had you not seen her weaknesses," he quizzes.16:25 President Mugabe says party members have an obligation to be humane and humble. Giving word of advise to the youths, he says promiscuity has broken many homes.16:22 President Mugabe has implored party members who are interested in positions to abide by the Party Constitution and wait for congress time.16:19 President Mugabe says when he came back from Ghana, he was seconded to UNDP and when election came, the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo was elected the leader."The same applies, when Zanu was formed, people elected Ndabaningi Sithole to lead. He was later removed but he had been elected. We never looked at where one comes from."He has urged those fomenting factionalism to STOP IT.16:14 "Zanu PF as a party is a multi-ethnic revolutionary movement. We fought the struggle like that. We never bothered about one's ethnicity. Are we still holding onto that? We have a principle of denouncing tribalism. As a party, we frown upon it."Surprisingly, some seem to be pushing for that. No, we do not want that."Some are saying let us exchange the button, we cannot continue being led by a Zezuru. We can't operate like that."16:10 President Mugabe says most farmers who left Zimbabwe moved northwards to Zambia. They are now farming there. It's ok. Here we can do it ourselves. At some point, we all lived rural life. We lived difficult lives but it is what inspired us to fight land repossession because we were crammed in the reserves."16:05 "Government is also working on repossessing fallow land from those who have large farms and are not fully utilising them."15:59 President Mugabe says there are some greedy individuals who want to benefit from youth stands so that they sell later."We do not want people who do that. We are giving land to people so that they builds homes to stay. But, there are some who already have stands but still want to benefit. No, we are not going to allow that."15:53 According to President Mugabe, there are some people who got large pieces of land which they can't utilise. Now, they are covertly subcontracting white farmers in return for a token of appreciation.He has advised chiefs to be on the lookout for such people since they are the custodians of land and the people.15:52 President Mugabe says there are about 73 white farmers remaining in the province."These were protected by former Minister of State for Mashonaland East, Ray Kaukonde. We are looking into the issue.""We are going to give our youths small pieces of land. We cannot give you large tracks of land because for now, you do not have the capacity to work on it.Some of you are still single. Therefore, you can not productively till on your own. You need inputs too."15:44 President Mugabe says when the country gained independence, War Veterans made their requests and they were given land."They must stop bickering as if Government never did anything for them. We did and we are still working on meeting their demands. We agreed that 20% of all the acquired land is reserved for veterans of the liberation struggle.1541: He has however bemoaned the exclusion of youths in these programmes."We want our youths to play a leading role. Now, I want young people to be given land."15:40 "Now that command agriculture has given us good yields on grain crops, let us extend it to wheat," he says.If the programme is extended to wheat, we will have all the bread we want in the country, President Mugabe says.15:36 His Excellency has spoken of his surprise when when he saw a sea of people gathered here."When I was coming here, I thought I am coming to meet the people of Mashonaland East. I was shocked when I got here. I must say I am proud of you Zanu-PF youths."Media was coming up with all sort of conspiracy theories over the past few days. They even reported imaginary tension. Look at yourselves, are you fighting? NO."President Mugabe says Zanu PF is a people's party whose programmes are people centric like Command Agriculture.He says command agriculture pleased even the heavens and floodgates of rains were opened."We received good rains and even those who did not take part in the command agriculture program are looking forward to a good harvest."15:34 Mugabe: We want unity and progress for our people, we need to create jobs for our people and strengthen our agriculture at the back of the successes of Command Agriculture15:33 Mugabe: Thanks youths for organizing the million man march last year and it surprised the sadc region and the whites who were thinking that I was finished and I had to laugh and put my hands in my pockets15:29 President Mugabe says last year's Million Man March shocked even the detractors."Some of the people who thought I am finished were left wondering. The March left me walking proudly with hands in my pocket. They had thought since I am in my 90s I am now old to have people's support. They were lost. They got the shock of their lives."15:24 "These meetings are being done against the background of a Million Man March held last year. The youths said to me, President Mugabe, we travelled to meet you last year. This year, it's your turn to visit us."As such, we agreed (me and Chipanga) to schedule a meeting for today."15:23 President Mugabe recognises the presence of various dignitaries present here at Rudhaka Grounds.He pays tribute to the youth league for mobilising thousands of party supporters who have come to attend the meeting.15:16 President Mugabe is now on the podium.15:15 The First Lady says young people, particularly, are the ones who use social media progressively."Some of you have families, would you want people to be insulting you in spheres where your children are found."The First Lady is done with her address.15:13 White people are even afraid of Pres Mugabe coz of his stuwardship adds Grace Mugabe.15:12 Grace Mugabe says social media is not a bad thing but people need to engage responsibly."Some are using social media progressively. They spread party programmes on social media. But there are some people who use social media to denigrate leadership. This is not good."15:09 On why Government introduced bond notes, First Lady Grace Mugabe says the move was meant to plug foreign currency leakages."There are some people who come here to sell cheap stuff and they do not bank the money. They take it outside the country. Let us embrace bond notes and plastic money."15:06 Women's League Secretary has also encouraged Government Ministers to stop making conflicting policy pronouncements adding that it confuses even investors.15:04 Grace Mugabe has castigated factionalism with the party saying it doesn't strengthen the party."Let us stop throwing names. We will confuse the electorate. Let us wait for election time and contest."15:02 "We do not consider where one comes from. Whether you come from Masvingo or Gwanda, if you have the capacity, you are given the post."15:01 The First Lady says Zanu-PF is an organised party which is multi-tribal and has a multi-ethnic appeal."We do not fight for positions in our party. We respect structures unlike other parties that have been splitting."14:59 "We are happy and united under the leadership of President Mugabe," Amai Mugabe has said imploring the party and government to serve the people every time."Let us not remember people during election period. We hear of stories that roads are patched every time the President is set to visit. How many times does he visit? Why should we abandon our duties," she quizzes.14:55 Grace Mugabe has described youths as the vanguard of the party adding that she is happy that they have not abandoned or forsaken ways they have been taught by Women's League.14:52 First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe is now addressing the gathering.14:00 The crowd sings "Gabriel achatonga Africa".14:50 Chipanga has finished his address.14:49 Youth League Secretary says in the past, media has tried to be dramatic saying he has equated President Mugabe to an angel."Is he not an angel? Is he not Gabriel? Many of you will be shocked on judgement day when they see President Mugabe holding a notebook adjudicating who is suppose to get in or go to hell."14:46 He has spoken highly of Women's League and War Veterans saying these must work together or both perish.14:44 Still on accelerated implementation of ZimAsset, Chipanga thanks His Excellency for commissioning Tokwe-Mukosi Dam and the launch of the Command Fishing Project."These two will help in job creation for young people. We thank you President."Chipanga has castigated Marondera Town Council for neglecting service delivery only to start working when they heard President Mugabe is coming to town.14:40 Chipanga pays tribute to President Mugabe for launching the dualisation of Beitbridge Chirundu Highway adding that first preferance on jobs must be given to local youths and women."We do not want to see foreigners working as general hands during the dualisation of this road. As young people, we need jobs in order to survive."Youth League Secretary has encouraged party youths to pay back loans advanced to them as part of the empowerment programs. He has also encouraged senior party officials to pay their own debts as well saying some got equipment under the mechanisation program but have not paid anything."Maybe the young people are taking a leaf from our senior party members," he says.14:39 "We are not happy that Barclays is being sold to Malawians, why can't we buy it at Zimbabweans?", says ChipangaWe are a happy that there will be a youth bank but we urge all youths to repay loans14:33 He has called for the expropriation of farms which are still in the hands of white farmers adding that to sustain themselves, young people want small plots."Our Excellency, our mandate as young people is to defend the party. We don't want to hear or get orders from senior people in the party that certain candidates must not be challenged in the primary elections. We are not going to tolerate that as young people."14:28 "As a result, Your Excellency, may we have a credit scheme for young people. Also, may we get land for farming as youths."14:26 According to Chipanga, young people do not get the necessary support when it comes to many government programs that have been rolled out.14:25 He has encouraged youths to register to vote so that the party records victory in the forthcoming harmonised elections. Chipanga has also encouraged party members to respect senior party officials. He however says there is a difference between respect and support."Let me be clear, let us respect our elders but when it comes to support, we only support President Mugabe."A sloganeering Zanu-PF supporter, among the crowd at the Rudhaka stadium14:18 "We want to assure you President Mugabe, you are our life President. Even if you die, we will hold the Politburo at National Heroes Acre. We will support you always."Chipanga says youths were tired of tales by Politburo and Central Committee members who meet President Mugabe regularly.14:16 "We want to thank you President Mugabe for taking time off your busy schedule to meet the young people. The reason why we opted for this model was the overwhelming attendance during last year's Million Man March. Some did not even attend," Chipanga says.14:14 Chipanga makes salutations and requests people gathered to observe a minute of silence in honour of the late national hero, Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu."Mash East is a special province. Everything is done the Zanu PF way here. Even when people cough, they clench their fist which is a Zanu PF symbol."14:02 Youth League Secretary Kudzanai Chipanga is at the podium to deliver his speech.13:54 There are 3300 stands in Marondera, 300 stands in Mahusekwa, 45 hactares in Landas, Beatrice area 125 hactares, Juru Growth Point 300, 100 Murehwa and Mutoko 30. Hwedza has 700 stands. Hamandishe says all these stands and pieces of land are at various stages of development.Mutsvairo lauds Government's Command Agriculture scheme before appealing for His Excellency to consider the plight of young farmers."We do not have land as young people. Kindly consider our plight President."13:49 "We are happy to see you. We are also happy to host the first meeting because we then set the motion for other provinces. As the Youth League, we stand by you in the forth coming elections. We declare you our life President."He thanks President Mugabe for giving land to youths in the province.He says process to legalise the issuance of stands is on going adding that they have been working well with UDCORP.13:44 Kelvin Mutsvairo, Mashonaland East Province Youth League Chairperson welcomes President Mugabe to the province."We thank you for coming. This is your territory. We do not want to hear of any other party."13:40 "Since yesteryear youths fought selflessly, today's youths have a duty to defend the gains of the liberation struggle. Youths have to stay resolute."13:38 Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs, Ambrose Mutinhiri takes the microphone to sing Sarura wako/Kheth' omthandayo before making salutations.Mutinhiri says the province feels honoured to host the first meeting of the many to follow."This country was defended by youths. President Mugabe was young when he joined the nationalist movement. We ought to draw wisdom from them."13:34 Mash East Provincial chairman Bernard Makokove takes to the podium and assures the President that the province will retain the seats they won in the 2013 elections.Makokove thanks President Mugabe for granting hero status to the late former Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku.Some traditional chiefs in attendance"We thank you for all you have done for us Baba."13:25 Hamandishe reassures President Mugabe of youth league support."We stand by our resolution Your Excellency that you are our candidate for the 2018 harmonised elections," he says.Chipanga has been invited to introduce senior party officials who have attended the meeting.13:24 Newly elevated Deputy Secretary for the Women's League, Thokozile Mathuthu greets party supporters. She does so in style and swag, at least according to Hamandishe.13:22 Mabel Chinomona chants the slogan on behalf of Members of Parliament from the province.13:10 Hamandishe welcomes President Mugabe and invites Mashonaland East Youth League chairperson to introduce his team.1303: Zanu PF Youth League Political Commissar, Innocent Hamandishe is the Director of Ceremonies.13:01 The National Anthem is being sung.12:50 President Mugabe has arrived accompanied by First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe. Amid deafening cheers that are drowning even the sound of the Public Announcement system, President Mugabe is greeting the crowd, moving slowly among them with his trademark clenched fist. Zimbabwe National Youth Service are struggling to contain members of the public who are refusing to stay seated as the icon manoeuvres in their midst. They cheer in jubilation and admiration.12:47 Zanu PF National Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Youth League Secretary Kudzanai Chipanga as well Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Dr Christopher Mushohwe have arrived at the venue and are taking their seats at the VVIP tent.12:26 As people await the arrival of President Mugabe, ZRP band keeps them entertained through a rendition of Simon Chimbetu's song, Sango.11:55 Senate President, Edna Madzongwe has arrived here in Marondera for the President's interactive meeting and address.11:49 Brilliant sound bites by various Zimbabwean artists illuminate Rudhaka grounds and visibly excited party faithfuls wave their clenched fists - the revolutionary part's symbol - as they sing along.Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo and Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Cain Mathema have arrived at the venue.11:43 Members of Zanu-PF Women's League, despite the fact that this is a Youth League meeting, form a considerable part if the crowd. The two organs have been working together harmoniously in drumming up support for the party.11:25 The meeting is the first of the many interactive sessions President Mugabe will hold across the provinces as Zanu PF drums up support for the 2018 harmonised elections.11:24 Despite a sea of masses already packed at the open ground, a more are trickling in on foot.11:21 Faces, like pebbles on the beach have populated Rudhaka Stadium grounds waiting for the legendary leader, President Robert Gabriel Mugabe who is set the have an interactive meeting with Mashonaland East youths today. HARTFORD-A New Yorker who sold a deadly batch of heroin Dec. 7, 2015 to a 26-year-old Greenwich man will be spending 16 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea imposed the term on Isaiah Hart, 22, of the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Once released from prison he must spend three years being supervised by the U.S. Probation Department as well as perform 96 hours of community service. Hart who had been free on bond was taken into custody immediately. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 21, 2017 to a charge of conspiring to distribute heroin. Additionally Hart has related drug charges pending in Brooklyn stemming from his selling heroin, in similar Emerald City-stamped bags to to an undercover law enforcement officer on December 8, 2015. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 5 in Kings Country Supreme Court in Brooklyn and is expected to receive a two-year sentence. The Greenwich male was found dead in his home on Dec. 8, 2015 by Greenwich police and emergency responders. Several packets of Emerald City stamped heroin were found nearby. The police investigation determined that the victim responded to a Craigslist ad offering dog food for sale. He arranged a purchase of 20 bags of heroin for $185 in New York. The heroin was delivered by Hart. Assistant U.S. Public Defender Kelly Barrett pointed out that Hart grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant which has a high rate of violent crime. She noted that in 2010 there were 12 murders, 29 rapes, 433 robberies, 422 assaults, 408 burglaries and 119 auto thefts. She also noted that 49 percent of the projects residents 16 and older are unemployed. Although only 22 years old, the defendants prior criminal conduct strongly indicates that he is likely to commit crimes in the future, countered Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Jongbloed. The prosecutor noted that Hart already has arrests for an assault and robbery, stealing $1,636 in property and possessing a loaded .22 caliber. This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users. The investigation was conducted by the DEAs New Haven Task Force and the Greenwich Police Department. The Task Force includes DEA agents and task force officers from the North Haven, East Haven, West Haven, New Haven, Hamden, Branford, Ansonia, Derby and Meriden Police Departments. U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly also acknowledged the significant assistance of the New York Police Department in this investigation. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HARTFORD A provision included in a health care bill that unanimously passed the Senate early Friday became a target for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy later in the day. The governor called it an expensive mandate on insurance companies at a time when Aetna is considering a move out of state. An amendment on legislation aimed to provide health benefits for Connecticut women and children if the federal Affordable Care Act gets massively revamped, included a requirement that insurers provide coverage for women within 30 days of their being declared pregnant by a medical professional. With womens health care under attack at the federal level, it is only right that the Connecticut state Senate is leading the way by passing legislation ensuring access to lifesaving preventative services and screenings, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said after the bill was approved shortly before 1 a.m.. The Affordable Care Act has provided a literal lifeline to many women who otherwise would not have been able to afford health care. Malloy said he appreciated some sections of the bill, which includes expanded contraception benefits and mandated benefits for women, children and adolescents on the states health exchange, Access Health CT. In short, they took a good bill and essentially sank it, Malloy warned. This lack of awareness and blatant disdain for the insurance industrys expertise and concern for their customers is infuriating and needs to stop. He warned that if the bill also wins approval in the House, he might veto it. I seriously question whether the Legislature understands the impact that their actions have on the rising costs of health care, Malloy said. In response to Malloys criticism, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, was stoic. There is a great deal about the legislative process that is fluid and situational, Looney said in response to Malloys criticism. An opponent on one issue might be a critical ally on another, as long as the personal relationship is not undermined. kdixon@ctpost.com; Twitter: @KenDixonCT When launching a new business, many entrepreneurs might recognize SEO as something they should do, but never quite get around to investing in it amidst the chaos of founding a startup. In fact, recent studies highlight that only 17 percent of small business owners have an SEO strategy, and 39 percent of small businesses arent investing in any marketing strategies at all. But, while an entrepreneurs mind may be whirling with ideas about product development or new team members, its worth bringing SEO into the loop at an early a stage as possible. After all, its SEO that will lead customers to your company in the first place; a good SEO strategy can increase organic search engine traffic by more than 1000 percent, putting you ahead of competitors and helping to drive sales. Related: To Create an SEO Strategy, You'll Have to Be Patient With various tactics for quick SEO success, its important that businesses stay focused on what works in the long-run. Here are four tips to ensure your business is search optimized at all times: Dont fall for the "flavor of the month." Google uses specific criteria to rank websites, however constantly changes the ranking formula to provide the best search results. A popular SEO approach is trying to reverse engineer and estimate what this criteria is based on keywords, etc. -- kind of like cracking Googles secret code. But, while this may work for a time, a companys SEO strategy is back to square one once Google changes its algorithms. If you want to survive Google changes -- simply put -- you need to focus on being the best. Instead of starting with SEO keywords, make sure the content on your website is actually useful and that it provides better information than everyone else. In fact, the content on your website needs to be so good that Google would be embarrassed not to rank you. This means conducting studies, sharing insights on your blog, promoting videos and all in all, lots of quality inbound marketing. Related: Tech Talk: Breaking Down SEO for Small Business Owners Next implement a distribution strategy. Participate in online communities related to your industry to expose your brand, share your website on popular forums or get your company in front of influencers or journalists who may have an interest. Once your brands been written about positively on a reputable publication, customers are sure to find you in search -- and consider you a trustworthy expert when they do. And while the ranking formulas are secret, Google shares the rules to get pages found and indexed for free (see here and here). In other words, avoid falling for the flavor of the month ranking tactic and focus on foundational SEO opportunities. This way, Google will be able to find and index your pages to begin with. Customize messaging in organic search snippets. When Google presents a user with search results, it doesnt just list a bunch of links. To save users from wasting time clicking through links that are relevant to them, the search engine provides organic search snippets. In other words, its a sample of content that tells a user what the web page is about, which is automatically generated by Google from the meta-description of the page. So, if an entrepreneur doesnt take the time to update the snippet, its up to Google to choose what information goes in there -- really, the first interaction search users or potential customers might first have with the company. And trust me, Google dont always play nice. It could easily pull a bad review, a disclaimer or even legal information from your website page that highlights why someone should use your product. Take a look at what happened to one of our clients, for example: You need to customize the organic search snippet with the same consideration to detail as you would to a paid Google ad -- that is, with the most information about your company to attract users. You can customize the search snippet with ratings and reviews, images and other links, as well as multimedia content and breadcrumbs. Google provides a good overview of customization options, as well as exactly how to implement them here. Related: Taking 'Focus on Users' Advice Can Kill Your SEO Traffic Consolidate duplicate content. When it comes to increasing organic search traffic, duplicate content on webpages can be a big roadblock. According to Google, duplicate content can arise from a website offering printer-only versions of websites, store items being shown via distinct URLs, or when discussion forums generate "stripped-down" pages for targeted users. The problem with duplicate content is that the pages rank individually and compete against each other for the same keywords; that means that theyre head-to-head for the same rankings. In this, its imperative to consolidate all content on your website so all your pages can work together to get the best rankings. Once you make the move youll see improved rankings within just a few weeks, and new website changes will be picked up faster by Google since it has to index fewer pages than before. So how exactly can you consolidate your duplicate content? There are a few ways: Define a canonical URL. The same content is often accessed through different URLs. For example, a shirt sold on an e-retailers website may be defined under two different categories -- casualwear and new collection -- and therefore boast two different URLs. When you define a canonical URL, you are indicating your preferred URL to Google. Use 301 redirects. This changes the URL of a page in search results, and ensures users are directed to the right place. So if the shirt can be accessed through http://companyname/casual/blue-shirt as well as http://companyname/new/blue-shirt, pick your preferred URL using the canonical method, and redirect traffic to there using 301 redirects. But, keep in mind consolidating duplicate content shouldnt just be about Google rankings. It should be about building quality links that are valuable to SEO performance. Duplicate content only puts your SEO efforts to waste. Related: 7 SEO Mysteries Solved Correct stale content. Imagine your companys blog was cited in The New York Times. After a successful PR campaign, the mention was a huge win for the entire team. In fact, your website traffic has since increased by 45 percent. However, months later you decide to change the permalink structure on all your blogs to not include dates. While you may think the URLs now have a cleaner look, they just became a lot less useful. Those who try to visit your website from The New York Times end up with a stale link. And your website traffic drops by 30 percent. Entrepreneurs should always check for links leading to dead pages, and redirect them as soon as possible. Do this by running Googles crawl errors report to make sure no one gets a "404 Not Found" error message when trying to access important content on your website. Once the report alerts you to dead links, you can 301 redirect them to other pages on your site and mark the URLs as fixed. A good SEO strategy will support company growth in a number of ways, from helping to drive website traffic, to acting as a strong pillar for PR campaigns. So while its easy for the marketing strategy to fall back-of-mind, entrepreneurs should consider it an important step to long-term business success Related: 4 Key Things Small Businesses Should Do to Remain Search Optimized at All Times The 7 Pieces of a Successful SEO Starter Kit To Create an SEO Strategy, You'll Have to Be Patient Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved News / National by Agencies President Robert Mugabe will be at the gates of heaven deciding who gets in and who goes to hell, a ruling party youth leader said at a rally Friday.Speaking in the exaggerated way some in Zimbabwe use to praise elders in public, Kudzanai Chipanga said: "Many will be shocked on judgement day when they see President Mugabe adjudicating who is supposed to get in or go to hell."Done dealThe youth leader said Zanu-PF 'elders' like chiefs and senior party officials deserved respect, but only one man would have the youths' support: Mugabe."When it comes to support we only support President Mugabe," said Chipanga, adding that the longtime Zanu-PF leader's victory in 2018 elections was 'a done deal.'Mugabe will be 94 then. Given his growing frailty, there is inevitable speculation he may not even be alive.Chipanga's quotes were translated from Shona by the state-owned Sunday Mail.'Interactive' youth rallyChipanga was speaking at what was billed an "interactive youth meeting" held in Marondera, a small town 75km east of Harare. Mugabe and First Lady Grace Mugabe spoke after him.As Mugabe battles factional battles within his ruling Zanu-PF, he is understood to be counting on support from his party's youth wing. The loyalty of his traditional supporters, the war veterans, appears to be on the wane.School buses and council trucks were commandeered to bring supporters to the meeting. A local flea market was closed and there were claims street vendors had been forced to attend the rally.Life president"As long as you're alive Gushungo, you are our life president," said Chipanga, using Mugabe's clan name.He also said Mugabe was God's "angel Gabriel", a reference to the president's middle name.Despite the hyperbole, Chipanga did not shy away from hinting at the president's inevitable demise.Politburo meetings"Even if you die, we will hold the (ruling party's) politburo (meetings) at National Heroes Acre," the youth leader said in a quote translated by the official Herald online. Heroes' Acre is the national burial site for independence war icons. Mugabe will almost certainly be buried there when he dies.Grace Mugabe has previously claimed Mugabe will rule from the grave. She may have her own eyes on the top seat, some analysts say. News / Press Release by Jacob Mafume Stop further land invasions by land barons including the ones linked to ZANUPF. Converting the country's accumulation model from one based on extraction, to one based on industrialization, value addition and beneficiation. Old industrial funds created during the GNU such as DiMAF and ZETREV should be revived and recapitalised. Urgent attention should be paid to SMEs, recapitalization of SEDCO and other instruments of credit for Small and Medium businesses. This will take a significant chuck our people out of street vending. Develop an urban transport system including a metro system for Bulawayo and Harare. The defining status quo of modern cities is the development of a fast, environmentally clean, urban commuter network commonly known as the Tube or the Metro. The PDP suggests a modern metro- system for all its major cities with priority being given to Chitungwiza - Harare - Norton - Ruwa, - Network and the Pumula - Llewellyn - Cement Side - Bulawayo -Network. This will ensure a departure from the current police spikes madness which has seen many people losing the lives. The People's Democratic Party is irked by recent remarks from the Deputy Chief Secretary in the office of the President Ray Ndhlukula accusing the City of Harare of failure when the blame also falls squarely into Mugabe's court.Mugabe is the chief architect of all the vices that have dogged our country; sadly our cities have also been an immediate casualty. While we appreciate the fact that local authorities could have made better decisions in many instances, Mugabe must also take responsibility for the bigger picture of redefining failure.Mugabe is running an ineffective state drowning in corruption, fragility and now facing state failure.His clear defiance of the supreme law by refusing to implement devolution as promulgated by the National constitution has made it difficult for local authorities to make independent decisions.The cities have failed to even appoint their own employees with high levels of interference from central government at the present moment Mugabe's evil hand has seen municipalities being manned by city fathers who speak a different language from the policies that the management implement; Mugabe and ZANUPF are at the centre of this confusion.The People's Democratic Party recently stated that the cities have a hallmark of cities in war torn countries, we argued then as we do now that down town Harare or Fourth Street is reflective of Freetown, Monrovia or Kinshasa .Part of the rot and filthiness is a result of Mugabe's lack of vision, 37 years after independence the city is still supporting over three million people using infrastructure which was designed for 800 thousand white people.Mugabe's lack of vision is even dangerous going forward with surveys predicting that 56% of the people on the African continent will be living in urban centres by 2050.Zimbabwe is already struggling with cholera and typhoid; it will only get worse when urban population increases.ZANUPF must look at the disasters in a holistic sense, despite the fact that councillors have also been involved in corrupt scandals, central government has been worse. They parcel out land including on wetlands and spaces reserved for schools.Part of the reason why the cities are disorganised is a product of the unemployment that Mugabe and friends have created. ZANUPF has failed to create jobs for the working people including College and University graduates. Resultantly vending has become the order of the day.ZANUPF has presided over massive de-industrialisation which has seen most of our people turning to venting for survival. Chinamasa even boasted of the informalisation as a game changer much to the shock of the entire universe.The picture of tomatoes and onions on the streets of Harare tells a bizarre story of storms and darkness, it is like a book of sad tales which you would not want your kids to read, and obviously this sight is not so appealing to elites like Ray Ndhlukula.There is no substitute for vision, we reiterate that Mugabe does not have ideas beyond power retention, the reason why he has decided to close all the schools in Marondera force marching people to attend his rallies, we find this unacceptable. The only stink we know is his failure, incompetence and mediocrity.The Challenges that the cities face can only be solved if the citizens elect the right people for the right offices especially after Mugabe's time. We also make the following suggestions. Implementation of Devolution as provided for in the National Constitution.Together Another Zimbabwe is PossibleJacob MafumePDP Spokesperson Opinion / Columnist THIS is the fifth in a series of articles of a detailed research paper by British academic Hazel Cameron on the state-sponsored killings of civilians by Zimbabwean security forces between 1982 and 1987 under the pretext of suppressing dissidents in the atrocities now widely referred to as the Gukurahundi massacres.The following day, March 5, US Secretary of State George Shultz informed the American embassies in Maputo, Mozambique, and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), that the "Fifth Brigade's activities have been lightly covered in the British press; however, a detailed report by Nick Worrall datelined Bulawayo appeared in today's Guardian. Worral wrote in part: 'At one church refugee centre in a Bulawayo suburb last night, 209 people slept the night on a bare stone oor surrounded by their bundles of possessions. Most were either old men or women with small children. One woman said she had ed from her village north of Bulawayo after she and all the other people from the village had been made to lie face down on the ground while soldiers walked along beating them with sticks. She said two men who had tried to get up had been shot dead by soldiers an old man from a village 30 miles east of the city said two of his young male relatives were shot dead by soldiers last week. He had left home and was afraid to return'."The offensive by the Zimbabwean government continued, with Minister of State for Security, Emmerson Mnangagwa, making a public statement on March 4, at a rally held not far from Lupane. His statement was reported in the Chronicle, March 5 1983."He told his audience that (the) government had 'an option' of 'burning down all the villages infected with dissidents'."He warned 'the campaign against dissidents can only succeed if the infrastructure which nurtures them is destroyed'. In a supercilious manner, he chillingly described dissidents as "cockroaches" and the Fifth Brigade as "DDT" brought in to eradicate them."The very next day, the largest recorded massacre occurred at Cewale in Northern Lupane with the death of 55 people."Mnangagwa, in these statements and in others he made later, made clear plainly that the action against the civilian population of Matabeleland was part of a deliberate state policy."In an effort to develop a working strategy to deal with the Zimbabwe problem, Chester Crocker, the US Assistant Secretary of State, Africa, wrote to a US delegation visiting Zimbabwe to explain that: "The reasons for the (Prime Minister Robert) Mugabe's government's actions are several and interrelated. Like African leaders since the wave of independence began in 1957, he wants to consolidate his power. In practice, this means suppression of the rival, minority, Ndebele tribe by the Shona. This comes against a background of centuries of tribal rivalry "Another core reason for the Zimbabwe government's action with important US domestic political ramications is the need which Mugabe recognises, to maintain a climate of law and order in Zimbabwe that encourages the still economically necessary white minority to stay."It is of note that in this same document, Crocker described Mugabe's policy in Matabeleland as "turning the Fifth Brigade loose on the Ndebele", while on the very same day (March 4 1983) British High Commissioner Robin Byatt met with Minister of Defence Sydney Sekeramayi and told him that "we sympathise with the difculties his government face in handling the dissident problem. We did not wish to add to these".Byatt continued, saying he "thought that Zimbabwe's image and international reputation would suffer badly if the kind of reports which had been appearing recently were to continue over any protracted period of time I urged him strongly to ensure that excesses were curbed and that, while military force was needed, no more was used than was essential to the requirement of the moment I said, again speaking personally, that in addition to our concern for Zimbabwe's security and for her international reputation we had to be particularly careful of the reputation of our army". Byatt ended by advising London "I am sure that our best tactic is to continue to try to proffer sympathetic and constructive, rather than simply critical advice if we wish to inuence Zimbabwean decisions".The rationale for such decision-making is undoubtedly multi-stranded. However, it is quite clear that one of the major concerns for the British is "the reputation of (their) army" and British public opinion as opposed to the ongoing atrocities and human violations.Such was the increasing concern among Western diplomats in Harare over the unbridled atrocities taking place, that a meeting was organised at the Canadian High Commission on March 11 1983 to share data on conditions in Matabeleland among the chiefs of mission. Representatives from the major involved Western countries Canada, West Germany, Sweden, Australia and the United States all attended. Strikingly, Byatt failed to attend, with no apology proffered.After the meeting, the Americans concluded "that conditions are about as bad as they have been reported in the press, if not worse, though there may have been an improvement following the initial Fifth Brigade rampage in late January and early February".Intelligence collated from "Zapu people" by the West German ambassador indicated "that the terror (in Matabeleland) has been directed mainly against women and children. Fifth Brigade has had little contact with actual dissidents, they say, and in two cases where there was contact, ve brigade soldiers ed the scene. Zapu people insist there was no intention to restore law and order. Rather the operation was purely political to crush Zapu and establish a one-party state".A decision was made during this meeting that individual demarches should be undertaken "mainly directed at acting foreign minister Nathan Shamuyarira".Later that same day, US Ambassador Robert Keeley made "a fairly strong demarche" with acting Prime Minister Simon Muzenda, while the Swedish and West German ambassadors met separately with Shamuyarira to make their demarche. In the meantime the Canadian ambassador "had received very broad and soft instructions about a demarche" while the Australian ambassador planned to make a demarche at the earliest opportunity, but had "not seen any one high-level yet".It is notable that the British did not participate in a demarche. As has been noted, Byatt failed to attend the chiefs of mission meeting and Keeley reporting back to Washington that the "UK was conspicuously absent, for reasons I don't know".Upon learning of Byatt's failure to appear at the meeting in the Canadian High Commission, Washington wrote to the American ambassadors in both London and Gaborone advising them that "off the record, I want you to know that we don't entirely share the (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) FCO's condence about how much of a lead their representatives are willing and eager to take. The UK High Commission has always, since independence, cared more about the UK's bilateral relations with the GOZ (Government of Zimbabwe) and has not been inclined to participate in demarches that might cause them damage, though clearly supportive of the overall Western interest in this country. One example is that we and the West Germans have worked hard on trying to get the Zimbabwe media to bring more balance to their coverage of east-west issues, but our British colleagues have not joined us in this endeavour."Washington continued: "Still off the record, the British High Commissioner leaves here on transfer to London in two weeks' time after nearly a three-year tour and a decade of involvement with the Rhodesian problem. He seems somewhat distressed at having to leave at a time when things are going sour. He doesn't want to go out on a low note, that is, a GOZ-UK confrontation over the GOZ's strategy for (Joshua) Nkomo, Zapu, the Ndebele and Matabeleland "I had an hour-long conversation with General Shortis 10 days ago before he had received his instructions on what to say about Matabeleland and found him excessively defensive about what has been going on in Matabeleland and almost an apologist for the GOZ, as well as naive about the political consequences in the longer term. He obviously has a vested interest in the success of BMATT (British Military Advisory and Training Team)'s armed forces integration exercise and tends to downplay the dangers of a blow-up which would scuttle that long and arduous effort."As previously noted, a lm crew had arrived in Zimbabwe to make a documentary on events in Matabeland. David McMillan of the British High Commission in Harare, invited the lm presenter, Jeremy Paxman, to dinner on March 16 1983. After the meeting, McMillan reported back to London that Paxman "took an unreservedly gloomy and sensational view of recent events in Matabeleland where he has recently spent some 10 days. He (Paxman) claimed tha tthe situation was worse than any other he had covered in his years with the BBC. He did not think that the Zimbabwean government would much care for the programme he intended to produce, which was due to broadcast on 21 March (1983)".In his report, McMillan noted that he "tried to get Paxman to see events in Matabeleland in their true perspective and put it to him that it was difcult to believe that he had seen nothing worse I would expect next Monday's Panorama to be hard-hitting and likely to displease the Zimbabweans".One of the more notable parts of the subsequent lm was Paxman interviewed BMATT chief of staff, Colonel Chuck Ivey. Ivey was excessively defensive and dismissive regarding events in Matabeleland, claiming, when questioned, "there are stories out of Matabeleland and stories out of Northern Ireland. Which stories are you going to believe?"At Easter 1983, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference prepared a pastoral statement noting: "Violent reaction against dissident activity has, to our certain knowledge brought about the maiming and death of hundreds and hundreds of innocent people who are neither dissidents nor collaborators. We are convinced by incontrovertible evidence that many wanton atrocities and brutalities have been and are still being perpetrated."Dr Cameron teaches International Relations at the University of St Andrews in Britain. Her main research interests include state crime; external institutional bystanders and international criminal law; state and corporate complicity in genocide, war crime and crimes against humanity; intersection of criminality and the extractive industries in the DRC; and Rwandan state violence.She has written a monograph of her doctoral research titled Britain's Hidden Role in the Rwandan Genocide. Nearly 80 PA people have been charged for Jan. 6 riot. Three are dead. news New Year, New Boulder Address? Start the new year off right with a new Boulder address. Come to Habitat Apartments, where youll be close to... Opinion / Columnist A crisis of leadership and followership; Leaders with power have no ideas and those with ideas have no power; and A country that runs on memory and not imagination. The deep crisis in the state was neatly expressed by Brian Kagoro at last week's Pan-Africa Lecture at Southern African Political Economy Series (Sapes). He posed the notion that Zimbabwe suffers from three interlocking tragedies:We do not have to explain these in any detail as the three tragedies are evident to all and played out everyday. They underpin almost every aspect of the collapse that is taking place around the citizenry daily.The big question raised by Kagoro is the need for radical reform of the state-regime conflation, the need for a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement, far beyond Lancaster House, the Unity Accord and the Global Political Agreement. And the question is how will an election do this?Firstly, we must be the sceptics and suggest that this crisis has emerged irrespective of the results of any of the elections since 2000. Power has never changed hands, even when the ruling party lost, and it can be plausibly suggested that the ruling party has no intention of losing an election, even in the face of a "grand coalition".Secondly, the prevailing facts suggest that the fractured state of the ruling party predicates against them going to an election. The deep divisions within Zanu-PF, and the failure to organise an agreed succession for the presidency, mean that the party is locked into being dependent upon President Robert Mugabe being their only plausible contender in 2018. This is clearly a very dangerous situation for the party.Assuming that Mugabe is unable, for whatever reason, to be the candidate of their "choice", who can Zanu-PF put forward that could meet the double jeopardy of both winning a "popular vote" and being plausibly acceptable to the region? So, despite all the rhetoric of giving us two million jobs, we would suggest that the party must be considering options other than an election.We would suggest four alternatives to the current pre-occupation with the mooted poll in 2018. We would also suggest that these are alternatives being actively canvassed by factions within the party.Firstly, there are strong indications that a "silent coup" is being prepared. As is well-known, Africa no longer tolerates the overt coups of old, and hence the only strategy can be to take over structures of the party and the state. However, the constitutional mechanism for this is highly problematic in the absence of the president dying or being infirm, or the party, defying the president, deciding to elect a successor.Secondly, there must be serious consideration being given to the possibility that the president either dies or becomes too infirm to continue to govern. There will be 90 days before the Zanu-PF, being the party from which the president was elected, will announce to the Speaker who its candidate is, and that person shall then be president for the duration of the remaining term of the presidency.This option has been explained in detail by Derek Matyszak in Succession and the Zanu-PF Body Politic. Since the replacement of the president lies within the party and not the parliament, those that control the party will control the succession. In fact, this will mean the successor will govern only until August 2018, being the latest time for the holding of the general election, but it may also be that this scenario leads to the setting up of a government of national unity (GNU) and the postponing of elections.Thirdly, the succession crisis could be resolved through the president pre-emptively calling an elective congress and electing his successor, something he has alluded to on several occasions.The successor, whoever he or she might be, would then be the candidate of choice for the 2018 poll. It is not so clear that this approach to succession necessarily aims at fighting an election: it can also be argued that it is a preliminary to setting up a GNU.A possible modification here is that the arrangement may also create a GNU, with an arrangement similar to that of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), except with a titular presidency and an executive prime minister, a reversal in roles from the previous inclusive government.Finally, there is the option of calling an early election and hence pre-empting the difficulties of an aged and frail candidate. This would be a sensible strategy, but may be unworkable due to the serious divisions within the party over succession anyhow, and dangerous in the memory of the 2008 poll.For all of these scenarios, it is possible that they can aim at avoiding elections, at least postponing them in the interests of "stability", and it is clear that "stability" is becoming the strong desire for all national, regional and international.And for those that argue that this will be unconstitutional, we would point out that constitutional niceties frequently fly out the window when there is a crisis of sufficient magnitude to threaten the existence of both the state and the international order. Remember both Lancaster House and the GPA: constitutions can be amended when the need is too pressing!In none of these possible scenarios, does the critical solution to the three tragedies appear.They all, and including the high possibility of yet another unacceptable election, result in a flawed political settlement. They all leave the crucial reforms necessary to the reformation of the state-regime conflation to some future process. They all lead to political manoeuvring by existing elites and take no cognisance of the mass of the Zimbabwean polity, reduced either to mere voters or passive onlookers.We submit, as we have done several times before, that the only viable route to a sustainable political settlement will be a National Transitional Authority, underpinned by rigid compliance to constitutionalism, undertaking the critical reforms necessary for the beginning of a transformational process for the country and able to lead the country into an election that all winners and losers and the international community will accept as having given a mandate to a political party to govern. The only decision to be made is whether we want a soft landing or not, but, in the end, the crisis in the state will force negotiations for a political settlement and it is hard not to see that this will require some form of transitional arrangement.Dr Mandaza and Reeler are co-convenors, Platform for Concerned Citizens. Opinion / Columnist It is easy to blame our 93-year-old president for all the things that go wrong in the country but I think it is high time we look at ourselves in the mirror and see exactly what we really are, enablers.When Mugabe says 'the Zimbabwe he knows' is number two in Africa in terms of development after South Africa, he is arguably correct from the point of view from his cocooned world.Everywhere in Zimbabwe where Mugabe goes these days, he finds new roads because locals and their politicians go out of their way to make sure they put forward the best picture for the president.They will raise funds and fix the roads and they do not give Mugabe the badly needed opportunity for him to see the desperate state Zimbabwe's infrastructure is in.When he came to Bulawayo for ZITF in April this year, 'Robert Mugabe Way' (his road) was redone a month or so before his arrival.This Friday (today), the 93-year-old leader is in Marondera for his 'Meet the youths' rally and guess what, roads look as good as new.Would you blame him for believing that Zimbabwe is the second most developed country in Africa. Maybe he has never come across potholes.I know some of the images found on Google if you just search for "Zimbabwe roads" are fake, but some are not. Opinion / Interviews FORMER Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) commissioner-general Gershem Pasi (pictured), locked in a bruising legal battle with his employer of 16 years, resigned last week. Pasi was suspended last year in May to allow for investigations sanctioned by the Zimra board, chaired by Willia Bonyongwe. HLB Chartered Accountants carried out an audit which raised issues of fraud, poor corporate governance, tax evasion and corruption, among other things. Zimbabwe Independent deputy editor Faith Zaba (FZ) on Monday spoke to Pasi (GP) on allegations levelled against him, reasons for resigning and his service at Zimra. Below are excerpts of the interview.FZ: Can you take us through your years at Zimra and your possible achievements and challenges over the years?GP: As you may recall, before the formation of Zimra I was commissioner of taxes of the then department of taxes, which I served as commissioner from 1996 to April 2001. At that juncture, I was then fortunate enough to apply and be accepted to be the inaugural commissioner-general of Zimra. I was employed in that capacity since May 2001 and charged with setting up the structures and operationalising the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Act. I was given six months to do it. I am happy to say, as records show, we did it in three months. By the 1st of September 2001 we were up and running as a revenue authority.FZ: You have been embroiled in a legal battle with Zimra. The whole thing started when you were accused of importing a Toyota Land Cruiser irregularly. Was that your car and did you not pay duty as alleged?GP: The press and everybody went to town, saying that I had imported a vehicle and not paid duty on it. My lawyers took the registration book and showed the reporters. It is a Zimra vehicle. I specified the vehicle I wanted to admin and they went through the whole process of going to the Ministry of Transport and cabinet and finally to SPB (State Procurement Board) and the car was delivered through Toyota.The so-called forensic auditors, if they had gone to Toyota, they would have seen that I was not the importer and that duty was fully paid. So in my view it was a ruse because, really at that stage, there had been no justification to get me out. Somebody somewhere needed it for the public.FZ: Immediately after that, there was a story on executives who allegedly imported cars but did not pay duty. Were you trying to cover up for them?GP: I will be short in my response because it is still before the courts. All I can say is that the officers to my knowledge did not import the vehicles themselves. They later came to me after having realised that their vehicles had not been properly cleared. It must have been in December 2015. We then went into the system and found there were anomalies.I instructed the investigations commissioner, who had not benefitted from the loan scheme, to look into the matter. An interim report was done. Mind you, we have governance issues. I couldn't just rush to the board without any evidence. I was waiting for the commissioner to do the job. One thing that the executives did, the moment they realised that the vehicles had not been properly imported, they surrendered the vehicles. Those vehicles are still in the hands of Zimra. Zimra caused the suppliers of the vehicles to be arrested. I see no wrong-doing on my part.FZ: There is also the issue of the renovation of Kurima House? How was the tender awarded?GP: What happened was that all the tenders of that magnitude would go through SPB or OPC (Office of the President and Cabinet), which uses certain methods of procuring. But with this one, we went through the SPB. Looking into the documents of that one, what then happened is we had recommended certain suppliers after the adjudication. When it went to SPB, in their wisdom they did not accept the recommended company and they gave the job to another company.One of the losing bidders took us and SPB to the Administrative Court wherein the Administrative Court judge ruled that SPB was wrong. The court then instructed SPB to give the award to the company that then subsequently did the renovations. The auditors blame me for that. Not complying would have meant that I would have been in contempt of court.FZ: Your contract has been a major bone of contention. From 2001, how many times has it been renewed and by whom?GP: It is a five-year fixed term contract. So the first time the five-year expired, the board renewed it, which then brought me to 2011. In 2011, a lot of things happened. The short of it is that the board under the guidance of the then minister, notwithstanding that the board was happy with my performance, they decided not to renew my contract upon review of my performance. They decided to advertise, which I then applied for and went through independent people.I was recommended to be given another contract. There was a board in place during that time but there were issues, I think the recommendations of the board to the minister were at variance with what the minister would have preferred. During the two years, I continued receiving the same conditions that I had been receiving under the previous contract. The two years lapsed and we had the 2013 elections and we had a new minister. The minister authorised the board to regularise the two years. In fact, I was given a contract at the end of the two years. And further, the board then gave me another term for five years, which would have expired end of October next year.According to the auditors who did the so-called forensic audit, they are taking issues and putting the blame on me and yet there was a board and these were board resolutions.FZ: Maybe you can explain how your contract is determined?GP: So the HR committee was charged by the board to come up with conditions of service. The contract would be prepared and drafted by the legal firm, which were Kantor and Immerman. They are the ones who drafted the contract together with our internal company secretary. It is not me the employee who drafted the contract. I never took a cent outside the terms of the contract. It is a very detailed contract with salaries, holidays. My issue was when I said auditors were incompetent is that they had a copy of my contract and those issues are clearly spelt out, but they chose, for reasons best known to themselves, to take one small item and limit my allowances to that one item.FZ: This also included the amounts for a car loan?GP: Yes, I knew that for a CEO of a public entity, you cannot do things which are not documented.FZ: Who approves the amounts?GP: There are rules and procedures. The origination in my case, the contract is very clear as to what type, what size of a vehicle I should get one the official vehicle and two for the loan. It is in the contract.FZ: You were also accused of opening a Zimra executive account where around US$121 000 was deposited. Can you explain the circumstances around that?GP: Again it is sad. I have kept quiet with all the reports which have been across the media, denigrating me and accusing me of all manner of things. But those things are not true. When you read the auditors' report, they say they went to my bank. I have issues with that and at some point, if I decide, my legal team may take it up, the legality of that move. But having gone to my bank, they were given whatever information from which they then produced a schedule to say over these months I earned so much. They couldn't even add up their own figures in the schedule because according to what they said was US$121 000 it was US$85 000. If the same bank they had gone to get information illegally from, would have known the source. If they were really forensic auditors, as we know forensic auditors, they should have followed the money trail, which in this case, they concluded in their report that it is not from Zimra yet they had referred to the Zimra executive account. They conclude in this so-called forensic audit that it must be from either fraud or money laundering. Of course I was charged and that was the major, the first charge. But for your information, now I can disclose this because it is personal to me.When I left central government in 2001 to form the revenue authority I had reached pensionable age and we were tasked to set up our own pension fund as a revenue authority apart from the government's pension scheme. I receive my pension. The schedule that they received from my bank account actually adds up. If they had followed up, they would have ended up in the government's pensions' office. Yet they go out there and they produce a report which is used to paint me as someone who is really corrupt.FZ: Are you willing to reveal how much you are paid per month?GP: At some point, yes. It depends on how this thing goes because now reading your paper last week about issues of immunity and so on, who knows what will come? I am being cautious because it might end up in court and I would need to lay bare under the protection of the courts because on some of these things I am still bound by the Official Secrets Act. All I can say is that really I did not steal or launder any money. That money is legitimately mine and everything I earned from Zimra was in terms of the contract, which was given to me and I signed and accepted. The employer and myself both accepted those conditions. So the authority meeting those obligations should not put on my table and ask me to answer as why I accepted and received, no matter how big or small they think they are.These things are relative. From 2001 to May last year when I was then booted out, Zimra under my care has managed to bring in close to US$50 billion for the state. That is no mean achievement when the economy has not been doing well and when there have not been other sources of funding for government.FZ: So were you paid the US$400 000-plus we read about some years ago?GP: I don't want to go into figures. From the audit what I saw they really are not competent and those figures should be taken with a pinch of salt. You have to see the source documents and how they arrived at those figures because some of those things may have been grossed up for tax purposes in order to give an alarming picture to the public.FZ: This brings me to the issue of corporate governance. The audit report cited cases dated, in some cases, 10 years back, did it mean that there were no audits carried out over the years?GP: It is the issue of presentation or the motive behind the forensic audit. If you carry out an audit because you want to find fault in somebody, you probably see something and run to town thinking that you have found somebody because the motive behind it perhaps may not be noble. It is a presumption. Zimra has been for a long time, perhaps the only organisation from inception which really relies on audits from both internal and external. Every year by February, because our year ends in December, either the external auditors would have come in or they would have given a particular date depending on their own commitments, but Zimra would be ready. We would be audited and we would print copies with audited accounts.FZ: Do you want to talk about the possible motive behind it?GP: No! You know why? I have very simple faith. I believe it is God who gives us jobs and opportunities and in the book Ecclesiastes, there is a famous writing on seasons. I am sad that my departure had to come this way. But I don't have any bitterness.I am grateful that God and the government gave me the opportunity to create the revenue authority which became the envy of the whole world. Now it is time for me to go. According to my letter, I am saying I don't see any future and any wisdom in me wanting to hold on. I need to correct the notion that I begged for a package and immunity. I did no such thing. If lawyers were discussing options here and there, that is what lawyers do. There is no reason for me to ask for immunity. If I had stolen all that money as reported in the press, do you think I would have remained in the country? This is my country and I served it well.FZ: When you say they should pay you what is due to you, what are you referring to?GP: There are contractual things in terms of the contract. In fact, I have been meditating and praying on this for a long time from May last year when I was put on leave. I never got the opportunity up until now to sit down with the board. That was one of the drivers to say a board that does not want to sit down with me, why should I be forcing myself and saying I want to work with them? So I am saying I am walking away in peace but that is not to say that if reports continue coming out denigrating my being does not mean I will not defend myself. I hope those people will also wish me peace as I wish them peace.FZ: What goes through you mind when you are labelled corrupt?GP: I know people who know me know that I don't indulge in those issues. I have never used the authority and I have said so even when approaches were made that the authority shall not be used for the benefit of an individual who is not covered by law. That has always been my stance. I cannot afford to look at those people, they know the reasons and they know why they do what they do.FZ: Do you feel persecuted in a way?GP: No. I feel sorry for people who think they may be persecuting me. I know myself. I am at peace. I was given an opportunity to do a job which I believe we did well and it is time to move on.FZ: Now what is the way forward? Are you into business?GP: Yes, big business. Now I can be a full-time farmer so I can play a different role in feeding the nation. Now I am spending most of my time nursing my mother because she was affected by this thing quite badly. She had a mild stroke in February. On Wednesday morning this paper published what was by any measure a document of political significance. A secret Labour policy paper showed Jeremy Corbyn's plan to throw open the UK's borders to low and unskilled migrants. With the election days away and mass migration a huge issue to the majority of voters, you might expect the story to merit significant coverage by the national broadcaster. But the BBC barely mentioned it. Why? Was it, as we suspect, because it was helpful to the Tories with their strong immigration policies and unhelpful to Labour, many of whose voters fear more immigration will harm their living standards? A secret Labour policy paper showed Jeremy Corbyn's plan to throw open the UK's borders to low and unskilled migrants but the BBC was more focused own election debate programme Instead, as the day wore on, it became clear there was only one thing the BBC cared about. Not Brexit, the defining issue of our times, nor the NHS and social care. No, it was the BBC's own election debate programme which filled the bulletins, as reporters treated Jeremy Corbyn's cynical U-turn on turning up like the Second Coming, and demanded imperiously to know why Theresa May wasn't attending. As it was, the 90-minute debate showed the BBC at its very worst. The programme was ugly, uninformative, biased, unedifying bear-pit television which discredited everyone involved. Even by the low level of political discourse at this election, the standard of debate was pitiful. It was also blatantly unbalanced, with five politicians from the Left and by golly how unimpressive they were ganging up on Home Secretary Amber Rudd and the unappetising Ukip leader Paul Nuttall. Presenter Mishal Husain was tragically out of her depth as a moderator, and allowed cheap yah-boo politics, endless interruptions and brazen hectoring. Worst of all, the audience was unashamedly skewed. Indeed, its bias against the Conservatives and Ukip was so obvious, even prominent Left-wingers commented on the imbalance. The programme was ugly, uninformative, biased, unedifying bear-pit television which discredited everyone involved. Pictured: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn Seemingly made up almost entirely of vocal Labour sympathisers, the audience behaved like a baying mob, booing every conservative point of view and heckling Miss Husain when Mr Corbyn cheered throughout was put on the spot. In the circumstances, Miss Rudd performed admirably especially as her father had passed away just 48 hours earlier. She landed clear blows on Mr Corbyn's economic illiteracy and by the end, stood head and shoulders above her toy-town rivals. We have expressed our admiration before for the neutrality and objectivity of the corporation's journalists in the lead-up to the EU referendum. Sadly, it is difficult to apply either word to its election coverage. The truth is the tone and texture of so much BBC output, whether comedy shows or current affairs programmes, betrays a distinctly anti-Tory tinge. Normally, this paper doesn't approve of politicians complaining about the BBC, but in this instance, Downing Street is absolutely right to register a formal protest. Typically, BBC executives have refused to apologise, or accept anything they did was wrong. Instead, they blamed the polling company, ComRes, which selected the audience and claimed, risibly, that the Left-wingers in the audience were more vocal. The show was blatantly unbalanced, with five politicians from the Left ganging up on Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Ukip leader Paul Nuttall With another election special tonight, this time in York like Cambridge, the first debate venue, a strongly Remainer city the corporation must urgently learn the lessons of this fiasco. Without assurances of neutrality, Mrs May would be well within her rights to pull out, and her party justified in never again turning up to a BBC election debate. Wednesday night's television demeaned the BBC, the political process and democracy itself. Actors Jeremy Piven, Jamie Foxx, Hailee Steinfeld and Ashley Benson joined forces to create Prive Revaux, a sleek collection of eyewear that retails for $29.95. As I sat down with Prive Revaux founder David Schottenstein, VP of Celebrity Relations Dave Osokow, and actor Jeremy Piven to discuss their new label, they dared me to take the Prive Revaux challenge. The objective? Line up four pairs of sunglasses (logos concealed) from least to most expensive. I felt confident in my selection, basing my evaluation on weight, feel and lens quality. To my surprise, I failed miserably. I chose the Tom Ford pair ($485) as the most affordable, the Gucci pair ($500+) as moderate, and the two styles of Prive Revauxs as the priciest. Read on to learn more about the under-$30 collection and the truth behind overpriced eyewear. A-list entrepreneurs: What happens when actors Jamie Foxx, Hailee Steinfeld, Ashley Benson and Jeremy Piven get together? A line of really cool eyewear at an accessible price point ($29.95!) called Prive Revaux 'The eyewear market is insanely over priced. Noone has created a super high-quality product that anyone could be proud to wear at a price point that makes sense,' said David S. 'I saw a tremendous void in the market place in the $20-$30 range where most people are buying sunglasses.' According to David, we've been conditioned to believe that we have to spend $300-$400 to get a good pair of sunglasses. 'But its not true, we found a factory that produces items that are as good if not better than what you would see at Tom Ford or any other high-end designer label. 'The seller is what makes sunglasses expensive. It costs $3.99-$7.99 to make a pair, there's only a tiny little sliver of styles that cost more to produce because they entail something super special,' David S. Shady ladies: Ashlee Benson (left) and Hailee Steinfeld (right) are partners in Prive Revaux 'I think all great ideas start with things you connect with and the reality is that I break and lose sunglasses all the time and I think the average person does the same,' said Jeremy. 'It seems odd that we would pay these exorbitant prices for something were not going to hold onto very long. 'So the idea of having a really beautiful looking, high-quality pair of sunglasses thats also affordable was such a good idea.' Apprehensive at first, the Entourage star thought it was a trick and too good to be true. 'How could this not already exist?' Jeremy loves them: 'I think all great ideas start with things you connect with and the reality is that I break and lose sunglasses all the time and I think the average person does the same,' said Jeremy Outside the Daily Mail offices in New York: Jeremy and VP of Celebrity Relations Dave Osokow (left) were spotted outside our offices prior to sitting down with me Having played Hollywood talent-agent Ari Gold and successful entrepreneur Mr. Selfridges, Jeremy seemingly is from a well-to-do family. But in reality, Jeremy came from a theater family and grew up in an old folks home because that's all they could afford. 'Those are my roots. Thats who I am. I come from a family of gypsies and artists, and the idea of making a product that is accessible to everyone appealed to me. 'Because the reality is, if you dont make a lot of money, you're really breaking the bank paying $300 on a pair of sunglasses,' said Jeremy. 'So creating a line that's accessible to the every man and that looks amazing is something thats really right for me. I love the idea that the collection doesnt exclude anybody.' The big idea: 'Jamie (Foxx) called me and said I was on my way to Vegas to host a party, I forgot my sunglasses so I bought a pair for $12 at a gas station, I put them on everybody freaked out, we have to get into the sunglasses business, said David O Party time: Jeremy, Jamie and a star studded crowd celebrated the brand's launch at the Chataeu Marmont last night The three partners I sat down with met on a trip to Israel. It was there that they discussed different business possibilities, eyewear being one of them. 'About two weeks later, Jamie (Foxx) called me and said I was on my way to Vegas to host a party, I forgot my sunglasses so I bought a pair for $12 at a gas station, I put them on everybody freaked out, we have to get into the sunglasses business, said David O. 'Ive been approached by other companies but I think the audience has gotten so savvy. They know when someone is organically tied to a product. This is really cool and fun and I actually wear these glasses,' said Jeremy. Ive done the test and its kind of amazing. I pick the ones that are right for my face so I throw them on and the other really high-end ones just dont look as good. You have a very fast way to test these.' Seeing stars: Prive Revaux founder David Schottenstein (far left), actor Jamie Foxx (left), DJ Chantel Jeffries (right), VP of Prive Revaux Celebrity Relations Dave Osokow (far right) enjoyed light bites and cocktails while dancing to music by Taco last night Women of the hour: Hailee (left) and Ashlee (right) were dressed to impress for the festivities 'We probably have the worst profit margins, I know we can charge a lot more for these, but our goal is to be a category killer,' David S. 'When someone buys a pair of our sunglasses no sacrifices should be made. You should not have to sacrifice on look, quality or packaging. You should get the full luxury experience because great sunglasses shouldnt cost that much.' To maintain some sort of exclusivity, limited quantities will be made of each style. 'I dont want anyone to feel like they're now one of 100,000 people wearing the same pair of sunglasses.' Of the 115 piece collection, only 2,500 units will be produced of most styles. 'I am anticipating that well be sold out of product really fast so well constantly be refreshing and adding new items,' revealed David S. Celebrity stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn have signed on as Creative Directors, and the line has already received a lot of A-list love. 'When Rob and Mariel put about 20 pairs in front of their client Jennifer Lopez, she took all of them,' said Dave O. They're so good, J.Lo can't even have just one! J.Lo wearing the 'Celebrity': 'About 20 pairs were put in front of Jennifer Lopez (by her stylist) to pick a few and she took all of them, said Dave O Instagram worthy: @billiejopowers (left) soaking up the sun and @lilyjcollins (right) looking chic in Prive Revauxs Prive Revaux founder David Schottenstein (far left), Daily Mail US Style Director Pandora Amoratis (left), VP of Celebrity Relations Dave Osokow (right), Actor Jeremy Piven (far right) PRESCRIPTION GLASSES A mother from New South Wales who didn't know she was pregnant until her waters broke has spoken about her surprise baby who was was born just five months after she had a tummy tuck. Aleta O'Meara, 43, had gone to a GP the day before she gave birth as she wasn't feeling well but it was simply put down to the after effects of her operation. 'I literally went to hospital with lower abdominal cramps and I found out I was pregnant in emergency. I had a urine and blood test to confirm then went for an ultrasound and found out the baby was coming that evening,' she told FEMAIL. Aleta O'Meara (pictured) went to hospital with stomach cramps and gave birth to Toby (also pictured) later that night She had a tummy tuck because she'd lost a lot of weight and also needed to repair her abdominal muscles after her first pregnancy 'We were petrified because we didnt now if the baby was healthy or not and my husband was on medication for an auto-immune disease which could cause foetal abnormalities'. Ms O'Meara also had an implant in her arm which should have made falling pregnant practically impossible. 'I'd also had a tummy tuck because Id lost a lot of weight and to repair my abdominal muscles after my first pregnancy.' Her tummy tuck wasn't the standard procedure, which normally concentrates on the centre of the stomach, hers was from hip to hip. After she had had the surgery she went back to her surgeon with some concerns. 'He's just a colourful, free ranged kid and most importantly, hes healthy,' Ms O'Meara said of Toby (pictured) who is now 22 months old 'I told my surgeon afterwards that I sneeze really loudly and violently and was worried I popped a stitch. I also said that "I've got aliens in my stomach" and then I felt the cramping. 'I know the obvious question was how could I not know? But there were all these other things going on, the surgery masked the whole pregnancy,' she said. Ms O'Meara had to lose 10 kilos before the surgery and medics conducted tests which revealed she had anemia and a b12 deficiency. 'I had problems during surgery and no one knew why, they didnt know it was Toby,' she said. It was her daughter Jaseta, 13, who told her to go to the hospital when she started to feel dizzy, fatigued and the alien-like feeling hadn't subsided Ms O'Meara decided on the tummy tuck surgery as she had complications with her first pregnancy and had lost lots of weight, meaning she didn't like her body because of the excess skin. After my first child I had huge muscle damage,' explaining she and her previous partner had split after she had her first child. 'I wanted to do something for myself because I was always doing things for other people,' she said. It was her daughter Jaseta, 13, who told her to go to the hospital when she started to feel dizzy, fatigued and the alien-like feeling hadn't subsided. When doctors realised she was pregnant no one had any time to ask questions as Toby - who was full-term - was due in only a couple of hours. 'First we had to make sure that the baby and I were safe and that the hospital was as prepared as they could be,' she said. Aleta O'Meara didn't know she was pregnant until her water broke and five months after having had a tummy tuck Despite everything that was stacked up against them, Toby was born happy, healthy and with no complications. 'If I had known I was pregnant with him I would have considered termination because of the medication that Rod was on and I didn't want to risk the chance of harming the baby. He was meant to be here, I dont dispute that,' she said. Ms O'Meara's mother was in declining health in the weeks leading up to Toby's surprise arrival. 'She couldnt figure out why she was still here, why was she still alive but she was still here so she could meet Toby,' Ms O'Meara said. 'She thought the nurses and I were lying when we told her.' Ms O'Meara mother passed away three weeks after meeting her surprise grandson. 'We called him Toby after my dad, who died quite young, so my mother was able to heal herself. We told her "here he is, he's a blessing" and they crossed paths briefly,' Ms O'Meara said. Aleta had an implant which should have made pregancy nearly impossible and her husband Rod was on medication for an auto-immune disease which could cause foetal abnormalities Aleta says that the other children, Mazzy and Cohen from Rod's previous relationship and Jaseta from Aleta's, have stood up to the plate in terms of helping with Toby Ms O'Meara said that the other children - Mazzy and Cohen from Rod's previous relationship and Jaseta from her's, have stood up to the plate in terms of helping with Toby. 'The kids were amazing my step daughter Mazzy cut the chord. She wasnt expecting to do that on a Monday night! Jaseta was the one who started it and Mazzy ended it, it came full circle'. Ms O'Meara has had contraceptive implants for 12 years and had never had an issue with them previously. After the pregnancy they found out that it was no longer there, indicating that there was the possibility it had been lost in the body. Toby is now 22 months old and loves life, while showing no signs of slowing down. 'He's just a colourful, free ranged kid and most importantly, hes healthy. I think he'll keep on surprising us,' she said. Michelle Dewberry shot to fame as the UK's first female winner of The Apprentice in 2006. More than a decade on, she's turning her back on the world of business to make her boldest career move yet, launching a bid to represent her home town of Hull in Parliament. The passionately pro-Brexit Independent candidate for Hull West and Hessle, who hosts Sky's political show The Pledge, tells FEMAIL how, after voting Labour her whole life, she's come to believe the party 'no longer understands the needs of the working class'. Firmly in the Leave camp thanks to her belief that uncontrolled immigration is 'dangerous' and EU bureaucracy 'ridiculous', Michelle, 37, explains why she's finally grown tired of politicians empty promises and 'dangerous' games - and why she's vowing to do better... I've spent years debating politics and current affairs in the media and recently my frustration with politicians - changing positions, dodging questions and ignoring our concerns - has reached fever pitch. I've had enough of just talking about it. Politics needs to change and it's time to do something about it. Our local MP, Alan Johnson, stood down when the snap election was called and the choices facing voters in my home constituency (Hull West and Hessle) were poor, to say the least. Scroll down for video 'I've spent years debating politics & current affairs in the media and recently my frustration with politicians - changing positions, dodging questions and ignoring our concerns has reached fever pitch' 'Why I chose Leave' Like many Northern cities, folk in Hull overwhelmingly vote Labour and it is often 'because their Dad did'. I was someone who always felt that Labour stood for us, and the Tories for the posh. But the London Labour Party as I now like to call them, are no longer the party that Dad voted for. They are no longer the party who truly understand the concerns of the working class. I would go as far as saying they have let us down. I am a Brexiteer. When the referendum came our way, I realised that I didn't know enough about the 'ins and outs' of the EU and decided to do my homework before the vote. I spent weeks researching it and shared my findings online. In the end, whilst undecided for a long time, I voted to leave. I chose to leave because whilst I'm all for a friendly relationship with our neighbours, I see a bulging political union with the EU as the wrong thing for the UK. I think uncontrolled immigration is dangerous and the layers of EU bureaucracy are ridiculous. As a small example, they transport their entire Parliament from Brussels to Strasbourg each month at a cost of millions and despite everyone knowing it's crazy, we are powerless to stop it. Michelle out on the streets of Hull campaigning before the General Election on June 8 The Labour party were, and are, way out of touch with their voters when it comes to Brexit. In Hull and Hessle we voted overwhelmingly to leave, yet Alan Johnson led the Labour remain camp. The candidate we have this time, is a remainer again. When I decided to stand, I had to consider for which party. I can't be part of Labour while Jeremy Corbyn is the leader. I don't agree with so many of his policies and think he seriously lacks the leaderships qualities we need - even his own MPs agree. MPs from Hull resigned from their positions in the Shadow Cabinet - one of them even citing Corbyn's lack of leadership ability as one of the main reasons. Yet, she is standing for election again. If she doesn't want him as her leader - why should we? Michelle with an eager 'assistant campaigner' in Hull and Wessle in the lead up to the election 'It's time for things to be different' The Tories may have some of my business interests at heart, but they don't have the interests of the people of Hull at heart - not my sister the NHS nurse, my brother the factory labourer, or my friend the single mum. Their savage cuts are damaging our city and hurting people who need help the most. MICHELLE DEWBERRY: FROM PRIME TIME TV TO PARLIAMENT? Northern businesswoman Michelle, 37, entered the famous boardroom in 2006 as a contestant on the second series of The Apprentice. She saw off stiff competition to become the first female contestant to win a 100,000 per year role with Lord Sugar. Nine months later, she quit to pursue her own business interests, going on to launch consumer deal websites, pen an autobiography, and pursue further TV opportunities - this time as a current affairs pundit. A panelist on the Sky News debate show The Pledge, Michelle has now launched a bid for Parliament, standing as an Independent candidate in Hull West and Hessle. Advertisement I've had enough. Party politics is getting out of hand. Each party saying things to win votes, each party desperately playing Top Trumps. If one says they'll give us a tenner, the other makes it 20. Neither with any consideration of which money tree exactly, the cash is going to grow. These games are dangerous. The parties get elected and then surprise, surprise, they are unable to deliver on their promises. The result? Peoples lives smashed. Anger at politicians, frustrated with the process and then often, deciding never to vote again. It's time for things to be different. I want to be a voice that shouts loudly for Hull in Parliament. Someone who acts for the greater good of the North, not just makes up phrases ('Northern Power House' anyone?) As an Independent candidate, I will focus on issues - not party politics. I will bring good ideas of my own and work cross party. Ultimately, we often all want the same things but party politics just gets in the way. Being in politics is tough. My battle for election will be just five weeks long from start to election day. In that time, I've had to decide to run, form positions, build a team, raise money and try to convince people to trust me with their vote. Two days ago while out campaigning, I came across my poster in a bungalow window. I knocked and was met with the carer for Ann, an 83 year old lady. We had a chat. I said it at the start and I'll say it again Politics. Needs. To. Change. Ann told me she's 'fed up with all of them' and prays every night for me to win. She's seen her day care slashed, her social care affected and worries for her future. She made me cry. Ann, I will fight for you and for everyone else in my home. I give you my word. I'm not like the others and I won't let you down. I said it at the start and I'll say it again Politics. Needs. To. Change. He's no stranger to welcoming colourful characters onto Channel Seven's Morning Show. But nothing could prepare Larry Emdur, 52, for the arrival of latex-loving former Buddhist nun Damcho Dyson this Friday morning. The father-of-two was left almost speechless as he came face-to-face with Damcho, 45, who decided to don an entirely latex outfit for the occasion. Scroll down for video. 'She is top to toe in latex!' Larry Emdur, 52, for the arrival of latex-loving former Buddhist nun Damcho Dyson this Friday morning Clad in a maroon catsuit, cravat, socks and shoes made from the form-fitting material, Damcho explained to the puzzled Morning Show hosts how she transitioned from life as a celibate nun to a frequent guest of latex clubs in London. 'She is top-to-toe in latex... And the sound it makes!' said Larry in disbelief. 'It is like washing with washing gloves on. She goes through a lot of talcum powder,' he quipped. There's something you don't see every day! The father-of-two was left almost speechless as he came face-to-face with Damcho, 45, who decided to don an entirely latex outfit for the occasion Born Michelle Tonkin, Damcho served as a nun in monasteries in the likes of Nepal, the Himalayas, France, and South East Asia for 10 years. Every day she draped herself in the maroon cloth of her monastic robes, her sole focus being 'cultivating compassion' and training her mind 'through meditation'. But everything changed one day while Damcho was visiting an Indian retreat in 2011. Nun no more! Clad in a maroon catsuit, cravat, socks and shoes made from the form-fitting material, Damcho explained to the puzzled Morning Show hosts how she transitioned from life as a celibate nun to a frequent guest of latex clubs in London 'Id been celibate for 10 years and, as a nun, my practice meant my brain was able to override my bodily needs,' the 45-year-old told the Sunday People. 'Lying there having that massage I had an epiphany. I suddenly had a sense of the vitality within my body and decided the time was right to leave the monastery,' she added. Damcho found herself questioning her own motives for becoming a nun, and realised she was still punishing herself for the abortion she had nearly 20 years ago. 'As much as I thought it came about through inspiration, renunciation, and devotion, the seed was that I was paying penance for something that I did with my body when I was 23,' she told The Huffington Post. Former life: Born Michelle Tonkin, Damcho served as a nun in monasteries in the likes of Nepal, the Himalayas, France, and South East Asia for 10 years Few contemporary writers have been as garlanded with awards as Julian Barnes, winner of the Man Booker prize for The Sense Of An Ending in 2011. His private life, however, has been tinged with tragedy after his literary agent wife Pat Kavanagh died of a brain tumour in 2008, aged 68. But now, at 71, he has formed a close friendship with 53-year-old Rachel Cugnoni, publishing director of Vintage. By happy coincidence Vintage sells the paperback version of his latest novel, The Noise Of Time. Neither Barnes nor Cugnoni, previously married to fellow publisher Nicholas Pearson, is inclined to speak about the relationship. Few contemporary writers have been as garlanded with awards as Julian Barnes, winner of the Man Booker prize for The Sense Of An Ending in 2011 Cugnoni will be aware of the fastidious life Barnes lived with Kavanagh. They worked together until 7pm each evening, breaking for a glass of wine and cigarette at lunch, and after finishing their days work, Kavanagh would bathe and listen to The Archers. If invited to dinner, the couple would phone to ask what was being served, so they could take an appropriate bottle from their cellar, always leaving at 10.30pm and sending a flawless note of thanks. According to the late Sir John Mortimer, Kavanagh was hugely attractive to everyone: very sexy. She even had an affair with novelist Jeanette Winterson, moving out to live with her lover only to later return to Barnes. The episode may have left scars. In his 1992 novel, Talking It Over, Barnes wrote: Love is just a system for getting someone to call you darling after sex. His bond with Cugnoni sounds promising, despite the fact she lives in South London while he remains north of the river. He has introduced her to his passion for Leicester City, I am told, and last year Cugnoni acquired the world rights to the definitive biography of ex-City boss Claudio Ranieri. There's no love lost between Marco Pierre White and critic Jay Rayner, it seems. The chef is about to open his first Welsh restaurant, in the city of Cardiff, and hes already declared that Rayner who upset local foodies when he criticised the Welsh capitals culinary scene wont be welcome in the rooftop Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill when it opens in July. As far as Im concerned, hes barred from mine! says MPW. From Ginger Spice to doting F1 wife ... Duchess of York, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, Peter Phillips and wife Autumn OCCASION: End The Silence Fundraiser at Abbey Road Studios, London. GUESTS: Duchess of York, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, Peter Phillips and wife Autumn. TALKING POINT: Spirited Fergie not only sang along to Ellie Gouldings live rendition of Love Me Like You Do, but mounted the stage to thank everyone for their support. BEST BEHAVED: Ex-Spice Girl Geri Horner played doting wife to Red Bull F1 team boss Christian by adjusting his bow tie, and then slipped out early leaving hubby behind to return home to their five-month-old son, Monty. CLASS CLOWN: Supermodel turned pub owner Jodie Kidd donned a Seventies bandana and a fake moustache halfway through the night. Madeline made headlines for the incredible travels she took She shared shots of the trip after her break, featuring crystal blue waters Madeline took the break while visiting a private island in the Maldives Said the break was 'highly beneficial' as she spent time focusing on herself She's known for sharing pictures of her incredible world travels to her 235,000 followers, but sometimes even Madeline Relph needs a break. The travel Instagrammer, known for the gorgeous shots she takes with her partner Jourdan Bowen, revealed to her followers that she deleted her app for nine days. Madeline acknowledged that although the break was short, it was 'highly beneficial'. Travel Instagrammer Madeline Joy Relph, who known for the gorgeous shots she takes with her partner Jourdan Bowen, revealed to her followers that she deleted her app for nine days Madeline acknowledged that although the break was short, it was 'highly beneficial' and said she needed a break from the 'virtual world every now and then' 'I feel everyone needs a break from this virtual world every now and then,' she wrote in the Instagram caption. 'Time to just reflect and appreciate real life. It's far too easy getting caught up in everyone else's highlight reel.' Madeline said she believed it was important to find space to just 'focus on yourself and what you value'. 'We get bored, we turn to Instagram,' she wrote. 'Be aware, be present. Open your mind and find an alternative. Imagination rules the world.' Madeline's words accompanied a picture of her and two friends sunbathing on the white sands of a private island in the Maldives, where she is currently staying at the Four Seasons Hotel. Madeline said she believed it was important to find space to just 'focus on yourself and what you value' and wrote that she had used the time to 'reflect and appreciate life' Madeline took the break during a trip on a private island in the Maldives (pictured) with her friends in late May Additional pictures from the trip show Madeline getting ready to surf, biking over the beach, and enjoying an incredible room whose outdoor pool opened right into the ocean The stunning picture features the crystal blue waters of the Indian ocean, and the endless blue sky above them. Madeline revealed in a previous photo that she had woken up to a message from a friend asking if she wanted to come along on a trip to the Maldives, and jumped on a plane that very night. Additional pictures from the trip show Madeline getting ready to surf, biking over the beach, and enjoying an incredible room whose outdoor pool opened right into the ocean. Madeline has amassed nearly 200,000 more followers since her Instagram first caught attention last year for it's beautiful and romantic shots of her and Jordan's travels around the world. The pair first met when they were just 14 years old in Adelaide. They've been going on adventures together ever since. 'Starting the morning right': Madeline Relph and her boyfriend Jourdan Bowen watched the sun, and 100 hot air balloons, rise in Turkey's Goreme Valley World wanderers: The couple from Sydney's northern beaches have close to 80,000 followers on Instagram where they share incredible photos of their travels abroad Life well travelled: Madeline and Jourdan have been together since they were 14 years old Wanderlust: Jourdan said each trip brings them closer and they fall more and in love Leading the way: When he is not tracking through the desert with camels in tow, Jourdan is a labourer from Sydney's Mona Vale Making the most of life: Madeline said they travel on a budget, and have slept in airports, on buses and trains and eat street food Jourdan, 26, told the Manly Daily last year that travel brought them closer as a couple and they fell more in love with every trip. They now live in Mona Vale in Sydney's northern beaches, and when they're not exploring the rest of the world, Madeline works as a model for Tree of Life and Contiki, and Jourdan as a labourer. Madeline's own page is a collection of sun-drenched beaches, sandy deserts and tropical paradises. Her bikini-clad lifestyle is enough to make anyone want to pack their bags and book a one-way ticket abroad. Jourdan told the Manly Daily that the blonde beauty was the perfect travel companion. 'We are there to see new things and meet new people,' Madeline said. 'We have slept in airports, on buses and on trains and we eat street food and share meals. 'We do everything cheap and enjoy life to its fullest.' Sun-drenched lifestyle: Madeline, who has modelled for Tree of Life and Contiki, posts enviable photos of her bikini-clad lifestyle Salt and sand: The couple are happy to eat fruit on the beach instead of dining in expensive restaurants as a way to save money 'Thought we should try fit in with all the honeymooners': The couple shared a moment on the beautiful beaches of Seychelles 'We named her Bronwyn': While in India the couple made friends with the country's sacred cows while lounging on the beach Rather than spending money on expensive food and drinks, Madeline said they were happy to take some fruit down to the beach. Photos from their Instagram show the pair lounging on the sand in Seychelles, an island off East Africa in the Indian Ocean, sitting on granite rocks by crystal blue water, swimming in the ocean and kissing on the beach. 'Thought we should try fit in with all the honeymooners,' Madeline wrote alongside a snap of the couple hugging on the sand. The couple has also travelled to India where they made friends with the country's sacred cows. 'We named her Bronwyn, she enjoys long walks on the beach and thorough scratching sessions,' Madeline captioned a photo of her cuddling a cow on the beach. On safari: A fashionable Madeline dresses according to where she is travelling, be it Khaki while on safari or saris in India Vision in red: 'Had so much fun running around India I look forward to coming back some day soon,' Madeline wrote Day dreamer: Their travels have taken them to Morocco, Tanzania, Turkey, Guatemala, Santorini and the US Model life: Madeline said she and Jourdan were happier than ever after travelling around Europe for 13 months and she was 'so unbelievably grateful' Other places the couple have been include Morocco, Tanzania, Turkey, Guatemala, Santorini and the US. 'I couldn't have done this with anyone else, 13 months of travels and we are home happier than ever,' Madeline wrote in one Instagram post. 'When we left for Europe I never thought we would have seen and done this much! Advertisement Glamorous racegoers were certainly in high spirits as they knocked back the Pimm's and made the most of the British sunshine after descending on Epsom racecourse in an array of plunging frocks for Ladies' Day on Friday. But a long day of drinking appeared to take its toll on some racegoers, who were seen taking some time out from the festivities to enjoy a mid-afternoon power nap. One woman, who was pictured arming herself with Pimm's at around 1pm, was seen apparently feeling the effects of the tipple a few hours later as she rolled around on the floor with a friend. A brief, torrential downpour did nothing to dampen spirits among the brightly dressed racegoers at the Investec Ladies' Day, with most happy to shelter under their picnic blankets and continue to cheer on the action from the sidelines in Surrey. Luckily for the women, the downpour quickly passed and the skies cleared so they could resume the party with more dancing, laughter, and general high jinks. Pimm's o'cock! One racegoer was spotted stocking up on jugs of Pimm's at the bar at Epsom races in Surrey on Friday, left, at 1.15pm. By 5.30pm, right, she was certainly feeling the effects as she rolled around on the floor in the sun with a friend Playful: Two women larked around on the floor, with one lady flashing a little more than she bargained for as she made the most of the good weather Power nap? The long day of drinking became a little too much for one lady, who enjoyed a brief nap whilst her pals carried on the party Everything alright? One woman totally faceplanted the grass, left. Meanwhile, her nonchalant friend seemed completely unaware of her pal's state Messy! The grass was covered with litter and empty glasses by 5pm as revellers knocked back the drinks In high spirits: The revellers at Epsom were certainly in the party spirit as they enjoyed Pimm's and Prosecco and threw some shapes as they watched the races Still smiling! The women didn't let a little rain dampen their spirits as they sheltered under a picnic rug when the heaven's opened What's going on here? A group of women decided to take a break from watching the races from some tomfoolery on the grass - and some even kicked off their shoes as they larked around with their friends Sleepyheads: A few women were feeling somewhat fatigued mid-way through the day and took power naps on the grass Taking some time out: It all got a little too much for one man who took a break from his party to have a mid-afternoon snooze beside the bins Left: A bride-to-be chose the Epsom races as the venue for her hen do - and even donned a wedding gown for the occasion. Right: A woman in a brightly hued dress didn't let the rain ruin her mood as she sheltered under a newspaper Overcast: The summer skies quickly turned grey as the heavens opened. Racegoers were forced to shelter under their umbrellas and coats Left: Two ladies seemed unfussed by the poor weather and continued to watch the races in style. Right: The winds picked up and blew their plastic shelter away - but they carried on smiling They came in handy! Ladies used their pashminas to protect their hair as the heavens opened Up it goes! One woman clearly checked the weather forecast before heading off for a day at the races Capturing the memories: Despite the rain, the women were keen to capture the moment with a few selfies Happy days: The women beamed as they knocked back the Prosecco and Pimm's on race day Someone's in the party spirit! One woman celebrated the end of the downpour and threw her hands in the air to celebrate Taking cover: A glamorous lady borrowed a black blazer from a male friend to shelter from the rain, left. One woman swapped her heels for flip flops as the rain hit, right Making the best of a bad situation: The ladies were enjoying their day out so much that they refused to let a little rain get in the way of things Makeshift: Without their umbrellas or jackets, female racegoers had to use their picnic rugs as shelter Posers: Two women flashed their lithe limbs as they kicked back on the grass with a bottle of prosecco Still happy! A woman saw the funny side of the rainpour as she shielded herself with a plastic sheet Cheers to that! Two ladies shared a plastic sheet, left, whilst a couple, who were lucky enough to have brought an umbrella along, raised a glass of wine Snack time! Ladies were feeling peckish a few hours into the drinking session as they tucked into fish and chips Pimm's on tap: A gaggle of women gathered around a table full of beer, Pimm's and wine Run for cover! Racegoers were seen dashing indoors as the heavens opened at Epsom Revellers at the Investec Ladies' Day brightened up the course in a series of bold floral frocks and feathered fascinators as they basked in the sun - and when the heaven's opened for a brief downpour, the enthusiastic women didn't let the downpour dampen their spirits Feeling it? A few ladies looked worse for wear as they knocked back the Pimm's Wait your turn: Long queues formed by the toilets as the day's festivities got into full swing Hopeful: Women who had placed bets on their favourite horses watched patiently to see if they'd made any money Three racegoers flashed beaming smiles as they posed for photos on the balcony overlooking the course Left: Hugh Bonneville, Lulu Williams and Denise Lewis attend Ladies Day. Right: Dame Katherine Grainger, Mark Foster and Clare Balding Stud! TOWIE star Mark Wright poses with Style Award finalists at Ladies Day of the 2017 Investec Derby Festival at The Jockey Club's Epsom Downs Racecourse Following on from the Manchester terror attack last week, security was tighter than ever with armed police lining the entrance and bags being rigorously checked. The Investec Ladies' Day promises to combine high style stakes with some of the best flat races in the world. Organisers say that 'elegant, fashionable racegoers' gather for a classic day's racing at Epsom with many competing to win the much sought after title of 'Best Dressed Lady'. The meet, which is considered one of the classier affairs of the racing calendar, has played host to the Queen and her granddaughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, in the past. Today's guests certainly pulled out all the stops in the sartorial stakes, plumping for chic fit and flare dresses, printed maxis and designer accessories. She's a winner! A woman looked delighted as her horse raced over the finish line in first place Hat's incredible! The women pulled out all the stops when it came to accessorising at Epsom Say cheese! Three ladies gathered for a quick selfie as they enjoyed some wine One racegoer snarled as she cheered on her horse on Ladies' Day during the 2017 Investec Epsom Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse Come on! A group of ladies cheer on their horses as one racegoer punched her fist in the air as she celebrated victory Glamorous racegoers made the most of the British summer by descending on Epsom racecourse in an array of plunging frocks and elaborate fascinators for Ladies' Day at the Surrey racecourse The tighter the better! A group of glamorous women donned figure-hugging bodycon dresses and daringly low-cut satin playsuits for their day at the races Flashing the flesh: One lady in white bared her decolletage in a busty, low-cut dress, left. Other ladies showcased their pert derrieres in laser cut dresses with sky high heels On fine form: A group of friends shared a bottle of wine on the steps of the races as they cheered their horses to victory All smiles: The racegoers were in merry spirits as they knocked back the drinks and took in some racing on the first day of the Epsom races on Friday Winner! A woman punched the air as the horse she bet on finished in first place on the first day of the cup A bit of all white! A group of ladies arrived in flattering white dresses - many of which displayed flashes of their skin thanks to their daring cutaways Having a ball! A giddy gaggle of girls appeared to be in high spirits as they laughed and joked - and displayed their assets on the sunny Friday day out Bold and bright: The Epsom downs was a sea of colour as the stunning ladies descended on the racecourse in an array of tight and bright ensembles Ready for the day ahead: A glamorous group of ladies enjoyed a refreshing glass of Pimm's in the sun Sweet treat: A woman tucked into a quintessentially British dessert of strawberries and cream Here for a good time: The ladies were on fine form as they sipped on flutes of champagne at the glamorous event Left: BBC presenter Clare Balding was seeing in a box. Right: West Indian cricket legend Michael Holding was spotted chatting to a young lady in the Queen's stand Crowds: Masses of racegoers watched the equestrian action from the stands Time out: Ladies relaxed on the stairs as they gave their feet a rest from their heels Here come the girls! Forget Magaluf, these ladies opted to spend a glamorous day out at the Epsom races to celebrate their friend's upcoming wedding - and there wasn't an indecent accessory in sight Bride-to-be: The soon-to-be-bride donned an elegant white dress whilst her friends opted for an array of colourful gowns and pink sashes Bottom's up! It was certainly thirsty work for the ladies in Surrey today as they downed Pimm's in the summer heat Tight security: Following on from the Manchester terror attack last week, security was tighter than ever with armed police lining the entrance and bags being rigorously checked In safe hands: Armed police patrolled the picnic areas within the racecourse as security measures were taken up a notch in light of the terror attacks Raising a glass: Whilst the ladies of Aintree were seen rolling around on the floor, the scenes in Surrey were a far cry from the riotous scenes in Liverpool Getting the drinks in: The ladies stocked up on prosecco and huge jugs of Pimm's ahead of their day of festivities Here come the girls! A gaggle of glamorous women were the first to arrive for a day of fun in the sun at the Investec Ladies' Day at Epsom races in Surrey Hat's amazing! High spirited women at the racecourse let their accessories do all the talking in an array of flower embellished hats and fascinators Cheers to that! The elegant ladies of Surrey plumped for decorum over decolletage as they enjoyed a glass of champagne on the sunny day out In high spirits: A group of ladies posed for the cameras in their best frocks as they prepared for a fun day out in the sun at the glamorous event in Surrey Here they come! A herd of female friends linked arms as they descended on the racecourse ahead of their big day out Elaborate: It was all about the accessories at the meet, with three ladies plumping for some eye-catching headgear at the sartorial showcase Vintage: Two glamorous ladies took their sartorial inspiration from yesterday, opting for semi-sheer gowns with floral prints and pussybow collars Photo opportunity: A lady in a fitted white dress and oversized fascinator posed for a snap next to a horse statue Having a laugh: A glamorous group of ladies in lace and laser cut shift dresses shared a giggle as they posed in the sun for photographs ahead of the big day Popping bottles: The classy ladies of Surrey treated themselves to a bottle of fizz at the races Main event: Rain or shine, every year on the first Friday of June, a multitude of ladies and gents head to Epsom Downs Racecourse to experience a day full of high octane racing, music, glamour and fashion Dare to bare: Fashion blogger Olivia Cox broke all the style rules by flashing her legs, chest and cleavage in this daring pink number. By contrast, her pal covered up in a floral print blue maxi dress Opposites attract: Whilst Emily Valentine Parr, left, covered up in a modest blue printed dress, her friend Olivia Cox went for a much more daring look Tight security: Armed policemen were on hand to ensure the safety was paramount following the Manchester terror attack last Monday night Armed police: Local policemen held guns as they stood at the entrance of the races; bags were also subject to rigorous security searches Bridal party: The hens donned bright pink sashes and some wore discreet shot glasses around their necks as they gathered ahead of a friend's wedding Left: A lady was colour coordinated to perfection in lilac and lavish fascinator. Right: Sarah-Jane Mee (L) and Natalie Pinkham were among the famous faces Left: Hugh Bonneville and Lulu Williams attended the lavish day out. Right: Andreea Cristea (L) and Lucas Andrei were also in attendance Style stakes: These four ladies were no doubt hoping to make it to the final of the best-dressed contest and pulled out all the sartorial stops in their quest to do so Social media savvy: Two women kept tabs on their latest social media updates as they enjoyed the day out But first, let me take a selfie! Four friends enjoying a picnic in the grounds gathered together for a quick selfie Bold and bright: Six friends donned classy figure-hugging gowns in hues of red, fuchsia and peach as they enjoyed some wine in the sun Dressed to impress: Women subtly bared their skin in crop tops and midi skirts, left. Right: Two elegant ladies matched their accessories to their dresses Bubbles all round: Two ladies treated themselves to a bottle of Moet bubbly as they sat in a waiting area ahead of the races kicking off Toasting to the day ahead: Two well-dressed women raised a glass of champagne as they kicked of proceedings at the Ladies' Day event How low can you go? The ladies of Aintree favoured short hemlines and plunging necklines but women in Surrey adopted a much classier approach, plumping for longer hemlines and midi dresses Bottom's up! A well-dressed couple, who coordinated in classy cream, opened up a bottle of white wine as they relaxed in a bar at the Epsom racecourse Quick touch-up: A lady touched up her makeup during her day at the races to ensure she was picture-ready Left: A women revealed a flash of cleavage in a tie front ruffled dress and offset her look with a floral headpiece. Right: A glamorous lady displayed her toned figure in a classy white jumpsuit High alert: Racegoers entered the gates as an armed police officer stands on guard on Ladies Day during the 2017 Investec Epsom Derby Festival The police proved they were taking no chances by ensuring there were hordes of armed policemen on hand at the races to keep racegoers safe Floral fancies: Headwear took centre stage at Ladies' Day with women plumping for some very elaborate options, including a pink fascinator adorned with butterflies, left, and a peach hat decorated with faux roses, right All about the hats: A female racegoer let her hat take centre stage, donning a chic saucer hat embellished with pretty fake flowers All smiles: Women were in high spirits at the meet, which is considered one of the classier affairs of the racing calendar, has played host to the Queen and her granddaughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, in the past In good spirits! The ladies of Surrey were certainly delighted to be enjoying a day out in the sun at the Epsom races and one woman in particular struggled to contain her excitement Left: A radiant racegoer removed her sunglasses to catch a glimpse of the equestrian action. Right: Drinks were flowing as the day got off to a flying start Style battle: Women at the event will go head-to-head to battle for the best dressed grown at the annual racing competition Girls' day out: A gaggle of female friends kicked back and enjoyed a glass of champagne ahead of the racing action Catching up: Two women enjoyed a quick catch up as they shared a seat on the lawn Expensive taste: A group of women proved they had excellent taste in clothes as they displayed their designer accessories, including a YSL clutch, a Dior tote and Valentino Rockstud shoes Birdseye view: A drone captured the scenes at the racing day out - with plenty of revellers kicking back and enjoying the fine weather Less is more: Two ladies donned simple black hats, left, whilst another guest decided to let her headwear do all the talking with this bright butterfly piece All white! A chic lady showcased her honed physique in a striking white outfit offset with gold heels as she made her way into the racecourse Chic: The ladies donned their best attire and flashed their tanned legs as they lined up in the official photo area ahead of watching the action on the course Model behaviour: The ladies of Surrey were all too happy to pose for photographs at the event. Women plumped for the most elaborate fascinators they could find for the big day out Place your bets! A lady laboured over which horse to put her money on as she filled out a form in the bookies at the racecourse Flashing the flesh: Ladies displayed their fashion credentials in bold printed gowns and off-the-shoulder laser cut mini dresses as they posed for snaps All aboard! Women waved to the crowds as they climbed aboard a boozy bus at the famous racecourse in Surrey Glamorous: Two ladies, who were early arrivals at the meer, were the picture of elegance in an array of tasteful dresses and classic fascinators as they arrived at the Surrey racecourse armed with their designer totes Classy affair: The event is deemed to be one of the classiest events of the racing calendar and whilst men are also welcome today, it's all about the ladies All aboard! The day may have been all about the ladies but that didn't stop the men from having some fun. A contingent of men gathered aboard a boozy bus at the race course It's a sad feature of modern life, but thanks to selfies we appear to be smiling less. Technology is changing how we present ourselves, an expert claimed yesterday, with the so-called duck face an exaggerated pout replacing the Cheshire-cat grin. Professor Colin Jones said smiling had become cliched, and we were more likely to adopt the kind of frosty glare associated with public figures such as Anna Wintour, editor of US Vogue. Scroll down for video So long to the smile: Singer and actress Doris Day in the Sixties, left, and right, US model Bella Hadid poses for a sultry selfie Professor Jones, who specialises in facial expressions, said the smile had carried on triumphant for most of the 20th century thanks to advertising, studio photography and dentistry. But following the rise of the selfie, people began to realise broad smiles were absolutely everywhere and changed how they reacted to the camera lens. Now facial expressions are more varied, he said. People might adopt a pout like Victoria Beckham, or perhaps pose ironically with their eyebrows raised. Professor Jones, of Queen Mary University of London, told the Hay Festival yesterday: Technology has made it interesting for the culture of the smile. Professor Colin Jones said smiling has become cliched, and we are more likely to adopt the kind of frosty glare associated with public figures such as Anna Wintour (pictured) The world of the selfie, the wonder of narcissism, the selfie-stick and the way that seems to make the smile absolutely everywhere. It is the way in which we establish our authenticity in the world. This is then where the duck face comes in. The idea is that you probably wont smile, you probably wont show your teeth. 'You will probably suck in and look very ironic and trendy and fashionable. There is something going on in the way we present ourselves. Social media has also helped to make people increasingly narcissistic, as it became more easy to see images of themselves online (stock image) He said the caved-in duck face had quickly become incredibly common having been pioneered by trend-setters such as Miss Wintour. Social media has also helped to make people increasingly narcissistic, as it became more easy to see images of themselves online. Professor Jones, who has written a book, The Smile Revolution, added: I think there is something going on that is going to affect how the smile is valued and what it means. In The Smile Revolution, Professor Jones tracks the history of smiling through history. He says it was popularised in the late 18th century, before which open-mouthed smiles were traditionally only used to depict plebeians or the mentally deficient in portraits. A teenage girl who was reprimanded for wearing a tank top and shorts to school is changing the rules, one crop top at a time. Sophie Harris, a 14-year-old from Nelson, British Columbia, posted a photo of her outfit on Instagram last week, while blasting her school's dress code and bashing the 'frankly misogynistic' idea that girls' outfits can be too distracting for teen boys. To protest against the rules, which Sophie said unfairly target female students, she and at least 13 other teens went to Trafalgar Middle School wearing their best crop tops on Tuesday, catching the attention of school officials. Statement: Sophie Harris, a 14-year-old form Nelson, British Columbia, posted a photo of an outfit that got her reprimanded on Instagram last week, while blasting her school's dress code 'Not equal': Detailing why she takes issues with the dress code and how it is enforced, Sophie write she has never been reprimanded about her outfits by a female teacher 'Today, I got dress coded before school had even started,' Sophie wrote in her initial Instagram post. 'I was told, that my entire outfit was inappropriate. I was told, (this is a direct quote) "We have 11 and 12 year old boys at this school. We can't have you dressed like that."' The teen opposed the idea that her outfit was inappropriate and insisted it complied with the rules, because her top covered her upper body and wasn't see-through. As for her shorts, she pointed out that her fingertips could touch the hemline if she reached down, meaning they matched the required length. Detailing why she takes issues with the dress code and how it is enforced, Sophie write she has never been reprimanded about her outfits by a female teacher. 'Every time I've been dress coded it's been because it's "distracting to young boys" which is frankly misogynistic, because it's not my problem,' she added. The teen also pointed out that her outfit matched the warm weather, adding: 'It's summer, deal with it.' Sophie also stated the dress code wasn't applied equally, and shared pictures of other outfits that she said violated the rules but hadn't resulted in any disciplinary action. Protest: The teen opposed the idea that her outfit was inappropriate and insisted it complied with the rules, because her top covered her upper body and wasn't see-through Sophie also stated the dress code wasn't applied equally, and shared pictures of other outfits that she said violated the rules but hadn't resulted in any disciplinary action 'Furthermore, you'll see guys at our school wearing their pants around [their] knees, and not getting dress coded,' she added. 'The Trafalgar website says that it's equal for boys and girls, but clearly it's not because I've seen boys without shirts on, and with their pants about to fall off.' Many students, according to Sophie, believe the dress code is 'sexist' and 'unfair'. Which is probably why several of them joined her protest on Tuesday and posed next to her for a photo in their shorts and crop tops. 'Shoutout to the many amazing people who supported the cause #croptoptuesday,' Sophie wrote next to a photo of the group. Taking action: At least 13 other students joined Sophie in a protest Tuesday and showed up to school in their best crop tops and shorts to express their disagreement with the dress code Their action is already yielding results. 'I am so happy to say that the staff of Trafalgar are initiating change about the dress code, and I am so so thankful to everyone who supported me,' the teen added. The school's principal, Carol-Ann Leidloff, called the students' protest 'a great learning opportunity' for the community. 'Our students expressed their frustrations about our school's dress code in a peaceful, respectful way during their protest and it was a good example of democracy in action,' she told Yahoo Style. School officials are scheduled to meet with a boy and a girl from each one of Trafalgar's eight-grade class to discuss improvements to the dress code. The principal rejoiced at the opportunity to 'build a stronger school community where students feel they have a voice that truly can make a difference'. A jet-setting teenager came up with a brilliant solution for salvaging cool vacation photos featuring her ex-boyfriend. Baylee Woodward, 19, visited a lot of amazing places with her old beau meaning he featured prominently in photos she snapped of herself on the beach, hiking, and exploring new places. When the two broke up, Baylee, from Portsmouth, Rhode Island, didn't want to toss the holiday pictures, so she got clever after crafty by Photoshopping Zac Efron's face on her ex's body. Clever: Baylee Woodward, 19, found a creative way to fix photos with her ex-boyfriend Funny: She had traveled the world with her ex for a year, and he was in a lot of her favorite travel photos Replacing him: Since she couldn't crop him out, and blurring him would look weird, she just replaced his face with Zac Efron's Baylee and her ex has traveled together more than the average couple because, for about a year, they lived together on the same yacht. Baylee worked on the boat, while her ex was, inconveniently, her boss. Together, they traveled to 12 different countries, mostly around the Caribbean. In pictures she took during her travels, the former couple is seen hanging on the beach, posing with a monkey in the jungle, hiking, boating, riding horses, and sharing romantic kisses. But the romance didn't last. Baylee said the two broke up, which was made worse when her ex fired her. New faux beau: Her funny Photoshopped pictures have gone viral and earned approval from other internet users Not missing him: The teen said she wasn't trying to be funny but wanted to be able to share and look at old pictures with her ex in them 'The breakup was rough because he was my travel partner for a year, we were together literally 24/7, and then he just fired me out of nowhere,' she told BuzzFeed. Also rough was the fact that they were in so many pictures together, and Baylee didn't want to lose the documentation of her adventures. 'When all your cute travel pictures have your ex boyfriend in them so you have to improvise,' she explained on Facebook. Using photo editing software, she rounded up pictures of Zac Efron and copy and pasted his head into all of her travel snaps, replacing her ex-boyfriend's face. Bright idea: The edited snaps feature her and Zac riding horses and hanging on the beach Love: Many people have jokingly remarked that she and Zac make a cute couple Harsh: Her ex was also her boss on the yacht she worked on, and he fired her when he broke up with her 'I wanted to post a throwback picture from one of the trips but the best ones are with him in it,' she explained. 'I couldn't crop him out and blurring him would be ugly, so I was like,"'I'll just put someone else's face on it." And when you think "hot young guy" you think Zac Efron.' Her pictures have since gone viral, with most people finding the 'improved' vacation photos clever and hilarious. 'You are so much stronger than I would have been after a break up. This is adorable. I love how you celebrate your life. Keep exploring girl!!!' wrote one supportive fan. 'You go girl! Do you! You and zac make an adorable couple, but don't let his crazy work schedule stop you from seeing the world!' joked another. Pippa and James Matthews She managed to marry a multi-millionaire. Now comes the task of honeymooning like one and you may not be entirely surprised to hear Pippa Middleton has risen to the challenge with aplomb. So much so that her post-wedding holiday with new husband James Matthews has been dubbed Pippa's 'moneymoon'. From private beaches and personal round-the-clock butlers to first-class flights and their very own seaplane not forgetting the seemingly endless array of designer outfits modelled by Pippa the newlyweds have travelled in style, while taking in some of the most exclusive luxury destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. The estimated bill so far is more than 120,000. And the Matthews moneymoon, now entering its third week, is by no means over yet. For it seems Pippa, 33, is well and truly in the mood to spend, despite the estimated 1.2 million already lavished on her wedding, a grand affair in the grounds of the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, on May 20. Her getaway with James, 41, is costing more than 30 times the average for British couples, who are thought to spend about 3,164. Pippa has spent more than that amount on her honeymoon wardrobe alone. Here, Femail tots up what she has managed to spend so far NO CATTLE CLASS FOR PIPPA THE FLIGHTS As a wealthy hedge fund manager, with plenty of family money behind him to boot, travelling cattle class with his new bride is out of the question for James Matthews. But if they did travel first class, surely even he would have blanched when handing over his credit card to cover the website price of 12,906.27 each that's 25,812.54 for return tickets on a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Los Angeles. Pippa Middleton in Sydney That would only cover the first leg of their trip: the best seats available business class from Los Angeles to the island of Tahiti (in order to get to private resort The Brando, on the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa) could have set them back a further 3,276 each; 6,552 in total. After their stay at The Brando, the happy couple were off again, to Sydney, via New Zealand. The cost of two business-class seats with Air New Zealand would have been a relative snip at the advertised price of 2,862 for two. Come Thursday, it was time to head to the Northern Territory two one-way business-class tickets to Darwin would have cost 2,670 in total en route to one of the world's last great wildernesses, The Kimberley, or Ayers Rock. Even in the unlikely event of this turning out to be their final port of call before heading home, they will still need further flights to get them from Darwin back to Los Angeles, which could easily be another 6,500. COST: 44,396.54 RAW KANGAROO THE FOOD AND DRINK All food and drink was covered in the 5,000-a-night cost of their villa at The Brando. But it was far from an all-you-can-eat buffet at double Michelin-starred Parisian chef Guy Martin's sophisticated on-site French restaurant. When they fancied something with more of a kick, there was also a choice of top-notch East-West fusion food at Bob's Bar, plus cocktails galore, many of them said to be named after the resort's A-list guests. Then, arriving late on their first night in Australia, the pair are thought to have opted for dinner at their hotel, where the tasting menu a favourite of Pippa's included slow-cooked wagyu beef cheek and Tasmanian salmon, with matching wines. That was a relative bargain, at 84 a head. 400 FOR SUNSET WALK Every pastime that took the couple's fancy from snorkelling to paddle-boarding, canoeing and kayaking to deep-sea fishing, tennis, cycling and fitness classes was part of the package during their stay at The Brando, on the French Polynesian island of Tetiaroa. In Oz, however, the honeymooners soon racked up a big bill. Sticking to their strict pre-wedding fitness regimen, they kicked off their first full day with an early morning jog around the harbour, accompanied by a man who is thought to be a personal trainer. The most sought-after of these charge more than 150 an hour. Pippa Middleton and husband James Matthews arrive at Rose Bay wharf by sea plane, in Sydney Rather than paying 2 for a local bus to take them to Rose Bay, a popular harbourside location in the eastern suburbs, later on Wednesday, they opted for a water taxi, giving them a private romantic cruise from Circular Quay at a cost of 172. When it was time to head back for lunch, the newlyweds did it in real style, hiring a seaplane for a bird's-eye view of the city's beaches, including Bondi, and magnificent architecture. It cost 473 for a 15-minute flight. Afterwards, they bravely conquered the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Wearing matching overalls, Pippa and James strode across the 134-metre-high bridge, giving them a unique view of the city, including the Opera House and six lanes of rush-hour traffic below them. Visiting at peak time, when the sun was setting, would have cost them 411, according to advertised prices. Advertisement On Wednesday they ventured out to some of Sydney's most renowned restaurants. Lunch at Cottage Point Inn, on Wednesday, meant a starter of kangaroo tartare for Pippa and duck for James, followed by the degustation menu, a seven-course selection of mini-dishes, including roasted quail and smoked eel, for 80 a head, plus 43 each for paired wines, making a grand total of 246. Dinner on Wednesday was at the Flying Fish, where main meals cost up to 100. Specials that night included oysters, crab and octopus. With starters, desserts there was passionfruit souffle, ricotta cheesecake and coffee praline to choose from on the night and a decent bottle of wine, that could easily have been another 300 out of the coffers. COST: 714 1,000 ON SWIMWEAR THE WARDROBE Pippa hasn't disappointed fashion lovers this past week, modelling an eye-catching array of expensive dresses and bikinis. While there was little call for anything except swimwear in the 75-degree heat during their week at The Brando, Pippa will have fitted in perfectly, thanks to her love of Melissa Odabash bikinis, which retail at 190 a set. She was also photographed in a Biondi Antibes under-wire bandeau bikini, which cost 210, in white, to show off her tanned and toned physique. Another day saw her photographed on a paddleboard wearing a Biondi Mazarine Tri Bikini in blue, which also retails at 210. Assuming she isn't doing too much laundry on holiday, and has worn at least three different bikinis, that's 630 on swimwear more than the 400 the average woman spends on her entire honeymoon wardrobe. Once the couple were in Sydney, Pippa gave several pieces by her favourite designer of the moment, Kate Spade, an outing, including a blue and white print dress (335), teamed with Castaner wedge lace-up espadrilles (58), perfect for a stroll along the sand in cooler climes. The penthouse suite they are rumoured to have stayed in complete with round-the-clock butler service, a marble bath and magnificent view of the skyline could have set them back 11,000 a night That evening she wore another Kate Spade, a red and pink tile-print dress (318) with LK Bennett sandals (70). And for a ride in a water taxi, she chose a black and white Talita dress (464), again with her favourite espadrilles. For the flight to Darwin, Pippa sported a rather regal broderie anglaise Orla Kiely blouse (210) with jeans and espadrilles. Meanwhile, long-limbed James lazed around The Brando in Vilebrequin swim shorts, which cost 165 a pair for three pairs, that's 495. His city-break wardrobe appeared to consist of Church's shoes (approximately 380), Emmett shirts (about 145 each, so that's 1,015 for seven) and Oliver Spencer chinos (about 170 a pair, making 510 for three pairs). COST: 4,350 DESIGNER LUGGAGE THE ACCESSORIES Every smart woman knows that when you're on holiday, you need to pack accessories that work for both day and night. Pippa, an adept traveller, has managed this to perfection. Her chain-strapped black Aspinal Lottie handbag (425), crafted from Italian calf leather, made its first public appearance early on Wednesday in Sydney, as did her Italian retro sunglasses by Persol (192), a brand that has had iconic status since acting legend Steve McQueen sported them. Both also served as the perfect accompaniments to her evening attire for the couple's posh dinner at the Flying Fish. Jetting to Darwin on Thursday, Pippa opted for more spacious and practical hand luggage the Sensi Studio straw tote bag, again topped off with her Persol specs. BUT AT LEAST THEY GOT A DISCOUNT ON THEIR PRIVATE SOUTH PACIFIC BEACH! With money clearly no object, where better to whisk a bride than to the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa, in the Pacific Ocean, once owned by the late film star Marlon Brando? The Brando luxury eco resort, where Barack Obama was recently a guest, has 35 thatched villas, each with its own pool and beach, giving the newlyweds the illusion of being marooned on their own private desert island albeit with attentive staff to meet their every need. Although it was just the two of them, to dispel any possible cramped feeling, the couple are understood to have rented a three-bedroom thatched villa. Pippa needed somewhere to put all her bikinis, after all. For this, a source says they paid a discounted rate of 5,000 a night the standard fee, according to the website, is almost 8,000 making a total of 35,000 for the week, from May 23 to 29. As it was all-inclusive, with cocktails available at all times, at least they didnt have to worry about exorbitant restaurant and bar bills when they checked out. Besides a steady flow of gourmet food and drink, the couple enjoyed views of a crystal-clear lagoon from the master bedroom on the top floor of their villa. They could even share a sumptuous outdoor bathtub and take in the spectacular scenery around the atoll, which lies 30 miles north of Tahiti. Add to this a pool with decking, linked to a private white-sand beach, and you can see why The Brando was the perfect escape from prying eyes and camera lenses. Leaving it behind must have been a wrench. But thankfully it wasnt too much of a come-down for Pippa and James, who spent Tuesday and Wednesday night this week at the Park Hyatt hotel in Sydney, right on the rocks beside the citys Opera House. The penthouse suite they are rumoured to have stayed in complete with round-the-clock butler service, a marble bath and magnificent view of the skyline could have set them back 11,000 a night, making the cost 22,000, just for this short leg of the trip. The couple then flew from Sydney to Darwin, in Australias Northern Territory, on Thursday and are believed to have flown from there to either Uluru also known as Ayers Rock or the wilds of The Kimberley in the west, an area of dramatic gorges and unspoilt coastline. Where, its pretty safe to assume, the couple wont be slumming it. Advertisement Given that the tote was handcrafted in the Andes and took three days to make, it could be considered a bargain at 150. To keep track of time in the most stylish way, Pippa also wore a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch with a mother-of-pearl dial, estimated to be worth 8,000. Throughout, of course, her engagement ring, a huge diamond circled by a cluster of smaller diamonds and valued at about 200,000, twinkled in the sunlight. COST: 8,767 (engagement ring extra) DOGS ON A JET THE SCOTTISH LEG The Matthewses are expected to round off their no-expense-spared honeymoon with a visit to one of James's family homes in the Scottish Highlands which, thankfully, will only cost them the price of a flight. However, a source says it is almost certain they will fly by private jet to Inverness which, assuming they fly from London, would cost around 4,000 accompanied by their beloved dogs, which they are said to have missed while Down Under. From there, they will embark on the 45-minute drive to the Glen Affric Estate, which is 14 miles from Loch Ness. As the eldest Matthews son, James will one day inherit the title from his father David, who also owns a hotel on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthelemy, and become laird of the 10,000-acre estate. Pippa would then be able to use the courtesy title of Lady Glen Affric. Glen Affric's eight-bedroom luxury lodge comes complete with chefs serving locally sourced meat and fish, and a full team of staff to meet a presumably exhausted Pippa's every whim. After all, so much travelling is sure to tire a girl out. Isn't it? COST: 4,000 Campari is offering Americans a very good reason to drink next week for charity! The company behind the Italian aperitif which is the central ingredient in a Negroni cocktail has declared June 5 through the 11 Negroni Week, and enlisted countless bars and restaurants nationwide (over 6,000 worldwide) to participate by turning on their own special Negronis. And it's not just drinks, either. Experimental eateries have also gotten to work in the kitchen, turning out tasty Negroni-flavored foods and desserts. The best part? A portion of proceeds from every Negroni-themed item sold at these locations will be donated to charity. Here, FEMAIL has rounded up some of the tastiest-looking options across the US, from doughnuts in New York City to ice cream sandwiches in Los Angeles. Yum! Butter & Scotch in New York City is selling Negroni-flavored 'Poptartz' for Negroni Week from June 5 through the 11 Negroni Poptartz from Butter & Scotch in New York City Since Negroni Week started in 2013, it's raised nearly $900,000 for charity and the offering at Butter & Scotch this year is likely to help bump that total up to a cool million. The bar slash bakery will be selling Negroni pop tarts for $6 each next week, which are filled with Negroni-flavored custard and topped with an orange and Campari icing. Inn addition to the cocktail and a Negroni pie they've served in the past, $1 from every Negroni item served here will be donated to the Helen David Relief Fund, which provides financial support for female bartenders affected by breast cancer. Eat good, do good: Items like this limited-edition Negroni ring ding from Duane Park Patisserie will benefit charities Nom nom! This gourmet ring ding has one gin-flavored cake layer, one sweet vermouth-flavored cake layer, and Campari-flavored cream filling Negroni Ring Dings from Duane Park Patisserie in New York City Duane Park Patisserie in downtown Manhattan is known for its grown-up 'Ring Dings', which include flavors like Nutella, dulce de leche, PB&J, pistachio raspberry, French toast, and margarita. This week, though, they're adding another alcohol-inspired treat to the menu. This one's made with one gin-flavored cake layer, one sweet vermouth-flavored cake layer, and Campari-flavored cream filling, checking off all the main ingredients in a Campari. It's topped with an orange flavored chocolate shell. Boozy: The Horny Ram in New York City is selling a Negroni-flavored waffle to celebrate the cocktail, which is made with Campari Negroni Pony Waffle from The Horny Ram in New York City This Midtown East spot will be serving a multicolor orange Negroni-flavored waffle accompanied by the cocktail for the occasion. This boozy brunch staple, though, is only available for the tail end of Negroni Week, during Saturday and Sunday brunch on the 10th and 11th. Proceeds will benefit City Harvest, a charity that feeds hungry New Yorkers. Eat up: NYC's The Doughnut Project has a special Negroni doughnut At participating bars and restaurants, the cocktail and other Negroni-themed items will raise proceeds for various charities 'Negronut's from The Doughnut Project in New York City Naturally, The Doughnut Project which earned internet fame for its everything bagel-flavored doughnut is making their own version of the fried treat. Filled with Carpano Antica Whipped Cream, they're be topped with a Campari glaze and drizzled with orange compote. So pretty! Craftsman and Wolves in San Francsico is serving spacial madeleine cookies Buy 'em fast! The raspberry madeleines are topped with a Negroni glaze and come four ina pack Negroni Raspberry Madeleines from Craftsman and Wolves in San Francsico Over on the West Coast, San Francisco chef William Werner has updated his patisserie's popular madeleine recipe. Served in a four-pack, these airy raspberry-flavored cookies are finished off with a of Negroni glaze. Proceeds will benefit the SF-Marin Food Bank. Too cool: Break Room 86 in LA and Coolhaus ice cream collaborated on this ice cream sandwich Negroni Ice Cream Sandwich from Break Room 86 + Coolhaus in Los Angeles LA bar Break Room 86 teamed up with Coolhaus ice cream on a cocktail-ice-cream-sandwich mash-up, which will be served from a truck on the bar's patio. The limited-edition item, which will cost $8 each, is made up of two almond biscotti cookies with a scoop of coconut Campari ice cream in between. A good excuse: The Saratoga in San Francisco also has a Negroni doughnut, interestingly topped with foie gras Negroni-Glazed Old-Fashioned Doughnut from The Saratoga in San Francisco This cocktail bar has the drink, of course, but they'll also be serving up dessert next week. Starting with their house-made old-fashion doughnuts, the bar will dip the deep-fried treat in a barrel-aged Negroni glaze before dusting it with foie gras 'sprinkles'. Proceeds from the $4 desserts will be doanted to the SF-Marin Food Bank Savory fun: The Nugget Spot in NYC has a nugget glaze, which will likely tasted like spiked orange chicken from a Chinese restaurant Negroni Nuggets from The Nugget Spot in New York City It's not just sweets that are getting a Negroni kick the bitter orange flavor is popping up in savory items, too. At The Nuggest Spot in New York City will be dipping its tasty chicken nuggets with a Negroni-inspired glaze and garnishing them with orange peel and fresh mint. Yum: The Progress in San Francisco has an Italian sandwich featuring an aioli made with the Italian liquer Negroni Italian-ish Sandwich from The Progress in San Francisco An Italian cocktail and an Italian sandwich seem like a pretty perfect combination, so The Progress in San Francisco combined them. Chef Stuart Brioza is stacking house-made Soppressata, Capicola, and the restaurant's 'pig fries' between bread, smothering them in a Campari chili-aioli. They suggest pairing the $10 sandwich with a Thyme Roasted Cherry Negroni for $13 and proceeds from both will be donated to the James Beard Foundation, a food-focused nonprofit. Rebecca Hockaday didn't think anything of a colored freckle that appeared on her chest in summer of 2012. The mother-of-two, who was then 35, only went to a dermatologist six months later because dozens of the strange dots popped up around her breast. Hockaday, from Watkinsville, Georgia, was quickly ushered to a cancer institute where a biopsy revealed that she had a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. The splattering of 'freckles' were a symptom of her stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer. After a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and twice-a-day radiation treatments, Hockaday was cancer-free just 10 months after her diagnosis. Now Hockaday, 40, is using her story as a cautionary tale about the unusual symptoms that inflammatory breast cancer has. Scroll down for video Rebecca Hockaday, 40, didn't think freckles on her chest were signs of inflammatory breast cancer. She first noticed the spots in summer 2012 but didn't see an expert for six months. Pictured: Hockaday with her husband and two sons after her chemotherapy treatment in 2013 The mother-of-two, from Watkinsville, Georgia, had to have aggressive chemotherapy, surgery and radiation to beat the stage 3 cancer. Pictured: Hockaday during her two-a-day radiation treatments in 2013 where her skin is discolored and the spots of cancer were Hockaday said she was at first unbothered by the unusual spot because she had no other symptoms to alert her of breast cancer. She said to the Daily Mail Online: 'It was summer and it was where my bathing suit cut off. There was only one so I didn't think anything of it. 'But then another one came and then more, so I thought I should get it looked at.' Hockaday went to a dermatologist who was able to immediately recognize the spots as a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer, a usually hard-to diagnosis disease. Eleven days before Christmas in 2012, the skin doctor's suspicions were confirmed by the Emorys Winship Cancer Institute. Hockaday (pictured with her husband after the cancer) was told her condition was progressed and not only was it in her skin, it was in her lymphatics and lymph nodes just 11 days before Christmas Hockaday (pictured left and right during her treatment) was declared cancer-free in 2013, just 10 months after her diagnosis SYMPTOMS OF INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER Redness of the breast: Redness involving part or all of the breast is a hallmark of the cancer. Sometimes the redness comes and goes. Swelling of the breast: Part of or all of the breast may be swollen, enlarged, and hard. Warmth: The breast may feel warm. Orange-peel appearance: Your breast may swell and start to look like the peel of a navel orange (this is called 'peau d'orange'). Other skin changes: The skin of the breast might look pink or bruised, or you may have what looks like ridges, welts, or hives on your breast. Swelling of lymph nodes: The lymph nodes under your arm or above the collarbone may be swollen. Flattening or inversion of the nipple: The nipple may go flat or turn inward. Aching or burning: Your breast may ache or feel tender. Advertisement Inflammatory breast cancer is rare, making up less than one percent of all breast cancers in the United States. Cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast and is called 'inflammatory' because the breast often looks swollen and red, or 'inflamed.' It usually begins with redness or swelling rather than a distinct lump. It grows and spreads quickly, usually worsening within days or even hours. It can easily be confused with a breast infection. Hockaday was told her condition was progressed and not only was it in her skin, it was in her lymphatics and lymph nodes. She said: 'No one was in the Christmas spirit. The news made the entire family not want to celebrate. We were supposed to go on a cruise but we couldn't go.' Hockaday started chemotherapy the day she was supposed to depart for the family's tropical trip, just weeks after her diagnosis. After her chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy, Hockaday was started on an aggressive radiation treatment. The cancer had spread to her skin so doctors had Hockaday on a double-dose of radiation, twice a day. She had 44 radiation treatments in total. Although painful and tiring, Hockaday said it was all worth it because she was cancer-free just 10 months after her diagnosis. Hockaday still has to go into the hospital monthly for injections, routinely for scans and take daily medication to see if the cancer returns. Inflammatory breast cancer does not have the normal symptoms of breast cancer and it can easily be confused with a breast infection. Pictured: Hockaday after her intensive radiation treatment. She had a total of 44 radiation treatments in 2013 For now, Hockaday is hopeful she can keep it at bay for awhile. Hockaday said: 'When it comes back, it comes back with a vengeance. There are no signs of it right now. My biggest fear is telling my husband and sons that it came back. 'I know that at some point it will come back. I can do the fight but right now I'm not thinking about it.' Inflammatory breast cancer is always diagnosed to be at least stage IIB, because it has grown into the skin. If the cancerous cells have spread to many nearby lymph nodes it could be classified as stage 3 C. The median survival rate for people at these stages is about 57 months, or nearly five years. It's the excuse we've all longed for - swearing is good for you. Shouting expletives helps to mend a broken heart by diluting the intensity of pain, a new study suggests. Using words that would make your mother cringe relieves the psychological burden caused by breaking up with a loved one. But researchers say profanity's healing powers, when used as a distraction, can also apply to other slightly more common scenarios. They found swearing works in aiding what they define as 'short-term social distress' - anything between a lovers' tiff to social exclusion. Shouting expletives helps to mend a broken heart by diluting the intensity of pain, a new study from New Zealand suggests But it is possible to overdo it. Using too many expletives may weaken the power of profanity when you need it most, experts from New Zealand claim. The Massey University results mirror various studies which have shown curse words to have the power in relieving physical pain. Lead author Dr Michael Philipp said: 'There is still speculation about why swearing aloud has the effect it does on physical pain and social pain. 'What's clear is that swearing is not a completely maladaptive reaction to a sore thumb or a broken heart.' How was the study carried out? THE POWER OF SWEARING If you're struggling in the gym, you might want to consider letting out your frustration by shouting out some swear words. A surprising study published earlier this month showed that physical power is improved after swearing. Keele University researchers were unsure why, but suggested that swearing could stimulate the same system that makes your heart pound when you're in danger, increasing your strength. Advertisement The researchers split 62 volunteers into two groups for the latest study - swearers or non-swearers. They wanted to test the theory that both physical and emotional pain stem from the same underlying biological process. Participants were asked to write about an inclusive and happy experience, or an exclusive and distressing one. Those in the swearing group were asked to repeat a random expletive for two minutes before rating how much pain they were in. Volunteers in the other group done the same but with a much more harmless word. What were the findings? The researchers found non-swearers who were asked to write about a distressing event reported more pain. They also showed greater sensitivity to physical pain, the results published in the European Journal of Social Psychology show. Those who were given the opportunity to swear said they had less social pain when asked to recall the traumatic experience. No heightened sensitivity to physical pain was evident. The findings suggest that both social and physical pain are similar, and that swearing reduces the effects of social pain. But don't get too excited... However, the researchers were quick to point out that swearing is not a quick fix for people experiencing serious emotional pain. And Dr Philipp said people should be aware of who else is in their presence before they unleash a torrent of blasphemy. A 34-year-old man is battling an enormous, penis-shaped tumour that is wrecking his vision. Herdi Firmansyah from Wanakerta village in West Java, Indonesia, cannot see out of his right eye due to the abnormal growth. He is also unable to talk or eat properly and is forced to live the life of a recluse as people in the village are scared of him. The mass, which began to form on Firmansyah's right eyelid when he was just three-months-old, has been removed five times, but grew back after each surgery. It has now spread to his face, back, hands, abdomen, chest and feet. Although the cause of Mr Firmansyah's growth is unclear, it appears similar to a case of retinoblastoma the MailOnline reported on earlier this week. Herdi Firmansya, 34, from Wanakerta village in West Java, Indonesia has a huge facial tumour The growth is wrecking Mr Firmansya's vision as he is unable to see out of his right eye The mass first grew over his right eyelid at just three months and has been removed five times WHAT IS A RETINOBLASTOMA? Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that usually affects children under the age of five. As it is usually caught early in the UK, 98 per cent of children with the disease are successfully treated. About 50 children develop the condition every year in the UK. Retinoblastoma is specifically a cancer of the retina - the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. It can affect one or both eyes. A fault gene is responsible in about 40 per cent of cases. This can be inherited from the sufferer's parents or may occur spontaneously. The most common symptoms are the pupil looking like a cat's eye and the child developing a squint. The cat eye look is most commonly seen in photos. Small tumours can usually be treated with laser or freezing treatment. Larger tumours require chemotherapy or surgery. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement His mother Mariah, 77, said: 'Firmansyah was born as a normal baby but after three months a small lump developed on his right eyelid. 'The lump was removed five times through a surgery but it regrew after some time. 'We are worried about him as the condition seems life threatening. It has already taken his vision in one eye. We fear it might take his life as well.' Mr Firmansyah quit studying at a young age after he was ridiculed for his condition by his classmates. Mariah said: 'Our son didn't join the junior high school because of this condition as he was being mocked at in the school every day.' His father Ace Suganda, 82, said the family not only spent all their money on Mr Firmansyah's treatment, but even sold one of their houses. Yet, despite their efforts, nothing has helped. His father said: 'We spent every single penny we had on his treatment. Even sold off one of our houses, but his condition did not improved. 'The tumour has now spread to his other body parts as well and we lack the crucial funds needed for advanced medical treatment. 'It is very sad for us to see him in pain. First, he lost vision in his eye and now we don't want him to lose his life as well.' Mr Firmansyah's father added that his family have not received any help from the government but remain hopeful they may fund the cost of his treatment outside of Indonesia. His father said: 'We hope the Indonesian Government would offer us help so that we can take our son to any foreign country where he can be treated well and can have a good future.' Yet, the tumour has grown back after each surgery and has since spread all over his body Mr Firmansya is forced to live the life of a recluse as people living in his village are afraid of him His family have spent all their money on his treatment and even sold one of their houses They hope the Indonesian government will offer to help (pictured with an unknown girl) Annalise Lujan was in the middle of a gymnastics meet in April when she started vomiting and lost all feeling in her legs. As the 12-year-old fell into a crippling seizure, her parents rushed her to the hospital, and she was put into a medically induced coma to save her brain from damage. Annalise was then flown to a specialist unit at Phoenix Children's Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a rare epilepsy syndrome, known as febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES). The condition causes Annalise to have seizures continuously, which can lead to brain injury and even death. It meant doctors couldn't bring her out of the coma until they had an effective method to prevent her seizures. Because regular anti-epilepsy medication doesn't work on this condition, her mother Maryann Estrada-Lujan researched other options. She found a cannabis-derived drug, called cannabidiol, and Annalise was able to be brought out of the coma after three treatments on May 8. Now Annalise is no longer plagued by constant seizures and is in therapy to regain her cognitive abilities. Annalise Lujan, 12, (left, before she was sick) was diagnosed febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome in April. The condition causes her to have seizures continuously. She was put in a medically induced coma to save her from brain trauma (pictured right in April) The little girl from Tuscon, Arizona, became plagued by seizures and her mother Maryann Estrada-Lujan (pictured together when she woke up) pushed for the use of cannabidiol which cured her of the constant seizures on May 8 WHAT IS CANNABIDIOL? Cannabidiol (CBD) is a drug derived from cannabis. The medicine has the psycho-active elements of marijuana, THC, removed. THC is what gives marijuana users their 'high'. The drug offers hope for thousands of children living with untreatable epilepsy. Cannabidiol halved the seizures suffered by children with a severe form of the condition called Dravet syndrome. Experts at New York University and Great Ormond Street children's hospital in London said the results could make a 'considerable difference' to adults and children suffering with epilepsy. In five percent of patients given the oil the debilitating fits stopped altogether. Advertisement While the cannabis derived drug was useful in Annalise's case, medical experts are still divided on its overall effectiveness. Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy admitted marijuana could be helpful in treating certain conditions but cautioned that there needs to be more research. In a groundbreaking study, scientists at New York University and Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital found cannabidiol halved a rare epileptic seizure. This marked a major milestone in efforts to introduce the drug as an effective treatment plan. However, other experts claimed the study wasn't as promising because the patients were also taking other drugs. Scientists are expressing the need to further examine the medical benefits of cannabis before it is made readily available to patients. In the US, cannabis use for both medical and recreational purposes is legal in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, California, Maine and Massachusetts. When Annalise's parents first brought her to the hospital, the medical experts thought she had a stomach virus. Estrada-Lujan said to KVOA: 'One day, she was just a healthy young lady, going to school, participating in her community and her gymnastics, and the next day - fighting for her life. 'She was put on a ventilator, and put into a medical coma, and, we haven't talked to her since.' Symptoms of FIRES normally appears one day to 14 days after a child has a mild fever. Seizures start slowly before getting worse, with some children having 100 seizures a day. FIRES is extremely rare, with one in a million children contracting it. It happens when a virus spreads to the brain or autoimmune system after an ordinary cold or stomach flu. Now Annalise is no longer plagued by constant seizures and is in therapy (pictured in May) to regain her cognitive abilities EPILEPSY BY THE NUMBERS 5 MILLION: Number of people around the world who have epilepsy. 3 MILLION: Number of people in the United States who have epilepsy. 1 IN 26 people in the United States will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime. BETWEEN 4 AND 10 OUT OF 1,000: Number of people on earth who live with active seizures at any one time. 150,000: Number of new cases of epilepsy in the United States each year ONE-THIRD: Number of people with epilepsy who live with uncontrollable seizures because no available treatment works for them. 6 OUT OF 10: Number of people with epilepsy where the cause is unknown. Source: The Epilepsy Foundation Advertisement Regular epilepsy medications aren't successful in treating FIRES, so Estrada-Lujan began looking for a solution elsewhere. She learned that cannabidiol has been studied to treat epilepsy conditions and pushed for its use in her daughter's treatment. The oil has very low levels of THC, which is the substance responsible producing the 'high' in marijuana. Since the substance wasn't approved at the time, Annalise's doctors had to rush for its approval with the FDA and DEA. Less than two days after Annalise's first treatment, she was cured of the constant seizures on May 8. Estrada-Lujan added to KVOA: 'She opened her eyes, and she was scared. She was afraid. She cried. And, I whispered to her that she was very strong, she's beautiful, and she's strong, and she needed to keep breathing, and she did.' Now Annalise is in recovery and will need therapy to regain the same cognitive functions that she had before. Cannabidiol oil was found to be successful in treating other forms of epilepsy. A recent study by New York University and Great Ormond Street found the syrup, taken once a day, reduced the convulsive seizures by 48 percent in under-18s with Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy. Experts don't considered it as a 'cure' - because patients have to keep taking it every day for the benefits to last. They also still do not understand precisely how the cannabis compound controls epilepsy symptoms. It is thought to act on the endocannabinoid system, a network of molecular receptors in the brain and nervous system that not only generates the cannabis 'high' but is linked to a wide range of physiological processes. Around three million Americans and more than 600,000 people in the UK suffer with epilepsy and for a third of them drugs do not work to control their symptoms. Thousands of women with ovarian cancer could be helped by the most promising new drug in a decade, British scientists claim. The first results from a landmark trial have found that the treatment dramatically shrank tumours in patients in the terminal stages of the illness. These women had no other treatment options yet doctors say the drug extended their lives by six months or more. Scroll down for video Ovarian cancer is diagnosed in 7,400 women in the UK each year (picture posed by model) And, unlike most gruelling cancer therapies, there are very few side effects. The drug does not cause hair loss, extreme tiredness or high risk of infection, meaning patients enjoy a better quality of life. A team of British researchers will today unveil the preliminary findings from an ongoing medical trial at the worlds largest cancer conference in Chicago. They will show that the drug, known as BTG945, significantly reduced tumours in seven out of 15 women. It is very unusual for a cancer treatment to show such promise so early on in a trial. The team of doctors and scientists from the Institute of Cancer Research in London have described the results as rare and very promising. Ovarian cancer is diagnosed in 7,400 women in the UK each year and leads to 4,100 deaths. Survival rates are much lower than other types of cancer and only a third of patients live beyond ten years. The disease is often diagnosed late, when it has already spread to other organs. Many women suffer vague symptoms and are often misdiagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome or in some cases, starting the menopause. Treatment shrank all of my tumours Delighted: Cancer patient Marianne Heath Marianne Heath has advanced ovarian cancer, which caused tumours to spread to her back and stomach. Mrs Heath, 68, was diagnosed in 2011 and has had extensive surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy which all failed to halt the disease. But since starting treatment with the new drug in September, all of her tumours have significantly shrunk. The grandmother was given the intravenous therapy at the Royal Marsden hospital in London. Doctors now say she is stable and although a tumour in her back has begun to grow again, they are hoping to treat it with radiotherapy. Mrs Heath, of Oxshott, Surrey, said: I had no other treatment choices so felt this was my only option. Im delighted. I had next to no side effects. This has been the best (treatment) so far. It gives me and my family a buzz when we are told my scans look better. I just want to keep going so I can keep the tumours at a level where I can enjoy my life. Advertisement The drug is given intravenously as a drip and patients have 12 doses every two weeks. It is able to penetrate tumours by disguising itself as folic acid a naturally occurring vitamin that is particularly beneficial to pregnant women. Ovarian cancer tumours are particularly receptive to folic acid and the disguise enables the treatment to enter the cells and attack. This means the surrounding healthy cells are left alone, which is why the treatment causes so few side effects. Dr Udai Banerji, of the Institute of Cancer Research, said: The results we have seen in this trial are very promising. It is rare to see such clear evidence of reproducible responses in these early stages of drug development. The beauty of this particular drug is that it is targeted to the cancer cell. This means there are fewer side effects, making it a kinder treatment for ovarian cancer patients. The researchers believe the drug can extend lives by more than six months if women are given the drug before the illness has progressed. They will now carry out trials involving many more women. The widow of a slain jawan has alleged that she was subjected to humiliation after she demanded her rights for a job after his death on compensatory grounds. Prerna said her life has never been the same after her husband Mandeep Singh, a jawan in the Sikh regiment, died while fighting in Kashmir. Mandeep's mutilated body was brought to his village in Kurukshetra last year before Diwali. Thousands of people and top politicians had gathered to pay respects to the slain hero. Mandeep Singh's widow Prerna has been trying, unsuccessfully, to get help from authorities His widow was promised a promotion and a compensatory government job for Mandeep's brother. But instead, Prerna said, she was left 'humiliated' after being asked to give a written undertaking saying she did not marry her late husband's brother. She recently received a letter from the Zila Sainik Board - a body under the state administration that looks into the welfare of armed forces personnel and their family members - asking her to declare whether she had remarried. Mandeep Singh, a jawan in the Sikh regiment, died while fighting in Kashmir However what disturbed her the most was a specific question: whether she had married Mandeep's younger brother Sandeep after his death. This action, Prerna said, was done to ensure that she had not remarried so she would then not be entitled to the promised benefits. After receiving the letter, Prerna had to submit an affidavit, which was attested by village elders to prove she had not married again. She said the original Sainik Board letter was attached to her affidavit and submitted to its office. However, when Mail Today spoke to Col Ravinder Singh, secretary of the Zila Sainik Board, he said: 'We have not sent any such letter. Rather we have shouldered our responsibility well. The case for his brother's job is being taken up and is likely to be passed in a cabinet meeting soon by the chief minister on compassionate grounds. 'As far as promotion for Prerna is concerned, there is no such policy. Nevertheless it is under consideration on the basis of her application.' Prerna is a postgraduate and works as constable in Haryana Police. Recently she was deployed for security duty of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the state. But at the last moment, for no apparent reason, she was removed from the VVIP security duty. In response, Prerna has lodged a formal complaint with the Haryana police chief. She said: 'I don't understand why I was removed from the duty...maybe because the administration thought I would complain about my plight to Rajnath Singhji.' What makes things more complicated is that Prerna and her in-laws have allegedly started getting anonymous threatening letters. They informed the local police about this and have also sought protection. Haryana CM Manohar Khattar at Mandeeps funeral 'Filthy words were written in the letter. They were so vulgar that I cannot even describe the contents,' she said. A disillusioned Prerna has now started getting visitors like MS Bitta from the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front. Bitta said it was 'unfortunate' to see her in 'such a condition'. 'When Mandeep died, their expectations were raised by tall assurances. It's been seven months since his death and about time the state government lives up to its promises,' she added. The children of Indian Army men who have 'boarded out' due to injuries suffered in war will be prioritised in this year's Delhi University admission process. This clause will give seats to wards of those army men who had to walk out of the force due to medical reasons. 'The move of providing reservation to wards of those military-men who have suffered a medical injury and had to opt out of service should come as a relief to DU aspirants who were earlier not included in the ambit of reservation of 'Children of War' category,' said Gurpreet Singh Tuteja, deputy dean of Students' Welfare and a member of the admission committee. Reservation is given to wards of military-men who have suffered a medical injury This year, university has already seen 1,676 applications under the reservation for armed forces category. In its reservation policy for supernumerary seats for armed forces, Delhi University reserves 5 per cent of seats for applicants under Children of War (CW) category, programme wise in all colleges. In its order of precedence, Delhi University's 'Children of War' quota has given priority to children of those killed on duty at Indian borders. Servicemen unload injured soldier from a Douglas Dakota Transport airplane at the U.S. Army Air Force Base in Karachi (1943) The varsity granted preference to admission to widows and wards of personnel killed in action. From this academic session onwards, DU will grant admission to wards of army personnel, disabled in action and are boarded out from service with disability attributable to military service. Delhi University already offers admission to the children and widows of officers and men of the armed forces, including para-military personnel. Delhi University campus In addition to this, the university also reserves seats for widows and wards of defence personnel, who died in peace time during their military service and children of serving and ex-servicemen who have received gallantry awards like Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra. Every year, the varsity witnesses applications from close to 400-500 aspirants who are eligible for admission under the category reserved for armed forces, for a total of 54,000 seats the it offers. All the aspirants falling under the category of the said reservation are supposed to upload educational concession certificate, in the format prescribed by Delhi University and issued by authorities mentioned in the bulletin of information, serving as the guidelines of application procedure. - T. S. Eliot Thoughts After Lambeth "The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide." The Anti-Corruption Branch has lodged three FIRs in connection with a complaint of alleged irregularities against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others in the grant of contracts for roads and sewer lines. The ACB, in its status report, also informed metropolitan magistrate Abhilash Malhotra on Friday that the probe was on and they would file a detailed report later. The agency said separate FIRs were registered by it on its own on May 8. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (right) with State Health Minister Satyendar Jain The investigating officer said they have asked Central Public Works Department to form a committee of engineers and inspect the work constructed by the body to find out if the substandard material was used. During the hearing, the court also directed the additional commissioner of the ACB to assess the threat perception with regard to the complainant Rahul Sharma once again after he submitted that on May 30 two unidentified persons on a motorcycle fired gun shots at him when he was travelling in his car along with a cousin. Advocate Vibhor Anand, counsel for Rahul Sharma said, 'My client who has been exposing the corruption is now facing threat. The court has taken a very serious view on the security concerns of the whistleblower.' It said, 'The FIR showed there are serious threats to the security of the complainant. 'The additional commissioner of the ACB is directed to assess the threat perception with regard to the complainant once again and file a status report on June 8.' The court had earlier also directed the probe agency to assess the threat perception and the ACB had concluded that there was no threat at that time. The magistrate said witness protection was such a serious issue, not only in this case but in general. The court also advised the complainant to be cautious about his movements till an assessment is made by the police about his threat perception. Sacked Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra The court is hearing a complaint filed by Sharma, founder of Roads Anti-Corruption Organisation (RACO), seeking a direction to the police to lodge an FIR against Kejriwal, his brother-in-law Surender Bansal, proprietor of a construction firm, and a public servant for alleged irregularities in the grant of contracts for roads and sewer lines in Delhi. The complainant has alleged that Bansal operated through several dummy firms to obtain government contracts with the connivance of several senior PWD officials. These contracts never got executed whereas shockingly all the payments were cleared under pressure from Kejriwal, he has alleged. As the Congress smarts from the backlash to the Kannur calf killing incident, the party finds itself caught between its 'democratic' ideology and the forthcoming assembly polls in Gujarat. While its Kerala state unit refuses to relent and promises to keep up the agitation albeit 'peacefully', Gujarat party volunteers are walking a tightrope. Congress party workers in Gandhinagar on Thursday joined in a two-day fast by the vice chairperson of Gujarata Gau Seva Ayog Chaitanya Shambu Maharaj, claiming that the cow was 'dear' to them too. Opposing the public slaughter event (above) in Kerala, Gujarat Cong workers held a two-day fast claiming that cow was sacred for them The incident carries a likeness to AK Antony's report on the Congress debacle in 2014, when the party's proximity to minority communities had led people to doubt its secular credentials. Antony then warned that the party to be more inclusive. Mindful of the upcoming polls, the party's national leadership is now on the back-foot and apologetic after the Kannur incident. However, the state leadership refuses to step down its agitation against Modi's beef ban. Rahul Gandhi called the incident 'Thoughtless, barbaric and completely unacceptable' MM Hasan, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief told Mail Today, ' We have done our bit by suspending the Youth Congress members and police is doing its job. 'But it must be understood that Kerala has its own culture and there has never been a ban on cow slaughter here. Its for the Gujarat state unit (of Congress) to decide how they want to address the issue but in Kerala we want no restrictions over what we eat. 'Killing of cows is not rare in India. The problem arose since BJP came to power. When the Congress was in power it too had banned cow slaughter in some states but never in Kerala. This has now become a communal issue.' 'What happened in Kannur has been condemned because even as we protest against the ban, it has to be done peacefully.' PC Vishnunath, AICC secretary, 'We are not supporting that kind of actit is not our culture. Party Vice President Rahul Gandhi was quick to respond in condemning the slaughter as a barbaric act. He immediately asked the PCC chief to initiate action against those involved. Kannur Police have booked district president of Youth Congress and other Congress workers in connection with the public slaughter of a calf But the difference between Congress and the BJP is that when gaurakshaks spread communal hatred and deliver hate speeches, the BJP and RSS support them and promote the guilty to the chief minister's post.' 'Our stand is clear on the issue. It is the people's right to decide what they will eat. In Kerala our agitation will continue and even on Thursday we did a protest march to the Raj Bhawan.' The party recently restructured its Gujarat leadership drawing in AICC general secretary and former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot as state incharge and is gearing up to declare the first list of candidates by June end. Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari The plans to celebrate 'Modi Fest' after the completion of three years of the Narendra Modi government has brought a number of embarrassing moments for the Delhi BJP. In Chandni Chowk, the fest was scheduled for three days, starting Friday, but a major goof-up spoilt the opening day celebration. According to senior BJP leaders, local MP Dr Harshvardhan was supposed to inaugurate the fest. But his unavailability prompted the Delhi BJP in-charge Shayam Jaju to inaugurate the event. However, the Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari claimed Jaju went there just 'to take stock of things'. But earlier that day, the BJP had already invited media for inauguration of the event at the Red Fort. Tiwari, however, said that MoS for external affairs, M J Akbar will officially inaugurate the fest on Saturday. Further, the party's leadership was left embarrassed when it came to know that the fest has already concluded in South Delhi parliamentary constituency and that too without the knowledge of local MP Ramesh Bidhuri and Delhi BJP president. BJP supporters had been looking forward to Modi fest As per the instruction from the high command, the Modi Fest was supposed to be celebrated from June 2-15 in all the states. But interestingly, the fest was celebrated in South Delhi three days before the schedule, i.e. from May 30 to June 1. A senior leader said, 'Since Modi Fest was aimed to highlight the achievements of the Modi government, it was meant to be addressed by the cabinet ministers.' Delhi BJP general secretary Kuljeet Chahal, who managed the event at the Red Fort, told media that there was no event conducted on Friday, even though the party itself invited the media. Satish Acharya on the way to Modi fest 'The first camp was supposed to start on June 2 and was likely to be inaugurated by union cabinet minister. As the first function was planned to take place in Chandni Chowk constituency, the local MP Dr Harshvardhan was asked to inaugurate the event. But the plan was changed as he was not available and hence, another Union minister had to inaugurate the event. But due to sheer mismanagement, it was inaugurated by Jaju,' said a senior leader. Tiwari told Mail Today that Akbar will inaugurate the event on Saturday and he has asked Jaju to oversee preparation. Short sellers are betting against Yoox Net-A-Porter as the competition ramps up in online luxury retail. Almost 17 per cent of the shares in the Milan-listed company are out on loan, suggesting they have been borrowed by short sellers betting they will fall. That figure is three times higher than last year, and is the highest in Bloombergs Intelligence index of 23 European luxury stocks. Short sellers are betting against Yoox Net-a-Porter in the competitive business of selling luxury goods online This is despite shares being up more than 12 per cent over the last month, and Yoox Net-A-Porter forecasting growth of about 20 per cent this year. Earnings for global luxury retailers could nearly double this year. Online luxury sales rose 13 per cent in 2016, but competition has intensified as Amazon, Farfetch and LVMH join the battle. Today, the combined group has 29m monthly visitors, and sales rose 19.1 per cent in the first quarter, hitting 448.5m. However shares are down just under 8 per cent since the beginning of the year. Short sellers, who borrow shares in the hope of buying them back at a lower price and returning them to the lender, will hope they fall even further. Lloyds swoops Banking giant Lloyds has completed its acquisition of consumer credit card business MBNA from Bank of America after regulators backed the 1.9bn deal. The banking giant said MBNA, with assets of 7bn, would deliver strong financial returns and bolster its position in the UK prime credit card market. Lloyds Bank completes 1.9bn takeover of MBNA credit card business Moodys fine Credit rating agency Moodys has been fined 1.1m for failing to explain how it scored European Union institutions, by the European Securities and Markets Authority. Profits climb Profits are up at chemicals company Johnson Matthey to 493m for the year ending March 31, on the back of 12bn revenue, the company said. Skills sought Gold and silver producer Polymetal is planning to bring in several non-executive directors by 2020 in a bid to boost the boards skills. It will appoint one new director by next years annual general meeting, with more appointments over the next two years. Chief executive of World Bank Kristalina Georgieva has warned governments to buckle up Lenders backing Online lender Zopa has raised 32m before it seeks a bank licence later this year. The biggest investors were Indian finance firm Wadhawan Global Capital and City start-up supporter Northzone. Toogood appointed Investment giant Legal & General has hired former Rolls-Royce executive Rosie Toogood to run its modular housing business. Crisis alert The chief executive of the World Bank Kristalina Georgieva has warned governments to buckle up for the next string of global crises that will provide little respite for struggling economies. We are now at the point when shocks are more frequent, she said. New face Logistics group John Menzies has announced that Philipp Joeinig, formerly of Management Consulting Group and Lausanne Consulting has joined its board. Shares rose 0.4 per cent, or 3 per cent, to 713p. Sunny outlook The fall in the pound help boost profits for publishing group Haynes they are expected to be 40 per cent ahead of the previous year. bookings rise Hostel booking website Hostelworld said it expects trading for the full year to meet expectations, as bookings are up on last year. British Steel is back in the black 12 months after it was rescued for 1. The company brought back to life in June 2016 after Tata Steel sold its Scunthorpe plant and other parts of the business, made 47m profit last year. Bosses hailed a remarkable 126m turnaround after losses of 79m the previous year. Revived: British Steel delivers 47 MILLION profit a year after 1 rescue bid It was the first time the steel maker has been in profit since 2009 when the industry collapsed amid oversupply. The company is rewarding employees with a 5 per cent stake in the business and has hired 500 people since June 2016, with 50 starting this month. It has also now reversed a 3 per cent salary cut imposed on staff at the time of the takeover. Executive chairman Roland Junck, the former chief executive of ArcelorMittal, said yesterday: We have become a respectful member of the steel community. It could have gone the other way around. British Steel was reformed last year when London-based investment firm Greybull Capital bought Tata Steels long products business during the downturn for a nominal 1. Greybull agreed not to sell for at least three years. Employees agreed to a 3 per cent salary cut to help bosses as they slashed costs and changed practices to turn the firm around. British Steel was reformed when investment firm Greybull Capital bought Tata Steels products Over the last year the company, which employs 4,400 in the UK, has made 2.7m tonnes of steel slightly less than the year before. Clients included French and Italian railways as well as Crossrail in the UK. Junck, 61, said that he was targeting around 10 per cent profit on potential revenues of more than 1.4bn. The company is now investing an extra 40m this year and is considering bringing electric arc furnaces to its Scunthorpe site. However, around 70 jobs are threatened amid efforts to boost profits at its special profiles division, which makes steel for mining and other heavy industries, from sites in Skinningrove and Darlington. Some workers could move to Teesside. But redundancies are also possible. Challenger lender Metro Bank has boosted its mortgage book by acquiring a package of UK buy-to-let loans from American private equity firm Cerberus. Metro Bank, which smashed through the one million customers mark last month, will pay 596.7million for the mortgages, which are mostly buy-to-let, as it looks to grow profits over the coming years. Shares in the FTSE 250 listed lender rose by 1.6 per cent, or 60p, to 3,779p in morning trading. Deal: Metro will pay 596.7million for the mortgages, which are mostly buy-to-let. Metro Bank chief executive Craig Donaldson said: 'Our lending and deposit growth has gone from strength to strength and the acquisition of this high-quality loan portfolio supports our high-growth, organic business model as we track ever closer to our 2020 guidance.' The deal will see Metro grow its mortgage book by 15 per cent, with its loan to deposit ratio a measurement used to assess a bank's liquidity by dividing the bank's total loans by its total deposits increasing to around 78 per cent. This leaves it close to reach its target of an 80 per cent ratio by 2020, with the safe ratio usually considered to be around 80 to 90 per cent. All lending in the loan book is secured on property, which Metro Bank said is 'well diversified across the UK' and has a similar credit risk profile to the group's current mortgage book. It comes as Metro Bank recently posted a 13 per cent increase in deposit growth to 9billion in the quarter of this year, with underlying pre-tax profits rising from 1.5million to 2million, up from a 9.6 million loss a year earlier. The growth is partly down to strong marketing tactics and eye-catching gimmicks such as a dog-friendly policy and offering safety deposit boxes. The lender was launched seven years ago by US billionaire Vernon Hill as a rival to established scandal-hit giants such as Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland. While the majority of banks are closing down branches as they cut costs and shift online, Metro opened its 48th store in Bastingstoke in December last year. A Pennsylvania doctor armed with an assault rifle and handgun allegedly said he was driving to see Donald Trump and that he had enough ammunition to make his car resemble Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh 'on a camping trip.' Bryan Moles, 43, was arrested at Trump International Hotel in downtown Washington on Wednesday and faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm. He had told an acquaintance he had the ammunition, survival supplies and multiple cellphones for his trip to see the president, according to charging documents filed Thursday. Pennsylvania doctor Bryan Moles, 43, was arrested at Trump International Hotel in downtown Washington on Wednesday after police found an assault rifle, handgun and ammunition Moles, who was not licensed to carry a gun in the District of Columbia, was released by a D.C. Superior Court judge on the condition he stays away from the Trump Hotel and the White House. He is due in federal court Friday afternoon for another hearing. Moles also agreed to temporarily give up access to weapons at his home in Pennsylvania. The father-of-two declined to answer most questions from reporters as he was leaving court, but when asked what he wanted to tell his family he said that he loved them. Charging documents describe Moles as a recovering alcoholic and marijuana addict suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He served in the Navy from 1992 to 2006. Before driving to the nation's capital, Moles left voicemails for an acquaintance calling himself 'a refugee intent on bringing down big pharmacy and big business medicine,' the documents said. The father-of-two was arrested at Trump International Hotel in downtown Washington on Wednesday and faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm Charging documents describe Moles (above) as a recovering alcoholic and marijuana addict suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He served in the Navy from 1992 to 2006 Authorities located an assault-style rifle, a semi-automatic Glock 23 (above) and about 90 rounds of ammunition for the two weapons inside his car Moles' Facebook page is sprinkled with comments and photos indicating support for Trump He also said his car looked like 'Timothy McVeigh or Eric Rudolph was going on a camping trip.' McVeigh was executed in 2001 over the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 and Rudolph was the 'Olympic Park bomber' who was convicted of perpetrating multiple acts of domestic terrorism. Authorities said a tipster contacted them about the messages, which prompted them to arrest Moles. In Moles' hotel room, investigators found a safe with $10,000 inside, and he told authorities that he'd emptied his bank account 'in order to live the life he always wanted before it was too late,' according to the charging documents. He left $4.19 in his account, corresponding to the date of McVeigh's bombing of a federal building on April 19, 1995. The blast killed 168 people. Moles told investigators he once wrote a term paper on McVeigh. Shortly after Moles checked in to the Trump hotel at about 2am, authorities located an assault-style rifle, a semi-automatic pistol and about 90 rounds of ammunition for the two weapons inside his car. Moles told an acquaintance he was driving to see Trump and had enough ammunition to make his car resemble Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh (above) 'on a camping trip' McVeigh bombed a federal building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995 (above), which killed 168 people. Moles told investigators he once wrote a term paper on McVeigh D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said in arresting Moels, they averted a potential tragedy, though the Secret Service said agents interviewed Moles and determined he did not pose a threat. Officials described Moles as cooperative with the investigation. Moles' Facebook page is sprinkled with comments and photos indicating support for Trump. Last week, he posted a question: 'If you had to choose between a Hilton Hotel and a Trump hotel, which would you choose and why?' Someone replied, 'Trump all the way. The dark side wants to disarm the public so they can ... just walk through any resistance to their fascist thought police.' Moles liked the comment. A longtime friend of Moles said 'there is absolutely no way' he was planning violence. Lisa DellaRatta, a nurse practitioner in Florida, said she's known him for more than 25 years and used to live with him. She said Moles 'cannot be a more standup man.' She said guns are prevalent in the rural area near Lake Erie where she and Moles grew up, and he's always owned them. Pennsylvania records show Moles renewed his license to practice medicine in October 2016. A spokeswoman at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center system said he had been placed on administrative leave there some time before Wednesday's arrest. His hometown of Edinboro is about 350 miles from Washington. Tech mogul and accused fraudster Kim Dotcom is seeking to cut a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice in exchange for his verbal testimony claiming that slain Democratic staffer Seth Rich leaked DNC emails to Wikileaks last summer. Dotcom the Mega-upload founder and New Zealand resident who is facing fraud and racketeering charges in the United States offered to meet with the U.S. special counsel Robert Mueller on Tuesday. He claims to have evidence that Rich, not the Russian government, was behind the DNC email leak last summer. Dotcom has yet to provide evidence of his allegations, which are fueling internet theories that Rich's unsolved shooting death in Washington, D.C. last July may have been a political assassination. Police believe the 27-year-old was likely killed during an armed robbery gone wrong. Dotcom is asking the feds to promise not to detain him if he travels to the United States to give testimony about Rich. He is currently facing U.S. extradition from his home in New Zealand on a litany of unrelated charges, including copyright infringement and money laundering. Scroll down for video Mega-upload founder Kim Dotcom has alleged that Seth Rich's death was a political assassination. Fox News host Sean Hannity has supported his assertions on his show and on Twitter despite pleading from Rich's family to stop Dotcom's American attorney said he is not asking for the DOJ to dismiss criminal charges against him in exchange for his testimony about Seth Rich's death (pictured) '[Dotcom] is concerned that, should he travel to the United States voluntarily, he would be arrested and detained in custody on the current counts on which he has been indicted,' wrote his lawyers in the letter to Mueller. The internet mogul is asking for a deal that 'include[s] arrangements for his safe passage from New Zealand and return.' The Department of Justice did not respond to request for comment on the letter. An attorney for Dotcom vehemently denied that the entrepreneur is using the case to try to lessen his legal troubles, in comments to Dailymail.com. 'There will be no part of this deal where his giving of testimony will be conditioned on the United States dismissing the alleged criminal copyright charge against him,' said Dotcom's American attorney Ira Rothken. 'That's not something that's being asked for or contemplated.' Kim Dotcom is facing a slew of charges including copyright infringement and money laundering. His attorneys are asking the DOJ to allow Dotcom to travel to the US from New Zealand to testify about Seth Rich's (pictured) murder Mueller was recently appointed to investigate allegations of Russian government interference in the presidential election. U.S. intelligence agencies say Russia hacked the DNC servers last summer and handed over the internal emails to Wikileaks. Although Dotcom's assertions about Rich have drawn international attention and support from Fox News host Sean Hannity the internet mogul has provided few details on his sensational story. Dotcom declined an interview with Dailymail.com, and his attorney said he has no plans to release more information to the public. In a vague statement posted to his website, Dotcom said he had an online association with Rich for several years and that he 'know[s] Seth Rich was involved in the DNC leak.' He claims Rich first contacted him online in 2014, using the internet moniker 'Panda' known to be the DNC staffer's favorite animal. 'Panda' allegedly said he was interested in setting up a U.S. branch of the Dotcom's political party, the Internet Party. 'I now know that Panda was Seth Rich,' said Dotcom. 'I communicated with Panda on a number of topics including corruption and the influence of corporate money in politics.' Kim Dotcom hinted someone named 'Panda', who he believes was Seth Rich, contacted him about plans to leak DNC documents in 2015. Rich's family have dismissed these claims saying there is not enough evidence to prove this is true Dotcom hints, but does not specifically state, that 'Panda' informed him of plans to leak DNC documents at some point in 2015. A spokesperson for Rich's family has dismissed Dotcom's claims, noting that he has produced little to back them up. The spokesperson told Dailymail.com that Dotcom contacted Rich's family by email recently, but Dotcom never replied when the family asked him to provide documentation of his alleged contacts with Seth Rich. Rich's family said Dotcom never replied when asked for documentation of his alleged contacts with Seth in 2015 Dotcom's attorney said the Megaupload founder has no plans to turn over information to the Rich family at the moment. 'To converse with the Rich family at this time would probably be premature,' said Rothken. 'That should be up to the investigators to do from the special counsel's office.' Rothken declined to say whether Dotcom had any documented evidence to offer outside of his verbal testimony. 'He's offering to give testimony, and in terms of the details, that will have to be discussed at the appropriate time with whoever does the investigation,' said Rothken. 'We're specifically not commenting on the range of materials that could be provided. That will be dealt with properly with the investigators in the special counsel's office.' In addition to the charges he is currently facing, Dotcom was previously convicted of computer fraud and embezzlement in Germany. Rich's family implored the public to stop spreading unfounded theories about his murder, after a Fox News article revived speculation about his death earlier this month. The article, which has since been retracted, stated that the FBI uncovered evidence on Rich's computer showing that he leaked DNC emails to Wikileaks shortly before he was killed. FBI sources and the Metropolitan Police Department denied the story, and Fox News later retracted it, saying it did not meet its reporting standards. Dotcom's assertions about 'Panda's' identity yielded mainstream attention through Sean Hannity who spoke about him on his show and retweeted some of his claims Rich's family (pictured) has begged the public and media outlets to stop spreading unfounded theories about Seth's death. Police said his murder appeared to be a robbery gone wrong A team of private investigators working on Seth Rich's case also told Dailymail.com that they previously reviewed his emails and did not find evidence that he was in contact with Wikileaks. Rich was shot in the back twice in the early morning hours of July 10 last year. He had spent the night out at his favorite bar, where staff said he seemed depressed about his rocky relationship with his girlfriend and drank more than usual. Rich was on the phone with his girlfriend, on a desolate street corner just a couple of blocks from his home in northwest D.C., in the moments before he was shot around 4 a.m. According to investigators, nearby surveillance footage captured grainy images of two men standing near Rich and an ensuing scuffle. At 4.19am., police responded to the sound of gunshots. They found Rich, wounded but still conscious and talking. The 27-year-old DNC staffer died from blood loss at the hospital two hours later, according to private investigators. His family said he had been excited about a job offer to join the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. Locals in Yorkshire reported hearing explosions as anti-terror police raided homes and arrested three men. Armed officers surrounded properties in Huddersfield and Sheffield yesterday and detained three suspects, aged 23, 24 and 29. Detectives from the North East Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) say the raids were not connected to the Manchester Arena bombing. People living close to both locations reported being startled by large bangs and then seeing scores of police, many armed, pour into the areas. Armed police flooded Huddersfield yesterday with anti-terror officers making three arrests Police said the raids were not linked to the Manchester bombing which killed 22 last week Authorities moved to reassure the public, saying the loud noises were part of police operations to gain entry to addresses. People living around a block of flats between Dun Street and Cornish Street, close to Sheffield's Inner Ring Road, said the bang went off at about 5.30pm yesterday. One man who lived in the block said he saw a second-floor flat's door had been blown off. Others said they saw armed plain-clothed officers in the triangular courtyard in the centre of the modern block. Sheffield resident Tom Greasley said: 'There are fire engines, two bomb disposal squads, ambulances and endless amounts of coppers with machine guns. 'I saw at least 15 police cars driving through. I'd say there are at least 100 police officers dotted about, around half of whom must be armed.' On Thursday night, cordons on the streets surrounding the property were been lifted, although a number of police officers continued to guard the block, which is opposite the Shalesmoor tram stop, as a searches continued. Similar scenes were reported in Huddersfield, where a large number of armed police were deployed in the Ellison Street area of the town. Officers around Rudding Street, Huddersfield yesterday after the raids were carried out Police activity in Sheffield, where police also blew up doors as they entered properties She said: 'The two men arrested yesterday in Huddersfield and Sheffield remain in custody. 'A third man, age 23 and from Sheffield, has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. 'Both property searches have now concluded and we would like to thank the local communities for their patience and understanding.' People living close to both locations reported being startled by large bangs and then seeing scores of police, many armed. The CTU moved to reassure the public, saying the loud noises were part of police operations to gain entry to addresses. Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..Gatestone Institute..02 June '17..The West suffers under a major misconception concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: that "goodwill gestures" and territorial concessions on the part of Israel boost the prospects of peace in the Middle East. The facts, suggest that precisely the opposite is true.Last week, Israel's Channel 10 television station reported that the U.S. administration was pushing Israel to transfer parts of Area C -- areas under full Israeli security and civilian control in the West Bank -- to the control of Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority (PA). According to the report, the U.S. believes that the transfer of the territory to the PA would be a "goodwill step" towards the Palestinians, paving the way for the revival of the stalled peace process with Israel.This assumption, of course, has already proven wrong. The experiences of the past few decades have shown clearly that Israeli concessions have always sent the wrong message to the Palestinians. Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau's marriage was beset with money problems, unpaid bills, debt collections, and scrapes with the law, DailyMail.com can reveal. The many issues in their personal lives added extra strain on their 12 year marriage - a controversial relationship which has generated worldwide headlines. And this week it emerged Fualaau has filed for legal separation from Letourneau, 20 years after he first fell in love with his then-grade school teacher. He submitted paperwork on May 9 in Issaquah, Washington seeking to end the relationship with the mother of his two children. What led to the split is not exactly clear but according to court records obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com the couple had plenty of problems to contend with. Scroll down for video Mary Kay Letourneau filed a petition with the court to have the legal separation filed by her husband Vili Fualaau dismissed. Documents obtained by DailyMail.com reveal they struggled with money in 2016 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 In March, 2016 Fualaau was slapped with a judgment in a civil case over money he owed to the City of SeaTac. According to the legal paperwork, debt collector AllianceOne Receivables Management,was hired by the city to retrieve the money and the case went to King County District Court in Washington. AllianceOne obtained a judgment forcing Fualaau to pay the firm a total of $1,421.87 which continued to rise with 12% interest until paid off, the paperwork states. The company then fired off a writ of garnishment to Fualaau's employer, Lowe's Home Centers, to seize his paycheck money. The now 33-year-old worked as a customer service associate at the home improvement business. By May, 2016 the balance owed had grown to $1,628 due to interest. The collection agency was permitted to take 25% of his disposable income from his Lowes pay check, which meant they seized $248.14 initially. Vili Fualaand was seen out and about Wednesday collecting a Japanese takeaway meal near his home in Des Moines, Washington But according to the records, a couple of months later the agency collected a further $1,314.52. Garnishing his wages must have hit cash strapped Fualaau and wife Letourneau hard as they tried to raise teenage girls, Audrey and Georgia. Letourneau's work as a legal assistant helped but Fualaau turned to DJing to earn extra income for his family. On February 9th this year, AllianceOne filed a satisfaction of judgment in the case explaining the entire amount was paid off and Fualaau's debt was discharged. The clearance of this debt was in the legal separation papers Fualaau filed on May 9, which states that he and his wife were now debt free. During their 12-year marriage Letourneau also did her bit to add extra strain to the relationship, however. The former school teacher was arrested and booked for driving her Mercedes Benz ML320 SUV with a suspended license in the 3rd degree in January, 2013. The police report stated Letourneau was initially stopped for displaying expired tags, but the officer then discovered her vehicle registration had expired in 2012 and she failed to provide proof of insurance. Vili Fualaau struggled with debts owed to debt collector AllianceOne Receivables Management after accumulating unpaid bills to the City of SeaTac Her license had been suspended for failure to appear in court and a string of unpaid tickets for speeding and other traffic violations. Letourneau, now 55, was forced to pay $5,000 to a bail bondsmen to be released from jail, a huge amount for a low income couple to raise. This is not the first time that Letourneau spent time behind bars, as she was jailed from 1997 to 2004 for child rape after admitting to having a sexual relationship with her then-12-year-old student Vili Fualaau. To add to her woes in September 2013, a bench warrant was issued for Letourneau after she failed to appear in court for her hearing. The warrant was recalled in January, 2014 by the judge after she finally showed up. The outcome of the case is unknown but it is listed as closed. Today Fualaau is trying to put his marriage split behind him and was seen out and about Wednesday collecting a Japanese takeaway meal from near his home in Des Moines, Washington. He was spotted picking up the food from nearby restaurant New Tokyo Teriyaki. It's not clear where Letourneau, who was convicted of felony second-degree rape of a child in 1997 after engaging in a sexual affair with Fualaau - her then-sixth grade student, is currently staying since the split. May Kay Leourneau and Vili Fualaau celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary last week. They married in 2005, a year after Leourneau (pictured at a hearing in 1998) was released from prison, and have two children together. On Wednesday no one answered the door at the family's run down ground floor apartment in Des Moines. And requests for comment were not responded to. Letourneau's white Mercedes Benz, the one mentioned in the police report, was parked outside the rented property and Fualaau used a different vehicle. Fualaau's attorney, Whitney Gardner, told DailyMail.com that her client has asked for 'privacy' for the family until the legal case has finished. 'At this point Mr Fualaau just wants to get through the initial filings of the issue,' she said, adding that he didn't plan to speak until the case has reached a conclusion. Earlier this week Fualaau filed court documents to state that he and his wife own no property and have no debts, with neither party asking for spousal support. Fualaau 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. Vili Fualaau claimed his two daughters daughters Audrey and Georgia were no longer dependents and asked for a fair division of the couple's joint assets 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 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. 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. These days, Fualaau still works at a branch of Lowes Home Improvement in Seattle while Letourneau is employed as a legal assistant, unable to teach due to her status as a sex offender. Her status has been downgraded though, from Level 2 to Level 1 meaning her name no longer appears on a national online sex offenders register. 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. A Sydney psychiatrist has made the startling claim that workplace gender quotas and feminism are driving men to commit suicide and bash their partners. Tanveer Ahmed, who practises in Sydney's west, made the controversial argument in the Spectator Australia magazine. 'Any society that cannot find meaningful roles for young men is in trouble,' he said. 'Policies that unashamedly penalise this group are not just wrong, but downright dangerous.' Scroll down for video Psychiatrist Tanveer Ahmed (pictured with his daughters Katarina and Saskia) is concerned about pro-women gender quotas and the effect they are having on male mental health Sydney psychiatrist Tanveer Ahmed said pro-women work policies were driving men to suicide Tanveer Ahmed (pictured with Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones) is a critic of left-wing politics The psychiatrist, who has two daughters, criticised the South Australian police force's policy which dictates that half of all new recruits must be women. 'One of my male patients is in his twenties, originally from rural Australia but now living in the suburbs attempting to find work,' Dr Ahmed said. 'He has a high school education, has completed a diploma and works in retail. 'His dream is to work in the police, but he missed out last attempt. He is convinced it is related to new gender quotas being implemented, pointing out that a woman he knew with no qualifications was chosen ahead of him.' Dr Ahmed criticises left-wing political correctness in his new book Fragile Nation and is a Liberal councillor in Sydney's inner-west, who attracts criticism from feminists like Clementine Ford. He has also previously courted controversy by being sacked from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian for plagiarism. Dr Ahmed, who has been sacked before as an opinion writer, says men are struggling at work The Bangladeshi-born psychiatrist said the South Australian police's gender quota, announced in December 2015, was the type of policy that had driven a patient of his to drink and assault his girlfriend. 'He had several other psychological vulnerabilities rooted in his development, but there is no question that his perception of missing out on a job due to gender quotas was a trigger to him becoming depressed and consuming more alcohol,' Dr Ahmed said. 'He lashed out at his girlfriend one night while intoxicated. They were arguing over his poor management of their finances.' Tanveer Ahmed has appeared on Mark Latham's Outsiders with the former Labor leader (right) Dr Ahmed's Spectator opinion column says pro-women policies fuel domestic violence Dr Ahmed said pro-women gender quotas in major corporations like Qantas and Westpac was the kind of affirmation action that led male middle managers to attempt suicide. He said a man in his late thirties, who had recently lost custody of his children, felt life wasn't worth living after missing out on a promotion. 'The trigger to his suicide attempt was failing to gain a promotion,' he said. 'Gender quotas in his organisation were explicit with the bonuses of senior managers linked to having a certain percentage of female managers.' Dr Ahmed has recently appeared as a guest on Mark Latham's Outsiders and is also a critic of left-wing identity politics, where minorities and women see their demography as their identity. Social media has slammed Karl Stefanovic as a 'hypocrite' after he went on a rant on the Today show after pictures of himself checking into a country caravan park carrying 12 cans of pre-mixed rum were published. In a segment on Friday morning's show, the host - who earns a reported $3million a year - unleashed a tirade against stories 'denigrating' women. It came after the publication of pictures which showed the 42-year-old stopping by a bottle shop to pick up drinks on the way to his accommodation in Yamba, on the NSW north coast, in late April accompanied by a Channel Nine producer. But viewers who watched his rant called him out for having 'double standards,' citing examples of his own work on the breakfast program. 'Double standards when it hits your own team!' one woman wrote on Facebook. Scroll down for video Karl Stefanovic went on a tirade on The Today show after pictures of himself checking into a country caravan park carrying 12 cans of pre-mixed rum were published His outburst provoked a strong reaction on social media, with some users taking to Twitter and Facebook to call Stefanovic out as a hypocrite 'Didn't you guys run with the Jennifer Aniston pregnant [sic] because she had a little tummy or the Nicole Kidman pregnancy and handclapping at the Oscars. 'You guys run every story they do except when it's about your own people. It's your business or you'd be out of a job.' Another woman added: 'What a hipocrit [sic] you are Karl. It's alright for you to bag the likes of Pauline Hanson and hound other people just to get a story but when it comes to your own you don't like it. 'Talk about double standards! What a joke!' 'What a load of crap coming from a "man" who treated his wife in such a deplorable manner,' one person wrote on Twitter. The 42-year-old stopping by a bottle shop to pick up the drinks on the way to the park in Yamba, located north of Sydney, in late April accompanied by a Channel Nine producer Twitter users called the Today show presenter out for being a hypocrite after his tirade One Twitter user said: 'So Channel 9 has never done anything like this in the past? Pull your head in.' Another added: 'Thing is you guys do exactly the same thing to others! Pot calling the kettle black... it's all about shock value and viewer numbers. Admit it.' The pictures of Stefanovic, who split from his wife of 21 years Cassandra Thorburn last year, show him in a white shirt and black skinny jeans at the bottle shop. Before checking into the caravan park, he was spotted as he stopped by a store where he purchased 12 cans of pre-mixed alcoholic rum beverages. A Channel Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday that Stefanovic was in Yamba 'filming a story about the crisis in the prawn industry for the Today show.' This was carried prominently alongside the pictures. Yet Stefanovic bizarrely suggested the pictures were an attack on women because he was carrying the rum cans before entering the caravan park with his female colleague. 'Fact, this was work. We were filming a story about our struggling prawn farmers, they deserve a rum or two,' he said. Besides his duties on the breakfast program, Stefanovic occasionally works on special news projects for the network such as reports for 60 Minutes. Stefanovic said he was on the NSW north coast with his colleague for a story about the prawn industry The rant comes at the end of a week of combative comments from Stefanovic. Like most of Australia's media, his bosses invested huge amounts of resources in covering the return of Schapelle Corby to her home following her drugs conviction in Bali. Yet Stefanovic insisted he 'didn't care' about the media circus surrounding a story which has gripped the public. And he wasn't finished there. He then mocked the Today show's 'royal scoop' featuring footage of Pippa Middleton's husband James on the balcony of their Sydney hotel. Stefanovic reportedly left his wife with $6 million in cash and assets plus child support and 'ongoing payments, according to The Sunday Telegraph. Meanwhile, the Today host was said to have walked away from their 21-year marriage with just $500,000 in financial assets - an amount that included his white Mercedes. As part of their divorce settlement, Stefanovic and Ms Thorburn will share custody of their three children Jackson, 17, Ava, 12, and River, 10. Barnaby Joyce says 'evil people' who want to murder others should join the Australian Army so they can 'do it legally'. The Deputy Prime Minister appeared to imply the same people who would fight for ISIS would also be interested in serving in the Defence Force. 'People coming back from engagement overseas obviously means that they were overseas trying to murder people, and murdering is against the law,' he said. Barnaby Joyce says 'evil people' who want to murder others should join the Australian Army so they can 'do it legally' 'If you want to go overseas and murder other people, well you're an evil person, and if what you really want to do is be involved in a conflict then join the Australian Army and do it legally.' The bizarre answer was in response to questions about Tony Abbott's call for special terror courts to deal with returning foreign fighters. The former Prime Minister said the only safe jihadi is one who has been lawfully killed, imprisoned or thoroughly converted from Islamism. 'We need to ensure every returning jihadi can readily be charged and convicted, possibly through the creation of special courts that can hear evidence that may not normally be admissible,' he wrote in the Daily Telegraph. The Deputy Prime Minister appeared to imply the same people who would fight for ISIS would also be interested in serving in the Defence Force The bizarre answer was in response to questions about Tony Abbott's call for special terror courts to deal with returning foreign fighters Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson, a former army officer candidate, said Mr Joyce appeared to be trying to attract 'psychopaths' to the ADF. 'Pretty f**kin dumb thing to say... even by Barnaby's standards. Was he trying to make a s**tty joke?' he told Buzzfeed. 'Either way it sends the wrong message on so many levels. This kind of c**p cliche from a Deputy PM reflects poorly on the professionalism and motivations of our serving and ex-Defence Force personnel, many who are suffering from their service. 'It's potentially counter-productive to recruitment efforts and might attract the wrong sort of person to the ADF.' Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson, a former army officer candidate, said Mr Joyce appeared to be trying to attract 'psychopaths' to the ADF It was not Mr Joyce's only odd statement of the day, as he appeared on a Sky News panel discussing whether there was a link between refugees and terrorism. 'When you say there's no link between refugees and terrorism, if you look at the last three fatal terror attacks in Australia over the last three years they've all been refugees either coming as kids or...' Sky's David Speers said. Mr Joyce responded: 'Well that's like saying they're all blokes. So do you think there's a link between testicles and terrorism?' Surfing legend Kelly Slater jetted to Australia in the middle of the world surf tour to support the man he calls his 'second dad' as he recovers from life-saving brain surgery. The U.S.-born world champion made a desperate dash to Sydney to visit former Currumbin Surf Club president John Munro after he underwent surgery to remove a deadly brain tumour. Slater, 45, shared a photo to his Instagram page of the 62-year-old beaming with his thumbs up in his hospital bed while surrounded by the surfer and his family. The U.S. born world champion (pictured left) made a desperate dash to Sydney to visit former Currumbin Surf Club president John Munro after he underwent surgery to remove a deadly brain tumour Slater, 45, (pictured) jetted to Sydney to support Mr Munro after his brain surgery at the Prince of Wales Hospital 'I'm not typically a hospital guy but when you need one, you do what you can to find the best man for the job,' Slater wrote on his post. 'A giant THANK YOU to Charlie Teo and his amazing team for your efficient and dedicated work to keep one of my second dads in the picture so I can make him do some more nudie runs around the pool table in Currumbin. 'All jokes aside... I can't thank you enough. We can't thank you enough.' Mr Munro had previously been operated on in January but recently learned the tumour had returned. The surgery was performed by Australian neurosurgeon and founder of the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation Dr Charlie Teo at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Mr Munro's son, former Gold Coast pro-surfer Luke Munro, also shared a photo of his family sharing a meal in Bondi on the eve of his father's brain surgery. Mr Munro's son, former Gold Coast pro-surfer Luke Munro (left), also shared a photo of his family sharing a meal in Bondi on the eve of his father's brain surgery. 'I'm not typically a hospital guy but when you need one, you do what you can to find the best man for the job,' Slater (left) wrote on his post. 'Dad's brain cancer has grown back faster than expected, so with some help from some friends, Kelly Slater in particular, Dad and Dr Charlie Teo will get to know each other a lot better tomorrow,' he said. 'Fingers crossed the operation is a success and we get the old 'Johnny boy' back for a while. Thanks so much for all the messages of support it has really lifted dad as we read them out loud.' Luke Munro and Slater have been good friends ever since the pair met on a surfing world tour in the 1990s. The surfers met during the same time Slater lost his own father to an illness and often stayed at the Munro family's Currumbin home in Queensland when he visited Australia. Schapelle Corby has continued to prank the Australian media, this time driving past an oblivious crowd of paparazzi waiting outside her mother's Queensland home. The convicted drug smuggler posted the footage to her Instagram account, writing: 'Driving past mums place. Media still set up. #catchmeoutsidehowboutdat #covfefe.' Her hashtag plays reference to Dr Phil sensation Danielle Bregoli, a troubled U.S. teenager whose saying 'catch me outside' quickly became a viral hit. Corby has garnered more than 186,000 followers on her mysterious Instagram account since returning home and she has only been back six days. On Wednesday morning, sister Mercedes pleaded with photographers to stop stalking her mother Rosleigh Rose's Loganlea house, south of Brisbane. Scroll down for video Schapelle Corby drove past an oblivious crowd of paparazzi waiting outside her mother's Queensland home, and posted the footage to her popular Instagram account Her hashtag plays reference to Dr Phil sensation Danielle Bregoli, a troubled U.S. teenager whose catchphrase 'catch me outside' quickly became a viral hit Photographers (pictured camped outside Schapelle's mother's home) are still yet to get a photo of Corby since she touched down on Sunday Photographers have still not managed to get a photograph of Corby since she arrived in Australia on Sunday. The 39-year-old broke her silence on social media just before her return to Australia and has used Instagram to give people an insight into her life. Gathering thousands of followers who await her sporadic and often mysterious posts, her two latest photos seem to push her book 'Corby', which she wrote in 2006. A post on Thursday was a photo of co-author of the book, Kathryn Bonella, in a scarf wrapped around her head with Schapelle photobombing in the background. 'With Kathryn Bonella co author of my book my story under the head gear i wore on my release from kerobokan prison.' [sic] Schapelle Corby was seen in the background photobombing Kathryn Bonella who was the co-author to her book Schapelle Corby posted her self-titled book cover on Instagram pushing her story Hours before that post, Corby snapped a photo of the front cover of her self-titled book. 'I wrote this book Schapelle Corby my story with Kathryn Bonella in 2006. With my heart & soul,' she posted along with a photo of the front cover. Showing some self deprecating humour the 39-year-old posted a cartoon sketch on Wednesday from Warren's View in The Daily Telegraph. The cartoon was titled: 'Queensland's 2017 State of Origin line up was a real eye-opener...' Schapelle Corby seemed to enjoy this cartoon sketch in Warren's View It showed Chapelle Corby's family wearing Maroon jerseys with the word 'Kerobokan' prison on the 39-year-old's jumper. Schapelle appeared to have a laugh at the image claiming it was hilarious. One follower responded with: 'Well at least you've got big boobs ha'. With Schapelle replying: '&lashes'. Corby posted one of her more bizarre tweets two days ago showing a photo of Zebra socks to her thousands of followers with the caption: 'Damn its Cold. #haventbeenthiscoldin13years' She posted this photo of her socks claiming she hadn't been this cold in years Corby used her reach on social media and posted a photo of Hayley Dodd, 17, who has been missing since 1999 With thousands of followers joining daily, two of Corby's tweets were used to benefit missing persons. She posted a photo of 17-year-old Hayley Dodd, who went missing in 1999, and a photo the day before of William Tyrell, who went missing in 2014 at the age of three. Finally, a hotly debated oil canvas with the caption 'Freedom' showing a woman -appearing to be Schapelle - riding off on a creature in a dream like-state. Many social media users were in a frenzy wondering if Schapelle had painted it herself. One follower asked: 'Do you draw this yourself. Please post more if its yours...' [sic] Appalling footage of a teacher being attacked by an expelled student has raised questions over why the school employee was later sacked. Reynella East College teacher Michael Eglinton's reaction towards an angered youth who ran at him while hurling verbal abuse was deemed 'disgraceful, and/or improper' by the South Australian Education Department. The male school official defended himself with open hands while telling the 17-year-old, 'You're mad!' and, 'You're crazy, boy!' Scroll down for video Footage of a school teacher being attacked by a former student has emerged after the teacher told the aggressor's 16-year-old girlfriend to put out a cigarette (pictured) The moments leading up to the October 2014 confrontation show Michael Eglinton asking a young girl to put out a cigarette. It was recorded by a student sitting at the bus stop Last month, in a decision made by the state Teacher's Appeal Board, Mr Eglinton was given permission to return to work. But now, a video of the confrontation has now emerged uncovering new insight into the extraordinary move to dismiss Mr Eglinton, a decision that was disapproved of by the board. Moments leading up to the confrontation show Mr Eglinton on October 23 2014 asking a young girl to put out a cigarette, recorded by a student sitting at the bus stop, Adelaide Now reported. It was alleged the teacher had told the female student 'goodbye, go and stand under a train' which the appeal board dismissed citing it was not directed at the youth. The tribunal found the department's urging that the message had been relating to suicide was incorrect. The following day, another video depicts an aggressive 17-year-old, who cannot be named, running at Mr Eglinton and throwing punches (pictured) The following day, another video depicts an aggressive 17-year-old, who cannot be named, running at Mr Eglinton and throwing punches, who claims he did not like the way the teacher had spoken to his 16-year-old girlfriend. Mr Eglinton can be seen raising open hands at his aggressor while citing 'You're mad' and 'You're crazy boy'. The Education Department fired the teacher saying he acted 'disrespectful' stating 'by your conduct (including your comments), you failed to treat (the former student who assaulted him) Mr Y with respect and courtesy'. The appeal board however found that despite being verbally attacked by the girl who was illegally smoking Mr Eglinton remained calm, at one stage telling her: 'No, this is just really dumb. Of course I'm p*****g you off that's my job, that's what I've got to do. Dumb, dumb, idiot decision'. Despite the tongue-lashing from the students the court found 'At no stage does the appellant show anger, though some annoyance at the indifference to the risks of cancer'. They concluded that during the footage where Mr Eglinton was punched he shows no aggression and his actions are fair to defending himself. Waiting times to see a GP could hit three weeks by 2022, research suggests. Patients currently have to wait an average of 13 days for a routine appointment, according to a survey of GPs up from ten days in 2015. Experts last night warned waiting times will continue to 'rocket' unless general practice receives a major overhaul. If pressure continues to build at the current rate, the average waiting time will reach three weeks in five years. The Government has pledged to hire 5,000 new GPs by 2020 to make up for an exodus of doctors from the NHS, but the research by Pulse magazine suggests waiting times for routine appointments will continue to climb. Patients currently have to wait an average of 13 days for a routine appointment, according to a survey of GPs up from ten days in 2015 According to the Office for National Statistics the patient population of England will grow by two million over the next five years. The analysis by Pulse suggests that to keep waiting times at 13 days, every GP will have to work an additional four hours a week just to see these extra patients which they say is impossible because they are already working at their limit. Instead, waiting times will rise, experts say. The survey of 830 GPs revealed 34 per cent of surgeries report an average wait of at least a week, 25 per cent of at least two weeks, 8 per cent of at least three weeks and 1 per cent of more than four weeks. Although GPs benefited from a new contract ten years ago that led to average salaries soaring to more than 100,000 a year and enabled them to give up out-of-hours work morale is at an all-time low. Two in every five GPs are planning to retire or quit within the next five years, separate studies have shown. Doctors claim they are not being given enough funding to meet the needs of the growing and ageing population, which has already contributed to long waiting times. Studies have also shown patients are making greater demands on the health service than they did in the past, further increasing pressure on GPs. A paper published in the Lancet last year found the average NHS patient visited or called their GP 11 per cent more times in 2017 than they did in 2008. Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'Hard-pressed GPs around the country are already running on empty so these predictions are really concerning. Experts last night warned waiting times will continue to 'rocket' unless general practice receives a major overhaul 'As well as huge increases in the volume of patient numbers, disease management is also becoming much more complex and we simply cannot do any more without a significant injection of investment in general practice, including a significant influx of GPs. We are feeling the impact of a decade of under-investment in the family doctor service on a daily basis. 'Today alone, over one million patients will have received care at their local practice and we are seeing 60million more patients per year compared even to five years ago. 'We are trying our hardest to see as many patients as we can, but we need to remember that GPs' own health and wellbeing is crucial for patient safety.' Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee, added: 'Unless the Government takes decisive action, waits to see a GP will rocket to several weeks in the coming years as patient demand continues to rise, and will seriously compromise patient care. 'The Government needs to urgently stem inappropriate demands on general practice when it has determined that one in four GP appointments are avoidable. 'Despite the continued hard work of GPs and their staff, practices simply cannot offer enough appointments to patients to meet the growing need. 'The NHS is at breaking point and we need politicians of all parties to avoid ducking the serious challenges facing general practice and instead address the problems that are all too apparent.' But the Tories last night called the research into question. A Conservative spokesman said: 'We disagree with the findings of what amounts to a self-selecting survey but to speed up access and relieve pressure on GPs we are investing 2.4 billion more in primary care, a historic 14 per cent real-terms rise. 'Last year we recruited the biggest ever number of trainee doctors.' Theresa May questioned Jeremy Corbyns patriotism yesterday as the two leaders clashed furiously over their strategy for Brexit. In an upbeat assessment of Britains prospects outside the EU, the Prime Minister said the UKs best days lie ahead but she warned that Mr Corbyn would wreck hopes of a good Brexit deal as he doesnt believe in Brexit or Britain. The Labour leader later confirmed his soft approach to Brexit, saying that there were no circumstances in which he would take Britain out of the European Union without a deal. Mr Corbyn has faced repeated questions about his patriotism after previously refusing to sing the national anthem and voicing sympathy for the IRA during the Northern Ireland Troubles. Theresa May questioned Jeremy Corbyns patriotism yesterday as the two leaders clashed furiously over their strategy for Brexit In an upbeat assessment of Britains prospects outside the EU, the Prime Minister said the UKs best days lie ahead but she warned that Mr Corbyn would wreck hopes of a good Brexit deal as he doesnt believe in Brexit or Britain Mrs May yesterday said this would make it impossible for him to protect Britains interests in the Brexit talks which are due to begin 11 days after the election and should disqualify him from high office. In a campaign speech in Teesside, she said: You can only deliver Brexit if you believe in Brexit. You can only fight for Britain if you believe in Britain. What we know in this election is that the only other person who can be prime minister in seven days time is simply not up to the job. He doesnt believe in Britain. He doesnt have a plan. He doesnt have what it takes. Mrs May, who has been accused of fighting a downbeat campaign, yesterday struck a positive tone on Brexit, saying it had the potential to make the UK a stronger, more secure and prosperous nation. The Prime Minister said the vote to leave the EU had placed Britain at a great national moment requiring a great national effort in which we all pull together with a unity of purpose. In a swipe at those in Labour who argue Brexit will be a disaster, she added: At moments like these great turning points in our national story the choices we make define the character of our nation. We can choose to say the task ahead is too great. We can choose to turn our face to the past and believe it cant be done. Or we can look forward with optimism and hope and to believe in the enduring power of the British spirit. I choose to believe in Britain and that our best days lie ahead. Mrs May said Brexit would give Britain the ability to control and reduce immigration, as well as re-establishing its status as a great, global trading nation Mrs May said Brexit would give Britain the ability to control and reduce immigration, as well as re-establishing its status as a great, global trading nation. She said preliminary trade talks had already begun with Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Brazil and the United States, and that several Gulf states were interested in striking trade deals with us as soon as we can. But she also pledged to use the opportunity to reshape the UK as a great meritocracy, including the establishment of new grammar schools and the introduction of improved vocational training. She warned that Labours high-tax approach would wreck the economy, saying: If you cant manage your money properly, investment will dry up, taxes will rise and businesses and the jobs they provide will flee from our shores. Mr Corbyn, who has said little about Brexit during the campaign, yesterday tried to convince voters he is serious about taking Britain out of the EU. The Labour leader later confirmed his soft approach to Brexit, saying that there were no circumstances in which he would take Britain out of the European Union without a deal But speaking in Basildon, Essex, he raised fresh doubts about his approach by confirming he would not be prepared to walk away if Brussels tries to punish Britain. He said: Theresa May says no deal is better than a bad deal. Lets be clear no deal is in fact a bad deal. It is the worst of all deals, because it would leave us with World Trade Organisation tariffs and restrictions instead of the access to European markets we need. He insisted he accepted the referendum result but said he would not make control of the UKs borders his priority in the negotiations. Mr Corbyns comments suggest that Labour would be willing to accept a punitive deal from Brussels or even keep Britain in the EU indefinitely. Tory candidate James Cleverly said: Labours position is that even if the EU demand massive sums of money, open borders and restriction of our right to strike trade deals with other countries, they would take it. Fresh polls crunch fuels Tory nerves Theresa May struggled to soothe Tory nerves over the election yesterday amid a backlash over her skipping a TV election debate. The Prime Minister appealed for voters to have 'faith' in her as more polls showed Labour gaining ground with just a week to go until the vote. One showed the Conservatives' national advantage down to just three points - not enough for an overall majority. Another put Mrs May's ratings in London below those of Jeremy Corbyn for the first time. Theresa May (pictured today in Pontefract) has appealed for voters to have 'faith' in her in the election next Thursday Political opponents leapt on Mrs May's decision to swerve the BBC debate on Wednesday night, claiming that the premier was 'complacent' and taking the public for granted. Tory nerves over the increasingly tight race have been further frayed by a poll showing the party is just 3 points ahead of Labour - not enough for an overall majority. Jeremy Corbyn tried to turn the screw on Mrs May last night by making an eleventh hour decision to turn up for the BBC debate. More polls released yesterday suggested the election could be in for a nailbiting finish. A Panelbase survey found the Tories had dipped four points in a week, to 44 per cent, while Labour was up three on 36 per cent. The Tories' initially huge advantage in the polls has been whittled away during the campaign A YouGov poll for the Times today suggested the Tory lead was down to just three points A national YouGov poll for the Times put the Tories on 42 per cent, with Labour on 39 per cent. The same firm conducted research for Queen Mary University said Mr Corbyn's party had gained ground in London. Labour is now on 50 per cent, up from 41 per cent a month ago, while the Tories are on 33 per cent, down from 36 per cent. Asked who would make the best Prime Minister, 37 per cent picked Mr Corbyn and 34 per cent Mrs May. The findings suggest instead of picking up seats in the capital the Conservatives could face losing some. Those at risk would include housing minister Gavin Barwell in Croydon Central, who has a majority of just 165. A former 31-year-old beauty queen from Texas was found dead in her home on Tuesday. Authorities say they were called to the 1800 block of Mathers Mill Trail on May 30 at 6.31am in Round Rock and discovered Margaret Ann Garza not breathing. Her death is under investigation and it's unclear how she died. Garza was crowned Ms. Texas Belleza Latina in 2007 and Ms. Belleza Latina International in 2008. Tragic: Margaret Ann Garza (pictured), a former 31-year-old beauty queen in Texas, was found dead in her Round Rock home on Tuesday. Her death is under investigation and it's unclear how she died. Garza was crowned the Ms. Texas Belleza Latina in 2007 and Ms. Belleza Latina International in 2008. In addition, she appeared in number of television and print advertisements In addition, she appeared in number of television and print advertisements. Garza also appeared in the nationally televised AMC series, 'The Son' and 'Mercury Plains' with Scott Eastwood. She was also in the movie 'Pizza Joint,' that will premiere later this month. 'She was a driven, motivated and dedicated professional who believed in self-discipline and hard work. She recently obtained her broker's insurance license,' her obituary reads. Her funeral mass will be held on Saturday at 9.30am at St. Patrick Catholic Church 'Margaret enjoyed the simple things in life and knew their worth. 'Everything big and small was worth its weight in gold to her. She was beauty without presumption, intelligence with humility, and unyielding perseverance without rest.' A vigil will be held on Friday from 5pm to 9pm at Joe Jackson North Funeral & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Road. Her funeral mass will be held on Saturday at 9.30am at St. Patrick Catholic Church. In the wake of the suicide bomb attack at a concert venue in Manchester, Newshour Extra this week is asking how major cities around the world can minimise the risk to their citizens from such atrocities. Owen Bennett Jones and his guests consider urban security, counter-terrorism, and the compromises different cities make between civil liberties and public safety. Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..BBC Watch..02 June '17..Over the last decade and a half BBC audiences have grown very used to hearing Israels anti-terrorist fence described as controversial or even worse. Despite the fact that the BBCs style guide instructs its staff to use the term barrier to describe the structure, audiences very often hear or see it described as the wall. Not only is it is extremely rare for audiences to be informed of that counter-terrorism measures record of effectiveness, but BBC produced content frequently promotes the propaganda myth that it is intended to facilitate a land grab rather than to curb the number of Palestinian terror attacks against Israeli civilians.Following the terror attack in Manchester the BBC World Service radio programme Newshour Extra presented by Owen Bennett-Jones devoted its May 27th edition to the question How Can We Make Our Cities Safe?.Although one might have thought that Israel with its sadly considerable experience of tackling that topic would have featured in such a discussion, the sole brief reference to Israeli counter-terrorism measures appeared at 14:41 when Bennett-Jones addressed a bizarrely expressed question to one of his three guests; Professor Bill Durodie of the University of Bath. Jeremy Corbyn demanded the ripping up of anti-squatting laws and backed a militant group that issued a how to guide advocating the occupation of family homes, it can be revealed today. The Labour leader and his Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, praised squatting as one of Britains oldest forms of tenancies as they said it should not be illegal to take over residential buildings. Last night the Tories claimed Mr Corbyn would hand taxpayers cash to trespassers and illegal traveller camps if he gets into Downing Street. In 2013, Mr Corbyn and Mr McDonnell hosted in Parliament pro-squatting campaign group Squash, which on its website advises anarchists on how to get into peoples homes at night known as cracking. Jeremy Corbyn demanded the ripping up of anti-squatting laws and backed a militant group that issued a how to guide advocating the occupation of family homes, it can be revealed today A DIY guide on how to crack a space gives information on disabling burglar alarms, climbing through open windows, changing the locks, barricading entrances, and frustrating eviction proceedings by not giving real names. It encourages people to look around for a potential space on a midnight cycle or daytime stroll. It adds: Once a suitable building has been found, you will need to assemble a crew to crack the space. Have a midnight scout to look for open windows and when you find one, get someone inside. Once in the building make sure to change the locks, secure entrances with barricades, and put an updated Section 6 notice up on all entrances, which prevents the landlord breaking in illegally. Mr Corbyn and Mr McDonnell both attended and spoke at a campaign meeting for Squatters Action for Secure Homes (Squash) in the Commons in March 2013. They also signed a parliamentary motion backing the groups call for laws curbing squatting in residential property to be repealed. Mr McDonnell was due to chair the meeting but was only able to attend part of the session. He called for MPs and peers to work together to introduce pro-squatting legislation The Labour leader and his Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, praised squatting as one of Britains oldest forms of tenancies as they said it should not be illegal to take over residential buildings Last October, Mr Corbyn personally endorsed a campaign to allow trespassers to receive legal aid. This would include supporting travellers on unauthorised encampments with taxpayers money, resisting attempts by councils to remove them. Legal aid has not been available for trespassers since April 2013, but in a letter of support for the nomad law campaign, he wrote: I fully agree with the proposal to reversing the restrictions. Tory Home Office minister Brandon Lewis said last night: Jeremy Corbyn wants to give taxpayers money to trespassers and give a green light to illegal encampments across England. Last night the Tories claimed Mr Corbyn would hand taxpayers cash to trespassers and illegal traveller camps if he gets into Downing Street These extreme and nonsensical policies would blight communities, causing misery for their law-abiding citizens. Corbyn would go back to the bad old days of Labour, where planning rules werent applied fairly and special treatment was given to different groups. Worse, Jeremy Corbyn would rip up anti-squatting laws, endorsing militant groups and anarchists who want to break into peoples property when they are away. A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: Labour will ensure people have the support and resources to get into work and build a million new homes to make sure no-one is forced to sleep on the streets because of the Governments failures. Teenagers who text more than 300 times a day are more likely to sext and have unsafe sex, according to new research. For the first time scientists have found a link between excessive texting and an increased risk of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and being being targets of 'revenge porn.' And it could all be down to teens unable to control their impulses. Teenagers who text more than 300 times a day are more likely to sext and have unsafe sex, according to new research (stock image) A study of more than 1,200 schoolkids whose average age was 16 found more than one in three (34.5%) reported having intercourse. Moreover, when asked about their most recent experience, almost one in eight (11.7%) had not used a condom. Professor Eric Rice, of the University of Southern California, said: 'Teens who reported sending an excessive number of texts each day, 300 or more, were twice as likely to report sending a sext. 'Likewise, excessive texting was associated with reporting sex without a condom.' The researchers whose findings are published in Child Development do not believe it causes them to sexts or have unsafe sex but related to impulsiveness. Prof Rice said: 'Lifetime reports of sexual intercourse, anal sex, oral sex, and recent unprotected sex were positively associated with reports of texting 300 or more times per day, only receiving sexts, and both sending and receiving sexts.' For the first time scientists have found a link between excessive texting and an increased risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (stock image) Sexting - the sending and receiving of sexually explicit images and messages over mobile phones - among teens has become a major concern to parents. Prof Rice said: 'The implications of teen sexting for healthy development continue to concern parents, academics and the general public. 'In part, these fears are driven by complex legal issues and the loss of privacy and reputation that too easily can accompany teen sexting. 'However, these fears also are driven by concerns over the connections among teen sexting, pregnancy and sexual health.' In the first study of its kind his researchers analysed a survey of 12 to 18-year-olds at schools in Los Angeles and found compelling new evidence teens who sext are 'engaging in riskier sexual behaviour'. Prof Rice said: 'Teens who both sent and received sexts, and teens who only received sexts both reported being more likely not to use a condom at their most recent sexual act compared to teens who did not sext.' Teens who had even just received and not sent sexts were more likely to have had sex than their non-sexting peers. Added Prof Rice: 'These data strongly suggest teen sexting is not an alternative to real world sexual behaviour, as some early commentators suggested, but rather sexting has become a part of the larger set of sexual activities engaged in by sexually active teens.' Texting frequency was assessed with heavy users (20.4%) sending about 300 or more mesages daily. Less than three in ten (28%) sent 24 or fewer. Almost half (45.9%) had a peer they perceived to be engaged in sexting. This was described as 'when someone sends or receives a nude or semi-nude photo, or sexually explicit text message, by cell phone.' Teens who had even just received and not sent sexts were more likely to have had sex than their non-sexting peers (stock image_ These teens were more than 13 times and twice as likely themselves to have receieved and sent a sext, respectively. The researchers said this backs previous research showing risky behavious among peers influence smoking and substance abuse. The anonymous questionnaire also asked participants if they had had sexual intercourse, oral sex or anal sex, and whether a condom had been used during their last encounter. Prof Rice said: 'With respect to school based health programming, we believe it is important for schools to recognise sexting has become a part of the teen sexual landscape. 'It is not an alternative to sex, and although it may not lead directly to sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy, there are other potentially damaging ramifications of sexting, including the loss of privacy, loss of reputation, and even criminal prosecution. 'It is our duty as a society to recognise sexting is something in which many teens engage, and we must teach them to be cognisant of the consequences of sexting.' On A hot day in Eastbourne, Boris Johnson gratefully sank his chops into a 99 cornet. Boris had been campaigning on the seafront and he was overheating. Ah, a proper ice cream, he gasped. Splosh! It was like seeing a seal jump off a diving board. In he went. Vanilla ice cream was soon all over Boriss cheeks, nose and hands. Its melting faster than Jeremy Corbyn under close analysis, he complained. June had arrived and our Foreign Secretary was in clover, bowling along the Sussex promenade as he handed out leaflets for Tory candidate Caroline Ansell. On A hot day in Eastbourne, Boris Johnson gratefully sank his chops into a 99 cornet. Boris had been campaigning on the seafront and he was overheating. Ah, a proper ice cream, he gasped Former teacher Mrs Ansell, 46, won the seat from the Lib Dems in 2015 and was proving an able MP. But the Lib Dems are fighting hard, even though Eastbourne last year voted to leave the EU and the Lib Dems are manically pro-Brussels. Youre a Poundshop Donald Trump! yelled a man driving past. Another ill-wisher in a high-revving black car shouted **** off, you Tory! But a Blockbusters Drainage and Plumbing van gave an encouraging toot. As Boris unveiled a Tory poster about Brexit, a knot of Lib Dem supporters started a chorus of abuse. Boris dismissed it as the cachinnations of cockatoos. A woman wanted schools funding to be less ring-fenced. An elderly gent was upset about the Tories proposed easing of the triple-lock for pensions. The owners of the East Beach hotel who offered Boris an array of chocolate eclairs wanted VAT on hotel bills reduced. Boris was tempted, by both the eclairs and the lower VAT idea. Sheila and Michael Burman, visiting from Romford, Essex, said Theresa May was right to avoid the BBCs fractious television debate. Were sick of the backbiting and just want to hear the policies, said Mrs Burman, 66. They urged Boris to stick to his guns. After that ice cream, he was likely to stick to anything. A local BBC TV reporter beard, suede shoes, white jeans claimed people in the South East would feel insulted that Mrs May had avoided the debate show. Splosh! It was like seeing a seal jump off a diving board. In he went. Vanilla ice cream was soon all over Boriss cheeks, nose and hands I much admired the cacophany of Lefties you organised last night, Boris told him in jocular vein. From an Eastbourne College building site, a gang of construction workers cheered Boris from their scaffolding and waved their hard hats. The staff of a tattoo parlour barely an inch of flesh not inked came out for selfies. Old geezers tottered up and said attaboy. But a Labour woman outside the Poppyseed Bakery muttered into her lunch that she wanted to be left alone: Garbo with a coleslaw bap. We bumped into the Labour candidate, a polite lad called Jake, delighted to meet Boris. Lifeguards Milly Pamment, 19, and Alex Goble, 20, would not commit to supporting the Tories but laughed when Boris asked: Have you had to rescue anyone today Jeremy Corbyn out of his depth? A local BBC TV reporter beard, suede shoes, white jeans claimed people in the South East would feel insulted that Mrs May had avoided the debate show Coffee shop worker Lucy, 21, had not decided how to vote but Boris could swing it for her. Jacqui Pinyoun, 67, and her husband John, 71, said it was a bit worrying that Mr Corbyn was rising in the polls. The Brexit talks start just after the election and we hate to think of him negotiating for us. A 50-something man in a Panama hat came over all sarcastic and said thanks for getting us in this marvellous mess, Boris. He had been a Remain voter, one gathered. An old bloke with not many teeth said vote for Basil Brush! and Boris briefly took this up as his new slogan. The strike on Southern Rail which has damaged Eastbournes economy was also mentioned. And at the end of an exhausting two hours, Boris met Holocaust survivor (and former German pop star) Dorit Oliver-Wolff, who was about to travel to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen. She generally approved of Boris I like someone whos outspoken. Of Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party, much riven by anti-Semitism, she said simply: Theres no smoke without fire. The sister of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has warned against going into business with friends after a dispute over a Gold Coast Tapas bar she co-owned landed her in court. Mercedes Corby appeared in Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday to contest an apprehended violence order (AVO) taken out against her by ex-business partner Trudy Todd. The pair opened a tapas bar on the Gold Coast in 2016 but it has since closed down. Mercedes Corby (centre) has warned against going into business with friends after a dispute over a Gold Coast Tapas bar she co-owned landed her in court Ms Corby (pictured) arrived at Tweed Heads Local Court flanked by a burly security guard on Friday June 2 Corby's appearance comes less than a week after her convicted drug smuggler sister Schapelle arrived was deported from Bali and arrived to a media frenzy in Australia The AVO application made by NSW police on behalf of Ms Todd is related to the business relationship between the pair. Magistrate Jeff Linden, who had earlier expressed concern about 'dirty laundry' being aired in his courtroom if a scheduled hearing went ahead, has extended an interim order against Ms Corby. The matter has been adjourned until September 8 and if Ms Corby doesn't breach the order in that time it's likely the matter will be withdrawn. 'I still oppose all the allegations in the AVO, I really did want this over and done with today,' Ms Corby said outside court escorted by a security guard. 'Don't ever go into business with someone you know. Make sure you get everything signed.' Corby looked stressed as she left Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday (pictured) Mercedes (pictured) is attending a hearing over an AVO dispute with her former friend Ms Todd, a former competitive surfer, said she was relieved the order had been extended and believed it would ensure her safety. 'I'm hoping by giving her the bar and leaving it and walking away and making that loss that I'm no longer a threat and also that I'm no longer a threat about knowing personal issues about the family,' she said. Ms Corby's court appearance comes less than a week after sister Schapelle returned to Australia following her deportation from Bali. Schapelle hasn't been seen since arriving in Brisbane on Sunday morning and her sister had a simple response when asked if she could tell media where she was. 'No, is that a trick question?' she said. Magistrate Linden told the court he was keen for the issue to be resolved without a hearing. 'Dirty laundry should be hung out on the washing line ... I have absolutely no interest in dirty laundry but others do,' Mr Linden told the court. Mercedes' former business partner Trudy Todd (pictured) leaves court on Friday The sister of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby previously owned a tapas restaurant on the Gold Coast with Trudy Scott Karl Stefanovic was cut off mid-rant by his own bosses when Channel Nine went to an ad break in the middle of his tirade. In a three-minute rant on the Today show on Friday, the host hit out at Daily Mail Australia after pictures of him checking into a country caravan park carrying 12 cans of Bundaberg rum were published. It came at the end of a week of combative comments from Stefanovic, 42, which included him criticising his own network's extensive coverage of Schapelle Corby's return to Australia. He also mocked the Today show's 'royal scoop' featuring footage of Pippa Middleton's husband James standing on the balcony of their five-star Sydney hotel. But it appears Channel Nine bosses didn't let viewers in Perth watch Stefanovic's latest gripe in full. Scroll down for video Karl Stefanovic went on a tirade on The Today show after pictures of himself checking into a country caravan park carrying 12 cans of pre-mixed rum were published The 42-year-old stopping by a bottle shop to pick up the drinks on the way to the park in Yamba, located north of Sydney, in late April accompanied by a Channel Nine producer 'Lol in Perth @karlstefanovic got cut off by an ad break in the middle of his rant about the daily mail. Good job @Channel9,' one person wrote on Twitter. Entertainment reporter Peter Ford tweeted on Friday that a Channel Nine spokesman in Perth told Stefanovic was cut off due to 'human error,' but another in Sydney said the censorship was due to a computer glitch. Mr Ford has previously said the Today show was struggling to keep up with Channel 7's Sunrise program - and said the problem is Stefanovic. 'The Today show ratings are bad,' he told the Kyle and Jackie O show recently. 'At the moment, they've done private market research at Nine into Karl and it's coming up that women have turned on him.' Recent reports also confirmed the program is suffering from plummeting ratings - despite big budget displays, such as the wedding of Peter Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys. Oztam ratings showed the breakfast show averaged 326,000 viewers across five capital cities last year - but that figure is now sitting at around 295,000, the Daily Telegraph reported. Earlier in the week Stefanovic told viewers he 'didn't care' about the media circus around Schapelle Corby's (pictured) return to Australia Earlier in the week Stefanovic told viewers he 'didn't care' about the media circus surrounding a story that has attracted huge amounts of attention in Australia. Like most of the country's media, his bosses had invested a lot of resources in covering convicted drug smuggler Corby's deportation from Bali. 'Maybe she wants mayhem, whatever, I do not care,' he said, despite the show's rolling coverage of the story. On Friday, it was an article about himself that provoked Stefanovic's ire. They showed him stopping by a bottle shop to pick up alcoholic beverages on the way to his accommodation in Yamba, on the NSW north coast, in late April accompanied by a Channel Nine producer. Stefanovic - who earns a reported $3million a year - suggested the pictures of him were an attack on women because he had been carrying the rum cans before entering the caravan park with his female colleague. He also insisted he was at the location filming a story about struggling prawn farmers, despite no-one suggesting otherwise, and that 'they deserve a rum or two.' 'Fact, this was work. We were filming a story about our struggling prawn farmers, they deserve a rum or two,' he said. A Channel Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday that Stefanovic was in Yamba 'filming a story about the crisis in the prawn industry for the Today show.' This statement was carried prominently alongside the pictures. Stefanovic also mocked the Today show's 'royal scoop' of Pippa Middleton's (pictured) husband standing on the balcony of his Sydney hotel Karl Stefanovic is pictured with girlfriend Jasmine Yarbrough at Los Angeles airport His outburst provoked a strong reaction on social media, with some users taking to Twitter and Facebook to call Stefanovic out as a hypocrite. 'Double standards when it hits your own team! Didn't you guys run with the Jennifer Aniston pregnant [sic] because she had a little tummy or the Nicole Kidman pregnancy and handclapping at the Oscars,' one woman wrote on Facebook. 'You guys run every story they do except when it's about your own people. It's your business or you'd be out of a job.' Another woman added: 'What a hipocrit [sic] you are Karl. It's alright for you to bag the likes of Pauline Hanson and hound other people just to get a story but when it comes to your own you don't like it. 'Talk about double standards! What a joke!' His outburst comes after reports the Today show is suffering from plummeting ratings His outburst provoked a strong reaction on social media, with some users taking to Twitter and Facebook to call Stefanovic out as a hypocrite 'What a load of crap coming from a 'man' who treated his wife in such a deplorable manner,' one person wrote on Twitter. Stefanovic reportedly left his wife of 21 years, Cassandra Thorburn, with $6 million in cash and assets plus child support and 'ongoing payments, according to The Sunday Telegraph. Meanwhile, the Today host was said to have walked away from their marriage with just $500,000 in financial assets - an amount that included his white Mercedes. As part of their divorce settlement, Stefanovic and Ms Thorburn will share custody of their three children Jackson, 17, Ava, 12, and River, 10. Cassandra Thorburn, who has three children with Stefanovic, is pictured above Rebel Wilson's agent says she was mystified by a lull in the star's Hollywood career after the the 'incredible success' internationally of Pitch Perfect 2. Sharon Jackson said she was surprised the actress did not receive many multimillion-dollar leading lady offers after playing a main role. Wilson is suing the publisher of Woman's Day for defamation over a series of articles in 2015 she claims damaged her career by painting her as a serial liar. Rebel Wilson is greeted by Dave Hughes, Kate Langbroek and fans as she arrives at the Supreme Court in Melbourne Rebel Wilson holds a bouquet of roses as she arrived at court to find supporters waiting for her The 37-year-old claimed she was sacked from two DreamWorks animations following the articles, and missed out on future movie roles during 2015 and 2016. The articles suggested the star had told untruths about her real name, claimed she was younger than she was, and embellished facts about her childhood, such as being related to animation pioneer Walt Disney. Wilson denies lying to journalists and says she was fired from two films and missed out on many other opportunities for a year and a half following the articles' publication. Comedians and local radio hosts Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek at the front of the court house show support for Rebel Kate and Dave arrived with a handful of fans, some including Kate's family, all carrying signs and some with pom poms Ms Jackson appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday via video link from California, telling the court how cinema audiences had fallen 'in love with Rebel'. The Beverly Hills agent said she was 'excited' and sure Wilson was on track to star in many more Hollywood roles. However, Ms Jackson said the expected success didn't come. 'It didn't make any sense to me. It was a real mystery,' she told the court. Publisher Bauer Media's defence lawyers argued negotiations for movies took place during the period Wilson claimed she couldn't get a job. Rebel Wilson was seen smiling laughing and even shedding a tear as she arrived at court on Friday Rebel stopped to chat to Dave and Kate before Kate's son was seen giving Rebel a bouquet of flowers as the fans cheered and sang for Rebel Next up is Wilson's Sydney hairdresser Gavin Anesbury, who could be a secret weapon against the actress in the case. Mr Anesbury is expected to give evidence that Wilson and Australian Women's Weekly journalist Caroline Overington had a conversation while the star was getting her hair and make-up done prior to an official interview in October 2014. The point is crucial because Wilson denies she ever gave Ms Overington a 'pre-interview' in which she lied about her age and real name. Wilson was welcomed with a cheer squad on her way into court on Friday morning, set up by radio personalities Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek. Some of the signs read 'I'm in Rebel's Court', 'Rebel is Pitch Perfect' and 'Don't Pitch Slap Rebel' Wilson is suing Bauer Media over a series of articles in May 2015 she says ruined her career by painting her as a serial liar Fellow Australian actor Hugh Sheridan, best known for his role in TV series Packed to the Rafters, will also give evidence via video link from Los Angeles. Wilson's former school friend, Zarah Zaidi, will also be called on to give evidence. The Bridesmaids star also had her mother, two sisters and a brother give evidence on her behalf so far this week. A four-month-old baby girl has died three days after a family member found the infant unconscious at her home. The little one was rushed to Bunbury Hospital on May 26 before being transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital on Sunday where she passed away. The baby's parents, who are believed to be an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, were questioned by police after her death but were later released without charge. The baby's parents, who are believed to be an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, were questioned by police after her death but were later released without charge (stock image) According to WA Today the young parents had to be sedated after hearing of their four-month-old's sudden death. 'The Major Crime Squad is investigating the circumstances surrounding the girl's death and is waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination,' Perth police said. No charges have yet been laid but the baby's parents are assisting police. Hillary Clinton has compared Donald Trump to politicians who encouraged ethnic cleansing during the Bosnian war. The former Presidential candidate said that the President set out to 'inflame neighbor against neighbor' just like evil dictator Slobodan Milosevic while speaking with author Cheryl Strayed at the BookExpo 2017 in New York City on Wednesday. Clinton said Trump wanted to see the 'flames' of hatred just like the massacre in Rwanda which left 800,000 people dead. During the interview, the former Secretary of State said the Trump administration is 'abnormal' and said she is worried for the future of America as it 'could cause lasting damage to our institutions'. She also attacked Trump's supporters as people who 'are always nursing a grievance' in an echo of her 'basket of deplorables' attack during the campaign. Since losing the election Clinton has become increasingly outspoken about her shock defeat to Trump in November's election. Hillary Clinton (pictured on Thursday) has compared Donald Trump to politicians who encouraged ethnic cleansing during the Bosnian war Clinton (pictured left on Thursday) said the President (right on Thursday) set out to 'inflame neighbor against neighbor' just like evil dictator Slobodan Milosevic She made the comments while speaking with author Cheryl Strayed (right) at BookExpo 2017 in New York City on Thursday Earlier this week she said the President colluded with the Russians to help win the US election and said the Democratic party was useless. Clinton renewed her attacks on him out at the 2017 BookExpo, the largest annual book trade fair in the United States. The event took place in the Javits Convention Center in New York where Clinton was due to have her celebration party on election night. In her victory speech Clinton was due to talk about breaking through the glass ceiling and refer to the roof of the center, which is made of glass. In an interview in a hall which was two-thirds full of her supporters, Clinton made a parallel between the Trump campaign and the wars in Bosnia and the slaughter in Rwanda. In Bosnia during the 1990s Serb forces led by Milosevic slaughtered 100,000 Croatians in the worst massacre in Europe since the Holocaust Over 100 days in Rwanda in 1994 some 800,000 ethnic Tutsi people were killed by ethnic Hutu extremists in a barbaric genocide. In the interview Clinton said the Trump campaign actively targeted the 'level of behavior that should be expected of everyone'. She said: 'What I saw in this election was a deliberate effort to blow the top off of that. To basically say whatever feeling you have, whatever resentment, however angry you might be, get out there and express it. During the interview, the former Secretary of State said that the Trump administration is 'abnormal' and said she is worried for the future of America as it 'could cause lasting damage to our institutions' '(That) it's ok to take it out on other people, verbally or physically as we saw during the campaign. That is incredibly dangerous. That is unleashing a level of vitriol and defensiveness and hatred I don't think we should tolerate. 'As Secretary of State I traveled the world on behalf of our country... I will tell you it doesn't take much to rip off the politeness and the accommodation that keeps diverse peoples working and living together. 'We saw it in Bosnia where it was deliberately intended to inflame neighbor against neighbor. 'We saw it in Rwanda. We've seen it in many other places where political leaders, for their own purposes, their own political ideology, greed, religion, whatever it may be, really like those flames.' Clinton lashed out at Trump's supporters too - during the campaign she said they were a 'basket of deplorables', a comment for which she later apologized after realizing it was a political misstep. She said: 'And there's always kindling there, there's always people who are nursing a grievance, who feel that they weren't treated right, who feel somebody is getting ahead, who see the world as a zero sum game'. Clinton is currently writing her latest memoir, which is due out later this year. Earlier this week, Clinton said that the President (above on Wednesday) colluded with the Russians to help win the US election and said the Democratic party was useless She is also working on a book with one of her pastors about the daily devotions that he gave to her during the campaign. In the interview hosted by author Cheryl Strayed, Clinton said the Russian hacking of the Democratic party emails was 'in some ways even more painful' than the abuse she received from Trump. Clinton said that when she lost to President Obama in 2008 for the Democratic party Presidential nomination 'it wasn't fun losing but I didn't worry about my country'. She said America was going through an 'abnormal time' that was due to the Trump White House. She said: 'When we look at the way this White House is behaving with some of the biggest challenges we face it is deeply troubling. 'It's also worrisome that it could cause lasting damage to our institutions... '...You can't be alright that a foreign adversary was trying to influence the outcome of our election'. Clinton revealed that writing about her election loss is so painful she can only do it for a few hours before she needs a break. She said that she has to leave her writing room in the attic of her farmhouse and take a nap or have a walk because she is overwhelmed. Clinton spent the weeks after the election reading mysteries and said she adored authors like Louise Penny and Jacqueline Winspear. She said: 'I read a lot of mysteries. It was very comforting because it was somebody else's problem to solve the murder and save the day.' During the interview Clinton had a number of digs at Trump and said being President was 'the hardest job in the world, or at least it used to be'. She said one of the drawbacks of the electoral system in America was that anyone could become President and it 'doesn't matter how qualified you are'. Since her defeat Clinton has said she wants to remain in the public eye and has formed a Political Action Committee, Onward Together. She has given a number of interviews and earlier this week said Trump's campaign could have have 'guided' the Russians after they hacked emails from the Democratic party. Clinton is currently writing her latest memoir, which is due out later this year. She told the audience on Wednesday that writing about her election loss is so painful she can only do it for a few hours before she needs a break She alleged that the President and his team could have helped the Kremlin to 'weaponize that information' and get him into the White House. Clinton was speaking at the Recode tech conference in Silicon Valley and described Trump as having a 'visceral grasp on America's political underbelly' She said: 'The Russians in my opinion - and based on intelligence and counterintelligence people I have spoken to - could not have known best how to weaponize that information unless they had been guided by a specific group of people. Guided by Americans.' Asked who those individuals might be, she said: 'We're getting more information about all of the contacts between Trump campaign officials and Trump associates with Russians before, during and after the election.' Pressed as to who she meant, she said: 'I'm leaning Trump. I think it's pretty hard not to.' Clinton sounded like a conspiracy theorist as she said that there were '1,000 Russian agents' working against her during the campaign. She said there were online 'content farms' and bots producing 'lies' about her and spreading fake news on social media. Clinton tore into the Democratic party and said that when she announced her candidacy it was 'bankrupt... mediocre to poor, non-existent, wrong. I had to inject money into it to keep it going'. In another interview with New York magazine Clinton claimed that when it came to Trump and her Democratic rival Bernie Sanders 'I beat both of them' because she won the popular vote against the President and clinched her party's nomination over Sanders. Elsewhere she has blamed former FBI director James Comey for reopening the investigation into her use of a private email server weeks before the election. Not being able to speak a foreign language is stopping almost five million UK adults from travelling overseas, according to a new report today. Almost two thirds of Britons admit that they wish they were better at languages as it would allow them to become more deeply immersed in other cultures. An international study from global hostel-booking site Hostelworld using Google Surveys, questioned more than 8,000 people in six countries about how their language skills impact on travel plans. Not being able to speak a foreign language is stopping almost five million UK adults from travelling overseas The research reveals that one in 10 UK adults (10%) - the equivalent of 4.7M adults - are put-off traveling because of language barriers, which particularly affects the younger generation (18-24s) where it rises to 15%. To help travellers overcome language barriers, Hostelworld has developed a 'Speak the World' feature on its hostel-booking app, which uses Google Cloud translate technology to instantly translate up to 43 languages, 'speak' the words for you, and translate the response. This free in-app feature will help people to travel without fears of language issues, enabling them to go even further off the beaten track. Japan is the top country that UK residents would travel to if languages were no issue (12%), followed by Spain (8%), China (7%), Italy (6%), France (5%) and Russia (4%). Japan is also the top destination that residents of Italy, France (where it's tied with the USA) and Spain would visit, whereas Americans would head to Italy, and Brazilians would go to the USA. With only half of UK adults (51%) able to speak a second language, it's perhaps unsurprising that overall more than six in ten UK adults (62%) wish they were better at speaking languages. The main reasons are so that they can get more deeply immersed in a city's culture (38%), go to a country where it's spoken (35%), to meet new people (24%) and to travel even further off the beaten track (21%). But as well as the positives, others want to be better at languages to avoid 'lost in translation' mishaps. On previous travels abroad, a fifth (21%) say they got lost while travelling because they couldn't speak the language, a similar number found they couldn't order food they wanted (20%), and one in ten (9%) got on the wrong train, plane or other form of transport. To help travellers overcome language barriers, Hostelworld has developed a 'Speak the World' feature on its hostel-booking app, which uses Google Cloud translate technology to instantly translate up to 43 languages Other language mishaps include buying things they didn't want or not being able to find a toilet (both 9%), or getting into a fight, insulting someone, or accidentally flirting with someone (all 4%). All of these mean that a significant number of travellers (12%) actually get embarrassed even trying to speak another language. Otto Rosenberger, chief marketing officer at Hostelworld, said: 'The ability to speak other languages isn't essential when travelling and nobody should let it put them off - but it can make a big difference, helping you to fully immerse yourself in the culture in a way you couldn't otherwise, all of which is enhanced by the amazing people you'll be able to meet along the way.' 'Travelling the world is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, yet many still worry that their language skills will let them down while abroad. That's why we've added Google Cloud translate technology into our app, so people can not only find incredible affordable accommodation at the touch of a button, but also seamlessly converse in 43 languages in a fun way - helping open up the world and allow travellers to go even further off the beaten track.' NSW police have yet to determine if there is a link between the five attempted child abductions that has been reported in the state within the past week. On Thursday, police appealed for public assistance after a boy was approached by an unknown man at the Lake Macquarie region, the Daily Telegraph reports. The 12-year-old boy was approached by a male driver and the only occupant of the car outside a high school in Park Avenue, Swansea. It was reported that the man had struck a conversation with the boy, which made him feel uncomfortable. He later reported the incident to his school. Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command have started investigating the incident as it has been the fifth distressing one involving minors in one week. A 12-year-old boy was approached in Park Avenue, Swansea (pictured) On Thursday morning a 11-year-old girl had narrowly escaped the clutches of a knife-wielding predator who tried to grab her in Summer Hill. The child was approached on Bartlett St by a man pulling the blade from his coat, coaxing her to come over to him and then trying to grab her. The hunt is on for the man after the girl escaped and reported the incident at her school. The man has been described as Asian-looking, aged 3040 years old, 165 cm tall, with short black hair, brown skin, a red mark on the right side of his face and brown eyes. At the time of the incident, he was seen wearing a long black coat that hung past his knees, black pants and a red and blue-coloured chequered shirt. Police are also investigating another incident involving a three-year-old girl at Pioneers Memorial Park in Leichhardt on Tuesday evening. On Saturday morning, a five-year-old girl was indecently assaulted by a man of Indian appearance in Glebe. And last Thursday a mother had the fright of her life when a man attempted to abduct her 15-month-old toddler from the Macquarie Street Mall in Liverpool. Australian taxpayers could soon be forking out more to welfare recipients who rent in high cost suburbs such as the inner city. Welfare recipients could see their rent assistance increased by more than 15 per cent in a bid to get more people out of social housing and into private rental markets, under a proposal by the Productivity Commission. But experts warn dole boosts under the controversial plan could be a disincentive for welfare renters to find or return to work. Scroll down for video Public housing at Rosemeadow in south-west Sydney. The Productivity Commission claims the social housing system is 'broken' and 'unfair' Welfare recipients could see their rent assistance increased by more than 15 per cent under a proposal by the Productivity Commission Under the proposal to overhaul the 'broken' social housing system, additional welfare payments mean people will have greater choice over where they live and can move closer to their desired workplaces or schools. Chris Smith from Radio 2GB and 4BC told Channel Seven's Sunrise the proposal was a 'massive disincentive when trying to get people to start work or life in a career or get back to work'. 'And on top of all that, right now we seem to be re-engineering market forces in the property sector - yesterday the NSW Government lifted stamp duty and a raft of fees. 'I wonder if that doesn't reheat the already active price war at the moment - a 15 per cent increase on the rental market [for welfare recipients] will do the same thing when you start meddling,' he said. Chris Smith from Radio 2GB and 4BC told Channel Seven's Sunrise the proposal was a 'massive disincentive' when trying to get people to start work or return to work Additional welfare payments mean people will have greater choice over where they live and can move closer to their desired workplaces or schools However, Social Policy Commissioner Richard Spencer told News Corp the proposal would not be a disincentive for people to return to employment. 'The reality is there are too many Australians living in unacceptable circumstances. Very vulnerable people who are in these situations through no fault of their own need extra help and we need to fix the system,' he said. Susie O'Brien from the Herald Sun told the breakfast show she is in favour of the proposal if it helps the disadvantaged. 'Don't forget, some of the renters are single mums with kids,' she said. 'To give people on welfare a little bit more money to be independent and join the private rental market, even 15 per cent, will only be around $30 or $40 a week. 'This whole debate over handing over money so they can live in 'trendy' inner city suburbs, that's where the jobs are, the schools.' Experts warn the proposal could also make it harder for Australians to acquire a rental property. The report will be open for consultation until July 14. At least one person was killed when a small plane crashed into hills north of Ventura County. The Cessna 180 crashed near the 101 Freeway and Taylor Ranch Road, in California, on Thursday. Authorities have not yet released the name of the individual who died, but records show the plane was owned by Michael Brannigan, 52, of Lake Sherwood, California. Brannigan, a married events photographer, is listed as owning two Cessna planes - including the one that crashed - and only renewed his medical for his pilot's license last month. Witnesses say they heard a loud bang and saw the small plane flying very low over Emma Wood State Beach before it went down on the hill at around noon on Thursday. At least one person was killed when a small plane crashed into the hills, north of Ventura County (pictured is the wreckage) They also reported seeing debris fall from the sky and the main body of an aircraft crash into the mountains just east of there, the Ventura County Star reported. Debris landed as far as just north of Ventura city limits, while a second debris field was found south of Highway 101 on the beach, officials said. Early reports suggested another plane had been involved in the crash but Ventura County Fire Department now believe only one plane was involved. 'It is highly unusual for an aircraft to be in multiple pieces this far apart,' Ventura County Fire Department Public Information Officer Steve Swindle said. The Cessna 180 crashed near the 101 Freeway and Taylor Ranch Road, in California, on Thursday Debris landed as far as just north of Ventura city limits, while a second debris field was found south of Highway 101 on the beach 'I can't confirm that it did explode - it is conjecture - but it's a little bit odd.' An investigation is currently underway into the cause of the crash. It is not yet known where the plane originated or where it was headed. 'A Cessna 180 crashed north of Ventura near the 101 and Taylor (Ranch) Road under unknown circumstances,' FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer said in an email. The beach alongside the 101 Freeway has been closed as authorities combed the area for debris. A temporary flight restriction was also issued within a two mile radius of the crash site after reports of a second plane in the area. A church with predominantly African American members has received a donation from a very unlikely source. Nicholtown Prebyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina was heartened by an anonymous letter sent by someone claiming to have been racist in the past and who also made a $2,000 donation. 'First, I am white and used to be a terrible racist,' reads the letter sent on May 13 to the church. Nicholtown Prebyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina received a letter from an anonymous source claiming to have been a 'terrible racist' 'Thanks to Jesus and the Holy Spirit acting through the the Presbyterian Church, I have been cleansed of that,' said the writer who identifies as white and also made a donation of $2,000 to the church 'Thanks to Jesus and the Holy Spirit acting through the the Presbyterian Church, I have been cleansed of that.' Reverend Michael Sullivan - a preacher at the church for just around 15 months - commented that the congregation normally collects donations but they were pleasantly surprised by the gesture and the message. 'Hearing his testimony... in a sense he had been changed from a particular mindset,' said Reverend Michael Sullivan 'Hearing his testimony... in a sense he had been changed from a particular mindset,' said Sullivan to Fox Carolina. The rest of the letter explains the life the sender lived before he changed his thinking. 'I am appalled at my former thoughts and words. I send this donation as a heartfelt apology to the African American community. 'If you were ever looking for proof that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are alive and well today, and that miracles, just as in Biblical times, still happen today, this is it! 'Apart from Jesus and the Holy Spirit, acting through the Presbyterian Church, this transformation never would have happened.' The sender would then add that the donation could be used 'for any purpose you see fit'. Reverend Sullivan reads the letter. 'Apart from Jesus and the Holy Spirit, acting through the Presbyterian Church, this transformation never would have happened,' the letter reads Beverly Kelly, pastor of the Mattoon Presbyterian Church and moderator of the session for Nicholtown Presbyterian Church, shared that the church has been struggling to make ends meet even asking for a $1,400 grant from the Presbytery 'It's like a miracle,' Beverly Kelly, pastor of the Mattoon Presbyterian Church and moderator of the session for Nicholtown Presbyterian Church, shared with the Greenville News. According to Kelly, funds at the church were depleting as the church was in the process of requesting a $1,400 grant from the Presbytery so that they could transport children to church on Sundays and have a nice breakfast. 'That mission has been something from Sunday to Sunday, and we always find some way to feed them,' she said. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered two landmarks in his state be lit up green while Mayor Bill de Blasio did the same with City Hall late Thursday as a sign of support for the Paris Agreement on climate change hours after President Donald Trump announced he was pulling the US out of the accord. The antenna atop One World Trade Center in lower Manhattan and the Kosciuszko Bridge linking Brooklyn and Queens were specially lit 'to show our support for the Paris Accord and demonstrate New York's leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet,' Cuomo said in a statement. One World Trade Center is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a government agency jointly controlled by the governors of the two neighboring states. The antenna atop One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan is lit up in green on the orders of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday One World Trade Center is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a government agency jointly controlled by the governors of the two neighboring states The Kosciuszko Bridge linking Brooklyn and Queens was also specially lit in green 'to show our support for the Paris Accord and demonstrate New York's leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet,' Cuomo said in a statement The Kosciuszko Bridge, which spans Newtown Creek and is accessible through the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, is maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation Another New York landmark in Lower Manhattan, City Hall, was also lit up in green late Thursday. Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted a photo of City Hall on Thursday night Earlier on Thursday, de Blasio tweeted that 'opting out of Paris Accord is a grave error. 'Climate change is real - we feel the effects now. Trump's choice ensures it will only get worse.' The Kosciuszko Bridge, which spans Newtown Creek and is accessible through the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, is maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation. Another New York landmark in Lower Manhattan, City Hall, was also lit up in green late Thursday. De Blasio tweeted a photo of City Hall on Thursday night. In the caption, he wrote that New York 'will honor the goals of the Paris Agreement.' Earlier on Thursday, de Blasio tweeted that 'opting out of Paris Accord is a grave error. 'Climate change is real - we feel the effects now. Trump's choice ensures it will only get worse.' Cuomo, a Democrat, slammed Trump for pulling out of the agreement. 'The White House's reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet,' the governor said. 'This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change. Cuomo (seen in the above May 23, 2017, file photo), a Democrat, slammed Trump for pulling out of the agreement. 'The White House's reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord has devastating repercussions not only for the US, but for our planet,' the governor said Cuomo announced he and Governors Jerry Brown of California (left) and Washington State's Jay Inslee (right) formed the US Climate Alliance, which will 'convene US states committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change' 'New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington's irresponsible actions. 'We will not ignore the science and reality of climate change.' Cuomo also announced that he and two of his fellow governors California's Jerry Brown and Washington State's Jay Inslee formed the US Climate Alliance, which will 'convene US states committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change.' So far, 30 states announced Thursday that they would disregard Trump's order on Thursday and pursue their own policies which seek to limit greenhouse gas emissions, according to The Washington Post. Cuomo has made climate change policy a central pillar of his administration. The governor announced a $1.65billion plan to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency the largest ever by an American state. Cuomo aims to more than double New York state's solar capacity by the end of 2018. He will also offer incentives to schools and other public buildings that install solar panels on rooftops. In California, the state senate on Wednesday voted to require utility companies to transfer 100 per cent of their energy to renewable sources by 2045. Both California and New York require utility companies to shift to 50 per cent renewable by 2030. Cuomo has made climate change policy a central pillar of his administration. The image above shows 363 solar panels installed on the rooftop of Rockefeller Center in New York. The GE building is seen in the distance Brown, like Cuomo, struck a defiant tone on climate change Thursday. 'The California economy last year increased 40 percent faster than the rest of the country,' Brown said. 'In fact, following policies even tougher than what Paris is calling for, the California economy is boosted. Trump is wrong when he says Paris is bad for jobs. It's good for jobs. The jobs of the future.' The governors were joined Thursday by the mayors of 61 cities who renewed their commitment to the Paris Agreements. Trump said on Thursday that withdrawing from the Paris Agreement would reassert American sovereignty and benefit the US economy The Climate Mayors, a coalition which includes de Blasio, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, tweeted a statement reaffirming their commitment to combating climate change. 'Trump maybe withdrawing the US, but 61 climate mayors are adopting the Paris Agreement,' the group tweeted. 'Cities will lead the way.' 'With POTUS pulling out of the Paris Agreement, LA will stand up to lead - & work with other cities to do the same,' Garcetti tweeted on Thursday. Donald Trump's administration is asking the Supreme Court to reinstate its ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries. The Justice Department filing to the high court late Thursday argues that the federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, made several mistakes in ruling against the Trump travel policy. The government says the nation will be safer if the policy is put in place. Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores says the ban is a lawful and appropriate step to protect against terrorism. Vice President Mike Pence said the administration continues to be 'very confident' that justices at the high court will 'recognize the right of the president in the Constitution and in the statues of this country to control immigration in a way that puts the security of this country first.' FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2016, file photo, people stand on the steps of the Supreme Court at sunset in Washington. The Trump administration made a plea to the Supreme Court on June 1, 2017, to let travel ban take effect (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, file) Immigration officials would have 90 days to decide what changes are necessary before people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen may resume applying for visas. Trump's administration says the president has 'broad authority to prevent aliens abroad from entering this country when he deems it in the nation's interest.' The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called the national security concerns an after-the-fact justification for a policy that was 'intended to bar Muslims from this country.' Flores said the Justice Department is 'confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism.' 'The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States,' she said. Pence said the administration will 'advance what the president calls policies of extreme vetting.' In a Friday interview with Fox & Friends, the VP declared: 'The ability to come into the United states of America is a privilege, not a right.' Vice President Mike Pence said the administration continues to be 'very confident' that justices at the high court will 'recognize the right of the president in the Constitution and in the statues of this country to control immigration in a way that puts the security of this country first' The American Civil Liberties Union and National Immigration Law Center, organizations representing the plaintiffs in this particular case accused the administration of religious discrimination. Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project, said the Fourth Circuit's ruling should stand. 'There is no reason to disturb the Fourth Circuit's ruling, which was supported by an overwhelming majority of the judges on the full court, is consistent with rulings from other courts across the nation, and enforces a fundamental principle that protects all of us from government condemnation of our religious beliefs,' Jadwat said. Karen Tumlin, legal director of the National Immigration Law Center, insisted Trump's order is a Muslim ban and is in violation of the U.S. constitution. 'Again and again, our nation's courts have found that President Trump's Muslim ban is unconstitutional. We will continue to defend our plaintiffs' right to live free from fear of discriminatory treatment by the federal government,' Tumlin said. Trump's administration is battling temporary injunctions on the travel restrictions on two separate fronts through cases that originated in Hawaii and Maryland. Trump's administration says the president has 'broad authority to prevent aliens abroad from entering this country when he deems it in the nation's interest' The Maryland case is the one that went through the 4th Circuit. A judge on the bench said it 'drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination.' Meanwhile, the administration petitioned the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in May to put a stay on the injunction that's associated with the Hawaii case. The court has not ruled yet on this case, but it rejected the administration's arguments during its first try at the ban. Trump's revised travel ban that is the one that's making its way through the courts now. Justice has asked the Supreme Court to review the 4th Circuit case and place stays on the injunctions from both the Maryland and Hawaii cases, NPR reported. The Supreme Court is the administration's final legal recourse. 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 . An Ohio mother disappeared after her one-year-old was rushed to hospital due to a suspected heroin overdose on Thursday evening. Akron police said they received a call from a nine-year-old in the home just after 6pm, who said the baby boy had stopped breathing, reported News 5. When police arrived at the scene, the boy's mother was still there, but she has since gone missing. An Ohio mother disappeared after her one-year-old was rushed to the hospital due to a suspected heroin overdose on Thursday evening. Police believe the child overdosed on heroin that was around his home at 90 Gale Street (pictured) First responders administered a dose of narcan to the one-year-old at the scene in an attempt to revive him, but it was ineffective. The baby was then rushed to Akron Children's hospital and given a second dose of the opiate antidote, which successfully resuscitated him. Police believe the child overdosed on heroin that was around his home at 90 Gale Street on Thurday, according to News 5. The child's mother has not yet been tracked down. Police said both of the children will be turned over of Summit County Children's Services. One of London's biggest nightclubs arrives in Sydney next weekend but will only be allowed to crank its world-renowned beats until 3am. Ministry of Sound will take over popular CBD venue Ivy every Saturday night starting June 10, hosting a string of international DJs. But with the city's draconian lock out laws it will only be able to serve alcohol until 3am and be forced to turn punters away from the doors at 2am. Ministry of Sound nightclub opens in Sydney on June 10 at Ivy (pictured) The offshoot of the legendary London club (pictured) will take over the popular CBD venue every Saturday night hosting a string of international DJs But with the city's draconian lock out laws it will only be able to serve alcohol until 3am and be forced to turn punters away from the doors at 2am (Ivy patrons pictured) Ministry of Sound Australia chief executive Tim McGee promised partygoers the 'dawn of new era' of clubbing, pointing to the London venue's reputation. 'We are now going to bring that same experience and ethos to Sydney. We will be implementing a forward-thinking music policy,' he said. '[It will be] a haven for good music and a home for both international and Australian artists to connect with their fans. Ministry of Sound Australia chief executive Tim McGee promised partygoers the 'dawn of new era' of clubbing, pointing to the London venue's (pictured) reputation Revellers strip down at Sydney's Ivy club which has a pool guests can swim in Ivy's Pool Club packed with partygoers on a night out in the city 'Ministry of Sound Club will be the ultimate destination for true lovers of dance music.' The club will be hard-pressed to live up to these lofty proclamations when it has to close down three hours earlier than its 25-year-old London flagship. Ministry of Sound Sydney kicks off with High hitmakers Peking Duk playing in Ivy's courtyard and U.S. house DJ Sandy Rivera in the Pool Club. Ivy's courtyard in another part of the huge club on Sydney's George Street Ministry of Sound Sydney kicks off with High hitmakers Peking Duk playing in Ivy's courtyard A bus driver has apologised for the frightening near-miss between his school bus carrying 20 children and a loaded truck on Sydney's M5 motorway. CCTV footage released by police shows the bus allegedly pulling out in front of a semi-trailer on the busy motorway at Hammondville during the Thursday morning school run. The truck driver brakes heavily causing his vehicle to jack-knife in order to avoid a collision. Scroll down for video The bus driver behind a frightening near-miss with a truck on Sydney's M5 Motorway has apologised Frightening footage of a near-miss between a bus carrying 20 school children and a truck on the motorway was released by police, who say it's lucky no one was killed The driver told 7NEWS: 'I'm very, very sorry about this. 'I don't know how I can to say it because my English language is not very good and I can't say all the words in my heart.' The bus driver also praised the quick-thinking of the truck driver. A student on the bus spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the horrifying near-crash. 'We were going to West Hoxton for an AFL gala day. We were on the M5 to begin with and then the bus pulled off to the side,' she said. 'He was halfway into the furthermost lane and then realised that was the wrong lane to be in so he decided to go back onto the M5. The CCTV footage shows a bus allegedly pulling out in front of a semi-trailer on the busy motorway at Hammondville during the Thursday morning school run 'The driver saw a tiny gap between him and the bus and decided to swerve back into the correct lane. The truck was probably travelling at 90/100km and swerved to miss us. There was smoke everywhere. 'He would have missed our bus by millimetres. The bus driver said nothing as it happened. Our teacher was screaming and telling him to pull over. 'Two other cars on the M5 were beeping and blocking the bus so he had to pull over - but he wasn't going to initially.' 'There were 20 kids on that bus and we were stuck there for over an hour. Police were called and M5 road services to breath test the driver. Then a new driver was called and we continued on to the gala day.' The truck driver brakes heavily causing his vehicle to jack-knife in order to avoid a collision 'Our school sport's coordinator called all of our parents later on so they knew. My mum thought I was exaggerating until she saw it on the news this morning.' NSW Police Chief Inspector Greg Tetley told 2GB the truck did an amazing job avoiding the oncoming bus. 'The truck driver did extremely well. It could have been potentially fatal.' Passing motorists flagged down the 59-year-old male bus driver following the incident, while the truck driver is also helping police in their investigation. Police have spoken to the bus driver and identified the truck driver. Any witnesses should contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. CLINTON LEE POWERS, Plaintiff - Appellant, v. SECRETARY, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, ALEX TAYLOR, Individual and Official Capacity, JOHN PALMER, Individual and Official Capacity, JAMES EDWARDS, Individual and Official Capacity, C. WYNN, Individual and Official Capacity, Defendants - Appellees. No. 16-14889 Decided: May 31, 2017 Before TJOFLAT, WILLIAM PRYOR, and JORDAN, Circuit Judges. Clinton Lee Powers, a Florida prisoner proceeding pro se, filed this interlocutory appeal from the district court's order denying his second motion for a preliminary injunction. Mr. Powers, a Messianic Jew, alleged that his right to freely exercise his religion was substantially burdened, in violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000cc, by the refusal of prison officials to provide him with pre-prepared meals to eat on Shabbat. Mr. Powers alleged that it is a violation of his religious beliefs to prepare food or eat food that had been prepared by others on Shabbat, and requested a preliminary injunction directing prison officials to provide his Shabbat meals in advance. We review the denial of a preliminary injunction for an abuse of discretion. See Mitsubishi Int'l Corp. v. Cardinal Textile Sales, Inc., 14 F.3d 1507, 1517 (11th Cir. 1994). Our review of such a decision is justifiably limited because the grant or denial of a preliminary injunction is almost always based on an abbreviated set of facts, requiring a delicate balancing of the probabilities of ultimate success with the consequences of immediate irreparable injury which could possibly flow from the denial of preliminary relief. Id. (internal quotation marks and alternations omitted). We therefore may reverse the district court's order only if there was a clear abuse of discretion. Siegel v. LePore, 234 F.3d 1163, 1175 (11th Cir. 2000) (en banc) (emphasis in original). In determining whether to grant or deny a preliminary injunction, the district court must consider whether the moving party has demonstrated (1) a substantial likelihood of success on the merits; (2) that the order is necessary to prevent irreparable injury; (3) that the threatened injury outweighs the harm that the order would cause to the non-movant; and (4) that the order would not be adverse to the public interest. See Four Seasons Hotels And Resorts, B.V. v. Consorcio Barr, S.A., 320 F.3d 1205, 1210 (11th Cir. 2003). A preliminary injunction is the exception rather than the rule and is an extraordinary and drastic remedy not to be granted unless the movant clearly establishes the burden of persuasion as to each of the four prerequisites. Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). The chief function of a preliminary injunction is to preserve the status quo until the merits of the controversy can be fully and fairly adjudicated. Ne. Florida Chapter of Ass'n of Gen. Contractors of Am. v. City of Jacksonville, Fla., 896 F.2d 1283, 1284 (11th Cir. 1990). Mandatory preliminary relief, which goes well beyond simply maintaining the status quo [,] is particularly disfavored, and should not be issued unless the facts and law clearly favor the moving party. Martinez v. Mathews, 544 F.2d 1233, 1243 (5th Cir. 1976). The district court denied Mr. Powers' second motion for preliminary injunction, concluding that Mr. Powers had not met his burden of persuasion as to the four prerequisites for injunctive relief. Mr. Powers subsequently moved for clarification of that order. The district court granted the motion in part to provide clarification, explaining that Mr. Powers had been incarcerated since at least 1995 andciting a prior civil case filed by Mr. Powers in 2012that he had been a practicing Messianic Jewish Inmate since at least 2012, but did not seek intervention regarding his Saturday meals until December of 2015. The district court concluded that the claim of irreparable injury was undermined by Mr. Powers' delay in seeking relief. Mr. Powers argues on appeal that, although he has identified himself as a Messianic Jewish inmate since approximately 2012, his knowledge of the tenets of his belief system are evolving, and that the district court should not have dissected his religious beliefs. He failed, however, to assert such a statement as to his evolving religious understanding and beliefs in either of the verified complaints or motions for preliminary injunction that he filed with the district court. We certainly agree that it is not a court's role to question the viability of a litigant's religious beliefs or his adherence to the dictates of his faith. See Watts v. Florida Int'l Univ., 495 F.3d 1289, 129496 (11th Cir. 2007). Given our limited review and the heavy burden placed upon Mr. Powers to demonstrate irreparable harm, however, we cannot conclude that the district court clearly abused its discretion in denying the extraordinary remedy of mandatory injunctive relief. Specifically, the district court did not clearly abuse its discretion in determining that Mr. Powers' apparent (i.e., unexplained) delay in seeking relief undercut the claim of imminent irreparable injury. Mr. Powers could have explained why he faced harm in 2015, but not before, yet he did not. See Wreal, LLC v. Amazon.com, Inc., 840 F.3d 1244, 1248 (11th Cir. 2016) (A delay in seeking a preliminary injunction of even only a few monthsthough not necessarily fatalmilitates against a finding of irreparable harm.). AFFIRMED. PER CURIAM: Clothing has been found by police as they continue to sift through soil where they located the body of missing man Matthew Leveson in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney. Parents Mark and Faye Leveson were back at the scene on Friday, two days after police found what they believe are the remains of the couple's 20-year-old son, who was last seen alive leaving a Sydney night club in 2007. Forensic officers were continuing to sift through soil near the spot Matthew's skeleton was found on Wednesday afternoon, while the bones had been been taken to a morgue. Scroll down for video Family friend Rachel Sanki (left) hugs Matthew Leveson's mother Faye (centre) while she embraces another woman holding flowers Police continue their search for further evidence on Friday, two days after they located Matthew Leveson's remains in the Royal National Park Police sift through soil at the scene where they found Matthew Leveson's remains on Wednesday afternoon Cothing was reportedly among other items found at the scene, a NSW State Crime Command spokeswoman told AAP. Matthew was described as wearing a black singlet, light brown cargo shorts and white leather shoes at the time of his disappearance. 'Other items of interest, consistent with the 20-year-old, have been located,' the police spokeswoman said. A large sifter was brought to the site on Friday morning as investigators continued to search for small bones and other evidence. The Levesons were joined by close family friends at the scene. Police were led to the site in November last year by Matthew's former partner Michael Atkins, who a jury found not guilty of murdering his boyfriend in 2009. Having been acquitted once of murdering Matthew, Atkins can only be charged with the same offence again if 'fresh and compelling' evidence is found, due to double jeopardy rules. Michael Atkins (pictured left) was acquitted of Matthew Leveson's murder in 2009 Mark Leveson (left) with his wife Faye (centre) as she hugs a woman carrying flowers to the scene where Matthew's remains were found The Leveson family and close friends were back in the Royal National Park on Friday as police continued to search for evidence of the Matthew's murder The location of Matthew's body this week is not of itself enough evidence for such a charge due to further legal restrictions flowing from a coronial inquiry. Former NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery told ABC radio on Thursday 'there is the remote possibility of a charge being resurrected against Atkins'. 'But I wouldn't put too much hope on it,' Mr Cowdery said. 'There's a slim possibility, I don't put it any higher than that. I think we need to be realistic.' Atkins was ordered to give evidence at a coronial inquest into Matthew's disappearance late last year, with a guarantee his testimony could not be used against him. Family friend Rachel Sanki (left) with Faye Leveson (centre) as Mrs Leveson hugs another supporter Police continue to search for evidence at the site where they found Matthew Leveson's body on Wednesday afternoon Michael Atkins leaving Glebe Coroner's Court at the inquest into Matthew Leveson's disappearance in November last year But he subsequently admitted to lying on oath, leaving himself open to prosecution for perjury. He then cut another deal. Atkins was granted immunity from prosecution for perjury or contempt of court if he provided information which led to the discovery of Matthew's body. Associate Professor Thalia Anthony of Sydney's University of Technology law school said the guarantees given Atkins at the inquest meant the discovery of Matthew's remains likely can't be used as 'fresh and compelling evidence'. Faye Leveson (pictured left) and Mark Leveson (pictured right) at a press conference after more human remains were found in the Royal National park in Sydney Mark Leveson (pictured left), Faye Leveson (pictured centre) and Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin stand together as Faye holds a picture of her son Matthew Leveson It seems that his disclosure of the whereabouts of the body and anything associated with the body would not be able to be used against him to get through the double jeopardy threshold,' Associate Professor Anthony told AAP. 'On the basis of what he's told the coroner's court about the approximate location of the body, he can't be charged.' The Leveson family, who reluctantly agreed to Atkins being granted immunity from prosecution for perjury, knew this could happen. Lead investigator Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin said on Thursday he hoped the likely discovery of Matthew's remains would allow the Levesons to lay their son to rest. Mark Leveson arrives in the Royal National Park, where it is believed his son Matthew's remains have been found, with a bouquet of flowers Mark Leveson, clutching a bunch of flowers, talks to a police officer near the site where it is believed his son Matthew's body was found Faye Leveson is comforted by a friend as police begin to exhume what are believed to be the remains of her son Matthew in the Royal National Park 'While we need to await the results of forensic examinations for absolute confirmation, we believe what we have found is consistent with this being Matthew,' Detective Chief Inspector Jubelin said. 'The loss of a loved one is never easy to deal with, but the grief can be even harder to overcome when you can't lay them to rest. 'We hope the Levesons will soon be able to properly and respectfully say goodbye to Matthew.' Faye Leveson broke down in front of the cameras as she implored for a change in the legal system after explaining the heartache her family has suffered searching for the remains of Matthew. Forensic police sift through soil as they begin to exhume human remains believed to those of Matthew Leveson in the Royal National Park on Thursday In the decade since he disappeared, the couple have used their own hands to dig up bushland in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, hoping for a breakthrough That moment arrived on Wednesday as bones 'consistent' with those of Matthew Leveson (right) were found. Incredibly, his ex-boyfriend Michael Atkins (left) may not spend a day in jail despite leading police to the area where the bones were found 'They painted us into a corner, they painted us into making a decision to bring our son home,' she told Seven News. 'Our laws have to change, the victims have got to have a voice ... we get nothing. We have had to fight for nine-and-a-half years to get to this day to bring our son home. 'So our sons, our other two surviving sons, don't have to go through the rest of their lives, if we passed, and we hadn't found Matty.' Mark Leveson thanked everyone involved in helping the family find their son's remains, then frankly addressed the justice system and Michael Atkins himself. Forensic police prepare to resume human remains believed to be those of Matthew Leveson in the Royal National Park on Thursday Police sift through soil in the Royal National Park on Thursday as the search for Matthew Leveson's remains continues Forensic police continue the pain-staking work searching for remains of Matthew Leveson in the Royal National Park 'If any of the jurors on Matthew's trial see this, what the hell were you thinking?' he said. 'Look what you have done to us. And lastly, Michael Atkins, to you, you are no longer any use to our family alive.' In the years since Matthew vanished, the Levesons have used their own hands to dig bushland in the Royal National Park, hoping for a breakthrough. When that moment finally arrived on Wednesday the couple embraced as police unearthed a skeleton described as 'consistent' with that of their 20-year-old son. Mr Leveson said on Wednesday he wished the heartbreaking search could have ended nine years ago, but angrily wished Atkins could be there to watch their pain. 'He (Atkins) should be here chained to a tree watching,' he said. Atkins (left) was found not-guilty of murdering his former partner in 2009, but admitted to lying to an inquest into Leveson's disappearance last year, leading police to cut an immunity deal NSW forensic police dig the site where the remains believed to be Matthew Leveson's were discovered A detective brushes aside dirt over the area where they discovered 'items of interest' Mark and Faye Leveson stand together in bushland in the Royal National Park south of Sydney, on Monday, May 29 Faye Leveson is seen with her arm around a detective at the search site on Wednesday Mr Leveson was seen using the pickaxe to hack away at dense shrub in the Royal National Park on Friday, May 26 Despite not finding anything during their own extensive searches over the past decade, the pair's resolve was never affected. 'We'll keep searching the national park, yes, but whether we search that exact site I don't know yet,' Mr Leveson told Daily Mail Australia last year. 'They have searched every square centimetre looking for Matt. They cannot be accused of being incompetent or not doing their job. 'They've exhausted this site which is frustrating because you could be so close, but you just don't know.' On Wednesday, they seemingly finally got their reward for not giving up on their son. Motorcycle rider Lance Wensley is furious after being fined $48 for parking his bike in between two spots in Queensland this week. Mr Wensley had just barely parked his bike over the ends of two adjoining parallel bays in Gympie and said he did so on purpose so that both slots could still be used by other vehicles. The man was fined $48 for parking his bike in between two spots in Gympie, Queensland 'You're bloody joking, mate,' he told the Gympie Times after being fined. 'You could fit a semi-trailer on either side of that bike. 'Most people would be astounded to find out that if you park there, even if you try to do the right thing, that you get booked for it.' He defended his actions by maintaining that he parked there out of consideration for other motorists. Man said it was done out of consideration so that other vehicles could still park at the spot A Gympie regional council spokeswoman said that motorcycles can be legally parked anywhere in the town. However, she stressed it was paramount that bikers parked wholly within a single bay and ensured they didn't obstruct other road users. Mr Wensley plans on disputing the fine as he believes the action was discriminatory against bike riders like himself. A woman has been charged with 17 offences after her engine blew out during a high-speed police chase in Melbourne's south. The 31-year-old was allegedly driving her silver Mitsubishi without number plates at 125km/h in an 80km/h zone on Frankston-Cranbourne Rd in Langwarrin just after midnight on Friday. The Hampton Park woman sped up when police tried to pull her over on Peninsula Link, travelling at speeds of up to 178km/h. Police pulled over a woman, 31, travelling at speeds of up to 178km/h in Melbourne She was allegedly driving the car without number plates on Frankston-Cranbourne Rd in Langwarrin (pictured) just after midnight on Friday This caused her hatchback's engine to blow out on the side of Frankston-Flinders Road in Baxter where police apprehended the driver and her three passengers. Police searched the car and allegedly found an axe under the driver's seat and a knife in her handbag. She was found to be driving an unregistered car and without a licence. She has been charged with 17 offences including speeding, dangerous driving while pursued by police, disqualified driving, using an unregistered motor vehicle, possessing a controlled weapon and refusing to undergo a preliminary oral fluid test. She was bailed with strict bail conditions to appear at Frankston Magistrates' Court on 21 August. Her blown out Mitsubishi was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $960. The Hampton Park woman sped up when police tried to pull her over on Peninsula Link, travelling at speeds of up to 180km/h (stock image) Fox TV host Kimberly Guilfoyle - who was once tipped to be taking Sean Spicer's press secretary job - revealed that Donald Trump called her before making the public announcement to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. Guilfoyle, the co-host of The Five, defended the president's decision to pull out of the international Accord, calling it a 'brave and courageous thing'. 'In fact, I told him that this morning at 8 a.m. when he called,' the Fox News host told her colleagues Thursday evening. Fox TV host Kimberly Guilfoyle (left) - who was once tipped to be taking Sean Spicer's press secretary job - revealed that Donald Trump (right) called her before making the public announcement to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement Guilfoyle, the co-host of The Five, defended the president's decision to pull out of the international Accord, calling it a 'brave and courageous thing' on Thursday's show Her colleagues were taken aback by the revelation, joking she had 'buried the lead' and 'tried to slip that in there'. Guilfoyle revealed it was not just climate change the president had sought her advice for. They had also discussed taxes, and The Five, which she said Trump was big fan of and 'says hello to all of you', she said to her colleagues. The fact that Trump apparently sought Guilfoyle's advice, while ignoring prominent White House advisers Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Disney CEO Robert Iger, is yet another indication of his love affair with Fox. 'In fact, I told him that this morning at 8 a.m. when he called,' the Fox News host told her colleagues Thursday evening Hosts Kimberly Guilfoyle, Bob Beckel, Eric Bolling, Dana Perino and Greg Gutfeld sit on the panel of Fox News Channel's 'The Five' Guilfoyle, a former attorney, may be in the running to replace press secretary Spicer amid rumors that his time at the White House is running out. POLITICOS AND CELEBRITIES REACT 'Removing the United States from the Paris Agreement is a reckless and indefensible action.' ~ Al Gore 'What President Trump did today by withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord is an international disgrace.' ~Sen. Bernie Sanders 'Today, our planet suffered. It's more important than ever to take action.' ~Leonardo DiCaprio 'Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.' ~ Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk 'Today's decision is a setback for the environment and for the U.S.'s leadership position in the world.' ~Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein 'Congratulations President Bannon.' ~ The Sierra Club Advertisement She told the Mercury News that the idea she might take over from Spicer is something that has been 'raised by a number of people.' Meanwhile Musk, the Tesla billionaire who counseled against leaving the accord, said he was quitting advising the White House in the wake of the announcement, tweeting: 'Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.' Trump had pulled the United States out of the Paris accord on climate change on Thursday afternoon - deriding it as bad for American jobs and bad for the environment. He dared opprobrium from foreign leaders, environmentalists, scientists and celebrities to say he was putting the jobs of American workers first. 'We don't want other leaders and other countries laughing at us any more. And they won't be. They won't be,' Trump declared. 'I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.' Before he even sat down, his predecessor Barack Obama launched an all-out assault, saying Trump 'joins a small handful of nations that reject the future'. The leaders of France, Germany and Italy said the decision was 'regrettable' and that the deal was 'non-negotiable'. An off-duty police officer working for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show was bitten by a Pit Bull Terrier before shooting the animal inside a packed Hollywood ice cream shop in front of dozens of screaming tourists, DailyMail.com has learned. Startled tourists leapt out of the way as the injured animal ran through the famous Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop in Hollywood trailing blood across the floor. LAPD officers and paramedics were called to the chaotic scenes at the shop around 3.30pm Thursday afternoon. LAPD officers and paramedics were called to respond to Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop in Hollywood after an off-duty police officer working for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show was bitten by a Pit Bull Terrier before shooting the animal inside the packed store Police said the pit bull was with a possible robbery suspect in the store and after a confrontation with the off-duty LAPD cop, the dog attacked him and an off-duty security officer. Soon after, the off-duty cop shot the dog in the head. According to ABC 7, witnesses say the injured animal didn't go down and instead it ran around the store. It's understood families enjoying ice cream with their children were left in tears as the chaos unfolded. DailyMail.com has learned that the off-duty cop had been working security on Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show which was filming next door at the El Capitan Theater. Police said the pit bull was with a possible robbery suspect in the store and after a confrontation with the off-duty LAPD cop, the dog attacked him and an off-duty security officer A show source told DailyMail.com: 'The officer was called outside to attend to reports of a disturbance near the audience line. Apparently a homeless man with a pit bull was harassing people. 'The man must have ran into Ghirardellis and that's where the dog bit the officer and another man and the officer shot the dog in the head. Apparently it was chaos, the dog was running around the store with blood coming from its head and people were screaming.' @_manpreet175 tweeted: 'Saw a dog get shot right in front of me, saw Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Butler,Sarah Silverman live, and Post Malone live in concert! LA is wild!' Engineering student Manpreet Pannu, 18, was standing in the Jimmy Kimmel line directly outside Ghirardellis when he saw the shocking incident unfold. He said a homeless man had been standing in the vicinity of the audience line being abusive to his pet pit bull when a passerby attempted to intervene, sparking the incident. He told DailyMail.com: 'The man was an African American male and appeared to be homeless and he was holding a pit bull in his arms. He was squeezing the dog really tightly, the animal seemed in distress and disoriented. 'There was this lady following him, a dog lover, and she was asking if the dog was okay and whether it needed water, she was really worried. The man called her a b***h and was cussing her out and she started crying, he tried to get away from her by going in to Ghiradellis. 'Something happened in there and the woman called the police and then an off-duty cop who was doing security for the Kimmel show went in to the shop and closed the door behind him. 'A lot of people ran out but there was still staff and some people still in there, there was a lot of people around. I heard one gun shot and all hell broke loose, it was crazy, people were screaming and running and the dog had a gun shot wound to its nose and was bleeding everywhere and running through the shop.' Manpreet, who is studying at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, and was visiting Hollywood, added that the dog looked in 'bad shape' and 'scared' and most likely bit the officers through fear. Sarah Silverman arriving to tape the show where audience members begin lining up for hours before. She was joined by Jimmy Butler and rapper Post Malone 'After it happened the cops came out of nowhere and they closed it off for several hours, after the Jimmy Kimmel show was finished it was still closed off,' he added. He would later tweet, under the username @_manpreet175: 'Saw a dog get shot right in front of me, saw Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Butler,Sarah Silvermen live, and Post Malone live in concert! LA is wild!' ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! films most days at 4pm and the audience begins lining up in the hours before. The area on Hollywood Boulevard is also a popular tourist spot and will have been teeming with hundreds of tourists at the time. The ice cream shop is also home to the Disney Studio Store. According to police two people were transported to the hospital with dog bites and the pit bull was taken to an animal hospital, its condition is unknown. A large section of Hollywood Boulevard was temporarily closed as police investigated the incident and several police cars and an ambulance were seen in the street. A Colorado police officer who was filmed body slamming a female college student to the ground outside of a bar in April has been exonerated and permitted to return to work, it was reported on Thursday. Fort Collins Police Services concluded its internal review which cleared Officer Randy Klamser of any wrongdoing, Denver 7 reported. 'After an internal investigation into an arrest in Old Town, Officer Randy Klamser has been exonerated and returned to full duty,' a police spokesperson said. The board tasked with investigating the incident 'concurred with the chain of command that Officer Klamser should be exonerated of any policy violations during the incident.' On April 6, Klamser threw Michaella Surat, 22, to the ground outside Bondi Beach Bar. Michaella Surat, 22, was trying to get to her boyfriend who had been thrown out of a bar in Fort Collins, Colorado, on April 6, when she encountered the police officer, Randy Klamser. He was filmed trying to restrain her before throwing her suddenly to the ground head first Surat wept as she told Good Morning America in April how she was 'humiliated' by the incident Fort Collins police said that the nine-second clip was taken out of context since it doesn't show Surat allegedly assaulting an officer before filming began. A week after the incident, Surat went on national television and said she was left 'humiliated' by the incident, video of which quickly went viral. Klamser returned to work on June 1. 'All the bones were shattered in my face. I was just so humiliated because people were watching me,' she said. 'I cant go to school without feeling like someone is going to approach me and hurt me, I'm getting death threats online,' she said through tears during a Good Morning America interview. The encounter began when Surat approached police to try to find her boyfriend who was earlier pulled out of the bar because of a fight. After footage of the arrest went viral, Surat's family released photographs of her shocking injuries. They included a dark blue bruise to her chin she said stretches to her hairline Police say she 'shoulder checked' a bouncer and an officer while trying to get to him. She insisted she had done nothing wrong when trying to find him. 'I found out my boyfriend got kicked out of the bar and so I went out to see what happened, and then the altercation happened and one thing led to another. It just escalated,' she said. Another reveler inside the bar recorded her arrest on their cell phone. The shocking footage was shared on Instagram and Twitter where it has since generated over 1 million views. Surat was charged with third degree assault and obstructing a peace officer It showed the officer tossing her to the ground in one motion, her legs and high heels flying up behind her as her face landed on the concrete. Surat's family shared photographs of her injuries afterwards. They included a dark blue bruise on her chin, a concussion and bruises on her legs. 'I can't open my mouth to eat,' said the college student as she showed the camera how her facial bruise stretches up her jawline to her ears. The college student herself echoed the angry comments of hundreds of thousands of social media viewers who have accused the officers of using excessive force. 'It shouldn't happen to anyone no matter their size, race, color, whatever,' she said. Surat was charged with third degree assault and with obstructing a peace officer. Her family has not pursued civil action against the police department. Tributes have been paid to a school 'superhead' who died in a 'freak accident' while on holiday on France. Amanda Phillips, 62, who was awarded a CBE in 2015 for services to education sustained serious head injuries in a fall and could not be saved. She ran Ipswich Academy in Suffolk and her colleagues and students have been 'devastated and stunned'. The school, which has about 900 pupils aged from 11-18, is run by the Paradigm Education Trust, which also runs three primary schools in London. School superhead Amanda Phillips, 62, pictured, died after suffering head injuries in a fall while on a family holiday in France David Willis, chairman of the Paradigm Trust board, broke the shattering news in a statement on the academy's website. Mr Willis said: 'It is with tremendous sadness that I have to tell you that Amanda died yesterday. 'While on holiday in France earlier this week, Amanda suffered a fall incurring serious head injuries which proved fatal. 'I know I speak for us all when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and family.' He added: 'Amanda's death is a dreadful tragedy. 'She led Paradigm Trust with enormous energy, tremendous skill and most of all an enduring passion to give every child an outstanding education. 'She will be missed so much by everyone and we understand you will have questions - many of which we will not be able to answer yet. 'We are working on contingency plans and further news will be published in the Paradigm Trust website as it is available.' Mrs Phillips was the chief executive of Paradigm Trust, which runs five academies across the country, including Murrayfield Primary School in Ipswich, of which she was also principal. Mrs Phillips was previously a trustee of another education body in East Anglia, the Inspiration Trust, between August 2012 and June 2014. Dame Rachel de Souza, Inspiration Trust chief executive, said: 'Amanda was one of our founding trustees. 'Her educational expertise was formative in our approach to our very first academies, particularly Great Yarmouth Primary and Norwich Primary. 'She was a dedicated teacher with many valuable years of experience.' Mrs Phillips, pictured, was praised for her 'enormous energy, tremendous skill and most of all an enduring passion to give every child an outstanding education' Dame Rachel added: 'It was wonderful to see her contribution - particularly in east London - recognised in 2015 when she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. 'She remained a good friend to the Inspiration Trust. And we have been pleased to see her supporting education in our region with Paradigm's sponsorship of two academies in Ipswich. 'Our thoughts are with her family and friends.' Paying tribute to Mrs Phillips on Twitter, Ben Gummer, the Tory general election candidate for Ipswich, said: 'Death of Amanda Phillips huge loss to her family, also to children of south-east Ipswich. 'She changed the course of many lives in our town.' British Airways looks set to pin the blame for its 150million IT meltdown on a single worker who rebooted the system too quickly when the power failed, it emerged today. The engineer allegedly failed to follow proper procedure at a Heathrow data centre and caused 'catastrophic physical damage' to servers leaving 75,000 stranded across the globe. Saturday morning's outage lasted just 15 minutes but it stopped online check-in, grounded planes and broke baggage systems and meant BA was unable to resume a full schedule until Tuesday. Some passengers are still waiting to be reunited with their luggage almost a week on. Saturday morning's outage lasted just 15 minutes but it stopped online check-in, grounded planes and broke baggage systems (pictured at Heathrow) and meant BA was unable to resume a full schedule until Tuesday The IT engineer involved is reportedly from contractor CBRE Global Workplace Solutions, who are helping the airline with its investigation. A source told The Sun that BA could still face months of data problems as they are still finding corrupt files. He said: 'It's very much human error that's to blame. It's not over yet'. The Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) system that broke down was at Boadicea House at Heathrow - a building built for state-owned BOAC. The system was designed and installed there in the mid-1980s. It failed on Saturday at around 8.30am. It appears that alternative power sources including batteries and a diesel generator may also have failed. BA's emergency procedures say that the power would then be restored 'gradually' with its other data centre at Heathrow - Comet House - taking 'up the slack'. But a source told the Telegraph that power 'resumed in an uncontrolled fashion', damaging servers containing all sorts of data about flights, passengers and even flight paths. It meant that BA staff needed days to rebuild the servers to get services back to normal. Willie Walsh (left) claimed BA's uninterruptible power source (UPS) protecting one of its two Heathrow data centres broke down - and says Chief Executive Alex Cruz (right) should not resign The airline's reputation has been badly damaged after the computer blackout on Saturday morning stranded 75,000 people across the globe (pictured at Heathrow on Sunday), leaving it with a potential 150million compensation bill British Airways was last night embroiled in a row with insurance companies over who was liable to compensate the thousands of customers left stranded over the Bank Holiday weekend. The Association of British Insurers has accused the airline of giving passengers the wrong information and complicating the claims process to avoid having to pay up. It also said that customers were being passed from pillar to post after the carriers IT power failure cancelled the flights of 75,000 passengers. BA promised it would compensate people seeking to recoup money for disruption expenses, which includes the cost of hotels, meals and phone calls. But customers looking to claim non-flight related expenses have been told to claim through their travel insurance first. The insurance industry however, claims they should seek compensation from BA first. Before customers can enter details of their claim on BAs online compensation form, they are asked if they have travel insurance for the disrupted journey. MailOnline can reveal the UPS system that broke down was from the 1980s and at Boadicea House at Heathrow (pictured) - which once belonged to BOAC If the passenger answers Yes, BA then asks if they have claimed or intend to make a claim, on their travel insurance. If the passenger answers No, the BA website prompts them to claim with their travel insurer first. Helen Dewdney, a consumer rights activist, said: BA is making it as difficult as they possibly can so fewer people will claim. It looks like theyre trying to get back every penny they possibly can. The Association of British Insurers said: Any cover available under travel insurance will usually kick in only if compensation is not available from any other source. Those affected should seek compensation and any refunds of expenses in the first instance from British Airways. People affected by the disruption should be able to claim compensation and refunds for any expenses as simply as possible, not being passed from pillar to post. A BA statement said: We will fully comply with all of the relevant EU compensation regulations regarding any cancelled or substantially delayed services and for associated welfare claims (eg hotel accommodation, transport... meals, and telephone costs, while you were delayed). Meanwhile a major investor in BAs parent company IAG said the carrier would have to focus all efforts on protecting its brand to stem any knock-on effects from the power failure. A report released on Friday has pin-pointed the most 'affordable' areas for first home buyers in Melbourne and Sydney - but don't count on living too close to the city centres. According to research published in Domain Group's First Home Buyers Report declining affordability is seeing first home buyers pushed further out of city real estate. Based on the average New South Wales first home buyer loan size, taken from the 12 months leading up to March and in addition to the 20 per cent deposit, only 11 suburbs came under the $459,010 price threshold. A property report has picked the top 'affordable' areas for first home buyers (stock picture) When the $10,000 boost from the First Home Owner Grant is considered another six suburbs are included in the data. 'The Central Coast and the city's west is where they'll still find affordable houses,' said Domain Group data scientist Dr Nicola Powell. Debbie Grinham, of LJ Hooker Gosford, said a lot of young couples are moving into the Gosford area - Sydney's cheapest suburb with a median house price of $412,000 - despite the hour and a half commute out of the main city. 'We have a lot of young couples moving up here for their first home over the last three years, that's really become a trend as house prices in Sydney become out of reach,' she told Domain. Affordability is seeing first home buyers pushed further out of city real estate (stock picture) Homes such as this property in Willmot, 50 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, have an average house price of $440,000 Lethbridge Park has an average sale price of $470,000, but similar to Willmot, the suburb lies 50 kilometres from Sydney's CBD 'When they look at it, they see they could be spending the same amount of time getting the train from Gosford as it might take them to get in from the western suburbs.' Other Sydney entry-level suburbs to make the cut included Willmot - 50 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD with an average house price of $440,000. Mannering Park and Chain Valley Bay featured as Sydney's fifth and sixth most affordable suburbs for houses, both over 100km out of the CBD. Lethbridge Park has an average sale price of $470,000 and Tregear property can go for $460,000. Properties in Melton sell at an average price of $300,000 but will leave prospective buyers with a long commute to Melbourne's CBD The list featured Domain's best entry-level areas - some over 100km from the city Millgrove was identified as the most affordable location in Melbourne with an affordable average home price of $295,000, but is 70 kilometres outside of the CBD Property data from Melbourne followed the same trend as Millgrove - 70 kilometres east of the CBD in the Yarra Valley, as the most affordable place in greater Melbourne to buy. Melton South, Melton, Kurunjang and Melton West ranging between 44 to 46 kilometres west of the CBD came in at the top five for the first time buyers. 'It is important that people are in a locality close to where they work, or if they are not, there needs to be good infrastructure and public transport to allow people to commute to work,' Domain Group chief data scientist Nicola Powell said. 'As the population grows and housing sprawls even further, it puts more and more pressure on governments to provide that infrastructure for people to live a good life.' United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JERRY LEE BROWN, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-10866 Decided: May 31, 2017 Before HULL, MARCUS and WILSON, Circuit Judges. Jerry Brown appeals the district court's denial of his motion to reduce his sentence, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(2), based on Amendment 782 to the Sentencing Guidelines. On appeal, Brown argues that he is eligible for a sentence reduction under Amendment 782 because, had Amendment 782 been in effect at the time he was sentenced, his base offense level would have decreased from 26 to 24. After careful review, we affirm. We review de novo the district court's conclusions about the scope of its legal authority under 3582(c)(2). United States v. Colon, 707 F.3d 1255, 1258 (11th Cir. 2013). We review the district court's decision of whether to grant a sentence reduction under 3582(c)(2) for abuse of discretion. United States v. Smith, 568 F.3d 923, 926 (11th Cir. 2009). A district court may modify a defendant's term of imprisonment if the defendant was sentenced based on a sentencing range that has subsequently been lowered by the Sentencing Commission. 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(2). Any reduction, however, must be consistent with the Sentencing Commission's policy statements. Id. When the district court considers a 3582(c)(2) motion, it must first recalculate the guideline range under the amended guidelines. United States v. Bravo, 203 F.3d 778, 780 (11th Cir. 2000). A defendant is eligible for a sentence reduction under 3582(c)(2) when an amendment listed in U.S.S.G. 1B1.10(d) lowers the guideline range that was calculated by the sentencing court. U.S.S.G. 1B1.10, comment. (n.1(A)). The district court is to determine the amended guideline range that would have been applicable if the amendment had been in effect at the time of sentencing. Id. 1B1.10(b)(1). When recalculating the guidelines range, the court can only substitute the amended guideline and must keep intact all other guidelines decisions made during the original sentencing. Bravo, 203 F.3d at 780. We've said that 3582(c)(2) allows the defendant to receive the same sentence he would have received if the guidelines that applied at the time of his sentencing had been the same as the guidelines that applied after the amendment. United States v. Glover, 686 F.3d 1203, 1206 (11th Cir. 2012), abrogated on other grounds by Amendment 780. The defendant is not to receive a lower sentence than he would have received if the amendment had been in effect at the time of sentencing, but rather is to be treated the same as those sentenced after the amendment. Id. After it determines that the defendant is eligible for a sentence reduction, the district court must decide whether to exercise its discretion to impose the newly calculated sentence under the amended Guidelines or retain the original sentence. Bravo, 203 F.3d at 781. The court must consider the 3553(a) factors and the nature and severity of danger to any person posed by a sentence reduction, and it may consider the defendant's post-sentencing conduct. Smith, 568 F.3d at 927. We've held that a defendant was not eligible for a sentence reduction where his base offense level under the current Guidelines was higher than at the time of his sentencing due to an intervening change in the Guidelines. United States v. James, 548 F.3d 983, 986 (11th Cir. 2008). In a later case, we explained that, in evaluating whether a guideline amendment reduced a defendant's base offense level, we look not to the base offense level at the time of sentencing, but rather to the base offense level for the same amount of drugs at the time of the 3582(c)(2) motion. United States v. Phillips, 597 F.3d 1190, 1193 & n.6 (11th Cir. 2010). Amendment 782 set new base offense levels, at two levels lower, for most drug quantities listed in the Drug Quantity Table in U.S.S.G. 2D1.1(c). U.S.S.G. App. C, amend. 782. When Brown filed his 3582(c)(2) motion in October 2014 and the district court denied the motion in February 2016, an offense involving between 200 and 350 grams of methamphetamine carried a base offense level of 26. U.S.S.G. 2D1.1(c)(7) (2013); U.S.S.G. 2D1.1(c)(7) (2015). Brown concedes that the base offense level for his amount of drugs was increased to 28 in between when he was originally sentenced and when Amendment 782 was passed. He claims, however, that a general, two-level reduction is now warranted under Amendment 782. Here, the district court correctly concluded that Brown was ineligible for a sentence reduction under Amendment 782. Based on the district court's determination at his original sentencing, Brown was accountable for 280 grams of methamphetamine, and received a base offense level of 26. Under our precedent, the relevant base offense level for purposes of this appeal is the level for the same amount of drugs at the time of the 3582(c)(2) motion, see Phillips, 597 F.3d at 1193 & n.6 -- so, whatever happened in the interim time between the original sentence and the 3582 motion is irrelevant. At the time of Brown's 3582(c)(2) motion, an offense involving 280 grams of methamphetamine carried a base offense level of 26. U.S.S.G. 2D1.1(c)(7) (2013); U.S.S.G. 2D1.1(c)(7) (2015). All other guidelines decisions made during the original sentencing stay intact, so Brown was still subject to the four-level role enhancement and the nine-level upward departure, resulting in a total offense level of 39. Bravo, 203 F.3d at 780. His new total offense level of 39 and criminal history category of IV result in a guideline range of 360 months' to life imprisonment -- the same as was calculated by the district court at his original sentencing. Accordingly, the district court correctly concluded that Amendment 782 did not affect Brown's guideline range and that he was ineligible for a sentence reduction. Because the district court correctly concluded that Brown was not eligible for a sentence reduction under Amendment 782, we need not address Brown's claim that the district court abused its discretion by denying his motion on the merits and not considering the 3553(a) factors. AFFIRMED. FOOTNOTES . In addition, Brown's motion to supplement the argument and record is DENIED. PER CURIAM: Russian president Vladimir Putin told filmmaker Oliver Stone how he has escaped numerous assassination attempts, and admits that while Edward Snowden leaking confidential information was 'wrong', it does not make him a traitor. Putin is the subject of Stone's upcoming Showtime special called The Putin Interviews, which is set to air beginning June 12th over four consecutive nights. The four-part documentary was filmed over the course of two years and includes several conversations Stone had with Putin. A snippet of the film was released by Showtime on Thursday, and it shows the Russian president in the driving seat as Stone sits in the passenger seat of the vehicle. The award-winning director asks Putin about Snowden, the former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor and CIA employee who leaked classified information about the extent of the NSA's surveillance. Snowden is wanted on espionage charges in the US. Scroll down for video Russian president Vladimir Putin told filmmaker Oliver Stone (pictured together) how he has escaped numerous assassination attempts, and admits that while Edward Snowden leaking confidential information was 'wrong', it does not make him a traitor Putin is the subject of Stone's upcoming Showtime special called The Putin Interviews, which is set to air beginning June 12th. The four-part documentary was filmed over the course of two years and includes several conversations Stone had with Putin A snippet of the film was released by Showtime on Thursday, and it shows the Russian president in the driving seat as Stone sits in the passenger seat of the vehicle 'I think he [Snowden] shouldn't have done it. If he didn't like anything at his work, he should have simply resigned,' Putin told Stone. The 64-year-old Russian leader said that he can't personally justify Snowden's methods, but he does believe that he was within his rights to take the decision. 'But since you are asking me whether it's right or wrong, I think it's wrong,' he said. Putin said that he believes the NSA went too far in its snooping practices. 'Trying to spy on your allies if you really consider them allies, and not vassals, is just indecent. Because it undermines trust,' Putin said in reference to the revelation that the US government eavesdropped on German Chancellor Angela Merkel and several members of her cabinet. He said that such an approach 'in the end [inflicts] damage [on] your own national security.' The award-winning director asks Putin about Snowden (pictured in May), the former US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor and CIA employee who leaked classified information about the extent of the NSA's surveillance The 64-year-old Russian leader said that he can't personally justify Snowden's methods, but he does believe that he was within his rights to take the decision. Putin said that he believes the NSA went too far in its snooping practices The father-of-two also said that the sharing publicly of data can't be called treason. 'Snowden is not a traitor. He did not betray the interests of his country. Nor did he transfer information to any other country,' Putin told Stone. He added that Snowden did not do anything 'which would have been pernicious to his own country or his own people.' After Snowden's US passport was revoked, he became stranded in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in June 2013 while on his way to Latin America. He was granted asylum in Russia shortly after and he's been living in Moscow ever since. His residence permit was extended until 2020 earlier this year. In the video clip, Stone also compared Snowden's experience and that of Putin, who quit the Soviet secret service KGB in 1991 because he disagreed with the coup d'etat attempt organized by a few hardline Communist party leaders who were against Mikhail Gorbachev. During another discussion, Stone brings up the multiple assassination attempts against Putin, who shares that there have been at least five 'I resigned because I didn't agree with the actions undertaken by the government,' Putin told Stone. When asked about the record of Russian intelligence, the president stated that the Russian secret services perform their tasks in compliance with the law and rules. 'I think they're working quite well,' Putin shared. During another discussion, Stone brings up the multiple assassination attempts against Putin. 'Three times president, five assassination attempts, I'm told. Not as much as [Fidel] Castro, who I've interviewed. I think he must have had about 50. But there's a legitimate five I've heard about,' Stone said. 'Yes, I talked with Castro about that,' Putin told Stone. 'And he said to me, 'Do you know why I'm still alive?' I asked him, 'Why?' 'Because I was always the one to deal with my security personally.' But yeah, I do my job. And the security officers do theirs and they are still performing quite successfully.' When asked if he knew his fate, Putin told Stone: 'Only God knows our destiny -- yours and mine' 'In other words, you trust your security, and they've done a great job,' Stone said. 'I trust them,' Putin said. 'Because always the first mode of assassination... you try to get inside the security of the president,' Stone said. 'I know that. Do you know what they say among the Russian people? They say that those who are destined to be hanged are not going to drown,' Putin said. 'What is your fate, sir? Do you know?' Stone asked. 'Only God knows our destiny -- yours and mine,' Putin said. 'To die in bed, maybe,' Stone said. 'One day this is going to happen to each and every one of us. The question is, what we will have accomplished by then in this transient world, whether we'll have enjoyed our life?' Putin said. During a recent interview to the Sydney Morning Herald, Stone said, 'Mr. Putin is one of the most important leaders in the world and in so far as the United States has declared him an enemy a great enemy I think it's very important we hear what he has to say.' 'The Putin Interviews' will air in four parts over four consecutive nights, starting June 12 at 9pm Eastern Time. According to a press release, the interviews took place at the Kremlin, Sochi, and Putin's official residence in Moscow. The network says the film 'captures the essence and complexity of the Russian leader and his approach to the U.S. and the world'. 'The exchanges are often pointed, always thought-provoking and occasionally surreal - including a remarkable sequence where Stone introduces Putin for the first time to Stanley Kubrick's Cold War satire Dr. Strangelove which they watched together - all serving to illuminate the mindset of one of the least understood but most important players in the geopolitical world today,' the press release reads. The release of the video clip teasing the documentary comes as NBC's Megyn Kelly interviewed Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia as her first appearance on the network. An Australian man killed while hunting in New Zealand had died in a place he was passionate about, his family had revealed. Tony Campbell, 66, from Newcastle died on Wednesday after falling down a ravine in the Fox Glacier Valley on the South Island. Mr Campell's wife Robyn and their two daughters have flown to New Zealand to claim his body. Mr Campell's wife Robyn and their two daughters have flown to New Zealand to claim his body Mr Campbell's family said his sudden departure was tragic but was 'glad he was with his son and best mate, doing something he loved very much'. 'Tony was a proud family man who loved his wife, three children, and their partners and his two grandchildren very dearly,' the family said in a statement to ABC. 'He also adored his extended family, including his mother, siblings and many nieces and nephews.' The family said Mr Campbell loved life, described him as 'a true gentleman and a talented builder' who will be sorely missed. Family describes Mr Campbell as someone who loved life who will be sorely missed by all It was earlier reported that Mr Campbell who went hunting with his son, Anthony became separated from him and later found him with head injuries an hour later. The men had arrived on the South Island over the weekend. They became separated at around lunchtime when they were almost 1,800m up in the Westland Ranges. When the son called out to his father and received no reply and decided to go looking for him. The pair described as an experienced hunting team were hunting in the Fox Glacier Valley when the father fell down a steep ravine, New Zealand police said. Mr Campbell died even before a rescue helicopter had arrived. Advertisement Several are dead and at least four police officers have been injured amid mass protests in Kabul after a day devastating truck bomb in the city that killed 90. Afghan police fired at demonstrators who were demanding the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani's government in the wake of the atrocity yesterday that also left 450 injured. Wednesday's bomb attack, at the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, was one of the worst in Kabul since the U.S.-led campaign to topple the Taliban in 2001 and underlined the growing violence across much of the country. Today, at least four protesters were killed during clashes with riot police as crowds demanded better security in the city. Several are dead and at least four police officers have been injured amid mass protests in Kabul after a day devastating truck bomb in the city that killed 90 Afghan police fired at demonstrators who were demanding the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani's government in the wake of the atrocity yesterday that also left 450 injured Wednesday's bomb attack, at the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, was one of the worst in Kabul since the U.S.-led campaign to topple the Taliban in 2001 and underlined the growing violence across much of the country The violent protests added to pressure on Ghani's fragile and divided government, which has been powerless to stop a string of high profile attacks in the capital that have killed hundreds of civilians over recent months. More than 1,000 demonstrators, many carrying pictures of bomb victims, rallied in the morning near the site of the blast, which killed 90 and wounded 460, holding Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah responsible. 'The international community has to put pressure on them and force them to resign,' said Niloofar Nilgoon, one of a relatively large number of women taking part in the protest. 'They're not capable of leading the country.' As the standoff continued, the protest appeared to become more tense, with regular bursts of gunfire ringing out. The violent protests added to pressure on Ghani's fragile and divided government, which has been powerless to stop a string of high profile attacks in the capital that have killed hundreds of civilians over recent months More than 1,000 demonstrators, many carrying pictures of bomb victims, rallied in the morning near the site of the blast, which killed 90 and wounded 460, holding Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah responsible Police in riot gear used water cannon and tear gas to block protesters, many throwing stones, from gaining access to the road leading to the presidential palace Police in riot gear used water cannon and tear gas to block protesters, many throwing stones, from gaining access to the road leading to the presidential palace. By mid-afternoon, an official at the city's Italian-run Emergency Hospital said at least four people had been killed and 'several' wounded. The bodies of some of the dead, wrapped in white shrouds were held in the open by protesters. Among the dead was the son of a prominent politician, according to Afghan media reports. As well as attacking the government, some protesters demanded that Ghani execute prisoners from the Haqqani network, the Taliban-affiliated militant group that intelligence officials blame for the attack. By mid-afternoon, an official at the city's Italian-run Emergency Hospital said at least four people had been killed and 'several' wounded As well as attacking the government, some protesters demanded that Ghani execute prisoners from the Haqqani network, the Taliban-affiliated militant group that intelligence officials blame for the attack Afghans throw stones towards security forces, during a protest in Kabul, Afghanistan - a day after a huge blast killed 90 in the city Afghan policemen fire their weapons in the air during a protest. Four were killed amid violent clashes in the city this morning Protesters hurled rocks and bottles as they gathered on the streets of Kabul in the aftermath of yesterday's terror atrocity 'Until we do that, we won't have peace. The only way to get security is to punish criminals,' said another protester, Asadullah, who like many Afghans goes by one name. However most of the anger appeared directed against the Western-backed government, underlining growing impatience with its failure to ensure security, almost three years after most foreign troops left Afghanistan. 'Ghani! Abdullah! Resign! Resign!' read one banner adorned with the pictures of bloodstained children and held out of a car window. The pressure on the government complicates the choice facing U.S. President Donald Trump's administration which is considering plans to increase the number of American troops in the country by between 3,000 and 5,000 to help break what U.S. commanders say is a 'stalemate' in the war. Taliban insurgents now control or contest about 40 percent of the country. Even before the attack, 715 civilians had been killed in the first three months of the year after nearly 3,500 in 2016, the deadliest year on record for Afghan civilians. Most of the anger appeared directed against the Western-backed government, underlining growing impatience with its failure to ensure security, almost three years after most foreign troops left Afghanistan Nicola Sturgeon admitted today the SNP would prop up a weak Jeremy Corbyn government if Labour get within touching distance of power - but suggested she would be calling the shots if their parties created a coalition government. Scotland's First Minister said there would be 'all sorts of talks' if voters return a hung parliament next week in which Theresa May loses power but Mr Corbyn fails to win enough to govern alone. Ms Sturgeon said the SNP would hold the Labour leader hostage by negotiating on a policy-by-policy basis instead of joining a government full time. Dance to my tune: Nicola Sturgeon admitted today the SNP would prop up a weak Jeremy Corbyn government if Labour get within touching distance of power - but suggested she would be calling the shots if their parties created a coalition government Playing you all: Scotland's First Minister said there would be 'all sorts of talks' if voters return a hung parliament next week in which Theresa May loses power but Mr Corbyn fails to win Polls have shown the Tory lead collapse from around 25-points into the single digits, raising the prospect for the first time Mr Corbyn could enter No 10. Ms Sturgeon insisted she still believed a Tory victory on June 8 was still the most likely scenario. Labour admitted yesterday it would seek to govern alone if it wins enough seats to form a minority government next week - challenging the SNP to vote for Mr Corbyn's 1970s-style manifesto. Nicola Sturgeon (pictured campaigning in East Renfrewshire today) admitted today the SNP would prop up a weak Jeremy Corbyn government if Labour get within touching distance of power Scotland's First Minister (pictured campaigning for Angela Crawley today) said there would be 'all sorts of talks' if voters return a hung parliament next week in which Theresa May loses power but Mr Corbyn fails to win enough to govern alone Jeremy Corbyn (pictured today in York) would enter Government with SNP votes if he gets the chance, Labour confirmed yesterday Nicola Sturgeon, pictured this evening arriving at the BBC. She has said the SNP would hold Mr Corbyn hostage by negotiating on a policy-by-policy basis instead of joining a government Asked if she would support PM Corbyn, Ms Sturgeon told the Today programme: 'I have said very clearly - I said this many times during the 2015 election - that if there was to be a hung parliament and the arithmetic allowed it then I would want the SNP to be part of a progressive alternative to a Conservative government. 'Not in a coalition, I don't envisage any formal coalitions, but on an issue by issue basis to put forward policies for a progressive agenda. 'We see parties in this election, not least Labour, putting forward policies the SNP have implemented in Scotland.' Ms Sturgeon sampled the local beers at Kelburn Brewery on the campaign trail today Asked how she would support Mr Corbyn in a hung parliament, Ms Sturgeon said: 'I'm sure there would be all sorts of talks if that was to happen. 'The idea parties would refuse to do that would be flying in the face of what the electorate had wanted.' She added: 'If that scenario arises, it means the electorate has decided it doesn't want either of the two main UK parties to govern with a free hand. 'The second point is to be sceptical about this. When I look at the polls right now, I see in the rest of the UK a significant narrowing of the polls but my reading of them says Theresa May and the Tories are still on track to win this election. 'But we are no longer certain to get a bigger majority in this election and in that scenario, Scotland becomes centre stage and potentially has a pivotal role to play. 'It could be the case that what determines whether Theresa May has a bigger majority is the election in Scotland.' Ms Sturgeon joined Mhairi Black on the campaign trail in East Renfrewshire as the SNP moved to defend its extraordinary gains two years ago Polls have shown the Tory lead collapse from around 25-points into the single digits, raising the prospect for the first time Mr Corbyn could enter No 10 Mr Corbyn revealed his plans for a coalition of chaos yesterday as Labour made clear it would put its manifesto to Parliament if it gets to No 10. The Labour leader would challenge rival parties in the Commons to vote for his hard-left manifesto or let the Tories win power. The plot was revealed by shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry at a joint event to promote Labour'sBrexit plans. It can only happen if the Tories lose seats at next week's election and Labour gets the chance to try and form a minority government. But polls from YouGov suggest such a result - inconceivable at the start of the campaign - is now possible. The Tories seized on the remarks to warn 'the truth is out' about 'chaotic' plans for minor parties to prop up Mr Corbyn. Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry (pictured today with Jeremy Corbyn) revealed Labour would press ahead with its plan if in touching distance of power The plot was revealed today by shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry at a joint event to promote Labour's Brexit plans The Labour leader (pictured today after a speech on Brexit) would challenge rival parties in the Commons to vote for his hard-left manifesto or let the Tories win power Answering questions following a speech by Mr Corbyn in Basildon, Ms Thornberry was asked whether Labour would be ready to do a coalition deal - or even try to persuade Sinn Fein MPs to attend the House of Commons in order to support them. She replied: 'The truth is we are fighting to win and we are fighting to win with a majority. That's what we are fighting to do. 'If we end up in a position where we are in a minority, we will go ahead and we will put forward a Queen's Speech and a Budget. 'If people want to vote for it, then good. If they don't want to vote for it, they are going to have to go back and speak to their constituents and explain to them why it is that we have a Tory government instead. 'If we are the largest party we go ahead - no deals - with our manifesto, our Budget and our Queen's Speech.' The plot can only happen if the Tories lose seats at next week's election and Labour gets the chance to try and form a minority government But polls from YouGov suggest such a result - inconceivable at the start of the campaign - is now possible Mr Corbyn was more cautious about spelling out Labour's plans in the case of an inconclusive election, but also insisted there would be no coalition deal. 'We are fighting every constituency to win this election, to form a Labour government,' he said. 'We are not doing deals, we're not doing coalitions, we're not doing any agreements. 'We are fighting to win this election on a manifesto that I'm very proud of because it will fundamentally transform our society. That is what we are looking forward to doing on June 9.' Theresa May (pictured at a factory in Pontefract this afternoon) was struggling to soothe Tory nerves over the election today amid a backlash over skipping a TV election debate The Prime Minister appealed for voters to have 'faith' in her as more polls showed Labour gaining ground with just a week to go until the vote Conservative Party Chairman Patrick McLoughlin said: 'The truth is out: Jeremy Corbyn will invite the other parties to prop him up as Prime Minister if there is a hung parliament on June 9. 'Brexit negotiations start 11 days after you vote, but instead of focusing on those negotiations Corbyn would be busy haggling with Nicola Sturgeon and the Lib Dems. That will cause chaos. 'Only Theresa May has the right plan for Brexit and will use the opportunities it brings to build a United Kingdom that is stronger, fairer and even more prosperous. 'If you don't think Corbyn propped up by the SNP and Lib Dems is up to being Prime Minister, negotiating Brexit, or keeping our economy strong and nation secure, there's no safe way to vote Labour wherever you live.' A YouGov poll for the Times today suggested the Tory lead was down to just three points Theresa May was struggling to soothe Tory nerves over the election today amid a backlash over skipping a TV election debate. The Prime Minister appealed for voters to have 'faith' in her as more polls showed Labour gaining ground with just a week to go until the vote. Theresa May appealed for voters to have 'faith' in her in the election next Thursday One showed the Conservatives' national advantage down to just three points - not enough for an overall majority. Another put Mrs May's ratings in London below those of Jeremy Corbyn for the first time. Speaking in the North East, the premier tried to stop the rot by arguing that only she was able to conduct crucial Brexit negotiations. She pledged to 'fight to earn every vote'. 'People can have faith in me because I have faith in them,' Mrs May said. 'I believe in the British people. I believe that with determination, ingenuity and common sense, we can use this moment of great national change to shape a better future for Britain.' Political opponents leapt on Mrs May's decision to swerve the BBC debate last night, claiming that the premier was 'complacent' and taking the public for granted. But Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson insisted the PM was right to sit it out and send Home Secretary Amber Rudd in her place - dismissing the seven-way event as a 'great yammering cacophony' that 'elucidated nothing'. North Korea's mysterious intelligence chief Cho Il-U will be blacklisted from travelling overseas, in a new bid to punish the rogue state for its repeated missile tests. Cho is believed to head up the Reconnaissance General Bureau, North Korea's main military and foreign intelligence agency. The shadowy organization is believed to be responsible for conducting clandestine operations abroad, including kidnappings and political assassinations. The proposed new US sanctions are a response to North Korea's repeated ballistic missile drills. Pictured: Kim Jong Un laughs with General Ri Pyong-chol (R) at a photo session with the airpersons of the Korean People's Army in Pyongyang April 17, 2014 They were linked were the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged brother of Kim Jong Un who was killed in Kuala Lumpur with VX Nerve Agent. The draft U.N. resolution, pushed forward by the U.S., would also sanction four entities, including the Koryo Bank and Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean People's Army, as well as 13 other people. However given the isolated nature of of official North Korean entities and the sophisticated network of front companies used by Pyongyang to evade current sanctions, the U.N. resolution is likely to be just symbolic. The sanctions would also punish the Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean People's Army The United States had been negotiating with China, Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic ally, for five weeks on possible new sanctions. The pair reached agreement and circulated the draft resolution to the remaining 13 council members on Thursday. It was not immediately clear if council veto power Russia would support the draft resolution after the United States imposed its own sanctions on Thursday on two Russian firms for their support of North Korea's weapons programmes. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow was puzzled and alarmed by the U.S. decision and that Russia was preparing retaliatory measures, Russian media reported. While Russia has not indicated it would oppose U.N. sanctions or seek to dilute them, its ties with the United States are fraught and that could complicate its joining any U.S.-led initiative on North Korea. The USS Carl Vinson was sent to the Korean Peninsula as tensions rose over North Korean posturing and missile testing in April. It is pictured on its way to carry out training exercises with South Korea There is no sign of any sustainable increase in trade between Russia and North Korea, but business and transport links between the two are getting busier. On Thursday, the United States unilaterally blacklisted nine companies and government institutions, including two Russian firms, and three people for their support of North Korea's weapons programs. That list included the Korea Computer Centre (KCC), a state-run enterprise that develops computer software and hardware products. Headquartered in Pyongyang, KCC has offices in Germany, China, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, according to North Korean state media. North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has warned the secretive state will respond to US 'aggression' in the peninsula if it is attack North Korea's Koryo Bank handles overseas transactions for Office 38, the shadowy body that manages the private slush funds of the North Korean leadership, according to a South Korean government database. Koryo Bank and its subsidiary, Koryo Credit Development Bank, were blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury Department last year. The U.N. Security Council first imposed sanctions on Pyongyang in 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and has ratcheted up the measures in response to five nuclear tests and two long-range missile launches. North Korea is threatening a sixth nuclear test. The Trump administration has been pressing Beijing aggressively to rein in North Korea, warning that all options are on the table if Pyongyang persists with its nuclear and missile development. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (pictured with President Trump) has said he intends to work with the US to deter North Korea U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the Security Council on April 28 that it needed to act before North Korea does. Just hours after the meeting, chaired by Tillerson, Pyongyang launched yet another ballistic missile. Within days the United States proposed to China that the Security Council strengthen sanctions on North Korea over its repeated missile launches. Traditionally, the United States and China have negotiated new sanctions before involving the other council members. Pyongyang has launched several more ballistic missiles since then, including a short-range missile on Monday that landed in the sea off its east coast. ISIS has executed a British jihadi who had previously been fighting for the terror group in Tal Afar, 40 miles west of Mosul. Iraqi army sources claimed the Briton was lined up in the town's centre along with eight others - including a Russian, Turk and some Syrians. An unverified photograph posted on an Iraqi news website showed four blindfolded men handcuffed and kneeling on the ground with a group of heavily-armed gunmen standing behind them. ISIS has executed a British jihadi in an outlying area of Mosul as the terror group is being pushed by by Iraqi forces, pictured, looking to retake the strategic northern city Civilians have been fleeing the area Iraqi troops advance on the terror group's stronghold According to Bas News, nine men were killed by the terror group although the reason for their execution has not been disclosed. Captain Idris al-Hamdani claimed the nine men executed were leading members of ISIS in Iraq. He said locals in Tal Afar reported the executions to security services and said ISIS in Tal Afar and Mosul is severely divided. Al-Hamdani added: 'These executions and splits come against the background of the successive defeats of the organisation's militants in areas west of Mosul.' Inside Mosul - which has been the terror group's stronghold in Iraq, the jihadis are being forced back into smaller pockets by government troops backed by US air strikes. Iraqi army sources suggest ISIS in Mosul is being riven by division as a result of their defeat Jihadis have blocked an area around the al-Nuri mosque in the Old City. It is the location where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only known public appearance back in 2014. ISIS has forced residents living near the mosque from their homes so they can defend the mosque, where al-Baghdadi decalred his 'caliphate'. One resident, still living in the city told the Associated Press: 'The militants are not moving in groups anymore, we see one or two from time to time in the streets as a majority of them are moving through the houses, using the holes they made in the walls. According to U.N. estimates, more than 100,000 people are still trapped in their houses in IS-held areas. Mosul's Old City is an ancient district of narrow alleyways and tightly packed homes, two main challenges to security forces. He added: 'We are dying slowly with no water and no food.' Meanwhile, the Iraqi Army has banned the burqa in areas under its control in Mosul after ISIS jihadis used the garment to carry out suicide attacks. Residents have been told headscarves and niqabs are also banned temporarily as Iraqi troops go house-to-house to flush out the remaining terrorists. Inebriated Luka Riley, 28, told staff she was 'f****** going nowhere - I'm worth millions!' after they refused to serve her drinks and food for being drunk and loud at the budget hotel at Manchester Airport A drunk blonde on benefits went into a foul-mouthed meltdown after staff refused to serve her alcohol and crisps at a 57.50-a-night hotel. Intoxicated Luka Riley, 28, said she was 'f****** going nowhere - I'm worth millions!' when asked to leave the Premier Inn in Manchester for being loud and drunk. After booking in with a female friend, Riley began shouting 'you're a f****** b****' at the other woman who had agreed to leave on request due to the row - then told other guests at random to '**** off.' Police arrived to hear her shouting 'I've paid for this room you c***' and 'no f***er is getting in there' when she was offered a taxi. At Manchester Magistrates' Court, a sobered up Riley, of Upton on the Wirral pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and was fined 110 plus 85 costs Prosecuting, Nicola Yeadon, said: 'This is a timely guilty plea to a drunk and disorderly offence from May 15. At about 10pm police are advised and contacted to attend Premier Inn hotel at Manchester Airport. 'The initial report is for two drunk people arguing. When they arrived they are advised that Miss Riley was shouting having been refused further alcohol and crisps. Police were directed to the room she was staying in. 'Miss Riley was still shouting and being abusive, she was warned about her behaviour. The other female was requested to leave and she agreed to do so. Miss Riley was shouting 'you're a f****** b****'. The court heard Riley had previous convictions for public order offences and had been ordered to complete unpaid work in July last year for assault At Manchester Magistrates' Court, a sobered up Riley, of Upton on the Wirral pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and was fined 110 plus 85 costs. Pictured above, the hotel where Riley was staying She said: 'Miss Riley, then in the entrance way of the hotel, was heard by staff shouting 'f*** off' to customers. She was warned again by the officers. 'She was now waiting for a taxi but when it got there she refused to get in stating 'no f***er is getting in there'. 'She was arrested by them given a lack of compliance and shouted 'I'm f****** going nowhere, I've paid for this room you c***, I'm worth millions'. The court heard Riley had previous convictions for public order offences and had been ordered to complete unpaid work in July last year for assault. Representing herself Riley said: 'I'm not working, I'm on Universal Credit. I live at a flat and stay between my house and my partner's. I've got no dependants.' Sentencing her to a fine, chair of the bench, Gillian Fisher, said: 'This offence was committed whilst already on a court order, we are going to fine you'. A row has broken out between parents and staff at a girls' school after a pupil was 'sent home for wearing a see-through top'. An anonymous parent claimed the sixth-form student at Hillview School for Girls in Kent was ejected from class for 'not wearing a bra' and 'distracting male teachers'. But school bosses hit back and said the girl was told to leave because of her 'inappropriate attire' and not because of the lack of a bra. It sparked a response from a group of students who went into school 'braless' in a show of solidarity. A row has broken out at Hillview School for Girls in Kent, pictured, amid claims a sixth form student was sent home for 'not wearing a bra' and 'distracting male teachers' Sixth form pupils are able to attend the school in their own clothes, but guidelines state they must be in 'smart or business-like' outfits. It is understood the girl was wearing a 'near see-through top'. The incident sparked outrage among some people on social media. One local girl tweeted: 'Can't believe people are getting sent home from school for not wearing a bra, "because male teachers get distracted" f*** off hillview.' A student, 18, said a group of girls went into school 'braless' the following day in a show of solidarity. The student, who asked not to be named, said: 'It was to make a point about how awful there actions where on sending a girl home for not wearing a bra. 'Honestly what day in age do we live in for this to be happening? 'I think it was great they pulled together and wore no bras the next day but most got sent home and they made a couple girls cry and then that's when a mum reported it.' The student said teachers told a prefect meeting that the outfits were 'distracting male teachers'. She added: 'Instead of sending girls home why don't you send the male teachers that have a problem with it home?' One Twitter user from the area hit out at the school and said she 'could not believe' its actions Head teacher Hilary Burkett said: 'Hillview Sixth Form has a professional dress code that applies to all students. 'This is to ensure that students present themselves smartly and as positive role models to the younger years. 'On the rare occasions where a student chooses to not adhere to the dress code or dresses inappropriately, they are asked to go home and change so the school can maintain its high standards at all times.' A 14-year-old girl was taken from her school in tears and deported to Nepal by German authorities with no warning. Bivsi Rana, who was born in Germany, was studying in her high school in North Rhine-Westphalia when she was whisked away by Federal Police. They then deported her and her family to her parent's native Nepal from Frankfurt Airport that very evening. Bivsi Rana was deported to Nepal - despite having lived her entire life in Germany It is reported that the family's permit to stay in the country had expired in 2013 and despite numerous desperate appeals to stay in the country, their last appeal was rejected in March 2016. The asylum application had been denied 15 years ago when they first came to the country. Daniela Lesmeister, head of the legal department of the city, said authorities had 'no choice' but to deport the family as all appeals had been exhausted and rejected. Lesmeister continued on saying that by law the deportations cannot be announced to families who are being forced to leave. It is believed this is down to security reasons. She said all deportations have to take place during the day. The case shocked Bivsi's classmates, many of whom were left in tears as they watched their friend removed from the school by police It is reported the girl has an older brother, aged 18, who was not forced to leave the country, but it is unclear why. It is also unclear what the girl's citizenship status is. Ralf Buchthal, head of the Steinbart school where Bivsi attended said the school were tipped off shortly before and broke the news to the confused teen. Classmates design a protest poster for Bivsi. Her friends do not want to give up and are hoping she manages to return to Germany quickly Bivsi's empty seat in her high school. The headmaster had to call in counselors for children left shocked by her rapid deportation He said Bivsi had broken down in tears after being told she had to go away, responding with : 'What do you mean go away, where should I go then?' Two of her best friends were also called, for a quick goodbye, as the authorities had already arrived at the school. Mr Buchthal said friends and classmates were left in shock and have since made posters calling for Bivsi's return. The school have called in counsellors to help any of the children suffering from the incident. Bivsi has texted some of her friends to let her know that she's OK Local media reported that Bivsi's classmates were completely traumatized by the deportation. Class teacher Sascha Thamm said: 'All the girls were crying, they were not comforting. 'A girl - her best friend - even collapsed, we had to get the emergency doctor. The incident took place at the Steinbart School in North Rhine-Westphalia 'Even the guys, who normally behaved rather differently in such situations, were completely finished.' Mr Buchtal said: 'We had to call a doctor at the end, and we sent our pastor and religion teacher in the class as helping spiritual directors.' It is reported that Bivsi is still in contact with some of her best friends who she assured via text message, saying: 'I am doing well, don't worry.' It is believed Bivsi's parents are working on getting the schoolgirl back to Germany. There are increased calls to ban pro-anorexia websites giving young girls dangerous suggestions about weight loss, as they are being flooded with Australian teenagers seeking advice. The websites, described as 'pro-ana' are reportedly frequented by teenagers looking for tips on how to lose weight and to hide the illness, reported the Herald Sun. In some cases, users are giving advice to others about how to avoid gaining weight while in specialised treatment programs. There are increased calls to ban pro-anorexia websites giving dangerous advice on weight loss, as they are being flooded with Australian teenagers seeking advice (stock image) In May, a report from The Butterfly Foundation revealed that suicide is 31 times more likely for people with eating disorders. Butterfly Chairman David Murray AO said he was deeply concerned by the number of families and loved ones affected by suicide or having to endure the final hours of an agonizing death due to the medical complications of an eating disorder. 'Eating disorder experts are unanimous. Failure to provide treatment when it is needed, early in illness makes it harder to treat,' Mr Murray said. 'The severity of someone's eating disorder is directly related to the serious and ongoing levels of physical health and psychological harm, and the higher the risk of suicide.' The websites, described as 'pro-ana' are reportedly frequented by teenagers looking for tips on how to lose weight and to hide the illness (stock image) In May, a report from The Butterfly Foundation revealed that suicide is 31 times more likely for people with eating disorders. Health minister Greg Hunt (pictured) has since vowed to improve the treatment of eating disorders In light of the foundation's research published in May, federal health minister Greg Hunt vowed to improve the treatment of eating disorders. A woman who spoke to the Herald Sun, said teenagers share the names of pro-ana websites on social media platforms such as Snapchat, KIK and Whatsapp. A former user of the websites told the Herald Sun they were easy to find and encouraged dangerous behaviours by telling teenagers what they wanted to hear. A woman who spoke to the Herald Sun, said teenagers share the names of pro-ana websites on social media platforms such as Snapchat, KIK and Whatsapp (stock image) A former user of the websites told the Herald Sun they were easy to find and encouraged dangerous behaviours by telling teenagers what they wanted to hear (stock image) The websites share alarming advice, such as drinking a glass of water before eating and taking sips in between mouthfuls of food to feel fuller, suggesting iceblocks, chewing gum and celery as substitutes for meals and using small, dark plates for food to control portion sizes. Recent figures by Deloitte suggest the number of Australians suffering with eating disorders has risen by 50,000 in the past 12 months. If you or anyone you know needs help with an eating disorder, you can call Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673, National Eating Disorders Collaboration, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or Headspace on 1800 650 890. United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee v. WAYNE ROSS MAITLAND, Defendant-Appellant No. 16-41089 Decided: May 31, 2017 Before JONES, WIENER, and CLEMENT, Circuit Judges. Defendant-Appellant Wayne Ross Maitland challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction for kidnapping his infant stepson, CW, based on which the district court sentenced him to the statutory minimum of 20 years of imprisonment. See 18 U.S.C. 1201(a)(1), (g). Maitland contends that the government failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was not acting in loco parentis when he drove CW from Texas to Louisiana. He contends that he was acting in loco parentis and was therefore exempt from prosecution for kidnapping under 1201. Although the parties disagree as to the applicable standard of review, we need not resolve that conflict because we conclude that the evidence is sufficient to sustain Maitland's conviction under the ordinary rational jury standard. See United States v. Rodriguez, 553 F.3d 380, 389 (5th Cir. 2008). Section 1201 exempts from prosecution a parent who seizes, confines, inveigles, decoys, kidnaps, abducts, or carries away his own minor child. See 1201(a). We have not yet decided whether someone who is not a biological parent of the victim but who is acting in loco parentis is similarly exempted from prosecution, although two other circuits have answered that question in the affirmative. See United States v. Floyd, 81 F.3d 1517, 1522-25 (10th Cir. 1996); Miller v. United States, 123 F.2d 715, 716-18 (8th Cir. 1941), rev'd on other grounds, 317 U.S. 192 (1942). Assuming without deciding that the in loco parentis doctrine applies, we conclude that the jury's verdict was rational. See Rodriguez, 553 F.3d at 389. A person acts in loco parentis when he or she voluntarily performs all of the duties a parent normally provides to his or her child, which includes bestowing upon the child love, affection, support, maintenance, instruction, discipline, and guidance. Floyd, 81 F.3d at 1523-24. Maitland and CW's mother, CH, gave competing testimony about the extent to which Maitland functioned as a parent toward CW before and during the offense. The jury evidently chose to believe CH, and we will not second-guess that decision. See United States v. Kuhrt, 788 F.3d 403, 413 (5th Cir. 2015), cert. denied sub nom. Lopez v. United States, 136 S. Ct. 1376 (2016). The jury heard evidence that Maitland had no custodial rights to CW, could only have access to CW with CH's permission, and had no final say on childrearing decisions. At the time of the offense, Maitland and CH were separated and had begun the divorce process, and Maitland no longer lived with CH or CW. Maitland drove CW to Louisiana and left him outside a hospital in the middle of a cold night then returned to Texas alone. Immediately before driving away, Maitland told CH, I've got your son now. Viewing the evidence and the inferences drawn from it in the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude that a rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Maitland was not acting in a parental capacity at the time he carried CW away. See Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979); Rodriguez, 553 F.3d at 389. AFFIRMED. PER CURIAM:* Burger King 'has abdicated' in a row with the Belgian monarch King Philippe after the fast food chain's public relations stunt to promote it's first restaurant in the European country. 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 has apologised to the King of Belgium following a controversial advertising attempt which asked whether Belgians preferred their own monarch or a hamburger Burger King was forced to apologise to Belgian monarch King Philippe, right, over the stunt The controversial marketing stunt asked Belgians to pick their favourite 'monarch' '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. 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.' In a climb-down, the fast food chain altered the image on the website whoisking.be by removing the word 'king' from their logo with the added tagline: 'There is no place for two Kings in Belgium.' According to Reuters: 'A spokeswoman for Burger Brands Belgium said the company had decided to pull the campaign after a conversation with the palace.' 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 commercial gain 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. The latest opinion poll out today shows the Tory has been slashed by 10 per cent in two weeks in figures that would cut Theresa May's majority to just four. Ipsos Mori's latest survey for the Evening Standard put the Conservative Party on 45 per cent, down four, and Labour on 40 per cent, up six. The dramatic surge for Labour mirrors the results of other polling companies as a race which started with historic Tory leads appears set to go down to the wire. A succession of polls this week has hinted at a Jeremy Corbyn surge just a week from polling day. Some surveys have forecast Mrs May could lose seats next week and potentially even be kicked out of No 10. Polls overall still put Mrs May ahead and reports today said her senior aides expect to finish with a comfortable majority of 80. Theresa May (pictured today meeting families in Doncaster) faces seeing the election she called amid huge leads go down to the wire Ipsos Mori's latest survey for the Evening Standard put the Conservative Party on 45 per cent, down four, and Labour on 40 per cent, up six A succession of polls this week has hinted at a Jeremy Corbyn surge just a week from polling day with some surveys forecasting Mrs May could lose seats and potentially even be kicked out of No 10 A succession of polls this week has hinted at a Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in York today) surge just a week from polling day Panelbase yesterday revised down its estimate of Mrs May's advantage by a huge seven points. It said the Tories were on 44 per cent, down four, with Labour on 36 per cent, up three, compared to its previous poll. Those figures still suggest a Tory majority of around 30 but the huge fall in the lead will not help settle jangling Conservative nerves. Mrs May and Mr Corbyn will both face the same Question Time audience tonight in what will be the biggest TV moment of the election campaign. Postal votes are already being cast ahead of polls opening next Thursday. The Prime Minister has pivoted her campaign back to focus on Brexit after a bumpy fortnight which was damaged by her flip flop on her own manifesto. CHAOTIC POLLS SHOW TIGHT RACE FOR NO 10 June 1 Panelbase: Con 44% Lab 36% May 31 YouGov: Con 42% Lab 39% May 31 Kantar: Con 43% Lab 33% May 30 ICM: Con 45% Lab 33% May 30 Survation: Con 46% Lab 34% May 28 ORB: Con 44% Lab 38% Advertisement The Times reported today's Mrs May's aides believe despite the turbulent polls that they can secure a comfortable majority of 80 next week. Such a result would be far better than Margaret Thatcher achieved in 1979 and would halt at a stroke immediate concern about the Prime Minister's performance. Mrs May is continuing to campaign in strongly Labour territory and yesterday made a major speech on Brexit in Middlesbrough South. Nerves in the Tory campaign were set jangling by a stunning poll by YouGov yesterday that showed the Conservatives' national advantage down to just three points - not enough for an overall majority. Another survey put Mrs May's personal ratings in London below those of Mr Corbyn for the first time. Theresa May (pictured yesterday in Pontefract) has appealed for voters to have 'faith' in her in the election next Thursday The Prime Minister has warned even small set backs next week would weaken her hand in the Brexit negotiations Speaking in the North East, the premier tried to stop the rot by arguing that only she was able to conduct crucial Brexit negotiations. She pledged to 'fight to earn every vote' and questioned Mr Corbyn's patriotism, saying he did not 'believe in Britain'. 'People can have faith in me because I have faith in them,' Mrs May said. 'You can only deliver Brexit if you believe in Brexit. You can only fight for Britain if you believe in Britain. You can only deliver for Britain if you have the strength, the plan and the determination to see it through. 'And what we know in this election is that the only other person that can be prime minister in seven days' time is simply not up to the job. He doesn't believe in Britain. He doesn't have a plan. He doesn't have what it takes.' Political opponents leapt on Mrs May's decision to swerve Wednesday night's BBC debate, claiming that the premier was 'complacent' and taking the public for granted. But Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson insisted the PM was right to sit it out and send Home Secretary Amber Rudd in her place - dismissing the seven-way event as a 'great yammering cacophony' that 'elucidated nothing'. Tory nerves over the increasingly tight race have been further frayed by a poll showing the party is just 3 points ahead of Labour - not enough for an overall majority. Jeremy Corbyn tried to turn the screw on Mrs May on Wednesday night by making an eleventh hour decision to turn up for the BBC debate. However, he did not emerge unscathed - with Ms Rudd lashing the veteran left-winger over his refusal to promise lower immigration if he upsets the odds to win next week. She also slammed Mr Corbyn's 'chilling' boast he had opposed anti-terror laws for 30 years. Mrs May delivered her speech yesterday near Middlesbrough, insisting she was the only leader able to deliver Brexit On Wednesday night Amber Rudd warned Britain it had 'seen the coalition of chaos in action' at a furious seven-way debate on live TV as she faced off with Jeremy Corbyn as a stand in for Theresa May Boris Johnson was sent out to defend the PM over her absence from the debate A YouGov poll for the Times yesterday suggested the Tory lead was down to just three points But the Tory minister faced ridicule as she stood in for Theresa May, who insisted she had better things to do than 'swap soundbites' on TV. Some 3.5million watched the BBC primetime programme, less than half the figure who tuned into Britain's Got Talent on ITV at the same time. At a speech yesterday (pictured), Mrs May warned Jeremy Corbyn was not up to the job of negotiating Brexit The SNP's Nicola Sturgeon also did not feature, but Mr Corbyn made a last minute decision to turn up and used the unruly bout to try and press the case for his 'transformation' of Britain. Reaction to the debate was dominated by questions over the BBC audience which despite being selected by pollster ComRes to ensure balanced appeared to heavily favour the left-wing panellists. ComRes insisted today the audience had been carefully chosen to align it with the 2015 results and polling trends since. A national YouGov poll for the Times gave Mrs May's party a tiny three-point advantage - on 42 per cent with Labour on 39 per cent. The same firm conducted research for Queen Mary University said Mr Corbyn's party had gained ground in London. Labour is now on 50 per cent, up from 41 per cent a month ago, while the Tories are on 33 per cent, down from 36 per cent. The findings suggest instead of picking up seats in the capital the Conservatives could face losing some. Those at risk would include housing minister Gavin Barwell in Croydon Central, who has a majority of just 165. Maxine Williams, 57, (pictured) was drunk on board a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Heathrow and called air stewardess Teoh Ming Lee a 'Malaysian pig' A drunken plane passenger who branded an air stewardess a 'Malaysian pig' after she demanded more wine was tied to chair with cable ties and duct tape, a court heard. Maxine Williams, 57, screamed at Teoh Ming Lee and shouted 'I hate your f****** country' after drinking alcohol for ten hours. She staggered into the first class gallery looking for more alcohol while on board the Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Heathrow. Her foul-mouth rant at 30,000ft cased the captain to order her to be tied up and she racially abused Teoh Lee and kicked her in the bottom, the court heard. Williams, a hospital receptionist from Fulham, west London, snapped an arm rest as she fell on another passenger when she went back to her seat. Angered by crew refusing to serve her, she kicked the meal cart, splashing water on to another passenger. At Willesden Magistrates' Court, Neehal Patel, prosecuting, said Williams was so 'out of control' and she had to be restrained. Miss Lee fought back tears in court as she told how she felt 'degraded' by Williams's tirade of abuse on the flight. Children sitting next to Williams were crying and scared and a family moved to another deck to get away from her. She said: 'As the flight took off everything was smooth until after ten hours into the flight I came back from my break. 'Ms Williams became unruly and very abusive and started swearing. 'She used a lot of 'f***' words. She said: 'Give me a f****** coke', 'I want more f****** alcohol. 'She couldn't stand up properly and kept leaning to the side. She kicked my meal cart, the water on the cart spilled onto the passenger. 'I told her don't kick the cart so she started swearing. She said: 'You Malaysian pig, I f****** hate your country, you f****** idiot'. 'As I brought the cart back after serving the passengers she kicked my bum. 'It was very painful, I told my colleague to get the tape for her leg so she would kick me anymore. 'I had to stop for 15 minutes. It felt very degrading. The children were crying and were scared. She was crying for more wine.' Miss Lee (pictured) ought back tears in court as she told how she felt 'degraded' by Williams's tirade of abuse on the flight 'I had a lady and her daughter transferred to the upper deck because she was terrified.' Williams kept up the abuse even when her arms and legs were bound before falling asleep 45 minutes before landing. Police were ready when the plane landed at Heathrow, and Williams was still drunk despite her snooze. Williams was travelling alone on her way back from a holiday of a lifetime on the island of Langkawi. She denied the charges and said the Malaysia Airlines crew exaggerated her behaviour to justify restraining her. Mr Patel said: 'The captain escalated to stage three which means crew were ordered to physically restrain and she was handcuffed. 'They had to do this to maintain the safety of the aircraft which shows how destructive her behaviour was.' Giving evidence, Williams said she did nothing wrong and insisted the staff tied her up for no reason. She said she wasn't drunk despite having three glasses of wine and two glasses of champagne. Williams was looking for more alcohol while on board the Malaysia Airlines flight (pictured, Kuala Lumpur International Airport) Williams said: 'There was no reason for them to restrain me, no reason at all. They marched me to my seat. My hands were numb for three months. 'Every time I moved my wrists slightly it was excruciating pain.I asked if somebody could help me and I started to cry. Asked about whether she kicked Miss Lee she said: 'I was wearing socks it would have hurt my foot, I would have broken my foot I wouldn't dream of doing something like that. 'I know I wasn't drunk, I was at the police station when the police told me the story. I didn't know what they were talking about.' Williams also denied racially abusing Miss Lee during the flight. She said: 'I think I said to them their country is like a movie. I like the country.' Williams was convicted of beating Miss Lee, using threatening and abusive words or behaviour, racially aggravated harassment and entering an aircraft when drunk. Magistrate Andy Millen said: 'We heard evidence from Teoh Ming Lee, Intan Derwini and Shstri Ishak. 'They were cabin crew during the allegations which occurred and we found all three of gave clear compelling evidence which corroborated each other. 'Kylie Dark was a passenger, we heard her tape made of a lady shouting, using abusive language with a racial element. 'We heard Williams had denied all the charges and claimed that crew had her in restraints for no reason. 'She said she swore when she had been restrained and not before. 'Ms Dark's own children were affected and her daughter was very distressed. We find Ms Williams was drunk on the aircraft. 'The court finds the matter so serious that we don't believe we have sufficient sentencing powers and we therefore are doing to send it to the crown court.' Williams, who worked at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on a date to be fixed. A grandmother has claimed a mother who allegedly left her toddler in a hot car for almost half an hour' branded her a 'busy body' for reporting the incident. Dorothy Martin was shopping at Tesco in Whitehaven, Cumbria, when she spotted a young child lying exposed to the summer heat in the front seat of a Fiat. Believing the child to be 'at risk' without any parental supervision as the sun beat down on the car on Wednesday, the 60-year-old reported it to supermarket staff. Dorothy Martin was shopping at Tesco in Whitehaven, Cumbria, when she spotted a young child (pictured) lying exposed to the summer heat in the front seat of a Fiat When the child's mother finally returned to her car, Ms Martin claimed she was hit with a torrent of abuse - prompting her to share her ordeal online. The retired cook said that if people are shocked at dogs being left in hot cars, they should be even more outraged at this being done to a child. The mother of the child disputed the length of time the youngster was left for - and claimed it was nine minutes, not 25 minutes. Ms Martin said: 'I was shocked. The little lad was asleep through the whole incident. What if the child was locked in the car? He wasn't even strapped in. 'The sun was shining on his little face God bless him. It doesn't bear thinking about. Anybody could have taken that child out or driven that car away.' The grandmother claimed that another concerned bystander pushed his hand through the open window to flip down the sun visor in a bid to help the tot. Believing the child (pictured) to be 'at risk' without any parental supervision as the sun beat down on the car on Wednesday, the 60-year-old reported it to supermarket staff Ms Martin said: 'The windows were open. Nobody expected the woman to be over twenty minutes. I could have phoned the police. I'm just pleased it wasn't an hour because it was a very hot day.' When the mother reappeared, Ms Martin said she confronted her about the dangers of leaving a child unaccompanied. The pensioner said: 'I told her that she shouldn't have a child if she looks after them like that. Then she started shouting at me and she was very irate. 'I think it was embarrassment. She called me a 'busy body' but I've got broad shoulders.' Ms Martin claimed she approached Tesco customer services and asked them to make an announcement, but staff declined because the child was unaccompanied. However, instead, they spoke to the mother direct. Ms Martin said: 'I went to customer services to give the registration number. 'They said they couldn't give the registration over the Tannoy because there was a child in the car.' The mother of the child pictured confirmed she left the youngster in the car unaccompanied while she went into Tesco. When the child's mother finally returned to her car in this car park, Ms Martin claimed she was hit with a torrent of abuse - prompting her to share her ordeal online She said: 'It wasn't really anything that happened. The windows were down, the child was strapped in and I was less than five minutes while I popped into the shop. 'The lies some people are coming out with - I don't get it. I have heard the (claims of leaving child for 25 minutes) but that's nonsense.' But later on the mother claimed the length of time she left the youngster was around nine minutes. The top temperature in Whitehaven on Wednesday was 63F (17.2C). A Tesco spokesman said: 'Our customer service colleague acted immediately. 'They walked over to the car owner, having identified her in our store, to notify her and ensure the situation was resolved.' A Cumbria Police spokesman said: 'Cumbria Constabulary have received a report of concern for the welfare of a child in a car from a member of the public. 'The child is alleged to have been in the car unaccompanied on May 31 in the car park of the Tesco store on Bransty Row, Whitehaven. Enquires are at an early stage.' A Scottish Muslim convert has been arrested after allegedly posting a message blaming Britain for the Manchester Arena bombing. Hamza Siddiq - who was born Andrew Calladine - is said to have fled the small town of Kirkcudbright near Dumfries after infuriating locals with his radical views. The day after the Manchester bombing, he allegedly wrote on Facebook: 'I do not think the attack in Manchester was the best choice of action to take but I refuse to apologise for it or pretend I don't know the cause. 'The blame for it lies at the feet of the politicians, their police and their armies. It was an inevitable consequence of British foreign and domestic policy towards Muslims.' The 35-year-old has since been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and released pending investigation. Hamza Siddiq has been arrested after alleged comments blaming Britain for the Manchester bombings Siddiq was reportedly forced to flee his hometown in Scotland after the Facebook rant Last month, suicide bomber Salman Abedi murdered 22 people, including an eight-year-old girl whose injured mother has since woken from a coma to discover her daughter is dead. The day after the atrocity, a message on Siddiq's Facebook account blamed the UK for the attack and calling on Britain to release Muslim prisoners, 'stop spying on us' and 'stop allowing the insulting and mocking of Allah'. The post caused anger in the small town, which has a population of just over 3,000 people, and Siddiq was confronted in a local Tesco, the Daily Record reports. He is since understood to have fled to Nottingham and his controversial Facebook account has been taken down. Siddiq was born into a Christian family but converted to Islam after reading Malcolm X and the Koran. Siddiq was born Andrew Calladine into a Christian family. He converted to Islam after reading the Koran Photographs posted online have shown him handing out leaflets about Islam on the streets of Nottingham, where is understood to spend most of his time. A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: 'A man arrested on Friday, 26 May on suspicion of a Section 5 public order offence has been released under investigation. 'The 35-year-old was taken into custody and questioned by officers following alleged comments made on social media.' Ten men, aged between 18 and 44, remain in custody on suspicion of offences contrary to the Terrorism Act in related to the Manchester bombing. Six people - including a 15-year-old boy, a 34-year-old woman and four men - have been released without charge after being arrested by officers investigating the attack. Siddiq was reportedly confronted over his views in the small Scottish town of Kirkcudbright Earlier this week, police released further details about bomber Abedi, including that he had bought most of the key component parts of the suicide bomb in the few days before the attack. Many of his movements and actions in the four days after his return to the UK from Libya leading up to the May 22 atrocity were also carried out alone but detectives have not ruled out that he was part of 'a wider network'. There is no suggestion Siddiq is in any way linked to the attack. Radical Islamist parents in Austria are accused of forcing their five children to watch ISIS execution videos. The mother and father, 29 and 39, respectively, made their children watch the attacks to 'turn them into better jihadists', it is alleged. The pair, who have not been publicly named, appeared before a court in Graz, Austria, this week on abuse charges. The court heard how the pair took the children to Syria where they were then forced to watch gruesome beheading videos and ISIS battle scenes on a daily basis. The mother and father, 29 and 39, respectively, made their children watch the attacks to 'turn them into better jihadists', it was alleged in a Graz, Austria, court as they faced child abuse charges. Pictured above, a file photo of an IS member in Syria The parents then forced their eight-year-old son to partake in military weapons training for 'self defence' which they also joined in on. The father told the court that even children as young as six started training with replica firearms under ISIS tuition. Judges heard that some of the five children described the shocking videos as 'cool' while others found them 'gruesome'. Defence lawyers claimed that the family had only been visiting Syria on a 'holiday' but prosecutors proved that the dad had sold his car to fund the trip, and alleged this was evidence it was a 'planned trip' to get them infiltrated into the jihadi way of life. Prosecutors demanded: 'Do you sell your car before every holiday?' The court heard how the pair took the children to Syria where they were then forced to watch gruesome beheading videos (one pictured above) and ISIS battle scenes on a daily basis The dad claimed he had been 'hoodwinked' by a radical sect at his local mosque, saying: 'In the mosque I have heard that I can live in Syria in accordance with Islam, there is freedom for the wife and children.' He said he wanted to leave his old life behind, but be able to continue claiming Austria's generous social services benefits. And though he denies being an IS member, he admitted receiving a car, a flat and a job from the terror group. At several points in the hearing, he astonished the court by laughing at the evidence. He said: 'I am sorry, a lot goes through my head, what we had to do.' And the judge replied: 'And you laugh because of that?' The children's mother claimed she saw nothing wrong in her husband carrying a Kalashnikov assault rifle in front of their children. She said: 'Everyone had one.' The case continues this week. The is the bizarre moment a turtle fell from a 26th floor home and hit a car in southeastern China on May 29. The rear window was completely smashed and the car owner requested full compensation. Ms Hu, who bought the turtle a day before, refused to compensate to the car owner as she claimed the turtle 'escaped'. A dead Chinese softshell turtle was found next to the damaged Toyota in Ganzhou city, China The turtle fell from a tall building,breaking the rear window and crushing the roof of Toyota According to Kankanews, Ms Hu bought a Chinese softshell turtle on May 28 and put it in the kitchen at her home in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province. The next morning, she was notified by police that a turtle had hit a black Toyota Camry. Ms Hu, who lives on the 26th floor, explained that the turtle could have walked to the balcony before falling down from a gap between a glass shield. Video shows a completely smashed rear window and a crushed roof on the Toyota. Ganzhou policemen arrived at the scene and found a dead softshell turtle. They believed that the turtle fell from a high floor and so they decided to search from the 15th floor and above. The car owner reported the police and requested Ms Hu to pay a full compensation to repair Ms Hu (left) , living on the 26th floor, argued that she did not throw the turtle downstairs and refused to pay full compensation. The police found Ms Hu and the car owner, whose name has not been revealed, to negotiate terms of compensation. The car owner requested full compensation from Ms Hu, however, Hu refused. 'This is not my fault. It's not that I intended to throw the turtle. It fell off by itself,' said Hu in the video. The repair fee is estimated to cost more than a thousand yuan (114). Police officer, Peng Xiaoliang, suggested that they settle the case through legal procedures if both parties failed to agree. He also said there was no evidence found to prove Ms Hu intended to throw the turtle off the building. Softshell turtles are considered as a delicacy in regions of southeast Asia, where people usually cook them to make turtle soup. A woman has been left in a serious condition after three dogs savagely attacked her while running riot through an eastern Sydney suburb. The woman suffered bites to the legs, buttocks and arms during the mauling on Joffre Crescent in Daceyville around 1pm today. Officers from Botany Bay Local Area Command and NSW Ambulance paramedics attended the scene where the woman was treated before being rushed to Prince of Wales Hopsital in a serious condition. Witnesses at the scene revealed others close by heard the woman's screams and came to her assistance and pulled her to safety behind the railings of Daceyville Public School, 9 News reports. Scroll down for video A man escaped with minor injuries after he managed to pull himself onto the roof of his van and escape the savage dogs during their rampage in Daceyville on Friday Victim Ian managed to escape with just minor injures including this bite wound on his back. A 58-year-old was not so lucky and was taken to hospital in a serious condition. A man was treated for minor injuries at the scene after also being set on by the dogs. CCTV footage from a nearby property reveals the terrifying moment the three dogs surrounded the man and leaped at him, who only managed to evade the animals when pulling himself onto the roof of his nearby van. 'If I didn't know how to run and jump up on my car, I'd be gone,' victim Ian revealed. All three of the ferocious pets were eventually captured and were taken to St George Council pound. Shocked bystanders ran to the 58-year-old woman's rescue and managed to drag her to safety behind the railings of Daceyville Public School The three dogs were eventually caught and taken to St George pound, where Bayside Council revealed the dogs could be destroyed 'The dogs will be assessed, the nature of the dogs and then once we've determined that we will go ahead with whatever result we decide,' Sam Sliz of Bayside Council told 9 News. 'There is a possibility the dogs will be destroyed.' The inquiries of the police and council rangers into the incident are ongoing. Advertisement Summer got off to a soggy start today as humid air from France brought thunder and torrential downpours. The Met Office issued a weather warning for the South East with more than an inch of rain thought to have fallen within an hour in areas this afternoon - and motorists warned driving conditions could become tricky. Temperatures are set to reach 82F (28C) today as the warm weather continues - but those hoping for a repeat of last weekend's scorcher are likely to be disappointed, with the mercury set to dip from Saturday. A woman gets caught in the rain during a flash flood in East London this afternoon as an inch of rain fell in an hour A woman tries her best to avoid a puddle as she leaps across while the rain pours down over Oxford Street in Central London A woman covers her head as commuters, shoppers and tourists react to a sudden thunderstorm over Oxford Street today Racegoers shelter from the rain on Ladies Day during the 2017 Investec Epsom Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse today People shelter under umbrellas during a rain shower in Westminster this afternoon, as Big Ben is reflected in a puddle Two women laugh as they cross the road in the rain holding umbrellas during heavy downpours in London this afternoon People shelter during a rain shower in London today as many people are caught out despite the Met Office weather warning A woman looks up from her phone as she shelters under an umbrella while walking along Oxford Street in the rain today Three women shelter from the rain on Ladies Day during the 2017 Investec Epsom Derby Festival in Surrey this afternoon These two women improvised with a plastic sheet as they try to keep dry during the 2017 Investec Epsom Derby Festival Meteorological summer began yesterday with a top UK temperature of 78F (25.5C) at London Heathrow - but this was far off the hottest day of the year so far, recorded last Friday when Lossiemouth in Moray got to 85F (29.4C). But despite June's first day being bright and warm, there are no heatwaves on the immediate horizon. Muggy conditions overnight and thunderstorms today are expected to give way to milder conditions this weekend. A Met Office yellow 'be aware' weather warning is in place for parts of the South East and East of England from 1pm on Friday, including East Anglia, London, north Kent, East Sussex and Surrey. Most places might miss the worst of the rain but there could be some localised surface water flooding 'due to the intensity of the potential rainfall', forecaster Oli Claydon said. Difficult driving conditions may also arise. Racegoers use umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain at Epsom today as the afternoon is hit by downpours A group of women try to keep dry from the rain as they are caught out by a downpour at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon A group of women shelter under a picnic blanket that they probably had hoped they would be sitting on at Epsom Racecourse Racegoers use umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain at Epsom as the South East is hit by thunderstorms People shelter under umbrellas during a shower in London which saw up to an inch of rain fall in around an hour People shelter under umbrellas during the rain in London today with the Houses of Parliament visible in the background Tyler, six, and his brother Joseph, three, splash in the sea at Southsea today with friends Daniel, five, and Ethan (rear), 11 Merrisa (left), 11, and Morgan (right), 12, have fun in the sea at Southsea beach in Hampshire this afternoon People relax in the hot weather at Southsea beach in Hampshire this afternoon with the pier in the background Emily Trumpelmann enjoys the warm weather with her children (from left) Henry, Freddie and Olivia in Southampton today A labrador walks through some buttercups on Southampton Common in Hampshire this morning People enjoying punting on the warm weather on the River Cam in Cambridge today before the rain hits this afternoon Punting on the River Cam in Cambridge is a popular pursuit in the university city today - ahead of the rain this afternoon Mr Claydon said: 'In terms of the very mild conditions we saw towards the end of last week, we're unlikely to see a return to them, certainly for the next few days. 'By Saturday we are starting to see a reduction in those temperatures, temperatures feeling a touch cooler - probably more into the low 20s and the majority of the UK being in the teens.' The fresher conditions follow a spring which is likely to become one of the UK's hottest on record. Early figures show the average temperature for the UK at 9C (48.2F) - above normal by 1.3C. This is also not far off the hottest spring recorded in 2011, when average temperatures were 48.5F (9.2C). Northern Ireland is likely to have beaten temperatures from the record of spring 1945 when the average was 48.4F (9.1C). Very warm and humid air will bring the threat of thunderstorms with up to 1.2in of rain in an hour in this weather warning area Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later. A misty summer sunrise on the River Stour at Wimborne in Dorset today, one day after the start of meteorological summer A stunning sunrise is seen at the RSPB wetlands area at Church Norton near Chichester in West Sussex this morning A pretty view of the RSPB wetlands on the Sussex coast at dawn this morning, as the South East prepares for heavy rain today It's the real Flashman! Photographer snaps a striking image of a lightning bolt shaped like a giant MAN This is the electrifying image of a giant man made of lightning that dominated the skyline in a thunderstorm. The figure was captured by photographer Martin Dolan after he raced to a church near his home in the early hours to take shots of the incredible weather. He said: 'I was looking out the window when I saw a flickering. It didn't stop so I took a closer look, thinking it was a faulty street lamp. This electrifying image of a man made of lightning dominated the skyline above Knowlton Church in Dorset in a thunderstorm 'It took a good few minutes until my brain caught up with my eyes and I realised this was an approaching storm front. 'It's a four minute journey that felt twice as long, the bolts of lightening making me feel I was in an end scene from Back To The Future. 'One of the images I captured was of a massive lightning bolt in the shape of a giant. I couldn't believe my eyes.' Mr Dolan explained how he spent around 90 minutes at Knowlton Church in Dorset taking pictures of the explosive skies. Photographer Martin Dolan spent around 90 minutes at Knowlton Church in Dorset taking pictures of the explosive skies Last Saturday the South East of England was battered by a gigantic storm which let out a whopping 60,000 lightning bolts in one night. More adverse weather is set to bring over an inch of rain in an hour to parts of England this weekend. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for eastern parts of the country. Last week a group of friends filming a storm on Snapchat were left terrified when a lightning bolt struck the ground just metres away from them. University student Alex Sawyer, 23, and his pals avoided the strike by just 65ft (20m) - which made a huge crash as it hit a nearby house. US warships are carrying out training exercises close to the coast of North Korea along with the Japanese military for the first time in 20 years. But officials have claimed they are not attempting to intimidate Kim Jong-un's secretive state, amid warnings from China over provocation. The exercise came just two days after The Pentagon tested its missile capability by intercepting a fake nuclear bomb over the Pacific Ocean in response to claims the communist state is building its own long-range weapons. The two US aircraft carriers - the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Ronald Reagan - are taking part in three days of joint exercises, which began yesterday. Japan Air Self-Defense Force's F-15 fighter jets fly over U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, USS Ronald Reagan, right bottom, and USS Carl Vinson, right top Japan Air Self-Defense Force's F-15 fighter jets fly over US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during a Japan-U.S. joint training in the Sea of Japan It is the first such wargames held since the 1990s. David Helvey, senior adviser on Asia policy to US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, told reporters that the dual carrier exercise is not intended as a provocation. He called it routine but acknowledged that it is the first of its kind in about 20 years. The exercises are intended to reassure allies, he said, and to keep US forces ready for any crisis. 'This is not about sending a message directly to North Korea,' Helvey said, adding, 'I don't expect this to change North Korea's behavior.' The USS Carl Vinson (front) and USS Ronald Reagan are carrying out joint training in the Sea of Japan yesterday This image released by the US Navy shows the USS Ronald Reagan (front) and USS Carl Vinson (right, at the back) carrying out drills in the Sea of Japan In line with Mattis's emphasis on helping allies defend their own territory, the US has deployed a missile defense system in South Korea known as a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system. It is intended to protect South Korea from a potential North Korean missile strike. The new South Korean government has complained that it was not aware of the extent of THAAD deployments on its territory in recent weeks, but Helvey said the US had consulted with Seoul 'throughout this process' of deploying the THAAD. Captain Doug Verissimo, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, observes the Japanese Ship Hyuga, front, and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, rear, during a joint training in the Sea of Japan The training exercises comes days after the latest missile test was carried out by North Korea. This image, released on Tuesday, shows a ballistic rocket being test-fired through a precision control guidance system The exercises come days after the US Pacific Command reiterated its 'ironclad commitment' to protecting allies in South Korea in Japan following the launch of a short-range ballistic missile by Kim's regime. In April President Donald Trump declared that the US was sending an 'armada' to the Peninsula, in a statement which angered Pyongyang. It subsequently emerged that the USS Carl Vinson, a key component in Trump's fleet, was actually carrying out exercises with the Australian navy in the Indian Ocean thousands of miles away. In April President Donald Trump declared that the US was sending an 'armada' to the Peninsula, in a statement which angered Pyongyang North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has warned the secretive state will respond to US 'aggression' in the peninsula if it is attack The error emerged after the US Navy posted an image of the aircraft carrier in the Sunda Strait. Tensions are high in the Korean Peninsula, with the North this week accusing the US of conducting 'a nuclear bomb dropping drill'. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he intends to work with the US to deter North Korea. But China has urged restraint, calling on both sides not to engage in provocation. The Carl Vinson has been on high alert since April after missile launches by the secretive state, and has already taken part in drills with South Korean navy ships in waters off the Peninsula. The USS Carl Vinson was sent to the Korean Peninsula as tensions rose over North Korean posturing and missile testing in April. It is pictured on its way to carry out training exercises with South Korea The USS Ronald Reagan pictured in Yokosuka, Japan. It has been undergoing annual maintenance ahead of the exercises alongside the Japanese military The USS Ronald Reagan, pictured earlier this month, is taking part in drills alongside the Japanese navy in the Sea of Japan It has now been joined by the USS Ronald Reagan, which is back in operation following maintenance last month. The training exercises with the Japanese navy are believed to be scheduled to last several days. Washington described Thursday's drill as 'routine training'. 'The Ronald Reagan and Carl Vinson Strike Groups were joined by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) for routine training to improve interoperability and readiness in the Indo-Asia Pacific,' the US Seventh Fleet said on its Facebook page. Japanese military officials declined to comment on the drill. Navy spokesman Lt. Loren Terry told VOA that the operations in international waters have been designed to train commanders to respond to 'regional situations'. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (pictured with President Trump) has said he intends to work with the US to deter North Korea The USS Carl Vinson, pictured in April, has carried out operation drills with the South Korean military in recent weeks ahead of the wargames with the Japanese navy The USS Ronald Reagan (front) joined the USS Carl Vinson to take part in the drills in the Sea of Japan today He added: 'This unique capability is one of many ways the U.S. Navy promotes security, stability and prosperity throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific.' It is the first time in decades that two aircraft carriers have carried out drills close to North Korea, the US Naval Institute states. The United States currently has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea. The countries are bound by a mutual defense treaty 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 that it had conducted a joint drill with a US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber the previous day. The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, pictured in March, took part in joint training with the South Korean military ahead of the exercises alongside the Japanese navy North Korea's state media had earlier accused the United States of staging 'a nuclear bomb dropping drill'. The North's KCNA news agency reported on Tuesday that Kim had supervised the test of 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. On Tuesday, The Pentagon successfully tested a U.S. long-range interceptor missile over the Pacific Ocean. The exercise was aimed at seeing how ready American forces would be to counter a potential threat from North Korea. The US has hit out at North Korea over its weapons program, and on Tuesday images were released showing a missile launch held by the secretive state Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hua Chunying said: 'We have all been following how the situation on the Korean Peninsula evolves over the recent period of time, and hoping that tensions can be lowered, and that the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula can be brought back to the track of dialogue and consultation as soon as possible. 'The situation on the Peninsula is highly complex and sensitive. There is a window of opportunity for us to bring the nuclear issue back to the right track of dialogue and consultation. 'In this connection, we hope that all relevant parties would exercise restraint and do more to ease the tension and build up mutual trust, rather than provoke each other and escalate the tension.' United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DREW D. MANNS, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-4266 Decided: May 31, 2017 BEFORE: DAUGHTREY, KETHLEDGE, and STRANCH, Circuit Judges. OPINION Drew Manns pleaded guilty to four counts of mailing threatening communications and sending false information. He was sentenced to 51 months' imprisonment. Manns challenges the district court's application of a sentencing enhancement under USSG 3A1.2(a) and (b), which increased his total offense level under the Sentencing Guidelines by six levels. Because the district court properly applied the sentencing enhancement, we AFFIRM Manns's sentence. I. BACKGROUND In August 2014, Drew Manns was incarcerated in Ohio's Marion Correctional Institution, serving a five-year sentence for a state crime. On August 21, the Summit County Prosecutor's Office in Akron, Ohio, received an envelope addressed to its Criminal Division, with a return address from Robert Penn at Marion Correctional Institution. The envelope contained a letter with ANTHRAX!!! written across the top, and a message stating that the sender intended to murder the recipients with anthrax, apparently in retribution for giving the sender 15 years to life, back in August 1994. The envelope also contained a white powder. Two floors of the building were placed under lock-down procedures as the Akron Fire Department sent a Hazmat crew to secure the letter and substance. Upon testing the powder, the Akron Fire Department determined it to be a low-calorie sugar substitute. Marion Correctional Institution was contacted about the incident, and Penn was placed into segregation pending investigation. The following day, August 22, the Summit County Clerk of Courts' office received a similar letter, reading Anthrax across the top, with the same return address and white powdered substance inside the envelope. The Clerk of Courts underwent the same lockdown procedures and Hazmat protocols. The substance was once again found to be a low-calorie sugar substitute. When investigators interviewed Penn about the letters, he denied sending them or having any knowledge of their existence. Instead, he provided investigators with the name of another inmate: Manns. Penn believed Manns was upset with him, in part because of a dispute over an AVI vending card, which inmates use to purchase snacks. A few days after Penn's interview, an officer at Marion Correctional Institution received an anonymous letter under his door. In the letter, the writer stated that Penn had told him that he wanted to retaliate against Summit County, specifically through use of an anthrax letter. The writer also admitted to providing the sugar used to simulate anthrax. Upon a search of Manns's cell, a box of Sweet Sprinkles, a sugar substitute, was recovered, as well as a paper listing Penn's name, inmate number, and the words 11(vending card w/money 1//2 and 1//2). When investigators interviewed Manns, he stated that he believed that Penn had stolen his AVI vending card and that he had taken down Penn's information to file a grievance against him with the warden. Manns denied sending the letters to Summit County or writing them for Penn. The three lettersthe two Anthrax letters sent to Summit County and the anonymous letter left at Marion Correctional Institutionwere sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for forensic handwriting testing, along with samples from both Penn and Manns. A forensic examiner determined that all three letters matched the handwriting sample provided by Manns. Penn and Manns were interviewed again in November 2014. Penn told investigators that Manns had admitted to sending the letters because he wanted to get back at him and told Penn that he didn't believe it was going to become such a big deal. Manns denied telling Penn any such thing, and again denied sending the letters. He did, however, tell investigators that he had retaliated against other inmates and corrections officers in the past for what he perceived to be injustices committed against him. Investigative subpoenas were sent to Marion Correctional Institution for copies of emails and recorded telephone conversations by Manns for a period of time before the Anthrax letters were sent to Summit County. Emails between Manns and his fiancee, Pamela Nichols, revealed Manns's frustration and animosity towards an old guy in his bunk and at having his AVI vending card stolen. On August 13, 2014, a little over a week before the Anthrax letters were received in Summit County, Manns asked Nichols to look up information about Robert Penn, including the county he was from, his charges, his sentence, and how long he had been in prison. When Manns spoke with Nichols later that same night, she provided him with the requested information. On the morning of August 22, Manns wrote to Nichols: OH..i took care of that guy who stole my shit. Dont worry, nothing can come bk on me, i was careful and cautious about what I did. Manns was named in an indictment on May 6, 2015, charging him with two counts under 18 U.S.C. 876(c) for Mailing Threatening Communications and two counts under 18 U.S.C. 1038(a)(1) for sending False Information and Hoaxes. Manns pleaded guilty without a plea agreement. At sentencing, Manns's attorney highlighted the impact that Manns's physical and mental conditions have had on his life. Manns was born with significant birth defects as a result of his mother's use of Accutane, an acne medication, while pregnant. In particular, Manns suffers from Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, as well as behavioral and learning challenges. Manns was also born with Goldenhar's Syndrome, a condition that caused significant physical deformities at birth, including incomplete brain development, an asymmetric head shape, and the absence of his left ear. Manns had several reconstructive surgeries as a small child and experienced delays in motor development. In addition to these challenges, Manns has been diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. The district court agreed with Manns's attorney that these conditions constituted a significant cognitive deficit that has impaired [Manns's] ability to make good decisions. Manns's attorney also emphasized that Manns's physical conditions and small stature have made him the target of bullying throughout his life. He stated that Penn was one such bully, subjecting Manns to physical and emotional abuse while he was at Marion Correctional Institution. When Manns reported this abuse, the prison apparently told him that his only recourse would be to go into solitary confinement, which would cause him to lose visitation and other privileges. Instead, Manns chose the worst path, opting to attempt to frame Penn for the Anthrax letters to induce separation between them. Following the Pre-Sentence Investigation Report (PSR), the district court calculated Manns's total offense level to be 24, including a six level-increase based on the application of the enhancement under USSG 3A1.2, for Official Victims. The court reduced the total offense level to 21 based on Manns's acceptance of responsibility and timely guilty plea. The district court further reduced his total offense level by four points, pursuant to USSG 5H1.3 and 5H1.4, due to Manns's mental and physical conditions. With a total offense level of 17 and a Criminal History Category of VI, the district court calculated the sentencing range under the Guidelines to be 51 to 63 months. The district court sentenced Manns to 51 months, to run consecutively to his existing sentence for state charges. Manns now appeals his sentence, arguing that the district court erred in applying the Official Victim enhancement. II. ANALYSIS A. Standard of Review We review the reasonableness of a district court's sentence under the abuse of discretion standard. Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007). This deferential standard involves examining both the procedural and substantive reasonableness of a sentence. United States v. Erpenbeck, 532 F.3d 423, 430 (6th Cir. 2008). A sentence is procedurally unreasonable when the district court has committed a significant procedural error, such as failing to calculate (or improperly calculating) the Guidelines range, treating the Guidelines as mandatory, failing to consider the 3553(a) factors, selecting a sentence based on clearly erroneous facts, or failing to adequately explain the chosen sentence. Gall, 552 U.S. at 51. We review de novo a district court's application of the Sentencing Guidelines when that application involves mixed questions of law and fact. [and w]e review for clear error a district court's finding of fact in connection with sentencing. United States v. Stafford, 721 F.3d 380, 400 (6th Cir. 2013) (quoting United States v. Hayes, 135 F.3d 435, 437 (6th Cir. 1998)). The Government contends that plain error review applies to one of Manns's argumentsthat the sentencing enhancement should not apply because he was not motivated by the victims' status as government employeesarguing that the objection was not preserved. A party must object with that reasonable degree of specificity which would have adequately apprised the trial court of the true basis for his objection. United States v. Bostic, 371 F.3d 865, 871 (6th Cir. 2004) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). United States v. Simmons, 587 F.3d 348 (6th Cir. 2009), explains why. An empty objection, such as to the procedural aspect[ ] of the sentence, id. at 355, would limit the district court's ability to correct errors because it would penalize a party's specificity: vague responses would guarantee that any new objection made on appeal will be subject to a less deferential standard of review and specific responses would result in the forfeiture of all other objections that were not explicitly made, id. at 357. Where a party fails to object or does so at such a high degree of generality that the district court has no opportunity to correct its purported error and the court of appeals has been deprived of a more detailed record to review, plain error review will be applied on appeal. Id. at 358. The Bostic question aims for practical specificity and Manns's objection satisfies that goal. He identified the enhancement he objected to in writing, at the sentencing hearing, and in response to the Bostic question; he specifically highlighted reasons he thought the enhancement under USSG 3A1.2 did not apply. The district court had notice of Manns's arguments and an adequate opportunity to address them; the record is satisfactory for our review. Manns's objection to the use of the enhancement under USSG 3A1.2 at sentencing was sufficiently specific, and we apply de novo review to his arguments on appeal. B. Official Victim Enhancement Manns objects to the use of the sentencing enhancement under USSG 3A1.2(a) and (b), which increases a defendant's total offense level by six points: (a) If (1) the victim was (A) a government officer or employee; and (2) the offense of conviction was motivated by such status[;] (b) If subsection (a)(1) and (2) apply, and the applicable Chapter Two guideline is from Chapter Two, Part A (Offenses Against the Person). Manns concedes that at least one of the victims of his offense was a government officer or employee, and that the applicable Chapter Two Guideline is from Part A. He argues, however, that the enhancement should not apply because Manns's conduct was not motivated by the victims' status as government employees, that there was no specified individual victim, and because the victims were employees of the state, not federal, government. We examine each argument in turn. 1. Motivation of Manns's Conduct Manns first argues that the district court improperly applied the enhancement because his conduct was not motivated by the official status of the government employees, as required under 3A1.2(a)(2). Manns states that his conduct was motivated by a personal dispute with a private citizen, Penn, not the government status of the recipients. Manns points to the explanation in the Guidelines Commentary that the subsection means that the offense of conviction was motivated by the fact that the victim was a government officer or employee and would not apply, for example, where both the defendant and victim were employed by the same government agency and the offense was motivated by a personal dispute. USSG 3A1.2, cmt. 3. In United States v. Talley, 164 F.3d 989, 1004 (6th Cir. 1999), we determined that the enhancement in 3A1.2 was properly applied because the defendant knew that his intended victim was an FBI agent and his goal was to derail an ongoing federal investigation against him. Manns argues that his desire to get Penn in trouble and prevent any further bullying distinguishes Talley. But Talley provides support for use of the enhancement here because Manns also knew that the recipients were government employees, and his intention was to spur official action against Penn. The enhancement does not require that the defendant's conduct be motivated by personal animus against the government employee. Indeed, the Guidelines Commentary seeks to eliminate this possibility by providing that conduct motivated by a personal dispute, where the victim just happened to be a government employee, would not be covered by the enhancement. See USSG 3A1.2, cmt. 3. When addressing Manns's objection to the enhancement at the sentencing hearing, the district court stated that the issue is not [Manns's] intent; it is the logical implications and consequences of what he does. The court highlighted the reason why Manns sent the Anthrax letters to the Summit County Prosecutor's Office and Clerk of Courts: they knew about Penn, would trace the Anthrax letter to him, prosecute him again and get him out of [Manns's] hair. Manns specifically sent the letters to government offices that had a history with Penn, using Penn's name, to create problems for Penn. This is sufficient to show that Manns was motivated by the government status of the recipients. The Ninth Circuit came to the same conclusion in United States v. McAninch, 994 F.2d 1380, 1386 (9th Cir. 1993), a similar case in which the defendant sent threatening letters to President George H.W. Bush and signed the names of two men he was attempting to frame. The court rejected the defendant's contention that he was not motivated by President Bush's official status, finding that the letter referred to the President's official duties, and the purpose of the communication evidently was to implicate its purported author in unlawful activities that would attract the attention of the authorities. Id. Manns knew these specific government offices had been involved with Penn's case and he sought to attract their attention to Penn and create adverse consequences for him. The other cases Manns cites do not change our conclusion. To the contrary, they support the application of this enhancement to Manns because he sought to cause the government offices to take official action against Penn. See United States v. Conaway, 713 F.3d 897, 902 (7th Cir. 2013) (applying the enhancement where the defendant intended to influence the actions of various federal agencies by using specific threats that showed he anticipated a response from law enforcement); United States v. Bailey, 961 F.2d 180, 182-83 (11th Cir. 1992) (finding that the defendant was motivated by a federal mail carrier's official status when he sought money orders and knew that a mail carrier would be in possession of them). Manns also argues that Penn would have faced the same repercussions had Manns sent the threatening letters to private citizens. We do not share his certainty. As the Government points out, directing the letter to an office full of government employees against whom Penn could be expected to hold a grudge lent credence to the idea that Penn himself sent the letter, and also maximized the impact of the fake anthrax. Sending the letter and white powdered substance to a government office set off a logical chain of events leading to official consequences for Penn, including his rapid seclusion. The motivation for Manns's conduct was to punish Penn and have him removed from the prison's general population. The official status of the government offices was an integral part of achieving this goal. We find that Manns's conduct was motivated by the official status of the government employees who received the threat. 2. Specified Individual Victims Next, Manns argues that the sentencing enhancement was improperly applied because the letters were sent to government offices, not specified individuals as required by the Guidelines. Manns relies on the Guidelines Commentary, which states that the enhancement applies when specified individuals are victims of the offense and does not apply when the only victim is an organization, agency, or the government. USSG 3A1.2, cmt. 1. Manns asserts that the letters were addressed to the Summit County Prosecutor's Office and the Clerk of Courts' Office, not specified individuals. The district court rejected this argument at sentencing, determining that the letters were directed to the county prosecutor and clerk of courts, and the people employed by them. Moreover, they were received and opened by specific individuals. A threat does not need to be directed at a named individual to meet the requirements of the official victim enhancement. See United States v. Mattison, 946 F.2d 896, at *3 (6th Cir. 1991) (unpublished table decision) (finding that the enhancement applied when the defendant sent a letter to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee threatening to kill any United States Judge who violated his rights, because the letter specified an identifiable individual, i.e., that particular judge to whom the case would be assigned). Cases from other circuits have also held that the enhancement applies when a threat sufficiently specifies its intended recipient, even if that individual is not named. See United States v. Stover, 165 F.3d 22, at *2 (4th Cir. 1998) (unpublished table decision) (finding that the enhancement applied where the defendant sent a letter to the county prosecutor's office threatening to have two unnamed assistant prosecutors followed and beaten, because the letter sufficiently focused on the two prosecutors who had prosecuted the defendant); United States v. Polk, 118 F.3d 286, 298 n.10 (5th Cir. 1997) (declining to read specified individuals to require government employees to be named in a threat, and applying the enhancement where the record showed that the defendant intended to kill or injure federal employees who work in the IRS Center in Austin) abrogated on other grounds by Abramski v. United States, 134 S. Ct. 2259, 2273-74 (2014). Manns sent the letters to the Summit County Prosecutor's Office and Clerk of Courts' Office. The letters themselves referred to you bitches and you cowards, stated that you gave Penn 15 years to life, and threatened to kill those who killed Penn and made [him] sit behind [prison] walls. This presumably refers to the employees who were involved in Penn's case, and as the Government notes, are not rants against the government or criminal justice system in general. The letters referenced harm and violence towards the individuals within the prosecutor's and clerk of courts' offices that were involved in Penn's case, as well as the rest of the employees in the vicinity of the so-called anthrax. This is sufficiently specific to implicate the use of the enhancement. The case Manns primarily relies on in support of his interpretation, United States v. Schroeder, 902 F.2d 1469, 1471 (10th Cir. 1990), is inapposite. In Schroeder, the defendant, while on the phone with an Assistant United States Attorney, stated that it would be easy to get a gun and walk into a post office and start shooting. Id. at 1470. The Tenth Circuit determined that the enhancement under 3A1.2 did not apply because the Assistant U.S. Attorney had not received a threat to his person, and that to find an official victim for purposes of sentencing the victim must be one who is the object of a threat under these facts. Id. at 1471. The object of the threat was the post office; the U.S. Attorney was merely its recipient. Id. Manns analogizes these facts to his case, alleging that the individuals within the county offices that received the anthrax letters were only recipients. But the employees at the Summit County Prosecutor's Office and Clerk of Courts' Office were also the objects of the threat. The letters communicated violence toward the employees within the offices with sufficient specificity. Application of the enhancement was appropriate. 3. State Government Employees Finally, Manns argues that 3A1.2 only applies to employees of the federal government, not state and local government employees like those working in the Summit County Prosecutor's Office or Clerk of Courts' Office. He acknowledges that a previous version of the Guidelines explicitly stated that the enhancement applies to victims covered under 18 U.S.C. 1114 (which makes specific reference to federal employees) and that version was subsequently changed to encompass more federal employees. Manns argues that while the Guidelines now cover a broader range of federal employees, the language of the enhancement is not broad enough to cover state employees. Our precedent establishes that 3A1.2(a) applies equally to state and local government employees, including county government employees. See United States v. Hudspeth, 208 F.3d 537, 539-40 (6th Cir. 2000) (holding that federal criminal sentences may be enhanced pursuant to 3A1.2(a) if the underlying conduct was motivated by the victim's status as a state or local government employee). The district court properly applied the enhancement in this case. III. CONCLUSION For the reasons explained above, we AFFIRM Manns's sentence. FOOTNOTES . The text of the letter read:You bastards gave me 15 years to life, back in August 1994. It's now Aug 2014, for 20 fucken years, I've sat behind these bitch ass walls. Now ur niggaz time is up. You all will fucken die now. You bitches will remember this nigga. You bitches can't do shit else to me. I committed murda w/a gun, now I committed murder wit anthrax. You bitches killed me, now /'ma kill you. You can't give me any more time and you can't take away what this time took already. But I took ur niggaz life. Rest in piss bitches!!! . The body of the letter to the Summit County Clerk of Courts' office read:You bitches took my life. You gave me 15-life in Aug 94, it's now Aug 2014, for 20 fucken years, you cowards made me sit behind these walls, now I put you niggaz left in the ground. I killed by gun, now I kill by Anthrax. Rest in piss bitches!!! JANE B. STRANCH, Circuit Judge. Advertisement Prince William has paid tribute to the people of Manchester for their 'strength and togetherness' nearly a fortnight after the terror attack that left 22 people dead. In a book of condolence at the city's cathedral, the Duke of Cambridge wrote during his visit: 'Manchester's strength and togetherness is an example to the world. My thoughts are with all those affected.' The Duke spent the morning meeting first responders and members of the local community to thank them 'for their strength, decency and kindness' after the attack on May 22, Kensington Palace said. William also met Ventnor Brewer, studio manager of the Sacred Tattoo Studio in Chorlton, one of the tattoo parlours which has been offering bee tattoos to raise money for victims of the bombing. The Duke of Cambridge signs a book of condolence at Manchester Cathedral following last week's suicide bomb attack He wrote: 'Manchester's strength and togetherness is an example to the world. My thoughts are with all those affected' The Duke visited Manchester Cathedral, where he met volunteers and workers who had helped following the bombing Police officers sign the book of condolence at Manchester Cathedral after the visit by the Duke of Cambridge The 37-year-old said: 'I think everyone has conveyed to him the resilience of the city. There are some beautiful people here today and it's a privilege to share their stories.' Mr Brewer was asked by the Duke if his tattoos, which were visible on his neck, went 'all the way down' and replied: 'Pretty much.' William stopped first at the Greater Manchester Police headquarters to hear about the work of those who had been among the first on the scene. Later, he made a private visit to Manchester Children's Hospital to meet attack victims and their families. Some 22 people died and more than 100 were injured when, police believe, a device carried by Salman Abedi was detonated just as the first concertgoers were leaving Manchester Arena at the Ariana Grande gig. The 34-year-old prince met Chief Constable Ian Hopkins and was also told about the work that has gone on since to investigate the bombing and keep the public safe. William heard the harrowing tale of a police constable who tended to the sick and dying in the concert hall foyer while also looking frantically for his 15-year-old daughter. The Duke arrives at Greater Manchester Police HQ this morning (left) as he visits police officers were among the first to respond to the attack and later steps out of a car at Manchester Cathedral (right) to meet members of the local community William also met Steven Hawksworth (right), who was one of the first responders after the bombing in Manchester William stopped at the police headquarters to hear about the work of those who had been among the first on the scene Michael Buckley, 47, was off duty and waiting to meet his daughter Stephanie who had been at the concert with some friends. He couldn't get through to her on the phone. 'I wanted to know where she was and whether she was ok and then there were all these other people badly injured too,' Mr Buckley said. He eventually located Stephanie in a nearby hotel and was reunited in the early hours of the Tuesday morning. Mercifully she was OK after suffering some crush injuries, concussion and was 'very, very shaken,' he said. 'She ran to me but I couldn't hold her because I was covered in blood. I told her I have got other peoples' blood all over me,' the police constable said. Amidst the terror of not immediately finding his daughter he and other police officers first on the scene went from person to person. The Duke of Cambridge meets Chief Constable Ian Hopkins as he arrives at the Greater Manchester Police HQ The Duke of Cambridge meets those involved in the response of last week's deadly suicide bomb attack at Manchester Arena Prince William is speaking to police officers who were involved in the response to the May 22 attack at Manchester Arena 'There was one lady who died three times and we got her back three times and then we lost her the fourth time. It was very difficult,' Mr Buckley added. Alongside him was Chris Jenkins, a police community support officer, who said he was among the first there as he lives five minutes away. He heard the blast looked out of his window and saw the aftermath. He ran straight out to help. 'It was just absolute chaos with people running and screaming in different directions. I was just trying to feed back to comms what I was seeing and hearing. At the time you don't know the bigger picture.' The police officers said that William asked them whether they were also getting all the help they needed in terms of support for their own welfare too. Jenkins added: 'He was showing his respect and gratitude for what we did.' William also met Lisa Canovan, a call handler, who took one of the first calls. She said: 'He was asking about when the call came in and what it was like in the room. In the beginning, we were kind of hoping it was a hoax.' The Duke of Cambridge arrives at Manchester Cathedral to meet first responders and members of the local community The operation room took 89 emergency calls in the first 15 minutes. They had been expecting around 17. Ms Canovan, 37, has only been in the job for six months and said William 'was asking about the support she was receiving too'. William also met some of the first detectives in the scene and a police officer who responded from the street to dash to the scene. Chelsea Meaney, 26, a response officer, has only been in her post for 18 weeks. 'It was not what I was expecting,' she said of the first response. 'I had been told there were four injured people upstairs. It was a bit of a shock to the system but we didn't have much to think about it, we just had to help.' The 34-year-old Duke of Cambridge spent the morning meeting first responders and members of the local community The Duke of Cambridge speaks to those who responded to Manchester Arena following the terror attack last week At his second stop he met first responders and members of the local community who provided vital care and support to those affected by the attack, including representatives from St John's Ambulance, Northern Rail and the British Red Cross. The Duke later visited Manchester Cathedral, where he met volunteers and workers who had helped following the bombing. He praised the response of people in the city in the wake of the attack. Haseeb Khan, 23, who with twin brother Bilal delivered food and water to emergency workers the day after the attack, said: 'He said we were a shining light for the young Manchester community and I think those words will stay with me for a long time.' William was following his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II who made a visit to the city last Thursday, just three days after the attack. Then, as she chatted to youngsters in their hospital beds, she condemned the barbaric act as 'very wicked.' The Duke of Cambridge spoke to PC Michael Buckley (left), 47, who tended to the sick and dying in the concert hall foyer while also looking frantically for his 15-year-old daughter. William also met PCSO Christopher Jenkins (right), 29, who said he was among the first there as he lives five minutes away. He heard the blast looked out of his window and saw the aftermath William was told about the work that has gone on since the atrocity to investigate the bombing and keep the public safe Meanwhile Grande has arrived in the UK ahead of her benefit concert for the victims of the terror attack. The star will be joined by other musicians including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Take That and Miley Cyrus for the One Love Manchester event on Sunday. Proceeds from the concert will go towards the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund to support grieving families and victims of the bombing. The 40 tickets to Sunday's charity show at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground were snapped up in less than 20 minutes when they went on sale but it has since emerged that people are looking to cash in on the tragedy by selling tickets online at inflated prices. Some 22 people died when a device was detonated just as the first concertgoers were leaving Manchester Arena last week Jeremy Corbyn said two British cyber jihadis who recruited and fundraised for terror groups online had not 'done anything wrong', it can be revealed today. The Labour leader launched an astonishing defence of Babar Ahmad and Syed Talha Ahsan whose website was blamed for inspiring a generation of terrorists including the gang behind the July 7 bombings in London in 2005. Just weeks after they were extradited to the US to face justice in October 2012, Mr Corbyn called on Americans to 'get behind' the pair. They were jailed after admitting running Azzam Productions a website that raised money, recruited fighters and found equipment such as bulletproof vests and night vision goggles for the Taliban, Chechen mujahideen and other terrorist organisations. In October 2012 Jeremy Corbyn told the Islam Channel (pictured) two British cyber jihadis who recruited and fundraised for terror groups online had not 'done anything wrong', it can be revealed today The Labour leader launched an astonishing defence of Babar Ahmad and Syed Talha Ahsan in the 2012 interview (pictured) while he was an obscure back bencher Footage obtained by the Daily Mail shows Mr Corbyn defending the men and calling on during an interview on the Islam Channel. He said: 'The great tradition of civil liberties campaigning in the USA particularly by the black community, I hope they are going to get behind Babar and Talha and say 'hang on, these guys haven't done anything wrong'.' Ahmad was jailed for 12 and a half months and Ashan for eight years after they confessed to assisting the Taliban. Deirdre Daly, the US Attorney for Connecticut , told a court: 'They acknowledged that they solicited funds, recruited personnel and provided additional support for acts of terror, including efforts based out of the United States and solicitations for support that were specifically targeted at US residents.' In a statement to the court, Ahmad admitted that months after the September 11 terror attack he continued ti use his websites to enlist support for the Taliban from Muslims around the world. Judge Janet Hall, who heard the case, said: 'What these two men did was, they gave material support... they wanted material support to flow to the Taliban at a time when the Taliban was protecting Osama bin Laden, at a time when Osama bin Laden was planning and carrying out the 9/11 attacks.' A spokesman for Mr Corbyn (pictured today campaigning in York) said his defence of the man pre-dated the convictions According to prosecutors, Ahmad 'made efforts to secure GPS devices, Kevlar helmets, night vision goggles, ballistic vests, and camouflage combat suits' for terrorists overseas, while Ahsan 'did not dispute' that he travelled to Afghanistan to fight and attend al-Qaeda terrorist training camps. Mr Corbyn's campaign has been repeatedly marred by the exposure of his links to terror groups including Hamas and the IRA. A Labour spokesman last night said: 'Jeremy's comments predate the convictions and the concerns he was expressing about detention without trial and extradition were echoed by others including Zac Goldsmith.' Shocking: Police in an area where a gang of Asian men led by drug-dealer Arif Chowdhury (pictured) repeatedly raped a 13-year-old are investigating 179 new sex crimes Police in an area where a gang of Asian men were jailed for repeatedly raping a 13-year-old white girl are investigating 179 new sex crimes involving 165 suspects, it was revealed today. West Yorkshire Police have said today that more than 100 young victims are being supported in Keighley and Bradford. The force says there are 179 crimes where child sexual exploitation is believed to be a factor under investigation in the city. Local child safety campaigner Angela Sinfield has said the 'number is too high' and believes it is probably far higher because many victims do not come forward. 'It should not be down to that child having to make the complaint. At the moment, if the child refuses to give evidence then the case doesn't come to court,' she told the Keighley News. 'One of the biggest problems is that these children don't see themselves as victims. They'll say that these men are their "boyfriends', even when these are much older, married men'. Khalid Mahood (left), 34, was given an extended sentence of 17 years and Saqib Younis (right), 29, from Keighley jailed for 13 years at Bradford Crown Court Faisal Khan (left), 27, from Keighley was jailed for 13 years at Bradford Crown Court and Sufyan Ziarab (right), 22, from Keighley, Yorkshire, for 15 years Tanqueer Hussain (left), 23, from Keighley was jailed for 13 years and received a five year consecutive sentence for the rape of a second underage victim. Bilal Ziarab (right), 21, from Bradford, was jailed for 12 years Last year a gang of 12 Asian paedophiles from the area were jailed for 143 years after they passed a 13-year-old girl around for sex, with men queuing up to rape her. Drug dealer ringleader Arif Chowdhury - who is on the run - and his friends terrorised the vulnerable teenager and orchestrated most of the other sex attacks by Asian men he knew. Chowdhury, 20, who would rape the schoolgirl while laughing in her face, managed to fly to Bangladesh while on bail in 2012 - a country with no extradition treaty with Britain. Most of the jobless paedophiles led a 'feckless and unattractive' life, smoking drugs and hanging around in an underground car park, their trial judge said. When Chowdhury offered the vulnerable teenager up as a sex object, the men lined up and raped her time and time again. Judge Thomas said: 'She clearly demanded pity and understanding but their view of her was heartless and demeaning. 'They showed her no shred of decency or humanity when, as a vulnerable child, she so needed care and understanding.' Yasser Kabir (left), 25, from was jailed for 15 years and Nasir Khan, 22, from Keighley, was jailed for 13 years Mohammed Akram, 63, was jailed for five years for rape at Bradford Crown Court and Hussain Sardar (right), 19, from Keighley received six years detention in a young offenders institution Israr Ali (left), 19, from Keighley, received three and a half years detention and Zain Ali, 20, from Keighley, received eight years, both in a young defenders institute During the trial, the jury heard how Chowdhury regularly beat the girl. Some of the sex assaults took place on an old sofa in a disused underground car park. On another occasion, five men raped her in succession in the street. Even if Chowdhury was not present, the threat of what he might do was enough to ensure the terrified girl did not flee. Throughout her ordeal, she was known to the police and social services. One social worker even took her to have a contraceptive coil fitted at the age of just 14. The ringleader of the Rochdale child sex ring Shabir Ahmed is continuing to fight his extradition to Pakistan Eventually in May 2012, she was put in care. Now aged 18, she told in a statement how she still suffered from the physical and mental effects of her ordeal. A local councillor later caused outrage after appearing to dismiss the scandal. Although he condemned the gang Zafar Ali said: 'It takes two to Tango, there are bad apples, but it doesn't mean to say everyone is bad. 'There is some feeling from some people that she played her part in it, the victim had a part to play, I couldn't make any comment on that but it's not widespread.' The case echoed the abuse of young girls by Asian grooming gangs in Rochdale and Rotherham, where police ignored vulnerable victims and avoided arresting predominantly Asian men fearing they would seem racist. The ringleader of the Rochdale child sex ring is continuing to fight his extradition to Pakistan at taxpayer expense. Shabir Ahmed - who told his victims to call him 'daddy' - was the head of the gang portrayed in the shocking BBC drama Three Girls last month. As the programme shone a further spotlight on the scandal, it emerged that Ahmed - who was jailed in 2012 - is still trying to stay in Britain. (Left to right) Adil Khan, Abdul Aziz and Qari Abdul Rauf are also fighting deportation Ahmed, a Pakistani who acquired British citizenship by naturalisation, was set to be removed from the UK following his conviction for the sickening crimes. He, along with at least eight others, plied girls as young as 13 with drink and drugs before 'passing them around' for sex, their trial heard. Earlier this year, immigration judges rejected claims that removing them from the UK would affect the welfare of their children. He said he was convicted by 'eleven white jurors', adding: 'It's become fashionable to blame everything on Muslims these days.' Three times married Ahmed told the court he had four children living in the UK, had lived here for nearly 50 years and had 83,000 in a UK bank account. Ahmed was jailed for 30 rapes after he and his gang groomed girls in Rochdale (pictured) Of the nine men convicted over the scandal in 2012, only Shabir Ahmed, 64, who was caged for 22 years, and Mohammed Sajid, 40, who was jailed for 12 years, remain behind bars. Mohammed Amin, 50; Abdul Qayyum, 49; and Hamid Safi, 27, were all jailed for five years or less and have now completed their sentences. Adil Khan, 47; Abdul Rauf, 48; Abdul Aziz, 46; and Kabeer Hassan, 30, are all believed to have been released on licence after going beyond the half-way point of their sentences. The other three mounting the case against deportation are Adil Khan, Abdul Rauf and Abdul Aziz. Dozens of discs of compacted trash washed up on the shores of North Carolina's Outer Banks in May. On Thursday, the US Navy reported that two Virginia-based sailors were behind the litter; the duo had reportedly been throwing the trash overboard from their ship. The dics came from USS Whidbey Island, a landing dock ship based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, WAVY-TV reported. The garbage was first discovered by Outer Banks residents last month. Video from WVEC The Navy reported on Thursday that two Virginia-based sailors are behind dozens of discs of compacted trash found in the Outer Banks Local resident Heather Cremia found 17 of the roughly 60 that were thrown overboard, along with several bullet-riddled plastic drums that the Navy has not yet claimed responsibility for. A perfectly sealed Navy document can be seen pressed in the center disc A Navy team visited Cremia and picked up the stack of discs she had found Kill Devil Hills resident Heather Cremia said she collected 17 of them by her home, but it is estimated that up to 60 were thrown overboard. In a post on social media, Cremia said she realized where the trash was coming from after spotting a particularly obvious clue: a document from the Navy perfected pressed inside a disc. 'I was hesitant at first to point the finger without solid evidence,' she wrote on Instagram. 'But then it was handed to us on a stinky plastic platter. Paperwork from the U.S. Navy sealed inside one of these discs! Thanks so much for being extra irresponsible!' Along with the discs, Cremia said she has found several bullet-riddled plastic drums dotted along the beach, but the Navy has not yet claimed responsibility for them. A Navy team visited Cremia and picked up the stack of discs she had found. It is common practice to compress plastic waste into discs for easy storage until ships reach port, but throwing trash overboard violates Navy policy and environmental regulations. The Navy says appropriate action will be taken regarding the two sailors. A neighbour from hell whose lies to police left an innocent woman next door without a home or job has been jailed for 15 months. Scheming Mark Webb, 42, told police that Frances Avis, 33, had smashed up his Jaguar in October 2015 and threatened to burn down his house. He claimed she then penned five menacing letters to him and his wife Susan warning them not to 'grass' and taunting: 'I will always have the last laugh.' Ms Avis, of Bath, Somerset, denied harassment and criminal damage but was found guilty and handed a 24-week suspended sentence and fined 1,904 last year. Mark Webb (pictured) lied to police and said that his neighbour had smashed up his Jaguar car and threatened to burn his house down Frances Avis, of Bath, Somerset, (pictured) denied harassment and criminal damage but was found guilty by magistrates The healthcare assistant lost her job as a result, became homeless and was branded a 'psycho house burner' by other neighbours who abused her in the street. But she continued to protest her innocence and the conviction was quashed after a policeman noticed the writing on the letters matched that on a compensation form filled in by Webb. The nightmare neighbour was jailed for 15 months after admitting that he lied all along and pleading guilty to four counts of perverting the course of justice. Judge William Hart said: 'This was a serious and blatant effort by you to pervert the course of justice by dishonestly fabricating letters that strikes at the heart of our justice system. 'This was a calculated, deliberate and persistent course of conduct by you and it resulted in a substantial waste of police and court time. 'It was a wholesale attack upon the criminal justice system.' Webb, 42, (pictured with his wife Susan) has been jailed for 15 months after admitting he had been lying to the police Judge Hart also banned Webb from contacting Frances for ten years and said there was 'no stain at all' on her character. Bristol Crown Court heard previously that Frances got on with Webb and his wife until they fell out over the couple's Jack Russell, which she used to walk in the park. She bonded with the dog and said Webb would ask her to take it out regularly, but when she told him she had other commitments his attitude towards her changed. Frances claims Webb warned her to stay away from the pooch as it was 'getting too attached to her'. Soon afterwards, cunning Webb accused Frances of smashing the front and rear windscreens of his Jaguar and said the damage racked up to 1,123. In October 2015, he wrote a threatening letter signed off 'Fran' with a smiley face, addressed it to himself and his wife and posted it through his letterbox. It read: 'Mark and Susan you never learn. I warned you last time and you got me arrested again. They will release me again you idiots, you won't win. Webb (outside his home) claimed Ms Avis penned five menacing letters to him and his wife Susan warning them not to 'grass' - but was lying 'I will always have the last laugh. Soon you will be burned out and you will be homeless too. Retribution, ha ha.' In another note he claimed to have received, Webb wrote: 'Ha ha, how does it feel? You made me lose everything. Your pride and joy Jaguar has been destroyed. 'I said you would be homeless soon by flames and that is next. Don't grass me up this time or else.' Webb reported the imaginary harassment to police and in court Frances' solicitor warned it would be a 'massive miscarriage of justice' to convict her. But Bath magistrates ignored him, with chairman of the bench Jeremy Madams concluding: 'We find it significant that only she would have the motive to send them.' Frances retorted from the dock: 'You have all got to apologise when you realise it's not me who's been doing, it's them.' Prosecutor Sam Jones said the conviction had a 'profound impact' on Frances, and praised the 'good old-fashioned policing' that noticed the handwriting match. Mr Jones described the crime as a 'calculated, cunning and conceited' attempt to pervert justice which struck at the 'heart of the criminal justice system'. Simon Goodman, defending, admitted Webb had shown 'no remorse' and said he suffers from an 'intellectual deficit' and a personality disorder. He said: 'I cannot put forward remorse when it doesn't exist. He is a man who does not process well and acts impulsively.' Fitler Academics Plus School principal Anthious Boon was hit in the head by a brick thrown by a student A Philadelphia principal was hit in the face with a brick after trying to break up a fight. Fitler Academics Plus School principal Anthious Boone was trying to stop a brawl Wednesday between students from his school and others from the nearby Mastery Charter school Philly.com reports. Robin Cooper, president of Commonwealth Association of School Administrators Local 502, said Boone was then viciously attacked when he tried to step in. 'They beat the crap out of him,' Cooper said. 'They hit him in the face with a brick. They ganged up on him.' She said that the principal's injuries are a symptom of wider issues at the school. There is also no full-time police officer, who could have helped to calm the situation. 'There are not enough safety resources,' she said. 'The principal has to jump in and stop fights, and he can't protect everybody alone. We just want safe schools.' Boone was rushed to an emergency room for his injuries and symptoms which included blurry vision, a scratched eye and headache. Boone received eight stitches and is recovering at home. According to the police complaint, an unknown male student punched Boone in the eye, causing a cut. The police report did not mention a brick. The president of the union that represents principals blames the assault on a lack of school safety resources, such as a full-time school police officer. The fight occurred when students from Mastery Charter Schools provoked those from the Fitler Academics Plus School in Germantown (pictured) A spokesman for the Philadelphia School District says the system is sending additional safety support to Fitler. Mastery officials say they have identified three of the students involved in the attack and they could face expulsion. Lee Whack, a Philadelphia School District spokesman, said the school system was providing additional safety support at Fitler. It has also been in touch with Mastery to try to prevent future incidents. The additional officers will remain at the school through the end of the year, Whack said. 'The safety of our students, staff and principals is always a top priority,' Whack said in a statement. 'Violence of any kind at our schools is unacceptable.' A drug addict who bashed his mother and a young relative to death during a rampage fuelled by a cocktail of drugs has been sentenced to a maximum of 40 years in jail. Lance Rhodes, 36, will remain in prison for a minimum of 30 years following the decision at NSW Supreme Court on Friday. Justice Stephen Campbell said that Rhodes was deep inside an 'ice-induced psychosis' when the 'terrible events' on September 8, 2015 unravelled, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. 'No matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring back two beautiful people we have lost,' the killer's sister and victim's daughter Tina Rhodes told media after the sentencing. Scroll down for video Lance Rhodes, 36, has been sentenced to a maximum of 40 years behind bars after murdering a child and his mother, 63 in a drug-fuelled frenzy in his mother's Sydney home in 2015 He killed both of them in a frenzied attack outside his mother's home in Lalor Park, in Sydney's west. He is pictured here shortly after the rampage in September 2015 The killer's sister and victim's daughter Tina Rhodes spoke to media following the decision and appeared distraught following the double murder in September 2015. Lance Rhodes murdered his mother (centre) during a drug-fuelled rage at her home in Lalor Park, Sydney In the moments prior to the double murder, Lance Rhodes chillingly declared: 'We're going to have some fun tonight.' He then pursued his mother outside of their Sydney home and stabbed her repeatedly. He then proceeded to bash her over the head with a 28-kilogram statue, which broke her skull and caused severe head injuries. The horrific details of his attacks were revealed in an 'agreed facts' document presented to the NSW Supreme Court last month at his sentence hearing. The 36-year-old had pleaded guilty to murdering a child and his mother, 63-year-old Linda Adams, outside her Lalor Park home, late on September 8, 2015. After attacking his mother, Rhodes moved back inside the house where he informed the eight-year-old child: 'If you move, talk or speak, I'm going to stab you with this knife.' Rhodes then stabbed the child and repeatedly slammed the child's head against a wall before striking him in the face with a piece of sandstone. As he moved to the back door, Rhodes said: 'Die, just f***ing die. I don't care.' Rhodes was found to have cannabis and ice in his system and told police he had been drinking. He chased his mother outside the house, stabbed her and repeatedly hit her with a 28-kilogram statue Rhodes then grabbed and stabbed the child, before bludgeoning him with a rock Prosecutor Terry Thorpe said there was no doubt 'there was a degree of intoxication' involving ice and possibly with alcohol when Rhodes launched the sustained and ferocious attack. Six victim impact statements were heard last month including one from his niece, Hayley Rhodes, who was only 19 when she had witnessed the brutal attacks. He had come home late and told her: 'We're going to have some fun tonight', to which she replied, 'Whatever.' After she heard her grandmother screaming, she saw her uncle standing over her with a knife and yelled at him: 'Lance, what's wrong?' 'They're in the house. They're in the house,' he replied. Horrific details were presented to the NSW Supreme Court during his sentencing He picked up a large piece of sandstone and using both hands, repeatedly struck the child's face, causing extensive head injuries When she asked who, he said: 'Don't worry, I'll get rid of them.' Ms Rhodes told the court she didn't think her uncle would ever understand the horror of what he'd done. 'The only person who had ever really loved and cared about him, his own mother, and he killed her.' Ms Rhodes said she lived in a constant state of fear and can never let her guard down. 'There are times when I wish Lance would have killed me that night,' she said. An uncle was someone 'you should be able to trust, who was supposed to protect you' but he had now 'ruined so many people's lives, including his own'. The murders had left her with horrifying nightmares, panic attacks and flashbacks, and a feeling of constant exhaustion, she said. Rhodes can apply for parole following his 66th birthday. A man has been charged with triple murders after the bodies of a woman and two children discovered at John Lennon's former home. Sami Salem, 30, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today after he was arrested on Tuesday when police were called to a ground-floor flat in Toxteth, Liverpool just after 7.30pm. Their bodies were discovered that evening after police were called following concerns about the welfare of the ground floor flat's occupants. Forensics teams have been seen inspecting a home in Merseyside as part of a murder probe into the deaths of a woman and two children Salem, of Falkner Street, who spoke only to confirm his details and that he understood the proceedings. HIs lawyer Andrew Costello did not apply for bail and Salem was further remanded in custody until June 30 when he is expected to enter his pleas via video link before the Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Clement Goldstone, QC. Judge David Aubrey, QC, fixed a trial to begin on November 14 before Mr Justice Edis. Following his arrest, Salem was taken to hospital, but discharged on Wednesday afternoon. Senior prosecutor David Jones said: 'Following a review of the evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised Merseyside Police to charge Sami Salem, 30, of Falkner Street, with the murder of all three people.' The building where the victims were found is John Lennon's former home, where the Beatle and his wife Cynthia lived in the early 1060's, in a flat owned by Beatles manager Brian Epstein. The teams have been spotted using specialist equipment, left and right, as part of their examination of the scene Police confirmed they were carrying out tests on an unknown 'substance' found at the home, pictured Emergency services rushed to the incident in Toxteth, Merseyside, with much of the road shut off Earlier this week a witness reported hearing a 'female screaming like no other' from a ground-floor flat on Falkner Street, Toxteth, at around 7.30pm on Tuesday night. Neighbours said a family lived at the property and that it was previously home to John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia in the 1960s. The property is regularly visited by Beatles fans on tours of the city because the band's manager, Brian Epstein, had owned a flat there, where Lennon lived with his first wife Cynthia shortly after they married. Residents in the street were evacuated from their homes at about 7.30pm on Tuesday due to concerns over a gas leak. Forensics teams have been seen inspecting the property in protective clothing and gas masks with police confirming tests are underway on a 'substance' found at the home. A 'fuel leak' was reported in the area with fire and rescue teams pictured wearing oxygen tanks and face masks A Toyota Yaris with a smashed window, pictured, was later towed from the scene Neighbours said the property was regularly visited by Beatles fans on tours of the city as the band's manager Brian Epstein owned the flat. One man, who did not want to be named, said: 'The tourist tours are always stopping at the house because John Lennon used to live there.' He said a family with two young children had lived in the flat. He said: 'I didn't know them, I just knew there was a family living there. The children were toddler age.' Driver Jay Riley, 67, stopped outside the property while taking tourist David McGann, 35, from Melbourne, on The Beatles Fab Four taxi tour on Wednesday morning. He said: 'This is where John and Cynthia, his first wife, spent their honeymoon and this is where he wrote the song Do You Want to Know a Secret. 'The reason he wrote the song Do You Want to Know a Secret is because this was Brian Epstein's secret apartment. 'Brian Epstein was gay and up until 1967 in England it was illegal to be gay. This is why it was called his secret apartment.' Another man, who did not want to be named, said: 'I heard screams - it was screams that make you sit up and go outside to see what's going on. It wasn't a scream of joy.' He added: 'They were female screams and it was continuous, that's what made me go outside. 'It was a scream like no other. It will stay with me for a while, to be honest.' A cordon remains in place at the flat, where neighbours say a 'family with toddlers' lived A police spokesman said tests were being carried out on a substance located at the scene A cordon remains in place in the street this morning, pictured, with ambulances still on the scene Police remained at the scene throughout the night and a 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder Earlier this week, neighbours spoke of their distress after learning the news. Mr Black, 52, said: 'When kids are involved it's very upsetting.It was early on in the evening and there was some kind of commotion going on. 'Two weeks ago I heard shouting and screaming and I came out on my veranda. I thought there was someone fighting on the stairs.' Speaking about the man arrested, witnesses described him as 'polite and amicable'. The woman and children have yet to be formally identified by police. Mr Black said: 'I saw the kids whenever they ran past my house.' A neighbour, who only wished to be known as Sophie, said on Wednesday: 'Last night somebody's car went screeching past with two kids in the front and two kids in the back. 'I came round and the two kids were still in the car with the passenger but the driver had gone. 'I could hear screaming. I presumed the driver had gone into the house at that point.' Neighbour Glenn McLean, a 66-year-old pensioner, said: 'At 7.30pm we were told to leave quite forcefully. We were told there was a gas leak. 'I had just got in when that happened and then the night unfolded.' The property is believed to be the former home of John Lennon and first wife Cynthia, who lived there in the 1960s when it was owned by The Beatles's manager Brian Epstein Police said they believed the incident was 'domestic-related' and confirmed they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths Many residents were evacuated on Tuesday night but those living in odd-numbered houses were eventually able to return home Concerned residents were out in the street on Tuesday night as the huge incident unfolded Residents were evacuated from their homes earlier on Tuesday evening over concerns about a fuel leak. A police spokesman said tests were being carried out on a substance located at the scene. A Home Office post mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death. House to house inquiries are underway and detectives are appealing for anyone who may have information to get in touch. Police closed the street and urged people in neighbouring roads to remain indoors and keep windows closed. Those living in odd numbered houses were eventually allowed to return to their homes, Liverpool Echo reporter Jenny Kirkham said on Twitter. She added: 'Police can be seen removing evidence from a house at the junction of Falkner Street and Catherine Street.' A married doctor faces being struck off and deported after after he was found guilty of repeatedly groping a patient's breasts while working at a hospital A&E unit. Syed Bukhari, 35, molested the 28-year old woman twice in two days while she was being treated for chest pains and palpitations when he deliberately 'targeted' her during his rounds. The unnamed woman was left embarrassed and distressed after Bukhari fondled and cupped her breasts in his hands in a 90 second 'massages' then touched her legs and placed his hand beneath her underwear whilst asking her whether was in pain. Syed Bukhari, 35, was found guilty of molesting a female patient at a misconduct tribunal ordered by the General Medical Council The doctor also gave her his yahoo email address, tried to send her an email, asked where she was lived and whether was taking contraception and told her: 'We'll be friends forever.' Now Bukhari, who arrived in Britain from Pakistan with his college student wife in 2010, faces being deported back to his native country after being found guilty of all charges and could be struck off. The patient, known only as Patient A, made a complaint after feeling 'uncomfortable and nervous.' She said: 'I spoke to a nurse and asked her if the doctor coming to see me was a nice doctor because I felt uncomfortable with the previous one. I was quite tearful and upset. 'You just put your trust in a doctor, I assumed he was doing what he had to do. After he left I said to the other girls in the ward that I was really uncomfortable and he was in my pants and everything and they said "that's not right".' Bukhari was initially reported to police but after he was cleared of wrongdoing as a criminal he was ordered to face a misconduct tribunal by the General Medical Council. At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester he was found guilty of all charges. The hearing was told the loss of his medical career would mean he now could be deported by the Home Office. The incidents occurred in July 2013 when the woman known as Patient A had been admitted to the A&E unit at Wishaw General Hospital in Craigneuk, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was lying in bed on the Emergency Care Unit dressed in her pyjamas and shorts when Bukhari, who had been working as a a doctor at the hospital for 14 months, arrived and closed the curtains around her saying he needed to examine her. In a statement Patient A said: 'Dr Bukhari asked me to sit back and then proceeded to lift up my pyjama top exposing my breasts. He then moved his hands from the centre of my chest and proceeded to cup both my breasts with his hands and moved his hands in a circular motion. 'It felt as though Dr Bukhari was massaging them. He then pulled the blanket back, which had been covering my bottom half, and placed his hands on my shins and underneath my calves and asked me whether it was sore here. 'I informed him that there was no pain in my legs and he proceeded to move both his hands up my legs again asking whether there was any pain. I was wearing pyjama shorts which were very loose and Dr Bukhari moved his hands right to the top of my thighs, inside my pyjama shorts.' The incidents occurred in July 2013 when the woman known as Patient A had been admitted to the A&E unit at Wishaw General Hospital in Craigneuk, North Lanarkshire, Scotland She said the doctor visited her again that same day and added: 'Dr Bukhari then stated that he was going to give me his email address so that I could keep in contact with him. I was shocked and confused by this as I have never been given an email address by a doctor before, so I let Dr Bukhari write his email address down on a piece of paper which I think he tore from his notebook and he then gave this to me and left.' The following day the woman was waiting to see a heart specialist when Bukhari arrived at her bedside asked her why she had not been discharged and closed the curtain around her bed again. She said: 'I recall that he said something about an ECG I had being abnormal and then he started to examine me from the side of the bed. Dr Bukhari placed his hands on my neck and gently massaged it with his hands and asked me whether it was sore. 'I informed him that my neck wasn't sore and he then asked me to lie down. I was wearing my pyjamas and had no bra on underneath. Dr Bukhari then lifted my pyjama top up so that my breasts were exposed and examined them again. The examination felt different to the earlier breast examination I had from him, in that his fingers pressed into my breasts and my armpits and they weren't massaged as it had felt earlier. 'Dr Bukhari then lifted my breast with his hand and pressed underneath it. He then did the same with my other breast and then pulled my top back down, covering my breasts. Dr Bukhari then asked me whether I had any pain in my legs I informed him that I did and that I had mentioned this to him before. 'Dr Bukhari then grabbed my ankles, which weren't covered and pressed my legs all the way up to my groin area. I had my pyjama shorts on and he did not go under them this time. After he had finished examining my legs, he told me to touch him where the pain was on my back. At this point I was sitting up in bed and he turned around and I touched the top of his back. 'Dr Bukhari then turned around and stood behind me where he again lifted my top, exposing my breasts and then felt my back. He then moved his hands round to my front and cupped my breasts with his hands. 'Dr Bukhari was feeling around them and asking me if they were sore, kept telling him 'no' until he moved his hands to underneath my armpits where I informed him I was tender and pointed to the area. Dr Bukhari then felt underneath my armpits and then moved his hands back to my breasts, again asking whether I was sore here. I informed Dr Bukhari that I was only sore underneath my armpits where I had pointed.' The examination ended when Bukhari was paged but he returned ten minutes later to take Patient A's blood pressure and was seen sat at her bedside 'musing' to himself: 'What to do, what to do?' Patient A said: 'He said that he didn't live far from me and we engaged in a short conversation about a Tesco and a mosque near him. I informed Dr Bukhari that I lived with my partner and then he asked me whether I used contraception. I informed Dr Bukhari that I didn't use contraception as my partner and I were trying for a baby. 'After he had finished taking my blood pressure, Dr Bukhari said to me 'I'll take your email'. I was taken aback by this and did not want to be rude so I pretended to look through my mobile phone and I wrote down a fake one and then gave this to him. As Dr Bukhari was getting ready to leave, he shook my hand and said 'We'll be friends forever'.' A nurse on the ward who had been concerned about Bukhari's conduct spoke to Patient A who was so upset at what happened to her, it took 40 minutes of conversation to 'draw it out of her.' Expert witness Dr Michael Fertleman told the hearing: 'I can see no reason for such a physical examination to have taken place and I am not aware of any recognised physical examination which would involve massaging the breasts in a circular manner and moving towards the nipples in a circular manner as described by Patient A.' Following the allegation, Bukhari, from Inverness, was suspended by the hospital but he got a job at another health trust in Scotland after wrongly saying the sexual assault allegations had been 'completely resolved.' During the hearing he denied wrongdoing and insisted that in his native Pakistan it was common practice for doctors to hand over email addresses to patients and he said he asked where she lived as 'normal chit chat.' He also said he felt no sexual attraction to the woman. But panel chairman Paul Curtis said: 'The Tribunal does not accept you had "randomly selected" her file. The Tribunal considers it more likely that you saw her on the ward and then you deliberately selected her file and decided to review her of your own accord. 'You had undertaken inappropriate examinations of Patient A over the course of two days and these were sexually motivated and you attempted to pursue a sexual relationship with Patient A by asking for her email address. Such conduct by one of the profession's members can erode public confidence in the medical profession as a whole.' A decision on whether to strike off Dr Bukhari from the medical register will be taken later. Two Filipina maids stole 300,000 worth of sentimental jewellery from a widow grieving over the death of her husband, a court heard. Lorna Manuel, 44, teamed up with Rowena Manuel to take the heirlooms from Edna Ghels 3million home in St Johns Wood, north west London. Rowena had wept at Ms Ghels late husbands graveside as she ingratiated herself into the widows trust, Southwark Crown Court heard. But while Ms Ghel, 68, was out on April 15 last year Rowena helped herself to her jewellery, the court was told. Lorna Manuel, 44, left, and Rowena Manuel (no relation), right, 'stole 300,000 worth of jewellery' from employer Edna Ghel's London home. Lorna was jailed for three years while a court heard Rowena 'fled home to the Philippines' The haul included a 250,000 diamond butterfly pendant, a 20,000 diamond-encrusted engagement ring, and a 10,000 pair of Chopard earrings. In an impact statement read to the court Mrs Ghel said: It is still hard to believe as I am still very much grieving the loss of my husband and for someone I consider to have been like a member of the family to have betrayed our trust is unforgiveable. The items stolen were of extreme sentimental value. I felt that when I was wearing them my late husband and late father were still with me. These items cannot be replaced. Rowena also allegedly stole an iPhone, iPad and other electrical goods after disabling the CCTV system and cramming a suitcase full of belongings. Prosecutor Sesay Asante said: Because of the iPad that had been stolen, it was tracked and traced to the address of Ms [Lorna] Manuel because someone had logged on to the internet. The police entered that address and this is where Ms [Lorna] Manuel features in this case. Police found a number of items linking the two maids, including a laptop and suitcase strap belonging to Mrs Ghel. Lorna denied any involvement in the theft, but police checked her mobile and found a series of Facebook exchanges between her and Rowena. It was established that she was not only in contact with the lead perpetrator but there was a plan for this to be accomplished, said the prosecutor. There was discussions as to what would be taken, when it would be taken and also advice from Ms [Lorna] Manuel to the other Ms Manuel to suggest that perhaps CCTV could be switched off at critical points. The jewellery was not only taken on one day, but over a period of time without Mrs Ghel being aware of it. The stolen goods included a 20,000 diamond ring, pictured. The court heard the maids gained Mrs Ghel's trust after she lost her husband Rowena Manuel has since 'fled the UK and returned to the Philippines', the court was told. Lorna was arrested and admitted conspiracy to steal. Abigail Bachem, defending said Lorna had fled the Philippines after being abused by her former husband. She was then involved in a similar relationship when she reached the UK. After first meeting in 2010, the two Filipina women were again in touch over the social media in 2014. It was then that [Rowena] made complaints to this defendant that she was effectively being emotionally abused by Mrs Ghel, said Ms Bache. She accepts what she was told was completely fabricated, she accepts what Rowena said was utter, utter fabrication. It was said deliberately knowing her background and knowing this would strike a painful chord with her - and it did. It was for that reason that this defendant responded by helping Rowena steal Mrs Ghels property and flee back to the Philippines. Ms Bache accepted that her client had taken part in a terrible and callous theft but suggested her background made her vulnerable to exploitation by her co-conspirator. She added that Lorna Manuel would almost certainly be deported once released from prison. Jailing her for three years, Judge Andrew Goymer said: Edna Ghel was in possession of jewellery of a substantial value. Following the death of her husband, and on the recommendation of friends, she took into her service as a maid, carer and cleaner, Rowena Manuel - the alleged co-conspirator in this case. Now, there is no doubt in my mind that it is Rowena Manuel who must bear the main responsibility for what happened. Jewellery of a substantial value in financial terms was stolen by Rowena Manuel which no doubt will never be recovered. A pair of 10,000 Chopard diamond earrings, pictured, were also among the stolen haul of sentimental jewellery The financial value of that is in the order of 300,000 but, as the sentencing guidelines recognise, it is not only the monetary value that matters. Many of these items were precious to Mrs Ghel. Many items were given to her by her late father and her late husband - they have been lost forever, they cannot be replaced and no doubt she will have to live with that loss to the end of her days. The judge added: This defendant helped Rowena Manuel. She knew full well what she was doing. He accepted that she may well have been involved in two abusive relationships but questioned whether they provide any kind of justification or excuse for what she did. Judge Goymer then rubbished Rowenaa ruse to lure her compatriot into the scheme under false tales of abuse at the hands of her employer. I make it absolutely clear that there was no truth whatsoever in that allegation made by Rowena Manuel, he added. It was a pack of lies from start to finish. Lorna Manuel, of Worcester, admitted conspiracy to steal and was jailed for three years. United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PlaintiffAppellee, v. MOHAMED FADIGA, DefendantAppellant. No. 16-3870 Decided: June 01, 2017 Before BAUER, EASTERBROOK, and SYKES, Circuit Judges. A jury found Mohamed Fadiga guilty of possessing more than 15 unauthorized ac-cess devicesgift cards that had been fraudulently reen-codedand a judge sentenced him to 30 months' imprison-ment. See 18 U.S.C. 1029(a)(3). He contends that police learned about the crime by violating the Fourth Amendment and that the jury pool was the result of racial discrimination. A police officer stopped a car that had an expired license plate. He asked Mamadu Barry, the driver, for registration papers, which he did not have; Barry also professed not to know who owned the car or where he was driving to. So the officer asked Fadiga, who was in the passenger's seat. Fadiga replied that a friend owned the car and produced, not a registration document, but a rental agreement. The car's return was past due under that agreement, which did not au-thorize either Barry or Fadiga to drive the car. When Fadiga opened his wallet to extract his driver's license, the officer saw oodles of plastic cards in lieu of money. Now suspi-cious, he asked Barry and Fadiga for permission to search the car; both consented. The search turned up a bag full of gift cards, and the officer asked his dispatcher to send some-one with a card reader to determine whether the cards were legitimate. About half an hour later the card reader arrived and detected that the cards had been tampered with. Fadiga's motion to suppress the evidence rests on the delay between the officer's call and the card reader's arrival. Rodriguez v. United States, 135 S. Ct. 1609 (2015), holds that police violate the Fourth Amendment by extending a traffic stop to allow time for a drug-detection dog to arrive, unless reasonable suspicion justifies an investigation. District Judge Lozano concluded that the unless clause of Rodriguez has been satisfied: the police reasonably suspected that the car's occupants possessed doctored gift cards. 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 91006 (N.D. Ind. July 14, 2015). Later the case was transferred to Judge Simon, who agreed with Judge Lozano and denied a motion for reconsideration. 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65316 (N.D. Ind. May 18, 2016). We agree with both district judges. The car's occupants consented to a search, which turned up far more gift cards than the most avid shopper carries. That plus other suspi-cious detailsBarry's professed ignorance of the car's own-ership and destination; Fadiga's assertion that an unnamed friend owned the car, coupled with a rental contract that did not permit either Barry or Fadiga to operate the carjustified detention to learn more. Rodriguez tells us that reasonable suspicion permits a delay for the arrival of investiga-tive resources. 135 S. Ct. at 161516. And that's not all. Rodriguez dealt with a situation in which the car's occupants could drive away lawfully, if not detained by the police. But Fadiga and Barry did not appear to have any right to use the car. The return date on the rental contract had passed, and neither Fadiga nor Barry had been authorized to drive the car. Whether or not they waited for a card reader, the police were entitled to detain Fadiga and Barry until their authority to use the car had been determined. Extending the traffic stop therefore did not violate the Constitution. Now for the argument about discrimination. The venire from which the jury was to be selected comprised 48 per-sons, none of them black. Fadiga asserted that this must have been the result of racial discrimination. Asked for sup-porting evidence, Fadiga's lawyer offered none. The judge ruled that a person who protests the composition of the pool from which a jury is drawn must show that some discriminatory practice produced the racial imbalance. 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71102 (N.D. Ind. June 1, 2016), citing, e.g., United States v. Phillips, 239 F.3d 829, 842 (7th Cir. 2001) ([T]he makeup of any given venire is not significant, provided all rules for selection have been observed.). Fadiga's appellate brief tries to supply some of what was missing in the district court. His lawyer observes that the population of the two counties (Lake and Porter) from which the jury pool came is approximately 20% black, and he asks us to infer that a discriminatory practice must have existed. Zero for 48 from such a population is exceptional, but Fadiga has not attempted to estimate the probability that it could occur by chancenor has he provided data about voter registration or the age distribution of the counties' population (people under 18 are ineligible to serve on juries). The plan at the time of Fadiga's trial drew from lists of registered voters; since then, the Northern District of Indiana has amended its plan to include as potential jurors everyone with gov-ernment-issued identification such as a driver's license, plus all resident taxpayers, whether or not registered to vote. For a challenge to the composition of a jury pool to suc-ceed, counsel must show how the venire was selected. The Jury Selection and Service Act, 28 U.S.C. 186178, pro-vides a means to do that, and 1867(d) entitles litigants to hearings before jury selection begins if they can show what seems to be a substantial departure from expectations. Liti-gants who invoke this statute are entitled to discovery. See 1867(f), 1868. The statute adds that the procedures pre-scribed by this section shall be the exclusive means by which a person accused of a Federal crime may challenge any jury on the ground that such jury was not selected in con-formity with the provisions of this title ( 1867(e)). The record does not offer any reason to think that the rules of the Northern District's former plan were either bi-ased or bypassed. The plan is race-blind and before its amendment should have produced venires that in aggregate tracked the population of registered votersat least if all groups respond to jury summonses at the same rate, another question on which the record is silent. It is possible to imag-ine things going wrong, such as a batch of jury summonses being sent to a single town or precinct that is predominantly white, but there's no evidence that this, or anything else, did go wrong. As no one is entitled to racial balance on any par-ticular jury, see Holland v. Illinois, 493 U.S. 474, 480 (1990); United States v. Ashley, 54 F.3d 311, 315 (7th Cir. 1995), the district court properly rejected Fadiga's complaint about this pool. AFFIRMED EASTERBROOK, Circuit Judge. A host of celebrities have taken to social media to express their outrage at President Donald Trump after he pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate change accord. Former California Governor and Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger tore into Trump's decision in a video uploaded online on Thursday evening. However the actor managed to add a joke to his serious message saying he is the only man able to go back in time to stop 'our clean energy revolution' in reference to the Terminator's ability to time travel in his movies and Trump's supposed wish to halt 'progress' in terms of world carbon omissions. Schwarzenegger said: 'One man cannot destroy our progress, one man can't stop our clean energy revolution, one man can't go back in time, only I can do that. Former California Governor and the 'Terminator' Arnold Schwarzenegger tore into Trump 'My message to you Mr President is that, as a public servant, especially as a president, your first and most important responsibility is to protect the people.' He added: 'We remember the Great Leaders. The leaders who don't go backwards in the past, but great leaders who charge forwards towards the future.' Schwarzenegger's decrying of Trump was echoed by actor and climate change activist Leonardo DiCaprio who took to Twitter to announce his frustration. The Titanic star wrote: 'Today, our planet suffered. It's more important than ever to take action.' DiCaprio, who was labelled a hypocrite after making a stop over at last year's Cannes Film Festival in a gas guzzling private jet to collect a 'green' award, released a more lengthy status on his Instagram page. 'The future livability of our planet was threatened by President Trump's careless decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. Our future on this planet is now more at risk than ever before,' DiCaprio said. Serial Tweeter J.K. Rowling also joined in the online tirade against Trump by sharing a photo of the front cover of a German newspaper that had an explicit message for the president. The Harry Potter author captioned the tweet: 'Very much enjoying the German press at the moment. 'Earth to Trump...'' Outspoken pop star Katy Perry, who backed Hillary Clinton for the November 2016 presidential elections, took to Twitter to vent her frustration. 'I ask humbly to remember your children, their children & all children will be left to live w/the results of your decision,' the staunch critic of Trump said. Meet the Parents funnyman Ben Stiller labelled the move as a 'huge step backward' and said the U.S. 'should be leading the world on this (climate change).' Others such Michael Moore were more scathing with their opprobrium of the move, with the filmmaker exclaiming he now lived in a 'rogue state.' In another Twitter post he said: 'Trump just committed a crime against humanity. This admitted predator has now expanded his predatory acts to the entire plane.' George Takei, most known for his portrayal of Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek had further criticism for his president. The humorous Tweet read: 'Trump is having the U.S. pull out of the Paris Climate Accord. Too bad someone didn't tell his father that he shoulda pulled out, too.' Elon Musk, the Tesla billionaire, said he was quitting advising the White House, tweeting: 'Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.' Fashion designer and environmental campaigner Vivienne Westwood told Good Morning Britain that Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris accord was a 'terrible disaster'. Vivienne also said she was 'disappointed' in Theresa May's reaction to Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the global agreement to fight climate change. Despite a slew of criticism from across the globe, including world leaders, Trump seemed unperturbed by his decision and released a series of Tweets after his speech at the White House where he revealed the US would be withdrawing from the accord. Fashion designer and environmental campaigner Vivienne Westwood said that Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris accord was a 'terrible disaster' Trump Tweeted that he would 'do everything within my power to give America a level playing field' and then in a separate message repeated his campaign slogan, 'Make American Great Again.' During his address yesterday Trump told off naysayers in a lengthy explanation of his decision and the effect he expects it to have on the US economy. 'The Paris Agreement handicaps the United States economy in order to win praise from the very foreign capitals and global activists that have long sought to gain wealth at our country's expense. They don't put America first. I do and I always will,' he said. He outlined what he said the accord would do to the American economy: 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025; $3 trillion in lost GDP by 2050; and an average household income loss of $7,000. Trump said he would be willing to get back in the accord, or one that has the same goals, but only if he is allowed to renegotiate the terms of the United States' participation. Ivanka Trump has posted a message wishing the LGBTQ community a 'joyful' Pride month - but the White House has come under fire over its record on gay rights. The President's daughter called on followers to 'honor' the LGBTQ community in a series of tweets. She shared her support while her father has been criticized for not proclaiming June to be Pride month. Questions have also been raised as to why the White House hasn't announced any events to mark it. Ivanka, referring to the two-day Jewish festival of Shavout, wrote: 'Logging back on after Shavuot, wishing everyone a joyful #Pride2017. This month we celebrate and honor the #LGBTQ community.' Ivanka Trump has posted a message wishing the LGBTQ community a 'joyful' Pride month - but the White House has come under fire over its record on gay rights She shared her support while her father has been criticized for not proclaiming June to be Pride month And she posted a second tweet which read: 'I am proud to support my LGBTQ friends and the LGBTQ Americans who have made immense contributions to our society and economy.' Yesterday the White House issued a string of Proclamations, which marked June as National Homeownership Month, African-American Music Appreciation Month, Great Outdoors Month and National Ocean Month, but LGBT Pride month was not included. In a statement, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi hit out at the Trump administration's record. She said: 'LGBT Americans face an assault on their rights from the White House and House Republicans, who are gutting HIV prevention and treatment initiatives, dismantling protections for transgender children in public schools and conspiring to render LGBT Americans invisible in the census. 'These hateful, discriminatory attacks dishonor our nations most sacred ideals of liberty and make passage of the Equality Act which would bring the full force of the Civil Rights Act to secure equality for LGBT people even more urgent.' The President's daughter has been marking the Jewish holiday of Shavuot with her family On Thursday she was seen walking from her Washington, DC home to a synagogue with her husband Jared and her two oldest children, Arabella and Joseph A White House list of proclamations did not list Pride among the events being celebrated in June, and no events are being held to mark it Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi hit out at the Trump administration's record And DNC chairman Tom Perez said: 'Despite their promises, the Trump administration is hell-bent on rolling back progress, starting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions decision to end protections for transgender students.' Former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have marked Pride months in June. June is celebrated as LGBTQ Pride Month in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village in New York City. The President was keen to court the community during his election campaign, hitting out at rival Hillary Clinton for accepting donations from Middle Eastern countries where homosexuals are discriminated against. He told a rally a year ago in Dallas: 'As far as gays are concerned they throw them off buildings. 'They kill gays in these countries. So you tell me who's better for the gay community or for women than Donald Trump.' An Alabama postal worker is accused of feeding a dog meatballs that contained nails. Susanna Dawn Burhans, 47, was charged on Thursday with aggravated cruelty to animals. The US Postal Service worker was arrested after an investigation determined she fed the nail-laced meatballs to at least one dog along her route in New Hope in the state's north. US Postal Service worker Susanna Dawn Burhans, 47, was charged on Thursday after she allegedly fed a dog meatballs laced with nails in New Hope, Alabama Ed Glover, whose mail is delivered by Burhans, told WHNT he found a meatball on the ground by his mailbox two weeks ago. He said he found a nail inside the meatball and believed his dog Missy had already eaten one of them. A veterinarian took x-rays of his dog and a nail can be clearly seen in animal's stomach. Glover said Missy, thankfully, was uninjured. Madison County Sheriff's Office and the Postal Service immediately started investigating after receiving the complaint from Glover. The US Postal Service worker allegedly fed the nail-laced meatballs to at least one dog 'We gathered intelligence from the Postal Service and put everything together,' Sheriff's Captain Mike Salomonsky told AL.com. 'Right now, we know for sure there's one dog. But there's another neighbor that had a complaint, so there might be two or more.' The mail carrier could face up to 10 years in prison if she is convicted of the felony charge. Further details about the allegations haven't been released. It's not known why she put nails in the meatballs. She was released from the Madison County Jail after posting $2,500 bail Thursday. It wasn't immediately clear if Burhans had an attorney or when she is due to face court. I think politicians could learn a lot from real people, regular people. You know, the sort that say what they mean and do what they say. People who turn up when they say they will, do a hard day's work and try and do the odd kind thing because life is too short not to. Who might make the odd cock-up but manage to explain it away because they meant well. Theresa May needs to take a lesson from the regular people of Great Britain. And start acting normal. Fast. The Prime Minister reacts on a campaign stop near Doncaster today. Theresa, we need to talk And if she can't be normal, if she is too institutionalised by years of working in the heart of darkness that is the political establishment, among snakes and thieves, she needs to surround herself with people who can show her how it's done. Regular people who will explain to her that if she keeps ramming the words 'strong' and 'stable' down our throats like we are kids at a school for the learning disadvantaged, we will end up pelting her with our soggy sandwiches at break time when she starts acting about as stable as my nan. And she can't even do stairs. Refusing to debate with five non-entities and Corbyn in front of a studio audience apparently plucked direct from Momentum head office was wise. I have had more useful conversations with Siri. But Theresa, we do need to talk. Us regular folk say we are going to do something and we do it. Usually because if we don't, there are consequences: we won't get paid, our kids won't get collected from school, someone we love will feel let down, we will lose out. So don't say something and then U-turn on a sixpence when we shout at you. Don't say there will be no snap election, and then call one when your advisers and the polls persuade you otherwise. Don't tell our small businesses you are going to screw them over on National Insurance, and then back down two minutes later because you realise you just broke a different promise that you forgot about. Mrs May (pictured meeting women and children during a visit to Kilham Hall community centre near Doncaster today) needs to take a lesson from the regular people of Great Britain Don't embrace all of Labour's bad ideas in a manifesto more red than blue, then raid the hard-earned savings of loyal Conservatives to pay for those who have grown used to the idea that if they fail to take accountability for their lives, the government and the taxpayer will. The dementia tax is a perfect example of this. I am sorry you were never able to have kids. Truly I am. But I did. We did. What you have failed to understand is that this isn't our money you are going after. This is money we have earmarked for our kids. If you dare to try and take what rightfully belongs to my children, then you bring the fight to your door. If you had employed one regular Brit in your team, instead of sycophants and strategists, they would have explained this to you. I want to pay for my own care. But if you want me to spend my children's inheritance, then I need you to give me the right to die at a time of my choosing, too. When I succumb to dementia and don't know who I am or where I am, then truly, I have no desire to be there. The last thing I want is for my children's future income to fund my pitiful existence. Here's another dose of regular-person reality for you, Theresa May. I have no wish to pay to feed other people's children or for their childcare, either. Mrs May (pictured at Derby County Football Club while on the campaign trail yesterday) should not say something and then U-turn on a sixpence when we shout at her Children are expensive. That's why we consider whether we can afford to have them before we decide to conceive another 50. I would have loved four. I have three. I have no desire to buy breakfast for children other people decided to have. Call me selfish? Fine. But I am not asking anyone to pay for two Weetabix for my child while I stand in the playground with a smartphone and a fag. I am cracking on, paying for my kids' schooling, still funding the state-school places for three others, and paying the top rate of tax. Go lecture one of the real tax-leeches on society. I hear Gary Lineker and Bob Geldof owe us a pretty penny on that front. We may have loyalty to a party, but we vote for a person. Most of us don't necessarily look to our local MP for that face - I couldn't identify mine in a crowd. We look to the party leader. Outside of the House of Commons, and some distance from the electoral Ebola that is Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn does a much better job of looking like a regular guy. Someone who gets us, who talks to real people, who isn't that excited by nonsense or what he is supposed to say. However, I am very clear. He cannot win, despite what laughable polls and curated leftie audiences on our state broadcaster may wish you to believe. This election needs some tension. And the media will fabricate it if they have to. Mrs May (pictured during a visit to a manufacturing plant in Somerset on Wednesday) goes head-to-head with Jeremy Corbyn in a BBC Question Time election special tonight Jeremy Corbyn's manifesto reads like it was written by Jesus. I may as well take everything I worked for and hand it to the idle arses down the road who have never worked a day in their life, are so fat they are classified disabled and get a free car, and are looking forward to free breakfast for their children - who seem to multiply like mould. Which is all very well. But with regard to Luke 10: 25-37, the Good Samaritan would have been bugger-all use to the traveller set upon by thieves if he had been as poor as the rest of the population. Under Corbyn, Brexit would be softer than Tim Farron's damp handshake, and another legion of barely literates would fester on university campuses, spending three years making themselves utterly unemployable via a dodgy 2:2 in David Beckham Studies or psychology. But that's not to say Theresa would not be grievously wounded by a poor majority, both in her ability to control her own party through the tough and scary Brexit negotiations ahead with EU whose leaders would just love to be dealing with a humbled and humiliated British Prime Minister. Tonight Theresa May goes head-to-head with Jeremy Corbyn in a BBC Question Time election special. The state broadcaster will be desperate to distance itself from the disastrous audience bias earlier in the week. May has a fantastic opportunity to course-correct. My advice to her? Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (who is pictured on a tour of laboratories at York's Innovation Centre today) has a manifesto which reads like it was written by Jesus Ask the team that has advised you this far to stay away. They have been about as helpful as Ant and Dec's tax specialists and could end up costing you dear. Stand outside and breathe the air. Ignore the noise generated by the rasping hyenas in the press and the panting fools who follow, slobbering for the entrails. All of us are just regular people, with jobs, families, and homes we love. We want to be healthy and happy and feel safe in the country we call home. Do you, but do you well. Say what you mean and mean what you say. You have tried to do the odd kind thing, because life is too short not to. You've made the odd cock-up, but you meant well. Explain that you are on the side of people working hard to pay for their families. That you respect the fact that many of us will sacrifice our spending today to save for our kids tomorrow; in death, more than ever, we want to help the kids we were lucky to have and able to afford. Tell us the three things you are going to do to prove it: prioritise hard workers, deliver hard Brexit, and put a hard cap on the dementia tax. Hard but fair. You're welcome. Advertisement A polar bear cub in Alaska showed a photographer its best dance moves - by dancing its version of the Macarena. Laura Gregory, 29, snapped the pictures of the bear standing on two legs in Kaktovik, Alaska. The adorable cub even waved at the camera as she passed by in a boat. Mrs Gregory said: 'The bear was definitely a little wobbly on the way up, which made it look like it wanted to dance for us. Standing tall: The adorable cub put his hands together as if it was dancing the Macarena when tourists passed it by in Alaska Showing off his best moves: Looking quite dapper, the polar bear cub seemed to cross its arms like the moves in the hit 90s pop song Polar bears travel to the city of Katkovik in order to feed on bowhead whale carcasses harvested by local residents. Bears then wait for the Arctic Ocean to freeze over enough that they can get back on to the ice in order to return to their home. Mrs Gregory, who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, said: 'We were in a boat observing and photographing the bears. This cub, another cub and the sow came walking down one of the little island sandbars outside of Kaktovik. 'The sow and the other cub walked a little further up the beach area, but this cub stopped right in front of us. The guide said we were going to have to move back in the boat if the bear decided to get into the water. Loving the attention: The cub wore a curious little smile as it posed for the photographer's snap by the water 'The cub had its front paws a few inches away from the water when it decided to stand up and say hello. It actually stood up for for us before walking away towards its family.' Mrs Gregory travelled to Katkovik with her husband for their fifth wedding anniversary and visited a number of destinations with the help of expert guides at the helm of boats. She said that polar bears would sometimes 'walk right by' where the boat was moored. She added: 'The little wave part was pretty remarkable as well. It was almost as if the bear was putting a performance on just for us. 'For polar bears in northern Alaska, coming in to feed on the whale carcasses seems to be tradition and instinct. It was incredible to get to view these bears during that time.' Andres Fernando Cabezas allegedly arranged to meet and have sex with a 12 year old girl A middle school teacher has been arrested after allegedly arranging to have sex with a 12-year-old girl and then giving her an emergency contraceptive pill. Andres Fernando Cabezas is accused of emailing and sending obscene text messages to an undercover agent posing as the child. In one message the officer pretending to be the girl said she was worried about becoming pregnant, and Cabezas told her not to worry. If convicted, the 33-year-old teacher will serve at least 10 years in jail. Prosecutors allege that between May 25 and May 30, he sent messages aimed at enticing the girl into having sex. On May 30 he went to a Wendys in Lake Mary, where he had arranged to meet her. He was arrested by FBI agents at the venue in Lake Mary in Florida. Cabezas, a teacher at Carver Middle School, could face a minimum of 10 years in jail if he is convicted Police discovered an emergency contraceptive pill in his vehicle, he allegedly said he planned to give it to the child after sex. Cabezas, who taught at Carver Middle School, is said to have responded to an advert posted online by an undercover agent posing as a mother looking for someone to have sex with her young daughter. He also admitted watching child pornography, prosecutors have stated. Julio Ditudidi, 46 (pictured) leaving an earlier hearing at Gloucester Crown Court three months ago, where he was told he would not go to jail if he repaid the 17,000 in housing benefits he defrauded from the City Council and sent back to the Congo A benefits cheat who duped a council into paying him 17,000 sent all the ill-gotten gains to the Congo to 'secure the safety' of his family in the African country, a court was told today. Julio Ditudidi, 46, had been told that a cousin was in custody and that other family members were under threat unless he paid the 'blood money,' Gloucester Crown Court heard. 'He was between a rock and a hard place,' said his solicitor Tim Burrows. Three months ago when Ditudidi first appeared at the court and admitted cheating Gloucester City Council out of 17,000 housing benefit, he was told by a judge that he would not be jailed if he repaid all the money by today. But Mr Burrows said that the dad of three had only managed to repay the council 4,000. He urged the court not to jail Ditudidi - saying his best chance of repaying the entire 17,000 benefits would be to stay at liberty and continue with his 'good job.' The solicitor showed Judge Jamie Tabor QC an email Ditudidi had received from the Congo last June, asking for money. 'He was told his cousin was in custody and members of his family were being threatened. 'He was told he had to pay blood money to secure their safety. 'On July 22 he sent a total of 23,474-81 to the Congo to secure his family's safety. 'It was at that time that the council had become aware of him and they wrote to him on that date calling him for interview. 'He admitted at interview that he had an account at Santander with money in it and had failed to declare this when claiming benefits. Ditudidi leaving an earlier hearing where he admitted wrongly claiming 17,000 in benefits: He claimed he had to sent a total of 23,474-81 to the Congo to secure his family's safety 'The problem for him then was that having sent money to the Congo in the first place he then became a target for more. ' Judge Jamie Tabor QC told Ditudidi he would accept his explanation for now but if it turned out to be untrue he would go to prison. He passed a three month jail term suspended for two years and ordered Ditudidi to do 180 hours of unpaid work. He also ordered Ditudidi to attend a Proceeds of Crime confiscation hearing on 26th September. Between now and that hearing, he said, Ditudidi's finances would be thoroughly examined by a police financial investigator and, if he was discovered to be lying to the court, that he would be in trouble. At the last hearing the judge was told that Ditudidi claimed housing benefit from Gloucester City Council for four years - while at the same time having savings which rose from 30,000 to 39,000 as he received tax credit refunds. His fraud went on from April 16 2012 to May 22 2016. 'The defendant had actually been receiving housing benefit from the city council from 2009,' said Mr Goodman. 'He is a married man with three children. He claimed benefits because of his relatively modest earnings, just over 1,000 a month. 'When he was interviewed about not disclosing this account he admitted it and said it was a mistake. 'According to the pre-sentence report on him he has transferred all the money to the Congo. 'His debt to the city council is 17,454-04,' said Mr Goodman. 'He could easily have paid that back from his 39,000 and sent the rest to the Congo if he had wanted.' Today Mr Burrows said Ditudidi has agreed to repay the council a minimum of 50 a month but more whenever he can afford it. Judge Tabor told Ditudidi that police will be keeping a watchful eye on his finances and that if it turns out he is lying, he 'will be treated much more severely' Judge Tabor told Ditudidi: 'I have no way of knowing whether the money you sent to the Congo was for the reasons you say. I simply don't know. 'But fairness dictates that I have to accept at this stage that you sent the money to save the lives of some members of your family. 'If you were sending the money merely to enrich your family that would be quite another matter. 'During the next few months there is going to be a careful and in depth analysis of your finances and where the money went. 'If it transpires what you say is false you will be treated much more severely.' An Indian business family showered the South African President Jacob Zuma's son with lavish cars, a high-rise apartment, and funds for his wedding, it was claimed on Thursday. The Gupta brothers - made up of Ajay, Atul and Rajesh 'Tony' Gupta - allegedly helped Duduzane Zuma, 35, buy a 1million flat in Dubai's tallest building and settle a 12,000 council tax bill as part of their friendship with the president and his son. They also allegedly helped Duduzane Zuma handle a tabloid expose about his lover, who became pregnant while they were together. The allegations were made after more than 100,000 leaked emails and documents were released by investigative journalists at AmaBhungane, a non-profit group that has a strong track record of exposing what it says are government corruption scandals. South African President Jacob Zuma (pictured) first met the Gupta brothers ten years ago when he was deputy president The Gupta brothers - made up of Ajay (left), Atul (right) and Rajesh 'Tony' Gupta - allegedly helped Duduzane Zuma, 35, buy a 1million flat in Dubai's tallest building and settle a 12,000 council tax bill as part of their friendship with the president and his son. The media company said it has access to documents that showed improper dealings in lucrative government contracts by business friends of President Jacob Zuma. South Africa's ruling African National Congress said on Friday it takes media reports of leaked documents showing influence-peddling in government extremely seriously and wants the allegations investigated. President Zuma first met the Gupta brothers ten years ago when he was deputy president. Zuma has served as a director in several companies owned by the brothers, who have been accused of 'capturing' the South African state by using their friendship with Zuma to gain access to government positions. Duduzane Zuma was paid 17,000 a month in director fees by the brothers, but also received CVs connected to the tycoons who were later appointed into the government. Meanwhile his father has been accused of being in the sway of the wealthy Gupta business family, allegedly granting them influence over government appointments, contracts and state-owned businesses. The emails suggest that someone close to the Gupta brothers received 300,000million after helping secure a deal with China that would supply state railways with freight trains, according to The Times. The brothers also allegedly helped Zuma's son, Duduzane Zuma (pictured), handle a tabloid expose about his lover, who became pregnant while they were together. Duduzane Zuma is pictured above during a 2014 inquest into a crash in which taxi passenger Phumzile Dube died after his Porsche hit the back of the taxi and the taxi overturned Duduzane Zuma was paid 17,000 a month in director fees by the brothers, but also received CVs connected to the tycoons who were later appointed into the government AmaBhugane says that the emails show that a Gupta employee scheduled stays at a five-star hotel in Dubai for senior government officials, freight companies and the mining minister. Emails also appear to show that guests were invited to stay at the Guptas' Dubai mansion in Dubai. The leaked documents will open President Jacob Zuma up to renewed scrutiny and may deepen divides in the ruling African National Congress. Zuma has survived calls to resign from within the usually united ANC in recent weeks due to disputes over political appointments and his friendship with the Indian-born Gupta family, wealthy businessmen whose companies have contracts with state-owned firms. A Gupta family spokesman did not respond to questions by phone and said he may reply to emailed inquiries from Reuters later. The Gupta family and Zuma have denied wrongdoing when similar allegations have been made in the past. Spokesmen for Zuma and the ANC did not respond. Reuters was not independently able to verify the allegations. A Gupta family spokesman did not respond to questions by phone and said he may reply to emailed inquiries from Reuters later Zuma is due to appear in parliament at 2pm (1200 GMT) to respond to questions about the presidency budget. There is no planned interaction with lawmakers but he will likely face heckling from opponents in the chamber. 'Zuma is running a criminal state and is using state institutions to enrich himself and his friends,' Mmusi Maimane, leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance, told Reuters. 'These documents show once again that the ANC has embarked on a state-sponsored corruption campaign that runs deep.' The latest allegations of influence-peddling may deepen a divide in the ANC as factions battle for control ahead of a conference in December where Zuma's successor as party leader will be chosen. Zuma can remain as head of state until a 2019 election. Zuma's camp is expected to back his ex-wife and former African Union chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, while another faction will support Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. Zuma has survived calls to resign from within the usually united ANC in recent weeks due to disputes over political appointments and his friendship with the Indian-born Gupta family, wealthy businessmen whose companies have contracts with state-owned firms The contents of the leaked confidential government documents will likely embolden Zuma's opponents in the ANC who want to oust him or prevent his chosen successor from becoming party president in December, analysts say. 'The leaks will play into the factional battle over succession which is getting intense. The stakes are very high,' said Daryl Glaser, politics professor at Johannesburg's University of Witswatersrand. 'I don't think that what comes out will be enough to result in Zuma resigning before December.' A constitutionally mandated anti-graft watchdog said in a report last year that the Guptas had undue influence over government officials and former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas said he was offered a promotion by the family. Jonas and finance minister Pravin Gordhan were removed by Zuma in a reshuffle in March. On Wednesday, government ministers bowed to mounting pressure and told Eskom to remove its chief executive Brian Molefe, a Zuma ally, after senior politicians and the public reacted with anger at his re-appointment two weeks ago. Molefe resigned in November last year following allegations he had links to the Gupta family. Molefe denied wrongdoing and said he resigned in the interest of good governance A former public schoolboy in Britain who Russia accuses of plotting to assassinate Vladimir Putin has been shot and wounded in Ukraine. Adam Osmayev, 36, is fighting for his life in a Kiev hospital after being struck in the chest by a man carrying a pistol who posed as a French journalist. The assailant was then shot and wounded with a Makarov pistol by Osmayev's wife Amina Okuyeva, 33, a female sniper from the Russian Muslim region of Chechnya. Former British public schoolboy Adam Osmayev, right, who was accused of plotting to kill Vladimir Putin was shot and wounded by a Russian hit man known by the nickname Dingo (left) Artur Denisultanov-Kurmakayev, known as Dingo, was carrying a fake Ukrainian passport Dingo was shot and wounded by Osmayev's sniper-trained wife Amina Okuyeva The gunman - who carried fake Ukrainian documents - was identified today by local media as an alleged Russian gangster nicknamed Dingo, called Artur Denisultanov-Kurmakayev, citing law enforcement sources. Russia had attempted in vain to seek former Buckingham University student Osmayev's extradition over its claim that he had been planning a 2012 assassination of Putin in Moscow. He had earlier studied A levels at Wycliffe College near Stroud. Ukrainian police and secret services said they were checking for Russian traces to the Kiev shooting, say local reports. Suspect 'Dingo' is from St Petersburg but had Ukrainian documents under the name Alexander Dakar, said Kiev reports. Kiev had refused to extradite Osmayev to Russia, and later he and his wife fought for pro-Ukrainian forces against pro-Vladimir Putin rebels in the east of the country. The assailant, also now in hospital, had Ukrainian documents with him. Ukrainian police believe Dingo shot Osmayev with the pistol on the left, while Osmayev's sniper-trained wife returned fire with this Russian-made Marakov pistol, right Osmayev, who is from a wealthy Chechen family, is a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin as well as Chechnya's eccentric pro-Kremlin hard-man leader Ramzan Kadyrov Osmayev is from a wealthy Chechen family, and is a foe of pro-Putin ruler Ramzan Kadyrov. He claimed he had been injected with drugs and tortured to extract a confession that he planned to kill Putin and Kadyrov. His confession was 'the result of physical and psychological pressure which the law enforcement services put me under since the moment I was detained,' he said. He was beaten so badly, he could not stand for two months, he claimed. Moscow claimed he intended to blow up Putin's motorcade in the Russian capital. Ukrainian police are investigating the attempted assassination of Osmayev. Kiev has repeatedly refused to extradite the Chechen to Moscow to face trial for plotting against Putin Both injured men were hospitalised and in a stable condition on Friday with police saying the attacker would be able to testify. Officers said that the attacker carried a Ukrainian passport in the name of Alexander Dakar. Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the minister of internal affairs, wrote on Facebook that the crime could have been 'prepared in advance by a killer sent to Ukraine by Russian special services'. Osmayev spent years in prison in Ukraine after being accused in 2012 over a bizarre plot to assassinate Putin, then a presidential candidate, by bombing his motorcade. The plot was reported on state television in Russia just days before the presidential elections. A second suspect Ilya Pyanzin, a citizen of Kazakhstan, was extradited to Russia and jailed for 10 years. Osmayev was detained in the Ukrainian city of Odessa and made a confession that he later said was extracted under torture. He spent almost three years in prison but was convicted only of illegal possession of explosives and was never extradited to Russia. Osmayev was released soon after Ukraine's pro-European revolution in 2014 and at the beginning of the separatist conflict in the east of the country joined a volunteer battalion to oppose the pro-Russian rebels. Osmayev, who was reportedly born in the Chechen capital of Grozny, does not have Ukrainian citizenship, Gerashchenko said. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway bobbed and weaved Friday morning, ducking and dodging a central question three times in the wake of President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty. 'Does the president still believe global warming's a hoax?' asked 'Good Morning America' anchor George Stephanopoulos, himself a former Democratic White House operative. 'You should ask him that,' Conway shot back after the third time. 'And I hope you have your chance.' Trump has said in the past that the idea of an apocalyptic threat from global climate change, of the sort promoted by green lobby groups, is a flim-flam proposition designed to extort money from the U.S. and other advanced economies. 'The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive,' he famously tweeted in late 2012. Presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway defended Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate treaty but didn't have an answer to the question of whether the president believes global warming is a 'hoax' as he has tweeted in the past Trump pulled the U.S. out of the expensive climate agreement on Thursday, citing its tiny impact compared with its disproportionate costs to the U.S. economy Conway told host George Stephanopoulos, a former senior aide to President Bill Clinton, that Trump 'believes in clean air, clean water, a clean environment' but told him that he should ask Trump himself about whether global warming is a scam Barely a year later, with much of the U.S. in the throes of a snowmageddon, Trump tweeted: 'NBC News just called it the great freeze - coldest weather in years. Is our country still spending money on the GLOBAL WARMING HOAX?.' Four days later, with the mercury still hovering below zero, he sniped: 'Snowing in Texas and Louisiana, record setting freezing temperatures throughout the country and beyond. Global warming is an expensive hoax!' Those hot takes all came more than a year before the president dipped his toes into the campaign waters. He hasn't tweeted about 'warming' or 'climate,' in fact, since the heady days of the Republican primary season. 'It's really cold outside, they are calling it a major freeze, weeks ahead of normal. Man, we could use a big fat dose of global warming!' he wrote in October 2015. But his overall views on the subject have never been Greenpeacean leading Conway to fire up her spin machine. 'He believes in clean air, clean water, a clean environment,' she said Friday. 'And he believes that we have to negotiate better deals for this country, and that there's a balance between environmental protection and economic growth.' Meanwhile on the 'TODAY' show, Trump's commerce secretary Wilbur Ross called him an 'environmentalist.' Trump, long before entering politics, had choice words to share with his Twitter audience about global warming 'There's nothing that the withdrawal requires us to do that we don't want to do,' he said of the president's made-for-TV announcement that the U.S. was backing away from 195 other countries' commitments to reduce carbon emissions. 'The coutry has actually reduced its emissions quite a little bit, largely due to the advent of natural gas as a replacement for higher pollutive fossil fuels.' 'The president hasn't changed any of that,' Ross said. 'He is an environmentalist. I've known him for a long time. He's very pro-environment.' Liberal host Matt Lauer pressed Ross about the contradiction in being an environmentalist who is intent on rolling back the Obama administration's green initiatives. 'You're taking as the given that the Obama administration was right, and any other action was wrong,' Ross scolded. And CEOs who bolted from Trump's business advisory groups over his Paris decision, said Ross, are 'confusing the withdrawal from the agreement with the idea that hes against helping the climate.' 'It's not the case.' Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross called Trump 'an environmentalist,' saying the president is interested in protecting the planet but not at the expense of torching the U.S. economy Ross chided CEOs like Tesla's Elon Musk for abandoning the president, saying they've confused the Paris agreement with a serious effort to heal the planet Thursday afternoon during a White House briefing, a Trump administration official wouldn't comment about Trump's overall views on global warming telling reporters to 'stay on topic.' Asked on Tuesday if Trump believes human activity is warming the planet, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said: 'Honestly, I haven't asked him. I can get back to you.' Whatever Trump's heart of hearts tells him, Conway said Friday he 'doesn't believe ... that the U.S. government should stay in an agreement that gives us too much of the financial burden, too much risk' to industries that voters in his political base depend on for jobs. She said his decision on Thursday was driven in part by a desire to protect 'the coal miners, people who work in cement and paper people who he looked in the eye in place after place and city after city when he was running.' A school security guard was arrested Thursday and accused of aiding a cop-turned-drug dealer in a quadruple murder that took place last year. Joseph Biggs, 55, was arrested at the school he works at in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York yesterday morning on 17 counts including kidnapping, murder and drug conspiracy. Sources told NBC New York that he was put in handcuffs in the employee parking lot, away from the eyes of children at the unnamed school. 'Murders are always frightening, but when allegedly committed by people entrusted with the safety of others, it is all the more disturbing,' Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim said in a statement on Thursday. Scroll down for video Joseph Biggs (pictured), a security guard at a school in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, was arrested on Thursday on 17 counts including kidnapping, murder and drug conspiracy Biggs stands accused of helping retired Westchester County cop Nicholas Tartaglione (pictured) murder four men in a drug deal gone wrong last year Sources told NBC New York that he was put in handcuffs in the employee parking lot, away from the eyes of children at the unnamed school Federal prosecutors say Biggs helped retired Westchester County police officer Nicholas Tartaglione, 49, murder four men in a drug deal gone wrong last year, and then buried the bodies on the ex-cop's 178-acre farm. According to the indictment unsealed yesterday, Tartaglione and Biggs lured 41-year-old Martin Luna to an Orange County bar under false pretenses 'to track down a drug debt'. Luna brought along three relatives and a family friend with him to the Likquid Lounge on April 11, 2016 - 32-year-old Urbano Santiago, 25-year-old Miguel Luna and 43-year-old Hector Gutierrez. Tartaglione and Biggs then 'confined "the victims" and would not permit them to leave the premises,' according to the indictment. Eventually, all four men were murdered. It's unclear how Martin Luna was killed, but the other three men died of bullet wounds to the back of their heads 'purely because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey (daughter of fired FBI Chief James Comey) told a judge on Thursday. Prosecutors say the men lured Martin Luna (top left) to a bar 'to track down a drug debt'. Luna brought along two relatives and a family friend - 32-year-old Urbano Santiago (bottom right), 25-year-old Miguel Luna (bottom left) and 43-year-old Hector Gutierrez (top right) - and all four were murdered Prosecutors say Tartaglione then drove the four bodies to his farm about 30 minutes away and buried them in a wooded area. Investigators gathered enough evidence to arrest Tartaglione on December 19 for conspiracy to distribute more than 11 pounds of cocaine. The following day, police used a backhoe to excavate the bodies from Tartaglione's property. Tartaglione and Biggs now face a slew of charges including multiple counts of murder, kidnapping resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and weapons charges. Both face the possibility of life in prison or death if convicted on some of the charges. The four bodies were then taken to Tartaglione's farm 30 minutes away and buried. Above, Biggs Tartaglione was arrested in December on drug charges. A day later, investigators found the four bodies in his yard. Above, Biggs Biggs appeared in court for his first hearing on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him. He reportedly shook his head in shock as the judge ordered him held without bail. Tartaglione has been in jail since his arrest more than five months ago. 'The prosecution will provide the discovery by Monday and I'll review those documents, and it's my understanding that following my review we will continue with our not guilty plea through trial,' Biggs' attorney David Goldstein said after the hearing, according to LoHud.com. Goldstein added, according to the New York Post: 'We knew these charges were coming but Mr. Biggs hasnt driven away or walked away. He has reiterated over and over to me how he is not guilty.' Both Biggs and Tartaglione are due back in court on June 7 for another hearing. Biggs' arrest comes two months after another suspect in the quadruple murder committed suicide. Former NYPD officer Gerard Benderoth, 48, shot himself in the head as FBI agents and state police tried to pull him over on March 8. Biggs arrest comes two months after an ex-NYPD cop, 48-year-old Gerard Benderoth, committed suicide as FBI agents tried to pull him over Three men have died and another four people are in hospital after a nightmare night on Queensland roads. In once crash, two men died when a mini moke lost control at a roundabout and hit a power pole on Magnetic Island off Townsville. The two men died at the scene just after 1am on Friday, while a woman, 25, who was behind the wheel was rushed to Townsville Hospital. Scroll down for video Two men died when a mini moke (pictured) lost control at a roundabout and hit a power pole on Magnetic Island The woman suffered head injuries after being thrown from the vehicle but is in a stable condition in Townsville Hospital. Police are investigating whether speed and alcohol were involved in the crash. Another man died in a separate crash on the Sunshine Coast at 8.30pm on Thursday. A car left a roadway on a sweeping bend at Eudlo, killing the 25-year-old passenger on impact. The 25-year-old driver, a man, also was injured and has been taken to hospital, along with another passenger. It's understood police believe alcohol may have been involved in the crash, according to Brisbane Times. Another man died in a separate crash on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday A sailboat went up in flames off the coast of Florida on Thursday before a man was rescued. Fort Lauderdale firefighters were monitoring VHF radio traffic at about 7.30am when they heard a distress call for a sailboat on fire. Reports say the captain was cooking breakfast when the grill caught fire, causing the 41-foot craft to be set ablaze. Scroll down for video A 41-foot sailboat went up in flames (pictured) off the coast of Hallandale Beach, Florida, on Thursday morning before a man was rescued The boat captain was cooking breakfast when the grill caught fire, causing the 41-foot craft to be set ablaze (pictured) Video courtesy of Local 10 A crew of six paramedics notified the US Coast Guard and, when they went out to sea, found the burning boat six to 10 miles offshore - with the smoke plume seen as far as eight miles away, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Crews worked for more than an hour putting out the fire, using both foam and water. The sailor, who jumped into the water and climbed aboard an inflatable raft, was then rescued. He was the only one on the boat and appeared to be uninjured. 'He was in his little inflatable raft,' Capt Ian Crochetiere, of TowBoatUS Ft Lauderdale, who rescued the mariner, told Local 10. 'I showed up first and there was a center console that he was holding on to. [The boat] is pretty burned up.' The captain, who has not been named, was taken to a Fort Lauderdale Police substation at a marina off southeast 15th Street. The sailboat was badly burned and towed into Apex Marina in Miami. Crews worked for more than an hour putting out the fire (pictured), using both foam and water, and the smoke plume could be seen as far as eight miles away The sailor, who had jumped onto an inflatable raft, was rescued by TowBoatUS Ft Lauderdale, while the badly burned boat was towed into a Apex Marina in Miami (not pictured) Lt George Izquierdo, of Fireboat 21 of Miami Dade Fire Rescue, stressed that sailors should perform a safety equipment check every time they sail. 'Common emergency procedures need to be followed by all mariners,' Izquierdo told Miami Patch. 'Know where your fire extinguishers are as well as doing a full equipment check before heading out on any type of vessel.' Fortunately, he said the owner of the boat that caught fire on Thursday knew how to call for help on the marine radio. 'Luckily, the owner of the boat knew how to communicate his emergency and was able to assist all rescuers to his location,' he said. 'MDFR Fireboats are always ready and we proudly serve our community.' This is the 24-year-old woman who jets off to exotic locations across the world for travel dates with married men and other paying strangers, but insists she is not looking for a sugar daddy. Heidy Pandora, who lives in Orlando, Florida, decided to join dating website Miss Travel after a solo trip to Mexico as a 21-year-old which she said cured a bout of depression. She said: 'My first trip by myself was to Mexico. As soon as I saw the blue water the depression went away. After that I wanted to travel more, but I didn't know how to. Scroll down for video Heidy Pandora, who lives in Orlando, Florida, joined Miss Travel after a bout of depression. Here she is pictured in Dublin, Ireland The El Salvador born woman has travelled to around 20 countries 'Life is Hard I tell YA!' A caption posted with a shot of Heidy on a beach 'Then I came across Miss Travel and I kind of became addicted to it. It keeps me going in life. I still suffer from depression but it's not as severe and travelling keeps me alive.' Heidy, who is currently unemployed, describes herself as a 'full-time traveler' and has visited more than 20 countries, including Morocco, the US state of Hawaii, Aruba and Thailand, during her three years on the Miss Travel. She told Sun Online: 'Some of the guys on the site are married. 'I don't see it as such a big deal to have sex with married men. If they're married and looking somewhere else, they're not happy. Some of them don't have any sexual relationship with their wives anymore.' However Heidy, who grew up in the Central American nation of El Salvador, claims she is not pressured into having sex with the men when she jets off on her trips. She said: 'If we connect, things happen. But if we don't connect then we just have fun on the trip or I just come back. Heidy, who has been given presents worth up to $1,700 after her trips by her companions, claims she isn't a member of the website to find a rich man but more to travel the world, with an eye on finding love within time. She said: 'I would love to find the one, but right now I just want to travel and see the world. 'So (dating married men is) an advantage in a way that they will not get emotionally connected to me. And they will not want to pursue anything.' She took this selfie while staying in the beach restort of Cabo San Lucas in Mexico Heidy, who is currently unemployed, describes herself as a 'full-time traveler' She claims she is not pressured into having sex with the men when she jets off on her trips She added: 'I don't pay for anything. You can do half and half but I prefer not to. 'I'm saving more for my own future. So I don't want to spend money on travel because it's really expensive. 'I've traveled with different types of guys, but I didn't have sexual relations with all of them.' Heidy says she has recently returned from Dublin and is 'working on another trip to Nepal.' The jet-setter says her mother has no issue with her lifestyle and that she does not pay attention to negative comments she receives on her popular Facebook account. Heidy says she has recently returned from Dublin and is 'working on another trip to Nepal' She joined dating website Miss Travel after a solo trip to Mexico as 21-year-old 'All my family know I do this. My mom is actually really happy for me because she's always wanted to see the world. 'Most people don't have the courage to do what I do, travelling with strangers. It's basically like a blind date.' She added: 'I do not care about anybody's opinion. Who doesn't want to see the world? 'The people that probably judge me have maybe envy and jealousy. 'I have been called bad names before like a gold digger. But I don't feel that way and when I'm on these trips I do not ask for money. 'I'm only on the website to travel and see the world. I'm not there to look for a sugar daddy. 'So if anybody wants to call me a bad name, I don't take that because I know I'm not there for that reason.' A Florida criminal whose been dubbed the 'Joker' for his facial tattoos and green hair was arrested for the second time in a week. Joker lookalike, Lawrence Sullivan, was charged with possession of marijuana on Thursday. The 29-year-old is in trouble with the law again after being arrested last week for allegedly pointing a gun at passing cars. Police in Miami responded to the 15200 block of Southwest 104th Street on May 23 after getting multiple calls from drivers reporting that there was a suspicious man who was seen pointing a gun at passing vehicles. Scroll down for video No joke: Lawrence Sullivan, 29 (left), a Miami man with facial tattoos inspired by the Batman villain the Joker, as played by the late Heath Ledger (right), was arrested again and charged with possession of marijuana The 29-year-old is in trouble with the law again after being arrested last week for allegedly pointing a gun at passing cars. He's pictured in court on May 24 Witnesses described the perpetrator as having bright-green hair and striking facial tattoos that made him look like the Joker character played by the late Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight blockbuster. By the time Miami-Dade police arrived on the scene, the gun-toting mystery man had vanished, but it did not take officers long to spot him walking out the front gate of the Hammocks Place apartment complex. Sullivan let one of the arresting officers know he had a gun in his pocket. The cop then reached into the pocket and seized a Smith & Wesson handgun loaded with six rounds, according to NBC Miami. According to an arrest report, Sullivan, who described his occupation as a 'tattoo model,' told the officer he did not have a concealed carry permit for the firearm because 'it's too expensive'. When police arrested Sullivan (pictured) last week, he let one of the arresting officers know he had a gun in his pocket. The cop then reached into the pocket and seized a Smith & Wesson handgun loaded with six rounds According to an arrest report, Sullivan, who described his occupation as a 'tattoo model,' told the officer he did not have a concealed carry permit for the firearm because 'it's too expensive' Sullivan was picked up by police leaving the Hammocks Places apartment complex in Miami Sullivan was then booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a charge of carrying a concealed firearm. He remained jailed last Wednesday on a $5,000 bond. 'If I was waving a gun, yeah, I will admit it. I was not waving a gun. Did I have a gun in my pocket? Yes and I want to be safe,' Sullivan told CBS News. He also said that he was 'treated like a celebrity inside' before bonding out of jail. Sullivan told the station that thought the cops who arrested him were really 'respectful'. 'Ask the police officers that arrested me how polite I was, did not curse them. They treated me real respectful. They are really good cops,' he said. His family told CBS that his tattoos represent his artistic side. Slide me Sullivan was caught thanks to his distinctive facial tattoos. His transformation can be seen in these two photos (left in 2013 and right now) 'Before' shots: Sullivan looked very different the last time he got in trouble with the law, in 2013, when he was picked up on a charge of marijuana possession 'He's a good kid. You know. He has a lot of tattoos. But he's a nice kid with some problems. He is mentally disabled and is handicapped,' his mother said. Sullivan's most recent booking photo puts his elaborate body art on full display, including bloody stitches on each side of his mouth, making it appear as if his cheeks had been sliced open and then sewn up; a small cross; a teardrop; the word 'Joker' etched into his forehead, as well as the Batman symbol with the words, 'F*** Batman.' 'Ha, Ha, Ha' is tattooed below his right eye and there's a '666' carved in front of his right ear. Sullivan looked very different the last time he got in trouble with the law, in 2013, when he was picked up on a charge of marijuana possession, according to The Smoking Gun. His mugshot from that arrest shows Sullivan with his face free of ink. An angry tenant sprayed the words 'Arab' and 'rapist' on her landlord's white BMW after he threw her out of her home - leaving him with a 17,000 bill, a court heard. Dalina Pop, 34, had been sharing a flat with Ovace Miller in Paddington, London, until she was asked to leave the property on August 5, 2015. He left his BMW parked on the street and discovered the following morning that it had been daubed in red and black with the words 'Arab', 'rapist' and 'no means no'. Mr Miller had to pay 17,000 to get the BMW 6 series resprayed. Dalina Pop, 34, (left) was kicked out of the home in Paddington, London, and Ovace Miller's car was later covered in paint (right) Just four days after the incident, Pop voluntarily presented herself at Charing Cross Police Station. She appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London today to deny a single charge of racially aggravated criminal damage. Judge Andrew Goymer set a provisional trial date for October later this year. He said: 'I will readmit the defendant to bail with the condition that she does not contact the complainant either directly or indirectly. 'Your case, if it goes to trial, will be listed for trial in the week starting 2 October.' Pop, of West Hampstead, northwest London, was bailed ahead of trial at Southwark Crown Court in the week of October 2. A man suspected of driving under the influence was charged with murder after he plowed head-first into a pregnant woman in Valley Glen, California, forcing her to immediately go into labor and give birth to a baby girl who died soon after. Julian Gutierrez, 25, who reportedly had three previous DUI offences on his record, swerved into oncoming traffic on Fulton Avenue around 11:05 pm last Friday night and crashed directly into Judith Mauricio, who was eight months pregnant, according to NBC 4 . Gutierrez was driving a 2010 Nissan Altima, while Mauricio was behind the wheel of a 1997 Acura Integra. The heavily-pregnant woman was severely injured in the crash and was rushed to a local hospital to deliver her baby. Julian Gutierrez, 25, is facing a murder charge after he crashed head-on into a pregnant woman, Judith Mauricio, forcing her to give birth to a baby girl who died soon after Gutierrez had three prior DUI offenses on his record The crash occurred when the North Hills man swerved into oncoming traffic on Fulton Avenue around 11:05 pm last Friday night 'I ran out, saw the lady yelling in hysterics,' said Simon Sarkissian, a witness at the scene of the crash. 'When I saw the bruise on her tummy there, all I could do was pray.' In addition to murder, the 25-year-old is facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of two other DUI offenses; gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; and driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol content causing injury within 10 years of two other DUI offenses. Gutierrez pleaded not guilty to all charges when he appeared in court on Wednesday. Prior to the crash, the North Hills man reportedly had his license suspended seven times in the last six years and revoked in 2016. There was also a $70,000 warrant out for his arrest. Gutierrez, who is scheduled to appear again in court on June 13, is currently being held on $2 million bail. If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. Tremaine Jamison allegedly shot 29-year-old Devon Brown in the head Police say a Pennsylvania man was hosting a kindergarten graduation party for his son and several other children when he was fatally shot. Witnesses tell state police that a fight or rough play between the victim's six-year-old son and another six-year-old boy led to an argument between adults at a Wednesday evening party in Hanover Township, near Wilkes-Barre. Authorities say the argument ended with 27-year-old Tremaine Jamison, of New York City, shooting 29-year-old Devon Brown in the head. Online court records show troopers have charged Jamison with criminal homicide and possessing a prohibited weapon. Police say Jamison lives in Harlem and that authorities are searching for him. 'They both graduated from kindergarten yesterday. His friend is the one who he allegedly gave a black eye to, but he didn't have a black eye. They were just rough playing like boys do,' Brown's wife, Antionette Nimmons, said to WNEP. Devon Brown was shot dead. here he is pictured with his wife Antoinette Nimmons Nimmons said now, all she can do is stay strong for her two children and keep the positive memories of Brown alive. 'He was outgoing, funny, goofy, always the center of attention, always had everybody laughing,' Nimmons said. Nimmons said that he was not only a wonderful father to their two children, but he was also a role model to other kids in the neighborhood. 'I just really hope justice will be served. That's what will make me feel better,' Nimmons said. According to a police affidavit filed in court, the other childs mother, identified as Nairobi Headen, confronted Nimmons and accused her son of punching Headens son in the face. Nimmons, pictured, said that he was not only a wonderful father to their two children, but he was also a role model to other kids in the neighborhood. The fatal fight took place in the Marion Terrace Apartment Complex in Hanover Township The dispute led to a fight between Nimmons, Brown, Jamison and Headens sister, the affidavit says. A witness reported seeing someone pull a pocket knife on Brown, who then ran into his home and returned with a long kitchen knife to face a five on one confrontation, according to police. A witness reported Jamison taking careful aim and firing once from about 15 feet away, shooting Brown in the left temple, police said. Brown died at the scene, with an autopsy set for Friday morning. State police are now looking for Jamison who is believed to live in the Harlem area of New York City. He has two robbery convictions under his belt in New York and may returned there. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact police. A Las Vegas lawyer accused of providing a cellphone to her inmate lover has posted a defiant selfie of the tattooed felon kissing her on the cheek. Alexis Plunkett, 36, was charged with allowing known gang member Andrew Arevalo - and another inmate - to use her phone at the Clark County Detention Center on several occasions this year. Police set up surveillance cameras inside the visitation room at the prison after becoming suspicious of Plunkett's visits to see 26-year-old Arevalo, some of which occurred late at night. Lawyer Alexis Plunkett, 36, posted a selfie on Facebook on Wednesday of Las Vegas jail inmate Andrew Arevalo, 26, kissing her on the cheek Plunkett, who is also Arevalo's lawyer, was allegedly caught on camera kissing the inmate on the lips during three separate visits. Plunkett is charged with allowing Arevalo - a known gang member - to use her phone at the Clark County Detention Center several times this year She posted the selfie of Arevalo kissing her on the cheek on her law firm's Facebook page on Wednesday, with the caption: 'He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her.' Plunkett told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that she isn't ashamed of her relationship with Arevalo and the pair have known each other since 2012. 'The press will not dictate my relationship with Andrew; that is why I posted a private picture of us - to show that we are people and I am not ashamed of him. Never,' she said. 'I've openly been with him for years and have never hidden it from anyone... I care deeply for Andrew and have for many years.' She also posted a photo of her mugshot, saying: 'Facing charges? I got you in a way another attorney CANNOT.' Arevalo is a known member of the Surenos gang. He has a number of felony conviction as far back as 2009 and was shot in the face in a shooting at High Desert State Prison in 2014. Arevalo (pictured above several years ago) is a known member of the Surenos gang. He has a number of felony conviction as far back as 2009 Plunkett, who is also Arevalo's lawyer, was allegedly caught on camera kissing the inmate on the lips during three separate visits He was arrested earlier this year after police found him with weapons and drugs. He is currently awaiting trial. Police say Plunkett allowed Arevalo and another inmate, Roger Estrada, to use her cellphone during many of her two dozen visits this year. Plunkett has said she believed she was authorized to make calls given her role as a defense attorney. Defense lawyers are allowed to use phones only on the case on which they're meeting with a client. She faces 12 counts of unlawful possession of a portable telecommunication device by a felony jail prisoner and two gross misdemeanor counts of conspiracy. A man who was acquitted of rape and assault by a District Court jury has promised to sue the police after ignoring vital evidence that could have ended the trial. The judge ridiculed the case as 'most unsatisfactory' after the man, in his 40s, was accused of sexual intercourse without consent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his estranged wife - despite police ignoring crucial texts and emails. Police at one stage were granted access to emails and text messages that cast doubt over his estranged wife's version of events, but refused to drop the charges, according to The Advertiser. A man has promised to sue police for malicious prosecution after ignoring crucial evidence after rape and assault allegation before he was acquitted by a jury (Stock Image) After the man spent more than $200,000 in legal fees and spent time behind bars the judge ridiculed the way the case was handled and claimed the severity of the charges should not have been brought upon the man. Judge Mark Williams took aim at the prosecution for ignoring 'cogent and consistent objective evidence' that supported the sex was consensual, the publication reported. The unidentified man was acquitted of the charges and is now planning on taking the police to court suing for malicious prosecution. The man has since spoken to the publication claiming he didn't want this to taint or deter any victim coming forward, but wanted the police to be held accountable. The man is planning on taking the police to court over malicious prosecution (Stock Image) 'I support that, I don't want to see this sort of thing brushed under the carpet ... But the police did a complete disservice to them and genuine victims, failing them on so many levels when people like [his former wife] make false allegations,' he told the publication. 'All that does is create a sense in society that these women are making things up.' He said he supported the police being pro-active against domestic violence, but had an issue with the assumption that you are guilty. White House lawyers are reviewing questions of executive privilege in advance of blockbuster testimony by fired FBI Director James Comey next week, White House press secretary Sean Spicer revealed. If Trump invokes the privilege, it could bar Comey from revealing private conversations he had with the president about the FBI's Russia investigation into Mike Flynn and Trump associates and whether the president asked him to back off. 'That committee hearing was just noticed. And I think obviously its got to be reviewed,' Spicer said Friday, asked whether the president would invoke the privilege when Comey testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee next week. The panel on Thursday announced the date of the hearing, which is to occur next Thursday, although it had been forecast in media reports that Comey would testify after Memorial Day. 'Literally my understanding is the date for that hearing was just set,' Spicer said. 'Ive not spoken to counsel yet. I dont know what that how theyre gonna respond.' White House press secretary Sean Spicer said White House awyers are reviewing questions of executive privilege in advance of blockbuster testimony by fired FBI Director James Comey next week President Trump ignored a question about executive privilege from a reporter during a bill signing in the Oval Office. Earlier Friday, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said indicated that Comey would testify, although she said it was up to the president whether he would invoke executive privilege. 'Well be watching with the rest of the world when Director Comey testifies,' Conway told ABC's 'Good Morning America.' It will be Comey's first public appearance since Trump fired him, citing a variety of reasons. Subsequent reports revealed that Comey kept notes on his conversations with the president, including one where he claims Trump asked him to hold back an FBI investigation of fired national security advisor Mike Flynn a story Comey intends to maintain. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway says her team will be 'watching with the rest of the world' when fired FBI Director James Comey testifies indicating the president won't block his appearance The president has the authority to block testimony by his current or former aides by invoking executive privilege. Conway's comments aren't clear on whether that would happen. Asked directly about this by host George Stephanopoulos, she responded: 'The president will make that decision.' If he did invoke privilege, there would be instant analogies to President Richard Nixon during Watergate, and the move could be challenged in court. Any claim of protecting privilege could be undermined by Trump's tweets about his conversations. Privilege also can't be used to to block a crime such as obstruction of justice. Comey plans to testify that Trump asked him to shut down an investigation of fired national security advisor Flynn. Other reporting is that the president asked Comey to pledge his 'loyalty' immediately after taking office. Conway wouldn't say whether President Trump would invoke executive privilege, saying 'The president will make that decision' Conway also took several shots at Comey noting that after his last testimony, he had to release a letter correcting his statement that former Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin had forwarded thousands of emails to husband Anthony Weiner's computer. It turned out that the numbers were far smaller, that they were forwarded through backup technology, and that only two emails were classified. 'The last time he testified he had to scurry to correct that testimony,' Conway said of Comey. 'He was off by hundreds of thousands in his count, his sworn testimony count, of the number of emails that Huma Abedin allegedly sent to her husband Anthony Weiner,' she said, bringing up the Weiner scandal just days after he plead guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor. Stephen Miller, White House senior advisor for policy, from left, General Michael Flynn, U.S. national security advisor, and Jared Kushner, senior White House adviser, listen during a news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump Fired FBI Director James Comey is set to testify June 8 before the Senate Intelligence Committee Comey is said to be eager to testify to clear his name after getting fired from his post She also took a shot at Comey allies, who since his firing have made media appearances to reveal his discomfort and concerns about Trump while he was working for the government. They emerged after President Trump trashed Comey's 'poor, poor performance' on the job. The FBI director serves a 10-year term. Trump has denied firing Comey for the FBI's investigation of his associates' Russia connections, but also said the investigation was on his mind when he did it. Like Trump, Conway brought up Comey's handling of the Clinton email scandal as a reason for his firing. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein blasted Comey's conduct in a letter to Trump released along with his firing. 'He concluded that it really hurt the morale and the integrity of the department. Go and read the letter, everyone can see it,' Conway said. Conway wouldn't comment on whether Trump has tapes of his Comey conversations as he appeared to claim in a tweet, and whether he would release them. 'When Director Comey goes to testify, I think that will be a very clarifying moment. I would again repeat that his most recent sworn testimony had to be corrected almost immediately,' Conway said. 'Its more important to have somebody testify under oath, frankly, than to have his friends and his former colleagues out there speaking to the media not under oath.' A brave yachtswoman who attempted to save a fatally injured crewmate died in the same round-the-world race just seven months later, an inquest heard today. Sarah Young, 40, from North London, tried to resuscitate paramedic Andrew Ashman, 49, after he stepped into a 'danger zone' and was hit by a sail in high winds. Mr Ashman was less than a week into the year-long 40,000-mile Clipper Round the World Yacht Race aboard the IchorCoal when he was struck and killed. Sarah Young (left), 40, from North London, tried to resuscitate paramedic Andrew Ashman (right), 49, of Kent, after he stepped into a 'danger zone' and was hit by a sail in high winds The accident in September 2015 - 120 miles off the coast of Portugal - made Mr Ashman, of Orpington, Kent, the first sailor to die in the race's 19-year history. But seven months later in April 2016 amateur sailor and company owner Ms Young died after being knocked overboard by a huge wave during the same race. The Leeds University graduate was on board the IchorCoal in the Pacific Ocean when she was knocked in to the sea. Her body was recovered, but crewmates were unable to revive her and she was buried at sea. Southwark Coroner's Court heard Ms Young would have been called as a witness to give evidence at an inquest into Mr Ashman's death but she had been killed seven months later when the 70ft IchorCoal was hit by a freak wave. A pre-inquest hearing into Mr Ashman's death was told he was on the yacht when a rope snapped as he was 'reefing' the main sail in 30mph winds and was knocked unconscious by the mainsheet - a rope connected to the boom. Mr Ashman and his crew were heading towards Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the first leg of the race when the incident happened. No other crew members were injured. Mr Ashman was less than a week into the year-long 40,000-mile Clipper Round the World Yacht Race aboard the IchorCoal (pictured) when he was struck and killed He was given immediate medical assistance but failed to regain consciousness despite resuscitation attempts by Ms Young, the hearing was told. Senior Coroner Dr Andrew Harris said: 'Sarah Young, who tried to resuscitate Mr Ashman, would have been called to given evidence, but she tragically died.' A report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) into Mr Ashman's death stated that 'during uncontrolled gybes (a sailing manoeuvre), the deceased sustained a fatal neck injury'. Mr Ashman stepped over a 'danger zone' before being hit by the sail, the hearing was told. Keith Ashman, Andrew's brother representing the family, said they may never know why he stepped into the danger zone. He said: 'I spoke to all the people who were involved on board. Leeds University graduate Ms Young was on board the IchorCoal in the Pacific when she was knocked in to the sea. Her body was recovered, but crewmates were unable to revive her 'From talking to people there's part of the boat they call "ripple keys" and everyone knows you go left, right or under and he stepped over it. 'I don't know why, I don't think we'll ever know why he put himself in harm's way. We'll never know why he did that, I don't think anyone knows.' Senior Coroner Dr Andrew Harris identified four factors in Mr Ashman's death. He said: 'It is inescapable it's an unnatural death. 'The key issues that would seem to be relevant to the inquest and may have contributed to the death are the decision to reduce sail in the wind conditions, the entry by the deceased into the "danger zone" on deck, the experience of the deceased sailor and his training for ocean racing and the appropriateness of the constituency and directions for usage of rope of the preventer line. 'In the MAIB report it states "it can't be known why he entered the danger zone on this occasion". It is clear there is evidence from crew members that may provide a more accurate conclusion. The Clipper Fleet 2015: The Clipper Round the World Race was founded in 1995 by British sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, with the inaugural event taking place in 1996 'Two crew members will be notified and if they want to give evidence to let me know.' At the time Mr Ashman was taking part in the 'reefing evolution', which is the process of reducing the sail during high winds. Captain Emma Tiller, who wrote the MAIB report into the incident, said there was nothing to suggest Mr Ashman had not performed the reefing process before. Paul Dyer, technical manager at Marlow Ropes - the firm that supplied the rigging for the yachts, said: 'We should be clear the ropes were not actually supplied by us because Marlow didn't specify how those ropes were used and how they were to be used. 'The manufacture and specification of the ropes in this case were pretty typical for the rope for the size of yacht. Ms Young would have been called to given evidence at Mr Ashman's inquest but she died 'The rope which actually broke in this case wasn't supplied for the bunch, it was made up by then rigging team so Marlow wasn't aware of the set up being used until after the event. 'We have done some subsequent tests and the break line was between limit and overload, which is approximately where it was supposed to be.' Mr Ashman and his team were in the middle of the first of 14 mini races as part of the world's longest ocean race. The Clipper Round the World Race was founded in 1995 by British sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, with the inaugural event taking place in 1996. It pits teams of amateur sailors against one another in a race spanning more than 40,000 miles, separated into eight legs. There will be another pre-inquest review regarding Mr Ashman's death in September to decide if a jury will be required. A full three-day full inquest is due to take place at Southwark Coroner's Court in December. This was the scene as Israeli women shed their clothes to take part in a 'Slut Walk' demonstration through the streets of Jerusalem. Hundreds of activists marched through the conservative city to defend women's rights and to protest against sexual harassment. One protester held up a placard saying 'Don't tell us how to dress, tell men not to rape' while some went topless and wrote slogans on their bodies. Scroll down for video Israeli women marched through Jerusalem as they take part in the global 'Slut Walk' movement Hundreds of activists marched through the conservative city to defend women's rights and to protest against sexual harassment Protesters carried placards and others wrote slogans on their bodies as they tried to make their voices heard Others stripped down to their underwear for the annual march, which has proved controversial in the past. Local media reported organisers as saying: 'The word slut is a violent social tool designed to embarrass women and cultivate violence against women. 'So we've claimed this word and taken away society's ability to use it against us.' The global Slut Walk movement is known for its topless protests demanding respect for women's rights, but a row broke out last year in Israel over the right to bare all. Some stripped down to their underwear while others went topless for the annual march, which has proved controversial in the past Slut Walk was first held in Canada in 2011 after a police officer caused outrage during a speech to university students by stating that 'women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised' Some went topless as they marched through the streets of conservative Jerusalem today In previous years a few went topless during the march, organisers said, but in 2016 police tried to force them to cover up. 'No, that means no,' they chanted this year as the marchers, mostly women but also some men, made their way along Jaffa Road and near religiously conservative Ultra-Orthodox Jewish areas such as Mahane Yehuda where women cover up in long robes. The annual march, held with a police escort, passed off without incident. Margaret, 23, told AFP she was there to show that 'all women and all men have the right to wear what they want... and that nobody has the right to touch or attack them for that'. With bleached hair, a boyish haircut and several piercings on her face, 18-year-old Katie said such action was 'very important' in a country like Israel where an ex-president, Moshe Katsav, is serving a seven-year jail term for rape. Two women argue during the march today. Hundreds took part with many stripping off for the protest Unlike Tel Aviv, Israel's liberal city on the Mediterranean, Jerusalem is conservative and home to religiously observant Jews, Muslims and Christians Many women stripped down to their bras as they protested against sexual harassment and defended women's rights Women shout out as they take part in the SlutWalk march through the streets of Jerusalem Taking part alongside his girlfriend was Erez, sporting a beard and a dress. Apart from a show of solidarity, he wanted 'to make it loud and clear that the responsibility for sorting out this question lies not with women, but with us, men'. Unlike Tel Aviv, Israel's liberal city on the Mediterranean, Jerusalem is conservative and home to religiously observant Jews, Muslims and Christians. In March 2015, a girl was killed and six other people wounded when an Ultra-Orthodox Jew attacked a Gay Pride parade in the Holy City. The SlutWalk movement was sparked in Canada in 2011 after a police officer caused outrage during a speech to university students by stating that 'women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised'. In previous years a few went topless during the march, organisers said, but in 2016 police tried to force them to cover up A young Orthodox Jew (left), turns his face as women taking part in the Slut Walk protest march past Israeli women display Hebrew words written on their legs, during the 'Slut Walk' in Jerusalem Frank Acevedo, 42, is accused of predatory criminal sexual assault of a relative since the girl was eight-years-old A 42-year-old man has been accused of fathering his 15-year-old relative's child Frank Acevedo from Chicago was arrested after a DNA test appeared to show he was the father of the young family' members child. He allegedly started sexually abusing the girl soon after she turned eight. Prosecutors say that as girl grew older, the sexual assaults got worse with the girl falling pregnant at the age of 15. She gave birth in 2013. Just months after having the baby she told a different relative that Acevedo was the child's father. A search warrant was issued against him and required Acevedo, who is from the city's West Lawn neighborhood, was required to submit to a DNA swab in August 2016. The victim and her child also were tested. Lab results dated in April came back with an almost 100 percent possibility of Acevedo being the father, prosecutors said. Since being arrested on May 30, Acevedo has been charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal criminal sexual assault. He is being held on $750,000 bail Hundreds of furious women have slammed a cosmetic surgery after their naked images and personal details were published online. More than 500 women had photos of their pre-and-post breast enhancement surgery publicly placed on the website of Sydney's The Cosmetic Institute. The photos, which date back to 2014, were made accessible online after an IT issue caused a private index of patient's data on the page to become public, The Daily Telegraph reported. The collection of images also included photos of clients wearing swimwear. Hundreds of female clients of The Cosmetic Institute had their pre-and-post breast enhancement surgery photos made public online after an IT issue saw a private index on the clinic's website freely available The Cosmetic Institute in Sydney's Bondi Junction (pictured) said they were investigating how the photos became publicly accessible Client's personal information, from their contact details to their bra size, reasons for surgery and Medicare number were also made available. Jessica Clough, 20, said she was mortified to find out her intimate photos and details could be freely accessed by members of the public. 'I can't explain the feeling; it is just so horrible not knowing who could have looked at this,' Ms Clough said. Another client of The Cosmetic Institute, which is located in Bondi Junction, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, said she has now pulled-out of her surgery, which was scheduled for this year. 'I wanted to do the operation in Australia because things can go wrong in Thailand. I feel violated in my own country,' Charlene Jabbie, a mother-of-two from Perth, said. Other women have taken to The Cosmetic Institute's Facebook page since 2014 sharing clothed public images of their pre-and-post surgery looks because they wanted to 'share my wonderful experience'. Other women have taken to social media to post the results of their breast enhancement surgery which was undertaken at The Cosmetic Institute Images of some client's surgery outcomes were posted to The Cosmetic Institute's Facebook page as the client wanted to 'share my wonderful experience' Images which were posted to The Cosmetic Institute's Facebook page were from clients who said they were happy with the outcome of their surgeries The clinic's owner, Andrew Gill, said once he found out about the private information being leaked online, the website was disabled and they are now investigating how the issue arose. 'Patient confidentiality is the most important thing for us and we are trying to understand how this information was released,' Mr Gill said. The clinic hit the headlines in 2015 when a woman who was left with lopsided breasts after a botched procedure publicly hit out at The Cosmetic Institute. Katie Mitchell detailed her horrible experience with the clinic, shortly after a second woman went into cardiac arrest while getting breast enlargement surgery. A woman from Victoria suffered a heart attack mid-procedure at the Institute in September 2015, which followed the same thing happening to 22-year-old Amy Rickhuss in January of that year. The Health Care Complaints Commission investigated The Cosmetic Institute in 2015 but stopped short of releasing any findings. Women who are concerned their photos and details were publicly published online should contact the New South Wales Information and Privacy Commission on (02) 9258 0066. A 74-mile long model train track is set to smash a world record when it weaves through the Scottish Highlands later this month. The miniature steam train will set off on top of a plastic track which is fully recyclable and travel the distance while people tune in to watch the journey on television. The scale model will travel through the Great Glen and eventually reach its final destination of Inverness, on Scotland's northern coast. It will beat the current world record of nearly eight miles, which was set in Hamburg, Germany, six years ago. This is a replica of the model train (left) which will be used to complete the 74-mile journey through Scotland. Producer Charlotte Armstrong (right) has asked local people for their help to build the track The record attempt will feature in a new show called 'The Biggest Little Railway in the World' and volunteers will live in campsites as they assemble the track. People are now being sought for the project in order to make everything come together without any hitches. Producer Charlotte Armstrong said: 'Filming starts on June 20 and we have five groups in place with around 10 or 12 people in each one. 'Each group will be laying sections of the track and they will live in campsites along the route - very much like workers did when the Victorian railways were being built. 'It is a massive project and the groups will include engineers, railway buffs and adventurists. 'The programmes will focus on the challenges facing them and how they solve the problems they will encounter along the way. 'The presenter will be Dick Strawbridge and his job will be to travel between the groups to see how they are getting on. 'Because of the nature of the project, some of the teams may fall behind and, because we only have two weeks to complete the railway track. 'It might be necessary to call on local people for help along the way.' The scale model will travel through the Great Glen and eventually reach its final destination of Inverness (stock photo) The film will be produced by Love Productions - the same company which made the Great British Bake Off. One possible hitch being looked at already is that bridges may have to be erected along some sections of the land which could halt progress. Ms Armstrong continued: 'We must arrive at Inverness Castle on Saturday, July 1, so we're looking for volunteers who could help us out at short notice. 'But we're not looking for Bear Grylls types as it's not a survival exercise, just can-doers - either individuals or members of a team whether it's from a shinty club or a pub quiz. 'We're really passionate about this project - even though it sounds a bit bonkers - and want to achieve our goal.' A Melbourne family have been left traumatized after being attacked by masked home invaders who smashed up their Templestowe home. The intruders, who were armed with knives and a tomahawk, initially tried to smash their way through a rumpus room window at around 1am on Thursday. After they failed to gain entry they moved onto the master bedroom where the parents were sleeping, who awoke in terror. During the break in, a father and his two sons were brutally attacked, as the family's mother described the intrusion as 'frightening and horrific.' One of the sons, Dean, who was clearly shaken from the drama that unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning, revealed his harrowing ordeal to 9 News. Scroll down for video Dean, along with his father and brother, were attacked as masked burglars entered their Melbourne home in the early hours of Thursday morning Dean suffered a gash to his forehead as his blood spilled onto the mattress below where the violence ensued 'I woke up to shouts and yells, I got grabbed and thrown on the bed and had a punch to the face.' 'A third person was coming in so I grabbed the third person and we all started wrestling and while we were doing that, three more people came in,' he added. As the violence ensued, the property suffered substantial damage with caved in walls, broken furniture and a blood stained mattress as Dean sustained a gash to his head believed to be from one of the men's weapons. The burglars ransacked their home of 24 years, yet only managed to leave the property with a mobile phone, an Xbox and $10. The gang believed to be African or Lebanese tried smashing through a rumpus window before moving on to the master bedroom The Templestowe property that was invaded by a group of masked men who went on to savagely attack a family who had woken in the middle of the night They fled the property through the rear as they made their get away across a reserve behind the home. Although the men were wearing masks and gloves, Dean believes the men were either African or Lebanese from their accents. The break-in follows a series of brazen burglaries by suspected Apex gang members across the city. The distressing incident has left his mother Felicity Peters tormented, who insists a family's home should be their retreat, free from danger. 'I dont feel like I want to come into this room, you don't expect people to come into your home; this is your safe haven,' Ms Peters said. During the break in, she fled to the bathroom and hid in the shower where she called police. Officers from both Doncaster and Forest Hill police stations attended, and the dog squad was called. A 'controlling' man who savagely strangled his fiance then buried her body in a shallow grave under his parents' shed has been jailed for at least 22 years. Neil Archer, 31, murdered 20-year-old Jody Meyers in August 2015 during a heated argument at their home east of Adelaide in South Australia. He then took her body to his parents home, buried it under the toolshed and returned the next day to cover the grave with fresh concrete. In the Supreme Court on Friday, Justice Trish Kelly imposed the mandatory head sentence of life in jail but set a non-parole period of 22 years. Neil Archer, 31, will serve at least 22 years behind bars for brutally murdering his fiance Jody Meyers in 2015 Family and supporters of Ms Meyers depart the Adelaide District court on Friday after the sentencing was delivered The judge described Archer as a controlling individual who believed he owned his partner's life. She said Archer believed relatives of Ms Meyers were trying to break up their relationship. When he revealed his concerns to his brother-in-law, he was told he had two options, put up with it or leave. Archer's response was to say 'I will just kill her', Justice Kelly said. 'That statement speaks volumes about your mindset towards Jody...It betrays the attitude of a man who thinks he owns his partner's life. 'It is all too commonly seen in controlling and abusive men, like you, who end up killing their partner.' Archer took her body to his parents home, buried it under the toolshed and returned the next day to cover the grave with fresh concrete Ms Meyers was found was found buried under a concrete slab at a Mannum property (pictured), east of Adelaide, in August 2015 - more than a month after she went missing Archer originally claimed Ms Meyers had run away, but prosecutors alleged he killed her using a piece of grey cord before he pleaded guilty Justice Kelly said Archer told a series of 'extravagant' lies to police and the media to try to explain Ms Meyers' disappearance. After he killed her he buried her body under the floor of a toolshed in the backyard of his parents' home. He returned the next day and covered the grave with fresh concrete. Justice Kelly said police investigating the disappearance of Ms Meyers were struck by Archer's lack of concern and distress and described his conviction as 'well nigh inevitable' based on the evidence. He subsequently pleaded guilty to murder, with a member of Ms Meyers' family telling him to 'rot you piece of s***' as he was led away from the dock on Friday. Outside the court, Ms Meyers' brother-in-law Michael Bates said the family was basically happy with the outcome. 'It would be nice for him to be in there for life and never see the light of day again,' Mr Bates said. 'But with the way the system is, that's a good outcome for us.' National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT These shocking pictures show the extraordinary injuries suffered by a man allegedly smashed in the face by a tear gas grenade during protests in Venezuela. The worker, whose name has not been revealed, was pictured bleeding and with severe swelling to his face during recent violence in the capital city of Caracas. Dozens have been killed and hundreds injured since April in violent protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro who has led the South American country since the death of Hugo Chavez in 2013. Shocking pictures show the injuries suffered by a man believed to have been smashed in the face by a tear gas grenade thrown by police during protests in Venezuela The man, whose name has not been revealed, was pictured bleeding and with severe swelling to his face during recent violence in the capital city of Caracas Leading opposition politician Henrique Capriles, the governor of the Venezuelan state of Miranda, singled out the injury to the man claiming it showed state violence. The man is believed to have been been standing in the middle of a protest in the Las Marcedes area of Caracas when a tear gas canister allegedly launched by police officers hit him in the face. Mr Capriles said: 'This worker was attacked by a bomb launched by police officers. He could have been killed as a lot of Venezuelans have been killed before. Praying for his speedy recovery.' He accused President Maduro of effectively staging a coup after the country's Supreme Tribunal of Justice, which supports the president, took over legislative powers of the opposition-led National Assembly. Dozens have been killed and hundreds injured since April in violent protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro who has led the South American country since the death of Hugo Chavez in 2013 The man is believed to have been been standing in the middle of a protest in the Las Marcedes area of Caracas when a tear gas canister launched by police officers hit him in the face Government security forces push back demonstrators during a march against the administration on May 31 Demonstrators clash with riot security forces at the fence of an air base while rallying against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas Members of Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard (PNB) clash with demonstrators during a protest to support the RCTV TV channel in Caracas Mr Capriles added: 'This is Maduro and his self-coup, it is a fraud to make a constitution to serve and protect those with connections! Venezuela does not accept this! 'The only ones who can decide to have a new constitutional process are the Venezuelan people. Not Maduro nor the judges.' Protests against the constitutional changes continue in Caracas, and around the country, where protesters accuse the president of trying to hang on to power. Local media say that 62 people have so far lost their lives in the protests. The most recent was a 46-year-old woman who was shot during a demonstration in the western Venezuelan state of Lara. A solar-powered drone developed by China has reached 65,000 feet during a near-space flight test. The made-in-China plane has a 'super long range' and could stay in the air for months - or even years - according to Chinese state media. A member of the country's Rainbow drone series, the unmanned aircraft is expected to carry out various tasks, including anti-terrorist assignments and disaster relief works. China has successfully conducted a flight test for its new solar-powered drone (pictured) The unmanned aircraft can fly into the stratosphere and is expected to fly non-stop for months The flight test was recently held at an unnamed airport in north-east China, reported state broadcaster China Central Television Station (CCTV) on June 1. The plane reached 65,000 feet during the recent test (pictured) The Rainbow drone reached 65,000 feet (20 kilometres), nearly twice the altitude of a commercial airliner. Developed by the 11th Institute of The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the aircraft is said to be the first large and long-range unmanned aircraft developed by China which could fly into the stratosphere. According to CCTV, all of the key components of the drone were produced by Chinese companies. Apart from counter-terrorism and rescue functions, the drone is expected to provide support for the building of telecommunications and broadcast infrastructure in rural China. It appears the Chinese authority has invested heavily on the development of drones. Last month, a picture emerged on the Chinese social media which claimed to show a new drone bomber the country was making. The unnamed aircraft is said to be able to skim the surface of the sea and carry out 'lethal attacks' on warships, said a post online. Mysterious and powerful: Source suggested this is a new military drone being built by China. It's said to be a member of the CH drone series and can fly at a low altitude above the sea China's most powerful drone bomber yet is said to be the CH-5 unmanned plane. The aircraft made its first flight in 2015, according to earlier reports. It debuted to the public at a military air show in the southern city of Zhuhai. According to official stats, released by Huanqiu.com, CH-5 is a long-range unnamed aircraft. Its wing span is 68.8 feet (21 metres) and its maximum take-off weight is 3.3 tonnes. It can fly up to 40 hours without refuelling with a maximum range of 4,038 miles (6,500 kilometres). Rampant growth of the world's most dangerous mushroom is believed to have poisoned 14 people in Northern California in December. Three of the 14 poisoned by the 'death cap' mushrooms, Amanita phalloides, needed liver transplants, including an 18-month-old baby. The infant suffered 'permanent neurologic impairment' after eating just one half of a mushroom, according to a CBS News report. Another person who was poisoned, a 37-year-old man, was hospitalized for six days after ingesting a mushroom he picked in Santa Rosa. The world's most dangerous mushroom, Amanita phalloides, is responsible for poisoning 14 people in Northern California (file photo) TOXIC FUNGI FACTS: The death caps - or Amanita phalloides - is a highly toxic form of fungi. The mushroom kills up to 90 per cent of those who eat it. They stand out due to the pale green coloring of their caps, a bulbous end at the foot of the stalk and an annulus - a ring-like collar - at the top. When ingested, the phallotoxins and amanitins toxins attack the liver and kidneys causing renal failure. Some treatments are available that can increase the chance of survival. Advertisement All 14 who were poisoned reportedly stated they either ate wild mushrooms they picked or received from others. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning for anyone picking wild mushrooms to have them inspected by a specialist before consuming them. Early warning signs of being poisoned by the world's most dangerous mushroom include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Typically, the California Poison Control System only receives a few reports of mushroom poisonings each year. The rampant spread of Amanita phalloides is thought to be caused by significant rainfall and warm temperatures which occurred in 2016, towards the end of Northern California's autumn. 'Although weather conditions and increased numbers of A. phalloides poisonings do not prove a cause-and-effect relationship, early seasonal rainfall and warmer subsequent temperatures made a substantial contribution to mushroom proliferation,' stated a report published on June 2 by the CDC. Three of the 14 poisoned required liver transplants as a result of eating the mushroom (file photo) An 18-month-old baby suffered irreversible liver failure and brain damage from Amanita phalloides (file photo) Health care providers are urged to contact a poison control center for help should they see any patients claiming illness after eating wild mushrooms. A similar increase in the crop of 'death cap' mushrooms occurred in Britain in the autumn of 2016, with warm, wet weather also believed to be the culprit. Intravenous silibinin, a treatment reportedly used in Europe to combat the poison effects of wild mushrooms, is in the clinical trial stage in the United States. Pictured in her mugshot is the 16-year-old girl accused of stabbing her Uber driver to death with a knife and a machete she stole from Walmart in a crazed early morning attack. Eliza Wasni was ordered held without bail at her first hearing in Cook County, Illinois court on Wednesday. The teen, who lives with a single mother in Norwood Park, stands accused of murdering Uber driver Grand Nelson, 34, after getting a ride from him early Tuesday morning. Wasni kept her head on the ground for most of the court appearance, as she was charged as an adult with first-degree murder. She only spoke up once, to confirm her name. She is currently being represented by a public defender, and will be jailed at a juvenile facility. Scroll down for video Eliza Wasni, 16 (pictured), has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the death of Uber driver Grant Nelson Nelson (right) was driving Wasni (left) early Tuesday morning when she attacked him with two knives she stole from Walmart, prosecutors said Nelson fled his vehicle (above) and tried to get help, but later died at the hospital Prosecutors called the crime 'heinous' and Judge Michael Hood agreed that Nelson's murder was 'extremely violent'. Nelsons parents as well as his two siblings, Todd and Alexandra, were in the courtroom during Wednesday's hearing. Family members could be heard sobbing at times as prosecutors read out a two-page description of the murder. The description offers no reason for the attack, but portrays Wasni as a calm girl who 'nonchalantly' could be seen walking through Walmart earlier in the evening, with a knife and a machete in hand, before she walked outside without paying. Prosecutors said that Nelson, a resident of Wilmette, picked the girl up shortly after 3am Tuesday in Lincolnwood. It was her third ride in an Uber vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday. It's unclear what prompted the attack. Prosecutors say Wasni stole the car but abandoned it soon after striking a median Nelson ran into this condo and tried to get help from residents, yelling 'Help me, help me! I'm going to die!' Two minutes after he began driving, prosecutors said that Wasni began stabbing Nelson from the back seat. Nelson was able to pull over and ran into a nearby condominium building, where he screamed, 'Help me, help me! I'm going to die!' until residents called 911. Wasni climbed into the front seat of Nelson's blood-splattered silver sedan and drove away, striking a median in the road. She jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. When Lincolnwood police arrived, they found the vehicle with blood on both the inside and the outside, with Nelson's phone open to the Uber app. The app said that Nelson's passenger was someone named Eliza. Officers followed the trial of blood and found Nelson lying in grass. He was bleeding profusely from several wounds, and was able to tell the officers what had happened. He died at a nearby hospital a few hours later. Todd Nelson said that his brother Grant (pictured) was 'the most gentle, kind person. He never hurt anyone. He was good to animals, he was good to children' Nelson is pictured on the far left with members of his family in a photo shared to Facebook. The family attended Wasni's first hearing on Wednesday Using the description given by Nelson, police found her nearby crouching behind an air conditioner - a machete in one hand and a knife in the other. Police warned her that she would be shot with a Taser if she did not drop the weapons, and when she did not comply an officer used the Taser. Wasni dropped the knives and was taken into custody. Police said she did not make a statement. According to prosecutors, police recovered a shirt the girl could be seen wearing in the Walmart. The shirt had blood on it. Uber officials said the company was working with police to provide information relevant to the investigation. 'We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our partners,' Uber said in a statement. 'Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.' They also said that she appeared to be in violation of the company's rules, which states that riders must be 18 years or older. The company spokesman said that a rider's access can be removed if they are found to be underage, and that there is a mechanism as well for drivers to report riders they suspect of being underage. Nelson's sister told WMAQ-TV in Chicago that her brother was a good person. 'He was not a vindictive person,' Alex Nelson said. 'He was not a cruel person. He didn't deserve this fate.' She added to the Chicago Tribune that she hopes 'justice will happen' in the 'horrifying and maddening murder'. Brother Todd Nelson said that his bother was 'the most gentle, kind person. He never hurt anyone. He was good to animals, he was good to children'. Nelson lived at home with their parents and worked as a waiter. He drove for Uber and Lyft after his shifts to make money. 'He was just trying to do the best he could in life,' Todd said. Friends told ABC7 that Nelson was driving that night because he could get higher fares for the holiday. 'It was surging. He said it's just opportunity to make some more money,' a friend, Waqas Abbasi said. It is the first homicide in Lincolnwood since 2006, police said. 'Morning Joe' co-host Joe Scarborough claimed Friday morning that presidential strategist Steve Bannon is now effectively running the country uttering the phrase 'President Bannon' seven times in 35 seconds for dramatic effect. And he said Bannon, not U.S. intelligence agencies, is behind a series of embarrassing leaks about Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner's alleged Russia ties. 'Steve Bannon has been leaking I believe, based on everything that I've heard has been leaking these stories,' Scarborough said. 'People very close to Steve Bannon were telling me before the stories were leaked that he was going to be leaking these stories.' 'Two days after I heard this two days! [there was a] front-page New York Times story about the links between Kushner and Russia,' he added. 'A coincidence? Absolutely not.' White House Chief Strategist Steven Bannon, pictured Thursday in the Rose Garden, is the source of leaks that have damaged presidential adviser Jared Kushner, according to 'Morning Joe' co-host Joe Scarborough Scarborough (right) said Friday that he heard from Bannon insiders that stories would be leaked and then days later saw that his tipsters were right Kushner, pictured Friday morning outside his Washington, D.C. home, is President Trump's son-in-law and one of the most senior policy aides in the White House Two White House correspondents confirmed on Friday that Bannon has fed them negative information about Kushner in the past but wouldn't say when, or whether they had used the dirt in their published reporting. Bannon did not respond to a request for comment about Scarborough's accusation. Palace-intrigue stories about tensions among Bannon, Kushner and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus have been plentiful since President Donald Trump took office in late January. Some accounts describe a zero-sum-game atmosphere inside the West Wing, with the three top aides undercutting each other in the hope of creating power vacuums ripe for filling. 'He has a job and wants to keep it,' MSNBC panelist Mark Halperin said Friday of a scheming Bannon, 'and will do what's necessary to do that.' Most recently, Kushner has faced tough questions about a meeting last year with the KGB-trained CEO of a Russian bank under U.S. government sanctions. The Kremlin has framed the meeting as 'ordinary business,' saying the two were discussing a real estate venture and nothing more. Bannon 'has a job and wants to keep it,' MSNBC panelist Mark Halperin (left) said of the leak accusations Kushner was also rumored to have sought a back-channel means of communication with Moscow in the weeks between the November election and the January inauguration. While The Washington Post touted the story as a major scoop, diplomats and intelligence experts were quick to point out that it's a common practice for the U.S. government. Scarborough, though, seemed more consumed with Bannon's role in Trump's decision Thursday to pull out of the 195-nation Paris global warming treaty. The centrist former Republican congressman-turned-TV-host slammed the outcome as a triumph of Bannon's conservative nationalism over Kushner's more moderate political thinking. 'What we saw yesterday is Time Magazine was right. Steve Bannon is president of the United States,' he said, referring to a February cover story that branded Bannon 'the great manipulator.' TIME magazine has profiled Bannon as 'the great manipulator' and Kushner as 'the good son' in recent months 'Donald Trump doesn't know anything about policy. Donald Trump doesn't know anything about politics. Donald Trump doesn't know anything about anything,' Scarborough alleged. 'He can get up and give a good speech. You listen to him talk about any topic and he wanders from sentence to sentence to sentence. So Steve Bannon is now the President of the United States. And that was more clear yesterday than ever before.' Later, Scarborough vented that by siding with Bannon on the Paris pullout, Trump was shooting himself in the foot politically. By then, however, Trump's name was nowhere to be found in the host's rhetoric. 'President Bannon is on the wrong side of the majority,' he declared. 'President Bannon may be right when President Bannon is looking at President Bannon's primary base. But when President Bannon is looking at the overall scope of American voters you can talk about the past three decades President Bannon's not even reading the polls right for today.' Scarborough said Trump's decision would ultimately be seen as a sop to 'a small subset of the population that President Bannon's obsessing on' in order to secure re-election. A teenager is facing federal charges after allegedly placing a homemade pressure cooker bomb under his ex-girlfriend's bed. Ethan Guillen, 18, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is accused of sneaking into her home while she was out and setting the bomb up in an attempt to kill her. But the device failed to detonate and was only discovered by the victim weeks later, during which the bomb squad had to be called to investigate. Scroll down for video Ethan Guillen, 18, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been charged after he placed a homemade pressure cooker bomb under his ex-girlfriend's bed in an attempt to kill her (Victim's house pictured above) Investigators say he broke into the apartment through a balcony while the victim and her family were at her high school graduation on May 18 and set the bomb to go off at 1.30am. It failed to detonate and was discovered by the woman on Wednesday, during which the bomb squad (pictured) was called to investigate According to court documents obtained by KOAT, Guillen mixed energizable material, nuts, bolts, fuse, and a plastic bag containing clear rubber material, and packed it all into a pressure cooker. He broke into the victim's apartment through the balcony while she and her family were attending her high school graduation on May 18. Guillen set the bomb to go off in the early hours of the morning. But the bomb didn't detonate and when the woman, only identified as MC, found it under her bed weeks later, on Wednesday, she told police she believed it might be her ex-boyfriend. Coming out of the top of the bomb was a fireworks fuse, which was wrapped around the tip of a soldering iron. The soldering iron was plugged into an appliance timer, which was in turn plugged into the wall. Police say the pressure cooker (file image) was filled with energizable material, nuts, bolts, fuse, and a plastic bag containing clear rubber material Guillen initially denied being the perpetrator, but later confessed, saying he stayed up, 'listening to a police scanner waiting for an explosion' (Victim's house, pictured above) According to a criminal complaint, when told there were small kids and a baby in the room next to the victims, Guillen responded he didnt care because he wanted her dead. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison (Bomb squad, pictured above) Investigators say Guillen initially denied being the perpetrator, but, in searching the house, they found duct tape that matched duct tape found on the device, latex gloves and a table in the back yard that had large burns on it. Guillen later during questioning admitted he'd put the pressure cooker under the victim's bed, set the timer for 1.30am, then stayed up, 'listening to a police scanner waiting for an explosion'. According to a criminal complaint, when told there were small kids and a baby in the room next to the victims, Guillen responded he didnt care because he wanted her dead. The teen who found the device also told investigators Guillen had harassed her in the past and that she hadnt had contact with him since Christmas when she said he left a note taped to her window, reported KRQE. Guillen has been charged with having an unregistered destructive device, according to the US Department of Justice. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison. James McDonald would not accept his relationship was over when he viciously stabbed his 32-year-old ex-lover dozens of times A jealous thug who stabbed his ex-girlfriend 50 times while she slept and cut her daughter's hand as she desperately tried to stop him has been jailed for 16 years. James McDonald would not accept his relationship was over when he viciously stabbed his 32-year-old ex-lover dozens of times. He attacked her in her sleep at her home in Thanet, Kent and as she begged him to stop her two frightened children looked on. At one point one child tried to protect her mum's heart only to be injured and scarred for life but it 'was extraordinary that she survived.' The youngster, who feared her mother would be murdered, then grabbed a cushion to shield her mum's face from the repeated blows. Both the woman's lungs were pierced as he stabbed her, twisting the knife into the wounds until he broke it. The 30-year-old then went downstairs grabbing a larger knife and a heavy sound bar to continue the onslaught. The woman played dead but he just carried on stabbing her in her face, neck, chest and back. As the frightened children locked themselves inside a car the bloodied woman managed to flee outside and collapsed in the street. But McDonald continued to stab her in front of horrified onlookers and grabbed her hair. When challenged he ran back inside the building, set fire to two duvets and sat clutching a knife as the flames began to spread. The child was described by a judge 'as brave as they come' for trying to protect her mother as he jailed McDonald to 16 years behind bars - one year for each three stab wounds he inflicted on the mum. Sentencing him at Maidstone Crown Court Judge, James O'Mahony said: 'This was a frenzied, relentless and renewed attack. 'It was horrific and carried out in front of two children. 'The daughter tried bravely to protect her mum and it was extraordinary that she survived. 'She has been left with permanent scarring.' Sentencing him at Maidstone Crown Court, pictured above, Judge James O'Mahony said: 'This was a frenzied, relentless and renewed attack' Judge O'Mahony said after the attack the victim was airlifted to hospital and had two blood transfusions while in the air ambulance. He added: 'She had 23 wounds just to the upper torso. 'She came terribly close to death and the intention was to kill her. 'The knife was twisted in a stabbing motion, delivered with deliberate aim on vulnerable parts of the body. 'Wounds were also caused to a child who was trying to protect her mother.' McDonald, 30, had been staying as a guest in his former girlfriend's house in Broadstairs, Kent when he flew into a rage on September 21 last year. He had eight previous convictions for 11 offences, including violence, battery and affray. In addition to the jail term he was also given a five-year extended licence for when he is released. After the hearing, Detective Sergeant Ross Gurden said: 'This was a horrific and unprovoked attack on a helpless woman and McDonald has shown he can be an extremely volatile and dangerous person with absolutely no regard for life. 'The victim is lucky to be alive after he stabbed her so many times his knife broke. 'I would like to commend the victim for her courage after being subjected to such a life changing ordeal and those members of the public that came to her assistance. 'We hope this lengthy sentence provides some reassurance to the public that Kent Police will not tolerate such terrible acts of violence and will do everything within its power to bring offenders to justice. A deputy sheriff said he saw he saw a crashed flying saucer and aliens who 'looked like the ones we see on television' at Roswell, a newly-released interview reveals. Deputy Sheriff Charles Fogus rushed to the scene of a crashed aircraft in New Mexico in an incident that still baffles experts and conspiracy theorists after 70 years. A new book claims Fogus said the UFO was around 100ft wide, and he said he saw soldiers removing dead 'creatures' from the scene. The case has baffled conspiracy theorists for seven decades, in spite of the US military saying it was a balloon which crashed Major Jesse Marcel from the Roswell Army Air Field with debris found 75 miles north west of Roswell, NM, in June 1947. The debris has been identified as that of a radar target. The Air Force released a report debunking reports of a UFO crash near Roswell The deputy told Deanna Short, a private investigator from LA, there were between 300 and 400 soldiers on the scene when he arrived with Sheriff Jess Slaughter in July 1947. In transcripts from a 1999 interview seen by The Mirror, and used in new book UFOs TODAY 70 Years of Lies, Misinformation and Government Cover-Up, he said: 'They were hauling a big, a creature. 'The bodies must have been 5 feet tall. I saw the legs and feet on some of them. They looked like our feet. 'The skin was a brownish color. Like they were in the sun too long.' Reports of a 'flying saucer' crash circulated at the time, prompting conspiracy theorists to believe aliens had landed The incident continues to be popular with UFO enthusiasts seven decades after it happened The interview features in the book UFOs Today: 70 Years of Lies, Misinformation and Government Cover-Up Asked if he had seen their heads, he said: 'Yeh.they were covered. They eyes looked like the ones we see on television and the pictures of them.' And reflecting on what he had seen, Fogus said: 'The Great Father didnt just make this planet. He made all of them. 'He put beings on these planets just like he put us on this one. Theyre smarter then we are.' The book has been published by Philip Mantle, who is a former director of investigations for the British UFO Research Association. He told The Mirror: 'It is rare that anyone new adds anything to the Roswell event from an eye witness point of view. 'If you treat the Roswell UFO crash as a 'cold case' investigation then new testimony like this can be invaluable.' The US Military has consistently denied that Roswell was the site of an alien landing, releasing reports confirming that the object which crashed was a surveillance balloon. Mystery has deepened today over the sudden death of two apparently healthy North Korean workers in Moscow as it emerged both had been injected with an unknown 'drug' shortly before they died. The fatalities in separate rooms of a dormitory-style hotel for guest workers, in the west of the capital, are being investigated by the Russian equivalent to the FBI. Russia's health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor is also probing the deaths - but so far there have been no official findings. But Russian broadcaster Ren TV said both North Koreans, believed to be migrant workers, had received injections shortly before they died. Two North Koreans were found dead in separate rooms in the same Moscow hotel amid reports they both suffered 'acute heart failure'. An ambulance is seen driving near the scene The men had complained of severe chest pains and shortness of breath before they died on Saturday at a hotel (pictured) in the west of the Russian capital They appeared to have injected themselves, said the channel. The drug was evidently 'to cure high body temperature and headache'. But who provided them with the medicine is not yet known. Foes of North Korean autocrat Kim Jong-un are known in the past to have been poisoned to death and authorities in Russia - which hosts thousands of workers from the repressive state - are investigating the fatalities. The men died after complaining of severe chest pains and shortness of breath Two other North Koreans were rushed to an infectious diseases hospital in the capital but no details have been given about their cases. Five other men living at the hotel also complained of illness. The first man to die was named as Chkhe Men Sen, 37. When paramedics arrived at Gorodskoy Hotel in Yermakova Roscha Street in central Moscow, he was already dead. The inside of one of the hotel's rooms is pictured The first man to die was named as Chkhe Men Sen, 37. When paramedics arrived at Gorodskoy Hotel in Yermakova Roscha Street in central Moscow, he was already dead. Soon afterwards 22-year-old Khon Gim Chkol died as ambulance doctors sought to reanimate him. The men were in separate rooms. Two other North Koreans aged 34 and 41 had a 'fever of unknown origin' - and were taken to a Moscow infectious disease hospital. Initial reports in Russia mentioned a viral infection. Two other North Koreans aged 34 and 41 had a 'fever of unknown origin' - and were taken from the hotel (pictured) to a Moscow infectious disease hospital. Their condition is not known Russian health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor as well as police and the Investigative Committee - seen as an equivalent of the FBI - are investigating the cause of the sudden illness Later reports said the two North Koreans had died from 'acute heart failure'. North Korean officials have since 'removed' an unknown number of their fellow citizens from the hotel. Russian health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor as well as police and the Investigative Committee - seen as an equivalent of the FBI - are investigating the cause of the sudden illness. Pictures posted by immigrant workers from Tajikistan show conditions at the hotel, which is located close to the downtown skyscraper Moscow City district, where there are many building sites. An employee at the hotel told MailOnline today: 'All questions should be addressed to the lawyers. We don't know anything.' He refused to give contacts for the relevant lawyers. North Korea has not commented on the deaths. Two North Koreans have been found dead in separate rooms in the same Moscow hotel amid reports they both suffered 'acute heart failure' (file picture) It comes just months after the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un was murdered at Kuala Lumpur airport in Malaysia. Assassins targeted Kim Jong-nam using a deadly nerve agent. While 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 and has never acknowledged the victim was a member of its ruling family. But an insurer's 'false groping accusation benefit' plan has proven popular too An insurance company in Japan is reporting a sudden run on a policy that protects men falsely accused of groping on public transit. The spike in takers for the 6,400 yen ($57) 'false groping accusation benefit' plan was triggered by a spate of incidents where men suspected of molesting female commuters fled the scene along the railway tracks. Japan has made efforts to tackle the problem of rush-hour sex pests with posters on trains and television campaigns. Packed public train carriages can be perilous for Japanese women due to groping Railway operators provide women-only carriages for the busiest times of day. But the plan, devised by the Small Amount and Short Term Insurance company in 2015, covers legal costs for policy-holders who find themselves on the wrong end of such a charge. It was initially set up as a fringe benefit under which fees for any legal consultation, including domestic or traffic accidents, were covered, Japan's Mainichi newspaper reported. But the firm's helpline service - which alerts lawyers practising in the vicinity of the alleged groping incident - has proved a hit with customers. Around 1,800 men are arrested for groping each year under the country's public nuisance laws Contracts for the policy, which hitherto totalled less than 50 a month, have soared to several hundred in the past month, the company said. Company president Shoji Sugimoto said: 'It is impossible to know whether one will be caught up in a groping incident. We are here to provide help to people who feel anxious about the issue.' Around 1,800 arrests are made yearly under public nuisance laws, but in 2006 a professor at the National Defence Medical College appealed his conviction all the way to the Supreme Court and had his conviction - and 22-month prison sentence - overturned. The re-normalization of relations between the U.S. and Cuba, one of the signature accomplishments of Barack Obama, could be reversed by President Donald Trump in a matter of weeks. Former President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro overturned decades of diplomatic hostility, economic and business restrictions, and constraints on travel between the two countries that had its roots in the Cold War. However multiple congressional and advocacy organization sources say the Trump administration is now looking to push an executive order that would change a number of regulations that could affect American citizens' increased access to the island. Cuban President Raul Castro (R) raises US President Barack Obama's hand during a meeting at the Revolution Palace in Havana on March 21, 2016 Trump tells a White House audience he will withdraw the US from the Paris climate change accord Changes could see the reinstatement of caps or outright banning of imports from Cuba and reconfirming the licensing structure that would rescind the system that has allowed for easier travel to the country. According to ABC, alterations could also involve 'redefining the what it means to be a part of the Cuban government or military which could affect business operations because most contracts are made with the government.' If interpreted broadly, the proposal could shut down most travel to Cuba because the military controls the ports, airlines and a majority of hotels, said John Kavulich, senior policy adviser to the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council. Although Kavulich said that is 'unlikely to happen.' Regulations for U.S. 'businesses interested in working in the Cuban market' could also be set up in the order. Sources have learned some of the proposals could be pushed formally this month, with some of the related changes taking place immediately. Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart said: 'I believe a drastically different deal with Cuba is imminent,' and that changes were not going to be in 'another six months' but sooner. The plans could face a stumbling block in the form of the 54 Republican senators who support lifting the U.S. trade embargo entirely. However, others such as Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Diaz-Balart, hardliners on Cuba, have met to discuss the deal and are heavily involved in pushing Trump to eliminate or weaken Obama's changes. Barack Obama (C) shakes hands with Cuba's foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez as Obama and his family arrived at Havana's international airport for a three-day trip There may be push back from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and states that export agricultural products to Cuba, as well as from U.S. intelligence agencies that have benefited from improved intelligence sharing. President Obama became the first U.S. president to visit Cuba in 90 years when he went to the Caribbean island last year to meet with leader Raul Castro, the younger brother of Fidel. The Democrat oversaw a significant thawing of relations between the two nations during his two terms in the White House. In his last week in office he pushed back a policy, known as 'wet foot, dry foot,' which gave Cubans arriving illegally into the U.S. residency as long as they reached land unlike others arriving without visas, creating a viable escape path from the communist island. Millions of Muslims world wide took to the streets for the first Friday prayers of the Holy month of Ramadan. Tens of thousands of Palestinians poured into Jerusalem to attend the first Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third-holiest site, under heavy Israeli security. Many had queued from before dawn at the Israeli checkpoints that control access to annexed east Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied West Bank. Known to Jews as the Temple Mount, the mosque compound is one of the most sensitive flashpoints of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is the scene of frequent disturbances. Large groups of people congregated in areas as diverse as Fifth Avenue in New York City to the Holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to pray during the first Friday of the month of fasting. The Tennessee Bar Association on Thursday named Nashville lawyer Joycelyn Stevenson as its new executive director. A shareholder with Littler Mendelson PC with a practice focused on labor and employment law, Ms. Stevenson has been a leader in the Tennessee legal community, serving as president of both the Nashville Bar Association and the Lawyers' Association for Women - Marion Griffin Chapter. She is the first African-American woman to lead both organizations and will be the first African-American woman to direct the TBA. "We are thrilled to have Joycelyn bring her talents, experience and vision to the Tennessee Bar Association. Ms. Stevenson is a native of Macon, Ga., who earned her undergraduate degree at Howard University and her law degree from Vanderbilt University in 2001. She spent 12 years practicing law at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Nashville before joining the Nashville office of Littler Mendelson PC as a shareholder in 2013. "I am honored to serve as the next executive director of the Tennessee Bar Association," Ms. Stevenson said. "I look forward to working with the Board of Governors and the dedicated TBA employees, local bar associations and stakeholders to build on an already strong foundation." Ms. Stevenson is the 2017 recipient of the Napier Looby Bar Association's J.C. Napier Trailblazer Award and previously was recognized with a Nashville Chamber Emerging Leader Award, a Nashville Athena Young Professionals Award and a Nashville Business Journal 40 under 40 Award. In addition, she has served as president of the Council on Aging of Greater Nashville and secretary of the Nashville Farmers Market Board. "The TBA has a long tradition of staff leadership by accomplished Tennessee lawyers. Joycelyn's appointment continues that excellent tradition," TBA Executive Director Emeritus Allan Ramsaur said of the appointment. "I am very excited about this opportunity," Ms. Stevenson added. "The TBA is an important institution in our state, and we will continue to promote growth and development, foster service opportunities and nurture collaborative relationships among our members and across the legal profession." The Tennessee Bar Association (TBA) is the largest professional association in Tennessee with 13,000 members. Founded in 1881, the TBA provides opportunities for continuing legal education, professional development and public service. The TBA's dedication to serving the state's legal community is evidenced by its membership roll, which represents the entire spectrum of legal practice: plaintiff and defense lawyers, corporate counsel, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, government lawyers and legal services attorneys. Police are hunting a man who indecently exposed himself to a woman - and he bears a striking resemblance to Frank Spencer. An e-fit published today of the beret-clad suspect has been received with much hilarity by social media users. All can't help but point out the alleged criminal's likeness to the Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em character, who graced televisions across the country between 1973 and 1978. Richard Goss Tweeted: 'Ooh Betty! does anyone else think he looks just a tad like Frank Spencer?' Social media users were quick to point out that the subject of the e-fit bears a striking similarity to Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em character, Frank Spencer, who was played by Michael Crawford and graced out television sets between 1973 and 1978 Twitter users were able to see the funny side of the police appeal, which is seeking to track down the look-alike suspect who is accused of indecently exposing himself to a woman in Chelmsford Another commented: 'Frank Spencer makes a comeback'. Essex Police released the e-fit of the man after a Chelmsford woman reported that he exposed himself in her doorway, at around 8pm on April 22. He allegedly knocked on the woman's door and, when there was no reply, continued to ring the bell. When the woman, who was in her 30s, did eventually answer the door the man asked whether he could come in - she refused and he exposed himself before leaving. The hilarious artist's impression of the wanted man joins a lost list of surreal e-fits released by police forces in recent times. In December last year, Gloucestershire police issued an e-fit of a woman who was wanted in connection with a 1,000 distraction burglary that saw her wearing a 1920s-style grey hair accessory and sporting pronounced black eyelashes. Has she leapt straight out of the 1940s? The woman on the left was wanted in connection with the 1,000 distraction burglary in Cheltenham with her accomplice (right), who is depicted with a chef's hat that looked like a loaf of bread Her alleged accomplice was depicted with a chef's hat which looked like a loaf of bread. And social media users in May mocked Sussex Police for issuing a bizarre e-fit after a teenage girl was assaulted in a cemetery on her way to school. Others depict wanted characters with carrot-orange hair and a man with a blue cap that makes him resemble a Thunderbird. Social media users mocked Sussex Police for issuing this e-fit (left) after a teenage girl was assaulted in a cemetery on her way to school last month and the image to the right depicts a wanted man with no discernible features whatsoever - excluding his five o'clock shadow and hood This female suspect (left) was given a striking - if not rather unnatural-looking - head of hair when police released her picture. Another suspect looked more like a Thunderbird than a criminal (right) with his royal blue cap and grey sideburns This gnome-like e-fit (left) is supposed to resemble a man who was allegedly caught by a dog-walker exposing himself in Baughurst, Hampshire, in May. An e-fit appeal in Yorkshire (right) hoped to track down a man with carrot-orange hair who looked like Ron Weasley crossed with Frankenstein's monster The agents that investigated the alleged $165 million tax fraud syndicate were stunned at the lifestyle and wealth amassed by their targets. Deputy tax commissioner Michael Cranston is due in court on June 13 charged with abusing his position to obtain a benefit for his son. His son Adam is alleged to have headed a $165 million tax fraud syndicate. The agents investigating the case in a top secret team were shocked at the growing luxuries of their targets. 'We could see the lifestyle and wealth these people had acquired,' Inspector Kirsty Schofield told The Daily Telegraph. ATO deputy commissioner Michael Cranston (pictured) near Central Local Court in Sydney with his son Adam Cranston alleged to have defrauded taxpayers Mr Cranston's son Adam (pictured) has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth Michael Cranston (pictured) has worked at the ATO for 35 years 'We're coming in here, travelling an hour to get to work each day, trying to live in Sydney like everyone else.' Mr Cranston's son Adam, daughter Lauren and five others have been charged with heading a group that used second tier companies to allegedly hide millions in PAYG expenses that never made it to the ATO. The list of luxurious and lavish items seized across 28 raids in New South Wales by the agents on May 17 included two planes, a boat, 18 residential properties, 25 cars and $15 million in cash. Daily Mail Australia is in no way suggesting Michael Cranston was involved in the alleged tax fraud or had knowledge of his son's alleged involvement. Mr Cranston has worked at the ATO for 35 years and is on a six-figure income. For the past three years, he has been the ATO's High Wealth Individuals Deputy Commissioner. Mr Cranston is due to face Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on June 30, after he was issued with a court attendance notice for allegedly publicly abusing his position as a senior official of the Commonwealth, following an eight-month investigation by police. His son Adam has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth and is accused of running a taxation fraud syndicate with six co-conspirators, including his younger sister Lauren. Adam Cranston (left) with wife Elizabeth (right) on their wedding day with custom Ford GT that was seized by police during a raid of his Bondi home last week. There is no suggestion Elizabeth had any knowledge of or involvement in the alleged syndicate AFP seized two aircraft and 25 luxury cars following an investigation into alleged tax fraud Police also seized 12 motorbikes in the biggest tax fraud sting in Australian history Tow trucks hauled away 25 motor vehicles - luxury (pictured), vintage and racing - as part of an investigation into alleged tax fraud AFP also seized vintage wines (pictured) and artwork as part of the $165 million tax fraud investigation Adam was arrested at his swanky Bondi apartment during 28 raids on homes and businesses across Sydney on May 17 - a statewide operation that involved more than 290 AFP members. He was granted bail after his wife and grandmother posted $300,000 for his release and is due to face court on August 8. Adam faces up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of the fraud offences he is facing. Murder suspect, Christopher Lamont Carter, 27, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after he led police on a high-speed chase Aerial footage shows the moment a murder suspect crashed his vehicle into a power pole during a police chase. Christopher Lamont Carter, 27, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after he led officers from the Oklahoma City Police and Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers on a high-speed chase. Authorities said Carter is one of two men wanted in connection with the shooting death of Jerome Garrett, according to News 9. Garrett was found shot with multiple gunshot wounds in the middle of the street on May 17 near Lee Avenue. Court documents revealed that the shooting death may have had something to do with a woman the men were trying to date. Police said the chase began as a routine traffic stop in the area near N. Western Avenue, but Carter refused to stop. Carter was driving a black Pontiac Torrent during the pursuit that lasted about 10 minutes. Aerial footage shows the moment Carter crashed his vehicle into a power pole during a police chase. His vehicle is pictured center right in front of the police car Police said the chase began as a routine traffic stop in the area near N. Western Avenue, but Carter refused to stop. Carter was driving a black Pontiac Torrent (pictured) during the pursuit that lasted about 10 minutes. As he tried to make another turn he crashed into the pole Several police cars pull up and surround the Pontiac (pictured) as Carter opens the vehicle's door and puts his hands in the air The video shows Carter losing control of the vehicle as he attempts to make a right turn as police follow close behind. He then slams into the power pole and the car flips onto one side. Several police cars pull up and surround the Pontiac as Carter opens the vehicle's door and puts his hands in the air. Police are seen with their weapons drawn before moving closer to pull Carter out of the car by his hair, arms and shirt. Once authorities get him to the ground, they handcuff and escort him to a squad car. Carter was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail on the murder complaint as well as those stemming from the chase. Police are seen with their weapons drawn before moving closer to pull Carter out of the car by his hair, arms and shirt Once authorities get him to the ground (pictured) they handcuff and escort him to a squad car The Secret Service is tallying and looking into up to eight threats a day against President Trump, the agency's director said. That number is not extraordinary, and in fact is in keeping with the threats faced by President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush when they were in the White House. Secret Service Director Randolph 'Tex' Alles said President Trump receives between six and eight threats each day, CBS News reported. At the rate he estimated, Trump would likely have received more than 1,000 threats during his presidency. The threats take the form of emails, threatening posts on social media, and reports of suspicious statements. U.S. Secret Service Director Randolph Alles, previously of the Customs and Border Protection's Office, testifies during a Senate Homeland Security hearing on Capitol Hill, April 10, 2013 Among the incidents the heavily-burdened agency is investigating: comedian Kathy Griffin's participation in a photo-shoot where she held up a model of the president's severed head. Griffin has since apologized for her participation. 'I am sorry. I went to far. I was wrong,' she said. President Trump appointed Ailes, a 35-year Marine veteran and another general in his administration, to helm the troubled agency. The agency has struggled to overcome a series of lapses, which have included White House fence jumping incidents, a prostitution scandal, and systemic staffing problems. Compounding the problem is President Trump's use of his multiple homes outside of Washington. The agency is also charged with protecting the Trump children. Eric and Donald Trump travel internationally while they run the Trump Organization. Power grab: Kathy Griffin will be holding a press conference on Friday to address her severed head image President Trump tweeted to say the comedian should 'be ashamed of herself' President Donald Trump concludes his announcement to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement in the Rose Garden at the White House June 1, 2017 in Washington First lady Melania Trump lives in New York with her son Barron Trump, requiring still more protection. 'The mission is more dynamic and in many ways more dangerous,'' Alles said.'We need more people.' Kathy Griffin's attorney, Lisa Bloom, says the Secret Service has contacted Griffin following the photo shoot. She said Griffin has retained a criminal attorney, Griffin said she is the subject of a Secret Service investigation, but did not provide further information, the Associated Press reported. Prisoners have been caught playing the pokies and having sex in pubic while on work release. In one incident, an off-duty correctional services officer spotted a prisoner inside the pokies room of a Darwin watering hole, reports NT News. In the same month, a male and female prisoner were nabbed sharing a moment of spontaneous public passion on the bus transporting them to work placements. Darwin prisoners have been caught playing the pokies and having sex in pubic while on work release. (pictured: Darwin Correctional centre) The couple were busted after another female prisoner propositioned them for a threesome, but was turned down and 'dobbed' on them. The pair covered the camera inside the bus to keep privacy. The pokies incident, which unfolded in Winnellie Hotel, saw the prisoner immediately removed from Sentence to a Job program. 'Clearly these incidents have highlighted significant failings in the system,' a spokesman for the Department of Correctional Services said. 'I have been given strong advice from the Commissioner for Corrections that these breaches have been dealt with appropriately and that these incidents will be reviewed to ensure they don't happen again.' There were 284 prisoners that participated in Sentence to a Job from July 1 2016 to March 31 this year. Kathy Griffin accused President Donald Trump and his family of launching a campaign to destroy her life in response to the image she posted earlier this week in which she appeared to be holding the commander-in-chief's severed head. The comedian broke down in tears as she detailed the torrent of abuse she has been receiving online, and the constant death threats which she described as detailed and specific. She stated however that she will not back down from this fight, saying: 'I am not afraid of Donald Trump. He is a bully.' Later in the interview Griffin said that her career was likely over now as a result of this incident, and that President Trump had 'broke' her, moments after she declared: 'There's a bunch of old white guys trying to silence me!' Griffin, 56, declared at one point that this would not be happening to her if she was a 'white man.' Her lawyer Lisa Bloom also suggested during the press conference that despite reports, Barron was likely not that upset after seeing the image of Griffin with the decapitated head by stating the child was 'allegedly' traumatized. 'We don't know that. You're assuming that everything that Trump says is true, and in fact, we know that everything Trump says is false,' said Bloom. It was also confirmed at the press conference that the Secret Service is investigating Griffin over the image, with the comedian saying: 'Yeah I might get arrested today. I don't care.' Griffin's criminal lawyer Dimitry Goran also joined her Friday. Scroll down for video Tough day: Kathy Griffin broke down in tears speaking about the constant attacks from the public and members of the Trump family over the past few days Done: Griffin also said that President Trump 'broke' her and that she does not expect her career to recover from his family's attacks She added that she will not back down from this fight, saying: 'I am not afraid of Donald Trump. He is a bully' Aggressors: Griffin declared at one point: 'There's a bunch of old white guys trying to silence me!' (Griffin and Trump together in 2010 on the season finale of The Apprentice with Brandy Kuentzel and Stephanie Castagnier) Back in the day: Griffin and President Trump first met in 1995 she revealed in a recent interview, and he guest starred on her sitcom 'Suddenly Susan' in 1997 (above) 'I am going to make fun of him more now,' said Griffin of President Trump 'I am really nervous, I have never done a press conference,' said Griffin after she was introduced by her lawyer. After making a few jokes and stating that she stands by the apology she released earlier this week, Griffin said: 'The president and his grown children and the first lady are personally trying to ruin my life forever.' She then went back to that notion a few moments later, speaking in disbelief as she reiterated her claim that 'this president of all people is going to come after' an 'obnoxious comedian.' Griffin also tried to explain the reason behind the photo and video shoot by saying: 'I am not good at being appropriate.' That became clear soon after when she announced that she would not stop attacking President Trump just because he had targeted her. 'I am going to make fun of him more now,' said Griffin. She then made a point of adding: 'I am not going to threaten him, I have no desire to harm him.' Griffin was also ready with some thoughts on why President Trump had elected to attack her while his son Don Jr. called for her to be fired from her jobs. 'They are using me as the shining object so no one talks about his FBI investigation,' said Griffin. She then revealed that all she wanted to do was get back to work, something that is becoming difficult with five venues cancelling her show in the wake of the incident. 'I'm not for everybody,. I am barely an acquired taste frankly,' admitted Griffin. 'I've had everybody turn on me. And I just want to make people laugh.' That being said, Griffin declared: 'I am not laying down for this guy.' She later added towards the end of the press conference: 'It's a good time to be a comedian but a scary time to be a citizen.' The comedian did not however say anything about her relationship with President Trump, who she has known for 20 years. She also worked with him multiple times over the course of her career, most recently in the 2010 finale of 'The Apprentice,' where she also appeared alongside Ivanka and Don Jr. Breaking it down: Griffin also tried to explain the reason behind the photo and video shoot by saying: 'I am not good at being appropriate' Response: First lady Melania Trump (above on election night with Barron and Donald) rushed to protect her son, saying' 'As a mother, a wife, and a human being, that photo is very disturbing.' Tearful admission: When asked about her friend Anderson Cooper's criticism of her actions, Griffin broke down again and said: 'That hurt, that's all' Calm before the storm: Griffin was seen arriving to the press conference on Friday morning (above) Team: Griffin arrived with a group of three men including boyfriend Randy Bick (left) and a man who appeared to be a bodyguard (right) Comment: Don Jr. cited Griffin's December interview in which she pledged to go after Barron in a tweet on Friday (above) Griffin also said that it was Megyn Kelly who inspired her to take the image, saying: 'I started thinking of that Megyn Kelly thing. By the way, I'm sure Megyn Kelly can't stand me.I thought of that blood coming out of her eyes blood or coming out of her wherever.' The comedian and Kelly previously had a run-in this past December at a Women In Hollywood breakfast. Kelly was the emcee of the event, and when she began to speak about President Trump things took a turn. 'I have high hopes for him. Despite the tweets and all the rest of it, there is much to admire about Donald Trump,' said Kelly, which immediately elicited booing from a few people, the loudest being comedian Kathy Griffin. 'There is. Stop that, stop that. Theres room for the loyal opposition in this country,' said Kelly at that point, a comment which resulted in Griffin screaming, 'F*** him.' Kelly then responded: 'Guess who that is? Kathy Griffin.' Griffin later explained how things went down the day of the shoot. 'Let's make this really obvious that I'm making an absurdist, artsy thing,' said Griffin. 'For a few photos, I was holding up this wig head and we kept making the hair crazier.' She went on to explain: ' We just took these pictures, it was interesting. There were a few people in the house. I didn't do anything for money.' Griffin said she just wanted to give people something to talk about, adding: 'You interpret it the way you want.' It was an emotional appearance for Griffin, who most difficult moment came when she began to wail while saying of President Trump: 'He broke me. He broke me. He broke me.' That was when Griffin said she realized that 'this isn't right.' 'I've dealt with white guys trying to keep me down my entire career,' said Griffin. 'I had learned over the years that sometimes when you do standup, people want a joke that's out there and a little crazy.' She went on to say: 'I feel horrible. I have performed in war zones. Trust me, if we could redo the whole thing I'd have a blowup doll and ketchup. If you don't stand up you get run over.' Thus far, Griffin had had five tour dates cancelled, lost her endorsement deal with Squatty Potty and been fired by CNN. Griffin also found some time for humor, joking about President Trump at one point by saying: 'If you meet him he wants to call you The Donald. I said I am The Kathy, and that went over his nest.' She also poked fun at her conservative mother Maggie, quipping: 'My mother is not speaking to me because she is in love with Tucker Carlson.' Her lawyer Lisa Bloom meanwhile seemed to dismiss the idea that Barron Trump, 11, was disturbed by the image, saying he was 'allegedly traumatized' Photoshop protest: A man rushed the podium at one point holding an image of Griffin with Bloom's decapitated head (above) A little mystery to figure out: Griffin said she just wanted to give people something to talk about, adding: 'You interpret it the way you want.' Been around the block: 'I've dealt with white guys trying to keep me down my entire career,' said Griffin. Smile through the tears: She also poked fun at her conservative mother Maggie, quipping: 'My mother is not speaking to me because she is in love with Tucker Carlson' Griffin joked about going after Barron in her stand-up act back in December Griffin joked about going after Barron in her stand-up act back in December in an interview with Vulture. 'Now more than ever we must absolutely go for all the absurdities,' said Griffin. 'For me, that's Trump and all things Trump. It's not about trying to be an equal-opportunity offender anymore because Hillary got such a beat down. It's his turn.' She continued: 'So I'm happy to deliver beat down to Donald Trump - and also to Barron. You know a lot of comics are going to go hard for Donald, my edge is that I'll go direct for Barron. I'm going to get in ahead of the game.' That comment spurred Don Jr. to comment after Griffin's interview, writing on Twitter: 'To put everything into perspective this is a must read from Dec 16 even states it's ok to go after Barron an 11 y/o.' Most would take issue with an adult targeting a child for ridicule, but Griffin's lawyer said on Friday that she should not have lost any jobs over this image. The only reason she did lose those jobs however explained Bloom, was because of the Trump family. 'As a result of the first family bullying her, she has been vilified, getting death threats, fired from multiple jobs and had multiple events canceled,' said Bloom. Those death threats are more serious than the loss of work for Griffin, who said: 'This is America, and you shouldn't have to die for it. The death threats I am getting are constant and they are detailed.' Griffin then made a point of adding: 'Today it's me. Tomorrow it could be you.' Bloom also stressed her client's impeccable record and the fact that she has never committed an act of violence or assault before, stating: 'Kathy never imagined it could be misinterpreted as a threat of violence against Trump. That was never what she intended.' The victim's rights lawyer, who also represented a number of former employees who are suing Fox News, also noted of the photo shoot: 'This was clearly a parody of Trump's own sexist remarks, taken to an extreme, edgy visual.' She used her introduction to explain why President Trump's actions against Griffin were such a problem. 'Kathy and Donald Trump are not equals. He's the president of the United States. He's not just Donald Trump, real estate developer, and this isn't just another celebrity feud,' said Bloom. 'He's the president of the United States. His family is calling on Kathy on Twitter to be fired from all of her jobs. This is outrageous and unprecedented.' Griffin also pointed out what she claimed was another difference between herself and President Trump, saying: 'I go town to town with my dick jokes and try to make people laugh. I didn't grab anyone's you know what.' Comparisons: 'Kathy and Donald Trump are not equals. He's the president of the United States. He's not just Donald Trump, real estate developer, and this isn't just another celebrity feud,' said Bloom Truce: Bloom added: 'He's the president of the United States. His family is calling on Kathy on Twitter to be fired from all of her jobs. This is outrageous and unprecedented' Inconsolable: 'This is America, and you shouldn't have to die for it. The death threats I am getting are constant and they are detailed,' said Griffin (above) Warning shot: Griffin then made a point of adding: 'Today it's me. Tomorrow it could be you' 'I go town to town with my dick jokes and try to make people laugh. I didn't grab anyone's you know what,' said Griffin Griffin thinks that ultimately she was targeted because of her sex and her level of fame. 'It's quite clear they're trying to use me as a distraction and I'm not going to be collateral damage for this fool,' said Griffin. 'I'm the easiest target. I'm D-list comedian Kathy Griffin.' And while she wanted to stay quiet, she was afraid about others suffering a fate similar to her own she explained on Friday. 'He broke me and then I was like 'No, this isn't right,'' said Griffin. 'I apologized because was the right thing to do. Then it became a mob mentality pile-on.' Griffin, who said she is '110 pounds when wet,' went on to explain: 'He's not just Donald Trump, real estate developer, having a celebrity feud He's using the power of the government.' Bloom made a similar comment, stating: 'The message was clear: Criticize the president, lose your job.' She also noted: 'Ted Nugent threatened to kill President Obama. President Trump invited him to the White House.' The lawyer's anger towards President Trump also turned a but personal at one point it seemed, when she shouted out at one reporter: 'There's a lot of disgusting stuff on the news every day, like the fact that [President Trump is] making us the laughing stock of the world.' And it seems that on top of the blows to her professional life there have also been some difficult moments in Griffin's personal life as a result of this incident. In a moment that anything but funny on Friday, Griffin was asked to comment on her friend and former CNN co-host Anderson Cooper criticizing her decision to post a criticism of her photo on Twitter. 'That hurt, that's all,' said Griffin, breaking down in tears once more. Cooper wrote on his personal account Tuesday: 'For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate.' She was fired from her post as his New Year's Eve co-host on CNN roughly 24 hours later. From the tone of her voice on Friday, it also seemed that the two may not have been in contact this week. Getaway: Griffin was seen being driven home by her longtime boyfriend Bick after her press conference on Friday Pricey ride: The couple were riding in a Maserati Quattroporte, which start at over $100,000 Eyes forward: Griffin did not look at the photographers as she made her exit out of her attorney's office Safe and sound: The comedian's bodyguard could be seen sitting in the backseat of the car Griffin spoke about President Trump at length in an interview this past March with CityBeat Cincinnati, revealing that the two had known one another for two decades. 'Ive known him off and on since 1995,' said Griffin. 'I feel very privileged to be able to bring my own personal run-ins with "The Cheeto" to audiences all over, but most importantly to Cincinnati. The Taft Theatre audience needs to hear from someone who has met him several times' Griffin admitted in the interview that she never had a particularly high opinion of President Trump. 'I found him to always be a buffoon,' she explained. 'But honestly, and I think unfortunately, a lot of people just thought he was harmless.' She then revealed that President Trump would often ask her to not go after him during her stand-up routines. 'Almost every time Ive run into this fool, he comes up to me and says, "Uh, oh, dont be too hard on me. I know youre going to be funny, but you can be tough,"' said Griffin. 'I find that fascinating.' She also mentioned that one of her best friends, the late Joan Rivers, was also incredibly close to President Trump. 'I think she got a kick out of him, but I dont think she knew this side of him,' said Griffin. 'I dont know if anybody knew he was this racist and stupid, because I think you assume that people who have done well in one area or another have a certain acumen or certain talents.' Rough week: She said that she has been receiving constant death threats, which she described as detailed and specific Not a fan: Griffin admitted in a March interview that she never had a particularly high opinion of Trump Explanation: 'I found him to always be a buffoon. But honestly, and I think unfortunately, a lot of people just thought he was harmless,' said Griffin Plea: 'Almost every time Ive run into this fool, he comes up to me and says, "Uh, oh, dont be too hard on me. I know youre going to be funny, but you can be tough,"' said Griffin Griffin was roundly criticized after posting the photo earlier this week, with everyone from former first daughter Chelsea Clinton to her good friend Anderson Cooper publicly stating that the photo and accompanying video was 'appalling' and 'disgusting.' President Trump also spoke out after seeing the photo, as did his son Don Jr., daughter-in-law Lara and the First Lady. Meanwhile, the harsh words keep coming for Griffin, with Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey the latest to take aim at the entertainer, saying at a news conference on Thursday: 'She's disgusting. And it's completely outrageous. I don't think anybody should hire her again for anything.' Bloom has also been receiving her fair share of negative notes, with the lawyer Tweeting Friday morning: 'To all you sending me hate mail today for my representation of Kathy Griffin, I have this message for you. XO Lisa' She then included an image of an affirmation that read: 'The Devil whispered in my ear, 'You're not strong enough to withstand the storm.' 'Today I whispered in the Devil's ear, 'I am the storm.'' The four Trumps who denounced Griffin all stressed the fact that there are young children in the family who were traumatized by the image. Don Jr. was the first to speak out, with the oldest Trump child taking to Twitter soon after the image was posted on Tuesday. He posted twelve tweets in the span of 24 hours, with many calling for CNN to fire Griffin. 'Dear @CNN, I must have missed your statement banning your commentator #KathyGriffin from future shows. Please resend. Thx,' wrote Don Jr. in one tweet. He also responded to tweets from CNN anchors Jake Taper and Cooper after they reprimanded Griffin on the social media site, asking why she still had not been fired and if they would work with the comedian in the future. The men did not engage Don Jr., and on Wednesday it was announced that CNN had terminated Griffin from their annual New Year's Eve show. Don Jr. also brought up his two oldest children, daughter Kai and son Don III in one tweet, writing: 'And I'm counting down having to explain it to my 8 and 10 year olds who I'm sure will see/hear about it at school.' Loud and proud: 'I got no comment. The thing is, when you make art you go to stand by it,' Shields said while out shopping, hours after Griffin lost her CNN job (pair above in early May) Commander-in-chief: President Trump tweeted to say the comedian should 'be ashamed of herself' Nonstop: Don Jr. repeatedly called for Griffin to be fired from her job at CNN< which she was on Wednesday That was the line President Trump took that same day, writing on Twitter:'Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!' The most damning statement however came from the First Lady, who has done her best to stay out of the many controversies that have mired her husband's presidency. 'As a mother, a wife, and a human being, that photo is very disturbing,' said Melania just hours after a report emerged claiming that her son Barron initially thought that his father had been decapitated when he saw the image on TV. '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.' Lara was the last to speak out, and targeted the photographer Tyler Shields. The daughter-in-law of President Trump expressed how appalled she was during an appearance on 'Hannity' Wednesday night, before going on to state that Griffin is not the only person who should be getting heat for the incident. 'She has many people around her. There was a photographer involved. I'm sure she has a publicist that works with her,' said Lara. 'There were a lot of people around that could have said, 'You know what, this crosses a line.'' The publicists who represent Griffin at PMKBNC told DailyMail.com that they were not involved in the photo shoot. Lara also said during her Fox News appearance that the family was doing their best to take this latest incident in stride, but struggling in the wake of reports which revealed that Barron was terrified after seeing the image of his father on television. 'I'd love to say that it gets easier. It doesn't get easier, but we can handle it' explained Lara. 'We've taken it for almost two years and we understand that this is the world we live in and we've accepted it, in a way.' 'It tells you the society that we live in today and what some people deem acceptable,' Lara, who is expecting her first child with husband Eric, later said in the interview. 'Had this happened to President Obama, I can only imagine what people would be saying right now.' Shields meanwhile continues to stand by the image. 'I got no comment. The thing is, when you make art you go to stand by it,' Shields said during the exchange outside Gelson's supermarket, which was posted by TMZ. When asked if he would do it again, maybe with another politician, Shield simply said: 'I cant censor myself' Lashing out: Lara Trump (above) criticized Kathy Griffin during an appearance on 'Hannity' Wednesday night Even former first daughter Chelsea Clinton was quick to express her outrage at Griffin tweeting: 'This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a president Griffin's long-time co-host Anderson Cooper also criticized her on Twitter As for Griffin, Sheilds said he had spoken to his friend and subject and that the two were good in the wake of the photo shoot. He then wrapped things up by stating: 'I'm just going to go home and eat my ice cream.' In footage of the shoot, Griffin is seen joking that she and Shields will have to flee the country once it gets out. 'We have to move to Mexico today,' she said, 'because we're gonna go to prison. Federal prison. 'Call your dad, apologize, then let's you [and me] go to Mexico because we're not surviving this.' She's seen in the footage lifting the grisly 'head' out of a metal bowl, then rotating it towards the camera until it hits a spot that Shields likes. Finally, at Shields' demand, she drops it to the ground. In the video, Griffin also joked: 'Tyler and I are not afraid to do images that make noise. And also he often lights me to the point where I look about 15. 'But first I'm an artist. But really it's good lighting.' Griffin apologized on Tuesday for posting the video following a furious backlash and a hint at an investigation by Secret Service, which has now been confirmed. The controversial entertainer tweeted: 'I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong.' The widow of a Pennsylvania police chief slain in 1980 is suing the wife of the FBI fugitive in the case, saying investigators recently found a hidden room in her Massachusetts home where the suspect may have hid from authorities a decade or more after the shooting, the widow and her attorney said Friday. A writ of summons filed Thursday targets Lillian Webb and son Stanley Webb, both of North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The filing signals an intention to file a detailed complaint on behalf of Mary Ann Jones, 64, the widow of Saxonburg police Chief Greg Adams, and their two sons on grounds of wrongful death-murder and two civil conspiracy claims - accessory after the fact and hindering apprehension of a murderer. The basis of the lawsuit is recent information the FBI has shared with the family about the manhunt for Donald Eugene Webb, attorney Thomas King III said. Jones, who remarried in 1989, said FBI agents told her that Webb may have hidden out in the home in short stints in the 1990s. Scroll down for video Saxonburg, Pennsylvania police Chief Greg Adams (left) was shot dead in a traffic stop in 1980. Donald Webb (right) is the fugitive believed to have carried out the murder Adams' widow Mary Ann Jones (the couple pictured above with their two kids) is now suing the wife and son of Webb for wrongful death 'We were told about two weeks ago, by one of the (FBI) agents, that they had discovered a hidden room, a secret room, in Mrs. Webb's home,' King said. 'And in that room they found a cane.' The cane is significant because investigators have long believed Chief Adams shot Webb in the leg before he sped away from the deadly traffic stop on Dec. 4, 1980. Webb is also named as a defendant, though it's unclear whether he's still alive. FBI records list his birthday as either July 14, 1928 or 1931, meaning he'd be 88 or 85. Webb was a career criminal who specialized in jewelry store heists along the East Coast when authorities believe he came to Saxonburg, about 25 miles (40.2 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh, to case a store there. Adams pulled over Webb for running a stop sign and a neighbor called 911 after hearing gunshots before Adams was found shot twice in the chest. Webb's rental car was found more than two weeks later at a motel in Warwick, Rhode Island. Blood in the car suggests he had been shot in the leg, King said, and the Pennsylvania State Police have recently been asked to do DNA tests on that blood to confirm it is Webb's. Webb was identified as a suspect because he left behind a fake driver's license in the name Stanley Portas - Lillian Webb's dead husband - one of several aliases Donald Webb was known to use. Investigators believe Webb was trying to case a jewelry store in 1980 when Adams pulled him over (the chief's cruiser above) Webb allegedly shot Adams and then sped off in his car (above), which was found parked at a Warwick, Rhode Island motel two weeks later Lillian and Stanley Webb didn't immediately return calls Friday to phone numbers listed to them in North Dartmouth. Public records indicate Lillian Webb, 82, has lived in the home since December 1989 and Stanley, 60, has listed it as his home though he now has a separate address in the same town. Neighbors told WFXT-TV on Thursday that FBI agents have repeatedly visited Lillian Webb's home. FBI officials in Pittsburgh and Boston declined to comment on the lawsuit or King's claim that agents plan to release new details in the case later this month. Boston FBI spokeswoman Kristen Setera said there's still a $100,000 reward for information leading to Webb's arrest or his remains. The family's lawsuit seeks more than $1 million, but King said, 'The damage done to this family can never be compensated for. Two little boys grew up without their father and a wife had to go to bed every night and wake up without her husband.' Leo Varadkar is on course to succeed Enda Kenny as Ireland's prime minister after the ruling Fine Gael party elected the 38-year-old as leader. The former social protection minister will be the Catholic country's first openly gay prime minister, its first of Indian descent and the youngest person ever to hold the office. Mr Varadkar beat housing minister Simon Coveney to become the new Fine Gael leader after Mr Kenny, who led the party for 15 years and had been Irish prime minister since 2011, announced his retirement in May. He received the publicly declared support of almost two-thirds of the parliamentary party, who account for 65 percent of the vote He received the publicly declared support of almost two-thirds of the parliamentary party, who account for 65 percent of the vote. Bar any unexpected development, the former doctor will be voted in as Ireland's prime minister when parliament next sits on June 13. He said this week: 'If somebody of my age, of my mixed race background and of all the things that make up my character can potentially become leader of our country, then I think that sends out a message to every child born today that there is no office in Ireland that they can't aspire to.' Mr Varadkar's father Ashok, who is also doctor, was born in Mumbai in India. He met his wife Miriam, an Irish nurse, in England in the 1970s before moving to Ireland, where their son was born. On his 36th birthday in January 2015 during an interview on Ireland's RTE Radio, Mr Varadkar spoke publicly for the first time about being gay. Leo Varadkar (pictured left) will succeed Enda Kenny as Ireland's prime minister He said: 'It's not something that defines me. I'm not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. 'It's just part of who I am, it doesn't define me, it is part of my character.' The announcement made him the first openly gay cabinet member in Ireland. Varadkar was a prominent advocate of the same-sex marriage referendum. His partner of two years, Matthew Barrett, is a cardiologist. Freddy Hormazabal, of Deltona, 39, was unhappy with an order at a McDonalds drive-through window argued with a manager over a refund and then shot him in the neck The manager of a McDonalds in Altamonte Springs, Florida was shot and almost died after getting into an argument with a customer about their order. David Diaz Rosario was found with a gunshot wound to the neck when he was reached by the Altamonte Springs Police Department and Volusia County Sheriffs Office. Witnesses said Freddy Alexander Hormazabal, of Deltona, 39, became upset with Rosario about his food order in the drive through, north of Orlando. After feeling unhappy about his order, he then entered the restaurant and started an argument, demanding a refund. He was told to leave the premises and that if he didn't, the police would be called if he didn't obey the request. But the man refused to budge forcing Rosario to take matters into his own hands. Hormazabal (left and right) became upset with Rosario about his food order in the drive through. He then entered the restaurant and started an argument, demanding a refund. The manager asked Hormazabal to leave and said he was calling the police The pair began to argue and Hormazabal pulled out a gun and shot him in the neck before fleeing in his car. Detectives quickly identified Hormazabal as the shooter and called him on his cell phone, encouraging him to turn himself in. He listened to law enforcement's advice and turned up at the Volusia County Sheriffs Office in Deltona around 12:45 a.m. where he was arrested on charges of attempted murder and taken to the Volusia County Jail. Meanwhile, Rosario was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center to be treated for his injury and has since been released. The pilot of then-vice presidential candidate Mike Pence's campaign plane thought he'd never fly again after he overshot a runway at LaGuardia Airport last October. Pence was unharmed during the rough landing, but immediately after his Boeing 737 plane skidded to a stop, the captain exclaimed his dismay, according to recordings obtained by NBC 4. 'My career just ended,' the captain said. 'Mine too,' the first officer responded. Vice President Mike Pence's plane skidded off runway 22 at LaGuardia Airport last October Cockpit recording released Wednesday reveals captain immediately thought his 'career just ended' following the incident None of the 48 passengers on board Pence's Boeing 737 were injured during the rough landing The incident occurred just a week-and-a-half before the election, but the audio recording from the cockpit of Pence's plane was released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board. After Pence's plane overran runway 22 at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York, it slid into concrete called an 'Engineered Material Arresting System.' According to the FAA website, the system is 'designed to safely stop airplanes that overshoot runways.' Airports have preventative measures installed to stop planes after they overshoot a runway Pence's plane came dangerously close to the Grand Central Parkway in Queens, New York None of the 48 passengers on board the Boeing 737 Eastern Airlines charter plane were injured in the incident. 'Eastern stop!' 'Stop, Eastern!' an air traffic controller at LaGuardia said referring to Pence's sliding plane. In addition to thinking their careers were over, the first officer knew the pilots would 'be in the news' following the harrowing landing. Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berkes Council for Women invites everyone to attend an upcoming public hearing on financial independence to hear the Councils research on the issue of high interest lending practices and to discuss solutions to financial problems impacting the community. The hearing will be held at the Family Justice Center, 5705 Uptain Road, on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Financial Independence, a workgroup of the Mayors Council for Women, has completed their most recent policy paper and will be hosting this public hearing to discuss their findings about the impact of high interest lending practices. Councilwoman Carol Berz, along with panelists Martina Guilfoil, Tracee Smith, Joda Thongnopnua, and Jennifer Harper will discuss the impact of high interest loans and the recommendations of the Financial Independence workgroup. Mayor Berke announced the creation of the Council for Women during his 2015 State of the City Address. The Council addresses issues such as domestic violence, justice, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, history, and leadership.The City of Chattanooga has already adopted three of the Councils recommendations, and last year the Tennessee Legislature passed a bill the Council developed. It helps victims of domestic violence stay in their home when faced with eviction because of the offenders actions.For more info, visit http://connect.chattanooga.gov/councilforwomen/ Massachusetts' chief medical examiner says a Duke University student whose body was found in woods near his home died of hypothermia. Twenty-year-old Michael Doherty, of Franklin, was found dead last month in dense woods and thick underbrush near Interstate 495. The medical examiner says he died due to prolonged exposure to the cold. Massachusetts' chief medical examiner say the death of 20-year-old Duke student Michael Doherty, pictured above, was an accident. His body was found in woods after a house party Doherty was a rising junior in the Pratt School of Engineering and a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Duke 'We find no evidence of foul play in Mr. Doherty's death,' said Michael Morrissey, Norfolk County District Attorney, in a statement Friday. 'Our thoughts are very much with the Doherty family as they grieve Michael and live through this tragic time.' Doherty was last seen leaving a party in the early morning of May 14, about a quarter mile from where he was found. The Franklin Police Department found his shirt and one of his sneakers was found on a section of road being extended. The other shoe was found a few hundred yards away by State Police.e. His disappearance sparked a nearly week-long search of swampy areas of Franklin and neighboring Bellingham. The operation was hampered by inclement weather, which made it impossible to deploy a helicopter to search for him from the air. Officers and volunteers spent days scouring the area for Doherty and employing K-9 dogs and even a canoe to explore swampy areas Overnight temperatures ranged from the 40s and 50s during the week of Doherty's death, About 100 individuals searched for the junior before his body was found in a wooded area about a quarter-mile from the party. 'We all wish the result of that effort had been different,' Morrissey said. Doherty, a graduate of Xavier High School, was a rising junior in the Pratt School of Engineering and a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Duke. The students had just come home to Franklin for the summer after completing his sophomore year at Duke. Doherty would have been a junior this fall at the university in Durham, North Carolina. A woman wrongly diagnosed as HIV-positive aged eight is seeking compensation for an alleged ruined childhood. Suthida Saengsumat, 20, is suing the Thai Ministry of Public Health. The housewife from the Roi-et province of north-eastern Thailand says she was rejected by fellow school pupils and local children because of her supposed condition. Suthida Saengsumat is suing the Thai Ministry of Public Health She said: 'I cried alone every night at home. No money could repay what I lost and I would like to tell the doctor.' Ms Saengsumat was first told she had HIV after her teachers took her for a test 12 years ago. The school staff had become concerned because her father had died of Aids and her mother began suffering from a severe allergy. There was no second test to confirm the result and Ms Saengsumat began taking antiretroviral drugs every day. She says the discrimination she suffered led to her dropping out of school before getting married. Despite using contraception, she became pregnant and gave birth to her first child five years ago. After an HIV test for her child came back negative the now mother-of-two decided to seek another one for herself. When the results showed she did not have the disease Ms Saengsumat stopped taking her antiretroviral drugs. However she still continued to have doubts about her health and on Thursday after a second blood test in just over a week came back negative, Ms Saengsumat burst into tears. She told the Bangkok Post: 'My children, from now on you will not have to be embarrassed or hide from others because I do not have Aids.' Preeyanant Lorsermwattana, chairwoman of a network of people affected by medical negligence, said the network had received several complaints from people who suffered similar misdiagnoses. Ms Saengsumat was told blood tests confirmed she does not have HIV (stock image) She cited the case of a Phuket nurse who was wrongly diagnosed as HIV-positive and who won a case against the doctor responsible for the blood test. Because of the wrong diagnosis, the nurse had to take anti-viral drugs for four years and lost an opportunity to work abroad. The name of the hospital and doctor involved in Ms Saengsumat's case are not yet known. John Gotti's former son-in-law took a plea deal Thursday to avoid prison, but he will pay $180,000 to cover the cost of the investigation into him and his businesses. Carmine 'The Bull' Agnello was arrested two years ago for suspicion of operating a $4.2 million dollar scam involving stolen cars and scrap metal in Cleveland. Agnello, a reputed member of the Gambino crime family, was facing over a dozen charges, racketeering and conspiracy included, and possibly decades in prison if convicted, according to Cleveland.com. John Gotti's former son-in-law, Carmine Agnello, avoided jail time Thursday after accepting a plea deal The 56-year-old was facing 12 charges, including racketeering and conspiracy, and could've ended up spending decades in prison Agnello was allegedly running a $4.2 million dollar scam involving stolen cars and scrap metal in Cleveland The 56-year-old plead guilty to three low-level charges - being a felon in possession of a weapon, defrauding a towing company and polluting the environment. In addition to no jail time, Carmine Agnello will be allowed to continue operating his scrap yard, which was believed to be the base of his Cleveland operation. Gotti's former son-in-law, who was married to reality TV star Victoria Gotti, was accused of weighing down cars with sand and dirt and selling them for scrap metal. Carmine 'The Bull' Agnello was married to reality TV star Victoria Gotti, John Gotti's daughter Though he won't face any jail time, Gotti's former son-in-law was ordered to pay $180,000 to cover the cost of the investigation Prosecutors claimed Agnello carried out this scheme over the course of three years, defrauding Ferrous Processing and Trading, a scrap metal company, of $4.2 million. Undercover law enforcement personnel used wiretaps to listen to the 56-year-old's conversations with alleged mafia members in New York starting in 2013. Carmine Agnello's lawyers, one of whom called the plea deal 'fair and just,' reportedly said the allegations against their client were nothing more than an attack on his past connections. One of the biggest music festivals in Germany has resumed after festivalgoers were last night evacuated because of a terrorist threat. Police initially arrested three people amid fears of a terror attack at the Rock am Ring festival after it emerged that their names did not match the backstage passes. At least one of them had known links to Islamic terror groups, officials have claimed. Music fans were back in force today after the Rock am Ring festival resumed following a terror alert last night Security officers carried out intense checks on those coming into the festival ground following last night's alert The three-day festival in Nurburg has sold nearly 100,000 tickets, and last night police said they had discovered a 'concrete' threat. A statement from organisers said: 'After intensive searches of the whole festival area, the suspicions have not hardened into an acute threat situation.' The deputy police chief of nearby Koblenz, Christoph Semmelrogge, said no suspicious objects were found at the venue. The names on the backstage passes did not match the suspects' names. 'In our view, that made the abstract threat far more concrete,' said Koblenz police chief Wolfgang Fromm. The festival site was evacuated last night, reportedly because people whose names did not match backstage passes were identified This morning organisers of the Rock am Ring festival in Nurburg confirmed that the event, which attracts nearly 100,000 music fans over three days, will not be cancelled Security staff at the Rock am Ring festival meeting today after it was announced that the event will go ahead Last night the festival ground was cleared on the opening night while intensive searches were carried out. Festival goers were filmed singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as they were evacuated from the arena. Among the acts performing are System of a Down, Prophets of Rage, Macklemore and Bastille. the festival was cleared out on its opening night after Koblenz police said they had received information of a 'concrete threat' System of a Down, Prophets of Rage, Macklemore and Bastille were all due to play over the three day festival A statement on the festival's Facebook page this morning said: 'Rock am Ring 2017 will go on! After intensive searches and sweeps of the complete festival site by the police the suspicion of a potential terrorist threat has not been confirmed. 'Set up for day 2 of Rock am Ring has commenced and the program is going to be resumed in the early afternoon. 'The incredibly disciplined fans deserve all our respect and gratitude. We keep you posted.' German newspaper Bild reports that Roger Lewentz, Minister of the Interior of the Rhineland-Palatinate, said: 'The names on the backstage passports did not match the actual names of the verified persons.' Rock am Ring will go ahead, organisers confirmed this morning after it was evacuated last night CEO of Live Nation GSA Marek Lieberberg (centre, left) and police officers gave a statement after evacuation of the 'Rock am Ring' festival Last night festival-goers were told to leave the site in a 'calm and controlled manner'. Some 92,500 three-day tickets were sold for the festival, which will run until tomorrow. The Manchester suicide bombing led to changes in the security planning for the German concert and the number of security officials was increased substantially to 1,200, the police said. The emergency was announced on the Rock am Ring Facebook page last night. A spokesman said: 'Due to a terrorist threat the police have advised us to interrupt the festival. 'We ask all festival visitors to leave the festival site in a calm and controlled manner towards the exits and camping grounds. 'We have to support the police investigations.' Festival goers were filmed singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as they were evacuated from the arena They are the generation known for their stuff upper lip and ability to keep calm and carry on. Now a study has proven older people really are made of tougher stuff, and are better at dealing with pain. After a major operation, how much people complain about their pain has been found to fall steadily with age. While not quite generation snowflake, people in their twenties say they are in the worst pain, while those aged 90 are the least complaining. A new study has proven older people really are made of tougher stuff, and are better at dealing with pain German researchers examined the records of almost 2,400 patients following knee replacements, discovering all age groups probably suffered similar levels of pain, based on their loss of physical movement. However the older generation had a different attitude which made them more tolerant and less likely to admit how much it hurt. The authors, from Jena University Hospital in Germany, who presented their research at this years Euroanaesthesia meeting in Geneva, said: Our study confirms that the older the patients, the lower their reported maximum pain levels. However, elderly patients do not report less functional impairment caused by pain. This suggests that elderly people are hiding their pain, with the authors asking: Is it more likely that older patients do not report pain for social reasons, for example, they think pain is normal or they have to bear it without complaint, and thus the levels of pain are underreported? The findings raise concerns that older people may not get the pain relief they need because of their refusal to complain. The results are based on data from an international register of acute pain which takes in 2,390 patients who underwent a total knee replacement in 54 hospitals around the world between February 2010 and November 2016. The study found the older generation had a different attitude which made them more tolerant and less likely to admit how much it hurt Asked on day one following surgery to rate the worst pain they had so far suffered, people in their twenties put it above seven on a 10-point scale. But that fell steadily, reaching six and a half for people in their forties and falling below six for those in their seventies. The lowest pain levels were reported by those patients in their eighties, who might be expected to suffer most from a major operation, with the lowest pain rating recorded for people aged 90 at the top age limit of the study. The researchers also looked at ratings for how much pain interfered in physical activity, also known as functional impairment. They found no similar decline in physical function, suggesting that older patients are in fact experiencing pain but not admitting to it. The findings back up previous studies showing that patient-reported pain falls with age, although at least half of surgical patients suffer from moderate to severe pain after common operations. The authors, Claudia Weinmann, Dr Marcus Komann and Professor Winfried Meissner from Jena University Hospital, said: As functional impairment is a more clinically relevant factor for post-operative recovery pain intensity, these findings suggest that elderly patients might tend to under-report their pain levels, and that asking about functional impairment might be a better tool for pain assessment. A nurse who murdered two patients and poisoned 19 more at an NHS hospital received 779,000 in legal aid to defend himself nearly 20,000 more than the total compensation awarded to his victims. The amount given to Filipino Victorino Chua, 51, who police believe used forged qualifications to gain work in the UK, was branded 'absolutely disgraceful' last night. The total amount of compensation paid to Chua's victims and their families was 760,475 18,527 less than his legal aid bill. Victorino Chua (pictured left during his graduation and right during training) who murdered two patients and poisoned 19 more at an NHS hospital received 779,000 in legal aid to defend himself nearly 20,000 more than the total compensation awarded to his victims A number of Chua's poisoned patients received less than 10,000 each. One, who was left brain damaged by the 'narcissistic psychopath', is believed to have received about 500,000 still significantly less than Chua's legal aid bill. Two of Chua's other victims got around 95,000 and 50,000 each. His state-funded defence costs come despite a Ministry of Justice pledge to crack down on legal aid. Chua is two years into a minimum 35-year sentence for murder, which will cost the public about 1.75million. Prison conditions in the UK are infinitely better than in Chua's native Manila, where he obtained dubious nursing qualifications before flying to the UK and landing a job at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport. Police suspect someone else sat his professional nursing exam in his homeland. Lynda Bleasdale, 72, whose 83-year-old brother Derek Weaver, pictured, was poisoned after being admitted to Stepping Hill with breathlessness, said: 'It's totally unjust. The compensation my family received was barely enough to cover my brother's funeral costs' Chua's questionable credentials were uncovered by the Daily Mail in 2012, shortly after his arrest on suspicion of the murders, and this newspaper's dossier helped police crack the case earning public praise from a senior detective. The vetting failures that allowed him to go on a deadly poisoning spree were confirmed at the end of his 2015 trial when there were calls for a review of how foreign nurses are recruited in the UK. Now in response to a Freedom of Information request from the Mail, the Ministry of Justice revealed that Chua had been awarded a total of 779,002 in legal aid. Chua was also convicted of murdering 44-year-old Tracey Arden, pictured This was made up of 379,991 in solicitor costs, 308,445 in barrister costs and 90,566 in 'disbursements' (various legal expenses). Last night the sister of one of Chua's two murder victims hit out at the size of the bill. Lynda Bleasdale, 72, whose 83-year-old brother Derek Weaver was poisoned after being admitted to Stepping Hill with breathlessness, said: 'It's totally unjust. The compensation my family received was barely enough to cover my brother's funeral costs. For his lawyers to be paid so much more than the families is appalling I find it absolutely disgraceful. 'It shows there's something wrong with the system. More money should have been spent on the victims instead.' Nazir Afzal, the former chief prosecutor who laid charges against Chua, said: 'Whilst this was a very complicated investigation, the prosecution provided all the evidence (to the defence) at the point of charging and were ready for trial within weeks. So it is surprising that 779,000 would be charged to the legal aid fund.' Chua's legal team was led by Peter Griffiths QC, who has previously been named as one of the country's highest paid barristers. He told Chua's four-month trial that his client was innocent and being used as a scapegoat. But a jury disagreed. It heard how the father-of-two injected insulin into saline bags and ampoules while working on two wards at the hospital in June and July 2011. Playing the family man: Chua and his wife Marianne. The total amount of compensation paid to Chua's victims and their families was 760,475 18,527 less than his legal aid bill These were then unwittingly used by other nurses on the ward, leading to a series of insulin overdoses to mainly elderly victims. Chua was convicted of murdering 44-year-old Tracey Arden and Mr Weaver. He was acquitted of the murder of Arnold Lancaster, 71, but convicted of poisoning him and 18 other patients with insulin. At Manchester Crown Court, the judge, Mr Justice Openshaw, said the random way Chua targeted his victims at the hospital was 'striking, sinister and truly wicked'. Police released a rambling 13-page letter written by Chua in which he spelt out 'how an angel can turn into an evil person'. The Ministry of Justice said: 'The funding of more expensive cases is managed by a team within the Legal Aid Agency to ensure that costs are carefully controlled. A number of poisoned patients of Victorino 'Vic' Chua, pictured fourth from left with his siblings, received less than 10,000 each in compensation 'Expected costs are negotiated in advance based upon the nature of the case and the alleged role of the defendant. Claims submitted for payment are always subject to further scrutiny and assessment.' Kevin Saul, medical negligence solicitor at Irwin Mitchell which represented two victims of Chua, said: 'Over the past decade there have been numerous cuts to legal aid preventing many vulnerable people accessing the funding necessary to help with their cases. 'Although everyone has the right to a defence in court, there will be many people left angry at the scale of Mr Chua's legal aid bill.' Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said: 'It is our understanding that all claims have been settled, with 18 people receiving a total payment of 760,475.' Never was the generational divide more apparent than after last years EU referendum. Now, with Brexit at the forefront of general election campaigning, that schism remains in sharp focus. Its an issue that has driven a wedge between many families. This is what happened to Andy West, 35, a writer and broadcaster who lives in London, after he posted a series of rants on social media about what he viewed as the bigoted racist older generation who voted to Leave the EU. Andy West is pictured aged eight at home in with his mother Pauline Morris - they now disagree over Brexit To his like-minded friends, they were reasonable comments to make. But to his Leave-voting mother, retired teacher Pauline Morris, 64, from Buckinghamshire, it certainly felt like the ultimate betrayal. Thoroughly fed up with the blaming and name-calling surrounding Brexit, she wrote him a letter, and in doing so, has put into words the feelings of countless others in the same position. Andrew, You know my love for you is absolute. But your online posts have hurt me so deeply. It feels like you are attacking me personally. Are you? We talked before the referendum, and Id believed we could respect each others opinions, but I see now that you despised mine. How could you think I dont care about your future or the NHS, and that Im ignorant and stupid? After all the love and care Ive given, and still give, you and your brother and sister. After Ive explained my beliefs. Remember the day you told me you were gay? I drove for three hours that same morning to give you a hug. When you lost your job at the BBC last year and had to move home, I was there to step in. When you children were young, I put my career as a teacher, which I loved, on hold to be the best mum I could. Of course I care about the NHS and the people who work there. Im still recovering from my hysterectomy two months ago and Im very grateful to the nurses many of whom came from abroad who work so hard. But even you must see the NHS is struggling. They had to send me to a private ward as the hospital was full to bursting. We just cant cope with the influx of people from other countries. Pauline Morris, pictured, says immigration can be a good thing - but argues that if you simply open the borders then you 'get all aspects of humanity' You imply that old people (like me), who have struggled through our lives, havent got many years ahead of us, so young people are more important. Do you think about how callous and prejudiced that sounds? You accuse us of bigotry, but thats what youre exhibiting towards us. Has it ever occurred to you that we have amassed wisdom? That maybe, just maybe, we make good points, too? My father used to say things that I thought were silly. It turned out, as I went through life, hed spoken sense. I realised that Id often been wrong, but because Id kept quiet I didnt look a fool when it became apparent he was right. I hadnt offended him in the meantime either. I know your stepfather, Danny, and uncle, Malcolm, are as hurt as Ive been by your comments. Danny has been like a father and a friend to you, supporting you and giving you advice. Is he now to be dismissed as old and ignorant? Of course not. Malcolm is your godfather, and even when youve offended him, he has always offered you a place to stay if you need it. These people love you, and yet you think nothing of publicly dismissing them and me as bigots and racists. Do you think because were older we wont see what youre saying about us on social media? Your comments are getting more painful and I cant stay silent any more. You said on Facebook that older people are selfish by voting for Brexit, and dont care about the future. You said on Twitter that people voting for Brexit must be stupid and bigoted. Have your views, but dont ram them down everyones throats, and give us credit for having the intelligence to make decisions. My darling son, when you equate worries about immigration with racism, you miss the point. Not unreasonably, we just want to know who is coming into the country and what they can bring to the equation. Immigration can be a good thing, but if you simply open the borders then you get all aspects of humanity. We welcome people with the skill sets we sorely lack, like doctors, nurses, pharmacists and scientists. What we dont want is a steady stream of unqualified people coming and working for a pittance, undercutting our already hard-pushed British workforce. Nor do we want criminals who care nothing for our country. That way the country deteriorates, the poor get poorer and we all pay the price in the long run. Tell me, Andrew, whats so wrong with thinking that with wanting control over who comes into Britain and the ability to decide if we can no longer cope? We want British people to be able to apply for factory jobs and not be turned away for speaking English not Polish. There are examples of British companies specifically targeting workers in Poland, as theyre prepared to put up with worse working conditions and lower pay. We want a good future for everyone. Andrew accuses me of bigotry - but he's the one who's guilty We dont want to leave Europe, but we do want to leave the EU. It was sold to us as a trading opportunity, but I believe its become unwieldy a farce. How can you ever hope to find agreement among 28 member countries, let alone be sure that Britains interests are assured? We want to govern ourselves, to command our own destiny and if were not happy with our leaders, we want the right to vote them out. The EU with its unelected commissioners who wield such influence seems to offer none of that. That Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, often appears to be drunk, to me sums up all thats wrong with the EU. Your stepfather and I dont always vote for the same party. Were not dyed-in-the-wool Tories. But we dont trust Jeremy Corbyn to stop immigration and get us out of Europe. Your generation has never had to live with the consequences of allowing the trade unions too much power and Corbyn intends to give them more influence as happened in the Winter of Discontent, so how can you possibly understand? And yet your generation patronises us, based on nothing more than blind optimism. It is unfair. I so want you to be happy. I think the bile spewed by so many online can take over a person and cause unhappiness. Many of the people, on Twitter especially, sound like theyre crazy. You are exposing yourself to their madness, but Id suggest you stand back and look after you. Its not being selfish, its self preservation. I know Ill think long and hard about this for some time to come. Im upset writing it. My intention is to close my Facebook and Twitter accounts. You know I will always love and support you. Is it really so much to ask for your respect in return? With my deepest love, Mum xxx My amazing Mum, You never smacked me as a child, but this letter feels like a punch to the stomach. Reading it has left me feeling so sad Im struggling to put it into words. Do you remember when I was four and I got myself stuck behind that railing and the fire brigade had to come and squeeze me out? I felt so ashamed because I could see you were exasperated, worried and embarrassed. I cried then because I loved you and looked up to you and I was sorry. Turns out, nothing changes. Have I really made you feel so awful? The thought I might have caused you so much pain kills me as I know how much you love me, but at the same time, I feel like Im being told off for doing what you brought me up to do: speak out, be brave, stand up for my beliefs. I have watched you fight for what you believe in. When you were a teacher, it was you who stood up to the school and carried on caring about the children, rather than their obsession with paperwork. I was so proud when you fought the council over the bullying of other teachers and won. Andy West, pictured, says his generation don't have 'job security or generous pensions or cheap houses or free university education' You have never hidden your views from me. When I describe you to my friends I tell them with real pride that my mum is a fighter who doesnt take any nonsense. Dont you see? The man you brought into the world is following your lead. When I speak my mind on Facebook and Twitter, I do it knowing that, unlike most people, you and I are strong enough to fight for what we know is right. It has been a depressing and unnerving thing to discover that what I know to be right means that you must surely be wrong. I am so sorry, but when we talk about Brexit your beliefs seem ill-informed, blinkered and even I dont want to write this racist. I hate that word because I know its clumsy and unfair. You are not a racist person and you have never been prejudiced. Youve had friends and colleagues from around the world, and as a teacher, you did your very best for the children who were struggling to learn English. You are kind, generous and caring. When I came out as gay you showed me complete, unquestioning love. But mum, you generalise about people coming over here and taking our jobs when I simply dont see that happening. Im not attacking you personally in my posts. However, I cant button my lip on issues such as Brexit and the General Election just because it might hurt my mums feelings, can I? The truth is, I do find it tough when I hear you talking about foreign people as if they are ruining Britain. As a Londoner, I live with immigrants, work with immigrants, drink and eat with immigrants and they are kind, hard-working, brilliant people. Youve told me you sometimes feel like this isnt your country any more because people speak in different languages. Mum, you live in a white, British, middle-class suburb in Buckinghamshire. The people youre talking about are a tiny minority in your world, yet you sometimes speak as if theyre a tsunami of invading aliens. I dont believe they are. They are just people, looking for a better life. Those foreign people you want kicked out looked after you in hospital after your operation. They installed your new kitchen and painted the bathroom. They do a thousand jobs British people cant be bothered to do. Most work hard, pay taxes and get along without using the NHS or claiming welfare. You say that you care for the future of our country, but Brexit feels like a real threat to people my age it does seem like older voters dont care about that. To me, your generation has had it very good indeed, and its made you, as a whole, arrogant and selfish. You want me to respect your point of view, but cant you listen to ours? Unlike your generation, we dont have job security or generous pensions or cheap houses or free university education. Our future is uncertain. And now your generation has skewed the national vote and I believe thrown everything into even greater uncertainty. Mum's beliefs seem ill-informed, blinkered and even racist Im sorry if Ive made it seem as if your generation is less important than mine, and I apologise if Ive seemed disrespectful. I have a lot to learn from you, but your son has travelled the world, met incredible people and lives in a cosmopolitan city. Isnt there a chance you could learn something from me, too? Is isolating ourselves as a country wise right now? Would your parents and grandparents, who lived through world wars, have thought it was a good idea to break ties with Europe? Is making sweeping statements about people because they werent born here a good idea? I just dont think it is. I want you to be happy and let go of all your anger and fear and jump into this wonderful, colourful mess of people with me. I guess thats patronising but its how I feel. Despite all of this, Im going to focus on the good stuff we have. I agree people on Twitter can be crazy. I agree sometimes I should keep schtum and let others speak out. I agree that I must be an exhausting and exasperating son. But Mum, never, ever think I am an unloving one. You are everything to me, and no matter how vehemently we disagree about things, I will always know that when you have something to say to me or anyone else, youll say it, just as you have in this letter. The problem is, when I write things you find confrontational, I emulate you. So when you think about it . . . its kind of your fault. With deepest love, Andy xxx Two young women who spent over a decade in the White House are opening up about their experiences growing up in the shadow of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Barbara Bush and her sister Jenna Bush Hager will release a collection of personal stories and essays in October called 'Sisters First: Stories From Our Wild and Wonderful Life,' which promises to reveal a few family secrets and feature the young women speaking for the first time about some major events in their lives. The 35-year-old twins gave a preview of some of the tales they will be telling in their upcoming book in a Facebook Live video on Friday after attending BookExpo 2017 in New York City on Friday. One of the stories Barbara and Jenna plan to share details their attempts to dissuade their father from running for president, while another will reveal some of the mistakes the two made - including their arrests for underage drinking back in 2001 while in college. It will be the first time that the two have ever spoken about the incidents. Scroll down for video Sit down: Jenna Bush Hager and her twin sister Barbara, 35, both appeared at BookExpo 2017 on Friday to promote their upcoming book 'Sister's First' Spilling secrets: The pair revealed that they will talk about their 2001 arrests for underage drinking in the upcoming book Early bird: Jenna is a 'Today' anchor with two young children, Poppy and Mila Working woman: Barbara works for Global Health Corps, the nonprofit she founded in 2009. Barbara and Jenna were both fashionable attired for their appearance on Friday, with Jenna wearing a bright yellow dress and Barbara opting for a The two were asked during their Facebook Live session by a fan: 'Were there ever times that you wished your dad was not president?' Jenna took that question, and responded by saying: 'When we were 18 and our father first sat us both down and told us he wanted to run for president, we both tried to veto that idea.' She then explained: 'I think like normal 18-year-olds we really wanted to enjoy college and grow and make mistakes, which we did...you can also read about that in "Sister's First."' This seemed to be a clear reference to Jenna's two arrests over the span of five weeks back in 2001, with her sister being cited by police as well the second time. Both arrests occurred in Austin, where Jenna was attending the University of Texas while her sister was at Yale. Sister's First will be released in October Jenna was first picked up by police in April of 2001 for drinking a beer in a club and pleaded no contest to a charge of possessing alcohol under age that same month. Given how common that infraction was, and is, on college campuses, Jenna was let off somewhat easy and ordered to pay $51.25 in court costs while serving eight hours of community service. She also had to attend an alcohol awareness class. The next month, Barbara was with her sister in Austin when the two were arrested for attempting to purchase alcohol at Chuy's, a Mexican chain restaurant. That came after the manager notified authorities from the restaurant to report that a group of individuals who did not look 21 were ordering alcoholic beverages. Barbara had already been served by the time police arrived and was charged with under age possession, while Jenna was rejected for using an ID that belonged to someone else who was of legal drinking age. The incident landed the two, who were 19 at the time, on the cover of the weekly magazines. Inaguration day: Barbara and Jenna also reveal htat they did not want their father to run for president in the book (above in 2001) Babies: The twins in the early 80s with their mother Laura Bush Family affair: Jenna and Barbara with their father and grandfather in Maine It also landed them in hot water with their father, who got to exact his revenge of daughter Jenna in a very public way this past February. In an appearance on 'Today,' the former president was asked by his daughter if he ever gets embarrassed by her behavior. 'No, I'm very proud,' said George W Bush, who went on to state that Jenna only upset him when she was a teenager. 'Or maybe when you got arrested for a fake ID,' said Bush, causing his daughter to yell out: 'No dad!' That incident was really the only time the two wound up in the spotlight during their eight years in the White House. And they admit that in the end they were glad that their dad took a job in the Oval Office. Jenna said on Facebook Live that eventually she and her sister came to realize 'how awesome it is to live history and how lucky we really were.' Barbara then chimed in, saying: 'Through him we got to travel around the world with our mom and our dad. 'We got incredible exposure and got to meet unbelievable people, and that of course outweighed any reservations that we had.' As for what readers can expect from the book, Jenna said: 'The central theme is how lucky we are to have one another and how now, more than ever, women really have to be lifting each other up.' The sisters both live in new York where Jenna is a 'Today' anchor with two young children, Poppy and Mila, while Barbara works for Global Health Corps, the nonprofit she founded in 2009. Advertisement The father of a little girl injured in the Manchester terror attack said his daughter 'feels like a rock star' after meeting Ariana Grande and the Duke of Cambridge while recovering in hospital. Lily Harrison was among scores of people injured when a suicide bomber set off a homemade device at the Manchester Arena on May 22. The eight-year-old is recovering in hospital after suffering a shrapnel wound and bruised lung in the terror attack. She had a major boost on Friday night when she met pop star Grande as she visited young fans in the Royal Manchester Children's hospital. Lily Harrison is pictured (left) hugging pop star Ariana Grande after she came and visited fans yesterday evening and gave them presents. Right is her father Adam with the pop star Manchester terror attack victim Jaden Farrell-Mann was visited by Miss Grande (pictured) at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Pictured is the stage being prepared today at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground ahead of the One Love concert tomorrow The youngster, wearing an Ariana Grande top and with a large teddy bear on her hospital bed, was all smiles as she received a hug from her pop idol. Kneeling by the young girl's hospital bed, Ariana told her: "I'm so proud of you. You are so strong. You are doing really well." Her father, 32-year-old Adam, said it gave him goosebumps. He said: 'Ariana lit the room up. She was absolutely fantastic. She knelt by Lily's bed and asked her lots of questions. She had so much time for her. 'Lily was bouncing off the walls. She was so excited. She is her biggest fan.' Her mother Lauren said Lily hasn't stopped talking about the visit ever since. Mr Harrison appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning and said since meeting Grande, Lily is 'on cloud nine' and is 'chomping at the bit' to go to the One Love Manchester concert tomorrow. Describing his daughter's meeting the star, Mr Harrison said: 'She was so nervous she said, 'I think I might need to go to the toilet' she was that excited. 'We were the last room on the ward that she came to visit, so I think the excitement was building and building, and then she came skipping in.' Mr Harrison relived how Lily, from Stockport, was blown to the floor in the explosion, receiving a wound to her back. He said: 'As I saw her on the floor I just picked her up like a rugby ball and made a run for it, but obviously being 16 stone myself and carrying Lily's weight and running at speed down a flight of stairs, I met a guy's foot at the bottom of the stairs and have gone over on my ankle, which has deemed me a bit immobile.' Once they got to the car park, Lily's injuries became more apparent. Mr Harrison said: 'Lily went unconscious when we got her into the car park and she was almost like jelly. The 10-year-old suffered fractures to both of her legs and shrapnel wounds during the explosion that killed 22 people on May 22 Miss Grande is back in Manchester to perform at the One Love benefit concert. The American superstar, 23, will headline the show at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground this Sunday, which aims to raise millions for those injured On Friday night the pop star surprised Evie Mills (above) and the other youngsters at the hospital as they got ready for bed Evie, from Harrogate, was discharged from hospital today (right) now will continue to recover at home with her family 'It was (a) tough realisation that we thought we may have lost her. She did come round 30 seconds later, so going from rock bottom to then... 'The wound was on her spine, so I was patting her legs and pinching her legs to see if she had a sense of feeling, and she did. 'We had kind of gone from rock bottom to ... I wouldn't say it was euphoric but it was very positive and uplifting that she was okay.' After a few days of initial recovery, Lily began to improve. Her father said: 'She's really come round and culminating in last night where she's ready to go - she wants to get home now and I think she feels like she's a bit of a rock star now.' She is now likely to be discharged from hospital on Saturday or Sunday and is hoping to go to the benefit concert. Mr Harrison said: 'After last night's visit I think she'd probably disown me if I didn't take her on Sunday.' 'Physically she looks really well. She is giving her mum and me a heart attack because she is running up and down the corridors of the hospital. So our hearts are in our mouths but who are we not to tell her to do that? 'She is really excited after last night. To see her face last night, to see her face tomorrow will be two things where I think we are coming full circle again, so we are really looking forward to it.' On Friday night the American pop star also surprised Jaden Farrell-Mann, from Denton and Evie Mills, 14, from Harrogate, who suffered damage to her legs and chest in the attack. The 23-year-old brought the children cuddly toy presents, signed autographs and posed for photographs with patients The American superstar also posed for photos with the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital nurses The 23-year-old shared jokes with delighted fans at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. The American superstar, 23, will headline a benefit concert at the Emirates Old Trafford this Sunday She brought the children presents and signed autographs during her ward visit. After the visit from her hero, ecstatic schoolgirl Jaden tweeted: 'I got to meet my queen today. Love you Ariana Grande.' Jaden's mother Sharon told the Manchester Evening News: 'Jaden was just sat there watching TV and she walked in. 'She was absolutely amazed. It was a complete surprise. She has a big smile anyway but it got even bigger, Ariana gave her a hug and a kiss, she was in awe. 'It was absolutely fantastic to see, she was so happy.' Her father Peter Mann wrote of Miss Grande's hospital visit: 'This means more to us than all the amazing things people have done this week. 'So happy she came I could burst. Never seen Jaden so happy; even cried again myself.' Miss Grande tweeted that she was 'broken' and 'so so sorry' after the terror attack. The 23-year-old is now back in Manchester to perform at the One Love benefit concert. The American superstar will headline the show at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground this Sunday, which aims to raise millions for those injured. The line-up includes Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Little Mix, One Direction star Niall Horan, Take That and Usher. On Twitter Ecstatic Jaden posted photos of the t-shirt Miss Grande signed and the 'lipstick stain' the popstar left on her forehead Miss Grande posed for selfies (left) with patients and spoke with their friends and family during the Friday evening visit The American superstar will headline a benefit show at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground this Sunday Some 600 stewards will be on duty at Sunday's Ariana Grande benefit concert, according to Greater Manchester's police chief, who said security on leaving music events and football matches would have to be reviewed. It has been reported that survivors of the bombing will join Miss Grande on stage at the gig. It is understood pupils from a local primary school who were at the Manchester Arena gig will sing with Miss Grande during her set. Twenty-four students from Parrs Wood High School's Harmony Choir have been chosen to sing with Grande and teacher Daniel McDwyer, 24, said he was 'so proud' the children would be involved. Tickets for Sunday's concert went on sale at 10am yesterday and sold out in just six minutes. Miss Grande brought patients gifts, including Harrods bears (left) and even signed one child's crutches A 33-year-old Australian tourist was killed Friday morning after a fight outside a hotel in San Francisco, authorities have said. Police arrived at the Da Vinci Villa hotel to find Matthew Bate, from Northern Territory in Australia, severely injured after a verbal fight with at least two others turned physical. Cops arrived at the scene around 2:15am and found Bate alive but with critical injuries, police told SFGate. An arrest has been made over the death of Australian tourist Matthew Bate (pictured) He was taken to the hospital where he died, according to Officer Giselle Talkoff of the San Francisco Police Department. Talkoff said Bate was involved in a verbal argument which quickly escalated into violence. Two individuals were detained quickly after the fight, and homicide detectives are investigating their involvement and whether or not drugs and alcohol was a factor. The suspects names have not been released, and it is believed no weapons were involved. Publix Super Markets are inviting customers to Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are June 10 through July 1 by donating to Childrens Hospital at Erlanger, the local Childrens Miracle Network Hospital. In exchange for a $1, $3 or $5 donation, Publix customers will receive a set of coupons with savings of up to $20 on popular brands. "These coupons have great savings to help celebrate Fathers Day or the 4th of July," officials said. "Funds raised from the coupon campaign will help provide life-saving care for local kids." This campaign marks the 26th anniversary of Publix supporting Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals. Since 1992, Publix has raised more than $39 million for the charity. Funds raised locally during the campaign will benefit The Believe Campaign to build the new Childrens Hospital in Chattanooga. In 2016, our five area Publix locations raised more than $25,000 for Childrens Hospital at Erlanger, almost a 95 percent increase in their fundraising efforts from 2015, said Rebecca Brinkley, director of Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals at Childrens Hospital at Erlanger. Each year they work even harder than the year before to raise funds and help support our hospitals mission to treat sick and injured children in our area. Were incredibly grateful for 26 years of generous support from Publix, said John Lauck, president and CEO of Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals. Over the last several decades, weve seen advances in childrens healthcare that can be attributed in part to community contributions like those from Publix and its customers. For example, research shows nine out of 10 kids born with congenital heart defects now survive into adulthood and childhood cancer death rates continue to decline. We congratulate Publix on the positive impact it has had in the neighborhoods its served over the past 26 years and look forward to the medical advances to come. Those who participate in the register campaign will receive coupons from the following vendors: Kelloggs, Mars (Mars Petcare, Mars Chocolate and Wrigley), Johnson and Johnson, Coca-Cola and Dasani, Georgia Pacific (Angel Soft Bath Tissue and Sparkle Paper Towels), Oil-Dri (Cats Pride), Pepsi Pure Leaf Tea, and Frito Lay. More than 1,000 Publix stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee are participating in the fundraiser benefiting 24 member hospitals. Gretchen Carlson has revealed that she went through 'painful and awkward' conversations with some of her closest friends and family after suing Fox News. The former anchor for the cable TV network, who accused ex-chairman Roger Ailes of sexually harassing her, said that 'people didn't know what to say to me'. Gretchen Carlson revealed her friends and colleagues didn't know how to react to accusations about her boss Roger Ailes In her upcoming book, Carlson says that some of her friends shunned her and that 'it took me a while to get my head straight'. She also made a thinly-veiled attack on Fox News and said that 'harassers rarely act alone...they need people to cover for them'. Carlson's lawsuit against Fox News last July started a chain of women coming forward to claim sexual harrassment and led to Ailes resigning in disgrace. Since then Fox News host Bill O'Reilly has also been forced out after it was claimed the network paid $13 million to settle allegations of sexual harassment. The introduction and first chapter of Carlson's book were provided this week by publisher Hachette at BookEpo America in New York, the largest publishing trade event in the US. The full book, Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back, will be published in October. Scroll down for video The veteran anchor was with Fox for 11 years until her contact was not renewed in July. She claimed Ailes would ogle her in his office and make sexual advances (pictured with Barack Obama in 2006) Carlson, 50, had been with Fox for 11 years and was the anchor of her own show 'The Real Story With Gretchen Carlson' until her contract was not renewed last June. The mother-of-two and former Miss America sued the following month alleging that Ailes, who had turned Fox News into the No.1 cable news network during his 20 year reign, 'sabotaged' her career because she 'refused his sexual advances'. In 'Be Fierce' Carlson writes: 'There are things I'm prevented from saying - that's the nature of a settlement. But when it was all over I decided I wasn't ready to shut up and sit down. 'The problem was so much greater than my own experience. I walked away from my previous life but I realized that I could write a new, powerful, real story, for me and for others. 'My decision to engage in the issue of harassment didn't happen instantly. It took me a while to get my head straight. At first encounters with friends and colleagues were painful and awkward. 'People didn't know what to say to me. I didn't hear from some people I'd expected to hear from. 'On the other hand, I received supportive letters and emails from people I hadn't heard from in decades. Those were difficult days as I tried to regain my sense of equilibrium and purpose'. After Gretchen Carlson accused Roger Ailes of sexual harassment, six other women came for with similar accusations. This led to the Fox president's ousting in 2016 Carlson said that she was reminded of lessons her grandfather had taught her, how 'the best of life wasn't only found in winning but also in picking yourself back up and thriving after times of disappointment'. Carlson filed her lawsuit on July 6 in Bergen County's Superior Court in New Jersey. She alleged Ailes' retribution for not sleeping with her included paying her less and curtailing her appearances as a guest commentator. She said that he refused to give her social media support and ultimately refused to renew her contract. Among the instances she listed in the lawsuit was Ailes 'ogling Carlson in his office and asking her to turn around so he could view her posterior'. Ailes allegedly once told her: 'I think you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago and then you'd be good and better and I'd be good and better'. Ailes said Carlson's statements about sexual harassment were false, but he resigned from the network in July of 2016 because of the scandal (pictured on Fox and Friends) According to the lawsuit Ailes described Carlson as 'sexy' but 'too much hard work'. He supposedly called her a 'man hater' and accused her of wanting to 'show up the boys' when she complained about 'pervasive sexual harassment' by her Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy. In a statement at the time Ailes said in a statement that Carlson's allegations were false. He said that she was fired because her 'disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup'. But Carlson's lawsuit was like a dam bursting and soon after six other women told New York magazine that Ailes had harassed them too. Others followed and in September last year 21st Century Fox Corporation, the parent company of Fox News, announced that it had settled Carlson's lawsuit. The company said at the time: 'We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve'. Less than a year after Ailes was forced out of Fox, female employees accused Bill O'Reilly of sexual harassment as well. Carlson hints in her book 'harassers rarely act alone...they need people to cover for them' The sexual harassment allegations against O'Reilly led to him being forced out of his job even though he hosted the highest rated show on cable television. In the book Carlson says that since she filed the lawsuit she received thousands of messages of support from women who had been through similar things to her. She recounts how they inspired her to start a crusade to inspire women to 'take back control of their lives'. Carlson's description about sexual harassment in general terms contains passages that appear to be observations on her own experience as well. Carlson originally gained fame from winning Miss America in 1989. Ailes reportedly called her sexy' but 'too much hard work' (pictured left in 1989, right in 2010) She writes that when it comes to harassment it's a case of 'your job or your dignity - pick one'. Carlson says that 'harassers rarely act alone' because 'they need people to cover for them'. She writes: 'Enablers are as blameworthy as the harassers themselves'. In the book Carlson details the torrent of abuse she gets online from trolls who have called her 'over the hill' and 'old and washed up'. Carlson tells how one morning her 13-year-old daughter Kaia saw her scrolling through abusive Tweets on her iPad. Kaia said: 'Mom, you have a funny look on your face. What are you reading?' Carlson told her: 'It's nothing honey' but she knew the words sounded hollow, and so did her daughter. Carlson declined to comment when asked about the book whilst signing copies of the first chapter at BookExpo. Plans for a 'Made in Italy' logo that clamps down on foreign firms impersonating the country's finest food have failed amid a bitter r-ow over what qualifies as authentic cuisine. The Italian government had planned to mark out cheeses, hams, pasta and sparkling wines on supermarket shelves worldwide. It was hoped that consumers would be able to distinguish the products from those that only look or sound Italian, such as Parmesan made in New Zealand or Prosecco bottled in Brazil. But instead of unifying the food world, the government's proposal for a star-shaped Made in Italy certification quickly created bitter divisions among rival producers. The Italian government had planned to mark out cheeses such as Parmesan - which must be made in a restricted area around the town of Parma Italian meats such as Parma ham would also have been certified with a star-shaped logo It was hoped that consumers would be able to distinguish the products from those that only look or sound Italian, such as Parmesan made in New Zealand or Prosecco bottled in Brazil Now the project could be scrapped amid lack of an industry agreement, according to sources. A row erupted as some producers argued that food should still count as Italian even if each individual raw ingredient isn't made in the country. A consortium of producers of Parmigiano Reggiano, Italy's most famous cheese, insists on rigid standards for everyone. Its chairman Riccardo Deserti said: 'If we open the door to products with foreign ingredients, we are not talking of real Made in Italy - this is not the kind of help we are looking for.' Under the consortium's rules cheese can only be marketed as Parmigiano Reggiano, or by its English name Parmesan, if it is made according to a precise method within a restricted area around the town of Parma. Pictured is Parmesan for sale in New York, US - which does not fall under EU rules protecting the status of the cheese The consortium of Prosecco wine producers rejects the idea of being put in the same authenticity category as products made with foreign raw materials Chairman of the consortium of Parmesan producers Riccardo Deserti said: 'If we open the door to products with foreign ingredients, we are not talking of real Made in Italy - this is not the kind of help we are looking for' Italy's food ministry announced the project at the end of last year and began consultations with producers in March. Pictured are cheese makers preparing curds for Parmesan cheese The consortium of Prosecco wine producers takes a similar stance, rejecting the idea of being put in the same authenticity category as products made with foreign raw materials. But some firms believe traditional Italian production methods should be enough to qualify for the logo. Barilla, the world's biggest pasta maker, wants to carry the Made in Italy logo even though 16 of its 30 plants are abroad, including in the United States and Russia. The firm's vice chairman Paolo Barilla said in March: 'We are Italian, we pay taxes in Italy and we run our foreign plants following the rules of the Italian quality.' After the Italian government announced plans for the logo, a row erupted as some producers argued that food should still count as Italian even if each individual raw ingredient isn't made in the country. Pictured are Parma hams that have been hung to dry Some firms believe traditional Italian production methods should be enough to qualify for the logo Italy's food ministry announced the project at the end of last year and began consultations with producers in March. It came in response to industry complaints that foreign-made foods masquerading as Italian produce were costing the country billions of euros in lost export sales. Researchers said a logo guaranteeing Italian origin would enable exporters to grab some of the roughly 60billion euros (52billion) in annual global sales generated by foreign imitations. The Trump administration will now ask US visa applicants for their social media handles and accounts before they are permitted to enter the country, it was reported on Friday. The State Department will now require anyone applying for a visa to hand over social media identities used during the past five years in addition to their travel history from the previous 15 years, Fox News reported. Applicants will also have to provide sources of funding they received for those trips. It remains unclear when the new policy will be put into practice. The new policy is in line with the State Department's intention to institute procedures that would 'more rigorously' evaluate visa applicants in order to rule out those with ties to terrorism. 'Collecting additional information from visa applicants whose circumstances suggest a need for further scrutiny will strengthen our process for vetting these applicants and confirming their identity,' a State Department official told Fox News. The Trump administration will now ask US visa applicants for their social media handles and accounts before they are permitted to enter the country, it was reported on Friday. The above image is a stock photo of a US government-issued visa 'We estimate these changes would affect only a fraction of one per cent of the more than 13 million annual visa applicants worldwide.' Visa applicants will also have to divulge phone numbers and email addresses used during the last five years; their address and employment history from the last 15 years; names and dates of birth for all children, current and former spouses, and siblings; and all former and current passport numbers. The new questionnaire is designed to provide 'the best information possible,' according to the Department of Homeland Security. 'We're continuing to seek better information sharing and better processes with all countries to get a better sense on who these people are who would enter the country,' a DHS official said. The State Department (whose headquarters is seen above in Washington, DC) will now require anyone applying for a visa to hand over social media identities used during the past five years in addition to their travel history from the previous 15 years 'We're trying to have the best information possible from countries to identify the client and understand the background of people who want to do us harm.' President Donald Trump came into office after vowing his during campaign to impose 'extreme vetting' on would-be immigrants. Trump signed two executive orders aiming to curb migration from a number of Muslim-majority countries. Those executive orders were both struck down by federal courts. The Trump administration this week asked the Supreme Court to reinstate the ban. Governments have expressed concern in recent years over the role of social media in providing a platform for the spread of extremism. In the wake of last month's terrorist attack in Manchester, British Prime Minister Theresa May was reportedly infuriated by the feet-dragging of technology firms whose outlets host sick videos, provide a platform for hate preachers and allow the circulation of terror manuals. Last month, a federal judge dismissed two lawsuits seeking to hold Facebook liable for supporting terrorist groups by letting them use its social media platform to further their goals, including violence against Jews. US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn dismissed a $3billion damages lawsuit by relatives of American victims of Hamas attacks, saying the federal Communications Decency Act regulating internet content immunizes Facebook from liability. That law 'prevents courts from entertaining civil actions that seek to impose liability on defendants like Facebook for allowing third parties to post offensive or harmful content or failing to remove such content once posted,' Garaufis wrote. Garaufis also dismissed a lawsuit by roughly 20,000 Israeli citizens who feared harm from future violence. He said they had no legal right to demand changes to Facebook's platform because they could not show any 'actual or imminent' injury. The decision is a setback to efforts to hold companies such as Facebook and Twitter liable for failing to better police users' online speech. Travis Wagner, 22, of Reinholds, pleaded guilty to sexual relations with a miniature horse A man has pleaded guilty to having sexual relations several times with a miniature horse. Travis Wagner, 22, pleaded guilty on Friday to trespassing and sexual intercourse with an animal in a deal that keeps him out of jail, reported The Smoking Gun. Wagner, of Reinholds, admitted sneaking into a barn in Ephrata, in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 2016 and sexually abusing the brown and white mini horse. He was sentenced to two years probation and fined $2,200. He was also ordered not to have any contact 'with the victim or the victim's family.' The apparent mini horse is shown at the farm's address in rural Pennsylvania in Google maps Wagner's proclivities were discovered when the owner of the farm called police after spotting a man driving a Dodge pickup truck trespassing on his property. He managed to get the license plate number. He said he'd seen the driver go into the barn, which is where the victim as well as some cattle resided. Cops tracked down Wagner and interviewed him. He admitted to sexually abusing the horse on at least three occasions. Was that a nuclear bomb that just blew up under Jeremy Corbyn? The Labour leader was cruising his way through last nights BBC Question Time debate, shrugging off worries about his economic plans, blithely insisting he was not going to do any power-sharing with Nicola Sturgeon and her Scots Nationalists. Pied Piper Corbyn was spreading his usual beardy blarney about how the rich should merely cough up more tax and a socialist dreamland of locusts and honey awaited us. Corbyn refused at least six times to say whether he would countenance using nuclear weapons to defend the UK from attack Then the matter of atom bombs was raised. Would he, as Prime Minister, ever use one? He started trotting out his usual spiel on this question when an elderly man in the audience erupted: Would you allow some idiot in North Korea or Iran to bomb us? Having heard Mr Corbyn say that he would try to negotiate with enemy nukers, the audience member continued: Youd be too late. Youd have to do it first, mate. Mate. They didnt call Theresa May that! The issue had been raised by a youngish man called Adam whose face, during Mr Corbyns answer about his peacenik vision of global love and harmony, was a picture of polite scepticism. Moments later, after further waffle from Mr Corbyn about how negotiations could lead to the dismantling of nuclear weapons around the world, David Dimbleby said: Thats the ideal. What about the reality? We had another night of BBC crowd whooping. Theresa May had just finished her sedate section in last nights two-part show and Dimbleby announced the arrival of Jeremy Corbyn. Whoooo! Clap clap clap. Cheers. 'Pied Piper Corbyn was spreading his usual beardy blarney about how the rich should merely cough up more tax and a socialist dreamland of locusts and honey awaited us' A real reflection of enthusiasm or something pre-cooked by Labour activists? The same happened after the nukes discussion when a young woman said she didnt know why everyone in this room seems so keen on killing millions of people. Whoooo! Clap clap clap. Cheers. You have to give this to the Left: they are much better at dressing a house, as theatre producers say. The same sort of process is used at West End first nights when the director wants to make critics think a show is terrific. Yet last nights show was a lot more successful than that custard-pie fight we had on telly on Wednesday night the one Mrs May was so criticised for not attending. 'The Tory leader came out of her corner with unusual energy' Mrs May seemed to do okay, though some viewers may have been distracted by her lifelong habit of dropping back her mouth. The Tory leader came out of her corner with unusual energy and she managed to spend a lot of her 45 minutes talking about Brexit. Do you actually think you have any real leverage with Brussels? asked a youngish woman with dark hair, pulling the sort of face which made it clear she thought Mrs May was a complete idiot. Mrs May: Yes I do. A man with a beard became agitato about her calling the election opportunistically. He was to be seen at other times, harrumphing and crossing his legs melodramatically. A bloke with a Jimmy Edwards moustache complained that there had been no figures in the Tory manifesto. Mrs May resisted saying good tache, sir! and said something sober about how the Government had been open about the hard choices we faced as a country. Her stickiest moment was probably when an unfortunate woman started to describe her mental-health difficulties and what she said had been less than sympathetic treatment from an NHS nurse. Mrs May said she was not going to defend that treatment. She conveyed a fair amount of sympathy, Id say. Mr Corbyn took some serious gyp about his soft views on the IRA and terrorism. A man with a West Countryish accent said: Weve seen you! You was talking to them when they were killing our women and children. You were talking to them! It was put to Mr Corbyn about the IRA: They did kill a lot of people, didnt they? He would not say yes. Merely that a lot of people were killed. What IS his problem with criticising the Provos? Jeremy Corbyn is plotting to wage a war on church schools by cutting their funding and banning selection by faith, it was claimed last night. The Labour leader and his team have repeatedly threatened to abolish faith schools or stop them from prioritising Christian pupils. The 7,000 faith schools around the country, which make up around a third of the total in England, consistently achieve higher performance in exam results. But Mr Corbyn, his shadow chancellor John McDonnell and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott have consistently pledged to hamper them. As a backbench MP, Mr Corbyn regularly signed parliamentary motions calling for an end to religious selection in schools. In 2013, he sponsored a Commons petition seeking 'to open up all state-funded schools to all children without regard to religion'. Time to go? Jeremy Corbyn, pictured, his shadow chancellor John McDonnell and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott have pledged to hamper the 7,000 faith schools in England It claimed faith schools 'risk undermining community cohesion by segregating children'. Miss Abbott, who sent her son to a private school, has said that religious schools should be phased out, despite the fact many are over-subscribed. She told a human rights conference in 2011 they were 'divisive', adding: 'The idea of schools being a relatively secular zone is a good one. Keep religion out of the classroom. One of the things Tony Blair did which I didn't think was right was he promoted religious schools I think the right position for a socialist party to have taken in 1997 was to phase them out. Because although they are very popular with parents I think they are potentially divisive. 'In Scotland for instance, it's education that perpetuates the divisions between Catholics and Protestants.' Mr McDonnell's hard-Left faction, the Labour Representation Committee, pledged to abolish faith schools at the 2010 election when he was chairman. Plotting? Jeremy Corbyn is planning to wage a war on church schools by cutting their funding and banning selection by faith, it was claimed last night The group's manifesto stated: 'There should be no selection by ability or religion schools should be secular and serve all children.' In March, the Lib Dems adopted an official policy of abolishing all faith-based admissions in state schools. Sajid Javid, Communities and Local Government Secretary, last night warned that faith schools would be at risk if Mr Corbyn was elected prime minister. He said: 'Conservatives will support church and faith schools But Jeremy Corbyn, supported by a coalition of chaos, would wage war on faith schools, reducing choice for parents and undermining these schools' unique character and ethos. 'Conservatives will continue to deliver more good school places, and believe that faith schools have a vital role in helping deliver better education for all.' A Labour spokesman said: 'It is not Labour policy to phase out faith schools. 'Labour has always recognised that faith schools are an important part of the educational landscape and under a Labour government applications for new faith schools will still be considered.' Small things matter in politics. You wont have heard much about fly-tipping, graffiti and potholes during the election campaign: larger issues have held sway. But, in every town and village in the country, people care so passionately what their community looks like, that it is a brave politician who pooh-poohs their concerns. I am lucky enough to live in Oxford, one of the most desirable cities in the country. But the potholes on the next street Leckford Road, where Bill Clinton had digs when he was a student here in the Sixties are an embarrassment. There are dozens of them: some temporarily patched, some worsening by the week. It looks like a herd of elephants in stiletto heels has been dancing the salsa. Potholes: They featured high in every candidates agenda at last year's Oxford elections Efforts clearly have been made to patch the road and stop the Tarmac surface looking like a pepperoni pizza. But the patches quickly start to crumble, and more and more motorists and cyclists can be heard using louder and louder expletives. It hardly sends a positive message to anyone thinking of buying a home nearby. Money, as always, is at the root of the problem. The council inspects all reported defects to assess their condition, says Tony Ecclestone, a spokesman for the city council. However, financial constraints mean that the council has to prioritise repairs. Mercifully, Leckford Road is a side street, where traffic moves quite slowly, so the potholes are not lethal, as they have been in other parts of the country. Last year, a cyclist in Surrey died after been thrown off his bike by a pothole on the A317 in Weybridge. But the blight of potholes whether patched or not gives the whole area such a rundown appearance that the locals are understandably incensed. At the council elections in May, potholes featured high in every candidates agenda. Yet keeping potholes on the political radar is the real challenge, when there are so many other more pressing issues. So hats off to the residents of Steeple Aston, in Oxfordshire, who found a novel way to highlight the problem. Residents of Steeple Aston staged an unusual protest against potholes - by filling them with rubber ducks After the heavy rains in May, they filled the puddles in the potholes with 100 rubber ducks. The ducks were not going to fix the problem, but they reminded people just how many potholes there are on some roads, even in affluent areas. There is no postcode lottery with potholes. A survey by Car Parts 4 Less earlier this year named and shamed the UKs worst road for potholes Cottage Lane in Ormskirk, Lancashire. There had been no fewer than 271 official complaints from motorists about the state of the road. In second place was Liverpool Road, Salford (188 complaints) and Chester Road, Cheshire (162). The location of the roads might suggest that the North-West is the region suffering the most from dodgy Tarmac. But it would be the height of foolishness to use regional variations to mask the fact that this is a national problem. Politicians are not completely deaf to voters concerns. You can report potholes via the Government website. Other websites such as fillthathole.org.uk offer advice on how to report potholes to your local council. But reporting potholes is one thing. Getting them repaired is another. In 2013, the UK suffered a national humiliation when it was revealed that, at Hondas testing facility in Japan, a special four-mile track had been built to simulate Britains roads many times bumpier than equivalent roads in Japan or Europe. Theresa May has so much on her plate that it is not realistic to expect her to prioritise potholes. But if she is attuned to voters irritation, she will appoint a designated minister, or potholes tsar, to sort out the problem. He/she will have to squeeze funds out of Whitehall, but if they can do that, and the potholes problem improves, they will have earned the gratitude of millions. In fact, if their ministerial car can navigate the potholes on Leckford Road, I will happily stand them a drink in my local. Edinburgh is the most sought-after place to live in the UK, a new study by property website Zoopla reveals. Estate agents in the Scottish city received 145 per cent more enquiries from prospective buyers than the UK average. Second on the list was Croydon in South London, followed by Glasgow in Scotland and Central London. The data was based on an analysis of email enquiries sent by house hunters to estate agents listing homes for sale on Zoopla during the past year. Property website Zoopla revealed the most sought-after towns in Britain, with the pictured map showing the average house price in each location Edinburgh tops the rankings, receiving 145% more interest from buyers compared to the average property listing Homes in the commuter town of Croydon received 104 per cent more interest than the average property listing in Britain during the past 12 months. Central London and Glasgow are behind with 77 per cent and 67 per cent more interest than the average listing. The research also looked at the most popular search terms, with buyers in Edinburgh and Croydon keen on homes with a garage. And for those looking to buy in London, the term 'freehold' is the most important search term. Glasgow received 67% more interest from buyers compared to the average property listing Central London received 77% more interest from buyers compared to the average property listing on Zoopla during the past 12 months TOP 10 MOST IN DEMAND TOWNS Ranking Volume of enquiries vs British average (%) Town Average property value (April 2017) 1 145 Edinburgh 270,991 2 104 Croydon 375,152 3 77 Central London 778,530 4 67 Glasgow 180,151 5 56 Leicester 216,230 6 55 Birmingham 185,825 7 42 Swansea 166,838 8 39 Reading 424,388 9 33 Milton Keynes 298,621 10 32 Coventry 193,264 SOURCE: ZOOPLA Across Scotland, a coastal view appeared to be important, as the most popular keyword search there was 'sea'. In Wales, the desire for vast outdoor spaces proved particularly popular, with the word 'acres' being the most searched-for keyword. The least sought-after towns were also identified with Preston in Lancashire topping the list. It was followed by Wigan in Greater Manchester and Newport in South East Wales. Also in the least 'in demand' towns are Warrington in Cheshire, Telford in Shropshire and Chesterfield in Derbyshire. Leicester received 56% more interest from buyers compared to the average property listing BOTTOM 10 MOST IN DEMAND TOWNS Ranking Volume of enquiries vs British average (%) Town Average property value (April 2017) 1 -55 Preston 183,584 2 -51 Wigan 155,946 3 -51 Newport 164,126 4 -51 Warrington 204,592 5 -48 Doncaster 151,108 6 -48 Telford 170,232 7 -48 York 278,499 8 -46 Chesterfield 170,634 9 -44 Stockport 247,079 10 -41 Derby 195,268 SOURCE: ZOOPLA The research went on to name the most popular regions, which were Greater London followed by Scotland. By contrast, the least popular region is the North East, the research found. TOP 10 MOST IN DEMAND LONDON BOROUGHS Ranking Volume of enquiries vs London average (%) Borough Average property value (May 2017) 1 168 Barking and Dagenham 293,135 2 43 Bexley 373,862 3 40 Hounslow 563,062 4 36 Sutton 443,616 5 31 Redbridge 456,045 6 30 Newham 382,536 7 28 Greenwich 459,199 8 23 Hackney 625,979 9 21 Hillingdon 492,387 10 15 Lewisham 485,498 SOURCE: ZOOPLA The most sought-after London borough in the capital is Barking and Dagenham, with homes in the area receiving 168 per cent more interest than the average London property listing. It is followed by Bexley and Hounslow, where buyers show 43 per cent and 40 per cent more interest respectively Lawrence Hall, a Zoopla spokesman, said: 'This new set of figures gives us valuable insight into which areas of the British property market are most 'in demand'. It's interesting to see Edinburgh outranking London, which perhaps reflects a cooling in the property market for central London.' He added: 'It's no surprise that we see high demand for properties in the outer London suburbs, such as Croydon, as they prove to be an affordable alternative for buyers.' A bizarre sighting of a strange-shaped light floating above a hill in Somerset has sparked theories it could be a UFO. The streak of light was caught on camera near 'Britain's UFO capital' which has been subject to extra-terrestrial sightings for more than 40 years. This new sighting adds to the list of shimmering lights and crop circles that have been reported by baffled residents over the past few decades. Scroll down for video This odd stream of light adds to the list of sightings of extra-terrestrial activity that has been reported in the area since the 1960s 'WARMINSTER THING' The town of Warminster has seen dozens of UFO sightings since the 1960s. On 17 August 1965 a 'detonation noise' rocked houses before a 'monstrous orange flame was seen in the sky, crackling and hissing'. The phenomena was known as the 'Warminster Thing' and in the decades after residents reported seeing lots of inexplicable things in the sky. Included were the following sightings - In 1965 a couple said they saw two spheres of light overhead. In 1967 a man driving past Cley Hill heard a loud-pitched noise above and a glowing white disc in the sky. In 1975 a man reported his car malfunctioning after seeing a bright red light above. In 2010 there was an unexplained 200ft (61 metre) wide design in a field of wheat. Advertisement The video, taken by a resident from Frome, shows streaks of light over nearby Cley hill which is 2 miles from UFO town Warminster. The footage, which lasts a few minutes, shows the peculiar light moving in circular directions in the night sky. 'I took this video from my house in Frome last night. It was over the Cley Hill area I think, which is always a hotspot for UFOs', the resident who took the video told Somerset Live. 'Probably a drone with a fancy flame effect tail or something. It's been spotted a few times locally', the resident said. Nigel Viel, a local rambler added: 'Some experts have gone as far as to describe the nearby town of Warminster as Britain's UFO capital on account of a phenomena first encountered in the mid-1960s.' On 17 August 1965 a 'detonation noise' rocked houses before a 'monstrous orange flame was seen in the sky, crackling and hissing.' 'Strange noises were heard in the skies above the town, and an equally strange shimmering light was observed in the vicinity', said Mr Viel. The streak of light was caught on camera two miles from 'Britain's UFO capital' Warminster which has been subject to extra-terrestrial sightings for more than 40 years WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT WARMINSTER? Some believe the area's proximity to the prehistoric stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury is the reason for the strange goings-on. Others say it is because it lies on the confluence of two so-called leylines, which link spots said to have 'mystical energy'. At the top of Cley hill there are remains of a Bronze Age hillfort. Conspiracy theorists put them down to the proximity of Salisbury Plain, home of secret military work. Advertisement The phenomena was known as the 'Warminster Thing' and in the decades after, residents reported seeing lots of inexplicable things in the sky. 'More recently, a report in the local press recorded the experiences of a number of people who witnessed a UFO in the skies in June 2001', Mr Viel said. 'A slow-moving bright light was spotted at Semington which was buzzed by an aircraft'. 'Later, a number of people in Trowbridge saw an object comprised of three lights in a triangular formation heading west towards Warminster', he said. In 2010 there was an unexplained 200ft (61 metre) wide design in a field of wheat at Cley Hill. The video taken by a resident from Frome shows strange streaks of light over nearby Cley hill and adds to the list of repeated sightings of shimmering lights that have baffled residents Some believe the area's proximity to the prehistoric stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury is the reason for the strange goings-on. Others say it is because it lies on the confluence of two so-called leylines, which link spots said to have 'mystical energy'. At the top of Cley hill there are remains of a Bronze Age hillfort. Some believe the area's proximity to the prehistoric stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury is the reason for the strange goings-on Conspiracy theorists put them down to the proximity of Salisbury Plain, home of secret military work. 'At the risk of people saying I'm still secretly working for the government, debunking UFO sightings, I'm going to suggest this is a light aircraft - or perhaps a drone - carrying out some sort of spectacular, acrobatic flying display', Nick Pope, former UFO investigator to the Ministry of Defence, told MailOnline. 'The location of this sighting is particularly striking, because Cley Hill has long been a UFO hotspot, right back to the Sixties, when UFO sightings and other strange events around the nearby town of Warminster made international news', he said. In 2010 there was an unexplained 200ft (61 metre) wide design in a field of wheat at Cley Hill. Some believe the area's proximity to the prehistoric stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury is the reason for the strange goings-on European Union regulators are planning to slap a hefty fine $9 billion (7 billion) on Alphabet unit Google over its shopping service in August, according to a report. The European Commission's decision will come after a seven-year investigation into the world's most popular internet search engine triggered by scores of complaints from both US and European rivals. The EU competition authority accused Google in April 2015 of distorting internet search results to favour its shopping service, harming both rivals and consumers. Scroll down for video The European Commission's decision will come after a seven-year investigation into the world's most popular internet search engine triggered by scores of complaints (stock image) WHAT HAPPENED? The European Commission's decision will come after a seven-year investigation into the world's most popular internet search engine triggered by scores of complaints from both US and European rivals. The EU competition authority accused Google in April 2015 of distorting internet search results to favour its shopping service, harming both rivals and consumers. The US company has in the past rejected the charges, saying that regulators ignored competition from online retailers Amazon and eBay Inc. Fines for companies found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules can reach 10 percent of their global turnover. Advertisement The US company has in the past rejected the charges, saying that regulators ignored competition from online retailers Amazon and eBay Inc. Fines for companies found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules can reach 10 percent of their global turnover. In Google's case could be about $9 billion (7 billion) of its 2016 turnover. Apart from the fine, the Commission will tell Google to stop its alleged anti-competitive practices but it is not clear what measures it will order the company to adopt to ensure that rivals get equal treatment in internet shopping results. The regulator could set out general principles or specific instructions for Google to follow, said an observer. The Commission's tough line is in sharp contrast with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission which settled its own web search case with the company in 2013 by requiring Google to stop 'scraping' reviews and other data from rival websites for its own products. Google made three unsuccessful attempts to settle the case with the previous European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia in a bid to stave off a possible fine and a finding of wrongdoing. Almunia's successor Margrethe Vestager, however, has shown no willingness to settle with Google. The company has also been charged with using its Android mobile operating system to squeeze out rivals and with blocking competitors in online search advertising related to its 'AdSense for Search' platform. Google made three unsuccessful attempts to settle the case with the previous European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia (pictured) in a bid to stave off a possible fine The platform allows Google to act as an intermediary for websites such as online retailers, telecoms operators or newspapers. The Commission has warned of massive fines in both cases. The Commission and Google declined to comment. Google and other internet giants were also told to clamp down on hate speech by top European Union officials yesterday. Tech firms have pledged to fight speech under European laws that bar incitement to violence or hatred directed against people based on race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin. 'The companies are now removing twice as many cases of illegal hate speech and at a faster rate when compared to six months ago,' Vera Jourova, the EU commissioner for justice, said in the first annual progress report. It 'shows that a self-regulatory approach can work', said Ms Jourova, who called for further progress - particularly from Twitter. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is reporting that there were no boating-related fatalities over the 2017 Memorial Day holiday weekend. It marks the third consecutive year without a boating fatality over the weekend. There have been seven boating-related fatalities so far in 2017. During the period from May 26-29, there was one injury accident and five property damage incidents. TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement officers made 17 boating under the influence (BUI) arrests. The number of BUI arrests was a decrease from 21 arrests made in 2016. A Virgin Galactic rocket plane has performed a successful test flight over California. During the flight, the VSS Unity ship dumped 450 litres of water, simulating the shift in weight that would normally be caused by rocket fuel. The test, which comes almost three years on since Virgin Galactic's catastrophic crash, marks an important step towards the firm's goal of sending tourists into space as early as next year. Scroll down for video Yesterday, a Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo performed a test flight, simulating the shift in weight that would normally be caused by rocket fuel, with water THE TEST FLIGHT The test flight saw a plane, dubbed VSS Unity, sent up from California's Mojave Air and Space Port, attached to a twin-fuselage White Knight carrier airplane. Once the two aircrafts had reached the desired altitude, VSS Unity was released for an unpowered descent back to the space port. VSS Unity had 450 litres of water loaded into its tank, which was dumped from the plane as fuel would be in a real flight. By jettisoning water on descent, Virgin Galactic was able to confirm handling characteristcs as the vehicle's centre of gravity changes. Advertisement The test flight saw a plane, dubbed VSS Unity, sent up from California's Mojave Air and Space Port, attached to a twin-fuselage White Knight carrier airplane. Once the two aircrafts had reached the desired altitude, VSS Unity was released for an unpowered descent back to the space port. While this has been done four times in the last year, this time, VSS Unity had 450 litres of water loaded into its tank. During the glide, this water was dumped from the plane as fuel would be in a real flight. In a blog announcing the successful test flight, a spokesperson for Virgin Galactic said: 'That enabled us to explore the flight conditions we will experience during rocket-powered flights. VSS Unity had 450 litres of water loaded into its tank. During the glide, this water was dumped from the plane as fuel would be in a real flight 'By jettisoning the water ballast on descent, we were also able to confirm handling characteristics as the vehicle's centre of gravity moved forward. 'Unity completed the flight with a safe and smooth landing in its lighter-weight configuration.' Now that this fuel-dumping simulated test has been completed, Virgin Galactic says that it is moving 'towards the end of the initial glide test portion of the program and turn[ing] attention to the spaceship's propulsion system.' In April, Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic announced plans to launch people into space in 2018, with the first test flights beginning this year VIRGIN GALACTIC CRASH In October 2014, SpaceShipTwo - a plane designed to run the first ever passenger flights into space - split into pieces as it fell to Earth over California's Mojave Desert. The vehicle broke up after the co-pilot unlocked the craft's tail wing breaking system early, which led to a sudden increase in aerodynamic forces as it passed through the sound barrier. Investigators at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said no safeguards were built into system to overcome the error of the co-pilot. Advertisement In April, Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic announced plans to launch tourists into space in 2018, with the first test flights beginning this year. The Virgin Galactic boss said he would be 'very disappointed' not to go into space himself in 2018 and hopes his space tourism programme will be up and running in the same year. So far, 500 potential customers have reserved a spot on one of his trips at a cost of $250,000 (200,000) each. And based on the latest test flight, the firm is on track to reach this target. The Virgin Galactic spokesperson added: 'As always, meticulous preparation and a focus on safety will determine next steps and timelines, but we expect to be back in the air in the not too distant future.' San Diego's Rose Canyon Fault is at a greater risk of triggering powerful earthquakes than experts had first believed. The fault line is believed to produce tremors that can measure up to 6.8 on the Richter Scale every 700 years. Researchers had previously thought this would only happen every 1,000 to 1,500 years. When it does hit, its power will be big enough to 'liquefy' the region. Scroll down for video The Rose Canyon fault in California generates powerful tremors almost twice as frequently as previously believed, and it could trigger a 7.4 magnitude earthquake. Pictured - Destruction after the magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake hit Los Angeles in 1994 (stock image) THE NEXT BIG QUAKE Researchers from San Diego State University have discovered that the Rose Canyon fault in California generates powerful tremors almost twice as frequently as previously believed. California is 77.5 per cent the way through its current geological cycle, meaning the next big earthquake is due in the coming years. And if the Rose Canyon fault and nearby Newport-Inglewood fault were triggered simultaneously, it could create a quake of magnitude 7.4. Researchers have discovered that the two systems are not separate as was previously believed. And the new findings suggest the Rose Canyon fault creates a magnitude 6.5 to 6.8 earthquake about once every 700 years - about double the previous most conservative estimate. Advertisement Seismologist Tom Rockwell told the LA Times: 'A powerful quake in the mid-to-upper 6s could cause liquefaction around San Diego and Mission bays and locally in Mission Valley, and cause the land to be offset across the fault, which would damage buildings.' The Rose Canyon fault stretches almost 40 miles, from San Diego bay in the south before veering offshore near La Jolla and reaching as far north as Oceanside. Researchers from San Diego State University have been digging in Old Town, San Diego to find out more about the faultline. They discovered it creates a magnitude 6.5 to 6.8 earthquake about once every 700 years, about double the previous most conservative estimate. And if the Rose Canyon fault and nearby Newport-Inglewood fault were triggered simultaneously, it could create a quake of magnitude 7.4. Research released in March discovered that the two systems are not separate as was previously believed. The team discovered a previous earthquake in 1862, estimated at magnitude six, by analysing the layers of soil at the dig site. And they uncovered evidence that the strike-slip fault has produced at least two additional quakes in the magnitude five to six range in recent centuries, according to reports in the San Diego Union-Tribune. California is 77.5 per cent the way through its current geological cycle meaning a big earthquake is due within a few years. The Rose Canyon fault (pictured) stretches almost 40 miles, from San Diego bay in the south before veering offshore near La Jolla and reaching as far north as Oceanside Historically, earthquakes have been nearly impossible to forecast, but a new method announced in the past week could determine the state of the fault system and which area might rumble next. Researchers from the University of California have developed a technique, called 'nowcasting', that allows them to calculate the risk of cities being hit by devastating earthquakes. Patterns of earthquakes can be regular with a certain number of smaller ones usually striking between the devastation of the largest. By calculating the number of small earthquakes that have happened between big ones they can work out what stage of the cycle each city is in. Patterns of earthquakes can be regular with a certain number usually striking between the devastation of the largest. California (pictured) is 77.5 per cent the way through its current cycle meaning a big one is due in the coming years. Los Angeles is circled in blue Small earthquakes create more stress in the plates and then a larger quake happens in order to release the energy. The size of the earthquake depends on the amount of stress that has been accumulating in the rock. Plates are all different and this is taken into account. For example tectonic plates underneath California (the San Andreas fault) are not as resilient as faults under Tokyo, researchers explain in a paper published in Earth and Space science. Unfortunately for people in Tokyo, their city is 90 per cent through its current cycle meaning a big one is due soon. CALIFORNIA'S NEXT BIG QUAKE In order to find out the potential for earthquakes in the California-Nevada region researchers look at the earthquake potential score (EPS) of earthquakes within a 100km (62 miles) radius of the centre of Los Angeles. Since 1933 there have been 721 earthquakes in this region, 81 of which had magnitudes greater than 6. The last big earthquake in the region was the Northridge earthquake of 1994, and the one before that was the San Fernando earthquake 23 years earlier in 1971. Researchers calculated region's earthquake probability score (EPS) for an earthquake greater than magnitude 6 is 77.5 per cent The one before that was in 1971 and the previous one before that was in 1933. This suggests that the interval times between the major events around Los Angeles are between 23 and 28 years. Researchers calculated region's earthquake probability score (EPS) for an earthquake greater than magnitude 6 is 77.5 per cent. This means it is more than three quarters of the way there to another big quake - suggesting it could happen in as little as six years time. In order to find out the potential for earthquakes in the California-Nevada region researchers look at the EPS of earthquakes within a 100km (62 miles) radius of the centre of Los Angeles Advertisement Looking at the potential for earthquakes in the California-Nevada region, researchers look at the earthquake potential score (EPS) of earthquakes within a 100km (62 miles) radius of the centre of Los Angeles. Since 1933 there have been 721 earthquakes in this region, 81 of which had magnitudes greater than six. The last big earthquake in the region was the Northridge earthquake of 1994, and the one before that was the San Fernando earthquake 23 years earlier in 1971. The one before that was in 1971 and the one before that was in 1933. A view of the San Andreas fault in the Carrizo Plain. Since 1933 there have been 721 earthquakes in this region, 81 of which had magnitudes greater than six This suggests that the interval times between the major events around Los Angeles are between 23 and 28 years. The region's earthquake probability score for an earthquake greater than magnitude six is 77.5 per cent. This means it is more than three quarters of the way there to another big quake so they could expect one in as little as six years time. In the mid-19th century, a species of giant tortoise unique to Floreana Island in the Galapagos was thought to have become extinct. But conservationists believe they can bring back the species, almost 170 years after it vanished. A captive breeding programme has now started with 23 tortoises housed on Santa Cruz Island, California, with the aim of soon returning the animals to their home on Floreana Island. Scroll down for video While the Floreana island tortoise became extinct around 1850, others have only recently vanished, such as the Pinta Island tortoise, which lost its last remaining member, George (pictured), just five years ago BRINGING BACK THE FLOREANA TORTOISE In 2008, researchers from State University of New York discovered tortoises with saddle-shaped shells living on Isabela Island the main island in the middle of the Galapagos. An analysis of the DNA of these tortoises showed that they were descendants of Floreana and Pinta tortoises. This match in DNA raised the possibility of bringing back Floreana and Pinta species through captive breeding. Following on from this, in 2015, the researchers returned to Isabela Island in search of more tortoises linked to Floreana and Pinta. There they found 32 tortoises with promising ancestry, and took these to a captive breeding centre on Santa Cruz Island in California. Further genetic testing indicated that two of these 32 tortoises are possibly purebred Floreana. Now, 23 tortoises are being capitevely bred in the hopes of returning purebred Floreana tortoises to their home. Advertisement Some 15 species of Galapagos giant tortoises once existed, but only 11 survive today, after populations were wiped out by the arrival of humans in the mid-19th century. And while the Floreana island tortoise became extinct around 1850, others have only recently vanished, such as the Pinta Island tortoise, which lost its last remaining member, George, just five years ago. Thankfully, conservationists believe that both the Floreana and Pinta tortoises could be brought back to their islands in the near future. Both species have distinctive 'saddle-shaped' shells, which evolved to allow the tortoises to elongate their necks to reach food. And in 2008, researchers from State University of New York discovered tortoises with similarly shaped shells living on Isabela Island the main island in the middle of the Galapagos. An analysis of the DNA of these tortoises showed that they were descendants of Floreana and Pinta tortoises that the researchers believe moved between the islands on ships. This match in DNA raised the possibility of bringing back Floreana and Pinta species through captive breeding. Following on from this, in 2015, the researchers returned to Isabela Island in search of more tortoises linked to Floreana and Pinta. There, they found 32 tortoises with promising ancestry, and took these to a captive breeding centre on Santa Cruz Island in California. Further genetic testing indicated that two of these 32 tortoises are possibly purebred Floreana. Both Pinta and Floreana species have distinctive 'saddle-shaped' shells. In 2008, researchers from State University of New York discovered tortoises with similarly shaped shells living on Isabela Island the main island in the middle of the Galapagos Dr James Gibbs, a vertebrate conservationist at the State University of New York, who led the expedition to retrieve the tortoises, said: 'We have discovered a trove of extremely unusual tortoises that although extinct on their islands of Floreana and Pinta island, but they actually still occur in this remote site. 'It may be George was not the last of his species. What we have found is there is a lot of Pinta hybrid tortoises on Volcan Wolf. 'The purpose of this expedition is to go out, find these tortoises, bring them into captivity and start to breed them. Now, 23 tortoises are being capitevely bred in the hopes of returning purebred Floreana tortoises to their home 'Maybe after 10-15 years put some of their offspring back to their native islands.' Now, 23 tortoises are being capitevely bred in the hopes of returning purebred Floreana tortoises to their home. In their paper, published in bioRxiv, the researchers, led by Dr Joshua Miller from Yale University, wrote: 'Our discovery raises the possibility that the extinct Floreana species could be revived. WHO WAS GEORGE? Thought to be around 100 years old, Lonesome George had become a symbol for the plight of the wildlife on the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. The unique flora and fauna on the islands had helped to inspire Charles Darwin's theories on evolution. But decades of exploitation and the introduction of invasive species have taken their toll. George was the last of a sub-species of giant tortoise that lived on Pinta Island. He was only discovered plodding around on the island in 1972. With no offspring and no other known members of his sub-species, he became famous as the worlds rarest creature. His plight led to a series of ill-fated attempts to provide him with a mate, with environmentalists trying to get the Pinta Island tortoise to reproduce with females from a similar sub-species. The 14 stone tortoise lived for 15 years at a breeding centre on the archipelagos island of Santa Cruz and got on famously with two females from the Wolf Volcano, but the eggs they produced were infertile. Two females from Spanish Islands tortoise colony, thought to be even closer to him in genetic make-up, were also placed with him, but again it proved fruitless. With his distinctive saddleback shell and a pose where he extended his long legs and neck whenever humans drew near, he became a popular attraction. He died in 2012 without producing a heir. Advertisement 'In this case, tortoises with Floreana ancestry are living "genomic archives" that retain the evolutionary legacy of the extinct species, removing the need for the cloning methods that have been proposed to bring back extinct species. 'The Floreana tortoise breeding program is anticipated to generate thousands of offspring over the next few decades. 'When repatriated to Floreana Island, these tortoises can once again play their critical role as ecosystem engineers.' It is not expected to be unveiled until September this year, but one industry analyst now claims the iPhone 8 could be revealed much sooner than that. The J.P. Morgan analyst suggests that Apple could unveil the new smartphone this Monday, at the Apple Worldwide Developers' Conference. But not everyone agrees with his predictions, with others calling them out as 'silly' and 'baseless.' Scroll down for video While the iPhone 8 is expected to be unveiled in September, one industry analyst claims it could be revealed much sooner than that (artist's impression of what it could look like) IPHONE 8 RUMOURS Several rumours have been circulating about the iPhone 8, and suggest the next device may have: - Dual-lens 3D camera - Augmented reality to generate real-time views of surroundings - Curved glass casing - Plastic OLED screen - Wireless charging - A folding element - New 5 inch (12.7 centimetre) and 5.8 inch (14.7 centimetre) model, which will have a wraparound OLED screen - 5.8 inch will be designed with the Touch ID finger print sensor 'under the glass and in the active display area' - A new 'pure white' model - Aluminium back will be replaced with two reinforced glass panes and a metal frame in the middle - Facial recognition - Premium model will cost $1,00 Advertisement Rod Hall, a stock analyst at J.P. Morgan in San Francisco made the claims in a note to investors, ahead of Apple's event on Monday. Mr Hall said he believes there is 'some possibility' that Apple will preview the 'iPhone 8' at the event, according to Apple Insider, a technology site that has seen the note. He cited an 'expected large form factor change as well as new 3D scanning features' as the unexpected reason for an early preview. Mr Hall has also suggested that Apple will reveal a new TV device, as well as its highly-anticipated 'Siri Speaker' at the event. But not everyone is convinced by Mr Hall's claims. Apple Insider described the rumours as 'baseless' and said they showed that 'WWDC silly season had begun.' The rumours come shortly after the latest leaks claimed that the highly-anticipated iPhone 8 will be 'much heftier' than the iPhone 7 but smaller than the 7 Plus. Reports suggest the iPhone 8 will measure 143.59 x 70.94 x 7.57 mm compared to the iPhone 7 which is 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm. In terms of size, the iPhone 8 sits between the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus but because it does not appear to have a Home Button, the screen is larger than both. Leaks by Benjamin Geskin for iDrop show the new iPhone 8 will be thicker than the iPhone 7 Plus which is 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm. Reports suggest the iPhone 8 (centre) will measure 143.59 x 70.94 x 7.57 mm compared to the iPhone 7 (left) which is 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm and the iPhone 7 Plus (right) which measures 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm KEY DIMENSIONS iPhone 8 143.59 x 70.94 x 7.57 mm (5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 in) iPhone 7 Plus 158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 in) iPhone 7 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 in) Advertisement Obtained from 'factory workers with intimate knowledge of Apple's latest device', the leaks confirm the iPhone 8 will have an edge-to-edge screen on the front. Mr Geskin also mocked up an image of the iPhone 8 between the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ which shows it has a similar sized screen to the S8, but with smaller body. Its screen appears marginally smaller than the S8+. The images show a dual camera system on the back of the phone with one camera on top of the other and a flash between them, which confirms previous leaks. Mr Geskin also mocked up an image of the iPhone 8 (centre) between the Galaxy S8 (left) and Galaxy S8+ (right) which shows it has a similar sized screen with smaller body Mr Geskin's images support claims that the front of the phone will be almost all display, with only a lip at the top for a camera and sensors. The new release looks like it will have a Touch ID fingerprint scanner embedded in the main display. This leak follows previous ones by Mr Geskin of computer-assisted design (CAD) drawings of the phone. There does not appear to be a dual selfie camera on the front, which has previously been speculated. The images show a dual camera system on the back of the phone (centre) with one camera on top of the other and a flash between them, which confirms previous leaks On the back there is a round shaped ring which looks like it could have been a fingerprint sensor. Mr Geskin suggests this could be where the Apple logo will be. The designs, released ahead of the annual developer's conference in California next week, also show dual speakers at the bottom edge with a Lightening port in the middle. Slashleaks also leaked images of the iPhone 8 in flip cases a few days previously. Obtained from 'factory workers with intimate knowledge of Apple's latest device', the leaks confirm the iPhone 8 (pictured) will be larger than the iPhone 7 in every dimension Benjamin Geskin's images support claims that the front of the phone will be almost all display with only a lip at the top for a camera and sensors. The new release looks like it will have Touch ID fingerprint scanner embedded in the main display These leaks came after a ten second preview video claimed to show the upcoming handset in the closest detail yet and shows some of the expected features of the final iPhone 8 design. Mr Geskin, who uploaded the video to YouTube, said that the clip shows a dummy display model of the handset created in China, based on the schematics. It also contains a number of expected features for the iPhone 8. The computer-assisted design (CAD) drawings show a dual camera system on the back of the phone (right) with one camera on top of the other and a flash between them. There appears to be no Home Button on the front (left) which corroborates rumours there will be Touch ID fingerprint scanner embedded in the main display On the back there is a round shaped ring which looks like it could have been a fingerprint sensor but Benjamin Geskin suggests it is where the Apple logo will be. The much-anticipated iPhone 8 which will mark the 10th anniversary of the gadget The images support previous claims that the front of the phone will be almost all display with only a lip at the top for a camera and sensors. The designs also show dual speakers at the bottom edge with a Lightening port in the middle This image shows a dummy of the phone in a case posted by Slashleaks. There does not appear to be a dual selfie camera on the front, which has previously been speculated Slashleaks also leaked images of the iPhone 8 in flip cases. The design also corroborates the images released by Benjamin Geskin Video courtesy of iVenyaWay The sleek black phone is extremely thin and the glass screen area appears to reach to each corner and edge of the front of the phone, in line with rumours of a bezel-less design. The Touch ID button is notably absent from both the front and rear of the display model, following speculation that Apple has worked out a way to embed the technology into the device's screen The rear features a silver oval area which could house the dual-lens 3D camera thought to be a new headline feature of the iPhone 8. The tipster also Tweeted a copy of the leaked schematics (pictured). The drawings and video show a number of expected features for the iPhone 8 The tipster also tweeted a copy of the schematics, writing a short message on Twitter in which he said: 'Alleged #iPhone8 schematics.' As with the iPhone 7, the schematics seem to show that the iPhone 8 will also not include a headphone socket. The eagerly anticipated 10th anniversary edition of iPhone, rumoured to be called Edition, is expected in September. The glass screen area appears to reach to each corner and edge of the front of the phone (left), in line with rumours of a bezel-less design. The rear (right) features a silver oval area which could house the dual-lens 3D camera thought to be a new headline feature The Stinger missile launcher made history in the 1980s when it was used to take down Russia's legendary Hind attack helicopter - and now, the shoulder mounted weapon has its sights set on the drones of ISIS. The US Army has modified the system and successfully demonstrated its abilities to intercept two small unmanned aerial vehicles and another unidentified drone for the first time. Officials foresee the Stinger being used to combat the commercial drones that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) uses to drop bombs on soldiers and civilians. Scroll down for videos The US Army has announced that the weapon can take down bomb carrying drones used by ISIS. In recent tests, the Stringer anti-air missiles (stock) equipped with new proximity fuzes demonstrated its abilities to intercept two small drones and another unidentified drone THE STINGER The Stringer made history in the 1980s in Afghanistan when a man used the weapon to shoot down a Soviet Hind attack helicopter. The move changed the course of the war and led to the breakup of the USSR. It is a Man-Portable-Air-Defense System (MANPADS) that uses infrared homing technology to search and strike flying targets. The Stinger, which sits on the operators shoulder, was first developed in the US in 1981 and is currently used by more than 18 nations. The missile is 5.0 ft (1.52 m) long and 2.8 in (70 mm) in diameter with 10 cm fins. And the missile weighs about 22 lb (10.1 kg), while the missile with launcher weighs approximately 34 lb (15.2 kg). To operate the weapon, the soldier inserts a Battery Coolant Unit into the handguard, which releases a stream of argon gas into the machine. It also shoots a chemical energy charge, which powers the indicators and missile. Advertisement The modified Stringer was developed as a team effort between the US Army and Raytheon, a New Jersey-based engineer firm that specializes in defense, civil and cybersecurity markets throughout the world. The revamped weapon is now a lightweight, self-contained air defense system that can be rapidly deployed by ground troops and on military platforms. And it is also combat proven in four major conflicts and is now deployed in more than 18 nations and with all four U.S. military services. 'Stingers are usually loaded with direct impact warheads, which is appropriate for larger targets such as cruise missiles and aircraft,' said Kim Ernzen, vice president of Raytheon's Land Warfare Systems product line. 'The new proximity fuze gives ground forces the ability to engage small, elusive targets using a proven, familiar system.' The weapon will be mainly used to take down the modified commercial drones that ISIS is mercilessly releasing on civilians in the Middle East, which were first discovered in social media posts. However, coalition air forces have been tirelessly working to combat these attempts and earlier this year, the group had hit ISIS-made drones and drone production sites in both Syria and Iraq. The Combined Joint Task Force, coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq on January 12th alone, hitting an ISIS drone launch site in Northwestern Iraq. With the exception of just one day (January 10th), the forces have hit ISIS drones, drone launch sites or drone production sites daily since January 7th. A US central command official told Defense One: 'Over the last two months, coalition forces have observed about one adversary drone every day around Mosul. 'The Coalition has struck a number of what we believed to be unmanned aerial vehicle facilities in Mosul. 'We spend considerable time researching and developing target lists to ensure maximum effects against ISIS.' The weapon (stock) is now a lightweight, self-contained air defense system that can be rapidly deployed by ground troops and on military platforms. And it is also combat proven in four major conflicts and is deployed in more than 18 nations Iraqi soldiers have captured different kinds of drones from ISIS terrorists, especially quadcopters- a drone with four rotors that help lift it. The drones have been found to be carrying various types of bombs, including grenades and mortars. Iraqi Rapid Response Units reportedly brought down two drones on January 4th. And on January 7th, Peshmerga forces in Mosul shot down a drone that may have been a quadcopter. The weapon will be mainly used to take down the modified commercial drones (pictured) that ISIS is mercilessly releasing on civilians in the Middle East, which were first discovered in social media posts According to Kurdish Rudaw news, the drone dropped ten bombs before it was shot down. Footage was recorded showing the moment the Peshmerga forces shot down the drone. Some of the drones even deploy hidden explosives. Iraqi soldiers have captured different kinds of drones (pictured) from ISIS terrorists, especially quadcopters- a drone with four rotors that help lift it. The drones have been found to be carrying various types of bombs, including grenades and mortars Quadcopter drones were reportedly captured by Iraqi Rapid Response Units in Mosul on January 4th. And on January 7th, Peshmerga forces in Mosul shot down a drone that may have been a quadcopter In October, a drone that crashed near a Peshmerga camp outside Mosul suddenly exploded when the soldier took it apart. The battery pack inside the drone hid an IED - an improvised explosive device - that exploded, killing two Peshmerga soldiers. WHAT ARE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES? IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) are homemade bombs that are sometimes used with destructive devices. IEDs are used by criminals, vandals, terrorists, suicide bombers, and insurgents. Because they are improvised, IEDs can come in many forms, ranging from a small bombs to a sophisticated device capable of causing massive damage. What makes IEDs especially dangerous is that they can can be easily carried, concealed, transported or thrown by a person. The term IED came into common usage during the Iraq War that began in 2003. IEDs consist of a range of components that include an initiator, switch, main charge, power source, and a container. IEDs may be surrounded by or packed with other materials such as nails, glass, or metal fragments designed to increase the amount of shrapnel thrown by the explosion. Source: Department of Homeland Security Advertisement IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) are homemade bombs are 'homemade' bombs that are sometimes used with destructive devices. IEDs are used by criminals, vandals, terrorists, suicide bombers, and insurgents. Because they are improvised, IEDs can come in many forms, ranging from a small bombs to a sophisticated device capable of causing massive damage. What makes IEDs especially dangerous is that they can can be easily carried, concealed, transported or thrown by a person. The term IED came into common usage during the Iraq War that began in 2003. IEDs consist of a range of components that include an initiator, switch, main charge, power source, and a container. IEDs may be surrounded by or packed with other materials such as nails, glass, or metal fragments designed to increase the amount of shrapnel thrown by the explosion. Iraqi forces have retaken at least 80 percent of east Mosul from Islamic State jihadists, the spokesman of the special forces spearheading the campaign said Wednesday ISIS's use of drones as weapons isn't new. In August 2015, the US Central Command announced that an ISIS drone had been destroyed in an airstrike. In November, Popular Mobilization Units (PMU's) shot down a huge drone, with footage showing the drone below. Iraqi forces have retaken at least 80 percent of east Mosul from Islamic State jihadists, the spokesman of the special forces spearheading the campaign said Wednesday. Over the past two weeks, Iraqi forces have overrun several districts and, for the first time, reached the Tigris River that runs through the heart of the city. But the western part of Iraq's second city remains largely in IS hands. Colonel Brett Sylvia, who commands an 'advise and assist' US unit in Iraq, said on Wednesday: 'There's a lot of fight that's left to do in western Mosul,' noting that IS had conducted extensive defensive work. Still, he said, IS resistance had weakened in several areas. The Pentagon has accelerated its plans to develop a Multi-Object Kill Vehicle a warhead interceptor that can take out multiple threats at once. A budget request for $259 million aims to speed up the development of the technology, and see it achieve demonstrated capability by 2025, five years earlier than previously estimated. It comes as North Korea is thought to be working on decoy-firing missiles, but officials say the move is not in response to any specific threats, according to Defense One. Scroll down for video The Pentagon has accelerated its plans to develop a Multi-Object Kill Vehicle a warhead interceptor that can take out a missile and its decoys at the same time. A concept photo of the technology is pictured WHAT IS THE MOKV? The Multi-Object Kill Vehicle would be able to take out several incoming warheads, or a warhead along with any decoys it releases - all at the same time. The rational behind the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle program, is that the more kill vehicles we can put on an interceptor, the greater raid capacity our Ground-based Midcourse Defense system will have, the Missile Defense Agency explained in a proposal last year. This technology could ultimately revolutionize our missile defense architecture. Advertisement We have accelerated MOKV risk reduction and product development phases to achieve a demonstrated capability in the 2025 timeframe, an official from the Missile Defense Agency told Defense One in an email. Its not in response to any specific intelligence, but to stay ahead of potential future threats, the official said. The MDA awarded a $58.6 million, 35-month contract to Boeing last month to demonstrate the technology. This type of 'kill vehicle' would be able to take out several threats at a time - be it several warheads, or a warhead and its decoys, according to Defense One. Just days ago, the Pentagon tested a Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) interceptor at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The technology was used to disable a mock intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched above the Pacific Ocean. Footage of the test, which was hailed a success, reveals the moment the interceptor roared toward the fake warhead, before colliding into it in a flash of light and heat. But, as weapons capabilities continue to grow, the US government is working to stay on top of the advancing threats. This includes the possibility of missiles that can fire decoys to trick the interceptor, according to Defense One. The rational behind the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle program, according to an MDA statement from last year, is that the more kill vehicles we can put on an interceptor, the greater raid capacity our Ground-based Midcourse Defense system will have. This technology could ultimately revolutionize our missile defense architecture. The MDA awarded a $58.6 million, 35-month contract to Boeing last month to demonstrate the technology. This type of 'kill vehicle' would be able to take out several threats at a time - be it several warheads, or a warhead and its decoys, according to Defense One The Pentagon is looking to see the MOKV program move into a new development phase, following an initial study contract in 2015 which had Boeing design and develop the contract. According to Boeing, the MOKB will increase the ability of interceptors to spot missiles heading toward the US, and destroy them mid-air. Our MOKV concept gives the Missile Defense Agency flexibility in eliminating threats more efficiently and affordably, said Paul Geery, vice president, Mission Solutions, Phantom Works. Weve created a robust, resilient design that benefits from our extensive experience in advanced seekers. Advertisement If you want to catch a glimpse of some of the world's most famous historic landmarks, head to the Chicago Tribune Tower where the walls are studded with fragments from dozens of top sites including the Great Wall of China, the White House and even the cave where Jesus was born. The archaeological nuggets at the headquarters of the Chicago Tribune were gathered by journalists after the newspaper's former publisher owner and publisher, Robert R. McCormick, challenged them to return with artifacts from their travels. Blair Kamin, the Chicago Tribune's architecture critic told MailOnline Travel that McCormick insisted that reporters gathered the rocks 'by honorable means' but given the laissez-faire attitude at the time much 'cloak-and-dagger rock-collecting' went on. Masonry map: If you want to catch a glimpse of some of the world's most famous landmarks, head to the Chicago Tribune Tower where the walls are adorned with fragments from dozens of top sites including the Great Wall of China Remembrance: One of the more recent additions is a piece of twisted metal work salvaged from the 2001 World Trade Center wreckage (left). Today the Tribune Tower is home to the Chicago Tribune, Tribune Media and tronc, Inc., formerly known as Tribune Publishing (right) On show: A decorative piece of stone from the medieval Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris (left) and a lump of black rock salvaged from the Pearl Harbor surprise military strike, which took place on December 7, 1941 (right) On a high: One journalist managed to nab a piece of brick work from the dome of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy For instance, in 1933 a Finnish diplomat smuggled Kremlin bricks out of Moscow to help the Tribune's cause. And the Tribune's Rome correspondent informed McCormick that he was able to ship a stone from the dome of St Peter's Cathedral in the Italian capital 'due to the fact that repairs were being made'. Today there are 149 relics from famous structures and historic sites with the most recent addition being a piece of twisted metal work salvaged from the 2001 World Trade Center wreckage. ChicagoArchiecture.com went about documenting each individual treasure adorning the 36-storey building, which was completed in 1925. Other standout pieces include a sizable chunk from the Berlin Wall, an ancient brick from the Parthenon temple on the Athenian Acropolis in Greece, a unique piece from the Holy Door at Rome's St Peter's Basilica and a square block from the original tomb of President Abraham Lincoln. Another top trump is a brick taken from the White House after it underwent reconstruction in 1950. Holy night: A star-shaped vessel containing rocks from the grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born, under the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Stony-faced: A large stone taken from the Great Pyramid in Giza Egypt, which is dated to 2,600 BC (left) and a piece of masonry taken from the archaeological city of Petra in southern Jordan (right) Wonder wall: A brick from Edinburgh Castle in Scotland (left) and a large chunk taken from the Berlin wall in Germany (right) Put to rest: Standout pieces include a square chunk from the original tomb of Abraham Lincoln, which is located in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois A small carved face taken from London's Houses of Parliament follows the political theme. Bits from Petra and the Great Pyramids of Egypt have also found their way on to the walls of the Chicago Tribune. All of the foraged finds are on show for all to see, with inscriptions informing visitors what they are looking at. McCormick apparently got the decorative idea after he returned home with a piece of brick from a medieval cathedral in Ypres, Belgium, that had been damaged by German shelling in 1914 after war broke out. He then got his staff members to continue to the tradition, by bringing back keepsakes from their travels. It was said that McCormick wanted to demonstrate his publishing house's 'global reach'. Top trump: A piece of brick removed from the inner wall of the White House in Washington DC during reconstruction in 1950 Ancient relics: A nugget from the Colosseum in Rome dating back to AD 82 (left) and a brick from the Parthenon temple on the Athenian Acropolis in Greece (right) The collection once featured a fist-sized 3.4billion-year-old piece of moon rock gathered during the Apollo 15 mission, which was on loan from Nasa. However, this was originally put on display to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first lunar landing in 1969 and it has now been returned. The Tribune Tower, purchased by CIM Group last year as part of a multi-million dollar deal, is located on Chicago's Michigan Avenue and sits on three acres of land. Along with the fascinating archaeological hoard, the building's lobby walls bear quotations from Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison extolling the freedom of the press. A smooth tile from India's Taj Mahal (left) and a carved face chipped from the Houses of Parliament in London (right) Japan's answer to Walt Disney has confirmed the launch of a giant new theme park based on one of its most popular films. Studio Ghibli, the animation giant behind the 1988 hit animated fantasy movie My Neighbor Totoro, announced on Thursday that it will open an immersive-style attraction. The amusement park - which will not feature any thrill rides - will be built on a 200-hectare (494 acre) site in the Aichi prefecture of Japan, which was previously home to the 2005 Expo. Creatures great and small: Fans of the hit Japanese anime film My Neighbor Totoro will be able to step into their favourite fantasy land thanks to the launch of a new theme park The park is set to be more than three times the size of Disneyland Paris, which sits on a 141 acre plot. According to The Japan Times the park, which has been tentatively named Ghibli Park, will be built to 'restage situations and landscapes' portrayed in the hit movie. My Neighbor Totoro, directed by Oscar-winning Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, tells the story of two young sisters who settle into an old house close to a hospital where their mother is recovering from a long-term illness. During their adventures, they encounter and befriend playful forest spirits, most notably a giant cuddly creature known as Totoro. The character has remained hugely popular and even made a cameo appearance in Toy Story 3. The site of the park currently hosts a life-size replica of the house belonging to the lead characters in the film and it attracts thousands of visitors each year. Toshio Suzuki, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, announced news of the park at a press conference on Thursday in collaboration with the local government. Hideaki Omura, the governor of Aichi prefecture, said construction will be planned around existing clearings to avoid chopping down trees. Branching out: Hayao Miyazaki, the reclusive and bearded Academy Award-winning director and animator sometimes called Japan's Walt Disney The proposed park would not be the only Studio Ghibli attraction in Japan. It currently has a museum in Tokyo and many fans visit the Dogo Onsen bathhouse in Kyoto, which served as inspiration for the 'bath of the spirits' featured in the anime Spirited Away. Last month Miyazaki, who said in 2013 that he would stop making films, announced that he was coming out of retirement to do a new feature-length movie. The studio said that the director, now 76, 'found a subject worth turning into a movie', but added: 'This will truly be his final film considering his age.' Miyazaki's other most famous works internationally have been Princess Mononoke and the aforementioned Spirited Away, which helped him make the transition from an already widely acclaimed career in Japan to a far broader audience. Spirited Away won the Oscar for best animated feature in 2003, the first Japanese film to do so, and also scooped the Golden Bear prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, among other major gongs. He began his career in 1963 and his first feature-length film was The Castle of Cagliostro in 1979. He gained critical acclaim and a cult following for Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind in 1984 and co-founded Studio Ghibli, which has become Japan's premier animation studio. Actress Elena Verdugo died at the age of 92 on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The announcement was made by her friend Sharon Gless of Cagney & Lacey fame via Twitter. Verdugo is best known for playing a nurse opposite Robert Young and James Brolin on TV's medical drama Marcus Welby, MD which aired from 1969 until 1976. Her biggest role: Elena Verdugo passed away on Tuesday. She is best known for starring opposite Robert Young and James Brolin on TV's Marcus Welby, MD Best on TV: In 1969 she debuted as Consuelo Lopez on Marcus Welby, MD. She earned two Emmy nominations for her work 'My dearest friend, Elena Verdugo, died this morning. Wonderful actress. Funniest woman I ever knew. The world is a less interesting place,' wrote Gless. She shared a photo of the veteran actress as they had lunch together. Elena started working at the age of five when she had a small role in the movie Cavalier Of The West Close: 'My dearest friend, Elena Verdugo, died this morning. Wonderful actress. Funniest woman I ever knew. The world is a less interesting place,' wrote friend Sharon Gless, 74 She then went on to appear in films such as The Moon And Sixpence and Rainbow Island. In 1944 she played Ilonka in House Of Frankenstein with Lon Chaney. After that came the movie The Frozen Ghost. Later: The star toward the end of the series, after they booked 100 episodes in 1973 She made two dozen more movies before appearing in the TV series Meet Millie from 1952 until 1955.In 1963 she was a regular on TV's Redigo then Many Happy Returns and Love, American Style! Appearances on The Red Skelton Hour, Route 66 and 77 Sunset Strip made her resume too. In 1969 she debuted as Consuelo Lopez on Marcus Welby MD. The show was an instant hit and the stars became household names. A film star, tooL In 1944 she played Ilonka in House Of Frankenstein with Lon Chaney 'They were looking for a Mexican girl' she told PBS in an interview. 'And I said, "Forget it! I'm not playing maids and housekeepers." You know that was all they were showing.' But she accepted the job, which turned out to be a bonanza for her. She earned two Emmy nominations for her work on the series, about doctors trying to make a difference in the medical field. After that show she did the TV movie for Marcus Welby in 1984 then soon after retired. She has modeled for Marc Jacobs and Victoria's Secret. But Kendall Jenner ditched the fashion staples and represented her own entrepreneurial endeavors on her latest outing. The 21-year-old model put on quite the leggy display while out and about in Los Angeles on Thursday. Scroll down for video Her own best advert! Kendall Jenner puts on leggy display in off-the-shoulder romper over bodysuit from her clothing range while out in LA Her own best advert: Kendall Jenner put on quite the leggy display while out and about in Los Angeles on Thursday She was her own best advert as she rocked an $145 white rainbow trim bodysuit from her clothing range with younger sister: Kendall + Kylie. Over the clinging garment she wore a Self-Portrait Autumn Winter 2017 wool check off shoulder frill top & checked double zip shorts. She teamed the one-piece featuring two thin black straps holding it up with a pair of Kanye West's Yeezy Calabasas Adidas Powerphase trainers. Strutting her stuff: The 21-year-old model was her own best advert as she rocked an $145 white rainbow trim bodysuit from her clothing range with younger sister: Kendall + Kylie Looking good: Over the clinging garment she wore a rather interesting checked grey romper which featured ruffled sleeves and collapsed down to her mid-bicep Looking cool: The older sister of Kylie Jenner accessorized with a vintage Louis Vuitton brown leather monogrammed fanny pack and a pair of her $100 Vivian Extreme Cateye sunglasses Represent: She teamed the one-piece featuring two thin black straps holding it up with a pair of Kanye West's Yeezy Calabasas Adidas Powerphase trainers The older sister of Kylie Jenner accessorized with a vintage Louis Vuitton brown leather monogrammed fanny pack and a pair of her $100 Vivian Extreme Cateye sunglasses from Kendall + Kylie. Despite having the busy life of an in-demand model and reality star, she still managed to make time for her fans as she stopped to pose for snaps with two of her adoring followers. She was later seen in New York, having jetted across country on business. Last week she and her entrepreneurial sister launched the second collection of their fashion range with accompanying promotional snaps including one of Kendall wearing the very same bodysuit. Busy: Despite being an in-demand model and reality star, she has launched the second collection of her fashion range Pretty: She wore her brunette tresses down in a middle part and let her natural looks shine with complimentary make-up Friendly to fans: Despite having the busy life of an in-demand model and reality star, she still managed to make time for fans as she stopped to pose for snaps with two of adoring followers New York, New York: Kendall is used to being in the Big Apple, often there for modelling work 'KENDALL + KYLIE is global lifestyle brand created by beloved style icons and fashion authorities, Kendall and Kylie Jenner,' the brand advertises. 'With a unique and simply unparalleled presence across the digital landscape, Kendall and Kylie have defined themselves as two of the most popular icons and personalities of this generation. 'Their clothing captures the unpredictable essence of today's young fashion lover: confident, stylish, on trend and in charge. Stunning: Last week they launched the second collection of their fashion range with accompanying promotional snaps including one of Kendall wearing the very same bodysuit Stunning: The KUWTK wore a oversized grommet tee featuring holes reinforced by metal 'Starting in 2012, the Jenner sisters launched a highly successful juniors collection with Pacsun, sprouting numerous follow-up seasons and an unabashedly loyal fandom. 'Three years later, Kendall and Kylie collaborated with Topshop to create a series of California-inspired capsule collections, exclusive to the British-born retailer.' They came out with another line in 2016 as well. Wow factor: Kendall also put on quite the eye-popping display in other images modeling the range Showing off: The model's pert posterior was on full display in a clinging white thong bodysuit as she posed in a field of daffodils Heaven & Ale, which has locations on the Northshore as well as in Ooltewah, will be opening a third location on the Southside at 615 E. Main St. in the fall. The old Atlas Bolt and Supply store is currently being renovated for the business. The bar received a special events permit for June 3, 10 and 17, for an introduction opening for the new location. The event, Heaven & Ale Southside Welcome, will take place in the adjacent parking lot each day from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Heaven & Ale received special events beer permits from the City Beer Board on Thursday for two functions. The downtown Chattanooga Market is extending to Ooltewah at Cambridge Square, 9431 Bradmore Lane, from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in June. Heaven & Ale will sell beer during these markets known as Cambridge Night Market. Hutton & Smith will also be opening a second location at 3108 Riverside Dr. That business was given a special events beer permit for the Hutton & Smith 2nd Anniversary Party to be held at the new location. There will be a stage set up with live music on June 24 from noon until midnight. The Tap House, 3800 St. Elmo Ave., was given a special events permit for Concrete Beach, an outdoor event in the parking lot behind the bar. It will take place June 3 from noon until 11 p.m. She delightedly welcomed her daughter Lea de Seine, with rumored fiance Bradley Cooper, in March. And after attending the glitzy events of Cannes Film Festival last week, Irina Shayk was no doubt overjoyed to be reunited with her baby girl - as illustrated when she beamed her way through a low-key stroll on Thursday. The 31-year-old was seen for the first time with the three-month-old in cloudy Los Angeles, as she was joined by a pal, while Bradley threw himself into shooting new movie, A Star Is Born just down the road. Scroll down for video Mom life: And after attending the glitzy events of Cannes Film Festival last week, Irina Shayk was no doubt happy to be reunited with her baby girl as illustrated when she beamed her way through a low-key stroll on Thursday Irina was seen in jeans and a cropped sweatshirt as she flaunted her enviably toned frame for her low-key outing - clearly taking swimmingly to life as a mum. Sporting fluffy sliders, she gave a nod to her impeccable style even during a simple stroll in the park - with the shoes making a bold statement in the simple look. The Russian beauty showed off her natural good looks as she went makeup-free from beneath a huge pair of aviator sunglasses. Later in the day she transformed into a sporty grey hoodie pulled over her face as she was strutting along pushing Lea's pram. Back in her skinny jeans: The 31-year-old was seen for the first time with the three-month-old in cloudy Los Angeles , as she was joined by a pal, while Bradley threw himself into shooting new movie, A Star Is Born just down the road On the go: New mom Irina took daughter Lea de Seine for some fresh air in Los Angeles Injecting a sexy touch, she wore gym legging with sheer inserts in the side of the leg which clung tight to her frame. Her brunette tresses were worn in loose lengths falling from a centre parting. Shunning sunglasses for her trip, her complexion was on full show as she boasted the fabled new mother glow in all its glory. Sporty: She wore her hood up, looking sporty in her athleisure Leggy lovely: The Russian beauty teamed stylish black leggings with a cropped grey hoodie The mother-of-one just got back from the south of France where she made a dazzling appearance at the AmFAR Gala along with other models and actresses. Meanwhile, rumored husband-to-be Bradley, 42, was busy on the set of his latest film A Star is Born - where he stars opposite Lady Gaga. He wore a brown leather jacket, faded jeans and some chunky boots as he chowed down with crew members. The four time Oscar nominee is directing as well as starring in the drama. Working hard: Meanwhile, rumored husband-to-be Bradley, 42, was busy on the set of his latest film A Star is Born Team player: He wore a brown leather jacket, faded jeans and some chunky boots as he chowed down with crew members Irina and the Silver Linings Playbook star have been dating since early 2015 and sparked engagement rumors in December. The brunette beauty has been sporting an emerald-and-diamond ring on her wedding finger. The couple welcomed their first child in March. Shimmering star: Irina stunned at the AmfAR Gala in Cannes on Thursday alongside Doutzen Kroes A source close to the duo told People at the time: 'They are both extremely thrilled and feel so blessed.' Irina has previously spoken of her desire to start a family, describing it as the 'most important thing on this earth.' Irina told Hello! Magazine in an interview last year: 'I think family is the reason why we are here. I love my job and it's very important to me. 'I really enjoy what I'm doing but it's not the most important thing in my life - family is, friends, people who I love.' They married last December. And Margot Robbie and her husband Tom Ackerley are once again proving why they are the perfect match for one another, donning cute identical outfits. The Suicide Squad star's partner shared the social media snap to his Instagram on Thursday with the caption: 'Yeeeeeeeeeeeew!' They're a perfect match! Margot Robbie and husband Tom Ackerley don cute co-ordinating outfits In the picture, Margot and Tom sport co-ordinating ensembles in a tropical pineapple print. The Wolf Of Wall Street actress donned a miniskirt and cropped top which showed off her toned midriff, accessorising with a flower in her hair. Meanwhile, her husband wore a Hawaiian shirt with matching shorts. They both make a shaka sign with their hands and stick their tongues out enthusiastically. Their favourite pose? The couple has posed similarly for a previous photo on Tom's Instagram 'Yeeeeeeeeeeeew!' Tom captioned the photo. The cute photo comes after OK! Magazine claimed this week that the couple were making 'baby plans'. The publication reported Margot had cut back on her acting projects in order to start a family by the end of the year. A source told OK! that the young couple were now turning their attention to children. 'Margot made a pact with Tom when they married that she was going to make building a family together her near-term priority,' the insider revealed. The source claimed the Suicide Squad actress made her plans for kids apparent in the lead up to her wedding. 'She told friends, as well as co-workers, she was so looking forward to 2017 because her hope was that she and Tom would be parents before the year was out,' they said. The publication also alleged Margot hadn't been pursuing projects recently and had instead cut 'back on her work commitments' in preparation for a baby. Coronation Street fans were left feeling 'physically sick' by the latest scenes from Bethany Platt's harrowing grooming storyline. The ongoing plot has followed 16-year-old Bethany, played by Lucy Fallon as she's been manipulated by evil older boyfriend Nathan Curtis, played by Christopher Harper, who runs a sordid sex ring. On Thursday's episode - which aired at 9pm - viewers were horrified as they witnessed the build up to the teenager being gang raped, with some social media users reporting the soap to broadcasting regulatory body, Ofcom. Scroll down for video Shocking: Coronation Street fans were left feeling 'physically sick' by the latest scenes from Bethany Platt's harrowing grooming storyline In the episode, viewers witnessed not just psychological but physical abuse, as Nathan burned Lucy with a cigarette in one particularly shocking scene. Unable to escape the cycle of abuse, she returned to Nathan, and during a party thrown by him, was seen sitting alone on a bed as a group of men surrounded her. The disturbing scene ended with the door being shut, prompting viewer to flock to Twitter to tell of their shock. The social network was bombarded with angry comments, but only 13 have so far complain to Ofcom directly. The broadcasting watchdog says it is examining the complaints ahead of a decision on whether to open a full investigation. Coronation Street has been airing after the watershed at 9pm this week to make room for the live semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent. Harrowing: The ongoing tale has followed 16-year-old Bethany (Lucy Fallon) as she's been manipulated by evil older boyfriend Nathan Curtis (Christopher Harper) who runs a sex ring Shocked viewers wrote: '@itvcorrie how can you broadcast this storyline in this much detail @Ofcom please help our children watch this!!!! #coronationstreet.' Another wrote to the show's maker saying: 'While I appreciate the handling of a story like Bethany I think a gang rape is a step too far.' Another added: 'The storyline in Coronation is hard hitting please get back to the light humour it's too sad and too much #coronationstreet.' 'Bloody hell, #coronationstreet is like a creepy movie!!!! #gripping #bethanystoryline.' '@itvcorrie 3 men walking into a room has never made me feel so sick in my life. Poor bethany #corrie #coronationstreet @lufallon.' '#coronationstreet is making me feel physically sick!!!.' Horrific: On Thursday's episode viewers were horrified as they witnessed the teenager being gang raped, with some social media users reporting the soap to regulatory body, Ofcom Horrified: Fans were outraged by the scenes but were divided over whether the scenes had crossed the line or needed to be shown to raise awareness ITV have defended the show, insisting viewers were warned of its content. A spokesman said: 'Coronation Street viewers will be aware that evil Nathan has been grooming vulnerable Bethany for many months. 'It's an extremely complex and thought-provoking story which has been meticulously researched and hasn't been undertaken lightly by the programme's production team. 'In accordance with strict compliance regulations, what happens to Bethany was intentionally implicit and viewers were warned prior to transmission. 'Viewers affected by what happens were also directed to seek advice from the NSPCC who are supportive of this storyline and have advised the programme about the depiction of Bethany's story.' Scary: In the episode viewers witnessed not just psychological but physical abuse, as Nathan burned Lucy with a cigarette in one particularly shocking scene Shocking: Unable to escape the cycle of abuse, she returned to him, and during a party thrown by him, she was seen sitting alone on a bed as a group of men surrounded her Children's charity the NSPCC, who worked with writers of the show to make the scenes realistic, also praised the storyline. A spokesman said: 'The NSPCC has worked with Coronation Street writers to ensure their grooming storyline gives an accurate reflection of how abusers exploit their victims. 'We know these scenes can make for uncomfortable viewing but soaps can play an important part in highlighting abuse, empowering victims to speak out, and signposting help and support 'We hope that this storyline, although difficult to watch, will raise awareness of the signs of grooming and encourage more victims to come forward and seek help.' Barnardo's Chief Executive Javed Khan added: 'We understand that Coronation Street's realistic and harrowing grooming storyline makes for disturbing viewing, but for thousands of children across the country it is the appalling reality they face. 'Our workers see first-hand how this crime devastates young lives and helps them pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. The more awareness there is, the more chance we have of preventing children being sexually abused.' Important storyline: Lucy has supported the show's decision to run the storyline saying working with counselors had hit home for the starlet A number of fans agreed, praising the soap for highlighting the shocking details of child grooming. One wrote: 'The Bethany story is truly horrifying but the truth is it does go on, and it needs highlighting!! Well done #coronationstreet.' Another added: 'Bethany's storyline in #coronationstreet is making for uncomfortable viewing. Necessary, but uncomfortable viewing.' Lucy has supported the show's decision to run the storyline saying working with counselors had hit home for the starlet. She explained the storyline has been brilliant because it raised awareness about what is unfortunately a reality for some people. The actress added: 'I hope by tackling such an important issue on Coronation Street we can help raise awareness and encourage victims to speak out.' You can contact Childline for free confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 She's become a firm fixture on British television after soaring to stardom on the American reality series The Hills. And Stephanie Pratt looked every inch the fashionista as she arrived at the REVIV Launch Into Beyond Medi Spa at Harvey Nichols in Liverpool on Thursday. The 31-year-old Made In Chelsea star showed off her leggy frame in a sequinned gold top and tiny brown shorts as she posed up a storm at the event. Scroll down for video Glam: Stephanie Pratt, 31, looked every inch the fashionista as she arrived at the REVIV Launch Into Beyond Medi Spa at Harvey Nichols in Liverpool on Thursday The American beauty shone in the eye-catching ensemble which consisted of the heavily embellished top. She paired it with barely-there cowboy-inspired shorts, which boasted lace-up detailing on the sides. Stephanie's tiny bottoms served to accentuate her impossibly long, lean legs - which were boosted with a pair of towering chunky heels. A chic quilted white handbag harboured all of her essentials and was placed across her body. Enviable frame: The reality star, 31, showed off her leggy frame in a sequinned gold top and tiny brown shorts as she posed up a storm at the event Figure on form: Stephanie's tiny bottoms served to accentuate her impossibly long, lean legs which were boosted with a pair of towering chunky heels Her shoulder length blonde locks were were sexily tousled and framed her striking features - which was emphasised with a glamorous coat of make-up. Recently, Stephanie admitted that she was kept in the dark about her brother Spencer and his wife Heidi Montag's big baby news before the public announcement. Stephanie, whose strained relationship with her brother and his wife was played out on The Hills, has now sent her congratulations to the couple - despite not having been told in person. Chic: She paired it with barely-there cowboy-inspired shorts, which boasted lace-up detailing on the sides All eyes on her: The American beauty shone in the eye-catching ensemble which consisted of the heavily embellished top The reality star told OK! magazine: 'I had no idea Heidi was pregnant. Spencer and Heidi tend to do things in their own way. Im really happy for them both. Stephanie then explained that she believes her sister-in-law will be a natural mother. She added: Heidi has wanted a kid for ten years, shes born to be a mum.' Heidi, 30, and her husband Spencer, 33, married in 2009 and say they have wanted a baby for years. Mane attraction: Her shoulder length blonde locks were were sexily tousled and framed her striking features - which was emphasised with a glamorous coat of make-up 'I had no idea': Recently, Stephanie admitted that she was kept in the dark about her brother Spencer and his wife Heidi Montag's big baby news before the public announcement And although Stephanie is now happily ensconced with rugby hunk Ollie Lindsay, she admits he is baffled by her ex Joey Essex's publicly expressed hatred of her. The TOWIE original recently joked about their relationship only lasting three months and critiqued the romance as not balanced. Stephanie told the magazine: 'He hates me! I have no idea why he dislikes me so much but he did In Bed With Jamie [Laing] and said some rude things about me. We broke up over the phone when I was in LA and Ive not seen him since. They recently celebrated his birthday in Hawaii. And the jet-setting lifestyle didn't stop there for Pierce Brosnan, 64, and Keely Shaye Smith, 53, as they flew out of LAX on Thursday. The happy couple, who married in 2001, looked in good spirits as they arrived at the Los Angeles airport. Scroll down for video Jet-setters: Pierce Brosnan, 64, and Keely Shaye Smith, 53, flew out of LAX on Thursday Pierce looked suave in a slightly unbuttoned baby blue shirt, revealing a hint of his tanned chest. Teaming it with a casual navy blazer, he accessorised with a pair of tortoiseshell shades as he walked behind his wife. Keely looked fabulous in a fitted navy dress and sumptuous trenchcoat, adding a pretty beaded double necklace. Wearing a pair of oversized sunglasses, the pretty brunette kept it casual in flower-embellished sandals. Going strong: The happy couple, who married in 2001, looked in good spirits as they arrived at the Los Angeles airport Loved up: Pierce is still gushing about his wife in interviews and said in March: 'When Keely looks at me, I go weak' Irish-born Pierce married American journalist Keely in 2001, 10 years after his first wife, Cassandra Harris, passed away at age 43 following a battle with ovarian cancer. Years later and the star is still in awe of his wife's strength and support for him, frequently gushing about her in interviews. 'I love her vitality, her passion,' he said. 'She has this strength that I wouldn't be able to live without. When Keely looks at me, I go weak,' he told the Independent in March last year. Dapper: Pierce looked suave in a slightly unbuttoned baby blue shirt, revealing a hint of his tanned chest Elegant: Keely looked fabulous in a fitted navy dress and sumptuous trenchcoat, adding a pretty beaded double necklace Meanwhile, Pierce paid tribute to the late Roger Moore on Wednesday, who was the longest serving actor to play the secret agent, appearing in seven films from 1973 and 1985. He followed in the legendary actor's footsteps, becoming the fifth actor to portray James Bond from 1995 to 2002. Pierce, 64, wrote a touching testament to the award-winning actor, who sadly passed away on the 23rd May, aged 89, following a short battle with cancer. Writing for Variety, Pierce revealed Roger was an inspiration to him as a young boy, helping him realise his dreams. Speaking about arriving in London from Ireland, he wrote: 'Roger as the Saint made me believe in his world. And before I knew it, the man who was the Saint transformed into James Bond, an even greater hero to me as a boy.' Suave: Teaming it with a casual navy blazer, he accessorised with a pair of tortoiseshell shades as he walked behind his wife Understated: Wearing a pair of oversized sunglasses, the pretty brunette kept it casual in flower-embellished sandals And despite not being phased by being surrounded by the A list, Pierce admitted Roger was the one actor he asked for an autograph, as he 'wanted to be like him'. 'He is the only actor I ever asked for an autograph,' he wrote. 'I was 12 years old, and my mom and dad had taken me to Battersea Park. I wanted to be somebody like him. Maybe thats why I waited. Little did I know my time would come to someday enter onto the stage as 007.' And his respect for the actor still hadn't faded by the time he was playing Bond himself. Recalling a fond memory of the actors meeting again, Pierce added: 'Roger came down to set one day on GoldenEye and wished me well. I was still in awe of the man.' On Tuesday 23rd May, Sir Roger Moore's family announced he had passed away after a 'short but brave' battle with cancer, surrounded by love in his final days in Switzerland. Bond family: Pierce recently paid tribute to the late Roger Moore, who passed away on May 23 Loved up: Irish-born Pierce married American journalist Keely in 2001, 10 years after his first wife, Cassandra Harris, passed away at age 43 following a battle with ovarian cancer She's the Newcastle-born bikini model who relocated to Los Angeles in the hopes of furthering her career. And Natalie Roser wowed attendees at the Tiffany & Co launch party in Sydney as she stepped out in a figure-hugging dress from Australian brand Kookai on Thursday. The 27-year-old, who recently described herself and actor boyfriend Harley Bonner as 'lovesick teenagers', posed for photos at the event's iconic Carriageworks venue. Scroll down for video Lady in red! Natalie Roser wowed attendees at the Tiffany & Co launch party in Sydney on Thursday as she stepped out in a figure-hugging dress from Australian brand Kookai Dressed all in red, the Wilhelmina-represented model donned a showstopping off-shoulder dress that clubg to her curves. The bronzed beauty teamed her look with a pair of beige strappy heels and a rectangular clutch. Her signature blonde mane was styled into a slicked-back ponytail with a side part. Chic: Dressed all in red, the Wilhelmina model donned a showstopping dress that was off-the shoulder with a skin-tight silhouette featuring a slight bell sleeve The statuesque knockout's makeup featured bold black eyeliner, full eyebrows and a matching red lip. She posted a snap on the night where she joked about her favourite part of attending invite-only events. 'Some people do a lap of an event to find their friends... I do a lap to find where the caterers come out with the food,' she wrote. 'Some people do a lap of an event to find their friends... I do a lap to find where the caterers come out with the food,' she wrote Based in America to further her international career, Natalie recently shared a photo to her Instagram where she pined for her Sydney-based boyfriend, Harley Bonner. 'Just like some lovesick teenagers,' she gushed, adding the hashtag '#MissHim'. The lovebirds confirmed their romance on Valentine's Day this year after Natalie revealed she had split from her ex-fiance, celebrity trainer Dan Adair. He had a meltdown on the Today show on Friday after pictures of him emerged online checking into a country caravan park carrying 12 cans of pre-mixed rum. And now publications such as the Sydney Morning Herald, Mamamia and news.com.au, are incorrectly reporting that the story which accompanied the images suggested the 42-year-old was engaged in 'inappropriate conduct' with a female colleague who accompanied him on his late April trip to Yamba. The Sydney Morning Herald even went so far as to proclaim that Daily Mail Australia 'incorrectly implied' Karl was 'cheating on his girlfriend while he was at work'. News websites incorrectly report Daily Mail Australia implied Karl Stefanovic was 'cheating on his girlfriend with a work colleague' after pictures emerged of him checking into a caravan park However, in its entirety, there is no mention or any suggestion of any so-called 'cheating' in the story. In fact, in the body of the story the Channel Nine producer was mentioned once as accompanying Karl on his work trip to Yamba to investigate the crisis in the prawn industry. A Channel Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday evening that Karl was in the the country town 'filming a story about the crisis in the prawn industry for the Today show.' The Sydney Morning Herald even went so far as to proclaim that Daily Mail Australia 'incorrectly implied' Karl was 'cheating on his girlfriend while he was at work' This statement was carried prominently alongside the pictures of the pair arriving at the the holiday park together. As for the 12 cans of pre-mixed rum, Karl passionately insisted on Friday morning that the pre-mixers were for the struggling prawn farmers and 'they deserve a rum or two'. He also claimed the story had the inferred he was 'drunk'. News.com.au wrongly claimed on Friday morning that Daily Mail Australia was suggesting Karl was engaged in 'inappropriate conduct' with the producer. The story clearly stated Karl purchased the drinks before he checked into his accommodation. It did not once claim he drank any or all of the alcoholic beverages. News.com.au wrongly claimed Daily Mail Australia was suggesting Karl was engaged in 'inappropriate conduct' with the producer. Meanwhile, Sydney Morning Herald incorrectly reported that the story implied that Karl was 'cheating' on his girlfriend Jasmine Yarbrough, claims which were never made nor suggested in the article. Mamamia announced with outcry that the story was 'misleading' and Daily Mail Australia were 'inferring that men, women and alcohol don't mix and that the three cannot go together without a sexual encounter'. This statement is also entirely inaccurate. The 42-year-old stopped by a bottle shop to pick up the drinks on the way to the park in Yamba, located north of Sydney, in late April accompanied by a Channel Nine producer The pictures in question showed Karl stopping by a bottle shop to pick up the drinks on the way to his accommodation in Yamba, on the NSW north coast, in late April, accompanied by a Channel Nine producer. In a segment on Friday morning's show, the host - who earns a reported $3 million a year - insisted that he was at the location filming a story about struggling prawn farmers and that 'they deserve a rum or two.' 'Fact: This was work. We were filming a story about our struggling prawn farmers. They deserve a rum or two,' he said. Karl bizarrely suggested the pictures were an attack on women because he was carrying the rum cans before entering the caravan park with his female colleague. Stefanovic said he was on the NSW north coast with his colleague for a story about the prawn industry His outburst provoked a strong reaction on social media, with some users taking to Twitter and Facebook to call Karl out as a hypocrite. 'What a load of crap coming from a "man" who treated his wife in such a deplorable manner,' one person wrote on Twitter. 'Double standards when it hits your own team! Didn't you guys run with the Jennifer Aniston pregnant [sic] because she had a little tummy or the Nicole Kidman pregnancy and handclapping at the Oscars,' one woman wrote on Facebook. His outburst provoked a strong reaction on social media, with some users taking to Twitter and Facebook to call Stefanovic out as a hypocrite Same same? Others said the Today show 'do exactly the same to others' 'You guys run every story they do except when it's about your own people. It's your business or you'd be out of a job.' Another woman added: 'What a hipocrit [sic] you are Karl. It's alright for you to bag the likes of Pauline Hanson and hound other people just to get a story but when it comes to your own you don't like it. 'Talk about double standards! What a joke!' Twitter users called the Today show presenter out for being a hypocrite after his tirade In her newest film the usually glamorous Penelope Cruz plays a 'very plain' character Penelope Cruz can do a mean impersonation of Kenneth Branagh. We were chatting about the new film version of Murder On The Orient Express, in which Cruz appears alongside her friend Judi Dench, and a whos who of top stars including Derek Jacobi, Josh Gad, Daisy Ridley and Michelle Pfeiffer. How, I wondered, did they all keep themselves amused on set? Well, sometimes there were quizzes, Oscar-winner Penelope said, stifling a laugh. Imitating Branagh at his most sonorous, she told me: Kenneth walks in and he says: From Shakespeare . . . who remembers the two plays that start with a female monologue? Of course, the only ones who had the answers always were Judi or Derek. They know Shakespeare like the back of their hands. It was so funny, because Judi and Kenneth are fun together; and she teases him. Its lovely to watch. She also introduced the ensemble to a game called Werewolves and Villagers, which involved a lot of fibbing. The lying came in useful for the film, as a lot of people tell lies in Agatha Christie films, Cruz said, solemnly. In the new Murder On The Orient Express, Cruz plays Pilar Estravados, a mysterious missionary. Shes very plain, the actress declared. She has to look like this because shes very religious and not at all interested in seducing anybody. She carries a lot of guilt and believes that religion is saving her. Its her only companion. In the new Murder On The Orient Express, Cruz plays Pilar Estravados, a mysterious missionary Cruz said she didnt want Estravados to be a glamour queen. I think theres sometimes confusion [because of] how I look on a red carpet, she said. I play the role! I remember for one film, Dont Move, I wore an ugly wig and didnt shave my legs. Nobody asked me to do that, but I wanted to feel, and see, how people would look at me wearing strange clothes; and my legs full of hair, and with that terrible wig. Listen, Im no stranger to looking different. I played a nun, for Pedro (Almodovar) in All About My Mother, who is having a relationship with a transvestite. The nun wore Prada. But whatever needs to be done, I will do it for the part. Cruz appears alongside her friend Judi Dench (pictured), and a whos who of top stars including Derek Jacobi, Josh Gad, Daisy Ridley and Michelle Pfeiffe During the six weeks Cruz worked with Branagh on Murder On The Orient Express, her husband and the children came too Equally, when Penelope is at home with husband Javier Bardem and their two children, she doesnt dress up to the nines to go shopping. Every day when Im not working on a film, I am at home and its a very normal, practical lifestyle. I wear my jeans and a T-shirt and I go to the supermarket, which is just what other mothers do. I will never give up being able to do normal, important things in my everyday life. Every now and again, though, everyday life goes out of the window. During the six weeks she worked with Branagh on Murder On The Orient Express, Bardem and the children came too. We take turns to work, so that we can always be together. Javier came here to London with the children; and I do the same thing on his films, said Cruz. I could not go off for six weeks and say: You all stay home while I go. I could not do it. Johnny Depp helps bring the star power to Murder on the Orient Express, which has an all-star cast Cruz said she was looking forward to meeting up with the Orient Express cast when the film premieres in November. The actress is currently portraying Donatella Versace in Ryan Murphys TV drama series The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. And then she and Bardem will star in an untitled thriller to be directed by Asghar Farhadi the Iranian film-maker who has won the foreign language Oscar (twice) for his movies The Salesman and A Separation. When Henrik Ibsens Nora slams that door shut at the end of A Dolls House, thats it. Close of play. That is, until Lucas Hnath came up with the brilliant idea for A Dolls House, Part 2: a scorching new work (with eight Tony nominations) directed by Sam Gold on Broadway, and starring Laurie Metcalf as Nora Helmer 15 years after she walked out on her husband and children in the original. Metcalf has been nominated for a best actress Tony for her superb portrait of a woman who survived a suffocating marriage to a man who felt her life was as his little wife. A Dolls House, Part 2 is on Broadway, and starring Laurie Metcalf (pictured) as Nora Helmer The actress said she relished reinventing one of the most famous characters in theatre. I felt OK, because the Nora we know from the original is not the same Nora 15 years later. She is a new woman; and I felt like I had a free pass to show what had been bottled up inside of her, that no one would ever have seen if she had not gone away and opened her life to new experiences, Metcalf told me over the phone from New York. After walking out, this Nora goes off and writes books. Successful ones; about how marriage is cruel, and destroys womens lives. The piece isnt a feminist tract. But so what if it were? Whats beautiful about A Dolls House, Part 2 is its comic rhythm. Its very funny in places. The new work directed by Sam Gold already has eight Tony nominations When the play was given to me, I saw the title and I assumed there was some humour in it, Metcalf said. It became my goal to add some more. Her cast mates Chris Cooper, Jayne Houdyshell and Condola Rashad know where to locate the laugh lines, and have (along with the play) also been nominated for Tony awards. Metcalfs funnybone was honed in the theatre and on television, in shows such as Roseanne, in which she played Roseannes sister Jackie in the nine-year run. She and the original cast will reprise their roles over eight episodes being filmed for ABC in the U.S. Theyre bound to come to the UK, where Roseanne had a lot of fans. Metcalf has been nominated for a best actress Tony for her superb portrait of a woman who survived a suffocating marriage to a man who felt her life was as his little wife I dont know where Roseannes going with this thing, Metcalf told me, but were going to pick up where they are in 2017. It could be a divided household, depending on who voted for who, she added. It will be very timely; a representative of a huge chunk of America. A Dolls House, Part 2 feels very timely, too; coming after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton and all the misogyny surrounding that. The play was workshopped in the States before the election. In our little artistic bubble we were very certain of Hillary Clintons win; and we worked on the end of the play to give it a sense that the glass ceiling had been cracked, and that a female President was in the White House . . . and heres Nora Helmer, and you can perceive her as paving the way! says Metcalf. Well, were starting from scratch all over again, arent we? A Dolls House, Part 2 feels very timely, coming after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton I saw A Dolls House, Part 2 back in March, and I knew then that it would work here. Metcalf will star with Glenda Jackson in Edward Albees Three Tall Women on Broadway from February, but discussions have begun about her and Hnaths play coming to London later in 2018. She said she hadnt heard a word about it, but predicted a play with four characters and no set would do exceedingly well, pretty much anywhere. All you need is a big old door, she said. He's probably heard more cries of 'OH GOD!' than anyone else. Fabio has been cast as the Pope in Sharknado 5. The cult hit fish-fighting franchise unveiled its list of celebrity cameos on Thursday, with the romance novel model playing the role of the pontiff. Love god: Fabio has been cast as the Pope in Sharknado 5 He will appear opposite 70s Latin sensation Charo, who will play the Queen of England. Network Syfy confirmed the fifth installment will be titled Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, with the tagline: 'Make America Bait Again!' The plot sees heroes Fin (Ian Ziering) and the now-bionic April (Tara Reid) reunite once again, this time chasing a tornado - which has trapped their son - around the world. Her majesty: 70s Latin sensation Charo, who will play the Queen of England Back for more: The plot sees heroes Fin (Ian Ziering) and the now-bionic April (Tara Reid) reunite once again, this time chasing a tornado - which has trapped their son - around the world This time, the sea creature-slinging cyclone will terrorize London, Rio, Tokyo, Rome, and Amsterdam. As always, the duo will enlist help from a range of famous faces, including Olivia Newton-John and her daughter Chloe Lattanzi who play two brilliant scientists trying to defend Australia from the sharks. Gilbert Gottfried will play storm chaser Ron McDonald; while pro skateboarder Tony Hawk will play a masterful weapons operative strategist. Down under: Olivia Newton-John and her daughter Chloe Lattanzi who play two brilliant scientists trying to defend Australia from the sharks More drama: Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams has been cast as Andromeda, an archaeologist and member of the elite 'Sharknado Sisterhood.' Mankind's best hope: Gilbert Gottfried will play storm chaser Ron McDonald; pro skateboarder Tony Hawk will play a masterful weapons operative strategist Sharks are coming: Ross Mullan meanwhile, who plays a White Walker in Game Of Thrones, will play as Dr. Wobbegon, a scientist who has made breakthroughs in meteorological studies to track Sharknado storms Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams has been cast as Andromeda, an archaeologist and member of the elite 'Sharknado Sisterhood.' Ross Mullan meanwhile, who plays a White Walker in Game Of Thrones, will play as Dr. Wobbegon, a scientist who has made breakthroughs in meteorological studies to track Sharknado storms. Sharknado 5: Global Swarming is set for release on Syfy on August 6, 2017. A film about Shakespeare and the American Wild West produced by a group of Signal Mountain students advanced to the final round in an international online student Shakespeare Film Festival spearheaded by Prague Shakespeare Company in the Czech Republic. Seniors enrolled in Honors and International Baccalaureate English courses at Signal Mountain High School studied Macbeth this year. As part of their study, they participated in the inaugural ShakeMeUp Online Student Film Festival. Under the instruction of Tara Tharp, Matt Doebler, and Kristin Robertson, these students created original films based on Shakespeares works.A total of 328 films were submitted from more than 76 student production teams representing 54 schools on three continents in the international competition. Schools were paired from across the globe for the first round.Signals partner school was the French International School of Hong Kong. Each school judged their partner schools submissions to determine the best film. First-place winners then competed with other first-place winners from around the world.For Round 2, judges were used to narrow films from the worldwide competition. Judges included actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company, film editors from Pixar, theater producers, and many others.One of Signals student submissions made it to the third and final round.The title of the film was Foul is Fair, and it was all originally written, performed, and filmed by Matheson Wynnemer, Douglas Dapp, Rachel Bible, Jordan Pyron, Makaylee Jones, and Rachel Menke.This film competed in the final round with seven other films in the senior high fiction category. Competing films came from three other American schools in North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada, as well as other schools in Prague, Czech Republic; Kampala, Uganda; Seoul, South Korea; and Kigali, Rwanda.Although the SMHS film did not place among the Top 3 in the final round, it was one of two that received a ShakeMeUp Special Distinction in Shakespeare and Culture for using Shakespeare to celebrate the American Wild West. Work by the Signal crew, as well as their competitors, can be seen at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA__Dnfwcryy_fEcEBfCwFNiiStCH35XN. More info about the online student film festival can be found at this website: http://shakemeup.ning.com/Home. Registrations will open this summer for the upcoming 2017-18 ShakeMeUp Film Festival. "Over the past nine months, ShakeMeUp has been successfully integrated in a variety of year-groups, class subjects (Drama, Film, English) and curriculums such as International Baccalaureate Diploma, Middle Years, British Key Stage 3, International General Certificate of Secondary Education, and other state and private school programs," officials said. Local teachers who are interested in integrating this into their curriculum can contact Signals lead teacher for this years project. Tara Tharp has worked with Director Doug Hart online since he proposed the initial concept to a group of about 20 teachers in the fall of 2015. Her email is tharp_tara@hcde.org Teachers may also contact Mr. Hart directly at doug@pragueshakespeare.org. ShakeMeUps first round included classrooms from 22 countries and jurisdictions including Bahrain, Belarus, Czech Republic, Canada, China, England, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mexico, Mozambique, Norway, Rwanda, Sweden, Uganda, United States of America) and 17 American states (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York City, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee,Texas, Utah, Uzbekistan, Vermont). Prague Shakespeare Company hopes to expand ShakeMeUps reach in the upcoming 2017-18 season to all 50 of the United States as well as to 50 countries throughout the world, officials said. Elaine Paige is topping the bill in panto at the London Palladium in December, playing opposite new star Charlie Stemp (pictured) Elaine Paige, the First Lady of musical theatre, is hanging up her dancing shoes. The award-winning star is not retiring. She has booked-up concert tours around the globe, television appearances and shes topping the bill in panto at the London Palladium in December, playing Queen Rat opposite the West Ends youngest new star Charlie Stemp, from the Cameron Mackintosh production of Half A Sixpence. But she told me she cannot imagine doing another musical. She said her five-week run in Dick Whittington, from December 9, would be perfect; unlike musicals, which are an eight-show-a-week thing, for months on end and exhausting, to boot. I just find it too tiring, the long runs and all of that. They want you to commit to six months, or a year; and thats a long time now for me, she said, adding she can do concerts all over the world, for seasons as long (or short) as she wants. Plus theres her popular BBC Radio 2 Sunday show. And projects like the telly she was filming in the Lake District when we spoke on Wednesday (the BBC comedy Home From Home, in which she plays Johnny Vegass mum). Paige has some of the best musical theatre credits in the business, appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair before lead roles in Evita for Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Cats and Sunset Boulevard for Lloyd Webber. I was lucky to be around in the era of all of those, she said. It was the renaissance era of the British musical, and I was a part of that. The award-winning star is not retiring. Pictured: Elaine Paige joined Lorraine in 2016 to talk about her a new album celebrating her favourite musical songs from stage and screen She appeared in an effervescent Anything Goes and an intense Chess though she has less fond memories of The King And I, the last show she did at the Palladium, 17 years ago, because there were too many kings. I ended up calling it The Kings And Me! So Im hoping Queen Rat in Dick Whittington, with a bunch of fun people, will be very different. She will clash with Julian Clarys Spirit Of The Bells in the Qdos production and, with luck, get to do some energetic dancing with fellow performers Diversity, and Charlie Stemp. Paige (right) has some of the best musical theatre credits in the business, appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair before lead roles in Evita for Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (left) Paige said her last panto at the Palladium was a one-off 1971 BBC TV Christmas Day special: Aladdin, starring Cilla Black. The last one she performed there for a proper run was Babes In The Woods in 1965 with Arthur Askey, Frank Ifield, Sid James, Roy Kinnear and Sharon Arden . . . now better known as Sharon Osbourne. Paige's last panto at the Palladium was a one-off 1971 BBC TV Christmas Day special The Palladium is new territory for 23-year-old Stemp, who ends his triumphant run in Half A Sixpence at the Noel Coward on September 2. But hes no panto novice, having appeared in Snow White at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford, which starred Ann Widdecombe and Craig Revel Horwood. I was a rather interestingly dressed servant, with lots of leather straps. He grew up watching pantos at the Orchard with his family, so he knows the kind of ribbing hell get from the likes of Clary. Not to mention Ms Paige, who was already savouring the famous looking for Dick on Hampstead Heath line. Stemp was hailed as a star in the making when he opened in Half A Sixpence in Chichester and said hed loved every second of the extended run, though its been exhausting. Hes had to take a break from his beloved rugby and surfing because of the risk of injury. His precious free time is spent with his girlfriend whos not in showbusiness. Charlie told me he was wary of dating insiders because as my friend always says, if it goes bad, it goes bad bad and we dont want that, do we! Oh no we dont. WATCH OUT FOR... Hayley Squires (pictured) got her breakthrough in Ken Loachs Cannes prize-winning film I, Daniel Blake Hayley Squires, who got her breakthrough in Ken Loachs Cannes prize-winning film I, Daniel Blake, and has been picked by director Benedict Andrews to join Sienna Miller, Jack OConnell, Brian Gleeson, Lisa Palfrey, and Colm Meaney in the Young Vics production of Tennessee Williams Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. It will run at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, from July 13 for 12 weeks. Ms Squires one of our more exciting young actresses will play Mae, the conniving daughter-in-law who wants Big Daddy (Meaney) to leave his money to her husband Gooper (Gleeson) rather than other son Brick (OConnell) and wife Maggie (Miller). Ms Squires won honours from the Evening Standard and BIFA (the British Independent Film Awards) for I, Daniel Blake. She has been filming David Hares drama Collateral for BBC TV and Netflix. Advertisement Sharon D Clarke, who gives an electrifying performance as a maid working in a white household in Louisiana in 1963 in Caroline, Or Change. She plays Caroline, who bottles up her resentment at having to raise four children on her own, and you can see the hurt etched on her face. Director Michael Longhurst has picked the perfect ensemble, including Nicola Hughes and Abiona Omonua. The shows run in the Minerva at Chichester Festival Theatre ends tomorrow, but there are whispers about a possible West End transfer. He is one of the most dangerous characters on Better Call Saul. And it looks like cop-turned-fixer Mike will be in the thick of the action as he appears to be stepping up his battle against Hector's cartel in the forthcoming episode of the hit AMC show. The associate of Jimmy McGill, better known as Saul Goodman, looks set to pick up a key ally in his fight, with all signs pointing towards his long-awaited hookup with drug kingpin Gus Fring. Scroll down for video Calling Saul? Cop-turned-fixer Mike makes a new alliance in the forthcoming Better Call Saul In one key scene from the exciting clip, he is shown chatting at payphone, saying: 'You'd better send someone out there to find them.' Given how his character is a key ally of Walter White's ally turned enemy Gus, it seems he has finally accepted the fast food magnate offer of work. The future dynamic duo certainly share common cause, as both loathe drug cartel chief Hector Salamanca, with Gus bearing a grudge as he murdered his cook and close friend Maximino Arciniega for cutting into their business. Meanwhile Jimmy's troubles over money appear to be worsening as he asks two men for 'wiggle room' before being attacked, and at one point unconvincingly telling an ally, 'you believe me right?' Skint: Meanwhile his associate Jimmy McGill has big money worries Painful moment: And his scamming as Saul Goodman lands him in hot water after he asks for 'wiggle room' from creditors Saviour: But drug kingpin Gus Fring could be a key ally for both of them Mr Loadsamoney: Even Harry Enfield's character would be envious of Mike's wad He is struggling to recoup his losses by selling commercials, adopting the name Saul Goodman, for which he of course later becomes famous. Meanwhile Spinal Tap legend Michael McKean continues to steal the show as Jimmy's spiteful brother Chuck, and he is approached by his old colleague Howard Hamlin who tells him, 'We have an issue we need to discuss.' But it seems he may have overstepped the mark in his attempts to have his sibling disbarred, as he later says: 'What have I done?' Smell the glove: Howard accosts Michael McKean's Chuck as they have to 'discuss' an issue Eating a Shark Sandwich: And it appears he has regrets as he later says 'What have I done?' Just what he wants to hear: Kim tells Howard she 'did everything in my power to help my client' Meanwhile it seems Kim is feeling the heat as she tries to defend her scammer lover Jimmy at his disciplinary hearing with the New Mexico bar association. She tells Howard: 'I did everything in my power to help my client.' Howard sees potential in Chuck's ethically challenged brother, so it seems there may be a twist in the tale. The new episode of Better Call Saul airs on the AMC cable channel on Monday at 10pm. At your service: Jimmy continues to work on completing his community sentence Rebel Wilson has been greeted by placard-waving supporters as her defamation suit against Woman's Day continues. The 37-year-old beamed from ear to ear as she spotted the army of fans waving signs with slogans 'Rebel is pitch perfect' and 'Don't pitch slap Rebel' on Friday in Melbourne. The supporters were led by KIIS FM radio hosts Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek, who also sported placards of their own. Scroll down for video Joining the rebellion! Rebel Wilson was greeted at court in Melbourne on Friday by placard-waving supporters led by Dave Hughes and Kate Langbroek as defamation suit against Woman's Day continues The bubbly comedian was all smiles as she arrived at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne. Carrying her now signature koala clutch, Rebel was dressed smartly in a pink lace top and pencil skirt. The actress appeared elated as she was handed a bouquet of red roses from her supporters. Overjoyed: The 37-year-old beamed from ear to ear as she spotted the army of fans waving signs with slogans 'Rebel is pitch perfect' and 'Don't pitch slap Rebel' on Friday Flowers: The actress appeared elated as she was handed a bouquet of red roses from her supporters Leading the charge: The throng of supporters was led by Dave and Kate, who host an afternoon drive show on KIIS FM The throng of supporters were led by Dave and Kate, who host an afternoon drive show on KIIS FM. Rebel spent some time greeting and chatting to her fans, even posing for a selfie with one of them before heading inside. Dave shared a snap to Instagram of him and Rebel, explaining that he and his colleague were throwing his support the actress. 'Fighting for justice #loverebel! #rebelwithacause!' He wrote to his 119,000 Instagram followers. 'Fighting for justice': Dave shared a snap to Instagram of him and Rebel, explaining that he and his colleague was throwing his support the actress Say cheese: Rebel spent some time greeting and chatting to her fans, even posing for a selfie with one of them before heading inside Having their say: The fans waved placards with slogans 'I'm in Rebel's court' and 'Rebel is the best sport' Waving the flag: Dave and Hugh led the troupe of cheerleaders to the Melbourne court Meanwhile in court on Thursday it was revealed the Hollywood star was offered a chance to appear on genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? - and could have found out whether she's really related to Walt Disney. Talent agent Jacinta Waters said the offer was one of a wide variety of 'ambit tasks' offered to the star in 2015. The court previously heard Rebel was adamant she was a distant relative of pioneering animator Walt Disney, an assertion the articles portrayed as a fanciful untruth. On the mend: Kate got up early to support Rebel after falling ill with a tummy bug But Rebel's younger sister Liberty, giving evidence on Thursday, said she was so convinced of the connection she wanted to name her own daughter Disney, after the famous animation producer. Bizarre revelations continued in court, as the star rolled out almost every member of her family to support her case. The court heard her infant niece was nearly named Disney, and her little brother was an online poker player who uses the moniker Ryot. Rebel claims articles that has been published in Woman's Day seriously damaged her career having painted her as a serial liar, telling 'pork pies' about her real name, age and childhood Rebel's sister Annaleise often goes under the name Annarchi, and was once called 'on the leash' by her siblings, in a tongue-in-cheek reference to their mother's love of dogs. The siblings have appeared to try to prove that they, like their big sister Rebel, legitimately use the unusual names. Wilson's other sister Liberty Mair, 35, said she was given her name at birth and wanted to give her own child a similarly unusual name. 'I've really grown to love the fact I have an unusual name ... I wanted to keep that tradition going,' she said. Ms Mair said friends and family talked her out of using 'Disney' as a first name for her daughter, so convinced was she of a family connection. 'She (my daughter) does some baby modelling and for that she uses the name Sovereign Wilson,' she said. The court had previously heard Rebel believed she was a distant relative of pioneering animator Walt Disney, an assertion the articles portrayed as a fanciful untruth. Rebel is suing Bauer Media for articles which she claims painted her as a 'serial liar' Rebel claims a series of articles published in 2015 by Bauer Media portrayed her as a serial liar, claiming she told 'pork pies' about her name, age and childhood. The 37-year-old Pitch Perfect star, who changed her name legally in 2002 from Melanie Elizabeth Bownds, says she has never lied to journalists about her real or birth name or told them she was younger than her real age. Rebel says she was sacked from two DreamWorks animations and missed out on future leading movie roles in 2015 and 2016 amid the 'media firestorm' created by the articles. Also in the witness box on Thursday was a woman by the name of Rebel Bissaker, who as a child sang a song by The Carpenters at Rebel's parents' wedding. Ms Bissaker said she had long understood the star had been named after her. The actress admitted she deflected media questions about her age upon moving to Hollywood by answering 'a lady never tells', but denies lying In the eighth day of the ongoing trial on Wednesday, Wilson said that accusations that she lied about her age from Bauer's lawyer Georgina Schofield QC were 'disgraceful'. 'I can't even put into words the conduct of these people and the people who work for them,' she said during her third and final day under cross-examination. 'It's shameful and disgraceful.' Wilson's lawyer Matthew Collins QC said the defendant had published a new article about the star on May 22 this year, on the 'eve' of the trial. Speaking out: In the eighth day of the ongoing trial on Wednesday, Wilson said that accusations that she lied about her age from Bauer's lawyer Georgina Schofield QC were 'disgraceful' Wilson said she'd been upset to hear Bauer was still running 'utter rubbish' articles at her expense. Also on Wednesday, Wilson's mother agreed that she believes their family are bogans - the Australian equivalent to the phrase 'chav', which can be used to derogatorily describe a person from a low social status. Addressing the Victorian Supreme Court, Sue Bownds said: 'I accept I'm a bogan, I live in the western suburbs of Sydney'. Ms Bownds denied a suggestion printed in Woman's Day that the family were 'upper middle class', but was also clear that the Castle Hill home Rebel grew up in was not the 'ghetto', reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Though the Pitch Perfect star had previously claimed the area was the ghetto when appearing on David Letterman, Ms Bownds insisted her daughter had been joking at the time. The hearing continues. She's a pop music icon. But on Thursday Mariah Carey looked ready for a day at the office thanks to a business-chic outfit, albeit one with some sexy flair. The 47-year-old Without You songstress looked fabulous in a figure hugging tangerine number that showcased her shapely legs. Doing a deal? On Thursday Mariah Carey looked ready for a day at the office thanks to a business-chic outfit, albeit one with some sexy flair A black cropped top with sheer shoulders provided a bit of contrast, and also framed her generous cleavage. Some pointed-toe pumps with a geometric pattern completed her sophisticated ensemble. Accessories included a pair of massive sunglasses and several silver bracelets on both wrists. Eye catching: The 47-year-old Without You songstress looked fabulous in a figure hugging tangerine number that showcased her shapely legs She carried an icy drink in her left hand and a phone in her right. Her caramel tresses were parted in the middle and fell in small waves almost all the way down to her waist. A dash of light rose lipstick was the only makeup immediately apparent on the five-time Grammy winner's exquisite visage. No haircut here: Her caramel tresses were parted in the middle and fell in small waves almost all the way down to her waist Mariah spent the Memorial Day weekend in the beautiful Napa Valley with her six-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe, and boyfriend Bryan Tanaka. DailyMail.com exclusively revealed two weeks that the Vision Of Love hitmaker had rekindled her romance with her former backing dancer. The 47-year-old and her 34-year-old beau only recently got back together but looked very much a couple in an Instagram snap the songstress shared on Monday. She is doting mum to two adorable children. And it looks like Natalie Portman was loving life as she was spotted going for a blissful stroll with her baby daughter in Los Angeles on Thursday. The Phantom Menace favourite looked like she was having the time of her life as she enjoyed the spring sunshine with young Amelia in the upmarket Los Feliz area. Baby steps: Natalie Portman looked like she was enjoying a spring walk with her daughter in Los Angeles on Thursday The mother-of-two had dressed for comfort, and was adorned in a striped white pullover, leggings and pink trainers. Black Swan favourite Natalie, 35, was also cunningly wearing her baby in a sling, taking much of the strain out of carrying the youngster. And it seems she was in a more gregarious mood than usual, as she happily stopped to chat with some fellow wanderers. The Oscar-winning actress has been savouring her family time since she and husband Benjamin Millepied welcomed Amalia to the world earlier this year. Star walks: She has savouring her family time since welcomed Amalia earlier this year It must be the endorphins: Natalie was in a more gregarious mood than usual It is the pair's second child after Aleph, who is nearly six. The name, in Jewish mysticism, represents the oneness of God. She and the French ballet dancer and choreographer met on the set of Black Swan in 2009 and started dating, announcing their engagement in December 2010. Their son was born a year later and they wed in 2012. Ever the busy lady, Natalie has a slew of films set for release this year including sci fi flick Annihilation and drama We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. Things that go bump in the afternoon: She flaunted her belly at the SAG Awards in January She flew into Sydney on Wednesday after a spring getaway in the Caribbean islands. And Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) donned a relaxed Winter ensemble on Friday as she braved the city's chillier temperatures to get a manicure and pedicure with a friend. The 29-year-old appeared to be having a ball as she caught up with a pal inside USA Nails in affluent Double Bay. Scroll down for video Modest: Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) donned a relaxed Winter ensemble on Friday as she braved the city's chillier temperatures to get a manicure and pedicure with a friend With her signature blonde tresses styled in a new razor sharp bob, the mother of two boys kept warm in an oversize grey jumper. She paired her top with stylish baggy black trousers, flat leather boots and draped a heavy wool jacket over her shoulder. The wife of Hollywood star Sam Worthington appeared in a cheerful mood as she chatted with her pal and had the salon's staff attend to her. Upbeat: The wife of Hollywood star Sam Worthington appeared in a cheerful mood as she chatted with her pal and had the salon's staff attend to her At one point she appeared engrossed in her phone as she sat in the massage chair and had her pedicure done. In last month's Harper's Bazaar, Lara, who rose to fame in Tourism Australia's 'Where The Bloody Hell Are You' ads said coming home to Sydney gives her 'anxiety'. 'I know I grew up being in the media constantly, but now, living in New York, you can just go about your day, and I've kind of let my guard down,' she described. Demure: With her signature blonde tresses styled in a new razor sharp bob, the mother of two boys kept warm in an oversize grey jumper Keeping warm: She paired her top with baggy black trousers, flat leather boots and draped a heavy wool jacket over her shoulder 'I feel like living away has made me softer, and being able to raise the boys over here, I haven't had as much scrutiny as I probably would back home,' she continued. The Cronulla-born beauty attended the 'Tiffany Hardwear' launch party by Tiffany & Co at the Carriageworks venue in Sydney on Thursday night. The model hosted the Australian launch event for the iconic jewellery brand, which counts Lady Gaga as its international ambassador. Lara is mother to two boy, Rocket Zot, two, and Racer, six months, with her husband, actor Sam Worthington. Zoe Saldana and husband Marco Perego stepped out in support of Navy SEALs on Thursday. The couple - who have been married since 2013 - attended the Navy SEAL Foundation's Los Angeles Benefit Dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The 38-year-old actress looked elegant in a metallic pewter-colored halterneck dress. Scroll down for video Stepping out in style: Zoe Saldana and husband Marco Perego attended the Navy SEAL Foundation's Los Angeles Benefit Dinner on Thursday The drapey gown featured a split up the front and diagonal black stripes across it. Zoe completed her look with a pair of strappy black stilettos, which featured frilly black detailing at the front. The stunning Guardians Of The Galaxy actress wore her long dark hair smooth and slicked back in a high ponytail. She also wore a pair of black diamond-shaped drop earrings and carried a cobalt blue clutch purse. All tied up: The stunning Guardians Of The Galaxy actress wore her long dark hair smooth and slicked back in a high ponytail Simply stunning: The 38-year-old actress looked elegant in a metallic pewter-colored halterneck dress Bad boy look: Meanwhile, her 38-year-old hubby wore a pair of grey-black jeans with a silver wallet chain. He also wore a black T-shirt and black pinstripe blazer Meanwhile, her 38-year-old hubby wore a pair of grey-black jeans with a silver wallet chain. He wore a black T-shirt and black pinstripe blazer. The Italian-born artist also donned a pair of black suede boots. Mom and Dad's night off: The couple appeared to have been enjoying their night out without their three sons. They were seen cuddling up to one another inside the benefit The right stripes... The drapey gown featured a split up the front and diagonal black stripes across it The pair posed for a series of photos on the red carpet before making their way inside for the sit-down dinner, which was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. And the couple appeared to have been enjoying their night out without their three sons - twins Cy and Bowie, two, and Zen, four months. They were seen cuddling up to one another inside the benefit. Full house: On Memorial Day, Zoe took to Instagram to share a photo of their adorable kids, while thanking America's servicemen and women On Memorial Day, Zoe took to Instagram to share a photo of their adorable kids, while thanking America's servicemen and women. 'I can't help but feel so much love, respect and admiration for this beautiful country of ours,' she captioned the photo. 'Our sons may very well one day decide to serve their country and we have vowed to honor and support them as they one day may put their lives at risk to save all of ours.' She's never been afraid of flaunting her petite frame in sexy mini dresses. But Tammin Sursok looked equally comfortable in a chic navy jumpsuit on Thursday. The raven-haired actress oozed confidence in the tailored, button-down one-piece at the Prive Revaux Eyewear launch event in Los Angeles. Beauty in blue! Tammin Sursok is casual chic in a silky button-down jumpsuit at eyewear launch in Los Angeles on Thursday Loose and breezy down to the knees, the ensemble cinched to a skinny fit, drawing attention to Tammin's toned calves. She added more style and flare with close-toed stiletto heels with embellished detailing at the heel. The beauty looked classy-yet-comfortable, putting one hand in her pocket and the other on her slender hips. Striking: Meanwhile for makeup, her striking green eyes were accentuated with a dark black eyeliner and a pink lipstick complemented her peachy glow She glammed-up the jumpsuit with a large white Chanel watch, flashing a glimpse of her diamond engagement and wedding rings. Meanwhile for makeup, her striking green eyes were accentuated with a dark black eyeliner and a pink lipstick complemented her peachy glow. The Pretty Little Liars star led the charge for the Australian contingent at the star-studded event. Tammin's been based in America Since 2006, where her profile sky-rocketed thanks to her stint on iconic daytime soap The Young and the Restless. She raises her three-year-old daughter Phoenix in the country, alongside her actor hubby Sean McEwen. She welcomed twins into the world just eight months ago. And Rebecca Judd has taken her two boys, Tom and Darcy, on their first shopping trip. Taking to Instagram, the 34-year-old revealed her Friday expedition to Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre involved 'two bottles and three nappy changes'. Doing some damage! Rebecca Judd took her two boys, Tom and Darcy, on their first shopping trip on Friday at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre The busy career woman and mother-of-four was pictured taking a seat beside her two boys as they snuggled up with their name-embellished blankets in a double stroller. Rebecca evidently made the most of the shopping trip, adding in the hashtag 'did some damage'. Twinning: The twins wore long sleeved tops as they kicked back in the double pram grasping their bottles of milk For the outing, the WAG sported leather look leggings accompanied by a black blazer and studded boots and let her wavy locks fall naturally around her shoulders. The twins wore long sleeved tops as they kicked back in the double pram grasping their bottles of milk. With Rebecca and her husband Chris enlisting the occasional help of their respective parents, the couple also employ a part-time nanny to help balance their busy lifestyles. Tyga does not have a bad word to say about his ex Kylie Jenner. But he likes it when other people do. The 27-year-old was looking at pictures of his old flame with her new boyfriend Travis Scott online on Wednesday, when he liked a comment throwing shade at her. Stalk much? Tyga was looking at pictures of his old flame with her new boyfriend Travis Scott (pictured) online on Wednesday, when he liked a comment throwing shade at her The photo showed the 19-year-old and her latest rapper squeeze, 25, heading to a pharmacy together in Calabasas. The pic was posted on Instagram by a celeb account @celebrity_vice, with the caption: '@travisscott and @kyliejenner going to CVS #travisscott #kyliejenner' with a healthy sprinkling of loveheart emojis. Buried in the comments, one use wrote: 'tag her let her know she DON'T got the juice!' But Tyga found it, and found it funny enough to like it. Rooting around: Buried in the comments, one use wrote: 'tag her let her know she DON'T got the juice!' But Tyga found it, and found it funny enough to like it It is unknown which of the hashtags - #travisscott or #kyliejenner - Tyga was searching for ayt the time, or whether he just happened upon the post in his feed. Tyga real name Micheal Ray Stevenson and Kylie split last months after approximately three years of on and off dating; the origin of their courting was kept purposely obfuscated since she was 16 at the time. The reality star has since been spotted with Travis real name Jacques Webster, Jr. a number of times. Over: Tyga real name Micheal Ray Stevenson and Kylie split last months after approximately three years of on and off dating; the origin of their courting was kept purposely obfuscated since she was 16 at the time By mid-May,TMZ ran a report citing sources who'd dished that the Kylie and Travis duo were having an exclusive relationship, as opposed to only a fling. Tyga will always remain connected to Kylie, seeing as his son King Cairo's mother Blac Chyna has another baby - Dream - with Kylie's half brother, Rob Kardashian. On a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, Kylie's half-sister Kim Kardashian held forth to host Andy Cohen about her reaction to Kylie's breakup with Tyga. She explained that 'what was great was that they just - it was so easy, that split. There just - you know, there has not been any drama, like, it, with her, so.' When youre in your 40s, have three children, and you are starting over from scratch, launching an educational journey into the healthcare industry may sound a little challenging. But for Ringgolds Katrina Putman, as well as her 19 classmates, it ultimately pushed her into a brand new way of life. After her employer of 10 years shut its doors forever in April of 2016, Putman felt the pressure. As a GNTC Student of the Year finalist this past year, though, the Northwest Georgia mother of three found her composure and was able to set the tone for herself and her Health Information Management Technology (H.I.M.T.) classmates. Fifteen of Georgia Northwestern Technical College H.I.M.T. students took the Registered Health Information Technician Certification Exam this spring. Taught by GNTC instructors Donna Estes, Susan Bowman, and Karen Hill, all 15 students who took the certification exams, passed. And, that includes Katrina Putman. Two weeks ago, the perfect 4.0 student and her 19 classmates walked the graduation stage in Rome, Georgia. Putman took her walk as an honors graduate. Estes, Putmans advisor, was who really got her going inside the classroom. She even nominated the non-traditional college sophomore for the colleges G.O.A.L. Award. Each year, the G.O.A.L., Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership, goes to the colleges top student. Although she didnt come out on top at the local level, Putman learned what she needed to be able to provide for her family. I learned how to speak in front of crowds, proudly said Putman. And, with me being out of work, I needed that skill set to help me find not only a job, but the right career for myself and my family. Not two weeks into her unemployment, Putnam had an interview with the Chattanooga Health Institute. Less than an hour after her interview was over, she was called back and asked to take a Control Analyst job with the institute. These are the stories that we love to see unfold, said GNTC Instructor of Health Information Management Technology Donna Estes. Katrinas is yet another special story that is an inspiration to others who come to our program. Now, more than a year into her new job with the Chattanooga Heart Institute, Putman is proud to wear the moniker of GNTC Graduate. My instructors shoved me out of my comfort zone, said Putman, They made me realize that I have no limits except the ones I place on myself. Georgia Northwestern is not only helping students find their way in the Health Information Management arena, they are also helping other colleges. GNTCs sister-schools Augusta Technical College and Georgia Piedmont Technical College also received training from the Walker County, Georgia-based program. GNTC is among the first in the state to have a Health Information Management Technology program. These other colleges saw how we have really grown things at GNTC and they wanted to learn what we knew about getting an H.I.M.T. program off the ground, said Estes. From laying out an academic plan for our students to have the best chance to succeed, to handling the administrative side of a health information technology education, we do a really good job here at GNTC. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates the Health Information Management Technology field to grow more than 20-percent over the next six years. Specialists in the field typically earn between $36,000 and $50,000 each year. However, managers can see salaries above $80,000. A new family is set to stir up trouble in Albert Square later this month. The 'noisy and brash' Taylor family, presided over by matriarch Karen, will arrive in Walford on June 15 for an 'explosive' summer of drama. Karen, played by Lorraine Stanley, is set to move to the area with her four children, their Staffordshire bull terrier and a bearded dragon called Rooney. Scroll down for video Stirring up trouble: The Taylor family, presided over by matriarch Karen (R), are set to make a stir in Albert Square when they arrive in Walford on June 15 Executive producer Sean O'Connor said: 'Karen is a twenty-a-day lioness, bringing up her kids with no support, no money and a very loud mouth. But though they may lack cash, the Taylors have love and warmth in spades. 'This summer is going to be explosive as the Taylors settle in Walford. The Square will never be quite the same again Actress Lorraine has already appeared in EastEnders twice before; as the mother of Linzie Bragg and as a younger version of Mo Harris in a 2004 spin-off show. Karen's sons Riley and Chatham are played by real-life brothers Tom and Alfie Jacobs, while elder siblings Bernadette and Keanu are played by Clair Norris and Danny Walters. Big brood: Karen's eldest children, Bernadette and Keanu, are played by Benidorm star Danny Walters and Clair Norris In promotional pictures, the Taylor family are seen arriving in the Square in a white van laden with their belongings. The family look as if they are already getting into trouble as Karen talks to someone in a window while dangling a set of keys over Bernadette's hand. Staffie Bronson also features in the photographs and is seen wearing camouflage straps. 'Bold and brash': Karen's younger sons, Riley and Chatham, are played by real-life brothers Tom and Alfie Jacobs, while older sister Chantelle is said to be living nearby But some viewers were critical of the new arrivals when the announcement was made on Facebook last night. Some felt they were a similar type of family to the Millers, while others thought it would be better to include more ethnic minorities. One person wrote: 'Awful stereotyped 'chav' family. Square needed a decent well written Asian family back in.' Another commented: 'Same old family again. Butchers and Millers basically.' The news comes a week after Ted and Joyce Murray made their first appearance in Albert Square. The couple, played by Christopher Timothy and Maggie Steed, have been living in the area for decades but have just moved to Albert Square. The 9th Annual Australians in Film Heath Ledger Scholarship Dinner was held in West Hollywood on Thursday. And the late actor's family were in high spirits as they revealed the deserving winner at the star-studded event. Heath's father Kim Ledger, mother Sally Bell and sisters Kate Ledger and Ashleigh Bell happily posed together on the red carpet. Heath Ledger's family attend scholarship dinner honouring the late actor in Los Angeles on Thursday as Sydney actor walks away with the prize In his honour: The scholarship was established in 2008 in memory of the Australian actor, who died at just 28 years of age of accidental intoxication from prescription drug that year The Australian Oscar winner died at just 28 years of age of accidental intoxication from prescription drug in 2008. Following his tragic death, the scholarship was set up to give 'a huge boost' to an upcoming talent from Australia. Heath's father Kim looked smart in a blue suit, which he partnered with a blue button-up dress shirt. Alongside his family, he was all smiles as he grinned while wearing his black spectacles. Mother Sally also chose to wear blue, in a long-sleeve smock dress with two-toned tights underneath. Matching! Heath's father Kim looked smart in a blue suit, while mother Sally chose to wear a blue smock dress with two-toned black and grey leggings All smiles! The family happily posed with other attendees Kate Ledger donned a quirky ensemble, consisting of a netted khaki skirt, band T-shirt and velvet blazer. The blonde wore her locks in an eccentric updo, with a voluminous bun with large, messy curls. She also accessorised with a comic-style clutch with the word 'Kaboom!' emblazoned over the black leather. Edgy! Kate Ledger donned a quirky ensemble, consisting of a netted khaki skirt, band T-shirt, velvet blazer and comic-style clutch Retro! Her sister Ashleigh was dressed in a vintage-style floral frock with that showcased her numerous tattoos on her arms and decolletage Stunning sisters! Both sisters applied a dark shade of lippy for the occasion, with their makeup giving them a dewy, fresh appearance Her sister Ashleigh was dressed in a vintage-style floral frock with that showcased her numerous tattoos on her arms and decolletage. She wore her hair down in loose waves over her right shoulder. Both sisters applied a dark shade of lippy for the occasion, with their makeup giving them a dewy, fresh appearance. Their half sister Olivia was not pictured with them at the scholarship dinner. During the event, the Ledger family helped announce Sydney actor Mojean Aria (pictured) as the recipient of the prestigious scholarship Meeting the family: Mojean had actually met Heath in 2001 when the late actor and credits the moment as life-changing in his pursuit to become an actor 'I got to talk to him, but it was his presence that I felt': Mojean posed with the late actor's family as he revealed he once spoke to Heath when he snuck into one of his movie's premiere when he was nine During the event, the Ledger family helped announce Sydney actor Mojean Aria as the recipient of the prestigious scholarship. The rising star, 24, was one of 10 nominees up for the scholarship worth more than $30,000. Mojean had actually met Heath in 2001 when the late actor and credits the moment as life-changing in his pursuit to become an actor. He was only nine when his Iranian immigrant mother encouraged him to sneak into the premiere for Heath Ledger's film A Knight's Tale at Fox Studios. Mojean said he successfully evaded security and met Ledger: 'I got to talk to him, but it was his presence that I felt.' Mojean joked his name 'is not the most typical Australian name' and said he hoped the win would encourage other young 'wogs' to pursue acting in Australia. Perseverance pays off! Mojean said people had told him 'to give up on this Heath Ledger thing' because 'they're never going to accept you as an Australian' Celebrations! Mojean was overjoyed to be announced as the recipient of the prestigious scholarship He said people had told him 'to give up on this Heath Ledger thing' because 'they're never going to accept you as an Australian.' The scholarship was established in 2008 in memory of the Australian actor, who died at just 28 years of age of accidental intoxication from prescription drug that year. Founding patrons of the scholarship include powerhouse exports Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Naomi Watts. Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon admits she struggled to contain her emotions after receiving praise from real life victims of sexual abuse during an appearance in her native Manchester. The actress, 21, is in the midst of a topical grooming storyline on the ITV soap as her character, 16-year old Bethany Plat, is routinely raped and abused by perverted older fiance Nathan Curtis and his wider circle of friends and associates. But while viewers remain divided over the decision to air the harrowing scenes before the 9pm watershed, Lucy admits she has been thanked for highlighting the issue by young women who have previously suffered at the hands of abusive partners. Scroll down for video Moved: Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon admits she struggled to contain her emotions after receiving praise from real life victims of sexual abuse during an appearance in her native Manchester Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, the young actress reflected on the moment a fan approached her as she paid her respects to the 22 victims of Manchester bomber Salman Abedi. She said: I went to Manchester to put some flowers down at St. Anns Square and a lady of 60 came and tapped me on the shoulder and said, Can I just whisper something to you? I thought she was just going to say she really liked Corrie, but she said, I was sexually abused by my dad when I was younger she got really upset and said she really appreciated what I had done. Harrowing: The actress, 21, is in the midst of a topical grooming storyline on the ITV soap as her character, 16-year old Bethany Plat, is routinely raped and abused by perverted older fiance Nathan Curtis High praise: Lucy (pictured here as Bethany) admits she has been thanked for highlighting the issue by young women who have previously suffered at the hands of abusive partners. It makes me feel really proud when people say stuff like that. Lucy added that it will be a 'long road' back to recovery for teenager Bethany, who was gang raped by three of manipulative Nathan's twisted pals during Thursday evening's episode. Viewers were horrified as they witnessed the build up to the scene, with some social media users reporting the soap to broadcasting regulatory body, Ofcom. Hard to watch: Lucy added that it will be a 'long road' back to recovery for teenager Bethany, who was gang raped by three of manipulative Nathan's twisted pals during Thursday evening's episode However Coronation Street has been airing after the watershed at 9pm this week to make room for the live semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent. MailOnline have contacted ITV and Ofcom for comment. You can contact Childline for free confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111. Charlie Sheen looked like he's finally settled down as he introduced his new girlfriend Jools in Santa Monica on Thursday. The actor, 51, posed with his date outside Giorgio Baldi restaurant, where they were celebrating his daughter Lola's 12th birthday. The star revealed last year that he was diagnosed with HIV in 2011 and he has been married three times. New squeeze: Charlie Sheen introduced his girlfriend Jools on Thursday as the pair celebrated his daughter's 12th birthday at an Italian restaurant in Santa Monica In a video clip taken outside the restaurant, he said: 'It's my daughter's birthday. She's 12. This is my girlfriend, that's Jools. No one's got a photo of us yet.' As Charlie spoke to the cameras, Jools got out of their black car and had her back turned away, until the actor called her over. She greeted the cameramen and put her arm around her beau as the pair posed for pictures. The Two-and-a-half men star also slammed Donald Trump for pulling out of the Paris Agreement, and said: 'It's a dark day for planet earth.' It is unknown how old Jools is or how long the pair have been dating. Charlie has in the past dated Brett Rossi, Bree Olson and Georgia Jones. He married first wife Donna Peele in 1995, but the couple divorced the next year. Reticent: As Charlie spoke to the cameras, Jools got out of their black car and had her back turned away, until the actor called her over He was married to model and actress Denise Richards between 2002 and 2006, and the couple had two children, Sam and Lola, together. It was Lola's birthday that the couple were celebrating at the Italian restaurant. Charlie's last marriage was to actress Brooke Mueller, who got a restraining order against the actor in 2011. Dressed down: Jools kept it casual in a pair of black skinny jeans with a muted shirt, which she jazzed up with a multicoloured scarf The couple also had two children during their three-year marriage. In November 2015, the actor revealed he had been diagnosed with HIV in 2011. In an interview with Matt Lauer on NBC's The Today Show in November 2015, he claimed he had been extorted for millions since then by those who knew. Troubled health: In November 2015, the actor revealed he had been diagnosed with HIV in 2011 and claimed he had been extorted for millions by those who knew At the restaurant, Jools kept it casual in a pair of black skinny jeans with a muted shirt. She jazzed up the ensemble with a multicoloured zig-zag scarf and wore her golden locks in loose curls. Charlie also dressed down in a blue shirt with joggers and trainers, and wore a blue bandage around his right hand. She's the bubbly Bachelorette who is rarely seen without an infectious smile. But Georgia Love appeared slightly annoyed and disappointment when she was greeted with a parking fine in Melbourne on Tuesday. The 28-year-old was seen pursing her lips as she inspected the paper ticket left on her windshield. Far from FINE! Bachelorette Georgia Love appears irritated as she returns to hefty parking fine after beauty salon appointment in Melbourne on Tuesday It's believed the reality star had parked her car while she visited a beauty salon, unaware of infringing a parking guideline in the area. Georgia was rugged up in the chilly Melbourne weather in ripped jeans, a grey jumper with a sequined heart design and a puffer jacket. Her short brunette locks were worn down under her snug white beanie with a faux fur end. Casual and cosy! Georgia was rugged up in the chilly Melbourne weather in ripped jeans, a grey jumper, a puffer jacket and a beanie Snug star! Georgia's makeup was flawlessly applied, while she wore her short brunette locks down under her white beanie with a faux fur end Cutting a casual figure, the journalist accessorized with white sneakers and a black bag with tassels. Georgia appeared shocked by the paper ticket left on her windshield as she held it out to verify the infringement. Meanwhile, she was also left red-faced earlier this week for a different reason. Feeling flushed? Georgia took to her Instagram Stories on Friday to reveal how she goes from tired-and-drained to glammed-up in the space of hours On Friday, Georgia looked flushed following a gym session - before documenting her stunning salon transformation. The TV presenter took to her Instagram story to reveal how she goes from tired-and-drained to glammed-up in the space of hours. Bearing the full weight of emotion on her strained, makeup-free face, she slumped her head into her hands. Stunning transformation! Taking to her instagram story, the Bachelorette star documented her journey from red-faced after the gym (L) to touched-up and ready for a night out (R) Captioning the snap with 'same, same,' she even referenced her complexion via a bright red tomato emoji. Seated in her car, the reality star had clearly thrown her hair into a quick, effortless bun. In her next snap a few hours later, she ditched her sweaty gym clothes and took to the salon. Salon sensation! Catching up with her go-to stylist Joey Scandizzo, the 28-year-old snapped a mirror selfie from the salon chair Catching up with her go-to stylist Joey Scandizzo, she snapped a mirror selfie from the salon chair. The Instagram story video showed Georgia's stylist putting the finishing touches on her quick trim and blow dry. Her brunette locks were already boasting much more lively volume, while her drained face had returned to its flawless self. Finishing touches! Minutes later, she was back in the car, sharing footage of the finished product Minutes later, she was back in the car, sharing footage of the finished product. Her transformation was nothing short of impressive, having gone from casual gym gear to a warm, stylish long sleeve knit and puffy vest. She'd completed her makeover with a touch of black eyeliner and contoured brows. Georgia looked simply beaming as she rubbed her hands through her wavy new locks. How does she do it? Her transformation was nothing short of impressive, having gone from casual gym gear to a warm, stylish long sleeve knit and puffy vest She's happily married to musician Marcus Mumford, with whom she shares one-year-old daughter Evelyn Grace. And it seems that actress Carey Mulligan could be pregnant again, as she appeared to display a bump whilst out in London on Thursday night. The 32-year-old Hollywood star and her husband, 30, were dining at hot spot Sexy Fish. Scroll down for video Is she expecting? Carey Mulligan appeared to display a hint of a baby bump as she dined with husband Marcus Mumford at London's Sexy Fish restaurant on Thursday night The star was seen at the eatery in a baggy black silk top and equally comfy-looking trousers as she revealed a bump. She added a loose-fitting navy blue open shirt over the top and comfortable flat shoes whilst dining at the swanky restaurant. MailOnline have approached representatives for the couple for comment. The Great Gatsby actress appeared to be fresh-faced and make-up free, wearing her brunette locks tied loosely back. The petite star was seen a little distracted on her phone as she walked into the restaurant with her rocker husband. Date night: The star was seen at the eatery in a baggy black silk top and equally comfy-looking trousers - and beneath was what looked like the first signs of a bump Marcus - who is part of the band Mumford & Sons - walked behind his wife in an all-black blazer and shirt combo. The couple's story is a romantic one: they were childhood pen pals who lost touch but later reconnected as adults. On April 21, the pair celebrated their five year wedding anniversay, having wed in 2012 a few days after the movie Inside Llewyn Davis wrapped production - on which they were both working. Dressed for comfort: She added a loose-fitting navy blue open shirt over the top and flat shoes - further suggesting she was dressed to be comfortable whilst dining at the swanky restaurant Night out: The petite star was seen a little distracted on her phone as she walked into the restaurant with her rocker husband They welcomed Evelyn Grace in September 2015. Carey has previously spoken about her daughter with New York Daily News, in which she said that the life lesson she'd teach Evelyn Grace would be: 'No make-up, no piercings, no tattoos.' Despite the actress' successful career - which saw her nominated for an Oscar for An Education in 2009 - she recently revealed her nerves at dealing with fame. She told So It Goes magazine: 'I would do red carpets and be a wreck by the end; I found it awful and weird, standing there in my outfits with my body being judged and my appearance and make-up. Doting husband: Marcus - who is part of the band Mumford & Sons - walked behind his wife in an all-black blazer and shirt combo Success: Despite the actress' successful career - which saw her nominated for an Oscar for An Education in 2009 - she recently revealed her nerves at dealing with fame 'Its a f**king weird, bizarre thing to have 200 people screaming at you taking a photo. Then I got older and put it into perspective.' Carey - who was born in Westminster - began her career in a variety of UK TV series including Bleak House and Agatha Christie's Marple before seeking her fortune in Hollywood. She has starred in the likes of Pride And Prejudice alongside Keira Knightley and Far From The Madding Crowd with Michael Sheen and was last seen as the troubled Maud Watts in 2015 film Suffragette while she has also since appeared in web comedy series The Walker. Her next movie, Mudbound, will be released this year and Carey returns to the small screen soon, starring in BBC mini series Collateral. She'll be celebrating her fourth wedding anniversary with husband Jake Wall on Sunday. And on Friday, Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall kicked off celebrations early with the couple pictured enjoying an intimate moment in a post shared to Instagram. The 33-year-old flashed her pearly whites as hubby Jake planted a tender kiss on her cheek. Scroll down for videos Wedded bliss! Jake Wall planted a tender kiss on wife Jennifer Hawkins on Friday, ahead of the couple's fourth wedding anniversary 'Back in Melbourne and heading to Chadstone Shopping Centre for Colgate tomorrow,' she captioned inviting her fans to come and meet her. The J Bronze founder wore a salmon-coloured singlet top and a gold chain around her neck. Her medium-length blonde tresses were worn loosely and styled in relaxed beach waves. Hot couple: The host of Australia's Next Top Model sported minimal makeup with a bright fuchsia lip, drawing sole attention to her sparkling white teeth The Australia's Next Top Model host wore minimal makeup including a bold fuchsia lip - highlighting her sparkling white teeth. Jake was also dressed up in a navy shirt sporting short stubble as he gave his wife a kiss. The entrepreneurial couple who recently launched their tequila business, Session Tequila, are not shy when it comes to posting loved-up snaps online. Still honeymooning: The entrepreneurial couple who recently launched their tequila business, Session Tequila, are not shy when it comes to posting adorable loved up dedication posts about their other half The happy couple met just prior to Jennifer winning the 2004 Miss Universe crown. After eight years together, the couple tied the knot in Bali in 2013. They wed in a lavish wedding with approximately 70 of their closest family and friends. She's well known for her stunning sartorial displays - lauded as a huge name in the fashion world. And Alexa Chung, 33, proved she could look just as glamorous away from the red carpet and magazine spreads when she was seen rocking a racy leather dress as she left the Colette store in Paris on Thursday. The racy item showed off her perfectly toned legs and arms as she strolled out of the store, while contrasting the tough leather dress against her pretty pumps. Scroll down for video Stunning: Alexa Chung rocked a racy leather dress flaunting her toned arms and legs as she left the Colette store in Paris on Thursday A full-body zip was topped with the letter A to add a saucy edge, yet she kept things contained by zipping right to the top of her neck. She sported a pair of pretty ballet pumps with a dazzling adornment at the toe and a dainty ankle strap - a stark contrast to the tough leather dress. Alexa held a tan-coloured jacket in one arm and had a leather handbag slung over her shoulder to round out the flawless look. Her brunette locks were left untied to flow down her shoulders over a pair of petite silver hoop earrings which coordinated with the hardware on her dress. A model apperance: A full-body zip was topped with the letter A and secured at the race by a bulky black belt Laid-back style: Alexa held a tan-coloured jacket in one arm and had a leather handbag slung over her shoulder Alexa commented on her outfit on Instagram, writing: 'It's not leather weather by the way. It's boilinnnnnnnn.' On Tuesday, the model released her new collection at the Danish Church of Saint Katharine at an event also attended by Daisy Lowe, 28 and Pixie Geldof, 26. Although Alexa has been heralded as a fashion muse, this collection was her debut foray into the world of design. Pretty in Paris: Her brunette locks were left untied to flow down her shoulders over a pair of petite silver hoop earrings Hot style: Alexa commented on her outfit on Instagram, writing: 'It's not leather weather by the way. It's boilinnnnnnnn' However, an Instagram snap of the show posted by Alexa was blasted by some for its lack of diversity. The style icon came under fire after she shared a picture of models posing in her debut collection on Instagram, with one user asking simply: 'Women of colour?' Edwin Bodson, managing director of ALEXACHUNG, said: 'Over 20 per cent of the casting in the show were women of mixed race or diverse ethnicities. The most expensive piece, a silver sequin maxi dress, costs a staggering 1,195, while a basic t-shirt will set shoppers back 75. Sean Penn is a multimillionaire thanks to films like 2003's Mystic River and 2010's Fair Game. But the ex-husband of Robin Wright seems to try to save a buck now and then just like the average American. When flying from LA to NYC this week, the actor booked a seat for him and his daughter Dylan in economy on Delta Airlines. But according to TMZ, he was bumped up to first class when two fellow passengers gave him a hard time. On the go: Sean Penn was hassled on a flight from LA to NYC recently, according to TMZ; here he is seen in March in LA The men approached Penn, 56, after he put his carry-on luggage in the overhead bin. A source close to Sean said the men were 'rude and aggressive.' The fliers did not like where the star put his belongings, it was alleged. It was not indicated why. His girl: The actor was flying with his model daughter Dylan, 26; pictured 2016 The Fast Times At Ridgemont High actor reportedly did not want to make a scene so he did not address the angry fliers. So The Gunman star hurried along to a flight attendant to report the problem. The attendant then upgraded Sean and his daughter, who works as a model and was once linked to Robert Pattinson, it was claimed. His other kid: The Mystic River star also has son Hopper, seen here in January Sean was last seen traveling with his ex Robin, with whom he has not only daughter Dylan but also son Hopper, on May 30 in New York. They looked to be getting along fine as they walked together. Robin is now starring in House Of Cards and she has a role in the new movie Wonder Woman. Meanwhile, Sean just finished filming The Professor and the Madman wit another Hollywood icon, Mel Gibson. Also in the film is Jennifer Ehle of Pride And Prejudice fame. Her heavenly looks have made her a world-famous supermodel and landed her the coveted accolade of being named as a Victoria's Secret Angel. And Alessandra Ambrosio, 36, looked stunning as she attended the Xti shoe launch with Australian songstress Kylie Minogue's model ex Andres Velencoso at the Only You Boutique Hotel in Madrid on Friday. Going braless under her halterneck top, the brunette beauty showcased her pert bust and enviably slim physique. Scroll down for video Heaven sent! Alessandra Ambrosio, 36, looked stunning as she attended the Xti shoe launch at the Only You Boutique Hotel in Madrid on Friday Good genes! The beauty posed with model Andres Velencoso, who famously dated Kylie Mingoue from July 2008 to October 2013 She teamed her top with a pair of silk khaki cigarette pants, which skimmed over her lean thighs and nipped her in at her tiny waist. She added height to her already statuesque 5ft 9.5 frame with a pair of gold strappy sandals, which further elongated her slender pins. Placing her hands on her hips, the Brazilian beauty looked fierce as she worked all her angles. Body to die for: Going braless under her halterneck top, the brunette beauty showcased her pert bust and enviably slim physique Smiles: She sported natural make up with glittery gold eyeshadow, which emphasised her glowing complexion, and added a berry lip to her luscious pout Super slim: She teamed her top with a pair of silk khaki cigarette pants, which skimmed over her lean thighs and nipped her in at her tiny waist She sported natural make up with glittery gold eyeshadow, which emphasised her glowing complexion, and added a berry lip to her luscious pout. Alessandra teamed her chic look with a pair of gold hoop earrings, which skimmed her sharp jawline, and tied her hair back into an elegant updo. The beauty posed with model Andres Velencoso, who famously dated Kylie Mingoue from July 2008 to October 2013. Model behaviour: The pair worked the camera like pros Former flame: Andres dated the Australian songstress for five years (pictured at the amfAR's 20th Annual Cinema Against AIDS during The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival, 2013) Ambrosio - who began modeling at the age of 12 in her native Brazil - made her way in the catwalk business when she was selected by Victoria's Secret a decade ago. She was the first model chosen to represent their PINK line and went on to become an Angel. In 2005, she walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway wearing lingerie made entirely out of candy. Wow: Ambrosio - who began modeling at the age of 12 in her native Brazil - was selected by Victoria's Secret a decade ago (Pictured at the 2011 Victoria's Secret fashion show) Sensational: She was the first model chosen to represent their PINK line and went on to become an Angel (Pictured at the 2007 Victoria's Secret fashion show) She won kudos for looking incredible when she walked the runway in 2008 after just having her first child, Anja, with partner Jamie Mazur. In 2009 she had the distinction of opening the VS show. Two years after that, the star walked the VS show again - but this time she was pregnant with her second child, son Noah. In 2014, she wore the Dream Fantasy Bra, alongside her fellow angel Adriana Lima. Both of the bras cost $2.5 million each. Gorgeous: She won kudos for looking incredible when she walked the runway in 2008 after just having her first child, Anja, with partner Jamie Mazur Big Brother has given fans a first glimpse at its forthcoming crop of contestants with an outspoken reality star, stripper, beauty queen, ambitious single mother and a married couple entering the Hertfordshire compound on Monday evening. The long-running show will air from 8:30pm on Channel 5, and the first six housemates revealed include a number of familiar faces. Leading the way is Ex On The Beach star Kayleigh Morris, who was joined by Lotan Carter - the Dreamboy nephew of Louis Spence, alongside husband and wife Imran Javeed and Sukhvinder Javeed and sister act Hannah Agboola and Deborah Agboola. Scroll down for video MEET THE BB 2017 HOUSEMATES KAYLEIGH MORRIS AGE: 28 OCCUPATION: Clothing concession manager BEST QUOTE: 'I dont think before I say it HANNAH AGBOOLA AGE: 23 OCCUPATION: Make-up Store Host BEST QUOTE: 'I want to inspire the youth of today's UK-born-Nigerians IMRAN JAVEED AGE: 39 OCCUPATION: Entrepreneur BEST QUOTE: 'I want to be an example to the next generation' LOTAN CARTER AGE: 28 OCCUPATION: Stripper BEST QUOTE: 'People think I'm arrogant because of my good looks but I'm cheeky and charming' DEBORA AGBOOLA AGE: 25 OCCUPATION: Digital Analyst BEST QUOTE: 'I want to show the world single mums can be successful' SUKHVINDER JAVEED AGE: 38 OCCUPATION: Entrepreneur BEST QUOTE: 'My bluntness is my best personality trait' Advertisement As ever, producers have selected a bevy of characters of all ages and careers in a bid to make an explosive season for the next few months. This year's show will be extremely topical as they air scenes will be inspired by the June 8 election, with the stars of the show campaigning to stay in the house. Leading the way is Kayleigh, who soared to fame in the second season of Ex On he Beach in 2015 before making a return in last year's all star fifth season. Coming soon: Former Ex On The Beach star Kayleigh Morris will feature on the forthcoming series of Big Brother when it airs on Channel 5 from Monday evening Out for trouble? Leading the way is Kayleigh, who soared to fame in the second season of Ex On The Beach in 2015 before making a return in last year's all star fifth season The 28-year-old clothing concession manager moved to London from her native Port Talbot to find work without the help and support of her loved ones. Having become embroiled in a series of brawls during her stint in EOTB, including a well-publicised feud with Charlotte Crosby, Kayleigh admits she struggles to contain herself: 'I dont think before I say it. The brawls in Ex On The Beach saw Jemma Lucy and Kayleigh separated by security due to the epic nature of their fights which put other housemates at risk. Atop her on-screen rows, Kayleigh's on-screen romances have been equally prolific after enjoying a series of romps - including a bevy of steamy moments with former BB housemate Chloe Khan's ex-boyfriend Ashley Cain. Of her decision to head into Big Brother, she revealed: 'You will be put in an environment where you will either sink or swim with lots of different personalities.' No romps here! Kayleigh's saucy antics will no doubt be off the table as she is loved up with beau Conrad Williams Sizzling: Having become embroiled in a series of brawls during her stint in EOTB, including a well-publicised feud with Charlotte Crosby, Kayleigh admits she struggles to contain herself: 'I dont think before I say it Joining Kayleigh is Dreamboys dancer Lotan Carter, who hopes to 'break the stereotype' surrounding male strippers when he enters the house. The 28-year old's uncle is popular TV personality Louie Spence, with whom he once featured on reality show Pineapple Dance Studios. The Essex boy admits people often think he's arrogant because of his good looks but he admits he is then considered 'cheeky and charming'. Hunk: Joining Kayleigh is Dreamboys dancer Lotan Carter, the nephew of popular TV personality Louie Spence His reasoning behind the Big Brother appearance was: 'I want to lay it all bare and put myself through the test in this unique and intense experience.' As a male stripper, he is naturally proud of his body yet four years ago his ex-girlfriend revealed just how precious he treats his privates, as Tanya Bailey revealed he had insured his penis for an eye-watering 12million. She explained that he stated: 'Listen babe one of the lads at work had an accident. A fan grabbed his tackle a bit too hard and hes had to take two weeks off work. Weve had to take out insurance on our members. Now my willys worth 12m!' Saucy! As a male stripper, he is naturally proud of his body yet four years ago his ex-girlfriend revealed just how precious he treats his privates, as Tanya Bailey revealed he had insured his penis for an eye-watering 12million Cheeky! The 28-year old's uncle is popular TV personality Louie Spence, with whom he once featured on reality show Pineapple Dance Studios Sisters Hannah Agboola, 23, and Deborah Agboola, 25 come as a pair into the house, with the stunning duo headed in while hoping to influence fans on the outside. Deborah revealed her plans to live by her mother's motto in the house: 'If you want the sweetest banana you have to climb the highest tree'. She warned viewers that her and her sister often lock horns in 'battles'. Of her decision to enter BB, she said: 'I want to show the world single mums can be ambitious, successful and dont have to shy away and be locked up in our houses.' Here come the girls: Sisters Hannah Agboola and Deborah Agbool (left-right) are yet another pair headed into the house as two Heading in: Deborah, 25, revealed her plans to live by her mother's motto in the house: 'If you want the sweetest banana you have to climb the highest tree'. She warned viewers that her and her sister often lock horns in 'battles' Hannah is bringing glamour into the house as the reigning Miss Nigeria UK, as she delivers plans to inspire the youth of today's UK-born-Nigerians to embrace their culture. The stunner revealed she plans to use her influence to steer youths away from crime and gangs while also exhibiting her family and friendship values. Of heading into the Big Brother house, she said: 'I want to do Big Brother because I want to do something I have never done before, its a unique experience. I want to be challenged as a person. I want to do something outside of the box.' Posing up a storm: The stunners prepared for their entrance into the house by posing in seriously skimpy ensembles Glowing: Hannah, 23, is bringing glamour into the house as the reigning Miss Nigeria UK, as she delivers plans to inspire the youth of today's UK-born-Nigerians to embrace their culture Joining only a handful of people before them to enter as a couple, including Lisa Appleton and Mario Marconi and Spencer and Heidi Pratt, Imran Javeed and Sukhvinder Javeed are headed in as one. Sukhvinder, 38, is an entrepreneur from Leeds was raised in a Sikh family before marrying Imran in a Muslim ceremony aged just 17. No doubt bringing some flavour into the house, the contestant professed her bluntness is the best element of her personality and her impatience the worst. Of heading into the house, she said: 'I want to meet the world and I want the world to meet me too! Life is an amazing gift and if you arent on TV then who are you?' Happy couple: Husband and wife Imran Javeed and Sukhvinder Javeed are set for the house, as one of few couples who have entered the house as a pair Hot on her heels is husband Imran, 39, who was raised in a strict Muslim family and met Sukhvinder at the age of eight in school. He revealed their relationship was frowned upon and they would meet in private. Determined to show the UK what a 'Modern Muslim' is right. He explained: 'I want to show my children how to be a good person. 'I want to be an example to the next generation as well and let them know its not all about social media.' Big Brother: Live Launch, Monday 5th June at 8.30pm on Channel 5 She's just spent a week going from one red carpet event to another at the Cannes Film Festival. And Naomi Campbell, 47, was straight back into the action on Thursday, appearing in a stunning white gown at the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week Gala and Awards Ceremony. Joining her at the glitzy Monaco Oceanographic Museum launch were a host of stars including Swedish model Victoria Silvstedt, 42. Scroll down for video Stunning: Naomi Campbell, 47, glowed in a figure-hugging gown at the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week Gala on Thursday Quite a guest list: Joining her at the glitzy Monaco Oceanographic Museum launch were a host of stars including Swedish model Victoria Silvstedt, 42 Naomi looked spectacular in the figure-hugging item, which was a summery white with gold details at the edges. It plunged right down to the floor, offering a hint of Naomi's gladiator heels as she strutted past the banks of cameras. The model accessorised with a pearl necklace and a brightly coloured bracelet on her right wrist. Sunny delight: Victoria opted for an eye-catching apricot gown with a cut-out detail to flaunt her toned arms Poise: Her platinum locks tumbled down her shoulders as she cut her poses at the the bottom of a flight of marble stairs Victoria, meanwhile, opted for an eye-catching apricot gown with a cut-out detail to flaunt her toned arms. Her platinum locks tumbled down her shoulders as she cut her poses at the bottom of a flight of marble stairs. Completing her look was a statement gold belt slung around her waist. Centre of attention: Naomi looked spectacular in the figure-hugging item, which was a summery white with gold details at the edges Turning heads: It plunged right down to the floor, offering a hint of Naomi's gladiator heels Speaking out: The model accessorised with a pearl necklace and a brightly coloured bracelet on her right wrist Enjoying the party: The model looked her usual glamorous self as she set down at a table laid for a lavish dinner Primed for the cameras: Naomi posed for pictures before mingling with her fellow stars Victoria also opted for a pair of heels and accessorised with a wristwatch with a pink strap. The girlfriend of US actor Adrien Brody, Lara Lieto, was also at the ceremony. Lara rocked a white net dress which cut out at her chest, showcasing her ample assets. Its long, billowing trail hid a pair of sparkling silver heels. Line-up: Naomi had her photo taken with, from left to right, Chiara Boni, Nima Benati and Federica Nardoni Spinetta Networker: Naomi is known for her work in bringing the fashion world together for good causes. She is pictured on the steps on the Oceanographic Museum with Federica Good friends: The pair looked very comfortable in each other's company as they posed for photographs In the spotlight: Naomi gave a speech at the event, which kicked off the three day fashion festival Happy couple: Andrea Casiraghi, 32, and Tatiana Santo Domingo Casiraghi walk together towards the ceremony The Monte-Carlo Fashion Week goes on from Thursday, June 1 to Saturday, June 3. It supports the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which was launched in December 2012 to raise to teach children how to swim safely. The runway will be closed on Friday by Italian designer Chiara Boni with her collection Chiara Boni - La Petite Robe. Lavish: The museum's main hall was decked out in all its finery for the event, with guests seated on three long tables Posing: Photographer Nima Benati was one of the many stars to pose on the marble stairs Time ahead: The Monte-Carlo Fashion Week goes on from Thursday, June 1 to Saturday, June 3. Pictured: Lara posing for the cameras Good causes: It supports the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which was launched in December 2012 to raise to teach children how to swim safely Almost every morning this star takes time out to have a little snuggle session with her youngest - and makes sure to record the moment. Katherine Heigl has shared a series of photos taken of herself and her son Joshua Jr. over the last six moths since he was born. Sharing some of her favorite pictures on Instagram on Friday, the 38-year-old told fans she is making sure her loved ones come before her career. Her little snuggle bug: Katherine Heigl has shared a series of photos on Friday taken of herself and her son Joshua Jr. over the last six moths since he was born In a lengthy caption the Grey's Anatomy star described the pictures as 'an evolution of Joshua Jr's and my mornings together' which included their very first one. The actress wrote: 'I can not believe how big he's gotten, how fast the time flies. 'My mantra today and everyday with my kids is "I am living in the moment, focused on the moment, loving what is and surging with peace, love and bliss." 'I am determined not to let this extraordinary time with my family slip through my fingers while I'm busy busy busy with everything else!' Baby's first cuddle: In a lengthy caption the Grey's Anatomy star described the pictures as 'an evolution of Joshua Jr's and my mornings together' which included their very first one Big boy: The actress wrote, 'I can not believe how big he's gotten, how fast the time flies Katherine and husband Josh Kelley welcomed son Joshua Bishop Kelley Jr. into the world on December 20. Joshua is their first son and the couple also have two daughters, Nancy, 8, and Adelaide, 5. Nancy was adopted from South Korea while Adelaide was born in the US and then adopted by the couple. She has received the seal of approval from her beau's sister Frankie Essex. And Georgie Purves puckered up with boyfriend Joey Essex as the pair hit an Ibiza beach bar on their sun-soaked holiday. The stylist, 21, looked relaxed in a floral kaftan, with an applique olive green bikini top. Pucker up: Joey Essex and girlfriend Georgie Purves were spotted kissing at a beach bar in Ibiza as the pair had lunch together She paired the top with embroidered denim shorts and accessorised with two gold necklaces. Georgie shielded her eyes with a pair of rounded sunglasses and left her chestnut tresses down as she relaxed in the sun. The stylist busied herself with adjusting the parasol on top of their table and the couple enjoyed an intimate smooch when they were settled. In a loving gesture, Georgie placed a hand on Joey's arm as the pair had a chat over lunch. Casual: Stylist Georgie, 21, looked relaxed in a black and green floral kaftan, which she teamed with an olive green bikini top Staying safe: Georgie busied herself with adjusting the parasol on top of their table in a bid to stay out of the sun Loving gesture: Georgie placed a hand on Joey's shoulder as the pair had a conversation at the beach bar Joey looked like he was enjoying the balmy weather in a white t-shirt with a blue, orange and pink graphic. The reality star paired the look with black shorts and protected himself from the sun with a pair of black specs and a grey bucket hat. But even though his sister Frankie has given her seal of approval, Joey has remained coy about whether they are official. Stylish pair: Georgie accessorised her look with two gold necklaces and a pair of rounded black sunglasses The look of love: The pair had a good laugh during lunch as Georgie put her hand behind Joey's neck He told MailOnline: 'Oh Georgie! Thats more of a casual thing, Im always seeing someone but its not serious, shes been a friend for a while so Frankie has met her and approved but its nothing official. The couple are rumoured to have been dating for months and have been spotted shopping in London together. A source told MailOnline in April: 'They've been dating for several months now, but things have been hotting up of late. Table manners: Joey was obviously hungry as he stuffed some food into his mouth Keeping it casual: Georgie wore a pair of ripped denim shorts with stacked trainers to the beach bar Mopping up: Joey dabbed a napkin to his face after he finished his lunch as Georgie leaned in to help Cheery: The couple grinned when they noticed the cameras as Joey had a phone conversation at the table 'They went to Dubai last month and they spent Christmas together. He also met all of her friends at her 21st birthday party.' 'While they've known each other for a while, things got more serious in the last few months - and they have even talked about moving in together.' Joey's first high profile relationship was played out on TOWIE with fellow cast mate Samantha Faiers, 26. Beach holiday: The couple ate lunch by a shop selling beach and summer clothes Distracted: While Joey was away from the table, Georgie kept herself entertained on her phone New flames: The couple are rumoured to have been dating for months and have been spotted shopping in London together Are they serious? But even though sister Frankie Essex has given her seal of approval, Joey has remained coy about whether they are official The pair dated for three years on and off before splitting for good in September 2014. Sam revealed in her tell-all autobiography Secrets And Lies that one of the main nails in the coffin of their relationship was Joey's flirtatious antics on the 2014 series I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. Joey's next relationship in the limelight was with Made In Chelsea star and US born socialite, Stephanie Pratt, 31, although it's unconfirmed whether he was also dating Georgie during this period. Romance rumours: A source told MailOnline in April: 'They've been dating for several months now, but things have been hotting up of late. Life on camera: Joey's first high profile relationship was played out on TOWIE with fellow cast mate Samantha Faiers Previously unlucky in love: Sam revealed that one of the main nails in the coffin of their relationship was Joey's flirtatious antics on the 2014 series I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Digging in: Reality star Joey Essex has appeared on TOWIE, I'm a Celeb, the Jump and Celebs Go Dating The pair met on E4 dating show Celebs Go Dating, and broke the terms of the 'no dating fellow celebs' contract to embark on a three-month relationship before splitting in October 2016, citing their differences as a main cause. A source told MailOnline: 'It's true that Steph and Joey have broken up. It hasn't worked out for a number of reasons, one of which was their schedules.' 'When Steph was in LA she suggested that perhaps they should see other people because they were just from two very different worlds.' Reality star girlfriends: Joey's next relationship in the limelight was with Made In Chelsea star and US born socialite, Stephanie Pratt Time away together: The couple looked loved up as they shared a smooch on the beach Hotting up: A source told MailOnline: 'While they've known each other for a while, things got more serious in the last few months - and they have even talked about moving in together' Two weeks ago, he revealed that he and his husband Carl Hyland had become dads to son Chase and daughter Phoebe Rae in a cute Twitter post. And now, a fortnight of fatherhood later, Kieron Richardson has spoken about his new role as the parent of newborn twins. Speaking on Facebook's Hollyoaks Social Live, when asked if he's had any sleep lately, the 31-year-old soap actor responded: 'Chase and Phoebe are quite good sleepers so its not been too bad.' Scroll down for video 'He nearly weed in my mouth!' Kieron Richardson has spoken about the perils of fatherhood... and revealed he chose the names of newborn twins Chase and Phoebe in a chicken restaurant However, in a less idyllic revelation, Kieron added: 'Chase has weed nearly in my mouth!' Discussing how he came to choose the babies' names, the Hollyoaks star said: 'We had the books, went on the internet and searched every single name possible! 'And then we went to a chicken restaurant the other week and [their names] were decided in a chicken restaurant.' The actor made the announcement that the twins had arrived by posting a snap of the babies' hospital bands, alongside the caption: 'Welcome Chase and Phoebe Rae.' Sweet announcement: The Hollyoaks star, 31, made the announcement by posting a snap of the babies' hospital bands The sweet snap revealed that the twins were born on Monday, at 6.11pm and 6.34pm respectively. The actor had revealed over Christmas that he and Carl were expecting twins, making the announcement in an adorable festive-themed video. The clip showed two 'Baby on board' signs hung up on a Christmas tree, before revealing Kieron and Carl sat on the floor opening a present. New parents: Kieron Richardson has revealed that he and his beau have become fathers to son Chase and daughter Phoebe Rae in a cute Twitter post When they removed the wrapping, the gift was a large piece of card which read: 'Twins coming 2017' The caption on the video read: 'Merry christmas to us thanks to the British surrogacy centre (sic)' Kieron then revealed the gender of the babies - a boy and a girl - in January, gushing that he and Karl were set to welcome their 'very own Prince and Princess'. Confirming the news to the Digital Spy, the actor explained: 'Our mums have done most of the buying [for the babies] so far. Baby joy: The couple revealed they would become proud fathers to twins in a sweet Instagram video, which they shared last December 'We wanted to wait to see whether we needed to buy pink or blue, but now we know we can buy both colours, as we're having our very own Prince and Princess.' Kieron's Hollyoaks alter-ego, Ste Hay, is a father to little Leah and Lucas, but admitted he does not plan to name the twins after his on-screen children. He joked: 'I've had the best training ever with little Leah and Lucas, although we won't be calling the twins Leah and Lucas - that would be weird'. The greatest gift: The couple shared the news in a festive-themed video, which showed two 'Baby on board' signs hung up on a Christmas tree The couple's baby joy comes just 10 months after Kieron revealed they had been struggling to conceive a baby through IVF and were concerned they weren't going to ever have a family of their own. Speaking at the time, he told The Mirror: 'We were hoping to have a baby this year. Unfortunately, like anyone who is trying for a baby through IVF - whether they are gay couples or not - it is a lottery. 'We have tried it four times, with the same surrogate mum, and we have fallen into that 30% bracket of it not working. 'But we have not given up the fight and are still continuing. We are going to keep trying until it is successful.' Past, future, present: The caption on the video read: 'Merry Christmas to us thanks to the British surrogacy centre (sic)' Relief: The happy news came after the actor revealed that the pair had been struggling to conceive a baby through IVF after four failed attempts The couple married in April 2015 in front of Kieron's co-stars at a romantic ceremony in the the Peak District. The loved-up pair posed for photographs in front of Devonshire Dome in Buxton Derbyshire, with as many as 12 bridesmaids, including Stephanie Davis, Jennifer Metcalfe and Gemma Merna. The pair announced their engagement in 2014 after seven years together. Kieron came out in 2010 when he revealed on television that he was gay like his on-screen character Ste. Part of Brad Pitt's reason for starring in his new darkly comic Netflix movie War Machine, on which he's also a producer, was his paternal feeling. Allowing that 'Maybe I'm projecting, as a father,' he said that 'if we really wanna support our troops, we need a true assessment of what we're expending life and limb on, because we're talking about people,' in a Netflix featurette on YouTube. Though a fictional movie, War Machine is adapted from the 2012 Michael Hastings book The Operators: The Wild And Terrifying Inside Story Of America's War In Afghanistan, which focuses on tough-taking U.S. General Stanley McChrystal. Scroll down for video Part of Brad Pitt's reason for starring in his new darkly comic Netflix movie War Machine, on which he's also a producer, was his paternal feeling Brad, who plays the McChrystal analog General Glen McMahon, recalled visiting a military hospital to Jim Jeffries, saying that of course, 'It's very sobering.' The 53-year-old said: 'You see young soldiers permanently damaged, physically and mentally, and they're, you know, they're fighting the good fight. The're soldiers, and trying to keep good, you know, strong spirits.' Of his own performance in War Machine, the Inglourious Basterds star said: 'I went big, because we want to present it in an absurd fashion, and we want it to be funny.' With Jim Jeffries: Noting that 'Maybe I'm projecting, as a father,' he said that 'if we really wanna support our troops, we need a true assessment of what we're expending life and limb on' Basis: Though a fictional movie, War Machine is adapted from the 2012 Michael Hastings book The Operators, which focuses on tough-taking U.S. General Stanley McChrystal He gave his belief that 'Comedy gives us the ability to laugh at ourselves and bring up some very serious questions,' and described the film 'as a template to talk about this premise that we're American, and everyone wants what we want, that military might is going to solve all our problems.' Brad's averred that 'what we've seen is that premise is wrong. It just has made more of a mess,' and pointed to 'this constant conflict between the military, the Pentagon, the executive branch and the media, pulling the decision-making process.' Expounding on the benefits of a Netflix release, Brad noted: 'It's really difficult for studios to do material like this - complicated, complex, gutsy material - because the gamble's so big for them financially.' Broad: Of his own performance in War Machine, the Inglourious Basterds star said: 'I went big, because we want to present it in an absurd fashion, and we want it to be funny' Taking on the big issues: He gave his belief that 'Comedy gives us the ability to laugh at ourselves and bring up some very serious questions' Meanwhile, 'now, with Netflix, it's a much more interesting direction,' and to hear Brad tell it: 'I don't know that this film would exist without it.' Quoth Brad: 'We're in a polarized state, and we need opinions. We need people to speak out,' which is 'one of our hopes with this film.' Brad is the parent of six children with his estranged second wife Angelina Jolie, for whom he'd infamously left his first wife Jennifer Aniston in 2005. Written and directed by David Michod, War Machine features a cast that includes Ben Kingsley, Anthony Michael Hall and Tilda Swinton, and it came out May 26. Kim Kardashian posted an impassioned piece about gun control on her website on Friday to mark National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Like many other celebrities the reality star urged her fans to wear orange in recognition of the movement. Kim, 36, who works with gun control organization Everytown, started her post on kimkardashianwest.com with some shocking facts. Issue close to her heart: Kim Kardashian took to her website to mark National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Friday 'Right now, there are more guns owned by civilians in this country than in any other country in the world.' she wrote. 'In February of this year President Trump actually signed a bill revoking a regulation recommended by President Obama that would have added 75,000 names of people with registered mental illness to a national background check database. This is crazy!' the mother-of-two wrote. The issue has long been close to Kim's heart, even before she became a victim of gun crime herself during the jewelry heist in October. Passionate: The 36-year-old star urged her fans to wear orange in recognition of the movement 'Is it more important to protect the second amendment than to protect our own children?' Kim wrote in her post. She is pictured with daughter North last month 'Is it more important to protect the second amendment than to protect our own children? Maybe you think so, maybe you don't- But it's important for us to at least continue to discuss and debate this openly, and to bring attention to the reality of gun violence and gun control.' According to the website Everytown for Gun Safety 'is a movement of Americans fighting for common-sense reforms to reduce gun violence.' The site also states a worrying statistic, that gun violence kills more than 90 Americans a day and injures hundreds more. Kim continued her post: 'I'm not against guns and I'm not against people owning guns. After what happened to me in Paris, I know how important it is to be safe and to have armed security. 'I know how important it is to be safe': Kim said her security staff also support stricter gun laws 'We all have a voice and a right to feel safe, to be protected from people who are a threat.' Kim wrote. She is pictured with husband Kanye in April Speaking out: Julianne Moore showed her support by sharing photos of some of the victims on her Instagram 'But they also support stricter gun control laws and believe that we should restrict access to firearms for people with mental illness, anyone previously convicted of a misdemeanor, those who have been subject to a temporary restraining order and those at a higher risk of committing gun violence.' She concluded her message with: 'We all have a voice and a right to feel safe, to be protected from people who are a threat.' Kim was just one of many celebrities showing their support for the cause on Friday including Amy Schumer, Julianne Moore and Ron Howard. Ron Howard, his wife Cheryl and daughter Bryce Dallas Howard didn't need to wear red thanks to their hair She claimed her marriage was done and dusted in November when her divorce came through - until a judge reversed the ruling in March. Now Phaedra Parks has talked about the frustration of restarting proceedings against her ex, Apollo Nida. The former businessman is serving an eight-year sentence at New Jerseys FCI Fort Dix correctional facility for bank fraud and identity theft. Beginning again: Phaedra Parks has dished about the frustration of restarting divorce proceedings against her jailbird ex, Apollo Nida, both seen on the Real Housewives Of Atlanta in March 2014, after a judge reversed an earlier ruling 'I assumed that I had regained my independence and a new start,' the 43-year-old said to Us on Friday 'So to be placed back into a position where I have to do it all over again its disheartening but its a process and I cant obviously change it.' The judge threw the case out after she 'intentionally misspelled the parties names' and mislead her 38-year-old ex into thinking he could attend hearings, according to legal papers obtained by TMZ at the time. Phaedra insisted that those accusations were simply not true. A new start: 'I assumed I had regained my independence,' the 43-year-old dished on Friday about Apollo, seen at an event in Atlanta in November 2013. 'So to be back in a position where I have to do it all over again its disheartening' Fur baby: Phaedra was seen at New York Fashion Week in February before learning of her new divorce tribulation 'There was never any intention of keeping him out of the loop,' the Housewives star said. 'He was very active throughout the process.' The divorce is now back in the discovery phase of legal proceedings, although the reality star and lawyer said her team had 'made some motions that will hopefully speed it up,' she explained. 'Its very frustrating, its very expensive, its very emotionally draining and time consuming. But it is what it is and so Ill go through the process again and well see what happens this time. Hopefully it wont take as long as it did the first time.' Having a ball: The beauty put her troubles behind her to go to celebrity stylist Jeremy Haynes' birthday on May 8 at the Banco Lounge in Atlanta, Georgia Meanwhile, she is focusing on the two boys she shares with Apollo, Dylan, seven, and Ayden, five, and her Phaedra Foundation, which returns to Flint, Michigan, this summer for another camp session for local youth. 'Im actually going to take the boys with me to camp in Michigan because I want them to just see how other people live, and I want them to be able to appreciate overnight camp as well,' she told Us. 'Well camp out for a week with the Flint campers.' Giving back: She and her sons with Apollo, seven-year-old Dylan and five-year-old Ayden, went to Santa's Secret Workshop benefitting L.A. Family Housing on December 3, in Hollywood She's also planning trips to the Florida, the Grand Canyon, national parks in Utah and a weeklong stay in Italy. And it remains to be seen whether she returns to RHOA. Apollo has moved on with his life despite being holed up. He got engaged to Pennsylvania realtor Sherien Almufti on November 14. Hanging with the girls: Phaedra, standing on the left of RHOA host Andy Cohen, celebrated a reunion with her Bravo show reality co-stars in March . The couple sparked split speculation as they were pictured having an emotionally-charged conversation in a London cafe last month. But Sadie Frost and Darren Strowger looked more loved-up than ever when they attended Ladies Day of the 2017 Investec Derby Festival at The Jockey Club's Epsom Downs Racecourse on Friday. Wrapping her arm securely around her multimillionaire beau's waist, the 51-year-old looked effortless elegant in an emerald green gown. Scroll down for video Love is in the air! Sadie Frost and Darren Strowger put on cosy display at Ladies Day of the 2017 Investec Derby Festival at The Jockey Club's Epsom Downs Racecourse on Friday The English actress cut an hourglass figure in the glamorous garment, complete with billowing sleeves. Stepping out with confidence, she matched her stunning evening attire with a pair of sky-scraper heels in the same colour. The fashion designer wore her trademark choppy bob tucked behind her ears which teased her statement sterling earrings. Sensational! The English actress, 51, cut an hourglass figure in the glamorous garment, complete with billowing sleeves Sadie accentuated her age-defying beauty with deftly touches of natural makeup. Head-over-heels in love, Darren couldn't keep his hands off his long-term girlfriend as they put on a cosy display at the event. The 50-year-old dressed to impress in a crisp white shirt, black tie and smart suit jacket for the occasion. Natural beauty! Sadie accentuated her age-defying beauty with deftly touches of light makeup Sadie recently gushed about how Darren was the 'perfect' man for her in a recent magazine interview. She told Closer magazine: 'Darren is lovely, and we do exciting things together. 'He is very confident, very extrovert, generous and romantic. He's rather perfect.' Heart-wrenching pictures captured the emotional scenes when the pair had met at a north London cafe last month. She's got style! The fashion designer matched her stunning evening attire with a pair of sky-scraper heels in the same colour The couple shortly left after an awkward exchange, with onlookers claiming Darren left in tears. An insider told The Mirror: 'Sadie looked really upset, she put her hand on Darrens head and handed him her ring. 'She looked particularly downbeat as they left the cafe and Darren was crying.' Here come the girls! Betty Bachz, Sadie and Charlotte Tilbury (L-R) looked glamorous for the day's events Sadie has been married twice before, she was first married to Spandau Ballet guitarist Gary Kemp when she was just 22 in 1988 but the couple split in 1995. The former flames share son Finlay, 25, from their five years of marriage. Sadie went onto marry Hollywood heartthrob Jude Law in 1997 after they met on the movie set of Shopping. They raise three children together (Rafferty, 18, Iris, 16, and Rudy, 13) but split romantically in 2003. Cosy! Darren wrapped his arms around his long term girlfriend as they posed for photos with Kara, Dougie Poynter, Betty, Sophie Hopkins, Charlotte and Sascha Nishikawa-Bailey Renee Zellweger has been dating Doyle Bramhall II for five years. Often the blonde Bridget Jones' Diary star does not talk about the guitarist. But when stopping by the Changemaker Gala at the Greenwich International Film Festival in Connecticut on Thursday, the beauty gushed about him. 'He's a special person!' she told UsWeekly. Close: Renee Zellweger has been dating Doyle Bramhall II for five years. And on Thursday she said he was a 'very special person'; here they are seen in February Her family: When stopping by the Changemaker Gala at the Greenwich International Film Festival in Connecticut on Thursday, she posed with her brother Andrew The 48-year-old Vogue cover girl and the musician have known each other since she attended University of Texas in the early Nineties. When they met up in LA decades later, romance sparked. In the past she has dated Bradley Cooper, Jack White, Jim Carrey and there were rumours she romanced George Clooney. Another pal: Here Renee is seen with brother Andrew as well as Colleen deVeer Stuck with family: Here she is posed with Andrew, who wore a black t-shirt with a dark two-piece suit Say cheese: The siblings appeared relaxed as Drew took time to snap selfies with his famous sister She was married for four months to Kenny Chesney in 2005. At the event she also posed with her brother, 49, a marketing executive. The film star was also seen with pal Colleen deVeer. The Cold Mountain actress looked pretty in a little black dress as she was honored at the festival's opening night. Zellweger wore her dark blonde hair in a ponytail with loose strands framing her face and added a pair of shiny silver pumps. Star power: Zellweger looked simply sensational in a little black dress Red carpet ready: The 48-year-old actress rocked a mini dress that showed off her very toned bare legs and she added height with towering shiny silver heels Au naturel: The Bridget Jones star appeared to be make-up free, showing off her natural beauty with her dark blonde hair tied into a ponytail with strands left loose to frame her face Joining Zellweger at the event was fellow honoree Christy Turlington. The former supermodel, 48, was without actor husband Ed Burns. She looked fabulous in a black and white patterned dress paired with a cropped white tasseled jacket. She paired the calf-length number with black mesh sandal heels. A pair of beauties: Joining Zellweger at the event was fellow honoree Christy Turlington Simply stylish: The former supermodel, 48, looked fabulous in a black and white patterned dress paired with a cropped white tasseled jacket and black mesh sandal heels Supermodel: Turlington, who is married to actor Ed Burns, looked radiant with her long brunette locks styled back from her face The host for the gala was former first daughter Jenna Bush Hager. The 35-year-old also chose to wear black, opting for a knee-length frock with semi sheer long sleeves. She carried a black clutch but decided on nude open-toed shoes that revealed red nail polish on her toes. In charge: The host for the gala was former first daughter Jenna Bush Hager, 35, who wore a knee-length black frock with semi sheer long sleeves and open-toed nude heels In the spotlight: The trio lit up the red carpet at the Connecticut film festival Dr. Tim Wilson, Advanced Technology Department chair at Cleveland State Community College, attended the Siemens Technik Akademie in Berlin, Germany where he received the Instructors Level II Siemens Mechatronics Systems Certification. The Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program is a comprehensive industry skills certification offered with partner colleges and universities throughout North America, Asia and Africa. The central theme for this program is the systems approach, a special set of teaching and learning methods developed over 25 years in Siemens technical schools in Germany, officials said. Dr. Wilson receiving this globally recognized certification enables CSCC to offer Level II mechatronics technology certification training. Dr. Wilson had already received his Level I training through Motlow State Community College in 2016, but the Level II is only offered in Berlin, Germany. Other CSCC instructors will be receiving Level I training this summer, and the college is currently working with local high schools for mechatronics pathways, as well as other four-year colleges to develop 2+2 articulations. Students would be able to complete two years at CSCC and transfer to other four-year universities where they would receive their Level III training by earning a bachelors of applied science in engineering technology management with a concentration in engineering management. Motlow State was the first in the state to implement the SMSCP, and they have been fantastic partners for us ensuring our success in implementing the SMSCP, stated Dr. Wilson. We are one of only four in a system of 13 community colleges to receive Level II status and offer mechatronics SMSCP training. A student can now receive Level I training at CSCC with only four classes, so it is possible for him/her to receive the certification in one semester. Students can start in August and are qualified to take the Level I certification in December. Then, the following semester, they can finish their certificate from the college. So, in one year, they will have two credentials. We have the perfect pathway, stated Dr. Wilson. I describe it like an interstate. You can get off the certificate exit and enter the workforce, but you can also get back on the ramp and continue on to the next exit, the A.A.S. exit, or if you want to continue, you can get off at the next exit to complete your B.A.S.. But it doesnt stop there. You can even continue on and further your education by getting your masters degree. Dr. Wilson continued, To get your B.A.S., not only do you understand the technology and how it works, how to repair it and how it functions, but you are also setting yourself up for leadership and team leader and superintendent positions because you also understand the business, the techniques and technologies, and leadership making you the perfect liaison between the administration and your reliability teamThis is all an answer to industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (I.O.T.) which will prepare people for the present and future advancement in manufacturing processes. The Mechatronics technology program (Level I) at CSCC will be a cohort of two classes with 15 students each, two days a week for 15 weeks. Mechatronics technology is only one of many programs in advanced technologies at CSCC in the fall. In addition to the mechatronics technology A.A.S. and certificate, the college currently offers the following degrees and certificates: ? Welding Certificate ? Engineering Systems Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree / Certificate ? Electro-Mechanical Associate of Applied Science Degree / Electrical Certificate / Mechanical Certificate ? Electrical Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science / Electrical Certificate ? Computer Information Technology Associate of Applied Science / Certificate ? Climate Control Technology Technical Certificate The welding certificate and an electrical maintenance certificate are also offered at the CSCC Monroe County Center. For more information on the mechatronics technology program or any other advanced technologies, contact Dr. Wilson at 423-472-7141, ext. 447. Danielle Lloyd was forced to use to a wheelchair on her family trip to Dubai as she struggled to cope with the pain of her SPD Symphysis pubis dysfunction. The pregnant reality star, 33, recently revealed she has suffered with the condition through all of her pregnancies - which causes swelling and pain on the pelvic bone. She was seen enjoying IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai with her fiance Michael O' Neil and her three children on Thursday, but was forced to use a wheelchair for much of the outing. Scroll down for video Ouch: Danielle Lloyd was forced to use to a wheelchair on her family trip to Dubai as she struggled to cope with the pain of her SPD Symphysis pubis dysfunction The outing came just hours before she revealed she had rushed herself to hospital as she was concerned about going into early labour, which she experienced with middle child, Harry. Writing in her OK! blog, she explained: 'I always try and get on with things but I want to avoid what happened with Harry at all costs so Im going straight to the hospital to get checked out. I also feel like Im suffering with Braxton Hicks which is far too early.' She added: 'The flight home was a bit of a scare as when I was walking, it felt like the baby was pushing down and I nearly passed out once I sat down. I felt better after a sleep but I still really want to get checked out.' Loving life: Danielle was seen enjoying IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai with her fiance Michael O' Neil and her three children, Harry, George and Archie, on Thursday Danielle looked happy and healthy on her family outing though as she showed off her beautiful baby bump in a cream midi dress. Skimming over her pregnancy curves, the dress featured a stylish peplum hem which showed off her tanned and toned pins, whilst she sensibly chose a pair of flat sandals. Wearing minimal make-up, the brunette beauty - who shares sons Harry, George and Archie with her ex-husband Jamie O'Hara - radiated with a healthy pregnancy glow on the outing. Taking it easy: The pregnant reality star, 33, recently revealed she has suffered with SPD through all of her pregnancies - which causes swelling and pain on the pelvic bone Coming through! Danielle hugged her little ones as Michael helpfully wheeled her along Moving along: Danielle seemed in good spirits despite suffering pelvic pain Happy families: Danielle cuddled her sons close as they enjoyed the resort Whilst she appeared to enjoy her holiday, she recently revealed she's been the victim of cruel trolls, who claimed she looked like a 'washed up whale' as she flaunted her beautiful bump on the beach during the getaway. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the model revealed she had targeted by horrific taunts, as she insisted she was 'proud' of her body. Addressing her 425,000 followers she wrote: 'To all the people writing horrible comments saying I look like a washed up whale in these pictures I won't let you get me down and try and body shame a pregnant women! Happy times: Danielle beamed as she posed for snaps with her little ones Looking good: Danielle was still smiling through the pain as she was wheeled along 'No women should be shamed for the way they look am proud of my body yes I've got fat yes I've got cellulite at least I don't air brush my pictures am real... and if u don't like it [two finger emoji].' Immediately being inundated by comments from concerned fans, her followers wrote messages of support such as 'u look amazing ignore those dumb troll haters', and 'Just ignore all the bullies! You look stunning and really happy'. Danielle - who shares sons Archie, six, Harry, five and George, three with ex-husband Jamie O'Hara - announced she was expecting her fourth child in February. Bit of all white! Danielle looked happy and healthy on her family outing though as she showed off her beautiful baby bump in a cream midi dress Sensible and stylish: Skimming over her pregnancy curves, the dress featured a stylish peplum hem which showed off her tanned and toned pins, whilst she sensibly chose a pair of flat shoes Super-family! Danielle and Micheal posed for fun and quirky snaps with their little boys The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant is happier than ever with Michael, who she got engaged to after a romantic proposal on Valentine's Day last year. The expectant mother found out she is going to give birth to another boy but previously confessed it is her dream to have a girl. She told Closer magazine: 'It's always been my dream to have a girl but I'd be fine with the four boys. Michael wants another baby, but I wouldn't risk another boy. He's looked at gender selection, so we could do that. 'I was shocked when I first learned I was having a son. Michael was scared I was going to be disappointed but I've come to terms with the fact I'm having a boy.' You won't like her when she's angry! Danielle showed off her fun side as she posed as the Hulk All smiles: The CBB star seemed in great spirits as she larked around at the centre All together now: Danielle and her brood were also joined by her mother Jackie Holding hands: The family unit cuddled up close to each other as they left the centre Cute kids: The family all seemed chirpy as they strode out in the sunshine Matching: Micheal donned the same shorts as the little ones Earlier this year, Danielle revealed that her beau had been concerned about her health in the early stages of pregnancy due to the stress from her ex-husband Jamie appearing on Celebrity Big Brother. She said: 'Michael was so worried about my stress levels while Jamie was on CBB. I had heart palpitations watching it, and then had to deal with the stress of people trolling me. The former glamour model was reported to have kept her pregnancy secret until she had her three-month scan. Sources had told The Sun that she was 'excited' to have something to 'focus on' for the future, and will welcome the tot into world in August. Cute: Danielle cheered up her brood by showing them stuffed animals and cuddly toys Taking it easy: The boys took advantage of the wheelchair when Danielle wasn't in it Sweet: Jackie helped out with the kids as they played games at the centre Plenty of fish in the park: Jackie and Danielle went head to head as they played games Eyes on the prize: Danielle seemed to be after catching the cuddly toy All together now: The family seemed to be enjoying their day out Feels fishy: The family were enjoying playing a game All smiles: The family were in chirpy spirits as they played the game Trista Sutter's vacation became more like a nightmare when she suffered a dramatic seizure, collapsing on her daughter's chest as her son watched on. The former Bachelorette star has a son Maxwell, nine, and daughter Blakesley, eight, with husband Ryan Sutter, who were all on vacation in Croatia during the scary ordeal. On Friday she shared a photo on Instagram from her hospital bed with a lengthy caption describing what happened as well as her new lease on life. Scary: Former Bachelorette Trista Sutter shared this photo from her hospital bed after suffering a seizure while on vacation in Croatia 'This was me yesterday....two hours after I had a seizure....two hours after I fell on my daughter's chest & she watched, along with her brother & grandparents, in confusion & horror as her mommy stared blankly off into the distance & started turning blue,' she explained. 'Instead, I ended up in a euphoric white dream that the voices of my husband and daughter pulled me from and I ended up in a Croatian hospital being poked and prodded and wondering "why me?" But today, I had to ask, "why not me"? I'm human.' 'I have an expiration date,' she said in the introspective post. Family vacation: They were in Croatia to celebrate her husband Ryan's mother Barb, seen here with her grandchildren in this Instagram photo Longtime love: Trista and Ryan have been married since 2003 after meeting on reality TV 'I've always envisioned that date being sometime after my kids have graduated college, met the loves of their lives and created families of their own, but I was reminded yesterday that it could come anytime, in any country, whether I'm surrounded by strangers or people I love, or neither, or both.' 'I've never been perfect and I never will be, but from here on out, I vow to try my best to live this life to the fullest.' 'Thank you to the kind tourists & Croatians who held my hand, wiped my tears, and hugged my kids. You will forever be remembered.' 'Some days don't go the way you planned': Ryan posted this photo with son Maxwell after the terrifying event New lease on life: 'I vow to try my best to live this life to the fullest,' she told her fans 'And lastly, thank you to my family, especially @ryansutter. Without you, I don't know that I would be here today. You are my everything and I love you forevermore.' 'If you've gotten this far, know that I don't share these words for your pity, but to inspire you to take them and be thankful for your life and blessings. Tell the people you love how you feel and live with grateful enthusiasm. She ended the post with 'I plan to.' Trista was the first Bachelorette to star on the ABC reality series in 2003 and met her husband Ryan on the show. He used to be known as TV's Mr Nasty. But Simon Cowell has shown he is anything but that, after hinting he planned to pay the 78,000 fee needed by a Britain's Got Talent hopeful for life-altering surgery. The media mogul, 57, admitted he would not be able to live with himself if he didn't do something to help 15-year-old Julia Carlile, who may never be able to dance again without the surgery. Scroll down for video Mr Nice: Simon Cowell has shown he is anything but TV's Mr Nasty, after hinting he planned to pay the 78,000 fee needed by a Britain's Got Talent hopeful for life-altering surgery Speaking to the Sun, the music mogul said: 'There's no way I would ever have her [Julia] on this show and say, it's all just about winning the 250,000. I couldn't do that. You would do the same thing. 'You get letters, you get calls. You have to draw the line at a certain point. But I think if someone comes on in this situation, to do nothing would be, well, I couldn't look at myself in the mirror. 'You create a connection. And I think with us, in this particular case, I think there is something we can do. There's no way I would ever say: 'Right, you came second, so it's all over'. Distressing: The media mogul, 57, admitted he would not be able to live with himself if he didn't do something to help 15-year-old Julia Carlile (pictured here during previous surgery a number of years ago), who may never be able to dance again without the surgery Earlier this week Alesha Dixon's golden buzzer act MerseyGirls - originally known as Just Us - soared through to the Britain's Got Talent finals after reducing her to tears with their emotional routine. One of the dancers, Julia, has scoliosis which could stop her from dancing again in later life, and she previously revealed that she would need $100,000 to fix her spine. She is now one step closer to pocketing the 250,000 top prize along with her troupe. Singing pensioners, The Pensionalities, also made the final on Thursday's show. Victorious: Alesha Dixon's golden buzzer act MerseyGirls - originally known as Just Us - soared through to the Britain's Got Talent finals after reducing her to tears with their routine The dance troupe - which consists of Annie and Alice, both 17, Rebecca, 16, Alice's sister Julia, 15, and 14-year-old Poppy - left Alesha in tears with their performance. She said: 'That was beautiful, I loved it, that dance was stunning, you have a great message for all the girls out there to stick together.' Amanda Holden added: 'You girls come alive when you're dancing. It was gorgeous, girls. Welling up: MerseyGirls - originally known as Just Us - didn't disappoint Alesha Dixon as she was reduced to tears after watching their emotional routine on Thursday's Britain's Got Talent Simon Cowell was also impressed as he promised them that this would not be the end of their journey, and hinted he would pay for the surgery. He vowed: 'Whatever happens, we're going to make sure you end up in a great place, don't worry.' Julia was born with curvature of the spine, or scoliosis, and is set to have surgery once her time on the show is over. Talented: Addressing the dance troupe - which consists of Annie and Alice, both 17, Rebecca, 16, Alice's sister Julia, 15, and 14-year-old Poppy - Alesha was unable to hold back her tears Because the procedure involves inserting titanium rods into the base of the spine, her movement will be restricted, which means her dancing career will almost certainly be over. However, there is a glimmer of hope. A special operation available in America would allow Julia to continue performing but she can afford it only if the group wins the talent contest and she gets her share of the 250,000 top prize. After the auditions, Julia revealed: 'There is an operation called tethering surgery but it's too expensive. After that you can actually dance, but we just couldn't afford it. Expert help: Leading spinal surgeon Evan Davies offered to help Julia on Friday, after hearing about her story 'It costs around $100,000 and it's in America. But if we won Britain's Got Talent then I could possibly have it and then dance for the rest of my life.' Speaking ahead of her semi-final performance, the talented teen admitted that she had been approached by strangers who had offered to pay for the life-changing surgery. In fact, leading spinal surgeon Evan Davies offered to help the BGT finalist on Friday, after hearing about her story. Mr Davies, who is a spinal surgeon at Southampton Children's Hospital, said: 'I am confident we can help Julia so would like to offer her and her family the chance to speak with me and my team. 'If Julia's family can get her x-rays and scans to me, I will review them and discuss with them what options are available to her.' He said the surgery may change how Julia dances but should not stop her from doing what she loves. The case had drawn criticism from rights groups, including the International Federation of Journalists, which has said it was a "brutal attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence critical voices" Two East Timor journalists accused of defaming the prime minister were found not guilty by a Dili court on Thursday, in a case that had sparked alarm among press freedom campaigners. Dozens of local journalists crowded the courtroom to support reporter Raimundos Oki and his former editor Lourenco Vicente Martins as the court ruled on a suit launched by Prime Minister Rui Aria de Araujo over an article in the Timor Post. "You are free, you can return to your normal activities and please be careful in reporting news," judge Ivan Goncalves told the district court in the nation's capital. After the verdict, Oki said he was relieved to be cleared and said the case would be seen as a bellwether for press freedom in Asia's youngest nation. "I am happy to hear the court's ruling that cleared me, I hope this can serve as a lesson for me and other journalists to not be afraid but still careful in writing a sensitive article," he said. Prosecutors had sought a one year jail term for Oki and a two-year suspended sentence for Martins for publishing the November 2015 article, which mentioned de Araujo's role in a computer tender during his previous role as advisor to the minister for finance. De Araujo objected to details in the piece and the Timor Post ran a front page clarification a few days later accompanied by an apology. But De Araujo, who became Prime Minister in 2015, opted to sue Oki and Martins for defamation, claiming the article hurt his reputation. The case drew criticism from rights groups, including the International Federation of Journalists, which last month said it was a "brutal attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence critical voices". In March this year tiny East Timor held its first presidential elections since the departure of United Nations peacekeepers in 2012, in a sign of growing stability 15 years after the country gained independence following Indonesia's brutal occupation. The vote sets the stage for more important parliamentary elections later in the year that will decide the next government and prime minister. Jason Dufner putts on the 16th hole during the first round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 1, 2017 in Dublin, Ohio Jason Dufner powered to a seven-under par 65 on Thursday to join Sweden's David Lingmerth atop the Memorial leaderboard, with Jordan Spieth one adrift and top-ranked Dustin Johnson nowhere. Sweden's Lingmerth, winner of the Jack Nicklaus-hosted PGA Tour event in Dublin, Ohio, in 2015, set the target early with a morning round that included eight birdies and one eagle, with three bogeys. Dufner answered with a stellar afternoon that saw him hit the first 17 greens in regulation on the way to six birdies and an eagle before his only bogey of the day at 18 dropped him into a tie for first. The leading pair were one stroke in front of Spieth and fellow American Daniel Summerhays on 66. "I caught some breaks when I missed the fairway and still had some fairly good opportunities from the rough," Lingmerth said. "I consistently put myself in good spots around the greens and was able to roll a few in." His lackluster results so far this season, however, had Lingmerth sounding a note of caution. "It's a very humbling game," he said. "There's a lot of work ahead this week and weeks to come obviously so I'm just trying to take one shot at a time." Dufner credited his round to crisp iron play that "put me in positions to have some looks at birdies". "I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, which gave me a lot of good opportunities," he said. Spieth, who finished with a share of second at Colonial Country Club in Texas on Sunday, teed off on 10 and followed three birdies in his first six holes with back-to-back bogeys. He rebounded, however, with five birdies on his inward run. "I hung in there," Spieth said. "My wedge play was awesome last week and it continued this week." David Lingmerth watches his tee shot on the 17th hole during the first round of the Memorial Tournament on June 1, 2017 in Dublin, Ohio Meanwhile Johnson, who will defend his maiden major title at the US Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin in two weeks, got off to a dismal start in this crucial tune-up. Johnson's six-over par 78 didn't include a single birdie. Johnson, who had three wins this season before he hurt his back in a fall that forced him out of the Masters in April, teed off on 10 and posted a triple-bogey six at the par-three 16th, where he was in the water. He also had a bogey and a double-bogey. It was a tough day, too, for former world number one Jason Day, who had six bogeys and three birdies in a three-over 75. World number nine Jon Rahm of Spain had a one-over 73 that included a double bogey at the par-four sixth. Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, who won his first US PGA tour title at the Memorial in 2014, shook off a tough front nine with four birdies coming in en route to a two-under 70. Matsuyama was among a group of 13 players sharing 13th place that also included five-time major winner Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said in a tweet that his city "stands with the world" and will continue to abide by the Paris climate agreement Donald Trump said he was championing the people of Pittsburgh by leaving the Paris climate accord. But the city's Mayor Bill Peduto did not take kindly to the shout-out. In announcing his pullout from a deal that failed to "put America first," the US president on Thursday cited the northeastern city saying: "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." But Peduto took issue with Trump's invocation of his city. "As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future," he posted in one of a feisty series of tweets that swiftly went viral. The president's decision to quit the 196-party accord sparked indignation at home and abroad, with former president Barack Obama saying the United States was "joining a handful of nations that reject the future." Peduto echoed that criticism, tweeting: "The United States joins Syria, Nicaragua & Russia in deciding not to participate with world's Paris Agreement. It's now up to cities to lead." Trump went on to declare: "It is time to put Youngstown, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- along with many other great locations in our country -- before Paris, France." But Pittsburgh is hardly a depressed post-industrial hub in need of a savior -- it has experienced a striking rebirth in recent years. Peduto stressed that Pittsburgh was far removed from the Rust Belt cities that helped propel the Republican businessman to the White House. "Fact: Hillary Clinton received 80% of the vote in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh stands with the world & will follow Paris Agreement," he tweeted. The pacific island of Fiji has already felt the impact of climate change through wild storms such as Cyclone Winston, which killed 44 people and wiped out a third of the economy The head of upcoming UN climate talks vowed Friday that the fight against global warming would continue despite Washington's "unfortunate" decision to abandon the Paris climate deal. Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who will serve as president of the COP 23 talks in Germany later this year, labelled the US move "deeply disappointing". "While the loss of Americas leadership is unfortunate, this is a struggle that is far from over," he said. The COP 23 talks will be held in Bonn from November 6-17, with Germany inviting Fiji's PM to act as president to give a voice to those on the frontline of climate change. Bainimarama's Pacific island nation has already felt the impact of climate change through wild storms such as last year's Cyclone Winston, which killed 44 people and wiped out a third of the economy. Neighbouring states such as Tuvalu and Kiribati are in danger of being swamped by rising seas linked to global warming. Bainimarama said the rest of the world remained committed to the Paris deal, known as COP 21, struck in 2015 and signed by more than 190 countries. "As incoming COP president, I reaffirm that I will do everything possible to continue to forge a grand coalition that will accelerate the momentum that has continued since the Paris Agreement," he said. He predicted Washington would eventually reverse its decision. "I am also convinced that the United States Government will eventually rejoin our struggle because the scientific evidence of man-made climate change is well understood," he said. "The issue is settled, and the impacts are obvious, and humankind ignores these facts at its peril." Meanwhile, New Zealand's Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett said many of the claims made by US President Donald Trump were simply incorrect. "So much of what he said is wrong. It's not going to cost America to be in it disproportionately to others," she told Radio New Zealand. "Climate change and what we need to do there can create jobs, not take them away." Australia's Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said Canberra remained on track to meet its Paris targets and US withdrawal would not derail the deal. "I do believe it is still a very meaningful agreement... even without the US around 70 percent of the worlds emissions are covered by that agreement," he told ABC radio. One of the world's most rapidly ageing and long-lived societies, Japan is at the forefront of an impending global healthcare crisis. Authorities are bracing for a dementia timebomb and their approach could shape policies well beyond its borders. Kanemasa Ito compares caring for his wife Kimiko to waging a daily war with the devil. The woman he loved has all but disappeared -- lost to dementia, she can no longer eat, bathe, or go to the toilet alone. "There is a demon inside her head," Ito told AFP, articulating the dramatic change in the person he'd built a life with, while she babbles nonsensically. One of the world's most rapidly ageing and long-lived societies, Japan is at the forefront of an impending global healthcare crisis. Authorities are bracing for a dementia timebomb and their approach could shape policies well beyond its borders. By 2025, one in five of the over 65s -- around 7.3 million people -- in Japan will have dementia, the health ministry estimates, up from around 4.6 million now. Alzheimer's Disease, a syndrome in which cognitive ability, emotional control, and social behaviour deteriorate, accounts for the majority of cases. Japan's ageing population Ito's wife was just 54 when she was first diagnosed. Now some 15 years on, he is close to breaking point trying to care for her and manage the disease. No longer able to discern what is harmful from what is safe -- Kimiko has previously tried to drink cleaning products, unaware of the hazard of ingesting them -- she needs constant supervision. "It exhausts me," the 73-year-old confessed in an interview at their Kawasaki home. - Global health crisis - Their story is becoming increasingly common in a country where a lack of resources and caregivers means the burden falls increasingly on spouses and children. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is aiming to increase the number of nursing homes and raise care worker wages to tackle the problem. Kanemasa Ito (L) feeds his wife Kimiko at their house in Kawasaki, she was diagnosed with dementia 15 years ago and he has been caring for her. There is also a goal to ease the burden of family caregivers and reduce the number of people who quit work -- such as Ito -- to care for dementia-stricken relatives -- from 100,000 a year to zero. Dementia is a major global health issue with cases soaring as people live longer. The World Health Organization estimates a new case is diagnosed every four seconds. Many developed countries are already facing challenges on how to fund care, but Japan's issue is pronounced because its population has aged at a faster pace. According to a 2016 OECD report, Japanese social spending as a percentage of GDP stands at 23.1 percent, lower than other developed countries with high percentages of elderly people, such as France and Italy. "Japan has run its social welfare system on the premise that family members would take charge," said Katsuhiko Fujimori, chief research associate at Mizuho Information & Research Institute. According to a 2016 OECD report, Japanese social spending as a percentage of GDP stands at 23.1 percent, lower than other developed countries with high percentages of elderly people, such as France and Italy. The government, he said, simply can't achieve its goals without more money. But a cash injection seems unrealistic given that Japan's public debt is already more than twice the size of its economy. And with a shrinking and ageing population and workforce, some elderly with higher incomes are already being forced to pay more out of pocket for nursing care expenses under the national insurance scheme. - 'I might kill her' - The overwhelming mental, physical and economic burden of caregiving has led to tragedy. The total number of cases of abuse of the elderly rose to 16,384 in the fiscal year 2015 -- up from 12,623 in fiscal 2006, the majority of which involved relatives, according to figures from the health ministry. The overwhelming mental, physical and economic burden of caregiving has led to tragedy. Cases of abuse of the elderly rose to 16,384 in the fiscal year 2015 from 12,623 in 2006, the majority of which involved relatives, the health ministry said. The reality of caring for a incapacitated loved one can push people to the brink. One 50-year-old Tokyo resident who has been taking care of his 85-year-old dementia-stricken mother for six years, told AFP he had murderous thoughts about her. "I seriously want to manage my anger because I might kill her if I explode," said the man, who requested anonymity. "I can imagine her being dead in front of me," he added. "It scares me." Between 1996 and 2015, there were 754 murder-suicide cases involving family caregivers, mostly men, in Japan, according to a study by Etsuko Yuhara, an associate professor of welfare at Nihon Fukushi University. Ito, who had closed a convenience store he used to run to take care of his wife, said he hopes the government will create a better environment for caregivers. "Every day is a battle," Kanemasa Ito tells AFP of his constant struggle caring for his wife Kimiko, who had dementia. "Every day is a battle," he said, referring to how Kimiko resists getting dressed in the morning and having her hair washed at night. He regularly takes Kimiko out for a walk in a nearby park and grocery shopping, but it is hard to know if she is aware of what is happening. Ito added: "It's really tough to accept." Lesotho former premier Tom Thabane is fighting to regain power in Saturday's parliamentary elections Lesotho former prime minister Thomas Thabane, who is fighting to regain power in Saturday's elections, will never forget fleeing his official residence in 2014 as rogue soldiers apparently sought to kill him. The attempted coup was just one chapter of the recurrent political instability that has plagued Lesotho, a mountain kingdom surrounded by South Africa. "It was the most undignified thing that happened to me, to wear (just) my pants... and go through the fence with my wife, running away from the state house," Thabane told AFP ahead of the vote. The attempted coup was followed by elections in 2015, when Thabane was ousted from power by a coalition government that collapsed earlier this year. He fled to safety in South Africa, and only returned to compete in the latest election, which is likely to deliver another fragile coalition government. "No army can be above the political authority of those who are elected by the majority of the people, and that is the problem that made me spend a whole year and a half in exile," Thabane said. The leader of the All Basotho Congress (ABC), which may emerge in a coalition government with the newly formed Alliance of Democrats (AD), said he was still wary of the army's role in politics. - Free and fair? - "We are going to win this election, if it is free and fair," said Thabane, speaking at his modest, heavily-guarded home in the capital Maseru. "(But) the army people have their own interests, and at the moment I am not their favourite." Thabane said he did not seek revenge against the alleged coup plotters, but added that he hoped the army would eventually be merged into the police. "That is my vision for Lesotho," he said. "We shouldn't have had an army in the first place... which country could we successfully attack?" he asked. The 2014 attempted coup was allegedly led by army chief Tlali Kamoli, who was removed from the post last year. Thabane said the election, which follows Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili losing a vote of no confidence, put the country at a "serious crossroads" after recent coalition governments have collapsed within a few years. Poverty, lack of jobs and access to health services were pressing issues that he said needed urgent attention from a stable government. The HIV-AIDS prevalence rate among adults is 22.7 percent, according to the UN, and many of Lesotho's people seek work in South Africa. The new government will replace a seven-party coalition led by Mosisili which was dissolved in March. It will be in power for only three years until the next general elections. If they can patch together a ruling coalition, Thabane and Monyane Moleleki of the AD party, have agreed to share the prime minister role, with the two taking 18 months each. "In my heart that deal stands," Thabane said. With Somalia on the brink of famine, women fleeing to displacement camps in search of food and water are falling victim to rape and sexual assault He was thin but strong, in a new uniform and boots. After forcing his way into Hawo's ragged shelter the man put a gun to her throat, then raped her, twice. "Mentally, I can see him," Hawo said, recalling the late-night March assault in Dusta, a camp in the southwestern city of Baidoa for Somalis displaced by drought and hunger. As he raped her in her home made of sticks, plastic and old fabrics, Hawo's youngest child, a breast-feeding baby, cried while her two other children slept. Dusta runs right up to the fence of a fortified compound housing troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which is fighting the Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-aligned insurgency committed to overthrowing the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu. However residents say no one offers protection, not AMISOM, not the army, not the regional militia and not local nor UN police. AMISOM refused to comment. Most of those living in Dusta are women and children from Shabaab-controlled areas who came to the regional capital in search of food, water and medical care. An AFP tally of figures given by two local NGOs shows at least 54 displaced women raped and sexually assaulted this year in the camps, which have mushroomed around Baidoa as the country teeters on the brink of famine. Both men in uniform and civilians have been implicated. Muhudin Daud Isack, who works for ISHA, a local human rights organisation, said the majority of the assailants were soldiers, using the threat of their weapons and the power of their uniforms against the displaced women. "When they get the chance, they rape," he said. Farhiyo Ahmed Mohamed, a Somali police officer who heads a special Gender Unit, concedes that men in uniform have been involved in such attacks. She points to a case of rape earlier this year in the town of Goof Gaduud, outside Baidoa, in which a soldier was convicted and jailed. However she accused NGOs of lying about the rate of rape in the camps to get more funding and denied the camps were unsafe, pointing to a police station near Hanano 2 camp. This is just one of the 168 camps scattered across Baidoa that hold more than 155,000 people. - Gang rape - More than 377,000 were uprooted in the first three months of 2017, taking the number of those internally displaced by conflict and drought in Somalia to more than a million Somalia has been mired in civil war for decades and while international support is helping rebuild national institutions, such as the army and police, the process is gradual and incomplete. One night in January, nine women in another camp, Buur fuule 2, were raped by a gang of men in civilian clothes wielding guns and knives. Each woman was dragged from her shelter and raped multiple times by different men, according to ISHA, which has taken up their case. In separate interviews, five of the women shared similar accounts of the night's violence. Two said their husbands were held at gunpoint during the rapes, while neighbours were also threatened into silence. A 37-year-old victim of the attack said rape was common, though mass rape was not. She mentioned another woman in the camp, who was raped a few days earlier and so badly beaten that she had to be taken to hospital. Another NGO, the Somali Children Welfare and Rights Watch (SCWRW), showed AFP a list of 45 women raped and sexually assaulted this year. Aid agencies acknowledge the growing problem of sexual assaults on the most vulnerable, but say Somalia's multilayered crisis means other problems are given priority. "The recent influx of displaced families, who have fled the food crisis in the region, has resulted in an increase in rape attacks and other gender-based violence," said Evelyn Aero, of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) charity. "Programmes that aim to improve protection of women are generally underfunded," she said, "even though attacks, such as gender-based violence, increase during emergencies." - No shelter, no safety - Hawo said that despite being raped by a soldier, she wants armed security in Dusta. Since her attack in March, she has moved her shelter closer to the AMISOM perimeter and feels safer. Others said sturdy homes of stone and tin -- not flimsy huts of rags and sticks -- was what they wanted, not more men with guns. Somalia faces the threat of its third famine in 25 years of civil war and anarchy "Shelter, or the lack of it, has very far-reaching implications," said Gavin Lim, a protection officer with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). "Beyond survival, shelter is necessary to provide security and ensure personal safety and protection, and to ensure privacy and dignity, especially for women and girls." But as the drought deepens and the threat of famine looms larger the dangers are set to grow. More than 377,000 were uprooted in the first three months of 2017, taking the number of those internally displaced by conflict and drought in Somalia to more than a million, a figure the UNHCR expects to triple by the end of this year. A woman clutches her child in the emergency room of an MSF (Doctors Without Borders) clinic in Bangassou. The poverty-stricken Central African town has been wracked by sectarian bloodshed For 17 years, an Andalusian priest has quietly served as bishop in Central Africa's Bangassou. But last month, creeping sectarian violence exploded in his town, handing him the toughest-ever challenge of his ministry. Bangassou, which lies on Central African Republic's southeastern border with Democratic Republic of Congo, for long had been largely spared the violence of a bitter sectarian conflict which erupted in 2013. But in May, it hit the headlines when at least 108 people were slaughtered and 76 wounded, according to the UN, in an assault by Christian anti-Balaka rebels who targeted UN peacekeepers before turning on Muslims. "I was here for 33 wonderful years, but the past four years have been a relentless descent into the abyss," sighs Juan Jose Aguirre Munoz, an easy-going 62-year-old with a greying beard. Born in 1954 in the shadow of Cordoba's magnificent "mosque-cathedral", Aguirre Munoz first came to this former French colony in 1980, a year after the ousting of "emperor" Jean-Bedel Bokassa. Fluent in French and in Sango, a Creole language which is commonly used in Central Africa, Aguirre Munoz has seen his adopted homeland sink into a spiral of internecine hatred, pitting the Christian anti-Balaka militia against the mainly Muslim ex-Seleka rebels. "I arrived in Obo near the Sudanese border as a Comboni missionary," he says of a small town in the country's far east where he worked with a Catholic organisation ministering to those in extreme poverty. "That's where I spent my first seven years. I would take my moped and visit the 40 or so chapels along the Sudanese border. At night, I slept in a hut, completely on my own," Aguirre Munoz recalls. "I used the time to pray and write. And during the daytime we would build chapels with the people," he says, his eyes lighting up with nostalgia for how it was before the violence began. - 'The man who speaks to militias' - Ordained bishop of Bangassou in 2000, he quickly became a well-known figure in this town which has a population of 35,000 and is a 700-kilometre (430-mile) drive from the capital Bangui. The Andalusian swiftly won the respect of the locals with his "Bangassou Foundation", a charity set up in 2003 which is supported by donors from Spain. "Within the diocese, we have set up four homes for the elderly with dementia and for those accused of witchcraft, and also many cooperatives where young people can learn a trade like carpentry, as well as schools," he says. And his work to advance dialogue and peace also earned him the moniker of "the man who speaks to militias". But it was recently that he went through one of the worst moments of his ministry, on the night of May 12-13 when the city's Muslim quarter came under fierce attack by a heavily-armed group of anti-Balaka rebels. - 'They just shot him' - Woken by gunfire, he got up and made his way to the mosque where the city's Muslim population had taken refuge on the advice of the UN peacekeepers who left soon after, he says. There in the Muslim quarter, he saw armed men looting shops and homes. "There were about a hundred of them surrounding the mosque. I tried to get between them several times," he said. "They saw the imam leaving. And they shot at him. He fell to his knees, mortally wounded. When I got there, I found him just like that so I carried his body away to give him a dignified burial. "The anti-Balaka yelled at me not to touch him," he says, his face twisting with emotion at the memory. During the attack, more than 4,400 people fled their homes, UN figures show, some of whom sought refuge at the church and in Aguirre Munoz's residence. "Here is Rome. We're under the protection of the bishop, nothing can happen to us," explained one of the Muslims taking refuge inside the church. Several days after the assault, the Spaniard was asked by the UN's MINUSCA mission to try and recover the bodies of four peacekeepers who were killed in an assault on their convoy outside Bangassou. At the time, the assailants -- once again anti-Balaka rebels, the UN says -- were close by. "It took two days of negotiations. It was an ordeal. The hardest part was when I took the hand of one of the peacekeepers. I saw he was married," he says. "It's an image which still haunts me. I think about him and about his family." A general view taken on May 31, 2017 shows the city of Jerusalem with the Western Wall (L), the Dome of the Rock (C) and the Al-Aqsa Mosque (R) He lives only a 20-minute drive from Jerusalem but for Palestinian Abu Bashir the city and its sacred sites might as well be a world away. "The whole world goes to Jerusalem but we who live a few kilometres (miles) away are forbidden to enter," says Abu Bashir, a resident of the West Bank city of Bethlehem. A Muslim who lives in the traditional birthplace of Christ, Abu Bashir says that since Israel occupied east Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites in the 1967 Six-Day War, Palestinian worshippers' ties to their shrines have eroded. The area, annexed by Israel in a move never recognised by the international community, contains Jerusalem's ancient Old City and within its walls are the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Al-Aqsa mosque complex and the Western Wall. The church marks the site where most Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. The Western Wall is the holiest prayer site for Jews and the Al-Aqsa compound is among Islam's most sacred places. Regaining access to the Western Wall was a defining moment for Israelis during the Six-Day War, which saw the country score a stunning victory over its Arab neighbours to seize control not just of east Jerusalem but territory including the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Jewish worshippers still do not have unfettered access to holy sites of the Al-Aqsa compound, which is known to Jews as the Temple Mount after the Jewish temples that stood there in ancient times. Jews are not allowed to pray there, although they can make visits at certain times. - Restrictions and roadblocks - Jewish people pray at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on May 26, 2017 For Muslims, access is complicated by Israel's control of areas around the site. Before the occupation Arab pilgrims travelled to the Holy City by train or flew to a defunct airport between Jerusalem and Ramallah. Many Muslim faithful visited Jerusalem before continuing by bus or train to perform the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. In the past, "anyone who wanted to pray in Jerusalem just got in his car and never encountered any roadblocks," says Mahmud al-Habash, an Islamic religious official in the Palestinian Authority (PA). But since 1967, Palestinians in the occupied territories have seen their freedom of movement restricted by checks and obstacles, including Israel's controversial separation wall. Most of the more than 4.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip cannot visit Jerusalem today without a permit. Older men as well as women and children are allowed to travel there for Friday prayer without permits during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. Christians too face restrictions. Father Jamal Khader, director of the Latin Patriarchate seminary in Jerusalem, recalls childhood memories of holy days in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Today the route between the two cities, still followed by religious processions at festivals, passes through the separation wall which can only be crossed with a special permit. There are now those who have never seen the sacred sites "except in pictures," Father Khader says. - Virtual pilgrimage - Nora Karmi, an Eastern Orthodox Jerusalem Christian, says that access to sites is a challenge when Christian and Jewish holy days coincide. Nora Karmi, a 69-year-old Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem, recounts her memories of the Six-Day War in which Israel the Palestinian Territories, at her home in the neighbourhood of Beit Hanina on May 17, 2017 She has repeatedly mobilised foreign diplomats to help gain entrance for some Palestinian pilgrims to holy sites. But faced with restrictions on their movements and barriers to worship, many Palestinian Christians have preferred to emigrate. There were some 25,000 Christian residents of Jerusalem in 1966, but there is now half that number, according to official figures. To circumvent Israeli checkpoints on approaches to the Old City and the gates into the compound itself, some prefer a virtual pilgrimage. Manal Dandis, a Palestinian engineer, created the Quds360 app for Muslims around the world and particularly local Palestinians. It provides photo and video images giving a 360-degree view of the Al-Aqsa complex and its monuments. Muslims pray on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower in New York, after Iftar, breaking fast during the holy month of Ramadan on June 1, 2017 President Donald Trump's administration asked the US Supreme Court on Thursday to reinstate its temporary ban on travelers from six Muslim majority nations despite repeated setbacks in the lower courts. In its filing, the government asked the top US court to rule on the legal standing of Trump's order, appealing a ruling by the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld a nationwide block of the travel ban. It also asked the Supreme Court to lift another US-wide injunction issued by a federal judge in a separate case based in Hawaii. That case is currently before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where a decision is pending. The administration is "confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said. "The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States." Trump travel ban proposal The filing came one week after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling dealt a fresh blow to Trump's efforts to push the controversial travel ban that has triggered mass protests and confusion at airports. The Fourth Circuit said it "remained unconvinced" that the part of the measure naming the specific countries -- Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen -- had "more to do with national security than it does with effectuating the president's promised Muslim ban." - "Indisputably high" stakes - It said it was unclear whether the government's security concerns outweighed the plaintiffs' concerns about discrimination. The government's filing acknowledged that stakes "are indisputably high." The Court of Appeals "concluded that the president acted in bad faith with religious animus when, after consulting with three members of his cabinet, he placed a brief pause on entry from six countries that present heightened risks of terrorism," the filing read. That court's decision "creates uncertainty about the president's authority to meet those threats as the Constitution and acts of Congress empower and obligate him to do." US President Donald Trump's administration has asked the US Supreme Court to reinstate its controversial ban on travelers from six Muslim majority nations Even if the Supreme Court takes the case, it is unlikely to hear it this term, which is due to end this month. Trump issued his initial travel ban by executive order in January, but that measure -- which banned entry to nationals from seven countries for 90 days and suspended the nation's refugee program for 120 days -- was quickly halted by the courts. The administration said the travel ban was needed so it could evaluate existing screening methods protocols and set new ones. A revised executive order in March meant to address concerns raised by the federal judges. It deleted Iraq from the list and removed an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees. The order however was widely criticized, including by human rights activists and US states led by Democrats. Federal judges in Maryland and Hawaii issued a nationwide block on the measure, sending the issue to the relevant appellate courts. Given the case's high-profile nature, the full Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia heard the arguments last week -- bypassing the usual initial three-judge panel -- for the first time in a quarter of a century. Thirteen of the court's 15 active judges took part. Two recused themselves over potential conflicts of interest. A Jewish man walks outside the Patriarchs' Tomb, known in Arabic as the Ibrahimi Mosque, in the the divided West Bank city of Hebron on May 29, 2017 Its Old City is in constant lockdown, its holy site where the biblical Abraham may have been buried guarded by Israeli soldiers at checkpoints. Fifty years after the Six-Day War, the ancient city of Hebron, set in the hills of the southern West Bank, has become perhaps the starkest symbol of Israel's occupation. Several hundred Israeli settlers -- many of them especially hardline -- live in the centre of the Palestinian city of some 200,000 residents. Israeli soldiers keep a close watch, and parts of the city are off limits to Palestinians. For Palestinian residents of Hebron, the Six-Day War marked the end of "a golden age," says Eid Jaabari, 21 at the time of the conflict that saw Israel win a stunning victory over neighbouring Arab countries and seize swathes of territory. "There was no fighting, the Arabs had withdrawn," says Jaabari, adding that he saw troops from Jordan, which had controlled the West Bank, leave without firing a single bullet. For the first Israelis to settle in Hebron afterwards, it was "a great miracle". They speak of the first major return of Jews to the city since a 1929 massacre of members of the small Jewish community there, describing it as an extension of a history of 4,000 years of Jewish presence in Hebron. "It seemed we would never return," says Noam Arnon, spokesman for the settlers. Palestinian Eid Jaabari smokes a waterpipe in the old city of Hebron on May 8, 2017 in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Israeli forces seized Hebron from Jordan on June 5, 1967, the first day of the Six-Day War and, at first, the return of Jews to the city did not cause tensions. - Empty streets, padlocked doors - In those early years, Palestinians recall having good relations with the Israelis in Hebron's Old City, which borders the holy site known to Jews as the Tomb of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque. The site is where Abraham, revered by Christians, Jews and Muslims, is believed to have been buried. "The Jews wanted everything to remain calm," and their arrival even "created jobs," recalls Abdel Rauf al-Mohtasseb, who runs a stall in the Old City. Jaabari, wearing a traditional keffiyeh headscarf and smoking a hookah in a deserted cobbled alley of the Old City, also remembers a time when the area was bustling. "There was so much jostling, you couldn't put one foot in front of the other," he says. Things changed when in the late 1970s the Israeli government agreed to settler demands and authorised an Israeli civilian presence in the heart of the city. Areas of Hebron are now closed to Palestinians, the streets abandoned, ghost neighbourhoods with iron padlocks rusting on doors. Hebron is the only Palestinian city inhabited by Jewish settlers, in contrast with other parts of the occupied West Bank where settlements sprawl over hills outside major Palestinian population centres. The spokesman for the Jewish community in Hebron, Noam Arnon, writes a Torah scroll at the renovated 16th century Abraham Avinu Synagogue in the divided West Bank city of Hebron on May 17, 2017 Hebron even has its own status that divides the city, leaving a handful of settlers in certain sectors surrounded by checkpoints and hundreds of soldiers, to the dismay of Palestinians who can't move freely. Many of the city's Israeli settlers say they feel besieged. "I have no problem with the Arabs living here," says Gabriel Ben-Yitzhak, a scribe from the Tel Rumeida district who feels a deep connection to the sites he sees from his window and writes of in Torah scrolls. "If it is quiet I have no problem with them continuing to live here. But it is not possible that we are in a constant fear of someone coming to stab us." - 'Like a ghetto' - Arnon, the settlers' spokesman, decries a situation that allows Jews in "only three percent of the city" -- easily identifiable by Israeli flags and soldiers. It is "like a ghetto," Arnon says. Hebron has for decades seen major unrest and was a focal point of the wave of Palestinian knife attacks that erupted in October 2015. Violence in the city peaked in 1994 when Israeli-American Baruch Goldstein shot dead 29 Muslims in prayer in the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs. Since then, the site -- divided into a mosque and synagogue -- is the scene of regular violence. Arnon says that Israeli security control of the entire city, while leaving civilian matters to the Palestinians, would stop the violence. "There is a history book here composed of 4,000 pages," each representing a year of the city's Jewish history, Arnon says. A Palestinian woman sits in the old city of the West Bank city of Hebron on May 8, 2017 "We are writing our page now," he says. "It gives a meaning to life." But Palestinians say the settlers' aim is to force them out of their own city. "What they want is a land with nobody on it, but the Palestinians are here," Mohtasseb, 59, says. "We can all live together, but the land and the houses are ours. I want to welcome guests, but not armed ones." Israeli soldiers sitting on tanks in the Sinai Peninsula on the Israel-Egypt border on May 25, 1967. The Six-Day War in 1967 saw Egypt's vaunted airforce destroyed and its army humbled Its vaunted air force destroyed, its army humbled -- the Six-Day War of 1967 dealt Egypt a shock it has yet to overcome and spelled the end of its pan-Arab hopes for regional dominance. The war, which came to be known in Egypt as the Naksa, or setback in Arabic, ended with Israel occupying the Sinai Peninsula up to the Suez Canal, and Egyptian populist leader Gamal Abdel Nasser's reputation devastated. Egypt, after fighting the 1973 war and then launching peace talks with Israel, eventually recovered Sinai to become the first Arab country with a peace treaty with its former nemesis. But it no longer occupied the role it had played under Nasser as the political, military and cultural leader of the Arab world that once saw it attempt a short-lived union with Syria. "The Egyptian role greatly diminished after 1967, and it dealt a major blow to the pan-Arab project," said Tewfik Aclimandos, an international relations professor at the French University in Egypt. Between June 5 and 10 in 1967, Israel defeated Egypt, Jordan and Syria and occupied the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Syria's Golan Heights. The war began early on June 5, a morning that saw heavy Israeli bombing of Egyptian airbases near Cairo and in the Suez desert. Within a few hours almost all Egyptian aircraft had been grounded. Many historians say Israel won the war on the first day by ensuring it had control of the skies. A photo taken on June 5, 1967 shows three Egyptian Mig-21 planes destroyed by hits from Israeli warplanes By June 8, Israeli forces had reached the Suez Canal, following reports of Egyptian forces retreating in disarray. Egypt agreed to accept a UN-backed ceasefire and the next day Israel signed on. On June 9, Nasser offered his resignation, then withdrew it when crowds of supporters rallied for him. But the damage was done and the war personally undermined Nasser, who died in 1970. - 'Rise of Islamism' - One of the Free Officers who overthrew Egypt's monarchy in 1952 and changed the country's feudal structure, the eloquent Nasser was a hero to millions across the region. "The people were with Abdel Nasser who was a symbol and a hero to them at a time when they were searching for their identity after liberation from colonialism," said Sharif Younes, a historian at Egypt's Helwan University. "But after 1967, he was impotent, and in turn Egypt was not longer able to lead. It actually needed help to rebuild its army," he said. The war also made Nasser more pragmatic. "He no longer called for Palestine's liberation but he adopted instead the slogan 'removing the effects of the aggression', as in liberating the lands occupied in 1967," Younes said. Populist leader Gamal Abdel Nasser's reputation was dealt a devastating blow by Israel's defeat of Egypt in the Six-Day War The defeat in 1967 -- and Egypt's subsequent isolation by the Arab world following the 1979 treaty with Israel -- was compounded by the central role Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia, assumed after oil prices rose in the 1970s. The blow to Nasser's socialist-leaning pan-Arabist vision also helped the rise of Islamism, experts say. "The 1967 war was a factor, among others, in the rise of Islamism in the Arab world, because the revolutionary Arab governments were held responsible for the great defeat," said Henry Laurens, a Middle East historian. Half a century later, the idea of any country leading the region has become obsolete. "The issue of playing a leading role has ended. Arab regimes are based on a balance of power and alliances between one another, regardless of their power," Younes said. A power station on the Huangpu river near Shanghai - China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases The US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord is a global setback, but China, India and Europe are willing to step up their efforts to honour the pact, Chinese state media said Friday. The official Xinhua news agency said in a commentary that US President Donald Trump's announcement on Thursday came "to the regret of almost all", although it was "anything but a surprise". China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, ahead of the United States, and Trump has repeatedly painted the pact as too easy on the Asian giant. Hours ahead of Trump's announcement, China's Premier Li Keqiang pledged to stay the course on implementing the climate accord in a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and urged other countries to do the same. "Trump's decision to ditch the Paris deal will leave a fairly big shoe for a single country to fill," Xinhua wrote in a commentary titled "US withdrawal from Paris accord a global setback". "But other major players including the European Union, China and India have reiterated their willingness to step up efforts in the face of the US change of heart over the landmark deal," it said. Xinhua pointed to Washington's withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol on climate change in 2001, saying that the "US fiasco" has "taught us the hard way, and the world knows only too well that, with or without the US playing a leading role, they will have to honour their pledges under the Paris deal and work even harder to cut carbon emissions so as to secure a better future for the planet". The labs churned out 'E' and other synthetic drugs, according to Cong An Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, the southern hub's official newspaper Vietnamese cops have smashed a multi-million-dollar drug ring that pumped out ecstasy pills from mobile labs, police and state media said Friday, in what could be the country's largest ever narcotics bust. Fifteen people were arrested including the alleged ringleader Van Kinh Duong, who used live video or social media to monitor his labs as they moved house-to-house to evade authorities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The labs churned out 'E' and other synthetic drugs, according to Cong An Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, the southern hub's official newspaper. Photographs showed bins full of white powder, cooking flasks and scales, along with suitcases stuffed with ecstasy pill packets. "The pills were transported from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi in suitcases of 5,000 pills weighing 50 kilograms (110 pounds)," the report said. Police confiscated more than 500,000 ecstasy pills, 120 kilograms of unidentified powder -- together worth an estimated $8.8 million -- and $450,000 in cash at the bust in Ho Chi Minh City. Since the start of 2016, the network had produced around 300 kilograms of narcotics, according to the report. A police officer in Ho Chi Minh City, requesting anonymity, told AFP the sting followed a year-long surveillance operation. The bust is believed to be the "biggest ever" in communist Vietnam, the officer added. Vietnam has some of the toughest drug laws in the world, handing out heavy penalties to drug convicts. Anyone found guilty of possessing more than 600 grams (21 ounces) of heroin, or more than 20 kilograms of opium can face the death penalty. This week, five heroin traffickers were sentenced to death after police accused them of smuggling 102 kilograms of drugs into Vietnam from Laos. Chemicals from human cosmetics and drugs have been found in the blood of turtles living in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Green turtles were found to have hundreds of thousands of different chemicals in their blood stream, which had caused the animals to suffer from liver dysfunction. Scientists said the discovery highlighted the devastating impact of man-made matter on marine life. Scroll down for video Human medicines and household substances have been discovered in the blood of green turtles in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, researchers said WHAT WAS FOUND IN THEIR BLOOD? Medications for the heart (milrinone) and gout (allopurinol), as well as cosmetic and industrial chemicals, were among substances detected in the reptiles' bloodstream as part of an ongoing conservation project. Scientists said exposure to the substances had caused side effects in the turtles, with indications of inflammation and liver dysfunction. 'What you put down your sink, spray on your farms, or release from industries ends up in the marine environment and in turtles in the Great Barrier Reef,' said Amy Heffernan of the University of Queensland. Advertisement Medications for the heart (milrinone) and gout (allopurinol), as well as cosmetic and industrial chemicals, were among substances detected in the reptiles' bloodstream as part of an ongoing conservation project. Green turtles are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. Scientists said exposure to the substances had caused side effects in the turtles, with indications of inflammation and liver dysfunction. 'Humans are putting a lot of chemicals into the environment and we don't always know what they are and what effect they are having,' said Amy Heffernan of the University of Queensland. 'What you put down your sink, spray on your farms, or release from industries ends up in the marine environment and in turtles in the Great Barrier Reef.' Researchers tested turtles at Cleveland Bay and Upstart Bay along the Queensland coast, as well as the more remote Howicks islands in the reef's north Researchers tested turtles at Cleveland Bay and Upstart Bay along the Queensland coast, as well as the more remote Howicks islands in the reef's north as part of the 'Rivers to Reef to Turtles' project led by WWF-Australia. The 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) long barrier reef, a World Heritage site, is already under pressure from farming run-off, development, crown-of-thorns starfish and climate change. It suffered its most severe bleaching on record last year and some scientists say the reef is now damaged beyond repair. Aerial and in-water surveys showed 22 per cent of shallow water corals were destroyed in 2016, but it has now been bumped up to 29 per cent and with the reef currently experiencing an unprecedented second straight year of bleaching, the outlook is grim. The 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef suffered its most severe bleaching on record last year due to warming sea temperatures during March and April IS THE GREAT BARRIER REEF DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR? Map showing the extent of coral bleaching along The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, Australia The Great Barrier Reef can no longer be saved in its present form and is damaged beyond repair, scientists warned this week. They say coral bleaching in the area is worse than thought, partly because of the 'extraordinary rapidity' of global warming. Instead, scientists should be taken to maintain the World Heritage Site's 'ecological function'. The 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) World Heritage-listed reef suffered its most severe bleaching on record last year due to warming sea temperatures during March and April. Initial aerial and in-water surveys showed 22 per cent of shallow water corals were destroyed in 2016, but it has now been bumped up to 29 per cent. 'We're 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,' Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) chairman Russell Reichelt said. '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's expected we'll also see an overall further coral cover decline by the end of 2017.' Bleaching, which occurs when abnormal conditions such as warmer sea temperatures cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour, also extended to deeper corals beyond depths divers can typically survey. Advertisement 'We're 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,' Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) chairman Russell Reichelt said. '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's expected we'll also see an overall further coral cover decline by the end of 2017.' WWF-Australia said the turtles could be used as a bio-monitoring tool to find out what chemicals were entering reef waters and what their impact on marine life could be. In 2015, scientists said that a chemical used in sunscreen could be causing massive damage to coral reefs worldwide and threatening their very existence. The chemical, oxybenzone, was causing 'gross deformities' in baby coral, the study said. Japan's Emperor Akihito shocked the country last summer when he signalled his desire to hand the crown to his eldest son, citing age and declining health Japan's lower house of parliament passed a bill Friday that allows ageing Emperor Akihito to step down, as it also called for a rare debate on the role of women in the male-dominated monarchy. Japan has not had an imperial abdication in two centuries and there was no law to deal with 83-year-old Akihito's surprise retirement request after nearly three decades on the Chrysanthemum Throne. The popular monarch shocked the country last summer when he signalled his desire to hand the crown to his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, citing age and declining health -- he has been treated for prostate cancer and had heart surgery. The one-off bill is widely expected to become law next week after passage through the upper house. The abdication must take place within three years of the bill becoming law or it expires -- and it only applies to Akihito. Some scholars and politicians feared that changing the law to allow any emperor to abdicate could put Japan's future monarchs at risk of being subject to political manipulation. Japan has had abdications in its long imperial history, but the last one was over 200 years ago and politicians had to craft legislation to make it possible because there was no provision for it in the law. The status of the emperor is highly sensitive in Japan given its 20th century history of war waged in the name of Akihito's father Hirohito, who died in 1989. The abdication issue has highlighted concerns over a potential succession crisis in one of the world's oldest monarchies. A government panel in April issued a warning over the dwindling number of male heirs. On Friday, the powerful lower house passed a non-binding resolution that called on the government to consider giving women a bigger role in the monarchy. Female imperial family members lose their royal status upon marriage to a commoner. The law does not apply to male royals, with Akihito and both his sons marrying commoners, and only men are allowed to become emperor, though Japan has been ruled by empresses in past centuries. When Naruhito, who has a daughter, ascends the throne, his younger brother Akishino will be next in line, followed by Hisahito, Akishino's 10-year-old son. But there are no more eligible males after that, meaning the centuries-old succession would be broken if Hisahito fails to have a son in the future. News of the upcoming engagement of the emperor's granddaughter Mako, 25, to her college sweetheart has intensified a debate on whether the law should be changed so women born into the imperial family can continue in their royal roles. That could help increase the number of potential male heirs. Traditionalists, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, strenuously oppose such changes. But the idea of female succession is popular among ordinary Japanese. A Kyodo News agency survey last month showed 82 percent of those polled were in favour of allowing a female member of the imperial family to succeed, while 62 percent supported the creation of female imperial family branches. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (C) greets supporters during the last day of a commune election campaign in Phnom Penh Tens of thousands of Cambodians jammed into the capital's streets for rival campaign rallies on Friday, two days before local polls set to test the mettle of an opposition desperate to upend premier Hun Sen's 32-year rule. The Sunday vote in more than 1,600 communes -- village clusters -- comes after months of political tension in the fragile democracy, where Hun Sen is accused of crushing dissent after nearly losing the last 2013 poll. The opposition movement has been hit hard by his crackdown and the June 4 vote is seen as barometer for its chances of turfing Hun Sen out at next year's general election. They hope to draw on frustration among Cambodia's young population over graft and the shrivelling space for free expression under Hun Sen. In a possible sign of nerves over the vote, Hun Sen broke with his tradition of avoiding the campaign trail to lead a massive parade of trucks, motorcycles and tuk-tuks through the capital on Friday. Addressing a sea of flag-waving supporters dressed in the ruling party's signature baby blue, Hun Sen delivered a well-worn speech about the stability he has brought to Cambodia since the end of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. "Which party brought about peace?" he asked a raucous crowd decked out in shirts, hats and flags bearing the emblem of his Cambodian People's Party (CPP). "If the CPP had not toppled Pol Pot, would Pol Pot have given up power and stopped killing us?" he asked, referring to the Khmer Rouge leader who oversaw the killing of up to two million Cambodians in the late 1970s. Hun Sen, himself a Khmer Rouge commander, later defected and joined the Vietnam-backed government that ousted the brutal regime. Over more than three decades in office he has curried favour with the bureaucracy, security services and many older Cambodians, who connect with the 64-year-old's populist wit and narrative as a stabilising force after the Khmer Rouge horrors. Hun Sen has frequently warned that war would break out if his party is ousted in elections. A sea of pro-government supporters rallied in the Cambodian capital in support of strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen But the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which held its own rally with lower turnout on the other side of town later Friday, has gained ground in recent years. "CNRP is the party of the future," opposition leader Kem Sokha told a crowd of cheering supporters waving flags with the party's rising sun emblem. The party nearly unseated the premier in a 2013 poll and claims it only lost due to voter fraud. Yet the movement has been dented by Hun Sen's subsequent crackdown, with at least 27 Cambodian human rights defenders and political activists thrown behind bars since 2013, according to a recent Amnesty International report. Both green|spaces and Tennessee Solar Solutions are celebrating 10 year anniversaries in 2017 and to celebrate the occasions, Tennessee Solar Solutions is donating a solar installation valued at $20,000 that will be raffled as a fundraiser for green|spaces.Tickets to the raffle may be purchased for $100 and all proceeds go to supporting green|spaces mission to advance the sustainability of living, working, and building in Chattanooga and the surrounding region.Weve been working with, partnering, and supporting green|spaces ourselves since our company was founded, said Anthony Roden, founder and president of Tennessee Solar Solutions.We couldnt think of a better way to celebrate than to donate this solar installation that has the potential to not only raise a lot of money to further green|spaces mission, but to also help save one lucky person a lot money and make a difference environmentally.Only 500 tickets will be sold in the raffle and go on sale June 5. The installation itself is valued at $20,000 but the potential savings it can bring could be thousands, officials said.Solar energy is obviously something that we encourage and support and Tennessee Solar Solutions has been a wonderful partner over the years, said Michael Walton, executive director. We are honored that they have chosen this as a way to celebrate their accomplishment of serving Chattanooga for the past 10 years! Funds raised through the raffle will be used to support programs like Empower. Since 2014, our Empower Program has helped over 1000 low income residents identify simple low and no cost ways to reduce energy bills."Some homes that are highly shaded or face the wrong direction may not be a good fit for a solar energy system. If someone knows their home is not a good fit for solar but still wants to contribute to green|spaces, we have created a Supporter Ticket. If the Supporter Ticket is drawn as the winning ticket, the solar energy system will be given to a low income family served by green|spaces Empower Program," officials said.green|spaces is also offering a Schneider Electric EV Link Charging Station as a second place prize.Purchase tickets at greenspaceschattanooga.org/solar Transasia Airways flight GE222 was carrying 54 passengers and four crew when it smashed into trees and houses as it attempted to land in a typhoon on Taiwan's scenic Penghu island Two air traffic control officers accused of causing a plane crash in Taiwan that killed 49 people in 2014, the island's worst air disaster for a decade, were acquitted Friday. The TransAsia Airways flight was carrying 54 passengers and four crew when it smashed into trees and houses as it attempted to land in a typhoon on Taiwan's scenic Penghu island. Just nine people survived. Lee Chia-feng and Ching Yuan-wu -- who were responsible for runway use and landing approval -- were charged last year with negligence over the incident. But while acknowledging that the officers made errors, the Penghu district court said the crash was ultimately down to the pilots, who were among those killed. "The main cause of the accident was because the flight crew did not follow the standard landing procedures," the court said in a statement. "Operating a flight is highly dependent on the front-line crew acting in accordance with their training and standards. This is even more so during a typhoon, when the climate can change quickly." The Aviation Safety Council said in its investigation report last year the pilots were flying below the minimum altitude required in poor visibility in a procedural mistake widespread among TransAsia's pilots at the time. Less than a year after the Penghu accident, another TransAsia flight dramatically crashed into a river shortly after take-off from Taipei, killing 43 people and raising serious concerns about the airline's safety standards. The dramatic crash of flight GE235 in February 2015 grabbed global headlines as car dashcam footage showed it clipping a road bridge before careering into the water. An investigation blamed a catalogue of pilot errors, with one found to have mistakenly switched off the only functioning engine after the other had failed. TransAsia, Taiwan's first private airline, said it had introduced six training programmes following the two crashes. But the troubled airline was forced to shut down in November last year after the two deadly accidents, while also suffering massive financial losses and an insider trading probe. Mattis's visit, his second to the region, is the latest in a string of appearances by top US officials who have scrambled to reassure partners about US commitments Pentagon chief Jim Mattis arrived in Singapore on Friday ahead of a key defence summit where longstanding US allies will look for clear messages about America's regional security goals under President Donald Trump. Mattis's visit, his second to the region, is the latest in a string of appearances by top US officials who have scrambled to reassure partners about US commitments. While campaigning, Trump sparked broad anxiety by calling into question long-standing security assumptions and mutual defence treaties with Japan and South Korea. But the US leader's views have shifted since he took office, and Mattis told reporters he would be underscoring American support for the region. "I will emphasize the United States stands with our Asia-Pacific allies and partners," Mattis told reporters traveling with him, "reinforcing the international order necessary to secure a peaceful, prosperous and free Asia with respect for all nations upholding international law." Mattis will deliver his message at a policy speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. The summits have in recent years been dominated by concerns over China's rapid build up of islets and maritime features in the South China Sea, where Beijing has reclaimed thousands of acres of land and installed military fortifications. The issue remains front and center, but this year the focus is also on North Korea and its accelerating push to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile. Pyongyang on Monday test-fired another rocket, the latest in a series of launches and atomic tests that have ratcheted up tensions over its quest to develop weapons capable of hitting the US -- something Trump has said "won't happen". Since taking office, Trump, who laced his campaign rhetoric with anti-China sentiment, has made an about-face and turned to China to apply pressure on North Korea to rein in its nuclear weapons program. After meeting with President Xi Jinping in April, Trump, who once accused China of "raping" the US, praised its leader as a "good man", saying it would be inappropriate to pressure Beijing while Washington is seeking its help with Pyongyang. The posture shifts have left some in the region seeking clarity on US policy. "There's concern over China's rise and it's assertive behaviour, particularly in maritime space," said David Helvey, a top Pentagon advisor for Asian and Pacific security affairs. "And there's also questions about where the United States is going to be in the Asia-Pacific region in the new administration." - Freedom of navigation - Mattis's challenge is to reassure allies that America can apply pressure on China over the South China Sea, while at the same time convincing Beijing that controlling North Korea is in its own security interests. Underscoring the point, the US Navy on May 25 conducted a "freedom of navigation" operation in the South China Sea, when the USS Dewey guided-missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands. It was the first such procedure since October, leading some to speculate America was going easy on China to secure concessions on North Korea. But Helvey insisted US views have not shifted. "We remain concerned about any effort to further militarize those islands," he said. "We would oppose any action that would impinge upon the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation." While such sailings in the South China Sea have in recent years been conducted only sporadically, albeit with great fanfare, the Pentagon wants to ramp up the pace so they become viewed as routine. North Korea meanwhile has carried out two atomic tests and dozens of missile launches since the beginning of last year. The US military last week successfully tested a ground-based missile defense system that for the first time intercepted a dummy intercontinental ballistic missile, destroying it in space. "The Department of Defence is focused on strengthening alliances, empowering countries to be able to sustain their own security, and strengthening US military capabilities to deter war," Mattis said. In another signal to Pyongyang, the United States is currently conducting joint operations with two aircraft carrier strike groups and the Japanese navy in the Sea of Japan. Chinese officials say the driver of a bus full of kindergartners that caught fire in a tunnel last month set the blaze himself. But South Korean relatives of some of the victims are disputing the findings, saying the bus was in poor condition A bus fire that killed 11 kindergarteners in eastern China last month was intentionally set by their disgruntled driver, who was angry at losing overtime wages, authorities said Friday. The driver and a female teacher also died in the inferno, which erupted inside a tunnel as the children headed to an international school in Shandong province on the morning of May 9. Chinese officials said the children were aged between three and six, with five from South Korea and six from China. But the South Korean embassy has said that 10 were South Korean, including five with dual citizenship. The government of Weihai city, where the tragedy occurred, said the investigation concluded that the blaze was a case of arson committed by the driver. "The driver was disgruntled because his overtime and night shift allowance were stopped, causing his income to plummet," the city government said on its Weibo microblogging account. The driver had brought gasoline onto the bus, the government said. The fire was located near the driver's seat. A lighter cap was found nearby along with gasoline residue. Authorities ruled out a short circuit or a traffic accident as other potential causes. But South Korean family of some of the victims took issue with the official findings that the driver was to blame. "Investigators did not look at the state of the vehicle, including how old it was" as a possible cause of the accident, Kim Mi-Suk, a father of one of the victims told Yonhap news agency. "The unconvincing explanation by the Chinese government gives an impression that they were trying to frame it as a fault of the driver," it quoted Kim as saying. The driver was found in the middle of the passenger seats, suggesting he might have been trying to rescue children trapped in the back of the vehicle, Yonhap said. Another victim's father, Lee Jung-Kyu, said the investigators' characterisation of the driver as "mentally deranged" did not ring true. "I know he was such a nice, delightful person who always greeted the children and their parents...he's not a person who could do such things to children he has known for more than two years," said Lee, adding the families would demand the case be reinvestigated. burs-lth/hg A company in Japan offering men insurance against accusations of groping women on the country's crowded trains is reporting a surge in business. Rail operators provide 'Women Only' carriages in an attempt to protect people from sex pests In Japan, where train travel can often be a perilous ordeal for women, an insurance company is reporting a sudden run on a policy that protects men falsely accused of groping. The spike in takers for the 6,400 yen ($57) "false groping accusation benefit" plan was triggered by a spate of incidents where men suspected of molesting female commuters fled the scene along the railway tracks, the Tokyo-based firm told AFP. Japan has made efforts to tackle the problem of rush-hour sex pests with posters on trains and television campaigns, while railway operators provide women-only carriages for the busiest times of day. But the plan, devised by the Small Amount and Short Term Insurance company in 2015, covers legal costs for policy-holders who find themselves on the wrong end of such a charge. It was initially set up as a fringe benefit under which fees for any legal consultation, including domestic or traffic accidents, were covered, Japan's Mainichi newspaper reported. But the firm's helpline service -- which alerts lawyers practising in the vicinity of the alleged groping incident -- has proved a hit with customers. Contracts for the policy, which hitherto totalled less than 50 a month, have soared to several hundred in the past month, the company said. "It is impossible to know whether one will be caught up in a groping incident," company president Shoji Sugimoto told the Mainichi. "We are here to provide help to people who feel anxious about the issue." Around 1,800 arrests are made yearly under public nuisance laws, but in 2006 a professor at the National Defence Medical College appealed his conviction all the way to the Supreme Court and had his conviction -- and 22-month prison sentence -- overturned. Small remote island states in the Pacific are at the forefront of the battle against climate change and are already suffering the effects of unpredictable weather Pacific Islands at risk of being swallowed by rising seas accused Washington of "abandoning" vulnerable nations and expressed dismay Friday after Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Paris climate deal. Leaders of a cluster of small remote island states in the Pacific, which are at the forefront of the battle against climate change and already suffering the effects of unpredictable weather, expressed deep disappointment at the controversial move. Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga said the Americans were turning their backs on his country in its time of need, despite their alliance during World War II. "We provided our islands as a launching pad for them to achieve their objectives and now we are facing the biggest war of our time, they are abandoning us," he told the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation during a visit to the neighbouring island. "It's really an act of abandoning small island countries like Tuvalu." Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who will serve as president of upcoming UN climate talks in Germany later this year, labelled the US move "deeply disappointing" but he said the battle to contain the threats to the environment would continue. "While the loss of America's leadership is unfortunate, this is a struggle that is far from over," he said. Bainimarama's Pacific island nation has already felt the impact of climate change through wild storms such as last year's Cyclone Winston, which killed 44 people and wiped out a third of the economy. - 'We must not give up hope' - There was also defiance from the Marshall Islands, a Pacific archipelago highly exposed to climate-induced sea level rise and the first country to ratify the global pact. The pacific island of Fiji has already felt the impact of climate change through wild storms such as Cyclone Winston, which killed 44 people and wiped out a third of the economy President Hilda Heine expressed disappointment and confusion at the US decision and said it would have grave implications. "We must not give up hope. Our children and their children deserve not only to survive, they deserve to thrive," she told Radio New Zealand. The COP 23 talks will be held in Bonn from November 6-17, with Germany inviting Fiji's PM to act as president to give a voice to those on the frontline of climate change. Bainimarama said the rest of the world remained committed to the Paris deal, known as COP 21, struck in 2015 and signed by more than 190 countries. "As incoming COP president, I reaffirm that I will do everything possible to continue to forge a grand coalition that will accelerate the momentum that has continued since the Paris Agreement," he said. He predicted Washington would eventually reverse its decision. "I am also convinced that the United States government will eventually rejoin our struggle because the scientific evidence of man-made climate change is well understood," he said. "The issue is settled, and the impacts are obvious, and humankind ignores these facts at its peril." Meanwhile, New Zealand's Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett said many of the claims made by US President Donald Trump were simply incorrect. "So much of what he said is wrong. It's not going to cost America to be in it disproportionately to others," she told RNZ. "Climate change and what we need to do there can create jobs, not take them away." Australia's foreign and environment ministers said Canberra was disappointed with the US withdrawal and reaffirmed the nation's "strong commitment" to the Paris Agreement. A Palestinian worshipper attends the first Friday prayers of Ramadan in front of the Dome of the Rock at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound on June 2, 2017 Tens of thousands of Palestinians poured into Jerusalem to attend the first Friday prayers of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third-holiest site, under heavy Israeli security. Many had queued from before dawn at the Israeli checkpoints that control access to annexed east Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied West Bank, AFP correspondents said. Armed police reinforcements were deployed across Jerusalem's Old City to provide security around the ultra-sensitive mosque compound, which is also Judaism's holiest site. Helicopters flew overhead and most of the roads leading to the site were closed to traffic. Tens of thousands of Palestinians attend the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan outside the Dome of the Rock at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound on June 2, 2017 The Islamic foundation that administers the site said 250,000 people had joined the prayers while Israeli police put the number of worshippers at 100,000. Israel had loosened a number of restrictions ahead of Ramadan, which began on Saturday, to enable easier travel from the West Bank to Israel for Friday prayers and family visits. Women of all ages and men over 40 do not need entry permits in order to access Jerusalem for Friday prayers. Israel also allowed 100 men and women over the age of 55 from Gaza to enter Jerusalem to pray, police said. Abdeljawad Najjar, 61, from the northern West Bank city of Nablus, was among those queueing at the Qalandia checkpoint north of Jerusalem. "It is a religious obligation to pray at Al-Aqsa, regardless of the difficulties and obstacles," he said. Palestinians wait to enter Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem through the Qalandia checkpoint from the northern West Bank to attend the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa mosque on June 2, 2017 Kefaya Shrideh, 40, also from Nablus, voiced the concern, shared by many Palestinians, that far-right members of Israel's governing coalition might seek to change the longstanding rules governing the mosque compound, under which Jews can visit but not pray. "It is important for us to pray at Al-Aqsa and not to forsake it, because we are afraid the Jews will take it," she said. - Sacred to Jews, Muslims - Israeli police had planned to mobilise thousands of female and male officers to deal with the expected influx. The Old City "has become a military camp", said 62-year-old Ibrahim, who declined to give his surname. Nevertheless, he said, "we are happy because we can only visit Jerusalem four times a year, during the Fridays of Ramadan", he added. Israel seized east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War, which began 50 years ago on Monday, and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community. Palestinians wait from before dawn at the Qalandia checkpoint at the northern entrance to Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem to attend the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound on June 2, 2017 Known to Jews as the Temple Mount, the mosque compound is one of the most sensitive flashpoints of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is the scene of frequent disturbances. Israel claims Jerusalem as its united capital, while the Palestinians claim the city's eastern sector as the capital of their future state. The Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a religious and national symbol for Palestinians, is at the heart of the conflict with Israel and often a source of tension between the two sides. All access to the site is controlled by Israeli forces, while the compound itself is administered by Jordan. Russian President Vladimir Putin says US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden is "not a traitor" In US director Oliver Stone's edgy new interview series, Russian leader Vladimir Putin says he believes intelligence leaker Edward Snowden is no traitor and appears to confirm multiple assassination plots have targeted him. Excerpts released Thursday from "The Putin Interviews" show the strongman president chatting from behind the wheel of a car, in the Kremlin and a country estate as the maverick three-time Oscar winner Stone listens. Stone is best known for Hollywood blockbusters inspired by American history such as "JFK" and "Born on the Fourth of July," but has previously made films about the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Venezuelan firebrand Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013. He asks Putin whether, as a former KGB agent, he despises Snowden -- who was given refuge in Russia after he initiated one of the largest data leaks in US history. Gesticulating at the wheel of a Mercedes with an interpreter sitting behind, Putin stresses Snowden is "not a traitor" and "did not give any information to another country that would have caused harm to his people." Nevertheless, asked if he agreed with what Snowden did, Putin says "no." "In my opinion, no, it's wrong," he says, adding that in his place he would simply have resigned. - Trump in 'Kremlin's pocket'? - "If he didn't like something about the work he was invited to do, he should just have resigned, that's all." He says he had not seen a parallel before but that he left the KGB in 1991 because he did not agree with the government's actions and the "attempted coup d'etat" against Mikhail Gorbachev and "did not want stay in the ranks for the intelligence services at that time." Stone's feature film based on Snowden's story was released last year. "The Putin Interviews" is set to air on the Showtime channel from June 12. In further footage shown on CBS news, Putin looks unblinkingly as Stone says he has heard of five assassination attempts on him. Putin says his security service takes care of his safety and "up to now they haven't done badly," adding: "I trust them." The Russian leader adds: "You know what our people say: he who is fated to be hanged won't drown," to a chuckle from Stone. Putin is shown driving along an ordinary public road as ads and signs are visible. The interviews were filmed over two years but include relatively recent material, with Stone asking Putin whether "(Donald) Trump is in the Kremlin's pocket." However, the film excerpts don't show the Russian leader's response. There appears to be a rapport between the men, with Putin saying smilingly: "I think you are a very cunning person," to which Stone laughs and asks "Why?" Wildlife experts say encounters between humans and elephants are increasing in India's rural areas due to the destruction of the animals' habitat An elephant trampled four people including a 12-year-old girl to death when it rampaged through a village in southern India on Friday, police said. The girl was sleeping when the elephant strayed into the village early Friday, also wounding her parents who are receiving treatment. Two women and an elderly man were also trampled to death in the incident in the state of Tamil Nadu. "The same elephant had strayed to this locality two days back and injured one person," said Coimbatore police sub inspector Vijayan, who goes by only one name. "This morning it returned, and left four persons dead and another two injured," he told AFP by phone. Wildlife experts say encounters between humans and elephants are increasing in India's rural areas due to the destruction of the animals' habitat. Last year a herd of wild elephants went on an hours-long rampage in neighbouring West Bengal, killing five people and damaging vehicles and homes before being subdued with tranquilliser darts. Police and forestry workers said they had caught and tranquillised the elephant before moving it deeper into the forest to try to prevent a repeat. All of Chad's troops pulled out of Central African Republic in April 2014 following UN allegations that its soldiers staged an unprovoked attack on a market Chad has strongly objected to a UN report accusing its soldiers of abuses in Central African Republic in an official letter seen by AFP on Friday. "The government of Chad strongly opposes this report which is unfairly written," said the letter from Justice Minister Ahmat Mahamat Hassan, describing it as "filled with false, defamatory and prejudicial allegations against the honour of Chadian soldiers". Dated May 24, it said Chad was "opposed" to the publication of the report issued Tuesday which mapped a litany of human rights violations in CAR between 2013 and 2015. The damning report documented 620 serious human rights violations including rape, murder, torture and kidnapping committed by the army, armed groups and international forces. Published by the UN Human Rights Office and the UN mission in Central Africa (MINUSCA), it included details of abuses allegedly carried out by Chadian soldiers. Chadian troops were the largest part of MISCA, an African Union peacekeeping mission which began operating in CAR in December 2013. But in April 2014, Chad withdraw its entire force of more than 800 troops following UN accusations its soldiers staged an unprovoked attack on a market in the capital Bangui, firing into the crowd and killing about 30 people. At the time, the UN Human Rights Commission said an investigation had found the soldiers fired "without any provocation" in claims branded defamatory by Chad. The troops were also repeatedly accused of siding with the mainly Muslim Seleka movement and condoning their abuses against the majority Christian population. Chad, which neighbours CAR to the north, has a predominantly Muslim population. MISCA later became the MINUSCA force. One of the world's poorest nations, Central Africa collapsed into anarchy in 2013 with the overthrow of president Francois Bozize by former Seleka rebels, sparking a bloody sectarian showdown with Christian anti-Balaka militias. Military intervention by France followed by the deployment of MINUSCA reduced the level of violence, but the bloodshed flared again last month when more than 100 people were killed and another 100,000 were forced to flee their homes, UN figures show. The Philippine Airforce launched fresh bombing raids Friday on Islamist militant positions in Marawi, on the southern island of Mindanao, as their 11-day battle to dislodge the extremists rolls on Loud explosions rang out in the now mostly deserted city of Marawi on Friday as Philippine fighter jets launched fresh bombing runs in a bid to dislodge militants linked to the Islamic State group. Buildings burned after the raids, as ground forces shelled fortifications and tunnels in the eastern half of the mainly Muslim city, where up to 50 fighters are believed to be holed up. Friday's fighting came as attention in the Philippines was focussed on a casino in Manila, where a masked gunman set fire to gaming tables, igniting a blaze that left 36 people dead. Authorities insisted the gunman, whom they said had committed suicide inside the leisure complex, was a robber, not a terrorist. But the US-based Site Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist threats, said IS-linked operatives were behind the attack. In Marawi, the death toll from the 11-day-old conflict reached 175 as the military reported four fresh fatalities among its forces. The toll includes 11 soldiers who were killed in friendly fire this week during a mis-targeted air strike. A total of 120 militant gunmen have been killed, including suspected foreign fighters, while the battles have also left at least 19 civilians dead. Around 2,000 people remained trapped by the fighting, some of them being used by the militants as human shields, the military said. The Islamists have also kidnapped a Catholic priest and 14 other people, whose fates are unknown. They have threatened to kill the hostages unless government forces pull back. The Philippine government has rejected the demand. Clashes erupted in Marawi, a city of 200,000 people, when security forces raided a house to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as IS's leader in the Philippines. Authorities said they were taken by surprise when many gunmen emerged to protect Hapilon and then went on a rampage through Marawi. Shortly after the violence erupted President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law across the southern region of Mindanao, home to 20 million people, to quell what he said was an IS bid to establish a base in the mainly Catholic Philippines. Lieutenant-Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesman for the government forces fighting them in Marawi city, said Hapilon remained in the area. "He's in charge of the (gunmen), he's commanding them," Herrera said. President Donald Trump announced Thursday the US would immediately stop implementing the "bad" Paris climate deal brokered by his predecessor Barack Obama in 2015 in tandem with Chinese leaders The US withdrawal from the Paris climate pact could "in a worst case scenario" add a 0.3 degree Celsius rise in global temperatures over the 21st century, the UN said Friday. The head of the World Meteorological Organization's atmospheric research and environment department, Deon Terblanche, underscored however that the likely impact of US President Donald Trump's widely-condemned decision remains far from clear. "We haven't run new models overnight but the indications are that it could be in the worst case scenario in the order of 0.3 degrees Celsius," Terblanche told reporters in Geneva, referring to a possible rise over pre-industrial temperatures. "That is the worst case scenario and this is probably not what will happen," he added. Under the Paris deal agreed in 2015, world nations vowed steps to keep the worldwide rise in temperatures "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) from pre-industrial times. Trump announced Thursday at the White House his administration would immediately stop implementing the "bad" 195-nation accord brokered by his predecessor Barack Obama in 2015 in tandem with Chinese leaders. Terblanche also cautioned "it is still fairly early days" to assess the impact of Trump's "complex announcement". UN officials also stressed that the deal was structured to require action from multiple levels of government, including municipal, regional and federal authorities. With some US cities and states immediately voicing support for the Paris deal following Trump's announcement, it is unlikely that the country as a whole will see zero implementation of the pact in real terms. It will take several years before the world "will have a proper understanding of what the implications are" of the US withdrawal, Terblanche said. The climate expert said WMO would not be complacent or overly discouraged, pledging to continue publishing evidence-based research highlighting the threats facing the planet. "We will continue to make sure that the scientific knowledge is out there" in hopes of shaping better policy decisions, Terblanche said. China and the European Union have swiftly moved to fill the leadership void on the Paris climate pact left by the US pullout. Hundreds of demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down and chanting "Death to the Taliban" clashed with police near the bombing site, prompting officials to respond with live rounds, tear gas and water cannon At least four Afghans were killed Friday as an anti-government protest spiralled into street clashes, with police firing live rounds to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing demonstrators incensed by a catastrophic bombing. Public anger has mounted after an explosives-laden sewage tanker detonated in Kabul's diplomatic quarter on Wednesday, killing 90 people and wounding hundreds of others in the deadliest attack in the Afghan capital since 2001. Hundreds of demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down and chanting "Death to the Taliban" clashed with police near the bombing site, prompting officials to beat them back with live rounds, mostly in the air, tear gas and water cannon. Kabul's Emergency Hospital said four protesters died on arrival while 15 others were wounded, some of them critically. Local media reported the death toll was as high as seven. Kabul has been on edge since the bombing, which highlighted the ability of militants to strike even in the capital's most secure district, home to the presidential palace and foreign embassies that are enveloped in a maze of concrete blast walls. Friday's killings will likely further inflame passions, as angry protesters marched through the streets carrying bloodied corpses of those killed in the clashes but they were stopped from reaching the presidential palace. Residents of the city have demanded answers from the government over the perceived intelligence failure leading to the bombing, which underscores spiralling insecurity in Afghanistan. "Our brothers and sisters were martyred in the bloody attack on Wednesday, and our leaders are doing nothing to stop this carnage," Rahila Jafari, a civil society activist, said during the protest. Angry citizens have demanded answers from the government over the perceived intelligence failure leading to the assault, which underscores spiralling insecurity in Afghanistan "We want justice, we want the perpetrators of the attack to be hanged to death." Other enraged protesters, carrying banners with gruesome images from the bombing, burned effigies of the president and threatened to set up protest tents around his palace. "It is absolutely shameful that government forces used live rounds and tear gas against grieving protesters who are demanding justice for victims of the bombing," Afghan MP Fawzia Koofi told AFP. - 'Excessive response' - Amnesty International denounced the government use of force as an "excessive and deadly response". The United Nations also urged restraint, warning opposition leaders and strongmen from trying to "opportunistically use these emotional and fragile moments" to foment violence for political gains. Afghanistan's intelligence agency has blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network for the attack. Ghani is expected to approve the execution of 11 Taliban and Haqqani prisoners, a government source told AFP, in apparent retaliation for the assault. The Taliban -- currently in the midst of their annual "spring offensive" -- denied they were involved. The insurgents have threatened "harsh exemplary attacks" in a statement on their website, including the killing of foreign hostages they hold if the government carried out the executions. Following their threat, the American University of Afghanistan appealed to the Taliban to release two professors, American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks, who were abducted in August last year. The two appeared in a Taliban hostage video in January, the first proof that they were alive. The Taliban also hold Canadian Joshua Boyle and his American wife Caitlan Coleman, who had two sons in captivity after being kidnapped in Afghanistan in 2012 during a backpacking trip. The Haqqani Network, long thought to have ties to neighbouring Pakistan's shadowy military establishment, is led by Sirajuddin Haqqani -- who is also the Taliban's deputy leader. With more than 400 wounded in Wednesday's bombing, the injured have crowded into hospital wards and hallways as people were still searching for missing relatives. Health officials have warned that some victims may never be identified as their bodies were torn into pieces or burned beyond recognition. Ethiopia is a popular destination for families interested in inter-country adoption Ethiopia's government has suspended adoptions, leaving dozens of foreign parents unable to unite with orphans they have legally adopted, according to officials from four western embassies whose citizens are concerned. The measure has also frozen hundreds of pending applications for inter-country adoptions, blindsiding families who have in some cases waited years and spent thousands of dollars to adopt a child from the Horn of Africa nation. A spokesman for Ethiopia's Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs declined to comment on the suspension, which diplomats said came into effect on April 21 without warning. "We haven't been explained what the reasons are behind (the ban), and what the intentions are," Spanish ambassador Borja Montesino told AFP. Ethiopia is a popular destination for families interested in inter-country adoption. Spanish families took in 1,200 Ethiopian children in 2010 and 2011, which even led to a brief backlog when the embassy had to halt applications for a while, Montesino said. American families have adopted more than 5,500 Ethiopian children since 2011, according to the United States embassy. Adopting a child can involve months, if not years, of vetting by adoption agencies, courts, and embassies, along with thousands of dollars in fees and travel costs. - 'We're legal parents' - American Jon Oren and his wife are among those who had already been made legal parents of an Ethiopian child who they are now unable to take home. The couple had been waiting for the required permission to take their new three-year-old son out of the country when the suspension took effect. "Now that we're legal parents, documented parents, I'm effectively responsible for his wellbeing," Oren told AFP. "I kind of can't just undo what I feel are my desires and even legal obligations as a father." About 40 other American parents are in a similar situation, according to a US embassy statement to AFP, and more than 200 families who have only started the process to adopt have had their application put on hold. In Spain, about 50 families have had their applications frozen, the ambassador said, while a British official said around a dozen families from the United Kingdom have been affected. Ethiopia's adoption system has faced allegations in the past that children who are not really orphans are being put up for adoption, prompting embassies to impose new regulations to vet prospective adoptees. Jozef Naudts, deputy head of mission at the Belgian embassy said he had been told by officials that Ethiopia was reviewing its entire adoption system. Five Belgian families' adoptions have been blocked by the ban, he said. "We are just hoping that a solution can be found for the families that are in the process and get kind of stuck because of this decision," Naudts said. There have been a growing number of raids by Buddhist hardliners on Islamic events in Yangon neighbourhoods and two Islamic schools were shuttered in April after ultra-nationalists complained local Muslims were illegally using them to conduct prayers Yangon authorities on Friday sued three Muslim men for holding Ramadan prayers in the street, after the local school where they used to worship was shut down by a nationalist mob. Police brought the charges after around 50 Muslims gathered to pray on Wednesday on a road in Thaketa township, the site of one of a growing number of raids by Buddhist hardliners on Islamic events. Two nearby Islamic schools were shuttered in late April after ultra-nationalists complained local Muslims were illegally using them to conduct prayers. Authorities have said the closure is temporary, but given no timeline for when they may be reopened. "We feel sorry. This month is important for us," local Muslim leader Zaw Min Latt told AFP, referring to the holy month of Ramadan which began last week. "We used those schools for prayer for decades. These restrictions have been brought in after more than 60 years." Local authorities issued a statement saying the prayer session threatened "stability and the rule of law" in the mainly Muslim neighbourhood in the east of Myanmar's commercial capital. A policeman who asked not to be named confirmed the charges. Two officers tried to stop AFP journalists from filming when they visited one of the madrassas on Friday. "It's our mosque as well as our school. We don't know when it will be reopened," Khin Soe, a local resident in his 50s, said as he set off to pray in another part of town. The case comes as Myanmar's government has been seeking to clamp down on hate speech after a spike in anti-Muslim actions by hardliners from the country's Buddhist majority. Religious tensions have soared since a group of Rohingya Muslims attacked police posts in Rakhine State in October, sparking a bloody military crackdown that has drawn widespread international condemnation. Last week Myanmar's top Buddhist authority officially banned the Ma Ba Tha, an ultra-nationalist movement affiliated with firebrand cleric Wirathu, which responded by simply changing its name. The move came after nationalists this month clashed with Muslims in another Muslim neighbourhood in Yangon, after pushing police to raid a house there in search of illegal Rohingya Muslim hideouts. A strike in a neighbourhood of west Mosul on June 2, 2017 Iraqi forces have recaptured one neighbourhood in west Mosul and nearly half of another that are targets of a broad offensive against jihadists launched last week, officers said on Friday. Iraqi security forces are more than seven months into a massive operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group, which overran the city and swathes of other territory nearly three years ago. An Iraqi girl waits for food rations on arrival in the Al-Akrab area after leaving her home in west Mosul on June 2, 2017 Now, IS's grip on Mosul has been reduced to the Old City and several nearby areas, but the jihadists are still putting up significant resistance and up to 200,000 civilians may be caught in the fighting. Forces from Iraq's elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) recaptured Al-Saha al-Oula neighbourhood, Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir Yarallah, who heads the military command coordinating the Mosul operation, said in a statement. Earlier Friday, Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat, the commander of the federal police, said in a statement that his forces "continue to advance cautiously, and have imposed their control over 40 percent of Al-Zinjili neighbourhood". Those are two of the three neighbourhoods that are the target of the current assault by Iraqi forces, with the third being the nearby Al-Shifaa area. All three are located north of the Old City, a warren of narrow streets and closely spaced buildings that has posed a major challenge for security forces. The United Nations said earlier this week that up to 200,000 civilians were estimated to still be trapped in IS-held areas, most of them in the Old City. "Because of the tightness of the area and the presence of a number of residents and fear of injuries and damage... to civilians and buildings, we have avoided entering at the present time," Staff Brigadier General Haidar al-Obeidi, a commander in the CTS, said of the Old City. Instead, security forces have blocked it off from three sides while the Tigris River does the same on the fourth -- keeping IS bottled up inside but also exposing civilians to shortages of food, water and medicine. Bangladesh suffers frequent cyclones and fishermen are often reported missing only to be found in their villages after the storm has subsided The Bangladesh navy said Friday it has rescued 24 more fishermen from the Bay of Bengal, bringing the total to 80 since a cyclone pounded the country's coastline three days ago. Two naval vessels plucked the fishermen from waters near Cox's Bazar and Kutubdia island -- two of the areas worst hit by the storm. "Members of the navy rescued them as they were floating in the sea," a spokesman for the navy said. At least 70 fishermen are still missing. The navy has deployed 18 ships to conduct an extensive search and rescue operation across Bangladesh's entire maritime territory in the Bay of Bengal after Cyclone Mora killed seven people and destroyed thousands of homes. The ships are also carrying food, emergency relief and two medical teams to hard hit Kutubdia and Saint Martin's Island. A navy helicopter and a maritime patrol aircraft are conducting aerial searches for survivors, it said. As the cyclone advanced on Bangladesh, local authorities increased the maritime threat to its highest level and ordered all fishing vessels to remain at port. Mushtaq Ahmed, a fishing industry representative in Cox's Bazar, said eight boats had failed to return. "We thanked the navy for rescuing our men. But still 70 fishermen and eight boats are missing. We hope they'll continue the search operation until the last fisherman is accounted for," he told AFP. He said the fishermen could be moored on a island or adrift at sea. In the past most of the fishermen returned to their fishing ports within a week or two. Bangladesh suffers frequent cyclones and fishermen are often reported missing only to be found in their villages after the storm has subsided. Ahmed said it was the first time the navy had conducted such an extensive search operation for missing fishermen after a cyclone. Earlier this week an Indian navy ship rescued 33 Bangladeshi survivors and handed them over to the local authorities. Cyclone Mora came after heavy rains in Sri Lanka caused the worst flooding the island has seen in well over a decade, killing more than 200 people. South Asia is frequently hit by flooding in the summer with the arrival of the annual monsoon rains. Fifteen children died in a South Sudanese village after being administered with contaminated measles vaccines Fifteen children died in a South Sudanese village last month after being administered with contaminated measles vaccines, the country's health minister said Friday. During the vaccination of 300 people in the southeastern state of Kapoeta, local officials failed to follow guidelines, storing the vaccine unrefrigerated for four days and using a single syringe for the entire campaign, a probe into the deaths showed. "An investigation into the cause of the death of 15 children in the rural and remote Nachodopele village ... has concluded that the severe sepsis/toxicity resulting from the administration of a contaminated vaccine caused the event," Health Minister Riek Gai Kok told reporters. India accounts for 4.1 percent of global emissions and is the third largest carbon-emitting country India's environment minister Friday said his country is committed to the Paris climate accord irrespective of the position of other nations, after the US announced plans to pull out of the global pact. "As far as the Paris accord is concerned... our government is committed irrespective of the stand of anyone, anywhere in the world," Harsh Vardhan told reporters. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord and accused China and India of benefitting from the accord at the expense of the US. His announcement triggered a furious backlash from global leaders, including the Chinese premier who said Beijing "will steadfastly" implement the Paris climate pact. India accounts for 4.1 percent of global emissions and is the third largest carbon-emitting country. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi provided leadership at the Paris summit and we are committed to ensure that we will address the issues related to climate change and global warming," added Vardhan. China and the US, the world's first and second biggest polluters, respectively, are together responsible for some 40 percent of the world's emissions. In his speech Trump repeatedly painted the pact as a deal that failed to "put America first" and was too lenient on economic rivals China, India and Europe. India, the fastest growing major global economy, is investing billions in clean energy infrastructure to cut down on emissions as the country battles choking pollution across the second most populated nation. An Indian pedestrian walks past an advertisement for Reliance Communications while speaking on her mobile phone in Mumbai Indian billionaire Anil Ambani insisted Friday that debt-saddled Reliance Communications had a bright future as he moved to reassure investors who are worried that the telecoms company is close to defaulting on loans. The 57-year-old tycoon, whose telecommunications business is being squeezed by his brother's own mobile network venture, made a rare address to the media a day after Fitch Ratings downgraded RelComm to junk status. Fitch said Thursday that RelComm's debts of 440 billion rupees ($6.84 billion) meant that a loan default was a "real possibility". It came after Moody's also downgraded RelComm's status this week, citing a "fragile" liquidity situation. "We are taking steps now to reduce our debt by 60 percent. Reliance Communication's future is bright and I assure all investors they'll be happy with our performance," Ambani said in Mumbai. He told a hastily arranged press conference that RelComm would pay off 250 billion rupees of its debt to lenders by the end of September, owing to its proposed merger with Aircel and the sale of its mobile tower business. In December RelComm announced it was selling its towers to Canadian asset management giant Brookfield for $1.6 billion while it is in the process of merging with Aircel to form a new telecoms venture called Aircom. RelComm's finances have been badly hit by the arrival of Reliance Jio, backed by conglomerate Reliance Industries, into India's hugely competitive telecommunications market last year. Jio is owned by Mukesh Ambani -- India's richest man and Anil's older brother -- and has sparked a price war since launching in September, forcing rivals to scramble around to match its deep pockets. Some 33.1 billion rupees ($513 million) has been wiped from RelComm's market value this year, according to Bloomberg News, with its shares down around 40 percent since the start of 2017. "We were disappointed with the recent downgrade by rating agencies and will work and engage with them to restore our credit ratings," Anil Ambani whose net worth is $2.7 billion according to Forbes, told reporters. RelComm's travails also come as India tackles a major debt problem in the country. Indian banks are saddled with some of highest levels of non-performing loans in emerging markets, according to the International Monetary Fund. The CIA has named the hardline chief of its hunt for Osama bin Laden and head of its lethal drone program to lead Iran operations, a report said The CIA has named the hardline chief of its hunt for Osama bin Laden and head of its lethal drone program to lead Iran operations, the New York Times reported Friday. The choice of Michael D'Andrea to run the Central Intelligence Agency's spying on Iran is the newest sign of the Trump administration's turn to tougher stance against the Islamic Republic, the Times said, quoting intelligence community sources. Although officially under cover and not acknowledged by the CIA, D'Andrea, a convert to Islam who is around 60 years old, has been a key figure in the fight against Islamic extremists groups. He was chief of the agency's Counter-Terrorism Center during the 2000s, in which he oversaw the hunt for Al-Qaeda head bin Laden, who was killed in a US commando raid in Pakistan in 2011. He also led the Obama administration's controversial "targeted killing" program using drones that left thousands of militants and civilians dead, mainly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. His identity was publicly exposed by the Times in 2015 in the wake of a drone attack on a suspected militant house in Pakistan that killed two Western hostages, an American and an Italian, whose presence in the house had not been known. That led to his being moved out of the Counter-Terrorism Center that year, according to various news reports at the time. The choice of D'Andrea to run the CIA's Iran operations was made by Mike Pompeo, who took a hard line against Iran and the Iran nuclear deal as a Republican congressman before President Donald Trump appointed him to be CIA director in January. Pompeo and D'Andrea could be key to administration attempts to ensure Iran is sticking to its commitments under the nuclear deal, or find violations that would support Trump's campaign pledge to tear up the agreement. The report Friday also comes after Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia two weeks ago, which served to announce a tougher line against Iran while embracing the Saudis and other Arab allies. The CIA declined to comment on the Times report. Obama Blasts Trump's Withdrawal From Paris Accords As 'Absence Of American Leadership' By Stephen Gossett in News on Jun 1, 2017 8:20PM DJ Obama in public-address mode at a University of Chicago speech/panel discussion / Getty Images / Photo: Scott Olson Former President Barack Obama was among those with harsh words for the current White House after President Donald Trump formally announced that the United States will pull out of the Paris climate accord. Obama said in a statement that Trump will "reject the future" by withdrawing from the accordwhich, when signed in 2015, established a series of benchmarks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions around the globe. Obama also said he remained hopeful that businesses and governments below the federal level would take up the baton "even in the absence of American leadership." "The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created," Obama said in the statement. "I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack." "But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; Im confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet weve got," he said. Nearly 200 nations are signed on to the climate agreement. Trump announced the withdrawal despite protestations from environmentalists, European leaders, scientists and even hundreds of prominent businesses and massive energy interests, such as Shell and Exxon. Even Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Ivanka Trump advised against leaving, according to the New York Times. Illinois lawmakers also came out with full-throated rebukes of Trump's decision. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) said that "America is losing its influence and our economy is being left behind" as a result of the pull-out. She said in a statement: Climate change is one of the gravest environmental, economic and national security threats of our time, and were already experiencing its devastating effects in Illinois and across the country. Our military leaders have long understood that increased famine and drought caused by climate change is contributing to political instability across the globe - but it seems that our President does not. Instead of leading the way towards a more sustainable future, he is prepared to retreat from our global responsibilities and deliver yet another a self-inflicted blow to Americas credibility on the world stage by having our country join Syria and Nicaragua as the only three countries not party to this agreement." Duckworth's Illinois colleague, Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democratic Senator, evoked Trump's own language to blast the withdrawal. "This is not America First," Durbin said in a statement. "This is America last when it comes to the stewardship of this planet." More than 20 Republican lawmakers who received millions in donations from energy interests urged Trump to ditch the accord, according to the Guardian. More locally, Mayor Rahm Emanuel also shared his disapproval of the move in a statement which also reaffirmed Chicago's commitment to reducing carbon emissions: As the Trump administration pulls back, Chicago will push forward & reduce our fair share of carbon emissions in line with the #ParisAccord. pic.twitter.com/N1mrVKKWa7 ChicagosMayor (@ChicagosMayor) June 1, 2017 Obama's full statement is printed below: Canada exported a record Can$36.1 billion worth of goods to the United States in April, mostly cars, natural gas and softwood lumber Canada's trade deficit narrowed in April to Can$370 million (US$274 million), as exports to the United States hit a record high, the government statistical agency announced Friday. The results were worse than the Can$30 million deficit forecast by economists, following a Can$936 million deficit in March (revised from the Can$135 million deficit first reported). Canada exported a record Can$36.1 billion worth of goods to its neighbor, the United States in April -- mostly cars, natural gas and softwood lumber. Imports from the US were up too, to Can$31.1 billion, widening Canada's trade surplus with the United States to Can$5 billion. Total exports rose 1.8 percent to Can$47.7 billion, led by higher exports of cars and light trucks, while higher prices pushed up imports 0.6 percent to Can$48.1 billion. Exports of natural gas led an increase in energy exports, attributed to higher prices. There were also higher exports of coal to the Netherlands. Statistics Canada noted that coal exports have been strong in recent months as Australia's coal industry recovers from Cyclone Debbie. The agency also noted a bump in softwood lumber exports to the United States, coming just ahead of new US countervailing duties of up to 24 percent. Washington is alleging unfair competition in the forestry sector. April saw record high imports, meanwhile, as prices for consumer goods, electronic and electrical equipment and parts, and basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products soared. But there were fewer imports of aircraft from the United States and ships from the Netherlands and Poland, and lower imports from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia of crude oil and bitumen. US Senator John McCain (C) visits the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain docked at Cam Ranh International Port in Vietnam's central province of Khanh Hoa US senator John McCain visited an American missile destroyer dubbed "Big Bad John" that docked in Vietnam Friday, as Washington and Hanoi deepen military ties amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. The Vietnam vet toured the guided-missile destroyer USS John S McCain, named after his father and grandfather, both naval officers -- in southern Cam Ranh Bay. The visit comes after a US warship sailed near an artificial island built by Beijing in the South China Sea last week. The US also transferred seven security vessels to Vietnam last week. The ship's routine technical stop on Friday was a "strong symbol of the positive trajectory of the US-Vietnam comprehensive partnership", according to a statement from the US Embassy in Vietnam. McCain praised the American sailors as he toured the massive destroyer in the strategic southern port, Vietnam's largest naval base, with fellow senators Christopher Coons and John Barrasso. "People all over America are grateful that you are here, far away from home, far away from your loved ones, representing the United States of America," he said. McCain, a former navy pilot, was shot down during a bombing mission over North Vietnam in 1967 and famously became a prisoner of war in Hanoi's Hoa Lo prison, dubbed the "Hanoi Hilton". His pilot uniform is today displayed in the prison, now a tourist attraction in communist Vietnam's capital city. Vietnam has found itself increasingly alone in challenging China's island building campaign, especially as the Philippines warms up to regional superpower China. US President Donald Trump's rise to the White House has also cast uncertainty over American foreign policy in the oil-rich waterway. Radiohead hit back Friday at a campaign urging the band to scrap a show in Israel, calling the boycott effort divisive, patronizing and 'an extraordinary waste of energy.' The experimental rock icons are scheduled to close a tour on July 19 in Tel Aviv but artists including Roger Waters have urged Radiohead to heed Palestinian activists' calls to shun Israel. Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke responded that the campaign sowed divisions that fueled right-wing leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May. Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke performs in Austin, Texas, in October 2016 'All of this creates divisive energy. You're not bringing people together. You're not encouraging dialogue or a sense of understanding,' Yorke told Rolling Stone magazine. 'It's such an extraordinary waste of energy. Energy that could be used in a more positive way,' he said. The petitioners -- who also include Nobel Prize-winning anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu, novelist Alice Walker and Thurston Moore of alternative rock pioneers Sonic Youth - in an open letter pointed to Radiohead's past activism. The British band has played concerts to support Tibetan rights, Amnesty International and the battle against climate change. Yorke called it 'patronizing in the extreme' to presume Radiohead is unfamiliar with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, pointing out that guitarist Jonny Greenwood's wife is an Arab Jew. 'It's really upsetting that artists I respect think we are not capable of making a moral decision ourselves after all these years,' he said. 'They talk down to us and I just find it mind-boggling that they think they have the right to do that,' he said. Artist Roger Waters (left) and Nobel Prize-winning anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu (right) were petitioning The campaign took on a personal dimension as Nigel Godrich, the longtime Radiohead producer often considered the band's sixth member, produced the latest album by Waters, the most vocal artist in pressing the Israel boycott. Godrich, also speaking to Rolling Stone, said he disagreed with cultural boycotts but considered Waters and Yorke 'two peas in a pod' in other respects. Radiohead had initially stayed silent on the boycott calls, even as a banner urging them to cancel the Tel Aviv show was hung at a recent concert in Berkeley, California. Yorke was speaking as part of an interview for the 20th anniversary of 'OK Computer,' the group's foray into digital experimentation that marked a landmark in the direction of rock. Radiohead on June 23 will issue an expanded version of 'OK Computer' with remastered sound and previously unreleased tracks. Radiohead on June 23 will issue an expanded version of 'OK Computer' with remastered sound and previously unreleased tracks On Friday, the band released as a single one song that didn't make the original 1997 album -- 'I Promise.' Less electronic than much of the album, 'I Promise' is driven by Yorke's falsetto voice and acoustic guitar before a gentle build on percussion. The most eagerly awaited track on the updated 'OK Computer' will be 'Lift,' an anthemic song reminiscent of 1990s Britpop that Radiohead played live at the time but did not put on the album. Guitarist Ed O'Brien, speaking recently to BBC 6 radio, said Radiohead saw the commercial potential of 'Lift' when playing it as an opening act for Alanis Morissette, who had become a megastar with her album 'Jagged Little Pill.' 'If that song had been on that album, it would have taken us to a different place, and we'd have probably sold a lot more records if we'd done it right,' O'Brien said. 'I think we kind of subconsciously killed it because if 'OK Computer' had been like a 'Jagged Little Pill,' like Alanis Morissette, it would have killed us,' he said. Erosion is threatening the existence of Tangier Island, Virginia, which has already lost two-thirds of its landmass since 1850 On Virginia's Tangier Island, about 100 miles and a ferry ride from Washington, the waters of the Chesapeake Bay are edging dangerously close to William Eskridge's house. Eskridge's family has lived here for the last 200 years. But perhaps not for much longer. The island is under threat from rapid erosion that is being accelerated by rising water scientists believe to be caused by climate change. At least a hundred feet of land have recently eroded, the fisherman says. "And it just seems like it's getting worse every year. I'm kind of fearful what it's going to be down the road." Tangier Island is wedged between the eastern shore of Maryland and the Virginia coast. Now measuring just 1.2 square miles, it has lost two-thirds of its landmass since 1850. If nothing is done to stop the erosion, it may disappear completely in the next 40 years. The 450 or so inhabitants here -- most of whose families have lived here for several generations -- are keen to save their island, classified in the National Register of Historic Places. Carol Pruitt Moore, who belongs to one of the island's old fishing families, remembers going to the beach as a child. Back then, the walk would take an hour. Now it takes only 10 minutes. "Not to save Tangier," she says, would be "a tragedy." Nevertheless, many residents support the rhetoric of President Donald Trump, who on Thursday announced the US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. The Republican billionaire, who has argued that environmental regulations are damaging for the US economy, won 87 percent of the vote in Tangier, where many don't believe the evidence that climate change is man-made. "It has nothing to do with sea-level rise," a retired teacher who gave his name as Bruce says about the island's woes. "I'm sure it will impact us in time, but we're talking about short-term erosion, which has been going on for decades." - Saving the harbor - Tangier Mayor James Eskridge feeds his cats as he checks on his soft shell crabs Tangier Mayor James Eskridge -- William's brother -- is pushing for the construction of a new sea wall to protect the town's main harbor. The harbor -- a lifeline for the families making a living off the crab fishing industry -- is directly threatened by erosion. Its western entrance is growing wider as the water rises, making it increasingly vulnerable during storms. But seeing the project become a reality has been painstakingly slow. "This project here has been in the works for, I would say, almost 20 years," Eskridge said. "And since then, in 20 years' time, there's been so much erosion going on here that the original project would not work now." The delays are frustrating Tangier's residents as the erosion visibly diminishes their island. Now set to be completed by next year, the project will provide only a short-term band-aid for a much bigger problem. - 'Sunken sand hill' at risk - A grave stone rests on the beach where a cemetery once stood but has been washed away due to erosion in an area called Canaan in Tangier, Virginia David Schulte walks on what was once the village of Canaan. Today, only a few gravestones on a beach remain. Abandoned in the 1930s, Canaan is a reminder that erosion has always been a problem on Tangier Island. But Schulte -- a marine biologist with the United States Army Corps of Engineers -- says global warming is dangerously accelerating that phenomenon. "The water is now high enough that it's striking above the sand line on the island," he says. Tangier is particularly vulnerable because it's made of softer material than many other islands. "The island is basically a sunken sand hill, it's not like the islands on the South Pacific that have more stone," Schulte says, adding that a peat marsh on top of the sand is "very soft organic clay soil." "Once the water gets high enough to hit the peak directly, it's just tearing the island to pieces." Saving the island in the long term would require constructing additional sea walls and bailing out water from the island's center, he says. "We go offshore, we get some sandy material with a big dredge and we pump it on top of these present ridges and physically build up the land." However, any such engineering plan would depend on Congress, which must approve a new study to determine what measures can be taken to save the island. Lawmakers would then have to vote to finance the project, estimated at a cost of tens of millions of dollars. Timing is also crucial. Virginia Marine Resources Commissioner John Bull says that if a decision to go ahead is to be made, it must be done quickly. "The environmental changes we've been seeing indicate that at some point, it will be too late to save Tangier," Bull warned. DR Congo's prominent opposition politician Moise Katumbi look on as he leaves the Palais Wilson after filling a complaint with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on June 2, 2017 in Geneva Exiled Democratic Republic of Congo opposition politician Moise Katumbi on Friday filed a complaint with the UN in Geneva against President Joseph Kabila's government. Katumbi, a powerful businessman and ex-governor of the mineral-rich Katanga province, said he was "confident" after filing the complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee. The prominent government critic told AFP he turned to the UN because the judiciary in his country had been "manipulated" by the state. "Justice was denied us inside the country, so we were forced to turn to the international community," said his lawyer, Eric Dupond-Moretti, explaining that "we believe the (Congolese) state has violated his fundamental rights." The 36-page complaint lists a series of wrongs allegedly committed against Katumbi, including "arbitrary" trials, police harassment and the arrest of his supporters. It maintains that he has been forced into exile in a bid to "keep (him) away from the presidential elections." Katumbi is a former Kabila ally who broke with the ruling party in September 2015, and a year later was named as a presidential candidate by the G7 group of opposition parties. But Kabila failed to step down at the end of his mandate last December, sparking tensions across the vast mineral-rich nation of 71 million people. - 'A farce' - Katumbi is awaiting trial for the alleged recruitment of mercenaries and has already been sentenced to three years in jail for seizing a building belonging to a Greek citizen. Authorities have ordered him arrested if he returns from abroad. Fellow opposition politician Jean-Claude Muyambo was meanwhile sentenced to five years on fraud charges linked to the same building. DRC's influential Catholic bishops have described the two trials as "a farce". The bishops issued the report in March as part of a New Year's Eve deal brokered by the Church to end the political crisis and pave a way for elections by the end of this year. The Kasai region in particular has seen a major spike in violence since September, when government forces killed a tribal chief and militia leader who had rebelled against Kabila. Since the unrest began it has claimed more than 400 lives and forced more than 1.2 million people from their homes, UN figures show. The UN Human Rights Committee, which oversees countries' adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, registers around 200 new complaints each year. It usually takes the Geneva-based committee of independent experts around three years to deliver decisions. It does not have the power to impose sanctions. Israeli activists chant slogans, as they carry placards, during the 6th annual 'Slut Walk' through central Jerusalem on June 2, 2017 Hundreds of young Israelis, many wearing just bras and shorts, staged a "SlutWalk" through central Jerusalem on Friday to defend women's right to dress as they want without being assaulted. "No, that means no," they chanted as the marchers, mostly women but also some men, made their way along Jaffa Road and near religiously conservative Ultra-Orthodox Jewish areas such as Mahane Yehuda where women cover up in long robes. The annual march, held with a police escort, passed off without incident. Margaret, 23, told AFP she was there to show that "all women and all men have the right to wear what they want... and that nobody has the right to touch or attack them for that". Israeli activists chant slogans and carry placards during the annual 'Slut Walk' through central Jerusalem on June 2, 2017, in protest at sexual assaults With bleached hair, a boyish haircut and several piercings on her face, 18-year-old Katie said such action was "very important" in a country like Israel where an ex-president, Moshe Katsav, is serving a seven-year jail term for rape. Taking part alongside his girlfriend was Erez, sporting a beard and a dress. Apart from a show of solidarity, he wanted "to make it loud and clear that the responsibility for sorting out this question lies not with women, but with us, men". Unlike Tel Aviv, Israel's liberal city on the Mediterranean, Jerusalem is conservative and home to religiously observant Jews, Muslims and Christians. In March 2015, a girl was killed and six other people wounded when an Ultra-Orthodox Jew attacked a Gay Pride parade in the Holy City. The SlutWalk movement was sparked in Canada in 2011 after a police officer caused outrage during a speech to university students by stating that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised". Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull delivers his opening speech at the Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore China has nothing to gain by strong-arming its way in the Asia Pacific, Australia's prime minister said Friday, warning that a "coercive" Beijing would only face resentment in the region. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, speaking at a regional security conference in Singapore, said it was inevitable that China play a bigger regional role to match its rising economic weight, but cautioned against threatening its smaller neighbours. Turnbull's address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual defence and security summit, follows China's moves to build a series of artificial islands on shoals and reefs in contested waters in the South China Sea, which has sparked concern among its neighbours. Beijing claims almost the entire sea, pitting it against the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam which have partial claims. "A coercive China would find its neighbours resenting demands they cede their autonomy and strategic space, and look to counterweight Beijing's power by bolstering alliances and partnerships, between themselves and especially with the United States," said Turnbull. "Just as modern China was founded in 1949 on an assertion of national sovereignty, so will 21st century China best succeed by respecting the sovereignty of others and in so doing build a reservoir of trust and cooperation with its neighbours," he added. Turnbull also urged Beijing to help bring North Korea "to its senses" and exercise its influence over Pyongyang. On Monday the North test-fired a ballistic missile for the third time in less than three weeks, its 12th this year. "The North Korean regime, the Pyongyang government, is endangering the peace of the region and indeed the peace of the world by conduct that is persistently reckless, dangerous and indeed unlawful," Turnbull said. Turnbull also said that countries in the region should not see US President Donald Trump's recent decisions to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact and the Paris climate agreement as disengagement from the global community. "While these decisions are disappointing, we should take care not to rush to interpret an intent to engage on different terms as one not to engage at all," he said. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is scheduled to speak to the conference Saturday as US allies in the region will be looking for clear signals about America's regional security goals under Trump. Equatorial Guinea has for the first time been elected to the UN Security Council, despite criticism by human rights groups of President Teodoro Mbasogo, who has ruled the country for almost 40 years Equatorial Guinea was for the first time elected to the UN Security Council on Friday during a vote that saw Ivory Coast, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru and Poland also win seats at the top world table. The oil-rich central African country, which has been ruled by Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo for nearly four decades, ran unopposed for one of two seats representing Africa on the council. The Security Council is made up of 10 non-permanent members elected to two-year terms and five permanent powers: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The elected countries -- all of which were put forward by their regional grouping -- will begin their term on January 1. Human Rights Watch said it had concerns over Equatorial Guinea's role at the council, even if the body is overwhelmingly dominated by the five permanent members. "They have a long history of harassing, arbitrarily detaining and interfering with the work of human rights defenders," said Louis Charbonneau, HRW's UN director. Human Rights Watch hopes that "they don't try to obstruct attempts to increasingly integrate human rights defence and the promotion of human rights at the council," he said. The Netherlands will serve one year at the council under a deal reached with Italy to split the term and break a deadlock over the election. During the vote at the UN General Assembly, Equatorial Guinea won 185 votes, the Netherlands won 184 votes, Ivory Coast 185, Kuwait 188, Poland 190 and Peru 186. The six new council members will replace Italy, Japan, Egypt, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay. Diplomats casting ballMbasongoots at the General Assembly were treated to gifts from candidate-countries: The Netherlands gave stroopwaffels, Ivory Coast handed out coffee and Kuwait offered sweets. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is embarking on a 10-date speaking tour ahead of elections next year Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Friday launched a nationwide 10-venue speaking tour aimed at drumming up support ahead of elections next year when he plans to seek office again. The 93-year-old leader, who appeared in better health than at some recent public appearances, spoke for an hour and a half at a rally outside Harare attended by several thousand ZANU-PF supporters. The ruling ZANU-PF party is widely seen as divided over Mugabe's successor, while opposition parties are in talks to unite to try to oust him in the election. "We want our party to remain united and not divided. If you are a real ZANU-PF member, be true to your party," Mugabe said at the rally in Marondera. He urged those seeking to succeed him to "be at peace". "The time will come," he said. "It's certainly coming." ZANU-PF officials say Mugabe is focusing on youth issues at the series of "interface rallies" in each of Zimbabwe's 10 provinces. Mugabe has slurred his words in interviews this year and struggled to walk in public, but he stood up throughout his long speech on Friday. He wore a jacket in the party colours, and arrived at the open-air venue standing on the back of a police truck and waving at cheering supporters. "President Robert Mugabe is our sole candidate for 2018. We declare you our life president," Kelvin Mutsvairo, a provincial youth party leader, said in his speech. A banner at the rally called Mugabe "the father of youth empowerment" and urged young people to register to vote in the elections. Mugabe has ruled since independence in 1980, and ZANU-PF are often accused of election rigging and voter intimidation. A woman demonstrates in New York on June 1, 2017, to protest US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate accord State governors, city mayors and powerful companies united Friday in defiance of President Donald Trump's pledge to take the United States out of the Paris climate accord, pledging to meet greenhouse gas emission targets regardless. A majority of Americans in every state, or 69 percent of US voters, believe the United States should participate in the agreement, according to a recent opinion poll carried out by Yale University's program on climate change communication. At least two Republican governors announced Friday they were partnering with Democratic-run states to combat climate change after Trump's announcement sparked swift condemnation from academics, industry leaders and environmental experts. US billionaire, philanthropist and UN envoy for climate change Michael Bloomberg pledged $15 million to support the agreement's coordinating agency if necessary -- the sum it stands to lose should the United States refuse to pay its share. "Americans will honor and fulfill the Paris agreement by leading from the bottom up," he said, flying to the French capital to meet President Emmanuel Macron in an expression of solidarity. "Mayors, governors and business leaders from both political parties are signing onto a statement of support that we will submit to the UN -- and together, we will reach the emission reduction goals the US made in Paris in 2015," said Bloomberg. The key stages of the global agreement to limit climate change The United States -- the world's second largest greenhouse gas emitter after China -- pledged in the Paris climate deal to reduce emissions that contribute to global warming by 26 percent in a 20-year period by 2025. The New York Times said that Bloomberg's unnamed group so far includes 30 mayors, three governors, more than 80 university presidents and more than 100 businesses. The Democratic-led states of California, New York and Washington announced separately that they were forming a United States Climate Alliance committed to upholding Paris emissions commitments and urged others to climb on board. Charlie Baker and Phil Scott, the Republican governors of Massachusetts and Vermont respectively, announced that their liberal northeastern states were joining the Climate Alliance and committed to the goals of the Paris agreement, as did their Democratic counterparts in Connecticut and Rhode Island. - 'More than mitigated' - Around 150 mayors, who say they represent 47 million Americans, have also committed to uphold the Paris commitments, intensify efforts to meet climate goals and increase investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. US President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Accords in the Rose Garden of the White House on June 1, 2017 Several major US corporations, captains of industry and business groups urged Trump to honor the endangered agreement, with oil super majors ExxonMobil and Chevron among those reiterating their support for the accords. New York's Bill de Blasio, mayor of America's most populous city, told WNYC radio that he wanted to "surpass" his commitment to reduce emissions 80 percent by 2050. While UN officials stress that it could take several years before there is a proper understanding of the implications of a US withdrawal, they also say the deal was structured to require action at multiple levels of government, not just federal. Robert Orr, one of the architects of the Paris accord and a former special advisor to the UN secretary general on climate change, told AFP that the United States had already been on track to achieve about half its Paris reductions commitment. French President Emmanuel Macron (R), Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (L) and former mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg speak during their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on June 2, 2017 "The president may have unwittingly added dynamism to the same actors that have always been the ones that are delivering the reductions to actually do more on their own," he told AFP. "If this coalition broadens and deepens at the pace that it appears to be, I think the Trump effect could be more than mitigated," added Orr, now dean of the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland. California, New York and Washington, three of the states in the Climate Alliance, represent more than one-fifth of US gross domestic product and account for at least 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, their governors said. The governor of Hawaii has also pledged to continue concrete steps to implement the Paris accord, while governors of Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Virginia committed to clean air and clean energy. The earliest possible date for America's official withdrawal from the Paris agreement is November 4, 2020 -- the day after the next US presidential election -- although Trump's current term in office is not due to end until January 20, 2021. Police: Man Shot Cab Driver After Ordering Cab In Humboldt Park By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jun 1, 2017 9:22PM Google Street View of 700 N. Avers. Police issued an alert Thursday afternoon after a man shot a taxi cab driver in Humboldt Park Wednesday in the early morning. The shooting, referred to as aggravated battery took place in the 700 block of North Avers at about 1:02 a.m. after a man called a cab company to request a cab. The driver was waiting at the pickup location for the man, when a stranger approached the car and shot the driver. The shooter was described as a black man, 20 to 24-years-old, 5'6" to 5'7", 120 to 130 lbs, of dark complexion and wearing dark clothing. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, pictured in April 2017, ratified a law that heavily regulates NGOs Eight watchdogs, including Human Rights Watch, on Friday denounced Egypt's adoption of a contentious new law to regulate non-governmental organisations. The rights groups urged the Egyptian government to repeal the law, ratified on May 24 by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, saying it "will crush civil society". "The law ushers in unprecedented levels of repression and will criminalise the work of many NGOs, making it impossible for them to function independently," said the statement released by HRW. Since the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, Egyptian authorities have repressed all forms of opposition, at times targeting human rights organisations directly. The new law requires that a "national authority" including army and intelligence representatives oversee the foreign funding of Egyptian NGOs and the activities of foreign ones. "This new law represents a huge step backward for freedom of association in Egypt," said HRW's Middle East director Joe Stork. "The Egyptian authorities have squeezed shut whatever limited space remained for non-governmental groups in Egypt and driven the human rights community underground," he added. Since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime president Hosni Mubarak, government and security officials have accused civil society of wanting to destabilise the country. Several human rights defenders have been forbidden from travelling outside Egypt and have seen their assets frozen as part of an inquiry into foreign funding of civil society groups that started in 2011. "It should not be a crime to advocate for human rights and development in Egypt, but this law does just that, crippling civil society for years to come," the statement said. Signatories included the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) as well as the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS). French soldiers of Barkhane counter-terrorism operation, like the ones pictured here in February 2016, recently completed a successful attack on jihadists French forces operating in northern Mali said Friday that they had taken "out of action" around 20 militants in operations against jihadist groups this week. Soldiers taking part in Operation Barkhane, the French counterterror mission operating across the Sahel region, called in Mirage 2000 jets and Tiger attack helicopters. "The Barkhane force carried out a new operation in the Serma forest...taking around 20 terrorists out of action," Barkhane said in a statement. The assault, which began Sunday and ended Thursday resulted in the seizure of weapons, munitions and other equipment. Barkhane added that a series of operations carried out with Mali and Burkina Faso forces since the end of April, along with air and land surveillance of local activity had "produced intelligence on operations by armed terrorist groups in the region". On Thursday, four French soldiers were wounded, one seriously, when a mortar struck a Barkhane camp outside Timbuktu. A day earlier, three Malian soldiers were killed in an ambush in northern Mali. Operation Barkhane comprises around 4,000 soldiers who are deployed in five countries -- Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso -- all of which are menaced by the jihadist threat across porous borders. Nineteen French soldiers have died serving in Mali since 2013 when Hollande launched an intervention to chase out jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda who had overtaken key northern cities, according to the latest defence ministry figures. Jihadists continue to roam the country's north and centre, mounting attacks on civilians and the army, as well as French and UN forces still stationed there. Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron visited troops in Mali, on his first official visit outside Europe after taking power Jason Dufner hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 2, 2017 in Dublin, Ohio Jason Dufner holed out from the fairway for an eagle en route to a second straight 65 that gave him a five-shot lead with a record-setting 36-hole total at the Memorial on Friday. Dufner's 14-under par total of 130 put him five shots in front of fellow American Daniel Summerhays, who carded a 69 for 135. Rickie Fowler was alone in third after a 66 for 136. "Did everything pretty well," said Dufner, whose halfway total was one stroke better than the previous 36 hole record set by Scott Hoch at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, in 1987 and matched by Fowler in 2010. "I made some nice pars and rolled in some putts," he added, although the highlight of his day didn't involve putting. He fired his second shot at the par-four 18th, his ninth hole of the day, from 175 yards out in the center of the fairway. It landed past the pin and spun back into the hole for an eagle. He added five birdies to cement his lead. "We've got two more rounds to go," said Dufner, the 2013 PGA Championship winner. "We'll see how the course changes, if the wind picks up, gets running fast, it plays different. If we get some showers like they're talking about it will be soft and be a little bit more scoreable ... you keep trying to shoot as low as you can." Summerhays, seeking a first US PGA Tour victory, had six birdies and three bogeys in his 69. Fowler, who started the day tied for 13th on two-under, teed off on 10 and climbed up the leaderboard with a six-under effort. Four of his six birdies came on his inward run, including three in a row at the sixth, seventh and eighth. "Definitely pleased," said Fowler, whose opening round had included a triple-bogey. "I was able to get rid of some mistakes I made yesterday." Former world number one Jordan Spieth had three birdies and three bogeys in an even par 72 that left him tied for fourth on six-under 138. He was joined by Jamie Lovemark (69) and Justin Thomas (71). Sweden's David Lingmerth, the overnight co-leader with Dufner, followed up his opening 65 with a two-over 74 and was in a group of six players on 139 that also included Scotland's Martin Laird, Argentina's Emiliano Grillo and two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. World number one Dustin Johnson, two weeks away from his US Open title defense at Erin Hills in Wisconsin, missed the cut, following up his opening 78 with a two-over 74. Spain's Jon Rahm also failed to make the cut, which came at three-over par. He had five bogeys in his five-over 77 including four in a row to end his round. Former world number one Jason Day rebounded from an opening 75 to card a 71 that saw him make it to the weekend with a stroke to spare. Congressional sources tell AFP that so far three copies of the report on the CIA's torture program have been returned after a request from Senate Intelligence Committee chair Richard Burr Democrats on Friday accused a powerful Republican senator of seeking to erase the history of the CIA's torture program in the 2000s by demanding copies of a highly classified report be handed over to him. They said Senator Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, had secretly told government agencies this week to return their copies of the committee's 2014 "Full Report on the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program" to him. An estimated eight copies were distributed to the White House and various agencies, and Burr said Friday he wanted them back to ensure the sensitive information within remained secret. "As the committee does with all classified and compartmented information, (I) will enact the necessary measures to protect the sensitive sources and methods contained within the report," he said in a statement Friday, without confirming specifics of his request. But Democrats see a plan to destroy all copies of the report to make sure the full truth of the Central Intelligence Agency's torture activities after the September 11 attacks never sees the light of day. "No senator -- chairman or not -- has the authority to erase history. I believe that is the intent of the chairman in this case," said Diane Feinstein, the Democratic senator who originally commissioned the report in 2009 when she chaired the committee. Another committee Democrat, Senator Ron Wyden, said Burr's effort "could serve only one purpose -- to pave the way for the kind of falsehoods used to justify an illegal and dangerous torture program." The 6,700-page report documents in detail the extra-legal detentions and interrogations of Al-Qaeda suspects like 9/11 plotter Abu Zubaydah, using brutal, now-banned techniques like waterboarding and sleep deprivation to try and break down the subjects. A 528-page executive summary of the report was released publicly in December 2014 and supported arguments against the use of torture. But the full version has details of specific interrogations and secret information on participants and locations. When the report was completed Democrats sought to ensure it would become part of the public record by distributing it to key agencies in the government. Burr has been seeking their return since he took over the committee in 2015, and recently told the original recipients to return it. So far three copies have been returned to him from the CIA, the CIA inspector general's office, and from the Director of National Intelligence, congressional sources told AFP. The status of others that were distributed to the Defense Department, the Justice Department, the FBI and State Department are not known. Last December outgoing president Barack Obama, anticipating a Republican and possibly CIA-backed effort to bury the report, had a White House copy committed to his forthcoming presidential library in Chicago. It's not clear whether that copy was being sought by Burr. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - As a thyroid cancer survivor battling nerve damage and other complications, Lisa Dammert was in such dire financial straits in 2014 that she and her husband did the unthinkable: They let their health insurance lapse for a while. If the Dammerts and some of the millions of other Americans like them do that under the Republican health care plan now making its way through Congress, they could end up paying a heavy price. Under the bill, people who go without insurance for even just a couple of months - whether because of a job loss, a divorce, a serious illness that leaves them unable to work, or some other reason - could face sharply higher premiums if they try to sign up again for coverage, especially if they have a pre-existing condition. Some might find themselves priced out of the market. In this May 26, 2017 photo, Lisa Dammert and her husband, Patrick, pose at their home in Franklin, Tenn. As a thyroid cancer survivor battling nerve damage and other complications, Lisa was in such dire financial straits in 2014 that she and her husband let their health insurance lapse, putting them in a category with some 6 million Americans who have gone without coverage at times despite serious health problems. That group and millions of others who have had a gap in insurance could face higher charges under the Republican health care bill that recently passed the House. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Dammert, who lives in the Nashville suburb of Franklin, said her husband has since gotten a job that provides health insurance for the family, but she knows hard times could come again. She is watching the fate of the Republican bill. "It scares me to death," she said. The bill, which passed the House but is certain to be amended in the Senate, represents the GOP's effort to deliver on its promise to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, a law critics say has driven up insurance costs and is unsustainable. The bill requires insurers to raise premiums 30 percent for anyone seeking to buy a policy on the individual market who had a lapse in coverage of 63 days or more in the previous year. The legislation also enables states to obtain a waiver that would allow insurers to charge higher premiums to people with pre-existing conditions if they had a gap in coverage. Under the current law, the sick and the healthy must be charged the same. Because of those gap-in-coverage rules, some people might be unable to find affordable insurance, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The higher premiums would start in 2019, giving people enough time to get insured and avoid the penalties. The budget office estimates that states that are home to one-sixth of the U.S. population, or more than 50 million people, would ask for the waiver. States that opt for a waiver would have to find a way to try to keep premiums affordable, such as creating high-risk pools for people with serious medical problems. In the past, many state-run high-risk pools offered policies that some consumers still found too costly. "That high-risk pool has to exist, but it does not have to offer affordable coverage," said Cynthia Cox, associate director of health reform and private insurance at the Kaiser Family Foundation. Insurance companies, she said, could use high premiums to avoid taking on sick people. Republicans say the gap-in-coverage surcharges will help stabilize premiums for everyone by getting people to carry insurance at all times instead of waiting until they get sick. Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, a Republican, said such provisions are "a simple but important reform that will encourage patients to enroll in coverage and stay enrolled." Yet maintaining health insurance might not be possible all the time, said Albert Noll, a speech pathologist in Austin, Texas. Before Obama's health care law took effect, Noll and his wife went 15 years with prolonged periods in which they had no insurance. Often, it was just too expensive - as much as $1,250 a month when he worked at a long-term care facility. "Life happens, and sometimes you are forced into situations, as we have been throughout our lives together, where you (realize), 'I can't do this,'" he said. "For whatever reason, it happens to people." One three-month gap came after he finished a master's degree but had to wait for new coverage to kick in. That left them uninsured for part of the time Patricia Noll was pregnant with the couple's second daughter. She recalls thinking, "Please, God, do not let anything happen." Roughly 27 million people had a gap in their health coverage of several months or more in 2015, a recent Kaiser report found. An estimated 6.3 million of those had pre-existing conditions. Heidi Varner, of Midland Township, Michigan, said her first break in coverage came after a divorce. She worked part-time jobs while raising three daughters but could not afford her own insurance. She went without coverage for a decade despite having been treated for cervical cancer while on her husband's plan. She skipped mammograms and other screenings. The 61-year-old had insurance for roughly eight years while working for the American Cancer Society but was laid off in September. She acquired insurance two months later through Michigan's expansion of Medicaid, which was made possible by the Affordable Care Act. Varner said a law that penalizes people for coverage gaps would be out of step with the times. "In this day and age, there are companies that are downsizing all the time," she said. "It's very feasible for most people to have at least a two-month gap in insurance. It's not like when my dad worked for Dow forever and had a pension and you knew you had a job for your whole life." ___ Eggert reported from Lansing, Michigan. In this May 26, 2017 photo, Lisa Dammert is poses with her husband, Patrick, and son, Bobby, at their home in Franklin, Tenn. As a thyroid cancer survivor battling nerve damage and other complications, Lisa was in such dire financial straits in 2014 that she and her husband let their health insurance lapse, putting them in a category with some 6 million Americans who have gone without coverage at times despite serious health problems. That group and millions of others who have had a gap in insurance could face higher charges under the Republican health care bill that recently passed the House. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Albert Knoll and his wife Patricia Knoll pose for a photo at their home in Austin, Texas, Friday, May 26, 2017. Before Obama's health care law took effect, Noll and his wife went 15 years with prolonged periods in which they had no insurance. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Albert Knoll and his wife Patricia Knoll pose for a photo at their home in Austin, Texas, Friday, May 26, 2017. Before Obama's health care law took effect, Noll and his wife went 15 years with prolonged periods in which they had no insurance. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) BERLIN (AP) - The German government said Thursday it will continue to deport people to Afghanistan if they are considered a threat, have committed crimes or persistently refuse to reveal their identity. The government earlier had said it would consider each deportation on a case-by-case basis following Wednesday's deadly attack in Kabul, which raised fresh questions about security in the country. The German embassy was badly damaged in the attack, which killed at least 90 people in the Afghan capital. German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during the German-Chinese forum in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP) The partial suspension of deportations will continue until Germany's foreign ministry issues a revised security assessment for Afghanistan next month. The foreign ministry said voluntary returns would continue, as would the deportation of convicted criminals, people deemed a "terrorist threat" and "rejected asylum-seekers who persistently refuse to reveal their identity." Germany canceled a plane that was to take deportees to Kabul following Wednesday's attack. That same day, nine police officers were injured in a violent protest enforcing the deportation of an Afghan student in the southeastern city of Nuremberg. Police were attempting to detain the 20-year-old man when hundreds of fellow students organized a spontaneous attempt to block his deportation. Tens of thousands of Afghans fleeing the conflict in their home country have sought asylum in Germany in recent years. Germany has granted asylum to almost 60 percent of Afghan applications, a rate that is significantly higher than in other European Union countries. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - An East Timor court on Thursday dismissed a criminal defamation case brought by the country's prime minister against two journalists due to lack of evidence. Rights groups and press advocates had urged that the case be dropped, fearing it would further undermine press freedom in one of the world's youngest democracies. Accused journalist Raimundo Oki said there was "big applause" when Dili District Court judge Patrocino Antonino Goncalves issued his ruling. The trial was observed by the International Federation of Journalists, USAID and other groups. "I am happy with the final decision because since the beginning I have always believed that the judge will do his job freely and independently," Oki said. Oki and his former editor at the Timor Post, Lourenco Vicente Martins, would have faced up to three years in prison if found guilty of slanderous denunciation. The defamation accusation stemmed from an error in a story published two years ago about Prime Minister Rui Aria de Araujo's involvement in a state contract for information technology services when he was an adviser to East Timor's finance minister in 2014. The story, which said Araujo had recommended a particular company for the contract before bids opened, misidentified that company as the eventual winner of the contract. The newspaper apologized for that error, published a front-page story on Araujo's denial and Martins resigned. But Araujo has insisted on prosecuting. East Timor's fragile press freedom has come under attack with the passing of a restrictive media law in 2014 that can be used to stifle investigative journalism. A former colony of Portugal, it was occupied by Indonesia for a quarter century until a U.N.-sponsored independence referendum in 1999 sparked violent reprisals by the Indonesian military that killed many and destroyed its economy. RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) - New York county officials have agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle lawsuits involving the accidental death of a 21-year-old college student during Superstorm Sandy. Stony Brook University student Vishwaja Muppa, of Edison, New Jersey, was killed and three other women were injured in the 2012 storm. Officials say a Suffolk County police car crashed into their vehicle at a darkened intersection in the hamlet of Port Jefferson Station on Long Island. Police say the storm had knocked out the traffic light and the officer didn't have his emergency lights on. The three other women suffered severe and permanent injuries, and will also receive part of the settlement. The settlement was announced Tuesday. Newsday reports (http://nwsdy.li/2sfpEnD ) the county legislature will decide a proposal to borrow $3 million for the settlement. ___ This story has been corrected to note accident occurred in Port Jefferson Station. ___ Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com Emirates Team New Zealand, determined to atone for its soul-crushing loss in the 2013 America's Cup, took a big step forward Thursday when it clinched a spot in the challenger semifinals on Bermuda's Great Sound. Sir Ben Ainslie of Britain also earned a spot in the next round, but only after a humbling moment in which technology failed one of the world's best sailors. Ainslie's Land Rover BAR was leading Emirates Team New Zealand early on the first downwind leg when it attempted a gybe and the 50-foot catamaran came crashing off its foils, burying its hulls in the turquoise water. In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Groupama Team France and Great Britain's Land Rover BAR compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) The onboard microphones picked up Ainslie saying, "What happened? What happened? It's just killing us. It's absolutely killing us." The British never recovered. The Kiwis, showing good speed in light, shifty conditions and exceptional maneuvering, sailed so far ahead that when they crossed the finish line, Ainslie still had nearly a full lap of the course to complete. Ainslie radioed in to the race committee that he was withdrawing. "We had a pretty big wipeout and stuffed the bows in and killed all of the speed and lost a huge amount of ground," Ainslie said. "It was a frustrating moment for us. We had a nice start against Emirates Team New Zealand but they were coming over us with pace. We had to gybe away and we had a systems failure, which means we couldn't control our daggerboard properly. "In those light winds, once you do that it's just so painful to rebuild the speed high and get going again," Ainslie said. Ainslie said he withdrew to give the team's engineers and technicians time to fix the issue, which they did in time for the day's last race. The Brits and Groupama Team France swapped the lead on every leg, with Ainslie making a nice move near the finish line to win by 23 seconds. That victory assured that Ainslie will advance to the semis. There are huge expectations back home in England, which has failed for 166 years to win back the silver trophy it lost to the schooner America in 1851. Ainslie would love to become the first Englishman to hoist the Auld Mug in victory, but he's been plagued this spring by speed issues and collisions. Ainslie was knighted several months after winning his fourth straight Olympic gold medal, in home waters in 2012. Ainslie helped Oracle Team USA rally from an 8-1 deficit to beat Team New Zealand in the 2013 America's Cup before starting his own campaign, which has the backing of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. He's been saved in this regatta by two bonus points earned by leading the fleet after the America's Cup World Series the last two years. Two-time defending champion Oracle Team USA, which came in with one bonus point, leads the qualifiers with seven points, followed by Emirates Team New Zealand with six and Land Rover BAR with five. SoftBank Team Japan has three points while Sweden's Artemis Racing and Groupama Team France have two apiece Those three teams will fight for the final two spots in the challenger semis. In one of the many radical departures from tradition, this is the first time the defender has sailed against challengers in the preliminaries. If Oracle wins the qualifiers, it will carry a one-point bonus into the first-to-seven America's Cup match beginning June 17. If a challenger wins the qualifiers and then reaches the match, it will get the bonus point. One challenger will be eliminated by Saturday. Oracle will practice on its own while the challengers sail their semifinals and finals. Also Thursday, Oracle overcame a penalty at the start and passed stablemate SoftBank Team Japan to win by 32 seconds. Team Japan routed Team France in the day's first race. Team Japan bought Oracle's design package as part of a deal to enter the America's Cup, and there has been speculation that the startup syndicate, led by former Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker, could help Oracle clinch the bonus point by tanking in the head-to-head showdowns. Oracle has now beaten Japan twice in the round-robins. Barker was asked if Team Japan was allowed to beat Oracle. "It was a pleasant prestart; we enjoyed that and the first two thirds of the race," Barker said. "Unfortunately we chose the wrong gate at the bottom. I can assure you it was not a deliberate act if that's what you're asking." ___ Follow Bernie Wilson on Twitter at http://twitter.com/berniewilson In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Great Britain's Land Rover BAR crewmen compete against Groupama Team France (not shown) during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Gilles Martin-Raget/ACEA via AP) In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Groupama Team France and Great Britain's Land Rover BAR compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Oracle Team USA competes against SoftBank Team Japan (not shown) during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Gilles Martin-Raget/ACEA via AP) In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Oracle Team USA and SoftBank Team Japan compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Thursday, June 1, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. (AP) - The Latest on a tanker fire that shut down Interstate 25 near Denver (all times local): 2:25 p.m. Relatives of the driver injured after his tanker truck crashed and caught fire on Interstate 25 near Denver says they're very thankful that they'll be able to take him home after he recovers. A tanker smolders along the retaining wall separating northbound from southbound lanes on Interstate 25 Wednesday, May 31, 2017, in Greenwood Village, Colo. The highway is closed along with a nearby light rail station, forcing motorists to seek other routes through Denver's busy southeast corridor. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Investigators say Henry Dominguez's truck lost a tire and crashed into a concrete median on Wednesday. He managed to jump out and tumble onto the road as cars drove by before a fire quickly engulfed the truck. The blaze sent a large plume of black smoke into the sky. The trucker's family in a statement Thursday also thanked highway workers who rushed to the truck to help Dominguez. The family did not disclose details about his injuries. The highway reopened Thursday morning after overnight emergency repairs. _____ 7:10 a.m. Interstate 25 outside Denver is back open after a tanker fire shut down the highway. All lanes were open in both directions in time for Thursday's commute after crews worked through the night to repair damage from Wednesday's fire. As the fire began, the driver of the truck jumped out, tumbling onto the road as cars drove by. Another person ran toward him and helped him away. The fire quickly engulfed the truck and sent a large plume of black smoke billowing into the sky. Investigators say the truck lost a tire and crashed into the concrete barrier in the median, but it's not clear if that ignited the fire. The charred barrier seemed to be the only sign remaining Thursday of the accident. The driver was taken to a hospital. His condition has not been released. Highway workers look over a retaining wall as the remains of a tanker smolders along the barrier separating northbound from southbound lanes on Interstate 25 Wednesday, May 31, 2017, in Greenwood Village, Colo. The highway is closed along with a nearby light rail station, forcing motorists to seek other routes through Denver's busy southeast corridor. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Chicagoans Will Rally Today To Protest Trump's Exit From The Paris Accord By Stephen Gossett in News on Jun 2, 2017 4:20PM Photo: Tyler LaRiviere / People's Climate March, April, 2017 The rebukes was swift and strong when President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord, with everyone from the former POTUS to a righteously pissed Weather Channel shaking a fist. On Friday, Chicagoans will take the streets to make their displease know, too. An emergency protest will gather outside at Michigan and Wacker, outside the Trump Towerthe unofficial locus of so many demonstrations over the past many monthsat 4:30 p.m. Protesters will then march through downtown to the Thompson Center to call on Gov. Bruce Rauner to initiate a Clean Power Plan for the state. The action is hosted by a wide-ranging coalition of activist groups that includes Indivisible Chicago, the National Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club of Illinois, Chicago Women Take Action and others, according to event details. Trump's decision to yank the country was his most prominent action yet in a pattern of anti-environmentalist policies and political appointments. Nearly 200 nations are signed on to the climate agreement, which was signed in 2015 and established targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More than 80 mayors around the countryincluding Mayor Rahm Emanuelhave pledged to adopt the accord in defiance of Trump. He, along with Obama, Sens. Duckworth and Durbin and numerous other politicians with Illinois ties came out vociferously against the announcement. Perhaps Ald. George Cardenas best articulated the opposition when he said, I just don't think he's well. I think this president's just off his rocker," according to the Tribune. A large-scale protest is scheduled for the following day downtown, also. The Chicago March for Truth is slated to kick off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, at 50 W. Adams St. Protesters will then march to Trump Tower to "demand more accountability and transparency from their federal, state and local elected officials," including and independent investigation into Russian interference in November's election. WASHINGTON (AP) - James Comey, fired last month as FBI director amid a federal investigation into connections between Russia and the Trump campaign, is set to testify next Thursday at a highly anticipated congressional hearing that could shed light on his private conversations with the president in the weeks before his dismissal. The Senate intelligence committee announced Comey's appearance, and a Comey associate said he had been cleared to testify by Robert Mueller, another former FBI director now overseeing that investigation as special counsel. Also on Thursday, Democrats raised more questions about contacts during the campaign between the Russian ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak, and President Donald Trump's attorney general, former Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. FILE - In this May 3, 2017 file photo, then-FBI Director James Comey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. Comey, ousted last month amid a federal investigation into connections between Russia and the Trump campaign, is set to testify before Congress next week in a highly anticipated hearing that could shed new light on his private conversations with the president in the weeks before the firing. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Sessions, a close Trump adviser, withdrew from the Russia investigation in March after acknowledging two previously undisclosed contacts with Kislyak last summer and fall. Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Al Franken, D-Minn., released a letter urging the FBI to investigate whether Sessions had falsely testified under oath when he said at his January confirmation hearing that he hadn't had any contacts with Russia. "If it is determined that the attorney general still has not been truthful with Congress and the American people about his contacts with Russian officials during the campaign, he needs to resign," the senators wrote. In addition to the two meetings that Sessions has acknowledged, the senators pointed to the possibility of a separate encounter at an April 2016 Trump campaign event that Sessions and Kislyak attended. The Justice Department has acknowledged that Sessions was at the Mayflower Hotel event in Washington, but said there were no private or side conversations that day. Comey's testimony probably will focus on the private meetings the former FBI director had with Trump and subsequently chronicled in internal memos and recounted to associates who have divulged their contents to The Associated Press and other media outlets. Comey's associates have said Comey told them that Trump asked him at a January dinner to pledge his loyalty to the president and, at an Oval Office meeting weeks later, asked Comey to consider ending an FBI investigation into Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn. The White House has denied those characterizations. The scope of Comey's testimony was not exactly clear, though Mueller was permitting him to speak publicly, an associate told the AP. Mueller's investigation could include a look at the circumstances of Comey's firing, especially since Trump has said publicly that he was thinking of "this Russia thing" when he made the move. It is possible that the Trump White House could try to raise executive privilege claims in arguing that any conversations with the president could not be discussed publicly. A similar back-and-forth occurred before the testimony last month of former acting Attorney General Sally Yates, though the White House said it did not try to block her appearance. On Capitol Hill, a rift continued between Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., the chairman of the House intelligence committee, and Democrats on the panel. Nunes recused himself from the Russia investigation after he was criticized for being too close to the White House. He remains chairman, but Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, is now leading the probe. The committee on Wednesday issued seven subpoenas seeking testimony and information in its investigation into Russian activities during the election. Four were issued to ousted national security adviser Flynn, the president's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, and their respective companies. Three others were issued to the FBI, CIA and the National Security Agency seeking information on requests that former Obama administration officials made to unmask the identities of Americans named in intelligence reports. The requests were made by former CIA director John Brennan, former national security adviser Susan Rice and Samantha Power, the former U.S. representative to the United Nations, according to a congressional staffer, who was not authorized to disclose the information and spoke on condition of anonymity. The committee's ranking Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, said Nunes approved the unmasking subpoenas without consulting the Democrats on the committee. Trump has alleged that Obama administration officials, for political reasons, asked to know the identities of Americans whose names are masked in intelligence documents. "I don't know what the chairman has in mind here again because we weren't consulted, or why the chairman is picking these three people," Schiff told CNN. "Susan Rice has been a perennial target for the GOP for whatever reason." He said Nunes recused himself from the investigation but still insists on having a final say in what subpoenas are issued in the Russia investigation. Schiff said committee rules allow Nunes to delegate that authority to Conaway. He said he hoped House Speaker Paul Ryan would intervene to make sure that happened. A senior Republican staffer on the committee said Nunes signed the subpoenas for Flynn, Cohen and their companies, which were requested by Conaway and Schiff. He said the unmasking subpoenas are not part of the Russia probe. The staffer said the Democrats were informed that the unmasking subpoenas were being issued. The GOP staffer, who was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly and spoke only on condition of anonymity, said the chairman has the authority to sign off on subpoenas and that all the committee rules were followed. AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan, R-Wis., said that while Conaway leads the Russia investigation, Nunes remains the committee chairman and has the "right and responsibility to conduct oversight of the intelligence community, especially as it relates to the potential misuse of intelligence agencies against Americans." ___ Associated Press writer Jake Pearson contributed to this report from New York. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Police confiscated 60 automatic rifles found in a cargo shipment Thursday at Rio de Janeiro's international airport, Brazilian authorities said. The weapons were discovered in a container along with pool heaters in the cargo section of Galeao International Airport. Four people were arrested, and a Brazilian citizen is being investigated in Miami, where the shipment originated, officials said. Police showed off the haul, which included AK-47s and AR-15s, at a news conference. Police show 60 confiscated automatic rifles during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, June 1, 2017. Brazilian police have confiscated 60 automatic rifles found in a cargo shipment at Rio de Janeiro's international airport. The weapons were found Thursday in a container with pool heaters in a shipment from Miami. Four people have been arrested. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Rio State Security Secretary Roberto Sa said 250 automatic rifles in all have been confiscated the last five months in the state. He called the latest seizure as "the biggest in 10 years" in Rio state. Authorities said they began investigating arms smuggling in 2015 after tracing the origin of a weapon used in the killing of a police officer. Police representatives said they planned to use the seized weapons, noting Rio state is struggling under budgetary constraints. Rio authorities declared a state of public calamity a year ago and have struggled to pay the salaries of the public sector ever since, including police. The city of Rio de Janeiro, which hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics, has long struggled with violence. Heavily armed drug traffickers control many slums and shootouts are frequent. Police show confiscated automatic rifles during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, June 1, 2017. Brazilian police say they confiscated 60 automatic rifles found in a cargo shipment at Rio de Janeiro's international airport. The weapons were found Thursday in a container with pool heaters in a shipment from Miami, and four people have been arrested. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Police sit by confiscated automatic rifles and pool heaters as they give a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, June 1, 2017. Brazilian police say they confiscated 60 automatic rifles found in a cargo shipment at Rio de Janeiro's international airport. The weapons were found Thursday in a container with pool heaters in a shipment from Miami, and four people have been arrested. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Police show confiscated automatic rifles during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, June 1, 2017. Brazilian police say they confiscated 60 automatic rifles found in a cargo shipment at Rio de Janeiro's international airport. The weapons were found Thursday in a container with pool heaters in a shipment from Miami, and four people have been arrested. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - From coal country to the ports of Maine to the wind farms of the West Coast, Americans react to President Donald Trump's announcement Thursday that he's pulling the country out of the Paris climate accord. ___ WARMING WATERS AND LOSING LOBSTERS Retired coal miner Kenny Smith sits at his kitchen table in Centertown, Ky., Thursday, June 1, 2017, as he speaks during an interview. President Donald Trump announce Thursday during a news conference a decision to pull out of the landmark Paris climate accord. Smith worked in underground mines in western Kentucky until he retired in the 1990s after 22 years. He supports Trumps decision to pull out of the accord. Next to Smith on the table is the heart pump that keeps him alive. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan) Tim Pettis, a Maine lobsterman, said he's felt the effects of climate change in the waters he works in, and wishes President Trump could feel the same. "I think most people believe that the climate is changing over the years," Pettis said as he stood in front of stacks of yellow lobster traps. We can all see it, just because he doesn't want to believe it, he shouldn't be able to pull the whole country out on his own but he is the president so I guess you can." Pettis said he and his fellow workers in the far north have been beneficiaries from the changes so far, because there are fewer lobsters further south in places like New York and Connecticut. "As the water keeps warming up, the numbers keep going down from the south up to us," Pettis said. "The last three or four years we've been doing better lobstering and I think it does have to do with that." "Some of the fish are disappearing," Pettis said. "We're catching fish now in our traps that are southern fish; it just tells you that the water is warming up every year a little bit." ___ JERSEY SHORE REMEMBERS SANDY, FORESEES MORE STORMS In Belmar on the Jersey Shore, Tom Rodgers, owner of TR's Food Court, said he didn't feel qualified to talk about science. "You wanna know about Burgers, Fries I can tell you. You wanna know about climate, I'm really not an expert, so I leave certain things up to the experts. I just hope the president has done his due diligence and spoke to the right people." Rodgers' restaurant was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, as were the homes of many in Belmar including Sandy Snyder. "There was devastation here, the streets were full of sand and water, homes were damaged," Sandy said. "They call it the storm of the century, but why was there a storm of the century when there are reports that climate change is affecting the planet, I think we are going to see more of it and unfortunately if we don't take care of it now I think that is going to be the norm rather than the rarity." Snyder said she thinks "it is a very very big mistake for the US to pull out of this agreement, It will open the door for other countries, other countries "that ... are on the fence as far as watching climate control." ___ RETIRED COAL MINER LAMENTS JOBS LOST In Centertown, Kentucky, retired coal miner Kenny Smith watched Trump's TV announcement with approval. "He's keeping his promise that he's going to help get the coal jobs back, help people get back to work, and that's what we need, anywhere in this country," Smith said. "You can go to Detroit, you can go to Pennsylvania you can go to West Virginia, there's people that have been laid off for years, they're just forgotten. And most of our factories have gone overseas, we need to get them back, I think he's trying to do that." Trucks constantly rumble through town from the Midway mine, a major employer, but production has fallen from around 10 million tons of coal a year to less than half that figure. Trump "said when he (got) elected, that's the first thing, jobs, jobs, jobs. That's what he said he'd do, and that's what he's doing," Smith said. "I mean, I'm proud of him." Smith, 67, dismissed the idea that coal is unhealthy or environmentally unsound. He pointed in the direction of a coal-fired power plant. "I've lived in this house since 1974 and that power plant has never made me sick," he said. "There's good jobs that come from power plants." ___ WEST VIRGINIA COAL COUNTRY EYES REVIVAL In West Virginia's coal country, Tod Tuttle, the co-owner of a small roadside grocery store near two mines, applauded Trump for what he'd done for the local industry. "Under Obama our business was lacking big time. Trump's taken over and we've come back around," Tuttle said. "A lot of places here have come back around." West Virginia has had an uptick in coal production late last year and so far this year, attributed by industry officials to higher market prices and increased demand for metallurgical coal. Tuttle credits Trump. "When the mines are working it's booming like crazy," he said. "When the mines are down ... our business was just trickling." About the Paris agreement, he said that issue isn't really with coal itself, which is still needed for reliable electrical generation without outages. "You can burn the coal, and if these companies do it right," Tuttle said. "They always blame the coal mines. It's not the coal mines. It's the electric plants themselves." ___ CALIFORNIA WANTS MORE WIND, CHANGE OF DIRECTION The president's decision disappointed Nancy Rader, executive director of the California Wind Energy Association. The Berkeley-based nonprofit is supported by makers of wind turbines, contractors, component suppliers and project developers. "I think it's pretty sad that Trump sees this in terms of a deal, as something as simple as that," Rader said. "This is about the future of the planet. This is about the health and safety of our children." California and other states already are working to reduce carbon emissions by shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy and the cost of such alternatives has dropped dramatically, she said. California and the United States must be on the "leading edge" of the shift in order to reap the greatest economic rewards, Rader said. Rader also said she was heartened that leaders of other countries "understand that Americans generally understand climate change, we want to do something about it." "Unfortunately, we have a president that doesn't get it right now," she said. ___ David Martin in Belmar, N.J., Terence Chea in Livermore, Calif., Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles and Krysta Fauria in Washington contributed to this report. NEW YORK (AP) - A Puerto Rican nationalist recently freed from prison has agreed to step aside from any formal role in New York City's Puerto Rican Day parade, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Thursday. "Oscar Lopez Rivera agreeing to step aside from any formal role in the parade is a critical step forward in refocusing our city's attention on the more important issues facing Puerto Rico," the Democratic mayor said in a statement. Parade organizers had planned to honor Oscar Lopez Rivera, a member of the Armed Forces of National Liberation, or FALN, which claimed responsibility for more than 100 bombings in the 1970s and 1980s. FILE - In this Thursday, May 18, 2017 file photo, Puerto Rican nationalist Oscar Lopez Rivera reacts to the crowd at a gathering in his honor in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. New York City's mayor Bill de Blasio says Thursday, June 1, 2017, Rivera recently freed from prison has agreed to step aside from any formal role in the city's Puerto Rican Day parade. Parade organizers had planned to honor Rivera, a member of the Armed Forces of National Liberation, or FALN, which claimed responsibility for more than 100 bombings in the 1970s and 1980s. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) Lopez Rivera was not charged with carrying out any of the bombings himself, but he was convicted of charges including seditious conspiracy and served more than 35 years in prison before his sentence was commuted by Democratic President Barack Obama. The parade's decision to honor Lopez prompted sponsors including Coca-Cola, JetBlue and AT&T to drop out of the June 11 march up Fifth Avenue. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo also said he wouldn't be marching. Hispanic societies in both the Fire Department of New York and the New York Police Department also said they would not be sending delegations this year, and the police commissioner said he wouldn't march. Law enforcement officers were among those injured in the FALN blasts. It still wasn't clear late Thursday if Lopez Rivera still planned to march in the parade or what role, if any, his presence would constitute. A message left with the mayor's office wasn't immediately returned. The parade's board of directors issued a statement saying they looked forward to marching with Lopez Rivera "not as an honoree but as a humble Puerto Rican and grandfather." Parade organizers have said they stand by their decision to honor Lopez Rivera as "Procer de la Libertad" - National Freedom Hero. The 74-year-old Lopez Rivera has thousands of supporters who see him as a political prisoner, jailed for seeking independence for Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. De Blasio is still marching, and more than 30 city lawmakers, including City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who was born in Puerto Rico, said they supported the decision to honor Lopez Rivera. "The parade has always been about Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans, not any one participant," de Blasio said. "Unfortunately, the parade and the plight of Puerto Rico have been overshadowed by needless controversy." SINGAPORE (AP) - The Trump administration is aiming for continuity in Asia policy, sticking broadly with the approach its predecessors have taken by emphasizing diplomacy and cooperation with allies, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Friday. Mattis outlined the Trump administration's approach in remarks to reporters traveling with him to Singapore, where he will deliver a policy speech at an international security conference Saturday and meet with several Asian counterparts. He spoke of "reinforcing the international order" while seeking a "peaceful, prosperous and free Asia" - echoes of the traditional U.S. policy goals - without mentioning the narrower challenges of a nuclear North Korea and a rising China. He is expected to discuss North Korea and China in his Saturday speech. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, right, meets U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, for a bilateral meeting at the Istana or Presidential Palace in Singapore on Friday, June 2, 2017. On Friday Mattis indicated that the Trump administration is aiming for continuity in Asia policy, sticking broadly with the approach its predecessors have taken by emphasizing diplomacy and cooperation with allies. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair) Upon arriving in Singapore, Mattis scheduled meetings Friday with Singaporean and Asian officials. President Donald Trump raised doubts in Asia when he took office following a campaign in which he sharply criticized Japan and South Korea for not pulling their weight as treaty allies. So far, however, the administration has been more supportive. "As a Pacific nation, we have enduring interests and commitments in the Asia-Pacific region," Mattis said aboard his aircraft, referring in part to U.S. defense treaties with Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines. "Accordingly, we are demonstrating the priority this administration places on maintaining stability alongside our allies and partners," he added. The Pentagon's role, he said, is to reinforce alliances, strengthen U.S. military capabilities to deter war in Asia, and help enable countries to sustain their own security. Mattis is mindful of emerging threats in Asia, starting with North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and missiles with sufficient range to deliver nuclear strikes on U.S. territory. Trump has said he is leaning more heavily on China - North Korea's only significant ally - to contain that threat. At the same time, the administration has repeated the Obama's administration's criticisms of China for reclaiming land in areas of the South China Sea that several other nations claim as their own. It's unclear how far China will go to help on North Korea in the face of South China Sea tensions. Trump also has used gunboat diplomacy by speaking of a U.S. naval "armada" within range of North Korea and noting the presence of U.S. nuclear submarines in the region. The U.S. Navy has two aircraft carrier strike groups in waters off the Korean Peninsula, and on Thursday those groups - led by the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Ronald Reagan - began three days of joint exercises, the first in that area since the 1990s. David Helvey, Mattis' senior adviser on Asia policy, told reporters on the way to Singapore that the dual carrier exercise is not intended as a provocation. He called it routine but acknowledged that it is the first of its kind in about 20 years. The exercises are intended to reassure allies, he said, and to keep U.S. forces ready for any crisis. "This is not about sending a message directly to North Korea," Helvey said, adding, "I don't expect this to change North Korea's behavior." In line with Mattis' emphasis on helping allies defend their own territory while strengthening U.S. military muscle in the region, the U.S. has deployed a missile defense system in South Korea known as a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system. It is intended to protect South Korea from a potential North Korean missile strike. The new South Korean government has complained that it was not aware of the extent of THAAD deployments on its territory in recent weeks, but Helvey said the U.S. had consulted with Seoul "throughout this process" of deploying the THAAD. Mattis' trip is his second to Asia since he took over the Pentagon Jan. 20. He has put heavy emphasis on nurturing alliances and building new partnerships in Asia, echoing the approach of the Obama administration, which built closer ties to India, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, and began a rotation of Marine contingents in Australia. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, right, meets U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis for a bilateral meeting at the Istana or Presidential Palace in Singapore on Friday, June 2, 2017. On Friday Mattis indicated that the Trump administration is aiming for continuity in Asia policy, sticking broadly with the approach its predecessors have taken by emphasizing diplomacy and cooperation with allies. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair) PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia's longtime ruler warned opposition parties Friday not to challenge the result of Sunday's local elections or they could be dissolved. Prime Minister Hun Sen made a rare appearance on the last day of rallies before the vote to drum up support for his ruling Cambodian People's Party. He has repeatedly warned of civil war if his party loses. It has been accused of using violence or the threat of violence against opponents, but in recent years has stalked its foes mostly in courts. The polls could have a major impact on Cambodia's political landscape ahead of 2018 national elections. Hun Sen's iron grip on power was shaken four years ago when the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party won 55 of the 123 national assembly seats in the last general election. The opposition claimed it had actually won but was cheated out of its victory and says it is confident it will sweep Sunday's polls for seats in 1,646 communes - or clusters of villages - throughout the country. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, of Cambodian People's Party (CPP), waves from a truck as he leads a rally in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during the last day of campaigning Friday, June 2, 2017, ahead of the June 4 communal elections. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) Hun Sen, appearing at a rally apparently for the first time in around 20 years, appealed to all political parties to accept the outcome rather than make accusations of irregularities, saying courts can dissolve any party if it challenges the result of the vote. "There is absolutely only the Cambodian People's Party that has a full ability to control and maintain peace for the sake of continuing to develop our country," he said. "I do hope all parties will accept the outcome. Despite the fact we do not know yet which political party will win, I am sure our party will." Riding at the head of a motorcade procession of tens of thousands of his supporters, Hun Sen waved to crowds and addressed them through loudspeakers as the convoy made rounds in Phnom Penh. Several hours later, opposition leader Kem Sokha addressed tens of thousands of supporters in the streets of Phnom Pehn, promising to reduce corruption and the use of illegal drugs in the country if his Cambodia National Rescue Party wins. Hun Sen and some of his top ministers have frequently used strong rhetoric leading up to the vote, warning of dire consequences should the opposition win, in what has been seen as an attempt to intimidate voters into supporting him. This week, Amnesty International accused Cambodia's government of using its grip on the judiciary system to intimidate human rights defenders and political activists. It said in a report that since the 2013 general election, Hun Sen's government has used the courts as a tool to imprison at least 27 prominent opposition officials, human rights defenders and land activists, as well as hundreds of others facing legal cases. Also early this month, the State Department said the U.S. was urging Cambodia's government to "guarantee a political space free from threats or intimidation" and respect freedom of expression for all its citizens. In the last communal elections in 2012, Hun Sen's party received 60 percent of the vote compared to the Cambodia National Rescue Party's 30.6 percent. The ruling party could also take some credit for bringing modest economic growth and stability in a country devastated by the communist Khmer Rouge's regime in the 1970s. Hun Sen left the movement that was responsible for the deaths of some 1.7 million people from starvation, disease and executions before it was toppled in 1979. ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greek police were evacuating hundreds of migrants and refugees Friday from a makeshift shelter set up inside the abandoned buildings of Athens' old airport, which have been slated for redevelopment. Access to the Hellenikon airport site was blocked off in the morning, and dozens of police officers and riot police stood by as the roughly 600 migrants collected their belongings and boarded buses to refugee camps elsewhere in Greece. Police said about 350 people, mainly families, would go to a camp in Thebes, about 70 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of Athens, while the remainder of mainly single people would go to Derveni, about 140 kilometers (85 miles) west of the capital. A migrant carries his belongings during a police operation to evacuate the former terminal building of the old international airport, which is used as a shelter for about 600 refugees and migrants, in Athens, Friday, June 2, 2017. Over 65,000 refugees and migrants are stranded in Greece after a series of Balkan border closures and a European Union deal a year ago with Turkey to stop migrant flows. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) No violence was reported during the evacuation, which was assisted by the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration. "The facilities at the old airport are a holdover from the initial stage of the crisis, when thousands of people were reaching our islands," Yiannis Balafas, deputy minister for migration, said on state-run ERT television. "So this was something that remained from that time, and now they will go to more suitable facilities." Migrants and Greek activists have held several demonstrations at Hellenikon to protest living conditions there over the past few months. The site, which includes Athens' old international airport and 2004 Olympic Games venues, is part of Greece's privatization efforts and is slated for a massive seaside urban redevelopment project worth an expected 7 billion euros ($7.8 billion). The Hellenikon complex, largely abandoned over the last 13 years despite the country's deep financial crisis, had been used to house up to 3,000 migrants. Most had been living in tents and in poor conditions inside the buildings during their stay. About 60,000 refugees and migrants are stranded in Greece, which was the main entry point for people seeking to enter the European Union last year. The vast majority arrived on boats from the nearby Turkish shores to Greek islands and had been trying to reach the more prosperous countries in the north of the continent. But an EU-Turkey agreement last year and border closures across the Balkans have ended the flow. The Hellenikon development is led by Greece's Lamda Group with a consortium of overseas investors, and is planned to include a large park, shopping and recreation areas and hotels. During the 2004 Olympics, the complex hosted fencing, baseball, softball, hockey, and canoe and kayak events. Several other Olympic venues have been underused or abandoned in the years since the games. ___ Thanassis Stavrakis in Athens contributed to this report. ___ Follow Derek Gatopoulos at https://twitter.com/dgatopoulos and Elena Becatoros at http://www.twitter.com/ElenaBec Migrants wave to the media during a police operation to evacuate an unused terminal building of the old international airport, which is used as a shelter for about 600 refugees and migrants, in Athens, Friday, June 2, 2017. Over 65,000 refugees and migrants are stranded in Greece after a series of Balkan border closures and a European Union deal a year ago with Turkey to stop migrant flows. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Policemen guard during a police operation to evacuate the former terminal building of the old international airport, which is used as a shelter for about 600 refugees and migrants, in Athens, Friday, June 2, 2017. Over 65,000 refugees and migrants are stranded in Greece after a series of Balkan border closures and a European Union deal a year ago with Turkey to stop migrant flows. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Migrants wait to embark into the buses during a police operation to evacuate an unused terminal building of the old international airport, which is used as a shelter for about 600 refugees and migrants, in Athens, Friday, June 2, 2017. Over 65,000 refugees and migrants are stranded in Greece after a series of Balkan border closures and a European Union deal a year ago with Turkey to stop migrant flows. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) An employee of the International Organization for Migration picks clothes from a fence during a police operation to evacuate an unused terminal building of the old international airport, which is used as a shelter for about 600 refugees and migrants, in Athens, Friday, June 2, 2017. Over 65,000 refugees and migrants are stranded in Greece after a series of Balkan border closures and a European Union deal a year ago with Turkey to stop migrant flows. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Policemen guard during a police operation to evacuate the former terminal building of the old international airport, which is used as a shelter for about 600 refugees and migrants, in Athens, Friday, June 2, 2017. Over 65,000 refugees and migrants are stranded in Greece after a series of Balkan border closures and a European Union deal a year ago with Turkey to stop migrant flows. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) BEIJING (AP) - The wife and father of a prominent Chinese human rights campaigner said Friday that police have told the family he has been formally arrested and has dismissed his lawyers. Legal activist Jiang Tianyong disappeared in November after publicizing the plight of families of lawyers who had been detained in an intense crackdown on rights lawyers and activists. Critics say the campaign is aimed at snuffing out any potential opposition to the ruling Communist Party. State media later said Jiang was accused of "inciting subversion of state power" and was being held at a secret location. His family and lawyers have not been allowed to meet with him. FILE - In this May 2, 2012, file photo, human rights activist Jiang Tianyong speaks to journalists outside a hospital after his failed attempt to see blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng who is believed to be seeking treatment in Beijing, China. The wife and father of Jiang say police have told the family he has been formally arrested and has dismissed his lawyers. Legal activist Jiang Tianyong disappeared in November after publicizing the plights of the families of lawyers who had been detained in a crackdown on rights activists. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) Jiang's wife Jin Bianling told The Associated Press that one of Jiang's lawyers went to the Public Security Bureau in the central Hunan province city of Changsha on Wednesday to again request a meeting with his client. Jin said the lawyer was given a statement from Jiang declaring that he had dismissed his family-appointment lawyers. "It must have been written by Jiang Tianyong under torture," Jin said by phone from California, where she moved in 2013 with the couple's daughter to escape harassment from security agents. Several calls to the Changsha Public Security Bureau rang unanswered Friday. In March, one newspaper carried a purported interview with Jiang in which he said he concocted a story of a detained lawyer having been tortured by police. The interview was slammed by Jiang's wife and rights groups as a sham, and his legal team questioned how reporters had been able to meet with Jiang when his relatives and lawyers have not. Jin said Friday that her husband once told her and put in writing "that any statements, declarations or documents he signs under conditions of no freedom should be invalid because they do not reflect his real intentions." It is common practice for Chinese authorities to replace family-hired lawyers with government-approved ones when trying dissidents and civil rights activists. On Thursday, the lawyer and Jiang's sister went again to the police bureau and were told that Jiang had been formally arrested and an arrest notice had been mailed to the family. Jin said they had yet to receive the notice. Jin and Jiang's father Jiang Lianghou said that police wouldn't tell them on which charge he had been formally arrested or where he was being held. As a lawyer, Jiang took on politically sensitive cases. He was disbarred in 2009, but continued his activism and helped publicize the plight of lawyers arrested in the sweeping crackdown that began in July 2015. The space for civil society has been curtailed dramatically under President Xi Jinping. He has presided over detentions of lawyers and rights activists, bloggers and others reporting on rights abuses and critiquing government policies, as well as a tightening of controls over foreign organizations. A U.N. representative on human rights, Philip Alston, said in a report that will be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council this month that some individuals whom he met on a mission to China in August, including Jiang, appeared to have been subjected to official reprisals. AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Police say a 1-year-old Ohio boy had to be revived with naloxone after he overdosed on opioids. Police say the boy's 9-year-old brother called 911 Thursday evening after he noticed the infant had stopped breathing. Paramedics arrived at their home in Akron and gave the child a dose of naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. The child was taken to a hospital and given another dose of naloxone. Police say he was able to breathe on his own a short time later. Lt. Rick Edwards says the baby's mother fled when officers arrived. Authorities are still searching for her. Both children have been taken into the custody of Summit County Children Services. Edwards says Thursday's case is the youngest opiate overdose recorded in Akron. Supreme People's Court holds a press conference on June 1. [Photo/cnr.cn] A system to connect courts and other authorities to better protect children from serious harm is expected to be expanded across the country, China's top court said on Thursday. The system improves communication between courts and governmental departments such as civil affairs bureaus and public security authorities. Its aim is "to speed up the process of handling cases involving children age 17 or under and to increase protection when juveniles are attacked", said Ran Rong, a judge at the No. 1 Criminal Tribunal of the Supreme People's Court. Ran said a test program has been conducted in more than 10 intermediate or district people's courts in the country, including in Shandong and Sichuan provinces. "We've got lots of experience in solving domestic violence and sexual abuse under the joint force," she said. "We've decided to expand the system to all courts nationwide as quickly as we can." Under the system, for example, schools and hospitals in Qingdao, Shandong, have been ordered to report evidence or information to public security departments when it appears children have been sexually assaulted, according to a statement from the top court. "Police officers must file and investigate a case in line with the evidence without hesitation. This is to ensure it becomes a part of judicial procedures and keeps the children involved from being attacked again," Ran said. A similar system to protect children at risk is also undergoing improvements in Beijing. In May, the capital's top procuratorate signed a framework agreement with several departments and agencies, such as schools and social security organs, to create a network to identify minors in danger. The top court is also trying to establish databases in Sichuan Province of left-behind children and people with criminal records involving sexual abuse of children, "hoping to give juveniles more effective and targeted protection," Ran said. Between 2013 and 2016, the nation's courts heard 10,782 cases involving adults accused of sexually assaulting children, according to the top court. "We've also given stricter punishment to offenders who sexually abused girls under the age of 12 in line with the revised Criminal Law," said Guan Yingshi, the top tribunal's deputy chief judge. Li Yi, a repeat offender in Hunan Province, was recently executed after the court sentenced him to death for raping and sexually abusing 14 girls of 6 or 7 years old, some of them multiple times. "Li Yi lured the girls to an apartment of his father's, to stairwells or hilly areas in the countryside and committed the crime 26 times from 2009 to 2011," Guan said. MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Philippine police say the attacker was a tall, English-speaking white man with a mustache. They say he carried an assault rifle and that he used gasoline to start a casino fire that caused clouds of smoke that left at least 36 people dead Friday morning in a sprawling entertainment complex in Manila. But by Friday evening, police said they still didn't know the man's name, or why he launched his attack at the Resorts World Manila complex, only to flee to an adjoining hotel and kill himself. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Philippine police said they believed it had been a robbery gone wrong. This image made from closed circuit television made available by the Philippine National Police on Friday, June 2, 2017, shows the gunman at the Resorts World Manila complex in Manila, Philippines. A gunman stormed a casino in the Philippine capital and torched gambling tables in the crowded space, creating a choking level of smoke that killed dozens, authorities said. The gunman stuffed a backpack with casino chips before he fled but was found dead in an adjacent hotel early Friday. (Philippine National Police via AP) Police told reporters the man stole more than $2 million in gambling chips and avoided shooting people he encountered in the casino, pointing his gun upward when he fired some shots. "He would have shot all the people gambling" if his goal was terrorism, national police chief Ronald dela Rosa said. But hours later, the IS claimed responsibility in a statement, saying "Brother Abu al-Kheir al-Arkhabili was able to immerse among a gathering of Christian fighters in the Resorts World Manila in Manila where he carried out killing and hurting until he died as a martyr. About 100 Christians were killed or wounded." Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla rejected the claim, saying the attack "does not have the slightest signature of terrorism whatsoever." "As in previous incidents, this group is prone to claim and admit every criminal incident and label it as its own, clearly indicative of its pure penchant for propaganda," Padilla said. Many in Manila feared after the attack began that it was linked to ongoing battles with Muslim militants aligned with the IS in the southern city of Marawi. The fighting has placed much of the country on edge and raised fears that the IS was gaining a foothold. The Philippines has faced Muslim insurgencies for decades, though much of the violence has occurred in the troubled south. The attack occurred at a sprawling mall-like complex near the Manila airport that includes hotels, restaurants, stores and a multi-floor gambling area. Police said that during the attack the man stole more than $2 million worth of casino chips, though he apparently abandoned them in a toilet soon after. "Either he lost in the casino and wanted to recoup his losses or he went totally nuts," Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said. As the gunman left, he exchanged shots with a building guard who managed to shoot him in the leg after being wounded, police and casino officials said. "Severe blood loss from the gunshot wound significantly slowed the assailant down and resulted in his holing up in a room where he took his own life," said Stephen Reilly, Resort World's chief operating officer. Dela Rosa said security video showed the gunman earlier ignoring a guard who tried to question him at the complex's entrance. He then barged into the crowded casino carrying the gasoline and assault rifle after overcoming efforts by guards to stop him. He stuffed a backpack with the gambling chips, fired his rifle at TV screens and set gambling tables on fire by pouring gasoline onto them from a 2-liter bottle he carried, dela Rosa said. The gunman, whom dela Rosa described as "white, with a mustache," about 6 feet tall and English speaking, fled the gambling area and barged into a room on the 5th floor of Maxims Hotel, which is part of the Resorts World complex. He lay down on the bed, covered himself with a blanket, doused himself with gasoline and then set himself on fire, dela Rosa said. He carried no identity documents, police said. "I saw the gunman," said a 23-year-old casino employee who declined to give her name. "He was a tall man, he was wearing a ski mask. He was carrying an armalite (rifle). I saw him fire his gun twice, I saw him burning gaming tables. But I did not see what he did after that because I fled." Police were examining a car that the gunman left in a complex parking garage, authorities said. Police Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said the car's owner was being questioned and had denied knowing the gunman. The attack sent hundreds of people fleeing through the complex and into the night. A South Korean died of a possible heart attack suffered during the evacuation, the Foreign Ministry said. More than 70 people suffered mostly minor injuries in the stampede to escape. Family members of employees spent hours waiting for news of their relatives, hoping through the night that they had survived. Gil Yongco rushed to the complex when his daughter Hazel Anne, a casino employee, called early Friday. "She was asking for help because she said it was suffocating on the second floor area where she was," a distraught Yongco said as he stood outside the Maxims hotel, adding that his daughter did not call again. Hours later, when company officials announced the names of employees who perished in the attack, Hazel Anne was first on the list of 23 employees. Ronald Romualdo, a Resorts World maintenance worker, said he and his colleagues heard gunshots and saw people smashing windows on the second and third floors to escape. "We took out a ladder to save them. We were able to save many of them," he said. "But one woman I was trying to save fell from the second floor. ... I could not carry her." He said the woman was not moving after she fell, but he didn't know what happened to her. As news of the attack spread, President Donald Trump offered America's thoughts and prayers to the Philippines. "It is really very sad as to what's going on throughout the world with terror," he said from the White House Rose Garden. Trump said he was "closely monitoring the situation." Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, however, made no mention of the attack in a speech he gave to soldiers Friday in the country's south. The unrest in Marawi has sparked fears that militants might attack elsewhere to divert the focus of thousands of troops trying to quell the siege. But dela Rosa said, "We cannot attribute this to terrorism without concrete evidence." ___ Associated Press journalists Teresa Cerojano, Joeal Calupitan and Bullit Marquez contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the dollar value of the stolen chips was more than $2 million, not $200,000. A man holds back tears as he lights candles for victims in an attack at the Resorts World Manila complex, Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Police say a gunman stormed a crowded Manila casino and used gasoline to set gambling tables on fire, creating clouds of smoke that swept through the crowds and killed dozens of people. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Bomb sniffing dogs walk outside a hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex, early Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. A gunman stormed a mall-casino complex, torched gambling tables and stuffed a backpack with casino chips before fleeing but was found dead of an apparent suicide in an adjacent hotel early Friday, authorities said. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Policemen walk past a still smoldering part of a hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex, early Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. A gunman stormed a mall-casino complex in the Philippines, torched gambling tables and stuffed a backpack with casino chips before fleeing but was found dead of an apparent suicide in an adjacent hotel early Friday, authorities said. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) A woman cries as she stay outside a hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex, early Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. A masked gunman stormed a hotel-casino complex in the Philippine capital early Friday, shooting up a TV screen, torching gambling tables and stuffing a backpack with casino chips before fleeing, authorities said. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Relatives of victims grieve as they receive news of their loved ones at a hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex, Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Police say a gunman stormed a crowded Manila casino and used gasoline to set gambling tables on fire, creating clouds of smoke that swept through the crowds and killed dozens of people. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Relatives of victims in an attack at Resorts World Manila complex, arrive at a funeral home to make identifications, Friday, June 2, 2017, in Pasay city, southeast of Manila, Philippines. Police say a gunman stormed a crowded Manila casino and used gasoline to set gambling tables on fire, creating clouds of smoke that swept through the crowds and killed dozens of people. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Relatives of victims grieve as they receive news of their loved ones at a hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex, Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Police say a gunman stormed a crowded Manila casino and used gasoline to set gambling tables on fire, creating clouds of smoke that swept through the crowds and killed dozens of people. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Police watch smoke from a hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex, early Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. A gunman stormed a mall-casino complex in the Philippines, torched gambling tables and stuffed a backpack with casino chips before fleeing but was found dead of an apparent suicide in an adjacent hotel early Friday, authorities said. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) A family grieves as they wait for their daughter's body to be recovered from a hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex, Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. Police say a gunman stormed a crowded Manila casino and used gasoline to set gambling tables on fire, creating clouds of smoke that swept through the crowds and killed dozens of people. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Relatives and friends of victims grieve as they receive news of their loved ones at a hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex, Friday, June 2, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. A gunman stormed the crowded Manila casino early Friday and used gasoline to set gambling tables on fire, creating clouds of smoke that swept through the crowds and killed many people, police said. The gunman, who had fled with more than $2 million in stolen casino chips, then forced his way into a room in an adjoining hotel and killed himself. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A demonstration in downtown Kabul turned violent Friday as police fired at rock-throwing protesters demanding better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. Several demonstrators were killed and police injured, authorities said. More than 1,000 people demonstrated as Afghans mourned the victims of a massive truck bomb that also wounded more than 450 on Wednesday. It was one of the worst extremist attacks since the drawdown of foreign forces in 2014 and raised fears about the government's ability to protect its citizens nearly 16 years into a war with insurgents. Police fired their weapons - into the air as a warning at first- as about a hundred of the demonstrators rushed toward them, some throwing rocks. As the protesters attempted to move closer to the Presidential Palace, police sprayed them with hoses from a water tanker and later fired tear gas. A woman tries to stop police from firing on protesters during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) Reports of casualties varied, with Abdul Hafiz Mansur, a member of Parliament from Kabul, saying eight protesters were shot dead by police. However, Gen. Hassan Shah Froogh, Kabul police chief, said two protesters were killed and 25 police were wounded by rocks thrown from demonstrators. He said some protesters were carrying weapons and shooting toward police and four armed demonstrators were arrested. Protesters held pictures of destruction from the truck bomb blast and of government leaders. Shopkeeper Mohammad Anwar said four members of his family were killed in the bombing and he wanted a change of leadership. "We are calling on President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to resign," he said. Demonstrators also called for Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to step down. Protester Amir Arya said a number of his friends were wounded by police as they tried to block the protesters from advancing. "Some of them were beaten by police with sticks and some others detained," he said. "This act of police and government proves that peaceful demonstration would not be useful anymore." Most of the casualties from the truck bombing were civilians, including women and children, officials have said. But the dead also included Afghan security guards at the facilities, including the U.S. Embassy, and 11 American contractors were wounded - none with life-threatening injuries, a U.S. State Department official said. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, which came in the first week of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. __ Associated Press writer Ahmad Seir in Kabul contributed to this report. Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Protesters throw stones towards security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Police forces clash with protesters during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) Protesters throw stones toward security forces in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jun 2, 2017. Some 500 people are demonstrating in Kabul for better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Police forces run as protesters throw stones in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jun 2, 2017. Some 500 people are demonstrating in Kabul for better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) Policemen arrest a protester during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jun 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. (AP Photos/Massoud Hossaini) BEIJING (AP) - Chinese police say a disgruntled driver started a fire aboard his school bus last month that killed 13 people, including 11 children from China and South Korea. A statement from the city government of Weihai on Friday said the driver in the May 9 fire had apparently been angered by the halting of his overtime bonus and night shift pay. He bought gasoline which he ignited while the bus was travelling through a tunnel in the coastal city that is home to many South Korea businesses. Police determined that the fire started on the floor of the bus next to the driver's seat, where the cap to a cigarette lighter and gasoline residue were found, the statement said. Investigators ruled out a traffic accident or electrical short circuit as potential causes of the fire, the statement said. All 13 people aboard the bus were killed, including the driver himself, a female teacher and 11 children between the ages of 3 and 6, five of them from South Korea. BEIJING (AP) - By backing off the U.S. commitment to address climate change, President Donald Trump leaves an opening for a chief economic rival, China, to expand its increasing dominance in the renewable energy industry. In reacting to Trump's announcement that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, China reaffirmed its commitment to the landmark agreement and is poised to spend heavily in coming years on renewables. Yet the world's most populous country remains heavily reliant on coal to generate electricity and power its steel mills - a habit that could be hard to break without stifling its economic aspirations. Here's a look at some of the trends and challenges that could shape China's - and the world's -energy future. ___ FILE - In this file photo taken Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, a bus moves past by solar power and wind power farms in northwestern China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. By backing off the U.S. commitment to address climate change, President Donald Trump leaves an opening for a chief economic rival, China, to expand its increasing dominance in the renewable energy industry. In reacting to Trump's announcement that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, China reaffirmed its commitment to the landmark agreement and is poised to spend heavily in coming years on renewables. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) BEIJING'S COMMITTMENT TO CURBING POLLUTION China's rush to renewables has been driven largely by local pollution from power plants and factories that frequently blankets Beijing and other major cities, endangering public health and driving some residents overseas. Economic opportunity has also played a role, with massive investments in solar and wind helping dramatically drive down the cost for renewables worldwide. China already accounts for more than one-third of global wind energy capacity. It recently surpassed Germany to become number one in solar capacity. Renewables employ more than 3.6 million people in China - more than a third of the industry's global total. It plans to add another 13 million jobs in the sector by 2020 with investments of $144 billion in new solar projects, $100 billion in wind and $70 billion in hydropower. That also should help China to reach its commitment under the Paris accord to cap greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. "China has expressed very clear signals that it wants to take more leadership in terms of promoting trade and global cooperation against climate change," said Frank Yu, a China-based renewables consultant for the firm Wood Mackenzie. "The retreat of the U.S. actually gives China more opportunity to lead these global efforts." __ ENERGY STILL DOMINATED BY COAL Notwithstanding China's embrace of renewables, coal still dominates the nation's fuel mix, accounting for 62 percent of total energy consumption in 2016. Coal production fell over the past several years, with a slowing economy as one factor. In January, China announced the suspension or cancellation of plans to build an additional 100 coal-fueled power plants. Yet dozens more are still expected to be built and China's also bankrolling plants in other countries. It's by far the largest consumer of coal worldwide, producing 3.41 billion tons of the fuel last year - more than four times the volume in the U.S., the second largest coal consumer. Largely as a result, China is also the top emitter of greenhouse gasses blamed for worsening climate change. Coal production is rebounding this year, up 2.5 percent during the first four months compared to the same period in 2016, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics. Trump cited China's continued emissions as one justification for withdrawing from the climate accord, which the Republican said unfairly burdened U.S. industries. A Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman said Friday in response to Trump's remarks that as a "responsible major power" China would continue to promote the Paris agreement and fulfill its obligation "100 percent." ___ CONVERTING COAL TO GAS Coal has suffered a steep and sustained decline in the U.S. since cheap, abundant supplies of cleaner-burning natural gas supplanted it as the main fuel for power generation. China's gas supplies are far more limited, hurting its prospects as a replacement fuel. One option that's being pursued in the country's western provinces is to convert coal into synthetic natural gas. That could help curb air pollution blamed for urban smog and, researchers say, potentially stave off tens of thousands of premature deaths annually. But converting coal to gas would also produce more of the carbon dioxide that's the main driver behind climate change, first in manufacturing the gas and again in burning it. Meanwhile, the renewables boom has proven too much for China's electricity grid to fully absorb, causing some energy to go to waste. ___ Follow Matthew Brown on Twitter at https://twitter.com/matthewbrownap FILE - In this file photo taken Dec. 30, 2016, smoke and steam spew from the sprawling complex that is a part of the Jiujiang steel and rolling mills in Qianan in northern China's Hebei province. By backing off the U.S. commitment to address climate change, President Donald Trump leaves an opening for a chief economic rival, China, to expand its increasing dominance in the renewable energy industry. In reacting to Trump's announcement that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, China reaffirmed its commitment to the landmark agreement and is poised to spend heavily in coming years on renewables. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) FILE - In this file photo taken Thursday, April 14, 2016, a Chinese man carries his kite past the Pudong Financial District shrouded with fog and pollution at the Shanghai Bund in Shanghai, China. By backing off the U.S. commitment to address climate change, President Donald Trump leaves an opening for a chief economic rival, China, to expand its increasing dominance in the renewable energy industry. In reacting to Trump's announcement that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, China reaffirmed its commitment to the landmark agreement and is poised to spend heavily in coming years on renewables. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) FILE - In this file photo taken Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, a woman adjusts her mask before walking outdoors during a smog red alert in Beijing, China. By backing off the U.S. commitment to address climate change, President Donald Trump leaves an opening for a chief economic rival, China, to expand its increasing dominance in the renewable energy industry. In reacting to Trump's announcement that he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, China reaffirmed its commitment to the landmark agreement and is poised to spend heavily in coming years on renewables.(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) LONDON (AP) - British prosecutors on Friday charged a former Conservative lawmaker and two party workers over alleged breaches of campaign-spending rules during the 2015 election. Prosecutors have been investigating claims that the Conservatives disguised local expenses as national ones in several close-fought constituencies. Crown Prosecution Service official Nick Vamos there is sufficient evidence to charge Craig Mackinlay, who is currently running for re-election to Parliament. Party staffers Nathan Gray and Marion Little have also been charged with offenses under the Representation of the People Act. Last month, prosecutors said they had ruled out charging anyone else, after considering files from 14 police forces. The allegations have cast a shadow over the Conservatives' re-election campaign ahead of Britain's June 8 election. The Conservative Party said in a statement that the allegation was unfounded, and "we are confident that this will be proven as the matter progresses." Mackinlay defeated then-U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage in the southern England seat of South Thanet in 2015, and is running for re-election on June 8. Farage, who has since stepped down as UKIP leader, said allowing Mackinley to run for election when he had allegations hanging over him showed "bad judgment" by Prime Minister Theresa May. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Serbian authorities have banned a former Kosovo president from entering the country to participate in an event designed to boost dialogue between the former war foes, the ex-official and a rights group said Friday. Atifete Jahjaga was to attend the presentation in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, of a book containing testimonies from women tortured and raped during the 1998-99 Kosovo war. Jahjaga said on her Facebook page that, although her visit was announced in advance, "my entrance to Serbia was made impossible based on an absurd reasoning." She didn't elaborate. FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 9, 2015 file photo, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga gestures during the voting for Kosovo membership bid, in her office in capital Pristina. A rights group says Serbian police have banned a former Kosovo president from entering the country to participate in an event designed to boost dialogue between the former war foes. Jahjaga was to attend the presentation Friday, June 2, 2017 of a book containing testimonies from women raped during the 1998-99 Kosovo war. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu, File) Later Friday, police prevented a group of right-wing nationalists, carrying banners and singing patriotic songs, from disrupting the book event. The Youth Initiative for Human Rights group said Jahjaga would address the gathering via video link. The festival in Belgrade was organized by liberal groups from Serbia and Kosovo - a former province that declared independence in 2008 against Serbia's will. The YIHR group said police have offered no explanation for stopping Jahjaga at the border on Thursday. Serbian authorities said late Friday that Jahjaga never attempted to cross. "The entry ban ... is the consequence of political decisions made at the highest levels," YIHR said in a statement, adding the incident has "only confirmed the importance and need for a more intense and meaningful cooperation." Jahjaga said in her statement that "acknowledging the truth about war crimes in Kosovo is the only way both societies can move forward." Serbia and Kosovo have agreed to participate in European Union-brokered talks as part of efforts to join the bloc, but tensions have persisted amid a surge in nationalism in the volatile Balkans. ___ Associated Press writer Llazar Semini in Tirana, Albania, contributed to this report. A man shouts slogans during protest against a festival organized by liberal groups from Serbia and Kosovo, in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Serbian authorities have banned a former Kosovo president Atifete Jahjaga from entering the country to participate in an event designed to boost dialogue between the former war foes. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) Serbian police officers guard the entrance during protest against a festival organized by liberal groups from Serbia and Kosovo, in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Serbian authorities have banned a former Kosovo president Atifete Jahjaga from entering the country to participate in an event designed to boost dialogue between the former war foes. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) People hold banners and shout slogans during protest against a festival organized by liberal groups from Serbia and Kosovo, in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Serbian authorities have banned a former Kosovo president Atifete Jahjaga from entering the country to participate in an event designed to boost dialogue between the former war foes. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) LONDON (AP) - The Latest on the Manchester attack investigation (all times local): 1:30 p.m. Prince William has met with police officers who responded the suicide bombing in Manchester, offering gratitude for the help of those first on the scene of the May 22 attack that killed 22. Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, centre left, meets with the first responders and members of the local community who provided care to those injured in the Manchester Arena concert blast last Monday, at Manchester Cathedral, in Manchester, England, Friday, June 2, 2017. ( Danny Lawson/Pool Photo via AP) The prince spoke with 47-year-old police constable Michael Buckley, who treated the wounded even as he frantically searched for his own child. Buckley was off duty and waiting for his 15-year-old daughter Stephanie when the bomb exploded at the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena. Buckley says that the arena's foyer was a scene of "was absolute devastation." Even as he tried to help, he "knew my daughter was in there somewhere." He eventually met her in a hotel in the early hours of the morning. She had suffered a suffered concussion and some crush injuries. ___ 12 p.m. British police investigating the Manchester Arena attack have cordoned off an area around a car they believe may be significant to the investigation. Police are hunting for clues about the movements of Salman Abedi, who detonated a backpack that killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert last week. Officers have put in place a 100-meter (100-yard) cordon around a car in southern Manchester. People were being evacuated from Ronald McDonald House as a precaution, but a local hospital remained working as usual. The developments came Friday after police have released new security camera images of the Manchester bomber's last moments, hoping to piece together his final preparations before the concert blast. ___ 11 a.m. Police have released new CCTV images of the Manchester bomber's last moments, hoping to piece together his final preparations before the concert blast. The images released Friday came as Salman Abedi's cousins acknowledged that they were traumatized by last week's attack at the Manchester Arena, where 22 people died. Isaac and Abz Forjani, who were arrested and released without charge, expressed shock at Abedi's actions. Isaac Forjani told the BBC it's "not easy" being connected to "22 lost, innocent lives." He says "the fact that the person that did this is related to us by blood is something that's going to stay with me for the rest of my life." The developments came amid reports ticket scalpers were attempting to profit from the upcoming Ariana Grande concert to benefit victims. Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge signs a book of condolence at Manchester Cathedral where he met with the first responders and members of the local community who provided care to those injured in the Manchester Arena concert blast last Monday, in Manchester, England, Friday, June 2, 2017. ( Danny Lawson/Pool Photo via AP) A general view of the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground ahead of Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester concert, in Manchester, England, Thursday June 1, 2017. 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. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) A security check at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground ahead of Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester concert in Manchester, England, Thursday June 1, 2017. 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. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) This is a handout photo taken from CCTV made available on Friday June 2, 2017 and issued on by the Greater Manchester Police of Salman Abedi, at an unknown location in Greater Manchester, England in the days just prior of the attack on Manchester Arena. More than 20 people were killed in the explosion at the Manchester Arena on Monday May 22, 2017. (Greater Manchester Police via AP) This is a handout photo taken from CCTV made available on Friday June 2, 2017 and issued on by the Greater Manchester Police of Salman Abedi, at an unknown location in Greater Manchester, England in the days just prior of the attack on Manchester Arena. More than 20 people were killed in the explosion at the Manchester Arena on Monday May 22, 2017. (Greater Manchester Police via AP) This is a handout photo taken from CCTV made available on Friday June 2, 2017 and issued on by the Greater Manchester Police of Salman Abedi, at an unknown location in Greater Manchester, England in the days just prior of the attack on Manchester Arena. More than 20 people were killed in the explosion at the Manchester Arena on Monday May 22, 2017. (Greater Manchester Police via AP) FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - German prosecutors say they have expanded their investigation into suspected violations involving manipulation of diesel emissions at carmaker Audi to include cars sold in Germany and Europe. The statement Friday from prosecutors in Munich comes a day after the transport ministry said the company had used software that turned off emissions controls when vehicles were not being tested in 24,000 vehicles built between 2009 and 2013. Munich prosecutors were already looking into whether there were violations related to Audi vehicles sold in the United States. Parent company Volkswagen has already agreed to pay $1.2 billion to settle civil claims over 78,000 Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen vehicles with 3.0 liter diesel engines in the U.S., part of more than $20 billion in criminal and civil penalties. JOHANNESBURG (AP) - A memorial service has been held for the mother of a South African man who was kidnapped five and a half years ago in Mali by extremists from al-Qaida's North Africa branch. Beverley McGown, who died after an illness, had hoped in vain for the release of son Stephen McGown. He was abducted in Timbuktu in November 2011. Her husband, Malcolm McGown, said at the service Friday that he promised her shortly before she died that her son would eventually be released. In 2015, extremists released video of Stephen McGown, who also has British citizenship, and a hostage from Sweden. McGown had been traveling in Mali. Gift of the Givers, a South African charity, has sought to secure McGown's release through contacts with local leaders and others in West Africa. Police officers escort a fugitive who fled to the United States in April last year. The man, who is suspected of committing rape in China, was repatriated at Beijing Capital International Airport on Thursday. [Photo/China Daily] A fugitive on China's most-wanted list who is suspected of rape was repatriated to China from the United States on Thursday afternoon, according to the Ministry of Public Security. A United Airlines flight carrying the suspect - surnamed Zhu - and two U.S. law enforcement officers arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport, where the officers handed him over to Chinese police. The successful repatriation was considered "the latest achievement of law enforcement and network security cooperation between the two countries", said a senior official at the ministry's criminal investigation department, who asked that his name not be used. According to the ministry, both countries have tried to put aside political and legal differences to enhance communication and mutual trust in the fight against transnational crimes. Moreover, they will improve law enforcement and security dialogues, while strengthening intelligence sharing and conducting joint investigations in some cases. In recent years, a number of Chinese suspects, including some suspected of major crimes, have fled China to the U.S. Lack of a bilateral extradition treaty, as well as legal obstacles, have helped them avoid prosecution. In April 2016, the Fuyang police in Anhui Province received a report accusing Zhu of rape, and the suspect fled to the U.S. The Ministry of Public Security attached great importance to the case and set up a special investigation team to go to the U.S. to hunt down the suspect. It asked Interpol to issue a red notice, which is close to an international arrest warrant. In January, Zhu was captured by U.S. authorities for illegally overstaying his visa, and the U.S. immediately informed the ministry. Chinese officials then shared evidence of the rape with their U.S. counterparts and requested that Zhu be sent back to China. In May, Zhu was convicted in a U.S. court of illegal immigration and was expelled from the country. Huang Feng, a law professor from Beijing Normal University, said Chinese fugitives will pose a serious risk to local public security, and if U.S. law enforcement officers are aware of their crimes, they won't allow foreign suspects to stay in the country. "They will offer judicial assistance to their Chinese counterparts according to the laws in the U.S.," he said. ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) - President Vladimir Putin ridiculed the allegations of Russian meddling in U.S. elections, accusing the Democrats of trying to shift blame for their defeat and likening the accusations against Russia to anti-Semitism. Facing questions from NBC's Megyn Kelly, who moderated Friday's panel discussion at St. Petersburg's economic forum, Putin said the claims of Russian interference in the U.S. election contained "nothing concrete, only assumptions." Asked about the "fingerprints," IP addresses allegedly belonging to Russian hackers, he said those could have been easily rigged and couldn't stand as credible evidence. Russian President Vladimir Putin answers a question at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Putin has ridiculed the U.S. focus on Russian ambassador's contacts with members of President Donald Trump's team, saying that the envoy was only doing his job. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) "What fingerprints?" Putin said sarcastically. "Hoof prints? Horn prints? Technology experts can invent anything and put the blame on anyone." U.S. intelligence agencies have accused Russia of hacking into Democratic Party emails, helping Donald Trump's election victory, and the congressional and FBI investigations into the Trump campaign's ties with Russia have broken the Kremlin's hopes for a detente with Washington. In a sign of exasperation, Putin compared what he described as the obsessive U.S. focus on alleged Russian interference with the vote to anti-Semitism. "It reminds me of anti-Semitism," he said. "A dumb man who can't do anything would blame the Jews for everything." He said the allegations of Russian hacking into the Democratic National Committee overshadow the fact that the leaked emails were genuine and revealed unpleasant truths. "It was true information. Was it so important who leaked it?" he said. "It was necessary to apologize to the people and vow not to make such mistakes in the future." He blamed the Democrats for the failure to acknowledge their mistakes in the campaign, and "taking internal U.S. political squabbles into the international arena." "It's an attempt to solve internal political problems using foreign policy instruments," he said. "It's harmful, hurting international relations, the global economy, security and the fight against terror. It's time to stop that useless and harmful chatter." He insisted that Trump won thanks to his skills, not Russian interference. "The problem isn't us, the problem is inside U.S. politics," he said. "Trump's team was more efficient during the election campaign." He added that while watching the U.S. campaign unfold, he would sometimes think that Trump was going "over the top." "But it turned out that he was right," Putin said. "He found the right approach to those groups of the population, to those voters whom he targeted. They came to the polls and voted for him, and the other team miscalculated." With particular scorn, Putin scoffed at the U.S. focus on the Russian ambassador's contacts with members of Trump's team, saying that the envoy was merely doing his job. Ambassador Sergei Kislyak's meetings with members of Trump's team have been a focus of the congressional investigation. Putin insisted that it was perfectly normal for Kislyak to try to establish contacts and discuss future ties, adding that he hadn't even started to discuss specifics. "What else is the ambassador supposed to do?" Putin said. "He's paid for holding meetings, discussing current affairs. Are you nuts?" Asked specifically if Kislyak had agreed with members of Trump's team on lifting anti-Russian sanctions, Putin denied that any such deal was made. "My answer is no," he said. "There were no agreements. We didn't even come close to that. We didn't even start negotiations." Asked if Russia is happy to see divisions in NATO over Trump's push for members to increase defense spending, the Russian leader responded on an acerbic note that Moscow would be happy to see the meltdown of the alliance he described as a Cold War relic. "Does squabbling over NATO help Russia?" he said. "It will if it leads to NATO's breakup, but we aren't seeing any such breakup yet." Commenting on Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord, Putin refrained from criticizing the move and called for a constructive dialogue on efforts needed to curb global warming. He underlined the importance of the Paris climate accord, but noted that it's a framework agreement offering broad room for maneuver for each signatory nation. Putin also said that Trump's promise to negotiate new conditions for the U.S. leaves hope for reaching a compromise before the Paris deal takes effect, adding that U.S. participation is essential for the success of global efforts. He joked that Trump's move made him a convenient person to blame for any spell of bad weather, including wet snow in Moscow on Friday, an extremely rare occurrence in the summer. "Now we can dump it all on him and American imperialism," Putin said. ___ Vladimir Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Putin has urged U.S. businessmen to use their influence to help normalize Russia-U.S. relations. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to address the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Putin has urged U.S. businessmen to use their influence to help normalize Russia-U.S. relations. (Vladimir Smirnov/TASS News Agency Pool Photo via AP) From right, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, and Moldovan President Igor Dodon arrive to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. (Vladimir Smirnov/TASS News Agency Pool Photo via AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Putin has urged U.S. businessmen to use their influence to help normalize Russia-U.S. relations. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Russia-USA Business Dialogue discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. (Mikhail Metzel/TASS News Agency Pool Photo via AP) Russia's President Vladimir Putin, foreground left, shakes hands with Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of International Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, at the Russia-USA Business Dialogue discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. (Mikhail Metzel/TASS News Agency Pool Photo via AP) In this photo taken Thursday, June 1, 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, greets ANSA Director General Giuseppe Cerbone, right, at his meeting with heads of international news agencies at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, Pool) Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he arrives to address the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, left, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi , third right, Moldovan President Igor Dodon, second right, and NBC journalist Megyn Kelly, right. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Putin says chemical attack in Syria was provocation to frame Assad. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, June 2, 2017. Putin says chemical attack in Syria was provocation to frame Assad. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - The University of Maryland is taking additional steps to fight hate and increase safety after a fatal stabbing that is being investigated as a possible hate crime. President Wallace Loh announced Thursday that the school will implement a "pledge for respect and unity" for all students. In the fall, events will be held where students can take the unity pledge reaffirming "respect for human dignity, diversity, inclusion and academic freedom." The announcement comes after police say a black Bowie State University student was fatally stabbed by a white Maryland student on campus last month. Loh says the school also will clarify the code of student conduct to strengthen hate and bias sanctions. Last week, Loh announced other efforts to battle hate, including a campus safety task force. LONDON (AP) - With less than a week until Britain votes in a national election, Prime Minister Theresa May faced tough questions from voters Friday about her Conservative government's cuts to welfare and health spending. She was also accused by opponents of failing to stand up to the United States over its withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. May and opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn appeared before a live audience on prime-time TV - but consecutively, rather than side by side. Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, reacts while on the general election campaign trail, in Doncaster, England, Friday June 2, 2017. Britain will hold a general election on June 8. (Scott Heppell/PA via AP) May has refused to take part in any televised debates, saying she prefers to answer questions directly from voters. Friday's show may have tested that preference, as audience members criticized the prime minister for presiding over stagnant wages for nurses and cuts for those needed physical and mental care. May said the government had "had to take some hard choices across the public sector" to curb spending and reduce the country's deficit. She also denied breaking promises, including her vow not to call an early election. May said she "had the balls to call an election" because it was important to give the government a stronger mandate to negotiate Britain's exit from the European Union. May spoke after President Donald Trump's announcement that he would pull out of the Paris accord sent the issue of climate change - and May's attempts to bolster the trans-Atlantic "special relationship" - to the top of the agenda in campaigning for Britain's June 8 election. May's said she spoke to Trump by phone "and told him that the U.K. believes in the Paris agreement and that we didn't want the United States to leave the Paris agreement." But Britain did not sign a joint statement by the leaders of Germany, France and Italy, who said they regretted Trump's decision and insisted that the accord cannot be renegotiated. May's office would not say whether she had been asked to sign it. May noted that Japan and Canada - fellow members of the G-7 group of rich industrialized nations - also were not signatories, but like Britain remain committed to the Paris agreement. "I made the U.K.'s position clear to President Trump last week at the G-7 meeting, as did the other G-7 leaders, and I made the position clear to President Trump last night," May said Friday. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said not signing the declaration was an "appalling abdication of leadership." Corbyn accused May of "subservience" to Trump. The Labour leader, a veteran left-winger who was given little chance of beating May at the start of the election, has had a good campaign and seen his poll ratings rise. Corbyn also was made to squirm by the television audience, who pressed him on his opposition to Britain's nuclear arsenal, and asked if he would be prepared to use atomic weapons if Britain was threatened. He did not answer definitively, but said he would "do everything I can to ensure that any threat is actually dealt with earlier on by negotiations and by talks." "I think the idea of anyone ever using a nuclear weapon anywhere in the world is utterly appalling and terrible," Corbyn said. LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Latest on Kathy Griffin (all times local): 2:20 p.m. The California Republican Party is soliciting donations based on images of Kathy Griffin posing with the likeness of President Donald Trump's bloody, severed head. FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2016 file photo, comedian Kathy Griffin poses at The Hollywood Reporter's 25th Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast in Los Angeles. Sen. Al Franken has dis-invited Griffin from an event promoting his new book, "Giant of the Senate." This is the latest fallout after the comedian posed with a likeness of President Donald Trump's severed head. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) An email sent Friday afternoon called Griffin's photo shoot disrespectful and obscene. The email sought donations to fight what it called "the left's blatant disrespect." National party spokesman Michael Reed released a statement earlier Friday criticizing Griffin and her comments at a news conference that Trump and his family were attempting to destroy her life and career. Griffin and celebrity photographer Tyler Shields posted photo and video of her posing with fake head on Tuesday. Griffin apologized within hours but has been fired from her most high-profile job as co-host of CNN's New Year's Eve celebration. Five of her upcoming performances have also been canceled. ___ 10:25 a.m. A Republican Party spokesman is attacking Kathy Griffin's press conference in which she said President Donald Trump and his family are targeting her over a controversial photo shoot. Party spokesman Michael Reed says Griffin is wrong to play the victim after she posed with the likeness of Trump's bloody, severed head. Reed says Trump and his family have every right to condemn Griffin, who apologized for the images but said Friday she would continue to mock the president. Griffin and her attorney accused Trump and his family of trying to end the 56-year-old comedian's career and said the shoot was inspired by comments Trump made about television journalist Megyn Kelly in 2015. Reed says the press conference was an attempt for Griffin to turn the attention back on herself, and he mocked her for having no career left. Griffin said five of her upcoming performances have been canceled. She was also fired by CNN from a decade-long gig hosting a New Year's Eve celebration with Anderson Cooper. ___ 9:40 a.m. Kathy Griffin says she is receiving death threats over her photo shoot in which she posed with the likeness of President Donald Trump's severed head. Griffin says the photo and video shoot were motivated by Trump's comments in August 2015 about then-Fox News Channel anchor Megyn Kelly. Trump referred to blood coming out of her eyes and other parts of her body. The 56-year-old comedian said those statements prompted her to pose with the Trump severed head, which was a mask mounted on a Styrofoam wig mold. Griffin and her attorneys appeared at a free-wheeling news conference Friday morning in which Griffin cried and again apologized for the shoot. Griffin grew more combative as the news conference went on and said she had nothing to say to Trump's wife, Melania, or his young son, Barron. Attorney Dmitry Gorin, who is a criminal lawyer representing Griffin in a Secret Service investigation, said the shoot was parody and the comedian did nothing wrong. He said Griffin is cooperating with the agency. ___ 9:20 a.m. Kathy Griffin's attorney says the comedian has been contacted by the Secret Service in the wake of her controversial photo shoot in which she posed with the likeness of President Donald Trump's severed head. Attorney Lisa Bloom says Griffin has retained a criminal attorney, who also appeared at a Friday press conference in which Griffin apologized again for the images. Griffin said she is the subject of a Secret Service investigation, but did not provide any further information about the inquiry or if she was cooperating. Griffin says she will not refrain from joking about Trump in the future. Since the comedian posed with a likeness of President Donald Trump's severed head, she has been fired from her annual gig hosting CNN's New Year's Eve special and several performances have been canceled at venues across the U.S. ___ 8:29 a.m. Sen. Al Franken has dis-invited Griffin from an event promoting his new book, "Giant of the Senate." Franken says he has heard from constituents "who were rightfully offended," leading the Minnesota Democrat to change his mind from earlier, when he had said she was still welcome. He says he takes seriously that Minnesotans were upset by her behavior, which he characterizes as "inappropriate and not something that should be anywhere" in the national discourse. It's the latest fallout after the comedian posed with a likeness of President Donald Trump's severed head. ___ 6:50 a.m. Backlash against Kathy Griffin continues to grow with at least four venues announcing that they had canceled her performances after the comedian posed with a likeness of President Donald Trump's severed head. Venues in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania have canceled shows. The Community Arts Theater in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, posted on its website that the show had been dropped "due to the recent controversy surrounding Kathy Griffin and the concern for the safety and security of our patrons and staff." Earlier this week, CNN said Griffin would no longer co-host its live New Year's Eve special from Times Square and another show was canceled at a New Mexico casino. An endorsement deal with Squatty Potty also ended. Griffin, 56, apologized within hours of the images appearing online Tuesday, but they were met with swift and widespread condemnation. Trump later tweeted that Griffin "should be ashamed of herself" for posting the images. ___ 4:09 a.m. Kathy Griffin and her attorney have scheduled a news conference for Friday morning to discuss the fallout from the comedian posing with a likeness of President Donald Trump's severed head. Attorney Lisa Bloom says Griffin will discuss the photo and video she and celebrity photographer Tyler Shields posted on Tuesday. The images prompted CNN to fire Griffin from her decade-long gig hosting a New Year's Eve special with Anderson Cooper. Griffin apologized within hours of the images appearing online. They were met with swift and widespread condemnation. Trump later tweeted that Griffin "should be ashamed of herself" for posting the images. The 56-year-old comic has faced controversies before for her abrasive humor, but none as widespread as the one generated by Tuesday's images. PHOENIX (AP) - In a story June 2 about Arizona's 2018 Senate race, The Associated Press reported erroneously that no Democrat has announced a bid to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake. Community activist and first-time political candidate Deedra Abboud has announced for the race. A corrected version of the story is below: Arizona Sen. Flake walks tightrope as 2018 election looms Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake returned to the state this week and has been constantly reminded of the tightrope he must walk as he gears up for a 2018 re-election bid By BOB CHRISTIE Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) - As Republican Sen. Jeff Flake returned to Arizona this week during a congressional break, he was constantly reminded of the tightrope he must walk as he gears up for his 2018 re-election bid. Protesters on the left followed him around with a giant inflatable chicken whose hair style was patterned after President Donald Trump. Their message: Don't be a chicken and stand up to the president on issues like health care. On the right, a former tea party activist ripped him on a daily basis over his moderate stances. Flake faces a tough test next year that is emblematic of the challenges many Republicans will encounter in the first midterm election of the Trump presidency. The left is energized on issues like health care, and the right is targeting politicians like Flake who have been outspoken in their criticism of the president. The junior Arizona senator was a frequent critic of Trump during the 2016 campaign and has said he didn't vote for him. In his visit to Arizona week, he touted his support of the North American Free Trade Agreement - a deal Trump took the first steps to renegotiate or dismantle last month. But Flake also points out his support of Trump's Supreme Court and cabinet picks. "I think people appreciate independence," Flake said during a wide-ranging interview this week. "I'll support the president when he's right and I'll oppose him when he's wrong." Flake faces at least one Republican challenger next year, former state Sen. Kelli Ward, and others are waiting in the wings, considering whether to jump in. They include state treasurer Jeff DeWit, an early Trump backer who ran the president's campaign finances and would surely get big backing from him. Just one Democratic opponent, community activist and political newcomer Deedra Abboud, has entered the race. Ward has taken aim at Flake for bucking his party's right wing and backing immigration reform, dubbing him "sanctuary senator." She also criticized him for the backing he gets from former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, another Trump critic who is set to appear at a Flake fundraiser on Friday. Former President George W. Bush also came to Arizona for a recent Flake fundraiser, and he can count on the loyal backing of fellow Arizona Sen. John McCain. "In my last election I had somebody spend about $9 million, mostly painting me as out of touch with Arizonans on immigration," Flake said. "That person got 20 percent of the vote after spending $9 million. We beat 'em by 49 points." Flake points to McCain's easy 2016 re-election win, where he too abandoned Trump after a 2005 tape emerged of Trump making lewd remarks about women. Arizona remains a solidly red state, but independents now outnumber Democrats and Republicans. "(McCain) garnered I think, 250,000 more votes than the president did. Won the state by 14 against his opponent - the president won by 3 points," Flake said. "So I think Arizonans are more independent." But it's the vulnerability from the left that is likely more problematic for Flake. He's a target of opponents of the Affordable Care Act repeal, who drag out the inflatable chicken at many of his events. "I think he's absolutely vulnerable if he votes to repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act," said U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, a rising Democratic star from Phoenix who has been critical of the House-passed repeal and replace plan. "Health care is a very personal thing, we've learned it as Democrats. Republicans are going to learn the same thing if they pull this system out from underneath people." Flake has had a full schedule this week, appearing at businesses and events across metropolitan Phoenix, launching a push to defend NAFTA against a possible Trump pullout, making an appearance at a nuclear plant, speaking to business leaders and working to boost his campaign coffers. As of March 31, records show he had about $1.8 million on hand. Flake avoided town hall meetings that have stirred up liberal voters and protesters like the one he faced earlier this year. At events before friendly crowds this week, like a Glendale Chamber of Commerce event Tuesday, he still got questions critical of repealing health care law. Flake acknowledges the House-passed bill, under which congressional analysts estimate 23 million people will lose coverage, has no chance in the Senate. The Senate is now working on its own plan, but Flake won't commit to backing it until he's reviewed it. Retired property manager Bill Morris was at the Glendale event and said he is worried about the effects of the repeal on his Medicare and on friends with other types of insurance. He said he wants Flake to stand up to Republicans who are pushing a repeal. "I would tell him to vote his conscious and not his party," Morris said. "This is the United States, he's responsible to all of us, especially here in Arizona since he's one of our two senators." Flake cites insurers fleeing the private marketplace as evidence that Congress has to act. "For those who say let's just keep the ACA as it is, that's not possible. It's not going to survive as it is, we know that," Flake said. "In Iowa, already, the only insurer there has indicated an intent to pull out. We're going to have a lot of people with no choice at all. At the same time, he's aware of the big boost that an expanded Medicaid program under Obama provided in Arizona. Arizona has seen more than 400,000 people get insurance, plus another 20,000 children under a plan known as KidsCare, under Medicaid expansion. Nearly all would lose coverage under the House plan unless the state embraces a massive tax increase, which is virtually impossible in the Legislature. About 200,000 people buy private insurance on the federal marketplace, and many would see dramatic changes there too and likely lose affordable coverage. "With (Medicaid), particularly in those states that expanded, they've come to rely on that pretty quickly," he said. "And it would be a big jolt to the budget and big problem for those who have coverage if it were to end immediately." NEW YORK (AP) - Roger Waters isn't sure how much longer he will tour, or if his current one will be his last. But there's one thing the former Pink Floyd co-founder is sure of - if you're a veteran, there's a place for you at his shows. Waters, whose father was killed in World War II, holds a special place in his heart for those who served. That's why for every performance, he allocates a block of tickets for vets. "When I started touring with 'The Wall,' I just started inviting veterans in every town we go to, and I'll do that on this tour, as well. We'll reserve a certain number of places in the auditorium for veterans if they want to come," Waters said. FILE - In this Nov. 5, 2015 file photo, music legend Roger Waters poses for a portrait in New York Waters, whose father was killed in World War II, holds a special place in his heart for those who served in the military. That's why for every performance, he allocates a block of tickets for veterans. They can obtain a ticket through a variety of veteran's groups, including the Wounded Warrior Project, VetTix and MusiCorps. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP, File) Veterans can grab a ticket to his shows through a variety of veteran's groups, including the Wounded Warrior Project, VetTix and MusiCorps. Recently, the outspoken 73-year old rocker sat down with The Associated Press to talk about veterans, his latest solo album - titled "Is This the Life We Really Want?" - and his political leanings. AP: Your support for veterans has been relentless. Why? Waters: Maybe it has something to with my father. It has partly to do with Bob and Lee Woodruff. They have a foundation because he was a journalist who got half of his head blown off and survived. They have a thing called Stand Up for Heroes every year to raise money for veterans, and they asked if I would perform. AP: But it didn't stop there. Waters: I had an idea, which was to put together a band of wounded men. So I went to Walter Reed (National Military Medical Center), and I met a guy there called Arthur Bloom, who ran a program, and we made a band. We performed for a couple of years doing that and these men became my brothers, and I'm close friends still with a lot to them. And so the connections that I made through playing music with them informed my desire to get to know more of them. AP: The album seems inspired by the dire overtones of our current world. Is it about fear? Waters: Yeah, it's fear of the fact that everything is running away from us and nobody is the child who says, "But the emperor is not wearing any clothes." AP: Tell us about the tour? Waters: The show is called "Us and Them," which is the title of a song from "Dark Side of the Moon," which is from 1973, or '74, but it's extremely appropriate and apposite today. That song means just as much today as it did in 1973. And these new songs off this album are essentially about our dilemma as human beings as to whether we can find ways to accommodate each other's needs, and to discover our potential for empathy for others, including refugees. AP: You have always been outspoken when it comes to politics, and have been attacked on your support of a boycott of Israel. Some have called you anti-Semitic because of it. Are you? Waters: I've got nothing against Israel, and I've certainly not got anything against Jewish people or Judaism. But I am fundamentally opposed to people being subjugated and not having rights under the law. So I've finished my little speech, but people have suggested that I'm anti-Semitic, which I am clearly not... I will go to my grave defending the rights of ordinary people, under a law, under a common law. AP: How much longer can you do tour? Waters: Probably, not much longer. This might well be the last one. If it goes on for a couple of years I may well be done. We'll see. You never say never. I try and stay fit. I am fit, otherwise I couldn't do it. So we'll see. AP: Is it possible that any time before you call it quits, you and former Floyd guitarist David Gilmour will do a set of shows? Waters: I think it's very unlikely. ___ Follow John Carucci on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jacarucci OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Some imported frozen tuna cubes and steaks are being recalled after testing showed they could be contaminated with the hepatitis A virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Hawaii-based Hilo Fish Company told the agency in May it had recalled yellowfin tuna that tested positive for the virus. Hilo says the fish was sourced from Sustainable Seafood Company in Vietnam and Santa Cruz Seafood Inc. in the Philippines. Some products were distributed to retail locations and restaurants in California, Texas and Oklahoma. The FDA said Thursday no reports of illness have been linked to the fish. Hilo Fish Company's recalled products include 8-ounce steaks with label code 627152, and tuna cubes in 15-pound cases with label code 705342. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says hepatitis A is a liver disease that can be transmitted through food or skin-to-skin contact. ___ Read more about the FDA investigation and see a list of businesses that received tuna from Hilo Fish Company: https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm561199.htm#table DALLAS (AP) - President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord may have only limited immediate impact on many U.S. companies, according to analysts. In part that is because the Paris agreement only went into effect last year, it's voluntary, and doesn't carry penalties for countries that fall short of emissions-cutting targets. "What you have is a president making a nonbinding withdrawal from a nonbinding agreement," said Kevin Book, an analyst with ClearView Energy Partners. "And that's not likely to change fundamentals very much at all." FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, file photo, Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal, right, and Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet Marketing, pose together after the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV was announced the winner of the Green Car of the Year Award during the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord may have only limited immediate impact on many U.S. companies, according to analysts. Some corporations that had supported the Paris agreement were quick to signal that Trump's decision would not change their plans. "Our position on climate change has not changed ... we publicly advocate for climate action," said General Motors. The company said it would stand by its support for various climate pledges, and it boasted about its Chevrolet Bolt EV, an electric vehicle priced under $30,000. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) Many big companies in industries such as autos and aviation have already committed to reducing emissions and are spending billions to do it. They aren't likely to change course. A study mentioned by Trump estimated that if the U.S. meets its Paris goal for reducing carbon emissions it will cost 2.7 million U.S. jobs by 2025. The study, commissioned by a pro-industry group, projected the sharpest declines in coal, cement, and iron and steel, and the loss of 440,000 manufacturing jobs. Coal and cement producers say the Paris accord would put them at a competitive disadvantage and that they too are taking steps to cut emissions. The American Coal Council said more than 90 percent of U.S. coal plants are equipped with advanced emissions controls, and that advances in technology will lead to further improvement. Cement makers say they use alternative fuels for 15 percent of their power needs. However, many economists think Paris would be roughly a trade-off - fewer jobs in polluting industries would be offset by more in renewable energy. The chief economist of business-research group The Conference Board said the potential number of jobs that might be created in fossil fuels is limited, while the potential for job growth in green technologies is much greater. There are already more than twice as many U.S. jobs in solar energy than coal, about 374,000 to 160,000, according to the Energy Department. Some corporations that had supported the Paris agreement were quick to signal that Trump's decision would not change their plans. "Our position on climate change has not changed ... we publicly advocate for climate action," said General Motors. The company reiterated its support for various climate pledges, and it boasted about its Chevrolet Bolt EV, an electric vehicle priced under $30,000. Rebecca Lindland, an executive analyst with Kelley Blue Book, said Trump's decision won't have an immediate impact on automakers, who had no specific targets to meet under the Paris agreement. Separately, the Trump administration is reviewing fuel-economy standards that were reaffirmed in the final days of President Barack Obama's tenure. A weakening of those standards might help sell more SUVs to U.S. consumers, but automakers still have to design and build electric and other fuel-efficient cars to meet mileage standards in California, China, Europe and elsewhere, Lindland said. Oil prices fell Friday on concern that the U.S. exit from Paris could lead to increased production and a continuation of the glut of crude. Several large oil companies including Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell had urged Trump not to withdraw. In a statement, Exxon stressed that the accord included emissions-reduction pledges from China and India, developing countries that are major polluters. The company said the U.S. is in good position to compete internationally because of an abundant natural gas supply. New drilling methods have made gas cheaper, allowing it to replace coal in many U.S. power plants. Now, Exxon and others are gearing up to export more liquefied natural gas. Exxon also faces pressure from shareholders, who voted this week for more disclosure about the impact of climate-change regulation on Exxon's business. Jason Bordoff, an energy-policy expert at Columbia University, said withdrawing from the Paris agreement would make no difference to the U.S. energy outlook or economy. "The outlook for U.S. energy production will be determined far more by market conditions, like the price of oil and gas, than by scrapping the Obama-era environmental regulations," Bordoff said. The president's decision should have very little impact on airlines because it's still in their financial interest to fly cleaner - lower emissions are the result of burning less fuel. Airlines have been spending billions on new, more fuel-efficient planes - fuel is an airline's second-biggest expense after labor. "No one is going to go back to (Boeing) 707s that leave a big smoke trail in the air just because you can," said Robert Mann, an aviation consultant and former airline executive. "The (financial) objective is to be efficient." Whatever the industry, companies will be reluctant to change plans based solely on the withdrawal from the climate agreement because the pendulum could swing back. "It's easy to imagine a future administration that wants to re-engage in an activist role on climate," said Book, the energy analyst. "Any long-term investment is going to have to consider the world after Trump." ___ Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit, Paul Wiseman in Washington and Ken Sweet and Paul Harloff in New York contributed to this report. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The oil-rich African nation of Equatorial Guinea won overwhelming support from the U.N. General Assembly for a coveted two-year seat on the Security Council Friday despite opposition from human rights groups - along with Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Peru and Poland. The 193-member assembly also voted overwhelmingly Friday for the Netherlands to join the council for one year starting Jan. 1. In an unusual but not unprecedented agreement, the Netherlands and Italy ended a battle for a council seat last year by deciding to split the two-year term with Italy on the U.N.'s most powerful body. Italy is serving on the council this year and the Netherlands had to be officially elected to serve in 2018. Winning a seat on the Security Council is a pinnacle of achievement for many countries because it gives them a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security ranging from conflicts in Syria and South Sudan to the nuclear threat posed by North Korea and attacks by extremist groups such as the Islamic State. The 15-member council includes five permanent members with veto power - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Seats are allocated by region, and regional groups nominate candidates. Five countries are elected every year by secret ballot. Usually there is at least one contested race but this year there were none. In the secret ballot, Poland received 190 votes, Ivory Coast 189 votes, Kuwait 188 votes, Peru 186 votes, Equatorial Guinea 185 votes and Netherlands 184 votes. The candidate that drew the greatest attention was tiny Equatorial Guinea, the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa that was seeking a seat on the Security Council for the first time. Human Rights Watch says "corruption, poverty, and repression" continue to plague the country which has been ruled by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema since 1979. The country's vast oil reserves "fund lavish lifestyles for the small elite surrounding the president, while a large proportion of the population continues to live in poverty," the rights group says. Transparency International helped bring a corruption case in France against the president's son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who is a vice president of the country, which is expected to go to trial soon. Equatorial Guinea's candidacy was endorsed by the African Union and in its campaign for a council seat it called itself "a model of peace, stability and rapid economic development" that has achieved "significant milestones in literacy, health care services, education and general infrastructure development." The government listed high-level conferences it has hosted and contributions it has made including $30 million to the Trust Fund for Food Security in Africa. As a council member, Equatorial Guinea said "it will devote all possible efforts and resources to support the work of the United Nations, working for sustainable peace and development for all U.N. members throughout the world." Louis Charbonneau, the U.N. representative for Human Rights Watch, said Equatorial Guinea "has harassed human rights defenders and civil groups, often with arbitrary detentions." "As the Security Council increasingly mainstreams the promotion of human rights, we hope Equatorial Guinea won't push back or undermine that," he said. Charbonneau also urged U.N. member states to make Security Council elections more competitive so the General Assembly is able "to choose whether or not they trust a country like Equatorial Guinea with the maintenance of international peace and security." A mad dash around the turquoise waters of Bermuda's Great Sound by heavyweights Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA on Saturday could have a major impact on the 35th America's Cup match that starts in two weeks. If two-time defending champion Oracle Team USA gets its 50-foot, foiling catamaran across the finish line first, it will carry one bonus point into the first-to-seven match that starts on June 17. If the Kiwis beat Oracle and then make it through the challenger semifinals and finals, they will take a bonus point into the match. In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Emirates Team New Zealand and Groupama Team France (not shown) compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) It figures that the new-look qualifiers would come down to a showdown between the two powerhouse rivals that will forever be linked by the epic 2013 America's Cup. Oracle - skippered by Australian Jimmy Spithill and owned by software billionaire Larry Ellison - staged one of the greatest comebacks in sports by winning eight straight races to rally from an 8-1 deficit and retain the Auld Mug. It was a gut-wrenching collapse for the Kiwis, who sacked skipper Dean Barker and rebuilt their team around 26-year-old helmsman Peter Burling, an Olympic gold and silver medalist. And perhaps it's only fitting that this Americas Cup is being sailed on the northern tip of the Bermuda Triangle, because it doesn't look like any previous edition in the regatta's 166-year history. In one of the many radical departures from tradition, this is the first time the defender has sailed against challengers in the preliminaries. The bonus point is another new twist. Letting the defender sail against the challengers has made it "way more compelling and let's face it, there's something worth fighting for," Spithill said. "That race tomorrow between the Kiwis and us, that's the bonus point. So I think it's worked." Saturday's matchup was made more compelling by Friday's results in round robin two. Emirates Team New Zealand was nearly perfect in winning two races to jump to 8 points in the qualifiers, one more than Oracle. With Burling calmly steering the fast catamaran, the Kiwis became the first crew to sail around the seven-leg course entirely on hydrofoils, with the hulls never touching the water until just after the finish line. That came in a 4:06 whitewashing of Groupama Team France, which was eliminated with one race to sail. The Kiwis also beat SoftBank Team Japan by 51 seconds, staying on their foils 99.6 percent of the time. Oracle, meanwhile, had to quickly fix a broken rudder before its race against Artemis Racing of Sweden. Oracle made it onto the course in time but lost to Artemis by 24 seconds. "It's great we have an opportunity to race with a bit more pressure tomorrow," Burling said. "That's what we're excited about. We really enjoy those opportunities to put ourselves under a bit more pressure and learn from it." In the first round robin, Oracle beat Team New Zealand by six seconds. There were two lead changes, including Oracle sailing into the lead going onto the sixth leg. Oracle has two races Saturday, the final day of the second round robin, and the Kiwis just one. If Oracle beats the Kiwis, it would clinch the bonus point on a tiebreaker based on standings in the America's Cup World Series the last two years. Oracle came into these qualifiers with a one-point bonus for finishing second in the ACWS. Britain's Land Rover BAR brought in two bonus points for leading the ACWS standings. Oracle will sail against Land Rover BAR in the fourth and final race Saturday. If the Kiwis beat Oracle on Saturday and don't make it through to the match, there will be no bonus point. That seems highly unlikely, though. The Kiwis have looked strong, with their only loss so far coming to Oracle. They've clinched the top seed for the semifinals, which start Sunday. After Saturday, Oracle will train on its own while the challengers sail their semifinals and finals. Team New Zealand gets to pick its opponent for the semis. Artemis, looking good in breezy conditions, also beat SoftBank Team Japan by 18 seconds. Artemis sits fourth, with four points, behind Land Rover BAR with five. SoftBank Team Japan has three points and Team France, two. The British were off Friday. ___ Follow Bernie Wilson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/berniewilson In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Emirates Team New Zealand and SoftBank Team Japan compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Emirates Team New Zealand and Groupama Team France (not shown) compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Emirates Team New Zealand and Groupama Team France compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, SoftBank Team Japan and Sweden's Artemis racing compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, Sweden's Artemis racing and SoftBank Team Japan compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) In this photo provided by the America's Cup Event Authority, SoftBank Team Japan and Sweden's Artemis racing compete during America's Cup qualifying on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Richard Pinto/ACEA via AP) RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A federal judge has dismissed a $12 million defamation lawsuit against journalist Katie Couric over what Virginia gun rights activists call a misleading documentary edit. Judge John Gibney Jr. rejected the Virginia Citizens Defense League's claim that its members were defamed by Couric's documentary "Under the Gun." The documentary shows nearly 10 seconds of silence after Couric asks members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League how felons or terrorists could be prevented from purchasing a gun without background checks. Activists can be heard on audio of the exchange responding almost immediately. Gibney said the gun rights activists responded by talking about background checks and gun laws generally, but never answered Couric's question about felons and terrorists. He said the editing "simply dramatizes the sophistry" of the gun rights activists. LONDON (AP) - British police have charged the ex-wife of Liberia's former president with torture offenses. London's Metropolitan Police says Agnes Reeves Taylor was charged Friday with participating in torture between December 1989 and January 1991, during Liberia's civil war. Taylor is the ex-wife of former warlord Charles Taylor, Liberia's president between 1997 and 2003. He was convicted in The Hague in 2012 of war crimes that included terrorism, murder, rape and using child soldiers. He is serving his 50-year prison sentence in Britain. Police say Agnes Taylor, whose residence was given as east London, was arrested Thursday by the force's war crimes team. She is due to appear in a London court on Saturday. Several of the alleged offenses took place in Gbarnga, headquarters of Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front during the war. WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says Vice President Mike Pence will meet with three Latin American leaders and address economic and security issues in Central America during an appearance at a conference in Florida later this month. Pence will give the keynote address at the Conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America in Miami on June 15, the White House says. Following his address, the vice president will meet with President Salvador Sanchez Ceren of El Salvador, President Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras and President Jimmy Morales of Guatemala. The White House says the meetings will focus on improving security, governance and economic prosperity in the Northern Triangle countries. MEXICO CITY (AP) - A day of shootings and confrontations has left five people dead in the northern Mexico border city of Reynosa. The security spokesman for the state of Tamaulipas did not specify the identity of the dead or the circumstances of the killings. But the spokesman's Twitter account reported dead bodies were found at several points in the city. Throughout Friday, authorities had reported gunfire or suspicious movements of convoys of vehicles. It also reported one suspect was wounded following an attack on a military patrol. Reynosa has been hit by turf battles between rival factions of the Gulf cartel follow the killing of leader Julian Loisa Salinas, known as "Comandante Toro," by military personnel in late April. BOSTON (AP) - The governors of four New England states - including two Republicans - are joining a bipartisan coalition of states committed to meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. The move comes a day after Republican President Donald Trump announced he is withdrawing the United States from the agreement, a pact involving nearly 200 nations aimed at slowing the warming of the planet. Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday he decided to partner with other states to combat climate change after speaking with Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott and New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He said Massachusetts will continue its commitment to exceed the emission reduction targets of the Paris compact. In 2008, Massachusetts lawmakers passed a law requiring the state to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. "Our administration looks forward to continued, bipartisan collaboration with other states to protect the environment, grow the economy and deliver a brighter future to the next generation," Baker said in a statement. Earlier on Friday Baker - who didn't support Trump during last year's campaign and didn't vote for him - said he didn't think Trump's decision to withdraw from the agreement was the right thing for the country or the world. Scott said Friday that Vermont also is joining the U.S. Climate Alliance to uphold the Paris climate agreement, which was started by the Democratic governors of California, New York and Washington. Scott called Vermont a leader in environmental policy and natural resource management and said Trump's decision to withdraw from the agreement "only strengthens our commitment and makes the work of states more important." "If our national government isn't willing to lead in this area," Scott said, "the states are prepared to step up." Baker and Scott last month urged Trump to continue the U.S. commitment to the climate agreement. The two wrote a letter to Energy Secretary Rick Perry saying that maintaining the commitment to the agreement and to U.S. leadership on climate change will help protect future generations. Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo - both Democrats - also are joining the alliance. Malloy said that Connecticut is "a national leader in combatting climate change" and has no intention of slowing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Raimondo said Friday that Trump's action will not deter Rhode Island from taking the steps needed to address climate change. "Republicans and Democrats alike recognize that the Paris Agreement is about so much more than climate change," Raimondo said. "It's about opportunity, stewardship and America's standing as a global leader." Trump formally announced his decision to leave the historic international agreement Thursday after promising to take the action during last year's campaign. He criticized the pact as a job-killer that put the United States at an unfair advantage. It may be years before the country can formally exit the deal, but Trump said he'll immediately halt implementation. He said he would consider re-entry if the U.S. could get a better deal. Republican politicians and representatives of the coal industry have cheered Trump's action. Hillary Clinton has a hunch about Donald Trumps mysterious tweet, covfefe. I thought it was a hidden message to the Russians, the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate joked. People in covfefe houses shouldn't throw covfefe. https://t.co/M7oK5Z6qwF Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 1, 2017 The former US first lady and New York senator later turned more serious during an interview at a conference near Los Angeles hosted by tech blog Recode. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump as Clinton suggested that President Trump and his allies were using Twitter and other social media to sidetrack Americans' attention (PA) She suggested that President Trump and his allies were using Twitter and other social media to sidetrack Americans attention from the investigations into the influence of Russia during the election campaign or the Republican health care bill. You cant let Trump and his allies be a diversion. They are a threat, Mrs Clinton said. They want to influence your reality. And that is what were up against and we cant let that go unanswered, whether its on Twitter, Facebook or anywhere else. Mr Trump tweeted shortly before 1am that Despite the constant negative press covfefe. The tweet ended there. Mrs Clinton talked at length about Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential contest, referring to US intelligence assessments that Russia not only meddled in the election, but did so to help Mr Trump defeat her. With multiple investigations under way, she asked: How did they know what messages to deliver? Who told them? Who were they co-ordinating with, or colluding with? To pull it off, Russians would have needed to be guided by Americans, she added later. Airline boss Willie Walsh has apologised to British Airways customers, five days after an IT shutdown left 75,000 bank holiday travellers stranded. Mr Walsh, chief executive of BA owner International Airlines Group (IAG), broke his silence to heap praise on airline staff and chief executive Alex Cruz for the way they handled the fiasco. It came amid reports that BA is preparing to demand an independent inquiry into the problem, which experts believe may leave the company with a compensation bill of as much as 100 million. International Airlines Group (IAG) chief executive Willie Walsh (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Walsh said the cause of the problem had been identified, and that efforts were being made to appease customers. He told the BBC: Im pleased that British Airways has been able to recover from the significant disruption that they faced on Saturday. I think the team at British Airways, under the leadership of Alex Cruz, has done everything possible to get British Airways back flying a full schedule as quickly as possible. We clearly apologise to any of our customers who were disrupted. We know the cause of the problem it was not an IT failure, it was a problem caused by the failure of electrical power to our IT systems. On Monday, we will run a full schedule at Gatwick and intend to operate a full long-haul schedule from Heathrow 1/4 British Airways (@British_Airways) May 29, 2017 with a high proportion of our short-haul programme. We apologise again to customers for the frustration and inconvenience 2/4 British Airways (@British_Airways) May 29, 2017 they are experiencing and we thank them for their continued patience. We urge customers due to travel today 3/4 British Airways (@British_Airways) May 29, 2017 to check on https://t.co/2Ty8CEO0Dq that they have a confirmed booking and their flight is operating, before going to the airport. 4/4 British Airways (@British_Airways) May 29, 2017 We understand what happened, were still investigating why it happened and that investigation will take some time. But I think the team at British Airways did everything they could in the circumstances to recover the operation as quickly as they did and our focus will be on making sure that any of our customers who experienced disruption are managed and satisfied with how we handled things. Clearly we will do everything we can to make up (for) the disruption they suffered. The airline said the power surge caused physical damage to servers at its data centre, Boadicea House, near Heathrow. But mystery surrounds the cause of the power surge, with National Grid and local energy providers saying there had been no supply issues on Saturday. BAs board is now pushing for an investigation by professional outside experts into what happened and why back-up systems also failed, according to the BBC. It is also understood that BAs response to the crisis would come under the scope of the investigation. Around 75,000 passengers faced disruption as flights were cancelled following the incident on Saturday morning. The carrier was unable to resume a full schedule until Tuesday and many passengers who had already checked in when the issue emerged are still waiting to be reunited with their luggage. BA was accused of greed after the GMB union suggested the issue could have been prevented if the airline had not cut hundreds of dedicated and loyal IT staff and contracted the work to India last year. Mr Cruz said the outsourcing of jobs was not to blame for the catastrophic power failure. The cause of the initial power outage and the subsequent surge has not yet been revealed. Northamptonshire batsman Richard Levi hopes to return to action soon after suffering a concussion when hit on the helmet at the weekend. The former South Africa international was felled by a bouncer from Worcestershires Josh Tongue on Sunday and required treatment at the crease before being transported to Northampton General Hospital. He was diagnosed with a mild concussion and prescribed rest, and a follow-up MRI scan has shown no further cause for concern. Richard Levi was diagnosed with a mild concussion Liam Plunkett will take it upon himself to fill the void left by the injury which has robbed England of massive player Chris Woakes in the Champions Trophy. Plunkett has already made a decent fist of the emergency assignment, his four for 59 in the hosts emphatic opening win over Bangladesh taking his annual one-day international wickets tally to 24 in 10 matches. Woakes bowled just two overs before leaving the field on Thursday. Then less than 24 hours later, after scans at close of play, an England and Wales Cricket Board statement confirmed what everyone suspected - that he will play no further part in the tournament. While England decide who will be his injury replacement, Plunkett has delivered an assurance that he is up for the challenge of leading Englands attack over the next two-and-a-half weeks. He found himself in Woakes shoes already, stepping in to help bowl the death overs and picking up two big wickets with successive deliveries in the 45th as Bangladesh centurion Tamim Iqbal and his third-wicket partner Mushfiqur Rahim both departed. Plunkett acknowledges Woakes longer-term absence is a big blow. Absolutely .. hes a class player a massive player, one of the best in the world at the moment, he said. Steven Finn could replace Woakes (Adam Davy/PA) It presents a challenge, however, for others and perhaps Plunkett in particular. At 32, he still possesses most of the pace and bounce of his youth but has added an array of skilful variations. As with his fellow Yorkshire seamer Ryan Sidebottom before him - in Englands 2010 ICC World Twenty20 campaign, their sole tournament victory to date in a global event - this summers Champions Trophy may prove the culmination of an admirably resilient career. Plunkett will not be shying away from the task in front of him. Thats why you play, he said. You dont play to make the numbers up you want to be the one that takes the wickets. That is what you get picked for. You do want to take it on and be that leader of the bowling attack Im happy to take that on my shoulders. Englands attack will need to be adaptable, however - starting in their second Group A fixture against New Zealand in Cardiff on Tuesday. It is something we all work on it is not like a set position that you just bowl through the middle, said Plunkett. You have to work on your skills in case someone goes down and you need to bowl at the death. But I do enjoy it. It is a challenge, people playing reverse-sweeps and stuff, but its good fun when it goes your way. @chriswoakes: "It's a tough one to take when we have been building towards #CT17 for a while." Full interview: https://t.co/5ehDuDpWJD pic.twitter.com/8e4ZcU5t2O England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2017 While Woakes has spoken of his frustration after he was ruled out. More than anything, its really frustrating, said Woakes. Its a tough one to take, right at the start of a tournament which we have been building up to as a team for a while. Weve had our eyes on the Champions Trophy for a while now as a team and we were coming into the tournament in good form. The toughest thing as a bowler is having to come off after only bowling a couple of overs. Leaving the guys out there with almost 10 men is difficult to take, so Im really pleased the boys managed to get over the line with a win. Jason Dufner had to settle for a share of the lead after blotting his copybook at the end of the first round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. Former US PGA champion Dufner fired six birdies and an eagle to leave himself one shot clear of Swedens David Lingmerth heading to the 18th hole. But his first bogey of the day on the par-four last saw him post a seven-under 65. Jason Dufner tees off on the 14th hole during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament (Darron Cummings/AP) As round 1 ends, check out the leaderboard to see who is up top! #theMemorial pic.twitter.com/Aq361XDz7u the Memorial (@MemorialGolf) June 1, 2017 Jordan Spieth and Daniel Summerhays are a shot further back on six under but defending champion William McGirt is off the pace after carding a 71. World number one Dustin Johnson faces a battle to make the cut after failing to make a birdie in his six-over 78. After Lingmerth had set the pace in Ohio with eight birdies and an eagle in his 65, Dufner launched his bid for a fifth PGA Tour title by covering the front nine in 31. .@jordanspieth's opening rounds at @MemorialGolf 72 69 68 70 66 Combined 15 under. pic.twitter.com/O1xkLofKkC PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 2, 2017 Further birdies on the 11th, 14th and 15th left Dufner on eight under but he was unable to complete a flawless round. Spieth, one of six top-10 players in action at Muirfield Village, enjoyed another encouraging day after returning to form in his home state of Texas last week. It would have been an even better round for the world number six had he not bogeyed the final two holes. What a day! That's a wrap for round 1 at #theMemorial. We can't wait to see everyone tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/A4fTROV9bH the Memorial (@MemorialGolf) June 2, 2017 Scots Martin Laird and Russell Knox will begin Fridays second round on one under, alongside Irelands Padraig Harrington. Englands Luke Donald had to settle for even par after carding four birdies and four bogeys in his 72. Announcing that the US will withdraw from the Paris climate accord, Donald Trump misplaced the blame for what ails the coal industry and laid a shaky factual foundation for his decision. The Paris climate accord would effectively decapitate our coal industry, which now supplies about one-third of our electric power. The US coal industry was in decline long before the Paris accord was signed in 2015. Protestors outside the American Embassy on central London ahead of US President Donald Trump's announcement on whether pulls out of the Paris Agreement on climate change (David Mizoeff/PA) The primary cause has been competition from cleaner-burning natural gas, which has been made cheaper and more abundant by hydraulic fracturing. Electric utilities have been replacing coal plants with gas-fired facilities because they are more efficient and less expensive to operate. The Paris Accord is a bad deal for Americans, and @POTUS' action today is keeping his promise to put American workers first. pic.twitter.com/YfbnaymerP The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) June 1, 2017 Claims absolutely tremendous economic progress since Election Day, adding more than a million private-sector jobs. Basically right, but he earns no credit for jobs created in the months before he became president. To rack up that number, the president had to reach back to October. Even then, private-sector job creation from October through April (171,000 private-sector jobs a month) lags just slightly behind the pace of job creation for the previous six months (172,000), entirely under Barack Obama. I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. That may be so, but Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, is not Trump country. It voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton in November, favouring her by a margin of 56% to Mr Trumps 40%. The city has a climate action plan committing to boost the use of renewable energy. As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future. https://t.co/3znXGTcd8C bill peduto (@billpeduto) June 1, 2017 Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto, a Democrat, has been an outspoken supporter of the Paris accord, and tweeted after Mr Trumps announcement that as the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future. According to a study by NERA Consulting, meeting the Obama administrations requirements in the Paris Accord would cost the US economy nearly three trillion dollars over the next several decades. By 2040, our economy would lose 6.5 million industrial sector jobs - including 3.1 million manufacturing sector jobs. This study was paid for by two groups that have long opposed environmental regulation, the US Chamber of Commerce and the American Council for Capital Formation. Both get financial backing from those who profit from the continued burning of fossil fuels. The latter group has received money from foundations controlled by the Koch brothers, whose company owns refineries and more than 4,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines. The study makes worst-case assumptions that may inflate the cost of meeting US targets under the Paris accord while largely ignoring the economic benefits to American businesses from building and operating renewable energy projects. Academic studies have found that increased environmental regulation does not actually have much impact on employment. Jobs lost at polluting companies tend to be offset by new jobs in green technology. Citing a study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: If all member nations met their obligations, the impact on the climate would be negligible curbing temperature rise by less than .2 degrees Celsius in 2100. The co-founder of the MIT programme on climate change says the administration is citing an outdated report, taken out of context. Jake Jacoby said the actual global impact of meeting targets under the Paris accord would be to curb rising temperatures by one degree Celsius, or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit. They found a number that made the point they want to make, Mr Jacoby said. Its kind of a debate trick. One degree may not sound like much, but Stefan Rahmstorf, a climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute in Germany, says: Every tenth of a degree increases the number of unprecedented extreme weather events considerably. On the campaign trail today Theresa May (Steve Parsons/PA) In one weeks time, we ought to have an idea of who will be taking the keys to 10 Downing Street. In the meantime, both Labour and the Conservatives will be working hard to make sure its their man or woman taking the top job. Jeremy Corbyn will be heading to York to talk about his partys industrial strategy while Theresa May will be also heading to South Yorkshire to campaign. The pair will meet later on for a BBC Question Time special where they will be grilled separately by voters. Lib Dem leader Tim Farron will have a busy Friday starting the day on the airwaves on LBC, before putting fingers to keys for a Facebook Q&A and webchat with Mumsnet this afternoon. Green co-leader Caroline Lucas will be in Sheffield and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon will be travelling to four constituencies north of the border. Whats in the news? Coalition of #chaos: more taxes, higher immigration & a Brexit shambles. Only Theresa May & her team can & will stand up for Britain. pic.twitter.com/yRkcJYuNHI Conservatives (@Conservatives) June 1, 2017 The Tories have frequently wheeled out the coalition of chaos line to describe a scenario where Labour is propped up by smaller parties to run the country in the event of a hung parliament, and this thread has been taken up in some of todays papers. The Times runs with a story that Labour will try and form a minority government and rely on votes from the Scottish National Party, while the Sun uses less kinder terms saying the party are planning a potty alliance with the Lib Dems, Sinn Fein and SNP. The Suns graphic artist team has mocked up a tree with 10, 20 and 50 notes to suggest the hard-left Mr Corbyn will blow a 300 billion hole in Britains finances with his partys manifesto promises which the paper call wild. The Mirror leads on a story that the knives are out for Mrs May unless she delivers a large majority at the polls next Thursday, suggesting that stuttering performances and disastrous attacks on older peoples incomes have Tory candidates grumbling. The Express front page has a claim from Mrs May that her Labour opponent does not believe in Britain, while the Telegraph suggests the Labour campaign is being boosted by fake social media accounts. Three actors, portraying Jeremy Corbyn, Theresa May and Tim Farron, at a new general election themed attraction called 'Poll-tergeist', which is an addition to Derren BrownOs Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon attraction at Thorpe Park (Matt Alexander/PA) On a slightly lighter front, a picture appearing in many of the mornings papers features Mrs May, Mr Corbyn and Mr Farron given a ghoulish makeover for an attraction at Thorpe Park. Grotesque? Well, thats a matter of opinion Whos saying what? Jeremy Corbyn (Lauren Hurley/PA) Under the Conservatives, the richest have got richer, while most peoples incomes have fallen or stagnated. Labours plans will make sure everyone shares in our countrys wealth Mr Corbyn, from a speech he is due to give in York on Friday Jeremy Corbyn will not create jobs, he will destroy them Chancellor Philip Hammond reacting to Labours industrial strategy This campaign has shown that behind the myth of the bloody difficult woman lies an evasive, narrow-minded, indecisive politician Jason Beattie, head of politics at the Daily Mirror on Theresa May Corbyn is backed by young voters who swallow every leftie fiction on their Facebook feed and have no understanding of basic economics A leader column in the Sun. By Ange Aboa ABIDJAN, May 31 (Reuters) - Authorities in Ivory Coast have questioned two senior military officers close to parliamentary speaker Guillaume Soro, one of his spokesmen said on Wednesday, after an arms cache was found recently in the home of an aide. The weapons were seized from a house in Ivory Coast's second-biggest city, Bouake, owned by Soro ally Souleymane Kamarate Kone - known locally as 'Soul to Soul' - by mutinous soldiers during a four-day revolt over bonus payments. Unrest within the ranks of the army this year has tarnished the image of the world's top cocoa grower, which has emerged from a 2011 civil war as one of Africa's fastest growing economies. Kone has been questioned twice by gendarmes accompanied by a prosecutor and was due to appear for a third session on Wednesday, said Issa Doumbia, a member of Soro's communications staff. Soro's head of security Lieutenant-Colonel Youssouf Ouattara - known as Kobo - and his deputy Lieutenant-Colonel Adama Yeo, were questioned on Tuesday. "They were questioned yesterday evening, first Kobo and after Yeo," Doumbia said. "For the moment we do not know what they want." RIFT Reuters revealed last week that the mutineers were tipped off about the location of the arms in a phone call. The development shifted momentum in their favour and forced the government to capitulate to their demands. The soldiers declined to say who had placed the call. But the discovery of the weapons at the home of Kone - Soro's director of protocol - has provoked a rift between the speaker's supporters and some other members of the ruling coalition. Soro headed a northern rebellion between 2002 and 2011 that helped President Alassane Ouattara to power after his predecessor Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in a 2010 election. He is considered one of the main contenders to take over from Ouattara, who cannot run for re-election in 2020, but he faces strong opposition from others in the ruling coalition. Soro has so far declined to comment on the weapons. Diplomats and analysts worry that a series of army mutinies beginning in January, which have exposed a lack of civilian control over the armed forces, may be a symptom of jockeying for position by political figures ahead of the 2020 vote. (Additional reporting and writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Tim Cocks and Andrew Bolton) June 1 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's benchmark stock index finished on Thursday at a 23-month high, bolstered by property shares as Chinese money flowed steadily into the city's market. The Hang Seng index ended up 0.6 percent at 25,809.22, while the China Enterprises Index gained 0.2 percent, to 10,619.88 points. Investors ignored a private survey showing China's manufacturing activity contracted in May for the first time in 11 months. On Thursday, Chinese investors used up 27 percent of the daily quota under the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect to buy Hong Kong shares. Sentiment was also lifted by continuous strength in the property sector. An index tracking property shares jumped more than 1 percent to the highest closing level in nearly two years. China Evergrande Group gained 2 percent, after unveiling plans to raise $5.8 billion. Moody's Investors service said on Wednesday that most rated Chinese property developers will continue to outperform the broader market for the rest of 2017, despite continued regulatory tightening to control property price growth. The outperformance will be "driven mainly by their increased saleable resources, strong liquidity as well as their strong execution abilities, reputable brands and good project locations," wrote Kaven Tsang, a Moody's vice president. (Reporting by Samuel Shen and John Ruwitch; Editing by Jacqueline Wong) By Corina Pons and Alexandra Ulmer CARACAS, June 1 (Reuters) - The head of Venezuela's opposition-led congress on Thursday slammed Japanese investment bank Nomura Securities for buying about $100 million worth of state oil company bonds, accusing it of helping finance President Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship." Nomura Holdings Inc's trading arm paid about $30 million for the debt issued by state-run PDVSA, two sources said earlier on Thursday. It was part of the same transaction last week that has landed Goldman Sachs Group Inc in the middle of a political storm. "Surely, there must be a way for Nomura to seek profit that is not made on the backs of the misery of Venezuelans," Julio Borges said in a letter to the CEO of Nomura Holdings, Koji Nagai, urging him to reconsider the transaction. "The National Assembly will conduct a thorough investigation of this dubious transaction and leave no stone unturned to assure that a future democratic government of Venezuela will not have to pay on this immoral debt entered into by an illegitimate authoritarian regime." A Nomura spokeswoman in New York declined to comment. Venezuela's opposition has campaigned to dissuade Wall Street firms from financing Maduro's leftist government, which has drawn international condemnation for abuses of power and human rights violations. Critics have dubbed the papers "hunger bonds," as the government has slashed food imports in order to meet hefty debt obligations despite an economic crisis and lower oil prices. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have taken to the streets in the last two months to push for early elections, freedom for jailed activists, and a humanitarian channel to allow scarce food and medicine into the crisis-stricken country. Some 61 people have been killed in the unrest, which frequently pits rock-throwing hooded youth against National Guard soldiers firing tear gas, spraying water cannons or firing rubber bullets. WEAPONS PURCHASES? Borges said some of the funds from the bond sales would go to military purchases. "We understand that at least $300 million of the resources obtained by the regime from the fire sale of these PDVSA bonds are destined to purchase weapons and other military equipment, such as radars, from Russia," the letter read. Citing Nomura's code of ethics which states that the group must "reject all contacts with criminal or unethical organizations involved in activities in violation of applicable laws," Borges said the bank was indeed dealing with criminals. "Various Venezuelan military leaders have been named as participants in drug trafficking networks in our region," he wrote. "Moreover, Venezuela's Vice President, Tareck El Aissami, has been designated a drug 'kingpin' by the United States government for his active involvement in drug trafficking." The National Assembly on Tuesday voted to ask the U.S. Congress to investigate the Goldman deal, which it called immoral, opaque, and hypocritical given the socialist government's anti-Wall Street rhetoric. Goldman has said its asset-management arm acquired $2.8 billion of the October 2022 bonds issued by PDVSA "on the secondary market from a broker and did not interact with the Venezuelan government." (Additional reporting by Olivia Oran in New York; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Matthew Lewis) BEIJING, June 2 (Reuters) - China's Sinopec and German chemicals giant BASF on Thursday said they would nearly double production of food preservative propionic acid at a site in east China's Nanjing. The companies expect to boost output of propionic acid by 30,000 tonnes to 69,000 tonnes from the first quarter of 2019 through their 50-50 joint venture, BASF-YPC Company Limited. "The investment is to meet the increasing demand for stringent food safety in China," Mr Li Cheng Feng, Chairman of BASF-YPC, said in the statement. China has been rocked in recent years by a series of food safety scandals such as the use of recycled "gutter oil" in restaurants and crops contaminated with heavy metals. State-owned Sinopec, whose full name is China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, and BASF founded BASF-YPC in 2000. It produces 3 million tonnes of chemicals and polymers for the Chinese market annually, according to the statement from the two companies. (Reporting by Hallie Gu and Josephine Mason; Editing by Joseph Radford) By Jess Macy Yu and J.R. Wu TAIPEI, June 2 (Reuters) - Chipmakers switched focus at Taiwan's top tech fair this week with bets on new areas such as driverless cars, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, shifting away from smartphones where intense competition has pushed down components prices. The Computex Taipei event, now in its 36th year, has historically been a central venue for electronic parts manufacturers to show off their processors and other components, products that play a large part in Taiwan's export-driven economy. As prices of processors fell, companies pushed into headline-grabbing launches like last year's Zenbo, a child-friendly home robot unveiled by Asustek Computer Inc , that could sing, snap pictures and help in the kitchen. This year, attention is back on core processing rather than novelties, but this time aimed more squarely at the "internet of things" (IoT), a buzzword used to describe connectivity between an increasing range of devices. "We are going from hype phase to more a reality phase with real products. You can see them, you can feel them," said Hugo Swart, head of business development and product management for Internet of Things and consumer electronics at Qualcomm Inc . "I see last year was a year of a lot of promises and this year is a material realisation," Swart said of IoT. A push to boost artificial intelligence processors, a key technology behind driverless cars, has been a prominent part of the fair. Nvidia Corp, a visual computing company, focused on its Volta Graphics Processing Unit, the product of $3 billion investment in research and development. This processor will be used in smart cars such as Tesla Inc, which made its first Computex appearance with two of its vehicles on display. Nvidia is part-owned by Japan's SoftBank Group Corp , which last month announced its Vision Fund - investing in technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics - had raised $93 billion. SoftBank also has a majority stake in ARM Holdings, a British software and semiconductor firm present at Computex this year, which expects to ship 100 billion chips globally over the five years, from 50 billion in the 2013-2017 period. Also at the fair was Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co and a major Apple Inc supplier. The firm is developing technologies such as ones that automate sorting and packaging, to be initially implemented at its own factories before wider release to market. Fang-ming Lu, corporate executive vice president at the Taiwanese contract electronics maker, told reporters at Computex that smart manufacturing will be the focus of much of Foxconn's new investment. "Computex seems to have shied away from mobility in favour of 'internet of things', which incorporates aspects of both cloud computing and artificial intelligence," Anshel Sag, associate analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy. While chipmakers have in past years geared their research and development to meet the demands of the global smartphone market, manufacturers are now putting this technology to other uses. For example, Goodix, a Shenzhen-based firm that makes fingerprint sensors for smartphone touch screens, is developing similar biometric applications for PCs and automobiles and pushing its technology for other uses like reading patients' heart rates. "Right now we're focused on things beyond the mobile phone, including PCs and automotives," David Zhang, Goodix founder, told Reuters in an interview. "We're seeing if there are opportunities for us in the IoT wearables and industrial space." (Reporting by Jess Macy Yu and J.R. Wu; Editing by Sam Holmes and Christopher Cushing) By Yuka Obayashi and Yoshiyasu Shida TOKYO, June 2 (Reuters) - Japan's Mitsui & Co Ltd plans to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading operation as demand for the cleaner fuel spurs more spot transactions in Asia, a senior executive told Reuters. The move comes amid a big shift in the market in Asia, which takes in about 70 percent of global shipments of LNG, with traders and end users increasing their ability to trade in anticipation of a supply influx from Australian and U.S. projects. Utilities such as Tokyo Gas and Kansai Electric Power that often tie up with Mitsui and other Japanese trading houses are expanding trading operations after winning more flexible terms on contracts, allowing them to resell excess cargoes, something unheard of only a few years ago. nL3N1HD1RA] "We are going to reinforce our LNG team at our energy trading unit in Singapore as LNG spot trading is on the rise," Hiroyuki Kato, Executive Vice President of Mitsui & Co Ltd said in an interview on Thursday. The unit has about 70 staff, mainly focusing on oil, but it will increase the number of LNG traders in the next few years from only a few now, Kato said, without giving details. Around 260 million tonnes of LNG was shipped globally in 2016, according to the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL). Spot trades, defined by GIIGNL as cargoes delivered within three months from the transaction date, totalled around 47 million tonnes, 15 percent higher than in 2015. Japan takes in nearly a third of global shipments but in the last year China has emerged as a big importer. Kato says Mitsui is betting demand will surge as it did with iron ore, where the trading house has built up expertise. Mitsui traded 2.8 million tonnes of LNG in the year ended March 31, but will receive more supplies from next year when the Cameron LNG project in Louisiana starts operations. The Japanese company has signed up to take 4 million tonnes of LNG annually from the project, with some of it tied up in term contracts leaving it with volumes to trade. "What has helped grow our iron ore operation was China's shopping spree. The same will likely happen for LNG, led by China, along with Southeast Asia and India," Kato said. "If China switches 5 percent of its power sources to gas, it will boost LNG-equivalent demand by 80 million tonnes, the same as Japan's total imports." China currently imported about 26 million tonnes of LNG in 2016, up by a third from a year earlier. The company is also looking for buyers for supplies from an LNG project in Mozambique led by Anadarko in which Mitsui has a stake. "Our aim is to win binding long-term commitments," Kato said. On iron ore, he said prices have fallen too far, with Chinese futures for the steel making ingredient slumping to a six-month low on Thursday, down 40 percent from this year's peak. "It has slightly overshot recently," Kato said, predicting that the iron ore market will become tighter from 2021-22 follwing the end of an expansion phase by miners, while China's crude steel output will keep climbing through 2025. "Our iron ore business is making profits even at the current price, but we want to cut costs at mines further by adopting artificial intelligence and other technology," he said. ($1 = 111.1500 yen) (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Aaron Sheldrick and Richard Pullin) BUDAPEST, June 2 (Reuters) - Hungary will push ahead with legislation to put foreign-funded non-governmental organisations under more scrutiny, as those financed by billionaire George Soros operate as a "mafia-like" network, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday. Orban, a right-wing populist, has long criticised civil society organisations funded by Hungarian-born Soros, accusing them of opposing his tough migration policies, and working as paid political activists advocating Soros' goals. The Hungarian premier, who faces elections in April 2018, said Soros' statement on Thursday that he admired "the courageous way Hungarians have resisted the deception and corruption of the mafia state Orban has established", was a declaration of war. "This is a declaration of war, no doubt," Orban told state radio. "The only network which operates in mafia ways, which is not transparent... in Hungary is the Soros network." "This is why we must insist, and I personally insist on having a parliament decision on making these organisations transparent," Orban added. Under legislation submitted to parliament by the government, non-governmental organisations with foreign donations of at least 7.2 million forints ($26,000) will be required to register with authorities and declare themselves as foreign-funded. The NGOs have said the bill stigmatises them. Parliament is expected to pass the bill later this month despite mass protests by Hungarians at home, and a resolution passed in European Parliament which condemned what it called a "serious deterioration" in the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary. Orban's critics say the move against NGOs is part of his broader push to stifle dissenting voices and put independent institutions - including the judiciary, media - under closer government control. Orban, in power since 2010, has often bashed the EU and repeatedly clashed with non-governmental organisations sponsored by Soros, who promotes a liberal and internationalist worldview that the nationalist-minded Hungarian leader dislikes. ($1 = 274.2600 forints) (Reporting by Krisztina Than) SOFIA, June 2 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. -- Bulgarias parliament speaker, Dimitar Glavchev, survived a vote calling for his resignation, with a majority of just four lawmakers rejecting the motion. The call for Glavchev, a senior member of Prime Minister Boiko Borisovs centre-right GERB party, to step down was put forward by the opposition Socialist Party, which accused him of incompetence and of tolerating hate speech (Trud, Standart, 24 Chasa, Monitor, Sega) -- Bulgarian national radio closed most its foreign language programmes, also known as Radio Bulgaria. According to its management, there was not enough interest to keep those online broadcasts alive (Trud, 24 Chasa, Monitor) -- Bulgarian capital Sofia's city council has named a street in the Lozenets residential area after anti-apartheid hero, Nobel Prize winner and late South African president Nelson Mandela MOSCOW, June 2 (Reuters) - The following are some stories in Russia's newspapers on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. VEDOMOSTI www.vedomosti.ru - Russian businessman Grigory Berezkin, reportedly in talks to buy billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov's RBC media holding, could also acquire the Russian version of Forbes magazine, the daily reports. - Deputy Interior Minister Igor Zubov has proposed introducing the term "presumption of trust in police". The official wants people to take it for granted that policemen make no mistakes, the daily writes. KOMMERSANT www.kommersant.ru - The incidence rate in modern Russia has grown by 50 percent since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the daily reports. - The Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained four people, allegedly members of Islamic State, who had been planning to carry out bomb attacks during FIFA's Confederation Cup matches to hosted by Russia this month. IZVESTIA www.izvestia.ru - Russia's Health Ministry has suggested banning state financing of producers whose films show people smoking or demonstrate tobacco products. - Russia has called on its counterparts in the Eurasian Economic Union - Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan - to destroy food imported without proper documents. NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA www.ng.ru - Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev insists on the necessity to subsidize food exporters from the state budget. The minister believes that after the move Russia will be able to export almost half of its agricultural output, the daily writes. MOSKOVSKY KOMSOMOLETS www.mk.ru - Russia's Interior Ministry plans to toughen demands for the physical health of women willing to serve in police, which the popular daily views as an attempt to cut the number of female personnel. (Reporting by Tatiana Ustinova; Editing by Dmitry Solovyov) VIENNA, June 2 (Reuters) - Russia's Gazprom Neft and Austria's OMV will work together in Iran's oil sector under a memorandum of understanding, OMV said on Friday. "Preliminary possible spheres of cooperation include analysis, assessment and study of certain oil deposits located in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran in cooperation with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)," OMV said. OMV could help Gazprom Neft in the initial geological assessment of two blocks in Iran, Vadim Yakovlev, first deputy general director at Gazprom Neft, said in the statement. OMV started operations in Iran in 2001 as the operator of the Mehr exploration block in the west of the country. It halted operations in 2006 due to sanctions imposed on Iran. Following sanctions relief granted last year as a result of a nuclear deal Iran reached with world powers, OMV signed a memorandum with the NIOC for projects located in the Zagros area in western Iran and the Fars field in the south, where foreign companies often need a local partner to operate. In January, OMV, which has singled out Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran as growth areas, signed an agreement with Tehran-based Dana Energy on the development of oil and gas fields. OMV and Gazprom have worked together for five decades and have deepened their cooperation since Rainer Seele took over OMV two years ago by buying into and swapping assets for stakes in Siberian fields and helping to finance the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. (Reporting by Shadia Nasralla; editing by Alexander Smith and Jason Neely) PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) - France said on Friday that increasing tension in Bahrain was preventing national reconciliation efforts in the Gulf Arab state after a decision to dissolve the main secular opposition group, which has alarmed human rights campaigners. A Bahraini court on Wednesday ordered the dissolution of the National Democratic Action Society (Waad), a social and political association, which campaigns for democracy, human rights and social freedoms. "The worsening tensions in Bahrain constitute a brake in the resumption of a broad political dialogue that encompasses all components of Bahraini society," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal told reporters in a daily online briefing. "This dialogue is the only way to ensure national reconciliation." France, one of the five veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council, has under the previous administration nurtured closer ties with Gulf Arab states and rarely publicly criticised internal political issues. The Bahraini Justice Ministry, which filed a case against Waad in March accusing it of "serious violations targeting the principle of respecting the rule of law, supporting terrorism and sanctioning violence" welcomed the court ruling. The court said the group had glorified as "martyrs of the homeland" men convicted of killing three police officers in a bomb attack in 2014, the ministry said in a statement. The men were executed this year, Bahrain's first use of capital punishment in years. The London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy said the court ruling was part of a wider crackdown on opposition groups and would prove counter-productive. (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Andrew Bolton) By William Schomberg LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May has declined to confirm that she will keep Philip Hammond as her finance minister if she wins the June 8 national election, leading to speculation about who from her Conservative Party might replace him. But should the opposition Labour Party pull off a shock victory, the next chancellor of the exchequer will be a fan of Karl Marx who has promised to renationalise public utilities and increase taxes on high earners and business. Whoever occupies Number 11 Downing Street after the election will play a key role in negotiations to leave the European Union, as the finance ministry is responsible for Britain's huge financial services industry. He or she will also have to steer the world's fifth-biggest economy through years of uncertainty about Brexit and its impact on trade and investment in Britain. Following is a summary of the possible next incumbents of the second most powerful post in Britain's government. CONSERVATIVE PHILIP HAMMOND - In the job for less than a year, Hammond may yet keep the role. But there have been signs of strains between him and May. Their relationship has been more distant than the one between his predecessor George Osborne and former prime minister David Cameron. Hammond, who has cultivated a reputation for being diligent at the risk of being dull, suffered the embarrassment of having to drop a plan to raise social security tax for self-employed workers when Conservative Party lawmakers protested that it broke promises to voters. Hammond has also annoyed many Conservatives who favour a clean break with the EU by stressing the need for a Brexit deal that allows companies to keep on hiring the migrant workers they need. In terms of fiscal policy, Hammond has slowed the push to turn Britain's budget deficit into a surplus but he is wary about significantly relaxing the government's grip on spending or cutting taxes. "So the extent of fiscal easing could increase, should he be replaced," Marco Cecchi, a fund manager with Pioneer Investments, said. AMBER RUDD - After a prodigious rise through the ranks of the Conservative Party that culminated with May promoting her to interior minister last year, Rudd has emerged as something of a deputy prime minister during the election campaign. The former JP Morgan banker and venture capitalist stood in for the prime minister in a prime time television debate among party leaders on Wednesday, further raising her profile and adding to speculation that she could become Britain's first female finance minister in a post-election cabinet reshuffle. Rudd was a leading campaigner for the Remain camp ahead of last year's EU referendum. She said in April that a bigger Conservative majority after Thursday's election would give May the "opportunity to arrive at potential compromises within the EU." May quickly denied she would try to negotiate a so-called soft Brexit. Rudd angered business leaders in October when she raised the prospect of requiring companies to list the number of foreign workers they employ, an idea that was quickly shelved. GREG CLARK - Clark was made Britain's business minister - including the job of devising a new but as yet still vague industrial strategy - by May last year. He has experience of the pressures of the finance ministry having served as a junior minister responsible for working with Britain's huge financial services industry. A Cambridge-educated economist with a doctorate from the London School of Economics, Clark played a key role in the Conservatives' election promise to cap tariffs charged by power utilities, which represented a shift away from the party's traditionally pro-market approach. MICHAEL FALLON - Currently defence minister, Fallon is a veteran lawmaker who entered parliament in 1983, when Margaret Thatcher was prime minister, and is considered to be on the right wing of the Conservative Party. The Sunday Telegraph once quoted a colleague as saying Fallon was "able to put forward an unashamedly Thatcherite agenda while looking like your favourite kindly uncle." Despite declaring himself a eurosceptic, Fallon campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU last year, saying Brexit would be bad for security. In a former role, as business minister, Fallon oversaw the privatisation of Britain's Royal Mail postal system. DAMIAN GREEN - Green studied with May at Oxford University and he was her campaign manager when she ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party last year. She made him pensions minister after her victory. He was a supporter of the Remain campaign ahead of the Brexit vote and he told the Observer newspaper last month that any deal would involve give as well as take: "No negotiation has ever succeeded without an element of compromise and no compromise ever satisfies everyone 100 percent." LABOUR JOHN MCDONNELL - If the Labour Party confounds the opinion polls and wins the election, McDonnell will be Britain's most left-wing finance minister since the years immediately after World War Two. The former trade union official wants to renationalise Britain's public utilities and the railways. He also supports public ownership of Britain's banks although that proposal was not included in Labour's pre-election policy proposals. McDonnell, a close ally of the party's radical left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn, has promised to eliminate Britain's deficit in day-to-day spending - excluding investment spending - within five years. Under the plan, the richest 5 percent of households would pay more income tax and corporation tax would be raised to 26 percent rather than fall to 17 percent as planned by the Conservatives. McDonnell, when asked by the BBC last month if he was a Marxist, said: "Well I'll tell you - I believe there is a lot to learn from reading (Das) Kapital." (Additional reporting by Jamie McGeever and William James; Editing by Toby Chopra) ANKARA, June 2 (Reuters) - Turkish authorities briefly detained the spokesman of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) for insulting police on Friday, a party lawmaker said, the latest detention of a high-profile politician from the pro-Kurdish opposition. Osman Baydemir was released after a brief detention and testimony at the local prosecutor's office, fellow lawmaker Meral Danis Bestas said. Baydemir, 46, was elected to the Turkish parliament in 2014. In addition to representing the southeastern province of Sanliurfa, he also serves as the HDP's national spokesman. More than a dozen HDP lawmakers have been jailed, mostly due to alleged links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against Turkey for more than three decades. The HDP denies direct ties to the PKK, which is considered a terrorist organisation by the United States, Turkey and the European Union. The party's co-leaders, Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, have also been jailed, which handicapped its campaign against the April referendum to change the constitution and grant President Tayyip Erodgan sweeping new powers. Turks narrowly backed the constitutional change on April 16. The HDP says as many as 5,000 of its members have been detained as part of a crackdown that followed last year's failed coup, and which rights groups say targets dissent. Prosecutors want Demirtas jailed for 142 years and Yuksekdag for up to 83 years on charges of terrorist group propaganda. Demirtas was sentenced in February for "insulting the Turkish people, the government and state institutions". A ceasefire between the Turkish state and the PKK broke down in July 2015 and the southeast subsequently saw some of the worst violence since the PKK launched its insurgency in 1984. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by David Dolan and Stephen Powell) By Lisa Barrington BEIRUT, June 2 (Reuters) - Moves in Washington to widen financial sanctions on the powerful Shi'ite Hezbollah political group have triggered alarm in Beirut where the government fears major damage to the banking sector that underpins Lebanon's stability. Not yet proposed as law, draft amendments to an existing law threatening sanctions against anyone who finances the heavily-armed Iranian-backed Hezbollah in a significant way prompted lobbying trips to Washington in May by worried Lebanese bankers and politicians. They returned saying that U.S. officials recognised their concerns over draft proposals that would widen the scope of the law by subjecting Hezbollah's political allies to sanctions or scrutiny, and believing any expansion of the law would be a toned down version of the draft. But with U.S. President Donald Trump keen to curb the influence of Iran and its Middle Eastern allies in the region, the risks have not gone away for Lebanon, where Hezbollah wields huge influence. "There's one question anyone who wants to put pressure on Lebanon should remember: Do you want another failed state on the eastern Mediterranean?" Yassine Jaber, a member of parliament who led a delegation to Washington in mid-May, told Reuters. "Lebanon is very, very vulnerable economically at the moment," added Jaber, an independent Shi'ite politician who is aligned with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's Shi'ite Amal movement, which was named as a target for investigation in the draft amendments first reported by Lebanese media in April. Political and financial figures fear more regulatory pressure could damage the banking sector - the cornerstone of Lebanon's precarious economy - endangering a financial stability maintained despite the war in neighbouring Syria where Hezbollah along with Iran backs President Bashar al-Assad. Hezbollah, led by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, was formed to combat Israel's 1982-2000 occupation of Lebanon. Its battlefield prowess, extensive social works among Lebanese Shi'ites and its alliance with powerful regional states have helped it secure a dominant role in the country's politics with seats in parliament and government. It is classified by Washington as a terrorist organisation. MAIN WORRY CORRESPONDENT BANKS The main worry is that U.S. correspondent banks - which face huge fines if found to be dealing with people or companies sanctioned under anti-terrorism financing legislation - might finally decide Lebanese banks are too risky to do business with. That would threaten the remittances upon which the highly dollarised Lebanese economy depends. Shortly after the Lebanese press published the draft, President Michel Aoun - a Maronite Christian and political ally of Hezbollah - said as it stands it could cause "great damage to Lebanon and its people". The draft proposal would widen legislation to include persons and entities affiliated with Hezbollah, and to report on the finances of senior members of Amal. The wording gave rise to speculation in Lebanon that Aoun's finances could be also targeted for scrutiny. Jaber told Reuters the draft - a copy of which was seen by Reuters - was now "outdated". But sources familiar with the matter told Reuters there remains a strong desire in Washington to press harder against Iran and Hezbollah, and there are likely other measures being drafted. A U.S. congressional aide told Reuters that Republican representative and head of the U.S. Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce, who authored the original 2015 law, is considering additional legislation. "If they (the banks) aren't doing business with Hezbollah, they don't have anything to worry about," the aide said. The U.S. Treasury declined to comment on the draft saying it had no formal position. Jaber said: "The position at the moment is that there might be some congressmen or senators thinking of preparing a bill, but I think our discussions will help in toning it down from what we saw as a draft." The United States says Hezbollah is financed not just by Iran but also by networks of Lebanese and international individuals and businesses. The 2015 law, known as HIFPA, aimed to cut off these funding routes. TRIGGERED TENSIONS Its implementation triggered domestic tensions in Lebanon. Worried about losing their relationship with correspondent banks, Lebanese banks began closing some customers' accounts, including Shi'ites who were not Hezbollah members. Critics of the law in Lebanon say it resulted in the unfair targeting of the Shi'ite population. Charity networks run by Shi'ite clerics were hit when some of their accounts closed for a time. The law led to an unprecedented dispute between Hezbollah and the central bank which asked all banks to comply with the legislation. Last June, a bomb was set off at the headquarters of leading Lebanese bank Blom Bank, causing no casualties. Since taking office in January, Trump has imposed new sanctions on individuals and businesses involved with Iran's ballistic missile programme and with Hezbollah. Ali Hamdan, an Amal member who went on the lobbying trip to Washington, echoed Jaber, saying the leaked draft was outdated and could be forgotten. "An understanding was reached," said Hamdan, media adviser to Berri. " told them: more, wider, generalised sanctions are a recipe to destroy Lebanon." The Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) dispatched its own delegation in May and met with a "good response" in Washington and from U.S. correspondent banks in New York. ABL head Joseph Torbey made the case that existing legislation was sufficient and that the new draft was open to "inappropriate interpretations". (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Yeganeh Torbati in Washington; Editing by Tom Perry and Peter Millership) The special counsel investigating possible ties between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia's government has taken over a separate criminal probe involving former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and may expand his inquiry to investigate the roles of the attorney general and deputy attorney general in the firing of FBI Director James Comey. The Justice Department's criminal investigation into Manafort, who was forced to resign as Trump campaign chairman in August amid questions over his business dealings years ago in Ukraine, predated the 2016 election and the counterintelligence probe that in July began investigating possible collusion between Moscow and associates of Trump, the Associated Press reported. Mueller also is expanding his probe to include a grand jury investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, three sources told Reuters. Former Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort talks to reporters on the floor of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland The move to consolidate the matters, involving allegations of kleptocracy of Ukrainian government funds, indicates that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is assuming a broad mandate in his new role running the sensational investigation. The expansiveness of Mueller's investigation was described to the AP. No one familiar with the matter has been willing to discuss the scope of his investigation on the record because it is just getting underway and because revealing details could complicate its progress. In an interview separately Friday with the AP, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein acknowledged that Mueller could expand his inquiry to include Attorney General Jeff Sessions' and Rosenstein's own roles in the decision to fire Comey, who was investigating the Trump campaign. Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller as special counsel to take over the investigation, wrote the memorandum intended to justify Trump's decision to fire Comey. Sessions met with Trump and Rosenstein to discuss Trump's decision to fire him despite Sessions' pledge not to become involved in the Russia case. CONSOLIDATION: The Mueller-led probe is taking over an existing inquiry into former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort's business dealings in Ukraine Rosenstein told the AP that if he were to become a subject of Mueller's investigation, he would recuse himself from any oversight of Mueller. Under Justice Department rules, Mueller is required to seek permission from Rosenstein to investigate additional matters other than ones already specified in the paperwork formally appointing Mueller. "I've talked with Director Mueller about this," Rosenstein said. "He's going to make the appropriate decisions, and if anything that I did winds up being relevant to his investigation then, as Director Mueller and I discussed, if there's a need from me to recuse I will." Mueller, the special counsel investigating possible ties between the Trump election campaign and Russia, is expanding his probe to include a grand jury investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, three sources told Reuters. The special counsel investigating possible ties between the Trump election campaign and Russia, is expanding his probe to include a grand jury investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn The move means Muellers politically charged inquiry will now look into Flynns paid work as a lobbyist for a Turkish businessman in 2016, in addition to contacts between Russian officials and Flynn and other Trump associates during and after the Nov. 8 presidential election. Federal prosecutors in Virginia are investigating a deal between Flynn and Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin as part of a grand jury criminal probe, according to a subpoena seen by Reuters. Alptekins company, Netherlands-based Inovo BV, paid Flynn's consultancy $530,000 between September and November to produce a documentary and research on Fethullah Gulen, an exiled Turkish cleric living in the United States. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan blames Gulen for a failed coup last July. Alptekin, an ally of Erdogan, told Reuters he hired Flynn to provide research on how Gulen is 'poisoning the atmosphere' between Turkey and the United States. Gulen has denied any role in the coup and dismisses Turkeys allegations that he heads a terrorist organization. The grand jury in Virginia has issued subpoenas to some of Flynns business associates involved in the work for Inovo, two people familiar with the probe say. The subpoena seen by Reuters seeks bank records, documents and communications related to Flynn, his company, Flynn Intel Group, Alptekin and Inovo. Flynn's lawyer, Robert Kelner, did not respond to questions about Flynn's work for Inovo or Mueller's investigation. A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment. Alptekin declined to comment when asked about the investigation into Flynn and whether he or anyone he knows has been subpoenaed. Muellers move to take over the Virginia grand jurys criminal investigation highlights his broad powers as special counsel. Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller, a former FBI director, on May 17 to oversee an investigation into any links or collusion between Russia and individuals associated with the Trump campaign. Rosenstein also gave him authority to pursue 'any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.' Some members of Congress have asked the Justice Department to define the scope of Muellers inquiry. Robert Muellers move to take over the Virginia grand jurys criminal investigation highlights his broad powers as special counsel Muellers appointment followed an uproar over Trumps firing of FBI Director James Comey, who had been investigating alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Democrats and some of the president's fellow Republicans had demanded an independent probe of whether Russia tried to sway the outcome of November's election in favor of Trump and against Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump, who has said there was no coordination between his campaign and Russia, has decried the investigation as a 'witch hunt.' One of Trumps most trusted aides during the election campaign, Flynn had a long career in the military. He set up the Flynn Intel Group, an Alexandria, Virginia-based intelligence consultancy, after President Barack Obama dismissed him as head of the militarys Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014. Mueller, who takes over leadership of an FBI investigation that began last July, can present evidence to grand juries and hear testimony from witnesses. Trump fired Flynn in February after it became clear that he had falsely characterized the nature of phone conversations he had with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak in December, just after the Obama administration imposed new sanctions on Russia for what U.S. intelligence agencies had concluded was a Kremlin-led effort through computer hacking, fake news and propaganda to boost Trumps chances of winning the White House. Flynn's work for Inovo came under scrutiny after he published a commentary on a political news website on Election Day calling Gulen a 'radical Islamist' who should be extradited to Turkey. Along with the editorial, the Flynn Intel Group also produced a 75-page report on Gulen based mainly on news reports and some video footage for a documentary that was never made, according to three people familiar with the project. Alptekin, who is chairman of the Turkey-U.S. Business Council, told Reuters he was satisfied with Flynns research because it had helped him understand how Gulens network operates in the United States. He said the $530,000 payment to Flynns firm came 'mostly' from his personal funds. Muellers appointment followed an uproar over Trumps firing of FBI Director James Comey, who had been investigating alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election On Nov. 18, the day after Flynn was appointed Trumps national security adviser, Trump transition team lawyer William McGinley raised concerns on a call with the Flynn Intel Group and others involved in the Inovo project over who had paid for Flynn's commentary, according to two people with knowledge of the conversation. Flynn did not participate in that call, they said. At the time of the call, Flynn had not disclosed that his work for Alptekin meant he was being paid to represent Turkish interests during the election campaign. Flynn Intel Group had said in a September 2016 filing that it was lobbying for Inovo but did not disclose its Turkish links. In March, Flynn retroactively registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. In a letter accompanying the March filing, Flynn's lawyer, Kelner, said the disclosure was being made because Flynn's work for Inovo 'could be construed to have principally benefited the Republic of Turkey,' which he noted was seeking to extradite Gulen. The House of Representatives intelligence committee, which is also investigating Russian interference in the election, subpoenaed records from Flynn on Wednesday. The Senate's intelligence committee, which has a separate probe under way, has also served subpoenas on Flynn and two of his businesses, and earlier this week Flynn indicated that he would start turning over relevant materials. TORONTO, June 2 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell on Friday, weighed by weakness in energy stocks due to lower oil prices and a drop in heavyweight financial shares after U.S. jobs growth came in below expectations. At 10:21 a.m. ET (1421 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down 41.63 points, or 0.27 percent, at 15,428.28. Six of the index's 10 main groups were in negative territory. The index is on track for a 0.1 percent gain on the week. The energy group retreated 2 percent, as oil prices fell on concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to abandon the Paris climate pact would spark more U.S. drilling that would exacerbate a global glut. Suncor Energy Inc declined 1.3 percent to C$41.76 and Cenovus Energy Inc fell 3.6 percent to C$11.82. Cardinal Energy Ltd shed 7.6 percent to C$5.33 after agreeing to buy Canadian light oil assets from Apache Corp for C$330 million ($244 million) in cash. The financials group slipped 0.3 percent, weighed most heavily by insurers as a smaller-than-forecast increase in U.S. payrolls growth in May pushed bond yields lower. Manulife Financial Corp declined 1.9 percent to C$23.36 and its rival Sun Life Financial Inc declined 1.1 percent to C$44.21. Canadian exports climbed to a record in April and first-quarter labor productivity approached a three-year high, data showed, offering further evidence the domestic economy is recovering after a long slump caused by low oil prices. Canada Goose jumped 9.8 percent to C$27.68 after the maker of expensive winter jackets reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss in its first earnings report as a publicly listed company. Asanko Gold Inc rose 9.9 percent to C$2.22, recovering some of its sharp losses since the release of a short-seller report this week ($1 = 1.3520 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Paul Simao) ALMATY, June 2 (Reuters) - The planned takeover of Kazakhstan's Kazkommertsbank by rival Halyk Bank moved a step closer on Friday as the two lenders agreed some key terms. They included an agreement for Halyk to buy the stakes of Kazkommertsbank's two biggest shareholders for a notional amount of 1 tenge ($0.0032) each, the central bank said in a statement. The banks signed a provisional agreement to merge in March, a deal supported by the government and central bank to strengthen the country's ailing banking sector. Halyk is also due to inject capital into Kazkommertsbank after the latter sells 2.4 trillion tenge ($7.5 billion) of bad loans to Kazakhstan's state-run "bad bank". However, the two sides have yet to decide on the size of the capital injection, despite months of talks, and the central bank said on Friday that the amount had still to be determined. The former Soviet republic has struggled to recover from the 2008/09 global financial crisis and its banking sector has been beset more recently by bad loans since the sharp slide in the oil price, Kazakhstan's main export. Kazkommertsbank's two biggest shareholders are businessman Kenges Rakishev and sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna, with a combined 54 percent stake. (Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Jack Stubbs and Susan Fenton) By Alexandra Ulmer CARACAS, June 2 (Reuters) - One is shown blowing a kiss from a private jet. Another is seen posing in front of a store of luxury jeweler Cartier in China. Others grin as they tuck into a plate of lobster or a massive birthday cake. Venezuelan activists are increasingly posting details of locations and lifestyles of leftist officials and their families, depicting them as thriving off corruption while the population struggles to eat in a devastating economic crisis. The social media blitzes, targeting officials and their business partners, relatives and even lovers, are another weapon in a wave of huge protests against President Nicolas Maduro's government that began in April. Protesters are seeking early presidential elections, freedom for jailed activists, and humanitarian aid to alleviate chronic food and medicine shortages. One Twitter account published photos purportedly showing the wife of Vice President Tareck El Aissami enjoying champagne and lounging on a pristine beach with her sisters. In another case, an alleged lover of a powerful Socialist Party official is shown on trips to the Middle East. Venezuela's opposition accuses officials of profiting from currency controls and a decade-long oil boom to fill their pockets. The opposition-led congress estimates that at least $11 billion have "disappeared" from state-run oil company PDVSA . The government says oil-rich Venezuela has been corrupt for decades, and that authorities are trying to root out a few bad apples. Activists have targeted armed forces chief Vladimir Padrino, accusing his troops of using excessive force on protesters, and attacking him through a photo purportedly showing his daughter in an embarrassing pose. "Wake up, Vladimir Padrino. We have a photo of your daughter that you're going to love," the Twitter account @VVperiodistas, run by journalists, wrote early on Thursday. Then the account published a photo allegedly showing Padrino's daughter and two friends at a party flashing their breasts, a photo it said had appeared on Snapchat. Reuters was unable to authenticate the multiple denunciations on social media or contact the targeted families. Venezuela's Information Ministry and Armed Forces did not respond to specific queries on the cases mentioned above or about the general trend. But Maduro has said the harassment tactics are just another front in what he has called an "armed insurrection" on the street. In a speech last month, he likened the harassing of officials, government sympathizers and their families to Nazi persecution of the Jews. Activists have focused in particular on current or former "Chavistas" who they call hypocritical for living in the United States, the ideological foe of Venezuela's socialist movement founded by the late Hugo Chavez. Activists behind one Twitter feed, @YosoyJustin, said they turned their ire on the private life of officials and their families due to Maduro's crackdown on the latest wave of protests. But some in the opposition are uneasy, viewing the campaign as unethical or counterproductive as they said it foments hate and could complicate a potential transition. "It's not morally or politically correct to harass the children of officials," opposition lawmaker Freddy Guevara said recently, adding that it would discourage children from criticizing their parents as the son of the ombudsman did in April. 'THEY'VE BEEN FOOLED' The social media activists, who declined in-person interviews citing security reasons due to threats, dismiss the criticism. "We don't think this will foment Chavista unity," @YoSoyJustin said in a written response to questions. "On the contrary, we're making their followers see that they've been fooled and forced to suffer shortages in Venezuela while these families fatten their foreign bank accounts." Two of the main Twitter accounts behind the social media attacks say their teams are swamped by dozens or hundreds of daily denunciations of government officials and their families or associates, which they check before publishing. "We knew there was corruption, but never at these levels, and especially flaunted like this on social media," said @VVperiodistas, which has around one million followers. At least three children of prominent Socialist Party officials have blocked their Facebook accounts in the last weeks. "Outing government officials and their relatives... has become a phenomenon," added @YoSoyJustin. (Additional reporting by Andreina Aponte; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Frances Kerry) By Tom James SEATTLE, June 2 (Reuters) - Police in Portland, Oregon, arrested a homeless man on Friday morning for stealing the wedding ring and backpack of Ricky Best, one of two men fatally stabbed to death last week on a commuter train while defending two women. George Tschaggeny, 51, was arrested at a homeless encampment under an overpass after a tip from an employee of a Domino's Pizza restaurant in the area, Portland Police Bureau officials said at a Friday press conference. Police had released surveillance footage on Thursday of a man carrying Best's backpack leaving the Portland MAX commuter train shortly after the stabbings. Tschaggeny was found wearing Best's ring, which he apparently had removed from Best's finger after the stabbing, said police spokesman Pete Simpson. Police also recovered the backpack but Best's wallet was missing, Simpson said, adding that his family had hoped to recover phone numbers Best carried in the wallet. Tschaggeny will be charged with theft, evidence tampering and abuse of a corpse, Simpson said. Best, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche and Micah Fletcher were stabbed on May 26 when they intervened to prevent Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, from harassing two young women who appeared to be Muslim by shouting ethnic and religious slurs. Best and Namkai-Meche died of their wounds. Christian was arraigned on Tuesday on three felony murder charges, one felony assault charge, three felony weapons charges and two misdemeanor counts of intimidation. In court on Tuesday, Christian shouted, "Death to the enemies of America ... You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism." Federal Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele said earlier this week that the bureau is investigating the attack to determine whether to charge Christian with terrorism or a federal hate crime. Immediately after the attack, the Council on American-Islamic Relations called on President Donald Trump to condemn violence against Muslims. In a Monday tweet, Trump called the attack "unacceptable," and commended the stabbing victims for "standing up to hate and intolerance." According to The Oregonian, a witness to the stabbings said Namkai-Meches last words before being taken away by paramedics were, "Tell everyone on this train I love them." (Reporting by Tom James; Editing by Patrick Enright and Bill Trott) LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - An ex-wife of former Liberian president Charles Taylor was charged by British police on Friday with four torture offences committed between 1989 and 1991 during the west African nation's civil war. Agnes Reeves Taylor, 51, was arrested in east London on Thursday and police searched two properties. The Metropolitan Police said she was charged with agreeing to conduct that amounts to the commission of torture. She has also been charged with three counts of intentionally inflicting severe pain or suffering on an individual in the performance of her official duties. She will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday. From 1989 to 2003, up to a quarter of a million people in Liberia were killed in a civil war, while thousands more were mutilated and raped. (Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Tom Heneghan) (Daily Mail, Australia), 1 June 2017 - A Melbourne builder has avoided jail but had to pay $80,000 to a couple, after he used a chainsaw and sledgehammer to destroy the building site he was working on. Kitchener Crespin, also known as Kitch destroyed the partially-built home in Glen Iris after the couple sought legal advice over his demands for extra money, reported Nine News. The couple had a $250,000 contract with Crespin and had already paid him an extra $100,000 when he reportedly asked them for more money.They refused and told him they were getting some legal advice. Less than two weeks later CCTV footage caught Crespin using yellow spray paint to write Site closed until owner pays on an exterior wall of the partially-built home.He then went on a six-day rampage, filmed dragging a chainsaw in and out of the construction site, before a neighbour called the police. By Marine Strauss, Nikos Chrysoloras, Patrick Donahue (c) 2017, Bloomberg Jun 01, 2017 - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the worlds No. 1 polluter will stick to its pledges to tackle global warming, underscoring the risk of U.S. isolation if President Donald Trump pulls out of the Paris climate accord. Li made his comments during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, at which both leaders stressed the importance of promoting free trade allied to low-carbon, sustainable economic growth. China accepts its international responsibility and is ready to steer the world toward green growth, Li said in Berlin through an interpreter. In sum, China will honour its commitments in the framework of the Paris climate protection agreement, he said. Li was speaking ahead of a two-day summit that begins in Brussels later on Thursday, when China and the European Union will re-commit to free trade and the Paris Agreement in a sweeping rejection of Trumps protectionist policies. Trump said on Twitter that hell make an announcement on whether to stay in the climate accord at 3 p.m. in Washington. Trump is pulling the U.S. out of the climate-change agreement after other Group of Seven leaders failed to win him over at a summit in Italy last week. The discord prompted Merkel to suggest the U.S. had become an unreliable partner. What does Patali know about politics that Harini doesnt know? Sri Lanka is going through great pains to get its economy in order after the PARIS AFP June1, 2017- The French government on Thursday announced plans to ban lawmakers from hiring family members, one of a raft of measures aimed at cleaning up politics after a slew of scandals. Justice Minister Francois Bayrou said the government aimed to restore confidence in politicians, which was severely rattled by revelations over the alleged fake parliamentary job that conservative MP Francois Fillon gave his wife. The death of Siri Gunasinghe last week left the nations cultural establishment numbed. And not for nothing: Professor Gunasinghe, who among other things was one of only two novelists here who directed a movie (and a landmark one at that), was the last of the bilingual literati that made the waves here and overseas. Everyone else who followed him were politically and philosophically of a different breed, the sole exception (at least to an extent) being Gunadasa Amarasekera. The truth is that modernity is not incongruent with nationalism. The truth is that modernity can and does subsist on tradition Gunasinghes death, a personal tragedy as it is, interests me more for what it means to our cultural establishment, the same establishment which has tried so hard to chart a kind of modernity that was not uprooted. That is has failed, and that its failure has to do largely with the culture of inferiority which has gripped our people since 1956, leaves no room for doubt. At the cost of simplifying an already simplified situation, I will hence say this: politically, socially, and philosophically, our country has imbibed a potent form of anti-intellectualism. We are so confused as to why this anti-intellectualism has come about, moreover, that we rationalise it in terms of the nationalist/anti-nationalist dichotomy which provides an easy point for the political commentator. The truth is that modernity is not incongruent with nationalism. The truth is that modernity can and does subsist on tradition. To understand how this simple point has evaded our notice, its apt to look back at 1956 and what transpired subsequently. Political movements never really end. They can only be stopped, and that at the cost of stalling an otherwise gradual social process. 1956, on that count, was less a movement than an experiment, which signalled (ironically) the upheaval of the anglicised elite through the leadership of a scion of that same elite. I remember reading in one of those travel books (by Discovery) on Sri Lanka that the 1956 election passed power from the legatees of colonialism to an indigenous leader. That is patently false. Power was passed, yes, but only from one shade of Westernisation to another. As subsequent elections showed, it was basically a social transformation effected by the grassroots but denied by the self-contradictions of its own leadership. 1956, on that count, was less a movement than an experiment, which signalled (ironically) the upheaval of the anglicised elite through the leadership of a scion of that same elite S. W. R. D. Bandaranaikes programme, as I mentioned in this column last week, derived for the most from two sources: Western liberalism and the Bengali Renaissance. The former, critics and commentators have explored. The latter, to a considerable extent at least, they have not. A tragedy at one level, primarily because we tend to forget that in trying to emulate the Tagorean experiment of fusing modernity and tradition, Bandaranaikes own personality denied the validity of such a fusion for anything other than our cultural sphere. This latter point merits further discussion. Amartya Sen, in an article written to the New Republic six years ago, contended that Tagore, far from being the romantic traditionalist he is touted as today, was actually a modernist railing against the social order of his day. He was at odds with Gandhi, whose idealisation of the spinning wheel or chakra as a symbol of a return to the past he critiqued as lacking judgment and energy (The chakra does not require anyone to think). Despite his enthusiasm for Gandhis political campaign, consequently, he was doubtful about Gandhis social persona, filled as it was with repulsion towards Western civilization. In this, however, Tagore was no imitator, no rootless cosmopolitan who idealised that same Western civilization he championed with regard to the progress it attained in the realms of science, literature, and political philosophy. That kind of fearless, revolutionary thinking seems to be lacking in our modernists of today. Sadly. In the fifties and sixties, a Siri Gunasinghe or a Lester James Peries could critique the conventional wisdom by carving a different path, one that brought together tradition and modernity. It happened in Tagores land of birth as well: Satyajit Ray was his intellectual and artistic heir, and to an extent at least he was responsible for prolonging the Bengali Renaissance from Tagores death to the end of the 20th century. In comparison, the modernists of today are a horde of gandabba commentators, either rubbishing the same roots which sustained them or condemning those roots to the dustbin of history. Added to that was another, more potent problem: unlike in Bengal and even India (also nurtured by a Renaissance), the cultural revolution which 1956 wrought was first affirmed and then denied by its political leadership. 1956 in that respect could not have happened were it not for three figures: Professor Sarachchandra, Lester James Peries, and Martin Wickramasinghe. All three were well versed in Western modernity, while Sarachchandra and Wickramasinghe were equally versed in the national ethos (Peries upbringing denied him that ethos until later on). He was at odds with Gandhi, whose idealisation of the spinning wheel or chakra as a symbol of a return to the past he critiqued as lacking judgment and energy (The chakra does not require anyone to think). The political pamphleteers behind Sinhala Only, on the other hand, were less interested in that kind of fusion than in an irrationally radical chauvinism which, ironically, gave birth to the same political figures who would deny any place to that chauvinism later on. In other words, it is in 1956 that we see the basis for the later and equally narrow-minded demands for separatism and federalism, not to mention the present day anti-unitary campaigns of the TNA. Plainly put, what happened that year was a bifurcation of our intelligentsia into the indigenous and the uprooted. It gave a set of false channels for the underprivileged to vent out their collective rage, which in the end left class structures intact and empowered the uprooted elite while giving the impression that they were placed on the same pedestal as that of the indigenous. The lack of any congruence between the cultural and the political in the revolution wrought that year facilitated that: the same revolution which helped the likes of Siri Gunasinghe would deny bilingualism its due place and hypocritically demean English (in the political sphere) while fermenting a culture of envy among those who could not wield it. The most immediate result of this, obviously, was the absenting of an educated bilingual intelligentsia. That is why (and I am going back to my earlier point) I say that we are seeing a horrendous form of anti-intellectualism. Here. Today. Those who are unable to wield the language of access, English, repudiate their roots to join the English-speaking intelligentsia. Those who are able to, and by dint of that ability are members of that intelligentsia, sustain the myth that there are no indigenous intellectuals, and that to become an intellectual, one must deny ones cultural sensibilities. Small wonder, then, that anti-intellectualism is on the rise. Without a modernity that takes over from the past, only an aberration in the form of a gandabba, neither-here-nor-there people and nation can result. Anti-intellectualism thrives on just that. And you know what? We dont seem to be worried. Not by a long shot. Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen (second from left) meets the Confederation of Indian Industry delegation to Colombo on June 1 as Ramesh Kumar Mutha (Leader of business delegation to Colombo from CII(far left) and Deputy Manager of Petronet LNG Ltd Manik Jhamb (third from left) look on Indias largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) player, Petronet LNG, Ltd will be investing in a piped natural gas supply system for Sri Lankan households if the Sri Lankan government gives the green light, a press communique from the Industry and Commerce Ministry said. We will revolutionize the supply system here, and we will introduce pipe-borne LNG supply to households, thereby removing the need for the use of cylinder based method. Its a large-scale project and we are ready for entry upon the go ahead, Petronet LNG Deputy Manager Manik Jhamb said. He was in Colombo with the Chamber of Indian Industries Delegation, which called on Industry and Commerce Minister Rishard Bathiudeen. Your efforts can strengthen the local gas market, Bathiudeen said. Jhamb said that the new operation will be cleaner, and that it would remove the need for LPG cylinders. Piped natural gas involves the importation of LNG and processing it back to gaseous form prior to delivery through pipes. It delivers uninterrupted energy for cooking on a stove at home, as long as enough gas is being supplied to the system, unlike LPG, where cylinders need to be exchanged once depleted. Currently, state-owned Litro Gas Lanka Limited and the privately held Laugfs Gas PLC supply LPG for Sri Lankas cooking needs. Litro Gas Lanka owns the countrys only LPG terminal, while Laugfs is currently constructing one as well, to service both local and regional LPG needs. Petronet LNG is a Joint Venture between the Indian government and Indias leading oil and natural gas industry players including GAIL (India) Limited, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. One of the partners, IOCL, owns Lanka IOC PLC, which has a network of fuelling stations, and imports and distributes petroleum, bitumen and bunker fuel. It also blends lubricants in a local plant. Balasore Odisha, (Hindustan Times), 02.0.2017 - India on Friday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army. The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near here at around 9:50 am, official sources said. The trial of the sophisticated missile was successful and the mission objectives were met, they said. The Prithvi-II missile is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses an advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target with precision and accuracy. NIPA India-Korea SW Cooperation Center Executive Director Caleb Lee Kyung-hwan Pic by Pradeep Dilruckshana By Shabiya Ali Ahlam Sri Lankan startups are presented with an opportunity to receive a further boost this year with the Republic of Korea announcing the 2017 K-Startup Grand Challenge in Colombo yesterday. The KStartup Grand Challenge, an initiative of National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), is a project conducted and financed by the Korean government. The global startup event offers technology based startups that have a prototype or product service catering to various industries, a chance to enter the Korean market and further expand its reach to global customers. The key focus of the K-Startup Grand Challenge this year is to promote collaboration and exchange of ideas between South Asia and Korea. According to visiting NIPA India-Korea SW Cooperation Center Executive Director Caleb Lee Kyung-hwan, a plethora of exciting opportunities await participants who will get an opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit. We are eagerly looking forward to tap the enormous potential that lies in South Asian startup ecosystem and expecting to receive a large number of applications from this region, said Kyung-hwan. He added that with Sri Lankas improving startup ecosystem, the event is an ideal platform for local entities to showcase their potential and establish successfully in the fast growing Asian markets. In this years programme, the top ranked 50 teams will be invited to participate in a four-month accelerating program in the state-of-the-art Pangyo Techno Valley, located south of Seoul. The selection panel will give priority to startups working on disruption in 17 categories, but will also consider startups with brilliant ideas in any sector. Key focus will be on technology based start-ups that have a prototype or product/service at initial investment stage. Eligible to apply are those established within the past five years. On the Demo Day and settlement program that will be held in December, 25 companies will be given the opportunity extend their work and stay in Korea for additional six months. For this the Korean Government will extend a grant of US$ 27,000 to the top 25 startups if they choose to establish a business entity in Korea. The shortlisted teams will receive mentoring support from some of Koreas leading Multinational Companies, such as Samsung, Hyundai, and SK to name a few, to expand into Korean and Asian markets. While each member of the top 50 startup teams (up to two members) will receive an audition price of US $ 833, the challenge winner will walk away with US$ 100,000. Second place will receive US$ 40,000, third place US$ 20,000 and fourth place will receive US$ 6000. Furthermore, five accelerators in Korea will make equity investments in the most promising startups. The K - startup Grand Challenge 2016 received over 2400 applications from 124 countries. Over a period of four months, investments of US$ 5.55 million were made by domestic and international sources. 2016 K-Startup Grand Challenge offered the winners a host of benefits including grants, free office space and entry into an acceleration programme and more. 13 local corporations and branches were established as a result of the event. Around 33 deals were signed with local/overseas companies along with 125 MoU and partnership activities. Applications for the K - startup Grand Challenge 2017 will close on June 14th. Interested parties can apply for the challenge online through http://k-startupgc.org/. U.S. President Donald Trump awaits the arrival of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on May 31, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] In an earlier opinion I hailed the symbolic and global importance of the Paris Climate Accord which was brought about by the strategic leadership shown by the US and China agreeing to work together on a problem that challenges the future of humanity. President Trump has this morning declared the withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Accord signed by 195 countries last November. This is based in part on his campaign pledge to withdraw from or renegotiate the accord. In his presidential campaign, Trump indicated that the US agreement to the treaty was a mistake as was the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Given the strong leadership role exerted by China and the US to bring about the Paris Climate Agreement, such a move by the US to withdraw is highly regrettable. There is almost no chance to meet the Climate Agreement's aggressive carbon emission targets without the leadership of the US and China. Many countries only reluctantly signed the accord and were largely persuaded to do so because the world's two largest economies -- China as a developing country and the US as the leading developed country -- were able to build a bridge of cooperation that persuaded all but Syria and Nicaragua to come on board. The Climate Agreement was an important first step in getting almost every country in the world to address what the vast majority of scientists argue is a serious threat to the whole planet. President Obama executed the agreement in 2015, pledging to cut US greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 and committed up to $3 billion in aid for poorer countries by 2020 to assist them in reducing greenhouse emissions. However, unlike its predecessor, the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Climate Accord has no means of enforcement and was not a "treaty" in the legal sense of the word but only an executive agreement. While a US President may sign an "Executive Agreement," such agreements can be short-term because they can be undone by a subsequent president. In contrast to the short-term executive agreements, a treaty power under the US Constitution resides in the Senate: "[The President] shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur." As a practical matter it must also be realized that under section 28 of the Paris Agreement it may take two or more years to become effective by which time there may be a new US President. While the world is likely to be worse off with the US withdrawal, there is a strategic opportunity for China. At the very time that the US, through President Trump's populist policies, seems to be seeking a policy of isolationism with the US going its own and unpredictable way, China has reiterated and strengthened its commitment to globalization and internationalization. A compelling example of this commitment is the "One Belt-One Road Initiative." The US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord will encourage the EU and other countries to look increasingly to Asia and China. The US withdrawal would most certainly weaken the global influence of the US government which will be seen as unpredictable, unreliable, and unstable. Ironically, the withdrawal by the US from the Paris Climate Accord is also out of step with most Fortune 500 companies and businesses generally which have invested heavily (over a trillion dollars) in renewable and alternative energy. Such a move by Washington is even out of step with many of the US own leading states and localities which are increasingly going green in addition to being committed to improving traditional fossil fuel energy production. For example, in oil and gas rich Texas, renewable energy industries now employ more people than the oil and gas industry; and the largest state, California, with an economy larger than Russia's, is moving rapidly to develop its renewable energy industries. According to the National Solar Jobs Census 2016, jobs in the solar energy sector grew almost 25% last year while coal and fossil fuel energy sectors struggled. The emergent energy self-sufficiency of the US over the last decade has also been a major factor in many businesses returning to the US whereas an isolated and withdrawn US is only likely to make it less attractive to foreign investment. It is good to learn that many major countries, for example the EU, Australia, Canada, have indicated that a US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement would have no impact upon them and that they would continue to honor the agreement as it was signed. The result of the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord is that the US could be left behind as the EU, China and most of the remaining world goes forward to develop the infrastructure that will realize the dream of cheap, renewable energy. In our increasingly connected world, we have to have dialogues and work together to solve problems that impact all countries. That process can only succeed if all the major parties participate and remain at the world table. Eugene Clark is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/eugeneclark.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. By Sayed Salahuddin, Pamela Constable A massive blast tore through the diplomatic quarter of the Afghan capital Wednesday, killing at least 80 people and wounding more than 460, officials said. The devastation left Kabul in shock and underlined the countrys security struggles as it confronts a sustained wave of insurgent and terrorist attacks. Interior Ministry officials said a huge quantity of explosives, hidden in a tanker truck, detonated at 8:30 a.m. during rush hour on a busy boulevard in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, which houses embassies, banks, supermarkets and government ministries. An entire city block was ravaged, with office buildings left in rubble and charred vehicles strewn across the road in one of the deadliest single attacks in Kabul. The scenes of human horror were appalling, even for a country accustomed to war and violence. At Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital, a steady stream of ambulances and police trucks delivered burned and mangled bodies, many streaming blood. Medical aides struggled to zip them quickly into body bags as distraught people crowded around, looking for missing relatives. The dead and wounded were almost all Afghan civilians and security forces: police officers, bank clerks, cart pullers, telephone company workers. The dead included at least five women, an Afghan driver for the BBC and at least nine Afghan guards stationed at points outside the U.S. Embassy. The Afghan Taliban denied any role in the bombing, which was followed by a second, smaller blast in another part of the city. KABUL (c) 2017, The Washington Post Jun 01, 2017 Schools in the Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces which were closed because of the adverse weather conditions will reopen on Monday, except for 15 schools in the Sabaragamuwa Province and 39 schools in the Southern Province, the Education Ministry said. It said that these schools were either damaged or were being used to house displaced people. Meanwhile, the education ministry has authorized the zonal education directors to decide on the opening of schools being used to shelter the displaced people and with regard to operating schools that were damaged by re-assigning the students to nearby schools. (By Chaturanga Pradeep) Colombo High Court today granted bail to former SDIG Anura Senanayake on strict conditions considering the revision bail application filed in court on behalf of him. High Court Judge Manilal Waidyathilaka granted him a cash bail of one million rupees with three sureties of five million each. The judge imposed a travel ban on him and ordered to report to the CID every Sunday. He was directed not to interfere with the witnesses. SDIG Senanayake was remanded for more than 12 months without any charges being filed against him. President's Counsel Anil Silva who appeared on behalf of former DIG Senanayake moving a special submission held yesterday that court cannot order for any further detention of the suspect, since the time period (12 months) of lawful detention of a suspect in remand was over on May 23, 2017, thereby the ex-DIG should be released without any bail conditions as per section 16 of No. 30, 1997 Bail Act. However, Refusing requests made by defence counsel to release suspect, Colombo Additional Magistrate Jeyaram Trotsky yesterday ascertained that he has no judicial power to do so. (Farook Thajudeen and Shehan Chamika Silva) Mr. Saman Herath, the Managing Director of Siyapatha Finance PLC is conducting the first transaction Siyapatha Finance PLC, one of Sri Lankas leading financial organizations and the largest fully owned subsidiary the Sampath Bank Group, celebrated the relocation of its Metro branch in Kurunegala recently. The branch, which was located at No. 116, Colombo Road, Kurunegala can now be found at No. 36 along the Negombo Road of the city. Mr. Saman Herath, the Managing Director of Siyapatha Finance PLC presided over the ceremonial opening of the branch. The relocated branch is one of two branches in the city of Kurunegala, the second being located at No. 254C along the Colombo road. As the branch in Kurunegala is one of the key locations in our network, we believed that it was important to ensure that the branch was situated in an area that would be most convenient to our customers, stated Mr. Herath. Our customers in Kurunegala can now enjoy all the benefits and products Siyapatha Finance has to offer. We at Siyapatha Finance firmly believe that the success of our organization is rooted in our customers. As one of the most prominent financial companies with a network of branches throughout the country, Siyapatha Finance PLC has designed their financial services to ensured at their customers are provided with the best in service delivery standards. All of the networks branches continuously offer the best service to its customers Leasing, Business Loans, Personal Loans, Property Mortgage Loans, Gold Loans, Factoring and Fixed Deposits. Over the past twelve years, the company has contributed vastly to the development of small and medium entrepreneurial efforts and to the fulfillment of individual financial needs a cross the island. Their dedication towards the continuous expansion of their financial services is fuelled by the drive to help communities achieve their business objectives. Detail soft he new Siyapatha Finance branchin Kurunegala Metroareas follows, No. 36, Negombo Road, Kurunegala Contact No:0377 605 625 For further information on Siyapatha Finance, log on to http://www.siyapatha.lk/ Sri Lanka ranked 68 globally in broadband internet speeds with an average connection speed (IPv4) of 8.5 Mbps, the State of the Internet Q1 2017 Connectivity report issued by Akamai Technologies said. According to the report, India had ranked 89 in broadband internet speeds with an average connection speed (IPv4) of 6.5 Mbps South Korea had topped the chart with an average speeds of 28.6Mbps. India is slightly ahead of China (7.6 Mbps) and is way behind of Sri Lanka (8.5 Mbps), News18 reported today. According to the article, the global average peak connection speed increased 28% year over year to 44.6 Mbps in the first quarter. Singapore had the highest peak connection speed at 184.5 Mbps in the first quarter. The report said in the first quarter of 2017, South Korea once again led the Asia Pacific region in 4 Mbps broadband adoption, with 98% of its IPv4 addresses connecting to Akamai at average connection speeds above this threshold. Quarterly changes in adoption were positive across the region except for Sri Lanka and Singapore, which posted small declines of 6.5% and 0.8% respectively. The Philippines, the lowest-ranking country in Asia Pacific for this metric, enjoyed the largest quarterly increase at 26%. Remaining increases were modest, ranging from 0.1% in Japan to 11% in India and China, it said. By Philip Rucker, Jenna Johnson President Donald Trump announced Thursday afternoon that he is withdrawing the United States from the landmark Paris climate agreement, a move to honor a campaign pledge that dismayed Americas allies and thwarted the global effort to address the warming planet. Trumps decision alarmed leaders around the world, drawing swift and sharp condemnation from foreign officials as well as top U.S. environmentalists and corporate titans, who decried the U.S. exit from the Paris accord as an irresponsible abdication of American leadership. But Trump cast his decision as a reassertion of Americas sovereignty, arguing that the climate pact as negotiated under President Barack Obama was grossly unfair to the U.S. workers he had vowed to protect with his populist America First campaign platform. The United States now joins only two countries - Nicaragua and Syria - in opposing a climate agreement reached by all other nations in 2015. A signature diplomatic achievement for President Obama, the Paris accord was celebrated at the time as a universal response to the global warming crisis. (c) 2017, The Washington Post Jun 02, 2017 - WASHINGTON - Some travelers seeking admission to the US are being handed a new form requiring them to disclose biographical information going back 15 years and social media handles going back five years, RT News reported yesterday. Filling out the form is voluntary, though applicants may be rejected if they decline to provide information or deliberately lie. The White Houses Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the new supplemental questionnaire on May 23, the article said quoting Reuters. The form requests visa applicants to list information about their employment, place of residence, and foreign travel over the previous 15 years, as well as user names for any social media platforms used to create or share content for the previous five years. The new form, designated DS-5535, appears to be a temporary measure. The OMB granted it emergency approval for six months, rather than the usual three years, and the forms carry the expiration date of November 30, 2017. Consular officials will use the questionnaire when they determine that such information is required to confirm identity or conduct more rigorous national security vetting, a State Department official has told Reuters on Wednesday. While President Donald Trump has pledged to tighten security on US borders, the social media questionnaire was an initiative launched under his predecessor, Barack Obama. The first reports of the plan to request social media handles appeared in June 2016. Critics of the proposal have argued that the new questionnaire would be burdensome for the applicants, lead to delays in processing visas, and discourage international students and scientists from coming to the US. "The United States has one of the most stringent visa application processes in the world. The need for tightening the application process further is really unknown and unclear," Babak Yousefzadeh, president of the Iranian American Bar Association told Reuters. The additional vetting would apply to visa applicants "who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities," the State Department said, according to Reuters. Disaster relief The amount allocated this year to buy vehicles, mainly for Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Senior Public Officials, is over Rs 1,200 million The electronic media showed planes unloading goods sent in by friendly countries. However, how much of them reached the hapless victims is a question still unanswered Soon after the presentation of a Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 369 million for the purchase of luxury vehicles for Ministers and officials, the Government last Friday had appealed to the United Nations, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and the neighbouring countries to provide assistance to the flood and landslide hit people in Sri Lanka. The Supplementary Estimate would put at a total; the amount allocated this year to buy vehicles, mainly for Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Senior Public Officials, at over Rs 1,200 million. However, with public pressure and criticism mounting President Maithripala Sirisena had ordered to stall the purchase of those luxury vehicles on Tuesday, but only until next year. This years heavy rain that resulted in floods in Nilwala Ganga, Kalu Ganga Gin Ganga and the Kelani Ganga and landslides in the Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Ratnapura Districts was a major disaster in the recent history as it had claimed the lives of nearly 300 people, including those who are said to be missing. Unlike last years floods in the Kelani valley the floods in the Ratnapura area this time were so swift, that people had very little time to remove their valuables or to evacuate to safer areas, resulting in a heavy toll. The international community had responded favourably to the Governments appeal for aid, with India being the first to send in two shiploads of relief items before any other country did so. Sri Lankas long-time friend Pakistan, the country that helped during Sri Lankas war against the LTTE since its beginning followed by dispatching a ship with relief goods on Tuesday, while Indias third relief ship had also arrived in Colombo port on the same day. China, Israel and Australia were also among the countries that had come forward immediately to assist Sri Lanka in its hour of need. The country had witnessed the magnanimity of the friendly countries last year as well when the Kelani Ganga overflowed inundating large swathes of areas on both sides of its downstream from Avissawella to Modara and during the landslides in Mawanella. The electronic media showed planes unloading goods sent in by friendly countries. However, how much of them reached the hapless victims is a question still unanswered. Using these doubts among the people Opposition supporters at the grassroots level in areas affected have been floating rumours that the Government was fond of disasters as they could bring in shiploads of relief materials. Sri Lanka is not immune to the floods and landslides due to its topography and the clearing of forests in the central hills for the commercial plantations by the British. Laws had been promulgated for the mitigation of adverse effects of floods as far back as 1920 and the Communist Party leaders such as Dr. S.A. Wikramasinghe had put forward proposals in 1930s to divert major rivers that played havoc annually in the wet zone to the dry zone, to prevent floods and drought concurrently in both zones. Therefore the flood and landslide are not new phenomena and the preparedness for them had long been a must for the Governments. With measures taken by the governments in later years under various schemes the floods refrained from unleashing its fury annually or reduced it to some extent. The lower part of the Kelani valley experienced a major flood disaster last year after 27 years. Yet, floods with less ferocity occasionally occurred in the country compelling the authorities to have the preparedness at hand. However, the situation has not been so, as the country witnessed last year, especially in respect of the flood victims. It was the ordinary people and the voluntary organisations that bore the major share of responsibility of rescue and relief during the Kelany Valley floods a year ago. Fishermen even from Beruwala and Wattala had sent in their boats immediately to evacuate the victims and the navy continued to supply food and medical requirements to the people still marooned, throughout the six days when the area had been under water. While showing on TV the ship loads of relief items being unloaded the authorities provided only a pack of essential food items worth Rs. 1,500 (valued by them) for each affected family for the whole first two months after the tragedy, while getting the victims to fill so many forms with promises to pay compensation for their losses and damages. It was after two months and after a poster campaign by the JVP demanding the payment that had been promised to cover their immediate needs that a sum of Rs. 10,000 was provided to each family. However, authorities of religious places such as temples, kovils and mosques in the area and people even from faraway places helped the victims to sustain their lives. Many organisations that collected relief items with a huge hue and cry, though they did a good job, missed many victims living away from main roads. Meanwhile, tenants and landlords were fighting with Grama Niladharis demanding the initial relief amount of Rs. 10,000 to be paid to them, in respect of rented houses. Electronic media institutions competed with each other in collecting and distributing relief items among the victims as they did this year while boastfully telecasting their meritorious acts. They must be commended for the assistance they lent to the victims, though the long propaganda had been irritating. By that time, the people who lived in single storeyed houses had lost everything in their possession except for wooden, plastic and metal items. Most of the electronic items had been damaged irreparably and each house had a huge pile of garbage containing what was their wealth until a few days before. With a form to be filled by the victims to get the immediate relief of Rs. 10,000, the Grama Niladharis circulated another form to be filled by the victims for the payment of another Rs. 15,000 as compensation for the losses and damages. But nothing materialised except for the symbolical payments by politicians at certain places, mounting hopes among the people affected. After that three more different forms were distributed among the victims for the same purpose throughout the year, including one by university students with the concurrence of the Grama Niladharis as a survey and one from the Disaster Management Ministry, which necessitated those without bank accounts to open one for the authorities to deposit the compensation. Finally almost one year after the tragedy authorities had deposited last month a sum of Rs. 15,000 in those bank accounts, bringing the accumulated total State assistance for a victim family to Rs. 26,500. Yet, there are still complaints about not receiving the second payment. It took more than a month for the Local Government bodies to clear the flood hit areas of the mountains of garbage, in fact the wasted wealth of the people which had already been blocking the roads and waterways, inviting a worse tragedy in case of another round of natures fury. It was only after a month they thought to borrow the vehicles from their nearby counterparts not affected by the disaster, for the disposal of garbage. High level meetings were held during last years disasters and politicians and officials waxed eloquent on short-term and long-term plans for the prevention of floods, especially in Colombo District and mitigating landslide damages. They talked about removing unauthorised structures that hampered the waterways and their maintenance, clearing of all canals in the downstream of Kelani Ganga, stopping forthwith the unauthorised filling of wetlands in Colombo and the suburbs. It is high time for the authorities themselves as well as the civil society and the media to take stock of what really happened and what the authorities said and did last year in respect of disaster mitigation and distribution of aid including that received from friendly countries. On October 31, 2015, still about a year before he exited the organisation he led for three years and helped develop a spine, Raghuram Rajan, the former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, delivered a much talked about speech at his alma mater, IIT Delhi. Rajan said, Indias tradition of debate and an open spirit of enquiry is critical for its economic progress. In his public utterances and articles, Rajan has constantly emphasised how new ideas, openness, tolerance, the spirit of questioning, being sensitive to local economic ecosystems, engaging with alternative viewpoints, etc, have been the engines of economic growth. Without this competition of ideas, we have stagnation, he said in his IIT Delhi keynote speech of 2015. This is the same Rajan who had been prescient of the 2008 Wall Street crash as far back as in 2005, at the cost of being branded a Luddite by Larry Summers, the then US treasury secretary. Rajans numerous accolades academic and professional include him being made one of the youngest RBI chiefs, and someone to pay heed to in matters financial and pertaining to the political economy. Its important to recall not only Rajan, but also Nobel laureate in economics Amartya Sen, who saw even in Indias 2012-2013 high GDP growth spell at nine per cent and above an uncertain glory, because it was still a far cry from an equitable, all-inclusive growth, and left much to be desired. Interestingly, even the architect of Indias liberalisation and post-1991 economic edifice, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, must also be remembered when we discuss the current economic morass that India finds itself in, under the stewardship of PM Narendra Modi. Modi government has just completed three years in office and over these three years, the downward slide in economic growth, in the gross indicators and in indices that depict the overall health of a nation, has been rather sharp. The latest addition to this chamber of horrors is the 2016-17 Q4 figures that show a major dip in the GDP growth rate. Indias economy grew at 6.1 per cent from January to March 2017, slowing from even the provisional 7.1 per cent that was estimated in January 2017 by the government. While the gross domestic product growth rate was 6.1 per cent, the gross value added growth (GVA), thats revenue minus indirect taxes, slowed to 5.6 per cent in Q4 compared to 6.7 per cent in Q3. In the same quarter last year, the GVA was 8.7 per cent. Four successive quarters of slowing GDP growth. Can we please here no more paeans to Modi Sarkar economic competence, please? pic.twitter.com/76dPZNvZNy Mihir Sharma (@mihirssharma) May 31, 2017 The GDP-investment graph has dipped sharply, and had it not been for the governments own spendings, the GDP growth rate would have been even worse. For Jan to March 2017, GDP grew by 6.1%. It had grown by 9.2% in Jan to March 2016. So Manmohan Singh was right about demo costing 2% of GDP Vivek (@kaul_vivek) June 1, 2017 One chart that explains all that's wrong with the Indian economy.Investment has collapsed.Not surprising very few new jobs are being created pic.twitter.com/PApV4qRsOP Vivek (@kaul_vivek) June 1, 2017 The GDP was held up by govt spending. Otherwise it would have been worse.... Prosenjit Datta (@ProsaicView) June 1, 2017 As economic analysts, business journalists and financial experts have already weighed in on the monetary gravity of the situation, ascribing much of the current crisis to the impact of demonetisation diktat on November 8, 2016, as was widely expected, we need to ask ourselves a different question, something that Rajan, Sen and Singh have all hinted at, asked and posed at different times. What is it about the Narendra Modi government thats at the heart of this humungous economic mess? Why is it that the government that launches a new policy, a new catchphrase, a new flagship scheme almost every other month, thats buzzing with buzzwords and mantras, and is populated with cabinet ministers with a penchant for acronyms, fails so terribly to make any tangible economic and progressive political contribution to the country its supposed to be serving? Whether its demonetisation, which impacted Indias poor and lower middle classes the most, robbing them of cash for three to four months since the diktat, hitting the informal sector causing it to haemorrhage so bad that the GDP growth rate dipped by two per cent, primarily decimating thousands of small and medium enterprises; or the new cattle trade restrictions, once again hitting Indias poor farmers and the Muslim/Dalit traders in cattle by-products, such as meat, leather, bone ash fertilisers and many others the thoughtlessness of the government policies is directly proportional to the staggering impact they have on the countrys teeming multitudes. As dedicated environmentalists and long-time ecological experts have pointed out, the real impact of the latest livestock market regulations under gazette notification 396 of the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals Act (1960), will be on Indias poorest farmers, and the economy of livestock which is valued at over Rs 3 lakh crore. In addition to it being a stupendous blow on federalism and the constitutional right of choice over eating habits, the effective ban on cattle slaughter will hit hard those small and marginal players in Indias ailing agricultural sector who are already debt-ridden and seeing their brethren commit suicide to escape the vicious debt cycle. However, Modi government, in its tunnel vision towards creating a country thats artificially amputated to look like a Hindu Rashtra, cow-belt version, is decimating the millions of cattle-dependent and cattle-respecting lower class and lower caste Hindus, by robbing them of their ability to conveniently dispose off the old and infirm livestock. Though the governments hardly covert intention is to legislate an effective beef ban through backchannels, to show the meat-eating religious minorities and the large meat-eating lower caste Hindu people their place in the Hindutva hierarchy, what its really doing is cutting off the nose to spite the face. Yet, this anti-poor, anti-minority stance as evidenced during demonetisation and the backdoor beef ban is crippling Indias economy as a whole. Because an economics of intolerance, an economic model minus any compassion but driven by the machinations of a rigid electoral Darwinism, financial imperatives to benefit a thin slice of corporate funders while forcing hundreds of millions to do away with its old cash reserves, sucking out 85.6 per cent of liquid currency from the system overnight, robbing the poor of their meagre savings in notes they had no way of exchanging because the nearest bank was hundreds of kilometres away all this and more, are bound to extract a heavy price of its own. On November 23, 2016, in his Rajya Sabha speech, former PM Manmohan Singh had made a passionate plea warning us of the imminent impact of demonetisation, which he described as a monumental mismanagement, legalised plunder and organised loot. One of the soundest economic brains of our times, Singh cautioned that GDP rate would decline by about two per cent, and he has been vindicated by the Q4 statistics that have hogged the headlines since yesterday. But its not in the one-time heedlessness of the Modi government wherefrom the fear of future eco-political assaults stems. Its in the now palpable pattern of orchestrating multi-pronged and sustained attacks against those who dont fit into its narrow nationalist views of India in the 21st century. Just like the Modi government has decided to deny a hungry child its mid-day meal sometimes the only solid morsel that s/he would have in a remote part of the country if s/he doesnt have her Aadhaar number/enrolment proof, similarly, it refuses to acknowledge that its blanket ban on sale of cattle intended for slaughter would wipe out industries and destroy the delicate balance in the interdependent crop and cattle factors in the already suffering agricultural sector. The economic logic thats guiding this government is that of xenophobic exclusion, and not one of pluralist and secular inclusion. Hence, even though it wants to mostly reap the dividends of the policies that the previous government sowed, including the GST despite the flabby current structure, the Modi government is blinded by its antipathy towards those who dont conform to its political and economic jingoisms. And the result is for every one of us to see and recoil in horror. The seeming policy overdrive of Modi sarkar is a farcical contrast to the repeated failures on financial and economic progress fronts. Even the policy paralysis of UPA era had far better an economic and political report card to show at the fag end of its second tenure. The only lesson that can be learnt from the Modi government-engineered economic quagmire is that theres no voting for development separate from voting for tolerance, progressive politics and inclusive economics. The BJP's adventure tour of the Northeast seems to be falling off a dangerous cliff erected upon its own hypocritical edifice of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas". A lot has been written and talked about the BJP's spectacular foray into the region. How the Modi magic seemingly swept the entire region first winning the Assembly elections in Assam in 2016, a "back-door entry" into Arunachal Pradesh, and forming a government in alliance with smaller parties in Manipur in 2017. The party is now desperately looking to repeat the feats in the Christian-dominated Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland besides the Hindu-dominated Tripura, all of which will go to the polls in 2018. The BJP stunned everyone as it managed to capture political power in a region which, till 2016, was unexposed to Hindutva politics and what lies at the heart of it the cow. Whether it was because of the BJP's growing influence or their utter disillusionment with the Congress, the people of the region started to respond to the saffron party's overtures, and overwhelmingly so. This was reflected in the BJP's electoral gains. Of course, the Sangh Parivar has had been at work in the region (mainly in Assam) for almost more than two decades to make that possible. The same set of leaders, led by a Congress turncoat who made Assam possible for the BJP, have been in the forefront of the saffron party's reach into the rest of the states. In fact, the growing body of the BJP in the NE states mostly comprises former Congress leaders, regional underlings and former militants. Despite border skirmishes among the states, people from the region still identify with the idea of Northeast as one region. Things looked seemingly smooth for the party in the region until the cow, as usual, strayed into the grazing field. Notwithstanding the political equations, the fear of the beef ban has kept the ordinary citizen and the politicians in the region worried from time to time ever since BJP's "incursion". The larger cause of trepidation being the domination of Hindu politics and imposition of a culture that is framed within a Hindutva-defined national identity. While the Sangh-propelled Hindutva contraption found it easy to wheel into the region, raiding into people's refrigerators sniffing for cow/cattle or any other meat will prove difficult for it. And it's not because of religion. Religion, in fact, entered much later into the Northeast. Animism was the dominant "religion" followed in the region. Even now, all those who identify themselves as indigenous people of the Northeast share a unique cultural and traditional affinity (which includes food habits) despite following different religions Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. This is one more reason why, despite border skirmishes among the states, people from the region still identify with the idea of Northeast as one region. This has, of course, put the BJP in a precarious position. So, when the central government sent out a controversial notification banning the sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets, the BJP in the Northeast started facing resistance despite assurances of not "imposing beef ban in Northeast because it has a different culture". While the ban has faced much more vocal opposition from states outside the Northeast West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu what is perhaps most ironical is the "mutiny" within the BJP's Meghalaya unit. A few BJP members in Meghalaya announced a beef party to celebrate three years of the Modi government. The unique celebration suggestion was apparently made to clear doubts of the local people that BJP was trying to impose a ban on consumption of beef. According to the BJP's West Garo Hills district president, Bernard N Marak, who quit the party on June 1, BJP leaders were not respecting the tradition and culture of the indigenous people. A few days back, Marak, the former chief of the armed group Achik National Volunteer Council, had announced that the saffron party would bring down prices of beef in Meghalaya if it comes to power after the 2018 Assembly polls. Marak is not alone. He has the support of a few more BJP members who feel they were not permitted to hold the beef festival even though the BJP had announced that there would be no restriction on beef consumption in the state. NPP chief Conrad Sangma, an ally of BJP, too has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi arguing against the new regulations. He said it will hurt the socio-cultural and economic milieu of millions. The BJP has been allaying people's fear that they will be spared the food-policing (thereby the lynching by gau rakshaks) unlike in the rest of India because the "reality in Northeast is very different"(where there is a majority Christian population). But that does not seem to be cutting much ice, especially after people have already been attacked and killed for allegedly stealing cow in Assam. According to Marak, Nalin Kohli, BJP's Meghalaya in-charge , bluntly refused them the permission for beef party. "I asked why. We are not Hindus, we are Christians and tribals. All tribes in Meghalaya eat beef. Their attempt is to impose Hindu culture on us, he was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. Marak also claims that the party's district units had worked hard to convince people that BJP is not a communal party but stands for progress and development. But when they issue notifications like this and refuse to let us celebrate according to our traditions and culture, they are acting on communal lines. Kohli, in his defence, said the party was already thinking of removing Marak from his party post for sabotage against the BJPs likely candidates for the Assembly polls". That Marak was using the beef issue for political mileage. We are here to win the elections, not give tickets in charity. Beef is not an issue in Meghalaya. There is no beef ban, he was quoted as saying in the same news report. Notwithstanding the politics within the party, the BJP now must make its stand clear on the issue of beef. Is the party going to impose a beef ban in the Northeast? If not, why is a beef party in Meghalaya still not palatable to BJP leaders? Also, if people in the Northeast can eat beef, why can't those in other parts of India (did anyone say political inclusiveness)? If it's a question of sentiments, it definitely can't be one-sided. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his German counterpart Angela Merkel meet reporters at a joint press conference in Berlin, Germany, June 1, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, visiting Western Europe, has held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, such an event between top leaders of the two countries being an annual feature since 2004. Premier Li then moved on to Brussels for the 19th meeting between Chinese and EU leaders, and though these meetings occur regularly, their timing is particularly apposite right now. It has become apparent that one of the key relations underpinning global stability, the US-China partnership, is in a process of reorientation, largely due to the unpredictable course steered in the first six months of President Donald Trump's administration. Following abandonment of support for the proposed Asia-Pacific trade agreement TPP, the Americans are now distancing themselves from the global climate change agreement reached in Paris in 2015 and signed by then President Barack Obama. Both these policy reversals have effectively left China in the lead on the respective issues, and will necessitate the formation of new coalitions to ensure a common approach on global trade and climate change. The Chinese Premier did not mince words. His speech placed the Sino-German relations firmly in the context of "global uncertainties, anti-globalization sentiment and rising protectionism in the world", an obvious reference to changing U.S. policies, adding that China and Germany should continue to promote trade liberalization and the creation of a propitious climate for investment, while safeguarding WTO rules. In this context, it was vital to send positive signals to the wider world that a framework for stability and mutually beneficial partnerships still existed. The American change of tack has certainly left China as the leading protagonist of trade and investment liberalization, and the Li-Merkel talks in Berlin demonstrated firm German support for this agenda. The two leaders did not, of course, limit themselves to the expression of good intentions. Practical results are keenly sought. These will come about by intensifying commercial exchanges, seeking for synergies between China's "Made in China 2025" strategy and its German counterpart "Industrie 4.0". Promising areas for cooperative projects were named as manufacturing, energy, aviation, innovation, education, tourism, and the furthering of bilateral cooperation between SMEs. It is clear that two of the world's most innovative industrial nations have great partnership potential. However, Germany, though a significant global player in her own right, is also valuable to China as the de facto leading light in the EU. Thus, it made sense to ensure a clear signal that Germany has responded positively to the Chinese approach, to set the scene for the wider meeting with EU leaders. And so, before Li left Berlin for Brussels, the two heads of government announced they would speed up talks on a comprehensive China-EU investment agreement, aimed at furthering the mutual market opening, promoting trade liberalization and the facilitation of investment. Indications are that, in the wake of the American disengagement on climate change, the EU leaders will join with China in reinforcing their commitment to the Paris agreement. This is a significant juncture not just for China but also for the EU. The European grouping is also in a state of transition, owing to the UK's decision last year to withdraw. The detailed negotiations over the withdrawal and the rewriting of various trade agreements will last for some time; however, for the moment, it is important for the EU to register some clear successes, in order to dissuade other member countries from following Britain's lead and possibly undermining EU survival. Chancellor Merkel was accordingly glad to secure a declaration of Chinese support for the European integration project, and a sign of solid progress on the trade and investment facilitation agreement can help to underpin that. A comprehensive EU-China free trade agreement has been under negotiation since 1984, it should be noted. This is therefore a good moment for China to elicit European support for some key aims, such as securing an airworthiness certificate for its new large passenger aircraft, the C919. It will also help to position China as a good partner with Europe in the run-up to next month's G20 meeting in Hamburg, Chancellor Merkel's birthplace. In Brussels, the plan is for Premier Li to co-chair the leaders' meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. He will also attend a China-EU business summit, a dialogue on cooperation in innovation, and a signing ceremony for cooperation agreements between Chinese and European SMEs, as well as other framework cooperation agreements. However, these don't represent the main significance of Li's visit; this will be the global repositioning of the main players in the global economy to redress the imbalances caused by the current unpredictability in the American leadership. Tim Collard is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/timcollard.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. When the going was good, presidents of the United States never really kept an eye on the bottom line. But now they have a bookkeeper called Donald Trump in the White House, who is insisting on meticulously counting the pennies that will go into a rabbit hole called climate deal. By also insisting that he will rewrite the ground rules so that the US alone is not bankrolling the fight against global warming Trump hopes to knock billions off the $20 trillion in national debt. The entire rationale being that an average US citizen worries more about the economy collapsing than about sea temperatures rising and coastal India getting flooded! This is not just about a demagogue who is sticking to his campaign rhetoric or about Trump trying to bolster his poor domestic ratings. Those who worry about the planet and other such mundane matters need to understand that Trump, like some fellow citizens, is not inclined to look beyond his neatly manicured lawn. So, for the moment US has decided to stop the world and get of. Climate can wait until Trump's tenure ends or he gets re-elected, whichever is the more palatable scenario after five years. If, in the meantime, the rich, especially the European nations, agree to share the burden of the poor equitably, well and good! What should worry some of us is that the United States is also the worlds second largest emitter of greenhouse gases; to that extent the US putting money into the international effort made perfect sense. But Trump's primary concern is that under the Paris accord the rich nations will be putting a fortune into the pockets of the poor under the guise of energy control, and that too without "as much as a thank you note". To Trump it matters that he has brought the shutters down on his predecessor Barack Obama's thriving business of national charity and devious plan to pawn the country's silver to fund a phantom agenda. Photo: Reuters Germany was more than infuriated by Trump's skewed reasoning and one newspaper lambasted the US president in a page one headline on June 2 that said: "Earth to Trump - f**k you!" That it may not be a cake walk for Trump in Europe was apparent when Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged "more decisive action than ever" to protect the climate after the pullout.Europe fears Trump's next port of call could be NATO the wartime treaty that the US president is threatening to scrap. In fact, the online joke on Friday was that Trump would be billing NATO for decades of Communist rule. China, the world's greatest polluter, predictably, tried to muddy the waters further and vowed that it will uphold the "hard-won" Paris accord. Incidentally, India has been singled out by Trump as one of the countries which is making emission curbs contingent on higher foreign aid. "The agreement is a massive redistribution of United States wealth to other countries... This agreement is less about the climate and more about other countries gaining a financial advantage," Trump lamented. If one were to go by the hullabaloo on internet, one would conclude that to Trump all this talk of global warming is mumbo-jumbo. Because the US president, who from all accounts has never read a book in his life, honestly believes that global warming is cyclical and can't be regulated; and that the best way to curb emissions is to plant more trees! That the leader of the free world will be sitting in the dugout with the likes of Syria and Nicaragua while India and China burn their fossil fuels matters little to a man who wants to make America great again! Politically, what indeed matters to Trump is that he has brought the shutters down on his predecessor Barack Obama's thriving business of national charity and devious plan to pawn the country's silver to fund a phantom agenda. Surprisingly, many in the US also share the perception that Obama was indeed funding a chimera: no wonder Trump's decision was hailed by online cheerleaders as an end of an elitist Ponzi scheme that was part of a larger carbon emission scam! Ironically, the US is tucking its feet under even as nearly 196 countries have decided to come together to prevent temperatures from going through the roof 2C more than pre-industrial era. "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris," was Trump's profound remark as he announced the pull out, oblivious to the fact that the steel hub of Pennsylvania had voted for Hillary Clinton, not him. But this was a statement symptomatic of a man who grew up as a kid in Queens and worked in Brooklyn that partially explains the outer-borough mindset: "Tough, resentful, puffed up and provincial." The incorrigible Trump could not resist taking potshots and pointing out that India and China have worse emission records; so why should the US oblige? "China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2021. And we are supposed to get rid of ours!" But he omitted that China also has many times the United States' population and that the latter is now a superpower with negligible responsibility. The online constituency of Trump supporters, carefully nurtured, cares two hoots for such "trivia" as global meltdown and carbon footprint. So, for them greenhouse emission is a lot of stuff and nonsense like the conspiratorial theories about the ever widening hole in the ozone layer. The anti-climate protagonist Trump, unlike the character Vitalstatistix, the chief of the Gaulish village, is convinced that the sky will not fall on the United States' heads even if the climate deal runs aground. IIT Madras - a beautiful lush campus thats got a peaceful aura of intellect. Ive literally grown up here, having done by schooling on this campus. And the picture it paints to many in Chennai is a complete contrast of whats been happening in the last few days. Academia trumps politics and debate trumps protest - so what transpired over the last one week that has sullied the name of this prestigious institute? Heres my account of the showdown on the IIT Madras campus. A PhD student and an MS student are languishing in hospital with serious injuries. So what happened that Tuesday noon in the Jain mess on the campus? Well, heres what Soorajs friends claim - Sooraj entered the Jain mess, Manish and eight of his friends cornered him over the beef fest that he organised and then went on to beat him up. Soorajs friends have been rather public about their account of that faceoff and have demanded that Manish and his friends be punished by the IIT administration. Many student organisations have backed Sooraj, saying the "right wing" has struck again. But heres my version of the event - Manish entered the Jain mess, saw Sooraj there and immediately confronted him over the beef fest. Things got ugly as the duo got into a verbal spat. Manish and Sooraj came to blows and both were left bleeding as the other students in the mess separated them. IIT Madras has issued a statement; the police have maintained that this was a scuffle involving two students, nothing more. Why then has this been blown out of proportion and highlighted as a left versus right battle? For those of you who will now level allegations of bias against me, maybe I am biased. I refuse to believe that a campus that was serene and boasts of some of the best minds of the country has turned into another institute filled with hate and violence. What's really happening is that these students have become a pawn for a larger political agenda on beef. Photo: India Today IIT Madras has always allowed its students to express their opinions freely and thats how a beef festival was even conducted on the campus! And in the last few days, several students have approached me just to set the record straight - that the campus has not been "ravaged" by protests or politics, the institute doesnt care about anybodys political leanings or beliefs. What's really happening is that these students have become a pawn for a larger political agenda on beef. The Centre's notification kicked off an altercation between two students, and one of them seems to be getting all the sympathy from political leaders. IITians too have said that all this is being done just for a few people to get some brownies points. But at what cost? The biggest fear that students now have is that this kind of mindless violence between two students could change the dynamics on the entire campus. Flash Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his German counterpart Angela Merkel meet reporters at a joint press conference in Berlin, Germany, June 1, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] China will continue to work steadfastly to implement the commitment of the Paris climate deal and join hands with all parties to tackle climate change, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told reporters on Thursday. In a joint press conference with his German counterpart Angela Merkel, Li said that China, a large developing country, should shoulder its international responsibilities to jointly address the challenge of climate change with other countries. Combating climate change is a global consensus, said Li, adding that "with tremendous efforts, China will move towards the 2030 goal step-by-step steadfastly." China has actively participated in promoting and the signing of the Paris Agreement, Li said, adding that China was also one of the first countries to submit the file of national plan on dealing with climate change to the United Nations. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 parties in Paris in 2015 and it went into effect in November last year. The pact sets a target of holding the global average rise in temperature below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 degree Celsius. So far, 147 parties representing more than 82 percent of greenhouse gas emissions have ratified the agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he has decided to pull the United States, one of the biggest greenhouse emitters in the world, out of the Paris Agreement. The Chinese premier is on a three-day official visit to Europe. He wrapped up his German trip and arrived in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium on Thursday afternoon. In Brussels, Li will co-chair the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and pay an official visit to Belgium. Flash Italian police have detained a suspect in the purse-snatching of a Chinese art student who died while chasing her assailants in Rome last year, local media reported Thursday. Serif Seferovic, aged 20, is also a suspect in a May 10 arson attack in Rome in which sisters Elisabeth, Francesca and Angelica Halilovic were burned to death. Two of the victims were children under ten years old. Seferovic was arrested in the northern city of Turin, where he was staying with relatives. He was turned in by his girlfriend, Italian news agency Ansa reported. On Dec. 9 last year, Italian police found the body of 20-year-old Zhang Yao in Rome's outlying Tor Sapienza district, where she had gone missing after going to the Immigration Office. Her remains showed injuries consistent with a violent impact. The Chinese student's flatmate, who declined to give her name, told investigators that Zhang called her soon after leaving the Immigration Office, saying she was in pursuit of three men, one of whom had snatched her bag. She chased them onto an access road to the nearby railway and then on to the rail-bed, where she was allegedly struck by a train. Zhang moved from China to Rome in March 2016 to study at the Fine Arts Academy in the Italian capital's historic central district. Flash Former FBI Director James Comey will testify in open hearing on Capitol Hill on June 8, the first time since he was suddenly fired by U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee announced Thursday. It's highly expected that Comey will testify whether Trump asked him to shut down the FBI probe into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. However, Comey will almost certainly not be able to discuss details of the ongoing FBI probe which is now overseen by a special counsel, according to local media reports. The Trump administration fired Comey in May, citing his handling of the Clinton email investigation during the 2016 U.S. elections. But Trump himself has repeatedly said that the Russia probe was on his mind when he removed Comey. Comey reportedly wrote in a memo that Trump asked him to shut down the FBI's probe into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who is also one of Trump's top aides during the campaign. Under huge pressure, U.S. Justice Department then appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the probe into the Trump campaign's relations with Russia. In response, Trump has repeatedly denied any collusions between his campaign and Russia. Flash Police officers secure the surroundings of Resorts World Manila after an attack in Pasay City, the Philippines, on June 2, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] At least 37 bodies, including that of a gunman, were found inside a Manila casino hotel that was set on fire by the attacker, the Philippine police said on Friday. The gunman killed himself hours after he stormed the Resorts World Manila and plunged the hotel into chaos around the midnight Thursday. Police said 54 others also sustained minor injuries in the melee. Philippine security officials ruled out terrorism, saying it was a case of a botched robbery by a "deranged" man. "Some of the bodies were found inside the casino on the second floor. Some of them were found inside the comfort room on the casino," Southern Police District chief Tomas Apolinario told CNN Philippines. He said they were still determining whether the dead were casino players or employees. Earlier report put the death toll at 34. None of the dead sustained gunshot wound, the police official said, adding that they died of suffocation. "I think the fire quickly spread because the suspect used either gasoline or kerosene to start the fire," he said. The gunman, who opened fire and burned part of the casino, apparently killed himself, according to the police. Based on initial report, Apolinario said the suspect sustained an "exit gunshot wound" in the head. "The way the body was found has rifle pointing at his chin, indicating he set himself on fire and he shot himself," he said. There were still areas that could not be accessed because of the toxic fumes, he said. "As far as danger and threat are concerned the building is already cleared," he said. He said the police "are conducting continued investigations into the incident and ascertain the identity of the suspect." "We are still investigating if he has accomplice in committing the crime but initial reports and evidence point that the suspect was alone," Apolinario said. Earlier on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa also dismissed the shooting in Resorts World Manila as a terror attack, saying the lone gunman who carried out the attack only tried to steal green chips from the casino. "It's too early to tell but so far as far as we are concerned there was no indication the IS-affiliated militants were behind the shooting," Dela Rosa said. "As far the PNP is concerned we cannot yet attribute this to terrorism. This is not an act of terrorism," he said. He said the gunman parked his car at the second floor of the building, started firing in the air and burned some tables before entering the storage room. "He was also carrying a liter of petrol in his backpack which he used to set tables on fire," Dela Rosa said. Resorts World Manila is an integrated resort located in Newport City opposite the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The attack came as the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte battled with militants in Marawi City in southern Philippines. Daily clashes continue to break out as militants linked to Islamic State attacked the city on May 23. RICHMOND A former chief at the Locust Creek Volunteer Fire Department in Louisa County has been found guilty of more than a dozen sex crimes, marking the second time in seven years he was convicted of charges in the case. A Hanover County jury last week recommended Eric Adam Grueninger, 49, serve eight life sentences plus an additional 80 years, said Robert Wood, an assistant Hanover commonwealths attorney. Thats the maximum possible punishment Grueninger could face, Wood said. The jury found Grueninger guilty on 14 charges, including rape, aggravated sexual battery, object sexual penetration and forcible sodomy. The charges involve a woman who was a juvenile at the time, Wood said. Of the 14 counts, 10 of them were original charges Grueninger was convicted of during a 2009 trial. Those 10 convictions were tossed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit last year because the court found Grueningers original attorney failed to suppress statements he made to police after he had asked for a lawyer. So prosecutors pursued the second trial last week on those 10 original charges plus an additional four charges involving the same victim, Wood said. Last weeks trial included testimony from the victim as well as other evidence. Grueninger will be sentenced on Sept. 13. His attorney, Miriam Airington, said she expected to file appeals in the case after the sentencing. Were going to be filing some post-trial motions, Airington said Friday. She declined to discuss the charges against her client. In early 2010, two months after his previous trial, Grueninger was ordered to serve 88 years in prison. Although the federal appellate court tossed out half of the 20 felony sex crime convictions from that earlier trial, the appellate court upheld his convictions on 10 child pornography charges. Those convictions, which remain in effect, resulted in a 14-year active sentence, Wood said. Kyle Marlett walked up to receive his diploma last Friday and stalled on stage when he didnt hear his twin brothers name announced. Given permission to graduate early, Dante Marlett was not present at Boyceville High Schools graduation ceremony because he had shipped out early to basic training for the Army National Guard just two days before the ceremony took place. The twin brothers mother, Jennifer Marlett, said Kyle didnt know what to do when his brothers name was not read after his own. Since they were young, they have done everything together ... gone through everything together, Marlett said. It really took away from him, took away from all of us. The Marletts had gone through all the proper procedures to ensure Dante would fulfill all graduation requirements before shipping out. The day after the family received notification from the Army National Guard about the early ship date, the family discussed all necessary steps with school administration during a phone conference. Marlett said after discussing all the necessary credits and final exams, she was ensured Dante would be included in graduation. Although Dantes name was not read during the diploma distribution portion of the ceremony, his name was included in the graduation program and senior slideshow. After the ceremony, Marlett approached principal Steve Glocke and asked him why her sons name was not announced. She said Glocke told her it is school policy to not announce names of students who are not present at the ceremony. Not satisfied with that response and despite attempts to find further answers, Marlett said she took to social media to share the familys experience. By Saturday evening, the post she created had more than 800 reactions and 350 comments. The community has given us so much support, Marlett said. And it has reached people all over the country. We have gotten supportive comments from people in Alaska and Hawaii. Marlett said she spoke with school board president Tim Sempf shortly after approaching Glocke after the ceremony, and he told her he was not aware of the policy and that it should and will be looked into. Marlett added that three other students who were not present at the ceremony also did not have their names read and was told that the families of those students did not come forward with their disappointment because they are concerned about retaliation. I am fighting for the fact that my son was left out, but every child should be recognized who goes through school, Marlett added. When asked if we could speak to Glocke, Superintendent Kevin Sipple refused and provided the following statement: We had three students who chose not to participate in our high school graduation ceremony this past Friday. In their absence, their names were in the graduation program and senior slide show, however, their names were not mentioned in the process of handing out the diplomas. We have followed this same practice with absent graduates the past 20 plus years. In hindsight, there should have been a conversation between the three students involved, their parents and the building principal about how the honoring of the students would take place during the graduation ceremony. At this point, I am not clear that this conversation to clarify the student and parent wishes took place. There is currently no board policy that would have prevented these students names from having been read at the graduation ceremony. Moving forward, the Board of Education may consider a procedure that clearly defines how we will honor all eligible graduates at our graduation ceremony regardless of their attendance at the ceremony itself. We want to apologize to the three students, their families and their friends regarding the clarity of communication on our part. As of Friday morning, school president Sempf has not responded to The News attempts to reach him for comment. Evangelical author and pastor Jim Wallis has referred to slavery as America's "original sin." That is a powerful reference, fraught with significance. The Old Testament notion of original sin is representative and collective; the sinful choice of the first humans condemned all humans to sinfulness and separation from God. To continue the analogy, if slavery is America's original sin, then anyone who participated in it or who has profited from it is tainted by it. All Americans, by extension, would bear guilt. Some version of that argument is often among the justifications for reparations. While the debate about reparations continues to simmer quietly, questions about how to address the history of slavery in the United States remain at the forefront of public conversations. Specifically, how should we remember the notable people in our past who directly participated in slavery, defended the system in which it thrived, or were less vocal about its abolition than we think they ought to have been? Recent events in New Orleans demonstrate the complex moral calculus in reconciling the preservation of history with the desire to take a public position on historical events. Last week, the city of New Orleans removed the last of four monuments that traced their history to the Confederacy. An obelisk commemorating the Battle of Liberty Place was removed on April 24 of this year. Statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Confederate Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard were taken down on May 11 and May 17, respectively. The statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, for whom New Orleans' Lee Circle was named, was taken down on May 19. The decision to remove these monuments was made by the New Orleans City Council, at the urging of its present mayor, Mitch Landrieu, who has spoken out forcefully and repeatedly in favor of the decision. In an address given on the day that Lee's statue was removed, Landrieu characterized the figures as commemorating "a lost cause," the rewriting of history, and the hiding of the truth. A complete description of Davis, Beauregard and Lee is well beyond the scope of this piece. Suffice it to say that it is a gross oversimplification to associate them only with the Confederacy or the Civil War. Beauregard and Lee, for example, both served the United States honorably in the Mexican-American War. Lee had opposed secession and originally sought a commission in the Union Army. Are they to be defined exclusively by their relationship to the Confederacy? Nor is this a statement unique to the individuals commemorated by the removed statues. Landrieu has said that these men don't belong on pedestals. What is harder to determine is who does. Our first president, George Washington, was a slaveholder, as were presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Andrew Johnson and (former Union general) Ulysses S. Grant. Other founders, like Benjamin Franklin and Patrick Henry, also owned slaves. Must every statue of these men come down? What about the cities, streets, schools and other institutions named for them? Mount Rushmore? If statues of persons who defended or participated in a system with slavery should be removed, then what of the buildings built by slaves? According to numerous sources, slave labor was used to build the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and Jefferson's historic home, Monticello. Countless other structures in this country were built in whole or in part by slaves. Should all these structures be destroyed? And as loathsome as slavery was (and is), it's problematic to single it out. There is virtually nothing in America's history or that of any other human institution that did not have its dark side. The Westward Expansion created the nation we now know but dealt a heavy blow to Native American tribes. Immigration created incredible opportunities, but many immigrants languished in abject poverty. The Industrial Revolution brought progress and liberation from mindless toil but contributed to the creation of slums, despicable work conditions and pollution. Which champions of knowledge, expansion, innovation or industrialization still merit recognition? The moral calculus of history's preservation is complex because human beings themselves are. Circumstances change, and perceptions change with them. Even today we have a tendency to overlook the moral failings of political and social leaders when the perception is that those shortcomings are outweighed by better attributes. Are we wrong to do so? Should we remove the tributes around the world to John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower or Martin Luther King Jr. because they reputedly were unfaithful to their wives? If the standard is perfection, then none will be found worthy. We are assured that our history will not be lost. On the day that the statue of Robert E. Lee was removed, Mayor Landrieu said, "There is a difference between the remembrance of history and the reverence of it." Absolutely true. But even remembrance requires effort and artifact. How much of either will be permitted? Laura Hollis is a Creators Syndicate columnist and a teacher of business law and entrepreneurship who holds faculty appointments at the Mendoza College of Business and the Law School at the University of Notre Dame. Irans foreign minister has acknowledged for the first time that his country has supplied Russia with drones, insisting the transfer came before Moscows war on Ukraine. The comments on Saturday by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian come after months of confusing messaging from Iran about the weapons shipment, as Russia sends the drones slamming into Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian targets. Previously Iranian officials had denied arming Russia in its war on Ukraine. Even so, Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has vaguely boasted of providing drones to the worlds top powers. Amirabdollahian told reporters: We gave a limited number of drones to Russia months before the Ukraine war." He said Iran remained committed to stopping the conflict. New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his Civil Aviation counterpart Ashok Gajapathi Raju today discussed the future course for debt-ridden Air India, with senior officials indicating that a decision on privatisation will be taken within three months. The meeting assumes significance with Jaitley pitching for disinvestment of Air India and government think tank NITI Aayog submitting its recommendations on making the carrier strong and viable. "All options are being considered and the main objective is to make Air India a strong and viable entity," Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said after the meeting. The meeting between the ministers was attended by senior officials of both the ministries as well as Air India. Staying afloat on little over Rs 30,000 crore bail-out package extended by the previous UPA regime, Air India is saddled with nearly Rs 50,000 crore debt and is in discussions with lenders on ways to restructure the loans. Earlier in the day, Jaitley said the civil aviation ministry has to explore various options for Air India on the basis of recommendations made by the NITI Aayog. "We have received the recommendations from NITI Aayog and we are examining it. At this stage, we are considering all options and we cannot say as to what will be the final decision. "It will possibly take about three months to decide broadly how to proceed, which way to go, and so on," Choubey told reporters. However, he did not disclose details about the NITI Aayog recommendations. Since the merger of Indian Airlines with itself, Air India has been in the red. However, it posted an operational profit of Rs 105 crore on account of low fuel prices and increased passenger numbers in 2015-16. A senior official said Air India has been bleeding due to huge debt overhang and if a solution can be reached on restructuring the debt that would be helpful. "Debt restructuring would be one important component of the process," the official said, adding that Air India has been talking to banks for the last 4 -5 months. On Wednesday, a top government official said the Cabinet is expected to take a decision on whether to privatise Air India, whose financial situation is "very bad". Last week, Jaitley pitched for Air India's disinvestment saying the carrier's market share is just around 14 per cent whereas the debt burden is Rs 50,000 crore. While discussions have gained momentum on the way forward for the ailing airline, the CBI has registered three FIRs and a preliminary enquiry (PE) to go into the controversial decisions made by the erstwhile UPA government with regard to Air India, including surrender of profitable routes to favour private carriers. Mumbai: NSE Vice Chairman Ravi Narain had put in his papers amid regulators intensifying their probe into alleged lapses in high-frequency trading offered through the exchange's 'co-location' facility. The role of some top officials including Narain, who is also an ex-CEO of the bourse, is also being looked into by markets regulator Sebi. Sources said Narain stepped down as Vice Chairman to ensure that Sebi is able to take appropriate steps in the co- location case in a fair manner. He has taken the decision keeping in mind best corporate governance practices, they added. The Finance Ministry is also keeping a "close watch" on the case and wants Sebi to fast-track the investigations as it involves the country's largest stock exchange in terms of turnover and may have a bearing on the overall market sentiment, sources had earlier said. Mumbai: Debt-laden Reliance Communications today said its lenders have agreed to a strategic restructuring plan under which it will get a 7-month standstill to service loans amounting to Rs 45,000 crore. In a damage control mode following credit rating downgrades, RCom chairman Anil Ambani held a press conference to announce that the debt burden will be reduced to Rs 20,000 crore with two deals by September, before the December deadline given by the lenders at a meeting with them earlier in the day. Besides, he said, RCom will consider strategic sale of global business to further pare debt. "Our plans have been accepted by the lenders and they have constituted a joint lender forum (JLF). Reliance Communications, under the provision (SDR), will receive a standstill on serving debt obligations for period of 7 months, that is, till December 2017," Ambani told reporters here. He said lenders took note of the substantial progress the company has made on the strategic transformation programme, especially the creation of the new, independent wireless company, Aircom, focussed on India, the agreements signed with Aircel and also the Reliance Infratel stake sale to Brookefield of Canada. "Both the transactions, we believe, will lead to a reduction of Rs 25,000 crore of debt, which is 60 per cent by just two transactions," he said. He said both the domestic as well foreign lenders have accepted the company's plans. When asked about the remaining debt of RS 20,000 crore, Ambani said the company will look at strategic sale of its global business. Company said market continues to remain weak and the demand has still not picked up. New Delhi: Home-grown auto major Tata Motors today reported a 4.39 per cent decline in total sales in May at 38,361 units compared to 40,123 units in the same month last year. Domestic sales of Tata Motors' commercial and passenger vehicles declined by 3.45 per cent to 34,461 units last month as compared to 35,695 units in May 2016, Tata Motors said in a statement. Sales of passenger vehicles in the domestic market grew 27 per cent to 10,855 units last month. This was due to continued strong demand for the Tata Tiago, the Tata Tigor and the Tata Hexa. In the commercial vehicles segment, the company's domestic sales were down 13 per cent at 23,606 units last month, the auto major said. The company said market continues to remain weak and the demand has still not picked up. There are early signs of retails of BS4 vehicles but it has still been slow. Overall sales of Tata Motors' MHCV trucks were at 6,522 units in May 2017, a decline of 40 per cent over May 2016 base. "The sale in MHCV was affected primarily due to severe global supply constraints of Fuel Injection Pumps for BS4 engines," the company said. ILCV trucks sales were 12 per cent down at 2,368 units last month compared to 2,697 units sold last year in May, impacted by late supplies of fuel injector systems. "These issues are expected to be resolved on short notice with full capacity available as of July 2017," Tata Motors said. Sale of small cargo vehicles (SCV) were up 10 per cent at 10,572 units as against 9,645 units in May 2016. "On the SCV and Pick-up segments, there is a strong sales recovery with full availability of BS4 products and good market response to new variants like Xenon Yodha and Ace Mega," the company said. The company's sales from exports declined 12 per cent at 3,900 units last month compared to 4,428 vehicles in May 2016. The company said exports have been impacted in April and May due to retail drop of SCV in Sri Lanka after steep increase in import tariffs in late 2016, as well as fall in Nepal demand in the build-up to their elections. Russia signed an agreement with the Indian government on Thursday to build two new reactors for the Kudankulam nuclear power station in Tamil Nadu and said it would loan India $4.2 billion to help fund construction. President Vladimir Putin says Russia is ready to build a dozen nuclear reactors in India over the next 20 years to back Prime Minister Narendra Modi's growth strategy for Asia's third-largest economy, which continues to suffer chronic power shortages. The agreement to build reactors 5 and 6 at Kudankulam was signed in St Petersburg during a meeting between Putin and Modi at an economic forum. It should help cement already close ties between the two countries. Atomstroyexport, a unit of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, will carry out the work, Kremlin documents seen by Reuters showed. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told reporters the Russian government was lending India $4.2 billion from next year for a 10-year period to help cover construction costs. Separately, in a joint declaration, the two countries said they noted the "wider use of natural gas" which they hailed as an economically efficient and environmentally friendly fuel that would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help them fulfil the terms of the Paris climate change accord. The downgrade adds to warnings about China's reliance on credit to propel growth after the 2008 global crisis. Beijing: The Moody's ratings agency on Wednesday cut China's credit rating due to surging debt, prompting a protest by Beijing and highlighting challenges faced by communist leaders as they overhaul a slowing economy. The downgrade adds to warnings about China's reliance on credit to propel growth after the 2008 global crisis. Private sector analysts say it could drag on the economy or threaten the health of the state-owned banking industry. Moody's Investors Service cut Beijing's long-term local currency and foreign currency issuer ratings by one notch to A1 from Aa3. It said China's financial strength is likely to erode as growth slows and debt will rise further. "We expect direct government, indirect and economy-wide debt to continue to rise, signaling an erosion of China's credit profile," said a Moody's statement. The Chinese finance ministry criticized the decision. It complained Moody's overestimated difficulties facing the world's second-largest economy and underestimated Beijing's industrial reform and financial strength. Estimates of China's total non government debt have risen from the equivalent of 170 per cent of annual economic output in 2007 to 260 per cent last year. Communist leaders have cited reducing financial risk as a priority this year. They have launched initiatives to reduce debts owed by state companies, including by allowing banks to accept stock to repay loans. But private sector analysts say they are moving too slowly. The Moody's announcement triggered a sell-off in Chinese stocks. The country's market benchmark, the Shanghai Composite Index, declined 0.6 per cent by midday. A finance ministry statement accused Moody's of using "inappropriate methods" that it said gave a false picture of China's financial outlook. The ministry complained Moody's failed to give enough weight to economic reforms. The government is trying to make the economy more productive by giving market forces a bigger role and "supply side reform," or shrinking bloated industries such as steel and cement in which supply exceeds demand, which has depressed prices and led to financial losses. "It overestimates the difficulties facing the Chinese economy and underestimates the government's ability to deepen supply side structural reform and appropriately expand overall demand," the ministry said. Chinese economic growth fell from 14.2 per cent in 2007 to 6.7 per cent last year, though that still was among the world's strongest. The finance ministry noted the growth rate ticked up to 6.9 per cent in the quarter ending in March and said tax revenue rose 11.8 per cent in the first four months of the year. Beijing is trying to steer the economy to slower, more sustainable growth based on domestic consumption instead of investment and exports. But growth has repeatedly dipped faster than planners wanted, raising the risk of politically dangerous job losses. Beijing has responded by flooding the economy with credit. "The planned reform program is likely to slow, but not prevent, the rise in leverage," Moody's said. "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. Such stimulus will contribute to rising debt across the economy as a whole." The agency changed its outlook to stable from negative, saying risks are now balanced and growth will likely remain relatively strong. Moody's expects economic growth to decline to close to 5 percent over the next five years. Hyderabad: Alphabets Google is likely to face the wrath of EU antitrust regulator for favouring its shopping service before August, two people familiar with the matter told The Independent The case, which has been under investigation for seven years, would also lay the groundwork for two other cases involving US firms. Triggered by scores of complaints from both US and European rivals, the European Commission ordered the investigation. In April 2015, the EU competition authority acussed Google of distorting internet search results to favour its own shopping service. While neither party commented on the issue, Google has in the past rejected the charges, saying that regulators ignored competition from Amazon and eBay. Companies found guilty of breaching the EU antitrust rules can be fined upto 10 per cent of their global turnover, which in Googles case could be about $9 billion of its 2016 turnover. Apart from the fine, the European Commission will tell Google to stop its alleged anti-competitive practices but it is not clear what measures it will order the company to adopt to ensure that rivals get equal treatment in internet shopping results. The pictures that Priyanka Chopra had posted on Instagram. Mumbai: Priyanka Chopras recent trip to the German city of Berlin for the promotions of her Hollywood debut Baywatch landed her in not one, but two controversies. Priyanka was trolled for wearing a short dress while meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The actress, however, shot off the moral police with a sassy 'legs for days' post along with mother. While the first controversy was completely unjustified and blown out of proportion, Priyanka is now being slammed for clicking selfies at the Holocaust Memorial, created in memory of 6 million Jews killed and buried in mass graves during Hitler's rule. The actress had clicked selfies with her brother Siddharth at the memorial and posted them on Instagram as a story, captioning them, 'Holocaust Memorial #Berlin" and "sidharthchopra89 and I being tourists. There is such an eerie silence here.' Twitter went berserk over the actress selfies, with users calling her 'insensitive crazy', asking if it was 'respectable', calling it an 'attention-seeking stunt' and much more. Is it respectable for @priyankachopra to be taking selfies at the #Holocaust Memorial? pic.twitter.com/BKPpJOAsE7 Sara Muzzammil (@SaraMuzzammil) May 30, 2017 Why is it okay for @priyankachopra to take selfies at the #Berlin #holocaust #memorial? She isn't striking yoga poses & all that but really? Monpasha (@moomeep) May 30, 2017 Taking selfies at the Holocaust Memorial sounds like EXACTLY something @priyankachopra would do tbh. sparkling diamond (@sashemjay) May 31, 2017 @priyankachopra I used to think of you as a sensible person till I saw your posted selfies at holocaust memorial Vakul Garg (@vakulgarg) May 30, 2017 Priyanka Chopra took selfies at the Holocaust memorial.. is this a another attention seeking stunt ??? Shouldn't have done that .. sahil (new acc ) (@DeepikasWarrior) May 31, 2017 Oh lord. Did Priyanka Chopra really take a selfie at the holocaust memorial? What sort of an insensitive crazy person does that? Nupur (@UnSubtleDesi) June 1, 2017 Following the uproar, Priyanka later deleted the pictures. Priyanka had previously also courted controversy for the caption on her T-shirt with 'refugee,' 'immigrant' and 'outsider' struck out in favour of 'traveler,' on a magazine cover. Mumbai: IIFA 2017 will be yet more special for Katrina Kaif, as, other than the fact that it's happening at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York, the event will be aired on July 16, on her birthday. An excited Katrina, at the IIFA 2017 press conference that happened here yesterday, said, "I am excited that this year, it is happening in one of my favourite cities - New York. It's airing on my birthday, done specially for me." Salman Khan, who also attended the press meet, added, "That's how the organizers worked up the days. It will be on July 14 and 15 and will be aired on her birthday. The dates, initially were 11, 12 and 13, which did not make any sense," and joked, "It's national holiday, its Katrina Kaif's birthday and now that we will be in New York, the city is going to stand still." To which the host of the event asked, "basically the whole globe is going to celebrate your birthday, Katrina." "I am hoping. That's kind of the plan," she replied. Salman Khan jumped in with a smirk on his face, "Invite me!" Now that's really cute! The 'Baar Baar Dekho' actress will turn 34 this year, on July 16. On the work front, the 'Dabangg' Khan and his former girlfriend Katrina will be soon seen together in Ali Abbas Zafar movie 'Tiger Zinda Hai.' Mumbai: Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon starrer Raabta is one of those albums in which all songs are completely different from each other. After Deepika Padukones club number Raabta raised temperatures soaring, the album was compelted by the Punjabi number Sadda Move, sad song 'Lambiyaan Si Judaiyaan,' and Main Tera Boyfriend showing the leads in their sultry best. The new song from the film, Darasal; also captures the couples moments in Budapest, just like one of the previous songs Ik Vaari Aa, but the latter seemed more like a break-up song. Darasal is the song where the chemistry between the leads actually shines as they get intimate, pull pranks on each other, sing, dance and look very much in love, like they are rumoured to be in real life too. The song has been composed by Jam 8, a project initiated by the composer of the film, Pritam, to back new talent. The song might just remind you of Pehli Nazar Mein, another collaboration between Pritam and Atif Aslalm. The lyrics have been penned by Irshad Kamil. Raabta directed by Dinesh Vijan is gearing up for release on June 9. Watch the song here: Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?" wrote John Keats, in the Letters of John Keats. And it was with a "world of pains and troubles" that Naina Maithani Kulkarni wandered down the Central Vietnam Hoi An, where local artists came to work and display their art. She spent her days sifting through local art, hoping to find something that resonated with her soul. One day, out of the blue, she did. In a beautiful, old Chinese-style house, replete with lanterns and wooden floors, Tran Viet Son, a local artist, stood quietly before his canvas, hard at work. The abstract quality to his work caught Kulkarni's eye at once and she wandered in for a chat, hoping she had found a new teacher. "He told me he couldn't teach me anything, but that he would love to see me paint," said Kulkarni. The 2009 economic downturn had taken with it Kulkarni's dreams of a career in finance. "I spent four months wondering what I wanted to do with my life, for I was quite sure of one thing it wasn't finance!" Instead, she found her way to the prestigious Vadehra Art Gallery in Delhi, where she found a job as its manager. "They stocked only the masters - Husain, Raza, Souza. I spent my time learning about them and their work." Raza's abstracts left a profound impression on Kulkarni, which went on to shape her experiences in Vietnam, where she moved to be with her husband, a pastry chef. Thus, it was in Vietnam's Hoi An that she first tried her hand at painting, attempting to capture a sunset. "I couldn't do it," she said. "Abstracts, I felt, gave me more freedom as an artist." Contemporary art in Vietnam, she said, was dominated by landscapes, with artists drawing from their immediate natural surroundings. "When he noticed my discomfort, Son told me to do what appealed to me." She returned to the gallery each day, painting and rounding things off over a cup of tea with Tran Viet Son. "He sold my first painting, for $150! After that, I kept painting and he kept selling!" She returned to India with her husband but breaking into the art world presented a fresh challenge for an artist without training or backing of any kind. "It was my husband who pushed me to it," Kulkarni smiled. When her painting, Plumes, found notable success at an auction in Bengaluru, she found just the push she needed. Reminiscences appear to play a significant role in Mountain Musings, for guests will also be served a glass of juice made from the buraansh flower, a specimen of rhododendron found in Dehradun. Her show at Sublime Galleria, Mountain Musings, is a return to her childhood in Dehradun Growing up, I never observed the beauty of my surroundings, or the magic of the mountains around me, she said. Life in the hills is a simple, we dont have much, but we make it work. I wanted to return to that simplicity." Reminiscences appear to play a significant role in Mountain Musings, for guests will also be served a glass of juice made from the buraansh flower, a specimen of rhododendron found in Dehradun. Local legend has it that a young woman, who had been married off to a family from another village in the hills, was allowed to return to her hometown for a day to see her dying father. She spends her night at home dreading her return and in the morning, the beautiful young woman, unable to bear her sorrows, collapsed and died. According to legend, the buraansh flower bloomed where she died. I can relate to her story in so many ways, it inspired one of the paintings in the series as well. According to legend, the buraansh flower bloomed where she died. I can relate to her story in so many ways, it inspired one of the paintings in the series as well. Kulkarni, who learned, through her guru, Son, that beauty must be shared, simply hopes that people find some peace in her canvases. We have all felt pain and longing and love. We all have scars. I hope that, by returning to a time of simplicity through my art, I can help people find some measure of peace, just like I did. What: Mountain Musings When: June 2 onwards Where: Sublime Galleria, The Sky Bridge, 8th Floor, The Collection, UB City, Vittal Mallya Road WHO recommends that women exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of their babys life. (Photo: AFP) Women who breastfeed their babies for the recommended six months may also be lowering their own risk of developing endometrial cancer, a new study suggests. In the analysis of data from 17 past studies, researchers found that women who had ever breastfed their children were 11% less likely than women who had children but didnt breastfeed to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Longer breastfeeding seemed to further lower endometrial cancer risk, though there was little extra benefit past 6-9 months of breastfeeding, the study team reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Cancer of the uterus is becoming more common and we need to try to prevent it, said lead author Susan Jordan of the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia. Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in high-income countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The more women know about the things they can do to reduce their risks of future cancer diagnoses, the better, Jordan said by email. Although this piece of evidence by itself may not convince women to breastfeed, it contributes to the overall picture of health gains that can come from breastfeeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that women exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of their babys life, then continue breastfeeding even after beginning to introduce solid foods. The researchers analysed pooled data from studies participating in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium, including 10 from the United States and others from Canada, Europe, China and Australia. They looked at more than 26,000 women who had ever had a child, whether they breastfed, and for how long. This included about 9,000 women with endometrial cancer. After accounting for other factors that can influence endometrial cancer risk, including age, race, education, oral contraceptive use, menopausal status, years since last pregnancy and body mass index (BMI), researchers found the apparent protective effect of breastfeeding remained. Notably, the risk reduction linked to breastfeeding was 28% among women born after 1950, but negligible among those born before 1950, which may reflect differences in breastfeeding practices, they study authors note. In the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, for example, breastfeeding rates were much lower than in recent decades, the authors note. The study doesnt prove that breastfeeding helps to protect against endometrial cancer, but its plausible, the authors write, because the growth of this type of cancer is stimulated by estrogen, which is suppressed during breastfeeding. The message is not only relevant for women making decisions about breastfeeding but also for society to understand the benefits so we can support women to breastfeed for reasonably long periods of time, Jordan told Reuters Health. However, its not always possible for women to breastfeed, so it should also be noted that just because a woman chooses not to or cant breastfeed, it doesnt mean shell go on to develop cancer. Breastfeeding seems to significantly reduce the risk, but further studies originating in other countries are required to assess the association, said Lianlian Wang of The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University in Shenyang, China, who was not involved with the study. For instance, the most recent endometrial cancer report produced by the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research in 2013 classified the evidence for a benefit from breastfeeding as limited-no conclusion. Jordan and colleagues are working with international collaborators to investigate the effects of breastfeeding on ovarian cancer risk. Theyre also researching other factors that may influence the risk of endometrial cancer, including specific medications. Breastfeeding has consistently been found to be associated with reduced risk of breast cancer, Jordan pointed out. This provides evidence of another long-term health benefit for women who breastfeed for more than six months. The size of Ibtisam's head made it difficult for him to sleep with eyes closed. (Photo: Youcaring) A kind stranger paid for a Pakistani baby with an enlarged head to fly to the United States so he could receive life-saving treatment. Months after his birth, 20-month-old Ibtisam Faisal developed hydrocephalus - a defect causing his skull to swell to 73cm, according to the Daily Mail. It is believed that he became infected with a form of meningitis when he was just a few months old. The delay in receiving treatment led to the swelling. The size of Ibtisam's head made it difficult for him to sleep with his eyes closed, or move freely and he had to be confined to his bed. Doctors diagnosed him with craniosynostosis - a condition where parts of his skull is fused in the womb, causing a misshapen head. In August last year, doctors warned his family that the child's only chance of survival was treatment abroad. After months of campaigning for help, an anonymous caller who became aware of his case offered to fly Ibtisam and his mother in March to a leading surgeon in Dallas and pay for the surgery. Ibtisam has since undergone two successful brain surgeries, which has reduced the size of his to 61cm. With more operations scheduled in the coming months, experts are hopeful he will be able to sit up and enjoy a normal childhood. According to the police, Harish was found murdered near Heelalige village gate at around 11.15 pm. The assailants had attacked him while he was going home on a bike. Bengaluru: In yet another killing of a BJP worker in Anekal taluk, the vice president of BJPs SC/ST morcha of Anekal block was found murdered in Attibele on the city outskirts late Wednesday. The police suspect an old rivalry could be the reason for the crime, as few days ago the victim had a fight with another person over an issue. The deceased has been identified as Harish, 38, a resident of Heelalige village in Attibele of Anekal taluk. According to the police, Harish was found murdered near Heelalige village gate at around 11.15 pm. The assailants had attacked him while he was going home on a bike. They threw chilli powder on his face and then stabbed him over 10 times with a dagger. They also smashed his head using a hollow block. On Wednesday, Harish had distributed invitation cards of his relatives wedding and gone to Bengaluru to purchase new clothes. He returned home around 8.45 pm and had again gone out. While returning home, the murder took place. His brother Jagadish, had state in his complaint that Harish had scolded three brothers over fishing in a lake in the village, 3-4 days ago. He has alleged that the brothers - Rajesh, Sandeep and Santosh - were nursing a grudge against Harish over the issue. They killed him with the help of their associates Kishore, Karthik and others, the police said. Following the incident, the relatives and supporters of Harish set the house of the alleged accused brothers on fire. They also vandalised the house of other accused. The police deployed additional staff in the village to contain the situation. The Suryanagar police have registered a murder case. Third in a year In the last one year this is the third such incident of murder of BJP activist in Anekal taluk. In June 2016, Ashwath, the vice-president of Nergi Gram Panchayat, was murdered in Sarjapura police station limits. On March 13, BJP member of Bommasandra Town Municipal Council and Dalit leader, Srinivas Prasad alias Kithaganahalli Vasu was hacked to death. Arrested Accused tries to flee, shot at by police In a swift operation, the police managed to arrest the main accused in the case, Rajesh alias Raju. Sources said that he was arrested around 4 pm near Anekal. When the police questioned him about the other absconding accused, he told the police that he was supposed to meet his associates Subhash and Karthik near an eucalyptus grove at Muthyala Maduvu falls near Anekal, from where they had planned to escape to Tamil Nadu. Based on his revelation, a police team took him near the falls around 9.15 pm. Meanwhile, Anekal sub inspector Hemanth Kumar reportedly accidentally slipped. Taking advantage, Rajesh allegedly rolled the handcuff chain around the PSIs neck. Though the police tried to overpower him, he allegedly again started tightening the chain against the PSIs neck. In self defence, DySP Bengaluru Rural sub division S.K. Umesh fired a warning shot, but it did not deter the accused. Later, he shot a bullet in his left thigh and rescued the PSI. The accused has been admitted to Victoria Hospital. Jalpaiguri (WB): BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has demanded a CBI probe into the child trafficking case in north Bengal to find out the real culprits. The party's women's wing leader Juhi Chowdhury and several others were arrested by the CID in connection with the child trafficking case in North Bengal in March. "The West Bengal government will have to prove links of BJP leaders in the case. If they cannot, it will be clear that the Trinamool government is lodging false cases against party leaders to tarnish their image," Vijayvargiya told reporters here yesterday. "For a fair probe a CBI investigation is necessary," he said. Chowdury was removed from from the post of the secretary of the BJP's women's wing in the state. Her father, Rabindranath Chowdhury, member of the party's state committee, was also removed from his post. Vijayvargiya alleged that the family members of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had acquired a large amount property and said that he would provide proof of it in future. He claimed that the state government was playing votebank politics and using police for that purpose. Vijayvargiya also listed the achievements of the BJP-led NDA government, which is celebrating its third anniversary, like launching Jan Dhan Yojona and Mudra bank. Coimbatore: Four persons, including a minor girl, were trampled to death and two others injured by an elephant at Vellalore area in the outskirts of the city on Friday. The 12-year-old girl was sleeping in the veranda of her house when the elephant, which strayed into human habitations some days ago from nearby Madukkarai forests, trampled her to death at around 3:30 am, police said. The pachyderm then moved away from the area and attacked and grievously injured three more persons, including two women. They were rushed to the government hospital in Coimbatore, but did not respond to treatment and passed away, police said. The injured persons have been hospitalised. Forest department officials said they are taking efforts to drive away the pachyderm into the forest by bringing in 'kumkis' (tamed elephants) and also trying to tranquilise it and urged people not to venture out of their homes. Bengaluru: Seeking permanent solution to their water woes, thousands of farmers from four districts held bike rally and staged protest at Rani Circle in Devanahalli, after they were not let to enter the city. Over 5,000 farmers from Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru and Chitradurga had organised bike rally to Bengaluru, to urge the government to fulfill their long pending demands related to irrigation and drinking water. As the city had crippled during the last years protest by farmers after they brought hundreds of tractors to the city, the police had made heavy deployment at Rani Circle in Devanahalli to stop the agitating farmers from entering the city. This led to a clash between the leaders of the pro-farmer outfits and police officials. Both engaged in heated argument while the agitators shouted slogans against the state government and the police. Kodihalli Chandrashekhar, President of Karnataka Rajya Raita Sanga and Hasiru Sene, who led the protest, expressed his anger on the governments stand to suppress the protest. What will happen if farmers enter Vidhana Soudha? Is Vidhana Soudha the property of the government? Every time when we protest, the government has acted to suppress it but has not done anything to address our issues, he alleged. As the police did not let the farmers enter the city, the agitators demanded that a representative from the government should come to the spot and assure them of addressing their issues. More than an hour later, Minister for Agriculture Krishna Byregowda went to the spot. He addressed the agitators and said the government was doing its best to solve the problems faced by farmers. He also assured the farmers that the government will look into the problems faced by the agitators. But the protesters were not convinced and shouted slogans against him, and he had to leave the place. The police detained thousands farmers and they were released around 9 pm. Chandrashekehar told Deccan Chronicle that the farmer organisations would again discuss the issue and decide the future course of action. According to the study, Karnataka with 24 contaminated sites stands fourth in the country, behind Odisha (31), West Bengal (36) and Uttar Pradesh (41). There are 320 contaminated sites in the country (Representational image) Bengaluru: The Bommanahalli Industrial area in city is one of most polluted places in the country, according to a study commissioned by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. Bommasandra and Jigani industrial areas in East Bengaluru are also among the most polluted areas in the city. There are a number of industries that have contributed to air, ground and water pollution in the area. There are a number of stone cutting and polishing units, which spew stone dust and stone waste is dumped in vacant lands. According to the study Karnataka with 24 contaminated sites stood fourth in the country, behind Odisha (31), West Bengal (36) and Uttar Pradesh (41). There are 320 contaminated sites in the country. The study defined contaminated area as places where the constituents and characteristics of the toxic and hazardous substances, caused by humans, exist at levels and in conditions which pose existing or imminent threats to human health and/or the environment. The report, funded by the World Bank, is prepared by a consortium consisting of consulting group COWI as lead partner in association with voluntary organization KADAM, with engineering firms Witteveen+Bos and Tauw as sub-consultants. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has confirmed the nine of the 24 sites were contaminated, and is examining the remaining 15. As for Bommasandra Industrial Area, KSPCB officials admitted that there was contamination of electroplating waste, with stone polishing slurry, but was only one per cent. KSPCB said the waste would be dried and sent to TSDF (Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility) in Bengaluru. Patna: A year after Bihar state board Class XII Arts topper Ruby Rai was arrested, Patna police today nabbed this year's topper in the stream, Ganesh Kumar, on charge of forgery of documents. He was arrested from the Bihar School Examination Board office on a complaint filed by the board alleging that he took the examination on forged documents, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police, Manu Maharaj, told PTI tonight. BSEB Chairman, Anand Kishore said Kumar was called at the office for questioning after reports of him submitting forged documents. He was handed over to the police after it was found that his documents were not in order. The state's board examination result and its toppers were mired in controversies last years too. After the last year's results were announced, Class XII topper Ruby Rai hit the headlines when she said she had studied 'prodigal science'-- rather than political science -- and that the subject was about cooking. A whopping 64 per cent of students have failed to clear the board exams this year. Several science stream students told the media they appeared in JEE Advance, conducted for admission into IITs, but scored as low as 1, 2 or 4 in subjects like physics and maths in the board exams. CHENNAI: In the absence of DMK president M. Karunanidhi for his 94th birthday function, the celebrations on June 3 will set the stage for party working president M.K. Stalin to hog the limelight at the national political scenario as a key leader of an emerging national alliance. The 64-year-old leader, who was in the shadow of his father for a long time, will take the centrestage in the diamond jubilee of Karunanidhis Assembly entry along with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury. Though, Stalin has shared the dais with national leaders earlier, the focus was always on Karunanidhi. This time the veteran leaders image could be in the background of the stage and his illuminated cut outs could adorn all sides of the function venue, along with those of Stalin. The celebration is certain to dynamically convey the DMKs power transition to the national leaders who share the dais with Stalin, besides highlighting him as the partys face at the national political arena. The names of partys ageing stalwart and general secretary K. Anbazhagan and principal secretary K. Duraimurugan, besides district secretary J. Anbazhagan who is the organiser of the public meeting, are mentioned. Analysts feel this is an ideal situation for Stalin to emerge as a key leader of a national alliance. Political commentator Aazhi Senthilnathan said The diamond jubilee celebrations will certainly amplify Stalins recognition and importance at the national level. It is a big opportunity for him to build a national alliance and play a key role in national politics. Recalling the role of Karunanidhi in building national tie-ups from 1989 to 2009, he said existing political circumstances had provided such an opportunity to Stalin. After the 2G scam, the DMK acquired a negative image and isolation at the national level with no party other than Congress willing to align with it. The circumstances had changed and the attendance of Congress and Communist leaders, besides leaders of regional parties at the DMK function would signal a change in the national scenario two years ahead of the Parliament elections, he said. Besides Rahul Gandhi and Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI national secretary D.Raja, IUML national president K.M. Kader Mohideen and Rajya Sabha leader of Trinamool Congress Derek Obrien would attend the function. Hyderabad: A majority of civic complaints to the GHMC, lodged either through call centre, MyGHMC app or online, are pending for days or are closed by officials without resolution. If someone answers at 040-21111111, a 24x7 call centre, and takes the complaint, it is forwarded to the department concerned but the status is kept pending. Mr Ashwin Kumar, president of the Shanthinagar Welfare Association, said he had lodged a complaint regarding an illegal construction on the footpath of Shanthinagar Colony, which is causing problems to residents on April 22 the MyGHMC App (ID- 22041773922). A picture grab of a complaint filed by the president of the Shanthinagar Welfare Association. Despite the complaint not being attended too, the status shows closed. (Photo: DC) I received an acknowledgment stating the complaint was assigned to deputy commissioner D. Pradeep Kumar. Officials visited the site but nothing changed. On May 8, when I checked the status, it said closed. The encroachment was not removed and the builder still continues to encroach. A picture grab of a complaint filed by the president of the Shanthinagar Welfare Association. Despite the complaint not being attended too, the status shows closed. (Photo: DC) A resident from Uppal, Mr R. Raj, said, We have complained five times through the GHMC call centre and manually too about the illegal construction of a compound wall at Sharadanagar Road No. 2. No action has been taken so far. We have documents to show that the place is a road. How can a road be registered by the sub-registrars office? DC reader Raja Shekar N. from Bapunagar wrote in to say that locals were throwing garbage every day adjacent to his house beside Bhavani Brothers showroom near the HDFC ATM at Langer Houz. This was creating a stink and creating a health hazard. Please pass this message to the department concerned. I have complained through the GHMC helpline and called customer care to resolve the problem but they failed to take action, he wrote. Some lucky residents have found that complaining on the website www.ghmc.gov.in is more effective. Most complaints were regarding illegal constructions, damaged roads, non-functioning of streetlights, stray dogs, garbage removal and mosquitoes. Expectedly, few were attended to. You can vent in many ways Website: www.ghmc.gov.in Call centre: 040-21111111 Helpline: 155304 Emergency: 100 App: MyGHMC Departments that get most complaints Health and sanitation Town planning Electrical Veterinary Property tax Engineering (for damaged roads) Most complaints were regarding illegal constructions, damaged roads, non-functioning of streetlights, stray dogs. Pro-life Leader Beaten and Arrested Contact: Alexandra Snyder, NAPA, Calif., June 1, 2017 / White was distributing leaflets for a pro-life congressional candidate in a church parking lot when he was surrounded by the church's security team. At least four large men harassed White and beat him to the ground, resulting in extensive injuries to his head. Only then did they call the policeto press charges against White! Officers arrested White and charged him with battery, based solely on the statements of the security team. Life Legal obtained a video of the incident, which shows that Jeff White was cornered by the security guards, who ignored his plea to immediately call the police. Instead, they assaulted him and then alleged that he was the aggressor. The incident occurred in November of last year. For months, Life Legal attorney Aranda has argued that this was a false arrest and that the security team initiated the confrontation. At yesterday's hearing, all charges against Jeff were dropped! "We are appalled that a prolife activist would be attacked in this way simply because he was handing out literature," said Life Legal Defense Foundation Executive Director Alexandra Snyder. "It took several months, but we are pleased that the court finally delivered justice for Jeff White." Life Legal is currently evaluating options on behalf of Jeff White going forward. About Life Legal Defense Foundation Life Legal Defense Foundation was established in 1989, and is a nonprofit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information about the Life Legal Defense Foundation, visit Share Tweet Contact: Alexandra Snyder, Life Legal Defense Foundation , 202-717-7371NAPA, Calif., June 1, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- Yesterday, Life Legal Senior Counsel Allison Aranda was in court on behalf of Jeff White, founder of Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, a nationwide faith-based organization that equips young people to advocate for human life in the womb.White was distributing leaflets for a pro-life congressional candidate in a church parking lot when he was surrounded by the church's security team. At least four large men harassed White and beat him to the ground, resulting in extensive injuries to his head. Only then did they call the policeto press charges against White!Officers arrested White and charged him with battery, based solely on the statements of the security team.Life Legal obtained a video of the incident, which shows that Jeff White was cornered by the security guards, who ignored his plea to immediately call the police. Instead, they assaulted him and then alleged that he was the aggressor.The incident occurred in November of last year. For months, Life Legal attorney Aranda has argued that this was a false arrest and that the security team initiated the confrontation. At yesterday's hearing, all charges against Jeff were dropped!"We are appalled that a prolife activist would be attacked in this way simply because he was handing out literature," said Life Legal Defense Foundation Executive Director Alexandra Snyder. "It took several months, but we are pleased that the court finally delivered justice for Jeff White."Life Legal is currently evaluating options on behalf of Jeff White going forward.About Life Legal Defense FoundationLife Legal Defense Foundation was established in 1989, and is a nonprofit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information about the Life Legal Defense Foundation, visit www.lldf.org Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh after presenting Police Medal to constable Godhraj Meena, who took on militants when they attacked a BSF bus in Udhampur in J&K on August 5, 2015, at the 15th BSF investiture ceremony in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: In a rare gesture, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday broke protocol and hugged BSF constable Godhraj Meena who sustained 85 per cent disability after terrorists' bullets hit him during an attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur in 2014. Meena's bus, part of a Border Security Force convoy, was ambushed by terrorists on August 5, 2014 near the 'narsu nalah' area in Udhampur with a heavy gunfire. The citation of the 44-year-old trooper said he was on guard duty in the bus and his bravery, acute presence of mind and accurate fire kept the two terrorists at bay and thwarted their attempts to enter and target the about 30 personnel onboard. Meena, who is not able to speak properly as one bullet had pierced through his jaw, received a thunderous applause from the officials and jawans when the home minister pinned the gallantry medal on his chest. Even before Mr Meena could accord the mandatory salute, the home minister hugged and patted him and saw him off from the dais with a firm and long hand shake. BSF officials said as per protocol, the home minister, after pinning the medal and handing over the citation, has to shake hand with the awardee and the person moves ahead after according a salute to him. "What we saw today is rare, very rare. This is only in very special cases like that of Meena who has suffered 85 per cent disability after the attack. He is not able to talk and walk properly but despite this he dons his uniform with pride," a senior officer said. The officer said Meena has now been deputed for conducting administrative duties. This retaliation had led a total of four BSF personnel, including Meena, being decorated with gallantry medals. The others included constable Subhendu Roy, driver Daljit Singh and constable Rocky who was awarded the 'Shaurya Chakra'. Later, during his speech, the Home Minister said he was proud of Meena's bravery and grit. He also awarded the police medal for gallantry (posthumous) to the wife of the constable and cook of the BSF unit Sanjay Dhar. Dhar was posted at the 'Pittal' border post along the Indo-Pak International Border in Jammu and laid down his life while saving his friend who had got injured in an unprovoked firing incident by Pakistan on July 16, 2014. Singh, during the annual investiture ceremony of the BSF, also awarded gallantry medals to a total of seven troops of the border guarding force for their daredevil actions during ceasefire violations along the India-Pakistan border and while handling attacks by militants in Jammu and Kashmir. He also decorated five personnel of the 41st battalion of the force for undertaking an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh's Kanker in 2014, where the team killed two Maoists. CHENNAI: Availability of beef on online food portals has decreased in the past few days following regulation on the ban of cattle for slaughter. The quantity of beef available on Coldkart.com, freshkari.inand onlinemeats.in has decreased due to increased demand. Local butchers say the ban has reduced the availability of beef from slaughterhouses and meat market, attributing it to decline in the number of cattle being brought to slaughterhouses after the regulation. The demand for beef was ultimately increased on portals. The demand for beef has increased this week. Though we have not rais-ed the prices considerably, we might do so due to limited stock, said a service executive at ColdKart. But the availability of beef online is now reduced owing to increased demand. After a swift search through online meat and beef seller websites, it was found that stock of beef on various websites like Coldkart and online meats were either limited or currently unavailable. I prefer buying beef online for better quality. But, when I tried to buy it from the online website Tryst, the price was Rs 1,000 per kg, which is very high when compared to regular rates, said Awantra Rajan, a customer. While beef used to be among the cheapest non-vegetarian proteins, it now seems beyond the reach of the common man, which is not only due to its availability but also because of increased prices.Increased demand for beef has led to an increase in the price of beef and beef products. Online sites for grocery, especially meat are trending but being out of stock, individuals, as well as restaurants, are finding it difficult to purchase beef for their daily usage. Online sites like Bigbasket and Natures Basket are not providing beef, other sites have beef marked as currently unavailable. The ban has increased the demand and decreased the availability, said V. Rajesh, owner of a non-vegetarian restaurant in Tambaram. However, the unavailability of beef is not just related to less stock, but also the fact that beef remains a controversial factor and online meats sellers would refrain from indulging into any such issues. Online sale of cattle beefed up There seems to be a mad rush on online portals like OLX, IndiaMart and CattleExchange, which deal with used products, to sell the cows. Cattle owners have taken to such portals to sell their loved cattle, thanks to the Union governments latest circular regulating ban of cattle for slaughter. We used to get a few ads on the sale and purchase of cattle every week, that were around 10-15 on a weekly basis. But, in last few days, the number of such advertisements is more than 20, Amit G, a service executive from IndiaMart, said. We cant assess the exact count of the number of advertisements as the rise has been noticed within a short period of time only, he added. Prakash S, a farm trader, says the Internet is an easy way to get in touch with the customers who are in need of cattle or selling cattle. A variety of breeds of cattle ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakhs are easily available on these sites. However, marketing executives at the online portals say they cant check whether the cattle that are being sold are productive. Retailers and wholesalers are carrying out the transaction of cows and buffalos through online forums, as its easy to reach the relevant customers through online portals. And some people seem to be disposing of their cattle since they dont want to wade into controversy for possessing cow after the new set of rules.Gowthamy V, who posted an ad for the sale of cows on an online portal and sold them with the help of online brokers, says while the sale of cattle has become a bit dangerous for individuals due to the controversy over the sale of cattle, online media is easily accessible and safe. The facility of helpers and brokers has reduced the burden of looking for customers, said Gowthamy. R.W. Laxman, a general trader in Chennai who is active on online portals said, We had to look for customers for the sale and purchase of cattle. But, there were around 25 message requests in last few days, requesting for the sale and purchase of cattle through advertisements on e-commerce site I had posted on.All varieties of cattle are sold and purchased, which adds greatly to my in-come, said Laxman. Though these advertisements witnessed a rise in the sale of cattle, chiefly on OLX, it is now imposing regulations on such adverti-sements related to the purchase and sale of cattle. We are removing ad classifieds relating to the sale and purchase of cattle, as there were various advertisements where unproductive cattle is being sold, presenting combo offers, which could be misused through the portal, said Aman S., an executive from OLX. New York: In a tragic incident, a 31-year-old engineer from Andhra Pradesh and his son died after drowning in the swimming pool of an apartment complex in a Michigan town. Nagaraju Surepalli and his 3-year-old son Ananth Surepalli were found unresponsive on Tuesday in the pool at the Glens of Northville apartment complex in Novi, according to Novi Police Chief David Molloy. A report in the Oakland Press said Surepalli hailed from the city of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. He was a software engineer and had come to the US three years ago on a work visa. The Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office performed autopsies on Thursday. Surepalli is survived by his 29-year-old wife Bindu. The report added that a staff member at the complex, working at the office near the pool, called 911 after observing two bodies floating in the pool, Novi police say. Surepalli and his son were playing poolside when the child accidentally fell into the deep end of the pool while riding his tricycle. Surepalli jumped into the pool to try and save his son but drowned, the report added. They were the only people in the pool area. The two were pulled from the pool and taken to a local hospital in Novi after emergency responders attempted lifesaving procedures. The report said investigators and relatives of the victims have been working with the Consulate General of India in Chicago and New York to assist in family notification overseas and funeral arrangements. Surepalli's friends have also started an online effort to collect USD 150,000 for the family to meet the funeral and other costs. In the post organisers of the fundraiser called Surepalli, "the most jovial, honest, friendly person you would ever meet and always smiling". "In the midst of this tragedy, we have set up this fund to help them with the funeral expenses and other ongoing grief/recovery support costs. This includes the very expensive process of carrying their mortal remains back to India," organisers wrote. Hyderabad: A pack of stray dogs attacked 11 children and a few adults, leaving four of them seriously injured. The dogs pounced on the victims knees, feet, thighs and cheeks, including the belly of an infant. Four of the victims were admitted to Niloufer Hospital on Thursday night. Locals informed that the stray dogs used to feed on the piglets in Kamakshipuram - Amberpet colony, but with no food available, they charged at children and a few adults who came to rescue them. The state human rights commission took cognisance of the incident. It has asked the municipal corporation to submit a report on its negligence over the dog menace. Mr Raja Somaiah, of Venkatesh nagar, a witness, said, The children were playing in the colony lane and suddenly from nowhere, these stray dogs pounced on them. One dog charged at four, including an infant. A boy named N. Nitin suffered serious injuries as the dog tried to rip apart his ears and cheeks. When a few adults intervened to rescue the children, the dogs even attacked them. One dog caught hold of a ladys foot. Shashinath, 6, Narsimha, 7, Balu, 6, were seriously injured. Injured kid undergoes surgery The dogs pounced on the victims knees, feet, thighs and cheeks. Seven-year-old Mani has grievous injuries on his cheek and is undergoing major surgery at Niloufer. We have been complaining to the GHMC, but no one visited the colonies. The dog population has increased in this area. They kill piglets and feed on them and when there was no food left they attacked humans, added another eyewitness. While this is not the only area to be afflicted by this menace, residents from Laxmi nagar-Langar Houz said, We have been troubled by the increase in street dogs. They are wild. We cant even sleep because of their barking. Another problem seems to worry a different lot of residents. Ashok V. from S.B.I Colony, Road No.1, Kothapet, complained of pig menace. There are pigs in our street. Also, two plots are filled with garbage, mosquitoes and flies, because of which we are facing health issues. Following a petition with the State Human Rights commissioner, the GHMC has been asked to submit a report by June 19. Youths damage a police jeep as they clash during their protest against the arrest of students and killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat, in Srinagar on Friday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The number of local Kashmiri youths recruited by terror groups in the Valley in the first five months this year alone has more than doubled as compared to the whole of 2016, intelligence agencies cautioned the Union home ministry on Friday. This comes a day after Union home minister Rajnath Singh said that infiltration of militants from Pakistan has dropped following the Armys surgical strikes against terror launchpads in PoK in September last year. According to a report by intelligence agencies, the security establishment has expressed concern over terror recruitments. While 128 locals joined militancy last year, the figure could be between 260 and 300 till May this year alone. Another important issue flagged by intelligence agencies and described as alarming was that the recruitment drive was not just limited to south Kashmir but extended to north as well as central Kashmir. One of the main reasons, sources said, for the sharp increase in locals joining ranks of militant groups in the Valley was the sustained and aggressive campaign, even through social media, carried out by terror modules particularly after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in July last year. Intelligence agencies have also alerted that terror outfits were facing a severe shortage of arms and ammunition as security agencies have been successful in checking smuggling of weapons from across the border. This, the report adds, could lead to an increase in incidents of militants snatching weapons from security forces in the days ahead and that most local Kashmir youths recruited recently would be used for this purpose. One of the reasons for local youths getting lured by Hizbul is that it is largely a local group with most of its cadre from the Valley alone. New Delhi: RJD leader Mohammed Shahabuddin, an accused in journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case, has refused to undergo a lie detector test, and is not cooperating in the probe, CBI sources said on Friday. Shahabuddin, a four-time former MP from Bihars Siwan parliamentary constituency, was lying and concealing facts related to the case, they said. The agency will inform the special court in Muzzafarpur court about the development. Ranjan, the Siwan bureau chief of a Hindi daily newspaper, was shot dead allegedly by Shahabuddins henchmen in May last year. The Bihar politician was in jail in connection with other criminal cases against him when the incident happened. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao gives away the state award to leading Indian painter Thota Vaikuntam on State Formation Day. He was among the 52 personalities who were honoured at a function at Parade Ground on Friday. Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said that the Telangana state government spent Rs 40,000 crore on welfare schemes every year, which was unmatched by any other state. Mr Rao participated in the third anniversary celebrations of Telangana State Formation Day at the Parade Ground on Friday. He presented awards to 52 persons, in recognition of the contributions that they had made to their respective fields. On the occasion, Mr Rao announced the launch of two new schemes a pension scheme for single women, which would offer them Rs 1,000 per month, and the KCR Kit scheme for pregnant women and new mothers. He said that pregnant women were forced to work even in the advanced stages of pregnancy, to earn a living. We have launched KCR kits to provide nutritious food and care to the new-born baby soon after delivery. Pregnant women will be given Rs 12,000 in the form of financial assistance. In case the baby is a girl, an additional Rs 1,000 will be given, the Chief Minister said. Bhagiratha water for all by year-end: KCR He announced the launch of a pension scheme for single women and the KCR Kit scheme for pregnant women and new mothers. The idea is to encourage people to undergo deliveries at government hospitals, to reduce infant mortality rates, and to reduce incidence of female foeticide. Mr Rao said that drinking water supplied by Mission Bhagiratha would reach all households by the year-end. He said that the TRS governments biggest achievement was overcoming the power shortage within six months of coming to power. We are setting up new power plants to make the state a power-surplus state in the days to come, he said. He said that farmers would be supplied free power round-the-clock from the imminent rabi season. Stating that caste-based professions would be encouraged, Mr Rao said that 84 lakh sheep would be distributed to the Yadav and Kurma communities. Behibagh: More than 100 militants are active in south Kashmir, which has witnessed a spurt in terror activities recently, and operations are underway to neutralise them, a top Army officer said in Behibagh on Saturday. Major General BS Raju, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Victor Force, which is responsible for security in south Kashmir, also said that the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police are trying to dissuade the local youth from joining militancy by engaging with their families. He said a full scale cordon-and-search operation, like the one conducted in Shopian recently, will be carried out only in places where the army's operations are hampered. We get to listen that the situation is out of control. But it is very much in control," said Raju in Behibagh after visiting the family of Lt Ummer Fayaz, who was abducted and killed by militants three days back while on leave. "I am aware of the presence of the militants in the area (south Kashmir) and I must tell you that because of the high vegetation that is there, they are having slight amount of freedom but we are doing operations in a way to restrict their movement and subsequently neutralize them, the GoC told reporters. Several areas of south Kashmir, including Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian, have been witnessing repeated militant attacks on security forces in the recent months. There have also been a number of incidents of weapon- snatching and stone-pelting, including by college students. Responding to questions, Maj Gen Raju said there are more than 100 militants in south Kashmir and most of them are locals. "We are also ensuring that new recruitment is prevented and preventive operations are taking place wherein we areengaging with the families of the people and the students who are likely to get onto this track. "So, a joint effort is being made by the army, the police and the civil administration to ensure that this scourge of militancy does not spread," the army commander said. He said while the situation is "calm in general", there is little bit of agitation in few educational institutes which leads to some violence. The life is going on normally, the schools are functioning normally in 95 per cent of the schools. I visited many government schools. It is only a few schools where there is a little bit of agitation which leads to some violence because of the stone pelting that they are doing and because of the reaction of the police," Maj Gen Raju said. He said students are filled with enthusiasm and want to move forward in life in which the army would provide them every support. "There are four to five colleges, 40-50 students who create ruckus. Some virus has entered them which we have to remove. I am sure that the summer will be peaceful," he added. Referring to the massive search operation conducted by the security forces in Shopian district on May 4, the army commander said such actions would be taken only at places where anti-militancy operations are interfered with. "The army is here for maintaining peace and we will make efforts so that peace prevails. We hear media reports that the army is conducting massive search operations. I want to say that we will launch such an operation only where we think that the situation is a bit bad or the place where there is interference in armys operation, he said. At other places, specific intelligence-based operations will continue so that common people do not face any hardships, he added. In view of Lt Fayaz's killing, the army commander was asked whether there was any advisory like the one issued by the state police asking its personnel to refrain from visiting their homes for some time. "There is no such advisory but yes, we have said that anybody (local army man) who is coming into the areas (to visit their homes), he should inform the nearest army camp so that we can provide security to him," he said. Patna: A year after toppers scam exposed the existence of education mafia in Bihar, another topper Ganesh Kumars marks stirred a controversy on Thursday. Humanities topper Ganesh had opted for music as one of his subjects but was seen struggling to find answers to some very basic questions. Ganesh was asked to speak about classical Hindustani music and was also asked to explain the meaning of Antara and Mukhda to which he said, I dont remember now what it means, and also couldnt play musical instruments properly. Ganesh Kumar who hails from Jharkhand had taken admission in Ram Nandan Singh Jagdeep Narayan College in Samastipur. He has secured 65 marks out of 70 in the practical exam in the music course and 18 out of 30 marks in the theory paper. Questions were also raised about Ganesh Kumars age, the date of birth he had mentioned in his admission form was June 2, 1993, which means he has turned 24. The result has also surprised his school teachers who said, Even we had not expected such kind of result from a student of this institution. Sources from Samastipur said that Ganesh Kumars school cancelled the felicitation program on Thursday following the controversy. BSEB chairman, Anand Kishore, who had earlier claimed that stringent measures were taken during the Class XII examination, on Thursday refused to even order an enquiry into the matter. He said, There will be no changes in the toppers list. Toppers were declared after proper evaluation of answer sheets. Education minister Ashok Chaudhary also defended the arts topper Ganesh Kumar and said that Questioning a topper like this is not proper as even BSEB chairman has said that the evaluation was carried out in the proper manner. Those who asked questions were also not experts in music. Out of the total 12,40,168 students, 7,94,622 students failed Class XII exam. Kolkata: Criticising the Centre's statement on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's "death", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Friday, said she had drawn the attention of the prime minister, seeking to know the considered stand of the government in this regard. "I have drawn the attention of Hon'ble Prime Minister to this matter and has sought the considered stand of Central Government in this regard (sic)," she wrote on Facebook. "The Central Government recently gave information about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose through a reply under the RTI Act. I am shocked to see this unilateral decision of the Central Government without evidence," she said. "Netaji is a great son of the soil. Our state, the country and the whole world are proud of him. Any matter involving a person of his stature does not deserve to be handled in such a casual manner," Banerjee said. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a recent reply to a Right to Information (RTI) application from a resident of the state, said, "After considering the reports of Shahnawaz Committee, Justice GD Khosla Commission and Justice Mukherjee Commission of Enquiry, the Government has come to the conclusion that Netaji had died in a plane crash in 1945." BJP leader and Netaji's grand nephew Chandra Bose had also rejected the Centre's statement and demanded setting up of a special investigation team to unravel the mystery behind the freedom fighter's disappearance. "I demand the Central government immediately take action against the officer who gave such an irresponsible reply. How can the government come to a conclusion regarding Netaji's death without concrete evidence?" Bose, the Bengal BJP vice-president, had wondered. The All India Forward Bloc, a political party founded by Netaji, on Thursday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the nation as the Union Home Ministry had "misled" the country by saying that the nationalist leader had died in an air crash in 1945. This domain was recently registered at Namecheap.com. Please check back later! Pilibhit (UP): Union Minister Maneka Gandhi was, on Friday, admitted to a hospital, in Pilibhit, after complaining of breathing trouble. Gandhi, the local MP, had held a meeting with the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police Friday morning, after which she went to a guest house at Bisalpur road. After having trouble breathing, she was rushed to the district hospital. All her programmes for the rest of the day have been cancelled. No one is being allowed to meet Gandhi in the hospital. So is the cow (including bulls) a living deity, like the Ganga or Yamuna, to be revered as a mother, or just another productive asset like a buffalo or a goat? This debate dates to the Constituent Assembly sessions in the late 1940s. Hindu traditionalist members wanted complete protection for the cow as a fundamental right. This was stolidly opposed by realists like B.R. Ambedkar, who saw it as a veiled attempt to deify upper caste brahmanical practices, to the detriment of the poor for whom the cow means a source of milk, meat and leather. Modernists like Jawaharlal Nehru thought it would blemish the liberal, secular character of the Constitution. A consensus was urgently required. Clever drafting by Dr Ambedkar pleased all by inserting an ambivalently worded Article 48 (on working towards prohibiting cow slaughter) in the Directive Principles, that are not legally enforceable. Therein lies buried the knotty, seven-decade-old problem of what the cow means to Indians. Neither modern education nor development has diminished the demand for prohibition of slaughter. Educated, well-off Hindus, across castes, are avid supporters. Higher incomes enable more people to Sanskritise fashion their customs by emulating brahmanical practices. Vegetarianism is a luxury in desperately poor India, as is substituting cereals with vegetables and lentils. The clamour to save the cow will increase as ever more people are economically capable of assimilating themselves, culturally, into upper castes. Beef is already an inferior food eaten mostly by the poor. Rather than amend the Constitution outright to reflect this demand, devious bureaucratic means have been adopted to achieve the same effect, whilst hiding behind the economic usefulness of the cow. Nine state governments Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat ban the slaughter of cows and bulls outright. Seven states Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim and Kerala allow slaughter. Others permit slaughter of animals who are no longer productive usually more than 15 years old. The varying levels of protection are directly related to Hindu upper caste political dominance in a state. The only exception is J&K a Muslim-majority state, which bans cow slaughter. In more normal times this would be an example of our syncretic culture. The Centre has chipped in by banning the export of beef and cows, thereby minimising the incentive for cow slaughter. The Centre promulgated rules on May 23, 2017 under a Central law, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, which ensure cattle markets are not used to purchase bovine animals for slaughter. The rules are onerous. They require multiple certifications, declarations and identity verifications. They will ensure all sale/purchase of cattle, which includes buffalos and camels, would end in cattle markets. Curiously, a convenient out remains available. Direct purchase from a cattle owner doesnt attract these rules. The net result will be trading will move to one-on-one sale or purchase, or to large commercial dairy farms now facilitated by the agricultural land leasing policy. These will be informal cattle trading hubs, without health certification to ensure meat quality. Ironically, as the Niti Aayog and agriculture ministry are striving to make agricultural markets efficient, the trade in dairy animals is being driven underground. Perversely, the new rules are being touted as the fallout of a July 2016 Supreme Court order, that was intended primarily to stop the flourishing cross-border traffic of cattle into Nepal and Bangladesh. The loud protests by West Bengal and Kerala and muted noises from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are as farcical, playing to the dalit and Muslim votebanks. Surely, this farce played out repeatedly, since 1948, should end now. Why not have a referendum to establish the extent of support for cow protection? Seth Govind Das suggested this in 1948. The cost would be around `50 billion, equal to the cost of a general election. The outcome, as in Brexit, is by no means certain. If the existing 190 million (2012 data) indigenous and hybrid cows are to be cared for after their useful life, for say an additional five years (underestimated), the annual cost at a daily spend per animal of Rs 50 is Rs 1.1 trillion. This is four times the spend in 2017-18 on medical, public health, welfare of SC-ST, backward castes and minorities and social security spread thinly across around 400 million of Indias income-insecure citizens. Its more than half the spending on defence. Maneka Gandhi and animal rights activists will be delighted, but its impossible to fund a pension scheme for cows publicly. Cow retirement homes run by the private sector on viability gap funding basis will create around one million jobs. But there is no free lunch, even for spiritual or emotional fulfilment. So how many of the 280 million Indian households would be willing to pay an additional Rs 4,100 per year for protecting the cow? The 1.5 lakh hectares of land to house the retired cows can be found. But the additional water resources far exceeding the needs of 200 million humans would be a challenge. The retired, unproductive cows will increase methane emission, which are worse than carbon dioxide, by an estimated 0.6 per cent, even as we are struggling to reduce carbon emissions. Of course, it may never come to this absurd end. Farmers wont buy cows if they cant sell them for slaughter. Bulls are redundant in mechanised farming. Buffalos are more productive milk producers. Nandi clone bulls and milk white cows might become like racehorses or elephants the treasured preserve of rich people and temples. And this is how it should be. If the suggestion by Justice Mahesh Chand Sharma of the Rajasthan high court (now retired) trends sufficiently, the cow could become Indias third national animal, alongside the other big two tiger (de jure) and Gir lions (de facto). Welcome to Indias new-age action safari. It was an eventful Thursday in Kashmir the firing by the Indian Army along the Line of Control to neutralise a Pakistani border action team, a meeting of his seven commanders from across the country conducted by Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat in Srinagar, and the security forces hitting terrorists in Sopore in North Kashmir. All emanate from a single conception of handling the multiple challenges in Kashmir and strategising to keep the Valley from sinking into the mire. The firing across the LoC suggests that this will be the new normal. Any Pakistani move to give covering fire to infiltrating terrorists, or in a fit of bravado, will be met with a tough response which will be well-publicised to win public approbation, that was much needed after terrorists from Pakistan kept scoring major hits for over a year. Hunting down terrorists is also the new normal. After the killing of Lt. Umar Fayaz, a Kashmiri officer visiting home in South Kashmir recently, the Army has gone into overdrive. Terrorists are to be sought out and finished. This does mark a change. All of this was symbolically underpinned by the Army Chiefs decision to conspicuously hold a commanders conference in Srinagar. Gen. Rawat has been to the Valley three times in the past month and six times in the last six since taking over, attesting to the new mood of the government of attaching high priority to military operations in Kashmir. This is a corollary to the governments decision to let politics take a backseat. Only transgressors cross with ease Those forbidden boundaries Only the sinner defies the codes Exploring forbidden roads Words are truth and words are lies In my dreams I see cats eyes From And A Pattees In A Pear Tree by Bachchoo Some years ago, travelling for two nights in a six-sleeper Indian railway compartment (out of a sense of adventure rather than thrift) I encountered a cross-section of fellow travellers that might have interested Rudyard Kipling, or at the least have accompanied his youthful hero Kim. There was a perfume merchant, a fellow who dealt in wild birds, a chef in a roadside caravan selling Chinese cuisine, two women, one of whom ran a vegetable stall and another who stayed mum about herself and me. We exchanged information about where we were going, where we came from and of course shared the rotis and packed food that most of us had brought with us. Towards the second evening the birdman asked me not to be offended if he asked me a question. I said I wouldnt be, he could quiz me about my faith, my family, whatever. He said since I had said I lived in England he wanted to ask me about something he had heard. No, it wasnt about sado-masochistic practices or state-sanctioned gay marriage (though that came later in the night when the women had retired to bunks down the corridor). He wanted to know about the welfare state and said he had heard that if you didnt work, the government gave you money every week. I said it was true. It was called unemployment benefit or in other cases disability allowances or social security for the poor. The poor? Were there really poor in a white country? All of them, including the women, posed the same question why then did anyone work? I explained that the benefits were on the poverty line, probably just enough to survive on. The caravan chef said he was a simple fellow a roof over his head and daal and roti would suffice. So how did one get to Britain? I am sure my answers didnt satisfy their curiosity. It was the same with the sado-masochistic practices and about gay marriage, which resulted in some bewilderment. There was no way anything I said could explain the fabric of British or Western society to my enthusiastic and even insightful and intelligent audience. I am sure there are gay relationships in every stratum of Indian society and I suspect there are prevalent forms of sado-masochism, though not the same as one may find in the House of the Setting Sun in London (no dont Google it, friends, I made up the name!). But there is no social security in the subcontinent which, despite its burgeoning economic growth and rampant capitalistic development cannot or will not move political policies towards building a welfare state. I know India gives subsidies to agricultural workers and there are primitive forms of welfare through some free healthcare and free state education, but the construction of a welfare state remains a secondary question in Indian politics. In the UK, the maintenance and improvement of it has taken central political ground. Britain votes in a general election on June 8. Theresa May and her Tory Party have concentrated their entire electioneering strategy on projecting her as strong and stable with a united party behind her, in contrast to Labours Jeremy Corbyn, who they and the press barons who own the most widely-read British newspapers characterise as weak, as a friend to terrorist organisations such as the IRA and Hamas and a leader who had to surmount a no-confidence vote from his own MPs. The concentration on Ms May as a tough negotiator in the forthcoming talks with the 27 members of the European Union which Britain has now to leave, has been the Tories central and successful plank so far. Their main strategist, the Australian Lynton Crosby, has turned this into a presidential contest. Other Tory ministers are in total political purdah. They are permitted no opinions, no campaigning on issues within their remit or within the Tory manifesto. When they do appear on TV they are ludicrously compelled to turn every issue about policy into a mantra about Ms May being strong and Mr Corbyn being weak. Its comic seeing opinionated politicians such as Boris Johnson and David Davis muttering this shibboleth. Labour and Mr Corbyn on the other hand have produced a manifesto which puts the welfare state, the National Health Service, the welfare of pensioners, the amelioration of university student debt, the renationalisation of railways, the Royal Mail and even some banks, at the heart of their strategy. It seems to be working as a few days before the election Labour has cut the Tory lead from 20 per cent in the opinion polls to three per cent. By the time you read this, even that lead may have melted away. Labour and the other Opposition parties the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the Scottish National Party have all concentrated in their campaigns in opposing Tory attacks on the welfare state. Two more terms of Tory rule and these Opposition parties are convinced that Britain will run down the National Health Service, privatise parts of it, cut welfare for the most powerless and vulnerable and, as a result of their disastrous exit from the European Union, turn Britain into a low-tax haven for international capital and money-laundering oligarchs from all over the world. One of the consequences of the Tory assault on the welfare over the last two terms of the government have resulted in a shameful increase in people, even those who are employed, relying on food banks places run by NGOs, churches and the like to distribute charity food parcels to those that would go hungry without them. Theres a food bank round the corner from where I live. Not a pretty sight and not one that my fellow-passengers on that railway journey would have expected to see. Around this time every year, countless hyper-anxious students and their even more anxious parents stop breathing, eating, living... its the dreaded CBSE Class 12 exam results that have given them a condition I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy. Thank God I am not a student in todays insanely competitive India. I just about scraped through my final year at school, thereby shielding my poor parents from public shame. But look at the madness today! Why should millions across India have to suffer this? Why cant we rejig our entire pattern of education and make it more humane? I looked at the headlines last week and instead of rejoicing with and for the toppers, I felt terrible about the non-toppers all those young people who had slaved and struggled to make the grades required to get into college, and not succeeded. I read about Raksha Gopal, the girl from Noida, who just missed maxing the exam, getting 498 marks out of 500 (thats 99.6 per cent)! It was impossible to visualise such a staggering academic feat. She lost just two marks! How on earth did she do it? Imagine the odds 10.2 lakh students appeared for this scary exam. 10,091 kids were 95 per centers! What happens to the vast majority? Look at this other weird factoid: while nine out of 10 girls passed this hurdle, 20 per cent of the boys flunked. What does that say? Out of seven students who have hit the 99 per cent mark, five are girls. Are girl students significantly smarter? More ambitious? Harder working? Something is definitely going on in classrooms across India that requires a closer examination. Around the same time as the results were being flashed, a young man of 19 brutally stabbed his mother in Mumbai and left her to bleed to death. But not before he had dipped his fingers in his mothers still hot blood and written a note on the floor next to her body, taunting the police to catch him and hang him. He had signed off with a jaunty smiley emoticon. Her crime? She had been nagging him to study harder and not keep flunking. We see a sharp spike in student suicides every time the results are announced. Surely, something is not quite right with the system. Why do we refuse to acknowledge what exactly is wrong with this lopsided method of teaching, which requires students to sweat blood to get those unrealistic scores, which, after all that effort and struggle, guarantee nothing! Not even admission into an obscure college in the back of the beyond of India. In the old days, desi parents would rejoice at the birth of a son. These days, they groan! Not only are daughters competing and excelling, they are also the ones taking care of parents in their old age. Last week, I had an interesting visitor from Italy, who told me Italians may pretend to adore their sons, but it is actually a son-in-law who gets top billing within his wifes family. Italians end up co-opting the son-in-law into the wifes immediate family, while he simultaneously gets further and further distanced from his own. Why does this happen? Because it is daughters who bear the main responsibility for retired/sick parents. Something similar is afoot in India. Which is also why desi parents today are investing in their daughters. They encourage girls to study, find stable jobs and marry men who dont mind playing ghar jamais glorified or otherwise. Till that status becomes semi-official, its worth lauding the academic glories of young people like Manish Ram, son of a cobbler, who scored 83.8 per cent and topped his class. One of seven children, heres a boy who has made it against the most daunting odds. His family lives in a slum very close to my home, and my heart swells with pride at Manishs triumph. Even so, I cant help feeling our deeply flawed education system needs a gigantic overhaul. The trauma of getting into a good school starts before the baby is born! I see my children agonising over primary school admissions for their toddlers and I exclaim, This is gross. This is absurd. But what choice does anybody have? Education has become one more racket in India. There is big money to be made and people have zero qualms exploiting the desperate situation. While watching Hindi Medium, an accurately observed film that slyly underlines the many faultlines in our lopsided priorities when it comes to getting kids into a reputed English medium school. It captures the tragedy underlying our ghastly obsession with English. We see Irrfan Khan, playing a Chandni Chowk shopkeeper with a great deal of panache, as he bends over backwards to accommodate his socially-ambitious wifes ultimate goal to get their daughter into one of Delhis top schools. Without being preachy, the movie perfectly showcases the myriad mistakes made by misguided parents as they fake identities to impress school authorities, and go to the extent of playing poor so that the kid can be considered for the underprivileged quota. Of course, this is a commercial movie, but the point was strongly made. The second half which deals with the successful shopkeeper and his gorgeous wife (Saba Qamar) moving into a filthy slum to get a firsthand taste of gareebi, was the shakiest, because it descended into parody. Despite that, a neighbour in the slum, who reminds these two fakes that unlike them (the new poor if you please!), abject poverty has defined his life for generations (he calls himself a khaandani gareeb). This one observation, so rich in irony and pathos, sums up our confused attitude to progress and education. Everyone aspires to get out of the gutter and live a better life. Students who score high in these cruel exams work had for fulfilling exactly that dream. Nobody has the heart to break it to them that such a dream is just that a dream. An illusion. For most Make (it) in India remains an empty slogan. NASA is set to launch the world's first mission tomorrow to study rapidly spinning neutron stars - the densest objects in the universe - nearly 50 years after they were discovered. The same platform will also carry out the world's first demonstration of X-ray navigation in space. The agency plans to launch the two-in-one Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) aboard SpaceX CRS-11, a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) to be launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday. The launch was earlier planned for June 1, but was delayed due to poor weather. About a week after its installation, this one-of-a-kind investigation will begin observing neutron stars, the densest objects in the universe. The mission will focus especially on pulsars those neutron stars that appear to wink on and off because their spin sweeps beams of radiation past us, like a cosmic lighthouse. Due to their extreme nature, neutron stars and pulsars have engendered a great deal of interest since their existence was proposed in 1939 and then discovered in 1967. These objects are the remnants of massive stars that, after exhausting their nuclear fuel, exploded and collapsed into super-dense spheres. Their intense gravity crushes an astonishing amount of matter - often more than 1.4 times the content of the Sun or at least 460,000 Earths - into city-sized orbs, creating stable, yet incredibly dense matter not seen anywhere else in the universe. Just one teaspoonful of neutron star matter would weigh a billion tonnes on Earth. "The nature of matter under these conditions is a decades-old unsolved problem," said Keith Gendreau, a scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre in the US. "Theory has advanced a host of models to describe the physics governing the interiors of neutron stars. With NICER, we can finally test these theories with precise observations," said Gendreau. Although neutron stars emit radiation across the spectrum, observing them in the energetic X-ray band offers the greatest insights into their structure and the high-energy phenomena that they host, including starquakes, thermonuclear explosions and the most powerful magnetic fields known in the cosmos. During its 18-month mission, NICER will collect X-rays generated from the stars' tremendously strong magnetic fields and from hotspots located at their two magnetic poles. At these locations, the objects' intense magnetic fields emerge from their surfaces and particles trapped within these fields rain down and generate X-rays when they strike the stars' surfaces. In pulsars, these flowing particles emit powerful beams of radiation from the vicinity of the magnetic poles. On Earth these beams of radiation are observed as flashes of radiation ranging from seconds to milliseconds depending on how fast the pulsar rotates. Since these pulsations are predictable, they can be used as celestial clocks, providing high-precision timing, like the atomic-clock signals supplied through the Global Positioning System (GPS). Although ubiquitous on Earth, GPS signals weaken the farther one travels out beyond Earth orbit. Pulsars, however, are accessible virtually everywhere in space, making them a valuable navigational solution for deep-space exploration. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Microsoft will be rewarding users for using Bing with points, which can later be exchanged for charity donations or freebies. Just when we thought Microsofts schemes to lure people for using its search engine Bing got over, the company came up with a new one. This time, the software giant has resorted to paying people to use its search engine over Google through a Reward scheme. Under the scheme, Microsoft will be rewarding users for using Bing with points, which can later be exchanged for charity donations or freebies available on Microsoft Store. The only condition to accrue points is to be signed into Bing with your Microsoft account. Microsoft has broken down the scheme into two levels. Level 1 users can earn up to 30 points per day (60 points using Microsoft Edge) through searches, or participating in quizzes. Users will be upgraded to Level 2, if they manage to earn 500 points in a month. After this, users will be able to obtain a maximum of 150 points a day. On Bing.com, Level 1 members can earn points for up to 10 searches a day and Level 2 members can earn points for up to 50 searches a day (30 PC, 20 mobile), explains Microsoft. The search limit resets every day, so you can start earning again tomorrow. These points are worth a selection of prizes, such as 6,000 points can get you an Xbox Live Gold Membership that costs 9.99; 9,500 points can get you a one-month Groove Music Pass that usually costs 8.99 and more. Before this, Microsoft launched the "Bing it On" in 2012, a side-by-side Binge versus Google search-off challenge, inviting users to blindly choose which set they prefer. The Microsoft Reward scheme is available in UK today. A similar scheme is already available in the US, while other countries, France, Germany and Canada will reportedly receive it in the coming months. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The latest move to get the 6GB variant of the Galaxy S8+ makes sense as its lesser family member, the Galaxy C9 Pro, comes with 6GB of RAM on an SD 653 chipset. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ have been received quite warmly by the world. The phone stole hearts with its dual edge Infinity Display and premium build. The demand elevated to an extent that Samsung ramped up the production of the Galaxy S8 phones. Now, in order to cash in on the popular demand and move along with the trends of the tech world, Samsung has launched the 6GB RAM variant of the Galaxy S8+ in India. The phone retails for Rs 74,900 and bundles with 128GB of onboard storage. Therefore, it makes a profit of around Rs 10,000 for Samsung over the standard model. This makes us think that should really need the S8 with 6GB of RAM? In our review of the Galaxy S8 and S8+, both the phones in their standard spec delivered the best of what an Android phone could deliver. To recall, the Samsung Galaxy S8 features a 1.9GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos 8895 processor paired with 4GB of RAM. Theres 64/128GB storage on board along with 256GB expandable microSD card slot. A 12MP f1.7 dual pixel camera does the rear cameras duty while an 8MP f1.7 auto-focus camera is there to work as the front camera. The standard S8 has a 5.8-inch 1440p sAMOLED Infinity Display while the S8+ has to do with a 6.2-inch 1440p version of the same. Theres Bixby on board along with Googles Assistant to assist you in your daily life. All those specifications are enough for the Galaxy S8 owner to whiz past any other smartphone without breaking a sweat. However, if you feel that you need the extra horses to get the best experience on your flagship phone, you can pre-order it from today on Flipkart as well Samsung shops. The latest move to get the 6GB variant of the Galaxy S8+ makes sense as its lesser family member, the Galaxy C9 Pro, comes with 6GB of RAM on an SD 653 chipset. It also seems that Samsung wanted to hit at the OnePlus 3T with 6GB of RAM. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Three Android-powered Nokia smartphones, namely Nokia 6, 5, and 3, that are yet to be released in the market will receive Android O (Android 8.0) update once made available, confirmed HMD Global, who now owns the rights to market the Nokia brand, to Techradar. Android O is an upgrade version of Goolges operating system Android, which the search giant announced at its annual I/O conference in May and is in plans to be rolled out. Also read: How Google will make your smartphone smarter with Android O The smartphones will get the Android O update once the new release is available from Google for their OEM partners, the same way HMD Global is committed to the monthly Android security updates, a spokesperson from HMD Global told Techradar. Also read: 3 Android-powered Nokia smartphones to launch this month in India? Nokia had announced to release the three Android-powered in the market in second quarter of 2017. A recent report by a National Daily suggests that they could be launched on June 13. However, HMD Global is yet to confirm the release dates of the models. It is being said that Nokia will send out media invitations for their launch on/around June 8. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The two suicide attackers were also killed in the blasts in Bourvare, a village near the Nigerian border. (Photo: PTI/Representational) Yaounde (Cameroon): As many as seven persons were killed and several others injured in two suicide attacks in Cameroon's Far North Region. The two suicide attackers were also killed in the blasts in Bourvare, a village near the Nigerian border. Regional Governor Midjiyawa Bakari held the militant group Boko Haram responsible for the attack, Anadolu news agency reported. Boko Haram has carried out attacks and kidnappings in Cameroon as it has widened its insurgency in the country. According to the UN estimates, around 26 million people in the Lake Chad region have been affected by Boko Haram violence and more than 2.6 million displaced. The centre will also have a library and archive for students to learn about Indian culture which has survived and adapted to local circumstances more than 156 years later among the 1.4 million South Africans of Indian-origin. (Photo: Representational/AP) Johannesburg: A new living museum has been opened in Durban to showcase Mahatma Gandhi's role in freedom struggle of South Africa and to reflect the heritage of the first Indian sugar plantation indentured labourers who arrived in the city in 1860. The two-storey 1860 Heritage Centre is the culmination of many years of negotiation between the local Indian community and government authorities. "We signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2014 with the provincial government's Arts and Culture ministry to run the place as a museum and heritage centre to showcase Indian history, but not in isolation, but a history that shows our intermingling and intertwining with the rest of the country," said Satish Dhupelia, spokesman for the centre, who is also a great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. "We did not live in isolation in this country, we lived among other race groups and other cultures. In terms of social cohesion, it is very important to showcase how Indians worked with other race groups to build South Africa," Dhupelia said. Dhupelia recalled how late veteran Indian freedom fighter Ahmed Kathrada went to a university to give a talk and found that senior Indian students did not know that Indians had been incarcerated on Robben island alongside Nelson Mandela as political prisoners for decades. "So, we decided that when we started off the museum, we would pay respects to the indentured labourers who came here from 1860 onwards and showcase their history, but will also have revolving exhibitions which would include the (Indian) people who worked alongside Mandela in the struggle, many of whom are not even known by South African Indian children today." Dhupelia said there would also be an exhibition on the close relationship that Manilal Gandhi - the son that the Mahatma left behind in South Africa to look after the projects he had started there. A permanent exhibition titled Mandela-Gandhi-Luthuli highlights the work done by these three great leaders in fighting discrimination in South Africa. The centre will not only look at the political history of the South African Indian community, but also display artefacts from a century ago, like the household implements and clothing used by the early settlers, donated by their descendants. Projects for the immediate future include showcasing the role of the Indian community in non-racial sport in the white minority government era, when race groups were debarred from playing against each other under draconian apartheid laws. "A replica of Nelson Mandela's cell on Robben island is also on display, and surprisingly, many people don't know that the same cell was occupied at other stages by (Indian) struggle heroes like Ahmed Gatorade and Billy Naidoo during the time they were on the island," Dhupelia said. The centre will also have a library and archive for students to learn about Indian culture which has survived and adapted to local circumstances more than 156 years later among the 1.4 million South Africans of Indian-origin. He was joined on Thursday by other tech and industrial sector representatives who expressed frustration with the White House's decision and pledged to continue working to combat global warming. (Photo: AP) Washington: Tesla founder Elon Musk on Thursday confirmed he would quit White House business panels in reaction to President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord. "Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world," Musk wrote on Twitter shortly after Trump's announcement. Musk had vowed Wednesday to quit the business panels if Trump made good on a pledge to scrap the agreements. He was joined on Thursday by other tech and industrial sector representatives who expressed frustration with the White House's decision and pledged to continue working to combat global warming. "Disappointed with today's decision on the Paris Agreement," Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric, also wrote on Twitter. "Industry must now lead and not depend on government." The Information Technology Industry Council was equally scathing. "This is clearly disappointing, and a setback for America's leadership in the world," ITI President Dean Garfield said in a statement. "Despite this, the tech industry's determination to innovate and problem-solve for the threats posed by climate change and generate clean energy opportunities that create jobs and grow our economy remains unchanged." Oil supermajors ExxonMobil and Chevron reiterated their support for the endangered agreement while automaker General Motors said the White House's decision would not lessen its resolve on the climate. "GM will not waver from our commitment to the environment and our position on climate change has not changed," the company said in a statement. "International agreements aside, we remain committed to creating a better environment." Chevron spokeswoman Melissa Ritchie said her company "supports continuing with the Paris Agreement as it offers a first step towards a global framework. The accord aligns with the company's own policy on carbon emissions, she said. An Exxon representative said the 2015 accord was "critical" given the rising emissions from India and China. "It's the first major international accord to address climate change that includes emissions reduction pledges from both developed and developing economies," the company said. "We believe that the United States is well positioned to compete within the framework of the Paris agreement." Solheim said there is incredible momentum on climate action from individual states, cities, the private sector and citizens and a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. (Photo: AP) United Nations: India and China are showing strong leadership to combat climate change and the decision by the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement will not deter these global efforts, the UN Environment chief said today. "The science on climate change is perfectly clear: we need more action, not less. This is a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now," UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Erik Solheim said in a statement responding to President Donald Trump's announcement that the US will withdraw from the ambitious climate pact. "The US decision to leave Paris in no way brings an end to this unstoppable effort. China, India, the European Union and others are already showing strong leadership. 190 nations are showing strong determination to work with them to protect this and future generations," Solheim said in a statement. Solheim said there is incredible momentum on climate action from individual states, cities, the private sector and citizens and a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. Urging all parties to redouble their efforts, he said that UNEP would work with everyone willing to make a difference. "Climate action is not a burden, but an unprecedented opportunity. Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels will build more inclusive and robust economies. It will save millions of lives and slash the huge healthcare cost of pollution." "Committing to climate action means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the front line of extremism and terrorism. It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands," Solheim said, adding that it also means protecting food security and building stability to avoid adding yet more refugees to what is already an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis. He underscored that the Paris Agreement is founded on clear evidence, solid science and incredible international collaboration. "It will put aside differences to tackle a common, monumental challenge. The reversal of damage to the ozone layer proves that such a global effort can succeed. Ultimately, this is an investment in our own survival that no-one can afford to abandon," he added. Trump's decision to withdraw from the climate agreement drew strong reactions from various quarters. By pulling out of the climate deal, the United States joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations not participating in the global agreement. Members of The Elders, a group of independent leaders founded by South African President Nelson Mandela, condemned Trump's decision, saying US withdrawal does not mean the demise of the Paris Agreement, and urged other signatories to continue to respect its provisions. "Climate change is the great existential threat of our time. The Paris Agreement was born out of effective multilateralism and a desire to find a cooperative solution to a global problem. No one country can dismantle the Agreement. While the US withdrawal weakens that international accord, it will not trigger its demise," Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said. Mary Robinson, member of the group and former UN Special Envoy on Climate Change said the US "reneging on its commitment to the Paris Agreement renders it a rogue state on the international stage. "But the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will not stop climate action in the United States. We encourage all actors in the US working to tackle climate change to stand their ground, share the benefits of their work and to keep making their voices heard," she said. Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee, said with his decision, "Trump is breaking a promise to the world to combat climate change in order to keep an empty campaign promise to the coal industry. "Withdrawal from the climate agreement is a betrayal of scientific fact, economic opportunity, and moral leadership. Turning our back on this agreement will be a disaster for America -- for our businesses, for our health, and for our national security," he said. The League of Women Voters president Chris Carson said withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement is a "giant step in the wrong direction" for the health of the planet and all living beings. "Trump's decision today will undermine global cooperation and have a harmful impact on US relations with our most trusted world allies. The long-term effects of this decision will make more people sick, especially children and the elderly," Carson said. Italian Prime minister Paolo Gentiloni (center), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron (right) reaffirmed their strongest commitment to swiftly implement the Paris accord and urged all the other partner countries "to spead up their action to combat climate change." (Photo: AP) New York: Italy, France and Germany have issued a collective statement dismissing US President Donald Trump's suggestion of revising the global pact, hours after the latter decided to 'get out' from the Paris climate accord. "We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies," the leaders of the three countries said in a rare joint statement. At his White House withdrawal announcement, Trump complained that the global agreement, signed by 197 countries during the previous Obama administration, was "unfair" to American workers that imposed "draconian" restrictions on the US sovereignty and domestic economic activities. Italian Prime minister Paolo Gentiloni, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their strongest commitment to swiftly implement the Paris accord and urged all the other partner countries "to spead up their action to combat climate change." "We are convinced that the implementation of the Paris Agreement offers substantial economic opportunities for prosperity and growth in our countries and on a global scale," the three leaders said. Washington: The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to reinstate its ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries. The Justice Department filing to the high court late on Thursday argues that the federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, made several mistakes in ruling against the Trump travel policy. The government says the nation will be safer if the policy is put in place. Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores says the ban is lawful. Immigration officials would have 90 days to decide what changes are necessary before people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen may resume applying for visas. The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals called the national security concerns an after-the-fact justification for a policy that was "intended to bar Muslims from this country." The White House insisted the decision - sure to disappoint Israels US supporters - did not mean that Trump was abandoning the goal of eventually shifting the embassy to Jerusalem. (Photo: File) Washington: President Donald Trump signed an order on Thursday to keep the US embassy in Israel in Tel Aviv temporarily instead of relocating it to Jerusalem, despite his campaign pledge to go ahead with the controversial move. After months of fierce debate within his administration, Trump chose to continue his predecessors policy of signing a six-month waiver overriding a 1995 law requiring that the embassy be transferred to Jerusalem, an action that would have complicated his efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The White House insisted the decision - sure to disappoint Israels US supporters - did not mean that Trump was abandoning the goal of eventually shifting the embassy to Jerusalem. But a US official said no timetable has been set. He has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the White House said in a statement. The question is not if that move happens, but only when. With a deadline looming, Trump made the decision to defer action on the embassy to maximise the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend Americas national security interests, the White House said. Palestinian leaders, Arab governments and Western allies had urged Trump not to proceed with the embassy relocation, which would have upended decades of US policy by granting what would have been seen as de facto US recognition of Israels claim to all of Jerusalem as its capital. Though Israel is disappointed that the embassy will not move at this time, we appreciate todays expression of President Trumps friendship to Israel and his commitment to moving the embassy in the future, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said in a statement. No mention of embassy Trump avoided any public mention of a potential embassy move during his visit to Israel and the West Bank in May. Despite that, most experts are skeptical of Trumps chances for achieving a peace deal that had eluded other US presidents. The status of Jerusalem is one of the major stumbling blocks. Israel captured Arab East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it, a move not recognised internationally. Israel considers the entire city its indivisible capital. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Jerusalem is home to sites considered holy by the Jewish, Muslim and Christian religions. Successive US administrations have insisted that Jerusalems status must be decided in negotiations between the two sides. On the campaign trail, Trumps pro-Israel rhetoric raised expectations that he would act quickly to move the embassy. But after he took office in January, the issue lost momentum as he met Arab leaders who warned it would be hard to rejuvenate long-stalled peace efforts unless he acted as a fair mediator. Some of Trumps top aides pushed for him to keep his campaign promise, not only because it would be welcomed by most Israelis but to satisfy the pro-Israel, right-wing base that helped him win the presidency. The state department, however, recommended against an embassy move, one US official said. No one should consider this step to be in any way a retreat from the presidents strong support for Israel and for the United States-Israel alliance, according to the White House statement on the signing of the waiver. Secretary of Defense James Mattis stands in attention at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. during a Memorial Day ceremony. Mattis suggests the Trump administration's defense policy toward Asia will look a lot like that of its predecessors. He outlined policy goals in remarks to reporters traveling with him from Hawaii to Singapore on Friday. (Photo: AP) Singapore: US Defense Secretary James Mattis said on Friday the United States remains committed to its Asia-Pacific allies, as he arrived in Singapore for the region's premier defense and security forum. Mattis, who is making his second visit to the region since he took charge of the Pentagon on Jan. 20, will be looking to articulate a clear US policy for allies in the region and reassuring them. Trump has actively courted Chinese support on North Korea, raising concerns among Southeast Asian allies in the lead-up to the dialogue that Washington might allow China a freer rein elsewhere in the region. Mattis told reporters that in a speech on Saturday to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore he would talk about the "international order" needed for a peaceful Asia, a reference to countering North Korea's nuclear and missile program. "At the Shangri-la dialogue I will emphasize the United States stands with our Asia-Pacific allies and partners," Mattis told reporters on the way to the regional security forum. "The Department of Defense is focused on strengthening alliances, empowering countries to be able to sustain their own security, and strengthening US military capabilities to deter war," Mattis said. He is expected to meet with his counterparts from a number of countries including South Korea, Japan and Australia. China's delegation is led by a retired major-general from the Academy of Military Science, according to the forum's program. The US focus on North Korea has been sharpened by dozens of North Korean missile launches the most recent of which was on Monday and two nuclear bomb tests since the beginning of last year. Pyongyang has vowed to develop a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the US mainland. Japan's navy and air force began a three-day military exercise with two US aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan on Thursday adding pressure on North Korea to halt an accelerating ballistic missile program. US officials insist the administration remains committed more broadly to the region, much like it was under former President Barack Obama's administration. Trump is due to attend regional summits in Vietnam and the Philippines in November. The Pentagon also says it supports "in principle" a proposal by Senator John McCain, the head of the US Senate's Armed Services Committee, to increase military funding for the Asia-Pacific by USD $7.5 billion. Mattis said he would talk about the need for countries to uphold international law, an apparent reference to Beijing's construction activities on disputed islets and reefs in the South China Sea. China's claims to most of the South China Sea, through which about USD $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Last week, a US Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island China has built on a disputed reef in the South China Sea, the first such challenge to Beijing in the strategic waterway since Trump took office. The Trump administration has completed a broad review of US options aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear and missile program and leans more towards new sanctions and increased cooperation with Beijing. Some Asian officials say worries about Trump's direction have been fueled by his unpredictable personal approach to policymaking and emphasis on his chemistry with Xi. Since meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in April, Trump has praised him for efforts to restrain North Korea. "It is going to take time for the actions that China is taking to have affect in terms of North Korea," said David Helvey, a senior US defense official dealing with Asian and Pacific security affairs. The United Nations Security Council will vote on Friday on a US and Chinese proposal to blacklist more North Korean individuals and entities after the country's repeated ballistic missile launches. Mattis' trip also comes as South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered an investigation this week into why his office had not been informed about the deployment of four more launchers for the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Moon's top security aide left for Washington on Thursday as the new leader tries to reassure his country's main ally he will not scrap a deal to host a missile defense system that has angered China. Helvey said the United States had consulted with South Korea throughout the process and had been transparent. St Petersburg: The fifth and the sixth unit of India's largest nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu will cost about Rs 50,000 crore to build with half of it being funded by Russia as loan. The project will take seven years to start generating electricity, Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) Chairman and Managing Director S K Sharma told PTI here. India and Russia on Thursday signed an agreement for the two new reactors for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) on the sidelines of the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The entire project will cost about Rs 50,000 crore. The first unit will be commissioned in 66 months and the second six months thereafter," Sharma said. Atomstroyexport, a unit of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, will build the reactors. "The project will be funded in 70:30 debt-equity ratio (70 per cent debt, 30 per cent equity)," he said. The Russian government will lend India USD 4.2 billion to help cover the construction cost. Sharma said the equity portion of project will either come from NPCIL's own resources or from government. At the agreement signing ceremony on Thursday, Russian President Putin said the first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant was put into operation. "The most reliable, latest Russian technology was used in its construction. The plants second unit has also started to generate electricity. "At a joint teleconference in October 2016 with Narendra Modi we launched the construction of the plants third and fourth units. And we reaffirmed our intention to build in India at least 12 Russian-designed energy units, which will make a large contribution to the development of India's nuclear industry," he said. The KKNPP was the outcome of an inter-governmental agreement between the erstwhile Soviet Union and India in 1988. It is the single largest nuclear power station in India. The power station was envisaged to have six units with total capacity to generate 6,000 MW of electricity (1,000 MW each). Construction on the plant began on March 31, 2002 and Unit 1 was synchronised with the southern power grid in October 2013. The second unit started generating electricity in August last year. The original cost of the two units was Rs 13,171 crore, but it was later revised to Rs 17,270 crore. Russia advanced a credit of Rs 6,416 crore for construction of the two units. Construction of plant's third and fourth units was launched last year and will cost Rs 39,747 crore. While the cost of generating power from first two units is reported at Rs 4.29 per unit, the cost from 3 and 4 is likely to be significantly higher than that. Units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam plant are expected to be commissioned by 2022-23. The Russian built Water-Water Energetic Reactor (VVER) reactor Kudankulam unit 1 and 2 are the largest power generating stations in the country. After all the units (1-6) of the plant are commissioned, the nuclear park will have the power generating capacity of 6,000 MW, boosting significantly the country's nuclear power generation. The current nuclear power generation capacity of all 22 nuclear power reactors in India is 6780 MW. St Petersburg: It is a prerequisite for every journalist to do their basic preparation and background check before interviewing famous personalities, but National Broadcasting Company (NBC)'s Megyn Kelly clearly fell short on her homework and is now being bashed across Twitter for her incredible question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kelly, who interacted with the Prime Minister and Russian President Vladimir Putin at state dinner party at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, immediately set Twitter on fire for asking the former the question. This ludicrous situation came to light when Prime Minister Modi praised Kelly for her picture on Twitter where she is posing with an umbrella, to which the seemingly taken aback Kelly asked the Prime Minister "Are you on Twitter?" The Prime Minister laughed off her question. Another person, questioned Kelly to look at her profile first before asking the question comparison. Dear @megynkelly here is ur twitter profile vs @narendramodi sir profile,still u ask that r u on twitter. Wats d population f ur country btw pic.twitter.com/bFcanO6iLP Kumar Amritansh (@Banarasi_Hindu) June 2, 2017 Another important angle emerging from the development is that Putin invited the Indian Prime Minister to join at the NBC event, which is being seen as a possible 'message' to the United States. Nevertheless, Kelly may sure have come under the spotlight for her important tete-a-tete with two of the world's greatest leaders, but now this one lone blunder is sure to haunt her for a long time. St. Petersburg: Expressing concerns over Russian-US relations hitting record-low since Cold War, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on American businessmen to help establish 'constructive dialogue' between the two nations. "Help us to restore normal political dialogue, I ask you on behalf of Russia and I appeal to the American side - help the newly elected president, the head of the administration of the United States," Tass news agency quoted Putin as saying at the plenary session of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2017 in St. Petersburg on Friday. Maintaining that Russia would continue the dialogue with US President Donald Trump and the new administration, President Putin said that serious efforts on both sides are needed to achieve serious success in the matter. He said both Russia and US have witnessed the collapse of the groundwork of bilateral cooperation that had taken decades to build. President Putin recalled that Russia and the United States are influential world powers and asserted that the two sides maintain a dialogue within the framework of different formats in the Group of 20 in the APEC and other organizations and interact on key global and regional issues. He said the process of talks between Russia and US should continue as there is no chance of getting away from it all. President Putin thanked the US businessmen for their participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum amid continuing slump in Russian-US relations. "I believe that if a sound, pragmatic look is taken at this situation, where mutually beneficial economic contacts are curtailed, it will become clear that it cannot suit Russian or US businesses," he said. President Putin expressed hope that the business dialogue in the framework of the forum, initiatives and certain ideas of representatives of Russian and US businesses will help to form a favourable environment for solving this uneasy task. Asserting that United States has always remained Russia's significant trade partner, President Putin said that only strong trade and investment ties might ensure a reliable safety net from political volatility. President Putin noted that US was Russia's key trade partner during the emerging Soviet state and the American business actively helped the industrialization. "Americans are good businessmen and as soon as they saw that Russia has money amid high prices on energy resources, they asked for the money. We were not greedy, we paid for all, I want this to be taken into account," he said. President Putin stressed that Moscow would do its best to make business for American partners profitable in Russia. The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. (Photo: PTI) St Petersburg: Russia on Friday said it was preparing to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both governments were "simply discussing" the terms. Pre-contract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters in St Petersbrug. "Pre-contract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India," he said. "It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms," Russia's official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to this Russian city. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over USD five billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk to each other as they walk at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Photo: AP) St Petersburg: Russia today reaffirmed its "strong support" to India's candidature for a permanent seat in the reformed UN Security Council and a membership in the Nuclear Supplier Group and other non-proliferation regimes. In the annual bilateral summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two sides resolved to enhance their cooperation at multilateral fora like the BRICS, WTO, G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as well as Russia-India-China cooperation. "We believe that there is a need to reform the United Nations and in particular, the UN Security Council to make it more representative of contemporary realities and to respond more effectively to emerging challenges and threats. "Russia reaffirms its strong support to India's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council," said a vision document issued after the Modi-Putin talks. Strongly backing New Delhi's bid to the 48-member elite NSG club, Russia said it is convinced that India's participation in multilateral export control regimes will contribute to their enhancement. "In this context, Russia welcomes India's application for the membership in Nuclear's Suppliers Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement and reiterates its strong support for India's earliest admission to these control regimes," the declaration said. Of the four major export control regimes - the NSG, MTCR, Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement - India is a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime. It has applied for an NSG membership last year, but faces stiff opposition from China. India has also recently aligned its export control list with the one similar to the Wassenaar Arrangement's list. In the summit, the two sides, in an obvious reference to China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) project, said they oppose any recourse to "unilateralism or lack of respect to sovereignty" and ignoring the core concerns and legitimate interests of the countries. Touted as Chinese President Xi Jinping's pet project, the OBOR initiative focuses on improving connectivity and cooperation among Asian countries, Africa, China and Europe. The main reason behind India's opposition towards the policy is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a part of the OBOR. CPEC's route cuts through Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK). The two sides said they will work together to foster the democratisation and reform of global political, economic, financial and social institutions, for them to better accommodate the interest of all members of the international community. "We will continue facilitating efforts to build an open, well-balanced and inclusive security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region based on shared principles and taking into account the legitimate interests of all states, including through the development of relevant dialogue in the framework of the East Asia Summit," the vision document said. The two sides also resolved to further their cooperation on challenging issues like restoration of pace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa, settlement of the Syrian crisis, achievement of national reconciliation in Afghanistan. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak during their meeting at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in the Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Photo: AP) St Petersburg: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today recalled his visit to Russia 16 years ago as part of an official Indian delegation and said he was privileged to be in the country as the prime minister. Addressing a joint press event with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Modi recalled that he visited Russia within a month after becoming chief minister of Gujarat in 2001. "Sixteen years ago, I came here as part of a delegation. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Putin was standing here when I was signing an agreement as chief minister," the 66-year-old leader said. "Today, I have the privilege to stand here as Prime Minister" of India, Modi said. Modi served as the chief minister of Gujarat since October 2001 before becoming the prime minister in 2014. Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday pledged more decisive action than ever to protect the climate after the US pullout from the landmark Paris accord. "We in Germany, in Europe and the world will band together to take more decisive action than ever to confront and successfully surmount major challenges to humanity such as climate change," she said. In a strongly worded statement, Merkel said US President Donald Trump's announcement to turn his back on the Paris pact was highly regrettable, to put it very mildly. "This decision cannot and will not stop those of us who feel obligated to protect our Earth," she said. Calling the Paris pact a historic quantum leap, she said that Germany would live up to its "obligations under this agreement, particularly on financing of climate assistance for the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the world". She said it would be a rocky road toward full implementation of the agreement but called it irreversible. Merkel hailed private initiatives around the world on climate protection, including in the United States, saying they would help ensure more prosperity and opportunities for the world. She vowed to make a success of the next round of UN climate talks in the west Germany city of Bonn in November. "I say to all those for whom the future of our planet is important: let us continue on this path together so that we can succeed for Mother Earth," she said. St. Petersburg: Describing terrorism as a global menace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged the world community to block funding, weapons and communication modes of terrorists, in an apparent reference to Pakistan's support for Kashmiri militants. "The call of time is that we should rise above specific incidents. Terrorism is the enemy of humankind. All should come together to fight terrorism," Modi said during a discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Modi, while noting that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present in the gathering, lamented that for 40 years, a resolution is pending before the United Nations regarding definition of terrorism and of those who help terrorists. "Only lip service has been provided. There has been no discussion, nor any decision," he said. The prime minister said he was glad that Putin had on Thursday publicly stated that the resolution would be discussed. In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Modi said terrorists don't manufacture weapons, but some countries supply guns to them. Similarly, terrorists don't print currency, but some countries facilitate their financing through money laundering. Terrorists don't own telecommunications system and social media networks, but some countries help them with that, he said. "Now we should come out of good terrorism, bad terrorism (debate); my terrorist, your terrorist (syndrome). It is an issue of humankind. That's how we can fight terrorism," he said. India, he said, has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for 40 years and thousands of innocent citizens have been killed but the world recognized terrorism merely as a law and order problem for many years. Only after 9/11, the world woke up to know how deep terrorists can strike and how much havoc they can wreak, he said. He said terrorism has no boundaries and all countries should fight it collectively. Putin also said that India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an imaginary thing. He agreed with Modi that terrorism is a common threat and "that should unite us. We ought to understand what is happening and where it will lead us. We ought to be aware of the danger" of terrorism. France and the United States "would continue to work together," but not on climate change, the presidential office said. (Photo: File) Paris: European leaders and green groups reacted with anger and dismay after President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States, the world's second biggest carbon emitter, was quitting the 2015 Paris Agreement. But they also pledged to defend the agreement and not to backtrack in the fight against climate change. In an exceptional step, continental Europe's three biggest economies -- Germany, France and Italy -- issued a joint statement in which they criticised Trump's decision and said the pact was "not renegotiable." "We note the United States' decision with regret," they said, describing the accord as "a vital tool for our planet, our societies and our economies." "We are firmly convinced that the agreement cannot be renegotiated," they added, referring to part of the Trump announcement which said Washington was open to negotiating a new agreement. Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the European Union's executive Commission, lashed Trump's decision as "seriously wrong." The body's commissioner for climate action and energy Miguel Arias Canete also pledged continued "global leadership" on climate change. "The EU deeply regrets the unilateral decision by the Trump administration," he said in a statement. "The Paris Agreement will endure. The world can continue to count on Europe for global leadership in the fight against climate change. "Europe will lead through ambitious climate policies and through continued support to the poor and vulnerable," he added. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed "regret" at the decision, and called for a continuation of "climate policies which preserve our world." Seven Social Democratic ministers in her coalition government said the United States "is harming itself, we Europeans and all the people of the world." In France, the Elysee presidential palace said newly-elected leader Emmanuel Macron had phoned Trump to say that "nothing was negotiable" in the Paris agreement. France and the United States "would continue to work together," but not on climate change, the presidential office said. Paris city hall meanwhile said it would illuminate its building in green on Thursday "in a sign of disapproval" of Trump's announcement and to recall the determination of cities around the world to fight climate change. In Rome, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni urged against any retreat from fighting climate. "Let's not go backwards from the Paris Agreement," he said on Twitter. "Italy is committed to reducing (carbon) emissions, to renewable energy, sustainable development." Among environment groups, Climate Action Network said the withdrawal "signals that the Trump Administration is in total discord with both reality and the rest of the world." "Unfortunately, the first to suffer from this injudicious decision is the American people," the group, an alliance of climate activists, said. "This action is totally contrary to their best interests: their health, security, food supply, jobs and future." Friends of the Earth International said "pulling out of the Paris Agreement would make the US a rogue state on climate change. The rest of the world cannot let the US drag it down." Oxfam France branded the decision as "shameful and irresponsible, scorning people and world peace." Among the scientific community, Britain's prestigious Royal Society said Trump's decision would hamper US innovation in cleaner technology. "The future is in newer, cleaner and renewable technologies, not in fossil fuels," said the society's president Venki Ramakrishnan. "Such technologies will also help in our fight against air pollution and ensure greater energy security globally. President Trump is not putting America first, he is tethering it to the past." St. Petersburg: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged the world to work with Donald Trump on climate, insisting he did not judge the US leader for quitting the landmark Paris accord. "You shouldn't make a noise about this, but should create the conditions for joint work," Putin said at an economic forum, adding that Trump had said he wanted to renegotiate a new deal. "If such a major emitter as the US is not going to cooperate entirely then it won't be possible to agree on any deal in this area," Putin said. The Kremlin leader said that "in my view it was possible (for the US) not to leave the Paris agreement because it is a framework deal, and it was possible to change the US obligations inside the framework of these agreements." "But what has been said has been said. And we need to think what to do further," he said. Other world leaders have reacted with anger and defiance after President Trump announced that the United States, the world's second biggest carbon emitter, was quitting the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Led by Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Emmanuel Macron, they have branded Trump's decision as misguided and vowed to defend an accord they consider crucial to the future of the planet. US President Donald Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris climate deal has not gone down well in Germany, if this tabloids choice of words is anything to go by. Local newspaper Berliner Kurier use the powerful, if not vulgar, headline: Earth to Trump: F*** you! on its front page, in response to the US president backing out of the climate change deal. The front page was published on Friday ahead of the official announcement, but was widely circulated online after Donald Trumps speech on Friday, as reported by a news agency. One Twitter user, who was apparently from the US, wrote: We completely agree with you Germany. Our deepest, deepest apologies. Another tweeted: Bravo. I couldnt have said it any better.The Berlin tabloid is notorious for targeting politicians and doesnt hold back in its attacks. In March, the paper published an article about Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, labelling him as one of the worlds most insane leaders, using the word Fuhrer a term typically reserved for Adolf Hitler to describe him. The headline The seven looniest leaders of the world drew immediate and strong criticism from the Israeli Embassy, who blasted the report as antisemitic. More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011. (Photo: Representational/AP) Damascus: A roadside bomb and government shelling killed at least 19 people, most of them rebel fighters, in southern Syria's Daraa province on Friday, a monitor said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an explosive device placed on a road by government forces detonated as a convoy of rebel fighters passed by. "After the blast, civilians from nearby came to the scene and the regime shelled the area," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. He said 13 of the dead were from local rebel factions, and at least three others were civilians. The identities of the remaining fatalities had not been confirmed. The monitor said the toll in the incident in the northwest of the province could rise further because several people were suffering serious injuries. Syrian forces have been occasionally accused of planting explosives to target opposition fighters. Daraa province is one of the last remaining bastions of rebel forces, who retain control of a majority of the region even as they have been routed elsewhere. More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011. Karachi: One of Pakistan's leading lawyers, Sharifuddin Pirzada, passed away in Karachi after a long illness on Friday. He was 93. All legal proceedings at the Sindh High Court were temporarily suspended as a mark of respect for the eminent legal luminary, who was also secretary to Pakistan's founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the 1940s, reports the Dawn. Pirzada also provided legal cover for a succession of military rulers in Pakistan over a career stretching for nearly six decades. He served as attorney general for former president Yahya Khan and his predecessor Ayub Khan, Pakistan's first military ruler, whom he also served as foreign minister. In 2014, he was the head of former president Pervez Musharraf's defence team as the military ruler faced treason charges relating to his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007. Pirzada himself wrote the legal order for Musharraf's emergency rule, updating a similar one he prepared for General Zia-ul-Haq after his 1977 coup. He also wrote oaths for judges sworn in by General Zia-ul-Haq and Musharraf that omitted the commitment to protect the constitution, and drew up documents based on the so-called doctrine of necessity to legalise both rulers' coups. Pirzada began his legal career in the Bombay High Court before moving to the newly created Pakistan. "He's a very skilful lawyer and we have no better authority on constitutional law. People could have been very good architects but built something for Hitler," Asma Jahangir, a top human rights lawyer and leading light among Pakistani liberals, had once said about Pirzada. Islamabad: India on Friday granted medical visa to four-month-old Rohaan, who is suffering from a heart ailment. India has not issued medical visas to Pakistanis since three months. The plea of the ailing child gained strength on social media and finally caught the attention of the external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Upon the request of Rohaans father, the four-month-old was issued a medical visa by the Indian High Commission. The father, Kanwal Sadiq, had initially applied for a visa in Uttar Pradesh, however, to no avail. Mr Sadiqs friends advised him to use social media to contact Indian officials, following which he tweeted Ms Sushma. Ms Swaraj promptly replied to the fathers plea on Twitter, after which the Indian HC issued three visas to the family. According to the childs father, they are still awaiting passports. Rohan is to undergo heart surgery in UPs JP Hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Germany saw the two sides sign over a dozen memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements in an array of fields, including economic development, rail safety, cyber policy, health, renewable energy, alternative medicine, education etc. Underscoring the priority it accords to promoting green technology, Germany has promised India $2.5 billion for a clean energy corridor and solar projects. German investors have often complained that their investments in India are entangled endlessly in bureaucratic red tape. To address their concerns, a fast track system has been set up for German companies operating in India. They will need to deal with a single point of contact in the Indian government instead of having to run from one office to another to move files as has been the trend hitherto. The Modi governments decision to replace the teaching of German with Sanskrit as a third language option in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools had irked the German government, prompting Prime Minister Angela Merkel to raise the issue when she met Modi last year. The two sides have done well to work through that tangle; at the just-concluded Modi-Merkel meet, they signed a pact providing for German as a foreign language in India and promotion of Indian languages in Germany. India-Germany relations go back several centuries. The two countries have been strategic partners since 2001. They have put in place several institutionalised arrangements such as the strategic dialogue, foreign office consultations and the Indo-German Energy Forum to meet regularly and address irritants. This has helped strengthen bilateral ties. Still, the full potential of the relationship has not been tapped. The present may be an opportune time for the two countries to tap that potential. Germanys relations with the US are fraying. Trump has accused Germany of not addressing the bilateral trade imbalance and under-contributing to Nato, while Merkel is peeved with Trumps insular approach to global affairs and his likely withdrawal from the climate change treaty, which Merkel has strongly supported. Germany is looking for new partners especially in Asia. While Chinas deep pockets makes it an attractive partner, its authoritarian political system and lack of transparency repel Germany. This is where India scores; Germany is drawn to Indias democratic culture, plural society and commitment to a multi-polar world. There are concerns they share, such as those over terrorism and religious extremism. Enhanced Indo-German cooperation could benefit the people of not only the two countries but also, the world. Opportunity has opened up and Modi and Merkel must act swiftly before that window closes. At his meeting with Merkel, Modi remarked that India and Germany are made for each other. He must turn that rhetoric to reality. India today successfully test-fired its indigenous developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army. The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near here at around 9.50 am, official sources said. The trial of the sophisticated missile was successful and the mission objectives were met, they said. The Prithvi-II missile is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target with precision and accuracy. The state-of-the-art missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC) and monitored by the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise, a DRDO scientist said. "The missile trajectory was tracked by the DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha," the sources said. Teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown. In salvo mode, two Prithvi-II missiles were successfully test fired in quick succession from the same base, on November 21, 2016. Inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003, the nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. India and Russia have agreed to set up joint ventures for manufacturing aircraft and automobiles as the two nations look to boost trade and economic ties. Russian President Vladimir Putin, after summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, said Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory. "We both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend," he said. "Our talks are always held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and are always substantive and productive. This time was no exception." Putin said agreements made in the St. Petersburg Declaration outlines steps to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural spheres. "Encouraging the growth of trade, improving its structure, and expanding industrial cooperation constitute our key priority," he said. Bilateral trade, he said, was declining in recent years but has reversed this year. It rose by 29 per cent in the first quarter of 2017. "As of today the sides have agreed a list of 19 projects aimed at establishing joint ventures for transport infrastructure, new technology, including pharmaceuticals, aircraft and automobile manufacturing, the diamond industry, and agriculture," he said without giving details. After summit talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on intellectual property, a master framework agreement on building two units at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, a programme of bilateral cultural exchanges for 20172019, an agreement on a feasibility study for a high- speed link between Nagpur and Secunderabad, and a memorandum on cooperation between joint stock company ALROSA and India's Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. Also signed were documents on building Russian-designed nuclear power plants at new sites in India, developing a bilateral leasing platform, developing bilateral investment activity, and developing rail transport vehicles. Russia's cumulative investment in the Indian economy exceeded USD 4 billion, and Indian investment in Russia is USD 8 billion. "All these facts show that Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory, and we both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend," Putin said. Putin said the cooperation is not limited to direct supplies of the latest Russian military equipment to India. "The assembly of high-tech military products has been set up in India with Russias participation. We agreed with the Prime Minister to continue to jointly develop and manufacture modern weapons systems." At the CEO forum that immediately followed the Summit discussions, Putin said over the past seven decades, first the Soviet Union and then Russia built steel works, power stations, chemicals plants, gas pipelines, agribusiness facilities, and transport infrastructure in India. "We in Russia are proud of this capital we have developed together," he said. He said it was important to move from simply trading goods to more sophisticated forms of cooperation. "We invite our partners to localise production in Russia. We know Prime Minister Modi's idea regarding projects in India in areas where we can support each other and exchange modern technology. We can do this on a bilateral basis, of course, in areas where we are competitive at the global level." Businessmen of the two nations can create new, high value-added products and build production chains, including for promoting their goods and services on third country markets, he said. "On the agenda we have the launch of promising joint projects in fundamental areas for the economy and high-tech sectors such as nuclear energy, the aerospace sector, and biotechnology. We need to look to the future, and the future is about harnessing the common powerful scientific and technical potential of both countries." Russia's market, he said, today offers every opportunity for carrying out the boldest business initiatives. "We continue to improve our investment and business mechanisms, including with respect to foreign companies and citizens. We will use modern market instruments to stimulate growth in the high-tech sectors." President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris deal was a "death knell" for the climate agreement, Indian environmentalists said today with some asserting that the US' move was an opportunity for India to provide global leadership on the issue. This was not the first time that the US was opting out of an international climate agreement, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said. It had pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol saying emerging economies do not have quantified emission targets. Noting that US is only the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases, but also one the major current emitters, CSE said any action to combat climate change will be "insufficient" by a huge margin without the US' active contribution. Calling Trump's decision "irresponsible and short- sighted", Greenpeace India said it was a loss for the US in many ways and an opportunity for India to provide global leadership on the climate issue. It added that the US decision was leading to a shift in global geopolitics with China and the EU already positioning themselves to take the lead in climate action. The US president has announced that the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gasses will withdraw from the Paris climate accord, saying the deal agreed by more than 190 nations unfairly benefited countries like India and China. The objective of the Paris Agreement is to prevent an increase in global average temperature and keep it well below 2C. The Agreement was adopted on December 12, 2015 by 195 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), replacing its predecessor Kyoto Protocol. It was finally ratified on November 4, 2016. "With the US president's latest assault on the global fight against climate change, meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement will become an uphill task. Trump has sounded the death knell for the Agreement," CSE DG Sunita Narain said. "Even if other countries, including the developing countries, raise their ambition, they would not be able to fill in the void left by the US. It is, therefore, not sufficient to shift the burden of addressing climate change to other countries -- including China and India," added her colleague Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE. "Pulling out of the Paris Agreement would mean that with 5 per cent of the world population, the US will continue to jeopardise the remaining 95 per cent. Countries need to hold the US accountable for decisions that have a global impact, Narain said. Under its climate action plan, the US had pledged merely 26-28 per cent emission reduction below 2005 levels by 2025. According to Ravi Chellam, executive director, Greenpeace India, Trump was out of touch with reality. Apart from governments, an entire spectrum of actors, including religious leaders, bankers, youth, ordinary citizens from across the world, scientists, investment groups and CEOs of some of the world's largest corporations have committed to strong and quick climate action, he asserted. "The vast majority of the world has already resolved and started to act on climate with the renewable energy industry growing exponentially. India and China, amongst the leading greenhouse gas emitters, have resolved and started to develop clean energy and a low carbon economy in a big way. "This transition will continue with or without US, which now has Syria and Nicaragua for company as the only three countries, who are currently not part of the Paris Agreement," said Chellam. He added that climate action has tremendous "win-win" potential for all nations, including India. "The planet needs the US to do its fair share, but while we wait for sanity to be restored in the US, other countries must accelerate their path to decarbonisation. At the very least, we owe it to our future generations, said Chellam. Ajay Mathur, director general, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and one of the key negotiators for India during the Paris climate summit, termed the decision "unfortunate". "It is unfortunate that the US is pulling out of the Paris Agreement. The absence of its leadership and financial support in implementing the Agreement could delay actions to both reduce global emissions as well as to adapt to the adverse impacts of the climate change that has already occurred. "However, we believe that the positive trends in the decline of prices of renewable energy and energy efficiency will continue to drive global action to ensure that global temperature rise remains well below 2 C," he said. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), said the US, by becoming an outlier on climate action, will soon realise the "folly" of its secision - that it will lose out on investment, jobs and market opportunities in a lower carbon economy. R K Pachauri, former chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said the US decision was "truly unfortunate" as it completely ignores the scientific reality of climate change and the moral responsibility of the US for taking action. "In cumulative terms, the US has been the largest emitter of greenhouse gases which are resulting in human induced climate change," he said. Lawyer Gautam Khaitan, an accused in AgustaWestland case, and five others have been booked by the CBI in a new Rs 28.73 crore bank loan default case. The case has been registered on the complaint of Canara Bank against IC Textiles, its directors Gautam Khaitan, Sunil Kumar Jain, Ravinder Singh, Pramod Jain and guarantor Anil Kumar Jain. Khaitan is an accused in the FIR registered with regards to AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal scam. The bank has alleged in its complaint, now part of the FIR, that the Gujarat-based company was availing of loan benefits since 1996, and also from IFCI and IDBI Bank. The unit had become sick and registered with Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) in 2004. The accounts was classified as non performing assets (NPA) in the books of Canara bank in 2004, it said. A revival package was given to the company which saw improvement in the company's financials but it could not perform as per the expectation and failed to honour the commitment to secured lenders. It shut down its plant from November 2007 with liabilities of Rs 28.72 crore. "As per the audited balance sheet at March 31, 2008 there was drastic reduction in the value of inventory and book debts as compared to value of inventory and book debts furnished in last stock statement as on September 30, 2007," it said. It alleged the company committed breach of trust by selling away the stocks which were hypothecated to bank without its knowledge. The bank alleged that the company did not credit the sale proceeds to bank and did not allow bank officials to inspect the stock and plant machiney with an intention to conceal the fraud committed by them. The complaint said that false information was declared in the financial statements submitted to the bank, filed concocted statements, submitted fake documents and caused the loss of Rs 28.73 crore plus interest. Based on the complaint the agency has registered a case of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption against the company and its director besides unidentified public servants. A father and his son were found dead in a suburban Detroit pool located in a Glens of Northville apartment complex in Novi on Wednesday. According to American Telangana Association (ATA) representatives , 31 year old Nagaraju Surepalli and his 3 year old son Anant Sai were found floating in the complex pool, with the childs tricycle at the bottom of the pool around 4pm . Whereas there were no eye witnesses to the incident, a couple who were passing by the apartment complex pool found the floating bodies and informed Novi police. According to reports reaching here Nagaraju who belonged to Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh is an employee of Infosys and working in USA. The youngster might have accidentally fallen into the pool while riding his tricycle on the pool deck. Initial findings say that the father who is not conversant with swimming might have rushed to save the child and drowned, Novi Chief of Police said in a statement. Novi Police dispatches say that the Para medics and police tried to revive the duo first and then rushed them to Providence Park Hospital in Novi, where they were declared brought dead. The release said adding that an autopsy was performed on Wednesday. "This particular pool does not staff a lifeguard and they were the only occupants in the pool area." The statement said. A pal of gloom descended on Nagarajus home in Guntur where his sick mother Subhanamma and father Sivalingayya live. They received the news through a friend of Nagaraju. Nagaraju did his B Tech at Vignan Engineering College in Vadlamudi, and had schooling at Majeti Guravaiah High School in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. He married Hima Bindu of Chirala in 2012 and moved to USA in 2014. Meanwhile Telugu community began a fundraising campaign to help Nagarajus wife Hima Bindu to bring the bodies to India. "Everyone who knows Naga would agree that he is one of the most jovial, honest, friendly person you would ever meet and always smiling," his friends posted on the fundraiser page aiming to collect $1, 50,000 said. Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in at least three areas of Kashmir after Friday prayers. A group of youths started shouting pro-freedom slogans at Nowhatta after Friday prayers ended at the historic Jamia Masjid. Security forces deployed to maintain law and order used batons and lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse them, leading to clashes between the two sides, a police official said. He said the protesters threw stones at security forces. Also, violence erupted in Sopore town in Baramulla district and Sherbagh area in Anantnag district, the official said. No casualties were reported in any of these incidents. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today presented over 100 volumes of 'Urga Kanjur' to the head priest of the Datsan Gunzechoinei Buddhist Temple here. 'Urga Kanjur' is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist text. "PM presents Urga Kanjur to Jampa Donor, Buda Balzheivich Badmayev, Head Priest, Datsan Gunzechoinei Buddhist Temple, St Petersburg," Office of the Prime Minister said in a tweet. Modi also shared some pictures of his visit to the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Modi, who is on an official visit here, met President Vladimir Putin yesterday. The Urga edition of the Tibetan Kanjur was unknown till 1955 when Prof Raghu Vira brought to India its complete set of 104 volumes with a volume containing the catalogue. It was presented to him by Mongolian prime minister as a unique bibliographic rarity. On the second day of his Russia visit, Modi visited Institute of Oriental Manuscripts. He also left a message in Gujarati language at the institute, said a tweet by the Indian Embassy in Moscow. The institute has manuscripts and early printed books consisting of more than 100 thousand items in 65 living and dead languages. It also has the archives of the Orientalists that contains some valuable documents on the history of the Oriental Studies in Russia. It has manuscripts and xylographs. He also met Tigran Sargasyan, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission and former Prime Minister of Armenia. India and Russia yesterday agreed on early commencement of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the five- nation Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested national-level shooter Prashant Bishnoi, a key accused in multi-crore gun-running and wildlife smuggling case. The arrest comes a month after raids conducted by the DRI at Bishnoi's residence in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut resulted in the recovery of about Rs one crore in cash besides over a hundred illegally imported firearms, 117 kg of nilgai meat, horns and skins of leopards and blackbucks. Bishnoi is alleged to be the kingpin of a global syndicate involved in smuggling of fire arms and wildlife. He appeared before the DRI officials yesterday in response to a summon issued against him. Following interrogation, Bishnoi was arrested, official sources said today. During the interrogation, he was confronted with evidence gathered during the probe. Bishnoi accepted to be the part of the global smuggling racket, the sources claimed. Three accused including Slovenian national Boris Sobotic Mikolic have already been arrested for their alleged involvement in the case. The trio were intercepted after their arrival at the Delhi airport by a Turkish Airlines flight from Slovenia's capital Ljubljana via Istanbul on April 29. They were carrying 25 illegally imported lethal weapons and other items worth about Rs 4.5 crore with them, according to a senior DRI official. They had incorrectly declared the quantity and value of the arms and ammunition to the customs officials and tried to get these items cleared by misusing the scheme meant for renowned shooters, he said. The rules permit professional shooters to import a limited quantity of arms and ammunition for practice. The accused -- Amit Goyal, Anil Kumar Langan and Mikolic -- were arrested for allegedly violating customs rules to evade payment of import duty, the official said. Following the detention of the accused, the DRI had carried out searches at multiple places including the house of the Prashant Bishnoi, son of a retired army colonel, and seized over hundred illegally imported firearms, 117 kg of nilgai meat, horns and skins of leopards and blackbucks, he said. Unaccounted cash of about Rs one crore and two lakh cartridges were also seized during the searches, the official said. The firearms of various make and models -- Glock (Austria), Italy-made Beretta, Arsenal, Benelle and Blaser (Germany) -- were seized along with expensive cameras, thermal imaging binoculars and cartridges during the raids. Amid the ongoing agitation of farmers in Maharashtra, Congress today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he could take time out of his schedule to meet Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra, but had no time to meet farmers. "It is unfortunate that Modi ji has time to meet Priyanka Chopra, but not our farmers. His Chief Minister in Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis ji is behaving like Yamraj (god of death)," Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Shehzad Poonawalla in a statement issued here. "Congress supports the demands of the farmers. If loan waiver can be given in UP why not in Maharashtra?" he said. On May 30, Modi had taken some time out of his hectic schedule of bilateral talks and meetings in Berlin to meet actor Priyanka Chopra. "In Maharashtra, out of a total 1.36 crore farmers, 31 lakh farmers with a cumulative debt of Rs 30,500 crore are not eligible for bank loans," he said. Poonawalla said that farmers' strike will affect the whole nation along with the people of Maharashtra and hence Modi and Fadnavis should show seriousness towards their demands. "Even the Shiv Sena is with the opposition on this issue. While the Sena is backing this anti-farmer government on the one hand, it is playing role of opposition on the other. We request the Sena not to be party to such anti-farmer policies of the Fadnavis government for the sake of power," he said. The Congress leader said that if the BJP-led government at the Centre and in the state continue to ignore the "legitimate" demands of farmers there will be a nationwide crisis. "Modi ji had made several promises, including the promise to raise the minimum support price (MSP) by 50 per cent. They have not delivered anything except jumlas," he said. "It is time for real steps to improve the condition of farmers, which is worsening under the Fadnavis rule. Mere cosmetic steps like Krishi Bima Yojna will not suffice," Poonawalla said. India is committed to the Paris agreement "irrespective" of the stand taken by any other country, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan today said as the United States announced its withdrawal from the UN climate deal. "Our government is committed irrespective of the stand of anyone, anywhere in the world. It has been the stand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said, stressing that Modi had provided "leadership" at the Paris summit. "We are committed to ensuring that we will do our best to address the issue related to climate change and global warming," Vardhan told reporters. President Donald Trump today declared the US would withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate accord, saying the "draconian" deal unfairly punished America but benefited countries such as India and China. The stand drew strong condemnation from leaders and environmentalists from across the world. "India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States," Trump said. The Paris agreement commits the US and other countries to keep rising global temperatures "well below" 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and "endeavour to limit" them to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Only Syria and Nicaragua did not sign the deal. The Centre for Science and Environment here said Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris deal was a "death knell" for the climate agreement. But the US move was an opportunity for India to provide global leadership on the issue, it said. This was not the first time that the US was opting out of an international climate agreement, environmentalists pointed out. It had pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, saying emerging economies did not have quantified emission targets. India is committed to protecting the climate, irrespective the Paris agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here today but avoided a direct reference to the US withdrawing from the international deal. Addressing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) here in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said India has traditionally been respecting the nature and desisted from exploiting it. "Paris or no Paris, our commitment to preserving the climate is for the sake of future generations," Modi said while responding to a question about US President Donald Trump announcing withdrawal of the USA from the Climate Change deal. He said he had made the same comment in Germany three days back when "nobody's comment had come", an apparent reference to Trump's announcement today. "I said it in then, I say it now," he added. Trump earlier in the day said the US was withdrawing from the Paris climate change deal, agreed by more than 190 nations. He said it unfairly benefited countries like India and China. Asked by the moderator whether India would side with the US or others on the Paris climate change deal, Modi replied, "it is not a question of which way I go. I will go with the future generations." He underlined, "we must leave for our future generations a climate wherein they can breathe clean air and have a healthy life." Earlier, addressing the event, the prime minister said, "India is a responsible nation with regard to climate change...We can milk the nature... Exploitation of nature is not acceptable to us," he said. He said India had been working to protect the environment even before the Paris deal reached in 2015. "For the last 5000 years, even when I was not born, it has been the tradition in India to protect the environment," Modi said. He recalled that when he was the chief minister of Gujarat before 2014, the state had created a separate department for environment protection Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sought to bring the world focus on Pakistan arming and funding terrorism in Kashmir and pressed the world community to come together to fight the menace which is the "enemy" of humankind. With Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting next to him at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Modi emphasised that the world should move beyond the "good terrorism, bad terrorism" debate and block funding, weapons and communication modes of terrorists. He also pushed for early decision on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), a resolution pending before the United Nations for the last 40 years. Joining Modi, Putin said India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an "imaginary thing". During a question-answer session after addressing the SPIEF, Modi said, "terrorists don't manufacture weapons, but some countries supply guns to them; terrorists don't print currency, but some countries facilitate their financing through money laundering; terrorists don't own telecommunications system and social media networks, but some countries help them with that." Although he did not name any country, the reference was clearly to Pakistan which has been indulging in all these activities in Kashmir. "The call of time is that we should rise above specific incidents. Terrorism is the enemy of humankind. All should come together to fight terrorism," he said. Noting that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present in the gathering, the prime minister lamented that for 40 years, a resolution is pending before the United Nations regarding definition of terrorism and of those who help terrorists. "Only lip service has been provided. There has been no discussion, nor any decision," he said. The prime minister said he was glad that Putin had yesterday publicly stated that the resolution would be discussed. "Now we should come out of good terrorism, bad terrorism (debate); my terrorist, your terrorist (syndrome). It is an issue of humankind. That's how we can fight terrorism," Modi said. India, he said, has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for 40 years and thousands of innocent citizens have been killed but the world recognized terrorism merely as a law and order problem for many years. Only after 9/11, the world woke up to know how deep terrorists can strike and how much havoc they can wreak, he said. He said terrorism has no boundaries and all countries should fight it collectively. Putin also said that India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an "imaginary thing". He agreed with Modi that terrorism is a common threat and "that should unite us. We ought to understand what is happening and where it will lead us. We ought to be aware of the danger" of terrorism. The world has increasingly become inter-connected and inter-dependent, a transformation that has made it necessary for India and China to cooperate on trade and investments despite a simmering border dispute, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today. "It is true that we have a border dispute with China. But in the last 40 years, not a single bullet has been fired because of border dispute," Modi said during a panel discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Modi was responding to a question whether India's opposition to China's 'One Belt One Road' project reflects deep discord in their relationship. India had boycotted a high-profile conference recently hosted by China on the project, citing "sovereignty" issue since it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The prime minister noted that it is not the same bipolar world of before when nations were aligned either with the United States or the former Soviet Union. "It is an inter-connected and inter-dependent world. So countries may have some disputes and some areas of collaboration," he said, noting that India and Russia relationship has stood the test of time as it was based on trust. The 24-page St. Petersburg Declaration, released yesterday after his summit with Putin, is a testament to India-Russia relation, Modi said. "And I know the world will minutely scrutinize every word for future direction of our relations." On China, he said that despite differences, New Delhi and Beijing have come together on the BRICS platform to create two financial institutions, one headed by China where India is a partner and one BRICS Bank where the two regional superpowers are collaborators. "The world is increasingly becoming inter-dependent. We believe in 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas' (Cooperation of all, development for all). This is not just for the domestic programmes but also for international cooperation. We want to carry everyone along for development," he said. Bihar Intermediate Arts topper Ganesh Kumar was arrested here on Friday night. A case of forgery has been registered at the Kotwali police station against him for concealing his actual age. The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) chairman Anand Kishore confirmed the arrest, which took place after Ganesh was found to be of 42 years old, and not 24 years as mentioned in his application. Ganesh, who studied in Ram Nandan Singh Jagdeep Narayan Higher Secondary School in Samastipur, topped in the Arts stream with 82.6 per cent marks. His result has been cancelled for forging the documents. He had mentioned his date of birth as June 2, 1993. But BSEB sources said Ganesh, a native of Jharkhand, was actually 42 years old as he is 1975 born. A married person, Ganesh is said to have two children, a charge he initially denied. The forgery came to light after media quizzed him about music as he had scored 83 in the subject. On further query, it came to fore that he originally hailed from Giridih in Jharkhand from where he had completed his Xth and possibly XIIth too. From 2009 to 2014, he ran a chit fund company in Jharkhand. When the company became bankrupt and investors started baying for his blood, he fled to Bihar and took shelter in Samastipur where he took admission in such a school where attendance was not an issue. He got enrolled in Intermediate where he topped in a questionable manner, the source informed Deccan Herald. Surprisingly, Ganeshs arrest came a day after BSEB chairman Anand Kishore stoutly defended him and said Ganesh has performed well. I have personally checked his copies. There will be no change in the toppers list. On Friday, as media questioned Ganeshs basic knowledge about his subjects, the topper was summoned to BSEB office where Kishore quizzed him. When Kishore, who is also Commissioner of Patna division, found charges against Ganesh true, he asked for lodging of a FIR, following which the Arts topper was arrested. A case will be lodged against the principal and other staff of the school where Ganesh studied. After his result was cancelled, Neha of Madhubani was declared the Arts topper. This is the second consecutive year that the BSEB had draw flak for its fake intermediate topper. In 2016, the three toppers Ruby Rai, Saurabh and Rahul Kumar were arrested, while the then chairman of the BSEB Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh is still cooling his heels behind bars. Within a month of participating in a modelling contest, a model from Mangaluru has received an offer from Hollywood director Fredrick Deous to act in his upcoming film. Josita Anola Rodrigues, a second PUC student of Sharada Pre-university College in Mangaluru, was in the top 10 list of World Teen Super Model contest held at Macau in May. Rodrigues told DH that she was the winner at Teen Miss South Asia contest held at Mumbai a month ago. The hollywood director was impressed with my presentation on Indian culture at Macau. He was searching for an Indian face for his movie. He will visit Mumbai next month to discuss the movie and script, she said. A resident of Kodialbail in Mangaluru, Rodrigues is the daughter of Wilfred and Anitha. Interested in acting Rodrigues said she will try for Lakme Fashion as well. Noting that she has been interested in acting since childhood, she said Shubhakiran Mani of Sizzling Guys, a dancing institute, introduced her to modelling.She was guided into the modelling by Fashion ABCD Sharan Suvarna and Anupama Suvarna. Rodrigues did her schooling at St Aloysius High School. At present, she has been acting in Tulu serial Deverna Daye by Pravin Kumpala. Along with modelling, Rodrigues is also good at dance, singing and cooking as well. She said she balances studies and modelling both as her lecturers and college principal are very supportive. DH News Service By Brad Smith 1 June 2017 (Microsoft) Today, the White House announced its intent to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Over 190 countries, from China to India to the EU, have signed the agreement and committed to taking actions to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Microsoft believes that climate change is an urgent issue that demands global action. We have a longstanding commitment to sustainability, which includes operating 100 percent carbon neutral and setting goals to increase the amount of green energy to power our operations. We all live on a small planet and every nation needs to work with others to protect it. Weve been a steadfast supporter of the Paris Agreement, from encouraging nations to come to an agreement in 2015 to urging the U.S. to ratify the agreement in 2016. In the past few months, Microsoft has actively engaged the Trump Administration on the business case for remaining in the Paris Agreement. Weve sent letters to and held meetings on this topic with senior officials in the State Department and the White House. And in the past month, weve joined with other American business leaders to take out full-page ads in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and New York Post, urging the Administration to keep the United States in the Paris Agreement. We believe that continued U.S. participation benefits U.S. businesses and the economy in important and multiple ways. A global framework strengthens competitiveness for American businesses. It creates new markets for innovative clean technologies, from green power to smart grids to cloud-enabled solutions. And by strengthening global action over time, the Agreement reduces future climate damage to people and organizations around the world. We are disappointed with todays decision by the White House to withdraw the United States from the landmark, globally supported Paris Agreement on climate change. We remain steadfastly committed to the sustainability, carbon and energy goals that we have set as a company and to the Paris Agreements ultimate success. Our experience shows us that these investments and innovations are good for our planet, our company, our customers and the economy. A Belgian biotech company, Imcyse, is ready to start human trials of a new type 1 diabetes vaccine. Imcyse is a company that formed out of research specialists from the University of Leuven in Flanders, Belgium. The company has been granted the go ahead by British and Belgian regulatory authorities. The trial will be a phase 1b trial, which is an early stage of research trials. The trial will take place at 18 sites across the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France and Germany. Patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, diagnosed within six months, will be recruited into the trial. The study has received funding from EU Exalt program that is dedicating 6 million euros to different research projects that are aiming to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. Imcyses type 1 diabetes vaccine uses modified peptides that the company has called Imotopes. The central problem in type 1 diabetes is that the persons immune system starts to attack insulin producing cells in the pancreas. The insulin producing cells are known as beta cells. The Imoptopes work by spurring a specific type of immune cell, cytolytic CD4 T cells, to kill off the immune cells that are attacking the insulin producing beta cells. Christian Boitard, head of diabetes medicine at Cochin Hospital in Paris, states: An Imotope therapy that could be used to treat the very early stages of diabetes or prevent its onset would be a major breakthrough for patients and for public health. Pierre Vandepapeliere, CEO of Imcyse, added: Imcyse aims to develop treatments to halt the disease process when the first signs of autoimmune disease emerge, thereby preventing the development of the disease and the onset of complications. Imcyse are hoping to have results of the trial at the end of 2018. The Belgian company is one of a number of companies that are attempting to develop a vaccine to hold back type 1 diabetes. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Taiwan ICT industry gaining momentum with growing connected car technology investments Consumers are connected anywhere and anytime through their smartphones or other mobile devices. They rely on that connectivity to get the latest information. Such a trend is spreading to automotive world. The race to build the smart connected car, and ultimately the self-driving vehicle, is already under way. The telematics systems as well as integration with cloud services are driving carmakers to develop new ways to improve user experience and enable new business opportunities. On June 1, 2017, Digitimes hosted the Smart Car and Internet of Vehicle technology forum, providing a platform for exchanging of views amongst Taiwan's electronics manufacturers and component suppliers. It was held during Computex to allow the participants to also get a closer look at the products and services showcased at the annual tradeshow, and get in touch with component suppliers and service providers. The keynote speakers of the forum touched on topics covering in-vehicle video surveillance systems, telematics service platforms for advanced vehicle components and parts management, V2X and eSIM. ADAS boosting Taiwan millimeter wave sensors and camera modules makers Jessie Lin, a Digitimes Research analyst, talked about the development of smart car systems in terms of the global supply of sensor systems and computing performance. She noted that there are major sensor systems including camera modules, millimeter wave radars and LiDAR for existing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) development. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of all these sensors is 28% from 2017 to 2020. The total share of combining long range and short range millimeter wave radars will exceed 50%. The new design of ADAS will install from one long range, four short range radars to one long range, six short range ones. The demands are going to increase and the price going down. In terms of computing power, as showcased by Nvidia in its product launches from 2015 to 2017 during Consumer Electronics Show (CES), she pointed out the technology migration from in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), ADAS to recent artificial intelligence (AI) technology-based self-driving supercomputer system. The speed of processing pictures per second is from 20 to 4000. And Audi claims it will reach the level 4 for autonomous car development by 2020 leveraging Nvidia systems. Meanwhile, the connected car 2.0 specifications and early commercialization of 5G services will also be available by 2020. The coming few years of connected car development will be a key turning point of the car industry. ThroughTeks video surveillance solutions aiming China car market ThroughTek (TUTK) is an Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud service provider leveraging Novateks broad range of display ICs and SoCs for providing in-vehicle video surveillance systems aiming to become the original equipment (OE) devices in China market. Austin Du, director of Business Development Department, shared the companys strategy of business development in China car market. Several GM brands including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet will be releasing new vehicles in China with such in-vehicle video surveillance system developed using ThroughTek Kalay platform and software solutions in the second half of 2017. ThroughTek solutions provide motion and fatigue detection to trigger alerts and recordings integrated with real-time video transmission, over-the-air (OTA) software solutions and instant messaging features. A TUTK app links to Shanghai On Star Service to allow end users to enable add-on services through smartphones. Shanghai On Star operates call centers which provide subscription-based communications, in-vehicle security, navigation and remote diagnostics systems. ThroughTek securely and seamlessly sends software updates over the air. The Kalay platform and software solutions could collect data from millions of cars to promote continuous system development. ThroughTek makes the vehicles surveillance systems that can adapt to software changes without expensive recalls. Through end users' calls through On Star, it also triggers the remote diagnostics to actively detect and provide the solutions solving situations. Being able to do the software updates in real time is incredibly valuable for major China car brands at all levels. I-PEX connectors providing total solutions of connected vehicle networking I-PEX, a Dai-ichi Seiko company, designs and manufactures small form factor connectors for fitting the requirements of high speed data transmission and high frequency bandwidth applications for connected car networking. Ben-Hwa Jang, I-PEX senior technical consultant, presented the topic of the evolution of connected vehicle networking. The technologies including V2X, ADAS and other telematics solutions will be integrated into connected cars. The increasing data volumes require high transmission speed with high bandwidth network inside the vehicles. The increasing wires to connect to different electrical and electronic systems will put more weights and increase the energy consumption. Jang said there are two new design directions to reduce the issues of wire harness problems. The first one is to introduce Ethernet network for connected car systems. The Ethernet standard has the benefits to use twisted wires and maintain the high speed performance of data transmission. The second approach is to use a higher voltage power system which will increase the power voltage from 14 to 42 volts. This will help to drive wire cost down and make it more flexible to use other alternatives. Both approaches will have the problems of EMI interference and make the system unsafe. For solving these technical challenges, I-PEX designs the connector following AEC Q200 standards to increase the temperature ranges for -40 to 105 degrees Celsius. The design trend of I-PEX connectors is using the small form factor, EMI prevention, high data transmission speed and reliable connection. The various connectors will fulfill the requirements for different devices such as telematics box, antenna, wire-to-board, wire-to-wire features. The unique design of lock mechanism and shielding covers will also provide the strength of increasing reliability of cable connections. Lite-On sees the big opportunity of V2X Technology Tony An, CMO of Lite-On Smart Life and Applications Business, talked about Lite-On's new development of automotive product lines. The vehicles will massively utilize Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), which works in a similar way to WiFi standard in consumer electronics. The technology will allow the vehicles to communicate with each other by sending specific information across the waves, such as speed and GPS location. The United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) commitment to DSRC for active safety communications contributes to safer driving. The rule would require automakers to include Vehicle To X (V2X) technologies in all new light-duty vehicles in US. An expects the V2X product to become the OE device for future connected cars by 2020. This is a huge business opportunity for Lite-On. The current development is being done in cooperation with ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute) under the industrial partnership plan. ITRI is one of the few organizations having complete V2X technologies and solutions. Tsun-Chieh (TC) Chiang, division director of ITRI, joined the presentation to show V2X safety solution development. This is a system solution, providing the complete set of safety warning applications with IEEE 802.11p compliance. The current seventh generation of V2X OBU (on-board unit) box is going to be released in the second half of 2017. The advanced features include RSU-enhanced (road side unit) V2V and CMS (roadside content management system) assist safety and V2X management platform. There are more than 17 million cars sold in North America in a year, and Lite-On is very positive about this huge business opportunity. Henkels Thermal Management Materials and PCB Protection Solutions Founded 1876, Henkel AG & Company is a German chemical and consumer goods company headquartered in Dusseldorf. Henkel has a global presence with a footprint in every region to serve customers locally. The company is well known for its adhesive technologies. In the forum, Kenny Ho, technical service engineering manager, presented thermal management materials and printed circuit board (PCB) protection solution for automotive electronic applications. There are four Henkel solutions for PCB protection: sealing, coating, encapsulating (potting) and low pressure molding (LPM). Each chemical for encapsulating and sealing of automotive electronic devices provides water tight seal capable of withstanding submersion. Ho also presented thermal conductive materials that provide protection to electronics from harsh environments. The liquid type of thermal conductive gap filter is a cost effective solution for automotive PCBs. It can be used in the engine ECU, fuel pump controller, head lamp, audio amplifier and battery packs. General Mobile (GMobi) provides vehicle components life cycle management Automotive companies have acknowledged that future success lies in creating vehicles that are differentiated by electronics and software features. More electronics components are becoming essential parts, a trend which is posing challenges to managing them through the complicated supply chains. And the electronic systems require massive software components. Talking about how to securely and seamlessly send software updates over the air, Paul Wu, CEO of GMobi, presented the Telematics Service Platform (TSP) that provides solutions for carmakers. GMobi is a PaaS (Platform as a Service) service provider to provide an end-to-end, customized, firmware over-the-air (FOTA) updating service for connected cars. The TSP platform can manage software across the entire lifecycle of the components and parts throughout the cloud services. China carmakers are looking into OTA technologies to add functions from TSP solutions throughout the car components life cycle management. When combining software upgrade and automotive-grade systems, a proper secured separation should be put in place to prevent any malware or malicious applications from compromising the cars functions. This is why cyber security plays an important role for connected car OTA services. GMobi is in collaboration with Trend Micro and Gemalto PKI encryption. Taiwan Mobile provides fleet management services leveraging eSIM technology Hermann Huang, Taiwan Mobile deputy director of Mobile Marketing & IoT Services Division, talked about the promotion of Global eSIM (embedded SIM) technology that provides connected car services. He highlighted all cars will be connected. And SIM cards are key elements of connected cars. The GSMAs embedded SIM specification provides a single standard for the remote provisioning and management of connected car services, allowing the OTA to obtain an initial operator subscription, and subsequent changes of subscriptions from one operator to another. Through eSIM technology, Taiwan Mobile has teamed up with AT&T and Bridge Alliance to provide the global telepresence service for global carmakers. The solutions developed by eSim technology are well managed by platforms. Taiwan Mobiles Fleet Management Platform is a good example of providing enterprise customers with detailed analysis and crucial information in the form of customized reports. Taiwan Mobile has set the goal to become the best partner in connected everything. TUV NORD highlights the requirements of ISO26262 and ASPICE standards TUV NORD is a technical consultant and service provider in the areas of system certification, product certification, and industry services. Kevin Huang, Great China Functional Safety Product Manager, noted that the automotive industry faces many technological challenges, including new technologies and increasing numbers of functions within the product, which means that the manufacturers have to develop more and more safety-relevant systems, such as intelligent assistance systems. The implementation of ISO26262 and ASPICE will address the complete product safety lifecycle and each part is dedicated to a certain aspect of the lifecycle, he noted. Both requirements will lead to better processes and better product quality. TUV NORD provides the service to help Taiwan customers to improve the cooperation among complex supply chains and between globally distributed development and engineering centers. 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. Subscriber content preview HELENA, Mont. (AP) A federal judge has overturned government agency approvals to develop a copper and silver mine in a Montana wilderness area, saying the decisions violated laws meant to protect threatened grizzly bears, bull trout and their habitat. U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy ruled Tuesday the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must reconsider their findings related to the Montanore Mine in Kootenai National Forest. . . . Subscriber content preview LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) A federal court has ruled an Idaho logging project designed to reduce fire risk at a tiny mountain burg can move forward. The Lewiston Tribune reports environmental group Friends of the Clearwater asked a judge to grant a temporary injunction, but the request was denied. . . . After Hours: June 17 party at Jimi Hendrix Park Image by Murase Associates [enlarge] Murase Associates designed the 2.5-acre park, which honors the life and music of Jimi Hendrix. SEATTLE There's a grand opening party set for Saturday June 17 from noon to 5 p.m. to celebrate completion of the 2.5-acre Jimi Hendrix Park at 2400 S. Massachusetts St. in Seattle's Central District. The Jimi Hendrix Park Foundation says the design for this extraordinarily artistic community space was inspired by the life and musical legacy of the Seattle native: The park exudes his persona and creativity through its very design. Murase Associates was the landscape architect for the park. After six years in development, construction and fundraising, the park opened in October of 2016. The party will have live music by Michael Wansley, Ayron Jones, Grace Love, The Hollers, Peace & Red Velvet, Henry Cooper and School of Rock. There will be speakers, food trucks and family activities. More information is at the foundation's website. Previous columns: Subscriber content preview Image by Vulcan Real Estate [enlarge] KW 90 East LLC, which is associated with Kennedy Wilson, bought the complex. 90 East, an office park at 21900 S.E. 51st St. in Issaquah, has sold for $153 million, according to King County records. . . . Parents and carers of children and adults with intellectual disabilities have protested about the reduction of services at a respite centre in south Donegal. The Health Service Executive (HSE) said this week that respite services at Seaview House in Mountcharles have resumed on a phased basis following its closure due to staff shortages. The announcement from the HSE came as more than 50 people protested at the closure outside the HSE headquarters in Ballyshannon on Tuesday. The facility provides respite for children of six years up wards and adults ho suffer from intellectual disability or autism. Up to 100 families in south west Donegal benefit from the service. The services include overnight respite, day respite and a drop-in service. The HSE wrote to parents in February informing them that the facility was experiencing a temporary staff shortage due to staff transfers and retirements. Catherine Kennedy, who son uses the facility, was one of those who protested on Tuesday. She said there had been very little communication from the HSE since February even though the center had been closed since the end of March. This has been going on for five years, it has closed several times and it has got worse since last September, she said. It had been open seven nights a week and then it went down to four. My son uses the facility and 24 respite was being provided. Ms Kennedy said it is very important that the centre reopens and remains open. We need it open and we are concerned that if it opens again it could go back to the same in the next few months or a year, she said. The importance of respite seems to be seriously underestimated by senior management. It is a vital service in our community and there are huge benefits to restoring it - clients are happy and enjoy it and carers get a chance to recharge the batteries. HSE managers need to start listening to carers and planning forward with regards to the future budgeting, staff and building requirements. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the HSE apologised for the curtailment of respite services at Seaview House. We are continuing to work with our colleagues in the National Recruitment Service to try to recruit and replace staff in as timely a manner as possible, the HSE said. We acknowledge the upset and distress that this situation has caused to our clients and families, and we apologise unreservedly for this. The HSE wish to confirm that recruitment of staff has commenced and as of Monday 29th May respite services have resumed on a phased basis. We are very aware of the importance of this service for families in south Donegal and of the difficulties that this situation has caused for everyone involved. As such, we remain committed to ensuring that the respite service resumes on a full-time basis as soon as all the staffing vacancies are filled. A boil water notice has been issued for people who receive their water from the Fintown Water Treatment Plant after Cryptosporidium was detected. The notice has also been issued to users of the Meenmore- Meenatinney group water scheme as well as the 450 people who are supplied from the water treatment plant. Irish Water said that following advice from the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Donegal County Council, have issued the boil water notice on the Fintown Public Water Supply and Meenmore - Meenatinney group water scheme to protect consumers. A routine water sample detected cryptosporidium in the treated water coming from the Fintown Water Treatment Plant. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that is found mainly in the faeces of infected humans or animals. Humans are infected when they swallow contaminated water or food, or touch contaminated objects and then touch their mouths before washing their hands well. Irish Waters Regional Operations Lead for Donegal,Laurence Nash, l said: Public health is our number one priority and while we investigate the source of this contamination it is imperative that people adhere to the boil water notice. We will be contacting vulnerable customers supplied by this scheme who have self-declared to Irish Water directly by telephone and distributing door to door notifications to all premises in this area. Irish Water and Donegal County Council are liaising with the HSE to lift this notice as quickly as possible and a continuous sampling and testing programme has been put in place. Irish Water said it is currently investing 1.1 million to connect the Fintown water supply to the Glenties supply. As part of these works 5km of water mains in the Glenties, Fintown and Meenahalla areas are being replaced as well as the construction of two booster pumping stations. Donegal County Council, on behalf of Irish Water, is currently delivering boil water notifications to all customers in the Fintown area and the HSE is also contacting customers with advice. Water must be boiled for: Drinking; Drinks made with water; Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating; Brushing of teeth; Making of ice People are also asked to discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges and ake ice from cooled boiled water. The people affected are also advised to Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads). Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling. Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink. Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water. Prepare infant feeds with water that has been brought to the boil once and cooled. Do not use water that has been re-boiled several times. If bottled water is used for the preparation of infant feeds it should be boiled once and cooled. If you are using bottled water for preparing baby food, be aware that some natural mineral water may have high sodium content. The legal limit for sodium in drinking water is 200mg per litre . Check the label on the bottled water to make sure the sodium or `Na' is not greater than 200mg per litre . If it is, then it is advisable to use a different type of bottled water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated. Great care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds as accidents can easily happen, especially with children. A map of the scheme will be made available on Irish Water and Donegal County Councils websites. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. JavaScript is disabled on your browser. CORDIS website requires JavaScript enabled in order to work properly. Please enable JavaScript. The world's most popular SUV brand looks set to begin testing cars in Australia as it works to better tailor vehicles to local conditions. Despite selling more SUVs than any other brand on the planet, Jeep is a relative minnow in the off-road scene in Australia, with that mantle well and truly held by Toyota a brand that extensively tests cars such as the LandCruiser and HiLux locally. Speaking to Drive at the launch of the new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk the most off-road capable Grand Cherokee to date Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia CEO Steve Zanlunghi strongly hinted that engineers from its Auburn Hills headquarters would be visiting Australia to learn more. "There may be some other development testing going on but I can't speak about that right now," Zanlunghi said when quizzed about the prospects of vehicle evaluation in Australia. "Australia is a very important market for us. There are some very unique things we have going on in Australia some of the terrain and extremes that the vehicles must go through. There's nowhere really else like the outback unless you're driving around central Africa. Zanlunghi said FCA generally including Jeep was "constantly in touch with our product teams" to request certain features or changes. As for which models could undergo development testing in Australia, Zanlunghi would not say. A man has been acquitted of the rape of a university student who he met on Tinder. The Louth man (36) was alleged to have raped the university student in his car after driving her up the Dublin Mountains. He had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape at Kilmashogue Lane, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin on September 11th, 2014. On day seven of the trial the jury of six men and six women returned a verdict of not guilty after just over four hours of deliberations. The man responded by pressing his hands together in a praying gesture and saying: Thank you, thank you so much. A female cousin began crying and hugged him. A female juror began crying and the alleged victim, who was sitting in the back of the courtroom, also sobbed. Mr Justice Paul Butler said the man was free to go on this matter but Cathleen Noctor BL, prosecuting, said that the defendant was in custody on other matters. After the jury left the court the defendant began shouting at gardai: You stitch up scumbag. Ill get you again. You stitch up c**t. The jury had heard that the two met up days after they began communicating on the Tinder dating app and they went for a drive together. The complainant alleged that the defendant drove them to an unlit country road and raped her in the car. The defendant told gardai after his arrest that they had consensual sex in the car. The jury began deliberating on Wednesday afternoon and resumed its third day of deliberations this morning. Just after midday Justice Butler informed the jurors they could return a majority verdict, meaning one which ten or more of them were agreed on. On Thursday morning the jury asked to hear the evidence again of the cross-examination of the alleged victim. Mr Justice Butler said that in order to achieve balance he would play the entirety of her evidence and this took most of the day. As climate change denying EPA administrator Scott Pruitt and fascist puppet master Steve Bannon wipe Ivanka Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson off the bottoms of their shoes, President Trumps move to take the USA out of the Paris climate change agreement is isolating him both inside the USA and on the global stage. The agreement was non-binding so cant be viewed as a treaty. Therefore there was nothing in it that compels a re-negotiation, despite his provably false rhetoric to the contrary. To underscore this, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni released a joint statement saying, We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies. In a show of solidarity, countries across the planet as well as cities within the USA itself lit their buildings and landmarks green last night. Trump (falsely) claimed that our participation in the accord would hamstring our corporations and economy and that he was taking this step to put America first. This was proven to be a bald-faced lie that only true believers will swallow when two of his top business advisers resigned from his business advisory council. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Disney CEO Robert Iger both departed: Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 As a matter of principle, I've resigned from the President's Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal. Robert Iger (@RobertIger) June 1, 2017 Adding to the corporate outrage, Apple CEO Tim Cook slammed Trumps decision in an email to his employees: I spoke with President Trump on Tuesday and tried to persuade him to keep the U.S. in the agreement. But it wasnt enough, Cook wrote. He added in the email that climate change was real and that everyone had a shared responsibility to fight it. He assured employees that Thursdays decision will not affect Apples commitments to protect the environment. We power nearly all of our operations with renewable energy, which we believe is an example of something thats good for our planet and makes good business sense as well. Cook doubled down on Twitter: Decision to withdraw from the #ParisAgreeement was wrong for our planet. Apple is committed to fight climate change and we will never waver. Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 2, 2017 The only people who appear to be supporting Trump on this are the most ardent climate deniers in our country along with spineless Republicans who support Trump no matter what he says or does because they are counting on him helping them in their effort to slash taxes for the super-wealthy. The good news is that America will still largely live up to its commitments established in the Paris accord because (a) businesses and state governments have already taken steps to do so and (b) these businesses and state governments know that Trump is likely to be a one-term president and his anti-environmental policies will not sustain once hes gone. With this move, Trump has shown that he doesnt represent mainstream thought on climate change. Hes shown the world that hes little more than a petulant narcissist who acts impulsively to satisfy his shrinking base. He has also proven that much of his impetus for pulling out of the Paris agreement is little more than a fuck you to our European allies: Pressure from leaders abroad also backfired. One senior White House official characterized disappointing European allies as a secondary benefit of Trumps decision to withdraw. The more Trump isolates himself, the less hell be able to accomplish during his remaining time as president. That, I suppose, is the true secondary benefit of this, his latest disgusting and anti-American act as president. [CC image credit: Dota 2 The International | Flickr] Ever wonder how the cable television industry would get back into the wireless business? Charter Spectrum has announced it will resell Comcasts Xfinity Mobile wireless service to customers inside its region. The good news is that this deal lets Charter get quick access to wireless without competing with Comcast. Comcast and Charter Communications last week said they had reached an operational agreement about working together on wireless communications going forward. My understanding is that both agreed to sell wireless only to their existing customers in their existing regions. While this is limiting in one sense, it does open a growth opportunity for Comcast. On one hand, it means there will be no national expansion for Charter or for Comcast. On the other hand, it could allow Comcast to move more deeply into the reseller business with all the smaller cable television companies nationwide. Wireless Success Stories The important question going forward is this: Will Comcast and Charter be successful with wireless this time around? You see, they tried wireless plays before and failed. Now they are trying again. However, we may not know whether this gambit will be successful for at least a quarter or two. Wireless is a complicated business. AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile are the only successful big-time players. The others struggle for a smaller market share. In the past, various companies among them, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Amazon and Facebook tried to compete with the leaders but failed. Even Google is still struggling in wireless. Android is a hit, but Googles Pixel phone and its Project Fi service are not. Charter, Comcast and Verizon It will be interesting to see what strategy Comcast and Charter use to grow in wireless. Success is not guaranteed especially if you do not follow the leaders, which neither Comcast or Charter seems to be doing. Will limiting the size and scope of their addressable markets work? Will not focusing on wireless as a standalone product work? These are two of the mistakes they made years ago. Will it be different this time? Its important to remember that even though Charter will resell Comcast, Xfinity Mobile is already a reseller of Verizon Wireless. What this means is that Charter will be a reseller of Verizon Wireless two steps removed. This arrangement raises an interesting question: Why didnt Charter deal directly with Verizon? Cracking the Code Selling Verizon services limits Comcast, and selling Comcast limits Charter. That said, wireless is a huge growth opportunity for any company that can crack the code. So, the critical question is whether Charter and Comcast can crack the code this time. Congratulations to Charter on entering wireless through Comcast Xfinity Mobile. There is an enormous opportunity for real growth, if it can crack the code. Only time will tell, but I wish both Charter and Comcast success. Qualcomm plans to ask the U.S. International Trade Commission to block imports of iPhones, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing a person familiar with the matter. The move reportedly was spurred by Apples recent decision to stop making royalty payments owed under a licensing agreement between the two companies, which is the subject of a billion-dollar legal battle in federal court. Qualcomm last month announced that for the quarter ended March 31 Apple had withheld payments to its contract manufacturers for royalties owed under a licensing deal for technology used in the iPhone. Apple informed Qualcomm that it would continue withholding those payments until the legal dispute was resolved in court, Qualcomm said. Apple is improperly interfering with Qualcomms longstanding agreements with Qualcomm licensees, Dan Rosenberg, general counsel at Qualcomm, said last month. These license agreements remain valid and enforceable. Qualcomm cut its fiscal third-quarter profit to 75-85 US cents a share, from prior estimates of 90 cents to $1.15. The company cut its revenue forecast to between $4.8 billion and $5.6 billion, from previous guidance of $5.3 billion to $6.1 billion. In terms of why were withholding royalties, you cant pay something when theres a dispute about the amount, Apple CEO Tim Cook said. You dont know how much to pay. Qualcomm has been charging a percentage of the iPhone value, he said, and though they do some great work around standards-essential patents, the Qualcomm contribution is just one small part of an iPhone. Pre-emptive Strike Qualcomm will ask the ITC to ban imports of the iPhone, which is made in Asia, in anticipation of a new iPhone model scheduled for release this fall, according to the Bloomberg report. Qualcomm would not comment on its legal options regarding the Apple case, spokesperson Clare Conley told the E-Commerce Times, reiterating the fact that it did not comment for the Bloomberg report. Such a move likely would fall under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which provides for cease and desist orders in intellectual property disputes, ITC spokesperson Margaret OLaughlin told the E-Commerce Times. However, she did not comment on whether such a request had been made or whether either of the companies had contacted the ITC. If Qualcomm should prevail in a case filed with the ITC, the result would be whats called an exclusion order, said Alexander Poltorak, CEO of General Patent Corporation. With an exclusion order, Qualcomm can file a customs survey and block Apple phones from entering the country, he told the E-Commerce Times. Proceedings like this have to be completed within 12 months by statute, Poltorak said, though they can be extended another six months in particularly complex cases. Qualcomm Corners Market Apple originally filed the $1 billion suit in U.S. District Court in Southern California, alleging that Qualcomm was using its dominant position in semiconductors to force billions of dollars in royalty payments for technologies used in Touch ID, Apple Pay and even added memory. Those technologies have nothing to do with the Qualcomm baseband processor chipsets used in the iPhone, Apple contended. Qualcomm last month denied the allegations and filed counterclaims alleging that Apple breached agreements and encouraged regulatory attacks against Qualcomm as part of a scheme to coerce unfair licensing terms. Qualcomm last year was hit with a record $865 million fine by South Korean regulators who determined that the company engaged in anticompetitive practices involving its chipsets for mobile phones. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission earlier this year filed suit against Qualcomm, alleging it essentially monopolized the sale of baseband processors through its no license, no chips policy, and that it coerced Apple into an exclusivity deal for several years in exchange for reduced royalties. Salesforce on Wednesday announced the Sales Cloud Lightning Partner Relationship Management app as a replacement for partner portals and electronic data interchanges that lack modern features such as built-in mobile, social analytics and AI capabilities. The PRM app has an interactive Guided Setup Wizard that lets channel managers configure, customize and deploy the app in days. It manages lead distribution, deal registration and marketing development funds, and it automatically assigns partners into meaningful tiers for targeted promotions and customized content. It also has AppExchange Components such as Xactly and NetExam. Among Sales Cloud Lightning PRMs Features: Lightning CMS Connect, which lets channel managers drag and drop existing website content, graphics and videos to keep branded partner experiences up to date; Einstein Content Recommendations, which use machine learning to recommend files such as logo graphics, product placement instructions, and pricing documentation for a new product; and Channel Marketing Automation, which lets companies build, track and analyze email campaigns using the Salesforce Marketing Cloud, to deliver 1:1 customer journeys on any device. Sales Cloud PRM is all about making your partners an extended part of your sales team and giving them the tools and information needed to accelerate deals, said Greg Gsell, senior director of Salesforce sales cloud product marketing. Its a turnkey app built entirely on the Salesforce Intelligent Customer Success Platform, which includes Service Cloud, he told CRM Buyer. Service Cloud helps companies globally deliver intelligent, conversational customer service. Partners account for one third of the average companys revenue, and more than two-thirds of revenues for companies in high-tech, manufacturing and telecom, Salesforce has found. Salesforces Rationale PRM is not new, noted Rebecca Wettemann, VP of Nucleus Research. Whats new is Salesforces approach, which brings a modern UI and AI capabilities to PRM, she told CRM Buyer. The app gives customers the advantages of Salesforces workflow automation and other tools for partner management, not just community collaboration, Wettemann said. It will improve partner stickiness for users, because in a cloud world, partners can switch alliances more easily and quickly, she pointed out. Providing them with modern tools and more ready access to support will make switching less attractive. Partner relationship management used to just be lead distribution, but now companies must deeply engage with partners to drive channel success, noted Gsell. You need PRM blended with CRM to deliver a great experience. Manufacturing companies are placing increasing emphasis on customer relationships, customer service, and new technologies such as AI, because technology makes it easier for customers to switch, said Salesforce. Einstein can help partners with content recommendations, and I can see it progressing to suggest optimum product and solution bundles, observed Cindy Zhou, principal analyst at Constellation Research. Target Market The PRM app is for any company or industry looking to increase partner engagement and deal velocity within their channel sales organizations, Gsell said. Manufacturing, high-tech and telecoms have the highest amount of revenue coming from indirect channels such as resellers, distributors and partners, Constellations Zhou told CRM Buyer. The PRM app simplifies the setup process and minimizes the need for IT support for companies to help their partners get up and running fast, she said. Accessing the latest information on products or solutions, marketing materials and sales team training via mobile devices is becoming increasingly critical, Zhou noted, and the PRM apps one-stop-shop solution can lead to increased sales and faster deal cycles. The apps strengths are mobile engagement for partners, a clean UI, and integration with CMS, learning management systems and compensation, Zhou said. However, at US$25 per member per month, it could be challenging for companies with broad networks of partners, resellers, distributors and dealers to enable, she cautioned. Other companies, such as Microsoft Dynamics, SugarCRM and Zoho, have partner enablement portals that are due for a refresh, Zhou pointed out. There will be more announcements to come. 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Church-backed groups and international Christian organizations have expressed dismay at U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States will withdraw from the Paris accord on climate change saying it flies in the face of Christian values. Faith groups across the spectrum said the action by Trump is irresponsible and will hit poorer people hard. Trump also rasied the ire of many world leaders and those concerned about the future of planet earth, commiting what amounts to an act of 21st century heresy. All but two countries, Nicaragua and Syria, signed the agreement. But Trump in making his announcement to the world said the deal puts the United States at a disadvantage. "The United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord," Trump said June 1, "but begin negotiations to re-enter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States." The Paris accord had several ambitious goals. Signatories agreed to do their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep the world's temperature to just 1.5 degrees Celsius above what it was before industrial production took root. When the U.S. President met Pope Francis at the Vatican, last week, "it was as if they were members of different species, so far apart in values and style that the actual content of what separated them proved elusive," commented The New Yorker on June 2. "Francis slyly presented Trump with a gift, though, that...defines their opposition as absolute. The gift was a copy of his encyclical on climate change, 'Laudato Si.' Trump politely promised to read it. Sure," noted the magazine. "This is a tragedy, missing an opportunity to show real, accountable leadership for the future of humanity and our common home," said World Council of Churches general secretary, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit. "This is a decision that is not morally sustainable - and not economically sustainable either. The struggle for climate justice has to continue." The ACT Alliance, the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches, are calling for a prioritization of climate justice as US President Donald Trump issues executive order withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement. They expressed deep dismay at this development, which goes against global commitments to address climate change. The three faith Christian bodies actively contributed the development of the Paris agreement, welcomed its outcomes and the commitments of the nations of the world to it. "Only 18 months ago global leaders welcomed the landmark Paris Climate Agreement for taking into account the immediate needs of countries most severely affected by the impacts of climate change. "The move by the President of the United States today flies in the face of ethics and Christian values," said Rudelmar Bueno De Faria, ACT Alliance General Secretary. Lutheran World Federation general secretary, Rev. Martin June said, "Addressing climate change equals protecting human beings, their workplaces and the economies of the world. The LWF will continue to promote climate justice, as an issue of intergenerational justice, in the conviction that creation is not for sale." says Martin Junge, LWF General Secretary. As global temperatures continue to rise, severe floods, droughts and superstorms are becoming more and more commonplace. It is the most vulnerable people who are hit first. The poorest countries will be hit twice more: first by unwillingness to curb US carbon emissions, and then by a planned decrease in climate finance to support people in adapting to the impacts of climate change and towards a transition to clean energy for poor countries. The implementation of the Paris agreement is the only way for the human family to turn away from the threat of global warming. ACT, LWF and WCC affirm their commitment to climate justice and call on the nations of the world to stand by the commitments of the Paris Agreement. 'DANGEROUS AND MORALLY REPREHENSIBLE' Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued a statement on behalf of the Reform movement saying the announcement was "an abdication of responsibility to address global climate change and is both physically dangerous and morally reprehensible. "The decision disregards vitally important environmental efforts to protect both our planet and the population, with consequences that will reverberate for generations," wrote Pesner, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported. "Reneging on the agreement diminishes U.S. leadership and undermines longstanding alliances, placing an undue burden on other nations to address climate change." American Jewish World Service, which advocates for people in developing nations, said such countries would bear the brunt of the severe storms, flooding, droughts and famine that a scientific consensus regards as the already apparent signs of the effects of man-made global warming. "The longer the U.S. denies climate change and fails to take responsibility for its outsized contribution to global warming, the greater the risk posed to the entire world, especially the poorest people on Earth," said Robert Bank, president and CEO of AJWS, in a statement. When James Willcox appears on this blog with a fish its usually a redfish. And as often a redfish his mom, who is almost certainly a better angler than you, caught. Shes below with one caught just this week. But to mix things up he went to Alaska and caught some salmon including this beauty. Fresh salmon, hours caught, is something that will change how you think about eating fish. The former CEO of Aspire Public Schools, Willcox is now helping charter schools finance facilities with Strategic Growth Partners applying lessons from the housing sector. Want more pictures of education types with fish? Heres the largest collection in the world. Send me yours! Mrs. Willcox is better at fishing than you: An equity-oriented education agenda starts with the budget. As Pennsylvanias secretary of education, I know that how a state chooses to invest its money matters and that it also serves as an expression of its values. A budget should provide the resources that pave the way for students to meet and exceed high standards. It must also address the disparate conditions that exist for far too many children. Under the leadership of Pennsylvanias Democratic governor, Tom Wolf, were making important strides. In shaping the budget, state leaders recognize that equitable does not always mean equal; rather, a responsible, equity-oriented budget considers the particular needs of students, communities, and families. Gov. Wolf has worked alongside both Democrats and Republicans in our legislature to increase funding for the states public schools by nearly $640 million over the last two years , while implementing a fair-funding formula that addresses a range of student needs. Rigorous educational goals, such as Pennsylvanias core standards, provide a north star to which all school districts and communities can aspire. Our math standards, for example, are designed to prepare all students to take trigonometry and calculus by their senior year of high school. More generally, Pennsylvanias standards development has been informed by input from K-12 educators, and the initiative includes a commitment to high-quality professional development. An equity-based education agenda should foster trust with parents, educators, and all K-12 stakeholders by describing school performance clearly and fairly. Our department of education supports the notion that school-performance data should not be used to label or shame, but rather to identify student pathways to success, while also informing curricular, instructional, and other strategies that educators can deploy along the way. In the next school year, the states education stakeholders will be able to use a new evaluation tool to measure each schools progress in student achievement, graduation pathways, and availability of high-quality courses leading to college- and career-readiness. Grounded in research-based practices, the tool will allow educators to determine whether students are on track with grade-level reading and if chronic absenteeism is affecting academics, both of which are indicators for judging school success. Finally, state leaders recognize that fostering stronger connections between public schools and the broader community requires the literal opening of the schoolhouse doors. For this reason, the state department of education is directly supporting community-driven programming by providing personnel, technical assistance, and outreach in many Pennsylvania districts. We have community partnerships that provide high-quality medical and mental-health services, family services, extended-day programming, and expanded breakfast and lunch programs in schools. This whole-child framework for school improvement seeks to guarantee that a childs health, wellness, and social-emotional needs are met before he or she steps into the classroom. These factors can support student success and address some of the stubborn issues that are attached to intergenerational poverty. A commitment to fair resources, organized goals, a strong measurement system, and deeper school and community ties is critical to buildingand sustainingan equitable education system for all students. The Milwaukee public school system serves over 77,000 students from diverse backgrounds: 87 percent are students of color, 80 percent live in poverty, 20 percent receive specialized education services, and 10 percent are English-language learners. In one of the most segregated cities in the United States, decades of racially and socioeconomically inequitable practices have resulted in glaring opportunity gaps for our schools. District leaders, including myself, view addressing these gaps as our responsibility. Equity for all is everyones business. As the superintendent of schools, I have helped the district take a hard look at how we allocate resources, including money, time, and human capital. Viewing all of our decisions through a lens of equity is critical. Last year, we created an equity commission, composed of educators, school psychologists, and community members, to oversee decisionmaking on education and operational practices. We refuse to accept the data that show that our black and Latino young men consistently have the worst outcomes in our district. For example, only 14 percent of the districts black male students and 28 percent of Latino male students meet readiness in English on the ACT, compared with 52 percent of their white counterparts. We committed to creating a department of black and Latino male achievement. A group of educators and school leaders will report to the office of the superintendent about how they plan to oversee academic-improvement programs and strategies. We also implemented nondiscrimination and gender-inclusion policies, and adopted a safe-haven resolution to address the needs of students who are recent immigrants or undocumented. But special commissions and offices cant do the work alone. Thats why we also prioritize partnerships to expand academic and extracurricular opportunities. For example, with help from the Council of the Great City Schools and College Boarda national coalition of urban public school systems of which I am chair-electand the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, we expanded Advanced Placement courses to every high school in the district, using online technology. Nearly all our high schools now offer five or more AP classes. As a result, more than 20 percent of public high school students are taking college-level coursework, such as AP and International Baccalaureate courses, this school year. Equity in Milwaukee also means supporting our students after the school day ends. At the neighborhood level, our newest initiative, MPS C.A.R.E.S., coordinates resources in a community with one of the highest incarceration and unemployment rates in the country. We have a cross-functional team of schools, health-care providers, elected officials, and community partners that focuses on the well-being and enrichment of students, providing late-night and weekend recreational activities to more than 11,000 students across the district. We cannot allow race, class, and gender to divide our schools any longer. We have a long way to go in Milwaukee, in our state, and as a nation. As district leaders, we must work with those at the state level to identify the issues that challenge all of our schools and prevent us from treating students fairlyand to produce solutions that will benefit all students. Milwaukee is my home, and our students and families are my neighbors. That is why we have approached these issues with such passion and tenacity. The difference between equity and equality is something that more states are paying attention to when making decisions about school funding. But equity should not be limited to funding alone. While school funders at state and local levels need to attend to the additional cost of educating at-risk children, it is often not a lack of money that puts a child living in poverty at risk. Instead, it is the factors that so often accompany povertyincluding the use of drugs, exposure to violence, sustained hunger, and parental stressthat make our states low-income children especially vulnerable. Merely providing additional money for these children will not sufficiently address the inequities they face in the classroom. The bottom line for solving inequity comes down to the actions of adults in the classroom and the schoolhouse. Classroom teachers need to have a working understanding of the signs of emotional trauma in their students, along with the tools to help children cope. Evidence that too many of our teachers are not adequately prepared for this challenge can be found in the frighteningly high rates of suspension and expulsion among the impoverished children in my state of Ohio. According to our analysis of Ohio Department of Education data, in the 2015-16 school year, an estimated 36,000 suspensions and 200 expulsions were handed out to the states public elementary-school children under the age of 8. Of these, more than 17,000 out-of-school suspensions and 160 expulsions in preschool through 3rd grade were related to disobedient or disruptive behavior. Whats more, 88 percent of those children who were suspended were economically disadvantaged, and 76 percent were minority students. Ensuring equity means treating children according to their needs, not merely treating all children equally. Behaviors that might be unacceptable in one child can be a thinly veiled cry for help in another. Teachers should not deal with misbehavior by doling out a standard punishment. Our schools of education need to do a better job instructing preservice teachers about social-emotional learning, cultural diversity, trauma-informed instruction, and strategies for de-escalating poor behavior. High-quality professional development around these topics for longtime educators is critical. These tactics will help teachers work with administrators and policymakers to create a school culture that not only lays out expected behavior in clear terms, but also provides its students with the emotional supports they need to be successful, such as mental-health services and positive behavioral intervention. I am working with educators in Ohio on drafting future legislation to ban suspensions and expulsions statewide for children age 8 and under, except if students threaten to harm themselves or their classmates. It is my hope that this reduction in suspensions promotes more affirming and constructive methods of discipline and keeps more studentswho need our help, not our punishmentin the classroom. "Another resounding success" for Livestock Philippines 2017 Press release Over 10,440 attendees flocked to another successful edition of Livestock Philippines, held on May 24-26, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. 262 exhibitors from 30 countries paraded the best and the finest in livestock, feed, meat, poultry and now aquaculture sectors on the entire four-hall exhibition ground of SMX-the first time since the show made its debut in 2011. Compared to the 2015 edition, the number of total visitors increased to 35% coming from 27 countries. The distinct trait of the show is the visitors which are the target market/main prospects of our livestock and aquaculture industries. International visitors also increased to 42% from 2015 edition of Livestock Philippines. The opening ceremonies were graced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, Dr. Ernesto S. Gonzalez, executive director of the National Meat Inspection Service, Dr. Maria Fe Cabullo, chief of the Animal Feeds, Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Control Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry, Ms. Drusila Esther E. Bayate, Assistant Director for Technical Services, Interim Director of National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. David B. Villaluz, Chairman of the Board, Philippine Association of Fish Producers, Inc. and Mr. M. Gandhi, president of UBM (United Business Media) Exhibitions Philippines, Inc. and managing director of UBM ASEAN-the lead organizer of Livestock Philippines and its show series in ASEAN such as Livestock Asia, VIETSTOCK and the new show Livestock Malaysia. A message from His Excellency, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, was delivered by Attorney Hansel O. Didulo, assistant secretary for Regulations of the Department of Agriculture. Commodore Eduardo B. Gongona (ret), Undersecretary of Fisheries and director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also conveyed his congratulatory remarks through video. Livestock Philippines 2017 was made momentous with the staging of the very first Aquaculture Philippines, simultaneously with the 2nd National Aquaculture Summit by the Philippine Association of Fish Producers, Inc (PAFPI). PAFPI president Joseph Martin Borromeo was elated at the turnout of the people at the summit, expressing confidence that the show will get bigger in the coming years. "The summit is surprisingly very well attended. We were surprised by the turnout of the people. The objective of the summit is to open up the minds of the industry as to the great potential. So if they see a great potential, there is now motivation for investor confidence to increase. Once it happens, then we probably see more people participating, more unification that can happen. Once it happens, there will be great productivity and greater utilization of our natural resources. So that is the step in order for us to be globally competitive. I think the summit is a good starting point in making that happen with the partnership of UBM-a good partnership-which makes the people aware of the possibilities in aquaculture. And with the interventions we are taking right now, we expect a bigger show in the future," Borromeo said. The series of seminars and conferences related to swine, feeds, poultry, and aquaculture during the three-day expo was also well-attended with international renowned industry speakers leading the discussions to a mixed audience of prospective investors / entrepreneurs, fisherfolks / farmers, local government units, NGOs, government agencies, academe and other stakeholders. Such is the reception for Livestock Philippines that bookings for the 2019 edition are already filling up. The show is living up to its reputation as the biggest gathering of industry players of livestock, feed, poultry, meat and also aquaculture with the success of Aquaculture Philippines. "Livestock Philippines is a venue to meet new people to create a new environment where serendipity can happen which can lead to good business relationships. The big turnout of people at Aquaculture Philippines and its very good feedback are an indication that these shows will be significant for the farmers and fisherfolks in the Philippines," tells Gandhi. Senator Villar also believes that Livestock Philippines is the most important trade expo in the country today. "Since 2011, Livestock Philippines has grown significantly and all signs are pointing that is the biggest event for livestock, feed and meat." Livestock Philippines 2019 will be on 26 - 28 June at the new venue, World Trade Center, Pasay City. For more details, contact UBM Exhibitions Philippines, Inc. at (+632) 581-1920; 551-7564; 551-7718 / Fax: (+632) 551-7391 / Email: Michael.Blancas@ubm.com, Jessica.Go@ubm.com, Danah.Francisco@ubm.com or visit www.livestockphilippines.com Adisseo and Masan Nutri-Science further commit to Vietnam sow production From April 17 to May 9 around Vietnam, Adisseo joined Masan Nutri-Science scientific seminars for the launch of their new product Bio-Zeem Mama+. The companies were involved in eight seminars around Vietnam with a full attendance of more than 500 farmers per session. During the lactating period, sows face various stresses which directly impact their performance and progeny. The seminars enlightened farmers' knowledge on how to identify root causes in poor sow productivity in Vietnam, including a lack of right and sufficient nutritional feeding programmes during the lactating period. Masan recommended Bio-Zeem Mama+, an association of essential ingredients to maximise sow productivity. In this nutritional solution, Selisseo, as the "third generation" of selenium and awarded in a world innovation contest, is a key component. As an antioxidant, Selisseo provides sows high capability to fight oxidative stress, resulting in better fertility. Farmers were also briefed on the factors affecting sows during lactation, for e.g. loss of weight, decreased fertility, low number of piglets, weight of piglets, slow return to estrus, and how the new formula is efficient to limit the consequences of these issues. Masan used farm trials to highlight the benefits of the new product. To conclude, Masan demonstrated its wish to increase the production of the sows by two piglets per sow per year and to support local market growth through its antibiotic-free nutritional solution Bio-Zeem Mama+. To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020. The 1957 Thunderbird was a certifiable basket case when Frank and Cathy Stubbs first bought the remnants from a man in San Francisco about 25 years ago. Their classic Ford convertible was just a gutted-out body and frame with random parts here and there. It needed a lot of work, recalled Cathy who is in Carlisle this weekend with her husband. We had to acquire much of the supercharge equipment under the hood, she said. We found the majority of it at the Fall Carlisle swap meet years ago. The Seattle-area couple returned to the fairgrounds Thursday after driving about 3,200 miles over the course of nine days from their home in New Castle, Washington state. They are here to attend a reunion of E-code and F-code Thunderbird enthusiasts who are in Carlisle through Sunday for the annual Ford Nationals car show. Frank and Cathy Stubbs are exhibitors who have put their restored vehicle on display as an example of a pre-production prototype with a supercharged engine. With similar cars parked around it, their convertible may not seem as rare as it actually is, Frank said. There is just about every kind of Ford here that you can think of. The Stubbs began their cross-country journey east on May 23. Because they had already seen the touristy sights from Seattle to Montana, the first two days were spent taking turns driving for hours on end, putting in 1,100 miles of steady travel before sleeping overnight in reserved hotel rooms that Tuesday and Wednesday. From May 25 to Wednesday, May 31, the couple gradually made their way to the Gettysburg National Military Park by taking side trips to places they had yet to visit such as the Knife Valley Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota and the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument east of Dayton, Ohio. The first two nights were planned. The rest of the trip, we took our chances, Frank said, meaning they had no lodging reservations. The usual routine was for Cathy to start using her phone around 3 p.m. to find a hotel or motel online to arrange for a room for the night. The couple preferred not to drive the convertible with its top down going 60 to 70 miles per hour down the highway. Instead they opened the vents and the soft-cover rear window to create an air flow for a vehicle that lacked air-conditioning. The only power is the engine, Cathy said. No power steering. No power brakes. A bare bones car with a lot of power. We had a mechanic who knows the car from top to bottom, she said, referring to her husband, a semiretired restorer of Thunderbirds. We carried a full stash of extra parts and tools in the trunk. The engine is prone to occasional vapor lock when the outside air temperature climbs into the 80s and 90s. The heat breaks down the fuel mixture going through the carburetor, but Frank solved that problem by putting in an electric fuel pump that forces the mixture. This weekend is the first time the couple attended the Ford National event. They plan to leave the Carlisle area on Sunday for northern New Jersey where they will store the Thunderbird at a friends home. The Stubbs will then take a flight west back to the Seattle area only to return to New Jersey this August for a national Thunderbird meet. I bought my first one in 1971, Frank said of the Thunderbird model. Back then, he was torn between buying a Corvette or a 1957 Thunderbird. His insurance company narrowed the choices. As the story goes, an agent told Frank the company would not cover a Corvette because part of the car body is made of plastic, but they were able to insure the sporty looking Thunderbird. They are a pleasure to drive, Cathy said. Some people would dispute that, but when you get them mechanically set up they are a really enjoyable car. One of her fondest memories involves Frank proposing marriage by offering her a 1956 Thunderbird instead of the traditional engagement ring. We have been involved with the Classic Thunderbird Club International since 1972, Cathy said. We have friends all over the United States, Canada and from the world through this club. We thoroughly enjoy it. The club has given so much to us. Cathy and Frank have served as club officers. State Police at Carlisle (249-2121) Danielle E. Rinehart, 19, of Newville, was injured in a one-car crash on Old York Road near its intersection with North Dickinson School Road in Dickinson Township at 10:41 a.m. on May 31. Police said she was driving a 2010 Mazda 3 east on Old York Road when she swerved for road debris and entered a ditch on the right side of the road. She over-corrected, causing the car to hit an embankment on the left side of the road and overturn. Julius S. Blalock, 40, of Barbourville, Ky., was driving a 2016 International Harvester south on I-81 near exit 57 in Silver Spring Township at 11:21 a.m. on May 27 when he crossed from the left lane into the right lane, hitting a 2002 Lincoln Continental driven by Connie J. Welsh, 69, of Waynesboro. Welso was transported to Hershey Medical Center. Blalock was not injured. Silver Spring Township Police, Silver Spring EMS, Hampden Township EMS and Johns Mobile assisted on the scene. State Police at Newport (567-3110) Eric S. Herbein, 19, of Mechanicsburg, was driving a 2010 Ford Focus north on Route 74 in Spring Township at 7:02 p.m. May 16, when he attempted a U-turn at the intersection of Waggoners Gap Road and Pine Hill Street. He turned onto Route 74 when it was unsafe to do so and was hit by a 2003 Ford F150 driven by Chuck L. Clouser, 58, of New Bloomfield. Herbein was injured. Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Martins Towing. Barbara M. Dressler, 23, of Philadelphia, attempted to turn her 2014 Chevrolet Cruz out of a driveway along Route 17 at 6:07 p.m. May 26, when she turned into the path of a 1991 GMC Sierra driven by Dale R. Buckley, 32, of Liverpool. Buckley attempted to avoid Dresslers car, but the vehicles collided near the center line. A passenger in Buckleys vehicle had a bruised forehead as a result of the accident. Dresslers car had to be towed from the scene. Carlisle Police (243-5252) Terri L. Croak, 50, of Carlisle, was charged with misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking after Walmart Asset Protection identified her as an employee who had been stealing merchandise before and after her shift. Police said she placed items in a Walmart bag and placed them in a backpack on April 26, May 11, May 22, May 23, May 25 and May 26 for a total amount of $129. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 2 in front of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan R. Birbeck. West Shore Regional Police (238-9676) Jerry Mitchell, 52, of Harrisburg, was charged with retail theft and use of drug paraphernalia. He is accused of attempting to push a grocery cart of items out of the Karns Food store in Lemoyne without paying for it at 8:55 p.m. on June 1. Mitchell remains in Cumberland County Prison on $1,500 bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 14 in front of Magisterial District Judge Elizabeth S. Beckley. Nicholas James Mirando, 26, faces a felony charge of strangulation and a misdemeanor simple assault charge after an incident at 10:30 p.m. on June 1 in Lemoyne in which a female was struck and strangled her until she almost went unconscious. Mirando remains in Cumberland County Prison on $25,000 bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 14 in front of Magisterial District Judge Elizabeth S. Beckley. In preparation for the upcoming birth of his twin children, George Clooney has cleared his schedule to ensure that he is home when his wife, Amal Clooney, gives birth. In order to make sure that George doesn't go out of sight, Amal has instituted a travel ban on her husband. Due to this new ruling, George already missed out on the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity ceremony, which took place this past Sunday overseas in Armenia. Infamous for his lack of desire to have children, Clooney, 56, surprised many when he announced that he would be entering the world of fatherhood back in January. Since that time, a source revealed that he has softened on his feelings towards children. "He's gone from never wanting to be a father to being totally excited about the pregnancy and the thought of raising two children who will call him Dad," the source revealed to Closer Weekly. "He's been doting on Amal's every need and talking to her belly. He's also having a blast coming up with baby names." The countdown for the twins' arrival has led the couple to prepare for things like baby names and baby-proofing the household. George already has one name in particular that he is hoping to use. "The name Nicholas - after his dad, Nick Clooney - is a shoo-in for his son" the source went on to say. "As far as girl names, he's leaving that up to Amal." While there are still some names on the table, there are two in particular that George is absolutely banned from using. "My wife says I can't name them Casa and Amigos. That's the one thing I'm not allowed to do," George shared. Casamigos is a reference to his personal tequila brand. "It was just a thought. I mean, you know, it's a family business." Pinarayi Vijayan became the chief minister of Kerala on 25 May 2016 amid high hopes not only among his partymen, but also in the public at large. As his government prepares to celebrate its first anniversary, it is experiencing a backlash. The last time a government aroused such high hopes in Kerala was 60 years ago, when E M S Namboodiripad took office as the states first chief minister. The expectations the EMS government aroused were based on political considerations. It was Indias first non-Congress government, and the worlds first elected communist government to boot. The expectations aroused by the Pinarayi government were based primarily on personal considerations. He was coming to office with a strongman image built by leading Communist Party of India (Marxist)CPI(M)in the state with a firm hand for a record 17 years. The world is changing a lot faster than people can comprehend. The old ways are changing. Theyre being replaced by Internet-based systems, the gig economy, and smart technology. For those on the cusp of this new economic order, thats great news. On the other hand, for those whove spent decades building out their space in the traditional marketplace, these new commercial spaces are a threat to their continued survival. As we saw when Borders lost out to Amazon.com, retailers and suppliers must successfully adapt or they will die. Uber and Lyft have wreaked havoc on traditional taxi and limousine services. The big hotel chains are feeling the heat from Airbnb. Department stores are losing customers who now shop online on retail web sites. New technology is leading to the creation of start-ups faster than brick and mortar-based businesses can adapt, so the latter have started running to the government seeking protection against the competition. No industry is safe, not even health care something most people think requires face-to-face interaction between suppliers and consumers in order for treatments to be delivered effectively and efficiently. In some cases that will probably be true always. No one is going to go to YouTube looking for a DIY video explaining how to remove an appendix or implant a pacemaker. But for other kids who do not require invasive procedures, the productivity gains made possible by the gig economy may lead to cost savings that, from the point of view of the patient, are well worth it. For this reason, pushed on by industry giants and medical specialty cartels, regulators at the state and federal level are starting to take a close look at telemedicine, the generic name for the disruptive technology breaking new ground in the health care field. Smart technology apps like Opternative which gives users a 25-minute eye appointment using their smartphones-and GlassesOn which determines refractive error through the manipulation of light on a smartphone screen have been shown to work just as effectively and accurately as traditional eye exams. Thanks to the Internet and smart technology healthy adults can now go to the eye doctor just once every two years for a full exam rather than make repeated visit every time a lens needs to be changed or a prescription might need to be written. This doesnt sit well with the suppliers or the medical cartels who think they ought to be in charge of American eye care on a perpetual basis. Johnson & Johnson, which manufactures nearly 40 percent of the worlds contact lenses, along with the nations optometrists are not willing to adapt or accept the change. Theyre making their presence known by trying to influence policymakers to prohibit citizens from making use of these smartphone apps. Industry executives have already been to Capitol Hill to, as they put it, deliver a message to Congress about eye care, patient safety and the importance of in-person vision care provided by optometrists. Legislators in Rhode Island and Connecticut have already given into protectionist pressure and introduced bills to protect the industry from competitors in the cost-cutting arena coming to be known as ocular tele-health. Meanwhile in South Carolina, then-Gov. Nikki Haley vetoed a bill that would have essentially prohibited most uses of ocular tele-medicine. It uses health practice mandates to stifle competition for the benefit of a single industry, she said, putting us on the leading edge of protectionism, not innovation. Since they cant argue the new technologys efficacy or its ability to bring prices down, theyve fallen back on claims that ocular tele-health is somehow unsafe. Advocating for new regulatory controls like the Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act, opponents of ocular telemedicine claim theyre only looking out for eye safety. As they see it, less frequent visits to an optometrists office induces a much higher risk of developing keratitis and other eye infections though theres little evidence to support this claim. It is, however, a helpful argument in favor of keeping things just as they are. Ocular tele-medicine especially smartphone prescription apps like Opternative are disrupting the status quo, saving consumers time and money. Revolutionary technologies like these should be embraced, not blocked by protectionist government fiat. Fear mongers trying to outlaw their use are the equivalent of the candle makers who demanded, in Bastiats famous essay, the government do something about the sun because the daylight it provided amounted to unfair competition. The United States was open to resuming negotiations with the EU on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), according to Wilbur Ross, US Commerce Secretary. Mr. Ross said that it makes sense to continue TTIP negotiations and to work towards a solution that increases overall trade while reducing our trade deficit, adding its no mistake that, while we withdrew from TPP (the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal with Pacific Rim economies), we did not withdraw from TTIP. TPP was one of the first moves of the Trump administration when it blocked the deal covering about 40% of the worlds economy signed between the United States and 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region including Australia, Japan, New Zealand who are now leading efforts to revive it. Regarding the deal with the EU, Mr. Ross also added that 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. Thus, it makes sense to continue TTIP negotiations and to work towards a solution that increases overall trade while reducing our trade deficit. According to the US Census Bureau, the US trade deficit with the EU in 2016 was $146.3 billion. Mr. Ross comments mark a change in the position of the new US administration and come at the time when Washington and Berlin clash on policies including international trade and diplomacy. TTIP negotiations were launched in 2013 but were put on hold when Mr. Trump was elected on the grounds of his talk of protectionist policies. The deal which would set up a huge free trade area across the Atlantic had to deal with severe opposition from civil society groups and an embarrassment in the EU-Canada CETA deals ratification process when Belgiums region of Wallonia threatened to block the entire deal. The European Union and China are going to agree on a joint statement on the Paris climate deal, saying that it is an imperative more important than ever. A draft of the document, which emphasized the highest political commitment to implement the deal, is seen as a likely blow to the Trump administration which is still contemplating a withdrawal from the agreement. The joint statement will be published on Friday (2 June) after a summit in Brussels. Chinese and EU leaders have been working behind the scenes on a joint position on renewable energy and climate change. The document will stress the dangers posed by rising temperatures as a national security issue and multiplying factor of social and political fragility, while acknowledging that the transition to clean energy creates jobs and economic growth. The draft paper also says that the EU and China consider the Paris agreement as an historic achievement further accelerating the irreversible global low greenhouse gas emission and climate resilient development and stresses that it is proof that with shared political will and mutual trust, multilateralism can succeed in building fair and effective solutions to the most critical global problems of our time. The EU and China underline their highest political commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement in all its aspects. The EU and China vow to step up action and come up with further policies and measures to implement their national plans on cutting carbon dioxide and outline their long term low carbon strategies by 2020. The document also mentions other areas of cooperation, including the development and integration of carbon markets, in addition to bilateral work on energy labeling, performance standards of buildings and energy performance. The EU and China are joining forces to forge ahead on the implementation of the Paris agreement and accelerate the global transition to clean energy, EU Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete concluded. US President Donald Trump announced yesterday (1 June) that the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate accord. Speaking from the White House, he, however, also said that he was open to renegotiating aspects of the deal, which was finalized by his predecessor Barack Obama and which all nations, except two, have backed up. Mr. Trump said that the deal was a humiliation for American workers that unfairly gives advantage to foreign countries. At what point does America get demeaned? At what point do they start laughing at us as a country? he inquired. We want fair treatment, Trump said. We dont want other countries and other leaders to laugh at us anymore. The decision marks a major shift in the US environmental policy and a rebuttal of the international efforts to pressure the White House to remain part of the accord. In triggering the official withdrawal procedures, he has launched a lengthy process that will not be finalized by November 2020. Mr. Trumps announcement has prompted major international and domestic criticism and the withdrawal will isolate the United State in efforts to curb global warming. EU and Chinese leaders have promptly teamed up together in an unlikely alliance to support the worlds fight against global warming. Miguel Arias Canete, EU Commissioner on Climate Action and Energy, said in a statement that the two powers are joining forces to forge ahead on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and accelerate the global transition to clean energy. Mr. Canete also stressed that no one should be left behind, but the EU and China have decided to move forward. Our successful cooperation on issues like emissions trading and clean technologies are bearing fruit. Now is the time to further strengthen these ties to keep the wheels turning for ambitious global climate action. The United States is the worlds second biggest emitter of carbon dioxide after China. Written by ACM *Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- At an EU Parliament's Press Conference here, UNO's new Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, experienced former Prime Minister of Portugal and f. UN High Commissioner on Refugees at nearby Geneva, (Comp. various Guterres' Replies to "Eurofora" co-Founder's Questions earlier, including at the CoE in Strasbourg, at EU Parliament, etc, f.ex. at: ... + published at "TCWeekly", etc), appeared open for an eventual new International Conference on Cyprus' issue at nearby Geneva, but also Warned that it should, this time, be "Effective", and "Not Miss the opportunity" that may be given for a Peaceful ReUnification of the Strategic island, (which is also an UN, OSCE, CoE and EU Member State). ------------------------------ - Asked by a Visiting Collegue from Cyprus, simply if he has "any Plans for the Next Step s", in general, ---------------- UNO's Secretary General reminded that the International Organisation is "Working closely with the Parties", i.e. mainly "the two Cypriot Communities" in the island, which hold at their "hands" "the Leadership of the Process". - "UN has a role of Support", for them "to be able to Come together (i.e. Meet to gold Talks between them), and to come together to an Agreement, allowing for the ReUnification", which "needs to be Endorsed by the Guarantor Powers", (Greece, Turkey and the UK, since the De-Colonisation process of the 1960ies), he highlighted. - "So, ... as soon as the Parties Believe that there is a Scope of Re-Convening the Conference", (which had recently brought together in Geneva Both Cyprus and the Guarantors, in the presence of the EU and UN SC Permanent Members' diplomats, under UN auspices, last January 2017, resulting in a Posponement sine die, particularly after Disagreements surfaced mainly on Ankara's claims to Keep its Military troops on the island, and an Unilateral Right to Intervene, also After a Solution, in the Future, something that the Greek Cypriots and others find Unacceptable and Dangerous), "we (UNO) will do it", he ensured. - This will be in order "to try to Find a Global Solution for the Outstanding Problems", in general, Guterres clarified, after Highlighting, earlier, a Distinction between "Security and Guarantees, that ...is the central Question in which relates to the Guarantor Powers", and "the Remaining problems to - I would say - more Internal Questions" of the Cyprus' issue, (i.e., f.ex. those of Greek Cypriot Refugees, Turkish mainland Settlers, Territorial adjustments between the Future Federated States, Governance of the future Federation of Cyprus, Economy, Taxes, and Foreign Trade, Natural Resources, Courts, EU Law, etc), for which, "my Special Envoy (Norwegian diplomat Espen Barth Eide, appointed by former UN SG Ban Ki Moon, some Years ago), "has been Working closely Togeher with the two Leaders of the two Communities" in Cyprus, "to see if" these matters "can be addressed". - Concerning Both these two differend aspects, "We (UNO) are Ready to convene a New Conference, when the Parties Believe that we Can di it, in an Effective way", Guterres underlined, as the sole condition for a renewed attempt at nearby Geneva. - Because, we are "Very Much Hoping, that this (New) Opportunity ... will Not be Missed", UNO's Head stressed in Conclusion, (obviously wishing to be in a position to have a Better Result in Summer or Autumn, etc, that what it occured Back on Winter-time : Comp. Supra). + For that purpose, and given the fact that "Greece and Turkey have ... a very important role", among the "Guarantor Powers", (Comp. Supra), "I was this Week-End both with President Erdogan and Prime Minister Tsipras, and I Appealed for a flexible and Constructive approach of the two Countries, in order to be Able to address Effectively the problem of Security and guarantees that...is the Central question in what relates" to them, (the UK included), Guterres pointed out. - Naturaly, "I do not say that we (UNO) will only convene (a New Geneva Conference) When we are Sure about Success, because the obligation of the United Nations is not to only act when there is a perspective of success, but to act in all situations to promote peace and to promote understanding among peoples", he conceded. - But, despite that, Guterres repeatedly referred to the current Need to be Able "to do it in an Effective Way", i.e. to "Have a Scope" for "a Global Solution for (all) the Outstanding Problems", and a real "Hope" that such a new "Opportunity ...will Not be Missed", (Comp. Supra). He was speaking side by side with EU Parliament's President, Antonio Tajani, who had invited UNO's Head to address this Month's, May 2017 full weekly Plenary Session in Strasbourg, earlier Today in the Hemicycle with the MEPs, where Tajani repeatedly Stressed that the EU and UNO "Cooperation" was of "Central" importance particularly "in defence of Human Rights", as a matter of General Principle, which also has a notoriously Key role in the Cyprus' issue, (f.ex. on Refugees/IDPs and "Missing" or "Enclaved" Persons, etc). Guteress also spoke to MEPs about the "Need to Mobilise a Broader Coalition for Human Rights" Nowadays, "all over the World", with "a Comprehensive view", but withOut "Double Standards". Reminding that he had served personaly, as a former MEP, at least "during three Years", "with your neighbours in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe", at an adjacent Building in Strasbourg, he observed that, Today "We are seeing a multiplication of new conflicts ....and old conflicts seem never to die". On the contrary, " all these conflicts are becoming more and more interlinked", and risk to become, in one way or another, directly or indirectly, a "threat to our global security, wherever we live". So that "we need to strengthen Multilateral capacity to Address Conflicts", "and this is an area where the European cooperation with the UN is absolutely Crucial", in order "to Solve many of the Conflicts around the World", where "we also see Horrible Violations of international Humanitarian law and Human Rights Law", as he strongly denounced, making an Appeal also to the "Values of the Enlightenment" (18th Century AC), which "are the most important contribution that Europe has given to World Civilisation", as he stressed in Conclusion. However, concerning Cyprus, some European expectations that the Turkish Government might, eventualy, adopt a more relaxed stance After the recent, April 2017 Referendum for a New Constitution, (v. f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coechairmanandclraepresidentoncyprusandturkey.html), allowing, eventualy, to overcome the January 2017 Geneva Deadlock around Turkey's claims for Military presence and even Future Unilateral Interventions in EU Member Cyprus, were recently dashed. (../..) *** The EU-facilitated dialogue for normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia remains the main platform for Belgrade and Pristina to meet and address the open issues arising out of Kosovos independence. Serbia still does not recognize Kosovos declaration of independence in 2008. However, rather than addressing the question of recognition, the dialogue, initiated in 2011, focuses on practical issues to improve citizens lives in both countries. Kosovo primarily participates in the dialogue so that it can extend its sovereignty in northern Kosovo, a Serb-majority inhabited area, where Serbia still has significant influence. In return, by giving its de facto powers away, Serbia expects fast-track EU membership. The dialogue is good for both parties and has resulted in several agreements. However, the real struggle has been implementation; while specific deals promise to change the status quo, Serbia is afraid that it will lose its effective control over Serb-majority inhabited areas, while factions of Kosovan society are afraid that Serbia is re-establishing itself in Kosovo. After agreements have been signed, the concessions made during negotiations are quickly politicized and often undermined, even by those who signed them. Small provocations with harmful consequences Recently there have been several examples to show how improvised provocations can easily escalate the situation. The implementation of the agreement of August 2015 to reopen the bridge of Mitrovica was supposed to facilitate normalization between Kosovar and Serbs in the ethnically divided city. In response, the northern authorities, with funding from Serbia, started building a two-meter high wall in front of the bridge; Kosovar authorities considered this move was a violation of the agreement and a message of secession. Following the EUs involvement and public pressure from Pristina, the wall was demolished. In January 2017, Serbia decided to send a train from Belgrade to the Kosovo border, painted in the colors of the Serbian flag, covered in a nationalist slogan, Kosovo is Serbia, and decorated with Christian-Orthodox icons; when Kosovo authorities blocked its entry into the border, the Serbian authorities ordered the return of the train to Belgrade. Finally, via Interpol, of which Serbia is a member and Kosovo is not, Serbia released an international arrest warrant for war crimes for former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who was in France at the time. Haradinaj was detained in France for over three months before being released. These kinds of provocations have become highly politicized both in Kosovo and in Serbia and have served to undermine the efforts of the dialogue to address bigger domestic challenges. Although all these incidents have resulted in decisions taken in favor of Kosovo, such victories only mean a return to the starting point between the two countries and cannot mask the reality of serious problems within Kosovo, including lack of jobs and poor healthcare. The provocations from Serbia exacerbate already strong national sentiments among some factions in the Kosovo-Albanian population. A few months after Serbia announced its intention to purchase Russian military jets, the President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, announced that he would push ahead with the transformation of the Kosovo security force into an army, without obtaining the necessary constitutional changes. He received strong support within the Kosovo Albanian population while Serbia, as expected, was outraged. Kosovos international partners, including the United States, were also wary of the Presidents move, but for different reasons. The United States supports Kosovo establishing an army, but wants to make sure that it is established through a participatory process supported by Kosovo Serbs, which is necessary to facilitate the necessary constitutional change. Thaci has adjusted his original plans, agreeing to undertake an inclusive process rather than pursue the immediate institution of an army with defense capabilities. For most Kosovars, establishing a national army is about completing the missing part of the puzzle to become a sovereign state rather than about starting an arms race in the region. There is no doubt that whether Kosovo succeeds in creating an army or not, Kosovos security will rely on KFOR, the deployed NATO troops in Kosovo for the foreseeable future. Kosovo is not equipped yet to defend itself and cannot compete with its neighbors either economically or militarily. Commitment is needed from the EU but also from NATO NATOs commitment and presence are, therefore, enablers of a successful dialogue. In the event of an escalation, NATO troops are on the ground, ready to step in. In order to ensure that future dialogue yields positive results, Kosovo and Serbia need clear messages of commitment coming from Brussels, both from the EU and from NATO. Currently, Kosovars feel isolated and singled out from the rest of the Western Balkans. Following recent visa liberalization for Ukraine, Kosovo remains the only country in Europe whose citizens cannot freely travel without a visa in the European Union. Kosovo is also the only country in the Western Balkans without a clear path to joining the European Union, because five EU countries do not recognize its independence. The continued engagement of the US and leading European countries is also necessary for the stability of the continent at large. If the roles of NATO and the EU in the Western Balkans are significantly decreased, Kosovo and Serbia would not necessarily be left undisturbed. Germany provides a good example of how to send strong, clear messages to both Kosovo and Serbia, which the EU and other member states should follow. If they dont, Russia, as a supporter of Serbia, and Turkey, as a sympathizer of Kosovo, would see this opportunity to fill the void and incrementally expand their influence on the ground. This would seriously shake European security. The ongoing dialogue demonstrates that both countries have committed to live in peace. Episodes of tension with escalation potential, however, demonstrate that Kosovo-Serbia relations require further attention from the EU and the US. Kosovo only feels comfortable to remain engaged in the dialogue because it is mediated by the European Union and supported by the United States. If the EU is investing time and resources in talks between Belgrade and Pristina, it must push for implementable agreements. Most importantly, it must also respond when the agreements and the trust built on the way are undermined for domestic political gain. The opinions articulated above represent the private views of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the organisation he works for, or of the European Leadership Network or any of its members. The ELNs aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europes capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security challenges of our time. Hello All, I have a question regarding skill migration in Canada. I have already given academic IELTS and secure overall score 7.00. If i want a skill migration to Canada, do i need to give IELTS in general training again or academic will be taken? Another question is if Canada skill migration take PTE as English skill assessment or IELTS is the only way? Hello All, I have an offer letter from Brock University (MBA- ISP) program and my term starts from August,2017. I would like to apply for my visa in mid of June. Can anybody help me with the list of documents required for Student Visa? Can somebody also help me out with the process of visa application who have already applied? I live in Ahmedabad,India. Please share any other important information which should not be missed during the process. Thanks, Nishtha. India and Russia Sign 5 Pacts Published: June 2, 2017 India and Russia have inked 5 pacts after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Russia. Contents Agreements Others Agreements An agreement on cultural exchanges for a period of two years (2017-2019) has been signed between the two nations. An agreement for the construction of the third stage of the Kudankulam NPP (KK5 & KK6) along with the Credit Protocol has been signed between NPCIL and ROSATOM An agreement between the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) and the Council of India on Scientific and Industrial Research has been signed to provide access to Rospatent experts to the Indian Digital Library of Traditional Knowledge (TKDL). Contract between JSC (Russian Railways) and the Ministry of Railways on the preparation of the justification for the implementation of the high-speed service at the Nagpur-Secunderabad section has been signed. Memorandum of cooperation between ALROSA Joint Stock Company and the Council for the Promotion of the Export of Precious Stones and Jewellery of India has been signed. Others India and Russia have decided to hold the first tri-Services exercises, named Indra-2017, this year. Both the countries have also decided to begin joint manufacturing of frigates and co-production of Kamov-226 military helicopters. Of all the agreements, the agreement on setting up of Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu with the Russian help was a much-awaited agreement. The reactors will be built by Indias Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Russias Atomstroyexport company, which is a subsidiary of Rosatom. Rosatom is the regulatory body of the Russian nuclear complex. The two units will have a capacity to produce 1,000 MW of power. An Action Plan has also been devised for speeding up the bilateral cooperation in all fields by the two countries. Month: Current Affairs - June, 2017 Topics: Bilateral Relations India-International Relations India-Russia International TNPSC Latest E-Books The Brexit deal between the UK and the European Union should include an arrangement with all members that British expats should continue to receive health care in the country where they live, according to a new report.Failing to do so could result in tens of thousands of pensioners moving back to the UK because they could not afford to pay for healthcare and if all expats did so it would cost the NHS an extra 1 billion a year.Under the EUs S1 programme, British pensioners have the right to go to any other member state and receive the same healthcare rights as the local population, paid for by their native country. Currently, some 190,000 British pensioners have chosen to leave the UK under this scheme and the British Department of Health pays around 500 million to other countries to cover their care costs.However, a new report from think tank the Nuffield Trust, says that the costs of ending the S1 scheme could be considerably higher. The 1 billion figure has been calculated using NHS Englands estimates for the cost of different age groups, which reflect that older people tend to need more care.It assumes that pensioners abroad have the same age structure as over 65s resident in England. It is around double the figure currently paid for the care of these people abroad. It is possible that UK pensioners abroad under the S1 scheme would be relatively healthier, and their care could cost less. However, evidence given by the Department of Health suggests they also believe costs could be close to twice as high if these pensioners were treated in the UK.Even more difficult would be finding the staff and beds these people might need, the report adds. Looking at relative hospital demand by age group, some 190,000 people would require 900 more hospital beds and 1,600 nurses, as well as doctors, other health professionals, and support staff such as porters. This number of additional beds would be equivalent to two new hospitals the size of St Marys Hospital in London.Unlike funding, these resources cannot simply be brought on stream at will. There are already too few nurses for existing requirements, while hospital bed occupancy is already at very high levels, especially in winter, the report points out.The report also suggests that it may not be easy to continue after Brexit with reciprocal health care arrangements like S1 or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that covers travellers. These arrangements fall under the EU Social Security Coordination, and are considered a part of the system of freedom of labour, from which both Labour and the Conservatives say the UK will withdraw. However, the report adds that it is in the best interests of the NHS to see if a continued deal can be agreed.There is also the possibility that this might be the tip of the iceberg. While precise estimates vary, there are a total of around one million UK citizens resident in the EU. If the next Government fails to secure a deal to allow them to retain the rights they currently hold, the NHS will need to care for all those forced by law or circumstances to return, it adds.Nuffield Trust spokesman Mark Dayan said that it is possible that extra funds could be found for the NHS from any cancellation of Britain's EU membership fees. But whether or not these benefits will outweigh the significant staffing and financial costs Brexit may impose on already stretched services remains to be seen. That depends largely on the NHS being recognised as a significant priority as we enter the negotiations, he added. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Ryan Smith got a first-hand look at the brain drain that affects students after a summer of no school during his time teaching seventh grade English in Houston. I remember it especially impacting me after my first year of teaching, said Smith, who is now the vice president of education at the DoSeum. We used the Stanford Achievement Test, which is a growth assessment. You see from the beginning of the year to the end how kids grow. He kept tabs on his seventh graders when they returned to school in the fall, and noticed their scores had dropped. I wondered what happened, he said. Researchers and educators have noted the same decline in reading and math skills at schools across the country, dubbing it the summer slide. Its a bigger issue for low-income students, who may not have access to camps and enrichment programs during the months when theyre out of school. That creates an achievement gap that can have far-reaching consequences, said Matthew Boulay, interim CEO for the National Summer Learning Association. The research is clear, said Boulay. Theres some terrific data about the widening of the gap between more affluent students and others. At least one-half of that, maybe two-thirds of that, occurs during the summer months. When students return to school in the fall, Boulay said, it can take up to six weeks to bring them back up to speed. With each school year, the losses accumulate, widening the achievement gap substantially. The good news is that there are things that parents and other caregivers can do to help address the problem. The DoSeum and the San Antonio Public Library, for instance, offer summer programming created with that in mind. The DoSeum has zeroed in on math and science during the summer since it settled into its expansive digs on Broadway in 2015. There are a lot of really good summer reading programs the public library has one and there arent a lot of summer math programs, Smith said. This summer, the childrens museum is focusing on tech with an exhibit titled DigiPlayspace. Tied in with that is the Kids Coding Challenge, its a series of activities designed to help youngsters explore the building blocks of tech. The exhibit runs Saturday through Sept. 5. It is all about opening the world of technology for kids, said Chris Navarro, who is in charge of outreach for the coding challenge. DigiPlayspace is a series of interactive media installations that allow kids to understand more how software is applied in innovative and creative ways and immersing them in these worlds. What we want to do is move kids from being consumers of technology to being creators. The exhibit includes a section in which young visitors can create a painting through their movements and work with stop-motion animation. For the coding challenge, theyll complete a series of tasks both online and offline. Ideally, pint-size patrons will have fun and learn at the same time. If youve visited the DoSeum, you know that sometimes the way we get children learning is sneaky, said Smith. This summer, when theyre engaging in these activities, theyll feel really joyful, but theyll also be learning. Thats part of the power of this place. And part of why we want to use it is to support the good work that schools are doing (at a time) when theyre out of session. The museums programming is not limited to its campus. Once again, it is extending its reach by taking projects from the Kids Coding Challenge to parks, YMCAs and community centers across the city. Those locations are selected with summer slide data in mind, Smith said. Our outreach almost entirely goes to areas where kids are disproportionately from the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum, he said. The San Antonio Public Librarys summer reading programs for youngsters also were created with an eye toward arresting the summer slide, and there are a few options: The Read-to-Me Club is for little ones who cant yet read on their own and the Reading Club is for those who can. For both, participants keep a list of the books theyve completed, and when they hit a certain number, they can turn in their list and claim a free book as a reward. For the youngest ones, the number is 16; for independent readers, its eight. Eight is not a random number. There are studies that show us children who read as little as six books over the summer retain their skills, and those who read as few as 10 improve their skills, said Viki Ash, coordinator of childrens services for the San Antonio Public Library. Library staffers figured that eight books could have a big impact on young readers. What studies tell us is that children who read dont lose skills the same way that kids who dont do, Ash said. On the personal side and its a gigantically big plus were very interested in creating lifelong readers. Children can enroll at any point during the summer. Fast readers can pick up their free books beginning June 15 if theyve met their goal. Having and using a library card is one of the things that Boulay recommends for parents and other caregivers looking for ways to battle the summer slide. He also advised that they maintain any habits they have during the school year, such as reading for 20 minutes before bedtime and limiting screen time. The idea behind all of these efforts is to make sure that children keep their brains working. Just like anything, its a routine, said Janis Jordan, deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the Northside school district. Learning not only activates your brain, but your whole body gets into a routine of paying attention, the stamina of doing one activity and even facing something where maybe you dont know the answer immediately but keep working at it to figure it out. Northside and other school districts offer summer programming to help students who need to shore up wobbly grades, as well as classes designed to keep the neurons firing. We know kids like to get on their phones and flip through Instagrams and sleep until 1 in the afternoon, said Jordan. Thats OK to do for a week or two, but then we want them to do something that gets that brain activated. dlmartin@express-news.net Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN One of the most iconic and widely recognized images in San Antonio, perhaps second only to the facade of the Alamo, is the Rose Window outside the church sacristy at Mission San Jose. In recent years, researchers have learned more about the famed carving and its architectural history to help solve the mysteries and address unanswered questions associated with the window, including the oft-told romantic tale that it was crafted by a sculptor pining over a beloved fiancee lost at sea. Pedro Huizar, a surveyor and craftsman with diverse skills and interests who lived in San Antonio during the late mission era, is typically credited with carving the ornate window, a modified quatrefoil with blossoming pomegranates, said to symbolize fertility. It measures about 10 feet tall and nearly 6 feet wide and is one of the most distinct architectural features at the heavily visited mission. Although Huizar is certain to have had an important role in San Antonio history, sources have differed in providing details of his life, including his birthplace and the number of children he had. While some have even questioned whether he carved the Rose Window, a scholarly report released last year suggests that its quite likely that he did, even though no one has found documentation to prove it. A brochure prepared by Vincent M. Huizar, a San Antonio resident and sixth-generation direct descendant of Pedro Huizar, states that Huizar carved Dona Rosas Window as a masterpiece dedicated to his first sweetheart, Rosa. According to archaeologist and historian Jake Ivey, that romantic story dates at least to 1909, when Nora Franklin McCormick wrote in San Antonio, Historical and Modern that the window was carved by a Spaniard who crossed the seas to make a fortune for the girl he loved, who was to wait for him, keeping faith until he should return. In McCormicks narrative, the sculptor joined the Franciscans and created the window after his lover became unfaithful. The brochure published by the Huizar descendant acknowledges there were numerous theories about the window, but it says Huizars sweetheart, a woman named Rosa, died or disappeared in a shipwreck after Huizar sent her money to travel to Texas from Spain. Yet another version of the story is that Huizar had fallen in love with a wealthy woman whose family had shunned him and carved the window while trying to mend a broken heart. Researchers have said historical evidence does not support any of those stories. Some details of the narrative, including one that Huizar lived a life of celibacy and penitence, contradict historical records. Huizar married twice, had several children and was a carpenter, surveyor and even a judge, helping distribute lands after the missions were secularized and overseeing construction of gun carriages to refortify the Presidio de Bejar in the late 1790s. In a lecture at the Texas State Historical Associations annual meeting in Houston in March, Joel Kitchens, humanities librarian at Texas A&M University, said the Rose Window and other features of the five San Antonio missions that constitute the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas were swept up in a current of romanticism. Fantastic stories and advertisements were aimed at promoting travel after the 1870s advent of the railroads, which were followed by motor vehicles in the 1900s. Images of the missions, both in graphic and textual form, became fodder for railroad companies, such as the Southern Pacific, seeking to market their products and services. Railroads and other boosters sold the vision of the American Southwest based largely on a fantasy Spanish heritage to Americans seeking to travel to romantic and exotic locales, Kitchen said. I contend that our collective memories have locked the missions in an exoticized past, he said. Historians have nonetheless tried to unlock the mysteries of San Joses Rose Window, which is not round, like ornate cathedral windows elsewhere with that moniker. It is unusually elaborate for a sacristy window but does not have carved roses in its ornamentation. Some have suggested it was dedicated to St. Rose of Lima, the first saint from the Americas and a symbol of piety and chastity. The theory goes that the window allowed priests to show the Eucharistic host to indigenous people of the mission through an opening of the sacristy that faced toward Lima, Peru. Given all the embellishments and speculation, many have wondered if Huizar carved the window. Some have argued that Antonio Salazar, an associate and friend of Huizar, should at least be credited with conceptualizing it. Both men worked at San Jose and other San Antonio missions and did work or may have performed duties at Espiritu Santo, or La Bahia, in Goliad. In a study completed last year, associate history professor Armando Alonzo of Texas A&M University concluded that while both men were at San Jose when it was completed it the late 1770s, a July 1779 census record stored in Seville, Spain, indicated Salazar was recognized as an albanil, or builder, and Huizar as a sculptor. Since the Franciscan College of Zacatecas, responsible for the mission, did not keep precise construction records, it may be worth scouring archives in Mexico, Spain or Italy for more information, Alonzo wrote. Taking this holistic approach to what each man did in San Antonio (and Espiritu Santo), it could be asserted that Huizar may have been the maestro who carved the stone and sculpted the Rose Window, he wrote. Although many have said Huizar came to San Antonio from Aguascalientes, Mexico, and may have been born there, Alonzo reported that he could not locate birth or baptismal records for him there. According to Alonzo, Huizar had 10 children with his wife, Maria de la Trinidad, including at least two who died at a young age. After she died, he married Maria Gertrudis Martinez in 1798. Another tale of the Rose Window, an outright myth to be certain, is that it was removed from the church in 1936 and taken to Dallas for display during the states six-month Centennial Exposition. A replica cast by local sculptor Gino Bernesconi, and not the window itself, was displayed there. Today, miniature representations of the Rose Window can be seen in architecture in downtown San Antonio, including the exterior of the old Joskes Building, now part of the Shops at Rivercenter; the St. Marys Street railroad underpass south of downtown; and a restored historic courtroom in the Bexar County Courthouse, used for Commissioners Court meetings. The original window, carved from locally quarried limestone, has been under threat of deterioration from exposure to the elements and ground moisture. Old Spanish Missions, or Las Misiones, a nonprofit that supports restoration of church buildings at the four San Antonio missions that still have active parishes, last year reported raising $472,600 at a gala to restore and preserve the Rose Window. shuddleston@ express-news.net Twitter: @shuddlestonSA COMING SATURDAY: Lewis F. Fisher writes about eight favorite San Antonio myths. University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven would not say Thursday whether he wants to remain in his role leading the states largest university system. McRaven said he needs to understand the direction of his board of regents and whether it wants him to stay beyond January, when his three-year contract expires. McRaven has faced backlash from politicians and regents for his attempt to expand the UT System into Houston. Critics said the $215 million land acquisition showed a lack of understanding of the tight state budget, and they believed McRaven should have gotten support from Gov. Greg Abbott before moving ahead. Support for McRaven has eroded among several state lawmakers and Abbotts office, according to various state officials, though he retreated from the Houston plan earlier this year. In the legislative session, McRaven weathered sharp criticism from lawmakers and had to defend big-ticket spending, including the Houston land and UTs new system headquarters. He said Thursday at an event sponsored by the Texas Tribune that he wants to make sure there is a match between himself and UTs regents. If some of the things that have occurred over the last couple years have created friction for the board if Im not adding value to the University of Texas System, then maybe Im not the right guy for the job. UT spokeswoman Jenny LaCoste-Caputo said Thursday that McRaven has no indication that he no longer has the boards support. When asked for clarification on his statement that he may not be the right person for the job, she said McRaven was saying its for the regents to decide. Hes not speaking for his bosses, she wrote in an email. McRavens statement comes as board members are preparing to discuss the role of the system at a retreat this summer in Houston. Regents have questioned if the system should primarily support UTs academic and health institutions, or if it should continue to push for large-scale initiatives such as broad research programs and new institutes, a vision put forward by McRaven less than a year into his tenure. In late April, he told the Houston Chronicle that he had absolutely no concerns about whether his contract would be renewed. But after that interview, in a quarterly board meeting, two new regents appointed by Abbott said the system needs to become more of a support structure for UTs universities and health institutions. Savings can then be passed down to individual institutions, these regents said. Janiece Longoria, one of the new Abbott appointees, said at that meeting that the system should be pared down to essential services and back away from very significant, growing, top-down expensive architecture that she said burdens the 14 universities and health institutions. I think a smaller, more efficient system is what people are looking for, Steve Hicks, a regent who was first appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2009, said in an interview Thursday. McRavens broad vision includes several projects that he describes as quantum leaps, including a system-sponsored national security network, a brain health program and a leadership institute for students and business executives. When he introduced those ideas about a year and a half ago, he said the system should aim to improve the human condition in every town, every city, for every man, woman and child. Hicks said he doesnt necessarily oppose McRavens big ideas, but he said the system shouldnt run them. Charles Miller, a former UT regent who supported the Houston plan, said spending system money on large projects such as the ones McRaven presented is important. They have the resources to do things that cant be done any other way, he said. Rarely is there something thats only done at the system level that doesnt have a broader benefit. McRaven and UTs regents need to get on the same page, said Miller, who served on the board from 1999 to 2004. The best combination is both of them having the same goals. McRaven said Thursday that the system is cutting back on spending. Its eliminated more than 150 positions this fiscal year, about 16 percent of the roughly 925 it employed at the beginning of the year, LaCoste-Caputo said. You need regents to ask the hard questions, McRaven said Thursday. This is whats going to make our system administration better. McRaven, who is credited with orchestrating the secret mission to kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, joined the UT System in January 2015 after a 37-year military career. He came to the job without experience in academia or in Texas politics, unlike chancellors of the University of Houston System, the Texas A&M University System and the Texas Tech University System. With more than a $17.8 billion operating budget, the system enrolls more than 220,000 students and employs more than 100,000 faculty and staff. He told the Tribune that backing off the Houston project helped smooth the session for the systems universities. I knew if I continued to fight the battle in Houston, and we fought it all the way through the end of the session, the session would not have turned out the way it (did), he told the Tribune. On Thursday, McRaven called his leadership of the UT System bold, citing his prior statements against campus carry and supporting students who immigrated to the U.S. illegally. Second Scorpene Class Submarine Ready for Sea Trials Published: June 2, 2017 Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has announced that the second Scorpene-class submarine is ready for surface sea trials. INS Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine has been built at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is the second of the six submarines being built at MDL in collaboration with Frances DCNS as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy. Salient Highlights INS Khanderi has been named Khanderi, after the Island fort of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji which played had vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in late 17th century. Khanderi is also name for Tiger Shark. The state-of-the-art features in the submarine include superior stealth and ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapon. The attack from it can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whilst on surface or underwater. The stealth features gives it invulnerability, unmatched by many submarines. The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, including the tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval task force. It can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, mine laying etc. In general, the Scorpene-class submarines are expected to significantly enhance Indias naval power and strength while making the country ocean safe and secure. Project 75 Under Project 75 India will construct 6 next generation diesel submarines with Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP) technology for the Indian Navy by 2022. The project is built with assistance and technology transfer from DCNS of France under deal signed in October 2005. The first of the series INS Kalvari is completing sea trials and will be commissioned shortly. The other four submarines are expected to be launched at nine-month intervals after the INS Khanderi. Month: Current Affairs - June, 2017 Category: Defence Current Affairs Topics: Defence INS Kalvari INS Khanderi National Latest E-Books This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate U.S. Rep. Will Hurd is co-sponsoring legislation aimed at addressing nearly $12 billion in deferred maintenance at national parks across the country, including nearly $9 million needed for the four federally run historic missions in San Antonio. Hurd, R-Helotes, toured Mission San Jose on Thursday and discussed the proposed National Park Service Legacy Act, which he said would broaden the types of financing parks can use to address maintenance backlogs and establish a priority for appropriations. In Texas alone, national parks have a backlog of about $147 million, he said. These are the things that in order to make sure that these parks are here for another 100 years we have to get right, Hurd told a few dozen parks supporters and reporters. According to a release from Hurds office when it was filed May 22, the bill also would require that currently unassigned federal mineral revenues be placed in a restoration fund. The bill, with companion legislation sponsored by Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, has been endorsed by the National Parks Conservation Association, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Suzanne Dixon, Texas regional director of the parks conservation association, said the bill, with bipartisan co-sponsorship in the House of Representatives, is part of the remedy for an ailing parks system. Our national parks face these challenges because Congress, frankly, has not done its job, she said. In response to reporters questions, Hurd said parks often have been left underfunded because of a complicated budget process and competition with other needs. The National Park Service is further hampered when individual parks funding requests are diluted at headquarters and entered as a different number in the presidents budget after review by the Office of Management and Budget, he said. Its going to always come down to fixed resources, Hurd said. U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, a former Republican congressman from Montana appointed by President Donald Trump, is aware of the legislation and is looking to figure out how he can be helpful in getting this done, possibly as part of a transportation package, Hurd said. Although Mission Espada is the only mission in Hurds district, he said the $9 million worth of backlog at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park illustrates what is at stake. Park officials said the missions have various needs, including masonry work, tree trimming, repaving of parking lots, air conditioning, painting, carpeting and maintenance of trails and historic acequias. Were trying to address that, so more parts of these missions can be open to the public, but also so we dont see a degradation of these great treasures, Hurd said. The missions, each with an active Catholic parish, are considered a partnership park, operated through agreements signed in 1983 by the park service, the Archdiocese of San Antonio and other interests. A local nonprofit group, known as Los Compadres, was created that year to assist the park service at the missions. But Hurd said not all parks have the ability to do public-private partnerships. His bill aims to make support from nonprofits more consistent across the parks system. In a tight resource environment, Im thankful that we have some of these friends groups to ensure that these wonderful sites are around for everyone, Hurd said. Los Compadres, the only officially chartered park service friends group at the missions, celebrated its new name, Mission Heritage Partners, this week, along with a new logo and website. Rosebud Coffey, the groups acting executive director, said the legislation would encourage people to become more involved. Coffey said the group, which has provided financial and hands-on support for the park, worked for more than a year to develop a name that better reflected its objectives. It recently launched a new website, missionheritagepartners.org, and has begun recruiting new members. We have a great legacy, and were just building on that, she said. shuddleston@express-news.net Twitter: @shuddlestonSA Deep in the heart of Americas top emitting state for greenhouse gases, reaction to President Trumps decision to drop out of the Paris climate accord broke largely along ideological and party lines. Trump announced Thursday that the U.S. would begin a process of withdrawing from the Paris deal signed by more than 190 countries. The U.S. made a non-binding pledge in 2015 to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. Trump campaigned on a promise that he would cancel the deal. On Thursday, he said he would not implement any of its measures and begin negotiations to re-enter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States. The agreement is meant to keep a rise in average global temperatures below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, the threshold at which many scientists predict climate changes effects will become severe. Emissions from fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas have already caused a 1.68-degree rise since the dawn of the industrial era, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. United States withdrawal from the Paris agreement represents further weakening of our standing as a leader of nations, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, said in a Twitter post. Luke Metzger, director of Austin-based environmental group Environment Texas, said the administrations decisions leave a vacuum that others must now fill. If national leadership chooses to ignore that reality, then local governments, businesses and institutions must step in to fill the leadership void to show the world that Americans will do our part to address the climate crisis, he said. Soon after Trumps speech, the U.S. Conference of Mayors issued a statement strongly opposing withdrawal from the accord, which it said would help the U.S. become energy independent, self-reliant and resilient. San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor did not say whether she agreed with Trumps decision. In a statement, she said she had learned not to wait on Washington, D.C., to address our challenges here in San Antonio. The City Council and I made it clear by approving SA Tomorrow and the sustainability element of the plan that clean air, clean water and a healthy environment are important to San Antonio, she said, referring to the comprehensive plan adopted last year. Taylors opponent in the mayoral race, District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg, did not respond to a text and phone call Thursday afternoon. The decision drew swift condemnation from U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, and a member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and the Safe Climate Caucus. At one time, conservation was a conservative value, but repeated Republican denial of science means more disease, flooding, and extreme weather, he said. Some of the strongest attacks in Congress on climate science have come from Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, chairman of the House Science Committee. By withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, President Trump has freed America from a bad deal that would cost billions of dollars but have little significant environmental benefit, Smith said in a statement. In his speech, Trump talked about standing up for American workers whose livelihoods were threatened by the agreement. Texas Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz echoed that sentiment in their praise of the president. This is great news for family budgets, which under the Obama Paris plan would have seen significant increases in costs for utilities and nearly everything powered by fossil fuels, Cruz said in a Facebook post. Joshua Busby, a University of Texas associate professor who has written extensively about U.S. and international climate policy, said leaving the agreement is a self-inflicted injury akin to punching ourselves in the face. In fact, the U.S. would do even better economically by pursuing clean energy, Busby said in an email. There are hundreds of thousands more jobs in solar and wind than in the coal sector. Natural gas, which is a cleaner burning fuel than coal, is also important. bgibbons@express-news.net Twitter: @bgibbs This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Construction on some 2017 municipal bond projects could start in the next few months, city officials said Wednesday, as they outlined a schedule for the $850 million infrastructure and development program that voters approved May 6. The money will be spent over six fiscal years, with the most construction happening in fiscal 2019 and 2020, said Mike Frisbie, director of the city's Transportation and Capital Improvements Department. Five projects are already in the design phase, including the Hardberger Park land bridge and Hemisfair Civic Park. Construction could begin on the land bridge in January or February; work on the nine-acre civic park could start by July 2018, Frisbie said. Both projects will take about two years to build, he said. Another six bond projects are construction-ready; those contracts will be awarded in the next four to five months, he said. In October, council will be asked to approve a long list of civil engineering, landscape architecture and architecture firms to complete 105 of the 180 projects in the bond program. This mass selection will save the city roughly 3,500 hours of work, according to Frisbie. We want to put as many good teams to work as possible in San Antonio, he said. Mass selection is the way to do that. The bond program is a huge boon for business about 90 percent of the bond funds will go to contracts with the private sector, Frisbie said. The city already has a list of on-call designers that will be mobilized to work on smaller projects in the bond program, including several parks. That design work will begin this month, Frisbie said. Nearly four dozen bond projects include funding from an agency or organization other than the city. These outside groups have a two-year window to gather their portion of the funds. Two citizen advisory committees are being created to monitor the bond projects progress. One will oversee the streets, drainage, parks and facilities categories. The other group will monitor the $20 million in the citys Neighborhood Improvements bond, a first-time category for San Antonio. Part of the money will go toward the purchase of property in any of 12 blighted areas across the city. Some will be spent to prepare the land for redevelopment, so developers can buy the property and then build affordable homes and apartments. The Neighborhood Improvements committee will include 17 members, appointed by the mayor and City Council. Five must live within the 12 target areas, said Deputy City Manager Peter Zanoni. The committee is scheduled to meet in July, so the city can issue a request for information from the development community in August. Based on the responses, city officials will identify specific properties for redevelopment in the 12 designated areas and place them under contract for purchase. By October or November, the city will seek proposals from developers interested in pursuing housing projects on those identified properties. The city will actually buy properties once its clear developers want to build on those sites, Zanoni said. Work could begin on the properties in terms of actual construction or preparation of the land for redevelopment by next summer, Zanoni said. vdavila@express-news.net From digitized microfilm / From digitized microfilm In the age of news websites and the 24-hour news cycle, extra print editions are no longer a necessity. But, boy howdy, was there news were shouting from the street corner on the morning of June 7, 1944. World War II raged on, but D-Day had begun! A massive Allied force commanded by General Dwight D. Eisenhower crossed the English Channel into German-occupied northern France. A local nursing home employee is being charged with rape after authorities say he took advantage of a resident who was incapacitated because of a mental condition. James Royce Weber, 44, of Bonne Terre, is charged with an unclassified felony of rape in the first degree. According to a probable cause statement, a detective with the Farmington Police Department was dispatched to Presbyterian Manor, off Cayce Avenue in Farmington, in reference to sexual misconduct by an employee. Reportedly, Weber was seen by a visitor coming out of residents room. A short time later the shift supervisor entered the room and saw the 74-year-old resident was unclothed from the waist down. When questioned, the resident said she had sexual intercourse with Weber. When a detective interviewed Weber he reportedly admitted having sexual intercourse on two occasions with the resident. According to court documents, Weber told the detective it occurred on two separate occasions approximately three weeks apart. Those same official documents indicate the residents medical history includes references to Alzheimers, dementia and several health disorders. Records show he was arrested on a warrant for the charge with bond set at $150,000. Additionally, he was required to have GPS monitoring if he did post bond, and not have any contact with the victim. The structure you choose for your farm business influences daily operations, how decisions are made and the responsibilities of owners. Different entities have tax and legal implications that can benefit or have negative consequences on your farm. Farmers form businesses under one of the five basic business structures: sole proprietorship, limited liability company, partnership, corporation or cooperative. The difference between entities boils down to ownership, governance, liability, taxes and farmers short and long-term goals. To choose the best business structure for your farm, ask yourself Who owns the business? Who makes business decisions? What are the liability concerns? How is income taxed? What are the short and long-term goals for the farm? Sole proprietorship Sole proprietorship is a simple business structure that is owned by one farmer. Thirty-five percent of livestock farms and 36 percent of crop farms are sole proprietorships. In a sole proprietorship, the farmer maintains complete control of the business, including assets and profits. The farmer is personally responsible for debts and liabilities the business incurs. Business income is reported on the farmers personal return. If sold a sole proprietorship does not transfer directly to a new owner. In order for the farmer to transfer assets, the new owner must establish a new entity to receive the assets. Farm debts do not transfer to the new owner. Limited liability company (LLC) One or more farmers can form an LLC. Corporations, other LLCs and foreign entities can also form an LLC. The owners of the LLC are called members. An operating agreement between members governs daily operations. The limited liability company structure is gaining popularity with farmers. Thirty-five percent of animal operations and 26 percent of crop farms are LLCs. Farms that are LLCs have higher gross sales than those with other business structures. LLCs provide farmers with some protection of personal assets if the LLC defaults on debt or is sued, however, members personal assets are not protected in the case of wrongful action. The federal government does not tax a limited liability company as a separate entity. Members of the LLC are considered self-employed by the government. Each member files federal income tax and makes self-employment tax contributions on their personal return. Business losses pass through to members personal taxes. The LLC must be dissolved when a member leaves. All financial obligations must be met before the company is dissolved. Partnership Two or more farmers can form a partnership. The role of each partner and their contributions to the farm business is outlined in a legal partnership agreement. One farmer may contribute land and another labor. They share profits and losses according to percentages agreed upon by both partners. Partners are personally responsible for business debts and liabilities. The partnership does not pay income tax as an entity. Each partner pays taxes on his share of income earned. Partnerships are uncommon in agriculture. Only six percent of livestock and eight percent of crop farms are partnerships. Corporation State laws dictate who can form a corporation and how it is formed. In Ohio, one or more farmers can form a corporation. Corporations are owned by shareholders. The corporation, not the shareholders, is legally liable for business actions. Corporations can be complex and expensive to form, but the structure offers several benefits. A major benefit is greater flexibility to raise funds through stock and outside investors. Another benefit is that unlike an LLC, the corporation can stay in operation if a shareholder leaves. Fifty-eight percent of tree farms, 24 percent of livestock and 30 percent of crop farms are corporations. In recent years there has been a rise in farms formed as non-profit corporations. Farmers form non-profits to achieve a purpose other than profit, such as education or food justice. Corporations are designated as S or C. The difference is in how the corporation is taxed. An S-Corp receives pass-through taxation. A C-Corp pays income taxes on profits. Sometimes C-Corps are double-taxed a second time when dividends are paid to shareholders. Cooperative Two or more farmers can form a cooperative. A cooperative is owned and controlled by its members. Farmers form cooperatives to meet a mutual need, like reducing costs, gain access to larger markets or to co-market farm products. Although some cooperatives allow non-members to utilize services, the purpose of a co-op is to serve its members. The business structure is highly adaptable. It can fit family farms, small groups of local growers or several hundred farms like Dairy Farmers of America cooperative. All co-op members have equal voting power. Duties, responsibilities and operational procedures are outlined in by-laws and agreed upon by members. In large cooperatives, members elect a board of directors to act on behalf of the shareholders and guide the businesss direction. Co-op income passes through to members personal taxes. Members can leave a cooperative without dissolving the business. Backman, C. Business structure for small farms: A quick guide, 2015. Washington State University Extension. Retrieved May 28, 2017 from https://research.libraries.wsu.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2376/5363/FS178E_FINAL.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y. Country Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Canada Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cuba, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Jamaica Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Mexico, United Mexican States Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Virgin Islands Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Leadership skills are different skills, they are not so technical but they are critical, so we are keen to support their development because we know getting leaders out there in the Wheatbelt will help the local community, local grower groups and ultimately help CBH with people coming onto the Grower Advisory Council and onto our board. The future of Fauquier Times now depends on community support. Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement. Support At last Septembers G-20 summit in Hangzhou, China, Barack Obama put the fear of God into Vladimir Putin. Or at least he tried. Two months earlier, American intelligence officials informed the President they had high confidence it was Russian hackers who had broken into computer servers belonging to the Democratic National Committee and transmitted some 20,000 stolen emails to WikiLeaks, which posted the messages on its website. The internal correspondence, revealing institutional favoritism for the partys eventual presidential nominee Hillary Clinton over her insurgent challenger Bernie Sanders, and released on the eve of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, threw the Democrats into disarray, swiftly leading to the resignation of party Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz amid accusations that the nominating process was rigged. And they were seized upon by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who days later said he hoped Russia was able to find the 30,000 e-mails that are missing from Clintons private server. Frustrated that Russian meddling might throw the presidential election to Trump and thus put his legacy in jeopardy, Obama confronted Putin at the sidelines of the conclave. Cut it out, the American President told his counterpart, or face serious consequences. It was not reported what, if anything, Putin said in response. But we can gauge the seriousness with which he regarded the titular leader of the free worlds threats by the actions his government took just weeks later, when WikiLeaks dumped a trove of emails from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, also pilfered by Russian hackers. Mehr zum Thema 1/ As his critics never tire of pointing out, Donald Trump indeed won the American presidency with the open connivance of a hostile foreign power. This is a ghastly thing to contemplate, particularly as the Russians are now employing similar means of subterfuge to influence critical elections across the West, most importantly in France and Germany. Equally worth considering, however, is a question the new Presidents detractors, stricken with a case of highly selective amnesia regarding Obamas eight years in office, are too blinded by partisanship to ask: What was it about the last Presidents foreign policies and general approach to the world that led Vladimir Putin to believe he could get away with his shenanigans, even after a direct threat from Obama himself? Obama's first major diplomatic initiative was the Russian reset This obliviousness towards the role that Obamas peculiar approach to leadership and power politicsthe essence of which is captured in such well-known phrases as leading from behind and the long gamemight have played in last years events manifests itself most blatantly in the anguished handwringing over the state of the liberal world orderthe global architecture of alliances, treaties, norms, and institutions that America and its allies established after World War II to ensure free trade, the nonviolent settlement of interstate conflict, and the prevention of great power war. Lamenting the fate of this international systemwhich has indeed ensured unprecedented global peace and prosperity under American hegemonyhas become a key element in the talking points of Obama staffers as they make their way outside the corridors of power. The new phase were in is that the Russians have moved into an offensive posture that threatens the very international order, former Obama Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes told the New Yorker. Putin regime seeks disintegration of the EU, NATO and 70 years of [international] order, he later tweeted. GOP cannot look away from hard truth. In her first public address as a private citizen, former United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power warned of how Putin is taking steps that are weakening the rules-based order that we have benefitted from for seven decades. Lucky Lindy is a term that is usually consigned to the history books. Yet to many Americans he was the hero of the 20th Century for his solo flight across the Atlantic. A recent book explored the flight and more particularly the preparation for the flight, in an elegantly entitled volume, named simply The Flight by Dan Hampton. The book was the first I had read which focused on Charles Lindbergh the engineer. Not only was it a great read but I found it had some significant insights for the compliance practitioner. The prime lesson from Lindbergh for compliance practitioners is that a combination of just enough of a technological solution and resources but not overdoing it, can be enough to get the job done. For Lindbergh this meant eliminating items from his plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, which were not necessary for the flight. This included what many today would consider the bare minimum of a radio. Lindbergh reasoned there would be no radio coverage over the Atlantic so the cost in weight was too high. The lesson for the compliance practitioner is straight-forward. There are times when less truly is more. This can be important during an economic downturn or time when your companys compliance budget is forestalled. It can allow you to focus on the most significant risk to your company and manage that risk. In the area of data security, I recently heard the Chief Technology Officer at Coca-Cola say there was clearly one greatest data security risk at his company, the formula for Coke. That would receive the greatest and highest protection. All other risks could be managed in other manners. If your company makes the majority of its sales through third parties, that is your highest anti-corruption compliance risk. Conversely if your sales model is employee based, that presents a separate set of compliance risks which should be managed differently. Finally never forget the effect you, as a compliance professional, can have on your compliance program. In Hamptons book he quoted a report from the airplane manufacturers chief engineer that the presence of Lindbergh in the design and manufacturing process was a most important factor in welding together the entire factory organization into one smoothly running team. That may be the most important lesson for the Chief Compliance Officer be hands on. ___ Tom Fox is a Contributing Editor of the FCPA Blog. He has practiced law in Houston for 30 years. Hes the creator of the award winning FCPA Compliance and Ethics website. He is the Compliance Evangelist. His best-selling seminal book, Best Practices Under the FCPA and Bribery Act: How to Create a First Class Compliance Program (available from Amazon here) is widely viewed as one of the top volumes on the nuts and bolts of compliance. His latest book is 2016 The Year in Corporate FCPA Enforcement. Gal Gadot never expected to land a hugely influential movie role. Gal Gadot The 32-year-old beauty can next be seen on the big screen as the titular character in superhero blockbuster 'Wonder Woman' and she admits the project is a dream come true. She said: "She is the ultimate symbol of strength. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd grow up to be in a movie playing someone who has influenced as many women as she has. "Nowadays, being a woman is hard. "So often, we have to be the best wife, best mother, best worker -- the best everything, it seems. "But I truly believe we are more empowered. "We're also stronger, sophisticated and can achieve what we want. "That's what I would like my daughters to know. "It is so important for girls and boys to have a female, strong superhero to look up to." The Israeli actress previously spent two years in the military and thinks it was good preparation for a career in Hollywood. She told the Sunday Post: "The army wasn't that difficult for me. You give two or three years, and it's not about you. You learn discipline and respect. "The things I've been through as a soldier prepared me to deal with career things as well -- the military gave me good training for Hollywood." Gal was a physical training instructor in the army, and very popular with the other soldiers. She said: "The soldiers loved me because I made them fit." The former beauty queen - who has daughters Alma, five, and two-month-old Maya, with her husband Yaron Versano - is delighted with the way training for 'Wonder Woman' has transformed her physique. She said: "Since I started training, and before I was pregnant, I gained 17 pounds and it was all muscle. When you feel strong, it changes everything -- your posture, the way you walk. "I look at photos from five years ago and think: 'Whoa, I was too skinny.' Not cool." by Charlotte Hough for www.femalefirst.co.uk Martha Stewart is too busy for "casual dating". Martha Stewart The 75-year-old businesswoman and television personality - who divorced her husband Andrew Stewart in 1990 - has admitted she's far too busy with her business empire to worry about getting into the dating game. She said: "I don't have that much time for casual dating." However, when the star - who has published over 80 cookbooks - does find a man she likes, she isn't that fussy when it comes to their skills within the home. Asked if she cares if a man is able to cook or keep a house clean, Martha said: "Not really. It's more like, how much time do I want to spend with that particular person? How interesting is that person to me?" Despite not being all that picky, the 'Martha Bakes' star isn't immune to dating disaster stories, as she recalled one instance where her "extremely rude" date "ran out" and left her to foot the bill for the evening. She said: "I went to the lounge area at Le Bernardin with this guy. He had to go somewhere afterward, and I had to go somewhere after. It wasn't a first date, but it was like a second or third date. We each had places to go; he did not ask me to go with him to the second place. We had cocktails and a little caviar or something. Then he just got up and said he had to run, and he ran out and didn't pay! And I thought that was extremely rude." Meanwhile, Martha - who hosted her own eponymously titled talk show from 2005 to 2012 - has also discussed her "guilty pleasure" snacks, including cheese slices and pickled herring. She told Town and Country magazine: It's a spoon of really good organic peanut butter, or a slice of American cheese from my housekeeper's drawer. I steal American slices sometimes - in the plastic, it's so horrible. But it's such a good snack. "I eat pickled herring as a late-night snack before I go to bed because it's savoury and good. I like liverwurst, and I know how bad it is now. I love squeezing it out of the tube and just eating calves' liverwurst." Prince William has made a surprise visit to Manchester in the wake of the terrorist attack in the city. Prince William The 34-year-old royal visited Greater Manchester Police headquarters on Friday morning (02.06.17), where he spoke to the officers who were first on the scene at the Manchester Arena after Salman Abedi detonated a bomb that killed 22 people following an Ariana Grande concert. The prince subsequently visited Manchester Cathedral, where he was introduced to first responders and members of the local community who treated people caught up in the blast. Prince William also signed the Book of Condolence at Manchester Cathedral and paid tribute to the city's "strength and togetherness" in the wake of the attack. Of the royal's surprise visit, a Kensington Palace spokeswoman said: "He was meeting members of the local community including taxi drivers, restaurateurs, St John Ambulance and British Red Cross, some representatives from the charity Heads Up, a representative from Winston's Wish, a bereavement charity with a base in Manchester, among others." Meanwhile, prior to the visit, a spokesperson for the Palace revealed Prince William was eager to personally "acknowledge and thank the people of Manchester" for the way in which they've dealt with the attack. The spokesperson said: "Today The Duke of Cambridge is in Manchester, visiting some of those who were affected by last week's attack. "HRH will be meeting first responders and members of the community who worked through the night to provide care to those in need. "The Duke wanted to acknowledge and thank the people of Manchester for their strength, decency and kindness." Prince William's surprise visit has also been detailed on the Kensington Palace Twitter feed, which has featured regular photographs of his time in Manchester. The month of May has always been my favorite to travel to Greece. The weather is warming up nicely, often lingering around the mid-twenties and apart from a few light showers, the sky is a distinctively gorgeous blue that looks so stunning against the crisp contrast of Greeces famously fresh white architecture. Sabrina in Crete In the last two weeks I was lucky enough to travel to Greece on two separate occasions, traveling twice to Greeces largest and most populous island of Crete. Daios Cove My first week was spent with a group of fabulous fellow travel journalists at the truly spectacular Daios Cove, a 5 star luxury resort based in the trendy town of Agios Nikolaos. Built on an elevation within a pretty and secluded private cove the view from absolutely everywhere within the resort is breathtaking. The hotel has access to a private sandy beach and is home to a seriously instagrammable infinity pool overlooking the cove. As well as the main pool the hotel boasts over 129 salt water swimming pools and my room was one of the many to feature one of its very own. My particular pool faced outwards towards a stunning view of the Agean Sea, which I enjoyed daily whilst tucking into a delicious breakfast. Fresh pastries, eggs to my order and an amazing view, mornings spent at Daios Cove were my kind of mornings ;) Minos Beach Art Hotel My second stay in Crete was a far more personal affair, I travelled out to celebrate and be a part of my beautiful big sisters wedding. A week and more importantly day, to remember forever! My gorgeous sis chose the extremely elegant and alluringly tranquil Minos Beach Art Hotel for her big day and it was the perfect choice for an imitate outdoor wedding. Also based in Agios Nikolaos, Mino Beach Art hotel has a really unique and secluded lay-out with rooms stretching around the rocky coastline ensuring that all levels of accommodation allow guests to enjoy a glimpse of the crystal clear and dreamily turquoise sea from their very own sea-front patio. I stayed in a beachfront room with a private pool so I had the choice of jumping in fresh or salt water for a daily dip. The view from my room was so ridiculously gorgeous that I spent most of my pre-wedding days ordering the hotels delicious greek salad via room service, with a view like mine there was little motivation to explore! When I did venture out of the room though it was amazing to see so much marine life from my patio into the sea, the water bordering the hotel was crystal clear and I was even able to spot Red Starfish from simply peering over the edge! Read More from Sabrinas Travels at www.clutchandcarryon.com & follow her on Instagram @sabrina_chakici Thursday's (01.06.17) episode of 'Coronation Street' was dedicated to Roy Barraclough. Roy Barraclough Just hours after the beloved actor - best known for playing Rovers Return landlord Alec Gilroy in the long-running ITV soap - passed away following a short illness, ITV remembered him with a moving tribute. At the end of Thursday's episode, viewers could see a picture of Roy, 81, with the words: "In memory of Roy Barraclough 1935 - 2017." Barraclough, who was awarded an MBE for services to drama and charity in 2006, first appeared in 'Coronation Street' in 1964, before he joined the soap on a permanent basis in 1986. Julie Goodyear, who played his on-screen wife Bet Lynch, led the tributes to the comedic actor, saying she will "treasure" the times they spent together. Julie said in a statement: "My dearest friend Roy Barraclough has passed away at 6am this morning. "I have no words to describe how devastated I feel. We kept in close touch and spoke to each other at least two or three times every week. "I will treasure all the happy times we had working and laughing together. We were just like a married couple, crazy, I know, but true." During his lengthy career, Barraclough also appeared in a 2016 revival of the sitcom 'Are You Being Served?', as well as 'Last of the Summer Wine', 'Casualty' and a stage production of the Arthur Miller play 'Death of a Salesman'. Vietnam government has prepared a draft plan on the countrys industrial restructuring during 2017-2020, which needs to be fine tuned, according to experts. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) should clarify weaknesses and bottlenecks in the industrial sector to come out with a better plan on industrial restructuring, they said at a workshop.The workshop in Hanoi was organised by the MoIT and the European Trade Policy and Investment Support Project (MUTRAP) to get feedback on the draft plan on Vietnams industrial restructuring for 2017-2020, according to a Vietnamese news agency report. Vietnam government has prepared a draft plan on the country's industrial restructuring during 2017-2020, which needs to be fine tuned, according to experts. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) should clarify weaknesses and bottlenecks in the industrial sector to come out with a better plan on industrial restructuring, they said at a workshop.# Industrial production in Vietnam has surged by nearly 3.5 times from 350 trillion VND (15.4 billion USD) to 1,170 trillion VND (51.5 billion USD) over the last 10 years. It makes up about 31-32 per cent of the countrys GDP, according to the MoIT. Electronics, textile-garment and footwear have become the key export items, accounting for over 60 per cent of the countrys total export revenue.MoIT deputy minister Cao Quoc Hung said the country still ranked 101st among 143 countries in terms of per capita added value in processing and manufacturing industries. Its industrial labour productivity was outpaced by developed nations and other countries in the region. Therefore, a restructuring plan has been prepared for industrial restructuring, the report said.Speakig about the plan, Le Tien Truong, general director of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group, said parts of data in the draft on the textile and garment industry, such as labour productivity, added value and import were incorrect. Therefore, the plans reliability remained modest and needed revision.Besides, the plan had not laid any industrial restructuring process, he noted, elaborating that the plan said labour productivity must be raised by five per cent to improve competitiveness but did not mention any processes to realise that target, the report said.Vietnam ranks fifth among the countries with highest labour productivity in fibre and textile production. It follows China in labour productivity in garment manufacturing.To promote textile-garment productivity, the key solution was updating technology and equipment. If the plan named improving manpower management and training the key solution, it would be a wrong direction, Truong said.Nguyen Tue Anh, deputy director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, said the MoITs plan needed to clarify the bottlenecks and their causes in the development of industries so as to devise effective solutions.Director General of the MoITs Planning Department Duong Duy Hung admitted that it was necessary to have a clearer plan which must point out major bottlenecks and detail restructuring processes in order to focus resources on right areas for substantive improvements. The MoIT would gather more opinions to fine-tune the draft plan. (SV) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India The softening of price levels at Australian wool auction markets continued into the week ending June 2. The northern hemisphere, particularly China, have hit the traditionally slow retail demand period of early summer, and it appears that the finest merino types have taken the brunt of that slow down. Merino Wool's 19.5 micron and finer were most affected. The AWEX eastern market indicator (EMI) decreased by around 1.5 per cent for the week or 23ac/clean kg lower to close at 1472ac/ clean kg. This is a level 176ac/ clean kg or 13.6 per cent higher than at the same period last season. With the weaker AUD v USD exchange, the movement was greater when the EMI is measured in USD to be almost 3 per cent cheaper, or 33usc/clean kg lower for the week at 1088usc/clean kg. Although the tone was generally weak throughout, it was a market of stark contrasts in sale results. All of the lower quality or heavier vegetable matter (VM) merino types finer than 19.5 micron faltered badly. In many instances these wools were well over 100ac/clean kg cheaper for the week, the Australian Wool Innovation said in its Wool Market report for the 48th sale week of the current season. The softening of price levels at Australian wool auction markets continued into the week ending June 2. The northern hemisphere, particularly China, have hit the traditionally slow retail demand period of early summer, and it appears that the finest merino types have taken the brunt of that slow down. Merino Wool's 19.5 micron and finer were most affected.# The finest microns were the most adversely affected, with all the price gaps appearing to contract towards the relative stability and more readily traded 21 micron type, the report said. Conversely though, buyers sights were firmly aimed at the better superfine (finer than 18.6 micron) types and all lots broader than 20 micron. Both these sectors were well supported and fully firm to slightly dearer for wools broader than 20 micron. The very small selection of 21.5 to 23 micron wools were highly sought and concluded the week at levels 15 to 20ac dearer than the previous close. Fine Crossbreds were dearer and the mid to broader range cheaper, albeit in a very small offering. In particularly good demand were the better wools of 23 to 27 micron, which in some individual cases were as much as 40ac clean kg dearer. Unusually high discrepancies of 30ac exist between the Sydney and Melbourne markets for mid range crossbreds 27.5 to 30 micron, perhaps indicative of the segment being at a period of unknown and slow demand. There will be an extremely limited offering of just 25,000 bales at next week auctions. Better buying interest is expected over the next few weeks as manufacturing needs to increase productivity from August/September to cater for the key retail period of late Autumn/ Winter. (RKS) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Zund, the leading manufacturer of digital cutting systems, has recorded very favourable results from the recently held FESPA 2017, a global event for screen, digital, and textile print, in Hamburg, Germany, from May 8 to 12, 2017. Before an international audience, Zund presented, for the first time, its laser module designed for cutting polyester textiles.The companys latest routing solution, the high-performance 3.6 kW RM-L, also delivered an outstanding performance in the truest sense of the word: The RM-L routing module garnered the coveted EDP prize for Best digital cutting system. Zund, the leading manufacturer of digital cutting systems, has recorded very favourable results from the recently held FESPA 2017, a global event for screen, digital, and textile print, in Hamburg, Germany, from May 8 to 12, 2017. Before an international audience, Zund presented, for the first time, its laser module designed for cutting polyester textiles.# At Fespa 2017, Zund showed the wide-format printing community finishing solutions geared entirely towards supporting these efforts. Among these was, for instance, the new dashboard a browser-based add-on to Zund Cut Center ZCC. In real time, dashboard displays a selection of relevant production and job data pertaining to machine performance and pending orders anytime, anywhere. Especially for industrial workflows with highly automated, productivity-focused cutting systems, having relevant, up-to-date production data on hand is indispensable.Fespa attendees showed a great deal of enthusiasm for the new laser module LM 100W, whose appearance in Hamburg was the first on European ground. The laser system cuts and simultaneously seals the edges of polyester fabrics. The new Laser Module LM 100W is further evidence of Zunds resolve to offer users digital cutting systems that stand out in terms of versatility and modularity.In conjunction with Fespa 2017, the European Digital Press Association, EDP, honoured the best technological developments of the year with its 2017 EDP awards. Zund was awarded a prize for the RM-L high-performance routing system, which received the coveted award for Best digital cutting system.Zunds latest and most robust router option delivers an impressive 3.6 kW of power and is designed to process acrylics, aluminium/ACM, Forex, and MDF with unprecedented speed and efficiency.EDPs technical committee cited the fact that the RM-L router module allows a Zund cutting system to be transformed in mere seconds to a high-performance router designed for heavy-duty routing applications. (GK) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India The decision by the Trump Administration to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change is deeply disappointing, especially for the citizens of vulnerable nations throughout the world. It is also a grave disappointment for millions of people living in those areas of the United States that are threatened by the effects of climate change, whether it is the flooding that threatens cities like New York and Miami, or the periods of drought and deluge that have plagued California and other states, or the temperature rise that is affecting cities, wildlife and natural areas across the United States. As incoming President of COP23, I did what I could - along with many leaders around the world - to try to persuade President Trump to remain standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us as, together, we tackle the greatest challenge our planet has ever faced. While the loss of Americas leadership is unfortunate, this is a struggle that is far from over. That is because the world has reached the consensus that all nations must meet this challenge together, and we need not forgo economic growth to do so. On the contrary, solving the climate crisis through cooperation, innovation, new technologies and improved access to capital around the world will create real, sustainable economic growth for those who have the vision to make this moment of challenge a moment of opportunity. The rest of the world remains fully committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement. I am especially encouraged by the commitment being shown by China, India, the European Union, Canada, Mexico and the vast majority of other nations. They will continue to lead this process, with or without the support of the Trump Administration, but with the knowledge and assurance that many ordinary Americans support participation in the Paris Agreement, and that many American states, cities and businesses will continue to pursue the ambitious climate action the Agreement entails. As incoming COP President, I reaffirm that I will do everything possible to continue to forge a grand coalition that will accelerate the momentum that has continued since the Paris Agreement, embracing governments, civil society, the private sector and millions of ordinary men and women around the world. I am also convinced that the United States Government will eventually rejoin our struggle because the scientific evidence of man-made climate change is well understood. The issue is settled, and the impacts are obvious, and humankind ignores these facts at its peril. Aishwarya Rai Aishwarya Rai is a global icon who is a Wonder Woman all by herself who has achieved immense fame and success. Deepika Padukone Deepika Padukone took Bollywood by storm and her career is only shooting upwards every year! We're so proud of her. Priyanka Chopra Priyanka Chopra not only made a name in Bollywood, her aim now is to conquer Hollywood as well and we fully support her. Kareena Kapoor Kareena Kapoor is a woman of substance and shows poise and class wherever she goes. She indeed is a wonder woman! Sushmita Sen Sushmita Sen made India proud way back in the 90s by winning the Miss Universe title and she's still unstoppable in so many ways. Miss Universe Sushmita Sen won the title of Miss Universe in 1994,held in Manila, Philippines. Alia Bhatt Alia Bhatt achieved quite a lot at a very young age and now sounds more mature than her actual age. She's here to stay in Bollywood. Katrina Kaif Katrina Kaif despite not knowing Hindi, still reigns in Bollywood and can do much better. Kangana Ranaut Kangana Ranaut can be clubbed both as Wonder Woman and Bold Woman as she speaks her mind without giving two hoots about what others think. In some ways, she's right! Kangana Kangana Ranaut had sent shivers down the spine to various Bollywood A-list celebrities. Kajol Kajol delivered so many hit movies in her career and she's still capable of doing it even now. Juhi Chawla The ever smiling Juhi Chawla still spreads tremendous joy. She can aptly be called a wonder woman. Regulatory News: Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) today announces that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's ordinary shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"): Date of purchase: 1 June 2017 Number of Shares purchased: 27,304 Shares Highest price paid per Share: 1,214 pence 15.66 USD Lowest price paid per Share: 1,209 pence 15.60 USD Average price paid per Share: 1,211.40 pence 15.63 USD PSH intends to cancel these Shares. The net asset value per Share related to this Share buyback is USD 18.92 GBP 14.69 which was calculated as of 31 May 2017. After giving effect to the above Share buyback, PSH has 239,618,546 outstanding Shares. The prices per share in USD were calculated by Jefferies. The number of PSH Management Shares and the 1 special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) has not been affected. About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.: Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006742/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Maitland James Devas, +44 20 7379 5151 Media-pershingsquareholdings@maitland.co.uk (2) Reflects the number of positions in issuers in which the Company has previously publicly disclosed an investment, which occurs after the Company has completed its accumulation. Cash, cash equivalents, direct or indirect currency or other hedges and income/expense items are excluded. Multiple financial instruments (for example, common stock and derivatives on common stock) associated with one (1) issuer count as one (1) position. A position that is included in the number of positions will be removed from the table only if the investment becomes 0.0% of the portfolio. (3) For the purpose of determining the equity and debt exposures, investments are valued as follows: (a) equity or debt is valued at market value, (b) options referencing equity or debt are valued at market value, (c) long call options and short put options (or vice-versa, short call options and long put options) held on the same underlying issuer and with the same strike and same expiry are grouped together and treated as synthetic equity positions, and are valued at the market value of the equivalent long equity position (or vice-versa, the equivalent short equity position), and (d) swaps or forwards referencing equity or debt are valued at the market value of the notional equity or debt underlying the swaps or forwards. Whether a position is deemed to be long or short is determined by whether an investment has positive or negative exposure to price increases or decreases. For example, long puts are deemed to be short exposure. (4) Includes all issuer equity, debt, and derivatives related to issuer equity and debt, and associated currency hedges. Cash, cash equivalents, direct or indirect currency or other hedges and income/expense items are excluded. The market values of associated currency hedges are included as part of the associated investment. In the event that there is a change in market cap category with respect to any non-publicly disclosed position, this information is not updated until such position is publicly disclosed. (5) Portfolio composition is reflective of the publicly disclosed portfolio positions as of the date of this report. A position in an issuer is only assigned to a sector once it has been publicly disclosed. (6) "Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. AUM" equals the assets under management of Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. Any performance fees crystallized as of the end of the year will be reflected in the following period's AUM. (7) "Total Strategy AUM" equals the aggregate assets under management of Pershing Square, L.P., Pershing Square International, Ltd., Pershing Square II, L.P. and Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. Redemptions effective as of the end of any period (including redemptions attributable to crystallized performance fees/allocations, if any) will be reflected in the following period's AUM. TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Western Digital (WDC) CEO Steve Milligan will visit Japan again next week to continue talks on the contested sale of Toshiba's (TOSYY.PK, TOSBF.PK) memory unit, looking to soften the Japanese partner's hardening stance with a compromise, according to reports citing people familiar with the matter. The reports indicated that the U.S. hard-drive maker has firmly opposed the sale of Toshiba Memory, arguing that any transfer of the business without its consent would violate joint venture agreements. It filed an arbitration request in May to block the ongoing auction and has been pursuing one-on-one negotiations. Toshiba holds that Western Digital's consent is not needed if the company holding the stakes in the joint ventures is sold, rather than the stakes themselves. The two sides agreed to continue talks toward resolving the row when Milligan visited Japan late last month. Since then, efforts to reach a deal have foundered over Western Digital's insistence on a majority stake. Toshiba seeks to wrap up the sale before the fiscal year ends in March so it can use the proceeds to rebuild its finances after massive losses on U.S. nuclear operations. It would prefer that its partner limit itself to a minority interest to avoid a lengthy antitrust review. Another point of contention is Western Digital's relatively low offer for the business. The company has proposed paying around 1.7 trillion yen to 1.8 trillion yen , including contributions from partners such as investment funds, while some bids through the auction process have topped 2 trillion yen. Milligan is expected to meet with Toshiba President Satoshi Tsunakawa during next week's visit. Concessions on terms could go some way toward promoting reconciliation. 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. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen weakened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday. The yen fell to 1-week lows of 125.27 against the euro, 143.95 against the pound and 111.68 against the U.S. dollar, from yesterday's closing quotes of 124.85, 143.42 and 111.36, respectively. Against the Swiss franc, the yen dropped to an 8-day low of 114.98 from yesterday's closing value of 114.59. The yen edged down to 82.48 against the Australian dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 82.13. Against the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars, the yen slipped to a 2-day low of 78.94 and a 3-day low of 82.65 from yesterday's closing quotes of 78.63 and 82.39, respectively. If the yen extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 126.00 against the euro, 146.00 against the pound, 113.00 against the greenback, 116.00 against the franc, 85.00 against the aussie, 79.00 against the kiwi and 84.00 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. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Cabinet office is slated to release the Japan consumer confidence index for May at 1:00 am ET Friday. The index is seen at 43.5, compared to 43.2 in April. Ahead of the data, the yen held steady against its major rivals. As of 12:55 am ET, the yen was trading at 125.23 against the euro, 143.76 against the pound, 114.95 against the Swiss franc and 111.63 against the U.S. dollar. 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. First pivotal study with compound from MorphoSys's proprietary portfolio started, following IDMC recommendation after initial safety evaluation PLANEGG/MUNICH, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / June 2, 2017 / MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX; OTC: MPSYY) announced today that the pivotal phase 3 part of the B-MIND clinical study of MOR208 has been opened for enrollment. The randomized, multicenter phase 2/3 study is designed to investigate the efficacy of MOR208 plus bendamustine versus rituximab plus bendamustine in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) who are not eligible for high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). DLBCL is the most common form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. MOR208 is an investigational, Fc-enhanced monoclonal antibody directed against CD19 and is being developed for the treatment of patients with B cell malignancies. "We are delighted that MOR208, as the first antibody from MorphoSys's proprietary pipeline, has started pivotal phase 3 development," commented Dr. Malte Peters, Chief Development Officer of MorphoSys AG. "For patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL who are not eligible for HDC and ASCT, current treatment options are limited. In our pivotal B-MIND study, we are therefore exploring MOR208 in combination with bendamustine, as a potential treatment alternative for this difficult-to-treat patient group". Based on the available data from the phase 2 safety evaluation part of the B-MIND trial, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) supported the continuation of the trial as per protocol and the transition of the study into its pivotal phase 3 part. Patients must have been treated previously with at least one but not more than three prior lines of therapy, including one anti-CD20 targeted therapy. The study is expected to enroll a total of approximately 330 patients in about 180 centers in Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and the USA. The dosing of the first patient in the phase 3 part will trigger an undisclosed milestone payment to Xencor, Inc., from whom MOR208 was in-licensed in 2010. MorphoSys has worldwide rights to MOR208. Detailed information on the trial can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02763319). About CD19 and MOR208 CD19 is broadly and homogeneously expressed across different B cell malignancies including DLBCL and CLL. CD19 has been reported to enhance B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, which is assumed important for B cell survival, making CD19 a potential target in B cell malignancies. MOR208 (previously Xmab(R)5574) is an Fc-enhanced monoclonal antibody directed against CD19. Fc-modification of MOR208 is intended to lead to a significant potentiation of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), thus aiming to improve a key mechanism of tumor cell killing. Furthermore, MOR208 has been observed in preclinical models to induce direct apoptosis by binding to CD19, which is assumed to be a crucial component for B cell receptor (BCR) signaling. MorphoSys AG is clinically investigating MOR208 as a therapeutic option in B cell malignancies in a number of ongoing combination trials. A phase 2 combination trial (L-MIND study) started in March 2016 and is designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of MOR208 in combination with lenalidomide in approximately 80 patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL. The phase 2/3 B-MIND study was started in August 2016 and transitioned into its phase 3 pivotal part in June 2017 following a recommendation of the IDMC based on the available data from the phase 2 initial safety evaluation. The B-MIND study is designed to investigate MOR208 in combination with the chemotherapeutic agent bendamustine in relapsed/refractory DLBCL patients who are not eligible for high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in comparison to the combination of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab plus bendamustine. Furthermore, in December 2016, a third phase 2 combination trial (COSMOS study) was started with MOR208 evaluating the antibody in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL after discontinuation of a prior Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor therapy (e.g. ibrutinib). Currently MOR208 is being studied in combination with idelalisib; a second study arm of MOR208 plus venetoclax is currently in preparation. About MorphoSys MorphoSys is committed to developing exceptional new treatments for patients suffering from serious diseases. A leader in the field of therapeutic antibodies today, MorphoSys is driven by the ambition of creating the most valuable pipeline of biopharmaceuticals in the biotechnology industry. Based on its proprietary technology platforms, MorphoSys, together with its partners, has built a therapeutic pipeline of more than 110 programs in R&D, around a quarter of which is currently in clinical development. In its proprietary development segment, MorphoSys, alone or with partners, is developing new therapeutic candidates, mainly focusing on cancer and inflammation. In its partnered discovery segment, MorphoSys uses its technologies to discover new drug candidates for pharmaceutical partners and participates from the programs' further development success, through success-based payments and royalties. MorphoSys is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol MOR. For regular updates about MorphoSys, visit http://www.morphosys.com. HuCAL(R), HuCAL GOLD(R), HuCAL PLATINUM(R), CysDisplay(R), RapMAT(R), arYla(R), Ylanthia(R), 100 billion high potentials(R), Slonomics(R), Lanthio Pharma(R) and LanthioPep(R) are registered trademarks of the MorphoSys Group. This communication contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the MorphoSys group of companies. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgment of MorphoSys as of the date of this release and involve risks and uncertainties. Should actual conditions differ from the Company's assumptions, actual results and actions may differ from those anticipated, MorphoSys does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements as far as the wording of the relevant press release is concerned. For more information, please contact: MorphoSys AG Anke Linnartz Head of Corporate Communications & IR Jochen Orlowski Associate Director Corporate Communications & IR Alexandra Goller Senior Manager Corporate Communications & IR Tel: +49 (0) 89 / 899 27-404 investors@morphosys.com SOURCE: MorphoSys AG via the EQS Newswire distribution service including Press Releases and Regulatory Announcements Contract signing between Rupert Pearce, CEO, Inmarsat and Masahiro Atsumi, Vice President & Senior General Manager, Space Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Joseph Hood, PR Manager Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Email: mhi-pr@mhi.co.jp Tel: +81-(0)3-6716-2168 Fax: +81-(0)3-6716-5860 TOKYO, Sept 12, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Inmarsat (LON: ISAT), the world's leading provider of global mobile satellite communication services, has today announced that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has been selected as the launch provider for the first satellite in the Inmarsat-6 fleet (Inmarsat-6 F1). The value of the contract has not been disclosed. The satellite, which is under construction by Airbus Defence and Space, is scheduled for launch in 2020 using MHI's H-IIA launch vehicle.http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_MHIInmarsat91217.jpgContract signing between Rupert Pearce, CEO, Inmarsat and Masahiro Atsumi, Vice President & Senior General Manager, Space Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inmarsat's sixth-generation (I-6) fleet will be the first to feature dual-payload satellites; each supporting L-band and Ka-band (Global Xpress) services. The I-6 satellites represent a step change in the capacity of Inmarsat's L-band services and will support a new generation of L-band capabilities, from advanced global safety services and very low cost mobile services, to Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The Ka-band payload will add further depth to Inmarsat's Global Xpress (GX) constellation, which began offering high-throughput broadband services worldwide in 2015. Through the I-6's Ka-band payload, Inmarsat will augment its global coverage with greater depth of capacity in regions of greatest demand."Inmarsat is delighted to select MHI and its H-IIA launch vehicle for the first of our sixth generation satellites," said Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat. "Inmarsat is continually seeking to extend and diversify its ecosystem of partners, particularly in the strategically important area of launch providers. We believe that MHI and its H-IIA launch vehicle offers a world-class service.""With the development of the new H3 launch vehicle, it is clear that MHI is committed to continuing innovation," continued Rupert Pearce. "These are attributes that we seek in our partners and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with MHI as one of our roster of launch partners.""We are honoured to have been selected by Inmarsat, a leader in the global mobile satellite communications industry, to provide launch services. The decision reflects the reliability and on-time delivery of our launches, as well as our highly valued technological expertise," said Masahiro Atsumi, Vice President & Senior General Manager for Space Systems in MHI. "As with previous launches, MHI will work closely and attentively - in the spirit of omotenashi - with Inmarsat to prepare the specifics of the launch to ensure that expectations are met. We hope to build a strong and lasting relationship with them, and to provide further launch services using our latest H3 rocket in future."MHI Launch Services enjoys an extremely high success rate of 97.6% and has provided 35 successful consecutive launches since 2005, delivered on-time and to the customer's satisfaction. The successor to the H-IIA - the H3 Launch Vehicle - is now being developed by MHI and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It will allow even more flexible and cost-efficient launch services, and is scheduled to make its maiden flight in 2020.The agreement with Inmarsat reflects MHI's long-term commitment to supporting a wide range of customers in the space industry. MHI will continue to support the development of the space industry, and will seek further new opportunities in this field both in Japan and globally.Inmarsat will make a decision on its launch partner for the second I-6 satellite in due course.About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the world's leading industrial firms with 80,000 group employees and annual consolidated revenues of around 38 billion U.S. dollars. For more than 130 years, the company has channeled big thinking into innovative and integrated solutions that move the world forward. MHI owns a unique business portfolio covering land, sea, sky and even space. MHI delivers innovative and integrated solutions across a wide range of industries from commercial aviation and transportation to power plants and gas turbines, and from machinery and infrastructure to integrated defense and space systems.For more information, please visit the MHI Group website: http://www.mhi-global.com.For Technology, Trends and Tangents, visit MHI's new online media SPECTRA: http://spectra.mhi.com.Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Contact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. New volume-based solution will enhance maritime connectivity in Europe and in the Middle East SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) and GTMaritime, a specialist in providing communication solutions and services to the maritime industry, announced today a partnership to provide a new volume-based service package for regional maritime connectivity. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006791/en/ SES Networks and GTMaritime Launch New Connectivity Service (Photo: Business Wire) The new SES Networks Maritime+ Regional Connectivity service, leveraging SES's extensive satellite fleet and ground infrastructure, will be marketed by GTMaritime under the name GTLitespeedMAX as part of their airtime portfolio. The service provides customers with a set price, fixed volume, regional VSAT solution and is perfect for offshore supply vessels, fishing vessels, ferries and RoRo ships, barges, cargo carriers, leisure craft, dredgers and yacht management companies and will be available across European waters and in the Middle East. "This new end-to-end service provided to us by SES Networks helps to bring maritime connectivity to a new level, giving access to tailored solutions for an even wider range of customers," said Robert Kenworthy, CEO, GTMaritime. "GTLitespeedMAX, with speeds up to 4MBit/s in download and unlimited data usage during the night, will allow our customers to benefit from a volume-based fixed monthly rate package with full control over consumption and costs. Other benefits of this new solution are VOIP-optimised quality of service and compact hardware, using KNS antennas as small as 60 cm." "By utilising our services, GTMaritime has brought seamless connectivity to more than 600 ships over the past years" said Gerhard Bethscheider, Managing Director, SES Techcom Services, part of the newly-created SES Networks business unit. "We are continuously enhancing our offering and capabilities to provide tailored solutions coupled with unparalleled satellite coverage, and are happy to enable GTMaritime to deliver this easily customisable connectivity offering for the growing maritime market in Europe and the Middle East." For more information visit: www.ses.com/maritime www.gtmaritime.com Follow us on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ses Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SES.Satellites YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SESVideoChannel Blog: https://www.ses.com/news/blogs Media Gallery: https://www.ses.com/media-gallery SES White papers are available under: https://www.ses.com/news/whitepapers About SES SES is the world-leading satellite operator and the first to deliver a differentiated and scalable GEO-MEO offering worldwide, with more than 50 satellites in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 12 in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). SES focuses on value-added, end-to-end solutions in two key business units: SES Video and SES Networks. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators, governments and institutions. SES's portfolio includes the ASTRA satellite system, which has the largest Direct-to-Home (DTH) television reach in Europe, O3b Networks, a global managed data communications service provider, and MX1, a leading media service provider that offers a full suite of innovative digital video and media services.Further information available at: www.ses.com About GTMaritime Since 1998 GTMaritime has been providing a range of technology solutions and services to the maritime industry that serve to enable effective communications over satellite. GTMaritime specialises in providing solutions and services that help ensure vessel compliance and business operability 365 days a year, as well as keeping crew in touch with friends and family whilst at sea. All of this is backed up by a market leading infrastructure and unrivalled 24-hour customer support, every day of the year. GTMaritime provides these services from two offices one in the UK and the other in Singapore and increasingly through an established and growing network of resellers and partners around the world. Further information available at: www.gtmaritime.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006791/en/ Contacts: SES Markus Payer Corporate Communications Tel. +352 710 725 500 Markus.Payer@ses.com PALO ALTO, California, June2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Alan Ting, Ph.D. had been a major contributor in the field of tissue typing in renal transplantation but also in studies of HLA associations with disease and anthropological studies of HLA. In 1999, his outstanding contribution to the field was recognized with his appointment to the post of President of the American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI). "Alan was an outstanding scientist and even more important an outstanding human being! His love for his wife was an inspiration for all of us who encountered them as a couple." ~Allen Calvin,Ph.D., PresidentEmeritus, Palo Alto University Alan Ting, an Australian, was born in Sydney and after schooling he undertook an Honors degree in Zoology, graduating BSc Hons. In 1967, Dr. Peter Morris returned from the USA to Melbourne University, Australia, to the Department of Surgery to join the new renal transplant program with the aim of establishing tissue typing and transplant immunology laboratories. Alan Ting joined Dr. Morris as his first PhD student and earned his Doctorate Degree in 1972. He went to UCLA to do a postdoc with Dr. Paul Terasaki from 1973-75. Meanwhile Dr. Morris had moved to Oxford University, England in 1974 as Nuffield Professor of Surgery with the aim of establishing a transplant program as well as a tissue typing and transplant immunology laboratory. Alan Ting joined Dr. Morris at Oxford University in 1975 and spent the next 15 years in Oxford in what was to prove an incredibly productive time, reflected by his 87 publications in that period. These ranged from unravelling the importance of the cross match to HLA studies in several diseases. His most important contributions were the recognition that allegedly highly sensitized patients awaiting transplantation often had autolymphocytoxins which allowed many such patients, who had been excluded from transplantation because of a positive cross match, to be transplanted successfully, and the demonstration that matching for the newly described HLA-DR was more important than matching for HLA-A, B. With Alan's professional career going from strength-to-strength, it was in the late 1980's that he met the love of his life. Helena became Alan's wife and the couple settled in California. Alan became the Director of the Histocompatibility Laboratory at the Californian Pacific Medical Center, and in testament to his outstanding achievements, Margaret Vinson, colleague at the Histocompatibility Laboratory commented: "In that time Alan was our Laboratory Director, he was like a wizard with a magic wand, gently prodding us to do our best whilst working hard and having fun. In my working life, Alan was the most important mentor and positive influence. Above all, he was a great friend." In 1994, Alan took up a position at Stanford University as Associate Professor of Pathology and Co-Director of the Histocompatibility Laboratory, but was to move again in 2000 to Richmond, Virginia as Assistant Director and Director of Research at the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). His last publication in 2004 just before he retired was entitled "Human leukocyte antigen in the allocation of kidneys from cadaveric donors in the United States", an appropriate finale to a career in Histocompatibility. In 2005, after a fruitful career, he retired and he and Helena returned to California, where he became a volunteer photographer, a gifted mentor and a generous donor to Palo Alto University, continuing his commitment to those in need. "He will be sadly missed by so many in the field in many parts of the world, and especially me as he was a former close colleague and a great friend." ~Sir Peter J Morris AC, FRS, FRCS, Past President, RCSEng For further information please contact: Helena Ting Ed.D., VP of Community Development Palo Alto University 650-520-3451 hting@paloaltou.edu Photo- http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/518307/Palo_Alto_University___Alan_and_Helena_Ting.jpg SANDVIKEN, Sweden, December 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On 2 June 2017 Sandvik announced the agreement to divest Sandvik Process Systems to FAM AB. In line with previous communication, Sandvik has now completed the divestment of Sandvik Process Systems. The divestiture will result in a pre-tax capital gain of about 4 billion SEK which will positively impact the operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2017. Sandvik Process Systems has been reported in Other Operations and the divested business will as of today be deconsolidated from Sandvik's financial statements. After de-consolidation of Sandvik Process Systems, Other Operations will consist of Other Operations common costs and product area Hyperion. Other Operations, pro-forma after deconsolidation of Sandvik Process Systems MSEK Q4 2016 Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Revenues 757 802840802 Operating 63 7432 60 profit For further information, contact Ann-Sofie Nordh, Vice President Investor Relations, tel: +46-8-456-1494 orCarina Aspenberg, Media and PR Manager, tel: +46-70-616-0119. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/sandvik/r/sandvik-completes-the-divestment-of-sandvik-process-systems,c2404837 The following files are available for download: Malware likely responsible for 2016 Ukrainian power grid attack, biggest threat to industrial control systems since Stuxnet ESET researchers have been analyzing samples of dangerous malware (detected by ESET as Win32/Industroyer, and named "Industroyer") capable of performing an attack on power supply infrastructure. The malware was likely involved in the December 2016 cyberattack on Ukraine's power grid that deprived part of its capital, Kiev, of power for over an hour. "The recent attack on the Ukrainian power grid should serve as a wake-up call for all those responsible for the security of critical systems around the world," warns ESET Senior Malware Researcher Anton Cherepanov. ESET researchers discovered that Industroyer is capable of directly controlling electricity substation switches and circuit breakers. It uses industrial communication protocols used worldwide in power supply infrastructure, transportation control systems, and other critical infrastructure. The potential impact may range from simply turning off power distribution, triggering a cascade of failures, to more serious damage to equipment. "Industroyer's ability to persist in the system and to directly interfere with the operation of industrial hardware makes it the most dangerous malware threat to industrial control systems since the infamous Stuxnet, which successfully attacked Iran's nuclear program and was discovered in 2010," concludes Cherepanov. Additional technical details on the malware, including indicators of compromise, can be found in an article and in a comprehensive white paper on ESET's blog, WeLiveSecurity.com. About ESET For 30 years, ESET has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint and mobile security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET's high-performing, easy-to-use products give consumers and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D centers worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single instance of "in-the-wild" malware without interruption since 2003. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170612005603/en/ Contacts: ESET North America Anna Keeve, 619-405-5175 Anna.Keeve@eset.com MADRID (dpa-AFX) - Spain's unemployment declined notably in May, data published by the Labor Ministry showed Friday. The number of unemployed registered with the Public Employment Services decreased by 111,908 in May from the previous month. On a seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment decreased by 39,566 in May. This was the largest reduction on record in the month of May. From May 2016, unemployment fell by 11.06 percent or 430,275. Unemployment among youth aged under 25 dropped by 4.3 percent or 12,057 in May. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 4:30 am ET Friday, IHS Markit releases U.K. construction PMI data for May. The index is forecast to fall to 52.6 in May from 53.1 in April. Ahead of the data, the pound fell against its major rivals. As of 4:25 am ET, the pound was trading at 0.8719 against the euro, 1.2495 against the Swiss franc, 1.2873 against the U.S. dollar and 143.52 against the yen. 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. MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon television program, Copyright MMXVII, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3 to 4 month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $11,995.00 to $17,250.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by Donald Baillargeon, the producer, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 08/22/17 -- Maricann Group Inc. (CSE: MARI)(CSE: MARI.CN)(CNSX: MARI) ("Maricann" or the "Company") announced today that it has entered into an agreement ("Acquisition Agreement") to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of NanoLeaf Technologies Inc. ("NanoLeaf"), a biotech company possessing licensing rights to a number of globally patented technologies that provide proven pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and functional beverage drug delivery formulations. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of September 2017. NanoLeaf, through its licensing agreement with Vesifact, has developed and marketed the first cannabinoid standardized dose soft gel capsule in a nano-dispersed drug called Vesisorb. The challenge the cannabis industry has faced is finding a predictable delivery mechanism of cannabinoids in an oral dosing format. Cannabinoids are a fat-soluble compound that have low solubility, leading to low dissolution rates and significant first-pass liver metabolism resulting in low and unpredictable oral cannabinoid bioavailability. This poor solubility not only gives low oral bio-availability but also leads to high inter- and intra-subject variability and lack of dose proportionality. Strategic Rationale -- Patented, Proven Technology used by Large Global Companies - the portfolio of patents and proven technology has been developed and commercialized globally, and is licensed by world leading pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies to be used in nutraceutical products and topicals -- Exclusive License for Significant Jurisdictions - Maricann, through the acquisition of NanoLeaf, will obtain the exclusive rights for Canada, Europe, South America (excluding Uruguay), Israel and Australia. Maricann will also obtain certain non-exclusive rights for the rest of the world (excluding the United States), and certain states within the United States -- Strengthens Pipeline of Differentiated Products - the company anticipates that the technology will not only strengthen its position in the oils and capsules market, but also areas such as cannabinoid based functional beverages and topicals, given the consistent, fast onset, high bio-availability product Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, NanoLeaf shareholders will receive C$38.5 million in consideration for their NanoLeaf shares, to be satisfied by delivery of approximately 18.3 million common shares of Maricann (the "Closing Shares") at a deemed value of $2.10 per share (subject to adjustment as described below). Maricann will also loan NanoLeaf C$1.6 million in cash to settle existing liabilities of NanoLeaf in advance of completing the acquisition, resulting in deemed total transaction consideration of C$40.1 million. The number of shares issued to NanoLeaf shareholders is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances following closing, including if, on the date that is 179 days post-closing (the "Adjustment Calculation Date"), the volume weight average price of Maricann common shares for the preceeding 20-day period (the "Adjustment VWAP") is less than $2.10, the Company will issue incremental shares to NanoLeaf ("Adjustment Shares") in accordance with the following formula: (C$38.5 million / Adjustment VWAP)) - Number of Closing Shares issued). The Adjustment VWAP is subject to a minimum of $1.40 per Maricann share resulting in a maximum number of Adjustment Shares of approximately 9.2 million. The Adjustment Calculation Date will be accelerated should Maricann announce a change of control before the Adjustment Calculation Date. For more information on the terms of the acquisition, please refer to the Share Purchase Agreement between Maricann and the NanoLeaf shareholders date August 21, 2017, which will be filed under Maricann's profile on www.sedar.com. Vesisorb, a patented cannabinoid drug delivery technology developed at the Zurich Institute of Technology and formulated and manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices and Food and Drug Administration standards in Baar Switzerland, is a proven nano-dispersion technology used in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries, that will improve the water solubility and ultimately, bioavailability of lipophilic drugs (cannabinoids). The technology does not change the molecular structure of cannabinoids. Vesisorb has shown very strong properties from thermodynamic stability (long shelf life), easy formation (zero interfacial tension and almost spontaneous formation), optical isotropy, high surface area (high solubilization capacity), very small droplet size, standardized dosages, high concentration of bioactive cannabinoids, increased absorption and bioavailability. The small droplets also provide better adherence to membranes and transport drug molecules in a controlled fashion. The key for health care professionals and the pharmaceutical industry is to provide a more efficacious cannabinoid therapy through predictable meter dosing with no delayed onsets and fast absorption. In connection with the agreement to acquire NanoLeaf, Dr. James Hyssen will be appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Maricann Group Inc. upon signing. Dr. Hyssen possesses an accomplished background as the co-founder of Douglas Laboratories Canada, a globally recognized manufacturer of specialized nutraceuticals. Dr. Hyssen will lead the company's operations as it expands its product offering globally through multiple recognized distribution channels. Terry Fretz, current COO will move to President of the company, focusing effort on development of the company's initiatives in the Pharmaceutical sector, and expansion of the company's global footprint. "The acquisition of NanoLeaf Technologies Inc. will significantly enhance Maricann's growth trajectory by expanding our product portfolio, delivering access to new markets, and strengthening our pipeline of future products, making us leaders in the drug delivery of cannabinoids" said Ben Ward, CEO of Maricann. "Health Care Professionals are comfortable with traditional drug delivery systems, and patients understand how to use them." Eight Capital is acting as financial advisor and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is acting as legal counsel to Maricann. Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP is acting as legal counsel to NanoLeaf and its shareholders. About Maricann Group Inc. Maricann is a vertically integrated producer and distributor of marijuana for medical purposes. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Toronto, Canada and Munich, Germany, with production facilities in Langton, Ontario, Canada where it operates a medicinal cannabis cultivation, extraction, formulation and distribution business under federal licence from the Government of Canada. and Dresden, Saxony, Germany. Maricann is currently undertaking an expansion of its cultivation and support facilities in Canada in a fully funded 217,000 sq. ft. (20,159 sq. m) build out, to support existing and future patient growth. For more information about Maricann please visit our website at www.maricann.ca Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this document, including statements with respect to the proposed acquisition of NanoLeaf Technologies Inc. and the timing thereof, contain forward-looking statements which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "may", "desires", "will", "should", "projects", "estimates", "contemplates", "anticipates", "intends", or any negative such as "does not believe" or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. No assurance can be given that potential future results or circumstances described in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. By their nature, these forward-looking statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties, including those discussed herein, that could cause actual results to significantly differ from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the view of the Company with respect to future events, and are based on information currently available to the Company and on assumptions, which it considers reasonable. Management cautions readers that the assumptions relative to the future events, several of which are beyond Management's control, could prove to be incorrect, given that they are subject to certain risk and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected. There can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will occur or that the anticipated strategic benefits will be realized. The proposed transaction could be modified, restricted or terminated. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the satisfaction of the conditions to closing the acquisition; whether the consideration is adjusted pursuant to the terms of the share purchase agreement; fluctuations in operating results; the impact of general economic, industry and market conditions; the ability to recruit and retain qualified employees; fluctuations in cash flow; increased levels of outstanding debt and obligations under a capital lease; expectations regarding market demand for particular products and the dependence on new product development; the impact of market change; and the impact of price and product competition. Management disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Contacts: Investor Relations: Shawn Alexander VP Investor Relations 289-288-6284 salexander@maricann.ca Media: Carrie Booze North 6th Agency 212-334-9753 ext.142 maricann@n6a.com Corporate Headquarters (Canada) Maricann Group Inc. (Toronto) 845 Harrington Court, Unit 3 Burlington Ontario L7N 3P3 Canada 289-288-6274 European Headquarters (Germany) Maricann GmbH Thierschstrasse 3, 80538 Munchen, Deutschland Oslo, Norway, 11 July 2017 Norwegian pharmaceutical company Vistin Pharma ASA ("Vistin Pharma" or "Company") announced today that the Company has entered a Sales and Purchase agreement with TPI Enterprises Limited ("TPE") for the sale of its opioids and tablet manufacturing business (CMO). TPE will pay a cash consideration of NOK 100 million, as well as the value of inventory transferred at the date of closing. The inventory value at 31 March 2017 was NOK 62 million. The transaction will have a positive net cash effect of NOK 140 - 150 million, before any transaction costs. Subject to the completion of a demerger of Vistin Pharma AS, and the transfer of the production licence from the Norwegian Medical Agency to the demerged entity, the transaction is expected to be closed early in the fourth quarter of 2017. The sale has been discussed with key shareholders, representing more than 50 percent of the shares in Vistin Pharma, prior to signing of the Sales and Purchase agreement, and these have supported the transaction. "The sale of our opioids and CMO business allows the company to focus entirely on its core business, and strengthen our position as a leading global player in the growing metformin market. We are pleased with the agreed terms which put Vistin Pharma in a very strong financial position, with significant investment and dividend capacity," says Chairman Ole Enger. TPI is an independently-owned Australian company, which shares are listed on the ASX (Australia) that manufactures narcotic raw material ("NRM"). The company has been a strategic partner for the sourcing of narcotic raw material, and knows Vistin Pharma well. TPE has signalled an intention to significantly invest in Vistin Pharma's manufacturing plants in Gruveveien, Krageroe. TPE has operations in Melbourne Australia and Lisbon Portugal. "TPI has thorough insight into Vistin Pharma, and I am confident that the company will become a good owner of our opioids and CMO business." says CEO Kjell-Erik Nordby. Vistin Pharma serves the global market for opioid with two key products, codeine phosphate (used in analgesics and cough syrup) and pholcodine (used in cough syrup). The CMO tablet manufacturing business produces finished products, with its main customer being Weifa, Norway's leading consumer health company. For 2016, total revenue from the opioids and CMO business totalled NOK 221.5 million. Upon completion of the transaction, Vistin Pharma will be a pure play metformin producer, with a strong position in the global market and with significant growth ambitions. Metformin is used as the 1st line treatment of diabetes 2, a disease that is expected to grow by 50% towards 2030 and affect more than 500 people. The global market for metformin is expected to grow by four to five percent per annum for many years to come. "Our decision to invest in a doubling of our metformin production capacity is a witness of our intentions within this market. Following the divestment of our opioids and CMO business we are in a better position than ever to successfully grow our core metformin business," says Nordby. For further information, please contact: Kjell-Erik Nordby CEO +47 91 36 42 80 kjell-erik.nordby@vistin.com Gunnar Manum CFO +47 95 17 91 90 gunnar.manum@vistin.com About Vistin Pharma Vistin Pharma is a Norwegian pharmaceutical company producing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and solid dosage forms for the global pharmaceutical industry. The Company has key positions in the Metformin and Opioids markets, and a strong foundation for creating a highly efficient Contract Manufacturing tablet production (CMO) business. Solid growth potentials exist in all the business segments. With more than 65 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, Vistin Pharma has built significant capacity and expertise as an API provider. The Company has more than 140 highly qualified employees and two manufacturing facilities in Krageroe, Norway. Both facilities are certified according to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and successfully inspected by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014. Vistin Pharma's headquarter is in Oslo, Norway. DUBLIN, Jun 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Growth Opportunities in the Global Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market 2016-2021: Trends, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis" report to their offering. The future of the global mineral fiber ceiling market looks good with opportunities in the residential and commercial construction industry. The global mineral fiber ceiling market is expected to reach an estimated $4.3 billion by 2021 and it is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2016 to 2021. The major drivers of growth for this market are an increase in renovation activities, growth of commercial construction, and demand for ceiling products with high performance features such as being lightweight and having acoustic properties and excellent light reflection. Emerging trends, which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the market, include the increasing usage of printed mineral fiber ceiling tiles, increasing usage of antimicrobial agents in mineral fiber ceiling tiles, and increasing usage of recycled content in the manufacturing of mineral fiber ceiling tiles. The study includes a forecast for the growth opportunities in the global mineral fiber ceiling market by end use, application type, profile type, color type, suspension type, and region, as follows: Within the global mineral fiber ceiling market, commercial renovation is expected to remain the largest segment during the forecast period as increasing renovation activities are the major driving forces that spur growth for this segment over the forecast period. North America is expected to remain the largest market due to the increasing rate of commercial renovation and remodeling along with growth in residential and commercial construction activities. Armstrong World Industries, USG Corporation, Knauf, OWA, and Saint Gobain are the major manufacturers of the global mineral fiber ceiling market. By End Use [Volume (M sqm) and Value ($ million) from 2010 to 2021]: - Commercial renovation - Commercial new - Residential By Application [Volume (M sqm) and Value ($ million) from 2010 to 2021]: - Office - Retail - Education - Healthcare - Others By Profile type [Value $ million] - T-Bar - Others By Color type [Value $ million] - White - Others By Suspension system type [Value $ million] - Exposed - Concealed Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Market Background and Classifications 2.1: Introduction 2.1.1: Industry Classification 2.1.2: Markets Served 2.2: Supply Chain 3. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis 3.1: Market Analysis in 2015 3.1.1: Global Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market by Value and Volume 3.1.2: Regional Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market by Value and Volume 3.2: Market Trends from 2010 to 2015 3.2.1: Macroeconomic Trends 3.2.2: Global Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market Trends by Value and Volume 3.2.3: North American Mineral Fiber Market Trend by Value and Volume 3.2.4: European Mineral Fiber Market Trend by Value and Volume 3.2.5: APAC Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market Trends by Value and Volume 3.2.6: ROW Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market Trend by Value and Volume 3.2.7: Market Drivers and Challenges 3.3: Market Forecast from 2016 to 2021 3.3.1: Macroeconomic Forecast 3.3.2: Global Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market by Value and Volume 3.3.3: North America Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market Forecast by Value and Volume 3.3.4: European Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market Forecast by Value and Volume 3.3.5: APAC Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market Forecast by Value and Volume 3.3.6: ROW Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market Forecast by Value and Volume 4. Competitor Analysis 4.1: Product Portfolio Analysis 4.2: Market Share Analysis 4.3: Geographical Reach 4.4: Operational Integration 4.5: Porter's Five Forces Analysis 5. Growth Opportunity and Strategic Analysis 5.1: Growth Opportunity Analysis 5.2: Emerging Trends in the Global Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market 5.3: Strategic Analysis 5.3.1: New Product Development 5.3.2: Capacity Expansion in the Global Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market 5.3.3: Certification and Licensing 5.3.4: Technology Development 5.3.5: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Joint Ventures in the Global Mineral Fiber Ceiling Market 6. Company Profiles of Leading Players - Armstrong World Industries - Knauf - OWA - Saint Gobain - USG Corporation For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ssljvw/growth 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 Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Europe Oil Gas Pipeline Leak and Theft Detection Market By Onshore Vs. Offshore, By Application (Buried, Subsea Refinery/Petrochemical), By Source of Revenue, By Equipment, By Technology Competition Forecast Opportunities, 2012-2022" report to their offering. Europe oil gas pipeline leak and theft detection market is projected to reach 0.43 billion by 2022 High damage caused to the environment in the event of leaks and spills, and renewed focus on such incidents is making leak and theft detection a compulsion for pipeline operators, thus adding to the Europe oil gas pipeline leak and theft detection market. Pipeline infrastructure is expected to develop rapidly in the region, owing to recently commissioned oil gas pipeline projects, such as Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and TAPI and Russia-South Korea projects, thereby, driving growth in Europe oil gas pipeline leak and theft detection market during the forecast period. The trend comprises of higher growth (in terms of pipeline length) in transmission lines between Europe and other nations and over 75% of this growth is contributed by onshore market. Western Europe is expected to garner the highest demand for energy in the region, and would be the largest importer of oil natural gas in Europe. Europe Oil Gas Pipeline Leak and Theft Detection Market, Competition Forecast Opportunities, 2012-2022 discusses Europe Oil Gas Pipeline Leak and Theft Detection Market Size, Share Forecast Segmental Analysis By Onshore Vs. Offshore, By Location of Application (Buried Pipelines, Subsea Pipelines, and Refinery/ Petrochemical Complex), By Source of Revenue (Hardware, Software Aftersales Services), By Technology (Ultrasonic/Acoustic, Flow Monitoring, Fiber Optic, Vapor Sensing Others), By Method of Leak Detection (Internal Vs. External), By Equipment/Device (Flowmeters, Acoustic Sensors, Pressure Sensors/ Transducers, Intelligent Pigging/ Smart Ball Technology, Cable Sensors Others) Changing Market Trends Emerging Opportunities Competitive Landscape Strategic Recommendations Market Trends Developments Use of Self-propelled Robotic Devices in Pipeline Leak Detection Introduction of Smart Wireless Sensor Network for Pipeline Leak detection Installation of Smart Leak Detection System with CCTVs Growing Environmental Concerns Formation of Join Industry Projects (JIPs) Increasing Research Development Activities Advancements in Intelligent Pigging Technology Few of the leading players in Europe oil gas pipeline leak and theft detection market include PSI AG Siemens AG Schneider Electric Pentair Ltd Expro Holdings Key Topics Covered: 1. Product Overview 2. Research Methodology 3. Analyst View 4. Global Oil Gas Pipeline Leak and Theft Detection Market Outlook 5. Europe Oil Gas Pipeline Leak and Theft Detection Market Outlook 6. Market Dynamics 7. Market Trends Developments 8. Competitive Landscape For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5tgwxp/europe_oil_and View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005317/en/ Contacts: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Related Topics: Oilfield Equipment and Services, Pipelines The North America Ethernet cable market is segmented based on types, applications, and country. Based on applications, the market is segmented into industrial, broadcast, enterprise, IT & network security, and others (residential & defense). The copper cables segment is a dominant segment within types, as copper cables are cost-effective and flexible, as compared to fiber-optic cables. Nevertheless, due to the suitability of fiber optic cable in various applications, the fiber optic cables would also gain popularity. Among the plausible applications, the industrial segment dominates the North America market, due to the superior performance of Ethernet cables even in extreme conditions. Based on country, Ethernet Cable market is segmented into US, Canada, Mexico and Rest of North America. US remained the dominant country in the North America Ethernet Cable market in 2015. Canada would witness promising CAGR during the forecast period (2016-2022). Key Topics Covered: 1. Market Scope & Methodology 2. Executive Summary 3. Market Overview Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A group of Democratic Senators who represented the United States at the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference have called on President Donald Trump to reconsider and reverse his decision to withdraw from the historic deal. The letter was timed at the President's tour of France. 'As you prepare to celebrate Bastille Day and the United States World War I Centennial with President Emmanuel Macron, we write to remind you of how significant the Paris Climate Agreement is to our country and the world and to urge you to strongly reconsider and reverse your decision to withdraw from the accord,' ten Senators who represented the United States at the 21st Conference of Parties in 2015, said in a letter sent to Trump Thursday. Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sheldon Whitehouse, Tom Udall, Jeanne Shaheen, Jeff Merkley, Al Franken, Chris Coons, Brian Schatz, Ed Markey, and Cory Booker were the signatories to the letter. The senators pointed out that more than 900 U.S. businesses, including 20 Fortune 500 companies, are in favor of keeping the U.S. in the Paris Agreement. American businesses need the U.S. government at the negotiating table to represent their interests. The Agreement is in fact a good deal for America, according to the Senators, who expressed willingness to work with the Trump administration on advancing the country's important economic and environmental goals. Meanwhile, Trump told reporters in Paris that he briefly discussed the Paris climate accord with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. Trump decided to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement arguing that it is harmful to the interests of the country. However, the decision isolated the US from the international community in the fight against Climate Change. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Munich (ots) - The Off-Grid Power Conference 2017 attracted over 450 participants at Intersolar - the largest solar PV trade fair in Europe. After a series of successful conferences, this year's conference offered a diverse 2-day program and was once again put together by the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar), the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) and Intersolar Europe. This year's conference was also supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).Topics covered included off-grid hybrid PV, mini-grids & storage, off-grid solutions for industries, telecommunications & infrastructure, investment & risk management, off-grid in the context of humanitarian aid and energy in agriculture. The conference was the opportunity for manufacturers, system integrators and project developers to meet high-ranking delegations, policymakers, investors and the international press.The Off-Grid Power Conference is the result of an established partnership with Intersolar. In addition to the ARE Off-grid Matchmaking Platform - an interactive map showcasing the off-grid products and services of its Members, ARE will continue to implement off-grid workshops in Latin America and Asia. The Intersolar South America taking place in Sao Paulo on 22-24 August 2017 and Intersolar India in Mumbai on 5-7 December 2017, for example, will also aim to connect off-grid businesses in both continents.Florian Wessendorf, Solar Promotion International GmbH (Intersolar): "We are proud to partner with the ARE on solar off-grid topics. This year's Off-Grid Power Conference in Munich was a great success for all partners. We are looking forward to the next editions in Sao Paulo and Mumbai to enhance our fruitful partnership in the future."In addition to the upcoming ARE-Intersolar cooperation, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and ARE have expressed their interest to work together with the common objective to promote SEforALL targets. The half-day information and mobilisation workshop on rural electrification at Intersolar South America will serve as a platform to collect case studies in the region for a joint publication which will address innovative business models for clean energy access (private sector) and key recommendations for best working regulatory frameworks (public sector) for Latin America and the Caribbean.Ernesto Macias, ARE President: "We are pleased that special attention has been given to off-grid in one of the largest PV trade fairs around the world. This week's conference has once again proved the interest in the sector and we look forward to developing our work on energy access in Latin America at the next Intersolar edition in Sao Paulo."Note to the editorThe Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) is an international business association representing the decentralised energy sector working towards the integration of renewables into rural electrification markets in developing and emerging countries. We enable improved energy access through business development support for more than 100 members along the whole value chain for off-grid technologies.Originaltext: Alliance for Rural Electrification digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/126843 press kits via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_126843.rss2For further information or request images please contact: Ling Ng Communications and Marketing Officer +32 2 709 55 42 l.ng@ruralelec.orgAlliance for Rural Electrification Rue d' Arlon 69-71 - 1040 Brussels - Belgium Tel: +32 2 709 55 42 www.ruralelec.org 2 June 2016 Ganapati Plc ("Ganapati" or "the Company") Trading Update The Directors are pleased to provide the following trading updates: Gambling Licence Ganapati Plc's wholly-owned subsidiary, Ganapati (Malta) Limited, has been awarded a Class 4 licence by the Malta Gaming Authority. This allows Ganapati (Malta) Limited to offer the Group's Japanese-themed online casino games to Malta-licenced operators. These would include existing titles such as CrypBattle and She Ninja Suzu. The Directors believe that the awarding of this licence creates the opportunity for the Group to increase the market for its games. Ganapati Plc Chief Operating Officer, Mitsuya Fujimoto, commented, "having our first licence is a milestone for Ganapati (Malta) and continues our growing relationship with Malta and the Malta Gaming Authority. Ganalogics SRL Ganapati Plc wishes to inform its shareholder that its subsidiary Ganapati (Malta) has recently set up its first tech office in Bucharest, Romania under Ganalogics SRL, registered earlier this year. The office will supplement the existing tech office in Tallinn, Estonia which has also recently undergone an expansion doubling its office size. Ganalogics OU was a sponsor at the recent GameDev Days in Tallinn where it was able to attract more talent. Mistuya Fujimoto, CEO of Ganapati Malta and COO of Ganapati Plc holding company commented, "We are delighted and excited to welcome our new teams in Europe as part of our global network. This move to Bucharest and expansion of the Tallinn studio were part of our immediate plan to strengthen our own branded game productions in Europe which would enable us to provide a wider range ofcontentto our customers." Richard Hogg,Director of Ganapati Malta and recently appointed CEO of Ganalogics OU added, "We are delighted to be in Bucharest, having identified it as a "tech hub" of the future. The talent we have been able to attract thus far will enable us to create even more great games for Ganapati Malta. Estonia digital gaming industry continues to grow and having this additional resource inRomaniawill ensure our games are delivered in a timely fashion to our clients." Neither this announcement nor the information contained herein constitutes an offer or solicitation by Ganapati Plc for the purchase or sale of any securities, nor does it constitute a solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction where solicitation would be unlawful. The Directors of Ganapati Plc accept responsibility for this announcement CORPORATE ADVISER AND CONTACT DETAILS: Ganapati plc Tony Drury Chairman Telephone: 07973 737284 ISDX CORPORATE ADVISER: "Hello Hope" mobile app which Turkcell developed to support the integration of Syrian refugees in Turkey was selected to be one of the best-case examples by UNESCO as a part of the "UNESCO-Pearson Initiative for Literacy: Improved Livelihoods in a Digital World". The project will be one of a number of case studies informing UNESCO's forthcoming guidelines on inclusive digital solutions for improved livelihoods. In September 2016, Turkcell (NYSE:TKC) (BIST:TCELL) had launched "Hello Hope" mobile app in order to facilitate the lives of Syrian refugees the app is now selected to be one of the best practices globally by UNESCO. For the UNESCO-Pearson Initiative for Literacy, 130 applications from 60 countries were evaluated. "Hello Hope" became one of the 14 finalists, the only example from Turkey to make it to the list. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005253/en/ Hello Hope (Photo: Business Wire) In the coming months, UNESCO will publish the 14 cases in order to highlight how digital technologies can facilitate the lives of individuals from every level of education, including low-literacy and low-skill levels. The qualities which made "Hello Hope" an exemplary case for the UNESCO-Pearson Initiative is the fact that it is easily accessible to refugees of all literacy and digital skill backgrounds. Instant voice translation feature between Turkish and Arabic operates with voice commands and icons as well as written script, while Turkish language-learning flashcards come with photos and audio recordings of words and expressions that make them easily understandable. A section on Frequently Asked Questions includes info on refugee registration processes, access to public services such as education and health, and a location-based service option guiding users to nearby facilities. One-click access to Turkey's only Arabic language call centre contributes to the experience. The newly added video feature also contributes to audio-based learning as well as to supporting K12 education. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005253/en/ Contacts: Turkcell Corporate Communications Selin Gulec Yakin, Mobile: 0090 532 210 56 88 selin.gulec@turkcell.com.tr LONDON, October 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Kunshan University, a leading Sino-foreign university jointly set up by Duke University in the U.S. and Wuhan University in China, has launched its first undergraduate programme. The university is targeting students in the UK and Europe with a syllabus designed to educate students to respond to the challenges of new technologies such as AI, robotics and quantum computing, creating globally-minded citizens who can meet the needs of the jobs of the future. Given current debate around the cost of UK university education and the value that education delivers to students, Duke Kunshan will offer a very different opportunity to its peers, which includes: Global-approach: Students spend two semesters studying at Duke University in Durham , US, and the rest of their time at Duke Kunshan outside Shanghai in , US, and the rest of their time at Duke Kunshan outside Classes conducted in four, seven week modules to respond to the compressed learning style of Millennials Liberal arts education: Students have a broad academic education and choose their Major subject at the end of year two Low student to faculty ratio (11:1) Students graduate with two degrees (one from Duke University , the other from Duke Kunshan) and join Duke's 170,000 strong Alumni network , the other from Duke Kunshan) and join 170,000 strong Alumni network All classes conducted in English with all international students learning Mandarin Duke Kunshan will build on Duke's reputation for research and focus on research into data science, environment, global health, Chinese studies and science and technology policy and innovation Denis Simon, executive vice chancellor of Duke Kunshan University stated: "Today, China is the world's second-biggest economy. In times gone by, many families would send their children to be educated in America or Europe, believing that the world's best universities could only be found in those countries. "That has changed as students look at how University education prepares them for life after graduation. Creating a global viewpoint and understanding and the ability to work and interact internationally is critical and we are witnessing more and more students from the UK, Europe, US, Canada, Japan and other countries applying to study at Duke Kunshan University." The application process closes on 3 January for the first undergraduate programme, starting in August 2018. By the time the inaugural class of students declare their majors in 2020, there will be a choice of about 20 majors, including Economics, Data Science and Big Data, Material Science/Physics, Political Economy/Political Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, History, Global health, Biology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and more. International students from outside of Chinese mainland are required to submit either their SAT or ACT test scores. All enrolled students are automatically entered into consideration for scholarship.. Applications for the new undergraduate courses are now open through the Common Application system with applications closing on 3rd January, 2018: http://www.commonapp.org/school/duke-kunshan-university WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures continued to fall Friday morning, despite yesterday's EIA report showing a significant drop in U.S. oil inventories. EIA data showed that crude inventories dropped 6.4 million barrels, as refining jumped to a record high. Although the pace of U.S. production may not be as brisk as once thought, traders remain concerned about the oversupplied global market. OPEC has agreed with Russia to limit output for nine more months, but Nigeria and Libya are exempt from the deal and are said to be ramping up. Ahead of this morning's U.S. jobs report, WTI light sweet crude oil was down $1 at $47.36 a barrel. The Baker Hughes North American rig count, that tracks weekly changes in the number of active operating oil & gas rigs, will be released at 1.00 pm ET. 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. - 48 Port-city-Universitaten und 3 Institute aus 11 Landern nahmen teil- Verleihung des INU-Ehrendoktorgrads an Prof. Michael Porter von der Harvard Business School mit anschlieender Rede des WurdentragersIncheon, Sudkorea (ots/PRNewswire) - Incheon National University (INU) hielt heute den ersten "Port-city Universities Summit (PUS)" ab. Zu diesem Gipfel kamen auf dem Songdo-Campus zahlreiche Vertreter von 48 Universitaten und 3 Instituten aus 11 Landern der ganzen Welt zusammen.INU hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, ein weltweites Netz unter den Port-city-Universitaten aufzubauen, um Ideen und Gedanken auszutauschen. Dies ist eine von vielen Initiativen, mit der die INU die Grostadt Incheon unterstutzen mochte, eine globale Hafenstadt zu werden.Prof. Michael Porter von der Harvard Business School hielt auf der PUS eine Rede zu dem Thema "Intelligente, vernetzte Produkte". Im Anschluss wurde bei intensiven Gesprachen die Wettbewerbsfahigkeit von Port-city-Universitaten und die Rolle der teilnehmenden Einrichtungen besprochen, die an globalen Hafen liegen.Dong-Sung Cho (President der INU), Prof. Hassan H. Al Alkim (President der American University Ras Al Kjaimah) und Prof. Yan Chunhua (Vice-President der Nankai University) leiteten den ersten runden Tisch uber "Die Rolle der Universitaten im Zeitalter der Industrie 4.0".Die darauffolgende Sitzung drehte sich um das Thema "Die Rolle der Universitaten fur die Hafen- und Hafenstadt-Entwicklung". Hierzu hielten folgende Personen Vortrage: Yuichi Hasebe (President der Yokohama University), Myat Lwin (Rektor der Myanmar Maritime University) und Chang Ching Fong (President der National Taiwan Ocean University).Die letzte Sitzung behandelte das Thema "Beste Methoden der Hafenentwicklung und internationalen Kooperation". Sie erfolgte mit Cliff Brand (General Manager der Ras Al Khaimah Ports Group), Choltis Dhirathiti (Deputy Executive Director vom ASEAN University Network) und Ramashray Prasad Singh (President der Banaras Hindu University).Prof. Cho, Gastgeber des ersten PUS, meinte: "Um auf die Veranderungen des nahenden Zeitalters der Industrie 4.0 vorbereitet zu sein, suchen Unternehmen nach neuen Mitarbeitern, die Konvergenzfahigkeiten mitbringen. Ich bin der festen Uberzeugung, dass Port-city-Universitaten, an denen mehrere Konvergenzelemente im Spiel sind, strategisch gunstig gelegen sind, um eine Innovation mit noch nie dagewesener Integration und Konvergenz zu absorbieren und zu initiieren. Ich gehe davon aus, dass der PUS den Weg fur die gemeinsame Kooperation und die gemeinsamen Bemuhungen bei diversen Problemen ebnen wird."Auf dem Gipfeltreffen verlieh die INU einen Ehrendoktorgrad an Professor Porter.Uber Incheon National University (INU)Die INU steht im Mittelpunkt von Songdo in der Nahe des Incheon International Airport, ein internationales Wirtschaftszentrum mit modernen Einrichtungen in den Bereichen IT, BT und NT. Angesichts der geografischen Lage und geografischen Besonderheiten legt die INU ihren Schwerpunkt auf den internationalen Handel, die Warenverteilung, angewandte technologische Konvergenz, BNT-basierte Naturwissenschaften, Urbanistik und die lokalen Humanbereiche der Sinologie.Die INU ist Mitglied der Port-city Universities League (PUL) - ein Verbund aus 15 Universitaten aus 12 Landern.OTS: Incheon National University (INU) newsroom: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/127974 newsroom via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_127974.rss2Pressekontakt: (INU) Incheon National University Jihee Sung E-Mail: jhsung@inu.ac.kr Tel: +82-(0)32-835-9574 Foto: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/557338/Incheon_National_Univers ity.jpg Regulatory News: VEXIM (Paris:ALVXM), a medical device company specializing in the minimally invasive treatment of vertebral fractures listed on Euronext Growth (FR0011072602 ALVXM), announces that following yesterday's announcement regarding the acquisition of VEXIM by Stryker Corporation, we will not hold the Vexim Investor Analyst Lunch Meeting Webcast we initially intended to have today, Wednesday, October 25th, 2017 at 12:00 PM ET (Orlando) 6:00 PM CEST (Paris time), on the US FDA clinical trial update and go-to-market strategy. About VEXIM, the innovative back microsurgery specialist Based in Balma, near Toulouse (France), VEXIM is a medical device company created in February 2006. The Company has specialized in the creation and marketing of minimally invasive solutions for treating traumatic spinal pathologies. VEXIM has designed and developed the SpineJack, a unique implant capable of repairing a fractured vertebra and restoring the balance of the spinal column. The company also developed the MasterflowTM, an innovative solution for mixing and injecting orthopedic cement that enhances the accuracy of the injection and optimizes the overall surgical procedure. VEXIM has been listed on Euronext Growth Paris since May 3rd 2012. For further information, please visit www.vexim.com SpineJack, an innovative implant for treating Vertebral Compression Fractures The SpineJack is designed to restore a fractured vertebra to its original shape, restore the spinal column's optimal anatomy and thus remove pain and enable the patient to recover their functional capabilities. Thanks to a specialized range of instruments, inserting the implants into the vertebra is carried out by minimally invasive surgery, guided by X-ray, in approximately 30 minutes, which is intended to enable the patient to be discharged shortly after surgery. The SpineJack range consists of 3 titanium implants with 3 different diameters, thus covering 95% of vertebral compression fractures and all patient morphologies. SpineJack technology benefits from the support of international scientific experts in the field of spine surgery and worldwide patent protection through to 2029. Nom : VEXIM Code ISIN: FR0011072602 Code mnemonique: ALVXM View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171025005619/en/ Contacts: VEXIM Vincent Gardes, CEO Jose Da Gloria, Chief Financial Officer Tel.: +33 5 61 48 48 38 investisseur@vexim.com or PRESS RELATIONS ALIZE RP Caroline Carmagnol Wendy Rigal Tel.: +33 1 44 54 36 66 Tel. +33 6 48 82 18 94 vexim@alizerp.com Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 06/02/17 -- The Canadian Labour Congress is urging Canadian municipalities to adopt "sanctuary city" status to support and protect non-status migrants who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, and persecution. "We hope more municipalities will take this step to support people who have very few options and who are just trying to keep themselves and their families safe," said CLC President Hassan Yussuff. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says the world is experiencing the higher than ever levels of displacement. The agency says that at the end of 2015, at least 65.3 million people had been forced from their homes, compared to 59.5 million a year earlier. In 2015, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 24 people were forced out of their homes every minute of every day. Nearly half are children. "Canada has the means to help people escape the terrible conditions they're fleeing, so we should do everything we can to offer them a safe place to live. Canadian municipalities have an important role to play," he said. Municipalities have a very unique role to play because many of the services provided have a vital impact on the lives and well-being of residents. A municipality that adopts sanctuary city designation provides residents without full immigration status and/or without full status documents from the federal government access to municipal services without fear of detection, detention or deportation. Such services include libraries, recreational programs, child care, emergency shelters, food banks, public health, transportation, and police services. Yussuff emphasized that a sanctuary city designation is only effective and meaningful when accompanied with strong municipal policy implementation, training for municipal management and staff, as well as a public education campaign. "Public education is an important part of the sanctuary city designation, because migrants are often subjected to racist attitudes and even violence as a result of prejudice, Islamophobia, and anti-immigrant sentiment," said Yussuff. "But these designations will put Canada on the right side of history and will mean that Canadian municipalities are taking an active stand against racism and xenophobia," he added. Contacts: Kerry Pither National Director, Communications 613-294-2203 kpither@clc-ctc.ca TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - June 02, 2017) - BRIO GOLD INC. ("BRIO GOLD" or the "Company") (TSX: BRIO) is pleased to announce the successful closing of the previously announced secondary offering (the "Offering") of common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$3.00 per Share. Yamana Gold Inc. (the "Selling Shareholder") sold an aggregate of 26,667,000 Shares for total gross proceeds of C$80,001,000 to a syndicate of underwriters, led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., CIBC World Markets Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc., on a bought deal basis. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the Offering. Following closing of the Offering, the Selling Shareholder has beneficial ownership and control over 62,535,922 Shares, representing approximately 55.6% of the outstanding Shares. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The Shares being offered have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") and accordingly are not being offered for sale and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly within the United States, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction or to, or for the account, or for the benefit, of a U.S. person, unless registered under that Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of that Act. About Brio Gold Brio Gold is a new Canadian mining company with significant gold producing, development and exploration stage properties in Brazil. Brio Gold's portfolio includes three operating mines and a gold project, which is a fully-permitted, fully-constructed mine that is currently on care and maintenance and is expected to be re-started in 2018. Brio Gold produced 189,662 ounces of gold in 2016 and at full annual run-rate expects annual production to be approximately 400,000 ounces of gold. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business and operations of Brio Gold Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "Brio" or the "Company"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Brio Gold to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Certain of these factors are discussed in greater detail in Brio Gold's most recent Annual Information Form on file with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. In addition, although Brio Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be 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. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and accordingly are subject to change after such date. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment. Brio does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are included in this document, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Letitia Wong Vice President, Corporate Development Telephone: +1 (416) 860-6310 Email: Letitia.wong@briogoldinc.com DUBLIN, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "China Outbound Tourism Market, Outbound Tourists Visits, Tourists Market (Spending) & Forecast" report to their offering. China Outbound Tourism Market is more than USD 200 Billion in 2016, to achieve this growth it has grown with a CAGR of 20.3% As there has been an increase of average income and a less restrictive tourism policy, Chinese people are able to travel within and outside of their homeland. China has risen rapidly as a new major source of outbound tourists in the world and has become an important tourist market. By 2022, the number of Chinese outbound tourists will be more than double from the current outbound tourists' number in 2016; signaling a revolutionary change and opportunity for the global travel industry. Tourism Types: Holiday, Visit Friends and Relatives (VFR), Business (MICE) & Others Holiday purpose visits are the most popular segment among all the other segments in Chinese outbound tourists. Holiday purpose segment is nearly five times bigger than its closest outbound tourism segment in 2016 and accounts for the maximum spending by the Chinese outbound tourists in this segment. Countries Analysis: China Outbound Tourists Arrival Hong Kong controls the highest share in 2016, and it is expected to maintain its lead position in future too. Japan, Thailand, South Korea, holds the position from 2nd to 4th (not in same chronological order) for China Outbound Tourism Market in 2016. Countries Analysis: China Outbound Tourists Market Hong Kong and United States holds the 1st and 2nd position in 2016. South Korea, Thailand and Japan control the position from 3rd to 5th (not in same chronological order). United States has the highest average spending. China Outbound Tourists Numbers and Market (Spending) - Top 10 Countries is covered in this report: 1. Australia 2. Canada 3. Japan 4. South Korea 5. New Zealand 6. Singapore 7. Taiwan 8. Thailand 9. United States 10. Hong Kong Tourism Types Covered in this report All countries have been analyzed with consideration of following key travel segments: - Holiday Tourists Arrivals & Market (Spending) - Visit Friends and Relatives (VFR) Arrivals & Market (Spending) - Business (MICE) Arrivals & Market (Spending) - Others Arrivals & Market (Spending) We recommend this report as must-read for Travel and Tour stake holders, Hotel Industry, Tourism Ministry, Consulting firms, Private Equity firms, Venture Capital firms etc. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. China Outbound Tourists, Tourists Share (%) & Forecast 3. China Outbound Tourists Market, Tourists Market Share (%) & Forecast 4. Countries (%): China Outbound Tourists Share & Forecast 5. Countries (%): China Outbound Tourists Market (Spending) Share 6. Tourism Types - China Outbound Tourists & Forecast 7. Tourism Types - China Outbound Tourists Market (Spending) & Forecast 8. Australia - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 9. Canada - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 10. Japan - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 11. South Korea - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 12. New Zealand - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 13. Singapore - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 14. Taiwan - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 15. Thailand - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 16. United States - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 17. Hong Kong - China Outbound Tourists Visits, Market (Spending) & Forecast 18. China Outbound Tourism: Growth Drivers 19. Challenges in China Outbound Tourism For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/dwgvhk/china_outbound Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE (dpa-AFX) - Sage Group plc (SGE.L) said that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its North American Payments business or 'Sage Payment Solutions' or 'SPS',a provider of bank card processing, ACH, cheque and gift and loyalty card services in North America, to GTCR. The enterprise valuation for the transaction is $260 million or 202 million pounds of which $240 million is payable as cash on completion and the remaining $20 million as deferred consideration1. As a partner to SPS, Sage will continue to receive a revenue share from joint Sage and SPS customers. The transaction is subject to certain completion conditions and is expected to complete in the next 3 months. Proceeds will be used to reduce net debt and invested in growth. 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. Carnival Corporation & plc Announces Exchange Rate For Quarterly Dividend MIAMI, June 2, 2017 --On April 7, 2017, Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 (U.S.) per share. The dividend is payable on June 16, 2017, to shareholders of record on May 26, 2017. Holders of Carnival Corporation common stock or Carnival plc ADSs will receive a dividend payable in U.S. dollars. The dividend for Carnival plc ordinary shares will be payable in sterling unless shareholders elected to receive the dividend in U.S. dollars by May 26, 2017. Dividends payable in sterling will be converted from U.S. dollars at the exchange rate quoted by the Bank of England in London at 12 noon on June 1, 2017 (US$1 = 77.80890 pence). Accordingly, the dividend payable in sterling on June 16, 2017, will be 31.12356 pence per share. Carnival Corporation &plc is the largest leisure travel company in the world, and among the most profitable and financially strong in the industrywith a portfolio of 10 cruise brands inNorth America,Europe,AustraliaandAsia comprised of Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom,Holland America Line,Princess Cruises, Seabourn,AIDA Cruises,Costa Cruises, Cunard,P&O Cruises(Australia) andP&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 Alaskaand the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both theNew Yorkand 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. Additional information can be found on http://www.carnival.com/, http://www.fathom.org/, http://www.hollandamerica.com/, http://www.princess.com/, http://www.seabourn.com/, http://www.aida.de/, http://www.costacruise.com/, http://www.cunard.com/, http://www.pocruises.com.au/, and http://www.pocruises.com/. CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Carnival Corporation & plc, Roger Frizzell,1 305 599 2600, ext. 67862;INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: Carnival Corporation & plc, Beth Roberts, 1 305 406 4832 CHANTILLY, VA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/02/17 -- SOC LLC, a Day & Zimmermann (D&Z) company, has been awarded the protective force services contract for the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) under the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The Nevada National Security Site plays a critical role in maintaining the nation's nuclear deterrent and supporting other vitally important national security missions. SOC will be supported by integrated small business subcontractors Longenecker & Associates, Protection Strategies, and MCH Consulting Services, who will provide additional expertise in critical performance elements. "At NNSS, our team of SOC leaders will apply our foundation of strong core values and collective team experience to bring a fresh approach to sustain and strengthen all Nevada National Security Site Protective Force operations," stated Steve Selfridge, President, SOC. "With our unwavering commitment to safety, we ensure that our Nation's critical assets are safeguarded, regardless of the potential threat," he added. SOC is a Joint Venture partner of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC (CNS). CNS currently manages and operates the Pantex Plant and Y-12 National Security Complex on behalf of the National Nuclear Security Administration. SOC has provided best-in-class Safeguards and Security services without allowing a security breach over the past twenty years while protecting national security assets that include Category I Special Nuclear Material in a research, development and manufacturing environments. SOC's services include static, rolling and perimeter security, escort services, facility inspections, vulnerability assessments, force-on-force exercises, training, technical security and systems monitoring, as well as other special and emergency response activities. About NNSS The 1,360-square mile Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) is an experimental testing facility and training ground supporting a variety of nuclear nonproliferation and advanced-technology missions vital to national security. NNSS contributes to the safety, reliability, and security of the nuclear weapons stockpile through scientific experiments supporting the science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program. NNSS also provides radiological/nuclear emergency response capabilities and training, and -- as a former nuclear test site -- also serves as a major center for research and development advancing international nuclear monitoring and verification capabilities. About SOC SOC, a Day & Zimmermann Company, is a trusted global provider of mission solutions with a history of assuring safe and effective operations for the U.S. Government. SOC provides a guarantee of discrete and effective service so that customers can do their best work. The Company employs over 5,000 professionals engaged in the delivery of mission-critical safeguards and security, cleared staffing, facility management and operations, engineering, explosive ordnance storage and disposal, international logistics, and life support services. SOC's customers include the U.S. Departments of Energy, State, and Defense, and non-governmental organizations. About Day & Zimmermann Founded in 1901, Day & Zimmermann is a family-owned company with a workforce of over 42,000 specializing in construction & engineering, staffing and defense solutions for leading corporations and governments around the world. Operating from more than 150 worldwide locations with 2.4 Billion USD in revenue, Day & Zimmermann is currently ranked as one of the largest private companies in the U.S. by Forbes. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, our first work was to develop "Betterment Reports" that helped modernize American factories. Today, we are still in the business of betterment -- maintaining the nation's power infrastructure, protecting American freedoms and driving technological advancements around the world. We do what we say. http://www.dayzim.com Media Contact: Holly Holt Director, Corporate Communications, SOC holly.holt@soc-usa.com DUBLIN, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Cutting Tool Inserts Market 2017-2021" report to their offering. The global cutting tool inserts market to grow at a CAGR of 8.83% during the period 2017-2021. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global cutting tool inserts 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 report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market. One trend in the market is use of double-sided inserts for rough turning applications. The use of double-sided inserts in rough turning applications enhances the process reliability in rough turning by combining a ground contact surface with an optimized profile which has a protective layer that guards the inserts from fracturing. According to the report, one driver in the market is rise in construction activities in emerging nations of APAC. The global construction market is witnessing a mixed trend across various regions. Although the slowdown in the Chinese economy has impacted the global construction market, infrastructure planning in developing economies such as India and Indonesia will boost the growth of the global cutting tools market. As a result, this will propel the demand for the turning tools market. Further, the report states that one challenges in the market is fluctuating raw material prices. Turning tool manufacturers require to invest a high amount of capital to provide advanced and innovative tools in the market, which have grown considerably. Inputs such as iron and steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, brass, copper, and other alloys are necessary to manufacture machine tools for drilling, boring, lathes, gear cutting, grinding, and polishing machines. Market trends Additive manufacturing Use of rotary turning in high-temperature alloys in the aerospace industry Enhanced growth of fabricated metal products Use of double-sided inserts for rough turning applications Key vendors: North American Carbide Kennametal Foundation ISCAR Ingersoll Cutting Tools Sandvik Other prominent vendors: KOMET LOVEJOY Tool Seco TYROLIT 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 type Part 07: Market segmentation by application Part 08: Geographical segmentation Part 09: Decision framework Part 10: Drivers and challenges Part 11: Market trends Part 12: Vendor landscape Part 13: Key vendor analysis Part 14: Appendix For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/rg9p4j/global_cutting Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump's administration has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review lower court rulings blocking an executive order banning immigration from six Muslim-majority countries. The Trump administration filings Thursday night also ask the Supreme Court to temporarily lift the injunctions and allow the order to take effect, which would require support from five of the nine Justices. 'We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the Nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism,' Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. She added, 'The President is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States.' The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to expedite the case so that it could be heard near the beginning of the court's next term in October. The administration had previously indicated its intention to appeal a decision by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a ruling blocking Trump's travel ban. In the 10-3 ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last month, the majority argued that Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric on the campaign trail suggests the travel ban's primary purpose is religious. The American Civil Liberties Union, one of the challengers to the travel ban, tweeted, 'We've beat this hateful ban and are ready to do it again.' (Photo: Michael Vadon) 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. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The White House has criticized Senate Democrats for delaying confirmation of President Donald Trump's nominations for high-ranking posts in the government. In a news conference Monday, White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short said the Democrats have shown that they are willing to break irresponsibly with tradition that allows a President to choose its own appointees in a timely fashion. He singled out Senator Chuck Schumer for 'deliberately running an unprecedented campaign of obstruction' against the President's nominees for high-ranking positions in the government in the past six months. 'While Senator Schumer irresponsibly champions the resist movement, his partisan tactics are harming the country and obstructing the will of the American people,' he told reporters. Not only are key positions in the Trump administration's national security, energy, financial, and regulatory wings left unfilled, but also procedural slowdowns have kept the Senate committees from doing other legislative work. Short compared Democrats walking out of committee hearings to deny a quorum to 'school children taking their toys from the playground.' He accused the Democrat Senators of playing to a radical left-wing base. Short called on Schumer to stop blocking the will of the American people for political gain. Meanwhile, in an early morning tweet Tuesday, President Donald Trump said the Senate Democrats have only confirmed 48 of 197 Presidential Nominees. 'They can't win so all they do is slow things down & obstruct!.' The President's nominee for Under Secretary of Defense, Elaine McCusker, has been waiting since May 23 for a vote on the Senate floor despite having bipartisan support. Other presidential nominees waiting for approval include Heath Tarbert for Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Markets and Development, and Kevin Hasset for the Chair of the President's Council of Economic Advisers. Currently there are seven deputy secretaries to manage entire federal departments who have been cleared by committee and are awaiting a vote on the Senate floor. The Trump administration has passed six months in office, and the Government does not have deputy secretaries at the Small Business Administration, the Department of Interior, the Department of Energy, Department of Housing, Department of Health, Office of Management and Budget, and the Department of Defense. Senate committees have cleared 32 of its nominees who are still waiting for a floor vote. The Senate has so far confirmed a total of 50 Trump administration nominees, while 133 others are waiting for consideration by various committees. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 07/31/17 -- Note to editors: There is a map associated with this press release. Darnley Bay Resources Limited (TSX VENTURE: DBL) (the "Company" or "Darnley Bay") announces that it is targeting an additional 16 historical deposits for confirmation drilling at it's Pine Project lead-zinc project in the Northwest Territories (the "Pine Point Property"). "When Darnley Bay acquired the Pine Point project, we acquired a massive trove of historical information, and since the Preliminary Economic Analysis was completed in April, have been examining this database for additional resources to significantly increase the tonnage and possible size of the eventual mine," says Jamie Levy, President and CEO of the Company. "If all or most of the historical deposits are estimates, we will be considering a significantly larger mine when we undertake the feasibility study." Historically, there has been more than 1.3 million metres of drilling on the property in more than 18,000 drill holes. The original PEA included a plan to mine 10 open pit deposits in sequence (press release dated April 18, 2017). These deposits contain an estimated 25.8 million tonnes of Measured and Indicated Resources grading 2.94% zinc and 1.12% lead, and an additional 3.7 million tonnes of Inferred Resources grading 2.9% zinc and 0.77% lead. These deposits represent a small portion of the 46 deposits that list historic resources on the Pine Point Property, which were discovered by former operators Cominco and Westmin. The following 16 deposits will be subject to confirmation drilling during the 2017-18 drilling campaign: TABLE 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- East Millsite Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Resource_Ind_tonnes Grade_Pb_PCT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- L-36 1,598,840 1.50 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- L-35 221,550 5.20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- L-30 0 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-35 666,280 1.30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-32 207,450 2.90 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 2,694,120 1.86 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cluster Pit Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Resource_Ind_tonnes Grade_Pb_PCT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-60 200,130 2.30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-66N/S 0 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- R-67 372,150 3.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 572,280 2.76 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Millsite Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Resource_Ind_tonnes Grade_Pb_PCT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- M-40 376,680 1.40 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- North Trend Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Resource_Ind_tonnes Grade_Pb_PCT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-58N 0 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Z-60N 367,760 0.80 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-59N 0 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-61N 475,060 2.80 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-71 303,050 7.10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- V-90 0 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Z-61N 0 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 1,145,870 3.30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRAND TOTAL 4,788,950 2.28 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- East Millsite Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Grade_Zn_PCT Resource_Inf_tonnes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- L-36 4.10 1,222,400 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- L-35 6.90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- L-30 0.00 248,400 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-35 3.90 1,935,800 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-32 5.20 759,900 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 4.37 4,166,500 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cluster Pit Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Grade_Zn_PCT Resource_Inf_tonnes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-60 13.20 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-66N/S 0.00 564,600 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- R-67 9.70 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 10.92 564,600 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Millsite Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Grade_Zn_PCT Resource_Inf_tonnes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- M-40 5.50 1,384,500 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- North Trend Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Grade_Zn_PCT Resource_Inf_tonnes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-58N 0.00 690,600 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Z-60N 4.90 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-59N 0.00 337,800 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-61N 5.10 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-71 11.20 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- V-90 0.00 478,700 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Z-61N 0.00 250,900 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 6.65 1,758,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRAND TOTAL 5.78 7,873,600 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- East Millsite Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Grade_Pb_PCT Grade_Zn_PCT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- L-36 1.50 2.40 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- L-35 0.00 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- L-30 1.10 6.10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-35 0.50 2.90 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-32 0.50 2.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 0.83 2.78 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cluster Pit Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Grade_Pb_PCT Grade_Zn_PCT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-60 0.00 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- K-66N/S 0.80 3.70 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- R-67 0.00 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 0.80 3.70 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Millsite Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Grade_Pb_PCT Grade_Zn_PCT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- M-40 1.10 5.40 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- North Trend Area ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit_Name Grade_Pb_PCT Grade_Zn_PCT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-58N 0.90 3.70 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Z-60N 0.00 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-59N 2.10 5.40 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-61N 0.00 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- X-71 0.00 0.00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- V-90 0.70 2.80 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Z-61N 0.30 2.80 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 0.99 3.65 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRAND TOTAL 0.91 3.50 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To view the map associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/MAP110007.jpg So far, 23 confirmation holes have been drilled in the East Millsite Area, which has five historical deposits and though assays are pending, it appears that the confirmation drilling is intersecting mineralized zones where expected. It also appears that these deposits are close enough together that they may be amenable to one larger open pit. Together the historical resources in the East Millsite area contain 2,694,120 tonnes of Indicated Resources grading 4.37% zinc and 1.86% lead, and an additional 4,166,500 tonnes of Inferred Resources grading 2.78% zinc and 0.83% lead. Another focus of drilling has been the L65 deposit, which was included in the PEA mine plan. The deposit as described in the PEA is estimated to contain 1,578,000 tonnes grading 1.95% zinc and 0.7% lead. Work to date has focused expanding the resource particularly to the west where only limited drilling was completed in the past. The work indicates that there appear to be two distinct deposits, L-65 East and L-65 West. Drilling on the L-65 East deposit has not resulted in a material increase in size. However, drilling on the L-65 West deposit has expanded the size considerably. Initial assays have been received and will be released in the near future. The summer portion of the drilling on L-65 is nearly complete, with 49 holes for 5,222 metres, and drilling will continue on the L-65 West deposit in the winter in areas located over swampy ground. A new resource will be calculated when the winter drilling is completed. Darnley Bay geologists continue to examine other known deposits for expansion potential as well. Drilling was also completed on the K-60 zone to test for extensions to the known mineralization. One hole suggests the deposit may remain open to the west over swampy ground that will be drill tested this winter. The next target for confirmation drilling will be the M-40 deposit, which has a historical Indicated Resource of 376,680 tonnes grading 5.5% zinc and 1.4% lead, and a historical Inferred Resource of 1,384,500 tonnes grading 3.7% zinc and 0.8% lead. There is also potential to expand the deposit to the east and west. Drilling is expected to begin on this deposit shortly. The Company will also conduct confirmation drilling on up to seven additional deposits in the North Trend. These historical deposits contain a total of 1,145,870 tonnes of Indicated Resources grading 6.65% zinc and 3.3% lead, and a further 1,758,000 tonnes of Inferred Resources grading 3.65% zinc and 0.99% lead. The R-67 deposit, located on the South Trend, will also be subjected to confirmation drilling. It contains a historical Inferred Resource of 372,150 tonnes grading 9.7% zinc and 3.0% lead. Drilling on these eight deposits will have to be conducted during the winter as they are located in swampy areas. This drilling is planned to commence in January, 2018, unless conditions permit drilling earlier. The Company has been interviewing several engineering firms to quote and potentially begin a feasibility study later in 2017. If the Company decides to proceed, the feasibility study will examine the viability of mining the R-190 and X-25 deposits, located west of the Buffalo River. The R-190 deposit has measured and indicated resources of 1,005,000 tonnes grading 10.98% zinc and 5.28% lead, while the X-25 deposit has a measured and indicated resource of 2,108,000 tonnes grading 6.73% zinc and 2.32% lead. These deposits are deeper than the others on the site and would have to be exploited by underground mining methods. They were included in a feasibility study conducted in 2008 by a previous owner of the property. The focus of the work on these two deposits will be examining and testing various methodologies that will mitigate expected heavy water inflows. Another facet of the 2017 drill program is to explore for new deposits on the Company's large land package. These programs are focused on two large under-explored areas of the property. One is located adjacent to the historical Pine Point townsite and will focus on the South Trend, which was not yet discovered when the town was built starting in 1962. The other area is to the west of the historical mine workings, which Cominco considered too far from the original mill to warrant detailed exploration. The program will begin later this summer with geophysics, and any targets outlined by this program will then be drilled. Drilling conducted during 2017 will also provide samples for the Company to conduct additional metallurgical testing as part of the feasibility study. This testing is expected to begin later in the summer and will continue as additional deposits are drilled into 2018. Provided that the confirmation drilling is successful in all or most of the historical deposits into the mine plan, it is currently planned to increase the size of the mill to approximately 2,500 tonnes-per-day in the feasibility study, a 39% increase from the 1,800 tonne-per-day mill envisaged in the PEA. The Company has not yet completed the work necessary to verify the historical estimates in Table 1 or the historical estimates mentioned in this press release, and no "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101 has done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. Accordingly, the Company is not treating the above historical estimates as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. Further exploration will be required to assess and verify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Mineral Resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource category. The Preliminary Economic Assessments is preliminary in nature, it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the Preliminary Economic Assessment will be realized. Stanley Clemmer, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information presented in this press release. About Darnley Bay Resources Limited Darnley Bay acquired a 100% interest in the Pine Point lead-zinc project in December, 2016. Since that time a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment on the project showing a robust mining operation which, over a 13-year mine life, would have an after-tax net present value of $210.5 million and internal rate of return of 34.5%, with a payback of 1.8 years. The PEA was prepared by JDS and is based on a mineral resource estimate for the Pine Point project published as a National Instrument 43-101 technical report with an effective date of April 18, 2017. To view further details of the study, please see the press release of April 18, 2017 click here. Forward-Looking Information This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that Darnley Bay expects are forward-looking statements. Although Darnley Bay believes the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. These include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Darnley Bay, investors should review registered filings at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Darnley Bay Resources Limited Jamie Levy President and Chief Executive Officer (416) 567-2440 jlevy@darnleybay.com www.darnleybay.com Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Steve Hosein (416) 644-2020 or (514) 939-3989 shosein@renmarkfinancial.com www.renmarkfinancial.com ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR -- (Marketwired) -- 06/02/17 -- Newfoundland Power Inc. announced today the closing of $75 million, 3.815 per cent First Mortgage Sinking Fund Bonds, due June 1, 2057. The net proceeds from the private placement will be used by the Company to repay its short-term borrowings, which were incurred principally to fund capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. Newfoundland Power is the primary distributer of electricity on the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador, and purchases 93% of its energy needs from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. With a customer base of approximately 264,000 accounts, Newfoundland Power is committed to safety, dedicated to the highest level of customer service and delivers reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost. For more information on Newfoundland Power's programs, services and community partnerships, please visit www.newfoundlandpower.com. Contacts: Newfoundland Power Inc. Paige London Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (709) 737-5409 www.newfoundlandpower.com MOSCOW, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosneft and the China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) signed an agreement on the development of a project for the construction of a polymer coating plant at the XXI Petersburg International Economic Forum. The document was signed by Rosneft Vice President for Energy, Localization and Innovation Andrey Shishkin and President of Haohua Chemical Corporation Chen Hong in the presence of Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin. The document defines the stages of further implementation of the project for the construction of a plant for the production of polymer coatings and special paints, as well as the conditions for the creation of a joint venture. As a result of the project implementation, the largest enterprise will be created in Russia for the production of special coatings for marine vessels of different classes including Arctic class. The products planned for production at the plant will find its application in the work of the shipbuilding complex Zvezda in the Far East of Russia, created as designated by the President of the Russian FederationVladimir Putin. Note for editors: In December 2016, Rosneft and ChemChina signed an agreement on the basic conditions for the creation of the joint venture. In accordance with the document, the parties will create a joint venture in the territory of the advanced development of Bolshoi Kamen in Primorsky Krai of Russia to build a plant and produce polymer coatings and paints with an annual capacity of up to 50,000 tons of products, as well as research and development. In this regard, Rosneft and ChemChina will conduct a feasibility study of the project and the necessary arrangements for the preparation of the joint venture. MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 06/02/17 -- Aurvista Gold Corporation ("Aurvista" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: AVA)(OTCQB: ARVSF)(FRANKFURT: AV2) is very pleased to announce that it plans to complete a private placement financing for aggregate gross proceeds of C$7,000,000 (the "Offering") through the combination of a sale of charitable flow-through units ("CFT Units") at a price of C$ 0.41 per CFT Unit, and the sale of hard dollar units ("HD Units") at a price of $0.25 per HD Unit. If C$5,000,000 were raised in the CFT Unit offering and C$2,000,000 were raised in the HD Unit offering, an aggregate of 20,195,121 Units would be issued. Each CFT Unit and each HD Unit will consist of one common share and one full warrant. Each warrant, which will be transferable, will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.40 per share. It is the Company's intention to list the warrants for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), as this can encourage longer-term investors of the underlying units. The warrants will be listed once the hold period concludes, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. The warrants will expire five (5) years from the closing date, which is expected to be on or about June 22, 2017. All the securities will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing. The private placement is subject to the approval of the Exchange and a finder's fee will be payable on a portion of the funds in accordance with the policies of the Exchange. The Company intends on using the net proceeds from the private placement to continue advancing the Douay Gold Project and for general corporate purposes. Aurvista's President and CEO, Matthew Hornor, stated: "We are excited about the strong support we have seen from existing and new investors for this private placement. The majority of the financing comes at a 64% premium and will aid Aurvista in fully realizing and capitalizing on the latent potential of its Douay project." Douay Gold Project and Company Profile: Aurvista Gold Corporation is a junior gold exploration and development Company advancing the Douay Gold Project. Aurvista's 305 km2 district-scale Douay Gold Project hosts a large inferred gold resource with significant exploration upside along a 40 km segment of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone in the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt of northern Quebec. Douay is located 55 km SW of the Matagami Base Metal Camp and approx. 140 km N of the Val-d'Or - Malartic Gold Camp (both in Quebec). The Company has 148,901,764 shares outstanding trading on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany and the OTCQB in the US. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.aurvistagold.com. 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 PRESS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. When used herein, words such as "anticipate", "will", "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Aurvista Gold Corporation's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company's website at www.aurvistagold.com. Contacts: Aurvista Gold Corporation Mr. Joness Lang Office: +1 416.682.2674 jlang@aurvistagold.com www.aurvistagold.com MOSCOW, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosneft and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (HSHI) signed an agreement under which the South Korean company will provide technical support in the design and construction of Aframax class vessels at the Zvezda shipyard in Bolshoy Kamen at the XXI Petersburg International Economic Forum. The agreement is a legally binding document. The document was signed as a part of the development of the agreement, under which a joint venture "Zvezda-Hyundai" was established in May 2017 between Shipbuilding Complex Zvezda and HSHI in the field of engineering and project management. - Under the agreement, HSHI provides a list of technical support for the joint venture forthe design and construction of Aframax type tankers, including those using capable of running on natural gas,. HSHI will make sure that the working design documentation corresponds to the basic design of the vessel, which is transferred to the capital of the joint venture. The establishment of JV will enable HSHI, together with the Russian partner, to implement ship construction projects in the new promising segment of the shipbuilding market - the construction of Green Aframax tankers. Cooperation with the South Korean company will allow Rosneft to create an effective project management system in the field of large-capacity shipbuilding. The JV will be surely another impetus for Russia to localize the production of commercial vessels and marine equipment. Since the design documentation provides for the creation of conditions for a gradual localization of a full cycle of designing tankers of the Aframax type. "Technological partnership with the world's largest shipbuilding company will allow us to acquire the necessary competencies in the area of engineering support and management of ship construction projects. This cooperation will ensure DTSS and Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex access to unique technologies for the production of advanced marine equipment, such as modern environmentally friendly Aframax type tankers that run on NGV fuel, and will open prospects for the localization of production and development of the shipbuilding cluster in the Far East of Russia," said Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin. Notes for editors: The shipbuilding complex Zvezda is being created on the basis of the Far Eastern Zvezda plant by the Consortium of Rosneftegaz, Rosneft and Gazprombank. The project of the complex involves the construction of a heavy fitting dock, dry dock, full-cycle production facilities, and workshops for the construction of offshore marine equipment. The shipbuilding complex Zvezda will produce large-capacity vessels, elements of offshore platforms, ice-class vessels, special vessels and other types of marine equipment. MONTREAL, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Arton Capital appointed advisors in the process Arton Capital has been appointed to study and evaluate Armenia's potential to develop and market an immigrant investor program, following an invitation from the International Centre for Migration Policy Development. The ICMPD seeks to promote innovative and sustainable migration policies around the world. The initiative comes as a series of steps undertaken by the EU-funded project entitled Support to Migration and Border Management. In a series of meetings held in Yerevan this week, Arton's team of experts had the chance to delve into the local political economy as well as the existing legal frameworks relating to visa and residency issuance, naturalization, and laws regarding foreigners. The concept of citizenship by investment was embraced by high level officials at the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidential Administration, the Central Bank, the Police, the State Migration Service and the Center for Strategic Initiatives. The government of Armenia shared its strong belief that alternative means of attracting foreign direct investment are of primary importance for the country's economic development and future growth. For their part, the experts from Arton Capital shared their view that Armenia has the potential to position itself as a unique investment destination for high net worth individuals from the Middle East and Asia. Arton Capital has been tasked with producing a detailed report that will evaluate the existing infrastructure, outline the best ways to structure an attractive and sustainable program in accordance with EU laws, and implement industry-leading due diligence practices. Many countries in Europe, North America and the Caribbean have implemented citizenship and residency programs in the past 20 years, and they have attracted billions in investments. Many more are considering the implementation of such programs as a highly effective means of boosting foreign direct investment. "The direction chosen by Armenia is shared by many others," says Armand Arton, founder and president of Arton Capital. "As a proud Armenian, I am honored to offer my years of professional experience and acute know-how to help the country meet its foreign direct investment goals." In support of its philanthropic commitment, Arton Capital has pledged to donate the consulting fees awarded by the contract to help refugees in Armenia. More than 20,000 Syrians, many of whom are ethnically Armenian, have found refuge in Armenia since the Syrian war began in 2011. About Arton Capital Arton Capitalempowers individuals and families to becomeGlobal Citizens by investing in second residence and citizenship around the world. This is accomplished through a bespoke service experience that simplifies complexity and is supported by long-term relationships. As a global financial advisory firm specializing in investor programs for residence and citizenship, Arton plays a critical role in helping governments, industryprofessionalsand investors meet their goals quickly, efficiently and effectively. Arton is the founder of theGlobal Citizen Forum as well as the Global Citizen Foundation. Its global operations are spread over 15 offices around the world and have helped attract over US$3 billion in foreign direct investment to various countries. Arton Capital is a member ofThe Arton Group, which comprises fully licensed international banking, financial advisory and investment consulting companies tailored to the needs ofGlobal Citizens. Mr. Rupert Wright, media@artoncapital.com, +44(0)7557-371908 Real estate in India is a globally recognized industry, with growing demand for both commercial and residential spaces. As there are many firms operating in the market, it is important to find ways to stand out from the competition. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005779/en/ Infiniti Research helps companies identify new market opportunities. (Graphic: Business Wire) In their study titled '360 Degree View of Cameras for the Indian Real Estate Market', market intelligence firm Infiniti Research discusses the benefits of using 360-degree cameras in the industry. Infiniti observes that "Having a 360-degree view of the property helps buyers virtually view the locality from anywhere through the Internet, which has created opportunities for 360-degree cameras in the Indian real estate market." The study notes that while there are few web portals currently offering 360-degree views, demand for this feature is growing, with room for new players to take advantage of the opportunities it creates. With the internet allowing for greater access to real estate listings and lower barriers to entry for realtors, differentiating oneself from the rest of the market is more important than ever, and these cameras provide one way of doing it. Key Topics Covered: Current Market Scenario Key Market Players Importance of 360-degree view images Key Market Trends Marketability of camera products in India Potential customers in the real estate industry who would pay for such services Read the report summary: https://www.infinitiresearch.com/thoughts/market-intelligence-study-360-degree-cameras About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. With 13 years of experience and offices across three continents, Infiniti Research has been instrumental in providing a complete range of competitive intelligence, strategy, and research services for over 550 companies across the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005779/en/ Contacts: Infiniti Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 630 333 9501 UK: +44 208 123 1770 www.infinitiresearch.com Contact Us WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Despite President Donald Trump's controversial decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said the U.S. will continue its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Tillerson, who reportedly advocated for remaining in the agreement, was asked about Trump's decision to withdraw from the accord before a meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes on Friday. 'Well, it was a policy decision and I think it's important that everyone recognize the United States has a terrific record on reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions,' Tillerson said. 'It's something I think we can be proud of and that was done in the absence of a Paris agreement.' He added, 'I don't think we're going to change our ongoing efforts to reduce those emissions in the future either, so hopefully people can keep it in perspective.' Trump announced his decision on Thursday to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate accord that seeks to reduce carbon emissions and slow the effects of climate change. In a speech from the White House, Trump said the move was made in order to fulfill his solemn duty to protect the U.S. and its citizens. Trump indicated he would begin negotiations to re-enter the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the U.S., its businesses, its people and its taxpayers. The president described the Paris climate accord as the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the U.S. to the exclusive benefit of other countries. Many in the international community have condemned Trump's decision, although members of the administration and Republican lawmakers have backed the move. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de CARLSBAD, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 2, 2017 / Collin McMullen, Pres. of Illumitry Corp. (OTC PINK: ILUM), announced that Illumitry Corp. has entered into a formal agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of PetsZX, Inc., a Wyoming Corporation. PetsZX has developed a proprietary line of pet nutritional products designed to increase the nutritional value of the pets' food and decrease the toxic by-products that result from impaired digestion. PetsZX's products will initially be sold by way of direct response/electronic retailing and social media. PetsZX plans on launching its product line by using a direct response commercial to introduce its primary product: Pet Power ZX. PetsZX's other products, Omega 3 ZX, Eye Care ZX and First Aid Spray ZX, will also be launched through direct response commercial and social media. PetsZX is currently developing line extension products that will be introduced at future dates. Mr. Jaeson Cayne, CEO of PetsZX, who is responsible for more than a billion dollars in consumer sales, stated that the company's products have been test-marketed in Germany with unbridled success. He went on to state that it is the company's intention to market its four principal products by way of direct response electronic retailing and social media. Mr. Cayne has been a "Chart Topper" (#1 infomercial) in the Jordan Whitney Green Sheet (a rating publication for the electronic retailing industry). In addition to other awards granted to Mr. Cayne, he was awarded "Talk Show Infomercial of the Year" by NIMA. The pet industry is one of the most stable growth industries. Just in the United States, there are some 85 million owned dogs and 95 million owned cats. Pets are part of the family in 65% of U.S. households. The pet industry, which has reached U.S. sales in excess of $60 billion in 2016, is a market segment that has had continuous positive growth rate. The industry is expected to grow at a rate in excess of 3.4% in 2017. The transaction between Ilumitry Corp. and the shareholders of PetsZX Inc., is expected to close within the next several weeks. Forward-Looking Statements: This press 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 Exchange Act of 1934. Although forward-looking statements in this release reflect the good faith judgment of management, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to our ability to maintain our website and associated computer systems, our ability to generate sufficient market acceptance for our products and services, our ability to generate sufficient operating cash flow, and general economic conditions. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release. Contact: W. McMullen: (214) 707-3070 SOURCE: Illumitry Corp. BURLINGTON, Massachusetts, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group (DRG), a subsidiary of India-based Piramal Enterprises Limited (Piramal), today announced that Lou Pascarella has joined the company as Executive Vice President, Global Sales. Pascarella is an accomplished, results-driven, healthcare executive who will be responsible for leading DRG's global strategic sales efforts. Prior to joining DRG, he was responsible for managing theintegrated delivery networks (IDN)business at Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson. Previously, Pascarella was responsible for Cardiovascular Life Cycle Management, which included overseeing the launch ofXareltofor eightnew indications. "Lou is a proven business executive, a great leader of people and a strategic thinker," said Jon Sandler, DRG's CEO. "He brings deep domain knowledge and industry wisdom to DRG and will help us to continue our perpetual efforts to better understand and meet the needs of our clients. I am thrilled that Lou has joined our team." Pascarellawill be responsible for creating and executing a global sales strategy, centered on meeting the evolving needs of DRG's healthcare clients with data-driven, technology enabled, healthcare Insights. He commented, "DRG is uniquely positioned to answer our clients' most challenging questions, thereby helping healthcare companies around the globe make better business decisions. DRG has valuable offerings, but it's the people that make this a special company. I'm thrilled to now be part of an organization I so often relied on in previous positions." About Decision Resources Group DRG, a subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Ltd., is the premier source for global healthcare data and market intelligence. A trusted partner for over 20 years, DRG helps companies competing in the global healthcare industry make informed business decisions. Organizations committed to the developing and delivering life-changing therapies to patients rely on DRG's in-house team of expert healthcare analysts, data scientists, and consultants for critical guidance. DRG products and services, built on extensive data assets and delivered by experts, empower organizations to succeed in complex healthcare markets. Follow DRG on Twitter @DRGInsights and on LinkedIn and keep up with the latest industry news on the DRG Blog. To learn more, visit DecisionResourcesGroup.com Media Contact: Kim Gordon +1 (781) 281-6019 kgordon@teamdrg.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/75057/decision_resources_group_logo.jpg To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/decision-resources-group-appoints-lou-pascarella-as-executive-vice-president-global-sales-300468095.html DUBLIN, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Dental Adhesives Market 2017-2021" report to their offering. The global dental adhesives market to grow at a CAGR of 5.96% during the period 2017-2021. The report, Global Dental Adhesives 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 focus on digital dental technologies in dental shows. The implementation of digital dental technology has widened the scope of dentistry. This technology has helped replace traditional dental procedures that involved the use of mechanical or electrical tools. According to the report, one driver in the market is increasing number of patient pool for dental procedures. Accessing dentistry for primary and secondary care can help identify the type of dental disease. Primary care like oral maxillofacial surgery and secondary care like the periodontal or orthodontic problems can increase the demand for diagnosis for which dental adhesives are used. Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is migration of oral health professionals. International mobility of healthcare professionals is one of the cause of concern in the field of dentistry. There has been significant migration of dental care professionals in the past few years. The shift has been occurring from developing countries to the developed countries such as the United States, Canada and the UK. Key vendors Dentsply Sirona GSK 3M Ultradent Products Other prominent vendors BISCO Dental Speed Graph DETAX Ettlingen Dental Tech Others 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 PART 07: Market segmentation by end-user PART 08: Geographical segmentation PART 09: Decision framework PART 10: Drivers and challenges PART 11: Market trends PART 12: Vendor landscape PART 13: Appendix For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/4hc3pw/global_dental Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/02/17 -- Trican Well Service Ltd. ("Trican") (TSX: TCW) and Canyon Services Group Inc. ("Canyon") (TSX: FRC) are pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the "Transaction"). Pursuant to the Transaction, Trican has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares ("Canyon Shares") of Canyon and holders ("Canyon Shareholders") of Canyon Shares received 1.70 common shares ("Trican Shares") in the capital of Trican for each Canyon Share held. The Canyon Shares are expected to be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange within approximately two days of the closing of the Transaction. Effective upon closing of the Transaction, Bradley Fedora, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canyon, has been appointed to the board of directors of Trican. In addition, David Westlund, VP Sales and Marketing and Robert Skilnick, VP and Corporate Controller as well as a number of Canyon's senior operations personnel will be joining Trican's management team. Brad, Dave and Rob are expected to strengthen an already strong Trican management team and board of directors with their wealth of industry experience, capital markets knowledge and strategic thinking. The Transaction, which was announced on March 22, 2017, was approved by Canyon Shareholders at Canyon's annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 31, 2017 and Canyon obtained a final order in respect thereof from the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta on June 1, 2017. Holders of Trican Shares approved the issuance of Trican Shares to Canyon Shareholders in connection with the Transaction at Trican's annual and special meeting held on May 31, 2017. "We are pleased with the approval of the Transaction by the shareholders of each company," said Dale Dusterhoft, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trican. "The overwhelming support by each shareholder base demonstrates the confidence in the future direction of Trican as a combined entity." "The combination of the two companies creates a Western Canadian based leading energy services firm that owns the premier asset base in Canadian pressure pumping and related services. We expect to continue Trican's and Canyon's focus on customer needs and provide best-in-class safety performance, service quality and technology that each company has become known for in the pressure pumping industry. In addition, this combination provides the opportunity to drive meaningful value to all of our stakeholders as we further our focus on cost efficiencies expected to be produced by our combined supply chain efforts and other efficiency initiatives." "We also believe the combined company provides a long-term platform for continued growth. We are encouraged by the growing demand for our services and expect to bring a significant volume of parked equipment back to work during the second half of the year. Our strong balance sheet, access to capital and attractive capital markets position is expected to provide Trican with additional opportunities to grow in the future." "I would like to thank all of the Trican and Canyon employees for their efforts during the pre-closing period. A significant amount of planning and work has been performed and we have already made significant progress on the integration plan for the two companies. I am confident that we have a solid plan that will allow for seamless service to our customers and will prepare our operations to function as one company as soon as is practical. We are excited by the prospects of the combined company and are looking forward to welcoming the Canyon employees to the Trican family." About Trican Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Trican provides a comprehensive array of specialized products, equipment and services that are used during the exploration and development of oil and gas reserves. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws and is based on the expectations, estimates and projections of management of Trican and Canyon as of the date of this news release unless otherwise stated. The use of any of the words "expect", "may", "will", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the anticipated benefits of the anticipated for post-Transaction Trican and the delisting of the Canyon Shares from the TSX. Forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Trican and Canyon, including among other things, timing for delisting of the Canyon Shares, customer demand for post-Transaction Trican's services, the availability and cost of labour and services, that future results of operations will be consistent with past performance and management expectations in relation thereto, counterparties to material agreements will continue to perform their obligations in a timely manner. Although Trican and Canyon believe that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the parties can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Since forward-looking statements and information 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. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on other factors that could affect the operations or financial results of the parties, and the combined company, are included in reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities, including but not limited to Trican's Annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Canyon's Annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016, each of which may be accessed on Trican's and Canyon's respective SEDAR profiles, at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Trican and Canyon undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Contacts: Trican Well Service Ltd. Dale Dusterhoft Chief Executive Officer (403) 266-0202 (403) 237-7716 (FAX) ddusterhoft@trican.ca Trican Well Service Ltd. Michael Baldwin Senior Vice President, Finance & CFO (403) 266-0202 (403) 237-7716 (FAX) mbaldwin@trican.ca www.tricanwellservice.com WINNIPEG, MANITOBA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/02/17 -- IGM Financial Inc. (IGM) (TSX: IGM) today reported preliminary total investment fund net new money in May of $418.6 million as shown in Table 1. Total assets under management were $149.7 billion at May 31, 2017, compared with $149.7 billion at April 30, 2017 and $135.6 billion at May 31, 2016. Investment fund assets under management were $144.2 billion at May 31, 2017, compared with $144.3 billion at April 30, 2017 and $129.8 billion at May 31, 2016. Assets under management are shown in Table 2. Table 1 - Net New Money Month ended May 31, 2017 Investors IGM ($ millions) (unaudited) Group Mackenzie Counsel Financial(1) ------------------------------------------- Mutual Funds Gross Sales $ 866.5 $ 889.9 $ 62.7 $ 1,711.6 Net New Money $ 195.4 $ 276.9 $ (8.1) $ 359.4 ETFs Net New Money $ 62.5 $ 62.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Net New Money $ 195.4 $ 336.1(2) $ (8.1) $ 418.6 (1) Excludes $107.5 million and $104.8 million respectively in Gross Sales and Net New Money of Mackenzie mutual funds by Investors Group mutual funds. (2) Excludes $3.3 million in net new money of exchange traded funds ("ETF") by Mackenzie mutual funds. (i)Mutual Fund Net New Money is defined as Gross Sales less Gross Redemptions and is consistent with the terminology used by The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC). Total Net New Money includes ETF net creations. Table 2 - Assets under Management May April May % Change % Change ($ billions) (unaudited) 2017 2017 2016 Last Month YOY -------------------------------------------- Total Assets under Management(3) $149.68 $149.69 $135.58 - 10.4 Investment Funds Assets under Management(4) $144.22 $144.29 $129.81 - 11.1 Investors Group Mutual Funds $ 84.98 $ 85.27 $ 76.90 (0.3) 10.5 Sub-advisory, institutional and other $ 0.58 $ 0.57 $ 0.44 1.8 31.8 -------------------------------------------- Total Investors Group $ 85.56 $ 85.84 $ 77.34 (0.3) 10.6 Mackenzie Mutual Funds $ 54.31 $ 54.07 $ 48.58 0.4 11.8 ETFs $ 0.51 $ 0.45 $ 0.04 13.3 N/M -------------------------------------------- Investment Funds(5) $ 54.56 $ 54.26 $ 48.62 0.6 12.2 Sub-advisory, institutional and other $ 13.44 $ 13.35 $ 12.79 0.7 5.1 -------------------------------------------- Total Mackenzie $ 68.00 $ 67.61 $ 61.41 0.6 10.7 -------------------------------------------- Counsel Mutual Funds $ 4.78 $ 4.76 $ 4.29 0.4 11.4 (3) Excludes assets managed by Mackenzie on behalf of Investors Group and Investment Planning Counsel. These assets had a value of $8.6 billion at May 31, 2017 ($8.5 billion at April 30, 2017 and $7.5 billion at May 31, 2016). (4) Excludes $106.5 million of assets at May 31, 2017 in Mackenzie mutual funds held by Investors Group mutual funds. (5) Mackenzie investment funds total assets under management exclude Mackenzie mutual fund investment in ETFs of $261.2 million as at May 31, 2017 and $256.2 million as at April 30, 2017. Preliminary average investment fund assets under management and average total assets under management for the quarter to date are set out in Table 3. Table 3 - Average Assets under Management(6) ($ billions) (unaudited) Quarter to Date --------------- Total Average Assets under Management(7) $ 149.01 Investment Funds Average Assets under Management $ 143.59 Investors Group Mutual Funds $ 84.92 Sub-advisory, institutional and other $ 0.57 --------------- Total Investors Group $ 85.49 --------------- Mackenzie Mutual Funds $ 53.77 ETFs $ 0.38 --------------- Investment Funds(8) $ 53.97 Sub-advisory, institutional and other $ 13.33 --------------- Total Mackenzie $ 67.30 --------------- Counsel Mutual Funds $ 4.74 ( 6) Based on daily average investment fund assets and month-end average institutional, sub-advisory and other assets. (7) Excludes average assets of $8.5 billion managed by Mackenzie on behalf of Investors Group and Investment Planning Counsel. (8) Mackenzie investment funds total assets under management exclude Mackenzie mutual fund investment in ETFs of $179.4 million as at May 31, 2017. IGM Financial Inc. is one of Canada's premier personal financial services companies, and one of the country's largest managers and distributors of mutual funds and other managed asset products, with over $149 billion in total assets under management. Its activities are carried out principally through Investors Group, Mackenzie Investments and Investment Planning Counsel. A MEMBER OF THE POWER FINANCIAL CORPORATION GROUP OF COMPANIES. Contacts: Media Relations: Ron Arnst 204-956-3364 ron.arnst@igmfinancial.com Investor Relations: Paul Hancock 204-956-8103 investor.relations@igmfinancial.com NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- (Marketwired) -- 06/02/17 -- Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: RA) (the "Fund") today announced the appointment of Mr. Sam Diedrich as a Co-Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Mr. Craig Noble and Mr. Larry Antonatos remain as Co-Portfolio Managers of the Fund. Mr. Diedrich has 16 years of experience and nine years of investment experience and is a Director on the Firm's Real Asset Solutions team. He focuses on building new investment capabilities and alternative investment solutions. Prior to joining the Firm in 2016, Sam spent seven years at PAAMCO, most recently as a Director and Sector Specialist, where he managed PAAMCO's macro, mortgage, and relative value exposures. He began his career as an electrical engineer at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Sam holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation as well as the Certification in Quantitative Finance. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington. The Fund's Board of Directors also declared the monthly distribution. Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. declared a monthly distribution of $0.1990 per share, payable on June 22, 2017 to stockholders of record on June 15, 2017. The ex-distribution date is June 13, 2017. Based on the NYSE closing price of $23.57 on June 1, 2017, the Fund's annualized distribution rate was 10.13%. Shares purchased on or after the ex-distribution date will not receive the distribution discussed above. Please contact your financial advisor with any questions. Distributions may include net investment income, capital gains and/or return of capital. The distribution rate referenced above is calculated as the annualized amount of the most recent monthly distribution declared divided by the stated stock price. Any portion of the Fund's distributions that is a return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income". The tax status of distributions will be determined at the end of the taxable year. Brookfield Investment Management Inc. (the "Firm") is an SEC-registered investment adviser and represents the Public Securities platform of Brookfield Asset Management. The Firm provides global listed real assets strategies including real estate equities, infrastructure equities, real asset debt and diversified real assets. With more than $14 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2017, the Firm manages separate accounts, registered funds and opportunistic strategies for institutional and individual clients, including financial institutions, public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth investors. The Firm is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management, a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $250 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2017. For more information, go to www.brookfield.com. Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. is managed by Brookfield Investment Management Inc. The Fund uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Fund is routinely posted on and accessible at www.brookfield.com. Contacts: Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. Brookfield Place 250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor New York, NY 10281-1023 (855) 777-8001 funds@brookfield.com Opdivo is the first and only Immuno-Oncology agent to receive European approval for the treatment of this type of bladder cancer Opdivo is now approved in the European Union for eight indications in six distinct tumor types Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced today that the European Commission (EC) has approved Opdivo (nivolumab) for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) in adults after failure of prior platinum-containing therapy. Today's decision makes Opdivo the first Immuno-Oncology agent approved in the European Union for the treatment of patients with this common type of bladder cancer. "Bladder cancer has an estimated 151,000 new cases diagnosed annually in Europe, yet there have been few advancements in treatment for advanced bladder cancer during the last few decades," said Prof. Dr. Margitta Retz, Director of the Division Uro-Oncology of the Department of Urology, Technical University Munich, Germany. "The European Commission's approval of nivolumab marks a significant advancement, with a notable objective response rate, and provides an important option to help patients with previously treated locally advanced unresectable or metastatic urothelial cancer." The approval was based on results from CheckMate -275, a Phase 2, open-label, single-arm, multicenter study evaluating Opdivo in patients with locally advanced or mUC who have disease progression during or following treatment with a platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. In this study, 270 patients received Opdivo 3 mg/kg administered intravenously every two weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint of the trial was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In the trial, 20.0% (95% CI: 15.4, 25.3; 54/270) of patients responded to treatment with Opdivo. The percentage of patients with a complete response was 3.0% (8/270) and the percentage of patients with a partial response was 17% (46/270). "We are pleased with the European Commission's approval of Opdivo for patients with previously treated locally advanced unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, many of whom have been in need of an additional treatment option," said Murdo Gordon, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "With this second EU approval for Opdivo in as many months, Bristol-Myers Squibb is demonstrating our commitment to help address unmet needs for cancer patients. We intend to work closely with EU health authorities to make Opdivo available for patients with this common form of bladder cancer as soon as possible." Half of the overall patient population (46%) in CheckMate -275 had a tumor PD-L1 expression of =1% and efficacy was observed across tumor PD-L1 expressors and non-expressors. The response rate was 25% in patients with tumor PD-L1 expression =1% (95% CI: 17.7, 33.6) and 15.8% (95% CI: 10.3, 22.7) in those with tumor PD-L1 expression <1%. In all treated patients, the median PFS was 2.0 months, the 12-month OS rate was 41% (95% CI: 34.8, 47.1) and the median OS was 8.6 months (95% CI: 6.1, 11.3). Among the 270 patients who received Opdivo in CheckMate -275, 17.8% experienced a grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse event (AE). The most frequently reported treatment-related AEs of any grade included fatigue (16.7%), pruritis (9.3%), diarrhea (8.9%), decreased appetite (8.1%), hypothyroidism (7.8%), nausea (7.0%), asthenia (5.9%), rash (5.9%) and pyrexia (5.6%). The most frequent treatment-related grade 3-4 AEs were fatigue (1.9%), diarrhea (1.9%), asthenia (1.5%) and rash (1.1%). Overall, 4.8% of patients discontinued therapy due to treatment-related AEs of any grade, and 3.0% discontinued therapy due to grade 3-4 treatment-related AEs. Treatment-related death occurred in four patients due to pneumonitis or cardiovascular failure. About Bladder Cancer Bladder cancer, which typically begins in the cells that line the inside of the bladder, is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Europe, with an estimated 151,000 new cases diagnosed per year and over 52,000 deaths per year. Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer, accounting for approximately 90% of cases. The majority of bladder cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, but rates of recurrence and progression are high, and approximately 78% of patients will experience a recurrence within five years. Survival rates vary depending on the stage, type of the cancer and when it is diagnosed. For Stage IV bladder cancer, the five-year survival rate is 15%. Bristol-Myers Squibb Immuno-Oncology: Advancing Oncology Research At Bristol-Myers Squibb, patients are at the center of everything we do. Our vision for the future of cancer care is focused on researching and developing transformational Immuno-Oncology (I-O) medicines for hard-to-treat cancers that could potentially improve outcomes for these patients. We are leading the scientific understanding of I-O through our extensive portfolio of investigational compounds and approved agents. Our differentiated clinical development program is studying broad patient populations across more than 50 types of cancers with 14 clinical-stage molecules designed to target different immune system pathways. Our deep expertise and innovative clinical trial designs position us to advance I-O/I-O, I-O/chemotherapy, I-O/targeted therapies and I-O/radiation therapies across multiple tumors and potentially deliver the next wave of therapies with a sense of urgency. We also continue to pioneer research that will help facilitate a deeper understanding of the role of immune biomarkers and how patients' individual tumor biology can be used as a guide for treatment decisions throughout their journey. We understand making the promise of I-O a reality for the many patients who may benefit from these therapies requires not only innovation on our part but also close collaboration with leading experts in the field. Our partnerships with academia, government, advocacy and biotech companies support our collective goal of providing new treatment options to advance the standards of clinical practice. About Opdivo Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body's own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body's own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers. Opdivo's leading global development program is based on Bristol-Myers Squibb's scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has enrolled more than 25,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression. In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 60 countries, including the United States, the European Union and Japan. In October 2015, the company's Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union. U.S. FDA-APPROVED INDICATIONS FOR OPDIVO OPDIVO (nivolumab) as a single agent is indicated for the treatment of patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on progression-free survival. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials OPDIVO (nivolumab) as a single agent is indicated for the treatment of patients with BRAF V600 wild-type unresectable or metastatic melanoma. OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on progression-free survival. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: IMMUNE-MEDIATED ADVERSE REACTIONS YERVOY can result in severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. These immune-mediated reactions may involve any organ system; however, the most common severe immune-mediated adverse reactions are enterocolitis, hepatitis, dermatitis (including toxic epidermal necrolysis), neuropathy, and endocrinopathy. The majority of these immune-mediated reactions initially manifested during treatment; however, a minority occurred weeks to months after discontinuation of YERVOY. Assess patients for signs and symptoms of enterocolitis, dermatitis, neuropathy, and endocrinopathy and evaluate clinical chemistries including liver function tests (LFTs), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level, and thyroid function tests at baseline and before each dose. Permanently discontinue YERVOY and initiate systemic high-dose corticosteroid therapy for severe immune-mediated reactions. Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. Fatal cases have been reported. Monitor patients for signs with radiographic imaging and for symptoms of pneumonitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or more severe pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 and withhold until resolution for Grade 2. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, fatal cases of immune-mediated pneumonitis have occurred. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.1% (61/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 6% (25/407) of patients. In Checkmate 205 and 039, pneumonitis, including interstitial lung disease, occurred in 6.0% (16/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 4.9% (13/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO: Grade 3 (n=1) and Grade 2 (n=12). Immune-Mediated Colitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated colitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 (of more than 5 days duration), 3, or 4 colitis. Withhold OPDIVO monotherapy for Grade 2 or 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 or recurrent colitis upon re-initiation of OPDIVO. When administered with YERVOY, withhold OPDIVO and YERVOY for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 or recurrent colitis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.9% (58/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 26% (107/407) of patients including three fatal cases. In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, severe, life-threatening, or fatal (diarrhea of =7 stools above baseline, fever, ileus, peritoneal signs; Grade 3-5) immune-mediated enterocolitis occurred in 34 (7%) patients. Across all YERVOY-treated patients in that study (n=511), 5 (1%) developed intestinal perforation, 4 (0.8%) died as a result of complications, and 26 (5%) were hospitalized for severe enterocolitis. Immune-Mediated Hepatitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Monitor patients for abnormal liver tests prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater transaminase elevations. Withhold for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 immune-mediated hepatitis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 1.8% (35/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 13% (51/407) of patients. In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, severe, life-threatening, or fatal hepatotoxicity (AST or ALT elevations >5x the ULN or total bilirubin elevations >3x the ULN; Grade 3-5) occurred in 8 (2%) patients with fatal hepatic failure in 0.2% and hospitalization in 0.4%. Immune-Mediated Neuropathies In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, 1 case of fatal Guillain-Barre syndrome and 1 case of severe (Grade 3) peripheral motor neuropathy were reported. Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis, immune-mediated adrenal insufficiency, autoimmune thyroid disorders, and Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypophysitis, signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, thyroid function prior to and periodically during treatment, and hyperglycemia. Administer hormone replacement as clinically indicated and corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater hypophysitis. Withhold for Grade 2 or 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 hypophysitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 3 or 4 adrenal insufficiency. Withhold for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 adrenal insufficiency. Administer hormone-replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. Initiate medical management for control of hyperthyroidism. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 hyperglycemia. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (12/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, hypophysitis occurred in 9% (36/407) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 1% (20/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 5% (21/407) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypothyroidism or thyroiditis resulting in hypothyroidism occurred in 9% (171/1994) of patients. Hyperthyroidism occurred in 2.7% (54/1994) of patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, hypothyroidism or thyroiditis resulting in hypothyroidism occurred in 22% (89/407) of patients. Hyperthyroidism occurred in 8% (34/407) of patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, diabetes occurred in 0.9% (17/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, diabetes occurred in 1.5% (6/407) of patients. In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, severe to life-threatening immune-mediated endocrinopathies (requiring hospitalization, urgent medical intervention, or interfering with activities of daily living; Grade 3-4) occurred in 9 (1.8%) patients. All 9 patients had hypopituitarism, and some had additional concomitant endocrinopathies such as adrenal insufficiency, hypogonadism, and hypothyroidism. 6 of the 9 patients were hospitalized for severe endocrinopathies. Immune-Mediated Nephritis and Renal Dysfunction OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Monitor patients for elevated serum creatinine prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grades 2-4 increased serum creatinine. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 or 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 increased serum creatinine. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction occurred in 1.2% (23/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction occurred in 2.2% (9/407) of patients. Immune-Mediated Skin Adverse Reactions and Dermatitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated rash, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), some cases with fatal outcome. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 3 or 4 rash. Withhold for Grade 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 rash. For symptoms or signs of SJS or TEN, withhold OPDIVO and refer the patient for specialized care for assessment and treatment; if confirmed, permanently discontinue. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated rash occurred in 9% (171/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated rash occurred in 22.6% (92/407) of patients. In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, severe, life-threatening, or fatal immune-mediated dermatitis (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or rash complicated by full thickness dermal ulceration, or necrotic, bullous, or hemorrhagic manifestations; Grade 3-5) occurred in 13 (2.5%) patients. 1 (0.2%) patient died as a result of toxic epidermal necrolysis. 1 additional patient required hospitalization for severe dermatitis. Immune-Mediated Encephalitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated encephalitis. Evaluation of patients with neurologic symptoms may include, but not be limited to, consultation with a neurologist, brain MRI, and lumbar puncture. Withhold OPDIVO in patients with new-onset moderate to severe neurologic signs or symptoms and evaluate to rule out other causes. If other etiologies are ruled out, administer corticosteroids and permanently discontinue OPDIVO for immune-mediated encephalitis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, encephalitis occurred in 0.2% (3/1994) of patients. Fatal limbic encephalitis occurred in one patient after 7.2 months of exposure despite discontinuation of OPDIVO and administration of corticosteroids. Encephalitis occurred in one patient receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (0.2%) after 1.7 months of exposure. Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions Based on the severity of adverse reaction, permanently discontinue or withhold treatment, administer high-dose corticosteroids, and, if appropriate, initiate hormone-replacement therapy. Across clinical trials of OPDIVO the following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in <1.0% of patients receiving OPDIVO: uveitis, iritis, pancreatitis, facial and abducens nerve paresis, demyelination, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune neuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, hypopituitarism, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, gastritis, duodenitis, sarcoidosis, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), myositis, myocarditis, rhabdomyolysis, motor dysfunction, vasculitis, and myasthenic syndrome. Infusion Reactions OPDIVO can cause severe infusion reactions, which have been reported in<1.0% of patients in clinical trials. Discontinue OPDIVO in patients with Grade 3 or 4 infusion reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion in patients with Grade 1 or 2. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, infusion-related reactions occurred in 6.4% (127/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, infusion-related reactions occurred in 2.5% (10/407) of patients. Complications of Allogeneic HSCT after OPDIVO Complications, including fatal events, occurred in patients who received allogeneic HSCT after OPDIVO. Outcomes were evaluated in 17 patients from Checkmate 205 and 039, who underwent allogeneic HSCT after discontinuing OPDIVO (15 with reduced-intensity conditioning, 2 with myeloablative conditioning). Thirty-five percent (6/17) of patients died from complications of allogeneic HSCT after OPDIVO. Five deaths occurred in the setting of severe or refractory GVHD. Grade 3 or higher acute GVHD was reported in 29% (5/17) of patients. Hyperacute GVHD was reported in 20% (n=2) of patients. A steroid-requiring febrile syndrome, without an identified infectious cause, was reported in 35% (n=6) of patients. Two cases of encephalitis were reported: Grade 3 (n=1) lymphocytic encephalitis without an identified infectious cause, and Grade 3 (n=1) suspected viral encephalitis. Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) occurred in one patient, who received reduced-intensity conditioned allogeneic HSCT and died of GVHD and multi-organ failure. Other cases of hepatic VOD after reduced-intensity conditioned allogeneic HSCT have also been reported in patients with lymphoma who received a PD-1 receptor blocking antibody before transplantation. Cases of fatal hyperacute GVHD have also been reported. These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between PD-1 blockade and allogeneic HSCT. Follow patients closely for early evidence of transplant-related complications such as hyperacute GVHD, severe (Grade 3 to 4) acute GVHD, steroid-requiring febrile syndrome, hepatic VOD, and other immune-mediated adverse reactions, and intervene promptly. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on their mechanisms of action, OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with an OPDIVO- or YERVOY- containing regimen and for at least 5 months after the last dose of OPDIVO. Lactation It is not known whether OPDIVO or YERVOY is present in human milk. Because many drugs, including antibodies, are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from an OPDIVO-containing regimen, advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment. Advise women to discontinue nursing during treatment with YERVOY and for 3 months following the final dose. Serious Adverse Reactions In Checkmate 037, serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=268). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients receiving OPDIVO The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse drug reactions reported in 2% to <5% of patients receiving OPDIVO were abdominal pain, hyponatremia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased lipase. In Checkmate 066, serious adverse reactions occurred in 36% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=206). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were gamma-glutamyltransferase increase (3.9%) and diarrhea (3.4%). In Checkmate 067, serious adverse reactions (73% and 37%), adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation (43% and 14%) or to dosing delays (55% and 28%), and Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (72% and 44%) all occurred more frequently in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) relative to the OPDIVO arm (n=313). The most frequent (=10%) serious adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm and the OPDIVO arm, respectively, were diarrhea (13% and 2.6%), colitis (10% and 1.6%), and pyrexia (10% and 0.6%). In Checkmate 017 and 057, serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, dyspnea, pyrexia, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and respiratory failure. In Checkmate 025, serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients were acute kidney injury, pleural effusion, pneumonia, diarrhea, and hypercalcemia. In Checkmate 205 and 039, adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 7% and dose delays due to adverse reactions occurred in 34% of patients (n=266). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 26% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =1% of patients were pneumonia, infusion-related reaction, pyrexia, colitis or diarrhea, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and rash. Eleven patients died from causes other than disease progression: 3 from adverse reactions within 30 days of the last OPDIVO dose, 2 from infection 8 to 9 months after completing OPDIVO, and 6 from complications of allogeneic HSCT. In Checkmate 141, serious adverse reactions occurred in 49% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, dyspnea, respiratory failure, respiratory tract infection, and sepsis. In Checkmate 275, serious adverse reactions occurred in 54% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were urinary tract infection, sepsis, diarrhea, small intestine obstruction, and general physical health deterioration. Common Adverse Reactions In Checkmate 037, the most common adverse reaction (=20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=268) was rash (21%). In Checkmate 066, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=206) vs dacarbazine (n=205) were fatigue (49% vs 39%), musculoskeletal pain (32% vs 25%), rash (28% vs 12%), and pruritus (23% vs 12%). In Checkmate 067, the most common (=20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) were fatigue (59%), rash (53%), diarrhea (52%), nausea (40%), pyrexia (37%), vomiting (28%), and dyspnea (20%). The most common (=20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO (n=313) arm were fatigue (53%), rash (40%), diarrhea (31%), and nausea (28%). In Checkmate 017 and 057, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418) were fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, cough, dyspnea, and decreased appetite. In Checkmate 025, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406) vs everolimus (n=397) were asthenic conditions (56% vs 57%), cough (34% vs 38%), nausea (28% vs 29%), rash (28% vs 36%), dyspnea (27% vs 31%), diarrhea (25% vs 32%), constipation (23% vs 18%), decreased appetite (23% vs 30%), back pain (21% vs 16%), and arthralgia (20% vs 14%). In Checkmate 205 and 039, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=266) were upper respiratory tract infection (44%), fatigue (39%), cough (36%), diarrhea (33%), pyrexia (29%), musculoskeletal pain (26%), rash (24%), nausea (20%) and pruritus (20%). In Checkmate 141, the most common adverse reactions (=10%) in patients receiving OPDIVO were cough and dyspnea at a higher incidence than investigator's choice. In Checkmate 275, the most common adverse reactions (= 20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270) were fatigue (46%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), nausea (22%), and decreased appetite (22%). In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, the most common adverse reactions (=5%) in patients who received YERVOY at 3 mg/kg were fatigue (41%), diarrhea (32%), pruritus (31%), rash (29%), and colitis (8%). Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY, including Boxed WARNING regarding immune-mediated adverse reactions for YERVOY. About the Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Collaboration In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Ono), Bristol-Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ono further expanded the companies' strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies as single agents and combination regimens for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. About Bristol-Myers Squibb Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005872/en/ Contacts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Media: Audrey Abernathy, 919-605-4521 audrey.abernathy@bms.com or Investors: Tim Power, 609-252-7509 timothy.power@bms.com or Bill Szablewski, 609-252-5894 william.szablewski@bms.com PHOENIX, ARIZONA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/02/17 -- EPCOR Water (USA) Inc. (EPCOR USA), a wholly owned subsidiary of EPCOR Utilities Inc. (EPCOR), today announced that it has acquired Hughes Gas Resources Inc. (Hughes). The acquisition of Hughes adds natural gas services to EPCOR USA's business platform and expands the company's Texas-based operations. "Acquiring Hughes fits well with our growth strategy and our desire to grow and diversify our U.S. business platform," said Joe Gysel, President of EPCOR USA. "We are excited to bring natural gas into our U.S. operations and to expand our footprint in the state of Texas, and we look forward to delivering the high-quality service EPCOR is known for to our newest customers." Hughes is located in Pinehurst, Texas, north of the Houston metropolitan area. EPCOR USA acquired 100 percent of the stock in Hughes and its subsidiaries. Hughes' regulated operations include natural gas utility service to approximately 4,300 connections and wholesale natural gas transmission services to local distribution utilities. Hughes is EPCOR USA's ninth acquisition since entering the United States in 2011. "It has been a pleasure and an honor to develop Hughes into the business it is today and to provide natural gas service to the people and businesses in our area," said Frank Hicks, President of Hughes. "EPCOR has the same core values of providing service that is safe and reliable and they are committed to continuing the Hughes tradition of delivering these values to our customers, employees, and community." Commenting on EPCOR USA's entry into the natural gas market, Gysel noted, "EPCOR has deep experience in utility system development and operations. Leveraging this expertise for our U.S. business platform is a natural next step and follows EPCOR's pending entry into Ontario, Canada's natural gas market as announced last year." EPCOR's North American footprint includes 125 years of expertise in utility operations, distribution and transmission, delivering power and water service to more than 1.9 million people in 100 communities. In November 2016 the company announced the expansion of its business with an agreement to acquire a natural gas distribution utility in Ontario, Canada, which is anticipated to be completed later this year. Hughes is the company's first natural gas acquisition in the United States. Today, EPCOR USA is among the largest private water utilities in the Southwest. In addition to natural gas operations in Texas, through its subsidiaries, EPCOR USA delivers regulated water and wastewater service to more than 350,000 people in Arizona and New Mexico and delivers wholesale water services to municipalities in the Austin metropolitan area. Forward-looking information Certain information in this news release is forward-looking within the meaning of Canadian securities laws as it relates to anticipated financial performance, events or strategies. When used in this context, words such as "will", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "intend", "target" and "expect" or similar words suggest future outcomes. The purpose of forward-looking information is to provide investors with management's assessment of future plans and possible outcomes and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward looking information in this news release includes, or is related to, but is not limited to expectations regarding the completion of an acquisition of a natural gas utility in Ontario and the timing thereof. These statements involve certain assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the company's assessment of government and regulatory environments in which it operates. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as actual results could differ materially from the plans, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this media release and, except as required by law, EPCOR disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason. About EPCOR USA EPCOR USA is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of EPCOR Utilities Inc. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, EPCOR USA's wholly owned subsidiaries build, own and operate water, wastewater and natural gas facilities and infrastructure in the southwestern United States. About EPCOR Utilities Inc. EPCOR, through its subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical transmission and distribution networks, and water and wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure in Canada and the United States. The company also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, is an Alberta Top 70 employer. EPCOR's website address is www.epcor.com. Contacts: Rebecca Stenholm Director, Public & Government Affairs EPCOR Water USA O 623.445.2424 C 602.390.5662 rstenholm@epcor.com NEW YORK, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Turkish Society honored Nevzat Aydin, co-founder and CEO of Yemeksepeti, and Dr. Tamer Seckin, founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, at their 2017 Gala on Wednesday, May 31 at 583 Park Avenue in New York. Both honorees received The American Turkish Society's Philanthropy Award for their significant contributions and moral commitment to improving the lives of so many in the United States and Turkey. The award was presented by Dr. Mehmet Oz of The Dr. Oz Show. After observing a moment of silence for the 13 soldiers killed in a helicopter accident in Azirnak, Turkey that day, Murat Koprulu, Chair of The American Turkish Society gave opening remarks, focusing on the importance of immigrants in US society. ATS Vice Chair, Larry Kaye read an enthusiastic letter of support from Governor Cuomo. Dr. Mehmet Oz, introduced both honorees and emphasized their cutting-edge innovations in technology and medicine. Nevzat Aydin, in his acceptance speech, encouraged the young guests to follow their passion and to build strong teams to help them accomplish their goals. Dr. Tamer Seckin spoke passionately about the Endometriosis Foundation's goal of bringing women's medical issues into public awareness so medical advancements are valued and supported. The Gala hosted more than 350 guests including dignitaries from both the public and private industry. The American Turkish Society also launched the Annual Young Society Leaders (YSL) Awards, a program that recognizes Young Society Leaders who have contributed to ATS's mission. The YSL group consists of a diverse and powerful network of young business leaders who focus on making an impact on issues that are critical to building ties between the US and Turkey. This year's awardees were Asli Ay, managing partner at US Policy Metrics and Deniz Beyazit, assistant curator of Islamic Art at The Metropolitan Museum. Founded in 1949, The American Turkish Society is the oldest, independent organization in the world dedicated to building bridges between the United States and Turkey. The American Turkish Society's mission is to enhance business, economic, and cultural ties between Turkey and the United States. The Society fosters understanding and cooperation between the countries through education, cultural exchange, philanthropy, humanitarian efforts and networking; presents and supports programs highlighting Turkish arts and culture; and nurtures the next generation of leaders through its Young Society Leaders program. Over 350 guests from the public and private sectors, including diplomats, leading business executives, artists, scholars and thought leaders from Turkey and the United States will support this year's Gala and all proceeds will support the non-profit's many programs in the areas of education, arts, culture, and business. For more on the American Turkish Society, please visit www.americanturkishsociety.org SAN DIMAS, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 06/02/17 -- Following an entitlement process that took more than three years, Saddle Creek 28 Group, a subsidiary of Brandywine Homes, has acquired a 10-acre site entitled for 28 single-family homes in San Dimas, Calif. Saddle Creek is scheduled to break ground later this year. "Saddle Creek is the first significant new-home neighborhood to be approved by the City of San Dimas in years," said Dave Barisic, principal in charge of sales and marketing for Brandywine Homes, a pioneer of infill development in Southern California. "We hope to bring back families who have moved out of the area because of the lack of new housing opportunities in the San Gabriel Valley." The detached, single-family, one- and two-story homes at Saddle Creek will range from approximately 2,700 to 3,700 square feet and feature designer finishes, gourmet kitchens and master suites. "Finding a home in this area with lot sizes from 7,500 to 13,100 is practically unheard of," Barisic said. "The homes will feature a 12-foot-wide side yard that can accommodate an RV or a large boat, which you don't see in new homes these days." Located in eastern San Gabriel Valley and surrounded by the scenic San Gabriel Mountains, San Dimas is a tight-knit community with excellent parks and recreational facilities and public schools. Claremont Colleges, Cal Poly Pomona and the University of La Verne are nearby, and Los Angeles is a 30-minute drive. According to the National Association of Home Builders' formula to determine the local impact of single-family housing in typical metro areas, adding 28 single-family homes will generate $8 million in local income, $1 million in taxes and other revenue for local governments and 110 local jobs. About Brandywine Homes Brandywine Homes is a residential homebuilder based in Irvine, Calif., with over two decades of experience in developing challenging infill sites, revitalizing some of Southern California's oldest and most established neighborhoods. Founded in 1994, the family-owned and operated company has built or developed almost 60 small- and mid-sized infill communities totaling $1.1 billion in revenues. The company builds homes that respect and complement the heritage, values and architectural integrity of existing neighborhoods and the people who live there - making a positive contribution to the community. www.brandywine-homes.com. Social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Brandywine Blog. To learn more about Saddle Creek or to join the Interest List, please visit http://www.brandywine-homes.com/neighborhoods/saddle-creek/ Media Contacts: Anton Communications Vanessa Showalter vshowalter@antonpr.com Genevieve Anton ganton@antonpr.com NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 2, 2017 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against KBR, Inc. ("KBR" or the "Company") (NYSE: KBR) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, and docketed under 17-cv-01375, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired KBR securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants' violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you are a shareholder who purchased KBR securities between February 26, 2016 and April 27, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until July 3, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased. [Click here to join this class action] KBR provides professional services and technologies across the asset and program life-cycle within the government services and hydrocarbons industries worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Government Services, Technology & Consulting, and Engineering & Construction. Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Company's United Kingdom ("UK") subsidiaries had violated applicable bribery and corruption laws; and (ii) as a result of the foregoing, KBR's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On April 28, 2017, the United Kingdom's Serious Fraud Office confirmed that it had opened an investigation into "the activities of KBR's UK subsidiaries, their officers, employees and agents for suspected offences of bribery and corruption." On this news, KBR's share price fell $1.43, or 9.24%, to close at $14.05 on April 28, 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 SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP Greenlight Financial Technology, Inc., an Atlanta, GA-based creator of a smart debit card for kids, raised $7.5m in seed funding. The round was led by Relay Ventures with participation from Social Capital, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and TTV Capital. In conjunction with the funding, Alex Baker, Partner at Relay Ventures, joined Greenlights Board of Directors. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth, expand the team and hire for several positions in engineering, marketing and customer service. Founded in 2014 by Tim Sheehan, CEO, Greenlight Financial Technology provides a Greenlight, a debit card for kids with patent-pending technology that lets parents pick the exact stores where their children can spend. The Greenlight Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by MasterCard International. The company, which came out of Georgia Techs incubator, Advanced Technology Development Center, has already reached 10,000th paying customers following its January 2017 launch and is on track to process over 1,000,000 transactions this year. FinSMEs 02/06/2017 New Delhi: Should the government retain a minority stake in Air India to preserve the national carrier tag, even after it agrees on the modalities to sell off this loss-making airline? If retaining a minority stake would be the consensus among the wise men in New Delhi tasked with Air Indias future, it would indeed be a travesty. The national carrier tag was important in the decades when India was a closed economy, when Air India was the sole airline operating on the domestic as well as on international skies and when it was thought to represent Indian hospitality. But today, when private airlines own a majority of the domestic market by passengers and when overseas routes too are no longer a monopoly of the Maharaja, what sense does it make for the government to retain any control whatsoever in Air India? The airline needs to be handed over in entirety to a private bidder, as and when the selloff process begins. Not only will this intent of complete exit provide assurance about governments sincerity regarding the selloff, it would also signal complete freedom for the new owner to take critical decisions even with a minority equity share, the government may otherwise well interfere in decision making. Speaking at an interaction with media today, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya said that though his organisation has already given its recommendations on Air India selloff, the government has to take a call on several crucial aspects of the proposed sale: 1) Whether the airline should be sold off at all 2) If the decision is in favour of a selloff, then should the universe of buyers include foreign buyers or should the sale be restricted to Indians? 3) Should the government retain some stake in the airline to retain its national carrier tag 4) Should the entire Rs 52,000 crore debt on Air Indias books be written off or should only a part of this be written off by the government. Panagariya said that Nitis recommendations have been submitted to the Prime Ministers Office, and now the PMO along with the Ministry of Civil Aviation will have to take a call on the selloff. While declining to divulge details of his recommendations on Air India disinvestment, Panagariya was quite clear that the current debt on the airlines books was very very large and selling it with this (debt) will be very very difficult. Even if the sale were to be open to both, domestic and foreign buyers, will the government write off the entire debt or only a part of it that decision needs to be taken. An official close to developments had told Firstpost earlier that it is possible to break up Air India into two distinct parts: 1) The airline itself with aircraft and related assets and 2) Air Indias subsidiaries and the real estate. This official had said that the sensible way to get maximum value in any selloff would be to offload just the airline to a prospective buyer. The government could then simultaneously dispose off the subsidiaries and real estate for a total consideration of close to Rs 20,000-21,000 crore. In fact, an inter-ministerial group has already begun deliberations in the second part, specifically on monetising land assets. The same person had further said All this is known to people involved in the selloff process. Now, the ball is in DIPAMs (Department of Investment and Public Asset Management) court. Once DIPAM accepts the proposal drafted by Niti Aayog, things will move forward. DIPAM will take the proposal to the Cabinet Committee on Disinvestment. If this committee approves the proposal, then ads will be put out for transaction advisors and valuers. DIPAM is expected to form several committees to examine and fine tune the selloff process, comprising top officials of the ministry of civil aviation, Air India, Finance Ministry and DIPAM itself - the entire selloff process of Air India could take at least 8-12 months. As for the airline, any prospective buyer must agree to bear about Rs 20,000 crore of aircraft loans and another Rs 6,000-7,000 crore of working capital loans. The current market value of aircraft is higher than the loans. And of the Rs 30,000 crore total working capital loans, the bidder may be asked to take on only Rs 6,000-7,000 crore. In return, the buyer gets a fleet of 43 owned aircraft, valuable domestic and international slots (for which buyers are usually willing to pay a premium), parking bays etc, the person quoted earlier had said. The government has already pumped in over Rs 25,000 crore into Air India under a Turnaround Plan approved by the UPA government in 2012. And it is committed to pump in another Rs 25,000 crore by 2032 something it now thinks is a waste of resources. 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, a senior official in the ministry of civil aviation said. So will a foreign investor (or a foreign airline) be allowed to participate in the Air India selloff process? Both, Civil Aviation Minister A Gajapathi Raju and his deputy Jayant Sinha have 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 last month. 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? If the government wants the selloff process to be successful, it must be flexible. Raipur: Chief Minister Raman Singh today invited Japanese industrialists and investors to Chhattisgarh during his Japan visit to attract foreign investments. "While addressing an Investors' Conference organised by CII at Osaka, Singh invited the Japanese industrialists and investors to look at Chhattisgarh for making large-scale investments," an official release said. For the economic and industrial development of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clarion call of Make in India for investors within the country and abroad. The Japanese industrialists and investors should become part of this campaign and visit India. They should also set up their ventures in Chhattisgarh, the release quoted CM as saying. The cultural ties between India and Japan go back to thousands of years and Buddhism is its a biggest example, Singh said. Chhattisgarh is coined as Rice Bowl of India and similarly, Osaka is recognised as the main centre of rice trade in Japan where it is known as 'Kitchen of Japan', he said. "Chhattisgarh was founded in 2000 and it is a young state with full of energy and a lot of potential. It is creating its own identity of a rapid developing state in the country," he said. Briefing about the several other aspects of the state, the CM said his state is heaven in India as far as natural resources is concerned. "The combination of mineral resources, abundant water, skilled human resources and fertile land has contributed to growth of the state where core sector industries like steel, cement, aluminium and electricity plants have achieved a huge success. "Now the focus is on non-core fields- IT, electronics, solar energy and automobiles," he asserted. According to World Bank report Chhattisgarh is among the top five states in 'Ease of Doing Business' category since the past two years, he said. Members of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Japan and representatives of Japan-based Industries organisations were also present in the conference, it added. St Petersburg - India and Russia on Thursday concluded a much-awaited pact for setting up the last two units of the Kundankulam nuclear power plant with Moscow's help in Tamil Nadu after overcoming initial hurdles to finalise the strategic deal. The General Framework Agreement (GFA) and Credit protocol for Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam nuclear plant are seen as a major outcome of the annual summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We welcome the conclusion of the the General Framework Agreement and Credit protocol for Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power plant," said a vision document issued after the Modi-Putin talks. The reactors will be built by India's Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Russia's Atomstroyexport company, a subsidiary of Rosatom, the regulatory body of the Russian nuclear complex. Each of the two units will have a capacity to produce 1,000 MW of power. The document titled 'A vision for the 21st Century' said economies of India and Russia complement each other in the energy sector and both countries will strive to build an "energy bridge". It said the future of Indian-Russian cooperation holds great promise across a wide spectrum covering nuclear power, nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear science and technology. "We will strive to build an 'energy bridge' between our states and expand bilateral relations in all areas of energy cooperation, including nuclear, hydrocarbon, hydel and renewable energy sources and in improving energy efficiency," it said. The growing partnership in the nuclear power sector between India and Russia has opened opportunities for developing advanced nuclear manufacturing capabilities in India in line with India's "Make In India" initiative, the declaration said. India and Russia commit themselves to earnestly implement the "Programme of Action for Localisation in India" signed on December 24, 2015, and to encourage their nuclear industries to engage closely and foster concrete collaborations, it said. The current nuclear power generation capacity of all 22 nuclear power reactors is 6780 MW. In October 2015, a joint statement between Modi and Putin promised the signing of a GFA on the nuclear units by December 2016. After an inter-ministerial group cleared the project, it was sent to the Prime Minister's Office for approval. But, sources said, the Credit Protocol, or a line of credit that Russia was to provide, proved to be a hurdle. The two countries also said that there has been a "steady and demonstrable" achievements in bilateral civil nuclear partnership, including advancing nuclear power projects at the Kudankulum site and transforming it into one of India's largest energy hubs. "Cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy has emerged as one of the hallmarks of the strategic partnership between the two countries, contributing to India's energy security and energising broader scientific and technological cooperation," as per the document. New Delhi: IT services major Infosys on Friday said it will hire 20,000 people this year as against only 400 people being asked to leave on performance grounds and termed reports of large-scale job losses as "overstated". Infosys COO UB Pravin Rao said the technology-driven transformation presents new opportunities for companies like Infosys. "With respect to all the talks of layoffs, it's regular performance based things that we do every year. The number is really 300-400, which is consistent with what we have seen every year," Rao told reporters after a 30-minute meeting with IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. He said the country's second largest software exporter is "creating more jobs, adding more people and letting go of only minuscule number of people, purely from performance related perspective". Rao met the minister along with Infosys co-Chairman Ravi Venkatesan. He declined however to comment on views of Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy that jobs can be protected if the senior executives of companies take salary cuts and invest in employee re-skilling. Prasad also asserted that IT companies like Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys continue to hire in large numbers. "TCS has written that they have employed 2.5 lakh people in last 3 years and this year they are going to employ 20,000 more...all this talk of sluggishness is unwarranted," he said. The comments come at a time when there have been reports of layoffs across the IT sector. Tech majors like Wipro, Infosys, Cognizant and Tech Mahindra have initiated annual performance reviews, a process that weeds out bottom performers or non-performers. This has compounded fears that thousands of employees in the sector could be shown the door over the next few weeks. The IT sector is already battling challenges in the business environment and stricter work permit regime in countries like the US, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Various employee unions have approached labour commissioners and state governments to intervene in the matter. "I think all the news about job losses are overstated. Infosys itself last year recruited over 20,000 people and this year again, we are likely to repeat similar numbers," Rao said. He added that in the first half of the year, the company will recruit over 10,000 people. NR Narayana Murthy has a solution of sorts for saving IT sector jobs - top management make adjustments in salary. That is a euphemistic way of saying take salary cuts. At the outset, it may seem a logical suggestion. But a closer examination of the way the services sector functions will prove that it is a little too far-fetched. The mass layoffs in the IT sector, news of which the major companies and even the government have denied, are happening due to the increasing automation, use of artificial Intelligence and robotics. "I have a feeling that it is possible for us to protect the jobs of youngsters if the senior management people were to make some minor adjustments - adjustment of taking salary cuts," Murthy had told news channel ET Now on Thursday. In the interview, Murthy also reportedly said that industry leaders should identify new areas of opportunity and mount training programmes to train youngsters, give them enough opportunities to pick up technologies. They would also ask them [youngsters] to work hard and ensure they are in a position to add value to the company in next one year, and if they failed they could look out for another job, he said. One thing is sure. His ideas are based on his concept of compassionate capitalism. In an earlier interview with Moneycontrol, Murthy said employees should be the last ones to suffer and that is what compassionate capitalism is all about. "In the interest of enhancing confidence in capitalism, we, the leaders of capitalism, must embrace compassionate capitalism. That is capitalism in the mind and socialism at heart or, capitalism based on fairness, transparency and accountability," he said. According to Amit Nandkeolyar, assistant professor of organisational behavior, Indian School of Business, the industry is going through a churn because of new technology and also issues relating to local labour in countries where companies have projects to execute. Nandkeolyar accepts Murthy's solution to train the staff is something that the sector has conceded to and taken up as well. "But when jobs gets gets phased out or when there are new challenges that middle management and lower rung people are not equipped or unwilling to face is not the top management't fault. It is a reality the people working in the IT sector have to realise, accept and adapt, he said. Compassionate capitalism, says Nandkeolyar, is a term coined by Murthy which he thinks sounds nice but is not practical. For starters, technology has changed and consequently employees being asked to leave is not the top management's responsibility. What do you do? You have to accept the truth, train whom you can and let go of those people who are going to affect the bottomlines because they are not equipped for the job, says Nandkeolyar. When Murthy asks top management to take salary cuts, he is also sending a signal to them that they have to bear personal losses when the company does not well. A job is never for life, unless one is working for the government. Mass layoffs in the sector is alarming but it is something the sector cannot help either given the multiple challenges it faces from its clients abroad and the lack of trained talent for new job roles on account of rapidly changing technology. Kamal Karanth, former MD, Kelly Services, a human resources solutions company, concurs that Murthy's brand of capitalism can be a good discussion point to have but that is not how the real world of business functions. In a world where the shareholders are expecting a high bottom line or an industry leading bottom line that Infosys had in the past, you need the top guy to stretch out and earn," he says. It is not right to compare Murthy, who had taken Re 1 salary in 2013 when the company was going through a rough patch, and the current senior management. Kris Laxmikanth, chairman and managing director, The Head Hunters India, Bengaluru, and visiting faculty, Institute of Management, Ranchi points out that Murthy is comparing founders and professionals and that does not match. As a founder, co-founder, Murthy has stock options while a professional only gets his salary. When the market conditions are not right, the CEOs salary takes a hit like it did with Vishal Sikka, present CEO of Infosys, he says. He points out that for Sikka, 50 percent of his salary is linked to variables. Sikkas salary in FY17 declined 40 percent. He will get only $0.82 million of the $3 million of target variable pay and $2.86 million of the targeted $5 million in restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock options, the TOI reported. Nandkeolyar says that freshers have to be inducted into the IT sector so that new viewpoints and approaches to projects and solutions can help companies achieve targets quicker. Every time a companys results go south, asking top management to take a cut is just not the solution, he points out. Murthys contribution to Infosys and the IT sector is phenomenal. Observers of the corporate sector say that Murthys statement of Infosyss functioning is tantamount to meddling with its affairs. This is unlike in the West where the most successful CEOs and founders have quit and not looked over their shoulder at what their successors have done. Case in point: Bill Gates, Founder and CEO, Microsoft. Or even Samuel J Palmisano who served as CEO for around 9 years at IBM. I feel founders and those who have been associated at the board level in organisations should discipline themselves to leave without looking back when they have finished their tenure. That is what Bill Gates, who co-founded Microsoft and served as Chairman and CEO did, and also Samuel J Palmisano who served as CEO for around 9 years at IBM. Closer home, K V Kamath, who was Chairman and MD at ICICI Bank for over a decade, moved on to other positions and allowed his successor to flourish and has not commented on any decisions, said Kavil Ramachandran, executive director of the Thomas Schmidheiny Centre for Family Enterprise at Indian School of Business to Firstpost earlier. New Delhi: The government believes that a heated debate over jobless growth in India, one of the worlds fastest growing economies with a dismal record of job creation - is misplaced in the absence of credible data. For some time now, various senior government functionaries have tried to turn the narrative from jobless growth to data paucity, to underline the point that in the absence of real data, such a claim cannot be meaningful. Never mind the disastrous anecdotal fallout of the demonetisation exercise in the informal sector or the numbers being churned out each quarter by the governments own Labour Bureau which also show a steep decline in job creation. The NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Arvind Panagariya, today not only re-emphasised the lack of credible data to debunk the jobless growth theories, he also sought to dismiss fears of large scale future job losses in the IT sector. Even future job losses due to increasing automation were dismissed by him as he wryly observed that the world was in the grip of robophobia when commercial applications of automation and the cost of replacing humans with robots were still being studied.! I have seen statements from Nasscom which say that in the last three years, the Indian IT sector has in fact added six lakh jobs. And Nasscom estimates that 25-30 lakh new jobs will be created in the next eight years. Fears of automation eating up jobs are exaggerated, Panagariya said. His solution is to devise policies which encourage labour intensive industries to grow across the country. Look at self driven cars. Though they have been around for 7-8 years, no country has fully adopted these...commercial application of automation will take long. We have 10-15 years with us in which to develop more and more labour intensive industries to tackle the jobs issue. Panagariya also said that to tackle the paucity of reliable jobs data, the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) has already begun collecting data for the first ever annual household employment survey. This survey will measure rural plus urban employment per household across the country on an annual basis besides also generating data on quarterly urban employment. Anywhere between 10-15 lakh youth enter the workforce in India every month. Earlier too, NITI has rubbished claims of India powering ahead jobless, saying unemployment rate has been constant between 5-8 percent under the strictest definition of the term. And in its three-year draft action agenda released recently, NITI has shifted gears, talking of under-employment, low productivity and low wages, instead of suggesting ways to generate more employment. Besides, NITI itself used old data to make assertions against the jobless growth charge in its draft action agenda. It quotes figures for unemployment from the six year old NSSO survey of 2011-12 and for services sector, it goes back further by a decade using the 2006-07 NSSO survey of service firms to point out that those who are already employed are under-paid as they are engaged in low productivity jobs. As per the Labour Bureau data, in the nine months till December 2016, only 2.31 lakh new jobs were created across eight labour intensive sectors. This averages to 0.26 lakh new jobs a month (against at least 10 lakh needed), not even a 1000 jobs a day, or just about 840 new jobs on an average each day of the nine months under review. And 1.32 lakh new jobs were added in the October-December period of 2016, far more than the 32,000 added in the immediate previous quarter and 77,000 in the April-June quarter of 2016. As per the Bureaus previous surveys, no new jobs were created but there was actually a decline of 20,000 jobs in the December quarter of 2015. The September quarter of the same year had added 1.34 lakh new jobs across the same eight sectors and was still the slowest quarter in the previous six years (barring 2012 where quarter wise data was not available). So total number of new jobs created across the eight sectors between January-December 2015 stood at just 1.35 lakh, making this the slowest pace of new jobs being created since 2009. Talking about the inadequacy of employment data today, Panagariya went on to say that: 1) The quarterly survey of Labour Bureau only tracks firms which employ 10 or more workers across just eight sectors which means it tracks only about three crore workers when just the agriculture sector in India employs about 47 crore workers. Inference: this set of data is not adequate to make country wide predictions 2) This survey was even less useful earlier, since till December 2015 it only tracked employment across 11 states 3) It is a non-random survey, which means there are serious problems with its multipliers. It should be a random survey All of these anomalies should get addressed with the just-launched NSSO survey, Panagariya said. Meanwhile, in the draft action agenda, NITI has suggested enhancing Indian manufacturing to globally competitive levels so that India gets a larger share of the global export basket, ahead of competitors like China and therefore also gets the jobs going Chinas way. It says companies that create 10,000 jobs within three years of setting up should be given a corporate tax holiday for five years. More importantly, the plan also says we need to improve on product quality in, say, merchandise to be able to wrench a larger share of the global merchandise export basket, pushing China back. India needs a comprehensive strategy for fostering large, labour intensive export firms to take advantage of the export market and improve the quality of jobs. Other suggestions include setting up coastal employment zones like China and faster labour reforms. Some labour intensive sectors have been dealt with in detail by NITI, with specific suggestions on how to raise productivity, create more jobs and enable workers to earn more. Indias poor track record in the apparel exports area has come in for criticism, with NITI suggesting that India should seize the opportunity provided by rising wages in competing apparel exporting countries to get a larger share of the global export pie. Another important suggestion by NITI is extending fixed-term employment to all sectors. Currently, fixed-term employment had been announced by the government in apparel manufacturing only, as part of the Rs 6,000-crore textile package announced last year. Ali Fazal, who entered Bollywood with a small cameo as the engineering student Joy Lobo in Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots (2009), has come a long way. He will next be seen in his first international lead-role film, Victoria & Abdul opposite Academy award winning actor Judi Dench. Victoria & Abdul is the extraordinary story of a supposed liaison between Queen Victoria and her Indian servant Abdul Karim. This controversial relationship between the British monarch and the Indian servant was well-kept secret until the diary of Karim was found. This film is based on the book by author Shrabani Basu. Fazal, during the time the film was in process, in an interview with The Indian Express had said that he was really lucky to have got the opportunity to be a part of the film. I got a chance to work with so many stalwarts from British cinema. Judi Dench, of course, who is a legend. Then there was my director Stephen Frears. He is the man who made some of British cinemas salient trendsetters. I love My Beautiful Laundrette and Dangerous Liaisons," said the actor. Speaking to media persons during the trailer launch, Fazal also explained how he got the part: "It was a proper process. A lady, whose name I cant take, but I owe it to her. She told me about the auditions. Then I called Nandini, the casting director. The process started. One day, I got a call that they have liked me and would want to meet me. It was a long list of names out of which I was selected and I feel really nice about it. There were some of my colleagues, those who I really respect, and to have been picked over them means something." Fazal also spoke to the media regarding his experience working with the legendary actress. "We shot for the film for about 50-60 days but the first time when I met Judi Dench, we had lunch together, just to meet each other and break the ice. I was literally on the floors! I touched her feet, shook her hand and hugged her. She was extremely welcoming. She made me at ease. And I think that relationship began there, while we were having lunch in London. After that, we became friends. As an actor, your job is half done when your co-star becomes your friend, especially when it's Judi Dench," he said, reports Deccan Chronicle. Fazal also said Dench wanted to come to India to promote the film as she loves the country; she has been here before. Both, Fazal and Dench, discussed about Indian food and films. Produced by BBC Films and Focus Features, Victoria and Abdul is directed by two-time Academy winner Stephen Frears, who has previously directed films like The Queen (2006). Philomena (2013) and much recent Florence Foster Jenkins (2016). The film is slated to release on 22 September in the US. The three Khans that rule the Hindi film industry are pretty clear about their stance on award shows. Shah Rukh Khan is an awards show favourite given that he has won the maximum number of Filmfare Awards after Dilip Kumar and has also performed at and hosted multiple award functions. On the other hand, Aamir Khan has boycotted award shows for years as the last award show he was spotted at was at the Academy Awards in 2002 when his maiden production, Ashutosh Gowariker's period drama Lagaan, was nominated in the Best Foreign Film category. But it is Salman Khan who has maintained a moderate stance on the issue. While he does participate in all the glitz and glamour that the extravaganzas entail, he does not receive awards if he wins them. "I believe in rewards," he says. This approach proves that he does not take life too seriously and attends the award shows on his own terms. This was reflected very well while he was promoting IIFA Awards 2017 during a global video conference in Mumbai, along with Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt. Since the grand event is taking place in the New York City this July, the organisers had arranged for a video conference of the stars with journalists from all across the globe, including Houston, Chicago, New York City, Dubai and London. While Salman started off with the regular PR-briefed answers to questions by the global media, he began becoming impatient when the journalists started repeating their questions. Since they were unaware of the questions already asked by journalists from the other cities, they kept it simple by asking the basic questions - all over again. Kaif and Bhatt, being the thorough professionals they are, stuck to answering the repetitive questions, sporting smiling faces while braving the day long exhaustion. However, Salman, being the transparent celebrity he is, left everyone in splits one question at a time. From jovially interrupting a journalist's question by complimenting her physical features to making the entire conference hall sing 'Happy Birthday' after Katrina Kaif revealed that the IIFA Awards will air on her birthday on 16 July, Salman was at his entertaining best. There were times when he went overboard or stooped down to lame levels but that only proved that he has no filters. Or even if he has any, he does not mind putting them away when he is in a mischievous mood. For example, when he was asked to sing 'The Radio Song' from his upcoming film, Kabir Khan's period drama Tubelight, by a journalist in the first round of questions, he refrained from doing so. IIFA will be sprawling at the @MLStadium! First time an Indian event will be held here. LIVE interaction with media at Press Con. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/1B6puS0KLT IIFA Awards (@IIFA) June 2, 2017 "Whenever I have sung in a film, I just record the song in two to three hours. Then the technical team works on it for two to three days to make it sound like good," said Salman. "It's a good story," the journalist replied, nodding. "It's a true story," said Salman, stressing on the third word. But a few minutes and dozens of questions later, the reserved Salman just needed an inadvertent sign to break into a song. When a journalist realised that Salman was not paying attention to his question while sipping on his tea, he passed off a snarky comment on the superstar asking him if he needed another cup of tea. But Salman, instead of returning the favour, started singing his popular song 'Ek Garam Chai Ke Pyali Ho' and pointing to the ladies (read: Kaif and Bhatt) besides him as he continued to sing, 'koi usko pilane wali ho'. He also broke into Madhuri Dixit's iconic song 'Ek Do Teen' when a journalist asked him what new the IIFA Awards would offer this year. After counting up to thirteen in Madhuri fashion, he said, "Terah tak toh theek hai but agar kuch 18 saal chale na toh wo sirf demand par hi ho sakta hai" (If an award show pulls off a show for its eighteenth year in a row, then that implies that audience have kept it going). The excitement continues to build at the Press Con as @BeingSalmanKhan, @aliaa08 & #KatrinaKaif talk about their performances at #IIFA2017. pic.twitter.com/x1rbkrRfOc IIFA Awards (@IIFA) June 2, 2017 In fact, that was the question that challenged Salman's patience the most. "Any message to our fans on why they should attend IIFA?" Initially, he listed down the line up of performances to entice the prospective audience - Katrina, Alia, Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon, Shahid Kapoor and him. But when that question became a recurring feature of the conference, he blurted out answers that he truly believed in. "If you are invited for dinner at a friend's place, do you ask for the menu? No, you just go with the impression that you will have a good time. So, come for IIFA because I will make sure that you have a great time," he said. But when that question was aimed at him for the umpteenth time, he snapped back. "Do me a favour, do not come for the IIFA Awards," he said, as the IIFA organisers looked at each other skeptically in the background. But seconds later, he grabbed hold of the microphone and added, "You ask me what is there at IIFA, then I will spell it out for you. Isn't it better that we just stop talking, you come for the event and we have the best time of our lives there?" The terrific trio have a LIVE interaction with cities across the globe - New York, Dubai, Houston. #IIFA2017 Press Conference. pic.twitter.com/K5H4Fzw2bN IIFA Awards (@IIFA) June 1, 2017 And with his signature charm, that veils the childlike innocence within him, he proved yet again how there is no bible for promotions. One does not need to sell an idea by just talking about it. The more effective way is to demonstrate the kind of fun that the target group will get to experience at the IIFA Awards. And with Salman as the star attraction, the IIFA Awards 2017 are all set to be fun but not necessarily frivolous. Rakhi Sawant is in legal trouble again. A Ludhiana court has reportedly issued a non-bailable warrant against her again for her comments on revered Hindu saint Valmiki. A Ludhiana court issued non-bailable warrant against Rakhi Sawant again, for making derogatory remarks on Valmiki pic.twitter.com/PUOSKLmxm7 ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 The same court had issued an arrest warrant against Sawant for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Valmiki, who wrote the mythological Hindu epic Ramayana. However, the Punjab police had found her absconding when they visited her Mumbai residence to arrest her then. Sawant had also apologised through a video for her remarks on Valmiki claiming that her statement was based on what she learnt about Valmiki in school. She added that she did not want to hurt any sentiments and apologised unconditionally to members of the Valmiki community. ABP News had quoted Sawant clarifying her stance on the issue, "I just gave an example from what I have read in my childhood. Just like Valmiki, who got changed from being a robber to a saint, Mika ji also has changed. It was just an example." Sawant was referring to the episode when Singh, who had forced a kiss on Sawant's lips years ago, was accused in an assault case last year. Now that another warrant has been issued against Sawant, matters have only gone worse for the actor. Swathed in blank, a lone woman stands in a dark corridor staring into nothingness. Its an eerie image but Sunaina Bhatnagars debut feature film Dear Maya is anything but creepy. Sleepy Simla is the setting for most of this fable-like story of two school girls, their fascination with a reclusive woman and a prank with far-reaching consequences. Maya Devi (Manisha Koirala) lives in a large, dusty house next door to Anna (Madiha Imam). Anna and her best friend Ira (Shreya Chaudhary) revel in the make believe world of romantic novels. Their active imagination and the story of a heartbroken Maya Devi, who has been confined to her home for 20 years, combine when the girls come up with the idea of writing fake love letters to Maya. Anna has quite a talent for conjuring up romantic prose and crafts evocative missives that have a life-changing impact on Maya. Bhatnagar captures this transformation in both and obvious ways. Manisha Koiralas performance in Dear Maya is wonderful as she changes from a caged and lonely woman to someone willing to take a chance on life. She throws open dusty curtains, frees her caged pet birds, brings colour into her monochrome wardrobe. At first Anna and Ira are delighted that their innocent prank has had a positive impact, until one day Maya disappears. Six years later, now a college student in Delhi, Anna is obsessed with finding Maya. Consumed with the guilt of having shown her hope where none existed, Anna roams around Delhi with Missing posters with Maya Devis image. Having left Simla six years ago, banished to boarding school as a sort of punishment for her thoughtless actions, Anna has not looked back at her small town life. When she does finally return home, shes forced to confront her estranged friend Ira with whom she had an acrimonious falling out six years ago. The plot is padded out too much. Several extra scenes and over-telling of the case take place. The point is repeated and repeated once more. If not for this, the gentle handling of the three principal women characters Anna, Ira and Maya is heartwarming enough. The message of hope and taking a chance is surely and guilelessly delivered. Manisha Koirala brings nuance to her part and conveys deep vulnerability and childlike awe as she tastes and feels freedom. Its rather charming. Madiha Imam and Shreya Chaudhary are extremely watchable and have a natural onscreen presence. Bhatnagars writing captures the cadence of small town youth perfectly. In a scene when Ira and Anna are searching for Maya in Delhi, the girls get into a heated argument in a nightclub. The scene captures their rite of passage into emotional maturity but also the fascination for big city experiences and a craving for anonymity. Dear Maya is a surprisingly satisfactory watch, mainly for the winsome performances and Bhatnagar's ability to deliver an immersive experience. For those of you who have seen Mike Flanagan's 2013 psychological horror film Oculus, Prawaal Raman's upcoming film Dobaara: See Your Evil is an official remake of the film. Chaos, is what the first 20 minutes of this movie can be described as. A barrage of information is thrown at the audience in a haphazard manner, without a head or tail. The story keeps cutting in a jerky manner every 2 minutes with more and more information being added to it as it progresses. Two siblings Natasha and Kabir Merchant have always struggled to deal with the death of their parents. But the movie revolves around a haunted mirror in their parents' home, which is the reason for much dismay in the film. It then traces how the two siblings investigate the horror behind this mirror. There's no easy way to say this: Huma Qureshi is painful to watch, as is Rhea Chakravorty. Their is a ridiculous amount of dubbing that is terribly done. Saqib Saleem is the only saving grace as of now, with a mildly believable performance. Having said that, the entire film started with an interesting element. There was a flashback to the time in England when witchcraft was practiced and was considered a taboo. However the time spent on that was too short as once again, the movie jerked from that scene and abruptly cut to the contemporary world. There's very little of the horror element as of now. Also. Everyone has a really weird fake accent for some reason? Dobaara seems to be turning out like every other Bollywood attempt at a horror film. Trying, but failing terribly. Natasha is the protagonist of the film, played by Huma Qureshi. Her real life brother Saqib Saleem plays her on screen brother too, and there is some amount of comfort between that translates onto the screen. Lisa Ray can be accused of terrible overacting, as can Huma Qureshi in most parts. The film revolves around a mirror that is treated like its a living breathing thing, constantly being referred to as a person that the siblings have to "kill". Because the makers threw all the information at the viewer initially, the rest of the movie is spent explaining the various sub plots. Adil Hussain plays the father yet again, essaying the role of Alex Merchant. It is through Alex that the movie gets it element of romance (read: sleaze). The second half is peppered with horror elements - but they're done in a mediocre manner, without the polish that most Hollywood horror movie posses. The film seems to be trying way too hard. The movie picks up slightly in the last 20 minutes or so, almost having a poetic ending. There is a suspense element, which isn't very surprising if you've seen horror films before. There were a few moments that were shot well, cinematography wise. However mostly, the movie just ended up being like every other badly made horror Bollywood film. The horror elements in the latter half are much better than the first half, and had they managed to do that in the beginning, the fate of Dobaara: See Your Evil could've been very different. Watch the trailer here: In a previous report, Firstpost had mentioned that veteran actor Geeta Kapoor, who was seen in Meena Kumari starrer Kamal Amrohi's 1972 classic Pakeezah, was admitted to a hospital after she alleged her son of elder abuse. Recent reports suggest that she was discharged from hospital on 1 June, more than a month after her son abandoned her and has now been shifted to an old age home. Producer Ashoke Pandit and Ramesh Taurani, who helped Kapoor with her medical bills, have now arranged for her stay at Jeevan Asha old age home in Andheri. Pandit posted on Twitter saying: Relieved after #GeetaKapoor ji is shifted to #JeevanAsha old age home, Andheri (W). She is smiling & soon will be absolutely fine. pic.twitter.com/sAUClhlbaz Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) June 1, 2017 The 58-year-old actress, best known for her roles in Pakeezah and Razia Sultan, was admitted to SRV Hospital in Mumbai's Goregaon by her son to treat her fluctuating blood pressure. He then left the hospital on the pretext of withdrawing money from an ATM and never returned. Pandit, later also tweeted: The doctor, who has been treating Kapoor, had said that the actress believed that her son will come back for her. "She was there when he left her. So that's all she remembers and says, he is going to come back with money. It's a very tragic story... The most surprising thing is that despite the media attention, not a single relative has turned up," Dr Dipendra Tripathi, Intensivist, SRV hospital, had said. The news of Kapoor's abandonment has sparked much media attention. Geeta Kapoor has acted in over 100 films, most notable being Pakeezah where she played the role of Rajkumar's second wife. She has also acted in Razia Sultan (1983) which starred Hema Malini and was directed again by Kamal Amrohi. In one of its reports Mid-day said that the doctors who were treating Kapoor tried contacting her son Raja, a choreographer in the film industry. They sent an ambulance to his place, but his neighbours told them that he took all his things and left earlier that day. The doctors tried calling him for 15 days but he never replied. Later, the doctors reportedly called him through a different number to which he replied and promised to return. But, he never did. Geeta Kapoor also has a daughter Pooja, who is a flight attendant based out of Pune. When Mid-day tried to contact Raja, his phone was reportedly found switched off while Pooja hung up her phone saying that it was wrong number. (With inputs from PTI) Mumbai: Actor Rishi Kapoor has paid homage to his father, legendary actor-filmmaker, Raj Kapoor on his 29th death anniversary on Friday, 2 June. Kapoor died of complications related to asthma on June 2, 1988 at the age of 63 in New Delhi. Remembering his father, the 64-year-old actor took to Twitter, where he quoted a line of the iconic song Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan from the film Mera Naam Joker. "Papa, today 29 years ago, you left us. Par hum tumhare rahenge sada (But we will always be yours)," wrote Rishi alongside a still from Sangam. Born on December 14, 1924 to Prithviraj Kapoor in Peshawar (now Pakistan), Kapoor made his official acting debut with 1947 film Neel Kamal and went on to become "the greatest showman of Indian cinema". He made a mark as an actor with films like Shree 420, Awaara and Barsaat. At the age of 24, Kapoor became the youngest filmmaker of his time when he made his directorial debut with Aag (1948) featuring himself alongside Nargis, Kamini Kaushal and Premnath. Kapoor was famous for his Charlie Chaplin-esque style of acting, which garnered attention not only from the Indian audience but also made him a fan-favourite in Russia. Rishi, in his recently-released autobiography Khullam Khulla, talked about his relationship with his father. "My father loved his cinema, his booze, his leading ladies and his work. But for a man legendary for his hospitality, he was very possessive of his whisky," he writes. Rishi shared that when he started drinking with his father "it was always Johnny Walker Black Label bought in London, while we were served locally procured whisky". In a previous report, Firstpost said that actor Vikram Chatterjee, previously accused of rash and negligent driving, has been charged with IPC Section 304- punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder for the death of city model Sonika Chauhan in a car accident. Recent findings from Times Now, have unearthed some more details about the incident. Times Now, in its bulletin at 11:30 am on 2 June, reported that there has been a deliberate act of subverting the investigation. The police and hospital authorities - both were reportedly part of the nexus that was trying to protect Chatterjee. The channel has got hold of the medical report of the actor and that has raised some questions. Firstly, the accident happened on 29 April where it was alleged that the actor was rash driving under the influence. But, in a press conference on 6 May, a day after he was discharged from the hospital, the actor said that he was neither intoxicated and nor speeding, reports NDTV. The recent report suggests that the actor's blood sample was taken on 8 May, 10 days after the accident. Also, only 0.5 ml of his serum was taken, where according to the norms 1 ml is needed. This raises serious questions about why such delays and inaccuracies were done in the course of investigation. Kolkata-based activist Pranalika, speaking to Times Now said, "It is evident that there was partiality involved in carrying out the case. The tests, in this case, were not conducted with the accuracy that is followed in other cases involving other common people. The authorities involved in conducting these tests should be identified and suspended." The channel also said that many eye witnesses have come up and said that they saw Chatterjee making drinks, not once but many times, in the party. He was even offering others and there can be no way that the actor wasn't drunk. These voices certainly undermine the actor's claims. The car speed report, (CDR - Crash Data Retrieval) which was conducted by officials from Toyota (the brand of the car that the actor was driving on the day of crash) who had flown especially from Chennai, state that the car was at 95-105 kmph. The actor had previously said that he was driving at 60-70 kmph and stood by his words during interrogation. The police authorities had detected using CCTV camera footage, along Rashbehari Avenue (place of accident), that he was indeed speeding; but couldn't ascertain the exact speed of the car. However, as per the speed-limit restrictions in that area, he was driving more than twice the max permissible limit (40 kmph), reports Times of India. There is a old saying in tinsel town: any film based on a true story is sure to stir up a controversy which will help in creating an opening. Now a film based on the murder of Infosy employee Swathi in a Chennai suburban railway station, appropriately titled Swathi Kolai Vazhaku (SKV) has stirred a hornets nest in Kollywood. The trailer of Swathi Kolai Vazhaku depicted the murder case as seen by a police officer played by Ajmal, who is investigating the murder. Swathi was murdered in the Nungambakkam railway station on June 24 2016, early in the morning, as she was waiting for a local train to go to her office. Newcomers Ayra and Mano play Swathi and Ramkumar respectively. The film is currently in post-production and yet to be censored. The film recreates the murder and examines its possible causes including the controversial police investigation. It resulted in the accused Ramkumar, who was caught and jailed, committing suicide by biting into a live wire in the prison where he was lodged. The film has enough Tamil commercial cinema ingredients, like stalking, onesided love, social networking, caste issues and dejection of love spurned to hate. Reeks of a potboiler. SKV is directed by Ramesh Selvan, a director with a decent track record of making films based on social issues like Jananam (2004) on unemployment; Kalavaram (2014) on how communal violence is created and Vajram (2015), set against the milieu of a juvenile detention centre. All his films have gotten critical acclaim but never commercial success. Meanwhile, Swathi's father, Santhana Gopalakrishnan, has lodged a complaint to the Tamil Nadu DGP against the film. He feels the film should not be released at any cost as it would bring mental agony to his family and his daughters name would be tarnished. In an exclusive interview to Firstpost, director Ramesh Selvan said: I believe in good cinema and so far have made films on social issues plaguing our society. My films have created social awareness. I have never bowed down to commercial cinema pressures. Swathi Kolai Vazhaku has been shot in actual locations where the gruesome murder took place. I have presented the story as it happened and as reported widely in the media and have not made any commercial compromises like songs or any kind of crass cinema titillation. The film has not portrayed Swathi in bad light. Once the first copy of the film is ready I will screen it for Swathi and Ramkumar's parents and then only release it. Ramesh also added that his intention is not to make money out of this film, but to ensure that such a crime doesnt happen again. SKV is reported to have been made on a shoe-string budget and all the controversies surrounding the film has resulted in a lot of buzz around it. If Swathis father stop the release of the film, the makers will have to change the title and release the film with a caption, stating it is a work of fiction. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case to probe alleged irregularities in the 2016 Bihar toppers scam case related to the state school examination board. Officials said the agency has booked a criminal case against a total of eight people, including former Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) chairman and four principals, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The central probe agency took cognisance of a Bihar Police FIR and the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to register its own Enforcement Case Information Report (the ED equivalent of a police FIR). They said the agency will probe the possible 'proceeds of crime' generated by the accused and the alleged subsequent creation of illegal wealth by them. The scam had rocked Bihar in June 2016 after Ruby Rai, a student of VR College in Vaishali district who had topped in the arts stream, failed to answer basic questions and went on to describe political science as "prodigal science" that taught cooking. Embarrassed by the irregularities, the state government had ordered a SIT probe in the matter. Former BSEB Chairmam Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh, his former JD(U) MLA wife Usha Sinha and Secretary-cum-Principal of VR College Bachha Rai are alleged to be kingpins of the racket. The Enforcement Directorate is expected to soon record statements of the accused and also attach their assets under the PMLA law. The Bihar boards 2017 class XII examination too was rocked by controversy as Ganesh Kumar, the humanities topper struggled to explain the basics of music, one of his subjects. He stumbled over queries posed on music, in which he scored 65 out of 70 in practicals. He seemed to have a difficult time explaining what is sur, taal and matra, considered the basics of music. Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday observed there was a need to amend its rules relating to hearing of election petitions to ensure completion of the trial within six months as mandated in the Representation of the People Act (RPA). Justice M Venugopal made the observation while upholding the election of DMK Working President MK Stalin from the Kolathur Assembly constituency in the May 2011 election and referring to the delay in concluding the trial. In his 549-page judgement, the judge dismissed the petition filed by losing AIADMK candidate Saidai S Duraisamy challenging Stalin's election on grounds of alleged corrupt practices. The election petition was not maintainable both in law and facts of the case, he held. Reflecting on the delay in disposing of the petition, (the verdict coming one year after the subsequent polls which were held in 2016), the judge said he was of the opinion that the Madras High Court Election Petitions Rules, 1967 needed to be amended to speed up the trial in conformity with the RPA. "An endeavour in right earnestness must be made to insert a necessary rule by bringing the amendment to the rules of Madras High Court Election Petitions, 1967 to keep in conformity with sections of the RPA," he said. Also a rule similar to the ingredients of section 86(6) of the RPA may be inserted and brought in by the High Court with a view to achieving the desired aim and purpose of the RPA in regard to the complete and comprehensive adjudication of election dispute assigned to the designated judge concerned within the prescribed time, he said. "Listing the election petition for conduct of trial once in a week is not a palatable one in the considered opinion of this court since the same will not achieve the desired objective of the ingredient of the Representation of People Act, 1951," Justice Venugopal said. He said the existing rules of the high court on election petitions were silent as to the conclusion of the trial within six months from the date on which the petition was filed. On the current petition, the judge said, "This court comes to an irresistible conclusion that there was no categorical averment that Stalin had given consent to his party functionaries to bribe the voters and self-help group members." "Stalin cannot be held even vicariously liable for the alleged act of his party functionaries/workers in bribing the voters and self-help groups members," he said. On the allegation that Stalin incurred expenses beyond the prescribed limit, the judge said the petitioner had indulged in vague allegations. Mere surmises or conjectures would not be sufficient to constitute corrupt practice. Moreover, the allegation was made based on mere lurking assumption or presumption and simmering doubt and not rested on unambiguous, specific and convincing evidence. Suspicion cannot take the place of legal proof, he ruled dismissing the petition. Ralegan-Siddhi (Maharashtra): Social activist Anna Hazare extended his support to the indefinite strike of farmers which entered the second day on Friday. But concerned over the violence witnessed on the first day, he urged farmers to carry out their agitation peacefully without causing damage to public or private properties. "I support the farmers' cause, but I appeal to them to carry out the agitation peacefully. I am prepared to intervene on their behalf with the government and resolve the issue," Hazare said in a statement. Over half a million farmers across Maharashtra, barring the coastal Konkan, have resorted to an unprecedented strike, which was marred by several violent incidents on Thursday. Major cities like Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and others have started feeling the pinch of the strike with shortages looming ahead coupled with spiraling prices of essentials like milk, fresh fruits, vegetables and even foodgrains. The farmers are demanding a complete waiver of farm loans, free electricity, appropriate remunerative prices for their produce, grants for irrigation, pension for farmers who are 60 years and above, and implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee recommendations. They continued to hold agitations, protest marches and processions at various government and APMC (agricultural produce market committee) offices to press for their demands even as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said talks with the farmers leaders will continue to hammer out a solution. On Thursday, Fadnavis accused the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine of allegedly inciting the farmers. The Shiv Sena asked the Bharatiya Janata Party to heed the farmers' demands and take urgent steps. Fadnavis said the government was "aware of its responsibility" and expected the same from its ally, the Sena. As the strike progressed into the second day on Friday, movement of agricultural goods has been affected. Most APMC markets wore a desolate look. New Delhi: RJD leader Mohammed Shahabuddin, an accused in journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case, has refused to undergo a lie detector test, and is not cooperating in the probe, CBI sources said on Friday. Shahabuddin, a four-time former MP from Bihar's Siwan parliamentary constituency, was "lying and concealing" facts related to the case, they said. The agency will inform the special court in Muzzafarpur about the development. Rajdeo Ranjan, the Siwan bureau chief of a Hindi daily newspaper, was shot dead allegedly by Shahabuddin's henchmen in May 2016. The Bihar politician was in jail in connection to other criminal cases against him when the incident happened. He was later shifted to the Tihar jail. It is mandatory to take consent of the accused before subjecting them to the polygraph test, also known as lie detector test, the sources said. The agency is questioning Shahabuddin after obtaining his custody for eight days in connection with the case. The eight-day custody will end on Monday. The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Friday approached Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath for a judicial probe into last month's gang-rape of four women in Greater Noida and the removal of two top officials. The incident occurred on the Jewar-Bulandshahr highway on 25 May when eight members of a Greater Noida-based family, including four women, were waylaid while they were headed to Bulandshahr to visit an ailing relative. Upon resisting, one man was shot dead. The criminals then took turns raping his wife, sister, sister-in-law and mother. The victims were also looted of their valuables and cash. A day after Adityanath assured justice to the victims and directed the police to expedite the probe, CPI secretary K Narayana, in a letter to the chief minister, said removal of Gautam Budh Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Luv Kumar and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) A Bhargava was imperative for a fair probe. "After the gruesome incident, the SSP and CMO held a press conference, dismissing claims that the women were raped. This is ample evidence of their intention to divert and subvert the investigation," said Narayana. Kumar and Bhargava, in a joint press conference on 26 May, rejected allegations of rape, citing preliminary medical examination reports. "If the said officers are allowed to continue, justice cannot be done. Hence, I may request you to suspend the said officers and issue orders for judicial probe immediately," Narayana added. New Delhi: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Thursday admitted that he had met Zakir Naik at a communal harmony conference a few years ago but asserted he did not violate any law as there was no case pending against the controversial Islamic leader at that time. He dared the Maharashtra government to act against him for any violation of law and said the conference was organised after due permission by the state. Naik is currently being investigated by the NIA for allegedly promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures on various platforms. "Did Congress save Zakir Naik? Yes, I did meet and address a Communal Harmony International Conference organised and addressed by Zakir Naik also in Mumbai," Singh tweeted. He said the conference was held after due permission by the Maharashtra government and there was no criminal case against Naik then, at least to his knowledge. He said the Maharashtra government would have the video recording of speeches by Naik and him in that conference and can act against him. "If I have violated any law, Government of Maharashtra or GOI is free to register a case against me and I am prepared to face any trial," Singh also said. He, however, questioned those raising fingers at him for meeting Naik. "But I would like to ask all those who are extremely sensitive of what Zakir Naik speaks. Have they heard inflammatory speeches by Yogi /Hindu Vahini /VHP/Bajrang Dal leaders against Muslims and Christians?" "Because if they don't divide India on Religion ground who would vote for them?," he said in a series of tweets. When asked whether Singh and Ghulam Nabi Azad met Naik, Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said the controversial preacher "also met General Sinha and so many other leaders of BJP but we never hear about it". "Rather than asking the government, the Opposition is asked this question. To cover its failure, the government continuously get information leaked of 2008 and 2004 to hide its inefficiency and mis-governance. "My question to you is when will you question the government for their failure. The Government has got no explanation for all their inefficiencies," he said. Kumar said Naik must have met people from all political spectere and "there are so many BJP people involved in the ISI Cell Racket spying for the BJP". "BJP Madhya Pradesh, IT Cell was spying for the ISI. Those are much more interesting stories which could highlight the BJP's involvement," he said. Naik, 51, left India last year, allegedly to evade arrest after some perpetrators of the Dhaka terror attack claimed that they were inspired by him. Following the Dhaka attack, the NIA had registered a case against him and some officials of his organisation, Islamic Research Foundation for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion. New Delhi: Former director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Dineshwar Sharma, has taken charge as the interlocutor for peace talks with Assam's insurgent groups, including the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Sharma, a 1976 batch Kerala cadre IPS officer, retired as director of the IB on December 31, 2016. He was appointed as the interlocutor for talks with Assam-based insurgent groups last week. Sharma took charge on Thursday, official sources said. Sharma, who has been appointed for a tenure of one year, will hold peace negotiations with pro-talks factions of the ULFA, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and a few other small groups based in Assam. The last interlocutor P C Haldar had served till 31 December, 2015 New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday blamed the demonetisation move of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre for the fall in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and demanded a white paper on the note ban. Senior AAP leader Dilip Pandey said that scrapping currency notes was the biggest contributor to the negative GDP growth and asked the central government to apologise for "cheating" people in the name of demonetisation. On Wednesday, data released by the official statistician showed that the GDP, a measuring scale of a country's economic growth, grew at 6.1 per cent in the fourth and last quarter of the 2016-17 financial year, down from 7.1 per cent in the third quarter. Also, India's GDP during 2016-17 financial year grew at 7.1 per cent, which is lower than 8 per cent in 2015-16. "Even after all efforts and even after changing the calculation of WPI (Wholesale Price Indices) and IIP (Index of Industrial Production), they (central government) couldn't present a good picture of the financial situation of the country, and it is further deteriorating," Pandey said. The leader alleged that the central government was hiding the truth behind demonetisation and that the work to print new notes was given to a blacklisted company, whose name had featured in the Panama Papers. "Just as the truth about economic development has come out now, the truth about demonetisation will also come out one day," he said. The AAP leader said that many economists around the world had concluded that the biggest contributor for fall in the GDP was demonetisation. "Now Arun Jaitley can no longer say it is due to global economic fluctuations or financial mismanagement under the UPA regime," he added. Mumbai: Even as the strike by farmers entered the second day, Maharashtra minister Sadabhau Khot on Friday claimed that Mumbai has remained unaffected by the agitation. "The supply of produce is affected in Nashik and Pune markets but Mumbai's supply is not affected so far. The marketing department has already issued a toll free number for farmers to support them. If they face any problem, they should contact the toll free number," Khot, minister of cooperation and marketing, told reporters in Mumbai. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had on Thursday alleged opposition parties were instigating the agitation of farmers across the state. Echoing the chief minister, Khot alleged, "There are some elements behind the statewide strike of farmers, especially those who could do nothing for the last 15 years, despite being in power. They are stretching the strike further." The marketing department will take action against those who would stock food grains in such days and create artificial scarcity, said the minister. This government is keen on solving the problems of farmers. But Congress and NCP are deliberately creating ruckus to halt such processes, Khot added. Ahmedabad: The Centre has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the 6,000 MW nuclear power plant proposed at Mithivirdi in Gujarat will be shifted to Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh due to delay in land acquisition for the project. After the Centre's submission, the NGT bench, consisting of judicial member U D Salvi and expert member Ranjan Chatterjee, disposed of a petition filed by a group of villagers of Mithivirdi and Jaspara and NGO Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The petitioners had challenged the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearance given to the project by the Gujarat State Coastal Zone Management Authority on 3 March, 2015. The Pune bench of the NGT (Western Zone), in its order passed on 18 May, said that the counsel for the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) submitted before it that Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited's (NPCIL) Mithivirdi project in Bhavnagar district in whose favour CRZ clearance was granted, is to be shifted to Kovadda, Andhra Pradesh on account of delay in land acquisition at village Chhaya-Mithivirdi site. It said that the counsel "further submitted that in view of shifting of the project the proposal for Environment Clearance (EC) before the MoEF&CC has been delisted." The MoEF placed on record before the NGT, through a letter dated 27 March, 2017, that NPCIL had intimated it that the proposed Westinghouse Nuclear Power Plant of 6000-MW capacity is being shifted from Mithivirdi due to delay in land acquisition. The NGT also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 each to the MoEF and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board for unnecessary delay caused during the hearing of the case. The order was uploaded on its website on Friday. Petitioners including villagers and the NGO termed this as a major victory and said they would tomorrow meet at Jaspar village to "celebrate" the judgement. The villagers had opposed the project due to environmental and safety concerns, and had staged a walkout from the environmental public hearing claiming that it was not being conducted in accordance with the set norms. 30 villages near the project had organised agitation against the project and high-handed manner in which it was being imposed upon them. The proposed project was subsequently recommended CRZ clearance by the state government, which was challenged at the NGT-Pune by a team of villagers including Shaktisinh Gohil and Jagrutiben Gohil of Jaspara village, Hajabhai Dihora of Mithivirdi village, and Rohit Prajapati and Krishnakant Chauhan of the NGO Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. Reacting to the order, Krishnakant Chauhan said that while they celebrate the order, they are now preparing to extend all possible support to people in Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh. Gurugram: Pointing out that a majority of people in India still lived in its villages, President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said he believed our country will develop only when the villages develop. "Even today, 68 percent of our population lives in the villages. If we want that our villages should prosper, we will have to improve our economy's structure," President Mukherjee said at Daulha village in Gurugram district of Haryana. The president said the Indian villages not only have the capacity to develop but are also eager for development. "If we keep moving ahead in this manner, the day is not far off when our youth will need not leave villages for cities in search of better avenues," Mukherjee said. "It will also be possible to complete education of girls in nearby villages. Good and affordable health services will be available to all and the youth will get training and employment in the vicinity of villages itself." He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of a driver's training institute and a school under the SMARTGRAM initiative of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also e-inaugurated new Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras at Mahendragarh, Ambala and Palwal. The president said that when the SMARTGRAM initiative was started on 2 July last year, he was sure the work done to make president's estate in the national capital a smart township could be replicated in villages as well. With the help of the Haryana government, Rashtrapati Bhavan had selected five villages in the state, including Daulha, and taken a number of initiatives for their development. In view of the success achieved in these five Haryana villages, the programme has since been extended to 100 villages. He said the success in SMARTGRAM initiative is possible only when the government and private sectors, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations and villagers come together for the development of their villages. New Delhi: India is committed to climate change, irrespective of the stand taken by any other country, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Friday, hours after the United States announced its withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. "Our government is committed irrespective of the stand of anyone, anywhere in the world. It has been the stand of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said, stressing that Modi had provided "leadership" at the Paris climate summit. "We are committed to ensuring that we will do our best to address the issue related to climate change and global warming," Vardhan told reporters. President Donald Trump today declared the US would withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement, saying the "draconian" deal unfairly punished America but benefited countries such as India and China. The stand drew strong condemnation from leaders and environmentalists from across the world. "India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States," Trump said. The Paris agreement commits the US and other countries to keep rising global temperatures "well below" 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and "endeavour to limit" them to 1.5 degrees Celsius. India, under its climate action plans, has pledged to curb its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 percent from its 2005 level. In the plans submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), India had also vowed that 40 percent of its total electricity needs would be obtained from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. New Delhi also pledged to create an additional carbon sink which sucks up and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree covers by 2030. The Paris Agreement, considered a landmark move, was adopted on 12 December 2015, by 195 Parties to the UNFCCC, replacing its predecessor, the Kyoto Protocol. Only Syria and Nicaragua did not sign the deal, ratified on 4 November 2016. The Centre for Science and Environment in Delhi said Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris deal was a "death knell" for the climate agreement. But the US move was an opportunity for India to provide global leadership on the issue, it said. This was not the first time that the US was opting out of an international climate agreement, environmentalists pointed out. It had pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, saying emerging economies did not have quantified emission targets. Russia: Hours after the US president walked out of the Paris climate accord, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated India's commitment to reducing carbon emission and leaving an earth which is "beautiful and pure" for the future generations. Refusing to be drawn into a debate on whether he supported or was opposed to President Donald Trump's action, Modi said he will take the side of the future generations and held the view that mankind cannot exploit nature. In a speech to global businesses gathered for the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he quoted the Vedas to say "exploiting of the nature is a crime but milking of the nature by humans is a right." Later, when the moderator asked which side of the climate change debate he stood, and whether he disagreed with Trump's stand, Modi remained diplomatically neutral. "I have in simple way stated the dream of 'new India'. I quoted from 5000-year-old Vedas to say humans have a right to milk the nature but have no right to exploit it," he told the gathering in the presence of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Modi said he was asked a similar question in Germany earlier this week, before the US decision was made public. At the time, Modi said, he had replied "Paris or no Paris, it is our conviction that we have no right to snatch from our future generation their right to have a clean and beautiful earth." "We should leave to new generation an earth that is beautiful and clean," Modi said. "I don't think I should go this side or that. This subject is of future generations and I would go towards future generations." "It is part of our thinking and for that reason we do not believe in exploitation of the nature. We people do not have the right to take more than necessary from the nature," he said. Hours earlier, Trump had announced that the US was withdrawing from the Paris climate change deal, which had been agreed by more than 190 nations. The US president said the agreement unfairly benefited countries like India and China. Modi said India is investing massivly in renewable energy and it has set an ambitious target of adding 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. "This does not include nuclear energy but is only solar, wind, biomass and hydro (power)." "This is because we are moving ahead as a responsible country while protecting the environment and this is our commitment," he said. Modi recalled his days as chief minister of Gujarat, much before global warming was discussed or Paris agreement was even discussed. He said Gujarat was the fourth government in the world which had set up a department for environment protection. "This is our commitment, and we are moving forward based on this commitment," the prime minister said. By distributing 40 crore LED bulbs, India has in the last three years saved energy "which will help the humankind in environment protection," he said. "I invite you all, 125 crore people of the country are inviting you, the world's most ancient nation is inviting you for economic development ... In the spirit of 'Sky is the limit', I once again invite you," he told the business leaders. India on Friday successfully test-fired its indigenous nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. The surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile was fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of ITR at around 9:50 am, official sources said. The test was part of a regular training exercise conducted by the Indian Army. The launch was carried out by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC), which was monitored by scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the sources added. The Prithvi-II missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and its thrust is generated by liquid propulsion twin engines. The missile was inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003. It is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Srinagar: After years of fighting armed militants with bullets and brickbats, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir are now facing a new enemy bedroom jihadis who manipulate social media from the comfort of their homes to spread rumours and influence youths. It's a new battleground and a new battle, say senior officers. Far removed from conventional weaponry and the conventional fighting zones of the warren of narrow streets and forests, these new age jihadis use computers and smartphones to wage war from just about anywhere in Kashmir or outside, safe inside their homes or out on the streets, from a nearby cafe or even just a convenient roadside. An immediate worry for security agencies is the Amarnath Yatra that starts on 29 June. Armed with access to platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, there are fears that the new band of jihadis could instigate communal riots in the Valley ahead of the 40-day pilgrimage to the high altitude shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. "It is a virtual battleground where a bloody war is fought, but with words. However, this has an impact on the young minds," said a senior police officer. Many officers felt that false rumours could be floated in Jammu in the coming days, leaving authorities with little time to react. "Anyone, while sitting on his bed or sofa, can plant this news in one of the thousand chat groups and the entire state can plunge into communal divide," said a police officer. The social chat groups are active not just in Jammu and Kashmir. They are seeing participation from youngsters in the national capital, rest of the country and abroad as well. Officers cite the recent example of a constable from the Kashmiri Pandit community to explain how difficult it is to tackle the unseen enemy. The constable went missing and his body was found in north Kashmir's Kupwara, about 90 km from Srinagar, after a thorough search. But even before the investigations began, people in the Pandit community posted stories that he had been kidnapped by militants and had died a martyr's death. The impact of social media on the case was so profound that it began to be probed as a militancy-related case. However, a Special Investigating Team (SIT), constituted by Director General of Police SP Vaid, later found that the constable had been murdered by a fellow policeman whom he had allegedly sodomised and threatened to make it public. Another instance of trouble being engineered was a fake picture of a pond around the shrine of Goddess Ragnya Devi, also known as Kheer Bhawani, being shared on WhatsApp groups ahead of the annual Kheer Bhawani mela being celebrated today. According to the post, the water of the pond had turned black, which according to folklore indicates inauspicious times for Kashmir. The government stepped in and released official photographs in an attempt to quell the rumours. They also tried to find those responsible. "But it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Millions of people are on social networking sites and is too difficult to locate that one person," a police officer said. In the Valley, social media access had been controlled to a large extent after authorities clamped down on 22 websites. While many users in the Valley found a way out through virtual private networks (VPN), they found it difficult to share pictures or videos because of the clamp down on 3G and 4G networks. A police officer recalled that many 'hartal' calls attributed to separatist leaders last year actually came from students or employees who did not want to attend work. "The hartal calls used to spread like a jungle fire even leaving separatists wondering at times whether they actually had given them," he said. Most youngsters picked up for questioning were let go with a warning. Given the governments push for Digital India in other parts of the country and the rapid strides in technology, the state government has received severe flak for its ban on the world wide web. Security agency officers feel it is necessary to keep 'bedroom jihadis' at bay so that they can concentrate on nabbing or eliminating terrorists with real guns. The government has warned administrators of these chatting groups or social networking sites against hosting any incriminating material on their platform. However, officers felt that a few more curbs and punitive action would help in reining in such 'bedroom jihadis'. The unrest on the streets of Kashmir is refusing to die down with fresh violence reported from across the central, south and north regions of the Valley on Friday, a day after two local militants were killed in an encounter in Sopore area of Baramulla district. Kashmir has been witnessing major violence on streets since the killing of former Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July 2016. Some semblance of normalcy had started returning, but the killing of Wanis successor, Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, in an encounter last week in the Tral area of Pulwama district, has upset the situation. Hundreds of youth gathered in the downtown area of Srinagar after Friday prayers and started raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. They clashed with the police and paramilitary forces at multiple locations, thus forcing the administration to deploy huge numbers of security personnel on the streets to prevent any further mass demonstration by the people. Government forces fought pitched battles with stone-pelters triggering massive clashes in the area. Police used tear smoke shells and stun grenades to disperse the civilian protesters. Senior Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani said that the youth of Kashmir are laying their lives to end the "age-old slavery of their nation". He said that New Delhi's "rigid" and "stubborn approach" towards Kashmir has left the youth with no other option but to take up arms to defend their rights. Sensing fresh trouble, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said that it's shutting down schools and colleges in Srinagar city, again. Student protests have become common since April when security forces fired teargas shells inside the campus of a college that left more than 50 students injured. From the last 34 days, the Srinagar district administration has shut schools and colleges for more than two weeks, a decision, which has been criticised by a cross section of the society. Teaching activity will remain suspended in degree colleges and Higher Secondary schools of Srinagar district on 3 June, Srinagar district administration, said in a statement. In north Kashmir, intense clashes broke out between forces and protesters in the volatile Sopore town after people started protesting against the killing of two militants in the town on Thursday. The police intercepted the protesters who retaliated with stone pelting. Two militants, Aijaz Ahmed Mir and Basharat Ahmed Shiekh, both locals and who were active for some time, were killed in a pre-dawn encounter on Thursday. Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Mohammed Yasin Malik, who was released on bail on Thursday morning after being arrested last week, said that ongoing "struggle" is being nourished by the blood of young and highly educated youth of Kashmir. "The increasing oppression by Indian forces is bound to get stiff resistance from Kashmiris as history stands a witness to the fact that no peoples movement ever has been defeated or subjugated by military might or false propaganda," Malik said. Clashes were also reported from the Lal Chowk area of Anantnag in south Kashmir after Friday prayers. A stone hit a woman named Sarwa Begum in the eye in the Reshi Bazar area of the town. She was shifted to the district hospital for treatment. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the Hurriyat Conference said that as part of efforts to undermine the political struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union government was issuing "deceitful and divisive" statements. He said that repeated shutdowns and peaceful protests show that the people's support and commitment to the just cause being pursued by the people of the region. They are against the aggression and killings in the Valley. Dhar: A protest by farmers in Sardarpur town in the district in Madhya Pradesh turned violent on Friday morning as six motorcycles were set on fire and two shops were damaged after an argument broke out between the agitating farmers and shopkeepers over keeping the shops shut, police said. The incident took place when the farmers reached the market area in Sardarpur town, around 40 kilometres from Dhar, to close the shops as part of their ongoing agitation, which was launched in parts of the state on Thursday. "A group of farmers reached around 8 am to force shut the shops in Sardarpur local market. However, an argument broke out between the agitating farmers and the shopkeepers," Dhar Superintendent of Police Virendra Singh said. "Following the argument, six motorcycles belonging to the farmers were burnt, while two shops were damaged," he added. Singh said that police force has been deployed in Dhar and the situation is under control. Later, some farmers also staged a protest against the incident at the Sardarpur police station. Farmers in several parts of western Madhya Pradesh launched a ten-day long agitation, stopping supply of milk, food grains and vegetables to protest the lack of "good prices" for their farm produce. Protesters had stopped vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables and food grains and emptied milk containers on roads. "We gave a call for the protest through social media which evoked a good response from farmers. Prices of food grains have nosedived and farmers are not even recovering the money they invested," Madhya Pradesh Kisan Sena secretary Jagdish Rawalia had told PTI on Thursday. Farmers in Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Jhabua, Neemuch and Mandsaur districts are supporting the protest, he claimed. Distressed over falling prices of agriculture produce and other issues, farmers of Maharashtras 15 districts on Thursday started an indefinite agitation demanding a loan waiver and higher prices for their produce from the government. The strike was announced after talks between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and their representatives failed on Tuesday, reported Hindustan Times. In some parts of the state, farmers stopped vehicles and vandalized them, reported LiveMint, adding trucks carrying vegetables, fruits, milk, poultry products and meat to cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Aurangabad bore the brunt of the farmers ire. Western Maharashtra is being seen as the region worst affected by the strike with incidents of milk tankers being emptied and vegetables thrown on roads in Ahmednagar, Niphad and Sangamner are reported. Though Mumbai-based traders claimed they have not been affected by the stir as of now, they fear supplies from production centres across the state would be affected in the coming days if the strike prolongs, reported The Times of India. The chief minister has taken a tough stance on the issue and has refused to agree on the farmers' demand of a loan-waiver. He has blamed the Opposition for instigating the farmers. Leading politicians, who failed to get a response to their Sangharsh Yatra are instigating the farmers,'' said Fadnavis, reported The Times of India. Reference of the yatra by Fadnavis is significant because during the budget session in March this year, The Opposition had marched across the state by organising Sangharsha Yatra asking the government for a loan-waiver for the farmers. The yatra however turned into a political war of words with the ruling parties mocking the Opposition leaders for travelling in air-conditioned cars. The Opposition is again pressing the government for a loan-waiver for the farmers, but considering the precarious financial situation of the state, Fadnavis is unwilling to accept the demand. Fadnavis is rather trying a multi-pronged approach of rural welfare schemes, technology and financial aid whose results are mixed at best. Milind Murugkar, a policymaker and economist, said the strike is the manifestation of the unrest in farmers for the past three years. "Agriculture growth was 3.6 percent when the BJP government came to power. It has come down to 1.7 percent now. Though drought was one of the reasons behind the decrease in growth rate, it's not the only reason. Government policies are responsible too, Murugkar said. Murugkar further said that government policies are also responsible for the present crisis. "Industrial job creation is also low. The government has announced many policies and projects for farmers, but the benefits are not reaching the masses. Only 24 percent farmers are covered under Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The government announced 22 irrigation projects but none of them have been completed. Demonetisation has had a large impact. Prices of agricultural produce fell after demonitisation," he added. Mumbai: Maharashtra grappled with shortages of daily essentials like milk, fresh fruits and vegetables and even foodgrains on Friday as farmers continued their strike for a second day. Spiralling prices of essentials made the situation worse. In a village in Aurangabad, farmers donated free milk to people facing shortages but warned that if the government did not budge, the situation would worsen by the weekend. Over half a million farmers in the state are practically on the streets since Thursday midnight. Their demands include: a complete waiver of farmer loans, free electricity, appropriate remunerative prices for their produce, grants for irrigation, pension for farmers who are 60 years old and above, and implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee recommendations. Continuing their aggressive stance across Maharashtra barring the coastal Konkan region thousands of farmers resorted to different forms of agitation to highlight their demands on Friday. The Kisan Kranti, an umbrella organisation spearheading the strike, said it has been invited for a fresh round of talks with the government in Mumbai on Friday night. A spokesperson for the Kisan Kranti core committee told mediapersons in Puntamba, an important market centre in Ahmednagar, that the farmers have decided to intensify their agitation unless the government takes immediate steps. "On Monday, we shall organise a Maharashtra shutdown (bandh); on Tuesday, we shall lockdown all government offices and on 7 June, we shall shut down offices of all legislators and ministers," said the spokesperson, adding that it will be further intensified later. "We have shown the strength of the farmers. We were being ignored till now, but not anymore. In just two days, entire Maharashtra is experiencing massive shortages of essentials," he pointed out. On Friday morning, veteran social crusader Kisan Baburao, alias Anna Hazare, came out in support of farmers, but the Kisan Kranti cold-shouldered his proposal to mediate with the government on their behalf. A prominent farmers leader Raghunath Patil has asked the Kisan Kranti not to go for any more negotiations with the government. "Enough negotiations and talks. Now is the time for decisions. The government must announce their decision on the farmers demands," Patil told mediapersons. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appeared to be the main target of the farmers in most districts, where they vented their ire on him in different ways. In Pandharpur and Osmanabad, farmers kicked and trampled an effigy of Fadnavis, in Lasalgaon and Nashik they carried out a mock funeral and burnt his effigy. In Satara, about a hundred farmers tonsured themselves publicly to protest and took out a "funeral procession" of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. In Wardha they performed a doodh-abhishek (poured milk) on the Chief Minister's portrait, while at another location they garlanded a framed picture of Fadnavis and prayed before it seeking redressal of their demands. The bustling weekly farmers markets in Aurangabad, Ratnagir, Thane and other places were boycotted as farmers kept their products in farms instead of bringing them for sale. Minister of State for Agriculture Sadabhau Khot admitted that barely 125 or 10 percent of the around 1,200 trucks of farm goods have reached Mumbai. Joining Fadnavis in pointing an accusing finger at the opposition Congress-Nationalist Congress Party, Khot claimed that the people indulging in the strike are not farmers but anti-social elements taking advantage of the situation. In several districts, scores of tankers loaded with fresh milk were emptied onto the streets and even on the railway tracks at Daund station. Roads were blocked in many districts, including in Hingoli where farmers staged road blocks with their farm products, and police cleared farmers squatting on roads and highways in Nashik, Ahmednagar, Osmanabad, Pune, Satara and Kolhapur. Ruling ally and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut criticised the BJP and Fadnavis, demanding they should take action instead of indulging in criticism. "An attempt is being made to defame and discredit the farmers who have now become leaders. We are very firm in our stand, now it's time for the government to take action before things go out of hand," Raut said. New Delhi: Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi was on Friday admitted to a hospital in Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh after she complained of pain in the stomach, an aide said. Gandhi complained of stomachache around 3 pm after which she was admitted to the emergency ward of a government hospital in Pilibhit, which she represents in the Lok Sabha, the aide told IANS on telephone. He said the minister would be flown to Delhi for further treatment. Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday visited the Tullamulla Hindu shrine and interacted with devotees participating in the Kheer Bhawani mela, as local Muslims traditionally welcomed the Kashmiri Pandits with milk to their holiest festival. Mehbooba Mufti also oversaw the arrangements for the devotees at the annual festival, which saw a dismally low attendance this year of around 300. The festival is dedicated to Hindu goddess Mata Ragnya, who legend says flew from Sri Lanka during Ravana's reign to Kashmir and established her seat beside a spring in the then Tullamulla village. Kashmiri Pandits believe that the colour of the spring inside the shrine annually predicts Kashmir's future. Local Muslims have been traditionally welcoming their Pandit brothers with milk during the festival at Tullamulla, 29 kilometres from here in Ganderbal district. This year, too, despite the record low number of devotees, local Muslims served milk to the devotees, an encouraging evidence of the fact that whatever be the security and political situation in the state, the basic fabric of Hindu-Muslim amity remains intact. Authorities believe that malicious propaganda spread by miscreants through social networking sites was responsible for the minimal number of migrant Pandits attending the festival this year. Even after the majority of local Pandits migrated out of the valley in early 1990s after violence broke out here, they have been coming in large numbers from different parts of the country to attend the festival and pray at Mata Ragnya's shrine. New Delhi: Members of a "cow vigilante" group allegedly barged into the Kerala House in New Delhi on Thursday to protest against the beef festivals organised recently in the south Indian state. 'Beef fests' were held in various parts of Kerala to protest against the Centre's decision banning sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter, while some Youth Congress activists butchered a calf in full public view in the state where beef is widely consumed. Police said around 12 to 14 people, claiming they belonged to 'Bharathiya Gauraksha Kranti', entered the Kerala House at around 8 pm and started distributing cow milk. Eyewitnesses claimed that the protesters blocked the main entrance of the Kerala House and also threatened the police who asked them if they had any permission to organise the protest. They reportedly said they "do not need any permission" as they were working according to the "dharma". The police, however, maintained that it was a peaceful protest. Kerala House Resident Commissioner Vishwas Mehta denied knowledge of any such incident. He said no such incident or protest had taken place until 6.30 pm. Mehta also said he had already informed police authorities concerned about the chances of such protests in front of the House. New Delhi: The Arunachal Pradesh government can't brush aside the need to establish an autonomous district council in the Naga-dominated areas of Tirap, Changlang and Longding, various bodies associated with the movement for a Patkai Autonomous Council for the three areas said. They said a Patkai Autonomous Council for Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) is the only solution for the region, alleging it has been ignored by the state government and the Centre for decades in terms of its socio-economic development. The proposal to form an autonomous council to develop the Naga-inhabited areas was cleared by the Cabinet in 2013 and has been pending with the Home Ministry since 2014. Various bodies associated with the movement such as Patkai Autonomous Demand District Council and the TCL Students Federation have threatened to hold an indefinite bandh in the three districts if the Centre and the state continue to pay no heed to the matter. "The successive Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh hardly have any knowledge about the people of the Patkai region which has Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts. They neither know the way of life nor do they have any basic knowledge about the topography of the region. Based on these historical reasons, people of the three districts have demanded Patkai Autonomous Council," said a statement issued by TCL Students Federation. Earlier, the bodies had also sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the formation of the autonomous council. Patkai hills are also known as the home of Wancho, Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa Ollo, recognised as Naga by the Constitution. In 1914 they were part of North East Frontier Tract, which was later renamed North East Frontier Agency. The Arunachal Pradesh government data states that areas falling under Patkai region are the most resource-rich but not even one per cent has been tapped. "In the absence of any proper infrastructure, we have also failed to develop the human resources. This has led to many unemployed youths taking to drugs, insurgency and many anti-social activities. Even after 30 years of association with the state, we have not seen any tangible change in the Patkai region," said the statement. According to records, the demand for formation of Patkai Autonomous Council was passed by the Assembly in 2004 and 2007 and the Cabinet approved it in 2013. The proposal was then sent to the Union Home Ministry and a committee headed by Joint Secretary (North East), Ministry of Home Affairs, was constituted by the then UPA government, which visited the three districts in February 2014. Since then, there has been no communication from the Home Ministry. Stating that while "brothers in Nagaland" are enjoying a full-fledged state with special status, the TCL groups said: "We have been left in the lurch to fend for ourselves. We feel dejected because of the lackadaisical attitude of the government towards our grievances." According to the community, their demand for an autonomous council, which would focus on the development of TCL areas, is deliberately being sidelined by the Pema Khandu government in Arunachal Pradesh. On 1 June, India and Russia concluded an agreement that would begin work on the fifth and sixth reactors at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. The deal was finalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to St Petersburg for the 18th annual bilateral summit between the two nations and ironed out the technicalities to a 1988 memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Mikhail Gorbachev and Rajiv Gandhi for the development of nuclear energy in southern Tamil Nadu. Completion of this project would make Kudankulam India's largest nuclear park, responsible for 40 percent of India's total nuclear energy capacity. Although the original MoU envisioned a total of eight reactors at the Indian site, a subsequent negotiation in 2008 reduced that number to six. No size of the reactor had been mentioned in the agreement but was mutually understood to be the 1,000 megawatt VVER-1000. In 2014, Russia offered its latest generation 3+ VVER-1200 for future Kudankulam installations but this suggestion was nixed by India as there were no working models of the design; the first VVER-1200 reactor became commercial just three months ago at Novovoronezh. The deal for the last two reactors at Kudankulam comes at an interesting time in international nuclear politics. Rosatom has been strongly pushing nuclear exports over the past five years and secured agreements in several countries such as Hungary, Bolivia, Argentina, Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Bulgaria, Finland, and others. As the only company in the nuclear sector that is capable of offering the full spectrum of services from mining to reprocessing, Rosatom has a powerful advantage over its competitors in new markets. However, nuclear sales come with financing agreements and it has been questioned if the Russian state-owned company can indeed afford to float such lines of credit. In fact, Rosatom had offered to partner with India in fulfilling its agreements for probably similar concerns. This deal confirms valuable additional business for the Russian nuclear giant when it needs it most, especially considering the short period of 10 years for the $4.2 billion loan Russia has extended India for Units V and VI. The finalisation of Kudankulam V and VI also comes on the heels of India's decision to proceed with 10 indigenous 700 megawatt reactors if foreign suppliers cannot be relied upon to assist with India's nuclear aspirations. If Delhi does succeed in streamlining the indigenous route, a valuable customer with enormous needs would be lost to the international market. Despite its frustrating vacillations, India still remains one of the hopes of a nuclear renaissance. It is also hoped in some quarters that indigenous nuclear development will give India additional leverage to force its way into the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The emergence of a parallel market in which Delhi can set its own rules while broadly following international non-proliferation and safety protocols is a threat to the Western-led international nuclear regime. Although this is no more than a fantasy, it is hoped that taking even small steps towards such reliance will soften the stand of the nuclear cabal. Given the new mantra of Make In India and Modi's emphasis on developing Indian industry, it is not inconceivable that a few benefits are also seen in domestic Indian nuclear industry. There is no clear information yet as to what the cost of Kudankulam V and VI will be. The first two units were built for 17,270 crores but the price for the third and fourth units skyrocketed to 39,747 crores. The agreement for the fifth and sixth units commits Russia to a loan of approximately 27,000 crores to cover the construction costs of the reactors but reports make no mention of what the total cost is likely to be. If the agreement on Kudankulam III and IV in which India secured a $3.4 billion loan towards construction costs is any indicator, the last two VVER units at the site are likely to cost around 51,000 crores. As usual, India's Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL) will construct the plant with guidance from Russia's Atomstroyexport. No information has been released on the timeframe for Kudankulam V and VI to begin commercial operation, or for that matter, the earlier two units. The agreement for the fifth and sixth units follows quickly on the heels of the agreement for Kudankulam III and IV. The infusion of two more foreign reactors will not salvage India's moribund nuclear energy programme but it comes at a time when more and more people are asking questions about India's relations with Russia. While Delhi is perceived to have drifted towards the United States, Moscow flirts with Islamabad to India's chagrin. Despite all the diplomatic packing peanuts, defence (technology) agreements have formed the bedrock of India-Russia relations since the time of Joseph Stalin, and the new Kudankulam reactors will give flagging relations a shot in the arm. As long as cooperation in the strategic realm remains strong, both Moscow and New Delhi will be able to weather any storms since their relations are not based on a sense of community or shared international vision. It also seems clear now that Russia will be exempted, de facto, from India's asinine nuclear liability regime. The argument for the exemption is that laws cannot be applied retroactively though such common sense has not always prevailed in India and the Kudankulam agreement and the subsequent renegotiation were both concluded before the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA). As analysts have pointed out, by reopening the Kudankulam deal to accommodate the CLNDA would provoke Russia into demanding renegotiation of reprocessing rights, the implementation of full scope safeguards, and showing a greater restraint in nuclear cooperation or technology transfer. Russia has already substantially raised the price of its reactors to allow for India's convoluted workaround of its liability law. Russia remains the only country that has committed to developing nuclear power plants in India despite the CLNDA albeit no new agreement has been concluded and the reactors presently under construction are still grandfathered into the 1988 accord. India's early optimism in face of international concern for its liability law now seems hollow and self-deceptive. A good experience with Kudankulam is therefore important to retain India's only foreign nuclear vendor. St Petersburg (Russia): The world has increasingly become inter-connected and inter-dependent, a transformation that has made it necessary for India and China to cooperate on trade and investments despite a simmering border dispute, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. "It is true that we have a border dispute with China. But in the last 40 years, not a single bullet has been fired because of it," Modi said during a panel discussion at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. He shared the stage with Russian president Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Modi was responding to a question whether India's opposition to China's 'One Belt One Road' project reflects deep discord in their relationship. India had boycotted a high-profile conference recently hosted by China on the project, citing "sovereignty" issue since it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The prime minister noted that it is not the same bipolar world as before when nations were aligned either with the United States or the former Soviet Union. "It is an inter-connected and inter-dependent world. So countries may have some disputes and some areas of collaboration," he said, noting that the India-Russia relationship has stood the test of time as it was based on trust. The 24-page St. Petersburg Declaration, released on Thursday after his summit with Putin, is a testament to India-Russia relation, Modi said. "And I know the world will minutely scrutinize every word for future direction of our relations." On China, he said that despite differences, New Delhi and Beijing have come together on the BRICS platform to create two financial institutions, one headed by China where India is a partner and one BRICS Bank where the two regional superpowers are collaborators. "We believe in 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas' (Cooperation of all, development for all). This is not just for domestic programmes but also for international cooperation. We want to carry everyone along for development," he said. Calling for foreign investments in India's rapidly growing economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi "invited the world" to invest in the vast opportunities provided by the vibrant and diverse 1.2 billion people market on Friday. "I am here today representing the 1.25 billion Indians. For the past three years, I have been the Prime Minister of India. In these three years, India has got a strong and stable government. Today, India's GDP is at 7 percent. It is the fastest growing economy in the world," Modi said during his speech at the St. Petersberg International Economic Forum(SPIEF) 2017 on Friday. Modi is currently on a six-day, four-nation European tour to Germany, Spain, Russia and France with a view to boost India's economy. From Russia, Modi will leave for Paris to hold talks with French president Emmanuel Macron. Stressing on his "minimum government, maximum governance" ideology, Modi said, "One thing is certain, when there is political will, stability and clear vision, there is reform. When bureaucracy is vibrant, proactive, in tune with the decision making body, it performs well." "Today, India is progressing at a rapid pace. There are more than 1,700 dialects. Diversity is our strength," the prime minister added. This was the first time that an Indian prime minister was attending the SPIEF forum, which is held annually in St. Petersburg, Russias second largest city and President Vladimir Putins hometown. Putin, who addressed the session before Modi, also spoke of Russias attractiveness for investors, pointing out the technological advancements of its youth. Speaking on the need to curb digital divide, Modi appealed for investments in technology. "As Putin said, the coming generation is technology-driven. Technology has become a part of life. We have the Digital India campaign. We have to acknowledge that digital divide can create a big problem in any society. That's why in a progressing society, under no condition should digital divide exist," he said. The prime minister shared India's efforts in involving even the poor in the flow of economy. "Every Indian is provided with the benefit of banking. Technology is used for the same. By using biometric identity of each citizen, we have achieved much. We are aiming to bring a change in quality of life," Modi said, as he mentioned JAM Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile schemes. Mentioning India's efforts on improving World Economic Forum's ease of doing business index rankings, Modi shared how the federal government has had 7,000 new reforms in three years of his governance. Praising India's position as one of the three most favourable investment-making destinations, Modi said, "It is true that when an investor enters a market, security is the most important issue. Investment and risk security are also important. Since English is a highly-preferred language, interpreting our law is not difficult. Any person in the world can understand our laws." While sharing the government's 'new India' dream, Modi mentioned plans of improving infrastructure in the country. "In the eyes of the world, India is a market of 1.2 billion people. We also have 800 million under the age of 35. India is a young country," he said. PM Modi greets Russian President after his speech at Plenary Session of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2017 in Russia #SPIEF pic.twitter.com/Zff95Aw7JT ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 Modi said that his governments plan towards developing India is built on investments in infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and services. "India is a country of villages. Most modern infrastructure is needed; solid waste management is needed in 500 cities. We have the second largest rail network in the world. Everyday, close to 2.5 crore people travel in rail bogies. I want to expand and upgrade this rail network. Make it safe. There is huge scope for infrastructure," he said. Drawing the attention for investment in the Clean Ganga drive, Modi said, "Exploitation of the nature is a crime. That is why in our manufacturing sector, we believe in having zero defect in manufacturing, zero effect on environment." The prime minister urged for quality investment. "Benchmark of the quality should be global. No manufacturing unit should have effect on environment. Today in India, investment in renewable energy. Big invitation to the world because we are working with responsibility," he said. "With 'sky is the limit' attitude, I invite you all. A nation of 1.2 billion people invites the world. The worlds oldest civilisation invites you all," he added. With inputs from PTI New Delhi: The NDA government on Friday tried to wash its hands off a declaration that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was dead by putting the onus on the previous UPA government, but added it would be willing to examine any "new fact" if and when it came up. The government's clarification on the founder of the Indian National Army came after a sharp reaction from political parties, including the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, as well as the state's BJP unit. The controversy was triggered by a reply from the Ministry of Home Affairs to an RTI filed by a Kolkata resident. "The government has come to the conclusion that Netaji died in the plane crash on 18 August 1945," the ministry said on 31 May, referring to the findings of the Shah Nawaz Committee, the Justice GD Khosla Commission and the Justice Mukherjee Commission of Enquiry on the subject. A home ministry spokesperson on Friday clarified that the issue was not closed. "There was a conclusion in 2006 that Netaji was dead. The RTI reply was based on that conclusion. However, the issue is not closed. Any new fact, if it comes up, will be examined by the government on merit and an appropriate decision will be taken," the spokesperson said. The RTI reply on Bose's death was based on a May 2006 cabinet decision, he said. The Congress-led UPA was in power at the Centre then. He said a supplementary reply to the RTI applicant was being sent, clarifying the government's position. The spokesperson said the government in 2006 had taken this position after the Mukherjee Commission (1999) concluded that Netaji was no longer alive considering the fact that he was born in 1897. The UPA government in 2006 accepted the Mukherjee Commission's conclusion that the former Congress president was presumed dead. The spokesperson said the then government had rejected the findings of the Shah Nawaz Committee (1956) and the Khosla Commission (1970-74) that Bose was not killed in the plane crash in Taipei in 1945, and that the ashes kept in Tokyo's Renkoji Temple were not his. In the RTI reply, the NDA government also sought to dispel reports that Bose lived in disguise as 'Gumnami Baba' the belief of a large section of Bose's legion of admirers, many of whom held that he was alive, but in hiding. Immediately after the RTI reply was made public, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I am shocked to see this unilateral decision of the Central Government without evidence," she said. Chandra Bose, BJP's West Bengal unit leader and Bose's grandnephew, demanded that a special investigation team be set up to unravel the mystery of his disappearance. "I demand the Central government immediately take action against the officer who gave such an irresponsible reply. How can the government come to a conclusion regarding Netaji's death without concrete evidence," he asked. The All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) accused the Centre of "misleading" the country by claiming he had died in an air crash in 1945. Bose had set up the Forward Bloc of the Indian National Congress in 1939. The Congress also accused the NDA government of making "concerted efforts" to rewrite history. Saying that it had stoked a fresh controversy over Bose's death, it demanded an apology from it. Islamabad: Pakistan president Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday said India has become a "major obstacle" for durable peace in South Asia and called the Kashmir issue an "unfinished" agenda of the partition. The president highlighted the issue of Kashmir and the strained bilateral relations between Pakistan and India while addressing a joint session of Parliament. Terming Kashmir as an "unfinished" agenda of the partition of the subcontinent, the president said: "India has become a major obstacle for durable peace in the region". "The basic dispute between Pakistan and India is the issue of Jammu and Kashmir which is an unfinished agenda of the partition of the subcontinent. "Our Kashmiri brothers, sisters, sons and daughters are protesting for their fundamental right of freedom for which they are being subjected to the worst kind of atrocities," Hussain said. "Instead of positively responding to Pakistan's peace efforts, India sent Kulbhushan Jadhav, terrorists and other spies," he said. Hussain said Pakistan wants to solve all problems with India through talks but New Delhi was not responding to effort. "The only solution to the Kashmir dispute is holding of a plebiscite as prescribed under the resolutions of the United Nations," he said. The Pakistan Army sentenced Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of espionage after a secret trial. Ties between India and Pakistan have been tense of late over a number of issues, including the status of Kashmir and the Jadhav issue. 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 Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Delhi's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has informed a Delhi court that it has lodged three FIRs on a complaint filed against Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal and others in alleged PWD scam. The court was hearing a complaint filed by Rahul Sharma, founder of Roads Anti-Corruption Organisation (RACO), requesting the court to direct police to lodge an FIR against Arvind Kejriwal, his late brother-in-law Surender Bansal (proprietor of a construction firm) and a public servant for alleged irregularities in the grant of contracts for road and sewer lines in Delhi. RACO, which claims to monitor construction projects in the national capital, had alleged that a firm linked to Bansal was involved in financial irregularities in building a drainage system in north-west Delhi. In the FIR, three companies have been named Renu Constructions, owned by late Bansal, Kamal Singh and Pawan Kumar. On 23 May, ACB had carried out searches at various places in the national capital including PWD office and had collected some files. Rahul Sharma had also claimed that he was harrased and recvied death threats from AAP workers. On 1 June, he was attacked by two unidentified men, following which the court had directed ACB to assess threat perception. With inputs from PTI Srinagar: After years of fighting armed militants with bullets and brickbats, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir are now facing a new enemy bedroom jihadis who manipulate social media from the comfort of their homes to spread rumours and influence youths. It's a new battleground and a new battle, say senior officers. Far removed from conventional weaponry and the conventional fighting zones of the warren of narrow streets and forests, these new age jihadis use computers and smartphones to wage war from just about anywhere in Kashmir or outside, safe inside their homes or out on the streets, from a nearby cafe or even just a convenient roadside. An immediate worry for security agencies is the Amarnath Yatra that starts 29 June. Armed with access to platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, there are fears that the new band of jihadis could instigate communal riots in the Valley ahead of the 40-day pilgrimage to the high altitude shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. "It is a virtual battleground where a bloody war is fought, but with words. However, this has an impact on the young minds," said a senior police officer. Many officers felt that false rumours could be floated in Jammu in the coming days, leaving authorities with little time to react. "Anyone, while sitting on his bed or sofa, can plant this news in one of the thousand chat groups and the entire state can plunge into communal divide," said a police officer. The social chat groups are active not just in Jammu and Kashmir. They are seeing participation from youngsters in the national capital, rest of the country and abroad as well. Officers cite the recent example of a constable from the Kashmiri Pandit community to explain how difficult it is to tackle the unseen enemy. The constable went missing and his body was found in north Kashmir's Kupwara, about 90 km from here, after a thorough search. But even before the investigations began, people in the Pandit community posted stories that he had been kidnapped by militants and had died a martyr's death. The impact of social media on the case was so profound that it began to be probed as a militancy-related case. However, a Special Investigating Team (SIT), constituted by Director General of Police S P Vaid, later found that the constable had been murdered by a fellow policeman whom he had allegedly sodomised and threatened to make it public. Another instance of trouble being engineered was a fake picture of a pond around the shrine of Goddess Ragnya Devi, also known as Kheer Bhawani, being shared on WhatsApp groups ahead of the annual Kheer Bhawani mela being celebrated today. According to the post, the water of the pond had turned black, which according to folklore indicates inauspicious times for Kashmir. The government stepped in and released official photographs in an attempt to quell the rumours. They also tried to find those responsible. "But it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Millions of people are on social networking sites and is too difficult to locate that one person," a police officer said. In the Valley, social media access had been controlled to a large extent after authorities clamped down on 22 websites. While many users in the Valley found a way out through virtual private networks (VPN), they found it difficult to share pictures or videos because of the clamp down on 3G and 4G networks. A police officer recalled that many 'hartal' calls attributed to separatist leaders last year actually came from students or employees who did not want to attend work. "The hartal calls used to spread like a jungle fire even leaving separatists wondering at times whether they actually had given them," he said. Most youngsters picked up for questioning were let go with a warning. Given the governments push for Digital India in other parts of the country and the rapid strides in technology, the state government has received severe flak for its ban on the world wide web. Security agency officers feel it is necessary to keep 'bedroom jihadis' at bay so that they can concentrate on nabbing or eliminating terrorists with real guns. The government has warned administrators of these chatting groups or social networking sites against hosting any incriminating material on their platform. However, officers felt that a few more curbs and punitive action would help in reining in such 'bedroom jihadis'. Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the state has yet to come to terms with the bifurcation of the undivided Andhra Pradesh. On a day when Telangana was celebrating its third formation day, Andhra Pradesh organised 'Nava Nirmana Deeksha', where people took the pledge to rebuild the state. At the main function held in Vijayawada, the Chief Minister administered the oath to the people. Naidu vowed to take the state to greater heights despite all the odds in the aftermath of the bifurcation. He described 2 June, as a 'black day' in the history of Andhra Pradesh and said the state was yet to come to terms with the division. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief said while lodging their protest over the manner in which the state was bifurcated, people should dedicate themselves to rebuild the state. He said the government has organised the 'Nava Nirmana Deeksha' in all the towns and villages in the state. Recalling the manner in which the then Congress-led government at the Centre went ahead with the bifurcation, he said the attitude of the Congress party has hurt the people. Naidu said the bifurcation bill was passed in Parliament by closing the doors and attacking the TDP MPs who tried to protest. He claimed that the bill was sent in a fighter plane to Hyderabad for ratification by the state assembly. Naidu alleged that Congress President Sonia Gandhi divided the state on the independence day of her country, Italy. Recalling the efforts made by his government during last three years to put the state back on rails, Naidu said if people work hard nothing was impossible. The TDP chief said countries like Japan should be an inspiration to Andhra Pradesh as it emerged as a major economy in the world after being devastated in the Second World War. Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, ministers and senior officials participated in the rally. After the UP board class 10 and 12 exams were conducted from 16 March to 1 April, 2017, the Board of High School and Intermediate Education Uttar Pradesh, also known as Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) will declare the results on Friday, 9 June, according to News 18. The results can be downloaded after 12 pm, as per The Indian Express. UPMSP is one of India's biggest board, and in 2017, "more than 60 lakh students had registered for the high school and intermediate board exams and a total of 54,66,531 students appeared for the exam," NDTV reported. As per India Today, the results can be checked on the following websites: upmspresults.up.nic.in upmsp.edu.in upresults.nic.in results.nic.in NDTV mentioned that the original mark statements and passing certificates will be provided to students within 15 days of declaring the results. This process will be done through the students' school and colleges. In this year's Uttar Pradesh board exams, several cheating cases have been reported. At two exam centres in Mathura, students were caught mass cheating due to which the Board had to cancel the English paper. In Mathura, students were caught cheating en masse, because of which the English paper was cancelled by the board. Moreover, approximately 1,500 students have been caught using unfair means. FIRs have been lodged against 178 invigilators. The board had to find replacements for 327 centre incharges and 600 invigilators. Due to high instances of copying and paper leaks, exams at 54 centres were cancelled and names of 57 centres were on the blacklist, as per The Indian Express. The Indian Express further added that Uttar Pradesh has recorded over 13,000 dropouts in 2017. More than 7,802 students have backed our backing out from high schools and 5,708 have backed out from the intermediate level. New Delhi: 'Be humble and committed to your job.' This was the success mantra given by Union minister Jitendra Singh and senior bureaucrats to top 20 rank holders of the Union Public Service Commission's (UPSC) civil services examination in New Delhi. He said civil servants play a critical role in government, which is why they should always act independent and not perform anything under pressure, as their acts are always open to scrutiny. Singh said the civil servants should serve the nation to their best and act as a messenger of the general public. "Be alert to scrutiny. Always remember that your action as a civil servant are always watched," he said. The first 20 rank holders of the civil services exams, including the topper Nandini KR, were felicitated by the minister. He said there are ample opportunities available in the country for the new recruits to perform. "But just be humble to all and committed to your job," said Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. He also gave the mantra of 4Cs clarity (of thoughts), conviction (in thoughts), courage (to perform with conviction) and consistency to them to succeed in their career as civil servants. Secretary (Personnel) BP Sharma asked the new entrants to the civil services fraternity to start service with a clean slate. "Do not think too much about the ranks as it can bring issues like ego and arrogance. Just start with a clean slate," he said. Sharma, a senior IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, asked the toppers to maintain good interpersonal relationship with all colleagues and subordinates. C Viswanath, Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, asked the new recruits to work with honesty and integrity while maintaining commitment of purpose and devotion towards duty. "When you go to a district or work in a cadre, you may have have a Tehsildar who is 55-years-old. Kindly respect him. They have experience with them and you as a young officer may need them the most," Viswanath said. Establishment officer and secretary in the Personnel Ministry, Rajiv Kumar said that the candidates were entering in the government at a time when expectations from the society are very high. "Your role will be challenging and every action of yours will be watched every day. So work with commitment and success will be yours," he said. The civil services examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) annually in three stages preliminary, main and interview to select candidates for the elite Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Thursday had a message for people of the state to combat migration from the hills: Take children to ancestral villages to familiarise them with their roots, take selfies there and post those on social media. In posts on social media site Twitter, he said visiting their ancestral places will kindle a feeling of attachment in children while the selfies would present a unique picture of the state through social media. Reiterating his government's commitment to combat the problem of migration from the hills, Rawat said those who are parents could do their bit to contribute to the cause. "All parents who have their homes in the hills but live elsewhere should take their children to their ancestral villages this summer to revive in them a sense of attachment for their roots." "Do share pictures of you and your kids using a hashtag #SelfieFromMyVillage - every pic will help bring out a completely different aspect of Uttarakhand," the Chief Minister said. He also urged people to invite their friends and families to accompany them on these bonding trips which will also help the state. Rawat said that taking children to their village home in the hills will rekindle a love for their roots in them and they may feel tempted to come home again and again. It will also help connect the children with those left behind, he said. "Each photo will tell a separate story and present a unique picture of Uttarakhand through the social media," Rawat said. New Delhi: Power minister Piyush Goyal has taken up the challenge to rapidly make Varanasi a 100 percent clean energy city to steal a march on Germany's Munich. The German city is scheduled to flaunt the tag by 2025. "Noting Munichs aim to become 100 percent renewable energy powered city by 2025, Goyal threw a challenge to make Varanasi 100 percent renewable energy powered before 2025 and beat Munich," stated power ministry in a statement on Goyal's recent four-day visit to Berlin, Leipzig and Munich till 1 June 2017. It further said, "In this way, the Worlds oldest city (Varanasi) can also become the first major city to be powered fully by clean energy. The Minister instructed officials to start working on this including the storage and distribution infrastructure required for the same." Several development works are on in Varanasi, which is the constituency of prime minister Narendra Modi, where renewable energy is being promoted in a big way. At present, India does not have any city or town which is 100 percent energised by renewables and Varanasi would be the first such city in the country. India has set an ambitious target of having 175 GW of renewable energy from sources like solar, wind, small hydro and bio mass. Earlier last month, lower equipment and borrowing costs had pulled down the solar power tariff to all-time low of Rs 2.44 per unit in the auction conducted for Bhadla solar park. Similarly, under the wind power auction for 1 GW earlier this year, the tariff dipped to Rs 3.46 per unit. The new rates of solar power discovered in the auctions are even below the average rate of coal-based power produced by state-run NTPC at Rs 3.30 per unit. During the visit, the Minister apprised the German side how Indias tremendous success in auctions to ensure affordable renewable energy can also be adopted in Germany which is moving away from Feed In Tariffs (FITs). Given the global presence of German Development Agency GIZ (Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit) in over 130 countries, Goyal has proposed a partnership with state-run EESL, which can help India leapfrog and distribute energy efficiency products across the globe. The Minister also explored areas like potential availability of good technical assets in stressed solar companies in Germany, long term funding, grid balancing, electric vehicles development, off grid systems, green energy corridors and long term funding. Society has had an unhealthy obsession with women's clothes, their bodies and their behaviour for time immemorial. The Egyptians wanted to represent their women with narrow waists, high shoulders. The period of Renaissance in Italy portrayed beauty in the form of zaftig women. Victorian-era England emphasised on hourglass figures for women this meant tight corsets which would enhance the bust and crinolines which would make the derrieres of women look larger visually. This obsession with maintaining a certain look for women throughout society has had implications on the quality of life for women and the quality, let's face it, has been inferior. Pick up any story about rape, sexual assault, the survivor or victim's clothes are discussed in great detail. Turn to any page on any lifestyle magazine, there will be reams dedicated to who showed the best cleavage, who could have shown a little more, who showed too much. Remember when Deepika Padukone apparently showed 'too much cleavage'? Priyanka Chopra has legs, yet trolls abused her online for meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with those very legs. Comedian Aditi Mittal recently said in an interview how she puts up very few videos of herself on YouTube because of how many people comment about her 'cameltoe'. Add to this endless obsession about women's bodies, a university in Belgium which emailed its students asking them to wear low-cut tops to their graduation ceremony. According to a report in CNN, the email which was sent out to 100 medical students from the Free University of Brussels said that it would be "preferable for young women to wear a low neckline because it would look better in photos." "From an aesthetic point of view, it would be better if the young women would wear a skirt or a dress, as well as a low neckline, and the men, a suit. Of course, ladies, this guidance isn't mandatory" Screenshots of the email were posted to the ULB Confessions page and had evoked reactions from students. The university posted its apologies on Facebook and Twitter "It goes without saying that the instructions related to the clothing of young graduates are contrary to the values of the ULB and this faculty," The Guardian quotes the apology. Of course the university apologised, but it's just a reminder that society really needs to stop obsessing over women's clothes, bodies and just chill. via GIPHY Yeah, we feel the same way. The mountainous desert of Ladakh, at an altitude of 3,500 metres, receives only 50-70 mm rainfall annually. And from April to June, that number is down to zero mm. Locals have managed agriculture for centuries by melting snow for irrigation. That system worked all right till the 1980s. Now of course, that thing Donald Trump doesnt believe in climate change is causing some serious heart and glacier burn. Heavy and unpredictable snowfall, less rain, hot summers and freezing winters have thrown some big challenges at the local population. They desperately need harvesting techniques that work. So in 2014, local engineer, educator and innovator, Sonam Wangchuk thought, Cool, let me make some ice stupas. Also read The Iceman of Ladakh: How Chewang Norphel's 'artificial glaciers' improved the region's water woes Ice stupas are conical ice mounds that resemble mini-glaciers and slowly release water for agriculture. Now since these ice stupas had to be built 4,000 metres above sea level in locations that were surrounded by mountains on the south, and they were likely to melt away in the months of April and May, just when they were most needed! So then Wangchuk thought, The melting speed of artificial glaciers is linked to their surface area exposure (side note: they taught you the formula to calculate that in school). Okay, so Ill make mine taller and reduce the SA! Heres how these ice stupas work: They direct glacial melt aka water travelling downstream through a pipe to a pre-decided place. Then, this water is moved up vertically. It freezes and forms stupa-like structures. Well, in a 20 degree Celsius environment, that would happen. Then, over the year, the system supplies water for agriculture in a controlled fashion. In Wangchuks words: 1. From the streams, water enters underground pipes. 2. The pressure in the pipes moves the water upwards, against gravity. 3. The water is exposed to the cold air (20 degrees). 4. It freezes. 5. No electricity is needed. 6. Everything works with gravity thats the beauty! Why the ice stupas work: 1. Effective way to store glacial melt 2. Low cost 3. Can be applied world over Cut to 2017 and voila: As of 26 May: The system is generating over 50,000 litres of water per day in the summers. Its giving a new lease of life to 5,000 trees through a drip irrigation system. On 15 May: The government of Sikkim would like folks from the the Ice Stupa Project to help them with defusing the lake outburst threat using siphon (and ice stupa) technique... the same technique which was repeatedly proposed around this time last year to defuse the disaster that was building up in Phuktal. But Wangchuk makes the tough stuff look easy. Here a list of the big problems he overcame. Some technical, some human. Challenge 1: To store water vertically without a pump and electricity. Solution 1: Raised US$125,000 through US-based crowd-funding website Indiegogo to scale up the project. Yes, money is the answer to all our problems. Challenge 2: Dealing with dishonest vendors. Suppliers delivered bad quality pipes. Rs 25 lakh went down the glacial landscape. No, money aint everything. We need honest people too. Solution 2: Indian Air Force and Jain Irrigation to the rescue. Jain Irrigation donated pipes for the 3 km stretch! Why do all this? Ice stupas can prevent glacier lake outburst (GLOF) in the Himalayan states of Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir. Real danger: 300 potentially dangerous glacial lakes formed by melted ice. The other slightly scary thing: Wangchuk knows the stupas arent a permanent solution. Theyre helping the local community for now. Impact and recognition: 1. Recipient of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture. The award is promoted with patronage from the French Government and UNESCO. The ceremony took place at the Cite de l'Architecture Paris on 15th of May 2017. 2. The Sikkim government invited Sonam Wangchuk to test his technique on a lake that has formed on the Phuktal Glacier and which poses a massive risk to downstream communities. 3. Recipient of the Rolex Award for Enterprise 2016 for reshaping the world with innovative thinking and dynamism". 4. SW runs a school called SECMOL- the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh. Aim: to make learning fun. No cramming puhleese! 5. Hes raised 130 lacs for the HIAL, Himalayan Institute of Alternatives . Dream university! 6. Hes invited to host of prestigious forums to give talks. He usually does them pro-bono and when he accepts the Rs 3-6 lakh fee, he usually passes it onto one of his cool initiatives. In fact, recently Mahindra and Mahindra offered him a Rs 9 lakh E20 Electric if he came to Pune and addressed their leadership team. Hed already decided to donate the car to HIAL. The only problem was he was going to reach Pune only one hour before the event because hed be flying back to India from France where he had a meeting scheduled with the faculty of CRATerre, his alma mater. The Mahindra guys said, Too close! Not happening. Wangchuk said, Happily on my way back to India. After winning and award and losing a car. I am happy and not sad at this turn of events... It's much better to lose a car than to lose friends! 7. Presented HIALs concept in Germany. 8. Spoke at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the international festival of innovation organised by National Innovation Foundation and hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee in March this year. Here's what Wangchuk has to say: "If failures can achieve what toppers dream of, then there is something wrong in the system." In case you want to hear him talk about his work, check out his TEDx talk. When Wangchuk won the Rolex Award in 2016, there were editorials aplenty talking about his story being an inspiration for Rajkumar Hiranis film 3 Idiots. He was being called the real life Phunsukh Wangdu. Well, the filmmakers dont think so. And hey, if all you need is a Bollywood connection to relate to the cause so be it. Just for the record, he didnt go to IIT. He went to NIT (National Institute of Technology, Srinagar) and I dont know his GPA. Wangchuks mantra in life seems to be Nishkam Karma (working for the joy of the act itself and not for the reward it might or might not bring with it). That's wonderful. It's inspired me not to hanker after likes, comments and shares for this article and go volunteer at SECMOL instead. Ha! Theyre kind of full-up and Ive beaten you to the registration process. Access to clean water is a privilege that not many in India can afford. Around 77 million people in India lack access to safe drinking water in India. The World Bank estimates that 21 percent of communicable diseases in India are linked to unsafe water and the lack of hygiene practices. Further, more than 500 children under the age of five die each day from diarrhea in India alone. Clean drinking water at the turn of a tap" width="1198" height="630" /> With 27 out of 35 states and union territories in India disaster-prone, the poorest and the most marginalised will bear the brunt of extreme weather events and climate change and will find it the hardest to adapt, said VK Madhavan, chief executive, Water Aid India. There's where Suprio Das comes in. Disillusioned by his corporate work life which spanned 20 years, Das was inspired to leave the rat race behind and start his own enterprise. While teaming up with an NGO in Kolkata he realised that the rural areas he was visiting lacked one essential thing access to clean drinking water. Das elaborates, "While visiting the slums and villages around Kolkata, I realised that social work and engineering could be combined together to come up with simple innovations that could make life better for the less fortunate. Of all the challenges the poor have to face, I found that the issue of drinking water was the most pressing. Globally ever year, over 1 million children under the age of five die from diarrheal diseases, a leading cause of which, is unsafe drinking water. In India alone, about 1,500 children die every day from water-borne diseases. Even when diarrheal episodes are not fatal, chronic diarrhoea in early childhood can contribute to malnutrition, with potentially adverse long-term consequences for child development. This was a reason I decided working on (improving access to) safe drinking water." Das had a brainwave: instead of providing villages with clean drinking water, he thought why not provide them with the tools to purify their own water? Das knew chlorinating water would help solve the problem. He says, "According to World Health Organisation (WHO), chlorine is the most cost-effective way of treating biologically contaminated water (bacteria and virus, and not chemical contaminants like arsenic or fluoride). Chlorine has been in use for disinfection of drinking water for almost 150 years. It has been successfully used to resist cholera, typhoid, Hepatitis A and a many other water-borne ailments for ages. Its effectiveness is time-proven and currently needs no statistical evidence." That's how he started to try and design an automatic chlorine doser that would have no moving parts and work without electricity. With encouragement to work on this project by D-Lab at MIT, Das soon had a team of international students to help him. After years of false starts and his students distancing themselves and funding running out, ZIMBA was born. ZIMBA is like a 'water treatment plant' in a box that attaches to almost any source of water handpumps being one. Here's how it works: The 12-kg device (with food-grade fiberglass shell) can be set up in 30 minutes without the need for any special tools. The device can be fitted to an existing water source like a hand-pump, the tap of a rainwater harvesting cistern or a faucet of a piped water system. It harnesses the principle of an automatic siphon to add a set amount of chlorine per water batch. Because it is designed without moving parts (electricity is a distant dream in these villages), ZIMBA works without electricity. ZIMBA managed to conquer the hurdle of purifying water without electricity as well as regulating the amount of chlorine in the water. Unlike conventional water purifiers, ZIMBA negates the need to replace expensive cartridges and is making waves in the industry for being robust a pertinent feature required in tackling this type of societal problem. The fact that it is gravity-powered means that there are no expensive electricity bills or any unreliable power sources such as batteries, particularly in rural settings. Das admits funding the project hasn't been easy: "Barid Tarafdar joined me as a partner and together we formed the company. Some funding came from friends and well wishers in an informal way, and lot of it has been self funding (from Barid and I)." ZIMBA was first evaluated by researchers from Stanford University in the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to check the consistency and accuracy of dosing. A paper has also been published by these researchers. Thereafter, ZIMBA has been installed in slums, villages and schools of West Bengal and Odisha through NGOs working in those areas. After the last devastating earthquake in Nepal, Das had also installed two of the devices as a temporary measure for safe drinking water for two villages there. The scientist has also recently exported two units to Purdue University for their safe water projects in the Dominican Republic and Kenya. As for future plans, Suprio talks about expansion of ZIMBA and providing more villages with clean water. Which still leaves us with one question why the name 'ZIMBA'? "Why, didn't you like the name?" Das asks, with a laugh. "I didn't want the name of the device to be India specific. And anything with 'Z' has a zing to it right? If I call someone whom I have not spoken to for ages, they won't remember my name, but they remember ZIMBA!" (All images courtesy ZIMBA/Facebook) Ghaziabad: Intelligence agencies are probing the Saharanpur caste clashes and "stringent" action will be initiated against BSP supremo Mayawati if she was found complicit in the conspiracy, Uttar Pradesh minister Rajendra Pratap Singh said on Thursday. A Dalit man had died in a caste clash soon after Mayawati's visit to Saharanpur in the troubled district on 23 May. "Intelligence agencies are probing the root cause of the violence. In case Mayawati is found to be behind the conspiracy of Saharanpur clashes, stringent action will be taken against her by the state government," Singh said. Interacting with mediapersons in Ghaziabad, Singh, who is the state minister for Rural Engineering department said that "violence had broken out after Mayawati's Saharanpur visit". He also attacked the BSP chief claiming she was frustrated over losing her vote bank. "The BJP has benefited and this is the reason she is conspiring to defame the Yogi government," the minister alleged. Mayawati had visited Saharanpur on 23 May, to meet the victims of violence that had broken out earlier that month. However, fresh violence erupted the same day in which one person, who was returning after attending the BSP chief's event, died. Mayawati has also attacked the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in the state over the violence and held the state administration responsible. Talking about the law and order issue in the state, Singh said that the mentality of the police needs positive change. He claimed that crime was not rising in the state. It is 14-year-old garbage that cannot be cleaned in such short period, he added, taking a pot-shot at opposition parties which had earlier held power in the state. To understand whats happening in battleground Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2019 General Election in the correct perspective, you would do well to recall Martin Luther King Jrs words of wisdom: In a real sense, all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be... This is the inter-related structure of reality. True. Now, take a look at these two otherwise unconnected news headlines that appeared almost simultaneously on Firstpost the same day Wednesday, 31 May: 1. Yogi Adityanath's visit to Ayodhya Ram Mandir revives shrill chant of 90s for a temple. 2. Akhilesh Yadav to attend Lalu Prasad's Patna rally along with Mayawati, hints at future alliance. Dont you think that the two stories are meaningfully connected? Those who know Uttar Pradesh inside out will tell you that the two stories, which otherwise focus on the activities of different personalities at different places, convey the same message: If the Kamandal wave is sought to be revived; the Mandal forces shall not only reunite but also take society by storm. Like the latter did in Uttar Pradesh in 1993. And in Bihar in 2015. Yes. Its as simple as that. Penned by Sanjay Singh, the first story says, "A day after LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and a host of other senior leaders of Sangh Parivar were charged by the CBI with criminal conspiracy for the demolition of the Babri Mosque structure in Ayodhya, Yogi Adityanath did what no other chief minister of Uttar Pradesh dared to do in the last three decades." "Adityanath took a chopper from Lucknow to land in Ayodhya on Wednesday morning and then drove straight to Hanuman Garhi to pay his obeisance to the Ramlala idol in a makeshift temple. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister then proceeded to Ram ki Pari and offered prayers at the bank of River Saryu," the article continues. Explaining the importance of Adityanaths Ayodhya visit, the author of the story hammers home this point: "No other Uttar Pradesh chief minister had done that till date. While former chief ministers Kalyan Singh, Ram Prakash Gupta and Rajnath Singh, all from the BJP ranks, had visited Ayodhya over a-decade-and-half ago but all three avoided visiting Ramlala. Adityanath is the first chief minister to have done that." The story concludes with this remark: Before he left in the evening after an eight-hour stay, Adityanath announced a series of developmental projects worth Rs 350 crore for the temple town. In consultation with local religious leaders, he announced several spiritual-religious programmes like daily Saryu aarti on the pattern of Ganga aarti in Haridwar and Varanasi, provision for round the year Ramlila, Saryu Mahotsav and so on. Indeed, the Yogi led BJP is busy upping the ante on the mandir front in Uttar Pradesh. Little wonder then that those who oppose the saffron establishment are getting together to forge a united front. Firstposts second story with a Mainpuri dateline focuses on this political development. Here is what the write-up says: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said on Wednesday that he would attend Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's rally in Patna on 27 August and added that BSP supremo Mayawati would also be present there. The story reminds the readers that this piece of news comes in the wake of speculation that arch-rivals Samajwadi Party and BSP are about to shed their hostility and inch closer to beat the BJP in next election. The story quotes none other than Akhilesh himself as saying, "I will be present at Lalu Prasadji's Bihar rally on 27 August and Mayawati will also be there. If there is any announcement (regarding future alliance) it will be made there." Be that as it may, its more than clear by now that both Mandalites and Kamandalites have already begun to flex their muscles for 2019. But what they seem to forget is that no two situations can ever be the same just like no two moves on a chess-board can be repeated. Thats a fact of life. It was an entirely different time zone in 1993, when then prime minister PV Narasimha Rao called the shots from Delhi. Now, the Opposition has to struggle against Narendra Modi, who has by now mastered the art of winning elections. This apart, there is another difference in this context: There is a new Hindutva icon, Adityanath, in power at Lucknow. And thats probably why the 2019 election might not be an exact replica of 1993, when Mulayam Singh Yadav and Kansi Ram had joined hands to topple the apple cart of the Sangh Parivar in Uttar Pradesh. Kochi: BJP chief Amit Shah on Friday began his three-day Kerala visit, amid a raging row in the state over a Central government notification banning sale of cattle in animal markets for slaughter. Shah, who arrived at the Nedumbassery International Airport near Kochi this morning, was accorded a rousing welcome by hundreds of BJP workers. Accompanied by a bike rally organised by party workers, he later proceeded to a government guest house in the city. During his stay in Kochi, Shah would attend a meeting of the BJP state core committee before the state NDA meeting and meeting with bishops as part of efforts to win over a section of Christians in the state. The BJP leadership in Kerala hopes Shah's meeting with bishops will help build bridges with the minority community, which accounts for 18-20 per cent of votes in the state. The Hindu far right has often been at loggerheads with Christians over the hugely contentious issue of religious conversions. The party's in-charge of the state H Raja had said the meeting is aimed at "understanding each other" and added that Shah would undertake an "in-depth" analysis of the organisational work in the state during his three-day stay. Shah is likely to flag the recent public slaughter of a calf by Youth Congress workers. The public butchering of a calf by Youth Congress leaders in Kerala last week to protest the Centre's ban on sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter has come in handy for him and he is likely to target the Congress, which has been on the defensive over the issue. However, it will be a tricky matter for BJP as beef is widely consumed in the state and a strident stand on the matter is unlikely to be of much help, especially while it attempts to woo Christians. Claiming that BJP was gaining ground in Kerala, Raja had said 'a few popular people' who had so far not been in politics are set to join it during Shah's three-day visit. "The party has started gaining ground in Kerala. A few popular people who have so far not been in politics will be welcomed to BJP during Amit Shah's Kerala visit," he said. "A few such cases are on the cards....Very popular people. Such people will also be joining BJP. Throughout the country, it has been happening and Kerala will not be an exception," he had said. Kerala is important in BJP's strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as Shah expects to win a chunk of its 20 seats after the party increased its vote share substantially to 16 per cent in the 2016 assembly polls. It, however, could win only one seat. The party had drawn a blank in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Shah will attend various party programmes in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday and Sunday. A BJP youth wing leader claimed before a Delhi court on Friday that he was allegedly defamed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh, by projecting him as the person who reportedly assaulted former minister Kapil Mishra. Metropolitan Magistrate Gajender Singh Nagar was told by the counsel for Ankit Bhardwaj, a state executive member of Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), that it was his namesake who had allegedly assaulted Mishra. The court has now listed the complaint seeking prosecution of the two AAP leaders for criminal defamation for 2 August, for hearing further arguments on consideration. Advocate Yogesh Swaroop, appearing for Bhardwaj who was present in the court, said his name was "wrongly taken" by the AAP leaders in the media by describing him as a BJYM officer bearer who had assaulted Mishra on 10 May. He said that the person apprehended at the spot for the alleged offence purportedly belonged to their own party. The court questioned the counsel as to how could he say that the AAP leaders were talking about him only. "If any newspaper publishes the name 'Ankit Bhardwaj', will you take it upon yourself?" the magistrate asked. To this, the advocate clarified that on the official Twitter account and Facebook page of the Aam Aadmi Party, it was mentioned that the person who attacked Mishra was Ankit Bhardwaj who belongs to BJP and was showing his identity as an assailant by putting screenshots of his Facebook profile. He said the AAP leaders were also mentioning his name on social media. "They (BJP supporters, his friends and relatives) also had seen Sanjay Singh declaring the complainant as the assailant by showing the complainant's Facebook profile and his work in BJYM and questioning BJP regarding that incident in the interview of Singh on different news channels," the plea said. The complainant has said that the criminal defamation complaint was being filed as both Kejriwal and Singh did not reply to his legal notice in the matter. "The reputation of the complainant has been tarnished in the mind of party leaders, relatives, friends and public at large whoever saw the news," the complaint claimed. Shillong: Days after the arrest of five student leaders, unknown people set on fire a Congress office and damaged three vehicles in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, police said on Friday. The Congress office was attacked in the wee hours on Thursday and the main door of the building was partially burnt, they said. A newspaper transport vehicle, a police requisition bus and another vehicle were attacked with petrol bombs in Nongmynsong and Umiam Lake areas respectively in the district last night. All three vehicles were damaged. The Ri-Bhoi district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC preventing assembly of five or more persons at a public place. Security has also been beefed up in the state capital with the district police bringing additional forces to guard government property and installations. The attacks came days after five Khasi student union leaders were arrested for allegedly leading an arson attack at a railway construction site last month in protest against the railway project in Ri-Bhoi district. The KSU, an influential students body, has aired their opposition to the railway project fearing influx of outsiders in the tribal-dominated state. Did anybody say that Congress learns from mistakes of the past? Even after the political harakiri that Congress committed in the recent Uttar Pradesh Assembly election by banking only on caste equations, the party is in a hurry to make the same mistake again in Karnataka which goes to polls next year. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and his advisers seem to believe that the Kannadigas are only fit to 'caste' their votes, as they (Gandhi and his advisers) had foolishly hoped the UP voters would. The changes that the party put to effect in the Karnataka unit on Wednesday confirm its continued reliance on the caste calculus as a recipe to win voters and sweep elections. The changes, which Gandhi evidently believes are masterstrokes in political management, were based on the recommendations of the new AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, KC Venugopal, who had met the caste-obsessed state leaders in Bengaluru over five days. Starting from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the partys Karnataka leaders breathe, eat, sleep, and dream caste. Like wispy and whimpering apparitions, they roam the political stratosphere fooling themselves with the conviction that the victory is theirs for the taking in the 2018 polls, oblivious to the realities on the ground and unmindful of public disenchantment with the slow or non-existent development. Development? Who cares? Just get the algebra of castes right. The party leadership believes it has got it right with the changes brought in on Wednesday. Leaders chant the caste mantra To begin with, the high command announced that the 2018 Assembly elections in Karnataka will be fought "under the leadership" of Siddaramaiah. The chief minister had evidently argued before central leaders that, as a leader of the backward Kuruba caste, he was the only one mighty enough to stop the BJP and the upper caste conspirators from crushing the party in Karnataka. And there was the important question of whether the party should have a new, live wire state president in the run-up to the polls. But state home minister G Parameshwara, a Dalit who has been the state party president since October 2010, convinced Gandhi that his removal would spark an unprecedented Scheduled Castes uprising that would lead to partys permanent destruction in the state. So, the high command said he would continue as the president, though he has been made to quit the cabinet. Siddaramaiah had favoured former minister SR Patil, an upper caste Lingayat, as the party chief to cut to size state BJP president and chief-minister-in-waiting BS Yeddyurappa, who too belongs to the same Lingayat community. While not totally ignoring Patil, the party made him a working president (northern Karnataka). As a result, Dinesh Gundu Rao, a Brahmin and a bright spark in the party who has been the working president for the whole state, must now be content with only the southern half. Energy minister DK Shivakumar, a leader of the other dominant caste of Vokkaligas, who was desperate to head the party claimed that he was just the man the central leadership needed to ensure a stunning victory in 2018. He thought he could persuade Vokkaligas to make a beeline for the EVMs and press the Congress button. He hoped it would teach the Vokkaliga leader and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, who heads the Janata Dal (Secular), a lesson he wouldnt forget in a hurry. But Siddaramaiah hadnt agreed with Shivakumars perception of himself. So, the Vokkaliga home minister was consoled with the post of chairman of the Campaign Committee. This was to placate Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and the Vokkaligas. At the root of the partys fixation with caste is Siddaramaiahs desire to go down in Karnatakas history as the tallest leader of the downtrodden, a title he is unwilling to let go to the likes of Parameshwara. Siddaramaiah, in fact, fashions himself as a leader of Ahinda, Kannada acronym for alpa sankhyatara, Hindulida and Dalit (minorities, backward castes and Dalits). Caste census as a trump card Two years ago, he even commissioned a caste census whose findings he will release, no doubt, at a politically opportune time. Though not officially disclosed, the data apparently found that the Dalits, not the Lingayats, constitute the biggest chunk of Karnatakas population. According to selective leaks to the media, the census discovered that Lingayats, who have always been estimated to be up to 17 percent of the states population are no more than 9.8 percent of the state population, and the Vokkaligas amount to only 8.2 percent and not 12 percent, as believed so far. Not surprisingly, the recent visits by Yeddyurappa to Dalit homes to have food with them rattled Siddaramaiah. The Congress kicked up a ruckus by accusing Yeddyurappa of eating restaurant delivered food to Dalit homes but not what was cooked by them. This was followed by stomach-churning explanations that Yeddyurappa indeed ate Dalits' food; it was only because there wasn't enough food for the large number of BJP men who accompanied the Karnataka BJP president that additional supplies were ordered from restaurants. In the Indian context, caste is surely a key factor in election strategies, but it has become the central thread that runs through the election narrative of the Congress in Karnataka with development figuring in brief interludes. An obsession with caste and communal algebra to the near exclusion of the chemistry that could work in the minds of voters in the form of trust they have in a partys ability to change their lives could lead to unpredictable election results. The Congress high commands changes in the Karnataka unit, cosmetic at their best, not only attempt a fragile balancing act between castes but also reflect a policy of status quo-ism and a weak effort to keep up a pretence of unity. Besides, it was a feeble exercise in political gymnastics, designed to keep all the faction leaders with conflicting personal agendas happy. But a please-all policy may end up pleasing none, and that could mean big trouble for Congress. For the party, trouble in Karnataka means losing the only state in the south that it rules. And that means, once again, the Congress will end up with only one big state in India to rule: Punjab, which it recently won. The author tweets @sprasadindia Mumbai: Asserting that farmers were forced to go on strike due to lack of decisiveness on the part of the BJP-led government and its anti-farmer policies, the Congress in Maharashtra said on Thursday it supports the agitation. "Farmers have been forced to go on strike because people sitting in the Central and state governments are not concerned with their issues. After BJP came to power, more than 9,500 farmers have committed suicide in the state," Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan said in Mumbai. Farmers had a bumper tur daal production this year but the government had a lackadaisical approach to its procurement, he said. "Farmers are not getting right price for soybean, tur, onion, fruits and milk," Chavan said, adding that loan waiver is the only solution to their woes." "Those sitting in the government do not understand the problems of farmers. Therefore the farmers went on strike for the first time in this country," he said. With supply of vegetables and milk stopped, people in cities will have to face a severe crisis in coming days, the Congress leader warned. "Farmers are beaten up in Mantralaya...they are trying to commit suicide at the gates of the secretariat. On top of it, a BJP spokesperson blatantly says Government will be unaffected if farmers go on strike," he said. "All these things prove that the government is insensitive towards the issues of farmers," Chavan said. The CPM, on Friday, suspended its Rajya Sabha parliamentarian Ritabrata Banerjee from the party for three months over his lavish lifestyle, which clashes with the Lefts ideology, according to reports. CPM suspends Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee from the party for three months after complaints over his lifestyle pic.twitter.com/iHq1fgQvBH ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 The decision was taken on Wednesday and the partys West Bengal committee approved it on Friday. Bengal state secretary Suryakanta Mishra announced the decision in the state committee meeting. The MP, who is recognised as an efficient parliamentarian, is known to have a lavish lifestyle despite his party endorsing an austere way of life, reported The Hindustan Times. However, CPM state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra refused to make any comment on the decision while briefing the media about the deliberations at the session. "We do not go public on the party's internal matters. As a party spokesperson, I am bound to confine myself to matters that are to be communicated to the public. There are many other internal things that we discussed in the party meeting. I reserve the right to not discuss the same in the press conference," Mishra said. Some of the allegations against him include using expensive gadgets. He uploaded a picture on social media, wearing an Apple smart watch in February. The picture was picked up by a CPM worker, who wanted to know how the parliamentarian could afford it. The party issued a public warning to Banerjee for threatening the party worker with a police complaint for making "hate speeches" and maligning him on social media CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said that the party would soon come up with guidelines on the use of social media by party members, reported DNA. A three-member inquiry commission has been formed to look into the complaints against Banerjee. They have to submit a report within two months and Banerjee will remain suspended till the inquiry is over. Banerjee told The Economic Times that he had no knowledge of the partys decision. "I do not know anything about the decision of the party," Banerjee said. He was elected as a Rajya Sabha member from West Bengal in February 2014. With inputs from IANS New Delhi: Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra on Friday accused the Delhi government of "cheating" people and alleged that "10,000 fake CNG kits" were installed in vehicles plying on the capital's roads. "The AAP government made false claims that the CNG kits fitted in the vehicles were made in Canada, as the truth is that these kits were made in China and assembled at a unit at Dabri Chowk in west Delhi," the suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader told reporters here. He claimed that the company "TA Gas Tech India Pvt Ltd was blacklisted by the Delhi High Court" in 2012. "Delhi government in an order had said that a Canada-based company Tech Gas will supply CNG kits to Dashmesh CNG IMPEX Pvt Ltd, which had been authorised to fit the gas kits. Both these companies were set up by the director of the blacklisted company," Mishra alleged. "We found that there was no import of components like gas injectors from any part of the world, but as per certification, it had to be purchased from Tech Gas, Canada," he said. "These CNG kits were being imported from China and assembled at a workshop at Dabri Chowk in Delhi," Mishra alleged. He said that he would make public all details of all "scams" of the government at 5 pm at constitution club on Saturday. Mumbai: NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday said the farmers in Maharashtra should continue their strike until all their demands are met. "Until the farmers get complete loan waiver and the government agrees to all their demands, they should ensure they stay united and continue the agitation. The government is trying to create fissures among them by leaking reports that it is considering loan waiver for small farmers," Pawar said. However, the former Union agriculture minister also said the farmers shouldn't throw the produce on roads as a part of protest. "Instead of dumping vegetables and milk on road, farmers should distribute it to the poor in villages and thereby strengthen their agitation," Pawar said. Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare said the BJP-led state government should concede farmers' demands immediately. "Without waiting for farmers to intensify the stir further, the government should accept all demands," he said. Opposition raised farmers' issues time and again but instead of responding, the government mocked the opposition and suspended its MLAs (for disruptions during the Budget session), he said. "The anti-farmer policies of the Centre and the state government are responsible for over 9,500 farmer suicides in three years while BJP is in power," Tatkare said. Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said that financial emergency is still on in India and that people do not have the freedom to withdraw money as per their will. The Trinamool Congress supremo was referring to an Income Tax Department advertisement warning people against indulging in cash transactions of Rs 2 lakh or more. "I saw the advertisement today (on Friday). That means financial emergency is still on. Nobody has any freedom... even if you earn, you can't do anything. You can't withdraw money (as per your will)," Banerjee said, while chairing an administrative review meeting at Pailan in South 24 Parganas district. Banerjee on Thursday criticised the Centre for the decline in GDP growth, saying her apprehension of "drastic decline in productivity" due to demonetisation has proved to be true. Kolkata: Less than a month before the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime is set to kick in from 1 July, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said her government would not support the new tax system in its present form. She said her government would write to the Union finance minister for necessary changes in the GST to make it suitable for all sections of the society. "We will write a strong letter to the Union finance minister. We will not support the GST in its present form. In its present form, it doesn't suit every section, especially the unorganised sector. They (Centre) have to rectify it," she told an administrative meeting in South 24-Parganas district. Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra had opposed the GST rates on certain products which were likely to have a negative impact on the state's economy and employment. "We have to continue with our fight to bring down the tax rates on certain products. Unless the rates are reduced, they will adversely impact the state's economy and employment," he had stated. Who will be India's next president? This question is bogging the ruling BJP government and the opposition equally as the dates of the elections come closer. Last week, BJP president Amit Shah, breaking his silence over the topic, said that the party would consult opposition parties, which have been working to forge unity over a joint presidential candidate, before deciding on the ruling alliance's pick for the top constitutional post. Shah, however, parried a query on whether the BJP would seek to build a consensus with the opposition. "Consensus is a word that it is used in several ways. But we will hold discussions with everybody, including opposition parties," he told PTI during an interaction. Parties like the Congress, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and the Left have spoken about fielding a "secular" opposition candidate if the BJP-led NDA picks a nominee with Hindutva leanings. However, the ruling block is unlikely to be perturbed with the stand of the opposition parties as numbers in the presidential electoral college favour it. Shah declined to speak about likely names from the NDA for the president's post, claiming they have not decided on anyone yet. "We have not decided on any name yet. We will first talk to our NDA allies. Then we will talk to opposition parties," he said. Initial discussions held within party ranks in the BJP had catapulted veteran party leaders Murli Manohar Joshi, LK Advani and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as top favourites. However, after the special CBI court charged Advani, Joshi and ten others in the Babri Masjid demolition case, chances of Advani and Joshi seem bleak. Sources had told PTI, however, that the names of two other women politicians are also doing the rounds Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu. Meanwhile, on 29 May, Shah met with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the Sangh headquarters in Nagpur amid intense speculation that the NDA government might field either a Dalit or a tribal for the post of the president. Sources told Hindustan Times that both Bhagwat and RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi wanted a person with a Sangh Parivar background be nominated for the post of president. There were speculations earlier that Bhagwat would be nominated as NDA candidate for the next president but the RSS chief, himself, shot down that proposal. The electoral college for the presidential polls has a total of 11,04,546 votes with the BJP-led NDA's tally currently standing at about 5.38 lakh votes. The NDA crossed the majority mark in the electoral college after the YSRCP, the Andhra Pradesh party headed by Jagan Mohan Reddy, announced his outfit's support for the ruling combine and the TRS, which is in power in Telangana, indicated that it will follow suit. The BJP is also hopeful of getting the support of both the factions of the AIADMK, which is in power in Tamil Nadu. The presidential election is due in July and the poll to the post of the vice president is scheduled for August. The electoral college for picking the vice-president is clearly in the BJP-led NDA's favour with the alliance having the support of 418 members out of 787, the combined strength of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. With inputs from agencies Sangareddy: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, asking him whether the state was formed only for the benefit of his family. Addressing a public meeting in Sangareddy, Gandhi said while it was not possible to fulfil the dreams of Telangana people in three years, the state government had not made the "right beginning" and it was not going in the "right direction". Targeting his family his minister-son KT Rama Rao, daughter and Lok Sabha member K Kavitha, and nephew and Minister Harish Rao, without naming them, he asked if students and farmers fought for the creation of Telangana for a "single family". "Has the state been created just for four people," Gandhi said, and alleged that the chief minister was not taking along with him students, youth, women and backward classes. Only contractors and land mafia are benefiting. The Congress vice-president addressed the public meeting on the eve of the third formation day of Telangana. The UPA government formed separate Telangana, though there was opposition to the move, as it understood the pain of Telangana people and their yearning for a bright future in their own state. However, the dreams of the people for a separate state are not being fulfilled now, alleged Gandhi. The venue of the meeting had immense sentimental value for the Congress as it was at the same location where Indira Gandhi kicked off her election campaign in 1979-80 and went on to win back the prime minister's post. Congress leaders who spoke ahead of Gandhi hoped that today's public meeting would herald a change and repeat history to bring the party to power. The NDA government at the Centre and the TRS government in Telangana should stop making hollow promises and instead deliver on them. Saying that the biggest challenge in the country is massive job creation for the youth of the country, Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Rao have to answer the question about who will create this job. "If Modi and KCR won't reply to the question, Congress will answer it (when it comes to power)," he said. Gandhi charged the chief minister with "snatching" MPs, MLAs from the Congress and other elected representatives. "Do you want to waste your strength and future with the four member family? What kind of Telangana is being formed. Is it 'bangaru' (golden) Telangana?" he asked. The congress vice-president said 2,855 farmers have committed suicide in the three-year tenure of the TRS government, including 100 in the chief minister's constituency. "Farmers have given their blood and sweat for creating Telangana. They did not do so for creating a graveyard," Gandhi said. He claimed the Modi government promised to give two crore jobs to the youth every year but the Centre, in reply to a query in Parliament recently, admitted that unemployment is highest in the past seven years. Similarly, the Telangana chief minister promised to give one job to every family in the state but did not keep his word. Hyderabad/New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi's salvo targeting Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao over dynastic politics has ricocheted back, with TRS leader KT Rama Rao calling it "joke of the millennium". "Some so-called 'national leaders' of 'national' parties who cant even win an election in their own backyard, make tall claims elsewhere. Indian National Congress leadership talking of 'family rule" has to be the joke of the millennium. Classic comedy," Rao, son of the Telangana chief minister, wrote on Twitter. Indian Notional Congress leadership talking of 'family rule' has to be the joke of the millennium. Classic comedy KTR (@KTRTRS) June 1, 2017 The Congress vice president was in Sangareddy in Telangana on Thursday where he attacked the chief minister, accusing him of taking care of only his own family. Without naming Rao's son KT Rama Rao, a minister in his government, daughter and Lok Sabha member K Kavitha, and nephew Harish Rao, also a minister, Gandhi had asked if students and farmers fought for the creation of Telangana for a "single family". "Has the state been created just for four people," Gandhi said and alleged that the chief minister was not taking along with him students, youth, women and the backward classes. In New Delhi, apparently apprehensive of the possibility of questions being asked about Gandhi's remarks against dynastic politics, some Congress leaders at the party's briefing were overheard talking about the likely posers from the media. Union Minister Smriti Irani quickly latched on to it and posted on Twitter: "Comedy of errors? Dynasty ke statement par dynasty ke supporter kya bolein iss par gehen calculation (Serious calculation over how supporters of dynasty should respond to statement on dynasty)." Comedy of errors Dynasty ke statement par dynasty ke supporter kya bolein iss par gehen calculation pic.twitter.com/5LvLW384ux Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 2, 2017 In the video of the Congress' press conference put out by Irani, a party leader is heard talking to its spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi about Rahul Gandhi's comments. He is also heard on microphone telling Singhvi that nobody from the Gandhi family has been in power since Rajiv Gandhi, apparently a suggestion to counter questions on Gandhi's dynasty jibe at Rao. Later, Singhvi mounted a counteroffensive against the BJP, saying the saffron party has been an ally of the Akali Dal and Shiv Sena, which pursue dynastic politics. "When you talk of errors and a miss, you obviously don't look at the detail and the BJP will answer this question. All those who ask this question, like BJP and others, like an ostrich in the sand forget to ask the question of Akalis or the Shiv Sena who are their longest allies. Dynasty is forgotten that time," he said. Singhvi said in the last 28 years, of which Congress has been in power for 16 years at the Centre, no leader from the Gandhi family has occupied any government office despite winning elections. "So let us put things in perspective. I think this (the question about dynastic politics) has lost its logic," he said. "It is an irony that a member of the Gandhi family, which is the biggest example of the dynasty politics in India, is accusing another leader of promoting dynasty," BJP's media department head Anil Baluni said. Hyderabad: Telangana BJP is aiming to complete appointment of about 12,000 booth committees by this month-end, taking their total to 25,000, state unit president K Laxman said on Friday. "There are 32,000 poling booths in the state. At present, the BJP has about 13,000 (booth) committees. We are working to take the total number of booth committees to 25,000 by the end of this month," Laxman told reporters in an interaction with the media, organised by the Hyderabad Press Club. He said almost 8,000 workers of the BJP are engaged in this exercise. According to him, the party has over 19 lakh members across Telangana. Replying to a query, he said the saffron party is interested in expanding its base by attracting "influential people" at grassroot level. "That does not mean that we discourage people from joining the party at higher levels. If any leader who has strong base is inclined to our party's ideology, we will certainly consider it on a case-by-case basis," he added. Taking a swipe at the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government, he said the current regime has failed to live up to the expectations of people. He alleged the government has become family-centric and is neglecting issues related to all sections including the farmer and the student. Laxman claimed about 3,000 farmers have committed suicides during the three-year rule of TRS. On the BJP's strategy to contest the 2019 general elections, he said the party will not have any pre-poll tie-ups with any other parties and will appeal to people on a two-pronged campaign. "We will highlight the developmental and welfare schemes being undertaken by Narendra Modi government on one hand, and failures of the TRS government on the other. These would be the key issues for BJP in 2019 polls," he said. The BJP has undertaken a door-to-door campaign to take achievements of the Modi government to 50 lakh households in Telangana, the BJP leader said. Hyderabad: Telangana celebrated its third formation day on Friday with Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his cabinet colleagues leading the celebrations across the state. It was on this day in 2014 that Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh as India's 29th state. At the main official function held at Secunderabad Parade Ground here, Chandrasekhar Rao unfurled the national flag and reviewed a colourful ceremonial parade. He reached the venue after paying tributes at Telangana martyrs' memorial at Gun Park near the Assembly building. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that in a short span of three years Telangana had made rapid progress in all sectors and was on course to become 'golden Telangana'. Quoting the report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), he said Telangana topped revenue growth rate in the country in 2016-17 at 17.82 percent. KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, said Telangana became the number one state in the country in implementing welfare schemes for the poor and weaker sections. He said the state was spending Rs 40,000 crore annually on 36 welfare schemes. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief listed the achievements of the state over last three years. He presented awards to over 50 personalities for their distinguished services in various walks of life. Contingents from various units of state police participated in the parade. Similar celebrations were held in 30 other districts with ministers and senior officials hoisting the national flag. At the state Assembly complex, Speaker Madhusudhana Chary unfurled the tricolour. However, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu termed it a 'black day' in the history of his state. He said that the state has yet to come to terms with the bifurcation of the undivided Andhra Pradesh. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief said while lodging their protest over the manner in which the state was bifurcated, people should dedicate themselves to rebuild the state. He said the government has organised the 'Nava Nirmana Deeksha' in all the towns and villages in the state. With inputs from IANS Chennai: In what is being billed as Opposition show of strength, top leaders including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are expected to share dais at an event to mark 60 years of DMK chief M Karunanidhi as a legislator on Friday. Besides, the diamond jubilee celebrations of Karunanidhi's entry into the Tamil Nadu Assembly will also see the participation of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. Kumar and Yadav are two rarely seen faces in the state. Apart from Lok Sabha MP Derek O'Brien, who will represent TMC, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI national secretary D Raja, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar are also scheduled to attend the event. Ironically, Karunanidhi's participation is still uncertain as doctors have not given him the nod to attend the function, scheduled to coincide with his 94th birthday. The nonagenarian leader is recuperating following a tracheostomy procedure in December last to improve breathing. The event comes amidst parleys by non-NDA parties involving TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to field a common candidate for the Presidential polls due in July. However, DMK working president and Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin has denied his father's birthday bash will serve as a platform for the non-NDA parties to discuss the presidential polls. He had earlier said Congress president Sonia Gandhi had already held discussions with him on the possibility of putting up a joint Opposition candidate. Incumbent Pranab Mukherjee's term ends in July this year. A five-time chief minister, Karunanidhi made his debut as a MLA from Kulithalai in then undivided Tiruchirappally in 1957 and has not lost a single election in his career. Even during times his party faced routs at the hand of arch rival AIADMK, including in 1991 and 2011 where the late J Jayalalithaa led her party to stupendous wins, Karunanidhi had emerged victorious. He presently represents his native Thiruvarur constituency in the 234 member Tamil Nadu Assembly. Meanwhile, Kerala governor Justice P Sathasivan, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and BJP state president Tamilisai Soundarajan greeted Karunanidhi on his long stint as a legislator. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wished the DMK leader on his birthday. Kabul: Afghan police on Friday fired live rounds to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing protesters seeking to march on the presidential palace to demand the government's resignation following a catastrophic truck bombing that killed 90 people and wounded hundreds. Public anger has mounted after Wednesday's brazen attack, the deadliest in the city since 2001, which was launched from an explosives-laden sewage tanker that tore a massive crater in the ground. Demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down and chanting "Death to the Taliban" clashed with police near the bombing site, prompting officials to respond with live rounds, tear gas and water cannon as some protesters tried to overrun a security cordon. At least three protesters were wounded, some of them critically, and were rushed to Kabul's Emergency Hospital, witnesses said. The bombing during the holy month of Ramadan highlighted the ability of militants to strike even in the capital's most secure district, home to the presidential palace and foreign embassies that are enveloped in a maze of concrete blast walls. Angry citizens have demanded answers from the government over the perceived intelligence failure leading to the assault, which underscores spiralling insecurity in Afghanistan. "Our brothers and sisters were martyred in the bloody attack on Wednesday, and our leaders are doing nothing to stop this carnage," Rahila Jafari, a civil society activist, said during the protest. "We want justice, we want the perpetrators of the attack to be hanged to death." Another enraged Afghan said the protests would continue until Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah resign. "Day after day, innocent civilians are being killed by terrorists. If our leaders cannot restore security they should step down," he said. Afghanistan's intelligence agency has blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network for the attack. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is expected to approve the execution of 11 Taliban and Haqqani prisoners, a government source told AFP, in apparent retaliation to the assault. The Taliban currently in the midst of their annual "spring offensive" denied they were involved. The Haqqani Network, long thought to have ties to neighbouring Pakistan's shadowy military establishment, is led by Sirajuddin Haqqani who is also the Taliban's deputy leader. It has carried out numerous attacks in Kabul, including the 2008 Indian embassy bombing that killed almost 60 people. With more than 400 people wounded, the injured spilled over into hospital hallways as people were still searching for missing relatives. Health officials warned some victims may never be identified as their bodies were torn into pieces or burned beyond recognition. Fairbanks: When ministers from the eight states of the Arctic and representatives of the region's native peoples met last month in Alaska, evidence of global warming was all around them. Locals all had stories to tell, from the appearance of new ticks that came from the south to the boreal forest, to the subsidence caused by thawing permafrost toppling trees and undermining house foundations. But if delegates to the Arctic Council had hoped for reassurance from their host, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, that his government would tackle the issue, they were disappointed. On Thursday they found out why Tillerson had refused to re-commit to the terms of Paris climate accord: President Donald Trump was about to pull the United States out of the deal altogether. In hindsight, the low-key gathering of foreign ministers and indigenous groups prefigured the later high drama in Washington. The United States was going it alone to the dismay of would-be friends and partners. Passing the baton to Finland after the two-year US presidency of the council, Tillerson warned delegates that Trump was already reviewing how to "approach the issue of climate change." In Alaska and in the circle of territories around the Pole in Canada, Russia and Scandinavia climate change is not an abstract policy matter, as delegates to the council attempted to persuade their host. "We are connected to the land. It is who we are," said Bill Erasmus, an envoy from the Arctic Athabaskan Council, which represents a native Arctic people living on lands that span the Alaska-Canada border. "Climate change in the Arctic is not just an environmental issue. It is a matter of culture and our rights to exist as indigenous peoples," he said. Extreme weather The Athabaskan rep was joined at the council in Fairbanks by representatives from other indigenous groups from as far away as Finland and Russia and all told a similar story of a way of life under threat. O Patricia Lekanoff-Gregory was sent by the Aleut International Association to talk for a people that live and fish on both sides of the frigid, churning waters of the Bering Sea in Russia and the United States. "We the Aleut people are resilient and adaptable. We have survived many hardships brought about by contact with the outside world," she told the meeting, complaining of ocean acidification and rising temperatures. Global warming has altered species migration routes and triggered extreme weather events that threaten the Aleuts' salmon fishing, she said, just as subsistence hunters from inland peoples are running out of prey. "All of these things are real and they are happening right now," she said. She implored delegates not to "let politics interfere with the actions that must happen now and in the future." Events like the council draw experts and community leaders from around the broader region to share ideas and steps that can be taken to adapt to life in a warming Arctic. For example, just outside Fairbanks on a farm operated by the University of Alaska, professor Greg Finstad and his team are raising an experimental herd of reindeer with a view to building a new commercial meat industry. Reindeer farming Reindeer have long been farmed in Russia and Finland, and were brought from Siberia to coastal Alaska by Russian whalers. Inland hunters are more used to seeing wild caribou, whose stocks have dwindled. Finstad is proud of the meat as a product some is already added to pork and beef to make sausages popular in local restaurants and hopes local communities will turn to farmed reindeer as a source of protein and cash. The US beef industry is wary of competition, however, and politics and bureaucracy make it hard for him to get his hands on the detailed research into large-scale reindeer farming carried out by the former Soviet Union. Such small and medium-scale initiatives may help communities adapt to the march of climate change in frontline communities like rural Alaska, but local leaders had hoped for global help in slowing rising temperatures. The two-year US chairmanship of the Arctic Council began under the former secretary of state, John Kerry, a passionate supporter of environmental causes who signed the Paris accord on behalf of the United States. It ended under Tillerson, the former chief executive ExxonMobil, the firm that operated the Exxon Valdez supertanker which ran aground in Alaskan waters in 1989 and spilled a quarter of a million barrels of crude. The oilman acknowledged the other delegates' keen interest in seeing the Paris accord fully implemented, but he warned: Trump would always put what he called "American interests" first. "We are appreciative that each of you has an important point of view, and you should know that we are taking the time to understand your concerns," he said. Three weeks later, it was clear that those concerns had not been heard. Canberra: Australia will do "everything it can" to assist in a new search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 should more evidence arise indicating to the aircraft's location, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Friday. In January, a joint statement from Australia, China and Malaysia confirmed that the ocean search for the missing Boeing 777 jet, which disappeared on 8 March, 2014 en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, would be suspended until "credible new evidence" can lead to a "specific" location, Xinhua news agency reported. The joint search was described as the largest in aviation history and covered more than 1,20,000 sq. km of the Southern Indian Ocean, but was ultimately unsuccessful. A spokesperson for Turnbull said the government was very much hoping to still find the plane, which was carrying six Australians and 153 Chinese nationals at the time. "The prime minister raises this issue with his Malaysian counterpart every time they speak," the spokesperson told News Corp. "Malaysia is the lead nation in the investigation into the disappearance of MH370, but Australia stands ready to assist in any way it can." "At present, the search for MH370 has been suspended, but if any credible evidence emerges, the Australian government will do everything it can in partnership with Malaysia to ensure the search is resumed," he said. The MH370 was a scheduled passenger flight carrying 239 passengers and crew, and is believed to have crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean, well off Australia's western coastline. By Geert De Clercq | PARIS PARIS U.S. cities, states and businesses can fulfil commitments made by the United States under the Paris climate change agreement even though the U.S. has withdrawn from the pact, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said in Paris. "Americans don't need Washington to meet our Paris commitments, and Americans are not going to let Washington stand in the way of fulfilling it," Bloomberg said following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo on Friday.Bloomberg, who is the U.N. Secretary-General's special envoy for Cities and Climate Change, said the United States has led the world on emission reductions over the past decade. Those efforts had been led by citizens and cities, he added, not the federal government, aided by market forces that have made solar and wind energy cheaper than coal."I want the world to know that the U.S. will meet its Paris commitments and that through partnerships among cities, states and businesses we will seek to remain part of the Paris agreement process," Bloomberg said. He said he would notify the U.N. Secretary General and the climate change secretariat that U.S. cities, states, businesses and others will aim to meet the United States' commitment to reducing emissions 26 percent below the 2005 levels by 2025. "We are already halfway there and we can accelerate our process further even without any support from Washington," Bloomberg said. He said his own foundation will help coordinate the U.S. effort, which will be called America's Pledge, and it will help submit "nationally determined contributions" like other nations. The foundation will provide the $15 million commitment the U.N. climate change secretariat will lose from Washington to ensure there is no disruption in their work, he said. It will also help fulfil the Paris agreement reporting requirements so that the world can track the United States' progress. Macron, in a joint news conference with Bloomberg and Hidalgo, said the Paris climate pact is irreversible despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from it. "The Paris agreement is irreversible and will be implemented because it is our responsibility," he said.He added that China, Russia and India had confirmed their commitment to it."Yesterday, the government of a great nation renounced its climate obligations, but a nation is not only its government," Macron said. "Other actors -- political and economical and civil -- have stood up, and thousands of promising initiatives are being taken. We will support them and fight on their side." (Reporting by Geert De Clercq and Yann Le Guernigou; Editing by Robin Pomeroy and Catherine Evans) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. London: A maintenance worker who inadvertently switched off the power to a key supply unit led to the British Airways chaos that disrupted the travel plans of over 75,000 passengers from the UK airports last weekend. An internal email sent by Bill Francis, Head of Group IT at British Airways' (BA) owner International Airlines Group (IAG), confirms that the shut-down had not been caused by IT failure or software issues, as claimed by workers' union which blamed BA's outsourcing of IT jobs to India for the crisis. The email reveals that an investigation had found that an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to a core data centre at Heathrow Airport was over-ridden on Saturday morning. "This resulted in the total immediate loss of power to the facility, bypassing the backup generators and batteries. This in turn meant that the controlled contingency migration to other facilities could not be applied," he writes. "After a few minutes of this shutdown of power, it was turned back on in an unplanned and uncontrolled fashion, which created physical damage to the system, and significantly exacerbated the problem. This was entirely a problem relating to the power supply. It was not an IT failure, and there were no software issues," he adds. The human error resulted in the eventual systems failure, which was working perfectly until it was accidentally shut down, according to a report in The Times. "We are conducting an urgent investigation and it would be premature to comment on details before its conclusion. As we've said before it was not an IT issue, it was a power issue. There was no data corruption or loss and IT outsourcing was not a factor," the statement said. All information about flights, baggage and passengers was lost as a result of the sudden shutdown and incorrect reboot and travellers were left stranded over the bank holiday weekend with at least 700 flights cancelled at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The airline, which faces a bill of around 150 million pounds in compensation claims, has come under fire over its misleading compensation policy for those hit by the chaos. BA, which has set up a dedicated web page to tell people how to make a claim, said, "We will be updating the wording on the claims page to ensure our customers have clear information." The Association of British Insurers (ABI) had called on BA to change the wording because those caught up in disruption "should be able to claim compensation and refunds for any expenses as simply as possible, not passed from pillar to post". "Those affected should seek compensation, and any refunds of expenses, in the first instance from British Airways," the ABI added. China's state news agency Xinhua described U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord as a "global setback" and rejected Trump's claim that it would lead to many more jobs in America. In a commentary published on Friday, Xinhua suggested that no one country was now likely take up leadership of global efforts to fight climate change. China overtook the United States as the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in 2007 but analysts see the U.S. withdrawal as an opportunity for China to burnish its image as a global leader. "Trump's decision to ditch the Paris deal will leave a fairly big shoe for a single country to fill," Xinhua said, adding that major players such as China, the European Union and India had reiterated their willingness to step up efforts. Leaving the 2015 Paris accord would hardly translate into a substantial increase in new jobs as the fossil fuel industries were highly automated, Xinhua said. Noting that Trump said he had had "extensive discussions" with people on both sides of the climate debate, it said, "One can only assume that Trump has very good reasons to leave the Paris agreement, and that he knows the implications of U.S. retreat from the landmark deal". Trump, tapping into the "America First" message he used when he was elected president last year, said the Paris accord would undermine the U.S. economy, cost U.S. jobs, weaken American national sovereignty and put the country at a permanent disadvantage to other countries such as China. The Global Times, an influential state-run tabloid, said in an editorial published on Thursday before Trump's announcement that China was not interested in discussions about the leadership of fighting climate change and would focus on its own promises to reduce emissions. It called the withdrawal "reckless" and would "waste increasingly finite U.S. diplomatic resources." "There are indeed some underprivileged people in the U.S, but their troubles are mainly caused by bad internal governance. Seeking external reasons for domestic woes is by no means what the world's largest economy should do," it said. By Dustin Volz | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON Top U.S. intelligence officials will testify before a Senate panel next week on the law governing the collection of foreign intelligence, parts of which are due to expire at the end of the year, the Senate Intelligence Committee said on Friday. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers and Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will appear before the committee in both open public and closed-door hearings on Wednesday to discuss the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, the committee said in a statement. The next day, former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired by President Donald Trump last month, is scheduled to testify before the same committee. Comey had been overseeing an FBI investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion between Moscow and Trump associates, and the Senate panel is conducting a parallel probe.A part of FISA known as Section 702 will expire on Dec. 31 unless Congress votes to reauthorize it. The statute allows the NSA to collect digital communications of foreigners believed to be living overseas whose communications pass through American phone or internet providers. For technical reasons, it also incidentally collects data on Americans, a practice that privacy advocates have said evades Constitutional protections against warrantless searches.FISA and U.S. surveillance practices have come under increased scrutiny in recent months amid unsubstantiated assertions by President Donald Trump and other Republicans that the White House under former President Barack Obama improperly spied on Trump or his associates. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the House of Representatives is working on legislation that would renew Section 702 but with additional transparency and oversight, among other changes, though it remains unclear if it would have enough support to pass Congress and be signed by Trump.A White House official told Reuters in March the administration supported the law's renewal and did not want to alter it. (Reporting by Dustin Volz and Susan Heavey; Editing by Frances Kerry and Bernadette Baum) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Pacific Islands, at risk of being swallowed by the rising seas, accused Washington of "abandoning" vulnerable nations and expressed dismay on Friday after Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris climate deal. Leaders of a cluster of small remote island states in the Pacific, which are at the forefront of the battle against climate change and already suffering the effects of unpredictable weather, expressed deep disappointment at the controversial move. Tuvalu prime minister Enele Sopoaga said the Americans were turning their backs on his country in its time of need, despite their alliance during World War II. "We provided our islands as a launching pad for them to achieve their objectives and now we are facing the biggest war of our time, they are abandoning us," he told the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation during a visit to the neighbouring island. "It's really an act of abandoning small island countries like Tuvalu." Fiji prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who will serve as president of upcoming United Nations climate talks in Germany later this year, labelled the US move "deeply disappointing" but he said the battle to contain the threats to the environment would continue. "While the loss of America's leadership is unfortunate, this is a struggle that is far from over," he said. Bainimarama's Pacific island nation has already felt the impact of climate change through wild storms such as last year's Cyclone Winston, which killed 44 people and wiped out a third of the economy. 'We must not give up hope' There was also defiance from the Marshall Islands, a Pacific archipelago highly exposed to climate-induced sea level rise and the first country to ratify the global pact. President Hilda Heine expressed disappointment and confusion at the US decision and said it would have grave implications. "We must not give up hope. Our children and their children deserve not only to survive, they deserve to thrive," she told Radio New Zealand. The COP 23 talks will be held in Bonn from 6-17 November, with Germany inviting Fiji's PM to act as president to give a voice to those on the frontline of climate change. Bainimarama said the rest of the world remained committed to the Paris deal, known as COP 21, struck in 2015 and signed by more than 190 countries. "As incoming COP president, I reaffirm that I will do everything possible to continue to forge a grand coalition that will accelerate the momentum that has continued since the Paris Agreement," he said. He predicted Washington would eventually reverse its decision. "I am also convinced that the United States government will eventually rejoin our struggle because the scientific evidence of man-made climate change is well understood," he said. "The issue is settled, and the impacts are obvious, and humankind ignores these facts at its peril." Meanwhile, New Zealand's Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett said many of the claims made by US president Donald Trump were simply incorrect. "So much of what he said is wrong. It's not going to cost America to be in it disproportionately to others," she told RNZ. "Climate change and what we need to do there can create jobs, not take them away." Australia's foreign and environment ministers said Canberra was disappointed with the US withdrawal and reaffirmed the nation's "strong commitment" to the Paris Agreement. When they passed the Patriot Act, 4 days from introduced in the house to signed by the president (talk about NO ONE reading it !!!). Conservatives all said....... if you're not a terrorist, you have nothing to fear !!! When they started "warrantless wiretaps". Conservatives all said....... if you're not a terrorist, you have nothing to fear !!! When they opened GITMO. Conservatives all said....... if you're not a terrorist, you have nothing to fear !!! When they started rendition, literally snatching people off the streets of their own home towns, holding them indefinitely without trial, lawyers or any sort of "due process". Conservatives all said....... if you're not a terrorist, you have nothing to fear !!! When the American government actually argued in court, that they had "evidence" against a person, but in the interested of national security they couldn't produce it for the court, so the court was supposed to "trust" the government that they actually had the evidence. Conservatives all said....... if you're not a terrorist, you have nothing to fear !!! NOW you want to act all ******* surprised that the next guy MIGHT have listened in on a few conversations ???? You people are absofuckinglutely hilarious !!!! Washington: Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti announced on Thursday that he was proud to continue to adopt goals of the Paris Agreement with 60 fellow mayors, who are committed to the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda (MNCAA). The agenda, also known as Climate Mayors, is a network of 88 US mayors, representing over 43 million Americans all over the country, Xinhua reported. They work together to strengthen local efforts for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting efforts for binding federal and global-level policy making. In response to US President Donald Trump's announcement of his country's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the organisation, led by Garcetti said they would adopt, honour, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the agreement. "We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities' current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy economy," the organisation added. They pledged to increase investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and will buy and create more demand for electric cars and trucks. "If the president wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, we'll build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks," the mayors said. Until Thursday noon, 61 mayors signed their names in the statement, including almost all mayors of the big cities in the US, such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver. "Climate change is a fact of life that people in Los Angeles and cities around the world live with every day. It is a grave threat to our health, our environment, and our economy and it is not debatable or negotiable," said Garcetti in a statement released shortly after Trump's announcement. US president Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew the US from the landmark Paris climate accord, which he said was not tough on India and China, and alleged that the deal was negotiated "poorly" by the Obama administration and signed out of "desperation". America's withdrawal from the climate-rescue Paris Agreement under Donald Trump is a blow to global unity but may be a blessing in disguise for the pact itself, observers said on Thursday. This way, the Trump administration, heavily influenced by the fossil fuel industry, will have less sway over the UN climate process, they said. "A rogue US can cause more damage inside... than outside of the agreement," said Luke Kemp, a climate policy lecturer at the Australian National University. Continued US participation in the Paris forum would have been merely symbolic, and yielded no impact on reducing US emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases, he argued. "It's better Trump is outside the agreement rather than pulling it down from the inside," added Mohamed Adow of Christian Aid, which lobbies for poor country interests at the two-decade-old UN climate negotiations. "With Trump we were at best only going to have America's name on the agreement," he told AFP. Trump announced America is "getting out" of a deal he said imposed "draconian" burdens that would cost the US millions of jobs and billions in cold hard cash. The pact was "very unfair" to the United States and beneficial to other major polluters like China and India, the president claimed. His proposal to open negotiations for a new or updated deal was quickly rebuffed by France, Italy and Germany, leaving America out in the diplomatic cold. Veteran observers of the decades-old process welcomed an end to the "will he, won't he?" seesaw that has distracted the ongoing climate talks since Trump's election last November. And they warned the United States would be hardest hit economically and diplomatically by the fallout. "The decision is based on last century's economics and will turn the US into last century's economy," Andrew Steer, president of the World Resources Institute (WRI) think-tank, predicted. According to the CITEPA research institute, America's renewable energy sector in America employed some 800,000 people in 2016 nearly five times more than the fossil-fuel sector. Fossil fuel 'sacrifice' Hundreds of American companies have urged the Trump administration to stay the clean energy course. Not only does the US stand to lose economically, but it would also throw away enormous diplomatic clout, commentators argued. "We are witnessing a seismic shift in the global order as Europe, China and others lead the way forward," said Greenpeace executive director Jennifer Morgan. According to the rules of the agreement, the US can only give notice of its withdrawal three years after the deal's entry into force in November 2016. Withdrawal will take effect a year later taking us to November 2020, just two months before Trump's term ends. It is not clear if the US will seek to continue participating in UN climate talks until then, or simply stay away. Trump on Thursday announced the United States would "cease all implementation" of the pact "as of today." On the campaign trail, Trump had called climate change a "hoax" perpetrated by China. As president, he quickly appointed a former CEO of oil giant ExxonMobil as his secretary of state, and an anti-climate litigator to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The president has moved to loosen restrictions on coal-fired power plants and vehicle emissions, slash EPA funding, and reverse his predecessor Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan. "Donald Trump is on a mission to sacrifice our planet to the fossil fuel industry," commented Erich Pica of lobby group Friends of the Earth. The Obama administration had pledged a reduction of 26-28 percent in US planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 over 2005 levels. Pledges under the agreement are not binding under international law, and Trump said Thursday he would not honour the US commitment. This may imperil the agreement's enshrined goal of holding average global warming "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels -- already a tall order even with the US on board. Observers tried to remain cheerful pointing to the commitment of many American companies, cities, and states, with California in the lead to a green energy economy. But it is not yet known to what extent these efforts would make up the federal shortfall, if at all. One tangible danger from a US withdrawal from the political sphere, is that it may encourage other intransigent polluters to follow suit. So far, the world's other major emitters China in first place, the EU in third, and India at number four, have all publicly recommitted to the Paris pact. Another risk to the process is money. Trump has threatened to slash international climate funding which was a condition for poor countries to sign onto the deal. The US under Obama was the largest contributor to the Green Climate Fund. Unhappy leaders Trump's decision has made many world leaders unhappy, especially captains of industry and various business groups distanced themselves from the White House on Thursday. Trump said he was championing the people of Pittsburgh by leaving the Paris climate accord. But the city's Mayor Bill Peduto did not take kindly to the shout-out. .@POTUS "I was elected by voters of Pittsburgh, not Paris. I promised I wld exit or renegotiate any deal which fails to serve US interests" Sean Spicer (@PressSec) June 1, 2017 In announcing his pullout from a deal that failed to "put America first," the US president on Thursday cited the northeastern city saying: "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future. https://t.co/3znXGTcd8C bill peduto (@billpeduto) June 1, 2017 But Peduto took issue with Trump's invocation of his city. "As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy; future," he posted in one of a feisty series of tweets that swiftly went viral. Peduto echoed that criticism, tweeting: "The United States joins Syria, Nicaragua & Russia in deciding not to participate with world's Paris Agreement. It's now up to cities to lead." The United States joins Syria, Nicaragua & Russia in deciding not to participate with world's Paris Agreement. It's now up to cities to lead bill peduto (@billpeduto) June 1, 2017 Trump went on to declare: "It is time to put Youngstown, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania along with many other great locations in our country before Paris, France." And it's not just Peduto, US governors have formed a 'climate club' to defend the Paris Accord. Democratic state governors from California, New York and Washington formed an immediate alliance on Thursday. The three states represent more than one-fifth of US gross domestic product, are home to 68 million people, or nearly one in five Americans, and account for at least 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, the governors said. California's Jerry Brown, New York's Andrew Cuomo and Washington state's Jay Inslee all democrats urged other states to join their United States Climate Alliance, saying that they were committed to taking aggressive action against climate change. They remain committed to achieving the US goal of reducing emissions by 26-28 percent from 2005 levels, and meeting or exceeding the targets of a federal Clean Power Plan, they said. Cuomo said the "reckless" decision, announced by the Republican commander-in-chief on Thursday, would have "devastating repercussions" for the planet, and accused the US administration of abdicating its global leadership. "New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris accord regardless of Washington's irresponsible actions," he said. "If the president is going to be AWOL in this profoundly important human endeavor, then California and other states will step up," said Brown. "While the president's actions are a shameful rebuke to the work needed to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren, states have been and will continue to step up," added Inslee. The governors said the alliance would work to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy. Trump announced from the White House that the United States would withdraw from the 2015 Paris agreement and try to negotiate a new global deal on climate change, provoking swift condemnation of European leaders. With inputs from agencies The earliest possible date for America's official withdrawal from the climate-rescue Paris Agreement is just a day after the country's next presidential election. Could the timing thwart Donald Trump's plans to quit the 196-nation deal? The rules of engagement In the hard-fought pact's own wording, a party may withdraw by giving written notification "any time after three years" of its entry into force which was on 4 November, 2016. This means 4 November, 2019 at the earliest if Trump, who announced Thursday that the United States was "getting out" of the deal, were to use this option. The withdrawal would take effect only a year later on 4 November, 2020 the day after America's next presidential election potentially leaving a very small window for intervention if there is a new leader friendly to the Paris Agreement. Trump's term ends officially on 20 January, 2021. "Despite Trumps announcement, the US cannot immediately withdraw from the Paris Agreement," stressed Richard Klein, of the Stockholm Environment Institute. In the meantime, Washington may opt to withdraw from all climate negotiations and simply flout the commitments made under the previous administration. Other options? A different route would be for America to withdraw from the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, under whose auspices the pact was negotiated. This would take effect a year after notification, which can be done at any time. America's ratification of the convention was approved by the senate after being signed by President HW Bush. Trump has given no indication that he intends going this route, even saying he wanted negotiations for a new or better agreement implying he intends staying in the convention. Only parties can negotiate. As for reopening negotiations for a different deal, this is not explicitly ruled out by the convention's statute. But Trump would have to convince nearly 200 other partners with whom the United States had fought and bartered for over two decades to get the 2015 Paris deal. "The US can propose anything it wants, but no other country will join them at the negotiating table, said veteran climate talks observer Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "Its a non-starter, and they know it the point is to make it sound like theyre more reasonable than they really are." Penalties? Trump has said the US would "cease all implementation" of the agreement. The deal itself, which sets out the goal of limiting emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, is binding under international law. However, at America's insistence, countries' carbon-cutting pledges in support of the goal, are not. Trump said Washington would not honour its carbon-cutting contribution, nor international climate finance commitments made under his predecessor Barack Obama. For Arnaud Gossement, a French environmental lawyer, Washington's flouting of the agreement amounts to "a violation of international law". International agreements of this type symbolically commit signatories to their undertakings, "even if there are no sanctions," he said. Editor's Note: This article was originally published on 1 June, it has been republished in light of Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. United States president Donald Trump is keeping the world guessing about his stand on the Paris Agreement on climate change. If he signs on the order to formally withdraw the United States from the international agreement, as widely expected, it would isolate the country in the international arena and may even badly hit the American economy at a time when the world is beginning to shift towards low-carbon economic growth. Above all, it is bound to make the planet a warmer place to live in. Though non-binding in nature, the 2015 Paris Agreement represents the collective will of all countries to save the planet from the catastrophic impacts of climate change in the decades to come. If the worlds biggest polluter, presently, and a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions of the past does not want to be a part of even a non-binding deal, it would certainly weaken global climate action. It would also be a major blow to the very concept of multilateralism and treaties negotiated by the United Nations. United States' withdrawal from the Paris climate deal would mean that the country will continue to emit more and more carbon into the atmosphere. Even if other countries reduce emissions, as committed, this would enhance the global temperature as simulation studies had shown. It would be wrong to assume that American action would have no impact at all on global climate. Trump is a known climate change sceptic and has packed his administration with climate deniers and other sceptics in key positions. He has no advisor on climate change or science and technology. During his presidential campaign and in the weeks following his inauguration, he had made it amply clear that he does not believe in climate change and that he would do everything at his command to roll back all climate actions initiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Clearly, all this was not just campaign rhetoric, as many had predicted. In March, he signed an executive order to scrap the Clean Power Plan, which Obama had put in place to fulfil pledges made by America under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions. In this sense, the march backwards from international commitments had already begun in March. A formal withdrawal from the deal negotiated under the umbrella of the United National Convention on Climate Change is now a mere question of legality. As it is, Paris was not a great deal. It was a weak deal hammered out under a great push by the industrialised world, led by America. Since America and other Western countries were not ready to accept any binding cuts in emissions unlike the binding nature of the Kyoto Protocol Paris Agreement was proposed as a way out. It, for the first time, brought the rich and the poor, developed and developing all countries under one ambit. The idea behind the Paris deal was that every country should commit to reduce emissions on its own and make available a plan to do so. The logic was that if all such commitments are implemented, the world would collectively be able to keep the planet below the critical threshold of a less than two-degree rise in temperature. If Trump pulls America out of this deal, the very premise of the Paris Agreement falls flat. It is difficult to say at this stage if other countries too will walk out, but certainly, it would be difficult for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to keep the flock together and march towards a global climate framework by 2020, as planned. Trump is unleashing his anti-climate action at a time when the world has begun to shift to a low-carbon path of development. Actions taken by India and China, in rolling out renewable energy in the past two years, have been recognised globally and would be a great contributor to climate action if the momentum continues. Several other countries on similar growth trajectories are doing the same. Incidentally, America has a bilateral agreement with China on climate change. If Trump is withdrawing from Paris Agreement, he should also scrap the climate deal with China. Like the fossil fuel industry, whose interests Trump is seeking to protect, America has a huge stake in renewable technologies as well. If America is going strong on coal and oil, research and development into renewable energy will take a hit. This, in turn, would impact the renewable industry and its competitiveness globally. Ironically such a thing would negate what Trump is claiming to do make America great again. If renewable is going be at the centre of all energy development in future, this sector will also create new jobs and manufacturing opportunities. Thats why leading American corporations have appealed to Trump not to walk out of the Paris Agreement. Overall, Trump symbolises a victory for the fossil fuel industry, which has been operating all these years through lobbyists and sponsored and fake research, to undermine climate change and the science behind it. Now, it wont have to spend money on all this. The president is on the side of fossil fuels. The planet can fend for itself. The United States withdrawal from the Paris climate accord could add 0.3 degrees Celsius to global temperatures by the end of the century in a worst case scenario, an official from the UN World Meteorological Organization estimated on Friday. Deon Terblanche, head of WMO's Atmospheric Research and Environment Department, said it was an estimate, since no climate models had been run to gauge the likely impact of the decision announced by US president Donald Trump on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Trump withdrew the US from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change, drawing anger and condemnation from world leaders and heads of industry. He said the Paris accord would undermine the US economy, cost US jobs, weaken American national sovereignty and put the country at a permanent disadvantage to the other countries of the world. "We're getting out," Trump said at a ceremony in the White House. "We don't want other leaders and other countries laughing at us any more. And they won't be," Trump said. "The same nations asking us to stay in the agreement are the countries that have collectively cost America trillions of dollars through tough trade practices and in many cases lax contributions to our critical military alliance," Trump added. Republican US congressional leaders backed Trump. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell applauded Trump "for dealing yet another significant blow to the Obama administration's assault on domestic energy production and jobs." Supporters of the accord, including some leading US business figures, called Trump's move a blow to international efforts to tackle dangers for the planet posed by global warming. International leaders reacted with disappointment, even anger. "The decision made by US president Trump amounts to turning their backs on the wisdom of humanity. I'm very disappointed... I am angry," Japanese environment minister Koichi Yamamoto told a news conference on Friday in an unusually frank tone. German chancellor Angela Merkel, French president Emmanuel Macron and Italian prime minister Paolo Gentiloni said in a rare joint statement the agreement could not be renegotiated and urged their allies to hasten efforts to combat climate change and adapt. "While the US decision is disheartening, we remain inspired by the growing momentum around the world to combat climate change and transition to clean growth economies," said Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. With his 'US isolated' policy, Donald Trump is steering global politics into uncharted territory. His decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement will create a leadership vacuum in the world and India should be wary of the ramifications. Trump, it is clear, is now ready to become what he had promised before the elections a frog in the well instead of the biggest shark in the world ocean that his job automatically entitles him to be. His decision to back out of the Paris deal that was signed by 194 countries of the world only Syria and Nicaragua opted out has conclusively proved that Trump can't look beyond petty interests. He is on his way to ensure the US loses its moral and political leadership of the world because of his myopic and puerile politics. Trump's decision, as critics have pointed out, is based on questionable data and a shocking lack of concern for the environment. He has claimed the US would lose millions of jobs 2.7 million by 2025, he assumes because of the deal, not realising that the consequences of global warming would be much more disastrous and widespread. Also, as the The New York Times argues, he has failed to realise that the US economy will adapt to the changes and new regulations. Many companies have, in fact, argued that the market would open up and there would be more jobs. Trump seems to be on his own trip of irrationality, insensitivity and faux-patriotism. While his own country would suffer the consequences of Trump's decision, the impact on the global order could be immense. For one, nobody would now trust a country that is led by a whimsical president who comes up with illogical arguments to imperil the future of the planet. In his own backyard, Trump has been panned by politicians, environmentalists, CEOs like Tesla's Elon Musk and even the mayor of Pittsburgh, the city, Trump said he prefers over Paris. A president who doesn't command the respect of his own country is unlikely to get it from the rest of the world. And two, as he refuses to share the burden of the Third World in controlling global warming, competes with countries like India, the US would be reduced to a selfish entity with no moral, financial or political leverage. As Fareed Zakaria told CNN, the decision suggests the "US is retiring from global leadership." Zakaria: Quitting Paris climate deal means America is no longer "leader of the free world" https://t.co/fhXffMld0a https://t.co/TTwMoMjqEn CNN (@CNN) June 2, 2017 Many experts had warned before the US elections that Trump will ensure the world becomes more vulnerable to Russian interference. His volte-face on the Paris Accord has ensured that even China and the European Union appear more magnanimous and responsible than the US and, thus, become more eligible to lead the world. China's rise appears imminent with its firm commitment to the climate deal and its recent attempts to take its trade and financing to countries to its west with its plans to reopen the old Silk Route. Trump has ensured that China and the European Union work more closely on the accord to negate the impact of Trump's decision and position themselves as custodians of the environment. India should be wary of the development. Already, Trump has given insights into his thinking by claiming his country can't be expected to cut down on carbon emissions while India and China continue to burn coal. (That is a fatuous argument considering that the US has been contributing to global warming for several decades while India is still a developing nation.) So, in a way, Trump considers India as one of the reasons behind his decision and, thus, an adversary. China's rise in the geopolitical hierarchy would worry India because of the traditional rivalry between the two nations. China has been cosying up to Pakistan and several SAARC nations to pursue its 'String of Pearls' policy against India. Recently, India backed out of the Chinese One Border One Road summit, much to Beijing's chagrin. Obviously, ties between the two neighbours are strained. If China manages to fill up the vacuum Trump seems so eager to create, India would have to reconsider its foreign policy in view of the rapidly changing global order. Colombo: The European Union (EU) has allocated 300,000 euros (Rs 21,6951,00) in humanitarian funding to flood-stricken Sri Lanka, it was announced on Friday. "This contribution from the EU will allow our partners on the ground to provide relief to the most-impacted families. This is an expression of solidarity from the European people to the people of Sri Lanka," Christos Stylianides, EU commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, said in a statement. The EU aid will focus on the most pressing needs in the aftermath of the floods, including access to clean water and sanitation facilities, provision of essential household items and emergency shelter, Xinhua news agency reported. The death toll in Sri Lanka caused by floods and landslides reached 206 on Friday with 92 people still missing, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. Over 650,000 people have been affected while an estimated 100,000 people have been shifted to safe locations. Over 10,000 houses have also been fully or partially destroyed. Days of severe rains since 26 May caused major floods and landslides in at least seven districts, the worst floods to hit Sri Lanka since 2003. International assistance has also poured into the country in addition to naval teams from India, Pakistan and China. By Susan Cornwell | CRANFORD, New Jersey CRANFORD, New Jersey Appearing at a town hall in upscale Cranford, New Jersey this week, five-term Republican congressman Leonard Lance got a barrage of complaints from constituents about President Donald Trump."This administration is the most foul administration I have ever seen in my life. The stench that comes from Washington can be smelled in my hometown," said Martin Carroll of Watchung, New Jersey, who drew a standing ovation.Another man, who identified himself as Alan, lambasted what he called the "criminality" of the Trump administration. "When will you call them out?" he asked Lance.Lance, a mild-mannered 64-year-old, is one of many centrist Republicans who are feeling voter heat over Trump and are vulnerable to a backlash in next years congressional elections.Democrats hope to make the 2018 mid-term elections a referendum on Trump. Any path they have for capturing the Republican-led House of Representatives runs through areas such as Lance's, one of 23 Republican districts that voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.In Lance's district, anger has risen over proposed cuts to domestic programs, Republican efforts to roll back Obamacare, President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul, and allegations of collusion between Trump's campaign team and Russia, despite the president's denial of any such contacts.At the Cranford town hall, the congressman made clear he has differences with Trump on issues such as the budget and a special counsel investigation into any links between Trump's campaign and Russian officials.While Trump has called the Russia probe a "witch hunt," Lance said he believes it is necessary and that he will "let the chips fall where they may" when the findings come in.Lance also questioned the economic assumptions underpinning Trump's budget and said he opposed its proposed cuts for the arts and environmental programs.Of the 23 Republicans in districts that voted for Clinton, Lance has been among the more vocal in distancing himself from Trump. But there are others. Republican Representative Barbara Comstock of Virginia has said she could not defend Trump's decision to fire FBI Director James Comey. DISSENTERS Comstock and Lance were among 20 Republicans who voted against the Trump-backed Republican healthcare bill in May. Nine of those dissenters hailed from the 23 Republican districts where Clinton beat Trump in November.In California, Republican Representative Darrell Issa has faced weekly protests in his district since Trump's inauguration in January.Issa says he backs Robert Mueller, the special counsel in charge of the Russia investigation, and like Lance, he opposes Trump's proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency.But Issa infuriated Trump opponents with his backing of the healthcare bill. "We saw your vote!" some chanted outside Issa's office, while others displayed the message "Repeal & Replace Issa" on a California bridge.Still, the 23 districts, which have a majority of white voters and tend to be moderately well-educated and well-off, do not make easy targets for Democratic congressional candidates. Republicans have triumphed repeatedly in these districts during the past 20 years, winning 198 races to Democrats' 36. And Republicans have won every U.S. House election in 11 of those districts since 1996.(For graphic on the districts: tmsnrt.rs/2rN3xb9) In Lance's district, a collection of well-heeled bedroom communities outside New York City, registered Republican voters outnumber Democrats, but "unaffiliated" voters outnumber both categories.BALANCING ACT Lance is rated a slight favorite to keep his seat by the Cook Political Report, a non-partisan election tracker.Speaking after the Cranford town hall, Lance said he thought the crowd had been less contentious than those that had confronted him at recent constituent meetings. He thought his rejection of the healthcare bill was one reason."I guess I had to prove my bona fides," Lance said. "I vote with the president when I think he's right and I don't vote with him when I don't agree with him."But Democrats note Lance had earlier backed Trump's healthcare bill in a House committee. Lance should have "tried to convince his colleagues to do the right thing, and he didn't do that," said Linda Weber, a 53-year-old bank executive who is one of four people already seeking the Democratic nomination to take on Lance next year.Ed Harris, a retired attorney who attended the Cranford town hall, said Lance's rejection of the healthcare bill was a step in the right direction. Harris, an unaffiliated voter, said he voted for Clinton in 2016, though not enthusiastically."I thought the bubonic plague was better than Trump," Harris said. "I will support anybody who is opposed to Trump."Voters like Harris pose a conundrum for Lance and other Republican moderates as they prepare for the mid-term elections. Differing with the president may help them win over centrists or independents, but then they run the risk of alienating Trump supporters.Trump backer Wells Pikaart, a sales manager from Westfield, New Jersey, said he understands Lance's predicament but was nonetheless disappointed that the congressman did not vote in favor of the Republican healthcare bill."I think that he needs to use his time now to advance the presidents agenda," Pikaart said. (Additional reporting by Grant Smith; Editing by Caren Bohan and Ross Colvin) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Vienna: Iran is sticking to the 2015 nuclear deal with major world powers even as tensions rise with US president Donald Trump, a United Nations (UN) atomic watchdog report showed on Friday. Trump has vowed to "dismantle" the "disastrous" deal and has ratcheted up US sanctions, calling for Iran to be isolated and throwing his weight behind Tehran's arch-rival Saudi Arabia. But the new International Atomic Energy Agency report, seen by AFP, showed Iran's nuclear activities remain reduced, making any push to an atomic bomb much harder than before the agreement. Iran's stock of low-enriched uranium used for peaceful purposes, but when further processed for a weapon remained below the agreed limit of 300 kilogrammes (661 pounds), the report said. The quarterly assessment said Iran "has not pursued the construction of the Arak... reactor" which could give it weapons-grade plutonium and has not enriched uranium above low purity levels. Iran's stock of heavy water, used as a reactor coolant, was 128.2 tonnes. Iran has previously inched above an agreed ceiling of 130 tonnes a number of times and has shipped the excess abroad. The agreement between Iran and the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany was agreed in Vienna in July 2015, after years of negotiations. It came into force in January 2016. The accord saw Iran substantially reduce its nuclear programme and submit to ultra-close IAEA oversight, making much tougher any "breakout" attempt to make a bomb before the world can react. In return, UN and Western sanctions related to the nuclear standoff were lifted, in particular on Tehran's oil exports and unlocking billions of dollars in funds frozen overseas. However, other sanctions related to human rights and Iran's missile activities have remained in place and have even been added to by Trump, frustrating Tehran's efforts to boost trade. Trump, who on Thursday announced a US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, on 17 May renewed a waiver of nuclear-related US sanctions on Iran but he has ordered a review of the main nuclear deal. Trump in May chose Saudi Arabia for his first foreign trip, announcing $110 billion in arms deals and saying Iran "funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups... across the region". US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has also expressed misgivings about time periods in the Iran deal that mean the Islamic republic can increase its enrichment capacity again from 2026. United Nations: The UN is concerned over the tense situation along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan and the Secretary-General is following the developments closely, his spokesperson said. "I think the situation that we've seen in that area continues to be of concern to us and, as I've said before, the Secretary-General is following the situation very closely," UN Secretary General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here yesterday when asked about the recent cross-border shelling. A civilian was killed and four others, including a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, were injured when the Pakistan Army targeted forward areas along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting retaliation by the Indian troops. Five Pakistani soldiers were reported to have been killed while some others were injured in the Indian Army's retaliatory action along the Nowshera and Krishna Ghati sectors. Dujarric has repeatedly said that Guterres is following the situation in Kashmir amid escalating tensions at the border between India and Pakistan. The UN Chief has not made any direct intervention to resolve the issue and his spokesperson has repeatedly said the UN Chief reiterates his call for India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue. St Petersburg (Russia): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented over 100 volumes of 'Urga Kanjur' to the head priest of the Datsan Gunzechoinei Buddhist Temple in St Petersburg. 'Urga Kanjur' is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist text. PM presents Urga Kanjur to Jampa Donor, Buda Balzheivich Badmayev, Head Priest, Datsan Gunzechoinei Buddhist Temple, St Petersburg. pic.twitter.com/TINSiWKCDH PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 2, 2017 Modi, who is on an official visit in Russia, met President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The Urga edition of the Tibetan Kanjur was unknown till 1955 when Professor Raghu Vira brought to India its complete set of 104 volumes with a volume containing the catalogue. It was presented to him by the Mongolian prime minister as a unique bibliographic rarity. On the second day of his Russia visit, Modi visited Institute of Oriental Manuscripts. He also left a message in the Gujarati language at the institute, said a tweet by the Indian Embassy in Moscow. The institute has manuscripts and early printed books consisting of more than 100 thousand items in 65 living and dead languages. It also has the archives of the Orientalists that contains some valuable documents on the history of Oriental Studies in Russia. It has manuscripts and xylographs. He also met Tigran Sargasyan, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission and former prime minister of Armenia. India and Russia on Thursday agreed on early commencement of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the five-nation Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). St Petersburg: India is committed to protecting the climate, irrespective of the Paris agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Russia on Friday but avoided a direct reference to the US withdrawing from the international deal. Addressing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia in the presence of Russian president Vladimir Putin, he said India has traditionally been respecting the nature and desisted from exploiting it. "Paris or no Paris, our commitment to preserving the climate is for the sake of future generations," Modi said while responding to a question about US president Donald Trump announcing the withdrawal of the USA from the Climate Change deal. He said he had made the same comment in Germany three days back when "nobody's comment had come", an apparent reference to Trump's announcement on Friday. "I said it in then, I say it now," he added. Trump earlier in the day said the US was withdrawing from the Paris climate change deal, agreed by more than 190 nations. He said it unfairly benefited countries like India and China. Asked by the moderator whether India would side with the US or others on the Paris climate change deal, Modi replied, "it is not a question of which way I go. I will go with the future generations." He underlined, "we must leave for our future generations a climate wherein they can breathe clean air and have a healthy life." Earlier, addressing the event, the prime minister said, "India is a responsible nation with regard to climate change...We can milk the nature... Exploitation of nature is not acceptable to us," he said. He said India had been working to protect the environment even before the Paris deal reached in 2015. "For the last 5,000 years, even when I was not born, it has been the tradition in India to protect the environment," Modi said. He recalled that when he was the chief minister of Gujarat before 2014, the state had created a separate department for environment protection. Yaounde (Cameroon): Authorities in northern Cameroon say 11 people are dead after two suicide bombers attacked a camp for those displaced by Boko Haram extremist violence in the region. Governor Midjiyawa Bakari of the Far North region said on Friday that the dead include the two girls who detonated their explosives at the displacement camp in Kolofata. He says several dozen others were wounded, including 15 who were taken to the hospital in Mora. Authorities believe the girls had entered Cameroon the night before from neighboring Nigeria. Northern Cameroon has seen a rise in attacks launched by the Nigeria-based Boko Haram. The extremists are known for kidnapping young girls and often use children to carry out bomb attacks. Pakistan said on Friday that it maintains a balanced position on conflicts in West Asia and fully supports Saudi Arabia's territorial integrity. Pakistan's advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said this while responding to Senator Farhatullah Babar regarding statements of Saudi authorities that the Islamic military alliance was not restricted only to fight terror groups. Pakistan's former army chief General Raheel Sharif heads the 41-nation Islamic military alliance, dubbed as Islamic NATO. The alliance is led by Saudi Arabia. Babar said that Saudi authorities' statements created an impression that the alliance could also be used against Iran. The senator had demanded the government to come clean on the issue as the Parliament has issued guidelines that Pakistan would not take sides in the tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He had also sought clarification if the government would call back General Sharif in case the alliance was used against Iran. Aziz said the members of the alliance will themselves decide which activity they want to participate in. These activities include political consultation, intelligence sharing, capacity building, counter-narrative, and military cooperation, he said. It was decided that programmes and mechanism of the alliance will be decided during a meeting of the defence ministers of the member countries, which has not yet happened, Aziz said. Aziz rejected the impression that any statement from Saudi authorities can be the terms of reference. He said mandate of the alliance is to counter terrorism and any statement from a Saudi dignitary will not affect Pakistan's foreign policy. Aziz said Pakistan will never deploy its troops outside Saudi Arabia. Islamabad: Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif's younger son, Hassan Nawaz, on Friday made his first appearance before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted by the Supreme Court to probe the Panama Papers case. Hassan arrived at the Federal Judicial Academy accompanied by leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) to record his statement before the JIT, Dawn reported. A day earlier, Sharif's elder son, Hussain Nawaz, appeared before the JIT for the third time over the past five days to defend the money trail of the Sharif's London properties. As he emerged from the JIT secretariat, Hussain claimed that there wasn't any evidence of any wrongdoing or illegality committed by him, his father, brother and sister. Hussain was summoned by the JIT for a fourth round of questioning but it was not specified when he will make his next appearance. The six-member JIT was constituted by the Supreme Court to examine the financial transactions of the Sharif family to buy four apartments in Park Lane, London. The JIT had also summoned Qatari royal Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani. Two letters signed by the Qatari royal had been presented before the top court by representatives of the Prime Minister's children's during the Supreme Court's hearing of the Panamagate case. In his first appearance before the JIT, Hussain had refused to answer questions put forth by the investigative body, saying that the JIT's status was "sub judice" as he had already filed a petition before the apex court regarding two of its constituents. Subsequently, the apex court rejected Hussain's plea, seeking exclusion of the two JIT members. After each of the next two hearings, the elder son of the Premier told reporters that he answered all of the questions put forth to him by the members of the JIT. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday pledged "more decisive action than ever" to protect the climate after the US pullout from the landmark Paris accord. "We in Germany, in Europe and the world will band together to take more decisive action than ever to confront and successfully surmount major challenges to humanity such as climate change," she told reporters. In a strongly worded statement, Merkel said US President Donald Trump's announcement to turn his back on the Paris pact was "highly regrettable, to put it very mildly". "This decision cannot and will not stop those of us who feel obligated to protect our Earth," she said. Calling the Paris pact a "historic quantum leap," she said that Germany would live up to its "obligations under this agreement, particularly on financing of climate assistance for the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the world." She said it would be a "rocky road" toward full implementation of the agreement but called it "irreversible". Merkel hailed private initiatives around the world on climate protection, including in the United States, saying they would help ensure "more prosperity and opportunities for the world." She vowed to make a success of the next round of UN climate talks in the western Germany city of Bonn in November. "I say to all those for whom the future of our planet is important: let us continue on this path together so that we can succeed for Mother Earth," she said. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will withdraw the United States from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change, a move that fulfilled a major campaign pledge but drew condemnation from US allies and business leaders. Trump, tapping into the "America First" message he used when he was elected president last year, said the Paris accord would undermine the US economy, cost US jobs, weaken American national sovereignty and put the country at a permanent disadvantage to the other countries of the world. Here is the full text of the statement made by Trump: Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you. I would like to begin by addressing the terrorist attack in Manila. Were closely monitoring the situation, and I will continue to give updates if anything happens during this period of time. But it is really very sad as to whats going on throughout the world with terror. Our thoughts and our prayers are with all of those affected. Before we discuss the Paris Accord, Id like to begin with an update on our tremendous absolutely tremendous economic progress since Election Day on November 8th. The economy is starting to come back, and very, very rapidly. Weve added $3.3 trillion in stock market value to our economy, and more than a million private sector jobs. I have just returned from a trip overseas where we concluded nearly $350 billion of military and economic development for the United States, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. It was a very, very successful trip, believe me. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. In my meetings at the G7, we have taken historic steps to demand fair and reciprocal trade that gives Americans a level playing field against other nations. Were also working very hard for peace in the Middle East, and perhaps even peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Our attacks on terrorism are greatly stepped up -- and you see that, you see it all over -- from the previous administration, including getting many other countries to make major contributions to the fight against terror. Big, big contributions are being made by countries that werent doing so much in the form of contribution. One by one, we are keeping the promises I made to the American people during my campaign for President - whether its cutting job-killing regulations; appointing and confirming a tremendous Supreme Court justice; putting in place tough new ethics rules; achieving a record reduction in illegal immigration on our southern border; or bringing jobs, plants, and factories back into the United States at numbers which no one until this point thought even possible. And believe me, weve just begun. The fruits of our labor will be seen very shortly even more so. On these issues and so many more, were following through on our commitments. And I dont want anything to get in our way. I am fighting every day for the great people of this country. Therefore, in order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord -- (applause) -- thank you, thank you -- but begin negotiations to reenter either the Paris Accord or a really entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers. So were getting out. But we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal thats fair. And if we can, thats great. And if we cant, thats fine. (Applause.) As President, I can put no other consideration before the well-being of American citizens. The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers -- who I love -- and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories, and vastly diminished economic production. Thus, as of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris Accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country. This includes ending the implementation of the nationally determined contribution and, very importantly, the Green Climate Fund which is costing the United States a vast fortune. Compliance with the terms of the Paris Accord and the onerous energy restrictions it has placed on the United States could cost America as much as 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025 according to the National Economic Research Associates. This includes 440,000 fewer manufacturing jobs -- not what we need -- believe me, this is not what we need -- including automobile jobs, and the further decimation of vital American industries on which countless communities rely. They rely for so much, and we would be giving them so little. According to this same study, by 2040, compliance with the commitments put into place by the previous administration would cut production for the following sectors: paper down 12 percent; cement down 23 percent; iron and steel down 38 percent; coal -- and I happen to love the coal miners -- down 86 percent; natural gas down 31 percent. The cost to the economy at this time would be close to $3 trillion in lost GDP and 6.5 million industrial jobs, while households would have $7,000 less income and, in many cases, much worse than that. Not only does this deal subject our citizens to harsh economic restrictions, it fails to live up to our environmental ideals. As someone who cares deeply about the environment, which I do, I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States which is what it does the worlds leader in environmental protection, while imposing no meaningful obligations on the worlds leading polluters. For example, under the agreement, China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years -- 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris Accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States. Further, while the current agreement effectively blocks the development of clean coal in America -- which it does, and the mines are starting to open up. Were having a big opening in two weeks. Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, so many places. A big opening of a brand-new mine. Its unheard of. For many, many years, that hasnt happened. They asked me if Id go. Im going to try. China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. So we cant build the plants, but they can, according to this agreement. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants. In short, the agreement doesnt eliminate coal jobs, it just transfers those jobs out of America and the United States, and ships them to foreign countries. This agreement is less about the climate and more about other countries gaining a financial advantage over the United States. The rest of the world applauded when we signed the Paris Agreement -- they went wild; they were so happy for the simple reason that it put our country, the United States of America, which we all love, at a very, very big economic disadvantage. A cynic would say the obvious reason for economic competitors and their wish to see us remain in the agreement is so that we continue to suffer this self-inflicted major economic wound. We would find it very hard to compete with other countries from other parts of the world. We have among the most abundant energy reserves on the planet, sufficient to lift millions of Americas poorest workers out of poverty. Yet, under this agreement, we are effectively putting these reserves under lock and key, taking away the great wealth of our nation -- it's great wealth, it's phenomenal wealth; not so long ago, we had no idea we had such wealth -- and leaving millions and millions of families trapped in poverty and joblessness. The agreement is a massive redistribution of United States wealth to other countries. At 1 percent growth, renewable sources of energy can meet some of our domestic demand, but at 3 or 4 percent growth, which I expect, we need all forms of available American energy, or our country (applause) will be at grave risk of brownouts and blackouts, our businesses will come to a halt in many cases, and the American family will suffer the consequences in the form of lost jobs and a very diminished quality of life. Even if the Paris Agreement were implemented in full, with total compliance from all nations, it is estimated it would only produce a two-tenths of one degree -- think of that; this much -- Celsius reduction in global temperature by the year 2100. Tiny, tiny amount. In fact, 14 days of carbon emissions from China alone would wipe out the gains from America -- and this is an incredible statistic -- would totally wipe out the gains from America's expected reductions in the year 2030, after we have had to spend billions and billions of dollars, lost jobs, closed factories, and suffered much higher energy costs for our businesses and for our homes. As the Wall Street Journal wrote this morning: The reality is that withdrawing is in Americas economic interest and wont matter much to the climate. The United States, under the Trump administration, will continue to be the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on Earth. We'll be the cleanest. We're going to have the cleanest air. We're going to have the cleanest water. We will be environmentally friendly, but we're not going to put our businesses out of work and we're not going to lose our jobs. We're going to grow; we're going to grow rapidly. (Applause.) And I think you just read -- it just came out minutes ago, the small business report -- small businesses as of just now are booming, hiring people. One of the best reports they've seen in many years. Im willing to immediately work with Democratic leaders to either negotiate our way back into Paris, under the terms that are fair to the United States and its workers, or to negotiate a new deal that protects our country and its taxpayers. (Applause.) So if the obstructionists want to get together with me, lets make them non-obstructionists. We will all sit down, and we will get back into the deal. And well make it good, and we wont be closing up our factories, and we wont be losing our jobs. And well sit down with the Democrats and all of the people that represent either the Paris Accord or something that we can do that's much better than the Paris Accord. And I think the people of our country will be thrilled, and I think then the people of the world will be thrilled. But until we do that, we're out of the agreement. I will work to ensure that America remains the worlds leader on environmental issues, but under a framework that is fair and where the burdens and responsibilities are equally shared among the many nations all around the world. No responsible leader can put the workers -- and the people -- of their country at this debilitating and tremendous disadvantage. The fact that the Paris deal hamstrings the United States, while empowering some of the worlds top polluting countries, should dispel any doubt as to the real reason why foreign lobbyists wish to keep our magnificent country tied up and bound down by this agreement: Its to give their country an economic edge over the United States. That's not going to happen while Im President. Im sorry. (Applause.) My job as President is to do everything within my power to give America a level playing field and to create the economic, regulatory and tax structures that make America the most prosperous and productive country on Earth, and with the highest standard of living and the highest standard of environmental protection. Our tax bill is moving along in Congress, and I believe its doing very well. I think a lot of people will be very pleasantly surprised. The Republicans are working very, very hard. Wed love to have support from the Democrats, but we may have to go it alone. But its going very well. The Paris Agreement handicaps the United States economy in order to win praise from the very foreign capitals and global activists that have long sought to gain wealth at our countrys expense. They dont put America first. I do, and I always will. (Applause.) The same nations asking us to stay in the agreement are the countries that have collectively cost America trillions of dollars through tough trade practices and, in many cases, lax contributions to our critical military alliance. You see whats happening. Its pretty obvious to those that want to keep an open mind. At what point does America get demeaned? At what point do they start laughing at us as a country? We want fair treatment for its citizens, and we want fair treatment for our taxpayers. We dont want other leaders and other countries laughing at us anymore. And they wont be. They wont be. I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. (Applause.) I promised I would exit or renegotiate any deal which fails to serve Americas interests. Many trade deals will soon be under renegotiation. Very rarely do we have a deal that works for this country, but theyll soon be under renegotiation. The process has begun from day one. But now were down to business. Beyond the severe energy restrictions inflicted by the Paris Accord, it includes yet another scheme to redistribute wealth out of the United States through the so-called Green Climate Fund -- nice name -- which calls for developed countries to send $100 billion to developing countries all on top of Americas existing and massive foreign aid payments. So were going to be paying billions and billions and billions of dollars, and were already way ahead of anybody else. Many of the other countries havent spent anything, and many of them will never pay one dime. The Green Fund would likely obligate the United States to commit potentially tens of billions of dollars of which the United States has already handed over $1 billion -- nobody else is even close; most of them havent even paid anything -- including funds raided out of Americas budget for the war against terrorism. Thats where they came. Believe me, they didnt come from me. They came just before I came into office. Not good. And not good the way they took the money. In 2015, the United Nation's departing top climate officials reportedly described the $100 billion per year as peanuts, and stated that "the $100 billion is the tail that wags the dog." In 2015, the Green Climate Funds executive director reportedly stated that estimated funding needed would increase to $450 billion per year after 2020. And nobody even knows where the money is going to. Nobody has been able to say, where is it going to? Of course, the worlds top polluters have no affirmative obligations under the Green Fund, which we terminated. America is $20 trillion in debt. Cash-strapped cities cannot hire enough police officers or fix vital infrastructure. Millions of our citizens are out of work. And yet, under the Paris Accord, billions of dollars that ought to be invested right here in America will be sent to the very countries that have taken our factories and our jobs away from us. So think of that. There are serious legal and constitutional issues as well. Foreign leaders in Europe, Asia, and across the world should not have more to say with respect to the U.S. economy than our own citizens and their elected representatives. Thus, our withdrawal from the agreement represents a reassertion of Americas sovereignty. (Applause.) Our Constitution is unique among all the nations of the world, and it is my highest obligation and greatest honor to protect it. And I will. Staying in the agreement could also pose serious obstacles for the United States as we begin the process of unlocking the restrictions on Americas abundant energy reserves, which we have started very strongly. It would once have been unthinkable that an international agreement could prevent the United States from conducting its own domestic economic affairs, but this is the new reality we face if we do not leave the agreement or if we do not negotiate a far better deal. The risks grow as historically these agreements only tend to become more and more ambitious over time. In other words, the Paris framework is a starting point -- as bad as it is -- not an end point. And exiting the agreement protects the United States from future intrusions on the United States' sovereignty and massive future legal liability. Believe me, we have massive legal liability if we stay in. As President, I have one obligation, and that obligation is to the American people. The Paris Accord would undermine our economy, hamstring our workers, weaken our sovereignty, impose unacceptable legal risks, and put us at a permanent disadvantage to the other countries of the world. It is time to exit the Paris Accord -- (applause) -- and time to pursue a new deal that protects the environment, our companies, our citizens, and our country. It is time to put Youngstown, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- along with many, many other locations within our great country -- before Paris, France. It is time to make America great again. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Very important. Id like to ask Scott Pruitt, who most of you know and respect, as I do, just to say a few words. Scott, please. (Applause.) ADMINISTRATOR PRUITT: Thank you, Mr. President. Your decision today to exit the Paris Accord reflects your unflinching commitment to put America first. And by exiting, you're fulfilling yet one more campaign promise to the American people. Please know that I am thankful for your fortitude, your courage, and your steadfastness as you serve and lead our country. America finally has a leader who answers only to the people -- not to the special interests who have had their way for way too long. In everything you do, Mr. President, you're fighting for the forgotten men and women across this country. You're a champion for the hardworking citizens all across this land who just want a government that listens to them and represents their interest. You have promised to put America First in all that you do, and you've done that in any number of ways -- from trade, to national security, to protecting our border, to rightsizing Washington, D.C. And today you've put America first with regard to international agreements and the environment. This is an historic restoration of American economic independence -- one that will benefit the working class, the working poor, and working people of all stripes. With this action, you have declared that the people are rulers of this country once again. And it should be noted that we as a nation do it better than anyone in the world in striking the balance between growing our economy, growing jobs while also being a good steward of our environment. We owe no apologies to other nations for our environmental stewardship. After all, before the Paris Accord was ever signed, America had reduced its CO2 footprint to levels from the early 1990s. In fact, between the years 2000 and 2014, the United States reduced its carbon emissions by 18-plus percent. And this was accomplished not through government mandate, but accomplished through innovation and technology of the American private sector. For that reason, Mr. President, you have corrected a view that was paramount in Paris that somehow the United States should penalize its own economy, be apologetic, lead with our chin, while the rest of world does little. Other nations talk a good game; we lead with action -- not words. (Applause.) Our efforts, Mr. President, as you know, should be on exporting our technology, our innovation to nations who seek to reduce their CO2 footprint to learn from us. That should be our focus versus agreeing to unachievable targets that harm our economy and the American people. Mr. President, it takes courage, it takes commitment to say no to the plaudits of men while doing whats right by the American people. You have that courage, and the American people can take comfort because you have their backs. Thank you, Mr. President. Beijing: By backing off the US commitment to address climate change, President Donald Trump leaves an opening for a chief economic rival, China, to expand its increasing dominance in the renewable energy industry. In reacting to Trump's announcement that he was withdrawing the US from the Paris climate accord, China reaffirmed its commitment to the landmark agreement and is poised to spend heavily in coming years on renewables. Yet the world's most populous country remains heavily reliant on coal to generate electricity and power its steel mills a habit that could be hard to break without stifling its economic aspirations. Here's a look at some of the trends and challenges that could shape China's and the world's energy future. Beijing's commitment to curbing pollution China's rush to renewables has been driven largely by local pollution from power plants and factories that frequently blankets Beijing and other major cities, endangering public health and driving some residents overseas. Economic opportunity has also played a role, with massive investments in solar and wind helping dramatically drive down the cost for renewables worldwide. China already accounts for more than one-third of global wind energy capacity. It recently surpassed Germany to become number one in solar capacity. Renewables employ more than 3.6 million people in China more than a third of the industry's global total. It plans to add another 13 million jobs in the sector by 2020 with investments of $144 billion in new solar projects, $100 billion in wind and $70 billion in hydropower. That also should help China to reach its commitment under the Paris accord to cap greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. "China has expressed very clear signals that it wants to take more leadership in terms of promoting trade and global cooperation against climate change," said Frank Yu, a China-based renewables consultant for the firm Wood Mackenzie. "The retreat of the US actually gives China more opportunity to lead these global efforts." Energy still dominated by coal Notwithstanding China's embrace of renewables, coal still dominates the nation's fuel mix, accounting for 62 percent of total energy consumption in 2016. Coal production fell over the past several years, with a slowing economy as one factor. In January, China announced the suspension or cancellation of plans to build an additional 100 coal-fueled power plants. Yet dozens more are still expected to be built and China remains the world's largest coal user. It mined 3.41 billion tons of the fuel last year more than four times the volume in the US, the second largest coal consumer. Largely as a result, China is also the top emitter of greenhouse gasses blamed for worsening climate change. Coal production is rebounding this year, up 2.5 percent during the first four months compared to the same period in 2016, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics. Converting coal to gas Coal has suffered a steep and sustained decline in the US since cheap, abundant supplies of cleaner-burning natural gas supplanted it as the main fuel for power generation. China's gas supplies are far more limited, hurting its prospects as a replacement fuel. One option that's being pursued in the country's western provinces is to convert coal into synthetic natural gas. That could help curb air pollution blamed for urban smog and, researchers say, potentially stave off tens of thousands of premature deaths annually. But converting coal to gas would also produce more of the carbon dioxide that's the main driver behind climate change, first in manufacturing the gas and again in burning it. Meanwhile, the renewables boom has proven too much for China's electricity grid to fully absorb, causing some electricity to go to waste. Brussels : Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and top officials from the European Union are on Friday set to reaffirm their commitment to a landmark climate change agreement, a day after President Donald Trump said he was pulling the United States out of the Paris accord. Climate issues are expected to dominate discussions between Li, who is leading a large delegation of ministers to Brussels, and EU council president Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Speaking to European business leaders alongside Li, Juncker said EU-China ties are underpinned by "a rules-based international system." He said that Brussels and Beijing believe in "the full implementation, without nuances, of the Paris climate agreement," and underlined that there can be "no backsliding" on the pact. At their short summit, the EU and China two of the world's major polluters are set to issue a statement reaffirming their stance on global warming following Trump's announcement Thursday. According to a draft, they will express their determination "to forge ahead with further policies and measures for effective implementation of their respective nationally determined contributions." They will also "call on all parties to uphold the Paris agreement" and "to strengthen efforts over time, in accordance with the purpose and provisions of the agreement." Separately on Thursday, European heavyweights France, Germany and Italy said in a joint statement that they regretted the United States' decision to withdraw from the accord, while reaffirming their "strongest commitment" to implement its measures. They also encouraged "all our partners to speed up their action to combat climate change." While Trump said the United States would be willing to rejoin the accord if it could obtain more favourable terms, the three European leaders said the agreement cannot be renegotiated, "since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economics." Germany's environment minister underscored that on Friday, saying "there will be no new deal with the United States" on climate change. Barbara Hendricks told reporters in Berlin that other countries will fill the leadership vacuum left by the United States but none will be expected to make up the shortfall in emissions reductions caused by Washington's exit. She added that the global climate would "survive" Trump's maximum presidential term of eight years. Hendricks noted that the absence of $500 million contributions from the United States to the Green Climate Fund will be felt from 2018, but said it might be possible to fill the gap with "other financing mechanisms, for example through the World Bank." St Petersburg: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday asserted that climate change is "undeniable" as he strongly urged all governments across the world to "stay the course" and remain committed to implementing the ambitious deal. "(Climate change) is undeniable. And it is one of the biggest threats to our present world and to the future of our planet. On the other hand, climate action is unstoppable," Guterres told the media in St Petersburg, Russia, where he is participating in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Guterres strongly urged all the governments around the world to "stay the course, to remain committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement to the benefit of all of us". Responding to President Donald Trump's announcement to withdraw the US from the Paris climate accord, Guterres said he is "deeply convinced" that states, cities, the business community and civil society will remain engaged. He said they "will bet on the green economy, because the green economy is the good economy, it is the economy of the future". "Because this is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do, and those that will be betting on the implementation of the Paris Agreement, on the green economy, will be the ones that have a leading role in the economy of the 21st century," he said. The US will now join only two other nations on the planet Syria and Nicaragua which are not part of the Paris Climate Agreement. Trump's decision to pull the US out of the deal that aims to lower global green house gas emissions has been met with strong criticism from various quarters across the world. The UN Environment Chief Erik Solheim joined other experts and analysts in saying that the US withdrawal will put India and China in leadership positions in the global fight to combat climate change. The Paris Agreement's central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the global temperature rise in this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The landmark agreement, which entered into force last November, calls on countries to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future, and to adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change. New Delhi: The Trump administration's decision to pull out of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement on Friday drew global criticism from environmental advocates who said India, China and the European Union (EU) will now lead the battle against climate change. The secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the foundational agreement under which the Paris accord was negotiated, clarified that the pact "cannot be re-negotiated based on the request of a single party". The US move to leave the Paris agreement will not stop its incredible momentum, UN Environment chief Erik Solheim said. He said China, India, the European Union and others were already showing strong leadership. Committing to climate action means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the frontline of extremism and terrorism, he said. "It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands." Under the Paris Agreement, all nations have agreed to combat climate change and to unleash actions and investment towards a low carbon, resilient and sustainable future that will keep a global average temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius with the accepted international aim of working to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The UNFCCC said "it stands ready to engage in dialogue with the US regarding the implications of this announcement". European Union Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete said the Trump announcement had galvanized the world rather than weaken it. "The world can continue to count on Europe for global leadership in the fight against climate change. The EU will strengthen its existing partnerships and seek new alliances from the world's largest economies to the most vulnerable island states. "This vacuum will be filled by new broad committed leadership. Europe and its strong partners all around the world are ready to lead the way. We will work together to face one of the most compelling challenges of our time," Canete added. For Fijian prime minister and incoming President of Conference of the Parties (COP 23) Frank Bainimarama, the decision disappointed everyone, especially the climate vulnerable nations. He said he was especially encouraged by the commitment shown by China, India, the European Union, Canada, Mexico and the vast majority of other nations to lower emissions. "They will continue to lead this process, with or without the support of the Trump administration, but with the knowledge and assurance that many ordinary Americans support participation in the Paris Agreement." Tim Buckley of the US-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis foresees India and China as leaders to lead the world towards a low-carbon economy - a step towards achieving the 2015 Paris pact aim of cutting greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels. "We view China and India as the two most important countries globally in terms of momentum in energy market transformation. Both are achieving economic growth rate of more than double of the US; and both are looking to show global leadership in terms of clean energy technology deployment, investment and financial capital," he said. UNEP executive director Solheim had previously said climate action would continue in the US even if Washington withdraws. "There is the US private sector. Companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Walmart and Tesla are true global leaders when it comes to bringing down their carbon footprints. Even coal and oil companies are stepping up their shift to renewables. They are doing so because it's sound business and they want to remain competitive globally," he told IANS. "China and India do not depend on the US nor any other country to set their own policies. "And what we are seeing at the moment is significant steps from both Beijing and New Delhi to put their economies on a path of sustainable, inclusive and low-carbon growth because it makes perfect strategic and business sense to do so." Washington: Indian-American lawmakers on Friday described US president Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate deal an "irrational" decision that has set the planet on a "catastrophic" course. "This decision, based on falsehoods and the denial of climate change, would be a complete disaster for our cities, Washington state, our country and the entire world. It's not a hoax - the science is clear on climate change," said Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. "By unilaterally pulling the US out of the Paris climate accord, President Trump is setting our planet on a catastrophic course," she said in a statement. The first-time Democratic lawmaker from Seattle said it is America's moral responsibility to transition the economy from fossil fuels to clean energy while ensuring that they sustain and create retraining programmes, apprenticeships and good paying jobs for workers. "We must also aim to collaborate with other nations in drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions," added Jayapal. Democratic Senator Kamala Harris from California said pulling out of the Paris Agreement is an irrational decision that is a disastrous step backward, threatens the future viability of the planet for future generations and abdicates America's role of leadership. "The United States has an obligation to combat this global threat to public health and safety here at home, and abroad. As this administration retreats, I will continue to work to support California's efforts to lead the fight against global climate change," Harris said. Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said abandoning the commitments US made in the Paris Climate Agreement is a massive self-inflicted wound to the environment, America's global influence, and its economy. "The damage caused by this decision is undeniable and that's why the first piece of legislation I wrote as a member of Congress called for our country to keep the pledges we made in this agreement, the promises we made to the world, and to ourselves. President Trump is ceding American leadership in the green economy and the vital effort to counter the effects of global climate change. This decision must not stand," he said. "We must continue to resist global climate change through continuing our commitment to clean energy and other green technology. As the former president of a clean energy company, I know how important these advancements are to our economy and to reversing our dangerous environmental course," Krishnamoorthi said. "I refuse to accept the premise that the United States or the world is better off when we refuse to lead or even join the struggle against this global threat," he said. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, described it as an irresponsible and short-sighted decision. "President Trump's decision today (Friday) to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, making us just one of three countries in the world not to participate, is short-sighted and irresponsible," she said. "Without global action to drastically curb carbon pollution, climate change threatens the safety and security of the planet, especially in places like Hawaii where we are already experiencing its' devastating effects," she said. Gabbard said the US should be leading by example, leveraging innovation through science and technology, investing in clean energy, creating renewable energy jobs that cannot be outsourced, growing the economy, enhancing US energy independence, and lowering energy costs for families and businesses, while reducing carbon emissions. "We must continue to persevere and do our part to support efforts in the private sector and at all levels of government to combat climate change and protect our environment," Gabbard said. St Petersbrug: Russia is preparing to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both sides are discussing the terms of the sale, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has said. Pre-contract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Rogozin said. "Pre-contract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India," he said. "It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms," Russia's official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to this Russian city. India had announced on 15 October last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over $5 billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Modi and Russian president Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. In April, Sergei Chemezov, director-general of the Rostec State Corporation had said that the deal for the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems (AAMS) to India is not yet concluded. "The contract has not yet been signed," Chemezov had said. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. The S-400 Triumph is Russia's latest mobile long-range multiple anti-aircraft missile system, which came into service in 2007. It is meant for destroying aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and ground targets. China was the first foreign buyer of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. Moscow: The Kremlin on Friday said it regretted new sanctions against North Korea by the United States that include Russian firms and a company director. The US slapped fresh sanctions Thursday on several North Korean entities and officials as well as two Russian companies trading with Pyongyang, adding more economic pressure on the isolated regime over its nuclear weapons push. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the measures "are a factor that continues to have a negative effect on our bilateral relations," quoted by RIA Novosti news agency. He said the measures "continue, unfortunately, the previous line. This provokes nothing but regret." Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov criticised the sanctions as "showing a lack of ability to look at things more broadly and a knee-jerk return to a discredited approach" in comments to TASS state news agency. "I got a sense of bad deja-vu," he added. Thursday's announcement listed Moscow-based Ardis-Bearings LLC and its director, Igor Aleksandrovich Michurin, for business they do with North Korean firm Korea Tangun Trading Corporation. Tangun was already placed under sanctions in 2009 for its involvement in North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, the treasury said. Another Russian firm, the Independent Petroleum Company, has a contract to sell oil to North Korea and "may have" worked to help the country circumvent sanctions, it said. In the wake of Donald Trump withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, another important statement by an important world leader went unnoticed by many people. Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday acknowledged that some patriotic individuals may have engaged in hacking. This hacking purportedly refers to the emails of the Democratic Party in the US that intelligence agencies have blamed on Russia. The hacks helped Trumps election victory but also eventually led to investigations by the US Congress and the FBI into the ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. They have also dealt a heavy blow to any chances of the thawing of relations between Moscow and Washington. Putins statement was immediately followed by a denial of the Russian State being involved in such hacks. He even alleged that some of the evidence pointing at Russian hackers' participation in cyberattacks he didn't specify which could have been falsified in an attempt to smear Russia. He further said that hackers, wherever they come from, can't sway election outcomes because the public opinion isn't that easy to manipulate. This hasnt stopped Russian hackers from trying anyway as even during the French presidential election, Emmanuel Macrons aides had claimed that Russian groups were interfering with his campaign. A document leak which hit Macron's campaign in the final hours of the French race was linked to Russia as well. Moscow has strongly denied all allegations of election meddling. Be that as it may, the patriotic elements refrain still does have a familiar ring to it. It is certainly not the first time that an organised effort against a foreign country has taken place in a way which benefits Russia. Right before the 2014 annexation of Crimea, the internet was flooded with photographs and videos of armed men in Crimea who looked like members of the Russian military. According to a BBC report, their guns were similar to the ones used by the Russian army, their lorries had Russian number plates and they spoke in Russian accents. Yet even at that time, Putin called them members of "self-defence groups" organised by the locals who bought all their uniforms and hardware in a shop, said the report. These people were officially not there at all. Because of this, they couldnt be called Russian troops. The people and the media innovated and the epithets polite men and little green men entered the common parlance of Eastern Europe. These machine gun-toting men remained largely unidentified as they patrolled the streets leisurely. They werent there to fight, just to show their presence according to The Telegraph. The mens links to Russia were alleged by many media outlets and were supported by statements made by Retired Russian admiral Igor Kasatonov who said that the little green men were Russian special forces. The armed men eventually took over the building which housed the regional parliament of Crimea. A week later, a vote was conducted on the fate of Crimea. The vote did not exactly offer an abundance of choices as the participants were offered two choices, none of which allowed the status quo (Crimea being a part of Ukraine) to remain. Unsurprisingly, the parliament voted to make Crimea a part of the Russian Federation. The Kremlin did eventually admit that it was behind the power grab but the official Russian line while the takeover of the parliament was going on was that only locals were involved in the upheaval. The Russian invasion was largely condemned as being in violation of International Law. There is of course no proof that the Russian State was behind the hacks. But it would serve us well to remember that at the time, there was no evidence that the Russian State was behind the little green men either. With inputs from AP By Alexandra Ulmer | CARACAS CARACAS One is shown blowing a kiss from a private jet. Another is seen posing in front of a store of luxury jeweler Cartier in China. Others grin as they tuck into a plate of lobster or a massive birthday cake. Venezuelan activists are increasingly posting details of locations and lifestyles of leftist officials and their families, depicting them as thriving off corruption while the population struggles to eat in a devastating economic crisis.The social media blitzes, targeting officials and their business partners, relatives and even lovers, are another weapon in a wave of huge protests against President Nicolas Maduro's government that began in April. Protesters are seeking early presidential elections, freedom for jailed activists, and humanitarian aid to alleviate chronic food and medicine shortages. One Twitter account published photos purportedly showing the wife of Vice President Tareck El Aissami enjoying champagne and lounging on a pristine beach with her sisters. In another case, an alleged lover of a powerful Socialist Party official is shown on trips to the Middle East.Venezuela's opposition accuses officials of profiting from currency controls and a decade-long oil boom to fill their pockets. The opposition-led congress estimates that at least $11 billion have "disappeared" from state-run oil company PDVSA.The government says oil-rich Venezuela has been corrupt for decades, and that authorities are trying to root out a few bad apples. Activists have targeted armed forces chief Vladimir Padrino, accusing his troops of using excessive force on protesters, and attacking him through a photo purportedly showing his daughter in an embarrassing pose."Wake up, Vladimir Padrino. We have a photo of your daughter that you're going to love," the Twitter account @VVperiodistas, run by journalists, wrote early on Thursday. Then the account published a photo allegedly showing Padrino's daughter and two friends at a party flashing their breasts, a photo it said had appeared on Snapchat. Reuters was unable to authenticate the multiple denunciations on social media or contact the targeted families. Venezuela's Information Ministry and Armed Forces did not respond to specific queries on the cases mentioned above or about the general trend.But Maduro has said the harassment tactics are just another front in what he has called an "armed insurrection" on the street. In a speech last month, he likened the harassing of officials, government sympathizers and their families to Nazi persecution of the Jews.[nL2N1IJ0II]Activists have focused in particular on current or former "Chavistas" who they call hypocritical for living in the United States, the ideological foe of Venezuela's socialist movement founded by the late Hugo Chavez. Activists behind one Twitter feed, @YosoyJustin, said they turned their ire on the private life of officials and their families due to Maduro's crackdown on the latest wave of protests.But some in the opposition are uneasy, viewing the campaign as unethical or counterproductive as they said it foments hate and could complicate a potential transition. "It's not morally or politically correct to harass the children of officials," opposition lawmaker Freddy Guevara said recently, adding that it would discourage children from criticizing their parents as the son of the ombudsman did in April. 'THEY'VE BEEN FOOLED' The social media activists, who declined in-person interviews citing security reasons due to threats, dismiss the criticism. "We don't think this will foment Chavista unity," @YoSoyJustin said in a written response to questions. "On the contrary, we're making their followers see that they've been fooled and forced to suffer shortages in Venezuela while these families fatten their foreign bank accounts." Two of the main Twitter accounts behind the social media attacks say their teams are swamped by dozens or hundreds of daily denunciations of government officials and their families or associates, which they check before publishing. "We knew there was corruption, but never at these levels, and especially flaunted like this on social media," said @VVperiodistas, which has around one million followers. At least three children of prominent Socialist Party officials have blocked their Facebook accounts in the last weeks."Outing government officials and their relatives... has become a phenomenon," added @YoSoyJustin. (Additional reporting by Andreina Aponte; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country plans to build walls along its borders with Iraq and Iran, similar to the one currently being erected along the frontier with Syria. Erdogan said on Thursday that Turkey has so far completed the construction of a 650-kilometer (403-mile) stretch of the wall along the 911-kilometer border with Syria. Turkey began building the wall in 2014 to boost its security by preventing infiltrations of Kurdish militants and Islamic State group fighters as well as refugees from Syria. Erdogan said Turkey aims to build along its entire border with Syria. He added, "We'll do the same along the Iraqi border and in appropriate places along the Iranian border." By Michelle Nichols and James Pearson | UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL The United Nations Security Council will vote on Friday on a U.S. and Chinese proposal to blacklist more North Korean individuals and entities after the country's repeated ballistic missile launches, diplomats said on Thursday.The draft resolution, seen by Reuters, would sanction four entities, including the Koryo Bank and Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean People's Army, and 14 people, including Cho Il U, who is believed to head North Korea's overseas spying operations. If adopted, they would be subjected to a global asset freeze and travel ban. The measures could have been agreed by the council's North Korea sanctions committee behind closed doors, but a public vote would amplify the body's anger at Pyongyang's defiance of a U.N. ban on ballistic missile launches.The United States had been negotiating with Pyongyang ally China for five weeks on possible new sanctions. The pair reached agreement and circulated the draft resolution to the remaining 13 council members on Thursday. It is the first Security Council sanctions resolution on North Korea agreed between the United States and China since President Donald Trump took office in January.It was not immediately clear if council veto power Russia would support the draft resolution after the United States on Thursday imposed its own sanctions on two Russian firms for their support of North Korea's weapons programs.Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow was puzzled and alarmed by the U.S. decision and that Russia was preparing retaliatory measures, Russian media reported. The Security Council first imposed sanctions on Pyongyang in 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and has ratcheted up the measures in response to five nuclear tests and two long-range missile launches. North Korea is threatening a sixth nuclear test.The Trump administration has been pressing Beijing aggressively to rein in North Korea, warning that all options are on the table if Pyongyang persists with its nuclear and missile development. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the U.N. Security Council on April 28 that it needed to act before North Korea does. Just hours after the meeting, chaired by Tillerson, Pyongyang launched yet another ballistic missile.Within days the United States proposed to China that the Security Council strengthen sanctions on North Korea over its repeated missile launches. Traditionally, the United States and China have negotiated new sanctions before involving the other council members.Since then Pyongyang has launched several more ballistic missiles, including a short-range one on Monday that landed in the sea off its east coast. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols and James Pearson; Editing by James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Warsaw: The United Nations announced on Thursday that it will hold its 2018 UN climate change conference in Katowice, a Polish city in the heart of a coal-producing region that is one of the most polluted areas in all of Europe. Environmentalists welcomed the decision and said they hope it will inspire the development of renewable energy in an area whose economy is dependent on coal and heavy industry. Ilona Jedrasik, a Warsaw-based spokeswoman for environmental group Client Earth, said there are actually many local initiatives to develop green energy that are little-known and which should be encouraged. "I think it will be a signal for coal miners and the local community to transform our coal mining sector into one based on low emissions and green energy," Jedrasik said. "Those in the coal industry know we need to do this, but don't get any direction from the government to make the transition." The choice of Katowice was announced on Thursday during a meeting in Tuczno, Poland, between Polish Environment Minister Jan Szysko and Patricia Espinosa, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Espinosa said that 2018 will be an "important year for international climate diplomacy as nations move forward to implement the Paris Climate Change Agreement." Poland also hosted such conferences in 2008 in Poznan and in 2013 in Warsaw, and presided over a meeting in Bonn in 1999. New York: The United Nations Security Council will discuss the threats of the North Korean ballistic missile and nuclear programmes on Friday, officials said. The council has scheduled a meeting on Friday afternoon to study the situation in Ivory Coast, but later decided to add the North Korean issue to the agenda, Efe reported. The official information provided does not specify whether there will be any voting session on a new United Nations resolution over the Stalinist state. The Security Council has been negotiating a possible resolution to impose new sanctions on the Pyongyang regime for weeks. The decision has to be endorsed by the five major world powers, including Russia, who could exercise its right to veto the proposed resolution. The Friday meeting session will be headed by Bolivia, who is set to preside over the Security Council in June. Bolivian ambassador to the United Nations, Sacha Llorenti, said on Thursday afternoon as he announced the monthly programme of the Security Council that no meeting had been held to discuss the possible resolution. However, the North Korean nuclear threats were added to the discussion table after Llorenti gave out the monthly programme in the press conference. The Security Council has repeatedly condemned the nuclear and ballistic missile tests carried out by the Kim Jong-Un regime in violation of United Nations regulations. In May, UN representatives revealed that the Security Council was considering adding new sanctions to those already put in force after the North Korean nuclear tests that began in 2006. The proposal to be discussed during the council meeting on Friday is part of the efforts by the United States and China, the two countries leading this initiative. However, it is unknown what decision Russia will adopt if the draft resolution is approved. On Thursday, the American government imposed new economic sanctions on North Korea, affecting three individuals and six companies who are reported to have funded the Pyongyang regime. Among the companies sanctioned are Ardis-Bearings LLC, a Moscow-based company allegedly linked to Pyongyang's nuclear program, and the Independent Petroleum Company, which was accused by Washington of supplying oil to North Korea. Jan. 2, 1933 May 28, 2017 Jacquelyn Jackee Ruth Mehl of Scio, went to meet her Lord on May 28, 2017, after a brief illness, with her sons and daughter-in-law by her side. Born on January 2, 1933 to Jacob Eberle and Helen Eberle in Portland, Jackee met her husband and love of her life Larry in 1955 on a blind date. They were married on July 7, 1957. Jackee taught 5th grade at Mari-Linn Elementary School for 18 years, helping children get a good start on their education. She was co-owner of Kits Camera of Albany for several years after retiring from teaching. After selling the store she and Larry traveled around the country as NOMADS helping remodel Methodist Churches wherever needed. This also included a trip to Liberia, Africa to rebuild a school. Jackee was a staunch supporter of the American Field Service and the Scio Public Library. Jackee will be remembered for her infectious smile, her unfailing willingness to help with all manner of civic and church organizations and her love of family. She is survived by her husband William (Larry) Mehl; sons Bill and Pete; daughter-in-laws Alice and Bonnie; granddaughters Ruth and Heather; great-grandsons Jacob and Alex; brothers Gary and Dirk; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her parents; and sisters JoEllen and Barbara preceded her in death. A memorial will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday June 23rd at the Lebanon United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers remembrances can be sent to the Lebanon First United Methodist Church, 1890 S Second St, Lebanon, OR 97355 or Benton Hospice Service, 2350 NW Professional Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330. (www.bentonhospice.org) New Delhi: The United States' decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement adopted by nearly 200 countries, including India, will not stop its incredible momentum, the United Nations environment head said on Friday. "The science on climate change is perfectly clear: we need more action, not less. This is a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now," Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Erik Solheim, said. His statement comes in the wake of the United States president Donald Trump on Thursday announcing that the his country is withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement due to the "draconian financial and economic burdens" the agreement imposes on his country. Solheim said the United States' decision in no way brings an end to this unstoppable effort. "China, India, the European Union and others are already showing strong leadership. One hundred and ninety nations are showing strong determination to work with them to protect this and future generations," he said. He said there is incredible momentum on climate action from individual states, cities, the private sector and citizens, and that a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. "The UN environment urges all parties to redouble their efforts. We will work with everyone willing to make a difference." According to Solheim, climate action is not a burden, but an unprecedented opportunity. "A shift to renewable energy creates more jobs, better paid jobs and better quality jobs. Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels will build more inclusive and robust economies. It will save millions of lives and slash the huge healthcare cost of pollution," he noted. Committing to climate action, Solheim said, means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the frontline of extremism and terrorism. "It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands. It means protecting food security and building stability to avoid adding yet more refugees to what is already an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis," Solheim added. Singapore: Pentagon chief James Mattis arrived in Singapore on Friday ahead of a key defence summit where longstanding US allies will look for clear messages about America's regional security goals under President Donald Trump. Mattis' visit, his second to the region, is the latest in a string of appearances by top US officials who have scrambled to reassure partners about US commitments. While campaigning, Trump sparked broad anxiety by calling into question long-standing security assumptions and mutual defence treaties with Japan and South Korea. But the US leader's views have shifted since he took office, and Mattis told reporters he would be underscoring American support for the region. "I will emphasise the United States stands with our Asia-Pacific allies and partners," Mattis told reporters travelling with him, "reinforcing the international order necessary to secure a peaceful, prosperous and free Asia with respect for all nations upholding international law." Mattis will deliver his message at a policy speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. The summits have in recent years been dominated by concerns over China's rapid build up of islets and maritime features in the South China Sea, where Beijing has reclaimed thousands of acres of land and installed military fortifications. The issue remains front and center, but this year the focus is also on North Korea and its accelerating push to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile. Pyongyang on Monday test-fired another rocket, the latest in a series of launches and atomic tests that have ratcheted up tensions over its quest to develop weapons capable of hitting the US - something Trump has said "won't happen". Since taking office, Trump, who laced his campaign rhetoric with anti-China sentiment, has made an about-face and turned to China to apply pressure on North Korea to rein in its nuclear weapons program. After meeting with President Xi Jinping in April, Trump, who once accused China of "raping" the US, praised its leader as a "good man", saying it would be inappropriate to pressure Beijing while Washington is seeking its help with Pyongyang. The posture shifts have left some in the region seeking clarity on US policy. "There's concern over China's rise and it's assertive behaviour, particularly in maritime space," said David Helvey, a top Pentagon advisor for Asian and Pacific security affairs. "And there's also questions about where the United States is going to be in the Asia-Pacific region in the new administration." Mattis's challenge is to reassure allies that America can apply pressure on China over the South China Sea, while at the same time convincing Beijing that controlling North Korea is in its own security interests. Underscoring the point, the US Navy on 25 May conducted a "freedom of navigation" operation in the South China Sea, when the USS Dewey guided-missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands. It was the first such procedure since October 2016, leading some to speculate America was going easy on China to secure concessions on North Korea. As Donald Trump leads the US out of the Paris Agreement on climate change, it is necessary to look at the modalities of the walkout, what it involves, the underlying reasons and the decision's environmental, economic and geopolitical impact. Before I tackle some key questions though, one point must be stressed at the outset: paradoxical as it may sound, Trump's decision carries no direct legal consequences for the US or immediate economic or ecological consequences for the world. That is because a) the Paris Agreement is "non-binding" in nature and b) regardless of what the president of the United States thinks, more than two-thirds of Americans are worried about climate change and its biggest business leaders are moving aggressively in the right direction to control greenhouse gas emissions, supplemented by significant efforts from states like New York or California. Despite Trump's efforts to roll back Barack Obama's climate policies, therefore, US will remain on course to achieve the modest emission cuts that were anyway part of the Paris deal. So does it mean Trump's withdrawal is inconsequential? Quite the contrary. Trump has, through his ill-advised, narrow, illogical and dangerous move risked undermining the entire Paris deal which may result in poorer nations following in his footsteps and triggering a race to the bottom. Even if such a possibility doesn't come to pass (unlikely), by reneging on its promise, the world's wealthiest nation and its second-biggest polluter has placed an unfair economic and political burden on the rest. The US president is basically saying, "Look, we won't be held responsible for our actions and if you want to stick to the deal, pick up the tab." In these terms, his decision is morally reprehensible, illogical and patently callous. As The New York Times points out in a scathing editorial, "In huge neon letters, it (Trump's move) sends a clear message that this president knows nothing or cares little about the science underlying the stark warnings of environmental disruption. That he knows or cares little about the problems that disruption could bring, especially in poor countries. That he is unmindful that America, historically the worlds biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, has a special obligation to help the rest of the world address these issues." Why is Trump's move illogical? After the disastrous fate of Kyoto Protocol (which a George Bush-led US sabotaged), the United Nations acknowledged its inability to enforce the legality of international treaties. Hence the cornerstone of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change was consensus based on self-imposed targets. Each country, in keeping with its developmental stage, pledged to either immediately cut emissions (like the US) or working towards reducing carbon footprint and putting in place technology and infrastructure that makes it possible for achieving the goals in a stipulated time (like India). The difference in goals arises out of the fact that a developed country like the US is in a better position to cut its emission by 26 percent in 2025 compared to its 2005 levels than India, whose millions of poor are still denied basic necessities like electricity, and hence would require more time to shun fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy. The illogicality in Trump's action lies in the fact that Trump could have very well junked some of Obama's policies even by staying within the Paris deal precisely because it's non-binding. As Washington Post writes: "The Paris Agreement does not formally obligate the United States to make any particular level of emissions cuts. All it does is ask countries to announce emissions plans of their choosing and report on their progress. It has no major implications for US sovereignty and demands no particular policy balance between environmental and industrial concerns. If the Trump administration wants to move that balance toward fossil fuel interests, it does not have to leave the Paris agreement to do so." Trump's claim that the Paris deal is undermining US coal mine jobs is bunkum because coal's decline as a fossil fuel in American market precedes the Paris accord, and is more a result of cheap natural gas cornering the market. Also, as The New York Times said, Trump forgot to mention that while coal jobs were declining "employment in the solar industry, for instance, is more than 10 times what it was a decade ago, 2,60,000 jobs as opposed to 24,000". What prompted Trump's brain fade? If we look at Trump's speech during the announcement (full text available here) it's hard to distinguish it from his campaign rallies. Trump is relinquishing America's global leadership role and with it all the necessary moral and economic burdens for a more inward-looking US that seeks a 'level-playing field'. This has been a recurrent motif in Trump's speeches. It signifies that he perceives the world to be prospering at America's cost. It may be his political positioning or a deep-rooted conviction but Trump appears to be convinced that it is not incumbent on the US to ensure that the world remains a fair, just and equitable place when the cost of ensuring these values are hampering its own interests. Is he correct in his assessment? This is an irrelevant question. What matters is that he thinks he is right, and the world must somehow deal with it. According to Trump, America isn't the sole superpower, world's most powerful geopolitical player, world's biggest economy or the second-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases but a nation wronged and sucked dry by its opportunistic allies and renegade nations and it is his duty to set things right. Was he justified in blaming India? Absolutely not. Trump's rant against China and India points to his inability or reluctance to grasp basic facts. It is perhaps too much to expect knowledge of history, logic and awareness from a snake-oil seller occupying the world's highest seat of power but Trump needs to be reminded that India's per capita carbon emission is a tenth of America's, not to speak of the fact that the US has been the world's biggest polluter for centuries and is majorly responsible for raising the global temperature. Brookings Institution fellow Tanvi Madan took to Twitter to post three graphs (relying on World Bank data) which may be relevant here to show how unjustified Trump's rants against India, in particular, were: ...Comparing US, China, India greenhouse gas emissions [Data: World Bank] (2/4) pic.twitter.com/Hatx0tYBH6 Tanvi Madan (@tanvi_madan) June 1, 2017 ...comparing US, China, India per capita CO2 emissions [Data: World Bank] (3/4) pic.twitter.com/zFtLRItGw5 Tanvi Madan (@tanvi_madan) June 1, 2017 ...and from the World Energy Outlook, comparing projected CO2 emissions (keep in mind different population sizes) (4/4) pic.twitter.com/aqHdbJ9BSx Tanvi Madan (@tanvi_madan) June 1, 2017 As The New York Times writes in another article, "While Americans make up just over 4 percent of the worlds population, they are responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. China emits more carbon into the atmosphere today, but... the US has a long head start on burning coal, oil and natural gas. Some said it was a moral imperative for the US to stay in the Paris pact." What does "withdrawing from deal signify"? Is it dead? Far from it. In fact, the US announcement seems to have triggered a counter-reaction with world leaders pledging to continue with their commitment. Chinese premier Li Keqiang recently told German chancellor Angela Merkel that China will honour its commitment while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his tete-a-tete with Merkel had described any action to renege on Paris Agreement as "morally criminal". The US, too, cannot exit the deal before November 2019 when it shall formally submit the proposal and then it must wait for one more year for its name to be deleted from the records. Anything can happen within that timeframe, including a new American President reversing the decision. How will Trump's decision affect the deal? The biggest casualty could be the Green Climate Fund. Obama's America had already disbursed a third of the $3 billion in the GCF as part of the deal which envisaged rich countries donating cash to poorer nations for them to come up to scratch with technological advancements and encourage more spending on cleaner fuels. For all of Trump's whining about the US having to pay more, though, it is not the sole contributor, neither is it the highest. According to The New York Times, Sweden, with a donation pledge of $581 million, is spending roughly $60 per person which is "six times the amount the United States is pledging per capita." The absence of US leadership, however, will be keenly felt in areas of development of greener technology and global effort to tackle emissions. Effects of US pulling out of Paris deal on India India, with a massive population many of whom are denied even the basic services, has a more flexible deadline under the Paris Agreement. Still, the Modi government within a very short time has taken giant strides. As a blog in Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) points out, "By May this year, India has solar power generation capacity of 9 gigawatt, become the worlds fourth-largest producer of wind energy, and announced plans to cancel 14 gigawatt of coal plants putting it on track to not only meet, but exceed its Paris climate deal targets." It will be really easy for India to flout the Paris Agreement citing the US as the example Australia seems already headed that way and the Modi government has no legal or moral compulsions to stick to its target of cutting emissions by 30-35 percent compared to 2005 levels. Moreover, as Trump has said voters in Pittsburgh elected him and not Paris, it can be argued that Modi need not pay heed to rich world's concerns about global warming when he has millions of poor to take care of who are denied even the basic necessities. The prime minister, however, has shown that his commitment towards the environment is absolute. His resolve towards sticking to the spirit and letter of Paris Agreement has been admirable. Few would bet against him reneging on his promise. If anything, India gets a little more breathing space in honouring its commitment. Going by the way the Modi government is acting on a war footing on renewable and cleaner energy front, economies of scale may help India achieve the target even without the funds promised by the US. Singapore: The Trump administration is aiming for continuity in Asia policy, sticking broadly with the approach its predecessors have taken by emphasising diplomacy and cooperation with allies, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Friday. Mattis outlined the Trump administration's approach in remarks to reporters travelling with him to Singapore, where he will deliver a policy speech at an international security conference Saturday and meet with several Asian counterparts. He spoke of "reinforcing the international order" while seeking a "peaceful, prosperous and free Asia" echoes of the traditional US policy goals without mentioning the narrower challenges of a nuclear North Korea and a rising China. He is expected to discuss North Korea and China in his Saturday speech. Upon arriving in Singapore, Mattis scheduled meetings Friday with Singaporean and Asian officials. President Donald Trump raised doubts in Asia when he took office following a campaign in which he sharply criticised Japan and South Korea for not pulling their weight as treaty allies. So far, however, the administration has been more supportive. "As a Pacific nation, we have enduring interests and commitments in the Asia-Pacific region," Mattis said aboard his aircraft, referring in part to US defence treaties with Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines. "Accordingly, we are demonstrating the priority this administration places on maintaining stability alongside our allies and partners," he added. The Pentagon's role, he said, is to reinforce alliances, strengthen US military capabilities to deter war in Asia, and help enable countries to sustain their own security. Mattis is mindful of emerging threats in Asia, starting with North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and missiles with sufficient range to deliver nuclear strikes on US territory. Trump has said he is leaning more heavily on China North Korea's only significant ally to contain that threat. At the same time, the administration has repeated the Obama's administration's criticisms of China for reclaiming land in areas of the South China Sea that several other nations claim as their own. It's unclear how far China will go to help on North Korea in the face of South China Sea tensions. Trump also has used gunboat diplomacy by speaking of a US naval "armada" within the range of North Korea and noting the presence of U.S. nuclear submarines in the region. The US Navy has two aircraft carrier strike groups in waters off the Korean Peninsula, and on Thursday those groups led by the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Ronald Reagan began three days of joint exercises, the first in that area since the 1990s. David Helvey, Mattis' senior adviser on Asia policy, told reporters on the way to Singapore that the dual-carrier exercise is not intended as a provocation. He called it routine but acknowledged that it is the first of its kind in about 20 years. The exercises are intended to reassure allies, he said, and to keep US forces ready for any crisis. "This is not about sending a message directly to North Korea," Helvey said, adding, "I don't expect this to change North Korea's behaviour." In line with Mattis' emphasis on helping allies defend their own territory while strengthening U.S. military muscle in the region, the US has deployed a missile defence system in South Korea known as a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system. It is intended to protect South Korea from a potential North Korean missile strike. The new South Korean government has complained that it was not aware of the extent of THAAD deployments on its territory in recent weeks, but Helvey said the US had consulted with Seoul "throughout this process" of deploying the THAAD. Mattis' trip is his second to Asia since he took over the Pentagon 20 January. He has put heavy emphasis on nurturing alliances and building new partnerships in Asia, echoing the approach of the Obama administration, which built closer ties to India, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, and began a rotation of Marine contingents in Australia. Washington: The US slapped fresh sanctions on Thursday to several North Korean entities and officials as well as two Russian companies trading with Pyongyang, adding more economic pressure on the isolated regime over its nuclear weapons push. The sanctions, which seek to lock the entities and individuals out of the international financial system, took aim at government units and companies that earn much needed foreign exchange for North Korea and sell oil to the country. "The United States will continue to target individuals and entities responsible for financing and supporting North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programme," said John Smith, director of the U.S. Department of the Treasury - Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). "Treasury is working with our allies to counter networks that enable North Korea's destabilising activities, and we urge our partners to take parallel steps to cut off their funding sources." Thursday's announcement listed Moscow-based Ardis-Bearings LLC and its director, Igor Aleksandrovich Michurin, for business they do with North Korean firm Korea Tangun Trading Corporation. Tangun was placed on the sanctions blacklist in 2009 for its involvement in North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile programme, the treasury said. Another Russian firm, the Independent Petroleum Company, has a contract to sell oil to North Korea and "may have" worked to help the country circumvent sanctions, it said. Also named were North Korean coal and zinc exporters, a Beijing-based North Korean banker, and an intelligence official who had operated under cover in Europe. The sanctions ban any US entity or person from doing business with those on the blacklist and freeze any assets those sanctions might have in US jurisdictions. Caracas: Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro pledged on Thursday to hold a referendum on a new constitution he has proposed to try and quell two months of anti-government unrest that has killed at least 62 people. His comments came after criticism from opponents and some within his own government that his plan to create a new super-body, known as a constituent assembly, to rewrite the national charter was anti-democratic. Chief state prosecutor Luisa Ortega had said creating the assembly without a plebiscite, as happened in 1999 when Maduro's predecessor Hugo Chavez rewrote the constitution, threatened to "eliminate" democracy in Venezuela. Maduro said on state television: "I shall propose it explicitly: the new constitution will go to a consultative referendum so it is the people who say whether they are in agreement or not with the new, strengthened constitution." There was no immediate reaction from Venezuela's opposition, which now has majority support after years in the shadow of the ruling Socialist Party, whose popularity has plunged during the OPEC nation's brutal economic crisis. Foes are likely to try and turn any referendum into a vote on Maduro himself. They have been calling for the next presidential election, slated for late 2018, to be brought forward. The government has said elections for the new constituent assembly will be held in late July, although opposition leaders say the process is skewed to ensure a pro-Maduro majority. There was no word on when the plebiscite would be held. Earlier, authorities announced that gunmen had killed a judge involved in the sentencing of Venezuela's best-known jailed political leader, Leopoldo Lopez. The judge, 37-year-old Nelson Moncada, was shot and stripped of his belongings as he tried to get away from a street barricade on Wednesday night in Caracas' El Paraiso district, the scene of regular clashes, the prosecutor's office said. This week has seen widespread violence around the Venezuelan capital, with security forces repeatedly breaking up marches by opposition supporters towards government offices downtown, and skirmishes continuing into the night. "Democracy being eliminated" Protesters frequently block roads with trash and burning tires, sometimes asking passers-by for contributions towards a self-styled "resistance" movement against Maduro. El Paraiso has seen nightly clashes between demonstrators, pro-government gangs and National Guard soldiers. The government said Moncada was one of the judges who ratified Lopez's 14-year jail sentence, and suggested that might have been the motive for his killing. "We cannot exclude the possibility this was done by hitmen hired by right-wing terrorists to keep creating and spreading terror," interior minister Nestor Reverol said, referring to Venezuela's opposition. Victims from two months of unrest have included supporters on both sides, bystanders and members of the security forces. The latest death came in Lara state, where 46-year-old Maria Rodriguez was shot during a demonstration on Thursday, the state prosecutor's office said, without giving more details. Maduro, 54, calls his opponents coup-mongers seeking his violent overthrow with United States support akin to the short-lived ouster of his predecessor Hugo Chavez in 2002. Ortega, the chief prosecutor, launched a blistering attack on Maduro from the steps of the pro-government Supreme Court, criticising its ruling this week endorsing the assembly plan. "It seems that participative and protagonistic democracy, which cost Venezuelans so much (to get), is being eliminated," said Ortega, who broke with Maduro a few weeks ago. "This sentence is a backward step for human rights," she added, before reading extracts from a past Chavez speech. In further political drama, the Supreme Court ordered opposition leader Henrique Capriles on Thursday to avoid roadblocks in the Miranda state that he governs, or face jail. Miranda includes part of the capital, Caracas, and the volatile towns of San Antonio de Los Altos and Los Teques, where anti-government street barricades have been common. Capriles, a 44-year-old lawyer, narrowly lost a 2013 vote to Maduro after Chavez's death from cancer and has been at the forefront of this year's protests, calling for civil disobedience. Authorities have already barred Capriles from running for new political posts for 15 years, over allegations of "administrative irregularities" that he denies, potentially hobbling another bid to run in 2018. Moscow: US president Donald Trump should not be judged for his decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday. "I would refrain from judging President Trump right now because it was President (Barack) Obama who made the decision (on joining the Paris Agreement)," he said. "...Maybe the new President believes it was not well-conceived, maybe he thinks there are not enough resources... This situation needs to be thoroughly assessed," TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying. At the same time, the Russian President pointed out that "it was possible not to withdraw from the Paris agreement because it is a framework document so the US's obligations could have been changed." Putin said that Moscow wanted to wait before ratifying the Paris climate agreement till the participating countries set out clear-cut rules. "As far as I remember, the US has ratified the agreement, but we (Russia) have not done it yet," he said. "We have not done this since we want to wait until the rules for distributing resources are set out, along with other purely technical but essential things," Putin added. Moscow: The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday praised the United States President Donald Trump, and said he was exactly the kind of person he liked most. Putin said he had never met Trump but that he agreed relations between their countries had to improve and he was willing to talk with the American leader. "I have to recognize that I love that kind of person. They are simple, direct, they have a very honest view of things and that can be very advantageous," Efe quoted him as saying. He said he had a lot in common with the United States leader as he considered that neither were professional politicians and highlighted that he himself had never been a member of a party. Nonetheless, records show that Putin entered the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1970 while attending St. Petersburg State University, and remained a member until December 1991. Putin insisted that whether he liked Trump or not was irrelevant, as the important thing was to establish a good personal and political relationship regardless. "I don't know if this will be possible, but we are patient and we will wait to see what happens," he said. In response to a question on what advice he would give to the White House's new occupant, Putin said a person like Trump did not need tips and especially not from a counterpart such as himself, as the advice was always misinterpreted and thus counter-productive. The Russian leader said that what Moscow perceived to be growing global Russophobic sentiments were caused by the country's defence of its legitimate interests in the international arena. Putin said some countries had started to try to hold Russia back using actions that went against international rights, including economic restrictions. "The fight that Russia leads is for legitimate interests and I emphasise that," said the Russian president, insisting that several nations were trying to create reasons to aggravate the situation with Moscow and, in order to achieve that endeavor, were pulling excuses from thin air. Putin also acknowledged that there may be Russian hackers "who consider themselves patriots" and decide to "make their contribution, as they see fit, to fight against those who speak ill of Russia". "Theoretically, that's possible," said Putin, who also dismissed as "fictional" accusations that Russian computer attacks influenced the results of France's election of its new president, Emmanuel Macron. St Petersburg: President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that some "patriotic" individuals may have engaged in hacking but insisted Russia as a country has never done it, and he pledged Thursday to wait out US political battles to forge constructive ties with President Donald Trump. The Russian leader lamented what he described as "Russo-phobic hysteria" in the US that makes it "somewhat inconvenient to work with one another or even to talk," adding that "someday this will have to stop." US intelligence agencies have accused Russia of hacking into Democratic Party emails, helping Trump's election victory, and the congressional and FBI investigations into the Trump campaign's ties with Russia have shattered Moscow's hopes for a detente with Washington. Speaking at a meeting with senior editors of leading international news agencies, Putin insisted that "we never engage in that at the state level." He alleged that some evidence pointing at Russian hackers' participation in cyberattacks he didn't specify which could have been falsified in an attempt to smear Russia. "I can imagine that some do it deliberately, staging a chain of attacks in such a way as to cast Russia as the origin of such an attack," Putin said. "Modern technologies allow that to be done quite easily." Putin added that while the Russian state has never been involved in hacking, it was "theoretically possible" that Russia-West tensions could have prompted some individuals to launch cyberattacks. "Hackers are free people, just like artists who wake up in the morning in a good mood and start painting," he said. "The hackers are the same. They would wake up, read about something going on in interstate relations and if they feel patriotic, they may try to contribute to the fight against those who speak badly about Russia." At the same time, Putin argued that hackers, wherever they come from, can't sway election outcomes because the public opinion isn't that easy to manipulate. "No hackers can have a radical impact on an election campaign in another country," adding that "no information can be imprinted in voters' minds, in the minds of a nation, and influence the final outcome and the final result. No hackers can influence election campaigns in any country of Europe, Asia, or America." The Russian leader said the "Russo-phobic hysteria" in the U.S. is mostly aimed "against the current president of the US to prevent him from working normally." The goal is, Putin said, is to "establish an atmosphere that is going to prevent us from addressing common issues, say with regard to terrorism." He said Russia had been encouraged by Trump's campaign promises to improve Russia-U.S. ties and emphasized that Moscow still hopes to forge a constructive dialogue. "We are patient, we know how to wait and we will wait," Putin said. The Russian president praised Trump as "a straightforward person, a frank person" and noted that while some see Trump's lack of political background as a disadvantage, he sees it as beneficial because "he has a fresh set of eyes." Asked if he could offer any advice to Trump, Putin said it would be "counterproductive" to give advice to a political counterpart and added that "a person like President Trump doesn't need any advice, especially if it comes to political issues." Russian meddling was also a concern in France, with Putin publicly expressing his sympathy for President Emmanuel Macron's rivals in the campaign. Macron's aides claimed in February that Russian groups were interfering with his campaign, and a document leak hit Macron's campaign in the final hours of the French race. Moscow has strongly denied all allegations of election meddling. The head of the French government's cyber security agency, Guillaume Poupard, told The Associated Press on Thursday that it found no trace of a Russian hacking group in its investigations of a hack and document leak that hit Macron's election campaign. Poupard described the Macron campaign hack as "not very technological" and said "the attack was so generic and simple that it could have been practically anyone." Asked if Russian hackers could try to shape the outcome of German parliamentary elections later this year, Putin said: "We never engaged in that on a state level, and have no intention of doing so." He noted that Russia can work constructively with any German leader, adding that he had good ties with German Chancellor Angela Merkel despite some differences. Russia's relations with the West have been at post-Cold War lows over the Ukrainian crisis. The US and the EU have slapped Moscow with sanctions over its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and support for a pro-Russia insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Putin said that economic restrictions against Russia have had "zero effect," predicting that the current strain in relations will ease, because "it's counterproductive and harmful for all." Touching on tensions in the Pacific, Putin said Russia's military deployments on a group of Pacific islands also claimed by Japan have been caused by concerns about the US military buildup in the region. The four islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the southern Kurils in Russia, were seized by the former Soviet Union at the end of the World War II, preventing the two countries from signing a peace treaty. Putin said the US will likely continue to build up its missile shield in the region even if North Korea agrees to curb its nuclear and missile programs, in the same way it has continued to develop missile defenses in Europe despite a deal with Iran that curbed its nuclear program in exchange for lifting international sanctions. "We are concerned about our security," Putin said. "We are thinking about ways to neutralize possible threats at long distance." In a stunning rebuke to world leaders, his own courtiers, India and China, Donald Trump has announced that the US will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and instead begin negotiations to "re-enter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction, fulfilling one his his campaign pledges that will draw wild cheers from Americas coal country that voted Trump. Justifying his shock move, Trump used India and China as key drivers for his decision: "Not only does this deal subject our citizens to harsh economic restrictions, it fails to live up to our environmental ideals. As someone who cares deeply about the environment, which I do, I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States -- which is what it does - the worlds leader in environmental protection, while imposing no meaningful obligations on the worlds leading polluters. For example, under the agreement, China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years -- 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris Accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States", Trump said. Criticism rained down thick and fast from around the world, Tesla founder Elon Musk confirmed he would quit White House business panels, heads of state expressed sadness and outrage. "While reports of the end of the Western-led liberal world order may be premature, at least on climate change, Washington has just become the spoiler. And New Delhi? A multilateralist champion", writes wonk Alyssa Ayres of Council on Foreign Relations. This should make PM Modi's end-June visit to Washington even more interesting. Delhi believes it took great steps to make the deal happen. https://t.co/yEgNVyP0B4 Milan Vaishnav (@MilanV) June 1, 2017 Link: Trump's statement on pulling out of Paris climate deal, video starts at TC 1:03:24 Trump says Paris imposes no obligation on world's biggest polluters. He cites India. whose per cap emissions are a tenth of Americas, scoffs James Astill of The Economist who insists Trump makes more sense while tweeting gibberish. Trump did not stop with a single reference to India, he hammered away repeatedly: "China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. So we cant build the plants, but they can, according to this agreement. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants." The United States is the worlds second-largest carbon polluter and its bid to cut emissions so that global warming is limited to less than 2C is a critical part of the Paris agreement. Together, the US, China and India are the top three carbon polluters in the world. Focus now shifts to what the US-less climate groupings will do. None of this US backtracking will kick in immediately though - the U.S. withdrawal will take until November 2020 to unravel timing perfectly with the next election. Is this Trumps way of distracting media coverage from the coming high drama of a Comey testimony or is he serious, a shocked wonkery circuit is asking. Trumps line is that pulling out will put the shine back on American coal mining but experts say this is merely well crafted political messaging to woo voters who are easily angered because they are already so badly off. Coal miners are struggling because cheap and generous supply of natural gas is flooding the market. Critics are slamming Trumps decision - Trump has instead chosen to abuse the health of the planet, the patience of Americas allies and the intelligence of his supporters, says The Economist. In the fag end of 2015, nearly 200 countries signed the Paris agreement setting individual targets to reduce global emissions to 56 gigatons in 2030. These emissions include carbon dioxide generated from burning fossil fuels that scientists blame for a warming planet ( because they trap heat ), sea level rise, droughts and more frequent violent storms. Last year was the warmest since the 19th century. The US now joins Syria and Nicaragua as the world's only pull-outs in the 195-nation accord. April 8, 1932 May 23, 2017 Jay Leslie Kilbourne, who was known to his family as Les, was born in Columbus, Nebraska, on April 8, 1932, to Jay and Velma Kilborn. A doctors mistake on his birth certificate, which was not discovered until his induction into the Army, caused a lifelong spelling difference in his last name that became a story to retell many times in his life. His father, Jay, worked for the Rural Electric Association, erecting power lines around the Midwest. As a result, the family moved frequently and Les attended numerous schools in his early years. The Second World War brought an end to the REA and the family moved to North Bend to join other Kilborn relatives. Les finished grade school then graduated from North Bend High School in 1950. He worked for the Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. for a year and then entered the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. He then returned to the bottling company for another year. He enrolled at the University of Oregon in 1954, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelors of Science degree. He earned his Masters degree in 1963 from Oregon State University. He married Elva Mae Beeman in September 1956. In September of 1958, he began a 34-year career with the Corvallis School District, teaching first at Corvallis High School and later at Crescent Valley High School. He retired in June of 1992. Over the years he taught Biology, Life Science, Anatomy, and Physiology, Math, Drivers Education, and Drivers Training. His love for students was well known. Three sons were born to Les and Elva who also attended those schools. Les and Elva also owned some rental property which Les considered his hobby. He was an Elder and Trustee at Calvin Presbyterian Church for many years, where he taught Sunday and Bible School Classes, was a youth group leader with Elva and sang in the choir. He is survived by his wife Elva; sons Randy (Sue) Killbourne of Shady Cove, Gregg (Denise) Killbourne of Scappoose, and Rob Killbourne of Salem; daughter Lisa Killbourne of Corvallis; 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; a brother, Charles Kilborn of Lebanon; and a sister, Nancy Castillo of Eugene. In 1993 John and Jenny Xu and son Andrew entered our lives and have become a part of the family in heart and spirit. Les had numerous former students who greeted him warmly on each meeting and many who maintained contact with him. He liked people and enjoyed his students and tenants as well as his many friends. He would seek out people in a gathering who seemed to be on the fringes and needed someone to talk to. Les was a man who did not make commitments lightly; once made they were solid. Thus was in his faith in Jesus Christ and his commitment to the church. He will be missed by the many that knew and loved him. A memorial service will be held in his honor at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1736 NW Dixon St., Corvallis. Memorial gifts may be made to Calvin Presbyterian Church and designated for the Asante Kids School Program in Uganda or Food for the Hungry. Please leave your condolences at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com. By Thomas Escritt and Philip Blenkinsop | BERLIN/BRUSSELS BERLIN/BRUSSELS China and Europe pledged on Friday to unite to save what German Chancellor Angela Merkel called "our Mother Earth", standing firmly against President Donald Trump's decision to take the United States out of the Paris climate change pact.Others, including India, signalled their commitment to the accord, but Russian President Vladimir Putin said that while the United States should have remained in the 2015 deal, he would not judge Trump, and warned about the accord's impact on jobs and poverty.Tapping into the "America First" message he used on the election trail, Trump announced the withdrawal on Thursday, saying that participating would undermine the U.S. economy, wipe out U.S. jobs, weaken American national sovereignty and put the country at a permanent disadvantage to others.There was a mix of dismay and anger across the world. France said it would work with U.S. states and cities -- some of which, notably California, have broken with Trump's decision -- to keep up the fight against climate change.A number of business and industry figures criticised Trump's decision, while others focussed on what it might mean to their trade.Germany's powerful car industry said Europe would need to reassess its environmental standards to remain competitive after the "regrettable" U.S. decision.The World Meteorological Organization estimated that U.S. withdrawal from the emissions-cutting accord could add 0.3 degrees Celsius to global temperatures by the end of the century in a worst-case scenario.Germany's Merkel, a pastor's daughter who is usually intensely private about her faith, said the accord was needed "to preserve our Creation". "To everyone for whom the future of our planet is important, I say let's continue going down this path so we're successful for our Mother Earth," she said to applause from lawmakers.In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron turned Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan on its head, saying in a rare English-language statement that it was time to "make the planet great again".CHINA AND EUROPE TOGETHER A long-scheduled meeting on Friday between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and top European Union officials in Brussels was dominated by Trump's decision.The meeting will end with a joint statement pledging full implementation of the Paris deal, committing China and the EU to cutting back on fossil fuels, developing more green technology and helping raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poorer countries reduce their emissions. China, now the world's largest polluter, has emerged as Europe's unlikely partner in this and other areas -- underlining Trump's isolation on many issues."There is no reverse gear to energy transition. There is no backsliding on the Paris Agreement," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said.China said it was a responsible country that had been working hard on tackling climate change.WARM WORDS The vast majority of scientists believe that global warming - bringing with it sharp changes in climate patterns - is mainly the result of human activities including power generation, transport, agriculture and industry. A small group of sceptics - some of whom are in the Trump White House - believe this is a hoax that could damage business.A number of figures from U.S. industry expressed their dismay at Trump's move. Jeff Immelt, chief executive officer of U.S. conglomerate General Electric, tweeted: "Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government."Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk and Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger said they would leave White House advisory councils after Trump's move.German industry associations also criticised Trump's decision, warning that it would harm the global economy and lead to market distortions.Germany's DIHK Chambers of Commerce and VDMA engineering industry group warned that U.S. companies could gain short-term advantages by Trump's decision."Climate protection can be pushed forward in an effective and competition-friendly way only by all states," said DIHK President Eric Schweitzer.Environmental groups were scathing. The U.S. Sierra Club, citing Trump's endorsement of what he regards as clean coal, tweeted: "Clean coal, you can find that next to the unicorns and leprechauns." (Writing by Jeremy Gaunt; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Motorola has launched its latest Moto C budget smartphone with 4G VoLTE support in India. It was introduced last month and packs a 5-inch FWVGA screen, is powered by a quad-core MediaTek MT6737M processor and runs on Android 7.0 (Nougat). It has a 5-megapixel auto focus rear camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera that also has LED flash. It has a polycarbonate body with micro-textured back cover. It has dual micro SIM slots and packs a 2350mAh removable battery. Moto C specifications 5-inch (854 x 480 pixels) FWVGA display 1.1GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737M 64-bit processor with Mali-T720 GPU 1GB RAM, 16GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 32GB with microSD Dual micro SIMs Android 7.0 (Nougat) 5MP auto focus rear camera with LED Flash, 1.4 microns, 74 lens, 720p video recording 2MP front-facing camera with LED flash, 1.0 microns, 63 lens 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio Dimensions: 145.5 x 73.6 mm x 9 mm; Weight: 154 g 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS 2350mAh (typical) / 2350 mAh (minimum) removable battery The Moto C comes in Pearl White and Starry Black colors and is priced at Rs. 5,999 in India. It is available across 100+ cities in the country. Commenting on the launch, Sudhin Mathur, Managing Director, Motorola Mobility India and Country Head, Lenovo Mobile Biz Group, said: According to the reports fewer people are expected to upgrade to smartphones because of concerns over price, need and ability to use. We see this as a huge opportunity for a brand like us to initiate the smartphone journey for feature phone users. At Motorola, we focus on mobility through device innovation, user-centric design and smart connectivity to offer the best possible smartphone experience to the consumers. HMD Global launched the 3310 feature phone in India last month, now it has started sending out invites for an event on June 13 where it is expected to launch Nokia 3 and Nokia 5, introduced Nokia 6 Android smartphones. It already said that these phones will be launched globally, including India in Q2 , 2017 at an affordable price and also promised that the phone will have a great quality. Update June 8, 2017: A new invite confirms that HMD Global is indeed launching new Android smartphones in the country. In an interview to FoneArena at the MWC 2017, Ajey Mehta, India VP at HMD Global said that the company plans to manufacture its latest phones through Foxconn in India from day one. He also said that the new Nokia Android phones are expected to hit stores in India by June this year. The complete portfolio will support dual SIM functionality in India. The Nokia 3,5,6 will also support Reliance Jios 4G VoLTE networks as there is support for Band 3, Band 5 and Band 40. Nokia 3 specifications 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD 2.5D sculpted Corning Gorilla Glass display, 450 nits brightness 1.3GHz Quad-core MediaTek MT6737 64-bit Processor with Mali T720 MP1 GPU 2GBGB RAM, 16GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 7.0 (Nougat) OS Dual SIM 8MP autofocus rear camera with LED Flash, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12um pixel size 8MP autofocus front-facing camera, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12um pixel size 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio Dimensions: 143.4 x 71.4 x 8.48 mm 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS 2650mAh battery Nokia 5 specifications 5.2-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD 2.5D sculpted Corning Gorilla Glass display, 500 nits brightness 1.4 GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 430 Mobile Platform with Adreno 505 GPU 2GBGB RAM, 16GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) OS Dual SIM 13MP autofocus rear camera with dual-tone LED Flash, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12um pixel size 8MP autofocus front-facing camera, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12um pixel size, 84-degree wide-angle lens 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio Dimensions: 149.7 x 72.5 x 8.05 mm 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS 3000mAh battery Nokia 6 specifications 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) 2.5D curved glass display with 450 nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 ( 4 x 1.2 GHz Cortex A53 + 4 x 1.5 GHz Cortex A53) 64-bit processor with Adreno 505 GPU 3GB / 4GB LPDDR3 RAM, 32GB / 64GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) Dual SIM 16MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, PDAF, 1.0um sensor, f/2.0 aperture 8MP front-facing camera, 1.12um sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 84 wide-angle lens Fingerprint sensor 3.5mm audio jack, Dual speakers, Dual smart amplifiers (TFA9891), Dolby Atmos Dimensions: 154 x 75.8 x 7.8 mm 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, USB OTG 3000mAh built-in battery Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 were introduced for 139 Euros (US$ 163 / Rs. 10,560 approx.), 189 Euros (US$ 212 / Rs. 13,670 approx.). and 229 Euros (US$ 257 / Rs. 16,560 approx.), but the company had said that the phone will be sold at an affordable rate in India. We will have to wait for few more days to find out. Foodie Quine Inspired by a stay at Hotel Jen Orchard Gateway this fragrant seafood fried rice dish will transport you to the Hawker Centres of Singapore. A variation on the popular spicy noodle soup of Peranakan cuisine. If asked to think of food and drink in connection with Singapore I'm guessing nine out of ten would say Singapore Sling and Singapore Noodles. I already covered the sling in my recent post - Little Red Dot Singapore Sling and my Singapore Top Ten and today should be time for the noodles... However I'm afraid I have some bad news. They don't actually exist! They're something that's been created purely for western palates. Ask for Singapore noodles in Singapore and you'll be met with very puzzled looks. That said you won't be stuck for choice as Singaporeans live to eat and the melting post of cultures that is the little red dot has a seriously good food scene. For me that's best demonstrated in the street food Hawker Centres where the cuisine covers Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian, Peranakan and more. On our recent trip to Singapore we stayed at the 4 star Hotel Jen Orchard Gateway . It was ideally located on the main shopping street of Orchard Road just above the Somerset MRT station. We were in a club room on the seventeenth floor which was modern, clean and stylish with a super comfy king sized bed. This also gave us access to the Club Lounge on the nineteenth floor with the additional benefits of exclusive check-in and check-out, complimentary drinks and snacks all day long, early evening cocktails and a breakfast buffet. Also on this level was the rooftop infinity pool which was an oasis of calm and had absolutely fantastic views across the city. We were invited to dinner in the hotel restaurant Makan@Jen with Elsa and Nikki from the communications team for a Lets Makan Buffet. For SGD 42++ you get to feast on a fantastic spread of local Hawker style food including live cooking stations. Watch my Facebook Live video to see the full selection. It was great to have Elsa and Nikki to guide us through the food on offer and advise us which dishes were unmissable. We even braved century eggs! Not exactly appetising to look at, I didn't mind the taste but the texture was rather odd to say the least. It was a fantastic way to sample a wide selection of local delicacies all within one meal. My particular favourites were the seafood, roasted meats, lok-lok and satay. We rounded off proceedings with Ice kachang and multicoloured desserts. Special thanks to Nikki for mixing up the perfect Rojak and educating me in the art of Ice Kachang. Meanwhile Elsa has promised to try haggis if she visits Scotland. During our stay we were also invited to a cocktail event where Chef Chef Lee Hoong Wan demonstrated his signature dish - Laksa Fried Rice. You can see him in action on my Facebook Live Video . This had been one of my favourite dishes at the Let's Makan buffet and in the Club Lounge. We were provided with the recipe to recreate at home however alas many of the Singaporean ingredients aren't readily available in Scotland so I've come up with my own version using ready made Laksa paste. However I picked up lots of great tips from Chef Lee and I've definitely upped my fried rice game as a result. Always use cooked and cooled rice - I use the ready cooked pouches. If the rice has dried out add a splash of chicken stock during cooking. Don't skimp on the oil. Turn up the heat and really fry the rice. Keep everything moving in the pan. Always make sure the egg is scrambled/cooked before mixing it into the rice or everything will be come sticky. Add vegetables such as beansprouts at the very end to ensure they remain crisp. For my version I incorporated fish balls from a Chinese Supermarket but you could use crab sticks and/or substitute the seafood for Chicken. I got Laksa paste in Sainsbury's but also spotted some in the Chinese Supermarket which may have been more authentic. Either way feel free to use more or less to suit your own preferences for heat. The other main ingredient that unfortunately I couldn't get hold of were fried tofu pouches so I improvised with shredded omelette as a replacement. I'll be honest and say that it's not nearly as good as Chef Lee's but it's fragrance and flavours still managed to transport me back to the little red dot. Singapore Laksa Fried Rice Vegetable Oil 3 Free Range Eggs, beaten 6 spring onions, sliced and separated into white and green 250g Mixed Cooked Seafood (I used sliced fish balls, squid and prawns) 500g cooked rice 4 Tbsp Laksa Paste (use more or less to taste) 100g beansprouts I am Sauce Desiccated Coconut Prepare all the ingredients as above. Heat a splash of oil in a wok and use half of the beaten egg to make two very thin omelettes. Shred the omelettes and set aside along with the remaining beaten egg. Add some more oil to the wok and fry the white parts of the spring onions for a couple of minutes. Then add the pre-cooked and cooled rice. Keep it moving constantly over a high heat and fry for a couple of minutes. Push the rice to one side of the wok, add the beaten egg and scramble. Once the egg is cooked mix it into the rice and add in the shredded omelette pieces. Next add in the Laksa Pate to taste and mix through before adding in the seafood. After a further couple of minutes add the beansprouts and toss everything together for 30 seconds. Season to taste with soy sauce and serve topped with the reserved spring onion greens and desiccated coconut. Pin me for later... Disclosure: Hotel Jen Singapore Orchard Gateway provided us with an upgrade to club status plus dinner for two at their 'Let's Makan' Buffet. A US congressional investigation accuses meatpacking companies and the USDA, under the Trump Administration, of collaborating in an aggressive campaign to... Read More Walmart (NYSE:WMT) CEO Doug McMillon stressed Friday that the retail giant would take its time with the testing and rollout of its new associate delivery program. The new initiative enlists Walmart store associates to conduct last-mile package deliveries to online customers. The company says the strategy its latest effort to compete with rival Amazons (NASDAQ:AMZN)s booming ecommerce business, will cut costs on the most expensive part of the shipping process. I wouldnt jump to a conclusion that its going to be nationwide too soon. Weve got a lot to work on there, McMillon said during a Q&A session with investors and analysts. McMillon said Walmart is focused on ironing out any issues with employment compliance, such as appropriate pay and treatment of employees that volunteer for the program, before any further expansion. At present, the associate delivery program is being tested at three stores in New Jersey and Arkansas. In addition, McMillon said the program will evolve over time. For example, Walmart may enlist Uber to assist with last-mile deliveries, similarly to how the company has used the ride-sharing service for deliveries in its fresh groceries business. Therell still be a role for FedEx and UPS to make some deliveries. Weve had this test going on with Uber and other crowdsourcing solutions may play a role. Its just like building different capabilities and then well let the market and the economics drive how it ultimately plays out," McMillon said. Marc Lore, the head of Walmarts ecommerce business, said the program is still in its early days. Walmart is consulting with the volunteer drivers to match delivery routes with their normal commutes, so that store employees arent driving too far out of their way to complete shipments. Associates are really liking the experience, Lore said. Walmart has placed an increased emphasis on its ecommerce business in recent quarters, thanks in large part to Amazons unprecedented success in the space. Walmarts ecommerce division, bolstered by the 2015 acquisition of Jet.com, grew by 63% in its most recent fiscal quarter. That has helped drive the stock price up 15% this year. Lore said Walmart is encouraged by the success its seen from initiatives like discounted in-store pickup, free two-day shipping for customers without a paid membership and easy reorder options for returning online customers. He has also stepped up niche apparel acquisitions, including Moosejaw and ModCloth. In the long term, Lore added that Walmart is focused on adding select new product offerings to its online business, as well as efforts to continue to bring the Jet and Walmart teams together. Has Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE: BUD) finally revealed itself as a monopolistic brewer trying to crush craft brew upstarts?Like an updated version of the Hunt brothers hoarding the world's silver, the mega brewer is accused of cornering the market on South African hops and using its dominance to squeeze the life out of craft breweries. After its acquisition of SABMiller, Anheuser-Busch also gained control of all the country's hop farms and breeders. And now that it owns them it is refusing to sell the essential beer ingredient to distributors who supply U.S. craft breweries. Instead, A-B will be using the hops for its own beer, threatening to put at least one distributor out of business and cutting off access to the latest taste in brewing. Image source: Getty Images. Brewing up trouble At first blush it appears the beer giant is embodying the very traits that Boston Beer (NYSE: SAM) founder and chairman Jim Koch complained about. In a New York Times op-ed and later at an industry event, the craft brewercalled for regulators to rein in Anheuser-Busch because it was limiting consumer choice by buying up craft breweries. Rather than drinkers choosing their beers, the industry giant chooses it for them. Draft magazine recently reported ZA Hops, which is one of a very limited number of distributors (read, two or three) that imports South African hops, was told by SAB Hop Farms that the popular hops he had been buying, such as Southern Passion, African Queen, Southern Star, and Southern Aroma, were no longer available. Apparently some 20 metric tons of hops that were scheduled for export to the U.S. were instead being rerouted to Anheuser-Busch for its own use. As a result, ZA Hops is teetering on the edge of ruin. Owner Greg Crum told Draft, "It's done. I still have some stock from 2016, but after that I'm out of business." Many craft breweries are angry. In posts across social media, brewers like Modern Times Beer, Proclamation Ale, and others said the maneuver by Anheuser-Busch shows what happens when mega brewers are allowed to acquire craft brewers without restriction. Because it is directing the popular hops to the dozen or so high end portfolio of beers that it purchased over the past few years, including Wicked Weed just a few weeks ago, it is able to give itself a competitive advantage. Image source: Getty Images. Much ado about nothing? Although it's true the distributors and brewers are being cut off from the hops they were counting on, Anheuser-Busch says the reasoning behind it is far less nefarious than world domination of craft beer. The crisis many in the craft beer industry are suggesting exists is a bit overblown. According to the brewer's statement to Draft, South African hops suffered from low yields this year, and while it has sold surplus hops to distributors in prior years, the poor harvest means there isn't enough to go around this time. South Africa accounts for less than 1% of the world's total supply of hops and A-B's local Castle Lager and Castle Lite brands use more than 90% of the available supply. Moreover, because of antitrust concerns in South Africa during the merger with Miller, not only did Anheuser-Busch have to agree to invest over five years some 1 billion rand (about $68 million) in South African barley, hops, and maize production, but it also had to ensure local craft brewers continued to have access to raw ingredients necessary for brewing. A-B was required to continue supplying South African craft brewers with those inputs, meaning they're a higher priority than the export market. Anheuser-Busch's statement underscores that fact, noting, "This means that less than five percent can be allocated to other Anheuser-Busch InBev breweries outside of South Africa." Even so, it also said that, crop yields permitting, it is hoping to be able to resume their export next year. Image source: Getty Images. Molehill out of a mountain And the amount of hops that are at stake is pretty minuscule. Although 20 metric tons sounds like a lot, it's equivalent to around 44,000 pounds (a metric ton equals 2,204.6 pounds). To put it in perspective, the Hop Growers of America trade group said earlier this year that U.S. hops farmers produced just under 89 million pounds of hops last year, or more than 40,000 metric tons. It should also be noted the desirable South African hops are simply the latest fad in brewing, so it's hard to blame Anheuser-Busch for wanting to reserve the hops for its own use. Besides, next week another taste profile is likely to be in vogue. Undoubtedly for breweries that had been crafting recipes based upon the South African hops, having to rework them for something else is both an annoyance and a disappointment. But the apocalypse we're being warned about from Anheuser-Busch's acquisition of Miller seems a bit overblown and looks as though it is still some ways off. 10 stocks we like better than Anheuser-Busch InBev NVWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Anheuser-Busch InBev NV wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of May 1, 2017 Rich Duprey has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Anheuser-Busch InBev NV and Boston Beer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. It's been a whirlwind year for Northern Dynasty Minerals (NYSEMKT: NAK). The stock has risen from obscurity to become one of the best-performing equities on the market. A deregulation-friendly environment has reignited hopes that the company can proceed with bringing its Pebble Mine in Alaska, one of the largest undeveloped deposits of copper and gold in the world, online and begin generating meaningful revenue and profits. At a market cap of "only" $500 million and a sea of mineral wealth underneath its feet, investors may be drawn to the long-term growth potential of Northern Dynasty Minerals. But that could be a bad idea given the company's track record and realities on the ground. With that in mind, here are three terrible reasons to buy the stock. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Deregulation-friendly environment The Trump administration hasn't been shy about its intentions to more fully utilize the country's vast resources. While politicians in Washington cannot drill through rocks, they can loosen various regulations to make the permitting process easier for those that can. That has already begun paying dividends for Northern Dynasty Minerals. In April, the company announced that the Alaska Department of Natural Resources had issued a notice of approval of Miscellaneous Land Use Permit for the Pebble Project. It's a mouthful, but it simply allows Northern Dynasty Minerals to operate on state-owned land. The announcement pushed shares over 34% higher, although the company skipped over a few important details. State regulators are only part of the equation. Federal regulators, namely the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have been the real issue for the company in previous years. While the new Scott Pruitt-led EPA has smoothed over the permitting process in recent months, there's still a long road ahead for the company. For instance, the most recent settlement with the EPA postpones the agency's decision on the project until the U.S. Army Corps completes an Environmental Impact Statement. While the Corps has four years to do so -- in line with previous timelines discussed by management -- the new mine plan will be smaller than those proposed in the past, and it promises to be accompanied by a raft of additional environmental measures. That serves as a reminder that much more time and money are needed before the Pebble Project even has the ability to make a sustainable impact on the share price. NAK data by YCharts. 2. Clean balance sheet It won't go unnoticed that Northern Dynasty Minerals has a squeaky-clean balance sheet. At the end of March, it sported $54.7 million in cash and not a penny of debt. While it has burned between $6 million and $7 million per quarter, investors should expect expenses to ramp up as the permitting process takes off. Management has previously reported that the entire process could take up to $150 million to complete. Of course, with no revenue stream or operating cash flow, the company has a limited number of options available to it. Investors can probably expect a balance of additional share offerings, long-term debt agreements, and the courting of a partner or two. The last option may be the most attractive, especially if a major mining company pulls the trigger on buddying up with Northern Dynasty Minerals. It would de-risk development, bring in experts who know what they're doing (both with heavy machinery and regulatory applications), and provide much-needed capital. But there are still too many unknowns for investors concerning the funding of operations. Even in a best-case scenario, the company will be completely dependent on outside financing for years to come. A partnership, assuming one materializes, would dilute the company's ownership of the Pebble Project and likely require the company to front a certain percentage of expenses. That includes permitting costs and much more expensive development costs down the road. Simply put, there's a financial tightrope that must be walked, and getting across safely will come with a healthy dose of debt and dilution. 3. But look at those reserves! Let's assume Pebble becomes an active, resource-producing mine. While investors today have been hypnotized by the massive mineral deposits at the site, that's the wrong metric to focus on. The metric currently reported by Northern Dynasty Minerals focuses on resource estimates, which are comprised of three types: measured, indicated, and inferred. The level of confidence that the resources exist decreases with each category. That presents some risk to investors, especially considering that the middle category includes over 60% of the copper, gold, and silver estimates. Data source: Northern Dynasty Minerals 2014 estimate. Importantly, resources aren't even the metric that matters for mining companies, which are made or broken by the total number of reserves. Northern Dynasty Minerals has yet to complete additional studies to upgrade its resources to reserves, and it is careful to state that estimates "potentially support a modern, long-life mine." Worse, the gold concentration in the ore from Pebble (measured in ounces of mineral per ton of ore) is between four and seven times lower than other profitable mines around the world. That could hike up the costs of successful development and may even threaten the mine's ability to ever turn a profit. Long story short A simple narrative has propelled Northern Dynasty Minerals stock in the last 12 months. Traders and investors see a company that is sitting on a large deposit of valuable minerals that has suddenly encountered fewer barriers to development. However, the more nuanced take is that there are inconvenient realities facing the company as it attempts to successfully develop Pebble. The details should serve as a warning to investors looking for a long-term payday. 10 stocks we like better than Northern Dynasty MineralsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now...and Northern Dynasty Minerals wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of May 1, 2017. Maxx Chatsko has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Image source: Getty Images. OPEC has gotten its share of headlines over the years due to its influence on oil prices. From the oil embargo of the 1970s to the $100-plus per barrel crude prices of just a few years ago, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has held significant sway over the direction of oil prices. Here are seven things that everyone should know about this market-moving cartel. Image source: Getty Images. 1: OPEC was formed in 1960 for a single purpose. At the Baghdad Conference in September 1960, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela formed The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC. Its stated purpose was to: In this goal, the member nations aimed to counter the influence of the "Seven Sisters" -- seven large western oil companies -- on oil prices. Image source: Getty Images. 2: OPEC currently has 13 members Several other nations subsequently joined the five founding members of OPEC: Qatar in 1961, Indonesia in 1962, Libya in 1962, the United Arab Emirates in 1967, Algeria in 1969, Nigeria in 1971, Ecuador in 1973, Gabon in 1975, and Angola in 2007. Both Ecuador and Gabon left OPEC for a while before rejoining in 2007 and 2016, respectively. Meanwhile, Indonesia left in 2009, then rejoined early last year only to leave again at the end of the year. As a result, there are currently 13 members of OPEC. Image source: Getty Images. 3: Saudi Arabia is by far OPEC's top oil producer. In 2016, OPEC members produced nearly 32.5 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) -- about 36% of global crude production. Leading the way was Saudi Arabia, which produced an average of 10.4 million bpd, or 32% of the total. Rounding out the top five were Iraq (4.4 million bpd), Iran (3.5 million bpd), UAE (3 million bpd), and Kuwait (2.9 million bpd). One reason Saudi Arabia can pump so much more oil each day than its fellow members is its rock-bottom production costs. Image source: Getty Images. 4: While OPEC does not control oil prices, it does influence them OPEC can't set oil prices because crude trades on the global market. However, because it does control more than a third of global crude output, it can nudge them in a desired direction. That's what it tried to do last November by delivering a six-month production cut that it coordinated with several nonmember nations. By reducing supply, that agreement pushed oil prices from the mid-$40s into the mid-$50s for a while. However, the rebound in oil prices incentivized other competitors, namely U.S. shale drillers, to increase their output. For example, leading shale driller EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG) boosted its drilling budget 44%, a move it expects will fuel 18% growth in its oil production this year. EOG is one of several U.S. oil producers ramping up production in the wake of OPEC's intervention, which has put some downward pressure back on crude prices. Image source: Getty Images. 5: OPEC requires a unanimous vote to increase or cut oil output Not only does OPEC battle against non-members over the direction of oil prices, it often battles within itself. That's because it takes a unanimous vote of all members for OPEC to enact or extend an output cut, or to increase production caps. The members often have contradictory goals, which can make it hard to come to such an agreement. It takes a lot of lobbying and meetings to get everyone on the same page -- when that happens. Image source: Getty Images. 6: Venezuela is the leader for oil reserves OPEC controls an estimated 1.2 trillion barrels of proven oil reserves -- defined as oil that it can produce with reasonable certainty and with current technology and prices. That's a whopping 81% of total estimated global oil reserves. What's surprising about OPEC's reserves is that the leading holder isn't Saudi Arabia, nor any of the other top-five producers. Instead, it's Venezuela, which holds an estimated 300.9 billion barrels of crude in the ground, or 24.8% of OPEC's total, edging out Saudi Arabia's 266.5 billion barrel reserve. For comparison sake, the U.S. currently has just 35.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves according to government data, though whenadding in total recoverable resources, the U.S. leads the globe. Image source: Getty Images. 7: 34% of U.S. oil imports came from OPEC in 2016 In 2016, the United States imported 3.45 million bpd of oil from OPEC countries according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which was 34% of total U.S. oil imports. Saudi Arabia was the leading OPEC source, supplying 1.1 million bpd. That said, the U.S. imported more oil from Canada (3.8 million bpd) than from OPEC. Further, our oil imports from OPEC have fallen sharply since peaking at nearly 6.5 million barrels per day just before the financial crisis, driven down by rising U.S. shale output. The country's net oil imports were just a quarter of total consumption last year, one of the lowest levels since 1970. 10 stocks we like better than EOG ResourcesWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and EOG Resources wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of May 1, 2017 Matt DiLallo has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of EOG Resources. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. New York is pushing a major clean energy job initiative in the wake of President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from an international pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced $1.5 billion for renewable energy projects such as wind, solar arrays, hydro and fuel cell to advance a state goal of achieving 50 percent of electricity from renewables by 2030. Democrat Cuomo says the investment will produce 40,000 clean energy jobs by 2020. The announcement follows Trump's Thursday decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement to reduce U.S. polluting emissions by 1.6 billion tons by 2025. Cuomo and Democratic governors in Washington and California denounced the move and pledged to uphold the commitment. Police in Ecuador detained five people including a relative of the country's vice president in connection to a bribery scandal involving Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht. Ecuador's chief prosecutor said Friday that 18 properties in three cities were also raided including one belonging to Ecuador's comptroller general and other unidentified top officials. A check for almost $1 million, luxury cars and jewelry were seized. Odebrecht last year admitted to paying bribes to politicians across Latin America in exchange for big-ticket contracts including more than $33 million to officials Ecuador. Vice President Jorge Glas said Friday he supports the probe while his boss leftist President Lenin Moreno said that acts of corruption won't go unpunished. The Latest on St. Petersburg economic forum (all times local): 5:05 p.m. President Vladimir Putin has ridiculed the U.S. focus on the Russian ambassador's contacts with members of President Donald Trump's team, saying that the envoy was only doing his job. Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said Friday that it is Ambassador Sergei Kislyak's duty to maintain contacts with various people in Washington. Kislyak's meetings with members of Trump's team have been a focus of the congressional investigation. Putin insisted that it was perfectly normal for Kislyak to try to establish contacts and discuss future ties, adding that he hadn't even started to discuss specifics. He described the focus on Kislyak's contacts as "catastrophic nonsense." ___ 4:45 p.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied that Russia meddled in the U.S. presidential election, saying the claims lack substance. Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin says that the claims contained "nothing concrete, only assumptions." He added that IP addresses allegedly belonging to Russian hackers could have been easily rigged and couldn't stand as evidence. U.S. intelligence agencies have accused Russia of hacking into Democratic Party emails, helping Donald Trump's election victory, and the congressional and FBI investigations into the Trump campaign's ties with Russia have broken the Kremlin's hopes for a detente with Washington. Putin attributed the accusations of Russian interference to the Democrats' anger over losing the vote, adding that Trump won because he has been more successful in his campaign. ___ 4:25 p.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to assuage concerns caused by President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord, calling for a constructive dialogue on efforts needed to curb global warming. Speaking Friday at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin avoided criticizing Trump for the move that has caused international opprobrium. He underlined the importance of the Paris climate accord, but noted that it's a framework agreement offering a broad room for maneuver for each signatory nation. Putin also said that Trump's promise to negotiate new conditions for the U.S. leaves hope for reaching a compromise before the Paris deal is set to take effect in 2021. Putin added that U.S. participation is essential for the success of global efforts. ___ 3 p.m. President Vladimir Putin has urged U.S. businessmen to use their influence to help normalize Russia-U.S. relations. Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said relations between Moscow and Washington are now at their lowest point since Cold War times. During a panel meeting, Putin called on the U.S. participants of the forum to "help restore a normal political dialogue ... help a newly elected president and new administration." He also pledged to help improve conditions for U.S. business in Russia. Russia's hopes for better ties with President Donald Trump's administration have been dashed by the congressional and FBI investigations into the Trump campaign's ties with Russia. President Trump entered the Oval Office on a sea of campaign promises. These included repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare), reforming both the individual and corporate tax codes, and building a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. After more than four months in office, the president is figuring out that change happens slowly in Washington. A Republican health bill has moved on to the Senate, but it could be weeks or months before significant progress is made, and tax reform is still in the early stages. Even Trump's promise of a border wall has fizzled out, with the latest budget apportioning a minimal amount of funding toward designing and constructing the wall. However, this doesn't mean there hasn't been controversy surrounding the means by which the border wall could be funded in the future. Image source: President Donald J. Trump's official Facebook page. Photo by Shealea Craighead. A border adjustment tax probably isn't the answer Earlier this year, the idea of a border adjustment tax was floated as a means of generating revenue for the border wall. A border adjustment tax would incentivize domestic businesses that export their products overseas by offering them a tax rebate, while hitting companies that import goods from foreign countries with an import levy. A border adjustment tax wouldn't be an entirely bad idea. For example, it should significantly reduce the desire of U.S. multinationals to seek a tax inversion, which is where they redomicile in a foreign market with a lower corporate income tax rate. A border adjustment tax for export-driven U.S. multinationals should boost their bottom lines. Then again, the idea of a border adjustment tax probably wouldn't be popular among the public. There are a number of products such as automobiles, apparel, and electronics that are imported from foreign manufacturers, meaning it's U.S. consumers, not these foreign countries, who would pay the added import levy. Furthermore, instituting a border adjustment tax is widely expected by pundits to increase the value of the U.S. dollar by 15% to 25% over a couple of years. While that's great news if Americans want to vacation in foreign markets, a significantly stronger dollar could devalue the $23.3 trillion that Americans had in foreign investments as of 2015. In many ways, the border adjustment tax is a nearly dead idea on Capitol Hill. Image source: Getty Images. This new bill to fund Trump's border wall isn't going to be popular Thus, the dilemma for Trump, Republicans, and contractors who are chomping at the bit to win what could be a $20 billion contract is where the funding will come from. House Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) believes he has the answer. In late March, Rogers introduced HR 1813, officially known as the Border Wall Funding Act of 2017. This bill would "amend the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to impose a fee for remittance transfers to certain foreign countries, and for other purposes." In plainer English, it would impose a 2% fee (in U.S. dollars) on wire transfers (remittances) sent to most Central and South American countries, as well as Mexico and the Caribbean. According to the bill, fees would not be imposed on transfers conducted by businesses, but all personal transfers to most countries in Central and South America would be subject to this 2% fee, which is on top of the exorbitant fees already imposed by wire transfer service providers, like Western Union (NYSE: WU). Additionally, the bill would be indifferent to those making money transfers to foreign countries. Regardless of whether the person initiating the transfer is a U.S. citizen or not, the destination of the money transfer is all that would matter. Image source: Getty Images. A threat to legal money transfer channels? However, there's a significant concern with adding a fee on legal-channel money transfers to Central and South American countries, as well as Mexico and the Caribbean: It could encourage consumers who are already paying exorbitant fees to seek grey market channels or illegal ways to transfer money to overseas markets. In effect, it would hurt companies like Western Union, which have enabled significant progress in keeping the flow of funds in licensed money transfer networks. Also noteworthy is that much of Western Union's first-quarter consumer segment growth came from Latin America and the Caribbean, where constant currency-adjusted revenue grew 28%. Ismail Ahmed, the CEO of WorldRemit, had this to say in an interview with Forbes: It's tough to see a path forward for Rogers' bill considering the opposition it would face from Democrats in Congress and even more moderate members of his own party. Trump has been adamant that he'll be able to fund a border wall with foreign sources of capital, and construction companies are eager for that to happen, but the likelihood of the Border Wall Funding Act making it out of the House seems slim at best. That's a sigh of relief for Western Union and potentially millions of Americans. 10 stocks we like better than Western UnionWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Western Union wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of May 1, 2017 Sean Williams has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive his plan to temporarily ban travelers from six Muslim-majority nations after it was blocked by lower courts that found it was discriminatory. In deciding whether to allow the ban to go into effect, the nine justices are set to weigh whether Trump's harsh election campaign rhetoric can be used as evidence that the order was intended to discriminate against Muslims. The administration filed emergency applications with the nine high court justices seeking to block two different lower court rulings that went against Trump's March 6 order barring entry for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days while the U.S. government implements stricter visa screening. The move comes after the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on May 25 upheld a Maryland judge's ruling blocking the order. The administration also filed a separate appeal in that case. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trumps executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. The American Civil Liberties Union, one of the legal groups challenging the ban, tweeted in response: "We've beat this hateful ban and are ready to do it again." At least five votes are needed on the nine-justice court in order to grant a stay. The court has a 5-4 conservative majority, with Justice Anthony Kennedy - a conservative who sometimes sides with the court's four liberals - the frequent swing vote. Another of the court's conservatives, Neil Gorsuch, was appointed by Trump this year. If the government's emergency requests are granted, the ban would go into effect immediately. The court first has to act on whether to grant the emergency applications, which could happen within a fortnight. Then, the justices will decide whether to hear the governments full appeal. The Supreme Court is not required to hear the case but is likely to due to its importance and the fact that the request is being made by the U.S. government. The Justice Department has asked the court to expedite the case so that the justices could hear it at the beginning of their next term, which starts in October. That means, if the court allows the ban to go into effect, the final decision would be issued long after the 90 days has elapsed. In the court filings, Acting Solicitor General Jeff Wall highlighted the unprecedented nature of courts second-guessing the president on national security and immigration. "This order has been the subject of passionate political debate. But whatever ones views, the precedent set by this case for the judiciarys proper role in reviewing the presidents national-security and immigration authority will transcend this debate, this Order, and this constitutional moment," he wrote. In its 10-3 ruling, the appeals court in Virginia said the challengers, including refugee groups and others represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, were likely to succeed on their claim that the order violated the U.S. Constitution's bar against favoring or disfavoring a particular religion. The government had argued that the court should not take into account Trump's comments during the 2016 U.S. presidential race since he made them before he took office on Jan. 20. But the appeals court rejected that view, saying they shed light on the motivations behind Trump's order. During the campaign, Trump campaign called for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." His administration has argued that the travel ban is needed to prevent terrorism in the United States. Federal courts in both Maryland and Hawaii issued rulings suspending key parts of the ban. The appeals court in Virginia upheld the Maryland ruling. A San Francisco-based appeals court is currently considering the Hawaii case. The administration is asking the Supreme Court to throw out the injunction imposed in both cases. The March ban was Trump's second effort to implement travel restrictions on people from several Muslim-majority countries through an executive order. The first, issued on Jan. 27, led to chaos and protests at airports and in major U.S. cities before it was blocked by courts. The second order was intended to overcome the legal issues posed by the original ban, but it was blocked by judges before it could go into effect on March 16. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Sue Horton, Christian Schmollinger, Shr Navaratnam and Michael Perry) What happened Shares of Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) enjoyed strong gains in the month of May, gaining 11.2%, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. So what There were a few notable positive catalysts for Twitter last month. For starters, shares were enjoying some bullish momentum in the wake of first-quarter results, which were released at the very end of April. Cost-cutting helped drive the bottom-line beat, as Twitter continued to better align its cost structure with the size of its business. Shortly after reporting earnings, CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey filed a Form 4 with the SEC on the last trading day of April indicating that he had purchased approximately $9.5 million worth of Twitter stock in open-market purchases. Twitter co-founders. Left to right: Evan Williams, Biz Stone, Jack Dorsey. Image source: Twitter. Copyright Marisa Allegra Williams (@marisa) for Twitter, Inc. On May 2, Mark Cuban disclosedthat he had started to invest in Twitter, believing that the company has made progress in artificial intelligence. Shares jumped again when co-founder Biz Stone announced that he would be returning to the company he helped start. Stone had left Twitter in 2011 and started Jelly in 2013, a hybrid between a search engine and Q&A platform. Pinterest agreed to acquireJelly in March for an undisclosed sum. Stone's Medium.compost announcing his return to Twitter noted, "The deal did not require me to work at the company we sold to, but I'm the type of person who has to keep working." Now what Twitter's financial shape is improving, but challenges remain going forward. User engagement is trending higher, but the company needs to prove that it can successfully monetize that usage to continue impressing investors. Live video is the next battleground for social-media companies, and those investments can be quite hefty given the bandwidth and infrastructure requirements to execute on live-video strategies. As far as Stone's return is concerned, he'll be focusing on Twitter's corporate culture, which is largely what he did before he left years ago. He notes that he's "not replacing anyone at Twitter," but rather "filling the 'Biz shaped hole'" from his departure. 10 stocks we like better than TwitterWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Twitter wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of May 1, 2017 Evan Niu, CFA has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Twitter. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Former NRG CEO David Crane on Thursday said leaving the Paris climate agreement would negatively impact small businesses in the U.S. The distributed solar industries in the United States where a lot of these 500,000 renewable jobs have been created are companies that are family owned and they were HVAC contractors or roofers. And they got into the home solar industry giving them another high value and this doesnt help them, he told FOX Business Liz Claman. Crane is skeptical that leaving the Paris accord will actually help the American coal industry. Its not even clear that the American coal companies benefit from this because they might just get black balled in the international market from the 194 countries that are a part of this. So I dont think this is a job creator at all, I think this is a job destroyer, he said. President Trump shares a different view. In announcing the decision to leave the Paris accord on Thursday, he touted the opening of new U.S. mine set for later this month. Multiple executives at major U.S. corporations have expressed their disapproval of President Donald Trumps decision Thursday to remove the United States from the Paris Climate Accord. FOX Business takes a look at the latest CEOs who took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the subject. 1. Elon Musk Tesla CEO Elon Musk quit one of the presidents advisory councils after the decision was made to exit the agreement. 2. Bob Iger Disneys Bob Iger, who served on the Presidents Strategic and Policy Forum, stepped down shortly after Musk, citing similar reasons for his decision. 3. Jeff Immelt Jeff Immelt, the head of Boston-based General Electric, said he was disappointed with the news that the U.S. would no longer be part of the Paris Accord. 4. Lloyd Blankfein In his first-ever tweet, Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein expressed his discontent, saying the decision by President Trump was a setback for the U.S.s leadership position in the world. Actor and television personality Alec Baldwin stumped for New Jersey Democrats on Thursday night, helping the state party rake in $5.1 million, believed to be the highest amount ever raised by either major party at a single event in the state, according to event organizers. Around 1,000 people paid $2,500 each to attend the potentially record-setting event, which was hosted by the General Majority PAC, according to Philly.com. The political action committee is devoted to electing Democratic state legislators in order to build middle class economy and security, according to the groups Twitter page. Each of the 120 seats in the New Jersey state legislature, along with the governors seat that currently belongs to Republican Gov. Chris Christie, will be on the table in the November election. In the 2016 election, Republicans swept up seats in state legislatures across the country, bringing totals to a record high. Currently, conservatives control 4,170 seats and 67 of the 98 partisan legislative chambers. Baldwin, widely known for his sarcastic portrayal of President Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live," has made no secret of his disdain for the president off-screen as well. On Thursday he tweeted from his Alec Baldwin Foundation account about the White Houses decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. Democrats have stepped up their criticisms of President Trumps budget proposal with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio going so far as to say some children will die because of this. White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney responded to the rhetoric from the left telling the FOX Business Networks Stuart Varney, Theyre serious charges, but they are completely unfounded in the truth and they are offered for political demagoguery. Mulvaney then accused Democrats of referring to the same list of talking points during every budget debate. We did an interesting exercise in the Office of Management and Budget and went back to look at some of the things the Democrats said about the Reagan budgets in the 80s, the Bush budgets after that, the George W. Bush budgets in the 2000s and the headlines are all the same. These are stories that have been written a long time ago. According to Mulvaney, much of the language used in Washington, D.C. to criticize the budget differed greatly from the realities of what was in the proposal. Most of the dramatic slashing reductions you hear the left referring to in our budget are simply us proposing to grow at a slower rate. Mulvaney says the budget proposed by the administration is designed to include American taxpayers in the discussion about how the government spends their money, but my guess is the left doesnt want to have that discussion and thats why youre hearing them say all these completely hyperbolic and indefensible things. Mulvaney then weighed in on the May jobs report, viewing it as a sign of uncertainty in the business community as business leaders wait for more action from Washington, D.C. The jobs numbers may reflect industry capital sitting on the sidelines waiting for us to repeal ObamaCare, waiting for us to get to tax reform before they commit fully to this economy. They like what they see out of the president, youve seen that in the stock markets. But Mulvaney saw this as a positive, motivating Congress to push through key parts of the domestic agenda such as health care and tax reform. But in terms of actually making those investments that drive up the jobs numbers, that drive up the GDP numbers, I think theyre waiting on Congress to act and that should be as much motivation as they need to get back to work. President Trumps Chief Economic Advisor Gary Cohn vowed on Friday to deliver a tax plan to Congress by the end of the summer. We are into the nitty-gritty details of working on tax reform right now," Cohn told the FOX Business Network's Stuart Varney. "We will have a very detailed drafted tax plan to be delivered to Congress when they get back from the August recess." Cohn said the administration plans to pay for the tax cuts by getting rid of deductions and creating economic growth by lowering the corporate tax rate. Cutting the tax rate on businesses is important," he said. "Its not as simple as just cutting the corporate tax rate because you have to deal with the pass throughs that sit between the personal tax rate and the business tax rate." The White House National Economic Council director told FOX Business the administration continues to focus on cutting tax rates along with infrastructure and regulations. Theres no doubt in the jobs world we are in today, attracting more businesses and more businesses back to the United States and stimulating more job creation is a top, top priority, he said. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Friday showed slower job growth in May, with the U.S. economy adding 138,000 net new jobs, less than the expected 185,000 jobs. Despite lackluster job growth, Cohn said there's good news in the job report and the administration is committed to making it better. The trend that we got going here is good. Yes, it can be better and we said it can be better and thats why we are spending so much time talking about regulation and the over regulation of the United States. Were talking about tax reform. Were talking about infrastructure. We believe that the White House can drive a much better work and job environment in the United States, he said. Tim Allen, who became a household name with his role on Home Improvement and films like Toy Story and The Santa Clause, has been a leading man in Hollywood for years. Allen is also known for his stand-up comedy acts. And most recently, Allens show Last Man Standing was a bit hit for ABC before it was surprisingly canceled by the network. Many fans know that Allen had a dark past, which included a two-year stint in jail for drug trafficking and various addiction issues. Allen has also long been an outspoken conservative, setting himself apart in liberal Hollywood. Still, theres a lot you may not know about the A-list star. Here are some surprising facts about Tim: 1. Tim is a cat guy His beloved cat, Joe, became a member of his family when his daughter brought the animal home from a movie set. Allen told Ellen Degeneres that Joe is no small kitty. He joked that his cat looks like a water animal. 2. Allen is a man of faith Allens father died when he was 11 and he had a rough young adulthood. The star spiraled out of control and went to jail in the 70s. He was also arrested for DUI in 1997. Tim took control of his life, got clean and sober, and he told ABC in a 2011 interview he now takes time to he think about Gods wishes for him. I always ask, whoever put me here the builder what did you want me to do? Allen said he doesnt advertise his religious beliefs but those close to him know how he feels about faith. He added to ABC, I just want a relationship with whoever built me. This is too much -- too weird that it happened by accident. It didnt happen by accident. I dont feel it did. 3. He has a car collection, but not just any car collection... He told GQ in 2013 he has more cars than necessary in his eclectic car collection. The 63-year-olds collection includes a1965 Shelby Cobra S/C, a 1933 Ford Roadster, and much more I like authentic American motors, he told GQ. I actually own the actual cars that I had in my collection as a kid. 4. He didnt see Last Man Standing cancellation coming either Like many fans, Allen was surprised to find out his hit ABC show was shut down. He tweeted on May 16, 2017 that he was "stunned" and blindsided" by the decision to end the show. The show was canceled on May 12, and it took Tim several days to gather his thoughts and respond. He eventually tweeted, "Stunned and blindsided by the network I called home for the last six years." 5. Tim was pals with Steve Jobs It turns out, Tim Allen and Apple creator Steve Jobs had pretty close connection. It was a friendship based on mutual interests in technology, in life, and religion, Allen explained to Ellen DeGeneres in a 2011 interview. We would text back and forth and email back and forth, and he used to take my calls until I started going You know that font, the Apple fontI think it should be a little more sans-serif. 6. Tim bought an RV For his wife Jane Hajduks birthday, Allen agreed to take her on a RV trip. To do so, he bought a customized the RV for his wife, but he joked with Jimmy Kimmel that the purchase came with some unwanted responsibilities. He quipped, it was basically taking care of your familys sewer. 7. Tim has A LOT of siblings Tim is one of nine children. He told The View his mom always managed to keep an eye on all her kids. Dont aim so high. That was her advice for me She just didnt want us to be disappointed. Life can be hard on you Hope for the best, expect the worst. 8. His 'Home Improvement' wife thinks he's underappreciated Patricia Richardson praised her former co-star and on screen hubby on Hollywood Today Live during a 2016 chat. I just found him very funny. Also, I think he is underrated as an actor. He was very new to acting when I came in. He was such a good listener, and as soon as we started acting together, he was so vulnerable, and I don't think people really realize how rare it is to find a stand-up comedian who can really listen and react. Gordon Ramsay has some strong opinions about a few classic American dishes. The celebrity chef recently appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to promote his new series, The F Word. In the interview, Colbert asked Ramsay if there are any American foods he hates. Im not a big fan of gritstheyre very rich, heavy, sometimes a bit greasy, Ramsay revealed. Sorry, Southerners. Later in the interview, Ramsay goes on to talk about his hatred for American-style sandwiches. You go to a deli and the sandwich is like f---ing 12 feet tall, Ramsay said. GORDON RAMSAY TO OPEN FIRST EVER 'HELL'S KITCHEN' THEMED RESTAURANT Colbert quickly came to the defense of sandwiches. Thats the sandwich of a super power, my friend. Back when you had an empire, your sandwiches were much larger, he said. Ramsay also shared the story of an American Thanksgiving dinner he attended, telling Colbert they served a deep-fried turkey, and clearly Ramsay was not impressed. It was f---ing disgusting. Dry turkeytheres a reason we only eat that turkey once a year, he said. To which Colbert humorously responded, I'm from the south, everything is deep fried. We dip it in concrete, and then we deep fat fry it." Even though Ramsay doesnt like several American foods, that isnt stopping him from expanding his restaurant business. The chef, who currently has restaurants in California, Nevada, New Jersey and New York, plans to open six new locations in the U.S., Delish reports. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS While not all six locations have been announced yet, one will be in Baltimore and the other in New Orleans, according to Delish. The F Word airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Fox. McDonalds customers in Washington, D.C., can expect their next order of fries to come with a message of inclusivity. In celebration of the citys LGBTQ community, select McDonalds locations in the D.C. area will be serving large orders of french fries in rainbow-print packaging during Pride weekend. The colorful fry boxes will be available between June 9 and June 11, but only while supplies last, and only at three specific McDonalds restaurants located along this years Capital Pride Alliances parade route. MCDONALD'S AUSTRALIA ADDS FREQUENTLY REQUESTED 'SECRET ITEM' TO OFFICIAL MENU The McDonalds Family Restaurants of Greater Washington, D.C., is also a sponsor of the Capital Pride Alliance a non-profit organization dedicated to LGBTQ education and outreach and will reportedly have a float in this years parade on June 10. Cathy Martin, co-chair of the McDonalds PRIDE Network and vice president/general manager of McDonalds Baltimore Washington Region, explained the companys new fry boxes in a press release obtained by Fox News. The rainbow fry boxes are a fun way to show our support of the LGBTQ community using one of McDonalds most iconic and recognizable items; however, these fry boxes are small potatoes in the grand scheme of our commitment to this community, said Martin. We are proud to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ community, including our employees, customers and beyond, each and every day. Participating McDonalds locations include: 1944 14th Street, NW; 1619 17th Street, NW; and 1916 M Street, NW. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS This years Capital Pride parade is scheduled for June 10 between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Other Capital Pride weekend festivities include a rooftop pool party on June 8; an opening celebration on June 9; a block party and brunch on June 10, and the closing festival and concert on June 11. McDonalds of Greater Washington, D.C. is also an official sponsor of the Capital Pride Block Party on June 10. A 1-year-old boy in Ohio was revived with Narcan after he overdosed on opioids Thursday evening, police said. The boy's 9-year-old brother called 911 at about 6:30 p.m. after realizing the unidentified boy wasn't breathing at their Akron home, The Associated Press reported. Paramedics rushed the baby to the hospital where they administered a second dose of Narcan after the first round had failed. MAN DIES FROM FLESH-EATING BACTERIA AFTER SWIMMING WITH NEW TATTOO The boy was successfully revived and was able to breathe on his own a short time later. He remained at the hospital for the night in unknown condition, Fox 8 Cleveland reported. Police are searching for the boy's mother, who was not at the home when officers first arrived. Both children were taken into the custody of Summit County Children Services. It was the youngest opioid overdose in the history of Akron, police said. Narcan is often given to people to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Click here for more from Fox 8 Cleveland. At least 15 children died in South Sudan after health workers failed to sterilize syringes between uses while vaccinating around 300 kids in early May. The countrys health minister said another 32 children fell ill with symptoms including fever, vomiting and diarrhea. The team that vaccinated the children in this tragic event were neither qualified nor trained for the immunization campaign, Health Minister Riek Gai Kok said in a news conference Friday. WEEK IN PICTURES The clinic took place on May 2-5 in Nacholdokopele village in Eastern Equatoria state, Reuters reported. Reports indicate that children as young as 12 were administering vaccines, and that the vaccines were stored without proper refrigeration throughout the clinic period. A report prepared by specialists said the children, all reportedly under the age of five, died from severe sepsis toxicity as a result of the vaccines contamination, caused by repeated use of an unsterilized syringe. PARENTS RACING TO SAVE TODDLER FROM 'CHILDHOOD ALZHEIMER'S' The World Health Organization said it continued with the campaign after learning about the deaths because of its lifesaving effects on others, Sky News reported. WHO provides some training to South Sudans health officials, while the UN provides the vaccines. Reuters contributed to this report. An analysis of 17 past studies suggests that while breast-feeding for any period of time appears to lower a womans risk of endometrial cancer, mothers who breast-fed for the recommended six months lowered their risk even further. Surpassing the 6-9 month recommended timeframe for breast-feeding seemed to have little benefit, the researchers said, but those who had ever breast-fed their children were 11 percent less likely than women who had children but didnt breast-feed to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer, Reuters reported. THE WEEK IN PICTURES Cancer of the uterus is becoming more common and we need to try to prevent it, lead author Susan Jordan, of the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia, told Reuters. The more women know about the things they can do to reduce their risks of future cancer diagnosis, the better." For the report, which was published in Obstetrics and Gynecology, researchers used data compiled in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium, including 10 from the United States and others from Canada, China, Europe and Austrialia, Reuters reported. They looked at more than 26,000 women who had ever had a child, whether they breast-fed, and for how long. Among the women, researchers discovered about 9,000 had been diagnosed with endometrial cancer. METALS AND NUTRIENTS FOUND IN BABY TEETH LINKED TO AUTISM, RESEARCH SUGGESTS Even after accounting for other risk factors such as age, race, education, oral contraceptive use, menopausal status, years since last pregnancy and body mass index, the suggested protective benefit of breast-feeding remained, Reuters reported. The authorites noted that the study doesnt prove that breast-feeding helps protect against endometrial cancer, but its plausible because estrogen, which stimulates the growth of the cancer, is suppressed during breast-feeding. Although this piece of evidence by itself may not convince women to breast-feed, it contributes to the overall picture of health gains that can come from breast-feeding, Jordan told Reuters. Reuters contributed to this report. The birthing practice known as "lotus birth," in which parents allow a newborn's umbilical cord to remain attached to the placenta until the cord breaks naturally, is enjoying some popularity, perhaps especially among those who favor home births and assign special significance to the expelled placenta. In a lotus birth, rather than cutting the umbilical cord within a few minutes of the birth, the parents carry the placenta still connected to the newborn baby in a bowl or special pouch, for days, long after it has ceased to actively transfer blood to the newborn. Hospitals, by comparison, usually dispose of the placenta shortly after the umbilical cord is cut. Advocates for lotus birth argue that prolonged contact with the placenta eases the newborn's transition to life outside the womb, and claim that the practice may provide health benefits. However, experts are skeptical about lotus birth, and some warn that it may even be harmful to the baby. There is significant risk associated with keeping a newborn connected to what is essentially a dead and decaying organ , Dr. William Schweizer, an OB/GYN and clinical associate professor at New York University Langone Medical Center, told Live Science in an email. "Risks center around a concern for infection in the placenta, which can spread to the baby. The placenta is dead tissue, and because of this, the blood in it is prone to bacterial overgrowth," Schweizer explained. Keeping it close For a developing fetus, the umbilical cord is a lifeline, with the placenta sending nutrients and taking up waste through the pulsing connection. But once the baby is out, the placenta is no longer needed. The idea of lotus birth emerged in 1974 in the U.S. and Australia, according to an excerpt from the book "Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: The wisdom and science of gentle choices in pregnancy, birth and parenting" (One Moon Press, 2005), written by Dr. Sarah Buckley and published on the website Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond . "Lotus birth is a beautiful and logical extension of natural childbirth, and invites us to reclaim the so-called third stage of birth, and to honour the placenta, our babys first source of nourishment," Buckley wrote. An image shared on Instagram in November 2015 by photographer senhoritasfotografia shows the aftermath of lotus birth: a newborn baby with its umbilical cord still attached to the placenta, which is positioned a short distance away on a white towel. Buckley explained that cutting her first child's umbilical cord felt "strange and uncomfortable," describing the feeling "like cutting through a boneless toe." The experience so unnerved her that she decided to have a lotus birth with her second child, in 1993. After her baby was born, Buckley placed the placenta in a red velvet bag that she had sewn; the umbilical cord eventually broke apart after six days, she wrote. During that time, she and her family rubbed the placenta with salt and lavender oil every 24 hours, noting that it developed "a slightly meaty smell" that attracted the attention of the family cat. Medieval origins It is uncertain when it became common for humans to cut the umbilical cord, but one of the earliest mentions of the practice can be traced to medieval Europe , Schweizer said. A collection of medical texts on women's health known as "The Trotula," written in southern Italy between the 12th and 15th centuries, recommended tying the cord, chanting a charm during the cutting and then wrapping the stump of cord still attached to the infant, Schweizer explained. Early medical literature further suggested that the cord could be clamped or tied before cutting, to safeguard the fetus against excessive blood loss until the umbilical blood vessels close up, Schweizer said. However, as early as the 18th century, physicians cautioned that tying and cutting the cord too soon could weaken the newborn, and recommended waiting until the cord ceased to pulse, Schweizer added. "Today, during vaginal delivery, many practitioners wait until the cord stops pulsing, or the placenta separates into the vagina," he told Live Science. But during C-section births, the cord is frequently clamped immediately, so the practitioner can remove the newborn away from the site of the surgery, and attend to the repair of the mother's uterus, he said. Not so fast Is there any advantage to holding off on cutting the cord? Yes up to a point. Recent studies have suggested that delaying clamping by 30 to 60 seconds after the baby is delivered can be beneficial to infants, according to an assessment published online in January by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Obstetric Practice. The committee found that postponing clamping for those crucial seconds raised newborns' hemoglobin levels and improved iron reserves for the baby's first months, "which may have a favorable effect on developmental outcomes," the authors wrote. In infants born prematurely, a short delay before cord clamping carried the additional benefits of improving blood circulation and decreasing the need for transfusions, the authors added. However, waiting to cut the umbilical cord for 60 seconds is quite a different scenario than leaving the cord to dry up and fall off on its own, Schweizer told Live Science. Once the blood is transferred to the baby which is completed when the cord naturally collapses "there is no documented medical value" in waiting any longer, he said. Viewed with reverence Still, some new parents view the post-birth placenta with reverence and incorporate it into rituals and ceremonies, according to a study published in January 2014 in The Journal of Perinatal Education . They may opt for prolonging their contact with the placenta through lotus birth, burying it in a special location, and even consuming it , Emily Burns, a postdoctoral candidate with the Religion and Society Research Cluster at Western Sydney University, wrote in the study. Concerns over increasing numbers of lotus births reported in the United Kingdom in 2008 prompted the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) there to issue a statement saying that "no research exists on lotus births and there is currently no medical evidence that it is of benefit to the baby." In the statement, RCOG representatives also warned against keeping a newborn attached to dead tissue, which is likely to breed harmful bacteria. "If left for a period of time after the birth, there is a risk of infection in the placenta, which can consequently spread to the baby," Dr. Patrick O'Brien, spokesperson for the RCOG, said in the statement. RCOG officials affirmed their support of parents making informed choices about options for birth and after-birth practices, but strongly recommended that parents choosing "umbilical non-severance" monitor their babies closely afterward for evidence of infection. Original article on Live Science . Prominent Los Angeles celebrities are some of the thousands of patients that might be at risk after a massive security breach at a plastic surgery clinic. A spokesperson for the Beverly Hills plastic surgery center told CBS Los Angeles records of 15,000 of Dr. Zain Kadris patients were stolen. The spokesperson said some of the doctors clients include celebrities. The spokesperson told the station that a disgruntled former staffer allegedly committed the privacy breach after being fired for stealing. The staffer is accused of stealing financial information and stealing photos of the patients while they were unconscious and posted the pictures on social media. Staffers discovered the stolen photos on a company phone. The clinic said Los Angeles police were notified of the breach. Its unclear if the staffer was arrested. Click for more from CBS Los Angeles. Minnesota State Patrol troopers are being credited with saving the life of a new mom who experienced a massive hemorrhage while undergoing a cesarean section last month. Lisa Jaeger, of Cannon Falls, was in dire need of blood located 45 miles away from the Mayo Clinic Health System where she was giving birth, Hastings Star Gazette reported. I remember the doctor saying, Turn your head, wake up, look at your son, Jaeger, who labored for 36 hours before doctors decided to go ahead with a C-section delivery, told the news outlet. I thought I was, and I wasnt; I was not responding at all at that point. THE WEEK IN PICTURES Jaeger had lost about three litres of blood, and though unresponsive she heard the doctors call for a blood run. Jaeger and her husband, Brent, are both on the Minnesota State Patrol staff so they knew what that call meant, Hastings Star Gazette reported. In my head I went, I bet thats the troopers that are running the blood down here, she told the news outlet. Troopers Jesse Einhorn, Jacob Letourneau and Dau Yang formed a relay and had the blood delivered to Jaeger in just over an hour. Doctors said that if it hadnt been for their efforts, Jaeger likely wouldnt have survived, Hastings Star Gazette reported. 'LOTUS BIRTH': WHAT EXPERTS SAY ABOUT CUTTING THE CORD We were that close, she said. Im here because of a phenomenal team of doctors and nurses at the hospital, because of these three troopers and because of people that donate blood. Jaeger and her son, Ryan, are doing fine, the news outlet reported. If you think preschool is all about playing with dolls and blocks, think again. There's a growing trend toward more rigorous, scholarly preschoolsand a new study supports the idea, finding that children who attended a year at an "academic-oriented" preschool were performing better academically by the end of kindergarten. Specifically, the study out of UC Berkeley found that children whose preschool experiences were more focused on academics were performing as if they had, on average, at least two and a half more months of learning in literacy and math than their peers by the end of their kindergarten year, the New York Times reports. The biggest gains were seen in black children from low-income families, who saw the equivalent of a four-month gain over children who stayed home through age 4, Medical XPress reports. While many advocates for the importance of free play and socializationnot to mention parentsare concerned about the idea of preschools eschewing child-directed activities, the study found that children who attended preschools that were more focused on kindergarten readiness did not suffer socially or emotionally. And such preschools do still offer playtime: New York City's taxpayer-funded preschools, for example, must offer two hours a day of play. "If you can combine creative play with rich language, formal conversations, and math concepts, that's more likely to yield the cognitive gains we observed," lead author Bruce Fuller notes. The Times points out that the study did not follow children past kindergarten; other research has found that similar academic gains "fade out" over time, making it hard to close the achievement gap between poor and middle-class students. This article originally appeared on Newser: More Studying, Less Playing Is Good for Preschoolers North Korea is already one of the most dangerous places in the world, and its becoming more perilous by the day. On Tuesday, Pyongyang completed its ninth ballistic missile test this year. The North Korean state run media said its maniacal leader, Kim Jong-un, threatened to send a bigger gift package to the United States. The same day, the United States tested its ability to intercept long-range ballistic missiles potentially fired from North Korea. Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Adm. Jim Syring announced the test was successful today. Im glad we are honing our ability to stop intercontinental ballistic missiles over the Pacific, but I hope our military leaders recognize that traditional nuclear war is only half of the threat the Kim Jong-un regime poses. As I testified at the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources earlier this month, the North Koreans have another offensive option, which they may already be able to execute and would be devastating to the United States a weaponized electromagnetic pulse. An electromagnetic pulse, or EMP, occurs when a relatively small but carefully designed nuclear warhead is detonated in the atmosphere. The explosion causes what can best be described as a massive power surge, which can damage or disable electrical devices for hundreds of miles on the ground below. As I told the Senate Committee, such an attack would be catastrophic to the United States because we are an electricity-dependent nation and our grid is ill-prepared to handle it. I am not talking about simple, isolated, short-term blackouts like those which have occurred in New York, Los Angeles, or Detroit. These blackouts could encompass entire regions. Without proper preparation, the grid disruption (and destruction) caused by an EMP could take months to years to repair. Non-perishable foods would spoil from lack of refrigeration. Hospitals would run out of life-saving, temperature-controlled medications within days. Dialysis and other medical devices would stop working. Water systems that rely on electricity would stop pumping water and pipes would burst from the weight and pressure. The cascade of consequences of a protracted regional power outage would be devastating. Bill Forstchen, who has been my co-author on several novels, lays out the effects of an EMP on a small town in North Carolina after the electrical grid was disabled in his New York Times bestselling novel, One Second After. Although it is a work of fiction, it is extremely well-researched and terrifying. But it is not impossible for this fiction to become a reality. Tom Clancy, after all, wrote about an enemy of the United States weaponizing a commercial air plane seven years before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Peter Vincent Pry, who leads the Task Force on National and Homeland Security and served on the Congressional EMP Commission, warns that North Korea may be closer to EMP-capability than many experts think. On May 4, coincidentally the same day I spoke to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Pry wrote that many in the national security world and media have erroneously downplayed the threat from Pyongyang. A successful nuclear strike on U.S. soil would require a great deal of precision and advanced missile technology two things the North Koreans have apparently not yet attained but Pry points out a successfully launched EMP requires much less. An EMP attack entails detonating a nuclear weapon at high-altitude, above the atmosphere, so no reentry vehicle is necessary to penetrate the atmosphere and blast a city. The area of effect of an EMP is so enormous a warhead detonated at an altitude of 30 kilometers will generate an EMP field on the ground having a radius of 600 kilometers that an accurate guidance system is unnecessary, Pry wrote. It is good that our military leaders have all eyes trained on North Korea, but we must do more to mitigate the threat. As I told senators this month, Congress needs to work to cut red tape and enable innovation so that we can work to harden our power infrastructure against an EMP attack in communities across the United States. This means, in part, designing systems that favor resistance, resilience, and redundancy over simple efficiency. It also means moving to a more diversified grid, which can be more easily restored. This preparation will require active collaboration between federal, state, and local governments as well as the private sector to foster an environment for innovation and to remove the hurdles preventing the quick responses that will be necessary to defend our power grid. This will not be easy or cheap, but the threat is real and we dont want to be caught in the dark. Here is what Americans this week were told counted as news: Jared Kushners past meetings. Russians. James Comeys upcoming testimony. Russians. Hillary Clintons latest conspiracy theories. Russians. Bob Muellers as-yet-nonexistent investigation (into Russians). Kathy Griffin, Mr. Met and, of course, covfefe. Total words printed on these subjects? At least a duodecillion. Heres what actually happened this week, the news that holds real consequences for real Americans: Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signed an order to begin reopening Alaskas National Petroleum Reserve to oil and gas exploration, reversing the Obama administrations ideologically driven 2013 shutdown. The order even aims at opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to productiona move that is decades overdue. This could not only buck up the listless Alaskan economy but cement the U.S. as an oil and gas powerhouse. In related news, the Dakota Access Pipeline finally went live. To continue reading Kimberley Strassel's column in The Wall Street Journal, click here. Hillary Clinton warned Thursday that President Donald Trump has unleashed a level of hate and vitriol that is "incredibly dangerous." The former Democratic presidential nominee lashed out at the Republican president as she reflected on the 2016 campaign during an appearance at book industry conference in New York City. Clinton said Trump encouraged his supporters to express their anger verbally and physically during the campaign, a reference to multiple incidents of violence at Trump rallies. She likened the president's strategy to that of leaders in Bosnia and Rwanda who enflamed cultural tensions to win power. "That is incredibly dangerous," she said. "That is unleashing a level of vitriol, and defensiveness, hatred, that I don't think we should tolerate." Clinton cited the recent attack in Portland, Ore. in which two people were killed after confronting someone shouting anti-Muslim insults at two young women. Trump called the violence "unacceptable" two days after the attacks on Twitter. "The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance," he wrote. Clinton on Thursday did not mention her explosive comments from a day earlier in which she blamed her election loss on various factors. Among them, Clinton said she inherited "nothing" from the Democratic Party and that the press had overreacted to her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. Last month, she also attributed her loss to misogyny, Russian interference and questionable decisions by the FBI. President Donald Trump elevated Clinton's comments by tweeting late Wednesday, "Crooked Hillary Clinton now blames everybody but herself, refuses to say she was a terrible candidate." Clinton on Thursday said she worries Trump may already be doing "lasting damage" to the nation's institutions. "I'm fine as a person," she said of her loss, "but I'm worried as an American." Pittsburgh will continue to follow the Paris Agreement despite President Donald Trumps decision to pull the U.S. out of the deal, the citys mayor said on Thursday. I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris, Trump said while explaining his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 climate action deal. But Steel City Mayor Bill Peduto took to Twitter to dispute the presidents assertion. PARIS AGREEMENT: GORE BLASTS TRUMP MOVE WITHDRAWING US FROM DEAL Fact: Hillary Clinton received 80% of the vote in Pittsburgh, Peduto, a Democrat, tweeted following Trumps announcement. Pittsburgh stands with the world & will follow Paris Agreement. As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future, Peduto wrote in a second tweet. It wasnt just Peduto who ripped Trumps decision to withdraw. Sen. Bob Casey, D.-Pa., also took issue with the presidents Pittsburgh mention, tweeting that if Trump really wanted to help the people of Pittsburgh, he would protect their clean air & opportunity for jobs. Conversely, Casey argued, Pittsburgh residents support moves to halt climate change. Earlier this year I held a town hall in Pittsburgh & the residents in attendance called for action on climate change, Casey tweeted. Around 200 nations, including the U.S. under President Barack Obama's administration, agreed to voluntarily reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as part of the deal. Its been nearly 500 days since the presidential election, but even still, President Trump and Hillary Clinton havent stopped their bickering. Once friends Clinton was even a guest at Trumps third wedding in 2005 the two New Yorkers havent left their squabbling behind in what was a volatile campaign season. Heres a look at the jabs Clinton and Trump have taken at one another since Nov. 8, 2016. March 17: 494 days since the election In a lengthy Facebook post, Clinton sought to clarify remarks she made about voters, particularly women, who cast their ballot for Trump in 2016. In particular, she said men pressured white women to vote for Clinton. During an interview last week with an Indian news publication, I was asked about 2016, and whether Trump is the virus or a symptom of something deeper going on in American society. Like most Americans, people overseas remain shocked and dismayed at what they are witnessing daily, Clinton said. Clinton said she understood that many people were upset over her misinterpreted comments and stressed that there are women in the U.S. who question whether powerful women do have the ability to be leaders. I know this because even I spent parts of my life wondering if I could achieve the same as male leaders, and a lot of that insecurity stemmed from my gender and how society views women, she said. When I was serving in various roles in public life, I was always more popular when I was working for or defending a man then when I was out there on my own. Thats the point I was making, in an effort to explain to an audience some of the many dynamics that have gone into these tumultuous last few years. In her post, Clinton continued with a jab at Trump and his iconic slogan. As I said throughout the campaign, Trumps message was dark and backwards looking, she wrote. I dont need to list the reasons, but the foundation of his message, Make America Great AGAIN suggests that to be great we have to go back to something we are no longer. I never accepted that and never will. March 10: 487 days since the election While on a trip to India, Clinton sat down for an interview during the India Today Conclave 2018 conference in Mumbai and castigated the president. She accused Trump of having quite an affinity for dictators and said he really likes their authoritarian posturing and behavior. And as for her election loss more than a year ago, Clinton said the Democratic Party does not do well with white men or married, white women. And part of that is an identification with the Republican Party, and a sort of ongoing pressure to vote the way that your husband, your boss, your son, whoever, believes you should, she told India Today editor-in-chief Aroon Purie. She added that Trump ran a backwards campaign that appealed to misogynists and racists. His campaign slogan Make America Great Again was looking backwards," she added. She claimed Trumps message to voters was: You know, you didn't like black people getting rights, you don't like women, you know, getting jobs. You don't want, you know, to see that Indian American succeeding more than you are. "I won the places that represent two-thirds of America's gross domestic product, Clinton continued. So I won the places that are optimistic, diverse, dynamic, moving forward. March 5: 482 days since the election In a tweet, Trump accused the Obama administration of launching an investigation into his campaign in order to help Clinton or Crooked H, as he called her win the election. Why did the Obama Administration start an investigation into the Trump Campaign (with zero proof of wrongdoing) long before the Election in November? Trump said. Wanted to discredit so Crooked H would win. Unprecedented. Bigger than Watergate! Plus, Obama did NOTHING about Russian meddling, he continued. Feb. 28: 477 days since the election Linking to a Washington Post report detailing a testimony from Adm. Michael S. Rogers, the head of U.S. Cyber Command who also directs the National Security Agency, Clinton warned in a tweet the Russians are still coming. Rogers recently told the Senate Armed Services Committee that were probably not doing enough to deter Russians from interfering in future elections, including the 2018 midterms. Our intelligence professionals are imploring Trump to act. Will he continue to ignore & surrender, or protect our country? Clinton asked. Feb. 23: 472 days since the election During his speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., Trump called out the crooked media and the crooked candidate, referring to Clinton. His remark led the crowd to begin chants of lock her up, a common refrain at Trump campaign rallies. Jan. 12: 430 days since the election After reports surfaced that Trump lamented immigration from s---hole countries, Clinton took aim at the president in a tweet. She lambasted his ignorant, racist views of anyone who doesnt look like him. The anniversary of the devastating earthquake 8 years ago is a day to remember the tragedy, honor the resilient people of Haiti, & affirm Americas commitment to helping our neighbors. Instead, were subjected to Trumps ignorant, racist views of anyone who doesnt look like him. A day prior, Clinton retweeted conservative commentator Bill Kristol. Two weeks ago a 26-year old soldier raced repeatedly into a burning Bronx apartment building, saving four people before he died in the flames. His name was Pvt. Emmanuel Mensah and he immigrated from Ghana, a country Donald Trump apparently thinks produces very subpar immigrants, Kristol tweeted. Jan. 11: 429 days since the election In an early morning tweet, Trump called Clintons missing emails into question. Did Dems or Clinton also pay Russians? Where are hidden and smashed DNC servers? Where are Crooked Hillary Emails? What a mess! Jan. 7: 425 days since the election On Twitter, Trump quoted parts of a column by the New York Posts Michael Goodwin, which had praise for the current administration and criticism for Clinton. Goodwin said in his column, as Trump quoted, that the mere thought of Clinton in the White House, doubling down on Barack Obamas failed policies, washes away any doubts that America made the right choice. Jan. 6: 424 days since the election Trump slammed Clinton and others who questioned his intelligence in a series of weekend tweets. He said his former opponent went down in flames. 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, Trump said. 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 to President of the United States (on my first try), Trump continued. I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius and a very stable genius at that! Jan. 5: 423 days since the election A scathing, tell-all book about the Trump White House hit the shelves, and the president used his former opponent to criticize the media coverage of it. 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! Dec. 31: 418 days since the election On New Years Eve, Trump said a Clinton presidency would have lowered the value of stocks by 50 percent. If the Dems (Crooked Hillary) got elected, your stocks would be down 50% from values on Election Day, Trump said in a morning tweet. Now they have a great future and just beginning! Dec. 11: 398 days since the election In Seattle, Wash., to discuss her book What Happened, Clinton blamed her presidential loss, in part, on Russian hackers influencing social media and massive voter suppression, the Seattle Times reported. She also said Trump doesnt just like Putin, he wants to be like Putin. Dec. 2: 389 days since the election After Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security adviser, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in regards to its investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election, Trump compared Flynns situation to that of Clintons. "So General Flynn lies to the FBI and his life is destroyed, while Crooked Hillary Clinton, on that now famous FBI holiday 'interrogation' with no swearing in and no recording, lies many times and nothing happens to her? Rigged system, or just a double standard?" Trump tweeted. Clinton, too, took digs at Trump while she was at a Teen Vogue summit in California. Speaking to Black-ish star Yara Shahidi, Clinton addressed the presidential debate when Trump stood closely behind her as she moved around the stage, according to the Hollywood Reporter. She also discussed some of the things Trump said about her, particularly him calling her a nasty woman. All of that stuff he did didnt end up hurting him that much because men are given a much broader range of emotions to demonstrate their authentic feelings, Clinton said. Nov. 18: 375 days since the election Trump encouraged Clinton to get on with [her] life while he also seemingly encouraged her to run for president again. Crooked Hillary Clinton is the worst (and biggest) loser of all time. She just cant stop, which is so good for the Republican Party, the president tweeted. Hillary, get on with your life and give it another try in three years! Nov. 17: 374 days since the election In a video for the progressive Mother Jones website, Clinton questioned the legitimacy of Trumps presidency. I think there are lots of questions about its legitimacy, the former secretary of state said. She also suggested that she believes Trumps campaign colluded with Russian officials to win the election. Nov. 3: 360 days since the election Trump again castigated the DNC and Clinton over allegations that the party colluded with Clinton to hand her the nomination. Everybody is asking why the Justice Department (and FBI) isnt looking into all of the dishonesty going on with Crooked Hillary & the Dems, Trump said on Twitter. New Donna B book says she paid for and stole the Dem Primary. What about the deleted E-mails, Uranium, Podesta, the Server, plus, plus People are angry. At some point the Justice Department, and the FBI, must do what is right and proper. The American public deserves it! The real story of Collusion is in Donna Bs new book. Crooked Hillary bought the DNC & then stole the Democratic Primary from Crazy Bernie! Trump also noted that Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. who he referred to as Pocahontas answered in the affirmative when asked by CNN if she believed the DNC was rigged in favor of Clinton. Nov. 2: 359 days since the election Former interim DNC chairwoman Donna Brazile claimed that the party rigged the primary in favor of Clinton over Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. In response, Trump alleged that Clinton broke campaign finance laws and is guilty of money laundering. Donna Brazile just stated the DNC RIGGED the system to illegally steal the Primary from Bernie Sanders. Bought and paid for by Crooked H, Trump said. This is real collusion and dishonesty. Major violation of Campaign Finance Laws and Money Laundering where is our Justice Department? Later, in an interview with Fox News The Ingraham Angle, Trump continued to criticize the DNCs apparent involvement with Clinton. Oct. 19: 345 days since the election Trump used news about a controversial Obama-era 2010 uranium deal to blast the media using Clinton to do so. Uranium deal to Russia, with Clinton help and Obama Administration knowledge, is the biggest story that Fake Media doesn't want to follow! Trump tweeted. Oct. 18: 344 days since the election In response to the revelation that Comey drafted a statement about the Clinton email investigation months before the probe was completed or he even interviewed her, Trump blasted both his former FBI director and former opponent online. As it turned out, James Comey lied and leaked and totally protected Hillary Clinton. He was the best thing that ever happened to her, Trump said. He also implied that the letter Comey wrote exonerating Crooked Hillary Clinton was obviously a fix. Oct. 16: 342 days since the election Trump said he would like to see Clinton challenge him in 2020. "I was recently asked if Crooked Hillary Clinton is going to run in 2020," Trump tweeted. "My answer was: 'I hope so!'" Trump later reiterated his desire for Clinton to run during a press briefing in the Rose Garden. He also criticized her for sticking up for professional athletes who have chosen to kneel during the national anthem in a sign of protest. Oct. 13: 339 days since the election While discussing the multiple sexual assault and harassment allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, Clinton said there is someone admitting to being a sexual assaulter in the Oval Office. The really sad part of the campaign was how this horrific tape, what he said about women in the past, what he said about women during the campaign, was discounted by a lot of voters, Clinton told the BBC. Clinton was most likely referring to the infamous Access Hollywood tape from 2005 that caught Trump bragging that he could do anything to a woman because of his status. He also said he could grab them by the p----. Trump later apologized for his comments and chalked them up to locker room talk. Sept. 21: 317 days since the election When Trump met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, the Asian leader used a word that Trump liked to hear deplorable. Using a translator, Moon said North Koreas actions were deplorable. I am very happy that you used the word 'deplorable,' Trump said. I was very interested in that word. In Clintons new memoir about the presidential election, she blamed her use of the word deplorables to describe Trumps supporters, in part, for her loss. Sept. 13: 309 days since the election As Clinton began her book tour across the country, promoting her memoir of the 2016 election, Trump dusted off his favorite campaign nickname for her. Crooked Hillary Clinton blames everybody (and every thing [sic]) but herself for her election loss. She lost the debates and lost her direction! Trump said. The deplorables came back to haunt Hillary. They expressed their feelings loud and clear, he continued in another tweet. She spent big money but, in the end, had no game! While Clinton apologized for calling Trump supporters deplorable at the time, she defended her use of the word in an interview with CBS News. I thought Trump was behaving in a deplorable manner. I thought a lot of his appeals to voters were deplorable. I thought his behavior, as we saw on the Access Hollywood tape was deplorable. And there were a large number of people who didnt care. It did not matter to them, Clinton said. As the Daily Caller noted, the deplorable comment came almost a full month before the Access Hollywood tape was released. July 24: 258 days since the election Trump addressed approximately 40,000 people in West Virginia for the annual Boy Scout Jamboree and couldnt resist taking a few jabs at Clinton. He told the crowd that the reason he won Michigan was because he worked hard there unlike Clinton. You know, my opponent didnt work hard there because she was told she was going to win Michigan, Trump said. Trump also repeated his questions about the investigation into possible collusion between the Russian government and his campaign during the presidential election continues. So why arent the Committees and investigators, and of course our beleaguered [Attorney General Jeff Sessions], looking into Crooked Hillarys [sic] crimes & Russia relations? Trump tweeted. July 22: 256 days since the election Trump asked on Twitter why a special counsel or the attorney general isnt investigating more alleged crimes committed by Comey and Clinton. In his tweet, Trump referenced the emails deleted from Clintons private server she used during her tenure as secretary of state. In an additional tweet, Trump again compared his sons publishing of emails pertaining to a meeting with a Russian lawyer to Clintons own handling of her email server. July 16: 250 days since the election As Trumps son is criticized for meeting with a Russian lawyer who was supposed to have damaging information about Clinton during the presidential campaign, Trump defended his son on social media while still criticizing his former opponent. Hillary Clinton can illegally get the questions to the Debate & delete 33,000 emails but my son Don is being scorned by the Fake News Media? Former CNN commentator and interim Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile admitted in March 2017 to sharing debate questions with the Clinton campaign ahead of the primary town hall event. July 12: 247 days since the election On Twitter, Trump railed on the alleged double standards for Democrats. Why arent the same standards placed on the Democrats, Trump tweeted. Look what Hillary Clinton may have gotten away with. Disgraceful! July 10: 244 days since the election As Trump came under fire for allowing his daughter, Ivanka, to sit in his place during a meeting at the G-20 summit, the president attempted to turn the tables on Clintons own daughter. In a tweet, Trump alleged that if Clinton would have let daughter Chelsea Clinton sit in for her, the media would have heralded the decision. If Chelsea Clinton were asked to hold the seat for her mother, as her mother gave our country away, the Fake News would say CHELSEA FOR PRES! Chelsea Clinton got in on the feud and responded on social media. Good morning Mr. President. It would never have occurred to my mother or my father to ask me. Were you giving our country away? Hoping not, she said. May 31: 204 days since the election After Clinton placed the blame of her presidential loss on a variety of reasons misogyny, Facebook and the Democratic National Committee, to name a few Trump took to Twitter. Crooked Hillary Clinton now blames everybody but herself, refuses to say she was a terrible candidate. Hits Facebook & even Dems & the DNC, Trump tweeted. Clinton fired back less than an hour later, mocking Trump for an erroneous but viral tweet he sent earlier in the day. People in covfefe houses shouldnt throw covfefe, she said. May 26: 199 days since the election Clinton didnt miss an opportunity to criticize the president while she delivered the commencement address at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. 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, Clinton said. That is not hyperbole; it is what authoritarian regimes throughout history have done They attempt to control reality. May 24: 197 days since the election Clinton harshly condemned Trumps proposed budget plan after she was honored by the Childrens Health Fund, a nonprofit in New York City. Clinton said Republican lawmakers are mounting an onslaught against the needs of children and people with disabilities, women and seniors. The budget shows an unimaginable level of cruelty and lack of imagination and disdain for the struggles of millions of Americans, including millions of children, she said. None of us can remain silent in the face of these attacks. "It hurts the well-being of children," Clinton continued. "It's time to send a resounding message that we will not stand for this attack on the most vulnerable among us." May 3: 176 days since the election Focusing on national security threats from North Korea, Clinton criticized Trump for his penchant for tweeting. "If [Trump] wants to tweet about me I'm happy to be the diversion because we've got lots of other things to worry about. And he should worry less about the election, and my winning the popular vote, than doing some other things that would be important to the country," Clinton said at an event in New York City. May 2: 175 days since the election Clinton took a jab at Trump during a television interview as he continuously focused on his loss of the popular vote in the election. He should worry less about the election and me winning the popular vote and more about other things, the former secretary of state said. Remember, I did win more than 3 million votes than my opponent, Clinton added. She also said that shes now a private citizen and part of the resistance. April 23: 166 days since the election Trump seemed to continue to compete with Clinton for the popular vote. New polls out today are very good considering that much of the media is FAKE and almost always negative, Trump tweeted. Would still beat Hillary in popular vote. Trump then cited an ABC News/Washington Post poll that he said showed almost all stand by their vote for Trump. March 29, 2017: 141 days since the election In one of her first public speeches since she lost the election, Clinton excoriated the Trump administration without actually using Trumps name. Of Trumps policies, Clinton encouraged the women gathered to resist, insist, persist, enlist. These are bad policies that will hurt people and take our country in the wrong direction, she said. Dec. 23: 45 days since the election Trump quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin to express his opinion on his former opponent. Vladimir Putin said today about Hillary and Dems: In my opinion, it is humiliating. One must be able to lose with dignity. So true! Trump tweeted. Dec. 21: 43 days since the election Trump criticized Clintons campaign style in a tweet, arguing that she focused on the wrong states. Campaigning to win the Electoral College is much more difficult [and] sophisticated than the popular vote, Trump said. Hillary focused on the wrong states! Nov. 27, 2016: 19 days since the election Trump claimed that Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 3 million people because millions of people voted illegally. In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally, Trump, then the president-elect, tweeted. Fox News Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A contingent of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, led my Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M. will travel to Tijuana, Mexico Saturday to speak with a group of deported veterans in hopes of streamlining the pathway to citizenship for non-citizens who have served in the U.S. military. There are an estimated 230 non-U.S. citizen veterans who have been deported, according to a 2016 report by The American Civil Liberties Union. We need to do more than just promise veterans a fast track to citizenship after their military service, said Lujan Grisham. We need to do everything possible to help them apply, while also supporting them and their families to the highest degree possible. Representatives Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, Lou Correa , D-Calif., Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, D-Texas, Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., Juan Vargas, D-Calif., and Nanette Diaz Barragan, D-Calif., will accompany Lujan to meet with 20-30 deported veterans and family members at the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana. Many lawful permanent resident service members are told by recruiters that they can quickly gain citizenship for themselves and their family after serving honorably, said Lujan Grisham. However, they are not advised that citizenship is not granted automatically and that they must actively seek citizenship through the standard, although expedited, application process. What the representatives hope to learn are the actual reasons why the veterans were deported and how they can be assisted. A spokeswoman for Grijalva said it can range from the complicated immigration system and process to minor or even significant offenses. A pathway towards citizenship does exist and like other immigration issues, requires administrative compliance and patience on the part of the applicant. The process of becoming a citizen is voluntary and controlled by USCIS, said Lt. Col. Myles Caggins, spokesman, Department of Defense. Not all vets choose to become citizens. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offers a generous pathway for veteran immigrants to receive legal citizenship, especially if the veteran served in combat. But as Caggins said, not all choose to take advantage of the opportunity. This could then put their legal status in jeopardy. According to the USCIS website, a person who has served honorably in the U.S. armed forces at any time may be eligible to apply for naturalization under section 328 of the INA. The military community sometimes refers to this as peacetime naturalization. And for those who serve in an area of hostilities, for any period of time, even one day, during specifically designated periods of hostilities are eligible for naturalization under section 329 of the INA through such military service. The process is surprisingly simple but does require an application process. Every military installation has a designated point-of-contact, generally in the personnel division or the Judge Advocate Generals office, who can assist in the application process. Once the application has been received, the National Benefits Center will review the application and send it to the USCIS office closest to the veterans location. The USCIS office will set a date to interview the veteran to determine eligibility for naturalization. If the application for naturalization is approved, USCIS will provide a date to take the oath of allegiance. According to an ICE official, nearly all U.S. military vets who get removed failed to follow through on the citizenship process available to them. If they are granted citizenship, then we dont remove them unless they are denaturalized, which is significant and usually the result of a serious criminal conviction or major fraud somewhere along the process, said the official. Veterans have all the same available legal process (immigration proceeding and appeals) that anyone else here illegally has available as well. The official added that any action taken by ICE that may result in the removal of an individual with military service must be authorized by the senior leadership in a field office, following an evaluation by local counsel. ICE exercises prosecutorial discretion for members of the armed forces who have honorably served our country on a case-by-case basis when appropriate, said the ICE official. ICE specifically identifies service in the U.S. military as a positive factor that should be considered along with other factors in the totality of the circumstances when deciding whether or not prosecutorial discretion should be exercised. Still, applicable law requires ICE to mandatorily detain and process for removal individuals who have been convicted of aggravated felonies as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act. As of March 2017, there were 11,349 non-U.S. citizens serving on active duty in the military. More than 100,000 service members have obtained citizenship through these programs. In the first quarter of FY 2017, UCIS received 1,566 military naturalization requests and approved 1,485. The greatest numbers of lawful permanent resident service members come from the Philippines, Mexico, Jamaica, South Korea, and the Dominican Republic. Overall, there are about 608,000 foreign-born veterans of the U.S. armed forces from nations around the world. Vice President Pence said he was very confident the Supreme Court would uphold the Trump administrations authority to issue its controversial travel ban during a wide-ranging discussion Friday on Fox & Friends. Pence expressed optimism that when the Supreme Court rules on the executive order temporarily halting travel from several majority-Muslim countries, a majority of judges would recognize the presidents right in restricting immigration for security-based reasons. A ruling on the matter could come as early as Friday. The ability to come in to the United States of America is a privilege, not a right, Pence said. He cited the recent terror attacks in Kabul outside an ice cream parlor and in Manchester near a concert hall as part of the reason the travel ban and extreme vetting were so essential to U.S. interests. In both cases what we see if a grim reminder of the ruthlessness of those who threaten our country and threaten our allies, Pence said. Pence also applauded Trumps Thursday decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement, a long-anticipated exit that was cheered on the right and jeered on the left both at home and abroad. What the world witnessed yesterday was an American president putting America first, said Pence, who called the climate accord an extraordinary burden on the American economy that nevertheless allowed competing powers to go largely unchecked. Pence, countering those who said America was giving up a position of authority in international issues by pulling out of the agreement, said the U.S. intended to lead in the world, not follow in the world. But he also framed the climate deal announcement as another example of Trump not straying from the promises he made while campaigning for the White House. Were putting the American worker and the American economy first, Pence said. Pence called it humbling to be part of the Trump team, ticking off what he saw as the administrations numerous early successes: stepping up the war on ISIS, establishing border integrity, tending to a surging economy and appointing a conservative justice to the Supreme Court. Whats startling to some of the elites in this country and around the world about President Donald Trump, Pence said, is hes doing exactly what he said he would do. Pittsburgh's Democratic Mayor Bill Peduto signed an executive order on Friday promising the city will continue to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement, joining at least 91 other cities defying President Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the global climate commitment. Under the executive order, Pittsburgh will continue working toward clean energy climate objectives, including 100 percent renewable energy consumption for municipal operations by 2030. The Pittsburgh mayor on Thursday blasted the President's decision to abandon the Paris accord, stating "it will set us back decades." The steel city became the focal point of the opposition to Trump's climate decision after the president said he backed out of the Paris deal because it was unfair to the U.S. "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris," was his signature line from the speech. Peduto told the local Pittsburgh press he was "personally offended" by the Trump's speech. In part, he said, for evoking a dated image of Pittsburgh as an old city stuck in the 19th century, relying on steel and coal. "During the 80s and 90s, we said our future economy may not be based on big manufacturing and we were able to turn the corner and build a new economy," Peduto said. "Pittsburgh is the poster child of showing why the Paris agreement is good economics for the United States." After the collapse of the steel industry in the 80s Pittsburgh was forced to reinvent itself. Today, the city has turned into a tech hub -- Google, Amazon, Apple, and Uber have offices there. The city is now home to about 10,000 startup tech firms, according to the Pittsburgh Technology Council. The shift in the economy is 30 years in the making. The largest private employer is no longer steel in Pittsburgh, it is is now the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, with 65,000 employees. In fact, over the last 20 years, manufacturing jobs in the city have fallen 33 percent (82,900) while education and healthcare service jobs have risen 34 percent (248,600), according to the Bureau of labor statistics. Pittsburgh's mayor has also said that President Trump does not represent the vast majority of voters in Pittsburgh. Citing the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Peduto is quick to point out that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won 77 percent of the vote in Pittsburgh. "Maybe he should have a speech writer that understands the difference between cities and regions and not just try to use cute iteration in order to make a point," the mayor said Thursday. On a map, Pittsburgh is a blue liberal haven in an ocean of red conservative counties. Republicans and those in the fossil fuel industries point out while Allegheny County voted for Clinton, the state of Pennsylvania voted for Trump, including every other county in Western Pennsylvania. In the 3rd district, just north of the city of Pittsburgh, Republican Rep. Mike Kelly supports Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. "It would result in unfair domestic harm for American workers, taxpayers, consumers, manufacturers, and energy producers," Kelly said in a statement. "We would shoulder most of the cost and gain no measurable reward." Communities in counties around Pittsburgh rely more on the fossil fuel energy industry than the city itself. The Pennsylvania Coal Alliance applauded the president for backing out of a deal "which put Americas competitiveness at risk and threatened energy independence and economic security." Just 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, the president said he might attend the opening ceremony of a brand new coal mine in Acosta by Corsa Coal Corporation, which would add 70 new jobs. The coal industry has lost 2,400 jobs in Pennsylvania since 2007, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis. Only 4,800 jobs are left. "We want a level playing field for all forms of energy, whether that's any sort of fossil fuels, coal, oil, natural gas or renewable or hydro," Corsa Coal Corporation CEO George Dethlefsen told Fox News. "And if we can get that, we think that coal can compete effectively." Meantime, the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania says it is optimistic that Trump will figure out a deal that will be good for the environment and for natural gas. The industry has exploded in Pennsylvania since the discovery of the Marcellus Shale, and the advent of hydrofracking, quadrupling natural gas jobs since 2007 to over 20,000 in the state. Natural gas companies hope Trump will invest in infrastructure to make it easier to ship excess supplies of natural gas worldwide. "I think if you take a look at what the president said in his speech, he commented about the fact that there may be a better deal for America," said David J. Spigelmyer, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. "We are going to turn the page and use American energy as our American advantage and our international advantage I think we have that opportunity today." The special counsel investigating possible ties between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia's government has taken over a separate criminal probe involving former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and may expand his inquiry to investigate the roles of the attorney general and deputy attorney general in the firing of FBI Director James Comey, The Associated Press has learned. The Justice Department's criminal investigation into Manafort, who was forced to resign as Trump campaign chairman in August amid questions over his business dealings years ago in Ukraine, predated the 2016 election and the counterintelligence probe that in July began investigating possible collusion between Moscow and associates of Trump. VLADIMIR PUTIN FIGHTS ELECTION-TAMPERING ACCUSATIONS WITH HIS OWN SHOTS AT US The move to consolidate the matters, involving allegations of kleptocracy of Ukrainian government funds, indicates that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is assuming a broad mandate in his new role running the sensational investigation. The expansiveness of Mueller's investigation was described to the AP. No one familiar with the matter has been willing to discuss the scope of his investigation on the record because it is just getting underway and because revealing details could complicate its progress. In an interview separately Friday with the AP, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein acknowledged that Mueller could expand his inquiry to include Attorney General Jeff Sessions' and Rosenstein's own roles in the decision to fire Comey, who was investigating the Trump campaign. Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller as special counsel to take over the investigation, wrote the memorandum intended to justify Trump's decision to fire Comey. Sessions met with Trump and Rosenstein to discuss Trump's decision to fire him despite Sessions' pledge not to become involved in the Russia case. Rosenstein told the AP that if he were to become a subject of Mueller's investigation, he would recuse himself from any oversight of Mueller. Under Justice Department rules, Mueller is required to seek permission from Rosenstein to investigate additional matters other than ones already specified in the paperwork formally appointing Mueller. SPICER DOESN'T RULE OUT WH TRYING TO BLOCK COMEY FROM TESTIFYING "I've talked with Director Mueller about this," Rosenstein said. "He's going to make the appropriate decisions, and if anything that I did winds up being relevant to his investigation then, as Director Mueller and I discussed, if there's a need from me to recuse I will." Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment on the scope of the investigation. Mueller, who spent 12 years as FBI director and served under Republican and Democratic presidents, was appointed as special counsel following the May 9 firing of Comey, who is expected to testify for the first time next week before the Senate. Mueller's assignment, detailed in a one-page order signed by Rosenstein, covers the federal investigation into possible links or coordination between Russia and associates of the Trump campaign but also "any matters that arose or may arise directly" from the probe. It would also extend to any allegations of perjury, witness intimidation or obstruction of justice uncovered during the course of the investigation. As Mueller's investigation begins, members of Congress are intensely interested in its direction and scope. The Justice Department began looking at Manafort's work in Ukraine around the beginning of 2014, as Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovych, was toppled amid protests of alleged corruption and Russian influence. Business records obtained by the AP show Manafort's political consulting firm began working as early as 2004 for clients that variously included a political boss in Yanukovych's party, a Ukrainian oligarch and Oleg Deripaska, a Russian businessman and longtime ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin. PRUITT, SPICER DODGE QUESTIONS ON TRUMP'S PERSONAL VIEWS ON CLIMATE CHANGE A special counsel, by design, is constrained by the terms of his appointment to avoid boundless and perpetually open-ended investigations. In this case, though, Mueller's mandate appears fairly broad, said Samuel Buell, a former federal prosecutor and criminal law professor at Duke University. "That investigation that's named in the appointment is already one that has, as far as we can tell, a number of tentacles and offshoots that involves conduct over a fairly lengthy period of time involving a lot of people," Buell said. He said he did not expect Mueller to seek Rosenstein's approval each time he wants to subpoena another new witness or pursue a new Russia-related investigative thread. The more difficult question would involve any allegations separate and apart from Russia, he said. "This gives him the authority to pull on all kinds of string and see where they lead him," Buell said. "As long as you're following a string that's connected to the string of Russian influence on the election however that may have occurred, whoever that may have involved would seem to fall within that appointment." Manafort's work in Ukraine continued at least through the beginning of 2014, when Yanukovych's government was ousted amid protests of widespread corruption and his rejection of a European trade deal in favor of one with Moscow. As the AP reported last year, that work included covertly directing a lobbying campaign on behalf of Ukraine's pro-Russian Party of Regions in Washington. Following the AP's reporting on emails in which Manafort deputy Rick Gates was overseeing the work, two lobbying firms involved in the project registered as foreign agents. Manafort has not done so, and a spokesman for him has declined to say if he will. They have received many acknowledgements from the community regarding the work they produce. In 2014, they were selected as community partners in Elkos Festival of Trees event. In 2015, they were awarded a Jackpot Grant from the Nevada Arts Council to help fund one of their productions, and they were also awarded the Mayors Art Award for Best Arts Organization. In 2016, they were asked to produce a fundraiser show for The American Cancer Society, which they then toured to the Eureka Opera House per their request. They also work closely with The City of Elko, The Charter School, and The Boy Scouts to provide acting workshops for kids in the community so they can obtain theater badges and meet school requirements. Ghost Light Productions also sponsors and volunteers for local organizations and events like the Elko Motorcycle Jamboree, The Elko Adult Softball League, and Elko Adult Volleyball. So come join the Chamber and Ghost Light Productions for Business Before Hours to network, learn about local events, and more about the hosting business. There will be food, beverages, and raffles. Please contact the Chamber at 738-7135 with questions. The Supreme Court could rule within days on whether to lift a temporary stay on President Trump's revised executive order banning travel from six mostly Muslim countries. The issue has become a major test of presidential power, especially in the area of immigration. At issue is whether the ban violates the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and 14th Amendments, and the ban on nationality discrimination in the issuance of immigrant visas contained in a 65-year-old congressional law. The Justice Department filed the ruling request with the justices late Thursday, also asking that the federal policy be enforced while the larger issues are litigated. A federal appeals court in Virginia last month ruled against Executive Order 13769, "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States." A majority of the 4th Circuit appeals court cited then-candidate Trump's campaign statements proposing a ban "preventing Muslim immigration." The Trump administration said that ruling was flawed on several legal fronts, and asserted the president's broad authority over immigration matters. But groups opposing the ban were confident the Supreme Court would eventually side with them and lower courts to strike down the executive order. There was no timetable on how quickly the Supreme Court would issue a final ruling in the case. Two federal appeals courts had been considering the issue. A ruling from the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit is still pending, but the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to get involved in the issue now. The justices have the discretion to wait indefinitely to decide the broader merits of the case, but will issue an order in the meantime on whether the ban can be temporarily enforced. The federal government asked the high court to allow the order to go into effect now, and proposed oral arguments be held in October. The White House frames the issue as a temporary move involving national security. A coalition of groups in opposition call the order blatant religious discrimination, since the six countries involved have mostly-Muslim populations: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. This is the White House's second effort to impose a travel ban. An order issued a week after President Trump took office was also quickly blocked from taking effect. Nationwide protests were held in many cities and airports. Rather than continue defending that executive action in the courts, the administration issued its revised order March 6, which included removing Iraq from the original list of banned countries. It also lifted the indefinite ban on Syrian refugees, many fleeing a years-long civil war there. Officials say the new executive order only applied to foreign nationals outside the U.S. without a valid visa. The appeals court took the president to task for what he said about a travel ban-- both before and after he took office. Chief Judge Roger Gregory called it an "executive order that in text speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination. A major sticking point for the justices will be navigating how much discretion the president really has over immigration. Courts have historically been deferential in this area, and recent presidents including Carter, Reagan and Obama have used it to deny entry to certain refugees and diplomats, including from nations such as Iran, Cuba, and North Korea. A 1952 federal law-- the Immigration and Nationality Act, passed in the midst of a Cold War fear over Communist influence-- gives the chief executive broad authority. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday attempted to put out the fires set when the U.S. withdrew from the Paris Agreement, saying it was a policy decision that would not change ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I dont think we are going to change our ongoing efforts to reduce those emissions in the future either, so, hopefully people can keep that in perspective, said Tillerson, who was making his public remarks since President Trumps Thursday statement officially pulling the U.S. out of the global agreement. He also touted U.S. efforts to combat climate change and said many of those gains were made outside of the Paris agreement. I think its important that everyone recognizes the United States has a terrific record on reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions,. Its something I think we can be proud of and that was done in absence of a Paris agreement, the former CEO of Exxon Mobil said after meeting with Brazils foreign minister at the State Department. In an administration divided over to remain in the accords, Tillerson was one of several officials pushing to stay in for the purpose of maintaining U.S. diplomatic power. During his Senate confirmation hearings, he said it was important that the U.S. maintains its seat at the table about how to address the threat of climate change, which does require a global response. In New York, it was Tillerson's role at Exxon Mobil that was the focus of charges by New York's top proesecutor that the company misled investors by using "secret, internal figures" in its cost analysis of environmental regulations that were lower than numbers publicly disclosed to investors. In a Friday court filing, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office claimed internal Exxon documents show "former Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson was specifically informed of, and approved of, this inconsistency." The company blasted Schneiderman for "inaccurate and irresponsible allegations." The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court late Thursday to let the revised travel ban take effect. The administration filed two emergency applications with the nine Court justices seeking to block two lower court rulings that blocked President Trumps executive order. In the filing, the Justice Department argued that the appeals court in Richmond, Va. made several mistakes in ruling against Trumps travel order. Sarah Isgur Flores, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said the ban is lawful. The Justice Department is "confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Flores said. The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States." The order barred entry for people from six Muslim majority nations, including Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days while the U.S. implements stricter visa screenings. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called the national security concerns an after-the-fact justification for a policy that was "intended to bar Muslims from this country." Rights groups that have been fighting the policy in the courts said the justices should not allow the travel and refugee bans to take effect. "Again and again, our nation's courts have found that President Trump's Muslim ban is unconstitutional. We will continue to defend our plaintiffs' right to live free from fear of discriminatory treatment by the federal government," said Karen Tumlin, legal director of the National Immigration Law Center. Trump signed his first executive order on travel a week after he took office in January. It applied to travelers from the six countries as well as Iraq and took effect immediately, causing chaos and panic at airports as the Homeland Security Department scrambled to figure out who the order covered and how it was to be implemented. A federal judge blocked it eight days later, an order that was upheld by a 9th Circuit panel. Rather than pursue an appeal, the administration said it would revise the policy. In March, Trump issued a narrower order, but federal courts that have examined it so far have blocked it as well. Fox News Serafin Gomez and the Associated Press contributed to this report. If an airline passenger messes with an employee from the Transportation Security Administration, she should be prepared to face serious consequences. Likewise, if a TSA worker messes with the contents of an elderly womans purse, he should be prepared for a smack in the arm. Unfortunately, both scenarios played out at the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kan., on Wednesday morning, when an 82-year-old woman punched a TSA worker in his arm for removing a bottle of liquid from her bag, and was promptly arrested. MORE TSA OFFICERS HEADED TO AIRPORTS THIS YEAR The woman, who was planning to fly home to Texas with her husband after a reunion was stopped at a TSA checkpoint when an agent noticed she was carrying a container of hand lotion that exceeded the 3.4-ounce limit, reports The Wichita Eagle. After being told she couldnt bring the bottle in her carry-on, she became aggressive and verbally abusive toward him, according to the TSA and local law enforcement. When the agent told her he needed to dispose of the bottle, the five-foot-two, 120-pound woman walked around an X-ray screening belt and struck the mans arm with a closed fist. Airport police who witnessed the incident which took place at approximately 5:12 a.m. removed the woman from the security line, a TSA spokeswoman told The Wichita Eagle. She was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail three hours later on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Marc Bennett, the Sedgwick County District Attorney, said he authorized the womans release as soon as his office learned of her arrest. Bennett then sent someone to retrieve her, and gave her food and coffee when she arrived at the courthouse. She was very shaken, embarrassed, and I think the simplest description would be overwhelmed...by the time we got to her, Bennett said. The 82-year-old spent about two and a half hours in jail. The woman and her husband were later driven back to Eisenhower by the airline, who arranged to send them home on the next flight. THE WEEK IN PICTURES Jennifer Magana, the city attorney, confirmed to the Associated Press that the elderly woman was issued a citation for misdemeanor battery, but she may not face charges for her behavior if the city or TSA agent decide not to press charges. The city is the only prosecutorial authority with a possible case at this point, Bennett told The Wichita Eagle. Everyone seems to be getting into airline altercations these dayseven celebrities. On Thursday, actor Sean Penn was flying from Los Angeles to New York City with his daughter on a Delta Air Lines flight TMZ reports. The trouble allegedly began when Penn, who was seated in economy, placed carry-on luggage in an overhead compartment after boarding the plane. According to TMZ, two men approached the actor in a very aggressive and rude manner, because they wanted him to the move his bags in the bin. Penn reportedly remained calm while the other passengers continued to complain but he did tell the crew about the incident before the plane departed. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Delta reportedly wanted to reward Penn for his actionor rather in-actionand upgraded him and his daughter to first class. A representative for the actor confirmed to TMZ the altercation occurred but added that Penn did not file an official complaint. Looks like it pays to remain level-headed on Delta. The United States will pause for a moment on August 21, head out its door, and look to the sky. A total solar eclipse is set to become one of the summers most memorable moments, and many will ask, Where were you? Well, Royal Caribbean has announced that it will offer a special set of events to coincide with the eclipse on a journey dubbed the Total Eclipse Cruise. Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, explained via press release, Were set to take vacationers on an unprecedented experience that is nearly a century in the making, NASA recently explained that the upcoming Great American Eclipse will start in Oregon and make its way, like a beam of darkness, across the continental United States en route to South Carolina. Bayley continues, A total solar eclipse hasnt crossed the entire U.S. since 1918, and with many of our ships sailing the Caribbean along the projected path, the stars aligned. Oasis of the Seas will have the vantage point of the century and an unforgettable celebration out at sea that adventurers wont want to miss. The only remaining tickets cost upwards of $2,000, but that includes an itinerary that promises a galactically awesome cruise adventure. Things kick off in Orlando at Port Canaveral, which means you and the family can enjoy places like the Kennedy Space Center beforehand. Day 2 of your trip on the Caribbean is when the sun goes hiding for a few moments; you will have an amazing vantage aboard the Oasis of the Seas. Besides seeing a once-in-a-lifetime event, you also get to enjoy calls at Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship itself will resemble a modern eclipse party, with fare such as Cosmic Cosmos, Planetary Punch and Moon Pies adorning tables. Royal Caribbean also promises eclipse-themed parties, trivia, lectures, and activities for children and the adults. The real draw here, obviously, is the eclipse. Space.com quotes Rick Fienberg, spokesperson for the American Astronomical Society (AAS): It brings people to tears; It makes people's jaw drop. As for what you can expect to see, Space.com explains: During a total solar eclipse, the disk of the moon blocks out the last sliver of light from the sun, and the sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, becomes visible. The corona is far from an indistinct haze; skywatchers report seeing great jets and ribbons of light, twisting and curling out into the sky. For those who are landlocked, the Los Angeles Times had some suggestions on where to enjoy this rare treat. Still, nothing likely beats watching the sun take a momentary exit on the open seas. Royal Caribbean is now taking orders on a unique opportunity you dont want to miss. Gov. Matt Bevin said he wants people of faith to take ownership of Louisville's troubled neighborhoods, one block at a time. Bevin unveiled his much-anticipated anti-violence initiative Thursday during a meeting with several hundred pastors at Western Middle School. The meeting at times resembled a church service, as Bevin prayed for unity and understanding as they addressed the issue of rising violence in Louisville. He challenged people of faith to put feet to their prayers. His plan to curb violence is for small groups of three to 10 people to begin a ritual of quietly walking one block, in one troubled neighborhood, at 7 p.m., several days a week for one year, praying as they walk. That's it. Pretty unsophisticated. Pretty uncomplicated. Pretty basic," Bevin said. "But I truly believe we're going to see a difference in our city. I personally believe in the power of prayer. I've seen it." Bevin called it a simple, cost-free way for people of faith to reclaim violent neighborhoods. The gathering was occasionally punctuated by both shouts of "amen" and of anger. Most of those attending seemed to embrace Bevins idea. Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you: Those principles is what this governor is trying to bring back into the faith community, to get out and touch the communities the way we ought to, said Pastor Jerry Stephenson of Midwest Church of Christ. But some pastors walked out of meeting, saying Bevin's plan does nothing to address the root causes of violence: economic injustice and racism. The only thing I wish was present was a barf bag in front of my seat so I could throw up," said Rev. Clay Calloway, of the West Louisville Ministers Coalition. "Otherwise, I might have stayed a little bit longer." To pray and to read scriptures is fine. Make that a commitment in legislation, added Rev. Frank Smith, pastor of Christs Church for our Community. But Bevin said his plan is not designed to replace political and economic solutions to crime and violence. This isn't in any way, shape or form trying to take the place of other things that have got to be done," he said. "But this is something that we firmly believe will make difference in our community." Read more from WDRB.com. A man responsible for a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University last year left behind a torn-up note in which he urged his family to stop being "moderate" Muslims and said he was upset by fellow Muslims being oppressed in Myanmar, The Associated Press has learned. Abdul Razak Ali Artan also told his parents in the note, reassembled by investigators, that he "will intercede for you in the day of Judgment," according to the investigative case file of the attack obtained through an open records request. "My family stop being moderate muslims," says the handwritten note transcribed by investigators and found by Artan's bed in his family's apartment. Artan also wrote: "In the end, I would like to say that I pledge my allegiance to 'dawla,'" an Arabic word that means state or country and a likely reference to the Islamic State group. "May Allah bless them." He concludes by saying he's leaving his property to his beloved "but yet 'moderate mother.'" Artan's family was baffled by that note, which caused them a great deal of anguish, said Bob Fitrakis, a Columbus attorney representing the family. To this day, the family has no idea why Artan took those actions, he said Thursday. "The family is mystified by what happened. They're absolutely clueless," Fitrakis said. The 18-year-old Artan was shot and killed by an Ohio State officer moments after driving into a crowd on Nov. 28 and then attacking people with a knife, leaving thirteen injured. In a series of Facebook rants previously reported, Artan nursed grievances against the U.S. "If you want us Muslims to stop carrying lone wolf attacks, then make peace" with the Islamic State group, he warned in those posts in which he also railed against U.S. intervention in Muslim lands. Artan posted those comments at 9:49 a.m. on Nov. 28, three minutes before the attack began, according to an unclassified FBI report showing the time line of the attack that was released through the open records request. One of his brothers saw those comments and tried too late to contact him, thinking maybe it was a joke or his account had been hacked, Fitrakis said. The records provided new details about Artan, including a visit he made to Washington, D.C., a few days before the attack where he also made unidentified purchases at a Walmart. The family didn't realize he'd traveled there, has no idea why he went, and urges anyone with information about that trip to contact authorities, Fitrakis said. The day before the attack, Artan left his job at a nearby Home Depot, saying he was tired, a co-worker told investigators. This was unusual, "as he never left early from work," the co-worker said. Artan had told the co-worker several times that fall he was disgruntled with school and wanted to drop out, according to the records. The morning of the attack, Artan bought a set of knives, a tomato and a cucumber at 7:20 a.m. at a Walmart on the west side of Columbus, with his movements captured by video and photos and released in response to the AP's records' request. The "suspect was pleasant and very polite during the checkout process," the Walmart cashier told investigators. At 7:50 a.m., Artan dropped his sister at a high school near their home on the city's west side. He paid a brother $40 he owed him around 9:30 a.m., when the brother last saw him, according to FBI records. After arriving on campus, Artan drove his brother's Honda Civic over a curb and into a crowd of people and crashed it into a planter. Artan then got out and started slashing at people with an eight-inch knife, records show. In a coincidence, a nearby building had been evacuated because of a reported gas leak. "I'm going to . . . kill you," Artan told one female student, using an expletive, the records show. Somali-born Artan came to the U.S. in 2014 as the child of a refugee. He had been living in Pakistan from 2007 to 2014. Authorities believe Artan's attack was partly inspired by an American-born cleric killed in a U.S. drone strike in Yemen. The body of a third worker was found Friday in the ruins of a corn mill that exploded in southern Wisconsin, and company executives insisted that safety violations were corrected years ago. The explosion occurred late Wednesday night at the Didion Milling Plant in Cambria, a rural village about 45 miles northeast of Madison. The blast leveled most of the plant. Sixteen people were inside the plant at the time of the explosion. Eleven were taken to hospitals. Didion Milling Plant executive Derrick Clark told reporters during a news conference Friday afternoon that emergency crews had located the body of packing machine operator Pawel Tordoff earlier that morning. Searchers recovered forklift driver Robert Goodenow's body Thursday evening and found mill operator Duelle Block dead shortly after the explosion. "The loss of these three team members is a very emotional incident for us and has really torn a hole in the heart of the Didion Milling team and the Cambria community," Clark said. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. A fire broke out at the plant on Monday, but Clark said it was unrelated to the explosion. He said the cause of that fire is still undetermined but the company has a good idea of what caused it and it involved "a distinctly separate system" than what was involved in the explosion. He declined to elaborate. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration records show the plant was cited in 2011 for not taking precautions against dust explosions. They can occur when high concentrations of dust particles are suspended in the air in a confined space during grain handling. A spark from something like a cigarette butt ignites it, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There were five grain dust explosions in the U.S. last year, including two that were fatal, according to a Purdue University annual report. Keeping facilities clean of dust and equipment in good working order to reduce the possibility of igniting the dust are important to preventing explosions, the report said. The federal safety agency ordered the mill to correct the problem by April 2011, and the records show Didion paid a $3,465 fine and the case was closed in September 2013. Clark and James Brunker, a senior executive with M3 Insurance, which insures the company, said the problem was corrected. Brunker called the violation "ancient history." The plant's insurance risk assessment has been improving since the violation, he said. Clark said employees weren't allowed to smoke inside the building but he declined to speculate on other causes for the explosions besides dust ignition. "It's just too early for us to comment on any potential sources," he said. "We're confidant the systems we have in place protect our workers." Didion Milling employs more than 200 people at multiple facilities around southern Wisconsin. Most of them work at the Cambria corn mill plant, Clark said. The company has closed until further notice, but Clark said Friday all the plant workers will keep their jobs. Some may be moved to other facilities or retrained to handle other duties, he said. He expects production to resume at an ethanol plant adjacent to the corn mill soon, he added. Goodenow's niece, 33-year-old Sarah Goodenow, said in a telephone interview that her uncle's death has left her devastated. She said she had an anxiety attack when she heard he was killed. She said he wasn't married and had no children but was happy and always joked around at family gatherings. "He was a hard worker," she said. "He spent a lot of time joking and with the kids." Atttempts to reach Block and Tordoff's families were unsuccessful. Gian Galassi, a spokesman for the University of Wisconsin Hospital, said five explosion victims were still at the hospital as of Friday afternoon. Four were in the burn unit. The fifth was in the hospital's trauma center. He declined to comment on any of their conditions. Most of the patients admitted to the trauma center are critically ill or require aggressive medical help, according to the hospital's description of the center. Another employee who was taken to Divine Savior Hospital in Portage had been released as of Friday evening, hospital spokeswoman Haley Gilman said. Other employees were taken to a hospital in Beaver Dam. A voicemail left at the hospital inquiring about their condition Friday afternoon wasn't returned. Brothers John and Dow Didion began Didion Milling in 1972. Construction on the Cambria corn mill was completed in 1991, according to the website. The company's corn products are used in brewing beer as well as in making chips, breakfast cereals, bathroom moldings, steel and ethanol. Air Force cadet Hayley Weir had an idea that turned out to be a game changer. "It was just the concept of going out there and stopping a bullet with something that we had made in a chemistry lab." The 21-year-old Weir approached Air Force Academy Assistant Professor Ryan Burke with the idea. He was skeptical. "I said, 'I'm not really sure this is going to work, the body armor industry is a billion-plus-dollar industry," he noted. Weir's idea was to combine anti-ballistic fabric with what's known as a shear thickening fluid to create a less heavy material to use in body armor. She demonstrated the principle to Burke by combining water and cornstarch in a container and asking the professor to jam his finger into the paste-like goo. "I jam my finger right into this bowl, and I almost broke my finger! Hayley's laughing because I've got this finger that I'm shaking and I'm saying, 'You know, that's pretty impressive stuff.'" Convinced, Ryan worked with Weir for several months in a small lab at the Air Force Adacemy in Colorado Springs. They were helped and advised by Dr. Jeff Owens, Senior Research Chemist at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. They tried combining several different ingredients to come up with the exact formula for the shear thickening fluid, and the correct way to layer it with ballistic fibers. "The pieces are not new," Weir explains, "everything that we've used in there has been researched (before) in some capacity for ballistics protection." They tested their combinations on the firing range, failing time and again, until one day their quarter-inch thick design repeatedly stopped a round fired from a 9mm handgun. Weir and Ryan's excitement was tempered by the range safety officer who pulled his .44 Magnum and told them bluntly, "This will fail." Ryan says, "We loaded it in and it stopped it. And it stopped it a second time, and then a third time." They realized they had hit on something special, that could potentially lighten the average 26-pound body armor kit worn by servicemen in the field by as much as two thirds. "This is something that our competition doesn't have right now," Weir explained. "And with this advantage our soldiers, if they wear this body armor, will be able to move faster, run farther, jump higher." Body armor for the military and first responders may not be the only thing that can be improved by the new fabric. It could possibly be used to reduce or replace the thick metal plates that protect military aircraft, tanks and other vehicles. "And there's some significant gravity and weight behind that," Ryan said. "And what it could mean for people like my friends who are still active duty in the military, that are going downrange, serving overseas." A patent for the as yet unnamed design is pending, and if money is ultimately made, the Air Force will share the profits with Weir, Ryan and Owens. "It doesn't feel like it's that great of an achievement," Weir muses, "just because it's been something that we've enjoyed doing." The Air Force believes it is definitely a great achievement. They are providing the newly graduated 2d Lt Weir with a full-ride scholarship to Clemson University, where she will earn her Master of Materials Science and Engineering, before returning to the Air Force to continue her work. ELKO The biggest city in Elko County does not have body cameras on its officers, and its concerned with the cost of storing the data. Gov. Brian Sandoval signed Senate Bill 176 last week. The bill expanded a 2015 law that required on-duty Nevada Highway Patrol officers to wear audio-visual recording devices. The law also requires law enforcement agencies to store the recordings for a minimum of 15 days. Elko City Manager Curtis Calder said the city has a mixed review on the bill. We share the concerns that a lot of other smaller cities and counties have and thats with regard to the overall funding mechanism for it, he said. The cameras and the hardware and the software are one component, but thats more of a one-time upfront cost. The real cost we believe is going to be in the personnel to administer the program. Were probably looking at a minimum of one full-time person, maybe two full-time people as the program gets off the ground. The other concern will be setting up the necessary policies regarding the body cameras, Calder said. The bill allows counties to put up to a $1 surcharge on phone bills to help pay for the body cameras and the systems to maintain the data. Currently telephones are charged 25 cents to fund enhanced 911, which will be used to update the Elko Combined and West Wendover 911 dispatch centers. Calder acknowledged the funding mechanism in the bill, but emphasized that it is county controlled. He said he hopes the county will consider increasing the surcharge to help pay for the mandate from the state. However, if the county commissioners do not raise the surcharge, the city will have to come up with a way to pay for all of this, Calder said. Elko Police Chief Ben Reed said he wont ask the county to increase the surcharge for police body cameras because improving 911 is priority. Were not interested in using enhanced 911 telephone surcharges that are so desperately needed for the dispatch centers, he said. The County set up the surcharge last fall and is in the process of improving the Elko Combined Dispatch Center and the West Wendover Dispatch Center. Reed said Elko will have to put cameras on 30 to 35 officers by July 2018, which is when the law takes effect. His biggest concern is the expense of storing the data. My understanding is we will be talking about terabytes of data, which will have a huge impact on the citys IT system, Reed said. One option would be for the city to have a cloud-based storage and redaction system. That sort of storage is rented. Just like Calder, Reed said the department would have to hire at least one new employee to monitor, redact and send data when it is requested from the district attorneys office, defense attorneys and the public. Reed said he considers this law an unfunded mandate from the state. The system here locally isnt broken, so it hasnt needed a big fix, he said. We work closely with the community and we have a huge trust with the community. West Wendover Police Chief Burdel Welsh said his officers have had body cameras for four years. Im strongly in favor of body cameras and dash cameras, he said. Im not in favor of any law that requires us to use them or record video, especially if its not funded. I dont think Im in favor of using 911 funds for it. Welsh said he was concerned about diluting the limited amount of funding available to improving 911. Wendovers 13 commissioned officers and animal control officer all wear body cameras. Each camera costs about $400 and they have a life of about two and a half years, Welsh said. The storage of the recordings is the more expensive portion of body cameras. Welsh said redacting videos is time consuming. He said when a video has to be redacted, it takes two or three times longer than the length of the video that has to be redacted. Welsh and Reed said they need clarification on when officers need to record their interactions with the public. In Wendover, the policy is to record police calls for service, which includes traffic stops and any criminal investigation. Theres a lot of people (who) walk up to us during the day and say hey we think youre doing a great job, or we think youre doing a horrible job or how do I get to Wells, or something like that, Welsh said. Those are all public interactions. So does that mean that we now have to record that also? Normally if they are just walking up to talk to us, we would not record it unless we had a feeling that this was going to possibly develop into a call for service or just some negative interaction. Welsh said the most expensive portion of having body cameras is storing the data. Wendover uses an online storage system, which they pay according to the amount of storage used. Carlin City Manager David Jones did not have a stance on the bill, but the citys police force already uses cameras. Weve been using them for about two years, so were kind of ahead of the times there, he said. Carlin Police Department has eight employees, but that includes the clerical staff. If they pass it great, but weve already taken the initiative, Jones said about using the 911 surcharge. Jones didnt know how much it costs the city to pay for the cameras and storage space. Carlin Police Chief Dennis Fobes was not available for comment. While escorting a man from Las Vegas to Dallas to face a criminal charge, a chief investigator from the Dallas County prosecutors office solicited, demanded, and accepted from the man a bribe in return for agreeing to help get a charge against the man of failing to register as a sex offender dismissed. The chief investigator, Anthony Robinson, pled guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to bribe or reward an agent of an organization receiving federal funds. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade sentenced Robinson to just three years of probation, a $10,000 fine and $31,000 in restitution after he pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge. The 53-year old resident of Mesquite, Texas, admitted that in 2012 he took $200,000 as a business investment from Wayne Sweeney in return for getting the charge against Sweeney dismissed. That charge was later dismissed. Robinson could have served up to five years in prison, be fined $250,000 and ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution. Although what he did was incomprehensible, weve tried to make amends, Robinsons attorney, Kirk Lechtenberger, told the judge, according to the Dallas Observer. Robinson may have received a lighter sentence because he will testify in another government criminal case that may have begun during Dallas District Attorney Craig Marcus Watkins tenure, the Dallas Observer reported. Robinson's lenient sentence may indicate that he's agreed to be a witness in a larger investigation into the district attorney's office during Watkins' tenure, which was sparked by charges against Robinson. Federal agents recently served two subpoenas to the Dallas County District Attorney's office one just before Watkins left the office at the end of 2014 and one just after his successor, Susan Hawk, took over the post the next year, the Dallas Observer reported. Robinsons case files, which were on the U.S. District Court system database called PACER, were sealed as of Wednesday, meaning they are no longer available to the public. Neither the attorney for Robinson, nor the U.S. Attorneys office in North Texas, returned calls to Fox News. Federal court records initially available to the public show that on Sept. 13, 2012, Robinson took custody of Sweeney and returned him to Dallas County to face a criminal charge. During this time, Robinson told Sweeney he planned to enter the cattle business. Sweeney told Robinson he could provide the funds for the business if Robinson got his criminal charges dismissed. Robinson drafted a proposal seven months later, which both men signed, whereby Sweeney invested $200,000 and Robinson handled daily operations, and they shared a checking account. Robinson took $5,000 from that bank account for his wife, and personal withdraws totaling $51,708, court records show. Two months later, in May 2013, court records show Robinson used his position to persuade an assistant district attorney to dismiss the criminal charge. Sweeney is serving a 108-month federal prison sentence for participating in a synthetic marijuana distribution organization, federal court records show. In 2014, Sweeney sought to reduce his prison sentence under the 2014 retroactive amendments to the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which reduced base offense levels for many drug offenses, but his petition was denied on April 27, 2017, by a senior U.S. District Court judge. FBI agents raided a Michigan home Thursday night in an operation described as a matter of national security. The operation took place in Dearborn and the scene was cleared before midnight, Fox 2 reported. The operation stemmed from an incident that occurred out of state, the Detroit Free Press added, reporting that investigators tracked the suspects to the area. Law enforcement officials from multiple regions were on the scene. THE WEEK IN PICTURES "FBI personnel are on scene conducting a law enforcement operation. There is no threat to public safety, FBI spokesperson Timothy Wiley told the newspaper. Officials were expected to give more details about the operation sometime Friday. Click for more from Fox 2. The FBI is pursuing new leads in the cold case murder of a police chief from a small Pennsylvania town nearly four decades ago, according to a report Friday. Saxonburg Police Chief Gregory Adams was shot twice and pistol-whipped on Dec. 4, 1980 after a traffic stop. Recently, FBI agents went to a Massachusetts home that belongs to the wife of the suspected killer Donald Webb, Fox 25 Boston reports. Webb would be around 85 if still alive. Webb last was seen in Miami in 1982. An attorney representing the police chiefs widow says that when FBI agents went to the home they found a hidden room and a cane that could belong to Webb, the station reported. The FBI believes Adams shot Webb in the leg before he was killed. The attorney Tom King said Webb could have needed the cane after being shot. The new information that the FBI has updated the family with leads us to believe that we have now discovered the link with the family, said King, according to the station. No one was home when a Fox 25 reporter knocked on the door of the North Dartmouth home. King filed a lawsuit Thursday on behalf of Adams widow accusing Webbs wife of covering up for her fugitive husband, the Butler Eagle reported. The lawsuit cites the new evidence obtained by the FBI, the paper reported Thursday. Webbs car was found in Rhode Island a few weeks after Adams was shot. The FBI said Webb had ties to Rhode Island and local mobsters there. Webb was a career criminal and a master of fake identities, WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh reported Thursday. The station reported that the FBI last spoke to Adams' widow in 2015. But then the FBI called her last month, giving her renewed hope, according to the station. A manhunt was on Friday for two inmates who escaped from a county jail in Mississippi as a fellow inmate was captured just across the state line in Alabama. Mark Lindsey was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon; police still were searching for inmates David Glasco and John Brown. The three men escaped Thursday morning, according to Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar. He said he was hopeful the remaining two escapees would be captured after police created a containment area in Colbert County, Alabama. A whole slew of search personnel came into the area there and formed a perimeter and were able to contain the individuals, Tolar told Fox News. We still believe theyre contained in that area. Lindsay was in jail on burglary charges and had been in prison several times. Glasco was in jail awaiting trial for sexual battery, and Brown also was awaiting trial for possession of stolen property. THE WEEK IN PICTURES U.S. Marshals, the Cherokee Police Department, Alabama State Troopers and the Colbert County Sheriffs Department were among the teams assisting with the search, aided by police dogs and a helicopter. The men escaped sometime between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Thursday morning and allegedly stole a 2005 Chevy pick-up truck not too far from the jail, Tolar added. After a brief chase in Colbert County, officers lost the stolen truck, but later found it abandoned in a wooded area. FBI PURSUES NEW LEADS IN POLICE CHIEF'S UNSOLVED MURDER Investigators suspected one of the escapees has a girlfriend near Cherokee, Alabama, Tolar said. He said the men should be considered dangerous, but did not have a reason to believe they were armed. He urged members of the public not to engage the men if spotted and to call 911 to report any tips. TRUMPS TRAVEL ORDER HEADS TO SUPREME COURT The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court late Thursday to let the revised travel ban to take effect. The administration filed two emergency applications with the nine Court justices seeking to block two lower court rulings that blocked President Trumps executive order. In the filing, the Justice Department argued that the appeals court in Richmond, Va. made several mistakes in ruling against Trumps travel order. The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States, Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said. DHS IS NO CLOSER TO EXPANDING LAPTOP BAN, OFFICIALS SAY PUERTO RICAN NATIONALIST STEPS ASIDE FROM ROLE IN NYC PARADE, DE BLASIO SAYS VICE PRESIDENT PENCE PRAISES TRUMP FOR WITHDRAWING FROM CLIMATE PACT In an interview on Hannity Thursday night, Vice President Pence praised Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord. He told host Sean Hannity that Trump was fighting for American jobs. Pence described the 2015 agreement "a bad deal from the moment it was signed. He added: "This is an agreement that puts an enormous burden on American consumers [and] on the American economy while allowing countries like India and China to virtually get off scot-free for a decade or more," Pence said. PENCE ON HANNITY: CLIMATE ACCORD PUT ENORMOUS BURDEN ON AMERICANS WORLD REACTION TO US PULLOUT OF CLIMATE PACT US WITHDRAWS FROM PARIS ACCORD AS TRUMP CALLS IT UNFAIR KATHY GRIFFIN TO ADDRESS TRUMP PHOTO, ALLEGED TRUMP FAMILY BULLYING Kathy Griffin is set to explain the reasoning behind her controversial photo shoot with a bloodied mask of President Trump and respond to alleged bullying from the Trump family on Friday, her attorney announced. Griffin, along with attorney Lisa Bloom said in a joint news release the press conference will take place in Woodland Hills, Calif., at about 9 a.m. It will be the first comments Griffin has made since she was relieved of her duties as CNNs New Years Eve host. (WATCH LIVE ON FOX NEWS CHANNEL AND FOXNEWS.COM AT 12:00 P.M. ET) KATHY GRIFFINS PHOTO SHOOT SPARKS OUTRAGE AMONG VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS DONALD TRUMP JR. LASHES OUT AT JEOPARDY! WINNER FOR MOCKING BARRON POLICE HUNT FOR MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY STOLE ITEMS BELONGING TO PORTLAND STABBING VICTIM Authorities in Oregon were searching Thursday for a man suspected of stealing the wedding ring and backpack of one of the victims in a stabbing attack last week. The ring and backpack belonged to Rick Best, one of the two men killed in the attack at a Portland train station, The Oregonian reported. Surveillance images released by police show a man in a black Jordan-brand hat and black shirt with an image of Marilyn Monroe on it with black shorts and black shoes carrying two bags off the train in the midst of chaos and confusion. One of the bags contained personal items, police said. THREE DOZEN DIE IN BLAZE SET BY GUNMAN IN MANILA CASINO ATTACK At least 36 people suffocated at a resort in the capital of the Philippines Friday after a gunman set several gambling tables on fire in what appeared to be a botched robbery, police said. The gunman was found dead in an adjacent hotel room of an apparent suicide. Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said the bodies were found in smoky rooms by firefighters and all died from suffocation and smoke inhalation. None of the bodies had gunshot wounds. SUSPECT FOUND DEAD IN MANILA CASINO ATTACK REPORTS: MEN IN BLACK HOODS STORMED MANILA RESORT COMING UP ON FNC 8:00 a.m. ET: Fox & Friends Ainsley Earhardt sits down with Vice President Pence. 9:00 a.m. ET: Ryan Zinke, secretary of the interior, joins Americas Newsroom. 10:20 a.m. ET: Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine joins Americas Newsroom. 10:40 a.m. ET: South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham joins Americas Newsroom. 1:30 p.m. ET: Press Secretary Sean Spicer holds press briefing. FBN COVERAGE Paris agreement on climate change: Top U.S. CEOS irked by Trumps decision (Click here for more) Rhino Trading Partners Chief Strategist Michael Block and Club for Growth President David McIntosh on how the Paris climate agreement would impact the U.S. economy (Click here for more) Paris climate agreement is not a good deal for the U.S: Treasury Secretary Mnuchin (Click here for more) COMING UP ON FBN WATCH JOBS IN AMERICA AT 8:00 A.M. ET ON MORNINGS WITH MARIA: Economists forecast 185,000 new jobs were created in May, down from 211,000 created in April, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.4%. 6:00 a.m. ET: Joanie Courtney, president and COO of Employbridge, appears on Mornings with Maria. 9:45 a.m. ET: Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, joins Varney & Company. 10:00 a.m. ET: Gary Cohn, chief economic advisor to President Trump, appears on Varney & Company. 11:30 a.m. ET: George Michael, CEO of Boston Market, joins Varney & Company. 5:00 p.m. ET: Adam Carolla joins Risk & Reward. 8:00 p.m. ET: Ken Langone, Home Depot co-founder, joins Wall Street Week. Authorities in Oregon were searching Thursday for a man suspected of stealing the wedding ring and backpack of one of the victims in a stabbing attack last week. The ring and backpack belonged to Rick Best, one of the two men killed in the attack at a Portland train station, The Oregonian reported. Surveillance images released by police show a man in a black Jordan-brand hat and black shirt with an image of Marilyn Monroe on it with black shorts and black shoes carrying two bags off the train in the midst of chaos and confusion. One of the bags contained personal items, police said. Best, 53, was a father of four, Army veteran, city of Portland employee and once ran for office. Best worked with about 30 co-workers and hundreds of customers seeking permits from the city. Best had three teenage sons and a 12-year-old daughter, said David Austin, a spokesman for Portland Commissioner Chloe Eudaly. He was headed home when he and others came to help two young girls who were the target of Jeremy Joseph Christians anti-Muslim rant, police and witnesses said. Christian is accused of stabbing three people, killing two of them, when the men came to the girls defense. Christian's family expressed sympathy to the slain men's loved ones on Thursday; to the young women who were harassed on a light-rail train; and to those who tried to protect them. The family said in a statement that they abhor violence, racism and bigotry and can't begin to understand the senseless act. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Police in Needham, Mass., are continuing to investigate the apparent murder of a former Russian scientist inside her apartment. Laura Shifrina, 81, lived a quiet life at the Linden Housing Complex the place she called home for the past 15 years. Its difficult to believe, friend Aleksandr Yufa said. News of Shifrinas death shook friends and family, who said have no idea why someone would want to kill her. Shifrina was the editor for the Massachusetts club for Russian-speaking scientists and Yufa said he started to worry when she didnt show up for their weekly meeting. MAN WHO THREW BABY OFF BRIDGE IS SENTENCED She did not appear, and it was suspicious, Yufa said. We started to call her. Both numbers. Shifrina lived by herself at the housing complex. Neighbors said they rarely spoke because she only spoke Russian. PORTLAND STABBINGS: SUSPECT BRAGGED ABOUT ATTACK, POLICE SAY Her daughter went to check on her late Wednesday night and found her dead in her unit. Her daughter had come over to do a well-being check on her mother and discovered her in the apartment, Norfolk District Attorney mike Morrissey said. She was the apparent victim of sharp trauma. Her 2011 Ford Fiesta had been missing for days but police recovered it in Dorchester on Thursday afternoon. Click for more from Boston 25 News. A Texas congressman is appealing to President Trump for a full review of cases involving a group of veterans, known as the Leavenworth 10, who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq and are now imprisoned for battlefield crimes. Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, asked Trump in a letter to consider the immense pressure the men were under while fighting for their country. As you know, our troops face extremely difficult decisions while serving in the heat of battle, reads a copy of the letter, which was obtained by Fox News. These moments present life-or-death consequences not only for them, but for the men and women with whom they serve. Far too often, we forget that a tiny fraction of our society has to shoulder the immense burden of these wars. These men and women voluntarily joined the military and answered our nations call to duty. The Leavenworth 10 are serving terms in the Fort Leavenworth penitentiary that range from 10 years to life. The soldiers and marines considered to be part of the Leavenworth 10 changes whenever one of them completes his sentence and another convicted veteran takes his place. Babins appeal adds to those of veterans, their families, former congressmen and other supporters who believe justice is not always served when young service members fates are sealed in military courtrooms far removed from the heat of battle. Many, including Babin, have taken issue with the imprisonment of these soldiers as the previous administration emptied the militarys Guantanamo Bay detention facility of avowed terrorists while these servicemen have languished in another detention facility for actions on those same battlefields that their supporters say merit clemency. Im certainly not excusing what these men may have done, Babin told Fox News, but the previous administration emptied the Guantanamo Bay facility of terrorists that returned right back to the battlefield. Our troops face extremely difficult decisions when in battle, he added. These are life and death decisions they have to make. They are in intense situations that few can understand. Babin said that all he is requesting is a full review of the cases. This is something that should be looked at again, he said. Especially in light of all the clemencies that were issued to convicted terrorists. He also believes that Trump will be very responsive to his request. Ive met with the President a few times and I know he is a great admirer of our military, he said. I feel confident that he will consider this issue. Some of the more better-known cases involve Army First Lt. Clint Lorance, Sgt. Derrick Miller and Master Sgt. John Hatley. Sgt. Derrick Miller of Maryland was on a combat mission in a Taliban-held area of Afghanistan in September 2010 when he was warned the units base had been penetrated. An Afghan suspected of being an enemy combatant was brought to Miller for interrogation and wound up dead. Miller claimed the suspect tried to grab his gun and that he shot him in self-defense. But he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Millers mother, Renee Myers, says that she is relieved that some in congress are taking up the cause for the families of the Leavenworth 10. Im overjoyed to see a letter to the president that specifically asks for action, Myers told Fox News. After years and years fighting for my son, its good to see someone like Babin fight for us. He has had no type of relief in a sentence reduction, she says. None what-so-ever. At the bare minimum they should reduce his sentence. The military courts are not good enough at addressing these issues with these service members. The owners of Three Mile Island the site of the worst commercial nuclear power accident in U.S. history announced earlier this week that it would shutter operations at the plant in 2019 unless the state of Pennsylvania rescues it from its financial woes. The announcement by Chicago-based Exelon comes after more than five years of losses at the single-reactor plant and Three Mile Islands recent failure to be selected as a guaranteed power supplier to Pennsylvanias regional energy grid. The move to close the plant is also seen as a harbinger of things to come for the U.S.s nuclear power industry, which has struggled in recent years amid the rise of cheap natural gas and state and federal subsidies going to renewable power sources like wind and solar. The Commonwealth [of Pennsylvania] 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, Exelon CEO Chris Crane said in a statement. At the heart of the matter is the debate over whether or not nuclear power should be considered a clean energy source and afforded the same type of preferential treatment and premium payments given to renewable energy resources. The Obama administration excluded existing nuclear reactors from receiving any special carbon-reduction credits under its Clean Power Plan a move that many nuclear engineers and industry insiders say is unfair given carbon-emitting natural gas processors are able to receive the credits. This is completely inconsistent with the plan, Arthur Motta, the chair of the nuclear engineering program at Pennsylvania State University, told Fox News. Renewable energy sources are only economically competitive with these subsidies and without them nuclear plants become even less competitive. Motta added that with the federal government not subsidising nuclear power generation, the owners of nuclear power plants have turned to state governments for help. Owners argue that closing a plant would be a huge economic hit to a region as hundreds of people would be out of work. In December, Illinois approved $235 million a year for Exelon to prop up nuclear plants in Clinton and the Quad Cities, six months after the company threatened to shut them down. FirstEnergy has said it could decide next year to sell or close its three nuclear plants Davis-Besse and Perry in Ohio and Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania. PSEG of New Jersey, which owns all or parts of four nuclear plants, has said it won't operate ones that are long-term money losers. In the case of Three Mile Island, Exelon has appealed to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to follow the example of Illinois, but there is strong resistance in the Keystone State from rival energy companies and environmental advocates who worry both about a rise in utility bills and the dangers posed by nuclear energy. Governor Wolf is concerned about potential layoffs and empathizes with these employees, J.J. Abbott, the governors press secretary, said in a statement to Fox News. As we move forward, we expect a robust conversation about the state's energy sector. Governor Wolf is open to these conversations and looks forward to engaging with the General Assembly about what direction Pennsylvania will go in regards to its energy sector, including the future of nuclear power. Exelon employs 675 people at the plant, whose license does not expire until 2034. The biggest obstacle that nuclear power faces in returning to the golden age glory of the early 1970s is the ubiquitous perception that it is an extremely dangerous and volatile form of energy. The partial core meltdown of Three Mile Islands Unit 2 reactor in March 1979 which led to fears of a hydrogen bubble exploding with catastrophic consequences and the prompting of 144,000 people to flee their homes amid conflicting or ill-informed information certainly played a major role in bolstering the negative perception of nuclear energy. Experts have come to no firm conclusion about the health effects or the amount of radiation released, though government scientists have said the maximum individual dosage was not enough to cause health problems. A group of Penn State College of Medicine researchers announced on Wednesday a possible link between radiation from the Three Mile Island accident and thyroid cancers in people living near the plant. The 1986 Chernobyl disaster in what is now the Ukraine and the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan has added to the bad public relations for nuclear power. Millions of lives changed after Fukushima and Chernobyl, Shawn-Patrick Stensil, a senior energy analyst for Greenpeace, said in a statement. We shouldnt forget the immense suffering these disasters continue to cause. We need to urgently phase out nuclear and move towards 100 percent renewable energy -- the only safe, clean energy that can meet the worlds energy need. Experts like Penn States Motta contest, however, that other forms of energy like coal and oil do much more environmental damage and have been the cause of numerous accidents from India's Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984 to Deep Water Horizon. People say you shouldnt build a nuclear power plant because they are dangerous, but nobody says that about the dangers of chemical plants, Motta said. Nuclear power can be dangerous, but so are so many forms of energy. SPRING CREEK A Spring Creek man was arrested for driving under the influence after an accident caused his vehicle to flip over into someones front yard. Michael Smith, 21, was arrested when Elko County Sheriffs deputies found him inside of the vehicle that was flipped onto its roof around midnight Wednesday morning at 711 Palace Parkway in Spring Creek. The cause of the accident is unknown and appeared to be a single-car incident with no injuries or property damage noted. Elko County Undersheriff Ron Supp said Smith was lucky to avoid serious injuries while also not doing any notable damage to anyone elses property. A lot of those places around there dont have fences or anything so he might have lucked out except for getting arrested, he said. Two girl suicide bombers attacked a camp for those displaced by Boko Haram extremist violence and left 11 people dead, authorities in northern Cameroon said Friday. The dead included the young bombers who detonated their explosives at the camp in Kolofata, said Gov. Midjiyawa Bakari of the Far North region. Several dozen others were wounded, the governor said. Authorities believed the girls had entered Cameroon the night before from neighboring Nigeria, where Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people in its eight-year insurgency that has spread into neighboring countries. Northern Cameroon has seen a rise in such attacks, with some towns targeted repeatedly. In January 2016, two female suicide bombers attacked a mosque in Kolofata, killing at least 10 people. In September 2015, suicide bombers killed nine people there. Boko Haram is known for kidnapping girls and using children to carry out suicide bomb attacks. In April, the U.N. children's agency said at least 117 attacks had been carried out by youth in the Lake Chad basin region since 2014, with nearly 80 percent of the bombs strapped to girls. They are sometimes drugged before missions. The Islamic extremist group two years ago began attacking in neighboring countries that have supported the Nigerian military's efforts to counter it. A multinational force is now active in the region. Nigeria in December declared that Boko Haram had been "crushed" after the military cleared out its strongholds, but attacks have continued. The U.N. children's agency on Friday said Cameroon was hosting 96,000 Nigerian registered refugees as of mid-May, but many are now returning. More than 12,000 went back last month. Many, however, are sleeping in the open just inside the border as "most returnees are still unable to travel onwards to their home villages where security remains uncertain," UNICEF said. A former Roman Catholic priest alleges that Mexico City's archbishop violated the law by not informing authorities outside the church about at least 15 cases of abusive priests. Alberto Athie says that Cardinal Norberto Rivera first mentioned the cases publicly in December. In defending himself against accusations that he protected abusive priests, Rivera said he had referred at least 15 cases to the Vatican. Athie filed a complaint on Friday with the Attorney General's Office, saying that Mexican law required such cases also be reported to law enforcement. Archdiocese spokesman Hugo Valdemar said the cases Rivera referenced occurred before the law changed in 2013. He says that the archdiocese has notified authorities about three cases since then. Athie said he did not know which cases Rivera was referring to. The Jordan government has formally charged one of its soldiers with murder in last years deaths of three Green Berets, the Houston Chronicle reports. The fathers of two of the Green Berets told the paper that the charges were leveled against Jordanian soldier Maarek Abu Tayeh, who has been accused of opening fire on a U.S. military convoy. The FBI told the fathers of Staff Sgt. James Moriarty, 27, and Staff Sgt. Matthew Lewellen 27, that Abu Tayeh was being charged with murder at a meeting Thursday, the paper reported. "It's a step in the right direction. It's a 180-degree switch," said Houston lawyer James Moriarty. He has been openly critical of Jordan's response to the shooting, the paper reported. The third soldier killed was Staff Sgt. Kevin McEnroe. FATHERS OF SLAIN GREEN BERETS ACCUSE JORDANIAN OF MURDER The official charge against Abu Tayeh is murder with intent to kill more than one person. Moriarty said Abu Tayeh also is being charged with insulting the dignity and reputation of the military and violating orders and instructions of the military. He faces life in prison if convicted by a military court. I would prefer the U.S. had an extradition in place, but that's not the case," said Chuck Lewellen. His son was in the first vehicle attacked by Abu Tayeh. Jordans embassy in Washington could not confirm that murder charges had been brought against Abu Tayeh, the Chronicle reported. After the shooting, Jordan's state media reported that the slain American trainers had sparked a firefight by disobeying direct orders from the Jordanians. A U.S. embassy spokesman disputed that claim as baseless. The Latest on the Philippine casino attack (all times local): 10:30 a.m. Family members are waiting outside a funeral home for the bodies of their loved ones to be released following an attack on a Manila casino complex in which 36 people died. At the Rizal funeral home, where 18 bodies were brought, Myra Tengco has been waiting for her sister's body to be released since Friday afternoon. She says her sister, Arvi Gavino, was a casino employee with two children. Tengco says she cannot understand how a gunman managed to enter the casino. The gunman, who wasn't identified, entered the Resorts World Manila complex early Friday and set fire to the gambling tables, unleashing smoke that killed patrons and casino employees. He fled with $2 million in stolen casino chips, then forced his way into a room in an adjoining hotel and killed himself. ___ 11 p.m. The Philippine military has rejected the Islamic State group's claim of responsibility for an attack on a Manila casino complex in which 36 people died. A gunman entered the Resorts World Manila complex early Friday and set fire to the gambling tables, unleashing smoke that killed patrons and casino employees. The gunman fled with $2 million in stolen casino chips, then forced his way into a room in an adjoining hotel and killed himself. Police say they believe it was a robbery gone wrong. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, saying one of its supporters entered a "gathering of Christian fighters" in the casino and "carried out killing and hurting." Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla rejected the claim, saying the attack "does not have the slightest signature of terrorism whatsoever." "As in previous incidents, this group is prone to claim and admit every criminal incident and label it as its own," Padilla said. ___ 10 p.m. The Islamic State group says one of its operatives "carried out killing and hurting until he died a martyr" at a Manila casino complex. The statement was issued by the group Friday. Earlier Friday a gunman entered the Resorts World Manila complex and set fire to the gambling tables, unleashing smoke that authorities say killed 36 people. The gunman fled with $2 million in stolen casino chips, then forced his way into a room in an adjoining hotel and killed himself. Philippine authorities have said they suspect the man was trying to rob the casino and that there was no evidence it was a terrorist attack. ___ 3:30 p.m. Relatives are rushing to funeral homes to see the remains of their loved ones who died in a fire set by a gunman who robbed a Manila casino. Authorities have said 36 people died from the smoke in the early morning attack at the Resorts World Manila. A South Korean victim died in the evacuation. And the suspected gunman was found dead in an adjacent hotel. Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said the 36 bodies were found in the smoky gambling room by firefighters and all died from suffocation and smoke inhalation. None of the bodies had gunshot wounds. ___ 2 p.m. Police say a gunman stormed a crowded Manila casino and used gasoline to set gambling tables on fire, creating clouds of smoke that swept through the crowds and killed at least 36 people. They say the gunman fled with $2 million in stolen casino chips, then forced his way into a room in an adjoining hotel and killed himself. Authorities suspect the man was trying to rob the casino at the Resorts World Manila and stress they have found no evidence of terrorism. The man carried no identification but left his car, which was being searched. Claims on social media said the attack was done by "lone wolf soldiers" of the Islamic State group, but police noted the man didn't shoot anyone he encountered. ___ This story has been corrected to show the currency conversion on the value of the stolen chips to be more than $2 million, not $200,000. A journalist advocacy group is condemning an attack on a Mexican journalist that included cutting off part of his ear. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists says that an unidentified man attacked journalist Carlos Barrios as he left the office of the news website Aspectos in the Caribbean beach town of Playa del Carmen. The assault occurred Monday between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Aspectos editor Eduardo Rascon told the committee that the man also threatened Barrios, telling him that if the outlet didn't stop publishing stories supportive of Quintana Roo Gov. Carlos Joaquin that Rascon would be the next victim. Six journalists have been killed in Mexico this year, prompting the federal government to promise do more to protect them. Cuba is home to some 2,000 people over 100 years old, according to data released by the Ministry of Public Health. In the first quarter of 2017, a total of 2,153 centennials lived in the island, of which more than 1,200 were women. "Centennials now represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the population, with very special socioeconomic and health implications, said Dr. Alberto Fernandez Seco, head of the Ministrys Department of the Older Adult, Social Assistance and Mental Health, to Juventud Rebelde, a leading newspaper in Cuba. The communist nation is among the countries with the longest-lived people, with 19.8 percent of its population (2,219,784 people) aged 60 and over. EXPEDIA ANNOUNCES ONLINE HOTEL BOOKINGS IN CUBA He said that the reason for this a decline in fertility, but also a decrease in mortality for all ages. "In Cuba, access to health services is guaranteed free of charge as well as coverage of social security programs." Dr. Fernandez Seco noted that most of Cubas centennials are not demented, disabled or dependent. They are an example of successful population aging, he said. According to Juventud Rebelde, the data show that the majority of centennials were between 100 and 104 years old, white and lived with other relatives in the side of the country. THE WEEK IN PICTURES Dr. Fernandez Seco pointed out that optimism, the desire to live and developing projects are the common denominators among those who live the longest. "The important thing is how we face different situations in life, how we overcome difficulties and how we are motivated," he said. A team of researchers led by National Geographic journalist Dan Buettner, author of The Secret of the Blue Zones, has identified five places around the world with the highest life expectancy: the islands of Sardinia (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Icaria (Greece), the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica, and the Loma Linda city in California. They devoted themselves to studying the mysteries of longevity there and listed nine factors that the inhabitants of the blue zones had in common. Among them, they found, were daily physical activity, stop eating when the stomach is 80 percent full, belonging to a faith-based community and choosing social circles that support healthy behaviors. Research shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious, Buettner wrote on his website. Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted Friday that the Syrian leader didn't use chemical weapons against his people, saying the recent attack that killed scores of civilians was a "provocation" against President Bashar Assad. Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg on Friday, Putin made one of his strongest rejections of blaming Assad's forces for the chemical attack in April. The attack in northern Syria killed at least 90, including many children. It was followed by an unprecedented U.S. strike on a Syrian air base from which aircraft suspected of being involved in the chemical raid took off. "We are absolutely convinced that it was a provocation. Assad didn't use the weapons," Putin said. "It was done by people who wanted to blame him for that." He added that Russian intelligence had information that a "similar scenario" was to be implemented elsewhere in Syria, including near Damascus. "Thank God, they were smart enough not to do that after we released information about it," he said. The attack in the town of Khan Sheikhoun caused an international uproar as images of the aftermath, including quivering children dying on camera, were widely broadcast. Russia, one of Assad's closest allies, and the Syrian government have repeatedly denied using chemical weapons. Following an equally fatal chemical attack in 2013, Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons under a deal brokered by Russia and the United States and declared a 1,300-ton chemical arsenal when it joined the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. That stockpile has been destroyed, but the organization continues to question whether Damascus declared everything in its chemical weapon program. This year, the new U.S. administration led by Donald Trump was quick to react. In a one-off, the U.S. struck a Syrian air base with cruise missiles only days after the April 4 attack 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 and criticized them for their refusal to do so. Putin said a quick inspection of the air base would have revealed traces of toxic agents if it indeed had served as a staging ground for the attack as the United States charged. "Modern control equipment would have shown that chemical weapons had been on that particular plane or site in the base," Putin said. "No one wanted. There was a lot of talk, but zero action." He also criticized the international monitors for dragging their feet on visiting the town that came under attack citing safety concerns, adding sarcastically that the West claimed the area was controlled by moderate opposition fighters so it shouldn't have been dangerous to visit. Last week, a team from the international chemical weapons watchdog found exposure "to sarin or a sarin-like substance" in samples it examined from the April 4 attack and said it is planning a trip to visit the opposition-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province in northern Syria. An al-Qaida-linked alliance has presence throughout the opposition stronghold Idlib, but other rebel groups also operate there. The OPCW asked the U.N. for logistical and security assistance to arrange for the trip to ensure that any visit to the site "would be accompanied by the most stringent security assurances." The U.N. approved the request in early May. The team has conducted interviews with victims of the alleged attack and witnessed the collection of biomedical samples from casualties. It also received samples from dead animals reported to have been close to the site of the incident and environmental samples from close to the impact point. OPCW fact-finding teams have been investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria but aren't mandated to determine responsibility for attacks. That has been left to a joint U.N.-OPCW investigative body. Putin said Assad is not without mistakes but investigation into his adversaries' actions must also be pursued. "Has Assad made mistakes? Yes, quite a few. And what about people confronting him? Are they angels? Who are they who kill people there, execute children? Are they people who we should support?" he said. Putin said he wanted to avoid Syria meeting the same fate as Somalia or Libya, where militias rule. "Primarily, we are defending not Assad but the Syrian statehood. We don't want to see the situation there become like it is in Libya, Somalia or Afghanistan," he said. ___ Associated Press writer Sarah El Deeb contributed from Beirut. Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Greek police are evacuating hundreds of migrants and refugees from a makeshift shelter set up inside the abandoned buildings of Athens' old airport. A heavy police presence blocked off all access to the Hellenikon airport site Friday morning as the roughly 600 migrants collected their belongings and began boarding buses to refugee camps elsewhere in Greece. Police said about 350 people, mainly families, would go to a camp in Thebes, about 70 kilometres northwest of Athens, while the remainder of mainly single people would go to Derveni, about 140 kilometres west of the capital. The evacuation was proceeding smoothly and no violence was reported. About 60,000 refugees and migrants are in Greece, which was the main entry point for people seeking to enter the European Union last year. CARSON CITY Tensions in the Nevada State Legislature on Thursday prompted Senate Republicans to leave chambers due to a disagreement over funding educational savings accounts and a tax for recreational marijuana, according to state Sen. Pete Goicoechea. The Legislature took a recess while Republican leadership met with Gov. Brian Sandoval, said Goicoechea. It was not really a walk out, said Goicoechea. We went out in the park to cool off. Watching the session on a live feed when the break took place, Assemblyman John Ellison was concerned that Assembly bills that had not been passed prior to the recess were in danger of being killed, but stressed that we dont know that for positive. Senators voted against the tax for recreational marijuana twice, said Goicoechea, who explained that Republicans wouldnt vote until there was languagefor ESAs. Ellison also said Republican state Sen. James Settelmeyer was not in favor of voting for the marijuana tax if the Democrats did not vote for the ESAs. Settelmeyer stood up on the floor and said we dont want pot for tots, Ellison said. Assembly Minority Leader Paul Andersons Communications Director Ross Hemminger stated that it was disappointing to find out that Democratic leadership in the Senate has not been negotiating in good faith. From the beginning, we had hoped that our colleagues across the aisle would put aside their partisan, political, national left-wing special-interest inspired agenda and get to work for Nevada families, said Hemminger. As of several hours ago, we had come to an agreement on the future of the ESA program and had looked forward to closing out the session in a bipartisan fashion, continued Hemminger. Goicoechea said after the session reconvened, business continued in the Senate with bills passed including the rural airport bill and a diesel tax bill, commenting that the day settled back into the groove. Goicoechea also held out hope for AB 109, a bill that would require the Public Utility Commission of Nevada to meet in Elko County and require the Bureau of Consumer Protection to intervene in certain proceedings concerning public utilities that furnish water was also stuck, said Ellison, which had a 90 percent chance of getting out and was on the governors top priority list. I still have hope we can get that out and Ill give them an opportunity to do the right thing, Goicoechea said. Ray Lora bought a bumper sticker as a memorial to two local men who died in Iraq, but he didnt place it on the back of his vehicle for other drivers to spot. He put it on the window of the drivers side of his truck so its the first thing he sees every morning. As I reach for the truck door, I say, Good morning, Josh. Good morning, Nick, Lora said. Thats how I start my days, talking to my heroes and buddies. We have traveled lots of miles together. Lora, a former Spotsylvania County School Board member, has connections to Sgt. Nicholas Mason, who was 20 when he died in an explosion in Iraq, and Sgt. Joshua Frazier, killed by sniper fire in Iraq soon after his 24th birthday. When their families started the Some Gave All motorcycle rally in their honorand later created a foundation by the same name to help service members injured during the War on TerrorLora pledged his help. He stood on the grounds of Spotsylvania High School and welcomed the riders for the first event in 2007. Hell do the same thing on Sunday for the 11th year in a row. Normally held in May, the ride, which starts in Spotsylvania County and concludes at King George High School, was pushed back a few weeks because of school graduations. Even though Lora lives in Suffolk these days, hell make the trip to Spotsylvania and say a few words about the rides purpose. The foundation helps those wounded and disabled from Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom get job training or education as well as financial assistance with housing or medical bills after life-changing brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some Gave All has raised more than $305,000 for veterans across all branches of the military. THERE FOR THEM Lora will ask the riders who have gatheredand depending on the weather, the number could vary from 600 to more than 1,000how many have been to all the rallies and how many are riding the first time. Hes happy to see an equal number of hands raised in each category. Those who keep coming back indicate the widespread support for the foundationand the military in generaland newcomers remind Lora that more people are learning about Frazier and Mason all the time. Steve Smurf Keene has seen for himself the community support, from those who like the wind in their faces to others who come in cagesmotorcyclist lingo for a vehicle with four doors. On Sunday, hell lead a group of riders from All-American Harley Davidson in Hughesville, Md., where hes general manager, across the Harry Nice bridge on U.S. 301 and into Virginia. Well have people standing by the road, waving flags, he said. You cant put a price tag on that. Iris Maciejewski of Spotsylvania County is among those who will gather at King George High School, where there will be military exhibits and demonstrations. I dont ride, but love showing our support, she posted on the groups Facebook page. Her son, Michael, served in the Army from 2006 to 2012, so she appreciates the emphasis on service members. We stand on the side of the road and wave our little flags and buy our shirts to let them know were there for them, she said. WONT BE FORGOTTEN Before Lora served on the School Board, he taught social studies and Spanish, and before that, he spent 34 years as a federal marshal and Secret Service agent. He also taught at the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy He was teaching at Spotsylvania High School when Josh Frazier was a student. Lora never had him in class, but he was the kind of kid everybody knew. He walked into a room, and everybody knew he was there. Lora lost touch with Frazier after the young man graduated and joined the Marine Corps. When Lora picked up the newspaper one morning in February 2007 and saw that Frazier had been killed by sniper fire, Lora stood by his paper box and cried. He met Fraziers father, Rick, at the funeral. He could feel the pain in the room, and as a father of four sons, Lora could only imagine the loss. When Rick Frazier told Lora his worst fear was that his son would be forgotten, Lora made a promise that as long as Im alive and my kids are alive, that wouldnt happen. SPECIAL PEOPLE Loras connections to the Masons intersected in that mess hall in Mosul, where members of the 276th Engineer Battalion were having chow when a suicide bomber set off a blast. It killed Mason, a King George County native, and Sgt. David Ruhren of Stafford County. Another man in the unit, Spc. Richard Hursh of Stafford, was badly wounded. Loras son, John, was there, as well. He had served with Nick Mason in the same ROTC reserve unit, and the men had been in Wisconsin for training before shipping to Iraq. John Lora had been on patrol duty that same morning. He was on his way to get something to eat with the rest of his unit, but was so dirty, he took a right-hand turn to take a shower first, his father said. He was cleaning up when the bomb exploded. The blast impacted a lot of livesnot just those whose final minutes were spent in the mess tent, but also those who survived and their extended families and community. Those are special people, the Masons and the Fraziers, Lora said. I love them, and I love their sons. I made a promise to them that I would never forget them, and if the day comes and I dont show up, they better look in the obituaries. As the smoke begins to clear from the disaster that was the 2017 Nevada Legislature under Democrat rule, lets avoid the Christmas rush and take an early look at the upcoming 2018 election cycle. First, Republicans have virtually zero chance to regain control of the State Senate. And conservatives face similar long odds against gaining control of the Senate GOP caucus. So lets just move on Republicans in the State Assembly are also destined to remain in the minority. However, theres an opportunity for conservatives to oust the current RINO (Republican in Name Only) leadership of their caucus. The current caucus membership consists of eight wishy-washy Republicans loyal to Minority Leader Paul Anderson who deserve primary challenges and seven conservatives. Of the Anderson Eight, four voted for the largest tax hike in state history in the 2015 session Anderson himself: The RINO King. Worst of the worst. Anderson actively funded and worked against conservative candidates in 2016. John Hambrick: Can run again in 2018, but is said to be interested in upgrading to a state senate seat. But the Senate GOP caucus doesnt want him. Melissa Woodbury: Has one of the most moderate voting records of any Republican in the Assembly, made worse by the fact that she represents a Republican-majority district. If a quality conservative candidate came out early against her in the primary, theres a chance she wouldnt even run again. James Oscarson: Barely won his GOP primary last year against a terribly under-funded candidate. If brothel owner Dennis Hof who left the Libertarians and joined the GOP last December -- runs against Oscarson in next years primary, Oscarson is toast. (Disclosure: Im a paid consultant to Mr. Hof) The other four members of the Anderson Eight who deserve a primary challenge: Chris Edwards, Keith Pickard, Jill Tolles and Jim Wheeler an opportunistic politician drunk on power and ambition who sold out the conservative members of his caucus this year for a leadership position in Andersons regime. The seven conservatives who make up the other half of this divided Assembly caucus are: John Ellison, Robin Titus, Al Kramer, Lisa Krasner, Jim Marchant, Richard McArthur and Ira Hansen, who has already announced hes not running for re-election. Hopefully Ira will be replaced with another conservative. If so, conservatives would only need to oust one of the Anderson Eight to gain control of the Assembly GOP caucus and oust Anderson from his leadership position -- just as Republicans did to another wishy-washy RINO, former-Minority Leader Pat The Appeaser Hickey, in 2014. And then Republicans in 2019 could at least be a true opposition party rather than what they were (again) this session: A go-along-to-get-along, thank-you-sir-may-I-have-another party. So let it be written; so let it be done. Warren M. Sheets 43, of Ruther Glen passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 28, 2017. Born in Ohio, he had been a long time employee of Waffle House, most recently managing the restaurant at Massaponax. He was a member of the Oakley Masonic Lodge #668 AF&AM in Cincinnati, Ohio. Survivors include his wife, Samantha Sheets; his mother, Rosemary Sheets; two children, Tyler and Emily Sheets; his sisters, Susanna Johnson and Carmella Johnson; his brother, J.B. Sheets; his sisters in law, Jaci and Katy; his brothers in law, Rick and Nick and his father in law, Richard (Michelle). He was preceded in death by his father, J.B. Sheets and his mother in law, Audrey. Russian interference taints U.S. politics It never ceases to amaze me that traditional Republicans are content with Russian efforts to interfere with our democracy, tampering with our election to favor Donald Trump. Agents of Vladimir Putins Russia have confounded the impartiality of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions such that he must recuse himself from the investigation of Russian actions involving campaign officials. Republicans used to be so fearful of the Red Scare that they fired librarians all over the country as suspected communists. Now they sit by idly while Russian-contaminated Rex Tillerson runs our foreign policy, having dismantled all the senior career employees at the State Department. Defunding the Environmental Protection Agency used to be something an extreme right-wing president might do. Now, Richard Nixon looks like a liberal Democrat compared to what passes for a Republican these days. All is not lost. Forty-eight percent of the American people (according to a recent Pew poll) want Trump impeached. Some worry about Vice President Mike Pence being complicit. But I say: Bring on the clowns. Mike Jensen Fredericksburg Columbia, SC (29201) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain during the afternoon. High 66F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low near 65F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Free Freightnet Membership List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours. Editor: It is important to the Nevada Association of Realtors (NVAR) that we clarify a few points that have recently been published in the Elko Daily Free Press. While many industries struggle over the distinction between an independent contractor and employee, this has been a particularly hard distinction for those in the real estate industry. One of the key distinctions between an independent contractor and an employee is often determined by the amount of control a principal exerts over the agent. Nevada real estate law specifically requires brokers to supervise their agents. This requirement conflicts with one of the key elements of an independent contractor relationship. Therefore, it is difficult for a broker to comply with both statutory duties required by Chapter 645 of the Nevada Revised Statutes and labor laws. Prior to this last legislative session, Nevada did not have specific statutory language regarding Independent Contractor status. This last legislative session, the NVAR worked with legislators on creating a definition in Nevada law that a court could use in determining whether a person is an independent contractor. NRS 608.0155 establishes a conclusive presumption that a person is an independent contractor, rather than an employee, if certain conditions are met. Fortunately, both state and federal legislatures have recognized these unique traits presented by the real estate industry by addressing the independent contractor issue directly with statutory exemptions. The listing agreement and various contracts are between the broker and the client, not the agent and client. In turn, any commission earned by the agent is paid to them by their broker and never directly from the client (or customer, as originally published in the May 31 EDFP.) This is an important distinction in our industry. The independent contractor relationship between agents and brokers is a tradition in our industry and NVAR supports the right of brokers to choose whether they want to classify their agents as independent contractors or employees. For additional information or questions about this, feel free to contact NVAR General Counsel Tiffany Banks at tiffany@nvar.org. Tiffany Banks Nevada Association of Realtors Editor: Recently, Senators Bernie Sanders and John McCain introduced separate legislation in the Senate encouraging importation of drugs from across the border. The importation of drugs is largely seen as the quickest and cheapest way for counterfeit drugs to enter the United States. Currently, the Federal Drug Administration has control on the medicines crossing our borders. This is the status quo that has kept every American safe and should not be changed. Nevadans have paid a price due to the importation of drugs. We have seen loved ones and neighbors alike, die from consuming adulterated and dangerous counterfeits. We have seen other individuals take drugs with no benefits and progress as intended because its either placebos or sugar pills with the smallest, ineffective doses. Now, we are hearing more about extremely dangerous opioids coming into our country, importation will only make this worse. Nevadans and every American deserve to know where their drugs come from. Though the largest country supplying imported drugs may be Canada, the U.S. cannot ensure where those drugs originated from, just as Canada cannot ensure safety and quality. Senators Sanders and McCain clearly do not have in mind whats truly best for the citizens of this country. Zach Dean Henderson A strong desire to prepare for life without subsidies is behind the decision of two south Herefordshire farming businesses to jointly host the new AHDB Hereford Monitor Farm. For Martin Williams and Russell Price, the challenges that the next three years are likely to bring make it the perfect time to take on the Monitor Farm role together. Both men believe that opening their doors and having their business performance and management decisions scrutinised is a good platform for considering the post-Brexit landscape, which may mean life without subsidies. See also: Move to strip-till halves establishment costs on Essex farm They acknowledge that they will have to open their minds as well so they are preparing to share their experiences, accept criticism and consider new ideas, as they make plans to move forward in uncertain times. We may operate separate businesses, but the challenges we are facing are broadly the same, says Mr Williams. These are highly geared, progressive arable farms, operating in a very competitive environment and an unpredictable market. At times, it seems as though were having to run very fast just to stand still. The joint hosts at a glance MW Farming Formerly a mixed farm, MW Farming at Fownhope is now 800ha of combinable crops and grassland, including winter wheat, winter and spring barley, oilseed rape and pulses. As well as farming from his home base, Martin Williams offers contracting services from single jobs right through to stubble-to-stubble contracts using large, modern machinery and latest precision farming technology. Russell Price Farm Services Established in 1990, Russell Price Farm Services carries out farming and a range of contracting services from its Castle Frome base across four counties: Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and South Shropshire. Farming 780ha of wheat, barley, oilseed rape, potatoes, peas, beans and herbage seed from his base near Ledbury, Mr Prices business also gives agronomy and crop protection advice, operates machinery franchises and has facilities for grading and storing potatoes. The launch and open day for the new Hereford Monitor Farm will be held on June 27 2017. Anyone wishing to attend should contact the AHDBs knowledge exchange manager for the West, Richard Meredith, or visit the AHDB website. Opportunities The future of land tenure is a common interest, as both businesses are based on owned, rented and contract farmed land, with a variety of agreements in place, and both men have an appetite for new opportunities. Not surprisingly, they are keen to explore how these might look in the years ahead and to investigate the potential for collaboration or joint ventures to increase profitability. On a similar note, as both offer a range of contracting services, they recognise the importance of staff recruitment and retention to their future success. Monitor farm topic areas The potential for collaboration to increase profitability Staff recruitment and retention Oilseed rape establishment Soil health Effect of Brexit on future profitability and how to respond As a result, this is another of the topics that they want to address in their Monitor Farm meetings. There is such a diverse range of cropping in this part of Herefordshire, from vegetables and fruit to combinable and root crops, that theres huge competition for land and skilled labour, explains Mr Williams. We need to be right on top of our costs, as well as being enlightened employers and able to market ourselves when opportunities arise. We have to develop our skills and expertise accordingly. Brexit bias Brexit on the horizon adds further uncertainty and will also be high up on the agenda as the meeting topics are agreed, so that the effect of policy changes on future profitability are understood. Having seen local farm manager Mark Wood in action as a Monitor Farm for the last three years, the concept has been well-received and the new hosts are keen to engage with an interactive group of local, like-minded farmers. We have made a conscious effort to try out different things on the farm and push the boundaries in the last few years, reports Mr Price. We are also doing some on-farm trials on oilseed rape establishment, varieties and fungicides, as well as putting effort into soil health, so there is already a good basis for some lively debate. Innovation With about 120ha of potatoes in the ground, produced for a range of markets, he acknowledges that the crop has been through a transformation in the last few years and is keen to keep innovating and trying new techniques. This forum gives us the opportunity to do that. Being farmer-led, we can explore the topics that are most relevant to this area. Mr Price also highlights the importance of new technology as a priority topic. There is a great deal happening with telematics, robotics and data management, so we need to keep abreast of these developments and understand what benefits they can bring. The same applies to new farming practices, he believes. Were all going to have to adapt and change. As a Monitor Farm, we will be in the spotlight as we do this, but everyone must be prepared for a journey. Farmers are relying on ministers to carry out a bonfire of EU red tape when the next government is formed, says Mid Wales farmer John Yeomans. Together, he and his wife Sarah farm 94ha at Llwyn y Brain, near Newtown, Powys. A further 21ha of land is rented. Mr Yeomans thinks farmers who voted Brexit did so because they were fed up with the time and money spent dealing with EU bureaucracy and farm inspections. See also: General election: The view from farmers Legislation is killing agriculture, he says. We have to jump through so many hoops, when all we want to do is care for the environment and feed people. Bureaucracy Mr Yeomans wants the next Welsh Assembly to free farmers from the mountains of paperwork but he is not convinced this will happen. I actually think we will end up with more bureaucracy after Brexit, he says. But if your business depends on spending half your time in the office doing paperwork, rather than caring for your livestock, then were heading in the wrong direction. Farm Facts John Yeomans, livestock farmer, Powys, Wales Runs herd of almost 90 cows and replacements, consisting of pedigree Limousin, Limousin cross, Belgian Blue cross Keeps around 700 Beulah ewes and ewe lambs Farm under Glastir Advanced agreement Mr Yeomans says too many Welsh cattle farmers are quitting the industry because they are sick of the hassle with TB. TB policy He wants the next government to consider a badger, deer and camelid culling policy as part of efforts to eradicate bovine TB. I definitely wouldnt support culling all badgers, but we cannot continue killing cattle and not tackling the issue in wildlife, he says. The Welsh government is proposing bi-annual testing for cows in high-risk areas. This could affect trade and we would have more cows aborting, more with broken legs and more farmers and vets with injuries. Politicians need to take a long-term view on TB like they do in New Zealand and not just look at it over one government term. Overall, Mr Yeomans wants food and farming to be pushed up the political agenda. There are 100 million people starving in the world. I dont think politicians in the Western world think about agriculture as much as they do elsewhere, he says. If farmers stop spending money, then its the machinery dealers and agricultural merchants and others that suffer. All the jobs that are associated with agriculture rely on a successful industry. Accordingly, Mr Yeomans wants government to invest more in attracting new entrants, innovation and promoting farm products and an objective beef and lamb carcass classification system. Voting intentions: Five parties are standing in Montgomeryshire. Unlikely to vote Green or Labour, but would consider Conservatives, Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru. Story Highlights 64% would recommend enlisting in Air Force, 53% Navy Less than half want child, grandchild to join Army, Marines or Coast Guard Women, Democrats less likely to recommend enlisting WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans hold all branches of the U.S. military in high regard, but that does not necessarily translate into a desire to see their loved ones enlist. Fewer than half would be likely to recommend joining the Coast Guard (48%), Marines (43%) or Army (41%) to their children or grandchildren, while a majority would be likely to recommend the Navy (53%) or Air Force (64%). Air Force, Navy Most Likely to Be Recommended "Suppose you had a child or grandchild who was considering entering the military. How likely would you be to recommend each of the following branches of the U.S. military? Use a five-point scale, where 5 means extremely likely and 1 means not at all likely." Air Force Navy Coast Guard Marines Army % % % % % TOTAL LIKELY 64 53 48 43 41 Extremely likely (5) 45 35 32 27 25 (4) 19 18 16 16 16 (3) 11 18 21 16 20 TOTAL UNLIKELY 26 28 31 40 38 (2) 5 6 8 10 10 Not at all likely (1) 21 22 23 30 28 GALLUP, April 24-May 2, 2017 These responses come from a Gallup poll of 482 Americans aged 25 and older who were asked how likely they would be to recommend each branch if a child or grandchild was considering entering the military. About three-quarters (76%) of Americans would recommend at least one of the branches. The clear differences in preferences, from the high of 64% who would recommend the Air Force to the low of 41% for the Army, could reflect people's perceptions of the risk of death to those serving in each branch. In fact, the rank-order is generally consistent with the casualty rates for the four main branches (excluding the Coast Guard) in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Through April 24, 2017, there had been almost 5,000 deaths in the Army from the two conflicts, just under 1,500 in the Marines, almost 250 in the Navy and slightly fewer than 200 in the Air Force, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service. Those significant differences in recommendation rates are in stark contrast with the near uniformity of the favorable ratings Americans give each of the branches. The percentages giving a very or somewhat favorable rating for each of the branches are all within six points of each other: 76% for the Coast Guard, 77% Army, 78% Marines and Navy, and 81% Air Force. Men, Republicans More Likely to Recommend Joining Military Gender and political views are related to the likelihood of recommending enlisting in the military, with men and Republicans, including those who lean toward the Republican Party, generally more likely to recommend joining. Americans are also more likely to recommend the Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard if they know something about it. Republicans and Democrats could be affected by their perceptions of the branches -- Democrats view all five branches less favorably than Republicans. It is not a factor in the differences between men and women, who hold similarly favorable views of all five branches. Differences by gender and knowledge of the branch are generally largest for recommendations on the Navy and Air Force and smallest for the Army. Differences by party are similarly large among all branches except the Coast Guard. For example, 66% of men and 68% of Republicans, including leaners, would recommend the Navy, but only 42% of women and 43% of Democrats and leaners would do so. Seventy-seven percent of Republicans plus leaners and 73% of men would recommend the Air Force, compared with 55% of women and of Democrats plus leaners. Gender, Political Party, Military Awareness Affect Recommendations Percentage who would be likely ("4" + "5" responses) to recommend a branch of the military to a child or grandchild considering joining the military Air Force Navy Coast Guard Marines Army % % % % % All adults 64 53 48 43 41 Men 73 66 53 49 44 Women 55 42 43 39 39 Democrats plus leaners 55 43 45 33 30 Republicans plus leaners 77 68 53 58 55 Know a lot, some about branch 70 64 64 47 44 Know little, nothing about branch 58 44 43 41 39 GALLUP, APRIL 24-MAY 2, 2017 Implications After watching its ranks shrink for several years, the U.S. military now faces the challenge of increasing troop levels, based on legislation passed in the last year of Barack Obama's administration and calls from President Donald Trump for an even larger force. The growth in troop strength affects all four of the major combat branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines), but none faces a bigger recruiting test than the Army. Already the largest branch, which requires it to recruit more men and women than the other branches to stay at current levels, the Army now must reach a goal of 476,000 active-duty soldiers, an increase from the previous goal of 460,000. In meeting this challenge, the Army faces a considerable hurdle. Research shows that family support can play a major role in a potential candidate's decision to enlist, and Americans are far less likely to recommend the Army than the Navy or Air Force to a child or grandchild who is considering enlisting. The percentage who say they would recommend the Army is about the same as for the Marines. However, the Marines are adding only 800 men and women to their ranks and have the advantage of being considered the most prestigious of the military branches. All of these factors make it easy to understand why the Army is launching a $300 million campaign involving bonuses and advertising over the next eight months to meet its recruiting goals. These data are available in Gallup Analytics. Story Highlights 55% say religion can answer all or most of today's problems 71% of Republicans believe this, 47% of Democrats Protestants, weekly churchgoers most likely to agree WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A slim majority of Americans (55%) say religion can answer all or most of today's problems. Although this percentage has declined substantially over time, it has been relatively stable over the past year and a half and is up from the all-time low of 51% in May 2015. The current results are based on Gallup's May 3-7 Values and Beliefs poll. In 1957, a time of greater religious commitment in the United States, 82% of Americans said that religion could answer all or most of the day's problems. As recently as 2002, 66% of U.S. adults expressed the same sentiment. But the measure has declined since then, reaching 51% -- the all-time low -- in May 2015. However, Americans' views on religion's relevance in answering problems have since stabilized in the 53% to 55% range. The broad trend aligns with declines in church attendance and fewer Americans saying they believe in God or a creationist viewpoint. Meanwhile, the 34% of Americans who today say religion is "largely old-fashioned and out of date" is up from 7% in 1957 and near the all-time high of 35% for this view. The remaining 10% of Americans today have no opinion on whether religion can solve today's problems. Religious Americans Endorse Religion as a Problem Solver As might be expected, people's commitment to religion factors into their views of religion's role in solving today's problems. Among those who report attending church every week, 85% say religion answers problems, compared with 33% of those who seldom or never attend. Americans who attend church semi-regularly -- nearly weekly or monthly -- are closer to weekly attenders than nonattenders in their views, with 69% believing religion can help solve today's problems. When broken down by Americans' religious preferences, 71% of Protestants or other Christians believe that religion can answer most, if not all, problems, while 60% of Catholics believe the same. Not surprisingly, 9% of those with no religious preference believe religion can answer problems, but 81% say it is old-fashioned and out of date. There are also substantial differences by party identification, as would be expected given the major existing differences in religiosity across partisan groups. In the latest survey, 71% of Republicans say that religion can solve all or most problems, compared with 50% of independents and 47% of Democrats. Religion Playing a Role in Answering Today's Problems Can answer today's problems Old-fashioned and out of date % % Church Attendance Weekly 85 5 Nearly weekly/Monthly 69 19 Seldom/Never 33 58 Religious Preference Protestant/Other Christian 71 19 Catholic 60 28 None 9 81 Party Identification Republican 71 21 Independent 50 40 Democrat 47 41 Gallup, May 3-7, 2017 Bottom Line Americans' beliefs about religion are evolving. The percentage of Americans who say the Bible is the literal word of God and who believe in creationism are at record lows, and the number of those who say religion can answer all or most of today's problems has declined in recent decades. Still, a slim majority of Americans believe religion can answer problems, a vast majority think that God played some part in the process of human creation, and most believe God also had a role in the contents of the Bible. Religious fervor may be declining, but with these questions, Americans still assert religion and topics relating to religion as having relevance in 21st-century life. These data are available in Gallup Analytics. You can bet this years Belmont Stakes online from South Carolina via any number of international racebooks that wont ask for your social security number or report your betting activity to a government entity. If you live in South Carolina, the only option you have is to bet online from home as there are no race tracks in the state. Furthermore, US-based online race books the likes of TwinSpires will not allow South Carolina residents to be on their respective sites. International online race books DO. SportsBetting Racebook vs. TwinSpires SportsBetting Racebook TWINSPIRES.COM 7 Percent Cash Back No Cash Back Free Play Signup Bonus Free Play Signup Bonus Does Not Require Social Security # Must Provide Social Security # Encourages Tax Declaration of Winnings Reports Tax Info to Government Offers Betting on Hundreds More Events Limited to Horse Betting Betting on Over 50 Race Tracks Betting on Over 50 Race Tracks Live Dealer Online Casino No Online Casino START BETTING AT SPORTSBETTING.AG HERE NOW - Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com Last March marked the premier of the Kingdom Hearts Orchestra World Tour, and this month it finally comes to the U.S. to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the series. The first shows will be held in Los Angeles on June 10, 11, and 14 at the Dolby Theatre, and the later shows will be at the United Palace Theatre in New York City on June 23 and 24. Much like the Legend of Zelda: Symphony Of the Goddesses concert (which you can read our impressions of here), the music will be accompanied by video cinematics. One interesting bit of information is that the voice actors for Kairi/Xion and Aqua have reprised their roles for new content featured exclusively in the concert, which Tetsuya Nomura has supervised and considers to be part of the Kingdom Hearts universe. Special VIP tickets are available for those who wish to meet series composer Yoko Shimomura after the shows. Tickets for the Los Angeles shows can be found here, and for the New York shows here. Our Take Kingdom Hearts has a great soundtrack, so this will probably be a fun concert to attend. Perhaps it could soften the blow dealt to fans by the recent news that they still have a long time to wait for Kingdom Hearts III. I'm curious to hear more about these special "voice sequences," although I'm sure they won't be substantial. Former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo is shown June 1, 2017 during his sentencing at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. He was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. His defense attorney J.W. Carney Jr., of Boston, is shown, at right. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Judge John Agostini speaks June 1, 2017 during the sentencing of former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. Carrillo was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY J.W. Carney Jr., the defense attorney for former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo, speaks June 1, 2017 during Carrillo's sentencing at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. He was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Eric Spofford, founder & CEO of The Granite House in New Hampshire, speaks June 1, 2017 on behalf of former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo during Carrillo's sentencing at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. Carrillo was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori. He was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Michael Doepker reads a victim impact statement June 1, 2017 during the sentencing of former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. Carrillo was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori, the son of Doepker's partner. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo is shown June 1, 2017 during his sentencing at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. He was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. His defense attorney J.W. Carney Jr., of Boston, is shown, at right. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Francesca Sinacori cries while reading a victim impact statement June 1, 2017, during the sentencing of former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. Carrillo was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori, Francesca's son. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Francesca Sinacori speaks to the media during a press conference June 1, 2017 following the sentencing of former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. Carrillo was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori, Francesca's son. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY J.W. Carney Jr., the defense attorney for former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo, speaks to the media during a press conference June 1, 2017 following the sentencing of Carrillo at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. He was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Francesca Sinacori speaks during a press conference Thursday following the sentencing of Jesse Carrillo at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. Carrillo was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the 2013 heroin overdose death of Sinacoris son, Eric Sinacori. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo, center, is shown June 1, 2017 during his sentencing at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. He was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. His defense attorney J.W. Carney Jr., of Boston, is shown, second from right. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Former UMass graduate student Jesse Carrillo is shown June 1, 2017 during his sentencing at Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton. He was found guilty on charges of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin following the 2013 overdose death of Eric Sinacori. Carrillo was sentenced to serve one year in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, as well as five years of probation. GAZETTE STAFF/SARAH CROSBY Former University of Massachusetts Amherst student Jesse Carrillo of Derry, New Hampshire, talks to his lawyer, Attorney J.W. Carney Jr. of Boston after the guilty verdict was announced in Superior Court in Northampton on Wednesday, May 30th, 2017. Carrillo was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin in the 2013 death of UMass junior Eric Sinacori. NORTHAMPTON Shortly before a judge sentenced a former University of Massachusetts graduate student to serve a year in jail for his role in the overdose death of a fellow student, the dead mans mother asked the judge to send a message. Francesca Sinacori told a Hampshire Superior Court judge Thursday morning that the loss of her son Eric Sinacori left her with an emptiness that will haunt her for the rest of her life. I pray that your honor sets this precedent to show dealers that they will be held accountable for their recklessness with other peoples lives, Francesca Sinacori said. Eric Sinacori, 20, of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, was found dead by his father in his apartment at Puffton Village in Amherst on Oct. 4, 2013. He was a third-year kinesiology major at UMass. Jesse Carrillo was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and distributing heroin. He was sentenced to 2 years in the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction. Only one year of the incarceration sentence must be served while the remaining year and a half will be stayed on the drug distribution charge if he complies with the terms of his probation, Judge John Agostini ruled. Carrillo was also sentenced to five years probation on the involuntary manslaughter charge, to be served concurrently with five years probation on the distribution charge. During the sentencing hearing, Francesca Sinacori recalled the last conversation she had with her son, just an hour before his death. He told me he was cleaning his apartment for me so I could stay over for family weekend. He told me he missed us a lot and he couldnt wait to see us for family weekend, Sinacori said, crying. She said her son asked her to make a tray of lasagna, a dish she had already been planning to bring as a surprise. But, she recalled, The preparation and the cooking took a lot longer than I thought it would. I got a late start to see him for family weekend, she said. I was still three hours away when I found out he was dead. All I can remember was screaming, punching the dashboard, hitting the accelerator. I dont know how I made it up here. All I wanted to do was die, Sinacori continued. I begged the coroner to wait for me to get there because I wanted to give him one last hug and tell him everything was going to be OK. I knew for me it wasnt going to be OK because he was my life, my air, my world. In arguing for the jail sentence, Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Jeremy Bucci referred to evidence not included in the trial, that Carrillo had dealt drugs before and after Sinacoris death. To suggest and try to separate himself from what drug distributors look like would be to undermine everything we know about the opioid epidemic, Bucci said, referring to the argument raised by the defense that Carrillo was simply an addict helping another addict. The crimes he has been convicted of are not symptomatic of drug addiction. He wasnt gaining financially, he wasnt supporting his own habit, he was dealing drugs because he wanted to, Bucci said. Defense attorney J.W. Carney Jr. argued for no jail time. Instead, he recommended a period of house arrest, GPS monitoring or curfew, as well as five years probation. I submit that this is a very rare case that it is a bigger danger to the community taking Jesse off the street and putting him in prison than would be leaving him in essence on the street to continue doing his work, Carney said. Im not asking that Jesse not be punished but Im asking that the court come up with a creative disposition that fits the unique facts and the unique individual before the court. One that both allows him to help all of these drug addicts plus some punishment by the conditions he will be under while on probation. Carrillo currently works as a house manager in a sober house and an admissions counselor for Granite House, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program in New Hampshire. Carney has filed an appeal of the jurys verdict citing two aspects: the judges refusal to give the jury an option of joint personal use of heroin by both men, and questioning whether there was sufficient evidence to support a conviction of manslaughter. Because of the appeal, the judge granted a two-week stay of the sentence, meaning Carrillo will not have to report to jail any sooner than June 16. Speaking on Carrillos behalf, Eric Spofford detailed the work Carrillo has done for Granite House, which Spofford founded. In all the time Ive known him since he has first arrived, he has done very well and helped a lot of people, Spofford said. Carrillo has been sober for 30 months, according to Carney. One person who said Carrillo has helped him is Jordan Wilhelm. Wilhelm said he has been at the sober house since July 2016 and said that, before his arrival, many people had given up on him. When I got there, I was really stubborn, I didnt really have a lot of confidence in myself. He helped walk me through a lot of things, Wilhelm said of Carrillo. He is a role model for me. He helped me walk through a lot of fears. During the sentencing hearing, Agostini said he received 21 statements in support of Carrillo as well as numerous victim impact statements from Sinacoris family and friends. The important facts are that I dont perceive that Jesse was a drug dealer I see that as one addict from another, helping each other out in a perverted sense, Agostini said. On the other hand, this is manslaughter. We have a death here, a death that should not have occurred. It is manslaughter and there are punishments that go along with the severity of the crime. A parent himself, Agostini said he felt for the parents and families of both men. Ive seen it simply too many times, Agostini said. Its the parents that suffer more than anything. Its the families that go through hell. I also realize, that anything I do and anything I say will provide no comfort or solace to anyone. Its almost a zero-sum game. Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com. A Pinch of Salt: The election is over, I think, so what now? The Benton County Sheriff's Office has hired a private security firm to provide screening in the courthouse so the deputies currently doing the job can be transferred to the jail. Sheriff Scott Jackson said the contract with DePaul Industries for two full-time security officers will cost $130,000 a year. Despite the added expense, private security will cost much less than the price tag for two new deputies needed in the jail, Jackson said. The two corrections deputies currently working security at the courthouse will move to working in the jail full-time. Hiring two additional full-time jail deputies would cost about $240,000 a year, the sheriff said. Its a small price to bring those jail deputies back into the jail and use them more efficiently, Jackson said. Private security officers will start managing the X-ray screen and metal detector at the entrance to the courthouse on July 1, he said. The sheriff said corrections deputies will still patrol the courthouse from time-to-time. They will also continue to escort inmates to and from court hearings, he said. I think its going to be an enhancement of the security over there, Jackson said. DePaul Industries provides unarmed security officers to businesses and government agencies in the Portland, Salem, and Eugene metro areas, the firms website says. Its security officers are trained in-house by staff members, many of whom have law enforcement or military experience. Close to extinction, the tiny vaquita porpoise the worlds smallest cetacean has been thrown a lifeline with options on the table including captivity and even, as a last resort, the collection of genetic material for cryopreservation. More information Del cautiverio a la clonacion: el plan de Mexico para salvar a la vaquita marina de la extincion Its a desperate measure, says Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, president of the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita (Cirva), which has put together a four-phase plan costing $4 million including the cryopreservation option on behalf of the Mexican government. With fewer than 30 examples of the species thought to be left in its natural habitat in the Gulf of California, and with a fishing ban in the zone coming to an end on Wednesday, the situation is dramatic. In October, three US navy vessels will begin an exhaustive search for vaquitas in the Gulf of California, the aim being to capture examples. It is a difficult task that has never been tried before and little is known of the behavior of the cetacean, which was only discovered in 1958. The animals are wary of human contact, staying below the ocean surface, appearing only briefly to breathe. We never thought a population of 100 vaquitas would end up being 30 Maria Jose Villanueva , with the WWF in Mexico It is not known how vaquitas will react to capture, and there are fears they could suffer life-threatening stress, as is the case with some related species. The operation will be carried out with surgical precision, and any animals captured will be delivered to a sanctuary the Mexican government plans to build near San Felipe in the state of Baja California. The physical condition of any captured animals will be closely monitored and the vaquitas will be released if they do not respond well, according to Cirva. The eventual aim of the sanctuary project is to breed the animals in captivity, but as Cirva itself recognizes, the effort of transferring several vaquitas to the sanctuary is extremely difficult and costly, and there is no guarantee of success. The main reason experts are pushing the Mexican government toward the capture option is the presence of illegal gill nets designed to catch totoaba fish in the Gulf of California in which vaquitas are caught and then die. Although the Mexican government placed a ban on the nets in the region two years ago, illegal fishing continues. If experts manage to deliver porpoises to the planned sanctuary, the next step will be to clear the Gulf of California of gill nets, in what Rojas-Bracho describes as the real act of conservation. The material would be transferred to the Frozen Zoo in the US city of San Diego The current fishing ban ended on Wednesday and Maria Jose Villanueva, a project coordinator with the WWF in Mexico says it is critical that alternative fishing methods are authorized, allowing for gradual technological change in the industry. There is a last resort: cryopreservation in the event the animal becomes extinct. We never thought it would come to this. We never thought a population of 100 vaquitas would end up being 30, says Villanueva, discussing the option that would see genetic material, including reproductive cells and tissue, collected from the porpoises during the process of capture. The material would be transferred to the Frozen Zoo in the US city of San Diego, where examples of some 10,000 animals in danger of extinction are stored at an institution that has managed to reproduce living animal tissue. Its not that far off cloning not that [cloning] is the solution for now. But we will have a genetic heritage so that at some future point, once the technology already very advanced has developed and once cloning is possible, we will be able to do it, says Rojas-Bracho. English version by George Mills. Time for a survey To the Editor: Its time for a St. Paul survey One of the mistakes of the past with respect to deciding on the future of St. Pauls is that previous... Election for St. Pauls To the Editor: Perhaps someday there will be an election where some folks decide about St.Pauls. If the election is conducted in the most popular way, the outcome might not... Proposal on the ballot To the Editor: On the bottom of your ballot you will be asked to vote yes or no on creating a state bond which will amount to $4.2 billion. Subject coverage should be... Botched RFP process To the Editor: During the last several weeks, village officials sent out RFPs (requests for proposals) seeking candidate firms to provide them with comparative analysis and cost estimates -- ... Spains hospitality industry is doing particularly well. Samuel Sanchez Job creation in Spain keeps speeding up at a pace unseen since before the financial crisis. Social Security affiliations, considered a measure of official job creation, grew by an average of 223,192 contributors in a single month, according to the Labor Ministry. That is the best May since this statistical series began in 2001. The upward push has left the Social Security system with 683,575 more contributors in the last year, an annual rise of 3.87%. The figures for May demonstrate the great weight of temporary jobs in the Spanish job market Meanwhile, jobless claims fell by 111,908 for a total of 3.46 million, the lowest figure since June 2009. For the last few months, the labor market has been creating jobs at a rate that improves on 2015, considered the best year since the economic recovery. Before that, there was greater job creation in 2005, boosted in large part by the Socialist governments immigrant regularization drive, which brought a lot of informal workers into the official economy. The hospitality industry has been doing particularly well in recent years, and last month was no exception, with 65,409 new Social Security contributors. This sector was followed by administrative workers (24,349 new affiliations) and retail (15,793). As for hirings, over two million contracts were signed in May, up nearly 16% from the same period last year. This figure demonstrates the great weight of temporary jobs in the Spanish job market, since only 8.2% of those contracts were open-ended. English version by Susana Urra. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. 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. I offer you a welcoming embrace, I am glad that we can count on you once more as part of our society. We are very happy to have you back. We hope that from now on, your life will change. We all have the right to a second opportunity. Welcome. These are some of the messages from the Colombian people to the FARCs 6,900 demobilized guerrilla fighters. They are lessons in tolerance summed up in dozens of letters that youth groups have been collecting all over the country. The goal: to show that Colombia wants peace, but also inner reconciliation. Crying over my father is not going to bring him back, but I want to tell his killers that I forgive them In a country with a divided society, it is important to find symbols that can bring us together, that will help us find common ground where we call all work together, explains Leonardo Parraga, director of the youth foundation BogotArt and one of the drivers of the Letters for Reconciliation initiative. This citizen project aims to help the peace process by showing support for demobilized guerrilla fighters. Since early February, activists have been encouraging Colombians to write a letter to some of the guerrilla members who have been congregating for three months in one of the 26 normalization zones, where they wait to turn in their weapons and join civil society again. A youngster reads a letter to a former guerrilla. The letters have been collected through a website and via some of the mailboxes set up in cities such as Bogota, Cali, Manizales, Medellin or Barranquilla. On the streets we have seen some people get upset when we mention the demobilization issue, but theyre just a minority. People generally want to participate. To some its been a spiritual liberation of sorts. In a way, they have been able to achieve self-forgiveness and self-reconciliation, says Parraga. Some of the messages are heartrending. My father was assassinated at the Santander massacre in Quilichao. Crying over him is not going to bring him back, but I want to tell them [his killers] that I forgive them, because it is useless to hold on to bad feelings, reads a letter written by a young woman from the Cauca department. It is impossible to explain the feelings you can experience in just a few hours, from fear to joy Manuela Jimenez, political science student The goal of the project is to hand-deliver each of these letters in the normalization areas, so the guerrilla members can read them out loud. This has already been done in the area of Caldono, in the Cauca valley, still home to 500 former combatants. Several student groups braved the mountain wilderness to reach the heart of the FARC campsite, bearing handfuls of letters. It is impossible to explain the amount of feelings that you can experience in just a few hours, from fear to joy, says Manuela Jimenez, a political science student. To many of these youths, the chance for a one-on-one encounter with these ex-combatants has been a cure against prejudice and the rhetoric of rejection that has been dividing Colombian public opinion for the last year. I realized that, in reality, those people whom I often viewed as monsters and came to hate are also human beings, said Jimenez. I never thought that anybody would be willing to forgive my mistakes, but now I know there is a society out there waiting for us with open arms, wrote a former guerrilla fighter on the back of a letter. All I know how to do is to grow crops and wield weapons, but for the sake of peace I can learn a dignified job. English version by Susana Urra. Article Protecting the worlds oceans an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs. Nigerian Man Based In The UK Sends Get Well Letter To President Buhari (PHOTO) bayonel3 at 2-06-2017 10:17 AM (5 years ago) (m) A Nigerian man identified as Chief Sunbo Onitri was at the Abuja House in the United Kingdom on May 29th, 2017 to deliver a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, his letter was to 'pray for quick recovery' of the president, but also to highlight some of the issues being faced by the common man in Nigeria presently. He also called on the youths to wrestle for the country's leadership as the elders have run out of ideas, adding that "the solutions to the problems of our country and the future are all in the hands of our youths". A Nigerian man identified as Chief Sunbo Onitri was at the Abuja House in the United Kingdom on May 29th, 2017 to deliver a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, his letter was to 'pray for quick recovery' of the president, but also to highlight some of the issues being faced by the common man in Nigeria presently. He also called on the youths to wrestle for the country's leadership as the elders have run out of ideas, adding that Post Reply I scour the world wide web to bring you interesting stories from around the globe. [email protected] Posted: at 2-06-2017 10:17 AM (5 years ago) | Hero pricklong at 2-06-2017 10:26 AM (5 years ago) (m) Oga you get time Posted: at 2-06-2017 10:26 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Oga you get time Reply gogoman at 2-06-2017 10:30 AM (5 years ago) (m) BUHARI RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Posted: at 2-06-2017 10:30 AM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero BUHARI RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reply concentrate at 2-06-2017 10:33 AM (5 years ago) (m) So why is he announcing it? Nonsense Posted: at 2-06-2017 10:33 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac So why is he announcing it? Nonsense Reply chukkychukky at 2-06-2017 10:33 AM (5 years ago) (m) him wan check if bubu still dey alive Joramentity aka chukkychukky Posted: at 2-06-2017 10:33 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac him wan check if bubu still dey alive Reply angesco at 2-06-2017 10:37 AM (5 years ago) (f) TO MR BUHARI, Get well QUICK and go and DO what other PRESIDENTS are doing in their respective countries. You have SHOWN the WORLD we are DEPENDENT on the WESTERN WORLD for good health. It is NOW an EMBARRASSMENT!!!!!!!!!!! Posted: at 2-06-2017 10:37 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac TO MR BUHARI,Get well QUICK and go and DO what other PRESIDENTS are doing in their respective countries.You have SHOWN the WORLD we are DEPENDENT on the WESTERN WORLD for good health.It is NOW an EMBARRASSMENT!!!!!!!!!!! Reply akinmanchy at 2-06-2017 11:41 AM (5 years ago) (m) Ok na Life na jeje so just try to take am softly Posted: at 2-06-2017 11:41 AM (5 years ago) | Hero Ok na Reply dynasty4all at 2-06-2017 11:44 AM (5 years ago) (m) ATTENTION SEEKER LAZY MAN Posted: at 2-06-2017 11:44 AM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac ATTENTION SEEKERLAZY MAN Reply morgan1 at 2-06-2017 04:28 PM (5 years ago) (m) Noted,,,, Posted: at 2-06-2017 04:28 PM (5 years ago) | Hero Noted,,,, Reply ruthie at 2-06-2017 04:31 PM (5 years ago) (f) mumu man! who come receive his letter? abi is he sure he is at the right place Posted: at 2-06-2017 04:31 PM (5 years ago) | Hero mumu man! who come receive his letter? abi is he sure he is at the right place Reply BournIdentity at 4-06-2017 02:12 AM (5 years ago) (m) Posted: at 4-06-2017 02:12 AM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero Reply Donald Trump announces the US will be pulling out of the Paris climate deal. Andrew Harnik (AP) Donald Trump announced yesterday with great paraphernalia that the United States was pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, although his decision to dismantle the federal policies so painfully put together by the Obama administration, and his intention not to comply with the accord, were well known since January. But the news has generated huge concerns among the international community. In the next few lines I will try to demonstrate that this decision is, to a great extent, inexplicable, and potentially highly damaging. The mitigation objectives within the deal are easily achievable with changes to the energy sector Trumps reasoning is based on the agreement putting the US at a disadvantage, because it supposedly imposes huge demands that could lead to significant economic losses. This is highly debatable: his country has the biggest economy in the world and thus a high economic capacity, and is responsible for a large part of the historic emissions of greenhouse gasses, with one of the highest level of per capita emissions in the world. But above all else, the mitigation objectives within the deal for the US are modest and easily achievable with changes to the energy sector (more renewables and gas, less coal). Moreover, the countrys climate policies with several notable exceptions on a state and local level do not come anywhere near the ambition and sophistication of the packages that the European Union has been putting into action in the last decade. And a large number of American companies are aware of the reputation costs and the loss of markets that this movement will bring with it. To make matters worse, mining and other similar sectors are not going to achieve additional protection when the US drops out of the deal: renewable energies are ever-more competitive, the days of coal are numbered due to environmental reasons, and in any case, large-scale mechanization is doing away with jobs in these sectors. But this senseless decision could have anyway profound implications. Firstly, it will make the meeting of the Paris objectives much more difficult: limiting a rise in global temperatures to 2C would already have been tough with the US fully involved in the deal, but will be even more so without it. Secondly, a large part of the mitigation and adaptation in developing countries will depend on the arrival of funds agreed on in Paris, for which the contributions of the United States were essential. To make matters worse, mining and other similar sectors are not going to achieve additional protection when the US drops out of the deal Of course, this goes much further than the effectiveness of the agreement and demonstrates the scant interest of the Trump administration in international equity and in the protection of the more disadvantaged people on the planet. Finally, given the voluntary nature of the Paris accord, for one of the worlds biggest producers of greenhouse gases and the biggest economy on the planet to leave will generate obvious disincentives for those who stay in, and will make the application of more ambitious policies in this field even more difficult (recall that competitiveness issues have been in the center of EU debates on climate policy reform). Its hard to know where we are headed and how governments from the rest of the world should proceed. Obviously the renegotiation of an agreement that already offers a great deal of flexibility and interaction between its signatories is not the way to go. Perhaps now is the moment for level-headedness, of maintaining and strengthening the existing climate policies and those that need to be developed by signatories of the Paris accord, and, above all else, establishing a framework that facilitates the private mobilization of resources in the transition to low-carbon economies. That way it will be possible for industry and research to continue advancing in the fight against climate change, thus making Trumps decision ever more irrelevant. Xavier Labandeira is an economics professor at Vigo University and the director of Economics for Energy. English version by Simon Hunter. clarajancita at 2-06-2017 02:19 PM (5 years ago) (f) The Senate Committee on Works has recommended an increase in the pump price of petrol from N145 to N150 for the implementation of the proposed National Roads Fund (NRF). The Senate Committee on Works has recommended an increase in the pump price of petrol from N145 to N150 for the implementation of the proposed National Roads Fund (NRF). The recommendation came a year after President Muhammadu Buhari raised the pump price of fuel from N87 to N145 per litre. The increase was part of the recommendations made by the Senate Committee on Works, chaired by Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano) on the National Roads Fund (Est. Etc) Bill (SB.218).The report was scheduled for consideration during plenary yesterday, as it was on the order paper. It was however suspended for another legislative day due to time constraint. The committee recommended fuel levy of N5 chargeable per litre on any volume of petrol and diesel products imported into the country and locally refined Petroleum products. A copy of the report obtained revealed that 12 out of the 15 members of the committee have endorsed it. Senators who endorsed the report are, Senators Gaya, Clifford Ordia, Barnabas Gemade, Mao Ohuabunwa , Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Ben Bruce, Gilbert Nnaji, Abubakar Kyari, Ibrahim Danbaba, Mustapha Bukar, Sani Mustapha and Buruji Kashamu. Those whose signatures were not appended on the report are, Senators Olusola Adeyeye, Biodun Olujimi and Ahmad Ogembe. The report has been distributed to senators. Under the sources of revenue for the National roads fund, the committee recommended as follows, The recommendation came a year after President Muhammadu Buhari raised the pump price of fuel from N87 to N145 per litre. The increase was part of the recommendations made by the Senate Committee on Works, chaired by Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano) on the National Roads Fund (Est. Etc) Bill (SB.218).The report was scheduled for consideration during plenary yesterday, as it was on the order paper. It was however suspended for another legislative day due to time constraint. The committee recommended fuel levy of N5 chargeable per litre on any volume of petrol and diesel products imported into the country and locally refined Petroleum products. A copy of the report obtained revealed that 12 out of the 15 members of the committee have endorsed it.Senators who endorsed the report are, Senators Gaya, Clifford Ordia, Barnabas Gemade, Mao Ohuabunwa , Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Ben Bruce, Gilbert Nnaji, Abubakar Kyari, Ibrahim Danbaba, Mustapha Bukar, Sani Mustapha and Buruji Kashamu.Those whose signatures were not appended on the report are, Senators Olusola Adeyeye, Biodun Olujimi and Ahmad Ogembe. The report has been distributed to senators. Under the sources of revenue for the National roads fund, the committee recommended as follows, Quote fuel levy of N5 chargeable per litre on any volume of petrol and diesel products imported into Nigeria and on locally refined petroleum products. The committee also recommended toll fees; a percentage not exceeding 10 percent of any revenue paid as user charge per vehicle on any Federal road designated as toll road. It further recommended international vehicle transit charges, inter-state mass transit user charge of 0.5 percent deductible from the fare paid by passengers to commercial mass transit operators and axle load control charges. In the report, Gaya explained that the road fund was designed to address the poor funding of roads in the country. He said the fund when established would serve as a repository of revenues from road user related charges and other sources for financing, which shall be managed and administered for routine and periodic maintenance works on roads in the country. An aide of the Senate President on Print Media, Mr. Chuks Okocha said recommendation was still a proposal and that it has not been debated. The committee also recommended toll fees; a percentage not exceeding 10 percent of any revenue paid as user charge per vehicle on any Federal road designated as toll road. It further recommended international vehicle transit charges, inter-state mass transit user charge of 0.5 percent deductible from the fare paid by passengers to commercial mass transit operators and axle load control charges.In the report, Gaya explained that the road fund was designed to address the poor funding of roads in the country. He said the fund when established would serve as a repository of revenues from road user related charges and other sources for financing, which shall be managed and administered for routine and periodic maintenance works on roads in the country. An aide of the Senate President on Print Media, Mr. Chuks Okocha said recommendation was still a proposal and that it has not been debated. Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 2-06-2017 02:19 PM (5 years ago) | Hero NBC journalist asks PM Modi: Do you have a twitter account? News oi -Shilpa A new question goes viral all over the internet. A new question is going viral all over the internet. As simple as it looks, "Are you on a Twitter account?" turned out be the biggest mess when an American journalist Megyn Kelly asked this to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yes, now Kelly has come under widespread online criticism for asking this question to the second-most followed politician on Twitter with over 30 million followers. She met Modi when she had to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin in this Russian city for her new NBC show. The channel has also aired a teaser video of this event where Kelly greets Putin and Modi at state party dinner at the Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg. This hilarious question was asked by her when Modi told about her picture of holding an umbrella in St. Petersburg, which is shared on her Twitter wall. Her picture had this caption: "Things are looking up in St. Petersburg - the rain stopped...& I will interview President Putin on Friday". Things are looking up in St. Petersburg - the rain stopped...& I will interview President Putin on Friday. pic.twitter.com/3MJ3IoIhlH Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 1, 2017 "Ohh really! Did you? Are you on Twitter?" was her reply, which made all the netizens to go crazy and interestingly, Modi nodded saying 'yes' to this question. This made everyone to accuse her of not doing the homework properly. "Sheesh. @megynkelly asks @narendramodi who has 30 million followers if he's on Twitter. What does it take to get India on the radar screen," tweeted Alyssa Ayres, a senior fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations. IRCTC to let you book train tickets and pay later She was also accused as a #CluelessAmerican by Rupa Subramanya in her tweet. It is known to everyone that Modi is the second most followed politician in the world with 30.3 million followers on Twitter, after US President Donald Trump with 31.2 million followers. Overall Modi is ranked at the 35th spot in the list of most followers on Twitter. - With IANS Inputs Best Mobiles in India LG to launch G6 Pro and G6 Plus in June News oi -Samden Sherpa Reports from Korea state that LG is preparing to announce the G6 Plus and G6 Pro sometime in June. While LG has already announced the G6, it looks like the company is gearing up to launch two more smartphones is the same series. According to reports, LG is planning to launch the G6 Plus and G6 Pro smartphones in the market soon. The company has also somewhat confirmed the report and an LG executive has stated, "We can't confirm or deny what we haven't announced yet but what I can say is that we are definitely interested in expanding our product offerings to include more options for customers who are asking for different features." SEE ALSO: LG Pay launched: Features, Supported devices and more So with this statement, LG doesn't directly say that the G6 Pro or G6 Plus will be released, but the company is also not denying anything in particular. Besides, it only looks like LG is suggesting that new models could arrive. The reports also note that the two upcoming smartphones won't necessarily be upgrades to the G6. Thus it could mean that the two handsets will feature similar features and specs as the G6. Some previous reports have suggested that the G6 Plus is expected to come with 128GB of internal storage and wireless charging. As for the G6 Pro, it will offer just 32GB of storage. LG G6 gets Rs.10,000 off as the company celebrates its 20th anniversary However, the main differentiating factor between the two LG G6 variants would be the pricing. The G6 Plus is expected to come at a price of $890 (approx Rs. 57,347), while the G6 Pro will come at a price of $700 (approx Rs. 45,104). In any case, if reports are true the handsets are expected to go on sale at the end of June with the three major South Korean carriers. As for the Global launch, the company should provide more details in the days to come. Source / Via Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Nokia 6, Nokia 5, Nokia 3 will receive Android O update, confirms HMD News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Nokia phones will get the Android O update. While we eagerly await the release of the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 smartphones in India, there is a confirmation from HMD regarding the software part. Earlier this week, it was reported that these smartphones will be launched in India in mid-June. The company has confirmed that the Nokia Android smartphones will receive the latest iteration of Android when the same is ready to be rolled out. HMD has confirmed that the Nokia 6, Nokia 5, Nokia 3 will get the Android O update, to Techradar. It is also believed that the company might roll out Android O to the upcoming Nokia Android smartphones that are slated to be launched in the third quarter of this year. Nokia 6, Nokia 5, Nokia 3 India release likely slated for mid-June Google is still prepping the Android O that is likely to be made available in the next quarter. Once the Android O update is available, it will take HMD a considerable time to port the new OS to its existing smartphones. Apart from confirming that the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 will get the Android O update, the company hasn't revealed any specific timeframe for the same. Nokia 3310 fresh stock will arrive this week It is believed that there won't be a significant delay in the roll out of the Android O update to the Nokia Android smartphones those are awaiting their release. We hope so as there shouldn't be any major challenges in porting the OS to these phones. Once these Nokia smartphones get the Android O update, they should also be able to get the Project Treble via future updates. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications 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 Google Ad 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 Google Ad 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 U.S. Department of Defense Press Operations News Transcript Presenter: Army Colonel Ryan Dillon, spokesman of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve June 01, 2017 Department of Defense Press Briefing by Col. Dillon via teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq CAPTAIN JEFF DAVIS: So, for everybody here, I wanted to introduce you to the voice, anyway, of Colonel Ryan Dillon. Hopefully, you had a chance to meet him when he was back here a couple months ago and walking through. Colonel Dillon has replaced Colonel Dorrian out in OIR as our spokesperson there. He will -- he's joining us by phone today, but will be going into the briefing room and doing the on-camera by video teleconference starting next week. Ryan, welcome. Thank you for your service out there. And we look forward to hearing from you. We'll open it up to you for your opening comments and then take questions from here. COLONEL RYAN DILLON: Awesome. All right. Great. Thanks, Jeff. And just to let everyone know, this is my first Pentagon press corps briefing. I'd first like to acknowledge that I am honored to be batting fourth in the lineup of OIR spokesmen. All three officers who have preceded me in this position have all been mentors of mine. Steve Warren and Chris Garver have provided me sage guidance for several years now, and John Dorrian more recently in the last couple of months. While I only got to meet a few of you face to face before I departed the Pentagon, I have corresponded with many of you since I have taken the seat. So I look forward to working with you all in the next year or so. And with that, we'll go ahead and get started in Iraq, and then we'll move on to Syria. The Iraqi security forces continue to make steady progress as they close in on the remaining three ISIS-held neighborhoods of west Mosul. The remaining ISIS fighters hold less than 10 square kilometers of the city. Liberating these final neighborhoods will be among the most difficult fighting the ISF has faced in their campaign to defeat ISIS. The coalition has continued to support the Iraqi security force's advance with 21 strikes in the past week, hitting mortars, machine guns, multiple vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, and VBIED factories. With the car bomb threat in mind, the government of Iraq directed civilians not to use cars or motorcycles to avoid being mistaken for militants. And this is necessary to mitigate the vehicle-borne IED threat, which has been the enemy's weapon of choice in Mosul. The coalition has supported the ISF in neutralizing this threat by striking more than 120 vehicles in the past week alone leading into the remaining ISIS-held territory. The government of Iraq has instructed civilians remaining in old Mosul to evacuate. Many civilians, though, cannot break away from ISIS safely. We've heard multiple first-person accounts, daily accounts of ISIS's attempts to prevent citizens from leaving. Citizens have been herded and forced into buildings being trapped to use for ISIS' sinister tactics. They have been shot by ISIS snipers while trying to evacuate. And we have seen them victims of ISIS-emplaced bombs and bobby-traps as they attempt to flee. Iraqi security forces have established safe passages along the forward lines of troops to get civilians to muster points and screening sites outside of the city. Capacity is available at nearby IDP camps, but getting away from ISIS is the critical factor. Moving on to Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces continue to close in on ISIS around Raqqah. The SDF has gained about 350 square kilometers from ISIS in the last week. The SDF is poised around Raqqah. They're within three kilometers of Raqqah City from the north and the east, and are about 10 kilometers from the city to the west. The coalition continues to service ISIS targets with precision air and artillery strikes as the enemy attempts to strengthen their defenses in and around Raqqah. The coalition conducted 59 strikes in support of the isolation of Raqqah this past week, hitting fighting positions, construction equipment, artillery systems and command and control nodes. And despite our focused efforts in Raqqah, the coalition continues to engage ISIS targets wherever we find them. Throughout the combined joint operations area, the coalition struck multiple ISIS revenue-producing targets this week, 14 fuel trucks, 12 fuel tanks, 12 oil stills, and 3 wellheads. ISIS uses revenue from these oil sales to fund their operations. And lastly in southern Syria, we have had many questions regarding our operations at At Tanf. The coalition has observed pro-regime forces patrolling in the vicinity of the established de-confliction zone around the At Tanf training site. Coalition forces have operated there for many months training and advising our vetted partner forces in the fight against ISIS. Pro-regime patrols and the continued armed and hostile presence of forces inside the de-confliction zone is unacceptable and threatening to our coalition forces. We are prepared to defend ourselves if pro-regime forces refuse to vacate the de-confliction zone. We have communicated our position through the de-confliction line with the Russians, and we have dropped leaflets to the force inside of the de-confliction zone. The coalition is dedicated and focused on the defeat of ISIS. Our partner forces are dedicated and focused on the defeat of ISIS. And we think all parties in southern Syria should remain focused on the defeat of ISIS, which is our common enemy and the greatest threat to the region and worldwide peace and security. And with that, I'll go ahead and am ready to take your questions. CAPT. DAVIS: Sir, we'll start with Kasim Ileri from Anadolu News Agency. Q: Colonel, hi. I actually sent you an e-mail last night and yesterday as well. Could you just tell us about -- (CROSSTALK) COL. DILLON: Kasim, can you move closer? You're kind of faint. I can't hear you very well. Q: OK. I'll come closer. COL. DILLON: Thank you. Q: So, actually I asked the question yesterday to you by e-mail as well. I was asking about the number and amount of the arms and ammunitions that you provided to the Kurdish elements in Syria, and then the number of the vehicles that you've provided to the -- to the -- those elements. COL. DILLON: Yes. Kasim, and as I responded yesterday, we're not going to provide those types of details. We're not going to get into the serial number items and the amount of the small arms and ammunition and the types of guns and vehicles that we're providing. We are obviously maintaining account of all of those things ourselves, and we're going to be transparent with those details with Turkey. But it is not something that we're going to provide publicly just because one of them is operational reasons. We don't want ISIS to know what it is that the -- our Syrian Democratic Forces have. But we're just not going to go into that kind of detail. Q: Also, there was -- (CROSSTALK) COL. DILLON: If you have a follow-up, I'm ready for you. If not, we can go on to the next question. Q: I have a follow-up, Colonel. Also there are -- we hear that you are providing them with the anti-armor vehicle kind of weapons as well. Could you just -- just tell us what kind of weapons are these? Are they RPGs Are they TOWs? Whatever they are? COL. DILLON: Yes. First off, at least as of this morning, we had not provided any of those types of weapons to them yet. Obviously, they will face a threat that we believe is going to be very similar to what we've seen in Mosul. And these vehicle-borne IEDs, the up-armor types are going to be a threat. And we want to make sure our Syrian Democratic Forces, our partners, are prepared and ready for that. We -- we don't know, or I don't know specifically what kind those are going to be. And, similar to my previous question, we probably will not get into the detail of those types -- or, not the types, but the specific kind of weapon that we will provide them. Just to know the -- the capability of that weapon system will be provided so they can face the threat that they're going to see in Raqqah. CAPT. DAVIS: Laurie Mylroie from Kurdistan Today -- Q: Kurdistan 24. CAPT. DAVIS: -- 24, I'm sorry. COL. DILLON: Yep. Q: Thank -- thank you, Colonel, very -- very much for this. My question concerns the Hashd Al-Shaabi. And General Townsend was in Erbil yesterday, met President Barzani, and they -- the -- the KRG issued a statement staying they discussed the Hashd Al-Shaabi and violations of an agreement between the U.S., Israel and Iraq. The U.S. -- Iraq and the Kurdistan region -- violations of that tripartite agreement. Could you give us some more detail on what those violations are? COL. DILLON: I can't, actually. I don't -- not privy to what was discussed there. I know that the Hashd Al-Shaabi, or, as we call them, the Popular Mobilization Forces -- they have, under the direction of the government of Iraq, been largely successful in their -- in their initial isolation phases of Mosul, to prevent fighters -- ISIS fighters getting into or coming out of Mosul -- between Mosul and Tal Afar. They have since been able to conduct offensive operations around Tal Afar. In the last week alone, they have been able to take more than 600 square kilometers of area back from ISIS, largely around Tal Afar, all the way out to the Syrian border. But I can't speak to, you know, what was discussed yesterday, because I don't know what those discussions were. But the PMF and Hashd Al-Shaabi -- they are under the direction of the government of Iraq, and they've been largely successful in those types of -- the responsibilities that have been given to them. Q: Well, I will follow up on question, then -- on -- on Tuesday, Fred Kagan, whom you probably know, of the American Enterprise Institute, formerly professor of military history at West Point -- he said on Tuesday -- he was very critical of the U.S. position on the PMUs. He said that some number of them were under the direct control of Iran, and that they did not respond -- they were not responsive to the Iraqi prime minister, and this was going to cause problems later on. What would be your reaction to that kind of criticism? COL. DILLON: Now, I mean, he certainly can say, you know, what he wants, as the -- but what we have seen is that the PMF have actually been responsive to the government of Iraq, in particular. We saw a response yesterday from the PMF spokesman, specifically when asked about going into Syria, that -- that they would take their direction from the -- Prime Minister Abadi and the government of Iraq, you know, if they were told to do so. And that's the -- that's the stance that we believe. Our formula in Iraq has been to work by, with and through the government of Iraq, and we think all parties should do exactly the same. CAPT. DAVIS: Courtney Kube from NBC News. Q: Hi, Ryan. Welcome to the hot seat. COL. DILLON: All right. Thank you. Q: Two quick questions. One, on Western Mosul can you give us a rough estimate of how many ISIS fighters you believe are in these last three neighborhoods? COL. DILLON: Yes. What -- the estimates that we currently have right now are less than 1,000. So, that's as good as I'm going to be able to -- to get for you right now. But, I've heard and seen open reporting, we're going to just go ahead and stick with less than 1,000. Q: OK. And then, in Syria, earlier this week, Russia fired a couple of cruise missiles in -- and they said that they were targeting ISIS. Can you give us a sense -- what's your understanding of what they were targeting and then do you have assessment of why they decided to -- to use cruise missiles again? They hadn't used them for a while, firing from the Med, what the motivation might have been? COL. DILLON: I don't know what the Russian's motivation would have been. They have said that they were striking ISIS targets and believe that that was the case here. I mean, clearly we monitored and knew that -- know that they conducted those strikes, but as far as guessing as to what their motivations were, I can't -- I can't speculate. I can't speak for them. Q: I guess motivation was probably a bad word, more of why they would use cruise missiles to target these locations as opposed to using the, you know, aircraft that they have there. Do you have any -- do you have any insight into -- into that? COL. DILLON: I do not. No, Courtney, I don't. Q: Thank you. CAPT. DAVIS: Lita Baldor from Associated Press. COL. DILLON: You're welcome. Q: Hey, Ryan, similar question. In Tanf, do you have any sense of how many of those pro-regime forces are there and any better idea whether they are Hezbollah, Iranian -- who they may be? COL. DILLON: I got a beep right at the tail end of that, but as far as the element that is inside of the de-confliction line -- the de-confliction zone rather -- excuse me -- I will have to get back to you one that. It is a small element, but still one that has remained there and -- and they have not moved out of the de-confliction zone and we have made it very clear that we want them out of there. And, it's not just because of them being inside of the de-confliction zone, but also the build up of pro-regime forces that are outside and are moving in and around the At Tanf training area. Those other forces are well outside of the -- or outside of the de-confliction zone, but they continue to bring forces in. So, we see that as a threat as they continue to build up their presence. And, like I said, you beeped at the tail end and I didn't catch the last part of your question. Q: The last part was, do you have any better sense of whether they are Hezbollah, Iranian or who exactly they are and how -- about how far are they from U.S. forces there? COL. DILLON: So, as far as we see them as pro-regime forces. I can't really say their disposition specifically to ones that are inside the de-confliction zone. I would say the distance from At Tanf, they are just about -- a little bit of the half of the distance that we have -- that we have established for the de-confliction zone. So, it's not like they're -- like they've dipped their toe into the de-confliction zone. They're well with inside it. Q: And then, just one quick follow-up. They've been there for quite a while now. And I didn't see a date or deadline on the leaflets. Is there a deadline being, either communicated to the Russians, or someone as to when they have to leave or -- or else? COL. DILLON: No, we have not established a -- a deadline for them. We have made it very clear however, that their presence inside a de-confliction zone is considered a threat. We have provided through the de-confliction line with the Russians our message. And obviously with the leaflets, we have also been able to give them the message and our intent. Not our intent, but rather our position on wanting them to leave. So, I'll just go ahead and leave it at that. Q: Thank you. CAPT. DAVIS: T.M. Gibbons -- COL. DILLON: You're welcome. CAPT. DAVIS: -- Neff from the Washington Post. Q: Thanks, Colonel. A couple questions. First, on the weapons provided to the SDF, your predecessor said in a tweet that the coalition will keep account of every single weapon supplied to the SDF and ensure that they're not pointed at anyone except the Islamic State. How exactly do you plan on executing that? There's I can't think of a time where we've supplied weapons to proxies and not have them turn up in the wrong hands. And second -- COL. DILLON: Yeah, well, I'm glad that you asked this question because as being someone who has worn a uniform before, you fully understand and know that whenever we sign up for something, you know, we go through every serial number. And that is the -- the same kind of process at the commander level that we are going to go through to make sure that we have accountability of the weapons and the equipment that we are providing the SDF. So, first off, all of the elements of the SDF who are receiving equipment must pass our vetting process. They will also make an obligation and sign to fight only ISIS and to uphold the laws of armed conflict. And so, going back to your main question is that these commanders, you know, will sign for, by serial number, all the equipment that we are giving and we'll maintain that in our database. And we will share that information with allies to the north who are concerned about, you know, the -- the weapons that we are providing. I hope that answers all your questions. If not, go ahead and -- Q: Yeah -- COL. DILLON: -- and hit me up again. Q: Two follow-ups. So, there -- you're not doing anything besides have them signing for serial numbers. I mean, U.S. military tracks their rifles for RFID signature tags that usually go on the rifles. I can't even imagine you guys doing anti-tanks weapons. And yeah, second, I -- I have one about the Iraq E.R.D. But you can answer the first one if you -- if you want. COL. DILLON: OK. Well, we will have advisors as -- as well that are going to be with our SDF elements. And as much as they can, they will be with them as they are advising them in the seizure of Raqqah. And any misuse that does not go towards fighting ISIS or is found used elsewhere, could potentially curtail any further support on what we may give to them in the future. Q: And -- thanks. And, sorry, last question. Regarding the Iraq E.R.D. and their human rights violations that have been documented in the last -- last week or so, I understand that they violate the Leahy Law, so they can't be supplied and equipped with U.S. equipment. However, they've repeatedly shown up all over the battlefield with U.S. AT-4s. Are you guys going to make sure that they don't get any weapons or are you going to continue to supply them for however you're doing it so far? COL. DILLON: And that's -- so we do not equip them, but as you've seen, we do equip other elements of the Iraqi security forces. Any time that we see these -- any weapons in the hands of those units or elements that should not have it, we address it with the Iraqi security forces and make steps to keep that from happening in the future. They should not be in the hands of those that did not pass our vetting process. CAPT. DAVIS: Dan. Q: Zach. CAPT. DAVIS: Zach, I'm sorry, Zach. Q: Thanks. So I want to follow up on Courtney's question regarding the Russian cruise missile strikes. So those strikes near Palmyra have coincided with what appear to be some pro-regime troops moving east to Palmyra towards the Iraqi border, fighting against ISIS. Do those strikes and any of those movements suggest a greater interest in fighting ISIS as opposed to fighting opposition by the Syrian regime and Russians or do you view this as more the general time to time strike that we see against those types of targets? COL. DILLON: Yes, we know that what we have been told by the Russians is that this is -- that they are supporting the fight against ISIS. And again, I don't want to speak on behalf of the Russians or the pro-regime forces, so -- and I won't. So I don't know if -- (inaudible) -- and ask again if you have a specific question for the coalition. Q: Well, how about do you see a particular uptick in terms of the de-confliction conversations, et cetera, in targets that are ISIS related from the Russians? COL. DILLON: If -- so the de-confliction line is more there to de-conflict operations that the coalition forces are doing and what the pro-regime and Russian-backed forces are doing. So in that particular area, right now we're in Palmyra -- we do not have forces that are operating in that area. So the de-confliction line typically comes in play when we know we have forces in the area. Perfect example is the At Tanf use of the de-confliction line. Q: And just to follow up on a separate question in terms of the transfer to Syrian Kurds of arms. I know you can't go into details to what specifically has been transferred or the quantity, but can you give us a sense as to thus far 5 percent of the stockpile? Ten percent of the stockpiles? Has is it just started or has there been major movement of transferring these arms? COL. DILLON: You know, I'm -- I'm not going to get into percentages either. You know, we've said in the beginning that this -- divestiture of equipment to the SDF is going to be limited and metered and for specific objectives and that's -- and that's exactly how we're doing it. CAPT. DAVIS: Barbara Starr from CNN. You may need to move closer. Q: I can probably get it to the back of the room. Colonel, I wanted to go back on several points if I might. First in At Tanf can you say how many of these so-called pro-regime forces you're seeing move into these position you're describing? COL. DILLON: You're -- I think you asked -- you may have asked the same question that Lita did and -- Q: No -- well -- COL. DILLON: -- how many are within the deconfliction zone? Q: Yes, how many and then I want to follow up on that. COL. DILLON: So -- yes, I owe you guys an answer on what that -- that small element is and what the makeup of that element is. Q: So I'm confused still. You're describing them as pro-regime forces, but officials here have continued to acknowledge that they are Shia militias, believed to be backed by Iran. So what is your assessment of Iran's backing or involvement with those forces that you're now calling pro-regime? COL. DILLON: Yes, and Barb, I have seen and heard several different accounts for what these forces are and who they're backed by, whether they're -- we've heard and see that there's -- or heard that there are Iraqi forces that are there, there are Iranian forces that are there, there are LH forces that are there, they are pro-regime forces and that's how we will qualify them and classify them. Q: Well, do you not believe Iran's involved? Just a couple of days ago. I -- I really don't understand. Pentagon officials said that they continue to believe that these were backed by Iran and I'm just wondering if the language is in fact changing, so you do not appear to be confronting Iran on this issue. (CROSSTALK) COL. DILLON: Yeah, I mean we've seen also the -- like I said, that some of these forces are, you know, pro -- or, you know, backed by Iran, but we see them as pro- regime. Q: My other question is then Mosul. And I want to stipulate in advance, I understand you take all precautions against civilian causalities, but you're describing a potentially dire situation for the civilians still trapped in these areas in Mosul. And with your policy of isolating ISIS inside these areas and you've described civilians as not being allowed out. (inaudible) -- you've run into problems with this before, even with -- in taking all the precautions you always state you do, what are you doing to ensure in this final assault on Mosul you do not have civilian causalities from U.S. airstrikes or U.S. strikes? COL. DILLON: That's -- that's a good a question. And first off, the Iraqi security forces, they -- as I said in my opening statement -- they have asked all civilians to evacuate old Mosul. I know that as I stated in my opener that many of them find that very difficult and we have seen a -- the number of IDPs and -- and those civilians that are trying to depart, they're not in the -- the massive numbers that were characterized or expected by some NGO organizations. We've seen a steady flow about 4,000 come out a day, but even in the last 24, 48 hours, it's even gone below that. That said, we will still take every effort to avoid innocent civilian causalities. We know the tactics that ISIS is using and we have factored that into how we conduct our strikes, but we are going to continue to support the Iraqi security forces as they continue to push through these last three neighborhoods. And -- and our ISR or -- and our advisors and our strikes, you know, we will continue to provide that support to Iraqi security forces. The faster to stop the human suffering in Mosul is going to be the swift defeat of ISIS. Q: Do you have an assessment, right now, of how many -- you said that that it had gone down -- do you have an assessment of how many civilians you still believe are within those three neighborhoods that's you're also saying probably can't get out? How many do think are there? COL. DILLON: Yeah and there are different numbers. We've seen reports of 80 to about 150,000 remaining in those last three neighborhoods. Q: And do you have any U.S. -- (inaudible) -- CAPT. DAVIS: We're on part six now. Q: OK, fine. CAPT. DAVIS: Joe Tabet -- COL. DILLON: And I'm struggling to here you too Barb, but I've got my ear about an inch away from the speaker. CAPT. DAVIS: All right. Joe Tabet. Q: All right, thank you Ryan. I want to go back to the Tanf issue. Let me start with this, have you seen any evidence that the PMF are willing to cross the border into Syria? Their commander, Amiri, has said a few days ago that they're willing to take over Qaim and Deir Ezzour -- have you seen an evidence of moving forces? COL. DILLON: I've not seen them and clearly with the PMF and their movements and how quickly they've been able to retake land from ISIS in Iraq, the only, you know, thing that we have seen to support that allegation is some of the open reporting that we have seen. But the PMF fighting in Iraq they have -- they are fight -- they should be and are fighting under the government of Iraq and under the direction of Prime Minister Abadi and -- and we think that that's exactly how it should be. Q: Another thought, do -- do you know if the PMF and the pro-regime forces in the de-confliction zone are coordinating together, are working together to push -- to secure the border, the Syrian-Iraqi border? COL. DILLON: I -- I do not know that. I don't know if they're working together on that. Our main focus is fighting ISIS and, as we've said, you know, the At Tanf training area -- that we've been there for many, many months is a training site for our vetted Syrian opposition forces and that is why we're there and want to continue to -- to use that for those purposes. Q: Last -- last question, when you asked the pro-regime forces to vacate the area, is that a warning? Are you sending a warning to the pro-regime forces? COL. DILLON: What -- we do not want those pro-regime forces that are inside the de-confliction zone to be there. And we don't talk to them directly but we have used the de-confliction line with the Russians and we are assured that message has been delivered to them and we also know that they have received the leaflets that we dropped over the weekend and they received that. So we've made it very clear our position and what it is that we want from them and why. CAPT. DAVIS: Kristina Wong from Breitbart. Q: Thank you Colonel Dillon, thanks for doing this. You mentioned the buildup of pro-regime forces outside the de-confliction area, what are you seeing in terms of that? What kind of a buildup? COL. DILLON: Well, we continue to see the pro-regime forces, they are -- what they arrived with in early May. They've continued to reinforce their positions there and bring in more assets so more combat, you know, type assets. Won't go into numbers but they consist of tanks, artillery systems, and things of the sort. Q: There's a concern that they might enter the de-confliction area and reinforce the ones inside. COL. DILLON: We haven't seen indications of that. We've seen, like you said, the build-up and they're patrolling in -- not in, but around the de-confliction zone. Not just to the northwest where they have been, but also to the north and further towards the east. So they are not static, they're moving around that area. And again, all these things put together present a threat to coalition forces and like I said, we've provided our position on why we see that as a threat and -- and why we want those folks -- that pro-regime element within that de-confliction zone to vacate the area. Q: And on a different topic, what are you seeing in terms of ISIS propaganda as coalition forces move in on Mosul and Raqqah? And are you seeing any kind of different ISIS tactics due to Ramadan or any kind of targeting of children? COL. DILLON: We have seen -- and this is relatively common to see an uptick of attacks by ISIS during Ramadan. And to say that we've seen a focus on children, I wouldn't necessarily go towards that but obviously in Baghdad there was an area, specifically an ice cream shop that was attacked recently but so we've seen those attacks but we also know that ISIS does not discriminate against who it is that they attack, whether it be Sunni, Shia, Christian, white, western, you name it. As long as you do not believe in the same ideology, you are a target and that's why they must be defeated. Q: OK, thank you. CAPT. DAVIS: Dion Nissenbaum from Wall Street Journal. Q: Thanks, Colonel. Just to follow up on -- on Southern Syria, you're saying the forces outside the de-confliction zone are also a threat. Are you using the deconfliction line to ask if those forces move back from the de-confliction zone border? COL. DILLON: We have not. They are outside of the 55 kilometer de-confliction line and -- and that is what we have established as the de-confliction zone, excuse me. We have used the de-confliction line but that has specifically been for those elements that remain inside of the de-confliction zone. Q: But you view them as a threat, those that are outside the zone? COL. DILLON: It's the summation of all of the things, so those that are outside of the buildup of combat power but also those that remain inside. So that is why we want those within the deconfliction zone to move out. Q: I guess last question on this point is, can you give us any more details about how many people are outside the deconfliction zone? Is it dozens, hundreds? COL. DILLON: I don't -- I don't have that for you right now. CAPT. DAVIS: Carla Babb, Voice of America. Q: Hi, Colonel. One question on Turki al-Binali and Baraa Kadek, those are two ISIS senior leaders. Kadek was supposed to be the founder of Amaq and then al-Binali was the senior cleric. There are reports that these guys are dead, they were killed in the air strikes of Syria. Can you confirm and elaborate? COL. DILLON: We have seen the same reports and we don't have any further information at this time. CAPT. DAVIS: Ryan Browne, CNN. Q: Good morning, Colonel. Thank you for doing this, just a very quick one. I think earlier when we were talking about arming the Kurdish factions in the SDF; you mentioned that you were communicating with Turkey specifically in terms of what kind of arms. Are you giving the Turkish military a full list of what's being given to this -- the Kurds? COL. DILLON: We are maintaining full accountability of the weapons that we were providing the SDF and we are being transparent with Turkey on -- on the details of what we are providing. Q: Thank you and -- and apologies that I missed this one, the forces in the deconfliction zone, now that we're talking about the pro-regime forces, what are they doing specifically? Are they fighting ISIS in any way? COL. DILLON: No, they are not. They have been relatively static since they moved into the area in mid-May, just before May 18th. But you know, we have made it very clear to them, specifically, if they move south or east towards At Tanf that we will consider that a threat. But also, because they are inside of the deconfliction zone and they have remained inside of the deconfliction zone, that is also -- we see that as a threat with the added increase of forces outside of the deconfliction zone. So we're now telling them to vacate the originally agreed upon deconfliction zone. Q: Thank you, sir. CAPT. DAVIS: Is Phil Stewart still here? Q: So just to -- just to clarify, how many Americans are now at that -- or roughly, I know you can't give an exact number, but are we talking about dozens there and have you reinforced in any way, given the threat that you see both inside and outside the de-confliction zone? Have you taken any measures to ensure a force security? COL. DILLON: There are about a couple hundred of both coalition forces and our partner forces. We have increased our combat power in that area, so -- and I'll just -- I'll leave it at that. So yes, we have increased our presence and our footprint and -- and prepared for a -- any threat that is presented by the pro-regime forces. Q: OK. And then -- and then just to get back to what Barbara was asking earlier, you know, Secretary Mattis was on the record, at a briefing, telling us that it was Iranian directed forces were the ones who entered this zone. And -- and I'm -- what I'm -- what I'm wondering is, is your hesitation to be that clear due to declassification issues or -- or what is it? COL. DILLON: It's -- I -- yes, I wanted to come back to and it was hard -- I apologize Barbara -- it was hard for me to -- to hear some of the questions. There have been a lot of different, I guess, ways that people have described who these forces are. And I went through the list, you know, some say they're Iraqi forces -- or not forces -- but Iraqi forces that are backed by Iran, there are LH forces, Hezbollah forces. And what I was -- what I wanted to -- to make clear is that there have been a lot of people saying that these are something other than pro-regime forces. You know, it is consistent with what Secretary Mattis said, that they're Iranian-backed, but -- (CROSSTALK) COL. DILLON: -- we still see them as pro-regime forces. Q: He said Iranian-directed. Was that incorrect? COL. DILLON: I -- I'm not going to -- yeah, if -- I would say, you know, it is Iranian-backed, yes. CAPT. DAVIS: Let's see. Bill Hennigan, L.A. Times. Q: What is the current assessment of the number of civilians inside Raqqah? And have (unintelligible) instructed them to shelter in place, like Mosul? Or have they been directed to flee? COL. DILLON: The -- in Raqqah, they have been instructed -- the Syrian Democratic Forces have given instructions for citizens of Raqqah to vacate. Currently, right now -- let's see here. I had -- so we have -- Raqqah IDPs right now are about one -- almost 200,000, with 92,000 of them in camps. Other ones are in settlements that are -- are just built-up settlements. Q: But that 200K is inside Raqqah proper? And how do you -- have there been, like, safe zones, or, you know -- I know that's a buzzword, but, you know, has there been ways for the civilians to get out of there? COL. DILLON: And -- Bill -- you know -- sorry about that. I just wanted to, you know, clear that up. Yeah, that is not 200,000 that are inside Raqqah. That is already internally displaced persons from Raqqah, and that is 197,000. So as far as those that remain in Raqqah, that is -- I'd need to track that down for you. I don't have that readily available. Q: OK, but -- but in terms of, like, getting -- getting them out, how -- how do you plan on being able to protect them to be able to get -- get out of the city? COL. DILLON: It -- yes, the -- the international community has established camps in and around Raqqah, and I know, specifically, there are elements that are -- there's movement of IDPs going towards Raqqah. So you have some movements that are going west, and you also have some that are going east towards Karama, and also to the north, to the (unintelligible), which (unintelligible) is Ayn Issa, and then, also, further northeast, in Mabrouka. Q: Are -- is ISIS trying to blunt their ability to flee? COL. DILLON: As with the sites in and around Mosul, the SDF have also -- the SDF and also the Raqqah civilian council has established screening sites for those purposes, to make sure that ISIS fighters cannot leave and move with the IDP flow out of Raqqah. Q: And just lastly, is -- is telling these folks to leave -- is that based off of learned lessons in Mosul, where we've seen high civcas? And -- and are -- should we expect a civcas report today? COL. DILLON: Bill, you cut off at the end. As far as asking them to leave, that is a decision, just as the decision for the initial stages of Mosul, for -- for civilians to stay, was by the government of Iraq and the Iraqi Security Forces. The same applies here in Raqqah. The Syrian Democratic Forces and the Raqqah Civilian Council have -- have made the decision to ask civilians to depart as opposed to staying in Raqqah. Q: In the monthly civcas report is that coming -- forthcoming today? COL. DILLON: I think that comes out tomorrow, Bill. Q: Thanks. CAPT. DAVIS: Follow ups? Laurie -- Laurie. Q: Thank you, sir. I wanted to get the timeline regarding At Tanf correct. It seems that what you're saying is that in early May, pro-regime forces started gathering outside the de-confliction zone. And then on May 18th, some element of them went into the -- into the de-confliction zone. They haven't moved? Is that correct? COL. DILLON: That is -- that is correct. So, if you recall on May 18th, as pro-regime forces started to move in and around At Tanf and then specifically began moving towards At Tanf and were well within inside of the de-confliction zone. After several attempts to -- to heed them to stop through de-confliction line with the Russians and also by a show of force by coalition aircraft and warning shots, they still did not turn around and they were struck on May 18th. And the forces that remain inside of the de-confliction zone, they didn't -- they were not a part of the element that moved that was struck. However, they have not vacated the 55K de-confliction zone and they remain there. Q: And can you think of any benign explanation for what they're doing there other than harassing and threatening your forces? COL. DILLON: I mean, they have said that they are in that area -- and this is through the de-confliction line with the Russians -- that they're in that area to defeat ISIS. But we -- we do not want them -- they pose a threat to us in that particular location in At Tanf and -- as we have used that area as a place to train our partner forces in the defeat against ISIS. Q: Thank you. CAPT. DAVIS: Phil Stewart? Q: Just to clarify, when you said that you had increased combat power, I'm assuming that means in recent days. Correct? And also could you clarify are we talking airpower as well as stuff on ground combat power? COL. DILLON: To say within recent days, I'll -- I'll, you know, say that, yes, within recent days. And you know, even from the time that the strike had happened has been a -- a -- we have continued to ensure that our forces there are prepared and ready to defend themselves. And what was your second question? Q: Does that increasing combat power involve any air capabilities as well? COL. DILLON: We continue to fly our combat air patrols in wherever our forces are. But it is safe to say that we have constant coverage over our forces there in At Tanf. CAPT. DAVIS: Is Barbara still here? Did she -- (inaudible)? Q: Yes, I'm still here. CAPT. DAVIS: OK, I didn't know if you had another follow up. Q: Well, no. Colonel Dillon, I think we just -- me, I want to thank you for doing this. And I wanted to ask you, do you see yourself in the very near future, doing these briefings into the briefing room on camera as your predecessors did? COL. DILLON: I certainly do. So, next week, we are expected to do exactly that. Q: Excellent. Thank you. CAPT. DAVIS: Anybody else? No? Another follow-up from David Martin. Q: You said these -- these forces in the de-confliction zone are static. They must be doing something. Are they -- are they building fortifications? Are they doing anything that could be construed as preparations for an incursion by this larger force outside? COL. DILLON: They -- there are -- there has been prior to the 18th a -- some defensive positions or defensive build-up at that location. But one of the -- you know, we've -- we have told them that that is not to continue, and -- and it has not. Q: So, what -- other that the fact that they're in a place that you don't -- you don't want them to be, what are they -- what are they doing in relation to this larger force that -- that poses a threat? COL. DILLON: They are -- you know, currently, they are -- are there. And as I had mentioned before, it's not just -- it's their presence, but it's their presence in -- and also with the build-up of the other forces outside of the de-confliction zone and the increased patrols by these pro-regime forces in and around the area. Q: Is it -- does this appear to be the advance element for a larger incursion? COL. DILLON: I -- I won't, you know, classify that. We are just doing everything that -- that is necessary to make sure that our forces are protected and we are prepared to defend ourselves, you know, should that -- should what you said come to fruition. But we don't -- we have not seen that. We've just -- like I said, outside of -- except for that element that is in the de-confliction zone, the rest of them have stayed outside. CAPT. DAVIS: Jamie and then T.M. Q: So, just a quick follow -- follow up. It's Jamie McIntyre with the Washington Examiner. Last time you sent them a -- a kinetic message. They didn't seem to entirely get the message. Why don't you send another one either in the form of two sort of warning munitions or some sort of other action that would reinforce this message that they're not welcome where they're staying? COL. DILLON: Well, the -- the May 18th strike was, you know, for -- because we felt threatened as they were moving in the direction and did not stop. So, we did take those kinetic measures. We are -- are not doing that right now. We are offering them a way to vacate the area by doing so through our de-confliction line with the Russians and also by providing leaflets so we make sure that they know and are clear on our position. Q: Would you rule that out in the future? COL. DILLON: I won't -- I won't speculate on, you know, what we may do in the future. We have made it clear, our position, that we want them to vacate the de-confliction zone. CAPT. DAVIS: T.M., go ahead. Q: Last follow up on Hennigan's question about Raqqah and the civilians still inside. Q: You said the SDF and civilian council have called for civilians to leave. Aid groups in Mosul have said, in kind of a similar situation, that they were worried that the U.S. and Iraqis wouldn't be able to protect civilians leaving. What is the U.S. and the SDF doing to protect civilians leaving Raqqah? COL. DILLON: Can you -- can you ask -- can you give a little more on that? What -- what do you mean? There are, like -- there are the screening sites. There are the IDP camps that have been established in and around Raqqah. What -- what specifically are you asking? Yes? Q: (inaudible) -- established corridors for civilians so they can leave without getting hit in fighting or shelling or what have you? COL. DILLON: Yes. We -- we have not seen the type of civilian casualties, meaning the type of things that we are seeing in Mosul now, where they are engaging -- "they" being ISIS -- are using snipers and shooting civilians. So, the Syrian Democratic Forces -- we haven't seen that type of hold on the civilians who are left in Raqqah right now, and we don't want it to get to that point. Q: Have you started any civilian casualty investigations? I think there were some reports of shelling in some densely populated neighborhoods in Raqqah that might have killed ISIS family members. COL. DILLON: The -- we have seen -- there are a couple of allegations, one I believe that's south of Raqqah. That was a vehicle. And there may be another one that you're referring to. But if -- if we have determined that we have conducted strikes during the time in the location of where these allegations come, we have sent those to our civilian casualty team for further assessment. And we will continue to look into those. As you all know, if there is -- if we are responsible, we will put that out in our civilian casualty report that's put out monthly. CAPT. DAVIS: Last question from Laurent Barthelemy, Agence France-Press. Q: Thank you, Colonel. Just a quick clarification. You mentioned that there were about 200 troops in At Tanf. Are there only coalition troops? Or is it coalition troops plus partner forces? COL. DILLON: It is a couple-hundred of both. So a total of both coalition forces and our partner forces. CAPT. DAVIS: All right. And with that, thank you, Ryan. Appreciate you coming to talk to us today. We look forward to seeing you -- your face on the screen next week. Thank you, everybody. http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1200222/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Admission to kindergartens is more difficult than admission to YSU (video) The school optimization plan should be part of a bigger project. The move will be ineffective only by merging schools without other changes, says an education expert. "I am for optimization because Armenia cannot afford many luxury things, and we should try to achieve good results with minimal resources. But the process must be complete. said Serob Khachatryan. We should look at the education system through a magnifying glass before starting optimization. In Armenia, we often make episodic and fragmentary reforms, he continued. The optimization plan, designed to address the unequal school overload in urban areas, proposes merging secondary schools with 300 or less students. It was proposed by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan who raised the issue at the Ministry of Education and Science. He justified the plan by the need of redistributing costs to raise teachers salary. Serob Khachatryan says optimization should not be seen as a result of business thinking to save money. He cited Serzh Sargsyan who said that by 2040 the population of Armenia should reach 4 million. The specialist says if the countrys leadership has such a plan why they are closing schools in the country. Likewise, kindergartens were shut down in Armenia. When they became free, all parents took their children to such kindergartens. Now all kindergartens are overloaded. Many have poor building facilities and infrastructures. Today, it is more difficult to have one's child admitted to a kindergarten than to Yerevan State University, he said. Serob Khachatryan is also concerned about the fate of rural schools and says they have much more serious problems to address. Europe Leaders React Angrily to Trump Climate Pact Decision By Jamie Dettmer June 01, 2017 European leaders expressed dismay and anger in equal measure Thursday at President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States, the world's second-worst polluter, from the landmark Paris climate accord. They saw it as rebuke and warned it would make it harder to slow the pace of climate change. Government officials in several major European capitals said the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 agreement would further strain a Western alliance they worry is unraveling. Others said the move would affect America's standing in the world and undermine the country's traditional global leadership role as it breaks with virtually every other nation on the issue of climate change. The European Union's climate change commissioner, Miguel Arias Canete, said the announcement "has galvanized us rather than weakened us, and this vacuum will be filled by new, broad, committed leadership. Europe and its strong partners all around the world are ready to lead the way." The president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, said: "It is a matter of trust and leadership. This decision will hurt the U.S. and the planet." 'Small' America Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the liberal group of lawmakers in the European Parliament, tweeted a report on the impact of rising sea levels on Hawaii, adding: "Make America small again." And Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, tweeted that the city hall there "will be illuminated with green to affirm our will to implement" the Paris Agreement. Environmental NGOs were scathing in their reaction. Greenpeace said: "By withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, Trump has turned the U.S. from a climate leader into a climate deadbeat." The leaders of Germany, France and Italy issued a joint statement expressing "regret" at the decision. European leaders lobbied Washington with mounting urgency in recent weeks, imploring the Trump administration not to break with the agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Ever since Trump blasted the accord during the 2016 presidential campaign, saying it would cost the U.S. economy trillions of dollars with no tangible environmental benefit, European leaders have been bracing themselves for him to fulfill his pledge to break with the Paris pact. They made strenuous efforts to dissuade Trump last month at the Group of Seven summit in Sicily, where a frustrated German Chancellor Angela Merkel highlighted the isolation of the U.S. in climate change discussions as a matter of 6-1. Economic argument In March, European leaders pursued a new tactic with Canadian and U.S. business support by making an economic argument, warning that if the U.S. withdrew, it would miss out on commercial opportunities in clean growth and lose out in energy innovation and clean-energy job creation. Even at the 11th hour, efforts to dissuade Trump continued. Senior European policymakers tweeted to him, asking him not to break with the pact. And alarmed lawmakers in the European Parliament warned "climate change is not a fairy tale." Just before Trump's withdrawal announcement Thursday, a Vatican official, Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, warned the break would be a "disaster for everyone," but would be seen by the pontiff as a "slap in the face." "Saying that we need to rely on coal and oil is like saying that the Earth is not round," the bishop said. He and some other European officials blamed the fossil fuel industry in the U.S., saying it has an outsized influence on the Trump administration. At their first ever meeting last month, Pope Francis handed Trump a signed copy of his 2015 encyclical calling for protection of the environment from the effects of climate change. The accord, agreed on by nearly 200 countries in 2015, aims to cut emissions blamed for global warming. The United States committed to reducing by 2025 its own emissions by 26 to 28 percent compared with 2005 levels. Scientists have said a U.S. withdrawal from the pact could speed up the effects of climate change. Chinese officials said the move would damage trust among leading powers in multilateral negotiations. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said his country would honor its commitments on climate change. "China will continue to implement the promises made in the Paris accord," Li said. Legal response Some European policymakers are now turning their focus to how they could obstruct the U.S. withdrawal by pursuing legal avenues. On Wednesday, Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission president and a lawyer, said at a conference of the Confederation of German Employers in Berlin that "the Americans can't just get out of the agreement," adding that "it takes three to four years" to pull out. Other European policymakers want to explore ways of enticing American energy innovators and climate researchers to relocate to Europe, using tax advantages and government subsidies to attract them. And some are advocating the imposition of carbon taxes on U.S. exports to EU nations. But leaders of Europe's nationalist populist parties cheered the abandonment of the pact. Britain's Nigel Farage tweeted: "Trump keeps election promise to ditch the Paris climate accord and everyone is shocked. It's called democracy." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Report: Flynn-owned Firm Was Paid Millions to Produce Pro-Turkey Film By VOA News June 01, 2017 Former National Security Advisor's Michael Flynn's consulting firm reportedly signed a $530,000 lobbying contract last year to promote Turkish interests, including a documentary that was never completed. The Wall Street Journal first reported this week the documentary, which was shelved in November, was to discredit Fethullah Gulen, the exiled cleric whom Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has accused of masterminding last year's coup attempt. Flynn Intel Group was paid by Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin to "polish the country's image after a botched military coup," the Journal reported. Production of the documentary was underway as Flynn campaigned for President Donald Trump throughout the United States. The company's contract with the businessman has placed Flynn in legal jeopardy. The contract is drawing scrutiny by U.S. officials conducting several investigations into Flynn's business activities. Flynn, who resigned under pressure as Trump's national security adviser in February, failed to inform the federal government until March that his firm was paid to represent the Turkish government. Numerous probes into Flynn's activities Flynn is now the subject of criminal, congressional and military probes into allegations of improperly concealing his financial links to Turkey and Russia. Investigators are also trying to determine whether the alleged ties influenced Flynn's decisions as an advisor to Trump. The report said work on the documentary began last summer, shortly after the failed military coup in Turkey. It also said Flynn's company signed a three-month contract with Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin a few weeks later. Flynn Intel Group hired Rudi Bakhtiar, a former CNN anchor, former VICE News correspondent, and also a former correspondent for VOA's Persian Service, to do on-camera work for the documentary. Bakhtiar said she was given the impression the film would be an objective news documentary. David Enders, a former VICE News employee, told the Journal that the head of Flynn's company, Bijan Kian, attempted to conceal the company's role in the documentary's production. The latest disclosures about Flynn's work on behalf of Turkey comes as he is under investigation for any possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to influence last year's U.S. presidential election. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria - Climage Change Syria was an international pariah when the Paris climate change accord was signed, making Damascus's involvement impractical. Members of President Bashar al-Assads government were subject to European and American sanctions, making limiting there international travel. Ironically, Syria is also the poster-child for how climate change is a security issue, as there is an abundant literature linking recent climate trends with the recent derangement of Syria, the massive outflow of refugees, and so forth. In climate change scenarios, Syria and most of the Middle East region is expected remain very hot. Climate change may put sever stresses on those areas. The Mesopotamia basin would suffer more desertification (since the area only receives between 150-300 mm of rainfall annually but experiences 1,500-2,500 mm of evaporation per year). The region also experiences extreme temperatures and windstorms. Since October 2007, Syria had been experiencing a serious drought the worst in four decades. It is estimated that at least one million people or 206,000 household (mainly farmers and herders) have been directly affected. During the 2007/2008 planting season, nearly 75% of these 206,000 households suffered total crop failure. As a coping strategy, herders sold their animals for 60-70% below the average of the original prices. Other coping strategies included reducing food intake, selling essential assets and migration which was 20-30% higher than in previous years. In addition, health data indicated an increase in the prevalence of anaemia, malnutrition and diarrhea (especially among children less than five years of age and pregnant women) by more than twofold compared to the same period in 2007. A shortage in drinking water also resulted in the rural areas of the northeastern region. On the national level, the average yield of basic crops dropped by 31.6% in irrigated areas and by 78.9% in rain-fed areas. The total national wheat production was at 47.1% of the previous season. This contributed to the increase in food prices in the Syrian market. To bridge the gap, Syria had to import wheat for the first time; this is considered a serious indicator, since Syria was usually self-sufficient in providing food for its 22 million citizens. Peter Gleick argues that "The devastating civil war that began in Syria in March 2011 is the result of complex interrelated factors. The focus of the conflict is regime change, but the triggers include a broad set of religious and sociopolitical factors, the erosion of the economic health of the country, a wave of political reform sweeping over the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Levant region, and challenges associated with climate variability and change and the availability and use of freshwater. As described here, water and climatic conditions have played a direct role in the deterioration of Syrias economic conditions. " Kelley et al argue that "Before the Syrian uprising that began in 2011, the greater Fertile Crescent experienced the most severe drought in the instrumental record. For Syria, a country marked by poor governance and unsustainable agricultural and environmental policies, the drought had a catalytic effect, contributing to political unrest. We show that the recent decrease in Syrian precipitation is a combination of natural variability and a long-term drying trend, and the unusual severity of the observed drought is here shown to be highly unlikely without this trend. Precipitation changes in Syria are linked to rising mean sea-level pressure in the Eastern Mediterranean, which also shows a long-term trend. There has been also a long-term warming trend in the Eastern Mediterranean, adding to the drawdown of soil moisture. No natural cause is apparent for these trends, whereas the observed drying and warming are consistent with model studies of the response to increases in greenhouse gases." The climate in Syria is hot and dry in the summer, and mild and rainy in the winter (mainly in the western region). Syria is a middle-income developing country with an economy largely dependent on agriculture, trade and oil production. Syria experienced a serious drought from 2006 until 2009 the worst in four decades. It is estimated that at least one million people or 206,000 household (mainly farmers and herders) have been directly affected. During the 2007/2008 planting season, nearly 75% of these 206,000 households suffered total crop failure. As a coping strategy, herders sold their animals for 60-70% below the average of the original prices. Other coping strategies included reducing food intake, selling essential assets and migration which was 20-30% higher than in previous years. In addition, health data indicated an increase in the prevalence of anaemia, malnutrition and diarrhea (especially among children less than five years of age and pregnant women) by more than two-fold compared to the same period in 2007. After disastrously low rainfall levels and crop yields in 2008, the Syrian agricultural sector rebounded somewhat in 2009 and may see a record national wheat crop in 2010. Nonetheless, recovery in severely affected northeast Syria will not happen quickly, as the current lack of food, outmigration of manpower, long-term depletion of groundwater, rise in fuel prices, and collapse of government services present continuing challenges to resuming the cultivation of farmland and normal everyday life. In climate change scenarios, Syria and most of the Middle East region is expected remain very hot. Climate change may put sever stresses on those areas. The Mesopotamia basin would suffer more desertification (since the area only receives between 150-300 mm of rainfall annually but experiences 1,500-2,500 mm of evaporation per year). The region also experiences extreme temperatures and windstorms. Syria is an arid and semi-arid country with limited water resources. In fact, about three-fifths of the country has less than 25 centimeters of rain a year. The country has large areas of semi-arid and desert environment. Natural forests cover only 2% of its landscape; and around 10% of its forests cover was lost between 1990 and 1995. Most of Syria is affected by desertification, particularly over the area between the Badia region in the west and the agricultural lands in the east. This region is suffering from mismanagement and misuse of natural resources, and from the drought that has been affecting the country. In general, climatic limitation, extensive clearance of natural vegetation, excessive grazing, agricultural expansion into the natural habitat, unsuitable irrigation techniques, and soil salinization have contributed to land degradation, reduced water supply, and limited agricultural production in most of Syria. The number of sandstorms has increased dramatically in the last few years, sometimes happening twice a week in some areas. This increase is due in part to the degradation of green cover in Syria caused by overgrazing, desertification, soil degradation and salinization, unwise agricultural practices and climate change. Sand storms result in numerous respiratory problems, obscured visibility, extensive house cleaning and debris removal, and daily life interruption. They might also cause damage to crops and remove nutrient-rich particles from farming lands. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin Says Russia Defends Syrian Statehood, Not Assad Sputnik News 18:40 02.06.2017(updated 18:42 02.06.2017) Russia is not so much defending Syrian President Bashar Assad through its actions in Syria, but rather the Syrian statehood, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Putin said commenting on allegations of Syrian President Bashar Assad's army using chemical weapons in the Idlib province that "there is no proof at all." When asked about the footages of the Khan Sheikhun alleged chemical weapons attack, Putin said that Assad did not use chemical weapons and the "provocation" was done to accuse him. He added that Russian special services obtained information that other chemical attacks had been planned in Syria, including on Damascus' outskirts, however, apparently terrorists didn't do it because Moscow made the data public. "What has been President Assad accused of lately? We know about accusation of the use of chemical weapons. There is no proof whatsoever. Haven't we proposed, right after it [the incident with alleged use of chemical weapons in Idlib] happened, to carry out inspection right at the airfield from which the planes with chemical weapons allegedly were taking off? And if such use took place, it means they were loading the ammunition with chemical weapons, and modern analyzers, control devices would have definitely found traces of chemical weapons on that plane and at that airfield," Putin said, adding that the Western countries rejected Russia's proposal. The proposal to inspect the site of the strike was also declined upon claims that it is too dangerous, Putin reminded. He added that it is confirmed that Damascus has destroyed chemical weapons it had possessed. He said that it is well known that terrorists in Syria possess chemical weapons. "Yes, Assad made some mistakes, but those who accuse him, are they angels?" Putin said. He added that the situation in Syria would have been different without foreign interference. "We are not so much defending president Assad as we are the Syrian statehood Yes, everyone is probably at fault there, but let us not forget that there would not be such situation, such civil war which we are witnessing now if it were not for the active interference from the outside," Putin said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The situation similar to what happened in Libya, Somalia or Afghanistan should not repeat in Syria, Putin said. "We do not want for a situation, comparable to [the one in] Libya or Somalia, to occur on the territory of Syria. Or the one similar to Afghanistan, where NATO has been present for many years, but the situation has not changed." On April 4, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces claimed that 80 people were killed and 200 injured in a suspected chemical attack in Khan Shaykhun, blaming the Syrian government. Damascus vehemently rejected the accusations and said militants and their allies were responsible. Early April 7, the United States launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Syrian military airfield in Ash Sha'irat, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the city of Homs. US President Donald Trump said the attack was a response to the alleged chemical weapon use in Syria's Idlib, which Washington blames on the Syrian government. Russia described the attack as an aggression against a sovereign state. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry reminded the Trump administration that all chemical weapons had been taken out of Syria in mid-2014 with the help of the previous administration of ex-president Barack Obama. Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview with Sputnik that Western states are blocking attempts to investigate the Idlib chemical incident because in the event of a probe it will be established that the "attack" was a false flag and lie. SPIEF, a major global platform for communication between business representatives and discussion of crucial economic issues, kicked off in Russia's St. Petersburg on Thursday and will continue through Saturday. Sputnik News Agency is the official media partner of the forum. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address German English Basel, Switzerland, June 2, 2017 - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) announced that, as of August 1, 2017, Damian Heller will assume the role of General Counsel & Corporate Secretary and join the Extended Management Committee which reports to the CEO. Mr. Heller succeeds Elizabeth Rozek who will be leaving Basilea to relocate to the United States. Mr. Heller joined Basilea in 2015 as Deputy General Counsel and Global Compliance Officer. Prior to joining Basilea, he served as Global Compliance Officer at Novartis Pharma AG, Corporate Secretary of Syngenta AG and Director of the Basel Institute on Governance. Mr. Heller holds a master's degree in Law from the University of Basel and a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Rochester, New York, USA. Ronald Scott, Basilea's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are very pleased that Mr. Heller will assume the role of General Counsel & Corporate Secretary. Damian's knowledge and broad experience in all aspects of pharmaceutical industry law and compliance will be an asset to Basilea. Ms. Rozek joined Basilea as counsel in 2010 and has served as General Counsel & Corporate Secretary since 2011. We wish to sincerely thank Elizabeth for her commitment and valuable contributions to Basilea's success during these years." About Basilea Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is a biopharmaceutical company developing products that address the medical problem of increasing resistance and non-response to current treatment options in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and cancer. The company uses the integrated research, development and commercial operations of its subsidiary Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. to discover, develop and commercialize innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Additional information can be found at Basilea's website www.basilea.com. Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please contact: Peer Nils Schroder, PhD Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations +41 61 606 1102 media_relations@basilea.com investor_relations@basilea.com This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com. RALEIGH A 10-month probe into the misuse of state funds by the two former district attorneys of Rockingham, Person and Caswell counties has been a continual source of controversy. Now, a state official said Thursday charges will be filed once the investigation ends, which is expected to be later this month. As far as who will be charged and for what, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman couldn't say. Still, it signals that the saga is about to enter a new phase. Since July 25, 2016, the offices of former Rockingham County District Attorney Craig Blitzer and former Person/Caswell District Attorney Wallace Bradsher have faced scrutiny by the State Bureau of Investigation after both men were accused of putting each other's wives on their payroll in exchange for more than $100,000 in combined and unearned annual salaries. When Superior Court Judge Joe Crosswhite ordered the probe, he released few details other than that it involved the theft of state funds. He also named as suspects Blitzer's wife, Cindy, who worked as an investigator in Bradsher's office, and John "J." Stultz, a former Caswell County chief assistant district attorney and current district court judge. Freeman took a role in the investigation after a whistleblower lawsuit was filed in Wake County Superior Court. "I hope to never be in a position to lead an investigation into my colleagues but ... I owed it to the state," Freeman said. Blitzer resigned on March 10, just two days after SBI agents raided his office. He hasn't commented on the case since he submitted his letter of resignation. Bradsher, who resigned in late May, has said for months that the investigation was based on a misunderstanding over a former employee's time sheets. Attorneys for both men did not return requests for comment left late Thursday afternoon. Freeman said that the SBI investigation is still ongoing but she's trying to bring the case to a close as soon as possible. "I certainly take seriously the trust the public has placed on me and on all of us," Freeman said. "When that trust isn't being honored its very painful and it reflects on all of us." MONTREAL, QC--(Marketwired - June 01, 2017) - Champion Iron Ltd. (ASX: CIA) (TSX: CIA) ("Champion" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has completed the previously announced non-brokered sale of a $10 million unsecured subordinated convertible debenture (the "Debenture") to Altius Minerals Corp. ("Altius"). The sale of the Debenture is a component of a CDN$40 million debt and equity bridge financing which Champion arranged for its subsidiary Quebec Iron Ore Inc. ("QIO"), in connection with the restart of operations at QIO's Bloom Lake Iron Mine ("Bloom Lake"), located near Fermont, Quebec. Details of the bridge financing were previously disclosed by Champion on May 18, 2017. The Debenture is convertible at the option of Altius at any time into Champion Ordinary Shares ("Shares") at a conversion price of $1.00 per Share. Should Champion and QIO not complete a master financing ("Master Financing") of a minimum of $212 million to finance certain Bloom Lake capital expenditures by November 30, 2017, then the conversion price will be adjusted to the lesser of $1.00 or to the five-day weighted average trading price of the Shares on the TSX determined as of the date of conversion. The maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon conversion of the Debenture is 50,000,000 with the balance of the unconverted principal amount of the Debenture, if any, to be repaid in cash or converted into a proportion of the Royalty (as defined hereinafter) at the option of the Company. If the principal amount is not repaid in full on or before the second anniversary of the Debenture, Altius will have the right to convert the entire outstanding principal amount into a 0.21% gross overriding royalty on the Bloom Lake project (the "Royalty"). The Debenture has a term to maturity of 12 months and will bear interest at a rate of 8% payable quarterly. Following completion of the Master Financing, the principal amount of the Debenture may be prepaid in whole or in part by the Company subject to a minimum payment representing 6 months of interest. The Debenture and the Shares that may be issued upon its conversion are subject to a statutory resale restriction until October 2, 2017. About Bloom Lake On April 11, 2016, the Company, through its subsidiary QIO, acquired the Bloom Lake assets from affiliates of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. that were subject to restructuring proceedings under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada). QuAbec Iron Ore Inc. is 63.2% owned by the Company, with the remaining 36.8% equity interest owned by Ressources QuAbec, acting as a mandatory of the Government of Quebec. The Bloom Lake property is located on the south end of the Labrador Trough, approximately 13 km north of Fermont, Quebec, and 10 km north of the Mount-Wright iron ore mining operation of ArcelorMittal Mines Canada. The Bloom Lake Mine is an open pit truck and shovel operation, with a concentrator. From the site, iron concentrate can be transported by rail, initially on the Bloom Lake Railway, to a ship loading port in Sept-Iles, QuAbec. The Bloom Lake Mine has already been authorized for operation under the federal and provincial environmental authorities. The project was subject to an environmental impact assessment process under Section 31.1 of the QuAbec Environment Quality Act, which led to the first decree issued by the Quebec government in 2008 authorizing mining activities at the Bloom Lake site. An updated positive Feasibility Study on Bloom Lake has been completed and is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). About Champion Champion is an iron development and exploration company, focused on developing its significant iron resources in the south end of the Labrador Trough in the province of QuAbec. Following the acquisition of its flagship asset, the Bloom Lake iron ore property, the Company's main focus is to implement upgrades to the mine and processing infrastructure it now owns while also advancing projects associated with improving access to global iron markets, including rail and port infrastructure initiatives with government and other key industry and community stakeholders. Champion's management team includes professionals with mine development and operations expertise who also have vast experience from geotechnical work to green field development, brown field management including logistics development and financing of all stages in the mining industry. For additional information on Champion Iron Ltd., please visit our website at www.championiron.com This news release includes certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address future activities, events, developments or financial performance constitute forward-looking information. The use of any of the words "will", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "believe", "plan", "potential", "outlook", "forecast", "estimate" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. 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 Champion's annual information form, management's discussion and analysis and other securities regulatory filings made by Champion on SEDAR (including under the heading "Risk Factors" therein). 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 forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All of Champion's forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of Champion's management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Champion disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any of its forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Toronto, Ontario (FSCwire) - Queens University and Eagle Graphite Inc. (TSX VENTURE:EGA)(FRANKFURT:NJGP)(OTC:APMFF) ("Eagle Graphite", Eagle, or the "Company") are pleased to announce that the NSERC Engage committee has granted an award for research and development into the use of multi-layer graphene (MLG) as a reinforcement for plastic composites. NSERC, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, is a federal government agency that selectively invests in research at the frontier of knowledge. The six-month project builds on the successful production of MLG from Eagles graphite by Queens researchers, the results of which were discussed in previous releases. The new round of research will be led by Dr. Marianna Kontopoulou, PhD, P.Eng., Professor and Associate Head of Chemical Engineering at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. The primary objective is to study the potential for using multi-layered graphene, derived from graphite from Eagles production facility in British Columbia, in plastic composites. George Hawley of Supermin Enterprises will provide additional guidance and support as a consultant to the project. Dr. Kontopoulou explains the rationale for the research: Polymer matrices are inherently light-weight and resistant to corrosion and are therefore attractive in automotive, structural and other engineering applications. However, they suffer from low stiffness, and can therefore benefit from modulus, and dimensional stability improvements that can be accomplished by using reinforcing fillers. Treated graphene nanoplatelets can impart superior flexural strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, and they are considered a very attractive alternative to conventional filler reinforcement. George Hawley adds that the research could have significant consequences for the transport industries. The automotive and aerospace sectors have a tremendous need for lighter, stiffer and stronger materials. Automobile manufacturers are faced with increasingly stringent fuel economy standards. For example, by 2025 the US CAFE standards will require every automaker to achieve a fleet average fuel economy of 54.5 mpg, and the industry has a long way to go to meet this standard. Falling short of the target can result in heavy fines; across the industry $500 million has already been paid in fines since 1988, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing even steeper fines than exist today. One key way to improve gas mileage is to reduce the vehicle weight, by replacing metal with plastics, and reducing the thickness of those plastics. But thinner plastics must have improved mechanical properties. This is done by adding extra-strong and extra-stiff reinforcements such as multilayer graphene. Another approach is to increase the number of electric vehicles in an automakers fleet. These vehicles also benefit from lighter weight to improve the range of the battery. Again, this can be achieved using plastics made thinner by incorporation of high performance reinforcements like multilayer graphene. Similar lightweighting considerations apply to aerospace. Manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus are reducing weight by switching from metal to plastics. The benefits are more passengers per plane and lower fuel cost. A 787-8 is calculated to save the operator $130 million in fuel cost savings over the life of the plane, compared to the 767. Thinner, lighter plastics should provide even greater savings. Jamie Deith, CEO of Eagle Graphite says We are as enthusiastic as ever about our collaboration with Queens. This work has enormous potential commercial benefits for us; materials for autos and aerospace are a huge market. But it is also personally satisfying to consider that along the way we might help the world use less energy. About Queens University Queens is one of Canadas oldest degree-granting institutions and a full-spectrum, research-intensive university that conducts leading-edge research in a variety of areas. It balances excellence in undergraduate studies with well-established and innovative graduate programs. The department of Chemical Engineering at Queens is an award-winning department in both research and teaching, reflecting the dedication in the Department to achieve the highest standard of academic excellence. Its mission is to provide internationally recognized leadership in education and research at the interface of science and engineering, anticipate the needs of our students and society as a whole, and contribute to responsible solutions for future generations. The Department of Chemical Engineering is nationally recognized as one of the top research departments in Canada and internationally acknowledged as a leading department in North America. About Supermin Supermin Enterprises is the consulting company of George C Hawley. Mr. Hawley worked in the UK as a Research & Development Chemist for Morgan Crucible company, a leading global manufacturer of synthetic graphite products. Later, as Technical & Marketing Director at Martin Marietta Corporation in Quebec, he was responsible for the development of the Suzorite Mica business. Working closely with auto manufacturers Ford, General Motors, Chrysler and Volkswagen, and with plastics producers GE, DuPont, GAF, and Hercules, he pioneered the reinforcement of plastics using high aspect ratio mica flake, and brought this to a production capacity of 30,000 tonnes per year. Since 1980, Mr. Hawley has been a consultant providing expert guidance to the industrial minerals industry, including graphite. About Eagle Graphite Eagle Graphite Inc. is an Ontario company that owns one of only two natural flake graphite production facilities in North America, located 35 kilometres west of the city of Nelson in British Columbia, Canada, and 70 kilometres north of the state of Washington, USA, known as the Black Crystal graphite quarry. The Company's shares are listed on the TSXV under the symbol "EGA", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "NJGP", and on the US OTC market under the symbol APMFF. Cautionary Statements Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such information is based on assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions and its expectations of future developments as well as other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such information. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. In evaluating forward-looking information, readers should carefully consider the various factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company or its securities, its financial or operating results, as applicable. 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. Eagle Graphite Inc. Jamie Deith, President & CEO (604) 909-4237 jdeith@eaglegraphite.com To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/eaglegraphite06012017.pdfSource: Eagle Graphite Inc. (TSX Venture:EGA, OTC Bulletin Board:NJGP) To follow Eagle Graphite Inc. on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below. Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 Filing Services Canada Inc. Historical Resource Category Mineral Type Tonnes Zn (%) Measured Oxides 329,236 22.45 Indicated Oxides 678,560 21.20 Total M + I Oxides 1,007,796 21.61 Inferred Oxides 209,018 21.18 Vancouver, June 2, 2017 - Zinc One Resources Inc. . (TSXV: Z) (OTC Pink: ZZZOF) (Frankfurt: RH33) ("Zinc One or the Company") and Forrester Metals Inc. (TSXV: VEM.H) ("Forrester") are pleased to announce, further to their news releases on February 1, 2017, March 7, 2017, and May 18, 2017, that Zinc One has received all necessary documents and approvals and completed its acquisition of all the issued and outstanding common shares of Forrester (the "Transaction"). Together with the acquisition, Zinc One recently closed its private placement financing of $10,000,000 (the "Private Placement Financing"). Zinc One is now fully funded to move forward with the exploration and development of the high-grade, zinc-oxide Bongara Mine Project.Further, Zinc One is pleased to welcome Dr. William "Bill" Williams as its new Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Williams is the former CEO of Forrester and has been a director of Zinc One since May 24th, 2017.Dr. Williams is an economic geologist with extensive experience in South America. He is the former Chief Executive Officer and President of Orvana Minerals Corp. and since leaving that company in 2013, has been a consultant to the mining industry. Prior to joining Orvana Minerals, he was a Vice President for Phelps Dodge Exploration. He holds a PhD, Economic Geology from the University of Arizona.Dr. Williams commented, "I am very pleased to join Zinc One and continue the work Forrester has initiated to advance the Bongara Zinc-Oxide Mine Project. It is a great opportunity to be part of the team developing the Bongara Zinc-Oxide Mine Project as I believe its many positive attributes, including the exceptional high-grade zinc at or near the surface, the favorable metallurgy as demonstrated by the previous operation, and a mining-friendly jurisdiction, give this project an edge over many other lower-grade zinc deposits. Over many years, Forrester has developed a solid network in Peru that will continue being instrumental in getting the Bongara Zinc-Oxide Mine Project back in production in the fastest possible manner. Zinc One is now well funded and managed by a group with a wealth of experience in mine design, permitting, construction and operations. In addition, the Company is backed by a succesfull and well-connected group of financial market participants."James Walchuck, CEO of Zinc One added, "We consider ourselves fortunate to welcome Bill Williams to our team. Over the last few months we have worked closely with Bill and developed a great appreciation for his skill and professionalism. It is a rare occurrence to be able to acquire what I believe is an exceptional project along with a seasoned team already well versed in the project. I look forward to continuing what has been a seamless transition and furthering the high quality work underway in Peru."Also joining the Zinc One team in Peru are Silvia Dedios, General Manager, and Roger Riquelme, Vice President Exploration. Ms. Dedios served in various management positions for Forrester and its predecessors over the last ten years and for nearly 20 years prior to that was a general, finance, and sales manager for various manufacturing companies in Peru. In addition, she served as a director for SEDAPAL from 2013-2016 and ElectroPeru from 2012-2016. She holds a B.S. in Administrative Science from the University of Lima and an M.B.A. from ESAN.Mr. Riquelme is a geologist with over 30 years experience working in Peru, Colombia, and Mexico for various companies including Votarantim Metals at their Florida Canyon zinc project and Anglo Gold Ashanti, Phelps Dodge, Minera del Madrigal, and Minera Katanga on exploration and development projects as well as mine operations. His extensive experience in Peru included not only the management of project evaluations and development, including drilling programs, but management of permitting protocols and community relations. Mr. Riquelme holds a B.S. in Geology from the National University of Arequipa.The Transaction was effected by way of a court approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). Under the terms of the Agreement, each shareholder of Forrester received one common share of Zinc One ("Zinc One Share") for every 5.5 common shares of Forrester ("Forrester Shares"). As a result, Zinc One issued a total of 24,259,812 Zinc One Shares to the shareholders of Forrester.All outstanding options and warrants of Forrester will remain outstanding and be adjusted to give effect to the Transaction in accordance with their respective terms or pursuant to the Agreement. Further, certain directors and officers of Forrester settled all severance payments by the issuance of 4,101,888 Forrester Shares, which were subsequently converted into 745,797 Zinc One Shares.As a result of closing the Transaction and the Private Placement Financing, Zinc One now has 98,701,718 issued and outstanding shares.The Bongara Zinc-Oxide Project consists of the Bongara Zinc-Oxide Mine and the Charlotte Bongara Zinc-Oxide Project. At the former, zinc-oxide mineralization was discovered in 1974 and since then various companies have completed exploration programs across the area; mining of the zinc oxides with grades exceeding 20%, occurred for 17 months in 2007-08 until declining zinc prices led to a shutdown. The previous operator estimated the following historical resources after mining ceased:(Note: Historical resource estimate was previously prepared on the Bongara Zinc-Oxide Mine by the previous operator, Corianta S.A. in 2011. Please see cautionary statement on historical resource estimate below.)The mineralization is concentrated along and proximal to a NW-trending anticlinal axis over approximately three kilometres. From the southeast edge of the project, the Mina Grande, Mina Chica and Bongarita mine areas were subject to sampling from pits and trenches as well as shallow drilling over a distance of approximately 1.2 kilometres. This zinc-oxide mineralization appears to continue for approximately one kilometre to the northwest into an area known as Campo Cielo, where additional high-grade, zinc-oxide mineralization in historical pits and trenches was encountered.The adjacent Charlotte Bongara Zinc-Oxide Project, located approximately seven kilometres northwest of the Bongara Zinc-Oxide Mine, was initially explored by Solitario Resources in 1994. Com Inco Ltd. later completed five drill holes for 592 metres within the property, two of which encountered near-surface, high-grade, zinc-oxide mineralization. Between 2007 and 2011, Rio Cristal Zinc optioned the project and eventually drilled 95 drill holes for a total of 7,722 metres on the Cristal and Charlita prospects. Some of the Rio Cristal drill results included 29.5% Zn across 15.5 metres, 26.1% Zinc across 12.5 metres, and 29.7% Zinc across 11.5 metres (the cited intervals are drill-intercept widths and true widths are unknown).The historical mining activity and the results from historical drilling, trenching, and pitting along this four-kilometre trend of zinc-oxide mineralization certainly merit a re-evaluation of the Bongara Zinc Mine as well as further exploration of both the Campo Cielo area and the Charlotte Bongara zone.Zinc One is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of prospective and advanced zinc projects in mining friendly jurisdictions. Zinc One's key assets are the past producing Bongara Zinc-Oxide Mine Project and Charlotte Bongara Zinc-Oxide Project in Peru.. The Company is managed by a proven team of exploration geologists, and engineers having previously constructed and operated successful mining operations.For more information, please visit the website at WWW.ZINCONE.COM or contact James Walchuck, CEO and President at (604) 683-0911 or email at info@zincone.com.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ZINC ONE RESOURCES INC"signed" James WalchuckCEO and PresidentThe technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Bill Williams, COO and Director of Zinc One and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101The historical resource estimate was prepared by the previous operator, Corianta S.A. in an internal report dated June 13, 2011 on the Bongara Zinc Mine. The historical resource estimate used "measure resources", "indicated resources" and "inferred resources", which are categories set out in National Instrument ("NI") 43-101. These categories are considered reliable as well as relevant as it represents the main target for future exploration and development work on the Bongara Zinc-Oxide Mine. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify this historical estimate as a current resource estimate and is not treating the historical estimate as a current resource estimate. Additional surface samples, trench samples, and drill hole samples will be required to comply with NI 43-101 guidelines in order to provide a current resource estimate.Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Zinc One cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Zinc One's limited operating history, ability to complete the proposed transaction with Forrester (including obtaining all necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals), ability to close the private placement financing and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Zinc One does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - June 02, 2017) - Maxtech Ventures Inc. (CSE: MVT) (CSE: MVT.CN) (CNSX: MVT) (FRANKFURT: M1N) (OTC PINK: MTEHF), ("Maxtech" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company will attend the global International Manganese Institute ("IMnI") Annual Conference in Miami, Florida, USA on June 5th to June 7th. Maxtech will join more than 120 delegates at the IMnl conference in Miami. The Company will be one of very few Canadian representatives. Glencore International AG, Ferroglobe, Maringa Ferro Ligas, United Manganese of Kalahari, are just a few companies being showcased at the conference which will be attended by global manganese leaders traveling from South Africa, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Brazil to highlight just a few of the participating countries. It is a conference not only focused on networking amongst industry peers, but informative break out educational sessions led by the institute directors and professionals in the field to discuss the manganese industry evolution and its increasingly fast pace growth trajectory and affect on many industries and the worldwide green energy revolution. Peter Wilson, CEO of Maxtech, states, "As Maxtech continues to broaden its direct interests in the manganese industry globally, it is imperative we know who all the players are. The IMnI is a 42 year old association of the industry itself and there is no better way to get involved than to attend their annual event and meet companies that are both upstream and downstream from Maxtech in the manganese supply chain. Maxtech is an exploration company acquiring only the highest grade managense assets with a goal of becoming one of the largest Mn stakeholders in the world." About International Manganese Institute The International Manganese Institute (IMnI) is a not-for-profit industry association that represents manganese ore and alloy producers, manufacturers of metallurgical products or chemical compounds, trading houses, industry service providers, companies involved in Mn business development, universities and research organizations around the world. Founded in 1975, with headquarters in Paris, France, IMnI's mission is to provide vision and guidance to the Mn industry by promoting economic, social and environmental responsibility and sustainability to all stakeholders. About Maxtech Ventures Inc. Maxtech Ventures Inc. is a Canadian based diversified industries corporation with gold and manganese mineral properties. Its focus is on mining and the products that are derived therefrom. For additional information see the Company's web site at http://www.maxtech-ventures.com Further information about the Company is available on www.SEDAR.com under the Company's profile. 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. Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated", "anticipates" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Nashville, June 02, 2017 - First Colombia Gold Corp. (OTCPink: FCGD) provided a detailed operations update today. The company announced that after careful consideration, they have chosen Wesley T. Johnson to lead their coal operations division.Jason Castenir, CEO of First Columbia Gold Corp. stated, We are all extremely excited about Mr. Johnson and his capabilities and honored to have him on the team. As we are making this transition into the coal industry, Johnson makes an excellent choice for the new direction of the Company.Wes Johnson has over 15 years of experience in the coal industry at varying levels. His expertise in strip mining, terminal management and heavy equipment provides the practical knowledge and leadership that First Columbia Gold Corp. will need to achieve success in this new venture.I am excited to lead First Columbia in this new direction and to kick off operations with this first coal lease. This is an exciting time in the market and I believe that my experience and connections within the industry will be a valuable asset to First Columbia Gold Corp., stated Johnson.Johnson is currently located in Kentucky and believes this lease location, also in Kentucky, is located in a very advantageous region. Mr. Johnson continued, Being centrally located in Kentucky, provides the best access to the Eastern Kentucky coal markets. I intend to focus on two key regional opportunities, our first and easiest market entry is within the Eastern Markets and specifically the ports on the East Coast. As we develop a customer base within that region, we will try to use rail to develop markets in the port of New Orleans.The company has further detailed their operations plan. The initial focus will be on the Haddix Seam which ranges in thickness from 48 inches to 55 inches and will be mined using the area mining method. This seam has an existing permit in place which includes 300,000 tons of recoverable coal. The company plans to mine at a rate of 20,000 tons per month and based upon the current market conditions, the company believes that coal will sell in excess of $50 per ton. The initial estimated mining costs for the initial operation are projected to be $40 to $42 per ton giving First Columbia Gold Corp. an $8 per ton margin.Mr. Castenir gave his thoughts on the overall opportunity within this coal venture, There is a lot of momentum and activity within the coal industry and there are a lot of opportunities within this sector right now. We have everything we need to succeed with this new venture. We are continuing to build our team and recruit the talent necessary to make a profitable entry into the coal market.Website: www.FCGDcorp.comEmail: info@firstcolombiagoldcorp.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/FirstColombiaGoldTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/FCGDCorpThis release contains forward-looking statements that are based on beliefs of First Colombia Gold Corp. management and reflect First Colombia Gold Corp.'s current expectations as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When we use in this release the words "estimate," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "plan," "predict," "may," "should," "will," "can," the negative of these words, or such other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, are all intended to identify forward looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of First Colombia Gold Corp. with respect to future events based on currently available information and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties pertaining to development of mining properties, changes in economic conditions and other risks, uncertainties and factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievement expressed or implied by such forward looking statements to differ materially from the forward looking statements. The information contained in this press release is historical in nature, has not been updated, and is current only to the date shown in this press release. This information may no longer be accurate and therefore you should not rely on the information contained in this press release. To the extent permitted by law, First Colombia Gold Corp. and its employees, agents and consultants exclude all liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of, or reliance on, any such information, whether or not caused by any negligent act or omission. This press release incorporates by reference the Company's filings with the SEC including 10K, 10Q, 8K reports and other filings. Investors are encouraged to review all filings. There is no assurance First Colombia Gold Corp. will identify projects of merit or if it will have sufficient financing to implement its business plan. There is no assurance that the Company's due diligence on the potential acquisition of oil and gas assets will be favorable nor that definitive terms can be negotiated. Information in this release includes representations from the private companies referred to which has not been independently verified by the company. A downturn in oil prices would affect the potential profitability of the proposed acquisition negatively. Even the Pension Deals are Big in Texas Fitch's Downward Shift Swift Punishment for Illinois There has been a big break in Houston's and Dallas' pension crises over the past week: The Texas Legislature approved reforms that require all sides to pony up big.In Houston, the changes will cut the citys $8 billion unfunded liability in half. Municipal and public safety unions agreed to $2.8 billion in benefits cuts. Meanwhile, Houston will issue $1 billion in pension bonds to boost the systems balance. It will also stick to a payment plan -- that includes capping the city's future pension costs -- to pay off the remaining unfunded liability over 30 years.Similarly, Dallas police and fire workers will shoulder $1.4 billion in benefit cuts over the next 30 years and more than $1 billion in additional contributions from their pay. For its part, the city will be required to significantly boost its annual payments into the fund, starting with more than $150 million next year. Mayor Mike Rawlings will also get to pick six of the 11 trustees on the currently union-dominated pension board, whose poor investments contributed to more than $1 billion in losses.The common theme to these reforms is shared sacrifice. While unions and officials are happy to have a plan in place, no one is pleased about what comes next. "This is not a time to high-five," Dallas Police Association Vice President Frederick Frazier told the"This is a time to pull the boots up and get back to work."Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner last week called the reforms the "first lap" in a longer race. In addition to needing voters to approve the pension obligation bonds, Turner also wants them to lift a revenue cap the city imposed on itself more than 20 years ago. What's more, the Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund is suing the city over the reforms. The move was expected as Turner was unable to get the firefighters to join the police and municipal employees in endorsing the reforms.Fitch Ratings announced this week that it is lowering the assumed rate of return it uses to estimate a public pension plans total liabilities. Fitch previously assumed pensions would earn an annual 7 percent return on investments; going forward it will assume a 6 percent return.Fitch cited slower economic growth and a more volatile stock market as reasons for its lowered assumptions. There is little evidence to suggest the economy will accelerate to previous levels of growth in the near term, Senior Director Douglas Offerman said in a statement. Fitch believes that pensions will be hard-pressed to achieve their long-term growth expectations in the current economic context.The lower an assumed rate of return is, the higher a plans liabilities are. Fitch said its criteria changes would only have a limited impact on ratings because the firms current assessments already figure in rising pension burdens. Still, government officials aren't fans of the change since it makes their finances look worse.More broadly, Fitchs move is indicative of a growing trend toward more realistic rates of return. And although a fair number of pension plans are stepping down their return assumptions, their average is still north of 7 percent and they aren't doing it fast enough. Earlier this year, Fitch was among the impatient when it noted that this trend was an exceptionally slow recognition by pension decision-makers that high targeted returns are unlikely to materialize in the current investment environment.With the move, Fitch joins Moodys Investors Service, which has used a lower rate of return for several years.Less than a day after Illinois lawmakers closed their third annual session without approving an operating budget, S&P Global Ratings and Moody's Investors Services downgraded the states credit rating to BBB-, one step above junk status.The blistering critique from S&Ps Gabe Petek warned that another downgrade could come as soon as next month if the states lawmakers don't find a spending plan for fiscal 2018 designed to reduce the states $7 billion structural deficit.Petek added that the unrelenting political brinkmanship has increased the risk that lawmakers might not appropriate enough money for Illinois to make its debt payments. We now view these payment obligations as having speculative-grade characteristics, he wrote.Illinois budget deficit now represents nearly 20 percent of its annual expenditures. What's more, its unpaid bills have mushroomed to represent one-third of its general fund spending. The state is also vulnerable to credit swap penalty payments tied to rating downgradesand severely distressed pension funding levels that will require increased payments to solve.Typically, multiple downgrades have provided lawmakers with political cover -- or a swift kick -- to make the uncomfortable financial decisions they need to steady the ship. But in Illinois, which is now rated far below the state average of AA, that embarrassment has had no tangible effect.Its hard to imagine how much further Illinois will go before things change. But unless the more than two-year budget impasse is miraculously solved within a months time, the state risks its bonds being rated at junk -- something that has not happened to any state in the modern era. Description GIS - 02 June, 2017: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reiterated its support to Mauritius in its relentless fight against drug scourge. In this context the UNODC will collaborate with the Government in the elaboration of a National Drug Control Master Plan for Mauritius. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reiterated its support to Mauritius in its relentless fight against drug scourge. In this context the UNODC will collaborate with the Government in the elaboration of a This was at the fore of discussions yesterday afternoon during a courtesy call by the Consultant and former Regional HIV Adviser, UNODC, Dr. Reychad Abdool, on the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. In a statement, Dr. Abdool expressed satisfaction regarding the fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister on issues of drug trafficking and crime, approaches to prevent drug proliferation targeting both local and foreign drug dealers and their networks as well as drug consumers. Dr. Abdool underscored the Prime Ministers determination and commitment to deploy all means to combat the surge of drugs which is causing enormous harm to the society. Moreover, he expressed his satisfaction for the Prime Ministers conviction in ensuring and monitoring the overall coordination regarding the implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan . The elaboration of a National Drug Control Master Plan is the focus of a three-day workshop currently being held at the Le Voila Hotel, Bagatelle organised at the initiative of the Ministry of Defence and Rodrigues, and the Prime Ministers Office in collaboration with the UNODC. Various stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, NGOs and the civil society are attending the workshop in a bid to come up with concrete proposals towards the charting of a Master Plan. DFA and DCA are both using the Accela Civic Platform. Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP) is integrating the systems. DPH is using the Pega Certification and Licensing system, with Deloitte integrating. In a mad dash to prepare for regulating the heretofore untamed cannabis industry, the California Department of Technology is coordinating the integration of three separate licensing systems for different agencies.When voters in the state chose to legalize marijuana in November, they also gave the government a deadline by which they needed to start licensing cannabis businesses: Jan. 1, 2018.The schedules aggressive, said Scott Paterson, a senior adviser for the state IT department. Weve got regulation development thats being done, weve got possible legislation changes. We do know that the [ Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act ] is already in statute, so we are marching toward that order. But its an aggressive schedule for addressing any type of it project, let alone four.Those four systems would be the licensing systems for three different departments Food and Agriculture Consumer Affairs and Public Health as well as a track-and-trace system for CDFA. Each department will be responsible for licensing businesses in different parts of the cannabis industry, following every step in the process from seed to sale.The track-and-trace system is still going through the procurement process, but the vendors have already been selected for all the licensing systems:That January deadline, Paterson said, essentially forced the state to seek out a faster-than-usual way to get things done. As an example, for the licensing platform, it used the Software Licensing Program . To stand up the systems, its using an agile process.With the tight timelines that are in place now, January 2018, what is the minimum viable product that we can have up and need to have up by that date? We know that we need to accept applicant information. Do we need to have renewals up? No, because theyll only renew annually, he said.So the state will add in renewal capabilities later. Another item on the list that wont necessarily be complete by January is inter-department communication.The platform that theyre on will allow for API and communications between platforms; that is possible, Paterson said.Theyll also need to set up back-end access for a crowded alphabet soup of state agencies, as well as government entities outside the state the California Department of Justice, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and on and on.As they set it up, Paterson said one major concern is ease of use. Since the marijuana industry in California has been mostly unregulated despite two decades of the drug being legal for medical uses the state will likely be working with people who arent used to working with the state. And though California has consulted with other states that have already set up regulatory systems, it has a larger population than any other. Inevitably, marijuana regulation will be a bigger haul.We know that were under the microscope," Paterson said, "and its very important to every one of us that we do this right. (TNS) - When Columbus begins evaluating candidates for its firefighter recruit class next week, it will have a new, outside perspective that city officials hope will improve diversity among its first-responder ranks.The city has hired nine "community evaluators" to sit on the three-person boards that review the oral exam given to about 1,800 applicants for the Columbus Division of Fire's academy.Dozens applied for the jobs, which pay about $25 an hour for three weeks of work now, and again in the fall when they will evaluate police recruits.Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said the evaluators will give the community a voice in hiring police officers and firefighters. When they're done scoring exams, he wants them to help recruit more diverse classes for each safety force."We're not where we want to be with respect to the police and fire division representing the great diversity of our community," Ginther said.As of the start of this year, 1,389 of the Fire Division's 1,548 firefighters and supervisors are white. Thirty-one are women.Ginther said the city needs to start recruiting efforts in middle school, because "high school might be too late." The city and its new evaluators need to help both kids and parents understand the potential benefits of a career as a firefighter or police officer, he said.The city's community evaluators started training for their new jobs this week. On Wednesday and Thursday, they learned more about the job of firefighters. Today, they are scheduled to learn what they need to look for in the videotaped oral exams that they'll grade."Without knowing what the job is, there are a lot of misconceptions," Fire Chief Kevin O'Connor said. "You wish there was a blood test you did where you have it or you don't."During the oral exam, potential recruits must respond to scenarios that a firefighter might encounter. The community evaluators, along with a firefighter and a fire captain or lieutenant, watch each test to see how the applicant responds.The evaluators are replacing city employees from the Civil Service Division on the boards.O'Connor said the evaluators will consider whether the candidates appear trustworthy, show confidence in their answers, and can be empathetic toward patients on medical runs, among other factors.The city accepted applications for firefighter jobs through March. About 2,100 took the multiple choice and oral exams. About 1,800 likely will make it through the multiple-choice test before their oral exams are scored.The list of candidates that make the final cut will be used for recruit classes during the next two years. The division expects to hire about 150 firefighters in that period to add to the Fire Division and replace retirees, said Battalion Chief Steve Martin."We have an opportunity to bridge some of the questions about what happens in the fire department and police division," said Alethea Gaddis, one of the community evaluators, who lives on the Northeast Side.rrouan@dispatch.com@RickRouan2017 The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio)Visit The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) at www.dispatch.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (TNS) - State officials have a simple message for people in coastal Virginia "Know Your Zone."During a news conference at Fort Monroe Thursday, they announced big changes to the state's evacuation plan, introducing a new, a four-tiered plan to evacuate people during hurricanes and other disasters. The "Know Your Zone" plan covers about 1.25 million people who live in the region most vulnerable to storms, which includes Hampton Roads."It's vitally important that residents of coastal Virginia be aware of the new zones and in particular, the zone they live in," Jeff Stern, coordinator of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, said in a news release. "Right now, before the storm season gets under way, we're urging people to 'Know Your Zone.'"The zone plan took three years to develop and is based on the most up-to-date engineering data for the region, state officials said. Developers also tapped local emergency managers in Hampton Roads, the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and Eastern Shore to help with its design.In his remarks at Fort Monroe, Gov. Terry McAuliffe talked about the beautiful view of the water, bustling ship traffic and the area's historic military assets, which are vital to Virginia."This new evacuation plan represents a significant step toward ensuring the safety of the commonwealth's residents and visitors," McAuliffe said in the release. "The new data-driven plan will streamline the evacuation process by providing accurate and useful information to citizens based on their street addresses."With the effects of climate change, "storms are getting more intense," the governor said. "We had to modernize our evacuation plan."Virginia is prone to flooding, tornadoes and high winds during hurricanes. Hurricane Matthew killed two people and a third died from stormy conditions in October 2016. Thousands were left without power some for several days. Storm waters flooded coastal areas and moved inland, swamping homes and cars in areas that have traditionally been flood-free. The deadly storm also caused more than $9 million in damage statewide after the storm surge.The message to Hampton Roads and other East Coast communities is to buckle up for a bumpy hurricane season, as federal forecasters predict an especially active year in the Atlantic.The national Climate Prediction Center said Thursday there's a 45 percent chance that storm activity in 2017 will...The message to Hampton Roads and other East Coast communities is to buckle up for a bumpy hurricane season, as federal forecasters predict an especially active year in the Atlantic.The national Climate Prediction Center said Thursday there's a 45 percent chance that storm activity in 2017 will...The state added gates to interstate on and off ramps after Hurricane Isabel in 2003, but has never reversed traffic on the interstate during an evacuation.According to state officials, the new zones consider several factors such as topography and historic storm surge measurements and combine them with projected effects of storms of different intensity, path, speed, tides and other meteorological factors.At the "Know Your Zone" website, people can type in their address and learn what zone they live in. During an emergency, state officials will have specific instructions for evacuations according to the zones, designated as A through D, Stern said. Those without access to the internet can contact their local emergency managers or call 211 for their zone designation."The lane-reversal plan for I-64 remains a tool in the toolbox we can use if needed," he said. "The evacuation routes have not changed we've just updated the evacuation plan."Avoiding unnecessary evacuation travel will reduce traffic congestion, promote highway safety and lessen overcrowding at storm shelters, state officials said. The new zones enhance the current evacuation plans and routes already designated in coastal Virginia, they added.Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck said the new evacuation plans will help keep people safe."This area is particularly vulnerable to wind and storm surge," Tuck said. "The new evacuation plans will allow us to make people aware and get them evacuated quickly and safely."Canty can be reached by phone at 757-247-4832.2017 the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.)Visit the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) at www.dailypress.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (TNS) -- ALBANY -- The first authorized demonstration of a self-driving car in New York state is scheduled for June 13 on the streets of Albany, near the Capitol.State officials announced the details Wednesday. Audi of America was the first company to gain approval for tests and demonstrations of autonomous vehicles under a process the state created earlier this year.The technology Audi plans to demonstrate June 13 is capable of safely allowing hands-free driving at posted highway speeds, but it requires a driver to take over if problems arise. Two trained engineers will be in the vehicle to monitor the system and ensure safety. The vehicle has already logged thousands of miles on highways across the United States safely.Among the requirements of the demonstration program:Test vehicles must comply with federal safety standards and state inspection standards.A person with a valid drivers license must be in the drivers seat when the vehicle is moving on public highways.A $5 million insurance policy must be in place on the test vehicle.The companies must submit a report to the Department of Motor Vehicles on demonstrations and tests they have undertaken with their permits.The law permitting demonstrations and tests expires on April 1, 2018.Autonomous vehicles are a major part of the future of the automotive industry, and this pilot program will help ensure New York continues to be a hub of innovation and cutting-edge technology, Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a prepared statement. This emerging technology has the potential to decrease accidents and save lives on our roadways, and with this approval, we are one step closer to a safer and stronger New York for all. Air travel is getting increasingly more high tech. Take Delta Air Lines, which last month announced the debut of its self-service facial recognition bagging stations in Minnesota's Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. And yesterday, JetBlue made an annoucment of its own: to use facial recognition in place of boarding passes.We hope to learn how we can further reduce friction points in the airport experience, with the boarding process being one of the hardest to solve, said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlues executive vice president of customer experience, in a press release JetBlue will partner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and SITA, a global company that provides IT and telecommunication services to the airlines, airports and governments. SITA will provide JetBlue with the technology necessary to connect the airlines system with the CBP database.Testing will begin in Bostons Logan International Airport in the next few weeks; volunteers flying from Boston to Aruba will be photographed at the gate and the images will run through a CBP database.This biometric self-boarding program for JetBlue and the CBP is designed to be easy to use. What we want to deliver is a secure and seamless passenger experience, said SITA Chief Technology Officer Jim Peters in the release.This new application of technology, and others, could swiftly make paper and mobile boarding passes a thing of the past. Other airlines are watching closely and making moves of their own.Delta, for instance, already is testing a system that uses fingerprints in place of boarding passes. At D.C.'s Reagan Washington National Airport, loyalty program members can use their fingerprints to gain entry to Deltas airport lounge but the airline plans to extend the use of fingerprint recognition to their boarding process.The vision, reported , is for travelers to one day move through the airport without having to pull out their ID and boarding pass as many times as they do today.By transforming current business operations," said CBP Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner John Wagner in the press release, "airlines and airports will have the opportunity to use verified biometrics to ensure a seamless and consistent process for travelers." (TNS) -- MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. Trying to sort through the hype about self-driving cars? You could do worse than to listen to U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., one of the more thoughtful civic leaders on future mobility issues.Speaking here at the annual Mackinac Policy Conference, Peters sounds an initial note of optimism about the technological progress were seeing toward autonomous vehicles.Its going to happen a lot sooner than people will realize, Peters told me here at the Grand Hotel. The technology is moving very, very rapidly. Ford Motor Co. has announced theyll have a self-driving vehicle in 2021. Thats just right around the corner.I know thats an ambitious goal. Well see if theyll be able to achieve it. But the fact that they put a marker in the sand, saying they think we can have a production car by this time. That lets the world know these auto companies are moving full-steam ahead.But Peters cautions that the transition to self-driving cars and trucks wont follow a smooth road.This is the most disruptive technology since Henry Ford had the assembly line, he said. Theres no question its all those policy issues, the moral-ethical issues, all sort of issues that are now trailing technology generally, not just autos."Were on an exponential curve in terms of technological advancement with self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, synthetic biology, the list goes on of what were seeing happen at an accelerating rate.And yet when you talk about public policy, it moves at a constant rate, which I call the 'snail pace.' Its very slow. So that means if youre not trying to think ahead, youre going to be quickly overrun by technology.Serving on the Senate Commerce Committee, Peters is working with the majority Republicans to craft legislation that addresses a range of issues related to future mobility. Some of the issues relate to auto insurance. If everyone has a self-driving car and those vehicles prove as safe as their proponents predict, will we need auto insurance at all? And in case of an accident, whos liable if no one is at the controls?Peters suggests the rollout of autonomous vehicles will take place soon but in controlled environments.Youll see the (ride-sharing services) Lyfts and Ubers of the world using self-driving vehicles in a corralled area in an urban core, he said. You may see some in long-distance driving on highways. I think youll also see more on the commercial side when it comes to trucks.And one of the more interesting deployments of autonomous vehicles could be in war zones. The Department of Defense has actually done a lot of research on autonomous vehicles, he said. In some ways, they really started this whole movement to reduce war fighters deaths in logistics operations.More soldiers and Marines died in Iraq driving logistics vehicles like fuel vehicles than died in combat. Its very dangerous to drive a fuel truck to the front. And if you can take the driver out and have it automated to get it to the front and give it to the war fighters, youre going to save lives.This transitional space between todays often-chaotic roads with nearly 40,000 deaths a year because of accidents and tomorrows smoothly running world of digitally controlled vehicles represents the most challenging aspect of the mobility debate.Elsewhere at the policy conference, John Kwant, Fords vice president of City Solutions for Ford Smart Mobility, cautioned at a panel discussion on the future of cities that all of these things become exponential. ... You need a critical amount of connectiveness. ... Youve not going to be able to have autonomous vehicles without that coordination going on.Or as Peters put it: A big part of self-driving vehicles is vehicle-to-vehicle communications. So that means a Toyota has to talk to a Ford, and a Ford has to talk to a GM and (a) Nissan, and they have to be all linked in a way that were not used to now.Clearly, nobody has all the answers yet to the myriad questions arising from future mobility needs and technology. But at least people like Peters are asking a lot of the right questions. Missouris governor may not have anything to hide, but he sometimes acts as if he does.Eric Greitens, a Republican and a former Navy SEAL, won the governorship last year in his first bid for public office. Much of his campaign funding came from donors whose identities were never disclosed, including a dark money group called LG PAC that spent $4 million on his behalf. Greitens also received a check for nearly $2 million -- then the record donation in Missouri -- from a group called SEALs for Truth. The way the money was shifted around means that the original source remains unknown in both cases.The governors secretive fundraising continued after the campaign. Corporations and lobbyists gave money to pay for his inaugural festivities, but Greitens refused to say how much any of them had given, or the total amount hed raised overall. Close associates of his have now set up a dark money group to promote his policy agenda. Eric Greitens has shown that his campaign commitment to clean up the corruption in Jefferson City was a false promise, says Progress Missouri, a liberal group.Its not just advocates on the left who are concerned. Some Republican senators upset about Greitens use of a dark money group forced debate about requiring such groups to disclose their donors at the end of the legislative session last month. Those senators quickly found themselves attacked in ads sponsored by the group associated with the governor.But money isnt the only issue. Greitens campaigned on the idea of openness, but he forced members of his transition team to sign gag orders banning them from speaking about their work. When he appears in public, Greitens sometimes brushes off reporters by telling them to make a request through staff, who in turn often tell them their requests arent a priority. This is the most reclusive, inaccessible and unengaged governor Ive ever covered, Phill Brooks, a reporter for the CBS radio affiliate in St. Louis, told. Brooks has been at the statehouse since 1970.Parker Briden, the governors press secretary, says that Greitens has given many interviews, while also holding news conferences and speaking occasionally with reporters in informal groups. But he doesnt deny that Greitens will sometimes bypass reporters by putting his message out unfiltered through social media. We really appreciate the opportunity to connect with people directly on that platform, Briden says, and it gives us the chance to let a large audience of people know that the governor is fighting for them.Briden is right when he says that increasing numbers of people are getting their news through social media. Still, in public life, its important for elected officials to remain accountable to their constituents, whose concerns are often expressed in the form of questions asked by reporters. For a self-described reformer to refuse to answer most of the questions put to him -- including the all-important question of who might be funding his agenda -- can only raise more questions. Its totally baffling, says Ken Warren, a political scientist at St. Louis University. Everyone is perplexed and frustrated by his arrogance and total insensitivity to transparency. Government isnt like a secret Navy SEAL operation. After serving for six years as Michigan's CIO, David Behen will step down on June 16 to pursue an opportunity with a global company headquartered in Michigan, Gov. Rick Snyder announced Friday, June 2.Behen, who became director of the state's Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) in 2014 upon then-director John Nixon's departure , has made a significant impact on Michigan IT since stepping on board.When he took the CIO post in February 2011 , a decade of economic turmoil left the state with many ancient systems in need of upgrade, so his first few years were spent creating a new strategic technology plan and identifying nearly 20 projects in need of replacement and enhanced automation needs that were matched to multiyear tech funding in the state budget.Over the years, Behen has led efforts to move email into the cloud, embark upon data center modernization, overhaul procurement and deploy a new statewide ERP system.David has been a champion for the residents of Michigan and how they interact digitally with their government, Gov. Snyder said in a press release . His passion for customer service and technology has changed the way government services are delivered to be more effective, efficient and accountable. David has been a great leader, innovator and public servant for Michiganders and I wish him well in his new endeavor.A current project is the DTMB's efforts to combine mobile-first, big data and cybersecurity with MiPage what Behen described at the 2017 NASCIO Midyear Conference as a concierge for state government services that is personalized and predictive. And protecting the data within MiPage is top of mind, which is why the state plans to release an RFP for the Cyber Threat Analytics Center, where predictive analytics will show officials what threats the state will face next.Behen was named one ofTop 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers in 2013 , and under his IT leadership, Michigan was one of just a few states that received an "A" grade in the Center for Digital Government's* 2016 Digital States Survey Public service is one of the most fulfilling things you can do in life and Im grateful for the opportunity Ive had to make a difference for this great state, said Behen. Through the great leadership of Gov. Snyder, and working alongside my fellow public servants at DTMB and throughout state government, we were able to accomplish some amazing feats that have improved the lives of Michiganders. I know that more great things are in store and Im proud of the role that Ive been able to play.Current Chief Deputy Director Brom Stibitz will serve as interim director of the DTMB until a permanent replacement is named.Government Technology Shifting focus slightly from consolidation to consistency and standardization, Massachusetts will reorder its IT office to add a cabinet-level secretary position in a move aimed at further modernizing and centralizing state technology, improving cybersecurity, and potentially realizing a cost savings.Gov. Charlie Baker made the announcement on Thursday, June 1, with the release of a proposal under Article 87 of the state constitution, to improve data security, safeguard privacy and promote better service delivery.Article 87 authorizes reorganization of executive branch agencies, albeit following statehouse hearings within 30 days, the state said in a news release . If neither legislative chamber disapproves, the proposed act would become law 60 days after its introduction.In the news release, the administration characterized Baker's act as re-establishing the Massachusetts Office of Information Technology (MassIT) as the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS)," which would be led by a secretary of technology.The goal is to centralize IT infrastructure service across the executive department under EOTSS, and review and update policies and procedures governing state cybersecurity, digital platforms and data management.Massachusetts lags behind other states and private companies in securing IT assets and its technology infrastructure, the state said in a list of frequently asked questions pertaining to the governors proposal, obtained byIts technology infrastructure is housed in disparate, nonstandard locations, the state added, and because statutes and policies support this nonstandard, decentralized approach we need legislation that simplifies IT management.In the FAQs, state officials further noted the state tried several times to centralize and consolidate IT via executive orders in 2009 and 2011, and with legislation in 2014.Despite these targeted activities, only a small portion of the centralization goal was achieved, leaving the commonwealth even more vulnerable than before, officials wrote, adding they expect this new endeavor will improve security and services delivery for all.Bakers proposal would create or expand the responsibilities of four C-level executives: the chief information security officer, the chief privacy officer, the chief data officer and the chief digital officer. The state has previously created CISO and CDO positions.It also would also improve security through the adoption of best practices, leverage industry expertise to reduce the states overall risk profile and deploy mitigation measures, and commission EOTSS to review, streamline and generally modernize IT policies and procedures, the state said.Exactly how EOTSS would be organized, and where positions like that of MassIT Executive Director Mark Nunnelly would fit in relation to the new secretary of technology remain unclear. Those details likely wont be forthcoming until after the proposed legislation becomes law.The act's fiscal impact is also uncertain. In a response to an FAQ titled "Isn't this just a cost-savings exercise?" the state said additional investments are being made "to ensure we are fully secure and modernized," but also indicated changes in tech offer chances to innovate "at lower prices, giving us the potential to achieve savings as well."In a statement, the governor characterized the legislation as elevating the mission of MassIT and streamlining the digital platforms and services state government provides.Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said in a statement the proposal will help simplify IT management, and let agencies focus on improving service delivery.Creating the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security will support the commonwealths continued focus on providing constituents and state workers with modern, secure and stable technologies, Polito said.Also in the statement, Nunnelly said EOTSS will forge an enterprise approach to the states technology architecture and procurement, thereby making it more secure and efficient.Nunnelly was unavailable for an interview withby press time, according to a member of the governors communications team, who also declined to comment on the record. Following a banner year during which New Jersey invested $10 million to bolster cyberdefenses and reduce the risk to information technology, the state will begin centralizing executive branch IT, Gov. Chris Christie announced Thursday, June 1, upon signing a new Executive Order (EO) empowering state Chief Technology Officer Dave Weinstein to lead the effort. EO No. 225 directs Weinstein , who was appointed in June of 2016, to begin work on decentralizing unique software among the executive branchs more than 70 departments and agencies pushing out to the state offices that use them applications not shared across the enterprise or by more than one agency.Simultaneously, officials will inventory computer, storage, network and data center assets to identify opportunities for centralizing common IT functions and operations, the order states. The hardware inventory and a roster of all staff tasked with IT infrastructure functions and operations duties are due to Weinstein within 30 days.New Jersey is also targeting legacy systems in its executive branch. The EO gave heads of these agencies 60 days to submit a list of legacy applications that need modernizing, and 180 days to create proposals for how to update or decommission them.Weinstein, in turn, has 180 days to provide Christie with his plan for consolidating IT infrastructure assets and functions a process he tolddates back to at least May 2015 when Christie signed another EO establishing the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell.It gave officials really good insight into threats facing state IT, said Weinstein (pictured at left), but also a pretty rigorous idea of IT infrastructure.Their conclusion: Centralization of infrastructure, Weinstein told, was imperative to maintain a certain level of security, optimize efficiency and enhance reliability in the executive branch.On a more abstract level, I think the EO gets us closer to establishing a unified identity around IT and cybersecurity within the executive branch and state government, he added. Gov. Christies words and actions get us leaps and bounds closer to a world in which we are operating like a true enterprise IT organization.Christie, whose term ends on Jan. 16, 2018, said a key goal is to leave New Jerseys digital domain better than we found it.He called the centralization of authority and personnel under the Office of Information Technology (OIT) a sea change in the way government is managed, when he announced the executive order at the OIT in Trenton. The states 8.9 million customers, its residents, increasingly demand tech-centered services, the governor said.We have to acknowledge that in this respect, as a customer service business, Christie said, characterizing the changes on the way as a common-sense approach to taking us to a new level in terms of our information technology and one that puts the power in the hands of the people.Agency officials in other states have said they intend to continue migrating away from data centers to the cloud. Weinstein said New Jersey, too, will leverage the public cloud for IT infrastructure services but shift data responsibilities to enterprise-level in an effort to save agencies money.Were going to take a hybrid approach. We want to leverage a central agency, my organization, the Office of Information Technology, for data center purposes, the CTO said. Every decision weve made over the past year assumes that the future will involve a hybrid strategy as it relates to hosting services, so we feel confident were well postured to operate in that world moving forward."Its unclear how many legacy systems currently exist in the executive branch, and how many can be modernized versus decommissioned.The cost of implementing the EO is also uncertain, but Weinstein said the state expects to achieve operational and fiscal efficiencies in the near and long term as a result of this strategy. Pascal Wehrlein says he will take part in next weekend's Canadian grand prix. After missing races earlier in 2017 with fractured vertebrae, the German had said after a rollover crash in Monaco that he would undergo scans this week. "Monaco is checked off for me," the Sauber driver told Germany's Sport Bild late on Thursday. "I have no back problems." There was similar confirmation on Twitter, with the 22-year-old declaring: "Checks all done. See you in Montreal." And the Swiss team Sauber added: "Great news! Medical checks done -- ready for the Canadian grand prix". (GMM) Monisha Kaltenborn has admitted Sauber may take a driver from Honda's talent pool for 2018. Earlier, when regular Pascal Wehrlein was injured, the German was replaced by Antonio Giovinazzi, who is engine supplier Ferrari's official reserve driver. But Sauber has subsequently done a deal to be powered by Honda power units for 2018, and Giovinazzi has gone on to ink a Friday practice deal with the Ferrari 'B team' Haas. So for 2018, it appears possible Sauber will take on a Honda-linked driver. "At the end of the day it's the team's decision, and also the team's responsibility to have good drivers," said team boss Kaltenborn. But she also said that "in the past" Sauber has discussed the issue of driver choice with its engine supplier. "And we have taken drivers from our engine supplier because it was the right thing to do," Kaltenborn explained. "It's something we're open to and we'll see how it pans out." As for a Honda-related sponsorship deal, Kaltenborn said it is "far too early" to speculate about that. (GMM) Audi offers the MHEV drives in two variants. For the four-cylinder engines they are based on the familiar 12-volt electrical system. The six-cylinder and eight-cylinder engines, as well as the W12 cylinder units, will receive a new 48-volt system generally serving as the main vehicle electric system. In particular, this technology offers many ways for making driving more efficient, sportier and more comfortable in the future. Audi will begin introducing new mild-hybrid drive vehicles (MHEVs) this year. The next generation of luxury sedans, the Audi A8, will have 48V MHEV systems regardless of engine type. The new technology is suitable for either diesel or gasoline engines and can reduce consumption of a V6 gasoline engine by up to 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers (0.2 US gal per 62 miles) in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), for example. Unlike some other efficiency technologies within the engine, the MHEV drives increase ride comfort, since they allow silent coasting within larger speed ranges up to a maximum speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). At the 2017 Geneva Motor Show the brand presented the potential of its new technologies in the form of the Audi Q8 sport concept showcar. (Earlier post.) Its 48-volt electrical system integrates a further developed MHEV system as well as an electric-powered compressor (EPC). Together the two components provide a new level of dynamics. The efficiency is also significantly increasingat low speeds as in parking, the showcar can even be driven electrically. MHEV: operation. The mild-hybrid drive from Audi in the new A8 comprises two central components. One of them is a water-cooled belt alternator starter (BAS) on the front side of the engine. A heavy-duty V-ribbed belt connects it to the crankshaft. The BAS yields a recuperation level up to 12 kW and 60 Nm (44 lb-ft) of torque. The second component is a lithium-ion battery with 10 Ah charge capacity and a constant voltage of 48 volts. In the new large sedan, the newly developed 48-volt power system serves as the main vehicle electrical system. The 12-volt system is connected to the main electrical system via a DC/DC converter. Located in the luggage compartment, the lithium-ion rechargeable battery has about the size of a large lead battery. Controlled air cooling provides the thermal management. The 48-volt-based MHEV technology is particularly more comfortable and efficient. If the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator at a speed between 30 and 160 km/h (19 to 99 mph), the car can coast for up to 45 seconds with the engine off completely. During slow coasting, the start-stop phase already begins at 22 km/h (14 mph). Once the driver accelerates againwhether from a stop or while drivingthe vehicle restarts quickly and very comfortably: the BAS revs up the internal combustion engine to the target speed, then injection occurs again and, in the case of a gasoline engine, ignition. While the conventional pinion starter remains on board, it practically comes into play only at the initial starting, if the engine oil is still cold and viscous. In such a situation, the belt of the BAS could slip through. In many situations, recuperation is more efficient than coasting. To decide between the two, the drive management system in the new Audi A8 uses the front camera and, optionally, data from the predictive efficiency assistant, the route data stored in the navigation system and other data supplied by the highly networked sensor set. The bottom line is that the mild-hybrid drive achieves fuel savings of up to 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers in the NEDC (with the V6 TFSI). Audi also offers the new MHEV technology with the conventional 12-volt electrical system. In this configuration, it interacts with the 2.0 TFSI engine. The functional principle is the same as with 48 volts, although the coasting phases, recuperation output and the CO 2 savings are somewhat smaller. 48-volt vehicle electrical system. In a different layoutwithout MHEVthe 48-volt constant voltage system already entered volume production in 2016 as the Audi SQ7 TDI. In this vehicle, the alternator still operates on a 12-volt basis, and a DC converter couples the 48-volt electrical subsystem. It in turn supplies the electric-powered compressor (EPC) for the V8 diesel as well as the electromechanical active roll stabilization (eARS). The EPC supports the two turbochargers of the 4.0 TDI engine with up to 7 kW of power whenever they cannot draw enough energy from the exhaust stream. The power is immediately available when the driver accelerates. The centerpiece of the eARS is an electric motor that uncouples the two halves of the stabilizer when driving straight ahead. The result is excellent ride comfort. During sporty driving along bends, the electric motor turns the tubes towards one another, for greater tautness in handling. Audi is now moving to introduce the 48-volt and MHEV technologies into volume production. In a few years, other Audi model series will also be receiving the new mild hybridization scope. The new architectures allow the realization of even greater power and torque, and innovative features will enable greater fuel savings. In the medium-term, the brand plans to convert ancillary units such as pumps and compressors to 48 volts. These will then be able to be more precisely controlled according to requirements, as well as them having a lighter and more compact construction. The same applies to large static convenience consumers such as window heating or sound systems. Small consumers such as control units or lights will remain in the 12-volt system well into the future, however. A steadily increasing number of vehicle featuressuch as remote diagnostics, telematics and infotainmentare using communication channels between vehicles and the cloud or other infrastructure. While the data exchange from, and to the car, provides many new technological opportunities, these channels are also increasingly turning into cyberattack targets. The growing risk of a vehicle being attacked, violating its safety, privacy and financial values, requires methodical, organizational and technical measures to ensure the protection of all vehicle features. Kaspersky Lab and AVL Software and Functions GmbH will work together to develop advanced, embedded security technologies for next generation automotive system development. The agreement involves the following: Joint-development of a software solution, which will guarantee interference-proof secure communication between car components, the car, and its external connected infrastructure. Building a bridge between embedded automotive development and best cybersecurity practices and technologies. Bundling security products with engineered car components, and the promotion of comprehensive security solutions for the car manufacturing industry. Building a training and coaching portfolio for automotive security. Consequent extension of business, via a seamless and comprehensive portfolio, to provide security and safety for the connected and autonomous cars of the future. One of the key objectives is to create a reliable and flexible software platform that will allow car manufacturers to develop and implement a Secure Communication Unit (SCU or Car Gateway) into their cars, using hardware and additional software components that align with their manufacturing plans. Once developed, the proof-of-concept SCU solution will be tested via security-related verification and validation methods. This comprehensive development package will not only produce the technical deliverables needed in the industry, but will also develop new concepts for making car software secure by design. Kaspersky Lab and its technology partner AVL Software and Functions GmbH will present their exemplary secure communication platform at New Mobility World / IAA 2017 in Frankfurt, Germany from 12-17 September 2017. AVL is the worlds largest independent company for the development, simulation and testing technology of powertrains (hybrid, combustion engines, transmission, electric drive, batteries and software) for passenger cars, trucks and large engines. AVL has more than 8,600 employees all over the world. In 2016, sales revenues reached 1.4 billion. Kaspersky Lab is a global cybersecurity company celebrating its 20 year anniversary in 2017. The companys comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky Lab technologies. The proposed merger brings together two leading companies in the global industrial gas industry, leveraging the proven strengths of each. Based on 2016 reported results, the combination will create a company with pro forma revenues of approximately US$29 billion (27 billion), prior to adjustments, potential divestitures and regulatory limitations, and a combined current market value in excess of US$70 billion (66 billion). Linde AG and Praxair, Inc. have entered into a definitive business combination agreement (BCA) to come together under a new holding company through an all-stock merger-of-equals transaction. Linde and Praxair expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Additionally, the new company will have a robust balance sheet and strong cash flow generation, enabling financial flexibility to invest in future growth. The merged company is expected to create significant value for shareholders through the realization of approximately US$1.2 billion (1.1 billion) in annual synergies and cost-reduction programs that are expected to be achieved over a period of approximately three years following closing. These synergies and cost reductions are expected to arise from scale benefits, cost savings, and efficiency improvements from existing cost-reduction programs. The combined company will have a strong presence in all key geographies and end-markets, which will result in a more diverse and balanced global portfolio as well as increased exposure to long-term macro-economic growth trends. The new company will be governed by a 12-member board of directors with equal representation from Linde and Praxair. Lindes Supervisory Board Chairman, Wolfgang Reitzle, will become Chairman of the new holding companys board. Praxairs Chairman and CEO, Steve Angel, will become CEO of the new group and will also be a board member of the new holding company. The new holding company will be incorporated in Ireland while its principal governance activities, including board meetings, will primarily be based in the United Kingdom. The group CEO will be based in Danbury, Connecticut, USA and group corporate functions will be appropriately split between Danbury, Connecticut and Munich, Germany to help achieve efficiencies for the combined group. The new group will adopt the globally-recognized and respected Linde name. The transaction will be structured, for Linde shareholders, as an exchange offer under German law for shares in the new holding company; and for Praxair shareholders, it will be structured as a merger under Delaware law. Under the proposed terms of the transaction, Linde shareholders will be offered 1.54 shares in the new holding company for each Linde share, and Praxair shareholders will receive one share in the new holding company for each Praxair share. As a result, current Linde and Praxair shareholders will each own approximately 50% of the combined company assuming a 100% share exchange in the exchange offer. The combined company will be listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Prime Standard segment). The new company will seek inclusion in the S&P 500 and DAX 30 indices. DNV GL and Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd (SHI) signed a joint development project (JDP) agreement focused on the development of new designs for LNG carriers. The JDP aims to develop two 30K (30,000 m 3 ) LNG carrier designs, one with membrane-type LNG tanks and one with type-C (pressurized) LNG tanks. The scope of the JDP covers design review, safety analysis, market research, various structural and safety evaluations, and if successful will culminate in the award of an Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV GL. The idea for a 30K LNGC originates from SHIs own research. SHI decided to develop both membrane and type C designs in parallel to give owners more options and expects that some owners may opt for type-C tanks on smaller tonnage, as is common in LNG bunkering vessels. The new joint venture, which has initially been concluded for a term of 25 years, will develop electric vehicles and launch them on the hotly contested Chinese mass market. The agreement provides for the construction of an additional factory as well as a research and development center. In the presence of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Berlin, Volkswagen signed a joint venture agreement with the Chinese automaker Anhui Jianghuai Automobile (JAC). Each of the partners is to hold a 50% stake in the new company. The joint venture also includes the development and production of components for new energy vehicles (NEV), the development of vehicle connectivity and automotive data services. In addition, it is intended that the joint venture should establish new used vehicle platforms and engage in all related business activities. The new partnership is a further milestone in our electric offensive in China. Just as we have played a key role in shaping mobility together with our partners in China over the past 30 years or more, we want to play our part in shaping the mobility of the future: electric, fully networked and in line with the needs of our customers. Matthias Muller, CEO of the Volkswagen Group With the new joint venture, the Volkswagen Group is also consistently pursuing the ambitious targets of its program for the future TOGETHER - Strategy 2025 in China and is reinforcing its global endeavors for sustainable mobility. In the Peoples Republic, the Groups electric offensive is to be rapidly implemented together with the three Chinese partnersFAW, SAIC and JAC. The objective is to deliver 400,000 electric vehicles to the Chinese market in 2020 and 1.5 million electric vehicles in 2025. It is planned that the new joint venture with JAC should produce its first jointly developed electric vehicle in 2018. 11 brands of the Volkswagen Group are represented in China. Together with its two existing joint venture partners FAW (FAW Volkswagen) and SAIC (SAIC Volkswagen) , the Volkswagen Group has delivered more than 30 million vehicles in China since it entered the market in 1984. About 95,000 employees at 30 Chinese plants currently work for Volkswagen Group China. About 3,000 dealers (with 330,000 employees) delivered 150 different models and a total of about 4 million vehicles of the Volkswagen Group in 2016corresponding to a rise of 12.2% over the previous year. Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. (JAC) is a well-known Chinese manufacturer of passenger cars and commercial vehicles with headquarters in Hefei (Anhui Province). The companys product range mainly includes heavy, medium and light trucks, multi-functional commercial vehicles, SUVs, sedans and buses as well as key components such as chassis, transmissions, engines and axle units. JAC markets its vehicles under two automobile brands: Jianghuai and Ankai. How far is the Republican administration willing to go in its zeal to rid the U.S. of undocumented residents? Cities that have declared themselves sanctuaries are being threatened with loss of funding by the Trump administration, and a proposed state law, Senate Bill 145, would similarly punish municipalities and state universities that fail to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). What will state and federal leaders do when a far more encompassing type of sanctuary actual physical shelter from deportation is offered within houses of worship? The answer to that question could play out right here in Greensboro. On Wednesday, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church welcomed Guatemalan immigrant Juana Luz Tobar Ortega to live within its walls to prevent her deportation. Other local congregations that have hosted information sessions on sanctuary may very well follow. Since Trumps election, the nationwide number of churches willing to offer sanctuary has doubled to about 800, according to Church World Service. The shelter offered by religious organizations is not legally binding, but ICE generally avoids arrests at sensitive locations, including houses of worship, unless the case involves national security, terrorism or public safety. But houses of worship are not excluded from the Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibits anyone from knowingly harboring an undocumented immigrant. It isnt the first time people of faith in Greensboro broke the law to do what their beliefs told them was right. Quaker leader Levi Coffin helped create the Underground Railroad, which ran through what is now the Guilford College campus, to offer both sanctuary and safe passage for slaves. Ministers at African-American churches supported the four N.C. A&T students who openly defied segregation by sitting at the Woolworths lunch counter in 1960. As the leaders of diverse faith communities in the Triad gathered on the porch of FaithAction International House on Tuesday to express their support for immigrants, there were echoes of other times and places in which leaders of different faiths, different backgrounds and different ethnicities locked arms in solidarity. They opposed the laws of segregation then, just as they oppose the laws of immigration now. We as faith leaders and immigration leaders and clergy are here to say, nothing, no policy or elected official, will keep us from serving, loving and protecting our neighbors, said David Fraccaro, executive director of FaithAction. We are committed ... to hold ICE and our elected officials accountable for our most sacred of shared religious values, of dignity, welcoming and loving our neighbors as ourselves. As in the days of the Civil Rights movement, they are educating their congregations, opening their worship spaces to provide a safe place for meetings and workshops and advocating publicly for changes in policies that they regard as not only unjust but immoral, unethical and unAmerican. Like Nestor Marchi, about whom we wrote last month, Ortega has complied with the requirements that allowed her to remain in the U.S. under a stay-of-removal order. Her status, like Marchis, changed abruptly under the Trump administration. Clergy leaders twice have met with ICE officials in Winston-Salem to plead for a more compassionate approach to deportation. ICE has some discernment, Fraccaro said. It can use humanity and go after those who are truly a threat. Or its agents can decide to raid churches and arrest law-abiding residents whose only crime is pursuing the American dream. Its not too much of a stretch to believe they may do just that. Schools and public demonstrations also are considered sensitive locations, under the ICE policy, but arrests of students going to and from school have caused major school attendance drops from Durham to New Mexico. A young woman whose Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival status had recently expired was arrested in what ICE called a targeted immigration enforcement action in Jackson, Miss., as she left a news conference during which she asked President Trump to protect her. Faith communities rightly are stepping in to fill that role. At the office of Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), where they asked for his intervention, supporters of Ortega sang, You will know we are Christians by our love. Given the participation in this community, you could add Muslims, Buddhists and Jews to that list. If we are known by our hate instead of our love, we have shamed ourselves not only as people of faith but as Americans. The immigration process in our state can be complicated, frustrating and sometimes de-humanizing, said Jodie Stanley, who works with Jallohs Upright Services of North Carolina. The nonprofit helps immigrants settle and integrate locally. Success in this nation is heavily dependent on having the right identification, immigration status and paperwork, said Stanley, vice chairwoman of the JUS-NC board. The legal process to citizenship and naturalization is a challenging and difficult journey, said Stephen Sills, a UNC-Greensboro professor, leader of the UNCG Center for Housing and Community Studies and a JUS-NC board member. Many migrants faced dire conditions leaving their home countries, only to find a cumbersome legal process and even a hostile social and economic setting awaiting them here. JUS-NC helps ease the legal and social processes, Sills said. JUS-NC addresses such issues as the standard application filing for low-income immigrants, refugee and asylum assistance, fee and disability waivers, family petitions, permanent residency, citizenship and naturalization. In addition, JUS-NC has adult and youth literacy classes, employment services and job development, housing assistance and transition and cultural assistance. JUS-NC fills a niche in the immigrant and refugee community, Sills said, by providing legal assistance and other support in a culturally appropriate and timely manner at a steeply discounted rate with personal attention. The Immigration Assistance Program has been very effective in working with clients who have had challenges with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Sills said. Stanley said the staff of JUS-NC provides a calm and hopeful spirit as they offer encouragement to weary, overburdened people trying to juggle a new country and language, a different culture and often grief. Franca R. Jalloh, founder executive director of JUS-NC, navigated immigration services in her own life and knows the challenges. After she received helpful guidance and encouragement, she started on a path to help others through the complex system. Jalloh described the nonprofit as a gateway to the community with the goal of helping low-income immigrants and refugees move towards self-sufficiency. Jalloh is a trusted source of knowledge in the community because she has personally experienced what their clients are going through, said Meredith DiMattina, volunteer, donor and board secretary for JUS-NC. No one is turned away due to inability to pay, DiMattina said. Since many clients are unable to pay, this is really quite a feat and requires a huge commitment from Franca Jalloh and the board to be able to maintain this goal, she said. While Greensboro is a hub for refugees and immigrants, most low- or no-cost service providers have long waiting lists or only serve certain populations with specific types of services. A green card costs over $2,000, and the application for citizenship costs $725. In an effort to be inclusive, DiMattina said, JUS-NC provides all types of immigration benefit services to all types of arrivals and their families at a reasonable fee. JUS-NC also bridges other gaps for many immigrants and refugees, said Zumo Kollie, JUS-NC board chairman. There might be employment challenges or housing issues or mental health issues that come up, and JUS-NC follows up with people to help them fully integrate into the community, Kollie said. The nonprofit is seeking mental-health partners to provide services to those who have experienced war and have PTSD, he said. Jalloh has been voted in as the new chairwoman of Greensboros International Advisory Committee. In this capacity, she hopes to help make Greensboro even more welcoming for immigrants and refugees. Greensboro has been very hospitable to the immigrant community, Jalloh said. This advisory committee will listen to and address concerns about what is happening in our city concerning our immigrant community. She welcomes any suggestions or concerns. JUS-NC wants to see successful migrants who are integrated into the community adding to its richness and diversity, but also adding to the communitys long-term success, Sills said. RALEIGH A 10-month probe into the misuse of state funds by the two former district attorneys of Rockingham, Person and Caswell counties has been a continual source of controversy. Now, a state official said Thursday charges will be filed once the investigation ends, which is expected to be later this month. As far as who will be charged and for what, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman couldnt say. Still, it signals that the saga is about to enter a new phase. Since July 25, 2016, the offices of former Rockingham County District Attorney Craig Blitzer and former Person/Caswell District Attorney Wallace Bradsher have faced scrutiny by the State Bureau of Investigation after both men were accused of putting each others wives on their payroll in exchange for more than $100,000 in combined and unearned annual salaries. When Superior Court Judge Joe Crosswhite ordered the probe, he released few details other than it involved the theft of state funds. He also named as suspects Blitzers wife, Cindy, who worked as an investigator in Bradshers office, and John J. Stultz, a former Caswell County chief assistant district attorney and current district court judge. Freeman took a role in the investigation after a whistleblower lawsuit was filed in Wake County Superior Court. I hope to never be in a position to lead an investigation into my colleagues but ... I owed it to the state, Freeman said. Blitzer resigned on March 10, just two days after SBI agents raided his office. He hasnt commented on the case since he submitted his letter of resignation. Bradsher, who resigned in late May, has said for months that the investigation was based on a misunderstanding over a former employees time sheets. Attorneys for both men did not return requests for comment left late Thursday afternoon. Freeman said that the SBI investigation is ongoing but shes trying to bring the case to a close as soon as possible. I certainly take seriously the trust the public has placed on me and on all of us, Freeman said. WASHINGTON So what if, in his speech last week to NATO, Donald Trump didnt explicitly reaffirm the provision that an attack on one is an attack on all? Whats the big deal? Didnt he affirm a general commitment to NATO during his visit? Hadnt he earlier sent his vice president and secretaries of state and defense to pledge allegiance to Article 5? And anyway, who believes that the United States would really go to war with Russia and risk nuclear annihilation over Estonia? Ah, but thats precisely the point. It is because deterrence is so delicate, so problematic, so literally unbelievable that it is not to be trifled with. And why for an American president to gratuitously undermine what little credibility deterrence already has, by ostentatiously refusing to recommit to Article 5, is so shocking. Deterrence is inherently a barely believable bluff. Even at the height of the Cold War, when highly resolute presidents, such as Eisenhower and Kennedy, threatened Russia with massive retaliation (i.e., all-out nuclear war), would we really have sacrificed New York for Berlin? No one knew for sure. Not Eisenhower, not Kennedy, not the Soviets, not anyone. Yet that very uncertainty was enough to stay the hand of any aggressor and keep the peace of the world for 70 years. Deterrence does not depend on 100 percent certainty that the other guy will go to war if you cross a red line. Given the stakes, merely a chance of that happening can be enough. For 70 years, it was enough. Leaders therefore do everything they can to bolster it. Install trip wires, for example. During the Cold War, we stationed troops in Germany to face the massive tank armies of Soviet Russia. Today we have 28,000 troops in South Korea, 12,000 near the demilitarized zone. Why? Not to repel invasion. They couldnt. Theyre not strong enough. To put it very coldly, theyre there to die. Theyre a deliberate message to the enemy that if you invade our ally, you will have to kill a lot of Americans first. Which will galvanize us into full-scale war against you. Trip wires are risky, dangerous and cynical. Yet we resort to them because parchment promises are problematic and trip wires imply automaticity. We do what we can to strengthen deterrence. Rhetorically as well. Which is why presidents from Truman on have regularly and powerfully reaffirmed our deterrent pledge to NATO. Until Trump. His omission was all the more damaging because of his personal history. This is a man chronically disdainful of NATO. He campaigned on its obsolescence. His inaugural address denounced American allies as cunning parasites living off American wealth and generosity. One of Trumps top outside advisers, Newt Gingrich, says that Estonia is in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, as if Russian designs on the Baltic states are not at all unreasonable. Moreover, Trump devoted much of that very same speech, the highlight of his first presidential trip to NATO, to berating the allies for not paying their fair share. Nothing particularly wrong with that, or new half a century ago, Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield was so offended by NATO free riding that he called for major reductions of U.S. troops in Europe. Thats an American perennial. But if youre going to berate, at least reassure as well. Especially given rising Russian threats and aggression. Especially given that Trumps speech was teed up precisely for such reassurance. An administration official had spread the word that he would use the speech to endorse Article 5. And it was delivered at a ceremony honoring the first and only invocation of Article 5 ironically enough, by the allies in support of America after 9/11. And yet Trump deliberately, defiantly refused to simply say it: America will always honor its commitment under Article 5. Its not that, had Trump said the magic words, everyone would have 100 percent confidence we would strike back if Russia were to infiltrate little green men into Estonia, as it did in Crimea. But Trumps refusal to utter those words does lower whatever probability Vladimir Putin might attach to America responding with any seriousness to Russian aggression against a NATO ally. Angela Merkel said Sunday (without mentioning his name) that after Trumps visit it is clear that Europe can no longer rely on others. Its not that yesterday Europe could fully rely and today it cannot rely at all. Its simply that the American deterrent has been weakened. And deterrence weakened is an invitation to instability, miscalculation, provocation and worse. And for what? On a chilly Sunday afternoon, on a park bench in Greensboro, I sat watching children from various races and age groups blissfully scampering around the playground. I thought of how our community is like this playground, but on a larger scale. My work as an attorney mirrors that of a parent: I arbitrate disagreements and try to amicably resolve disputes between parties. Speaking to individuals from all walks of life is a constant reminder that we are all from somewhere, and if it were not for an immigrant in our own family, if we are not one ourselves, none of us is likely to be an American. The Trump family originated in Kallstadt, Germany. Frederick Trump, President Donald Trumps grandfather, immigrated to the United States in 1885. The presidents father, Fred Trump, grew up between the two world wars, a time of great resentment and even discrimination against Germans. One would reasonably expect that, having a Scottish immigrant mother and a first-generation German-American father, Donald Trump would understand the plight of those who flee their home countries not only for economic advantages but to escape persecution or even death. Trumps grandfather was turned away from Germany when he attempted to return in 1904. According to Gwenda Blair, a family biographer, Frederick Trump declared then, It was my intention to remain in America forever. America took Trumps grandfather in twice. Fredericks son and Trumps father, Fred, grew up in a country that was very suspicious of young German men, even banning them from some cities, but he was never deported for being German. A reasonable observer might ask whether President Trumps travel ban is a means by which he is lashing out at our country for what his own father endured. If so, why should we, as a country of immigrants, pay for the unresolved issues of past generations when we did not contribute to their cause? Trump is an American because of immigrants in his family, seeking a better life for themselves and future generations. I was interviewed by a local news station at my own naturalization ceremony in 2011, and I still stand by my words then: People everywhere are really more alike than they are different. The travel ban only serves to expand the small differences that make us who we are. As for safety, I have read that the chance of an American being murdered in a terrorist attack caused by a refugee is 1 in 3.64 billion per year while the chance of being murdered in an attack committed by an illegal immigrant is an astronomical 1 in 10.9 billion per year. By way of contrast, the National Weather Service reports that the odds of an American being struck by lightning in any given year is approximately 1 in 1.042 million, and the odds of that person being struck at any point in his or her lifetime is very likely 1 in 13,000. In the same vein, Americans may have less access to health care with the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and thus suffer more illnesses. This indicates that the lives of Americans may be at risk more by current policies than by targeted refugees. This leads me to the following: Focusing on similarities creates synergy and promotes the greater good of peace. Focusing on differences, on the other hand, results in division and damages the foundation of the larger whole. A strong leader must promote unity for the greater good of the country rather than promote division and polarization. Despite all of the negative news about High Point, we still have citizens who show charity in the community. Every weekend, many citizens load their cars, vans, SUVs and trucks with bread donated by Panera Bread. This bread is delivered to the needy of High Point and surrounding communities. One of the persons delivering bread is Cynthia Davis, a well-known musician in the High Point area. Each Sunday morning, you will find her with her SUV loaded with bread to be distributed to many churches throughout the area. One of the churches is Mount Vernon Baptist of High Point, where the Rev. F.O. Bass Jr. is pastor. Each Sunday, he encourages people of the church as well as people throughout the community to get as much bread as needed for family and friends. Yes, High Point has received much negative press, but love still abounds in the community. Thank you, Panera Bread, Cynthia Davis and others. Shirley A. Wiley High Point GREENWICH On Saturday, lemonade stands will be set up throughout Greenwich to support Robin Hood, a New York based organization dedicated to fighting poverty. The Lemonaid program is a major fundraiser for the organization and involves kids all over the region selling lemonade, baked goods and other items. Robin Hood finds, funds and creates programs that generate meaningful results for New Yorks poorest residents, said Stephanie Nussbaum, a spokesman for Robin Hood. The work covers soup kitchens and homeless shelters to schools, job training programs and other vital services. The effort has provided more than 800,000 meals to those in need. The stands will be in operation from the mid and late morning into the early afternoon. Stands will be set up at 221 Taconic Road; from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 310 Greenwich Ave. in front of Restoration Hardware; from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 359 Greenwich Ave. outside Richards; from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 707 Lake Ave.; 14 Martin Dale, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 242 Sound Beach Ave. outside of Action Arts; from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Parkway School, 141 Lower Cross Road; from 12:15 to 2:30 p.m. at 57 Maple Ave.; At 21 Woodside Drive; 70 Orchard Drive outside of Rinaldis Deli; outside Greenwich Audubon; 49 Willow Drive; 18 Field Point Road; near Greenwich High School at 10 Hillside Road; Riverside at Willowmere Foundatin, 17 Perryridge Road and 112 Riverside Avenue outside of Adas Kitchen. Six-year-old Will Bremer will be at the Action Arts Lemonaid stand with his mother, Brooke. The family first got involved through Compass Kids, a childrens organization dedicated to helping kids and animals. He is getting together with his fellow kindergarten students and their families from Brunswick School to run the stand at Action Arts serving pink and regular lemonade, iced tea, water, Rice Krispie treats and cookies from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. We want everyone in the world to be safe, we want everyone to have food, water and homes, and people need to work to help make this happen, Will said. I like that Robin Hood helps. More information is available at bit.ly/2szk1zY including how to set up a stand and how to make a donation to Robin Hood. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GREENWICH Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger, supermodel Christy Turlington Burns and former first daughter Jenna Bush Hager were besieged by selfie-seeking fans as they arrived at a pre-gala cocktail party on Greenwich Avenue on Thursday evening. The Greenwich International Film Festival is back, delivering its yearly dose of Hollywood glamour to Greenwich. The celebrities were here for the Changemaker Gala the event many consider the centerpiece of the annual festival. Changemaker Awards were presented Thursday to Zellweger and Turlington Burns. Bush Hager served as master of ceremonies for the event at LEscale restaurant. I think the Changemaker Gala is really the heart of what the Greenwich International Film Festival is all about, which is celebrating films and artists who use their voice to create positive social change in the world, festival co-founder Wendy Stapleton Reyes said. This gala is a celebration of individuals who have really made a difference in this world. Giving that sentiment a local focus, organizers this year chose to present a Changemaker Award to someone from town as well. Joining Zellweger and Turlington Burns in being honored was Andrew Niblock, head of Greenwich Country Days Lower School. Niblock, who has been diagnosed with ALS, was unable to attend the ceremony under doctors orders. His wife, son and parents were able to attend for him. Eliza Niblock said her husband was in great spirits even though he was disappointed he wasnt able to make it. This is a humbling and overwhelming honor, Eliza Niblock said during at pre-gala cocktail party at at Betteridge Jewelers. We are so grateful to the Greenwich International Film Festival and to Wendy, (festival co-founder) Collen De Veer and (festival Executive Director) Ginger Stickel for all of this. I know Andrew wishes he could be here himself to accept the award and I just hope I can do justice to his remarks. Stapleton Reyes attended Greenwich Country Day, as have her kids. I think this is incredible for his family and the most important thing is that we are able to raise funds and awareness to put an end to this horrible disease, she said. He has been an incredible leader to our community and our children with the strength and dignity with which he has confronted this disease. Niblock said she was grateful to the school, friends like Stapleton Reyes and the community as a whole. In receiving the award, the family was able to advocate for a charity they support, ALS Finding A Cure. It is amazing, she said. They have shown an overwhelming amount of support for Andrew and our entire family. Andrew has a platform to raise awareness This kind of event helps boost our efforts so much. Researchers have made significant progress in the fight against ALS in the past couple of years, she said. Theres definitely a cure on the horizon and the more awareness and funding you can get for the right causes, the closer we can get to that cure, she said. Prior to entering the gala, the family received the thrill of walking the red carpet. It is an experience my nine-year-old will not forget, thats for sure, Niblock said. Turlington Burns was there on behalf of a charity she founded called Every Mother Counts, which seeks to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for mothers around the world by making access to maternity care easier. This is an audience that is interested in world events and there are a lot of women in this audience so that can be a real help, Burns said at the Betteridge party. We can help connect them to people around the world and really make an impact. This is a great event and Im honored to be a part of it and have an opportunity to share more about Every Mother Counts. Betteridge Jewelers, host of the pre-gala party for the second year, was transformed into old Hollywood, with two representatives from Cartier dressed like classic movie theater ushers letting people inside. For store owner Terry Betteridge, the chance to host delighted the film buff inside. The crew involved is so motivated and passionate that theyve made this an amazing event, Betteridge said. Im more of a fan of films like All About Eve, Rebecca and the George Sanders school of elocution, but modern film can be amazing too with its storytelling. We used to sponsor the Telluride Film Festival and for Greenwich to have an event like this is just wonderful because this is my home. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com Labour candidate for Great Grimsby, Melanie Onn has said that the town needs a "strong local voice" to represent it in Westminster, hoping that the constituency will look at her successes over the last two years when casting their vote. Ms Onn spoke with The Grimsby Telegraph in a Facebook Live interview yesterday in Freeman Street Market, where she highlighted what areas she will focus on as a candidate, the successes she has had during her short time as MP for the area, and why she believes that Labour is the best choice for Great Grimsby. Speaking about some of her main achievements so far she said: "I hope people will have seen what I have done for the area over the last two years as MP, and seen that the promises that I have made have been based on conversations I have had with local people. "I am proud of being able to bring more jobs into the area, which I have done through my support of the renewable sector, creating hundreds of jobs, as well as protecting jobs that are already here, such as helping to protect over 300 jobs that were put at risk when Young's was wanting to move away from the town. "I have always made sure that connectivity is top of our agenda, protecting the Grimsby to Manchester train link and have also worked hard to ensure that we have good training opportunities for our young people here on the South Bank to get into careers, with mentoring programmes to bridge the gap between business and local schools." Ms Onn also had some criticism of the visit of Transport Minister Chris Grayling, feeling that he must not understand where Grimsby actually is. She said: "I find it really surprising that a senior government minister, whose main focus is transport came to this area and gave no guarantees about protecting a train line that has just recently been saved after a long campaign in the town from commuters and local people. "He also spoke of how HS2 would bring benefits to the area, which shows that he obviously doesn't understand where Grimsby is, as HS2 will be nowhere near us with the closest station it could arrive being Leeds. (Image: Jon Corken) "Rail nationalisation is a very popular proposal for many people here in Grimsby as people are fed up with increasing prices, above the rate of inflation, and want a system in place that works for them instead of helping the profits of private companies. "Plus a Tory government has just rejected a direct train link between us and London." However when questioned on the strength of the Labour leadership coming into Thursday's election, especially following Diane Abbott's recent poor interview performances, Ms Onn felt it was more important to focus on what she can do as a local candidate for Grimsby. She said: This has been a very tough election, the fight of Labour's life, and it is not looking likely, unfortunately, that Labour will win the election, but the key decision for the people in Grimsby is about who they want to represent them on a national level. "Whether people want a strong local voice who understands the issues here locally and has been fighting for them for the last two years, or whether they want to choose another candidate, some of whom have only been in the town for a matter of weeks. "Talking to people on doorsteps about the work that I have been doing over the last two years, they would like to see that continue." The issue of national security was another topic raised during the interview, with Ms Onn highlighting the failures of Theresa May during her time as Home Secretary. She said: "The last few weeks have been devastating and have really worried a lot of people, and these matters need to be taken very seriously. "Currently we have a Prime Minister who spent six years as Home Secretary before she took office, and clearly the measures that she put in place then were not good enough. "I have previously voted in Parliament to strengthen the so called snoopers charter, which would have made sure that we have greater monitoring powers for those using the internet, as when it comes to national security and home grown terror grooming, it happens through the internet and it is important to ensure these people are properly monitored. "More needs to be done, and could have been done by Theresa May as Home Secretary." Harissa-crusted lamb chops with chickpea fries, escarole salad, Feta, and red onion. Photo: Noah Fecks West Village bar Daddy-Os is a late-night staple and a restaurant-industry favorite, thanks to a kitchen that stays open until 4 a.m. nightly. Its owner Phil Casaceli has managed to create the citys best place to drink whiskey without any of the pretension thats usually packaged with good rye, and most importantly a place thats just a good time. Its needless to say, then, that when Food Network star Anne Burrell announced shed be opening a restaurant here in New York Casacelis involvement came as encouraging news. This week, they finally got around to opening the doors at their cheekily named Phil and Annes Good Time Lounge. The odd couple choose the odd location of Brooklyns Smith Street, which has been a deathtrap for restaurants since its early role in the boroughs restaurant resurgence. While the 1,3000-square-foot spot is billed as a Mediterranean-Italian, the menu is more freewheeling than that. Theres focaccia with house-made ricotta and bucatini all Amatriciana, sure, but also a kale caesar, grilled Korean short ribs, big fat chicken soup, and a burger with American cheese. For his part, Casaceli has contributed a few original cocktails including a Sex on the Beach that swaps your grandmas peach schnapps for Mathilde Peche Liqueur. If nothing else, it is definitive proof that the trash drinks have fully infiltrated the fancy cocktail world. Dry-aged rib-eye with chickpea fries, escalarole salad, Feta, and red onion. Photo: Noah Fecks Hogs in hoodies. Photo: Noah Fecks Grilled pizzetta with stracchino cheese, spicy sausage, and pickled hot cherry peppers. Photo: Noah Fecks Sex on the Beach with Titos vodka, Mathilde Peche Liqueur, cranberry juice, and orange juice. Photo: Noah Fecks Summascotch Drink: scotch, St. Germain, and lemon juice. Photo: Noah Fecks Classy. Photo: Noah Fecks Phil and Annes Good Time Lounge, 196 Smith St., nr. Baltic St.; 929-337-7752 Will Malnati at Toros Lou Malnatis pop-up this week. Photo: Noah Fecks/ Noah Fecks Whenever someone tells me that theyre going to open a restaurant or a bar, my first reaction is, Are you sure? says Will Malnati, the owner of Toro. They think about the vanity, but meanwhile, Im there at one in the morning cleaning out the drain. After 32 years in the business his entire life Malnati has learned that the actual work of running a restaurant is far from glamorous. If you live in the Midwest, youll recognize the Malnati name. His family owns Lou Malnatis, the beloved Illinois-based deep-dish pizza chain with nearly 50 locations. Malnati jokes that he was probably conceived in a restaurant, and growing up, he says he worked every job at Lou Malnatis. For most young people aspiring to jump into the hospitality industry, a successful chain with a devoted following would sound pretty good, but whats most surprising about Malnati is that hes worked hard to make his own name, quietly opening some of New Yorks most popular restaurants in the process. After studying at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Malnati moved to Manhattan and started working for the EMM Group, helping to launch massive Meatpacking District club-restaurants Abe & Arthurs and Catch. At that point, even though he was only in his mid-20s, Malnati felt ready to open his own business. He teamed up with a friend, Doug Jacob, and found a massive space at 85 Tenth Avenue, right next to the big boys Del Posto and Colicchio & Sons. The landlord had three vacant spaces, and said hed give them a good deal if they took all of them. It was clearly too big for Malnati and Jacob (who recently parted ways) to manage on their own, so they reached out to industry veterans, including Eleven Madison Parks Will Guidara and Daniel Humm. Surprisingly, it was television personality Rachael Ray who set Toro New York into motion; a mutual friend told her about Jacob and Malnati and the space, and she recommended Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette, who had three restaurants in Boston and multiple James Beard Awards. There were lines out of the door at Toro, their small, Spanish-tapas concept, every night. As Bissonnette recalls: We looked at the space and could see the ghosts of restaurant guests future. We met with Will, and he was young and energetic he has this personality that draws you to him. We had drinks, and he just seemed like a great guy. Bissonnette acknowledges that Wills personal branding (heavy on the glamour shots and celebrity friendships very millennial restaurateur) doesnt capture his competence and sincerity. Hes like the Matrix: At first you see him, and youre like, I dont get it, and then all of a sudden everything makes sense, and youre like, Oh my god, I can dodge bullets with him by my side. Hes so endearing. Plus, hes the prince of pizza! Malnati plays down any Neo comparisons, and instead says the partnership worked because it made good business sense. Other people had tried with them before, he explains. I think the space was so beautiful and unique that they realized it could be something great. But bringing a concept to New York is never an easy task. Its the 2.0 version of Boston. I told them that I thought a combination of our skills could make a big space like this work. Somehow, we convinced them. Maybe it was the tequila. Will and his dad, Marc. Photo: Noah Fecks With Toro, Malnati tapped his parents for support, both emotional and always important in the world of Manhattan restaurants financial, but just so he could have enough money to create an initial drawing to present to the buildings contractors. The big space (and New York rent) for Toro really became feasible after securing a small group of investors who loved the Toro brand and had already been established. Malnati also turned one of the buildings spaces into Willow Road a small, American gastropub that he opened just three months after signing the lease for the space that included Toro. It closed in 2014, after two years, because Malnati says there were no economies of scale. A small space just sucks, period, he says. You put in everything you possibly could to try to make it work, and break even at the end of the day. Its a tough pill to swallow. Toro, though, has been a big hit since it opened in 2013, and Malnatis worlds collided on Wednesday, when he hosted a Lou Malnatis pop-up at the restaurant. His father, Marc, flew in to cook the pizza (he shipped five gallons of water to make it as accurate as possible). Initially planned as a private dinner for around 80 people, demand they received 200 emails a day from New Yorkers begging for reservations led them to hold it in Toros main room, serving 300 people. Even as Malnati has asserted his independence from Lou Malnatis, he credits his ties to the empire for his success. I think theres something to be said about growing up inside of a restaurant, literally, Malnati says. Especially in Lou Malnatis, where culture is king. Thats why the company continues to grow and prosper, and why it has over 100 employees whove been there for 20 years. Bissonnette agrees, Hes got hospitality in him. On the night of the pop-up, when a customer expressed outrage that one pizza was meant to be shared between two people, Malnati told him, I am going to make it my personal duty to make sure you leave having had enough. Every five minutes, he returned to add more slices to the mans plate, stacking them on top of one another. At the end of his meal, there was still half a slice left on his plate, Malnati remembers. I walked over and said, Hey, you better finish that slice. He did. Slowly. He was laughing, and he and his friends left, very full, having had a great time. He opened Toro in 2013, when he was in his 20s. Photo: Noah Fecks Malnati does spend time thinking about if he should take over the family business. Of course theres desire, and of course there are conversations, he says. The companys massive, so its a lot different now 3,500 employees, almost 50 locations. They sold 5 million pizzas last year! He says its daunting to think about running a company that size, which is a major change from a 120-seat restaurant. Its not easy. I think Ive learned a lot thus far. Were starting to expand Toro internationally [to Bangkok, and soon, Dubai]. Theres a lot that I still want to learn. Anything is a possibility. But if there was any doubt, Wednesdays pop-up proved that theres a loyal Lou Malnatis audience in New York. Ive started whispering to my dad, Lou Malnatis NYC, Malnati says, smiling. Like, look, if we can pull that off Im just saying, maybe, its worth looking at some spaces. 8GB of RAM? Or 4GB? How much RAM does the Nokia 9 have? AnTuTu profile points to 4GB and along the way give us a glimpse at some other specs of what could be a $700/750 flagship. The Snapdragon 835 chipset is a certainty at this point, but the benchmark confirms the other rumored specs - a QHD screen for one. Allegedly, it will have a 5.3 diagonal, making is smaller (but sharper) than the Nokia 6 screen. Nokia 9 specs (according to AnTuTu) The camera setup is indicated as 13MP main (a dual camera) and a 13MP selfie. Video resolution info is missing, but wed be very surprised if the Nokia 9 doesnt do 4K 2160p. The Nokia 9 will be unveiled sometime between July and September. We'll have to wait and see if Nokia releases a localized version with more RAM, like Samsung did. Source (in Chinese) | Via HMD Global, the company that's now making Nokia-branded smartphones, has just announced an event in India for June 13. Invites have started reaching media outlets in the subcontinent, but unfortunately there are absolutely no details on these (as you can see in the image below). Perhaps the "formal invitation" that is to follow at some point between now and then will shed some light on what's to be expected. That said, we can easily speculate that this is all going to be about the much-anticipated local launch of the Nokia 6, 5, and 3 smartphones in India. We hope we will get to hear specific details about pricing and a firm release date unveiled on June 13. Previously, HMD has promised to take its first smartphones to global markets by the end of this month, so we assume that time frame is valid for their release in the Indian market too. Source The reborn Samsung Galaxy Note7R is coming this month, but the Galaxy Note8 is what phablet fans are looking forward to. New rumors say the phone will pack an Infinity Display similar to the Galaxy S8 duo and the OS out of the box would be Android 7.1.1 Nougat, a version we are yet to see on a Samsung smartphone. A Dutch website confirms that the Galaxy Note 8 is now being tested with the latest version of the Android OS. Also, the display will have the same aspect ratio as the Galaxy S8 - 18.5:9, hinting that the home button will be going away. This news hardly is surprising though. The bigger question is will Samsung be able to implement a fingerprint under the OLED after it tried and failed with the Galaxy S8 and will there be space for the S Pen stylus that is a defining feature of the Galaxy Note smartphones. 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At the age of 19, after completing her studies, despite the reluctance of her parents, she stand up and gave free rein to her passion which was dance, passion dating from his childhood. From 1938 to 1948, Vivianne Gauthier was a teacher at the Sisters of Wisdom. She left teaching to the state enterprise Haitian state lottery (LEH), she spent 21 years in the institution, devoting her afternoons to dancing. In 1950, she founded the dance school Vivianne Gauthier. In 1971 her talent became known on European soil. The Head of State, Jovenel Moise salutes a passionate, meticulous dancer, with more than 60 years of career; A major teacher who has devoted much of her life to accompanying generations of Haitian dancers in her school, which bears her name: Ecole de danse Vivianne Gauthier. It is now up to all these young dancers to perpetuate the memory of this great lady of Haitian culture. "I salute the departure of Vivianne Gauthier, the icon of the dance, at the age of 99. Sympathy to her family, friends and the cultural community," declared resident Jovenel Moise. Vivianne Gauthier, whose vivacity and know-how remain a model to follow, has never ceased, despite her age, to participate with remarkable tenacity in the formation of youth and the promotion of traditional dance in particular and the Haitian culture in general. It was with great sadness that the Prime Minister, Mr. Jack Guy Lafontant, learned of the disappearance of the dancer and teacher Vivianne Gauthier, at the age of 99 years. "She will have marked the history of Haitian dance, and for 67 years she has trained generations of dancers in the country. She instilled in them, in addition to her love of dance, techniques allowing them to explore and create new styles, new choreographic forms. Vivianne Gauthier was an icon of traditional Haitian dances, whose, all her life, she made the promotion, , through her shows, on local and international stages. For a long time, her school had been the only school in the country where traditional dances were taught. With the disappearance of Vivianne Gauthier, the country has lost one of its greatest daughters. While saluting the departure of this figurehead of the dance, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant expresses his condolences to her relatives, her troop and all her collaborators." For her part, the Ministry for Women's Affairs and Women's Rights "salute the departure of a great lady, the dean of traditional Haitian dance, Mrs. Vivianne Gauthier, a passionate artist who has been able to mark Haitian dance, train generations of young women and young men by transmitting to them her passion and knowledge. Minister Eunide Innocent, joins to all the staff of the Ministry for Women's Affairs and Women's Rights, to address her sympathies to her family, friends and students. Rest in peace Vivianne !" HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politics : The intolerable can not be tolerated... dixit Jovenel Moise President Jovenel Moise was honored this week by the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti (AMCHAM) during a dinner held at the Hotel Karibe Convention Center. The Head of State, on this occasion, thanked AMCHAM for the plaque of honor and hoped that the institution would continue to mobilize Haitians and their descendants living in the United States to become more involved in the economic life of their country of origin. In his speech, President Moise affirmed "Through the legislative agenda adopted jointly with both Houses of Parliament, my administration is beginning to implement the process of modernization of the State so that Haiti produces more, creates more wealth and enables each citizen to realize his full potential," adding that "The role of the private sector is crucial to improve Haiti's image on the international stage. It is at this price that the Haitian tourism industry will flourish to create jobs for the benefit of the Nation. The threshold of tolerance of this country in relation to the intolerable is simply intolerable. And, the intolerable can not be tolerated..." The President also welcomed the efforts of the USA Chamber to enhance and promote Haiti's international potential and reiterated his commitment to significantly improve the business environment. The private business sector must, according to the Head of State "take its full responsibility in efforts to modernize the economy." HL/ HaitiLibre GE announced the signing of agreements valued at more than USD2 billion to support the development of Vietnams energy sectors, as well as agreements valued at over USD3.58 billion for new CFM International aircraft engines and maintenance support. This constitutes the largest combined set of transactions for GE in Vietnam in the companys history. Chairman of PetroVietnam's Board of Directors Nguyen Vu Truong Son (left) and GE partner at the signing ceremony The energy agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-develop 1,500 megawatts (MW) new gas power plants and a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) on 800MW Phu Cuong wind farm in Soc Trang province. GE has been active in Vietnam for 24 years and provides more than 30 percent of Vietnams installed base power generation. CFM International signed two new agreements with VietJet Air, including a maintenance support contract for the airlines 215 LEAP-1B engines. In addition, the airline expanded its CFM-powered A321 fleet. The agreements will include financing from GE and draw on technology and parts sourced from across GEs US manufacturing footprint. Through a strong local presence, we have built long term partnerships with our customers in Vietnam to meet the countrys unique needs. Our most recent deals, which will support our US and global manufacturing operations, further reinforce the important economic, trade and investment partnership between Vietnam and the US, said Wouter Van Wersch, President and CEO of GE ASEAN. Advanced combined cycle power plants GE and the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) will cooperate on the development of two 750MW combined cycle gas turbine power plants - Mien Trung I & II using the Blue Whale Gas Field which is the biggest gas project in Vietnam up until now, with an estimated 150 billion cubic meters of reserves (equivalent to 5.4 Trillion Cubic Feet (Tcf). The Mien Trung I plant is expected to begin operations in 2023 and Mien Trung II in 2024. GE, with its global power development expertise, shall work with Petrovietnam to identify the latest technology solutions to provide higher efficiency, lower fuel consumption and lower emissions. The MoU once again strengthens GEs footprint in Vietnams energy infrastructure development. 800MW Phu Cuong wind farm in Soc Trang province GE together with its development partners International Mainstream Renewable Power and Phu Cuong group signed a JDA on developing the 800MW Phu Cuong wind farm in Soc Trang province. Vietjet Air engine order and services contract CFM International signed two new agreements with VietJet Air, including a 12-year maintenance support contract for the airlines 215 LEAP-1B engines ordered in 2016. Under the terms of the agreement, valued at USD3.0 billion at list price, CFM guarantees maintenance costs for the all VietJet Airs LEAP-1B engines that will power its fleet of 100 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes on a dollar per engine flight hour basis. In addition, the airline expanded its CFM-powered A321 fleet with an order for 20 CFM56-5B engines to power 10 new aircraft. This agreement, which also includes a long-term maintenance agreement, is valued at USD580 million at list price./. CFM International is the world's leading supplier of jet engines for commercial airplanes, and a 50/50 joint company of Safran Aircraft Engines of France and GE of the US. Haiti - News : Zapping... 1,000 Dominican soldiers at the border The Dominican Minister of Defense, Ruben Paulino Sem, says that on the first day of July, 1,000 soldiers will patrol the border points with Haiti. Paulino Sem also explained that they are also assessing the conditions of posts and border detachments. Meeting with the President of the National Assembly of Quebec Wednesday, a very fruitful meeting was held between the delegation (composed of Cholzer Chancy, President of the Chamber of Deputies, of Deputies Jerry Tardieu, Jacques Saint-Louis and Jean Rene Lochard) from the Chamber of Deputies of Haiti, led by the Honorable Cholzer Chancy ; and the Honorable Jacques Chagnon, President of the National Assembly of Quebec. Ralph Youri Chevry launches the hurricane season The Mayor of Port-au-Prince, Ralph Youri Chevry, launched this Thursday June 1st, 2017, at the Gymnasium Vincent in Romain Street, the hurricane season 2017, in the presence of Mr. Luis Ernesto Diaz Curbelo Ambassador of Venezuela, the Director General of the Municipal Administration, Anne Rene Louis, executives of the institution and local coordination agents of the Civil Protection. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21114-haiti-environment-official-launch-of-the-hurricane-season-2017.html Seminar on placements in business Several entrepreneurs attended a seminar on placements in business, yesterday Thursday at the Kinam I hotel in Petion-ville. This seminar is the initiative of the LEAD program. It was presented by Edouard Clement MBA, CPA. Music project for the most vulnerable On Tuesday, Limond Toussaint, the Minister of Culture, visited the National Institute of Music of Haiti (INAMUH) to discuss with the administrator a project aimed at seeking and supervising children and vulnerable groups by giving them access to a strong academic and musical training. HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2017/06/02 | Source Added episode 1 captures for the Korean drama "Queen for 7 Days" (2017) Advertisement Directed by Lee Jung-seob Written by Choi Jin-yeong Network : KBS With Park Min-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Lee Dong-gun, Jang Hyun-sung, Kang Shin-il, Son Eun-seo,... 20 episodes - Wed, Thu 22:00 Synopsis A period drama about Queen Dangyeong who was on the throne for 7 days before she was disposed. Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2017/05/31 More Published on 2017/06/02 | Source Added episodes 13 and 14 captures for the Korean drama "Suspicious Partner" (2017) Advertisement Directed by Park Seon-ho-I Written by Kwon Ki-yeong Network : SBS With Ji Chang-wook, Nam Ji-hyun, Choi Tae-joon, Kwon Nara, Lee Deok-hwa, Nam Gi-ae,... Formerly known as "Watch out for this Woman" ( , i yeo-ja-leul jo-sim-ha-se-yo) 40 episodes - Wed, Thu 22:00 Synopsis "Suspicious Partner" will be a romantic comedy in a judicial setting with a killer thrown into the mix. A Taekwondo practitioner turned judicial trainee turned murder suspect. Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2017/05/10 More Vindependents poised to add spirits and beers to its portfolio By Lisa Riley Vindependents, the drinks agency for independents run by independents, is going from strength to strength but the buying group is far from resting on its laurels. Just two years after launch, founder Jessica Hutchinson told Harpers the groups main plan for the immediate future was to make its first foray outside wine, with both spirits and beers poised to join the portfolio in the foreseeable future. The move would however be quite complicated from a logistic point of view, she said. Storing spirits under bond is not as simple as storing wine but once we have that sorted, we have a wealth of knowledge amongst the members which should allow us to create a fantastic range just for indies, said Hutchinson, adding she expected spirits and beers to become part of Vindependents repertoire from early next year. The group also revealed plans to more than double its current 300-strong wine menu to the tune of 600 - 800 in the next three years as part of a strategy to cover a lot more areas in a bid to allow its members to buy as much wine as possible from us. In addition to this, Hutchinson has not ruled out further own label ranges following the initial success of Vindependents such range, which joined the portfolio in June last year. Its own label Prosecco had done much better than anticipated, she said, adding Vindependents had been able to secure quantities where other suppliers had been running out, with the quality and price having really help up. The Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand was doing well too and had been building sales solidly, she said. The retail side has started off strongly, but it always takes time to switch wine listings into the wholesale side of a business and, in order to do this, customers need to be sure that there wont be stock shortages as the wine is not UK bottled, said Hutchinson, adding the groups logistics on this had proven first class and as such, she expected a lot more listings to come. At the same time, Vindependents is working hard to to gain stronger foothold in the north of England, with a specific focus on Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. We will soon be contacting merchants in the areas we are targeting to explain how everything works and inviting them to our first tasting in Manchester in October. Once people understand the concept, they just need to taste the wines and once this happens, they normally apply to join, said Hutchinson. The aim, she added, was to have a at least a member in each county so the group has nationwide coverage and can offer its wines to all members of the wine buying public no matter where in the UK they live. In the northern area, Vindependents currently has members in Birmingham, Peterborough, Nottinghamshire, Manchester, Cheshire, Clitheroe, North Wales and Scotland. Hospitality leaders fear rising prices and worsening staffing crisis By Andrew Catchpole A majority of hospitality and leisure industry bosses believe that a perfect storm faces the industry, according to a new report surveying leaders in the sector. Commissioned by Heidrick & Struggles, in partnership with the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the report found 55% of leaders in the sector reporting that they were concerned about the economy, with rising costs, employment challenges, the security of their businesses and a potential fall in consumer confidence as their major concerns. Underpinning much of this concern is the rise in prices, following sterlings dramatic and sustained fall against foreign currencies, which has already impacted on operators, with rising costs for food and drinks now inevitably having to be fed through to consumers, who havent felt the full impact yet. It is no exaggeration to say that hospitality and tourism face a perfect storm which is well articulated by our industrys top executives in this report, said BHA Ufi Ibrahim, of the reports findings, which drew on feedback from many of the UKs biggest names in the sector. [There is] a looming recruitment crisis caused by cuts to come in EU immigration, rising costs on both materials and labour, increased business rates and a tax regime that favours our European competitors, added Ibrahim. One of the biggest issues cited by CEOs related to staffing, with Brexit and the potential curtailing of the free movement of EU workers predicted to exacerbate an already challenging situation in a market facing a serious shortage of staff. According to an earlier report by the BHA and KPMG, hospitality business are anticipating a recruitment gap of over a million jobs by 2029, with hotels restaurants and bars heavily reliant on EU workers. Half of CEOs reported that their workforce is 25% to 50% European, with that number rising to between 50% and 75% for a third of businesses. The report suggests, post-Brexit, that the hospitality industry pay bill will increase by 1.4 billion in the first year, and could rise by just over 1 billion a year over three years, amounting to a total cost of 3.2 billion. BHA figures confirm that the hospitality and leisure industry is the fourth largest employer in the UK, employing 4.5 million people, working across more than 180,000 businesses. The BHA has begun actively encouraging UK people into the industry as part of a 10-year strategy to help redress the imbalance of overseas versus domestic workers. The industry predicts that it needs to recruit an extra 60,000 UK workers this year, in addition to ongoing recruitment needs of 200,000 extra workers a year, which gives an insight into the scale of the staffing crisis. Under the 12-year compulsory education program in Taiwan, which is expected to be approved by 2019, primary students must choose a local language or a language of immigrants to study once a week. The Taiwanese administration hoped that Southeast Asian languages may gradually become the second languages chosen by young people, especially the second generation of immigrants. Taiwan intends to use these people to work for businessmen of the island to do business in the homelands of immigrants. Photo for illustration Tai Zhi Ming, an official of MOE, said that the demand for Vietnamese and Indonesian teachers based on the number of second-generation immigrants in the island. 15% of the demand for teachers is for those teaching the languages of Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. He said that Vietnamese and Indonesian language teaching materials have been prepared for many years, so that the teaching of these two languages is more ready than other languages. He also added that the Southeast Asian economy is developing strongly, so learning the languages of this area needs to be implemented soon. At present, teachers teaching Southeast Asian languages are mainly "teaching assistants". They include migrant mothers in Taiwan or teachers who have learned one of the Southeast Asian languages and have a certificate. However, Taiwans Language Training and Testing Centre (LTTC) said that Japanese and Korean languages are the second languages most chosen by Taiwanese people. Following are European languages such as French, German and Spanish. LTTC said the Southeast Asian language market should be further explored./. Canada's governor-general signed on June 1 a free trade agreement with Ukraine, which was agreed earlier by the House of Commons and the Senate, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on his Facebook page. In addition, Ukraine's ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko wrote on Twitter that "the free trade agreement between Ukraine and Canada has received royal assent." "Taking into account the ratification by the Dutch Senate of the agreement on association between Ukraine and the EU, this decision has more than symbolic significance... Both Canada and the Netherlands virtually simultaneously took a decisive step towards the formation of the Ukraine-Canada-EU free trade triangle. After completing all formal procedures, this triangle will unite the three regions on the two continents based on the joint commitment to liberal values and ideas," reads the statement said on the president's page. According to Poroshenko, these decisions are the evidence of the efficiency of reforms implemented in the country, a stimulus for strengthening internal reforms and a powerful signal for international partners. MP Talk gives members of parliament the opportunity to share their views on Finnish society with an international audience. The opinions expressed in this column are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Helsinki Times. But despite the persistent crises in the European Union, such as Brexit and the rise of nationalist right-wing populism in many countries, the big picture is still that Europe today is much more united than it was after the Second World War. Discord in Europe, therefore, has been much more muted than the deep divide that has taken hold of the United States. The bipartisan consensus, which guided the United States at the time of the Marshall Plan and the founding of NATO, has already been more or less moribund since the turn of the millennium. The US today is a deeply divided country, and this is not only because of Donald Trump, who is merely an added complication. Even without Trump, there are clearly two Americas. On one side there is the Democratic one, which believes in a rules-based international order, free trade and open frontiers. The party believes that government has a necessary and constructive role to play in managing the economy, education, etc. This side stands for gender equality and minority rights and is increasingly concerned with the immense concentration of wealth in ever fewer hands. On the other side we have Republican America, which believes in a God-given right to rule the international order with its overwhelming military superiority. That is when American interests are at stake, at least. Otherwise, the party is content with a policy of less than benevolent isolationism. The Republican side increasingly believes in protectionism, is in denial of climate change and claims that the only thing wrong with the distribution of wealth is that there are still too many restraints, such as taxes on the rich getting richer. Finally, this side favors the death penalty and hates gun control and Obamacare. While the mainstream of European thought is roughly in sync with the values of the Democratic half of America, it is totally misleading to talk of any shared values with the Republican half of America. Economic and geopolitical rivalry aside, this America actually has more in common with the social conservative values of Putins Russia and formally Communist China. This is a particularly painful dilemma and challenge for the Nordic countries, seeing as they enjoyed such a strong relationship with the US under President Obama (as was embodied by the former Presidents invitation to the five Nordic heads of state and the joint declaration adopted a year ago). As for the Trump presidency or any other Republican administration, they would most likely hold diametrically opposite views to almost every item in the declaration. In these circumstances it is ridiculous to talk about a transatlantic partnership based on values. And this applies not only to the Nordic countries, but for most of the rest of Europe as well. This includes Catholic Europe, at least as far as the Pope is representative of its values. There are some friends of Trump in Europe: Nigel Farage and UKIP, Marine Le Pen and the Front National, as well as others who in many instances could also be identified as friends of Putin too. We recognize these friends as a threat to European values and are ready to stand up to them, but we are much more reluctant to challenge the same opinions when expressed by American politicians. This is, of course, realpolitik, because there is still a community of interests with the US, the gap in values notwithstanding. Worries about Trumps commitment to NATO make it necessary for Europeans to remain on amicable terms with whoever is in power in Washington. Having a businesslike relationship with the US based on shared interests should not be allowed to weaken the European commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and the upholding of a rules-based world order, as well as the necessity to implement the 2030 UN Agenda for sustainable development. Neither should we overlook that not speaking up on these issues with the US means letting down the majority of Americans who did not vote for Donald Trump. Erkki Tuomioja is a Member of Parliament for the Social Democratic Party of Finland and President of Historians without Borders in Finland. Serving as the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2000 to 2007 and 2011 to 2015, Erkki holds a Ph.D. in political science and is the author of 18 books. Photo: Tuomioja.org Terho on Wednesday revealed that it is his personal objective to have a key role in a government that organises the referendum in Finland. Sampo Terho (PS), the Minister of European Affairs, Culture and Sports, has reiterated his willingness to organise a referendum to determine whether or not Finland should withdraw from the European Union. His remarks were deemed inappropriate by many Members of the Parliament, not least due to his role in the government of Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre). The fact that a minister is making such remarks The governments stands are certainly not the place for speculating on the agenda of future governments. I agree with many legislators on this issue, Sipila commented to members of the media after a plenary session at the Parliament House on Wednesday. I reject [such remarks], and I have no intention of being part of any government thats planning on holding the referendum. The Finns Party, he added, has been told that it must remain committed to the current government government and that the government programme has no room whatsoever for notions such as that of a membership referendum. He also said he will talk personally to Terho about what cabinet members can and cannot say with respect to the membership. I reckon these statements will taper off roughly one-and-a-half weeks from today, predicted Sipila. Terho is one of the two pre-election favourites to succeed Timo Soini as the chairperson of the Finns Party. The party will select a successor to its long-term chairperson in in Jyvaskyla on 10 June. Sipila on Wednesday also affirmed that he remains fully committed to promoting the development of the European Union. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Vesa Moilanen Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi Milkiland, a dairy group with assets in Ukraine, the Russian Federation and Poland, has published the revised financial performance for January-March 2017. According to the company's website, some changes were put to the financial statements of the group for the first quarter of 2017, including the balance sheet and the income and loss statement. "This year we were forced to publish the results for the first quarter before the approval of the audited financial results of the group for 2016. Thus, after the publication of the results for the past year, there appeared a need to make some changes to the financial statements for the first quarter of this year," financial director of the group Oleksandr Androschuk said. EBITDA decreased by almost 2% compared to the same indicator published on May 15, 2017, and amounted to EUR 2.4 million, while net profit remained at the same level of EUR 1.1 million. According to the updated report for the first quarter of 2017, Milkiland's revenue in January-March increased by 1.2%, to EUR 36.9 million. The group plans to complete negotiations on debts restructuring with banks in 2017. 09:13 02.06.2017 Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'Unjustified Sanctions Influence on Ukrainian Lottery Market Operation' 1 min read On Friday, June 2, at 10.30, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference entitled "Unjustified Sanctions Influence on Ukrainian Lottery Market Operation" about an unfounded sanction mechanism as a discriminating tool on the lottery market. The participants will include Vice President of M.S.L. LLC nationwide lottery operator Yevhen Vlasenko and Partner of law firm "Jurimex" Maryna Slobodnychenko (8/5a Reitarska Street). Accreditation is required by phone: (095) 273 2469. Photo issued by Garda of 18,000 in cash seized in raids on organised crime gangs. The Criminal Assets Bureau has dealt a blow to a west Dublin crime gang after seizing several assets including two vehicles and almost 20,000 in cash. The raids were carried out on properties in the Ronanstown, Clondalkin, Lucan and Tallaght areas as part of an investigation into recent organised criminal activity in the area. Residential homes and solicitors' and accountants' offices were searched during Wednesday's raids. Van Gardai seized cash totalling 18,000, a BMW car and a van, four watches and a bolt-action pellet gun. No arrests have been made and investigations are continuing. Expand Close Photo issued by Garda of watches which have been seized along with a pellet gun, 18,000 euro in cash, a car and a van in raids on organised crime gangs. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Photo issued by Garda of watches which have been seized along with a pellet gun, 18,000 euro in cash, a car and a van in raids on organised crime gangs. Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll said members of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) and the Special Crime Task Force assisted in the searches. It is the second time in as many months that the CAB has carried out significant raids in the west Dublin area. In April, an investigation into money-laundering through the sale of high-end horses led to 12 properties in Rathcoole and Clondalkin as well as properties in Co Meath and Co Kildare being searched. Large amounts of financial documentation and electronic media were seized. Expand Close Photo issued by Garda of a pellet gun seized in raids on organised crime gangs. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Photo issued by Garda of a pellet gun seized in raids on organised crime gangs. These raids were supported by the DOCB, the Special Crime Task Force, the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Armed Response Unit and gardai from Clondalkin and Ronanstown. No arrests were made during this phase of the investigation. A former Sinn Fein councillor who tortured a man in his garage and threatened to chop him up and feed him to dogs has been jailed for 12 years. Jonathan Dowdall (40), who waterboarded his victim and claimed he was in the IRA during a two-hour interrogation, had the sentence handed down at the Special Criminal Court. Dowdall had denied that he claimed he was "in the IRA" during the terrifying incident, but a judge ruled against him. However, the Herald can now exclusively reveal that Dowdall and his father have been locked up on the E1 dissident republican wing of Portlaoise Prison. Only criminals considered to be part of the dissident republican movement are housed on this landing. Patrick Dowdall (60), who threatened to chop off Alexander Hurley's fingers with pliers as he was tortured, was jailed for eight years. Expand Close Garda remove a BMW car and motorcycle from the home of Jonathan Dowdall on the Navan Road. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Garda remove a BMW car and motorcycle from the home of Jonathan Dowdall on the Navan Road. Jonathan Dowdall was also given a concurrent four years and his father a concurrent three years in prison for threatening to kill Mr Hurley. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said: "These are most serious offences. "The injured party was subjected to a horrendous and terrifying ordeal. He endured what can only be described as physical and mental torture at the hands of the Dowdalls." The father and son, both of Navan Road, Dublin 7, had pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning and threatening to kill Mr Hurley at their home on January 15, 2015. Their sentencing had been delayed after they contested some points of evidence at the last minute. That dispute was resolved in a hearing yesterday at which the accused and victim gave evidence and which resulted in the court rejecting most of the Dowdalls' assertions - including their denials that the IRA was mentioned. Previously, the court heard that Jonathan Dowdall, a father-of-four with a successful electrical company, put a motorbike up for sale and was contacted by Mr Hurley. After an initial meeting, Dowdall, who was a Dublin city councillor and former Sinn Fein member at the time, believed he was being duped by Mr Hurley when he researched him on the internet and came across scamming allegations. Dowdall invited Mr Hurley to dinner, but instead he and his father tied him with cable ties to a swivel chair in the garage and tried to force a confession out of him. Mr Hurley, who has prior fraud convictions, pleaded for his life as Jonathan Dowdall covered his face with a teacloth and doused his head with water. Burned Mr Hurley heard someone say they would "feed him to dogs, chop him up, place him in cellophane bags and store him in the boot of a BMW" if he did not tell the truth, and that his head would be burned at the stake. "[Jonathan Dowdall] told me I hadn't got a clue who he is and asked me 'do you know who I am?' I said I didn't. He said he was part of Sinn Fein and the IRA," Mr Hurley said. The court was shown "grim and harrowing" footage of some of Mr Hurley's interrogation, in which Dowdall, wearing a balaclava, shaved his head and shouted questions at him. Mr Hurley said a third, unidentified man was there but this was denied by the Dowdalls, who also both said they did not know who filmed the interrogation. After his ordeal, he said he was driven to a remote location and told to "get the f**k out of Dublin". "I was told if I go to the f***ing gardai I will be picked up in a matter for hours, we have eyes everywhere and we will kill your family," he said. Gardai discovered what the Dowdalls had done only a year later when they searched their Dublin home on March 9, 2016 for a separate reason and found a video of the incident on a USB stick. In a victim impact statement, Mr Hurley said Jonathan Dowdall "proceeded to torture me to the point of death's door" and that his psychological injuries would never heal. In evidence, he admitted he had posed as a barrister and taken "wrong turns" earlier in his life, but insisted he did not go to the Dowdalls to deceive them and intended to buy the bike. Jonathan Dowdall told the court yesterday: "I was worried sick that my identity was being taken and I wanted to frighten him that he wouldn't use my identity for further scams. "I can't justify it, it was wrong, it shouldn't have happened. It ruined my family's life and affected Mr Hurley's life." Patrick Dowdall said in evidence: "Nothing was planned, it was a spur of the moment thing, it just got out of hand." Judge Kennedy said video recording the events had been reprehensible enough but facilitating a young person to make the recording was an aggravating factor. The video which was played to the court showed a "truly terrifying ordeal which words could not adequately convey". It was fortunate that the recordings were recovered by the gardai in bringing the accused to justice, but on the other hand it was "chilling" that they were made, she said. That Jonathan Dowdall had said he would upload the video to YouTube if necessary showed his "moral compass is fundamentally skewed", the judge said. The victim could be seen and heard whimpering and pleading but despite his obvious fear, this "callous and brutal attack" continued, she added. The judge said the court wished to deprecate in "the strongest possible terms" the disputing by the accused of evidence of "marginal materiality" which led to this week's 'Newton' hearing. Putting the victim through the trauma of giving evidence "significantly lessens the credit that would otherwise be given for a very late plea of guilty", Judge Kennedy said. Pliers She then listed nine aggravating factors: the significant harm caused to the victim; the gratuitous, humiliating and degrading nature of what was done; its prolonged nature; the terror felt by the victim; the use of restraint in cable ties; the use of a cloth and bucket of water; production of pliers in the course of issuing threats; the severe impact on the victim; and the recording of the event. Due to the gravity of the offence the court considered 14 years an appropriate sentence for Jonathan Dowdall but the judge reduced it to 12 years. "Despite his protestations of remorse, the Newton hearing had the effect of tainting the genuine nature of that remorse," she said. A man who posed as his late brother so he could buy a house has been jailed for two years. Judge Martin Nolan described Anthony Perry (51) as a "shameless con man". He was convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last month of forgery and theft. During the trial, lawyers for Perry presented medical evidence that he had had a personality change and was unable to stop himself acting as his brother, but Judge Nolan ruled this evidence inadmissible. Perry's fake identity only came to light after the house burned down. The judge said the fire was caused maliciously by unknown third parties and had nothing to do with Perry. Perry, of Victoria Street, Portobello, Dublin, and formerly of Clonmullen Hall, Edenderry, Co Offaly, had pleaded not guilty to eight counts of theft and fraud. Detective Garda Siobhan Moore said Perry applied for a birth certificate in the name of his brother William. In April 2006 he used this to get a passport at Ballyfermot Garda Station and used the passport to set up a bank account in the false name. Suspicious In 2007 he used his fake identity and account to apply successfully for a 300,000 mortgage from Start Mortgages. Perry used the money to buy a house and granny flat in Offaly. In August 2008 the house and flat burned down in a fire and Perry made a claim on the insurance policies. FBD Insurance paid out 304,216 but this payment was repudiated after investigators became suspicious of Perry's identity. Linda Bradley was remanded on bail to appear in court again A woman is facing trial charged with stealing cigarettes, painkillers, toilet paper and deli rolls from a convenience store. Linda Bradley (57) had a book of evidence served on her when she appeared at Blanchardstown District Court. Judge David McHugh sent her forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The accused, with an address at Sheepmore Lawns, Blanchardstown, is charged with six counts of theft. She is alleged to have stolen from the Stop and Shop in Sheepmore between June 21 and July 1, 2015. In one visit on July 21, she is alleged to have stolen 11.50 worth of John Player Blue cigarettes along with 8 of deli rolls and toilet paper on the same day. Packet Three of the counts relate to June 26, when she is alleged to have taken a packet of paracetamol and a bottle of water priced 3.69, and another two packets of John Player Blue and a lighter worth 14.20 in total. She is accused of stealing another 11.50 packet of cigarettes on July 1 that year. A state solicitor said the DPP had directed trial on indictment and consented to the accused being sent forward to the next sittings of the circuit court. Judge David McHugh gave the defendant the formal warning that she must provide any alibi details to the prosecution within 14 days. He ordered disclosure of the video of the accused's garda interview to the defence. Ms Bradley has not yet indicated how she intends to plead to the charges. She was remanded on bail under existing conditions to appear in the circuit court on a date later this month. The judge granted free legal aid to cover the accused's solicitor, Valerie Buckley and one barrister in the circuit court. Gardai are investigating an allegation of a serious sexual assault on a woman on a Dublin 4 street. The alleged incident happened in the Irishtown area at 1.30am on Tuesday. It is understood that the woman was walking home when she was attacked in Church Avenue. After the alleged attack, the woman was hospitalised. Traumatised Gardai sealed off a laneway on Tuesday afternoon to conduct a forensic examination. On Wednesday, a team of officers conducted door-to-door enquiries in a bid to gather more information. "This matter is being taken extremely seriously and a full investigation is under way," a source told the Herald last night. "The victim in this case was left in a very traumatised state." Her age has not been revealed. There have been no arrests in the case which is being investigated by Irishtown gardai. The latest crime data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows a rise in reports of sexual offences - such as rape and sexual assault. Aggravated sexual assaults increased by a third to 2,549 in 2016, with all sexual offences up by 8.6pc. The number of sexual offences was notably higher in the Dublin area than in the rest of the country. Last month, the Herald revealed that gardai were investigating the alleged rape of a woman at 2am on May 1. The alleged attack happened near St Andrew's Lane in the Dame Street area of the capital. The woman, who was aged in her early 20s, left a nightclub with a man but was attacked shortly after leaving the popular nightspot. Gardai are investigating if a notorious north inner city armed robber was directly involved in the feud-related murder of Michael Keogh. Keogh (37) became the 12th victim of the Hutch/Kinahan feud when he was shot in his car in the underground car park at the Sheridan Court flats complex on Wednesday morning. Detectives believe the murder was carried out by the Hutch mob and are investigating the suspected role of an armed robber from the north inner city. A property linked to the suspect was raided yesterday morning and while clothes and other items were seized, the robber, who is in his early 40s, was not arrested. He is currently before the courts on serious charges unrelated to the feud and is considered a "volatile and highly dangerous criminal" who has links to a number of Hutch gang associates. Graffiti Expand Close Michael Keogh's body is taken away from the scene by gardai. Photo: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Keogh's body is taken away from the scene by gardai. Photo: Collins This latest development comes as sinister graffiti emerged in the north inner city naming two men the Hutch mob believe were involved in Gareth Hutch's murder. The menacing message named the two men along with the message: "YOU'RE NEXT". Sources believe the Hutch gang were behind the graffiti. A source said last night that gardai were "satisfied" with how the investigation was progressing and that "substantial progress has been made". However, tensions remain extremely high on both sides of the city, with sources revealing that some members of the Hutch gang have been "taunting" pals of Keogh. Expand Close Floral tributes and messages left near the car park in Dorset Street where the gunman struck. Photo: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Floral tributes and messages left near the car park in Dorset Street where the gunman struck. Photo: Collins The most prominent theory is that Keogh was murdered because one of his closest associates was involved in Gareth Hutch's murder last May. Keogh's murder is the first that the Hutch mob are suspected of carrying out since cartel figure David Byrne (34) was shot dead in the Regency Hotel in February 2016. The following nine murders are all believed to have been carried out by the Kinahan cartel, including the shocking slayings last year of innocent men Trevor O'Neill and Martin O'Rourke. Keogh's murder has led to a major increase in armed garda checkpoints in the north inner city but also in the Crumlin and south inner city areas. Since the latest killing, it can be revealed that detectives have visited the homes of a number of targets on both sides of the feud and given them "updated security advice". The murder, which has been followed by "taunting" of innocent relatives, came just days after six cars were attacked in the capital, five of them connected to innocent Hutch family members. Gardai have also not ruled out whether Keogh was involved in any of the five attacks against the cars of Hutch family members. The father-of-two had just started a new job in the construction sector. While not considered a major criminal, he was linked to the so-called 'New INLA' faction who have aligned themselves with the Kinahan cartel. Handgun Keogh wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning: "New job new start hopefully all goes well." Gardai believe that members of the Hutch gang were monitoring his activity on Facebook in the days leading up to the murder. A car was found burnt out on Clonliffe Avenue at 7.30am on Wednesday and a handgun with an attached silencer was discovered in the vehicle, which gardai believe was used as the getaway car. The car, a grey Opel Astra which had false plates 12 D 16387, was stolen in the Dublin area in April. It is believed that Keogh was shot dead shortly before the burnt-out car was discovered but an exact time is not known. Yesterday gardai renewed their appeal for information, saying they want to speak to people who were in the Dorset Street or Clonliffe Avenue areas between 7 and 10am on Wednesday. Unarmed gardai have been permanently stationed at a number of homes belonging to Hutch family members and officers manning these posts have requested new ballistic vests as they claim that their current ones are not suitable. However, Garda headquarters has categorically stated that the standard vests issued to uniformed gardai are both ballistic resistant and stab proof. Gardai are investigating the terrifying incident at the womans home in Cabinteely. Stock picture A mother-of-two was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when a three-man gang burst into her south Dublin home. Gardai are investigating the incident in the Shrewsbury Lawn estate in Cabinteely, south Dublin. The 46-year-old woman was at home with her two daughters, aged 16 and 21, when the gang struck at 5.15pm on Monday. The three raiders wore dark-coloured balaclavas and dark clothing. The gang forced their way into the property by kicking at the door and one of the criminals grabbed the woman while the other two ran upstairs. Torched Bank cards and a small amount of cash were stolen but extensive damage was caused to the door of the house. The criminals fled and got into a grey Audi A3. The gang then torched the vehicle just metres from the home they targeted before escaping from the the locality. Gardai from Cabinteely are investigating the incident but there have been no arrests so far. The shocking incident is being treated as an aggravated burglary. A woman at the house declined to speak of her family's ordeal yesterday. The car used by the gang was driven around a corner and stopped less than 200 metres from the house before being set ablaze. The burned getaway car was later removed from the leafy suburban estate. A local resident told the Herald: "It's shocking what happened. They drove their getaway car only a short distance before burning it." South Dublin is the home to some of the country's most prolific burglary gangs but it is not known if Monday's incident was linked to those mobs. Two men and a teenager associated with one of the most notorious south Dublin gangs were released witchout charge on Wednesday after being questioned for two days about an aggravated burglary in Co Tipperary. Raiders broke into the home of Jimmy Campion in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, late on May 7 and beat him with his own walking stick in a sickening attack. Gardai raided a property in Sallynoggin on Monday afternoon where they arrested a 28-year-old man. A further raid was carried out on Tuesday at a halting site in Dun Laoghaire where a 17-year-old male and a 34-year-old man were arrested. They were all questioned at north Tipperary garda stations before being released. A file on the case is now being prepared for the DPP. Decrease Despite the number of prolific Traveller gangs operating in south Dublin, there has been a dramatic decrease in the region's burglaries over the past year, but the locality remains a crime hotspot. The situation is not as grave in the Dublin Eastern Garda Division, which covers south Dublin, than it was in 2015 when there were 2,290 burglaries in the division. The press center of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) Kyiv has reported 28 attacks on Ukrainian army positions on June 1, despite the agreements on the "silence regime" for that day. Eighteen ceasefire breaches were seen in the Mariupol sector, the ATO headquarters said in a report. Shyrokyne, Vodiane, Chermalyk and Talakivka came under attack of grenade launchers, heavy machineguns, and small arms, while 82mm mortars bombarded Maryinka, it said. Eight attacks on Ukrainian army positions were observed in the Luhansk sector, the HQ said. Grenade launchers and small arms were fired near Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka, while 120mm mortars were employed near Krymske, and 82mm mortars near Kryakivka. There were two shooting incidents in the Donetsk sector: positions near Zaitseve came under attack of man-portable anti-tank grenade launchers and heavy machine guns, while 82mm mortars, automatic mounted grenade launchers and heavy machineguns shelled the suburbs of Avdiyivka, the staff said. SBU has no evidence of Russian special services' involvement in attempted murder of Osmayev, Okuyeva The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has no confirmed information about the involvement of Russian special services in the assassination attempt on the participants of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO), Adam Osmayev and Amin Okuyev, deputy chief of the SBU branch in Kyiv and Kyiv region Pavlo Daniukov has said. "At the moment, we have no such confirmed data," Daniukov said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday answering a question about the possible involvement of Russian special services in the attempted murder. He added that if they receive any definite information on the involvement of Russian special services or lack thereof, they will make it public. As reported, two members of the Kyiv-2 police battalion, who participated in the ATO in Donbas, the spouses, Adam Osmayev and Amina Okuyeva, were attacked in the Podil area of Kyiv on June 1. It is believed that the assailant, who introduced himself as a foreign journalist, had arranged for a meeting with the couple beforehand. "When they got into the car, the man took out a Glock pistol from a box and shot Osmayev in the chest. In response Amina fired several shots with her Makarov pistol into the gunman," the police said. Both Osmayev and the killer are now in hospital with serious gunshot wounds. As of Friday morning, Osmayev's condition is grave but stable. Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the Ukrainian interior minister, said later that the killer was found in possession of a Ukrainian identification document in the name of Oleksandr Dakar, born 1958. The police are considering the couple's "patriotic position" as the key line of inquiry. In 2012 Osmayev was detained in Odesa by Ukrainian law enforcement officers on suspicion of staging an explosion in an Odesa apartment. Investigators also suspected that he and his accomplice had been planning to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin. In September 2013 a second defendant in the case, Ilya Pyanzin, was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment in Russia after being extradited from Ukraine. The European Court of Human Rights recommended Ukraine not to extradite Osmayev to Russia and Ukraine decided to suspend his extradition. Osmayev was released from custody on November 19, 2014 after two and a half years in jail. In February 2015, after the death of Isa Munayev, a commander of the so-called Dzhokhar Dudayev international peacekeeping battalion fighting on the side of the Ukrainian army in Donbas, Osmayev became the battalion's new commander. The condition of Adam Osmayev, a participant in the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas who has been injured in Kyiv, is serious but stable, Osmayev's wife Amina Okuyeva said, adding that she shot the attacker from an award weapon. "Everything is all right. The condition of Adam is serious but stable. I stopped the killer using the award weapon," Okuyeva said on Facebook on Thursday evening. Osmayev and Okuyeva, officers of the Kyiv-2 police battalion who took part in the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas, were attacked in Kyiv on Thursday. It is believed that the assailant, who introduced himself as a foreign journalist, had arranged for a meeting with the couple beforehand. "When they got into the car, the man took out a Glock pistol from a box and shot Osmayev in the chest. In response Amina fired several shots with her Makarov pistol into the gunman," the police statement says. Detectives explained the attack with the political stance of the couple. A criminal case was opened after the attack. Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the Ukrainian interior minister, said later that the killer was found in possession of a Ukrainian identification document in the name of Dakar, Oleksandr Venusovych, born 1958. "Currently the police and security agencies are checking if such a man really exists and his life story... Most likely this Ukrainian citizen is not Dakar Oleksandr Venusovych but a completely different person who regularly travelled to Russia to receive instructions from the center," Herashchenko said. A source in the law enforcement authorities said that Osmayev was staying at an intensive care unit with a lung injury; he was admitted to the same hospital as the assailant. In 2012 Osmayev was detained in Odesa by Ukrainian law enforcement officers on suspicion of staging an explosion in an Odesa apartment. Investigators also suspected that he and his accomplice had been planning to assassinate the Russian president. In September 2013 a second defendant in the case, Ilya Pyanzin, was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment in Russia after being extradited from Ukraine. The European Court of Human Rights recommended Ukraine not to extradite Osmayev to Russia and Ukraine decided to suspend his extradition. Osmayev was released from custody on November 19, 2014 after two and a half years in jail. In February 2015, after the death of Isa Munayev, a commander of the so-called Dzhokhar Dudayev international peacekeeping battalion fighting on the side of the Ukrainian army in Donbas, Osmayev became the battalion's new commander. Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) has confirmed opening a criminal investigation into the possible illegal enrichment of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Opposition Bloc Party faction deputy Serhiy Liovochkin. SAPO chief Nazar Kholodnytsky told journalists in Kyiv to "read the letter [posted] by Radical Party faction MP Ihor Mosiychuk, who on May 23 complained to the Prosecutor General's Office in writing about Liovochkin's failure to pay taxes. Mosiychuk on June 1 made public Kholodnytsky's response, which read "taking into account possible illegal enrichment" and further stated the opening of a criminal investigation pursuant to Part 3 of Article 368-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal enrichment). "SAPO and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) are investigating Liovochkin for illegal enrichment, according to the response I received from Kholodnytsky," Mosiychuk said on his Facebook page. Mosiychuk added that he has taken the case "under his personal control" and awaits SAPO finds about the case. BRISTOL, Tenn. Earhart Campground is awash in neon and the aroma of fried dough as the site near Bristol Motor Speedway prepares to host the Bristol Fair. The inaugural fair kicks off tonight with more than 30 rides, attractions and food vendors serving the classic fried food staples to more unique concoctions like barbecue cheese fries. It is scheduled to operate daily through June 10. Its about finding a place that suits the need of having a fair, said Landon Linton, promoter of the Bristol Fair. There is a gap of time where the kids are out of school, and theres nothing for them to do. We hope to bring something new that the whole family really can take part in. Sunshine beamed on the campground Thursday morning as workers who began Tuesday assembled rides operated by Paradise Amusements of Ocala, Florida. As they worked, officials from the Wagner Consulting Group inspected the machines. Nationwide over the past year, amusement park and fair ride safety has been in question. One of the more high-profile cases happened nearby last August when three girls fell from a Ferris wheel gondola during the Greene County Fair in Greeneville, Tennessee. Paradise Amusements has a clean record and no media reports or legal filing of incidents involving the family-owned company, according to a review by the Herald Courier. According to its website, Paradise Amusements rides are inspected at every fair setup by a maintenance team and daily by our ride operators. On a weekly basis, rides are also inspected by local and state safety inspectors and annually by our insurance companys inspectors also. Tennessee does recognize other states inspections for up to three months before requiring a new permit, according to state Department of Labor and Workforce Development officials. Because of the Greene County accident, operators now have to have a third-party inspection before the ride is able to quality for a new annual permit in the state of Tennessee. Lintons company, Southern Expo was doing another fair event in Charlotte, North Carolina, last year when he read online about the Greene County accident. Obviously it weighs heavy on you everywhere you go when an accident happens, Linton said. The difference between Paradise and most of the other folks you see around is that you can walk around their stuff, and there is not a ding, scratch or missing paint whatsoever on their rides. They really care for their stuff, not only for the way that it looks, but also for safety too. A variety of rides make up the midway including The Claw, which sends fairgoers spinning into a 160-degree angle and Vertigo, high-rise swings that are sure to give thrill seekers a rush. Our helicopter rides are the way to go, if you want to see the Bristol Fair from high above, Linton said. This area is so picturesque and we will be flying over Bristol Motor Speedway. The fair will offer deals on admission and ride tickets during its run, Linton added. Visitors will get $2 gate admission on Tuesday for donating to the Bridge Home No Kill Animal Shelter. Then theres the grub, which isnt for the health-conscious or calorie-counters, Linton said. The midway is packed with food tents and trailers advertising french fries, burgers, pizza, hot dogs, kettle corn, funnel cakes, fried candy bars, candy apples, cotton candy and more. There are so many staples when it comes to fair food these days, but everyone still loves a good funnel cake, Linton said. A relatively new take on the funnel cake is a red velvet funnel cake, which is absolutely delicious, and, of course, you have turkey legs and other sweet treats. The fair also features a circus-style Aguilar Family Thrill Show and the West Texas Rattlesnake Show featuring wrangler Dave Richardson. Animal lovers can take in the fairs petting zoo, which features more than 200 animals. Connie and Bunky Boger of Springdale, Arkansas, display their animals at fairs across the country. The couple travels with about 225 animals, including cows, sheep and goats, pigs, Shetland ponies, and ducks, geese, chickens and guinea hens. They also have exotic cattle a Watsui, a Scotch Highlander and some less exotic animals Texas Longhorn and a Miniature Hereford. Photos: Hagerstown firefighters Operation Warm As part of Operation Warm, the Hagerstown Professional Firefighters provided 150 new coats Thursday to children at Pangborn Elementary in Hagerstown. The Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has approved a draft resolution that provides for the possibility of impeachment to the President of the Assembly, the vice-president and the heads of committees, Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Volodymyr Ariev (Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction) has reported. "The PACE Standing Committee has just approved a draft resolution that provides for the possibility of impeachment to the president, vice-president of PACE, as well as to the heads of committees and deputies," Ariev wrote on his Facebook page on Friday. At the same time, the head of the delegation of the Ukrainian parliament reported that the vote on this resolution would be held on June 27. "It is a very important step to overcome the crisis, in which PACE was led by President Pedro Agramunt with his irresponsible behavior," Ariev said. As reported, the delegation of Ukraine to the PACE demanded the launch of the impeachment procedure to Agramunt due to the visit of the delegation headed by him to Syria. On April 28, the PACE Bureau expressed its distrust to Agramunt with an absolute majority of votes and refused to allow him to make visits, make statements and carry out other activities on behalf of PACE. Agramunt did not write a letter of resignation, did not appear at the Bureau, and did not make any statement promised earlier. According to Ariev, there is no procedure in PACE for recalling the president from his office in general, since there was no need for this during 50 years of the Assembly's existence. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine deputies from the Samopomich Party faction Yehor Sobolev and Semen Semenchenko have called on the government to ban imports of Russian coal, warning that failure to do so will lead to further blockades of railway transportation. "Ukraine's prime minister and energy minister said they agreed to ban completely imports of Russian coal. The energy minister said he was preparing a draft government resolution. April, May passed and there is still no resolution. We want to warn the PM that it's time for him to act. It's in his interests, in the interests of the government and, most importantly, it is in the interests of the Ukrainian government," Sobolev said during a meeting with activists at the Konotop railway station close to the border of Russia. The deputy said the government's failure to act would incite people to block railway lines from the country aggressor Russian Federation. "As winter showed us, if government fails to act, people will have to do its work. It's not necessary to compel veterans to keep promises made by the PM Imports of Russian coal should be stopped immediately, as well as other forms of financing the occupiers [of eastern Ukraine]," Sobolev said. Kyiv's District Solomyansky District Court has turned down a request by the former head of Ukraine's Fiscal Service Roman Nasirov to change the terms of his pretrial detention, according to the Kyiv-based news portal Ukrayinska Pravda, citing a source from law-enforcement agencies. "According to the source, Nasirov asked the court to allow him to leave Ukraine for medical treatment and, correspondingly, return bail he has posted. The court turned down the request," the media outlet wrote on Friday. As earlier reported, the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine suspects Nasirov of committing crimes pursuant to Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (misuse of public office leading to serious consequences). Kyiv's Solomyansky District Court on March 7 remanded Nasirov in custody for 60 days and set bail at UAH 100 million. Ukraine's Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), meanwhile, requested the court set bail at UAH 2 billion. On March 16 SAPO said Nasirov and his wife had posted UAH 100 million bail. On March 28, a commission of experts from Ukraine's Health Ministry did not confirm the diagnosis made by doctors of Kyiv's Feofania hospital where Nasirov was undergoing treatment when he was detained. NABU on May 30 turned down Nasirov's request for medical assistance abroad. On June 1, SAPO chief Nazar Kholodnitsky said that a compromise could be reached if there was a threat to Nasirov's health. Two civilians have been injured as a result of militant shelling of the town of Maryinka in Donetsk region, Donetsk Military and Civil Administration Head Pavlo Zhebrivsky has said. "At about 6 p.m., the Russian invaders attacked Maryinka again. Two mines exploded in a residential area on Prokofieva Street. A 20-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man got moderately severe wounds," he wrote on Facebook on Friday. According to him, two wounded persons have been taken to a hospital in Krasnohorivka. Other information is being verified. Belarus plans to complete talks on accession to WTO in near future Belarus is in the final stage of negotiations on joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said. "We are indeed in the final stage. We hope that we will complete the negotiations with the remaining states within a short period of time,' Makei told reporters in Minsk on Friday. "There are some 10-15 countries with which we need to complete negotiations, the minister said. "This systemic in interaction with the secretariat and WTO members enabled us to prepare a final document, a draft working group report," Makei said. "We should work on the relevant working group document. We are now working closely on that and we conduct relevant consultations with our colleagues from other countries," he said. The minister said Belarus is working on strengthening its positions in international trade. "Prompt accession to the WTO will promote the broadening of our trade and economic relations," he said. "We are also thankful to our U.S. partners and our European partners for supporting the efforts made by Belarus to intensify the process of our accession to the WTO," he said. This past December, Linda Kost, president of Congregation Beth Sholom in Leesburg, received a telephone call from a man named Norman Siegel, who, with his wife, Frankie, were ex-pats in Costa Rica for about five years and were now looking to return to the United States. They knew that they wanted to go to Florida but were unsure as to where-just that there be a good number of Jewish families and synagogues. Finding our website on Google, he telephoned Linda. Linda knew that I often travelled to Costa Rica and that I might still be there. Unsure, I received an email with the subject, "r u home?" Well, I had already returned, but I contacted Norman. Through the exchange of emails, we got to know one another a bit and then I received an email asking when I would return to Costa Rica and could we meet. The timing was perfect-my wife, Helen, and I were leaving for Costa Rica in a few weeks. Two weeks later we arrived in San Jose and I contacted Norman. He asked if we would like to accompany them to services on Saturday. He advised that Saturday services were usually in English, except that this Saturday, the rabbi was on vacation and the services would be led by a member of the congregation-mostly in Spanish. The first Jewish settlers in Costa Rica were "Conversos" who fled the Spanish Inquisition. Through assimilation, hardly a trace of this group remains. Currently, there are about 3,000 Jews in Costa Rica-at least half of whom came before and immediately after World War II. Coming from two Polish towns, about 50 miles from Warsaw, helps to explain the community is primarily orthodox. The Jewish community is centered in San Jose. There are four synagogues in San Jose, the largest of which is Shaarei Zion, an Ashkenanzi Orthodox synagogue and administrator of the Orthodox Cemetery; Chabad Lubavitch (Hassidic); B'nai Israel (Reformed); and Bet Midrash Morasha (Sephardic Orthodox). There are kosher butchers, a schochet (ritual slaughterer), restaurants (delicatessens and a kosher Burger King) and kosher products available in larger supermarkets. It's now Saturday and Norman advises us to take Uber car service to Calle 90 (pronounced "kahyea"-"street" in Spanish) to Congregation B'nai Israel. You can't miss the shul-it's a white building on the corner with Jewish stars in the windows! I look up Google maps to get an idea as to where Calle 90 is. It is only a 10-minute ride from our hotel, and it's only two blocks long. Google Earth View shows a large white building at the end of the street. We get to the street and drive up to the large white building. It seems closed but we get out and walk around the corner where there seems to be an entrance only to find that the entrance is to a family's home. There is a family in the front yard that must have just arrived home as a young man is closing the entrance gate. I approached the young man and asked if he knew about Congregation B'nai Israel and showed him pictures of the building on my cell phone. He informed us that it was not in this area and he did not know where it was. By this time the Uber driver had left. We were two stranded souls in the middle of who knows where. The look on our faces must have said something because the young man's mother came over to see if she could help. She asked us for the name of the synagogue and found it on Google. She telephoned to find out where it was located. At the same time, I telephoned Norman and asked where he was. He said that he was at Calle 90 and waiting for us. I told him that we were at Calle 90 and he was nowhere in sight nor was the shul. He then asked me if I was with someone who was talking to someone at the shul. I told him that I was and at that moment the young man came over and told us that his mother knew where it was and that they would drive us there. The family of three and Helen and I all packed ourselves into a pick-up truck and drove over. There was, in fact, a continuation of Calle 90, also only two blocks long, on the other side of a major road that bisected Calle 90. Along the way, the mother said to Helen, "You must be good people. Angels are watching over you." Helen replied, "Yes, you are an angel." When we arrived at the shul, Norman was waiting outside and had a broad smile on his face. We entered the 2-story building only to find out that the second floor was actually a balcony with an office for the rabbi. The sanctuary had a 2-story ceiling. Seats were arranged on a horseshoe pattern leaving an open area in the front of the bimah. Norman had told us that this was a "progressive" synagogue and we were fully expecting to witness a Reformed service. Norman told us that since the 1992 and 1994 synagogue bombings in Argentina, membership in any of the synagogues required careful vetting-a letter from your rabbi at home, a copy of your passport, a meeting with the rabbi, etc. It was impossible to gain entrance to attend a service without someone to vouch for you. I immediately noticed that none of the older men wore the short tallis around their necks but, instead, wore the long tallis that flowed over their shoulders and covered their back. The traditional small tallis was worn by the young men in the congregation. Each of the women wore a similar tallis albeit in more feminine colors. As I looked around the room, I saw that the only Americans there were Norman and Frankie, Helen and I and one other man by the name of Phil Gelman, who was from New York City and also a past-president of the congregation. The rest of the assemblage was made of men and women of various tones of brown. I was told that most of the women were converted to Judaism. As we made our way around the synagogue, people came up to welcome us. Here we were, 1300 miles from home, in a country where we don't speak the language but never felt alone or distant. Is this the way Costa Ricans are by nature or were we welcomed because we are Jewish? My answer is an emphatic both, especially based on the events getting to the synagogue. Primarily though, it was because we are Jewish and, to quote from our history, strangers in a foreign land. Helen and I have attended bar mitzvahs for her grand-nephews in France and I attended Kol Nidre services in Tokyo. We were welcomed as though we were the prodigal children returning to the family. And, the conversation is always the same: where are you from... are there many Jews... what is your synagogue like... what is your rabbi like? After you get these basic questions out of the way, the conversation roams in every direction. I read through the program for the service and saw names such as Yaakov Rodriguez, Alejandro Lev and Shmuel Perez among many others. At this point, a young woman approached a chair that was located on the floor directly in front of the bimah and called the service to order. The prayer book seemed to be modeled after the Gates of Prayer (the Amidah included the matriarchs) but was quite unique in form. The siddur was written and published by the congregation and was tri-lingual-Hebrew, Spanish and English-as well as transliteration for some of the Hebrew prayers. Congregation B'nei Israel positions itself as the only tri-lingual synagogue in Costa Rica-and for all I know, possibly the world. When it came time for the Torah service, another young woman took the seat and directed a reading of the translation of the week's Parsha: Kedoshim. Some read it in English but most were in Spanish. After the reading, she read what she had written about her understanding of the Parsha. This was followed by an open discussion of the Parsha among the congregation-unfortunately for me, mostly in Spanish. I wish that I understood the discussion because some of the speakers were addressing the group with great emotion. This discussion lasted about an hour and was followed by taking out the Torah and calling congregants for an Aliyah. Rather than have a single person read the Torah, each person sang his/her portion directly from the Torah. I later learned that they are trained by the rabbi to read and sing the Parsha during a weekly class. Listening to the chanting of the Parsha sections, I became aware of the slightly different accents the people have, which made me aware of the vast differences of people and what binds us together as Jews-faith and belief in a single G-d, history and traditions. These attributes allow us to walk into any synagogue in the world, listen to what is being said or hear the melody of a particular prayer and immediately be able to pick up a siddur and find the page where the congregation is in the service. Near the closing of the service, Helen and I stood to say Kaddish on her father's yahrzeit. While only one other person was standing, all eyes seemed to be on us. At the conclusion of the service, people came over and said, "How fortunate that we were here for you to be able to say Kaddish." What a warm thing to say. Everyone gathered in a small room for Kiddish. There was a table with food and cake in the center and everyone moved to encircle the table. Manischewitz Concord Grape wine and Welch's Grape juice was handed out and a congregant said the blessing for wine. Then, two challahs were uncovered and as the HaMotzi was about to be said, the entire congregation placed their right hand on the shoulder of the person on their right. I have no idea what the source of this tradition is or the meaning. To me, however, it was joining everyone present into a single unit and closing the circle of community. After an hour or so of socializing, the group started to head to their homes. One man came over and asked where we were staying and how we were getting there. I told him the name of the hotel and about Uber and he said, "Wait, I'll get you a ride." He did and we did. My take away from this adventure is that a Jew is a Jew no matter where he goes. I can walk into any synagogue in the world and begin to pray with people who may look different or have an accent and know that, in a short time I will cease to be a stranger in a foreign land. AMSTERDAM (JTA)-Shortly after the outbreak of the Six-Day War in 1967, Ronny Naftaniel was soliciting donations on the street and putting a lot of money into a box emblazoned with the words "for Israel." An Amsterdam Jew who was 19 that year, Naftaniel was one of many pro-Israel activists across Western Europe who collected the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of dollars from individuals supportive of Israel in its fight against Arab neighbors who were widely perceived as the more powerful aggressors. In Holland especially, the war triggered a popular mobilization by ordinary citizens that featured massive blood drives, group prayers at churches, solidarity rallies and a bumper sticker campaign that was so successful that for a time it rendered ubiquitous the slogan "I stand behind Israel." Dutch corporations and trade unions mobilized their members to raise millions for Israel. "There was a genuine anxiety in society for Israel's fate and relief when it prevailed," recalled Naftaniel, the longtime head of the Hague-based Center for Information and Documentation on Israel until his retirement in 2012. "Both led to extraordinary affection and goodwill, also in the media. It was universal and unifying." Today, however, Israel is a divisive issue in the Netherlands and across Western Europe, where the mainstream media occasionally question Israel's very right to exist amid criticism over its perceived occupation of Palestinian land captured in 1967. On the street, expressions of solidarity with Israel often invite attacks by pro-Palestinian Muslims and the left, and are dwarfed by mass demonstrations against Israel that regularly feature anti-Semitic chants. Meanwhile, the continent's east has made the opposite journey: Whereas in 1967 merely mentioning Israel could lead to imprisonment, the Jewish state is now widely cherished in Eastern Europe and Russia as an ally and model for success. These profound shifts, which may affect the future of European Jewry, are rooted in changes far wider than merely how certain societies view the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Indeed, they reflect dramatic developments in the value systems, demographics and economies both of Israel and of the continent to which it has strong cultural ties. Ervin Kohn, the leader of the Jewish community of Norway, was preparing for his bar mitzvah when the Six-Day War broke out. "In my family we were deeply worried about Israel's future before and during the war, and this anxiety was something shared across Norwegian society," he said. "Today, it would be different." Last week, Norway's largest workers union escalated its anti-Israel rhetoric to include a call for a total boycott of the country. And in Holland, where trade unions in 1967 donated millions to Israel's defense, members of the Dutch Federation of Trade Unions in January debated boycotting Israel during a workshop (no decision was made and the federation has no policy of boycotting Israel). Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian demonstrators regularly hold rallies calling for a boycott of Israel opposite the main entrance of the Bijenkorf department store in Amsterdam, which in 1967 collected funds for Israel. Radical changes also happened in Sweden, where Israel was so popular in the 1960s that it was a preferred destination for thousands of volunteers to kibbutzim and for decades to come. Last year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Sweden is "not a noted friend of Israel" after its foreign minister, Margot Wallstrom, blamed Israel for "executing" Palestinians who tried to kill Israelis and accused Israel of motivating terrorist attacks in Europe. Kohn traces the change in attitude on Israel primarily to how "Israeli governments were dragging their feet" in reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians, he said. Kohn advocates applying equal pressure on Israel and the Palestinians to make peace, but in Norway Israel is "not perceived as having done what they could to fulfill the Palestinian national aspirations," he added. Across Western Europe, activists critical of Israel have called the Jewish state on its treatment of Palestinians, including in exhibitions held in churches about the detention of children, alleged torture and the slaying of civilians during rounds of fighting with Palestinian and other terrorist groups. But the Dutch chief rabbi, Binyomin Jacobs, who was 18 in 1967, sees the changing attitudes to Israel as owing also to demographic changes inside Western Europe that have little to do with Israel. The increase in anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment in Western Europe cannot be understood, Jacobs argued, without taking into account the arrival there since the 1970s of millions of Muslim Arabs and Turks. "The people who riot at anti-Israel rallies, who throw firebombs on houses with Israeli flags, who chant 'Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas' on the street, they do not act out of frustration with this or that policy," he told JTA. "They are often immigrants from Muslim countries where anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitism is just a normal part of upbringing." In 2014, demonstrators at an anti-Israel demonstration in Belgium shouted about killing Jews in Antwerp. The Hague in the Netherlands, France, Germany and many other places saw other anti-Israel events. That year, as Israel was fighting Hamas in Gaza, a woman who flew an Israeli flag in her Amsterdam home had firebombs hurled at her balcony. Nine synagogues in France were also attacked during hostilities. While public attitudes toward Israel have soured in Western Europe, they have improved beyond recognition in the formerly communist east, according to Jehoshua Raskin, a Chabad rabbi who works in Russia and was born in 1948 in Nizhny Novgorod east of Moscow. Raskin and his mother were called traitors by KGB officers who threatened to have them jailed in 1967 over the Raskins' request to leave Russia for Israel. "Now Israel, which was demonized during communism as an archenemy of 'our Arab brothers' and as a capitalist villain, is synonymous with success in Russia," said Raskin, who was 18 when the war hit. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated 25 years of diplomatic relations at a a festive event at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Upon his arrival in the Russian capital, Netanyahu was greeted with a red carpet and marching band. His wife, Sara, was given pink flowers. "We have a solid foundation of trust and understanding to rely on as we make plans for the future," Putin said during the visit. Under Putin, "Jewish communities that once distanced themselves from anything Israeli to stay safe are now celebrating cultural events with Israeli flags," said Chaim Chesler, founder of Limmud FSU, a Jewish educational group that has been working in the former Soviet Union since 1992. Soviet hostility to Israel also has made Israel popular with enemies of Russia across Eastern Europe, Chesler said. The same applies to Finland, added Gideon Bolotowsky, a former leader of that country's Jewish community. Widespread sympathy for Israel exists to this day in Finland, he added, where pro-Israel rallies organized by Christian supporters of the Jewish state typically dwarf anti-Israel events. "You have to remember that in comparison to other European countries, Finland has very few Muslims," Bolotowsky noted. (According to a U.S. State Department report from 2016, Finland has 65,000 Muslims, constituting about 1 percent of the population). In Western European countries with larger Muslim populations, hostility toward Israel is being adopted increasingly by politicians seeking Muslim votes. In the Netherlands, the general elections in March saw a radical pro-Islam party win parliament representation for the first time. The party, DENK, supports a blanket boycott of the Jewish state, and its leader last year refused to shake Netanyahu's hand during a visit to the Hague. And in France, the current leader of the Socialist Party, Benoit Hamon, spoke with surprising candor about the need to factor in Muslim sensibilities in devising a policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a 2014 interview, Hamon said that supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state was the Socialists' "best way to recuperate our electorate in the suburbs and the neighborhoods"-code for Muslim voters-"who did not support the pro-Israeli position taken by President Francois Hollande." In Sweden, Israel was popular in '67 because it was perceived as the underdog, according to George Braun, the leader of the Jewish community of Gothenburg. "Then, when Israel emerged as a powerful and robust entity, the Palestinians took on that role," he said. Additionally, "the media in Sweden have become biased against Israel." Yet Braun says he does not miss the days when Israel was more popular in Sweden. "It was nice to have everyone on your side, of course," he said, "but I prefer a heavily criticized Israel that is strong and viable than a weak and uncertain one that is universally loved." By any standards, it was an extraordinary week for U.S.-Israel relationsand that was before President Donald Trump even arrived in Israel for his official visit. It began with what sounded like a brawl between American and Israeli officials laying the groundwork for Trumps May 22-23 visit. Irritated by an Israeli request that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accompany Trump on his visit to the Western Wall in Jerusaleman image that would send the unmistakable signal that the new U.S. administration regards a united Jerusalem as Israels eternal capitalDavid Berns, a political counselor at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, reportedly responded that the Jewish holy site is in fact part of the West Bank. The Israelis were stunned and said as much to the White House; by the end of the day, the White House had clarified Bernss comment did not reflect the position of the administration on Jerusalems status. But what is the position of the administration? At a press briefing on Trumps itinerary in Israel, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster was askedtwicewhether he regarded the Western Wall as part of Israel. McMaster declined to answer the question by describing it as a policy decision. In the same briefing, McMaster confirmed that no Israeli leaders would accompany Trump at the Western Wall, encouraging speculation that the U.S. doesnt recognize Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem. McMaster revealed Trump would visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust remembrance center and made no mention of Trumps much-anticipated speech at the ancient Jewish fortress of Masada, which was ultimately scrapped by the Trump team, reportedly due to logistical and weather challenges. How, then, did this high-profile spat between longtime allies not dominate this weeks headlines around the world? Its because this week was also, by any standard, an extraordinary one for U.S. politics in general. With all the flair of a political thriller, and just hours after McMasters comment, Israel suddenly found itself inserted into a story that was tearing its way across the networks, as The New York Times revealed that the deeply sensitive intelligence Trump is said to have shared with Russian officials had originally been supplied by the Israelis. Then came the revelation that James Comey, the FBI chief fired by Trump, had written up the notes of a meeting in which Trump reportedly asked him to drop the investigation into the contacts between former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and the Russian governmentthe very issue behind Flynns rapid departure from the White House. The cumulative effect of all this for the Trump administration is terrible, on fronts both foreign and domestic. It suggests, especially to Europeans, that all their worst fears about his presidency are coming true, and that the man who roasted Hillary Clinton over her email server is even more careless and indiscreet now that hes in office. This is not the message Trump should be sending to a continent where public distaste for military action is already widespread and entrenched, particularly when he is simultaneously asking NATO member states to increase their budgetary contributions. Much the same argument could be made in the context of Japan and South Korea, both stalwart allies currently living under the shadow of the North Korean threat, who are nevertheless deeply nervous about Trumps ability to handle Kim Jong-un. It might even extend to Israel, whose government seems unable to grasp what Trumps policy agenda actually is, and whose intelligence services are likely thinking about how to present important intelligence to the Americans in the futurein a sufficiently Trump-proof manner. But this shouldnt lead us to conclude the U.S.-Israel relationship will end up as one more casualty of Trumps unprecedented presidency. There is a natural tendency among political journalists to concentrate on the policy flips and hyperbolic statements that make politics so compelling, rather than upon the duller consistencies that make our democratic system more or less reliable. From the latter vantage point, there are some key points worth emphasizing about current American-Israeli ties. First, Trump isnt the first president to have waded into a disagreement with Israel. One can think of numerous clashes during the last 50 years, from Ronald Reagan to Bill Clinton to Barack Obama, which the relationship has readily survived. Second, its clear there are a variety of voices within the administration speaking on this issue, with U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Ambassador to Israel David Friedman following up McMasters remarks with assurances that, in their view, the Western Wall belongs to Israel. This heightens the insecurity that only Trump knows what he is really thinking (and rethinking), and we should not expect this to change while hes in office. Third, it should be remembered that many on the political right in Israel made the mistake of taking Trumps campaign rhetoric at face value. They might not have been as shocked by this weeks events had they not suffered from these delusions in the first place. Fourth, does anyone doubt that Trump, once in Israel, will use his showmanship to publicly soothe the rattled bilateral relationship? That his immediate goal is to leave the Israelis asking themselves what they were worried about? For as long as Trump is consumed by his domestic crisis, it is unlikely a final deal between the Palestinians and Israel will remain anything more than a lofty ambition. But Trumps crisis doesnt change the fact that there is a realignment in the region between Israel and the Arab statesand potentially the Palestiniansbased on shared interests, from economic development to confronting the Iranian threat. These opportunities really do form the basis for a meaningful peace processone, moreover, that wont depend on the fate of a single president. Ben Cohen writes a weekly column for JNS.org on Jewish affairs and Middle Eastern politics. His writings have been published in Commentary, the New York Post, Haaretz, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications. A militant attack on residential quarters of the town of Maryinka on Donetsk region with the use of mortars proves that leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic ("DPR") are interested in further escalation, the Ukrainian members of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire in Donbas have said. The residential areas of this town came under enemy fire amid an attack on the Ukrainian army's positions in Maryinka at about 17:00 local time on Friday, June 2, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters quoted the Ukrainian representatives on Facebook as saying. "Illegal armed formations shelled homes of local residents from 82mm mortars banned by the Minsk accords. One shell hit a house on Prokofieva Street, causing shrapnel wounds of a 20-year-old woman and 71-year-old man. Both were taken to Kurakhivska hospital. Doctors say their condition is satisfactory," it said. Monitors from the Ukrainian team of the JCCC are now working on the site. Information about other victims and destruction of buildings is being verified. "The Ukrainian side condemns the illegal armed forces' use of the proscribed weapons in populated areas, which jeopardizes civilians' life and health. Such actions by "DPR" chiefs show they are interested in further aggravation of the conflict, prove their unwillingness to observe the ceasefire and deliberate failure to comply with the Minsk accords," the Ukrainian members of the JCCC said. This domain has expired. If you owned this domain, contact your domain registration service provider for further assistance. If you need help identifying your provider, visit https://www.tucowsdomains.com/ In the letter sent to the Chamber, President Trump stressed the importance of relationship between the United States and Ukraine and pointed out that the two countries stand together as partners in Ukraine's efforts to strengthen democratic governance, root out corruption, and attract foreign investment. I recognize the dedication of all who have made the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine such a success. Thank you for your role in promoting our shared vision of a free, peaceful, and prosperous Ukraine, Donald J. Trump wrote. For a quarter of a century, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine drives actionable dialogue between business and Government, creates opportunities for business to business partnerships and promotes Ukraine internationally as an attractive investment destination. Your hard work strengthens our countries' economic partnership and directly contributes to the prosperity of both the United States and Ukraine, President Trump highlighted. The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine for 25 years has been the voice of business represents the leading investors in Ukraine. We are very grateful to the President Trump for his appreciation of our activities. We will continue working to improve the business climate and attract foreign investment."- commented Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine. The full text of congratulations is available here: http://www.chamber.ua/Media/News/7367 Bollywood actor Richa Chadha, best known for her roles in films such as Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) and Masaan (2015), will soon be seen in an international film, Love Sonia. However, even before the release of the film, Chadha is already gearing up for her second international project - a documentary on sustainable living in todays modern cities. The documentary is set to be produced by AUM Films - the production house that made the environment conservation-oriented documentary, Cowspiracy (2014), in collaboration with actor Leonardo DiCaprio. The upcoming documentary will be narrated in Chadhas voice. The Bollywood actor also plans to help with the research for the same. Talking about the new opportunity, Chadha said in a press statement, I have always been a person who believes in going green. Farmers suicides have claimed more lives than terror attacks in the past decade. The cost of food grains has increased manifolds. We must address the problem of sustainability and climate change. I am always happy to collaborate on issues that affect the environment and our well-being as the human race. Follow @htshowbiz for more Sonakshi Sinha has always been a happy, carefree girl, even when she was a kid. With those chubby cheeks and innocent looks, Sona has definitely acquired beautiful genes from her parentsveteran actor Shatrughan Sinha and Poonam Sinha. Sharing throwback photos from her childhood days, the actor has often credited her mom for dressing her in the cutest possible way and no doubt, the style remains with the actor even today, when shes one of the most sought-after heroines in town. It wont be wrong to say that Sonakshi is among those very female actors who knew how to flaunt her baby fat without any inhibitions. As Sonakshi turns 30 today, heres looking out some of the cutest childhood photos of the actor, its evident that Sonakshi shares the closest bond with her parents and twin brothersLuv and Kush Sinha. Whether its a family portrait or posing with her father, Sonakshis photos from her early days will take you down the memory lane. Take a look. Heres wishing the girl with a I-am-sexy-and-I-know-it attitude, a very happy birthday. Some things just dont change #cheeks #BlastFromThePast found these on set.. Hehehe A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona) on Feb 17, 2014 at 3:03am PST #throwbackthursday i love how my mom has dressed me up like her #family #love A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona) on May 5, 2016 at 3:10am PDT #ThrowbackThursday or lets just say throw wayyyyy way back! #love #family #daddysgirl A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona) on May 21, 2015 at 12:01am PDT Look what i found!!!!! (Mental note: must ask mother about this disaster frock and fringe) #smallsona #love #family #throwback #memories A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona) on Feb 1, 2015 at 2:58am PST Somebody posted the cutest picture of us today!! Its apparently a really old postcard... I love it. Just to be clear - that sleeping beauty is me. A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona) on May 7, 2014 at 7:25am PDT Follow @htshowbiz for more Did Irrfan Khan always want to become an actor? Not really! That realisation came in much later in life, he shares. I wanted to become a sportsman. There were some limitations and I couldnt get the support that I needed in my career. You cannot do it on your own. That was the time when I discovered that this (acting) was a very interesting field, says Irrfan. Ask him if his family supported his decision to become an actor, and the 50-year-old actor shares, They never thought I would become an actor. We were not allowed to [do these things]. We were traditional feudal family, so there was no question of me becoming an actor. But sometimes my mother thinks that I should go back to Jaipur and do something with the family. She misses me. A father to two sons (Ayaan and Babil), actor Irrfan Khan, however, encourages his kids to follow their dreams and be whatever they want to when they grow up. He is a strong believer of the role of education in a childs life. His latest film, Hindi Medium alongside Pakistani actor Saba Qamar also sheds light on the facilities for underprivileged children in the field of education. So, it felt like an extension of his philosophy, when he associated with HT Paathshala an educational initiative to help underprivileged children get the right kind of education. Excerpts, from a chat with the 50-year-old. Tell us about your association with HT Paathshala I got to know about this initiative, and its nice to see the use of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) fund. I wish success to this initiative. As a father yourself, what do you have to say about the education your sons are getting? I just push them in the direction of things that interest them. I dont want to put conditions in front of them or expect a particular result. They should be interested in what they are doing. I do keep a check. I know that my kids would not like to by-heart a thing. There are systems where you dont need to do that, where you dont learn a lesson and replicate it. Whats your take on the education system in schools these days? Are you satisfied with it? There are different systems of education that are operating. Some, where there is no practical knowledge imparted to the children. The education is not according to their age. I dont think weve explored much in this area. The intention of education should be to flourish the personality. A kid should be able to explore his talent and interests, and get introduced to subjects practically. This growing [up] age is a very tricky phase. The education system should have a proper understanding at what age which subject should be introduced. Actor Irrfan Khan says kids should be able to explore their talent and interests, and get introduced to subjects practically. (Raajessh Kashyap/HT) Your latest film, Hindi Medium, also spreads the message of education for all. What made you sign the project? This film is special to me. The subject and the way it was narrated convinced me to come on board. I was looking to do a comedy which parents and kids can watch together. Its a very entertaining film. You shot the film in Delhi. How was the experience? I love Delhi. I have been educated there and I am really fond of the city. We were here for one and a half months. Very few people know that you and your wife Sutapa Sikdar have worked together. Tell us about that experience. There was this one time when I was doing a series and she was writing it. I had to direct it. It was an amazing experience. We used to have arguments, but it was very productive as well. When you are working as a professional, you argue if you have differences. You have been part of the Hindi film industry for almost three decades now. Has the way you choose your projects changed over the years? It hasnt changed at all. I used to choose projects based on my instinct and that is what I do till now. I havent found a hit formula to choose a movie. Something happens to you when you read a script, thats my criteria. Follow @htshowbiz for more He has just finished shooting the Sanjay Dutt-starrer Bhoomi, and filmmaker Omung Kumar seems to have already decided on his next film. The man who is known for directing biopics like Mary Kom and Sarabjit will be making a biopic yet again. As per reports, Kareena Kapoor Khan might be a part of the film, and Omung has already approached the actor. If Kareena gives her nod to the film then this will be the first biopic of her career. Kareena is currently prepping up for her comeback film, Shashanka Ghoshs Veere Di Wedding, which also stars Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhaskar. Till Veere Di Wedding goes on the floor, Kareena is reading scripts and says that she is open to interesting offers. Omung Kumar is looking forward to the release of his next directorial, Bhoomi starring Sanjay Dutt. Omung, who was always keen on working with Kareena, will soon meet the actor for a narration. Omung has wanted to work with Kareena for quite some time and he has finally found the right script for her. Its a biopic and the actress and filmmaker will soon sit for a round of narrations. Then Bebo will take a call on the film, DNA quoted a source as saying. When HT contacted Omung about the film, he was not available for a comment. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Sunny Leone said Priyanka Chopras online trolling, over her dress during her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Germany, was unfair. Priyanka had recently met Modi in Berlin and shared a picture on her social media account. The actor, however, faced criticism from certain sections, who objected to her short dress and slammed her for not being appropriately dressed for the meeting. Leone said if Modi had a problem with it, he wouldve expressed the same. We have elected a very smart man to be the prime minister of this country... If he had a problem with it he wouldve said something. But he didnt and I dont think anybody has the right to troll, she told reporters. The Jism 2 actor said Priyanka is a smart woman who does a lot for the society. Theres enough hate, we should love each other more and not be mean. I know she (Priyanka) gives back to the society, she is good to people. Lets judge her based on her actions and not her clothes. Sunny Leone during the launch of newest vegetarian campaign of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in Mumbai on June 1, 2017. (IANS) Leone was speaking at an event of PETA last evening. After the criticism, Priyanka took potshots at trolls with a cheeky photo on her Instagram page. In the photo, the 34-year-old actress was seen flaunting her legs in a high-slit denim dress, along with her mother Madhu, who was seen in a black top and mini skirt. Today, June 2, is the birthday of filmmaker Mani Ratnam. Ratnam is a name much revered in the industry and his films have an aspirational value for actors. His real name is Gopala Ratnam Subramaniam, and besides his adept directorial skills, hes known for his screenwriting, and production abilities, too. He predominantly worked in Tamil cinema yet some of his works (in both regional and Hindi cinema) have left an indelible mark on the way we visualise narratives and storytelling, today. The film industry has been wishing him a very happy birthday on social media, too. Happy happiest birthday to the bestest ever... to a 100 more birthdays,movies and golf! my favouritestest #manisir #Maniratnam pic.twitter.com/R0b4FBut9j Aditi Rao Hydari (@aditiraohydari) June 2, 2017 Meanwhile, we bring you a list of five of his films that every movie lover ought to watch/ re-watch: 1. Roja (1992) A scene from Roja. The film is romantic thriller about Rishi (actor Arvind Swamy), who works with RAW, gets kidnapped and his wife Roja (actor Madhoo) tries to rescue her husband. The film won three National Awards, including for Best Film on National Integration, has been written and directed by Mani Ratnam. It was released in Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam and Telugu languages. Not many know that actor Karisma Kapoor was offered the role of a Kashmiri girl in this iconic film, which she supposedly turned down because she didnt want to do a supporting role. 2. Bombay (1995) A still from Bombay. A Hindu boy (Arvind Swamy) and a Muslim girl (Manisha Koirala) fall in love in a small village of India and move to Mumbai, to live happily ever after. But do they live happily? The growing religious tension in their contemporary society and consequent riots and bomb blasts lend a realistic angle to the rosy picture that Ratnam paints and erases himself. For this one, Ratnam reportedly based the script on true events that occurred between December 1992 to January 1993. 3. Dil Se... (1998) Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha Koiraal in Dil Se. That climax scene where the boy (Shah Rukh Khan) hugs his love interest (Manisha Koirala) and the two explode with bomb, is one of the most powerful scenes of the film. Not to forget that Dil Ses songs are a still a hit. Anyone in mood for Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya? 4. Yuva (2004) Actors Ajay Devgn and Vivek Oberoi in Yuva. Ratnam gave love-stories a realistic backdrop of the political tension and ideologies that youngsters often find themselves involved in. The film boasts a multi-starrer cast (actors Abhishek Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Vivek Oberoi). The three leading men, from different strata of society, meet and change each others lives. Its said that actor Shah Rukh Khan was offered Ajay Devgns role, initially. 5. Guru (2007) Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Guru. The recent news that Mani Ratnam has signed actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for his next has been doing rounds. But remember the film where he cast the actor before she added Bachchan to her name? This film was loosely based on the life of industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani (founder of Reliance Industries). Its a known fact that on 14 January 2007, two days after the film was released, the engagement of its lead actors, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, was announced. They were married on 20 April 2007. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bollywood actor Geeta Kapoor, who was abandoned by her son at a hospital more than a month ago, has been shifted to an old home. She is best known for her roles in Pakeezah and Razia Sultan. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, who has also paid Geetas hospital bills, helped Geeta shift to Jeevan Asha old age home in Mumbai on Thursday. He tweeted about the development and wrote, Relieved after #GeetaKapoor ji is shifted to #JeevanAsha old age home, Andheri (W). She is smiling & soon will be absolutely fine. Thanku #DrTripathi, #JeevanAshaOldAgeHome & @RameshTaurani ji for all ur support for #GeetaKapoor ji. Well together, get her dignity back. Relieved after #GeetaKapoor ji is shifted to #JeevanAsha old age home, Andheri (W). She is smiling & soon will be absolutely fine. pic.twitter.com/sAUClhlbaz Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) June 1, 2017 Pandit told ANI, Shifting Geetaji to a very dignified old age home. A mother being abandoned by son is the biggest crime. On April 21, her son brought the 58-year-old to SRV Hospital in Mumbais Goregaon to treat her fluctuating blood pressure. He left the hospital on the pretext of withdrawing money from an ATM and never returned. So many media people have visited. It has left her a little scared. She starts crying and the ward gets disturbed. She feels that people come to meet her, yet no one is taking her home, Dr Dipendra Tripathi, intensivist, SRV hospital told PTI. The doctor says when she came to the hospital, she was bedridden and hadnt even eaten proper food, her BP was a problem and even her mental condition wasnt good, so we had arranged for a psychiatrist. Even now, Tripathi says, the actor believes that her son is going to come back for her. She was there when he left her. So thats all she remembers and says, he is going to come back with money. Its a very tragic story... The most surprising thing is that despite the media attention, not a single relative has turned up. Follow @htshowbiz for more Police have registered a case against veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor for allegedly cutting down more branches of trees than permitted by the civic authority. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had filed a complaint against Kapoor for chopping off six branches that were coming in the way of construction work at his Pali Hill bungalow in suburban Bandra, police said today. Actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh arrive in Jaipur. (IANS) Kapoor had obtained permission for cutting six branches but it was found that more were felled, said Ramchandra Jadhav, Senior Police Inspector of Khar Police Station. Police had initially registered a non-cognizable (NC) offence against the actor, he said. Now, a case has been registered against Kapoor under the Preservation of Trees Act, the official said, adding a probe was on. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Richa Chadha turned producer for Punjabi short film Khoon Aali Chithi, and now for her next, she is keen on finalising a director whos new and has a fresh take on filmmaking. The actor-turned-producer now wants to focus completely on digital content, and is looking for a film school student or an aspiring director. I believe that every individual should get a chance to prove their talent. Everyone cant have a godfather to launch them. So if we need good quality content, we need to explore and fetch it. Young filmmakers and their vision today is giving a brand new perspective to cinema. I believe encouraging and giving them a chance at this level would go a long way for them and would benefit our film industry as well, says Richa, who was last seen on the silver screen in the film Sarbjit (2016). The Delhi actor, who made her Bollywood debut with Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008) went on to be part of hit films such as Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), Fukrey (2013) and Masaan (2015). Richa comes from a non-film background and understands how difficult it is to break into Bollywood without a mentor or a godfather. She, along with her team, is currently working to zero in on one such a director who will get the opportunity to make his debut under her banner, says a source. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON June 1, 2017, the EFCA General Assembly decided to affiliate Interstate Consultants Engineers Guild to EFCA. It was during the annual conference of European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations, which is being held in Copenhagen (Denmark) these days. According to the ICEG President Oleksandr Nepomnyashchyy, Guild representation in the activities of EFCA will significantly able to simplify the process of establishing horizontal linkages between national engineering and consulting companies and European counterparts. It will allow to gain a new experience in providing engineering and consulting services and practical application of standard forms of contracts.Oleksandr Nepomnyashchyy, the President of ICEG European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (EFCA) is a non-governmental and non-profit organization, which is the sole association representing professional engineering consultancy and related services in Europe. Engineering consultancies provide ?150 billion engineering consulting services per year for about ?1,300 billion investments in buildings, infrastructure and industrial complexes. EFCA is the representative of FIDIC in Europe and unites 29 professional national associations of European Unions countries. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was joined by leading ladies Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt at the official IIFA press conference on Thursday. Salman Khan (C) Katrina Kaif (R) and Alia Bhatt (L) give a press conference on the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA), in Mumbai. (AFP) Additionally, encapsulating IIFAs aim to build bridges across cinemas, businesses, communities and nations, creating everyones dream: One People. One World, a LIVE Video Conference with five cities globally- New York, London, Dubai, Chicago and Houston was also held post the press conference. When Katrina was speaking about her performance for the award night, the Dabangg Khan interrupted, saying, But you dont have to worry anything about her. I think she is one of the best dancers we have in the industry. Then looking at Alia, who also joined them for the conference, he added, Theres a tie going on between them (Katrina-Alia). Salman Khan (L) and Katrina Kaif give a press conference on the International Indian Film Academy Awards in Mumbai on June 1. (AFP) To which the 24-year-old actress said, Please, I am terrible. I am just cute. You cant be worse than me and I am not even cute, replied Salman. On that note, Alia, who has been nominated in the Best Actress category for Udta Punjab and Dear Zindagi, is super excited about her debut performance and cant wait to go and hit the floors . I have already started preparing. I am even going to be dancing in my sleep. I cant wait to go there and perform for the people. Thats the best feeling ever, she said. Speaking about her debut performance at IIFA, Alia shared, I am very excited to be a part of IIFA 2017 as this is going to be my debut at the IIFA Awards after five years in the industry. I am super excited that IIFA is being held in the beautiful city of New York. IIFA is all about togetherness and the celebration of the Indian cinema globally and I eagerly look forward to this celebration. Bollywood actors Salman Khan (C) Katrina Kaif (R) and Alia Bhatt (L) give a press conference on the International Indian Film Academy Awards. (AFP) On the other hand, the Baar Baar Dekho actress, who is a veteran on the IIFA stage, without spilling the beans about her performance said, I am hoping it will be something memorable. It is such a great platform that not only showcases the celebration of cinema globally, but also its a great opportunity for us to reach out to our fans worldwide. I am excited that this year, it is happening in one of my favorite cities - New York!, she said. Bollywood actors Salman Khan (L) and Katrina Kaif give a press conference on the International Indian Film Academy Awards. (AFP) However, the Sultan stars comment on his performance was the best, No idea. Only after I am done with the performance, I might have an idea of what I have done on stage. This year, IIFA Rocks will celebrate 25 years of A. R. Rahman in the industry. The show is set to feature a never seen before medley of musicians that includes Diljit Dosanjh, Benny Dayal, Javed Ali, Neeti Mohan, Jonita Gandhi and Haricharan Seshadri. IIFA Rocks will be hosted by Riteish Deshmukh and Manish Paul. The award night will witness stunning performances from Bollywood megastars such as Salman, Alia, Katrina, Shahid Kapoor, Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon, to name a few. The host for big night is the talented Karan Johar. Set to be held at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York July 14-15, the two-day IIFA festival will see a congregation of film celebrities. The event will be aired on July 16, on Katrinas birthday. Follow @htshowbiz for more Just days after Fitch downgraded Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications (RCom) saying loan default is a real possibility, lenders will meet on Friday to discuss restructuring proposals for the debt-ridden firm. The restructuring proposals could look at all available recast tools like corporate debt restructuring (CDR), strategic debt restructuring (SDR) and Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A), said one banker on condition of anonymity. Under SDR, banks have the ability to convert part of their debt in a stressed company to 51% equity, allowing them to take operational control and sell the company to a suitable buyer. Under S4A, banks can break up the debt into sustainable and unsustainable halves, allowing deep restructuring in the latter, while the former continues to be serviced. The latest action by Fitch comes on the heels of a downgrade by other rating agencies such as Moodys Investors Services, ICRA and CARE, and is expected to add to financial woes of the telecom firm that is straddled with Rs 44,000 crore net debt. RCom stock has been battered over the last few days amid doubts over the telecom operators loan repayment capability. RCom, however, has been trying to assure investors and lenders that it would repay Rs 25,000 crore before September 30 this year, after the sale of its tower business (to Canadas Brookfield) and merger of its wireless business with Aircel. The telco said that it would get Rs 11,000 crore from the tower assets sale. The deal with Aircel would transfer Rs14,000 crore debt to the merged company. The company, last week, had reported its first annual loss since its inception of Rs 1,283 crore for fiscal ended March 2017, against a net profit of Rs 660 crore in 2015-16. Its loss during March quarter stood at Rs 948 crore compared to a net profit of Rs 79 crore in year-ago period, hurt by the intense price war unleashed by newcomer Reliance Jio, owned by elder brother and Indias richest man Mukesh Ambani. (With inputs from Livemint) West Bengal and a few other Opposition-ruled states plan to defer the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by at least two months, citing discrepancies in the tax structure and non-framing of rules. Opposition parties expressed their intention a day after finance minister Arun Jaitley revealed that the government will implement the new tax regime from July 1. The demand will be raised at the GST council meeting on Saturday. The ruling Trinamool Congress party in the eastern state believes that the GST must not be rolled out before September, and the other Opposition parties agree. Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra contacted many Opposition leaders to garner support for a delay. There are genuine concerns, said a senior Congress strategist. There has been hectic lobbying by states and industry bodies for concessions ever since the tax rates for most goods and services were fixed. This spurred Jaitley to say that using media propaganda for getting rates varied will not have a significant impact on the councils decision. News agency PTI quoted revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia as saying that there was scope for rationalising tax rates because the governments intention was to increase revenue without hiking tax rates. I am very annoyed. I have already asked the state chief secretary to send a strong letter to the Union finance ministry elaborating on our objections to accepting the GST in its present form, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said at a district-level meeting in her state. The Opposition wants changes in the tax structure of some goods. According to the current proposal, wigs will attract 5% tax. However, any value-addition to the wigs will attract 28% tax. Is this rational? a Congress leader asked. Mitra, for his part, said the West Bengal government was not alone in objecting to the GST in its present form. Many industrial sectors such as manufacturing and services have also raised serious objections, he added. The Opposition will also demand rate concessions on single-screen theatres, vernacular movies and shoes priced below Rs 500 because these categories have a potential for employment generation. I will highlight that there are major objections from different sectors to the June 1 rollout of the GST. The services sector is against it, Mitra said. The 15th council meeting on June 3 will give finishing touches to the GST by finalising rates on shoes, beedis, jewellery and biscuits. The participants are also expected to discuss the transition rules. Debt-laden Reliance Communications today said its lenders have agreed to a strategic restructuring plan under which it will get a 7-month standstill to service loans amounting to Rs 45,000 crore. In a damage control mode following credit rating downgrades, RCom chairman Anil Ambani held a press conference to announce that the debt burden will be reduced to Rs 20,000 crore with two deals by September, before the December deadline given by the lenders at a meeting with them earlier in the day. Besides, he said, RCom will consider strategic sale of global business to further pare debt. Our plans have been accepted by the lenders and they have constituted a joint lender forum (JLF). Reliance Communications, under the provision (SDR), will receive a standstill on serving debt obligations for period of 7 months, that is, till December 2017, Ambani told reporters here. He said lenders took note of the substantial progress the company has made on the strategic transformation programme, especially the creation of the new, independent wireless company, Aircom, focussed on India, the agreements signed with Aircel and also the Reliance Infratel stake sale to Brookefield of Canada. Both the transactions, we believe, will lead to a reduction of Rs 25,000 crore of debt, which is 60% by just two transactions, he said. He said both the domestic as well foreign lenders have accepted the companys plans. When asked about the remaining debt of RS 20,000 crore, Ambani said the company will look at strategic sale of its global business. A $13 billion takeover by Russian oil major Rosneft of Indias Essar Oil should close this month after delays caused by debts to Indian lenders, the head of State Bank of India (SBI) said on Friday, adding she had more or less approved the deal. There is a very real possibility this deal will close shortly and we expect to see this happening very soon, Arundhati Bhattacharya, the chairman of Indias largest bank by assets told Reuters on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Asked to qualify the timing, Bhattacharya said: This month, soon... absolutely. Russian state oil firm Rosneft has struggled to close the acquisition because of debts owed by Essar to several Indian banks. Rosneft had wanted to finalise the deal in early June at the St Petersburg forum, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending. Bhattacharya said SBI had more or less approved the takeover but a few things still needed to be straightened out. There are a few small issues that are still getting resolved, for instance, some of the exposures we had to other units (of Essar) and resolution of things such as certain securities we hold, but small ones, Bhattacharya said, adding she had been in contact with the Ruia family which owns Essar. A set of conditions have been given by the lenders and (Ruias) are trying to fulfil those conditions as quickly as possible to get the deal done, she added, declining to quantify SBIs exposure to the company. Elon Musk would arguably be the most anxious man in the world right now. His single-handed efforts to save the planet (even Apple top brass are saying so) are meeting constant hurdles in whatever sci-fi ventures hes headed till date -- SpaceX mission to reuse space rockets and civilise planet Mars, to connect brains with artificial intelligence technology using Neuralink, to benefit humans from artificial intelligence by developing technologies with OpenAI and speeding eco-friendly transportation across the world via Tesla Motors and Hyperloop. So on Thursday when Donald Trump pulled US out of the Paris climate summit deal, Musk vacated his seat at the presidents advisory table. Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 Rober Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, soon followed the suit. As a matter of principle, I've resigned from the President's Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal. Robert Iger (@RobertIger) June 1, 2017 The Paris Accord is the worlds first comprehensive climate agreement, signed in November 2016 by 195 members of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to mitigate greenhouse emissions and bring down global warming. Donald Trump has repeatedly tweeted from frozen corners of the US since 2013-14, saying Global warming is a total, and very expensive, hoax! and I believe in clean air. Immaculate air.... But I dont believe in climate change. But Musks views on cleaner energy and minimal emissions are a complete contrast, along with a hundred million other Americans who may or may not have voted Trump to power. Stakes for Tesla are at an all-time high as its first electric car for the masses -- the Model 3 -- goes to production and then sale in the second half of 2017. Another highly anticipated product from the Tesla stable, Solar Roof, was launched last month and well received. Both these products, unlike his other ventures such as SpaceX, Neuralink and OpenAI, are targetted at the middle class Americans. And Musk knows that not speaking up now may hurt the Tesla books as it did when Trump entered White House in late January. When Musk became one of the 18 business leaders to join Trumps chief business advisory council, known as the Strategic and Policy Forum, many Americans cancelled their Tesla Model 3 bookings, citing Musks connections with the Donald. Though a few cancellations in more than 4,00,000 registrations may not matter much, the bad press it attracts does. Elon also has other reasons to worry. His mass-market Model 3, expected to go to production in July, has already begun cannibalising sales of the more premium Model S. Both Tesla and a worried Musk have repeatedly pitched the Model S as a superior make, in an attempt to arrest the fall of sales month after month. Supporting or silence over Trumps controversial and widely criticised move will only damage Tesla and Musk. In an investor call last month, Tesla said it has enough cash as Model 3 goes to production. In 2016, Tesla sold 76,230 electric cars, missing its target of at least 80,000 vehicles, while GM and Ford sold 10 million and 6.7 million cars respectively. Yet, Tesla has already surpassed Ford and General Motors market capitalisation, even triggering debates about whether Detroit or Silicon Valley will lead the industry in future. All eyes are on Musks Model 3 meeting its sale deadline, and whether it can meet the annual production estimate of 500,000 cars in next year. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON When he was 18 years old, Surajpur resident Manuj Jindal, now 30, was asked to leave the National Defence Academy (NDA) due to a back injury. The rejection that came quite early in his life only steeled his resolve to find another way to serve his country. On Thursday, 12 years later, he secured the 53rd rank in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination 2017 and is now a step closer to fulfilling his dream of becoming an IAS officer. In those 12 years, Manuj also acquired a bachelors degree from a reputed US university, worked in a foreign firm and even took the UPSC exam 2016, in which he scored a low rank. In 2016, my rank was in the 600s and I was put in the reserve category. Then I got placed with India Post and telecom finance services and I have been working there. But IAS was always my dream, Manuj said. Born and brought up in Greater Noida, Manuj comes from a humble family of five. His his father is a retired bank manager and mother a homemaker. Manujs younger brother is an entrepreneur, while the youngest sibling is a student. After being rejected by the NDA, Manuj managed to receive a scholarship to the University of Virginia, US, where he pursued a bachelors degree in commerce. I returned from the US in 2010 and got hired by Barclays, a wealth management firm, where I worked for four years. I used the money I received from my work to pay off my student loans, he said. It took him two years to start the preparation of the civil services exam. Like other IAS aspirants, he slogged for eight hours a day to cover the vast syllabus. He has a unique tip for prospective candidates. Avoid being on social media when you are preparing for the exams. I deleted my Facebook and WhatsApp accounts and cut all ties with my friends. That ended up making them angry, but I am sure that they will understand me, Manuj said. His father Thansain Jindal could barely contain his happiness over his sons success. He always had the potential to make it big. He had worked hard for the exams and, today, we are happy that he has secured a good rank, Jindal said. Asked why he opted for IAS, Manuj said, The IAS is a unique and noble profession because it comes with a responsibility to serve society. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON I dont know if you ever read Roger Rosenblatts essay in Time magazine in the early eighties: the air-crash over Washington, the rescue helicopter picking up survivors and, in the freezing water, the man who each time offers the lifeline to someone else, you go first. By the time its his turn, hes gone under. That era is over. We now live in an age of spectacle, of Twitter stars and troll slayers. Where we judge people by the number of their followers or Facebook likes. We live also in an age where what we eat can, and does, become a matter of life and death. Where we justify the use of our citizens as human shields in the name of expediency. The head of an online travel business says hed rather not be a Hindu if Hinduism takes away right to choice of food, and theres a call on social media to boycott his business. An actor speaks of his wifes fear of rising intolerance, and this is followed by a withdrawal of advertising endorsements. Speaking up has consequences and, so, in the din of divisive discourse that makes way for majoritarian force, the solitary voice is now hard to hear. Perhaps thats why, when we do find it, we cling to that increasingly rare lone voice seeking in it meaning and coherence in our lives. When Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandez spoke up in 2011 in Mumbai against the lewd comments directed at a woman friend, they paid for it with their lives. But in their deaths we find not just decency but exemplary courage to live by a moral principle. Last week the cost of speaking up once again proved too high when two men, strangers to each other, spoke up against a racist rant on a commuter train in the US. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche and Rick Best died after being stabbed by a man yelling anti-Muslim insults at two women, one an African-American and the other in a hijab. A third man who also spoke up, 21-year-old Micah David-Cole Fletcher was treated for injuries. He was a hero and will remain a hero on the other side of the veil, wrote Meches mother, the wonderfully named Asha Deliverance on Facebook. This is not the heroism of jumping into a fire to save a life. This is the heroism of everyday living by a belief of doing the right thing aware that this sometimes comes at grave cost. To speak up at a time of bigotry is an act of courage. I never learned the name of that man in the water. It was enough that he represented the best among us. It is enough to remember that his spirit is still around, still alive. Namita Bhandare wites on social issues and gender The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After successfully relocating nine elephants from Karnataka to Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR), the Uttarakhand forest department is set to bring another nine elephants from the southern state. Six elephants would be provided to Rajaji National Park while the rest would be given to Corbett. The objective of bringing pachyderms from Karnataka is to check wildlife crime by conducting patrolling. The department will be writing to chief wildlife of Karnataka within a week to bring elephants at the earliest. Funded through Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), it took about two years for officers to transport nine elephants from Karnataka to Corbett. The initial plan was to bring 12 elephants. But, three of the identified elephants were not in good health to be transported. One of these elephants was pregnant and two others were ailing with a disease, said sources. The department, however, is likely to visit Karnataka for identifying nine more elephants by the end of this month. The transportation is slated within two months time. Digvijay Singh Khati, chief wildlife warden told Hindustan Times, I will be writing to the chief wildlife warden Karnataka who has already given in principle approval for transporting elephants. Following which I will send a team there to identify and bring those elephants. The elephants were brought in February along with their mahouts. They took a week to safely transport the animals. The elephants were transported for nearly 2,500 km covering Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and finally Uttarakhand. Unlike the first visit, this time officers are well versed with the route and are hopeful to bring pachyderms within a weeks time. Rajaji currently has three elephants - Radha, Rangili and Raja. The reserve staff patrols with the help of these three elephants. Especially, with monsoon season beginning June 15 when the reserve along with Corbett would be closed for tourists, elephants become a key transportation medium to conduct long range patrolling. Sanatan Sonkar, director of Rajaji, said, Monsoon is a difficult time for patrolling. The forest cover becomes thick and it becomes difficult to track any illegal movement. Under such conditions, elephants become the best medium to conduct patrolling. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Another fireman with the Delhi Fire Services, 51-year-old Bijender lost his life in the line of duty on Wednesday evening while trying to douse a fire at an electric heater manufacturing factory in Anand Parbat Industrial Area in central Delhi. The incident comes less than three months after two firemen passed away during an operation in Vikaspuri. Two months before that, two firemen lost their lives in a fire incident in Narela. The risk of injuries and mortality is part and parcel of the lives of firemen. However, they are always the first responders to any distress call. By 7 pm on Thursday, officials at the Delhi Fire Services control room claimed to have already responded to at least 50 calls. We have 15 telephone lines. Each one rings at least twice every minute. Sometimes its about a fire, sometimes its about building collapse or other emergencies. We have to save everybody. People, animals, everyone, said an operator at the DFS control room. But who is to save the saviours? Hindustan Times had earlier spoken to multiple firemen, after the incident in Vikaspuri, to find out what kind of protective gear the officers on the frontlines are equipped with. Though critics claimed that many of the 3,299 people affiliated with the Delhi Fire Services, who may be dispatched to the spot, are not provided with individual protective gear, officials with the department said that all the officers are provided with basic personal protection gear such as helmets, fire repellent dungarees, gumboots, and breathing operators for smoke intensive sites. The unpredictable nature of the job, and the high risk of mortality, despite the protective gear, does not deter them from doing their duty. We have chosen these jobs for ourselves. Yes, there are risks involved. But we save lives. We cannot be afraid of the fire, when there are lives at stake. Bijender had also entered a burning building to save lives, explained Atul Garg, the chief fire officer of central and south Delhi zone and the fire prevention wing. Garg explained, how his men had continued to fight the flames, even after one of their own died and two other firemen were injured. At the borders you go to war rarely. Firefighters are at multiple battles every day. But we do not go into our jobs expecting to get hurt. When I broke my spine and collar bone (trying to rescue people from the Uphaar Cinema fire), I had never imagined that it would happen to me, SK Dheri, an ex-fireman, who was injured in the 1997 fire at Uphaar Cinema, had told HT. Though these men seem to have hearts of steel, they also agree that their families may not be immune to the pressures of their job. Your family is usually under more stress. I think my wife and kids are usually more worried about me than I am. Whenever I am on duty and have to go to a spot, my family will keep trying to call me. If they cant get in touch with me, they will try contacting the control room to make sure I am okay. That I am still alive, explained Garg. Bijender, the fireman who lost his life on Wednesday, leaves behind his wife and three sons who all work with Delhi Police, according to Garg. Despite losing five men in the span of five months, Garg said he and his team have not lost heart. If anything, they are more resolute than ever. We will continue to work. It is our duty, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine on its 25th Anniversary. In the letter sent to the Chamber, President Trump stressed the importance of relationship between the United States and Ukraine and pointed out that the two countries stand together as partners in Ukraine's efforts to strengthen democratic governance, root out corruption, and attract foreign investment. "I recognize the dedication of all who have made the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine such a success. Thank you for your role in promoting our shared vision of a free, peaceful, and prosperous Ukraine," Donald J. Trump wrote. For a quarter of a century, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine drives actionable dialogue between business and Government, creates opportunities for business to business partnerships and promotes Ukraine internationally as an attractive investment destination. "Your hard work strengthens our countries' economic partnership and directly contributes to the prosperity of both the United States and Ukraine," President Trump highlighted. "The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine for 25 years has been the voice of business represents the leading investors in Ukraine. We are very grateful to the President Trump for his appreciation of our activities. We will continue working to improve the business climate and attract foreign investment," commented Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine. The full text of congratulations is available here: http://www.chamber.ua/Media/News/7367 In order to expedite the completion of the Delhi governments flagship project, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed chief secretary MM Kutty to identify plots for 850 mohalla clinics, work for which has been stuck due to paucity of land. In a letter to Kutty, Kejriwal told him to scout for land in-house, and co-ordinate with the different arms of the Delhi government, who own land and identify plots of land equally distributed across the city by June 30. Sources said the direction comes in wake of feedback from the health secretary that the project was stalled due to paucity of land. The chief secretary is directed to coordinate with all departments, who own land (like education, DJB, DUSIB, PWD, etc). 850 pieces of land, equally distributed all over Delhi should be identified urgently to construct mohalla clinics. The chief secretary should identify these plots of land by June 30, 2017, read the letter. Provision of mohalla clinics is a flagship project of the Delhi government to provide basic healthcare to citizens free of cost closer home. Around 150 mohalla clinics are already operational in different parts of the capital. Following the electoral debacle in the municipal elections, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been reviewing the functioning of the health department. He has also started conducting surprise inspections in Delhi government hospitals ever since. As someone living with fragile bone disorder since she was a kid, odds were always against Ummul Kher. When she was 14, her parents disowned her because she wanted to study beyond Class 8. What took her ahead was sheer merit and determination as she went on to get admission in a prestigious Delhi University college and later entered JNU for her masters. This week she cracked the civil services exam in her first attempt. Ummul Kher, 28, got all India rank 420. She now hopes to get IAS under disability quota. Kher, who has received 16 fractures and eight surgeries due to her disease, came to Delhi from Rajasthan when she was around five years old. Her father then worked as street vendor selling clothes near Hazrat Nizamuddin while the family lived in a nearby slum. Kher took admission in Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute for The Physically Handicapped, where she studies till Class 5. She later went to Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust where she studied till Class 8. It was a charitable organisation run by the government and I didnt have to pay anything. Though getting one square meal was difficult, I was satisfied that I could at least study, she said. Life was difficult, but what came after that was both difficult and painful as Kher puts it. I wanted to study at Arwachin Bharti Bhawan senior secondary school as it had better infrastructure and I had got a scholarship, she said. But her parents were against it. They said that if she studied any further they will sever ties with her. I was abused. My intentions were questioned because I wanted to study. It was the worst time. They said you have now got more education than a girl should, she said. She left home and took up a place in Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) Cluster, Trilokpuri, for which she paid out of the money she earned from tuitions a decision she feels was more difficult than cracking the civil services exam. I had started taking tuitions but living independently meant I had to earn more money. From few children the tuitions expanded to four batches 3pm to 5pm, then from 5pm to 7pm, 7pm to 9pm and 9pm to 11 in the night. These were mostly children from slum areas and I got between Rs 50-100 from each student. I couldnt have expected more as these were children of labourers, iron smith, rickshaw-pullers etc, she added. Besides, for a girl to live alone in a jhuggi was sometimes traumatic. It was never safe but I had no choice, she said. Sehnag Begum, who lives in Trilokpuri where Kher lived for around three years said, She is a brave child. She lived alone but my daughter used to sleep with her because it is not safe for a girl to live alone. In return, Kher gave her free tuitions, Begum said. After Class 8, Khers education was backed by Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust. They helped her as and when required and also financed her tuition for Class 9 and 10. Kher scored 91% in Class 12 and got admission in Gargi College where she continued to fund her education through tuitions. Khers friend from DU, Abhishek Ranjan, recalls her difficult college days, She funded her education through the money she won at debates in DU colleges. You can earn decent money as the prize amount is high in some of the college festivals. But here too, she could not participate in debates that were organised in evening as she had to take tuitions, he said. In 2012, she met a small accident and was confined to a wheelchair for a year due to her bone disorder. After finishing her graduation, Kher cleared JNU entrance exam for masters in International Studies. She was now getting Rs 2,000 means-cum-merit scholarship and did not have to give tuitions. In 2013, she cracked the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) under which she started getting Rs 25,000 per month. Archna Upadhyay, a faculty member at JNUs School of International Studies said the result was not surprising. Despite her physical challenges she was always at a par with other students and excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities, Upadhyay said. Will she forgive her family for leaving her midway? I dont blame them. They were brought up in an environment that shaped their thinking. It is not their fault, she said. In the past two years, my relations with my family have improved. I will visit them soon. Her parents are now back in Rajasthan where her brother runs a small bangle shop. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By announcing the United States withdrawal from the Paris agreement on climate change, President Donald Trump has dramatically underlined that his brand of populist politics is not merely the stuff of stand-up comedians but a source of globally dangerous policy. The US was already set to fall short of its Paris agreements to cut carbon emissions by 26-28% by 2020 on a 2005 base by about 10 percentage points. Trumps actions may increase this shortfall by a few percentage points, depending on the policy reaction at the US state and local level. California and other states will continue their own green energy plans regardless of what Trump does. More importantly, solar and wind costs have now fallen to the point that market forces alone are likely to continue to push the US away from carbon. The US will take three years to fully pull out of the treaty, but Washingtons actions could lead to other countries following suit. Unlike many international treaties, Paris consists of a large bundle of voluntary actions rather than binding commitments. So far, there is no evidence of a bandwagon effect with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with China and the Group of Seven governments all publicly renewing their commitment to the Paris agreement and fighting climate change as a whole. At some point, this global response to Trump may require other countries to even consider compensating for the additional carbon emissions that the US may release. The absurdity of Trumps decision is all the more evident given the economic status of fossil fuels and clean energy in the US. The renewable energy sector is among the fastest growing job creators in the US. Solar power alone employs 370,000 people versus the combined coal power and mining sectors which employ 130,000. And there is little that can save the ranks of coal miners if only because what they do is being increasingly automated. There isnt even much rightwing support for the US presidents anti-green policies. Polls show that even among Trump supporters nearly three-quarters believe their country should have more renewable energy. The USs largest oil companies have declared their support for Paris. It is almost a matter of irrelevance that Trump also falsely claimed India was asking for billions of dollars in aid in return for conforming to Paris when, in fact, all such assistance is being allocated to least developed countries and some island states. India should up its diplomatic and policy game in response. Part of this strategy can be to work with Japan, Europe or even new strategic partners like the United Arab Emirates on accelerating Indias own transition to renewable energy at an even more aggressive pace than today. It also needs to give more thought to making the International Solar Alliance more tangible. New Delhis stance has traditionally been to be a responsible climate player by focusing on its own domestic energy transition. Its accomplishments on that front are praiseworthy. But Trumps action means it should contemplate a more global role. The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday gave three weeks to the Punjab government to shift the 1,500 students of Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur, to other colleges. The state has been asked to notify a counselling schedule by June 5 and complete it along with admissions within three weeks for all courses, including MBBS, BDS, nursing, and physiotherapy. The college has been in a financial mess for months now, and classes remain suspended since February when unpaid staff went on strike. During a resumed hearing of a petition filed by students, on Friday, assistant solicitor general Chetan Mittal appeared for the Union ministry of health and family welfare, and told the court that the Centre has accepted the proposal of various regulatory bodies, including Medical Council of India (MCI) and Dental Council of India (DCI), on shifting of students. The Indian Nursing Council too said in court that it has no objection to shifting the students. The court also asked the state government to take decision on shifting of physiotherapy course students at the earliest. The affiliation for physiotherapy course is given by the state government. The HC also asked the Gian Sagar management to return the original certificates and attendance record of the students to be shifted. Earlier, counsels for the petitioners had demanded that students should not be shifted to colleges affiliated to the private Adesh University; instead seats be created in colleges affiliated to state-run Baba Farid University of Heath Sciences. However, the states advocate general, Atul Nanda, informed the court that admission would be as per plan approved by the Centre. It was on May 10 that the government had withdrawn the essentiality certificate to colleges run by the trust. The matter had reached court in April as some students filed petitions demanding that their classes be started or they be shifted to other colleges in Punjab. In March, BJP leader Swaran Salaria was in talks to take over the management of the trust but backed out. The management at present is headed by Barinder Bhangoo a daughter of Nirmal Singh Bhangoo, main accused in a Rs 45,000-crore chit-fund scam by Pearls Group and her husband Harsatinder Singh. A Rs22-lakh opening annual pay package from e-retailer Amazon, or the career of a bureaucrat. Himanshu Jain of Haryanas Jind chose the second option. He was ranked 44 in the UPSC-conducted civil services exam this year, after two previous attempts. The postgraduate in computer science from the Hyderabad-based International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) was offered jobs by multi-national companies Amazon and Google. But he refused. I was with Amazon as an intern for three months. Thereafter, they offered me a job for Rs 22 lakh. But I realised during my internship this is not what I want to do, he said. He then applied and got the job of a manager with the Reserve Bank of India. But his heart was elsewhere. The young man couldnt get over his childhood fascination for the civil services. He had watched with awe a deputy commissioner inspecting his school and always wanted to become one. I always heard from my teachers and family how an IAS officer has the power to change the country. And so the Jind boy came to New Delhi and prepared with redoubled effort to crack the tough UPSC exam. In his first two attempts, he cleared the prelims but failed in the mains. Essay writing was the biggest challenge, and I scored low. So I worked hard on it for two years, he said. Thats a peculiar drawback for somebody who has published several research papers in international journals. But his stuck to his mantra: continue chasing your dreams till you achieve them. Number 44 in a test that tens of thousands wrote is highly commendable and Jind celebrated his feat on Thursday with a rousing welcome to the young man, who is promising chess player and painter too. Through my exposure in computer science, I will strive to help digitise India and introduce transparency in governance, he promised. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bharatpur: Fourth time lucky, Abdul Jabbar of Rundh Khoh village in Deeg block of Bharatpur in eastern Rajasthan, took time to crack the Union Public Service Commissions civil services examination, 2016. He is the states first Meo Muslim to clear the tough exam, though it took him four attempts to do so. This 28-year-old secured rank 822 in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. In his first attempt, Jabbar failed to qualify for the main examination; and in both the second and third try, he flunked the personality test. Jabbar now wants to motivate the youth in the Mewat region to study. The region is infamous for criminal activities and backwardness; students either dont go to school or drop out early to get into crime. I want this image of Mewat to change, he said after learning he had cracked the exam. Among Rajasthans most backward areas, the Mewat region covering Alwar and Bharatpur districts records poor social indicators, including education. The literacy rate in Bharatpur district is 70.1% which is higher than the state Average (66.1%) but less than the national average (74.04%). After securing rank 10 in the Class 10 exam merit list in his state Jabbar decided to become an IAS officer. He graduated in Humanities from a government college in Alwar in 2008 and did a postgraduate course from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. In 2011, Jabbar, who has also cleared the University Grants Commissions junior research fellowship exam, was selected for a Group C central government job, and was posted to Alwar, where he remains. His elder brother, Ayub, is a government teacher and younger one, Abbas, is studying for a bachelor of education degree. Mewat, Jabbar says, is infamous for loot, chain-snatching and cheating. Only education can control crime in the region. People are poor and need a source of income, he said. Jabbars parents are illiterate. Father Sumer Khan tills land that the family owns. He is not aware of the civil services but is happy that his son will soon become an officer. The UPSC has recommended a total of 1,099 candidates for appointment to civil services. As many as 180 successful candidates will be appointed in the IAS, 45 in the IFS, 150 in the IPS and 834 in other central group A and B services. President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday announced that 100 more villages 80 from Gurgaon and 20 from Mewat district would be brought under the Smart Gram initiative. The initiative was launched by the President in July last year with an objective to develop five model villages, namely Daula, Alipur, Harchandpur, Taj Nagar, and Rojka Meo. Under the project, the President had adopted Daula, 30 kilometres from Gurgaon city and the four other villages to be developed as model Smart Grams. The objective was that each Smart Gram will have basic infrastructure comprising smart information and communication to improve governance and access to better services, livelihood and economic operations. The President laid foundation stone for a drivers training institute and a government secondary school at Daula village near Sohna in Gurgaon on Friday. Hundreds of school children and residents of adjacent villages were present at the event, and seated inside the temporary air-conditioned hall that was set up for the presidential visit. He arrived at the venue at 12.10 pm and left Daula, one-and-a-half hour later. In his address, the President expressed satisfaction over working of Smart Gram initiative that was launched on July 2, 2016. It was expected that this pioneering work, which was done to turn Presidents estate smart, could be replicated in a few villages first and later on a larger scale, Mukherjee said. This programme has travelled a long distance and helped in transforming the five villages where it was launched. Skill development is crucial to developing India, as 68% people and 15% GDP come from villages, he said. Apart from that, the President also identified unemployment as a major challenge to the government, and said that skilling of people in villages was the key to a prosperous nation. On this occasion, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar too announced that the state government will develop 1,000 villages under Swa Prerit (self-inspired) Smart Gram scheme, on lines of the Presidents Smart Gram initiative. He also announced upgradation of Tauru tehsil in Mewat district to a sub-division. Union minister of state for skill development Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the government has ensured that technical education imparted at ITIs across the country is given a formal shape. Students who join ITI after Classes 8 and 10 would be given certificates for Classes 10 and 12 respectively if they complete the course, so that they can continue higher education, said Rudy, adding that skill development is a major drive that will transform the nation. Union minister of state for planning and urban development Rao Inderjit Singh said that paucity of water was an issue of major concern in the area. He said more measures have to be taken to address this issue. Omita Paul, secretary to the President, said that she was convinced that if people worked together, the Smart Gram initiative could be a tremendous success. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Residents of Daula village, while appreciating the development that is taking place in their village under the Smart Gram initiative, on Friday said they would prefer a government college for higher education to be set up in their area in addition to the proposed Smart Gram Model Higher Secondary announced by President Pranab Mukherjee. Daula already has a senior secondary school in the village and students said that they have to travel 30 kilometres daily to Gurgaon to continue higher education as there is no college nearby. We already have a senior secondary school that serves the educational needs. However, a large number of girls have to drop out after Plus Two as there is no college nearby, said Neha Raghav, a Class 12 student of the government school. The Class 12 result of the government school was satisfactory this year, but students said their main concern is how to manage the daily commute between their village and Gurgaon, when they opt for higher studies. We had asked the district administration to set up a college here, apart from the skill development institute. No doubt the drivers training will help, but most families in Daula and adjoining villages focus on higher education, said Rahul Tomar, another student. Majority of the students, who had come to visit the foundation stone laying ceremony by President Pranab Mukherjee, admitted that their lives had improved after they were adopted under the Smart Gram Initiative. A large number of women who stayed at home earlier have now acquired different skills through the skill development centre. Infrastructure has improved, health facilities are also better, said Lalit Raghav, a student, while adding that the village population has been quite vociferous in demanding a college from the state government. The students also said that the problems of girl students should be considered by the government as they are the worst sufferers in the absence of local avenues for higher education. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On her last visit to the gynaecologist, mother-to-be Swati Umap Tijare, 31, asked her doctor about the Zika virus. I wanted to know if I was at risk, and if there were any precautions I could take, she says. Three cases of Zika virus in India were uncovered in Ahmedabad over the past year, during a random survey. The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the same mosquito that transmits dengue and chikungunya. In pregnant women, it can cause birth defects such as microcephaly, characterised by unusually small heads, and other brain abnormalities in foetuses. Of the three cases uncovered, one was a pregnant woman, the other a new mother. As news of those cases broke this week, some women like Tijare, an assistant professor at a veterinary college have been approaching their doctors for advice. Tijare was told to keep an eye out for water-traps in the neighbourhood, since they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. After news broke that three Zika virus cases were uncovered in Ahmedabad in 2016, during a random survey, mothers-to-be are understandably concerned. Swati Umap Tijare, an assistant professor at a veterinary college, recently approached her doctor for advice. ITS TIME TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR IF... You have a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit accompanied by Abdominal pains Chills Vomiting Nausea Splitting headache Loose motions She seems to be on the right track. Dont panic, but take precautions, is Dr Y S Nandanvars advice to mothers-to-be. Nandanvar is professor and head of gynaecology at the DY Patil Medical College and Research Centre in Navi Mumbai. Cover your skin to protect from mosquito bites, and use insect repellent, he adds. Dr Om Shrivastav, a consultant of infectious diseases and immunology at a Mumbai hospital says he has had patients approach him for ultrasounds after news broke of the Zika virus cases in Ahmedabad. We first need to assess if the virus strain found in India matches the one in Brazil. Until then, there is no need to panic, he says. Women from higher socio-economic classes are more prone to panic, adds Dr Rekha Dawar, former head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Mumbais JJ hospital. She recommends that pregnant women get checked in the first trimester. A good radiologist should be able to pick up signs of microcephaly during an ultrasound. Abnormalities, if any, will be visible in a 3D ultrasound, she adds. Get another ultrasound in your second trimester. Dr Om Shrivastav, a consultant on infectious diseases and immunology at a Mumbai hospital, says he has had patients approach him for ultrasounds after news broke of the Zika virus cases in Ahmedabad last year. We first need to assess if the virus strain found in India matches the one in Brazil. Until then, there is no need to panic, he says. Zika-related abnormalities may not often be visible until then. The tests are free in government hospitals and usually cost about Rs 3,000 in private ones. While it may be early to hit the panic button for Zika, experts say no fever in pregnancy should be taken lightly. Fever in pregnancy could be due to various reasons, says Dr NB Vaid, former head of gynaecology at the Delhi government-run GTB Hospital. From seasonal viral influenza to urinary tract infection, typhoid, malaria, Hepatitis A, dengue and chikungunya, the reasons for a fever could be many. We typically take a detailed history of the woman, including intensity of fever, duration and associated symptoms, before planning treatment, Dr Vaid says. If the fever persists for more than three days, then it is time to see your doctor. See your doctor immediately if the fever is accompanied by chills, nausea or vomiting. Two in three Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive Indians abuse tobacco products, revealed a recent study published in Lancet Medical Journal. About 68.3% of HIV-positive Indians consume tobacco, compared to an average of 27.1% in 28 low and middle income group countries (LMICs) across three continents. The study, conducted by University of York, UK, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa and University of Zimbabwe is the largest of its kind, said researchers. The study surveyed 18,224 HIV-positive patients, of whom 6,729 were men aged between 15 and 59 years, and 11,495 were women aged between 15 and 49 years. As many as 462 participants were Indians, of whom 279 were men and 191 women. The findings were compared to 1.93 lakh HIV-negative men and 2.22 lakh HIV-negative women from similar locations. What doctors say We are currently looking at HIV-positive patients dependency on alcohol and tobacco. We will definitely go through the study and its recommendations, said Dr Srikala Acharya, additional project director, Mumbai District AIDS Control Society. Tobacco abuse is a major cause of cancer. The clinical differences in how it impacts HIV-positive or HIV-negative patient has not been studied in detail. But, since HIV-positive patients are immune-compromised, the intake of carcinogenic products, such as tobacco, can put them at higher risk of developing cancer or other infections, said Dr Devendra Chaukar, Surgical Oncologist, Tata Memorial Centre. While 40.3% of HIV-positive Indians were tobacco smokers, the third largest section among the pool, 41.4% consumed tobacco products, nearly four times the number of consumers in Burundi, Africa (10.5%). Global studies show that HIV-positive people are more susceptible to tobacco-related illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and pulmonary disease, compared to HIV-negative people. Smoking also increases HIV-positive patients susceptibility to infections such as bacterial pneumonia, oral candidiasis, and tuberculosis. HIV-positive smokers live 12.3 years fewer than HIV-positive non-smokers. Smoking kills an HIV-positive person twice as fast as the infection alone, said researchers Dr Noreen D Mdege and his colleagues, citing past global studies. Dr Mdege said more HIV-positive men and women consumed or smoked tobacco, compared to their HIV-negative counterparts. Experts attributed this to HIV-related neurological and mental conditions such as neuropathic pain, anxiety, stress, and depression. HIV-positive people face social stigma, mental and physical comorbidities, alcohol misuse, and co-dependencies on other substances. This influences their patterns of tobacco use, attempts to quit, and successful cessation rates. Future interventions should take into account these complex social, psychological, and other health challenges faced by most HIV-positive people, he said. Researchers said information on the dangers of tobacco use and the benefits of quitting need to be emphasised either through use of graphic health labels or culturally appropriate mass communication media. Countries with a high prevalence of tobacco use (such as India), should prioritise the introduction of tobacco cessation in their HIV treatment plans, said the researchers. Tobacco smoking Africa The Gambia 54.80% Lesotho 41.10% Southeast Asia India 40.30% Africa Niger 33.90% Zimbabwe 33.10% Actor Jim Carrey may have to face a trial jury in the wrongful death case of his girlfriend and make-up artist Cathriona White. The then 30-year-old, who dated Carrey on and off for three years, was found dead in her Los Angeles home in September 2015. The coroners later revealed that she had committed suicide by overdosing on painkillers. According to court documents obtained by E! online, Whites mother Brigid Sweetman, sued Carrey in October 2016 and blamed him for her daughters death, claiming he gave her the drugs that eventually killed her. Love cannot be lost. pic.twitter.com/XxPYOhkdzc Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) October 10, 2015 Sweetman also alleged that Carrey knowingly gave her three sexually transmitted diseases without warning her, then lying to her about it, dumping her out of concern for saving his own public image, shaming her, and then using his high-priced Hollywood lawyers and fixers to intimidate and threaten her in an effort to silence her. In a response, Carrey filed a suit against Sweetman in December to strike the numerous irrelevant, false and improper allegations she had made. He called the lawsuit a shameful shakedown for money. Judge Deirdre Hill of the Los Angeles Superior Court, who is presiding over the case, said she still needs more time to consider the matter. Followed by which, she indicated she would not trash the case on Carreys lawyers request and went forward in setting a trial date for April 2018. Follow @htshowbiz for more Jennifer Garner has called out People magazine for publishing a cover story that the actor says she did not participate in or authorise to be printed. In a Facebook post, the 45-year-old actress blasted the popular magazine on its June 12 issue that has her image on the cover. It has been brought to my attention that there is a People magazine cover and article out today that appear to be coming from me. It isnt unusual for me to receive calls from loved ones thinking I forgot to tell them I am pregnant -- with twins! --(Geez Louise), but those are so ridiculous theyre easy to ignore, Garner wrote on Facebook on Thursday. The story was attributed to numerous anonymous sources and insiders that gave an insight into her life after the actor divorced actor Ben Affleck. Garner said although it is not a tragedy by any measure, but it affects her and her family and that is why she wanted to clarify the matter before things go out of hand. I did not pose for this cover. I did not participate in or authorise this article. While we are here, for what its worth: I have three wonderful kids and my family is complete, Garner concluded. Follow @htshowbiz for more Atomic Blonde, the action film starring Charlize Theron is striding towards a July and August international release, and an extended look at a key fight scene has been released. Setting the film in late 1980s Berlin, previous trailers for Atomic Blonde have made good use of period pop songs, the first two -- which contained snippets from this apartment escape -- riffing on New Orders Blue Monday and, in turn, Queens Killer Queen and then a mashup combining Depeche Modes Personal Jesus with 2013 Kanye West track Black Skinhead (both Chambaland and FA$HION $EN$E have been linked to the unattributed combination.) James McAvoy of Split and the X-Men franchise co-stars as agency contact David Percival, with support from John Goodman, Sofia Boutella, Toby Jones and more. It emerged from its South by Southwest premiere with a review score average identical to that of director David Leitchs previous film John Wick: 6.9/10 on Rotten Tomatoes; 68% on Metacritic. Leitch will next direct Deadpool 2 starring Ryan Reynolds. Follow @htshowbiz for more Skipper Kane Williamson led from the front on Friday as he slammed his ninth One-Day International (ODI) century to set the platform for New Zealand to put up a big score against Australia on the second day of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in Birmingham. Opting to bat, New Zealand had started well but opener Martin Guptill was dismissed for 26 in the sixth over. READ | ICC Champions Trophy: Kane Williamson ton help New Zealand score 291 vs Australia Kane Williamson scores a century but Josh Hazlewood's 6/52 helps dismiss the Blackcaps for 291 #NZvAUS #CT17 https://t.co/e1Hn5WdaLv pic.twitter.com/mGMZiHwtQv ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2017 In came Williamson. The right-hand bat took immediate responsibility and kept a strong scoring rate for New Zealand, first, with opener Luke Ronchi (65) and then Ross Taylor (46), both giving their captain good support at the crease. It was a brilliant knock from the New Zealand No.3 who took just 96 balls to reach the three-figure mark at Edgbaston on Friday. Though the 26-year-old started a bit slowly, he upped the ante after crossing the 50-run mark with his knock studded with eight boundaries and three big sixes. READ | ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Its not cricket, its war, fans react to India vs Pakistan clash This was Williamsons maiden century against Australia with his previous best being 81 which came in December 2016 at Canberra. However, the captain could not take the Blackcaps to the end as he was run out on the next delivery he faced for exactly 100. This was the third century of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 after Tamim Iqbal and Joe Root also scored hundreds in the opening game of the tournament between England and Bangladesh which the hosts went on to win by eight wickets at The Oval in London. READ | No pressure for ICC Champions Trophy clash against India, says Sarfraz Ahmed This was also Williamsons first century since October 2016 when he hit 118 against India at the Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party might not contest all the seats in the Gujarat assembly elections later this year as it is planning to redraw its strategy after poll reverses in Punjab, Goa and the Delhi municipal corporation. The consensus within the party brass is to look at consolidating our position in Delhi and Punjab and go slow on Gujarat, a senior AAP leader said on Friday. Gujarat is no longer our priority. Regaining lost ground in Delhi is of utmost importance. Punjab has given us a good opportunity by making us the principal opposition party. We need to build on that. The western state has been part of the partys plan to expand its national footprint. The AAP launched an elaborate exercise in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state five months ago to spread its reach and become the main challenger to the ruling BJP by contesting all the 182 seats. Senior leaders, including Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, were put in charge of regions in the state to oversee election preparations. Gopal Rai, a former Delhi minister and party in-charge of the Capital, headed the Gujarat initiative. But a series of crises have hit the party since, especially infighting after the Delhi civic polls and the February-March assembly elections in which the AAP fell way short of its expectations in Punjab and Goa. The change in course will be discussed at Sundays meeting of the national executive the partys highest body comprising around two dozen top leaders. The previous meeting was held in April last year. The party has set aside a discussion on the future course during the meeting, apart from taking stock of its performance in Delhi and Punjab, an AAP leader said. A final decision on Gujarat will be taken at a meeting next week of those involved with the partys expansion in the state with Arvind Kejriwal. It is now a question of how many seats to fight in the assembly elections there. Gujarat in-charge Rai confirmed that a meeting will be held on June 6. But he refused to elaborate on a report to be submitted to Kejriwal, the AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Apparently taking the Ravindra Gaikwad fiasco to heart, Air India has decided to offer business-class seats in its all-economy aircraft. Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad had created a ruckus on an Air India flight in March because it did not have business-class seats, to which he as an MP is entitled. The incident had generated considerable controversy. Going forward, the first three rows of economy aircraft will be makeshift business class seats. The middle seat would remain vacant, and the economy rows would be separated using curtains. The result will be that every aircraft of Air India will have business class seats. In April, Air India irked another MP from Odisha by denying him business class ticket. Arjun Charan Sethi, MP of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from Bhadrak, said he was told by the airline staff that he could not travel business class as the plane had only economy class seats. Of the 150 aircraft Air India has, about a dozen have only economy class seats. However, the airline takes booking for business class passengers on routes that these aircraft ply. We usually inform passengers if the all economy class aircraft is plying and the passenger has booked a business class seat. But this was leading to confusion and often passengers were getting to know about it after reaching the airport, an official said. Both Gaikwad and Sethi had booked the business class ticket but on the day of travel, we were flying aircraft with no business class seat. We have made alternate arrangements to end this confusion, the Air India official added. We will do the partition using curtains. The middle seat will be left vacant and instead of three passengers in a row, we will have two passengers. This way instead of 18 economy class seats, we will have 12 business class seats in these aircraft. The meal will be of business class. This way, we will be able to provide business class service to the passengers who have booked it, the official said. There will be no change in the structure of the seat or the layout. Usually, members of Parliament book business class ticket and since they use open tickets, the date of travel is decided almost at the last moment, resulting in embarrassing situations. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON American journalist Megyn Kelly is facing the wrath of Indian social media users for a question she posed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Are you on Twitter? Kelly launched her new show for NBC news with an exclusive interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Modi ahead of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia. A teaser video posted early on Friday by NBC News shows Kelly greeting the two world leaders at the Konstantin Palace. Modi tells her that he saw a picture she had posted on Twitter of her posing with an umbrella in St Petersburg. EXCLUSIVE: NBC News' @megynkelly joins Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi ahead of tomorrow's International Economic Forum in Russia. pic.twitter.com/L12ahtuTDO NBC News (@NBCNews) June 1, 2017 I saw your tweet..with the umbrella, says Modi, to which she replied, Are you on Twitter? What followed was a massive backlash against reporter with tweets criticising her for not doing her homework and for perpetuating the stereotype of a clueless American. Sheesh. @megynkelly asks @narendramodi WHO HAS 30 MILLION FOLLOWERS if he's on Twitter. What does it take to get India on the radar screen? https://t.co/ggw3p1YzlV Alyssa Ayres (@AyresAlyssa) June 2, 2017 Modi:"I saw your tweet..with the umbrella" @megynkelly to 3rd most followed world leader on Twitter:Are you on Twitter? #CluelessAmerican https://t.co/uRa3HQl8a5 Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) June 1, 2017 Modi did his homework and referred to a recent tweet by @megynkelly. She asks him, "Are you on twitter ?" 2.3M vs 30M+ followers. https://t.co/hSjEKJF7pa Hetal Rach (@heytal) June 2, 2017 Hey @megynkelly , Modi is PM of the largest democracy. So wld suggest do some googling b4 meeting him. Ofcourse he is on Twitter! Duh. https://t.co/iYJPYX8Jl5 Pranay Tiwari (@pranayom) June 2, 2017 Kelly was also at the receiving end of much vitriol online for her choice of clothing during the interview. It was only two days ago that actor Priyanka Chopra was accused of dressing inappropriately before the Prime Minister, after she posted a picture of their meeting in Berlin. .@megynkelly Luvs to dress Disco Style for Serious Intervws, then Blame Ailes for sex Harrasmt! SAD! A LOSER! Won't Watch! #boycottMegyn MarHopp (@HoppMar) June 2, 2017 What an inappropriate dress; so unprofessional and embarrassing for America! Donna Koch (@KochDonna) June 1, 2017 (With agency inputs) A senior police officer in Assam is behind bars for allegedly fabricating an RTI application on behalf of an advocate and divulging confidential information relating to a pending probe he headed. IPS officer N Rahamarthandan headed the States CID as its senior superintendent police (SSP). He is facing serious charges under the Official Secrets Act for revealing details of the report that pertained to a rioting incident by members of an organisation called Nikhil Bharat Bangali Ubastu Samanvay Samiti(NIBBUS) demanding citizenship for Hindu Bangladeshis. A case of forgery has also been lodged against him. Rajamarthandan moved the Supreme Court for bail after his plea was rejected by the trial court in Kamrup and Guwahati high court. A vacation bench headed by Justice M Shantanagoudar asked the Assam government, which lodged the criminal case, to respond by June 19. The rioting incident was reported on March 3, 2017. Local police arrested around 60 people after which the state constituted a SIT under Rajamarthandans leadership. The team stated in a progress report on March 19 that there was no direct evidence against many arrested people and others named in the FIR. Rajamarthadan said the report was given to an advocate after she applied under the RTI Act. The lawyer then filed a case before the HC demanding the release of the arrested. But, the state accused the officer of forging the RTI application and said he shared the inquiry report with her through whatsapp. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amid the row over the Centres ban on the sale of cattle for slaughter at livestock markets, the Gujarat Congresss youth wing on Friday demanded that the Narendra Modi government declare the cow as the national animal. The demand came hours after Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani condemned the slaughter of a calf in public by Youth Congress workers in Kerala and demanded that the Congress apologise for it. Congresss youth wing general secretary Parthivraj Kathwadia said the BJP government in Gujarat is interested in gauchar (grasslands) more than cows, as he alleged that it gifted thousands of hectares of gauchar to some industrialists in the past. There should be no politics in the name of cows. We want the government to declare the cow our national animal. Soon we will launch a movement to pressure the government. I dare all the so-called cow protectors to join our movement, said Kathwadia. The BJP loves gauchar more than cows... this government has gifted thousands of hectares of grasslands to some industrialists in the past. It should take back that land so that cows do not die eating plastic, he said. The Congress leader also accused the BJP dispensation of not taking concrete steps to save cows from theft or slaughter. As per police records, around 800 cows were stolen from across Gujarat in recent times. Illegal slaughter houses are still running across the state. Instead of just doing politics, the BJP government must answer what steps it has taken to save cows, he added. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started investigations into the alleged money-laundering aspect of the cash-for-results, intermediate toppers scam in the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), that rocked the state in 2016. This was confirmed by Anil Rawal, Spokesperson for the enforcement directorate, New Delh. An official source told HT on Friday, that the ED, Patna zonal office, had started a separate probe into the scam after registering a money laundering case against those arrested in connection with the scam, based on the case registered by Patnas Kotwali police, last year. In 2016, the BSEB intermediate examination results threw up a slew of unlikely toppers, including Ruby Roy, who topped the arts stream, but failed to answer basic questions posed by the media and later by experts fielded by the BSEB. Following an uproar, the state government had constituted a special investigation team (SIT), which arrested of over 32 persons, including BSEB chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh, his wife, Usha Sinha, and a number of other officials. The investigations unearthed evidence to show money was paid on behalf of some candidates to officials to secure top marks in the examination. As per the chargesheet filed on September 6, BSEB ex-chief Lalkeshwar, his wife and director and principal of Vishun Rai College, Vaishali, Bachcha Roy, were the kingpins of the scam. They allegedly managed high positions in state toppers list to candidates in return for money that ranged from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per student. The economic offence unit (EoU) of the Bihar police had recommended a probe by the ED, following a requisition of Patna SSP Manu Maharaaj, to book the alleged culprits under prevention of money laundering act (PMLA). Inspector General of police, EoU, Jitendra Singh Gangwar told HT that he had recommended a probe by the ED against Bachcha Rai and his family members, who had allegedly acquired immovable properties worth over Rs 2 crore. The ED, a source said, had registered the money laundering case under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA. The agency has moved Bihar police, seeking a copy of the charge-sheet filed in the toppers scam case, to prepare for a detailed investigation. The source said the ED would soon move the designated PMLA court here, seeking permission to question the accused in judicial custody. "The directorate's investigation will be confined to identifying the movable and immovable properties acquired by the accused from proceeds of crime and initiate legal processes for attaching the properties," he said. "Rai and Singh are suspected to have properties outside Bihar too and a thorough the ED probe can bring all these things to light," the source said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Election Commission has said its EVM challenge will be held on Saturday, remarks that came shortly after the Uttarakhand high court rejected a plea questioning the constitutionality of the move. The EVM challenge is on as scheduled. The NCP and the CPI-M have nominated three persons each for the challenge, a commission spokesperson said. He said the two parties will get separate halls to try and tamper with the machines. The challenge will take place between 10am and 2pm. The commission has pulled out from its strong rooms in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand 14 electronic voting machines used in the recent assembly elections. The challenge was organised after several major opposition parties claimed that the faith of people in the electronic voting machines had eroded. Mayawatis BSP and Arvind Kejriwals AAP had alleged that the machines used in the recent assembly elections were tampered with to favour the Centres ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Later, several other parties joined the chorus and wanted the EC to revert to paper ballots. The poll panel had invited the seven national and 49 state parties recognised by it for the challenge, but the NCP and the CPI-M were the only parties which had applied to participate in the challenge. It had left out smaller parties and Independents who had contested the recent polls. Even foreign experts were barred. Since the two parties had not given their preference for the EVMs they would like to tamper with during the challenge, the Commission has brought to Delhi the machines from Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar in UP, Patiala and Bhatinda from Punjab and Dehradun from Uttarakhand. While each participating party can use a maximum of four EVMs for the challenge, sources in the commission said extra machines were also kept as back up keeping in mind any eventuality. The challengers will get four hours each to tamper with the machines. Members of a technical committee which helps the EC evaluate the EVMs would judge the proceedings. Announcing the contours of the EVM challenge, the EC had said it has been divided into two parts. First, the parties will have to prove that the EVMs used in the assembly elections in the five states were tampered with to favour a particular candidate or political party by altering the results stored in them. The claimants will have to alter the results in the control units used during these polls in exactly the same conditions in which EVMs remain under the technical and administrative safeguards of the EC after elections. They can use a combination of keys on EVMs or over the air communication devices such as cellphone and bluetooth to tamper with the machine to change the results, he said. Under part two of the challenge, the participants will have to prove that the EVMs used in the assembly polls were manipulated before or on the poll day. The participant would be considered to have failed the challenge if the EVM stops functioning due its inbuilt anti- tampering mechanism. Also, the challenger would be considered to have failed if it showed the result of the booth where it was used during the assembly polls even after manipulation. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money laundering case to probe alleged irregularities in the 2016 Bihar toppers scam case related to the state school examination board. Officials said the agency has booked a criminal case against a total of eight people, including former Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) chairman and four principals, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The central probe agency took cognisance of a Bihar Police FIR and the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to register its own Enforcement Case Information Report, the ED equivalent of a police FIR. They said the agency will probe the possible proceeds of crime generated by the accused and the alleged subsequent creation of illegal wealth by them. The scam had rocked Bihar in June last year after Ruby Rai, a student of Vishun Roy College in Vaishali district who had topped in the arts category, failed to answer basic questions and went on to describe political science as prodigal science that taught cooking. Embarrassed by the irregularities, the state government had ordered a SIT probe in the matter. Former Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh, his former JD(U) MLA wife Usha Sinha and Secretary cum Principal of Bishun Roy college in Vaishali Bachha Rai, alleged to be kingpins of the racket, are among 21 persons arrested in the case so far. The Enforcement Directorate is expected to soon record statements of the accused and also attach their assets under the PMLA law. Coimbatore: Four persons, including a minor girl, were trampled to death and two others injured by an elephant at Vellalore area in the outskirts of the city on Friday, police said. The 12-year-old girl was sleeping in the veranda of her house when the elephant, which strayed into human habitation some days ago from nearby Madukkarai forests, trampled her to death at around 3.30 AM. Forest department officials have urged people not to venture out of their homes. The elephant then moved away from the area and attacked and grievously injured three more persons, including two women. They were rushed to the government hospital, but did not respond to treatment and passed away, police said. The injured persons have been hospitalised. Forest department officials said they are making efforts to drive away the elephant into the forest by bringing in kumkis (tamed elephants) and also trying to tranquilise it. According to the environment ministry data, 391 people and 39 elephants died in 2014-15 across India, as a result of the man-elephant conflict. Of the 391 people, West Bengal recorded the highest number of death at 89, followed by Assam, which recorded 54 deaths. An employee of General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF), one of the five people who was injured in Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Thursday, succumbed to his injuries on Friday morning, an official said. Sub-divisional police officer Mendhar Riaz Tantray told the Hindustan Times Parvaiz Ahmed, who was working as a labourer with GREF, was injured in Thursdays firing at Balnoi. Ahmed, a resident of Dara Dulian in Poonch, died at the Army Hospital in Rajouri at 5am, said Riaz. The latest ceasefire violation on Thursday came after a lull of two weeks. GREF is part of the Border Roads Organisation, a division of the ministry of defence responsible for the upkeep of road network along Indias frontiers. Four civilians have been killed in Pakistani shelling in Nowshera and Krishna Ghati sectors of Rajouri and Poonch districts since May 1 when two Indian soldiers - JCO Paramjit Singh and BSF head constable Prem Sagar - were killed and beheaded by the neighbouring countrys rogue border action team in KG sector. The killings triggered heavy exchanges between the two sides in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. A 2003 ceasefire is regularly violated along the LoC and goes up in the summer as the snow melts and mountain passes open through which militants sneak into India. Pakistani troops give cover fire to infiltrators. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON With a view to facilitate students belonging to Jammu and Kashmir and integrate them into the national mainstream, the Haryana government has decided to provide various concessions to such students for their admission in the colleges and universities of the state. A spokesman of higher education department said on Friday that the concessions included relaxation in cut-off percentage up to 10 % subject to minimum eligibility requirement, and increase in intake capacity up to 5 %, course-wise. He said that other concessions included reservation of at least one seat in merit quota in technical and professional institutions, waiving of domicile requirements and setting up of a grievances redressal mechanism for such students in every institution. A written communication in this regard has been sent to all vice-chancellors of state and private universities, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police and principals of government and aided colleges for compliance in letter and spirit. The think-tank of Haryanas agriculture and farmers welfare department has set its eyes on Australia, Fiji and New Zealand to beat the blistering mid-June heat and study the latest methods in the field of agriculture and horticulture. Om Prakash Dhankar, minister for agriculture and animal husbandry, who had once famously said that foreign bulls are characterless will lead the 12-member delegation comprising three legislators and as many Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers. The two-week tour of the three nations will start on June 6. According to a three-page order issued by Abhilaksh Likhi, principal secretary (agriculture and farmers welfare), three MLAs Subhash Chander, BSPs Tek Chand Sharma who represents Prithla segment and BJPs Mool Chand Sharma from Ballabhgarh will accompany the minister. Among the bureaucrats accompanying Dhankar during this 14-day summer sojourn are Dr J Ganesan, IAS, chief administrator, Haryana state agricultural marketing board; Ashok Kumar Meena, IAS, director, development and panchayats; and DK Behra, IAS, director general, agriculture department. The power-packed delegation will also have chairperson of Haryana state agricultural marketing board Krishna Gahlawat, chairman of live stock development board Rishi Parkash Sharma, director general horticulture department Dr Arjun Singh Saini, general animal husbandry and dairy development director Dr GS Jakhar and Haryana state agricultural marketing board CMEO Raj Kumar Beniwal . Government sources say Dhankar, who also holds portfolios of irrigation development, panchayat, dairy and fishing, has opted for Australia, Fiji and New Zealand to study agriculture and horticulture techniques. The finance department, sources say, has given the permission for the tour, which is likely to cost the government Rs 2 crore. Officers in the delegation have been directed to submit the tour report to the chief minister and the finance department. The state government has intimated the Indian embassies in the three countries about the impending visit, sources said. Last year in August, Dhankar had led a delegation of legislators and bureaucrats to learn agricultural techniques in the United States. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The BJP government in Haryana has changed the name of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) as Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP). This was decided at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday. Social justice and empowerment minister Krishan Kumar Bedi told reporters that the state government found it apt to have HUDA renamed in Hindi, the way it named Gurgaon as Gurugram and Ballabhgarh as Balramgarh. It also christened Haryanas golden jubilee year (2016-17) Swarn Jayanti Varsh. After the cabinet meeting, Haryana health minister Anil Vij had a different take. He said HUDA was often misunderstood as it rhymed with the name of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Hooda is facing CBI investigation in an industrial plot allotment case, the Associate Journal Limited case and the Manesar land case. The premises of Hooda and his associates are often raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation. But if one says that a Hooda premises was raided, people mistake it for a raid on HUDA, Vij said, explaining the confusion. Reacting to Vijs remarks, Congress leaders said that changing the name of HUDA showed the ruling BJP was worried about the increasing popularity of Hooda. The renaming of the urban development authority is being seen as a deliberate bid to push the BJP governments Hindutva agenda. It is believed that the first sound entering a new-born Muslims ears should be the Azaan or the Kalma. Either one must have been the first sound I heard too, though, of course, I have no memory of it now. Even though I am no longer a practising Muslim, and in fact had never been overly aware of a Muslim identity, the sentimental urge that made me perform this rite for my children as well did not seem paradoxical. My wife Ratna is Hindu, and we were married much before the term love jihad was coined and acted upon. She and I both have no more than a ritualistic connection with our respective religions. Eid and Diwali are joyous occasions for us and we celebrate both with equal gusto - so our disparate religious upbringings didnt merit a thought. The first tricky moment was our decision to not fill in the column asking religion at the time of our childrens school admission. Apart from objecting to this in principle, we averred that we genuinely had no idea what their religion was at that time or what it would be later. Not considering a religious education of any kind necessary, we had decided to leave the choice of faith to them. Religion never played a major part in my life anyway and my attempts to be what was called a true muslim ended when I was about twenty. I abandoned religion then and have never felt the need for it; Richard Dawkins statement that religion has nothing whatever to do with goodness does not need any verification when one looks at whats happening everywhere in the name of religion. My religious education began at the age of five with learning the Arabic alphabet and being subjected to the Maulvis ignorant garbage about planets moving around the earth, which of course was not only flat, and the centre of the universe but to believe it moves round and round is heresy! I was also persuaded that not only were Muslim men obliged to grow beards (no beards in my family, so I did wonder whether we WERE good Muslims at all!) and wear slightly short trousers, but we belonged to the one and only true faith and were all heaven-bound no matter how we conducted our lives whereas everyone else... ^*#@#! My best friend K.C. Singh burning in hell for eternity was a thought I couldnt stomach even then. Questioning the Maulvi was frowned upon so I quietly took whatever i could from the Arabic recitation in terms of diction and breath control and let the rest of it go. Why should someone be punished for his doubts or for no fault of his, and, moreover, why did a being as great as Allah need to be appeased all the time? It just didnt make sense even at that age. When Ratna and I decided to marry, discussing conversion and anticipating the social problems we might have couldnt have been further from our minds. But over the past few years, the nightmarish possibility of my children being someday confronted by a mob demanding to know their religion could be inching closer to reality. Evidently, as a Muslim, it should not be my concern to urge India and Pakistan not to hurt each other and if I did I was pro-Pak. Never before in our country have rational statements of concern and pleas for peace, not only from Muslims, been interpreted as cowardly or seditious. It is almost as if the day was being awaited when this could be done. A Facebook post quoting Einsteins warning about nuclear warfare received a few likes but the fair share of abuse and vilification of Islam it also got stumped me. I was even warned not to poke your nose in matters that dont concern you! That the survival of the human race does not concern me was indeed news. Evidently, as a Muslim, it should not be my concern to urge India and Pakistan not to hurt each other and if I did I was pro-Pak, because we are going to bomb the shit out of them proclaimed one desi troll whose ideal obviously is the Donald. Like all children growing up in India post-partition, I heard horror stories of them just as they certainly heard identical ones about us. The supposed savagery of the Sikhs was much mentioned, but I dont think I ever connected those deeds with the Sikh and Hindu friends I had, and I know the feeling was reciprocal. These acts of depravity were committed by unnamed villians not real people, we all thought; incidentally the longest lasting, dearest friends I have had in my life have been mostly Sikhs, and considering the extreme bloodletting between Sikhs and Muslims at partition, doesnt it say something about subsequent political machinations that those two communities have never been at each others throats again? The puerile religious taunts schoolchildren unthinkingly tossed around then were never venomous enough to even warrant fisticuffs but these nebulous aversions seem to have crystallised over time and found their targets - each other. The hatred spawned by partition taking seventy years to unleash itself is probably evidence that the longer the pot brewed the more potent the venom got. I cannot, from my lifetime, recall a period when Muslims were suspected en masse of being unpatriotic and required to explain themselves. The sins of the few have been visited on us all. Undeniable though it is that many Indian Muslims misguidedly consider Pakistan their haven, the immeasurably greater number who take intense pride in being Indian and who connect deeply with the country are hurt and angered at our patriotism being under scrutiny. This political ploy of labelling us outsiders will be abandoned when it has outlived its usefulness of course, but what might happen in the interim is another matter. The visible increase in the sight of saffron scarves and tilaks, as well as on the other side beards, hijabs and topis in a country where barely ten years ago in most states (Maharashtra, Bengal, Kerala to name only three) Hindus were indistinguishable from Muslims, is cause for apprehension but this assertion of the club you belong to and the waving of its flag was waiting to happen. It seems essential for Muslims in India to get over the feeling of victimisation they are in now; it is a trap all too easy to stumble into - we must determine to stop feeling persecuted, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding; we must stop hoping for salvation from somewhere and take matters into our own hands- not least of all to take pride in our Indian-ness and assert our claim on our country. Indian Muslims indifference, particuarly among the economically weaker sections, to education or hygiene need not be reiterated nor the fact that they have no one but themselves to blame for these ills. Granted, patriotism is not a tonic that can be forced down peoples throats. But till the length of Sania Mirzas skirt causes more agitation than the lack of modern education and employment opportunies for our community, as long as we hesitate to condemn the sadistic madness of the ISIS (that we havent heard too many Hindu voices condemn the lynching of innocent Muslims by gaurakshaks is immaterial), so long as we continue to spawn believers without giving a thought to their upbringing, or continue to dilly-dally on the removal of an outdated heavily misogynistic tradition, we only help reinforce the belief so easily held that we support or at least condone violence and regression. The saffron brigade did not have to rack their brains to come up with the idea of evoking and lambasting tyrannical invaders of hundreds of years ago to illustrate the harm Muslim rule did to the country. They only had to revive the moth-eaten allegation with conviction enough to make a case for sentencing us Indian Muslims to the rank of second class citizens. We the invaders descendants, albeit with plenty of indigenous blood in us, many generations later, need to make reparation for our supposed ancestors misdeeds. Islam too has never been in greater need of reform and enlighened intepretation than it is now, though considering that fundamentalists currently rule the roost everywhere, thats probably not a smart thing to say. But it is time for Muslims to throw the caretakers of religion out and form their own beliefs based on an understanding of what their holy book actually says. Nowhere else perhaps is the Quran recited so much and understood so little as in India. Muslims and Hindus both today need to start speaking for themselves and not buy into the harangues of narrow minded bigots and self-appointed spokesmen who condemn Yoga as anti-Islamic and those who consider equating Surya Namaskar with Namaaz as insulting to Hinduism. A depressing indicator of the extent of the divisiveness eating into us today is the fact that not too long ago on a quiz show, not one of the contestants got the answer to Who wrote saare jahan se achchca Hindustan hamara right and the fact that it was a Muslim astonished not a few of them. (Shah is one of Indias most celebrated actors and the author of And Then One Day: A Memoir.) A special series by Hindustan Times takes a deep look at the churn within the Muslim community. How deep is the alienation? Are they feeling disenfranchised? Are they looking for political alternatives? What questions are Muslim women asking? Are they warming up to the BJP? India and Russia have agreed to set up joint ventures for manufacturing aircraft and automobiles as the two nations look to boost trade and economic ties. Russian President Vladimir Putin, after summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, said Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory. We both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend, he said. Our talks are always held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and are always substantive and productive. This time was no exception. Putin said agreements made in the St Petersburg Declaration outlines steps to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural spheres. Encouraging the growth of trade, improving its structure, and expanding industrial cooperation constitute our key priority, he said. Bilateral trade, he said, was declining in recent years but has reversed this year. It rose by 29% in the first quarter of 2017. As of today the sides have agreed a list of 19 projects aimed at establishing joint ventures for transport infrastructure, new technology, including pharmaceuticals, aircraft and automobile manufacturing, the diamond industry, and agriculture, he said without giving details. After summit talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on intellectual property, a master framework agreement on building two units at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, a programme of bilateral cultural exchanges for 2017-2019, an agreement on a feasibility study for a high- speed link between Nagpur and Secunderabad, and a memorandum on cooperation between joint stock company ALROSA and Indias Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. Also signed were documents on building Russian-designed nuclear power plants at new sites in India, developing a bilateral leasing platform, developing bilateral investment activity, and developing rail transport vehicles. Russias cumulative investment in the Indian economy exceeded $4 billion, and Indian investment in Russia is $8 billion. All these facts show that Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory, and we both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend, Putin said. Putin said the cooperation is not limited to direct supplies of the latest Russian military equipment to India. The assembly of high-tech military products has been set up in India with Russias participation. We agreed with the Prime Minister to continue to jointly develop and manufacture modern weapons systems. At the CEO forum that immediately followed the Summit discussions, Putin said over the past seven decades, first the Soviet Union and then Russia built steel works, power stations, chemicals plants, gas pipelines, agribusiness facilities, and transport infrastructure in India. We in Russia are proud of this capital we have developed together, he said. He said it was important to move from simply trading goods to more sophisticated forms of cooperation. We invite our partners to localise production in Russia. We know Prime Minister Modis idea regarding projects in India in areas where we can support each other and exchange modern technology. We can do this on a bilateral basis, of course, in areas where we are competitive at the global level. Businessmen of the two nations can create new, high value-added products and build production chains, including for promoting their goods and services on third country markets, he said. On the agenda we have the launch of promising joint projects in fundamental areas for the economy and high-tech sectors such as nuclear energy, the aerospace sector, and biotechnology. We need to look to the future, and the future is about harnessing the common powerful scientific and technical potential of both countries. Russias market, he said, today offers every opportunity for carrying out the boldest business initiatives. We continue to improve our investment and business mechanisms, including with respect to foreign companies and citizens. We will use modern market instruments to stimulate growth in the high-tech sectors. India on Friday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army. The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near here at around 9:50 am, official sources said. The trial of the sophisticated missile was successful and the mission objectives were met, they said. The Prithvi-II missile is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target with precision and accuracy. The state-of-the-art missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC) and monitored by the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise, a DRDO scientist said. The missile trajectory was tracked by the DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha, the sources said. Teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown. In salvo mode, two Prithvi-II missiles were successfully test fired in quick succession from the same base, on November 21, 2016. Inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003, the nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Bitcoin mining companies have been shut down or relocated in Mabian Yi Autonomous County, home to a prosperous mining industry in southwest Chinas Sichuan province, and the reason for the phenomenon is unclear. The shutdown is made more puzzling by the fact that the value of Bitcoins has exceeded 10,000 RMB ($1,469.6), and many exchange platforms are battling for mining resources after the Central Bank of China banned the deposit and withdrawal of Bitcoins. Local Bitcoin miners say they were not forced to relocate, but they are reluctant to talk more about the shutdown. The Bajiaoxi Mining Factory located in Bajiaoxi Hydropower Station is one of them. Due to the shutdown of the mining company, the hydropower station is set to lose some one million RMB ($147,000) in electricity charges per month. A mining company owner said they too will suffer big losses from the shutdown, as well as from the costs of relocation and construction as they look for another suitable location. Mining Bitcoins is a global effort, so even if mining is banned somewhere, the total amount of Bitcoins does not change, and so the global price will not fluctuate, an industry insider said. Another industry insider reluctant to reveal his name said China is home to the largest amount of Bitcoin factories in the world, but the industry is under loose supervision. A staff member from the information office of the State Gird Sichuan Electric Power Company said managing the electricity consumption of the Bitcoin mining companies is beyond their supervision, as those companies directly use electricity generated by the hydropower stations. A local official said the closure of the Bajiaoxi Mining Company aims at cracking down on illegal cash operations and on controlling systemic risks. But documents show that the mining company is not involved in any illegal activities. Zhang Jun, a senior researcher with the Taiyiyun Strategic Research Center, said if the mysterious closure of the mining companies forced them to conceal their mining activities, it would harm supervision efforts and would not improve the livelihood of mining workers. Bitcoin miners want the industry to be regulated so that they do not have to hide, he added. Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in at least three areas of Kashmir after Friday prayers. A group of youths started shouting pro-freedom slogans at Nowhatta after Friday prayers ended at the historic Jamia Masjid. Security forces deployed to maintain law and order used batons and lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse them, leading to clashes between the two sides, a police official said. He said the protesters threw stones at security forces. Also, violence erupted in Sopore town in Baramulla district and Sherbagh area in Anantnag district, the official said. No casualties were reported in any of these incidents. A temple in Keralas Muslim-dominated Malappuram district held an iftar party for Muslims fasting during the month of Ramzan, amid a row over a central notification regulating cattle sale and slaughter across the country, which is being seen as an attempt to target minorities. The Shree Narasimhamoorthy Temple in Punnathala had enough reasons to hold such the event on its premises after Muslims loosened their wallet generously for the restoration work that was recently carried out on its premises. Initially, the temple was planning a mass banquet but later changed its plan and decided to host an iftar - the meal with which Muslims break their fast during Ramzan. At least 500 people thronged the temple hall on Wednesday for the feast and, of course, there was no non-vegetarian dish. For us, it is the festival of the area not of a particular community, T Asainar, a teacher, said summing up the bonhomie. The neglected temple was in ruins when the shrine committee took up the renovation and deity restoration work and Muslims wholeheartedly supported the move. The centuries old idol of the presiding deity, Lord Vishnu in the Narasimha avatar, will be reinstalled on Sunday. Here we live like a single family. We consult each other on important occasions. In fact, the suggestion to renovate the age-old temple came from some Muslim families of the area, temple committee secretary PT Mohanan said, adding that a major chunk of expense (around Rs 20 lakh) was borne by Muslims. Youngsters from both the communities lined up in large numbers during the temple renovation work as well as the iftar party during Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset and join mass prayers at mosques. Mohanan said the tiny village was a classic example of religious unity and that people who always think and work on communal lines should take a lesson from it. 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, which banned the sale of cows, bulls, bullocks, buffaloes, steers, heifers, calves, and camels, has triggered a political storm in India. Slaughter of milch cows is banned in all states except in Kerala and in parts of north-east India. Cows, considered holy by many Hindus, are a sensitive political topic and have gained importance since Prime Minister Narendra Modi stormed to power in 2014 and several BJP-ruled states enacted strict laws to punish cow slaughter. But many say the expanding protection for bovines is a proxy war against Dalits and Muslims as exemplified by the lynching of dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in Rajasthan in April or the flogging of Dalit men in Gujarats Una last year. The fifth and the sixth unit of Indias largest nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu will cost about Rs 50,000 crore to build with half of it being funded by Russia as loan. The project will take seven years to start generating electricity, Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) Chairman and Managing Director SK Sharma told PTI. India and Russia signed an agreement for the two new reactors for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) on the sidelines of the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The entire project will cost about Rs 50,000 crore. The first unit will be commissioned in 66 months and the second six months thereafter, Sharma said. Atomstroyexport, a unit of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, will build the reactors. The project will be funded in 70:30 debt-equity ratio (70 per cent debt, 30 per cent equity), he said. The Russian government will lend India USD 4.2 billion to help cover the construction cost. Sharma said the equity portion of project will either come from NPCILs own resources or from government. At the agreement signing ceremony, Russian President Putin said the first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant was put into operation. The most reliable, latest Russian technology was used in its construction. The plants second unit has also started to generate electricity. At a joint teleconference in October 2016 with Narendra Modi we launched the construction of the plants third and fourth units. And we reaffirmed our intention to build in India at least 12 Russian-designed energy units, which will make a large contribution to the development of Indias nuclear industry, he said. The KKNPP was the outcome of an inter-governmental agreement between the erstwhile Soviet Union and India in 1988. It is the single largest nuclear power station in India. The power station was envisaged to have six units with total capacity to generate 6,000 MW of electricity (1,000 MW each). Construction on the plant began on March 31, 2002 and Unit 1 was synchronised with the southern power grid in October 2013. The second unit started generating electricity in August last year. The original cost of the two units was Rs 13,171 crore, but it was later revised to Rs 17,270 crore. Russia advanced a credit of Rs 6,416 crore for construction of the two units. Construction of plants third and fourth units was launched last year and will cost Rs 39,747 crore. While the cost of generating power from first two units is reported at Rs 4.29 per unit, the cost from 3 and 4 is likely to be significantly higher than that. Units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam plant are expected to be commissioned by 2022-23. The Russian built Water-Water Energetic Reactor (VVER) reactor Kudankulam unit 1 and 2 are the largest power generating stations in the country. After all the units (1-6) of the plant are commissioned, the nuclear park will have the power generating capacity of 6,000 MW, boosting significantly the countrys nuclear power generation. The current nuclear power generation capacity of all 22 nuclear power reactors in India is 6780 MW. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the city police on Friday filed a charge sheet against former minister Gayatri Prajapati of the Samajwadi Party and six accomplices in a case in which they are accused of gang- raping a Chitrakoot woman and attempting to rape her minor daughter. The SIT, led by Chowk circle officer (CO) Radhey Shyam Rai, submitted the charge sheet in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Lucknow. Rai told HT the involvement of all the seven accused was being established on the basis of statements from over 20 people. He said the SIT also examined the two crime scenes: the ex-ministers residence at 5, Gautampalli and a flat allotted to him at a legislators hostel on Park Road. The CO said charges were added under Section 354 (A) of the Indian Penal Code for physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures with the complainants minor daughter and 509 (A) for using abusive language. Earlier, an FIR was lodged with Gautampalli police station under section 376 (D) of the IPC for gang rape, 376/511 for attempt to rape the minor girl and section of the POCSO Act. An SIT member said there was strong evidence in the charge sheet to corroborate the involvement of all seven accused. He added,The complainant identifying every thing of the former ministers bungalow and his flat establishes she stayed there for several days. Moreover, her minor daughter also confirmed the sequence of events.The mobile call details also establish they were in constant touch. The woman told the police that Prajapatis aides attempted to rape her minor daughter a day after the former ministers birthday in 2016. She said several people, including journalists, were present in the party and he had distributed an envelope containing ?5000 each as a return gift. She and her two children also received the envelope. The police have arrested 118 people in connection with the May 30 communal clashes in Old City area in Bhopal. We have arrested 118 people since May 31. More arrests in connection with the violence will be made, Superintendent of Police (Bhopal North) Arvind Saxena told PTI on Friday. Those who fomented trouble and added fuel to the fire via social media will be arrested. We want to send a strong message to the troublemakers that communal violence wont be tolerated at any cost, he said, adding a special cell is investigating the matter. Members of two communities had clashed and pelted stones at each other in Old City area here on May 30, leaving some persons, including policemen, injured. Tension had gripped the area after the remnants of a structure reportedly surfaced during the construction of a building two days ago, with people of both communities claiming that the structure was linked to their faiths. Around a dozen vehicles were torched in the clashes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Friday addressing the plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Before the address, Modi visited the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts in St. Petersburg, where some of Indias historical and holy manuscripts are kept. Here are live updates on Modis visit: -- 125 crore people of India are inviting you- explore the opportunities in India: Modi -- In India there is lot of work underway in renewable energy: Modi -- I see immense opportunities in manufacturing healthcare equipment, defence sector, services sector: Modi -- In India, sky is the limit. There are opportunities in several sectors: Modi -- Number of people who travel by train in India will be more than population of many nations. Hence, railway infra is vital: Modi -- India is urbanising rapidly and this makes the need of infrastructure and waste management mechanisms even more important: Modi -- In India, we are nurturing an eco-system where the youth of India becomes a job creator, not job seeker: Modi -- New India is about upgraded infrastructure: Modi -- It is also agreed that among the top FDI destinations in the world, India figures highly: Modi -- India is a fast growing economy - this is a sentiment leading global agencies are reflecting: Modi --We have removed over 1,200 laws that are obsolete in todays context. This is a manifestation of our belief in minimum government: Modi --Our constant aim is to bridge the digital divide. Over the last three years the impetus to financial inclusion has been tremendous: Modi --We are living in the era of technology. In that context, a digital divide can adversely affect the development trajectory of any nation: Modi --GST will be implemented and there will be a uniform system of taxation. This will benefit industry: Modi -- Political will, political stability and clear vision set the tone for transformative reforms: Modi -- In the last three years there have been substantial reforms, guided by the principle of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance -- The eyes of the world are on Asia and there is renewed interest in India -- India- Russia ties are not utilitarian. There is an underlying trust in our ties and our ties have grown stronger and deeper over time -- At a time when we mark 70 years of strong ties with Russia, I am happy to be here among you -- I want to specially thank President Putin for inviting me to this forum, that too in his homeland 5.29pm: PM Modi is speaking at Plenary Session of St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres here on the sidelines of an economic summit and stressed on multilateralism to address global challenges such as terrorism. The meeting also assumes significance as it comes in the wake of a major jolt to the global fight against climate change with US President Donald Trump announcing to withdraw America from the Paris Climate Accord. Stressing multilateralism to address global challenges such as terrorism. PM @narendramodi receives UNSG @antonioguterres in St Petersburg, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted along with a photo of the meeting. Earlier, engaging in bilateral diplomacy on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Modi met Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern. He also met his Mongolian counterpart J Erdenebat. Modi said he held wide-ranging talks with Erdenebat during their interaction on the sidelines of the SPIEF. Earlier today, Modi attended the SPIEF where he made a strong pitch to global businesses for investing in India, saying its market of 120 crore people provides vast opportunities from agriculture to defense, while being protected by political stability and a vibrant judicial system. PATNA Nudged by the public outcry on the social media and in Madhubani, Patna and New Delhi, the Bihar police headquarters have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the abduction and brutal killing last week of a 12-year-old girl, Nancy Jha, in Andhramath (Laukahi) area of north Bihars Madhubani district. The girl, a class 6 student, had gone missing on May 25. Two days later, on May 27, her body, disfigured beyond recognition and decomposed, was retrieved from the bed of Tilyuga river, about 1.5 km from her home in Mahadeva Math locality. The post-mortem examination confirmed she had been strangled to death. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the girls murder but some locals suspect the real culprits may not have been caught. Station house officer of Andhramath PS, Rajiv Kumar, was placed under suspension on the charge of negligence in duty, on the orders of Darbhanga range DIG Vinod Kumar. Additional director general of police (ADG), headquarters, Sanjiv Kumar Singhal said the SIT has been formed under the supervision of ASP, Jhanjharpur, Nidhi Rani, an IPS officer of 2014 batch, for a thorough inquiry into the murder. Singhal said the Darbhanga DIG had found that the SHO had ordered an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) rank police officer to investigate the sensational murder, instead of himself pursuing the case, proactively. The DIG, along with the SIT members, had visited the spot to gather information. Now, ASP Nidhi Rani is carrying out further investigation into the case from different angles, Singhal added. The case has provoked an unprecedented outrage in the entire Mithilanchal and Kosi belts of north Bihar, with thousands of people taking to the streets and recourse to the social media to vent their horror over the incident and the subsequent police inaction. Spontaneous marches have materialised in Madhubani, while people of Patna took out a candle march in protest against the murder, on Thursday. In Delhi, last Wednesday, a large number of people took out a march and staged a dharna at Jantar Mantar to demand justice for little Nancy. Sources said the main suspect in the murder was caught by the people and handed over to the police in an inebriated state, but let off as the police they did not have sufficient grounds to detain him. Though drunk, the man was not even booked under the Excise Act 2016 which bans use of liquor as he should have been. Madhubani SP Deepak Barnwal told HT that two named accused Pawan Jha and Lalu Jha had already been arrested and sent to judicial custody. The two are neighbours of Nancys father, Kumar Ravindra Narayan, who runs a private school, and have been named as suspects in the case, in an FIR he has lodged. The two have, however, denied their role in the abduction and murder. Barnwal said that a medical board, comprising two lady doctors, which performed the post-mortem on Nancys body, at the Begusarai sadar hospital, has ruled out rape and held the cause of her death was asphyxia, which suggests the girl was strangled. The post-mortem clearly says there was no medical evidence of rape or even an acid attack, the SP said. A theory doing the rounds was that Nancy may have been abducted to stop her aunts impending wedding. Buit when the family went ahead with the wedding, on May 26, the kidnappers killed the girl. This is among the various possibilities that the police are looking at. STRAP PUBLIC OUTRAGE The case has provoked an unprecedented outrage in the entire Mithilanchal and Kosi belt of north Bihar, with thousands of people taking to the streets and recourse to the social media to vent their anger BLURB The girl, a class 6 student, had gone missing on May 25. Two days later, on May 27, her body, disfigured beyond recognition and decomposed, was retrieved from the bed of Tilyuga river, about 1.5 km from her home in Mahadeva Math locality in Madhubani SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Describing terrorism as a global menace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged the world community to block funding, weapons and communication modes of terrorists, in an apparent reference to Pakistans support for Kashmiri militants. The call of time is that we should rise above specific incidents. Terrorism is the enemy of humankind. All should come together to fight terrorism, Modi said during a discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Modi, while noting that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present in the gathering, lamented that for 40 years, a resolution is pending before the United Nations regarding definition of terrorism and of those who help terrorists. Only lip service has been provided. There has been no discussion, nor any decision, he said. The prime minister said he was glad that Putin on Thursday had publicly stated that the resolution would be discussed. In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Modi said terrorists dont manufacture weapons, but some countries supply guns to them. Similarly, terrorists dont print currency, but some countries facilitate their financing through money laundering. Terrorists dont own telecommunications system and social media networks, but some countries help them with that, he said. Now we should come out of good terrorism, bad terrorism (debate); my terrorist, your terrorist (syndrome). It is an issue of humankind. Thats how we can fight terrorism, he said. India, he said, has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for 40 years and thousands of innocent citizens have been killed but the world recognized terrorism merely as a law and order problem for many years. Only after 9/11, the world woke up to know how deep terrorists can strike and how much havoc they can wreak, he said. He said terrorism has no boundaries and all countries should fight it collectively. Read more | Pakistan funding case: NIA grills three Kashmiri separatist leaders Putin also said that India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an imaginary thing. He agreed with Modi that terrorism is a common threat and that should unite us. We ought to understand what is happening and where it will lead us. We ought to be aware of the danger of terrorism. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is unlikely to host an iftar party this Ramzan, sources close to him said. Iftar is the first meal Muslims have during the Ramzan month after a days fasting, or Roza. Politicians across parties have for years hosted iftar parties as a way to reach out to minority communities, if not to celebrate the sacred month. Yogi is unlikely to host any iftar party, said a senior officer, wishing not to be identified. Adityanath is a Mahant the chief priest of the Gorakhnath temple and he has never held an iftar. The chief minister has, however, held Hindu rituals during Navratri. Muslim leaders said his decision is a reflection of his politics. Hosting Roza Iftar is a tradition that has been followed even outside India, including in the White House. It reflects the hosts respect and harmony. Even BJP leaders Kalyan Singh and Rajnath Singh did so as chief ministers. A decision not to host iftar party at chief ministers residence only affects the secular credentials of the country, said All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, who is also the Imam of Lucknow Idgah. Several prominent leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party have hosted iftars, chief among them fromer Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpyee and former chief ministers of UP Kalyan Singh and Rajnath Singh. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not, and Adityanaths decision appears to be taking a cue from that. This will be the second time a chief minister of UP, the state with the most Muslim population in the country, will not host an iftar since the practice began in 1974 when Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna was the chief minister. The first was during the brief tenure of Ram Prakash Gupta in 2000. Adityanaths predecessors, Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Partys Mayawati, will host iftars at their residence this year. The Congress too has scheduled an official iftar gathering at its office. The Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhawan has also proposed to host an iftar on June 23. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At two back-to-back meetings beginning with a conclave at Chennai on Saturday, leaders of non-NDA parties will attempt to thrash out a consensus on a common candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections in July. Participants at the Chennai conclave organised on the occasion of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhis 94th birthday will include National Conference leader Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Deve Gowda, Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar and Derek OBrian of the Trinamool Congress besides senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad will be unable to travel down to Chennai on account of poor health, party spokesman Manoj Jha said. The following day, a similar congregation will happen at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, where CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and D Raja of the CPI will share the platform with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, senior JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav and DMK leader Elangovan will be among the other prominent participants at the Guntur meeting - being organised to demand a Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. Being organised in the backdrop of successive electoral defeats at the hands of a recharged BJP, the two meetings of the Opposition leaders are being seen as a last ditch efforts among regional satraps to sink differences in the run up to the general elections of 2019. Emerging signs of a reconfiguration of political forces have been evident in past weeks, with traditional rivals such as the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh and the Trinamool Congress and the Left parties in West Bengal having indicated that they were willing to come on the same page on issues of common concern. India is committed to protecting climate, irrespective the Paris agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday but avoided a direct reference to the US withdrawing from the international deal. Addressing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) here in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said India has traditionally been respecting nature and desisted from exploiting it. Paris or no Paris, our commitment to preserving the climate is for the sake of future generations, Modi said while responding to a question about US President Donald Trump announcing withdrawal of the USA from the Climate Change deal. He said he had made the same comment in Germany three days back when nobodys comment had come, an apparent reference to Trumps announcement on Friday. I said it in then, I say it now, he added. Trump earlier in the day said the US was withdrawing from the Paris climate change deal, agreed by more than 190 nations. He said it unfairly benefited countries like India and China. Asked by the moderator whether India would side with the US or others on the Paris climate change deal, Modi replied, it is not a question of which way I go. I will go with the future generations. He underlined, we must leave for our future generations a climate wherein they can breathe clean air and have a healthy life. Earlier, addressing the event, the prime minister said, India is a responsible nation with regard to climate change...We can milk the nature... Exploitation of nature is not acceptable to us, he said. He said India had been working to protect the environment even before the Paris deal reached in 2015. For the last 5000 years, even when I was not born, it has been the tradition in India to protect the environment, Modi said. He recalled that when he was the chief minister of Gujarat before 2014, the state had created a separate department for environment protection. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited global business leaders on Friday to invest in India, saying its market of 120 crore people provides vast opportunities from agriculture to defence. The sky is the limit in India. You can venture here in any area you want (to do business), Modi told a global audience in his plenary address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) St. Petersburg. This is the first time that an Indian prime minister is attending the SPIEF forum, which is held annually in Russias second largest city and President Vladimir Putins hometown. Putin, who addressed the session before Modi, also spoke of Russias attractiveness for investors, pointing out the technological advancements of its youth. Modi said that his governments journey toward developing India is built on investments in infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and services. Fifty cities need metros, 500 cities need solid waste management and drinking water. Besides, India has the worlds second largest railway network. It needs to be expanded, upgraded technologically to make it safer and reliable. The clean India movement has embarked on a program to clean the 2,500 kilometer long Ganga, Modi said. All this provides immense opportunities for investment, he said. In agriculture, he said his emphasis is on seed to market, and increasing yield through technological intervention, organic farming and value addition through food processing, he said. The market is open even for defence manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and medical devices. I invite you all. A nation of 1.2 billion people invites the world. The worlds oldest civilization invites you all, he said. Russia is preparing to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both sides are discussing the terms of the sale, Russian deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has said. Pre-contract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Rogozin said. Pre-contract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, he said. It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms, Russias official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modis ongoing visit to this Russian city. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over USD five billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. Read | India, Russia to set up joint ventures to build aircraft, automobiles The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. In April, Sergei Chemezov, director-general of the Rostec State Corporation had said that the deal for the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems (AAMS) to India is not yet concluded. The contract has not yet been signed, Chemezov had said. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. The S-400 Triumph is Russias latest mobile long-range multiple anti-aircraft missile system, which came into service in 2007. It is meant for destroying aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and ground targets. China was the first foreign buyer of the S-400 anti- aircraft missile systems. RJD leader Mohammed Shahabuddin, an accused in journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case, has refused to undergo a lie detector test, and is not cooperating in the probe, CBI sources said on Friday. Shahabuddin, a four-time former MP from Bihars Siwan parliamentary constituency, was lying and concealing facts related to the case, they said. The agency will inform the special court in Muzzafarpur court about the development. Ranjan, the Siwan bureau chief of a Hindi daily newspaper, was shot dead allegedly by Shahabuddins henchmen in May last year. The Bihar politician was in jail in connection with other criminal cases against him when the incident happened. He was later shifted to Tihar jail. It is mandatory to take consent of the accused before subjecting them to polygraph test, also known as lie detector test, the sources said. The agency is questioning Shahabuddin after obtaining his custody for eight days in connection with the case. The eight-day custody will end on Monday. A sudden shift towards religion became the undoing for murder accused Isha Mohammed. He successfully managed to elude the police for the last 16 years but was arrested after returning home to attend Ramzan prayers with his family. According to the police, Mohammed, a resident of Bharatpur district, was wanted in a 24-year-old murder case and has been absconding for the last 16 years. Mohammed had murdered an acquaintance in 1993 over a land dispute between their families. A long drawn court case followed and finally, the Rajasthan High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2001, said Yogendra Singh, station house officer, Jurhara police station, Bharatpur. Officials said that following the court decision, Mohammed went into hiding and allegedly crossed into neighbouring state Haryana. Mohammeds family lives in a village called Jurairi, which is situated on the border of Haryana. This gave the accused the chance to flee to Haryana, said Singh. Singh is among the long line of station house officers who have been at the helm of the Jurhara police station in the last 16 years. In spite of the change of guard, the search for Mohammed was on, primarily carried on by a network of trusted informants. For all these years, our informants had kept an eye on his family and possible whereabouts. Mohammed was also cornered in 2007 when had come to Rajasthan but managed to escape after clashing with the police. A separate case was registered thereafter, said the Singh, the incumbent SHO. At the end, it appears that divine intervention finally helped the police nab Mohammed, now 45-year-old. Apparently, Mohammed came out of his hiding place in Haryana, specifically to offer Ramzan prayers with his family. We got information that Mohammed has come to his house for Ramzan. We monitored his activities and finally arrested him on Thursday. He was presented in court and has been sent to jail, said Singh. The police said that during interrogation Mohammed accepted that in all these years he has been hiding in Haryana at a relatives place. The Darjeeling hills of north Bengal can again turn restive following the resolve of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), the principal force in the hills, to resist chief minister Mamata Banerjees diktat of compulsory teaching of Bengali in all schools of the state. GJM forced about 1,000 schools and colleges in the hills to close on Thursday and Friday to protest the inclusion of Bengali, and has vowed to oppose it. Darjeeling hills has 770 primary schools, 130 high schools, almost 50 ICSE schools and about 10 colleges which remained closed for the second day on Friday. Read: Bengal civic polls: TMC wins four civic bodies, GJM-BJP alliance bags three According to the current curriculum, a student in a hill school can pass out without studying Bengali at all. Most students in Darjeeling schools study English, Nepali and Hindi. They have to take a first language and a second language along with a third language till class 8. GJM leaders have also urged locals to take out rallies from June 4 till June 8 when the chief minister Mamata Banerjee would be addressing meetings and holding the first state cabinet meeting. GJM president Bimal Gurung announced that he would hit the roads to lead the rallies in Darjeeling to protest against the state governments decision to impose Bengali. Darjeeling has witnessed violent movements in different phases since the eighties demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland. (HT Photo) Darjeeling Police have initiated a suo moto case against key GJM leaders including Bimal Gurung along with representatives of education institutions and organisations who were present in a May 30 meeting in Darjeeling convened by GJM on May 30. The decision to close schools and plant black flags was taken at this meeting where several representatives of several social and literary organisations and personalities went. Interestingly, the chief ministers move has allowed GJM to rally the hill people just after Trinamool Congress got control of a civic board there (Mirik) for the first time. The FIR names GJM leaders such as Roshan Giri, Binoy Tamang, Ramesh Allay, Swaraj Thapa and P Arjun along with Prem Pradhan of Nepali Sahitya Sammelan, Jiwan Namdung a member of Nepali Sahitya Academy, Pemba Bomzan the President of Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan (GDNS); Rev Joy Haldar of St Pauls School; Father Peter Lingdam of St Roberts School; Pravat Mukhia of St Josephs College; Derrick Pradhan of Vidya Vikash Academy and others. They have been charged under sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 153 A(b) (committing any act which is prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious, racial, language or regional groups); 505 (statements conducting to public mischief ) of the IPC. Read: New political equation unfolds in Darjeeling hills, TMC-GNLF forge poll alliance against GJMs might Incidentally, in the recent civic body polls, GJM appealed to the Gorkha identity and said it was a Gorkhaland-vs-Bengal question. GJM leaders are now saying that forcing Bengali down their throats only proves the bull dozing that parties from the planes are indulging. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has insisted that students studying in any school in Bengal has to study Bengali mandatorily till class 10. (HT Photo) The GJM has termed the administrations move as an attempt to suppress the democratic voices. But we will not bow down, said Binoy Tamang the assistant secretary of the GJM. On Wednesday the district administration officials said there is no intension to impose any language on anybody in the hills. There is no notification or circular of the state government as of now to this effect, said the Darjeeling district magistrate. In Kolkata, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that there is no harm in Nepali-speaking people studying Bengali in schools. If I can speak Nepali, what is the harm if Nepali speaks Hindi or Bengali, she said in a meeting with the representatives of private schools in the city. Read: Exclusive park for mountain bikers in Darjeeling It was on May 16 the Bengal government declared Bengali as a mandatory subject for all students till Class 10 in all schools in the state irrespective of their board affiliations. Incidentally, Nepali is the official language in the hills of Bengal. In 1961 Nepali was recognized as an official language of West Bengal, and in 1992, Nepali was recognized as one of the official Languages of India under the 8th Scheduled of Indian Constitution. To old citizens of the hills, GJMs opposition of the state governments decision is reminiscent of the 1961 movement when the locals resisted the states decision to make Bengali compulsory in the hills. Faced with stiff resistance, the B C Roy government had to withdraw its decision. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A possible procedural lapse by the Kolkata Police has jeopardised the investigation into the death of top model Sonika Chauhan in an a car crash involving television actor Vikram Chatterjee. A report on Friday by the Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika said that the police submitted just 0.5 ml of Chatterjees blood for forensic tests 20 times lesser than the required amount. This means it might never been known if Chatterjee was drunk while driving a car with Chauhan on their way back from a nightclub, when an accident caused her death. The case has rocked Kolkata amid a storm of allegations that the police went slow on the investigation and sent blood samples for tests 10 days after the April 29 accident. Friends of Sonika demanded strong action against Vikram and alleged Kolkata Police didnt probe if Chatterjee was driving under the influence of alcohol. Last Tuesday, Kolkata Police charged Chatterjee with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. On April 29, 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. Vikram was admitted to 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, authorities said. Chief minister Yogi Adityanaths decision to worship Ram Lalla at the make-shift temple in Ayodhya and attend birthday celebration of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, the seer behind the Ram Mandir movement, was not without reason. Through his decision to offer prayer at the Ram Janmabhoomi, Adityanath succeeded in conveying the message that now there was a government in the state which cared for the sentiments of the Hindus. He however also made it clear that Ram Mandir could only be constructed through dialogue between all warring factions. Adityanath had attended birthday celebrations of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das earlier also. But this time, his presence at the event as chief minister conveyed a different message to people, especially the natives of Ayodhya. Read more:Yogi Adityanath offers prayers at Ram temple in Ayodhya, first UP CM in 15 years Sharing the stage with Mahant Nritya Gopal Das as chief minister has altogether different meaning, said Dr Mridula Rai, a lecturer in a degree college. The chief ministers decision to offer prayer at Ram Janmabhoomi has also conveyed a message. Times have changed since demolition of the mosque. Now, no sensible chief minister will issue unwarranted statements related with construction of Ram Mandir, she added. Rai endorsed the CMs decision to resolve the Ayodhya issue through dialogue. Read more:Why a negotiated settlement over Ram temple-Babri masjid row is not a far cry Ratna Shukla also agreed that the issue should be resolved through dialogue. By coming to Ayodhya and offering prayer at Hanuman Garhi and Ram Janmabhoomi the CM has clearly expressed his sentiments, said Shukla. You cannot expect a CM to whip-up sentiments of people on the issue. People of Ayodhya want development and amicable solution of the vexed Ayodhya issue, added Shukla. Raghuvar Das, aged around 75 years and a resident of Hanuman Garhi area, wants a Ram Mandir at the disputed site but not at the cost of peace and harmony. Ram Mandir must come up at its original site. We all want it but though consensus and dialogue with the Muslims, said Das. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered at least 10 inquiries during its nearly 10-week tenure to probe alleged irregularities in the implementation of schemes and projects that were launched by the previous Samajwadi Party regime in Uttar Pradesh. More such schemes and projects may face probe in the coming weeks as the Yogi Adityanath government reviews the previous regimes work. Besides recommending a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the Delhi-Saharanpur-Yamunotri highway project on May 16, the state government has also constituted judicial, ministerial and departmental committees to examine such irregularities. Projects under probe Delhi-Saharanpur-Yamunotri highway project Lucknows Gomti River Front project Land aquisition for Agra-Lucknow Expressway Yash Bharti awards Samajwadi pension scheme Distribution of ration cards Submitting of fake fix deposits to get PWD contracts in Etah Irregularities in implementation of JNNURM by the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam The Sachal Palna Grah Construction of Jal Prakash Narain International Convention Centre at Lucknow The Uttar Pradesh State Highway Authority (UPSHA) on February 20 - in the middle of the 2017 assembly elections - lodged an FIR against four officials of a Hyderabad-based construction company for cheating and fraud. The state government had constituted a three-member committee headed by former Allahabad high court judge, justice AK Singh to probe the ambitious Gomti River Front project of the SP government. The judicial committee has indicted former chief secretary Alok Ranjan and former principal secretary (irrigation) Deepak Singhal for serious irregularities in the implementation of the project. A four-member committee headed by urban development minister Suresh Khanna has now been constituted to examine the judicial committee report and recommend action against those responsible for the lapses. On his part, former irrigation minister Shivpal Yadav has defended his role and said everything was fine with the project till he was involved in its implementation. Read more:Environment issues ignored in Gomti River Front project; vigilance or CBI probe likely The Yogi government has asked district magistrates associated with the acquisition of land for the Agra-Lucknow (Access Controlled) Greenfield Six Lane Expressway that connects the city of the Taj Mahal and the Uttar Pradesh capital to probe irregularities. RITES Limited is looking into the quality of construction of the project. Other schemes under Yogi governments scanner include the Yash Bharti awards, the Samajwadi Pension Scheme, distribution of ration cards, submitting fake fix deposits to get public works department contracts (Etah) and irregularities in implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) by the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam. The SP government had announced a monthly pension of Rs 50,000 to the Yash Bharti awardees. As the Yogi government reviews the Yash Bharti awards, there are indications that the pension linked to the awards may be discontinued. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Rana (one of the Yash Bharti awardees) has now written a letter to the chief minister, protesting against the discontinuation of pension for the awardees. The Allahabad high court has also ordered a CBI inquiry into the Sachal Palna Grah (mobile creche) project following accusations of gross misappropriation of funds. The SP government had launched the project for construction workers. The CBI is already conducting a probe into the multi-crore mining scam and questioned former principal secretary mining Gurdeep Singh, considered close to SP leader and former minister for mining Gayatri Prasad Prajapati. The role of 24 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers may come into question as the CBI inquiry makes headway. A probe has been also been ordered into the sale of 21 sugar mills under the Mayawati government that was in power from 2007 to 2012. Swachhagrahis selected by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) to generate awareness about cleanliness and give inputs to officials about problems in various areas have failed to perform their duties. Reason: They were not selected on merit, but on the whims of LMC staff. The failure of 1,100 swachhagrahis has already cost Lucknow dear in the form of 269th rank in sanitation index. But the LMC has now decided to replace some defunct swachhagrahis and train the rest for the task of improving sanitation in the city. Prabha Chaturvedi a social worker, who has worked on ensuring cleanliness in Nishatganj, said she had never been approached by LMC for swacchagrahis work. I would have been happy to do the work, but no one approached me for that, she said. THEIR ROLE Swachhagrahis are responsible for creating sanitation awareness among residents. They are also supposed to ensure proper disposal of domestic refuse, and motivate people to stop open defecation, build toilets in their houses and keep surroundings clean. They are expected to stop residents, shopkeepers and staff of commercial establishments such as marriage halls from dumping solid waste at public places. They are also supposed to send a daily report, however, most volunteers have not done so. Similarly, IR Lamba of Lucknow Citizens Forum, has always been active in creating awareness about civic issues. But he was never approached by LMC officials for the work of swacchagrahi. Environment engineer of LMC Pankaj Bhushan said, Now, the municipal corporation has decided to organise a zone-wise training programme for swachhagrahis. The aim is to make them more professional in their work. We want them to be more accountable and realise their responsibility towards the mission of keeping the city clean. If they cannot devote time to this work, the corporation will replace them with others who can give better results in improving cleanliness levels, said Bhushan. Just as the Satyagrahis had fought the British for the countrys independence, the Swachhagrahis were supposed to fight filth in all the 110 municipal wards of the city. Prabha Chaturvedi said, There is no fault of poor Swacchagrahis in poor ranking of Lucknow. The fact is that they failed to understand the criteria on which the sanitation rankings were to be decided. What should be noted is that volunteers were not trained at all. In addition, they were expected to work like full-time employees without any emolument or stipend. Thats why most of them never took any interest in highlighting the shortcomings of the sanitation system. Most never tabled any report, never came out with any idea to improve the situation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav who has been talking about forming the Samajwadi Secular Morcha, praised on Thursday chief minister Yogi Adityanath and called him "an honest and hardworking chief minister." The comment came two days after the SP held a statewide demonstration against the Yogi government over "deteriorating law and order." Shivpal was talking to a section of media at his residence here on Thursday when he said: "He is doing well. He is honest and hard working. Let's watch him for six months." Talking about the Morcha, he said the date for the formation of the morcha will be announced after finding an auspicious date. Read more| Will launch Mulayam-led front on July 6 to strengthen Samajwadi Party: Shivpal Shivpal said though he was going ahead with the morcha, his top priority was reunion of the family. "Without family reuniting, the SP fortunes will dwindle further," he said adding, "Be it me, him (SP national president Akhilesh Yadav), or the one who sits in Delhi (Ramgopal Yadav), all are what they are because of Netaji (SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav). What's the existence of SP if Netaji stays sidelined. Shivpal then said, "We will weave together the sidelined leaders and other like-minded parties in Samajwadi Secular Morcha and Netaji will be its president." In the same breath he said "Our effort through the morcha would be to bring the family closer again." Replying to a question, he said of course the Samajwadi Party would be a part of the morch. Am I not Samajwadi Party, is Netaji not the Samajwadi Party." When asked if Amar Singh will be part of the front, Shivpal said: "Even before I had asked Amar Singh not to return to the party. I knew he won't get respect in the party. We will see if Amar Singh can be a part of the Morcha." Shivpal said once the morcha was founded, he would hold meetings all over the state and the first convention will be held in Lucknow. On family feud, Shivpal said: "Whatever has happened was because of gossiping and sycophancy. Otherwise, there's no feud in the family." Shivpal said he was ready to sit across the table to end differences within the family. Son of a truck driver from a nondescript village Dhaneja in Jaunpur, Pramod Kumar Yadav, 30, cracked the civil services examinations once again and secured 626th position thus qualifying for the IPS. Speaking to HT on phone, an elated Pramod spelled out his priorities: As an IPS officer, achieving friendly policing will be my top priority. This was Yadavs sixth attempt at this prestigious examination. In 2012, he had cleared the civil services exam and got allied service. He worked in railways as an officer for about two and a half years. Later, he cleared the UP PCS exam and is presently working as a BSA in Azamgarh. Wanting to improve his rank, Pramod now wants to give another shot at the exam so as to qualify for the IAS. Pramod said, I am quite happy with my result. But I will try once more to improve my rank so that I can get IAS. In this attempt, I have got IPS. Pramod did his elementary education from a government-run primary school at his native place and attended a school at a neighbouring village Vishunpura to complete class 10 from UP Board. For higher education, he moved to TD Inter College, Jaunpur. He completed intermediate from UP Board and enrolled in Allahabad University. He studied Hindi, English and ancient History in graduation and Hindi literature in post graduation. Read more: Meet Ummul Kher who battled bone disorder, unsupportive parents, lived in a jhuggi and cracked UPSC exam Speaking about his favourite subjectHindi literaturewhich he opted for in the civil services exam, Pramod said Munshi Premchand was his favourite writer. He has gone through all stories and novels by the literary genius. When the interview board asked the reason behind his liking for the writer, Pramod said the ground realities depicted in Premchands writings were a big draw for him. The board then questioned how he would manage to improve law and order situation in north east to which Pramod replied, Zero tolerance against terrorism and separatist forces will be my strategy to achieve the objective. Simultaneously, I would make efforts for development in the region after a dialogue with the people there. Meanwhile, Pramods 73-year-old father, Ramdular started receiving several congratulatory calls since Wednesday evening. He thanked God for his sons success. Ramdular had been a truck driver for 37 years. It was only a few years ago that he gave up driving and started dairy work. Ramdular told HT on phone, By the grace of God, my son has become big officer (IPS). I am thankful to God. I am very happy as my son has made me proud once more by qualifying the UPSC exam. Pramod is brilliant and very obedient son. He further said, To fulfil my wish around three years back, he tied the knot with an educated girl from a family with humble background. We did not take any dowry as we are against this malpractice. Yadav is married to Reetu Yadav, who is a housewife. The couple has a daughter Shivi. Pramods childhood friend KK Yadav too was elated with his success. Pramod is very brilliant and I was quite hopeful of his success, he said. Teerath Yadav, elder brother of Pramod, is also happy with his siblings achievement. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON WONDER WOMAN Direction: Patty Jenkins Actors: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine Rating: 4.5 / 5 At long last, this DC super-heroine gets a solo outing. Its also one of the rare action-adventures directed by a woman. Patty Jenkins (Monster) plunges us into the origin story of Diana, the warrior princess, better known as Wonder Woman. Smart, funny and tremendously exciting, the film conjures up a fantastical First World War era that keeps your riveted. The narrative focuses on the feminist icon and would-be god-killer (Israeli Gal Gadot, vaulting to the top ranks of female action stars). Living on an island paradise populated entirely by women, she leaves her homeland for the battlefields of Europe. She is accompanied by an American spy (Chris Pine) whose plane had crash-landed on the island. The duo hopes to put an end to the conflict and restore peace to the world. As they strive to come to terms with what Hannah Arendt termed the banality of evil, they accept the necessity for selfless heroism. Meanwhile, their blossoming romance, which seems familiar but feels new, provides a valuable emotional component. Chris Pine plays an American spy who joins Wonder Woman in her mission after his plane crash-lands on her island. Jenkins and her battalion of digital technicians whip up skirmishes with gusto and use an arsenal of 3D effects that will have you ducking for cover. For once, even the slow-motion training montages are effective. Its only during the climactic conflagration that the son et lumiere mega-spectacle loses some of its sheen. Elena Anaya as the aptly named Doctor Poison and David Thewlis as the duplicitous British diplomat are impressive in supporting roles. Matthew Jensens camerawork and the background music score by Rupert Gregson-Williams are a treat too. Resolutely old-fashioned, Wonder Woman is high-spirited fun. Go have a blast. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Wonder Woman Director: Patty Jenkins Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright Rating: 4/5 What is it about DC? You place your faith in them every time and each time, the offering is more disappointing than before. Man of Steel turned out to be a Henry Cavill brood-fest followed by the uninspired attempt at pitting him against Ben Affleck in Batman v Superman. Their last outing, Suicide Squad was nothing any of us deserved. Except, the curse seems to have finally been lifted by the stunning and masterful retelling of the origin story of their biggest, most popular female superhero, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. Director Patty Jenkins, who many thought was a gamble for the franchise, rises above and beyond the immense pressure piled on her. She delivers a film which proves that even in a genre as repetitive as this one, correct answers can still be found despite sticking to the formula, when you get each variable right. A sweet little team. While they could have been used as just faces that stare in awe as Diana does her thing, these men had their own piece of work cut out for them. Patty didnt do it all by herself though. She had the support of Gal Gadot who was perhaps born to play the lasso-wielding Amazonian warrior, and a motivated story, something the franchise needed desperately: Diana, ever since she was a little girl on the hidden island of Themiscyra, was told stories of their origin by her mother, the queen of the Amazons. Enchanted by how all these women were put on the planet to defeat the god of war, Ares, she too wanted a taste of glory for herself. She gets her opportunity when a British spy (Chris Pine), escaping German forces in the First World War, crashes on the island. He tells her of the war to end all wars and she decides to go with him and rid the world of Ares once and for all (literally, she expects to fight a god). She may have left the shores of her home to fight the big bad villain, but once there, she finds that there is no such thing. She grapples with the truth of modern war which kills innocents on all sides and the evil that rests within all human hearts. The mirage breaks when she learns what war does to lives that get caught in between. Diana holds a harsh reflection to the authorities that take lives from their cosy offices, calling it collateral damage, in the many instances where she gets furious at men for standing by and choosing to do nothing. This is where Gadot shines. Pines Steve gives the perfect foil to Gadots Diana. Hes the Lois Lane to his Clark Kent. He gets saved by her several times but he also often drives the story forward and isnt reduced to a mere love interest for our heroine or a plot device. However, the love interest part didnt hurt. In fact, their chemistry was one of the brightest sparks of the film. Their attempts at trying to understand each others worlds gave the film its many moments of light-hearted chuckles and their romance brought a breezy freshness to the genre, a love story you genuinely want to ship. The last time I felt that in a superhero film? Eh...Pepper-Tony? No. Peter-Gwen? Neh. Thor-Jane? Dont care. Clarke-Lois? Nope. I would pay with a part of my soul to watch Robin Wright shoot some more arrows and jump some more shields in a full spin-off film of her own. To address all you action junkies, the stunt choreography is one of the finest Ive witnessed. Turns out, women fighting, cutting up bodies with swords, throwing lassos, hanging from cliffs and shooting arrows looks far more glorious than men. The scene at the beach where the Amazons slash up some German soldiers gives an exciting opener to the 2.5 hours of slo-mo, extra glossy action that youre in for. For instance, the scene where Diana takes charge at the battlefield and takes in all the fire from the enemies. A shot of her getting drowned in gun fire while the camera floats directly above her is perhaps imprinted on my mind for good. A brilliantly directed sequence. The film, however, is not without faults. The villains are still cringe-fully caricaturish, taking long pauses before saying evil things, wearing dramatic masks and even laughing to themselves to celebrate a successful coup. It is going to be .... (very stupid, villainy, long pause)... terrible. And it was. The climax is my biggest complaint with the film. Even with all the things she got right, Jenkins still gave in to the lure of the idea that bigger explosions make better endings. They do not. Batman v Superman should have been a lesson. No one gets off on explosions anymore and Ill fight anyone who says oh but its so awesome. Find other things for awesome. Spontaneous combustions on a large scale shouldnt be on that list. The CGI showdown aside, there was something more that the film got wrong towards the final moments. Diana joined the war to have a final showdown with Ares and defeat him but all this while, the humans and we knew that she is in for a great disappointment because, of course there will be no God of War fighting on Germanys side. But to give a physical manifestation to what could have worked so well as an idea and brought more maturity to the story, takes away a lot from the film. If you can forgive the ending, like I have (actually, I did take away a star for it) and love Diana for her inspiring character, the righteousness of her spirit and also the mad slo-mo action, this film will lasso you right in. Interact with Soumya Srivastava @soumya1405 Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Less than a year after the Maratha protests rocked the Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra, the 47-year-old chief minister must now face a new challenge. Farmers in Maharashtra have gone on strike, hitting the people where it hurts the most stifling their supply of essential commodities. Day two of the strike ensured that its impact was felt in Mumbai. If this continues, the scramble for vegetables and milk will force the government to deal with an unprecedented crisis. Fadnavis decision to rule out loan waivers for farmers and taunt protestors, calling them politically motivated has only made matters worse. Unless he strategically intervenes, he could lose political ground to his sidelined opponents and earn the tag of being anti-farmer. All the chief minister has to do to ensure that he handles the agrarian crisis smoothly, is look at the way he quelled the Maratha protests. Last years community marches demanding reservation and todays farmers strike have more in common than most realise. For starters, both campaigns began in Ahmednagar, a district seen as Maharashtras political cauldron. The Maratha protests were triggered by the rape and murder of a young girl in Kopardi. The campaign spread to Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, and then the rest of the state. Similarly, the farmers strike originated in Puntambe and spread to Aurangabad, Western Maharashtra and the rest of the state, garnering the support of 42 farmers groups under the umbrella organisation, Kisan Kranti Morcha. Likewise, the Marathas had organised themselves under the Maratha Kranti Morcha. Contrary to allegations, both campaigns were not a result of the Oppositions political game plan. The Maratha protesters, who have a strong presence in the agricultural sector, had demanded sops such as loan waivers and implementation of the MS Swaminathan commission report on agriculture. They have backed the farmers strike. In both cases, Opposition parties hopped on to the bandwagon after gauging the initial response to the agitation. Not too long ago, Fadnavis was faced with the Maratha Kranti Morcha and now, the farmers protest. We think there is an overlap between the people who led those protests and the current strike. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was a common factor in both campaigns. This is nothing but a renewed bid by the same group, said a source from the chief ministers office (CMO). The CMO and the state government had aggressively taken to social media, forming WhatsApp groups to portray the protests as those led by rich farmers and parties. They targeted the wastage of vegetables and milk during the strike, questioning whether real farmers could stand by such wastage of their hard-earned produce. However, political observers said this strategy could backfire. The farmers strike stemmed from infighting between two rival Congress groups from Ahmednagar. When the farmers from Puntambe first threatened a strike from June 1, leader of the Opposition in Assembly, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, a Congress heavyweight, rushed in to help Fadnavis, said a local Congress leader. Vikhe Patil split the group, taking some farmers from the district to meet the CM. The action backfired on the BJP and a section of the Congress, giving the farmers more strength. Though the NCP might be fanning the movement to earn political dividends, the protest continues resonate with thousands of farmers, he added. To downplay our protests and term them political just being petty. We have no political masters and have been mobilising farmers without any political patronage or financial incentives. We are tired of our voices going unheard, whether we are demanding a minimum support price or loan waivers. The strike will continue for at least two more days, until cities feel the pinch. We will then decide our next step, said Jayaji Suryavanshi, farmers leader from Aurangabad. It will help if Fadnavis does not go on the offensive, but takes two steps back instead and pacifies agitators by going to the site of the protests. Just as Maratha protesters knew that granting more than 50% reservation would not be easy, farmers know that a flat loan waiver is not possible for all. But, a farmers commission could be set up and they could be assured that some of the recommendations to control minimum support price will be implemented. Fadnavis should sit with the agitators instead of holding a press conference like he did on Thursday,said a senior BJP leader, who did not wish to be identified. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has awarded toll collection rights for the Bandra Worli Sea Link to Mumbai Entry Point Limited (MEPL) , the only bidder, after it failed to attract companies thrice. MEPL has been collecting toll for the 5.6km Sea Link and has been maintaining it since 2009. The firm will now collect toll for another three years till 2020. However, the toll has not been revised. Motorists will continue to pay the same toll until the next revision, due next year. The MSRDC board has decided to award the contract to MEP, which was the sole bidder, confirmed KV Kurundkar, joint managing director, MSRDC. According to the bidding conditions, the contract would be awarded to the company which makes an upfront payment of Rs360 crore to the MSRDC to securitise toll. The MSRDC awarded the contract to MEPL, which offered it Rs325 crore. MEPL will make an upfront payment, after which the work order will be issued to them, Kurundkar added. Senior MSRDC officials said that they made three attempts to get more bidders but not many companies expressed interest. The amount that MEPL has offered is around 10% lower than what the corporation wanted. We could go on with the tendering process but there arent any companies interested in bidding, an official said. The eight-lane sea link, which was opened to the traffic in 2009, was part of a larger plan to upgrade the road transportation network of greater Mumbai. It was constructed to provide an additional outlet from the Island city into the suburbs. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The farmers strike in Maharashtra entered the second day on Friday, with reports of farmers blocking trucks carrying milk and vegetables. If the strike continues, urban centres like Mumbai, Thane, Pune may face shortage of vegetables, milk and fruits. The farmers main demand is loan waiver. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state can afford to waive the loans of 31 lakh farmers, who were edged out of the institutional credit system as they didnt repay. As Maharashtra has 1.34 crore farmers, the decision has not gone down well with others. Fadnavis said , even in Uttar Pradesh, where the loans have been waived, only 70 lakh of the 2.5 crore farmers are getting the benefit. During 2016-17, banks had disbursed farm loan worth Rs 40,000 crore to the states 13.7 million farmers. The loan disbursement has been 80% of the overall agriculture credit target which was set at Rs 51,000 crore for the fiscal. The market yard at Pune. (Pratham Gokhale/HT) While farmers want a loan waiver, the state government has sought time for deliberation. The strike is the farmers way of creating shortage of milk and vegetable supplies to putting pressure on the government to give in to their demands. Meanwhile, traders made a killing by selling farm products at higher rates. Vegetables and fruits prices in Pune, Nashik and other cities soared by 40 %, as the supply came down by half. Traders in Pune market yard said only 125 vehicles, including trucks, tempo and jeep reached the market on Friday morning. Usually, 1,230 vehicles come to the market daily. The shortage in supply of vegetables and fruits has led to a rise in prices. If the supply remains thin, prices will go up further, said Vilas Bhujbal, wholesale trader of vegetable and fruits. The chief minister has accused the NCP and Congress of instigating violence through the strike. The Mumbai crime branch, probing the government posting scam, plans to go to Delhi as the accused had dropped names of politicians while trying to influence the Solapur superintendent of police (SP) Namdev Chavan about his transfer in Navi Mumbai. On Wednesday, the crime branch arrested Vidyasagar Hirmukhe, 47, a deputy secretary and general manager in Mahanand Dairy. Others arrested are Vishal Ombale, 40, Kishor Mali, 38 and Ravindra Singh Yadav from a five star hotel in Vile Parle (east). All were produced in a court and remanded in police custody till June 7. Yadav is from Delhi and said during inquiry that he was into real estate business. A senior IPS officer said Mali was the mastermind of the scam. On learning that Chavan wanted to be posted in Navi Mumbai, he had approached him a couple of weeks back. Mali called Chavan two days before the incident and told him that the boss has come from Delhi and was staying in a hotel near the Mumbai domestic airport. He could arrange for a meeting, said the IPS official. The meeting was fixed for Wednesday evening. During their telephonic conversation, Chavan suspected something amiss, so he alerted a senior officer of the crime branch. To verify the information, a police team laid a trap at the hotel, added the officer. Yadav has used names of several ministers of Delhi to show his influence. After confirming that it was a scam, we trapped Mali, Hirmukhe, Ombale and Yadav. During our search, we recovered Rs6.70 lakh from them. We suspect that they might have taken money from government officials, he said. Mali and Ombale knew each other and they had visited Delhi earlier, where they had met Yadav and became friends. Mali and HIrmukhe are from Solapur and knew each other. High drama was witnessed at Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar in Mumbais Sion Koliwada area on Thursday, as residents clashed with the police during a demolition drive. Five policemen were injured. The BMC claimed the 100-plus buildings in the refugee camp are old and in dilapidated condition. The residents alleged they have not been compensated. A resident injured in the clash. (HT) The BMC officials planned disconnection of electricity and water in 1 to 25 buildings of Punjabi colony under the jurisdiction of Antophill police station.Adequate police protection was provided. However, the public protested and pelted 5 policemen with stones, said N Ambika, deputy commissioner of police, zone 4. Residents object to police action. (HT) The police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the hundreds gathered at the spot. The police try to control the mob. (HT) The corporation has initiated the first leg of demolition drive by disconnecting the electricity. Residents try to stop the demolition. (HT) With the monsoon around the corner, the civic body has started to vacate buildings. The Antophill police have registered a case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A man stabbed his neighbour in the neck, after he refused to share his tobacco in Kalyan on Monday. The accused, Vaibhav Vinayak Tayde alias Ganja, is a labourer who lives in Anand Nagar in Kalyan. His neighbour, Rajendra Sampat Gaikwad, 35, works as a plumber. On Monday night, Tayde met Gaikwad who was on a walk, and the two began chatting. Gaikwad took out a packet of tobacco. When Tayde asked him for some, he refused. They two started arguing. Tayde abused and assaulted Gaikwad. He took out a knife from his pocket and stabbed Gaikwad on the neck. He warned Gaikwad never to say no to him again, and then fled, said an officer from the Kolshewadi police station. Passersby took Gaiwkad to a nearby hospital, where he was given three stitches on his neck and then sent home. We are trying to trace Tayde, he added. The accused was booked under section 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 23-year-old medical student from Vashi died after jumping off a train soon after it took off from Kharghar station on Wednesday. She suffered severe injuries to her head and died in a hospital. According to the railway police, Sneha Khandgale was a fourth-year MBBS student who was interning with a private hospital at Kharghar. On Wednesday morning she and a few of her friends boarded a Panvel-bound train to go to the hospital from Vashi. Around 9 am the train halted at Kharghar station but she took some time to reach the door from her seat, said Rajesh Babshetty, senior police inspector of Panvel government reserve police. By the time Sneha reached the door, the train had started but she still jumped off it, fell on the platform and hurt her head badly, he added. Her friends rushed her to MGM Hospital in Kamothe. Her condition started deteriorating and she was shifted to another private hospital in Vashi. But she died there at night, Babshetty said. Her body was sent to Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Hospital in Vashi for a postmortem and then handed over to her family. The postmortem report is yet to be released. In a similar incident, a 55-year-old man died after he jumped off a moving train at Panvel station. Nandakishore Verma, 50, had reached the station to board a train to Delhi on Wednesday. However, he mistakenly boarded a southbound train. He realised his mistake only after the train started moving. He jumped off the train, fell on the platform and suffered severe head injuries, a railway official said. His body was sent to Panvel Rural Hospital for a postmortem before it was handed over to his family. The railway police registered accidental death cases for both incidents. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A team from Mumbai University recently found remnants of Buddhist stupas near Virar lake. The find is significant, they claimed, as it could lead to the discovery of the Buddhist monastery Budhh Vihar after which the lake is believed to have been named. The team also found a rock-cut cave temple in Jogeshwari, a three-century-old dargah in Dharavi and a site strewn with pre-historic stone tool parts in Manori. The discoveries, which were announced on Friday, are the result of an archaeological exploration project by Centre for Extra-Mural Studies (CEM) of the Mumbai University, Sathaye College and INSTUCEN Trust. In an earlier study, the research team had found evidence of urban settlements in Mumbai dating back to the pre-Portuguese era. Its generally believed that urban settlements in the city came into being only after the Portugese colonised the islands in 1534 that grew into Mumbai. Mumbai is more than the island city of Bombay. The mainland, which is often brushed aside as suburbs, is home to many historically important sites, said Kurush Dalal, deputy director of CEM. The Salcette Exploration Project is named after Salcette (or Salsette) island on which Mumbai, Thane and Mira Road lie. Currently, the researchers are only surveying archaeological sites on surface, as they are not authorised to carry out excavations. We will submit our preliminary findings to Archaeological Survey of India and we hope that they will give permission to excavate, said Mugdha Karnik, director of CEM. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A vacation bench of the Bombay high court restrained Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) from demolishing any part of the refugee camp at Sion-Koliwada till June 7. After residents clashed with the police during a demolition drive by the civic body on Thursday, shops in the area remained shut on Friday. The court ordered the civic body to refrain from any action against the camp and also from disconnecting the electricity and water supply to these housing societies, which it had tried to do on Thursday, resulting in a clash between residents and the police. The courts order however, is subject to an undertaking from the petitioners that they will continue to occupy their premises at their own risk. The court said that the petitioners must also write in the undertaking that they will be responsible for any loss of life and property and statutory authorities, including the BMC, will not be held responsible in any way. Five policemen sustained minor injuries in the face-off while several others were injured at Sion-Koliwada on Thursday. Residents demand redevelopment and rehabilitation in the area itself, said local MLA Tamil Selvan. I will meet the chief minister for a solution. I have conducted several meetings with MHADA but there has been no solution. Thousands live in the 1,200 flats and they are the rightful owners, said Sandeep Singh Dham, a resident. People are fed up and want a rehabilitation policy on the lines of BDD chawl, where residents were given 500 sqft houses in place of their 180sqft tenements. With the monsoon around the corner, the BMC will have a tough time vacating these buildings. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Siddhant Ganore, 21-year-old son of a Mumbai policeman who has been accused of killing his mother, has been sent to judicial custody till June 16. The police said the youngster admitted to his crime and they have completed their investigation in the case. According to the Vakola police, Ganore stabbed his mother Dipali, 42, 12 times with a kitchen knife on May 23. He was traced within 48 hours after he bought a new mobile phone in Jodhpur and used it. A police officer said, Siddhant failed his first-year BSC exams, but did not tell his mother about it. He would come up with an excuse everytime she asked about the results. On Tuesday, they got into a heated argument over the results. In a fit of rage, Siddhant picked up a knife to stab himself, stabbed her instead. Police said he drew a chilling message with her blood: Tired of her, catch me & hang me. He then changed, took Rs 2 lakh from home and left. He took a train from Santacruz railway station and reach Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He was picked up from a local hotel and brought back to Mumbai on May 26. As the Maharashtra farmers strike continued on Day 2 on Friday, social activist Anna Hazare said he was ready mediate between the state government and farmers. Launching an agitation is the constitutional right of farmers. The agitation has to be in the framework of the constitution, laws and rules, Hazare said, in a statement. Farmers demands are just and reasonable and need of the hour is to chalk out a long-drawn agitation. I had a discussion with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis twice. He has promised to work out a solution. Hazare said farmers took to the streets as their patience has been tested . They are not in position to repay bank or private loans. Farmers should observe some restraint and government should think over their demands with sympathy, he said. Hazares intervention may come as a relief for the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government, which is yet to figure out a way to take the steam out of farmers agitation for loan waiver. The state wanted time to make a decision, but the agitation shows farmers are in no mood to wait. APMC markets across the city wore a deserted look. (Rishikesh Choudhary) On the second day of the strike, farmers continued to block trucks carrying milk and vegetables across the state. If the strike continues further, cities like Mumbai, Pune and Nashik may face shortage of vegetables, milk and fruits. The prices of these commodities have started to shoot up in the retail market. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday expressed the governments inability to waive loans for farmers. He said the government can waive loans for 31 lakh farmers who have gone out of the institutional credit system as they couldnt repay the loans. It is not possible for the state government to waive loans in full for 1.34 crore farmers in the state. For that, the government will have to shell out Rs1.34 lakh crore, which is more than the capital expenditure of Maharashtra. The government is considering waiving loans of 31 lakh farmers, which comes to around Rs30,000 crore, Fadnavis said on Thursday. Two men promised a 19-year-old man admission in a medical college in Navi Mumbai. They took Rs20.95 lakh from him and fled. One of the accused was arrested on Wednesday. The CBD police learnt of the racket after Shamsunder Gupta, 24, filed a complaint on Tuesday that the two men had assured that his brother Surajkumar would get MBBS admission, but cheated them. The accused are Sagar Lohote, 35, who ran Shri Ganeshay Consultancy and resided at the NRI complex on Palm Beach Road in Nerul and Nikhil Katmani, 28, a resident of Goa. Kiran Patil, assistant commissioner of police, Turbhe division, said, Shamsunder complained to the CBD police station on May 30 that the two men said they would get his brother Surajkumar a seat in a medical college in Maharashtra. He added, The two took Rs20.95 lakh from the complainant for the admission. However, after Surajkumar did not get the admission, they realised they had been cheated. Patil said, The police team first targeted Lohote and analysed his mobile call records and found his location. He was planning to flee but was arrested before that. The police arrested Lohote on May 31 at 8.35 pm from sector 15 in CBD Belapur after laying a trap. The police said they would arrest Katmani soon. Patil said, Senior police inspector of CBD police station Sangeeta Alphonso along with Rajput are investigating if the accused are involved in more such admission frauds. We are also looking into the possibility of more people being involved. Patil added, We request all those who may have been cheated in a similar way by these or any other such agents to approach us. We also appeal to residents to beware of such scrupulous elements and only go through the proper process for college admissions. To the utter surprise of a Safari car owner at Sahibabad, his car stolen around 10 days ago was recently returned to the same spot. The police are now investigating why the car was stolen and then returned. The white car was stolen by a group of unidentified persons on the intervening night of May 20 and 21. The vehicle belongs to Sanjeev Sethi, a first-floor resident of Naveen Park in Sahibabad. He said he generally parks his car in an open parking lot barely 30 feet from his flat. On the morning of May 21, I sent my son to pick up some papers from the car, but it was missing. We immediately called the police emergency number and also lodged an FIR for theft, said Sanjeev Sethi, a commercial vehicle spare parts dealer who runs his business at Kashmere Gate in Delhi. On the morning of June 1, my wife spotted a car at the same spot in the parking lot and sent my son to take a look. When he reached, he found that it was indeed our car and the number was also the same. We were as surprised as our neighbours and the police that it was returned safely, he added. Upon inspecting the car, Sethi found that the door locks and the steering lock were open, but other than that nothing suspicious was found. After the car was returned, I scanned the CCTV footage of the area procured from a neighbour and found that when the car was being returned to the parking lot, it was being followed by a white Swift car. When we checked the CCTV footage of the time the car was stolen, we spotted the same vehicle, Sethi said. He informed the police and handed over the CCTV footage of both the days to the investigating officer. Police too expressed surprise over the unusual incident and said they will investigate the motive behind the theft and the return. We have the CCTV footage with us and will try to scan it for the people who took the car. It is surprising, but we have to investigate why the car was taken away for nearly 10 days. It is possible that it was used for a crime and returned. Thieves and robbers generally use stolen vehicles for committing robbery and other crimes, said Akash Tomar, superintendent of police (city). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Mandola area in Loni town of Ghaziabad witnessed clashes between agitating farmers and the police on Friday afternoon. The farmers allegedly stopped the work on the Rs 3,000 crore Mandola Vihar Housing Scheme being developed by the UP Housing Board near Delhi border. The incident took place in the afternoon when farmers from nearby villages had gone to the construction site and tried to stop the work at the site where an affordable housing project is coming up. A large contingent of police force also reached the spot and allegedly caned locals. A heavy contingent was deployed at Loni following clash between farmers and police on Friday afternoon. The police beat up the farmers and even manhandled the women who were protesting. The officials also tried to flatten our agricultural fields, said Jitender Tyagi, a resident. The police claimed that some locals pelted stones at their vehicles. The district administration had held meetings with farmers and said any increase in compensation will have to be on the directions of the Supreme Court as the farmers petitions were already dismissed by the Allahabad high court. The other finer points related to schools and colleges to be set up in the area were already discussed and mutually agreed upon. The district administration had held meetings with farmers and said any increase in compensation will have to be on the directions of the Supreme Court as the farmers petitions were already dismissed by the Allahabad high court. The farmers have been instigated by their leader Manvir Teotia and others. We are going to get his bail cancelled. The farmers tried to stop work on Thursday and their leaders sent women to the site. Nearly 46 persons, including women, were brought to the police lines. They will be released on an assurance that farmers will not stop work for the approved project. Else, they will be sent to jail if they carry on with their unjustified demands, said Ministhy S, district magistrate. Earlier, before the meeting with farmer groups, the administration had also passed orders banning Teotias entry in the district. An FIR was also filed against several persons, including Teotia, on charges of instigating farmers. A heavy contingent of police is still deployed in the area and video recording of the activity was also taken up by the police. The land acquisition proceedings for the project started in 1998 after the imposition of the emergency clause and land was acquired at the rate of Rs 1,100 per square metre. A major part of the compensation was paid to farmers but pending issues hampered the project. After the recent meetings, a majority of issues were discussed and settled. Overall, the project has faced a delay of nearly five to six years. Nearly 11,000 housing units, including 4,000 premium units, in the range of Rs 22 lakh to Rs 40 lakh are coming up there. Nearly 40% work is complete at the ground level. The housing Board started in 2007 and the project is slated to be completed in 15 years. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON To crack the blind murder case of techie Ankit Chauhan, the Uttar Pradesh special task force (STF) scanned nearly 800 Honda Accords and similar cars in Delhi-NCR as the three assailants had used a sedan of that make to commit the crime. Chauhan, 26, was shot dead in his SUV at Bypass Road near Barola, Sector 76, while he was travelling with his friend Gagan Dudhoria in April 2015. The challenge for investigators was the registration number UP14BA-2300 purportedly used by the three assailants Shashank Jadaun, Manoj Kumar, and their accomplice Pankaj, who has since died. The STF scanned multiple registration numbers to track the correct Honda Accord car registered as UP14AB-2200, which belonged to Jadaun. When the civil police initially tracked the registration number of the car supposedly used during the crime, they found that it was of a Scorpio MUV. Only a few digits were clear to the victims friend, Gagan, who was present in the Fortuner during the murder. So we scanned multiple number plates, exchanging similar numbers and searching all Honda car models in Delhi-NCR and even in neighbouring districts. Finally, we came to the registration number of a car belonging to Jadaun. Its numbers had some similarity with the number plate of the car used in the attack, said an investigator from UP-STF. The original number plate of the car that the three men had allegedly used during the crime was recovered from Manojs house at Vijay Nagar in Ghaziabad. The Honda Accord is a 2005 model and had two previous owners. It was sold to Jadaun by the second owner and he, in turn, sold it to some other person around five months after the incident. The other evidence that investigators had was a double tattoo spotted by Gagan on the hand of one of the assailants. The investigators said that the twin tattoo is on Jadauns left hand. One is above his elbow with the words Om Namah Shivay in Devanagri while the other below his elbow says Kshatriya in Roman script. After zeroing in on a car number, the investigators roped in local informers to trail Jadaun and also started electronic surveillance. The agencies had been following Jadaun for the past one month. A lot of data was also exchanged between the STF and the CBI. Jadaun had also escaped to Jaipur for a couple of months after the incident to let the matter cool down. In Jaipur, he had tried to get a doctor to remove the tattoo from his hand. The doctor demanded around Rs2 lakh, which he couldnt pay. He wanted the tattoo removed to hide his identity as he had already read in the news that police were searching for an assailant with a specific tattoo, the STF investigator said. While Pankaj died at a Ghaziabad hospital due to multiple organ failure around four to five months ago, Manoj, a mechanic, shut down his shop and started driving trucks after the incident. Before his arrest, he had been driving a cab for a cab aggregator. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In his 27-minute speech announcing the US withdrawal from the Paris agreement on climate change, President Trump mentioned India only twice (well, thrice, but the third time was a repeat for rhetorical effect). The dumbed down message was: India was a big polluter, India was not doing and was not expected to do much on climate change under the Agreement, and India was asking for lots of money in return for little action. These are, of course, misleading statements and unfortunate. Meanwhile, a trip is being planned for Prime Minister Modi to visit the United States in the very near future. Rather than impulsively reacting to this provocation, India must clinically examine the breadth and depth of its energy and climate relationship with the United States to decide which areas of cooperation, if any, still hold promise. So far, the India-U.S. relationship can be characterised by the good, the bad, and the undecided. On the plus side, despite their differences, the two countries found common ground on three international agreements on climate change (in Paris, under the Montreal Protocol to phase out hydrofluorocarbons, and measures to curb emissions under the International Civil Aviation Organisation). Bilaterally, they launched numerous programmes on energy access, and established joint funds to push energy R&D. The negatives include contentious issues such as differentiation between countries responsibilities and capabilities under the Paris Agreement, how financial contributions would be counted, and several trade disputes on clean energy. Further, it is unclear how the U.S. withdrawal would immediately impact bilateral energy programmes, joint investments, and investor confidence. Prime Minister Modis visit is an opportunity to discuss four aspects of the energy/climate relationship. First, energy prices will matter for any long-term contracts. GAIL is contracted to purchase 5.8 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from two U.S. terminals. But the landed price of the gas will be higher than from sources in West Asia or Africa. That said, by 2020, India will have the capacity to import 50 MMTPA of gas. If the price were right, in principle there would be a lot of scope for additional gas imports (in fact, up to 88% of projected net LNG exports from the United States). Equally, last month India signalled its continued ambitions on nuclear energy by sanctioning ten indigenous reactors (a total of 7000 MW). This June, the contracts for the purchase of six Westinghouse reactors were to be finalised but that will be delayed until the bankrupt Westinghouse finds a new buyer. As cleaner energy sources, both gas and nuclear could offer benefits for both countries, but fuel exporters and technology providers would have to cut their costs. Second, energy efficiency offers huge technological and commercial opportunities. If Indias high economic growth rates have to be maintained within a shrinking carbon space, energy efficiency will matter in the industrial, transport and buildings sectors. Currently, only large industrial units are covered under countrywide energy efficiency schemes. However, micro, small and medium enterprises (numbering over 3 million and located in 200 industrial clusters) have a non-trivial share of industrial energy use (about 14%-15%). Indias space cooling needs will grow five-fold in two decades, again offering scope for Indian and U.S. firms to collaborate on technologies. Growing transportation demand will mean an expanding market for batteries for electric vehicles, fuel cells and third-generation biofuels. None of these market opportunities require the Paris Agreement per se. Third, energy security matters for both countries. India and the United States need to raise the dialogue on maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, to ensure security of energy supply routes. Another emerging area of concern is the security of the electricity grid against cyber attacks. There is already a joint programme on transforming Indias grid. Grid stability and cybersecurity could offer a sustained basis for cooperation, technology exchange and commercial investment. Fourth, the uncertainty in U.S. federal policies towards renewable energy has made Indias renewable energy market relatively even more attractive, not just for its size (175 GW by 2022) but for the investment opportunity that credible, long-term policies offer. India saw nearly $10 billion invested, both in 2015 and in 2016, in renewable energy projects. Last year, $1.9 billion of green bonds were issued. Indias solar targets, alone, need $100 billion of debt. These are huge investment opportunities for U.S.-based firms, as well as manufacturers. The past decade had many instances of transformational deals (bilateral and multilateral) for India and the United States. President Trumps announcement on the Paris agreement is highly unfortunate, but does not close the door completely. There are still many avenues to continue transacting. The negotiations will be tough but, as a businessman, Mr Trump should know a good deal when he sees one. Arunabha Ghosh is CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water The views expressed are personal United States President Donald Trumps decision to pull the US out of the Paris climate accords is incredibly narrow minded, and short-sighted. It will undermine Americas economy and in doing so hurt the working people who voted him in. However, one country and one climate sceptic is not going to stop the global energy revolution that is already on its way. India and China are leading the charge to a more sustainable, lower emissions global economy and these technology- and economics-driven trends has reached critical mass and as such, are now unstoppable. India and China are the two most important countries globally in terms of momentum in energy market transformation, achieving economic growth rates more than double the US. The Paris Climate Agreement is a critical historic milestone. The result has been an acceleration in global investment, renewable cost deflation and technology development. With economic growth at 7-8% annually, India is the worlds fastest growing major economy. Some were quick to raise their eyebrows when minister of state with independent charge for power, coal, new & renewable energy and mines Piyush Goyal announced ambitious plans for Indias energy system, but coal imports have already dropped dramatically and India is on track to construct a remarkable 275GW of renewable energy by 2027, underpinned by an economically sensible $1 trillion investment plan. The cancellation of 13.7GW of coal power projects in May, and another 7GW in Uttar Pradesh coupled with a record low solar tariff of Rs 2.44 per unit ($0.038/kWh), are the strongest indications yet that an energy transformation in India is gaining rapid momentum. The calibre of the global financial institutions who are bidding into Indias solar power infrastructure tenders is a strong endorsement of this leadership. It will have significant ripple effects into other transforming markets, as is already seen in the UAE, South Africa, Australia, Chile, and Mexico. Solar power in India is now cheaper than imported coal and even very competitive with domestic coal plants something few people would have believed even two years ago. And whats more, the costs continue to decline literally monthly as technology and efficiency improve. Major new coal plant proposals can no longer compete on price. Another significant transformation is that which is happening with Indian utilities. The NTPC Ltd, despite its deep historical connection to coal-fired electricity generation technology, has recently moved to the forefront of Indias energy transition and stands to be the key renewable energy enabler. Its shift away from the increasingly stranded assets of the fossil fuel industry cannot be underestimated. Both China and India are also rapidly deploying energy efficiency, undertaking massive, transformative electricity grid expansions and renewable energy deployments at historically unprecedented rates in a virtuous deflationary cycle. Both have committed to accelerating these endeavours, and to stay the course on their Paris commitments. Both reference investment and jobs, as well as the need to control pollution as primary economic and political drivers that make these decisions logical and compelling, regardless of or even taking advantage of American isolationism. Blackrock (the largest investor in the world) announced in May that Coal is dead. The message is loud and irrefutable, regardless of one countrys leaders attempts to deny gravity. American isolationism will serve to hasten the Asian Century and leaves the opportunities of the worlds energy transformation open for both China and India. Tim Buckley, is director of Energy Finance Studies Australasia, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) The views expressed are personal Does the name Ravinder Kumar mean anything to you? Less than a week ago, on May 29, he was on the city pages of many newspapers and on the front pages of others, including Hindustan Times. Even if you remember reading about an e-rickshaw driver allegedly killed by friends of two Delhi University students for stopping the duo from urinating in public, do you recall how old he was or how he looked? In the age of social media outrage and manufactured dissent turning into slanging matches on television, do you remember any socialite changing their display picture to Kumars or candle-light vigils seeking justice for a nameless 31-year-old son of a retired Delhi Police constable? Hashtag #JusticeforRavinder, anybody? Within a few days of being battered by 20 young men with bricks wrapped in towels, Kumar has already been dehumanised and airbrushed out of the canvas of the popular psyche. He has been reduced to another cold statistic and stale headline notwithstanding the symbolic ex-gratia compensation from the government and the ephemeral lip service to an anonymous soldier of the Swachh Bharat movement. One reason why the murder is not breaking the Internet or causing keyboard Ninjas to burst a vein is because Kumars one-room jhuggi near the Guru Teg Bahadur Metro station is as far removed from south Delhi and Lutyens media as TV hosts who hold forth on prime time about national interest from the increasingly utopian notion of objective journalism. At least the political class is making a pretension about caring for the family. Kumars pregnant wife, who has never gone to school, has been offered a job by the civic corporation as a daily wager. Local leaders, including a former actor and veteran netas, are providing photo ops with the relatives of the deceased. Where are the beautiful people who took out vigils for a model shot dead by a politicians son for refusing to serve him a drink? Or those who threw their weight behind the intriguing murder of the teenage daughter of a dentist? Why cant they fathom that someone would ever get so pissed with them over public urination or trivial matters such as civic sense as to kill them with bricks? Sociologists may theorise this as the power asymmetry and the privilege to outrage being available to a select few. But I think I am as responsible for the apathy towards Ravinder Kumars killing. So are you. @Aasheesh74 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Today, when United States President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement, he did nothing more than formalise the anti-climate policies that he had been promoting since assuming office. In March, Trump signed a sweeping pro-fossil fuel executive order. The order promotes coal mining on federal land, calls for cancelling, revising or revoking any rule or action that can potentially burden the development of domestic fossil fuel resources, revokes carbon pollution standards from the power sector and halts the implementation of the clean power plan that aims to reduce CO2 emissions from power plants. Essentially, before todays announcement, Trump had already dismantled the modest initiatives of the Obama administration to reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Before the order, the Trump administration defunded most of the programmes related to lowering domestic GHG emissions and scaling down the scientific missions to study climate. Most importantly, Trump refused to fund the United Nations Climate Convention (UNFCCC), including the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The GCF has been set up to help developing countries adapt to climate change and move to low-carbon technologies. With defunding GCF and other international climate change-related initiatives, Trump had already reneged on his commitments to UNFCCC and the Paris agreement. So, todays decision was a formal death blow to the agreement. With this decision Trump has fundamentally weakened and changed the character of the agreement. It is important to understand that the Paris agreement was designed for and pushed by the US for its own convenience. As the US didnt want to take full responsibility and do its part to solve the climate problem, it pushed for an agreement that was a common minimum denominator. The minimum being what the US wanted to do. The US committed minimum emissions reduction: 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025. If we consider 1990 as baseline, the US would have cut emissions by a mere 13-15% by 2025 and 23-27% by 2030. In comparison, EU-28 will reduce 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. As the Obama administration didnt want the US Senate to approve the Paris agreement, the agreement was made voluntary, non-legally binding and non-punitive. So, by and large, the Paris agreement was for the US and by the US. Still the US walked away from the agreement terming it as unfair. This is a tight slap on the faces of the remaining 194 countries who had agreed to the whims and fancies of the US to ensure its participation in the agreement. Without full participation of the US, the Paris agreement cannot meet its objective of keeping the temperatures well below 2C. The US is historically the largest contributor to climate change, responsible for 21% of the carbon stock in the atmosphere. It is currently the second largest polluter in the world, and has one of the highest per capita emissions. It has already exhausted its carbon budget. So, without the US taking responsibility for reducing its share of emissions, the world cannot meet the key objective of the Paris agreement. The Paris agreement is based on ratcheting the ambition of countries to cut more emissions as the treaty progresses. Trump now wants to renegotiate the agreement and bring-down the contributions of the US. This destroys the very foundation of the agreement. Without the ratcheting of ambition, the agreement will never be able to keep the warming within the safe limits. Under the agreement developed countries have to support developing countries with finance and technology transfer, and to provide a minimum of $100 billion from 2020 onwards. With this withdrawal, the finances available to fight climate change and protect vulnerable communities from the ravages of climate change will reduce significantly. This fundamentally changes the basis on which the developing countries agreed to sign the Paris agreement. All in all, even while the remaining 194 signatories to the Paris agreement are putting up a brave face, they know that the agreement as envisaged in 2015 is as good as dead. They now have two options: Wait for Trump to go and hope that a new climate-friendly president will replace him. But this strategy has not worked in the past. Clinton agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, but George W Bush did not ratify it. Obama ratified the Paris agreement, but Trump junked it. So mollycoddling the US and waiting for the deliverance will not work in the future. The second is: Amend the agreement and make it stronger and ambitious. This should include punitive measures to ensure that countries such as the US dont walk away from their fair and equitable responsibilities. The bottom line is that the US cannot continue to keep the world hostage. With 5% of the world population, the US cannot be allowed to jeopardise the lives and livelihood of the remaining 95%. Chandra Bhushan is deputy director general, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi The views expressed are personal To improve educational standards in government schools, the Punjab government is planning to introduce English medium in 400 of its primary schools across the state. Announcing this, state education minister Aruna Chaudhary on Thursday said the government was seriously considering introducing English as medium of instruction from Class 1 in primary schools to bring government schools on par with the private ones where the parents prefer to send their wards given their craze for the language. However, it will not be binding on students. They will have the option of studying in either Punjabi or English medium. Those interested in Punjabi as medium of instruction can continue with it, she said. Chaudhary, who was speaking at a two-day workshop of northern states on innovation and best practices here, said the education department had sent a proposal to the finance department for funds for its introduction and was awaiting its response. Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has also recently expressed his view in favour introduction of English from Class 1 in the state-run schools. The state has 13,000 primary schools. The workshop, being organised by the Union ministry of human resource development in collaboration with the Punjab government to promote and learn novel strategies in school education, was inaugurated by Union minister of state for HRD Upendra Kushwaha. Besides Punjab, officials of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh are taking part in the workshop. Chaudhary, who spoke during the inaugural session, said the state government would focus on revamp of school infrastructure, quality education and assistance to students from economically weaker sections. These workshops are a golden opportunity for the states to learn and imbibe the best and novel practices from each other in the sphere of school education, as it is the best method to evolve school education on a national plane, she said. Kushwaha, who also addressed the gathering, said the drive to ensure uplifting of school education sector was a continuous journey with refinements at every interval. There is an urgent need to spread awareness regarding the most unique and out of the box practices being followed in the sphere of school education, said the minister. He also dwelt on the mechanism to make books available in the schools as per need. Union school education and literacy secretary Anil Swarup, joint secretary, HRD ministry, Ajay Tirkey, director, RMSA, Nigar Fatima, additional chief secretary, school education, Punjab, G Vajralingam, director general, school education, Pradeep Sabharwal, additional state project director-cum-nodal officer of conference Ginni Duggal were also present. After Sukhwant Kaur of Nurmahal, who has sold, made a slave and tortured in Saudi Arabia for five months, came back to her native place with the help of ministry of external affairs, another case of a family having their son trapped in a foreign land has come to fore. Mandeep Kumar, then 18, had left for Jordan in January 2014 to work as a labourer in a factory based in Amman, the capital city, on a two-year visa. After completing Class 12, my son left for Jordan to support the family, said Mandeeps mother Neelam Rani. Mandeeps father Raj Kumar is the only breadwinner of the family of four and works as a daily wager to support his family based in Chanian village of Nakodar tehsil. Neelam informed HT that Mandeep was suffering from hernia and facing difficulty in doing strenuous work; he left the factory where he had originally gone to work after a couple of months and worked as a labourer in different places for next two years. After Mandeeps visa expired, he had no means to return and surrendered to the police on February 14 this year, in a case of living illegally, Neelam said. Mandeeps uncle Tarsem Lal Sahota said Mandeep was sentenced to three months imprisonment and is currently in Jordans Jamailda jail. Since last one month, Mandeep calls us every Thursday for five to 10 minutes. The jail authorities didnt let him contact us in the initial months, said Sahota. The family had also written a mail to ministry external affairs on May 22, the copy of which is with HT, requesting them to ask the Jordan government to deport their son back to India, but is yet to receive the reply on the same. The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday refused to stay the Punjab government ordinance on repealing the Khalsa University Act, 2016. The order to repeal the law was promulgated on Thursday by the state government claiming that it was issued to protect the heritage character of Khalsa College, Amritsar. The Khalsa University had challenged the government decision in the court and demanded that the ordinance be quashed. As an interim measure, it had sought stay on the implementation of the ordinance. The high court bench of justice Rajesh Bindal and justice HS Sidhu, without issuing notice to state government, deferred the hearing for July 11. The university had argued in the court that the reason to scrap the Act seemed to be political since it was established by the previous government run by a different party (SAD-BJP) and was scrapped by the Congress government. It was also argued that there was no reason for the state to issue an ordinance as the monsoon session of assembly is scheduled for July. There was no emergency to invoke the provisions of promulgating an ordinance, it was argued. The cabinet had given its nod for the scrapping the university in April to protect the glorious legacy of the 125-year-old Khalsa College. The ordinance, called the Khalsa University (Repeal) Ordinance, 2017, came into force on Thursday. The Khalsa University, Amritsar, was established through the Act by the previous SAD-BJP alliance government despite huge criticism from not only the residents of Amritsar but also from the alumni of the college and intellectuals of the state, the Congress government has claimed. Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh had all along maintained that the move by the Khalsa College Society to destroy its rich heritage status by converting this prestigious institution into university was appalling. With the evident poor performance of government schools in Class 10 and 12 of the Punjab State Education Board (PSEB), it seems impossible for a government school to achieve 100% result. However, a few government schools did break the notion and secured cent percent result. The overall pass percentage in the exams exhausted at 57.7% for Class 10 and 62.36% for Class 12 as per the result declared on May 13 for Class 12 and May 22 for Class 10. Out of 1,919 government senior secondary schools in Punjab, only 20 attained a 100% passing percentage for Class 12 and 62 for Class 10. Out of the 62 schools, 23 are senior secondary schools and 39 are high schools. When asked about the factors that helped them achieve this mark, the principals said the results depend on the devotion of the staff as well as the students, even with lesser facilities. Gurdaspur has taken the lead among other districts with 22 schools recording the perfect passing percentage followed by 15 Amritsar schools with perfect passing percentage in Class 10. In Class 10, Senior Secondary Girls School in Ajnala (Amritsar) topped the chart from where, all 189 students cleared the exam. Speaking to HT, principal of the above mentioned school, Harveen Gill, said she feels proud of her students for achieving the mark. Gill got retired on May 31. I had dedicated teachers who would never miss a day to teach the students with sincerity, she said, adding, Even we had shortage of teachers and facility at the school. Moreover, the teachers we got joined only a few months back. But nothing deters the ones who want to achieve. It is a team work and we proved to be good at it. On the other hand, there is only one government school from Jalandhar, Government Senio Secondary School Raipur Prohla, which has to its credit a 100% passing percentage. School principal Tara Singh, a state awardee said the thing he always kept in mind was the regularity of teachers and students, along with punctuality and hard work. We have 38 posts in the school out of which, 14 are lying vacant. Still, we strived to achieve what was not expected of us. Nothing deterred us from working hard, he said. When contacted, education minister Aruna Chaudhary said appreciation letters will be given to the teachers who managed to secure over 90% result. We have made the list of the schools that have scored well and whose passing percentage is over 90. We will definitely grant them appreciation letters, the minister said. A Delhi court on Friday asked Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh to vacate his Janpath Road bungalow, which was allocated to him when he was a Lok Sabha MP. Terming him as an unauthorized occupant, the Patiala house court dismissed an appeal filed by Singh against the estate officers March 24 order. According to the order, the premise was allotted to the chief minister as an MP from the Amritsar Constituency which was to expire in 2019. Singh had resigned from the Lok Sabha on November 23 last year and the allotment of the bungalow was cancelled with effect from December 23, 2016. He was directed to surrender the bungalow to the CPWD. The Congress leader made a request before the chairman of the Lok Sabhas House Committee on February 10 asking them that he be allowed to retain the house on humanitarian grounds as he was suffering from high blood pressure and also because he was heart patient. On February 14, he received a show cause notice to explain before the court that why an eviction order be not passed against him. The eviction order was later passed in March. A fire on a bus in China that killed five South Korean and six Chinese children is suspected to have been started by the driver who was angry about overtime and night-shift pay being cut, the Xinhua state news agency said on Friday. The 11 children between three and six years old were killed along with the driver on May 9 when their bus crashed and burst in to flames in a tunnel in Shandong province. In a short report, Xinhua said the fire was started by the driver. The fire was started on the bus floor near the drivers seat. A lighter cap was discovered nearby and gasoline residue found on multiple spots on the bus, Xinhua said, citing provincial police. Electricity faults and traffic accidents were ruled out as the cause of the fire, it added. The drivers overtime and night shift allowance had been suspended, angering him, causing him to buy gasoline to set the fire, Xinhua said. The bus had been taking the children to an international kindergarten in Weihai, a city across the Yellow Sea from South Korea. Beijing does not release statistics on the total number of accidents each year, but the World Health Organization estimated in 2013 that about 250,000 people were killed on Chinas roads that year. Authorities have vowed to clamp down on dangerous driving, but the rapid growth in car ownership and relatively lax checks on driving ability have made difficult to curb the number of accidents, especially on rural roads. Chinese Premier Li Keqiangand his German counterpart Angela Merkelmeet reporters at a joint press conference in Berlin, Germany, June 1, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo) BERLIN, June 1 -- China will continue to work steadfastly to implement the commitment of the Paris climate deal and join hands with all parties to tackle climate change, Chinese Premier Li Keqiangtold reporters here on Thursday. In a joint press conference with his German counterpart Angela Merkel, Li said that China, a large developing country, should shoulder its international responsibilities to jointly address the challenge of climate change with other countries. Combating climate change is a global consensus, said Li, adding that "with tremendous efforts, China will move towards the 2030 goal step-by-step steadfastly." China has actively participated in promoting and the signing of the Paris Agreement, Li said, adding that China was also one of the first countries to submit the file of national plan on dealing with climate change to the United Nations. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 196 parties in Paris in 2015 and it went into effect in November last year. The pact sets a target of holding the global average rise in temperature below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and preferably below 1.5 degree Celsius. So far, 147 parties representing more than 82 percent of greenhouse gas emissions have ratified the agreement. The United States, one of the biggest greenhouse emitters in the world, has not decided whether to leave the deal or to stay, as its newly-elected president, Donald Trump, has yet to unveil his decision on the issue. The Chinese premier is on a three-day official visit to Europe. He wrapped up his German trip and arrived in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium on Thursday afternoon. In Brussels, Li will co-chair the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and pay an official visit to Belgium. A team of engineers in Canada has devised a prototype that reimagines the humble toilet; with an innovative design that makes it suitable for areas that lack access to sanitation facilities such as adequate running water or sewage systems, making it particularly relevant to India. India, of course, is a large part of the teams objective of creating a sustainable toilet. An earlier version was presented at Reinvent the Toilet Fair held in New Delhi in March 2014. Almost three years later, an improved model arrived in India. As the teams leader, professor Yu-Ling Cheng, director of the University of Torontos Centre for Global Engineering, said, We started in April in Coimbatore. It is not yet a commercialisable unit. We did the testing to learn about user behaviour. The concept behind the toilet is a household system that can operate without running water or a connection to plumbing, or even without reliable grid power, using a combination of a hand-cranked mechanism, solar power and steam. The excreta is separated into liquid and solid waste. The solid waste goes into a smoulder chamber that incinerates waste and leaves only ashes, thereby destroying any germs and contaminants. The liquid passes through a sand filter and is pasteurised using the heat from the process for treating solid waste, and what remains can then be either safely discharged or even used for agricultural purposes. It is not necessarily just for rural areas; it is also very suitable for urban areas. Many cities do not have the proper fecal sludge management systems in place, and our system would destroy the fecal sludge right at source, so there is no need for downstream management, Cheng, who was born in Taiwan, explained to the Hindustan Times. Professor Yu-Ling Cheng, of the Centre for Global Engineering at the University of Toronto, who is leading a team that developed the prototype for a sustainable toilet. (Courtesy University of Toronto) While the final version is still between two and three years away, Cheng said as trials and tests continue for a system that is robust and cost-effective, it promises an ingenious solution to a problem that is rife in countries such as India. While an earlier prototype was a batch system, one that collected waste through the day and the disposed of it at once, the latest iteration is targeted for household-scale use. Since the process occurs below the floor, the user is not exposed to it and can simply push a button before and after using the toilet. This is their version of the flush and forget toilet. The project is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as part of its initiative to meet the challenge of nearly 2.5 billion people globally, including millions in India, not having access to safe sanitation. Not only is it intended to tackle the issue of hygienically disposing of waste water but also that of diseases transmitted when excreta isnt treated adequately. Another image of the prototype of the sustainable toilet developed at University of Torontos Centre for Global Engineering. (Courtesy University of Toronto) The sand filter, smouldering chamber and ultra-violet rays are deployed to disinfect the waste. This is particularly timely because of the Indian governments focus on providing toilets across the country to eradicate open defecation. As Cheng said, It is suited to India primarily because the need in India is so great. It is also well aligned with the Swacch Bharat campaign. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON China on Friday said it will uphold the Paris climate agreement after the US pulled out from it, saying that as a responsible major country, it was Beijings responsibility to carry forward the principles of the accord. We think the Paris Accord reflects the widest agreement of the international community with regards to climate change, and parties should cherish this hard-won outcome, Hua Chunying, ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson said at the regular ministry briefing on Friday. We also hear that our actions and leading role are applauded by the international community. We will earnestly implement our obligations, she said. China will work with all relevant parties to enhance cooperation, press ahead with the negotiation and implementation of enforcement rules, and promote green, low-carbon and sustainable global growth, she said. Hua added that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the climate change issue and is committed to pursuing innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development. Moreover, China has taken concrete moves to positively deal with climate change and made obvious progress, demonstrating the international responsibility shouldered by China and conforming with Chinas choice of sustainable growth, a state media report said Friday. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met European Union leaders at a summit in Brussels, where the two sides were expected to adopt a joint statement stressing their commitment to the Paris deal. Hua added that Beijing wanted to strengthen cooperation with various parties to push for the follow-up negotiations on the articles of the agreement and promote low-carbon green development. She said: We also stand ready to cooperate with the international community members including the US to push forward green, low-carbon development globally. Chinas reaction from Beijing came after US President Donald Trump triggered worldwide alarm on Thursday when he announced the US was withdrawing from the agreement, arguing that the deal was too lenient on India, China and Europe. China and the US, the worlds first and second biggest polluters respectively, are together responsible for some 40% of the worlds emissions and experts warned that it is vital for both to remain in the Paris agreement if it is to have any chance of succeeding. But China has also been investing billions in clean energy infrastructure, as its leaders battle to clear up the notorious, choking pollution that envelops its biggest cities, including Beijing. Hua said the Chinese government will take concrete action in response to climate change. This is a responsibility shouldered by China as a responsible major country and what Chinas development calls for, she said. The US decision to withdraw from the deal will not stop global efforts to tackle the common challenge, official news agency, Xinhua wrote, quoting United Nations Environment Program executive director Erik Solheim on Thursday. The science on climate change is perfectly clear we need more action, not less. This is a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now, Solheim said in a statement. The news agency published a commentary saying that Washingtons withdrawal was a global setback. Trumps decision to ditch the Paris deal will leave a fairly big shoe for a single country to fill, Xinhua wrote. But other major players including the European Union, China and India have reiterated their willingness to step up efforts in the face of the US change of heart over the landmark deal, it said. A prominent Yazidi activist held as a sex slave by Islamic State militants returned to her home village in Iraq on Thursday where she was captured three years ago, pleading for international help to free other Yazidi women still held prisoner. Nadia Murad, 24, was one of about 7,000 women and girls captured in northwest Iraq in August 2014 by the hard-line Sunni Muslim fighters who view Yazidis as devil worshippers. She was abducted from Kocho near Sinjar, an area home to about 400,000 Yazidis, and held by Islamic State in Mosul where she was repeatedly tortured and raped. She escaped three months later, reaching a refugee camp, then making her way to Germany. Murad has taken to the world stage to appeal for support for the Yazidi religious minority, in the United Nations Security Council in 2015 and to all governments globally, earning her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and U.N. Goodwill Ambassador role. Murad cried as she visited her former school in Kocho which was retaken from Islamic state fighters late last week. At that school, the militants had gathered all the Kocho residents, sending the children to training camps, forcing women and girls into slavery and killing the men, she recalled in tears. An estimated 3,500 women and girls still are enslaved. We hoped that our destiny would be like the men and be killed, but instead Europeans, Saudis and Tunisians and other fighters came and raped us and sold us, she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Seven mass graves lie in Kocho, and Murad called for them to be exhumed. Until now not a single mass grave has been exhumed, she said. The international community has not delivered on its responsibility. I tell anyone that you are being unjust for not supporting a minority like the Yazidis. Murad has called for the massacre of Yazidis to be officially recognised as genocide. I am a daughter of this village, she added. The visit, under heavy security, came after militias loyal to Iran and fighting alongside Iraqi armed forces managed to fight their way to border with Syria for the first time last week, freeing the last Yazidi villages from Islamic State. Murad said she never thought she would get back to Kocho, an agricultural village once home to about 2,000 Yazidis, of whom about half were killed in the 2014 attacks or are missing. On her website Murad explains how six of her nine brothers were killed in the Kocho massacre and her mother was executed as she was considered too old for sexual enslavement. In total around 18 of her family members were either murdered or are missing, with mass Yazidi graves uncovered in the area north of Sinjar mountain. One of Murads nieces is still held by Islamic State and her sister, Khayriyah, 30, who joined Murad on the trip to Kocho on Thursday, was also enslaved for five months but escaped. United Nations investigators estimate more than 5,000 Yazidis were rounded up and slaughtered in the 2014 attack that a U.N. commission called a genocide by Islamic State which declared a caliphate over parts of Iraq and Syria. If such a designation were made official, it would mark the first recognised genocide by non-state actors, rather than a state or paramilitaries acting on its behalf. International human rights lawyer Amal Clooney last June said she aimed to prosecute Islamic State through the International Criminal Court for their crimes against the Yazidi community. Murad, who now lives in Germany, is planning to release a memoir later this year titled The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State. Her campaigning has won her respect among her community. People are very proud of Nadia for publicizing the Yazidi cause. When she comes home to the camp everyone comes to see her. Yazidis love her, her sister, who lives in Rwanga camp in Dohuk Governate in Iraqi Kurdistan, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Leo Varadkar, the son of a Mumbai-born doctor and Irelands first openly gay minister, was on Friday elected the leader of the ruling Fine Gael party, giving the Catholic nation its first prime minister-elect of Asian descent. The 38-year-old Varadkar will become the youngest prime minister in Irelands history when he is confirmed in the countrys parliament later this month. He will also be one of the worlds youngest prime ministers. The new Fine Gael leader will have to be endorsed by the independent members of the minority coalition government before he becomes the PM (Taoiseach). Varadkar is the youngest child of Ashok Varadkar, who met his future wife Miriam, a nurse, while working in Britains National Health Service in the 1960s. Varadkar came to personify the liberalisation of Ireland, which was long considered one of the most socially conservative nations. ((Twitter)) He was a practising doctor before joining politics and being elected in 2007. He made news in 2015 when he came out as gay, an announcement that was initially met with some shock by his father but who, he said later, was very supportive. Outgoing PM Enda Kenny stepped down this week as leader of the Fine Gael party after six years as the prime minister. Varadkar is reported to enjoy much support in the party and from ministers. Varadkar was elected leader of the ruling Fine Gael party even though a majority of its grassroots members voted for his rival Simon Coveney. The final count, including all three electoral colleges, saw Varadkar win with 60% to housing minister Coveneys 40% votes, news agency PTI reported. His rise is remarkable in a conservative country that decriminalised homosexuality only in 1993 and did not allow divorce until 1996. Ireland allowed gay marriage by a popular vote in 2015 but still has Europes toughest laws against abortion and Varadkar has campaigned for liberalising them. Varadkar is in a relationship with Matthew Barrett, also a doctor. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Leo Varadkar, the son of a Mumbai-born doctor and Irelands first openly gay minister, is widely tipped to become the countrys new prime minister on Friday, giving the Catholic nation its first leader of Asian descent. If elected by the ruling Fine Gael party, 38-year-old Varadkar will become the youngest person to hold the office and also one of the worlds youngest prime ministers. Varadkar has already built a formidable lead over housing minister Simon Coveney to succeed Enda Kenny, the current Taoiseach (prime minister). It's been a great campaign. I want to say thanks to all the volunteers, members & Cllrs I met over #FGLE17 for the warm welcome. Thank you Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) June 1, 2017 Varadkar is the youngest child of Ashok Varadkar, who met his future wife Miriam, a nurse, while working in Britains National Health Service in the 1960s. He was a practising doctor before joining politics and being elected in 2007. He made news in 2015 when he came out as gay, an announcement that was initially met with some shock by his father but who, he said later, was very supportive. Kenny stepped down this week as leader of the Fine Gael party after six years as the prime minister. Varadkar is reported to enjoy much support in the party and from ministers. The contest for the next prime minister will be decided on Friday and the result is expected by 10 pm Indian time. Varadkars rise is remarkable in a conservative country that decriminalised homosexuality only in 1993 and did not allow divorce until 1996. Ireland allowed gay marriage by a popular vote in 2015 but still has Europes toughest laws against abortion and Varadkar has campaigned for liberalising them. Talking about the top job, a cautious Varadkar told Sky News: Im not counting my chickens. Im really humbled at the level of support I have received from my colleagues and I am really looking forward to the hustings and the debates. Watch| Leo Varadkars campaign video on Twitter Varadkar, who got his start in youth politics while attending medical school in Dublin, also praised Kenny, saying he had given hope to a battered and bruised Ireland. Kennys dedication and determination gave Fine Gael a landslide in the 2011 general election, he said. Varadkar is in a relationship with Matthew Barrett, also a doctor. Irelands Independent newspaper described Barrett as the rock behind Leo Varadkar as he strives to become leader of Fine Gael. Although the pair have been an item for the last 18 months, they have so far shunned the spotlight although that could change should Mr Varadkar become Taoiseach (prime minister), the report said. If Varadkar becomes prime minister, Ireland will be only the fourth country to have an openly gay head of government - Belgiums Elio Di Rupo, Icelands Johanna Siguroardottir and Luxembourgs Xavier Bettel are the others. Varadkar came out during an interview with Irish national radio on his 36th birthday in January 2015. 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 said. Iraqi forces have recaptured one neighbourhood in west Mosul and nearly half of another that are targets of a broad offensive against jihadists launched last week, officers said on Friday. Iraqi security forces are more than seven months into a massive operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group, which overran the city and swathes of other territory nearly three years ago. Now, ISs grip on Mosul has been reduced to the Old City and several nearby areas, but the jihadists are still putting up significant resistance and up to 200,000 civilians may be caught in the fighting. Forces from Iraqs elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) recaptured Al-Saha al-Oula neighbourhood, Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir Yarallah, who heads the military command coordinating the Mosul operation, said in a statement. Earlier today, Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat, the commander of the federal police, said in a statement that his forces continue to advance cautiously, and have imposed their control over 40 percent of Al-Zinjili neighbourhood. Those are two of the three neighbourhoods that are the target of the current assault by Iraqi forces, with the third being the nearby Al-Shifaa area. All three are located north of the Old City, a warren of narrow streets and closely spaced buildings that has posed a major challenge for security forces. The United Nations said earlier this week that up to 200,000 civilians were estimated to still be trapped in IS- held areas, most of them in the Old City. Because of the tightness of the area and the presence of a number of residents and fear of injuries and damage... to civilians and buildings, we have avoided entering at the present time, Staff Brigadier General Haidar al-Obeidi, a commander in the CTS, said of the Old City. Instead, security forces have blocked it off from three sides while the Tigris River does the same on the fourth -- keeping IS bottled up inside but also exposing civilians to shortages of food, water and medicine. Manila: The Islamic State, one of the worlds deadliest terrorist groups, claimed responsibility for Fridays attack on a casino in Phillippines, which left 37 dead, according Amaq news agency tied to the group. A masked gunman set fire to a gaming room at a casino in the Philippine capital, igniting a toxic blaze, authorities said. The victims suffocated inside one of the main gambling venues of the upscale Resorts World Manila, while dozens of other people were injured in a panicked crush to escape. Around dawn, the body of the suspected gunman was found in a hotel room in the complex, which is close to Ninoy Aquino International Airport and an air force base, police said. He burned himself inside the hotel room 510, national police chief Ronald dela Rosa told a media conference. He lay down on the bed, covered himself in a thick blanket and apparently doused himself in gasoline. At least 34 bodies found after gunman sets fire to Philippine casino: Police The gunman initially disappeared into the chaos of smoke and running people, leading to a five-hour manhunt through the complex, which also includes a hotel and shops, according to Dela Rosa. He said the assailant, who appeared to be a foreigner because he spoke English and looked Caucasian. Dela Rosa said the man, acting alone, walked into one of the gaming rooms and fired the rifle at a large television screen, then poured gasoline onto a gambling table and set it alight. He said the man then fired again at a stock room containing gambling chips and filled a backpack with chips worth 113 million pesos ($2.3 million). The man left the room and went upstairs to the hotel section, but left the backpack, according to Dela Rosa. Malaysian health authorities are holding a contest on how to prevent homosexuality and transgenderism, drawing criticism from campaigners that it was fanning hatred and violence towards LGBT people. Activists say intolerance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people has spiked in recent years in Malaysia, a multi-ethnic Southeast Asian country that is majority Muslim. In the latest controversy, the health ministrys contest invites participants to submit video clips for categories including one called gender identity disorder, according to details on the ministrys website. I was shocked. This is encouraging discrimination, hatred and even violence towards the minorities, said transgender activist Nisha Ayub from the Seed Foundation, a charity working with transgender people. The ministry described gender identity disorder, also known as gender dysphoria, and cited examples of people who are gay, lesbian, transsexual and tomboys. The contest guidelines added that the videos must include elements showing the consequences of being LGBT, as well as how to prevent, control and seek help for them. The health ministry should look into health issues, but now they are giving out prizes for people to post such videos. This is sending a very negative message to our society, Ayub told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. A spokesman for health minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said he was not aware of the contest and declined to comment. Other ministry officials could not immediately be reached. The contest also includes categories on cybersex and sexual reproductive health, citing examples such as pre-marital sex, teen pregnancy and the impact of free sex. Winners of the contest, which kicked off on Thursday and runs until August 31, will be awarded cash prizes from 1,000 ringgit ($230) to 4,000 ringgit ($935). Homosexuality is taboo in Malaysia, where gay sex is criminalised, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, caning or a fine. In 2012, authorities issued guidelines and held seminars aimed at helping teachers and parents spot signs of homosexuality in children. According to the guidelines, signs of homosexuality in boys include preferences for tight, V-neck shirts and large handbags, while girls with lesbian tendencies like to hang out and sleep in the company of women. Authorities in the northeastern state of Terengganu in 2011 organised a camp for effeminate boys to show them how to become men. Tesla Inc Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk and Walt Disney Co CEO Robert Iger said on Thursday they would leave White House advisory councils after US President Donald Trump said he would withdraw from the Paris climate accord. Trump decided to pull the United States from the landmark 2015 global agreement designed to fight climate change despite entreaties from U.S. allies and corporate leaders in an action that fulfilled a major campaign pledge. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world, Musk said in a Twitter post. He is a member of the Presidents Strategic and Policy Forum, a business advisory group, and Trumps manufacturing jobs council. Musk said on Wednesday that he had done all I can to convince Trump to stay in the accord, and threatened to leave the presidential advisory councils if Trump announced a U.S. exit from the accord. Iger wrote on Twitter that as a matter of principle, Ive resigned from the Presidents Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal. He is leaving the business advisory group. Uber Technologies Inc CEO Travis Kalanick quit the business advisory council in February amid pressure from activists and employees who opposed the administrations immigration policies. Trump created the business advisory group in December before taking office to assist him in making policy decisions. The group is led by Stephen Schwarzman, chief executive of Blackstone Group LP and includes Indra Nooyi, the chief executive of PepsiCo Inc and Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JPMorgan Chase & Co . Late on Thursday, BlackRock Inc Chief Executive Larry Fink said he would continue to serve on Trumps CEO Forum, despite reservations about the White House decision to withdraw from the Paris accord. I accepted the invitation to serve on the Presidents CEO Forum because I believe I can contribute to the policy dialogue in Washington and serve as a voice for investors, Fink said in a statement. I am a strong believer that our industry needs to have a voice with governments around the world, said Fink, whose company is the worlds largest asset manager, with $5.4 trillion under management. I do not agree with all of the presidents policies and decisions, including todays announcement to exit the U.S. from the Paris Agreement which I believe is a critical step forward in addressing climate change. Asked about Musks resignation, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told Fox News that anybody who read the agreement and understood it would realize that this was not really about climate, this was about U.S. money going to other countries and it didnt solve the climate problem. Musk has met with Trump several times and spoken with him about the long-term goal of his company SpaceX for flights to Mars carrying humans. The White House is planning to a hold a meeting with technology leaders on June 19, an administration spokesman said Wednesday. General Motors Co said Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra would remain on the presidential advisory panel, adding that her participation provides GM a seat at an important table to contribute to a constructive dialogue about key policy issues. In 2013, GM signed a declaration joining other major companies arguing that responding to climate change was good business. The automaker said on Thursday that despite the withdrawal it will not waver from our commitment to the environment. It was unclear whether Ford Motor Cos new chief executive, James Hackett, would join Trumps panel. Ford spokeswoman Christin Baker said on Thursday the No.2 U.S. automaker believes climate change is real, and remain deeply committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our vehicles and our facilities. A Muslim-American activist who was one of the lead organizers of the Womens March on Washington was scheduled to speak at a college commencement ceremony in New York City on Thursday, despite protests from critics who dont like her views on Israel. Palestinian-American civil rights activist Linda Sarsour was expected to give the keynote address at the graduation for just over 100 students at City University of New Yorks Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy. But the choice of the Brooklyn-born, hijab-wearing Sarsour as speaker has sparked opposition from pro-Israel critics, including some who have spread false internet reports claiming she supports Islamic State militants and Sharia law. Sarsour has been critical of Israels policies in the occupied territories and supports the movement to boycott, divest from and sanction the country. She got her start as an activist defending the civil rights of American Muslims after Sept. 11 and in recent years, protested against police surveillance of Muslim communities. She also has put her activism toward other causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement, and was one of four national chairs for the Womens March that led to massive turnouts in Washington D.C., and around the world. But a higher profile has also brought out more opposition. There have been false claims that shes a supporter of the Islamic State group, with critics sending around a photo of her with one finger up and saying it was her making a gesture in support of ISIS, when she has called it a global cancer. Other false accusations include that she supports Islamic law being put in place of the U.S. legal system, based on a sarcastic tweet from 2015 that actually was about ridiculing conspiracy theories around Muslims and the Sharia system. Sarsour says those accusations are ludicrous. CUNY has stood behind its decision to invite her to speak. (Xinhua) 08:24, June 02, 2017 ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, June 1 -- Russian President Vladimir Putinsaid Thursday his country is ready to expand cooperation with China under its Belt and Road Initiative. Putin made the remarks when answering questions raised by Zhang Sutang, vice president of Xinhua News Agency, during a meeting with heads of the world's major news agencies on the sideline of the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Speaking to Zhang, Putin reiterated his readiness to unite efforts within the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). "Our position is precisely this. It is not only mine but also of the leaders of other EAEU countries. We are interested in developing relations with China, one of the world's largest economies with colossal potential," said Putin. 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. The EAEU comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with an aim to encourage regional economic integration through the free movement of goods, services and people within the union. In the context of the pairing of the Belt and Road Initiative and the EAEU, infrastructure development cooperation is "priceless" in general, said the Russian president. According to him, such cooperation includes the construction of road, railway, air and maritime transport facilities linking east and west, south and north. "It truly has a global significance. Therefore, Russia and China will work together in this area," the president added. In his view, the situation in Russia-China border regions is developing positively: bridges under construction, cross-border trade on the increase, and direct contacts between local governments in full swing. Meanwhile, people from both countries are visiting each other, conducting all kinds of humanitarian activities and holding various economic forums. Putin said the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between Russia and China is developing "very positively" and "uniquely." "We are always seeking common approaches to the most complicated problems and often come forward with a unified position," he said. Putin also proposed to deepen bilateral cooperation within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS mechanism. According to him, the SCO has become a major international organization and plays a big role in regional and global affairs. The BRICS mechanism, which unites countries with similar economic structure, now serves as a very important platform for coordinating positions, Putin added. "We have common problems. It encourages us to look for universal ways to solve them together and complement each other during this process," he said. Founded in 1997, the SPIEF is an international platform to discuss key economic issues facing Russia, other developing countries and the world at large. A crowd of Muslims kneeled to pray before breaking their Ramadan fast outside the Trump Tower in a protest against what they say is the US presidents Islamophobic rhetoric. About 100 Muslims showed up for the Iftar event late Thursday, organized by immigrant defense groups. A similar number of non-Muslim supporters also attended. Participants sat on the edge of the avenue after prayers and shared a meal that included rice, chicken and pizza. Police monitored the group closely, as they do with all groups near the building. Trump Tower in Manhattan is home to the Trump Organization, the heart of President Donald Trumps business empire. First Lady Melania Trump lives there with the couples youngest son, Baron. Fatoumata Waggeh, a 26 year-old Muslim-American woman with Gambian roots, said she had come to denounce the negative rhetoric they are spreading around Muslims, and to show solidarity. Muslim women eat during a demonstration and Iftar celebration during Ramadan outside of Trump Tower in New York, U.S., June 1, 2017. (REUTERS Photo) Maggie Glass, a 31 year-old New Yorker active with a Jewish refugee association, said she was there to support all our Muslim neighbors and friends. I just thought it was an opportunity for us to come together as a community, to show that we are united. Event organizer Linda Sarsour told AFP she was satisfied with the turnout. She didnt mind that unlike previous US presidents, Trump had not invited Muslims to the White House to mark Iftar. To be honest with you, even if they did, I would ask Muslims not to endorse an administration that is acting so divisively, she said. So they are not inviting us, but we dont want to go anyway. During their protest, a small group of Trump supporters on the other side of the street chanted USA, USA! and We dont want sharia law! The Afghan police on Friday fired live rounds to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing protesters seeking to march on the presidential palace to demand the governments resignation following a catastrophic truck bombing that killed 90 people and wounded hundreds. Public anger has mounted after the attack the deadliest in the city since 2001 which was launched from an explosives-laden sewage tanker that tore a massive crater in the ground. Demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down and chanting death to the Taliban clashed with police near the bombing site, prompting officials to respond with live rounds, tear gas and water cannon as some protesters tried to overrun a security cordon. The bombing during the holy month of Ramzan highlighted the ability of militants to strike even in the capitals most secure district, home to the presidential palace and foreign embassies that are enveloped in a maze of concrete blast walls. Angry citizens have demanded answers from the government over the perceived intelligence failure leading to the assault, which underscores spiralling insecurity in Afghanistan. Our brothers and sisters were martyred in the bloody attack on Wednesday, and our leaders are doing nothing to stop this carnage, Rahila Jafari, a civil society activist, said during the protest. We want justice, we want the perpetrators of the attack to be hanged to death. Protesters throw stones at security forces in Kabul on Friday. (AP) Another enraged Afghan said the protests would continue until Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah resign. Day after day, innocent civilians are being killed by terrorists. If our leaders cannot restore security they should step down, he said. Afghanistans intelligence agency has blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network for the attack. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is expected to approve the execution of 11 Taliban and Haqqani prisoners, a government source told AFP, in apparent retaliation to the assault. The Taliban -- currently in the midst of their annual spring offensive -- denied they were involved. The Haqqani Network, long thought to have ties to neighbouring Pakistans shadowy military establishment, is led by Sirajuddin Haqqani -- who is also the Talibans deputy leader. It has carried out numerous attacks in Kabul, including the 2008 Indian embassy bombing that killed almost 60 people. The earliest possible date for Americas official withdrawal from the climate-rescue Paris Agreement is just a day after the countrys next presidential election. Could the timing thwart Donald Trumps plans to quit the 196-nation deal? The rules of engagement In the hard-fought pacts own wording, a party may withdraw by giving written notification any time after three years of its entry into force -- which was on November 4, 2016. This means November 4, 2019 at the earliest if Trump, who announced Thursday that the United States was getting out of the deal, were to use this option. The withdrawal would take effect only a year later -- on November 4, 2020 -- the day after Americas next presidential election -- potentially leaving a very small window for intervention if there is a new leader friendly to the Paris Agreement. Trumps term ends officially on January 20, 2021. Despite Trumps announcement, the US cannot immediately withdraw from the Paris Agreement, stressed Richard Klein, of the Stockholm Environment Institute. In the meantime, Washington may opt to withdraw from all climate negotiations and simply flout the commitments made under the previous administration. Other options? A different route would be for America to withdraw from the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, under whose auspices the pact was negotiated. This would take effect a year after notification, which can be done at any time. Americas ratification of the convention was approved by the Senate after being signed by President H W Bush. Trump has given no indication that he intends going this route, even saying he wanted negotiations for a new or better agreement -- implying he intends staying in the convention. Only parties can negotiate. As for reopening negotiations for a different deal, this is not explicitly ruled out by the conventions statute. But Trump would have to convince nearly 200 other partners with whom the United States had fought and bartered for over two decades to get the 2015 Paris deal. The US can propose anything it wants, but no other country will join them at the negotiating table said veteran climate talks observer Alden Meyer of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Its a non-starter, and they know it -- the point is to make it sound like theyre more reasonable than they really are. Penalties? Trump has said the US would cease all implementation of the agreement. The deal itself, which sets out the goal of limiting emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, is binding under international law. However, at Americas insistence, countries carbon-cutting pledges in support of the goal, are not. Trump said Washington would not honour its carbon-cutting contribution, nor international climate finance commitments made under his predecessor Barack Obama. For Arnaud Gossement, a French environmental lawyer, Washingtons flouting of the agreement amounts to a violation of international law. International agreements of this type symbolically commit signatories to their undertakings, even if there are no sanctions, he said. President Donald Trumps administration asked the US Supreme Court on Thursday to reinstate its controversial ban on travellers from six Muslim majority nations despite repeated setbacks in the lower courts. In its filing, the government asked the highest court in the land to rule on the legal standing of Trumps order, appealing a ruling by the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld a nationwide block of the travel ban. We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trumps executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism, Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said. The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States. The Trump administrations filing came just one week after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling dealt a fresh blow to the governments effort. The court said it remained unconvinced that the part of the measure naming the specific countries -- Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen -- had more to do with national security than it does with effectuating the presidents promised Muslim ban. It added that it was unclear whether the governments security concerns outweighed the plaintiffs concerns about discrimination. The stakes are indisputably high: the court of appeals concluded that the president acted in bad faith with religious animus when, after consulting with three members of his cabinet, he placed a brief pause on entry from six countries that present heightened risks of terrorism, the governments filing read. The courts decision creates uncertainty about the presidents authority to meet those threats as the Constitution and acts of Congress empower and obligate him to do. Trump issued his initial travel ban by executive order in January, but that measure -- which banned entry to nationals from seven countries for 90 days and suspended the nations refugee program for 120 days -- was quickly halted by the courts. A revised executive order announced in March, meant to address the issues raised by the federal judges, deleted Iraq from the list and removed an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees. It earned widespread scorn nevertheless, including from human rights activists and states led by Democrats. A district court judge in Maryland issued a nationwide block on the bans core provision concerning travel from the shortlist of countries, sending the issue to the Fourth Circuit. Given the cases high-profile nature, the full appeals court in Richmond heard the arguments -- bypassing the usual initial three-judge panel -- for the first time in a quarter of a century. Thirteen of the courts 15 active judges took part. Two recused themselves over potential conflicts of interest. The US withdrawal from the Paris climate pact could in a worst case scenario add a 0.3 degree Celsius rise in global temperatures over the 21st century, the United Nations said on Friday. The head of the World Meteorological Organizations atmospheric research and environment department, Deon Terblanche, underscored however that the likely impact of US President Donald Trumps widely-condemned decision remains far from clear. We havent run new models overnight but the indications are that it could be in the worst case scenario in the order of 0.3 degrees Celsius, Terblanche told reporters in Geneva, referring to a possible rise over pre-industrial temperatures. That is the worst case scenario and this is probably not what will happen, he added. Under the Paris deal agreed in 2015, world nations vowed steps to keep the worldwide rise in temperatures well below two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) from pre-industrial times. Trump announced on Thursday at the White House his administration would immediately stop implementing the bad 195-nation accord brokered by his predecessor Barack Obama in 2015 in tandem with Chinese leaders. The fight against climate change is unstoppable and nations should stick to the landmark Paris accord, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said after the US chose to exit the deal. Climate change is undeniable and it is one of the biggest threats to our present world, to the future of our planet, Guterres told journalists on the sidelines of a conference in Saint Petersburg. On the other hand, climate action is unstoppable and I urge governments around the world to stay the course, to remain committed to the implementation of the Paris agreement to the benefit of all of us, he said, adding he was deeply convinced that US states, cities, the business community, the civil society will also remain engaged, will bet in the green economy. Terblanche cautioned it is still fairly early days to assess the impact of Trumps complex announcement. UN officials also stressed that the deal was structured to require action from multiple levels of government, including municipal, regional and federal authorities. With some US cities and states immediately voicing support for the Paris deal following Trumps announcement, it is unlikely that the country as a whole will see zero implementation of the pact in real terms. It will take several years before the world will have a proper understanding of what the implications are of the US withdrawal, Terblanche said. The climate expert said WMO would not be complacent or overly discouraged, pledging to continue publishing evidence-based research highlighting the threats facing the planet. We will continue to make sure that the scientific knowledge is out there in hopes of shaping better policy decisions, Terblanche said. China and the European Union have swiftly moved to fill the leadership void on the Paris climate pact left by the US pullout. US President Donald Trump named India and China among chief reasons for his decision to pull out of the Paris Accord, a landmark international agreement struck to cut greenhouse gases. China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries, Trump said on Thursday, describing what he said was unfair, at the highest level. But will we start to negotiate and we will see if we can make a deal thats fair. And if we can, thats great. And if we cant, thats fine. Fresh negotiation on the issue,though, is almost impossible. NYT quoted Christiana Figueres, a former UN official who led the negotiations, as saying that Trumps remarks underscored a lack of understanding of how international agreements work. You cannot renegotiate individually, she said. Its a multilateral agreement. No one country can unilaterally change the conditions. A relook was also ruled out by world leaders. Germany and Italy issued a joint statement expressing regret and rejecting Trumps assertion that he would renegotiate the deal. China made it a point to say it would stay in the accord. Signed in 2015, the Paris Accord came at a time scientists urged now-or-never measures to combat global warming. That year, and the year after that, turned out to be the hottest on record. The agreement took nearly three years to negotiate, with countries fighting to ensure each bore the least cost of climate change while balancing tangible steps that were must. India and China were able to protect their interests by ensuring that they do not have to take any emission cuts and reduce emissions from coal-fired plants by way of differentiated responsibility for historical emitters, rich nations such as the United States. The two countries also defied pressure from rich nations to pay for climate change mitigation, funds that would go to the most vulnerable countries and for technologies that will make the environment cleaner. They argued that they were among the most-affected countries. But unlike Trumps assertions, India and China too agreed to compromises. They agreed to lower emission reduction goals for rich nations, which received support from small island nations and certain African countries. Beijing and New Delhi also agreed to a review of their climate mitigation targets every five years, a first mechanism for a global environmental convention. The Paris agreement also for the first time set mitigation targets from all nations, unlike its predecessor Kyoto protocol where only the rich nations were required to take action to save the world from green house gases. The impact of the US exit on global warming will be severe. Climate Interactive, which tracks global emissions and pledges, estimates that if US doesnt reach its Paris Accord goal, an additional 0.3C will be added to global warming by the end of the century. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced he was withdrawing the United States from the historic Paris Accord, citing among other reasons that the deal was not tough enough on India and China. In order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord, the president announced from the White House. Withdrawing from the deal also fulfills one of Trumps presidential campaign promises. ...India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris Accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States, Trump said in his speech. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants, he said. While shutting the dialogue on the current accord -- drawn up under the Obama administration -- Trump kept the door open for a new transaction on terms that are fair to the US. Were getting out, but we will start to negotiate and we will see if we can make a deal thats fair. If we can, thats great, he said. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told German chancellor Angela Merkel that India will stay in the accord, irrespective of what the United States does. The Paris accord took nearly three years to negotiate, with countries fighting to ensure each bore the least cost of climate change while balancing necessary measures to cut emissions. India, along with China, argued that they did not have to reduce emissions from coal-fired plants by way of differentiated responsibility for historical emitters such as the United States. It further managed to not pay for climate change mitigation citing that it was among the most-affected countries. However, India did agree to have their climate mitigation targets reviewed every five years. As Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn inches up the opinion polls for the June 8 election, an Indian doctor who is his party candidate in the London constituency of Putney told his senior Conservative rival during hustings on Thursday: A week is a long time in politics. Attributed to former Labour prime minister Harold Wilson, the quote by Karnataka-origin Neeraj Patil struck a chord among voters in St Pauls Church in the context of Corbyns policies and performance on television, narrowing the gap with the ruling Conservatives. Patil, an accident and emergency consultant in the National Health Service (NHS), gained his medical qualifications from Gulbarga University in 1993. In Britain, he has mixed medicine with politics - he is a former mayor of the London borough of Lambeth. His main rival is sitting MP Justine Greening, who holds the cabinet position of education secretary in Prime Minister Theresa Mays government. She won the 2015 election with a margin of more than 10,000 votes over her Labour rival in a constituency with an electorate of 63,000. The candidates in the Putney election faced probing questions, mainly on Brexit, NHS and immigration, with Greening hard put to defend her partys policies and funding cuts. Mays absence in a television debate on Wednesday was also ridiculed. Patil said to much applause: A week is a long time in politics. On June 9, Corbyn will be the prime minister. He reminded voters of Labours promises to provide an extra 40 billion to the NHS, scrap university tuition fees and retain UKs membership of the EU single market. According to Patil, May had made several policy U-turns in government and the Conservative Partys manifesto, and was also not prepared to participate in television debates: She has given the country weak and wobbly leadership. She is the weakest PM we have seen in decades. He recently launched his election campaign from Bangalore Street in the borough of Wandsworth, which has three constituencies, Putney, Battersea and Tooting. The street derives its name from the location of the Bangalore Regiments recruitment centre in the 19th century. Senior labour leader Keith Vaz, the longest-serving MP of Asian origin since 1987, campaigned for Patil this week in a constituency with a small population of Indian-origin, unlike others such as Ealing Southall, Leicester East or Harrow, which have a large number of voters of Indian and South Asian origin. A political song accusing Prime Minister Theresa May of lying and U-turns has topped the Amazon and iTunes charts and is near the top of the official singles chart, but has not been played on BBC and other mainstream radio stations, prompting a petition signed by thousands. The song Liar Liar by London-based band Captain SKA has gained popularity ahead of the June 8 election but BBC said it was not being played due to editorial guidelines on being impartial. This has led to allegations of censorship by media owners trying to undermine public opinion. The song set to a foot-tapping reggae beat protests against deep funding cuts by the May government in education, health and social care. The band said profits from the song will go to food banks across the UK, where people unable to meet costs go for free food. Watch | Video for the song Liar Liar by the band Captain SKA BBC Radio 1 said in a statement: We do not ban songs or artists, however our editorial guidelines require us to remain impartial and the UK is currently in an election period so we will not be playing the song. The opening lyrics are: "We all know politicians lie/Big ones, little ones, porky pies/Saying they're strong and stable/Won't disguise we're still being taken for a ride. Nurses going hungry, schools in decline/I don't recognise this broken country of mine/Theyre having a laugh, lets show them the door then/Cut the rich, not the poor." This is set against a chorus that goes, Shes a liar, you cant trust her. Captain SKA said: "The success of this song shows people are fed up with this government of the rich, for the rich. We're overwhelmed with the support and our message is that people do have the power to change society if we act together." The video ends with the caption On 8 June, Tories out. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A UN human rights chief on Friday urged an investigation into a Bahraini security raid which killed five people last month and expressed concern at what he called a crackdown on dissent in the Gulf island kingdom. Bahraini police pushed into Diraz village outside the capital Manama on May 23, according to the government, to arrest suspected militants and others wanted on security charges. But activists from the countrys Shia Muslim majority accused the Sunni-led authorities of using excessive force to intimidate the sect and its spiritual leader, Ayatollah Isa Qassim, who lives in Diraz guarded by a sit-in of supporters. Five were killed and 286 arrested as they confronted advancing police, who used tear gas and birdshot. I urge the Government to investigate the events of 23 May, in particular the loss of lives, to ensure that the findings are made public and that those responsible are held accountable, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, said in a statement. I urge Bahrain to choose a different path one of engagement and dialogue, as well as accountability for violence, regardless of the perpetrator, he added. There was no immediate response by the Bahraini government to the statement, but it denies targeting the Shiite sect or any systematic abuse of rights. Bahrain and neighbouring Saudi Arabia put down 2011 Arab Spring protests led by the Shiite community demanding more rights and representation. Shootings of protesters and attacks by militants on security forces have since persisted. The government says the opposition foments violence with the help of its arch-rival, Shiite Iran, a charge Tehran denies. (file photo) Peter Dovak, a lifelong transit lover from Washington, D.C. of the United States, recently created an animated GIF illustrating the development of China's subway from 1990 to 2020, showcasing the amazing speed and scale in the construction of the country's metro system. In 1990, there were only three cities that had subways, and as how Dovak predicted, China will have more than 40 cities with city train networks by 2020. It's amazing! (file photo) A large scale of subway building is not the only thing that China is pursuing. The most important thing is the quality. Quoting from the Rockefeller Foundation's data, The Guardian listed 10 of the best city train networks in the world, with two Chinese cities' included the subway system in Shanghai and Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway. After a ride on Shanghai's subway, many foreign visitors highly praised the system when comparing to the ones in other countries. Actually, Chinese subways not only have a good reputation, but already had its technology exported to the world. China-made metro cars can be seen operating in Los Angeles of the U.S., Izmir of Turkey, Rio of Brazil and etc. China is contributing to the world's urban transit development. Subways release the tension of the traffic in the cities and help to create diversified urban cultures. Passengers can experience the massiveness of London's subway system that is laden with history, the preciseness of Tokyo's subway network, as well as the tolerance and inclusiveness of New York's metro system. All the feelings that the passengers have when they ride on the subway, is the most wonderful part of the whole city train network. As to China's subways, being "young" is its biggest feature, which also means infinite possibilities. (file photo) President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of United States from the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement saying it favoured India and China. The move drew condemnation from allies and business leaders. It was Trumps predecessor Barack Obama who brokered the deal between 195 nations, describing it as not a perfect landmark but having something for everyone to cheer about. More than two years later, Trump, has undone the hard work of hundreds of diplomats and lawyers from across the world to fulfil his poll pledge. How Trumps decision can hamper climate mitigation, and its implications for India: 1. Getting the yearly climate aid of $100 billion dollars without the biggest contributor US would be difficult. Europe, and few others such as Canada, Japan and Australia, with their limited growth in economy may not be able to pay for the shortfall. 2. The big casualty could be the Green Climate Fund based in South Korea. The fund was set up to fight climate change by funding technology and innovations in the developing world. More than money, the GCF will miss American technical expertise that would have helped create smarter and greener technologies for poorer nations. Several US-based institutions were collaborating with the GCF, which may end after Trumps announcement. 3. The Loss and Damage (LND) mechanism by which rich nations would pay compensation to developing countries for climate-induced disasters could be a casualty. Rich countries have opposed the mechanism, the nuances of which are yet to be finalised, saying it would be difficult to differentiate climate disasters. The Paris agreement became possible only after wealthier nations including US agreed to the idea in principle. 4. Meeting the Paris agreement goal of limiting the temperature rise to 2C or less without United States, the second biggest carbon emitter after China, will not be easy. US not being in the agreement would mean offsetting additional 3 billion tonnes of carbon in air annually by rest of the world. The worlds biggest economy that accounts for 15% of global emissions had promised to cut its share by 26 to 28 % of the 2005 level by 2025. 5. United States had sought transparency and accountability in the global climate action. On its insistence, the developing world agreed to uniform assessment and verification rules for all countries. Every country agreed to submit reports on climate action periodically for others nations to review. With the US out, such a review will have no meaning. 6. Countries also agreed to submit their climate action plans called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) every five years. The INDC has emission-reduction targets for rich nations and emission-control measures for the developing world. The first set of action plans were submitted before the Paris deal was signed. There will now be uncertainty over the next one in 2020. 7. Trumps decision would mean the firewall of differentiated responsibilities to fight climate change in the Paris agreement would fall. The US opposed the differentiated responsibilities even when the first global mechanism to fight climate change Kyoto Protocol was agreed upon in 1997. Walking out of the agreement means the US will be able to create a parallel mechanism for its cheaper fossil-fuel based technologies. 8. The Paris agreement provided incentives for greener technologies like efficient solar and wind power, and geo-thermal resources. Many of these technologies are at the nascent stage of development and need funding, which may not be easily available now. The US federal fund flow for developing cleaner technologies has shrunk. 9. The Paris agreement was built on the idea that by 2050, coal-fired power plants that contribute to half of the worlds green house gas emissions would be replaced by renewable energy. That now appears a distant dream as Trump wants to continue with coal, providing India and China an argument to continue with their thermal power plants. 10. India and China can, however, stand to gain in energy sectors despite Trumps decision as both countries have heavily invested in renewable energy. Prices of solar power in India had fallen below the thermal energy for the first time. Solar is now an easy alternate to thermal powers for villages across the world, a market India is targeting. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The American victory at Midway had more to do with bold leaders than lucky breaks Carved into the marble walls of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., in letters six inches high, is a sentence from Walter Lords 1967 prize-winning book on the Battle of Midway: they had no right to win, yet they did, and in doing so they changed the course of a war. What Lord meant is that the odds against the Americans at Midway were so great that their eventual success was no less than incrediblehence the title of his book: Incredible Victory. Fifteen years later, Gordon Prange continued that theme in his book Miracle at Midway. Embedded in these book titles, and in their conclusions as well, is the implication that the American victory in the Battle of Midway was largely the product of fate, or chance, or luck, or some other unworldly forcethat it was a miracle after all. That the Americans at Midway changed the course of World War II is indisputable. At 10 oclock on the morning of June 4, 1942, the Japanese were winning the Pacific War; an hour later, three Japanese aircraft carriers were on fire and sinking. The fate of nations and the course of history had changed in an astonishing five-minute flurry of American bombs. To be sure, chance played a role at Midway, as it has in every military engagement throughout history. But to attribute the American victory predominately to luck is a disservice to the principal players. A look at the actions of four Americans across the command chain at MidwayFleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, task force commander Raymond Spruance, air group leader Clarence Wade McClusky, and dive-bomber pilot Richard Dick Bestshows how courageous leadership and sound decision-making, not just fate and chance, determined the crucial American victory at Midway. Chester Nimitz was easy to underestimate. At age 56, with snow-white hair and piercing light-blue eyes, he was a quiet man who seldom betrayed his emotions. Undemonstrative and restrained, he rarely swore or even raised his voice. When exasperated, his most confrontational declaration was: Now see here! He was not impersonal or coldhe was a gifted teller of stories and particularly fond of elegant punsbut his German heritage and his Texas Hill Country upbringing had bred in him a calm reserve that allowed him to remain apparently undisturbed in the midst of crisis. That was exactly the kind of man that President Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted in command at Pearl Harbor after the disastrous Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox remembered the president saying, Tell Nimitz to get the hell out to Pearl Harbor and stay there till the war is won. It wasnt much of a command when Nimitz took over on the last day of the year. Americas vaunted battleships were either in repair facilities stateside or resting on the bottom of the harbor. To be sure, the Japanese had clearly demonstrated at Pearl Harbor that aircraft carriers had supplanted battleships as the principal offensive weapons of modern navies. But by late spring of 1942, both of Americas two big carriers had been lost. The 36,000-ton Saratoga had been victimized by a Japanese submarine in January and sent back to Puget Sound, Washington, for a full refit; the 37,000-ton Lexington was sunk in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May. The Americans had very nearly lost the Yorktown in that same engagement. The carrier came limping into Pearl Harbor on May 27, trailing a 10-mile-long oil slick, leaving Nimitz with only two fully operational aircraft carriers: the Enterprise and the brand-new Hornet. This was the state of things when Nimitz learned that the Japanese were sending their so-far-undefeatedindeed not yet seriously challengedKido Butai, the Imperial Navys mobile strike force, to attack Midway Atoll, an American-held territory 1,100 miles northwest of Hawaii. He knew about the impending attack thanks to the work of a dedicated group of code breakers that had predicted it would come toward the end of May or early June, with four or possibly five carriers. If the crippled Yorktown could be repaired in timewhich was problematicNimitz would have three carriers. But the Japanese force included at least two battleships (Nimitz had none), its strike aircraft had a greater range than the American planes, and its Zero fighters were superior in both range and maneuverability to the U.S. Navys F4F Wildcats. If Nimitz decided to oppose the Japanese attack, all he could count on for sure were the two carriers of Rear Admiral William F. Halseys Task Force 16. Then it turned out he didnt have Halsey himself. When Bull Halsey brought his two carriers into Pearl Harbor on May 26, he was suffering from a severe psoriasis flare-up and had to be hospitalized. Asked to recommend someone to replace him for the coming fight, he named Raymond Spruance, the rear admiral who commanded the vessels of his cruiser-destroyer screen. (If the Yorktown became available, then Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher, the commander of Task Force 17 and Spruances senior, would command the fleet.) While Spruance was a reliable professional, however, he was a specialist in surface warfare, with no experience commanding naval aviation forces; Fletcher, too, was a surface officer. In addition to the superiority of the Japanese carrier force, Nimitz had to take into consideration the fact that the Allied grand strategy, crafted even before hostilities began and confirmed at least twice since, was to defeat Germany first. According to this plan, the United States was to avoid decisive action against major elements of the Japanese fleet in the Pacific in order to concentrate on the European theater. Given all that, Nimitz had to ask himself if Midway was of such strategic importance that it justified risking his remaining aircraft carriers in an unequal fight with the Kido Butai. To be sure, Midway was a valuable mid-ocean outpost for the Americans, and Japanese occupation of it would have been a serious nuisance. But was it of greater strategic importance than the nations few aircraft carriers? One option for Nimitz was to avoid battle altogether and wait for the Saratoga and Yorktown to return to the fleet, when he would again have four carriers. By then the Japanese might well have seized Midway, but their gripat the end of a 2,500-mile supply line from Japanwould be very tenuous, and the Americans could take it back rather easily. This was the conservativeand arguably the responsiblealternative. Nimitzs other option, of course, was to fight for Midway. His advance knowledge of the Japanese navys approach, thanks to the code breakers, transferred the invaluable element of surprise from the Japanese to the Americans, and gave Nimitz time to greatly reinforce Midway itselfespecially with aircraft. If the Yorktown could join the Enterprise and Hornet, the Americans would have four airplane platforms, including Midwaythe same number as the Japanese. Given the circumstances, few would have faulted Nimitz if he had chosen the first option and avoided battle with the approaching Kido Butai. The American chief of naval operations, Admiral Ernest J. Kingwho was no shrinking violetimplied as much when he suggested that Nimitz should send the Yorktown to Puget Sound to keep it out of harms way, and transfer the carriers surviving airplanes to the airfields on Oahu as a defensive force. The choice belonged to Nimitz: his was the burden of command. He was certainly cognizant of the risks, but in his mind the decision to fight for Midway was no gamble. He calculated the odds coolly and rationally, and believed that he held a winning hand. Walter Lord stated that the Americans had no right to win, but Nimitz fully expected to. His decision to meet the Japanese north of Midway now seems foreordained, but at the time it was a bold stroke, and if someone besides Chester Nimitz had been in command at Pearl Harbor, the battle might not have happened at all. Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance was a man very much in the same mold as Nimitz: calm in his demeanor and courtly in his manners, reminding one interviewer of a soft-spoken university professor. A lean 55-year-old, Spruance was a 1907 Academy graduate who had served in destroyers and cruisers his entire career. When Bull Halsey realized his illness meant he could not possibly command Task Force 16 in the forthcoming operation, he did not hesitate to recommend Spruance for the job. Along with the assignment, Spruance also inherited Halseys chief of staff, 45-year-old Captain Miles Browning. Tall and ruggedly handsome, with a bad-boy allure that made him attractive to women, Browning was something of an eccentric in the aviation community. He was an excellent pilot and an imaginative tactician, but he was also cocky and dismissive of otherscharacteristics that did not endear him to subordinates. The ebullient Halsey had gotten along well with Browning, and had recommended him for his promotion to captain. Before Halsey left for the hospital, he urged Spruance to rely heavily on Browning and his expertise in air operations during the coming fight. Browning, for his part, clearly expected Spruance to defer to him in the management of the air assets of Task Force 16. As it happened, the yard workers at Pearl Harbor did manage to patch up the Yorktown in time to send it out to join Spruances Task Force 16, at a rendezvous point the Americans had somewhat hopefully dubbed Point Luck, 325 miles north of Midway. All three American carriers were there at a few minutes past 6 a.m. on June 4 when a PBY Catalina out of Midway reported seeing two Japanese carriers and two battleships about 170 miles to the southwesta position at the extreme range of the American torpedo bombers and fighters. At 6:07, Admiral Fletcheraboard Yorktown, waiting for a group of aircraft to returnradioed an order to Spruance, aboard the Enterprise: Proceed southwesterly and attack enemy carriers when definitely located. I will follow as soon as planes recovered. The wind that day was very lightonly about five knotsand it was coming out of the east. For their aircraft to launch, the Hornet and the Enterprise would have to turn into the wind, away from the target, and build up speed to at least 25 knots (nearly 29 mph). Since it would take most of an hour to launch air groups from two carriers, which would add another 20 miles to the flight by the time all planes were up and in their formations, Spruance decided to continue steaming toward the target for another 45 minutes before launching. It would still be a long flight to the target, but the later launch should allow the attack planes sufficient time to get the job done and get back safely. Under Brownings management, the first planes began launching at 7:05. The air group aboard the Enterprise was under the command of Wade McClusky. Having turned 40 only days before, he was the oldest pilot on board. McClusky had spent most of his career as a fighter pilot, but by virtue of his seniority he now found himself in command of a bomber group. The bomber group was composed of the SBD dive-bombers of Scouting Squadron VS-6 and Bombing Squadron VB-6, as well as the TDB-1 torpedo bombers of VT-6. Launch delays cropped up almost from the start. The planes had been lined up on the flight deck for launch since well before dawn, but a number of them developed engine problems during the launch and had to be manhandled up to the forward elevator and lowered back down to the hangar deck in order to clear the flight deck. All of that took time. There were other delays. Ordinarily, the crew would have started bringing up the planes of the second deck load via the carriers rear elevator while the last of the dive-bombers were launching forward. But VB-6s bombers, each lugging a 1,000-pound bomb, needed a full deck run to get aloft, so the crew did not start bringing up the 10 Wildcats of the Enterprises fighter group, VF-6, and VT-6s 14 Devastator torpedo bombers from the hangar deck until after the last of the dive-bombers were aloft. It took another 20 minutes to bring up the Wildcats via the forward elevator and the Devastators via the rear elevator. The Wildcats launched without mishap, but then one of the torpedo bombers had engine trouble. It was fixed but that, too, ate up time. Meanwhile, McCluskys bombers were circling over the task force, burning up precious fuel. By 7:45, Spruance had run out of patience. Five minutes earlier his radio intelligence officer reported that he had intercepted a contact report from a Japanese scout plane. Soon the enemy would know where the Americans were and the opportunity for surprise would be lost. Time was running out. So far, Spruance had declined to interfere with Brownings management of air operations but, deciding that enough was enough, he ordered that McClusky be sent a message by flashing light to proceed on mission assigned without waiting for the torpedo bombers. Instead of a coordinated attack by bombers and torpedo planes, McClusky would have to do his best with dive-bombers only. Released by Spruance, McCluskys group of 32 dive-bombers flew southwest toward the coordinates McClusky had calculated that morning. It was a long flight, and the wait over the task force and the climb to altitude had burned up a large amount of fuel. Ensign Lew Hopkins looked at his fuel gauge and concluded that it was going to be a one-way flight. I knew, and most everybody else knew, he later recalled, that we didnt have enough fuel to get back. But when McClusky arrived at 9:20 in the general area where he had expected to find the Kido Butai, he saw nothing below him but empty ocean. Although low on fuel, McClusky continued the search. He turned the formation slightly to the right and flew due west for 35 miles, then he turned right again to the northwest, intending to conduct a standard box search. He scanned the horizon eagerly for the sign of any surface ships, his binoculars practically glued, as he put it, to his eyes. Two of his bomber pilots ran out of fuel and ditched in the water. Finally, at 9:55, well north of the plotted intercept position, McClusky spotted a single ship, all by itself, proceeding northward at great speed, its bow wave making a broad wake that looked for all the world like a white arrow painted on the surface of the sea. McClusky guessed at once that it was a laggard from the Kido Butai and, using that V-shaped bow wave as a guide, he altered course to follow the arrow just east of due north. Ten minutes later, at 10:05, he saw dark specks on the horizon ahead of him. As he flew closer, the specks resolved themselves into surface ships. He had found the Kido Butai. One of the 32 pilots flying that perilous course with McClusky was Lieutenant Dick Best, the commanding officer of VB-6. At age 32, Best was younger than most of the squadron commanders, and looked younger still. Out of uniform he might have had trouble getting a Honolulu bartender to serve him a beer. A New Jersey native, he was whippet thin with an aquiline nose and prominent ears. But he was a great pilot. Before assuming command of VB-6, he had been a flight instructor at Naval Air Station Pensacola. He often had to endure some good-natured banter because his middle name was Halsey and, indeed, he claimed a distant relationship with the admiral. As McClusky, Best, and the commander of VS-6, Lieutenant Earl Gallaher, approached the Kido Butai that morning, they saw so many valuable targets below them that there was confusion about which to attack. The nearest target was the big carrier Kaga; five miles to its right and a few miles ahead of it was the Japanese flagship Akagi. According to doctrine, Gallaher and Best were to lead their two squadrons against different ships. To do that, the lead squadronGallahersshould fly past the first carrier and attack the more distant one, while the trailing squadronBestsattacked the near target. But McClusky, who had spent most of his career as a fighter pilot and had not internalized bombing doctrine, approached the situation with typical American straightforwardness. He saw the two carriers not as near and far, but as left and right. McClusky could not give hand signals to Best, who was 5,000 feet below him, so he broke radio silence to order Gallaher to take the carrier on the left and Best to take the carrier on the right. Best never heard the order. He later speculated that his radio didnt work, which is possible; another probable explanation is that Best and McClusky sent their reports of the ship sightings to each other simultaneously, which meant neither would have heard the other. In any event, both squadrons under McCluskys command prepared to dive on the Kaga. The Americans had gained a crucial advantage by arriving over the Kido Butai at a critical moment; now the confusion in assigning targets threatened to waste it. Best used hand signals to prepare the pilots of his squadron to dive on the target. Then, just as he was about to push over into the dive, the 16 bombers of Gallahers VS-6, plus McClusky, all came flashing down directly in front of him. Best later recalled that his first thought was, They had jumped my target! But thinking fast, he closed his flaps and waggled his ailerons as a signal to the rest of his squadron to hold back. Too late. Already committed to the dive, 10 of the VB-6 pilots joined the onslaught on the Kaga. Only Bests two wingmen, Ed Kroeger and Fred Weber, were close enough to see his frantic signals and hold up. Twenty-seven American planes dove on the Kaga. They plastered it with bombs, and within minutes it was a smoking wreck. But this left only three planes for the attack on the Akagi. Best gathered his two wingmen, one on each side, and the three American planes flew toward the Akagi in a shallow V formation. It was a calm placid morning, Best recalled, and he remembered thinking that it felt just like a regular individual battle practice drill. As they dove from 14,000 feet, Best put his bomb sight in the middle of the Akagis flight deck, just forward of its small island, and released his bomb at about 1,500 feet. Kroeger and Weber released their bombs at almost the same moment. Bests 1,000-pound bomb struck square on the Akagis flight deck and penetrated to its crowded hangar deck. The immediate damage was extensive, but the secondary damage was catastrophic. The Akagis hangar deck was crowded with 18 big Kate torpedo bombers, all of them with fuel tanks filled to the top and armed with 1,870-pound Type 91 torpedoes. Other ordnance lay on the carts and on the racks along the bulkhead. Within minutes, that ordnance began to cook off, and once the explosions started, the aviation fuel from the wrecked planes fed the fires. The error that sent 27 of McCluskys 30 planes against the same carrier turned out not to matter: by 10:25, both the Kaga and Akagi were burning out of control. Meanwhile, approximately 10 miles to the north, Yorktown planes were hitting the carrier Soryu. In an electrifying five-minute period, three-quarters of the Kido Butai was destroyed. This history-changing strike had been made possible because: Chester Nimitz made the bold decision to meet the Japanese challengers, despite the apparent mismatch. Raymond Spruance overruled Miles Browning, and ordered Wade McClusky to proceed on mission assigned. Had he instead waited for the torpedo planes to launch so that the whole air group could fly to the target together, McClusky would not have had enough fuel to conduct his decisive search. Wade McClusky continued searching when his fuel gauge read half empty, a bold choice that led him to the Kido Butai. Dick Best reacted instantly when he realized an entire air group was diving on the same target. This is not to imply that these four men were the only ones whose actions mattered. Hundreds of others, from flag officers to plane pushers, played crucial roles as well in the victory that turned the tide in the Pacific War and triggered the American counteroffensive in the Solomon Islands. Two months after Midway, 10,000 Marines went ashore on Guadalcanal, and the American offensive did not stop until August of 1945. There was luck involved, to be surebut sometimes bold and courageous men make their own luck. Craig L. Symonds is the Class of 1957 Distinguished Professor of American Naval History at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, and the author or editor of 25 books on Civil War and naval history. His book The Battle of Midway was published by Oxford University Press in October 2011. Miracle Men appeared in the January/February 2012 issue of World War II Magazine. Subscribe today! Russian President Vladimir Putin jut admitted that the U.S. anti-missile system situated in Alaska and South Korea were a challenge to his country. Because of this, reports were rife that Moscow was actually planning to build up its own forces as a response to this. It can be recalled that some countries are already developing and modernizing their military capabilities like the U.S. and North Korea. The U.S. just collaborated with South Korea for the deployment of its THAAD anti-missile system. Moreover, North Korea has been testing missiles until now which posed threat to global peace and security. Because of these developments, Reuters reported that Russia was alarmed as the country cannot just watch and do nothing. While the other countries are making military developments, Vladimir Putin was aware that Russia needs to also increase its military capabilities. But before telling that Russia is also planning to boost its military capabilities Putin said that the move by the other countries can destroy the strategic balance in the globe. The Russian president even added that what is actually happening right now is alarming and a very serious one. First, Putin was alarmed with the U.S. anti-missile system in Alaska then second in South Korea. Russian including the other countries could not just stand idly and watch this and there is no way Russia can just leave it like that. That's why according to Russian News Agency, the country is now thinking on how they could best respond to that challenge. It can be recalled that apart from Russia, China also condemned the deployment of the U.S. THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea. This led to some products and brands owned by South Korean companies being boycotted in China. President Vladimir Putin further noted that the U.S. was actually using countries to expand its military infrastructure, particularly in Asia. This was also the reason why Russia was planning to deploy some of its military hardware to respond o those kinds of threats. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Prince Harry has been blessed with dashing good looks and a kind heart but most people know that his real name is not actually Harry. Others might miss and neglect one important information about the Britain's Prince and that has something to do with his name. According to reliable sources, Prince Harry's real name is Henry and his full name is Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor. It was also made known in Elle Magazine that his name stands for an English popular term for kings and it can actually mean a home ruler. Aside from his real name, Prince Harry is currently dating American actress Meghan Markle and some reports were saying that things are heating up between the two. The fact that Harry uses his nickname is coincidental with his girlfriend. It can be noted that the actress is also using her nickname and not her birth name. The 32-year old prince is somewhat happy and contented with his romance and relationship with Meghan Markle. In fact, the "Suits" actress has increased her appearances in most public engagements with Prince Harry. Lately, Meghan Markle just joined the royal family when she attended the wedding reception of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews. Though she was not visible in the ceremony, her presence in the reception alone implies that her relationship with Prince Harry is something to watch out for. Recently, it was just reported that Prince Harry might bring his girlfriend Meghan Markle to his overseas trip abroad, particularly in Singapore. According to Express, the prince will attend an Action for Aids reception and some other activities there. However, some reports were claiming that this might not happen considering the royal protocol of the British monarchy when it comes to royal work. It has been dictated that working visits should not be combined with personal travels mot especially that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is not yet married. Even if Meghan Markle will not be able to join Prince Harry in the said trip, for sure, the actress will understand. Sometimes, the two needs to sacrifice the distance and their situation if they want the royal fans to witness another royal wedding in the future. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. News, events, history, and other mid-week tidbits. Tuesday, October 25, 4:30 7 p.m. Orr Area EMS Open House Brats and burgers will be served. Event includes a new ambulance tour and blood pressure screenings. For more info: 218-780-3798. Orr Fire Hall 4540 Lake St., Orr Tuesday, October 25, 12 6 p.m. Essentia Health Job Fair Talent recruiters and department managers will be on-site at Essentia Health-Virginia. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to attendnurses, nursing and clinical assistants, surgery technicians, radiology technicians, respiratory therapists, human resource professionals, and those interested in environmental services or nutrition services. Essentia staff will greet candidates, conduct an initial screening and filter them to appropriate hiring managers for interviews. Select candidates will be verbally offered a position before leaving. Candidates are asked to bring a resume, but its not required. Attire is business casual. For more info: www.essentiacareers.org. 901 9th St. N., Virginia (Xinhua) 10:48, June 02, 2017 NEW YORK, June 1 -- A Chinese asset manager launched its debut hedge fund in the U.S. on Thursday, a move with few Chinese precedents. The multi-manager fund, launched by Hywin Capital Management LLC, is targeting 8 to 15 percent annual returns with minimal drawdowns, according to Gib Dunham, Managing Director and the Portfolio Manager of the fund. It is expected to allocate to four primary sectors including relative value, private credit, quantitative and zero correlation, said Dunham. He added that the focus of the fund is to combine managers with the proven ability to generate excess returns over benchmark indices, manage drawdowns and provide returns that are uncorrelated with the broad industry benchmarks. While a few big U.S. fund operators including Bridgewater Associates and Citadel are doing business in China, few Chinese asset managers launched hedge funds in the U.S. before. As Zhu Shuming, president of Hywin Capital, observed during her road show in China, that the country's hedge fund industry is still in the primary stage and not many investors are familiar with the investment strategies. "Probably more than 90 percent of Chinese investors' portfolio is in real estate. In fact, we bring the concept of investment portfolio to our investors to diversify risks and gain returns," said Zhu. She said Hywin Financial Holding Group, Hywin Capital's parent company, has set up multiple overseas offices in order to introduce a variety of investment vehicles to Chinese investors and help them diversify their portfolio. "The launch of this multi-manager product is significant to our Chinese investors because it's an asset class most of them don't have access to," said Dunham. Hywin Financial Holding Group is a multi-national conglomerate with over 5,000 employees worldwide and approximately 15 billion U.S. dollars in assets under management. Founded in 1989, the company has expertise across multiple asset classes including hedge funds, real estate, insurance, asset management, private equity and lending. For those of you who cant get enough of the All-Amerikkkan Bada$$, this news may very well make your day. Joey recently spoke with Revolt TV about the future of the Captial Steez (RIP) founded collective Pro Era, which includes CJ Fly, Nyck Caution, & Kirk Knight. During the interview, Joey got right to business, stating: Alright, I guess Ill just let the cat out the bag now he said. I think its a perfect time to since people think we all not doing anything. Were working on the album. Were gonna put out a Pro Era album real soon. King Capital is also coming real soon. But, yeah, we back on our shit. I aint gonna lie, there was a period of time where we were just really trying to figure it out. Everybody was young. Everybody was growing, becoming adults. We started this shit as kids. We kinda had to allow that grace period for all of us to really fall into ourselves and were definitely at that point now and we coming back stronger than ever. This album sounding crazy. I dont even want to overhype it or do anything, but great stuff. [2017] for sure. So there you have it, straight from the man himself. Are you hyped for this project? It certainly sounds promising, and while Badass claims he doesnt want to overhype it, Im sure hed be okay with a bit of hype. Check out the full interview below. https://www.instagram.com/p/BU2GwkEFH26 Joey Badass / Pro Era On the eve of the Forbidden Fruit 2017, Hot Press is excited to release the lineup for this year's Speakeasy Tent. This year The Hot Press Speakeasy is back again with more public interviews, Q+As, acoustic sessions and further surprises! Where else would you have the chance to get up close and quite possibly personal with some of your Forbidden Fruit favourites? And, we definitely have a fine selection of festival favourites scheduled to stop by! Some of this year's highlights include German techno legends Booka Shade, who will be dropping in on Saturday for a chat with Olaf Tyaransen, while comedian Joe Rooney, AKA everyone's favorite scumbag priest, Father Damo, joins the Hot Press crew on Sunday! See the full timetable for the Hot Press Forbidden Fruit Speakeasy below: Advertisement SATURDAY Andrew Stanley - 2.30 Jafaris - 3.30 Barq - 5.00 Booka Shade - 6 Tara Lee - 6.30 SUNDAY Soule - 2.30 Heroes In Hiding - 4.00 Joe Rooney - 4.30 John Colleary - 6.15 MONDAY Laoise - 2.30 Ryan Vail - 4.00 Rusangano Family - 5.00 Gordi - 6.30 Hot Press has the suss on how to get to the Forbidden Fruit grounds - and the full weekend timetable This weekend Forbidden Fruit returns for its seventh year to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, having become a well-established fixture that kickstarts the Irish summer proper. If youre one of the lucky ones with a ticket to see one of the bills of the summer, including headliners Orbital, Aphex Twin and Bon Iver, then Hot Press has all the information you need to have the best weekend possible. Read on for advice on getting to Kilmainham and the full weekend timetable. GETTING THERE Forbidden Fruit takes place on the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8 which is less than 15 minutes from Dublin city centre. Public Transport Advertisement By Luas: Take Red Line to Heuston Station and it is 10 minute walk to East Gate entrance via Military Road. Check luas.ie for Luas timetable. By bus: These Dublin Bus routes serve Heuston Station, approx. 10 minutes walk to the concert site: 25, 25a, 25b, 66a, 79, 79a These Dublin Bus routes serve St. James Hospital, approx. 10 minutes walk to the concert site: 13, 40, 123 For more info check dublinbus.ie. By train: From Celbridge go to Heuston Station; 5 minute walk from Heuston Station. From Maynooth go to Connolly Station From Greystones go to Connolly Station. From Balbriggan go to Connolly Station. From Connolly take LUAS Red Line towards Saggart to Heuston Station. For more info check irishrail.ie. By taxi: Taxis should come from James Street and Bow Lane. Military Road from Heuston Station will be closed for traffic. After the event, taxi ranks will pick up outside Heuston Station and Kilmainham Gaol. Mobility Impaired Advertisement Vehicles with Disability badges on the car window will be permitted access to the festival site via Military Road or Bow Lane through the East Gate to a dedicated parking area. The festival site is 5 minutes from here. Hit The Road Check out hittheroad.ie/#to=Irish+Museum+Of+Modern+Art and the B marker will be placed at Forbidden Fruit, and you just need to say where youre coming from, and it will take it from there. Free Bulmers Buses Free Bulmers Bus after the show will depart from outside the main gate on Military Road, on the left hand side. It will return into town from 9pm and drop off near Bulmers Forbidden Fruit Night Venues. Train Train service departs 23.10 Saturday only from Heuston station stopping at: Parkwest, Clondalkin, Adamstown, Celbridge, Naas, Newbridge, Kildare. Purchase tickets at station. Note: There is no on-site car parking. There is no camping. Gates will open at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday and 3pm on Monday. Advertisement STAGE TIMES MAIN STAGE Saturday 3 21:15 - 22:45 Orbital 19:45 - 20:45 Booka Shade (Live) 18:15 - 19:15 NAO 16:15 - 17:45 Jax Jones 14:45 - 15:45 Trinity Orchestra Sunday 4 21:15 - 22:45 Aphex Twin 19:30 - 20:30 Nicholas Jaar (Live) 18:00 - 19:00 Mura Musa (Live) 16:30 - 17:30 Danny L Harle 15:15 - 16:15 Monolink 14:00 - 15:00 DJ Deece Monday 5 Advertisement 21:15 - 22:45 Bon Iver 19:30 - 20:30 Lisa Hannigan 18:00 - 19:00 The Staves 16:30 - 17:30 Gordi 15:15 - 16:00 William Tyler OUTCIDER STAGE Saturday 21:45 - 22:45 Tycho (Live) 20:15 - 21:15 Giggs 19:00 - 20:00 Snakehips 17:30 - 18:15 Bonzai 16:00 - 17:00 67 15:00 - 15:45 Jafaris 14:00 - 15:00 Paddy Harkin Sunday 20:45 - 22:45 Maceo Plex 19:15- 20.30 Moderat (Live) 16.45 - 18.45 KiNK (Live) 15.30 - 16.30 Hybrasil 14.00 - 15.30 Eve Monday 20:10 - 21:10 Flying Lotus 3D 18:25 -19:25 Danny Brown 17:15 - 17:55 PEOPLE Mixtape 16:05 - 16:45 Velvet Nagroni 15:15 - 15:45 Paul Thomas Saunders Advertisement LIGHTHOUSE STAGE Saturday 20:45 - 22:45 Hot Chip (DJ Set) 18:45 - 20:45 Mall Grab 17:00 - 18:30 Icarus 16:00 - 17:00 Brame & Hamo 15.00 - 16.00 Bobofunk 14.00 - 15.00 Paradox Sunday 20:45 - 22:45 Motor City Drum Ensemble 19:45 - 20:45 Fatima Yamaha (Live) 18:00 - 19:30 Denis Sulta 16.30 - 18.00 Peggy Gou 15.00 - 16.30 Jack Thompson 14.00 - 15.00 Orange Tree Edits BULMERS LIVE STAGE Saturday 21:00 - 22:30 Tara Stewart 20:00 - 20:45 Le Boom 19:00 - 19:45 OCHO 17:30 - 18:30 Mango 16:30 - 17:15 Tara Lee 15:30 - 16:15 BARQ 14:30 - 15:15 Super Silly Advertisement Sunday 21:00 - 22:30 Handsome Paddy 20:00 - 20:45 The Innocent Bystander 19:00 - 19:45 Bad Bones 17:45 - 18:30 SHIPS 16:45 - 17:30 Soule 15:30 - 16:30 Heroes In Hiding 14:30 - 15:15 Aik J Monday 20:00 - 21:00 Rusangano Family 19:00 - 19:45 Ryan Vail 17:30 - 18:30 Talos 16:30 - 17:15 Wastefellow 15:30 - 16:15 LAOISE SOMEPLACE ELSE Saturday 21:45 - 22:45 Jack Dunne 20:45 - 21:45 Hidden Flux 19:45 - 20:45 Dan Stritch Sunday 21:45 - 22:45 Al Gibbs 20:45 - 21:45 Seany B 19:45 - 20:45 Pear DJs Advertisement DISCO DODGEMS Saturday 21:00 - 22:30 Discotekken 20:00 - 21:00 Sally Cinnamon 18:00 - 20:00 Donal Dineen 17:00 - 18:00 Special Guest 16:00 - 17:00 Long Island Sound 14:00 - 16:00 Cian OConnell Sunday 20:30 - 22:30 Mel Donnellan 18:30 - 20:30 This Greedy Pig 17:30 - 18:30 Hidden Agenda 16:30 - 17:30 Special Guest 15:30 - 16:30 Special Guest 14:30 - 15:30 Gianni Monday 19:00 - 21:00 Decent Perks 17:00 - 19:00 Decent Perks 15:00 - 17:00 Decent Perks Advertisement COMEDY STAGE Saturday 19.00 - 19.30 Eric Lalor 18.30 - 18.55 Danny OBrien 18.05 - 18.25 Davey Reilly 17.40 - 18.00 Dimitri Bankov 17.15 - 17.35 Eman Idama 16.50 - 17.00 Laura Byrne 16.20 - 16.45 Jarlath Regan 16.05 - 16.15 Brian Gallagher 15.30 - 16.00 Steve Bennett 15.00 - 15.30 MC Andrew Stanley Sunday 18.40 - 19.10 Joe Rooney 18.10 - 18.35 John Colleary 17.45 - 18.05 Martin Angolo 17.20 - 17.40 Ryan Cullen 16.45 - 17.05 Bernard Casey 16.20 - 16.40 Emma Doran 16.05 - 16.15 Forbidden Fruit Comedy Talent Search Winner 15.30 - 16.00 Totally Wired 15.00 - 15.30 MC Andrew Stanley The heavyweight pairing came about as part of the upcoming television series American Epic. Watch footage from the series of their old-style blues duet below. The upcoming documentary series American Epic will examine the early boom years of American music, when record executives began to travel to all corners of the USA, carting mobile recording equipment, to try and find the next great American musician. Sound engineer Nicholas Bergh has reassembled a copy of one of these original machines, to record the music for the series and the accompanying film The American Epic Sessions. Advertisement The series premieres on PBS June 6. The three-part documentary was executive produced by Jack White, along with Robert Redford and T Bone Burnett. The series will come with an extended companion soundtrack that includes a 100-song boxset, orginial archived recordings and studio performances from The American Epic Sessions. The soundtrack is out now, via Legacy Recordings, Columbia and Jack Whites record label Third Man Records. It's a one-two punch for Bieber features at the top of the charts... Luis Fonsi remains top of the Irish singles chart this week, with the Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee assisted Despacito taking the top slot for the fifth week in a row. The entirety of this weeks top five remains identical to last weeks. Another Bieber feature in DJ Khaleds Im the One takes second place, with Shawn Mendes recent 3arena date no doubt helping Theres Nothing Holding Me Back into third. Mullingars boy wonder Niall Horan remains the highest-placed Irish entry on the list - Slow Hands is now entering its fourth week on the chart. Dublin DJ John Gibbons is the next-highest, with his P.Y.T cover coming in at number 27. Advertisement This years chart-smasher Shape of You remains in the top 10, but just about. The wildly-successful Ed Sheeran single comes in at ninth place, a fall of three places from last week. Its spent 21 weeks on the chart - 14 of those at number one. 18 year old Texan Maggie Lindemanns single Pretty Girl continues to rise, with a jump of three places to 7th this week no doubt fuelled by her army of social media stans. Merkel says EU to fulfill obligations under Article 15 of China's accession to WTO (Xinhua) 10:54, June 02, 2017 BERLIN, June 1 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said here Thursday that the European Union (EU) will fulfill its obligations under Article 15 of the Protocol on China's Accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). She made the remarks at a joint press conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who is paying an official visit to the European country. The EU supports the WTO obligations and is committed to seeking solutions in line with the rules, Merkel said, pledging that the 28-nation bloc will offer equal treatments to Chinese enterprises. For his part, Li said China welcomes the EU's implementation of the obligations under Article 15 and hopes that all sides abide by the current international economic and political order in face of global uncertainties. According to Article 15, WTO member nations should have stopped using the surrogate country approach to conduct anti-dumping investigations on China by Dec. 11, 2016. However, in a new methodology proposed last November on the EU's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy calculations, the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, while scrapping the "non-market economy" list, replaced the approach with "market distortion," which many observers say remain a surrogate method. The Chinese premier is on a two-day official visit to Germany for the annual meeting of the two countries' heads of government, a mechanism that has been in place since 2004. Germany is the first leg of Li's ongoing three-day Europe tour, which will also take him to Belgium. In Brussels, the Chinese premier will co-chair the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and pay an official visit to Belgium. Irish horror flick Without Name has been picked up by Element Pictures Distribution and will be available from on-demand platforms from today. Directed by the IFTA-winning Lorcan Finnegan, Without Name is a psychological horror that sees Alan McKenna play Eric, land surveyor hired by a private contractor to assess a location in the Wicklow woodlands. Joined in the forest by his assistant Olivia (Niamh Algar), the pair become beguiled by the forest, going about their work all the while sensing an ominous presence lurking amongst the trees. Hot Press recently caught up with Niamh Algar, who spoke of Finnegans expertise. Id worked with (director and writer) Lorcan Finnegan before, so I knew that he was capable of psychologically terrorising an audience!, she told Stuart Clark. What I loved about making Without Name is that it was so collaborative. Lorcan, within certain parameters of course, lets you do your own thing, which means youre 100% engaged with whats going on. He just knows how to get the best performance possible out of you. Advertisement The Without Name shoot took place during a cold snap in early 2016. It was crisp, to say the least!, Niamh said. Luckily, I didnt have to flee scantily clad through the forest or across streams. I kept my clothes on whereas Alan spent a lot of his time exposed to the natural elements, and turned blue on several occasions. But, hey, thats showbiz for you! Without Name is available on-demand today from platforms including iTunes, Volta, Virgin Media, Eir, Amazon Video, Sky Store, BT, Microsoft, Sony, TalkTalk, Google Play, and Wuaki TV. A DVD release is also on the horizon - its due out on July 3 and you can pre-order now. Battery-powered cars will soon be cheaper to buy than conventional gasoline ones, offering immediate savings to drivers, new research shows. Automakers from Renault to Tesla have long touted the cheaper fuel and running costs of electric cars that helps to displace the higher upfront prices that drivers pay when they buy the zero-emission vehicles. Now research from Bloomberg New Energy Finance indicates that falling battery costs will mean electric vehicles will also be cheaper to buy in the U.S. and Europe as soon as 2025. Batteries currently account for about half the cost of EVs, and their prices will fall by about 77 percent between 2016 and 2030, the London-based researcher said. "On an upfront basis, these things will start to get cheaper and people will start to adopt them more as price parity gets closer," said Colin McKerracher, analyst at the London-based researcher. "After that it gets even more compelling." Renault, maker of the Zoe electric car, predicts total ownership costs of electric vehicles will by the early 2020s equal conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (known in the trade as ICE), according to Gilles Normand, the French company's senior vice president for electric vehicles. "We have two curves," Normand said in an interview earlier this month in London. "One is EV technology cost reductions because there are more breakthroughs in the cost of technology and more volume, so the cost of EVs will go down. ICE going to go up as a result of more stringent regulations especially regarding to particulate regulations." WASHINGTON - Only a week into his new job as the top regulator of oil and gas rigs across U.S. waters, Scott Angelle was being careful to avoid stepping into any political controversies right out of the gate. Meeting with reporters at the Interior Department building in Washington Thursday, Angelle, the new director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, joked that "hopefully, you will not be underwhelmed." For the next 30 minutes he leaned heavily on the phrase, "I have not been briefed on that yet." As the former secretary of natural resources in his home state of Louisiana, Angelle is no newcomer to the matters of offshore drilling. In the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident, it was Angelle who then-Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal chose to go to Washington to negotiate an early end to the Obama's administration's six-month drilling moratorium. Asked about the experience of managing Louisiana's response to the spill, Angelle grew solemn. "Eleven American lives were lost. That weighs heavily," he said. "Some of those people were residents of my home state." But Angelle and other Louisiana officials also had an offshore oil and gas industry to worry about, one upon which the state's economy was hugely dependent. So, when Angelle got to Washington, he made clear to federal officials that people's livelihoods were at stake. "I spent a significant amount of time in this city working on that issue," he said. "There seemed to be a belief or conclusion there was a systemic problem in the outer continental shelf. And with one stroke of the pen completely shut down an industry." In the end, Angelle helped persuade the White House to lift the moratorium in less than five months. And seven years later, he remains passionate on the issue, comparing the government's reaction to the Deepwater Horizon with that of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "We shut the airline industry for four days," he said. "We shut down the deep water and some of the shallow water" for 4 months. Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump ordered all federal agencies to review any rules and regulations affecting energy production. And considering the tanker full of offshore drilling regulations that came down after the BP spill, Angelle is likely to be busy in the months ahead. While he was careful about offering opinions about specific regulations, he described a worldview different from that of the Obama administration. "The policy of the country is to develop these resources," he said. "I don't have the luxury of having an agency that's an 'either/or' agency. This agency, it's about safety, it's about environmental sustainability, and it's about energy production. The equation we have is an 'and' equation." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate LOS ANGELES - Put this in your pipe and smoke it. An investment group that includes legendary ganga guru Bob Marley's son has bought a controlling interest in High Times, the magazine that for decades has separated the stems and seeds from the leaves when it comes to showing people the best ways to grow, roll and consume the finest blends of marijuana. Damian "Junior Gong" Marley, whose forthcoming reggae album is appropriately titled "Stony Hill," is one of 20 investors who announced Thursday they have acquired 60 percent interest in Trans-High Corp., owner of High Times, its digital platforms and its Cannabis Cup trade shows. THC (the acronym is the same as that of marijuana's key ingredient) will be renamed High Times Holding Co. "It's an exciting day," said Adam Levin, the company's new CEO. "We have really the largest brand in cannabis, really the trusted brand, that we've been able to acquire at a time when obviously legalization trends are burgeoning and the industry as a whole is exploding." The purchase price wasn't revealed, but Levin, whose Los Angeles-based investment firm, Oreva Capital, put the deal together, said the company is valued at $70 million. With marijuana legal in some form in 26 states and the District of Columbia, Levin and his partners believe it's the perfect time to acquire the company with a mainstream brand name and a colorful reputation. They could be right, said Gabriel Kahn, an expert on changing media trends and a professor at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. "The marijuana business is increasingly becoming professionalized and mainstream," Kahn said. "That opens up a space for a news outfit to lay claim to being the voice of the industry and establish credibility." Although High Times has competitors, Levin said he's confident it will prevail because of its reputation. Ellen Komp, deputy director of the California's chapter of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, agreed that the magazine has credibility in the pothead community. "I respect their reporting," she said. "Their editors have been more aggressive about fact-checking than other cannabis publications." While many magazines have struggled in recent years, High Times says it has retained a loyal print subscriber base of more than 200,000, with millions more following it online. Perhaps High Times' most lucrative source of income, however, is its Cannabis Cup trade shows. What began as a single, somewhat clandestine meeting in an Amsterdam hotel room in 1988 has grown to 11 events this year. TILDEN - About 150 years ago, the Wheeler family journeyed by horse-drawn wagon from Tennessee to settle in McMullen County, where land was cheap and plentiful, if not exactly hospitable. They raised cattle through droughts, depressions and wars, working jobs off the farm - at a gas plant, in the courthouse - when it didn't pay enough. And then the shale boom came. In the oil-rich northern part of the county, the Wheelers leased their land for drilling, bringing in a steady stream of cash that eased their financial strain when they had to sell the ranch's cattle after a recent dry spell desiccated the animals' food supply. "It's been a real blessing," said Joe Wheeler, the family's patriarch, sitting down for lunch after church one Sunday at the general store that bears his family name. It's been a real boost to the county's economic statistics, too. A handful of families like the Wheelers made this rectangle of brushy land an hour south of San Antonio the highest-income county in the country in 2015, ahead of banker-heavy Manhattan and tech-dense Palo Alto, according the latest federal tax data. Locals, unaccustomed to notoriety, found the news reports bemusing. "We got a good chuckle out of that," Wheeler said. The average income in this county of just 800 people tops $300,000 a year, a figure that isn't a result of wealthy people moving in, but rather money flowing to people who have lived here for decades. It's an extraordinary statement about the power of natural resources to enrich communities that have little in the way of agriculture or industry. But that income statistic tells you only a small part of the story. More Information McMullen County Population: 804 people Tax base in 2011: $400 million Tax base in 2015: $4.2 billion Median wage and salary income: $46,250 Scholarship money raised for graduating class of about 20 in 2016: $648,000 See More Collapse Unlike many rural areas that struck it rich with the fracking revolution and went broke with the bust, McMullen County has managed to suck up that wealth and retain it, like a camel stores water in its hump. A lot of that, residents say, has to do with a culture of investing wisely, spending modestly and giving back to support whatever needs the community might have. And a lot of it also has to do with the difficulty that outsiders have moving in, keeping the population small and allowing a handful of families to significantly raise the average income. Town full of millionaires When Carlos Garduno accepted a position as assistant pastor of Tilden Baptist Church in 2015, the senior pastor, Jim Furgerson, told him that the town was special. "A lot of the people here say they've been blessed by the Eagle Ford shale economy," said Garduno, a fresh-faced new father who just took over for Furgerson as head pastor of the century-and-a-half-old church. But you wouldn't know it to look at his congregants: The newly wealthy still come to services in pressed jeans and worn boots. "My mother-in-law asked, 'Did I shake any millionaires' hands today?' " Garduno recalled, after his family came to watch his first sermon. "And I said, 'Yes, more than likely, more than once.' " For Tilden Baptist, which has about 80 members, that has meant never worrying about money. The church had about twice the typical budget for a congregation its size, reaching nearly $750,000 per year in 2015, Garduno said. They spent nearly $200,000 annually on mission trips around the world. Church leaders even had architects draw up plans for a $9 million church complex to accommodate educational and community activities, and bought the block around the 70-year-old building for about $500,000 during the height of the boom. The church wasn't the only one that benefited from local largesse. Tilden has the only school in the county, and kids are bused from more than an hour away to attend. During the oil boom, attendance at the elementary, middle and high school swelled from about 160 to 280 students. To deal with the influx, voters approved bond measures in 2012 and 2014 worth about $26 million total, which superintendent Dave Underwood says was easier because county residents were doing so well. RELATED: Warding off the resource curse "It's always easier to pass something when things are on the up," Underwood said. The bond paid for the renovation of the one-story building, and additions like a new library, new cafeteria, art and music classrooms, and new school buses. But many community members and companies gave more: An elaborate new playground bears the names of sponsors including Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy, which had extensive operations in McMullen County, as well as ranching families like the Quintanillas, Dilworths and Donnells. The senior class at McMullen High has only around 20 students, but in 2016 they brought in $648,000 in scholarships for college tuition and expenses, most of it from local foundations. And then there's the county itself, which was able to expand its services substantially as the tax collections swelled. In 2011, the taxable value of the county was about $400 million. By 2015, it had risen to $4.2 billion. Unlike many rural areas, McMullen has round-the-clock police patrols, road and sewer projects underway, and free garbage pickup. It's starting a health clinic with a nurse on hand five days a week - a big help when the nearest hospital is 30 miles away. On top of that, the county has built its reserves to help when times aren't so good. The oil bust has since sliced the county's tax base to about $2 billion. "That's a big cut," said County Judge James Teal, "but still wonderful, when you're looking at what it was." Barriers to entry Of course, not everyone in town has benefited personally from the oil boom. The county still has a median household income - which only counts wages, not mineral royalties - of $46,250, substantially below the national and Texas levels. The shale boom largely bypassed Oscar Garza, 52, who grew up in Tilden, moved to San Antonio after graduating from high school, and returned there with his wife and children about 10 years later. He works for the county doing road maintenance, and trains horses for income on the side. It's a stable living, but Garza didn't enjoy riches that befell the ranch kids he went to school with. "The only ones that really benefited from the oil rush were all the people who got land," Garza says, sitting in a rocking chair on his porch, where he can see his dad's house and his sister's house. Mary Brown, a real estate agent who deals mainly in South Texas ranches at Desert Flower Realty, said that the tracts owned by longtime ranchers rarely comes up for sale. She said she couldn't remember the last time her firm sold a parcel in McMullen County. Also, with the water table 4,700 feet underground, drilling wells would make new housing prohibitively expensive, even if you could buy the land. RELATED: Crippled by the oil bust, South Texas towns pin hopes on Mexico's appetite for fuel McMullen County added only two housing units between 2010 and 2015, according to the Census. "Water's really hard to come by in McMullen County, which is why the population is so small and will always be small," Brown said. The county's population peaked in 1940 at 1,374 and has declined ever since, according to the Census. Housing is in such short supply that the Tilden Baptist Church and the school district both had to build or acquire housing for their own staff, who otherwise would have had a very hard time finding it. "There's no way we could've lived in Tilden," said Susan Magouirk, the church's children's minister, who moved from East Texas to take the job four years ago. "It just wasn't available. There was nothing. You have to be on the inside track." The insularity is part of what has allowed the community to remain tight-knit and self-supporting, residents say. Historically, the county had a tagline: "The free state," not dependent on state or federal funding, with any social needs taken care of by neighbors. Caring for their own Tilden is too small to support a human services office, so the church takes care of many resident needs. Australian energy producer BHP Billiton, which has wells in McMullen, donated $25,000 to Tilden Baptist to build a food pantry. The school district declines to take federal money for its school lunch program for lower-income kids, which frees it from restrictions on what it can serve, But poor kids still get breakfast and lunch for free. There's no public housing, but a local charity has rebuilt or replaced 17 homes for low-income residents since 2010. Even Garza, the road maintenance worker, said that people in McMullen County look after each other. When his wife developed cervical cancer, all his old friends in the county showed up at a benefit to help out. "The community here, they go above and beyond," he said. "You know that they're willing to help, and they can." Of course, said Teal, some people spent their oil money on flashy houses or new tractors. But more often, they paid off debts, added a garage, or paid for a son or daughter to quit their job in the city and come back to work on the ranch. And the Wheelers? They fixed fences, laid new water pipelines for livestock and cleared brush (which can be expensive, requiring bulldozers or airplanes to do right). But spending lavishly isn't how the people of McMullen County were raised, even when the land they'd owned for centuries turned into gold under their feet. "The bottom line is, they were smart," said Warren Wheeler, Joe's son, of the county's longtime residents. "Especially the older people who've been through the ups and downs," Joe added, finishing his Texas Philly sandwich. "They were smart." If President Donald Trump's decision to back out of the Paris climate agreement has done anything, it's lit a fire underneath the weary climate movement, and prompted the governors of green bastions like New York, Washington, and California as well as a collection of mayors to bind together in a rebel alliance of sorts. Led by the likes of Michael Bloomberg, they're promising to forge ahead in lowering their carbon emissions, White House inaction be damned. That's great, that's exactly how federalism is supposed to work. There's just one problem: Those states and cities aren't the ones with the most ground to make up. Take a look at this web tool made by the Washington-based Brookings Institution. It shows how different states' economic output and carbon emissions have changed over time. Good news: Most have grown their economies while decreasing their carbon footprints overall. Now, if you click on the emissions per person, a clear pattern emerges: Coastal, liberal states like New York, California, Massachusetts, Vermont, Oregon and Connecticut have the lowest per capita emissions. The highest: Wyoming, North Dakota, Alaska, Louisiana, West Virginia. All states whose states' economies depend on dirty energy sources and dirty industries. Of course, those are also states without many people. But there are some big states at the bottom of the list as well: Texas comes in at number 40, emitting three times the carbon per person than New York. Iowa and Indiana are in the bottom fifth of states too. None of those states are jumping on board the governors' climate alliance. Although Texas Governor Greg Abbott hasn't issued any public statements on the withdrawal from the Paris agreement, but he led the charge against Obama-era climate regulations. Texas' senators, meanwhile, applauded the move. Even though some of the state's biggest companies, including Exxon Mobil, pushed Trump to stay in the deal, there are many smaller oil and gas operators that are just fine with staying out. That matters, because the U.S. can only get so far if its biggest polluters aren't trying to move forward, and the federal government isn't nudging them in a cleaner direction. It also matters because you can't just move to another state to avoid climate change. The greenhouse gases that are pumped into the atmosphere in Texas contribute to droughts in California and hurricanes in Florida, just as they threaten to submerge Houston under a rising sea. Call it the Texas Monthly Effect. After the magazine released its list of the "Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas," lines grew exponentially at the businesses that made the cut. Social media lit up with pictures of the scene at top-ranked Snow's in Lexington, for example, where visitors on Saturday included Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and Aaron Franklin of No. 2 Franklin Barbecue in Austin. According to one Twitter user, customers began lining up between 5:30 and 6 a.m. The Houston Police Department is searching Friday morning for two masked bank robbers. The duo are near Westheimer, in the Stoney Brook area, according to HPD. As of 11:45 a.m., police also headed to a bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank at 14001 Memorial Drive, about 7 miles away from the neighborhood officers were searching for the robbers. It was not immediately clear if the two incidents are related. Check back for updates on this developing story. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It's not unusual for Allen Gaw to stand in the front yard of his Bunker Hill home and see complete strangers peeking through the iron bars of his gated lot. Some just wave; others ask if they can come in and look around. It's not quite a tourist attraction, but as Houston's only home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, it certainly gets attention. Every home designed by the man considered one of the most influential architects in the world is getting another look right now as we approach June 8, the 150th anniversary of Wright's birth. He was 91 when he died in 1959. Wright, known for his imperious nature and demanding standards, was one of the country's most prolific architects during a 70-year career, designing homes, offices, churches, schools, skyscrapers and museums all over the world. He was a leader in Prairie-style architecture, known for its horizontal lines, flat roofs and broad eaves. After World War II, he was a proponent of Usonian architecture, as in Gaw's home, which carries "Usonian" traits of being small, single floor and without a garage. More important, though, Wright influenced many younger architects - keepers of the flame, so to speak - who continued his work and adapted his aesthetic into their own. More Information About Frank Lloyd Wright Born: June 8, 1867, in Wisconsin June 8, 1867, in Wisconsin Died: April 9, 1959, in Phoenix, Ariz. April 9, 1959, in Phoenix, Ariz. Married to: Catherine (Tobin) Wright (1889-1922); Maude (Noel) Wright (1923-27) and Olga (Lazovich) Wright (1928 through his death in 1959). Catherine (Tobin) Wright (1889-1922); Maude (Noel) Wright (1923-27) and Olga (Lazovich) Wright (1928 through his death in 1959). Prairie style: Wright wanted this architecture to become an indigenous style for American homes. Wright wanted this architecture to become an indigenous style for American homes. Usonian style: After World War II, he turned to the design of simple and affordable housing that he dubbed "Usonian" architecture. After World War II, he turned to the design of simple and affordable housing that he dubbed "Usonian" architecture. Japanese influence: Though Japanese architecture had some effect on Wright, it was really the country's art and culture that captivated him. Though Japanese architecture had some effect on Wright, it was really the country's art and culture that captivated him. Work: Throughout his 70-year career, he designed 1,114 buildings, of which 532 were realized. Throughout his 70-year career, he designed 1,114 buildings, of which 532 were realized. Well-known work: Among his most famous projects are Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, Taliesin in Wisconsin, Taliesen West in Arizona and the Guggenheim in New York. Among his most famous projects are Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, Taliesin in Wisconsin, Taliesen West in Arizona and the Guggenheim in New York. Scandal: In his life, Wright had three wives and many lovers, including Mamah Cheney, the wife of a client. Both abandoned their families and went to Europe. Later, a domestic worker murdered Cheney and six others. Frank Lloyd Wright trivia Frank Lloyd Wright's son, John Lloyd Wright, invented Lincoln Logs in 1918. Oscar-winning actress Anne Baxter was Frank Lloyd Wright's granddaughter. After the death of his step-daughter Svetlana, her widower, William Wesley Peters, was briefly married to the daughter of Joseph Stalin. In 1909, Wright and the Mamah Cheney, the wife of a client and neighbor, abandoned their families and fled to Europe, where they lived for two years. Mamah Cheney and several others were murdered in 1914 by an angry domestic worker at their home, Taliesin, Wisc. Wright was working elsewhere at the time. Wright and his lover, Olgivanna, were arrested in Wisconsin for violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for any "immoral" act. She later became his third wife and they remained married to his death. Wright coined the term "carport" during his Usonian work. Musician Paul Simon wrote a song about him, "So long, Frank Lloyd Wright" that was released on Simon & Garfunkel's 1970 album, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." In addition to references to the architect, the song also referenced the soon-to-happen breakup of the duo. See More Collapse In Houston, perhaps the most significant Wright disciple was Karl Kamrath, of the MacKie and Kamrath architecture firm, said Stephen Fox, an architectural historian who is a fellow of the Anchorage Foundation of Texas and an adjunct lecturer at Rice University and the University of Houston. Fox cited Kamrath as Texas' "most talented interpreter" of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian aesthetic - with "Usonian" being the term Wright made up for this style of modern architecture meant to be functional and affordable. Wright himself had little affection for Houston, visiting the city only a few times - once in 1949 when the AIA national convention was held here and the group awarded him its Gold Medal. About the same time, Glenn McCarthy's glitzy Shamrock Hotel opened, and Wright paid a brief visit. His summation was sharp and witty: "I see the sham, but where is the rock?" And of Houston, he said: "It's a great broad pavement with skyscrapers at one end and at the other, downtown and a medical center. In between, out in the mud, are the people," Fox recalled. One disciple Kamrath designed homes all over Houston, including a cluster on Tiel Way in River Oaks. One he built for himself still stands, but many others have been demolished to make way for newer and bigger homes. His own home had classic Wrightian features: long rafter tails, a cantilevered room, lots of built-in furniture and a carport, a term coined by Wright. The roof is flat, and redwood plays a big role inside and out. Fox considers these homes masterpieces. Kamrath's one-time residence, is now owned by a retired opthalmologist. Another, a beautifully restored and respectfully expanded example, is the home of Ty and Lynn Kelly. A third is vacant and is expected to be demolished soon. Though MacKie and Kamrath were best known for their residential work, they also earned praise for their design of Temple Emanu El in 1949 and the M.D. Anderson Hospital in 1954. "MacKie and Kamrath made a strong case for the adaptability of Usonian architecture to Houston," Fox said, noting that by the 1950s MacKie and Kamrath had become the most published architects in the city. John S. Chase was another noted architect in the style of Wright and Kamrath. The first African American registered to practice architecture in Texas and the first to graduate from the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin, Chase was known for his myriad designs, including many homes for middle-class African Americans as well as churches along the Gulf Coast, including St. Luke the Evangelist Episcopal Church on Wheeler. On the Texas Southern University campus are more examples of his work: the Martin Luther King Humanities Center, the Thurgood Marshall School of Law and the school's administration building. Another follower was Bruce Goff, who took the style in almost a science-fiction direction for "eccentric but extraordinary" homes, according to Fox. Goff follower Herb Greene designed the building at 3333 Fannin in Midtown, originally for Southwestern Bell and later occupied by Uniroyal in the 1960s and '70s. It's still there, its top painted black to look like tire treads. Alden Dow, whose father founded Dow Chemical, was a proponent of Wright's work and designed the town of Lake Jackson in Brazoria County in the 1940s for the company's employees there. The work of Goff and Dow don't necessarily carry common Wrightian touches you'd identify by sight. Instead, they adhere to his principals and precepts such as simple and functional design and being in tune with the environment. The legend of Wright's work can be found all over the area, in part because of MacKie and Kamrath, Fox said. "MacKie and Kamrath set the bar high. Karl Kamrath was a very, very good architect," Fox said. "It was carrying out the principles of Frank Lloyd Wright, and his buildings looked like Frank Lloyd Wright's work - not the notion of copying but being very fluent in his design language." A gem Jeff Carowitz's parents loved to visit homes and buildings designed by their favorite architect, Wright. They took their son with them, so whether he liked it or not, his childhood was steeped in architecture. In 2007, Carowitz moved from California to Houston, excited that he could actually afford to own a home, he said. He gave his real estate agent a list of criteria, and when her recommendations included a home designed by Kamrath, his decision was easy. "She wasn't sure who MacKie and Kamrath were, but I knew," said Carowitz, still an architecture fan and an active member of Houston Mod. "I said, 'I don't need any information; how soon can we look at it?' I dropped everything and went to see the house that afternoon. I knew I wanted to place an offer." He describes the highlights of his home exactly the way Wright and Kamrath would likely appreciate: Its low, horizontal profile includes a flat roof but with a pitch in the center for a cathedral ceiling. Nature, or at least natural light, is welcomed into the home through seven skylights scattered throughout. Made of brick and redwood, it boasts geometric forms inside and out. Though many Kamrath designs have gotten landmark status for protection from the wrecking ball, Carowitz laments the destruction of so many others. His home was built in 1969, and he'll pursue that status when it hits the 50-year mark. "It's a unique experience to live in a house designed by Karl Kamrath. I feel blessed to have the experience," he said. The 'holy grail' Gaw, now a semi-retired pediatric dentist, bought his home in 1991. He said the home had made the news because there were threats that a developer would tear it down and subdivide its 1.2-acre lot. He and his then-wife, Betty Law, went to look at it. The home was built in 1954 by insurance executive William Thaxton, who dreamed of being a developer and wanted to create an upscale community "out in the sticks" in what is now Bunker Hill, Gaw said of the residence he is now trying to sell. His business plan fell through, so Thaxton moved into the home that he thought could lure buyers because it was built by the most famous architect in the country, Gaw said. Through the years, the home had other owners who updated it badly, adding mirrors onto walls and painting the striking redwood paneling any number of colors. "I'm going to be honest, it was in really bad shape," Gaw said. "But I'm typical of most husbands; the wife wanted it, so we bought it." It was her "holy grail" and she wanted to save it, he said. They gutted all 1,600 square feet of it, renovating and modernizing it. They also hired Kirksey Architecture, which designed an addition to nearly wrap around the home, leaving the original part seen from the street and a spacious courtyard with a pool in the middle. When they were done, the home had expanded to more than 8,000 square feet. Kirksey paid tribute to the home's provenance but made the back part more usable. Bedrooms, bathrooms, the living room and kitchen: Everything there was bigger. In fact, Gaw's two kids roller-skated up and down the hallway that runs through the whole addition. To be sure, the Wright side of the house is funky, and would be difficult to live in today. He believed that bedrooms were just for sleeping, so they were small. Families, he thought, should be out in the living room together. The front entry has a low roof that tucks you in, then a step into the living room reveals an unusual vaulted ceiling that makes the space seem large. A built-in sofa runs the full length of this long, skinny room. "The most common thing people ask me is, 'How does it feel living in a Frank Lloyd Wright house?' I've thought about it. It's like owning a painting or a masterpiece. It's is an emotional feeling. If you sit here for a little bit and you're quiet, even in a room with nothing in it, you feel the peace and serenity and calmness," Gaw said of his home, which is listed with Greenwood King Properties for $2,595,000. "My kids have moved away and it's just me. It's time for another family to make their memories here." More than 36 million Chinese rural students have benefited from a national nutritional improvement program launched in 2011. The central government has allocated close to 160 billion yuan, or about 23 billion U.S. dollars, for improving the nutrition of rural students since the end of 2011. A report from the China Development Research Foundation shows the physical health of students in poor regions has improved remarkably in recent years. The central government will expand the program and continue its subsidy policies, which is part of the country's poverty relief efforts. At the end of 2016, China had more than 43 million rural residents living below the poverty line. Malnutrition is a concern amongst those in the remote countryside. Somewhere soon a teenager will post a photo of herself online. Invariably, she'll get negative feedback from other youth: Too fat, too skinny, too this, too that. The internet can be both a wondrous and cruel place (not unlike high school), and teens sometimes experience negative social interactions online. Does this represent an unprecedented crisis for them, as some claim, or is the internet a new space, where normal but sometimes aversive teen (and adult, for that matter) behavior occurs? Recently, the UK's Royal Society for Public Heath (RSPH) released a report, based on a survey of more than 1400 adolescents, concluding that the use of social media can cause mental health problems for youth. The report makes surprisingly alarming claims about the impact of social media on mental health, ranging across everything from body dissatisfaction to depression, with possible implications for public policy. But are such concerns well-grounded in data, or are they yet another moral panic targeting new technology? Historical moral panics, when people look for something to blame for a perceived social problem, are nothing new. The Greeks worried about the effects of plays on youth. We have expressed concern over everything from Elvis Presley to comic books to '80s musicians such as Prince and Twisted Sister. Often, scholars or scholarly groups contributed to these panics, peddling junk science that sounded scary. But we look back on most of these moral panics and laugh: Few today really think that Cyndi Lauper or Harry Potter are the root of most teen problems. Violent video games have proved not to be a cause of youth violence. Even for issues such as body dissatisfaction, it appears that peers, rather than television, promote it among girls and women. Granted, there could be reasons to believe social media may be different from fictional media. After all, social media involves a lot more peer interactions. Therefore, social media could be more like peer effects than traditional media effects. ALSO BY CHRIS FERGUSON: Could '13 Reasons Why' cause teen suicide? However, the RSPH does readers a disservice by not being honest about its inconsistent data. The RSPH claims that depression and anxiety rates have increased by 70 percent in recent years. We are left to insinuate that this increase could be attributed (without providing evidence) to social media. However, the citation used to support this 70 percent increase claim dates back to 2004 before social media became as widespread as today. And evidence from other sources does not support this claim. On most behavioral indices, such as violence, drug use or pregnancy, teens are actually at historic lows, indicating that teens seem to be doing rather well. To bolster their claims, the RSPH cite a discredited 2011 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on "Facebook Depression." The report was slammed at the time for its shoddy scholarship. One author of the studies the AAP used disavowed their claims, noting the AAP cited news reports of her studies which were incorrect and were not her original studies something that would earn an undergraduate student low marks on a report. That the "Facebook Depression" report wasn't retracted is, frankly, scandalous. Getty Images Even the RSPH's own survey provides little compelling evidence for alarmism. The survey is rather crude and the study's hypotheses would have been obvious to the teens, which could have influenced their responses. The weighted effects for each form of social media suggests that, in the aggregate, social media effects were minimal. Nevertheless, such a crudely done study provides little useful scientific data. As with most areas of media effects, current research indicates three things: Internet use effects tend to be small, vary quite a bit from one user to the next and include both benefits as well as a few risks. And the biggest risks involve privacy rather than mental health. In fact, research suggests that internet use also has considerable benefits for youth. For example, one study with low-income youth found that those who used the internet more had higher academic performance on standardized tests. Other research has indicated that the internet can be a productive way to provide good-quality health prevention information to youth. And the internet can be effective in providing socialization opportunities for socially isolated youth. None of this is to suggest we should not be alert for some concerns privacy concerns in particular but also negative social interactions, bullying or poor influences. People sometimes are bad, and that's true on the internet, as in real life. Most teens learn to navigate this safely, and parents and teachers can help. But "crisis" talk does parents a disservice, particularly when data is more nuanced than that. And irresponsible alarmism does little to advance our understanding of social media and more to create yet another moral panic. Dr. Chris Ferguson (@CJFerguson1111) is a professor of psychology at Stetson University and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. He is coauthor of the book Moral Combat: Why the War on Violent Video Games is Wrong and author of the mystery novel Suicide Kings. Bookmark Gray Matters. It can be effective in providing socialization opportunities. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GALVESTON - Two major projects in a seemingly perpetual effort to unclog I-45 south of Beltway 8 officially ended Thursday, allowing work to begin on another section of a plan to eventually widen the interstate all the way to Galveston to ease congestion in a rapidly growing region. "They have been working on that freeway since I was 5 years old. That's 62 years ago," League City Mayor Pat Hallisey said. Hallisey was among federal, state and local officials who braved wind and wet weather to gather atop the NASA Bypass to mark the completion of two projects for widening the Gulf Freeway to five lanes: A $77.5 million project from Beltway 8 to FM 2351, and a $93 million project from FM 2351 to Bay Area Boulevard. Texas Transportation Department officials marked completion of the two projects and the beginning of a third - the $100 million widening to five lanes of I-45 from NASA Road One to FM 518 - by handing batons to Hallisey and a dozen other officials. Officials were able to accelerate the work so the upcoming segments could proceed because of the additional money for highways that state voters approved in 2014 and 2015. The Houston area received $447 million, including the bulk of the money for the next phase of I-45 work. The newly widened lanes end in Webster, but the next section from NASA Road One to FM 518, expected to be completed by December 2021, runs through Hallisey's League City. "They did the first two phases so fast it made your head spin," Hallisey said. "It was only six years it took to complete." The freeway expansion will bring economic expansion, Hallisey said. "Highways and mobility are one of the big things for League City and the state is doing it right," he said. At-large Houston City Councilman Mike Knox, who also attended the ceremony, applauded the freeway widening, but remarked on the seemingly endless construction that inconveniences drivers. "I-45 has been under construction since before you and I were born," he said. "There is always a positive and a negative, but I think the positives outweigh the negatives." The positives are good for business, Knox said. "Time is money and that's a real deal," he said. "It does save money for businesses to have their goods and materials move faster." Though TxDOT officials declared the two projects completed, work is continuing on extending HOV lanes from Scarsdale Boulevard south to NASA Road One. The HOV extension will be completed in two phases: the first from Scarsdale to El Dorado, expected to be completed by the end of summer; the second from El Dorado to NASA Road One, to be completed by next spring. A closure is scheduled from 9 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday to complete the painting of lines from Fuqua Street to Dixie Farm Road. TxDOT spokeswoman Deidrea George said there is a short section near Dixie Farm Road where the five lanes become four before opening to five again. Engineers were not immediately available to say when or if the short four-lane section would be expanded to five lanes. "I think it's going to be good for the county because it's going to improve mobility," Galveston County Commissioner Stephen D. Holmes said. Holmes also mentioned the constant construction, joking that "It seems like a perpetual project on I-45 somewhere." The growth in Galveston County and southern Harris County makes the expansion projects important, Holmes said. Harris County's population is expected to swell to 5.47 million by 2030, from a projected 4.7 million in 2020. Galveston County is projected to grow to 412,000 by 2030, up from 358,000 in 2020. TxDOT recorded average daily traffic of 142,000 trips between Beltway 8 and FM 2351 in 2014. That number is project to increase to 239,000 by 2035. From FM 2351 the average daily traffic is expected to grow from 120,000 to 206,000 over the same period. Traffic in the newly begun section from NASA Road One to FM 518 is projected to grow from 92,000 to 155,00. Completion of the three projects will finish the Harris County leg of the plan for widening I-45 from Beltway 8 to the foot of the Galveston Causeway. Work began in January in Galveston County on expanding the freeway from FM 518 to FM 517 from three to four lanes. The $122 million widening project underway in Galveston County is estimated to be completed in December 2020, TxDOT spokesman Danny Perez said. Two other projects to complete the interstate widening to the Galveston Causeway are awaiting funding, Perez said, but TxDOT is moving ahead with planning. A public hearing already has been conducted for a proposed section from FM 518 to FM 1764, and a public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. June 13 at La Marque High School for a proposed section from FM 1764 to the foot of the Causeway. Two other massive freeway projects also will start soon as a result of the congestion relief money from the state. Next week, TxDOT will open bids on adding a lane in each direction to Interstate 10 in Waller County. Construction is estimated to cost $143.7 million. In August, officials plan to award a $247.9 million contract to rebuild portions of the Loop 610 interchange with Interstate 69, also U.S. 59 in the Houston area, near Uptown. When Diana Tran-Yu first came to the U.S. as a refugee, her dreams of working in the health field were far off. The 47-year-old, who escaped from Vietnam by boat with her family at just 6 years old, could have never imagined that many years later she would be teaching students how to build robots as part of a United States Navy program. Tran-Yu's decision was cemented during a career fair at HISD's Jackson Middle School where she first heard about Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions. She learned the school was for students interested in working in healthcare. "The school embraced diversity, minorities and DeBakey embraced students from impoverished neighborhoods," Tran-Yu said. "My parents could've never afforded to put me in private school. I think the curriculum I gained (at DeBakey) was even better than most private schools." Tran-Yu, who graduated from DeBakey in 1988, is just one of many students who have been impacted by the educational institution started more than 40 years ago. The school held its official ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday afternoon to celebrate its new location at the cusp of the Texas Medical Center. The $67-million-dollar project, designed by Houston-based EYP, features new medical training equipment with teaching labs for dentistry, rehabilitation and patient care. Students will also be able to learn in mock hospital rooms and innovative science labs. The project is a part ofHISD's 2012 bond program, allowing 40 schools to be rebuilt or renovated. Construction is currently underway on three dozen other projects in the district. Eight projects are supposed to open for the 2017-2018 school year. The education that students are receiving at DeBakey High will one day make "them people that will solve cancer, the people that will solve the issues of health that plague us as a society, as a race," said HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza during the ceremony. "These are the students that will one day be leading medical technology in ways that we've never known." The school is named for pioneering cardiovascular surgeon Michael E. DeBakey, who created the "roller pump" a device that provided continuous blood flow during operations, making open-heart surgery possible. DeBakey also established the concept behind the coronary bypass. He would go on to serve as professor of surgery and chairman of the Department of Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, eventually becoming president and then chancellor. The school was established in 1972 through a partnership with HISD and Baylor College of Medicine. DeBakey wanted to attract students to the healthcare field early on and also establish opportunities for students from under-represented backgrounds. "The genesis of the idea for DeBakey High School was commitment, vision and partnership," said Alicia Monroe, Baylor College of Medicine provost. "Our students are not afraid of hard work. Our teachers set a high bar of commitment and they invest in our students to make sure they learn in an environment that inspires them to achieve." Tran-Yu has taken those values to heart since her time at DeBakey, even working with the famed surgeon. She now is part of Navy City Outreach program, where she assists in recruiting people to the Navy from diverse backgrounds. She also teaches students across the country from impoverished neighborhoods like the one she grew up in southeast Houston, creating a passion for the sciences similar to the one she developed during her time at DeBakey. "(DeBakey) impacted us immensely, profoundly, not just the preparation of college or graduate school," said Tran-Yu. "It prepared us for the world." You remember Laban, right? The wily, old sheep rancher from Haran (not in Texas, by the way) who gave Jacob permission to marry his daughter Rachel, "beautiful of form and face"? Marry her, that is, if Jacob would agree to work for Laban for seven years. Head over heels in love with the winsome, young shepherdess, Jacob agrees. Those seven years, according to Scripture, "seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her." Jacob was so smitten, you'll recall, that when Laban tricks him into marrying Rachel's older sister, the less attractive Leah, he grits his teeth and agrees to another seven years of herding, milking, shearing and butchering to finally claim his beloved's hand. And thus endeth the lesson. I thought of the old Genesis tale a few weeks ago while re-reading "Pleasant Bend," Dan Worrall's fascinating history of upper Buffalo Bayou and the 19th-century San Felipe Trail. The Houston version of the ancient tale - call it "Wilhelm and Maria: A Love Story" - begins with Buckman Canfield and his wife Harriet Putnam Canfield, New Englanders who arrived in Texas in 1833 and became the first permanent residents of Piney Point, just north of today's Westheimer Rd., along Buffalo Bayou. By the early 1840s, the Canfields had amassed nearly 2,000 acres of pine forest and prairie land, where they grew cotton and corn and raised cattle. Nine miles west of the muddy, mosquito-infested new settlement known as Houston, the Canfields and their three children were resourceful, hardworking settlers. Buckman Canfield died in 1844, allegedly at the hands of a slave from Richmond named Castro, robbery apparently the motive. In 1845, Harriet married James Todd, who died a year later, not long after she had given birth to a daughter. Later that year, Harriet married Benjamin George. Shortly after she gave birth to a son, George packed his saddle bags and left. So, here's Harriet Putnam Canfield Todd George, a single mother of five in her mid-30s, living on a lonely farm along Buffalo Bayou. Life was hard, but as Worrall points out, she was not without resources. According to an 1850 census, she had 50 improved acres, the rest being unimproved pasture and timber land. To work the farm, she had six horses and four oxen, along with 25 milk cows, 150 head of beef cattle, 50 sheep and 80 hogs, for a total livestock value of $1,100. "It was a reasonably prosperous but hardly wealthy farm," Worrall writes. "She needed to maintain a steady income for her children, and this need must have weighed heavily on her mind." Before lighting out, Benjamin George had constructed an ox-powered sawmill to take advantage of virgin stands of timber in the area. The bayou provided water power for sawmills and local transport for felled logs, to be used in the construction of Harrisburg and later Houston, as well as for export to markets along the Gulf Coast. Shortly after a Houston newspaper ran a complimentary story about the mill, George left his wife and family, perhaps because the ox-powered mill turned out to be an ox-powered flop. A labor of love Now on her own, Harriet George bought machinery for a water-powered sawmill from a company in Wetumpka, Ala. The large cast-iron wheels for the mill probably got to Houston via oxcart, but George needed someone on site to construct the wooden housing. The man she hired was a cabinetmaker named Wilhelm Betke, who was born in Germany in 1824 and migrated to Galveston on the ship Neptune in 1846. Most of the small settlements along the north bank of the bayou - Spring Branch, White Oak, Bear Creek - were German, which may explain how Harriet was able to persuade the newcomer from Lippe-Detmold to live on her farm near other newly arrived Germans. While young Betke was hard at work on the sawmill and millpond, he must have come in contact with George's two female slaves. One in particular, Maria, caught his fancy. She's the 17-year-old mentioned in Buckman Canfield's 1844 probate inventory, which would make her still a teenager when 22-year-old Betke arrived. The slave schedule of the U.S. Census of 1850 describes her as "quite white." Imagine the sharp fragrance of newly hewn wood, the sound of saws and axes echoing among the tall pines, the crack of hammers as the mill housing takes shape, the shouts and curses of men maneuvering ox teams as Betke and his helpers gouge out a pond. Imagine a young woman, beautiful of form and face, bringing a pitcher of water to the handsome young German. Imagine the spark that passes between them as he takes off his hat, wipes the sweat and sawdust from his brow and takes a long drink. Imagine his smile, and hers. How did they meet from that day forward? How did they communicate? It's doubtful Betke knew English. The 1860 census says that Maria came from Louisiana - perhaps from New Orleans - so French might have been her first language. Perhaps they didn't need a common language. However the two young people carried on their courtship, at some point Betke went to Harriet George and asked to purchase Maria's freedom. George consented - on condition that Betke build her a house in the woods north of the bayou. The young man finished the sawmill and then set to work on a house constructed from lumber and heavy timbers milled on site. A year later, Harriet George moved out of her dog-run cabin and into a 12-room, two-story Greek Revival mansion, with a widow's walk atop the roof and majestic columns across the front. Lived in Fort Bend Wilhelm and Maria became husband and wife, although Texas had outlawed mixed-race marriages in 1837, so there probably wasn't a formal marriage. The couple left Piney Point, no doubt looking for a new start. According to the 1860 federal census, they were living as husband and wife in Pittsville, then a Fort Bend County community between Fulshear and Brookshire. Since Maria was "quite white," she probably was able to pass, although Worrall has come across references to the couple that indicate people knew their secret but chose not to inform on them. According to the 1870 census, Maria Batka (Betke), "white," was keeping house in Fort Bend County and had seven children. Wilhelm was not listed and may have passed away by then. Not long ago, Worrall managed to track down a descendant living in a small Central Texas town. She had never heard the story he recounted over the phone and didn't seem particularly interested in finding out more. Harriet George's mill pond survives to this day as part of the Vargos on the Lake apartment complex on Fondren Road. The grand house a love-struck Wilhelm Betke built survived until 1912. According to a neighbor who was a small boy at the time, the pipes had frozen on a January night, and the caretakers set hay afire to try to defrost them. "The house and all contents burned to the ground to the consternation and regret of all around," a Harriet George descendant recalled years later. AUSTIN A coalition of citizens groups demanded on Tuesday that Texas transportation officials slow down in selecting projects for economic stimulus money and that the federal cash not go toward toll roads or environmentally questionable highways. They said at a Capitol rally that the Texas Department of Transportation should seek more citizen input in deciding how to spend much of the $2.25 billion in stimulus transportation money Texas is getting. We want TxDOT to slow down and fix it first and do the right thing with our stimulus money, said Robin Holzer, chairwoman of the Citizens Transportation Coalition based in Houston. Another citizen activist said the state Transportation Department has hijacked the federal money. The Texas Transportation Commission is scheduled to decide on $1.2 billion in stimulus road projects on Thursday. Commissioners already postponed that decision for a week because legislators complained there wasnt enough time for them to give their opinions. One of the activists chief worries is that stimulus money will be going to toll road projects. Its insane, especially in these hard economic times, said Terri Hall, executive director of Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom of San Antonio. Transportation Department spokesman Chris Lippincott said the agency will have accomplished almost $3 billion in projects with $1.2 billion of the federal money. In some cases, that means pooling the stimulus money with local partners, and that can include toll roads, he said. Thats the sort of creativity thats required in a state that has more transportation needs than it has resources, Lippincott said, noting that Texas has identified more than $300 billion in road needs over the next 20 years. Rep. Jim Dunnam, a Waco Democrat who chairs a special House committee on the federal stimulus money, warned fellow legislators on Tuesday that state transportation commissioners who approved $500 million in road maintenance funds from the stimulus money last week are about to allocate more of the federal money this week. He said 70 percent of that money is going toward tolls or toll-related projects. If that happens, he said, many Texas voters wont like it. Dunnam pointed out that the Transportation Department identified some $13 billion in projects that would qualify for the stimulus money and that the agency narrowed that list to $1.2 billion in projects in only three weeks in February. He has complained about the speed with which the transportation agency is acting. Hes also criticized the agency for not giving priority to economic distressed areas in deciding on the projects. The citizen activists said the state transportation agency has 120 days to get many of the stimulus money projects going and that the state can petition for even more time. On Tuesday, President Barack Obama praised the fact that highway construction projects funded by stimulus money are getting going quickly. He said the road-building will save or create 150,000 jobs by the end of next year. Lippincott, of the Texas Transportation Department, noted that Obama was making those remarks as the Texas citizen activists were speaking out against the fast pace of the projects. He said, Get to work. And were going to listen to the president, Lippincott said. University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven would not say Thursday whether he wants to remain in his role leading the state's largest university system beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the year. The decision, McRaven said, depends largely on whether he and the Board of Regents share the same vision for UT and whether the board wants him to stay. "If some of the things that have occurred over the last couple years have created friction for the board, if I'm not adding value to the University of Texas System, then maybe I'm not the right guy for the job," McRaven said Thursday at an event sponsored by the Texas Tribune. McRaven has faced backlash from politicians and regents for his attempt to expand the UT System into Houston with a $215 million land purchase near the Texas Medical Center that was made largely in secret. Critics said the acquisition showed a lack of understanding of the tight state budget, and that McRaven should have gotten support from Gov. Greg Abbott before moving ahead. Support for McRaven has eroded among several state lawmakers and Abbott's office, according to various state officials, though he pulled back the Houston plan earlier this year. In the legislative session, McRaven weathered sharp criticism from lawmakers and had to defend big-ticket spending like the Houston land and UT's new system headquarters. UT spokeswoman Jenny LaCoste-Caputo said Thursday that McRaven has no indication that he no longer has the board's support. When asked for clarification on his statement that he may not be the right person for the job, she said that McRaven was saying that it's for the regents to decide. "He's not speaking for his bosses," she wrote in an email. McRaven's statement comes as board members are preparing to discuss the role of the system at a retreat this summer in Houston. Differences on direction Regents have questioned if the system should primarily support UT's academic and health institutions, or if it should continue to push for large-scale initiatives like broad research programs and new institutes, a vision put forward by McRaven less than a year into his tenure. In late April, he told the Houston Chronicle that he had "absolutely no concerns" about whether his contract would be renewed. But after that interview, in a quarterly board meeting, two new regents appointed by Abbott said that the system needs to become more of a support structure for UT's universities and health institutions. Savings can then be passed down to individual institutions, these regents said. Janiece Longoria, one of the new Abbott appointees, said at that meeting that the system should be pared down to "essential" services and back away from "very significant, growing, top-down expensive architecture" that she said "burdens" the 14 universities and health institutions. "I think a smaller, more efficient system is what people are looking for," said Steve Hicks, a regent who was first appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2009, in an interview Thursday. McRaven's broad vision includes several projects that he describes as "quantum leaps," including a system-sponsored national security network, a brain health program and a leadership institute for students and business executives. When he introduced those ideas about a year and a half ago, he said the system should aim to improve "the human condition in every town, every city, for every man, woman and child." Hicks said he doesn't necessarily oppose McRaven's big ideas, but he said the system shouldn't run them. Charles Miller, a former UT regent who supported the Houston plan, said spending system money on large projects like the ones McRaven presented is important. "They have the resources to do things that can't be done any other way," he said. "Rarely is there something that's only done at the system level that doesn't have a broader benefit." McRaven and UT's regents need to get on the same page, said Miller, who served on the board from 1999 to 2004. "The best combination is both of them having the same goals." Cutting jobs, costs McRaven said Thursday that the system is cutting back on spending. It's eliminated more than 150 positions this fiscal year, about 16 percent of the roughly 925 it employed at the beginning of the year, LaCoste-Caputo said. "You need regents to ask the hard questions," McRaven said Thursday. "This is what's going to make our system administration better." McRaven, who is credited with orchestrating the secret mission to kill al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, joined the UT System in January 2015 after a 37-year military career. He came to the job without experience in academia or in Texas politics, unlike chancellors of the University of Houston System, the Texas A&M University System and the Texas Tech University System. With more than a $17.8 billion operating budget, the system enrolls more than 220,000 students and employs more than 100,000 faculty and staff. He told the Tribune that backing off the Houston project helped smooth the session for the system's universities. "I knew if I continued to fight the battle in Houston, and we fought it all the way through the end of the session, the session would not have turned out the way it (did)," he told the Tribune. On Thursday, McRaven called his leadership of the UT System bold, citing his prior statements against campus carry and supporting students who immigrated to the U.S. illegally. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A state representative from The Woodlands plans to run for Montgomery County judge in the March Republican Party primary. Mark Keough, who represents District 15, announced his candidacy Wednesday, just two days after the legislative session ended and with a potential special session looming. His second term as representative expires in 2019. Keough's announcement set off a political chain reaction. Incumbent Judge Craig Doyal, who was indicted on a charge of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act, plans to seek re-election when his term is up at the end of 2018. Steve Toth, Keough's predecessor, confirmed he will seek Keough's seat. And Toth has predicted that others may vie to take Doyal's place. Keough said he knows the community is divided on issues such as county finances and government ethics, and he wants to work on those, along with law enforcement and mobility. He added that he's already getting "lots of support" and predicted a "very exciting race." 'A difficult situation' "The reason I pulled the trigger on this deal is two reasons," Keough said. "I feel in the House of Representatives I have done a good job and what can I do for the most amount of people in the shortest amount of time? "This county is in a difficult situation, and it seems like it is not going away." Doyal won the judgeship in 2014 and took office in January 2015 after serving as the county's Precinct 2 commissioner for 14 years. He didn't win easily. Mark Bosma, Montgomery County's former infrastructure director, edged out Doyal, 17,228 votes to 17,133, in the primary. But he fell short of 50 percent because of votes cast for a third candidate, which forced a runoff. In the May 2014 runoff, Doyal topped Bosma by more than 3,000 votes. In February, Doyal said he planned to seek re-election. Toth and The Woodlands Township Board Chairman Gordy Bunch, who had been asked to challenge Doyal, said in February the turmoil surrounding Doyal could motivate even more people "off the bench" to file as candidates. Both have said they have no personal plans to run for county judge. Doyal and two county precinct commissioners, Jim Clark and Charlie Riley, were indicted June 24, 2016, on a charge of conspiring to circumvent the open meetings law. The charge related to a $280 million road bond passed by voters in November 2015. A political consultant, Marc Davenport, was indicted on the same charge. Clark and Riley also are up for re-election in 2018 and plan to run. Bob Bagley, who lost to Clark in a runoff in 2014, has announced he plans to challenge Clark. In the open meetings case, Doyal's attorney, Houston-based Rusty Hardin, alleged the four were charged under an unconstitutional part of the state's open meetings law. On April 5, a Wharton County state district court judge, Randy Clapp, ruled at least part of the law is unconstitutional because it is vague, overbroad and violates free speech. Clapp, who was acting as a visiting judge in Montgomery County, dismissed the charges against Doyal, Riley and Davenport. Clark had previously accepted pretrial diversion to get his case dismissed if he testified for the state against the other men. The state has since filed notice to appeal Clapp's decision. The case is now pending in the 9th Court of Appeals. Keough's background According to his campaign site, Keough received a bachelor's degree from Cedarville University, a private institution in Cedarville, Ohio. He obtained master's degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind. He also attended the University of Cincinnati. For more than two decades, Keough was in automobile sales, including 14 years as the general sales manager of Northside Lexus in north Harris County. He left the automobile business to establish Mark Keough Ministries, which includes the Pathfinders Fellowship of The Woodlands. In addition to his continuing work as a pastor and radio host, he has been the headmaster of a private Christian school. Keough and his wife Kim have four children. In March 2014, Keough won the Republican primary election to replace Toth, defeating former The Woodlands Township Board Chairman Bruce Tough. Keough was unopposed in the November 2014 general election. "It's been an honor to serve," Keough said. Doyal could not be reached for comment. EL PASO - The state of Texas says Ronny Williams owes more than $236,000 in toll road fees. It also says Mandy Dyment has accrued more than $217,000 in unpaid tolls over more than 10,000 transactions. The two top a list of 25 drivers the state's transportation department says owe the most toll fees, although some on the list dispute the claim. The list was released Thursday in an effort to recoup tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid transactions on state-owned toll roads. No one from the Houston area is on the list. Most Houston area toll roads are operated by local agencies. Collectively, the 25 drivers on the list owe the state slightly more than $3 million of the $27 million the state says is owed. Officials said they sent notices to 28,000 motorists and gave them until noon Wednesday to arrange a payment plan. Outrage, and surprise The names of the top 25 offenders were listed on the agency's website Thursday. Dyment said she was shocked to learn she owes $217,619.79. "It's not accurate - that's just insane," Dyment said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. She has since contacted TxTag - the agency that issues the auto-pay tags - to work on the issue. Contact information for Williams was not immediately available. Another driver on the top 25, Judy Blundell, of Taylor said, "There must be a crossed wire somewhere." Texas says she owes $141,755.21. Blundell, an architect and artist, said several reporters have called about someone with her name in Taylor, a city of about 100,000 residents located 100 miles east of Dallas. "My TxTag account is in good standing. I think they are in error," she said. The transportation department said it may ban drivers who owe toll fees and impound their vehicles if they are stopped by police. Officials also plan to notify county tax assessors to block vehicle owners from renewing their registrations. Veronica Beyer, a spokeswoman for the transportation department, said there is also the option to refer unpaid fees to collections agencies and reporting the offenders to credit bureaus. Also, under a new law enacted this summer, the state can sue those who default on their payment plans and recover attorney's fees, investigative and court costs, on top of the outstanding balances. Other methods failed Beyer said the agency has tried using collections agents and filing criminal complaints with justices of the peace against many top violators, but results have not been widely successful. "It's just mass numbers. We have some complaints and some people show up, but some still choose to ignore it. I think (naming the top offenders) is a last-ditch effort" by the state, said Cindy Mueller, office manager for the Travis County justice of the peace. Not paying a toll fee is a Class C misdemeanor. Driving through a toll booth once without paying the 50-cent toll can add up over time to a fee of hundreds of dollars. Once the owner of an offending vehicle is identified, bills are mailed twice to them and then a violation notice is sent. With mailing costs, administrative fees and Justice of the Peace court fees, an unpaid toll can turn into a $448.50 fee in slightly more than 200 days. 36 people suffocate to death in casino hotel set on fire by gunman MANILA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 36 bodies were found inside a casino hotel that was set on fire by a lone gunman, the Philippine police said on Friday. "Some of the bodies were found inside the casino on the second floor. Some of them were found inside the comfort room on the casino," Southern Police District chief Tomas Apolinario told CNN Philippines. He said they were still determining whether the dead were casino players or employees. Earlier report put the death toll at 34. None of the dead sustained gunshot wound, the police official said, adding they died of suffocation. "I think the fire quickly spread because the suspect used either gasoline or kerosene to start the fire," he said. The gunman, who opened fire and burned part of the casino, killed himself, according to the police. Bases on initial report, Apolinario said the suspect sustained an "exit gunshot wound" in the head. "The way the body was found has rifle pointing at his chin, indicating he set himself on fire and he shot himself," he said. There are still areas that cannot be accessed because of the toxic fumes, he said. "As far as danger and threat are concerned the building is already cleared," he said. He said the police "are conducting continued investigations into the incident and ascertain the identity of the suspect." "We are still investigating if he has accomplice in committing the crime but initial reports and evidence point that the suspect was alone," Apolinario said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate AUSTIN - State Sen. Judith Zaffirini filed 40 bills the first day she could. By the end of this year's 85th Legislative session, the former educator authored 163 bills, and managed to pass 108, making this her most prolific session yet. The Laredo Democrat and other Texas state lawmakers filed more bills this session than almost any in state history. But despite the higher number of bills they proposed, lawmakers passed and sent fewer bills to the governor than it has in more than two decades. That's probably a good thing, some lawmakers say. "We're kind of running out of things to do," said Rep. Tom Craddick, a Midland Republican. Lawmakers introduced 6,631 House and Senate bills this session, according to a Houston Chronicle review of statistics compiled by the Texas Legislative Reference Library. The stat makes this year's bill count Texas' second largest wave of bill filings ever to make or change state laws on issues ranging from renewing medical oversight boards to deciding how long of a knife someone can carry. It's a stark difference from decades ago when lawmakers would file hundreds, perhaps just more than 1,000 bills in each session. Over time, the tally climbed, and lawmakers surpassed the 2,000-bill mark for filings in 1971. By the mid-1980s, legislators doubled their wish lists of legislation to more than 4,000 bills and have yet to slow down. The 181-member body filed an all-time high of 7,419 bills in 2009. Despite the high volume of bills lawmakers hoped to pass this year, the number of them making it to the governor's desk fell to 1,211 this year. Fewer than 1 in 5 passed and most of those are awaiting the governor's approval or veto pen. This session's total of approved bills represents a dip of about 110 bills from the 2015 session, a slip that might not had happened if not for the House's politically conservative Freedom Caucus which killed more than 100 bills in a legislative maneuver last month. The move was dubbed the Mother's Day Massacre and was made in retribution against House Speaker Joe Straus, who caucus members accused of bottling up their bills. "The Legislature as a whole in both the House and Senate has become more conservative and people want fewer laws and fewer bills filed," Craddick said. 'Easier to kill a bill' He came to power in the Texas House in 2002 after Republicans took majority control of the chamber. GOP lawmakers at the time clamored to pass bills Democrats had often killed before, like tougher regulations on abortion and lawsuit reform, and the bill filing total and number of bills passed began to slowly tick higher. Turnover among members also played a part in the growing volume of bills, Craddick explained. When newly elected lawmakers take office, they often file a heavy volume of bills to fulfill campaign promises they made on the campaign trail, and many never win passage. The last time lawmakers passed fewer bills was in 1995. That year the Legislature approved 1,088 bills. As the GOP took more control, lawmakers passed as many as 1,622 bills in 1999 as they pushed back against Democrats who stifled their agenda. "The entire system is set up to kill bills, not pass them. It's much, much easier to kill a bill than to pass one," said Sherri R. Greenberg, a former member of the Texas House who held office in the 1990s and is now a clinical professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. "There are many reasons that lawmakers will file bills and not all of them are to actually pass those bills," she said. Lawmakers often file bills to make a point, she said, such as a bill filed this session to regulate men's "unregulated masturbatory emissions." Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, filed that bill as a statement against bills that regulate women's reproductive rights. The one and only bill lawmakers are required by law to pass when they convene once every two years is a state budget, which totaled $216.8 billion this biennium. Other bills passed this year included beefing up the state's child protective services division to better care for children in crisis, eliminate straight-ticket voting at the polls and require police officers monitor at-risk prisoners around to clock in the name of Sandra Bland, who committed suicide in a Waller County jail two years ago. "Every bill is important to somebody," said Zaffirini, who said she is already working on legislation for the 2019 session. "I think there are more members in the Legislature today in comparison than, say 10 years ago, that are not as interested in passing bills. Their priorities are addressing issues and stopping legislation they perceive as bad," she said. Making a point Lawmakers also filed thousands of resolutions and other pieces of legislation that memorialize or express the opinion of the Legislature. Those are often non-controversial. This year, the Legislature introduced nearly 4,000 resolutions and passed all but 300 of them. State Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston doesn't file many bills, but when he does, he said his intent is to have them become law or use them to make a point. "I think you can stand up at a town hall meeting and say we have too many laws and get a pretty good round of applause, probably in any community," he said. What bugs him is that Republicans, who now control both chambers of the Legislature, say they want smaller government but are filing more bills every year. "They want less government, but they're introducing more bills to certainly get control of government and control of our lives," said Whitmire. "A lot of them pass bills so they can put something in their newsletter." Zaida Morales and some friends from Spring Woods High School had stopped at a neighborhood food truck one day in late January 2016, when a drunk driver lost control of his truck and slammed into her, crushing her against a car and severely injuring both of her legs. She was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital's trauma center where a team of highly trained specialists began the treatments that over two months and 14 surgeries would save her legs. On graduation day this year, she walked across the stage to collect her diploma. We tell Zaida's story as a cautionary tale, a warning to the Republicans in the U.S. Congress and the Texas Legislature that draconian cuts to the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid and a wide range of other health-care programs will have a devastating impact on hospitals, not only big-city facilities like Ben Taub but smaller, rural hospitals all across the state. Zaida's story has a happy ending because Ben Taub is open and fully staffed with a trauma team 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Maintaining that level of life-saving care is essential to everyone, rich or poor. These services aren't cheap, and hospitals have for years been struggling to balance their budgets while continuing to absorb rapidly escalating costs despite cuts in public funding and insurance reimbursements. The biggest shortfall is in caring for uninsured patients. Medicaid and uncompensated care reimbursements cover only 66.7 cents for every dollar Texas hospitals spend on Medicaid patients, according to a report by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. The budget stress diminished as more patients gained insurance under the ACA, but its replacement, the American Health Care Act, which passed the U.S. House last month, will throw millions back onto the rolls of the uninsured and cut $834 billion from Medicaid over 10 years. The Trump administration's proposed budget would slice another $610 billion, and the 85th session of the Texas Legislature cut $1 billion in state Medicaid funding. These cuts will be difficult for big-city charity hospitals like Ben Taub, but for small rural communities, they would be catastrophic. The rate at which these hospitals have been shutting their doors has escalated dramatically over the past decade, according to research from iVantage Health Analytics, and Texas leads the pack. Since 2013, 16 of our rural hospitals have closed. Of the 163 remaining, about one-third are vulnerable to closure. Add the Trump administration's proposal to eliminate several programs designed specifically to help rural hospitals - on top of fewer insured patients under the AHCA - and the hospital closures will escalate. Local, rural hospitals are the life-blood, literally, of many of these communities. Trauma specialists speak of the "Golden Hour," that window in which critical patients have the best chance of surviving if they can get to a hospital. When rural hospitals close, patients suddenly find themselves many miles from the nearest emergency room. The result: While only 20 percent of our citizens live in rural communities, they account for 60 percent of trauma deaths. Emergency care is only part of that life-blood. The populations these hospitals serve are often older, poorer and sicker, more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and, increasingly, drug addiction. Hospitals are their best source of care, sometimes the only nearby source. We have a simple message for all of the Republican officials who want to take a meat ax to the entire range of public health programs. There may come a day when you or a loved one will suffer a critical trauma through no fault of your own and need top-notch emergency care. If you are in Washington, D.C., or Austin or Houston, you may be in luck. But if you are driving across West Texas on Interstate 10, you may find yourself in the kind of medical desert where many of our citizens live, where the nearest emergency room is well beyond that Golden Hour. Nearly a decade after Hurricanes Ike and Dolly, our coast remains largely unprotected. We are just as vulnerable to a major storm today as we were in 2008 - and that's bad news. Modeling from the Rice SSPEED Center shows that had Ike not changed course at the last minute, more than 4,000 petrochemical tanks would have been inundated. The loss of life and economic damages would have been exponentially greater. I don't say this to alarm you. I say it to explain why we have such a sense of urgency about this issue at the Texas General Land Office and why coastal protection has become my agency's priority this year. More than a quarter of the nation's refining capacity resides in six counties stretching from Orange to Brazoria where more than 7 million Texans have chosen to build their lives. It's vital that we protect our coast before the next big storm. That's why I asked leaders in industry, local and regional government to partner with me in urging the Trump administration to fund a coastal barrier system. We understand this is a unique request - our country has a tradition of protecting against major storms only after one has occurred. Here at the GLO, we don't accept maxims such as, "that's how it's always been done." Since 1836 Texans fought for what is right and been willing to sacrifice for it. Protecting our coast is a chance to do that. Texas can once again lead the nation toward an innovative and more proactive way of confronting natural disasters. Building a coastal barrier system would be the right thing to do - not only for folks who live along the coast, but for our entire state and for this country. It will protect lives and infrastructure in the region and guard against an inevitable spike in cost of living when this global hub of food, fuel, and force faces a major storm. We're working hard at the Texas General Land Office to revolutionize the way this state and country protects against hurricanes, and that's something the folks of Houston know we need. The recent expansion of the Panama Canal is a once in a generation opportunity and the Port of Houston is taking advantage of it. The Port of Houston Authority plans to spend $1.6 billion on expansion and additional improvements over a five-year period while other Texas ports and their private-sector partners are investing nearly $50 billion. We won't stop sharing these reasons to protect our coast and pushing to get it done until we get results for the people who call this great state home. But in the meantime, there are some important things you can do this hurricane season to protect your family should a storm come our way. The first of these is being prepared to evacuate. An evacuation plan should be created and reviewed with all family members before the start of hurricane season. The Texas Department of Transportation website has evacuation maps and up-to-date road conditions. Remember to consider family members of different mobility levels, as well as pets, when building your plan. An evacuation kit should be stored in one place and include cash, key personal records, one gallon of water per person per day, nonperishable food to last at least five days, a supply of any prescription medication your family needs, first aid, a change of clothes, flashlights, batteries, a portable radio and blankets or pillows. Lastly, you should have a stockpile of emergency supplies for the home that allows your household to be self-sustaining for at least 72 hours. This should include everything mentioned in the evacuation kit as well as extra food and water, matches, gas for a generator, materials to protect your home, bleach, trash bags, sanitizer, chargers for your phone and, if available, a landline. Remember to follow any evacuation and preparation instructions from your local authorities as well as the National Weather Service. We're working hard at the GLO to protect our state from major storms, but let's all come together to make sure we're prepared and ready to assist our neighbors in the meantime. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush was born in Houston and now oversees the state's coastal protection efforts, including oil spill prevention and response, erosion mitigation projects and long-term recovery efforts for natural disasters, including hurricanes and floods. WASHINGTON - So what if, in his speech last week to NATO, Donald Trump didn't explicitly reaffirm the provision that an attack on one is an attack on all? What's the big deal? Didn't he affirm a general commitment to NATO during his visit? Hadn't he earlier sent his vice president and secretaries of state and defense to pledge allegiance to Article 5? And anyway, who believes that the United States would really go to war with Russia - and risk nuclear annihilation - over Estonia? Ah, but that's precisely the point. It is because deterrence is so delicate, so problematic, so literally unbelievable that it is not to be trifled with. And why for an American president to gratuitously undermine what little credibility deterrence already has, by ostentatiously refusing to recommit to Article 5, is so shocking. Deterrence is inherently a barely believable bluff. Even at the height of the Cold War, when highly resolute presidents, such as Eisenhower and Kennedy, threatened Russia with "massive retaliation" (i.e., all-out nuclear war), would we really have sacrificed New York for Berlin? No one knew for sure. Not Eisenhower, not Kennedy, not the Soviets, not anyone. Yet that very uncertainty was enough to stay the hand of any aggressor and keep the peace of the world for 70 years. Deterrence does not depend on 100 percent certainty that the other guy will go to war if you cross a red line. Given the stakes, merely a chance of that happening can be enough. For 70 years, it was enough. Leaders therefore do everything they can to bolster it. Install tripwires, for example. During the Cold War, we stationed troops in Germany to face the massive tank armies of Soviet Russia. Today we have 28,000 troops in South Korea, 12,000 near the demilitarized zone. Why? Not to repel invasion. They couldn't. They're not strong enough. To put it very coldly, they're there to die. They're a deliberate message to the enemy that if you invade our ally, you will have to kill a lot of Americans first. Which will galvanize us into full-scale war against you. Tripwires are risky, dangerous and cynical. Yet we resort to them because parchment promises are problematic and tripwires imply automaticity. We do what we can to strengthen deterrence. Rhetorically as well. Which is why presidents from Truman on have regularly and powerfully reaffirmed our deterrent pledge to NATO. Until Trump. His omission was all the more damaging because of his personal history. This is a man chronically disdainful of NATO. He campaigned on its obsolescence. His inaugural address denounced American allies as cunning parasites living off American wealth and generosity. One of Trump's top outside advisers, Newt Gingrich, says that "Estonia is in the suburbs of St. Petersburg," as if Russian designs on the Baltic states are not at all unreasonable. Moreover, Trump devoted much of that very same speech, the highlight of his first presidential trip to NATO, to berating the allies for not paying their fair share. Nothing particularly wrong with that, or new - half a century ago Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield was so offended by NATO free-riding that he called for major reductions of U.S. troops in Europe. That's an American perennial. But if you're going to berate, at least reassure as well. Especially given rising Russian threats and aggression. Especially given that Trump's speech was teed up precisely for such reassurance. An administration official had spread the word that he would use the speech to endorse Article 5. And it was delivered at a ceremony honoring the first and only invocation of Article 5 - ironically enough, by the allies in support of America after 9/11. And yet Trump deliberately, defiantly refused to simply say it: America will always honor its commitment under Article 5 It's not that, had Trump said the magic words, everyone would have 100 percent confidence we would strike back if Russia were to infiltrate little green men into Estonia, as it did in Crimea. But Trump's refusal to utter those words does lower whatever probability Vladimir Putin might attach to America responding with any seriousness to Russian aggression against a NATO ally. Angela Merkel said Sunday (without mentioning his name) that after Trump's visit it is clear that Europe can no longer rely on others. It's not that yesterday Europe could fully rely - and today it cannot rely at all. It's simply that the American deterrent has been weakened. And deterrence weakened is an invitation to instability, miscalculation, provocation and worse. And for what? Krauthammer's email address is letters@charleskrauthammer.com. In its professed zeal to protect religious Texans, the state Legislature has included within an increasing number of laws exemptions for those with "sincerely held religious beliefs." Unfortunately, lawyers remain uncertain about the scope of "religious liberty" that it seemingly protects. One might begin with some practical examples of conduct that are not protected under almost all current readings of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which is the basis of almost all current litigation involving national law. Consider Jehovah's Witnesses who might demand that their children not receive blood transfusions because of their undoubtedly sincere belief that it is the "drinking of blood" that is prohibited by the Bible. There are now multiple cases that reject this claim of parental authority, however sincerely religious it might be, because of the obvious threat to the life of the child. Courts have therefore ordered that transfusions be given. So one should wonder whether a religious parent could invoke a "spare the rod and spoil the child" defense if charged with child abuse; could an abusive husband quote the Bible to defend "chastisement" of his wife for disobedience? One would hope not. In a notable case arising in the 1960s, a religious conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, whose reading of the relevant materials required only "selective" conscientious objection - to "unjust wars" - rather than to all wars, received no support from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had protected pacifists who did not distinguish between "just" and "unjust" wars, but picking and choosing between the two was left unprotected. Courts have also been notably inhospitable to individuals claiming that their idiosyncratic religions require the smoking of marijuana. Quite often, the judges reveal their obvious skepticism about the "sincerity" of the religious beliefs. But an especially important Supreme Court decision in 1990 upheld the law against illegal drug use for participants in well-established Native American religious ceremonies that involved peyote. No one doubted the sincerity of the beliefs, but the "war on drugs" took precedence, according to six of the justices. It was this decision that triggered the almost unanimous passage of RFRA, which led the court in the 2015 Hobby Lobby case to adopt the catchphrase "sincerely held religious beliefs" that was seized by the Texas Legislature. Even if one has doubts about the "religious" status of the new Church of the Holy Weed, committed to sacramental use of marijuana, that is not the case with most of the examples above. Throughout its history, the U.S. has been a breeding ground for new religions. The most important example is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), who were subjected to relentless persecution in the 19th century until the church announced that polygamy was no longer part of its religious doctrine. The Supreme Court upheld jailing some of its polygamous leaders (and seizing the church's assets) because polygamy was an "action" and not merely a "belief." But, of course, this is true of almost all the contemporary "liberties" that the Legislature wants to protect. It cannot be the case that all actions are exempted from potential punishment if one can justify them on the basis of a "sincerely held religious belief." Inevitably, we must pick and choose, with precious little genuine guidance from lawmakers or the Supreme Court. Ultimately, we rely far more on general cultural norms as to what we wish to tolerate at a given time. Those who support a baker's refusal to sell a cake to be used in a same-sex marriage are unlikely to be sympathetic if the same baker, quoting another passage of Scripture, refuses to sell a cake to an interracial couple. So it is not the case that all "religious" defenses will necessarily be accepted. An additional problem, though, is that we have trouble distinguishing "religious" and "nonreligious" beliefs. One might immediately think of belief in a supernatural (single) God (or god) who issues behavioral commands, perhaps with eternal damnation as the threatened cost of disobedience. But there are a lot of "religions" that have no such beliefs. The most prominent example is Buddhism. Indeed, the Texas Almanac suggests that there are more Buddhists in Texas than there are Jews. It is tempting to think that proponents of "religious liberty" are all politically conservative. That is a mistake. Consider, for example, the contemporary issue of providing "sanctuary" to immigrants in the country illegally being threatened by state and national policies. Even if one can scarcely ascribe religious sensibilities to the cities that are refusing to collaborate with the national government, that is clearly not the case with regard to members of various churches who might decide that the biblical command to "remember that you were strangers in the land of Egypt" requires standing in solidarity with their threatened neighbors. Will would-be devotees of religious liberty who are obsessed with issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage be equally sympathetic to claims made by those giving sanctuary to people that some consider to be mere criminals instead of vulnerable fellow human beings deserving of our help? At the very least, it should be clear that the four words selected by the Texas Legislature generate an almost endless set of issues and, undoubtedly, future cases to be litigated. Levinson is the W. St. John Garwood and W. St. John Garwood, Jr. Centennial Chair in Law at the University of Texas at Austin. As House Speaker Joe Straus gaveled his chamber to adjournment, he acknowledged that the end of the 140-day legislative session had been, well, a bit exciting. And he wished members the best until he sees them again, "which, like you, I hope won't be anytime soon." Exciting was probably an understatement. On the last day, Senate and House leaders exchanged accusations over legislation that died. Large protests over Senate Bill 4, the so-called ban on sanctuary cities, filled the capitol with angry protesters. Shouting by the demonstrators forced Straus to clear the public gallery. Then, several House members got into a shouting match after one Republican said he had called federal immigration authorities on the protesters, some of whom carried signs saying they were undocumented. And Democrats said that a Republican, Matt Rinaldi of Irving, threatened to shoot them. The Legislature left town without passing a necessary bill to keep the Texas Medical Board, the agency that licenses and polices doctors, in operation for the next two years. Gov. Greg Abbott quickly hinted that would be enough for a special session. While Abbott insisted he is in charge of the agenda and timing of any special session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was insistent that he wanted one to pass a bathroom bill aimed at keeping men out of women's restrooms and to prevent 10th grade boys and girls from showering together. While awaiting a decision on what will come next, and with most everybody at the statehouses still fuming at someone else after the session's rough conclusion, the news from Austin just keeps coming. We've got it all and more, in this week's Texas Take, where you get the inside scoop on the Legislature in unvarnished, straight talk that every Texan can understand. From Mike Ward, the Chronicle's Austin Bureau chief, and Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, comes Texas' leading online podcast about Lone Star politics. WASHINGTON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The Donald Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reinstate the president's executive order to temporarily ban citizens from six Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and Africa. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," U.S. Justice Department spokesperson Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. The move could set up a high-stake final verdict on Trump's order to restrict immigration from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit declined to lift an existing lower court blocking on Trump's travel order. A Houston man faces charges after allegedly supplying alcohol to teenagers at a late-night party. Six boys were cited for drinking the alcohol and another was referred to juvenile authorities. The Houston Police Department said an officer responded at 12:30 a.m. May 24 to a report of underage drinking at a Charles Street residence. The officer said the street was lined with vehicles and numerous boys and girls were inside the living room of the home. Following interviews, police said Corey A. Tharp, 36, of 115 S. Oakcrest in Houston, was cited for supplying the alcohol. According to the officers report, several teens stated that Trenton R. Shelton, 17, of 153 Highway B at Raymondville, had supplied much of the beer and liquor at the scene. The officer determined Tharp had purchased it. Shelton and five other teens were cited for underage drinking: Connor D. Clifton, 18, of 5741 Rocky Branch Road in Houston; Robert A. Brewer, 18, of 8588 Highway 17 at Bucyrus; Dawson A. Austin, 18, of 380 Day Avenue in Summersville; Brandon M. Watson, 19; of 5762 Dewitt Drive in Hartshorn; Chance D. Barbe, 17, of 8405 Rust Drive at Mountain Grove; and Michael C. Clayton, 17, of 17928 Highway H in Elk Creek. A 16-year-old boy was also reportedly involved and a report was sent to the Texas County juvenile office. Police said the cited teens were each picked up and taken from the scene by drivers who had not been drinking. A year after thousands of Missouri residents endured lengthy waits for their income tax refunds, state officials say they are on track to have nearly all refunds paid out within the next four weeks. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, which processes state tax returns, the only unpaid returns will be those that may have been flagged for various reasons. We anticipate all refund returns that do not require a manual review will be paid by June 30, said Revenue spokeswoman Michelle Gleba. That doesnt guarantee all Missourians will receive their checks in a timely manner. According to State Auditor Nicole Galloway, who is conducting an audit of the department, more than 400 people have contacted her office because they havent received their income tax refund within a 45-day window. Under state law, the department must pay interest to the recipients if their refunds arent processed within 45 days. Last year, former Gov. Jay Nixon ordered the agency to use overtime or hire temporary workers to hasten the processing of tax returns when the wait for checks hit the 10-week mark. Part of the delay was blamed on the agencys attempt to ensure against fraudulent returns. The delays resulted in the state paying out $294,837 in late fees to nearly 84,000 people. That amount was nearly five times what was projected based on 2015 numbers. It was not clear last week how much money the state may have to pay out in late fees this year. Saturday marks 45 days since tax returns were due, meaning anyone who filed by the April 18 deadline and has not yet received their refund check could qualify for the interest payments. The total amount of money refunded so far this year is $572.4 million. During the same time period last year January through May the figure topped $598 million. Audit results from Galloway are expected to be released later this year. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. BRICS bank to lend $1.6B to China over next two years The New Development Bank, which was set up by the BRICS group, plans to lend $1.6 billion to China over the next two years, its chairman K.V. Kamath said on Jun. 1. The bank plans to lend $2.5-3 billion this year, nearly double the amount of last year, Kamath said during a press conference at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The banks investment in China has extended to a wider range of projects, including wind energy, urban construction, and environmental protection. Some of the projects will be carried out this year, Kamath added. Kamath revealed that the bank will invest in more than 10 projects in Russia over the next two years, and at least two of them will be implemented this year. The bank has drawn up prioritized plans for investment in each member country. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. If you think about your Canadian childhood, there are certain things that instantly stick out. Attending the Scholastic Book Fair, watching Mr. Dressup on TV and reading Anne of Green Gables at school are just a few. But what about your favourite childhood snacks? Canadian kids had it good because we had so many great options to choose from. Here, we take a trip down memory lane and reveal the seven best Canadian kids snacks weve ever had. Advertisement Watch the video above or take a look at the list below. A post shared by (hwan/juan) (@hwan950106) on Apr 24, 2017 at 9:46pm PDT Most people mistake the Jos Louis for an American treat because they assume it was named after famous U.S. boxer Joe Louis. This isnt true. The red velvet cake was actually invented by Quebec company Vachon in 1932 and was named after the Vachon sons, Joseph and Louis. Since then, the soft cake with its vanilla cream filling has continued to delight us. A post shared by SMARTIES Canada (@smarties_ca) on Dec 26, 2015 at 8:12am PST Its still bizarre to us that Smarties arent a thing in the U.S. But thats because Americans have given the name Smarties to the completely inferior candy we call Rockets. The candy-coated chocolate buttons have always been a childhood staple in the Great White North and are manufactured by Nestle Canada. Advertisement A post shared by Rumple Thorne (@rampletrample) on Apr 26, 2017 at 2:46pm PDT Remember Hot Lunch Day at school? The best part about getting a hot meal delivered to your class was the dessert that went with it. While some students opted for something sweet, many knew the real treat was getting a salty, smoky bag of Hickory Sticks. The classic chips are produced by Canadian company Hostess Potato Chips and were at the height of their popularity in the 80s and 90s. A post shared by Plus Model Mom Feminist (@tessholliday) on Aug 10, 2016 at 9:17pm PDT Ask any 90s kid and theyll tell you that Dunkaroos were the bomb! These tasty treats consisted of mini cookies that kids could dunk into frosting before eating. While Dunkaroos were originally manufactured by General Mills, an American company, they were discontinued in the U.S. in 2012 and are currently only manufactured and sold in Canada. Advertisement A post shared by OY's Joys (@oysjoys) on May 12, 2017 at 9:34am PDT Nanaimo bars are as Canadian as it gets! These no-bake treats which include a layer of wafer, custard and melted chocolate were named after Nanaimo, B.C. According to the Food Network, the first known recipe for these bars appeared in 1952 and was titled chocolate square. The next year, a similar recipe appeared in a Vancouver cookbook and was renamed as Nanaimo Bar. A post shared by Agnieszka Lalik (@aga.marsylianka.8) on Jun 1, 2017 at 4:40am PDT OK, Kinder Surprise isnt exactly Canadian, but the delightful treat is so popular among Canadian kids that we couldnt leave it off this list! The chocolate egg, which has a surprise toy inside, was created by Italian company Ferrero in the 70s. While Kinder Surprise can be found all around the world, it's banned in the U.S. because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes the toy could be a choking hazard. However, the U.S. will be getting their own version of Kinder Surprise, known as Kinder Joy eggs, next year. These new treats will be FDA-approved. Advertisement A post shared by Henrietta (@henri_hl) on Jul 10, 2013 at 11:56pm PDT Peanuts were never allowed at school, so Glosette Raisins made a fine alternative for us Canucks. While raisins werent really a go-to snack for kids, this treat proved that if you cover anything in chocolate, kids will eat it. Glosette Raisins are an exclusively Canadian candy and are manufactured by Hershey's Canada. Also on HuffPost Chris Wattie / Reuters Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, May 16, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Wattie OTTAWA The mayors of Canada's biggest cities say they need a slice of the tax windfall from legal marijuana to cover what they describe as significant costs associated with enforcing a signature initiative from the federal Liberals. They raised their concerns with cabinet ministers this week, pressing the case that some tax revenues from sale of the drug must filter down to cover costs associated with land-use issues, business licensing applications and enforcement once the purchase, sale and recreational use of the drug is no longer illegal. Advertisement The parliamentary budget officer estimated in a report last year that sales tax revenue to federal and provincial governments combined could be as low as $356 million and as high as $959 million in the first year of legalization, depending on the price put on cannabis and usage. "We're not in a position to collect any (taxes)," Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, chairman of the mayors' group, said in an interview this week. "One conversation that we think is important to have is support for local governments dealing with the costs of enforcement." Advertisement It would be up to local police to enforce impaired driving laws, provisions about sales to minors and any necessary bylaws for dispensaries that open up in communities. Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said cities are asking the federal government for more details as early as the fall about how the law will impact them. "We also need some clarity around the law, so that we can be prepared to deal with dispensaries, many of whom think that they, as soon as this (bill) passes, can just open anywhere they want," Savage said. Several mayors say they feel the Trudeau Liberals are moving at breakneck speed, leaving them little time to prepare for the new regime. The Liberals hope to make marijuana legal by the summer of 2018. Policing costs a concern: Winnipeg mayor "The one thing that, of course, concerns me is the timing of how quickly this is occurring, especially given that I certainly have concerns about likely increased costs to policing," said Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman. "Depending on how it's rolled out, depending on where the revenues are being collected and by whom could play a role in helping us address our concerns and what we expect are going to be increasing costs to policing." Advertisement The government's legalization bill, C-45, was being debated at second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, blocks away from where thousands of delegates were gathered for the annual meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Trudeau addressed the gathering in the morning after the official start of the annual meeting, focusing on what local leaders describe as an opioid epidemic in their communities. "The opioid epidemic has touched the lives of countless Canadians, in one way or another," Justin Trudeau Health officials and political leaders have been sounding the alarm about a dramatic spike in opioid deaths across Canada the focus of a national summit in Ottawa last fall that pulled together experts from across the country. In his speech, Trudeau said governments won't rest until they turn the tide of the crisis, pointing to the government's latest budget as evidence of the government's interest in addressing the problem: The budget included $110 million over five years for a national drug strategy. Advertisement "The opioid epidemic has touched the lives of countless Canadians, in one way or another," Trudeau said. June is Pride Month and pop culture's biggest and most-celebrated names are showing their love and support for the LGBTQ community. In a feature called "30 Days Of Pride," Billboard asked a diverse set of stars to pen "love letters" to the LGBTQ community. From Selena Gomez to Britney Spears to Christina Aguilera, music stars are not only sharing their heartfelt messages, but personal moments from their lives. Advertisement And icon Celine Dion is thanking the LGBTQ community for having such a "positive impact on [her] life." A post shared by Celine Dion (@celinedion) on Apr 16, 2017 at 5:12pm PDT "I've always said that music is a language that has no barriers, and it's also true that love is an emotion that has no barriers," the 49-year-old French-Canadian songstress said. "I've been fortunate to be surrounded by so many beautiful people from the LGBTQ community throughout my entire career ... from talented performers, musicians, producers and songwriters, to colleagues who have contributed significantly to my success, and last but not least, to so many of my loyal fans who have stood by me, in the name of love." Advertisement A post shared by Celine Dion (@celinedion) on Feb 22, 2017 at 4:39pm PST "I hope and pray that our world will continue to better understand that acceptance and tolerance are virtues that we can never have enough of," the "My Heart Will Go On" star wrote. "For now, I join each and every one of you in this year's celebration of Pride, sending you all my love and wishing you peace and happiness today, tomorrow ... and well beyond." Last year, Dion released a video for Montreal's Pride celebration, sharing her support and love. "Hi everyone! Wishing you an amazing 10th Pride Montreal. Be strong, be proud, be yourself. And, above all, celebrate and have fun. Be safe. Happy Pride, Montreal. Love you! Bye!" Celine said in French. Britney Spears also shared a handwritten letter with her her LGBTQ fans, noting they have been the ones who have lifted her up over the years. Advertisement A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on May 18, 2017 at 10:07pm PDT "The unwavering loyalty. The lack of judgment. The unapologetic truth. Acceptance!" Spears wrote. "Your stories are what inspire me, bring me joy and make me and my sons strive to be better people. I love you." Selena Gomez recalled a moment from her childhood in her letter, remembering going to a brunch as a young girl with her mother and a group of her friends. "I had no idea they were all gay as I didnt even comprehend what that meant at the time. All I knew is that I loved being surrounded by these kind, fun and loving friends my mother had around her," the 24-year-old pop star wrote. "I definitely give credit to her for raising me in an environment that was incredibly open-minded and non-judgmental." A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on May 1, 2017 at 8:14pm PDT Advertisement The actress concluded, "There is still a significant amount of work to do and I look forward to the day when a person is never judged, discriminated or feared for their sexuality." Happy Pride, everyone! Also on HuffPost A Dutch artist claims the Ontario government is paying an inflated rate for a rip-off version of his giant rubber duck and says going with the original would have saved the province money. A spokeswoman for Florentijn Hofman said the World's Largest Rubber Duck, which will be displayed at the Redpath Waterfront Festival as part of Ontario 150 programming, is a counterfeit version of his original that first appeared a decade ago. We could have brought the real duck to Canada 150 years for a much lower costs than that will be paid now, Kim Engbers told HuffPost Canada. She did not offer a specific number when asked for how much the artist would have charged. Advertisement The duck is also at the centre of a copyright dispute. Engbers claims the original duck design was stolen by American events producer Craig Samborski in 2014 after a partnership to bring the installation to Los Angeles soured. [He] has stolen our patterns and concept and makes it into a joke on his tour of Tall Ship water festivals and sells it as a marketing prop, Engbers said, calling the American promoter a fraud and a thief. Everybody deserves seeing the original installation," she said, adding that it's short-sighted for organizers to pay and exhibit stolen art for a celebration of Canadas 150th birthday. Advertisement Hofman is dismayed to see the giant duck commercialized since it goes against his original vision to use the inflatable animal to promote positivity and lift morale in public spaces. I could have sold him a dozen times, but I will not do it, because I dont wish this adventure to be over. I focus on the duck as being an artwork that should never lose its magic, Hofman said in a statement. I would like to reassure my colleague that my department did not fund this duck. Heritage Minister Melanie Joly This week, kerfuffles broke out in both the Ontario legislative assembly and House of Commons over how Canada 150-related funding is being used to pay for the six-storey mallard. On Thursday, Conservative MP Lisa Raitt used the duck to take a fresh jab at Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus family vacation to the Aga Khan's private island. Advertisement She joked that the duck could be used as a beach toy for Trudeaus next visit to billionaire island. Watch her statement below: Heritage Minister Melanie Joly addressed the controversy in question period Tuesday, saying her department funded an indigenous music and dance showcase not the huge duck. I would like to reassure my colleague that my department did not fund this duck, Joly said. She added that the federal funding received by the provincial government was intended to support the Ontario 150 tours indigenous music and dance program. Advertisement The duck was brought up twice this week by MPPs in the Ontario legislature, most notably by Progressive Conservative Rick Nicholls who called it an absurd waste of tax dollars. It is an absolute clusterduck, he said Monday. Festival organizers received a $121,000 provincial grant for the Ontario 150 tour. Its the exact same amount that Samborski is charging organizers to rent the yellow mallard. Ryan Whaley, a representative for Samborski justified the cost, saying it is very much a large-scale operation. He told HuffPost Canada the cost includes the rental fee, a support team, and use of a semi-truck and crane. Whaley brushed off the Dutch artists claims of intellectual property theft, saying that their Worlds Largest Rubber Duck is registered with the U.S. patent and trademark office. The duck brings similes to the faces of her admirers and really this is a lot of drama for a large bathtub toy, he said. Advertisement Follow HuffPost Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Most Important Stories Sent To You 'The Daily Brief' connects you with our best stories sent right to your inbox Also on HuffPost This week, Lush Cosmetics staff got naked. And for a good cause. From Vancouver to Montreal, employees of Lush shops wore nothing but their signature black aprons as they encouraged consumers to educate themselves on the devastating environmental impact of packaging pollution. 35% of our products are completely naked just like some of our employees today! Brave lushies across North America (voluntarily) stripped down to shed light on the detrimental impact of over-packaging. #nakedwithlush A post shared by Lush Cosmetics North America (@lushcosmetics) on May 31, 2017 at 3:00pm PDT Advertisement Their mission: To get the costumer to buy 'naked' products instead. "As a company, we tend to go all the way for causes we believe in," said Brandi Halls, director of brand communications, said in a press release. "If flashing our bums inspires consumers and industry to reconsider their packaging practices, then wed say its definitely worth a few blushes." Today, employees in select shops will get naked to educate about the devastating impact of over-packaging . It's about to get cheeky! #nakedwithlush A post shared by Lush Cosmetics North America (@lushcosmetics) on May 31, 2017 at 9:12am PDT The cheeky stunt marks ten years since Lush first stripped down to expose the problem of excess packaging in the cosmetics and retail industries. The company notes that the cosmetic and retail industry contributes to more than two per cent of overall greenhouse gases and over eight per cent of the worlds oil resources. Virgin plastic packaging is a major pollutant of the worlds oceans, accounting for almost 300,000 tons of floating debris and 80 per cent of litter collected from beaches during nationwide surveys and clean-ups. Advertisement Most of the plastic that has ever been produced still exists today, which is why its high time for businesses across all industries to take responsibility and present new generations of consumers with eco-friendly alternatives, Halls said. So, what is a "naked" product? Good question. Over the past few years, Lush has taken a major stand against waste. "Naked" products are those with absolutely no packaging and no synthetic preservatives to stay fresh (yes, this includes your favourite bath bombs, massage bars and shampoo bars). As the company says, their products truly have nothing to hide, so why do they need all that extra packing? As a result, last year alone the company kept just over two million plastic bottles from manufactured, transported and disposed of because customers chose to buy their solid shampoo bars. Lavender will soothe your skin while ginger and fennel promote circulation. #sugarscrub #nakedwithlush A post shared by Lush Cosmetics North America (@lushcosmetics) on Jun 2, 2017 at 7:54am PDT Advertisement But what about those products that do require packaging? This is where Lush pots and bottles come in. These house Lush's face masks and anything else liquid. The pots are made from 100 per cent post-consumer recyclable plastics that can be brought back to the store. From there, a Canadian connection comes in. Pots are returned back to Vancouver where they are ground down, remoulded and reused. All plastic for new pots is sourced from curbside blue bins, including those in British Columbia. This initiative drove 35 tons of plastic away from landfills. A post shared by Lush Cosmetics North America (@lushcosmetics) on Apr 22, 2017 at 10:34am PDT More beauty brands are also following the mandate that there needs to be a reduction in packaging due to its environmental impact. Brands like LOccitane has chosen an eco-design approach, selecting materials that are the least polluting or already recycled, using resources that are renewable or that come from sustainably managed forests, and designing easily recyclable packaging. Tata Harper, which uses 100 per cent natural and non-toxic ingredients, has recyclable glass bottles for their products. All their production also happens in one place to cut down on our carbon footprint. Advertisement Aveda is another great brand doing wonderful things for the planet, as one of the first beauty companies to use 100 per cent post-consumer recycled PET. Meanwhile, the packaging for Canadian cosmetics company Cargo is made entirely out of corn. Is it bath time yet? #sexbombbathbomb #bathgoals by @rzyska A post shared by Lush Cosmetics North America (@lushcosmetics) on May 29, 2017 at 3:51pm PDT Lush's stance to get naked came on the same day President Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, striking a major blow to worldwide efforts to combat climate change. Thankfully, there are plenty of companies doing their part to help, as Emmanuel Macron would put it, make our planet great again. Also on HuffPost Lush Animal Cosmetics Protest, London See Gallery I pay my respects to you who have gathered here. I stand here to honour the Mohawk language and I pay my respects to their people. Let us pay respects to the Creator for everything he has given to us that we may live peacefully. I am proud to stand here and speak to you in the Mohawk language. Hopefully it will help us to become better friends. I also hope that we will hear the Mohawk language a lot more often here and that more Canadians will be proud to use it to speak to one another. I pay my respects to you, the master of this House. Nearly two weeks after the devastating Manchester bombing, Prince William made a surprise visit to the mourning city to pay tribute to victims, residents and first responders. On Friday morning the Duke of Cambridge arrived at the Greater Manchester Police headquarters, where he spoke with a police officer who recalled tending to victims while searching for his own daughter in the crowd. Advertisement I wanted to know where she was and whether she was OK and then there were all these other people badly injured too, Michael Buckley, an off-duty officer on scene at the time of the bombing recalled to People Magazine. Buckley, who eventually found his daughter, went on to say their reunion was bittersweet, since he couldn't hug her as he was covered in the blood of other victims. William is no stranger to emergency responses. The 34-year-old father of two is currently finishing off the last few months of his contract as an East Anglian Air Ambulance helicopter pilot. During his nearly two-year tenure, the young royal has been involved in countless rescue operations, including one involving a former soldier who woke up to the future king holding his head. Advertisement According to the officers in Manchester who met with the prince, William asked if they were receiving the support they needed. "He was showing his respect and gratitude for what we did," recalled community support officer Chris Jenkins. William's trip comes just a week after his grandmother's surprise visit to a Manchester hospital where she met with victims days after the attack. While chatting with recovering patients, Her Majesty reportedly condemned the attack, saying it was "very wicked." Advertisement Aside from meeting the responders, William also stopped by the Manchester Cathedral, where he signed a book of condolence. While the new "Wonder Woman" movie may be crashing its invisible plane through superhero cinema's glass ceiling, the comic-book character herself has been a pioneering presence since debuting in the eighth issue of DC's "All Star Comics" in October 1941 and landing her own title, "Sensation Comics," the following January. Advertisement Sure, the superheroine has had her ups and downs from the record-breaking reviews of the Gal Gadot film to that time the Justice Society of America welcomed her as the team's first female member only to make her ... secretary?!? but the Amazonian princess's enduring pop cultural presence has offered up plenty of wonderful moments. Here's a look: Ever wonder why Wonder Woman has that Lasso of Truth? Might be because her creator, William Moulton Marston, was a psychologist who helped invent the polygraph lie-detector test. But Marston didn't actually believe in gender equality he thought women were superior to men and he famously said, "Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world." Advertisement It was great timing, as Wonder Woman's immediate popularity landed her a solo title in 1942, just as women were entering the workforce in mass numbers while men went off to fight in WWII. The first issue of Gloria Steinem's feminist Ms. Magazine was emblazoned with the headline "Wonder Woman For President," and she returned to the cover in a 40th anniversary issue featuring the superhero in a Washington D.C. women's rights march. "Wonder Woman has been an enduring symbol of womens power," the magazine wrote in the 2012 issue. "We could imagine no better way to urge women to use their own power the power of their vote to stand up for themselves and their rights in the coming elections." Advertisement Wonder Woman was the coolest character on the long-running "Super Friends" who wasn't a Wonder twin (no relation). The Saturday morning cartoon introduced her to a legion of little kids who all coveted that invisible plane. The same would happen to a new generation of tykes in the 2000s, thanks to the admittedly much higher quality "Justice League" and "Justice League Unlimited" animated series. For those of us who grew up in the 1970s, Lynda Carter is the definitive "Wonder Woman." More serious than the campy 1960s Batman show and with better effects than "The Incredible Hulk," this version of Wonder Woman began by fighting Nazis before moving into contemporary times to take advantage of the era's equal rights movement. Advertisement In the wake of Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns," Wonder Woman also gets a toughening up thanks to George Perez's now legendary "Gods and Mortals" arc that reimagined Diana's origin story, making it much more rooted in Greek mythology, and affirming her place in DC comics' holy trinity alongside Superman and Batman. It also provided the source material for the 2009 animated "Wonder Woman," an acclaimed feature starring Kerri Russell as the daughter of the Amazon and written by Gail Simone, the superhero's longest-running female writer. Not only did the superhero reach this landmark issue, but she also finally got a suit that makes sense. Advertisement In a series of stylized DC Nation shorts by Oscar-winning animator Robert Valley that became instant fan-favourites, Wonder Woman kicks butt in a t-shirt, shorts and a 1970s hot rod. No wonder Comics Alliance declared it "The Coolest Thing You Will See This Weekend (Giant Robots Included)." Sensation Comics was brought back as a digital-only title and in issue number 48 it saw Wonder Woman officiating a same-sex wedding in the wake of the landmark Supreme Court ruling. The best part was this line to Superman, who said he didn't know she supported gay marriage: "My country is all women. To us, it's not 'gay' marriage. It's just marriage." That same year, comic writer Greg Rucka confirmed that Wonder Woman is bisexual. "[Paradise Island] is a queer culture. Im not hedging that," he told Comicosity. "And anyone who wants to prevaricate on that is being silly. Advertisement Also on HuffPost We had to keep our voices low. In the distance -- a few hundred metres from our canoes -- was a large, majestic moose, calling out from across the lake. My three kids couldn't believe their luck. After spending several days paddling through Canada's Algonquin Park, it was a sight and sound they won't soon forget. Today, as Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, I'm still inspired by these moments in nature with my kids. I think everyone should experience this same wonder. Advertisement On June 5th, Canada is hosting World Environment Day, and this year the theme is 'connecting people to nature.' I'm encouraging people across the world to explore green spaces around them. It can be a local beach, a city park, or a sprawling forest in the hills. The point is: Amid the hum of your daily life, find a moment in nature. I truly believe the first step to protecting nature is learning to appreciate it. And as environmental problems around the world advance -- with rising temperatures, more frequent natural disasters, and declining biodiversity -- the importance of connecting with nature only increases. In Canada, we are celebrating World Environment Day across the country. You can learn to fish in a Nova Scotian wildlife reserve, practice yoga on the banks of Ontario's Niagara River, or go birding on mountain bikes in the rugged Yukon. And to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation -- our government made it free to visit all national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas. Discover the mystery of nature to better understand our urgent need protect it. World Environment Day is an occasion of global engagement. In Kenya, volunteers are running a program to plant a thousand trees in local communities. In Mexico, beach cleanups are planned along the Nazas river. And in India alone, there are close to 200 events planned. Advertisement Organized through the UN Environment, World Environment Day has been a catalyst for change since 1974. It's been a platform to mobilize world leaders, business and citizens to reduce the hole in the ozone and end the scourge of acid rain. As early as the 1980s, World Environment Day began raising awareness about a new global threat, climate change. That's right: There has been global awareness of climate change since the 1980s. Yet almost 40 years later, some still doubt the need to reduce carbon pollution, or expand the millions of jobs being created in the clean growth economy. Yet Canadians, scientists, business leaders and people around the world know better. We know that countries must continue, now more than ever, to work towards a low-carbon future. We know it's good for the economy and the environment, and our children and grandchildren deserve no less. On World Environment Day the plan is simple: Get out into nature. Enjoy the singing birds in the park or the rustling of leaves near your home. Discover the mystery of nature to better understand our urgent need protect it. You don't need to live in the countryside to appreciate nature. Erik Solheim, the Head of UN Environment, grew up in Norway's thrumming capital city of Oslo. Despite living in the city, he still experienced the woods and mountains surrounding it. As he puts it: "Nothing could beat exploring the hills and mysterious forests. There was adventure everywhere." Advertisement Experiences in nature are invaluable. My three children always look forward to summers filled with glowing fires, starry nights, and fishing for lake trout. Who can blame them? Like Erik, these memories last a lifetime and often shape the paths we follow. On World Environment Day this June 5th, join me in celebrating the infinite beauty of our natural world by getting out into it! Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Media coverage of Vancouver's 4/20 protest festival is very different from that given to every other event in the city. While stories about festivals like Vaisakhi or the Pride Parade focus on the revenues generated by local businesses and the economic benefits these community events bring, our cannabis event is viciously attacked in the media as some kind of drain on civic resources. . In fact, the complete opposite is true. B.C.'s cannabis industry is one of our province's biggest economic engines. The cannabis industry and associated businesses employ hundreds of thousands of people across the province, bringing wealth and prosperity to many rural and urban communities. Without the strength of their local cannabis industry, many regions of our province would have long since become destitute ghost towns. Advertisement The real waste of money is not the trivial amount spent hosting the 4/20 protest festival once a year. The true drain on city resources is the massive cost of enforcing cannabis prohibition. Canada spends about $1.2 billion a year enforcing our archaic and bigoted laws against cannabis. If we divide that figure up evenly across the country, we see that our share in Metro Vancouver is about $84 million a year, which comes to over $230,000 every single day! Vancouver's cannabis activists have saved the city many millions of dollars over the years. Where are the headlines about this massive waste of money? While newspapers fall over themselves to be scandalized by 100 grand going towards policing 4/20 once a year, they are silent about the much bigger expense of fighting the pointless war against cannabis plants and those who use them. Vancouver owes its cannabis community a big debt of gratitude The fact is that Vancouver's cannabis activists have saved the city many millions of dollars over the years. Advertisement Vancouver used to waste major police resources raiding bong shops and busting people for selling vaporizers. Our activism put an end to that practice, allowing VPD to focus on solving real crimes that actually cause harm. The same goes for cannabis possession. It was our community activism that changed VPD policy on cannabis, stopping the wasteful practice of making arrests for a few grams of bud. This has saved local taxpayers many millions of dollars over the years, as well as keeping our court system available for more important cases. All of Vancouver owes a debt of gratitude to our local cannabis community. The bravery and sacrifice of local activists has saved our city many millions of dollars, and created better policing which benefits everyone in our city. It's clear that dispensaries are already saving lives by offering a safer alternative to opiate use. Local dispensaries save taxpayer's money as well, in several important ways. Studies from the U.S. have shown that access to local cannabis dispensaries reduces use of opiates and associated overdoses by about 25 per cent. Given this information, we can determine that we'd have 25 per cent more opiate overdoses in Vancouver without the presence of dispensaries. Given the high social and economic costs of the current opiate crisis, it's clear that dispensaries are already saving lives and money by offering a safer alternative to opiate use. Advertisement Another way dispensaries save money is by reducing our health-care costs. Recent studies have shown that medical cannabis users are able to dramatically reduce their use of pharmaceutical drugs, which are generally subsidized through our health-care system. When a patient gets better relief from cannabis and is able to stop using pharmaceuticals, that improves their quality of life and also saves our health-care system a considerable expense. Dispensaries also save money by providing a safer alternative to alcohol and other drugs. In the same way that many patients substitute cannabis for more expensive and dangerous pharmaceuticals, many users substitute cannabis for alcohol, tobacco and street drugs. When someone switches from alcohol, tobacco or street drugs and begins using cannabis instead, they are making a responsible choice, and they're also saving us all significant costs in health care and policing. It's time for Vancouver to recognize that the cannabis activists are right, and that the cannabis community deserves equal treatment. A cannabis protest like 4/20 costs very little. The real waste of taxpayer's money is the ongoing cost of using our police and court system to harass, punish and imprison people over cannabis. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Advertisement ipopba via Getty Images Business woman touching virtual icon customers of social network on screen According to John Chambers, former CEO of Cisco, "in 10 to 15 years, more than 500 billion devices worldwide will be connected to the Internet. This will irrevocably change how we live our daily lives, conduct business, deploy heath care and invest [among other things]." The Internet of Things (IoT) is the concept of connecting any device with the Internet, and it's clear that IoT will have a profound impact on our daily lives at a much faster rate than previously anticipated. IoT is but one example of a transformative technology; and while the impact of technologies like IoT isn't new, we are seeing an acceleration in new innovations and developments across many fields, with breakthroughs in one area serving to propel another forward. New innovations are being announced daily in robotics, artificial intelligence, connectivity, neuroscience, digital biology, and bioengineering. The fourth industrial revolution is now upon us, a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between physical, digital and biological systems, and promises to fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another as humans. Advertisement While we've witnessed the rise of the Internet, smart phones, and a variety of consumer services like content streaming and online banking, most companies haven't yet embraced methodologies like lean startup, design thinking, agile engineering, or technologies like cloud architectures, IoT or machine learning. There's a huge missed opportunity for companies to ship digital products and services to their customers, many of which have rising expectations and increasing places to take their business. Disrupting Business The pace that most companies seem to approach digital transformation - both for the inherent benefits and toward the new breed of digitally native competitors (companies born in the digital age, with a focus on digital technologies) chomping at their heels - is slow to stagnant. A recent study by Microsoft found that 69 per cent of large companies claim to have a digital transformation strategy and have started this journey, yet progress is slow overall with over half citing digital skill set shortages. Digitally native companies are outperforming traditional companies that slowly crawl into the digital playground. These digitally native companies have already dramatically improved customer experiences, streamlined operational processes, and disrupted business models. Companies like Amazon, Spotify, eBay, and Netflix -- whether digitally native or fast followers -- have all completely disrupted their respective industries, displaced incumbents, and have created massive followings. If we look at technologies like Blockchain, a digital ledger of economic transactions, we can see further evidence of the digital transformation that's overtaking traditional industries. Dan Tapscott, CEO of The Tapscott Group, suggests that Blockchain will pair with IoT as the 'Registry of Things', enabling new services, trust-less transactions, and unparalleled transparency, serving as a platform to rewrite the Internet. Blockchain and Bitcoin technologies have already fostered new developments in the world of cryptocurrencies and smart contracts with companies like Coinbase and Ethereum just getting started with their digital disruption. Advertisement Disrupt or be Disrupted According to a study released by Bain & Company, the 15 per cent of companies that are farthest along on the digital maturity curve are eight times more likely to have gained market share than the 15 per cent of companies that are least mature -- and this is independent of industry and geography. So, while most companies are slow to get started, those that push ahead or lead will rapidly begin to see gains. Unlike digitally native companies, few traditional enterprises are on the bleeding edge of digital. Now is the time to make digital transformation a top priority. In a study conducted by Microsoft and Harvard Business Review, four out of five business leaders are optimistic and think their industry will be positively disrupted by digital transformation within the next three years. However, less than half of those leaders have a digital strategy set up to take advantage of the digital transformation movement -- a troubling outlook. If the promised benefits aren't enough, a range of estimates on the fate of today's companies should serve as a dire warning. Chambers believes that 40 per cent of companies currently operating around the world will not exist in a meaningful way within the next two decades. With incredible innovations and new technologies at our finger tips, it's important for businesses to heed the call of digital transformation and begin the process today. According to Microsoft and Harvard Business Review "companies that form their strategies now, shift resources to new digital initiatives, and redesign their organization and culture will have a distinct advantage." Zurijeta via Getty Images Visiting Islamic Holy Place For Worship Ramadan is a time of reflection for Muslims. It is a time to work on taqwa (consciousness of the Sacred). While the orthodox reduce this to a list of dos and don'ts, it is not as simple as that. This is because there are many who pray and fast and yet engage in unethical conduct to oppress fellow human beings. Muslim academic Michael Muhammad Knight writes: "We think submission is applying strict discipline to our worship... It's just not that small to me. ... Allah is too big and open for my deen (religious path) to be small and closed." For some LGBTQ Muslims cognitive dissonance gets heightened during Ramadan. Their inability to reconcile spirituality and sexuality leads them to temporarily divorce one aspect of their life, which leaves their underlying dilemma unaddressed. To remain whole requires that they celebrate all facets of their life. But how can they do that when they are constantly barraged by messages that corrode their self-worth. Undoing this internal damage may require years of working on oneself. But LGBTQ Muslims should not be alone, as Muslims who affirm them increasingly grow in numbers and offer online sanctuaries. For this Ramadan, various Muslim leaders have come together to affirm thirty aphorisms that allow LGBTQ Muslims to resist a deep-rooted heterosexism that is peddled in the garb of religion. Advertisement Dear LGBTQ Muslims, 1)Not even 7000 years of joy can justify seven days of repression ~ Hafez 2)Don't act like the hypocrite, who thinks he can conceal his wiles while loudly quoting the Qur'an ~ Hafez 3)Do not make your present life a nightmare for an elusive Hereafter. The Prophet taught balance. 4)The orthodox clerics have as much power on you as you allow them. If you refuse to acknowledge them they cease to matter. 5)We have the right to be informed by the wisdom of our elders but we have the responsibility to not be circumscribed by their limitations. 6)If all of sharia rests on justice, mercy, welfare and wisdom then prescribing hardships to LGBTQ Muslims is totally unIslamic. 7)We are more than mere existence for we were meant to share intimacy, affection and companionship. 8)Behaviour does not determine orientation, spiritual or sexual. Watching pornography does not make you gay. Ritual praying does not make you non-judgmental. Advertisement 9)Identity is based on both spirituality and sexuality. We have Muslims, we have khuntha mushkil (indeterminate gender) and we have the intersection of both. 10)LGBTQ concerns rest on intimacy, affection and companionship. The orthodoxy is obsessed with anal intercourse. 11)Without desire we are dead. We should desire to live. 12)The orthodoxy rejects your sexual expression as an abomination but then imbues you with a strong faith and exalts you for being severely tested. When did the abomination become a test? 13) Killing LGBTQ persons is not the polar extreme of affirming them. False equivalencies to uphold the "median" permanent celibacy test lead to the argument ad temperantiam fallacy. 14) Islam does not limit gender to the binary. It affirms the khuntha mushkil (indeterminate gender) and khuntha nafsiyya (psychological intersexuality). It can easily affirm LGBTQ persons. Advertisement 15)If Allah can be referred to with both masculine and feminine pronouns, then so can transgender people who share that closeness with Allah. 16) The love amongst gays, lesbians, transgender and non-binary couples is holy. It is an intimate expression of human life, one that is closest to Allah. 17) Needless stringency is not piety but abth (useless) 18)Allah did not create us for permanent celibacy tests. 19)LGBTQ Muslims need to prove nothing. The burden of proof is on those who argue for false celibacy tests. 20) Obedience without reflection is unreasonable and unjustified. 21) We accept same-sex unions as we reject concubinage. 22) Replacing the lens of ubna (affliction) in Islamic jurisprudence with sexual orientation enables us to affirm Muslim same-sex unions. 23) The bias of LGBTQ Muslims rests on the genuine human need for intimacy, affection and companionship. The bias of their opponents rests on a deep-rooted heterosexism. Advertisement 24) We cannot equate the lives of our Muslim youth with a lunatic fringe of humanity called Lot's people. 25) Islam affirms human dignity, compassion and justice, and so it affirms same-sex unions. 26) Many Muslim professionals including the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health reject reparative therapy. 27)Islam should never be fettered by 1400 years of socio-cultural norms. 28)Allah's law is not unreasonable. 29)Allah creates whatsoever He wills. 30) Allah loves us all, every single one of us. Dear LGBTQ Muslims, you have the present of this life, live it well and make it extraordinary! Imam Daayiee Abdullah - President and Chair, MECCA Institute Rev. Jamila Tharp - Unitarian Universalist minister, Muslim spiritual guide, writer and activist Kelly Wentworth - Secretary - Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), President - MPV Atlanta Frank Parmir - President - MPV Columbus Imtiaz Popat - Salaam Vancouver Dr. Adis Duderija Dr. Junaid Jahangir Nabil Ahmad Khan Gian Marco Visconti Hadi Hussain Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Cecilie_Arcurs via Getty Images Cropped shot of a young woman working on her laptop Many businesses decide that they're going to start a blog. This is great! Or is it? When you choose to blog and do it right, it has the potential to do awesome things for your business. Do it wrong though and you'll be completely wasting your valuable time. A poorly written blog may even cause potential buyers to lose confidence in your business and go elsewhere. This is why adding a blog to your business marketing plan isn't something to do on a whim. It requires some careful thought and consideration. Advertisement Two Awesome Benefits of Blogging If you're on the fence about blogging for your business, it's important to first look at two of the major benefits of a well done blog. Blogging helps with SEO.Search Engine Optimization is necessary if you have any hope of ranking for anything competitive in Google. And a large aspect of search engine optimization depends on your content being new and fresh. According to accomplished SEO, Jon Doherty, it's a waste of time to be constantly changing the information on your homepage and static webpages, which is why it's best to create a blog. This way, you can publish interesting new content on a regular basis. Having a blog gives you a physical place to put the fresh new content that makes Google happy, rather than coming up with new copy for your homepage and inner pages every other day. Advertisement That's a pretty big benefit if you consider that websites or blogs that publish new web pages more frequently will most definitely earn higher Google rankings than those who only publish once in awhile or not at all. Some of the other SEO benefits of blogging include; being able to use more keywords, strengthening your inner link structure and gaining (valuable) links from other websites in your industry. As if that weren't enough, there's also another awesome benefit of blogging. Blogging can help with the sales funnel. Want to convert more of your visitors to customers? Of course you do. An active blog can help you do that when you provide information and answers about your products or services to visitors who are in the research phase of the buying process. For example, TrueCoreTX, a Texas fitness studio, uses their blog to promote classes and inform of events that can attract brand new clients for them. "Our market studies have shown us that users want solid information and quick answers to their questions. When a potential new client comes to our blog our goal is to inform them and help them with their decision process." says Lauren Robins, TrueCoreTX marketing strategist. Advertisement Canadian realtor and SEO expert, Marie Haynes, says she doesn't run a blog, but she does publish new content on her main site via static pages. This year though, her method has shifted from "produce as much content as you can" to "produce only the best content that will actually convert readers into clients". Most SEOs agree that creating high-quality content is the only way to go when it comes to long term online success of a business, for a lot of different reasons. So, think of a blog as another virtual sales tool with the added benefit of increasing your social shares and earning you more links if your content is compelling. Sounds good, right? Except... Writing High-Quality Content Won't Be Easy That's why you can and should learn from businesses that already have great blogs. This includes big brand blogs like Whole Foods who have been blogging since 2006. Advertisement Also seek out and learn from smaller little known local blogs like Bedford Dental and cool niche blogs like Tropical Laser Alberta. All three blogs give information and answers about their product as well as various relevant topics. It's what ensures people stay intrigued and subscribed. Look at the other blogs within your industry to get ideas too. See who's having success and use them as a guide for your own blog writing. Remember that you don't have to do all of your own blogging either. You can invite guest bloggers to come over and open a dialogue with your audience, or even pay skilled content writers to write your posts. Tip: Try a service like Text Broker or Up Work for hiring experienced writers. And don't give up easily if you don't see immediate results. Jamie Spencer of Make Website Hub, thinks the areas where many businesses fail at blogging is that they "create content that does not help with the buying cycle and often give up too soon as they do not see ROI after a few months." However, if you're not willing to dedicate the time and effort to doing it right, then it's probably best to spare yourself the fail and just not have a business blog at all. Advertisement Note: I'm constantly polling the twitter community for my articles. Follow me so you don't miss out on your chance to be mentioned. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook In an interview Meryl Streep was asked why the story of the suffragettes hadn't been made into a film before now. She said that in Hollywood the men with the power to make films didn't see this subject as anything to do with them. 'It wasn't their fight,' said Streep. In 2014 Emma Watson made the same case at the launch of the UN "HeForShe" campaign: 'Men, I would like to take this opportunity to extend you a formal invitation,' she said. 'Gender equality is your issue, too.' The need to improve gender balance in the workplace has long been topical, with strong arguments showing the enormous benefits by achieving this. It's not surprising that research shows over 75% of UK businesses believe that gender diversity should be a strategic imperative. But whose responsibility is it to translate this "imperative" into something sustainable and real? What Watson was highlighting is the fact that many consider this to be an issue solely for women. All too often CEOs choose to delegate responsibility for this to their HR departments or to special committees. There are no shortage of organisations with initiatives geared towards women: women's networks, mentoring programmes, development programmes... the list goes on. But the focus is often on ticking the diversity box rather than the more challenging issue of inclusion - do our female employees feel included and engaged? How many female leaders do we have? How many empowered decision-makers? How many women are serving as role models for the rest of the organisation? Advertisement Men often feel alienated by the gender diversity debate and may find it hard to know where to start. So how can companies move beyond declarations of intent to substantive engagement? Hiring Talent A sensible starting point is to look at recruitment and promotion practices, to ensure selection decisions are based on merit. Systemic discrimination is all too frequently present in recruitment and promotion practices due to historical reasons. However, whilst representation is one aspect of the diversity puzzle, it's not enough just to "add women" to solve the issue. Unless you have a culture that is inclusive it doesn't matter how many women you employ. Straight from the top If it's not already there, put this on the agenda as a key organisational imperative. The change in approach needs to come from the top - organisational change happens when the CEO takes personal responsibility for a strategic objective and sets clear targets. The only way to truly empower women at work is to give them the chance to sit at the table where important decisions are made. There are already many initiatives here in the UK to increase female representation on boards, and the men who sit on these boards should be continually educated as to the benefits of a more diverse boardroom. Unconscious bias To combat this problem companies need to be willing to require their leaders to undergo specific training on how to overcome unconscious gender bias in the workplace, allow them to step back and recognise this sort of behaviour and then hold those individuals accountable. Until the impact of this unconscious behaviour is recognised, the pace of change will remain "glacial." Advertisement Mentoring Women often seek out other women as mentors. But research shows that women who also have male mentors get more promotions and make more money than those who have only female advisors. If you are a male in a senior position, you could sponsor or mentor a female employee so that they can make the right connections and increase their visibility throughout the business. Let's not forget the inverse too - women can be superb mentors for men, often providing a different approach and perspective. Be agile The way we work has changed dramatically over the last 10 years and the advancement of technology means it will continue to evolve. A business might have employees who are part of the same team but are based in different offices, or who work from home full-time. In order to advance gender equality in the workplace, flexible work arrangements must be available to, and actively supported for, both genders. Be an ally Whatever your role or level you should feel empowered to call out injustices that don't impact you directly and take the time to notice what may be happening systemically in your organisation. If you notice an injustice, act. NurPhoto via Getty Images History will not be kind to President Donald Trump, for many reasons. But ripping up the Paris Climate Accord is the single most malicious act of his presidency so far. Future generations will look back on this moment with shame, and he will never be forgiven. In one swift, selfish and vengeful act, Donald Trump has sentenced our children to a life more difficult. A planet more vulnerable. Advertisement So when rising sea levels begin to flood New York City, it will be on Trump's head. When children are dying from lack of food and water, it will be on Trump's head. When millions upon millions of displaced people lose their homes, it will be on Trump's head. When our forests disappear and our rivers dry up, when our animals die and when vicious natural disasters wipe out families, it will be on Trump's head. This ignorant decision doesn't just threaten the future of our children, it weakens America's place in the world. Because the Paris Accord is more than just a climate deal, it's an historic partnership between every major country on the planet. In this moment, America turns its back on the world, joining Syria and Nicaragua as the only none-compliant nations. Donald Trump is the loser here, isolated and lonely while the rest of the world works together. Worse, if Trump's obsession with coal continues, America may be left behind for good. Europe and China are already developing clean energy technology that is more efficient and cost-effective than fossil fuels. This is the economy of the future and Trump's America wants no part of it. Advertisement Pulling out of the Paris Accord isn't just ignorant, it's bad business. But there is still hope. We will forge ahead without Trump. And so will US states, local governments and businesses, many of whom have renewed their commitment to green solutions and fossil fuel alternatives in spite of Trump's decision. And not just because it makes economic sense, but because it's the right thing to do. They know that ripping up the Paris Accord is an act of monumental self-harm and isolation. Donald Trump, with this act, you are on the wrong side of history. Douglas Miller via Getty Images She is a woman who is today defined by a single event that happened 43 years ago - and now, and for the first time, the Dowager Countess of Lucan is having her say about the greatest British mystery of the 20th Century. It can only be hoped that this poor wretch of a woman has found some small solace in making a documentary about the grisly 1974 murder that came to shatter so many lives. The murder has utterly blighted her life and as if that wasn't hellish enough, the Countess has become estranged from all three of her children. Advertisement Although the Countess doesn't have much new to add about her murderer husband the 7th Earl of Lucan, it will be extraordinary enough just to see and hear this woman in the flesh. I can't wait. But then, like a lot of journalists, I have long been fascinated by the Lord Lucan scandal. For almost every news reporter, the Lord Lucan mystery is considered to be the Great White Whale of Scoops. We all know the answer's out there, but not one single person has come even close to cracking this most impenetrable of mysteries. Eight years back, I hit on solving the mystery in my own peculiar novelistic fashion and wrote the Earl's memoirs - Lord Lucan: My Story. Since then I have unwittingly become Britain's leading Lord Lucan expert as well as the BBC's unofficial Lucan commentator. Advertisement In the last decade, almost every member of Lucan's family, from his brother to his children, has had their say about what happened to the fugitive Earl. The only person who has never spoken - until now - has been his estranged wife Veronica. These friends and family have periodically taken a swipe at writers like me - "vultures" - for feeding on Lucan's carcase, as if they expect us lowly chattering classes to turn a blind eye to this most incredible story. But one of the things that intrigues me about the countess' documentary is that she, like the rest of Lucan's family and friends, repeats the claim that the Earl killed himself. Killed himself years ago after realising that he'd botched his wife's murder and had instead ended up bludgeoning the nanny, Sandra Rivett, to death. And as of last summer, that is now also the official story - the 7th Earl is dead, and his 49-year-old son George is the 8th Earl, everything all neatly tied up, end of the show, nothing to see here folks, nothing at all. Would that it were so simple. Would that the Lucan case could be sewn up and consigned to the history books. Advertisement Except... except there is no evidence whatsoever that Lucky Lord is dead. The only evidence that he's dead is that the old rogue hasn't been seen in four decades. That's it. Well that may be legally it. But for the rest of us rubber-necking gawkers, the Lord Lucan mystery is very far from over. It is a mystery that endlessly entices - why else would ITV be paying the dowager Countess over 50,000 for her musings, to be screened on Monday, June 5. There is some speculation about Lucan's role in Sandra Rivett's murder [Answer - he was up to his neck in it and was almost certainly the killer], but what it is that makes this story so endlessly absorbing is the mystery of what happened next. Did Lucan get away - and if so, where the hell did he end up? And as it happens, there are a few compelling pieces of evidence which indicate that the Earl might just have got away with it. Advertisement When he murdered Sandra Rivett, Lucan had two very rich friends, Jimmy Goldsmith and John Aspinall. The pair - both long since dead - were two of the most unscrupulous charlatans of their day. They had the low-life contacts to spirit Lucan out of the UK, and they also had the money to set him up in a new world with a new life. Occasionally over the years, old retainers have been interviewed. One tells of seeing Lucan being spirited out of England on a private plane; others describe how Lucan would watch his children from afar when they were on safari; and only quite recently Lucan's old wristwatch recently turned up at a South African pawnbrokers. It's not much, not much at all, but all of the actual evidence points in the same direction - Lucan may even yet be alive today. He'd only be 82. The future of one of our ancient dog breeds, the lovely Irish Red and White Setter, characterised by its distinctive red and white coat, is in jeopardy and experts believe these gorgeous dogs could die out if more people don't choose them as pets. New registration statistics released by the Kennel Club, the UK's largest dog welfare organisation, which holds a registry for pedigree dog births, have shown that numbers of Irish Red and White Setters - a breed currently thought to be as rare as the Giant Panda - have fallen so low in the UK that the breed is at risk of disappearing from Britain for good. Advertisement Numbers are now at the lowest they have been in over 30 years with only 63 born last year, and a nearly 40 per cent decrease in the last three years alone. If numbers continue to decline, both the Kennel Club and the Irish Red and White Setter Club of Great Britain, the organisation dedicated to the breed in the UK, anticipate that the breed could eventually disappear entirely in this country - in as little as a few years' time. Due to its low numbers, it is one of 29 dog breeds on the Kennel Club's list of vulnerable native British and Irish breeds, which was devised to monitor those native breeds whose numbers are below 300 puppy registrations each year, which is thought to be a suitable level to sustain a population. To put their numbers into perspective - the breed's cousin, the Irish Setter, which is characterised by its all-red coat, have around 940 pups born each year, compared to only around 90 Irish Red and Whites Setters born (on a good year). Given that the dog population in the UK hovers around 8.5 million, 90 is an incredibly worrying number. Advertisement The Kennel Club and Irish Red and White Setter Club of Great Britain believe the reason the breed is struggling is that there is no public appetite for it, because people simply do not know it exists. People are overlooking these lovely dogs in favour of more trendy, 'exotic' dogs, like the French Bulldog or Chihuahua, which is a great shame as they could be the perfect choice for people looking for a breed that fits their lifestyle. The breed would suit a range of different homes, including both rural ones with lots of open space as well as urban homes if regular exercise can be guaranteed. The breed would be perfectly suited to families looking for an affectionate, playful, intelligent and highly trainable dog who will become a loving and loyal member of the family, as they generally get on extremely well with other dogs, children and people they do not know. Active young couples or single people could also offer the perfect home for the breed, as they make incredibly intelligent and fun companions. Irish Red and White Setters are very versatile dogs and make fantastic working animals that love a day in the field, as that is what they were originally bred for, so they also suit people who enjoy countryside pursuits. It is always important to consider health issues when looking for a dog to ensure that puppy buyers end up with a pet that will lead a healthy, happy life. Irish Red and White Setters generally have very good health and have fewer health problems compared to some of the more popular breeds because careful and controlled breeding by those dedicated to protecting the breed has meant that many health problems have been eradicated. Advertisement Irish Red and White Setters really are great all round dogs and we hope that more people will consider them when choosing a dog, to help give them the future they deserve, as there are lots of people out there who could offer the breed the perfect home. Joshua Roberts / Reuters On 9 December 1948, the former first lady of the US, Eleanor Roosevelt, stood up to address the recently formed General Assembly of the United Nations. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) - which would be adopted by the UN the following day - 'may well become the Magna Carta of our times', Roosevelt said, 'an event comparable....to the proclamation...of The Declaration of the Bill of Rights by the people of the United States'. A Declaration rather a legally binding document - those would come later - the UDHR held the signatories to nothing more binding that a commitment to 'strive...by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance'. Advertisement Despite this, the Declaration would lead to an entire global system of rules and regulations on human rights, backed up in many parts of the world by effective mechanisms to ensure they are observed and upheld. The lack of a legally binding mechanism could have meant the whole project failed. But it didn't, and a key reason for this was that through the work of Roosevelt and others, and through the general commitment of successive administrations, the US threw its weight behind the UDHR. Moreover, it took off as it did because the US had also thrown its weight behind many other post-war developments: the United Nations itself, the International Criminal Court and, a little later, the initial steps towards European integration - all became set in stone and seemingly unshakable in the post-war period because the world's leading super power put its shoulder to the wheel on this. And just think for second off the context of the day: not only was the world by this stage cleaving into the camps of the Cold War, with an emerging nuclear standoff between the US and the Soviet Union but the world as a whole had just emerged from the internecine carnage of the Second World War. Advertisement To take a lead in overcoming both of these existential challenges, the US deserves enormous credit. Sure, like all super powers, it had its own interests at heart too: access to markets, the continued spread of capitalism (as well as resisting the spread of communism). But nevertheless, to lead the project to turn around the 21st century from a first half based on unimaginable bloodshed, to a second half based on peace and progress was and remains a remarkable achievement. Even just as an advert for liberal democracy and its strengths, it provided an enormous service to peoples around the world who strived and achieved freedom post-1945. This is the real tragedy of Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Accord this week. The Accord itself, like the Declaration, makes no binding commitments on its signatories, beyond calling for parties to 'undertake and communicate ambitious efforts' on the articles of the agreement, whilst conceding that these will be a 'progression over time'. As such, nothing will change significantly right now in terms of the US withdrawal. Moreover, as the Independent has pointed out this week, the real work of reducing our dependency on carbon is happening already, and will not be stopped by this move. There is much grandstanding here then from Trump. Advertisement However, it is the wider effects this grandstanding will have on international diplomacy that is the bigger tragedy here. What has happened to that great tradition of international leadership and diplomacy, no matter how flawed, epitomized by the likes of Roosevelt, Kennedy, and even Obama? To where do nascent democracies look to now for the lead example? Further, what will it mean for an international community who have always relied on the political and economic might of the US to keep the shows like this on road? What will it mean for the climate change narrative itself? We have seen how Trumps disregard for the impact of his words has inflamed racial hatred in the US following his catastrophic attempt at a Muslim travel ban. Will the climate skeptics now be even more rampant in their denial of the science? These questions will begin to play out, and soon. Finally, what does this mean for us in the UK, especially in light of next week's general election? For all of us, this election now becomes just as much about collective survival - or at the very least, the survival of a meaningful international community to confront the global challenges we face, and crucially, the role of the UK in that community. We must ask ourselves: are we happy that the UK was missing from a list of European nations who signed a declaration Friday to condemn Trump on Paris. We have to decide whether we are happy that senior members of the Conservative Party refused to criticize him, instead choosing to express 'disappointment'. This matters for GE2017. This is not just about our own economy, or even just about Brexit anymore. This is now also about making sure we elect the right politicians who will stand up to the anti-rational, anti-cooperation, anti-human wave in Western politics that Trump represents. Advertisement And finally, perhaps most of all, this is an issue for voters under 25. The climate change threat is not really the problem of the over 65s, nor even the problem of those of us in middle age. It is, therefore, not an issue for the age groups that overwhelmingly voted for Brexit and for Trump will ever have to fully face. By the time the threat manifests in full, they will be gone. So the question to the youth vote before the 8 June is now this: do you really want this largely male, pale and stale approach to Politics to shape the rest of your lives, and the lives of your children? Do you accept that decisions on climate change, the rights of women, the rights of minority groups in the West - all things that Trump has somehow assaulted - should be left in the hands of a generation who have lived the greatest era of peace and prosperity the West has ever seen and will avoid any impacts of the decisions they are now making? Or do you think that the future is yours, not theirs? A still, small voice of calm. Election campaigns are all about drama. The accusations, self-justification and traducing of the other candidates are the political equivalent of the earthquake, wind and fire which surrounded Elijah on Mount Horeb in chapter 19 of the first book of Kings. But as the hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" reminds us, the Lord did not speak through the earthquake, wind and fire, but rather in the "still, small voice of calm" which followed them. So let's try to apply the still small voice of calm to what has become one of the major issues of the campaign, Mr Corbyn's stance on terrorism. The first step, of course, is to cut through some of the nonsense. First must be the suggestion that Mr Corbyn had any sympathy whatever for those who carried out the Manchester bombing. Plainly he had not and he has said that clearly. Also it isn't fair to suggest that he has tried to politicise it. Of course politicians have views as to cause, effect and what needs to be done. That is what they are there for and if they suppressed those views for fear of giving offence then they would be failing in their duty. The suppression of views in the name of not giving offence was one of the things which stopped the process of radicalisation being confronted earlier than it was. Provided that he genuinely believes what he says, and there is no reason to doubt that, Mr Corbyn is right to say it. Advertisement What then of his past attendance at rallies and meetings with terrorists? It seems fairly obvious from what has been said by Diane Abbott and Sean O'Callaghan that these meetings took place and the suggestion that terrorists were there in their capacity as politicians is a fairly ragged fig leaf. Still, people do change and, since the full resources of the press are already focused on the extent of the meetings and on whether or not there is a strand to connect them with Mr Corbyn's current thinking, there is no point in trying to contribute to that debate here. Let's move on. It is only now that we get to what Mr Corbyn is actually saying, that British foreign policy has helped create lawless areas of the world where jihadis can fester and that this has put the British public at risk. Change the foreign policy and things will get safer. More jaw: less war; less damage: more safety. There are two things to say about that. One is factual and the other is philosophic. Because the second is the more interesting, I will get the factual point out of the way first. It cannot be the case that the exporting of Islamic terrorism to the West is solely the result of British and American foreign policy. The attack on the Twin Towers, itself the harbinger of Western intervention in Afghanistan, took place in September 2001 and, although that was six months or so after the first Gulf War, Saddam Hussein was still in place in Iraq and the meltdown of that country, Syria and Libya had not even begun. No doubt resentment of Western intervention does contribute to the wave of jihadism but there are other important factors, most notably the threat to the Islamic way of life posed by Western values - and particularly values relating to women - now pushed down the throats of young people by the internet and social media. As a general rule the key to international relations lies in domestic politics and one can just imagine how pleased deeply religious tribal elders must be when they discover that their children have been looking at porn on the Internet. It is likely, as one professional commentator has said, that the lawless spaces contribute to the threat of violence British streets but are not the main cause. Advertisement Suppose that this is wrong, though. Suppose that by withdrawing publicly from the Middle East, save to urge the protagonists towards a peace process, we could remove the threat of attacks here overnight. Would it be right to withdraw and drop our support for our allies? It is here that some of Labour's thinking seems to have got confused. Their argument, at least if you accept the approach taken by Mr Corbyn in his interview with Andrew Neil, is that the first duty is to keep the streets safe and that we need to review our foreign policy in order to meet that objective. That is to see it back to front. The basis of our foreign policy should be how best to serve our interests, and those of the world at large, at a cost which we can afford. Part of that cost may be, at least in the short term, an increased exposure to terrorism. Whether that exposure, and the other costs, are acceptable depends upon what we believe the foreign policy will achieve. The foreign policy of the West has many strands. Much of it was originally designed to counter attempts by the Soviet Union to increase its hegemony after the Second World War. We all thought that that had gone away with the removal of the Berlin Wall, but events in the Ukraine have proved us wrong. Then there has been the need to secure oil supplies from the Middle East. That has meant uncomfortable accommodation with a number of regimes whose values are very different from our own, but no government could accept the destruction of our economy that was the alternative. Then there was the expulsion of the Taliban from Afghanistan to combat the export of terrorism from bases in that country. It may or may not have worked but we clearly had an interest in it. There are many other strands besides, some safeguarding our own interests and some more altruistic. Each of them has a price. Perhaps we could relax our international presence and rely on the US to cover us for a bit, but if other European nations took the same line we would become more and more at the mercy of the next threat to come along and increasingly unable to help our friends. Goodbye Ukraine; goodbye Baltic States; one day, goodbye us. It is to avoid getting into this position that we take our place in the defence of the West, including military intervention in other countries' affairs. Sometimes that is well judged and sometimes, as in Libya, it is disastrous, but that is why we do it and that is why we should see an increase in terrorism as part of the price we pay for a wider freedom and for the deployments we believe necessary to support it. Sometimes that price will be too high for the advantage being pursued, sometimes acceptable. A balance has to be struck each time. What cannot be right is that we should regard our short term safety at home as paramount and judge our foreign policy solely by reference to whether it increase or decreases it. It is a much larger game than that. The father arrived at the clinic with one child in his arms and another in a stroller. Obviously distraught, he would not let the stroller out of his sight. It took a few moments for me to register the gravity of what had happened: the children had been hit in a crossfire -- one of them fatally. The father, faced with the inconceivable decision of having to seek care for one wounded child and burying the other, had no choice but to bring both to the clinic. The sound of mortars crashed in the distance as he tried to navigate saving one child's life, while mourning the loss of the other. As a father of four, this scene will forever be seared in my memory. I have spent over eighteen months in Iraq as the director of mental health and psychosocial support for the humanitarian organisation International Medical Corps. I have witnessed indescribable suffering and heard tragic stories of loss, but nothing could have prepared me for this moment. Tragedies like this play out every day in Mosul. Iraq's second largest city was under control of ISIL for more than two years. In October 2016, the military operations to retake the city began in the city's eastern suburbs as Iraqi Security Forces pushed further and further into the city. The eastern half of Mosul was reclaimed by Iraqi Security Forces early this year, but the fight for western half of the Tigris River grinds on. Families -- like the man I saw outside the clinic -- are caught in between. Advertisement International Medical Corps is providing medical care, mental health care, psychosocial support services and gender-based violence prevention and support to people seeking refuge in displacement camps east and south of the city. As areas in Mosul became accessible, our teams, with funding from the European Union's humanitarian budget and OFDA, started to help eight clinics get back on their feet caring for patients after more than two years of neglect under ISIL rule followed by conflict. My focus was to assess how we could support primary health clinics in eastern Mosul to care for the psychological and emotional impact of the on-going conflict. Across the eight primary health clinics, we heard from staff how they needed everything, from medicines to generator fuel. Some had been hit by car bombs and shells and sprayed with bullets. From a mental health care side, we heard again and again how people needed psychological support, but the infrastructure was heavily impacted and it could not be provided. While caring for physical trauma from Mosul's frontlines in essential, services have to be made available to help families with the psychological trauma of living under ISIL and war. Many people in Mosul have lost loves ones. Hundreds of thousands have fled with whatever they could carry to live in camps. All of them are uncertain of if and when peace will be restored and how they will begin to rebuild the lives they once knew. The psychological toll can naturally lead to mental health problems like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, in my work responding to crises and conflicts, I have seen time and time again the tremendous impact relatively modest interventions can have to reduce psychological distress specifically on the longer term. This includes connecting people to information -- like where to seek health care among other basic services and what they are entitled to when they arrive in a camp -- as well as responding to their needs and concerns in a comforting, grounding way. Advertisement This approach, known as Psychological First Aid, is simple, but the impact can be very powerful. If first responders -- from volunteers, youth, community members, doctors to camp managers -- receive people who have just experienced a stressful event, they are fuelling chaos and uncertainty. Instead, if people are met in a calm, compassionate way and given information they need, we can subtly promote a sense of security and empower families to make decisions on their next steps. International Medical Corps has been supporting this in camps and in east Mosul and other places by training case managers, volunteers, and health care providers in Psychological First Aid. We also provided them with basic training on common mental health issues so that they can quickly identify warning signs and symptoms and connect them to available care as needed. The hope is to expand the baseline services and referral networks so that communities can better take care of each other. It is a well-documented phenomenon that PhD students are in a mental health crisis. It is currently estimated that half of all PhD students suffer from psychological distress, and anecdotally I have seen many of my peers struggling with anxiety and depression. I began my PhD, like many, with hopes that it would be an opportunity for me to grow and develop. It's true, I've achieved a lot of things I never would have thought possible. I've signed up for the Great North Run; spoken at international conferences; and organised events in a World Heritage site. I have also, however, experienced a great sense of isolation while doing the thesis. I've struggled with terrible landlords and bouts of illness. Through all of this, I have been very aware of how lonely writing a PhD can be. I've always been a very social creature, so I found it particularly hard. While there is a research space at my department, I live a little way out of town and can't justify losing the writing time to a long public transport commute. This means I spend a lot of my time sitting at my computer in my room. Thankfully, I'm not living alone this year, but when I was I found it very difficult to cope with the sense of remoteness. The PhD itself can often feel quite isolating. You sequester yourself away and immerse yourself in a topic for which few people will share your enthusiasm. I began blogging about writing up, and found a thriving community of fellow PhDers, eager to share their experiences. People would private message me, asking for advice about things like changing supervisors or dealing with stress. When I posted asking if anyone found emails an anxiety trigger, I was inundated with responses. Advertisement I was aware that I was fighting the tide somewhat, trying to use social media to make people feel better instead of worse. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have been linked to mental health problems. Instagram, the site where my blog gained the largest following, has been criticised for being the worst for exacerbating feelings of depression, anxiety, or loneliness. To combat this, I took a few steps. Firstly, I post no pictures of myself on The PhD Write Up, rather focusing on things from my point of view. I don't want readers to compare themselves to me, but rather to see things through my eyes. Next, I try to be honest. I talk about when I'm having a hard time, struggling to get things done, or just feeling low. I don't sugar coat or glamourise writing a PhD, many of my photos are of cups of coffee or my laptop. Finally, I try to be positive. When someone completes their thesis, has paper published, or does a conference presentation I always try to congratulate them. If someone seems down I ask if they're okay. When people send me words of encouragement I thank them personally. These little steps of digital courtesy can mean a lot to someone who might be spending their entire day staring at a screen. Christopher Furlong via Getty Images On the morning of 18th April when Theresa May called the General Election, everything looked pretty rosy in Conservative central office. An ICM poll for The Guardian the same day gave them a 21-point lead over Labour, which when translated into seats would have handed them a landslide majority. Fast forward six weeks, - now in the tail-end of the campaign the world looks a very different place. The latest poll from YouGov has Labour within three points of the Conservatives, precipitating talk of a hung parliament. It appears the wheels have come off the Conservative campaign. So what has gone wrong? Advertisement In calling the election, when she had promised she wouldn't, Theresa May had hoped to look strong but instead ends up looking weak. This is exactly the same position that Gordon Brown ended up in when he refused to call a General Election in 2007 when Labour was doing similarly well in the polls - but in reverse. She committed the number one cardinal sin of politics, which is to fail to clearly articulate policy - in this case on social care - and what it means for the electorate and correctly predict the way in which that policy announcement will go down with the electorate. What makes it worse is, this was a policy aimed at a particularly important section of the electorate, specifically pensioners, which the Conservative party relies on for its electoral success. The same problem, but to a much lesser extent, that struck Margaret Thatcher with the introduction of the Poll Tax has hit Theresa May now. Why on earth did she try to initiate a contentious policy on social care in an election that she was almost certain to win? The 'Dementia Tax', as the social care policy has come to be known, is now firmly tied to her bid for leadership. The announcement was supposed to make her look strong and capable of tackling the big issues that politicians have always been scared to touch. Instead, with the belated U-turn announcement of a cap on social care, a day after the manifesto launch and after sustained pressure from inside her party, she looks weak. Advertisement The Conservatives' message at the start of the campaign centred entirely around Theresa May's leadership style and her ability to steer Britain through the Brexit negotiations. The perceived indecision and inability to negotiate with her own party over social care has led people to question whether she truly has the character the Conservatives built their campaign around. 'If she can U-turn this quickly on domestic policy', is how the electorate is starting to think, 'what is she going to do when she is negotiating with the leaders of 27 European countries on our Brexit terms?' The perception of Theresa May as a weak leader is starting to dominate the political narrative. In the early stages of the campaign her decision not to participate in the TV debates was overlooked by the media but now, after she was ambushed by Corbyn's last minute appearance in the leader debate on Sky on 31st May, she looks weak. With their poll lead narrowing, the Conservatives are some way from where they thought they were going to be at this stage in the campaign. Their dreams of destroying the Labour party by scooping up great swathes of working-class Northerns are in tatters. So much for Theresa May's pitch to charm the 'just-about-managing'. So, with the initiative and momentum of their campaign lost, where do the Conseratives go in these crucial last few days? They definitely need to continue to highlight Jeremy Corbyn's weaknesses as a leader, his indifference over Britain's relationship with the European Union and the gaps between his own personal views on issues such as the Trident nuclear deterrent and the manifesto that the Labour party are presenting to the country. The Conservatives, under a revitalised Lynton Crosby-led campaign, are likely to try to avoid being overly negative about Corbyn's character but develop lines of argument that attack him on his own policies and leadership. By going over-the-top on personal negative attacks they risk looking bullying and desperate. Expect them to go hell-for-leather over the next few days on defence, security and terrorism, and to contrast their own policies with previous statements made by Corbyn, for example on the IRA in direct mail, telephone messages and social media advertising. There may also be the sense of deja vu when the Conservatives rekindle the threat, as they did in the 2015 General Election campaign, of the dangers of a Labour/SNP alliance taking power in the event of a hung parliament. I'm not sure the electorate will buy this argument from them a second time and they risk falling into the trap of being seen to be manipulative, which always neutralises any persuasive appeal. For Labour, they have succeeded - not always by their own design - in turning the campaign onto social justice issues, traditionally one of their strongest policy areas with the electorate. They have galvanised a coagulation of left wing voters, squeezing out the Lib Dems and the Greens in an informal anti-Tory alliance. To the millions of people (mostly Americans in the rust belt, I'd say) who know little to nothing about Islam, it would be forgivable for them to assume that Ramadan, the Muslim month of charity, piety and fasting, is actually all about weeding out terrorists who would kill Muslims and non-Muslims alike. If there was ever a statement by a nation's leader devoid of any grace, it would have to President Trump's Ramadan message. See here https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/26/statement-president-donald-j-trump-ramadan Ramadan for the majority of the world's 1.7 billion Muslims is not a political event. It is a spiritual one in which we struggle and strive to become better human beings. Advertisement My own struggle begins in the weeks running up to the first day of Ramadan. It is a mental preparation, an endless state of worrying about how I will cope with the deprivation of sustenance to my body. How low will my sugar levels drop? Will I become cranky, rude and impatient, all of which are heavily frowned upon in Ramadan. The fast is not just about rejecting food and water from sunrise to sunset. It actually requires the Muslim to reject anger, and unkind words and thoughts. Backbiting, lying and swearing are not allowed; all of which are considered sinful in the Quran. Ramadan is the month to purify the soul and to seek a closer relationship with God by reflecting in our behaviour the three names by which He is most referred to in the Quran: The Kind. The Merciful. The Generous. The Muslim has to be kind to parents, to the elderly, to the sick and to young children. We have to pay 2.5% of our total savings and wealth annually to the poor and the orphans which is called Zakat (which we do in Ramadan for its increased blessings). A Muslim is not permitted to live well without responsibility to the poor. It is a non-negotiable requirement of Islam. A pillar. Advertisement The Charity Commission revealed that British Muslims donated 100 million during Ramadan 2016 which ran from 5 June until 5 July. (These are just the UK's Muslims who number less than three million and are 5% of the total population) See here https://charitycommission.blog.gov.uk/2016/07/14/ramadan-making-a-real-difference/ This is on top of all the legal tax we pay in the country we call home. Ramadan is about becoming a better human being. A generous one. A kind one. A merciful one. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our free email alerts for the top Hull Foodies stories sent straight to your e-mail Rejoice, it is national fish and chips day! Arguably the greatest food day of the year, weve taken a look at the very best chippies around the region, as selected by you, on TripAdvisor. We all know Friday is officially chippy night but given National Fish and Chips day has spookily fallen on a Friday, it would be wrong not to indulge a little. To help you, here is the guide to the best places to get fish and chip as selected by you in the city of Hull. Kingfisher Fish and Chips 577 Spring Bank West , Kingston-upon-Hull HU3 6LD 5 out of 5 Reviewers were full of praise for this west Hull chippy, celebrating quick, quality service with a smile. One customer posted: "Stopped here to get a typical fish and chip takeaway, and was not disappointed. The service was good and the food was excellent. Recommend this typical fish and chip shop to anyone with a taste for fish and chips." Another said: "Quick service, friendly staff and excellent choice - good value too." A.M Fisheries 1137 Hessle Road Hull, East Yorkshire HU4 6SB 5 out of 5 With Hessle Road's fishing heritage, is it any wonder it will be the home to one of the city's more popular chippies? It certainly seems to be keeping its customers happy according to TripAdvisor reviews, with one saying: "Most other chippies have, at times, served me something that I've not enjoyed eating but A&M have never done that despite repeated visits." Another says: "The fish is always delicious, the chips are crispy and piping hot and don't even get me started on Rita's homemade patties... God I love living in Hull." East Park Chippy 520 Holderness Rd, Hull HU9 3DT 4.5 out of 5 Possibly one of the city's most famous fish and chip shops, this is the perfect place for a chip butty after a walk around East Park. One customer posted on TripAdvisor: "Excellent service, has got loads of food to choose from. The fish patties are awesome. There is also a cafe attached if you would like a more relaxing place." Another posted: "There are fish and chip restaurants and then there is East Park Chippy! Kingston upon Hull is the home of fish and chips and East Park is the home of fish and chips in Hull, just about says it all." Frydays 15 Hull Rd, Anlaby, Hull HU10 6SP 4.5 out of 5 Frydays seems to be a particularly big hitter with Cottingham residents, with some taking to the review site saying: "Never had a bad fish and chips from here. Always freshly cooked definitely Cottingham's finest." Others have said: "Excellent food, service and value", and yet more have said they believe East Yorkshire is the best place in the UK for fish and chips and "having one of the best on my doorstep is fantastic". Cave Street Fisheries 2 Cave St, Hull HU5 2TZ 4.5 out of 5 This fish and chip shop has won high praise - and not just from local customers. One visitor from Blackpool said: "Staying over in Hull, with friends we were treated to a fish supper which was probably the best in its class. "What almighty piece of haddock, you could have landed a Harrier jump jet on it! The chips were indescribably yummy, even though I risked multiple organ failure, I ate the lot. Mustn't forget the pattie, seasoned with sage and it soaked up the gallon of malt vinegar and chip spice." Newtons Fish and Chips 14 Market Pl, Patrington, Hull HU12 0RB 4.5 out of 5 Visitors to this takeaway were full of praise for this chip shop, particularly its varied menu. One visitor posted to TripAdvisor: "Top class Fish and Chips, after arriving back from holidays away, the first stop when off the plane and returning home is Newton's Fish and Chips in Patrington. "The shop is ultra modern, super clean and all the staff very pleasant and efficient. "There is a varied menu with plenty of choice for the family member not too keen on fish. Highly recommended and well worth a visit." Sue Downs Fish and Chip Shop 292 Marfleet La, Hull HU9 5TF 4 out of 5 This is a little beauty of a restaurant according to some of the customers who have posted on TripAdvisor. One visitor said: "Beautiful food. Me and the family eat often never disappointed. "The shop is clean with excellent food hygiene rating. The fish is always fresh and tasty." Papas Great Gutter Lane West, Willerby, HU10 6DP 4 out of 5 There are few who haven't a good word to say about Papa's, either in their Willerby or in their east Hull restaurants. Having recently tasted success at the National Fish & Chip Awards, the Willerby restaurant also houses a fishing museum for diners. With bookings often required to get a seat, one reviewer said: "Took friends from Birmingham and was my first visit. Had heard mixed reviews but what a lovely place. Very reasonably priced. Lovely, friendly young staff. Food was delicious, couldn't fault anything. Will definitely return." Bob Carvers 3 Chapel Street Hull, HU1 3PA and 9 Trinity House Lane, HU1 2JA 3.5 out of 5 Another popular choice, Bob Carver's is as much at home at Hull Fair as its restaurants are in the city. The queues snaking around its stall are legendary. Of its restaurant and takeaway in Trinity House Lane, one reviewer said: "Myself and my husband visited the restaurant today and had the tastiest fish and chips we've ever had! Any visitor to Hull for the City of Culture celebrations must make a stop here!!" Goldenfry Fish and Chips 41-42 Savile Street, HU1 3EA 3.5 out of 5 Staff in particular won praise on TripAdvisor for this city centre eaterie. One visitor said: "I have to say a real well done to the staff the queue was really long and fair enough it did take a while to get served but the staff were working as fast as possible. The fish and chips were lovely I would definitely recommend to other people. Hope you have great success for the rest of the City of Culture year." Other people were just as complimentary, saying it is in a great city centre location and "although the restaurant can get rather cramped, the fish and chips are fine". Atlantis 1 1020 Anlaby Rd, Hull HU4 6AT 3 out of 5 Now wed like to tell us which is your favourite chippy from this list by taking part in our vote. Well then announce the winner later on. poll loading Which of these is your favourite fish and chip shop in Hull? 500+ VOTES SO FAR Kingfisher Fish and Chips A.M Fisheries East Park Fisheries Frydays Cave Street Fisheries Newton's Fish and Chips Sue Downs Fish and Chip Shop Papa's Bob Carver's Goldenfry Fish and Chips Atlantis 1 Of course, if your favourite isnt on the list please tell us which one it is by commenting below. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to the Hull Live newsletter for daily updates and breaking news Hull KR are set to announce new deals with four members of their squad in the coming days including star centre Andrew Heffernan. Along with back-rower Joe Cator and props Josh Johnson and Robbie Mulhern, the Australian is close to penning a new deal at the Robins beyond 2018, allaying any doubts over his future at KCOM Craven Park. Scoring 14 tries in just 16 matches during his debut campaign in east Hull, Heffernan has quickly become a fans favourite and after revealing to the Mail last month about his desire to remain at the club, an announcement could be imminent. Elsewhere Cator, who has impressed within the last fortnight stepping up from City of Hull Academy duties into Tim Sheens first team, is poised to agree new terms on a deal which would see him pen a first-team contract. After making his KR debut away at Wigan Warriors last March in Super League, the 19-year-olds confidence has grown tenfold and is likely to extend his stay at his hometown club for at least another two years. Johnson, a solid acquisition from NRL feeder side Redcliffe Dolphins earlier this season, is another player locked in contract talks but willing to remain at Rovers, whilst Mulhern is also close to agreeing terms for a third campaign in KR colours. Sheens admits contract discussions have been fruitful within the entire squad and is hopeful of bringing positive news to Rovers fans shortly. Those contract negotiations have been happening constantly. I think well have some news over the next few days on Heffernan, Johnson and Mulhern, Sheens told the Mail. Id have liked the contracts signed yesterday! But the boys are close to signing and sorting it out so when it happens, it happens. With Joe, weve discussed an ongoing extension and hes agreed to terms. Its not been signed at this point but at this stage weve agreed to it. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up for our free newsletter for crime and punishment stories sent straight to your inbox He shot to fame after challenging a motorcyclist to a 'bare-knuckle fight' during a heated road-rage row. Now, Ronnie Pickering has been in court after having a fight while defending his neighbourhood from an alleged drug-dealer. Pickering confronted a man near his Bransholme home who had been causing problems for a female neighbour. Asked what he was doing, the man told Pickering he was "hiding", and was met with a flurry of punches - including a "right hook" that cut his lip. Summarising the case at Hull Magistrates' Court, District Judge Frederick Rutherford said: "He doesn't accept the complainant's excuse, that he's hiding from a friend who he doesn't want to see. "Mr Pickering perhaps loses his temper. He's angered at the strange explanation, he's protective of the property, and his own, because he says he's been burgled twice, and strikes out at the gentleman, causing injury. "Mr Pickering, when he's arrested, is still under some emotional strain because he's taken to hospital with chest pains. "But he's discharged and says to the police, 'I'm fine, I can be interviewed'." Pickering made admissions in interview that he had struck out in the "heat of the moment", the judge said. But Pickering, who celebrated his 56th birthday on Tuesday with a court appearance when the case was first listed, did not accept any of his punches landed. His solicitor, Catherine Schofield, told the judge: "Sir, he's always accepted he struck out. "For the last two years this friend has had this gentleman dealing drugs outside her property. He says he went to lunge towards him on a couple of occasions; he doesn't say he actually connected." "Well, somebody's connected with him because he's injured," said the judge. John Owston, prosecuting, said: "The officer says there was blood. He's seen blood on his lips, which the complainant says was the result of being punched." Referring back to what Pickering told police, District Judge Rutherford said: "He says he must have made contact with the victim. He's sorry for his behaviour and wants to say sorry to him." Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now Miss Schofield said: "He doesn't believe he's actually made contact. The injuries I've seen, it's underneath his lip. Inside." "Well how's he got that, then?" the judge asked. Mr Owston said: "I'm prepared to accept that the second and third punches didn't land, but the officer is quite clear that it was a full-strength punch to the head - a right hook - it causes the complainant to stumble." Pickering, of Kingscott Close, Bransholme, was then given time to confer with his solicitor. When they came back into court, Miss Schofield said: "He will accept that perhaps the first blow did connect." "So it's a guilty plea now, is it?" the judge asked. "Yes," said Pickering, to a single charge of assault by beating on April 28. He was cautioned for assault in 2011, but his last court appearance was in 1999, the court heard. Mr Owston said evidence suggested the victim was a drug user, not a dealer. Pickering, who was told he had reacted "very badly", was discharged conditionally for two years, and was ordered to pay 100 compensation to the victim, which will be deducted from his benefits. In September 2015, Pickering became a global internet sensation when moped rider Steve Middleton filmed him on a GoPro camera shouting at him and posted it on YouTube. Pickering was in his Citroen Xsara when Mr Middleton overtook him then waited at the front of a queue of traffic. His expletive-laden outburst included the offer of a "bare-knuckle fight" and repeated demands to see if Mr Middleton knew who he was. "I'm Ronnie Pickering,", Pickering declared, a number of times. In February, Pickering was in the news again when squaring up to boxer Tommy Coyle's dad, Chris, at a weigh-in. 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. On May 26, a male nurse from Chinas Capital Institute of Pediatrics inspired a child suffering from blood cancer by wearing a Spiderman costume in a stage show held by the hospital. The nurse Ji Changxu hopes to encourage him to be confident, just like the superhero, so that he can overcome the hardships in his life. Tianyou, the 6-year-old boy, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on Apr. 28. His family has spent over 120,000 RMB on cancer treatment to date, and much more is needed. When he first arrived at the hospital, Tianyou was afraid of having his blood drawn. Ji gave him a Spiderman toy after learning that the child is a fan of the superhero, and told him to be brave. About 4-6 out of 100,000 people in China are suffering from blood cancer. Around 40,000 new cased are added each year, forty percent of which are children. Advanced technology has been able to alleviate about 80-90 percent of the patients and cure about 60-70 percent of them. The Cancer Center Community Crusaders Day of Celebration and National Cancer Survivors Day will be combined at SVMC this year. Berkshires Beat: Cancer Center Community Crusaders Annual Event Joins with Survivors Day Kicking cancer: For the last few years, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, Vt., has hosted two cancer-related events during the first weekend in June: The Cancer Center Community Crusaders Day of Celebration on Saturday and National Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday. For the first time in 2017, the events will be combined. Both events will be held on Saturday, June 3. The program schedule begins with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Cupcake tasting, raffles, music and kids activities like inflatable bounce houses and face paintingcontinue throughout the day. Attendees are invited to tour the Cancer Centers newest addition, the linear accelerator, with Dr. Matthew Vernon, radiation oncologist, each hour 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The linear accelerator delivers high doses of radiation to cancer cells in a much more precise and faster manner than allowed by previous technologies, which improves the patient experience through reduced treatment times, fewer side effects, and less damage to neighboring normal organs. In addition, survivors who received treatment at SVRCC and their families are especially invited to a complimentary lunch buffet noon to 2 p.m. Food will also be available for purchase. Community organizations, families and friends of cancer patients, and anyone else who would like to raise funds in support of local cancer patients are invited to volunteer or set up a game booth or activity to benefit the event. Call Carson Thurber at 802-447-5488 or e-mail carson.thurber@svhealthcare.org. Kindergarten screening: North Adams Public Schools will conduct kindergarten screenings on the following days: Thursday, June 1, and Friday, June 2, at Colegrove Park Elementary School, 24 Church St., for students attending Colegrove Park Elementary in the fall; Monday, June 5, and Tuesday, June 6, at Brayton Elementary, 20 Brayton Hill Terrace, for students attending Brayton Elementary in the fall; and Friday, June 9, and Monday, June 12, at Greylock Elementary, 100 Phelps Ave., for students attending Greylock Elementary in the fall. Appointments are needed; no walk-ins. Scheduled appointments will take place between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To schedule an appointment for kindergarten screening, please call Bobbi at 413-776-1666. Children must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2017, to qualify for kindergarten. These dates are for screenings for children who have already completed the registration process. If you havent registered your child yet, call 413-776-1666 to start the process. Twenty for Twenty: The Berkshire Immigrant Center announces a new Twenty for Twenty fundraising campaign beginning June 1 to honor national Immigrant Heritage Month in June and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of BIC. The Twenty for Twenty campaign will aim to raise $20,000 in donations for the nonprofit organization. The campaign begins June 1s and will continue through the Fourth of July. Contributions will support BICs work to support the needs of individuals and families who have moved to the Berkshires from other countries. Donations of any amount are welcome; make a pledge via email to BIC Development Coordinator Sheryl Lechner at sheryl@berkshireic.com; or by donating via the secure PayPal Donate link on the BIC website. The center remains the only program in Berkshire County that focuses exclusively on meeting the unique challenges of a continuously growing immigrant and refugee population. Currently, approximately 10 percent of the total population of Berkshire County is foreign-born. Immigrant Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to reflect on the heritage of our own families, and to support our New Americans in the ways we wish our relatives had been supported. BIC provides services to an average of 800 clients annually, from more than 70 different countries; the agency assists them to make successful economic, psychological, and cultural adjustments, helping to ensure they can live up to their full potential and become active community members. Toddler time: Berkshire Country Day School will be expanding its Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool program to include 2-year-olds for the 2017-2018 school year. This program, enrolling up to 10 children aged 24-35 months, will be led by experienced educators in a flexible classroom suite, and there will be a new project and play area shared with the schools existing 3- and 4-year-old program. Children will enjoy ready access to the many resources of the historic 27-acre campusfrom an adjacent playground to the new Kim and James Taylor Music/Performance Space. A variety of enrollment options are available, ranging from three half-days (8 a.m. to noon) to five full-days (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and after school care will be available as needed (3 to 5:30 p.m). For more information, contact Alexandra Heddinger at 413-637-0755, ext. 116, or aheddinger@berkshirecountryday.org. Suicide conference: A full-day conference titled Trauma, Suicide, and Addiction in the Berkshires: What We Can Do will be held at Jiminy Peak Conference Center, 11 Corey Road in Hancock, Mass., on Thursday, June 1, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee of $30, with an additional $30 fee for participants earning continuing education credits. Supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program, this conference is sponsored in a joint effort by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Berkshire County, the Brien Center, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Berkshire Area Health Education Center, and Berkshire Health Systems. The Berkshires, the Commonwealth and the nation are in the middle of an epidemic of suicide, opioid and alcohol poisoning, and chronic liver disease. The conference focuses on understanding how adverse childhood experiences predispose to these events and how trauma-informed approaches to prevention and care can lead to healing and growth. Participants can choose between workshops offered on youth as well as adult topics. Presentations will be given by Dr. Alex Sabo, Dr. Brenda Butler, Dr. Jennifer Michaels, Dr. Andrew Gerber, and Franklin Cook. For more details and to register, visit the website. Elder grants: Elder Services of Berkshire County has opened a Request for Proposals process for Sub Grants under Title III of the Older Americans Act. These funds enable organizations, businesses, and coalitions to develop programs that offer specialized services to the elder community. Grants typically range between $1,000 and $5,000 and run for a one-year term, and may have the option for renewal. The application process begins with a Letter of Intent due by June 2. The entire Request for Proposals can be viewed on the agencys website at www.esbci.org and final proposals are due on June 16 by 4 p.m. For more information, contact Rhonda Serre, Outreach & Advancement, at 413-499-0524, ext. 728, or rserre@esbci.org. The Advisory Board is pushing the Selectmen to find a way to keep Cheshire School intact until the budget votes later this month June. Cheshire Told It Can't File Injunction Against Regional School District CHESHIRE, Mass. Cheshire does not meet the criteria to file an injunction to keep Cheshire Elementary School from closing. After a nearly three-hour meeting Tuesday during which the Selectmen approved the $5,902,686 fiscal 2018 budget and town warrant, officials met with Advisory Board about that board's request to take legal action against the Adams Cheshire Regional School District Selectwoman Carol Francesconi said Town Counsel Edmund St. John III told her it was not possible because the town does not meet the injunction requirements. "We don't meet any of them and we can't prove a lot of them," she said. "Right off the bat, we have to prove this. We are doomed before we even begin." Francesconi said an injunction would be the beginning of a lawsuit and the town would have to show cause that it could win the case. To even start this process, the town would have to prove that the School Committee had no right to close the school, which it does. The town would also have to prove irreparable damage and show that there were no alternatives available to closing the school. She said all of this criteria must be met for a judge to approve an injunction. The regional School Committee voted last month to close the preK-5 school as part of the spending plan for fiscal 2018. The children will attend Plunkett School in Adams and the expanded middle school program at Hoosac Valley High School. Advisory Board member John Tremblay urged the Selectmen to find a way to slow the process down because the towns have yet to pass the budget or vote on the Cheshire amendment to the district agreement that would allow it to fund the school independently without triggering a proportional increase in Adams. "This has not been fully decided yet and until the budgets are approved, it really isn't done. We don't know what is going to happen until June 24," he said. "There is a likelihood that this isn't final but once they move everything out it will be hard to move back." Francesconi said the district owns everything in the school and can move whatever it wants. Tremblay asked if the town could just lock up the building because it owns it. Advisory Board member Justin Kruszyna said a lot of people in town are still set on keeping the school open and more needs to happen. He suggested bringing on special legal counsel. "Maybe we need to bring someone on who is an expert in education who can find that one thing," he said. "We want a specialized lawyer to find a reason anything to keep that school open." Tremblay agreed and added that although legally the town must follow town counsel's opinion, it may be best to hire an independent attorney who may provide a different opinion. St. John is counsel for both Adams and Cheshire. Francesconi said St. John literally just gave her the legal definition of an injunction. She added that she did not feel as though there was a conflict of interest because the attorney has recused himself in the past if he had a conflict or felt he did not have the background to properly serve the town. Selectman Edmund St. John IV said this would only likely come up if the town decided to sue the school district. St. John IV added that the town really needs to turn its efforts to substantially amending the district agreement to give Cheshire more say. In other business, St. John IV asked if it would it be appropriate to discuss increasing the town administrator's salary so that when a new administrator is hired the hours could be increased. "One of the things that really ran constant through the master plan process was having a town administrator in town more than one day a week," he said. "I don't know if it is proper to do this yet but I am wondering if it is something we should budget for." Currently Town Administrator Mark Webber works one day a week in town and said although he has no plans to retire, it is something the town will eventually need to talk about. "I don't think you are ready yet to throw out a number for what you deserve and as I said before I think you need someone that can give you more time," he said. "Twenty hours may be the minimum but I think you have to develop in your minds exactly what you want." American Institute for Economic Research Names Next President GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Edward P. Stringham, a prominent U.S. political economist and thought leader in the field of private governance, has been named president of the American Institute for Economic Research, an 84-year-old research and education organization headquartered in Great Barrington. In addition, he will serve as the organization's director of research and education. The appointment, announced by AIERs Board of Trustees, was effective May 24. "Dr. Stringham's accomplishments and experience make him uniquely qualified to build upon AIERs great traditions and lead the institute in fulfilling its goals," said AIER Chairman Gregory van Kipnis. "We are confident that under his intellectual leadership AIER will succeed in carrying out its mission of educating the American people on the value of personal freedom, free enterprise, property rights, limited government and sound money in advancing peace, prosperity and human progress." Stringham, who is the K.W. Davis Professor of Economic Organizations and Innovation at Trinity College in Connecticut, is a frequent contributor to both academic journals and the popular media. In addition to his position at Trinity, he also serves as editor of the Journal of Private Enterprise. He also is past president of the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics and the Association of Private Enterprise Education. iciHaiti - FLASH : Enrollment in the UNDH MBA program The University of Notre Dame of Haiti (UNDH) recalls that until June 30, 2017, it will receive applications for a new cohort of 30 students who wish to be part of the Master of Business Administration (MBA-UNDH) program. Applicants must already hold a university degree and have at least 5 years of experience in their respective fields of professional activity. Recall that the MBA aims to train high-level managers and entrepreneurs able to think well about the different aspects of business creation. Courses for this group will begin in September 2017 in Port-Au-Prince and will only take place at the end of the week. A 3-credit course per month while working full-time requires effort and sacrifice. The program of study will last 15 months. All courses will be under the responsibility of qualified teachers, Haitians and foreigners, all holder of a doctorate in the subject taught. Successful graduates will receive a master's degree from Haiti, a second master's degree from Puerto Rico and a certificate from Crestcom International present in more than 60 countries on five continents. Download the registration form : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/MBA-formulaire-demande-admission.pdf Documents to be provided for the application : - The completed and signed application form - 3 letters of recommendation signed individually in sealed envelopes - Photocopies of the diploma (s) of license or master's degree obtained - Photocopies of National Identification Card (NIC) - 2 Recent Photos - Official record of marks obtained at the university level under seal - The proof of deposit of 100 US dollars of non-refundable study fees on one of the bank accounts of the program (Both accounts are in the name of UNDH-MBA): Unibank: dollars account: 141-1022-1416726. Sogebank: dollar account: 111-6000-199. Cost of the MBA and other information on: www.mba-undh.edu.ht/inscription For more information, visit : www.mba-undh.edu.ht or call at (509)4884-8888 IC/ iciHaiti MADRID, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Spain is willing to expand cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, especially in infrastructure, Spanish State Secretary for Commerce Marisa Poncela said on Thursday. Bilateral cooperation should encompass such areas as infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation as well as investment and finance, Poncela said at the forum "Business Opportunities for Spanish Companies under the Belt and Road Initiative." The Initiative connects almost 60 percent of the world's population and offers enormous opportunities, said Poncela. "All the tools of the State Secretariat for Commerce are available for this initiative." "Spain has 4 commercial offices throughout China that analyze how projects are done and how they collaborate with our companies and institutions through our tools to help them present the best offer," she said. Spain wants to have not only a land connection through railway but also a maritime connection, the state secretary for commerce added. "We want the maritime connection between China and Europe to end in Spain, in our ports, Barcelona, Valencia, in all of our ports in the Mediterranean, or even beyond, in our country." The forum, jointly organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Investments of China in Spain (CCINCE) and the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), attracted some 200 representatives from major institutions and enterprises in China and Spain. Vice President of the CEOE, Juan Pablo Lazaro, said, "The Belt and Road Initiative has aroused among our business fabric and our members and partners a lot of interest because of the ambition and magnitude it has." He said this network of infrastructure and communications along its path of logistics and industrial centers is a great opportunity to integrate Asian markets, and promote the economic development of Eurasia, China and the European Union. Lazaro said Spanish entrepreneurs "have welcomed the initiative with great interest, considering that we can contribute with our management capacity, our knowledge in the sectors." Spain has an essential logistics position in Europe, Latin America and the North of Africa, he said, highlighting Madrid as a logistical hub in this regard. 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. BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China will set up two to four large combustible ice bases for industrial development, the Ministry of Land and Resources (MOLR) said Friday. The government will also formulate regulation and other industrial procedures, according to Li Jinfa, deputy director of the China Geological Survey under the MOLR. China is estimated to have 80 billion tonnes of oil equivalent combustible ice, according to Li. Yu Haifeng, a senior official with the MOLR, suggested setting combustible ice as a new mineral species and including its development in the category of emerging strategic sectors to encourage enterprises exploit the resource. Combustible ice usually exists in seabed or tundra areas, which have the high pressure and low temperature necessary for its stability. It is flammable like solid ethanol. China announced its success on May 18 in collecting samples of combustible ice in the South China Sea after nearly two decades of research and exploration, a major breakthrough that may lead to a global energy revolution. China to step up management of online audio-visual programming BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China's press and publication regulator has ordered audio-visual service providers and individuals not to air so-called "unabridged audio-visual programs." The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has issued a document strengthening the regulation of video and audio programs on Internet. The providers and individuals were asked to foster and promote socialist core values but not to distort history, beautify reactionary ideas or defy heroes and role models, it said. They should also oppose "boring games, extravagant banquets and reckless pursuits of influence by celebrities," according to the statement. Standard language and text must be used and relevant laws and traditions be observed in various audio-visual programs on Internet, it said. Online platforms, radio and TV stations are prohibited from airing TV series and films without authorization, it said. STOCKHOLM Dr Fatih Birol, the IEA's Executive Director, met with Hon. Ibrahim Baylan, Sweden's Minister for Policy Co-ordination and Energy, and the Chair of the next IEA Ministerial Meeting, which will be held in Paris in November 2017. Minister Baylan expressed his strong support for the IEA's modernization strategy, including the progress to open the IEA's doors to emerging economies, a success story that will be highlighted at the Ministerial. Since the last Ministerial Meeting, held in 2015, the IEA has welcomed six Association countries: China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Morocco. The IEA Ministerial will bring together over 35 energy ministers and about 30 CEOs from major energy companies to discuss a broad range of energy-related issues, such as spurring economic growth and jobs through sustainable energy policies, boosting clean energy technologies through innovation and investment, and understanding the growing interplay between digitalization and energy. The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers. To unlock this article: Suzuki Philippines graces Puregolds 14th Sari-Sari Store Convention with several of its best-sellers. The annual event was attended by more than 40,000 businessmen and sari-sari store owners. Reflecting its support for local businesses and entrepreneurs, pioneer compact car manufacturer Suzuki Philippines joined the countrys largest gathering of neighborhood retail store operators, the 14th Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) Sari-Sari Store Convention, last May 24 to 28 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Attended by more than 40,000 businessmen and budding entrepreneurs, this years event went by the theme #PanalongPagbabago: Pinaka-BidaKaRito! in celebration of hardworking sari-sari store business owners. Suzuki Philippines reinforced its commitment to being a part of this change, one that will allow business owners to work more efficiently, achieve faster results and better manage their finances through recent offerings and bigger savings and discounts. In addition to limitless deals and prizes, the leading Japanese car distributor also brought several of its top-grossing vehicles to the 5-day annual Puregold convention. Our participation in this years Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) Convention is in line with our commitment to enhance the Filipino Way of Life. We are most delighted to be able to present to thousands of sari-sari store owners and entrepreneurs who attended the many ways Suzuki can help them grow their businesses, shares Suzuki Assistant General Manager for Automobile Mr. Cecil Capacete. Among the vehicles displayed during the event were Suzukis all-time favorites Ertiga and Celerio, which have undeniably earned their respective markets favor over the years. Both were displayed at the World Trade Centers parking area. Event-goers were able to explore the many features of the Euro 4-certified DDiS Turbo diesel-engine Super Carry during the 5-day convention. The Super Carry is designed to address the logistics demands of local businesses, in particular MSMEs. Meanwhile inside at the Suzuki booth, event-goers were introduced to the different features and functions of the recently launched Super Carry. As Suzukis first entry into the booming utility commercial vehicle segment, this Euro 4-certified DDiS Turbo Diesel-engine workhorse was built to cater to every business need, particularly for micro-small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), in a manner that is most helpful to the environment. On behalf of Suzuki Philippines, I would like to thank everyone who attended this years 14th Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) Sari-Sari Store Convention, especially those who visited our booth and showed their support. It is our greatest pleasure to be able to contribute to the success of this yearly tradition and reach out to more local entrepreneurs, said Mr. Shuzo Hoshikura, Suzuki Philippines General Manager for Automobile. Suzuki Philippines aims to support the business expansion of local entrepreneurs, in particular MSMEs, by meeting logistics demands through the use of the functional, pro-environment and ergonomically designed Super Carry. Recognized as the 2016 Best Commercial Utility Vehicle by the Car Awards Group, Inc., this LCV is equipped to deliver enhanced operational productivity, uncompromised performance and best-in-class fuel efficiency. Combining superior loading capacity and durability, the Super Carry is sure to give an effortless driving experience despite heavy cargo. The Suzuki Super Carry comes in different body types perfect for diverse business logistics needs at the following price points: The Super Carry Cargo Carrier - Php 479,000 The Super Carry Cargo Van (CV) - Php 529,000 The Super Carry Jeepney Body (JB) - Php 550,000 The Super Carry Utility Van (UV) - Php 565,000 The Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) Sari-Sari Store Convention is a highly anticipated annual event that aims to empower local businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly those in the micro-retail industry, and assist in their growth. The event is known to offer big savings and promotions from the largest and most popular product brands and suppliers. It also organizes workshops and seminars for local businesses and guests. Imperial Valley News Center Comedian Kathy Griffin - Severely Burned Washington, DC - Kathy Griffin crossed the line and CNN did the right thing in firing her. Griffin recently did a photo shoot holding up a decapitated bloody head resembling President Donald Trump. What she did was obscene and there was nothing funny about depicting violence toward another person. Griffin was terminated from the annual New Year's Eve program hosted by Anderson Cooper and Griffin. Anderson Cooper remarked that he was "appalled by the photo shoot and that the picture was disgusting and completely inappropriate," according to CNN.com. Griffin apologized for the photos saying, "I beg for your forgiveness. I went too far. I made a mistake and I was wrong," according to a post on Instagram. The photograph was taken by celebrity photographer Tyler Shields who later took down the photograph as requested by Griffin. The photo was a stupid stunt by Griffin and by photographer Shields both guilty of losing all sense of reason. For the last decade and more we have heard too many times about Islamic extremists cutting off the heads of contractors and journalists and others taken hostage. Americans and people around the world have shuddered as good people have been tortured and decapitated for the world to see. Such acts have been carried out by the most evil and heinous depraved persons of the world. Is this the kind of person Kathy Griffin wants to be? Everyone who has the opportunity to be a comedian, entertainer, public speaker or television personality has a lifelong opportunity to say something stupid or just be stupid in general. Every day is a life of guarded speech and guarded life decisions. It's easy to blurt out something accidentally and blow a career. It's also within a human's ability to literally orchestrate a moment such as Griffin and self-destruct. Griffin probably hasn't totally blown her career but losing the New Year's Eve gig is probably something she won't regain. On the other hand some far left wing liberal media group will probably embrace her and offer her another show or spotlight her in some way. It's only been recently that our President Donald Trump was recorded saying something on a bus that was vile and ignorant about grabbing women in a certain offensive way. His statement did not cost him the election but it was an ignorant and ugly statement. Statements and actions can go from the obscene insane to just making up big lies such as Brian Williams did on NBC nightly news. Williams admitted he, "Said things that were not true," back in June 2015. He lost his NBC anchor chair but has bounced back a bit by his new role on MSNBC, which is not exactly a shabby position. It seems the last few years that people have said whatever they wanted to say and we want free speech. Yet, Griffin crossed the line too far and demonstrated there is still a line that can't be crossed, way; way out there and she managed to get there with a lot of help from Shields. We all have heard that no man can tame the tongue and out of the same mouth come blessings and cursing. I wonder if Griffin's recent stunt will help any of us in America? Is there any possible chance that we might think a little more about what we say or in Griffin's case, what we depict ourselves doing? Often it only takes a spark to get a fire going. While Griffin suspected there would be a firestorm from her picture, I don't think she ever imagined the severity of the burns. Most people who play with fire never do. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated columnist and author of eleven books. He is read in all fifty states. READ HIS NEW BOOK - UNCOMMON SENSE Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free 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 The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} People, from all worlds and walks of life, reacted in horror at the news that Donald Trump has decided to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement. Amongst them Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor and former California governor, who has delivered a message to Trump that, "as a public servant, and especially as a president, your first and most important responsibility is to protect the people." Already, "200,000 people die every year in the US from air pollution and half of our rivers and streams are too polluted for our health"; this will only get worse because of Trump's childishly irresponsible actions. Recommended DiCaprio responds to Trump pulling out of Paris Climate Accord "We remember the great leaders," he continued. "The great leaders that don't walk backwards into the past, but great leaders that charge forward towards the future. You see, the people will rise up. Local and state governments will rise up. Other leaders from local governments will rise up and fill the void that you are creating." Schwarzenegger then urged for a "grassroots movement" in local communities, since 70% of dirty emissions can be controlled at a local or state level. He then continued to discuss how the state of California is proof that the US can be both successful environmentally and economically, and that the Paris agreement poses no threat to the US economy. "One man cannot destroy our progress. One man can't stop our clean energy revolution. And one man can't go back in time," the Terminator star stated, adding the quip: "Only I can do that." Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free 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 Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The band behind the "Liar Liar" song radio stations have been reluctant to play due to election impartiality rules has said it will stage a protest outside BBC Radio One headquarters. The protest, scheduled for 4pm on Friday, is to take place ahead of a special Question Time episode in which Prime Minister Theresa May will be grilled by the public alongside Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Captain Ska's hit song, which debuted comfortably inside the top 10, has not made it onto the airwaves thanks to its strident anti-Government lyrics. It features Ms May's speeches and interviews alongside clips of other senior Tories with the chorus, Shes a liar liar, you cant trust her no, no, no. We do not ban songs or artists, however our editorial guidelines require us to remain impartial and the UK is currently in an election period so we will not be playing the song, Radio One said in a statement. A version of Liar Liar was released seven years ago in response to the coalition government and reached number 89 in the charts. The latest version was released less than a week ago and profits are to be donated to foodbanks and an anti-austerity campaign group. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free 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 Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} 'Liar Liar', Captain Ska's viral track criticising Theresa May and her government, is the highest new entry in the Official Singles Chart, entering at Number 4 this week. Originally released in 2010 in response to the coalition government, the seven-piece London band recorded a new version of their track ahead of the General Election that includes soundbites from several of Mays speeches and the chorus lyric: 'Shes a liar liar, you cant trust her, no, no, no'. "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. "Were overwhelmed with the support and our message is that people do have the power to change society if we act together. Recommended The band behind the Theresa May protest song All proceeds from the song between 26 May and 8 June will be split between food banks around the UK and The Peoples Assembly Against Austerity, the tracks supporters. The song won't, however, be played on the radio due to impartiality rules. Captain Ska will stage a protest outside BBC Radio One headquarters today. The protest, scheduled for 4pm, is to take place ahead of a special Question Time episode in which Prime Minister Theresa May will be grilled by the public alongside Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free 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 Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Half a century after its release, the Beatles Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band is a relic of a vanished era. Like a Faberge egg or a Persian miniature, it speaks of an irretrievable past, when time moved differently, craftsmanship involved bygone tools and art was experienced more infrequently and with fewer distractions. Its an analogue heirloom thats still resisting oblivion perhaps because, even in its moment, it was already contemplating a broader sweep of time. The music on Sgt Pepper reached back far before rock as well as out into an unmapped cosmos, while its words seesawing between Paul McCartneys affability and John Lennons tartness offered compassion for multiple generations. We simply cant hear Sgt Pepper now the way it affected listeners on arrival in 1967. Its innovations and quirks have been too widely emulated: its oddities long since absorbed. Sounds that were initially startling the Indian instruments and phrasing of George Harrisons Within You Without You, the tape-spliced steam-organ collage of Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite and the orchestral vastness of A Day in the Life have acquired a patina of nostalgia. Sgt Pepper and its many musical progeny have blurred into a broader memory of psychedelia, a sonic vocabulary (available to current music-makers via sampling) that provides instant, predigested allusions to the 1960s. Meanwhile, the grand lesson of Sgt Pepper that anything goes in the studio has long since been taken for granted. Sgt Pepper has been analysed, 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 remastered once again to give the album a broader sound stage and crisper detail, giving more separation to individual voices and instruments. For the older blend, it also includes the mono-mix from 1967. Recommended The seven Beatles songs that would have worked live 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 rocknroll. Its somewhere in between, juxtaposing the profound and the merely clever. Although the album as a whole is synergistic, song by song its a mix of milestones, like A Day in the Life and Within You Without You, with meticulously wrought baubles like Lovely Rita and Good Morning Good Morning. Two of its most remarkable songs, Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane, arent even on the album. But with 50 years of hindsight, Sgt Pepper remains a joyful, whimsical and revelatory experiment. Even the albums slightest songs are full of musical and verbal twists. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up The Beatles at the press launch for the album, held at manager Brian Epstein's house in London, May 1967 (Getty) For people who, like me, heard the album brand new in 1967, Sgt Pepper remains inseparable from its era. It was released on 2 June 1967, the beginning of the Summer of Love. It was a time of prosperity, naive optimism and giddy discovery, when the first baby boomers were just reaching their 20s and mind-expanding drugs had their most benign reputation. In 1967, candy-coloured psychedelic pop and rock provided a short-lived but euphoric diversion from conflicts that would almost immediately resurface: the Vietnam War and Americas racial tension. Sgt Pepper remains tied to that brief moment of what many boomers remember as innocence and possibility the feeling captured perfectly in Getting Better, even as Lennon taunts that it cant get no worse. Yet for the Beatles, that instant of cultural innocence was a strategic artistic opening. By 1967, the Beatles were by no means ingenuous. They had already been through exponentially expanding pop stardom, endless screaming crowds and the fierce American backlash against Lennons flippant 1966 remark that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus now. After three years of hectic touring and recording, and of jaw-droppingly rapid development as songwriters amid the tempest, the Beatles decided to get off the road, where they couldnt hear themselves play, and to focus on making studio albums. They took five months an eternity at the time, now barely a pause for a new wardrobe and sponsorship deal to record the Sgt Pepper album, Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane. With Revolver, they had embraced studio surrealism and partly jettisoned love songs, and for its successor they would have more time to think and tinker. Yet they still worked amazingly fast, harnessing the eras primitive technology to pack wild ideas onto a four-track tape. Each Sgt Pepper song creates its own sonic realm, far removed from the live Beatles two guitars, bass and drums. They gave themselves a usefully loose concept. They would become Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, setting aside all outside expectations of the Beatles and treating the album as a performance complete with canned audience reaction: a theatrical distancing device. McCartney, Starr, Lennon and Harrison around the time the album was completed in 1967 (Getty) While the Beatles had travelled the world, only Within You Without You flaunted the exotic. Mostly, Sgt Peppers band was almost provincially British: wandering London in A Day in the Life, telescoping an entire middle-class English life (complete with prospective grandchildren) above a music-hall bounce in When Im 64. Stalwart British brass answered the rowdy distorted guitar in Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band; Shes Leaving Home is a stately waltz set to a harp and parlour orchestra that might have accompanied high tea. One of the Beatles paths forward led through an expanded embrace of the past. They rejected any generation gap. The album cover set the 1967 Beatles, with their moustaches and shiny mock band uniforms, alongside their suited, mop-topped pop-star wax statues so recent, yet so distant and cultural figures like Karlheinz Stockhausen, Sonny Liston and WC Fields, a rightful claim to adult significance. But the LP was also packaged with cardboard cutouts a moustache, military stripes like something for children. While the Summer of Love nurtured hippie dreams of creating a new world, the Beatles reminded listeners of how entrenched the old one was, and how comforting. But at the same time, Sgt Pepper gazed forward in sound and sense. The Beatles, and their producer George Martin, concocted eerie, unforgettable sounds from hand-played instruments and analogue tape tricks; Strawberry Fields, which miraculously interweaves two arrangements of the song in two keys, remains a marvel of internal disorientation. And despite all the vintage references, Sgt Pepper situated its songs in the present: sometimes a rushed, workaday world and sometimes a mind-altered escape. The albums magnificent, sobering finale, A Day in the Life, understood and anticipated the ethical and emotional ambiguities of a world perceived through mass media, even back when the news media was just newspapers, radio and television. Sgt Pepper had an immediate, short-lived bandwagon effect, as some late-1960s bands sought to figure out how to make those strange Beatles sounds, and others got more studio time and backup musicians than they needed. Artistic pretensions also notched up. And the pendulum started its long-term swings: progressive rock and corporate rock would be swatted back by punk and disco, hair metal would be blasted by grunge and hip-hop. The studio artifice that Sgt Pepper daringly flaunted has long since become commonplace. Yet while Sgt Pepper has been both praised and blamed for raising the technical and conceptual ante on rock, its best aspect was much harder to propagate. That was its impulsiveness, its lighthearted daring, its willingness to try the odd sound and the unexpected idea. Listening to Sgt Pepper now, what comes through most immediately is not the pressure the Beatles put on themselves or the musician challenges they surmounted. Its the sheer improbability of the whole enterprise, still guaranteed to raise a smile 50 years on. New York Times 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Success stories about startups dont get much more compelling than the humble tale of Instagram. The photo-sharing app was created in 2010 by Stanford University graduates Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger working out of an old pier in San Francisco. Today it boasts 700 million registered users and more than 400 million people come to the platform every day. More than 80 per cent of users are outside of the US and around 18 million are in the UK alone. The quadrilateral logo depicting a multicoloured stylised camera is recognised the world over and it wouldnt be an exaggeration to call the app a fundamental part of popular culture. Its a symbol of todays youth a social network for creatives, photographers and people who would describe themselves as neither of those two things. Recommended Global food megabrands are turning to small startups for big ideas But as it hurtles into its seventh year of existence its also adopted the role of a kind of incubator for budding businesses the worlds biggest mentor, if you will and a crucial publicity platform for many companies for one simple reason: its free. On a warm morning in early June, in a redeveloped factory in the heart of Shoreditch in east London, Krieger hosted a panel discussion with four budding London-based businesses to an audience of dozens of other startup founders, hoping to glean insight into the 31-year-olds success strategy. One of the panellists, 22-year-old Julius Ibrahim, is the founder of Second Shot Coffee, a coffee shop that employs homeless people and operates a pay-it-forward system, where customers can pre-pay for food and drink that the less fortunate can later be served free of charge. Others include Sophie Lee, the founder of mail-order plant company geo-fleur, Made in Chelsea star Hugo Taylor, whos launched an eyewear brand, and Sarah Deane, the founder and CEO of candle brand Evermore. All make the point that Instagram has been integral to spreading the word about their business and building a following often right from the very first prototype. The smiley, bespectacled Krieger is the current chief technology officer of Instagram, which was bought by Facebook for $1bn (776m) in April 2012, and even though hes estimated to be worth around $300m, he doesnt exude any of the haughtiness that some of his fellow Silicon Valley execs do. When speaking about Instagrams journey so far hes quick to stress his and the management teams inherent focus on making sure that the company develops in exactly the way they want it to. And thats Kriegers first piece of advice for the scores of wannabe entrepreneurs wishing to emulate his achievement. We did a lot of it ourselves for a very long time and it worked, he says in an interview with The Independent on the sidelines of the event. Its very important that users feel a connection to the people behind the product, it may sound daunting but thats what gives your business a personality. Instagram is indeed going out of its way to give users that one-to-one feel. Last year, the company launched Instagram Stories a function that allows you to share multiple pictures and videos in a single slideshow. The photos and videos disappear after 24 hours, meaning that they serve their purpose of sharing an experience but dont disrupt a carefully curated account. Krieger himself uses Stories and is an avid poster on his personal account. To date hes posted almost 2,000 times documenting his personal and professional life side by side, regularly featuring snaps of his wife Kaitlyn Trigger and their Bernese mountain dog Juno, whose own Instagram account boasts more than 7,500 followers. Kriegers second piece of advice is to be very careful about who you hire. The Brazilian-born software engineer says that he spends a lot of time scouting for talent and finding people who embody Instagrams ambitions and values while also having the necessary technical expertise. Thats not always an easy job and in the booming world of tech where workforces can balloon to the tens of thousands in a matter of years. Instagram can still be considered somewhat of an exclusive club. It employs around 500 people. Twitter employs around 4,000. Dont try to become too big too quickly, Krieger says. As a startup evolves into a more established player, he says, it can be easy to expand too quickly but Instagram has always taken a more cautious approach favouring organic expansion. It can be tempting to grow fast, but its a fine line and can lead to losing perspective of exactly what you want to do and where you want your business to go. In between trips around the world, recruitment drives and other engagements, Krieger says that he still tries to code as often as possible. Hes certainly not afraid to roll his sleeves up and do the legwork, so to speak after all, hes a computer science graduate and his passion for that faculty is what helped him make his fortune. Hes also still deeply committed to personally speaking to users for pointers on what the company can do better. Based on such feedback, Instagram has recently made it much easier for companies to convert their personal accounts into business accounts. The companys also made it easier for business account holders to analyse the demographics of their audiences through detailed analytics. And its given businesses the ability to provide contact details on their accounts. And in the same way that Instagram never charges for personal accounts, business accounts are free too. We dont charge because we think of Instagram as a living, breathing being, Krieger says, joking that due to its sheer size, it may be more accurate to describe it as a country or even a small continent than a being. It feeds off itself and grows organically in that way, he says. Asked where next for the app thats seemingly already taken over the world, Krieger is guarded but his toothy cheek-to-cheek smile suggests that the ideas and inspiration are certainly not lacking. Im travelling a lot and were continuing to build out products that make people feel close and help people build businesses, he says. What that means isnt quite clear, but if weve learned one thing from the two-man company that started out in a pier in San Francisco, its that if you have a computer, an audience and a passion for disruption anything might indeed be possible. Be that on a pier in San Fransisco, or an old factory in Shoreditch. Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts Sign up for our free IndyBest email 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 IndyBest email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} If theres a forgotten feature in our beauty routines, its undoubtedly our necks and decolletage. Even the most beauty-savvy among us take all the skincare steps were recommended to look more youthful, yet for no good reason stop at the jawline. Its a bad skincare habit too many of us have. If theres a place on the body that gives away your age more than any other its our necks. The skin from chin to chest is thin and fragile, as there are few sebaceous glands making it more susceptible to the visible signs of ageing, from wrinkles to a sagging neckline. Plus, the skin on the neck is more extensible and elastic, and it is significantly influenced by constant movement, weight and sun exposure, said dermatologist Dr Sonakshi Khorana who works with Faace. This isnt helped by screen use and bad posture. Whats been dubbed tech neck, as we spend so much of the day looking down at our phones, tablets and computers, can lead to a creased neck. Theres no denying we should be taking care of our necks by expanding our skincare routine south, but do we really need a dedicated neck cream? we hear you ask. Technically, theres nothing stopping you from using the same products you use on your face. But you do have to be careful with ingredients, as the skin here is more delicate, so its more likely to react or be sensitive to potent actives. Read more: Far from an indulgent beauty buy, sticking to a cream thats been formulated with the neck area in mind and with ingredients that target concerns such as wrinkles and skin-sagging will give you the best results, as well as encourage you to give the area special attention so you stop the neck neglect. How we tested Our tester put the latest batch of neck creams to the test, using them for a minimum of two weeks, in their morning and evening skincare routines (unless otherwise stated). We looked at the difference in how they made the neck, decolletage and chest feel, as well as the improvement they made to the appearance. Here are the ones worth sticking your neck out for. The best neck creams for 2022 are: Best overall Strivectin TL advanced tightening neck cream: 49, Boots.com Strivectin TL advanced tightening neck cream: 49, Boots.com Best on the high street Prai ageless throat and decolletage creme: 25, Marksandspencer.com Prai ageless throat and decolletage creme: 25, Marksandspencer.com Best for sensitive skin Meder arma neck cream: 73, Mederbeauty.com Meder arma neck cream: 73, Mederbeauty.com Best spa-like formula Omorovicza firming neck cream: 99, Spacenk.com Omorovicza firming neck cream: 99, Spacenk.com Best massaging tool and cream in one Emma Hardie lift and sculpt firming neck treatment: 65, Cultbeauty.co.uk Emma Hardie lift and sculpt firming neck treatment: 65, Cultbeauty.co.uk Best retinol formula SkinCeuticals tripeptide-r neck repair: 98.99, Facethefuture.co.uk SkinCeuticals tripeptide-r neck repair: 98.99, Facethefuture.co.uk Best for menopausal skin Vichy neovadiol phytosculpt neck and face contours: 30, Feelunique.com Vichy neovadiol phytosculpt neck and face contours: 30, Feelunique.com Best fragrance IT Cosmetics confidence in a neck cream: 35.20, Lookfantastic.com IT Cosmetics confidence in a neck cream: 35.20, Lookfantastic.com Best for pigmentation Cosmedix illuminate and lift neck and decollete treatment: 73, Cosmedixskincare.co.uk Cosmedix illuminate and lift neck and decollete treatment: 73, Cosmedixskincare.co.uk Best splurge Sisley neck cream: 128, Johnlewis.com Strivectin TL advanced tightening neck cream Best: Overall Rating: 9/10 Were already big fans of the eye serum from the same tighten and lift range (43.50, Boots.com) which took the top spot in our round-up of the best eye serums in 2021 so we couldnt wait to get our hands on the neck cream, too. Its also the No 1 bestselling neck cream in the US, so we expected big things from the jar. Its powered by a form of niacin, or vitamin B5, that strengthens the skin barrier and prevents moisture loss a hero ingredient in all the brands formulations. Its also full of lifting and brightening ingredients. This did nothing but impress, as after two weeks of continuous use, lines and creases looked less visible and a toning effect had already set in. Buy now 49 Boots.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} Prai ageless throat and decolletage creme Best: On the high street Rating: 8.5/10 One of these cult neck creams sells every 60 seconds worldwide, and whats even more noteworthy is its the bestselling beauty product at M&S. The reason this award-winning neck cream is so popular is that its affordable and effective boasting squalane, hyaluronic acid and shea butter to hydrate and lock in moisture, vitamins A, E and F to protect and repair, and a handful of natural extracts to brighten and help with age spots. The companys not-so-secret ingredient, sepilift, which has a firming and moisturising action on the skin, is another stand-out that makes the formula unique. Promising results in just seven days, we quickly started to see results in the form of less visible fine lines, but we found you do have to persevere for it to work on sagging and crepey skin. Buy now 25 Marksandspencer.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} Meder arma-neck cream Best: For sensitive skin Rating: 8.5/10 Dermatologist-founded skincare brand, Meder, focuses on microbiome-friendly formulas without any harsh actives, making it a fine choice for those on the sensitive side or susceptible to irritation. The hero ingredient in this bottle is a powerful peptide that stimulates the production of skin-plumping collagen, calms skin irritation and increases the skins hyaluronic acid levels. Teamed with anti-oxidant and nourishing sweet almond oil and vitamin E, you can expect an all-around gentle formulation, which we found smoothed lines in a matter of weeks. Buy now 73 Mederbeauty.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} Omorovicza firming neck cream Best: Spa-like formula Rating: 8.5/10 The Hungarian skincare brand, with a legacy built on the healing benefits of its thermal waters, has a neck cream in its collection that we were really impressed with. Its infused with the brands healing concentrate that delivers these therapeutic minerals deep into the skin. White truffle enzymes join the formulation for their toning ability, as well as two types of hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and plump the skins appearance. Rich in texture with a spa-like delicate fragrance, this added a touch of luxury to a skincare routine that saw the neck feel well-hydrated and smoother-looking within days. Expect the real magic to happen with ongoing use, when the area looks firmer and more defined. Buy now 99 Spacenk.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} Emma Hardie lift and sculpt firming neck treatment Best: Massaging tool and cream in one Rating: 8.5/10 While there are other neck creams with a roller-ball applicator attached, this is our favourite one. Named after the holistic facialists famed lift and sculpt facial, this tube does exactly that. Its nourishing and hydrating, thanks to ingredients such as raspberry seed oil, Inca inchi oil and hyaluronic acid, but the real age-defying effect comes from patented collagen and elastin boosters. We found we liked to use the tool on its own and with our other skincare, too just remember to turn the dial off. Youll see a difference within a week. Buy now 65 Cultbeauty.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} SkinCeuticals tripeptide-r neck repair Best: Retinol formula Rating: 9/10 Perfecting a formula that contains retinol the gold standard in skin-rejuvenating actives but is still tolerable to the delicate neck area was always going to be a tough ask. But if theres a skincare brand that could do it, and do it well, its SkinCeuticals. The brand has always been ahead of the game when it comes to retinol skincare. You have to build up a tolerance with this one, so go easy to start with. Try every other night to begin with, in your evening skincare routine only, and remember to wear SPF the next day applied down to your chest, as it will make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Like all retinol formulations, perseverance is key. We started to see visibly long-term results after a month with this one, in the form of a stronger and firmer skin texture teamed with a reduction to the look of deeper lines. Buy now 98.99 Facethefuture.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} Vichy neovadiol phytosculpt neck and face contours Best: For menopausal skin Rating: 8.5/10 With 20 years of research on the effect that menopause has on the skin, Vichy has a line-up of products aimed at women in this stage of their lives including this cream. Formulated for firming the neck and jawline, its powered by stand-out ingredients phytosterol (from wild fern leaf) and proxylane, which mimics a hormone in the skin that declines during menopause. Coupled together, they strengthen the skin, increase skin regeneration, reduce creases and improve elasticity. They call it a corset-effect and we call it a top-notch firming neck cream that you see get to work instantly, making the skin feel smoother with a tightened effect, as well as firmer with less noticeable wrinkles over time. Buy now 30 Feelunique.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} IT Cosmetics confidence in a neck cream Best: Fragrance Rating: 8/10 The first thing youll notice when you open up this jar is the sorbet-orange light cream that fills the senses with its zesty fragrance. Promising to rejuvenate and firm like shapewear for your neck, we did see instant results when it came to hydration. Our skin would drink up the formula, infused with hyaluronic acid, moisture-retaining ceramides and smoothing shea butter. We were pleased to see in a matter of days that ageing horizontal necklines looked a little less prominent but give it longer to see its real smoothing and firming abilities. Once we stopped applying it, we noticed it was missing. This product is currently out of stock but it should be back soon. Buy now 35.20 Lookfantastic.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} Cosmedix illuminate and lift neck and decollete treatment Best: For pigmentation Rating: 9/10 For those looking to firm the neck as well as reduce the look of age spots and hyperpigmentation on their chest, this vitamin C-packed neck cream should be on your beauty shelf. Its a potent and stable cream that transforms dull-looking skin into bright and radiant skin, while peptide matrixyl synthe6 strengthens and repairs the skin, reducing fine lines and deeper wrinkles. Edelweiss stem cell extract is also worth a mention for its ability to firm sagging skin. We started to see a difference around the two-week mark, as brown spots looked less prominent and the skin started to get firmer and glow. Overall, it was a pleasure to massage in at night and use in the morning for a subtle non-cosmetic illumination to the skin. Buy now 73 Cosmedixskincare.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter 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 Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} People keep trying to claim the beard is over or that weve reached peak beard, but all you need to do is look around you to realise that clearly isnt the case. From the neatly-trimmed to the bushy, male facial hair is now the norm. No longer seen as slovenly or the reserve of hipsters, beards are widely-accepted. But one firm has prompted outrage with its decision to ban employees from having beards. The Mears Group has told staff-members they must be clean-shaven, but the reason is more for health and safety than aesthetics. It could be problematic for those men who grow a strong 5pm shadow everyday. The construction company has banned beards to ensure dust masks fit correctly. Goatees may be allowed so long as it does not hinder the correct fitting of said dust masks, according to the bosses. If you have a beard for religious or medical reasons you must provide a letter from your doctor or place of worship. In a letter sent out to employees, the workers were told that dust masks were discussed at a health and safety meeting and the Health and Safety Executive took a strong stance on the matter. The reason the ban has been brought in is that facial hair makes it impossible to create a good seal between the face and mask, The Times reports. The Gay Beards in pictures Show all 23 1 /23 The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards The Gay Beards in pictures The Gay Beards in pictures instagram.com/thegaybeards If you are clean-shaven when wearing tight-fitting masks (ie those which rely on a good seal to the face), this will help prevent leakage of contaminated air around the edges of the mask and into your lungs, according to guidelines from the regulator. If staff-members fail to comply with the rules, they will apparently be taken down the disciplinary route. But people are not happy with the new ruling, and the Unite union have called it penny-pinching stupidity. The arrogance of Mears is hair-raising, said Mark Soave, Unites officer for London. This is a highly delicate issue, which has huge cultural, religious and personal issues and where sensitivity should be the watchword. Instead, members have been handed a decree from on high. This is clearly a case of Mears going for the cheapest option. Other forms of masks are available and these should be offered to existing workers. But Mears have responded saying that in fact only a very small percentage of its workers will be affected by the new rule and its not a money-saving measure. The simple fact is that no dust mask can work effectively unless it forms a seal against the skin, said Mark Elkington, Mears head of health and safety. That is not possible with a beard or even heavy stubble. If the Health and Safety Executive did a spot site visit and found workers wearing dust masks that were not sealed against the face, we would be liable to prosecution. The alternative to a dust mask is a full hood, which brings its own risks. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our Now Hear This email for free 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 IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Pasta. Its one of the simplest and quickest things to whip up, but if done well, can be one of the most delicious and comforting meals in the world. We all love pasta, and were inundated with with types - never mind what the pasta is actually made of, one of the most divisive dining dilemmas can be choosing a pasta shape. Do you play it safe with spaghetti, get fancy with farfalle or push the boat out with pappardelle? We polled friends, colleagues and pasta experts to create a definitive list of the best and worst pasta types. Disclaimer: the judges rules that stuffed pastas and sheets would not be part of the consideration. 1. Orecchiette (Getty Images/iStockphoto) It appears no one has a bad word to say about these little curled pasta pieces from Puglia, and according to Marina Dentamaro from top Italian restaurant and shop Lina Stores, orecchiette is the best pasta shape of all. This pasta shape has got a great consistency that works very well with vegetables, in particular with cime di rapa, a particular type of broccoli and fresh chilli, Dentamaro says. Best are the handmade ones - eggless and slightly chewy - a real taste of south of Italy. She adds that orecchiette is also great with meat ragus or in pasta salad. Its not the most common pasta type but most people who try it, love it: You can make so many different things with it, it's super consistent and they're like mini bowls so each piece always has sauce - sometimes a few of them get stuck together and that's always a nice treat, says Chloe. It fits on the end of your tongue! says Lucy. High praise indeed. 2. Tagliatelle (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Possibly one of the most comforting pasta types - especially with carbonara - tagliatelle is a real people-pleaser. It's like the udon noodle of Italian food, says Kaz, which makes it more substantial too. Others pointed out tagliatelles superiority over its thinner sister, spaghetti: It mops up more sauce, says Martha. 3. Conchiglie (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Shells are fun, theres no denying it. Youre eating a shell! Such fun. These pasta pieces - conchiglie if you want to get all fancy - are basically always a good choice. You mix the sauce in and you're like damn where's the sauce gone and then you bite into it and you're like oh there it is, Jamie pointed out. What an exciting way to eat food right? He is neither wrong nor alone: If you're having bolognese then little bits get stuck inside and make for a taste explosion, Maddy agreed. And it's a shell. What's not to love? Its good in pasta salads too, like oriecchette. 4. Pappardelle (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Carrying on the love of long, thick shapes (steady on), these large, broad strips of pasta take fourth place. With its length and width (please stop), pappardelle seems more indulgent than narrower pastas: Pappardelle all the way! It's like a thicker version of tagliatelle, Anna pointed out. It feels like a real treat, says Olivia. 5. Spaghetti (Getty Images/iStockphoto) This is where things start getting divisive. Spaghetti is one of our main pasta staples - after all, who doesnt love a big plate of spag bol? - and many people are big fans. It's sooo thin so you get a good sauce to pasta ratio, says Rachel M. Even though it's hard to eat, it always cooks perfectly, added Charlotte. But plenty of people think spaghetti is annoying, difficult to eat, messy and just overrated: Who the hell thought rolling pasta into 30cm by 2mm pieces would improve the eating process?! asked Alex W. Its a valid question. 6. Bucatini (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Little-known in the UK, bucatini is essentially thicker spaghetti with a hole in the middle. Helen called it amaze and Emily says its great because it stays al dente and the sauce gets all the way through the middle. It sounds like if more people tried bucatini it could claw its way up the rankings. 7. Pici (Getty Images/iStockphoto) In a similar situation to bucatini is pici, which is thick, hand-rolled pasta, like fat spaghetti (but without the hole in the middle, a la bucatini). And as we all know, thick is great: I like the thickness and the fact it's hand-rolled so you get a variation, Ibrahim pointed out. It's not uniform and feels more rustic, plus it's a good one for saucey dishes cos it picks up everything around it. Marieke agrees, saying that she had pici in Tuscany (from where the pasta hails) with truffle sauce and fell in love. But lets be real, most of us would fall in love with anything covered in truffle sauce. 8. Fusilli (Getty Images/iStockphoto) From the obscure to the everyday - in comes fusilli in eighth place. Or, as they are also known, twirls and twizzles. Some fusilli fans love it because its easy to eat: Easier to eat than spaghetti and tagliatelle, and more to it than penne, which can get slimy, Sally said. (And well get to penne, worry not.) It also has a fun texture: I love fusilli with thick sauces because it keeps it so well between the grooves so when you take a bite you don't lose the sauce, says Marieke. But its also undeniably a relatively average pasta: I literally hate fusilli, so much. They irritate me, says Sofia (who is an actual Italian). 9. Linguine (Getty Images/Vetta) Like spaghetti but wider and more elliptical in shape, linguine is a good pasta. But the thing is, no one has strong opinions on linguine. Literally no one. Hence we dont have much to say about it. 10. Capellini (Getty Images/iStockphoto) More commonly known as angel hair spaghetti (why we do not know - do angels have different hair to the rest of us?), the main selling point of capellini is its cooking time: Like spaghetti, but without the faff, argues Thea. And for those way too impatient to eat their pasta (like me), it cooks in half the time. But capellini is also pretty slimy and the thin texture is just a bit weird: I hate angel hair, says Amber. It makes me feel like I'm choking on actual hair. Eww. 11. Fettuccine (Getty Images) Flat, thick and ribbon-like, fettuccine is like tagliatelle but wider. To be honest, its like tagliatelles forgotten, less impressive sibling. It was probably the middle child. Stuck between crowd-pleaser first-born spaghetti and baby of the family pappardelle. Poor fettuccine. You are tasty, just overlooked. Youll get the appreciation you deserve some day. 12. Rigatoni (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Big tubes with ridges down the middle, rigatoni is a delicious pasta to eat. If the texture of the pasta itself wasnt enough to give your tastebuds a sensational experience, each tube will be full of delicious sauce. How much will you get in each one? Who can say? Its a surprise with every mouthful, and if thats not living we dont know what is. But is it essentially just penne but slightly more alluring because it's less common? Perhaps. 13. Orzo (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Its one of the trendiest pastas of the moment, but Dentamaro from Lina Stores believes Orzo is totally overrated and doesnt deserve to be so popular. I used to eat this pasta shape when I was sick at home and my mum looked after me by cooking orzo in broth, she says. That's the only use I would do! Its definitely not for pasta salad or other sauces. Strong words, but many people would argue orzo has its merits: Orzo is quite rugged. It's the Daniel Craig of pasta, says Dave. I can literally eat about a kilo before I feel full, adds Alex W, which is either a good or bad thing depending on your aims in life. 14. Macaroni (Getty Images) Its simple, its comforting, and its been hipsterified - yup, the humble mac n cheese is now commonly served from food trucks, topped with lobster and truffle oil, and sold for 7 a pop. But Dentamaro believes macaroni is in fact the worst pasta shape. Apparently, as its essentially the lovechild of penne and rigatoni, macaroni isnt an authentic Italian shape and is - surprise surprise - more American. I find it very difficult to combine with any type of sauce (apart from the American mac n cheese), she says. Authentic or not though, mac n cheese is undoubtedly delicious: Macaroni is the best because it always goes with cheese, says Freya, which is definitely a good thing. I get excited by macaroni because it brings back grandma memories and also the density of pasta pieces per spoonful is impressive because they're small and fit together nicely, adds Dave, making a valid point. 15. Farfalle (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Oh farfalle. Farfalle, farfalle, farfalle. You look so pretty, you promise so much, and yet you are so often disappointing. Like that super hot guy from the gym whom it turns out can barely hold a conversation. They are bringing nothing to the table bar unnecessary quirky novelty, Helen argues. And shes not alone. The worst is farfalle because the middles don't always cook and the flat parts are slippery and yuck, adds Charlotte. And Ibrahim says it was his childhood fave until he realised he only liked them for their bow-tie shape and theyre actually hard to pick up with a fork. Nevertheless, there are a few farfalle fans out there, such as Rachel A, who argues they pick up sauce well and mean no slurping. 16. Penne (Getty Images/iStockphoto) If theres one thing weve learned from this experiment, its that theres a lot of hate for penne in the world. Its the basic bitch of the pasta world, and has been slammed as average, standard, and boring. It always tastes like dish soap and I have no idea why, says Channon. Somehow I always manage to get it tasting like sludge, added Alex B. No one gets excited about penne. Its fine. Its nice. Its the girl your parents wouldnt mind you marrying, but shell never give you butterflies in your tummy, a twinkle in your eye or fireworks in your you-know-where. Dont settle for penne, you can do so much better. The most outrageously expensive food on the planet Show all 8 1 /8 The most outrageously expensive food on the planet The most outrageously expensive food on the planet The 15 cappuccino Emirates Palace Hotel The most outrageously expensive food on the planet The $2000 pizza Industry Kitchen The most outrageously expensive food on the planet The 1500 cronut Dum Dum Donutterie The most outrageously expensive food on the planet One false move and it's 1500 down the drain Dum Dum Donutterie The most outrageously expensive food on the planet The $1000 ice cream Serendipity 3 The most outrageously expensive food on the planet The $169 hot dog Tokyo Dog The most outrageously expensive food on the planet The $777 burger Burger Brasserie The most outrageously expensive food on the planet The $25k taco Grand Velas Los Cabos Resort Another thing we learned in our research for this ranking is there are so many more pasta types out there than we ever knew: gemelli, mafaldine, linguini, cavatappi and stringozzi were all named as favourites too. But any pasta can be delicious. According to Matteo Polgrossi from La Tua Pasta, the worst pasta is that which has a smooth sauce because it doesnt allow the sauce to cling to the pasta. He says its all about matching the sauce to the pasta really: Carbonara Sauce often goes with spaghetti, bolognese sauce with tagliatelle, pesto with trofie. Oh, and you must never put ketchup on pasta. When it comes to cooking top-notch pasta at home, Dentamaro says you need to be patient: A good sauce needs its cooking time - the slower the better! She also says its important to choose the highest quality ingredients: It might be more pricey but you wont go wrong. But Dentamaros most important tip for cooking delicious pasta? Lots of love and passion, always. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The outrage surrounding Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement is understandable. But no matter how much the President huffs and puffs, his views will go the way of some of the previous victims of climate change: the dinosaurs. Even China, whose rapid industrialisation has been built on a hunger for extractive raw materials and heavily polluting power stations, has begun to adapt. When Xi Jinping visited Davos at the beginning of the year, he sought to present the nation as a reformed global citizen, placing tremendous emphasis on Chinas role in a green future. We should not dismiss the measures and targets which the Paris Agreement looked to put in place. Even without the United States, the impact which they have will be pronounced. But the hard truth which the Trump administration will one day face up to is that they have already become marginalised and the future of action to limit the effects of climate change will now come, not from governments, but from the private sector. With this in mind, Trumps attempts to frame the decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement in any sort of economic terms seem flawed. The upside to his decision will be another big win for the Donald, appealing to his political core. However, on his favourite subject jobs the statistics are against him, as the US solar industry now employs nearly twice as many workers as oil, gas and coal combined. In the UK, despite changes in regulation and cuts to subsidies, renewable energy continues to flourish. Solar energy is providing record percentages of power to the National Grid, while on stormier days, North Sea wind farms can now produce over 100 per cent of the energy used in Scotland. Meanwhile, attempts to develop a nascent shale gas industry have so far floundered, despite significant government support. The past decade has seen a green energy revolution across the globe. Over 18 per cent of the worlds power is now produced from renewable sources and this proportion looks set to rise in the coming years and decades. The growth in renewables has improved the efficiency of these cleaner forms of power, with costs per unit declining and set to fall further still. This growth is being reflected in the value of investments, as markets are already being reshaped as new players enter traditional industries, backed by capital rich private investors seeking sustainable long-term returns. Tesla, the electric vehicle maker founded in 2003, now has a market capitalisation over 20 per cent higher than Ford, despite pulling in revenues of just $7bn (5.4bn) in 2016. Fords revenues were over $150bn last year. It is also telling that the oil price fell after Trumps announcement, as did shares in Peabody, the largest coal company in the US. In theory oil and coal should have been prime beneficiaries of Trumps decision. Political impetus to act on climate change, through projects like the Paris Agreement, remains relevant. It would undoubtedly have been better if Trump had swallowed his pride and backed away from this decision. Yet when it comes to the future of our climate, it will be the thousands of businesses, millions of jobs and billions of consumers who decide, through the choices, purchases and investments they make, what that future will be. Even the leader of the free world is impotent against that tidal wave. Mike Fox is the head of sustainable investments at Royal London Asset Management 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A power outage at British Airways that disrupted tens of thousands of peoples travel plans last weekend plunging hubs Heathrow and Gatwick into chaos, was reportedly caused by a staff blunder. According to The Times, a power supply unit at the centre of the outage was in perfect working order and was deliberately shut down which triggered the disturbance. The paper reported that an investigation of the episode will therefore likely focus on human error. According to The Times, the incident likely concerned a so-called uninterruptable power supply, or UPS, which is designed to deliver a smooth flow of power from the main with a fall-back to a battery-powered back-up and a diesel generator. British Airways parent company, International Airlines Group, this week explained that the supply of power to a key data centre was lost and an uncontrolled reboot of the system subsequently shut down the entire system. Recommended Why British Airways should have had a plan B An investigation has already revealed that the UPS was in full working order at the time, The Times reported. Citing a source, the paper said that it was rumoured a maintenance contractor had accidentally switched the supply off. Bill Francis, head of IT at IAG, sent an email to staff, seen by the Press Association, which appeared to confirm that the outage was not caused by an IT failure or issues relating to software. Last weekend, British Airways was forced to cancel around 800 flights from Gatwick and Heathrow as a result of the disruption. Flight compensation website Flightright.com said that BA would likely have to pay approximately 61m (53m) in compensation under EU rules, a figure that does not include the cost of reimbursing customers for hotel stays. 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. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has said he will personally make up the $15m in funding that the United Nations will lose after Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Paris climate accord. The US would have been required to contribute that amount towards efforts to prevent catastrophic climate change under the historic agreement between 195 countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Americans are not walking away from the Paris climate agreement, Mr Bloomberg said on Thursday, according to the Washington Examiner. Just the opposite - we are forging ahead. Mayors, governors, and business leaders from both political parties are signing on to a statement of support that we will submit to the UN and together, we will reach the emission reduction goals the United States made in Paris in 2015." The billionaire philanthropist added: Americans will honour and fulfil the Paris agreement by leading from the bottom up and there isn't anything Washington can do to stop us." Mr Trump announced on Thursday that the US - the worlds second biggest CO2 producer - would withdraw from the landmark agreement to cut climate emissions, making it one of only three nations in the world that will not be signed up. The other two are Nicaragua, which does not think the requirements are stringent enough, and Syria which is embroiled in a bitter conflict. Also on Thursday, The New York Times cited a letter from Mr Bloomberg to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in which the businessman said other elements of US government and society should take the lead on climate change where Mr Trump had failed to do so. Mr Bloomberg is a UN special envoy for local leaders, tasked with meeting the Paris climate targets. Mr Bloomberg joins a growing list of world leaders and company chief executives to condemn Mr Trumps move. Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and Disney boss Bob Iger resigned from their positions as economic advisors to the President on Thursday. Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon and Goldman Sachs have all also criticised Mr Trump's decision. Shortly after the president's announcement, the leaders of France, Germany and Italy issued a joint statement saying they regretted Mr Trump's decision. Theresa May attracted criticism for initially remaining quiet on the US' withdrawal before a spokesperson issued a statement that said she had told Mr Trump she was "disappointed". By contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron made an English-language speech from the presidential palace, unprecedented from a French leader in an address at home. Macron reacts to Trump's Paris decision: 'Make our planet great again' Mr Macron said: I do respect this decision but I do think it is an actual mistake both for the US and for our planet. Referencing Mr Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again", the French president added: Wherever we live, whoever we are, we all share the same responsibility: make our planet great again. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also criticised the US president's announcement which she said was "extremely regrettable", adding that she was using "extremely restrained terms". 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The chief executive of Goldman Sachs appears to have used his first ever tweet to slate Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change. Lloyd Blankfein, who joined the social media platform in June 2011 but had up until now not tweeted, wrote: Today's decision is a setback for the environment and for the US's leadership position in the world. #ParisAgreement By Friday morning it had been re-tweeted more than eight thousand times and had garnered in excess of 18,000 likes. He has around 12,200 followers. Goldman Sachs has traditionally been cautious when commenting on political matters but in January Mr Blankfein became one of the first Wall Street executives to speak out against Mr Trumps travel ban on people from seven majority Muslim countries. In a voice message sent to employees at the time, Mr Blankfein said the firm could not support the policy. He quoted from the Wall Street bank's business principles: For us to be successful, our men and women must reflect the diversity of the communities and cultures in which we operate. That means we must attract, retain and motivate people from many backgrounds and perspectives. Being diverse is not optional; it is what we must be. Several former executives of the bank are working in the Presidents administration, including Gary Cohn, the chief operating officer of the bank, who is Mr Trumps chief economic advisor, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin who was chief information officer at Goldman. JP Morgan also condemned Mr Trumps travel ban earlier in the year, but chief executive Jamie Dimon still sits on the Presidents business advisory council, which is designed to assist the administration when making decisions on policy. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} EU antitrust regulators aim to slap a hefty fine on Alphabet unit Google over its shopping service before the summer break in August, two people familiar with the matter said, setting the stage for two other cases involving the US company. The European Commission's decision will come after a seven-year investigation into the world's most popular internet search engine was triggered by scores of complaints from both US and European rivals. The EU competition authority accused Google in April 2015 of distorting internet search results to favour its shopping service, harming both rivals and consumers. The Commission and Google declined to comment. The US company has in the past rejected the charges, saying that regulators ignored competition from online retailers Amazon and eBay. Fines for companies found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules can reach 10 per cent of their global turnover, which in Google's case could be about $9bn of its 2016 turnover. Apart from the fine, the Commission will tell Google to stop its alleged anti-competitive practices but it is not clear what measures it will order the company to adopt to ensure that rivals get equal treatment in internet shopping results. The regulator could set out general principles or specific instructions for Google to follow, said an observer. The Commission's tough line is in sharp contrast with the US Federal Trade Commission which settled its own web search case with the company in 2013 by requiring Google to stop scraping reviews and other data from rival websites for its own products. Google made three unsuccessful attempts to settle the case with the previous European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia in a bid to stave off a possible fine and a finding of wrongdoing. Mr Almunia's successor Margrethe Vestager, however, has shown no willingness to settle with Google. 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 The company has also been charged with using its Android mobile operating system to squeeze out rivals and with blocking competitors in online search advertising related to its AdSense for Search platform. The platform allows Google to act as an intermediary for websites such as online retailers, telecoms operators or newspapers. The Commission has warned of massive fines in both cases. Reuters Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Ilhama Isabalayeva Trend: The new president of France, Emmanuel Macron, will make every effort for the peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Aurelia Bouchez said at a press conference in Baku June 2. Bouchez noted that Emmanuel Macron realizes the importance of rich bilateral relations existing between France and Azerbaijan. The ambassador added that the new French president is informed about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. She believes that Macrons position will be aimed precisely at a peaceful settlement of the conflict and the role of the OSCE Minsk Group in this matter. The main priority is to find a peaceful solution to this problem, said Bouchez. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Leaders of some of the worlds biggest companies have slammed Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change, underscoring their own commitment to protecting the environment. Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, which last month became the first ever US company to be valued at more than $800bn (621bn), tweeted that the US Presidents decision was wrong for our planet. Apple is committed to fight climate change and we will never waver, he said. His counterpart at Google, Sundar Pichai, wrote on Twitter that he is disappointed and that Google will keep working hard for a cleaner, more prosperous future for all. And Facebooks founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg in a Facebook post said that the withdrawal is bad for the environment, bad for the economy and it puts out childrens future at risk. Stopping climate change is something we can only do as a global community, and we have to act together before its too late, he said. Amazon tweeted from its main corporate account that it continues to support the Paris climate agreement and action on climate change. We believe that robust clean energy and climate policies can support American competitiveness, innovation, and job growth. We remain committed to putting our scale and inventive culture to work in ways that are good for the environment and our customers. Beyond the technology space, Lloyd Blankfein, the chief executive of Goldman Sachs, appeared to use his first ever tweet to condemn the Presidents move: Today's decision is a setback for the environment and for the US's leadership position in the world. #ParisAgreement. Goldman Sachs has traditionally been cautious when commenting on political matters but in January Mr Blankfein became one of the first Wall Street executives to speak out against Mr Trumps immigration ban. Several former Goldman Sachs executives are working in the Presidents administration, including Gary Cohn, the chief operating officer of the bank, who is Mr Trumps chief economic adviser, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin who was chief information officer at Goldman. Overnight Disney boss Bob Iger became the latest chief executive to quit Mr Trumps business advisory council, protesting against the withdrawal. Mr Iger wrote on Twitter that as a matter of principle, I've resigned from the President's Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal. He joins Tesla chief executive Elon Musk who earlier tweeted: Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world". Technology companies have been among the most vocal to oppose some of Mr Trumps controversial policies and in February Uber CEO Travis Kalanick quit the council after the administration implemented the travel ban. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Wealthy people are dodging even more tax than previously thought, according to new research. The wealthiest 0.01 per cent evaded 30 per cent of their personal taxes on average, compared to just 3 per cent in the total population, according to economists Annette Alstadsaeter, Niels Johannesen, and Gabriel Zucman. They studied data from the Panama Papers and Swiss Leaks, which contain millions of documents revealing offshore activities. Because these leaks contain only a small snapshot of the shady world of global tax avoidance, the researchers needed another source in order to come to a more general conclusion. They found it in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, where transparency laws require unusually detailed disclosure of income and tax records. By combining the datasets they were able to make an estimate of the true size and scope of tax evasion. As the graph below shows, the richer the person, the higher proportion of tax they evade by many multiples. The poorest groups are on the left; the richest are on the right. The last five points on the graph represent the top one per cent of the income distribution. (Annette Alstadster, Niels Johannesen, and Gabriel Zucman (Annette Alstadster, Niels Johannesen, and Gabriel Zucman) In the past, it has been argued that average citizens are just as likely as the super rich to avoid paying their dues, for example by paying cash in hand for building work, buying goods on the black market or underestimating earnings on a personal tax return. The findings counter that position. Of course, the data only relates to three Scandinavian countries. However, the authors posit that the scale of tax evasion is likely to be worse in more unequal countries such as the US and UK. It is also likely that the strict disclosure rules encourage less tax evasion. The authors suggest that these stringent regimes in Denmark, Norway and Sweden are far more effective than the random audits in the UK. Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter 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 Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Teachers are being humiliated by a growing social media trend whereby pupils play tricks to shame them, it has been reported. In one case, a teacher was stood up for a date in a restaurant, set up by her pupil using a fake Tinder account. She had been expecting to meet an attractive adult whom she believed shed been talking to on the dating app, but instead had an embarrassing photo of the event shared across the school. In another incident, a number of school workers saw photos of themselves shared across the internet after a student set up a fake online account posing as a colleague. Increasing numbers of school staff are being targeted by such scams, the Times Educational Supplement (TES) reported. Emma Robertson, co-founder of Digital Awareness UK, told the magazine it has seen a trend of online abuse and security violations of teachers, with the number of inquiries about the issue spiking in the past year. The organisation, which runs workshops on internet safety, is increasingly hearing from schools who want them to show staff how to protect themselves online, she said. 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 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 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty 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 Almost a third of the cases it comes across are concerning teachers who have been victimised, rather than pupil-on-pupil abuse, said Ms Robertson, calling the figures a shock. She told the TES: In the cases that have almost gone viral in the school, which everybody knows about, a lot of the time teachers will just be really upset and will come to us for one-to-one advice. One teacher was filmed by students bending over in a classroom and the footage was uploaded to YouTube. Derogatory comments about her appearance were posted along with it, it was reported. An Nasuwt teaching union poll of more than 1,500 members, published earlier this year, found nearly a third of teachers had suffered online harassment and victimisation in the last year. In the majority of cases, pupils were the culprits. Union general secretary Chris Keates said: Too many teachers are being subjected to appalling levels of online harassment and victimisation from pupils and also parents. This has to stop. Being a victim of online abuse can be a very traumatic experience, which can potentially ruin lives and careers. Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter 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 Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Ethiopia has blocked access to the internet nationwide to stop students from cheating in exams, its government has claimed. Mohammed Seid at the Office for Government Communications Affairs told Reuters that the shutdown is aimed at preventing a repeat of leaks that occurred last year. "We are being proactive," he said. We want our students to concentrate and be free of the psychological pressure and distractions that this brings." Mr Seid is reported to have said that only social media website had been blocked temporarily, but independent sources have reported "widespread disruption" to mobile networks and fixed line internet services. The government appears to have taken preventative measures to avoid a repeat of last year's leak in which the papers for the country's 12th grade national exams were made public. In 12th grade, Ethiopians take exams to enter university and to study on vocational courses. Mr Seid did not disclose when the internet block would be lifted, but affirmed that it would last throughout the exam season. Traveller's Guide: Ethiopia Show all 6 1 /6 Traveller's Guide: Ethiopia Traveller's Guide: Ethiopia 5386762.jpg Getty Images Traveller's Guide: Ethiopia 5386747.jpg AFP/Getty Images Traveller's Guide: Ethiopia 5386743.jpg AP Traveller's Guide: Ethiopia 2303147.jpg AP Traveller's Guide: Ethiopia 5388627.jpg Traveller's Guide: Ethiopia 5386459.jpg He said that the only social media sites were affected by the block and that other services such as online banking and airline bookings remained intact. Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, has experienced social media bans before at the height of the 2015 and 2016 protests. Amnesty International criticised these bans claiming that the country was intent on stifling expression and free exchange of information. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email 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 Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Teenagers with mental health problems are attempting suicide because it is so difficult to access specialist mental health services for young people, headteachers and charities have claimed. Around a quarter of children referred to the NHS for mental health treatment are being turned away, often because their condition is not considered serious enough, according to research by the Education Policy Institute (EPI). High thresholds set by services are encouraging young people to risk their lives as they feel theyre not taken as seriously by [mental health services] as they might be, reported Tes. One headteacher told the magazine three pupils in her school had appeared to make suicide attempts so they would be seen by medical professionals working in children and adolescent mental health services (Camhs). The warning comes after it was revealed a third of NHS childrens mental health services are facing cuts or closure. In a survey of more than 3,000 NHS counsellors, therapists and psychoanalysts, 84 per cent said it has become more difficult for children to access the help they need, with children now required to have more severe levels of illness in order to get help. More than two thirds 67 per cent warned waiting times had increased over the last five years and 33 per cent said their workplace was facing downsizing or closure. Andrew Flintoff: Mental health can be a struggle but is not a stigma Teen suicide prevention charity Papyrus told Tes its helpline advisers often heard from students who felt a suicide attempt was necessary to be seen by Camhs. Sometimes young people who feel that theyre not taken as seriously by Camhs as they might be they feel that theyre expressing how they feel, and thats not being picked up enough. So they will escalate their behaviours, said Heather Dickinson, the charitys helpline manager. The EPI, formerly known as Centre Forum, found in a report released last year that 23 per cent of children referred to specialist mental health services by concerned GPs, teachers and parents a slight increase since 2011-12, the earliest year with comparative data. Children were often turned away because their condition was not considered serious enough, or not considered suitable for specialist mental health treatment," it said. Between 2010 and 2015, NHS spending on childrens mental health services fell by nearly 50m, or more than six per cent in real terms, according to official figures. Theresa May has promised to rectify the injustice faced by people with mental illness by fighting workplace discrimination and making sure mental health conditions are treated with as much seriousness as physical complaints. However, the Conservative manifesto does not pledge any extra funding for mental health services despite doctors and campaigners warning services for children are in crisis. Natasha Devon, the governments former mental health tsar, told The Independent she visits three schools a week around the UK to talk about mental health issues. Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Show all 18 1 /18 Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health Sow Ay illustrations on mental health During the past seven years the funds for Camhs have been slashed to the tube of 85 million pounds, she said. Whilst schools are getting better at prevention, these cuts have left a significant swathe of children who do not meet the ever-increasing Camhs thresholds, yet have needs over and above what their school can provide, with no access to help. This has led to a situation where young people undertake dangerous behaviours and even attempt suicide knowing this is the only way to get the professional services they need. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A lawyer who raped an unconscious man at the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich was spared jail after claiming he is not gay. The sex attacker said he had developed a spontaneous affection for his victim after drinking ten pints of beer. The 38-year old Ukrainian-born rapist, known only as Sergeii C, due to Germanys strict privacy laws, was handed a two-year suspended sentence after the attack on his 32-year old American victim. Recommended Man has ear sliced off at Oktoberfest in Germany Sergeii C said he could not explain his actions or remember the incident, the Daily Mail reported. A court heard that he forced his victim, who was also in a drunken state, to give him oral sex on the Kotzhugel, a hill beside the beer tents at the world-famous event. The incident was filmed by two Spanish revellers who initially thought Sergeii C was robbing his sleeping victim. One of the pair reportedly told the court: He grabbed the victim in the leather pants at the front. We thought at first it was a robbery. But then he made clear movements that surprised us. The Ukrainian-born attacker confessed his crime, before telling the court: I had drunk at least six litres of beer. I cannot explain it to myself. I am not homosexual. 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. He added that he, would have never done it unless he believed the man had consented. In 2014, a 24-year-old British man was attacked and raped by two men at the famous Bavarian beer festival. At last years Oktoberfest, 31 sex crimes were reported, up from 21 in 2015, despite the event attracting the lowest number of visitors in fifteen years. Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter 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 Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Scientists in Australia claim to have discovered what could be a life-long cure for potentially fatal allergies to peanuts, shellfish and other food. The researchers said they had been able to turn off the allergic response in tests on mice using gene therapy to desensitise the bodys immune system, and suggested this could also be used to treat asthma. They predicted human trials could begin in just five or six years. Commenting on the study, a leading British expert said scientists had managed to cure allergies in mice before without this leading to an effective human treatment, but added that the new research could lead to the "Holy Grail" of allergy treatment. He was sceptical about the researchers' claims their technique might be effective against asthma, but Asthma UK said it was "a very exciting step forward". Allergies occur when the immune system over-reacts to something that is usually harmless. In the journal JCI Insight, the Australian researchers reported they had used genetic techniques to prevent this from happening in mice who were allergic to the protein in egg whites. In a video about the new research, Professor Ray Steptoe, of Queensland University, said: We can actually turn off the response. What that means is the disease is stopped in its tracks. What we do is we stop the underlying disease that causes these symptoms. That could revolutionise treatment for severe allergies. It would prevent, we think, some of the life-threatening allergic episodes that occur for people who are allergic to foods for instance. That would make a huge difference for people with severe allergies what that would mean is they would no longer be in fear of life-threatening incidents if they were to go to a restaurant and be exposed to shellfish and they werent aware that was in the food. Kids with peanut allergies could go to school without any fear of being contaminated from other kids food. We envisage in the future, with this approach, that they could go to the doctors rooms, get a single treatment and that would give them permanent protection from future allergic attacks or asthma attacks. He added that the researchers hoped human trials could begin in five to six years, estimated it would take a similar period after that for the treatment to be available to patients. Professor Adnan Custovic, an allergy expert at Imperial College London, expressed particular caution about the claim the treatment would be effective against asthma as the condition is caused by a completely different mechanism to the one behind food allergies. But he added: This is one of the potentially exciting approaches to treating allergies. Its sort of approach, where you try to switch off the allergic response, is kind of the Holy Grail, but a mouse model is not the same as a human model. We can cure allergies in mice but we cannot do it in humans the mechanisms are not identical. Only time will tell whether this approach will be a viable one. The worst jobs for your health Show all 10 1 /10 The worst jobs for your health The worst jobs for your health 10. Surgical and medical assistants, technologists, and technicians Overall unhealthiness score: 57.3 What they do: Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel and perform medical laboratory tests. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 88 2. Exposure to contaminants: 80 3. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 69 The worst jobs for your health 9. Stationary engineers and boiler operators Overall unhealthiness score: 57.7 What they do: Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 99 2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 89 3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 84 The worst jobs for your health 8. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators Overall unhealthiness score: 58.2 What they do: Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 97 2. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 80 3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 74 The worst jobs for your health 7. Histotechnologists and histologic technicians Overall unhealthiness score: 59.0 What they do: Prepare histologic slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to hazardous conditions: 88 2. Exposure to contaminants: 76 3. Exposure to disease and infections: 75 The worst jobs for your health 6. Immigration and customs inspectors Overall unhealthiness score: 59.3 What they do: Investigate and inspect people, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the US or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 78 2. Exposure to disease and infections: 63 3. Exposure to radiation: 62 The worst jobs for your health 5. Podiatrists Overall unhealthiness score: 60.2 What they do: Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 87 2. Exposure to radiation: 69 3. Exposure to contaminants: 67 The worst jobs for your health 4. Veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and laboratory animal caretakers and veterinary technologists and technicians What they do: Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals and perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 81 2. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 75 3. Exposure to contaminants: 74 The worst jobs for your health 3. Anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and anesthesiologist assistants Overall unhealthiness score: 62.3 What they do: Administer anesthetics or sedatives during medical procedures, and help patients in recovering from anesthesia. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to disease and infections: 94 2. Exposure to contaminants: 80 3. Exposure to radiation: 74 The worst jobs for your health 2. Flight attendants What they do: Provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. Greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 88 2. Exposure to disease and infections: 77 3. Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings: 69 The worst jobs for your health 1. Dentists, dental surgeons, and dental assistants Overall unhealthiness score: 65.4 What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care. Top three health risks: 1. Exposure to contaminants: 84 2. Exposure to disease and infections: 75 3. Time spent sitting: 67 And he criticised the degree of optimism about the technique expressed by the Australian team. My real problem with this sort of bombastic statements like this is people with asthma it gives them hope which very often is not realistic, Professor Custovic said. However Dr Erika Kennington, head of research at Asthma UK, was more optimistic. This is potentially a very exciting step forward in asthma research," she said. "Allergen immunotherapy exposing people to small amounts of an allergen in order to build up tolerance is currently the only disease-altering treatment available for asthma but it can have significant side effects in some people, and every other existing asthma treatment and medication works by reducing or relieving the symptoms. "These findings suggesting a novel approach to reversing allergic disease are therefore very welcome. We also know that there are certain allergy triggers that cause asthma flare ups, which makes this research important in possibly reducing the risk of life-threatening asthma attacks." But Dr Kennington also pointed to the difference between animal and human trials. A lot more research is needed to see if the same results can be achieved in people before we can say that a cure for asthma is around the corner," she said. In the study of the allergic mice, the researchers inserted a gene into blood stem cells that controls the immune response to the egg white. The genetically modified cells were then injected into the mices bone marrow, where they produced new blood cells that were able to turn off the allergic response. The researchers hope to create a similar form of gene therapy that works on humans after a single injection. We havent quite got it to the point where its as simple as getting a flu jab, so we are working on making it simpler and safer so it could be used across a wide cross-section of affected individuals, Dr Steptoe said. Dr Louisa James, British Society for Immunology spokesperson and an immunologist at Queen Mary University of London, said allergies were "far more complex than can be replicated in an animal model". "Patients with severe allergies often react to several different types of allergen and symptoms can develop over several years," she said. "Although the results are encouraging and heading in the right direction, it is too early to predict whether this form of therapy could ever be used to treat allergies in humans. "As the authors state in their paper 'gene-therapy is not yet suitable for clinical application to mild disease in young individuals'. "There are simply too many open questions around the translation of these findings from animal models into humans. Would the cells engineered to produce allergens produce the same response in humans? How would other immune cells that play a critical role in human allergy be affected? What are the mechanisms that switch off the immune response and are they comparable in humans? This approach holds promise, and further research is certainly warranted, but claims that a single injection could switch off allergies are over-optimistic at this time. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Residents have said they heard loud bangs after armed officers performed anti-terror raids in Huddersfield and Sheffield. Properties in both areas were searched by counter-terror officers after police received a tip-off on Thursday, and three men have since been arrested. One Sheffield resident Nick Meeks, who lives at the Daisy Spring Works apartment block in Kelham Island, on the same floor as the raided flat, said he heard an almighty explosion. Recommended Three men arrested over Manchester attack released without charge He told the BBC a door was blown off at a second floor property. I stuck my head out of the door and there were fully-armed police pointing guns down the hallway towards me screaming and shouting at me to get back in the flat, he said. A resident on Rudding Street in Crosland Moor, Huddersfield, who did not wish to be named, said at one point his house shook. He said: I heard a loud bang that sounded like a really big explosion, I thought it was a bomb. I ran outside and saw about 30 police and armed officers. People on the street have been kept inside their houses. The raids are understood to be Islamist-related. Two men, aged 24 and 29, were held in Huddersfield and Sheffield on suspicion of terror offences. 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 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 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty 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 The North East Counter Terrorism Unit said the men were being held at separate locations and remained in custody on Friday morning. A third man, aged 23, has since been detained in Sheffield on suspicion of assisting an offender. A CTU spokesperson said the operations in Huddersfield and Sheffield were not related to the investigation into the Manchester Arena bomb attack. Both property searches have now concluded and we would like to thank the local communities for their patience and understanding, she added. The CTU reassured local residents that the loud bangs were part of police operations to gain entry to the addresses. People living around a block of flats between Dun Street and Cornish Street, close to Sheffield's Inner Ring Road, said the bang went off at about 5.30pm on Thursday. Others said they saw armed plain-clothed officers in the triangular courtyard in the centre of the modern block. On Thursday night, cordons on the streets surrounding the property were lifted, although a number of police officers continued to guard the block - which is a relatively new building opposite the Shalesmoor tram stop - as a searches continued. Similar scenes were reported in Huddersfield, where a large number of armed police were deployed in the Ellison Street area of the town. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email 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 Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police in Manchester have seized a suspicious car possibly linked to arena bomber Salman Abedi. Greater Manchester Police said the white Nissan Micra "may be significant to the investigation" as the operation unfolded on Friday. Authorities were urging people to keep away from a large security cordon around the scene in Rusholme Place, where the bomb squad was seen arriving shortly before 4pm. It left just under two hours later. At about 8pm a 100m cordon around the Micra was lifted and the vehicle was seized. Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson, head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: This is potentially a significant development in the investigation. The car is a white Nissan Micra that has been located at Devell House, not far from Banff Road. We appreciate the road closures and evacuation have led to disruption and we would like to thank local people for their understanding while this police activity has been on-going. We are also really grateful for the publics continued help in what is a very fast moving investigation and again we appeal for the public to contact us with any information, however small you believe it may be, about Abedis movements. The car was outside a block of flats in Rusholme, the area where Abedi returned repeatedly carrying a blue suitcase in the run-up to the bombing. Police stand in front of a cordon in Rusholme, Manchester, on 2 June (Reuters) The Ronald McDonald House centre for the families of child patients at Manchester Royal Infirmary was evacuated, as well as surrounding homes and student accommodation. A nearby pub and shops were also shut along Wilmslow Road. It came as Prince William made a visit to Manchester, meeting police officers, paramedics and members of the emergency services who responded to the attack. The Duke of Cambridge also met volunteers at Manchester Cathedral and made a private visit to victims and their families at Manchester Children's Hospital. Police are attempting to piece together the bomber's movements from when he flew back from Libya on 18 May and the attack four days later. Prince William visits the headquarters of Greater Manchester Police in Manchester on 2 June (Reuters) New CCTV images have been released showing Abedi moving around Manchester during the period, sometimes carrying a blue suitcase investigators also want to trace. On Thursday, Det Ch Supt Jackson said he purchased parts for the bomb after arriving back in the UK, adding: What we still need to understand is if he had any of the bomb parts in his possession before he went out of the country. This is why we are tracking his movements so carefully. The detective confirmed that searches in the Banff Road area earlier this week were sparked by information given by members of the public, but despite house-to-house enquiries, police are still not satisfied why Abedi went there. It is vital we understand exactly where he went there and who he spoke to in these final days before the attack, he added. We need your help as we piece together what happened in the lead up to the attack and if Abedi was helped by anyone. Police previously confirmed that the attacker purchased many of the core components himself and made many movements alone in the four days before the attack. But investigators are still probing the possibility of a wider network behind the bombing, which killed 22 people and injured dozens more at Manchester Arena. 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 Two of Abedis cousins claimed they had no idea about his plans or his secret radicalisation. Isaac and Abz Forjani were arrested during police searches in Fallowfield following the attack but released without charge after a week of questioning. The fact that the person that did this is related to us by blood is something that's going to stay with me for the rest of my life, Isaac, 24, told the BBC. After growing up with his cousin and travelling to Libya as a family, he said he did not understand the motivation for Abedis attack. I don't understand where that ideology comes from, I don't understand what made him do what he did, Isaac added. The two brothers said they last saw Abedi three months before the bombing, when he got his hair trimmed at Abz barber shop in Moss Side. Abz described his cousin as a bubbly person that always acted normal, telling ITV they once had a lot in common, playing football together and experiencing the party life. People have seen it as a big network that were involved in but its nothing like that, he said, accusing Abedi of betraying the family. I believe it was all done by one man who developed thoughts in the last year [who] developed some sort of thoughts in the past few years which he kept to himself, secretly to himself, he added. He never shared it with any members of the family - if he would of, we could have done something to stop that happening. Abedis acquaintances said he was previously linked to gangs, smoked cannabis and drank but came back from Libya a completely different guy six years ago and suddenly turned religious, expressing extremist sentiments and hanging a black Islamist flag from his home. Greater Manchester Police said that 10 men, aged between 18 and 44, remain in custody on suspicion of terror offences. Anyone with information is asked to call the anti-terror hotline anonymously on 0800 789321 or send images and footage to police by visiting the UK Police Image Appeal website. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email 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 Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police have released new CCTV images showing the Manchester attacker moving around the city in the days before the bombing as they attempt to piece together his final movements. Investigators are appealing for help tracing a blue suitcase carried by Salman Abedi as he prepared for the atrocity, while making visits to the Wilmslow Road and Banff Road areas of Rusholme. Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson, head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, urged the public to look closely at the new images and contact police with any information. A CCTV image dated 18/5/2017 showing of Salman Abedi in an airport before he carried out the Manchester attack. (Greater Manchester Police) They show Abedi at an airport, using a cashpoint and walking around Manchester, and were all taken after he arrived back from Libya on 18 May. Greater Manchester Police said the 22-year-old left the UK on 15 April and returned four days before the attack. We are continuing to make significant progress in our investigation, Det Ch Supt Jackson said. We know from our enquiries that Abedi purchased parts for the bomb after arriving back. What we still need to understand is if he had any of the bomb parts in his possession before he went out of the country. This is why we are tracking his movements so carefully. A CCTV image showing Salman Abedi between 18 and 22 May, before he carried out the Manchester attack (Greater Manchester Police) The detective confirmed that searches in the Banff Road area earlier this week were sparked by information given by members of the public, but despite house-to-house enquiries, police are still not satisfied why Abedi went there. It is vital we understand exactly where he went there and who he spoke to in these final days before the attack, he added. We need your help as we piece together what happened in the lead up to the attack and if Abedi was helped by anyone. Police have previously confirmed that the attacker purchased many of the core components himself and made many movements alone in the four days before the attack. But investigators are still probing the possibility of a wider network supporting the attack, which killed 22 people and injured dozens more at Manchester Arena. Isis claimed responsibility for the atrocity, having released detailed instructions on carrying out terror attacks and bomb-making manuals. The mother of the attacks youngest victim has been informed of her daughters death after coming off life support in hospital. Lisa Roussos, 48, was critically injured by shrapnel in the bombing that killed eight-year-old Saffie and injured her older sister, Ashlee Bromwich. 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 Greater Manchester Police confirmed that 10 men, aged between 18 and 44, remain in custody on suspicion of terror offences. Two of Abedis cousins, his former landlord and a 15-year-old boy are among six people who have been released without charge so far in the investigation. The UKs terror threat level was raised to critical following the attack but put back down to severe days later, while hundreds of soldiers are now being taken off the streets. Around 1,000 military personnel were deployed to guard sensitive sites and bolster police as part of Operation Temperer. Heightened security will be in place at Old Trafford on Sunday, as Ariana Grande returns for a tribute concert alongside artists including Coldplay, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and Take That. All proceeds will go towards the We Love Manchester fund set up for victims and their families, while bar operator Central Fusion will also be donating its profits. 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. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 Trend: Azerbaijans First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva has been elected an honorary member of the Union of Architects of Azerbaijan. This was announced by Chairman of the Union of Architects Elbay Gasimzade during a meeting of presidents of the Second Regional Section of the International Union of Architects (UIA). Gasimzade noted that Azerbaijans First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva has also been awarded the Academician Mikayil Huseynov Medal for the preservation and protection of architectural heritage and contribution to this process. The meeting of the Second Regional Section of the International Union of Architects is held with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Legalising cannabis in the UK would improve public health, claims former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. In a blog post for the British Medical Journal, the Liberal Democrat MP argued that introducing a regulated market would protect users from dangerous strains that can lead to episodes of psychosis. Citing a 2015 study in south London, Mr Clegg said that skunk was a factor in a quarter of patients with first-episode psychosis, whereas people who smoked lower-potency cannabis showed no increased risk. Recommended Plan to legalise cannabis for high street sales unveiled by Lib Dems He went on to argue that regulation would allow the Government to cap maximum strength of strains and ensure that all strains contained cannabidiol (CBD), a protective component that can mitigate against the negative health effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In recent years, growers have been removing CBD from plants to produce stronger strains. CBD can protect users from anxiety and paranoia as well as the risk of addiction. Mr Clegg also reiterated claims laid out in the Lib Dem manifesto that a legal cannabis market could net the Exchequer 1bn in taxes. He wrote: We are not arguing to liberalise drug laws: cannabis of unknown content and potency is already available to any adults and children who want it. This is a debate about the merits of regulation versus a system without any control. The opponents of regulation should ask themselves this: what other public health problem do we contract out entirely to organised criminals? Although Mr Clegg alluded to the potential financial benefits of legalisation, which he says would bring in tax revenue that is otherwise lost to organised crime, he warned that the UK should learn the lessons from the alcohol and tobacco industries. The risks of unfettered commercialisation are real, he said. Mr Clegg argued for strict regulation from the start, including plain packaging and a ban on all advertising to prevent manufacturers from stimulating demand. 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 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 Florence Kasumba, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta and Lupita Nyongo attend the European Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in London Getty 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 The Liberal Democrats became the first major political party to include cannabis legalisation as an election pledge when they released their manifesto on 17 May. Neither the Conservative nor Labour party reference the issue in their manifestos. In an interview with Robert Peston last month, Prime Minister Theresa May said she did not believe in making cannabis use legal because she saw it as a gateway drug. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has hinted in the past that he would decriminalise cannabis for medicinal purposes, although he would not support legalising recreational drugs. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email 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 Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Bernie Sanders has said he sees similarities between himself and Jeremy Corbyn as he praised the Labour leader for revitalising democracy. The former US presidential candidate was speaking at the Cambridge Union during a visit to the UK. Answering a question from The Independent, Mr Sanders claimed there were similarities between himself and Mr Corbyn. Recommended Corbyn condemns Trump over withdrawing from climate change agreement He said: What Corbyn has tried to do with the Labour Party is not dissimilar to what some of us are trying to do with the Democratic Party, and that is to make it a party that is much more open and inviting for working people and young people and not have a liberal elite making the decisions from the top down. I think what Corbyn is doing is trying to revitalise democracy, bring a lot of new people into the political process and I think thats an excellent idea. Thats what we need in countries all over the world and certainly what we are trying to do in the United States. Mr Corbyn's team had been hoping the senator would endorse him during his visit. Mr Sanders stopped short of that, but praised the Labour leader for his courage in raising issues of economic inequality, saying it was easier to get people to support calls for equality on the grounds of gender, race and sexuality than it was to highlight economic divisions. He said: Corbyn has shown a lot of courage in dealing with some of the economic issues. If I were to give a speech about womens rights, people would say, Thats great Bernie. If I were to give a speech about gay rights, people would say, Thats great Bernie, we need to fight homophobia. If I were to give a speech about combating racism, people would say, Thats great, we cannot tolerate racism and people respond to that. 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 But what is harder for people to deal with is the fact that increasingly in this country and in my country, we are looking at oligarchic forms of government. I applaud Jeremy Corbyn for raising those issues because at the end of the day if we are going to create governments that work for all of us, if were going to deal with healthcare and create great education systems and protect the environment and combat climate change we need to have a government of what Abraham Lincoln described as of the people, by the people and for the people, and not a government of billionaires and large, multinational corporations. So I applaud Corbyn for raising those issues. Mr Sanders also attacked Donald Trumps decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change. It was stupid and dangerous and a setback for the entire planet, he said. When Trump ran for president, he indicated his opinion that, despite all the scientific evidence, Trump understood, uniquely, that climate change was a hoax. It is absurd and dangerous for the president of the most powerful nation on earth to reject science. Bernie Sanders with Cambridge Union speakers office Jonah Surkes (Cambridge Union Society) (Cambridge Union Society/Quiying Giulia Lai) Every public policy that is developed has to be based on science and on facts, and not on alternative facts. It goes without saying that Donald Trump is not one of my favourite presidents, he quipped. In very strange times we have a very strange president We have a president who lies all the time. Mr Sanders also slammed what he called Mr Trumps disastrous budget, claiming it would go down in history as the most reactionary, anti-working-class budget over presented by a president in US history. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email 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 Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa Mays immigration policy has been accused of being in chaos after she signalled she wanted to achieve the contentious target before 2022 only to be undermined by her Brexit Secretary hours later. While the Conservative manifesto published last month only goes as far as stating the pledge to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands as the partys objective, the Prime Minister said at a campaign rally she would be working to achieve the target by 2022. But on Thursday evening her Cabinet colleague David Davis, who was asked about the pledge as he appeared on BBCs Question Time, said: That wasnt actually in the manifesto, it was we will bring it down, we didnt say, we didnt put a date [its] the aim, yes, but we cant promise within five years, thats the point. Caroline Lucas, the leader of the Green party, seized on the apparent confusion as evidence of chaos. In a speech later, Ms Lucas will add: Behind the Tories hardline rhetoric on migration is the chaos of a policy thats unworkable, economic illiterate and utterly short-sighted. Its not wonder that Ministers are backing away from this foolhardy net migration target. Ms May told reporters as she travelled around Yorkshire on the Conservative battle bus that the party is working to bring immigration down to the tens of thousands. She continued: But having been Home Secretary for six years, this isnt something that you can just produce the magic bullet that suddenly does everything. What you have to do is keep working at it. It's a consistent working at it. Recommended Minority party leaders make passionate case for immigration You have to make sure that people aren't finding other ways, not to put too fine a point on it, to abuse the system, I mean that's one of the things we've had to do over the first few years was get a lot of the abuse out of the system. Earlier on Thursday, Brandon Lewis, the Home Office minister, told BBCs Daily Politics programme that the pledge would be over the course of the next parliament. When asked if that meant levels down to tens of thousands in five years' time, he replied: Over the course of the next parliament, yes. 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 According to an editorial ran by the former Chancellor George Osborne, who is now Editor of the London Evening Standard, none of the senior members of the Cabinet support the pledge privately and said retaining it was economically illiterate. One report by the new think-tank Global Future, suggests that reducing immigration to 100,000 or lower could have a catastrophic consequences for the British economy and derided Ms Mays policy as backward looking. It added that a net migration figure in excess of 200,000 double the Governments target is required to avoid collapse of whole sectors and alleviate pressures on the NHS and social care. The Prime Minister added at the rally: The reason why we want to bring net migration down to sustainable levels, which we have set at the tens of thousands, is because of the impact that immigration has when it's too fast and too high an uncontrolled on people. And it does have an impact on people, particularly at the low end of the income scale, in depressing wages at the lower end of the income scale. It can displace jobs and it puts pressure on public services. The Independent and the Open Britain group are running the Drop the Target campaign urging the Government to abandon the tens of thousands goal. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email 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 Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Labour has claimed the party has every chance of winning the seat being contested by Home Secretary Amber Rudd, despite the prominent role she has played in the election campaign. Ms Rudd is defending a majority of 4,796 in the Hastings and Rye constituency, but faces a difficult challenge after Labours seeming surge in the polls. The seat has been held by Ms Rudd since 2010, but at this election the Green Party has stepped down to support Peter Chowney, the Labour council leader who is standing as the party's candidate for MP. Mr Chowney told The Independent he had felt a real change in the mood. He said: As the tide turns in our favour both nationally and locally, and with the absence of any kind of Tory campaign, we've got every chance of winning." Ms Rudd filled in for Theresa May at the leaders debate after the Prime Minister declined to participate in the event. She has been touted as a future leader of the party but has now has the difficult challenge of fighting off Labours challenge in her constituency. 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 Robert Cooke, 38, a Conservative councillor and Hastings resident of 34 years, is relaxed about Ms Rudds chances. I dont think the reaction on the doorstep has ever been this good, he told The Times. People feel we can really do something, with Brexit. And this is a working-class town where people are struggling to pay their rent and their mortgage. The just about managing stuff works here. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email 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 Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate has said she believes feminising hormones in the water supply are affecting peoples sexuality. Susan King was responding to a question about party leader Tim Farrons past refusals to say whether or not gay sex is a sin. I do feel environmental influences are affecting reproduction," she answered during a live webchat with the Shropshire Star. All the pollution is having an effect on our DNA and our population is changing and evolving. Ms King who is standing for the Telford seat, added: There are a lot of feminising hormones getting into the environment and that has to be taken into consideration. Its affecting peoples sexuality basically. People are at liberty to interpret how they want to live themselves. Everything thats getting into the environment is disrupting the way industrialisation has changed our living conditions, residues of all sorts of feminising hormones in the water supply from pharmaceuticals, etc, which is affecting gender of fish stock, etc. The landscape specialist who used to work as a director of the National Pure Water Association was then asked if she believed the hormones were affecting peoples sexuality. I do, she replied. Ive done a lot of research connected with water quality, and that is where I gained my political and media experience. The National Pure Water Association is a non-profit organisation which campaigns for non-fluoridated water, despite broad scientific agreement that fluoride has reduced tooth decay in the general population. Her comments are bound the cause embarrassment for party leader Tim Farron who once again struggled to answer whether he thought gay sex was a sin, in a recent radio interview. In 2015, Mr Farron said his Twitter account had been hacked when it was used to respond to the British Humanist Association who shared findings that a large percentage of people believe homosexuality is curable. The tweet from Mr Farrons account said: They can be, most sexual disorientation is caused by chemical leaking check out the fish and frogs. 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 Kuldip Sahota, the Labour candidate in the Conservative-held Telford seat, told Pink News he was horrified and saddened that Ms King had made these harmful comments about peoples sexuality and called on her to apologise. To suggest that our water supply is affecting peoples sexuality is absolutely unacceptable" she said, This is a damaging statement and I strongly condemn these comments. This is not the first time the Lib Dems have been out of touch on LGBT issues. The Lib Dems have clearly chosen an out of touch candidate whos basic understanding is both warped and harmful. She should apologise immediately. Ms King has twice stood unsuccessfully for election in Leicestershire. Asked about Mr Farrons views on sexuality, she replied that he was an independent thinker who was entitled to his views. Tim has his finger on the pulse, he is very people-centred," she said. Tim is entitled to his own views and the Liberal Democrats are renowned for being open to all genders and welcoming everyones involvement in the political process. Ms King is not expected to pose a serious challenge in the seat as the party finished fifth out of five candidates in 2015, more than 15,000 votes behind the Conservative incumbent Lucy Allan. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email 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 Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa May has reportedly refused to take part in a series of local radio interviews in the run up to the general election. The prime minister is also said to have cancelled interviews with regional political editors at the BBC. A member of staff at the corporation, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted Guardian columnist, Owen Jones with the news via email. They said leaders of other parties had agreed to be interviewed and staff had been told not to comment publicly about the prime minister's withdrawal. Jeremy Corbyn and the leaders of Green, LD and UKIP have all responded to BBC interview requests for the Local Radio network as well as interviews with regional TV political editors, the email reads. Today, I learn that Mrs Mays team have confirmed she wont be doing the same. No Local Radio interviews (not even a pooled one for the network), no regional political editors interviews and no interview for the All England Show (a networked evening programme across the LR stations)." Ms May has already been accused of avoiding political discussion after she refused to participate in the leaders debate and sent Home Secretary Amber Rudd in her place. People took to social media to criticise the Prime Minister for opting out of the debate and #wherestheresa was trending on Twitter during the event. Ms May has also reportedly refused an interview on BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour and is instead sending the Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening. All the main party leaders, bar Mr Nuttall and Ms May, have accepted invitations to appear on the show. 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 A string of national polls have indicated the huge lead Ms May had over Mr Corbyn when the election was called has been cut drastically, while seat projections have pointed to a hung parliament. Voting intention compiled by YouGov put the Tories in the lead on 42 per cent and Labour three points behind on 39. This is a far cry from the 24 point lead seen when Ms May first called the general election. The Independent has contacted the Conservative party for a comment and sought clarification from the BBC, but none had arrived at the time of publication. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email 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 Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa Mays personal approval ratings have plummeted and for the first time more people are dissatisfied with her leadership than satisfied with it, according to a new poll. The findings suggest 50 per cent of people are dissatisfied with Ms May while only 43 per cent are satisfied - her lowest ratings to date. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meanwhile, has gained 23 points on Ms May in the last month, as her personal rating fell by 11 points. General Election polls and projections: June 2 The poll compiled by Ipsos MORI, asked who would make a better prime minister. Gideon Skinner, head of political research at the firm, said there had been a big hit to Ms Mays popularity in the last two weeks. Heres more evidence of the Conservatives wobbly week, with Labour improving again and the last two weeks of campaigning seeing a big hit to the Prime Ministers personal ratings, he said. The findings come at the end of tough week for the Prime Minister, who was roundly criticised for refusing to take part in an election debate with other party leaders. Home Secretary Amber Rudd, attended in her place. Nigel Farage, the former leader of Ukip has described Ms May as the Tory partys biggest liability. "I think as the campaign has gone on, she has gone from being their biggest asset to being their biggest liability," he told Sky News."It's quite tough to believe anything she says." 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 A string of national polls have indicated the huge lead Ms May had over Mr Corbyn has been cut drastically, while seat projections have pointed to a hung parliament. Voting intention compiled by YouGov put the Tories in the lead on 42 per cent and Labour three points behind on 39. When Ms May first called the general election, her Conservative Party had a 24 point lead. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email 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 Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Jeremy Corbyn has branded Donald Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris climate change accord as reckless and dangerous The Labour leader also accused Prime Minister Theresa May of a dereliction of duty after failing to sign a statement alongside other EU nations condemning Mr Trump. Just think about what is happening to our planet, Mr Corbyn added, claiming it was very big shame as he addressed party activists in York. He added: "Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate change deal is reckless and dangerous. The commitments made in Paris are vital to stop the world reaching the point of no return on climate change, and there can be no question of watering them down." It comes after Mr Trump announced on Thursday that he is withdrawing from the landmark Paris accord on climate change, aimed at tackling global warming. It was a decision Emmanuel Macron, the newly-elected French President, derided in an unprecedented English-language speech from the Elysee Palace. In a riff on Mr Trumps pledge to Make America Great Again, Mr Macron added: Wherever we live, whoever we are, we all share the same responsibility: make our planet great again. But while EU leaders from France, Germany and Italy signed a joint statement condemning the decision, the UK did not. Instead, Downing Street issued a statement saying Ms May has expressed her disappointment in a phone call with Mr Trump. Ms May also stressed that the UK remained committed to the 2015 agreement, which aims to limit the rise in global temperatures caused by the use of carbon-based fuels. A Downing Street spokesman said: President Trump called the Prime Minister this evening to discuss his decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement. The Prime Minister expressed her disappointment with the decision and stressed that the UK remained committed to the Paris Agreement, as she set out recently at the G7. She said that the Paris Agreement provides the right global framework for protecting the prosperity and security of future generations, while keeping energy affordable and secure for our citizens and businesses. The President made clear that the door remains open to future US involvement in the Agreement. Mr Corbyn also mocked the famous photos of Ms May during her January visit to Mr Trump in the White House, as he said: Pulling out of the Paris climate deal is reckless and regressive. Instead of hand-holding, I'll work for a sustainable future for our planet. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email 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 Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Jeremy Corbyn has accused Theresa May of being subservient to Donald Trump after she remained silent over the Paris Agreement on climate change and only expressed her disappointment after the US President announced his decision to quit the accord. The Labour leaders remarks were echoed by Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas, who condemned the Prime Minister for her slow and timid response and saying it was another sign of her weakness. Ms Mays leadership qualities have come under scrutiny as Labour has closed a once seemingly unassailable gap in the polls. This was only exacerbated by her decision not to take part in the BBC leaders debate. Mr Corbyn said the US withdrawal from Paris was reckless and dangerous. There can be no question of watering those commitments down the Paris deal cannot be up for renegotiation, he said, dismissing Mr Trumps suggestion he might be able to do this. And he criticised Ms Mays decision not to add her name to a statement defending the Paris Agreement by the leaders of France, Germany and Italy. Why does Theresa May not have her name on this joint statement? he said. Given the chance to present a united front with our international partners, she has instead opted for silence and, once again, subservience to Donald Trump. Ms Lucas also contrasted Ms Mays belated expression of her disappointment with the tough response from Europes leaders. Theresa Mays slow and timid response to this reckless and irresponsible announcement by Trump is another sign of her weakness, Ms Lucas said. A true global leader would be condemning the Presidents actions, and joining with other European countries to formulate an emergency plan to save the Paris Agreement. Once again were seeing a weak Prime Minister failing to stand up tall on the world stage in the face of near-criminal behaviour from one of our closest allies. She said the UK should be leading the way on tackling climate change but the Conservatives were dragging us backwards at home, and stepping back from making an impact internationally. Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, challenged Ms May to try to change Mr Trumps mind. 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 You have gone to Washington to hold Donald Trumps hand, now is the time to hold his feet to the fire, he said. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was an appalling abdication of leadership by the Prime Minister not to join her French, German and Italian counterparts in signing a joint declaration about the United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. In the statement, Emmanuel Macron, the French President, Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, and Paolo Gentiloni, the Italian Prime Minister, said they remained committed to the irreversible accord and regarded it as a cornerstone in the cooperation between our countries, for effectively and timely tackling climate change. In a statement, Downing Street said Mr Trump had called Ms May to discuss withdrawing from Paris. The Prime Minister expressed her disappointment with the decision and stressed that the UK remained committed to the Paris Agreement, as she set out recently at the G7, the statement said. She said that the Paris Agreement provides the right global framework for protecting the prosperity and security of future generations, while keeping energy affordable and secure for our citizens and businesses. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email 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 Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A growing number of US states and counties are taking action against people who abuse animals by listing their names on an official registry, similar to the way sex offenders details are stored. The measures aim to protect the welfare of animals by allowing pet shops and shelters to check prospective owners are not on the registry. They also provide a way to vet pet-sitters and those seeking to buy an animal from another person. A wider law enforcement motivation is also behind the registries, as studies have shown people who are cruel to animals are more likely to enact violent crime against people. Tennessee was the first state to introduce a registry in January 2016, following the lead of a small number of regions in New York state, including New York City, and one area in Illinois. Tampa in Florida joined the list of counties with animal abuser registers in September and similar initiatives have now been proposed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas and Washington. This registry not only protects animals, but it can identify and maybe even prevent violence against humans, too, said Kevin Beckner, commissioner of Hillsborough County in Florida, home to the city of Tampa, when the law was passed there. Not all the new registries are available to the public, but citizens in Tennessee can view the names, dates of birth, addresses and crime details of the states eight people convicted of cruelty to animals. Animals enjoy the first snowfall of 2017 In the UK, police keep details of registered sex offenders and parents and guardians are able to make a formal request to find out whether an individual has committed a child sex offence. A recent petition to introduce a similar initiative for people convicted of animal cruelty gathered a thousand signatures, but was forced to close early because of the general election. Recommended Men film themselves torturing a kangaroo and post video on Snapchat Others have called for more serious sentencing for animal cruelty, including one petition created after the high-profile case of the mistreatment of a bulldog called Baby by two brothers, which was signed by nearly half a million people. The website of the UK-based Campaign for an Animal Abuser Register says: Current animal welfare law is a start, but there are serious loopholes. It's a surprise to many that at the moment there is no legal requirement to record an animal abuser's name and details on any Register, or to make abusers report any change in their details or address. This means the police and prosecuting agencies can't keep track of offenders and prevent further cruelty to animals. Where not to visit if you love animals Show all 9 1 /9 Where not to visit if you love animals Where not to visit if you love animals Monkey shows Chimpanzees are forced to perform demeaning tricks on leashes and are often subject to cruel training techniques. Animals who are confined to small, barren enclosures and forced to perform unsurprisingly show symptoms of stress and depression. Chimpanzees have been documented rocking back and forth, sucking their lips, salivating and swaying against enclosure perimeters in distress. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Marine parks Some parks confine orcas to concrete tanks and force them to perform meaningless tricks for food - many die in captivity. Orcas are highly intelligent and social mammals who may suffer immensely, both physically and mentally, when they're held in captivity. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Tiger shows Tigers are forced to live in an unnatural and barren environment and have to endure interactions with a constant stream of tourists. Since tigers never lose their wild instincts, across the world they are reportedly drugged, mutilated and restrained in order to make them safe for the public. However, every year, incidents of tiger maulings are reported at this type of tourist attraction. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Donkey rides Sunning on the beach is great for humans we can take a quick dip or catch a bite to eat when we get too hot or hungry. But it's pure hell for donkeys who are confined to the beach and forced to cart children around on the hot sand. Some donkey-ride operators at beach resorts in the UK even keep the animals chained together at all times. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Swimming with dolphins Some marine parks use bottlenose dolphins in performances and offer visitors the opportunity to swim with dolphins. Unfortunately, people are often unaware that these animals are captured in the wild and torn from their families or traded between different parks around the world. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Canned hunting Lions are confined to fenced areas so that they can easily be cornered, with no chance of escape. Most of them will have been bred in captivity and then taken from their mothers to be hand-reared by the cub-petting industry. When they get too big, they may be drugged before they are released into a "hunting" enclosure. Because these animals are usually kept in fenced enclosures (ranging in size from just a few square yards to thousands of acres), they never stand a chance of surviving. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Running of the Bulls Every year, tourists travel to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls. The bulls who are forced to slip and slide down the town's narrow cobblestone streets are chased straight into the bullring. They are then taunted, stabbed repeatedly and finally killed by the matador in front of a jeering crowd. The majority of Spaniards reject bullfighting, but tourists are keeping the cruel industry on its last legs. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Horse-drawn carriages City streets are no place for horses. The animals toil in all weather extremes, suffering from respiratory distress from breathing in exhaust fumes as well as numerous hoof, leg and back problems from walking on pavement all day long. As easily spooked prey animals, horses subjected to the loud noises and unexpected sounds of city streets are likely to be involved in accidents, even deadly ones. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Zoos The zoo community regards the animals it keeps as commodities, and animals are regularly bought, sold, borrowed and traded without any regard for established relationships. Zoos breed animals because the presence of babies draws visitors and boosts revenue, yet often, there's nowhere to put the offspring as they grow, and they are killed, as we saw with Marius the giraffe in Denmark. Some zoos have introduced evening events with loud music and alcohol which disrupt the incarcerated animals even further. EPA It also lists the names of a number of convicted murderers known to have tortured or killed animals. The double murderer Stephen Farrow (convicted last year) killed other people's pet animals as a child. The killers Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy, Raoul Moat, and the child murderers Ian Brady, Thomas Hamilton, Robert Thompson, and Ian Huntley all killed animals after torturing them, it says. In the US, acts of cruelty against animals have been tracked by the FBI since 2016 in the same way as crimes including arson, burglary, assault and even homicide, allowing police to monitor and tackle the extent of animal neglect, torture and other abuse. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 Trend: The Peruvian Embassy has started functioning in Azerbaijan, the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said June 2. The newly appointed Charge dAffaires of the Peruvian Embassy Luis Chang Boldrini met with head of the Department of State Protocol of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Parvin Mirzazade. Mirzazade wished Chang Boldrini success during his diplomatic tenure. The Peruvian diplomat said he will spare no effort to develop bilateral cooperation between the two countries during his tenure. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email 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 Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to let it move forward with the President's plan to temporarily ban citizens from six mostly Muslim countries, elevating a divisive legal battle involving national security and religious discrimination to the nation's highest court. Justice Department lawyers asked the court to overturn a decision of the full US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit that kept in place a freeze on President Donald Trump's revised ban. The 10-to-3 ruling last week was one in a series of legal defeats for the administration, as judges across the country have said Mr Trump's claim of protecting the nation was cover for making good on a campaign promise to ban Muslims from entry into the United States. The government's filing late Thursday asks the justices to set aside the 4th Circuit ruling and accept the case for oral arguments. It also asks the high court to lift a nationwide injunction issued by a federal judge in a separate Hawaii case. A panel of the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which covers Hawaii, heard the government's arguments in that case last month, but has not yet ruled. In turning to the high court, Justice Department lawyers said the 4th Circuit should have considered only the language of the executive order and not second guessed the President's motivations. The Supreme Court "has never invalidated religion-neutral government action based on speculation about officials' subjective motivations drawn from campaign-trail statements by a political candidate," the government's lawyers wrote in their filing. Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said Thursday that the administration is "confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism." The President's travel order has been one of the most controversial of the Trump administration, as the first entry ban created chaos at airports around the world and prompted major protests here and abroad. Mr Trump has denounced judicial decisions freezing the ban as unprecedented assaults on his power to fulfil his most important role, keeping the nation safe. It would take the votes of five of the nine justices to grant the government's request, and require a finding that the government was likely to prevail on the merits of its argument - and that it would be irreparably harmed if the 4th Circuit's decision remained in place. The timing of case is tricky: the process of briefing, arguing and deciding a case at the Supreme Court takes months. The justices are scheduled to end their work at the end of the month. And the ban, if it is allowed to be enforced, is proposed as temporary, just to give the government 90 days to study and implement new vetting procedures. Acting solicitor general Jeffrey Wall has said that the ruling in the Hawaii case has prevented the government from moving forward on those objectives. Mr Trump on 27 January, just a week after inauguration, issued the first travel ban executive order. It barred the entry of citizens of seven majority-Muslim nations (Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Libya), ordered a temporary halt to refugee arrivals and would have eventually given preference to those who were religious minorities in their countries, such as Christians. Several judges and a panel of the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit shut it down. Mr Trump vowed to go to the Supreme Court that time, too, but eventually issued a new order. That order, the subject of the 4th Circuit ruling, removed Iraq from the list, deleted references to religion and added national security rationales for the policy. But it was stopped by federal district judges in Maryland and Hawaii. In the 4th Circuit, which covers Maryland, six judges agreed in full with an opinion by Chief Judge Roger Gregory that the national security rationale advanced by the president was simply pretext for unlawful animosity toward Muslims and an attempt to make good on a campaign promise to bar Muslims from entry into the country. He cited Mr Trump's campaign rhetoric and statements made when he signed the executive orders and said courts had an obligation to look beyond their seemingly neutral language. The order "speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination," Gregory wrote. 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 In their filing Thursday, the government's lawyers acknowledged the high-profile political debate surrounding the travel order, but said it was critical for the court to affirm the president's broad authority when it comes to immigration. "The precedent set by this case for the judiciary's proper role in reviewing the president's national-security and immigration authority will transcend this debate, this order, and this constitutional moment," they said. "The decision below departs from those rules, and calls into question the Executive and his authority in a way that warrants this Court's review." At the 4th Circuit, two of the judges agreed with the majority that the order likely violates the constitutional command that government not favour or disparage one religion over another. But they also said the order was not justified under the power that Congress gives the president by law. That broad power says that "whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens . . . would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may . . . suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants." Congress later added, though that "no person shall receive any preference or priority or be discriminated against in the issuance of an immigrant visa because of the person's race, sex, nationality, place of birth, or place of residence." Judge Barbara Milano Keenan said that Mr Trump had made no finding that the citizens of the six countries provided a specific threat to the United States. And Judge James Wynn Jr. said Congress did not give the president power to take action based on "invidious discrimination." All of the judges ruling against Mr Trump were nominated to the appeals court by Democratic presidents. The three dissenting judges were nominated by Republicans, and said their colleagues had wandered into uncharted territory by relying on campaign statements to find an Establishment Clause violation. "The Supreme Court surely will shudder at the majority's adoption of this new rule that has no limits or bounds - one that transforms the majority's criticisms of a candidate's various campaign statements into a constitutional violation" wrote Judge Paul Niemeyer. (C) Washington Post Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email 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 Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Google is honouring Gilbert Baker, the artist responsible for creating one of the most recognisable symbols of the LGBTQ movement, the rainbow flag. Mr Gilbert huddled with fellow members of the LGBTQ community in a San Francisco gay community centre attic nearly 40 years ago, with fabrics that they then hand-dyed and sewed together themselves. From those humble beginnings, that rainbow flag has become an international symbol for the gay community, used to celebrate and mourn on some of the world's grandest canvasses - from the White House to the spire on the World Trade Center, and more. Here are some of the most spectacular uses of the rainbow colours that Mr Baker helped make a defining aspect of the LGBTQ community and movement. The White House The rainbow flag has been projected onto monuments all over the world. (Getty) The White House lit up with the colours of the rainbow flag in celebration of the Supreme Court's decision to uphold legal gay marriage, extending the right to marry to all 50 states in 2015. Brussels Grand Place (Getty (Getty) The heritage buildings on the Brussels Grand Place were illuminated in rainbow after the 2016 terror attack in Orlando, Florida, targeting a gay club. The public square was also lit up with the rainbow colours to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Belgian LGBTQ pride movement in 2015 (below). (Getty (Getty) Eiffel Tower (Getty (Getty) The Eiffel Tower in Paris was lit up following the Orlando attack. One World Trade Center (Getty (Getty) The World Trade Center in New York has been lit up on at least two occasions with the rainbow flag. It was illuminated once following the Supreme Court gay marriage decision, and then once again just shy of a year later following the Orlando attack. The Empire State Building Like the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building in New York was lit up for both the gay marriage decision and the Orlando attack. The Space Needle (Getty (Getty) The Space Needle in Seattle flew the rainbow flag at half mast in honour of the victims of the Orlando attack. Brandenburg Gate (Getty (Getty) Berlin honoured the dead in Orlando by illuminating the Brandenburg Gate. San Francisco City Hall (Getty (Getty) San Francisco, the home of the flag, honours Gay Pride by lighting up its city hall. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email 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 Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Muslims kneeling to pray as part of a protest in front of Trump Tower in New York were joined by Jewish supporters who formed a protective barrier around the crowd. Around 100 Muslim activists gathered at Donald Trump's business headquarters and former home in Manhattan to break their fast on the sixth day of Ramadan. They said they had come there to have the first meal eaten after sunset during the Muslim holy month, known as iftar, in protest the US President's divisive policies and rhetoric on Islam. Everyday American Muslims are confronted with bigotry and hate while commuting to work and school, applying for jobs, practising their faith and simply living their lives, Anu Joshi, deputy director of the New York State Immigrant Action Fund, told CNN. Jewish activists showed solidarity with the protests by protecting those praying before they broke their fast. Jews are forming a protective perimeter around our Muslim siblings as they prepare to pray. We keep each other safe, wrote the group Jews for Racial and Economic Justice on Twitter. After the prayers, the protesters shared a meal including rice, chicken and pizza. Executive orders made by Mr Trump barring travel from six predominantly Muslim nations to the US have been blocked by lawyers who say they are discriminatory and unconstitutional. The President has denied the orders are a Muslim ban. Shortly after his inauguration, he called his plans extreme vetting. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email 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 Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Filmmaker Michael Moore has branded President Donald Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement a crime against humanity. The left-wing commentator, who has been a frequent critic of Mr Trumps, said on Twitter: This admitted predator has now expanded his predatory acts to the entire planet. USA to Earth. F*** YOU, he added, in a series of tweets. America First! Earth last! My name is Michael Moore. I am an American. And I live in a Rogue State. Mr Trump caused worldwide outrage when he confirmed this week his administration would withdraw from the Paris climate accord, fulfilling a key pledge from his 2016 presidential campaign. In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord, Mr Trump said, arguing the deal was harmful to US manufacturing and was costing jobs. The bottom line is that the Paris accord is very unfair at the highest level to the United States, he said. We are getting out, but we will start to negotiate and we will see if we can make a deal that is fair. The US is currently the worlds second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, behind China. Mr Obama had pledged to cut the nations emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2025. His decision puts the US at odds with nearly 200 other nations who are working together on the worlds first major agreement aimed at combatting climate change, signed in 2015 by his predecessor Barack Obama. The agreement consists of individual greenhouse gas limits that each signatory nation was allowed to determine in the negotiation process. Mr Obama led the chorus of disapproval after Mr Trump confirmed his decision to pull out, saying the Trump administration had decided to join the small handful of nations that reject the future". Mr Obama had repeatedly said that signing up to the deal was one of his proudest moments as President. Prime minister Theresa May was less strident in her condemnation of Mr Trumps decision. In a statement, Downing Street said the Prime Minister expressed her disappointment with the decision and stressed that the UK remained committed to the Paris Agreement". Frances newly elected President Emmanuel Macron told Mr Trump in a telephone conversation that nothing could be renegotiated regarding Paris climate accord, Reuters news agency reported. Ms May was the only European G7 leader not to sign her name to a joint statement condemning Mr Trumps decision. The leaders of Italy, Germany and France said in the statement the agreement was a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies". Mr Moore is currently making a film about Mr Trump entitled Fahrenheit 11/9, a reference to the day Trump was declared President of the United States, teaming up once more with Weinstein brothers with whom he made the film Fahrenheit 9/11, a critique of the George W Bush administration. The outspoken filmmaker said of his motivation to make the film: No matter what you throw at him, it hasnt worked. No matter what is revealed, he remains standing. Facts, reality, brains cannot defeat him. Even when he commits a self-inflicted wound, he gets up the next morning and keeps going and tweeting. That all ends with this movie. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email 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 Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} California is to seek its own international agreement on climate change with China, the states governor has suggested. Jerry Brown, who previously signalled the west coast state was ready to fight Donald Trump over the issue, said he would discuss merging Chinas and Californias carbon trading markets on a visit to Beijing. Carbon trading, also known as cap-and-trade, is seen as an important mechanism for driving down greenhouse gas emissions and Californias market is already linked to the one in Quebec, Canada. Essentially large sources of carbon are given a cap on emissions, beyond which they cannot go unless they buy an allowance. The allowances are sold by companies that reduce emissions below their cap, creating a double incentive to make cuts. China plans to create a national carbon trading market this year, although the project has hit some problems. Mr Brown said he hoped to be able to link the Californian and Chinese schemes at some point. I think that is a heavy lift to include Chinese provinces, but we are definitely taking that possibility very seriously, he said. We want to make sure it has full integrity and know exactly whats going on. And we cant say that today. Recommended Corbyn condemns Trump over withdrawing from climate change agreement Maybe we dont put it right in the same cap-and-trade regime, maybe some parallel regime. I am going to discuss that with the highest officials in China this week. He also described Mr Trumps decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement in typically forthright terms: insane. Speaking after the Republican billionaires election, Mr Brown said California might even launch its own satellites to monitor the Earths climate if Mr Trump decided to scrap the Nasa programme. 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 also warned his administration would fight the national one because denial of climate change was at odds with the survivability of our world. But Mr Brown also sounded a hopeful note that Mr Trumps election might just spur the rest of the world into greater action, in a similar way to a heart attack prompting someone to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The special counsel investigating possible ties between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia's government has taken over a separate criminal probe involving former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and may expand his inquiry to investigate the roles of the attorney general and deputy attorney general in the firing of FBI Director James Comey. The Justice Department's criminal investigation into Manafort, who was forced to resign as Trump campaign chairman in August amid questions over his business dealings years ago in Ukraine, predated the 2016 election and the counterintelligence probe that in July began investigating possible collusion between Moscow and associates of Trump. The move to consolidate the matters, involving allegations of kleptocracy of Ukrainian government funds, indicates that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is assuming a broad mandate in his new role running the sensational investigation. The expansiveness of Mueller's investigation was described to the AP. No one familiar with the matter has been willing to discuss the scope of his investigation on the record because it is just getting underway and because revealing details could complicate its progress. In an interview separately Friday with the AP, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein acknowledged that Mueller could expand his inquiry to include Attorney General Jeff Sessions' and Rosenstein's own roles in the decision to fire Comey, who was investigating the Trump campaign. Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller as special counsel to take over the investigation, wrote the memorandum intended to justify Trump's decision to fire Comey. Sessions met with Trump and Rosenstein to discuss Trump's decision to fire him despite Sessions' pledge not to become involved in the Russia case. Rosenstein told the AP that if he were to become a subject of Mueller's investigation, he would recuse himself from any oversight of Mueller. Under Justice Department rules, Mueller is required to seek permission from Rosenstein to investigate additional matters other than ones already specified in the paperwork formally appointing Mueller. I've talked with Director Mueller about this, Rosenstein said. He's going to make the appropriate decisions, and if anything that I did winds up being relevant to his investigation then, as Director Mueller and I discussed, if there's a need from me to recuse I will. 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 Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment on the scope of the investigation. Mueller, who spent 12 years as FBI director and served under Republican and Democratic presidents, was appointed as special counsel following the May 9 firing of Comey, who is expected to testify for the first time next week before the Senate. Mueller's assignment, detailed in a one-page order signed by Rosenstein, covers the federal investigation into possible links or coordination between Russia and associates of the Trump campaign but also any matters that arose or may arise directly from the probe. It would also extend to any allegations of perjury, witness intimidation or obstruction of justice uncovered during the course of the investigation. As Mueller's investigation begins, members of Congress are intensely interested in its direction and scope. The Justice Department began looking at Manafort's work in Ukraine around the beginning of 2014, as Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovych, was toppled amid protests of alleged corruption and Russian influence. Business records obtained by the AP show Manafort's political consulting firm began working as early as 2004 for clients that variously included a political boss in Yanukovych's party, a Ukrainian oligarch and Oleg Deripaska, a Russian businessman and longtime ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin. A special counsel, by design, is constrained by the terms of his appointment to avoid boundless and perpetually open-ended investigations. In this case, though, Mueller's mandate appears fairly broad, said Samuel Buell, a former federal prosecutor and criminal law professor at Duke University. That investigation that's named in the appointment is already one that has, as far as we can tell, a number of tentacles and offshoots that involves conduct over a fairly lengthy period of time involving a lot of people, Buell said. He said he did not expect Mueller to seek Rosenstein's approval each time he wants to subpoena another new witness or pursue a new Russia-related investigative thread. The more difficult question would involve any allegations separate and apart from Russia, he said. This gives him the authority to pull on all kinds of string and see where they lead him, Buell said. As long as you're following a string that's connected to the string of Russian influence on the election however that may have occurred, whoever that may have involved would seem to fall within that appointment. Manafort's work in Ukraine continued at least through the beginning of 2014, when Yanukovych's government was ousted amid protests of widespread corruption and his rejection of a European trade deal in favor of one with Moscow. As the AP reported last year, that work included covertly directing a lobbying campaign on behalf of Ukraine's pro-Russian Party of Regions in Washington. Following the AP's reporting on emails in which Manafort deputy Rick Gates was overseeing the work, two lobbying firms involved in the project registered as foreign agents. Manafort has not done so, and a spokesman for him has declined to say if he will. Associated Press Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email 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 Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been an outspoken critic of US President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw his country from the Paris climate agreement, but hes also been quietly working to help other American leaders ensure that carbon emissions drop. Mr Trudeau tweeted that we are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw form the Paris Agreement, after Mr Trumps announcement. Notably, he specified the federal governments actions, not the US as a whole. Thats because Mr Trudeaus administration has been quietly reaching out directly to US governors to discuss cross-border collaborations on climate change. For instance, he met with Washington Governor Jay Inslee just last month to talk climate change. Washington is one of three states to have pledged to honour the carbon emission goals set forth in the Paris agreement in spite of Mr Trumps pull back. Recommended Donald Trump will not kill the Paris climate deal Washington is joined by New York and California in vowing to continue the fight against climate change. The three states account for roughly a fifth of the US economy, and produced about 11 percent of US emissions in 2014, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. The president has already said climate change is a hoax, which is the exact opposite of virtually all scientific and worldwide opinion, California Governor Jerry Brown said in a joint statement with Mr Inslee and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo . I dont believe fighting reality is a good strategy not for America, not for anybody. If the President is going to be AWOL in this profoundly important human endeavour, then California and other states will step up. The three states are already some of the most progressive in policies regarding greenhouse gas emissions and aim to lead the world on fighting climate change. 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan Other US leaders have also pledge to continue fighting climate change, too. When Mr Trump said during his withdrawal announcement that he was elected to represent Pittsburgh not Paris, the mayor of that city, Bill Peduto, quickly vowed that Steel City would continue to fight climate change (the majority of residents there voted for Mr Trumps competition in 2016, and most adults support reducing greenhouse gas emissions). Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Vice President Mike Pence has called the issue of climate change "a paramount issue for the left" as he sought to defend Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement on climate change. His comments came a day after Mr Trump announced he was pulling out of the global accord signed by nearly 200 countries in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle global warming. The move has been met with harsh criticism from the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and former President Barack Obama, who used an executive order to push through US involvement in the deal so he could bypass climate sceptics in Congress. Recommended Trump confirms withdrawal from Paris Agreement on climate change Mr Pence echoed the President's comments on the administration's "America First" doctrine, saying he was steadfast in his belief that withdrawing from the climate deal would be good for the US economy and job creation. It is "so refreshing to have a President who stands without apology ... For America first", Mr Pence said on Fox News' Fox & Friends programme, saying he didn't understand why climate change had become such a big issue for the Democrats and the left. Mr Pence called the Paris deal "a transfer of wealth from the most powerful economy in the world to other countries around the planet". His remarks came as China and Europe pledged to unite to save what German Chancellor Angela Merkel called our Mother Earth. At a long-planned meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and European Union officials in Brussels, the leaders pledged full implementation of the Paris deal. They committed to reduce their use of fossil fuels, develop more green technology and raise funds to help poorer countries reduce emissions. 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan China, now the world's largest polluter, has emerged as Europe's unlikely partner in this and other areas as Mr Trump has isolated the United States on many issues. China said it was a responsible country that had been tackling climate change. Separately, India also pledged their commitment to the accord. Today we are stepping up our cooperation on climate change with China ... We are convinced that yesterday's decision by the United States to leave the Paris agreement is a big mistake, European Council President Donald Tusk said. Earlier, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: There is no reverse gear to energy transition. There is no backsliding on the Paris Agreement. Amid the international outcry over Mr Trump's decision, Vice President Pence sought to tout the Trump administrations environmental credentials. "We've demonstrated real leadership and real progress" on emissions reductions and environment, Mr Pence said. He was one of a number of Trump administration officials to defend the withdrawal a day after Mr Trump announced it. Senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said Mr Trump's decision is about fairness to American workers and businesses. The President believes in a clean environment, she said in an appearance on Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends. Why should we frontload so much of the economic burden in this agreement? Ms Conway added. At the White House, Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said that Mr Trump had made a "courageous decision ... On behalf of the American people". However, Mr Trump's proposed federal budget calls for a slashing of Mr Pruitt's EPA budget by nearly 30 per cent and includes cuts to other agencies doing work on climate change like the ocean preservation activities of the US Coast Guard and climate diplomacy at the State Department. The Vice President said the US had to leave the Paris accord and renegotiate it because it "put a real burden ... On our people" and American workers. In his announcement at the White House, Mr Trump repeated his campaign promise to bring back the US coal industry and manufacturing jobs for US workers. Coal industry jobs have actually been in a steady decline since the 1970s, mainly because of changing local economies and a focus on cleaner energy alternatives. New money in the renewable energy sector outpaced new investments in the oil and gas industry for the first time in 2015 to the tune of $350bn. Several business leaders including the heads of Shell and BP as well as former Exxon Mobil CEO and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson all urged Mr Trump to stay in the Paris agreement. In his first public comments on Mr Trump's move on Thursday, Mr Tillerson called it a policy decision by the President. Mr Tillerson said people needed to recognise that the US has a terrific record of reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions, adding that it is something I think we can be proud of. That was done in the absence of the Paris agreement, Mr Tillerson said. I don't think we're going to change our effort to reduce our emission in the future, either. So hopefully, people can keep it in perspective, the Secretary of State added. In his press conference, Mr Pruitt said that he had been called a "climate sceptic or a climate denier" but that he doesn't "know what it means to deny the climate". "I would say that there are climate exaggerators," Mr Pruitt added. However, while Mr Pruitt said that he believes human activity plays a role in global warming even if he thinks that contribution is difficult to measure all of Trump administrations officials asked on the topic refused to say if Mr Trump believes in climate change. Mr Pruitt dodged the question when it was put to him, while Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who was appearing at the same briefing, said he had "not had the opportunity to specifically talk to the President about that". Ms Conway also demurred, while the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told CNN that while he "doesn't believe climate change is a hoax" he does not speak for President Trump and hadn't asked him about the subject. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement means the the US will join just two countries - Nicaragua and Syria in opting out of the accord. Citing onerous energy restrictions placed on his country, the US leader used a study by National Economic Research Associates, which claimed 27 million American jobs will be lost by 2025, to justify his decision. He also argued that China could increase its emissions over the next 13-years under the agreement. To date 195 countries have signed up to the accord and 147 have ratified it. However, Nicaragua refused to sign up to the accord, because the central American country does not believe it goes far enough to tackle climate change. During December 2015 UN in Paris, the head of the Nicaraguan delegation, Paul Oquist, denounced the agreement, calling it a path to failure. He said it wasn'tt doing enough to protect Mother Earth and the countrys rebellion was symbolic. Nicaragua, is a tiny emitter, with a 0.03% share of global emissions, but it is at risk from extreme storms, which experts blame on the overheating caused by climate change. Shortly after the talks, he told Climate Change News: We do not want to be accomplices to the death, damages and destruction that a 3C or 4C [warmer] world will represent." The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters He added that it did not hold larger countries who pump out the majority of carbon emissions properly accountable. Syria has been in the midst of a civil war for more than six years and is subject to European and American sanctions. As a result it could not sign up. Although Mr Trump has pulled the US out of the deal, he insisted that he "will work to ensure that America remains the worlds leader on environmental issues, but under a framework that is fair and where the burdens and responsibilities are equally shared among the many nations all around the world. However, the US president was unclear on how he will reduce emissions from his country, which is second only to China when it comes to emitting fossil fuels. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he does not judge Donald Trumps decision to quit the landmark Paris climate change deal, and that he thinks there is still time to reach an agreement to suit all nations Dont worry, be happy, Mr Putin told an economic forum in St Petersburg. However, he added that America would have had a better bargaining position to change the accord if the country had stayed in the deal. Mr Putin said that the best course of action is to create circumstances where world leaders can work together to redefine the accord, and that the world needs to take the Paris agreement as a starting point and work from there. Mr Trump sparked international outrage when he announced that the US would withdraw from the deal, which his predecessors administration had made a priority and played a lead role in creating. World leaders on six continents condemned the decision, as did several US governors and mayors. The US President, saying that the deal hurts American workers and jobs, announced that he would work to tailor a better deal with the world. But many foreign leaders involved said that wasnt an option. We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies, the leaders of France, Italy, and Germany said in a rare joint statement. 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan The Paris climate agreement, reached in December 2015, is an international agreement that seeks to keep the global average temperature no more than 2C above pre-industrial levels, and below 1.5C if possible. In order to help developing countries that would be hit hardest by a switch from cheaper fossil fuels, advanced nations such as the United States agreed to create a $100bn fund to provide financial aid. Originally, 196 countries committed to the climate deal. The United States now joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only three countries in the world to not be in the deal. Those two countries, both of which emit a fraction of the greenhouse gases the US does, didnt opt out of the deal simply because they dont believe in the dangers of climate change, either. Nicaragua refused to sign because of the voluntary nature of the agreement, with Nicaraguas climate negotiator at the time saying, Were not going to submit because voluntary responsibility is a path to failure. We dont want to be an accomplice to taking the world to 3 to 4 degrees and the death and destruction that represents. Syria faced a myriad of challenges: The deal reached consensus at a time when fighting in the civil war there had reached a fever pitch, and many Syrian officials were under sanctions from western nations that limited their ability to travel to negotiations unless they were held in friendly countries like Russia. During the wide ranging press conference in St Petersburg, Mr Putin also discussed allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US election, and his view that Russia and the Nato military alliance need to cooperate to fight terrorism. As for allegations that the Russian government meddled in the 2016 election to damage Democrat Hillary Clinton and help Mr Trump, Mr Putin said the allegations contain only assumptions, nothing concrete. Its an attempt to solve internal political problems using foreign policy instruments, he said. Its harmful, hurting international relations, the global economy, security and the fight against terror. Its time to stop that useless and harmful chatter. Mr Putin said he had personally reviewed the US intelligence reports which made the hacking allegations against Russia, and that they contained no meaningful evidence. I have read these reports, said Mr Putin. Even in these reports there is nothing specific but only assumptions and conclusions based on assumptions. The idea that the hacking had reportedly been carried out from Russian IP addresses which constituted meaningful evidence of anything was absurd, he said. Where are the finger prints? IP addresses can be faked. Do you know how many specialists there are who can make it look as if your children sent something from your home IP address? They can fake anything and then accuse anyone. Its not evidence. Continuing his forthright views, he said the Democrats were merely blaming their defeat on Russia, invoking comparisons to anti-Semitism. The other (Clinton) team miscalculated. They dont want to admit their mistake. Its easier for them to say that they are not guilty, that the Russians are the guilty ones for interfering in our election. It reminds me of anti-Semitism. Visibly irritated by having to discuss the matter, Mr Putin also denied separate accusations that there had been some kind of secret deal between Moscow and the Trump team before his inauguration. There was nothing concrete, zero. Its just hysteria. Should I give you a pill? Mr Putin said to a moderator who asked him about the matter. Both sides of Congress and the FBI are investigating the extent to which the Russian government may have worked to influence the US election through cyber attacks, and have already placed sanctions on the Kremlin for that role. Investigators are also reportedly looking into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials, and whether any campaign officials were complicit in colluding with the 2016 election meddling. Mr Putin scoffed at the US focus on meetings between his ambassador to the US Sergei Kislyaks contacts with Trump campaign officials, insisting that it was perfectly normal for Mr Kislyak to try to establish contacts and discuss future ties, and adding that he hadn't even started to discuss specifics. What else is the ambassador supposed to do? Mr Putin said. Hes paid for holding meetings, discussing current affairs. Are you nuts? Mr Putin said he thought that Mr Trump ran the more efficient election campaign but did not leave him free of criticism. Mr Trump said he views Nato as an instrument of American foreign policy, and that he has been concerned by Nato military infrastructure edging closer to Russian borders. Nato, which was established as a check on the Soviet Union, has been moving military assets into Baltic states and Poland following Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, which many countries in Europe viewed as an act of aggression. Mr Trump recently although vaguely reaffirmed the USs commitment to the military alliance during his first foreign trip abroad as president after once saying the organisation was obsolete. The US President told Nato allies that they need to start paying a fairer share of the costs of the alliance, but that he no longer thinks Nato is obsolete. However, while describing Nato as a Cold War relic, Mr Putin made clear that Russia and the group should co-operate to fight terrorism. He also called on US businessmen to help restore normal dialogue with the US, and said that he would continue to talk to Mr Trump and his administration. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 3 Trend: Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov was received by the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, H.E Mr. Luis Guillermo Solis within his official visit to the Republic of Costa Rica. At the meeting, Elmar Mammadyarov conveyed greetings and the best wishes of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E Mr.Ilham Aliyev to President Luis Guillermo Solis. In his turn, President Luis Guillermo asked to deliver his most sincere wishes to President Ilham Aliyev. E.Mammadyarov noted that the 20thyears anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations is being celebrated and particularly highlighted the last decade in terms of development of bilateral relations in various spheres. In this regard, he talked about the importance of exchange of high level mutual visits. Furthermore, E.Mammadyarov briefed President Luis Guillermo Solis about the reforms being carried out in economic, social and fiscal spheres and favorable business climate in Azerbaijan and added that there are wide ranges of opportunities for cooperation in the fields of economy-trade, tourism, energy, logistics, maritime. He also expressed his hopes that addition of Costa Rica to the ASAN visa system would serve to the increase of tourists flow from Costa Rica to Azerbaijan. Commending Azerbaijans far-reaching successful development strategy, President Luis Guillermo Solis stated that Costa Rica is interested in strengthening relations with Azerbaijan in various fields of cooperation. Issues of mutual interests were also discussed at the meeting. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate deal has been labelled an international disgrace by world leaders, US politicians and environmental groups, who all lined-up to decry the President's announcement. The Presidents decision to pull the US out of the accord aligns the country with Syria and Nicaragua, the only two nations that did not sign up for the 195-nation deal reached in Paris in 2015. Mr Trump called German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Prime Minister Theresa May after his speech announcing his decision but that did not stop his allies from voicing their displeasure. Ms May told Mr Trump that she was disappointed and stressed that the UK remained committed to the agreement. Recommended Trump confirms withdrawal from Paris Agreement on climate change Italy, France and Germany issued a joint statement saying they regretted Mr Trump's decision to withdraw, and dismissed his suggestion that the global pact could be revised. The US President said he is seeking a fairer deal that would protect American workers. We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris agreement cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies, the leaders of the three countries said. The unusual French-Italian-German statement, released barely an hour after Mr Trump announced his decision, underscored the disappointment of the Eurozone's three largest economies and their resolve to plough ahead without Washington's support. Ms Merkel said that she would continue to work to save the Earth while Mr Macron said there was no plan B because there is no planet B. Aping Mr Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slog, Mr Macron urged nations to make our planet great again. Back in the US, former President Barack Obama who helped shape the Paris accord said Mr Trump's administration was joining a small handful of nations that reject the future. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Senator, called the USs withdrawal an abdication of American leadership. At this moment, when climate change is already causing devastating harm around the world, we do not have the moral right to turn our backs on efforts to preserve this planet for future generations, Mr Sanders said. Democratic senator Sheldon Whitehouse, co-chair of the US Senates Climate Action Task Force said, ignoring reality and leaving the Paris agreement could go down as one of the worst foreign policy blunders in our nation's history. Democratic congresswoman Norma Torres, a member of the Houses natural resources committee, noted that the agreement was a landmark achievement that saw unprecedented cooperation between 175 nations and all sectors of the economy. 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 To say this was a diplomatic victory for the United States would be an understatement, Ms Torres said. However, once again, we're seeing President Trump cede US global leadership to suit his personal political agenda. Tanya Steele, chief executive of the World Wildlife Fund, said the USs withdrawal would make it harder for the world, to reach a safer and more prosperous future. Most people in the UK want the Prime Minister to convince President Trump to stay true to what was agreed in Paris and we urge the next UK Government to press for the USA to urgently re-join the Agreement, Ms Steele said. She added: The Paris Agreement is more important than just one country and with over 196 signatories it will continue to work towards a low carbon, sustainable future. The Trump administration must not only back the agreement but be a driving force in tackling climate change. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris and Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, urged Mr Trump to reconsider his short-sighted decision. The years to 2020 will be crucial in determining if the worst effects of climate change can be avoided, Ms Hidalgo wrote in an editorial for Newsweek. American leadership on this urgent challenge is needed now more than ever. However, she added that regardless of Mr Trumps action, the great cities of the world, in particular the 12 American C40 cities, remain resolutely committed to doing what needs to be done to implement the Paris Agreement. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump isn't planning on trying to use his presidential powers to attempt to prevent former FBI James Comey from testifying before Congress about their interactions, the New York Times reports. That reported decision comes after staffers including White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said that the president and his White House counsel were considering whether to invoke a doctrine called executive privilege. The announcement drew criticism and questions about whether Mr Trump had the power to silence Mr Comey, who is now a private citizen and theoretically enjoys First Amendment privileges laid out in the Constitution to discuss his non-classified interactions with the president. Legal experts have suggested that the method could be used to stop Mr Comey from testifying. However, such a manoeuvre would likely draw criticism and could be challenged in court. We'll be watching with the rest of the world when Director Comey testifies, Ms Conway told ABC News. Mr Comey, who was fired by the US president last month, is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee which is probing possible collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia. He was overseeing an FBI investigation into the issue before his dismissal. He will appear in a public session and behind closed doors. Mr Comey's dismissal was criticised by Democrats and Republicans alike. Alongside the Russia investigation, he was heading a separate probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Mr Flynn resigned in February after it was revealed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other top White House officials about his conversations with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the US. 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 The President has said Mr Comey informed him three times that he personally was not under investigation. However, a memo allegedly written by Mr Comey and reported in The New York Times suggested that the president asked him to end its investigation into Mr Flynn. The White House dismissed the memo as inaccurate. The Senate panel is likely to ask Mr Comey about these interactions and the allegation that Mr Trump tried to pressure him into dropping the FBIs inquiry into Mr Flynn, whose ties to both Russia and Turkey are under scrutiny. Mr Comey has reportedly spoken with Special Counsel Robert Mueller who is now overseeing the Russia investigation for the Justice Department to work out what he can publicly discuss in his testimony and thereby ensure there are no legal issues. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives also have committees conducting their own probes into possible ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. Mr Trump has denied claims of any collusion, calling reports about the matter, fake news. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating possible ties between the Donald Trump election campaign and Russia, is expanding his probe to include a grand jury investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, sources have said. The move means Mueller's politically charged inquiry will now look into Flynn's paid work as a lobbyist for a Turkish businessman in 2016, in addition to contacts between Russian officials and Mr Flynn and other Trump associates during and after the presidential election. Federal prosecutors in Virginia are investigating a deal between Flynn and Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin as part of a grand jury criminal probe, according to a subpoena seen by Reuters. Mr Alptekin's company, Netherlands-based Inovo BV, paid Flynn's consultancy $530,000 between September and November to produce a documentary and research on Fethullah Gulen, an exiled Turkish cleric living in the United States. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blames Mr Gulen for a failed coup last July. Mr Alptekin, an ally of Mr Erdogan, told Reuters he hired Flynn to provide research on how Mr Gulen is "poisoning the atmosphere" between Turkey and the United States. Mr Gulen has denied any role in the coup and dismisses Turkey's allegations that he heads a terrorist organisation. The grand jury in Virginia has issued subpoenas to some of Mr Flynn's business associates involved in the work for Inovo, two people familiar with the probe say. The subpoena seen by Reuters seeks bank records, documents and communications related to Mr Flynn, his company, Flynn Intel Group, Alptekin and Inovo. Mr Flynn's lawyer, Robert Kelner, did not respond to questions about Mr Flynn's work for Inovo or Mueller's investigation. A spokesman for Mr Mueller declined to comment. Mr Alptekin declined to comment when asked about the investigation into Flynn and whether he or anyone he knows has been subpoenaed. 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 Mr Mueller's move to take over the Virginia grand jury's criminal investigation highlights his broad powers as special counsel. Deputy US Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mr Mueller, a former FBI director, on 17 May to oversee an investigation into any links or collusion between Russia and individuals associated with the Trump campaign. Mr Rosenstein also gave him authority to pursue aany matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation. Some members of Congress have asked the Justice Department to define the scope of Mr Mueller's inquiry. Mr Mueller's appointment followed an uproar over Trumpas firing of FBI Director James Comey, who had been investigating alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Democrats and some of the president's fellow Republicans had demanded an independent probe of whether Russia tried to sway the outcome of November's election in favour of Mr Trump and against Democrat Hillary Clinton. Putin: It's "possible" that Russian hackers interfered with US election Mr Trump, who has said there was no coordination between his campaign and Russia, has decried the investigation as a awitch hunt.a One of Mr Trump's most trusted aides during the election campaign, Mr Flynn had a long career in the military. He set up the Flynn Intel Group, an Alexandria, Virginia-based intelligence consultancy, after President Barack Obama dismissed him as head of the military's Defence Intelligence Agency in 2014. Mr Mueller, who takes over leadership of an FBI investigation that began last July, can present evidence to grand juries and hear testimony from witnesses. Mr Trump fired Mr Flynn in February after it became clear that he had falsely characterised the nature of phone conversations he had with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak in December, just after the Obama administration imposed new sanctions on Russia for what US intelligence agencies had concluded was a Kremlin-led effort through computer hacking, fake news and propaganda to boost Mr Trump's chances of winning the White House. Mr Flynn's work for Inovo came under scrutiny after he published a commentary on a political news website on Election Day calling Gulen a "radical Islamist" who should be extradited to Turkey. Along with the editorial, the Flynn Intel Group also produced a 75-page report on Mr Gulen based mainly on news reports and some video footage for a documentary that was never made, according to three people familiar with the project. Mr Alptekin, who is chairman of the Turkey-U.S. Business Council, told Reuters he was satisfied with Mr Flynn's research because it had helped him understand how Gulen's network operates in the United States. He said the $530,000 payment to Flynn's firm came mostly from his personal funds. The House of Representatives intelligence committee, which is also investigating Russian interference in the election, subpoenaed records from Mr Flynn on Wednesday. The Senate's intelligence committee, which has a separate probe under way, has also served subpoenas on Flynn and two of his businesses, and earlier this week Mr Flynn indicated that he would start turning over relevant materials. Reuters 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police in Germany suspended the first day of the Rock am Ring music festival after receiving a tip off about a potential terror attack. The event, one of Germany's best known festivals, was cleared out on Friday evening after police in the nearby city of Koblenz said they had received information about a "concrete threat". "Due to a terrorist threat the police have advised us to interrupt the festival, organisers said on the festival website. Recommended Organisers cancel rock festival after lightning strikes injure 80 fans The festival was due to resume on Saturday afternoon after "intensive searches" of the site. A spokesperson for Rock am Ring said: "The suspicion of a potential terrorist threat has not been confirmed by police.The incredibly disciplined fans deserve all our respect and gratitude." Around 90,000 music fans were expected to attend the annual three-day event by the end of the weekend. The German band Rammstein was the Friday night headliner, but hadn't yet started playing at the time the evacuation was announced. The public reacted fantastically, organiser Marek Lieberberg said. Authorities took the precautionary measure less than two weeks after 22 people were killed as they left an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. The festival had brought in strict security controls including body searches in the wake of the Manchester suicide bombing, and backpacks and bags were banned. Some 1,200 uniformed and plains clothes police were drafted in for the event. Germany has been on high alert since a number of violent attacks last year, including the truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that left 12 victims dead and dozens of others injured. Festivalgoers leave the site of the 'Rock am Ring' festival at the Nuerburgring circuit after a terrorist threat warning (EPA) Rock am Ring was cancelled last year after more than 80 people were injured by lightning strikes during fierce and sudden summer storms. The German Red Cross said at least 72 people were admitted to hospital after the storm struck. Of those, eight people were seriously hurt. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The district of Besos in Barcelona, Utrecht in the Netherlands and the Finnish city of Helsinki are all reportedly set to trial a universal basic income scheme. Residents will be given money for two years to lift them above the breadline as the scheme looks to investigate innovative and creative solutions. Each area will be been given 13m (11m) from the European Union to fund the scheme, which will grant 1,000 randomly selected low-income households between 400 and 525 (350 and 455) per month. Those who are selected are expected to join programmes which look to aid them at finding long-term employment and will be encouraged to get involved in social inclusion initiatives. We want to monitor what impact it will have once the right to housing is guaranteed, Laia Ortiz, who oversees social policy at Barcelona's city hall, told The Local. The scheme also intends to split participants into four groups and give them grants in different forms to analyse which method of payment is best. 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 ultimate aim of the plans are to test and analyse how effective forms of universal economic support, combined with access to services such as housing, education, work and community participation can reduce poverty. The idea of a universal basic income has gained traction around the world in recent years amid predictions that techological advancements will soon make millions of jobs obsolete. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is among many prominent figures to call for its introduction. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Aravrit, a new typeface which manages to merge Hebrew and Arabic letters together, is being billed as a language of peace - and its not hard to see why. Liron Lavi Turkenich, a 32-year-old Israeli typeface designer and researcher, was inspired to see if she could combine the two languages by the bilingual road markings and other official signage in her home town of Haifa, which has a large Arab population. Its common to hear both Hebrew and Arabic in Haifa. I dont speak Arabic, and one day I noticed I ignore the language, she said in a video explaining how Ararvit works. I looked for a way to bridge the gap and that led to my project. The writing system utilises the work of French ophthalmologist Louis Emile Javal, who discovered that we only need to be able to see the top half of Latin letters to make sense of a word. The same is true for Arabic - and, as Ms Turkenich found, the bottom half of the Hebrew alphabet. She eventually created 638 characters which cover all possible letter combinations. Ms Turkenich in a still from Aravirt's explanatory video (Liron Lavi Turkenich/Aravrit) (Liron Lavi Turkenich/Aravit) While several initiatives along the same lines as Aravrit have been floated in the past, but Ms Turkenichs invention appears to be making real waves: a video in Hebrew explaining the project has been viewed on different social media accounts more than a million times and generated thousands of positive comments since it was picked up by Israeli public broadcaster Kan last week. "I am incredibly happy that Aravrit finds a space in so many people's hearts. In addition to the positive reactions, the project also brings up important discussions. I feel that it gives people a way to express hope, from a very basic point of view - language," Ms Turkenich told The Independent in an email. Language is often tied up with politics in Israel and the occupied West Bank; in May, Israeli politicians gave their backing to a bill which would make Hebrew the only official language in the Jewish state - a move critics said marginalises Israels 20 per cent Arab population. This didnt start as a political project, but the response on the street is amazing, Ms Turkenich said. People can read it right away and feel like theyve solved a riddle. Bottom line, I wanted everyone to read the language they find easiest without ignoring the other language which is always present." The typeface designer has hopes that her new script could be adopted across the country. "It would be great to see it incorporated into public spaces or any suitable platform we come across in our daily lives," she said. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Several people have been killed after police opened fire on protesters, who were calling for better security measures in the wake of a massive suicide bombing, in the Afghan capital of Kabul. The demonstration, which began early on Friday, turned violent as it reached the gates of the Presidential Palace. More than 1,000 people chanted slogans calling for the resignation of the government, as well as death to the Taliban and death to Haqqani, the wing of the insurgency believed by intelligence services to be responsible for Wednesdays attack. The security forces used riot gear and water cannons before firing live rounds into the air to try to dissuade the angry crowd from storming the grounds of the palace. Kabul police chief General Hassan Shah Frogh said his officers were left with no choice when they realised some of the protesters were carrying weapons. They fired at police, wounding four officers, he said, although eyewitnesses contested his version of events, claiming protesters only threw stones. Initial reports of the number of dead vary: the public health ministry said four had died, but one local hospital said at least six people had been killed. Many in Afghanistan are losing patience with the weak and divided government of President Ashraf Ghani, which they say is not doing enough to protect the people from militant violence. Protesters demand better security in Kabul Show all 10 1 /10 Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters demand better security in Kabul A woman tries to stop police from firing on protesters during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Afghan security officials use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators as they protest against a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, 02 June 2017. At least 90 people were killed and more than 350 wounded in a suicide bomb attack near the foreign embassies in Kabul on 31 May. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul A policeman rests during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters shout anti government slogans during a demonstration to protest against the lack of security in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jun 2, 2017. Some 500 people are demonstrating in Kabul for better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters shout anti government slogans during a demonstration to protest against the lack of security in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jun 2, 2017. Some 500 people are demonstrating in Kabul for better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. ( AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul A boy walks past protesters during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP For Gods sake, what is happening to this country?, Ghulam Sakhi, a shoemaker whose shop is close to the site of the blast, said to Reuters on Thursday. People leave home to fetch a loaf of bread for their children and later that evening, their dead body is sent back to the family. Extremist attacks by the Taliban and Isis targeting both civilians and the military around the country have increased since international troops withdrew from Afghanistan in 2014. Hundreds have died in the violence. The Taliban are now in control of approximately 40 per cent of the country, although they hold no cities. Wednesdays massive suicide truck bombing near the German embassy and near the Presidential Palace was one of the deadliest attacks to hit the capital in recent years, killing 90 and wounding more than 400. 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Nadia Murad, the Yazidi woman who so bravely told the world about the horrors inflicted on her people by Isis, has made an emotional return home to her village in northern Iraq for the first time since 2014. Ms Murad, now 24, broke down in tears hugging her brother, a fighter who alongside the Shia paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) managed to liberate Kojo earlier this week. She also visited her old home, collecting clothing which belonged to her mother, who was killed by Isis because she was considered old to be enslaved. I have been waiting for this day for nearly three years, she told a Reuters photographer embedded with the PMF unit, standing on the rooftop of her old school and looking at her home town. The rights activist was captured by Isis soldiers after they swept through Iraq from neighbouring Syria three years ago. She was sold as a slave and taken to the city of Mosul, where she endured months of sexual and physical abuse before escaping. She gained worldwide recognition after testifying at the UN in 2015 about what happened when Isis invaded the village, lining up and shooting around 600 men - including six of her brothers and stepbrothers. Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Show all 15 1 /15 Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced people from the minority Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Isis in Sinjar town, walk towards the Syrian border, on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain, near the Syrian border town of Elierbeh of Al-Hasakah Governorate Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced people from the minority Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Isis in Sinjar town, walk towards the Syrian border, on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain, near the Syrian border town of Elierbeh of Al-Hasakah Governorate Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community settle at a camp at Derike, Syria. In the camps here, Iraqi refugees have new heroes: Syrian Kurdish fighters who battled militants to carve an escape route to tens of thousands trapped on a mountaintop Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis A pilot based at RAF Marham entering a Tornado GR4 prior to taking off for the reconnaissance mission over Iraq. Several RAF Tornado jets set off from RAF Marham in Norfolk this afternoon to travel to a "pre-position", from where they will fly to northern Iraq to provide improved surveillance of the situation on the ground. The jets, fitted with Litening III targeting and surveillance pods, will be able to fly over the crisis area to provide intelligence and help with the delivery of humanitarian aid Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis A British Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado GR4 aircraft equipped with the Litening III pod from RAF Marham, eastern England, on their arrival at RAF Akrotiri Cyprus for their reconnaissance mission over Iraq Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Aid inside a Royal Air Force (RAF) Hercules C130 J aircraft before being airdropped to civilians in Iraq Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis A Royal Air Force (RAF) Hercules C130 J military transport plane at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Britain made a third round of airdrops of supplies to aid refugees stranded on a mountain in northern Iraq, officials said, as Tornado fighters arrived at an RAF base in Cyprus preparing to provide surveillance support for the humanitarian effort Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado GR4 aircraft, flown in from Britain, stand on the tarmac at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis A displaced man helps a woman, both from the minority Yazidi sect fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Isis in Sinjar town, as they make their way towards the Syrian border, on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain, near the Syrian border town of Elierbeh of Al-Hasakah Governorate Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Iraqis including Turkmen, Shabaks, Kurds, Yezidis and Christians, fleeing from assaults of army groups led by Isis, take shelter at Bahirka Camp in Arbil Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community look for clothes to wear among items provided by a charity organization at the Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community gather for food at the Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community gather for food at the Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Syrian Kurdish Peshmerga fighters take a sick Iraqi Yazidi woman to the clinic at Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Sick displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community wait for treatment at a clinic at Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria We hoped our fate would be to be killed like the men instead of being sold and raped by Syrians, Iraqis... Tunisians and Europeans, Ms Murad said. Since escaping Ms Murad has become an advocate for the Yazidis and for refugee and women's rights in general. In 2016, she and another Yazidi woman, Lamiya Aji Bashar, received the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought. The UN believes the crimes committed against Iraqs Yazidi religious minority - whom the group considers devil worshippers - amount to a genocide. Escaped Yazidi Isis sex slaves win Sakharov prize Ms Murad is lobbying the Iraqi government and UN for an investigation and official documentation of the thousands of unmarked graves which litter the region. Isis stronghold of Mosul is about to fall to US-backed Iraqi coalition troops, and the organisation has been dislodged from much of Sinjar, the province which most Yazidis call home. While it may be defeated as a land-holding force, it is expected the group will morph into an insurgency, creating instability in Iraq for many years to come. Reuters contributed reporting 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 Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Irelands governing party Fine Gael has elected Leo Varadkar as its new leader, meaning the once-staunchly Catholic country will get its first openly gay prime minister. The 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant will also be the youngest-ever person to hold the office, succeeding Enda Kenny, 66, in a striking generational and social change. Mr Varadkar overcame ministerial colleague Simon Coveney as expected, winning an overwhelming majority of support among the centre-right partys politicians. He is expected to be voted in as prime minister when parliament next sits on 13 June. If somebody of my age, of my mixed race background and of all the things that make up my character can potentially become leader of our country, then I think that sends out a message to every child born today that there is no office in Ireland that they cant aspire to, Mr Varadkar told Newstalk radio this week. Although he has held three cabinet posts since 2011, Mr Varadkar is relatively inexperienced and was first elected in 2007. With the exception of Mr Kenny, every prime minister since the 1960s either served as finance or foreign minister prior to taking office. Mr Kenny sat in parliament for 35 years before his elevation. The Castlebar, Co Mayo, native led the party for 15 years and has been at the head of two governments for more than six years. He delayed his resignation on a number of occasions this year. 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 After six years of his steady stewardship, the focus has been on the stark change of style likely to follow the election of a minister known as a straight talker rather than on his sexuality, despite Irelands conservative culture. Mr Varadkars Indian father, Ashok, moved to Ireland in the 1970s. The new premier had not been born when Mr Kenny, 66, was first elected as a member of parliament and comes from the generation hit hardest by Irelands economic meltdown. He owned an apartment that fell into negative equity at the turn of the decade. He will also be a year younger than Frances Emmanuel Macron when he attends his first EU leaders summit later this month. But Mr Varadkar has been quick to point out that the favourite to become Austrias new prime minister, Sebastian Kurz, is eight years younger. Hes a once-in-a-generation politician, said Fine Gael member of parliament Jim Daly, echoing the comments of most of his colleagues who have placed high hopes in Varadkar. Additional reporting by agencies Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email 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 Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} As my taxi pulls up outside the newly opened Four Seasons at the Surf Club, I look around, confused. The discreet frontage is all sand-coloured stone and softly curling vines, the arched entrance bookended by bloated terracotta pots. It strikes me as being more luxe Mediterranean than Floridian you would never guess were a stones throw from Miamis pumping South Beach. The dolce vita vibes continue as I am wafted inside, into a high-ceilinged lobby flanked by tall potted palms and huge archways, terracotta tiles under foot. Eastern-infused lamps hang overhead; black and white photographs pepper the clean white walls. The only indications that Im on the south Florida coast rather than, say, the Amalfi coast, are the big smiles and American accents at reception. Everyone seems overly keen to find out how my day is going. Four Seasons at the Surf Club has a continental feel (Four Seasons) Theres more than a touch of old Hollywood glamour about the joint unsurprising when you know a little about the hotels history. In a previous life it was an exclusive members club, the high-class haunt to be seen at after it was founded in the 1930s by tycoon Harvey Firestone. In its heyday, the Surf Club was graced by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Winston Churchill, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Frank Sinatra. Some of that impressive lineage seems imbued in the bones of the place, courtesy of architect Richard Meier and designer Joseph Dirands vision. The colour palette is stylishly muted, with white, taupe, sage green and a dull, matte gold that whispers, rather than screams, luxury. Recommended Ten great places to visit in Miami That evening I wander further inside to find the hotel restaurant and champagne bar also have an affinity with the continent. Le Sirenuse is upscale Italian in both style and menu, with nouveau twists on classic dishes. A dark wood ceiling, art deco lamps, more huge potted palms and lazily circling ceiling fans all create the impression that Ive hopped back in time to an age of all-night parties, gimlets and celebrity dalliances after dark. I wouldnt be at all surprised to clock Elizabeth Taylor at the next table. On my overly-attentive waiters recommendation, I plump for risotto with mozzarella and tomato jam followed by the octopus with tomato, potatoes and olives. Several amuse-bouche are included as a tasty surprise; mini bruschetta and gazpacho excite and cleanse the palate respectively, while a lemon and white chocolate lollipop makes an even sweeter end to an already sweet meal. The restaurant also serves up Italianate breakfast dishes, with eggs and mozzarella, tomato and basil on the menu. Thankfully its only a hop, skip and a waddle from the restaurant to the outdoor pool; 100 yards or so more brings me to a private gate accessing Surfside Beach. The Four Seasons literally backs onto its own little slice of the Atlantic and while the beach isnt private, a small clutch of loungers and umbrellas is reserved for guests. The hotel is right on Surfside Beach (Four Seasons) Unlike many new hotels, the Four Seasons actually feels finished. Not one cushion is out of place; theres no exposed wiring to mar the illusion of perfection. The only sign that it isnt 100 per cent done comes when I stumble down a back corridor to another set of lifts, none of which work, save one that opens ominously slowly and looks like a building site inside. I back away cautiously, back into the sun-drenched lobby, to resume my stay in a cocoon of untarnished glamour. Location The hotel is located in Surfside a neighbourhood thats equidistant from Hollywood to the north (albeit the kind with zero movie stars), and Miamis South Beach to the south. The area itself isnt buzzing there are a number of kosher restaurants a few blocks away, but little else. Of an evening, its best to venture further afield and head down the coast to Miamis North Beach, a five-minute drive, or South Beach, a 20-minute drive. I soon find that hiring a car or catching a cab is by far the easiest way of exploring Miami. This sprawling city is not a place for pedestrians. A 30-minute Uber ride costs around $15 (12) to $20. Comfort Life doesnt get much more comfortable than the Surf Clubs spacious, richly yet simply furnished rooms. The design is a mix of contemporary and old-fashioned luxury, with floor-to-ceiling white/grey marble in the bathroom, a sand-coloured marble chaise longue combined with in-built writing table and raffia-panelled wardrobes that light up when opened. Crisp sheets on the king-sized bed and cool, white walls add up to the classiest brand of beach chic. It all harks back to the days when the place played host to moguls and movie stars, but the mod cons are as modern as they come. A panel by the bed lets me choose a lighting scheme to suit my mood, and the shades, drapes and privacy an electronic do not disturb sign can be controlled at the touch of a button. A complimentary iPad gives access to over 200 newspapers should one wish to keep up to date with whats happening in the real world I decidedly do not and snazzy bronze spherical speakers can be connected to your phones music via Bluetooth. Again, I forgo the pleasure, preferring the sound of the waves lapping a stones throw from my balcony. A giant flat-screen TV and Nespresso machine complete the effort to bring the Surf Club firmly into the 21st century. Bedrooms are a haven of low-key luxury (Four Seasons) For extra relaxation, a spa is discreetly tucked away at the back of the hotel, with hammam and sauna facilities free for guests use. I indulge further with a 60-minute personalised facial using Biologique products, which smell reassuringly plant-based and have solid, scientific-sounding names. The only fly in the face cream? Here, as with everywhere in the hotel, service is of the disconcertingly verbal American kind. I cant go through a door without being hounded about how my day is going, or read by the pool in peace without being asked if theres anything Id like every five minutes. But I take a breath, shake off my uptight, English reserve and relax right into it. Well, it would be rude not to. Particularly as the staff are circling with free mango smoothie shots. Essentials Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, Surfside, 9101 Collins Ave, Surfside, FL 33154, USA 001 305-381-3333; fourseasons.com/surfside Doubles from 585 for a city-front room, room only. Wifi: free Accessibility: two accessible rooms and one accessible cabana studio Rooms: ***** Service: **** Value: **** Chemical Engineering fifth-year students of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) Amail Mamedova, Riyad Bahshiyev and Sanan Ibrahimov completed on-the-job training at Azerbaijani branch of KT-Kinetics Technology SpA company, part of the Maire Tecnimont Group, Italy. The ceremony of awarding the students with certificates of the internship successful completion took place at BHOS. The event gathered the Higher Schools Rector Elmar Gasimov, top managers of the Maire Tecnimont Group including Chairman Fabrizio Di Amato, Group Chief Executive Officer Pierroberto Folgiero, Group Special Initiatives and Region Coordination Senior Vice President, Russia and Caspian Region Vice President Gianni Bardazzi, Head of Public Affairs and Communication Carlo Nicolais. High-level representatives of the KT-Kinetics Technology SpA including Commercial Vice President Andrea Vena, Head of the company branch office in Baku Niccolo Heilpern and HR manager of KT branch office in Azerbaijan Aida Bashirova also attended the gathering. Opening the ceremony, BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov welcomed the participants, expressed his gratitude to the partner company for providing internship opportunities to the Higher School students and emphasized importance of this program implemented within two organizations joint initiative. He also said that the experience and practical knowledge gained by the students during the internship would play an important role in their future career development. The Chairman of the Maire Tecnimont Group Fabrizio Di Amato thanked the Rector Elmar Gasimov for support and fruitful cooperation and congratulated the BHOS students on the successful completion of the internship. In his words, this program represents an exclusive example of successful cooperation between the Higher School and private sector. He said, Maire Tecnimont through KT-Kinetics Technology SpA attached foremost importance to this cooperation, because one of the main goals of our Group is to contribute towards enhancing level of professionalism and establishing long-term relationships in partner countries. This can be done only by investing in young generation and creating right tools to connect companies to universities. Fabrizio Di Amato also informed that the BHOS students demonstrated excellent technical and personal qualities and ability to integrate into an international team. The internship program is implemented within Cooperation Agreement signed between the Baku Higher Oil School and Maire Tecnimont Group on October 19, 2016. The agreement, among other provisions, stipulates that KT-Kinetics Technology SpA arranges internship programs for BHOS students. During the 17-week on-the-job training, the students were able to improve their technical skills, gain practical experience, and expand their knowledge on the fields such as Project Management, Human Resources, Communications, Finance and Administration. The interns also worked at the KT-Kinetics Technology SpA facilities in Sumgayit, supporting mentors and their teams in daily activities and helping them to find solutions to real problems. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email 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 Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Emirates has retracted an order demanding Taiwanese cabin crew replace the Taiwan flag pin on their uniform with a Chinese one. Following a furious backlash the airline said the instruction had been sent in error and that it had been retracted. Cabin crew for the Middle Easts largest carrier traditionally wear the flag pin of their own country on their uniform. But a leaked email circulated to local media told Emirates Taiwanese staff to remove and replace the pin with immediate effect following instructions from the Chinese Government to follow their One China policy. Taiwanese staff were ordered to remove their flag pins (Getty Images) China still sees the self-governing country - which broke away from its rule in 1949 - as part of its territory and insists reunification will take place. Tensions have increased since Beijing-sceptic Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office last year. China has ramped up hostilities by stopping all official communication with Taipei and has sought to isolate the island internationally. As China sees the island as a renegade province, a pin bearing its flag could be interpreted as supporting its independence. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally lodged a complaint with Emirates in Dubai and Taipei about the incident saying it could not accept the decision and the airline's facebook page was flooded with images of the Taiwanese flag. The Taoyuan Flight Attendants Union said it hoped Emirates would respect the national identity of crew members from different countries and should not take a coercive or threatening approach. A few hours later, Emirates issued a statement asking Taiwanese staff to remove their flag pins but not asking them to wear a Chinese flag. The email, sent by Nicola Parker, the airline's uniform standards and development manager, said: The original request for you to wear a Chinese flag was incorrect and inappropriate. "Please refrain from wearing your Taiwanese flags on flights until further notice. Therefore no flag is required on your uniform." As the backlash intensified a third email quickly followed. Emirates, now in full damage control mode, said that no staff would be required to wear a pin regardless of nationality and that a uniform review would be taking place. Our intent is to recall the flag pins worn by all our cabin crew as part of our uniform update, the statement said. Emirates apologises for the communication error. The airline already operates 39 flights a week to Chinese cities from its Dubai base including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou and Yinchuan. China is a huge growth market for aviation, with industry experts predicting it will replace the US in terms of number of flights by 2029. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email 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 Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Who dominates world aviation? The short answer, from some fascinating data crunched by schedule specialist OAG, is: nobody. Judging the size of an airline is an inexact science: do you simply look at the number of passengers flown, or should you multiply that by the distance travelled? To compile its snapshot of scale, OAG has chosen the number of seats that each airline put into the sky from February 2016 to February 2017: a blunt but effective measure to come up with the 20 highest-scoring carriers. As with the English Premier League, theres a constancy to the top positions. US carriers hold the first four, with American Airlines leading the table. It flew 251 million seats over the year, four times the population of the UK a handy comparison. Recommended These are the 15 best airports in the world One reason that aviation gives the frequent impression of being a volatile, unprofitable business is that consolidation is proceeding glacially. American took the top spot after merging with US Airways, but still flies barely 5 per cent of the worldwide total. For comparison, each of the three big car makers (Volkswagen, Toyota and General Motors) produces about 15 per cent of the automobiles worldwide. Back in the skies, Delta, Southwest and United fill the next three places. Each of them has taken over a smaller rival recently (Northwest, Airtrans and Continental respectively). The first non-American carrier is Ryanair, with twice as many seats as people in the UK. China Southern and China Eastern tussle in sixth and seventh place respectively. Completing the top 10: Turkish Airlines, easyJet and Lufthansa, each carrying around 1.3 times the UK population. Emirates, whose Dubai hub has more international travellers than any other airport in the world, make only 13th place. But since almost all its passengers are flying long distances, it is significantly mightier when you look at available seat kilometres. British Airways flew one seat for every person in the UK to take 15th place, comfortably ahead of Air France. And at the foot of this Premier League, Aeroflot which, back in the days of the USSR, was the biggest airline in the world. It had enough room for every UK adult, but not the children. American Airlines came top of OAGs rankings (iStockphoto) (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Drilling deeper, the OAG data includes snapshots of the busiest routes for each of the Premier League airlines. Americans is New York La Guardia to Chicago OHare. New York JFK is one end of the busiest route for Delta (to Los Angeles) and British Airways (from Heathrow). Southwest is staying true to its Texan roots on routes: the busiest is Dallas Love Field to Houston Hobby, on which it started in 1971. Trust me, you will never guess Southwests second busiest: Burbank (on the outskirts of Los Angeles) to Oakland (San Franciscos second airport). For Ryanair, I guessed Stansted-Dublin would be busiest. I was wrong: that honour goes to Athens-Thessaloniki, which is well ahead of the Irish Sea link. For easyJet, Gatwick is the start of its two busiest routes: to Amsterdam and Geneva. Emirates highest scorer is one of its very few short-haul links, between Dubai and Kuwait. Air France does best by a mile on Paris Orly to Toulouse, but that lead could be damaged by the new high-speed rail link south-west from the French capital, which will cut more than an hour from the train journey when it opens next month. In the tricky business of global aviation, change is the only constant. Click here to compare flight options with Skyscanner Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight 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 Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The general election is showing the extent to which Britain has diminished in power over the last year. LAngleterre, ce nest plus grand chose England is not much anymore, said President de Gaulle in 1963 as he vetoed Britains bid to join the EEC. He was premature because of Britains subsequent EU membership and its longstanding transatlantic alliance with the US. The first advantage was thrown away by the vote for Brexit last year and the election of President Trump means that the US is no longer a reliable ally for Britain or for anybody else. Any doubts about this latter development should have evaporated on Thursday when Trump pulled the US out of the Paris climate agreement. Brexit is the most important single development in British foreign policy since declaring war on Germany in 1939. It is also arguably the worst unforced error ever in British history, so debate on its precise nature should naturally be the main topic of the election. Every aspect of life in the country trade, industry, finance, welfare, health, education, defence, immigration will be affected or transformed by it. But Theresa Mays claim to be prime minister for the next five years is based on the childish schoolyard virtues of being tough and combative, though this is contradicted by her swift retreats in the face of opposition on issues like national insurance and care for the elderly. The attractiveness of May to the electorate is in keeping with a traditional English liking for authoritarian female rulers as exemplified by Queen Elizabeth I, Margaret Thatcher and Judy Dench as M in the James Bond movies. In keeping with this archetype, she was reassuring voters this week that the promise of Brexit is great It is not a process, but an opportunity, alive with possibilities [to] build a greater Britain. General Election round-up: June 1 No, it isnt. Quite the opposite. The reason the Government is keeping its cards in the Brexit negotiations so close to its chest is that it knows that it holds no aces, few court cards and plenty of low scoring clubs and diamonds. It is a dud losing hand that is not going to make sense of Brexit, whoever is playing it. Britain is voluntarily leaving the EU club on the absurd assumption that the remaining 27 members will give it sweetheart terms under which ex-members suffer no penalties and are just as well off as those who stayed put. This wont happen. Conservative election strategy is to hold a presidential-type campaign in which the electorate is offered a choice between May and Jeremy Corbyn and inevitably chose the former. This approach is summed up in Hilaire Bellocs advice to children on how to stay safe, citing the example of Jim who got eaten by a lion at the zoo: Always keep a-hold of Nurse for fear of finding something worse. This strategy has been coming unstuck in recent days as Nurse May wobbles and weaves. Indeed, when it comes to playing a weak political hand without buckling, as will be necessary during the Brexit negotiations, all the evidence is that Corbyn is much tougher and more resilient under pressure than the Prime Minister. Going by his performance over the last two years, this mild-looking man should be able to deal with anything the EU leaders could throw at him since he has stood up without turning a hair to attacks of unrelenting venom from the British media as well as many of his own MPs. May revels in an embarrassing way in once having been called a bloody difficult woman, but nobody ever called Corbyn a bloody difficult man because it would be too obvious to be worth saying. 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 Sadly, toughness and resilience will not be enough because Brexit is only one reason why Britain is weaker than a year ago. Since 1940 the country has been sustained by its position as the closest ally of the US. For decades, it was able to piggy-back on American power, exerting influence beyond its own political and economic strength. But this advantage is disappearing because Trump is all about American nationalism, as he made clear in his speech withdrawing from the Paris accord. The political consequences of this are more important than the climatic. Britain is an important building-block in the architecture of US global authority, but the Trump administration sees this role as a burden and a drain on Americans, so its need for close relations with the UK is reduced. Even if Hillary Clinton had won the election, Britain would have had less cards to play in Washington than when it was a leading member of the EU. A prominent feature of Trumps politics is overwhelming respect for power witness his happy relations with kings and dictators and power is what Britain no longer has. Brexit and the election of a more isolationist US president are not the only signs of Britains receding ability to debate and grapple successfully with its problems. The election is meant to be about Brexit, but the options here can only be discussed in the most infantile and jingoistic terms. Much of the same is true of the Manchester bombing on 22 May, with the Government pretending to be shocked and horrified when anybody suggests that the ability of British-Libyan Salman Abedi to carry out this atrocity might be connected to the British foreign policy of regime change in Libya in 2011, though it was this that reduced the country to chaos and allowed Isis to take root. The Governments shabby little cover story is that anybody who criticises its well-established willingness to allow Salafi-jihadi Libyans living in Britain to go to Libya to fight against Muammar Gaddafi is somehow providing a moral alibi for the bomber. May, Boris Johnson and the others pretend that the case against them is that British military intervention in Iraq, Syria and Libya motivated Isis killers like Abedi, but the real accusation is that they empowered people like him by giving Isis and al-Qaeda territory from which to operate. It would be particularly interesting to find out what role May played as Home Secretary in lifting control orders and returning passports to Libyan jihadis six years ago. Has she spoken about this? By helping overthrow Gaddafi, and aiding the Salafi-jihadis who were the cutting edge of the Nato-backed armed opposition to him, Britain allowed the creation of sanctuaries where Abedi and his like can learn their bomb making skills. Focus on how Libyan and other jihadis were radicalised in the UK is a convenient diversion for the Government that enables it to evade responsibility for its actions in opening up Iraq, Libya, and Syria to them. Government rhetoric about stopping radicalisation of Muslims is fundamentally dishonest and ineffective because it shies away from pointing the finger at the intolerant fundamentalist Wahhabi version of Islam which has become so influential in Sunni states and communities thanks to funding from Saudi Arabia. Short of allies in Europe and the US, May has been reduced to cultivating the very states most implicated in fostering Salafi-jihadis. A stronger government was meant to be the outcome of this election, but Nurse May is selling rose-tinted fantasies about an isolated post-Brexit Britain in the age of Trumpism. A realistic discussion of these grim prospects would have been useful. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email 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 View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} We had been warned. Donald Trump himself had promised during his election campaign to take America out of the Paris climate agreement in his first 100 days as President. Not that all his campaign promises have run smoothly, and he showed some signs of hesitating over this one. So he ran a little behind schedule, but tonight, on day 132, he finally did it. The delay gave those who want to see urgent global action to minimise climate change plenty of time to prepare. By the time he uttered the words, the United States will withdraw, we should have come to a pretty good understanding of why it matters and why it does not. It matters mostly because of the symbolism. The figurehead for the second biggest producer of greenhouse gases has backed off from the first global agreement to mitigate climate change, barely a year after Barack Obama finally signed up to it. That shifts the balance of rhetorical forces behind the myriad international agreements needed to put the high ideals of the Paris accord into effect. Above all it breaks the cycle of positive actions that reinforce each other as nations act separately and together towards an agreed goal. On the other hand, it matters much less than suggested by President Trumps dramatic language of fighting back against the vastly diminished economic production forced on the US by the agreement. What was significant was that the President repudiated the Paris deal, a process that will take three years until roughly the end of his first term, in other words. He did not pull the US out of the UNFCCC, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which would have been a more serious step and which requires only a years notice. So the US will be part of the Paris deal for the foreseeable future, while the President tries to negotiate new terms. For a long time, it has been understood that the US presidency and Congress were unlikely to help to drive forward international action on climate change. In the end, the US signature on the Paris agreement was obtained only from Barack Obama in his final year as a two-term president: it never went through Congress. And so, although the flip in the White Houses position is important, the real progress is being made elsewhere and will continue to be made. Recommended Trump confirms withdrawal from Paris Agreement on climate change In America, that progress was always going to happen at state level and through wider economic forces. The states have been driving towards renewable energy, especially wind and solar, independently of federal government for decades now. While market forces have been driving the growth of shale gas, which is cleaner than the shrinking coal industry. In Trumps mythical universe, the coal industry is a victim of other countries, which laugh at us and tie America down for their commercial advantage. In reality, it is the victim of a cleaner fossil-fuel rival. Of course, President Trumps petulant, put-upon narrative of persecuted America strikes a chord in the real world, in the former manufacturing powerhouse of Michigan and Pennsylvania, the places where he won the presidency. But Barack Obama is right. The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created, he commented, while the President was still speaking. The job opportunities of the future lie in new, low-carbon industries. The coal industry is shrinking in America as it will soon shrink elsewhere because clean industries are the growth sectors of the future, not because of a conspiracy against it. The tension between myth and reality showed through between the lines of President Trumps speech. He said the Paris terms would cut global temperatures by only two tenths of a degree Celsius by 2100 a tiny bit. Thus he acknowledged the reality of global warming, moving the argument back to the real-world argument about what to do about it and at what price. That is a debate with which the rest of the world should continue to engage. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight 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 Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In just six days time, voters go to the polls in the most important election for a generation. After weeks of campaigning, Brexit remains the defining issue that will affect everything from the health of the economy, to investment in our precious public services. Only the Conservatives under Theresa May have the plan, resolve and leadership to make a success of Brexit for the whole country. Theresa Mays Conservative Government has done three vital things to prepare the ground for these negotiations. First, ensure the economy is strong enough to withstand the buffeting from the referendum vote last year. The economy is the second fastest growing in the G7 group of advanced industrial nations. Employment is at a record high. Major businesses from Nissan to Bosch are pouring in fresh investment, despite the decision to leave this is a vote of confidence in Britains future. Second, in January, Theresa May gave her Lancaster House speech, setting out her detailed objectives for the Brexit negotiations, and followed up with a formal 75-page White Paper. The plan involves Britain taking back control over our laws, our money and our borders. It is ambitious, optimistic and forward-looking. We want the strongest relationship with our European friends on trade, security and wider cooperation. We also want Britain to have the broadest horizons and become a global leader in free trade. That will expand export opportunities for UK business, boost domestic productivity, create new jobs and cut prices in UK shops. UK General Election 2017 Show all 47 1 /47 UK General Election 2017 UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the 1922 committee on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 DUP leader Arlene Foster stands alongside deputy leader Nigel Dodds as they hold a press conference at Stormont Castle as the Stormont assembly power sharing negotiations reconvene following the general election on June 12, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Discussions between the DUP and the Conservative party are also continuing in the wake of the UK general election as Prime Minister Theresa May looks to form a government with the help of the Democratic Unionist parties ten Westminster seats. Stormont and the political situation in Northern Ireland has been in limbo following the collapse of the power sharing executive due to the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme scandal which implicated the DUP Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Priti Patel, International Development Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Larry the Downing Street cat runs ahead of Michael Fallon Britain's Secretary of State for Defence as he arrives for a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain, June 12, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth REUTERS UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Michael Gove, Environment Secretary leaves 10 Downing Street on June 12, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May held her first cabinet meeting with her re-shuffled team today Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon (C) leaves after speaking to the media in Parliament Square. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 12 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May (C, L) holds the first Cabinet meeting of her new team. Getty UK General Election 2017 11 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May attends church in her constituency with her husband Philip May, a few days after disappointing results in a general election. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn leaves Labour Party HQ this morning, following a general election yesterday. Parliament is hung, with no individual party gaining an overall majority. Post general election reaction. Rex UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 09: DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (C) holds a brief press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A " Get May Out" demo took place opposite the gates of Downing Street, calling for May to resign, after the shock election results and Mays coalition with the DUP. Rex Features UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A demonstrator wears a mask depicting Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, poses with a mock gravestone bearing the words "Hard Brexit, RIP", during a protest photocall near the entrance 10 Downing Street in central London AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters in London Reuters UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May flanked by her husband Philip delivers a statement outside 10 Downing Street in central Londo Getty UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves Buckingham Palace in London the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 A TV cameraman watches the door of 10 Downing Street in London Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is greeted by his Office Director Karie Murphy as he arrives at Labour Party HQ in Westminster, London, after he called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should 'go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country' Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the Conservative Party's headquarters with her husband Philip in London REUTERS/Peter Nicholls UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ukip leader Paul Nuttall speaks during a press conference at Boston West Golf Club where he announced that he is standing down as party leader Joe Giddens/PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, leaves the counting centre for Britain's general election with her partner Jen Wilson in Edinburgh, Scotland REUTERS/Russell Cheyne UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale celebrates with candidate for Edinburgh South Ian Murray as he retains his seat at the Meadowbank Sports Centre counting centre in Edinburgh, Scotland Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the media at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as counting is under way for the General Election Andrew Milligan/PA Wire UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, as counting is under way for the General Election PA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, arrives at the Labour Party's Headquarters in London REUTERS/Marko Djurica UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves in a car following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness in Boston, England Anthony Devlin/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 9 June 2017 British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, England. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A policer officer enters a polling station in London AP UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A woman leaves after casting her vote at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery near Brighton, in southern England Getty UK General Election 2017 8 June 2017 A polling station sign is seen on a telephone box outside the polling station at Rotherwick Hall, west of London Getty UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 A woman walks past a general election display in the window of a betting shop in Camden on June 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow, Getty Images UK General Election 2017 7 June 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May visits Atherley Bowling Club during an election campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Southampton, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A supporter wears a pair of Jeremy Corbyn decorated tights at a general election campaign event in Birmingham, central England, on June 6, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another deadly terror attack in the nation's captial. AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 A picture taken in London, shows election leaflets from various parties displayed ahead of the United Kingdom's general elections. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 Election workers, George Gaunt and Luca Tragid deliver the first ballot boxes, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh AFP UK General Election 2017 6 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May meets with Conservative party supporters during an election campaign visit to a bakery during an election campaign visit on June 6, 2017 in Fleetwood, north-west England. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to vote in a general election only days after another terrorist attack on the nation's capital Getty Images UK General Election 2017 5 June 2017 British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a general election campaign visit to a removals depot in Edinburgh AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Pro-Independence supporters hold a march through Glasgow AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn campaigns for the upcoming general election in Beeston, Nottinghamshire AFP/Getty Images UK General Election 2017 3 June 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reacts to supporters after a rally at Beeston Youth and Community Centre as he visits the East Midlands during the final weekend of the General Election campaign on June 3, 2017 in Nottingham, England. If elected in next week's general election Mr Corbyn is pledging to create a million new jobs and to scrap zero-hours contracts Getty Images UK General Election 2017 1 June 2017 Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader Ruth Davidson joins a selection of Scottish Conservative election candidates and activists during campaigning on May 1, 2017 in South Queensferry, Scotland. With only seven days to go until the general election on June 8th, polls are showing the SNP out in front and the Conservatives set to close in on Labour. Getty Images UK General Election 2017 29 May 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May canvasses in Richmond with Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith on May 29, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. After suffering defeat in the London Mayoral election Zac Goldsmith resigned over the Government's position on Heathrow expansion. He stood as an Independent but lost in a by-election to the Liberal Democrats. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron poses for a selfie taken by carer April Preston during a General Election campaign visit to the Barlow Medical Centre, in Didsbury, Manchester Yui Mok/PA UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks at an election campaign event in Wrexham, Wales Reuters UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Labour's former deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, exit the party's general election campaign 'battle' bus as they arrive at an event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with supporters between venues, before speaking again at another general election campaign event in Kingston upon Hull, northern England Getty Images UK General Election 2017 22 May 2017 An anti-fox hunting protester is taken away and arrested by police outside the venue where Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May was due to launch the Welsh Conservative general election manifesto at Gresford Memorial Hall in the village of Gresford, near Wrexham, North Wales, on May 22, 2017. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election AFP/Getty Images The first two steps helped deliver the third, which is to start to bridge some of the divides here at home. A YouGov poll last month, less than a year on from the referendum, found 68 per cent of British voters now want to make a success of Brexit only 22 per cent still want to stop it from happening. Away from the media din, the public mood has shifted. Likewise, if you take the Prime Ministers plans and compare them with the EU Councils formal negotiating guidelines, there is wide overlap perhaps on two-thirds of issues and particularly on the ambition for a strong win-win trade and security relationship. Theres no doubt that tough diplomacy lies ahead. There are thorny aspects where we still differ. And there have been silly (albeit predictable) jibes from the EU Commission making it into the press. Take that episode as a case in point. Theresa May firmly but calmly told Brussels that Britain would not be bullied, eliciting howls of panicky protest from Labours Jeremy Corbyn and the Lib Dems Tim Farron. Then, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker admitted publicly the press briefing was a serious mistake. Brexit will require Theresa Mays robust resolve, not the supine sycophancy that Messrs Corbyn and Farron displayed. In fact, the case for Eeyorish pessimism is thin until you consider the alternatives advocated by Labour and the Lib Dems. Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party says it will rewrite the UK negotiating objectives after the election, but he cant explain how it would differ from the Conservative plan in a single material respect. The only thing he will say is that he would pay almost any price for almost any agreement. Just yesterday, Corbyn appeared to demote Kier Starmer, his respected Brexit spokesperson, with whom he disagrees over the importance of immigration controls. Under a Labour government, Starmer would no longer be the sole chief negotiator. Instead, he would be flanked by Corbyn loyalists Emily Thornberry and Barry Gardiner in the negotiating room. That is a recipe for diplomatic shambles. If Corbyn cant lead a united Labour Party on Brexit, how can he lead the country into these vital talks? General Election polls and projections: June 2 Meanwhile, the Lib Dems want a second referendum, which would obliterate our negotiating leverage, because it would telegraph to Brussels that we might change our mind if the EU offers lousy terms. A vote for Tim Farron, so the Lib Dems can prop up a Labour government, only makes the risk of No Deal more likely. Brussels would eat a Lib-Lab coalition, led by Jeremy Corbyn, for Brexit breakfast. In this election, leadership matters because Brexit diplomacy will resume straight afterwards. So, take a moment to picture the scene in Brussels. Inside the negotiating room, sat around a long mahogany table are the EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker, Michel Barnier, Angela Merkel and the rest. The door opens and in walks the British Prime Minister to fight our corner. With everything at stake, do you want that person to be Theresa May or Jeremy Corbyn? On 8 June, a vote for the Conservatives is the best chance to make the best of Brexit and take Britain forwards. Dominic Raab is the Conservative candidate for Esher & Walton Leo Varadkar celebrates after being named the new leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar celebrates after being named the new leader of Fine Gael Ireland is on the cusp of electing its first gay premier after the ruling Fine Gael party revealed its new leader Leo Varadkar. The 38-year-old son of an immigrant Indian doctor was widely expected to succeed outgoing Taoiseach Enda Kenny, although his forecast coronation appeared wide of the mark. Votes in an internal Fine Gael party contest show Mr Varadkar had the backing of the majority of elected representatives, but his rival, 44-year-old father-of-three Simon Coveney, had the hearts and minds of most of the grassroots membership. Nonetheless, after winning the overall electoral college-style vote, Mr Varadkar is now expected to be appointed Ireland's new leader if he gains the backing of the Dail, which sits again on June 13. Amid jubilant scenes in Dublin's Mansion House, the current social welfare minister was carried aloft by supporters to a stage where he declared the significance of his victory. "If my election as leader of Fine Gael today has shown anything, it is that prejudice has no hold on this republic," he said to sustained applause and cheering from his centre-right party faithful. Mr Varadkar said he accepted his win with humility and would set about making the party more democratic and more inclusive. "When my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed his son would grow up to become leader," he said. "And despite his differences, his son would be treated the same and judged by his character, not his origins or identity." He added: "Every proud parent in Ireland today can dream big dreams for their children. Every boy and girl will know there is no limit to their ambition, to their possibilities, if they are given the opportunity." In a signal that he would try to reunite his party - which has split between the ordinary membership and the parliamentary party over the leadership race - Mr Varadkar said he hoped to gain the trust and confidence of those who did not vote for him. Turning to the runner-up Mr Coveney, he said more united than divided them, and "I know we are going to work together to bring Fine Gael and Ireland forward". Mr Varadkar also paid tribute to Mr Kenny for passing on a party and country "in a much better place than he found it". Although he could be ratified as Taoiseach within weeks, questions already loom over how long Mr Varadkar can hold on to the office. The administration is propped up by Fine Gael's ancient rivals Fianna Fail as part of a supply and confidence arrangement after an unprecedented schism in the electorate. Mr Varadkar, a qualified doctor, only revealed he was gay months before Ireland became the first country in the world to back same-sex marriage in a referendum in May 2015. He has been in a relationship with another medic for about two years. Mr Kenny announced last month he was stepping down after 15 years leading Fine Gael. He had been under sustained pressure within his own ranks to allow a successor to be elected so the party is prepared for the next general election. In a series of messages on Twitter Mr Kenny sent both men good wishes and said they had energised the party. "I remember this day almost 15 years ago & the sense of excitement & possibility," he said. "I pledge my full support to whoever is elected, in the important work at Govt level, to which the new leader will have to dedicate ... their life in service of the people of this great Republic. My enduring belief in the potential of this country is boundless." Elected Fine Gael politicians and ordinary members had been voting throughout the week for their new party leader. The ballot is decided in an electoral college system that gives the parliamentary party, made up of 73 TDs, senators and MEPs, 65% of the vote. Several thousand rank-and-file members of the party have 25% and 235 local representatives 10%. Among Mr Kenny's final official overseas engagements will be a two-day trade mission to Chicago next week and the centenary commemoration of the start of the Battle of Messines in the First World War where soldiers from all over Ireland fought together. Mr Kenny, who did not turn up to the count, offered his "heartiest congratulations" to Mr Varadkar in statement. "This is a tremendous honour for him and I know he will devote his life to improving the lives of people across our country," he said. Mr Kenny said he would provide a "brief but appropriate period" for Mr Varadkar to engage with other parties and groupings about leading the country. Leo Varadkar has never been shy about his ambitions. As a precocious seven-year-old he declared his lofty intention to be Minister for Health one day. That achievement came when he was just 35 and with his progression through the cabinet ranks he steadily began to cement himself as the clear favourite to succeed Enda Kenny as leader of Fine Gael and as next Taoiseach. Mr Varadkar is I reland's first openly gay cabinet minister and the son of an immigrant doctor from India. Some in his inner circle suggest he has been working on his challenge for the last six years, methodically building relations with parliamentary colleagues while relentlessly maintaining his career trajectory. He is only 38. And it is a combination of his youth, background and straight-talking that the party faithful think will be a major selling point in elections if his face is emblazoned on posters up and down the country. Mr Varadkar is a Trinity College qualified doctor and he has been in a relationship with another medic for about two years. While his centre-right politics are clearly conservative, he portrays the image of a new, progressive Ireland, symbolised best in May 2015 when the country voted overwhelmingly in favour of gay marriage. It came just a few months after Mr Varadkar himself revealed in a radio interview that he was gay. When the result of the referendum was known, the then health minister declared: "To me this had the feeling of a social movement or a social revolution." In his relatively short time in the upper echelons of politics Mr Varadkar has set himself apart with a straight-talking attitude. As transport minister he broke ranks to praise two garda whistle-blowers as distinguished - a remark in stark contrast to former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan's d escription of their actions as "disgusting". But it is this same shoot from the hip attitude that creates enemies and something that could cost him. In 2007, not long after he won a seat in national politics for the first time, he lashed out at Bertie Ahern while he was mired in controversy over his financial affairs. Mr Varadkar took a swipe at the beleaguered taoiseach of the day claiming the gutter was his "natural habitat". In the contest for the Fine Gael leadership Mr Varadkar declared himself as the candidate for "people who get up early in the morning". And while his public remarks are said to be drilled and scripted to the last iota, that is the kind of statement that could dramatically backfire in a general election. One of his drawbacks is that he is seen as being too much of a Dublin man. Joe McHugh, a ministerial colleague who has been firmly in the Varadkar camp, brought him to the heart of his Donegal constituency in the days before the campaign proper began and spoke in glowing terms about his intellect, communication skills and willingness to learn. "He has a craving to try and understand things," he said. "No-one is going to know everything. And there is a humility there. He will accept that if he's successful. "He will have that awareness, that emotional intelligence as some people call it, to know that he still has a lot to learn." A 71-year-old man who was injured when a car driven by his wife crashed into the back of a bin lorry has settled his Irish High Court action for 1m. Farmer Patrick Meehan suffered severe injuries in the accident. His counsel Frank Callinan said Mr Meehan still needed a crutch to walk and now needed 24-hour care. Mr Meehan, who is also a retired lorry driver, of Gortward, Mountcharles, Co Donegal, had sued his wife Marie Meehan as a result of the accident on December 18, 2012. It was claimed the car she was driving suddenly and without warning collided with the rear of a rubbish truck, which was parked on the hard shoulder near Grange, Co Sligo. It was also claimed there was a failure to have any proper regard for the presence of Mr Meehan as a front-seat passenger in the car, and a failure to see or respond adequately to the presence of the truck. The court was told Mr Meehan sustained severe injuries, including several fractures, and also suffered significant cognitive impairment as a result of the accident. Liability was admitted in the case. Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Anthony Barr said the very stark conflict in the medical evidence represented a very big risk in the case. The amount offered, he said, would go a long way towards looking after Mr Meehan and, on balance, the judge said it was best to take the offer. The court heard Mrs Meehan and the Meehan family were happy with the offer. The planned new tie-up between Dawn Meats and Dunbia has yet to be notified to the Irish completion authorities. Last week, Dawn Meats agreed a strategic partnership with Dunbia to establish a majority owned joint venture in the UK comprising the UK operations of both organisations. Dawn will separately acquire Dunbias operations in the Republic of Ireland. The deal is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. However a spokesperson for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it has not received formal notification of a proposed transaction. Firms are required to notify the CCPC once certain financial thresholds have been reached. If an acquisition meets these thresholds then the acquisition must be notified to the CCPC, provided the combined turnover of the companies involved does not exceed the European Union Merger Regulation thresholds, in which case it must be notified to the European Commission. As far as the CCPC is aware the transaction has not been notified to the European Commission, the spokesperson said. Under the proposed transaction, Dawn Meats in Ireland will have 9 facilities (including 5 abattoirs), following the addition of two complementary Dunbia facilities - one abattoir in Slane, and one boning hall in Kilbeggan. The combined UK businesses will trade as Dunbia and according to both parties will deliver enhanced scale and market presence to better serve existing farmer suppliers and customers of both organisations across the retail, manufacturing, wholesale and food service sectors. Both Dawn and Dunbia have also said the businesses are highly complementary, and will offer customers regionally sourced solutions for both beef and lamb from 15 facilities across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, commenting on the announcement, the Chairperson of the ICMSA Livestock Committee, Michael Guinan, said that farmers are incredibly wary of the present trend towards concentration in the beef industry. Guinan commented that while no-one doubted that companies might have to reorganise and restructure in light of Brexit, the danger was that such reorganisation resulted in a narrowing of sales options for the farmers producing the beef. This had to be guarded against and it underlined yet again the pressing need for a concentrated and co-ordinated drive on the live exports front that would give the farmers alternative outlets for their cattle, he said. Mr. Guinan said that farmers were justifiably concerned that ongoing concentration in beef processing will translate into lower prices and further pressure on already stressed margins. He said that it is important that farmers are given assurances in relation to this critical issue and that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine ensures that farmers continue to have options when selling cattle options that must include enhanced live exports. Beef markets remain abuzz about Indias potential ban on cattle and buffalo slaughter. The ban, if implemented, would take a large amount of carabeef (buffalo) and a small amount of beef off the global market. India exports around US$5 billion worth of beef and buffalo meat, accounting for around 20pc of global beef exports. India is also the second-largest exporter. Other beef exporters, like New Zealand, stand to gain. Rural Economist with New Zealand bank ASB Nathan Penny has said the opening up additional market opportunities for exporters would help underpin further rises in beef export prices. This development follows other recent ones affecting beef markets such as the tainted meat scandal in Brazil. Moreover, beef prices are already healthy. 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 move will further trouble Muslims, in the country who make up 14pc 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. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 Trend: YARAT Contemporary Art Space will host a group exhibition on June 7. The expo "Suns and Neons above Kazakhstan" will bring together Azerbaijani and Kazakh artists. YARAT reported that the exhibition aims to deconstruct a romanticized image of Kazakhstan as a vast and largely unpopulated geography that for decades played upon the collective imagination. It addresses various narratives of national history, from a post-colonial to a critical perspective, while discovering, mapping and voicing changing attitudes and concerns across generations. The exhibition explores the shifts and breaks within the construct of Kazakh national and cultural identity during a short timespan of its independence. It is an exhibition of Suns and Neons, of landscape and cityscape. Of artists dealing with history and nation building and an emerging generation concerned with private life and the emancipation of the individual within the isolated reality of city life, the message reads. Suns and Neons above Kazakhstan brings together seminal works of the 1990s and the early 2000s, by artists Erbossyn Meldibekov, Bakhyt Bubicanova, Alexander Ugay, Galim Madanov and Zauresh Terekbay, Almagul Menlibayeva, Yelena Vorobyeva and Viktor Vorobyev, Rustam Khalfin, Said Atabekov, Maria Vilkoviskaya and Ruth Jenrbekova as well as new commissions by emerging artists: Asel Kadyrkhanova, Nurakhmet Nurbol, Suinbike Suleimanova and Gaisha Madanova. Visual arts were introduced in Kazakhstan with Soviet art schools, established in the 1930s as a form of nation building. Through the 1940s, many practitioners of the avant-garde (then fallen out of favor) were deported to Kazakhstan, resulting in a surprising and mostly undocumented emergence of a non-conformist art scene. This continued through the 50s till the early 90s with strong connections to the Moscow and Leningrad non-conformist and conceptualist circles. With the break of the Soviet Union, a radical shift took place in the Kazakh art scene. Some practices continued the conceptualist line looking at their own position as part of a Central Asian narrative, while a younger generation searched for a new language. These artists raised questions on postcolonial Central Asia, which found itself in between the revival of national and ethnic imagery and forced processes of identity construction. Playing with provocation, humor, irony and romanticism artists explored the contradictory moments within the rhetoric of authenticity, addressing national independence, recent history and social identity. Since 1991, like other CIS countries, Kazakhstan went through various socio-economic shifts radically changing its cultural fabric. An emerging generation of artists, growing up during the booming 2000s, did not experience the nationalistic euphoria of the 1990s and do not romanticize their country's past or heritage. They are the new city kids, aware of global networks and social media, resisting confinement and societal designations around them. Their concerns are much more individual and their works draw both from illusions and disillusionments, hope and disappointments of life entrapped within the city. This exhibition is curated by Bjorn Geldhof. Assistant curator is Anna Fech Research Anna Fech, Suad Garayeva, Bjorn Geldhof The event is organized with the support of the Eurasian Cultural Alliance. Work time : Tuesday through Sunday, from 11:00 until 20:00. Admission is free. YARAT is an artist-founded, not-for-profit art organisation based in Baku, Azerbaijan, established by Aida Mahmudova in 2011. YARAT (which means 'create' in Azerbaijani) is dedicated to contemporary art with a long-term commitment to creating a hub for artistic practice, research, thinking and education in the Caucasus, Central Asia and surrounding region. YARAT comprises the YARAT Art Centre, ARTIM Project Space, YARAT Studios, YAY Gallery and an extended educational programme. For more information, please contact: Hokuma Karimova Telephone: +99 450 2746747 Email: [email protected] Covert surveillance and drone footage will be used as part of a crackdown on illegal dumping that is plaguing communities. Environment Minister Denis Naughten said they were aiming for better enforcement of anti-littering laws with more evidence available for successful prosecution. "Our communities are standing as one to say 'enough'. Our riverways, mountainsides, towns and villages are to no longer be used as the dumping grounds for those amongst us who have no respect for their environment or their neighbours," said Mr Naughten. He said people were committing "environmental and economic treason" by dumping waste illegally across the countryside and in our rivers. An initial allocation of 650,000 has been doubled to 1.3m, with 85 projects approved to clean up blackspots, increase surveillance and target. He said they were aiming to support more community-led anti-dumping projects. The IFA's environment chair Thomas Cooney said they welcomed the measure as further commitment to the problems of litter plaguing the countryside. "I'd express concern at the lack of prosecution by local authorities," he said. "We would be hoping there will be prosecutions going forward. We want to reiterate our call to change legislation to ensure a farmer is not responsible where rubbish has been dumped on farmland as a result of fly-tipping. We want to ensure that farmers do not bear the cost." He said they were receiving a lot of calls from farmers on the issue. "Close to the big urban centres, it is a problem - it is quite widespread as the cost of landfill is rising all the time." A swift change in fashion tastes in China, one of the world's major textile buyers, is being blamed as wool prices to farmers have halved to 60c/kg. Farmers have been left at a loss with shearing this season, with wool prices failing to cover the 2-3 average ewe shearing cost. Irish wool buyers have reported a sharp drop in interest in the Chinese marketplace, with some Asian buyers reneging on contracts to buy Irish produce. Aidan Walsh, from Texacloth, reported prices have taken their sharpest dip in around a decade with 60c/kg the going price, down from 1.20/kg this time last year. "The biggest reason being the Chinese are pretty much totally out of the market for the Irish-bred half type of wool," he said. "The Chinese haven't taken up all their contracts from last season - they've reneged. A lot of them have gone to the wall as well. A lot of the textile people in China were gamblers - if they wanted 100t, they'd buy 1,000t as they'd reckon that it would go up." The Kildare-based buyer said China was now opting for merino type wool from Australia for lighter fabrics and more acrylics. "That is all fashion. Someone in time will look at Irish, English and New Zealand wool and say it is so cheap, they'll buy it again," he said. "We are happy to buy wool. I've been around the block before many times when wood prices crash, after all, it is a commodity." He said it was disappointing when you thought you had a long-term buyer but they had found a new customer in India and some on the Continent. Kevin Dooley from Dooley Wool in Roscrea, Co Tipperary said Chinese buyers had backed out of paying for wool pre-ordered from October onwards. "At the moment, the only hope we have is to store it or send it in for washing in the UK," he said. "Last year, you'd just about cover the shearing, and this year it is not covering it." Mr Dooley also found the carpet trade was still taking a certain amount of the wool. Dublin Airport will be especially colourful today (File photo) Staff at Dublin Airport have been encouraged to wear their county colours to work today in aid of the airports three charity partners. The charities supported by Dublin Airport this year are MS Ireland, My Canine Companion for Autism, and Merchant's Quay Ireland. Both frontline and office based staff have been encouraged to wear their county colours. "We're always looking for fun and simple ideas to raise money for charity partners," Siobhan O'Donnell, Dublin Airport charity chairperson, said. "We're hoping that passengers travelling through Dublin Airport today will join in some good humoured banter with our colleagues, " O'Donnell added. Passengers travelling through Dublin Airport today can expect to see an array of GAA jerseys worn by staff across the terminals. Dublin Airport staff wearing their county colours are each making a donation of 5 to the airport's Charities of the Year fund. There will be two extra special guests at the airport today as the GAA is lending the airport the Sam Maguire and Liam McCarthy cups. O'Donnell said that passengers are encouraged to get into the spirit of the event by also wearing their county colours. Dublin Airport's charity programme started in 2007 and, over the past ten years employees at the airport, supported by the company and members of the public, have raised 2m for 18 different Irish charities. Topaz to offer 99c per litre fuel at a number of locations Photo: Arthur Carron/Collins Topaz has announced that it will be dropping fuel prices in 14 locations over the bank holiday weekend to 99c per litre for 99 minutes. The fuel offers are to celebrate the rollout of Miles, Topazs new fuel additive and fuel brand, across its 430 service stations in Ireland. The rollout of Miles is set to be completed at all Topaz sites by August this year, and Topaz will announce further fuel offers across the country as the rollout progresses. Following the huge success to date with the rollout of our Miles fuel brand across Ireland, we are excited to continue offering these incredibly low fuel prices to our customers to celebrate the introduction of our new innovative fuel at these service stations, Gordon Lawlor, fuels director at Topaz, said. Read more: Topaz to rebrand as owner pumps 25m into Irish unit Participating fuel stations include Topaz Parkway East in Palmerstown, Topaz Rochestown Avenue in Dun Laoghaire, Topaz the Ward, North Road in north Dublin, and Topaz Kilcolgan, Co. Galway, all of which will have the offer on Saturday. On Sunday the offer will take place at the following locations at 9am for 99 minutes; Topaz Stillorgan road in Dublin, Topaz Glenview in west Dublin, Topaz Ballymun in North Dublin, Topaz Eglington in south Dublin, Topaz Citywest on the Naas Road, and Topaz Thomond in Co. Limerick. While on bank holiday Monday the fuel offer will take place at 9am in the following locations; Topaz Parkway West in Palmerstown, Topaz Kilnamanagh in west Dublin, Topaz Grange Castle in Clondalkin, west Dublin, and Topaz Shannon in Co. Clare. Miles is a next generation fuel that contains a unique blend of additives designed to take motorists up to 3pc further. Its performance has been tested and verified by a third party independent research and development center, which confirmed it as a superior quality fuel. The rollout of Miles in Ireland, and the significant 6m investment in the brand, represents our commitment to innovation, Lawlor said. Topaz recently acquired the Esso station network and the company also operates a large commercial fuels business, with over 30 depots and three owned terminals across Ireland. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan hosting Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at Iveagh House A 40m plan to convert Loreto Hall on Dublin's St Stephen's Green into a luxury hotel has been put on hold after security fears were expressed by officials at the Deparment of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFA). The DFA lodged an appeal against the decision by Dublin City Council to give Brown Table Solutions Ltd the go-ahead for the 87-bedroom hotel with restaurant and spa at 77 St Stephen's Green. The plan would involve constructing an eight-storey block to the rear of the building. Already, one objector, Dubliner, Philip O'Reilly has lodged an appeal against the decision and now the Department of Foreign Affairs has lodged its own appeal. The HQ of the Department at Iveagh Houses lies beside the development. Now, in an appeal lodged, the Department stated that the 40m plan represents a gross over-development of the site. In the appeal, the Department point out that under the heading of 'Security of the Dept of Foreign Affairs', Iveagh House regularly hosts Heads of State, national and foreign dignitaries and political leaders for sensitive meetings and negotiations. The appeal states: "The security and privacy of the Iveagh House premises of paramount importance." The appeal goes on to state: "The proposal to construct a bank of hotel rooms with windows facing directly into the Iveagh House offices and ball room - its main meeting room - with inadequate separation distances, is of great concern to the DFA." The Department states that it does not object in principle to the development of the redevelopment of Loreto Hall but has requested the appeals board to refuse planning permission. The Chairman of eir, Padraig McManus, has informed the Board of the company that he intends to step down from his role later this year. Mr McManus, who was appointed Chairman at the end of 2012, said he believes the company is well positioned to continue to grow and prosper in the future. "I want to take this opportunity to personally thank the shareholders, my colleagues on eirs Board, the management team and staff for their passion and for building the best possible broadband, mobile, television and telephone services provider in Ireland," he said. "In the past five years eir has redrawn the fibre map in Ireland and has made many positive contributions to our economy. This was recently demonstrated by the agreement between eir and Denis Naughten, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, which paves the way for an additional 300,000 premises across Ireland to access high speed broadband resulting in the eir fibre network extending to a total of 1.9 million homes," he added. Richard Moat, eir CEO thanked Mr McManus for his "many contributions during his time as Chairman". "He has been steadfast in his support for the companys strategy of network investment that enables innovative and relevant products for our customers. It has been a pleasure to work alongside him for the past five years and we wish him the very best," he said. A representative of Swiss company Argor-Heraeus SA, with which AzerGold Closed Joint-Stock Company is working with, and is one of the biggest refining companies of the world, has visited Azerbaijan. The purpose of the visit was to get more acquainted with the Azerbaijani companys operations. The Argor representative who is on visit to Azerbaijan between May 31 and June 2 has been to Chovdar Ore Processing Area located in Dashkasan, gained a familiarity with the process structure, operation principles of the mine on-site. Afterwards a meeting was held between Zakir Ibrahimov, the chairman of executive board of the Company and representative of Argor-Heraeus SA at the head office of AzerGold CJSC located in Baku. Productive discussions have been held between the Parties, they have exchanged opinions concerning further extension of cooperation, new projects. AzerGold CJSC intends to dispatch 67 pieces of auri-argentiferous bullions produced in Chovdar Ore Processing Area for refining to the Swiss company in June. Gold and silver to be obtained thereafter will be brought out for sale in international stock market. AzerGold CJSC managed to refine and sell 66 pieces of auri-argentiferous bullions last month through Argor-Heraeus SA and contributed to Azerbaijan economy resources valued approximately at 35 million manats. By the end of the year, AzerGold CJSC is planning to gain profit valued approximately at 145 million manats from gold and silver sales of 2017. THE foodservice industry in Ireland is now worth 7.5bn a year, according to the latest figures from research carried out by Technomic in conjunction with Bord Bia. Foodservice is the term used to describe all food consumed outside the home environment. The industry in Ireland has over 33,000 individual outlets, while the accommodation and foodservice industry employed over 200,000 people in 2016. Of the 7.5bn figure, for 2016, quick service restaurants accounted for 2.6bn, hotels accounted for 1.2bn, and pubs were at 1.3bn. The remainder of the sector was made up of coffee shops, and institutional channels including places of business and industry, education, and healthcare. The strongest growth in the sector is in the coffee shop/cafe segment, which had just over 5pc of total consumer spend, however it is growing at an annual rate of 9pc, according to the research. The foodservices sector itself has been growing for a number of years, and it is expected to be worth 9.1bn by the end of 2020. In 2016 several factors boosted the food service market according to the research including: Better than expected economic growth and overall GDP performance. Increases in tourism numbers in particular had a positive impact on the economy and the industry. Increased consumer confidence, which led to greater spending. According to the Economic and Social Research Institute, consumers had more confidence in 2016 than in previous years. Ireland's employment rate continued to increase, in particular the research carried out by Bord Bia and Technomic found that employment rates are steadily rising in the accommodation and food services area. lThe major markets are showing particular strength, the research found. Major cities in Ireland are attracting increasing numbers of tourists, which is having a positive impact on the foodservices industry in these areas. lInvestment in restaurant chains in Ireland is strengthening, with more international and domestic restaurant chains expanding in more locations in Ireland, as well as investing in their already established operations. The research also found main trends emerging in the commercial restaurant space; Focus on value: With consumers willing to spend more on higher quality food and beverages. Consumers are concerned with "fair" prices rather than just the lowest price. Greater culinary expression: There's now more emphasis on hiring industry professionals. Emphasis on origin: Food origin continues to be a major factor in determining the quality of food. Consumers wants to know who they are supporting which is good news for Irish food producers. Health and authenticity: Increasing numbers of operators in the food industry are focusing on healthy options. Operators are also moving towards more ingredient transparency on their menus. Bord Bia collaborated closely with Technomic to deliver insights in the study. Numerous resources were used including in-depth interviews with the various stake holders in the industry, as well as information from various trade groups and available government data. US hedge fund Magnetar Capital has become the latest offshore heavyweight to forge into the burgeoning non-bank lending market, buying a two-thirds interest in car financing business First Citizen Finance. Magnetar paid 28m for a 66.7pc slice, leaving the remaining stake in the hands of First Citizen's management, headed by industry veteran Chris Hanlon, inset. News of the 70m partial takeover, which includes a three-year line of working capital, comes as the company prepares to list a portfolio of securitised automobile loans on the Irish Stock Exchange today. The 160m bond issuance marks a key milestone for the industry and First Citizen, which was spun out of Permanent TSB in 2012 as part of a 287m management buy-out deal, funded by Deutsche Bank. It is the first time an Irish company has packaged up its car loans - all issued in Ireland - and sold them on to debt markts as asset-backed securities. Most of the loans included in the maiden securitisation, underwritten by Deutsche Bank, are rated AAA and it is understood the book includes debt dating back to the PTSB era. While the deal may foreshadow the development of a potentially lucrative market, it is familiar territory to First Citizen's new majority owner Magnetar. The Illinois-headquartered hedge fund, in which US alternative asset manager Blackstone holds a minority stake, rose to prominence for its massively lucrative trades against the US housing market prior to Lehman's Brothers' collapse. The firm's bets on structured debt instruments reportedly reaped Magnetar's co-founder, Alec Litowitz, $280m. Magnetar's partial takeover of First Citizen comes as Ireland's economy roars ahead amid rising employment and robust consumer spending. Yet Mr Hanlon told the Irish Independent that the uptick in car loans bears little resemblance to the frenzied lending of the pre-crisis era. He argued that "household debt continues to reduce" and claimed car loan applications remained far from the 2007 peak. First Citizen began loan origination in 2014 with the help of Magnetar, Deutsche and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland. Since then it has processed more than 61,000 loan applications with a value of close to 1bn. Its lending book spans agri and SME finance as well auto loans. Under the bank's ownership however the business, known as PTSB Finance, oversaw a 2bn loan book. Mr Hanlon said the company intends to use Magnetar's cash to expand its product offering as well as veer into commerical real estate funding. Nama chief executive Brendan McDonagh's revelation that just 3,000 homes are under construction on land sold by the agency, despite its capacity to accommodate 50,000 units is, he contends, evidence that speculators are holding on to sites without building on them. It's a shocking statistic. But it shouldn't come as a shock or even a surprise to Mr McDonagh or his officials to find that land is being hoarded in the expectation that it will increase in value. Nama has known this for at least a year. A closer examination of the numbers shows that some of the most serious cases of alleged land hoarding have their origins in the development land sales Nama engaged in between 2014 and 2016 - a period in which the gravity of the housing crisis became abundantly clear to everyone. In April of last year, Nama's head of public affairs Martin Whelan let the proverbial cat out of the bag when he revealed to a housing forum convened by the then environment minister Alan Kelly that Nama had sold land with the potential to deliver 20,500 new homes in Dublin, its commuter counties, and the country's other major cities since 2014 alone. Ironically, Mr Whelan provided the figures to the meeting in an effort to counter claims that Nama itself was engaged in hoarding land where housing was needed most. Asked at the time for a detailed breakdown of the sites' locations, a spokesman for Nama confirmed that they are all to be found where the need for housing is most acute. "Approximately 9,000 of the potential new residential units are in Dublin, 7,000 are in the neighbouring counties of Wicklow, Kildare, Meath and Louth, 3,000 are in Cork, and the remainder are in the other major urban centres, including Waterford, Limerick and Galway." Asked how many of the 20,500 were being built, Nama's spokesman disclosed that just 1,100 were being developed, with 900 of these in Dublin and the remaining 200 in Kildare. While Mr McDonagh is entitled to draw the public's attention to the reluctance of the lands' new owners to build housing, he should bear in mind that the private equity giants and other investors Nama sold to are under no obligation to do so. Developer Michael O'Flynn, for his part, believes Nama should have included a development clause, making the building of housing a condition of the land sales Nama engaged in with investors. Speaking to the Irish Independent, he criticised Nama for its failure, as he sees it, to anticipate the strategy purchasers of its development land might follow in the absence of such a clause. He said: "Nama sold land to people who either overpaid for it or who are not interested in developing it for now. But that's their right as purchasers. People who buy land don't have to develop it. People can do what they like with land when they buy it. Unfortunately, Nama didn't sell land with a development clause, which is what a lot of land in public ownership should be sold with. Because it didn't do that, a lot of the land sold to investor funds isn't being developed." With no such condition attached, outgoing Finance Minister Michael Noonan's announcement of the Government's plan to introduce a levy on vacant sites "in the context of next year's budget" to force land owners to build on or sell the sites they control seems just a little desperate. Needless to say, the Government still has to work out the details of how it might impose the charge. The cost of motor insurance has gone up by 60pc in the past three years, with High Court and Appeal Court rulings on Setanta cited by insurers as one of the reasons for the hikes. (Stock photo) Motor insurance premiums should now come down after the uncertainty around the Setanta Insurance collapse was resolved in the courts. A failure to reduce premiums would now be seen as a breach of faith by insurers, Minister for State Eoghan Murphy told the Oireachtas Finance Committee. Mr Murphy said the Supreme Court judgment last week was a win for insurers who had complained that previous court rulings affected all insurance companies underwriting motor insurance here. They claimed the previous rulings meant they had to make financial provision for any future collapses. Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty told the committee that insurance companies had been using the Setanta situation as the main reason to "fleece" motorists with exorbitant rises in premiums. He asked Mr Murphy, who has been charged by the Government to push through reforms to control the cost of insurance, if premiums will now come down. Read More Mr Murphy said a huge uncertainty had now been removed for insurance companies. The previous rulings had meant insurers had to put aside reserves on the basis that other insurers would collapse and they would have to bail them out. Cost "We now have a judgment and the uncertainty has been removed," he said. "This should help to reduce premiums down." He went on to say it would be seen as a "breach of faith" by the Government and consumers if insurance companies did not now lower premiums. "The insurance industry has had a win here. It should have a positive impact on insurance premiums," he repeated. The cost of motor insurance has gone up by 60pc in the past three years, with High Court and Appeal Court rulings on Setanta cited by insurers as one of the reasons for the hikes. This is because those courts had said the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland, which they fund, should pay Setanta claims. Insurers complained that the previous rulings exposed them to a situation where they would have to make financial provision in the event of any other insurance company going bust. Malta-regulated Setanta collapsed three years ago, with claims of 95m. The bust company has funds to pay a third of this, according to its liquidator. But last week the Supreme Court sided with the industry-funded Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland. The judges said it was not liable for claims brought against Setanta. The court's five-to-two majority decision means successful claims against Setanta will have to be met from the State's Insurance Compensation Fund. Expansion costs at the group that operates the Web Summit resulted in pre-tax profits tumbling by 74pc to 230,302 in 2015. That is according to new accounts just filed by Paddy Cosgrave's Manders Terrace Ltd which show that the group's gross profit in 2015 increased from 6.24m to 6.9m. The set of accounts covers the period when Mr Cosgrave staged the final Web Summit in Dublin before making the controversial decision to relocate the event to Lisbon in Portugal. The group's pre-tax profits decreased from 896,989 to 230,302. The new figures show that the scaling-up of the business in 2015, with its workforce increasing by 53pc from 69 to 106, put a dent on profits. The expansion in the workforce resulted in staff costs increasing from 3.7m to 4.26m. This contributed to administrative expenses increasing by 24pc from 5.364m to 6.675m. The profit also takes account of non-cash deprecation costs of 379,318. The directors describe the principal activity of the company is to organise and manage all types of events and act as promotional consultants and event advisors for the business and technology community. At the end of December 2015, the company had shareholder funds of 1.65m that included accumulated profits of 268,798. The firm's cash during the year declined from 2.5m to 1.3m. The new accounts show that the three directors behind the Web Summit - Paddy Cosgrave, Daire Hickey and David Kelly -shared combined pay of 371,749 in 2015. That's an increase of 29pc on the directors' pay of 288,814 in 2014. The accounts show that through their own firms, Mr Cosgrave has an 81.03pc shareholding in Manders Terrace with David Kelly having a 11.97pc share and Daire Hickey having a 7pc share. The firm recorded an after-tax profit in 2015 of 127,771 after paying corporation tax of 102,531. More than 50,000 delegates attended the company's various events in 2015. A total of 42,000 people from 134 countries came to Dublin in November 2015 for that year's Web Summit and listened to 1,000 speakers. Earlier this year, the Web Summit announced the creation of a further 40 jobs over the coming year. In 2016, more than 53,000 people from more than 166 countries flew to Lisbon for its Web Summit, including over 20,000 companies. Around 60,000 are expected to attend the event this year. Coca-Cola, has had a mixed record; its investment in Honest Tea was a success, but a fermented soda and a Japanese tea failed to take off in the United States. Food and drink megabrands are seeing their sales chewed away by smaller, nimbler, cooler rivals. They can't beat them - so now they're joining them. Nine of the world's biggest industry players, including Danone, General Mills, Campbell Soup and Kelloggs, have launched venture capital units over the past 18 months, a Reuters analysis of the sector shows. The aim of the strategy, according to interviews with executives, is to buy into - and learn from - the kind of startup innovation that has become their nemesis, from micro-distilled spirits and cold-pressed juices to kale chips and vegan burgers. Food and drink multinationals spend far less on R&D than their counterparts in many sectors like tech and healthcare. They have been wrongfooted over the past five years by the shifting habits of consumers who are increasingly shunning established brands in favor of small, independent names they regard as healthier, more authentic and original. This is forcing the companies to take a leaf out of Silicon Valleys venture capital playbook - and their success or failure in harnessing promising new trends at a very early stage could help determine how well they adjust to the changing landscape, and whether they ultimately emerge as winners or losers. It's difficult for companies to have the persistence and to replicate the energy and the passion that these early-stage entrepreneurs have, said John Haugen, head of General Mills' venture capital arm 301 Inc, adding innovation was extremely tough because of how quickly market trends were changing. We're just a year or a little more than that into these investments, he said of 301, where his team of about 15 sits down twice a month to pass around dozens of samples from startups. For me it's part of a total long-term growth strategy for our company. In the United States - the world's biggest packaged food market - small challenger brands could account for 15pc of a $464bn sector in a decade's time compared with 5pc now, according to Bernstein Research. The researchers point to successful upstart brands like Chobani Greek Yoghurt, which they say has stolen more than half of General Mills' market share in yogurt, and Kind Snack Bars which have taken a big bite out of Kellogg's snack bars. The nine companies to recently launch venture capital arms also include Hain Celestial, Tyson Foods and Pernod Ricard. Typically, their funds range in size from about $100m to $150m. While it is still early days for them, the experiences of the handful of food and drink firms that have had funds for several years - Nestle, Unilever, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Diageo - could offer some guide to the future. Coca-Cola, for example, has had a mixed record; its investment in Honest Tea was a success, but a fermented soda and a Japanese tea failed to take off in the United States. So far none of the companies' venture units has delivered a blockbuster brand, but they say a link to the cutting edge is worth the effort. Diageo, the world's biggest alcoholic drinks maker, has invested in 14 startups through its venture capital arm Distill Ventures, spending about 30m over the last four years on minority stakes. It points to last year's purchase of a 20pc stake in Seedlip - a British startup that says it produces the world's first non-alcoholic distilled spirit - as a prime example of how the strategy is making it more adventurous. If we'd had our strategic areas written down four years ago - what does Diageo want to go after - nowhere would we have written down, 'We think there's a big opportunity for a non-alcoholic spirit', said James Ashall, who heads its innovation unit Diageo Futures. By Distill Ventures provoking our thinking about the space it allows us to stretch into an area that wouldn't have been naturally in our gift. The company also cites learning gained from investments in craft whiskies, as it develops its own brands in that area, which include Roe & Co and Hilhaven Lodge. More broadly, Diageo says the venture arm is changing its culture. The global corporation now makes its marketing managers pitch for their ad budgets, like the entrepreneurs who present at Distill Ventures' laid-back office for 20-30 minutes and get an answer on the spot. It makes our decision-making faster and more exciting, said Diageo's chief marketing officer, Syl Saller. Seedlip founder Ben Branson and other food and drink startups are reveling in this surge of investment interest. Big companies are saying, wait a minute, we used to beat these guys down, said Branson, a bearded and tattooed ex-marketing executive who grows some Seedlip ingredients - peas and hay - on his farm in eastern England, where he also dabbles in taxidermy and painting. Now I think it's amazing that there is this switch to let's not beat them, let's join them. R&D extension The venture capital divisions are not only for delivering returns or swallowing startups, executives say, but also to act as an extension of the companies' research departments. This is of particular importance in an industry that PwC says accounted for just 3pc of the $680bn spent globally on R&D last year, well behind the computing and electronics, healthcare and autos sectors, which together spent 62pc. This is a form of R&D for us, or access to places where the company isn't currently participating, said Simon Burton, who heads Kellogg's new venture capital arm, Eighteen94 Capital. Its first investment, announced in January, was in California-based Kuli Kuli, which makes snack bars from the moringa plant. There are more in the pipeline, he said. As the need for innovation has intensified, the strings that were typically attached to venture capital investments across all sectors - notably the right to buy out the business when it gains scale - have started to disappear in food. Campbell Soup, Kellogg, Unilever and General Mills have largely scrapped such provisions when investing in early-stage brands because they are often a deterrent for startup entrepreneurs who fear it will cap their fortunes by keeping other bidders away. Campbell's general counsel, Adam Ciongoli, said flexibility was needed to attract the best and brightest. Why would they want to sign up from the get-go with the idea that they're not going to be able to maximise their economic leverage and their exit? said Ciongoli, who sits on the investment committee of Acre Venture Partners, which Campbell set up last year to contend with the revolution going on in food. 'New rock stars For investors, experimenting with venture capital is worth the relatively small spend, compared with the risk associated with larger M&A deals, which the companies are also pursuing. Something really good might come out of it, so I don't have a problem with that, said Alan Custis, head of UK equities at Lazard Asset Management, an investor in Diageo and Unilever. The risk of buying a successful small brand at substantial cost, rather than investing at a very early stage, is that this will rob the target of the very size and independence that made it cool. One oft-cited example is Kashi cereal, an organic food pioneer whose sales tumbled after it was swallowed by Kellogg. Olivier Garel used to run M&A for Unilever and now runs Unilever Ventures. He said the consumer goods sector was relatively late to the venture capital game, but was now being motivated by the need to keep up with new technologies including social media, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer selling models. Unilever Ventures has invested in more than three dozen startups and says it is in contact with about 2,500. This month it announced a deal leading a $9.2 funding round for U.S. organic food delivery service Sun Basket. Augustin Paluel-Marmont, who sold 40pc of his French cookie company Michel et Augustin to Danone Manifesto Ventures last year, said it was a good time to be a food startup. It is a lot easier today than before to find funds, he said. Entrepreneurs are the new rock stars. IAG boss Willie Walsh with airline staff from the new transatlantic operator Level Aer Lingus' new sister airline Level may start a transatlantic service from Rome in the latest bid by rivals to capitalise on Alitalia's insolvency. IAG's Level, which will lift its fleet of two Airbus SE A330 jets to five in 2018, will initially focus its expansion on Italy and France, IAG CEO Willie Walsh told reporters ahead of Level's inaugural flight from Barcelona yesterday. Rival Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA this week said it's adding US routes from Rome as bankruptcy proceedings force Alitalia to scale back. "It's clear that there is very strong demand in Rome, and even with the entry of Norwegian we believe there is a market there for Level," Mr Walsh said. Sales at Level have been "well ahead of our expectations", he said. IAG, which also owns British Airways and Iberia, has accelerated plans to grow Level which is offering transatlantic tickets priced as low as 99 from its Spanish hub. In addition to Rome, Level is considering new bases in Milan and Paris. Ryanair, meanwhile, has written to the Italian government offering to replace short-haul routes that are vacated by Alitalia during administration. The Irish airline is also seeking to establish a feeder arrangement with the carrier that would allow its passengers to connect with Alitalia's long-haul flights should it survive bankruptcy. Last month Willie Walsh told the Irish Independent that Aer Lingus could eventually operate alongside Level in the Irish markets. He tipped IAG along with Ryanair to stand to gain from a potential collapse of Alitalia. Last weeked a computer shutdown at IAGs BA led to the cancellation hundreds of flights over a busy UK holiday weekend. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Turkish low cost carrier Pegasus Airlines plans to launch direct flight between Baku and Ankara, Sales Director of the company Emre Pekesen told Trend. Pekesen said that from June Pegasus Airlines will be operating a second hub in Turkey, Ankara and the company is currently working on obtaining permissions to launch a direct flight between Ankara and Baku. According to the companys spokesperson, the permissions from the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority to launch this direct flight have been already obtained and Pegasus is now awaiting the corresponding permissions from the Azerbaijani Civil Aviation Authority. If this permission is granted in time, our plan would be to launch Ankara-Baku flights this summer and additionally connect Baku via Ankara to more than 20 other connections within Turkey and further beyond in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and North Africa, Pekesen said. He stressed that Azerbaijan has always been an important market and one which the company values greatly. He went on to add that Pegasus Airlines has been awaiting permission for almost five years to open direct flights between its base airport Sabiha Gokcen in Istanbul and Baku but due to the bilateral agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkey which only permit one carrier from each country on the route, the company has so far not been able to launch those flights despite its great wish and readiness to do so. We are monitoring this closely in the belief that we need a more liberal Air Services Agreement which would allow to provide more flights and more airlines to operate as a result which would serve to realize the full potential of our trade and tourism relations, Pekesen said. He also noted that previously Pegasus Airlines launched direct flight between Istanbul and Azerbaijani Gabala. However, due to preference for guests to fly to Baku, it was not profitable enough and the company unfortunately had to close this route. Pegasus is a Turkish low-cost airline with a fleet of 77 modern aircrafts. In 2016 the company transported over 24 million of passengers. Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Fair City's series consultant has revealed that the Katy kidnapping storyline ran for over a year in order to do justice to the subject matter. Katy, played by Amilia Stewart, was held in a box for 13 months on the hit RTE soap before she made her dramatic escape last week. "I think with that one we really strongly felt we wanted to pay homage to the fact that people do go missing for a long time, and we wanted to look at what that would do to a community like Carrigstown," said series consultant Sam Atwell. The Aussie native starred in Home and Away as Kane Phillips before becoming a director. Expand Close Sam Atwell, Series Consultant on RTE soap Fair City / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sam Atwell, Series Consultant on RTE soap Fair City He moved to Ireland and was drafted in to direct several episodes of Fair City before becoming series consultant. Atwell (38) works with story editors and a team of writers to outline plots for the soap 18 months in advance. With the Katy storyline there were several plots revolving around the core kidnapping. "There was that really interesting period where people didn't know where Katy was and then they found out where she was," said Atwell. "Then they found out [the kidnapper] was Ciaran, but of course none of the characters knew until the end. "So we did work out a timeline and we tried to build those stories around it." Expand Close Sleepless nights for Katy in Fair City. L-R Tommy - Geoff Minogue Rose - Geraldine Plunkett Debbie - Niamh Daly Rose - Geraldine Plunkett Garda - Lena Marie Fitzgerald Katy - Amilia CLarke Stewart Eoghan - Alan Howley / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sleepless nights for Katy in Fair City. L-R Tommy - Geoff Minogue Rose - Geraldine Plunkett Debbie - Niamh Daly Rose - Geraldine Plunkett Garda - Lena Marie Fitzgerald Katy - Amilia CLarke Stewart Eoghan - Alan Howley The storyline, which is still ongoing as Katy adjusts to life at home, prompted a huge reaction on social media, as viewers and the media continually speculated on when she would make her escape. It even prompted a petition calling for her release. Expand Close Ciaran (Johnny Ward) and Katy (Amilia Clarke Stewart ) say one final and bitter farewell in Fair City / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ciaran (Johnny Ward) and Katy (Amilia Clarke Stewart ) say one final and bitter farewell in Fair City Video of the Day "We write the show for the audience - if there wasn't an audience we wouldn't have a show, so I think we do try to please as many people as we can," said Atwell. "But you can't please all the people all of the time. Expand Close Ciaran and Katy in Fair City / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ciaran and Katy in Fair City "The thing with television is that it has almost become like theatre. The difference with theatre is you can hear the clapping or laughing or booing, and now with Twitter and Facebook you can hear it too. "I think for me at least it means people are watching and engaging and I hope we can give those people a storyline they do hopefully enjoy. "Certainly I do understand when there's an episode and people have problems with it and they might complain about it but then when they're asked if they tuned in the next night they say: 'Yes, of course, I had to find out what's happening!' "I think if you challenge the audience sometimes it's a good thing but as well as that we don't want them to turn off." Speaking to the Herald before Katy was freed after 372 days, Amilia said she missed her plywood box. "I really, really miss doing the scenes in that box," she said. "The first week I got out and I was in the apartment [and filming] I found it so difficult to be working with other characters. "I found it really difficult to jump back into that because I was so used to working only with Johnny [Ward, who plays Ciaran]." The story became the ultimate water-cooler conversation starter, as viewers wondered just how long Ciaran could keep Katy captive. Amilia said she had no idea the storyline would play out for more than a year. "Use-it or lose-it" taxes to force land hoarders to release sites needed for housing must be pitched "aggressively" to be effective, an expert has warned. The head of Nama dramatically accused funds, which his agency sold billions of euro worth of property assets to, of now hoarding the lands to beef up their profits. Just 6pc of land bought from Nama has been built on, according to CEO Brendan McDonagh, who was speaking at the launch of Nama's annual report yesterday. He said the agency had sold enough land to build 50,000 homes but so far only 3,000 had been delivered. Property owners who sit on land as house prices go up will pocket fat profits, he said, because their other costs are not rising. There may be other reasons housing construction is so slow, he said. But he said hoarding by landowners was a significant factor. Read More "That is a huge issue in my view," he said. The bulk of assets sold by Nama were bought by US investment funds, including so-called vulture funds, in huge tranches. Finance Minister Michael Noonan, who also spoke at the Nama event, said the attorney general had raised constitutional concerns about previous attempts to tax development land into use, but said the way was now clear for action. A vacant site levy was the best approach to punish land hoarding, he said. "It can be brought in now," he added. He indicated that his successor would bring in a new levy in the Budget for next year. Mr Noonan is due to stand down later this month, but he said he expected the Government would bring in the tax on empty development sites. "People who are sitting on land as an asset will find themselves sitting on a tax liability," he said. He posed an annual charge of 1pc, 2pc or 3pc a year to incentivise land hoarders to sell. Legally, any levy would have to be "proportionate", including to social needs, he said. Economist Kieran McQuinn of the ESRI said a more punishing levy was needed to force speculators to use zoned land for housing. Landowners currently can hoard undeveloped land at little cost other than keeping planning permits up to date, and are rewarded as prices rise, Prof McQuinn said. "I'd look to be more aggressive," he said. In Denmark, where a successful scheme is in place, the rate of the levy increases as property prices rise, Mr McQuinn said. It means the levy varies from place to place and time to time, and is most penal for landowners where housing is most in demand. Landowners who cannot afford to develop their sites are effectively forced to sell on the property to builders who can. A vacant site levy is already due to come into force next year, but it's targeted at derelict sites, rather than zoned land and sites with planning permission. Meanwhile, Nama itself said it expected to make a surplus of 3bn once its last assets had been sold off. That is 700m more than previously expected. The bulk of cash raised by Nama to date has gone to the banks - the final balance will be paid back to the Exchequer. Nama reported a profit for 2016 of 1.5bn yesterday. It repaid 5.5bn of debt the last year. Mr McDonagh dismissed speculation that the agency could be wound-up early. "Nama isn't done, we still have three years of hard grind," he said. Gardai at the scene of the incident in Dublin yesterday. Photo: Tony Gavin Two men accused of being drunk during a boat chase on the River Liffey in Dublin in the early hours of Thursday have been granted bail. Emergency services were alerted to an incident at about 6am when a boat was taken from its mooring at a south Dublin bank sailing club. Expand Close Brian Stacey pleaded not guilty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brian Stacey pleaded not guilty Following a pursuit on the Liffey a boat was brought to a halt and later two Dublin men were arrested and taken to Irishtown garda station. One them was naked when he was arrested at Sir John Rogerson's Quay. Brian Stacey (44) of Derry Drive, Crumlin, and Ronan Stephens (40) from Captain's Road, also in Crumlin, face seven charges under the Maritime Safety Act, the Theft and Fraud Act and the Public Order Act in connection with the alleged incident. They are accused of being under the influence of alcohol and failing to stop for gardai at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club while being the operator of a boat; theft of a pleasure craft worth 11,000; navigating the craft without due care and attention and endangerment of a RNLI lifeboat crew at the shipping lane on the River Liffey; trespassing at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club and breach of the peace. There was no objection to bail with conditions and they have not yet indicated how they will plead. Expand Close Ronan Stephens outside court yesterday. Photo: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ronan Stephens outside court yesterday. Photo: Collins Garda Paul Moody said Mr Stacey "made no reply" when he was charged. He said the incident began in the early hours of Thursday and was ongoing when he took up duty at 7am. Mr Stacey was arrested at 8.25am at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club. He said it was alleged the incident happened at the Shipping Lane of the River Liffey at the East Link Bridge coming into Dublin city. Judge Walsh granted legal aid and ordered them to appear again on June 15 next. The case against a man accused of the murder of a loyalist in a busy supermarket car park is "weak, tenuous and circumstantial", his lawyer has told a court. Alan James Wilson, 28, appeared in court on Friday, charged with the murder of Colin Horner, 35, outside a Sainsbury's store in Bangor, Co Down, on Sunday. Mr Horner was shot dead by a lone gunman moments after he had put his three-year-old son in the back of his car. The murder has been linked to a feud among loyalist rivals. Wilson, from Ballyrainey Road in Newtownards, is charged with murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. A defence lawyer told a district judge sitting at Newtownards Magistrates' Court that his client denied the charges. He claimed detectives had not accused him of pulling the trigger. "The case is not that he was the shooter or in the getaway car," the solicitor told judge Amanda Brady. Applying for bail, he said the evidence was based on CCTV and cell site mobile phone analysis. "A weak, tenuous and circumstantial case was put to the defendant (during police interview)," said the lawyer. Bearded Wilson, wearing a grey jumper and jeans, listened from the dock as his lawyer told the court he was "a man of good character" with no criminal record. He spoke only once, at the start of the seven-minute hearing, to confirm his name as his partner and sister watched from the public gallery. A detective inspector, who said he could link Wilson to the charges, declined to be drawn on details of the investigation when pressed by the defence solicitor. The officer told the court it would be inappropriate given that the probe was still live. He opposed bail, claiming Wilson could interfere with witnesses. The judge rejected the bail application, acknowledging police concerns about witness interference. "I am not persuaded he is a suitable candidate for bail," she said. Wilson was remanded in custody to appear before the court again, via video-link, on June 30. He appeared in court hours after police made a further arrest in the case. A 45-year-old man detained in the Newtownards area was taken to Belfast for questioning. A 47-year-old man arrested earlier this week was released without charge on Thursday night. It is understood Mr Horner, from Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, recently relocated to Bangor amid fears he would be targeted in the same loyalist paramilitary feud that claimed the life of his friend, George Gilmore, two months ago. Loyalist Mr Gilmore, 44, was shot dead in Carrickfergus in March. A beautician who stabbed her toddler son to death with a pair of scissors while under a delusion that he was a "clone" has been jailed for five years. Hazel Waters (47) was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to seven years in prison with the final two suspended under conditions. Waters, who had been a "devoted mother" but suffered from a personality disorder, had a psychotic episode when she killed her two-year-old boy Hassan at their south Dublin apartment. Sentencing her, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy noted the treating doctor at the Central Mental Hospital said Waters had declined to engage in psychotherapy and would not "give any explanation as to the event itself". "It is clearly a case where as she is reintroduced into the community, she must in her own interest and the interest of the community submit to treatment," the judge said. He measured the appropriate sentencing starting point was around eight to 10 years, and the only mitigating factor he could give her credit for was her plea itself. Expand Close Hassan Waters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hassan Waters Read More "It is in society's interest that she be reintroduced to society in a structured manner and remain in medical treatment," the judge said. "In those circumstances I am going to suspend the last two years on her entering a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for four years on release." Waters stared intently at the judge but showed no emotion as he passed sentence. Waters, of Ridge Hall, Ballybrack, had pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Muhammad Hassan Khan between October 15 and 16, 2014. She had originally been charged with murder but she denied that charge and the prosecution accepted her manslaughter plea. Judge McCarthy said the only mitigating factor he could consider was her plea of guilty. Read More The court heard she killed her son and left his body at their south Dublin apartment before going to her sister-in-law's house, where gardai were called. Victim impact statements by members of Waters' family and Hassan's father Saleem Khan were previously heard by the court. Her sister Olivia said the family were "double victims" of the tragedy, and they had never fully recovered. It is understood Waters will be returned to the Central Mental Hospital for treatment. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Italian electrical engineering company Geros hopes for a fruitful cooperation with Azerbaijan, the companys export manager Luca Princivalle told Trend at the 24th Caspian International Exhibition and Conference in Baku. Our company is making electrical materials for industrial and civil applications. Currently, we dont have customers in Azerbaijan. But we have some contacts in this country. Thats why we have come to see if there is an opportunity for developing some business here, said Princivalle. He pointed out that currently, the companys main markets are the Middle East, Africa and Europe and it is currently looking for an importer of its products in Azerbaijan. Some companies here are interested in obtaining our products. Hopefully, we will start a fruitful cooperation, added the export manager. In this regard, he highlighted the importance of the Caspian International Oil and Gas Exhibition in Baku. Our company is being represented in this exhibition for the first time. I think it is a good opportunity. The organizers have made a good job, Princivalle added. Geros Electrical Engineering proposes a large range of items for the civil and industrial installation and counting in its line of products such as modular flash mounting and surface junction boxes, enclosures, flexible conduits and accessories, in order to satisfy the needs of the distribution chain and the industry. Geros invests in the raw material quality and in the quality of the finished product with regard to the European fabrication norms and to the obtained certifications, as well as the assistance before and after sale and the delivery service performances. Victim Michael Keogh and the car (featuring false plates) that was discovered burnt out Gardai are investigating if a notorious north inner city armed robber was directly involved in the feud-related murder of Michael Keogh. Keogh (37) became the 12th victim of the Hutch/Kinahan feud when he was shot in his car in the underground car park at the Sheridan Court flats complex on Wednesday morning. Detectives believe the murder was carried out by the Hutch mob and are investigating the suspected role of an armed robber from the north inner city. A property linked to the suspect was raided yesterday morning and while clothes and other items were seized, the robber, who is in his early 40s, was not arrested. Expand Close Michael Keogh. Picture: Facebook / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Keogh. Picture: Facebook He is currently before the courts on serious charges unrelated to the feud and is considered a "volatile and highly dangerous criminal" who has links to a number of Hutch gang associates. Graffiti This latest development comes as sinister graffiti emerged in the north inner city naming two men the Hutch mob believe were involved in Gareth Hutch's murder. The menacing message named the two men along with the message: "YOU'RE NEXT". Sources believe the Hutch gang were behind the graffiti. A source said last night that gardai were "satisfied" with how the investigation was progressing and that "substantial progress has been made". However, tensions remain extremely high on both sides of the city, with sources revealing that some members of the Hutch gang have been "taunting" pals of Keogh. Expand Close Floral tributes and messages left near the car park in Dorset Street where the gunman struck. Photo: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Floral tributes and messages left near the car park in Dorset Street where the gunman struck. Photo: Collins Read More The most prominent theory is that Keogh was murdered because one of his closest associates was involved in Gareth Hutch's murder last May. Keogh's murder is the first that the Hutch mob are suspected of carrying out since cartel figure David Byrne (34) was shot dead in the Regency Hotel in February 2016. The following nine murders are all believed to have been carried out by the Kinahan cartel, including the shocking slayings last year of innocent men Trevor O'Neill and Martin O'Rourke. Keogh's murder has led to a major increase in armed garda checkpoints in the north inner city but also in the Crumlin and south inner city areas. Since the latest killing, it can be revealed that detectives have visited the homes of a number of targets on both sides of the feud and given them "updated security advice". The murder, which has been followed by "taunting" of innocent relatives, came just days after six cars were attacked in the capital, five of them connected to innocent Hutch family members. Expand Close Click to enlarge / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Click to enlarge Gardai have also not ruled out whether Keogh was involved in any of the five attacks against the cars of Hutch family members. The father-of-two had just started a new job in the construction sector. While not considered a major criminal, he was linked to the so-called 'New INLA' faction who have aligned themselves with the Kinahan cartel. Handgun Keogh wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning: "New job new start hopefully all goes well." Gardai believe that members of the Hutch gang were monitoring his activity on Facebook in the days leading up to the murder. A car was found burnt out on Clonliffe Avenue at 7.30am on Wednesday and a handgun with an attached silencer was discovered in the vehicle, which gardai believe was used as the getaway car. The car, a grey Opel Astra which had false plates 12 D 16387, was stolen in the Dublin area in April. It is believed that Keogh was shot dead shortly before the burnt-out car was discovered but an exact time is not known. Yesterday gardai renewed their appeal for information, saying they want to speak to people who were in the Dorset Street or Clonliffe Avenue areas between 7 and 10am on Wednesday. Unarmed gardai have been permanently stationed at a number of homes belonging to Hutch family members and officers manning these posts have requested new ballistic vests as they claim that their current ones are not suitable. However, Garda headquarters has categorically stated that the standard vests issued to uniformed gardai are both ballistic resistant and stab proof. A MOTHER has been sleeping in her car with her five children because she has been unable to source emergency accommodation from Cork City Council. Jennifer O'Regan has been sleeping in her car outside Kilcully cemetery in Cork with her children who range in age from three to 15. Ms O'Regan, originally from Farranree in Cork, previously lived in the UK before moving back home 15 months ago. Focus Ireland housed her in accommodation but she said they ended up in an "isolated" town in Co Clare. She returned to Cork three months ago and has been attempting to access emergency accommodation. Her partner drowned last year. She lived in a local authority house in Cork over a decade ago and upon her return found she was in arrears on her rent. She claims she is paying the local authority back by having a small portion of money deducted from her one-parent family supplement. Ms O'Regan said she was "not looking for the keys of a house" and was happy to take accommodation of any kind. My kids are 15, 13, 11, 5 and 3. My partner drowned last year and my eldest girl saw the drowning. My name is on the list for housing at City Hall but they (the homeless services) say they can't give me temporary accommodation because they are waiting on an assessment on me. I have gone through the assessment at City Hall and it is taking weeks." "I am a good parent. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I will take anything they give me once its a roof over our heads. My mother isn't well and there is no room for all of us. My brother Gavin died seven years ago. He was only 31. As a family we have been to hell and back. "My name is on the list for housing at City Hall but they (the homeless services) say they can't give me temporary accommodation because they are waiting on an assessment on me," she added. Ms O'Regan said her children were happy to be back in Cork because she had a good family and they were doing their best to help her. "They are doing exams and trying to cope with all of this. They're delighted to be back in Cork. I am happy to take a place in line for a house. I just want somewhere to go to," she said. In a statement, Cork City Council said: "We cannot comment on individual cases but many cases are complex and require the intervention of more than one agency to meet the need of the client." Ms O'Regan's father, Thomas, said he was very disillusioned with a political system which allows a single mother of five to become homeless. A 46-year-old woman was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when a gang burst into her south Dublin home. Gardai are investigating the incident which happened on Monday evening in the Shrewsbury Lawn estate in Cabinteely. The woman was at home with her two daughters, aged 16 and 21, when the three-man gang struck at around 5.15pm. The raiders all wore dark coloured balaclavas and dark clothing. The gang burst through the door of the property and one of the men grabbed the woman as his two accomplices ran upstairs. Bank cards and a small amount of cash were stolen in the incident, while extensive damage was caused to the door of the property. After just a few seconds in the house, the criminals fled the scene in a grey Audi A3. The gang then set the car on fire just 200 metres from the property and escaped the area in another vehicle. Gardai from Cabinteely garda station are investigating the shocking incident, but there have been no arrests so far. Detectives are treating it as an aggravated burglary. A woman at the house declined to speak about the family's ordeal yesterday. A local resident told the Irish Independent: "It's shocking what happened. They drove their getaway only a short distance before burning it." South Dublin is the home of some of the country's most prolific burglary gangs, but it is not known if Monday's incident is linked to these gangs. Two men and a teenager linked to one of the most notorious south Dublin burglary gangs were released without charge on Wednesday after being questioned for two days about an aggravated burglary in Co Tipperary. Raiders broke into the home of Jimmy Campion in Roscrea late on May 7 and beat him with his own walking stick. Gardai raided a property in Sallynoggin on Monday afternoon where they arrested a 28-year-old man. A further raid was carried out on Tuesday at a halting site in Dun Laoghaire where a 17-year-old boy and a 34-year-old man were arrested. They were all questioned at north Tipperary garda stations before being released. A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Nearly half of female doctors say they have delayed having children because of the impact that motherhood will have on their medical careers, a new survey has revealed. Some male doctors also concede they have put off starting a family in a bid to balance workload with the responsibility of having children - but the number was much lower at 19pc. More than eight in 10 female doctors said they worried about the implications of parenthood on their careers, the findings of the survey carried out by the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) revealed. The results were released at a conference in Dublin jointly hosted by the IMO and the Bar Council of Ireland which looked at what professional success means in both high-powered jobs. Some 85pc of female doctors and 71pc of their male colleagues do not believe there are enough supports in the workplace to reduce the stress of balancing rearing a family with occupation. The issue influences the kind of specialty that female doctors choose, with many opting for an area of medicine which allows job flexibility. IMO President Dr Ann Hogan (right) said: "It is obvious from the research that gender still continues to impact on careers in the medical profession with family considerations often affecting female practitioners to a greater extent than their male colleagues. "There is also some catch-up required regarding encouraging female doctors to apply for top consultant posts. They account for just 29pc of hospital consultants. More male doctors are likely to be encouraged to climb the ladder and seek a hospital consultants post." Only 15pc of the country's surgeons are female. There are more females than males in psychiatry, but they are outranked in all other specialties. Other findings revealed that more than one in five female trainee doctors experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in the past two years. Some 12pc of male trainees also complained of being similarly harassed. Dr Hogan commented: "It is obvious that female doctors' experiences of gender-based bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment differ greatly from male doctors' experiences. "This is an indictment for our profession and must be addressed." When it comes to the law, women are also outranked in the senior ranks. Just 16pc, or 229 females, have "taken silk" as a barrister. Marguerite Bolger SC said: "Discrimination against women is recognised across many professions, not least in law and in medicine. As barristers, we particularly struggle with the self-employed nature of our work when challenging institutionalised discrimination. "I have found, anecdotally, that women receive significant work satisfaction from working for a worthy or for a notable outcome, and from being seen as a recognised expert and as a 'go to' person. "These are stronger motivations that financial reward." She pointed to the need to achieve a level playing field. My life was destroyed forever when my son was killed age 24 in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Since then I've helped set up the Brendans Law Facebook page to campaign for change. I find it shocking to think we have members of our Government putting obstacles in the way of this life saving bill. This is not about vengeance, it is about justice for families of the future who will get that same knock on the door. The only vested interest with the Vintners Association and those in the pub trade is money - but how much is a life worth? Every politician in Dublin, regardless of their party, should be standing shoulder to shoulder and applauding this new bill, which will save innocent lives. Expand Close Christina Donnelly mother of Brendan who was killed by a drunk driver in a car accident at Castlemarteyr, Co. Cork. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Christina Donnelly mother of Brendan who was killed by a drunk driver in a car accident at Castlemarteyr, Co. Cork. If they had to walk in my shoes or another mother's shoes for five minutes they would soon change their minds. The most frustrating thing is also when you have a phone in with some of these politicians or publicans, they evade the questions and their opinion is the only one. Read More Many bills have been rushed through the cabinet that are not life-threatening, so I'm lost for words regarding their views. Expand Close Brendan died when he was just 24 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brendan died when he was just 24 Money, money that's the answer for some- no price on a life. Those who oppose it should hang their heads in shame, they have let down the people of this country and have no idea what we are left with. I am broken and a different person, I would like one of them to travel with me on a Sunday when I lay flowers and talk to a plaque on the side of the road. But that would be too close for comfort for them. Read More It has to be zero tolerance as drivers are not taking heed and think they won't get caught, so they will abuse their levels of alcohol intake. What is it going to take to make these politicians sit up and take heed and applaud this new bill? Or, are they going to continue to act as puppets so as not to offend the one sitting to the right and left of them? I will finish with this: They know deep down inside their decision is wrong regarding this life-saving campaign but they do not have the courage to show change. Shame, shame on all of them. Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Simon Coveney minutes after Leo Varadkar was announced as the new Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Simon Coveney TD with his wife Ruth during the Fine Gael Leadership Election at the Mansion House, Dublin "I'VE never had a coffee with him in six years," the backbencher said. And there-in lay the root of Simon Coveneys problem going into the leadership contest. The Cork TD is extremely bruised today but will have learned a lot from the past two weeks. His closest colleagues, who he thought he could rely on, abandoned him and went with the young whippersnapper who is a first generation Fine Gaeler and a Dub. While he criticised Leo Varadkar for spending a year plotting and scheming to become Taoiseach, the reality is that this is politics. Not just in Ireland but the world over. It was naive of Mr Coveney to think that members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party would wait until they heard the policies before deciding who to back in the contest. Expand Close Taoiseach Enda Kenny arrives to camp Ziouani at the Golan heights to visit Irish peace keeping troops for Christmas. Included is Minister Simon Coveney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Enda Kenny arrives to camp Ziouani at the Golan heights to visit Irish peace keeping troops for Christmas. Included is Minister Simon Coveney The campaign to replace Enda Kenny has been underway since before the last years general election. The result of that ballot, which saw Fine Gael lose 26 seats, only moved the full-blown contest closer. People on all sides of the negotiations for this government have claimed that Mr Varadkar appeared somewhat disinterested during the process. The heavy speculation is that he would not have been too concerned if a new Government couldnt be formed because that would have sparked an immediate leadership contest. When it didnt happen, he changed tact and travelled the country meeting councillors, attending party meetings and presenting himself as an all-round top guy. At the same time Mr Coveney was engulfed in a housing crisis, fighting with Fianna Fail over the future of water charges and trying to develop a reputation as an all-round top legislator. The Housing Minister believed that people would judge the candidates based on policies and performance rather than personality and accessibility. He quickly discovered otherwise when on day one of the campaign he was being asked if he had the X Factor to be Taoiseach. Few would say that Enda Kenny has the X Factor but politics and Ireland is very different than it was even six years ago. Leo Varadkar presented a more fun future than Mr Coveney. It was evident from their policy documents. While Mr Coveney tried paint the future by drawing on the past, Mr Varadkar spoke of a new Ireland. The Cork candidate put forward a document than was high on notion, low on tangible ideas. He didnt want to be accused of making election promises that he couldnt keep. On the other hand Mr Varadkar offered new motorways and free education. In fairness Mr Coveney reacted well when it appeared his campaign had fallen at the first hurdle. Despite some in his team thinking he should opt-out, he dusted himself down and hit the road meeting the membership. It was always going to be too little, too late. But he now knows what it takes to win a leadership contest. He is only 44 years old and a career politician. Mr Varadkar has said in the past that he wanted to out of politics by 51. He revised that position during the campaign but it seems unlikely that the new leader will spent 15 years at the helm of the party as Enda Kenny did. These chances dont come once in a lifetime. Just ask Bertie Ahern who originally lost out to Albert Reynolds, or indeed Enda Kenny who was beaten at the first attempt by Michael Noonan. Simon Coveneys time may yet come. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: Eighty-three billion cubic meters of gas and 21 million tons of condensate have been produced from Azerbaijans biggest gas field, Shah Deniz, since the beginning of its operation in 2006, said First Vice-President of the countrys state oil company SOCAR Khoshbakht Yusifzade. He made the remarks during the 24th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference 2017 in Baku June 2. The first vice-president noted that Azerbaijan, until today, has exported 6.3 billion cubic meters of gas to Georgia and 46.5 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey via the South Caucasus pipeline. As part of the first stage of development of the Azerbaijans Shah Deniz gas condensate field, 2.3 million cubic meters of gas are supplied to Georgia and 18.5 million cubic meters of gas to Turkey per day, noted Yusifzade. He added that the work on the second stage of development of Shah Deniz field is continuing intensively and is completed by 93 percent. Reserves of the Shah Deniz field are estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas. A contract for development of the field was signed on June 4, 1996. Shah Deniz Stage 2 will add a further 16 billion cubic meters per year of gas production to the approximately 9 billion cubic meters per year produced by Shah Deniz Stage 1. The first volume of gas within the project is planned to be received in 2018 and it will become the main source for Southern Gas Corridor. The gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets through expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline and construction of TANAP and TAP. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov OUTGOING Taoiseach Enda Kenny has warned his potential successors that they will have to "dedicate their life" to the job if they take over his office. Mr Kenny was tweeting his best wishes to Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney before 7am today. Fine Gael TDs, senators and MEPS began voting in the leadership contest at 8am this morning, with the final results expected by 6pm. Mr Kenny said he remembers this day almost 15 years ago and the sense of excitement and possibility. On this very important day in their lives, I want to wish both Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar every good wish in todays election. The Mayo TD said the ministers engagement in the internal election has been democratically valuable and has energised the Fine Gael party across the country. I pledge my full support to whoever is elected, in the important work at Government level, to which the new leader will have to dedicate their life in service of the people of this great Republic. He concluded: My enduring belief in the potential of this country is boundless. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Simon Coveney TD with his wife Ruth during the Fine Gael Leadership Election at the Mansion House, Dublin Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Simon Coveney minutes after Leo Varadkar was announced as the new Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Minister Leo Varadkar and Minister Simon Coveney at the Fine Gael Hustings for the leadership of the party Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael LEO Varadkar is the new leader of Fine Gael and on course to become Irelands first gay Taoiseach. The Social Protection Minister got the support of 51 TDs, senators and MEP to get over the line despite losing the popular vote. Massive cheers greeted Mr Varadkar as he arrived at the count centre in the Mansion House. In his speech he declared Ireland a Republic that holds no prejudice. He became emotional as he described how he was proud to live in a country where the son of an immigrant can become leader. Prejudice has no hold in this Republic, he said, acknowledge that he is a gay man and the son of an Indian immigrant. Around the world people look to Ireland as a country where it doesnt matter where you come from but where you want to go. I know when my father travelled 5,000 miles to make his home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed that his son would one day grow up to be its leader, he said. That despite his differences, his son would be treated the same and judged by his actions and character not his origins or identity. Mr Varadkar, who will become Taoiseach in the coming weeks, said every proud parent in Ireland today can dream big dreams for their children. He said every child should no that there is no limit to their ambition. The Dublin West TD also paid tribute to Simon Coveney who beat him in the popular vote among Fine Gael members. Expand Close Leo Varadkar. Photo: Damien Eagers / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar. Photo: Damien Eagers He said Mr Coveney had gained the admiration of Fine Gael members and fought a spirited and persistent campaign. Were going to work together to bring Fine Gael and Ireland forward. Expand Close Minister Leo Varadkar and Minister Simon Coveney at the Fine Gael Hustings for the leadership of the party / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Minister Leo Varadkar and Minister Simon Coveney at the Fine Gael Hustings for the leadership of the party In total 10,842 of the partys 21,000 member voted, with 7,051 siding with the Cork candidate. Some 3,772 voted for Mr Varadkar. There were 19 spoiled votes. Mr Varadkar won the votes of 123 councillors, against 100 who went for Mr Coveney. But it was his popularity among his Leinster House colleagues that ensured victory. The vast majority of the parliamentary party, who make up 65pc of the electorate, have publicly supported Mr Varadkar since the early days of the campaign. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Expand Close Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Simon Coveney who lost out on the vote thanked all of his team for their work on his campaign and paid tribute to Enda Kenny in his speech at the Mansion House in the wake of the results. "The first thing I want to do is pay tribute to extraordinary work of Enda Kenny for the last 15 years," he said. He said the party must now continue to progress after a "sparky" competition. Expand Close Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael "My message is very clear - one of unity... This is a great party. It's a party that founded the state and we are going to move on now to build a stronger better country," he said. "I am so proud of everyone in Fine Gael of the way we have conducted a competitive and sometimes sparky content. But one that I think had dignity." He pledged to work "side-by-side" with Leo Varadkar. Expand Close Simon Coveney minutes after Leo Varadkar was announced as the new Fine Gael leader / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Coveney minutes after Leo Varadkar was announced as the new Fine Gael leader "He is a worthy winner of this contest - He has the potential to be a hugely successful leader of this party that can broaden our horizons," he said. "It is a decisive result and we should all recognise that and move forward and work Leo and his leadership." Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has offered heartiest congratulation to Leo Varadkar. Expand Close Simon Coveney TD with his wife Ruth during the Fine Gael Leadership Election at the Mansion House, Dublin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Coveney TD with his wife Ruth during the Fine Gael Leadership Election at the Mansion House, Dublin This is a tremendous honour for him and I know he will devote his life to improving the lives of people across our country. He will have my full support in the work that lies ahead, he said. I want to also thank and pay tribute to Simon Coveney for making the Leadership Election a real contest. This has been a wonderful exercise in democracy for the Fine Gael party. Fine Gael supporters all over the country really enjoyed the experience of participating in the election of a new leader, in a new way. Read More Mr Varadkar will automatically take over from Enda Kenny but must wait until Tuesday, June 13 before being elected Taoiseach. Fine Gael TDs, senators and MEPs gathered in Leinster House early this morning to cast their final votes in the leadership contest. The former Minister for Social Protection was the front runner from the start of the election campaign with a number of high profile TDs quick to back him. Expand Close Simon Harris TD at the Mansion House, Dublin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Harris TD at the Mansion House, Dublin The 38-year-old will be the youngest ever Taoiseach and the fourth openly-gay world leader after Belgium, Iceland and Luxemburg. BeLonG To, is the national organisation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans (LGBT+) young people in Ireland, issued a statement welcoming his election as party leader. It is a historic day for the LGBT+ community, and indeed for all of Ireland as we welcome the countrys first openly gay presumptive Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. This is a huge step forward for Ireland and we applaud the fact that this political race focused on policy and the issues, and not sexual orientation," the group said in a statement. Rise to party leader: Mr Varadkar has never been shy about his ambitions. As a precocious seven-year-old he declared his lofty intention to be Minister for Health one day. Expand Close Simon Coveney embraces Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House, Dublin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Coveney embraces Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House, Dublin That achievement came when he was just 35 and with his progression through the cabinet ranks he steadily began to cement himself as the clear favourite to succeed Enda Kenny as leader of Fine Gael and as next Taoiseach. Some in his inner circle suggest he has been working on his challenge for the last six years, methodically building relations with parliamentary colleagues while relentlessly maintaining his career trajectory. And it is a combination of his youth, background and straight-talking that the party faithful think will be a major selling point in elections if his face is emblazoned on posters up and down the country. Mr Varadkar is a Trinity College qualified doctor and he has been in a relationship with another medic for about two years. While his centre-right politics are clearly conservative, he portrays the image of a new, progressive Ireland, symbolised best in May 2015 when the Republic voted overwhelmingly in favour of gay marriage. It came just a few months after Mr Varadkar himself revealed in a radio interview that he was gay. When the result of the referendum was known, the then health minister declared: "To me this had the feeling of a social movement or a social revolution." In his relatively short time in the upper echelons of Irish politics Mr Varadkar has set himself apart with a straight-talking attitude. As transport minister he broke ranks to praise two garda whistle-blowers as distinguished - a remark in stark contrast to former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan's description of their actions as "disgusting". But it is this same shoot from the hip attitude that creates enemies and something that could cost him. In 2007, not long after he won a seat in national politics for the first time, he lashed out at Bertie Ahern while he was mired in controversy over his financial affairs. Mr Varadkar took a swipe at the beleaguered Taoiseach of the day claiming the gutter was his "natural habitat". In the contest for the Fine Gael leadership Mr Varadkar declared himself as the candidate for "people who get up early in the morning". And while his public remarks are said to be drilled and scripted to the last iota, that is the kind of statement that could dramatically backfire in a general election. One of his drawbacks is that he is seen as being to much of a Dublin man. Joe McHugh, a ministerial colleague who has been firmly in the Varadkar camp, brought him to the heart of his Donegal constituency in the days before the campaign proper began and spoke in glowing terms about his intellect, communication skills and willingness to learn. "He has a craving to try and understand things," he said. "No-one is going to know everything. And there is a humility there. He will accept that if he's successful. "He will have that awareness, that emotional intelligence as some people call it, to know that he still has a lot to learn." Additional reporting by Press Association Simon Coveney TD with his wife Ruth during the Fine Gael Leadership Election at the Mansion House, Dublin Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Simon Coveney minutes after Leo Varadkar was announced as the new Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar represents "liberalisation" in Ireland and his election as the new Fine Gael leader is a "significant step forward for equality" - these are just some of the reactions from international news agencies. As Varadkar beat rival Simon Coveney to head the party, the world's media wasted no time responding to the news. The Guardian said: "The son of an Indian immigrant who came out as gay in 2015 will be the next Irish prime minister, after he was voted leader of the countrys main governing party on Friday. "Leo Varadkars victory in the Fine Gael leadership contest, which took place after outgoing PM Enda Kenny announced his resignation last month, marks another significant step forward for equality in the country, after 2015s gay marriage referendum. "As well as becoming Irelands first gay prime minister, Varadkar, 38, will also become the countrys youngest leader, and the first from an ethnic minority background. "His position will be confirmed later this month when parliament resumes after a break." Expand Close David Norris, Averil Power, Leo Varadkar, and Colm O'Gorman pictured at the Yes vote announcement in Dublin Castle. Picture; GERRY MOONEY. 23/5/15 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Norris, Averil Power, Leo Varadkar, and Colm O'Gorman pictured at the Yes vote announcement in Dublin Castle. Picture; GERRY MOONEY. 23/5/15 Read More BBC News also described his election as a progressive move. They said: "He has come to personify the liberalisation of a country which was once regarded as one of Europe's most socially conservative nations - homosexuality was illegal until 1993." ITV echoed these sentiments as they said Varadkar is placed as the best figure to take the party into the next election. They said: "Many in the party believe the Dublin-born-and-raised Mr Varadkar is representative of an urban, progressive generation that can help sell the party to the wider electorate at the next election. "Although he had rallied for the change in marriage law in public, he remains otherwise private about his personal life, though he is known to have been in a relationship with another medic for two years." Read More BBC did note that some of his policies as Social Protection Minister have proven controversial. They said: "Mr Varadkar has come under criticism for his comments on progressive issues and workers' rights." Meanwhile, in India there has also been widespread coverage of Mr Varadkar's election as party leader. The Times of India reports: "Ireland's governing Fine Gael party elected Leo Varadkar as its new leader on Friday, choosing the gay, 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant to succeed Enda Kenny as prime minister in a striking sign of the country's rapid social change." In the United States the New York Times is also reporting on the new Fine Gael leader running an article entytitled: Gay Lawmaker, Leo Varadkar, Is in Line to Be Irelands Prime Minister The paper reports his election in the context that Ireland is a "country that has rapidly been leaving its conservative Roman Catholic social traditions behind". Broadcaster CNN is also reporting the news and focusing on the fact that Mr Varadkar is gay, running the following headline: Ireland's next prime minister is a conservative, gay 38-year-old. "Varadkar might seem to be an unexpected pick for leader of Ireland -- a country that's still finding its secular European footing after years of church influence over the state. But Varadkar's policies signal a sharp move towards the right," Kara Fox writes. Making a mark: Leo Varadkar in Dun Laoghaire during the early days of his tenure as Minister for Transport Simon Coveney TD with his wife Ruth during the Fine Gael Leadership Election at the Mansion House, Dublin Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Simon Coveney minutes after Leo Varadkar was announced as the new Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar at the Mansion House minutes after being elected the new leader of Fine Gael INDEPENDENT.IE political editor Kevin Doyle picks out 12 quotes that tell a lot about our incoming Taoiseach: "It's not something that defines me. I'm not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It's just part of who I am, it doesn't define me, it is part of my character I suppose. On himself "On some occasions, maybe most occasions, our interests will be aligned with those of the United Kingdom. But where they are not, it is not our duty to fight England battles for her. We must put the interests of Ireland first in the coming years and the negotiation process. On Brexit "I have an evolving view on this issue. I find it very difficult I dont agree with abortion on request but I also am very sure the Eighth Amendment is too restrictive. - On abortion "The dream of a grand coalition (Fianna Fail/ Fine Gael) would actually be a nightmare. It is why it cannot happen." On coalition Something has been awakened in the Irish people . . . it was not just a referendum it was more like a social revolution. On the marriage referendum Expand Close Young pretender: Enda Kenny with Leo Varadkar. Photo: Damien Eagers / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Young pretender: Enda Kenny with Leo Varadkar. Photo: Damien Eagers But more importantly he brought this country back from the brink of economic collapse, and offered politically stability when countries across Europe were staring into the abyss. On Enda Kennys legacy "An honest, diligent, patient man. I wish I had the patience Simon has. On Simon Coveney "The gutter is Bertie Ahern's natural habitat. On the former Taoiseach "Actually she (Sarah Palin) reminds me of Mary Coughlan, which is why I'm terrified Brian Cowen may become incapable for some reason." On the former Tanaiste "Sinn Fein is the greatest threat to everyones prosperity, including its own supporters, and it is not yet a truly democratic party. On Sinn Fein "I am talking about people who work in the public and private sectors, commuters, the self-employed, carers who look after loved ones, parents who get the kids ready for school, people who volunteer in their communities. On FG supporting people who get up early in the morning. "If we were about motherhood and apple pie we would be Greece." On his vision for Fine Gael John Torode is pictured with Andy Ferreira from Cask in Cork who was crowned World Class Irish Bartender of the Year at the World Class Irish Final 2017 at Zozimus, Dublin.Pic: Andres Poveda Masterchef's John Torode has revealed he offered newly crowned World Class Irish Bartender of the Year, Andy Ferreira, some "sage advice" ahead of September's global final. The TV presenter and restaurateur was in Dublin to judge the final at Zozimus bar this week and says Andy, who hails from Cask restaurant in Cork, is a worthy winner. I think the thing about bartending these days is its not just about making a drink. Its about understanding customers, understanding how a bar works, meeting people, having huge amounts of knowledge on the classics and putting your own identity on it without turning into something indescribable., he says. I think one of the things thats interesting about Andy is the fact hes very well travelled, his parents are very well travelled, hes an advocate for foraging and finding stuff in nature and utilising whats around him and in season. He survives on natural resources as much as possible and as a result of that his drinks are really special. Expand Close Andy Ferreira from Cask in Cork was crowned as the World Class Irish Bartender of the Year at the World Class Irish Final 2017 at Zozimus, Dublin. Pic: Andres Poveda / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Andy Ferreira from Cask in Cork was crowned as the World Class Irish Bartender of the Year at the World Class Irish Final 2017 at Zozimus, Dublin. Pic: Andres Poveda It takes a very special person to win World Class Ireland they go to Mexico to represent their country and the competition is going to be ferocious. Torode gave the Irish hopeful some advice ahead of the final, which will see him compete with hundreds of other talented individuals from all over the world at the final in Mexico in September. Andy knows what hes got to do to make sure he does stand a chance. In any competition you go one place and then the next place you cant look back or look at the other ladders or youll fall off your own ladder. He knows what to do," reveals John. I gave him some sage advice last night. He has the skill and the knowledge and now he has to have the confidence. It will be an arena of 300-400 and there will be lots of confidence and arrogance and lots of egos and that ego has to be able to match up to whatever theyre going to put on. Of what it takes to be successful, he says you need to "understand the basics" and build on them. "I think as a craftsman youve got to understand the basics, know the rules before you can break the rules whether youre bartending, or a brick layer or carpenter," he says. Expand Close Andy Ferreira from Cask in Cork was crowned as the World Class Irish Bartender of the Year at the World Class Irish Final 2017 at Zozimus, Dublin.Pic: Andres Poveda / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Andy Ferreira from Cask in Cork was crowned as the World Class Irish Bartender of the Year at the World Class Irish Final 2017 at Zozimus, Dublin.Pic: Andres Poveda "The one thing they have in common is they understand the foundation and the building blocks of what they do. Know the basic principles and then you can do what you want. "That's why Andy is so special because hes a guy in his 40s, well travelled, done the basics, worked his way up, bought a bar - he knows what to do, how to do interesting stuff for his customers. Hes introducing things as classic ideas with a bit of a move or a shake," he says. "Im not talking a Cosmopolitan with a bit of black pudding in it. It would be wrong but people do it. People do the weirdest things with food and drink!" In November 2016, when Donald Trump was elected as president of the United States, representatives from more than 200 countries were meeting in Marrakesh to discuss the United Nations Climate Agreement. I was at that 23rd UN Conference of Parties when Mr Trump's victory was announced and I expected everyone to down tools on hearing the news. With the only world leader who denies climate change in charge of the second-largest greenhouse gas-emitting country, it seemed we were doomed to a future of climate chaos. In fact, Mr Trump's presidential victory had the opposite effect on the UN climate negotiations. The page was already turned on fossil fuels, and countries had no intention of reversing their trajectory towards clean, renewable energy futures. The world was ready to move forward without United States' leadership on climate action. Mr Trump's policies are undeniably retrograde when it comes to climate and environment. He favours the re-opening of coal mines despite air quality implications and inherent dangers to coal miners themselves; he wants to scrap the Clean Power Plan, the United States' key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and, just days after Pope Francis presented Mr Trump with the Encyclical on climate change, Mr Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. "Good riddance" was my reaction to Mr Trump's announcement. The Paris Climate Agreement is not legally binding and, based on Mr Trump's policies, he was never going to adhere to its goals or work to achieve the voluntary emissions pledges the US had made. Allowing Mr Trump to participate in discussions on the implementation of the Paris Agreement would obstruct urgently needed progress. Had Mr Trump been at the negotiating table, he would only have made a mess of it. Mr Trump once tweeted global warming was "a concept created by the Chinese to make US manufacturing non-competitive", but it is his decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement that will hand China both political leadership on climate change and a competitive edge in the economic opportunities of the transition to a low-carbon future. Already, China leads the world in solar panel production, a sector which also experienced exponential job growth in the United States under Barack Obama's presidency. At the UN climate negotiations in Morocco, China was more than willing to take leadership once the United States vacated that role. Ironically, it is Mr Trump's own policies on global warming that will make US manufacturing non-competitive, particularly as Europe strengthens its relationship with China in response to Mr Trump's decision. Nonetheless, this is a sad day for Americans (including myself), a majority of whom did not elect Mr Trump to represent them. The United States has become the world's climate villain led by a 70-year-old man who cares nothing about climate change because it will not affect him. Nor is climate change likely to affect Mr Trump's young son because his family's wealth secures him a fortified palace protected from rising seas and the ability to purchase food even when supply is compromised by extreme weather. While the majority of Americans oppose Mr Trump's extreme agenda, they will be forced to bear the consequences of it because, unlike the Trump dynasty, a majority of Americans lack the means to buy themselves out of the impacts of climate change. Fortunately, the action required to address climate change happens at the local level and will continue to be implemented by the country's states and cities. California alone is the sixth largest economy in the world and will maintain its role as a technology forcer within the US energy and transport sectors. Defiant US mayors in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, and New York have publicly stated their intent to abide by the Paris Agreement despite Mr Trump's decision. America will act on climate because it makes no sense for it to be left behind as the rest of the world transitions away from fossil fuels. One man cannot turn the tide. While Mr Trump's position on climate change may be frightening for those of us who are not privileged enough to protect ourselves and our children from its impacts, the huge opposition generated by Mr Trump's views is an opportunity for the rest of the world (including Americans at large) to unite in our efforts to undertake the next Industrial Revolution for humanity, moving to a fossil fuel-free future regardless of the views of a man who personifies the term "more money than sense". Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: Overall value chain and elements of the Southern Gas Corridor project include 26 subsea wells of which 12 have already been drilled and are fully ready to start delivering gas to Turkey in 2018, said deputy vice-president for investments and marketing of SOCAR Vitaliy Baylarbayov. He made the remarks during the 24th Caspian International Oil and Gas Conference in Baku June 2. "Southern Gas Corridor is a unique project for Azerbaijan and Europe. This is a project which will provide a new source of energy supply," said Baylarbayov. Southern Gas Corridor will also ensure energy diversity, he said, adding that what also will this project add into the European energy picture is the interconnectivity. He pointed out that construction of the Southern Gas Corridor will bring new technologies, economic growth and jobs. "More than 30,000 jobs the SGC brought only to Azerbaijan and Georgia," he said. "If we talk about the whole length of the pipeline, more than 40,000 people in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Albania, Greece and Italy are working to implement this project." The Southern Gas Corridor envisages the transportation of gas from the Caspian Sea region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey. At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor project. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage. As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). A Louth man has gone on trial last week accused of raping a university student, whom he met on the dating website Tinder, in the Dublin mountains. Opening the case Alexander Owens SC, prosecuting, told the jury at the Central Criminal Court that the alleged victim downloaded Tinder in September 2014 and began exchanging messages with the accused. Mr Owens said that three days after their first online meeting, the pair arranged a date. The accused, who is 36, collected the alleged victim outside her home and drove her to a McDonald's, where they bought ice-cream and coffee, he said. Mr Owens said the jury would hear evidence that then went for a drive and the accused became 'extremely angry' when the woman rebuffed his sexual advances. Mr Owens said the accused angrily ordered his date out of his car and drove away. 'It was after 10pm. This woman was stuck out there in the mountains and had no phone communication,' Mr Owens said. It is alleged the accused then drove back and said to the complainant, 'Get back into the car.' The woman did as she was asked, Mr Owens said. The court heard the alleged victim will give evidence to the effect that the accused then drove her further up Kilmashogue Lane, Rathfarnham where he allegedly raped her. Mr Justice Paul Butler warned the jury not to search the internet in relation to any of the parties involved in the case. The alleged victim gave evidence at the second day of the trial which started last Thursday and is expected to conclude this week. The Louth man has pleaded not guilty to rape at Kilmashogue Lane on September 11, 2014. The alleged victim said she was terrified he was going to beat her up. Both the accused and the complainant are entitled to anonymity throughout the trial. The alleged victim told Mr Owens that after matching on Tinder the pair exchanged messages on WhatsApp, with the accused sending up to 20 messages to her within a 24 hour period. The 31-year-old woman, who was a university student at the time, said that the accused 'sounded cross' when she cancelled their first arranged meeting at short notice. However a subsequent date was arranged for September 11 and an arrangement was made to go for 'a spin and a coffee'. She said he told her they would take the 'long way back' to the city and he drove down a rural road. He stopped the car and said: 'I wouldn't abandon you in the mountains'. She said that after a brief kissing session she asked him to 'take it easy'. He said to her, it is alleged: 'What the f**k do you think we're here for?' She said she didn't want a 'one night stand' and she left the car after he told her to 'get the f** k out'. She got out and he drove off. She took out her phone to ring a friend but there was no signal. The car disappeared from sight but the car returned a few minutes later and stopped by her. The man told her: 'It's grand, get in' and she got in 'because she felt like she didn't have a choice'. He drove the car back to where they had been and he stopped and began kissing her. He pulled a lever to drop her seat back and moved quickly to get on top of her. She said she was terrified and said no to him. The alleged victim said that she asked him to stop but when he began to remove her clothes she stopped resisting him. She said he then raped her. Afterwards he dropped her home and she said the accused sent her a Whats App with a smiley face, which she deleted. During cross examination, defence barrister Michael Bowman SC put it to the complainant that while the date did not go as anticipated, she 'willingly undressed herself' and had sex with the accused. 'It was a consensual sexual encounter between two young people who met on the internet', he said. The woman rejected that this was what took place. The court heard that in the 36 hours following the date the woman had Tinder conversations with six men. She acknowledged that she had gone to college the next day and resumed her activity on Tinder because she wanted to pretend that the alleged rape hadn't happened. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Butler and a jury. World Multiple Sclerosis Day takes place tomorrow Wednesday May 31 and it is being marked in Louth by the M.S. Ireland Louth Voluntary Branch with a Vintage Car Rally and Coffee Morning in the Valley Inn, Mullary, Dunleer. The Louth branch provides support for over 100 people living with M.S, in Louth. 'We have a wide range of people, from early twenties to seventies,' says vice-chairperson Joe Reilly. Joe joined the branch following is diagnosis with M.S. in 2012 and finds it an important support. 'We are a group of people who get together to socialise and we all understand each other and what we are going through.' 'We have coffee mornings and branch meetings, and it's really helpful to be able to talk to other people who have M.S about symptoms and treatments so you can swap information.' Members come from throughout the county, from the Cooley peninsula to Drogheda, and they are looking forward to Wednesday's gathering which includes a coffee morning, kids activities such as face painting and a collection of vintage cars. They are also having their annual summer lunch on Saturday June 24 at 12.00 in the Valley Inn, Mullary, Dunleer. Fund raising events in the coming weeks include bag packing in Tesco Donore, Drogheda next weekend, June 3 and 4 and a flag day in Dunleer on Saturday June 17. MS Ireland is the national organisation working on behalf of people in Ireland living with multiple sclerosis. The organisation offers a number of services, including an MS care centre offering short-term respite care and various types of therapy, a helpline (1850 233 233) providing confidential advice and information on living with MS, a counselling service, and various other services throughout the country. Contact MS Ireland on Tel: 01 678 1600, Email: info@ms-society.ie or web: www.ms-society.ie. The Louth Voluntary Branch can be contacted through their Facebook page The Russian frigate The Shtandart which will sail into Drogheda Port this summer The Irish Maritime Festival in Drogheda is set to take place on June 10-11th with the biggest offering of tall ships to date. Capt. Donnelly, Harbourmaster of Drogheda Port said 'We're delighted to welcome the Brian Boru, a sail training vessel based in Waterford. Drogheda's first crew of sail trainees will arrive at the end of their voyage on Friday while the second crew will depart Drogheda on Monday.' He added that perhaps the most exciting addition to the fleet this year is the 'Shtandart'. Commissioned by Tsar Peter I of Russia in 1703, the modern day ship is an exact replica. Built in 1999, this magnificent 128m long vessel carries 10 officers and 30 trainees. The elegant masts will play host to the Peter Pan aerial acrobatic show during the Irish Maritime Festival. 'We also have an unusual new addition to the festival for 2017. Coming into service in 1965, the motor tug 'Brocklebank' served for 23 years as a tug assisting cargo ships, passenger liners and naval vessels to their berths. She really has been a workhorse of the maritime industry. Now, in retirement, she resides at Albert Dock as part of the Liverpool Maritime Museum and we're delighted that she's making the journey to Drogheda for the festival.' Captain Donnelly concluded 'Others visiting Drogheda for the festival include La Malouine, an elegant Polish brigantine, the Danish schooner Soteria and the stunning Phoenix. The Earl of Pembroke, a three-masted sailing ship will also dock at Drogheda Port and play host to the Stowaway Sessions, two intimate music gigs on Friday and Saturday night.' Keep your eye out for the beautiful tall sailing ship 'Maybe', which was built in 1929, which will make a short appearance with another crew of sail trainees. This year there is a big focus on sail training at the festival with no less than three vessels carrying trainees. A special gathering and presentation is taking place at 6.00pm on Friday 9th June at Millmount Tower. Anyone interested in future voyages is welcome to attend. Find out more about each of the ships by visiting www.MaritimeFestival.ie/Ships. The Irish Maritime Festival is hosted by Louth County Council and Drogheda Port Company in association with Virgin Media. Find out more by visiting www.MaritimeFestival.ie and follow on Facebook and Twitter for competitions, news and festival updates. Road safety conscious pupils at St. Joseph's National School have made it into the national final of the RSA Safe Cross Code competition but need help from the people of Dundalk to land the top prize! The young pupils who are all members of Miss Tess Hughes' 4th class in St. Joseph's school made their film debut during the 2016 Christmas season, skilfully combining their nativity play with a serious message about road safety. 'We featured the story of Mary and Joseph on the way to Bethlehem, and included the road safety message throughout, Miss Hughes told the Argus. 'The children performed so well, highlighting the road safety message they had been working on. We are grateful to Dundalk gardai who assisted us in providing high-vis garda jackets for the children to wear as part of the story.' St. Joseph's performed a dance routine for their video with a large crowd of parents and relatives watching the road safety message, which was given in both Irish and English. The whole school have been working on road safety throughout the year, so there was a great response,' added Miss Hughes. Such was the positive reaction to their performance that the children were delighted to hear a video of the play had reached the finals of the RSA Safe Cross Code competition 'Votes are based on the number of views each school's video received on YouTube so we're hoping people have a look at it on our school website sjns.ie and go to 'news' as many times as possible between now and June 5th,' said Miss Hughes. She added that a win at the RSA awards would cap off an incredible year of road safety awareness for the pupils who completed the RSA Street Smart programme well as working with the local community gardai and Louth County Council. Eleven people have been killed as two girls detonated explosives at a camp in northern Cameroon for people displaced by Boko Haram violence, authorities said. Midjiyawa Bakari, governor of the Far North region, said the 11 dead included the girls who detonated devices at the camp in Kolofata. He said several dozen others were wounded, including 15 who were taken to hospital in Mora. Authorities believe the girls entered Cameroon the night before from neighbouring Nigeria, where Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people in its eight-year insurgency. Northern Cameroon has seen a rise in such attacks, with some towns targeted repeatedly. In January last year, two female bombers attacked a mosque in Kolofata, killing at least 10 people. In September 2015, suicide bombers killed nine people there. Boko Haram is known for kidnapping girls and using children to carry out bomb attacks. In April, the UN children's agency said at least 117 attacks had been carried out by youngsters in the Lake Chad basin region since 2014, with nearly 80% of the bombs strapped to girls. They are sometimes drugged beforehand. The Islamic extremist group two years ago began attacks in neighbouring countries that have supported the Nigerian military's efforts to counter it. A multinational force is now active in the region. In December, Nigeria declared that Boko Haram had been "crushed" after the military cleared out its strongholds, but attacks have continued. The UN children's agency said on Friday that Cameroon was hosting 96,000 Nigerian registered refugees as of mid-May, but many are now returning. More than 12,000 went back last month. Many are sleeping in the open just inside the border as "most returnees are still unable to travel onwards to their home villages where security remains uncertain", Unicef said. AP A party aiming to give blue collar workers more representation is hoping to sway voters in Boston and Skegness. We spoke to Mike Gilbert, 56, nominating officer and sole parliamentary candidate for A Blue Revolution, about the partys beginnings and policies. What does A Blue Revolution stand for? A Blue Revolution. 22 likes. A new political franchise started in March 2017. Our aim is to get ordinary people into politics without the need to struggle through a party system. Download our A Blue Revolution calls itself a party for blue collar workers and those who contribute either socially or economically but receive little in return. The party promises it would not rely upon debt to boost the economy and that a Blue Revolution government would stay out of social and economic activities. Policies are based on the idea that nothing is given or received unless it is contracted for, freely chosen and consented to for example, parents would be required to sign a contract committing to being responsible for the child they are having before birth. There is a yawning gap between what people want and what politicians give them, said Gilbert. We have an 18th-century military and legal system, a 19th-century political and to some extent education system, and a 20th-century welfare and health system. These systems dont work for ordinary people who pay more and more for them and people know it but cant articulate why. We see ourselves as the people who articulate the peoples concerns. When was it set up? The party is brand new, beginning the formal process of becoming a party in December 2016 and being recognised by the Electoral Commission in March 2017 with a view to fielding multiple candidates in the scheduled 2020 election. Gilbert said that due to the late notice of the election, the party was unable to field more than one candidate: himself. He will be standing in Boston and Skegness, the constituency he has lived in for 25 years, serving as a Conservative local councillor between 2011 and 2015. Gilbert said: We managed to secure 20 names on our nomination paper from supporters, however we have not had time to market the party and whilst we do have members we have decided not to take money as we dont have membership cards. The election campaign caught us by surprise, fundraising and membership will start after the election. What role do smaller parties play in Britains democracy? Our Parliament, I believe, finds small parties anachronistic, so there really is no place for us aside from ensuring that votes shift between the main parties, with some to us, and this supports the two-party parliamentary status quo. Gilbert acknowledges the success of Ukip, saying: They did shift the national debate on a single issue and delivered change. However, they never managed to get more than one MP and that was an ex-Tory. They are now heading towards extinction. Gilbert says smaller parties could do better with changes to the electoral system. We do think the parliamentary system needs to be made more democratic so it can accommodate the input of smaller parties who reflect more minority interests. Details added (first version posted at 12:10) Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: Over the past 12 years, BP gave more than 30 billion cubic meters of associated gas to Azerbaijan from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block of oil and gas fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, said Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, communications, external affairs, strategy & region vice president at BP Azerbaijan, on June 2. He was addressing the 24th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference 2017 in Baku. Aslanbayli said BP and partners overall invested about $66 billion in oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan. Since late 1997 to date, more than three billion barrels of oil were produced from ACG, he said. Aslanbayli noted that more than 80 billion cubic meters of gas have been exported from the Shah Deniz field to the regional markets since the end of 2006. He further said that BP and partners signed contracts worth about $1.06 billion with 167 Azerbaijani companies in 2016. Last year, the company's costs for joint operations and projects in Azerbaijan were around $2.06 billion, Aslanbayli noted, adding the costs related to local suppliers amounted to $900 million. A contract for developing the ACG field was signed in 1994. The proven oil reserve of the block nears 1 billion tons. The shareholders of the project are BP (operator, 35.78 percent), Chevron (11.27 percent), Inpex (10.96 percent), AzACG (11.65 percent), Statoil (8.55 percent), Exxon (8 percent), TPAO (6.75 percent), Itocu (4.3 percent) and ONGC (2.72 percent). Heath Ledgers family have praised the intimate documentary about the late Oscar-winning actors life. The 28-year-old actor, who died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, is portrayed in I Am Heath Ledger, which uses footage shot by the Brokeback Mountain star. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference The family, who was involved in the production, spoke of its cathartic effect in Los Angeles on Wednesday at the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship dinner, which raises funds to support aspiring Australian actors. Heaths father Kim Ledger said that he only last week completely watched the film, which was released to the public last month. It really did represent the way our boy is, he told the Press Association. It was quite difficult to watch. I guess it doesnt matter how many times we watch it we are going to get a little bit emotional about it but honestly it really represented him as a person. The actors sisters said they turned away numerous production companies before selecting the right one. Kate Ledger said: It was difficult and a kind of cathartic experience for our whole family. We had been approached so many times and knocked everybody back and it was the first time we felt these were the right people to do this project. It was truly reflective of Heath and Heaths soul. Ashleigh Bell added: It was hard to watch obviously, all things given, but it was so lovely that we were able to show the world our side, show them our Heath. The Australian actor died in January 2008 from the combined effects of six different drugs. Cities around the world lit major landmarks up bright green after US President Donald Trump announced the United States will withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate accord. Trump raised the possibility of negotiating to re-enter the accord or an entirely new deal on terms that were fair to the US. But his decision strikes a major blow to worldwide efforts to combat global warming. The leaders of France, Germany and Italy joined to note with regret the Trump decision. And, as a way of showing their support of the Paris agreement, many cities around the world made major landmarks glow green last night including The World Trade Centre, the Kosciuszko Bridge and City Hall in Donald Trumps home town of New York. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York, tweeted pictures of the landmarks lit up with the message: World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our childrens future. Other US cities, such as Boston and Washington DC, also joined in. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Over in Paris, City Hall poignantly stood out bright green. And Montreal and Mexico City were amongst other global cities that followed suit by illuminating major landmarks. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Under former president Barack Obama, the US had agreed to reduce polluting emissions by more than a quarter below 2005 levels by 2025. But the national targets are voluntary, leaving room for the US and the nearly 200 other countries in the agreement to alter their commitments. Donald Trump has announced the US is pulling out of the worlds first comprehensive deal on climate change. Trump said the US would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, secured in the French capital in December 2015, which commits countries to curbing rising global temperatures. Heres how the world leaders reacted to his decision: Theresa May, Prime Minister of the UK A Downing Street spokesman said: President Trump called the Prime Minister this evening to discuss his decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement. The Prime Minister expressed her disappointment with the decision and stressed that the UK remained committed to the Paris Agreement, as she set out recently at the G7. She said that the Paris Agreement provides the right global framework for protecting the prosperity and security of future generations, while keeping energy affordable and secure for our citizens and businesses. Emmanuel Macron, President of France We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Macron said: I do respect this decision but I do think it is an actual mistake both for the US and for our planet. Wherever we live, whoever we are, we all share the same responsibility: make our planet great again. Enrique Pena Nieto, President of Mexico We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Nieto said: Mexico maintains its support and commitment for the Paris accord. We will implement the goals set by our contribution planned and determined at national level. Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji Bainimarama said he was deeply disappointed by Trumps decision and did what he could to try to persuade Trump to stick with the agreement as nations tackle the greatest challenge our planet has ever faced. He added the decision is a grave disappointment for places like his Pacific island nation and US coastal cities like New York and Miami that are vulnerable to climate change. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the UN We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Guterres called the US withdrawal a major disappointment and said it was crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues, according to his spokesman. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Trudeau said: We are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Canada is unwavering in our commitment to fight climate change and support clean economic growth. Canadians know we need to take decisive and collective action to tackle the many harsh realities of our changing climate. While the US decision is disheartening, we remain inspired by the growing momentum around the world to combat climate change and transition to clean growth economies. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia A spokesman for Putin said Russia thinks highly of the accords and sees no alternative to it. He added its implementation will not be as effective without the key signatories. Taro Aso, Finance Minister of Japan Aso said: Im not just disappointed, but also feel anger. He drew parallels to the US setting up a plan to establish the League of Nations after the First World War, only to back out later. Who created the League of the Nations? he said. It was the United States who set up the League of the Nations. Then, once it started, who didnt join in? The United States. I think thats just how they are. Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland Sturgeon described Trumps decision as profoundly regrettable. She said: Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time. The president of the USAs decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord is profoundly regrettable. Nigel Farage has called Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement remarkable and a demonstration of democracy in action. Speaking to the press while campaigning for Ukip candidate Paul Oakley in Clacton-on-Sea, Farage said the US president was fully within his rights to back out of the historic accord. He said: Its called democracy. Its remarkable. He puts in his manifesto, if elected, I will break the Paris accord and seek a better deal for America, and hes elected on that ticket. And do you know what he does? Unlike almost every other Western world leader, including Theresa May, he sticks to what he promised he would do. Its called democracy. Who is against Trumps decision? Trumps decision has been roundly criticised by international leaders across the political spectrum, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the new French President Emmanuel Macron. The pair issued a joint statement along with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni which called the 2015 agreement irreversible and stated that they would continue to be committed to its aims. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticised May for not also signing up to the statement, and branded Trumps decision reckless and dangerous. Why was the agreement made? In total, 195 countries have signed up to the agreement, which is formed from guidelines set out by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The accord commits countries upholding the agreement to holding global temperature rises to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels in an attempt to stop the cataclysmic environmental effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Climate scientists say these could include sea level rises, intensified storms and flooding, water shortages, heatwaves, the loss of wildlife and a reduction in global crop yields. Donald Trump is pulling the US out of the Paris Accord on tackling climate change (Andrew Harnik/AP) Jeremy Corbyn has accused Theresa May of "subservience" to US president Donald Trump by failing to join fellow European leaders in pledging to keep up the fight on climate change. A decision by Mr Trump to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement - the world's first comprehensive deal on tackling climate change - and seek renegotiated terms that were "fair" to America has drawn widespread international condemnation. A statement issued by the leaders of France, Germany and Italy said the deal cannot be renegotiated, they remain committed to the "irreversible" accord and regard it as "a cornerstone in the co-operation between our countries, for effectively and timely tackling climate change". In a phone call with the US president shortly after his White House announcement, Mrs May expressed her "disappointment" at the move and stressed the UK remains committed to the landmark 2015 agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions. But she faced fierce criticism for failing to add her name to the joint statement by President Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Mr Corbyn labelled Mr Trump's move to withdraw from the Paris Agreement as "reckless and dangerous" and accused Mrs May of a failure of leadership in not signing up to the statement. At an election campaign event in York, he said: "Given the chance to present a united front from our international partners she (Mrs May) has instead opted for silence and once again subservience to Donald Trump. "It's a dereliction of both her duty to this country and our duty to our planet. "This is not the type of leadership Britain needs either to negotiate Brexit or stand up to defend our planet in an era of climate change." Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron urged the Prime Minister to use whatever influence she has over the US president to urge him to reverse his decision. "You have gone to Washington to hold Donald Trump's hand, now is the time to hold his feet to the fire," he said. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who described Mr Trump's move as "profoundly regrettable", said it was an "appalling abdication of leadership by the PM" not to join her French, German and Italian counterparts in signing the joint declaration. Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said Mrs May's "slow and timid" response to the US announcement was another sign of her weakness. "Once again we're seeing a weak Prime Minister failing to stand up tall on the world stage in the face of near-criminal behaviour from one of our closest allies," she said. The Democratic governors have formed an alliance in the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the climate pact (AP) The Democratic governors have formed an alliance in the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the climate pact (AP) The Democratic governors have formed an alliance in the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the climate pact (AP) The Democratic governors have formed an alliance in the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the climate pact (AP) The Democratic governors have formed an alliance in the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the climate pact (AP) The Democratic governors have formed an alliance in the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the climate pact (AP) The Democratic governors have formed an alliance in the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the climate pact (AP) The Democratic governors have formed an alliance in the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the climate pact (AP) Three Democratic governors have said they will not let the United States back away from a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from an international pact. "This is an insane move by this president," California governor Jerry Brown said, blasting the decision as "deviant behaviour from the highest office in the land". Mr Brown joined governor Jay Inslee of Washington state and Andrew Cuomo of New York to form the US Climate Alliance to uphold the Paris deal, a pact involving nearly 200 nations aimed at slowing the warming of the planet. The three states already belong to an emissions reduction pact of states and cities worldwide, but Thursday's action marked a direct stand against the Trump administration and a formal commitment to upholding the targets of the Paris agreement. Connecticut governor Dan Malloy and Virginia's Terry McAuliffe also expressed interest in joining the new alliance. "We governors are going to step into this cockpit and fly the plane," Mr Inslee said. "The president wants to ground it - we're going to fly it." Mr Trump formally announced his decision to leave the historic international agreement after months of teasing the action. He criticised the pact as a job-killer that put the United States as an unfair advantage. It may be years, however, before the country can formally exit the deal, but Mr Trump said he will immediately halt implementation. He said he would consider re-entry if the US could get a better deal. Republican politicians and representatives of the coal industry cheered Mr Trump's action. "President Trump's courageous decision to exit the Paris Accord recognises that the United States is not legally bound to an Obama-era agreement that set unrealistic emissions targets at the expense of billions of American taxpayer dollars without the approval of Congress," said Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, who joined nine other states in urging Mr Trump to leave the agreement. Under the Paris agreement, negotiated during former president Barack Obama's tenure, the United States voluntarily committed to reducing polluting emissions by 1.6 billion tons by 2025. The Democratic governors' new pact commits to that same goal, which requires a 26 to 28% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels. Specific targets have not been set for each state. California, New York and Washington together account for about 10% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, Mr Brown's office said. California is already working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2030 and Mr Brown has cast himself as Mr Trump's chief foil on climate policy. It is unclear when discussions between the three governors began, but they announced their new pact within an hour of Mr Trump's announcement. Mr Brown is about to begin a trip to China to discuss emissions-reduction policies with other leaders and has promised to fill the void left by the Trump administration. At home, Mr Brown is battling to reauthorise a cap-and-trade programme that expires in 2020, a key piece of his political legacy. He has said California's economy is proof that combating climate change is not the economic dead weight Mr Trump suggests. Washington state is also moving ahead with capping carbon emissions and requiring power plants and oil refineries to reduce emissions over time. In New York, Mr Cuomo announced he would use executive orders to ensure his state continued to abide by the Paris agreement. West Virginia Coal Association senior vice president Chris Hamilton said US withdrawal from the Paris accord would build confidence in American. mining and industry even if it would not make major changes on the ground. Mr Trump promised during his campaign to bring back coal mining jobs. "I think it slows down this rush toward punitive measures against the United States industrial base and mining industry," Mr Hamilton said. AP Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) Bryan Moles, pictured left leaving court with his lawyer Eugene Ohm, faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm (AP) A doctor with an assault-style rifle and a handgun told an acquaintance he was driving to see US president Donald Trump and had survival supplies, mobile phones and enough ammunition to make his car resemble Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh "on a camping trip", according to court documents. Bryan Moles, 43, was arrested at the Trump International Hotel in central Washington on Wednesday and faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm. He was not licensed to carry a gun in the District of Columbia, which has strict firearms laws, authorities said. A District of Columbia Superior Court judge released Moles on Thursday on condition that he stays away from the Trump Hotel and the White House. Moles, who is due to appear in federal court on Friday afternoon for another hearing, also agreed to temporarily give up access to weapons at his home in Pennsylvania. He refused to answer most questions from reporters as he was leaving court, but when asked what he wanted to tell his family he said he loved them. The court documents describe Moles as a recovering alcoholic and marijuana addict suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He served in the US Navy from 1992 to 2006. Before driving to the US capital, Moles left voicemails for an acquaintance calling himself "a refugee intent on bringing down big pharmacy and big business medicine", the documents said. He also made mention of Olympic Park Bomber Eric Rudolph, who was convicted of perpetrating multiple acts of domestic terrorism. Authorities said a tipster contacted them about the messages and they arrested Moles. DC police chief Peter Newsham said in doing so, they averted a potential tragedy, though the Secret Service said agents interviewed Moles and determined he did not pose a threat. Officials described Moles as co-operative with the investigation. In Moles' hotel room, investigators found a safe with 10,000 dollars inside and he told authorities that he had emptied his bank account "in order to live the life he always wanted before it was too late", according to the documents. He left 4.19 dollars in his account, corresponding to the date of McVeigh's bombing of a government building on April 19 1995, which killed 168 people. Shortly after Moles checked into the Trump Hotel, authorities located his car, unlocked it and found an assault-style rifle and several magazines with ammunition, as well as rifle accessories and a semi-automatic pistol with six rounds of ammunition in it. Moles' Facebook page is sprinkled with comments and photos indicating support for Mr Trump. Last week, he posted a question: "If you had to choose between a Hilton Hotel and a Trump hotel, which would you choose and why?" Someone replied: "Trump all the way. The dark side wants to disarm the public so they can ... just walk through any resistance to their fascist thought police." Moles liked the comment. A longtime friend of Moles said "there is absolutely no way" he was planning violence. Lisa DellaRatta, a nurse practitioner in Florida, said she had known him for more than 25 years and used to live with him. She said Moles "cannot be a more stand-up man". She said guns were prevalent in the rural area near Lake Erie where she and Moles grew up, and he had always owned them. Pennsylvania records show Moles renewed his licence to practise medicine in October 2016. A spokeswoman at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre system said he had been placed on administrative leave there some time before Wednesday's arrest. His home town of Edinboro is about 350 miles from Washington. AP Preparations take place at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground ahead of Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester concert. Photo: PA Touts attempting to profit from Ariana Grande's benefit concert in Manchester on Sunday will have their tickets cancelled, the event's official ticketing company said. Ticketmaster is performing regular checks across social media and said it was taking a "zero-tolerance" approach to online touting of the event, which is raising funds for victims of the Manchester Arena attack. Stars including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Take That and Miley Cyrus will join Grande at the One Love Manchester concert, with the 40 tickets snapped up in less than 20 minutes yesterday. Following the general sale, dozens of people were seen on social media and eBay offering to sell their tickets at an increased price after major secondary ticketing sites Seatwave, Get Me In, Viagogo and Stubhub all pledged to not allow the reselling of tickets on their websites. eBay said it was immediately removing any listings attempting to profit unfairly from the terror attack which killed 22 people and left dozens more injured. Ticketmaster said in a statement on its Twitter account: "We're working hard to get tickets direct to fans. We are cancelling tickets of those who are reselling wherever possible." Earlier, it revealed all fans who attended Grande's targeted gig at the Manchester Arena will be given free passes to the benefit concert, regardless of where they purchased their tickets. All net ticket proceeds of the show will go directly to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, set up by Manchester City Council in partnership with the British Red Cross to support grieving families and victims of the attack. Michael Dugher, chief executive of industry body UK Music, praised the efforts to clamp down on touting. The former culture, media and sport shadow secretary said: "It would be disgraceful to fleece fans using an occasion like this, charging a mark-up which would go in the touts' pockets rather than helping people caught up in this tragic event." Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR and Uzbekistans national holding company Uzbekneftegaz signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), SOCAR said in a message June 2. The MoU was signed during the meeting between SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev and Chairman of the Board at Uzbekneftegaz Alisher Sultanov, who arrived in Baku to participate at the 24th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference 2017. During the meeting, Abdullayev talked about SOCARs regional and global projects, as well as the success that has been achieved within these projects and the experience gained in Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan energy cooperation. He also pointed out that this success and experience will provide the basis for future projects. Alisher Sultanov, in turn, noted the importance of the signed MoU for development of bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Kathy Griffin is being investigated by the Secret Service after her controversial photo shoot in which she posed with a likeness of Donald Trump's severed head, her lawyer has said. Lisa Bloom said the comedian has retained a criminal lawyer, who also appeared at a press conference in which Griffin apologised again for the images. Griffin said she has been contacted by the Secret Service, but did not provide further information about the inquiry or if she was co-operating. She said she would not refrain from joking about the president in the future. The backlash against Griffin has seen at least four theatres cancel her performances. Venues in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania cancelled November shows. Saturday Night Live star turned senator Al Franken also withdrew an invite to Griffin for an event promoting his new book, Giant Of The Senate. "After hearing from many Minnesotans who were rightfully offended, I've come to the conclusion that it would be best for her not to participate in the event we had previously scheduled," the Minnesota Democrat said. He said what Griffin did "was inappropriate and not something that should be anywhere in our national discourse". Earlier this week, CNN said Griffin would no longer co-host its live New Year's Eve special from Times Square, a gig she had had for more than a decade, and another show was cancelled at a New Mexico casino. The images provoked swift and widespread condemnation after appearing online on Tuesday, and 56-year-old Griffin apologised within hours. Mr Trump later tweeted that she "should be ashamed of herself" for posting the images. Griffin said she has received death threats over the photo shoot, which was motivated by Mr Trump's comments in August 2015 about then-Fox News Channel anchor Megyn Kelly. Mr Trump had referred to blood coming out of her eyes and other parts of her body. Griffin, 56, said those statements prompted her to pose with the severed head, which was a mask mounted on a Styrofoam wig mould. Griffin grew more combative as the news conference went on and said she had nothing to say to Mr Trump's wife Melania or his young son Barron. "I'm not laying down for this guy," she said in one defiant moment. "I'm going to keep making jokes about this guy." AP Kathy Griffin is being investigated by the Secret Service after her controversial photo shoot in which she posed with a likeness of Donald Trump's severed head, her lawyer has said. Lisa Bloom said the comedian has retained a criminal lawyer, who also appeared at a press conference in which Griffin apologised again for the images. Griffin said she has been contacted by the Secret Service, but did not provide further information about the inquiry or if she was co-operating. She said she would not refrain from joking about the president in the future. The backlash against Griffin has seen at least four theatres cancel her performances. Venues in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania cancelled November shows. Read More Saturday Night Live star turned senator Al Franken also withdrew an invite to Griffin for an event promoting his new book, Giant Of The Senate. "After hearing from many Minnesotans who were rightfully offended, I've come to the conclusion that it would be best for her not to participate in the event we had previously scheduled," the Minnesota Democrat said. He said what Griffin did "was inappropriate and not something that should be anywhere in our national discourse". Read More Earlier this week, CNN said Griffin would no longer co-host its live New Year's Eve special from Times Square, a gig she had had for more than a decade, and another show was cancelled at a New Mexico casino. The images provoked swift and widespread condemnation after appearing online on Tuesday, and 56-year-old Griffin apologised within hours. Mr Trump later tweeted that she "should be ashamed of herself" for posting the images. A woman accused of stealing almost 200 items from graveyards to decorate her house may be jailed for up to five years. Police seized 188 items from Lisa Cororan's house after a tip-off - including a memorial bench, ceramics and flowers. Corcoran (45) is accused of stealing the items from two graveyards in Genesee County in Michigan earlier this year. MLive reports that police tracked down the suspected grave robber after a concerned member of the public accused her of driving off with stolen flowers. After they arrived at her house they found it was filled with flowers and other allegedly stolen goods, including the $500 (443) bench. Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said: "To steal from the dead is an unimaginable act that defies description. "This is a new low." Investigators are still sorting through the items and hope to return them to family members soon, those with items missing should contact the Sheriff's department. Corcoran was arrested on Wednesday and faces up to five years behind bars if convicted. She's is currently being held in Genesee County Jail on a $5000 (4,430) bond. Afghans pray during the funeral of a victim of Wednesday's bombing in Kabul (AP) Police clash with protesters during the demonstration in Kabul (AP) Several protesters have been killed and at least four police injured as hundreds of people demonstrated in Kabul for better security in the Afghan capital, authorities said. More than 1,000 people were taking part in the demonstration after a powerful truck bomb attack killed 90 people on Wednesday. Abdul Hafiz Mansur, a member of parliament from Kabul, said eight protesters were killed by government security forces. Policeman Ghulam Hazarat said four police were wounded by stone-throwing protesters. Demonstrators held pictures of the destruction from the blast and of government leaders, and police fired warning shots as about 100 protesters rushed toward them, some throwing rocks. A security forces tank fired warning shots into the sky. Afghans are in mourning after the massive truck bombing, which wounded more than 450 people in one of the worst extremist attacks since the drawdown of foreign forces in 2014. Most of the casualties from the bombing were civilians, including women and children, officials said. The dead also included Afghan security guards at foreign embassies and other facilities in Kabul's heavily guarded diplomatic sector. No one has claimed the attack, which came in the first week of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. AP A Canadian woman who was convicted over the rape and murder of two teenage girls in the 1990s - and the rape and death of her own sister - has been volunteering at the school her children now attend, it has emerged. Karla Homolka, 47, was jailed for manslaughter in 1993 over her role in torturing, raping and killing schoolgirls Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy - as well as the rape and death of her own 15-year-old sister Taffy - with her then-husband Paul Bernardo. Parents at Greaves Adventist Academy, a private Christian school in Montreal, noticed Homolka dropping off and picking up her children at the premises, but were alarmed to find out she had been spending time in classrooms, local media reported. The school confirmed that Homolka was asked to come into school by a teacher for a show-and-tell class related to knitting, and on another occasion she brought in a dog. She also once volunteered to supervise nursery-age children on a school trip to the Montreal Science Centre. We dont want her here, one parent told City News. How would you feel knowing that your child is interacting with a person who is a serial killer? Its not right. The school board knew of Homolkas past as all volunteers undergo criminal background checks, a statement said. She was never alone with students, the school stressed, and was not a regular volunteer. The Quebec Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the administration of Greaves Adventist Academy are committed to providing quality education and enriching learning experiences to its students, the statement read. While we work through the concerns stated by parents and other stakeholders, we welcome those associated with the school to contact the Quebec Conference office of Education. The school board was fully aware of who she is. She is not a regular volunteer, and can never be alone with any children, either in school or churches, Seventh-day Adventist Church spokesperson Stan Jensen said. Homolka pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges as part of a plea bargain which saw her sentenced to 12 years in jail. She split from Bernardo while in prison and was released in 2005, after which she married her lawyers brother, and had a baby boy. To avoid media scrutiny the couple moved to The Antilles in the Caribbean, where they had two more children. It is believed the family moved back to Canada in 2016. Her ex-husband Bernardo remains in prison, although he has a parole hearing scheduled for later this year. Its like getting a kick in the gut, when you realise she has all of these freedoms and she participated with Paul Bernardo in the brutal murder of their daughters, Tim Danson, a lawyer representing Ms French and Ms Mahaffys families, told CTV News. Another successful Coca-Cola 600 is in the books and NASCAR got a good story line with the #3 car back in Victory Lane. But its not Earnhardt in Victory Lane and old-timers (except Richard Childress) arent celebrating. Austin Dillon is not the Intimidator, Jaws or the King. Maybe the glory days are past. The personalities in the sport are too rehearsed. It comes from years of training from the Legends ranks on up. Out of 43 drivers Kyle and Kurt Busch are the only ones I would expect to show how they really feel, maybe Kevin Harvick on good/bad day. The racing was good Sunday but theres almost nothing worse than a fuel mileage strategy to win. The one thing that is worse is a rainout just past the halfway point and NASCAR was fortunate that didnt happen. There was another lightning/rain delay that pushed the finish into the early morning hours. It was past my bedtime, but at least it wasnt a school night so younger fans could stay up. Its time to move more of the Coca-Cola 600 into the daylight hours. The green flag dropped after 6 p.m. You cant control the weather, but you can give more time for the race to be run at a decent hour. Its time for Charlotte Motor Speedway to quit worrying about running the race too close to the Indy 500. It would be neat to have a driver to do the Indy-Charlotte double but it is unlikely and questionable whether it is safe. Crank up the pre-race earlier. Drop the green flag earlier and when it does pop up a thunder storm, you still have time to finish the race in prime time. My friend, Woody Cain with Motor Racing Network, always reminds me in the good old days, it wasnt always four-wide sliding across the finish backwards for the checkered flag. Hes right. The big white building The question I have been asked most in recent months is what is going in the big white building on International Boulevard and Poplar Tent Road. Geodis. The signs went up last week. The company website shows two locations in Charlotte and others around the world. It appears to be some sort of logistics/shipping company. Well continue to try find out more about what theyre doing. Geodis is not taking the whole building. Last week workers were building offices in the middle portion of the building for another company. We havent found out which company yet. Well keep scratching around for more information. A little further down the road on Poplar Tent, a new automotive shop is nearing completion. It is going to be Christian Brothers Automotive. The companys other Cabarrus County location is at Cannon Crossings, further out Poplar Tent. Its not about the dress code After last weeks column about the young woman at Hickory Ridge High School and her suspension, I have spent much of my time answering the phone and emails. Most have come from outside North Carolina. Many agreed with me and praised me for telling it like it is. Just as many called me unfair, questioned my journalistic training and quite a few called me names that are not repeatable in polite company. One caller left a voicemail calling me a right-winged authoritarian monster and we got a good laugh out of it in the newsroom. Others called me racist and one man from Davidson County said this was all part of structural racism. A group of students at Hickory Ridge did send an impressive email, defending their friend. They used no profanity and did not make personal attacks. They are to be commended. Here are a couple of parting shots from me: The Hickory Ridge situation was not about the dress code. School uniforms would solve most of the issues raised by parents and students who contacted me and relayed their experiences. We seem to have a serious problem in this country if we have a disagreement because we cant or wont have a constructive conversation with those we disagree with. For comments and story ideas, email mplemmons@independenttribune.com Baku, Azerbaijan, May 24 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: In May 2017, Azerbaijan sent 500,000 barrels of the Azeri Light crude to the Port of Corpus Christi of Texas, the US, a source in the Azerbaijani oil and gas market told Trend May 24. "Two weeks ago, 500,000 barrels of the Azeri Light were unloaded in Texas. This is the first delivery to this US state since 2012," the source said, adding that Azerbaijan offered a small discount to the US. "The recent trend shows that the US is increasing imports of sweet crude competing with local Eagle Ford and WTI." In April 2017, Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR shipped 800,000 barrels (about 110,000 tons) of the Azeri Light crude to the US from the Ceyhan port. In total, in January-April 2017, SOCAR Marketing and Operations Department exported 5.37 million tons of oil from the Turkish port of Ceyhan compared to 5.74 million tons exported during the four months of 2016. Oil is delivered to the Ceyhan port via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline. Next time, Putin may want to pick a male interviewer Russian President Vladimir Putin needed someone to deliver a message to his Western adversaries. He picked Megyn Kelly of NBC News, which was probably a mistake. Kelly was invited to Putin's signature investment gathering, the annual St. Petersburg Economic Forum, to moderate a panel of four leaders: Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern and Moldovan President Igor Dodon. The motley crew seemed calibrated to signal that Russia is working constructively with the developing world's giants, with European neighbors, and within its traditional sphere of influence. It's by no means isolated. Next to this display, Kelly represented the U.S., the one "pole" in a multipolar world that's not engaged in constructive interaction with Putin's Russia. Mostly ignoring the other panelists, she grilled Putin on supposedly inconvenient subjects such as election interference and his support for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Putin, however, has heard these questions many times before, and was in a playful mood. Bored with reciting his now familiar answers, he shifted to tasteless jokes, mansplaining, and mocking. He repeated his main message for Kelly about a dozen times for emphasis: "This has to stop at some point." When the audience stood up to greet him, he barked, "At ease!" He joked that President Donald Trump and his stand on global warming must be to blame for the unseasonable chill in St. Petersburg and Moscow. He told Kelly a joke from the repertoire of Soviet comedian Arkady Raikin about a man who comes to a tailor shop to complain about a horribly ill-fitting suit, but no one will admit who made it. "I just sewed on the buttons," a worker tells the customer. "Got any problem with the buttons?" The Russian audience laughed, but the joke was incomprehensible in translation and Kelly looked baffled, just as Putin intended. He won a disbelieving look from the moderator when he likened the U.S. accusations of election interference to anti-Semitism: "The guy's an idiot and he keeps blaming the Jews: the Jews did it!" Disconcertingly, Putin kept mentioning Kelly's children, about whom he seemed to know a lot ("They could have used your IP address and made it look as though your three-year-old did it," he said in answer to a question about all the traces that pointed to Russia in last year's Democratic National Committee hack). Twice, he asked the American TV anchor condescendingly whether she'd read a particular document -- first, the Paris climate accord (Kelly admitted she hadn't) and then the U.S. intelligence assessments concerning Russian meddling (she said she'd read the unclassified version; "That's nothing, I've actually read those reports," Putin replied to the audience's laughter, implying that he'd seen the classified versions, too). The naked misogyny Putin displayed was truly astounding. Kelly kept playing the hard-hitting journalist by asking follow-up questions, but all she got from Putin -- apart from the nastiness and the eyerolls -- were dismissive answers. There's no proof, Putin said, that Russia had meddled in the U.S. election. What disinformation? Weren't the leaks from the Hillary Clinton campaign all true? As for the Russian ambassador and his contacts with former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, the diplomat was just doing his job. He was indefatigable. There's no proof that Assad has used chemical weapons -- it was all a false flag operation to pin the blame on him. The Syrian opposition was a bunch of Islamist terrorists. The U.S. backed a coup in Ukraine and now was picking on Russia to unilaterally hold up the Minsk agreement, which was impossible without Ukraine's cooperation. Sanctions? They didn't work, all they did was mobilize Russia to develop certain industries. The tone mattered far more than the words. Putin was telegraphing that he'd give these answers as many times as required, but there was nothing for Western negotiating partners to gain unless they moved on. That's also what he communicated in a meeting with U.S. businesspeople at the forum, exhorting them to "help us restore a normal political dialogue" with the U.S. government. Putin is having a bad year as his geopolitical bets failed to pay off in Europe, the U.S. or the Middle East. But he's got more confidence in the Russian economy. At the forum, he boasted that investment in the Russian economy was growing faster than the gross domestic product and that Russia was entering a new phase of growth. Indeed, in the first quarter of 2017, the Russian economy grew 0.5 percent while direct investment was up 2.3 percent. The punishing decline in retail sales, which had plunged Russian into a long recession, has also stopped. Russia's non-oil exports are beginning to grow slowly, and Putin says he's hoping for a technology-driven acceleration of growth (no, hackers have nothing to do with it). That's the second part of Putin's message, which he didn't need Kelly to deliver. He's telling the West that time is on his side: Sooner or later, business as usual will have to resume. It's unlikely, however, that Putin's messages will be heard as intended. In the U.S., his mocking, cheeky tone won't convince anyone to move past the Trump-Russia scandals. Europe could have been more receptive to the substance of Putin's arguments had he played to European leaders' disappointment with Trump. Instead, the Russian leader suggested that the Europeans had "bosses" in Washington whom they couldn't disobey -- not the right note to strike as Europe seeks to bolster its global role. Putin's display was self-indulgent and likely ineffective, unworthy of the pragmatic image he tries to cultivate. Perhaps he would have done better with a male moderator. - Bershidsky is a Bloomberg View columnist. He was the founding editor of the Russian business daily Vedomosti and founded the opinion website Slon.ru. For more columns from Bloomberg View, visit http://www.bloomberg.com/view. putin-kelly-comment Washington Post News Service (DC) 6/2/2017 2:10:32 PM Central Daylight Time We, the leaders of India and Russia, in the year that marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, note that the Indian-Russian special and privileged strategic partnership is a unique relationship of mutual trust between two great powers. Our relationship covers all areas of cooperation, including in the spheres of political relations, security, trade and economy, military and technical field, energy, scientific, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and foreign policy, and helps promote national interests of both countries, and contributes to the establishment of a more peaceful and just world order. Our bilateral relations are based on deep mutual understanding and respect, similar priorities in economic and social development, as well as in foreign policy. We favor the same approaches to ensuring peace and security and shaping a global architecture that reflects cultural and civilizational diversity and at the same time strengthens unity of humankind. India-Russia relations have stood the test of time and have been immune to external influences. Russia unwaveringly supported India in its struggle for independence and helped it to achieve self-sufficiency. In August 1971, our countries signed the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation, which outlined fundamental principles of mutual relations such as respect for each other's sovereignty and interests, good neighborliness and peaceful co-existence. Two decades later, in January 1993, India and Russia reaffirmed the inviolability of those provisions in the new Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.The Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of India and the Russian Federation of October 3, 2000, took the bilateral relations to a new level characterized by coordinated approaches towards ensuring international peace and security, addressing major global and regional issues, as well as close cooperation in economic, cultural, educational and other areas. This partnership was further elevated to the level of a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership on 21 December 2010. Advancing the comprehensive development of the Indian-Russian relations is an absolute priority of the foreign policy of both States. We will continue to widen our scope of cooperation by launching large-scale initiatives in different spheres and enhance and enrich our bilateral agenda so as to make it more result-oriented. The economies of India and Russia complement each other in the energy sector. We will strive to build an "Energy Bridge between our States and expand bilateral relations in all areas of energy cooperation, including nuclear, hydrocarbon, hydel and renewable energy sources and in improving energy efficiency. India and Russia note that wider use of natural gas, an economically efficient and environmentally friendly fuel, which has become an integral part of the global energy market, is highly significant for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and will assist in fulfilling the provisions of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as achieving sustainable economic growth.Cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy has emerged as one of the hallmarks of the strategic partnership between the two countries, contributing to Indias energy security and energizing broader scientific and technological cooperation. With concerted efforts on both sides, there has been a series of steady and demonstrable achievements in our civil nuclear partnership, including advancing nuclear power projects at the Kudankulam site and transforming it into one of Indias largest energy hubs. We welcome the conclusion of the General Framework Agreement and Credit Protocol for Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. We will work towards the implementation of the Strategic Vision for Strengthening Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy signed between the two countries on December 11, 2014. The future of Indian-Russian cooperation holds great promise across a wide spectrum covering nuclear power, nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear science and technology. The growing partnership in the nuclear power sector between India and Russia has opened opportunities for developing advanced nuclear manufacturing capabilities in India in line with Government of Indias "Make in India initiative. India and Russia commit themselves to earnestly implement the "Programme of Action for Localization in India signed on 24 December 2015, and to encourage their nuclear industries to engage closely and foster concrete collaborations. We are interested in launching joint projects on exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in the Arctic shelf of the Russian Federation. We will develop joint strategies to harness the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of deep sea exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources, polymetallic nodules, and other marine resources utilizing strengths in the field of maritime research and training to develop mutually beneficial cooperation. We welcome cooperation among energy companies of both States in modernizing the existing power stations and building new ones in the territory of India. We will endeavour to develop joint projects in each others countries through sharing of technologies, experience of working in different terrains and climatic conditions, and use of energy efficient technologies for creation and propagation of cleaner, climate friendly and affordable energy resources. Our major economic objectives include expanding trade and investment and diversification of trade in goods and services, in particular increasing the share of high-technology products in bilateral trade, fostering industrial cooperation, improving the environment for entrepreneurship and investments and developing cooperation in banking and financial matters between the two countries. As the next stage of our strategic partnership, we will extend our bilateral technical, economic and scientific cooperation to third countries by undertaking joint development projects in mutually agreed sectors. We will coordinate our efforts to promote settlements of Indian-Russian trade in national currencies to reduce dependence of our bilateral trade on other currencies. We will jointly encourage our business communities to use the existing workable schemes and mechanisms for settlements in national currencies elaborated by the Reserve Bank of India and the Bank of Russia. We will coordinate our positions in order to develop a credit rating industry that is transparent for the market participants and independent from political conjuncture. In this sense we support work aimed at exploring the opportunities of harmonization of our legislation in the area of credit ratings, as well as the recognition of ratings of our local credit rating agencies. We acknowledge the importance of developing economic cooperation at the regional level. We will facilitate an early commencement of negotiations on a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and the Republic of India. We appreciate the compelling logic of regional connectivity for peace, progress and prosperity. We believe that connectivity must be strengthened It should be based on dialogue and consent of all parties concerned with due respect to sovereignty. The Russian and Indian Sides being guided by the principles of transparency, sustainability and responsibility, reiterate their commitment to build effective infrastructure for the International North South Transport Corridor and implementation of the Green Corridor. We take note of the fact that both States are committed to building knowledge based economies, on the basis of latest scientific advances and innovation. We will broaden cooperation in designing, developing, manufacturing and bringing to foreign markets high-technology products and strengthen scientific collaboration in areas such as space technology, aviation, new materials, agriculture, information and communication technologies, medicine, pharmaceuticals, robotics, nanotechnology, supercomputing technologies, artificial intelligence and material sciences. We welcome the establishment of the High Level Committee on Cooperation in High Technologies between the two countries. We will work together to step up joint efforts aimed at modernizing infrastructure, explore ways to jointly respond to urbanization challenges, address issues related to ensuring food security, preserving water and forest resources, and share experience in carrying out economic reforms and national programs for the development of small and medium enterprises and in skill development. We will work together to further develop the potential for cooperation in the diamond industry with an objective to take full advantage of existing strengths and resources of both our countries in this area. We will also intensify our joint efforts to counter undisclosed synthetic stones entering diamond market and to support the development of generic marketing programmes for diamonds. Recognizing the strength of Russia in shipbuilding, river navigation and desalination technologies, we will work together to develop joint projects through transfer of technology and experience sharing for developing inland waterways, river embankments, ports and cargo containers towards effective utilization of extensive river systems in India. We will work together in development of high speed railways, dedicated freight corridors, and application of newer technologies for efficient rail transport through joint development and sharing of technologies, and training of personnel to benefit from each others competences in the railroad sector. We will work together to improve market access for agriculture and food commodities in each others country and develop joint strategies through research & development for utilization of existing potential in the agriculture and food processing sector covering an entire spectrum of activities from farming, harvesting, production, processing to marketing strategies.We will work together to explore joint projects for effective use of natural resources in each others country through application of existing technologies and development and sharing of newer technologies for search in the field of mining & metallurgy for affordable and climate friendly utilization of natural resources. We note that India will become the third largest aviation market by 2020 and in this connection, recognize that the Regional Connectivity Scheme of the Government of India provides an opportunity for strengthening cooperation in joint production and setting up of joint ventures in India in the field of aviation manufacturing to serve the demand created and for export to third countries. Our bilateral defense cooperation is built on strong mutual trust. Russia exports its modern military technologies to India. We will upgrade and intensify this cooperation, through joint manufacture, co-production and co-development of military hardware and military spares, with increasing reliance on the adoption and sharing of future technologies, in compliance with the obligations of the sides under the existing agreements on military-technical cooperation. We will work towards a qualitatively higher level of military-to-military cooperation. We will continue holding regular joint land and sea military exercises, and training in each others military institutions. This year will see the first ever Tri-services exercise INDRA2017. We see ample opportunities for bilateral cooperation in space research, with a view to using relevant technologies for the benefit of society. We will continue joint work to prevent and respond to natural disasters. We intend to enhance and actively promote greater cooperation between our regions and states, with a particular emphasis on the Far East region of Russia. India and Russia regard the establishment of the multi-polar global order in international relations as a reflection of natural and inevitable process of evolution of interstate relations in the 21st century. In this regard, we will enhance collaboration to democratize the system of international relations based on the principles of the rule of law and the central role of the United Nations coordination of world politics. We believe that there is a need to reform the United Nations and in particular, the United Nations Security Council to make it more representative of contemporary realities and to respond more effectively to emerging challenges and threats. Russia reaffirms its strong support to Indias candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council. We will support the advancement of a positive unifying global agenda, effectively engage in international efforts to strengthen peace and ensure global and regional stability and security, confront challenges and threats, and actively promote just and coordinated approaches to crisis resolution. We will work to foster the democratization and reform of global political, economic, financial and social institutions, for them to better accommodate the interests of all members of the international community. We oppose any recourse to unilateralism or lack of respect to sovereignty, ignoring the core concerns and legitimate interests of the countries. In particular, we do not accept the unilateral use of political and economic sanctions as a means of exerting pressure. We intend to further build up fruitful cooperation within BRICS, which, as a result of our joint efforts, enhances consistently its authoritative and influential role in global affairs. We will continue to develop cooperation within other multilateral forums and organizations, including the WTO, G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as well as Russia-India-China cooperation. India's full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will considerably enhance the Organization's capabilities to ensure peace and stability, achieve economic development and prosperity in Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as improve the Organization's international standing. We will continue facilitating efforts to build an open, well-balanced and inclusive security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region based on shared principles and taking into account the legitimate interests of all States of the region, including through the development of relevant dialogue in the framework of the East Asia Summit. We will further coordinate our positions on the challenging issues of restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East and North Africa, settlement of the Syrian crisis, achievement of national reconciliation in Afghanistan, including in the agreed framework of the Moscow dialogue, using the laid down principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, while encouraging the countries to lead the change from within. India and Russia have a shared commitment to preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.Russia is convinced that India's participation in multilateral export control regimes will contribute to their enhancement. In this context, Russia welcomes India's applications for the membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement and reiterates its strong support for India's earliest admission to these export control regimes. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stress that there can be no justification whatsoever for any acts of terrorism, whether based upon ideological, religious, political, racial, ethnic or any other reasons. Together, we will continue efforts to combat international terrorism, which poses a great threat to maintenance of peace and security. We are convinced that the unprecedented spread of this threat requires decisive collective response on part of the entire global community, without double standards and selectivity, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. We urge all countries and entities to work sincerely to disrupt terrorist networks and their financing, and stop cross-border movement of terrorists. We call for early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to strengthen the global counter-terrorism normative and legal framework to combat this scourge. Sharing common approaches to providing security in the use of information and communication technologies, we intend to keep working together for developing universal rules, standards and principles of responsible behaviour of the States in this context, on the basis of democratization and a model representing multi-stakeholderism with primacy of the State, in global internet governance. We recognize the necessity to activate bilateral interaction in this sphere on the basis of the Indian-Russian Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Security in the use of Information and Communication Technologies.Taking into account the profound mutual interest, sympathy and respect between the peoples of India and Russia, we will contribute to further developing bilateral contacts in the sphere of culture and sports, including by organizing annual festivals and exchanges. We welcome the organizing of events in different cities in both countries to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Russia in 2017-18. Bilateral cooperation in the sphere of education offers great opportunities. We will work to strengthen cooperation in the field of education through promoting direct contacts among universities and academic institutions and providing assistance to students from the two countries. Our Bilateral cooperation in the sphere of Science & Technology offers great opportunities. We are committed to work together to address global challenges like Climate change, Environmental protection, Clean energy, Cyber security, Affordable health care, Marine biology etc through scientific discoveries and to explore priority areas of common interest. We are working together to create networks of knowledge centers, connectivity of minds and scientific corridors to augment innovation led technology development for societal development. We intend to further foster development of tourism and people-to-people contacts, including by easing the visa regime. We are confident that India and Russia will continue to remain a role model for harmonious and mutually beneficial partnership and strong friendship between two states. Building on the shared vision of development of bilateral relations, we will succeed in further realizing the immense potential of India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership for the benefit of our States and international community as a whole. Thala Ajith's 'Vivegam' is progressing on a rapid speed to hit the screens in August 2017. The mega budget espionage thriller directed by Siva has entered the post production stage after the team completed the shooting in Bulgaria last month. Some minor patch works related to the shoot is left. Today (June 1, 2017) the dubbing work of 'Vivegam' has started keeping tab with the Thursday sentiment followed by Ajith and Siva. Ajith will be starting to dub for his character in the film from today. Produced by Sathya Jyothi Films banner. 'Vivegam' stars Kajal Aggarwal as the female lead. Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi makes his Tamil debut playing the lead villain in this film predominantly shot in European countries. Anirudh Ravichander is the music director. Life is full of surprises and unexpected turns. Some incidents have the power to completely change the perspective on things around you. This is the story of rickshaw puller, Bablu Shekh, 55, who saved a passenger from killing herself. According to a Facebook Post shared by Bangladeshi photographer GMB Akash, the girl was going through a stormy love affair and had decided to end her life by jumping in front of a train. And try she did. But, just in time, Shekh managed to pull her away from the train tracks. This, despite all the curses that were hurled at him. facebook/GMB Akash Years later, the Shekh got into an accident and the same girl he had stopped from committing suicide, saved him. Had he not been there to stop her, the girl wouldn't have become a doctor. It was this sweet coincidence (or fate) that filled his heart with pride. At the hospital the girl says, "he has a daughter, a doctor daughter. Life is way too short to end it abruptly and this story is proof enough. Read the full post below: We always wanted a daughter. But we have three sons. I often told my wife only fortunate have daughter. I am working as a rickshaw puller for more than thirty years. Most of my passengers were bad tempered. They always scolded me. One morning a father hired me to take his daughter to the college. He requested me to be careful in the road. He told his daughter to hold the rickshaw tightly. Before we left he told me to go slowly so the girl may not get hurt. On our way after sometime I heard the girl was crying insanely. I tried to look back and wanted to ask her if everything was okay. She scolded me and warned me not to look back. After a while she asked me to stop and started calling someone by her phone. She was screaming and crying all the time. I understood she supposed to escape from home with a boy. He did not show up. Suddenly she jumped from the rickshaw, left the money in the seat and quickly went to the train line. I was about to leave, felt sorry for the father and thought it may be good not to have a daughter. But I was not able to paddle further; I heard her father was requesting me to be careful. I parked my vehicle and ran for the girl. She was in the rail line, moving like a sick person to harm herself. I went near to her and requested her to go back with me. She yelled at me, called me uneducated stupid, in between she kept crying insanely. I was afraid to leave her in that empty place. I let her cry, as much as she wanted. Almost three hours we were there and rain was about to come. Before the rain starts she got up and asked me to bring the rickshaw. We did not talk about anything. In the rain I paddled quickly. I dropped her near her house. Before I left she stopped me and said, Uncle, you should never come at my place again, never tell anyone you know me. I lowered my head and returned to home. That day I did not talk to anyone, I did not eat anything. I told myself it was better not to have a daughter. After more than eight years, very recently I had an accident. I was kind of senseless. Public took me to the hospital;. When I got back my sense I saw the girl was working near me, she asked me how I was feeling, why I never went to meet her. It was hard for me to recognize the girl in white dress, in spectacle and stethoscope. My treatment went well. I was taken to a big doctor. I was listening to her telling him, Sir, he is my father. The old doctor told her something in English. Then she touched my injured hand and replied him, If this father did not support me in the past, I wont be able to become a doctor. I was lying in a narrow bed and tightly shut my eyes. I cannot tell anyone how I felt. This rickshaw puller has a daughter, a doctor daughter. Bablu Shekh (55) It is indeed not easy to be a celebrity. Every word you say and every picture you post has the tendency to offend a group of people and become a controversy. Thats exactly what happened with Priyanka Chopra recently. The actress met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin and taking pride in meeting the most respectable man of the nation, she posted a picture with him on his social media. Who would have imagined that this would be enough to outrage people who with their most bizarre viewpoints will hit out at her so much that to avoid more hatred on social media, the lady will have to delete the post! But with taking the tweet down from Twitter means the end of the controversy? Looks like it doesnt! For those who have been living under a rock, our Desi girl was recently honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards, and when the reporters met with her mother on the occasion, they couldnt stop themselves from asking her about the same. (Also Read: 9 Lessons We Learned From Troll Comments On Priyanka Chopras Viral Pic With PM Narendra Modi) Legs for days.... #itsthegenes with @madhuchopra nights out in #Berlin #beingbaywatch A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on May 30, 2017 at 4:23pm PDT And like any other mother, she was furious to have been asked such a question at first. Why are you asking such stupid questions at such a good event? Ask me what she discussed with PM on that day, she said. She later made it clear that it was not a casual meeting and that PC was discussing current issues with the PM. Priyanka Chopra had a discussion with PM Narendra Modi about current issues, she said. Finally a moment of chill with @sethnodrog @madhuchopra @siddharthchopra89 #baywatchinberlin A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on May 30, 2017 at 7:34am PDT Also, she was proud of her daughter for giving a befitting reply to the trollers, about which she said: She gave a fitting reply to her social media trolls (by uploading another picture on Instagram) and I dont want to degrade the value of her reaction by commenting on it. She didnt have any intention to be matter of subject of such unnecessary things. Todays youth is so confident that they shouldnt get affected by any kind of provocation. Like mother, like daughter! Keeping killing with kindness, PC! Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 2 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Ashgabat is hosting the 49th meeting of a special working group on development of a Convention on legal status of the Caspian Sea at the level of deputy foreign minister of the Caspian littoral states, the Turkmen government said in a message. During the meeting, heads of delegations of the Caspian littoral states gave information about their states positions on certain provisions of the convention. It was emphasized that a number of key points of the convention the basic international treaty regulating the most important aspects of activities of littoral states, including in areas of their national jurisdiction has been agreed upon. The draft document also includes modern principles and norms of international law in the field of navigation, environmental protection and rational nature management, in particular, the use of the biological resources of the Caspian Sea, according to the message. Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the northern part of the Caspian Sea in order to exercise sovereign rights for subsoil use in July 1998. The two countries signed a protocol to the agreement in May 2002. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on the delimitation of the Caspian Sea and a protocol to it on Nov. 29, 2001 and Feb. 27, 2003, respectively. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia signed an agreement on the delimitation of adjacent sections of the Caspian Sea on May 14, 2003. The Caspian littoral states Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Iran signed the Framework Convention for Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea in November 2003. As Punekars get set for the annual LGBTQ pride walk, organisers seem to have poured cold water over their excitement. The event scheduled for June 11 is being organised by NGO Samapathik Trust, however, the management has been putting up Facebook posts with unreasonable rules and restrictions during this year's parade. PTI Bindumadhav Khire, one of the organisers and LGBT activists has been giving regular updates on the events Facebook page. And at the cost of being called narrow-minded, Khire laid down rules like, no dance, no Dhol-Tasha and no wearing eccentric and flamboyant clothes, all of which forms the essence of a gay pride. The move quite obviously irked the LGBTQ members who are set to boycott the event. In another post, a defiant Khire writes, "Pune pride will happen every year on the terms set by me. Those who don't like the terms don't have to attend it. " To support his argument, Khire told Pune Mirror, that they "don't want people to dress in a manner that embarrasses the community" as there are families who'd take part in the event. He adds, "some people even get drunk during the march and misbehave we would want to avoid all that." Mayuresh Baji, IT professional, who seconds Khire reason told the daily, "Bindumadhav Khire, who has worked for LGBTs here for 14 years, puts an embargo on certain clothing in Pune parades, he is doing it out of experience." Twitter/@krishnasankit But there are more people who slammed the unnecessary restrictions imposed by the organisers. Speaking to Mirror, LGBTQ activist Shyam Konnur, said, "These marches are all about inclusion and we are walking for and with people who have been facing atrocities and ostracisation. If you are asking people to dress a certain way, it is similar to dictating to women how to dress modestly. This way, you are excluding people who want to express their sexuality in a flamboyant manner. This is against my ideals and I dont think I should attend the march. Sonali Dalve, a transgender, said,"If there are parents walking beside us then it is a given that they have accepted us the way we are. Why does anyone have to hide anything?" The conservative rule sparked outrage on social media, with many saying the organisers have completely missed the point of what a 'Pride Parade' actually means. Here's how Twitter reacted: #1 Sad, this bitter cloud around something as joyous as pride. But what's the pride that bans the colorfulness of the community? #PunePride 1/2 https://t.co/oIz3l8b7Om abhishek satam (@Made_In_Bombay) May 31, 2017 #2 #3 A pride march is supposed to be about celebration and inclusion of all kinds of people. How does imposing such restrictions help the cause of LGBTQ? The verdict is out. Donald Trump has decided to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, thereby weakening the global efforts required to combat climate change. reuters Trump cited several reasons for quitting the agreement, arguing that the accord was a great threat to American economy and sovereignty. The President also shared a laundry list os complaints against India and China, citing that the agreement gave the biggest polluters of the world many leverages and the US was at 'permanent damage' with them. Trump's withdrawal instantly prompted responses from the likes of Barack Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Zuckerberg, and others. Obama condemned Trump for 'rejecting the future' in his statement, A year and a half ago, the world came together in Paris to the first-ever global agreement to set the world on a low-carbon course and protect the world we leave to our children. It was steady, principled American leadership on the world stage that made that achievement possible. It was bold American ambition that encouraged dozens of other nations to set their sights higher as well. And what made that leadership and ambition possible was Americas private innovation and public investment in growing industries like wind and solar industries that created some of the fastest new streams of good-paying jobs in recent years and contributed to the longest streak of job creation in our history. reuters Simply put, the private sector already chose a low-carbon future. And for the nations that committed themselves to that future, the Paris Agreement opened the floodgates for businesses, scientists, and engineers to unleash high-tech, low-carbon investment and innovation on an unprecedented scale. The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created. I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack. But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; Im confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet weve got. DiCaprio called for immediate action, Today, our planet suffered. Its more important than ever to take action. #ParisAgreement https://t.co/FSVYRDcGUH Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) June 1, 2017 The actor who starred in the 2016 documentary, Before the Flood, about climate change, urged his followers to lend support to three activist organisations - Indivisible, Stand Up America, and the National Resources Defense Council. reuters He followed up his earlier tweet with this, Take action by supporting these organizations on the front lines of this fight: @IndivisibleTeam @StandUpAmerica @NRDC #ParisAgreement Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) June 1, 2017 Withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement is bad for the environment, bad for the economy, and it puts our children's future at risk. For our part, we've committed that every new data center we build will be powered by 100% renewable energy. Stopping climate change is something we can only do as a global community, and we have to act together before it's too late. Justin Trudeau also expressed his disappointment and said, We are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Canada is unwavering in our commitment to fight climate change and support clean economic growth. And while Elon Musk quit the White House after Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, Tim Cook penned a letter to his staff stating that he "tried to persuade him (Trump) to keep the US in the agreement. But it wasnt enough." In a major setback to the 2015 Paris Climate Accord which was aimed at combating global warming, one of the biggest stakeholders, the US has pulled out of the deal. AP US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that Washington is pulling out of the widely-acclaimed climate change accord. Trump who had during his meeting with EU leaders last week gave indications of US pulling of the deal, made it official on Thursday. Making the announcement, Trump claimed the accord favoured China and India and that his "solemn duty to protect America and its people". Reuters In his typical style, Trump laid some half-truths and completely wrong 'facts' to prove that countries like India and China are getting an unfair advantage, while the treatment his country, which incidentally is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases did not get a fair deal. According to Trump India was demanding billions of foreign aid to conform to the deal, and claimed that the accord will allow India to double coal production by 2020. Reuters He claimed that meeting the accord's greenhouse gas emission standards would cost the US close to $3 trillion in lost gross domestic product and 6.5 million industrial jobs, mostly in the mining sector. Trump, who had during his presidential campaign called global warming a 'Chinese hoax' had promised to walk out of the deal signed by his predecessor if elected. The withdrawal make US just the third country in the world after Syria and Nicaragua who are not signatories of the historic deal. Reuters On Thursday President Trump said the US will seek to negotiate its way back or negotiate a new climate deal that is "fair" to America. This is unlikely to happen as other major stakeholders in the deal including China, Germany, France and Australia all have already said that there is no going back on the agreement. Were excited to announce that indmin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com. A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets. Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials. If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details. Home Nuclear Chicken In Syria Western civilization hanging by a thread By Mark H Gaffney June 01, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - One need not be a rocket scientist to foresee the likely consequences of President Trumps new $350 billion arms deal with the Saudi monarchy, which Trump inked with great fanfare on his much-ballyhooed visit to Riyadh. If the deal survives congressional opposition, its most likely outcome will be to escalate the Syrian war, the worlds bloodiest conflict. It will also fuel the Saudis ongoing genocidal war in Yemen and may even produce new wars. At the top of the Saudi and Israeli hit list: Iran. I mention Israel here also because although the Israelis harbor no love for the Saudis, they find themselves pressed by circumstances into a marriage of convenience with the most dictatorial and misogynistic state on earth. There is common ground. The Israelis and Saudis both strongly oppose Obamas nuclear deal with Iran, and both would like nothing better than for Trump to tear up the treaty, impose new sanctions, and even start bombing. During the 1970s-80s the Israelis forged a similar alliance of convenience with former Nazi-collaborators in Apartheid South Africa. Americans need to understand that Trump has now placed the US squarely on one side, the Sunni side, of a regional sectarian war that GW Bush & Co. jump-started in 2003 by invading and occupying Iraq. The Sunni side includes the Saudis, Qatar and the other Gulf states, Turkey and Israel. It is also appropriate here to mention ISIS and the many faces of Al Qaeda, especially al Nusra in Syria, all of which are Sunni. The other Shiite side of the sectarian divide is comprised of Iran, Hezbollah, what remains of Iraq, and Syria which is allied with the Russians. By openly committing to one side, Trump has taken a fateful step that no previous US president was willing to take, for the soundest of reasons. As boatloads of US-made arms are delivered to Saudi Arabia, much of the weaponry will subsequently find its way to Yemen, and also to Al Nusra mercenaries in Syria who are allied with the Saudis. Al Nusra is a Syrian branch of Al Qaeda. The proxy terrorists will go on slaughtering Syrians in the name of Allah and generally wreaking havoc. Removal of Syrian president Assad was the Saudi objective from the wars outset, and a goal the US has supported, to our everlasting shame. Indeed, the new arms deal probably points to a renewed US commitment for regime change, and perhaps an expanded US military presence. For many months, US special forces have been operating in Jordan, just over the Syrian border. One week ago, US forces in the area fired on the Syrian army, killing a number of soldiers, the third such attack since last year. Trump supporters will argue that the presidents arms deal is good for Americans working in defense plants who are now assured of paychecks. The deal is Trumps way of making good on his campaign promise to restore American jobs. Such reasoning is incredibly short-sighted, however, because the deal is likely to have grave unintended consequences. As the Syrian war heats up the risk of a military confrontation with Russia will increase. If the US starts killing Russians in Syria, whether intentionally or by miscalculation, all bets are off. Can our world survive another Cuban missile crisis? How did we arrive at such a dark pass? Last year, during the run up to the 2016 US presidential election, the prospects for peace momentarily brightened. For a time, it seemed that we might escape a deeper Mideast entanglement. Although candidate Hillary Clinton made it known she intended to impose a no-fly zone in Syria, fortunately, the scary implications of her reckless plan were made transparently obvious during a hearing on Capitol Hill when Senator Robert Wicker (R-Mississippi) queried General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, about the idea of a no-fly zone. General Dunfords frank reply should have shocked Hillary supporters back to their senses. Said Dunford: For us to control all of the airspace in Syria would require us to go to war with Syria and Russia. Thats a pretty fundamental decision that certainly Im not going to make. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmE9Jj-rEVs Early in the campaign, Trump emerged as an effective critic of both GW Bushs and Obamas wasteful foreign wars and Hillarys plans to perpetuate them. Candidate Trump also made it clear that he wanted improved relations with Russia, a positive and long overdue policy change. And Trump struck a populist chord by insisting that his top priority would be to rebuild the countrys infrastructure and put Americans back to work. Trumps non-interventionist views doubtless gained him many votes in the November election, and may have been decisive in upsetting the heavily favored Clinton, who many correctly viewed as a warmonger. In short, there was reason for hope. Then came Russia-gate, and we all know the rest of the story. I will not belabor it here. The press has thrashed the matter up one side and down the other without producing a shred of evidence of wrongdoing by Trump, at any rate, nothing worse than poor judgement. Suffice to say that, by now, anyone paying attention ought to know or suspect that elements of the US intelligence community confabulated the whole farcical business to wreck Trumps planned detente with Russia. Why would they do that? Simple. US plutocrats want continued confrontation and conflict. As Rep. Schumer (D-NY) pointed out to Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, You take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday of getting back at you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqpQrxJ1DgU With the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, its evident that citizens who voted against Hillary were naive to expect that a different face in the White House would produce a more benign foreign policy. What we failed to understand is that, long ago, US presidents became figureheads and largely ceased making foreign policy. This has been true for many years, certainly since John F Kennedy paid the ultimate price, after bravely attempting to end the original Cold War. There is a story that rings true and I suspect may be: that Robert Rubin and Alan Greenspan sat down president-elect Bill Clinton, shortly before his first inauguration, and explained the political facts of life: From now on, Bill, they told him, you will take orders from us. We are your boss. As we know, Clinton proved a most willing and dutiful servant to power during his two terms. Nothing less can explain why a vigorous young president who had the benefit of vast popularity failed to draw on his public support for the sake of the country. On the contrary, as we know, Bill did everything possible to deliver the nation into the hands of Wall Street scoundrels, thereby setting the stage for GW Bush, the neoconservatives, and the many disasters that have since befallen us. Someone wiser than Bill should have cautioned the young Arkansas governor about taking that first kickback: Once you accept the money, son, they own your ass for life. While many, perhaps most, Americans continue to live in denial, the unpleasant truth is that policymaking, especially when it comes to foreign policy, is the work of a small cabal of ultra-conservative militarists, industrialists and bankers who rule America from behind the scenes: what has become known as the deep state. The outer forms, the highly visible vestiges of democracy, are retained to placate Americans and keep them docile. Nonetheless, year by year and war by war, the ugly truth increasingly stares us in the face. The reality should have been obvious to everyone by 2007 when Oregon congressman Peter DeFazio was denied access to classified Continuity of Government (COG) documents in the secure room of the Capitol, even though DeFazio was (and still is) in possession of the relevant security clearances and by law should have been granted access. What are the rulers trying to conceal from us? No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Another instance occurred last year when President Obama, to his credit, attempted to craft his own Syria policy. In September 2016, Obamas Secretary of State John Kerry announced a cooperative agreement with the Russians over Syria. After months of painstaking diplomacy, the US and Russia had agreed to share intelligence in the common fight against ISIS. Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov even managed to agree about Al Nusra. What happened next is instructive. Shortly before the US-Russia agreement was to go into effect, the US military launched an unprovoked air attack on a Syrian garrison at Deir ez-Zor that killed about 100 Syrian soldiers. The blatant US aggression put a swift end to Kerrys agreement with Lavrov, erasing months of patient diplomacy while also raising questions about who in Washington was really in charge. The attack obviously had been ordered by someone at the Pentagon without Obamas approval. As it happened, there were other consequences. The US attack at Deir ez-Zor gave local ISIS fighters a momentary tactical advantage, which they exploited by launching a successful attack of their own against the Syrian army. It is no wonder that US critics believe Washington cultivated ISIS from the outset to destabilize nations targeted with regime change; and for who-knows-what other covert purposes. After recent events in Syria, it is hard to argue with the critics. The second US strike against Syria occurred on April 6th, two days after a chemical weapons attack that the western press predictably blamed on Assad. The chemical attack occurred in terrorist-controlled Idlib province and killed scores of victims, many of them children. The world responded with justifiable outrage. Assad was roasted for gassing his own people. No surprise, we had seen it all before. Trump impulsively ordered a cruise missile strike against the Al Shayrat air base near Homs that was embarrassingly ineffectual. The Russians who had been forewarned alerted the Syrians who evacuated most of their planes in time. Nonetheless, many Americans cheered, including even liberals who despise Trump and eagerly support the deep states attempts to remove him. But forget all of that. It was a feel good moment. America was back in the saddle, standing tall again. No matter that we were striking the wrong target. Kind of like after 9/11. Does anyone remember? Meanwhile, a more sober analysis of the Idlib chemical attack by MIT expert Theodore Postol received much less media coverage, at least in the US; and why? Well, because Postol disputed the governments conclusion that the evidence pointed to Assad. After reviewing the White House intelligence report about the incident, Postol wrote that the summary contains absolutely no evidence that would indicate who was the perpetrator of this atrocity. Postol went on to accuse the White House of releasing an obviously false, misleading and amateurish report. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_Vs2rjE9TdwR2F3NFFVWDExMnc/view As for the Russians, they are not in Syria because, as some claim, they harbor illusions about restoring Russia to its former glory as a superpower. No, they are in Syria because southern Russia is exposed to penetration by jihadists and will not be secure until ISIS and Al Qaeda have been defeated in the Mideast. For this same reason, it is also unlikely that the Russians will be intimidated by US threats, even a display of raw military power. The Russians know that if they back down in Syria they will have to face the US or its proxies later under more adverse circumstances. So, it might as well be now and it might as well be in Syria. As if to underscore all of this, last week, Putin dispatched Russian troops to southern Syria, for the first time. The Russians took up positions near Suweita, not far from where the third and most recent US attack against the Syrian army occurred. The deployment indicates the Russians are determined to stay the course. They will remain in Syria until the work of defeating ISIS and Al Qaeda has been accomplished, with or without US cooperation. The new deployment ought to be viewed as a red line, indeed, as a line in the sand. By deploying far from their main base in northwestern Syria and in plain view of US forces in nearby Jordan, the Russians have upped the ante. Henceforth, any US military incursion into southern Syria will run the risk of a confrontation with Russian forces and a dangerous escalation. By visibly placing their troops in harms way, the Russians are sending a message that US chickenhawks would be insane to ignore. It goes something like this: if anybody wants to start something, you know, like World War III, let him start killing Russians in Syria. Think it over, America. Mark H. Gaffney is the author of Dimona: the Third Temple (1989), a pioneering study of Israels nuclear weapons program. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Click here to comment on our Facebook page Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 2 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree on creation of a state service for combating economic crimes, said the Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary state news service. The document was signed in order to improve the activities in identifying and preventing crimes related to corruption as well as their investigation. The state service, together with the Turkmen Ministry of Justice, has been instructed to prepare and submit to the Cabinet of Ministers proposals to make amendments to the countrys legislation. Oligarchs Succeed! Only the People Suffer! By James Petras June 01, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - On a scale not seen since the great world depression of the 1930s, the US political system is experiencing sharp political attacks, divisions and power grabs. Executive firings, congressional investigations, demands for impeachment, witch hunts, threats of imprisonment for contempt of Congress and naked power struggles have shredded the facade of political unity and consensus among competing powerful US oligarchs. For the first time in US history, the incumbent elected president struggles on a daily basis to wield state power. The opposition-controlled state (National Public Radio) and corporate organs of mass propaganda are pitted against the presidential regime. Factions of the military elite and business oligarchy face off in the domestic and international arena. The oligarchs debate and insult each other. They falsify charges, plot and deceive. Their political acolytes, who witness these momentous conflicts, are mute, dumb and blind to the real interests at stake. The struggle between the Presidential oligarch and the Opposition oligarchs has profound consequences for their factions and for the American people. Wars and markets, pursued by sections of the Oligarchs, have led opposing sections to seek control over the means of political manipulation (media and threats of judicial action). Intense political competition and open political debate have nothing to do with democracy as it now exists in the United States. In fact, it is the absence of real democracy, which permits the oligarchs to engage in serious intra-elite warfare. The marginalized, de-politicized electorate are incapable of taking advantage of the conflict to advance their own interests. What the Conflict is Not About The life and death inter-oligarchical fight is not about peace! None of the factions of the oligarchy, engaged in this struggle, is aligned with democratic or independent governments. Neither side seeks to democratize the American electoral process or to dismantle the grotesque police state apparatus. Neither side has any commitment to a new deal for American workers and employees. Neither is interested in policy changes needed to address the steady erosion of living standards or the unprecedented increase in premature mortality among the working and rural classes. Despite these similarities in their main focus of maintaining oligarchical power and policies against the interests of the larger population, there are deep divisions over the content and direction of the presidential regime and the permanent state apparatus. What the Oligarchical Struggle is About There are profound differences between the oligarch factions on the question of overseas wars and interventions. The opposition (Democratic Party and some Republican elite) pursues a continuation of their policy of global wars, especially aimed at confronting Russian and China, as well as regional wars in Asia and the Middle East. There is a stubborn refusal to modify military policies, despite the disastrous consequences domestically (economic decline and increased poverty) and internationally with massive ethnic cleansing, terrorism, forced migrations of war refugees to Europe, and famine and epidemics (such as cholera and starvation in Yemen). The Trump Presidency appears to favor increased military confrontation with Iran and North Korea and intervention in Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. The Opposition supports multilateral economic and trade agreements, (such as TTP and NAFTA), while Trump favors lucrative bilateral economic agreements. Trump relies on trade and investment deals with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Emirates and the formation of an aggressive military axis (US-Saudi Arabia-Israel -Gulf Emirates) to eventually overthrow the nationalist regime in Iran and divide the country. The Opposition pursues wars and violent regime change to replace disobedient tyrants and nationalists and set up client governments, which will provide bases for the US military empire. Trumps regime embraces existing dictators, who can invest in his domestic infrastructure agenda. The opposition seeks to maximize the role of Washingtons global military power. President Trump focuses on expanding the US role in the global market. While both oligarchical factions support US imperialism, they differ in terms of its nature and means. For the opposition, every country, large or small, can be a target for military conquest. Trump tends to favor the expansion of lucrative overseas markets, in addition to projecting US military dominance. Oligarchs: Tactical Similarities The competition among oligarchs does not preclude similarities in means and tactics. Both factions favor increased military spending, support for the Saudi war on Yemen and intervention in Venezuela. They support trade with China and international sanctions against Russia and Iran. They both display slavish deference to the State of Israel and favor the appointment of openly Zionist agents throughout the political, economic and intelligence apparatus. These similarities are, however, subject to tactical political propaganda skirmishes. The Opposition denounces any deviation in policy toward Russia as treason, while Trump accuses the Opposition of having sacrificed American workers through NAFTA. Whatever the tactical nuances and similarities, the savage inter-oligarchic struggle is far from a theatrical exercise. Whatever the real and feigned similarities and differences, the oligarchs struggle for imperial and domestic power has profound consequence for the political and constitutional order. Oligarchical Electoral Representation and the Parallel Police State The ongoing fight between the Trump Administration and the Opposition is not the typical skirmish over pieces of legislation or decisions. It is not over control of the nations public wealth. The conflict revolves around control of the regime and the exercise of state power. The opposition has a formidable array of forces, including the national intelligence apparatus (NSA, Homeland Security, FBI, CIA, etc.) and a substantial sector of the Pentagon and defense industry. Moreover, the opposition has created new power centers for ousting President Trump, including the judiciary. This is best seen in the appointment of former FBI Chief Robert Mueller as Special Investigator and key members of the Attorney Generals Office, including Deputy Attorney General Rob Rosenstein. It was Rosenstein who appointed Mueller, after the Attorney General Jeff Session (a Trump ally) was forced to recluse himself for having met with Russian diplomats in the course of fulfilling his former Congressional duties as a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This recusal took significant discretionary power away from Trumps most important ally within the Judiciary. The web of opposition power spreads and includes former police state officials including mega-security impresario, Michael Chertoff (an associate of Robert Mueller), who headed Homeland Security under GW Bush, John Brennan (CIA), James Comey (FBI) and others. The opposition dominates the principal organs of propaganda -the press (Washington Post, Financial Times, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal), television and radio (ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS/ NPR), which breathlessly magnify and prosecute the President and his allies for an ever-expanding web of unsubstantiated crimes and misdemeanors. Neo-conservative and liberal think tanks and foundations, academic experts and commentators have all joined the hysteria chorus and feeding frenzy to oust the President. The President has an increasingly fragile base of support in his Cabinet, family and closest advisers. He has a minority of supporters in the legislature and possibly in the Supreme Court, despite nominal majorities for the Republican Party. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter The President has the passive support of his voters, but they have demonstrated little ability to mobilize in the streets. The electorate has been marginalized. Outside of politics (the Swamp as Trump termed Washington, DC) the Presidents trade, investment, taxation and deregulation policies are backed by the majority of investors, who have benefited from the rising stock market. However, money does not appear to influence the parallel state. The divergence between Trumps supporters in the investment community and the political power of the opposition state is one of the most extraordinary changes of our century. Given the Presidents domestic weakness and the imminent threat of a coup detat, he has turned to securing deals with overseas allies, including billion-dollar trade and investment agreements. The multi-billion arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Emirates will delight the military-industrial complex and its hundreds of thousands of workers. Political and diplomatic kowtowing to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu should please some American Zionists. But the meetings with the EU in Brussels and with the G7 in Siciliy failed to neutralize Trumps overseas opposition. NATOs European members did not accept Trumps demands that they increase their contribution to the alliance and they condemned his reluctance to offer unconditional US military support for new NATO members. They showed no sympathy for domestic problems. In brief, the Presidents overseas supporters, meetings and agreements will have little impact on the domestic correlation of forces. Moreover, there are long-standing ties among the various state apparatuses and spy agencies in the EU and the US, which strengthen the reach of the opposition in their attacks on Trump. While substantive issues divide the Presidential and Opposition oligarchs, these issues are vertical, not horizontal, cleavages a question of their wars or ours. Trump intensified the ideological war with North Korea and Iran; promised to increase ground troops in Afghanistan and Syria; boosted military and advisory support for the Saudi invasion of Yemen; and increased US backing for violent demonstrations and mob attacks in Venezuela. The opposition demands more provocations against Russia and its allies; and the continuation of former President Obamas seven wars. While both sets of oligarchs support the ongoing wars, the major difference is over who is managing the wars and who can be held responsible for the consequences. Both conflicting oligarchs are divided over who controls the state apparatus since their power depends on which side directs the spies and generates the fake news. Currently, both sets of oligarchs wash each others dirty linen in public, while covering up for their collective illicit practices at home and abroad. The Trumps oligarchs want to maximize economic deals through uncritical support for known tyrants; the opposition critically supports tyrants in exchange for access to US military bases and military support for interventions. President Trump pushes for major tax cuts to benefit his oligarch allies while making massive cuts in social programs for his hapless supporters. The Opposition supports milder tax cuts and lesser reductions in social programs. Conclusion The battle of the oligarchs has yet to reach a decisive climax. President Trump is still the President of the United States. The Opposition forges ahead with its investigations and lurid media exposes. The propaganda war is continuous. One day the opposition media focuses on a deported student immigrant and the next day the President features new jobs for American military industries. The emerging left-neo-conservative academic partnership (e.g. Noam Chomsky-William Kristol) has denounced President Trumps regime as a national catastrophe from the beginning. Meanwhile, Wall Street investors and libertarians join to denounce the Oppositions resistance to major tax reforms. Oligarchs of all stripes and colors are grabbing for total state power and wealth while the majority of citizens are labeled losers by Trump or deplorables by Madame Clinton. The peace movement, immigrant rights groups and black lives matter activists have become mindless lackeys pulling the opposition oligarchs wagon, while rust-belt workers, rural poor and downwardly mobile middle class employees are powerless serfs hitched to President Trumps cart. Epilogue After the blood-letting, when and if President Trump is overthrown, the State Security functionaries in their tidy dark suits will return to their nice offices to preside over their normal tasks of spying on the citizens and launching clandestine operations abroad. The media will blow out some charming tid-bits and words of truth from the new occupant of the Oval Office. The academic left will churn out some criticism against the newest oligarch-in-chief or crow about how their heroic resistance averted a national catastrophe. Trump, the ex-President and his oligarch son-in-law Jared Kushner will sign new real estate deals. The Saudis will receive the hundreds of billions of dollars of US arms to re-supply ISIS or its successors and to rust in the vast and howling wilderness of US-Middle East intervention. Israel will demand even more frequent servicing from the new US President. The triumphant editorialists will claim that our unique political system, despite the recent turmoil, has proven that democracy succeeds only the people suffer! Long live the Oligarchs! Rethinking Irans Terrorism Designation By M. Reza Behnam June 01, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Some ideas take on a character akin to sacred texts whose validity is rarely questioned. One such belief is that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the biggest threat to the Middle East and the United States. The threat narrative has become required foreign policy catechism in Washington, D.C. Menacing stereotypes and bellicose rhetoric are the standards by which Iran has come to be judged. It has continually been in the crosshairs of American administrations since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The process by which a country is determined to be a terrorist state is highly subjective and politicized. The United States has assumed the singular role of terrorism arbiter. After only weeks in office, the Trump administration officially put Iran on notice for a ballistic missile test, and imposed new sanctions. It was only a matter of time before the Trump administration would resurrect the Iran the terrorist state mantra to deflect attention from its internal chaos. The unpredictability of the Trump White House and volatility of the Middle East make it vital to understand the nature of Washingtons anti-Iran bias, how and why Iran has come to be cast as an international sponsor of terrorism, and most importantly, examine why the characterization is false. The 1979 revolution and overthrow of the shah freed the country from its obsequious relationship to Washington. Irans regional influence spread not in terms of conquered territory; instead, its revolutionary ideology gave voice to Shiites living in oppressive Sunni majority-ruled countries. The Islamic Republic presented a dilemma for Washington, accustomed to dealing with the ruling families and autocrats of the Middle East. To curtail the revolutions influence, Washington manufactured a narrative depicting Irans leaders as irrational religious fanatics in charge of a dangerous state that acted contrary to traditional state behavior. Americas attitude was hardened with the takeover of the U.S. embassy in 1979, shaping the negative lens through which Irans policies and actions would be viewed thereafter. The trauma inflicted by the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88) deepened Irans distrust of Washington. From Tehrans perspective, Americas support for Saddams aggression was Washingtons attempt to restore the monarchy and to destabilize the government. The post-revolution 1980s were filled with uncertainties and excesses as Tehran struggled to survive its war with Iraqa war largely subsidized by Saudi Arabia and supported by the United States. In the 1990s, Irans foreign policy shifted toward integrating into the international community and shedding its hard-line image. Tehran attempted to develop closer relations with Saudi Arabia and build constructive ties to the West. Although Iran opposed the 2001 U.S. attack on Afghanistan, the goal of fighting terrorism and toppling the Taliban regime-driven from power in November 2001united the two countries in perhaps the most constructive period of U.S.-Iranian diplomacy. At a December 2001 meeting in Bonn, Germany, Secretary of State Colin Powell credited Iran with being particularly helpful in establishing an interim Afghan government, following the American invasion. It was Javad Zarif, then Irans U.N. ambassador and current foreign minister, who mediated a compromise over the composition of Afghanistans post-Taliban government, ultimately leading to an agreement. And it was Iran that insisted that the agreement include a commitment to hold democratic elections in Afghanistan. A burst of diplomatic talks between Iranian and American officials took place from 2001 through May 2003. Topics included cooperative activities against their mutual enemies: Saddam, the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Meetings resumed even after President George W. Bush listed Iran among the axis of evil countries in his 2002 State of the Union address. Tehrans final attempt to normalize relations came in May of 2003 in what became known as the grand bargain. Calling for broad dialogue in mutual respect, Iran suggested that everything was on the table, including full cooperation on Irans nuclear program, ending material support to Palestinian opposition groups and assistance in helping stabilize Iraq. Convinced that the Iranian government was on the brink of collapse, and emboldened by its perceived victory in Iraq in March 2003, Bush administration officials belittled the initiative. The administrations imperious posture and failure to build on Irans cooperation in Afghanistan, led senior officials in Tehran to conclude that Washingtons goal was regime change. Bush strategists had another objective in ousting Saddam-to isolate and increase the military and political pressure on Iran, and to a lesser extent, on Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government. Repeated often by administration officials was the refrain, Today Baghdad, tomorrow Damascus, and then on to Tehran. To curb Tehrans growing influence in Iraq after the 2003 invasion, Bush launched an unprecedented financial war against Iran. A list of strategies developed in 2006 by Stuart Levy-the first under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury Department-were implemented to drive Iran out of the global economy. Where Washington sees terrorism, the Iranian government sees itself combating a power structure in the Middle East that benefits the United States, Israel and Sunni Arab regimes. Congress defines an international sponsor of terrorism as a country whose government supports acts of international terrorism. Tehran does not support international terrorism, but it does provide material support to regional movements that it calls the oppressed, whose battle is directed toward the state of IsraelHezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. These groups have used violence against Israel to end the brutal occupation of their land. Tehran regards as legitimate its support for national liberation movements that fight against Israeli occupation and aggression, insisting it is not terrorism. Irans leaders believe that Israels long-term goal is to weaken the Islamic world, eliminating all resistance, in order to carry out its expansionist designs. From the perspective of the people of the region, Israel has a long history of occupation, invasion and state terrorism. Interestingly, the Arab media has accused Washington of sponsoring terrorism because of its support for Israel. The Israeli government has relentlessly pushed the perception that Iran, specifically a nuclear-armed Iran, is the greatest threat to peace and stability in the region and world, and has successfully sold this provocative idea in the United States. Senior Israeli security officials have refuted the assertion that an Iranian nuclear weapon would threaten Israel. Their claims are poignant considering the fact that Israel enjoys a huge military and technical advantage in the region, and possesses an arsenal capable of deterring any nuclear aggression. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus motives for vilifying Iran are many, but primarily it serves to distract international attention as Israel continues settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem and Syrian Golan Heights. Saudi Arabia, like Israel, is doing everything in its power to make sure the United States remains engaged in the Middle East. Riyadh relies on Washington to do its heavy lifting, and anti-Iran propaganda helps in its campaign. Saudi rulers believe that the Assad government is pivotal to Iranian influence in the region, and have been encouraging Washington to get rid of him for years. They were buoyed by Trumps missile attack on Syria and recent state visit as a sign that Washington is pivoting away from Obamas policy of rapprochement with Iran, and renewing its ties to the kingdom. The intense focus on Iran as a menace does not correspond to its capabilities, intent or danger. A 2017 Congressional Research Service report stated that Irans national security policy involves protecting itself from American or others efforts to intimidate or change the regime. According to the 2014 U.S. Defense Department Annual Review of Iran, Irans military doctrine is defensive. It is designed to deter an attack. Forty-five U.S. military bases encircle Iran, with over 125,000 troops in close proximity. The Congressional Research Service asserted that Tehran allocates about 3 percent of GDP to military spending, far less than what its Persian Gulf neighbors spend. Irans nuclear program has cultivated scientific innovation and national pride. It required pragmatic leadership to accept the constraints of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The agreement subjects Iran to greater restrictions and more intrusive monitoring than any state with nuclear programs, while its neighbors possess unlimited nuclear programs and, in the case of Pakistan and Israel, nuclear weapons. Intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency agree that Iran has not been attempting to develop nuclear weapons. According to the IAEA and the U.S. State Department, Iran has been fulfilling its obligations under the JCPOA. Toughness on Iran has become a litmus test for American politicians to demonstrate their support for Israel. Congress overwhelmingly passed a ten-year extension of the Iran Sanctions Act, which was set to expire on December 31, 2016. The renewal makes it easier for the Trump administration to reimpose sanctions that Obama lifted under the JCPOA. Unlike other countries in the Middle East that have integrated missiles into their conventional armed forces, Iran has been singled out for the same behavior. Irans recent missile test did not violate the JCPOA. It has no long-range missiles, no nuclear warheads for its missiles, and has not threatened their use. Without nuclear weapons, missiles are of negligible importance. Unlike the Saudis and Israelis, Iran does not have a large or modern air force. A February 26, 2015, report by the director of national intelligence, titled Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Communities, stated that Iran is not the chief sponsor of terrorism, and removed Iran and Hezbollah from its list of terrorism threats. The report asserted Tehrans intentions are to dampen sectarianism, build responsive partners and deescalate tensions with Saudi Arabia, and combat Sunni extremists, including the Islamic State. Yet there are countless examples of aggression against Iran. The Saudi government has sought for decades to motivate Sunnis to fear and resist Iran. To that end, it has spent billions on a campaign to expand Salafism (an ultra-conservative, austere form of Islam) as a major counterforce in the Muslim world. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter In 2007, Congress agreed to a Bush administration request of $400 million to escalate covert operations to destabilize Irans government, with regime change the ultimate goal. The funding request came at the same time that a National Intelligence Estimate-the collective work of Americas sixteen spy agenciesconcluded that Iran had ceased its efforts to develop nuclear weapons in 2003. Both the Bush and Obama administrations employed some of the most draconian financial methods ever used against a state, including crippling sanctions on Irans entire banking, transportation and energy sectors. The first known use of cyber warfare against a sovereign state was launched against Iran by the United States and Israel in 2009. The Stuxnet virus crippled Iranian centrifuges used to produce nuclear fuel. Beginning in 2008, four of Irans nuclear scientists were assassinated on the streets of Tehran; the evidence pointed to Israeli agents. In 2011, a military arms depot was blown up, killing 17 people. The incident was similar to a blast in October 2010 at an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps missile base in Khorrambad. Both acts of sabotage were attributed to Israel. American organizations such as the jingoistic United Against a Nuclear Iran, chaired by former Senator Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., have called for attacks on Iranian ships in the Persian Gulf and on Iranian military forces fighting the Islamic State in Syria, and are pressuring the Trump administration to increase sanctions and to cancel the JCPOA. These acts of aggression are justified in Washington and elsewhere by the standard rhetoric of the Iranian terrorism myth, but there is scant intelligence to support the claim. In a 2011 poll conducted in twelve Arab countries by The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (based on face-to-face interviews of 16,731 individuals), 73 percent of those surveyed saw Israel and the United States as the most threatening countries, with 5 percent seeing Iran as such. Most U.S. officials quietly acknowledge that Saudi Arabia and the Sunni-ruled Gulf monarchies are the major supporters of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, not Shiite Iran. Vice President Joseph Biden concluded just that during a foreign policy speech at Harvard in October of 2014. A recently released classified State Department cable dated December 30, 2009, stated, donors in Saudi Arabia constitute the most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide. It is Iran that is helping to fight the Islamic State in Iraq. Its offensive in the Syrian war was at the request of the countrys sovereign government. Iran lives in the neighborhood and relies on regional allies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Assad in Syria, to bolster its security if attacked. Syria was the only country to support Iran during the Iraq war. Tehran is keenly aware that the outcome of the Syrian war may have major consequences for the regions Shiites, and could reshape the Middle East. Saudi Arabia and Israel have made Iran their major regional adversary, and to that end have built a formidable alliance. Syria has become the theater for competing regional interests. Both the Saudis and Israelis are aiding al-Qaeda affiliated forces in Syria. Washington has partnered with Saudi Arabia in the war to achieve its long-established goal of regime change, while Riyadh seeks to end what the Saudis see as the power emerging from the Shiite CrescentIran, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. Israel, for example, has been pressuring the United States and Russia to restrict and ultimately expel Iranian-backed militias from Syria, and has continued to attack pro-Iranian forces in southern Syria. From Israels perspective, Syriaally of Iran and supporter of Hezbollahhas been one of the few remaining Arab states capable of standing in the way of its regional ambitions. Israel would like to see Syria fractured into small, sectarian enclaves, so weakened as to be no threat. Israel has partnered with al-Qaedas franchise in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra (also called the al-Nusra Front). Al-Nusras goal, like the Islamic State, is to overthrow Assads secular government and establish a radical Salafist regime. United Nations observers have documented the delivery of material aid and ongoing coordination between Israeli military personnel and al-Nusra armed groups. Al-Nusra terrorists are being cared for in Israeli hospitals. By supporting al-Nusra, Israel has effectively sided with Americas enemy and has, therefore, emerged as a state sponsor of terrorism. In the wake of the 9-11 attacks, President Bush, in his September 20, 2001, speech to Congress declared, Every nation now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Iran has been fighting terrorism since 9-11. Its national security depends on stable borders and a stable region. To that end, it is fighting in Syria and aiding the Iraqi government to recapture territories held by the Islamic State, at great cost to its military. Iranians know all too well the egregious effects of terrorism. For decades, U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies have covertly financed, equipped and trained opposition groups that have fomented and carried out terrorist attacks inside Iran. Thousands of civilians and political figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, have suffered injury at the hands of terrorists. U.S. intelligence agencies have supported the acts of violence committed by the Mujahedin-e Khalqlisted by the State Department as a terrorist group (now delisted) that advocates the overthrow of the Islamic Republicas well as the Baluchi militant Salafi group Jundullah. An Iranian ethnic minority, Jundullah is a Sunni group aligned with the thinking of al-Qaeda. Terrorism is a cudgel used to engender fear. And fear, grounded in erroneous information, can result in destructive government policies, and in the worst case, war. This is especially true of the U.S.-Iran relationship. After almost four decades, Iran and the Middle East have substantially changed, while American policy has not. Irans evolving and nuanced political system does not fit into Washingtons outdated, hegemonic good guy-bad guy worldview. American, Israeli and Saudi regional objectives depend on the existence of an enemy; and to that aim, Irans terrorism designation has proven a potent rhetorical weapon. Washingtons hardline rhetoric and policies toward Iran merely strengthens the power of the countrys hardliners . Given the circumstances, Tehran will continue its defensive, cautious strategy, cooperating with the West on issues such as the fight against the Islamic State, while asserting what it sees as its historical role in the region. The Establishment Is Visibly Shaken By Chris Renwick June 01, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Here's what I'm really struggling to understand. All I've ever heard from people, for years, is: "bloody bankers and their bonuses" "bloody rich and their offshore tax havens " "bloody politicians with their lying and second homes" bloody corporations paying less tax than me "bloody Establishment, they're all in it together it'll never change, there's no point in voting And quite rightly so, I said all the same things. But then someone comes along that's different. He upsets the bankers and the rich. The Tory politicians hate him along with most of the labour politicians. The corporations throw more money at the politicians to keep him quiet. And the Establishment is visibly shaken. I've never seen the Establishment so genuinely scared of a single person. So the media arm of the establishment gets involved. Theresa phones Rupert asking what he can do, and he tells her to keep her mouth shut, don't do the live debate, he'll sort this out. So the media goes into overdrive with: she's strong and stable he's a clown he's not a leader look he can't even control his own party he'll ruin the economy how's he gonna pay for it all?! AND he's a terrorist sympathiser, burn him, burn the terrorist sympathiser And what do we? We've waited forever for an honest politician to come along but instead of getting behind him we bow to the establishment like good little workers. They whistle and we do a little dance for them. We run around like hypnotised robots repeating headlines we've read, all nodding and agreeing. Feeling really proud of ourselves because we think we've came up with our very own first political opinion. But we haven't, we haven't came up with anything. This is how you tell. No matter where someone lives in the country, they're repeating the same headlines, word for word. From Cornwall to Newcastle people are saying: he's a clown hes a threat to the country she's strong and stable he'll take us back to the 70s No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter And there's nothing else, there's no further opinion. There's no evidence apart from 1 radio 5 interview that isn't even concrete evidence, he actually condemns the violence of both sides in the interview. There's no data or studies or official reports to back anything up. Try and think really hard why you think he's a clown, other than the fact he looks like a geography teacher. (no offence geography teachers) because he hasn't done anything clownish from what I've seen. And you're not on this planet if you think the establishment and the media aren't all in it together. You think Richard Branson, who's quietly winning NHS contracts, wants Corbyn in? You think Rupert Murdoch, who's currently trying to widen his media monopoly by buying sky outright, wants Jeremy in? You think the Barclay brothers, with their offshore residencies, want him in? You think Philip Green, who stole all the pensions from BHS workers and claims his wife owns Top Shop because she lives in Monaco, wants Corbyn in? You think the politicians, both Labour and Tory, with their second homes and alcohol paid for by us, want him in? You think Starbucks, paying near zero tax, wants him in? You think bankers, with their multi million pound bonuses, want him in? And do you think they don't have contact with May? Or with the media? You honestly think that these millionaires and billionaires are the sort of people that go ah well, easy come easy go, it was nice while it lasted?? I wouldn't be if my personal fortune was at risk, I'd be straight on the phone to Theresa May or Rupert Murdoch demanding this gets sorted immediately. Because here's a man, a politician that doesn't lie - he can't lie - he could have said whatever would get him votes anytime he wanted but he hasn't. He lives in a normal house like us and uses the bus just like us. He's fought for justice and peace for nearly 40 years. He has no career ambitions. And his seat is untouchable. That's one of the greatest testimonies. No one comes close to removing him from his constituency, election after election. His Manifesto is fully costed. It all adds up, yes there's some borrowing but that's just to renationalise the railway, you know we already subsidise them and they make profit yeah? One more time WE subsidise the railway companies and they walk away with a profit, just try and grasp the level of piss taking going on there. Unlike the Tory manifesto with a 9 billion hole, their figures don't even add up. And it benefits all of us, young, old, working, disabled, everyone. The only people it hurts are the establishment, the rich, the bankers, the top 5% highest earners. Good, screw them. It's long overdue. http://www.filmsforaction.org/ The Truth About US Involvement in Syria In April, I entered Deir Hafer. Isis had just fled for their lives, leaving their infamous black flags, crucifixion posts, arms factories and black-painted Islamic courtrooms still intact. And yet Washington still maintains that the Syrians dont fight Isis By Robert Fisk June 01, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Somewhere over the Atlantic, Ive always suspected, theres a giant glass curtain through which Americans view the Middle East through a glass darkly, perhaps and which utterly distorts their vision. Even when they arrive in the region to chat to their moderate friends, the Sunni Muslim head-choppers, dictators and torturers who are now enlisting a mad American President in their alliance against Shia Muslims , the Western visitors do no more than mouth their propaganda and agree with Sunni Gulf plans to annihilate Iran. Its not just the Washington crackpot himself. Take General James Mad Dog Mattis , who is beginning to earn his sobriquet in his grasp of contemporary history, as well as the obscene comments which earned him his nickname during the illegal 2003 US invasion of Iraq. Emerging from his meeting with the Saudis, whose Wahhabi faith arguably inspires the horrific Isis cult, the US defence secretary told American journalists that everywhere you look, if theres trouble in the region, you find Iran. Incredibly, no American reporter took Mattis up on this gobbledygook which is odd, because we all thought Isis was the problem. Isnt Mattis aware that his men are helping the Iraqi army and pro-Iranian Shia militia destroy Isis in Mosul? Isnt he aware that Isis not Iran have threatened to destroy the entire Western world? Does he not realise that Iran is the sworn enemy of Isis? Nope? Well, theres the Mad Dog for you. Iran is Shia Muslim; Isis is Sunni Muslim; Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim. Ring any bells? But I guess thats just too complicated for Trumps warrior chief. So lets take a long, hard, gritty look at the reality, which eludes the whole Trump menagerie. Lets kick off with Syria, where (according to Saudi Arabia, the United States and Israel and most of the pseudo-experts on Western television) Iran is in the process of taking control. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter A reality check: most of the Syrians I meet in Assad regime-controlled territory: in Damascus, Homs, Hama and Aleppo, and a lot of the Syrian army, were grateful for Russias intervention not just because it reversed the grave defeats of the government military forces, but because it counterbalanced Irans influence in their country. Officially, the ruthless Syrian army counts Russia, Iran and the Hezbollah as its allies, which is why their flags fly together outside military headquarters in some Syrian cities. But Syrian soldiers were not impressed by the few thousand Iranian forces not 30,000, as the New York television mountebanks claim who arrived to help them. Relations became even more fraught when Iran claimed that its forces had participated in the capture of eastern Aleppo last winter. It was a lie. The Iranians invented this fact as surely as Trump invents facts in the Middle East. And the Syrians bitterly resented this dishonesty. No Iranian forces took part in the December east Aleppo battles despite what Tehran boasted that almost at once led to allegations of rape carried out by Syrias allies. The rape claims were then directed at Iraqi Shia militias which also, according to civilians in Aleppo (from both east and west), were not present in the battle. In fact, Syrian troops whose families and homes were in eastern Aleppo were deliberately included in the attacking forces because they knew the roads and buildings. Its unlikely they would have permitted Iranian or Iraqi or any other militias to have raped or mistreated their families. There may well have been executions during the fighting (a war crime, make no mistake about it), but the rape of eastern Aleppo was a gross exaggeration, despite Irans lie which helped to spawn such stories in the first place. Then there is the story, put about by Washington, that the Syrians and their Russian allies and the Iranians only fight the American-paid moderate and largely mythical opposition forces, and do not go into combat against al-Qaeda, Jabhat al Nusrah or Isis. This is nonsense. Ive been on the front lines when the Syrians were fighting Nusrah and al-Qaeda south of the Turkish frontier and north of Lattakia. In a later struggle at the very same positions, all but one of the Syrian soldiers I interviewed (almost all of them Sunni Muslims, although we are supposed to believe that they are, like their president, Shia Alawites) were killed in a massive suicide bombing by Nusrah. South of Qamishleh and in Palmyra and, most recently, east of Aleppo, I have seen Syrian troops in direct combat with Isis. When they recaptured Deir Hafer, 20 miles east of Aleppo, in April, I entered the town with the first Syrian soldiers. Isis had just fled for their lives under shellfire and air attack, leaving their infamous black flags, crucifixion posts, arms factories and black-painted Islamic courtrooms still intact. And yet Washington still maintains that the Syrians dont fight Isis. By Howard Lisnoff June 01, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - A little over a month ago a suicide car bomb blast hit a convoy of civilians outside of the towns of Fua and Kefraya west of Aleppo in Syria. It is unclear who is responsible for the deaths from the bombing of the buses carrying these refugees, among whom were 68 children. A total of 126 people were killed according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (Sixty-eight children among dead of suicide bombing attack in Syria, Guardian, April 16, 2017). Compare the latter to the horrific suicide bombing attack in Manchester, England, where 22 people were ruthlessly killed. In the article Who are the victims of the Manchester terror attack? (Telegraph, May 25, 2017), the pictures and biographies of the victims of this attack are shown. Among the dead were 12 children according to the Guardian (Soldiers on British streets as threat level raised to critical-as it happened, May 22, 2017). In the case of the Syrian attacks, no pictures or lengthy biographies accompanied the massacre of innocents. Granted, media coverage of horrific events are expected in the West, while documenting the horror of the murder of innocent civilians is often a much more difficult job of journalists and human rights organizations in the Middle East and elsewhere. If accurate documentation does take place in remote places, then it is often months or longer when this reporting happens. In Iraq, The Pentagon has admitted that airstrikes it carried out on a house in western Mosul killed at least 105 (the actual toll could be as high as 141) civilians in March 2017 (US admits Mosul airstrikes killed over 100 civilians during battle with Isis, Guardian, May 25, 2017). No photos of civilians accompanied the article. Now that the rules or laws of war have been cast aside in favor of expediency, Secretary of Defense James Mattis said that the U.S. had accelerated its war against ISIS and war policy was moving from attrition to one of annihilation. He continued, civilian casualties are a fact of life in this sort of situation Were not the perfect guys (Defense secretary Mattis says US policy against Isis is now annihilation, Guardian, May 28, 2017). Since World War I, and especially during and after World War II, civilian populations were viewed as fair game for war makers of all stripes from strategic planners of war down to individual soldiers in the field and in the air. Collateral damage became the favored cliche for the deaths of civilians in war, or as a result of war. Following World War II, Article IV of the Geneva Conventions Relative to the Protection of Civil Person in Time of War (1949) was written to protect civilians after the grotesque failure of humanity to protect the innocent. Of the 60 million people killed during World War II, between 50 to 55 million were civilians (World War II casualties, Wikipedia). It does not take a great deal of intuitive power to conclude that the 1949 Convention was written to address this civilian catastrophe. Donald Trump has delegated new war-making power directly to the military. In Is there a human toll of giving the military more latitude to strike terror targets (PBS, March 31, 2017), a former State Department official stated that this change of the role of commander-in-chief gives the military more power to use military force in nations when hostilities move from targeted operations to general hostilities. Following the Vietnam War, Congress abrogated its war making powers to the president. Now, this change in war making authority from the president to the military is the next step in the decline of civilian control over issues of war and peace as written in the Constitution. More civilian deaths are a likely result of this transfer of power. Military contractors must have salivated uncontrollably when Trump ordered the use of the Massive Ordinance Air Blast Bomb (nicknamed the mother of all bombs) in Afghanistan on April 13, 2017. These can only be good days for the bottom line of the war industry and a harbinger of doom for civilian populations in war zones. Some critics may observe that while Syria is a nation at war with itself and involves others (proxy war), the horror of Manchester is not part of any war. In some ways that is true, but the idea of blowback brings theaters of war to places and times and with combatants and noncombatants that no one would have anticipated when Article IV of the Convention was written. Some argued during the Vietnam War that guerrilla war made the protection of innocent civilians unimportant. In my memoir, Against The Wall: Memoir Of A Vietnam-Era War Resister (2017), I counter that argument. Indeed, horrific atrocities such as the massacre at My Lai in Vietnam by the U.S. on March 16, 1968, in which between 347 and 504 unarmed civilians were killed, was a moving force driving my resistance to that war. The other massacre that fueled my resistance was the murder of four unarmed students and the wounding of nine others by the Ohio National Guard during an antiwar demonstration at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. The murders and wounding of students at Jackson State also entered into that decision, but was not well known at the time. Jackson State was and is a historically black college (now a university). Putin Defends Trump Pulling out of Paris Agreement Video 'Don't worry, be happy' - Vladimir Putin urges world not to judge Donald Trump over climate deal at St. Petersburg forum "The Russian leader insisted that measures against Moscow, including economic sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine, had ended up having "zero effect." Posted June 02, 2017 Full Event Modi and Putin met on the third leg of the Indian leader's four-nation tour of Europe with the pair looking to bolster declining trade between the once key partners. Bosses from Chevron, Exxon and Boeing are among 144 US firms at the event, the best attendance in years after Washington previously warned business leaders against attending due to political tensions. See also Cuomo Joins California, Washington State Governors To Launch United States Climate Alliance : The White Houses reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet, Cuomo said in a statement. Trade dispute holds up EU-China climate statement: Trump's withdrawal from Paris climate accord brings the two sides closer on climate, but they remain divided on trade. The rights of the Palestinians were wholly absent from US President Donald Trumps recent trip to Israel The rights of the Palestinians were wholly absent from US President Donald Trumps recent trip to Israel By Ramzy Baroud June 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - As if he had overnight been transformed into a master politician, US President Donald Trumps 27-hour trip to Israel has left many analysts mystified. Quoting former Israeli political adviser Mitchell Barack, The New York Times referred to Trump as the Liberace of world leaders, in a reference to the late pianist Wladziu Valantino Liberace. The latter, known as Mr Showmanship, was at one time the highest paid entertainer in the world and his successful career lasted over four decades. New York Magazine quoted former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro trying to decipher the supposedly complicated persona of Trump in its online edition. Either Trumps visit was substance-free, or he is being uncharacteristically subtle in planting the seeds for a new round of peace negotiations, the magazine quoted Shapiro as saying, paraphrasing its tweets. The US liberal media, which has stooped to many lows in its attacks on Trump, including on his family, his mannerisms, his choice of words, even his body language, became much more sober and quite respectful in the way it attempted to analyse his short trip to Israel and his very brief detour to Bethlehem where he met with Palestinian Authority (PA) leader Mahmoud Abbas. Mr Trumps speech at the Israeli Museum was so friendly and considerate of Israeli emotions, reported the New Your Times, that one right-wing Israeli legislator described it as deeply expressive of the Zionist narrative. Palestinian emotions, however, were of no consequence, either to the Trump entourage, or, of course, to the New York Times or the rest of the mainstream media. The Washington Post, on the other hand, still found faults, but certainly not because of Trumps lack of balance and his failure to criticise the Israeli occupation of Palestine and Israels mistreatment of the Palestinians. Despite the fact that Trump has indeed fully embraced a Zionist narrative, and a particularly right-wing version of it (he made no reference to a Palestinian state, for example), he still fell short, according to the newspaper. His performance at Israels National Holocaust Memorial (Yad Vashem) did not impress. Journalist Max Bearak wrote in the Post that Trumps entry in the guest book at Israels National Holocaust Memorial was strangely upbeat, self-referential and written in his signature all caps: IT IS A GREAT HONOUR TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF MY FRIENDS SO AMAZING & WILL NEVER FORGET, he said. Bearak found such a choice of words and the style in which it was written offensive, especially when compared with the supposed thoughtfulness of former US president Barack Obama. The latter wrote a significantly longer note when he visited, which read in part that at a time of great peril and promise, war and strife, we are blessed to have such a powerful reminder of mans potential for great evil, but also our capacity to rise up from tragedy and remake our world. Neither then, nor now, did the Washington Post bother to examine the historical context in which this particular sentence was written or identify the hypocrisy of the whole endeavour. Had it bothered to ask the Palestinians, they would have given a wholly different interpretation of Obamas words. Indeed, wherever occupied Palestinians look they find mans potential for great evil: a 400-mile Israeli Annexation Wall being mostly built on their land; hundreds of military checkpoints dotting their landscape; and a suffocating military occupation controlling every aspect of their lives. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter They see the holiest of their cities, Bethlehem and Al-Quds occupied East Jerusalem subdued by massive military force, and thousands of their leaders thrown into prison, many without charge or trial. They see siege; endless war; daily deaths and senseless destruction. But since none of this matters to the Zionist narrative, it subsequently matters very little to the mainstream American media either. Trumps trip to Israel, however short, was indeed a master stroke by the ever-unpredictable Liberace of world politics, although it takes no particular genius to figure out why. From an American mainstream media perspective, to be judged presidential all US presidents have to commit to three main policies. These are, in no particular order, privileging the economic business elites, war when needed, and unconditionally supporting Israel. The US media, otherwise polarised according to political allegiances, has taken a break from its raging conflict over Trumps presidency and rallied behind him on two separate occasions: when he bombed Syria earlier this year and during his recent visit to Israel. Ironically, the man has often been judged for lacking substance on numerous occasions in the past. But in fact his trip to Israel was the most lacking and most divisive occasion thus far. The fact that he time and again reiterated Israeli priorities was all the media needed to give the man a chance. Its collective verdict seemed to rebrand his lack of substance as his unique way of doing politics. The Israeli media, which is often more critical of the Israeli government than the US media ever dares to be, needed to keep up with its democratic traditions on this occasion, but Trumps grovelling gave little room for criticism. The often-impulsive Trump this time stuck to the script and followed his rehearsed speeches and media comments to the letter. Nevertheless, Israeli journalist Josefin Dolsten found a way to nit-pick, composing for the Times of Israel a list of seven awkward moments from Trumps Israel trip. One of these, Dolsten wrote, was a White House statement listing Trumps goals for the trip that included a hilarious (and juicy!) typo: promote the possibility of lasting peach between Israel and the Palestinians. Yes, we get it it meant to say peace, but whos to say the two sides cant bond over some delicious fruit, he asked. For Palestinians, it cant be easy to find humour in these tough times. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including leader Marwan Barghouti, have been enduring a prolonged and life-threatening hunger strike in which they have been making the most basic demands for better treatment, longer visitation hours with their families, and an end to arbitrary detentions. On the day that Trump, along with right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lectured Palestinians on peace, 17-year-old Tuqua Hammad was shot for allegedly throwing stones at Israeli military vehicles at the entrance of her village of Silwad near Ramallah. Hammad was shot in the lower extremities, and Israeli troops prevented a Palestinian ambulance from accessing the victim to treat her, the Maan news agency reported. A few miles away, Trump was writing his remarks after visiting Israels Holocaust Museum. Regrettably, he failed to meet the expectations of the Washington Post, for unlike Obama he was not poignant enough in his language and style for the newspapers approval. The irony of the story is inescapable. But the American media still cannot see it, for it also seems to follow a script in which Palestinian rights, dignity and freedoms are hardly ever mentioned. Trump, Brennan and the Intel Communitys Iron Wall of Secrecy By Mike Whitney June 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Is Russiagate an investigation of foreign meddling into US elections or retaliation for Washingtons stunning defeat in Syria? The opening of the Russiagate investigation closely coincides with the Battle of Aleppo, which was the turning point in the 6 year-long Syrian War. In July 2016 the same month the FBI reportedly began its Russia hacking investigation Russian-led forces launched their long-awaited Aleppo military offensive. Syrian, Iranian and Hezbollah fighters surrounded the city cutting off critical supplylines to the Sunni militants who remained inside a rapidly shrinking cauldron. In a bitterly-contested, winner-take-all slugfest, loyalist troops flushed the terrorists out of their hideouts and spiderholes, corralled them into smaller, isolated pockets, and forced them to either surrender or retreat. After months of aerial bombardment and door-to-door urban warfare, the opposition collapsed, the Syrian Army regained control of the city, and the broken jihadist militias fled eastward towards Raqqa, Deir Ezzor and beyond. The CIAs defeat was a humiliating blow to Director John Brennan whose support for mostly foreign-born extremists was supposed to achieve Washingtons regime change aspirations with less fallout than a full-blown ground war like Iraq. But the plan failed miserably casting serious doubt on Washingtons ability to maintain its regional hegemony or global domination. Russiagate, which is less of an investigation than it is a public relations smear campaign, is the predictable reaction to Washingtons colossal defeat in Aleppo. It is an attempt to expand on the economic sanctions-meme, that is, to use all the tools at ones disposal to wage war on the enemy. Russia has become the single greatest obstacle to Uncle Sams imperial ambitions; it is the emergent threat of which Paul Wolfowitz warned during the Bush years. This is why Russia is relentlessly demonized by the media, penalized with harsh economic sanctions, and disparaged among the allies. And this is why Brennan launched Russiagate. Its a form of asymmetrical retaliation, 4th Generation hybrid warfare, all of which falls under the heading of Full Spectrum Dominance, the cornerstone of the Pentagons war doctrine. According to Mother Jones, it was not the FBI that initiated the Trump-Russia connection.. but ..Former CIA Director John Brennan says he was the one who got the ball rolling. Indeed. Brennan appears to be the central figure in this political fiasco, the font from which many of the spurious accusations, the bogus claims and the ominous pronouncements seem to emerge. Why is that? Its because Brennans army of Salafist misfits were clobbered in Aleppo leaving the Director with egg on his face. Thats why Brennan wants payback, he wants to hurt the people who hurt him, namely, Putin. Thats what Russiangate is all about: Revenge. But how does Trump fit in with all this, after all, Trump had no part in Syria, and he certainly had nothing to do with Brennans defeat in Aleppo. Trump was merely added to the mix after the smear campaign had already begun and the demonization process was in full-swing. Its almost like Trump was an after-thought on the part of the perpetrators who must have figured they could kill two birds with one stone. The only problem is that they forgot that attacking a sitting president can be a lot thornier than slandering a foreign adversary. For one thing, it requires proof of wrongdoing which has been the glitch from the get-go. The media and the political class have mastered the accusations and fearmongering-part, theyre a just bit short on the proof-part which is what they really need to work on. Regrettably for them, they have yet to produce any hard evidence of foreign meddling or collusion in the 10 month-long probe. (Ex-DNI Director James Clapper has said repeatedly that there is no smoking gun proof of collusion.) On top of that, we now know that the foundation upon which they have built their pyramid of lies, the so called Intelligence Community Assessment, was written by hand-picked analysts whose conclusions were arguably twisted to fit the policy. In other words, the ICA is a thoroughly-unreliable document that represents the political objectives of its authors. In laymans terms, its worthless. In last weeks testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, Brennan demonstrated once again his uncanny ability to control the narrative. In tightly scripted comments, the former Spook Chief attempted to frame members of the Trump campaign by suggesting their relations with Russian officials were either improper or illegal, a dubious charge that he has yet to prove. Heres part of what he said: I encountered and am aware of information and intelligence that revealed contacts and interactions between Russian officials and U.S. 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 about whether Russia was able to gain the cooperation of those individuals. That was all the Washington Post needed to demand a full investigation of Russias election-year hacking, (and) any sort of Trump campaign collusion. The Post doesnt quibble about trivial matters like probable cause, reasonable doubt or the presumption of innocence. Heck, no. Lets impanel a Grand Jury and let the impeachment proceedings begin! Its a wonder that the W.Ps coverage is taken seriously by its readers. The bias is so glaring, you could cut it with a knife. And Politico is even worse. Heres a blurb from Politicos Austin Wright on the same Brennan quote from above: (Brennans) remarks, before the House Intelligence Committee, are the most direct acknowledgment yet by a current or former U.S. official that Russia sought to recruit Americans to help in its effort to affect the 2016 contest. The remarks also further complicate matters for President Donald Trump, who has dismissed the investigations into Russias election meddling as a witch hunt. (Politico) This is delusional. Theres no evidence that Russia sought to recruit Americans. None. This is pure speculation based on the fearmongering blabber of a former CIA Director whose credibility is on a par with Bernie Madoff. Were not talking about honest Abe Lincoln here. Were talking about the former head of the most diabolical organization in history, an organization that, since its inception in 1949, has engaged in all manner of demonic behavior including torture, death squads, rendition, black sites, kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking, regime change and, of course, the arming, training and funding of Islamic extremists which is the source of the current terrorist plague that has engulfed the planet. It all started with the CIA. The idea that people take the specious palavering of this man at face value, is beyond belief. The truth is, Brennans appearance on the Hill was a thoroughly-rehearsed performance that was concocted to advance the geopolitical agenda of his paymasters, an agenda that, in all probability, involves a war with Russia. Isnt that the real objective? It is. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter In the last week the media has been stumbling over themselves to report on the new developments in the investigation. As it happens, those new developments involve Trumps son in law and chief advisor, Jared Kushner, who has been identified as a person of interest. Think about that for a minute. After a ten month-long investigation involving all 14 US Intelligence agencies, the best they can come up with is a person of interest? Its an admission that they have nothing. Heres a clip from the New York Times that helps to put the Kushner matter into perspective: responding to questions from The Times about the meetings with Mr. Kislyak and Mr. Gorkov, Ms. Hicks said the meetings were part of an effort by Mr. Kushner to improve relations between the United States and Russia, and to identify areas of possible cooperation. 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. (Investigation Turns to Kushners Motives in Meeting With a Putin Ally, New York Times) Horrors! So the Trump team actually wanted to improve relations with Russia. How could they dream of such a thing? (sarcasm) And, at the same time, they wanted to keep their contacts under wraps because they knew the Obamas Stasi had them under surveillance. Is that a crime or is the real crime the fact that Susan Rice had been unmasking the names of people in the new administration and delivering them to the intelligence agencies so they dig up dirt on them and leak it to the media? Whos the real criminal here? Take a look at this revealing clip from CNN: Russian government officials discussed having potentially derogatory information about then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and some of his top aides in conversations intercepted by US intelligence during the 2016 election, according to two former intelligence officials and a congressional source. One source described the information as financial in nature and said the discussion centered on whether the Russians had leverage over Trumps inner circle. The source said the intercepted communications suggested to US intelligence that Russians believed they had the ability to influence the administration through the derogatory information. (CNN) If Trump or his people are in cahoots with Moscow, then they should be charged with a crime. No one objects to that. But the American people also deserve to know whether the Intelligence agencies were bugging the Trump campaign and what justification they had for conducting that investigation. After all, what is the greater danger to democracy: The prospect that some foreign country might have extracted a few emails from unprotected servers at the DNC or that rogue spymasters operating in the interests of god-knows-who are scooping up everything they can on the opposition party so they can drag them through the mud, undermine their campaign, and sabotage their political agenda? Thats a no brainer, isnt it? Have you read about the recent ruling by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) that proves that the NSA has been illegally surveilling innocent American citizens for years? Heres an excerpt from an article at Motherboard: Thursday, the Department of Justice released the 99-page court opinion from last month that ordered the National Security Agency to delete much of its surveillance on American people, which was collected improperly and in potential violation of the Fourth Amendment. The DOJ released the opinion as part of a 2015 plan to be more transparent..The court order triggered the surprise announcement two weeks ago that the agency would be severely scaling back its domestic surveillance and destroying previously collected data on Americans. According to the opinionparts of which are redactedthe NSA improperly collected untold numbers of multi-communications transactions (MCTs) as they were in transit around the internet. The NSA is intentionally vague about what MCTs are, but they are believed to be groups of emails, metadata, screenshots of your inbox, and still-classified types of digital information (heres the best primer explaining MCTs). (This Is the Secret Court Order That Forced the NSA to Delete the Data It Collected About You, Motherboard) Can you appreciate the danger that these massive information dragnets pose to democracy? It has nothing to do with whether I have nothing to hide or not. Thats completely irrelevant. The Forth amendment doesnt merely protect ones own personal privacy, it prevents the state from acquiring coercive surveillance powers that pave the way for police state tyranny. Cant you see that? We may not know all the details yet, but it seems fairly obvious from the amount of leaks from the Trump White House that classified information is being routinely gathered by operatives within the government itself and deliberately leaked to the media in order to inflict maximum damage on the administration. In other words, there are elements operating within the intelligence community that are using their power to incriminate a sitting president and remove him from office. Simply put, the intel agencies have gone rogue and now pose a real and present danger to the republic itself. And while no one really knows how much Obama knew about this massive domestic spying operation that was going on right beneath his nose, we DO know that the collection of information on private citizens greatly accelerated on his watch. (Circa has reported that there was a three-fold increase in NSA data searches about Americans and a rise in the unmasking of U.S. persons identities in intelligence reports after Obama loosened the privacy rules in 2011.) Its worth noting, that the ultimate goal of these massive domestic-surveillance programs is to create a lock-down society where the behavior of every citizen can be completely monitored and controlled. Trump may be a rotten president but, in the big scheme of things, hes just small potatoes. What we need to know is whether a shadow government staffed by the intel agents and political meatpuppets now controls the levers of state power, a hidden government that might be planning to oust the president or god help uslaunch a war on Russia. The only way to get to the bottom of this is by investigating the man who appears to be at the very center of the action, John Brennan. If anyone knows how the system really works, its Brennan. Mike Whitney lives in Washington state. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion (AK Press). Hopeless is also available in a Kindle edition . He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com . Trump Dumps Pretense Of Altruism From U.S. Foreign Policy By Moon Of Alabama June 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - For decades the U.S. foreign policy elite and its presidents played the farce of an altruistic United States that acts for the global good and in the interest of humanity. That was always a lie. Wherever one took a deeper look the U.S. acted solely in its (perceived) self interests. But the rhetoric helped to drag others along. Tributary governments could pretend they worked for the "universal good" when they in fact just followed orders from Washington DC. U.S. pressure was applied behind the curtain - through bribes, threats of revealing private secrets or -if necessary- via well managed "democratic" coups . Those times are over. Thanks to the honesty of the Trump administration the foremost positions of hard U.S interests and deadly threats are now openly declared fundamentals of U.S. foreign policy. The neo-conservative chaperone in the White House, National Security Advisor General McMaster, and the Goldman Sachs veto holder in the White House, economic advisor Gary Cohn, penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal that reveals the new true face of the U.S. empire: The president embarked on his first foreign trip with a clear-eyed outlook that the world is not a global community but an arena where nations, nongovernmental actors and businesses engage and compete for advantage. We bring to this forum unmatched military, political, economic, cultural and moral strength. Rather than deny this elemental nature of international affairs, we embrace it. Translation: "Power is with the strong. We feel strong. Screw you!" At every stop in our journey, we delivered a clear message to our friends and partners: Where our interests align, we are open to working together to solve problems and explore opportunities. We let adversaries know that we will not only take their measure, deter conflict through strength, and defend our interests and values, but also look for areas of common interest that allow us to work together. In short, those societies that share our interests will find no friend more steadfast than the United States. Those that choose to challenge our interests will encounter the firmest resolve. From now on the U.S. will only engage in selective, temporary friendships: "Where our interests align", and only there, will the U.S. be friendly because it obviously serves U.S. interests. Wherever a country deviates from that, even partially, it will "encounter the firmest resolve." That is as clear a threat as it can be. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter The threat was there before but it was applied silently. When the then German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle voted against the war on Libya at the UN Security Council, the Obama administration launched a local media campaign against him (through U.S. stooges), that devastated his party in the following election. Most people in Germany did not recognize the campaign for what it was. It was hidden behind "human rights" talk, "democracy" fluff and "winning" in Libya. But the U.S. induced campaign against Westerwelle happened, was successful and was a lesson to other local party leaders to stay in line with U.S. demands. The more honest Trump approach brings such threats out into the open. It is now clear that the U.S. follows only its interests - exclusively, and that it will apply the utmost pressure on whatever party disagrees with it in this or that case. Such behavior may work well in relations with the dimwit dictators of Saudi Arabia or Qatar. But voters in democracies do not like it when their politicians cave over the demands of a Donald Trump, or any other such egoist. They will demand accountability. Local politician talk about "doing our share in the global community" will no longer pamper over sycophantic behavior towards unjust U.S. requests to further its interests. Voters will insist on opposition to unjust demands and will be willing to bear the consequences. Trump is likely to find that this openly brutal foreign policy approach, without the warm and fluffy, pseudo-altruistic marketing of an Obama administration, will not work very well. He can hardly invade Spain should it decline to put pressure on Venezuela. No country will sign on to new sanctions against Iran should such a demand come with open threats. Self-determination and justice are too strong motivators to be overcome with pure boorishness. The McMaster/Cohn op-ed ends with this: America First signals the restoration of American leadership and our governments traditional role overseasto use the diplomatic, economic and military resources of the U.S. to enhance American security, promote American prosperity, and extend American influence around the world. That is a lonesome approach and it is unlike to enhance, promote and extend anything but disdain for the U.S. But it may well be the line it will follow over the coming years. If this is the end of the U.S. empire that evolved from World War II it is at least an honest one. Home The Liberation of Mosul: Another Fallujah, Dresden or Hiroshima? By Felicity Arbuthnot In the United States today, the Declaration of Independence hangs on schoolroom walls, but foreign policy follows Machiavelli. (Howard Zinn, 1922-2010.) June 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - When the US, UK and their fellow destroyers of nations embarked, in October last year, on erasing Iraqs ancient Mosul in order to save it, did they reflect on the enormity of the cost to humanity and history of their actions now and that of their genocidal, illegal invasion and fourteen year occupation and counting? (Not forgetting the bombing of the country 1991-2003.) There was a quasi pull out in 2009, but a reported 16,000 mercenaries remained in the US Embassy compound. Mosul, situated on the Tigris River, was first mentioned in name by the Greek writer Xenophon in 401 BC, although the area was inhabited from probably the 25th century BC. As Fallujah, near destroyed by the US in 2004 was known as City of Mosques, Mosul has been known as City of Churches. The population however, has been richly diverse: Arabs, Assyrians, Armenians, Turkmens, Kurds, Yazidis, Shabakis, Mandeans, Kawliya, Circassians. Sunni Islam has been the largest religion, but Salafism, Christianity, Shia Islam, Sufism, Yezidism, Shabakism, Yarsan and Mandeanism all coexisted in and around this ancient, hauntingly beautiful city. (1) Mosul, as so much of Iraq, has suffered unimaginably under ISIS but it is hard to spot the difference from how Iraq suffered under the US and UK (and are again.) The US bombed the city during the 2003 invasion, murdered Saddam Husseins two sons and fifteen year old grandson there in July 2003 no Judge or jury, just US ISIS style summary executions as across the nation. Robert Fisk wrote of US atrocities in Iraq (2) as related to him by an American veteran. There is a US Army Warrior creed which: allows no end to any conflict (but) total destruction of the enemy. It allows no defeat and does not allow one ever to stop fighting (lending itself to the idea of the long war.) It says nothing about following orders, it says nothing about obeying laws or showing restraint. It says nothing about dishonourable actions Fisk writes (September, 2006): From Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo to Bagram, to the battlefields of Iraq and to the black prisons of the CIA, humiliation and beatings, rape, anal rape and murder have now become so commonplace that each new outrage is creeping into the inside pages of our newspapers. Note inside pages, as so commonplace. Looser Rules of Engagement. In April this year, it was revealed (3) that the US Air Force on a bomb-fest over Mosul and indeed wider Iraq and Syria were operating under looser rules of engagement. Moreover: Lt Gen McFarland, now orders air strikes that are expected to kill up to ten civilians without prior approval from U.S. Central Command And this is liberation from ISIS? (Emphasis added.) Presumably the family of eight reported killed by a US bomb in late October, including three children, one just two years old, were one of the Generals expected kills. Air strikes in Iraq and Syria have: destroyed 6,000 buildings with over 40,000 bombs and missiles have inevitably killed much higher numbers of civilians. Apocalyptic horror. Of course US and UK presence in air and on the ground in Syria are entirely illegal. So the people of Mosul and Syrias cities, towns and villages are hostage to ISIS/Daesh and other head chopping factions fighting with US weaponry. US forces on the ground are advising the Iraqi army which has absorbed militias ever bit as terrorizing as ISIS. US forces themselves have, of course, a gruesome history of terror and gathering body parts as souvenirs. (4) In Word War 11 it was skulls, ears, teeth; in Vietnam penises. In Afghanistan it was fingers and other body parts (5) and in Iraq it was reportedly fingers, with dead bodies being tied to US tanks in Fallujah and as Ross Caputi wrote (Guardian, 13th March 2012) Some of my closest friends mutilated dead bodies, looted from the pockets of dead resistance fighters, destroyed homes, and killed civilians. Destruction a Partial List. And ponder further on the US liberation of Mosul. As Nicholas J. Davis has written (6) earlier this year, Award-winning Iraqi environmental scientist, Mosul-born Prof. Souad Al-Azzawi (Ph.D., Colorado School of Mines) compiled a partial list of air strikes on the city: *Many government buildings have been destroyed. U.S. officials told USA Today, attacks are often conducted at night to minimize civilian casualties, but security guards and civilians in neighboring buildings have of course been killed. *Telephone exchanges have been systematically bombed and destroyed. *Two large dairies were bombed, killing about one hundred civilians and wounding two more. *Multiple daytime air strikes on Mosul University on March 19th and 20th killed ninety two civilians and wounded one hundred and thirty five, mostly faculty, staff, families and students. Targets included the main administration building, classroom buildings, a womens dormitory and a faculty apartment building. (Note: Mosul University was one of the largest educational and research centres in the Middle East. Near unbelievably, the murderous ISIS primitives are thought to have destroyed over 8,000 books and 100,000 manuscripts but the US destroyed near the entire faculty.) *50 civilians were killed and 100 wounded by air strikes on two apartment buildings, Al Hadbaa and Al Khadraa. *A mother and four children were killed in an air strike on a house in the Hay al Dhubat district of East Mosul on April 20th, next door to a house used by Islamic State that was undamaged. *Twenty two civilians were killed in air strikes on houses in front of Mosul Medical College. *Twenty civilians were killed and seventy wounded by air strikes on the Sunni Waqif building and nearby houses and shops. *U.S. air strikes on April 24th damaged the Rashidiya water treatment plant in West Mosul and the Yarmouk power station in East Mosul. *Banks and a bottling plant were bombed, more dead and maimed. *An air strike on a fuel depot in an industrial area ignited an inferno with 150 casualties on 18th April. *Bombs have damaged a food warehouse, power stations and sub-stations in West Mosul, and flour mills, a pharmaceutical factory, auto repair shops and other workshops across Mosul. More US destruction and arguably war crimes are listed at (7.) General Mattiss Annihilation Tactics. To further assess what a US freed Mosul might look like, here is a brief summary of what Fallujahs 2004 freedom cost (8): The 1st Marine Division fired a total of 5,685 high-explosive 155mm artillery rounds during the battle. The 3rd Marine Air Wing (aviation assets only) expended 318 precision bombs, 391 rockets and missiles, and 93,000 machine gun and cannon rounds. When the Iraqi army re-took the remains of the city from ISIS/ISIL, as ever advised by the US, The Telegraph headline said it all: Fallujah in ruins after Iraqi forces retake 90% of the city from ISIL. On Sunday 28th May US Secretary of Defence James Mattis stated that the U.S. military is to use annihilation tactics to defeat ISIS fighters in Mosul telling CBSs Face the Nation that civilian casualties are a fact of life in this sort of situation. Mattis knows a bit about annihilation tactics, he headed Camp Pendletons Ist Marine Division in Iraq which were integral to the massacres in Fallujah in April and November 2004. Speaking to a group of soldiers about how to behave in Iraq during a 2003 speech he ordered: Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet. Fallujahs mass graves are silent witness to the diligent obedience to Mattiss orders. Actually, its a lot of fun to fight Its fun to shoot some people. Ill be right upfront with you , he told a conference in San Diego, in 2005. (9) When the US is not shooting and bombing Mosuls families in the cursed name of liberation, it is displacing them. Figures to 19th May show in excess of 526,000 men, women and children fleeing their homes and all they own. In the month to 2nd December 2016 over one thousand civilians were killed. On May 26th One hundred and five civilians were killed. On 30th May in the Az Zanjili district of the city, at least two hundred people were reportedly killed in a bombing lasting several hours and dozens of homes completely flattened. (Al Araby, 30th May.) The figures in human cost, hour by hour, day after day, would surely fill volumes. On 27th May the US had dropped leaflets telling people to leave the Old City, Mosuls ancient heart, a city referred to as Al Fayha (the Paradise) and the Pearl of the North. US forces however, care as little as ISIS for life, limb or the Middle Easts haunting Pearls and Paradises. Mosul Will Be Destroyed. Hoshyar Zebari , Iraqs former Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has stated that Mosul, formerly home to two million souls, will be completely destroyed and uninhabitable by the time the terrorists have been driven out. (Independent, 15th February 2017.) Another ancient jewel destroyed in the name of freedom. Behind the figures are people living the unimaginable. As this was being finished, a message came from a Mosul-born friend, who writes: The American Coalition are lying Civilians in Mosul are getting killed by the bombing and Iraqi and coalition ground missiles. They keep bombing each area for one or two weeks killing hundred of civilians and when the area is empty from any snipers Two of my mothers cousins houses in Thawrah area were bombed three days ago. Fourteen family members died. Four women, eight children the oldest is ten, and two men. People reclaimed seven bodies and other seven still under rubble. They couldnt save any survivor under the rubble because the bombings are still going on intensively on the area. Those are my relatives and I know very well that they have nothing to do with IS. This is the New US/(Prime Minister) Abadi strategy In Hay al Refaiae, last week my other cousins moved into five houses with their families with also an eighty seven year old old mother to avoid the American Coalition bombing. All five houses were destroyed with the whole surrounding area. Three of them were injured. A man cries as he carries his daughter while walking from an ISIS-controlled part of Mosul towards Iraqi special forces soldiers during a battle in Mosul, Iraq on Mar. 4, 2017. (Source: Goran Tomasevic / Reuters) Why Do I Get So Angry? Another letter was sent to a friend by his father, also used with permission and gratitude: People ask me: Why do I get so angry? Below is a scene today from Mosul, my home town. It is a scene repeated a thousand times over, all around Mosul. Yesterday the U.S. Air Force undertook 158 bombing missions over the city of Mosul. Every bridge across the Tigris in Mosul is now destroyed, the Sugar Factory has been bombed, a 5-Story medical centre has been demolished, the entire airport has become rubble, much of the citys infrastructure including water and electricity have ceased to function, the University of Mosul buildings have been leveled, thousands of homes have been rendered unlivable, and of course no one is counting the civilian dead and the refugees. And all for what? To destroy the Islamic State? Is this the same so-called Islamic State whose factions have been supported, financed, and trained by the CIA over the past five years in order to bring about regime change in Syria? Since 2003, the United States has bombed Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan and presently it has its eye focused on Iran. And yet, we have the gall and temerity to talk about the savagery and barbarism of the Mongolian hordes of eight centuries ago. I really do wonder why people keep asking me: Why do I get so angry? Thinking the Unthinkable. In the title I query the outcome of this criminal decimation and cite Hiroshima. Parts of Iraq already have higher cancer and birth defect statistics than Hiroshima and Nagasaki, linked to the depleted uranium weapons used by the US and UK from 1991 to now. Donald Trump has demonstrated his casual fecklessness with weapons of mass destruction by dropping the largest conventional weapon ever used on Afghanistan and fifty nine radioactive and chemically toxic Tomahawk Cruise missiles on Syria, neither country had been proved of doing anything but simply existing. On the Presidential campaign trail, Mark Halperin of Bloomberg asked Donald Trump, whether he would use nuclear weapons against ISIS. Well, Im never going to rule anything out, replied Trump. When pushed by Chris Matthews of MSNBC on this issue, Trump said: Somebody hits us within ISIS you wouldnt fight back with a nuke? (10.) Iraq is near destroyed on the Blair and Bush lies that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. Trump does and it seems, is prepared to think the unthinkable. Will the UN, the relevant world bodies, the international community wake up, before it is too late, before a swathe of Iraq and Syrias people are vapourised, with twenty seven centuries of history ? Notes 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosul 2. https://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/168/34929.html 3. http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/01/escalating-us-air-strikes-kill-hundreds-civilians-mosul-iraq 4. http://www.globalresearch.ca/military-deviancy-and-war-trophies-body-parts-forearms-and-souvenir-stars-and-stripes-from-predator-drones/5343963 5. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/09/12-us-soldiers-charged-wi_n_710409.html 6. http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/01/escalating-us-air-strikes-kill-hundreds-civilians-mosul-iraq 7. http://www.globalresearch.ca/death-and-destruction-in-iraq-extensive-us-war-crimes-apocalypse-in-mosul-in-the-guise-of-bombing-isis/5522167?print=1 8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Fallujah 9. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61672-2005Feb3.html 10. http://www.alternet.org/world/us-killing-innocent-civilians-iraq#.WK-GMtAyeUE.twitter Copyright Felicity Arbuthnot , Global Research, 2017 - This article was first published by Global Research - The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. What's your response? - Scroll down to add / read comments Please read our Comment Policy before posting - It is unacceptable to slander, smear or engage in personal attacks on authors of articles posted on ICH. Those engaging in that behavior will be banned from the comment section. Click here to comment on our Facebook page Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 2 By Demir Azizov Trend: The law on ratification of strategic partnership agreement between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan has come into force in Uzbekistan, the countrys media reported. The law was adopted in March this year by the Legislative (lower) Chamber of the Uzbek Parliament and was approved by the parliaments Senate (upper chamber) on May 27. The law signed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was published by the countrys media June 2. The agreement on strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan was signed by the presidents of the two countries during a state visit of the Uzbek president to Ashgabat. An agreement on economic cooperation for 2018-2020, a memorandum on further development of cooperation in the field of railway transport, a program of cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian spheres for 2017-2019 were also signed that time. The Turkmen and Uzbek foreign ministries adopted a program of cooperation for 2017-2018, and the relevant agencies concluded contracts for the supply of agricultural machinery and chemical products from Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan. Vladimir Putins interview with Le Figaro Video and Transcript The interview was recorded on May 29 in Paris during the Presidents visit June 02, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Question (retranslated): A very good afternoon. Thank you very much for agreeing to answer questions from Le Figaro. I would also like to thank you for meeting with us here, in a classroom at the Russian Cultural Centre. Once again, thank you for granting this interview. You came to France in order to open an exhibition that marks 300 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Russia and France. There have been highs and lows in the relations between the two countries. What is your perspective on the current state of these relations? Vladimir Putin: It is true that President Macron invited me to take part in the opening of the exhibition. However, let me tell you straight away that the relations between Russia and France have a much longer history and much deeper roots, as the French President and I both mentioned on several occasions today. In fact, the younger daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, one of Russias Grand Princesses, Anna came here in the 11th century to marry King Henry I of France. She was actually called Anna of Rus, Queen of France. Her son Philip I of France was the founder of two European royal houses, the Valois and the Bourbons, and the latter rules in Spain to this day. This goes to say that the roots of our relations go much deeper, although over the last 300 years they did pick up momentum. This is true. I very much hope that todays event, the exhibition and my talks with President Macron will give a new impetus to these relations. Question: Mr President, what is your vision of Peter the Great, who came to Versailles in 1717 to establish diplomatic relations? Vladimir Putin: As I have said to my French colleague and our French friends today, Peter the Great was above all a reformer, a man who not only implemented the best and the most up-to-date practices, but also was undoubtedly a patriot, who fought to secure for Russia the place it deserved in international affairs. But above all, he was committed to reforming his country, making it modern, resilient and forward-looking. He succeeded in many, if not all of his undertakings. He focused on research, education, culture, military affairs and statehood, leaving an immense legacy that Russia has been relying on to this day, let alone the fact that he founded my hometown, St Petersburg, which was the capital of Russia for many years. Question: You said that you recently met with Mr Macron. Did you have any expectations from the first meeting? You said that it is important to overcome the stage of mistrust. Is it over now? As for the main issue, the sanctions, can you say you reached any kind of understanding? Vladimir Putin: At any meeting, in any contacts, at any events of this level, especially if it is the first contact, there are always expectations. If there are no expectations, it is pointless to hold meetings of this kind. I certainly had expectations this time. I wanted to get a closer look, to learn first-hand the position of the incoming President of the French Republic on the key issues on the international agenda and on the development of bilateral relations. As the newly elected President takes office, he certainly has his own view of things, of bilateral relations, of international politics. Overall, I would say it is a very pragmatic view. We certainly have points for rapprochement, for joint work in key areas. Question: The implementation of the Minsk Agreements on Ukraine seems to have reached a deadlock. Have you managed to achieve any progress with President Macron towards the resolution of this conflict? Vladimir Putin: Progress in resolving any conflict, including the conflict in southeast Ukraine, can be achieved first and foremost by the conflicting parties. This conflict is internal a Ukrainian conflict primarily. It occurred after an unconstitutional forceful seizure of power in Kiev in 2014. This is the source of all problems. The most important thing to do is to find the strength to negotiate with all the conflicting parties, and above all, I am confident that as they say, the ball is in the court of the official Kiev authorities. First of all, they must take care of implementing the Minsk agreements. Question: What could help achieve progress in this area? Can Russia put forth an initiative that will bring about peace? Vladimir Putin: This is what we keep talking about. We believe that the main condition is to withdraw the armed forces from the contact line. This is the first thing that must be done. The withdrawal has been completed in two areas, but this goal has not been reached in the third area. The Ukrainian authorities say this cannot be done because of the shooting there. But shooting will not stop unless troops and heavy weaponry pull back. Heavy weaponry must be withdrawn. This is a key priority. The second goal in the political sphere is to put into practice, at long last, the law on the special status of these regions, which the Ukrainian parliament has adopted. The law has been adopted but has not come into effect. The law on amnesty has been passed, but President Poroshenko has not signed it. The Minsk Agreements stipulate the social and economic rehabilitation in the self-proclaimed republics. Instead of doing this, Kiev has blockaded these territories. The blockade was initiated by the radicals who blocked the railway lines. At first, the Ukrainian President denounced their actions and said that he would restore order. However, he failed. Instead of continuing his efforts, he officially joined the blockade and issued an executive order to this effect. Can we speak of changes for the better in this situation? Regrettably, we have not seen any so far. Question: Let us forget about Eastern Europe for a minute and talk about the Middle East, primarily Syria. After Russias military intervention in September 2015, what do you think are the main solutions for Syria to get out of this long-term war? Vladimir Putin: First, I would like to note the constructive approach of Turkey and Iran, and, of course, the Syrian government, which, together with Russia, have managed to achieve a ceasefire. The ceasefire would not have been possible without the so-called Syrian armed opposition. It was the first and very important step towards peace. Another step, which is no less important, is the agreement on establishing the so-called de-escalation zones. Currently there are four such zones. We believe this is an extremely important milestone on the way to peace, if I can phrase it this way, because it is impossible to talk about a political settlement without stopping the bloodshed. Now, in my opinion, we are all facing a different task, which is technically and I would even say technologically completing the creation of these de-escalation zones, agreeing on their boundaries and how government bodies will function there, as well as how these de-escalation zones will communicate with the outside world. Incidentally, President Macron mentioned this when he was speaking about humanitarian aid convoys. Generally, I believe that the French President is right and it is one of the points of contact where we can cooperate with our French colleagues. Once the de-escalation zones are formalised, I do hope that at least some elements of cooperation will begin between the government and those people who will control the de-escalation zones. I really hope (and what I am about to say is very important) that these zones do not become a prototype for the future territorial division in Syria. On the contrary, I expect that these de-escalation zones, if peace is established, and the people who will be controlling them, will cooperate with the official Syrian authorities. This is how an environment of basic interaction and cooperation can and must be built. The next step is a purely political reconciliation and, if possible, the development of constitutional regulations, a constitution and holding elections. Question: Indeed, Russia and the other parties differ on the Syrian issue regarding primarily the fate of Bashar al-Assad, whom the Western countries have accused of using chemical weapons against his own people. Mr President, can you envision Syrias political future without Bashar al-Assad? Vladimir Putin: I do not think I have the right to determine the political future of Syria, be it with or without al-Assad. This is for the Syrians themselves to decide. Nobody has the right to claim the rights that belong to the people of another country. This is the first thing I wanted to say. Do you have an additional question? Question: Yes, I do. You say that this is not your decision. However, this does not mean that Syrias future is possible without al-Assad, does it? Vladimir Putin: As I have said, this is for the Syrian people to decide. You have mentioned allegations about the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government. When the attack happened, we called on our American partners and everyone else who considers this to be expedient to send inspectors to the airfield from which the planes that dropped chemical bombs allegedly took off. If chemical weapons were used by President al-Assads official agencies, modern verification equipment would certainly find traces of this at the airfield. For certain. These traces would be found in the aircraft and at the airfield. However, everyone refused to conduct such an inspection. We also proposed sending inspectors to the site of the alleged chemical attack. But they refused as well, claiming that it was dangerous. Why is this dangerous if the attack was delivered at an area where peaceful civilians live and the healthy part of the armed opposition is deployed? In my opinion, the accusations have been made for the sole purpose of justifying the use of additional measures, including military ones, against al-Assad. That is all. There is no proof that al-Assad has used chemical weapons. We firmly believe that that this is a provocation. President al-Assad did not use chemical weapons. Question: Do you remember what President Macron said about the red lines with regard to chemical weapons? Do you agree with him? Vladimir Putin: Yes, I do. Moreover, I believe that this issue should be addressed on a broader scale. President Macron shares this view. No matter who uses chemical weapons against people and organisations, the international community must formulate a common policy and find a solution that would make the use of such weapons impossible for anyone. Question: After Donald Trump was elected president of the United States, many people spoke about a new era in Russian-US relations. However, these relations do not seem to have made a new start. The NATO leaders spoke about the Russian threat at their summit last week. Are you disappointed by the US attitude? No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Vladimir Putin: No, I am not. We had no special expectations. The US President is steering a traditional US policy. Of course, we remember that during his election campaign, and also after he was elected and assumed office, President Trump spoke about his intention to normalise the relationship with Russia and said that it cannot be any worse. We remember this. However, we also see and realise that the political situation in the United States is influenced by those who have lost the elections but refuse to accept their defeat, and who continue to use the anti-Russia card and various allegations most actively in the political infighting. This is why we are in no hurry, we are ready to wait, yet we strongly hope that Russian-US relations will become normal again sometime in the future. As for increasing Question: In a perfect world, what would you expect the United States to do to improve relations with Russia? Vladimir Putin: There is no such thing as a perfect world, and there is no subjunctive mood in politics. I would like to answer the second part of your question, regarding plans to increase military spending by 2 percent or more. It is a fact that the US defence budget is larger than the defence budgets of all other countries taken together. This is why I understand the US President when he says that his NATO allies should take over part of this burden. It is a pragmatic and understandable approach. However, what attracted my attention is that the NATO leaders spoke at their summit about a desire to improve relations with Russia. Then why are they increasing their military spending? Whom are they planning to fight against? I see an inner contradiction here, although this is not our business. Let NATO decide who will pay and how much. We have our own defence to deal with, and we are working to ensure it reliably and with a view to the future. We feel confident. Question: However, regarding NATO, some of your neighbours want to ensure their security through NATO. Is this a sign of mistrust to you, something that causes a scandalous attitude? Vladimir Putin: For us this is a sign that our partners in Europe and in the United States are, pardon me, pursuing a short-sighted policy. They do not have the habit of looking one step ahead. Our Western partners have lost this habit. When the Soviet Union ceased to exist, Western politicians told us (it was not documented on paper but stated quite clearly) that NATO would not expand to the East. Some German politicians at the time even proposed creating a new security system in Europe that would involve the United States and, by the way, Russia. If that had been done, we would not have the problems we have had in recent years, which is NATOs expansion to the East up to our borders, the advance of military infrastructure to our borders. Perhaps, the United States would not have unilaterally withdrawn from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. This treaty was a cornerstone of current and future security. The missile defence facilities in Europe in Poland and Romania would not have been built, which, undoubtedly, creates a threat to our strategic nuclear forces and disrupts the strategic balance an extremely dangerous development for international security. Perhaps all this would not have happened. But it did, and we cannot rewind history, it is not a movie. We have to proceed from the current situation. In this respect, we need to think about what we want from the future. I think we all want security, peace, safety and cooperation. Therefore, we should not build up tensions or invent fictional threats from Russia, some hybrid warfare etc. You made these things up yourselves and now scare yourselves with them and even use them to plan your prospective policies. These policies have no prospects. The only possible future is in cooperation in all areas, including security issues. What is the major security problem today? Terrorism. There are bombings in Europe, in Paris, in Russia, in Belgium. There is a war in the Middle East. This is the main concern. But no, let us keep speculating on the threat from Russia. Question: You are saying that more could be done regarding terrorism and Islamism. But what exactly should be done and what can Russia do? And why is it so hard to work with Europe to achieve these goals? Vladimir Putin: Ask Europe. We are willing to cooperate, as I said a while ago at the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, when I called on all countries to unite their efforts to fight terrorism. However, this is a very complex issue. Look, after the Paris terrorist attack, a bloody and horrible event, President Hollande came to Russia and we agreed on cooperative actions. The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier approached the Syrian coast. Then, Francois headed to Washington, while the Charles de Gaulle left for the Suez Canal. So real cooperation with France ended before it even started. France is involved in operations there, but it is acting within the US-led coalition. Go figure who gives the orders, and who is not, who has a say, and what the agenda is. Russia is open to cooperation. It was also very difficult to agree on these issues with the US. Incidentally, we have been seeing some shifts lately; and there are actual results. I spoke to President Trump on the telephone, and he supported the idea, in general, of creating de-escalation zones. We are now considering how the interests of all the countries to the south of Syria can be best served, with consideration for the concerns of all the countries that face issues in this region. I am referring to Jordan, Israel and Syria itself. Of course, Russia is ready to heed what the United States and our European partners have to say. However, what we need is for the dialogue to be specific and concise, instead of empty talk about mutual claims and threats. There is a need for a real effort. Question: You are saying that they are the ones who need to decide and act, right? Vladimir Putin: That is exactly the way it is. Question: You have mentioned the United States. The allegations of Russias interference in the US presidential race raised a political storm in Washington. Similar allegations were also voiced in France. What is your response, especially against the backdrop of recent developments in the US? Vladimir Putin: I have already commented on this issue many times. There was a question on this topic from one of your colleagues today. He put it very cautiously at the news conference, saying that there are allegations that Russian hackers Who is making these allegations? Based on what? If these are just allegations, then these hackers could be from anywhere else and not necessarily from Russia. As President Trump once said, and I think that he was totally right when he said it could have been someone sitting on their bed or somebody intentionally inserted a flash drive with the name of a Russian national, or something like that. Anything is possible in this virtual world. Russia never engages in activities of this kind, and we do not need it. It makes no sense for us to do such things. What for? I have already spoken to three US Presidents. They come and go, but politics stay the same at all times. Do you know why? Because of the powerful bureaucracy. When a person is elected, they may have some ideas. Then people with briefcases arrive, well dressed, wearing dark suits, just like mine, except for the red tie, since they wear black or dark blue ones. These people start explaining how things are done. And instantly, everything changes. This is what happens with every administration. Changing things is not easy, and I say this without any irony. It is not that someone does not want to, but because it is a hard thing to do. Take Obama, a forward-thinking man, a liberal, a democrat. Did he not pledge to shut down Guantanamo before his election? But did he do it? No, he did not. And may I ask why not? Did he not want to do it? He wanted to, I am sure he did, but it did not work out. He sincerely wanted to do it, but did not succeed, since it turned out to be very complicated. This is not the main issue, however, even though it is important, since it is hard to fathom that people have been walking there in chains for decades without trial or investigation. Can you imagine France or Russia acting this way? This would have been a disaster. But it is possible in the United States and continues to this day. This refers to the question on democracy, by the way. I referred to this example just to show that it is not as simple as it may seem. That said, I am cautiously optimistic, and I think that we can and should be able to reach agreements on key issues. Question: You are saying that right now, the political storm in Washington rests on absolutely unsubstantiated allegations. Vladimir Putin: It is not based on allegations, but on the desire of those who lost the elections in the United States to at least improve their standing through anti-Russia attacks, by accusing Russia of interference. The people who lost the elections do not want to admit that they really lost, that the one who won was closer to the people and better understood what ordinary voters want. They are absolutely reluctant to admit this, and prefer deluding themselves and others into thinking it was not their fault, that their policy was correct, they did all the right things, but someone from the outside thwarted them. But it was not so. They just lost and they have to admit it. When they do, I think it will be easier for us to work. However, the fact that this is being done using anti-Russia tools is not good, as it brings discord into international affairs. Let them argue among themselves, so they can prove who is stronger, who is better, who is smarter, who is more reliable and who sets a better policy for the country. Why involve third countries? This is very distressing. But it will pass, everything passes, and this will pass as well. Question: Mr President, we are close to the end of our interview. Most of all I would like to ask you a question about 2018. This is the year of elections in Russia presidential elections, and elections to the Federal Assembly. Could you tell us if you intend to run, o perhaps the opposition would be able to nominate someone in a democratic procedure? How do you see the development of this situation? You do want next years campaign to unfold in a truly democratic environment, dont you? I am talking about 2018. Vladimir Putin: All the recent election campaigns in Russia have been in strict accordance with the Russian Constitution, in strict compliance. And I will make every effort to ensure that the 2018 election campaigns are conducted in the same way, I repeat, in strict accordance with the law and the Constitution. So anyone entitled to run, anyone who fulfils the relevant procedures prescribed by law, can and will participate, if they wish, in elections at all levels to legislative assemblies, to parliament, and in presidential elections. As for the candidates, it is still too early to talk about it. It was an unfortunate incident at the Igbosere Magistrate court, when a 75-year old woman on Thursday afternoon slumped at the first floor after climbing the staircase to the first floor. The alarm was raised by the chief security officer at the court, Mr. Lateef Bello which attracted his colleagues and other litigants who rushed there to rescue her. The woman passed out urine and started shivering on the ground as the rescuers tried to carry her. When the victim could not talk or stand on her feet for about one hour, the commissioner for oath at the court, Mrs. O.A Mustapha went to the Lagos High Court on Igbosere Road, Lagos Island to bring a Toyota Hiace bus with the inscription Lagos State Judiciary Probate Registry with registration number: EL822LSD to convey her to the Lagos Island General Hospital for treatment The woman could not be identified as at the time of writing this report as there was nothing on her to identify her. Sympathizers who spoke about the incident said the victim must have slumped due to exhaustion in climbing the staircase at the court. They appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to rehabilitate the two lifts at the court to assist elderly people in accessing the twenty two court rooms at Igbosere Magistrates Court Lagos. According to a litigant, Mrs. Sade Ibukun, who was in tears, if the two lifts at Igbosere Magistrates Court were functioning, the old woman would not have slumped. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has done his best in the rehabilitation of Igbosere Magistrates Court Lagos in recent times but he should please complete his achievement by rehabilitating the two broken down lifts in the court, she appealed. Source: ( PM News ) According to reports from the Cameroon Concord, a Cameroonian Roman Catholic Bishop identified as Bishop Jean-Marie Balla has reportedly committed suicide under a bridge at Ebebda, some 78Km from the nations capital, Yaounde. The prelates car and a statement left by him saying I am in the water suggest that the Roman Catholic Bishop of Bafia would have committed suicide. Bishop Jean Marie Benoit Bala was appointed Bishop of the Bafia diocese with a Christian population of over two hundred thousand in 2003. Jean Marie Benoit Balla was born May 1959 in Oweng Mbalmayo. He is originally from Mbankomo in the Mefou-Akono Division (Central Province). In addition to studies in philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary at Nkolbisson, he holds a diploma in Social Sciences and Management from the Catholic Institute of Yaounde. He was ordained priest in 1987 by the late Arch Bishop Jean Zoa. The vehicle of the Bishop of Bafia was found on the 31st of May 2017 beside a bridge at Ebebda, a small locality in the department of Lekie, Central region. According to the Senior Divisional Officer for Mban and Inoubou, Maurice Tchoffo, it is difficult at the moment to know what really happened to the Man of God. Indeed, the prelates personal documents were found in his vehicle, as well as a piece of paper containing the inscription I am in the water suggesting that he had indeed committed suicide. Bishop Benoit Balla, 58, to many around the world has committed sacrilege that will hunt the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon forever. The recovery of our nation from the ruling CPDM crime syndicate, if it is to happen, will require confident and reasonably clean religious leaders not priests who cant keep their hands off teenage girls or other mens wives, or whose bishops are unable or unwilling to deal with them. The sudden disappearance of Bishop Balla is an indication that our secular leaders have abandoned the outer defenses of our nation and civilization. Bishop Benoit Balla is among those Cameroonian priests who likely failed in the last stand at the inner defenses and was tolerated by the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy for too long. It is hard to say at this point but the death by suicide of His Lordship Bishop Balla has stunned many people around the world. He is the first Cameroonian Roman Catholic Bishop to take his own life. Cameroonians are understandably shocked by the particular circumstances of the tragedy. But when the dust settles around the death of Bishop Balla, and his brother- Francophone Cameroun bishops and parishioners begin to pick up the pieces, its vital that some good can be brought out of this tragedy. We of Cameroon Intelligence Report believe and fervently too that there is a danger that when the shock dies down, we all get back to business as usual and there is no discussion about the wider questions. We need to talk about the Cameroonian Roman Catholic Bishops and priests be they Anglophones or Francophones. This is not the suicide of one Christian whose wife dumped him for a pastor which would be statistically irrelevant. It is not even the suicide of two or three Anglophone priests which may find more correlation with the seven months old Southern Cameroon crisis. We are talking here about the suicide of a Roman Catholic Bishop in Cameroon in very shameful and disgusting circumstances. A core Roman Catholic teaching which often emphasizes the rewards that come with good works or the punishment that comes with sin has been rubbished by Bishop Balla of the Bafia Diocese. So, Gods grace cannot be earned through good deeds if a Bishop who understands the Roman Catholic strictness of the teachings on suicide and how those teachings become internalized among Catholics could afford to end this way. The end of Bishop Balla has also called into question the act of regularly confessing sins to a Catholic priest. It was generally thought that since suicide is the only sin that could never be confessed to a priest, a Catholic who finds confession important to avoiding Hell may be less inclined to commit suicide. (We will come back to this aspect later). Roman Catholic teaching on suicide is clear. As set out in Blessed John Paul IIs Evangelium Vitae (#66): Suicide is always as morally objectionable as murder. The Churchs tradition has always rejected it as a gravely evil choice. Even though a certain psychological, cultural and social conditioning may induce a person to carry out an action which so radically contradicts the innate inclination to life, thus lessening or removing subjective responsibility, suicide, when viewed objectively, is a gravely immoral act. In fact, it involves the rejection of love of self and the renunciation of the obligation of justice and charity towards ones neighbour, towards the communities to which one belongs, and towards society as a whole. In its deepest reality, suicide represents a rejection of Gods absolute sovereignty over life and death, as proclaimed in the prayer of the ancient sage of Israel: You have power over life and death; you lead men down to the gates of Hades and back again (Wis 16:13; cf. Tob 13:2). Suicide is indeed a mortal sin. If it be not only as morally objectionable as murder, but always so, it is difficult to understand how it might be forgiven before the Throne of Judgment. It is right to say that Bishop Balla of the Bafia Diocese who committed suicide may not possess an informed intellect (ie know that suicide is wrong); and he may not have given full consent of the will (ie intended to commit the action). If he killed himself out of fear or psychological imbalance or emotional stress, there cannot be full consent since these impede the exercise of the will and mitigate responsibility. The Catechism states: Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide (#2282). But in this Bishop Balla suicide there is something which ought to alarm the Roman Catholic Church at the very highest level-the strong ties between the Francophone Roman Catholic Bishops and the barons of the ruling CPDM government. All suicide is tragedy. So, yes, we need to talk about Bishop Balla. But let us not do so apart from institutional systems, outdated dogma and overbearing hierarchy. The suicide may as well be an act staged by hired security agents from the state or from abroad. Source: ( Cameroon Concord News ) An Ebute Metta Magistrate Court has ordered the release of the woman identified as Mrs Taiwo Titilayo Momoh, a texile trader who attempted to commit suicide on March 24, who was later rescued by a police patrol team rescued from jumping off the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. Momoh was in a taxi heading towards Oworonshoki when she told the driver to stop on the bridge, due to financial problems. The Police arrested and later arraigned her before an Ebute Metta Magistrate Court in Lagos. She was granted N500,000 bail after she pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted suicide, and the presiding Magistrate, T. A. Elias ordered her to undergo psychiatric evaluation before her next court appearance on June 1 The Magistrates Court yesterday discharged her for offences bordering on attempted suicide, and it was revealed that the case was dismissed as recommended by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. Source: ( Linda Ikeji ) It was all tears and sorrow in Ikorodu when a family of five were murdered in cold blood by a ritual cult group identified as Badoo. The group have been terrorising Ikorodu and its environs, the group struck again, killing a pregnant woman, her husband and two of their three children. The death of the family members, who lived on Olaiya Close, Erunwen, Ikorodu, brought the number of the times that the gang has struck, which was reported by our correspondent, to eight in 11 months. A whole family was wiped out in some cases. After the latest attack, many residents of Erunwen had reportedly vacated the neighbourhood. PUNCH Metro learnt that the victims Israel Olusanya, 46; Rukayat Olusanya, 37; Wale Olusanya, 11; and six-year-old Semilore Olusanya were found dead in their apartment on Tuesday, with a bloodstained pestle believed to have been used on them by the assailants. The only surviving member of the family, a 15-year-old Senior Secondary School three pupil, Tolu Olusanya, who sustained facial injuries, is said to be in a critical condition at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. It was gathered that a colleague of Rukayat, a teacher in a secondary school in the community, noticed that she was absent from the school on Tuesday. The colleague was said to have checked on her after calls to the deceaseds mobile phone rang out. Our correspondent gathered that the visitor, on getting to the Olusanyas residence, found the entire family in a pool of blood and raised the alarm. It was learnt that the attackers gained entry into the apartment after tearing up the window net. They smashed their victims heads with the pestle and reportedly cleaned part of their blood with a piece of cloth before leaving. Rukayats elder brother, Pastor Paul Oyeyemi, said many residents had fled the community while some landlords, who did not want to abandon their property, were living in fear. He added that their parents had been inconsolable since the incident happened. He said, Somebody called me on the telephone and said my sister, her husband and their two children had been killed by the Badoo gang. I rushed down there. We took Tolu to LASUTH. She has been stabilised, but she cant talk now. It was my sisters colleague in the school that drew peoples attention to the incident. The husband was a fish farmer. As I speak with you, I am about to leave this neighbourhood too. Government should put an end to these attacks. Another resident, Babajide Olanrewaju, lamented the porous entries into the community, adding that traditional rulers in Ikorodu, the state government and security agencies had not taken necessary action to stop the attacks. He said, The family moved together. You hardly saw them apart. The husband has poultry and a fish pond. The wifes elder brother (Oyeyemi) is my neighbour. When my wife told me what happened, I asked her to pack our belongings immediately, and we left the community. Who knows the next target of these people? My anger is that we traditional rulers and members representing us in the state and the federal Assemblies, but nobody is talking. The policemen that are supposed to provide security will be chasing Yahoo boys (Internet frausters). The spokesperson for Ikorodu Ambassadors Group, Rasheed Fatuga, said vigilance groups had tried their efforts to curtail the attacks. Community leaders are trying their best to address the situation, but we have not heard from traditional rulers, the local government and representatives in the House of Assemblies. Some suspects have been arrested in the past, but we dont hear anything about them, he added. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, who confirmed the deaths, said investigations had commenced to unravel the perpetrators. He said, On May 30, at about 4.30pm, the police received information that one Israel Olusanya and his family were found dead in their residence. A team of police detectives was mobilised to the scene. The team met corpses of the said Israel Olusanya, the wife and their children at the scene, while one other, named Tolu Olusanya, was met unconscious. On close examination, marks of violence were seen on the heads of the victims. The injured victim was rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital for treatment, while corpses were deposited at the hospitals morgue for autopsy. Investigation to unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act has commenced. The cult had stormed a residence in Ibeshe, Ikorodu, in June 2016. The attackers killed a Ghanaian after raping her and inflicting injuries on her eight-month-old baby. In July 2016, the assailants raped a 60-year-old woman, Francisca. They allegedly brutalised her daughter. On October 21, 2016, the gang reportedly attacked a family in Oluwoye community, killing a pregnant woman, Afusat Yusuf. Her husband, Kazeem, and the couples two kids Rodiat and Opeyemi were injured. On December 26, 2016, the attackers struck on Saka Adegbose Street, killing two siblings, Azeezat Oriade and Abeeb Oriade. On March 1, 2017, Badoo members attacked a family on Masafejo Street, Agbowa, Ikorodu, killing three siblings between ages four and nine. Their mother also died. On April 11, 2017, a family of three was wiped out in Ibeshe Tuntun by the gang. On May 4, the suspected ritual killers wreaked havoc on a family of six in Adamo, Imota, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. They killed a couple Taofiq Agbaje and Simiat Agbaje and two of their four children, Rodiat and Toyeebat. Yomi Fabyi, the publicity secretary for Moji Olaiyas burial committee has just announced that the late actress will be buried at Ikoyi Cemetery once her remains arrive in Nigeria. He however didnt give a specific date for the burial or when her body will arrive in Nigeria. See the statement below It is CONFIRMED that the remain of the Late thespian Moji Olaiya upon arrival from Canada will be buried at EBONY VAULT at Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos. The immigration procedure for the return of the body and child to Nigeria is at an advance stage, all documents secured and we shall loose no time to give exact details as soon as we have a green light from Canada. We appreciate your understanding and patience so far. T-SHIRT to wear on the day of the burial is now available for N1,500( get yours asap as limited copies are available)To get yours, pls call Taiwo Banky on 0803 474 0982) or Shade Oliwo on 0802 319 8754) or attend her house for purchase yours. (You can also get yours on the day of the Memorial and Artiste Night when announced). The family appreciate the media, friends, colleagues and fans for their continued love and patience so far. Kind regards. Yomi Fabiyi Publicity Secretary For: Burial Committee for LMO Source: Naijaloaded Thousands of UTME candidates took to the office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Lagos, the candidates accused the tertiary admission examination body of refusing to open its portal for them to effect changes in their personal data. The protesting candidates accused JAMB of collecting money from them for the exercise but so far none of them have been able to change the date in their UTME application form. The examination body also confirmed that it had not opened its portal for candidates in the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to effect change of course or correction of data. The Head of Media and Information of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that many candidates bombarded the Lagos office of the organisation for these purposes. Benjamin said that reports reaching the headquarters of the board indicated that a large crowd of candidates on Wednesday besieged the boards Lagos office. He said the development was creating unnecessary anxiety and chaos where there should be none. This announcement became necessary following the crowd in our offices by candidates demanding for such services. Affected candidates are urged to remain calm as we shall contact them when the time is right. The request for correction of data is usually from candidates, who provided wrong information while filling their application document online, Benjamin said. According to him, the change of institutions is for those who are considering other preferences other than their initial choices. He noted that the candidates were misled to believe that the board had started such services and would soon close. He said that when the board opened the window for correction of data and change of course it would make the announcement. He assure all candidates desirous of carrying out the correction of data or change of institution that the board would ensure that enough time was given for them to do so. Benjamin also explained that the board had not finished with the conduct of the 2017 UTME. The board is still conducting examinations for those who registered late and those who could not be verified during the examination. As such, it will be unfair to them to open window for such correction and changes at the same time. Our reforms are meant to make our services accessible to all conveniently. He also said that JAMB would decentralise the service when it eventually opened its portal for it. We are collaborating with the University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology and other stakeholders on this in Lagos. We will do same in other states. This will ease the pressure on our various offices and ensure a hitch-free process. More than 1.7 million candidates registered for the examination that was conducted from May 13 to May 20 nationwide. Results of majority of the candidates have been released while some others have yet to be released as the board is still scrutinising them. Former Oyo state governors daughter, Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo has accused the chief registrar attached to the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court of sitting on her case in order to keep her perpetually behind bars, despite having allegedly met her bail conditions. Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo spoke from inside Port Harcourt Prison where she has been remanded since her initial arraignment in mid-March for alleged criminal defamation against a Port-Harcourt-based preacher, David Ibiyeomie. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES inside the office of the Comptroller of Prisons in Rivers State, Ifeanyi Amaliri, last week, Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo stated that her lawyers had satisfied all bail requirements set by H.I.O. Shamah, a federal judge who granted her bail on April 11. She said she had strong indications to believe the deputy chief registrar was sitting on her case on alleged orders of some powerful interests. But the court registrar said the accuseds bail paperwork was still being perfected by her lawyers, with whom she said she had been in constant touch with. Maimunat Folami, the Deputy Chief Registrar, strongly denied the allegations, stating that her office had cooperated fully with Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos counsel to ensure proper vetting of her bail documents. We have done everything that were supposed to do, Ms. Folami said. This allegation is very strange. I have to do all the works of ensuring that all the documents are put in place. Even if the documents are put in place, we still have to conduct certain investigations, like verifying the addresses of the sureties to be sure they are who they say they are. Ms. Folami also said Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos case file was taken away the last time her matter was heard on May 23. Although the judge was absent, the case file was not returned to her office, causing further delay in working out the final details of Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos release. Peter Nkanga, the West Africa representative of the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos continued incarceration for over 78 days and counting, despite all bail conditions met since May 11, including signing an undertaking not to jump bail. It is an outrage that the judiciary can be taking over three weeks and counting to verify Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos bail requirements, at the expense of her freedom, Mr. Nkanga told PREMIUM TIMES. Fatai Lawal of Afe Babalola Chambers, which is representing Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo, spoke to PREMIUM TIMES but declined to blame the registrar for the challenges faced in perfecting his clients bail requirements. Were confident about her possible release this week, he said. A team of police officers first arrested Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo in Ibadan on March 13. She was whisked to Port Harcourt where she was arraigned before a Chief Magistrates Court in Port-Harcourt. The case was later transferred to the Federal High Court. Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo, however, spoke positively about the prison officials. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 1 By Emil Ilgar Trend: Irans oil export to Turkey increased more than two times to 211,101 barrels per day (b/d) during the first quarter of 2017. According to the statistics released by Turkeys Energy Market Regulatory Authority, Iran exported more than 2.624 million tons of oil to the country in January-March. 2017 (1,000 tons) Barrels per day 2016 (1,000 tons) Barrels per day January 833.6 205,670 406.894 97,129 February 856 204,427 438.611 108,190 March 935 223,207 447.250 106,763 First Quarter Sum: 2624.6 Average: 211,101 Sum: 1292.8 Average: 104,027 Iran delivered 2.417 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to Turkey in January-March, about 240 million cubic meters (mcm) more than in 1Q16. Turkey is Irans sole gas client. Iran exported 7.7 bcm of gas as well as 6.677 million tons (135,369 b/d) of crude oil to Turkey in 2016. A man has been thrown into prison for 180 days after refusing to hand over his password to police officers in the US. A man in Florida, United States accused of hitting and scratching his young daughter has been jailed for almost six months for not providing police with a lock code to access his iPhone. Christopher Wheeler was adamant that the code he gave to law enforcement officers was correct, but the iPhones lock screen did not yield. The Florida court judge presiding over the case, who previously found Wheeler, 41, guilty of contempt of court, demanded that he turn over the correct four-digit number sequence, but Wheeler argued: I swear, under oath, Ive given [the detectives] the password. The iPhone in question is presumed to hold potential evidence of the injuries Wheeler is accused of inflicting on his daughter. Despite receiving a search warrant for the smartphone, however, any possible photos were unable to be used in the case due to the passcode barrier. Wheeler, who was arrested in March, was eventually jailed for 180 days, although according to the Miami Herald he will be released if he relinquishes the correct passcode. Apples notoriously secure iOS software has proved to be a significant hurdle in a number of court cases and police investigations over the years. The most high-profile case led to a bitter legal stand-off between the FBI and the Cupertino giant after the iPhone-maker refused to allow backdoor entry into the San Bernardino shooter Syed Farooks smartphone. The Islamic State-inspired terrorists iPhone 5C was eventually cracked. The hacking tools origin is still unkn About 44 migrants, including women and babies on their way ro Libya, died of thirst. Local officials on Thursday, June 1, said the migrants died after their vehicle broke down in the desert of northern Niger. According to Lawal Taher, the department head for the Red Cross in the Bilma region six survivors walked to a remote village where they said those they were travelling with, mostly from Ghana and Nigeria died. Rhissa Feltou, the mayor of Agadez, a remote town on the edge of the Sahara that has become the smuggling capital of Africa, confirmed the death toll of 44. The Red Cross dispatched a team to the site to gather information on the circumstances. A ship crammed with almost 1,500 African migrants finally docked in Naples, Italy, on Sunday, May 28, after being blocked for two days due to tight security arrangements at the G7 summit. The migrants had been rescued in the Mediterranean sea aboard small and shaky vessels while trying to reach Europe. They included 207 women, 22 among them pregnant, and over 140 children of varying ages. Their sheer numbers meant they exceeded the ships capacity of just 600 people. Source: Naijaloaded The wife of NURTW chieftain killed in Shogunle on May 29 has returned to Nigeria with her eldest daughter, for the burial of her husband. Alhaja Abolore Bello flew in from Dublin, Ireland, ahead of Aro Rasaq Bellos burial which has been slated for Friday 2 June. A family source told P.M.Express that the wife came into Nigeria on Wednesday night with their first daughter, Kafayat, and they are currently staying with the deceaseds mother in Odalume Street, Ladipo, Lagos. Cool FM OAP, Ifedayo Olarinde a.k.a Freeze has reacted to story of man who died after ignoring advice to wait for 2 weeks before swimming with new tattoo. Using the above photo as narrative, the controversial OAP wrote; I read on the blogs, this story about a man who disobeyed orders and swam with a fresh tattoo, instead of waiting for the 2 week healing period, as instructed by the tattoo artiste. On the blogs, I saw a lot of comments saying; the man will go to hell since he disobeyed God. Lets stop being hypocritical, Leviticus 19:28 says dont put tattoos on your bodies, but if we stopped behaving like sheeple and read the previous verse (Leviticus19:27) you will see that the Lord instructed us not to cut our hair or trim our beards. The two pastors I chose for this illustration not only have haircuts they are both clean shaven. We cannot choose what to obey and disobey in the Bible, so we dont end up sounding hypocritical to those who have taken time out to study Gods word. Also, its not the tattoo that killed him, so lets be careful not to allow the media to sensationalize issues, any open wound in a bacteria filled water body could have the same effect, or develop necrotizing fasciitis If his immunity were compromised or if he was diabetic. ~FRZ Leviticus 19:27 Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. 28 Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. Days after the 50th anniversary of Biafra, a publication has surfaced on the internet that revealed how how the late Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, prevented food aid from getting to thousands of starving Biafran children which led to the death of these children. According to Robert Goldstein, the foreign public relations expert Ojukwu contracted to launder Biafras image to the outside world, by refusing to allow food aid through the land borders, the Biafran war chief contributed to the death of thousands of starving Biafran children during the three-year Nigerian civil war. Goldstein wrote: It is inconceivable to me that you would stop the feeding of thousands of your countrymen (under auspicies of world organizations such as the International Red Cross, World Council of Churches and many more) via a land corridor which is the only practical way to bring in food to help at this time. It is inconceivable to me that men of good faith would try to twist world opinion in such a manner as to deceive people into believing that the starvation and hunger that is consuming Biafra is a plot of Britain, Nigeria and others to commit genocide. I cannot in all conscience serve you any longer. Nor can I be a party to suppressing the fact that your starving thousands have the food, medicine and milk available to them..it can and is ready to be delivered through international organizations to you. Only your constant refusal has stopped its delivery. In his open letter of resignation to Ojukwu, published by Morning Post, Lagos, August 17, 1968, Goldstein stated: OPEN LETTER OF RESIGNATION TO ODUMEGWU OJUKWU FROM Robert S. Goldstein Public Relations Representative of Biafra in the United States (Published in the Morning Post, Lagos, August 17, 1968) As your Public Relations Representative in the United States, it is my distasteful duty to tender my resignation based on the following points: POINT 1 In November of 1967 when we met in Umuahia, you and your Cabinet were very impressive. You told me of the woes of your little Republic, that thousands of people had died, were dying and more were prepared to die for freedoms sake. You and your Cabinet told me you believed world opinion would help your cause if you could get your story across. You expressed the opinion that very few if any people in the United States knew of the plight of the Biafrans. You asked me to tell the world that Britain had teamed up with Russia in a conspiracy with the Federal Government of Nigeria to murder every Ibo in Biafra. You suggested I use my talents to induce the Press to write about the Biafran side of the war, as at that time all news came out of Lagos. You will recall I did not take the assignment that day but stayed on several days before deciding to take that job. To help win the peace At that time I stated to you and your cabinet that I was taking the assignment making it crystal clear I would try my best to help win the peace not the war. POINT TWO I immediately arranged the first world Press conference in Biafra inviting the US Press as well as journalists and television people from England, France, Switzerland, Africa and other parts of the Globe. This was the first news break through. I arranged regular trips into Biafra for the world Press, helped set up stringers, etc., so that your statements and the statements of your Cabinet would be heard. At that time, I was absolutely positive you were right and your cause was a just one in the best interests of the free world and your countrymen. POINT THREE Finally the Republic of Biafra was recognized first by Tanzania, then quickly followed by Gabon, the Ivory Coast and Zambia. Our public relations work was paying off, world opinion was starting to side with us. Peace talks were arranged at Kampala. I thought that if anyone walked away from the table it would be the Federal Government. But to my dismay it was Biafra that left the Conference. After all the fighting and killing, I knew that peace would not come easy but I could not understand leaving the Peace Conference until the last point was negotiated and the avenue explored. POINT FOUR Then urgent telex messages were received from Biafra telling of tens of thousands of people starving in the refugee camps, the villages, the bush country stating if something werent done in the next few months over a million women, children and aged would be starved to death. I immediately contacted the Press, urgently petitioned the State Department for action on their part. Food, medicine and milk were sent to the only available ports open for immediate shipment to Biafra via land routes through Federal and Biafra territory, under the auspices of world organizations such as the International Red Cross among others. Then came the incredible answer from Biafra that land corridors could not be acceptable until there was a complete ceasefire, and that an airlift was the only solution to feed the starving. You then appeared before the various Heads of State and representatives of the OAU at Niamey in Niger. I fully expected you to at least accept the world help that was offered your starving throngs. However, you delayed, hoping to use these unfortunates with world sympathy on their side as a tool to further your ambition to achieve war concessions at the upcoming peace talks in Addis Ababa. Thus innocent victims continue to perish needlessly of starvation, the most agonising death that can befall any living creature. POINT FIVE This was incredible to me. I am now convinced that I have been used by you and your cabinet to help in military adventures of your origin.using your starving hordes as hostages to negotiate a victory. If at some later date, following the issuance of this letter, you do concede to allow a mercy land corridorwould you expect me to agree to espouse before the world Press the incredible delay of your decision. What explanation could I honestly give for the needless prolongation of this horror. Inconceivable acts I pray this communication may in some small way influence you to move affirmatively, allowing the mercy land corridor to be born. It is inconceivable to me that you would stop the feeding of thousands of your countrymen (under auspicies of world organizations such as the International Red Cross, World Council of Churches and many more) via a land corridor which is the only practical way to bring in food to help at this time. It is inconceivable to me that men of good faith would try to twist world opinion in such a manner as to deceive people into believing that the starvation and hunger that is consuming Biafra is a plot of Britain, Nigeria and others to commit genocide. POINT SIX I cannot in all conscience serve you any longer. Nor can I be a party to suppressing the fact that your starving thousands have the food, medicine and milk available to them..it can and is ready to be delivered through international organizations to you. Only your constant refusal has stopped its delivery. I am this date, tendering my resignation and am returning to Mr. Collins Obih of the African Continental Bank all the fees you have given me (Letter of Credit No. 354 $400,000 US.) I have sent your representative in New York a Bond in the amount of 800.000 pounds that I was holding in your behalf. I have also this date, sent the Bond of 200,000 pounds issues by the Central Bankl of Nigeria back to them for disposal. POINT SEVEN I am now convinced that one Nigeria is the only solution to peace. I also call upon you Mr. Ojukwu to allow your starving people to be fed. Their well-being is of deep concern to me as well as other right thinking people of the world. Your acting in the utmost haste in this matter is in my opinion the first step toward any lasting peace in your country. Robert S. Goldstein. Lewa Timothy, A Lagos-based pastor of First Born of The Spirit Ministries, Lagos has been apprehended and will be arraigned at a Lagos State Magistrate court for allegedly impregnating a 14-year-old identified as Chineye, the daughter of one of his members. Read Below the report by LIB. A Lagos based pastor, Lewa Timothy of First Born Of The Spirit Ministries, Lagos, has been arrested and will be arraigned at a Lagos state magistrate court for allegedly having sex and impregnating 14 year old Chineye, the daughter of one of his members. In an interview with LIB, Barrister Kingsley Ughe who is the General Council of the Joint Action Legal Aids, an NGO following up the case, said Chineye is a student and an ardent worshipper of the church. She became very close to the pastor so much so that he entrusted her with his protocols in the church. According to Ughe, the parents of the girl said the pastor would lavish the little girl with new clothes, shoes, expensive phones but they did not raise an eyebrow as they thought he was being charitable. Tongues started wagging about sex romps and unholy passion between the accused pastor and little Chineye. No one believed it until on Wednesday May 31st when Chineye suddenly complained of dizziness and pains in the abdomen while in class. Then she started bleeding. She was rushed to a hospital where during examination, she confessed to the doctors that she was pregnant and had been given some colored pills by the pastor to swallow. Her parents were contacted and they also contacted the pastor. The accused clergyman got angry and brought in the police. He arrested the victim, her parents and some other persons14 people in all, for threat to life. According to Ughe, his organization was contacted and they immediately began legal procedures. The police according to him had initially attempted to cover up for the accused pastor. It was after they came into the scene that the police released the arrested persons and in turn arrested the accused pastor who was transferred to the Lagos state CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos yesterday. When interrogated, the Pastor said he only had sex with her once and that was two years ago when she was 12. He has denied having sex with her in recent times. Meanwhile Chineye has been transferred to LASUTH Ikeja late night. Ughe said he spoke with one of the doctors that battled to stabilize her last night. He confirm she is in a stable but critical condition. The extent of damage to her womb is not known yet. Meanwhile the accused pastor will be arraigned before a Magistrate court today June 2nd. President Muhammadu Buhari, who is away on a medical trip in London, is two years in office this week, but how has he managed the economy, secured the country, and governed Nigeria? Heres what Nigerians have to say about it. Seyi Aliu (a Lagos-based vendor) If we are talking about Buharis administration, to me what Buhari is doing is okay. As he said, he was coming to fight corruption and right now, we can see the way the anti-corruption is going. I like Buhari for what he is doing. To rate him, Ill give him 80 percent. Actually, according to the price of everything (in market) as the situation is now, what I would like to tell people is: just bear it, its only a matter of time. Aliu Abdullahi (a transporter from Kogi state) To my own, what they did is quite okay, everything is moving amicably. There used to be armed robber everywhere but now everywhere is full of security men and I love that. The only thing there is just the increase in prices of goods. If it continues this way, the sufferings will be much but only God can control things. Also, the issue of insurgency in the country has been limited as the government is trying to combat the militants. Felix Iheme (from Imo State) APC government is nothing to write home about. We can see Nigerians faces all over the road, everybody is crying. We are talking about recession; we dont know how long it will keep Nigeria at ransom; Government sectors are changing workers, Private sector are changing workers; even the banks themselves are changing workers and now using casual workers. In the history of Nigeria, weve not seen or heard of such. We are highly disappointed in this government as far as I am concerned because what they promised us before they entered Aso Rock is not what we are seeing; what we are seeing now is magic. So they need to come back to the drawing board and look back to solve the problems of Nigeria, and not going to the media houses advertising themselves. Olatunbosun Damisi (a Lagos resident) There is nothing to say about the federal (government) because this situation is affecting the state governments, local governments and even individuals. So at the federal government level, based on the economy, there is nothing to write about. I can only rate them 10 percent. Ikechukwu James (an IT gadgets trader) In my own point of view, I dont believe in the APC-led administration as an Ibo man because I knew it would be like this. If you watch out during the time of Jonathan, things were not as hard as it is now. Although I used to believe in Buhari; but to my greatest surprise, everything ceased because what he is after only is fighting corruption while people are suffering. On the funds recovered from an Ikoyi house, its supposed to be circulated so that the masses could benefit from it. Just look at the issue of the closed borders too; I used to buy a bag of rice at N7,000 but now, its being sold for about N20,000. Although we voted them for change and as a Nigerian, I believe that change should be functioning. Formerly, I used to make huge amount of money but now, it is not so. Mrs. Ilemobade Modupe (Trader) What I can say is that Buhari is not doing good in this administration; because since he entered government, everything changed. Before, I take little amount of money to buy some things and it would be okay but not this time again. I cant say the administration hasnt done well because if it were to be another person, things might get worse than it is now. Mr. E.N Ojukwu (a Lagos-based spare-parts dealer) Let me start with the situation of a poor man on the street. As of today, there are lots of poor men in the streets because things are becoming too hard and theres no money in the country. Though there may be money because I learnt the government retrieved huge amount of money from one Ikoyi house and other places in Nigeria. Generally, in this country, things are too expensive; no food, no light, no water. As citizens of this country, we find it difficult to eat twice a day. Since three weeks now, there has not been light in my vicinity, whereas, we have the right to have all these. More so, the politicians dont know that the masses are suffering. The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad, has blasted the decision of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, to continue with its orientation camps for youth corp members during the Ramadan fast. The organization also called on the Nigerian Army to postpone its planned recruitment exercise until Muslims have concluded their fasting period. JNI said that NYSC continuing the orientation program and the Nigerian Army conducting recruitment exercise during Ramadan would put Muslim faithful who are fasting at a disadvantage. This is because the prospective corps members would be at disadvantage to their faith and other camp activities. The council also calls on the authority of the Nigerian Army to postpone the intended recruitment exercise until after Ramadan to avoid putting prospective candidates at a disadvantage, JNI said. The decision was arrived at by JNI at its recently-concluded annual central council meeting in Kaduna, which held on May 21 and 22. Vanguard reports that the JNI also called on the NYSC to honour a previous agreement entered by the two parties for camp activities to be placed on hold during Ramadan. Source: ( Linda Ikeji ) Baku, Azerbaijan, June 1 By Dalga Khatinoglu Trend: National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) and Azerbaijans state-run SOCAR have signed several good deals and negotiations on expansion of bilateral cooperation continue, Ali Shakarami the head of operation Dispatching Control Centre of NIGC told Trend. According to him, the sides have already started gas swap operations and the volume of swap can increase in future. Currently the gas swap operation between Iran, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan continues. Turkmenistan has started gas swap with Azerbaijan since October 2016. Turkmenistan delivers gas to Irana Qadr Company and Azerbaijan receives the same amount of gas on border with Iran, paying cash fee to the Islamic Republic. During 2016 Azerbaijan received more than 290 million cubic meters of gas from swap operations. Shakarami who represented NIGC at the 24th International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, being held in Baku from May31-June 3, added that SOCAR can also get involved in drilling operations at Irans oil and gas fields and the negotiations in this sphere also continue. Shakarami didnt mention the fields themselves, but an Iranian source told Trend earlier that those fields are onshore, in east western regions of the Islamic Republic. Teymur Eyvazov the Rig Manager at Caspian Drilling Company Ltd. told Trend that this company also can provide drilling services for Iran on the Caspian Sea, in case SOCAR and Irans Oil Ministry start negotiations and reach a result. Caspian Drilling Company owns several progressive rigs, including Dada Gorgud, Istiglal and a new semi-submersible drilling rig of the 6th generation named after national leader Heydar Aliyev, which would start drilling in offshore Absheron gas field in September for the first time, which aims to produce 1.5 billion cubic meters per year of gas in 2019 initially. Then the rig can be used in Shah Deniz gas field or other projects. Iran holds a 10-percent share in Azerbaijan's offshore gas field, Shah Deniz. Back in 2014, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh explained the country's interests in cooperation with Azerbaijan, in an exclusive interview with Trend. The most important issue for Iran currently is the development of about 50 oil and gas fields, offered to foreigners last month within the framework of new designed oil and gas contracts, called Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC). Iran has offered 4 projects in the Caspian Sea, blocks 24, 26 and 29 as well as Sardar-e Jangal oil fields. Meanwhile, Lukoil CEO Vagit Alekperov said last week that his company planned to study the possibility of working with Iran on the Sardar-e Jangal field. Lukoil is also negotiating with Iran over development of onshore Ab Teymour and Mansouri oil fields. Iran divided its exploration area in the Caspian Sea to 46 blocks which 8 of them have priority. Iran had carried out 3D seismic operations in 4000 square kilometers of the Caspian Sea at blocks 6,7,8 and 21 from 2003 to 2005 by his Pejvak ship, which was fired in 2005. Iran also announced in 2012 that while drilling a 1,000-meter well below the surface of the Caspian Sea by Amir Kabir drilling rig, the country found a gas field at the depth of 700 kilometers. A year later Tehran announced the field (Sardar-e Jangal) was in fact an oil field with a gas layer. Iranian part of the sea has been studied with Azerbaijani equipment two times - once before the fall of the Soviet Union, and then in 1994 and 1995 - to discover possible hydrocarbon reserves, but to no avail. Azerbaijan also has all the technical equipment from rig building yards like Heydar Aliyev Baku Deepwater Jackets Factory, barges for transferring the rigs and platforms as well as laying pipelines under sea, huge cranes, seismic vessels, several rigs to be rent to Iran as well as supportive ships for various operational activities. Sardar-e Jangal field This field, located at block 6 with dimensions of 24x6 km in 750 meter water depth. Iran has drilled two exploration wells and reportedly the field holds 2 billion barrels of crude oil, with API of 39. Blocks 24, 26 and 29 Block 24 is located 130 km to north Nowshahr port with 600-800 meters depth and 200 square km area. Block 26 also is situated 100 km to north-east Anzali port, with 850-900 meters depth and 384 square km area. Block 29 also located 135 km to north Nowshahr port with 800 meters depth and 1028 square km area. ----- Dalga Khatinoglu is an expert on Iran's energy sector and head of Trend Agency's Iran news service CPI & Export Sales. The Corn & Ethanol Report 11/10/2022 The PRICE Futures Group - 56 minutes ago We kickoff the day with Fed Waller Speech at 1:00 A.M., Core Inflation Rate MoM & YoY (Oct), Export Sales, Inflation Rate MoM & YoY (Oct), Initial Jobless Claims (05/Nov), CPI (Oct), Continuing Jobless... Selling Out The PRICE Futures Group - 1 hour ago Oil prices are selling off on weakening economic fears as the US sells out to China, agreeing to new emission standards that will hurt US oil and gas producers to raise prices and give China a distinct... Tight CPI Race Monica Kingsley - 1 hour ago S&P 500 invalidated the key bull flag thesis laid out in yesterdays chart section, and both 3,815 and low 3,770s supports gave way. I think markets are positioning for too hot CPI beating expectations,... EU proposes emission rules for last combustion engine cars AP - Thu Nov 10, 7:32AM CST The European Unions executive arm has proposed pollution standards for new combustion engine vehicles that are expected to remain on Europe's roads well after the 27-nation bloc bans their sale in 2035... $SPX : 3,920.31 (+4.58%) $DOWI : 33,503.69 (+3.04%) $IUXX : 11,438.53 (+5.94%) Lean Hogs Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - Thu Nov 10, 7:24AM CST The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 89.075, which will be followed by reaching support level 80.675 and if it keeps on moving down below that level,... SkyView Advisors, a Tampa, Fla.-based investment-sales and advisory firm focused on the self-storage industry, has promoted Ryan Clark to director of investment sales. He previously held the role of senior vice president in the firms investment-sales group. Ryan has been a lifelong friend of mine, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to work with him and see his success. He has been an instrumental member of our team, and has played a key role in SkyViews growth and success in the industry, said Jay Crotty, president. He has consistently met and exceeded opportunities that have been presented to him. It is with great confidence that we are promoting Ryan. Prior to joining SkyView, Clark was an attorney in Ohio. He represented insurance companies, real estate developers, commercial landlords and construction companies in litigation and transactional matters. Clark also has business-ownership and operational experience. He served as the CEO of a fast-growing technology company, and has held other leadership and operational roles within small businesses, according to a press release. SkyView is a boutique firm specializing in self-storage acquisition, development, facility expansion and renovation, refinancing, and sales. Based in Tampa, Fla., the firm also has offices in Cleveland and Milwaukee. Tehran, Iran, April 2 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Iran has once more voiced its interest to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), IRNA news agency reported June 2. Irans ICT Minister Mahmoud Vaezi, who also acts as the Iranian sides head of Iran-Russia Joint Economic Commission, told an SCO summit in Saint Petersburg that the country can contribute significantly to the economy of the organization. Iran was part of the Silk Road and today it can play an important role in the North-South corridor, he said. Regional cooperation is one of the needs of the world today, because things have changed and we should have a louder voice to push our interests. The Iranian official added, An organization whose member countries are going to constitute 45 percent of the world will be of great importance to world peace. Vaezi added that with a market of 80 million population, Iran will offer valuable opportunities to the SCO. In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Iran enjoys full entitlement to join the SCO, expressing hope that a near future summit of the organization in Kazakhstan would consider Irans membership. The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and military organization which was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. A newly formed limited-liability company sponsored by California-based self-storage operator SuperStorage has acquired A-1 Sierra Storage in Santa Clarita, Calif., for $2 million. The single-story asset at 17175 Sierra Highway in the Canyon Country area comprises 37,000 square feet in approximately 400 units, which were mostly converted from storage containers, according to a press release from Bancap Self Storage Group Inc., the commercial real estate firm that brokered the deal. The asset had operated as a family-owned business since 1982 and was sold by three siblings who inherited the facility from their father, the original developer. The facility has gravel driveways, a manual sign-in sheet, a manually controlled access gate and no computers. Though it sits on about 6 acres, less than half the parcel is usable for storage due to mountain terrain and a flood channel, the release stated. Subsequent zoning changes have classified the business as a legal non-conforming use. Previous attempts to sell it were unsuccessful. SuperStorage will brand the property under its name. The operator intends to make improvements to marketing and operations to increase the facilitys cash flow and value, according to the release. This was one of those deals that everyone says they want, but few are ever able to actually buyespecially in Southern California, said Bancap president Dean Keller, who brokered the transaction. With a strong Los Angeles County market location, no professional management, no computerized operations and significant upside potential, I expect the buyer to do very well with this property. California-based Bancap has completed more than $1.35 billion in self-storage sales, including independently owned properties, mid-sized chains and large portfolios. SuperStorage operates 10 California self-storage facilities primarily in Southern California and along the Central Coast. Big pension funds and other institutions are bypassing hedge funds specializing in complex regulatory bank trades, going direct and slashing their costs in the process. For years, institutional investors have allocated to hedge funds that profited from a complex European bank trade tied to post-financial crisis regulation. Now, some large investors are bypassing the middle man and making those trades themselves. Pensions, endowments and other institutions are increasingly dealing directly with banks to invest in customized regulatory capital relief trades. The trades took off as a result of increased regulations in Europe, including hefty charges for holding complex securities, such as syndicated loans, on their balance sheets. Banks have been shifting some of these risks to outside investors to meet the European Commissions stricter capital requirements while also continuing to lend to corporations. Barclays and other European banks are among the most active participants in these trades. Big institutions get fatter returns by dealing directly with banks, rather than investing through a hedge fund or private equity fund. Not only do they get the returns on the security itself, but they dont pay management and incentive fees to third-party managers, which effectively decrease the yield on the fund. PGGM, a pension service provider in the Netherlands that manages 181 billion ($203 billion) for a number of Dutch pension funds including PFZW, the 161 billion pension plan for healthcare, nursing home and other workers is a big investor in what it likes to call risk-sharing transactions. The PGGM structured credit team has invested close to 6 billion in risk-sharing transactions and now manages 22 transactions. Mascha Canio, head of structured credit at PGGM, has been investing in risk-sharing transactions for ten years, long before increased regulation made it even more attractive for banks to engage in the deals, and has seen significant growth in the market as well as in the complexity of transactions. PGGM initially targeted these types of investments because they offered access to products that couldnt be found in public markets. PGGM is now investing up to 2.5 percent of PFZWs portfolio, the second-largest pension fund in the Netherlands, in balance sheet securitizations. Canio explains that in a synthetic securitization, a bank buys credit protection on a portfolio of loans from an investor. When a loan in the portfolio defaults, the investor reimburses the bank for the loss up to a maximum, which is the amount invested. The transaction is synthetic because the loans remain on the banks balance sheet. The bank is able to reduce credit risk on the securitized loans while continuing to manage the loans and the relationship with its client. Canio emphasizes that the risk-sharing transactions help the banking sector manage its credit risk and thus reduce overall systemic risks as well. That fits with PGGMs responsible investment philosophy, she adds. We keep the transactions simple and try to avoid using additional structural features that are not essential. We dont want to make it more complicated, she says. Canio adds that PGGM wants to work with only the top banks and wants them to also share in the risk. These risk sharing transactions are truly about sharing, she says. The bank is transferring a substantial amount of credit risk, and we want them to keep at least 20 percent on their balance sheet. We dont like banks to solely originate to distribute. Banks should originate credit risk that they are happy to keep a good part of as well. According to a report from Deutsche Bank published in the first quarter of 2017, synthetic deals have surged, reaching an issuance volume of 94 billion in 2016. Long-term institutional investors are major buyers, wrote the reports authors. The Deutsche Bank report says these types of transactions serve as a way to re-start lending, as most of these complex trades are made up of loans. Although the transactions are complicated and involve transferring risk outside the bank, regulators think they benefit the economy. Consequently, the European Commission has named restarting high-quality securitisation as one of the main objectives of its Capital Markets Union project, wrote the authors of the report. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions are jointly leading the project. Institutions that go direct need to be large. On average, pensions invest about $200 to $300 million in transactions from Barclays, which provides reporting and customizes trades around features like loan quality. The criminals watched with unusual patience. When the managers walked through the office doors each morning, the criminals were watching. When the interns left for lunch, they were watching. When the CEO came and went with his small army of advisers, they were watching. And when the criminals noticed that employees often ordered dinner from the same lowbrow Chinese delivery restaurant, they struck. Up to that point the criminals had been unable to penetrate the firms systems, which were relatively well built to withstand a ransomware or other cyberattack. The Chinese restaurants website was another matter. Built for pennies, it was basically a contact page with a PDF menu. For the hackers it was an obvious Trojan horse, admitted by any hungry employee needing to download the menu. This tale of a watering hole attack, and many others, were detailed by former FBI agent David Chaves at a mid-May hedge fund conference in Austin, Texas. Chaves had been involved with insider trading and financial cybercrime investigations before retiring; he had been invited to the event to regale and inform Texass hedge fund elite on both topics. His PowerPoint slides detailed the sordid particulars of past cases photos of the stripper girlfriend of David Pajcin, an exGoldman Sachs trader caught stealing copies of BusinessWeek magazine before they hit newsstands, for example. Chavess message was clear: Be hyperaware of danger, because youre where the money is. He had excellent timing. Days before, starting on May 12, the WannaCry virus had rattled the world or, more accurately, more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries. Indiscriminately locking down computers for ransom, the virus took advantage of a basic flaw in Microsoft Windows, the operating system likely used by most of the audiences hedge fund founders and employees. Yet few in the crowd seemed concerned; they focused on the stripper, not the ransomware. For a group obsessed with risk, the disinterest was striking. According to Chaves, just 0.04 percent of traders will deal in insider information. Statistics on hedge fund hacks are hard to come by, but few observers would argue that only 0.04 percent of traders computers are under assault from malware or data theft attempts. Angelo Calvello, industry gadfly and Institutional Investor columnist, attended the event. After Chavess talk, Calvello scoffed when asked if his fellow audience members were taking cyberrisk seriously. Of course theyre not, he answered. Research supports Calvellos dismissive attitude. According to a recent warning from the baroquely named Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations, 57 percent of investment managers do not conduct penetration tests or vulnerability scans on their most essential systems. And although only 4 percent of asset managers had a significant number of critical and high-risk security patches that were missing important updates, thats still one in 25 with exposure to viruses like WannaCry. The apathetic Texas crowd had been warned of the potential consequences well before Chavess speech. Calvello himself wrote a column on the subject for II last November. What phone call would Ray Dalio, Larry Fink, or Steve Schwarzman never want to get? he wrote. The one, ringing late at night from a panicked underling, informing him that hed been hacked. Calling this the doomsday scenario, Calvello envisioned a breach that went beyond ransomware one that corrupted the most fundamental algorithms underlying these firms business. The affected manager would not only have to immediately cease operations, he wrote. He would likely be compelled to shutter the business. Yet the audience in Austin remained unmoved. The problem, Calvello believes, is cultural. If you still believe men and women are here to pick stocks, you dont think about technology as a big risk, he explains. Only a true quant firm one that uses some type of AI, not one still using Excel is likely to think of it that way. The National Security Agency itself was hacked. The weaknesses WannaCry exploits reportedly were stolen from the NSA, which means any firm in our business can be hacked. Well, maybe Two Sigma or Bridgewater cant be breached. Except, of course, Bridgewater or at least one of its vendors had been breached. The firm announced in 2013 that, although it did not compromise Bridgewaters proprietary investment systems, a third-party breach had allowed access to former employees personal information. And if Bridgewater or Two Sigma, which has more people working on security than most hedge funds employ in total cant guarantee their own safety, what hope is there for the smaller funds that attended the Austin conference? Chaves, perhaps inadvertently, got at least part of the answer from the group assembled in the JW Marriott ballroom. State-owned cell towers in some countries thats a danger, he warned. Even hotel Wi-Fi or bugged hotel rooms thats a danger. Yet none of the attendees, almost all of whom were using the hotels wireless because of a poor cellular signal, moved to disconnect. Kip McDaniel is the Editorial Director and Chief Content Officer of Institutional Investor. As competition from passive-fund providers has eaten away at active managers margins, executives have been eyeing mergers. Standard Life and Aberdeen Asset Management, Henderson Global Investors and Janus Capital, Liontrust and Alliance Trust, Man Group and Aalto Invest the list goes on. Many active managers view M&A as a strategy to address the passive trend, a 2016 report from ratings agency Moodys Investors Service noted. They also need to maintain a unique selling point to clients. This has produced a related but secondary trend of boutique bolt-on acquisitions in the hope of amassing greater inflows. Examples here include Schroders and private equity firm Adveq, Unigestion and Swiss small- and midcap specialist Akina, and Citadel Frances acquisition of Trillium, a Geneva-based wealth manager. For all these completed marriages, history is littered with deals that didnt go according to plan. So what can the current crop of executives learn from the pitfalls of the past? At the turn of the millennium, Credit Suisse First Boston snapped up U.S. investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. DLJ was an aggressive Wall Street player with a reputation for calculated risk taking, whereas CSFB was a patient, conservative operator with a cautious appetite for risk. They completely miscalculated the cultural differences between the two firms, says Kern Alexander, a fellow at Cambridge Universitys Judge Business School who has researched the merger. The ways they dealt with customers and regulators were completely different. It is now viewed retroactively as having been a failed merger. Credit Suisse did not offer a comment. The CSFB-DLJ deal is not unique. The Merrill Lynch Investment Managers acquisition of Mercury Asset Management in 1997 spurred mass outflows in the months that followed as account management teams failed to overcome client concerns about performance. Both entities would be swept up by BlackRock in a much more successful buyout in 2006. Stephen Jones, a transaction services partner at consulting firm PwC, explains that culture has historically been an underappreciated factor, one that can scupper the success of any deal. Today it is definitely something that we talk to clients about in the asset management sector. They need to define their own culture and be clear about that. No surprise, then, that companies concerned about risks arising from a culture clash are opting for slower integrations, according to Jones. The merging of Columbia Management with Threadneedle Investments by U.S. conglomerate Ameriprise Financial is a prime example. Threadneedle Investments eventually rebranded as Columbia Threadneedle, but doing so took years. Parent company Ameriprise had acquired Threadneedle in 2003 and Columbia in 2009, yet the new name and business integration were not finished until 2015. Mark Burgess, chief investment officer (EMEA) of Columbia Threadneedle, says cultural integration takes time and that success is dependent on having a values-led culture. Having gone through a culture-change program, we have driven these values throughout the wider organization. Now they are the same for Columbia Threadneedle North America as they are here in EMEA: client focus, integrity, excellence, and respect. After culture, technology is the second banana peel to have claimed many a merger victim. Information technology systems integration was once an afterthought. That changed 15 to 20 years ago, according to consultants interviewed for this article. When IT integration due diligence is overlooked, the fallout can be tremendous, as evidenced by a major British deal in the mid-80s. In 1986, UBS acquired U.K. fund firm Philips & Drew and moved it into new premises at the City of London Broadgate development. But chaos was just around the corner. A year after the acquisition, the firm lost millions when its settlement system failed during a busy order period. The business then lost a further 48 million ($63 million) in the stock market crash, forcing UBS to infuse 115 million ($150 million). Philips & Drew remained unprofitable until 1992. PwCs Jones says that as with culture, executives are now much more sympathetic to the issues that IT systems can pose for M&A, and the phenomenal costs involved in fixing them. Previously, people just went ahead in a slightly gung ho way, he explains. The risk of data failure or limiting access to information or accounts is so critical and brand-destroying that you cant take a punt on this anymore. This content is from: Portfolio The online used car dealer has hit a new low, making it the most profitable short of the year. Finding, and keeping, the best talent in the insurance industry is often highlighted as one of the biggest challenges facing the industry.So with recent graduates looking to other industries before insurance, could Airtasker-style employment be the key to securing the future of the industry?Airtasker, and similar online groups, allow skilled people to advertise themselves online to find jobs that range from tech support to flat-pack furniture assembly.While these are a far cry from the rigors of a career in insurance, a recent survey from Accenture found that a surge of on-demand labour platforms are up-ending workplace dynamics and traditional corporate structures. By replacing these structures with open talent marketplaces, the insurance industry could be positioned to bring in talented staff for short-term roles. Ravi Malhotra , managing director of Accentures insurance practice in Asia Pacific, said that the industry plans to increase its use of more independent or non-traditional work sources by 25% in the next year.We are seeing companies look to those types of platforms more and more, Malhotra told Insurance Business. I think we are still in the transition to using it.Malhotra noted that, with so few graduates choosing a career in insurance, flexible working arrangements and more innovative platforms that bring workers to the industry could offer a way to fill job gaps and get people interested.The Accenture study found that 47% of Australian respondents plan to grow their freelance workforce over the next year by anywhere from 25% to 100%. While this flexible model may not work for all roles in the industry, Malhotra said that he has seen a growing interest in these platforms for project based roles.The big challenge is how to build an organisation that uses a flexible workforce as an ongoing part of it, Malhotra concluded. An IAG -backed cybersecurity firm has uncovered a major US security breach.The breach involved the US Department of Defence (DoD) and Booz Allen Hamilton, a consulting giant which has an US$86 million contract with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), an agency under the DoD.According to tech website Gizmodo, a cyber security analyst with UpGuard uncovered sensitive US government information from Booz Allen Hamilton on an unsecured Amazon server a leak which it immediately reported to the consulting giant, The Australian reported.In short, information that would ordinarily require a top-secret level security clearance from the DoD was accessible to anyone looking in the right place; no hacking was required to gain credentials needed for potentially accessing materials of a high classification level, UpGuard said.The information was secured within 10 minutes of the report, and, according to a spokesman for the agency which confirmed the leak to Gizmodo, no classified information was disclosed.NGA takes the potential disclosure of sensitive but unclassified information seriously and immediately revoked the affected credentials, the spokesman said.He also clarified that the Amazon server from which the data was leaked was not directly connected to classified networks.The consulting giant said it had begun investigating the accessibility of certain security keys in a cloud environment.We secured those keys, and are continuing with a detailed forensic investigation. As of now, we have found no evidence that any classified information has been compromised as a result of this matter, a spokesman told Gizmodo.The Silicon Valley cybersecurity firm UpGuard recently opened its Sydney office, and was last year backed by insurance giant IAG in its US$17 million fundraising. The NSW premier has denied a claim by furious insurers that deferring the launch of a new fire and emergency services levy will increase premiums for policyholders, costing them tens of millions of dollars.Gladys Berejiklian has assured policyholders that the decision to indefinitely defer the planned introduction of the Fire and Emergency Services Levy from July 01 will not cost them a single dollar more.The premier said: Policyholders wont be paying a single dollar more than they would have done and we have an insurance monitor to make sure that will happen, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.The change which would shift the fire and emergency services funding from the emergency services levy (ESL) on insurance policies to a tax on most property holders has been deferred over concerns that it will unfairly impact property owners, particularly SMEs.Professor David Cousins, ESL deputy monitor, told Fairfax Media he was sceptical about the industry claim that the deferral would cause an increase in the price of policies.For a start, if theyre costs that have been incurred in the past, theyre not going to impact on future premiums, he said. Thats an issue that obviously we would look closely at.In any event, given the millions of insurance policies that are around, they would have an infinitesimally small effect on premiums, Cousins said.In response to Berejiklians statement, Campbell Fuller Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) spokesman, said the industry needs clarification where the costs associated with the deferral will come from.If the Premier believes they should not come from policyholders, then the industry is open to a discussion about where they should come from, he told the publication. Walmarts insurance company is demanding that comedian Tracy Morgan turn over documentation and testify regarding a multimillion-dollar payout he received after a crash with one of the superstores trucks.The 2014 accident, in which a truck collided with Morgans limousine, killed his friend, comedian James McNair, and left Morgan near death himself. Morgan spent nearly two months in the hospital and rehabilitation following the accident, and has spoken about having to learn to walk and talk again as he recovered. Walmart reached a settlement for an undisclosed sum rumored to be about $90 million with Morgan a year after the accident.However, the superstores insurer has blasted the settlement as too hasty, according to a report by. Ohio Casualty said that Walmart paid out the settlement without ever deposing Morgan or others involved in the lawsuit. Now the insurer is demanding that Morgan be deposed about the accident, along with comedian Antoine Fuqua, who was also in the car. Ohio Casualty is also trying to force Morgan and Fuqua to turn over settlement documents, medical records, and information about Morgans income,reported.In addition, the insurer is demanding a list of medicines Morgan was prescribed after the crash, records of any physical and mental examinations he had, and documentation related to his appearances onand the Emmy Awards, thereported.'The depositions of Morgan and Fuqua are relevant and necessary, because they collectively received 92% of the huge settlement of the Morgan action, their depositions were never taken nor were they served with any formal discovery in the Morgan action, and Wal-Mart has relied on the claims of Morgan and Fuqua as the principal reason in contending that the settlement of the Morgan action was reasonable, Ohio casualty said in court documents. Tehran, Iran, June 2 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Last fiscal year (ended March 20), 1.53 million births were registered in Iran, according to Deputy Head of Iran Statistics Center Alireza Zahedian. He said policies to increase birth rate in recent years have been successful and have alleviated concerns over declining birth rate, IRIB news agency reported June 2. However, the official raised concern that even with the current situation, birth rate will plunge to less than 0.5 percent in 25 years. According to the World Bank, the total fertility rate in Iran decreased from 6.9 in 1960 to about 1.7 in 2014. In 2013, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei first voiced concern over the declining population growth rate. He later issued a major set of policies to increase birth rate. In March, Iranian MPs approved a proposed bill which grants new fathers a three-day leave. The state of Connecticut, once known as the insurance capital of the world, has been trying to woo health insurer Aetna with incentives to stay in the state, Governor Dannel Malloy said on Wednesday. His remarks came in response to reports that the insurance giant was considering moving out of the state, which would be a blow to Connecticut and its capital, Hartford, both of which already face tenuous fiscal and economic futures. Last year, General Electric said it was leaving its longtime home in Fairfield, Connecticut, for a Boston location. Connecticut was recently downgraded by the three biggest Wall Street credit rating agencies over concerns about its dimming economy and an April tax revenue shortfall that have rattled its budget. Hartford is facing its own deficit and has been in talks with bankruptcy lawyers about possible representation, according to local news reports. In a statement, Aetna said it was in negotiations with several states about a relocation of its headquarters, with the goal of broadening our access to innovation and the talent that will fill knowledge economy-type positions. We remain committed to our Connecticut-based employees and the Hartford campus, and hope to have a final resolution by early summer, it said. Malloy said he believed the vast majority of the 5,800 jobs in Connecticut will stay here, and that they could continue to choose Connecticut as their regulator, according to prepared remarks. My administration has met and spoken with senior Aetna leadership multiple times in recent months, the Democratic governor said. The state made formal offers of direct incentives, including matching anything put on the table from a competing state. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin took a less optimistic tone in statements on Wednesday, saying: I think it is clear that Aetna decided a long time ago to relocate their corporate headquarters out of Connecticut. Losing Aetnas flag is a hard blow for the state and for the greater Hartford region, he said. (Reporting by Hilary Russ; Editing by Peter Cooney) Topics Connecticut Lawley, an independent insurance broker headquartered in Buffalo, N.Y., has launched its life science insurance practice, led by life science veterans Jose Carbajal and William DeStefano. The team will be based out of Lawleys Florham Park, N.J., office and service Lawley life science clients across the U.S. The enhanced focus on this sector will offer specialized insurance and risk management solutions tailored to life science and associated industries including hospitals, academic medical centers, biotechnology companies and universities. Lawleys life science insurance team will provide clients guidance on a full spectrum of risks, including, but not limited to clinical research, product liability, professional liability, directors and officers liability (D&O) and medical malpractice. Carbajal joins Lawley with more than 15 years of experience, which has ranged from developing risk management solutions for emerging research and development companies to those with an international footprint and commercially available product. Most recently, he served across various positions at large insurance brokerage firms. DeStefano brings more than 10 years of insurance experience to Lawley, previously working as a claims adjuster, account manager and senior account executive serving Fortune 1000 customers throughout the U.S. DeStefano accumulated experience working as part of a sales team at one of the largest third-party administrators, among other insurance brokers. Lawley is a privately-owned, independent regional insurance firm specializing in property, casualty and personal insurance, employee benefits and risk management consulting. For more than 60 years, Lawleys team of associates have developed customized property, casualty, surety and benefits insurance programs for businesses and municipalities of all sizes, along with personalized protection for individuals and families. The firm has branch offices across New York in Amherst, Batavia, Fredonia, Melville, Purchase and Rochester along with Darien, Conn., and Florham Park, N.J. Source: Lawley Topics New York A computers ability to predict a patients lifespan simply by looking at images of their organs is a step closer to becoming a reality, thanks to new research led by the University of Adelaide. The research, now published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports, has implications for the early diagnosis of serious illness and medical intervention. Researchers from the universitys School of Public Health and School of Computer Science, along with Australian and international collaborators, used artificial intelligence to analyse the medical imaging of 48 patients chests. This computer-based analysis was able to predict which patients would die within five years, with 69 percent accuracy comparable to manual predictions by clinicians. This is the first study of its kind using medical images and artificial intelligence. Predicting the future of a patient is useful because it may enable doctors to tailor treatments to the individual, says lead author Dr Luke Oakden-Rayner, a radiologist and PhD student with the University of Adelaides School of Public Health. The accurate assessment of biological age and the prediction of a patients longevity has so far been limited by doctors inability to look inside the body and measure the health of each organ. Our research has investigated the use of deep learning, a technique where computer systems can learn how to understand and analyse images. Although for this study only a small sample of patients was used, our research suggests that the computer has learnt to recognise the complex imaging appearances of diseases, something that requires extensive training for human experts, Dr Oakden-Rayner says. While the researchers could not identify exactly what the computer system was seeing in the images to make its predictions, the most confident predictions were made for patients with severe chronic diseases such as emphysema and congestive heart failure. Instead of focusing on diagnosing diseases, the automated systems can predict medical outcomes in a way that doctors are not trained to do, by incorporating large volumes of data and detecting subtle patterns, Dr Oakden-Rayner says. Our research opens new avenues for the application of artificial intelligence technology in medical image analysis, and could offer new hope for the early detection of serious illness, requiring specific medical interventions. The researchers hope to apply the same techniques to predict other important medical conditions, such as the onset of heart attacks. The next stage of their research involves analyzing tens of thousands of patient images. Source: University of Adelaide President Donald Trumps decision to isolate the U.S. on climate change triggered waves of complaints from government and business leaders around the world and handed China a golden opportunity to burnish its image as a global leader. Trumps withdrawal from the almost 200-nation Paris Agreement on climate, which aligned the U.S. with Syria and Nicaragua as the only holdouts, risks undermining the commitment of other countries to limit fossil-fuel pollution. A European Union-China summit in Brussels provided a platform for their first-ever joint statement on climate and and clean energy. Chinese President Xi Jinping has sought to capitalize on the public-relations opportunities afforded by Trumps America First doctrine since helping mask the countrys habit of flouting that very order when the rules dont suit its goals. Chinas leader used the Davos forum of global business and political elites in January to enhance his countrys credentials as a bastion of free trade in contrast to Trumps protectionism. This situation should do a lot to ease the pressure on China to behave well as a rising power, Zhang Baohui, director of the Center for Asian Pacific Studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, said by email. Now, its the U.S. that looks like a revisionist power. China, on the other hand, due to its increasing efforts to play a leadership role in world affairs, will be now viewed positively, especially among the Europeans. With his announcement in Washington on Thursday, Trump kicked off a process that will take years to unfold creating an opening for him to reverse course and injecting it as an issue in the next presidential election. Under the terms of the deal, the earliest the U.S. can formally extricate itself from the accord is Nov. 4, 2020 the day after the next presidential election. He would have wide latitude to change his mind up until that point. Pittsburgh Trump said the accord undermined U.S. interests, sent taxpayer money abroad and didnt require enough from other nations, singling out China and India. I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh not Paris, he said. The mayor of Pittsburgh subsequently tweeted his criticism of the move. State and local leaders in the U.S. also broke with the Trump. California Governor Jerry Brown was headed to China Friday to urge the worlds most populous country to take their cues from Sacramento and not the U.S. capital. Meantime, Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger and Tesla Motors Corp. founder Elon Musk both withdrew from a presidential jobs panel. And such blue-chip U.S. titans as General Electric Co., Ford Motor Co., Dow Chemical Co. and Microsoft Corp. were among companies weighing in with their dismay. Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein took to Twitter for the first time to express his dismay. The chorus even included oil-industry executives. Before Trump even made his decision public, oil explorers Exxon Mobil Corp., ConocoPhillips and BP Plc reiterated their support for the global agreement. Their argument: The U.S. is better off with a seat at the table so it can influence global efforts to curb emissions that are largely produced by the fossil fuels they profit from. Exxon CEO Darren Woods took it a step further during the companys annual investor meeting in Dallas on Wednesday. He reiterated his commitment to the Paris pacts goals and methods, and said oil demand will continue to grow in the coming decades, even with the Paris agreement in place. Energy needs are a function of population and living standards, Woods said during his first annual meeting since becoming CEO on Jan. 1. When it comes to policy, the goal should be to reduce emissions at the lowest cost to society. Trump, who has called climate change a hoax, campaigned on the pledge to exit the 2015 pact. White House legal advisers had warned that staying in the accord could undercut Trumps efforts to rescind rules on power-plant emissions and fuel efficiency. Flexible Targets The agreement allows nations to adjust their individual emissions targets, with a goal of strengthening them over time. But there is no established mechanism that would prompt countries to renegotiate the entire accord. Negotiators built flexibility into the deal from the start, structuring the agreement so that individual countries could determine their own commitments without any punishment for failing to fulfill them. Apparently the White House has no idea how a treaty works, Christiana Figueres, the former executive-secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, told reporters on a conference call. She described Trumps announcement as a vacuous political melodrama. The U.S. leaders Make America Great Again rhetoric has done little to counter Xis message on full display at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in May that it is China, not the U.S., that leads the world when it comes to vision on everything from the global economic order to saving the world. This is an open goal for China to step up and be the most responsible global leader on the planet and do so in a way that is not threatening to anyone, said Nick Bisley, a professor of international relations at La Trobe University in Melbourne. You can bet your bottom dollar that China is going to present itself as a pioneering leader. The praise China is winning with its guardian-of-the-rules-based-order messaging contrasts with its behavior in other domains. Mixed Record Beijing last year earned widespread condemnation when it ignored an international tribunal ruling made under a global convention to which China is a signatory that its claims to almost all of the South China Sea have no legal standing. In Hong Kong, its persistent encroachments on the citys autonomy prompt regular outcries that it has breached a treaty signed with the U.K. The U.S.-European trans-Atlantic bond is already under pressure after Trumps visit to European capitals last month. In the aftermath of his blustery diplomacy on trade and security, Chancellor Angela Merkel said that ties that have underpinned German foreign policy since World War II are to some extent less dependable. China has already established itself as a climate-change leader when it comes to its world-class environmental problem, an issue considered politically existential by the Chinese Communist Party. The pollution that now chokes the countrys rivers and air forcing its population to regularly don filter masks and keep their children home from school is a result of breakneck economic growth promoted for decades by Beijing. China has been the worlds biggest clean-energy investor since 2012. In 2016, it spent $88 billion on clean sources of energy such as wind and solar power, accounting for about one third of renewables investment globally. According to data compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, China invested $17.9 billion in new clean energy projects in the first quarter, compared with $4.1 billion in Japan and $9.4 billion in the U.S. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a Thursday briefing in Beijing that while China communicates regularly with the U.S. on topics including climate change, its support for the Paris accord derives from its own interests. No matter how other countries positions change, we will continue to uphold green, sustainable and innovative development, Hua said. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics USA Europe Energy Oil Gas Climate Change Pollution China Leadership Veteran espionage researcher Jon DiMaggio was hot on the trail three months ago of what on the face of it looked like a menacing new industrial espionage attack by Russian cyber spies. All the hallmarks were there: targeted phishing emails common to government espionage, an advanced Trojan horse for stealing data from inside organizations, covert communication channels for grabbing documents and clues in the programming code indicating its authors were Russian speakers. It took weeks before the lead cyber spying investigator at Symantec, a top U.S. computer security firm, figured out instead he was tracking a lone-wolf cyber criminal. DiMaggio wont identify the name of the culprit, whom he has nicknamed Igor, saying the case is a run-of-the-mill example of increasing difficulties in separating national spy agency activity from cyber crime. The hacker comes from Transdniestria, a disputed, Russian-speaking region of Moldova, he said. The malware in question, Trojan.Bachosens, was so advanced that Symantec analysts initially thought they were looking at the work of nation-state actors, DiMaggio told Reuters in a phone interview on Wednesday [May 31]. Further investigation revealed a 2017 equivalent of the hobbyist hackers of the 1990s. Reuters could not contact the alleged hacker. The example highlights the dangers of jumping to conclusions in the murky world of cyber attack and defense, as tools once only available to government intelligence services find their way into the computer criminal underground. Security experts refer to this as the attribution problem, using technical evidence to assign blame for cyber attacks in order to take appropriate legal and political responses. These questions echo through the debate over whether Russia used cyber attacks to influence last years U.S. presidential elections and whether Moscow may be attemptig to disrupt national elections taking place in coming months across Europe. The topic is a big talking point for military officials and private security researchers at the International Conference on Cyber Conflict in Tallin this week. It has been held each year since Estonia was swamped in 2007 by cyber attacks that took down government, financial and media websites amid a dispute with Russia. Attribution for those attacks remains disputed. The Smoking Gun Attribution is almost never a clean, smoking-gun, said Paul Vixie, creator of the first commercial anti-spam service, whose latest firm, Farsight Security, helps firms track down cyber attackers to identify and block them. Raising the stakes, a mystery group calling itself ShadowBrokers has taken credit for leaking cyber-spying tools that are now being turned to criminal use, including ones used in the recent WannaCry global ransomware attack, ratcheting up cyber security threats to a whole new level. In recent weeks, ShadowBrokers has threatened to sell more such tools, believed to have been stolen from the U.S. National Security Agency, to enable hacking into the worlds most used computers, software and phones. The bar for whats considered advanced is lowered as time goes by, said Sean Sullivan, a security researcher with Finnish cyber firm F-Secure. The Moldovan hackers campaign to steal data and resell it on the web came to light only after infections popped up last year at a major airline, an online gambling firm and a Chinese automotive software maker, which are all customers of Symantec products used to secure their business networks. Igor appears to have targeted the auto-tech company to steal its car diagnostics software, which retails for around $1,100 but Igor sold for just a few hundred dollars on underground forums and websites he had created. His aims in trying to break into the airline and gambling firm remain a mystery. Considering the audacity of this attack, the financial rewards for Igor are pretty low, DiMaggio wrote in a blog post on his findings to be published on Wednesday. As a threat, Symantec rates Trojan.Bachosens as a very low risk virus, in part because the attack singles out only a handful of specific firms rather than the wide-ranging, random attacks used by many cyber criminals to scoop up the greatest number of victims. I think those days are over when we can say in black and white: We know this is an espionage group, DiMaggio said. The Symantec researcher has not reported Igor to local authorities, calculating that exposing the methods of the attack will be enough to neutralize them. (Editing by Peter Millership) Related: Topics USA Cyber Fraud Russia Marsh has launched the Aircraft Finance Insurance Consortium (AFIC), a non-payment insurance product designed for banks and capital market investors that are funding new aircraft purchases from Boeing. Available exclusively through Marsh, AFIC provides an alternative aircraft finance insurance product for new aircraft deliveries and is underwritten by four leading global insurance companies: Allianz, AXIS Capital, Sompo International (formerly Endurance), and Fidelis, said Marsh in a statement. The AFIC structure has already been used by a major international airline to support its financing of new Boeing 747 and 787 aircraft, the broker added. AFIC can assist airlines globally in obtaining more efficient financing by utilizing insurance to protect the lenders exposure to default for the duration of the loan, Marsh explained, noting that the terms of this product can be tailored according to the individual purchase agreements made between Boeing, the airline and its financiers. We believe that AFIC is a significant development in airline financing globally and will contribute to the growth and diversification of aircraft finance, said Bruce Fine, global leader of AFIC for Marsh. AFIC offers Boeing customers a wider range of financing options to facilitate the purchase of newer, more efficient aircraft to enhance their fleets, and lenders will be able to conduct new transactions with greater confidence, he added. Source: Marsh Topics Aviation Aerospace Recovery crews are continuing to search a mountain of debris for a missing worker following an explosion at a corn mill plant that killed at least two employees, injured about a dozen others and leveled parts of the sprawling facility in southern Wisconsin, authorities said. Sixteen employees were working when the blast was reported around 11 p.m. Wednesday at the Didion Milling Plant in Cambria, a small community about 45 miles northeast of Madison, Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards said during a news conference. The plant processes corn for ethanol and other uses. Richards said one person was killed and two people were still missing as of Thursday morning. There was no immediate word on what may have caused the blast, though U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration personnel were on the scene. Five people were air-lifted to the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. Four were in the hospitals burn center, while the fifth was in the trauma and life support center, hospital spokeswoman Emily Kumlien said. She declined to disclose any of the patients conditions. Divine Savior Hospital in nearby Portage received six people hurt in the blast. Four have been treated and released, but one was transferred to the burn unit at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and another person was admitted to Divine Saviors intensive care unit, hospital spokeswoman Haley Gilman said. Numerous fire departments, law enforcement offices and rescue agencies from the area responded to the scene, according to Cambria Village President Glen Williams. He noted that the plant, in a community of about 770 people, is an economic anchor in the area. Quite a few of the employees live in the village and surrounding area. So its going to affect the whole area. Not just the shock of the event, but the economic hardship to the families, Williams said. Williams said the fire was contained by early Thursday and there were no evacuations in the area. Schools in the Cambria-Friesland district closed Thursday because of the incident. Emails sent to several company officials Thursday and a voicemail left for Vice President of Sales Jeff Dillon werent immediately returned. A note posted on the companys website said the company would be closed until further notice. The company employs more than 200 people. It has offices and a soybean plant in Jefferson County to the southwest, the mill and an ethanol plant in Cambria and an oil packaging plant in Green Lake County to the north, according to the company website. Brothers John and Dow Didion began Didion Milling in 1972 and construction on the Cambria corn mill was completed in 1991, according to the website. The companys corn products are used in brewing beer as well as in making chips, breakfast cereals, bathroom moldings, steel and ethanol. OSHA spokesman Scott Allen said personnel from the federal agency were on the scene Thursday morning to begin an investigation. The agency has six months to complete the investigation. The facility was cited by OSHA in January 2011 for exposing workers to dust explosion hazards. That case was resolved in 2013. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Wisconsin An Ohio company has pleaded no contest to a negligent homicide charge in the death of an employee killed while treating hazardous waste. WCPO-TV in Cincinnati reports Environmental Enterprises entered the plea on May 31 to the misdemeanor charge in 20-year-old Zachary Henzerlings death. Henzerling was killed in a fire and explosion in December 2012. The Cincinnati-based company was fined $5,000. Environmental Enterprises was originally indicted on a felony reckless homicide charge. A company statement blamed the fire on mislabeled and flammable air filters. Henzerlings supervisor faces involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and other charges. His case is pending. Henzerlings father criticized the plea deal in court, calling it a crying shame. Jim Henzerling said his son was working to save money for college and to support a child who wasnt his. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Ohio A growing number of U.S. states, counties and cities are filing lawsuits accusing drug companies of deceptively marketing opioid painkillers to downplay their addictiveness, but some lawyers say the industrys highly regulated nature could pose a hurdle to their success. Ohio on Wednesday became the latest, and largest, state or local government to bring an opioid lawsuit, suing Purdue Pharma LP, Johnson & Johnsons Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc unit, Endo International Plc, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltds and Allergan Plc. The lawsuit seeks to recover money the state and its residents spent on unnecessary opioid prescriptions, as well as costs associated with addiction treatment. The five companies have all denied the allegations. Mississippi, counties in New York and California and the city of Chicago have filed similar lawsuits against the opioid makers, and plaintiffs lawyers say more are on the way. Some of those lawyers think the number of lawsuits could eventually snowball, resulting in an outcome similar to the $206 billion settlement tobacco companies reached with 46 states in 1998. But some defense lawyers note that opioids, unlike cigarettes at the time, are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In their view, judges and juries could defer to the agencys approval of the companies opioid products as safe and effective for treating chronic pain and of the drugs warning labels that disclosed addiction-related risks. Jodi Avergun, a former chief of staff of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and now a defense lawyer with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, said the FDAs role approving the drugs was a fundamental weakness of the lawsuits. I think at the end of the day theyre fairly difficult cases for the plaintiffs to win, said Avergun. In 2015, the judge overseeing the lawsuit against the five drugmakers by Californias Santa Clara and Orange counties halted the case out of concern it would interfere with FDA studies related to the risks of long-term opioid treatment. The stay was recently partially lifted to allow for settlement talks, among other things. Teva last week became the first company in the case to settle, paying $1.6 million. Assistant County Counsel Danny Chou said the deals size reflected Tevas small opioid market share. Talks with other defendants are ongoing, and the county will file a revised lawsuit if no settlement is reached, he said. Carl Tobias, a professor at Richmond School of Law, said FDA-approved warning labels and the role of doctors in prescribing medication can insulate pharmaceutical companies from liability for failing to warn of a drugs risks. But he noted Ohios lawsuit claimed the companies used advertising in medical journals and marketing presentations to downplay the risks of opioids. In announcing the lawsuit, Ohio Attorney General DeWine argued the drugmakers deception continued despite the warnings in the small print of their very own drug labels and package inserts which clearly contradict their marketing. You can give a great warning but undercut it, and that can go to the fraud point, Tobias said. In September, the federal judge overseeing Chicagos opioid lawsuit allowed the case to proceed after finding the city alleged sufficient facts to back its claim that the companies deceived healthcare providers. Fraudulent marketing was also at issue a decade ago when Purdue paid more than $600 million and pleaded guilty to misbranding the opioid drug OxyContin by falsely touting it as less addictive than rival products. Along with their arguments based on FDA approval, the drug companies are also taking aim at state and local governments use of private plaintiffs lawyers to bring opioid lawsuits in exchange for a percentage of any settlement or judgment. Five law firms are representing Ohio on a contingency-fee basis. Drugmakers have argued their constitutional due process rights are violated when profit-seeking private lawyers, as opposed to public servants, pursue government cases seeking large damages. The companies scored a victory in 2016 when a judge invalidated one such agreement between former New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster and the law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll. Now on appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court, the ruling effectively blocked the state from filing a lawsuit. A similar bid is underway to invalidate a contingency fee deal between the law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy and New Yorks Suffolk County. Paul Hanly, of Simmons Hanly Conroy, said the drug companies were making a completely frivolous argument that would not deter opioid litigation. He is representing three other New York counties in opioid lawsuits and preparing to bring lawsuits on behalf of several more. What were seeing is a feeding frenzy as plaintiffs lawyers are looking around and seeing this high-profile litigation and are clamoring to get in, Hanly said. Related: Topics Lawsuits USA New York Ohio Drugs A bill establishing a workers compensation closed drug formulary in Louisiana passed the House and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations. A legislative analysis of House Bill 592 by states that the law currently in place requires the development of medical treatment guidelines for workers compensation claims and requires a process for office of workers compensation administration to review and promulgate rules and regulations to ensure proper care for the injured worker. HB 592 would add to current law by requiring the pharmacy formulary to be established, according to the legislative statement. Under HB 592, by Rep. Kirk Talbot (R-District 78), the Work Loss Data Institutes Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) Appendix A and supporting documents would serve as the basis for the standard of care for dispensing medication to injured workers. Proponents see the formulary as a tool for combating the over use and abuse of opioids in the state, which has high levels of opioid prescriptions in the workers comp system, according to the Louisiana Property Casualty Insurance Commission (LPCIC). Opponents say it is simply a way for workers comp insurance providers to lower their costs and will not significantly improve rehabilitation results for injured workers. In its annual report for 2016/2017, the LPCIC included a study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute showing that of the 25 states in WCRIs study, Louisiana has the second highest use of opioids in workers compensation. The WCRI found that around 85 percent of injured workers receiving pain medications received opioids. One in six injured workers in Louisiana that received opioids were found to have had the drugs prescribed to them on a long-term basis. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said in a September 2016 Louisiana Department of Insurance release that the high frequency of opioid use among injured workers compared with other states is a dangerous trend that has reached crisis proportions. He said in addition to the high costs to individuals and families that these drug abuses and opioid dependencies cause, there is also a cost to the insurance system as a whole. The LPIC recommended in its annual report for 2016/2017 that the legislature enact a bill requiring a closed pharmacy formulary in workers compensation claims. Not everyone is on board with the prospect of establishing the closed formulary as proposed in HB 592, however. In a statement published in the Louisiana Comp Blog, Sheral Kellar, the states director of the Office of Workers Compensation, called the formulary proposed in HB 592 a cookie cutter approach, and said the bill as written would not fulfill its promise of curbing opioid abuse in the comp system. Part of the problem with the formularys reliance on the ODG is its classification and utilization standards for opioid-type drugs, according to Kellar. She wrote that the majority of opioids are classified as N drugs that can be prescribed, but are subject to prospective utilization review to confirm the drug is medically necessary for treatment of the injured worker before being dispensed. An extended utilization review can result in the injured worker having to wait as long as 90 days to receive pain medication. Kellar also wrote that hydrocodone, one of the most prescribed and dispensed opioid-type drugs, is classified as a Y drug, which can be prescribed and dispensed with no restrictions. She argued that unrestricted access to this Y drug does not further the expressed goal of HB 592 of curbing opioid abuse among injured workers. She suggested that by carefully managing pain management practices in the comp system, insurers and administrators can achieve the desired result of lowering the use and abuse of opioids. Topics Workers' Compensation Louisiana Drugs Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a statement that Moscow is ready to sell S-400 long-range air defense missile systems to Ankara and the localization of these systems production in Turkey will depend on preparedness of the Turkish industry. But President Putins statement was not news to Turkey. The issue of supplying S-400 system to Turkey was repeatedly discussed in late 2016 and early 2017, as well as during the meetings between President Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. S-400 went into service in Russia in 2007. It is capable of destroying all existing aerial targets. Commenting on the issue, a military source from the Turkish General Staff told Trend that Ankara is not in a rush to acquire Russias S-400 system. According to the source, the issue of acquiring S-400 system should be thoroughly examined. The main priority for Turkey now is to strengthen its own military industry, the source said. In fact, despite Russian weapons are more advanced than Turkish ones in a number of parameters, Turkey still intends to put maximum effort to develop its domestic defense industry. According to the official data, Turkeys dependence on external supplies of military equipment is 40 percent in 2017. For comparison, a few years ago, Turkeys dependence on external supplies of military equipment was 80 percent. At the same time, Russia is not the only country ready to sell air defense systems to Turkey. Turkey announced the results of a tender to purchase 12 long-range air defense systems in October 2013. The winner of the tender was China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation with its HQ-9 anti-aircraft missile systems. Besides the Chinese corporation, the US consortium of Raytheon Co. and Lockheed Martin, European Eurosam, as well as Russias state-controlled special arms exporter Rosoboronexport also participated in the tender. The US and NATO tried to block the participation of the China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation in the tender because of the sanctions imposed on the corporation by the US because of its arms supplies to Iran. However, the Chinese corporation managed to reach a profitable deal worth several billion dollars. The US authorities informed Turkey of their concern about the country's intentions to cooperate with China in the defense sector. Before the visit to China, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in May 2015 that China and Turkey are discussing the issue of producing long-range anti-aircraft missiles, which means that Turkey currently has an alternative to Russias long-range anti-aircraft missiles. A number of Turkish military experts also believe that Ankara will unlikely acquire the S-400 system. This is due to the problems that may arise in the process of integrating Russias anti-aircraft system into the NATO air defense system. Taking into account Turkeys realities and capabilities, it is still difficult to assert that Ankara will agree to acquire Russias anti-aircraft missile system. --- Follow Rufiz Hafizoglu on Twitter: @rhafizoglu An Arkansas man who pretended to be an insurance broker and collected more than $1 million selling fake insurance policies in three states has been sentenced to more than five years in prison, the Arkansas Insurance Department announced. Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr said Paul Alexander Robertson (AKA Steven Mayberry) has been sentenced to serve 70 months in federal prison and pay $868,836.52 in restitution for defrauding consumers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Robertson pleaded guilty in August to one count of mail fraud, admitting to using a fake name and false business names with a Little Rock post office box to collect more than $1.19 million in premiums on fictitious policies. He was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Little Rock on May 31. Kerr said AIDs Criminal Investigations Division helped federal investigators secure the guilty plea in the case. Arkansas Online reported that the false business names Robertson used in his scheme were Prime Services and Brokerages Resources. AID said it received the first complaint about Robertson in January 2015 from a Louisiana woman who learned from the Louisiana Department of Insurance that a certificate of liability insurance she received from him was invalid. The woman also claimed two unauthorized drafts from her checking account. Topics Agencies Louisiana Arkansas Texas-based insurance, risk management and employee benefits agency, Higginbotham, has hired commercial property and casualty insurance broker Kyle J. Schielack as vice president in Houston. He brings eight years experience managing risk and insurance for commercial real estate and development, multi-family, manufacturing and distribution companies in Houston and the Gulf Coast region. Schielack was most recently a vice president at a private insurance agency in Houston where he achieved record revenue growth. He is a licensed Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager. Higginbotham operates two offices in Houston with 150 insurance, risk management and employee benefit professionals providing a single source solution to businesses and individuals. The firm was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, with 26 additional offices statewide serving domestic and international customers. Source: Higginbotham Topics Risk Management Seventeen-year-old climate activist Delaney Reynolds has a message for the insurance industry on the topic of climate change: Its time to step up and take action against this global crisis. Your future customers understand that we have a problem, and they want to talk about solutions, the recent high school graduate and daughter of insurance agent parents told an audience of industry professionals at an event last month in St. Petersburg, Fla. They are profoundly worried about whats happening where they live. Delaney has been passionately involved in the fight against climate change from a young age. She has turned her passion into a mission of educating young people through the Sink or Swim Project, which she started at just 14 years old. She now speaks with kids worldwide about what is happening because of climate change and what they can do to help, and she said the message is getting through to the next generation. Todays children will demand and expect our political leaders take the topic of global warming and make it a priority, Delaney told the audience at the Florida Association for Insurance Reforms annual industry conference on Insuring Uninsured Risk: Flood, Sea Level Rise and Natural Catastrophes, held on May 24. We dont have to be scientists to understand that this problem threatens my future and my childrens future. Talking to insurance professionals is nothing new for Delaney. The daughter of a Florida insurance agency owner, she has grown up with a direct connection to the industry. Her father, Robert Reynolds, is a third generation Floridian and agency owner. His grandfather started in the business in 1910 and Reynolds and his wife now run Morris & Reynolds Insurance in Miami. In introducing his daughter, Reynolds said he has seen firsthand as an agent the devastation that comes from natural disasters and the impact they have on peoples lives. Having lived in South Florida his whole life, he is greatly concerned with the climate changes hes seen in the state, including rising sea levels and more severe and frequent storms. The business of insurance looks much different when you can see and hear and taste disaster right in front of your face, Reynolds told attendees. I wonder and I worry whether or not my community will exist at the end of my childrens lives, or their children and grandchildren. His daughter, Delaney, has already embarked on a path outside of insurance. She is set to start college next year at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, but she already boasts an impressive resume as a climate activist which, in addition to her educational work, also includes: Authoring and illustrating three childrens books, as well as a comic book on environmental and ecology topics. Her most recent is called Where Did All the Polar Bears Go? A Youth Council Member of EarthEcho International, founded by Phillipe and Alexandra Cousteau Participating in Al Gores Climate Reality Project training Hosting a TEDxYouth Talk In a state with a governor who denies climate change, Delaney has had her work cut out for her. But she said she isnt losing hope. For one, she said, science and actual evidence of sea rise are on her side. Florida has seen a significant sea level increase over the last 30 years. Delaney said events called sunny day flooding where the king tides now cause the ocean to rise up to some coastal homes is now occurring in parts of South Florida six times per year. She said by 2030, experts predict sunny day flooding will be happening about 80 times per year. This is not something that has historically happened on sunny days, she said. [These floods are] taking place on a perfectly sunny day. She said what is most alarming is that experts predict that by 2045, Miami-Dade County will be subject to 380 flood events per year with many days seeing two flood events, one from each tide. These are not far away days in the future [or] a new century this is going to happen in the blink of an eye, she told the audience. Its time we start to deal with the core problem before we make the problem worse. The Army Corp. of Engineers predicts that between now and 2045, oceans will rise at least 15 inches above current sea level, she added. In a coastal community, whether its here in St. Pete or in Miami or Charleston or somewhere else, 15 inches is a significant amount of saltwater, but as I said its only the beginning, she said. If those conservative predictions are correct, by the time that I am just 46 years old in 2045, there will be more than a foot of water all over our state and countrys coast; and thats a serious problem for all of us, for each of you in your industry but also for you as individuals, as taxpayers and as concerned citizens. Delaney said with 70 percent of Americans living near the coast, rising sea levels are not just unique to Florida or South Florida. She said conservative projections have found more than 50 coastal communities will experience at least two dozen tidal floods per year by 2030 but the the actual number could be much higher in some areas like Maryland or the New Jersey shore. Its not only the coast that is slated to feel the pain of climate change if it continues to accelerate at the current rate farmers and growers in Americas heartland will also experience fewer crops from warmer temperatures and will have to relocate. She said climate change and sea rise will have a direct impact on the insurance industry. An increase of just one foot threatens $6.4 billion in taxable real estate in Miami-Dade alone, Delaney said. Thats real estate that many of you and others in your industry are insuring or will be asked to insure in the future. Delaney said the situation is dire, but it isnt hopeless. That is what the Sink or Swim Project has become a device to educate and engage people about what is happening and to advocate solutions as well as to offer hope that we can solve what I think is the greatest problem my generation will ever face in our lifetime, she said. One of her favorite solutions is solar power. She believes that every community in the country should require all new construction and renovations of existing buildings to use the maximum amount solar power possible. Working with the South Miami Mayor Phil Stoddard, Delaney who cant even vote yet has helped draft a law that would mandate solar power be installed in all new homes. The first reading of the draft ordinance was unanimously passed recently by the city council. The insurance industry, Delaney said, is in a unique position to influence change through education and mitigation efforts. On her website, miamisearise.com, Delaney features a Risk & Insurance page with information and resources about how the industry can be involved, including by demanding change from political leaders and mitigation from communities to not only improve the risks it underwrites, but help to ensure that places like South Florida will be around for years to come. I have come to believe the insurance industry will play a significant role, she said. Yours is a vital industry to protecting peoples assets, as well as their dreams. Please do not overlook the role each of you play in helping our country solve this problem. *Correction: This story has been updated to correct an earlier version that misstated the college Delaney Reynolds is attending. She will be attending the University of Miami in Coral Gables. Topics Florida Flood Climate Change Market Officials asked for patience Wednesday from thousands of Memphis residents whose homes remained without power after a Memorial Day weekend storm lashed the Tennessee city with winds of up to 105 mph (170 kph). Antonio Parkinson and Joe Towns, two state House members who represent Memphis, suggested that churches, community groups and neighbors should come together to help feed those who had to throw away food they had in their refrigerators due to the power outage created by Saturday nights storm. Parkinson said there was a long line Wednesday at the Memphis office of the Tennessee Department of Human Services. The department is providing replacement benefits for households that are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and lost food due to the storm. Residents were advised to throw away perishable food after four hours of being without power to prevent food-borne sickness. People also have complained about waiting days to have their electricity restored as temperatures reach above 80 degrees. Jerry Collins, president of Memphis Light, Gas & Water, said Sunday that it could take about a week for power to be fully restored. People are suffering, and people are complaining, and rightfully so, Parkinson said. But we also have a duty as neighbors to make sure that we are all part of the solution. About 188,000 customers lost power. That number was down to about 41,000 on Wednesday. Crews have worked on outages that affected the largest number of people before getting to the smaller ones, Collins said. Weather officials said winds reached from 60 mph (95 kph) to 105 mph (170 kph) in some places. It knocked down massive trees, felled electrical lines and cut power to street lights and traffic signals. No deaths were reported. Forty-eight people spent Tuesday night in a shelter, the Red Cross said. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Windstorm Tennessee Looking for allies in the fight against climate change, California Gov. Jerry Brown headed to China this week in a push to build foreign support for carbon-cutting efforts that have found resistance in Washington. California will work with governments around the world to combat climate change despite President Donald Trumps roll back of environmental regulations, Brown said in an interview with The Associated Press. Its important for the world to know that America is not Washington. Yes, were part of the union, but were also a sovereign state that can promote the necessary policies that are required for survival, Brown said. Brown is making his second trip as governor to China, where he will promote the liberal states ambitious climate policies at a conference of global energy ministers and look to marshal states, provinces, cities and other non-national governments to take their own actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Californias aggressive target for reducing emissions is among the most ambitious in the world. By 2030, state is aiming to reduce emissions 40 percent below where they were in 1990. I dont want California to be isolated in its regulatory regime on zero-emission cars or renewable electricity, Brown said. I want to be part of a worldwide effort. Brown, Californias longest serving governor and a three-time candidate for president, has made combating climate change a central piece of his legacy as he nears the end of his nearly five-decade political career after the 2018 election. He leaves Friday for a five-night trip that will take him to three cities and a conference in Beijing of energy ministers from two-dozen countries, including U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry. Brown will speak at a separate conference of non-national governments that are working on reducing carbon emissions. California is a leader of the Under2 Coalition, which aims to keep global temperature increases below 2 degrees Celsius. Hell also visit two provinces, Sichuan and Jiangsu, which have signed onto the Under2 agreement and will ride a high-speed train. Brown is an enthusiastic supporter of a $64 billion bullet train between Los Angeles and San Francisco, which has come under fire for rising costs. Its unclear whether Brown will raise issues besides climate change. Hes been a vocal advocate of nuclear nonproliferation. Intellectual property rights and business access to Chinese markets have been top issues in Hollywood and Silicon Valleys technology sector, two engines of Californias economy. China is the worlds leading emitter of greenhouse gases and has struggled to control smog in Beijing and major urban areas in its densely populated eastern provinces. Public outrage over smog and a desire to meet climate goals led Chinese officials to close down coal power plants around Beijing in recent years and suspend plans to construct new plants nationwide. California can help China as it looks to build a national carbon market this year, a priority for President Xi Jinping, said Susan Shirk, chairwoman of the 21st Century China Center at the University of California, San Diego. I think we could help on the technical verification side, said Shirk, who oversaw U.S. policy toward China at the State Department during the Clinton administration. We have the best climate scientists who do measures of emissions, we have the regulatory understanding of how to do this, and we have the design _ weve already linked with other carbon markets. Meanwhile, Brown is struggling at home to convince state lawmakers to extend Californias own cap-and-trade program, which placed a price on carbon emissions and created a market to trade permits to pollute. Its has been closely watched worldwide but expires in 2020. Brown is asking lawmakers for a two-thirds vote to insulate it from legal challenges, a tall order. Some Democratic lawmakers want the program expanded so it targets local pollutants, not just greenhouse gas emissions. Others worry that would significantly raise costs for businesses and ultimately consumers. Brown is traveling with four of his staffers, the chairs and some staff of the California Energy Commission and the Air Resources Board, which oversees state climate policies. The private, corporate-funded California State Protocol Foundation is funding the expenses of the governor and his staff. The Energy Foundation, a San Francisco nonprofit, is paying for the other two agencies. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Legislation Climate Change China French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday ruled out an alternative to the 2015 Paris climate deal and called on all those disappointed by Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord to come to France and work together, Sputnik reported. "There is no Plan B on the climate. I call on everyone the scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs disappointed in the US's decision to come here [to France]. You will find a second motherland in France, come work together with us," Macron said in an address to the nation. Macron added that "today the USA turned their back on the whole world" and called on the rest of the signatories to live up to their climate commitments. "France always placed itself on the avant-garde of the fight against the climate change, it engaged in all the international negotiations and brought 195 states together to sign this common engagement deal We will not renegotiate, and I call for all the nations who signed this agreement to continue the fight and not give in," Macron said. The Paris climate deal was signed in 2015 by 194 countries and ratified by 143. The agreement aims at keeping the increase in average global temperature at below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Organizations with employees who derive value from AI are 5.9 times more likely to see financial benefits from it ARE YOU A TOP COMPANY? What it Really Means to be a Top Company! To be a Top Company in Irish Construction Industry Magazines Top Companies listing means far more than just a rank and position in an ordered catalogue of names. To us, it means that your efforts to be the best you can be and to excel in your industry and sector have been effective and have paid dividends. To us, it means that your determination and commitment to develop and instil a positive work culture and environment have brought your business due success plus satisfaction. We see it as you being a supportive and inclusive place in which to work that strives to bring the best out of everyone across every level of the organisation. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE Protestors have gathered this afternoon at the Free Derry Museum in Derry's Bogside. The group are angry at the inclusion of RUC and British Army dead in a list of victims of the Troubles. Management say the video reel in the exhibition is purely a factual listing and not a commemoration. However the demonstrators do not agree and claim it is inappropriate. Kate Nash, whose brother William was killed on Bloody Sunday, says it is a memorial. "It is most definitely a memorial. They keep denying that: 'It's a list, it's a list,' that's all we hear, but it's not. It's a memorial and it's inappropriate to have it in the people's museum in the Bogside." Students are being advised to look after their health in the run up to the State exams. 115,000 pupils will sit the Junior and Leaving Certificates from Wednesday. AA Ireland says 70% of 3,000 motorists that it surveyed support tough new drink-drive proposals by Minister Shane Ross. It found that almost 7 in 10 agree with the new bill which would see the blood alcohol level lowered to between 50 and 80mg. The case against a man accused over the fatal shooting of a young father in a crowded nightclub has been dropped. Mark Gordon, 40, of no fixed abode, was due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on Monday for the murder of 28-year-old Keeno Harris and possessing a firearm with intent. Mr Harris died in hospital two days after apparently being shot during a large fight at the Function Rooms nightclub. Police had been called to reports of the disturbance to the club in Thornton Heath, south London, at about 5am on November 27 last year. A short time later, Mr Harris, from Croydon, arrived at a south London hospital with a gunshot wound police believe he suffered during the brawl. At a brief hearing at the Old Bailey, prosecutor Philip Evans QC offered no evidence against Mr Gordon and judge Nicholas Cooke QC formally found him not guilty. Mr Evans said that the prosecution team had spoken to Mr Harris's family about the decision but offered no reasons in court to explain why the case had been dropped. Mr Gordon, who appeared via video link from jail, was asked by the judge if he had heard what had happened and he responded: "Yes, sir." In March, Kurt Ellington, 41, of Kenley, south London, pleaded guilty to having an imitation firearm at the club on the night of the shooting and was sentenced to seven months in prison. In January, detectives renewed their appeal for witnesses to come forward as Mr Harris's family held a memorial service for the father-of-one. Detective Inspector John Massey, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command said at the time: "His family has been left completely devastated, especially his mother and daughter. "There were a number of people present during the early hours of Sunday November 27, and I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have either seen men present in possession of firearms at the venue or saw the altercation which resulted in Keeno being shot." Mother Jackie Harris, said: "It is very hard on me, although it is not just hard on me alone because my son has a daughter and the night he died it was her birthday. "This has definitely left an impact on us all. I don't understand how someone can fire a gun into a crowded place like that. We as a family need answers so please if you have any information that could help us and the police you must come forward." Three Democratic governors have said they will not let the United States back away from a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from an international pact. "This is an insane move by this president," California governor Jerry Brown said, blasting the decision as "deviant behaviour from the highest office in the land". Mr Brown joined governor Jay Inslee of Washington state and Andrew Cuomo of New York to form the US Climate Alliance to uphold the Paris deal, a pact involving nearly 200 nations aimed at slowing the warming of the planet. The three states already belong to an emissions reduction pact of states and cities worldwide, but Thursday's action marked a direct stand against the Trump administration and a formal commitment to upholding the targets of the Paris agreement. Connecticut governor Dan Malloy and Virginia's Terry McAuliffe also expressed interest in joining the new alliance. "We governors are going to step into this cockpit and fly the plane," Mr Inslee said. "The president wants to ground it - we're going to fly it." Mr Trump formally announced his decision to leave the historic international agreement after months of teasing the action. He criticised the pact as a job-killer that put the United States as an unfair advantage. It may be years, however, before the country can formally exit the deal, but Mr Trump said he will immediately halt implementation. He said he would consider re-entry if the US could get a better deal. Republican politicians and representatives of the coal industry cheered Mr Trump's action. "President Trump's courageous decision to exit the Paris Accord recognises that the United States is not legally bound to an Obama-era agreement that set unrealistic emissions targets at the expense of billions of American taxpayer dollars without the approval of Congress," said Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, who joined nine other states in urging Mr Trump to leave the agreement. New York, California and Washington are committed to US goal of reducing emissions 26-28% from 2005 levels. #ParisAgreement Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 1, 2017 Under the Paris agreement, negotiated during former president Barack Obama's tenure, the United States voluntarily committed to reducing polluting emissions by 1.6 billion tons by 2025. The Democratic governors' new pact commits to that same goal, which requires a 26 to 28% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels. Specific targets have not been set for each state. California, New York and Washington together account for about 10% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, Mr Brown's office said. California is already working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2030 and Mr Brown has cast himself as Mr Trump's chief foil on climate policy. It is unclear when discussions between the three governors began, but they announced their new pact within an hour of Mr Trump's announcement. Mr Brown is about to begin a trip to China to discuss emissions-reduction policies with other leaders and has promised to fill the void left by the Trump administration. At home, Mr Brown is battling to reauthorise a cap-and-trade programme that expires in 2020, a key piece of his political legacy. While the presidents actions are a shameful rebuke to the work needed to protect our planet, states have been and will continue to step up. Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) June 1, 2017 He has said California's economy is proof that combating climate change is not the economic dead weight Mr Trump suggests. Washington state is also moving ahead with capping carbon emissions and requiring power plants and oil refineries to reduce emissions over time. In New York, Mr Cuomo announced he would use executive orders to ensure his state continued to abide by the Paris agreement. West Virginia Coal Association senior vice president Chris Hamilton said US withdrawal from the Paris accord would build confidence in American. mining and industry even if it would not make major changes on the ground. Mr Trump promised during his campaign to bring back coal mining jobs. "I think it slows down this rush toward punitive measures against the United States industrial base and mining industry," Mr Hamilton said. Withdrawing from the Paris Accord is reckless. Im signing an Executive Order affirming NY's role in fighting climate change. #ActOnClimate pic.twitter.com/IMHVdNrHJc Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 1, 2017 AP Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Turkish opposition Nationalist Movement Party, urged to thoroughly investigate the crash of the Cougar military helicopter in Turkeys south-eastern Sirnak province, the party said June 2. Bahceli also stressed the importance of continuing the fight against terrorism, the party said. Thirteen servicemen have been recently killed in Cougar military helicopter crush in Turkeys south-eastern Sirnak province. The helicopter hit the high voltage transmission lines after take-off, the Turkish General Staff said. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Aer Lingus owner International Airlines Groups (IAG) new low-cost transatlantic service, called Level, had its maiden voyage, flying from Barcelona to Los Angeles, while Icelandic carrier Wow Air has launched a 65 seat sale from Cork and Dublin to seven North American cities to combat Norwegian Airs entry into the market. Norwegian, which will make history when the first direct flight from Cork to the US will take off in July, announced this week that it is to add long-haul flights from Rome to the US. Goodbody aviation analyst Mark Simpson said the aggressive competition bode well for passengers. He said airline bosses such as Willie Walsh of IAG realised they had underestimated Ryanair and other low-cost airlines when they entered the intra-European market in the 1990s. They are on record as saying they would be foolish not to learn those lessons by entering the long-haul low-cost transatlantic market, said Mr Simpson. It will not fundamentally change the transatlantic model because there will always, for instance, be demand for business flying out of Heathrow. But it does mean customers will have more and more options in the future. Managing director of Cork Airport, Niall MacCarthy, said the entry by Norwegian, Wow Air, IAG and other airlines into the market was one of the most exciting developments in aviation for passengers. 39 new routes, eight brand new aircraft and 6.7 million passengers its been a busy first quarter for Norwegian! #flynorwegian pic.twitter.com/Cf33kjSeDQ Norwegian (@Fly_Norwegian) April 27, 2017 You also have Boost which is a subsidiary of Air France, Eurowings, which is a subsidiary of Lufthansa, and Canadian airline WestJet in the market, said Mr MacCarthy. Cork having two such options in Norwegian and Wow Air is wonderful to have. We always said low-cost, long-haul flying would work. Now it is crucial that the people of Munster support the routes. IAG chief Willie Walsh recently expressed his professional admiration for Norwegian founder Bjorn Kjos, saying it had seen a way to do it in a different way than the traditional airlines. IAGs Level will fly from Barcelona to Los Angeles twice a week and three times weekly to San Francisco. Mr Walsh said: In 2018, Level will increase its fleet to five aircraft and we are considering other European bases for the operation. A Norwegian spokesperson said the airline welcomed the competition for passengers and that it was proof the model would work. The growth of Norwegians low-cost long-haul operation simply underlines the huge passenger demand for quality, affordable travel. As an ambitious airline with a huge aircraft order, we have plans for continued global growth with increased flights, new routes and expansion into new markets. Wow Airs move to cut fares from Cork and Dublin is being seen as an aggressive move to combat Norwegian, which launched its own sale last week, cutting one-way fares to 99 from Cork to Rhode Island and Dublin and Shannon to Rhode Island and New York. Wow Airs offer flies via Reykjavik to Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, New York, and Pittsburgh in the US, and Montreal and Toronto in Canada. Meanwhile, the sale of George Best Belfast City Airport to investment fund 3i as part of an overall 700m deal, has been completed. The brewing companys newly released 2016 Sustainability Report shows a company enjoying a series of benefits from intertwined business and community commitments. Last year, it sourced 100% of its malted barley from Irish farmers, supporting local jobs and families, and it spent 100m in the local economy supporting local suppliers. Heineken is on a ten-year sustainability journey with its Brewing a Better World programme. Launched in 2010, its on track for its ambitious targets; it has reduced its environmental impacts despite increasing its output volumes and its range of products. We are 100% committed to our sustainability programme. Its a core part of our overall business growth strategy, explained Sandy Boundy, Heineken Irelands communications and CSR manager. Our volumes have increased and the complexity of our production runs has evolved. Having more complex runs means the tanks have to be cleaned more often. Our operations team monitors our water usage and thermal emissions. Everybody plays a part in meeting our targets. Its a power collaboration. To be honest, it takes a significant investment from everyone but it is paying off. That said, we are human. We missed our thermal target by 4% in 2016 because of a blind spot with our metering, which we missed. Thats now back on track. We are very much on track for our 2020 targets. For instance, in our distribution, C02 is down 13.6% on our 2008 base year; our target is a 20% reduction by 2020. A full 100% of Heineken Irelands draught beers that are brewed in the iconic Ladys Well Brewery in Cork use Irish malted barley. The local first approach is paying dividends. Its CO2 emissions have decreased by 52% since 2008, and it is now sourcing 100% of electricity from renewable resources. The Ladys Well Brewery is an impressive stone building, respectfully preserved and now in its 161st year of brewing in Cork. Since 1856, it has brewed Murphys Stout, acquired by Heineken in 1983. It still brews Murphys, along with an evolving suite of Heineken products. In fact, Ireland was the first market in Europe to launch Heineken Light with lower ABV and lower calories. Part of the companys commitment to local communities involves advocating responsible consumption, and promoting health and safety. It also commits to growing with our communities, notably via its strategic partnership with Cork Simon and its Addiction Aftercare Programme. In 2016, a full 10% of the Heineken brand media budget was used to promote responsible consumption. Also last year, employees were encouraged to become actively involved in their communities through a volunteering programme which resulted in donations of almost 10,000 and 1,600 volunteer hours. Since March, employees are also participating in ten new GIY gardening groups. The Star Growers groups are delivering GIY workshops, offering a 300 seed fund to help communities with garden projects, and giving up a half-day to help them get started. This is year one, said Sandy Boundy. We havent done an official launch yet. We want to give the groups time to make some progress. We started by getting people internally on board, and now we want to identify groups to work with in communities. A selection of images of Heineken staff members participating in 'Growing with our Communities' activities. Heineken staff brought a bit of humour to the GIY project, notably with Oriental al desko gardens and a number of staff growing plants in their cars. Four community groups in Cork and two more in Dublin have already connected with the project, and the company is on the lookout for others nationwide. That strong sense of community probably owes a lot to Heinekens sourcing 100% of its malted barley from Irish farmers since 2010. That commitment has not gone unnoticed. Of course, there were times over those years when it might have been cheaper to source malted barley from abroad, but thats a commitment weve stuck with, said Sandy Boundy. We spend around 4.5m in the local economy each year. We buy from two maltsters, who gather their supplies from a huge number of local farmers. In all, Heineken sources 98% of its total cereals from local growers. The main component it the other 2% is imported wheat and roasted barley, which are not available locally. Were committed to sourcing sustainably, she said. These values form the foundation of our company. Our community commitments and our business values are closely aligned. We genuinely believe that the future has to be about the broader community; and, for Heineken Ireland, that means thinking ahead to the next 161 years in business here. In some ways, sustainability can be a hard story to tell. We start by communicating the message with our employees. Each year, we ask everybody to take a half-day to support their chosen community group. Weve had some HR people who have done health and safety training with Simon Community. Some of our marketing people helped the older persons charity Alone to develop a marketing plan. Others have worked with Reimagine Cork putting up plant boxes on the wall on Leitrim Street. Some staff members worked with Cope Foundation, some with Cork Penny Dinners, others with Age Action. Some participated in a fundraising cycle with Simon Community, others worked with a hospice in Wexford delivering services to cancer patients. www.heinekenireland.ie [timgcap=]zzzHeinekenSustainabilitySTrategy020617b_large.jpg[/timgcap] The firms green goals Launching the Brewing a Better World 2016 report, Maggie Timoney, managing director of Heineken Ireland, said: We are 100% committed to sustainability. We can only achieve our ambition via the ongoing efforts of our colleagues and stakeholders and we are very grateful for the great work undertaken to date. In the past year, weve exceeded many targets and sourcing local is key to this. Heineken Irelands key achievements, as reported in its 2016 Sustainability Report, included: He was speaking at a press briefing with Nama chairman Frank Daly and chief executive Brendan McDonagh at the launch of the agencys annual report. The enquiry into the 2014 sale by Nama of loans mostly secured on properties in the North was announced by Taoiseach Enda Kenny late last year and its terms of reference agreed earlier this year. It followed a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) which said the sale had led to losses to the taxpayer. In the North, the sale is being investigated by the UKs National Crime Agency. Asked when the enquiry would report, Mr Noonan said the process of the investigation would be entirely in the hands of the judge. Mr Daly said it was important to note that the terms of the enquiry included a reference that the enquiry would draw on appropriate expertise. It was important to say that there was no suggestion of wrongdoing in the C&AG report, he said. Asked whether Nama regretted aspects of the sale, Mr Daly said the agency had gone through months of engagement with Public Accounts Committee on the matter. Nama will have a momentous 2017 when the agency pays down all of its 30.2bn in senior debt, three years ahead of an original schedule, Mr Daly said. It increased its forecast for a surplus of 3bn when the agency is wound down. He said the Nama boards policy of reducing the contingent liabilities on the State was the right decision. Selling assets when the opportunities arose over three years ago was wise, he said. Nama had helped fund the building of almost 5,000 new homes since 2014, and over 3,100 homes were either under construction or have planning approved. Two people living near the multinationals factory in Leixlip have appealed a recent decision of Kildare Co Council to grant planning permission for a new state-of- the-art facility on the site. Local Labour TD Emmet Stagg expressed disappointment that objections to Intels plans had been lodged with An Bord Pleanala. The legacy of both men will be mixed some very good stuff, some pretty bad stuff, and mostly lots of mediocre stuff. Perhaps that might be considered a very good outcome when viewed in the context of political governance in Ireland in recent decades. In my opinion, we should aspire to something better in fact, we deserve something better. No administration in recent years was given such a strong mandate to fundamentally reform so many aspects of Irish life and economic governance as the Fine Gael-Labour coalition were in 2011. After the debacle that befell the country from 2008 onwards, sensible people were crying out for reform and change but, when facing an open goal, the Government put the ball over the bar. The debacle over water charges, which most sensible people agreed with, is quite typical of Irelands political malaise. Water is a story of gross incompetence, as is the ongoing crisis in housing and health. The economy is obviously now in strong recovery mode, but the real test will come as the economic cycle evolves. The risk is that, as the cycle matures, many of the old failings will reappear and, at some stage, we will just end up in a similar mess, with slightly different characteristics. In opposition, Mr Noonan was hugely and impressively critical of the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) but, when given the power to influence that organisation, he chose not to do so in any positive way. The attitude to bank bondholder debt falls into the same category. On the upside, the Taoiseach, in particular, did much to restore Irelands tarnished international reputation. However, it is important to remember that the Irish economy is being lifted by Irelands entrepreneurs and workers, rather than by our political classes. This week, Mr Kenny and Mr Noonan moved with undue haste to cement their legacy by the setting in motion of the sale of 25% of the States stake in AIB. Not surprisingly, this decision has given rise to the type of ideological spat that characterises policy making in Ireland. The left believes that the often-inefficient State should retain control, while the right believes that the also often-inefficient private sector should be given control. There is also a spat over what should be done with the proceeds of the sale, which experts estimate should be in the region of 3bn. Some want to see the national debt paid down, while others believe that sale proceeds should be invested in infrastructure. I believe the more relevant argument is whether this is the correct time to sell a bank? Market participants correctly point to the fact that global equity markets are riding the crest of a wave at the moment, with global banking stocks proving quite attractive to investors. If one believes that what goes up must come down, then this could be a good time to sell part of AIB. However, the more fundamental question is if the price AIB might realise in current conditions would reflect its long-term economic value, which is a concept made infamous by Nama. The fact is that the Irish banking model is still broken and is not functioning as a banking market should. It is moving in the right direction, but is not there yet. Furthermore, the economy is still clawing its way back from the abyss and, based on predictions from the Economic and Social Research Institute and others, the medium-term outlook appears quite promising, notwithstanding the obvious challenges posed by Brexit. Perhaps in two, five, or even 10 years, AIB could be worth considerably more than at present. I believe that by selling too quickly, Nama left billions behind, and I fear the same thing could now happen with AIB. There is nothing wrong with the State continuing to own a bank until it reclaims all of the losses. Obviously, nothing is certain in life, but I wonder why the last act of Mr Noonans career is to flog the taxpayers banking assets? From June 26 to August 25, Cork Institute of Technology plays host to the International Space Universitys annual Space Studies. Also, Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO) celebrates 10 years as an award-winning science and discovery centre. Summer of Space is the broadest public engagement programme ever organised by a host country during a space studies programme. The events are being organised jointly by CIT, Cork County Council, the International Space University, and Science Foundation Ireland. Their aim is to raise public awareness of the benefits, challenges, and inspiration aspects of space exploration and its associated research. They are attracting a host of world-leading space experts to Cork. They include Jim Dator, editor in chief of the Worlds Future Review, who will be at Blackrock Castle on June 30 to speak about what lies ahead in space exploration and for us as a species. Nasa astronaut and artist, Nicole Stott, will appear at the Crawford Art Gallery at 6pm on July 6 with leading space architect, Dr Barbara Imhof, in a panel discussion. Free family workshops take place in the gallery that afternoon, supported by the Crawford Art Gallery and Mayfield Arts Centre. The Cork Sky Friendly Campaign hosts its first public meeting at Blackrock Castle Observatory on July 14 with a talk given by light pollution expert Dr Brian Espey, exploring how Cork has the potential to be one of the darkest places on the planet to observe the night sky. A number of events will also be held at the County Library at Carrigrohane Road. People can watch a rocket launch competition at CIT Sports Ground on July 23 and young people can hone their rocket-building skills at Blackrock Castle Observatorys 10th annual Space Camps over the two weeks prior to July 23. Everyone that registers for these will be in with a chance to win two tickets to Buzz Aldrins lecture at CIT on June 27. For primary school teachers, the European Space Education Office is offering places for teachers on a five-day professional development course in Cork and Lough Gur, Co Limerick from July 3-7. All teachers who register for the space-themed summer courses will also be in with a chance to win a ticket to Buzz Aldrins lecture. Tickets to Summer of Space events, in association with Blackrock Castle Observatory, can be booked on bco.ie or by calling 021 4326120 for the full schedule. The main programme of events for the International Space Universitys Space Studies Programme will be announced next week. All events are free and bookings will open soon on www.ssp17.ie. Calls were made on Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald to face TDs to answer questions on a growing list of controversies around the Garda training college in Templemore. Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald told the Dail yesterday that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) witnessed the toxic shambles that is senior Garda management when it called in senior civilian staff to answer questions. Serious concerns over the tax compliance of the Templemore Training College emerged during the PAC meeting earlier this week Ms McDonald said Ms Fitzgerald had committed to come before the Dail to make a statement about the irregularities, malpractice, and possibly corruption in Templemore. However, she so far has failed to do that. As we advance in our inquiries, it becomes more apparent that Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan and indeed Deputy Fitzgerald, as Minister for Justice and Equality, have very serious questions to answer. Ms Fitzgerald said she had already answered many questions and would take any action required once the PAC had reported on its examination: I would say, to be very clear about this, without prejudicing any individual which would be grossly unfair that nobody is above the law and if any wrongdoing is uncovered it will be investigated. On the gangland murder of Michael Keogh, Ms McDonald said the Governments response to Dublins north inner city feud has been superficial, adding: This ruthless murder was another shocking incident in broad daylight at the heart of a community caught in the grip of a criminal feud that has spiralled out of control. Sadly, the Government did not listen. Ms Fitzgerald said there is no question of standing idly by and the Government has committed enormous resources to the area. The Turkish Air Forces has carried out large counter-terrorism operations in the countrys southeastern provinces and in northern Iraq over the past two days, killing at least 12 militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Anadolu Agency reported. According to the Hakkari Governors Office, four PKK militants were killed in airstrikes on June 1 in the southeastern province, Hurriyet Daily News reported. It stated that the militants were detected by an unmanned air vehicle in the region between Turkeys border district of Yuksekova and the Mount Spi area of northern Iraq. Earlier on the same day, six PKK militants were killed in an air strike on the groups positions in northern Iraq, the Turkish military said. Turkish warplanes hit the PKK in the Avasin-Basyan region as the militants were alleged to be preparing for an attack on Turkish border posts, the General Staff said in a statement. An anti-aircraft weapon emplacement was also destroyed in the strike, the statement added. Separately, on May 31, Turkish warplanes carried out air strikes on PKK targets in the southeastern province of Srnak and Diyarbakr, killing two militants, according to initial findings, the military said in another statement. One bunker pit was also destroyed during the air strikes conducted in Srnaks Ikikayalar and Diyarbakrs Lice districts. The case of Irish Water and Woodstown Shellfish Ltd ran for 14 days in the circuit court before concluding yesterday. Woodstown is the occupier of the private foreshore, owned by the Duke along with a several fishery, the title of which goes back 500 years and predates the Magna Carta. The waste water would be discharged at Ferrypoint in Co Waterford but the pipe would begin in Co Cork. It forms part of the 12.5m wastewater treatment plant in Youghal, Co Cork, contracts for which were signed in 2015. Jennifer ORegan has been sleeping in her car outside Kilcully cemetery in Cork - where her partner is buried - with her children who range in age from 15 to 3 because she has hit a brick wall with the local authorities. Ms ORegan, who is originally from Farranree in Cork, says she previously lived in Britain and moved back to Ireland 15 months ago arising out of domestic violence issues. Focus Ireland got her accommodation but it was in an isolated town in Clare where she and her children were without the support of her family. She moved back to her native Cork three months ago and has been attempting to access emergency accommodation from the local authority. She lived in a local authority house in Cork more than a decade ago and upon her return to Cork she found out that she was in arrears on her rent. She claims she is paying the local authority back by having a small portion of money deducted from her One Family supplement. Ms ORegan says she is not looking for the keys of a house. She is happy to take accommodation of any kind whether it be a hostel, a B&B or Edel House. Michael ODriscoll, with Charlene, just moments before he drowned last June. My kids are 15, 13, 11, 5 and 3. My partner drowned last year and my eldest girl saw the drowning. My name is on the list for housing at City Hall but they (the homeless services) say they cant give me temporary accommodation because they are waiting on an assessment on me. I have gone through the assessment at City Hall and it is taking weeks. I am a good parent. I dont drink. I dont smoke. I will take anything they give me once its a roof over our heads. My mother isnt well and there is no room for all of us. My brother Gavin died seven years ago. He was only 31. As a family we have been to hell and back. Ms ORegan says her children are happy to be back in Cork because she has a good family and they are doing their best to help her. Her eldest children are going to school and are doing their end of year exams amid a backdrop of homelessness: They are doing exams and trying to cope with all of this. They are delighted to be back in Cork. It is all they ever wanted. All we want is a roof over our heads. I am happy to take a place in line for a house. I just want somewhere to go to right now. Ms ORegans father, Thomas, said he is very disillusioned with a political system which allows a single mother of five to become homeless: The Leo Varadkars and the Simon Coveneys arent doing anything for the ordinary working class man. It feels like they are totally against us. Cork City Council said: We cannot comment on individual cases but many cases are complex and require the intervention of more than one agency to meet the need of the client. All presentations for emergency accommodation are to the Homeless Persons Unit which is run for the local authority by the Community Welfare Service, Department of Social Protection. Each case is considered on its own merits and the decisions are made as to what is appropriate to the individual or family presenting. A Spanish and Portuguese (chourico) sausage, it is made from chopped or minced pork, flavoured with sweet and often quite hot paprika, garlic and salt. The soft type is usually raw, with the harder sausages cured and dried and ready to eat. Raw chorizo is very good to chop and dry fry to add to vegetables, meats and fish to liven them up. An otherwise vegetarian meal will taste meaty without huge amounts of meat the flavour goes a long way. Combine with chickpeas or any type of bean for an easy supper. Slice and alternate raw chorizo on skewers with chunks of monkfish for a barbecue treat. The fat of the chorizo will coat the fish perfectly and keep it moist. I often start with dry frying chorizo for five minutes, then add leftovers, grated carrot and sit sprigs of broccoli on top. Add a tablespoon of water and place a lid on to steam for an easy supper with pasta or noodles. Dry fry chorizo in the pan and add eggs to make a delicious frittata or omelette. Small uncooked chorizos are delicious barbecued, served in a bun with crisp lettuce and tomato. Health wise, chorizo is fatty so must be seen as a treat. Ole! La Denominacion Iberico fresh chorizo 400g 6.50 (16/kg) Two vacuum-packed fresh sausages are excellent cooked in chunks or slices. Made from pigs fed on acorns, the flavour is slightly sweet, while garlic and paprika provide the rich kick. Delicious! Available in speciality shops including Cinnamon Cottage in Rochestown, Co Cork, Diva in Ballinspittle, McCambridges in Galway, The Real Olive stalls and The Good Food Store in Dublin. Score: 9.5 The Real Olive acorn fed dried chorizo 500g 12.50 (25/kg) One of the two best chorizos we tasted for slicing and serving as part of a starter plate, the spicing with pepper, garlic and salt is gentle and it has a rich, meaty flavour. Iberico Bellota pork is top quality and you can taste the sweetness of the acorns. It is slightly oily from the acorns which have healthy oleic acids, helping to cut through the fat. From Real Olive stalls nationwide and English market, Cork. Score: 9 Marks & Spencer 4 Spanish chorizo sausages for cooking 200g 4.40 (22/kg) Quite mild spicing with paprika and dried garlic here. There is plenty of good, dense meat and no gristle. These must be cooked. Good for the barbecue on skewers perhaps with peppers and whole tomatoes. Contain some preservatives. Made in Spain, a nice alternative to regular sausages. Score: 7.5 Aldi Spanish chorizo ring 200g 1.99 (10/kg) Quite a kick here of cayenne and traditional smoked paprika and there are some gristly bits but most melt away when cooked. Try putting in a hot dry pan for five minutes to allow the fat to leach out. Add chopped fresh tomato, cooked peas and potatoes before adding eggs to make an easy, satisfying omelette. Good to perk up dull stews. Contains preservatives. Score: 7 On the Pigs Back 2 pack 250g 4.95 (19.80/kg) A strong chilli kick is the main flavour, with medium soft texture. Needs to be cooked so slice and fry in a dry pan and add to cooked chickpeas with chopped parsley and fresh tomatoes for an easy salad. A few forms of sugar and some preservatives here. Available in On the Pigs Back and other speciality food shops Score: 8 On the Wild Side Kerry chorizo 250g 8 (32/kg) Deliciously hot and peppery, with a deep meaty flavour, this is ready cooked and ideal as part of a charcuterie plate. Dark in colour, it looks better sliced. A good all rounder from Olivier Beaujouan based in Castlegregory, Kerry. On sale in Limerick market, On the Pigs Back, Cork and others. Score: 9 SuperValu Riojan style chorizo 200g 2.49 (12.50/kg) Mild spicing here has genuine Spanish flavour from paprika, salt and garlic.To its credit, it has no additives. Good sliced as it is for sharing plate or tapas, or cook it and add to many dishes. Score: 8 Gubbeen chorizo 144g 3-3.50 (20/25/kg) Strongly smokey and spicy, lots of paprika and chilli flavours here with plenty of meaty pork from Fingal Fergusons pigs in Schull. Preservatives and sugars added. Ready to eat, it slices well. Good with vegetables for a quick stir fry or as a pizza topping. Available nationwide in speciality shops and markets. Score: 8 The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) yesterday published 31 reports on residential services for people with disabilities. So far this year, we have published more than 280 reports on this type of social care service. While many of these inspections have found residents receive a good service and enjoy a good standard of life, a large number of reports show that a significant number of adults and children with a disability experience a quality of life well below that which would be expected in modern Ireland. Hiqa commenced the regulation of the disability sector in 2013. Over the past three and a half years, we have carried out thousands of inspections and spoken with tens of thousands of residents, their relatives and staff. Many of the residents we spoke with in 2016 were happy with their service and felt they were receiving good care. Nonetheless, a considerable number of people told us that they were not satisfied; that the services were not ensuring residents were at the centre of decisions affecting their lives; and that services were failing to meet their needs. Designated centres for people with disabilities provide roughly 9,000 beds for vulnerable children and adults with a disability. There are more than 1,000 such centres across the country. Disability service providers have a legal obligation to ensure that these services are safe for the people living there. Where providers fail to do so, like yesterdays reports on centres operated by St Vincents Centre and Cork Association for Autism, Hiqa has powers to enforce compliance with regulations. During 2016, 11 notices of proposal to refuse the application to register and cancel the current registration status of designated centres for people with disabilities were issued. Throughout 2016, we required service providers to attend 153 meetings with the Office of the Chief Inspector to account for their failure to meet their responsibilities to safeguard and care for vulnerable people with disabilities. There are a variety of reasons why certain designated centres for people with disabilities fail to achieve the required level of compliance to allow them to be registered. These include: Inadequate safeguarding measures; Poor governance arrangements; Institutionalised and outdated staff practices; Inappropriate placement of people; Poor physical infrastructure and living environments. Some of these issues can be resolved by ensuring that the registered provider and managerial staff are competent, by reorganising and or enhancing current resources and by safely transitioning residents from congregated, institutional style settings. Our inspectors have witnessed substantial improvements in the quality of peoples lives once good management and oversight arrangements have been put in place and when residents have moved into the community. However, the recurring issues we see of poor governance, inadequate safeguarding measures and institutional staff practices are more difficult to overcome and require strong leadership and a commitment to changing the culture of an organisation. Notwithstanding these challenges, there is much good work being done. We have seen a gradual improvement in services for people with disabilities over the past few years and most providers have a positive attitude to regulation. Through our inspections and interactions with residents and service providers, we are assured that regulation is improving the lives of people with disabilities living under the care of the State. To be effective, regulation must respond to peoples needs. It must also adapt to changing circumstances. Hiqa constantly seeks to improve regulatory practice to ensure that the needs of vulnerable people are being met. We recently published a series of research papers exploring the future of regulating health and social care services. The paper on disability services looks at some emerging models of care which do not fall under the definition of a designated centre under the Health Act 2007, and are therefore unregulated, as highlighted in an editorial in the Irish Examiner on May 20 , 2017, Community care plan causing great concern. One example of this is where people are moved out of a congregated setting to services that have no regulatory oversight. It is important to note that service users in these unregulated homes may be just as vulnerable as those being cared for in designated centres. They also have the same right to safe, high-quality care. The Government needs to review Hiqas regulatory powers to ensure oversight and provide public assurance on what its like to live in these services. All people deserve the right to choice, to safe care, to a suitable place to live, and to be treated with dignity and respect. Hiqa will continue our work to guarantee this right to all people with a disability in receipt of care and to ensure that those services we already do regulate are providing this to the vulnerable adults and children in their care. Mary Dunnion is Hiqas director of regulation and chief inspector of social services. On Wednesday the Dail passed a Fine Gael private members bill, the first of this administration. It moves to the Senate where it is expected to be endorsed before the summer break. Though celebrations must be put on ice until that final hurdle is safely crossed, this very welcome piece of legislation shows how a unified parliament, driven by the deep public concern expressed through a committed and well-informed lobby, can deliver on important issues. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey is interested in the Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system but is in no hurry to buy it, a source in the Turkish General Staff told Trend. This issue needs to be careful studied, the source said, adding that currently, the main priority for Turkey is to strengthen its own military industry. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is ready to sell Ankara the S-400 Triumph system, but the issue of localization of the production in Turkey will depend on the readiness of the countrys industry. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu People all over the world are scratching their heads over Donald Trump's decision to leave the monumental Paris Agreement. Over at tech world, a good number of companies particularly the people running them are dismayed with the president's decision, to say the least. Engadget noted that a total of 25 tech companies including Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft support the climate change accord and encouraged Trump not to withdraw. These companies published an open letter to the countries head of state saying that keeping the United States in the Paris Agreement is beneficial to the nation's economy aside from being great for the planet. The open letter was published last month as full-page ads in highly respected publications such as the New York Post, New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. According to the tech giants, climate change can go both ways. It can be good for business or it can be a risky business opportunity. CNET also noted that Tesla CEO Elon Musk made good with his promise to leave Trump's council of advisers if he pushes through with the Paris Agreement exit. He explained via Twitter that he is leaving the presidential council because he believes climate change is real and that leaving the accord is no good for America and the whole world. With the United States out of the accord, it joins two other countries - Nicaragua and Syria - as non-members. It must be noted though that Nicaragua refused to be a participant of the climate change deal because it thought that the provisions were not enough and should be improved. The Nicaraguan envoy stressed at the time that the accord's voluntary responsibility and unwillingness to punish those who will not abide by it was simply not enough. In other words, Nicaragua did not sign because it genuinely wanted something better. Syria, meanwhile, has been at war for some time now and was, in fact, an international pariah or outsider while the climate change accord was being tackled. For Trump, staying in the Paris accord is against his America First policy. He has also expressed before that he thinks global warming is a hoax invented by the Chinese. Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: A person, who planned a terrorist attack in the center of the southern Turkish province of Malatya, was killed during a shootout with police, said the provincial police in a message June 2. The police received information this morning about two persons planning a terrorist attack. The necessary measures are being taken to apprehend the second terrorist. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The Turkish police are conducting raids against supporters of the Fethullah Gulen movement at the Namik Kemal University in the countrys north-western province of Tekirdag, the Turkish media reported June 2. Fethullah Gulen, living in the US, is accused of being involved in the military coup attempt in Turkey July 15, 2016. According to the media, among those detained are professors and teachers of the university. The names of the detainees were not disclosed. On July 15, 2016 Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country as a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them. However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. The death toll as a result of the military coup attempt was over 200 people. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu SOLAR farms face a summer of power outages while the Island's distribution network is upgraded - a move costing one community-energy company half its annual income and meaning investors and charities will lose out. Furthermore, Wight Community Energy (WCE), which runs the 3.95MW Homestead Farm, at Newbridge, will be unable to pay back a 1.7 million start-up loan from the Isle of Wight Council as quickly as planned. Southern and Scottish Electricity Networks (SSEN) and the National Grid will carry out work between July and October, leading to rolling outages during peak-production times. Depending on their contracts, some farms will be disconnected from the grid entirely, with no compensation. WCE chair Colin Palmer said: "There are at least 15 large solar projects on the Island and many hundreds of domestic rooftop installations, with a total capacity of more than 90MW. "We will be as badly affected as anyone. This level of disconnection is beyond anything I have known in my 25 years' experience." WCE stands to lose 250,000 this year - half it's projected income - and, as it has pledged to invest more than 2 million in community projects over 25 years, it will be the Island community that loses out. Mr Palmer said: "The IW Council and the bank have been very understanding. "We projected payments to our 136 members and the community fund of 45,000 and 20,000, respectively, in the first year. These payments are now not possible and it will take us a few years to recover, so the overall totals will also be reduced." A council spokeswoman said a longer repayment plan could be accommodated. The work will include replacing transformers at Fawley during August and, from July, upgrading 132kV high-voltage overhead cables. An SSEN spokeswoman said it had been scheduled to coincide with planned works by the National Grid, to minimise disruption. "With our work, the current plan will only call for a full constraint for three days. We continue to work with National Grid to explore if their works can start later in the year to avoid the peak solar-production period," she said. A National Grid spokeswoman said SSEN had suggested the dates for the work at Fawley and, while discussions were ongoing to agree alternative dates, outages were not usually agreed after the clocks go back when the demand for electricity increases. In the short term, WCE hopes to reach a deal with RWE Generation UK, to use its power station in Cowes but, in the long term, Mr Palmer warned the move could deter investors in the Island's solar industry. MONDOMIX, a festival which delivers 'the best music and arts you didn't know you liked', takes place at Calbourne Water Mill from today (Friday) until Sunday. The mixed arts event specialises in new and often unfamiliar world-influenced music from artistes resident in the UK. Organiser Gerry Priddle said: "Our slogan is Harmony from Diversity and our mission is to promote what can be described as 'new empowering music' and bring it to new audiences - world-influenced music, which has been cultivated and nurtured by musicians often living in our well-established multi-ethnic and culturally diverse inner city communities. "This is fresh, vibrant and entertaining music, which when seen performed live can help build bridges between people and provide a positive stimulus for increased understanding and tolerance. "People do not attend Mondomix because they recognise names on a poster. They attend because this gathering has already secured an enviable reputation for bringing together a high-quality line-up, which represent the best of today's inner city music scene. "We have bands, such as Soothsayers, with their new take on Afrobeat and reggae, and Kabantu mixing up everything from Celtic reels and Brazilian samba to Balkan folk and African percussion. "There is the critically acclaimed Anchorsong recreating tracks from his BBC Radio 6 top-five album and Kongo Dia Ntotila bringing the most uplifting and resilient music from the African continent. "Our DJ culture thrives inside the Mondomix, hosting a wide variety of festival and club favourites. "Add in klezmer, ska, gypsy jazz, jungle, hip-hop, drums, didgeridoos and mix it up with spoken word from both Africa and the UK, Mondomix delivers the best music and arts you didn't know you liked. "Ours is a festival investing in the future not the past." The event is organised through the World Village Project, a non-profit organisation, which celebrates diversity through music and is supported by Arts Council England. Visitors can enter the campsite from 9am today (Friday) with performances starting at noon, and continuing all over the weekend. Live music will finish around 10.30pm each night and there will be DJs until 2am. Tickets are available online from www.mondomix.uk and on the gate. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Terrorists use social networks for ideological propaganda, Turkish Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdag said. He urged the countrys citizens to be more vigilant due to possible provocations in social networks. Supporters of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) also conduct active ideological propaganda in social networks, Bozdag said. FETO is a name given to the Gulen movement by the Turkish government. The movement is headed by Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of being involved in the military coup attempt in Turkey July 15, 2016. On July 15, 2016 Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country as a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them. However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. The death toll as a result of the military coup attempt was over 200 people. By continuing to browse or by clicking "Accept," you agree to our site's privacy policy. Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The Turkish police are conducting the second raid for the day at the countrys universities, the Turkish media reported June 2. According to the media, the police conducted the first raid against supporters of the Fethullah Gulen movement at the Namik Kemal University in the Turkish north-western province of Tekirdag. Fethullah Gulen, living in the US, is accused of being involved in the military coup attempt in Turkey July 15, 2016. The police conducted the second raid at the Anadolu University in the Turkish province of Eskisehir. Six graduates of the Department of Space Studies of the Anadolu University were detained as a result of the second raid. All detainees are Turkish citizens. On July 15, 2016 Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country as a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them. However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. The death toll as a result of the military coup attempt was over 200 people. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Cannon Hospital in Linville has been chosen as one of three rural North Carolina hospitals to convert existing beds to dedicated adult behavioral health care services. The conversion of 27 beds for psychiatric and substance use treatment is part of an N.C. Department of Health and Human Services grant initiative. Cannon will receive $6.5 million toward its project. The hospital currently has 25 acute-care and 10 psychiatric beds as a critical-access facility, according to its website. The closed Franklin Regional Medical Center in Henderson was chosen as the site for the central part of the state. The facility, now operated by Duke Life Point Maria Parham Medical Center LLC, will receive $10 million to convert 33 beds. DHHS is taking applications for an eastern N.C. hospital. Overall, there are plans to create or convert 150 beds to behavioral health usage statewide. The hospitals will establish the behavioral health beds by transferring unused acute medical beds and by new construction. The General Assembly appropriated $18 million from the Dorothea Dix Hospital Property Fund for the increased capacity. The state sold the property to Raleigh in July 2015. These hospitals will provide critical access to individuals needing inpatient mental health care in these regions of our state, said Jason Vogler, interim senior director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services. The goal is reducing travel distances to inpatient beds and decreasing wait times for individuals in emergency departments. At least half of the beds will serve people who are unable to pay for care, or are covered by Medicaid, Medicare or Tricare. Cannon said it has experienced a drastic increase since 2012 in demand for behavioral health inpatient beds from across Northwest N.C. For example, the hospital said that in 2016 it received more than 5,000 psychiatric referrals, but was able to admit only 560 psychiatric patients. I want to be clear that Cannon Hospital will continue to meet the medical needs of the community by operating as a critical access hospital, said Chuck Mantooth, president and chief executive of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, which operates Cannon Hospital. These additional behavioral health beds afford us the opportunity to grow the medical campus at Cannon Hospital and to develop the rural hospital of the future model, which can be replicated across the country. The system will host a public information session about the grant and the hospitals future at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Chapman Center in Linville. In November, a joint legislative oversight committee was told that hospital emergency rooms are being deluged with patients experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The number of individuals seeking mental health and substance abuse care in emergency departments is up fourfold in the past decade, the N.C. Hospital Association said. Also up fourfold is the average wait time four days for an adult in crisis to be transferred to a state psychiatric hospital. The wait was 2 days for a bed in a community hospital. The wait for children in need is longer. Legislators were told that between 30 percent and 80 percent of emergency department beds are occupied by patients waiting for mental health care. Hospitals in urban counties on average are caring for about 40 patients a day brought to their facilities under involuntary commitment status. Putting legislators on the spot, the hospital association pointed out North Carolina was one of just three states to decrease its spending on behavioral health from 2012 to 2015 all under a Republican-controlled General Assembly. North Carolina ranks 44th in the country in the number of psychiatric care beds. Only 35 percent of N.C. hospitals have a psychiatric unit. President Trump announced Thursday afternoon that the United States will pull out of the 195-country Paris climate agreement, joining Syria and Nicaragua as the worlds only non-signatory nations. The move is sure to stoke anger and anxiety among our European allies and to lift the stature of nondemocratic countries such as China, which will pose as guardians of a new kind of international order. There will be plenty of time to study the environmental and diplomatic fallout from the decision, but for now lets look at the domestic side of the ledger. First, pundits can dispel the notion that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have the secret sauce for pacifying Trump and keeping him from descending into right-wing lunacy. Whatever influence they exercise is either the antithesis of what one would expect from Manhattan Democrats or is ineffectual in moving the president. Arguably, along with womens entrepreneurialism (which the princess of nepotism touts without self-awareness) and child-care, climate change ranks at the top of Ivankas issue list. So much for her sway. It turns out for those hoping for a more statesmanlike, moderate presidency, Ivanka and Jared are hardly indispensable. There is no benefit to the public of their continued presence in the White House (unless helping to seal Trumps fate in the Russian affair can be considered an unintentional but appreciated contribution to American democracy). Second, if Democrats needed any more incentive to get their troops mobilized beyond a Simon Legree health-care plan, a starvation budget (yes, really a starvation budget Congressman refuses to say if Americans are entitled to eat) and evisceration of Environmental Protection Agency regulations this will do it. The trick for Democrats will be in maintaining through the 2018 elections the exceptional level of engagement they are now experiencing. They will no doubt use Trumps actions to continue making headway in upscale suburban neighborhoods with more educated voters. Third, this is one more instance in which Secretary of State Rex Tillerson comes up on the losing side of an issue squarely within his departments domain. (Recall that he couldnt even hire his first choice for deputy, and that he meekly accepted draconian budget cuts for his department.) Reports indicated that he argued strongly in favor of remaining in the agreement. (To be clear, Defense Secretary James Mattis reportedly was in favor of staying in the agreement; he too was ignored.) To his credit, Tillerson, unlike Homeland Secretary John F. Kelly and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, has kept to a minimum his rationalizing and spinning on behalf of the president on Russia and other topics more generally. However, he remains a fish out of water. He still has not fully grasped the language of international relations, the role of public diplomacy or the empathetic management style of secretaries such as George P. Schultz, who endeared himself to those who worked for him. He seems downright uncomfortable in his post. It shows. Since he too apparently contributes little to the final decision on major issues, he might do the country a favor and restore the art of resigning on principle (!). Fourth, Trumps announcement will not enhance his image as a pro-business president. A wide array of CEOs from virtually every sector of the economy have lobbied strenuously to keep the United States in the agreement. Trump has been touting his magic powers (animal spirits) to talk up markets and give businesses a sunny and predictable business environment in which to hire, invest and expand. Pulling out of the agreement risks putting him in a newly adversarial relationship with businesses and some big pro-business donors. Watching other countries take the lead in green technologies wont help Trumps promise to get America back to winning again. In short, Trumps decision is a loser in terms of domestic policy. He seems concerned only with pleasing his most enthusiastic fans, which is a problem when they are a declining share of the electorate. The sheikh of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayyeb, has ordered that a television advert for a charity run by the Sunni institution be pulled from the air as it undermined the states efforts to provide for citizens, the High Media Regulation Council announced. In a statement issued on Thursday, the council said that it had requested El-Tayyeb halt the ad for the charity Beit El-Zakat (House of Alms) which helps the underprivileged in Upper Egypt. In the 90-second ad, veteran television actress Dalal Abdel-Aziz visits a family who live in a modest structure in a rural part of Upper Egypt, with no access to clean water. Abdel-Aziz talks to the head of the family, a single mother called Afaf, who says she goes to the nearby Nile river every day to fill buckets with murky water. At the end of the advert, which is produced and directed by Hisham Gamal, the actress tells viewers that a donation of EGP2,000 will allow Afaf and her household access to clean water, encouraging donations to Beit Al-Zakat. The ad ran on major television networks in recent days after the fast-breaking evening meal of iftar, when viewership typically reaches a peak. The month of Ramadan, which began on 27 May, is traditionally a time of increased alms-giving and acts of charity by observant Muslims. The High Media Regulation Council added in its statement that the message of the advert had undermined the efforts of the state to improve the quality of water that reaches most of the population. The council also accused the ad of showing Egyptians drinking murky and contaminated water, adding that that the advert could be used as a justification for what it called the Sudanese governments campaign against Egyptian imports. The Sudanese government has suspended the import of Egyptian vegetables and fruit since September 2016, alleging that sewage water is used in irrigation, an accusation that Egyptian officials have completely denied. On Tuesday Sudan suspended all Egyptian imports of agricultural and animal products. The ad sparked debate on Facebook and Twitter, with some users criticising the government for what they said was its failure to provide clean water for citizens. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ratified a long-awaited investment law that grants investors a number of incentives including tax breaks, state news agency MENA reported late on Thursday. The law was drafted by the cabinet in 2015 with the aim of cutting red tape and attracting foreign investment. It was passed by the parliament in March. The decree signing the bill into law was published in the Egyptian gazette, making it effective as of the following day. The new legislation is expected to boost much-needed investment by cutting down on bureaucratic requirements, especially for new projects. The new investment law includes a raft of new incentives, such as a 50 percent tax break on investments made in underdeveloped areas and government support for the cost of connecting utilities to new projects. The legislation brings back private sector free zones, which are exempted from taxes and customs. It will offers 50 percent rebate to investors on cost of purchasing land for industrial projects if production begins within two years. Egypt's direct foreign investment jumped 39 percent in the first half of the current fiscal year, ending in June, to reach $4.3 billion. Last November, Egypt allowed its exchange rate to float freely and secured a three-year $12 billion loan programme from the International Monetary Fund, in a bid rejuvenate an economy suffering since the 2011 uprising which drove away investors and tourists. Egypt has received the first installment of the loan, with finance minister Amr Al-Garhy saying last month that the second tranche is expected to be disbursed in the second half of June. Search Keywords: Short link: [JURIST] Christina Strickland, represented by Lambda Legal Counsel [advocacy website], filed an appeal [brief, PDF] on Thursday to the Mississippi Supreme Court [official website] to challenge a lower courts ruling that she is not a legal parent of her ex-wifes sons. The children were conceived with sperm from a donor while the couple was together [WP report], although their marriage was not recognized [press release] by Mississippi at that time. The lower court ruled [opinion] that parental rights go to the sperm donor. Although Strickland does not have parental rights, she is still responsible for providing child support payments and has visitation rights. Strickland is challenging on the grounds that the ruling discriminated against a child based on the circumstances of his birth and contrary to his best interests and violated the Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution by ignoring the familial relationship between Chris and her sons. The rights of same-sex couples remains an ongoing issue after the Supreme Courts Obergefell decision. Last week the Texas senate sent [JURIST report] a bill to the governor that would allow publicly funded adoption agencies to refuse to place children with gay parents. In February a federal judge ordered [JURIST report] South Carolina to list both same-sex parents on a childs birth certificate. In December the Arkansas Supreme Court upheld a law [JURIST report] that allows only the biological parents to be placed on the birth certificate, finding that equal protection was not violated by acknowledging basic biological truths. In August New Yorks top court expanded [JURIST report] the definition of parent to better accommodate same-sex couples. In May 2016 the Alabama Supreme Court vacated [JURIST report] its prior ruling refusing to recognize same-sex adoption from other states. A month before, a judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi struck down [JURIST report] Mississippis ban on adoption by same-sex partners. The New Hampshire House of Representatives [official website] voted without debate Thursday to remove criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The purpose of the legislation is to reduce time spent on small possession drug cases, allow police and courts to spend more time on serious crime and to reduce penalties for those possessing less than five grams of marijuana. All of the money collected from the fines will go into a fund aimed at alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment. The bill [text, PDF] will now go to Republican Governor, Chris Sununu, who has indicated that he will sign it into law. Countries across the globe have begun to legalize marijuana in recent years. In April Canada announced [JURIST report] a plan [press release] to legalize recreational use of marijuana by July 2018. In February the lower house of the Dutch parliament approved a bill [JURIST report] that would permit the cultivation of cannabis. In January Maines governor signed [JURIST report] a moratorium bill that delayed the legal sale of marijuana by retailers for one year, although still allowed the possession of marijuana for personal use by those 21 or older. In April Mexicos president proposed [JURIST report] a bill relaxing laws on marijuana use. In December 2015 Colombias president legalized [JURIST report] medical marijuana. In June 2015 Canadas top court lifted [JURIST report] a restriction that the only acceptable form of medical marijuana was smoking the dried plant. Texas Governor Greg Abbott [official website] signed a law Thursday night that significantly loosens voter identification requirements. Senate Bill 5 [materials, text] is intended to salvage portions of a 2011 law that was found to be discriminatory against minority voters [JURIST report] by a federal judge in April. The bill allows voters who lack a photo ID to produce other documents [Statesmen report] showing their name and address, such as a voter registration certificate, utility bill, government check or bank statement, to verify their identity. Those who rely on those documents as proof of identification must sign a declaration of reasonable impediment giving the reasons they were unable to acquire a state-issued photo ID. Voters who lie on the declaration will face criminal charges. The legislation was passed along with a separate bill [Texas Tribune report], House Bill 658 [materials, text], that enables the state to collect absentee ballots from residents in assisted living facilities and other nursing care homes. Instead of requesting an individual mail-in ballot, the new law requires care facilities that request five or more absentee ballots to have election judges from both parties deliver them to oversee and provide assistance with the voting process. Since being signed into law in 2011 by former governor Rick Perry, SB 14 [text, materials] has been a contentious issue for the Texas legislature, citizens and judiciary. In February the US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] introduced a motion to withdraw [JURIST report] from the case, and abruptly reversed its original stance that the bill was created with discriminatory intent. In January the US Supreme Court [official website] declined to hear an appeal [JURIST report] involving the law. In September a federal judge ordered Texas to revise its voter ID materials [JURIST report], as it had been found to not comply with an order to relax the law. The Trump administration filed a petition [text, PDF] Thursday asking the Supreme Court [official website] to temporarily lift injunctions that block the presidents executive order suspending visa issuance to individuals traveling to the US from six Muslim-majority countries. The move is appealing an injunction the Fourth Circuit [official website] upheld [JURIST report] last month. The administration is also seeking to place on hold a second injunction held by the Ninth Circuit [official website] concerning the ban. The administration is arguing that the ban should be implemented until the court looks at the legality of the order later this year. A statement from Justice Department [official website] spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores [Twitter page] said: We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trumps executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism. The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States. The appeal will need the majority of the court, at least five justices now that Justice Neil Gorsuch as been added, to overturn the Fourth Circuits decision. When the second executive order concerning the travel ban was announced in March, Massachusetts, California [JURIST reports], Maryland, New York and Oregon joined Washington in the lawsuit [JURIST reports] opposing the ban. Hawaii also filed a separate suit [complaint, PDF] in February arguing that the revised order would cause serious business and constitutional concerns if implemented. Challenges [JURIST op-ed] to the order are not only being brought by states. Early in February the order faced opposition [JURIST report] from former government employees and private individuals. In March a federal court judge in Wisconsin issued a restraining order against the travel ban [JURIST report] for one Syrian asylum seeker and his family. 13 states came out in support of the revised travel ban [JURIST report] by filing a brief with the court stating that the president lawfully acted in the interest of national security. [JURIST] The UN Working Group on business and human rights [official website] on Thursday urged [statement] Canada to address human rights abuses resulting from business activities, both domestic and international. The experts, after a 10-day trip to Canada, specifically referred to [press release] human rights abuses taking place in countries where Canadian corporations practice business and the usage of indigenous peoples lands by Canadian businesses. The experts recommended following the guidelines set forth in the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples [text, PDF] and the UN Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights [text, PDF] to ensure that the natural resources of indigenous peoples are not exploited and that human rights and environmental activists in countries where Canada conducts business are not silenced. Vice-chairperson of the group, Surya Deva, said, We acknowledge the efforts of the Government to provide remedies, but feel there are still significant gaps that need to be addressed, as victims of rights abuses still struggle to access adequate and timely remedies. The group said that Canadas new policies on supporting human rights defenders were a promising first step and also applauded Canadas promotion of gender equality in business. The UN has voiced concern about the rights of indigenous peoples in several nations. In April a UN Special Rapporteur referred [JURIST report] to Australias treatment of Aboriginal people as appalling. In March a UN expert urged [JURIST report] the US to create an indigenous land policy. In January, another special rapporteur condemned [JURIST report] the murder of a Mexican indigenous activist. [JURIST] UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein [official profile] said [press briefing] Thursday that Egypts new NGO law [JURIST report] will further restrict human rights advocacy. Law 70, which was passed on May 24, 2017, requires NGOs to be approved by a government agency, for civil society groups to report all information on their funding and activities to the authorities, and to be in compliance with the governments developmental plans. NGO noncompliance with the new measures may lead to closure of the organization for one year, criminal prosecution, five years in prison, and a fine of up to 1 million EGP (around USD 55,000). Zeid stated: The new legislation places such tight restrictions on civil society that it effectively hands administration of NGOs to the Government. The crucial function of these NGOsto hold the State accountable for its human rights obligationshas been severely hampered already through asset freezes, travel bans, smear campaigns and prosecutions. This new law further tightens the noose. According to Zeid, the new law breaches Egypts human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [text, PDF] and the recommendations Egypt committed to under its second Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human Rights Council in May 2015. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi [BBC backgrounder] signed [Mada Masr report] the controversial NGO law on Monday. The legislation will create a new government agency, the National Authority for the Regulation of Non-Governmental Foreign Organizations, which will monitor all organizations receiving foreign aid to ensure that the funds are being spent in an approved manner. Parliamentarian Haitham al-Hariry, a member of the 25-30 Coalition in opposition to the law, told local media that al-Sisis decision to approve the bill was surprising to many MPs and that the legislation will harm Egypts international public image. The law has been widely condemned [Mada Masr report] by international NGO groups and members of the US Congress. The bill was approved [JURIST report] by the Egyptian legislature on November 14, where it also received heavy criticism from human rights groups. Egypt has in general been under fire lately for violating human rights and trying to silence protests. In September UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Maina Kiai, warned [JURIST report] that the Egyptian government seems to be systematically attacking civil society in an effort to silence its voice. In June an Egyptian court froze [JURIST report] the assets of five human rights activists and three NGOs for allegedly accepting unauthorized funds from foreign countries. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein [official profile] called on the Government of Bahrain [press release] on Friday to investigate the deaths of five protesters that occurred during a security operation last week. The protesters were killed and 286 individuals were arrested when Bahraini security forces were conducting an operation concerning a sit-in held by supporters of Sheikh Isa Qassem, the highest Shia authority in Bahrain, in the Al-Diraz Area. Those who died were buried without their families consent and without customary funeral traditions aligned with their culture, an act which the High Commissioner called disturbing. Zeid also expressed the need for those who are being detained for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly to be released and treated with full respect for their rights, including due process. Bahrain has had their human rights record questioned multiple times in recently. Earlier this week a Bahrain court dissolved a major political party that has opposed the current government, an act that Amnesty International [advocacy website] said [JURIST report] is a step towards total suppression of human rights. In March Bahrains upper house of parliament approved [JURIST report] a constitutional amendment that would allow military trials for civilians accused of being involved in terrorism plots. In September 2015 32 nations joined [JURIST report] a statement to the UN urging Bahrain to protect freedom of peaceful assembly and speech, and to investigate reports of torture used on prisoners. In April 2015 a human rights group said [JURIST report] that Bahrains post-2011 reforms had failed to put a stop to human rights violations including illegal detentions and torture. And in February 2015 the Bahrain Ministry of the Interior started [JURIST report] a criminal investigation against a political opposition group for allegedly illegal content posted on social media John Knox, the UN Special Rapporteur [official website] on human rights and the environment, urged [statement] all governments Thursday to fulfill their existent obligations to protect the worlds biological diversity from extinction. Knox warned: The extinction of species and the loss of microbial diversity undermines our rights to life and health by destroying potential sources for new medicines and weakening human immunity. Reduced variety, yield and security of fisheries and agriculture endangers our right to food. Natures weakened ability to filter, regulate and store water threatens the right of access to clean and safe water. Knox hopes that the World Environment Day, which will be on Monday, June 5, will be an opportunity to appreciate natures beauty and its importance to humanity, and will encourage governments around the globe to protect the Earth and its biodiversity. Knoxs statements come the same day US President Donald Trump announced [JURIST report] he intends to pull out of the Paris climate agreement, which would cast doubt to the landmark treaty that many scientists have hailed as an important step in combating climate change. The Paris Agreement was reached during the twenty-first annual conference of parties, known as COP21 [official website] and achieved the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius, aiming for only a 1.5 degree temperature rise. According to many experts, climate change [JURIST backgrounder] is a result of global greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most pressing and controversial environmental issues facing the international community today. In 2016 former President Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced an agreement [text] to address climate change [JURIST report]. Both countries pledged to reduce carbon emissions by increasing the use of wind and solar power sources to 20 percent of each nations electricity production by 2030. [JURIST] Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro [Reuters profile] pledged Thursday to hold a referendum on a new controversial constitution that he has proposed. Maduros pledge [Reuters report] to rewrite the national charter [text, PDF] has led to two months of protests [NPR report] in which at least 62 people have been killed. Maduros pledge came after criticism from opponents that his plan to rewrite the charter was anti-democratic. In response to criticism, Maduro said on state television, I shall propose it explicitly: the new constitution will go to a consultative referendum so it is the people who say whether they are in agreement or not with the new, strengthened constitution. Venezuela has had significant political unrest since the December 2015 election. In October the National Assembly voted to open criminal impeachment [JURIST report] proceedings against Maduro, alleging that he manipulated the constitution to remain in power. That same month the Assembly also declared [JURIST report] that there was a breakdown of constitutional order and that the government had staged a coup by blocking an attempt to remove Maduro from power. Instability peaked on March 30 when the Supreme Court of Venezuela dissolved [JURIST report] the opposition-controlled National Assembly and assumed all legislative powers. The governor of Alexandria said late Thursday the demolition of a 13-storey apartment buidling that has tilted into another one across the street is being done manually and gradually from top to bottom in a process that is estimated to take three days. In a press conference, Governor Mohamed Sultan said that initial reports showed the sharp forward tilt that occured earlier in the day was caused by excessive height, which had weakened the building's foundation. Sultan added that water beneath the building could have also been a contributing factor. The demolition work started Thursday afternoon and continued for the second day into Friday. Security forces blocked off the area on Thursday and halted operations of the overground tram to avoid any ground disturbance that could cause the building to collapse. The army has been called in to take part in the demolishion work. Meanwhile, the owner of the afflicted building was arrested on Friday and is being questioned by prosecutors over charges of illegal building and endangering citizens' lives, Ahram Arabic news website said. The building, in Azarita district in the city of Alexandria, was initially granted a four-storey license, but an additional nine floors were illegally added without permission, the governor said. Sultan explained that municipal authorities was not able to demolish the leaning building earlier becasue it was inhabited by residents. The incident has forced police to evacuate the building and nearby structures. Sultan said the opposite building on which the tilting building has rested can endure the weight. Neighbours said the 12-year-old building began slowly tilting over a year ago. Many said in TV interviews on Thursday that the incident was prompted by the fall of an adjacent dilapidated three-storey building. Building collapses are commonplace in Egypt and are usually attributed to violations of building specifications, illegal extensions and lax oversight. Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali said Thursday that the ministry would provide 21 apartments for affected families. It will also provide a daily stipend of EGP100 as well as daily meals to each person affected over the next three days until the demolition is completed and the families are moved to other housing. Fourty people have already been provided emergency housing units and there were places for another sixty, according to the ministry. Search Keywords: Short link: NEWSLETTER Sign up Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. Just Drinks Daily News The top stories of the day delivered to you every weekday. Just Drinks Weekly News A weekly roundup of the latest news and analysis, sent every Monday. Just Drinks Magazine The industry's most comprehensive news and information delivered every quarter NEWSLETTER Sign up Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. Just Style Daily Update The top stories of the day delivered to you every weekday. Just Style Weekly Update A weekly roundup of the latest news and analysis, sent every Monday. Just Style Magazine The industry's most comprehensive news and information delivered every quarter. Authorities in Beheira governorate on Friday arrested a new suspect in relation to the capsizing of a boat filled with irregular migrants last summer, which left over 200 dead. Last September, a migrant boat carrying an estimated 450 people capsized near the coastal city of Rosetta, killing at least 203 people. The boat which was heading to Italy and was carrying Egyptian, Sudanese, Eritrean, and Somali migrants. The arrested man - a fisherman - has admitted committing fraud against the boat passengers; he will be referred to prosecutors for questioning, MENA state news agency reported. In March, a court in Beheira handed initial jail sentences ranging from two to 13 years to 56 people charged in relation to the incident. The convicted were found guilty of charges including manslaughter, negligence and endangering lives. In November, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi approved a new law aimed at curbing irregular migration and cracking down on human smuggling. A growing number of migrants have in recent years tried to cross to Italy in perilous sea journeys from the African coasts of Libya and Egypt. Crossings are organised by migrant traffickers in rickety boats that often capsize, leading to many deaths. Search Keywords: Short link: The Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, chaired by Pope Tawadros II, decided on Friday to make 15 February an annual commemoration of all contemporary martyrs." Following their annual assembly, the synod published a statement explaining they chose the date to honour the memory of the Libya martyrs, a reference to the killing of 20 Egyptian Christian hostages on 15 February 2015 by Daesh in Libya. The meeting of the Holy Synod, the authority in the Coptic Orthodox Church which formulates rules and regulations regarding matters of the church's organisation and faith, was attended by 109 senior clergy. Daesh militants have carried out a number of deadly attacks against Egyptian Christians in the last six months, leaving more than 100 dead and dozens injured. The synod also decided to create a special department within the General Bishopric of Social Services "to care for the families of martyrs and confessors, and also to create comprehensive historical documentation for all those incidents, to commemorate our martyrs and injured, a statement published on the official Facebook page of the church's spokesperson said. "This meeting comes while the country and the Egyptian church are going through painful circumstances as a result of the consecutive terrorist attacks on our churches and our children all over Egypt," the statement added. On 26 May, gunmen driving three 4x4 trucks halted a bus carrying Coptic Christians in Egypts Minya governorate and shot the passengers. Thirty Christians died as a result of the attack, and 21 were injured. The militant group Daesh claimed responsibility for the killings. In April, 29 worshippers died in a suicide bombing at a church in the Nile Delta city of Tanta, while another suicide bomber attacked St Mark's Cathedral in Alexandria on the same day, killing 18 people. The incidents were also claimed by Daesh. The Holy Synod also expressed their appreciation for efforts to support Egypt's Copts. "We thank all authorities, institutions and persons, inside and outside Egypt, who have helped and supported the sons and daughters of the church in these dire circumstances." In response to the Minya attack, the Egyptian airforce carried out intensive strikes on "terrorist bases" in Libya, which authorities say were involved in planning and executing the attack. "We pray for the peace and growth of Gods one and holy church and for the protection of our beloved nation Egypt," read the statement. Search Keywords: Short link: Morocco's king has cancelled plans to attend a West Africa summit this weekend in Liberia due to the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the foreign ministry has said. The North African country is hoping to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after the African Union readmitted Morocco after a 33-year absence in January. Mohamed VI had been due to attend the ECOWAS summit in Monrovia on Saturday and Sunday, where members are expected to discuss Morocco's petition to join the bloc as a "full member", the foreign ministry said late Thursday. But key members of ECOWAS "have decided to reduce to the minimum their level of representation at the summit because they disagree with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being invited," the ministry said in a statement. The king "wishes his first visit to a ECOWAS summit not take place in a context of tension and controversy", it said. Netanyahu is expected to attend the summit from Sunday at the head of a large diplomatic and economic delegation, his office said. Search Keywords: Short link: Algeria's army Friday shot dead two suspected Islamists south of the capital Algiers days after gunmen in the same region wounded four policemen, the defence ministry said. The army killed the two, seizing two Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition and a pair of binoculars, in the Bougarra area of the Blida region, the ministry said in a statement. "The operation is ongoing," it added. The shooting came as part of a manhunt after gunmen on Wednesday targeted a police patrol in the Larbaa area of the Mitidja plain, around 15 kilometres (nine miles) to the northeast, wounding four policemen, it said. The large agricultural plain of Mitidja was the epicentre of fighting in the civil war that ravaged Algeria in the 1990s and was a bastion of the Islamist groups that fought security forces during the conflict. The army killed seven suspected Islamists in May, its publication El-Djeich has said. Search Keywords: Short link: Radiohead hit back Friday at a campaign urging the band to scrap a show in Israel, calling the boycott campaign divisive, patronizing and "an extraordinary waste of energy." The experimental rock icons are scheduled to close a tour on July 19 in Tel Aviv but artists including Roger Waters have urged Radiohead to heed Palestinian activists' calls to shun Israel. Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke responded that the campaign sowed divisions that fueled right-wing leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May. "All of this creates divisive energy. You're not bringing people together. You're not encouraging dialogue or a sense of understanding," Yorke told Rolling Stone magazine. "It's such an extraordinary waste of energy. Energy that could be used in a more positive way," he said. The petitioners -- who also include Nobel Prize-winning anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu, novelist Alice Walker and Thurston Moore of alternative rock pioneers Sonic Youth -- in an open letter pointed to Radiohead's past activism. The British band has played concerts to support Tibetan rights, Amnesty International and the battle against climate change. Yorke called it "patronizing in the extreme" to presume Radiohead is unfamiliar with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, pointing out that guitarist Jonny Greenwood's wife is an Arab-Israeli - a term which refers to Palestinians from pre-1948 historic Palestine. "It's really upsetting that artists I respect think we are not capable of making a moral decision ourselves after all these years," he said. "They talk down to us and I just find it mind-boggling that they think they have the right to do that," he said. The campaign took on a personal dimension as Nigel Godrich, the longtime Radiohead producer often considered the band's sixth member, produced the latest album by Waters, the most vocal artist in pressing the Israel boycott. Godrich, also speaking to Rolling Stone, said he disagreed with cultural boycotts but considered Waters and Yorke "two peas in a pod" in other respects. Radiohead had initially stayed silent on the boycott calls, even as a banner urging them to cancel the Tel Aviv show was hung at a recent concert in Berkeley, California. Yorke was speaking as part of an interview for the 20th anniversary of "OK Computer," the group's milestone foray into digital experimentation that is being reissued with a remastered sound and previously unreleased tracks. The story has been edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: The Philippine national police chief says there is no concrete evidence that the attack on a hotel and casino complex near Manila's airport is terrorism. Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa said one gunman is believed to be behind the attack early Friday and is still at large. Dela Rosa told reporters at the scene that the gunman stole gambling chips, shot an LED monitor and set ablaze gambling tables by pouring gasoline on them. But Dela Rosa says the assailant did not fire at people he met. Search Keywords: Short link: Equatorial Guinea was for the first time elected to the UN Security Council on Friday during a vote that saw Ivory Coast, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru and Poland also win seats at the top world table. The oil-rich central African country, which has been ruled by Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo for nearly four decades, ran unopposed for one of two seats representing Africa on the council. The Security Council is made up of 10 non-permanent members elected to two-year terms and five permanent powers: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The elected countries -- all of which were put forward by their regional grouping -- will begin their term on January 1. Human Rights Watch said it had concerns over Equatorial Guinea's role at the council, even if the body is overwhelmingly dominated by the five permanent members. "They have a long history of harassing, arbitrarily detaining and interfering with the work of human rights defenders," said Louis Charbonneau, HRW's UN director. Human Rights Watch hopes that "they don't try to obstruct attempts to increasingly integrate human rights defence and the promotion of human rights at the council," he said. The Netherlands will serve one year at the council under a deal reached with Italy to split the term and break a deadlock over the election. During the vote at the UN General Assembly, Equatorial Guinea won 185 votes, the Netherlands won 184 votes, Ivory Coast 185, Kuwait 188, Poland 190 and Peru 186. The six new council members will replace Italy, Japan, Egypt, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay. Diplomats casting votes at the General Assembly were treated to gifts from candidate-countries: The Netherlands gave stroopwaffels, Ivory Coast handed out coffee and Kuwait offered sweets. Search Keywords: Short link: KEARNEY A Bellevue man has been convicted of flight to avoid arrest following a February pursuit with law enforcement south of Shelton. Joseph T. Paterno, 21, pleaded no contest Wednesday in Buffalo County Court to the misdemeanor. In exchange for his plea, a second misdemeanor charge of willful reckless driving was dismissed. Judge Gerry Jorgensen ordered a presentence investigation by the state probation office. Such reports detail the defendants background, including family and criminal history, employment, and psychological and chemical dependency. The report will be provided to Jorgensen to help him issue an appropriate sentence. Sentencing will be in July. Paterno faces up to one year in jail. He remains free on bond. At about 2:41 a.m. on Feb. 12, the Buffalo County 911 Communications Center received a report of a car trying to run another vehicle off Interstate 80 near Gibbon. A Buffalo County Sheriffs Office deputy pursued the car until the pursuit crossed into Kearney County. A Nebraska State Patrol trooper located a vehicle with its lights off on a dead-end road in Kearney County. When the trooper activated her emergency lights, the car fled on Denman Road south of Shelton toward Kenesaw in Adams County. The car went through Kenesaw and back north on Denman Road until it came to a curve at 24th Road. The car missed the curve, hit the curve sign and came to rest about 200 feet from the road. The car crashed as the men were trying to navigate the curve while trying to make a driver swap. Paterno and John Kelly, 23, also of Bellevue, who was identified as the driver at the time, were then taken into custody without incident. Kelly is charged with flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving under suspension and driving under the influence in the incident. His case is pending in Buffalo County Court. @HubChic KEARNEY Matt and Grace Mims will lead the Buffalo County Community Partners 2017 annual fund campaign, which began Thursday and runs through December. The goal is $130,000, which BCCP will use for its Building a Healthier Buffalo County campaign to elevate mental health and physical wellness. BCCP hopes to raise the first $40,000 this month with a targeted June campaign. It will culminate with a community block party from 3-5 p.m. June 25 at the southern end of Harmon Park. Each dollar raised will be multiplied six times through local, state and federal grant funding. Grace Mims is the chair of the University of Nebraska at Kearney Counseling and School Psychology Department and a licensed independent mental health practitioner. Matt Mims, a native of a lower-class suburb of Detroit, teaches mental health at UNK. Their son Griffin, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomore studying communications and international studies, was a member of the BCCP Youth Advisory Board for six years. I learned early on that Community Partners was about promoting safe and healthy communities, Grace said. She said that although mental health training and services have advanced tremendously, there is still a stifling silence because of the terrible shame that comes with mental illness. As more teens ask for help, they will see that our community is responsive and that they are not alone. Matt said, I am a firm believer that communities need to promote mental health. For more information, visit www.bcchp.org or watch for the 2017 Annual Report in Buffalo County newspapers on June 22 and 23. To donate, visit www.bcchp.org/donate. KEARNEY When Logan Dowhy learned of the death of Gary Rouse last weekend, he decided to give him a fitting memorial. He organized a procession of tow trucks in Rouses memory. Rouse, after all, ran the successful Garys I-80 Service from 1978-2006. He was an honorary member of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department. In 2002, he was inducted into the prestigious International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame in Chattanooga, Tenn. Tow trucks were his life, Dowhy, owner of Dowhy Towing in Kearney, said.He was a big, big presence in towing, not just in Kearney or Nebraska, but nationally. So at 10 a.m. Thursday morning, 18 tow trucks from Kearney, Omaha, Council Bluffs, Nebraska City, North Platte and Kimball left their staging area near Kearney Cemetery and proceeded south on Avenue N, went over the overpass, then drove west on W. 11th St. and south on Central Avenue to Talmadge Street. There, they looped past the Speedee Mart at Talmadge and Second Avenue, the location of Garys I-80 Service, and headed back north on Central Avenue to south Railroad Street, east to Avenue F, out to Coal Chute Road, south on Highway 10 and east on I-80. They got off at the Minden exit and gathered at the nearby Rouse farm with the extended Rouse family for sandwiches and memories. Gary taught me a lot about the towing industry. He was a mentor to me, Dowhy said. Dowhy, 30, began stocking coolers in Rouses business when he was just 13. He opened his own towing business seven years ago. When Rouse, 64, died one week ago, Dowhy called friends in the towing business in Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado and Kansas, and invited them to join the procession. Many couldnt come because it was short notice, but 18 did, Dowhy said. He and Heath Rouse, Garys son, put an ammo can containing Rouses ashes on the back of a flatbed truck and began snaking through Kearney. Rouse and his wife, Sharon, owned Garys I-80 Service for 26 years until they just decided to close the business, Heath said. In recent years, Dowhy would casually ask Rouse if hed like to be memorialized with a tow truck parade when he passed away, but Rouse always said no. He never wanted anything done. He said he wanted a viewing but didnt want to make it a big deal, Dowhy said. But when Rouse died May 26, friends and acquaintances began calling to ask about a parade. People said he deserved it, Heath, 37, said. Dowhy agreed. Heath said his father missed his high school graduation because he had to help pull out a semi that had toppled over into a feedlot. Gary often raced out during holiday dinners as well. Heath, in fact, came home from the hospital in a tow truck when he was born. He enjoyed helping people, Heath said. Rouse was named an honorary member of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department because he rescued people trapped in cars after accidents, changed fire truck tires and even pulled fire trucks out of the river on one occasion. He was one of just two certified tow truck operators in Kearney, Heath said. He was a member of the Professional Towing Association of Nebraska and the Towing Recovery Association of America. Born in 1953 in Grand Island, Rouse graduated from Kearney High School in 1972 and worked with his father at Rouse Oil Co. He and Sharon then opened Garys I-80 Service. After the business closed, Rouse worked for Nebraska Crane until he retired in 2012. Besides Heath and his wife RaeLynne, Rouse is survived by two daughters, Holli Huhman and Heidi Jarvis and their spouses; 11 grandchildren, a sister, brother, and several nieces and nephews and cousins. MADISON A former student teacher at Norfolk High School pleaded no contest Thursday morning to charges filed in Madison County relating to an alleged explicit photo case. Sean Neal of Wayne, 24, appeared in county court here with his attorney, Brad Montag, on a charge of attempted contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Neal was originally charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, but the charge was reduced in exchange for his no contest plea, which is not an admission of guilt but is treated that way by the court. Madison County Attorney Joe Smith said a 14-year-old freshman at Norfolk High School reported that she had sent Neal explicit photos of herself via electronic device in exchange for him changing her grades. Smith said the students grades were changed the same day she sent the photos, and that the student herself reported the incident to school officials within a day or two after that. A school resource officer at Norfolk High School immediately contacted the Norfolk Police Division, which began an investigation into the incident. In terms of jurisdiction issues, the investigation determined that there was no evidence Neal received the photos while he was in Madison County but when he was at his residence in Wayne. However, Neal did change the students grades, which went to a computer in Norfolk, Smith said. Thats even a little bit complicated because we dont know if (Neal) physically changed the grades (in Norfolk) or at his residence. But the computer that received the changes was in Norfolk; it was accessed here, Smith said. No charges have been filed against Neal in Wayne County, according to Eric Knutson, deputy Wayne County attorney. Dr. Jami Jo Thompson, superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools, said she cannot provide specific details about the incident, though she did confirm that Neal was a student teacher at the high school during the first semester of the 2016-2017 school year. I can also assure you that anytime there is a concern with the safety or welfare of our students, we are committed to take immediate and decisive action to protect our students and families. All allegations are investigated thoroughly and reported to authorities if warranted. Student safety is always our highest priority, Thompson said in a statement to the Daily News Thursday afternoon. Neals sentencing in Madison County Court is scheduled for Aug. 3, at 10:45 a.m. He faces up to six months in jail and a fine, Smith said. Brazil, Latin Americas largest country in population and area, appears to be coming unstuck politically in the face of persistent corruption among its leaders. Brazilians impeached their elected president, Dilma Rousseff, last August, based on what was for Brazil minor budgetary sleight of hand. Now her successor, Michel Temer, 76, is under heavy fire, including vigorous action in the streets, in response to the appearance of a tape in which he appears to approve offering bribes to another jailed politician. Impeachment is being talked about again, but that possible remedy is sullied by the thought that his possible successors are no walk in the sun either. If Temer were impeached, his constitutional successor would be the speaker of the lower house of parliament, the equivalent of Americas Paul Ryan. The occupant of that post is Rodrigo Maia, under investigation for graft. The head of Brazils senate, Eunicio Oliveira, is accused of taking bribes. Former President Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva, once a man of the people political hero, is considered a possibility if Temer is pushed out but is facing criminal charges for graft. All in all, it is such an ugly picture that some Brazilians are wondering if democracy and elections offer them any possibility of putting their country back on a right track. There is even faint, unrealistic talk of restoring the monarchy. The last emperor, Dom Pedro II, was forced out in a military coup detat in 1889. Brazil has had military governments, most recently in the 1964-85 period. Its current military leaders have indicated that they are not interested in ruling again, wishing not to court the unpopularity that forced them out last time and looking at the formidable economic problems Brazil faces. They also look at the absolute chaos in neighboring Venezuela. In the meantime, Temer had to use the military briefly to counter violent demonstrations. Brazils courts, its states authorities, some members of the legislature and the threat to him inherent in Brazils constitution limit him in what he can do as a probably corrupt, not very skillful and unpopular president of a nonetheless very important country. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Where I come from, sucker-punching or body-slamming an unsuspecting adversary isnt the mark of a tough guy. Its a punk move, a half step above smacking a woman. Not to mention that newly elected Montana Republican congressman Greg Gianforte was the one surrounded by aides. Ben Jacobs, the Guardian reporter he assaulted, was on his own, doing his job asking questions specifically, if the candidate supported the GOP health care bill. Gianfortes first move was to cast the reporter as the aggressor. That got him through the election. Even though an audiotape of the incident, not to mention an eyewitness account by Fox News correspondent Alicia Acuna, depicted an unprovoked attack that, had it happened in a Missoula bar, could have led to Gianfortes arrest. The Gallatin County Sherriff later cited him for misdemeanor assault. So naturally the loudmouth right-wing media began making excuses, if not downright lying about what happened. Rush Limbaugh rhetorically condemned the attack but quickly devolved into hero worship. This manly, obviously studly Republican candidate in Montana took the occasion to beat up a pajama-clad journalist, a pajama boy journalist out there, Limbaugh told listeners. He described the reporter as unacceptably, brusquely and rudely thrown to the ground like a 125-pound dishrag. Even after Gianforte, safely elected, publicly admitted being in the wrong and apologized to Jacobs, many of his supporters took the Limbaugh position. Journalists are scum, who deserve to be popped in the mouth. After all, hasnt President Trump, the original trust-fund tough guy surrounded by bodyguards all his life, told them that journalists are the enemy of the people? Something tells me Gianfortes going to fit in really well in Washington, at least for now. Something also tells me that saying so will evoke a bunch of emails from guys threatening to come punch my disrespectful mouth. And that none of them will show up. It comes with the territory. Sometimes you just have to laugh. Last week, I got several angry screeds from a guy in Wichita Falls, Texas, who quoted a friendly remark Id supposedly made to Josef Stalin, the late Soviet dictator. A quick Google search established that his source was the Wikipedia biography of Eugene Lyons, the Russian-born American journalist whose book Assignment in Utopia influenced George Orwell. But no, Im actually not 119 years old. No kin, that Eugene Lyons. Of course, before last years election, some of the threatening emails were coming from Russia. One charming missive from a correspondent I dubbed Boris, after the spy in the old Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons, began Trump should (defecate) in your traitorous mouth. Meanwhile, no sooner did the president return from insulting NATO allies in Brussels weakening the alliance having been the primary goal of Russian foreign policy since the Stalinist era than he began to remind loyalists that bullying journalists may be entirely appropriate: 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 exist but are made up by fake news writers, Trump tweeted. #FakeNews is the enemy! This from a guy who used to phone New York gossip columnists pretending to be his own press secretary to brag about his sexual conquests. Arkansas Times columnist Gene Lyons is a National Magazine Award winner and co-author of The Hunting of the President. Commissioned by the Aga Khan Music Initiative, Aswan Music Project rediscovers the musical heritage of Aswan bringing boundless benefits for the local, Egyptian and international community I want to ask a question and it doesnt matter what the answer is. Why does the moon follow me? Do the stars light up or is it the way my eyes see them? Why is the sky blue? Why are the trees green? I want to ask a question and it doesnt matter what the answer is. Why does the moon follow me? Do the stars light up or is it the way my eyes see them? Why is the sky blue? Why are the trees green? Why is it that while Im walking I find my shadow walking with me? Who am I? Who are you? How are the clouds hung up? I want to ask a question and it doesnt matter what the answer is. In one of Egypts southernmost villages, a group of children is gathered around the Cairo-based theatre director Salam Yousry, who leads them in a song they have created together, to the accompaniment of musicians on oud and duf. The event was part of the Aswan Music Project (12-22 May), which involved a series of workshops in the villages of Iqlit, Selwa and Gharb Aswan. Song creation with children is just one element within the pilot phase of the project which aims to use the power of music to mobilise, educate and reconnect the community while exploring, preserving and transmitting a rich musical heritage. The pilot project included song creation, discussions with educators and parents as well as gatherings that culminated in a performance in each village. On a larger scale, the Aswan Music Project is part of the Aga Khan Music Initiative (AKMI), launched in 2000 by His Highness the Aga Khan IV with an aim to preserve the local musical heritage. The AKMI is an initiative of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, one of the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Following its launch, the Music Initiative soon spread to South Asia, the Middle East, North and West Africa and is now in Egypt led by AKMI director Fairouz Nishanova; Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan Foundation in Egypt Malik Kotadia; Professor of Music and Director of Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology at the University of Alberta and Senior Project Consultant Michael Frishkopf and AKMI Consultant Ashraf Kenawy. On its website, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) explains that the Aswan Music Project aims to promote musical participation, musical development, and cultural continuity, by encouraging interest in Aswans traditional artistic heritage, especially through musical training of teachers, children and youth. In this way the project seeks to sustainably revive Aswans performing arts, enhancing social cohesion, and generating new possibilities for future employment in the tourism sector. To many Cairenes, the AKDN is known through the operations of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) , one of its many agencies, which is responsible for the creation of the 30-hectare (74-acre) Al-Azhar Park, a gift from His Highness the Aga Khan to the city of Cairo. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture also played an important role in the creation of Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Arts School, initiated in 2010 by Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy (the Cultural Resource) in cooperation with the AKTC and with the support of Al Fanar Foundation and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). On the other hand the networks cultural dynamism extends to the restoration of such historical landmarks of Cairo as the fourteenth century Umm al Sultan Shabaan mosque; and the Khayrebek complex, which encompasses a thirteenth century palace, a mosque and an Ottoman house. But the AKDNs multifold activities also include rural development, in which field the network promotes environmentally sound agricultural practices and helps farmers generate additional income. In education, it supports early childhood development and continuing education in Aswan. Microfinance programmes provide a range of financial products that support micro, small and medium enterprise development. In Aswan, many AKDN activities are implemented with the support of its affiliate NGO, the Om Habibeh Foundation, established in 1991 by the Aga Khans late step-grandmother, Om Habibeh (Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, born Yvonne Blanche Labrousse, a French national and Miss France 1930). The Aswan Music Project is the newest AKND initiative in Aswan. Commissioned by the Aga Khan Music Initiative (AKMI), it is developed in partnership with the AKDN and Om Habibeh Foundation, the Canadian Center for Ethnomusicology and the University of Alberta in Canada. It is also worth mentioning that Aswan is home to the Aga Khan Mausoleum, where the Aga Khan III and Om Habibeh are buried. According to Ashraf Kenawy, Aswan governorate is struggling with many challenges. One of the main problems of the local community is the severe weakening of tourism as the principal source of income. In many ways, Aswan is disconnected from Egypt. Most if not all opportunities are centralised in Cairo, some 850 km to the north... Kenawy goes on to stress economic and social pressures in the south. Kenawy is no stranger to the Aga Khans initiatives and principles, as he used to work as the director of the El-Genaina Theatre at Al-Azhar Park and operated by Al Mawred Al Thakawy, which hosted many events supported by AKMI. Upon the suspending of the Culture Resources activities in Egypt in 2015, and moving its headquarters to Beirut, Kenawy became the director of El Genaina Company which overlooked several activities held at El-Genaina Theatre as well as Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Arts School. Departing from El-Genaina Company earlier this year, Kenawy remains close to Aga Khan, but now focused on Aswan and its new project. The Aswan Music Project focuses on four channels of activity: musician meet-ups, musical training, public events and research and documentation. Music is very present within Aswan, songs are passed from generation to generation, many people know how to play traditional instruments, yet lifes pressures make it very difficult for them to practice. Kenawy explains how large portions of this musical heritage may soon be completely forgotten. Through the meet-ups, the Aswan Music Project invites young people as well as the older generation to gather and recall the music within them. The meet-ups will support all other elements of the Aswan Music Project, as they will allow the older musicians to reconnect with their often forgotten or neglected musical practice, and will be a reason for them and the young to create music together. The young will learn from the older generation, while adding their own freshness and new ideas. On the other hand, the professionally tailored trainings will help direct existing talents and discover new ones. Trainings will also target school teachers. We discovered that several of the women teachers have some musical background, but have never used those skills. It is our aim to support them in this regard. The project will pay a lot of attention to children, allowing their creativity and imagination to run free. As a first trial of this initiative, Salam Yousry spent several sessions with children, using their ideas to create new songs, which were then performed in a final event in each village addressed by the project. Separate sessions were held with the teachers guiding them through the projects ideas on the one hand and learning from the experiences and hopes of the locals on the other hand. Kenawy adds that a major part of the Aswan Music Projects pilot relies on rediscovery. Further concrete plans and support will eventually revive the cultural dynamics of the region. Some people are already interested to participate in the organised events where they can put their skills to use. Apart from purely traditional music practice, we found young people interested to experiment with sound engineering. All this can lead to a completely new level of activities and income for the community. Aswan governorate has great potential wealth. It is unprecedented to turn its culture into palpable benefits for the local community. It will attract tourism to and export their culture to other areas in Egypt. Alongside support and development, the Aswan Music Project will document existing music and lyrics which are passed down the generations. We are very happy with the outcome so far. The response of the local community was extremely positive, beyond our expectations, Kenawy proudly explains, mentioning the increased number of attendees showing up at each new workshop and their growing enthusiasm. It is a very ambitious endeavour and one that carries boundless benefits for the local, Egyptian and international community. We begin by dissecting the present situation, supporting and boosting the skills and wealth already available in Aswan. Once we manage to set the whole project in motion, the upcoming generations will find themselves in this system and develop it even further. This article was first published in Al Ahram Weekly For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: The Central Okanagan Community Food Bank will be moving from its home on Ellis Street in downtown Kelowna to this bigger and better building at 2310 Enterprise Way. Outside the new location are, from left, executive director Lenetta Parry, treasurer Kevin Smith, president Helen Holton and new building committee chairman Fraser Campbell. The United Independent School District will be kicking off their commencement exercises on Friday night, starting with LBJ High School. This is one of four graduations scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Laredo Energy Arena. On Saturday, United High School seniors will begin their ceremony at 9:30 am, following with Alexander High School at 1:30 pm. United South High School will close the big day with their graduation taking place at 6:30 pm. Tonight on KGNS News Evening Edition, Reporter Marco Revuelta gives us more information about the ceremonies. The town of Callan in Kilkenny is to get its second public monument within a year, when a heritage marker to White House architect James Hoban is unveiled on the morning of Bank Holiday Monday, June 5, in the enhanced public space at the upper end of Green Street. The unveiling will be carried out by Judge Irvin Condon, President of the by the United States. He will be accompanied by his son Joseph, and also by Harry Cale, Secretary/Treasurer of the US society, and his wife Beth. The marker will be near the long-standing memorial to Edmund Ignatius Rice, the founder of the Irish Christian Brothers, and on the opposite side of the street to the memorial erected in 2016 to Callan area participants and casualties in World War I. It will complement the Hoban birthplace memorial at Desart, which was designed and installed in 2008 as part of the Spirit of Place series, a student project organised by the Department of Architecture of the Catholic University of America in Washington DC that encompasses eight sites in Ireland (a ninth will be added later this year at Cong in Co. Mayo). The Desart memorial project, which was funded by Kilkenny County Council and the Department of the Taoiseach, emphasises the spiritual connection between Hoban's native place and the land where he made his name as an architect, builder and public figure. Although a Callan site was investigated as an option at the time, the rural space at Desart proved more suitable to the 'Spirit of Place' concept. But the James Hoban Society in the US had always wanted a heritage marker that would explain Hoban's contribution and achievement in more detail, in a location with a greater passing 'footfall' and agreed to provide the funding for the Callan location following the completion of the streetscape improvement scheme there. As 2017 is the 200th. anniversary of Hoban's rebuilding of The White House following its destruction by fire in 1814 during the war with the British, it was felt appropriate to commission the monument this year. As was the case with the Desart project, all of the work on the project will be carried out by local contractors, with the stonework by P. Molloy & Sons, and the graphic production and fabrication by Ballyhale firm Signiatec. Later in the year there are plans for events which will commemorate not only the Hoban connection with Callan and Washington, but also the contribution of other Irish contractors and staff members to The White House down through the years. Activities are proposed for Callan, Killarney (at the former Irish home of John McShain, who rebuilt The White House in 1948) and Washington DC. The Callan events will include a lecture on July 4th as part of the Abhainn Ri festival. It will honour the Kilroy family's connection with the town and will be given by David Kilroy, a professor of history at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and a son of the late Michael Kilroy. His subject will be US presidential visits to Ireland. On Saturday July 8, also as part of the festival, there will be a James Hoban Mini-Summer School featuring speakers from Ireland and the US. A similar event will be held in Killarney on the following day, and a day-long event will be held in Washington DC at the end of September. The monument installation will consist of A foundation for 8ft x 4ft oval base, with stone paving in limestone and flamed finish to meet slip-resistance requirements for outdoor location; etching of outline of The White House on same; all to be inserted in existing paved streetscape A straight lectern in monumental-quality limestone to dimensions of 6ft (wide) x 18in (deep) with sloped height of 9in, the whole slightly angled on pedestals 9in square with sloped height range of 31in at rear to 25in at front; the face of the lectern to incorporate six recessed spaces for information panels, with etching of image of James Hoban in oval space at centre, to be executed in white on polished black granite material Six number A4 panels etched in zinc using a raised-effect process for lettering and images; the information to be contained in the panels on the lectern will be divided under the following headings: James Hoban's early life and training at Desart and in Dublin, and his professional career in the early 1780s Philadelphia and Charleston: James Hoban's early experience in the United States, including his connection to Pierce Butler and his move with his siblings to Charleston, where he established his reputation Washington and The President's House: James Hoban's involvement in the design and construction of The White House and his supervision of the Capitol Building and Rebuilding a Capital City: James Hoban's work on rebuilding The White House as well as his involvement in miscellaneous projects including the Octagon, James Monroe's Oak Hill and ongoing work on The President's House, including the installation of the porticos in 1829 Citizen and Family Man: James Hoban's contribution to Washington City's civic and social life, as well as his marriage in 1799 to Susanna Sewell and the raising of his extensive family Information Source Panel: This will contain directions to the main monument at Desart, as well as provision for QR codes that will allow people to access additional information and translations of the panel information into foreign languages (note that it is also proposed to modify the information at the Desart monument to in direct visitors to the Callan monument) For investors buying individual bonds, it's time to play "the price is right." Regulators are implementing new rules designed to help small investors get better prices on their bond trades. Unlike stocks, whose prices are easily tracked on an exchange, bonds generally trade in an over-the-counter market where many small investors simply accept the price that their broker pins on a bond. But that price typically includes a "markup" from the prevailing market price (if you're buying the bond) and a "markdown" if you're selling it. These ups and downs are largely profits for broker-dealersand theyre usually not disclosed. The new rules will change that. Late last year, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (opens in new tab) finalized a rule requiring brokerage firms to disclose the markup or markdown on retail customers trade confirmations for most corporate- and agency-bond trades. The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (opens in new tab) also announced a similar rule for municipal-bond trades. Subscribe to Kiplingers Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Save up to 74% Sign up for Kiplingers Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplingers expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplingers expert advice - straight to your e-mail. Sign up "Hallelujah, it's about time" that markups were disclosed, says Marilyn Cohen, chief executive officer of Envision Capital Management (opens in new tab), in El Segundo, Calif. Just as competition has driven down mutual-fund fees and brokerage commissions, "there should be a price war in markups too," she says, and the disclosure rules could make that happen. Although the rules don't take effect until May of next year, they put a spotlight on the importance of trading costs for bond investorsand recent research shows just how high those costs can be. A 2015 study from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business found that individual investors pay an average of 0.772% in transaction costs when trading corporate bondsor $115.80 on a $15,000 bond trade. Meanwhile, investors buying a stock through an online broker might pay a commission of $4.95 plus a penny or two per share in bid-ask spreadthe difference between buying and selling prices. Currently, many small investors don't even realize they're paying a markup, much less focus on its size. Investors buying the same bond on the same day and in the same amounts often pay very different prices. But there are ways to minimize your bond trading costs. Online tools can help you research recent trades in the bond you're considering (or trades in bonds with similar characteristics) and raise your odds of paying a reasonable price. Armed with recent trade information, you may be able to haggle with your broker for a better deal. And when you have a better sense of how much bond trading is costing you, you can weigh the costs and benefits against alternatives such as bond mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. To see recent trades, go to www.finra.org/marketdata (opens in new tab) for corporate bonds or www.emma.msrb.org (opens in new tab) for municipal bonds, and enter the CUSIP numbers of bonds that interest you. By looking at trades between dealers, you can get a sense of the prevailing market price. To figure out how much you should be paying, look for recent customer purchases of similar size to yours. "If you're buying small, weeny positions [say 10 or 15 bonds at a time], you'll probably pay at least half a point," or a markup of 0.5%, for an investment-grade bond, Cohen says. If you're buying 50 to 100 bonds at a time, the markup may be closer to 0.25%, she says. Investors should expect to pay higher markups for lower-quality, "junk" bonds and bonds that are thinly traded. But small investors can incur hefty trading costs even in higher-quality, less-obscure bonds. Research firm Municipal Market Analytics offers this example: Looking at a California general-obligation bond maturing in 2037, there were two inter-dealer trades on the morning of March 17 at nearly the same price: $112.73 and $112.67. Three minutes later, a customer bought $50,000 worth of the bonds at $115.102.2% more. Less than an hour after that, a large investor buying $6.9 million worth of the bonds got something much closer to the inter-dealer price: $112.99. Such price discrepancies can make the muni market "very difficult for an individual investor," says Thomas Doe, president of Municipal Market Analytics (opens in new tab). The market actually resembles a "flea market," he says, "because you have this eclectic product, very inconsistent supply and demand, and you're just trying to match the product with a buyer." Prepare to Negotiate on Price As in a flea market, you may have to haggle to get a good deal. Investors "don't have to be price-takers," says Lynnette Kelly, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (opens in new tab)s executive director. Prices can be negotiable. If you're offered a bond at a price well above recent trade levels, you can say, " 'Why would I pay that? No one has paid that today on this transaction,' " says John Bagley, MSRB's chief market structure officer. Then use comparable customer trades to name a price you think is fair. In many cases, there may not be any recent trades in the specific bond that interests you. But recent trades in comparable bonds can give you a rough idea of how much you should pay for the bond you want. Use the advanced search on the Finra market data site (opens in new tab) or the price discovery tool on MSRBs EMMA site (opens in new tab) to find bonds with similar credit quality, maturity and other characteristics. Muni-bond investors may be able to get the best price by buying newly issued bonds during the "retail order period," when orders are accepted only from small investors. That way, "on 10 or 15 bonds you'll get the same price as Pimco buying 14 million bonds," Cohen says. Another simple way to limit your bond transaction costs: Trade them as little as possible. Hold individual bonds to maturity. But some advisers question whether small investors buying individual bonds can ever get a fair shake. "I think it's a sucker's market," says Frank Armstrong, chief executive officer of Investor Solutions (opens in new tab), an advisory firm in Miami. When clients come to him with individual bonds, Armstrong says, he generally sells them off and replaces them with bond mutual funds or exchange-traded funds. Some bond funds charge annual fees of just 0.04%, while it can cost 4% or 5% to do a "round trip," meaning buying and selling reasonably liquid individual bonds, Armstrong says. "That just eats into your total return. In an environment where there's hardly any income in fixed income, why would you want to give that up?" I always look forward to attending the various mining conferences which are held each year in the beautiful city of Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada. The mining industry is filled with fascinating and colorful people, and I always come away with a wealth of information, which I can apply to my miner sector knowledge base. Cambridge House International (CHI), founded in 1995, has become the leading producer of investment conferences located across North America. Top industry analysts, newsletter writers, hedge fund managers, trends forecasters and finance celebrities offer unsolicited opinion and education to the retail investor for little or no entrance fee. I vividly remember my very first CHI mining conference experience in Vancouver, during the initial stage of the previous miner bull in 2004. I was beginning to become more fascinated with the mining sector and speeches given by financial master-minds to a large audience were thrilling for me. However, I was completely overwhelmed by the vastness of the event, which was populated with well over 200 companies and more than 3,000 attendees as I recall. By 2014, as the exciting bull in the sector had morphed into a fearful bear, the conferences naturally began to be sparsely attended. This forced the organizers to include companies from other sectors to try and bolster attendance. This dilemma of the absence in mining focused conferences was recognized by resource based company Sprott Global Resources, who by early 2016, decided to organize a more intimate event strictly devoted to the mining sector. The conference organizers introduced an entrance fee to target the more serious and higher net-worth investor. I attended the Sprott Global Symposium last year and was taken by the quality of the companies in attendance, as well as the speaker list. The keynote speakers and the company management were easily accessible, and I was able to be more focused in an intimate atmosphere. Due to the success of the Sprott event, a few of the mining sector newsletter writers decided to organize the recently launched Metals Investor Forum. Conducted at the Georgia hotel, this conference was also more boutique in nature, as each company in attendance needs a recommendation from a keynote newsletter writer if they wish to participate. All of the companies in attendance were carefully vetted exploration firms and the event featured the best in breed newsletter writers as keynote speakers. The program was well designed so that the attendees could see each key note speech, without worrying about missing another. The free of charge event was also a catered affair, which was an un-expected surprise. The changes made to the miner conference experience by Sprott Global and the Metal Writers Forum have not gone unnoticed by the Cambridge House organizers. The just concluded International Metal Writers Conference, in which I was invited to speak, continued the boutique conference theme of a more focused and intimate atmosphere by cutting in half the amount of participating companies from the previous VRIC Vancouver event CHI held last January. The organizers introduced an on-line, interactive one-on-one company meeting system, where the registrant could schedule 10 minute consultations with management of each individual company he/she is interested in. All the over 50 expert speakers presentations will be available shortly on the Cambridge House website. I am hopeful these changes to Vancouver based conferences remain, as the metals conference experience in this beautiful city has made a refreshing change for the better. If you are a retail investor in the sector, you owe it to yourself to attend at least one of these events each year. I have found them to be invaluable to my research efforts and investment portfolio development. SHANGHAI, June 2 (Reuters) - China's Ministry of Finance auctioned 10 billion yuan ($1.47 billion) of 3-month bills in the interbank market on Friday at an average yield of 3.3839 percent, traders said. The auction yield came in above Thursday's benchmark secondary market yield of 3.2092 percent for 3-month government bonds . For stories on Chinese debt issues, click on . ($1 = 6.8129 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by the Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Sunil Nair) * SSEC -0.3 pct, CSI300 -0.5 pct, HSI +0.4 pct * Liquidity fears bite before bank health-check, Fed decision * Hong Kong climbs to 23-month high as global stocks hit record SHANGHAI, June 2 (Reuters) - China stocks fell on Friday morning, bucking the trend in global markets, as a stronger Chinese currency and fresh restrictions on share sales failed to entice investors fretting about tightening liquidity and uncertain economic prospects. The blue-chip CSI300 index fell 0.5 percent, to 3,480.36 points by the lunch break, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.3 percent, to 3,094.46 points. Small-caps continued to underperform, with the start-up board ChiNext sinking to its lowest level since February 2015. Fleeting euphoria on Wednesday, triggered by regulators' restrictions on share sales by big shareholders of listed companies, brought gains, but they have been erased in the holiday-shortened week. "Share sales restrictions don't address the fundamental issues," said Su Peihai, analyst at brokerage Guangzheng Hang Seng. "Sentiment is weak because investors worry about liquidity and are pessimistic toward the economy." This month, the U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to raise rates and Chinese banks face mid-year health checks from the central bank, so "deleveraging and tighter liquidity" remain the biggest concerns for investors, offsetting any short-term relief from a strengthening yuan, he said. Echoing such fears, a Moody's survey published on Friday suggests China's slowdown and higher corporate debt levels represents the biggest risk to emerging market credit. Most sectors fell, with consumer and raw material shares among the biggest decliners. HONG KONG Hong Kong stocks climbed to a fresh 23-month high amid bullish sentiment across world markets. Global stocks hit record highs and Asian markets rose to their best levels in more than two years, as upbeat data on U.S. manufacturing and employment and buoyant European factory growth boosted investor optimism. Both the Hang Seng index and the Hong Kong China Enterprises Index added 0.4 percent, lifting them to 25,914.81 points and 10,660.18 points, respectively. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ China stock market graphics suite ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Samuel Shen and John Ruwitch; Editing by Richard Borsuk) By Huw Jones LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank may vet responses to a Bank of England letter asking lenders how they will cope with Brexit, a senior banker said on Friday. Edward Bowles, regional head of corporate and public affairs at Standard Chartered bank, was speaking at a seminar in Brussels hosted by think tank Bruegel. "We heard earlier this week that perhaps the SSM is now asking the 27 firms with operations in London to vet their responses with them before they send them in," Bowles said, referring to the ECB's supervisory arm. Sam Woods, head of the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), has given banks operating in Britain a July 14 deadline to spell out how they would deal with an abrupt UK departure from the European Union in 2019. Many of the banks, such as Societe Generale, Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas, are supervised by the ECB under its single supervisory mechanism or SSM. London-headquartered Standard Chartered, which would have received the letter from Woods, said last month it was in talks with regulators about making Frankfurt, where the ECB is located, its European base after Brexit. Bowles was asking Gerry Cross, the Central Bank of Ireland's director for policy and risk, for his views on Woods' letter. "I don't have any particular views beyond that it was a very sensible letter for the PRA. It complimented well with the activity we are seeing on our side of the Irish Sea," Cross told the seminar, adding that the letter had helped give clarity. The ECB had no immediate comment. Britain has triggered formal divorce talks with the European Union and will leave the bloc at the end of March 2019. It is unclear what sort of trading relationship Britain will have with the EU after that, raising concerns about disruption to financial markets. Cross said banks are planning for the worst. "From a regulatory perspective, that is the right strategy. There is no doubt there is a non-trivial risk that come March 2019 things will not be in great shape," he said. Simon Gleeson, a financial services lawyer at Clifford Chance, said there is no framework for cross-border supervisory cooperation after Brexit. "I strongly believe there will be a hard Brexit with no agreement. In that situation, there is a real risk that supervision of major European firms will simply fall apart," Gleeson said. Cross said banks were "concretising" decisions in coming months about moving activities to new subsidiaries in the EU27 to avoid being cut off from customers. But regulators are still grappling with how much "substance" new subsidiaries should have, though risk management must be controlled locally, Cross said. Gleeson said this approach was 20 years out of date as risk management was done under a global model. "Risk management is not a bloke sitting behind a desk looking at a spreadsheet, scratching his head," Gleeson said. (Additional reporting by Francesco Canepa in Frankfurt; Editing by Catherine Evans) BHUBANESHWAR, India, June 2 (Reuters) - The Indian state of Odisha said on Friday it had approved a plan by JSW Steel to set up a 10 million tonnes a year steel plant costing about 500 billion rupees ($7.8 billion). JSW, which is India's biggest steelmaker by capacity and produces 18 million tonnes a year, has sought 4,500 acres of land which were earlier allotted to South Korea's Posco , Odisha state-chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi told Reuters. "We will evaluate the exact amount of land required for the project and give them the land," Padhi said, adding the project is likely to be built in four years. The government of the state in the east of India has also approved JSW's plan to lay a slurry pipeline linked to the plant. JSW would submit expressions of interest for two iron ore mines in the eastern state of Odisha, its Joint Managing Director Seshagiri Rao had said in April. ($1 = 64.4150 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Jatindra Dash; editing by Alexander Smith) SHANGHAI, June 2 (Reuters) - China stocks ended the week little changed on Friday, bucking a global equity rally as investors worried about tightening liquidity and conflicting signals on the health of the world's second-largest economy. The blue-chip CSI300 index fell 0.3 percent to 3,486.51 points, while the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.1 percent to 3,105.54. For the week, the CSI300 inched up 0.2 percent, while the SSEC slipped 0.1 percent. Over the weekend, the securities regulator published rules aimed at preventing major shareholders of listed companies from reducing their holdings in an "intensive, massive and disorderly" manner that "disturbed market order and dented investor confidence". The new regulations were widely expected to help maintain stability in the market dragged by expectations of more equity supply. However, some analysts saw limited help from that. "Share sales restrictions don't address the fundamental issues," said Su Peihai, analyst at brokerage Guangzheng Hang Seng. "Sentiment is weak because investors worry about liquidity and are pessimistic toward the economy." The new policy is not a decisive factor that could determine medium-range movements in the stock market, UBS strategist Gao Ting wrote. Sentiment was also hit by the Caixin manufacturing survey on Thursday, which suggested activity contracted last month as demand weakened. That contrasted with official business readings on Wednesday which showed solid growth in factories and services, but underlined investors' nervousness about the outlook for the rest of the year. Most market watchers expect China's economic growth to slow gradually in coming months after a strong first quarter. This month, the U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to raise rates and Chinese banks face mid-year health checks from the central bank, so "deleveraging and tighter liquidity" remain the biggest concerns for investors, offsetting any short-term relief from a strengthening yuan, Su said. Echoing such fears, a Moody's survey published on Friday suggests China's slowdown and higher corporate debt levels represents the biggest risk to emerging market credit. (Reporting by Luoyan Liu and John Ruwitch; Editing by Kim Coghill) (Updates prices) By James Regan SYDNEY, June 2 (Reuters) - London copper and nickel prices inched down on Friday, undermined by concerns over weakening demand and oversupply. Traders said that some investors were also shifting away from "hard" commodities into stocks following robust U.S. and European industrial data. Weaker steel prices also capped gains in nickel and other steel-related base metals, with Shanghai rebar futures down for a seventh session in a row. * LME COPPER: Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange had slipped 0.56 percent to $$5,667 a tonne by 0700 GMT. * SHANGHAI COPPER: The most-traded copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange closed little changed, up 0.04 percent at 45,330 yuan($6,650)a tonne. * ARGENTINA MINING: Argentina's government will sign an agreement with provincial governors on Monday to unify some policies regulating the mining sector. * LME NICKEL: Benchmark nickel was trading 1 percent lower at $8,750 a tonne. Nickel declined for a third straight month in May and hit its lowest since June last year overnight. The contract has tumbled 12 percent this year, the biggest drop among major base metals. * SHANGHAI NICKEL: Shanghai Futures Exchange nickel ended 1.56 percent lower. The contract fell 1.20 percent and 3.4 percent in the previous two sessions respectively. * PARIS DEAL: President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would withdraw the United States from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change, a move that fulfilled a major campaign pledge but drew condemnation from U.S. allies and business leaders. * For the top stories in metals and other news, click or PRICES Three month LME copper Most active ShFE copper Three month LME aluminium Most active ShFE aluminium Three month LME zinc Most active ShFE zinc Three month LME lead Most active ShFE lead Three month LME nickel Most active ShFE nickel Three month LME tin Most active ShFE tin ARBS ($1 = 6.8162 Chinese yuan renminbi) <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Top base and precious metals analysis - GFMS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by James Regan; Editing by Richard Pullin) * LME/ShFE arb: (Adds quote on nickel, updates prices) By Eric Onstad LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - Nickel fell to its weakest levels in nearly a year on Friday while zinc hit a two-week low, pressured by weaker iron ore and oil prices plus concern about demand in top consumer China. Zinc prices were also knocked by a jump in available inventories, showing that supplies were adequate despite the closure of major mines last year. Both zinc and nickel are used in the steel industry so are sensitive to iron ore and steel prices while oil is a key input in mine production. "The steel-related metals such as nickel and zinc are among the worst performers, feeling the pinch from iron ore. Oil is not helping. It's crashing after the disappointment from the OPEC meeting," Gianclaudio Torlizzi, Partner at consultancy T-Commodity in Milan, said. Spot iron ore has tumbled about 40 percent from this year's peak, although it had a brief respite on Friday, and Shanghai rebar futures fell for a seventh session in a row. "My view is that at this point the downside in all the base metals is not huge. We'll probably see the last leg down and I would take that as an opportunity to go long," Torlizzi added. * ZINC: Benchmark zinc on the London Metal Exchange had declined 1.1 percent to $2,542 a tonne by 1350 GMT after touching $2,512, the weakest since May 18. * ZINC STOCKS: On-warrant LME inventories - those not earmarked for delivery and therefore available to investors - climbed by 11 percent on Friday to 179,325 tonnes . * NICKEL: LME nickel fell 0.4 percent to $8,805 a tonne, the weakest since June 8 last year. Nickel declined for a third straight month in May and has shed 12 percent this year, the biggest drop among major base metals. Analyst Bernard Dahdah at Natixis said nickel's losses were an overreaction partly due to uncertainty over the extent of nickel ore shipments from Indonesia. "We do not expect it to return to levels seen prior to the 2013 ban," a note said. * COPPER: Three-month LME copper declined 0.9 percent to $5,650. "The market is stalling into a down trend channel from February's $6,204 high," Alastair Munro at Marex Spectron said in a note. A break below $5,602 would open up the potential for a move to $5,500, he added. * CHINA: Chinese base metals demand is expected to taper off in the second half of the year, Richard Knights of Liberum said. "With growth in credit rolling off since November 2016, metal demand should follow from mid-year, just as supply growth in iron ore and coal markets is accelerating," he said in a note. * PRICES: Aluminium lost 0.4 percent to $1,919, lead , was flat at $2,110 while tin dropped 0.9 percent to $20,275. * For the top stories in metals and other news, click or <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Top base and precious metals analysis - GFMS LME/ShFE arb: GRAPHIC-2017 asset returns: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Editing by Jane Merriman/Jason Neely/Alexander Smith) JOHANNESBURG, June 2 (Reuters) - Net1 UEPS Technologies said it had pulled out of buying a stake in Blue Label Telecoms , part of a wider deal to acquire a stake in South African mobile operator Cell C, because it would have damaged shareholder value. Net1, a payments company with extensive operations in emerging markets, is part of a group led by Blue Label, an airtime distributor, working to cut mobile operator Cell C's debt to 6 billion rand, from around 20 billion. Net1 said on Thursday that it would scale back its commitment in the original deal to take over Cell C, investing 2 billion rand ($153 million) for a 15 percent stake in the debt-ridden mobile operator and dropping its plan to take a stake in Blue Label as part of the deal. Cell C, the number three mobile operator in Africa's most advanced economy, has struggled in the past decade to compete in a mature market dominated by Vodacom and MTN . The Net1 board said it would require cash reserves, bank finance and the issuance of shares to fund the transactions, which would reduce value for its shareholders. "The Board accordingly concluded that Net1 could only use cash resources and bank debt and could therefore only conclude two of the three investments," Net1 said in a statement. Net1 also plans to buy a stake in DNI-4PL Contracts, a distributor of Cell C's mobile user starter packs and prepaid airtime. Blue Label said last year it would pay 5.5 billion rand for a 45 percent holding in Cell C, a company founded in 2001 by Saudi Arabia's Oger Telecom and former director Zwelakhe Mankazana. Blue Label will replace the Net1 subscription with a private placement with other parties to part fund its Cell C investment. (Reporting by Tanisha Heiberg; editing by Alexander Smith) Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Friday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 2 hours): PGNIG DIVIDEND Poland's state-run energy firm PGNiG said in a statement it plans to pay out a dividend of 0.20 zlotys per share, or 1.16 billion zlotys ($310.36 million) in total, from its 2016 profit. MWIG40 INDEX RESHUFFLE Retailer Dino will replace Alumetal in a scheduled reshuffle of the mWIG40 index , the Warsaw bourse said in a statement late on Thursday. ALIOR BANK The chief executive of Poland's Alior Bank, Wojciech Sobieraj, will not apply for another term, the bank says in a statement on Thursday. ****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 ($1 = 3.7376 zlotys) (Reporting by Warsaw Bureau) HANOI, June 2 (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 0406 GMT. June 2 USD/VND mid-point 22,403 USD/VND interbank 22,705/22,708 USD/VND unofficial 22,700/22,720 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.22/36.44 Interbank offered rates Overnight 2.3-2.6 1 week 2.5-2.8 1 month 3.4-3.7 3 months 3.9-4.5 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; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) STOCKHOLM, June 2 (Reuters) - Spotify said on Friday it has no immediate plans for a stock market listing, although a source familiar with the matter told Reuters the music streaming service could still be floated within a year. Reuters reported last month that Spotify will be the first major company to carry out a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange later this year or early next year. Spotify co-founder Martin Lorentzon told Swedish radio on Friday there were no plans for a listing, but the source told Reuters that "the implication is that it would be within 12 months from now". In a statement on Friday, Spotify said a stock market listing was still an option, but it had not "confirmed any definitive plans to go public". Lorentzon told Swedish Radio Ekot the firm had not "gotten anywhere and there is nothing planned regarding that". Spotify, which most recently was valued at $13 billion, lost 173 million euros ($194 million) in 2015, according to the latest figures disclosed by its Luxembourg-based holding company. ($1 = 0.8912 euros) (Reporting by Helena Soderpalm and Olof Swahnberg; editing by Alexander Smith) (Adds details of release, background) OTTAWA, June 2 (Reuters) - Canada's trade deficit in April narrowed to C$370 million ($274 million) as exports outpaced imports for a second month in a row to hit a new record high on shipments of motor vehicles and parts, Statistics Canada said on Friday. Analysts in a Reuters poll had forecast a shortfall of just C$70 million. Statscan revised March's deficit sharply wider to C$936 million from an initial C$135 million to reflect late data on crude oil shipments. Exports, which had jumped by 3.2 percent in March, increased by 1.8 percent in April to C$47.69 billion. Exports of motor vehicles and parts grew 4.4 percent while energy shipments posted a 2.5 percent gain. Imports also hit a peak, edging up 0.6 percent to a record C$48.06 billion, the fifth consecutive monthly increase, thanks in part to higher inward flows of consumer goods, electronic and electrical equipment and parts. Exports to the United States, which accounted for 75.7 percent of all Canadian exports in April, soared by 5.4 percent while imports grew by a more modest 1.1 percent. As a result, Canada's trade surplus with the United States expanded to C$4.95 billion - the largest since May 2014 - from C$3.44 billion in March. ($1=$1.35 Canadian) <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Graphic - Canada economic snapshot ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Bernadette Baum) (Adds mining code presentation postponed) By Aaron Ross KINSHASA, June 2 (Reuters) - The Chamber of Commerce in Democratic Republic of Congo has complained to the government about a worsening business climate in the country's copper-mining region, including what it says are unjustified duties on power imports. In a letter to the finance minister dated June 1, the chamber said Congo's customs agency has levied more than $300 million in penalties on mining companies for failing to declare electricity imports or making false customs declarations. The chamber said this was despite the fact the public power utility, rather than the companies themselves, imported the electricity before selling it on, according to the letter. "To force the companies to pay the unjustly demanded sums, the (customs agency) uses heavy-handed tactics, going as far as withholding the goods of the concerned companies so that they quickly give in and pay the high penalties," the letter said. The finance minister, who oversees the customs agency, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Authorities routinely say they are committed to improving Congo's business climate, which ranks a lowly 184 out 190 countries on the World Bank's Doing Business Index. However, mining companies say they see little progress and are also concerned about a government proposal to revise the 2002 mining code to raise royalties and other taxes to boost the cash-strapped government's revenues. Mines Minister Martin Kabwelulu was scheduled to present the proposal to parliament on Friday but the session was postponed until Monday due to the lack of a quorum. Despite such concerns, mining giants such as Glencore , Randgold and China Molybdenum have made major investments in Congo, Africa's top copper producer and a significant producer of cobalt, gold and diamonds. But electricity poses a knotty challenge. Congo's copper-mining Katanga region receives only about half the power it needs from the national grid, forcing operators to rely on expensive generators or imports from neighbouring Zambia. The state power utility recently signed a provisional agreement with South Africa's Eskom to import 200 megawatts of power which would be used by mining companies. (Editing by David Clarke, Greg Mahlich) (Adds further details, background) LONDON, June 2 (Reuters) - Nigeria issued its first Forcados oil loading plan since 2016, putting the nation's June oil exports on track to hit thier highest level in at least 15 months. The plan, if realised, would return loadings by Nigeria, normally West Africa's biggest oil exporter, to levels not seen since militant attacks in the oil-rich Niger Delta first shut down Forcados exports in early 2016. It is also likely to put more downward pressure on oil prices, which are already trading more than 16 percent below the highs reached in January on the back of a persistent global excess. Last week the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries along with several other oil producing nations agreed to extend output cuts of 1.8 million bpd, but it gave Nigeria, along with Libya, another exemption. The Forcados loading schedule includes seven cargoes, for a total of 197,000 barrels per day (bpd). That would bring total June exports to 1.75 million bpd aboard 58 cargoes. According to the Reuters OPEC survey, production in Nigeria last reached 1.76 million bpd in March 2016. Nigeria refines a small amount of its own oil, but this was limited to around 65,000 bpd in 2016. Forcados has been closed for all but a few weeks following militant attacks on the main Trans Forcados export pipeline in February 2016. Loading plans for October and November 2016 were issued after pipeline repairs, but fresh attacks quickly shut it down again, scuppering those plans. Three tankers loaded at the terminal since it resumed operations late last month, according to traders, but operator Royal Dutch Shell said on Friday that the grade remains under force majeure. (Reporting by Julia Payne and Libby George; editing by Jason Neely, Greg Mahlich) (Adds quotes from Spotify and Lorentzon, detail) STOCKHOLM, June 2 (Reuters) - Streaming music service Spotify could be floated within a year, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday, after co-founder Martin Lorentzon told Swedish radio a listing was not in the pipeline. Reuters reported last month that Spotify, working with investment banks Morgan Stanley , Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Allen & Co, will be the first major company to carry out a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange later this year or early in 2018. Lorentzon told Swedish radio on Friday there were no plans for a listing, but responding to his comments, the source told Reuters that it looks like "it would be within 12 months from now". Spotify also confirmed a stock market listing was still an option. "Martin is our co-founder and a board member, but not a spokesperson for the company. Spotify hasn't confirmed any definitive plans to go public. It remains an option for us," it said in a statement on Friday. Lorentzon, who is a significant shareholder in Spotify, told Swedish Radio Ekot the firm had not "gotten anywhere and there is nothing planned regarding that". "I am not saying it is fake news, but half of what the media writes is usually correct and half is usually not," he said. Spotify, which most recently was valued at $13 billion, lost 173 million euros ($194 million) in 2015, according to the latest figures disclosed by its Luxembourg-based holding company. ($1 = 0.8912 euros) (Reporting by Helena Soderpalm and Olof Swahnberg; Editing by Keith Weir) The Washington Post reports: President Trump announced Thursday afternoon that he is withdrawing the United States from the landmark Paris climate agreement, a move that honors a campaign promise but risks rupturing global alliances and disappointing both environmentalists and corporate titans. But Trump said he would seek to negotiate a new climate deal that is, in his view, fair to Americas interests. In order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord but begin negotiations to reenter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers, Trump said. Were getting out, he added, but we will start to negotiate and we will see if we can make a deal thats fair. If we can, thats great. If we cant, thats fine. Trump promised to pull out of TPP and the Paris agreement, and he has done both. All those who cheered him on for pulling out of TPP are probably less happy on this one. I think he shouldnt have pulled out of either. The first is that the whole system of international agreements will fall down if everytime a country has a change of Government, they simply withdraw. It is incredibly hard to negotiate an agreement in the first place, and if there is little chance they will endure, then why bother. Businesses want certainty about domestic and global rules. In terms of what the other signatories to Paris now do, I think they should take their lead from the TPP countries just carry on without the US. The US is going through an isolationist phrase, so let it. I doubt it will last for long, as when his protectionist policies start to hit consumers there will be a big backlash. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr By Yoon Ja-young A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official has been elected to lead an international body on transport policies. According to the land ministry, Friday, Kim Young-tae, who is in charge of transport policy coordination, was elected secretary general of the International Transport Forum (ITF) within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The ITF is a global ministerial group in charge of transport policies and has its headquarters in Paris. It holds an annual meeting in Germany to discuss topics in global transport such as decreasing gas emissions and autonomous driving. The ITF has 57 member countries - 44 European and 13 non-European, including Korea, the United States, Japan and China. Korea joined in 2007. The ministry expects Kim's designation will enhance the presence of Korean transport policies in the global arena and help Korean transport businesses advance into overseas markets. Around 100 experts from 26 countries applied for the post. Kim was elected on Thursday after a resume screening and two interviews. It is the highest "unclassified" post within the OECD that a Korean has taken. After passing the state exam to become a ranking official in 1993, Kim has dedicated most of his career to transport policies. He has expertise in urban transport, high-speed trains and airports. He also was in charge of housing and urban policies and overseas construction. Kim is known in the ministry for his global perspective and is fluent in English and French. He studied in France after receiving a scholarship from the French government. He also worked at the Korean Embassy in the United States. "I am very honored and I am grateful for all those who helped me," Kim said. "I hope to motivate other Korean officials to advance into international organizations, with global vision." His five-year terms starts in August. By Robert Neff James Mars in Japan 1911/ Robert Neff collection In the early years of American aviation, James C. Mars -- better known as "Bud" -- was a household name. His daring feats of aerial prowess (and occasional horrifying accidents) mesmerized the American public. Mars was also popular in Asia where, during his tour in early 1911, he pioneered aviation for many countries. One of the first places he visited was the Philippines. On February 21, 1911, thousands of people gathered in Manila from the surrounding provinces, as well as visitors from China and Japan, to attend the annual carnival and witness "the spectacular military and civil pageant." The "most novel feature" was the flying exhibition given by Mars and his team which "excited the keenest interest" in the spectators and was the first time flying machines had commanded the skies over the Philippines. From Manila, Mars traveled to Osaka, Japan, where he made three flights over a combined audience of 400,000 people. At Tokyo, his exhibition, according Popular Science, drew an estimated 700,000 people who did not fully disperse for over six months. One enthralled spectator was Prince Kuni Kuniyoshi -- the grandson of the Japanese emperor -- who complimented the aviator for being the first to dare the skies over Japan. An odd compliment considering Japan had four airplanes but they were "in disuse because the officials did not understand how to manipulate them." According to Mars, the Japanese authorities, however, were so impressed with the aerial demonstrations that they purchased one of his airplanes after he agreed to train two of their pilots. Unfortunately, before the end of the year and after Mars had left, a plane crash claimed the lives of both Japanese pilots. But not everyone in Japan was favorably impressed: "I had a narrow escape in [Nagoya] from being murdered by some superstitious natives, who plotted to destroy my machine and poison me. A little slave girl heard two of the conspirators talking and gave us warning in time. As a reward we bought her out of slavery and sent her home." It is an amazing story but Mars wasn't above embellishing, if not outright lying. In an interview he boasted that "the greatest mark of favor [he] received was in Korea." He didn't describe how or when he went to Korea but insisted that he was under constant surveillance by the Japanese authorities while on the peninsula. Allegedly, the Korean monarch was so impressed with Mars and his aerial feats that he presented the aviator with an elephant. Mars, however, thought of the elephant as "an embarrassment of riches" and gave it away to a Korean girl (who had been following him) with the instructions for her "to be good to it." A fantastic tale considering there were no elephants in Korea -- the zoo at Changgyeong Palace obtained its first elephant in 1912 -- and even if there had been one, there was no Korean monarch to bestow it as a gift. In an interview, Mars claimed to have given over 250 flying exhibitions in places such as "Honolulu, Manila, Sumatra, Japan, Java, Singapore, Calcutta, Siam, China, Korea, Siberia, Russia and Poland" -- making him the first person nearly to circle the world in an airplane. There is no doubt, despite his exaggerations and inaccuracies, that Mars deserves a place in aviation history but not in Korea's aviation history. That honor belongs to another man -- a man whose role has been unjustly usurped by his teacher. That, however, is a tale for another time. Robert Neff is a historian and columnist for The Korea Times. He can be reached at robertneff103@gmail.com. By Yi Whan-woo National Security Office (NSO) chief Chung Eui-yong hinted Friday at carrying out a "full-scale" assessment on the environmental impact of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery deployed here. He said it will take longer than expected to complete installation of the anti-missile shield should a thorough study be conducted. His remark after arriving in Washington D.C. adds to the dispute over transparency in the decision-making process of the THAAD deployment, as well as concerns over possible diplomatic friction between South Korea and the United States. As President Moon Jae-in's top security adviser, Chung is discuss pending issues concerning THAAD during his U.S. trip. THAAD is possibly included in the agenda of a summit this month between Moon and President Donald Trump, which Chung is also coordinate with relevant U.S. officials. "I believe it will take longer than we initially expected if we conduct a full-scale study on the environmental impact of THAAD," he said. The plan comes in line with Moon's order for a thorough inspection into the unreported arrival of four additional THAAD launchers recently. They are key components for the battery, including two other launchers that were already installed in March to meet "initial operational capability." The Ministry of Defense is suspected of deliberately failing to report the arrival of the four launchers to skip a full-scale environmental study, which could take up to 12 months. The defense ministry sought to conduct a small-scale, condensed assessment in consultation with the Ministry of Environment. This was expected to take about six months. A group of adoptees stand with Rep. You Seung-hee, fifth from left, and Rep. Kim Kyung-hyup, to her right, from the Democratic Party of Korea, Friday, at the National Assembly in Seoul, during a forum on adoptees. / Korea Times Photo by You Soo-sun By You Soo-sun Korean adoptees denounced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, when an official said that the ministry was not aware of the issues surrounding some adoptees' deportations. The statement came after adoptees urged for the immediate naturalization of some 19,000 Korean American adoptees and an investigation into all their birth and adoption records, many of which have been falsified or have gone missing. The meeting was held in response to the recent suicide of Phillip Clay, 42, a deported Korean American adoptee. Participants claimed this shows the negligence of the Korean government in following up and supporting the 167,000 Koreans adopted abroad over the past six decades. In the U.S. besides Clay about 19,000 do not have U.S. citizenship due to their adopted parents' failure to register them. As a result they are at risk of being deported. However, only the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been working on adoptee-related policies according to foreign affairs ministry official. Her remarks drew fierce criticism from a panel of adoptees at the meeting. "August 24, 2002 was the first time the Korean media reported about a deported Korean American adoptee," said Simone Eun Mi, representative of KoRoot, a nongovernmental organization supporting returning adoptees. "It's been 15 years since that happened." "There's no way they couldn't have known. It's ridiculous," said Adam Crapser, 42, referring to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deported to Korea in 2016, Crapser's story has been widely covered by the media. Representatives of adoptee support groups and individual adoptees present at the meeting urged the foreign affairs, and health and welfare ministries to cooperate in handling issues surrounding inter-country adoption, including the naturalization of all adoptees, managing birth and adoption records, and following up with adoptees abroad. They also expressed frustration that a health and welfare ministry representative was not present at the meeting. According to a staff member at the National Assembly, the representative canceled at the last minute, after agreeing to participate beforehand. "I think it's just convenient for the Ministry of Health and Welfare not to show up. And for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to just say they didn't know," commented Crapser, a few hours after the meeting. "These are not just sad stories," Crapser said. "They are the results of failure in government policies." Adoptees at the meeting demanded justice for Korean adoptees, claiming their human rights have been violated. They also called on the Moon Jae-in administration to tackle the issue. "As the new president and a human rights lawyer, he should be the first to treat us as Koreans and not as foreigners," said Simone. "Not as a mercy, but as a right," she added. By Rachel Lee The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) is looking into the nation's indigenous KF-X fighter jet development program. According to the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea (BAI), Friday, its investigation into the implementation of the project's offset deal has been underway since April. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is subject to the probe. A transfer of 25 technologies was included in the contract signed with Lockheed Martin in September 2014 in return for Korea's purchase of 40 F-35 aircraft. However, before the project was officially kicked off in January last year, the program suffered a severe crisis after the U.S. government refused to allow Lockheed to hand over four core technologies _ the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the electronic optics targeting pod (EOTGP), the infrared search and radio frequency (RF) jammer and the infrared search and tracking (IRST) system. DAPA said the nation would develop its own AESA radar, which the U.S. government refused to hand over to Korea for security reasons. Hanwha Thales, an affiliate of Hanwha Group, was selected last year to produce the AESA radar, essential equipment that helps a pilot identify friend or foe in battle and find targets on the ground, under the supervision of the Agency for Defence Development (ADD). Another controversy erupted surrounding then-Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin's role in the controversial decision to buy F-35 stealth fighters from Lockheed Martin. Kim headed the Defence Acquisition Program Executive Committee, a panel that selected the F-35s over Boeing's F15-SEs in March last year. Kim has denied allegations that DAPA lied about the terms of the contract in order to help Lockheed win the bid. DAPA officials said the committee's decision to choose Lockheed after they first-recommended Boeing's F-15SE was unexpected as Boeing was more positive in handing over core technologies. There is speculation that other weapons projects could also be investigated as President Moon Jae-in is determined to eradicate corruption in the country. Cheong Wa Dae has announced a plan to establish a special task force aimed at overhauling defence business contracts during the previous government. The KF-X project is aimed at locally developing twin-engine combat jets equipped with state-of-the-art aviation electronics equipment by 2026, which would replace the Air Force's aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s. Developing the fighter jets is estimated to cost 8.5 trillion won, and an additional 10 trillion won is needed to produce 120 jets by 2032. By Choi Ha-young Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo A ruling party lawmaker alleged Friday that illegal military factions tied to former National Security Office (NSO) chief Kim Kwan-jin were behind the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system here. One of the factions, "Aljahoe," played a role in keeping President Moon Jae-in in the dark about the delivery of four additional THAAD launchers, according to Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo of the Democratic Party of Korea. "It is highly suspected that the group has monopolized key posts in the military with help from high-ranking officials including Kim," the lawmaker said. "For almost 10 years, Kim and his associates took control of all personnel affairs in the military. Using their influence, they could distort and conceal information about THAAD." Smoke rises from the Resorts World Manila complex early Friday in suburban Pasay city southeast of Manila, Philippines. Gunshots and explosions rang out early Friday at a mall, casino and hotel complex near Manila's international airport in the Philippine capital, sparking a security alarm amid an ongoing Muslim militant siege in the country's south. / AP-Yonhap By Park Si-soo A South Korean was killed and three injured in a shooting rampage at a casino complex in the Philippine capital of Manila, according to police Friday. Thirty-six bodies were found inside Resorts World Manila after a masked man burst in with an automatic rifle and set fire to the building on Thursday night (local time), police said. Dozens of others were injured in a stampede as people rushed to leave the casino, which is across a road from the Philippines' main international airport. The gunman was found dead in a hotel room inside the complex about five hours later. Police said the man's motive was likely robbery and the incident was not terror related. According to Reuters, police chief Ronald dela Rosa told DZMM radio the gunman had not aimed his assault rifle at people at the complex during the hours-long drama and may have been trying to steal casino chips. A Seoul court on Friday sentenced a South Korean man who shot three compatriots to death in the Philippines last year to 30 years in prison. The Seoul Central District Court convicted the man, identified only by his last name Kim, of murdering three Koreans -- two men and one woman -- who were found in a sugar cane field in Bacolor, some 70 kilometers northwest of Manila, on Oct. 11. All three had gunshot wounds to their heads. He killed the victims following a proposal from another South Korean, surnamed Park, in return for money. Kim was also convicted of abandoning the bodies and siphoning off 2.4 million won ($2,100) from the victims. Prosecutors accused Kim of stealing another 720 million won from their account, but the court acquitted him of the charges, citing a lack of evidence. "Taking away a person's life is a crime that cannot be tolerated under any reason," the court said. "The bereaved families of the victims are expected to live the rest of their lives suffering from huge losses, but the defendant did not take any action that could cure their suffering or sadness." Park, the main culprit of the case, was arrested late last month in the Philippines after escaping from a detention center where he was held. He was originally arrested in November last year, before fleeing in March. The Philippines authorities are taking steps to extradite Park to South Korea. Concerns about the safety of South Korean residents and travelers have risen in recent years due to a flurry of South Korean deaths in the Philippines, mostly driven by profit motives. The number of South Koreans killed in the Philippines stood at 11 in 2015 and nine in 2016. (Yonhap) Chung Yoo-ra, walks into the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, Friday, for a hearing over an arrest warrant requested for her. / Yonhap By Jung Min-ho Prosecutors requested an arrest warrant Friday for the 21-year-old daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the central figure in the corruption and influence peddling scandal that cost former President Park Geun-hye her job. Judge Kang Bu-young at the Seoul Central District Court will make a decision about whether to issue the warrant for Chung Yoo-ra, who was extradited from Denmark, Wednesday. Chung is suspected of having received inappropriate academic favors and financial support for many years, owing to her mother's friendship with the former president. Prosecutors have been questioning her since they took her into custody upon her arrival at Incheon International Airport. But so far, she has denied any involvement in illegal activities, pinning the blame on her mother. If issued, prosecutors can detain her 20 more days for further questioning. "She appears to be playing the innocent," a prosecution official said. "She seemed to have been advised and prepared for the questioning." Chung allegedly entered Ewha in 2015 despite inadequate qualifications and received higher grades than she deserved despite not attending classes. The school canceled her admission, following the Education Ministry's confirmation of the irregularities. Former Ewha President Choi Kyung-hee and four other professors have been indicted on charges of giving her favors. Speaking to reporters, Wednesday, Chung claimed she "never wanted to go to university" and it was her mother who put her in the school against her wishes, saying "I don't even know what my major was." She is also accused of conspiring with her mother to receive bribes from major companies, including Samsung. Prosecutors are investigating whether she was directly involved in doing so and how much she was aware of Choi's alleged crimes. What's obvious for now is that she is the biggest beneficiary of the dubious money from the companies. In one case, Samsung allegedly sent 7.8 billion won ($7 million) to her and Choi when they were in Germany from September 2015 to October. When asked how she got all the money for her expensive horses and living expenses, Chung claimed she knows nothing about it. Prosecutors are hoping that they can find more about Choi's secrets and her friendship with the former president. Much of the scandal remains a mystery, and the public is especially curious about how much money Choi actually has. There were reports that her assets are worth more than 800 billion won, but many suspect that this is far less than money she is hiding overseas. By Kim Bo-eun The Ministry of Justice said Friday that Yoo Som-na, the daughter of Yoo Byung-eun, former chairman of Semo Group, will be extradited to Korea as early as next week. The ferry sank in waters off Jindo on the southwestern coast on April 16, 2014, killing 304 passengers, mostly high school students. "France's justice ministry notified us that procedures within the country for Yoo to be extradited have been completed, after France's supreme administrative court, the Conseil d'Etat, dismissed her appeal against the extradition order by the French prime minister," the ministry announced. The ministry said it is discussing the date of the extradition with its French counterpart, and it is likely to be June 6. It is set to dispatch a team of prosecutors and investigators from the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office to France to bring Yoo back. The Incheon office has been in charge of investigating the Sewol tragedy. In May, 2014, the prosecution summoned Yoo to appear for questioning on suspicions that a design firm she headed had been involved in creating a slush fund and managing it in overseas accounts. At the time, Yoo was in France, where she had been staying on a temporary residence visa since February 2013. Yoo, 51, who ran the design firm Moreal Design, faces allegations of embezzling 8 billion won from company affiliates including Dapanda. Some reports said the amount is close to 50 billion won. Yoo was reported to have resided in an ultra luxury apartment, with a monthly rent of around 10 million won ($8,923) near the Champs-Elysees, Paris, when she was arrested by French authorities in May 2014. Yoo reportedly has a child and has been in and out of the Fresnes Prison, south of Paris during her legal fight to stay in France. Her father was found dead in June 2014 after a nationwide manhunt, during investigations into his alleged responsibility for the ferry disaster. He was suspected of having poorly managed the ferry operator, neglecting crew training and safety risks. Yoo was also facing charges of embezzlement, breach of trust and tax evasion. President Moon Jae-in, right, shakes hands with former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon before a closed-door meeting at the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, Friday. / Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae President Moon Jae-in met former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday to apparently discuss issues concerning foreign policy and national security, officials said. The meeting was held over lunch at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae with only Moon's spokesman Park Soo-hyun in attendance. Details of their discussions were not immediately disclosed, but they were widely expected to focus on the North Korean nuclear conundrum and renewed controversy over the deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system in South Korea. The meeting came ahead of Moon's planned summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington later this month. In a phone conversation days after Moon's inauguration in May, Ban had offered to assist the new administration in any way possible. The former South Korean foreign minister was seen as a potential presidential candidate before he renounced his ambitions and left the country in April to teach as a visiting professor at Harvard University. He returned home for a visit on Thursday. (Yonhap) Nearly 4 in 10 employed South Koreans in their late 30s and 60s are interested in second jobs after retirement or are currently making preparations to that end, a poll said Friday. According to the survey of 1,213 people aged between 35 and 69, 30.1 percent of the respondents said they were interested in preparing to land new jobs after stopping their current work because it was considered necessary. Another 9 percent answered they were seeking ways to prepare for post-retirement jobs or in the process of making specific preparations. The remaining 60.9 percent said they were not preparing to land jobs after retirement as they didn't consider such efforts necessary. The outcome of the survey, taken from Aug. 9-Sept. 9 last year, was carried in a report released by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. Analysts said the findings reflect the country's reality in which retired people should work to earn a living due to a lack of sufficient pension and welfare systems. According to a recent government report, South Korean subscribers to the state pension program receive a monthly pension payment equivalent to 24 percent of their average monthly salaries during their overall working years. In terms of market income that includes salaries and other income, South Korea's poverty rate for the elderly came to 63.3 percent in 2015, the highest among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). According to separate data from Statistics Korea in May 2016, 61.2 percent of South Koreans aged 56-79 wanted to work in the future, with 58 percent of them hoping to do so in order to help supplement their living costs. As of 2015, the employment rate of South Koreans aged 65 or older reached 30.6 percent, the second highest among OECD member nations after Iceland's 38.7 percent. The OECD average stood at 13.8 percent. (Yonhap) Bills being floated in Congress by a handful of Republicans would impose taxes on remittances money U.S. residents send abroad, usually to relatives to pay for President Donald Trump's proposed border wall. The idea is as flawed as Trump's own ridiculous assertion that Mexico must and will eventually pay for the wall. Mexico ranks first among nations that receive remittance money, usually by wire transfer, from U.S. residents. In 2015, Mexicans received $24.32 billion in such funds, more than Mexico earned from oil exports. Like almost all U.S. companies, wire transfer services such as Western Union or Moneygram typically do not require proof of legal immigration status before accepting customers' business. It's unknown how much of the remittances come from undocumented migrants, but they are hardly the only residents sending money abroad. Under the Border Wall Funding Act of 2017, a bill proposed by Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., remittance senders would have to pay a 2 percent tax, regardless of the sender's legal status or whether the sender has already paid federal taxes on that income. The idea, Rogers suggests, is to make "countries that benefit from our porous borders and illegal immigration" pay for the wall. Although an estimated 30 percent of the U.S. undocumented population comes from Asia, Africa and Europe, Rogers' tax would apply only to money sent to Latin America or the Caribbean. Stiff penalties up to $500,000 in fines and 20 years in prison could be levied on anyone who tries to remit money without paying the fee. Another bill proposed in the Senate would impose an additional fee of 7 percent on anyone making wire transfers who cannot prove legal immigration status. The bill effectively would turn Western Union employees into immigration agents. Neither bill limits the definition of remittance to personal money transfers. That could mean that the fees and penalties would apply to bank wire transfers made by companies including those owned by Trump himself. Trump owns properties in Latin American countries covered under Rogers' bill. Many billionaires, possibly including Trump, maintain offshore bank accounts in countries such as Panama where taxation and reporting rules are more lax. Panama is among the nations listed in Rogers' bill. These plans also are self-contradictory. If the goal is to pay for a wall that keeps migrants out, why make it less rewarding to stay home and receive money from friends and relatives in the U.S.? The bills penalize those who are doing exactly what Trump wants: Staying put. Most Capitol Hill Republicans and Democrats have, so far, shown little patience for gimmicks designed to help Trump fulfill his more outlandish campaign promises. Neither a wall nor a tax on remittances will fix what's wrong with America's broken immigration system. This editorial appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Lee Yong-sup, vice chairman of a presidential committee for job creation, announced measures to promote job growth within President Moon Jae-in's first 100 days in office, Thursday. The measures include imposing fines on large companies that hire irregular workers excessively, and expanding jobs in the public sector. The committee will push to increase the minimum wage and reduce working hours. Also, a new ministry in charge of mid- and small-sized firms and startups will be established. The committee is going in the right direction by aiming to create more jobs and supporting new businesses while advancing the lives of numerous workers struggling with low job security and long working hours. But there are some faults in the job creation measures. First, expanding the number of jobs in the public sector is not a fundamental solution to reducing unemployment. This may only result in more people rushing to prepare for state examinations to enter public service. It also goes against the public sentiment that there are already too many public servants who live off taxpayers' money. Second, some of the measures seem to have been conceived without proper consultation with businesses. This is a problem because most of the President's job creation goals cannot be pursued smoothly without their cooperation. But President Moon and the business sector have been clashing over some of his key job initiatives such as the reduction of irregular workers. During a recent forum, Kim Young-bae, vice chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (KEF), said that businesses were having a very hard time because of the excessive demands to switch irregular positions to regular ones. In response, Moon hit back by telling the KEF to reflect on its role in aggravating social polarization with irregular positions. To tackle the grave unemployment situation and improve lives of workers, the government and businesses need to communicate more closely. Some of the newly-announced measures, such as levying fines on big companies that hire irregular workers excessively, can be seen as putting too much pressure on businesses. Many small businesses are also complaining about the plan to increase the minimum wage, which may strain their finances. Such policies do not consider the situation of each individual company. The government should actively collect opinions of businesses in pushing its job creation policies. This is crucial in ensuring that Moon will become a "jobs president." Row over missile defense system could hurt bilateral ties Cheong Wa Dae conducted an investigation into Defense Minister Han Min-koo and former National Security Office chief Kim Kwan-jin this week over the domestic procedures for the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here. The probe was prompted by a Ministry of National Defense report to Chung Eui-yong, who replaced Kim, May 21, which failed to detail the arrival of four additional THAAD launchers. The ministry briefed Moon's de facto transition team May 25 and gave a separate briefing to the National Security Office. On both occasions, the ministry did not mention that four additional launchers, in addition to the two that have already been installed in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, had been brought to Korea. President Moon ordered an investigation after learning of the omission of the additional launchers in the ministry's report, and Han and Kim were questioned by the presidential office Wednesday. The ministry deserves to be blamed for withholding an accurate report to the new President's national security team on THAAD. But Cheong Wa Dae is blowing the issue out of proportion by calling the omission "intentional" and ordering an investigation into former President Park Geun-hye's top security officials. During the election, Moon maintained that the deployment lacked due process such as deliberations at the National Assembly and has called for a proper environmental impact report. But as President, Moon needs to show that Korea is on the same page with the U.S. on THAAD, which will be a key bilateral issue during the upcoming Korea-U.S. summit. It is untimely to make an issue out of THAAD ahead of the first meeting between him and U.S. President Donald Trump later this month. The latest THAAD row instigated by Cheong Wa Dae's probe into the "undisclosed" delivery of additional launchers could lead to more misinterpretations by Washington about Korea's view on the missile defense system. Already, Washington's displeasure can be detected from remarks by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, an assistant Democratic leader and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee for Defense. After a meeting with Moon this week, Durbin reiterated the transparency of the THAAD deployment process during a media interview, apparently aiming to refute suspicions held by some Koreans that THAAD was "smuggled" here without due process. He also questioned whether Korea truly wants THAAD or not, saying "If South Korea does not want the THAAD missile system, it is $923 million that we can spend in some other place." Moon assured Durbin that the probe was not intended to reverse the THAAD agreement between Seoul and Washington. If the agreement is irreversible, it is unwise for Moon to highlight procedural problems, which will only end up offending the U.S. and undermining bilateral relations. Therefore, the investigation should be concluded as swiftly and discreetly as possible to safeguard the national interest. Parties should also refrain from extending a political row over the THAAD deployment by pushing to conduct hearings and investigations into the previous administration's actions on it. By Oh Young-jin In a no-holds-barred battle of replies on Facebook, a foreign friend of mine pointed out that Koreans are not taught about the Holocaust in school. I don't remember what the subject was but he rested his case, when I pointed out White House spokesman Sean Spicer's controversial Syrian vs. Nazi comments. My rationale was that education is important but it doesn't always have the intended effect. That got me thinking about why Westerners and Middle Easterners are sensitive in different ways about Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Holocaust and other atrocities committed by Nazi Germany, but less so about the comfort women, the corps of sex slaves under Japanese colonial rule here, and Unit 731, which specialized in barbarous experiments on living people. Other Asians also suffered from Japan's invasion so they often commiserate with Koreans. True, it goes the other way as well, as Koreans are still at pains about the misdeeds committed against their ancestors, but less so about Jewish victims. One can assume that it is natural because people tend to pay more attention to what happens in their neck of woods. Would education make a difference? May be, but it appears to be not as simple as adding one additional chapter about the extermination of the Jews or introducing one about the plight of comfort women. First, there is a kaleidoscope of views Koreans hold about Jews and Israelis. One of them is stuck in the Shakespearean era ruthless and shrewd Shylock in the Merchant of Venice. Another is about the Israelis' denial of the Palestine state cruel systematic oppression and settlements encroaching into the livelihood of the ruled. Also Koreans' collective mind negatively sees alleged Jewish control of global finances and undue influence in U.S. politics. On the positive side are Israel's start-up industries, pilgrimages to biblical sites and the country's war victories over bigger Arab coalitions. Koreans may resemble a white American, who would cry watching "Roots" but recoil from an approaching African American on the street. Koreans would sympathize with the Jews' travails but not see them as victims. They appear not convinced by Kristallnacht, Anne Frank, "Schindler's List" and "Life is Beautiful." They may see a David beating a Goliath one too many times and lose their sympathy for Jews. Still, it can't be denied that at the bottom of their hearts, Koreans have a visceral envy of the Jews who they think can rule the world through regents, chase their enemies to the end and take revenge without any statute of limitations. This feeling of envy is related to Koreans' failure to get even with Japan for its colonial misdeeds. One Arab friend told me sincerely, "Why can't Korea make peace with Japan?" I told him, "We will make peace with Japan, when you make your peace with Israel." The American view and by extension that of Western countries, is well captured when Wendy Sherman, U.S. undersecretary of state in the Obama administration, said that Korea was constrained by its politically exploited nationalism in its future possibilities, the same view as my Arab friend. If Sherman had known more about the plight of hundreds of thousands of women enslaved as sex toys for Japanese soldiers, would she say the same thing? Those women had to deal with tens or hundreds of soldiers per day, undergoing the dehumanizing process of being turned into human cesspools or portable toilets. Sherman was quite adamant that Korea should turn the page and cooperate with Japan in what is emerging to be a trilateral alliance led by the U.S. against expansionist China. Japan rejoiced to see the world's superpower take sides with it, feeling that its shameful history would be pigeonholed and forgotten forever. Japan has gone further declaring that it no longer has an interest in the past and wants to foster future-oriented relationships with its victim nations. What an imposition! It would be absurd to tell which pain would be worse when it is inflicted on a mass scale but by no means would the suffering of the comfort women be less painful than that of those killed en masse in the Nazi gas chambers. Obviously what Korea lacks is education for people like Sherman, who are ignorant of Korea's painful history and still get away with it at their convenience. As in the Spicer case, it goes only so far. What is needed is a way of making them see Korea's misery as compelling as they see the Jewish Holocaust. Therein lies a challenge to make the Koreans out like the Jews through a persistent, insistent fight to demand the world see their tragedy at its worst and commiserate with them. They would do so only in the fear that not doing so may bring a tragedy of the same magnitude to bear upon those who fail to share the Korean pain. Oh Young-jin is The Korea Times' chief editorial writer. Contact foolsdie5@ktimes.com and foolsdie@gmail.com. By Lee Min-hyung Sony's MDR-1000X headphone Sony's high-end audio devices are renowned for their crystal-clear and stable sound. But the Japanese electronics giant has also proved its excellence in noise-cancelling technology for its MDR-1000X flagship headphones. Last September, the company introduced the device equipped with its patented Sense Engine technology that completely blocks background noise. There are headphones on the market that tout their noise-killing ability, but only a few live up to the hype. The Sony headphones are receiving positive responses from users for not just the noise-cancelling function, but a string of other convenient features. One of note is the "quick attention" feature, designed for those who do not want to take off the headphones when talking to clerks or taxi drivers. To turn on the function, users just tap the right ear cup, which then automatically turns down the music volume to let users hear external noises. The MDR-1000X also comes with noise control technology that allows users to select and hear a high- or low-pitch outside noise. This may look unnecessary, but it lets users keep track of important announcements in public areas such as on the subway. When a plane takes off, this function effectively reduces engine hum while allowing users to hear in-flight announcements. Sony also has done its best to make the device look luxurious and neat by successfully combining metal in the headband with leather-covered ear cups. The device comes with a price tag of 549,000 won ($490) here. / Captured from BBC website By Park Si-soo An American model has filed a complaint against Hyundai Motor, claiming she was fired from a job for having her period. According to the BBC, Rachel Rickert, 27, was "shamed" while representing the brand at the New York International Auto Show in April. The report said she had to rush to the lavatory to change her tampon. She then asked for a new uniform but was told to go home because of her "period situation," she said. The hourly paid model went to work the next day, April 14, as normal, and learned that Hyundai no longer wanted her to work at the show because of her period. "I was completely puzzled," she told the BBC. "I was really upset. I started crying." The case is pending at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Hyundai Motor America told the BBC it has not yet received an EEOC filing, but is looking into what happened. A spokesperson said: "We take any complaint like this seriously and will respond appropriately once we have a chance to investigate the merits of the claim." By Jhoo Dong-chan Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and its two affiliates _ Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) _ won 62 shipbuilding orders worth $3.8 billion (4.26 trillion won) in the January to May period, compared with 12 orders worth $1 billion over the same period last year. The figure is also more than half the three companies' annual sales target of 7.5 billion won, indicating that the nation's largest shipbuilding group is rising from the bottom of the so-called "order cliff" this year. In May, HHI, HSHI and HMD jointly clinched 20 shipbuilding orders worth $1.3 billion, and if including options these contracts extend, the figure is expected to stretch to 29 ships worth $1.9 billion, HHI said. The three shipbuilders had 21 orders worth $1 billion in April. "HHI Group recorded strong sales in two consecutive months," an HHI official said. "It has also achieved 51 percent of this year's sales target. It clearly signals the group is rebounding from the prolonged demand slump." Of May's 20 orders, HHI and HSHI inked 14 worth $1.07 billion. Under these deals, they will build 13 tankers and one liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier. HMD will build the remaining six ships, including four petrochemical product carriers worth $240 million. According to U.K.-based shipping and offshore gas industries analyst Clarkson Research, HHI and its two affiliates have secured orders for 28 ships of more than 100,000 deadweight tons (DWTs) this year _ 67 percent of global orders for carriers of this size. It also clinched 14 orders for very large crude carriers (VLCCs) in the period out of global orders of 27 ships. "Considering the array of inquiries for VLCC and LNG carriers we have been receiving lately, we expect to surpass our annual order target this year," the official said. "We are redoubling our marketing efforts to meet clients' needs on the back of our stronger fiscal soundness and differentiated shipbuilding expertise." Due to an industry-wide slump and a delay in the construction of offshore facilities, the nation's top three shipbuilders _ Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and Samsung Heavy Industries _ suffered a combined operating loss of $7.4 billion last year. HHI, however, started securing a series of orders from January. Clarkson Research said last month that HHI's shipyard in Ulsan has a remaining backlog of 3.26 million compensated gross tons for 65 ships. The figure was second among global shipyards. Two teenagers were taken to a local hospital to be checked out after the pickup in which they were riding overturned Thursday night in McGregor. The two 16-year-olds, a boy and a girl, were headed north at Zacharias Road at about 60 miles per hour when the pickup struck a pole and rolled into a ditch, Department of Public Safety troopers said. The driver was cited, but troopers didnt say which of the two teens was at the wheel. Neither was seriously hurt. Their names were not released. Historic ties of north Meck span throughout region Though the north Mecklenburg area didnt see significant population growth until a few decades ago, its rich history dates back to the Revolutionary War. That was the basis of... An easier-than-expected first mammogram experience HUNTERSVILLE Scheduling a cancer screening probably ranks somewhere on your to-do list between "clean out the garage" and "donate those clothes that don't fit." Sure, you'll get to it at... PRESS RELEASE Chinas Ambassador to Germany Details Chinese-German Cooperation Potential June 1, 2017 (EIRNS)On the eve of a forum of German businessmen in Berlin today, also attended by Prime Minister Li Keqiang and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Chinas Ambassador to Germany Shi Mingde told Chinese media that "manufacturing industries of the two nations are highly complementary. China is a big manufacturing country, while Germany is a strong one. A new round of industrial revolution is speeding up, gaining momentum ... which has brought an unprecedented opportunity for strategic cooperation." Shi said there are 8,000 German companies operating in China with a total investment volume of more than 60 billion ($67 billion), while nearly 2,000 Chinese enterprises are operating in Germany. Those companies will be a key strength in advancing cooperation, he said. Two strong nations joining hands will have an effect far beyond their boundaries, Shi said. He cited the potential for construction in all countries under the Belt and Road Initiative. He also mentioned the possibility for Beijing and Berlin to jointly influence the establishment of global standards for intelligent manufacturing. The forum during Lis visit is expected to forge new, innovative ways to cooperate in fields such as smart manufacturing, electric vehicles and innovation by young people, he said. Hubertus Troska, a member of Daimler A.G.s board who is responsible for China, said the trends of connectivity, autonomous driving, sharing and electric mobility are revolutionizing the auto industry, "perhaps nowhere faster than in China." In a written interview with China Daily, Troska said "In line with Chinas economic development plan, we will meet both opportunities and challenges head-on with further innovations and upgraded manufacturing." PRESS RELEASE Great Potential for Ibero-America, Caribbean in Chinas Belt and Road Project June 1, 2017 (EIRNS)In an interview with the Cuban daily Granma, published May 31, Zhu Quingqiao, head of the Latin American/Caribbean Affairs Department of Chinas Foreign Ministry, emphasized the inclusive nature of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is open to all Ibero-American and Caribbean nations. "We are working on articulating our development strategies and policies in order to promote greater connectivity" with the region, he added, noting that five Ibero-American nations have already joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and that Argentina is in the process of joining. "While the nucleus of [BRI], presented by China, but shared with the whole world, is concentrated in Asia, Europe and Africa," Zhu explained, "through the AIIB everyone may participate and aspire to infrastructure plans, in Asia, or within their own borders." He especially emphasized the importance of cooperation in science and innovation, noting that China is willing to export to many nations advanced technology and productive capacity, "of which there is a surplus" in China. The location of many Chinese firms in Ibero-American nations will also "contribute to the promotion of industrialization and job creation," he underscored. In this context, he stressed the importance of the China-CELAC Forum (CELAC is the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), created in 2015 to promote economic cooperation, and to which China is currently offering a $35 billion financial package, $10 billion of which has already been approved for specific projects. Zhu reported that Xi Jinping has tasked him with building comprehensive, mutually-beneficial associations with all the nations of the region. "Currently we possess broad possibilities for cooperation," he said. "There are no geopolitical conflicts or historical disputes; rather we are united by a profound friendship.... We seek mutual understanding, but have to overcome the distance, and lack of knowledge (about each other)," he said. PRESS RELEASE Ohio Attorney General Sues Drug Companies for Opioid Addiction June 1, 2017 (EIRNS)Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed suit yesterday against five drug manufacturing companies, the Wall Street Journals Jeanne Whalen reported today. DeWine, a former Republican U.S. Senator, charged that Purdue Pharma, L.P., Johnson & Johnson, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Allergan PLC, and Endo International PLCs Health Solutions Unit spread the opioid addiction and death crisis by understating the risks of opioid painkillers. Dewine told the press: "The evidence is going to show that they knew what they were saying was not true, and they did it to increase sales." The number of unintentional opioid deaths in Ohio increased from 250 to 2,550 from 2003 through 2015. Johnson & Johnson denied the allegations; the other four companies have not yet responded to the suit filed in State Court. A similar lawsuit has been filed in Mississippi. In 2007, Purdue Frederick Co., a Purdue affiliate, pleaded guilty to misleading the public about the addictive qualities of Oxycontin, and paid $645 million fines. PRESS RELEASE St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Opens; No Obama To Discourage American Companies Attendance June 1, 2017 (EIRNS)Today the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) opened, and will continue with presentations and discussions on scientific and technological breakthroughs and planned development projects, presented in panels through June 3. The May 31 Forbes magazine gives an indication of the high-level guest participants: India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, and the leadership of Russia. Forbes correctly lays the blame squarely on Obama for the low attendance by U.S. corporations in recent years: "After several years of low attendance, during which the Obama administration actively discouraged U.S. businesses from participating in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russias largest international business gala, this year sees the return of American companies in sufficient numbers to run a separate U.S.-Russia roundtable for the first time in the Forums history." (emphasis added) The panel discussion topics pose immediate questions for mankind: space science, health, infrastructure, nuclear energy, the possibility of a European-Eurasian integration; health care, the Changing Economics of Transorration and Logistics; Russia-India; Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)-Latin American cooperation; New Frontiers in Scientific Advancement; Building the Infrastructure for Eurasias Future; Russia-U.S.A; Putting Long-term Capital to Work for Infrastructure Development; Russia-Italy; A New Standard in Economic Cooperation; The Future Being Born Today: Integration and Infrastructure Projects in Eurasia; the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Belt and Road Initiative, the EAEUall of which will shape the future. Today, at the most highly-attended Presidents session, Russian President Putin, Prime Minister Modi, and other heads of state will speak, with U.S. journalist Megyn Kelly, now with NBC-TV, moderating and interviewing President Putin. Putin is also scheduled to meet with over 40 heads of sovereign funds from 23 countries, which collectively manage $11.4 trillion, according to Kiril Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. The Administration for the Leningrad region, which surrounds the city of St. Petersburg, is set to sign 130 deals worth over $5 billion. On June 2, the U.S. Russia Business Council Roundtable will be held, in which senior executives from some of Americas leading corporations, including Boeing, Caterpillar, General Electric, and Phillip Morris International will participate. Anthem is the nations second-largest health insurer, with thousands of medical professionals on its payroll. Yet its Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia subsidiary has just informed its members that if they show up at the emergency room with a problem that later is deemed to have not been an emergency, their claim wont be paid. Its a new wrinkle in the age-old problem of how to keep patients from showing up at the ER for just anything. But medical experts say the Georgia insurer is playing with fire. By requiring patients to self-diagnose at the risk of being stuck with a big bill, it may discourage even those with genuine emergencies from seeking necessary care. And its asking them to take on a task that often confounds even experienced doctors and nurses. Patients dont come with a sticker on their forehead saying what the diagnosis is, said Renee Hsia of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at UC San Francisco, who has studied the difficulty of making snap diagnoses at the ER. We as physicians cant always distinguish necessary from unnecessary visits. Advertisement Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, the only insurer offering individual insurance plans in 96 of the states 159 counties, sent letters to its enrollees in late May stating that it would refuse to cover non-emergency ER visits starting July 1. It defined inappropriate visits as any but those that a prudent layperson, possessing an average knowledge of medicine and health, would believe needed immediate treatment. It hoped to encourage patients with non-emergency conditions to seek help instead at an urgent care clinic or a doctors office. Patients dont come with a sticker on their forehead saying what the diagnosis is. Renee Y. Hsia, UC San Francisco The prudent layperson language was written into the Affordable Care Act to protect patients, not subject them to retroactive second-guessing. The idea was to require insurers to base their claims payments on what an average person would consider an emergency, not on the ultimate diagnosis reached by doctors after examinations and tests at the ER. The policy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, however, could allow the insurer to decide for itself after a claim is submitted whether the patient actually acted prudently. A spokesperson for Anthem didnt respond to my query about the new policy. A spokeswoman for the Georgia insurer, Debbie Diamond, told us its goal was to control costs by steering patients away from expensive ER services and toward doctor offices or urgent care clinics when those are more appropriate settings for treatment. People who have a cold or use the ER as their primary physician thats got to stop, she said. This really is a question of getting healthcare more affordable. She said the policy wouldnt apply when the patient is 14 or younger, an urgent care clinic isnt located within 15 miles, or the visit occurs on a Sunday or holiday. She said its aimed at manifestly minor ailments If you had cold symptoms; if you have a sore throat. Symptoms of potentially more serious conditions, such as chest pains, could be seen at the ER even if they turn out to be indigestion. Diamond said similar policies have been implemented with Anthem plans in New York, Missouri and Kentucky. What isnt known is whether Anthem plans to roll out the policy in other states. The company offers insurance in 14 states, including California. Insurers and government authorities have pondered for years how to stem unnecessary ER visits. Washington states Medicaid program, for instance, tried to impose an annual three-visit limit on its enrollees. After a court rejected the proposal, the program developed a list of 500 diagnoses for which it would deem ER visits unnecessary and wouldnt pay. But doctors argued that many symptoms on the list, which included headaches, earaches and bronchitis, could be indicators of genuinely serious conditions. Bronchitis, for example, often cant be distinguished from pneumonia without a chest x-ray. Headaches could be symptoms of meningitis, encephalitis or hemorrhage. Gov. Christine Gregoire quashed the plan in 2012, on the day it was to begin. Washington later instituted a program encouraging hospitals to develop systems to weed out unnecessary visits more effectively, in part through patient education and by identifying frequent visitors or patients presenting at the ER chiefly to obtain drugs. Hsias research, published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Assn., found that ER doctors and triage nurses often were unable to distinguish urgent from non-urgent visits without examining the patient. Six of the 10 top reasons for unnecessary visits, including back, abdominal and chest pain and sore throats and headaches, were also among the top 10 symptoms of real emergencies. Many visits that were later deemed unnecessary arrived by ambulance had procedures performed, and were admitted to the hospital, including critical care units, her groups study found. Everyone in insurance, everyone in emergency medicine has stories to tell about wildly inappropriate emergency room presentations, observed David Anderson, an insurance expert at Duke University. The problem is that the decision to go to the emergency room is fraught with uncertainty. Most people know that something is wrong and they dont know if it is really, really wrong or mildly wrong. Retrospective claims review with denials is too blunt of a tool to deal with a scenario with explicit uncertainty and information gaps. Nor is it clear how much money could be saved by really cracking down. The caricature is of a patient blindly visiting the ER [for no reason], but thats relatively uncommon, said Ari Friedman, a physician who collaborated on Hsias research. Policies aimed at cutting down on inappropriate visits are all based on judgments made after final diagnoses, which obviously arent available to patients before they decide to go to the ER. ER services come to only 2% to 6% of total U.S. healthcare spending, Friedman said, and most of that is spending on sick patients, not healthy ones. Hsia called the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia rule a well-intentioned policy with dangerous consequences for patients. Studies have shown that efforts to use financial incentives to reduce healthcare usage often lead patients to cut down on necessary as well as unnecessary care. That was the finding of a classic Rand Corp. study in the 1970s, which found that patients subjected to co-pays did indeed use fewer healthcare services than those who got the services for free but that they reduced the use of both highly effective and less effective services in roughly equal proportions. Diamond said that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia patients have access to telehealth services via smartphones and other connected gadgets, which will allow them to get a basic judgment about the seriousness of their symptoms remotely. But its questionable whether thats an adequate substitute for an ER visit in all cases. Not all patients will have access to smartphones or connectivity, for one thing. For another, when even trained triage nurses cant flawlessly judge the urgency of a patients condition when meeting face-to-face, a phone consultation may not be very reliable. As Hsia said, the impetus underlying the Georgia policy is understandable in economic terms. But this Anthem subsidiary and its cousins in New York, Missouri and Kentucky have chosen a crude and counterproductive way to cut costs by putting the onus on patients to know just how serious their condition may be, at risk of what could be hundreds of dollars or more in unpaid claims. If this is the healthcare world of the future, its a perilous and costly place. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. MORE FROM MICHAEL HILTZIK Study points to another advantage of the 1%: Theyre great at evading taxes Trumps rollback of birth control rights will run into a legal buzzsaw Gov. Brown wants California to borrow from itself to fund employee pensions. Good idea Leaders of industries havent historically been leaders on climate change. Then why would Tim Cook, Elon Musk, Bob Iger and Jeff Immelt a veritable whos who of Fortune magazine cover models so vocally criticize President Trumps move to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord? Leave politics and platitudes about saving the planet aside, experts say, because the companies positions on the Paris accord boil down to their business interests. Advertisement Its all about who their stakeholders are, said Shon Hiatt, a professor of business administration at USC. For multinational enterprises, they need to represent stakeholders, not just in the U.S., but all over the world. Mirroring their opposition earlier this year to the White Houses travel ban, the nations leading corporations are saying the presidents stance is bad for their bottom lines. Thats especially the case now that economic momentum for renewable energy appears to be irreversible. When a company such as Facebook criticizes abandoning the Paris accord and pledges to power its data centers entirely with renewable energy, it does so with the knowledge it makes good sense both from a public relations standpoint (5 out of 6 American voters say the U.S. should stay in the Paris agreement, according to a Yale University survey) and from a business perspective. Most corporate strategies that integrate climate change are based on market forces, said Don Reed, a managing director in PwCs U.S. Sustainable Business Solutions practice. The decline of fossil fuels Among the biggest market forces undergirding the high-profile opposition to Trumps climate policies is the recent embrace of clean energy. Though renewables made up just 10% of total U.S. energy consumption in 2016, they represent nearly two-thirds of the growth in the utility sector last year. Thats because power produced by wind and solar is increasingly cheaper than virtually all other sources of electricity generation, including fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal, which at its cheapest and dirtiest costs about 6 cents a kilowatt-hour. By comparison, wind power now costs 3.2 to 6.2 cents a kilowatt-hour; solar 4.6 to 6.1 cents and natural gas 5 to 8 cents, said Mark Cooper, senior research fellow for economic analysis at the Vermont Law Schools Institute for Energy and the Environment. By Coopers count, 22 states with 55% of the nations gross domestic product and 40% of the carbon emissions can comply with the Paris agreement. And 61 mayors have voiced their commitment to clean energy. That could neutralize the effects of the Trump administrations decision to withdraw from the agreement, Cooper said. The revolution is here, he said. Its happening. The dominant interests that are being replaced understand whats happening and are just trying to resist. Public opinion Executives arent exactly straying from the mainstream when they say global warming is a problem. About 70% of Americans believe climate change is real, according to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. When Musk, the head of Tesla, counters Trump by quitting two of his advisory councils, he knows he has the vast support of a customer base that feels strongly enough about pollution to splurge on luxury electric vehicles. Thats not to say Musks public stance is devoid of risk his ventures require government support in terms of subsidies and regulations. But for the most part, Musk stands to gain by aligning with science and the values of his customers. In the past, those disagreements may have been hidden from public view given the inherent risk chief executives face choosing sides. But the stakes of todays debates, be they over immigration or climate change, are making it harder for executives to stay silent in the face of public outrage. What makes this particular period in American history unique is that there are so many divisive issues forcing these individuals to speak out, said Arvind Bhambri, a business professor at USC. This phenomenon of disagreeing with a president has always existed. Whats different is taking a public position while being the CEO of a large and visible company. Given the business communitys influence on society, Bhambri said executives and their companies should not be afraid to take a stand. Already, corporations have weighed in to support less restrictive immigration policies and LGBTQ rights, and pushed for boycotts, such as when North Carolina tried to enact a discriminatory bathroom bill though none of those stances were on par with defying a sitting president. To find similar instances, one has to go back as far as the Industrial Revolution, when tycoons such as railroad magnate William H. Vanderbilt had the power and sway to be outspoken against presidential policy, said Michael McGerr, a history professor at Indiana University. The fact that corporate executives have spoken out so forcefully about Trumps decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord reflects these leaders future-forward thinking, he said. Responding to climate change is both economically smart and socially wise, McGerr said. The current feeling on climate change is similar to corporate executives shift in views on same-sex marriages, he said: Theyre both a genuinely felt reading of whats good for the company, and they become an openly held set of values. Times staff writer Samantha Masunaga contributed to this report. david.pierson@latimes.com Twitter: @dhpierson ivan.penn@latimes.com Twitter: @ivanlpenn ALSO Trumps America first policy changes U.S. role on global stage A California-led alliance of cities and states vows to keep the Paris climate accord intact In climate change decision, Trump sticks with his most loyal voters and defies others City National Bank, L.A.s bank to the stars, has branches in Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, Westlake Village and coming soon a location in a Crenshaw Boulevard strip mall storefront currently occupied by a payday lender. Its uncharted territory for an institution that built its business catering to affluent customers but has pledged to boost the amount of lending and services it provides in lower-income and minority neighborhoods a promise the bank made to regulators when it was acquired by Torontos Royal Bank of Canada in 2015. We want to make sure African American and Latino entrepreneurs know we want to be there to serve them and to manage their wealth, said longtime City National Chief Executive Russell Goldsmith, who continues to run the bank following the acquisition. We want to show, in a very visible way, that were open for business. Advertisement Known for its connection to Hollywood businesses and entertainers it famously lent Frank Sinatra money to pay a ransom for his kidnapped son City National specializes in serving wealthy clients and business owners, and it has a branch network to match. Youll find most City National locations in neighborhoods where wealthy clients live or work. The new branch, set to open in October on Crenshaw Boulevard a few blocks south of Exposition Boulevard, will focus in particular on mortgages and small-business lending, though Goldsmith said it would provide other services, including personal wealth management a major City National offering. I think our mission is to work with entrepreneurs, small-business owners and homeowners who need help on the way up, Goldsmith said. I think its a service to the broader community to have a proven, responsible bank and wealth-management company there for them. To run the branch, City National hired Peter Jackson, 43, an African American business banker who has worked for Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Jackson grew up in nearby Baldwin Hills and lives in the Crenshaw district. He said a City National Bank branch is the kind of business that many residents have long wanted, and the kind of business thats usually reserved for tonier neighborhoods. In the community, were always looking for a Whole Foods, a Trader Joes, a City National Bank were always waiting for things other communities have, he said. Paulina Gonzalez, executive director of the California Reinvestment Coalition, which pushes banks to do more lending in lower-income and minority communities, said City Nationals move to Crenshaw shows that it is keeping promises made in advance of its acquisition by Royal Bank of Canada. Opening a branch in an underserved area and certainly taking the place of a check casher or a payday loan store is a positive thing and it shows City National is taking its commitment very seriously, she said, noting that many other banks are closing branches instead of opening new ones. City National has been expanding elsewhere too, but for different reasons. Royal Bank of Canada, which bought City National in November 2015, has long had wealth-management and stock-trading businesses in the U.S., but no banking operations. It acquired City National so it could offer personal and business banking services to its American clients. To that end, City National has been opening up branches in areas where those customers are clustered. That includes Minneapolis, home to RBCs U.S. wealth-management headquarters, and lower Manhattan, home of its capital markets division. City National is also opening branches in Washington, D.C., where RBC has a concentration of wealth-management clients. The Crenshaw branch has little to do with RBCs offerings, though it does stem from the acquisition. When the deal was announced, City National pledged that it would provide $11 billion in loans and donations to borrowers and organizations in low-income neighborhoods over the course of five years. Such deals are often announced amid bank mergers. Banks are required by the federal Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, to show they are serving low-income and minority borrowers, and regulators scrutinize banks CRA activities ahead of mergers and acquisitions. Plans like the one announced by City National, which had the support of the California Reinvestment Coalition and other fair lending groups, can help speed regulatory approval. Plans that fall short or that advocacy groups oppose, though, can lead to delays. When New Jersey lender CIT Group announced plans to purchase Pasadenas OneWest Bank, the coalition and some other groups called the banks CRA plan insufficient and pushed federal regulators to take the rare step of holding a public hearing about whether the deal would benefit low-income communities. In its plan, City National pledged to make at least $700 million in mortgage loans to minority borrowers and to increase its issuance of loans backed by the Small Business Administration to at least $140 million a year. At least half of those SBA loans must be made in low-income neighborhoods. The Crenshaw branch could help the bank meet those goals. Mortgages and small-business loans will be a focus for the branch, though Jackson said there are other opportunities as well, such as providing private banking and wealth-management services to higher-income professionals living in nearby Windsor Hills and View Park, a neighborhood sometimes called the black Beverly Hills. We want to serve the doctors, lawyers and athletes living up on the hill, but also small-business owners, Jackson said. Were a bank for small businesses and entrepreneurs. City National could have opened a branch in any number of minority or lower-income communities, but Goldsmith said Crenshaw was particularly attractive because of a wave of business activity in the area, some of it spurred by the construction of the Crenshaw/LAX light rail line, which will connect the existing Expo and Green lines and go past the new City National branch. Taking a long-term view, its an area where we think there will be more entrepreneurs and businesses looking for the type of relationship banking, small-business banking and investment opportunities we provide, Goldsmith said. A handful of big-bank branches Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo among them can be found along Crenshaw Boulevard. Lori Gay, chief executive of Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County, a nonprofit that supports affordable housing through a variety of programs, said big banks dont offer the kind of tailored services for which City National is known. Any time a bank is expanding its presence with brick-and-mortar branches in low-income communities, were going to applaud them, she said. But we want more than checking and savings accounts. We need things only full-service branch banking can offer. Were looking forward to that. james.koren@latimes.com Follow me: @jrkoren Ron Ziegler doesnt remember any fuss over National Doughnut Day when he was running his family business, a major Los Angeles-based supplier of dry mixes, fruit fillings and pink boxes before it was sold 25 years ago. Wed never heard of National Doughnut Day when we were in business, the 80-year-old Ziegler said of the annual event celebrated today. It would have been good. Our customers were terrible at marketing. Ziegler would know. Decades before there were National Doughnut Day hashtags on social media, Zieglers Westco was introducing holiday-themed pastries, developing flavorings like the buttermilk bar and teaching bakers how to properly make an old fashioned (you turn it twice in the fryer). Advertisement Without Westco, and some of its competitors, L.A. may never have emerged as the unofficial doughnut capital of the world. They were huge, said Stan Berman, 88, who has run the famed Stans Donuts in Westwood since 1965. They were suppliers of everything. Westco, first known as the West Coast Supply Company before being shortened, was founded by Zieglers grandfather John Ziegler in the late-1920s at least a decade before the Salvation Army established National Doughnut Day to commemorate female volunteers who served doughnuts to soldiers in the First World War. Ron Ziegler stands inside his small bakery at his home in Los Alamos. He still likes to bake, but these days, is mostly perfecting his sourdough bread. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) The Lithuanian-born John Ziegler arrived in America around the turn of the century, first homesteading in North Dakota before eventually settling in L.A. The company started out selling raisins and nuts then added all manner of raw ingredients for bakeries. It was originally headquartered south of Downtown L.A. on the corner of Washington and Long Beach boulevards. It moved to Pico Rivera in 1985. Up until the late 1950s, doughnut ingredients amounted to less than 1% of the companys revenue. A standard bakery might have only sold a classic raised doughnut (which uses yeast) or a cake doughnut, a denser variety that relies on baking soda and baking powder to rise. But the baby boomer years changed eating habits. The proliferation of cars and freeways made hand-held snacks more desirable. Entrepreneurs started figuring out they could score fatter profit margins with doughnuts rather than bread or cakes. It was easier and quicker to master the skills and the ingredients werent as costly. Sales of Westcos doughnut mixes and glazes started to pick-up. The company operated classes to train would-be doughnut makers. Our angle was always to try and help customers do more business, said Ziegler, who grew up in Hermosa Beach. If they do good, then well do good. The new demand fueled expansion. The company grew its operations across California and in Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. When John Ziegler died in 1965, his sons Paul, Ray (Rons father) and Allen took over. Allen Ziegler would later be known for his philanthropic work, donating millions to Jewish organizations in the Southland. Anytime hed fly, he would carry several boxes of doughnuts to hand out to fellow passengers. Ron Ziegler was named president of Westco in 1970, a company he started working at as a boy sweeping the floors of a warehouse thick with the smell of spices like caraway and cinnamon. After the Vietnam War ended, Westcos customers increasingly included Cambodian refugees who would come to dominate the local doughnut business and popularize the pink box. Why are doughnut boxes pink? The answer could only come out of Southern California Why are donut boxes pink? (May 25, 2017) (Sign up for our free video newsletter here) (Ron Ziegler said pink boxes had been around for years, but mainly for cakes, pastries and cookies. They were supplied to Westco by a company that had equipment that could print pink ink on gray cardboard rather than the costlier white cardboard.) Westcos supplies even reached as far as Saudi Arabia. In the early 1990s, a businessman there persuaded Ron Ziegler to help him open a doughnut store in the kingdom. Ziegler was skeptical. He knew doughnut sales collapsed in hot climates like Arizonas during the summer. So I go to Saudi Arabia to see for myself. It turns out no one gets up in the morning. They wait until nighttime when its cooler to get their doughnuts. It was a smashing success, Ziegler said. In 1992, the Ziegler family sold Westco to CSM, a Dutch baking supply conglomerate. Westco was rebranded BakeMark, which continues to use Westcos Pico Rivera address. Ron Zieglers son Tim Ziegler manages BakeMarks customers on the central coast, imploring bakers to use the best ingredients like his father did years earlier. Theres no magic to a good doughnut other than good ingredients, said Ron Ziegler, now retired with his wife Betty on a 200-acre ranch in Los Alamos, where the couple keep emus, alpacas and miniature donkeys. You cant make lead into gold. david.pierson@latimes.com Follow me @dhpierson on Twitter ALSO JetBlue and Delta begin testing biometrics to identify passengers Harry Potter boosts Universal Studios attendance; Disneyland visits slip Teslas Elon Musk and Disneys Robert Iger quit Trump advisory councils, citing climate change More than a dozen advocacy groups are trying to block the merger of two L.A.-area banks, saying the deal would not benefit low-income and minority communities and that one of the banks does a poor job of lending in some rural California counties. The California Reinvestment Coalition and other groups on Friday sent a letter to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., saying that the acquisition of downtown L.A.s California United Bank by Beverly Hills-based Pacific Western Bank should be approved only if the terms are changed. If [Pacific Western] is unwilling to make further commitments to communities, we believe the regulators should, in addition to holding public meetings, also reject this merger, the letter stated. Advertisement Pacific Western in April announced plans to buy California United for $705 million in cash and stock. Bank officials said at the time that they expected the deal to close by the end of the year, though opposition from fair-lending groups could delay the transaction. Executives at the bank did not respond to a request for comment. When banks merge, regulators must consider whether the institutions are meeting the requirements of the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, a federal law that pushes banks to lend to low-income and minority neighborhoods within their service areas. Banks often make big CRA commitments ahead of mergers and acquisitions, both to ease regulatory approval and to avoid opposition from fair-lending groups. For instance, when L.A.s City National Bank was about to be acquired by Torontos Royal Bank of Canada, it pledged to make $11 billion in CRA-related loans and donations over a five-year period. But when such pledges arent made or when advocacy groups believe CRA plans are insufficient, they often protest, which can delay a deal or force banks to make richer promises. When New Jersey lender CIT Group announced plans in July 2014 to buy Pasadenas OneWest Bank, criticisms of the CRA plans pushed federal regulators to take the rare step of holding a public hearing about the deals community benefits. The merger was ultimately approved, but took longer to close than expected. In this case, the coalition and its allies, including the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment and the Fair Housing Council of the San Fernando Valley, say Pacific Western has shown them a draft CRA plan that falls short. The groups lay out a long list of demands, including that the merged bank do more small-business lending in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties areas where the groups say Pacific Western has relatively large amounts of customer deposits compared with the small-business loans it makes. The coalition also questioned the propriety of the banks hiring of a former FDIC official, given that the agency is also tasked with evaluating Pacific Westerns adherence to the CRA. Stanley Ivie, Pacific Westerns chief risk officer, had been director of the FDICs San Francisco region, which is responsible for banks across 11 Western states. He did not return a call seeking comment. Paulina Gonzalez, executive director of the coalition, suggested the bank could have hired Ivie to help it finesse approval of a lackluster CRA plan. Pacific Western has made a handful of recent acquisitions, becoming one of the largest banks in Southern California. Its biggest deal was its 2014 buyout of downtown L.A.s CapitalSource, which more than doubled Pacific Westerns assets to $15.4 billion. In 2015, it bought North Carolinas Square 1 Bank, its first out-of-state purchase. If it acquires California United Bank, Pacific Western would have about $25 billion in assets. james.koren@latimes.com Follow me: @jrkoren Jo Koy grew up watching cooking shows, but what he coveted wasnt the latest recipe for lasagna or brownies. I remember just going, I want a kitchen like that in my house, the comedian, 45, said. Well, everything I used to dream about when I was a kid that I wanted my kitchen to look like, Ive got. Koy bought his Studio City hilltop home in 2013. The modern single-story home features a two-bedroom main house, a two-bedroom guest house and a weight room attached to the garage. Advertisement I got lucky when I found this place, he said. I have privacy and room to park about six cars on my property, which is pretty rare is this area. The house is about to get bigger: Hes expanding the main unit by adding an open-plan second floor that will feature a master suite. Koy is currently touring the U.S. and hosts a weekly podcast, The Koy Pond; his first Netflix comedy special, Jo Koy: Live from Seattle, started streaming March 28. Jo Koy says people migrate to his kitchen, which includes a Thermador stove. Theres this good energy, he says. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) What makes the room special? I love everything about my kitchen. Its the most feng shui room in the house. Theres this good energy. It has an island in the middle where I do all my chopping and cooking preparation. I love my stove. Its a huge, beautiful stainless steel Thermador Professional. How do you use the space? Its where we migrate. The kitchen is its own room. It opens to a dining area, but we usually dont make it out that far. We eat in the kitchen. My son, Joseph, 13, does his homework in there. My girlfriend, Amy, and I have our evening conversations there. Its where we cook, talk and socialize. Describe the design style. I went with white and gray. I have gray countertops, whitish/gray cabinets and stainless steel trim. Im a minimalist when it comes to stuff in the house. Less is more. I want whatever pieces I have to pop and stand out. I like white and open spaces, and I dont like clutter. Which item most represents you? The stove, because I love to cook. I enjoy it. Its relaxing. Have you always cooked? No. I started cooking when I bought a condominium in Studio City in 2010. I liked that kitchen, and my son was about 6 and started asking for certain meals. So, I was like, OK, I can make that at home. Thats how I started. Jo Koy top-chef must-haves? My classic red KitchenAid mixer and matching blender. I also love my GreenPan. It is my favorite pan. I cook everything in it. Whats on the weekly menu in the Koy kitchen? Chicken adobo, which is a Filipino recipe, and picadillo, another Filipino dish that has beef and potatoes with carrots. Do you collect anything from the road? I have a Starbucks cup from every city where I have performed. hotproperty@latimes.com MORE FROM HOT PROPERTY Robert Downey Jr. snaps up a new ocean view in Malibu for $3.8 million Marilyn Monroes onetime Brentwood home sells for over the asking price Disc jockey Jed the Fish lists his pristine Queen Anne Victorian in Pasadena I read a lot of magazines, blogs and social-media feeds dedicated to architecture more than Id like to admit. None of them covered the news that Alejandro Inarritus contribution to the Cannes Film Festival this year came in the form of a 6-minute experiment in virtual-reality filmmaking. They probably should have. Carne y Arena, a collaboration between Inarritu and his longtime cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, was described by my colleague Steven Zeitchik as a multi-platform experience that includes a VR film; it is so sprawling the festival installed it in an airplane hangar 20 minutes outside downtown Cannes. Viewers strapped on Oculus Rift headsets and then set out on foot to experience a 360-degree story set in the Arizona desert, along the U.S.-Mexico border. What does this have to do with architecture? Everything. As the courtship between Hollywood studios and virtual-reality start-ups intensifies, its pretty clear who is most anxious about being left off the guest list for the eventual wedding: the multiplex. Advertisement Its telling that there wasnt a suitable space among the traditional Cannes theaters to accommodate Carne y Arena, but advances in VR are hardly the only threat to the traditional architecture of moviegoing. Netflix and other streaming services have already landed serious blows. Smartphone owners now carry in their pockets a movie theater capable of showing not just new releases but nearly every movie ever made. This development is in its way as destabilizing to traditional notions of retail architecture, and even city-making, as the success of Amazon has been to brick and mortar bookstores. Cannes offered a very public platform for these anxieties too. When audience members rained down boos on the Netflix-produced Okja, a film by the Korean director Bong Joon-ho that wont have a theatrical release, they were making an architectural complaint as well as a cinematic one. They were arguing that in bypassing typical distribution channels the streaming company was shrinking not just the size of screens on which the film would be watched but the communal experience that has always been central to moviegoing. And think about that word, moviegoing. (Or the title of Walker Percys 1961 novel, The Moviegoer.) The art form from its earliest days has been inherently architectural: to see a movie meant having a destination. The word cinema means filmmaking; it also means a building that shows movies. The alliance looks shaky. Technology is breaking up that compound word, moviegoing, peeling the noun from the verb. Could the lines to get into The Broad in Los Angeles, where visitors post Instagram and more social media posts, be a place for cineplex owners to look to the future? (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) If I were a multiplex owner ... Id be looking hard for examples where architecture and technology have managed to form ... symbiotic relationships. Christopher Hawthorne Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, the head of this years Cannes competition jury, touched on that shift and the worries that come with it when he argued during the festival that a movie screen should not be smaller than the chair on which you are sitting. It was a curious place to draw that particular cultural line. So a TV at home is an acceptable alternative to the art house, but a phone, tablet or laptop is not? And what if as with Carne y Arena there are no chairs at all? In that case the word moviegoing might be redefined or reanimated by VR. Watching a film may soon become an exercise in moving through a particular space, as opposed to the passive approach that is common to both multiplex and home viewing. Its possible that some forward-looking theater chain will respond to these shifts by brilliantly retrofitting the typical suburban movie house to accommodate VR screenings. It seems likelier that well see the emergence of a new kind of gathering place for virtual-reality experiences that bypasses multiplex owners altogether. In September Dreamscape Immersive, an L.A.-based start-up, will open what its calling a VR Multiplex inside the Westfield Mall in Century City. The facility, Variety reported, will use un-tethered VR headsets to allow consumers to move freely through a space and interact with real and virtual objects as well as with each other. The companys CEO, Bruce Vaughn, is a veteran of Walt Disney Imagineering. Its backers include Warner Bros., IMAX and Steven Spielberg. One member of its advisory board is the industrial designer Yves Behar, a name far more familiar in Silicon Valley than Hollywood. Maybe this brave new cinematic world will be a flop, commercially or otherwise. Maybe it will take some shape we never anticipated. The survival skills of the printed book and the vinyl record suggest that certain aspects of the moviegoing experience may prove to have continuing appeal even, or maybe especially, in an otherwise digitized marketplace. Still, if I were a multiplex owner, or anybody with a career that depends on precisely how the future of moviegoing shakes out, Id be looking hard for examples where architecture and technology have managed to form successful and even symbiotic partnerships. One comes from the art world, where new and old museums alike have begun to see smartphones and social media not just as a vehicle for free advertising but as increasingly central to how they define themselves as institutions. A standby line forms nearly every day outside the 2-year-old Broad museum, holding visitors waiting for same-day passes. These visitors, relying on the photogenic honeycomb skin of the museum as a backdrop, post a steady stream of images from this line to Instagram, underscoring the idea that the queue itself is an attraction and the reputation of the museum as a sought-after destination. The line has its own Twitter feed: @TheBroadStandby. Though this reliance on buzz understandably troubles art-world purists, it has also introduced a new generation of Angelenos to museum-going. (It helps that the museum is free.) The average age of Broad visitors is noticeably younger than at, say, the Museum of Contemporary Art across the street. Another model (and perhaps a stronger one) is the work of the Industry, an experimental L.A. opera company whose ingenious productions require audience members to move through a sequence of different spaces. One show, Invisible Cities, took place in nearly every corner of Union Station. Another, Hopscotch, used a fleet of limousines to carry audience members and musicians alike to locations in and around downtown L.A. The company uses high-tech tools (including wireless headsets and screens of many sizes) to turn landmarks into stage sets. Technology becomes not a distraction in these shows but precisely a means of heightening our attention to architectural detail. The companys founder and artistic director, Yuval Sharon, is thinking about the relationship between audiences and technological change as inventively as anyone in Los Angeles. There are risks in these examples when it comes to VR. The experience of using a headset like Oculus Rift is not just isolating, the way watching a movie on a smartphone or listening to music through a wireless headset can be. It is downright cocooning. By now youve probably seen the photograph of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg strolling down the aisle at a European tech conference last year, passing a theater full of people wearing VR headsets as he made his way to the stage. The image has become a kind of shorthand for the pitfalls of a VR future in which our digital overlords can see and we all grow blind, even as were sure that our vision is being improved by the day. It suggests that despite examples like the Broad, the connectivity seemingly provided by technology may be illusory. That the unit that matters when it comes to measuring the distance between us is not the inch but the pixel. That its entirely possible for us to be alone atomized together. Carne y Arena will be mounted at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art next month. Ill be curious to see how audiences react to it there. Ill be even more curious to see how, and precisely where on the museum campus, Inarritu and LACMA decide to stage it. Special Report: Can moviegoing be saved? christopher.hawthorne@latimes.com Twitter: @hawthornelat ALSO: Netflixs first movie appears at Cannes, and so does the controversy Alejandro Inarritus virtual reality project takes film to new frontiersand questions Practically a film festival every night: The new ecology of the old-movie scene in L.A. The playwright Lorraine Hansberry died of cancer in 1965 when she was only 34, leaving behind incomplete drafts of Les Blancs (The Whites), a play she had begun writing in 1960, soon after A Raisin in the Sun made her famous. Hansberrys husband and literary executor, Robert Nemiroff, took it up where she left off, and his adaptation premiered on Broadway in 1970, starring a young James Earl Jones as an African man torn between his countrymen and their European colonial overlords. It got mixed reviews, ran only briefly and has seldom been staged since; Rogue Machine Theatres current revival is its Los Angeles premiere. Perhaps this history doesnt compel you to call for tickets, and descriptions of Les Blancs as important and ambitious probably wont sweeten the deal. By the time I tell you that Hansberry was moving away from the naturalism of Raisin toward expressionism and the heightened reality of classical tragedy in Les Blancs, and that the script has been called didactic and a rebuke to colonialism, you may already be in your pajamas, deep into a Netflix binge. I settled into my seat unprepared for the fierce, knotty rhetoric of Hansberrys script and the intense theatricality of Gregg T. Daniels production. Advertisement The very atmosphere in the theater evokes Africa. I think the air conditioning was actually broken on opening night, but it wasnt just the heat: Stephanie Kerley Schwartzs set, slats of wood lashed together, summons the humble mission in the fictional African country where the story is set; Jeff Gardners sound design suggests the jungle wildlife seething and chattering on all sides. A percussionist, Jalani Blunt, plays Gardners original music on a variety of instruments. As the lights dim, a dancer (Shari Gardner) performs an African dance. The plays characters enter behind her, and black and white face off in a tense tableau. Then the story begins: American journalist Charlie Morris (Jason McBeth) has just arrived in Africa to write about the respected 40-year-old mission and its founder, the Rev. Neilson. Neilson is away on some unspecified errand, so Morris chats with the clinics two doctors, the idealistic Marta Gotterling (Fiona Hardingham) and the disillusioned Willy DeKoven (Joel Swetow), as well as Neilsons wife, Madame Neilson (Anne Gee Byrd). Madame used to be close to the local tribespeople, she says wistfully. She taught the children to read and spent hours with the women, but then something went wrong. Relations between black and white are growing hostile. The bigoted Major George Rice (a mustachioed Bill Brochtrup) arrives to report that a white family has been murdered by black terrorists and that hes imposing a curfew. As night falls, a drumbeat rises from the village, signaling that a tribal elder, Abioseh, has died. The scene then shifts to Abiosehs hut, where his three adult sons have reunited. They grew up on the mission, and their identities have been shaped by it. The eldest, confusingly also named Abioseh (Matt Orduna), has become a Catholic priest. The youngest, Eric (Aric Floyd), who is widely known not to be Old Abiosehs son but the mixed-race child of rape, drinks too much. And then there is Tshembe (Desean Kevin Terry), our protagonist, who wants to bury his father and go back home to his wife and newborn son in Europe. He certainly has no intention of commanding a violent nationalist uprising. But Africa has her own plans for him. Its a talky play. The journalist, who seems oddly unalarmed by the frequent reports of murders, loves a good chin-wag and keeps trying to chum up to Tshembe, who wants none of him. Their passionate, heady debates feel incompletely worked through. A few more drafts might have made the jarring climax which upset audiences decades ago with its unambiguous endorsement of violence against white people (reflecting the early 1960s influence of Malcolm X) a bit more plausible. That Les Blancs remains unfinished is just one of the tragedies of Hansberrys premature death, but Rogue Machines vivid, well-acted production brings her work to life. Les Blancs When: Rogue Machine at the MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., Los Angeles When: 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m. Mondays; ends July 3 Tickets: $40 Information: (855) 585-5185 or www.roguemachinetheatre.com Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes SIGN UP for the free Essential Arts & Culture newsletter Support coverage of the arts. Share this article. ALSO Calling all actors willing to work for (almost) free: Theater companies hold auditions for a new 99-seat world At East West Players, the gut-wrenching emotion of Next to Normal transcends race Mark Ballas on why Jersey Boys was his destiny: I had seen the show 12 times when I auditioned A critics take on the Tony nominations: Kudos for rewarding inventive shows that take risks Kathy Griffin has apologized repeatedly for the controversial photo that sparked the ire of the president and much of the country earlier this week, but she has no intention of backing down. That was the takeaway of a Friday press conference during which the 56-year-old comedian expressed her regret for the Tyler Shields photo shoot that featured Griffin in a pussy-bow blouse and raising a bloodied imitation severed head bearing President Trumps visage. That apology absolutely stands, Griffin said at the packed morning news conference held at her attorneys office in Woodland Hills. I apologized because it was the right thing to do and I meant it. Advertisement Then I saw the tide turning, she continued, adding that she has received death threats. I saw what was happening. It was a mob mentality pile-on. Public outrage over the photo was immediate on Tuesday, and Griffin apologized soon after, but the damage had already been done. President Trump and family speculated on Twitter about Griffins mental health, saying that she should be ashamed and calling for CNN to fire her from her New Years Eve hosting gig, which the cable news network did. It was the Trump familys involvement that outraged Griffins attorney, Lisa Bloom, who sought to focus the news conference on what she said was the inappropriateness of the presidents behavior. Bloom listed several artists who had used violent imagery against Trump or former presidents, including Municipal Waste, Marilyn Manson and GWAR, noting that none of them had ever apologized. Unlike these male artists, Kathy has apologized, Bloom said. Unlike these male artists, Kathy has endured the most powerful man in America, and his family, using their power to target her and her employers after she apologized. Heres what a defiant Kathy Griffin said at her Trump news conference. (Spoiler: Shes not backing down) Flanked by attorneys Dmitry Gorin, left, and Lisa Bloom, Kathy Griffin answered questions from the press about her Trump photo scandal. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Whats happening to me has never happened in this great country, Griffin said. A sitting president of the U.S. is personally trying to ruin my life forever. The photo itself, featuring the presidents ketchup-bloodied likeness, Griffin explained, was inspired by Trumps comments about Megyn Kelly during the presidential campaign. You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever, Trump said back then. Griffin said she was well aware of sexism, having worked her entire life in a male-dominated industry. Im not afraid of Donald Trump, she said. Hes a bully. Ive dealt with older white guys trying to keep me down my whole life, my whole career. But Griffin knew immediately after the photo had gone live that she had made a grave miscalculation. I dont know if Im going to be arrested today. I dont know, Griffin said, referring to the Secret Services investigation of the photo. Griffin repeated her apology but made it clear that shes also standing her ground against Trump. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Despite her fear and the loss of an endorsement and several bookings, Griffin promised to redouble her efforts to lampoon the president, because her job as a comedian demanded it. Im going to make fun of him more now. More, Griffin emphasized, just as she had done with past presidents. Remember the Monica dress days? Griffin asked in a nod to the jokes she made during the Clinton administration. Those were the days. You could make dress jokes all day long and nobody would try to kill you. The comedian vacillated between somber and frenetic throughout the press conference, making jokes to cover for nerves and often dissolving into tears. When questioned about CNN co-host and friend Anderson Cooper calling the photo disgusting and completely inappropriate, Griffin fell silent by her tears, eventually murmuring, That hurt. Thats all. Its unclear whether Griffins bravado was all for show or if shes gearing up for a full-fledged fight with Trump and his backers. She admitted, I dont think Ill have a career after this. He broke me. Then again, she also threw down the gauntlet earlier in the morning: He picked the wrong redhead. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour libby.hill@latimes.com @midwestspitfire ALSO Kathy Griffin talks about her run-ins with celebrities from A to Z Venues cancel Kathy Griffin appearances in wake of Trump photo dust-up Perspective: Kathy Griffin proves theres still such a thing as too far For a certain kind of dedicated moviegoer, Los Angeles can be a nonstop film festival. Just about any day of the week somewhere in the city there is a screening of a rare title, an exceptional film print or an event with special guests. The scene around the city for showing older films, often referred to as repertory screenings, has been recently revitalized, flying in the face of conventional wisdom regarding moviegoing overall and the era of downloading and streaming. Going to a movie theater can still be an experience like no other. READ MORE: Can Americas moviegoing habit be saved? The past, present and uncertain future of the multiplex (Debrocke / ClassicStock / Getty Images; Peter and Maria Hoey /Los Angeles Times) (Debrocke / ClassicStock / Getty Images; Peter and Maria Hoey /Los Angeles Times) At venues around the city such as the Motion Picture Academys Samuel Goldwyn and Linwood Dunn theaters, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art s Bing Theater, the UCLA Film and Television Archive at the Billy Wilder Theater, the American Cinematheques Egyptian and Aero theaters, the Cinefamily and the New Beverly Cinema, as well as others including Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, REDCAT, the Theatre at Ace Hotel downtown, and micro-cinemas such as Los Angeles Filmforum, Veggie Cloud and the Echo Park Film Center, the rep cinema scene in Los Angeles is undergoing what numerous programmers are calling a new golden age. The academy recently presented a 75th anniversary screening of Bambi that was a revelation for anyone seeing the film for the first time, but also for anyone who knew the film from years of seeing it at home. People are absolutely amazed at what the experience is like to see it with an audience, says Randy Haberkamp, the academys managing director of programming, education and preservation. He recalled the moment when spoiler alert Bambis mother was shot and the movie and the audience both fell completely quiet. The whole audience was in the grip of what had just happened and was holding their breath, he says. The film, the sound, the audience, all were in tandem to what was going on. And I think that that is one of the things I really cherish and really look forward to, Haberkamp adds, presenting things that even if people have seen it before they realize they havent had the true experience of that movie. I dont think any of these theaters are in competition at all. Were in competition with staying home. Grant Moninger, American Cinematheque The Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. (Christina House / For The Times) (Christina House / Christina House) The original ceiling inside the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Each venue maintains a character all its own, both in its programming and the audiences it draws. But they are united by a commitment to exploring all corners of cinema history, from crowd-pleasing old favorites to uncovered obscurities, often working in collaboration with one another and with a shared dedication to screening actual, physical film whenever possible. In Los Angeles there is the relative luxury of seeing top-quality prints in a variety of formats, be it 35, 70 or 16 mm or even vintage nitrate, which requires special safety precautions. And those films can play to all sorts of audiences. When David Lynchs Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me played recently at the Cinefamily, a fair portion of the young crowd was likely not yet born when the movie was released in 1992, while at least some patrons at LACMAs recent showing of Journey Into Fear were most certainly already alive when the film came out in 1942. Recently the Aero Theatre played Kathryn Bigelows 1987 vampire biker film Near Dark on a Friday and the New Beverly played the movie as a midnight show the very next night. Both screenings were successes, pointing toward the distinct audiences for each venue within the larger ecosystem of the city. I dont think any of these theaters are in competition at all, says Grant Moninger, programmer at the American Cinematheque. Were in competition with staying at home, were in competition with everything else on offer in the world. Moviegoers line up before a midnight showing of the movie Riki-Oh at the Cinefamily on L.A.'s Fairfax Avenue. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times) (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times) Even if people have seen it before they realize they havent had the true experience of that movie. Randy Haberkamp, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Its really good for the city, adds Cinematheque programmer Gwen Deglise. You dont want to be in a place with very little to choose from. The more there is, the more sharply we all have to think about who we are. The Cinematheque will feature an upcoming retrospective of influential French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Melville, as well as a series of 70 mm prints of movies from the early 1980s, including E.T. and The Thing. The UCLA Archives upcoming programs include an exhaustive retrospective of filmmaker John Huston, as well as a series on the once-disreputable shadow cinema of the 1970s that reclaims films such as Prime Cut, Two-Lane Blacktop and Coffy in a new context. The Cinefamily is wrapping up a series on Lina Wertmuller, the first woman ever nominated for the Oscar for best director, and relaunching its popular Fairy Tales for Adults series with titles such as Freeway and Valerie and Her Week of Wonders. The New Beverly is celebrating director Jerry Schatzberg in June with screenings including Panic in Needle Park, Scarecrow and The Seduction of Joe Tynan. Sofia Coppola s upcoming The Beguiled will preview as a double bill at the New Beverly paired with the 1971 Don Siegel movie starring Clint Eastwood adapted from the same novel. Coppolas film will also play at LACMA as part of the Los Angeles Film Festival on a double bill with her earlier Lost in Translation. Phil Blankenship, who works at the New Beverly, refers to the L.A. rep house scene and its various theaters, schedules and vibes as a puzzle, adding, Thats how I like to imagine all the theaters in Los Angeles, they are each helping each other putting together a larger film world. Part of putting that puzzle together is presenting familiar works in unexpected ways, or finding a new spotlight for lesser-known works. A recent UCLA series on female filmmakers of the 70s and 80s included Joan Micklin Silvers Hester Street and Joyce Chopras Smooth Talk. As UCLA programmer Paul Malcolm puts it, A canon is great, but it constantly needs to be knocked down, revised and revisited. Dilcia Barrera, associate curator of film at LACMA, is the first female curator for the institutions venerable film program. Its Tuesday afternoon matinees are a mainstay of classic cinema exhibition in Los Angeles and even there subtle shifts can be detected. The recent screening of Journey Into Fear was not presented as part of a spotlight of Orson Welles, as the film is usually seen, but rather as part of a showcase for actress Dolores del Rio. An upcoming series will feature movies about sisters, including Like Water for Chocolate and Little Women. Even for die-hard film fans, there are still discoveries to be made. Its a cool thing when the older crowd tells me, Ive never seen that movie. Because that means every Tuesday for however many years youve been coming and never been shown this movie, Barrera notes. And that to me is a special pride. Special Report: Can moviegoing be saved? KJ Relth, programming assistant at UCLA, referred to a post-Akerman world on the local rep scene following an effort across multiple venues to feature the work of Chantal Akerman last year following her death in late 2015. That sense of collaboration has largely continued on. The New Beverlys Blankenship helped Relth track down a print for UCLAs upcoming Huston series. And when the New Beverly recently featured a series on the filmmaker Frank Perry, it borrowed one rare print from the academy and had another flown in from Australia. Screenings around town have celebrated actor Bill Paxton and director Jonathan Demme, both of whom recently died. Others spotlighted movies starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, spurred by renewed interest from the TV series Feud. Last year the academy searched exhaustively for a quality copy of Purple Rain before ultimately having a new stereo 35 mm print made for a Prince tribute event. Responding to audience interests is another way the vibrant local scene transforms the history of cinema around the world into a living thing. That is fun, and another way for communal exchange and people coming together, says Barrera, To celebrate not only a film but the importance of film in our lives, culturally, emotionally and socially. SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter mark.olsen@latimes.com Follow on Twitter: @IndieFocus ALSO Why director Edgar Wright loved the wink and twinkle of Roger Moores James Bond best LA Film Festival program continues to expand with The Beguiled and Annabelle: Creation Rereleases of Stalker and Solaris give us a fresh look at Andrei Tarkovskys heady sci-fi Zoe Lister-Jones is 34 years old and has been married for four years. Which means that when shes at a party, basically every conversation starts with the same question: When are you going to have kids? Were getting there, shell answer, smiling politely. But being childless and in her 30s sometimes makes her feel like a pariah. A few weeks ago, she went to a kids birthday party, and she was one of only two women there without offspring. Its hard, because theres a part of me that feels like because I cant relate to their stage in life, that Im not bringing something to the table, she says. Im such a workhorse that Ive always prioritized my work, and as a woman, thats a really different thing. This is the very conundrum at the heart of Lister-Jones new movie, her directorial debut Band Aid. The film which she also stars in and wrote is about a couple trying to move past the devastation of a miscarriage just as their friends are starting families. But theres so much unspoken pain between the husband and wife that they begin to fight constantly. So in an effort to curb the bickering, they start a garage band called The Dirty Dishes and use the lyrics to vent their marital frustrations. Zoe Lister-Jones as Anna and Adam Pally as Ben in Band Aid. (Jacqueline DiMilia / IFC Films) (Jacqueline DiMilia / IFC Films) Review: Director-star Zoe Lister-Jones shines in the poignant dramedy 'Band Aid' Lister-Jones hasnt said just how much of the film comes from personal experience, which is unusual for her because nearly every script shes written thus far has been autobiographical. Her first feature screenplay, 2010s Breaking Upwards, was about the yearlong period when she and her husband, fellow actor and filmmaker Daryl Wein, decided to have an open relationship. The real-life couple co-starred in the film, in which their characters names were Daryl and Zoe. Band Aid is the first movie Lister-Jones has made without her spouse, whom she met when they were both students at NYUs Tisch School of the Arts 13 years ago. Wein did serve as an executive producer on the movie, but was barely ever on set. Many of the fights in their own marriage, Lister-Jones says, were beginning to stem from the lack of separation between work and home life. There was no place that the work ended and our life began, she explains, as Wein makes himself dinner in their kitchen, just out of earshot. I think this has been a nice respite for both of us. We can give each other notes and watch cuts, but its not all-consuming in our daily lives together. Since decamping from Brooklyns Fort Greene a few years ago, the couple have been living in a Studio City post-and-beam thats ripe for a home design magazine tour. Lister-Jones has multiple pairs of custom No.6 clogs by the door. The books in the built-in shelves are organized by color. White sheepskin throws abound. Theres even tumbleweed the couple picked up in the desert during a trip to Joshua Tree that now serves as a piece of avant-garde art. Their Instagram accounts project an even more enviable lifestyle. In April, they embarked on a road trip across the Southwest, shacking up in rustic ranch cabins and skydiving over the Moab Desert. Wein took numerous photos of his wife wearing oversized hats and bandanas, the majestic Red Rocks rising behind her. There are no pictures of dirty dishes. But that doesnt mean they dont still stack up in the sink sometimes. Now were able to share those duties, but were 13 years in, she says, curling under a blanket on the couch. I think it does take time for men and women to learn how to share a space, and a lot of that comes from social condition and patriarchal values that are intrinsic in the way were raised. A lot of boys are raised with their mom doing their laundry and dishes and getting away with a lot more than little girls can. Actress and director Zoe Lister-Jones at home in Studio City. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Growing up in New York, Lister-Jones was raised a staunch feminist. In the fourth grade, she had a school assignment to create her own business. She decided to form an all-female construction company: Big Women Construction. I think its been this thing that has always been cellular in me, she says, that I wanted to create art or something in a collective of women. So when it came time to put together the crew for Band Aid, Lister-Jones decided she wanted to work alongside a group of women. But she knew it would be a challenge to pull together a female production team with enough experience to make department heads comfortable on a movie of this scale. Which is a total Catch-22, she adds. But I wanted to confront that head-on and take risks with some crew members who maybe had less experience, because otherwise, how are these women going to get the experience to begin with? There was a part of me that was interested in subverting a paradigm in order to challenge a system that is really broken, she continues. Even though theres been a lot of dialogue around the underrepresentation of women crews, the numbers arent changing. In fact, theyre getting worse. I just felt like since I was in a position to do so, it was kind of my duty to. Special Report: Can moviegoing be saved? Alongside producer Natalia Anderson whom Lister-Jones met at work on the set of Life in Pieces, the CBS family drama shes been on for two seasons the filmmaker set out to hire roughly 40 women. It was part of the pitch package she presented to financiers who were considering putting up the films budget, a sum Lister-Jones said was less than $5 million. It was definitely challenging, Anderson agrees. But between the two of us, we used all the production resources at our fingertips posting on job boards for women in film and taking advantage of every relationship we had. But Zoe was never crazed. She handled it with such grace and focus. As a result, the vibe on-set was so calm and quiet and efficient, Lister-Jones said, that the few male actors kept saying how wonderful they felt surrounded by women. Adam Pally, who plays the actress husband in the film, even felt more comfortable getting naked during the sex scenes because he felt less judged. Yeah, I loved this. Men are terrible. Were the worst, Pally said, only partially kidding. Ive been telling people since I did this movie that now, all men sound like animated germs in flu commercials to me. Actress and director Zoe Lister-Jones. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Since the work was acquired by IFC Films after its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January, Lister-Jones has been asked to take an increasing number of Hollywood meetings. Shes noticed that there seems to be more of a mandate to hire female directors within the studio system, which she finds encouraging. But everyone keeps asking what shes going to do next. Fortunately, shes very much a whats next person, and is already planning to direct another one of her scripts one she hasnt even written yet next March when shes on hiatus from Life in Pieces. The idea of actually taking a hiatus during her hiatus, however, scares her. Growing up, her mother was a video artist and her father was a conceptual photographer and both had teaching gigs on the side. So I always thought it was an impossibility to make a livelihood from your art, she says. Thats such a trigger from my childhood. In fact, when she was accepted into the conservatory acting program at Tisch, she was reluctant to take the spot because she was always apprehensive about putting all of [her] eggs in one basket. Which explains, somewhat, why she is continually trying on new hats: Actress, writer, director and, in Band Aid, musician. When youre at a certain stage in your career, she says, its hard to not feel like, I hit this benchmark but theres this other benchmark in the distance and now I have to hit that one. When do you decide its OK to maybe live in this moment rather than anticipating the next? She pauses, shaking her head at her own question. I dont. amy.kaufman@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA ALSO It took Robin Swicord 10 years to get a directing job after 'The Jane Austen Book Club.' Why? Teens at the multiplex: Why some of the young are returning to theaters 'It wasn't some crazy thing': Alicia Silverstone on acting and what the world thinks of her parenting Meet the 'grandma Nancy Drews' behind 'The Keepers,' Netflix's newest true-crime series Im Dying Up Here, Showtimes amiably dark new drama about comedy, takes its name and material, though not exactly its characters, from William Knoedelseders book of the same name. That volumes focus was Mitzi Shore, her Comedy Store and the comics who played there in the 1970s, including Richard Lewis, David Letterman, Robin Williams, Elayne Boosler, Jay Leno, Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen, along with many lost to time; his narrative arc put them on a collision course, culminating in a 1979 strike against the club that sundered some relationships forever more. A few names from real history are dropped in David Flebottes television adaptation, almost surreptitiously; there is a passing reference to The Store, a rival club that cannot exactly be the Comedy Store; there is, of course, The Tonight Show (with Dylan Baker as an un-Carson-like Johnny Carson), whose relocation from New York to Burbank in 1972 shifted the center of comedy west. (Paul Reisers upcoming Seeso series Theres ... Johnny! is also set in that milieu.) Here Shore is morphed, with seemingly only slight distortion, into Goldie (Melissa Leo), proprietress of the Sunset Strip comedy club she has named for herself and which she oversees as both domineering queen and nurturing mother my kids, she calls the comics who play there, for free. (Its a school, she says, and what school pays its students?) While Goldie could only be a version of Shore, the performers have also been fictionalized and composited. (Canters Deli, it should be said, plays itself, frequently and well.) Now and again they suggest real-life counterparts, but they also range in type and attitude like the cast of any modern ensemble television show. Advertisement Michael Angarano and Clark Duke play Eddie and Ron, new kids in town, living in an actual closet they share with a cat box; RJ Cyler plays Adam, still on the outside, anxious for a shot; Erik Griffin is the emcee, a Vietnam vet; Andrew Santino is the designated angry guy, a political comic (his characters name, Bill Hobbs, may be meant to suggest the late Bill Hicks); Stephen Guarino plays Sully, a goofball with a family to support. As Edgar, Al Madrigal, whose bits are the most consistently funny, makes jokes about his race (I am Mexican, thats right. I look like Tony Orlando had a baby with Tony Orlando). And Ari Graynor, the series warm heart and (intentionally or not) its center of attention, is Cassie, the woman. Most are introduced in a Martin Scorsese-style tracking shot through the club one suspects was described in the script as a Martin Scorsese-style tracking shot. Many of the series incidents and observations and issues are pulled from the pages of Knoedelseders book and compressed into a relatively short period in 1973, in the wake of the Carson move. Still, as a backstage drama it indulges in themes and tropes that run back to Stage Door and 42nd Street regarding ambition and talent, artists and impresarios. It can feel a little predictable at times, even a little phony, including the odd meaningful speech made about purpose and authenticity. Real laughter, its cathartic its the current that moves through an audience when some truth about who you are, who they are, is revealed, says Clay (Sebastian Stan), a comic meant to embody a newer, more personal sort of stand-up, in which he invited strangers, as Eddie says, to laugh at the most embarrassing, shameful, painful moments of his life. (Im Dying is in many respects as much about comedy since 1973 as the comedy of 1973.) Clay in fact is dead when he says this as an embodied bit of conscience to ex-girlfriend Cassie, who is about to get her first shot on the clubs main stage. This is not quite a spoiler: From the moment, early in the opening hour, when he pays cash to check into what any person familiar with Strip history will recognize as a version of the Continental Hyatt House, to watch his Tonight Show debut, his fate is pretty well telegraphed. But Clay doesnt stick around this is not a ghost story. In a way, its a comedy-world West Coast version of Vinyl, the short-lived Martin Scorsese-Mick Jagger HBO series about rock n roll in early-'70s New York. (Jim Carrey, an executive producer of Im Dying, is the Jagger in this equation, I suppose.) But it has a warmer heart. In spite of the feuds and flaws and dysfunctions assigned its characters They got mommy issues, they got daddy issues, theyre about as stable as a Middle East cease fire, Goldie says of her comics theyre mostly likable and do make a sort of family, mutually supportive despite their competition for stage time and dialogue composed two-thirds of traded insults. Although the series tempers nostalgia with sobriety, it doesnt seek to scrape the shine from a golden age. There is no suggestion, whatever issues drive them, that their common mission is less than holy: Laughter, its the best medicine. robert.lloyd@latimes.com Follow Robert Lloyd on Twitter @LATimesTVLloyd ALSO: The birth of modern stand-up is chronicled in Jim Carrey-produced Im Dying Up Here These real-life comics take retro trip to the 70s in Im Dying Up Here Mitzi Shore: Still Minding the Store American Eagle Outfitters will offer limited-edition AEO Pride T-shirts, tanks, boxer briefs and accessories with 100 percent of sales benefiting It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit organization focused on communicating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world that it gets better. The campaign began today at ae.com and in select stores in the U.S., Canada and Israel and will run through the end of the month, while supplies lasts. Advertisement AEO will promote the partnership through social media, customer e-mails and in-store marketing and will encourage customers to take the It Gets Better Pledge and upload their own video at Itgetsbetter.org. In Pittsburgh, home of AEOs global headquarters, the company will sponsor Pride Pittsburgh by enabling associates to attend the Pride in the Streets concert and participate in the Pittsburgh Equality March on June 11. In 24 select AEO stores, customers are invited to share their pride by taking photos in front of the Pride banner and have their photos uploaded to the companys Times Square billboards on June 25, during the NYC Pride March. Also in New York, AEO associates will host a #WeAllCan float in the NYC Pride March on June 25 and customers photos will be shared on video screens. Further, AEO is supporting its first LGBTQ film award in partnership with NewFest. The New Voices Filmmaker Grant will be awarded to a young emerging LBGTQ filmmaker during NYC Prides OutCinema on June 19. ALSO: Wolk Morais strong shoulders and soft touches pay gender-bending homage to 40s Hollywood Kate Hudson and Demi Lovato collaborate on a sporty new collection for Fabletics Up to 25% of U.S. shopping malls may close in the next five years, report says Hindsight is a funny thing, loaded with irony and regret and a kind of impossible nostalgia, a quality that should, by definition, require more than a few months to accumulate meaning. Think about politics, of course. Think about eggs. Eggs? Well, yes, because were talking about Lucky Peach, the recently-shuttered food magazine, and All About Eggs, the fourth and final cookbook by the editors of that publication, which came out in April. So you read this last Lucky Peach cookbook, written by Rachel Khong with more than 50 ancillary contributors, in a kind of vertigo, flipping the pages and sometimes the actual eggs with a heady mixture of hunger, amusement and sadness. It is almost impossible not to find a double meaning spilled through the pages like curry sauce. This, of course, has always been part of the fun of Lucky Peach, a publication that was known for its mash-up assembly of excellent and irreverent writing about food, science and culture. The conceit of this cookbook is that its a primer about eggs, that most basic of ingredients, the dish that many of us first learn to cook everything we know about the worlds most important food, according to the subtitle. And the book delivers on much of that, providing 88 recipes and many stories, tips and anecdotes culled from a multicultural and multinational array of great chefs, food writers, food scientists, television personalities, physicists, novelists and more. Advertisement Yank Sings egg tarts. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) Recipe: Yank Sings egg tarts And so we come almost! to the end. Eggs existed before you and me, and eggs will outlive us all. This thought is either comforting or terrifying, depending on the sort of day youre having, writes Khong in the preface to the eighth and last chapter of the book: Immortal Eggs. This is both the tone and content that she set in the first page (This is a book about eggs. But more than that, its a book about mankind its a book about us all.) and has continued throughout, as have her fellow writers. (It should come as no surprise that Khong, who was a contributing editor and worked at Lucky Peach since its start in 2011, is also a San Francisco-based novelist: Her first novel comes out in July.) That said, All About Eggs can read like a cacophony at times, as its sometimes hard to figure out which voice is which, and whose recipe is exactly whose. The photographs (which along with the playful illustrations are by Tamara Shopsin and Jason Fulford), on black background and oddly stark, are cordoned off into one yellow-edged section midway through the book. This is also where youll find the index, separate from the list of contributors, which is itself at the end of the book. All this means that you end up toggling back and forth a lot, trying to match the bits of prose with their authors. It should also be said that some of the recipes in the book presuppose a certain expertise. Daniel Bouluds famous perfect omelette farcie, for example, is both daunting on the page and in execution, and I found myself watching the legendary French chef demo the dish on YouTube before I got it right. (Even if youve already mastered the dish, I recommend doing this, also because its enormous fun.) And the Hong Kong-style egg tart recipe from San Francisco restaurant Yank Sing required a few test runs in our Test Kitchen to get the mechanics of homemade puff pastry just right. Other recipes worked perfectly on the first go-around. This kind of inconsistency can be comforting (leave the omelet to the experts and flip to the bit about egg crystals on Mauna Loa Mars) or terrifying, depending on the sort of day youre having. But this also makes Khongs original point, which is that eggs are harder than they look; there is a reason that making an omelet is the cooks traditional, oft-cited rite of passage. Quite aside from being a useful cookbook, its an utterly marvelous, often hilarious read. Where else can you find a few pages from Harold McGee next to a recipe for Arzak eggs, a literary anecdote about an egg collector (Claude lived alone, a melomane surrounded by his arias) near a bit about what to name your chicken (Barbara, or maybe Eldrida) and something called Chickens of Portlandia? Writing about a dish called Eggs Kejriwal, yet another in the procession of gifted writers notes that one will need a processed white cheese that melts like rubber and tastes like nostalgia. Exactly. This is a cooks cookbook, a writers cookbook, a readers book. RIP LP. Cookbook of the Week: All About Eggs, by Rachel Khong and the editors of Lucky Peach (Clarkson Potter, $26) YANK SINGS EGG TART 1 hour, plus chilling times. Makes 6 to 12 tarts, depending on size. EGG CUSTARD 1 cup water cup sugar 4 eggs cup evaporated milk teaspoon vanilla extract Salt Prepared tart shells 1. In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool the syrup. 2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs into the sugar syrup. Stir in the evaporated milk, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a container with a pouring lip. This makes a generous 2 cups filling, which will keep up to 3 days. Cover and refrigerate for several hours before using to allow any air incorporated from whisking to dissipate before baking. PUFF PASTRY AND ASSEMBLY cup (1 sticks) cold butter, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 (6.4 ounces) cups all-purpose flour, divided, more as needed 1 egg 2 tablespoons water Egg custard 1. In a large bowl, use a pastry knife or fork to mash the butter with cup of the flour, just enough until it will clump together (there will still be bits of butter showing), to form an oil dough. Flatten the dough out into a square and refrigerate until well-chilled, at least 20 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix the egg and water into the remaining cup flour to form a water dough. If the dough is too soft, work in extra flour, a tablespoon at a time. Knead the dough until it is soft but still tacky, then form into a square about the same size as the oil dough. Cover and refrigerate until well-chilled, at least 20 minutes. 3. Flour a work surface and remove the water dough from the refrigerator. Roll the dough out to a rectangle twice the size of the oil dough. 4. Take the oil dough out of the refrigerator and spread it out on top of the water dough, leaving a large enough border of the water dough to be able to fold over the oil dough entirely. Fold the sides of the water dough over the oil dough. If the dough begins to warm and soften at any time while folding, refrigerate or freeze it until it is firm and chilled again before proceeding. 5. Roll the entire dough out to a large rectangle about the size of a sheet of paper (8 by 11 inches), and mark it into thirds. Fold each outer third over the center third, as if folding a letter, and roll the dough out into a large rectangle again. If the oil dough pops through at any time, patch the hole with flour to seal. Repeat three more times, chilling the dough as needed to keep it very cold. 6. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough out to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out disks using a round cutter that are slightly larger than the diameter of your tart molds (for example, cut 4-inch rounds if using 3-inch tart shells measured at the base, with 1/2-inch sides). 7. Lightly grease the inside of your fluted tart molds and gently press the pastry disks into the molds. Chill at least 20 minutes before baking. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350 degrees. 8. Fill each prepared tart shell three-fourths of the way up with egg custard. 10. Position the tarts evenly on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake until the crust is puffed and lightly colored, and the filling is set (it should barely jiggle when tapped), 30 to 45 minutes. Baking times will vary depending on the size and depth of the tarts. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then carefully tap the molds to remove the tarts. Each of 12 servings: Calories 227; protein 5 grams; carbohydrates 21 grams; fiber 0; fat 14 grams; saturated fat 8 grams; cholesterol 110 mg; sugar 9 grams; sodium 37 mg Note: Adapted from a recipe in All About Eggs by Rachel Khong and the editors of Lucky Peach. amy.scattergood@latimes.com @ascattergood ALSO: Cookbook of the week: Tartine All Day from Elisabeth Prueitt, the co-founder of Tartine Cookbook of the week: The Wurst of Lucky Peach, plus your Lucky Peach book club update Cookbook of the week: In My Kitchen, by Deborah Madison, and a soup recipe Fifteen months have passed since five Inglewood police officers unleashed a barrage of bullets at a Chevy sedan stopped at a busy intersection, killing the man and woman inside. Despite protests, a civil lawsuit and two separate investigations, Inglewood officials have released few details about how Kisha Michael and Marquintan Sandlin were shot dead. The city announced this week that the five officers involved in the shooting were no longer on the force and that an internal investigation had been completed. Still, Mayor James T. Butts Jr. and Police Chief Mark Fronterotta have balked at releasing a detailed account of the Feb. 21, 2016, incident. Advertisement Butts said he would consider providing more information after the Los Angeles County district attorneys office concludes its review of the shooting. The response highlights a balancing act faced by many public agencies: how to keep the public informed while carrying out a duty to conduct a full investigation. The question has taken on new significance at a time of heightened scrutiny of how law enforcement uses deadly force. Police departments vary in how much information they release about use-of-force incidents, but recently, many agencies have been striving to be more transparent, acting swiftly in cases that stoke controversy. David Michael, left, father of Kisha Michael, his daughter Trisha Michael, and Kishas son Mikel Nicholson, 12, join community members in February at the site where Kisha Michael and Marquintan Sandlin were shot and killed by Inglewood police. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) In December 2015, video showed L.A. County sheriffs deputies fatally shooting a man in Lynwood. At a news conference the next day, the department released videos and photos showing the man was holding a gun. To quell protests, Fresnos police chief released body camera video of officers fatally shooting a 19-year-old man. El Cajon police took a similar step following a controversial shooting of a black man. Law enforcement experts said Inglewoods approach is becoming less common. When you dont provide much information about a shooting, the public can lose trust, and certain members of the public will begin to believe the worst possible scenario, said Seth Stoughton, a University of South Carolina law professor and former Florida police officer. For months, Inglewood officials refused to release the names of the officers involved in the shooting, doing so only after a public records request from The Times. They were identified as Michael Jaen, Richard Parcella, Jason Cantrell, Sean Reidy and Andrew Cohen. All but one of the officers had been with the department for two years or less. Attorneys for the officers could not be reached for comment. Some key details remain undisclosed. Police still have not explained the officers reasons for firing. The city has noted the presence of a loaded gun but did not explain whether either person reached for or touched the weapon. And its unclear if the car ever drove toward an officer a potential explanation for the deadly shooting. Questions about transparency are nothing new for the Inglewood Police Department, and the city has faced calls to reform its oversight of officers. In 2008, after police in a span of four months fatally shot four men three of whom were unarmed the U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights probe. Federal officials identified significant flaws in how Inglewood police oversaw use-of-force incidents and investigated complaints against officers. It is unheard of for the department not to disclose some explanation of their officers actions, said Ed Obayashi, a deputy and legal advisor with the Plumas County Sheriffs Department. How can it be they really cannot say anything? Inglewood Citizen Police Oversight Commission Vice Chairman Jim Vaughan, left, and Chairman Lee Denmon attend an Oct. 12, 2016, meeting at Inglewood City Hall. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The shooting was a tragedy, said Jim Vaughan, vice chairman of the Inglewood Citizen Police Oversight Commission. But he urged the community to consider the officers perspective. Those officers put that uniform on and its like they put a target on them, Vaughan said. I understand that two people are killed and seven kids are without parents, but why did they have a gun in the car? Vaughan said he hoped that lingering questions would be answered in a report stemming from the internal investigation, but he was uncertain how much of the report would be made public. When you dont provide much information about a shooting, the public can lose trust. Seth Stoughton, a University of South Carolina law professor and former police officer In a brief police statement put out in the aftermath of the shooting, Inglewood said uniformed officers responded to a call at 3:11 a.m. and arrived at the vehicle in the middle of the street at Manchester Boulevard and Inglewood Avenue. The officers saw a woman in possession of a firearm. The police took cover, ordered the couple out of the car, and the officers shot them, according to the statement. Records reviewed by The Times, including autopsy reports and Los Angeles County Fire Department logs, provide more insight into how the encounter apparently unfolded. A caller informed fire officials that a person was slumped over the wheel of the car at the intersection. Police told an L.A. County coroners investigator that both Sandlin, 32, and Michael, 31, were unconscious when officers arrived. Toxicology reports later revealed Michaels blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit for driving. Sandlin, who was behind the wheel, was also legally intoxicated, according to the reports. Moments after arriving, officers spotted a 9-millimeter handgun in Michaels lap, and the car was barricaded by police vehicles, according to the autopsy report. At 3:15 a.m., an unknown exchange occurred between the couple and Inglewood police. Butts confirmed this week that the officers used two police cars to hem in the couples sedan. At some point, the driver attempted to drive away, but was pinned by the police vehicles, Butts said in an email this week. Sometime thereafter, the [officer-involved shooting] occurred. At 3:39 a.m., police told paramedics they were waiting for an armored vehicle to arrive at the scene. Its unclear when or if the armored vehicle arrived. Roughly an hour after the incident began, at 4:11 a.m., police told fire officials that two people had gunshot wounds. Almost simultaneously, Michael was pronounced dead at the scene by police, according to fire records. It would take four more minutes before paramedics were cleared to go to the scene. Sandlin was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:38 a.m., according to his autopsy. Milton Grimes, an attorney representing Michaels family, said the city has provided no evidence that would justify the officers use of deadly force. He viewed the departure of the officers as an admission that they violated department policy. But many questions remain unanswered. I cannot settle this case until I can tell this mother how and why her daughter was shot 13 times, Grimes said. angel.jennings@latimes.com Twitter: @AngelJennings matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno richard.winton@latimes.com Twitter: @LACrimes A North Hills man who already has three DUI convictions was drunk and behind the wheel again when he crashed head-on into a pregnant woman, killing her baby, authorities said Thursday. Julian Gutierrez, 25, was charged Thursday with one felony count each of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. He also is charged with two counts of driving drunk and causing injuries while having two previous DUI convictions. The crash occurred about 11 p.m. May 26 when Gutierrez, who was driving a Nissan Altima, was headed south on Fulton Avenue near Hatteras Street in Van Nuys and crossed a set of yellow lines, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Advertisement After veering over the lines, he steered into oncoming traffic and collided with an Acura Integra driven by Judith Mauricio, police said. Mauricio, who was eight months pregnant, suffered major injuries. She was taken to a hospital and gave birth, but the baby girl died soon after, authorities said. Gutierrez suffered minor injuries in the crash and was treated by paramedics at the scene. He later was arrested in connection with the babys death. Gutierrez was convicted in 2014, 2015 and 2016 for driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, all misdemeanor offenses, according to the district attorneys office. In July 2014, he was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to perform 12 days of community labor and enroll in a three-month first-offender alcohol-counseling program, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records. Nearly a year later, Gutierrez was arrested again on suspicion of drunken driving. He pleaded no contest to DUI and driving with a suspended license. In December 2015, he was sentenced to 45 days in jail and five years probation. He was ordered to complete 15 days of community labor and an 18-month second-offender alcohol program. On April 8, 2016, police arrested Gutierrez on suspicion of another DUI offense. He again pleaded no contest to DUI and was sentenced in June to 180 days in county jail. A punishment of five years probation also was imposed. In May, days after a hearing on his progress, a bench warrant for his arrest in connection with the babys death was issued. Gutierrez is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in state prison. veronica.rocha@latimes.com Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA More than $1.1 million in taxes and penalties are owed on the unfinished Bel-Air mansion that spurred criminal charges for luxury developer Mohamed Hadid, according to Los Angeles County records. Hadid pleaded no contest Tuesday to illegal construction and other misdemeanor charges tied to the controversial project on Strada Vecchia Road. City prosecutors say the roughly 30,000-square-foot building is larger and taller than zoning rules allow and includes bedrooms, decks and an IMAX theater that were never approved by the city. L.A. officials demanded a halt to construction at the hillside site three years ago and revoked its permits a few months later. Hadid, who was first charged a year and a half ago, has a sentencing hearing later this month. Advertisement As the courtroom battle over the unfinished mansion has dragged on, unpaid taxes and penalties have piled up for the property, according to county records. The Bel-Air mansion is owned by a limited liability company, 901 Strada LLC. Business records filed with the California secretary of State three years ago identified the only member of that company as Virginia attorney James Zelloe. Both he and the company were also charged in the criminal case over the Bel-Air mansion. But Zelloe, who identified himself as a longtime friend and attorney for Hadid, said in court filings that he had never exercised any control over the Strada Vecchia home. The Virginia attorney gave up his role with the company three years ago and was replaced as managing member by Hadid, according to an attorney representing Zelloe. Zelloe has no control over the property and is not liable for any taxes due on the property, his attorney, James Spertus, said in an email. Hadid maintains that the LLC, not him personally, is responsible for the taxes, according to his attorney, Bruce Rudman. However, he is pursuing an appeal over the tax amounts in light of the significant increase in property tax during a period in which no work whatsoever was going on at the property, Rudman said in an email, adding that the idle project had faced ongoing costs including maintenance, security and insurance. The Bel-Air propertys value, including the land and any improvements, has been assessed at more than $27 million, according to county records. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @LATimesEmily Confronted with surging homelessness, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and several City Council members gathered at City Halls steps in September 2015 to declare that the situation had turned into a crisis. They pledged to spend $100 million to aid those living in encampments and shelters, despite uncertainty over where the funds would come from. Homeless advocates praised the announcement, which drew national headlines and put pressure on political leaders to find the money. Advertisement Months later, Garcetti went even further, unveiling a budget for 2016-17 that promised an unprecedented $138 million for homelessness. As the fiscal year enters its final month, the city has spent about half that figure roughly $65 million on services and programs for homeless people, including housing, shelter beds and outreach workers. The rest of the budgeted amount, Garcetti and aides say, comes from city property that has been set aside for sale or development of homeless and low-income housing. But none of the land has been sold, nor have any final development agreements been reached to build housing. The 2016-17 spending plan marked the beginning of an aggressive new approach by city leaders to tackle homelessness one that will see more money directed toward the problem in coming years, thanks to a voter-approved bond measure. But the rollout was bumpy: Community opposition thwarted some planned homeless programs, while Garcettis plan to raise millions from a development tax was never approved. These setbacks reflect the political and bureaucratic challenges inherent in tackling entrenched homelessness, which has worsened over the last year. L.A.s homeless population grew 20% this year, to more than 34,000, according to survey results released Wednesday. The mayor expressed frustration this week at how long it is taking for budgeted funds to make a dent in the problem. Am I happy about the pace? Garcetti said at a news conference outlining the new homelessness numbers. How can we look outside and anybody be happy with the pace? The mayors office said in a statement that more than 9,000 people were housed last year. As for the $138-million budget, mayoral spokesman Alex Comisar said the city has already spent or implemented a majority of those funds, and we are putting the rest into action as quickly as possible. A significant portion of Garcettis budget for homelessness involves real estate. The budget anticipated the sale or development of eight city-owned parcels, which had an appraised value of $47 million. The mayor included that amount in the $138 million because homeless and low-income people will live in the units. Garcetti on Wednesday defended that budgeting maneuver and said new appraisals showed the land was worth even more than previously estimated. City budget officials say just five of the parcels those deemed most likely to be developed are now valued at $72 million. The city has exclusive negotiating agreements with developers on four sites and is seeking proposals on the fifth. The mayor is taking the same approach in next years budget for homelessness, including 17 city properties valued at $46 million that will be reviewed for development. Mark Ryavec, president of the Venice Stakeholders Assn., criticized Garcetti for including unsold, undeveloped land in his spending plans, calling it smoke and mirrors. Ryavec called for more immediate relief for his community, where encampments line the beaches and residents see homeless people sleeping in their driveways. One major revenue source in Garcettis budget never panned out. The mayor counted on $20 million from a so-called linkage fee a popular financing tool that cities such as San Diego and San Francisco have used to develop affordable housing. Laura Guglielmo, executive officer at the citys Housing and Community Investment Department, estimates that $20 million, combined with existing funds, could have helped finance 160 to 200 units of new, affordable housing. It would have been super helpful, Guglielmo said. The bigger pot of money, the more housing we can develop. While Garcettis appointees on the Planning Commission approved the fee proposal in February, the City Council has yet to take it up. Some council members are concerned the fee will drive up housing costs, said Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who chairs the Homeless and Poverty Committee. In another setback to the plans laid out in the budget a year ago, community opposition derailed new storage facilities for homeless people. San Pedro residents fought a facility proposed near an elementary school, while another planned for Venice also faced resistance. Plans to provide mobile showers have been delayed as well. Though those proposals represented a relatively small expenditure about $2 million the facilities would have given Los Angeles police more license to break up sprawling encampments, according to a February report on the citys homelessness strategy. Those shantytowns have incensed city residents from Wilmington to Tujunga, fueling much of the support for Proposition HHH, the $1.2-billion bond measure that voters approved in November. City Councilman Mike Bonin supports the storage center program and is leading efforts to place one in his Venice district. He also supports the citys push for more housing. Ive had plenty of outreach in my district, Bonin said. There are only so many times you can give somebody a McDonalds gift card. Where can we give folks a place to put their head down that night? Of the $65 million that has been spent, the largest share more than $50 million went to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. But that windfall had a delaying effect of its own: The agency had to spend months gearing up its operations as it expanded its reach, slowing the distribution of rent vouchers and other more immediate homelessness relief. City Councilman Jose Huizar said he had issues with the budget approved a year ago, saying in a recent interview that it was premature to count on the $20 million from the stalled linkage fee. He also questioned whether a subsidy of city land can be counted as a budget expenditure. But in the end he voted to approve the plan because it pushed the issue of homelessness a flashpoint in his district, which includes skid row to the forefront. I wasnt wholly satisfied that it was new money, but I loved the fact that they made a commitment, Huizar said. I was elated that the political leadership had done more. gholland@latimes.com Twitter: @geholland dakota.smith@latimes.com Twitter: @dakotacdsmith ALSO Portable restrooms for the homeless lack county boards support, Supervisor Spitzer says In booming Koreatown, these immigrants live fizzled American dreams Vets circuitous paths through homelessness meet in new permanent home In Venice, where money meets misery, hoping for an end to homeless camps A jury Thursday found three Northern California correctional officers guilty of second-degree murder in the 2015 fatal beating of a mentally ill inmate. After a two-month trial, Santa Clara County officers Jereh Lubrin, Matthew Farris and Rafael Rodriguez were convicted in the death of 31-year-old Michael Tyree. Tyree died from internal bleeding and suffered significant liver and spleen damage. An investigation determined he had been beaten hours before he was found dead in his cell. Advertisement Tyree was serving time for misdemeanor theft and drug possession. He had been housed by himself in a section of the jail reserved for inmates who are in protective custody or have special needs. Farris, Rodriguez and Lubrin face sentences of 15 years to life in prison. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith had said the three guards were the only people with access to Tyrees cell the night he died. Several inmates told police they could hear Tyree screaming for several minutes. Tyrees family last year settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with Santa Clara County for $3.6 million. The settlement will be paid to Tyrees two sisters and his 7-year-old daughter. The guards also were charged with assaulting another mentally ill inmate, Juan Villa, before Tyree, but the jury deadlocked 10-2 on that charge. A knife-wielding man attacked a woman who was jogging through a park on Thursday night, police said. The victim was running near the area of Burbank Boulevard and Woodley Avenue in the Sepulveda Basin, near Lake Balboa, when the man approached her around 8:35 p.m., according to Officer Wendy Reyes, a Los Angeles police spokeswoman. The attacker took property from her, and the woman suffered non-life threatening injuries, Reyes said. Advertisement The attack is being investigating as a robbery, according to Reyes, who could not provide a description of the suspect or the knife used in the assault. Police officials told NBC that the assailant threw the woman into a nearby bush and pounced on her, spurring a struggle for control of the knife. He then fled on foot. james.queally@latimes.com Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California. MORE LOCAL NEWS L.A. leaders promised to spend $138 million on homelessness this year. Then reality hit Little-known Mission Bay marsh could be key to fight against San Diegos rising sea levels Preliminary cleanup plan for former Ascon landfill in Orange County is approved For the first time in 16 years, the California Supreme Court has found that racial bias improperly tainted a jury selection, prompting the court to overturn three convictions two for attempted murder. The unanimous decision, written by Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, appeared intended to send a clear signal to prosecutors, defense lawyers and the lower courts that charges of racially motivated juror exclusions must be taken seriously. It is not only litigants who are harmed when the right to trial by impartial jury is abridged, Cuellar wrote Thursday. Taints of discriminatory bias in jury selection actual or perceived erode confidence in the adjudicative process, undermining the publics trust in courts. Advertisement A.J. Kutchins, a senior deputy state public defender who argued on behalf of the defense in the Kern County case, called Thursdays decision a real watershed. There is something of a sea change in how the court is dealing with the constitutional rights of the accused in criminal cases, Kutchins said. Several legal analysts attribute the change to the addition of three justices appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown Cuellar, Goodwin Liu and Leondra Kruger. Instead of spurring more conservative/liberal splits, the new Democratic appointees appear to have slowly influenced their more veteran colleagues to take a harder look at some criminal cases, analysts said. Kirk C. Jenkins, an appellate lawyer who studies the court, said criminal defendants won no more than 22% of the cases at the California Supreme Court from 2000 to 2013, but that rate has risen steadily since the Brown justices joined. Scholars have shown that conservative judges on a panel rule more moderately when liberals join, and liberals rule more moderately when conservatives are added, he said. The new appointees, unlike most of the veterans, also hail from different backgrounds. None had been a judge prior to coming to the court, and the three are relatively young. Liu, the son of Taiwanese immigrants, was a constitutional law professor at UC Berkeley. Cuellar, an immigrant from Mexico, was a professor at Stanford University. Kruger, an African American, is a former federal government lawyer who argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. Since joining the court in 2011, Liu has written a series of concurrences and dissents expressing concern that racial bias was infecting jury selection. He said Thursdays decision marked only the second time in more than 25 years that the court has overturned a conviction because someone was excluded from a jury for improper reasons. Santa Clara University emeritus law professor Gerald Uelmen called the decision dynamite and a profound change. The ruling will affect every criminal trial. A violation of the rules, if left unchecked by the trial judge, would require convictions to be overturned, he said. Both Liu and Cuellar have expressed concern about the jury selection process since arriving at the court, but I find it really amazing that they have now carried the entire court with them, Uelmen said. Discrimination in jury selection based on race, ethnicity or similar grounds violates the Constitution, according to Californias seminal 1978 ruling in People v. Wheeler and the U.S. Supreme Courts 1986 decision in Batson v. Kentucky. But over the past couple of decades, rulings by the California Supreme Court have emphasized the importance of deferring to trial judges, who make the initial call on whether race motivated a prospective jurors removal. Thursdays decision amounted to a strong statement that deference without careful examination no longer would be tolerated, though Cuellar and Liu framed their views in ways not to offend conservatives. Cuellar focused more on the need to protect would-be jurors from discrimination than on the rights of criminal defendants. The mix of Californians who report for jury service across the state changes nearly every day, but the responsibility of courts to assure integrity in the selection of jurors does not, he wrote. Liu cautioned that a violation of jury selection rules should not brand the prosecutor a liar or a bigot. Such loaded terms obscure the systemic values that the constitutional prohibition on racial discrimination in jury selection is designed to serve, he wrote. The ruling came in the case of Rene Gutierrez Jr., Gabriel Ramos and Ramiro Enriquez, who were convicted in 2011 of the non-fatal shooting of Clarence Langston in Bakersfield. Gutierrez and Enriquez were sentenced to potential life terms in prison. Ramos received a five-year sentence. As a result of the decision, prosecutors will have to decide whether to retry them. Lawyers for the defendants challenged the prosecutions removal of 10 prospective jurors who were Latino. The prosecutor, who allowed two Latinos to remain on the jury, gave reasons other than race for the exclusions, and the judge accepted them. A Court of Appeal upheld the convictions. The Supreme Court, examining one of the exclusions, said the prosecutor failed to legally justify the removal of a Latina teacher who had relatives in law enforcement. The prosecutor said he removed the woman because she said she was unaware of gang activity in her town. That view, the prosecutor told the court, could be problematic because one of the defendants admitted he was a gang member in that town. But the California Supreme Court said the prosecutor had examined the woman only briefly and his questions did not reflect any such concern. The ruling faulted the judge, who failed to explain why the prosecutions reasoning was not a pretext for discrimination, the court said. The ruling also took the appeals court to task for failing to properly compare the panelists who were struck and those who were allowed to remain. The obligation to avoid discrimination in jury selection is a pivotal one, Cuellar wrote. It is the duty of courts and counsel to ensure the record is both accurate and adequately developed. Lawyers say a desire to win, more than racism, affects how they pick a juror. Liu, in a concurring opinion, noted that the legal standard of proof for finding a violation of the ban on race-based jury selection was more likely than not. That probabilistic standard is not designed to elicit a definitive finding of deceit or racism, he said. Instead, it defines a level of risk that courts cannot tolerate in light of the serious harms that racial discrimination in jury selection causes, Liu wrote. maura.dolan@latimes.com Twitter: @mauradolan ALSO Court overturns order to protect elephants at L.A. Zoo Judge throws out lawsuit challenging Californias execution law They dismissed her as a lightweight. But Californias top judge has found her voice and uses it to call out Trump policies When he hears his phone ring, Seon Jin Kims whole body flinches and his ears perk up. A 62-year-old diabetic with diminishing eyesight, he bounds up the stairs and dives for the phone. This could be the minimum-wage job at a Koreatown pool hall he interviewed for a couple of days ago, the call that would get him back on his feet. But its a wrong number. The phone rings again a few minutes later and he flies up the steps once more another wrong number. Advertisement He couldnt tell you where things went wrong, but after more than a decade of paint jobs, construction work and cleaning toilets, he had landed in this unofficial shelter for Koreans, run by an Episcopal priest. Seon Jin Kim heard about the unofficial homeless shelter in Koreatown from an itinerant Korean man he met riding the bus. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) For Korean immigrants in Los Angeles, Koreatown, with luxury condos, ever-crowded restaurants and a nightlife that draws the young and trendy from every part of the city, represents an ideal of prosperity and high achievement. But decades after immigrating, few of the bus boys, cashiers, drivers, cooks and unskilled construction workers who helped build K-town embody the sort of success stories Forbes magazine once called Bankers, Grocers and Lots of Kims. Often unable to speak English and lacking career skills or legal work visas, they are part of what researchers have called a pliant, low-wage immigrant workforce, that remains stuck in low-paying jobs nationwide. In Koreatown, some of those workers stories end at a home residents call Adullam, after the Old Testament cave in which David took refuge. Theres the man who once worked 18-hour days driving illegal cabs to support a daughter with cerebral palsy. A mother who has worked for decades in hair salons paying off a husbands gambling debts while raising a deaf and mute son. A man who started one business after another, peddling clothing and perfume, until it all came crumbling down. David left the biblical Adullam and went on to become king of Israel. Some of the dozens of impoverished Koreans who have stayed at Koreatowns Adullam since it opened in 2009 have moved on to jobs as supermarket cashiers or box packers. But seven have died here and others dont see themselves leaving any other way. Seon Jin Kim shares a room with another tenant in Adullam, an unofficial homeless shelter for Koreans in Koreatown. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) The enclave economy In 1980, a sociologist studying Cubans in Miami theorized that a self-contained economy in which Cuban-owned businesses employed other Cubans, offered a jump-start for newly arriving immigrants. Since then, though, other researchers have found that these enclave economies might be more of an impediment: the ethnic clusters that are launchpads for some, can be a lifelong trap for others, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by employers and stuck in dead-end jobs with low pay. In Asian American enclaves, where stories of successful immigrants predominate, policymakers, social service providers and even fellow immigrants often overlook workers permanently stuck on the lower rungs, activists and academics say. Seon Jin Kim, standing, rides the bus to choir practice at St. James Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Unemployment grew nearly 200% among Asian Americans in California between 2005 and 2010, higher than for any other racial group, and in recent years Asians have become the fastest-growing segment of people in the country without legal documentation. Anna Joo Kim, a Georgia Tech professor who has researched Koreatown, said that while social networks offer new and low-skilled immigrants opportunities they might not otherwise have, those networks often leave them trapped working in restaurants, personal services, hair salons, nail salons, massage parlors and other jobs with few prospects for advancement. Looking beyond the success The Rev. John Kim had been a priest at St. James Episcopal Church in Koreatown for seven years when he was startled to see a Korean man in line at the churchs weekly soup kitchen. When he first arrived in Koreatown, he had tried to help the throngs of Latino day laborers milling about Seoul International Park. Seon Jin Kim participates in choir practice at St. James Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) The workers from Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras showed up every morning waiting for jobs, and hed open the trunk of his car and hand out hot coffee, cup noodles and T-shirts with the slogan: Im a good worker. Jesus is a good shepherd. In those days, most of the Korean Americans he saw appeared wealthy; rarely had he seen anyone who appeared to be struggling. That lone Korean man he met in 2009 said hed ended up on the streets after his business went under; he was contemplating suicide. The shelters werent for him, he said he couldnt communicate with anyone, and felt intimidated and threatened by the drug addicts and mentally ill. He told the priest that he was not alone; others were living tucked in the hedges behind the public library, close to the bustle of Koreatowns office towers and restaurants. The priest asked the man to round some up and meet him at a nearby McDonalds. They told him that what they needed most were fast food vouchers and tokens for the bus there was nowhere better to warm up and doze off. Seon Jin Kim, left, and the Rev. John Kim, center, are shown at choir practice at St. James Episcopal Church. Seon Jin Kim lives in an unofficial homeless shelter for Koreans run by the priest. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) The priest asked acquaintances for small donations, and began offering help. A few months later, he rented a shuttered acupuncture clinic on the outskirts of Koreatown. Since then, the Joy Giver shelter as the priest calls it, has relocated twice, last year to a house near the 10 Freeway. His guests have included married couples, a U.S. army veteran, abused women, alcoholics, gambling addicts and one octogenarian with dementia. Most had come to the United States on student or tourist visas that had long since expired. In Koreatown, were hustling amongst ourselves, were competing with one another, the priest said. Each persons story is a novel. Its 80 novels that have passed through here. Seon Jin Kim fled financial troubles in South Korea more than a decade ago to start anew in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Hitting bottom at a K-town sauna Seon Jin Kim didnt admit to himself that he needed help until he hit bottom a couple of years ago. That bottom was the cold floor of a Koreatown sauna, where hed been spending nights for a $15 entrance fee. One night after two months of no insulin shots, he collapsed. He woke up in a hospital three days later. More than a decade ago, hed fled financial troubles in South Korea to start anew in Los Angeles, arriving as a tourist and then overstaying his visa. Since then, Kim had taken whatever job he could, chasing construction work in Orange County, San Jose, Las Vegas and Utah. Seon Jin Kim walks to choir practice at St. James Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Broke and back in L.A., he heard about Adullam from an itinerant Korean man he met riding the bus. The day after he awoke in the hospital, wearing nothing but his underpants, he went to see the priest, asking for help. At Adullam, hes learned the residents unspoken code: You dont ask anyone how they ended up there. You dont ask about children or marriages. You maybe learn what cigarettes they smoke, he said. So he has never traded life stories with Soon Choi, 65, who lives in one of several makeshift living quarters partitioned by bookcases. Choi came to the United States in 1996 after a failed business venture in South Korea, in part because he thought the United States would be better for his daughter, who was disabled with brain damage. His first job was driving a Koreatown bandit taxi from 6 a.m. to midnight. Living paycheck to paycheck took a toll on his marriage and he and his wife parted ways. When his vision deteriorated, he became a dispatcher. Then, his glaucoma made that impossible too. After a few missed rent checks, his landlord evicted him. Weeks on the street became months and then years. Choi has a son who is deployed overseas with the U.S. military, but says he couldnt possibly tell him that his father has nowhere to live. Not far from Soon Chois quarters, Yong Choi, 64, sleeps in another nook with three other residents. He has worked as a tour guide, a security guard and a taxi driver, and has sold imported shirts, perfumes, dress shoes and belts. He too has a son, somewhere, with whom he has lost touch. He wonders about him sometimes, he says, when he awakes in the middle of the night and lies still, so as to not disturb those sleeping nearby. Refuge, in a garden and songs The shelter these days is a tan-colored clapboard home with a yard a big step up from the acupuncture clinic. The Rev. Kim pleads with acquaintances, friends and members of his congregation to get the residents jobs at Koreatown supermarkets, liquor stores and restaurants. He tries to keep those who dont find work busy. Pasted on a kitchen cabinet is a schedule of the person responsible for cleaning up each day of the week. The yard is filled with potted plants blooming with flowers of all colors that the priest encourages residents to rearrange. On Saturdays, he brings a half-dozen of the shelter residents to St. James, where they join congregants in choir rehearsals. None of them can read music and some just mouth the words. But he can see it gives them pride, the priest says. And it gently reminds his regular Koreatown congregation of the invisible neighbors in their midst. victoria.kim@latimes.com Twitter: @vicjkim The theft of confidential files from a prominent Beverly Hills surgeon could affect the privacy and financial security of as many as 15,000 patients, according to a spokesman for the doctor and law enforcement officials. A statement issued by Dr. Zain Kadris office said that a former staff member stole credit card information, debit card information, IDs, copies of checks, usernames, passwords and photographed patients before and during surgery. A spokesman for Kadris office, who declined to be identified, said the theft might affect patients in at least 17 states and seven countries outside the U.S. Despite having only recently being discovered, the breach, which affects thousands of patients, started shortly after the ... staffer was hired in September of 2016, the statement read. Advertisement A Palmdale residence belonging to Kadri was also burglarized on May 5, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Patient files, medical supplies and electronic devices were stolen, authorities said. Kadris spokesman described the residence as an administrative office the surgeon uses when performing procedures in a Palmdale office. Nobody knows its there except for us. Its our registered address for all business documents, the spokesman said. While Kadri said in the statement that he believes the break-in was carried out by the same employee, the sheriffs department said there were no witnesses. Investigators want to question the ex-employee, who has not yet been detained, according to the sheriffs department statement. Calls to the Palmdale Sheriffs Station on Friday seeking additional comment were not immediately returned. Kadris office also learned recently that an Instagram account was created to host what are believed to be illegal recordings of patients during surgery. The account, which contains videos of procedures and pictures of patients, published its earliest post in January. These patients did not approve this, the spokesman said. We did not approve this. The employee was hired as a driver for Kadri in September 2016, but over time, began to take on additional duties. She quit in March of this year after Kadri and his staff accused her of embezzling money from the company, the spokesman said. The spokesman said Kadri has yet to make a criminal complaint regarding the alleged embezzlement, but plans to. Kadri was granted a restraining order against the former employee on May 1, after she began making threats, according to the spokesman. Kadri was concerned for his safety, the spokesman said. Sheriffs deputies had to remove the woman from the companys Palmdale property on May 2, the spokesman said. During that incident, the ex-employee dropped her company phone, which was recovered by office staff, according to the spokesman. After gaining access to the device, Kadris staff learned of the security breach. There were photographs found on the phone of everything from drivers licenses, IDs and patient files to pictures that were extremely inappropriate of patients clothed and unclothed, the spokesman said. The sheriffs department and Kadri both warned patients to check their credit history and report any suspicious activity to financial agencies. The surgeons office warned patients to check with staff members before speaking with anyone claiming to work for Advanced ENT Head & Neck Surgery, Zadris main Beverly Hills office. Anyone concerned about their privacy should either call (310) 405-0900 or breach@AENTHNS.COM. james.queally@latimes.com Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California. Development pushed the famous swallows away from their traditional spring haven at Mission San Juan Capistrano. That left tourists searching mostly in vain for the citys most famously reliable visitors. Now, five years after mission executive director Mechelle Lawrence Adams launched an effort to woo the swallows back to the historic landmark, she and her staff are celebrating. Mission San Juan Capistrano. (Los Angeles Times) (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) After years of decline, more swallows are returning Theyve discovered two nests of swallows at the mission in the last month, and more have been spotted in flight. Thats fueled hope that the birds will re-embrace a migration routine introduced to the world by Father John OSullivan, who cared for the mission from 1910 until his death in 1933. We feel like new mothers. Its ridiculous were so excited, Lawrence Adams said in a Facebook Live video from the Great Stone Church, where there is a nest of cliff swallows. Roughed-wing swallows also are nesting near the Serra Chapel. She called the nests a miracle to us. Weve been able to do the community a favor, and thats returned the swallows here, Lawrence Adams said. Megan Dukett, the missions education program director, said they hope the new residents will have lots of babies and make this their home. An undated L.A. Times archive photo of the mission. (Los Angeles Times) (L.A. Times Library) The long road to luring the swallows back Swallows had largely disappeared from the mission when Lawrence Adams took over in 2003 because of long-term renovation efforts at the Great Stone Church, she said. She took action after realizing no one in the community was even doing anything about it, she said. Instead, most discussions about swallows in San Juan Capistrano centered on whether they should be depicted as fork-tailed or flat-tailed, Lawrence Adams said. The swallows that traditionally return to the city are cliff swallows, which have flat tails, but much of the swallows imagery in San Juan Capistrano show fork tails, which belong to the barn swallow. Those side discussions were really not that important. What was important was how do we return the favor of making the mission a place for home? Lawrence Adams said. In 2012, the mission enlisted Charles Brown, a Tulsa University professor and ornithologist who began broadcasting tape-recorded calls of cliff swallows at the mission in hopes of attracting nesters. Mission staff spotted a nest in 2013, but the birds remained scarce. Then last year, mission officials installed a 15-by-15-foot temporary wall on the east side of the Great Stone Church with about 30 plaster nests designed by Brown. It remains there today, near a real nest spotted weeks ago. Brown said in a mission news release that vocalization and the nests could have attracted this years nesters, but the rough-winged swallows likely played a bigger role. They are solitary birds who nest in walls and crevices, Brown said, but their presence could have attracted the missions traditional cliff swallows. The gardens bloom near walls that are more than 200 years old. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Why these birds are tied to San Juan Capistrano San Juan Capistrano resident Jan Siegel, a mission volunteer and history enthusiast, said the story of the swallows was part of a marketing effort by OSullivan. He started the annual Return of the Swallows celebration to coincide with St. Josephs Day, which was also his birthday, and Los Angeles journalists broadcasted from the celebration in the 1930s. The swallows spectacular return became national news. That was it. From that point on, it was considered absolute, Siegel said. San Juan Capistranos swallows solidified their place in popular culture when vocal group the Ink Spots recorded Leon Renes When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano in 1940. The song was covered many times, and actor Jim Carreys character infamously referred to the salmon of Capistrano when describing Aspen, Colo., in the 1994 movie Dumb and Dumber. The citys swallows continue to be so widely known that writers worldwide use them as an analogy for repetition, tradition and recurrence. A newspaper in China in September compared them to ongoing complaints about declining English standards in Hong Kongs English-language media, and an Oklahoma newspaper in March invoked them when describing repeated legislative attempts to increase teacher salaries. Lawrence Adams said shes proud to be part of the tradition. Ive had people make fun of the effort, she said. Now I can truly feel like after 14 years, we are returning this investment of clean spirit and energy and legacy. A plane takes off from John Wayne Airport. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) Do flight patterns from an airport keep swallows away? A split San Juan Capistrano City Council on May 16 rejected a proposal to identify swallows as a potential victim of a change in flight patterns at John Wayne Airport. Mayor Kerry Ferguson and Councilwoman Pam Patterson wanted to mention the migration of cliff swallows in a complaint to the Federal Aviation Administration about a change in regulations thats sending more planes over south Orange County at lower altitude. The letter asks the FAA for clarification regarding the potential environmental effects of the initiatives on residents and wildlife in the City of San Juan Capistrano. Their colleagues questioned the necessity of specifying wildlife to include swallows, with Councilman Derek Reeve implying the birds have a bigger reputation than reality supports. We've got a song, but I don't know if we really can, Reeve said, trailing off. Ill just leave it at that. Ferguson said swallows expert Charles Brown told her the birds fly at about 500 feet and aren't generally way up there in the atmosphere, but including the birds couldn't hurt. Councilman Brian Maryott and Mayor Pro Tem Sergio Farias sided with Reeve, and the council approved the letter with no mention of the swallows. Patterson voted against it. There's many cities that have in common the complaint that its causing additional noise or that sort of thing, but we are the ones that have the swallows coming back every year, Patterson said. President Trumps decision to withdraw from the historic Paris climate accord is the most concrete sign yet that his America first approach to foreign policy has begun to disrupt the global order and ultimately could cede Washingtons dominant role on the world stage to China. For arguably the first time since Washington built a web of military, trade and diplomatic alliances from the ruins of World War II, and assumed sole superpower status after the Cold War, a president has thumbed his nose at virtually the entire world allies and adversaries alike to follow a go-it-alone strategy in international affairs. Trumps recent overseas trip left bruised feelings in Europe, especially after he failed to acknowledge the portion of the NATO charter that declares an attack on one member is an attack on all. It appeared a startling repudiation of staunch allies that invoked the charter to back U.S. troops in Afghanistan after the 2001 terrorist attacks. Advertisement But his retreat on climate change even if the commitments in the 194-nation Paris accord were voluntary and the U.S. already has cut emissions significantly thanks to shale gas technology and more efficient cars clearly marks a new chapter in U.S. foreign policy, one likely to ripple around the world. It could affect the U.S. ability to enter into other international agreements, from trade to security, for example, since previous U.S. administrations were deeply involved in negotiating the Paris accord and the United States is the worlds second-largest carbon emitter after China. It already has sparked a backlash in Europe, where Germanys public international broadcaster, Deutche Welle, warned that Trumps unreliability is pushing Europe to pivot to Asia, especially China. Trumps unpopularity is so widespread in Germany that both Chancellor Angela Merkel and her challenger Martin Schultz have used him as a punching bag in campaign rallies ahead of September elections. We are looking at a real weakening of the leadership and credibility of the United States in the world, said R. Nicholas Burns, former U.S. ambassador to NATO under President George W. Bush, one of a chorus of critics frustrated by Trumps decision. While Republicans largely backed the White House, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, described a shocking reversal of American global leadership. China, Russia, India and other countries will move in short order to assume our spot at the head of the climate diplomacy table, Cardin said. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who had pressed Trump to remain in the climate deal, sought Friday to downplay the impact of the decision without quite defending it. I think its important that everyone recognize the United States has a terrific record on reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions, Tillerson, former chief executive of energy giant Exxon Mobil, said at the State Department. I dont think were going to change our ongoing efforts to reduce those emissions in the future either, so hopefully people can keep it in perspective, he added. His predecessor, John F. Kerry, who saw the Paris deal through under President Obama, was less diplomatic. He said that Trump falsely characterized what the accord required, what it would achieve and who would benefit from it during his announcement Thursday. This step does not make America first, Kerry told CBS Evening News. It makes America last. This is hardly the first White House to disagree with allies. In the 1970s, President Nixons envoys threw their weight around over a strong U.S. dollar at a time when some European currencies were weak. And President George W. Bush refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, a United Nations-brokered climate change treaty that took effect in 2005. Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell later acknowledged that it was sobering to see how the decision crippled other U.S. diplomatic efforts. Steve Herz, international policy advisor for the Sierra Club, an environmental group that strongly supported the climate deal, predicted that the diplomatic backlash this time will be much worse. By abandoning the global effort to contain the climate crisis, the Trump administration is severely undermining its ability to achieve any of its other diplomatic priorities, Herz said Wednesday. Trumps decision came on the heels of a nine-day foreign trip that saw him embrace autocrats in the Middle East and lecture allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the 28-member military alliance that has helped keep the peace in Europe for seven decades. To be sure, several of Trumps predecessors, including Obama, had demanded that NATO members boost military budgets. Only five nations meet the alliance goal of spending at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense. But diplomats say the dynamics seem different now. Trumps repeated criticism of NATO, his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin and now his withdrawal from the landmark climate accord has unnerved many on the continent. Trump has revolutionized our ideas of what the U.S. stands for, wrote Martin Wolf, chief economics columnist at Britains Financial Times. We live in the world the U.S. made. Now it is unmaking it. We cannot ignore that grim reality. The White House and some Republicans argued Friday that leaving the Paris accord would help the U.S. economy and not hurt the environment. The presidents No. 1 priority is to get the best deal for the American people, White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters. The president has made it very clear that he is committed to getting the best deal for America, Americas workers, Americas manufacturers. Environmental groups note that the withdrawal will take four years to implement, and that a future U.S. administration could decide to rejoin the pact. For now, other countries are pushing ahead with ambitious projects to meet their Paris commitments. India has announced a plan to end the sale of cars with internal combustion engines by 2030. China has committed to spending more than $360 billion on renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, through 2020. China was already widely seen as the chief beneficiary of Trumps decision shortly after he took office to reject the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership. The 12-nation trade deal, negotiated by the Obama administration, was intended in part to help contain Chinas growing economic and military clout in Asia. In Brussels on Friday, a long-planned meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and European Union officials became an extended gripe about Trumps decision. In a statement, the 28 nations in the EU and China said they remained committed to full implementation of the Paris accord. The joint statement commits to cutting back on fossil fuels, developing more green technology and helping raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poorer countries cut their carbon emissions. To everyone for whom the future of our planet is important, I say lets continue going down this path so were successful for our Mother Earth, Merkel said. In Paris, newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron alluded to Trumps campaign slogan and, in a rare uttering of English in public, said it was time to make the planet great again. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter Times staff writer Alexandra Zavis in Los Angeles contributed to this report. ALSO Why are so many CEOs bashing Trump over the Paris accord? Money and public opinion A California-led alliance of cities and states vows to keep the Paris climate accord intact Column: Quitting Paris pact, Trump abdicates leadership of the free world Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Its Friday, June 2 and heres whats happening across California: TOP STORIES Trump, the Paris accords and Californias resistance President Trumps decision to exit the Paris climate change accord leaves California as a center of the environmental resistance in America. Gov. Jerry Brown leaves for China at a time when his voice as an American politician pushing to fight global warming is more sought after than ever. Los Angeles Times Advertisement Plus: --Environmentalists arent the only ones outraged over President Trumps decision to have the U.S. walk away from the Paris accord on global warming. Health experts are pretty dismayed as well. Los Angeles Times -- His effort is misguided. I would even say, this is an insane move by this president, said Jerry Brown. Los Angeles Times -- Teslas Elon Musk and Disneys Robert Iger both said they were resigning from White House advisory councils after President Trumps move. Los Angeles Times --Is this good politics for Trump? Maybe, says Max Boot. Los Angeles Times Homeless crisis: Pledges of help from City Hall still fall short Confronted with surging homelessness, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and several City Council members gathered at City Halls steps in September 2015 to declare that the situation had turned into a crisis. They pledged to spend more than $100 million to aid those living in encampments and shelters, despite uncertainty over where the funds would come from. But nearly two years later, some of that money hasnt been spent. Los Angeles Times Plus: The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported Wednesday that 6,000 homeless young people were counted across L.A. County in January, a 61% increase over the 2016 total. All the youth shelters have waiting lists and affordable housing is tough to find, even with a rent voucher. The system is overwhelmed, one official said. Los Angeles Times Bitter harvest Farm workers in California are confronting hostility, and trouble finding housing at a time when growers need them more than ever. People love the strawberries, but they dont like the farmworkers, said Lucas Zucker, policy and communication director for Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy, a labor advocacy group in Ventura. Los Angeles Times L.A. STORIES Big dig: Welcome to the deepest point in L.A.s growing subway system. Here, the tunnel-boring machine Angeli broke through a wall of dirt in downtown Los Angeles and achieved a major milestone in the massive downtown subway project. Los Angeles Times End of an era: Furniture retailer Deardens, one of Southern Californias oldest businesses, said Thursday that it will close its eight stores and wind down operations over the coming weeks. Founded in 1909, the Los Angeles-based chain sold furniture, appliances and other home goods to a predominantly lower-income Latino clientele. Los Angeles Times Harping: William Close is stringing a downtown Los Angeles skyscraper. As the inventor of the Earth Harp, which holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest stringed instrument, he knows the task well. Los Angeles Times Crashing down: The House of Blues, once one of the hottest spots on the Sunset Strip, met the wrecking ball on Thursday, a symbol of changing tastes and rising land values. Curbed Los Angeles Ghost mall: Sign of the times: At an abandoned Macys inside a Woodland Hills shopping center, the U.S. Post Office is opening up. Daily News Past life: The L.A. arts district is one of the hottest real estate markets in America. But there are also some pollution issues left over from its days as the industrial district. LA Weekly POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT Saving time: Lawmakers in the state Assembly approved an effort on Thursday that could end with California voters scrapping the biannual tradition of moving their clocks ahead or behind by an hour. Los Angeles Times Road to victory? Will the Democrats bid to retake Congress begin here in California? New York Times Feeling down in Trumpland: From immigration to healthcare, Californians are taking a grim view of many Trump policies, and the whole situation depresses them, according to a new poll. KQED Travel agent: This guy will help conservatives sick of California move to Texas. Orange County Register CRIME AND COURTS Social media mess: It never pays to make impetuous comments on social media at least not when youre a judge. Thats the lesson Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeff Ferguson learned this week when he was publicly admonished by the Commission on Judicial Performance for posting a disparaging comment on Facebook about a prosecutor who was running for judicial office. Los Angeles Times Pokemon attack: A 57-year-old man caught a seven-year prison sentence Wednesday for assaulting a teen who was trying to catch virtual monsters. Jayson Lingen pleaded no contest to one count of assault with a deadly weapon Wednesday, after he smashed a metal pole over the head of a teenage Pokemon Go player in Long Beach last year. Los Angeles Times THE ENVIRONMENT Snow summer: The latest evidence that snow angels have smiled on the Sierra this season? Mammoth Mountain will stay open into August. The massive resort has remained running that late only one time before, in 1995. Los Angeles Times Lining up: If you want to hike Half Dome this summer, start making plans. The cables that guide hikers the last 400 feet to the top of the Yosemite high point will be in place starting Friday. The lottery for a hiking permit for the popular rock face has started too. Los Angeles Times Dam woes: Dont expect quick answers to the mystery of why the Oroville Dam spillway failed. Sacramento Bee CALIFORNIA CULTURE Diner too far? A Saved by the Bell-themed diner is coming to L.A., whether you want it or not. LAist Harry power: Harry Potter helped Universal Studios record a big boost in attendance last year. Disneyland, meanwhile, saw attendance slip slightly. Daily News Big rent: Yes, this Newport Beach luxury apartment will set you back $9,000 a month. Orange County Register Dont mess with us: When a New Yorker cartoonist had some fun with L.A.s beloved Trader Joe. San Gabriel Valley Tribune Name of game: Its not every day they rename a neighborhood in San Francisco. SF Gate From above: This cool video shows the Northern California ghost town of Bodie from space. LAist CALIFORNIA ALMANAC Los Angeles area: sunny with highs in the upper 70s. San Diego: partly cloudy with highs in the lower 70s. San Francisco area: sunny with highs in the upper 60s. Sacramento: sunny with highs in the low 90s. More weather is here. AND FINALLY Todays California memory comes from Sandy Quinn: I was raised in the San Fernando Valley during the 50s, and my time at North Hollywood High was full of good friends and fun. Our hangout almost every night for years was Bobs Big Boy in Toluca Lake. We sat at the same table and had a Big Boy, cherry Coke and fries. Several of my high school pals recently decided to relive those carefree times and we had lunch at Bobs, sitting at the same table and again had a Big Boy, cherry Coke and fries. I am thankful to have been raised in the Valley during those years. If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.) Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power ratepayers could soon see their electricity bills trimmed under a proposed settlement that would limit the payment the DWP is required to make to the city each year. But dont celebrate just yet this may be a case where the winners and the losers are the same people. The $200 million-plus transfer has been a perennial fight in Los Angeles politics. Its been the subject of protests, audits and showdowns over how much the city-owned utility and its ratepayers should have to subsidize city services, such as park maintenance and public safety. Of course, the ratepayers are also the residents who rely on those services. There is nothing inherently wrong with the DWP sharing a portion of its income with the city. As a municipally owned utility, the DWP makes the payment in lieu of the taxes that privately owned utilities pay the state or the dividends they pay investors. The biggest problems have been the lack of transparency and the temptation by city officials to treat the DWP as a piggy bank. Advertisement The City Charter allows the utility to transfer a portion of surplus revenue to the citys general fund. But critics have argued that there isnt a true surplus; if there was, why would the utility be so far behind on basic infrastructure and maintenance? Rather, the mayor and City Council over the years have set electricity rates higher than necessary to create a surplus that could then be transferred to the city budget. The transfer plus a separate utility user tax generate more than $600 million for the city. Three lawsuits filed against the city argue the transfer is a hidden tax and illegal under Proposition 26, the 2010 ballot initiative that bars governments from charging more for a service than it costs to provide it. Attorneys for the plaintiffs had warned the city could be on the hook for more than a billion dollars in refunds if the transfer is deemed illegal. The proposed settlement, which still has to be approved by the court, would be significantly less painful for city coffers while still offering a modest reduction in utility bills. Most important, the agreement restricts the size of the transfer going forward, eliminating the temptation to rely on DWP ratepayers to plug city budget gaps. Yes, that means less money for services, but the trade-off is more transparency. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Employers who dont want their health insurance plans to cover contraceptives for women are kidding themselves about whos actually paying for the policies. Short version: Its not them; its their workers. Nevertheless, the Trump administration is readying a proposal to let employers opt out of the contraceptive mandate for religious or moral reasons, which makes little sense economically. It would give your employer more power over money that is, for all intents and purposes, yours. The money that your employer spends on health insurance is no more or less theirs than the money they spend on your salary, 401(k) matching contributions, life insurance policy and commuter benefits. Its all part of the cost associated with you as an employee. Put another way, its compensation that your employer decided to put into something other than wages, hoping that it will help them compete better for talent. Advertisement Once you recognize that youre essentially paying the full cost of your health benefits at work, you can begin to see how disempowering the proposal is. Thats not to say employers contributions are small. According to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, employers covered 71% of their workers premiums on average in 2016. But the Internal Revenue Service still considers the contribution your employer makes to your insurance to be part of your income its just not taxed, thanks to an exclusion in federal law for group health premiums. So when the Obama administration issued a rule requiring all new health insurance policies to cover contraceptives for women with no out-of-pocket costs (with an exception for those offered by religious groups), it wasnt forcing employers to subsidize those products and services as much as it was requiring the workers who signed up for policies to do so. Even in the case of self-insured plans, where employers may end up paying more claims in a given year than they collected in premiums, the risk of the cost of contraceptive coverage exceeding the premiums paid is vanishingly small. Remember, one of the reasons insurers have supported the contraceptive mandate is that it helps avoid the much larger cost of maternity care. Once you recognize that youre essentially paying the full cost of your health benefits at work, you can begin to see how disempowering the Trump administrations proposal is. Under the leaked draft of the plan, which would take effect as soon as it is formally submitted to the Federal Register, any employer with a religious or moral objection to contraception can drop that coverage from their workers policies. Thats a bit like your boss telling you that she wont match your 401(k) contributions if you choose a mutual fund that holds oil company stocks. Those matching dollars arent her money they were promised to you so that youd take the job. And besides, the Trump proposal would allow publicly traded companies to opt out of the mandate. Whose religious or moral beliefs should hold sway in those companies? The chief executives? The board of directors? The shareholders? The draft proposal argues that women who need help buying contraceptives still can get it from federally subsidized family planning programs, conveniently omitting the fact that the administration is trying to defund the main source of that assistance, Planned Parenthood (although, in fairness, the budget proposes no change in the amount of family planning aid available to other providers). But again, this isnt a question of whether women will be able to obtain birth control. Its whether their employer can deny them the ability to get it in the most affordable way, at their own expense. Theres a lot of fiction surrounding the economics of healthcare for example, the idea that preventive services are free just because theres no out-of-pocket costs. As noted above, there are costs associated with the contraceptive mandate, and theyre borne by the people who buy insurance. (Although several studies based on theoretical models suggest that the mandate saves money over the long run, there are measurable expenses in the short term.) But its a surface truth that employers pay any of those costs. The underlying reality is that workers pay the full premium, directly and through foregone wages. The IRS recognizes this, but the Trump administration does not. jon.healey@latimes.com Twitter: @jcahealey The Paris accords fate was sealed a year prior to its negotiation, at the little-noticed Lima climate conference of 2014. There, diplomats abandoned their decades-long pursuit of a binding agreement that would commit the world to substantial reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions. A new process of pledge and review, they determined, would govern future talks. Under this process, each country would submit an Intended Nationally Determined Contribution, or INDC, and the sum of those pledges would constitute the agreement. No standards would govern these INDCs, which could promise great achievements or nothing at all. Countries could modify these INDCs at will. There would be no consequences for falling short. Thus, when negotiators reached Paris in December 2015, there was surprisingly little to talk about and certainly no question whether an agreement would be reached. Almost every country had submitted something, and the delegates lacked standing to scrutinize or challenge those submissions; haggling centered on details of the requirement that everyone return each year and evaluate progress. Advertisement Its breakthrough was not in lifting nations up to higher levels of ambition, but rather in dropping expectations to the lowest common denominator. The theory behind pledge and review was that participants would each want to act provided all others acted too, and that peer pressure would lead to stronger pledges over time. But that logic relied on a misunderstanding of what motivates developing nations. Their rapidly rising energy consumption will account for an overwhelming majority of greenhouse-gas emissions this century. They are pursuing economic growth as rapidly as possible, and in most cases, fossil-fuel infrastructure remains the cheapest and easiest source of energy for such growth. Significantly altering these nations emissions trajectories requires that they slow their growth. Arguments that renewable energy already makes economic sense are beside the point; where that is the case, nations will adopt them without international treaties. The premise of a negotiated agreement is to adopt policies that do conflict with economic imperatives for the sake of emissions cuts. Understandably, developing nations whose populations do not yet have access to reliable energy find this trade-off unappealing, regardless of whether the United States and Europe take bold action or ignore the climate problem. This direct tension between expanding energy access and reducing emissions, unavoidable given the constraints of current technology, always has been central to climate policy and to the failure of efforts at international cooperation. But Paris did not solve this problem; it simply ignored it by abandoning the expectation of substantive commitments. Its breakthrough was not in lifting nations up to higher levels of ambition, but rather in dropping expectations to the lowest common denominator. What about peer pressure? Developing nations submitted uniformly meaningless commitments. China promised to reach peak emission around 2030, right when it was expected to anyway. India made no emissions commitment but pledged to improve its energy efficiency, less quickly than it already was improving. Many countries offered no meaningful baseline for comparison. Pakistan only committed to reduce its emissions after reaching peak levels to the extent possible. Yet no one complained. To the contrary, the United States and the EU, U.N. leaders, climate activists and commentators all bent over backward to emphasize this unprecedented success in bringing the world together. Rather than face criticism for pledges to do nothing, countries received applause. A refusal to take climate action seriously earned the activists seal of approval. Getting the deal, any deal, became the entire point. This expediency had several disastrous consequences. First, it left the world committed to a global climate accord that did not address climate change. Analysis at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology indicated that full compliance with all pledges would reduce temperatures in the year 2100 by only 0.2 degrees Celsius, and even that may have been generous. Second, it left the United States exposed. When nations reassembled each year to review commitments, what would they find? Those that had submitted the weakest pledges would appear to be on track or even ahead. But President Obama had promised progress from the American people beyond what even his own policies likely would bring about. We would be the ones making real efforts and incurring real costs, yet we would be the ones chastised for failing to deliver. This dynamic is already playing out. Pundits are lauding China for achieving peak emissions far sooner than they pledged, without interrogating whether this says more about the countrys progress or its pledge. Meanwhile, EU leaders look down their noses at the United States, even as their emissions rise and U.S. emissions fall. Why would the United States remain party to such an agreement? We shouldnt have accepted its terms in the first place, and in an important sense, we didnt. The U.S. Constitution requires the Senate to approve any treaty by a two-thirds supermajority, in part to prevent a president from making rash, politically motivated promises on the international stage that lack consensus support back home. Obama, knowing he did not have the Senates consent, chose to push ahead anyway. If reversing that mistake enrages some foreign diplomats, they have only themselves and their former negotiating partners in the Obama administration to blame. Oren Cass is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook When Britains Conservative Prime Minister, Theresa May, called a snap general election on April 18, surprise was complete. This was precisely what she had promised she would not do. But shock soon dissipated. On all available evidence, the prime ministers volte face made sense. Her party was massively ahead in the polls. Opposition Labor politicians despised their leader, the 68-year-old socialist hardliner Jeremy Corbyn, at least as much as they disliked May. The stage appeared set for a landslide Conservative victory that would send May into Brexit negotiations with a personal mandate to prove she spoke for the British people. So certain did this outcome look that nine Labor MPs defied their leader to vote against the parliamentary motion required to authorize the election. Spool forward six weeks and Britains political landscape is transformed. Corbyn, for most of his career a scarecrow lookalike with the leadership talent of a lemming and terrorist-sympathizers for friends, has demonstrated formidable campaign skills. Polls have narrowed so sharply that one projectionby pollsters YouGovshows Mays Conservatives could lose their majority. The pound, which soared to a post-Brexit high against the euro when May called the election, has tumbled as confidence in a Conservative victory wanes. So, the big question being asked in the UK and European capitals is: Could May lose this election to a Labor Party whose manifesto is as socialist as the 1983 version, notorious as the longest suicide note in history, which handed Margaret Thatcher an unassailable majority? Advertisement Corbyn has defied expectations. He appears calm, relaxed and, crucially, smart as he tours the country speaking to select audiences of enthusiastic, mostly young supporters. His shabby patched jackets have been replaced by a sharp blue suit. He has had his hair cut. He smiles a lot more than he used to. He is unfailingly polite to interviewers. His campaign, masterminded by the former Guardian columnist Seumas Milne, eschews all personal attacks. May might call the Labor leader a vile excrescence unfit to dig a sewer she has come close but Corbyn does not retaliate. For him, politics is about policies, not personalities. He remains above the fray. It turns out Labors far-left manifesto has inspired rather than divided its natural supporters. And on the left of British politics a hope that appeared too forlorn to contemplate has begun to be expressed. In the Guardian on Wednesday, Dan Roberts compared Corbyn to Bernie Sanders: Despite the lower-budget feel of the British version, he wrote this movie is getting a remake. Here too, a leader who was at first ignored, then ridiculed and now reviled by the establishment, has seen a last minute surge in the opinion polls that threatens to upset a complacent opponent. Everywhere Corbyn speaks, his slogan, For the many, not the few, is held aloft by passionate student supporters. His pledges to tax the rich to fund better healthcare and to nationalize key industries appeal to a generation that does not remember how such policies fared in the past. It turns out Labors far-left manifesto has inspired rather than divided its natural supporters. Meanwhile, May has alarmed instinctive Conservatives by telling them hard truths about taxes and public services that her predecessor left unmentioned. Milne, condemned by many as a Marxist zealot who prefers ideological purity to power, has proved as good a strategist as Mays campaign guru, Lynton Crosby, the Australian Karl Rove who has delivered victory after victory for his clients. But caution is essential. A crucial part of the story is simply that Labor under Corbyn has not collapsed in chaos. The party of the left has operated so much better than expected that its absence of failure has begun to look a little like success. So dramatically has its performance improved that Alastair Campbell, Tony Blairs former Svengali and one of Corbyns most vitriolic critics, has begun to pay the Labor leader compliments on Twitter. Strange days, indeed. Still, all the hard evidence suggests that the Conservatives will win. An ICM poll published Wednesday put the Conservatives at 45% and Labor at 33%, a clear lead of 12 points. Thats down 10% since April 18, but it would still give Labor one of its worst election results since 1945. And that assessment ignores shy Tories, former Labor voters too timid to tell pollsters they have changed allegiance. The astounding probability is that May will emerge from this election as a diminished prime minister less trusted by her party than she was when the campaign began. She is lampooned as a leader lacking in personality who has tried to create a cult of personality. Meanwhile her opponent, written off before he started, will stand taller as the leader of a Labor Party he has reinvigorated against the odds. Tim Luckhurst is professor of journalism at the University of Kent and a former editor of the Scotsman, Scotlands national newspaper Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook To the editor: Jonah Goldberg left out a very important piece of information in his column exploring why the residents of Loma Linda live on average 10 years longer than other Americans. (Loma Linda residents live a really, really long time. Its not because of their health insurance, Opinion, May 30) Goldberg suggests that the Seventh-Day Adventist residents of that city have good outcomes because of lifestyle (they do not smoke or eat meat, and they exercise regularly) and not because of their health insurance. He does not mention that most people there have access to Loma Linda University Medical Center, one of the top medical facilities in the state. Residents healthy lifestyle combined with excellent healthcare and health education set Loma Linda apart from other places. It would be interesting to find out what percentage of Loma Linda residents actually have health insurance. Perhaps these people really do live a long time because of their insurance. Advertisement Ken Weinstock, Alameda, Calif. .. To the editor: Goldberg throws shade on the putative factors linked to better health, but another issue trumps his story: the fact that healthcare will soon bankrupt the country unless we find a more cost effective way to pay for it. Government-sponsored universal plans are a means to achieve an equitable and cost-effective system of healthcare. William K. Solberg, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Goldberg makes an interesting point about the factors that enable certain cultures to maintain healthy lifestyles and, thus, he argues, longer lifespans. He then presents the astonishing 20-year gap in lifespans between people born in Summit County, Colo., and people born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, arguing that these discrepancies have much more to do with lifestyle than insurance. When my college composition students make these kinds of assertions, I ask them to provide evidence to support their claim. Goldberg supplies none, relying on implied stereotypes of people living in poverty. Liz Lew, Woodland Hills Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook California Gov. Jerry Brown is flying to China today, partially filling a huge gap in leadership left by Donald Trump who, with his withdrawal from the Paris accord on climate change, has abdicated the American presidents long-established role as leader of the free world. Brown characterized Trumps move as deviant behavior and insane and the governor is right. Trump has turned the United States into a rogue nation. Only two other countries, Nicaragua and Syria, have refused to sign on to the Paris deal. The Department of Defense, major business leaders including many in the oil and gas industry Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Energy Secretary Rick Perry and even Trumps daughter, Ivanka, all urged Trump not to pull out of the climate change agreement, but he did it anyway. Apparently, Trumps White House Rasputin, senior advisor Steve Bannon, and climate quacks like EPA Secretary Scott Pruitt sold him on the preposterous fallacy that the U.S. is a deeply aggrieved party in the deal. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced on Thursday that he is carrying out his threat to leave the White House business advisory councils in reaction to Trumps foolish move. In a tweet, Musk wrote, Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. Advertisement 1 / 51 la-1491523602-y7ephyarj1-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 51 la-1491368625-0bgh58ihw8-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los angeles Times) 6 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 51 Trump inspires millions to take to the streets -- to oppose him. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 51 Cartoon caption contest winner at the DENT conference in Sun Valley, Idaho: Jon Duval, executive director of the Ketchum Community Development Corporation. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 51 Old radicals and big media descend on Selma (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 51 Horsey imagined the creation of the Ann Coulter phenomenon in this cartoon from 2007. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 51 This David Horsey drawing is a reconfiguration of a cartoon he first published in 2006. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 51 Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers, should give Cliven Bundy a call. After Sterling loses his NBA franchise and the deadbeat Nevada rancher loses his cattle, the two old racists will both need a buddy. Maybe they can team up together and open an all-white rodeo. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 51 Besides sending a chill up the spine of the international community, Vladimir Putin has accomplished one other thing by seizing Crimea and threatening the rest of Ukraine: Putin has brought back the bear. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 51 The right-wing insurrection at the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville, Nev., has taken another weird turn with new revelations about the family history of Cliven Bundy. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 51 David Horsey / Los Angeles Times (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) Unlike Trump, who played a master of business on TV while bankrupting his casinos and stiffing suppliers in real life, Musk is a real business genius who understands the future parameters of economic success. While Trump wheezes on about coal jobs, Musk and every other smart business leader in the world knows that alternative energy will be the driver of the global economy in the years to come. Even now, there are hundreds of thousands more Americans working in solar and wind power enterprises than in the grim and dirty coal mines. The question is, how much will these growing sectors of the American economy be damaged by Trumps bone-headed decision to fulfill a mindless campaign promise to abandon the climate deal? Will China become the leader in producing solar power hardware? Will Germany take the lead and the profits in wind energy? Part of the reason Brown is heading to China is to protect his states booming alternative energy enterprises. In his speech announcing that he was pulling the U.S. out of the Paris agreement, Trump said he no longer wanted world leaders to be laughing at us. That is hilariously ironic. After his boorish, ignorant performance last week in meetings with European leaders, those leaders have been quite literally laughing at him. Trump imagines himself as a tough, savvy leader, but Americas allies and adversaries know a buffoon when they see one. Already, the Europeans have pledged to implement the Paris accords without America. There will be no new deal for Trump, the boastful dealmaker, to make. The authoritarian regime in China will now be playing an even larger role in the world economy. Meanwhile, if anyone is the leader of the beleaguered free world, it is German Chancellor Angela Merkel. After Trumps failure to reassert Americas commitment to come to the defense of fellow NATO members, Merkel said it is time for Europeans to really take our fate into our own hands. In a campaign speech, Merkel said, We have to know that we must fight for our future on our own, for our destiny as Europeans. Ukrainians may be experiencing similar feelings, given the latest revelation that, in the early days of his administration, Trump was eager to unilaterally drop economic sanctions against Russia that had been imposed as a punishment for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Under Trump, the United States can no longer be counted on to back up free societies when they are threatened by aggressive autocrats like Vladimir Putin. Under Trump, human rights are off the foreign policy agenda and thuggish dictators, like Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, have free rein to murder their citizens. Under Trump, the U.S. has quit a rational pact to address the looming threat of climate change that is endorsed by almost all other countries on the planet. There will still be American officials like Brown and other governors and mayors taking the lead on climate change. In an MSNBC interview on Thursday, Brown said he is open to convening an international meeting to forge a climate agreement between California, Mexico and Canada. There will still be business leaders like Musk building the new American economy on the foundation of sustainable energy. Of green power, Musk has said, Thats the vision for the future we think is the only sensible vision for the future and the one were building toward. Trump, though, has abdicated leadership. He will still be acting out the role of president the way he acted on The Apprentice, but he will not be leading. The rest of the world and the majority of Americans will not follow this ludicrous man. David.Horsey@latimes.com Follow me at @davidhorsey on Twitter Gov. Jerry Brown doubles down on California measure changing recall process, calling it eminently reasonable By Christine Mai-Duc State Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Compton), left, and Gov. Jerry Brown talk about funding for projects under the state transportation bill, SB1, at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson. (Christian K. Lee/ Los Angeles Times) The partisan volleys have continued this week in the effort to recall state Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) over his vote to pass an increase in the gas tax. Those seeking to recall Newman submitted more than enough signatures needed to qualify the measure for the ballot, if theyre all deemed valid. Newman supporters looking to halt the recall filed a lawsuit Thursday, claiming signature gatherers had misled voters. And Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that makes changes to long-standing recall rules, an effort that Republicans have decried as an attempt by Democrats to rig the system to protect one of their own. Brown seemed to double down on that measure Friday at a press conference at Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he discussed the new gas tax, calling the new recall process eminently reasonable. The measure allows voters up to 30 days to remove their signature from a recall petition and creates a new process to review costs associated with a recall election. Brown said the bill provides an opportunity for people who have been hoodwinked to change their mind. Its all about truth and giving people the opportunity to make sure that their vote and their signature is knowingly given, Brown. The only people who would be against that are people who wanted to fool people and dont want to test it in court or in the light of day. .@JerryBrownGov responds to GOP criticism of budget trailer he signed that could make Newman recall harder. Calls it "eminently reasonable." pic.twitter.com/hSsmIPiHtP Christine Mai-Duc (@cmaiduc) June 30, 2017 Browns comments came after a roundtable discussion in which he and state Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Compton) spoke about the importance of directing transportation dollars raised by the gas tax increase to businesses owned by women, minorities and people who are disabled. Brown cast it as part of a larger question of equality and opportunity in America. But the discussion took place even as Brown mused about efforts to repeal the controversial tax package, which is expected to raise $52 billion over 10 years for road repairs and other transportation projects. If people want to not fund the roads, then they can put something on the ballot and maybe change things, Brown said. But I think most people in California want to fix the roads. Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach), who is running for governor, has filed a ballot measure to repeal the gas tax. Brown dismissed a recent poll by the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, which said that a majority of registered voters oppose the gas tax increases Brown and legislators recently approved. That was a poll that said, Do you want to raise a tax? Brown said. Of course people are going to say no. Brown added that when voters are given concrete situations like education and roads, theyre more likely to support tax increases. I think Californians are always leery of taxes. Im leery of taxes, Brown said. You want to drive around on gravel roads? Ive got a gravel road out in front of my house in the country. Its not bad. But I dont think thats what people want. I think they want real, paved roads and to have paved roads youve got to spend real money. Times staff writer Patrick McGreevy contributed to this report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer says he wont run for governor, dashing hopes of GOP leaders By Phil Willon San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer speaks during a news conference about the San Diego Chargers in 2015. (Gregory Bull / AP) Republican San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who has been lobbied intensely by GOP leaders to run for California governor, on Friday rejected the idea and vowed to serve out his second term at city hall. Both House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and state Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte had urged Faulconer to run. A fiscal conservative and social moderate who has demonstrated crossover appeal by winning over Democrats, Faulconer has been seen as the GOPs strongest potential gubernatorial candidate, and one who could help Republicans in down-ballot races if he was at the top of the ticket in 2018. But Falconer nixed the idea of a gubernatorial bid in a Facebook post Friday afternoon, saying he was deeply honored by so many encouraging him to run. Its a testament to the people of San Diego, and the progress weve made to create a fiscally responsible, prosperous city that is moving in the right direction. I made a pledge last year to serve out my second term as mayor, and thats exactly what Im going to do, Faulconer said in the post. He was facing pressure to enter the race and GOP insiders who were familiar with his thinking believed he was leaning toward running. Faulconer ultimately decided not to run because he did not see a certain path to victory, according to a top state party official who did not want to be identified because they were not authorized to speak for the San Diego mayor. The last time a GOP candidate won a statewide race was in 2006. The governors race already has attracted a handful of Republican candidates, but none with Faulconers political stature. They include conservative Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen and Rancho Santa Fe venture capitalist John Cox. Speculation is mounting that former state Assemblyman David Hadley plans to announce a run. The Democratic heavyweights in the race include Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang. A strong GOP top-of-the-ticket candidate would be expected to increase Republican turnout next fall. Faulconers decision not to run could impact some hotly contested congressional races in California, and potentially affect Republican efforts to retain control of the House of Representatives. If a Republican gubernatorial candidate fails to make the general election, creating a Democrat-on-Democrat race in November 2018, that could depress GOP turnout and affect those targeted congressional races. It leaves the Republicans without an obvious front-runner that the donors would have confidence in, said GOP strategist Rob Stutzman, who previously advised former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and 2010 GOP nominee Meg Whitman. But it still depends on the nature of the race next November. Its too early to say. Update 4:21 p.m.: This story was updated with reaction about Faulconers decision and more information about the 2018 election. This story was originally published at 3:30 p.m. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Assembly Democrats denounce threats made after single-payer healthcare bill was sidelined Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom blasts National Rifle Assn. recruitment video, saying it could lead to violence By Seema Mehta (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom called on the National Rifle Assn. to take down a controversial new video that he argued villanizes political rivals and could lead to violence. Come after politicians. Come after policy makers. Come after ME, Newsom wrote on his Facebook page Thursday. But do not implicitly call for demonstrations of force against your fellow Americans in a country that is already reeling. You are powerful. People are listening to you. And your message could lead to tragedy. The NRA video, which urges people to join the organization, was posted earlier this month and features conservative commentator Dana Loesch talking about political rivals who she argues use the media, schools and Hollywood for sinister purposes. The video features footage of police clashing with protesters and a bloodied Trump supporter, and flashes images such as the Hollywood sign, Disney Hall and the Los Angeles Times building as Loesch repeatedly invokes an unnamed opponent she refers to as they. Loeschs concluding remarks in the minute-long video have drawn the most ire. The only way we stop this, the only way we save our country and our freedom, is to fight this violence of lies with the clenched fist of truth, Loesch said. Im the National Rifle Assn. of America, and Im freedoms safest place. Newsom is a longtime foe of the NRA. He was a primary sponsor of Proposition 63, a ballot measure voters approved in November that requires background checks to purchase ammunition, bans possession of high-capacity magazines and other gun-safety efforts. On Thursday, the NRA claimed victory when a federal judge, at their attorneys request, granted a preliminary injunction blocking a related law that would have required Californians to get rid of large-capacity magazines by Saturday or face fines and potential jail time. Newsom, the states lieutenant governor, wrote that he felt a chill down my spine when he watched the video. He said while he and the NRA have long disagreed, the video crosses the line of appropriate political debate. He described it as dangerous because it tells viewers that our fellow Americans are to be feared and even worse. How does this video advance debate? How does it bring people together for common ideals? How does it do anything but cast Americans as enemies to be defeated in a cynical ploy to sell as many weapons as possible? he wrote. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Tired of exporting campaign cash, these politicos are putting California first By Mark Z. Barabak Air Force One leaves California after another fundraising foray. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) California feeds the world with its bounty, fuels the economy with its innovation, fires the imagination with its creativity. There is one export, though, that is far less celebrated: the unceasing torrent of outbound campaign cash. For political fundraisers, California has long been the Big Rock Candy Mountain, excavated, mined and, ultimately, shafted by candidates of both parties who use the boodle to run for president in Iowa or New Hampshire, or Congress in East Podunk. Now, Democratic efforts are underway to put California first, directing more campaign cash from whence it came by focusing on seven targeted House districts in the Central Valley and southern part of the state. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Federal judge blocks California gun law By Patrick McGreevy A handgun is displayed with 10- and 15-shot magazines. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A federal judge Thursday granted a request by attorneys for the National Rifle Assn. to block a law that requires Californians to dispose of large-capacity ammunition magazines by Saturday or face fines and possible jail time. U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez wrote in San Diego that the rights of voters who approved Proposition 63 in November have to be balanced against the rights of gun owners. If this injunction does not issue, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of otherwise law-abiding citizens will have an untenable choice: become an outlaw or dispossess ones self of lawfully acquired property, Benitez wrote. That is a choice they should not have to make. C.D. Michel, an attorney for the NRA and state gun owners, welcomed the decision, which allows a lawsuit to be decided on its merits before the law takes effect. My clients are pleased the Court affirmed that the Second Amendment is not a second class right, and that law abiding gun owners have a right to choose to have these magazines to help them defend themselves and their families, Michel said in a statement. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Two California Democrats join with House Republicans to vote for Kates Law By Sarah D. Wire There would be tougher penalties for people repeatedly caught crossing the border illegally, and millions of dollars less in federal funds for so-called sanctuary jurisdictions such as Los Angeles under two House immigration bills approved Thursday. Both bills would fulfill President Trumps campaign promises if they became law, but the Senate has killed similar legislation and is unlikely to be able to reach the 60-vote requirement to pass the bills. The House voted 257 to 167, with 24 Democrats crossing party lines, to pass Kates Law, which would create harsher mandatory minimum prison sentences for people who repeatedly enter the U.S. illegally. It is named after Kathryn Steinle, who allegedly was shot and killed in San Francisco in 2015 by Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, a Mexican immigrant who had repeatedly entered the country illegally and was released from jail by sheriffs officials despite a request by immigration officials to keep him behind bars. Two California Democrats, Reps. Jackie Speier of Hillsborough and Eric Swalwell of Dublin, joined Republicans in voting for the bill. Swalwell grew up with Steinle and is still in touch with her family, he said. This bill is not perfect, and its shameful that the Republicans did not allow any debate. But it does improve our ability to punish individuals who repeatedly break the law and to deter those who may do so, he Swalwell said in a statement. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Committee unexpectedly opens door to Rep. Barbara Lees push to end military force authorization By Sarah D. Wire (Paul Morigi/Getty Images) In September 2001, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) was the only member of Congress to object to an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, a resolution in response to the terrorist attacks that paved the way for the war in Afghanistan. In the 16 years since, the resolution has been used by President George W. Bush, President Obama and now President Trump as justification for more than 35 military actions in nearly 20 countries around the world -- which means those presidents have not gone back to Congress for new permission to send troops into harms way. On Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee opened the door to ending that 2001 authorization when it added Lees amendment to a Defense Department measure. Congress would have 240 days to debate a new authorization. At the end of that time the 2001 authorization would be repealed. Lee has lobbied hard just to get to this first step, which was approved by a voice vote in the Republican led committee. Ive been working on this for years and years and years. Im just really pleased that Republicans and Democrats today really understood what Ive been saying and Ive been explaining for the last 16 years, and that is, this resolution is a blank check for perpetual war, Lee said. Committee members broke into applause after the unexpected vote. Lee said Thursday she plans to personally call Speaker Paul Ryan and make the case for keeping her amendment in the bill when it gets to the House floor. The public wants to see a debate, Lee said. Our young men and women in harms way need to know their Congress is supporting them and backing them up, or not. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Volkswagen submits revised plan for installing charging stations as part of emission-cheating settlement By Chris Megerian (Markus Schreiber / Associated Press) Volkswagen would build more electric vehicle charging stations in disadvantaged communities under an updated plan being submitted to state regulators on Thursday. The companys subsidiary, Electrify America, revised its proposal after an earlier version was rejected as inadequate by the California Air Resources Board. The proposal is the first phase of an $800-million investment in the state, one piece of a much larger settlement over Volkswagens cheating on vehicle emission rules. Although the money is expected to yield hundreds of new charging stations and boost Californias efforts to foster the market for electric cars, its also been a source of controversy. State regulators want 35% of the money to be spent in disadvantaged communities, a target endorsed by the Legislature as well. Electrify America CEO Mark McNabb said, We will strive hard to hit it. The updated plan adds Fresno to the list of metropolitan areas, which already included Los Angeles and Sacramento, where charging stations would be installed. It made sense to get out into the Central Valley, McNabb said. We thought that was an improvement we could make to the plan. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias top elections officer to Trumps voting fraud panel: No By John Myers (Dylan Stewart / HS Insider) President Trumps voter fraud commission will not be getting the names and addresses of Californias registered voters. The panels request was denied on Thursday by Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who said it would only legitimize false claims of massive election cheating last fall. Padilla refused to hand over data, including the names, addresses, political party and voting history of Californias 19.4 million voters. Kris Kobach, the secretary of state of Kansas who serves as vice chairman of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, sent letters to all 50 states on Wednesday for information he said would help the group examine rules that either enhance or undermine the American peoples confidence in the integrity of federal elections processes. Padilla, though, suggested the effort is little more than a ruse. I will not provide sensitive voter information to a commission that has already inaccurately passed judgment that millions of Californians voted illegally, he said in a written statement. Californias participation would only serve to legitimize the false and already debunked claims of massive voter fraud made by the President, the Vice President, and Mr. Kobach. Last November, Trump tweeted that California was one of three states where serious voter fraud took place in the general election. No state or local elections official has found any evidence to back up the presidents assertion. Kobachs request says the panel seeks only publicly available information. Basic information about California voters is routinely shared with journalists, political campaigns and researchers after a written request and payment of a fee. The letter asks for data including information regarding any felony convictions, information regarding voter registration in another state, information regarding military status, and overseas citizen information. Padilla also criticized the selection of Kobach to help lead Trumps commission, accusing the Kansas official of past efforts at racial profiling and suppressing voter turnout. His role as vice chair is proof that the ultimate goal of the commission is to enact policies that will result in the disenfranchisement of American citizens, Padilla said. The presidential commissions first meeting is scheduled for July 19. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Supporters of state Sen. Josh Newman sue to stop effort to recall him, alleging voters have been misled By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) faces a recall. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Supporters of state Sen. Josh Newman filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to stop a recall campaign against the lawmaker, alleging that signature gatherers have misled voters and the petition contains false information. The Democratic legislator from Fullerton faces a recall funded by the California Republican Party for voting with other lawmakers to increase the states gas tax and vehicle fees to raise $5.2 billion annually for road repairs. On Tuesday, the state party announced it had submitted 84,988 signatures to election officials, some 20,000 more signatures than would be needed if officials determine they are valid. The lawsuit against Secretary of State Alex Padilla was filed in Sacramento Superior Court by three residents of Newmans Senate district and paid for by the campaign against the recall. It alleges that signature gatherers misled voters to sign the petitions by saying they would repeal the car tax. The petition gathering campaign has misrepresented the nature of the petition by informing voters that it will Stop the Gas Tax when it will not, the lawsuit says. These statements are intentionally misleading statements of fact that are false beyond dispute and mislead voters The legal complaint, which also names several signature gatherers, alleges that the notice of intent to file the petition is inaccurate in saying that the tax bill provides billions of dollars for mass transit in Northern California without Newmans district benefiting from the revenue. The bill itself does not earmark where money will go, but the intent of lawmakers was that Newmans district would benefit, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit asks that the circulation of the petition be stopped and the recall effort, using the petition as drafted, be halted. This suit is about nothing less than the integrity of our election process; a recall election simply should not be certified when signatures were gathered based on lies to voters, said James Harrison, an attorney who filed the lawsuit. Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio, an organizer of the recall, said the lawsuit is without merit. Josh Newman refuses to accept accountability for his disastrous vote to raise the car and gas tax and instead has chosen to blame others for the recall against him with lies and frivolous lawsuits, DeMaio said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State to pay $2.9 million to three men wrongfully convicted in Los Angeles cases By Patrick McGreevy Kash Delano Register outside a Los Angeles restaurant in November 2013 after his release from prison. (Christina House / For The Times) The state Senate has approved payment of $2.96 million to settle three claims by men who were wrongly convicted for crimes in Los Angeles and served time in prison before they were exonerated. The approval of the payments, amounting to $140 for each day served behind bars, next goes to Gov. Jerry Brown. The largest payment $1.7 million goes to Kash Delano Register, who said he was wrongfully convicted of a 1979 murder because of a flawed LAPD investigation. He served 34 years in prison. In 2013, the Los Angeles County Superior Court ordered that Register be released from prison after it found he had been denied due process of law and a fair trial because material exculpatory information and evidence was not disclosed. The court acted after lawyers and students from Loyola Law School cast doubt on the testimony of a key prosecution witness. The Los Angeles County district attorneys office later dismissed the charges, and Register was found by the court to be factually innocent. The Senate payment for 12,427 days served in custody is in addition to a $16.7-million settlement paid to Register by the city of Los Angeles. The Senate also voted Thursday to pay $886,760 to Luis Vargas, who spent more than 17 years in custody before a court ruled him factually innocent of a 1998 rape. In 2012, DNA evidence from one of the victims showed that a suspect known as the Teardrop Rapist, not Vargas, was the perpetrator of the rape. The third payment, $340,620, goes to Reggie Cole, who was found factually innocent after serving time in prison for the shooting death of a man outside a South Los Angeles house of prostitution in 1995. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Public affairs strategist Fiona Hutton hosts fundraiser for Antonio Villaraigosa By Phil Willon Antonio Villaraigosa in July (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles public affairs strategist Fiona Hutton is hosting a San Fernando Valley fundraiser for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa in July. Hutton, who has worked on a number of statewide campaigns, also raised money for Villaraigosa during his successful campaign for mayor of Los Angeles in 2005. The July 25 fundraiser is being held at Huttons office in Studio City. Tickets run $1,000 apiece. To be a co-host, itll cost $10,000. Along with serving as president of her company, Fiona Hutton & Associates, Hutton sits on the board of directors of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California joins other states asking the Trump administration for information on how its enforcing immigration law By Patrick McGreevy Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra wants more information on federal enforcement of immigration laws. ( Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) A group of nine state attorneys general, including California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday seeking records that would clarify how the Trump administration is enforcing federal immigration law. The request seeks the number of immigration detentions, deportations and detainer requests, and the rationale for each, as well as clarifying information on whether Trump is following through on comments that he will not target young people who were brought to the country illegally by their parents. The attorneys general also want to know whether immigrants in the country illegally have been detained at schools, hospitals and places of worship, which the state officials feel should be off-limits for enforcement. Mixed messages from the Trump Administration on immigration enforcement are sowing confusion and increasing anxiety among immigrants, Becerra said in a statement. Today we ask the Administration to tell us what it is doing in this area. The data could be used in a barrage of legal challenges the states have filed against federal immigration policies. Becerra noted that immigration-related arrests have increased nearly 40% since Trump became president, and there is concern that some of the arrests have included young people who were given a deferral from deportation under the Obama administration. The Presidents Executive Orders, and the steps taken by the Department of Homeland Security to implement those orders, have generated new fears and uncertainties in immigrant communities across the country, the attorneys general wrote in the request for information. The other states represented in the request are New York, Illinois, Washington, Massachusetts, Iowa, Maryland, Oregon and Hawaii. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This is why Californias Legislature cant fix the states housing problems By Liam Dillon An apartment complex in Hollywood (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) For 50 years, California has had a law that aims to encourage developers to build housing. But the law has failed at helping stem the statewide shortage of homes that drives Californias affordability problems. The reason? The law requires cities and counties to produce prodigious reports to plan for housing but it doesnt hold them accountable for any resulting home building. Cities and counties resent the law. To avoid complying, theyve asked the state to let prison beds count toward their low-income housing goals, among other things. And despite knowing about the laws weaknesses for decades, state lawmakers have provided no incentive, such as a greater share of tax dollars, for cities and counties to meet their housing goals. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias attorney general joins the fight against President Trumps sanctuary city order By Patrick McGreevy Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra led a group of 10 states Wednesday in filing an court brief supporting San Francisco and other California communities that challenged President Trumps executive order to withhold federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions. After the local governments won a preliminary injunction against the order, the Trump administration asked the courts to dismiss the cities lawsuit. The brief filed by Becerra argues that public safety is improved when local law enforcement agencies focus on crime prevention instead of helping federal authorities enforce immigration laws. The Trump Administration does not have the right to coerce states, counties or municipalities to do the federal governments job, Becerra said in a statement. Californias state and local law enforcement officials are in the business of public safety, not of deportation. Threatening public safety funding to compel localities to do immigration work is a dangerous game that undermines public safety. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California Supreme Court leaves in place decision upholding cap-and-trade system By Chris Megerian Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the Air Resources Board, oversees the cap-and-trade program. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) After more than four years, a legal challenge to Californias cap-and-trade program has reached an unsuccessful conclusion. The end came on Wednesday when the California Supreme Court declined to consider an appeal from business groups who consider the program to be an unconstitutional tax. The program requires companies to buy permits to release greenhouse gases, a system intended to provide a financial incentive to reduce emissions. The law that provided the programs foundation was not passed with a two-thirds vote in the Legislature, the legal threshold for new taxes, sparking lawsuits from the California Chamber of Commerce and the Pacific Legal Foundation. A state appeals court rejected their arguments in April, but they appealed. Business groups were also concerned the decision was too broad and could open the door to additional taxes. Despite the states victory in court, there are other legal questions around cap and trade. Gov. Jerry Brown is pushing lawmakers to extend the program past 2020 with new legislation. With this Supreme Court victory, now its up to us to take action extending Californias cap-and-trade system on a more permanent basis, Brown said in a statement. This story has been updated with a statement from the governor. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rohrabacher on meeting with Manafort while he was a foreign agent: It was a nice little dinner By Sarah D. Wire (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) When former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort belatedly filed as a foreign agent on behalf of a pro-Russian Ukrainian political party this week, he listed a meeting with just one U.S. politician Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach. Manaforts years-late filing with the Justice Department details $17 million in political consulting work he did between 2012 and 2014 for the Party of Regions, a Ukrainian party considered friendly with the Kremlin. Rohrabacher told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that the March 2013 meeting happened over dinner at the Capitol Hill Club, a popular Washington Republican social club. He said Manafort billed it as a chance to get reacquainted decades after they worked together in the 1970s on President Reagans campaign. Still, he assumed Manafort had an agenda. I assume when old friends call me up and are wanting to get reacquainted and stuff I always assume they are in some way under contract with somebody, Rohrabacher said. Rohrabacher, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, has long been known for encouraging improved relations with Russia, something thats made him an outlier in the Republican Party. He said Russia and the Baltic states probably came up during dinner, but it wasnt the focus of their conversation. We discussed a myriad of things, a lot of personal stuff, a lot of different analysis of the politics of the day, Rohrabacher said. It was a nice little dinner. Three days later, Manafort contributed $1,000 to Rohrabachers reelection campaign. Manaforts modest donation didnt stand out, Rohrabacher said. Ongoing FBI and congressional investigations into Russian attempts to interfere in the 2016 election, and how the Trump campaign may have been involved, have heightened interest in any connections American politicians may have had with the Russian government or its proxies. Rohrabachers opponents immediately began fundraising off the revelation that Manafort met with the congressman while serving as a foreign agent. Democrat Harley Rouda, whos running for Rohrabachers seat in 2018, called it embarrassing in a solicitation email Tuesday. We need someone who cares more about Orange County and America than supporting Russia and Putin, Roudas email stated. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrats block Republican legislators proposal for forensic audit of UC Office of President By Patrick McGreevy Two months after a state audit found mismanagement at the University of California, Democratic state lawmakers on Wednesday blocked a Republican legislators proposal to have auditors go back in and look deeper at spending, this time with an eye for possible criminal activity. Assemblyman Dante Acosta (R-Santa Clarita) said the follow-up examination was justified after an audit in April found the UC Office of the President had failed to disclose a $175-million budget surplus to the Board of Regents and the public, was paying excessive salaries and expenses and had inadequate financial safeguards in place to prevent abuse. The lack of controls, the audit concluded, was putting millions of dollars at risk of abuse. I am fighting to return trust in the institution of the UC Office of the President for students, parents, faculty and staff, Acosta said. Only complete transparency can accomplish that goal. However, no Democratic lawmakers on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee voted to authorize a new audit, so the motion failed. Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) said the university administration should be given time to address the recommendations of its recent audit. I believe this request is premature, he said. State Auditor Elaine Howle said Wednesday in response to a legislators question that she did not find any evidence of misuse of funds. We didnt see anything nefarious, Howle told the panel. UC President Janet Napolitano said funds were not hidden, but she has agreed to adopt policies to make the budget process more transparent. Monica Lozano, chairwoman of the UC Board of Regents, told the legislative committee Wednesday that a new audit is unnecessary and may interfere with the systems implementation of recommendations from the last audit, including the hiring of an accountant to look at UC spending. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Single-payer healthcare advocates protest at Capitol with a message for Californias Assembly speaker: Shame on you! By Melanie Mason View Twitter post Backers of a measure to establish a single-payer healthcare system in California rallied at the Capitol on Wednesday to renounce Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount), who shelved the bill last week. Several hundred demonstrators, many affiliated with the California Nurses Assn., the legislations sponsor, convened in the Capitol rotunda, where they unfurled a banner that blared Inaction = Death, before handing off signs with written complaints to a member of Rendons staff. The rally, on the heels of a smaller demonstration at Rendons district office on Tuesday, is a sign of how single-payer backers continue to seethe after the bill, SB 562, stalled on Friday. Patty Estefes, a retired nurse from San Jose, said the campaign for single-payer heathcare, in which the government would cover all residents healthcare costs, was her passion. Rendon sabotaged SB 562 and we want to take the knife out, said Estefes, explaining her sign, which had an image of the California grizzly bear stabbed in the back with a blade labeled Rendon. The image has become popular among supporters of the bill, although other Democrats have said the violence of the image makes them uneasy. View Twitter post A depiction of violence in any form is unacceptable and inappropriate. #StandwithRendon #StrongerTogether #DeathThreatsUnacceptable pic.twitter.com/KLF8nNvxdZ Rudy Salas Jr (@rudysalasjr) June 27, 2017 Meanwhile, another union leader, Robbie Hunter of the powerful State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, chimed in Wednesday with support for the state Assembly speaker. Working people have real fights, and they are not with a labor champion like Anthony Rendon, said Hunter, who denounced the criticism from single-payer advocates as unfair and unwarranted attacks. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Garcetti and Schwarzenegger urge cities and states to lead fight against climate change in Trump era By Michael Finnegan Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday called on cities and states to lead the nations fight against global warming as the federal government begins to reverse its climate change policies. The Republican former film star who signed a landmark 2006 law to reduce Californias carbon emissions and the Democratic mayor spoke out against President Trumps denial of climate science at a forum at Creative Artists Agency in Century City. Both argued that steps taken by cities and states to promote renewable energy could largely make up for the Trump administrations withdrawal from the worldwide Paris agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California voters could decide in 2020 whether to remove mandatory punishment for falsifying U.S. citizenship records By Jazmine Ulloa A proposed California law would let state voters decide in November 2020 whether to remove the mandatory punishment for a person who falsifies citizenship documents. The legislation by Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) would make the crime a wobbler, meaning prosecutors would have the discretion to charge suspects in such cases with either felony offenses or lower-level misdemeanors. That, supporters say, would bring the penalties in line with those for similar crimes committed by legal residents who falsify government records, such as drivers licenses. Assembly Bill 222 moved out of the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday with a 5-2 vote along party lines. An amendment added Tuesday places the issue on the ballot in November 2020. Bocangera said the measure was introduced as a response to President Trumps hard-line stance on immigration and would reverse part of Proposition 187, a 1994 California ballot measure to deny public services to immigrants in the country illegally. The bill would repeal provisions in the penal code that require a person to serve an automatic five-year mandatory prison sentence or pay a $75,000 fine if they are convicted on charges of manufacturing, distributing or selling false documents to conceal someone elses citizenship or residency status. It has the support of the Los Angeles County district attorneys office, which says there are far more serious crimes that carry substantially lower penalties. Today, if an underage college student uses a fake ID to purchase a six-pack of beer, he or she can be charged with a misdemeanor, Bocanegra said in a statement. However, if an immigrant is caught using that same fake ID, he or she is automatically charged with a felony and is subject to five years in prison. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Its all good: Gov. Jerry Brown (again) signs a budget without any vetoed spending By John Myers Gov. Jerry Brown, signs bills in his Capitol office on Oct. 9, 2015. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov. Jerry Brown holds two unique records when it comes to state budgets. No governor has signed more of them, and none in modern times have been as hesitant to veto items they dont like. In the budget he signed on Monday, Brown made no changes. Its not the first time. This was Browns second consecutive budget in which he took no veto actions, and his third veto-free budget since 1982. Governors have line-item veto power to erase budget expenditures, decisions that arent subject to review by the Legislature. Previous chief executives have used their unilateral power far more often, a way to trim spending from a variety of state budget-related programs. State documents show former Gov. George Deukmejian holds the modern record for the most budget changes, issuing 367 line-item vetoes on July 21, 1983. In total amount of spending, the record belongs to former Gov. Pete Wilson, whose budget vetoes in 1998 added up to more than $1.9 million. Brown also has the distinction of issuing fewer vetoes of stand-alone legislation of any governor in the last half-century, suggesting its a sign of respect for the legislative branch of government. The governors signature on the latest state budget sets in place $183.2-billion in spending, covering a wide range of programs and services while setting aside more in cash reserves than ever before. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Campaign to recall freshman state senator submits more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) at the Capitol on April 20. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The campaign against state Sen. Josh Newman has turned in more than enough signatures to force the freshman Democrat from Fullerton into a recall election. Republican Carl DeMaio, a lead organizer of the effort, said the group submitted 84,988 signatures on Tuesday. More signatures are being collected but only 63,500 registered voters in the 29th Senate District are needed to put the recall question on the ballot. It shows that there is an unbelievable grass roots movement to fire Josh Newman for his disasterous vote to support an increase in the gas tax, said DeMaio, a conservative radio talk show host from San Diego. The recall drive was complicated by recently enacted legislation that allows voters to ask that their signatures not be included in the recall petitions if they felt they were misled. Elections officials in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties must now determine whether there are sufficient valid signatures to qualify the recall. Mike Roth, a spokesman for the campaign against the recall, said special interests including Chevron have helped fuel a misleading petition drive. The recall petition is a costly power grab by out-of-district special interests that wont save taxpayers a dime and wont solve any problem voters care about, Roth said. What it will do is cost up to $3 million in tax dollars that would be better spent on our schools and public safety. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print In massive shake-up, Gov. Jerry Brown breaks up Californias scandal-plagued tax collection agency By Patrick McGreevy In a move that triggers the most dramatic shake-up of the California Board of Equalization in its 138-year history, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation Tuesday that strips the embattled state tax collection agency of most of its powers and duties as officials scramble to create an entirely new department by July 1. The board is the target of an investigation by the state Department of Justice, and its employees and members have been accused by auditors of mismanagement, including putting $350 million in sales taxes in the wrong accounts and improperly interfering with decisions to open field offices and transfer staff. The governor signed a bill that pares the state board from an agency with 4,800 workers to one of 400 employees, shifting the other staff engaged in the collection of sales and excise taxes to a new California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. The elected, five-member Board of Equalization will also give up its role hearing taxpayer appeals to a new Office of Tax Appeals, leaving the board to advocate for taxpayers and continue setting rates for gas taxes and pipeline levies, and making sure counties fairly assess property taxes. Anticipating the governors action, officials had already started work to create a new state department by July 1. Its a short period, acknowledged Marybel Batjer, secretary of the California Government Operations Agency, who is coordinating the changes. The new department will be headed by a director appointed by the governor and requiring state Senate approval. Brown will also appoint a chief deputy and chief counsel. The recruitment is underway for those positions, Batjer said, adding that the transition will continue after July 1, obviously. Not every i will be dotted and t crossed between now and July 1. We will do our mighty best to do the most important things before July 1. Learn more on the history of the state board and whats next. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Jerry Brown approves a $183-billion state budget, though a few details are unfinished By John Myers (Justin Sullivan/Getty) Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed into law a $183.2-billion budget, a spending plan with significant boosts for public schools and a variety of programs to help Californias most needy residents. While the blueprint depends on a series of other related bills that havent reached his desk, Browns action largely ratifies the plan approved by the Legislature and ensures the state will have a budget in place for the new fiscal year that begins Saturday. This budget provides money to repair our roads and bridges, pay down debt, invest in schools, fund the earned income tax credit and provide Medi-Cal health care for millions of Californians, Brown said in a written statement released by his office. The budget boosts total state and local spending on K-12 education and community colleges to $74.5 billion, roughly $11,000 per pupil in the coming school year. It also increases funding for the University of California and Cal State University systems, and provides additional money for preschool and child care programs. Brown and lawmakers agreed to devote a portion of new tobacco tax dollars to higher payments for doctors and dentists that treat patients in Medi-Cal, the states healthcare program for the poor. Divvying up the dollars generated by last falls Proposition 56 was among one of the most contentious issues during spring budget negotiations. The budget sets aside additional money in the states rainy-day reserve fund, growing the contingency account to $8.5 billion. Brown, who rarely uses his line-item veto power in trimming budgets, left entirely intact the plan ratified by the Legislature on June 15. While the governor signed 15 budget-related bills Tuesday, a handful of other related bills have yet to make their way to his desk. Those include a plan to make an extra $6-billion payment to the California Public Employees Retirement System, or CalPERS, borrowing the money from surplus state revenues. The plan was approved by the state Senate on Monday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Jerry Brown says GOP healthcare bill cuts right into the heart of what is already a divided nation By Sarah D. Wire Californias senators, Kamala Harris, left, and Dianne Feinstein. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) One in three California residents are covered by Medicaid, and California is thought to have the most to lose if Republicans gather enough votes to roll back major aspects of the Affordable Care Act. California would see the nations biggest increase in uninsured people by next year and face a $24-billion budget shortfall by 2026 because of reduced Medicaid funding, Californias Democratic senators and Gov. Jerry Brown warned during a call with reporters on Tuesday. The Californians call was just one of dozens of events House and Senate Democrats held Tuesday to try to stir up anger over the bill. Brown called the bill divisive, saying it puts tax cuts for the wealthy above healthcare for the poor. This is such a political bill, he said. This bill will be the most divisive maneuver, cutting right into the heart of what is already a divided nation. The bill would increase the number of people without health coverage by 22 million and push up medical costs for millions of other poor and sick Americans, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. After pledging to pass the bill this week, Senate Republicans abruptly delayed a vote until after the July Fourth recess. A handful of Republicans have announced they are leery of the bill, saying it either goes too far or doesnt go far enough, and the White House is lobbying them to get on board. Every major medical association has come out against the bill, which was written by a small group of senators behind closed doors. Sen. Kamala Harris said the bill is being rushed to the Senate floor without hearings, debate or much time for senators to review it. Its absolutely wrong, it is harmful and it is unconscionable. The bill would restructure our nations entire health care system, she said. Sen. Dianne Feinstein said its not enough to amend the existing GOP bill, and Congress needs to start over instead. She said 10 or 12 Republican senators need to defect so the bill is not revived after a few changes, as a similar bill was in the House. I am optimistic that it is doable to kill it, Feinstein said. Its the most indefensible bill Ive actually seen in 24 years in the Senate. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print National Republicans target California water needs in new ads against House Democrats By Sarah D. Wire The National Republican Congressional Committee is going after five California Democrats for votes on a water issue. The online ads are identical except for one line tailored to target each Democrat: Reps. John Garamendi of Walnut Grove, Ami Bera of Elk Grove, Salud Carbajal of Santa Barbara, Raul Ruiz of Palm Desert and Scott Peters of San Diego. They specifically are about the Democrats voting against a bill to funnel dam permits through a single federal agency in an effort to speed up new water storage projects. Tell Congressman Garamendi to stop letting politics get in the way of our water, one ad says. Sponsored by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove), the bill passed the House last week, with a 233-180 largely partisan vote. Democrats need 24 seats to regain control of the House, and are expected to focus their attention in the midterms on tying Republicans to President Trump. Their list of seats they need to flip includes 9 of the 14 California seats held by Republicans. The ads, which will run online for the next week, could be the first glimpse of an NRCC strategy of trying to keep the focus on local issues in the 2018 election. California Democrats want to help radical environmentalists more than their drought-stricken constituents. If Democrats continue to sit on their hands and let this chance to capture much-needed water float on by, the NRCC will hold them accountable, said spokesman Jack Pandol. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Only a few California counties may use the new state law for sending every voter a ballot in the mail By John Myers A broad effort to close thousands of California neighborhood polling places in favor of absentee ballots and multi-purpose vote centers has yet to find traction beyond a handful of counties. Data collected by Secretary of State Alex Padillas office concludes only two counties have a plan in place to implement the sweeping change in state election law enacted last year. As many as 14 counties can do so in 2018, with Los Angeles County and others able to switch to the system in 2020. Change is hard, said Jill LaVine, registrar of voters in Sacramento County, one of the counties that has already approved adoption of the system to swap polling places for a limited number of vote centers offering several different election services. Meanwhile, leaders in the county that has done the most planning to move toward changing its election system -- Orange County -- have rejected the new law for 2018. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Nurses union uses the image of a California bear stabbed in the back after single-payer bill is blocked Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rep. Grace Napolitano to miss House votes for several weeks while husband receives cancer treatment By Sarah D. Wire Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) will miss House votes while her husband, Frank Napolitano, undergoes chemotherapy and radiation to treat esophageal cancer, her spokesman said. The congresswoman, 80, easily beat out former Democratic state Assemblyman Roger Hernandez of West Covina in the November election. She said in April that she would seek reelection in 2018, and her husbands health does not change her plan to seek an 11th term, spokesman Jerry ODonnell said. Napolitano has missed the last two weeks of House votes, though shes working some from the district, and is expected to remain in California for several more weeks to care for her husband during the treatment, ODonnell said. He did not know for sure how long Napolitano would be gone, but it is possible she might make it back for some votes during the seven-week-long treatment, he said. Napolitano said by phone she will try to return if the House votes again on the GOP health care bill. I intend to be back at work soon, Napolitano said. The House leaves Friday for a one-week break and leaves again at the end of July for the August recess. Napolitano suffered a minor stroke in 2016 that affected her ability to write and slightly slowed her walk. For the record, 8:47 a.m.: An earlier version of this post identified the type of cancer Napolitanos husband has as lung cancer. It is esophageal cancer. 8:47 a.m., June 27: This post has been updated with a quote from Napolitano. 2:45 p.m. This post has been updated to correct how many terms the congresswoman has served. 2:26 p.m. This post has been updated with more details about when Napolitano might return. This post was originally published at 2:06 p.m. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print After a career in the majority, Jimmy Gomez prepares for life in the minority in Washington By Sarah D. Wire (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Congressman-elect Jimmy Gomez has spent his entire political career as a member of the majority party. When hes sworn in as central and northeast Los Angeles newest member of Congress in the coming weeks, hell be the most junior Democrat 194th out of 194 in Congress. Hell have to find a path forward in a Congress dominated by the opposing party. Even if Democrats win back control, hell have hundreds of more senior and just as eager colleagues ahead of him in line. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rep. Maxine Waters focuses on GOP healthcare bill at packed town hall By Andrea Castillo (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) Rep. Maxine Waters, who spoke Saturday at a packed town hall meeting in Gardena, said she worries some Americans will be forced to do what her family did if the Republican healthcare bill passes. Senate Republicans have pledged to pass a bill before the July Fourth holiday. To illustrate why she believes everyone should have access to comprehensive healthcare, the Los Angeles Democrat said she and her 12 siblings never saw a physician or a dentist their entire childhood. I was born at home in St. Louis back in the day when it was hard for minorities to get into hospitals, she said. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print This former Jeff Denham challenger wont run again, but hes launching a committee to elect Democrats By Christine Mai-Duc Two-time congressional challenger Michael Eggman says he wont try for a third campaign against Republican Rep. Jeff Denham (Turlock), but hes hoping to help Democrats running against the him. Eggman, a beekeeper and farmer, announced Monday that hes starting a political action committee to help oust Republicans in seven seats, including Denhams in the Central Valley, which Democrats have targeted for 2018. The committee, Red to Blue California, filed papers with the Federal Election Commission in March but so far hasnt reported raising any money. Andrew Feldman, a spokesman for the PAC, said the group has taken in about $50,000 and its goal is to raise at least $7 million in the 2018 cycle. Eggman will serve as chair of the committee. In a statement, Eggman said that while he lost last year, I learned a heck of a lot on the way. Now as Donald Trump threatens to upend the very fabric of what makes our country great, Im doing my part to join the resistance. In addition to Denhams seat, the committee will target Republican Reps. Steve Knight (Palmdale), David Valadao (Hanford), Ed Royce (Fullerton), Mimi Walters (Irvine), Dana Rohrabacher (Huntington Beach) and Darrell Issa (Vista). All seven were reelected in districts won by Hillary Clinton in the presidential election. The committee also plans to use some of the money to promote down-ballot candidates in each of the districts as a way of building a base of Democratic candidates. Eggman, a beekeeper and farmer who received a rare endorsement from Barack Obama in the Democrats unsuccessful quest to take back the House last year, lost to Denham by 5% in November. Spending in that race topped $14 million. Six Democrats have already filed to run in Denhams 10th Congressional District, including Josh Harder, a venture capital executive whose campaign manager worked for Eggman in 2016. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Politics Podcast: Theres a powerful new ally of those who support a sanctuary state By John Myers Supporters of an ambitious California effort to limit law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities begin the week with a prominent new ally. On this weeks California Politics Podcast, we take a look at the impact of Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck endorsing the sanctuary state bill thats now under consideration in Sacramento. We also discuss the decision by Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) to run for governor, and how his conservative politics could have a big effect on how Republican voters view their choices in 2018. Im joined by Times staff writer Melanie Mason and Marisa Lagos of KQED News. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California wont be passing a single-payer healthcare system any time soon the plan is dead for this year By Melanie Mason View Twitter post A high-profile effort to establish a single-payer healthcare system in California sputtered on Friday when Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) decided to shelve the proposal. Rendon announced late Friday afternoon that the bill, SB 562 by state Sens. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), would not advance to a policy hearing in his house, dampening the measures prospect for swift passage this year. SB 562 was sent to the Assembly woefully incomplete, Rendon said in a statement. Even senators who voted for SB 562 noted there are potentially fatal flaws in the bill, including the fact it does not address many serious issues, such as financing, delivery of care, cost controls, or the realities of needed action by the Trump Administration and voters to make SB 562 a genuine piece of legislation. Rendon took pains to note that his action does not kill the bill entirely because it is the first year of a two-year session, it could be revived next year. But the move is nonetheless a major setback for legislation that has electrified the Democratic partys progressive flank. The California Nurses Assn., the bills sponsors and the states most vocal advocates for single-payer, blasted Rendons decision as cowardly. Acting in secret in the interests of the profiteering insurance companies late Friday afternoon abandons all those people already threatened by Congress and the Trump administration, Deborah Burger, the unions co-president, said in a statement. Burger continued: The people of California are counting on the Legislature to protect them now, not sometime next year, and as polls have shown Californians support this proposal by a wide majority. A solution to this health care emergency could be at hand; Speaker Rendon is standing in opposition. In a joint statement, Lara and Atkins, the measures authors, said they were disappointed the robust debate about healthcare for all that started in the California Senate will not continue in the Assembly this year. This issue is not going away, they added. Gov. Jerry Brown, who had signaled wariness about the proposals costs, said in a statement that Rendon made the case that theres clearly more work to do before anyone is in a position to vote on revamping Californias healthcare system. I recognize the tremendous excitement behind the measure, but basic and fundamental questions remain unanswered, Brown said. Updated at 6:44 p.m.: This article was updated with a comment from Gov. Jerry Brown. Updated at 5:38 p.m.: This article was updated to include comments from the California Nurses Assn. and the measures authors. This article was originally published at 4:38 p.m. Times staff writer Patrick McGreevy contributed to this report. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement California politicians are in Dallas despite new ban on state employees traveling to Texas By Patrick McGreevy Sen. Ricardo Lara (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A day after California banned state employees from going to Texas on official business, a group of politicians from the Golden State was in Dallas on Friday for a major conference. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on Thursday announced he was prohibiting state employees from traveling at state expense to Texas and three other states that he determined have approved laws that discriminate against gay and transgender people. Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), who is openly gay, is among those attending the annual gathering of the National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). A spokesman said he is using his own money, not taxpayer funds. Lara voted for the bill that enacted the travel ban. Lara felt participating in a panel discussion on immigration was important amid debate over Gov. Greg Abbotts signage of a controversial immigration law that bans sanctuary cities for immigrants in the country illegally, spokesman Michael Soller said. Texas just passed one of the nations most anti-immigrant laws with Senate Bill 4, and California went down this road with Proposition 187 more than 20 years ago, Lara said in a statement. With LGBT and immigrant rights under assault across the country, I thought it was important to join other Latino leaders and show Californias example. Like Lara, West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tem John Duran made plans to attend the Dallas convention well before Becerra announced the travel ban, which does not apply to non-state employees. Duran is the national chairman of NALEO and said the conference was scheduled for Dallas three years ago. I dont know about the LGBT laws in Texas or AG Becerras call for a boycott -- I am not only LGBT but also Latino, Duran said in an email, adding he is very angry over Texas SB 4, which requires law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officials in enforcing immigration laws. I am here supporting my elected official colleagues in Texas from Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas who are joining together to sue the state of Texas, Duran said. Being a Californian who worked against Gov. Pete Wilsons Prop 187 -- I have experiences and strategies to share with them. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Texas responds to California LGBT travel ban, saying Golden State firms fleeing over taxation and regulation By Patrick McGreevy A day after California officials said they are banning state workers from traveling to Texas on official business, an aide to Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott returned a verbal volley claiming mistreatment of businesses. On Thursday, California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said Texas and three other states were being put on a list of states that had adopted laws seen by Becerra as discriminatory to the LGBT community and therefore were off-limits for state-sponsored travel. That drew a response Friday from John Wittman, Abbotts press secretary. California may be able to stop their state employees, but they cant stop all the businesses that are fleeing over taxation and regulation and relocating to Texas, Wittman said. Becerra put Texas on the travel-ban list after the governor signed HB 3859 last week. The new law allows foster care agencies to deny adoptions and services to children and parents based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Becerra said the measure allows agencies to discriminate against children in foster care and potentially disqualify LGBT families from the states foster and adoption system. A spokesman for Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin also criticized California officials. It is fascinating that the very same West Coast liberals who rail against the Presidents executive order, that protects our nation from foreign terrorists, have now contrived their own travel ban aimed at punishing states who dont fall in lockstep with their far-left political ideology, said Woody Maglinger, Bevins press secretary. Updated at 1:35 pm to include comment from Woody Maglinger. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rep. Tom McClintocks bill to streamline dam permits passes House largely on party lines By Sarah D. Wire Dam permits would be funneled through a single federal agency in an effort to speed up new water storage projects under a bill that passed the House on Thursday. Sponsored by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove), the 233-180 vote was largely along partisan lines. Reps. Jim Costa (D-Fresno), Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) and six other Democrats joined with Republicans to pass the bill. McClintock said the various local, state and federal agencies that must sign off on new projects dont have to communicate or set deadlines, and often require redundant information from permit applicants, which can make the application process drag on for years and drive up costs. Dam applications can go on endlessly, McClintock said after the vote. A lot of these projects become cost prohibitive. He pointed to a dam project proposed by the town of Foresthill in his district as an example. Conflicting demands from several federal agencies about a plan to install a spillway gate on the dam at the Sugar Pine Reservoir have driven up the cost, he said. The project application is still under review. So a $2-million project that was a heavy lift for a little community, but within reach, becomes an $11-million cost-prohibitive boondoggle, McClintock said. Under the bill, the Bureau of Reclamation would coordinate with other federal agencies on all aspects of a dam application and set deadlines for deciding whether to approve a project. Democrats who voted against the bill said the bureau would be able to set arbitrary deadlines for the at-times lengthy environmental reviews required for water projects, which could undermine reviews required by laws like the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. Fixing the process isnt just about saving some headaches or a few hours of time. This is about making sure millions of people in California and across America have the water they need and deserve, said Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield). Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) has filed similar legislation in the Senate, and McClintock said he is cautiously optimistic it will pass. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Jerry Brown says Senate healthcare bill has same stench as House version Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Travis Allen, a conservative and controversial Orange County lawmaker, jumps into California governors race By Phil Willon Conservative Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) is jumping into Californias 2018 race for governor, a move that could splinter the GOP vote in what promises to be a crowded and competitive race. Travis, elected to the Legislature in 2012, said he decided to run because of the years of wasteful spending and dictatorial policies pushed by Jerry Brown and the Sacramento Democrats. I am running to be the next governor of California to take back our state for the forgotten ordinary citizens of California, who will no longer tolerate the squandering of our incredible natural abundance of people, economy, and resources by limousine liberals beholden to ravenous public sector union bosses and extremist environmentalists, Travis said in a statement announcing his campaign. Outspoken and controversial, Travis has filed a ballot measure to repeal the recently approved gas tax and sponsored legislation requiring voters to show photo ID. Allen has faced criticism for claiming that a new law that barred police from arresting people under 18 for soliciting sex or loitering with intent to commit prostitution was an effort to legalize child prostitution. The purpose of the law was to treat minors as victims of sex trafficking rather than offenders. Allen, 43, worked as a certified financial planner before he ran for the Legislature. His Assembly district includes all or portions of Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and Garden Grove. Allen will face stiff competition from fellow Republican John Cox, a Rancho Santa Fe venture capitalist who already has put $3 million of his own money into his campaign. Former GOP Assemblyman David Hadley of Manhattan Beach also is exploring a run, and former Los Angeles Rams football player Rosey Grier announced plans to jump into the race but thus far has not established an official campaign. The race also has attracted a cadre of Democratic heavyweights, including Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang. Delaine Eastin, a former state legislator and state schools chief, is also running. In California, Democrats hold a 19-percentage point advantage over Republicans in voter registration, a strong head wind against GOP candidates running for statewide office. Because of the large field of Democrats in the race, a Republican could have a good shot of finishing in the top two in the June 2018 primary if they can put together GOP support. But Allens entry into the race could divide Republican voters, reducing the odds of a GOP candidate making it to the November general election. The first- and second-place finishers in the primary advance to the general election regardless of their party. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Coastal panel spawned by 1930s oil scandal now a player in governors race By Michael Finnegan (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) When John Chiang joined the State Lands Commission, it quickly became a platform to showcase his environmental record, starting with his 2007 vote to block construction of a shipping terminal for liquefied natural gas in Ventura County. The commission has served the same purpose for Gavin Newsom, who often uses his seat on the panel to remind Californians that he opposes offshore oil drilling. Now that both Chiang and Newsom are running for governor, they are drawing rare attention to the little-known but powerful State Lands Commission, which oversees 4 million acres of land beneath California waters. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ballot measure to expand L.A. County Board of Supervisors advances By Patrick McGreevy State Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, wants to expand the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from five to seven members. Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press ( Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors would be expanded from five to seven members and an elected chief executive post would be created under a measure recommended Wednesday by a state Senate panel despite opposition from the county. Two members of the countys 2015-16 civil grand jury testified that the group felt the current government is inadequate for a county of more than 10 million residents. They said that if the county was a state, it would be the eighth-largest state in the country based on population. The board is too small to adequately serve the diverse needs of county residents, grand jury member Molly Milligan told the Senate Governance and Finance Committee, before its 5-1 vote to recommend Senate Constitutional Amendment 12. The proposed statewide ballot measure was introduced by Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia). The proposal was opposed by Phyllis Marshall, the chief legislative representative for Los Angeles County, who noted that the proposal would allow voters statewide to decide the governance structure for one county. Voters in other counties do not have sufficient knowledge to vote on a constitutional amendment to change the governing structure of Los Angeles County, Marshall told the panel before the measure was sent to another policy panel on its way to a possible full Senate vote. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Kimberly Ellis blames Democratic Party hacks for losses in Tuesdays congressional races By Phil Willon Kimberly Ellis (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Kimberly Ellis, who has challenged the results of the California Democratic Party leadership election she lost, blamed party establishment hacks who are the worst in the biz for losses in congressional races in Georgia and South Carolina on Tuesday. Ellis, a progressive Bay Area Democrat who tapped into a wellspring of disaffected Bernie Sanders backers, on Tuesday night sent a tweet saying that it was time for a new coalition. That drew a sharp rebuke from veteran Democratic operative Bob Mulholland, who has criticized Ellis for not conceding. Ellis blamed her narrow May loss to Eric Bauman for state Democratic Party chairperson on voting irregularities. Ellis, who lost the race by 62 votes,has called on the party to conduct an independent audit of the election. Bauman rejected that request, saying the party already has a process in place to review contested elections. The partys compliance review commission, made up of six members who were appointed during former chairman John Burtons tenure, is currently reviewing the election. On Friday, Bauman announced that the party hired the law firm of Olson Hagel & Fishburn LLC to oversee, advise and counsel the commission during the inquiry. Let's thank Jon Ossoff, his staff and the thousands of volunteers for their effort. Let's ignore Trump and Kimberly Ellis attacks on Ossoff. Bob Mulholland (@Chico_Bob) June 21, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print These legislators are trying to make sure Jimmy Gomezs replacement in the Assembly is a woman By Christine Mai-Duc As soon as Congressman-elect Jimmy Gomez announced he was running for Congress, his Assembly colleague Cristina Garcia got to work. Garcia, a legislator from Bell Gardens who became chair of the Womens Legislative Caucus in December, called Gomez, other Assembly members, and labor and environmental groups to make it clear: If Gomez won the 34th Congressional District and vacated his Assembly seat, her priority would be electing a woman in his place. With Gomez headed to Washington after his June 6 win, Garcia said its time to put her groups plan into action. Its simple, said Garcia in a recent interview. As long as we dont have parity, were going to fight at every opportunity to try to get another woman in office. Women hold 17 out of 80 seats in the state Assembly and nine of 40 of the state Senate seats. On Wednesday morning, the Democratic arm of the womens legislative caucus announced it was endorsing Wendy Carrillo, a Democrat who ran in the 34th District primary against Gomez, and who is the only woman running to replace him so far. I am impressed by her ongoing activism for environmental justice, womens rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrants and social justice movements that are the bedrocks of a progressive democracy and welcome the tenacity she will bring to further promote these issues in the state Legislature with a womans perspective, Garcia said in a statement. Eight other candidates have filed to run for or have announced campaigns for Gomezs 51st Assembly District. The election date and its accompanying filing deadlines have not yet been set, mainly because Gomez has not stepped down, so another woman could still jump in. But Garcia is hoping her caucus announcement will head that off. If the 34th Congressional District race is going to teach us any lessons, its that we dont have the luxury of having multiple women split the field, Garcia said. More than a dozen women ran in the crowded primary to replace Xavier Becerra in the central Los Angeles District. None of them won more than 10% of the vote. So Garcia and her colleagues havent just been talking about their mission; theyve been trying to shape the field of candidates, too. Garcia said she reached out to former 34th District hopefuls to gauge their interest, solicited names of potential female candidates from interest groups, and had conversations with half a dozen women who were considering jumping in. Garcia said she didnt discourage any women, but was up front with them about the challenges each might face. Shes also encouraged women who expressed interest to work it out among themselves in hopes that they could unite behind one female candidate. Its a somewhat new tactic for the womens caucus, which has struggled to unite on political endorsements in the past and is hoping to flex more muscle in Sacramento. We are being more strategic now, Garcia said. It cant just be like, I like you and you have a great heart. Thats not good enough. You have to put in the work and be able to build a coalition and win. Carrillo said it was unfortunate that none of the women in the 34th District race made it past the primary. But, she added: Men dont get asked the question of whether theyre worried about splitting the vote. The outcome in the congressional primary, Carrillo said, had more to do with a lack of money flowing to many of the womens campaigns, something she hopes to remedy. Ive learned a lot ... [about] just what it takes to build coalitions and how best to move forward in terms of having a strategy to win, Carrillo said. Ultimately, the voters are going to decide based on issues, Carrillo said. I think that I bring a very unique perspective, having grown up in the district, in terms of advocating for labor and for education and for healthcare and all the issues that residents care for. ------------ FOR THE RECORD June 21, 2:53 p.m.: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Cristina Garcia became chair of the Womens Legislative Caucus in January. She took over the position in December. ------------ Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Prompted by San Bernardino shooting, House passes bill to require reports to Congress after terrorist attacks By Sarah D. Wire Evacuated workers pray on the fairway of the San Bernardino Golf Club shortly after the 2015 mass shooting at the nearby Inland Regional Center. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Intelligence agencies would have to make recommendations to Congress on how to stop the next domestic terrorist attack under a bill inspired by the 2015 San Bernardino shooting. The bill, which passed the House on Tuesday without opposition, requires the Homeland Security secretary to submit a report to Congress within one year of a terrorist attack in the U.S. The report, which would be unclassified, must include details of what happened and recommendations for laws or policies that can be changed to prevent a similar attack. It would also include input from the attorney general, FBI director and the head of the National Counterterrorism Center. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands), who represents San Bernardino, filed the bill about a year after the Dec. 2, 2015, shooting in which 14 people were killed and 22 were wounded by a married couple at the Inland Regional Center. Aguilar told The Times that individual members of Congress shouldnt have to press agencies for details about what happened after an attack. By nature every terrorist event is unique, and so we need something to prod the agencies to tell us why its unique and what we can do better, Aguilar said. There is no current requirement for the agencies to submit a report to Congress after a terrorist event. We think that it makes sense to do that and that it will help us learn from these events and become smarter about it. After the San Bernardino attack, the Justice Department worked with the Police Foundation, a Washington-based research group, to create a report, but it was aimed at training law enforcement on responding to an attack. We think there are more lessons to be learned, but that only happens when those agencies work with Congress on what we can change, Aguilar said. The bipartisan bill was backed by nine other Californians: Reps. Ken Calvert (R-Corona), Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley), Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro), David Valadao (R-Hanford), Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), Steve Knight (R-Palmdale), Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine). Aguilar said he is still working to line up a sponsor for the bill in the Senate. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New super PAC targets seven California Republicans By Phil Willon Former Northern California Rep. Ellen Tauscher has launched a new super PAC targeting seven vulnerable Republicans in the states congressional delegation, hoping to aid the Democratic effort to win control of the House of Representatives in 2018. Each Republican represents a district that backed Hillary Clinton in the November election. On the Fight Back California PACs list are Reps. Jeff Denham of Turlock; David Valadao of Hanford; Steve Knight of Palmdale; Ed Royce of Fullerton; Mimi Walters of Irvine; Dana Rohrabacher of Huntington Beach and Darrell Issa of Vista. Of those, the former congresswoman served with Issa, Royce and Rohrabacher. This isnt personal, Tauscher said. But the fact is that Im a Californian, and they dont vote in the interest of my state. Tauscher represented Northern Californias 10th Congressional District for 14 years before becoming undersecretary of State during the Obama administration in 2009. Katie Merrill, the PACs political strategist, said the campaign will target the Republicans records on issues that directly affect voters in the district, such as the GOPs efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. We intend to soften the ground. So when the Democratic nominee emerges ... they are facing a significantly weakened incumbent, Merrill said. Updated at 4:02 p.m.: This story was updated to include a comment from Tauscher. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Overhaul of Californias state tax board plagued by confusion, members say By Patrick McGreevy Board of Equalization Chairwoman Diane Harkey says there is confusion around the reorganization of the board. (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times) State tax board members on Tuesday said there remain a lot of unanswered questions about how their agency will transfer many of its duties to two new offices, a reorganization approved last week by the state Legislature in response to problems with the panel. About 4,400 of the state Board of Equalizations 4,800 employees will be transferred to a new California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, which will take over collection of sales and excise taxes, and an office of administrative law judges who will take over taxpayer appeals. The change was outlined by the boards executive director, David Gau, at a meeting with the panel Tuesday. I dont think anything is easy, Board Chairwoman Diane Harkey said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. I think its going to be expensive. There is a lot of confusion. Board member George Runner said there are questions about whether he can continue to hold educational events for taxpayers, while board member Jerome Horton said he wants to know whether he can continue to advocate for taxpayers. There are still some issues they need to work out, Horton said. Harkey said new bills will have to be approved with clarifying language on some issues. For instance, the newly approved legislation takes away the boards power to hear appeals after July 1 even though lawmakers want the board to continue handling the hearings until the new administrative law judges are operating Jan. 1. In addition, the board employs civil service workers who are trained for jobs that will no longer exist with the board, she said, adding that the new department is supposed to begin operating July 1. This is all still in flux. Its a huge step to take in a couple of weeks, Harkey said. Marybel Batjer, secretary of the California Government Operations Agency, has addressed the board employees, assuring them that they will be able to shift to jobs in the new department. She told The Times on Tuesday that planning has already begun for the new department, including the early stages of recruitment of its administrative staff. Meanwhile, board representatives, including Harkey, confirmed that investigators from the state attorney generals office have begun interviewing agency employees after Gov. Jerry Brown called for a probe into whether staff and resources were mishandled by the agency. Were just hearing that they are around, Harkey said of investigators. I think it scares everybody. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Californias Clean Air Act waiver should be yanked, Trumps former environmental advisor says By Chris Megerian (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The head of President Trumps Environmental Protection Agency may not be prepared to battle California over air regulations, but the man who led Trumps transition team for the department is ready. Myron Ebell, who works at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington and helped devise Trumps environmental agenda, said California should not be allowed to set its own standards for greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle tailpipes. The state has that authority under a Clean Air Act waiver granted by President Obama, one of dozens that have been issued over the years. The waiver has to go, in my view, Ebell told journalists on Monday at a training program organized by the National Press Foundation. The problem, he said, is that the California regulations are a backdoor attempt to regulate fuel economy, a power thats reserved for the federal government. California said it would push forward on greenhouse gas rules earlier this year even though the Trump administration has opened the door to rolling them back on the federal level. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had previously suggested that the Trump administration could try to revoke Californias waiver, but during a recent Capitol Hill hearing he said it wasnt currently under review. Ebell has denied mainstream science on global warming. But apart from the waiver he wants to see revoked, he told journalists that he didnt have a problem with California trying to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions. I believe in competitive federalism, he said. The only problem, Ebell said, is whether Gov. Jerry Brown tries to conduct his own foreign policy and sign international treaties. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print A new audit says some California agencies sidestepped competitive bidding rules on contracts By Patrick McGreevy Two California agencies in charge of high-tech projects failed to provide proper oversight for billions of dollars in contracts awarded without competitive bidding, according to a state audit released Tuesday. State law requires the Department of General Services and the California Department of Technology (CDT) to use the competitive bidding process whenever possible to ensure fair competition and eliminate favoritism, fraud, and corruption, State Auditor Elaine Howle wrote in a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown. The investigation examined a sample of those contracts and found nine noncompetitive requests valued at almost $1 billion that agencies likely could have avoided had they engaged in sufficient planning, Howle wrote. The auditors cited approval of a request by the California High-Speed Rail Authority for a $3-million noncompetitive contract amendment to provide financial consulting services. The proposal was submitted 17 days before the existing contract was set to expire. When justifying its noncompetitive request, High-Speed Rail stated that the financial consulting services were critical to its mission and that the vendors skills were specialized and not widely available. However, it did not provide a valid reason why this vendor alone could meet the states needs, as financial consulting services are not unique, the audit found. In all, auditors estimated that the state awarded at least $44 billion in noncompetitive contracts of more than $1 million each during the five fiscal years ending June 30, 2016. The two agencies have the power to enforce contract rules but they rarely employed them, allowing agencies to continue inappropriately using noncompetitive requests, the audit concluded. State workers also allegedly wrote reports in ways that misled about which projects were competitively bid. In one case, a $3-million contract was identified as competitively bid, to which an additional $31 million in noncompetitive contracts was added through nine amendments. Amy Tong, director of the California Deptartment of Technology, agreed with the auditors recommendations, saying the agency believes that the recommendations will strengthen CDTs oversight of information technology and telecommunication procurements, especially those acquired through the noncompetitive request process. Daniel C. Kim, director of the Department of General Services, also agreed to improve the process, writing to auditors that his agency will take appropriate action to address the issues presented in the report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer has a big decision to make By Phil Willon Tom Steyer at a Los Angeles high school in 2014. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) For months, billionaire Democratic donor and environmental activist Tom Steyer has been acting like a candidate running for governor hobnobbing with Democratic loyalists, putting out a position paper on income inequality and continuing his aggressive efforts to combat climate change. Steyer says hes still considering jumping into the race. But he may have another target on his radar. Steyer has starting mounting his own challenge to President Trump, going so far as to call for impeachment and use his nonprofit, NextGen Climate, to encourage citizens to lobby their congressional representatives for it. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Lobbying firm fined $4,000 for violating gift limit buying dinner for former state Sen. Ronald Calderon By Patrick McGreevy Ron Calderon, shown in while still in the senate in 2014, was treated to a dinner by a lobbying firm that violated a gift limit. ( (Rich Pedroncelli / AP)) Mercury Public Affairs has agreed to pay $4,000 in fines to Californias ethics watchdog agency for violating the $10 gift limit on lobbying firms when it provided dinners worth $200 to former state Sen. Ronald Calderon and his wife. In October, Calderon was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty in a public corruption case unrelated to the Mercury dinner. The fines proposed against Mercury by the enforcement staff of the state Fair Political Practices Commission stem from violating the $10 gift limit and failing to report that Calderons wife also received a dinner, according to the investigative report. Calderon and his wife attended an April 2013 dinner paid for by Mercury at Mastros in Beverly Hills. Also present was former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, a non-lobbyist partner of Mercury, and four other unidentified people. The violation of the state Political Reform Act was found by a random audit by the state Franchise Tax Board. Mercurys $200 gift to Sen. Calderon, while not extravagant, significantly exceeded the gift limit, the investigative report said. A central purpose of the act is to prevent improper influence by lobbyists and the acts strict gift limit on lobbying firms is intended to effectuate that purpose. The commission will vote on the fines on June 29. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California bill aims to revive broadband privacy rules that were killed by Trump and Congress By Melanie Mason A woman works on her laptop in the Rose Main Reading Room of the New York Public Library. ( Mark Lennihan / Associated Press) Several months ago, President Trump signed into law a repeal of sweeping privacy regulations limiting what broadband providers can do with customer data. Now, an Assembly Democrat is trying to resuscitate those rules for Californians. Assemblyman Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) unveiled a measure on Monday that would largely enshrine the sputtered federal regulations into California state law. The bill would require Internet service providers, such as Verizon, Comcast and AT&T, to get permission from customers before using, selling or permitting access to data about their browsing history. Such restrictions were crafted by the Federal Communications Commission under the Obama administration. But the FCC under Trump sought to roll back those rules before they went into effect. Congress approved the repeal in March, and the president signed it. Congress and the administration went against the will of the vast majority of Americans when they revoked the FCC rules, Chau said at a news conference, adding that with his measure, AB 375, California is goi Durbin is a ranking member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and therefore has a say in how the U.S. spends its defense budget. The peevish outburst came after Moon pledged to have the National Assembly reexamine the process of the THAAD deployment, which was rushed through by the previous administration. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on Wednesday warned President Moon Jae-in that Washington could divert the money for the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery that has been stationed here somewhere else. "I basically said to him two things," Durbin told the Yonhap news agency. "We face tough budget times in Washington. We are cutting a lot of programs. And if South Korea does not want the THAAD missile system, it is US$923 million that we can spend some other place." "I believe that if I lived in South Korea, I would want as many missile defense systems as possible to protect against the hundreds of ballistic missiles which North Korea could rain on the South should war begin," he added. "I don't understand why that feeling does not dominate this conversation. I think national security and defense should dominate." Cheong Wa Dae made no mention of this during a press briefing the previous day. Durbin added, "I said several times that protecting U.S. forces in Korea is important to me. It should be important to people of South Korea. These U.S. forces -- 28,500 -- are risking their lives for the safety of South Korea and they should be protected as should all of the people in Korea." But Durbin is the Democratic whip, and his party has been completely routed in both houses of the U.S. Congress, so it is unclear how much sway his opinions hold. Trump administration lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to decide a major constitutional question on the presidents power to ban foreign travelers, but their late Thursday appeal came with a puzzling request. In a 356-page appeal petition, the lawyers asked the justices to review this fall a lower courts ruling that President Trumps order banning some travelers from six majority-Muslim countries reflects unconstitutional discrimination on religious grounds. The president has broad authority to suspend the entry of foreigners, they said. At the same time, in a separate brief the lawyers urged the high court to issue an emergency ruling that immediately revives Trumps travel order, which, they said, places a temporary 90-day pause on new entrants from the six nations. Advertisement Legal experts have been quick to point out an obvious problem. If the justices agree later this month to hear the case in the fall, and they allow Trumps order to take effect, the 90-day pause would run out before October, when arguments could be scheduled. The case would be moot before it could be heard. Marty Lederman, a Georgetown University law professor, noted a more immediate problem. Trumps order, which was revised from his original version that was blocked by lower courts, took effect on March 16, to run for 90 days from the effective date of this order. Since no judge has blocked that part of order, Lederman said, it runs out in mid-June. As far as I can tell, nowhere in its briefs does the government disclose that all of this urgent briefing and pleas for expedition is rather beside the point, because by its own terms, the entry ban expires less than two weeks from now, he wrote on the Take Care blog, a legal website focused on issues of executive power. The administrations lawyers contended that the 90-day time limit was put on hold when the other parts of the executive order were blocked. But that issue has not been clearly resolved. The timing issue complicates what would already be a difficult decision for the nine justices. Usually, the major clashes involving a presidents assertion of power take several years to develop. It was in the fourth year of President George W. Bushs term, for example, when the justices challenged his go-it-alone approach to the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. And it was in the fourth year of President Obamas term when the court took up the constitutional challenge to his healthcare law. But Trump suffered a broad defeat for his first travel order in just his second week in office. Since then, the travel order, though revised, has been suspended nationwide by federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland. Last week, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Maryland judges order that prevented Trumps ban from being enforced. In the administrations appeal to the high court, acting Solicitor Gen. Jeffrey B. Wall argued that the constitutional conflict over the presidents authority had taken on greater importance than the details of the travel policy. This order has been the subject of passionate political debate, he said. But whatever ones views, the precedent set by this case for the judiciarys proper role in reviewing the Presidents national-security and immigration authority will transcend this debate, this order and this constitutional moment. Precisely in cases that spark such intense feelings, it is all the more critical to adhere to foundational legal rules. It takes the votes of only four of the nine justices to grant review of a case, and the court typically agrees to hear major appeals from the Justice Department. The arrival of new Justice Neil M. Gorsuch is expected to bolster the administrations position. However, it would take five votes to issue a ruling or to grant the request to put Trumps temporary order into effect. And Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, who are likely to be the deciding votes, may not be inclined to put Trumps order into effect. In this case, now called Trump vs. International Refugee Assistance Project, the justices need to weigh the matter and decide what to do by the end of this month. On Friday, they asked for a formal response by June 12 from the American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the Muslim plaintiffs in the Maryland case. There is no reason to disturb the 4th Circuits ruling, Omar Jadwat, the ACLU attorney, said in a statement issued Thursday night. It enforces a fundamental principle that protects all of us from government condemnation of our religious beliefs. Josh Blackman, a law professor at the South Texas College of Law in Houston and a frequent legal blogger, predicts the court will agree to hear the case but refuse to lift the orders blocking the travel ban. I dont think there would be five votes to lift the stay and allow the travel order to take effect, he said. But the administration has a strong argument that there are significant executive power issues at stake, Blackman said. But, he added, much may turn on how the justices view the developments of the last few months. We dont know whether they see Trump as an existential threat or [believe] the lower courts are out of line, he said. david.savage@latimes.com On Twitter: DavidGSavage ALSO U.S. Supreme Court makes it harder to sue police for barging into homes Supreme Court finds the GOP packed black voters into two North Carolina districts to help win more House seats Trump administration asks Supreme Court to reject 2nd Amendment claim by men who lost gun rights over nonviolent crimes In deciding to pull out of the global climate change accord, President Trump seems to be calculating that he can win the White House the same way twice. His lengthy and disputed economic and foreign policy explanations on Thursday for ceding U.S. leadership on the issue were cast in terms that aimed to please his 2016 voters, those who were older, whiter and more rural than the nation as a whole. Their shared America leans toward defiant and aggrieved, yearning for the way things used to be, and seeing a future threatened by opponents domestic and foreign. The presidents climate change decision was greeted with applause in his strongholds in places such as western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, whose economies have long been dependent on fossil fuels, primarily coal, that would be restricted by the Paris agreements terms for reducing emissions. Advertisement Yet Trumps base is not a growing slice of the electorate. And his action likely further alienated younger, suburban and more educated voters among whom his support was weakest a matter of increasingly open concern for many Republicans. Indeed, the climate issue, although not a top one for most voters, is seen by both parties as a way to rally their core supporters. That and the extended timeline for withdrawal from the agreement virtually guarantees the issue will be fought over in the next presidential contest. By all signs, Trump voters unlikely connection with a self-proclaimed billionaire from Manhattan has been emotional and, so far, lasting. Still, anticipating a second victory in 2020 via the same electoral path is risky, even if not impossible. Trump won the presidency with only 46% of the vote, but that minority share was clustered in all the right places, giving him once-Democratic states such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Florida for an electoral college majority. As his hypothetical campaign positions become ever more real, however, Trumps challenge is maintaining those voters and adding to them. Already he faces a threat of political fallout from the healthcare plan he is championing. As a candidate, Trump promised to replace Obamacare with coverage that was better, cheaper, and available to all regardless of income. But the House Republican healthcare plan he backs would drive more than 20 million Americans off the insurance rolls and hike costs for many others, according to the independent Congressional Budget Office. It found that the most vulnerable would be older and poorer Americans, including many who sided with Trump. Thursdays move could add to the political challenges, making Trump vulnerable particularly in states such as Florida, where residents already are feeling the effects of climate change as rising sea levels cause flooding. Trump may have been keeping a campaign promise by pulling out of the agreement, but he also effectively took on responsibility for such negative outcomes from what he has called a hoax. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a Republican representing Key West and the southern end of Floridas peninsula, issued a warning Thursday about Trumps decision: Down here in south Florida, we understand that the environment and the economy are one and the same. Any reelection campaign will be a referendum on Trump himself. But so far, he has seemed to disregard the narrowness of his path to the presidency the first time, or the odds that he would be as lucky in drawing a flawed opponent next time. Trump last year highlighted some moderate positions that seemed to open the possibility of attracting a broader range of voters, including support for a massive infrastructure program and a defense of some of Planned Parenthoods work. But as president, he has hewed to the sharply conservative views of his loyalists. His continued allegiance to them was evident in a closing line in his climate change speech intended as a paean to the old industrial titans of the Midwest and Northeast. It is time to put Youngstown, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania along with many, many other locations within our great country before Paris, France, Trump said, in what was his second shout-out to Pittsburgh in a few minutes time. Strictly speaking, the line represented a sleight of hand. The climate deal was reached in Paris allowing Trump to play to the recurring disdain among conservatives for the perceived elitism of France and, more broadly, to anti-globalism but it was joined by every nation except Syria and Nicaragua. And the cities that Trump mentioned werent ones that he did particularly well in. He was swamped by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in Pittsburgh and Detroit, and lost more narrowly in Youngstown. But as a metaphor for his campaign approach to troubled areas of the country, the line reflected what worked well for Trump in 2016 and helped to secure his hold on his voters. Indeed, Thursdays speech thrummed with campaign themes. If his inaugural address in January blamed domestic elites for carnage in America, Thursdays remarks represented the international parallel, in which Trump described a world in which foreigners laughed at America and threatened the country with lost jobs, closed factories, billions in spending and higher energy costs. They dont put America first. I do, and I always will, he said. Twice he expressed his love for American workers. The same elites who castigated Trump last year Democrats, establishment Republicans and intellectuals, and some business leaders quickly criticized his decision, no doubt only tightening support among his loyalists. There was, however, a subtle signal of concern. Trump made a point of saying that one by one, we are keeping the promises I made to the American people during my campaign for president. Perhaps to buttress his supporters, Trump made another promise to them on Thursday. Believe me, weve just begun, he said. The fruits of our labor will be seen very shortly, even more so. cathleen.decker@latimes.com Twitter: @cathleendecker ALSO: Trump quits the Paris climate accord, denouncing it as a violation of U.S. sovereignty In President Trumps wake, divisions mark both Democratic and Republican parties The latest from Washington Updates on California politics In early April and after weeks of pressure from Democrats , House Select Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes announced he would step away from leading his committees investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. After a series of missteps that included a secret visit to the White House to view classified documents, House Democrats had been calling on the Tulare Republican to recuse himself from the investigation. Most people including the Democrats assumed his announcement meant he would stay away from anything Russia-related. But Nunes actions over the last month have Democrats complaining he is violating the spirit of his promise to step aside from leading the investigation. Heres what Nunes actually promised and how its affecting the House Russia inquiry: What does recuse actually mean? Its defined broadly as removing oneself from participation to avoid a conflict of interest. Did Nunes really recuse himself? No. But expect to hear Democrats keep using the word. What did Nunes say he would do? This is what he said on April 6 right before the House Ethics Committee announced it was investigating whether Nunes broke House rules by revealing classified information in conversations with the media about the Russia investigation. Mind the phrasing: I believe it is in the best interests of the House Intelligence Committee and the Congress for me to have Representative Mike Conaway, with assistance from Representatives Trey Gowdy and Tom Rooney, temporarily take charge of the Committees Russia investigation while the House Ethics Committee looks into this matter, his statement said. I will continue to fulfill all my other responsibilities as Committee Chairman, and I am requesting to speak to the Ethics Committee at the earliest possible opportunity in order to expedite the dismissal of these false claims. Nunes never used the word recuse or outlined what stepping aside meant. Then, he mostly stayed out of the public eye until the last few weeks. Why are we talking about Nunes non-recusal now? Because a couple of weeks ago, CNN reported Nunes went to CIA headquarters to review intelligence documents related to Russia. Democrats started complaining that he was still too involved. In an interview with Fox News a few days later, Nunes said he was still handling the portion of the committee's investigation related to whether Obama officials inappropriately requested the unmasking of the names of Trump campaign officials in intelligence documents. Unmasking is the term for revealing the names of U.S. citizens in intelligence reports who were swept up as part of surveillance of foreign officials. Their names remain secret until top officials request them. Simply put, Im still the chairman of the committee, Nunes said. The way to look into this is that Im still read into everything, but ... I was going to set at least the Russia side of the investigation aside because I didn't want to be the face of this investigation. But everything else, Im still in charge of. Especially the unmasking. The unmasking of the names of Trump transition officials in intercepted communications was the topic Nunes said he was looking into during one of his White House visits. The communications, he said at the time, had nothing to do with Russia. House Intelligence Committee chairman speaks out on "Special Report" Then the Intelligence Committee on Wednesday issued subpoenas for former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and President Trump's longtime attorney Michael Cohen. Nunes also issued three subpoenas to intelligence agencies for documents about former Obama administration officials who authorized the earlier unmasking, apparently without committee Democrats signing off on the subpoenas. As committee chairman, Nunes signed off on them all. What are Democrats saying about Nunes latest moves? The subpoenas spurred more grumbling from Democrats. The ranking Democrat on the committee, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), told MSNBC on Thursday that the committee's rules state the chairman has to sign subpoenas unless he delegates the authority to someone else. That authority should have been delegated to Mike Conaway in consultation with myself. That hasnt happened yet, and I think thats a violation of the recusal by the chairman, Schiff said of his fellow Californian. Nunes hasnt fully honored his commitment not to be involved in the investigation, Schiff said. Schiff added that if House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) wants to allow this kind of thing to go on ... that is really up to him, and I think he will ultimately be held accountable for how this is conducted. Is Ryan really the last word? The speaker has authority over committee chairmen, and Ryan has backed Nunes previously. He was reluctant to bow to Democrats initial demands for Nunes to step aside, and when Nunes said he would do so, Ryan issued a statement saying Nunes continued to have his trust. Ryan hasnt commented on Schiffs latest challenge or on whether Nunes should be involved in the investigation at all. What is Nunes saying? He hasnt expanded much on his comment to Fox News that the unmasking investigation isnt off limits for him. On Thursday, as more complaints from his Democratic colleagues rolled in, he let his Twitter feed do the talking: Seeing a lot of fake news from media elites and others who have no interest in violations of Americans' civil liberties via unmaskings. How is this affecting the House investigation? The investigation had largely gotten back on track since Nunes stepped aside. The Intelligence Committee held a second public hearing, and Schiff and Conaway seem to be working well together. The committees last major move was issuing the subpoenas to Flynn and Cohen. But the grumbling about Nunes intervention has again put into question the committee's ability to come to a bipartisan conclusion about the methods the Russian government used to try to influence the outcome of the election and whether anyone in Trumps campaign helped Russia. In the past, Schiff has threatened to walk away from the investigation if he thinks the committees work has become too partisan for the public to have faith in its conclusions. ALSO Michael Flynn and Trump's personal lawyer among seven subpoenaed in Russia investigation The Russia investigation thrust Devin Nunes into the spotlight. Now that he's the one under scrutiny, what has he been up to? Everything we know so far about Trump and the Russia investigation 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 The Burbank Police Department is warning businesses to be on the lookout for fake bomb threats after several local businesses were targeted by the hoax in recent weeks. Businesses targeted by the bogus threats have received emails and faxes warning them that explosives had been placed around the building and would detonate if they dont pay a $25,000 ransom, said Sgt. Derek Green, a spokesman for the Burbank Police Department, who added that the threats are part of a larger, nationwide scam. Its really affecting quite a few businesses and things back East, he said. As far as we know here in Burbank there hasnt been any monetary loss. Green said its unknown where the threats are coming from, but they have all mentioned sending the ransom to a Brazilian citizen. However, he said it does not mean that Brazil is the source of the threats. There does not seem to be any connection among the businesses, and police think the threats are sent out randomly and en masse, according to Green. We do know [that locally] at least an aircraft parts manufacturer was targeted and a video production company was another, he said. Theres not any one type [of business] thats been targeted. While there is no evidence that the threats are credible, Green said residents and businesses should remain vigilant and wary of receiving messages from strangers asking to send money. Anyone who has received similar threats is encouraged to contact Burbank police at (818) 238-3000. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc For this weeks column, we break from our regularly scheduled program of well-fleshed-out individual topics to reach into my grab bag of language issues popping up in my little corner of the grammar universe. Here are some terms that have been on my mind. Adviser. Have you been seeing this word a lot lately? If so, have you wondered why its not advisor? If you think the E spelling looks weird, youre not alone. And if you used to think the E spelling looked weird but find it more normal looking with each passing day, youre not alone in that, either. For years, Ive been waiting for the E spelling to fade into memory so the O spelling could take its place in news media. But with each new headline mentioning an adviser, the spelling looks more normal to me. The Associated Press Stylebook is advisers most powerful advocate. This style, followed by many news outlets, is a longtime advocate of the E spelling. But AP isnt everything. Many news organizations, including the Los Angeles Times, say to spell it advisor. Whos right? They all are. Dictionaries allow both spellings, and theres no clear consensus among them on which is better. Jibe. That story doesnt jibe with what he said last week. Confession time: Ive altogether given up using jibe and gibe. Ive researched the difference multiple times. Ive even written about these terms. But I dont use them much. So I forget. Then, when I need to discuss how one thing doesnt make sense in relation to another, I find it quicker to recast the sentence than to look up the correct usage. Time to try once more to commit them to memory. Setting aside the question of whether the words meanings overlap (they do), heres the traditional distinction editors like to observe. The verb that means to agree starts with a J. The verb that means to taunt starts with a G. So you would say, That idea doesnt jibe with my plans. Or you could say, The children gibed at the new kid on the playground. If that sounds a little odd, its probably because youre more accustomed to seeing gibe as a noun: Their gibes were cruel. Its a different form of the same word. The dictionary also allows you to spell this one with a J. But I dont recommend it. Whatever you do, dont write, That story doesnt jive with what he said last week. Thats a bridge too funky. Capital letter after a colon. If the stuff thats introduced by a colon is not a complete sentence, start with a lowercase letter: like this. Thats the easy part. But when the words that come after a colon constitute a complete sentence, youre faced with a dilemma. Do you want to emulate news media? Then follow the Associated Press style of capitalizing the first letter after a colon anytime it begins a complete sentence. Would you rather follow in the footsteps of book and magazine publishers? Then go with the Chicago Manual of Style, which says to capitalize the first letter after a colon only if the colon introduces two or more complete sentences. Phrasal-prepositional verbs. Finally, heres a term I just learned. Do you know about phrasal verbs, which are so called because they have two words that together mean something different than the verb would alone? For example, to give up means something very different than to give. Thats why to give up is a phrasal verb. But some verb combos have a third word thrown in a preposition: get away with, put up with, face up to, live up to. The term for these, I just learned, is phrasal-prepositional verb. I doubt Ill remember that tomorrow. But it was fun to learn about today. JUNE CASAGRANDE is the author of The Best Punctuation Book, Period. She can be reached at JuneTCN@aol.com. At Mayor Katrina Foleys behest, Costa Mesa City Council members will review a request Tuesday to split an Eastside property to accommodate construction of two new two-story houses. The city Planning Commission reviewed the project May 8 and approved it on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Carla Navarro Woods opposed. A week later, Foley asked the council to take up the matter. Significant neighborhood concerns have caused me to seek council review and consideration of whether there are compatibility issues that can be resolved, she wrote in her review application. The project involves subdividing the 7,006-square-foot parcel at 1933 Church St. currently home to one single-story unit into two lots, with a two-story, three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bathroom house on each. Both new homes would have attached two-car garages and feature a modern architectural style utilizing a variety of materials, including wood siding, concrete block veneer, smooth stucco finish, aluminum-clad windows and exposed wood beams, according to a city staff report. During the Planning Commission hearing, some speakers said they didnt think the projects architectural style fits the surrounding neighborhood. For me, it just didnt blend at all, Navarro Woods said at the time. It sticks out like a sore thumb. If you look at all the other homes, even the duplexes, theyre all single-story duplexes theyve got that California cottage look to them. Commission Chairman Stephan Andranian said varied architectural styles are typical of the Eastside. He also pointed out that the property in question butts up against commercial establishments, including along Newport Boulevard. As a private property owner, if youre not allowed to design the look of your home in Eastside Costa Mesa right next to commercial property I dont really know where youd be able to design your own home, he said. The project falls under the citys small-lot ordinance, which eases development standards for proposed housing projects of 15 or fewer detached homes in areas zoned for multifamily units. The ordinance has been controversial since its adoption in 2014, with critics saying it permits excess development that can lead to additional traffic, noise and other quality-of-life issues. Supporters say it encourages redevelopment and creation of additional housing on underutilized land. During the May 16 City Council meeting, Foley said she thinks the council and Planning Commission should hold a joint study session at some point to take another look at the ordinance. Tuesdays council meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter @LukeMMoney San Clementes craft beer scene is booming these days. The city boasts four microbreweries three in close proximity featuring a rotating lineup of beer styles that appeal to most palettes. Left Coast Brewing Company, in the Talega Business Park, opened its tap room in February 2013 adjacent to its brewing facility. Visitors can sample from 15 beers on tap in 5, 10 or 16-ounce pours. Left Coast also sells 32 and 64-ounce refillable glass growlers to go, and offers select varieties in 12 and 16-ounce cans. Cans have enjoyed a resurgence among craft brewers seeking fresher methods of storing and presenting beers. Left Coast general manager Tommy Hadjis marveled at the evolution of San Clementes beer scene. I never thought we would have four breweries in the little surf town of San Clemente, Hadjis said. Now that it is a reality, we are loving every minute of it. The locals have been very supportive. Just down the street in Rancho San Clemente Business Park, Artifex Brewing Company welcomes visitors to its 2-year-old tap room. Beer geeks can sip brews like Trigger Finger IPA and Bog Trotter Irish Red Ale next to brewing kettles and the occasional sack of grain for a true small brewery experience. The brewerys patio has become a popular post-work hangout for employees of nearby businesses and the tasting room recently expanded its weekday hours. Visitors to Artifex can sample from up to 12 beers in 5, 10 and 16-ounce servings. Artifex sells 64-ounce growlers to go, as well as 32-ounce crowlers oversized cans that are filled and sealed while you wait. The latest brewery is Lost Winds Brewing Company, which opened in 2016. The brewery emphasizes Belgian-style ales, but also offers a solid lineup of IPAs and Pale Ales. The two-level tasting room features lots of seating and quickly builds to a celebratory ambience as groups gather for birthdays and other occasions. In downtown San Clemente, the longtime favorite and elder statesman of the citys breweries, Pizza Port, has supplied thirsty locals with about two dozen beers brewed in-house and a selection of guest beers since 2003. Left Coast and Artifex offer light snacks such as pretzels or chips and salsa for guests to enjoy with their beers and Artifex and Lost Winds feature food trucks or visiting caterers around the weekend. Left Coast patrons also enjoy discounts for Z Pizza delivered to the tasting room. Hadjis added: San Clemente is turning into a craft beer destination and I am proud to be representing with my fellow San Clemente breweries. Left Coast Brewing Company is at 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente; Artifex Brewing Company is at 919 Calle Amanecer, San Clemente; Lost Winds Brewing Company is at 924 Calle Negocio, Suite C, San Clemente; and Pizza Port is at 301 North El Camino Real, San Clemente. STEVE R. JOYCE is a contributor to Times Community News. Benedict Arnold, the name that has come to mean traitor, was one of the great heroes of the American Revolutionary War. Had he died earlier, he would be remembered today as a great American hero. Instead, he made a series of treacherous decisions that catapulted his name into history as the worst sort of person a traitor to George Washington and to his country. When the American Revolutionary War against Great Britain began in 1775, Arnold helped capture Fort Ticonderoga. This was important because it delayed the British offense against the colonials in New York. His foresight in heading to this strategic fort without delay and winning a victory was rewarded with a promotion, but a dispute with another commander over the control of the fort showed his fiery and impetuous temperament. Arnold convinced Washington that an attack on Quebec would demoralize the British and perhaps encourage the Canadians to join the colonists. More than 1,000 men made the difficult trek across the Maine wilderness. Some turned back but many died en route. Arnolds force of 500 was joined by Richard Montgomerys men in the unsuccessful attack on Quebec. Montgomery was killed; Arnolds leg was shattered; and the Canadians did not want to join the Americans in their rebellion. Arnold participated in other important battles and looked forward to military advancement, which eluded him so he offered his resignation to Washington. Washington, however, felt Arnold was too valuable to allow him leave. Eventually, Arnold did receive his promotion, but because he was not reinstated with seniority over those who had advanced before him, he felt bitter. The Battle of Saratoga took place in the fall of 1777. At the end of the first day of battle, Arnold was removed from the field of command by Gen. Horatio Gates when the two had a disagreement about how the battle should progress. Then, on the second day of battle, Arnold specifically disobeyed Gates orders when he led an attack on the British defenses. Although he rallied the American troops when they were faltering and showed his bravery and leadership by leading them to an astounding victory, he disobedience was unacceptable and his name was now tarnished. As a result of this victory, however, the French decided to give financial aid to the Americans. Thus the battle was an important turning point in the American Revolution, and Arnolds achievements in the field must be acknowledged as an important part of this victory. Because Arnold was again wounded in the leg at the Battle of Saratoga, he was appointed military commander of the city of Philadelphia. This assignment allowed him to recuperate without having to participate in the rigorous life of a soldier. It was at this time that he became involved in a variety of wartime businesses. He also enjoyed the social scene and began to live extravagantly after his marriage to Peggy Shippen, the daughter of a Loyalist sympathizer. Perhaps this increased contact with the Loyalists and British sympathizers made him feel more pessimistic about the outcome of the American Revolution. It also gave him time to brood over his perceived ill treatment as a leader of the American Cause. It certainly gave him more opportunity to interact with British sympathizers and to see plenty of opportunities for making money. Remember, at this time only a third of the population was for liberty and the American cause, a third were indifferent while a third were only too happy to provide supplies to the well-paying British Army. When Arnold was offered the command of West Point, a strategic fort on the Hudson River, he had a crisis of character. The British offered a substantial sum of money if Arnold would aid them in overtaking the fort, thus making him a turncoat. The plan was that Arnold would weaken the fort by reducing the supplies, allowing for repairs on the fort to go untended and assigning the soldiers to unimportant tasks. The plot was accidentally discovered, however, and the scheme never materialized. Arnold then turned to help the British raid the town of New London, Conn., before escaping with his wife to London. His loyalty to the English crown was never trusted, and he received only a fraction of the original payment he was expecting because his plan was foiled. Bad business deals and arguments with his partners and suppliers plagued him throughout his troubled life. He died in England, in relative obscurity, at the age of 60 in 1801. SHERRY NORD MARRON is former adjunct professor of American history at Orange Coast College and the University of Connecticut. Ive crossed the 49th Parallel from the United States into Canada on numerous occasions. Spoiler alert: Canada Day is coming, July 1. Canadians are our neighbors to the north who live a snow globe existence and have funny, clipped accents, eh? From a yin and yang standpoint, their south is our north and our north is their south. That benevolent yin and yang, like the glaciers of North America, have carved complementary personalities in our sister nations. I love all things Canadian especially freezing rain and Canadian Geese. Oops, make that Canada Geese. Really, I should know better! Remember the 49th Parallel? We learned about it in the sixth-grade. Or was it eighth? I was never a 49ers fan. The Treaty of 1818 established the 49th Parallel as the official boundary between the United States and British North America (Canada didnt yet exist). The accord recognized the 49th Parallel, from Minnesota in the east to the Rockies, as the border. Remember the bloody Pig War of 1859 between arch rivals, the U.S. and Britain? Let me refresh you on that one. I exaggerated a bit. It was actually a bloodless war, save for a lumbering slab of Canadian bacon. The U.S. and U.K. governments claimed Puget Sounds San Juan Islands as their own. A few dozen American settlers and British employees of Hudsons Bay Co. populated San Juan Island. A British hog got loose and was shot by a Yankee farmer protecting his potatoes. In classic overreaction, the U.S. 9th Infantry was dispatched to the island followed by three British warships. Less than 100 9th Infantry soldiers dug in. The British clearly held the advantage with 84 guns and 2,000 troops aboard warships. Things ramped up for a while but, thankfully, cooler heads prevailed. The Brits permanently stationed a garrison on the north side of the island, and the U.S. had a contingent on the south. Potatoes and grapevines separated them, and the troops began to hang out with each other. Churchill would have approved. Today, Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, USA, is a beautiful Puget Sound tourist destination. The island produces spectacular vistas of Vancouver Island and a winsome Cabernet. Not a single British frigate is in sight. So, as it stands, all Americans (except Alaskans) live south of the 49th and Canadians live north, right? Wrong. How many Canadians live south of the 49th Parallel? Most of them! And Im not even talking about snowbirds in Palm Springs and Tucson. Fully 72% of 35 million Canadians live south of the 49th. Canadas two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal, are south of Seattle. So is the federal capital of Ottawa. Windsor, on the southern tip of Ontario, is below the California-Oregon border. Are you kidding me? Check out a map. The vast majority of Canadians live in the southern underbelly of their country that dives below the 49th into Mid-America. Ive entered Canada from Washington state into British Columbia (from several locations); from Montana into Alberta; from Maine into New Brunswick; from Maine into Nova Scotia; from New York into Quebec; and from Alaska into the Yukon Territory. The U.S. has a population of more than 300 million people, and Canada one-tenth that. The United States is portrayed as packed to the gills with quivering humanity. Canada is virtually empty with more lighthouses than people. Yet, thats not the impression one receives when driving south-to-north, from the U.S. into Canada. At virtually every border crossing Ive navigated, the U.S. is wide-open territory or dense forest for 50 miles until you reach the border. No one in sight. The Swiss Guard in their Rudi Gernreich uniforms could march in and occupy us. After crossing the border, Canada is awash in cars and people for 50 miles. Weird, huh? Heres the answer: 75% of Canadians live within 100 miles of the U.S. border. By contrast, 12% of Americans live within 100 miles of Canada. Its the longest non-militarized border in the world 5,526 miles separating two of the loveliest places on earth. JIM CARNETT, who lives in Costa Mesa, worked for Orange Coast College for 37 years. Genres : Drama and Epic : Drama and Epic Running Time : 130 min. : 130 min. Directed by : Chung Yoon-chul : Chung Yoon-chul Starring : Lee Jung-jae, Yeo Jin-gu Synopsis : A veteran proxy soldier, Tow, and his comrades are deployed to the south, where the Japanese has invaded. The king has decided to seek asylum in China, and as he flees, he orders his young son -- 18-year-old Prince Gwanghae -- to take over the country's military command. Vulnerable Gwanghae is devastated, but with Tow's help, he is ready to fight in that harsh reality. More than 90 local graduating high school seniors, almost all of them members of the La Canada High School Class of 2017, turned out in cap and gown Tuesday evening for a baccalaureate service at St. Bede the Venerable Roman Catholic Church, where students of different faiths shared scripture and personal testimonies. Aziza Hasan, a Pasadena resident and executive director of NewGround, a Muslim-Jewish partnership for change, served as the keynote speaker. Acknowledging the turbulent world of today, she urged the teens in the audience to embrace what she labeled the CDC compassion, dignity and courage as they move forward in life. As challenging as today may feel, she said, its also a time of great opportunities. Bringing people of different points of view together to resolve shared issues has been her lifes work and she suggest the youth also draw on their beliefs to help change attitudes for more peaceful coexistence with others. If youre going to speak truth to power, the holy scriptures are the place to start, she said. 1 / 15 La Canada High Schools Theo Chamberlain, 17, with a group of friends, bends back to show the top of his graduation cap to parent Sonja Bradley (in the background) at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 2 / 15 Graduating seniors enter the sanctuary at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 3 / 15 La Canada High School Principal Ian McFeat makes opening remarks at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 4 / 15 Clark Magnet Schools Marah Hasan does the Islamic scripture reading from the Holy Quran at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 5 / 15 La Canada High Schools Tyler Jacinto smiles toward a friend singing during the musical offering at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 6 / 15 The La Canada High School Choral Artists sing Bogoroditse Devo, Raduisya at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 7 / 15 La Canada High Schools Caitlin Aenlle-Rocha, 18, smiles to her best friend at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 8 / 15 The La Canada High School Choral Artists sing Bogoroditse Devo, Raduisya at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 9 / 15 La Canada High Schools Connie Park, 18, intensely listens to the keynote address at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 10 / 15 Graduates and guests in attendance in the sanctuary at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 11 / 15 Aziza Hasan gives the keynote address at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 12 / 15 Pastor Scott Peterson, of the Lutheran Church in the Foothills, gives the closing prayer at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 13 / 15 Aziza Hasan, at the end of her keynote address, asks students to raise their hands high as a commitment to remember each other at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 14 / 15 La Canada High School Principal Ian McFeat makes opening remarks at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) 15 / 15 Caitlin Aenlle-Rocha does a scripture reading for the Christian scriptures at the annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service at St. Bede the Venerable in La Canada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The student attendance was mostly graduating seniors from La Canada High School, but was open to all. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer) Hasan pointed out the richness of diversity in the various traditions represented during the evening, which, prior to her address, included readings from Hebrew, Christian, Latter-day Saints and Islamic scriptures by students Charlie Reynolds, Caitlin Aenlle-Rocha, Braden Oh and Marah Hasan, respectively. Marah, a Clark Magnet High School graduating senior who wears a traditional Muslim hijab, later addressed the audience to provide testimony of her faith, as did Asher Fausett, who attends Temple Sinai of Glendale; Lauren OBrien, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Aidan Phillips of St. Bede and Alicia Sanbar, a Mayfield Senior School graduating senior who attends La Canada Presbyterian Church. All but Sanbar and Hasan wore the LCHS Spartan colors in their caps and gowns, many adorned artwork depicting the colleges theyll be attending. The LCHS graduation ceremony, where 337 seniors will collect their diplomas, is scheduled for Thursday evening. Music for the inspirational baccalaureate service, sponsored by the La Canada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Assn., was provided by the LCHS Choral Artists, directed by Dr. Jeff Brookey, and by the La Canada Presbyterian Church Praise Band. Ian McFeat, principal of La Canada High, gave welcoming remarks while Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti and Pastor Scott Peterson offered up prayers. Serving on the baccalaureates planning team were Levent Akbarut, Islamic Congregation of La Canada Flintridge; Connor Cipolla and Samantha Bryant, La Canada Presbyterian Church; Diane Cwik, Jessica Gerhardt, Valerie Aenlle-Rocha and Mike Leininger, St. Bede the Venerable; Christie Frandsen, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pastor Scott Peterson, Lutheran Church in the Foothills and Linda Reisz, Temple Sinai of Glendale. carol.cormaci@latimes.com Twitter: @CarolCormaci I wasnt exactly trolling for men when I attended my first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, but Id heard on good authority that a particular 12-step meeting near my home in Venice was the place to meet people on the Westside. Before you judge me: At the time I was trying on what it was like to be sober, having spent the past couple months in a self-loathing, lonely place, forced to confront the fact that this party girl was, and had been for quite some time, a self-destructive binge drinker. The solitude of a bungalow apartment off Pacific Avenue, removed from the boardwalk riffraff, lent me the ocean at night. With the waves crashing as I drifted out of consciousness, I could no longer avoid myself. Here, where succulents grew out the sidewalk cracks and Venice natives looked oddly displaced among designer boutiques popping up on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, I was desperate to connect with people in a way that didnt involve Scotch and soda or leave me with hazy expectations of people. Certainly, recovery is a serious matter, which I do not intend to trivialize. People in recovery are vulnerable and open. And it probably goes without saying one should not attend AA meetings for the purpose of finding a soul mate though rumor had it that at least two couples made it from this meeting to the altar. Having said that, the more I attended these meetings the more I realized that the only serious relationship Id had in my 30s had been with alcohol. I was single and fabulous, but was I ready to turn myself over to a higher power? Advertisement Are you a veteran of L.A.'s current dating scene? We want to publish your story Id spent years in New York writing a sex column for which nightly partying was fodder for my work; sex was an excuse to drink, and drinking was an excuse for sex. As an addict, everything becomes a tangle of excuses and explanations, and so too became my motivation to stop drinking. The New York party scene, which had once dazzled me with its flashy clubs and seedy dive bars, had taken a cruel turn, feeling as far away as disco. Cuffing season was underway, and I had no one with whom to Netflix and chill. So I made the exodus for Los Angeles with the vague hope that single and fabulous in Los Angeles would manifest as something else entirely. At the Ace Hotel downtown, you could swim in a rooftop pool and drink artisanal tequila, basking in the sun until the art people came pouring into the bar. Take away the palm trees and I might as well have been at Le Bain back in New York, but I was still hopeful. I hooked up with a fashion designer who wore thick glasses, a keffiyeh scarf and whose fingers dripped with silver jewelry. We spent four days together at his studio in the Arts District, where he asked to be my boyfriend. He took me to Bar Jackalope, a DTLA Japanese whiskey speak-easy, and to the opening of a pop-up gallery called La Rosa, curated by L.A. artist Aaron Rose. Wed find our way back to his studio, where we drank everything from Chateau Lafite to micheladas. He took my measurements for a custom shift dress, and I thought that L.A. women had it made: In under a week I had scored a new boyfriend and free couture. More L.A. Affairs columns When I finally made it back to the Westside with a wicked hangover, it struck me as odd that a designer who could afford to down a $4,000 vintage like it wasnt a thing would live in a studio where people who sewed his garments came and went at all hours of the day. In the sobering light of day, it was clearly some kind of hookup pad. Of course, I never heard from him again. After the designer ghosted me, there was the screenwriter. He wined and dined me from Santa Monica to Malibu, where we ate at trattorias I cant remember much about except that at one we were seated next to Aaron Paul and at another we were politely asked to leave because I was loudly going on about how I needed some of the screenwriters Percocet left over from dental surgery. Suffice to say, things didnt end well with the screenwriter. But, Jill, youre not an alcoholic, my friends would say. You cant go to those meetings. Its lying. And to meet a man? Thats just wrong. But was it? In the meetings, I cried. I shared. I listened to men open up about their feelings. I started drinking less and less. I read the Big Book and started to think there was truth in the mantra, It works if you work it. What had started as a search for men led me to a deeper understanding of feelings that needed numbing by alcohol, sex and one endless party on loop. I didnt find my soul mate at this trendy Venice AA meeting. But just as Id picked up things about myself from encounters with other lovers, these meetings were ripe with information (inventory, as they say) about myself that Id been starving for. The adages, mantras, and aspirational solution-oriented thinking spoke to me, and I listened. The process of sharing thoughts of my relationship with drinking formed a new self-care routine Id been longing for. Sometimes you find that type of comfort and security from someone else caring for you. Sometimes you stumble upon it yourself. The author is an L.A./N.Y.-based creative producer and lifestyle editor. Her website is www.jilldidonato.com. L.A. Affairs chronicles the current dating scene in and around Los Angeles. If you have comments or a true story to tell, email us at LAAffairs@latimes.com. MORE L.A. LOVE STORIES I got caught on AshleyMadison.com 8 lessons I learned about being single in L.A. I finally asked her: Are we dating, or just hanging out? L.A. Affairs chronicles the current dating scene in and around Los Angeles. If you have comments, or a true story to tell, email us at LAAffairs@latimes.com. If you havent yet made travel plans for whats being called the Great American Eclipse this August, consider a landless option. The Total Eclipse Cruise aboard Oasis of the Seas promises to take folks into the path of totality, the band of darkness that will move across the country when the moon completely blocks the sun. Royal Caribbean International announced Thursday that the seven-day Caribbean cruise will include the optimal spot at sea for guests to witness the total solar eclipse. That spot will be in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly in line with Orlando, Fla. The cruise is to leave Orlandos Port Canaveral on Aug. 20, with the viewing party for the celestial event starting Aug. 21. Advertisement In the U.S., the path of totality is about 70 miles wide and stretches from Oregon to South Carolina. It will pass through the states of Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The cruise line plans to host a live concert (headliner to be announced) aboard ship as well as eclipse-themed activities such as dance parties, some interactive science activities for kids, and menu items such as the Cosmic Cosmo cocktail and Moon Pie, according to a news release. Post-eclipse ports of call for the 5,400-passenger ship include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Nassau, Bahamas before returning to Orlando. Prices start at $911 per person, plus $111 for taxes, fees and port expenses. Info: Royal Caribbean Internationals Total Eclipse Cruise, (866) 562-7625 travel@latimes.com Twitter: @latimestravel ALSO First comes Path of Totality beer. Then St. Louis brewer throws an eclipse-watching party too The August eclipse is the most spectacular thing youll ever see, especially in Missouri The best places to see this summers Great American Total Solar Eclipse The Great American Eclipse is 100 days away, and scientists are ready Sail across the Arctic Circle with Handmaids Tale author Margaret Atwood By the way, they like you to dress fancy (and leave children home, unless youre headed to a weekend brunch). Coat and tie are required for men. In theory, to attend you must be invited or accompanied by a member of the Academy of Magical Arts. In practice, there are at least two pretty easy ways in. Its not so hard (though the admission charge and dinner and drinks usually add up to a pricey night). If you spend a night at the adjacent Magic Castle Hotel & Suites , youre entitled to go to the club. Or you can email one of the magicians soon to appear and ask for an invite. (More ideas here .) What: The castle, clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts, was built as a private home in 1908. But by the time it opened as a magic haven in 1963, it had undergone a thorough transformation to make it fit for tricks and performances. Since then, it has survived waxing and waning popularity, not to mention a fire in 2011. (The flames flare on the night of Halloween.) Roam room to room and you encounter all manner of deceptions and marvels. Card tricks. Seances. Sleight of hand. Secret passages. And a fancy dinner. Why: The Magic Castle is the worst kept secret in Hollywood -- a private club in a tricked-out house thats devoted to magic. And if you really want to get in, its not that hard. See the light at James Turrells Skyspace in Claremont By Elisa Parhad Why: This awe-inspiring public art installation brings new beauty to the light of dawn and dusk. What: Dividing the Light (2007), one of several dozen Skyspaces worldwide by artist James Turrell, is an elevated metal frame perched above an outdoor courtyard. A mesmerizing light show begins at dawn and dusk when the frame is illuminated with colored light, enhancing the skys own changing hues. The Skyspace is a part of the Pomona College Museum of Art. For Turrell, an L.A. native and alumnus of Pomona College (65) and Claremont Graduate University (73), this campus installation is a homecoming of sorts, and the only public Skyspace in Southern California. Turrell is an avid pilot and considers the sky his studio, material and canvas, and his Pomona College training in perceptual psychology informs his play of light, space, and human perception. Skyspace programs begin one hour before sunrise and 10 minutes before sunset. The evening program lasts about 40 minutes. Check a listing of current exhibitions and Art After Hours days that may make a Skyspace and museum twofer possible. Where: The Draper Courtyard (between the Lincoln and Edmunds buildings) at 600 N. College Way on the Pomona College campus in Claremont, 34 miles northeast of downtown L.A. How much: Free Info: James Turrell Skyspace Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pedal L.A.'s Echo Park Lake, munch a fancy snack and daydream of Sister Aimee and the spiritualists By Christopher Reynolds The swan boats of Echo Park Lake. (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Why: The hotter it gets, the more sense these pedal vessels make. What: The artificial lake in Echo Park goes back to at least 1870. The boathouse and pedal boat operation go back decades. And the place has been dramatically upgraded in the last few years, beginning with a draining and cleaning in 2011-2013. The paddle boats operated by Wheel Fun Rentals are now shaped like swans and the larger ones hold up to five people or 1,400 pounds. (These boats look a lot like the historic swan boats in Boston Common, which also go back to the 1870s.) Head out for an hour of pedaling and drifting, not necessarily in that order, and imagine the early 20th century days when Aimee Semple McPherson was preaching in the Angelus Temple next door and these hills were crawling with communists, socialists and spiritualists. The boat rentals are open daily all year from 9 a.m. until sunset. On the hottest days, try edging right up to the edge of the fountain in the middle of the lake youll be coated with mist or (if theres a breeze) pelted by diagonal rain. The last rentals go out an hour before sunset. (One night in July, a young man broke in and took a paddle boat for a forbidden ride. It did not end well.) The eatery, Beacon, opened in January 2017 with a menu thats longer, more intriguing and a little pricier than the average public park snack shack. The communists dont live here anymore. Bonus option: Fishing is allowed, with a license. Where: 751 Echo Park Ave., 2 miles northwest of downtown L.A. How much: The swan boats rent for hourly rates of $11 per adult, $6 per minor. Everybody gets a life jacket. A sampling from the Beacon menu: kale and avocado burritos ($7), a crab and gouda sandwich ($13), salmon toast ($10), Beacon Burger ($15), lemonade ($3). Beacon is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: Wheel Fun Rentals, Beacon A pedalers view of Echo Park Lake. (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print See the Giants, glimpse the bay and duck the gulls at San Franciscos AT&T Park By Christopher Reynolds The Giants have played in AT&T Park since 2000. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Why: Whether youre for the Giants or against them, you can root for a home run into the bay here something you wont see at any other major league baseball stadium. In fact, you can see bits of San Francisco Bay distant wharves, cargo ships, maybe a few kayaks in McCovey Cove from many of the 41,915 seats in AT&T Park. And in a city thats not always easy for families, this park is full of kid-friendly features. What: The Giants have been based in San Francisco since 1958, but they only started winning championships here after this ballpark opened in 2000. (Beyond center field youll see banners celebrating the teams World Series victories in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and a few more from the earlier New York years.) Builders worked hard to reduce the winds that made the old Candlestick Park a nightmare for anyone fielding a fly ball and largely succeeded. In fact, experts often rank this park first or second among the most pleasant in the major leagues. But theres no banishing the gulls. At the end of every game, thousands of the scavenging creatures come swooping in to feast on leavings in the bleachers. Ushers try to fend them off, but the situation is basically Field of Dreams meets Alfred Hitchcock. Hang around for a few minutes to catch the spectacle. Gulls after a day game, AT&T Park, San Francisco. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Where: 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, 382 miles northwest of downtown L.A. How much: Most tickets $9-$282. Single-game tickets here. Info: San Francisco Giants, San Francisco Travel Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fly, roll, float and romp in a Disneys ever-evolving California Adventure By Christopher Reynolds Hollywood Land, Disney California Adventure (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Why: If somebody asked you to compress the best of California into 72 acres, make it abundantly kid-friendly and persuade thousands of people to spend long hours and big money there, you might crack under the pressure. (Admit it, youre already uncomfortable.) That was Disneys mission with this park. And Disney failed at first. But since that awkward debut in 2001, when attendance fell far short of expectations, the park people have been steadily changing and fixing this place. Even if youre skeptical about all things Disney (as some people are), youll probably get a kick out of this cartoon version of our state. What: Most of the parks rides, restaurants and photo ops are all about idealizing California, including Hollywood Land (whos ever seen such clean streets and tidy storefronts in the real Hollywood?); Pacific Wharf (a mix of Cannery Row in Monterey and Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco); and Grizzly Peak (a nod to Yosemite and the tall trees of Northern California). But other features these days reach far beyond state lines. When I dropped in a few days ago, the parks marching bands and mariachis were joined by drummers, dancers and musicians from around Asia, gathered to celebrate Lunar New Year. Rides in A Bugs Land and Car Land were full of grinning guests, as was the Soarin Around the World ride which replaced Soaring (over California) in 2016 and the Guardians of the Galaxy-Mission: Breakout! ride which replaced the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in 2017. This summer, Paradise Pier is scheduled to become Pixar Pier. Meanwhile, California Screamin, Mickeys Fun Wheel and Grizzly River Run were closed for refurbishment. Check before visiting to see whats open and whats not. Where: Right next to Disneyland and Downtown Disney, California Adventure, 1313 Disneyland Drive in Anaheim, is 26 miles southeast of downtown L.A. How much: Passes start at $97 (ages 10 and above; before taxes) for a one-day Value Ticket. Standard parking $20. Info: Disney California Adventure Disney California Adventure (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Drive the narrow, winding, spectacular back-door route to Big Sur: Nacimiento-Fergusson Road By Christopher Reynolds On the western slopes (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Why: Itll quicken your pulse, drop your jaw and demand your full attention. Theres no more dramatic passage from Central Californias blond hills to the Big Sur coast than this 24-mile route. What: Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, a winding, two-lane highway, begins in the Salinas Valley countryside north of Paso Robles, next to the often-overlooked Mission San Antonio de Padua and the Armys Ft. Hunter-Liggett. From there it creeps through forest and chaparral to the crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains, about 2,800 feet above sea level. Then for 7 miles, via dozens of switchback turns, it wends its way down the western slopes to Big Sur. It meets Highway 1 at Kirk Creek, about 4 miles south of Lucia. Mission San Antonio de Padua (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Motorcyclists have loved Nacimiento-Fergusson Road for years. When a mudslide and reconstruction closed Highway 1 at Mud Creek for more than a year in 2017-2018, many more cars found their way to this alternative, as well. In normal times, with Highway 1 open, you can usually count on thin traffic on Nacimiento-Fergusson. The roads westernmost 7 miles, descending via multiple sharp turns to the coast road, are as spectacular as can be and might start a three-alarm panic attack if youre afraid of heights. (When a route is featured on www.dangerousroads.org, you know its special.) Given the absence of lights or guard rails or cellphone reception, Id never try it after dark. On my midday drive in December, I took care to ignore the views until Id safely pulled into one of the many turnouts along the way. (For a tamer ride with similar scenery, take Highway 46 west from Paso Robles to Cambria.) Where: To reach the eastern end of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, exit Highway 101 at Jolon Road, about 23 miles north of Paso Robles. Follow Jolon Road west, then turn left onto Mission Road, continue 4 miles, then turn left onto Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. Because the road passes through the Army base, drivers may need to show license, registration and proof of insurance. Give the drive at least two hours from the 101 to the 1. You dont want to be in a hurry here. How much: Free. Info: www.dangerousroads.org Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Recline, rebel or revel in Grand Park, where downtown L.A. celebrates By Christopher Reynolds Grand Park, Dec. 31, 2015. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Why: Every real downtown has a park to serve as urban backyard, and Grand Park is more proof that L.A.'s downtown is getting realer by the day. What: The 12-acre park connects the Music Center at the top of Bunker Hill with City Hall at the bottom. (Yes, you can go to City Halls 27th floor observation deck and its free). The park isnt really new -- theres been open space for decades on these blocks between government buildings. But a dramatic redesign in 2012 put a far better spin on the area, and it doesnt hurt that neighboring Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels arrived in 2002, Disney Hall in 2003 and the Broad Museum in 2015. Besides its welcome green expanses and flanking playground and dog-run areas, Grand Park includes a fountain (with splash pad for kids), an adjacent Starbucks, plenty of places to sit and a busy schedule of holiday events and live shows. Picnicking is encouraged. Protesting is permitted. Food trucks come for lunch most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Theres midday yoga on many Wednesdays and Fridays. In October and November, the park hosts Dia de los Muertos altars and art; in November and December, holiday lights. And on New Years Eve -- well, the 2016-17 party (free and alcohol-free) included three stages, DJs, live music, dancing, inflatable art, and light projections. Expect more of the same this time. Where: between 200 N. Grand Ave. and 227 N. Spring St., at the core of downtown L.A. How much: Free. Its easiest to arrive via Metro. But theres parking nearby in Lot 10 (entrances on Broadway and Hill Street between 1st and Temple streets), priced at $3.50 per 15 minutes up to a $20 maximum per weekday, $10 per day on weekends, evenings and special events. Info: Grand Park Womens March, Grand Park, January 2017. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gawk as the waters of McWay Falls plunge from Big Sur to the sea By Christopher Reynolds ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Why: McWay Falls, the splashiest attraction in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, roars down 80 feet from granite and redwoods to a creamy Big Sur beach and implausibly turquoise cove. Its the cascade that other waterfalls want to be. Its also a perfectly impossible California destination, because you cant stand under these falls. Theres no safe way to the beach. What: The hike is more of a stroll, really. Its about half a mile, mostly flat. (And the rest of the park remains mostly closed because of mudslides and other damage done by the Soberanes Fire of 2016.) Once youve passed through a short tunnel under Highway 1 and made a right turn, youll soon be standing on a rocky perch where a house once stood, looking south to the beach and falls. This is an invitation to chill. For one thing, the trail has ended. Also, like Yosemite Falls which led off our California Bucket List project on Jan. 1 McWay Falls is a sort of perpetuity made plain. The water keeps coming, even if its in short supply elsewhere. And the cell reception is so rotten that youll probably never get an Instagram photo posted from here. So have a seat. Notice that theres a great view to the north also. Think about all the writers and composers (beginning with James Joyce, Richard Wagner, Al Green and Teeny Hodges) who have chosen to start and end their works with running water. Or think about nothing. Where: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, mile marker 35.8 in Big Sur, 37 miles south of Carmel, 286 miles northwest of downtown L.A. Highway 1 is expected to remained closed at Mud Creek (27 miles south of McWay Falls) through September 2018. That means travelers from the south have two options. One is to detour from Highway 101 north of Paso Robles via Jolon Road and the 24-mile, narrow, winding Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (a star on dangerousroads.org). The other choice is driving up to Salinas on the 101, cutting over to Carmel, then coming back south on Highway 1. How much: $10. Info: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Looking north from the McWay Falls Trail. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Marvel over this San Francisco church inspired by the ideals of the Scandinavian Da Vinci By Catharine Hamm (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Why: Simplicity and complexity meet in the Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco, and the marriage is a harmonious celebration of architecture and intellect. What: The 1895 Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco, a national historic landmark in Pacific Heights, is an Arts and Crafts building designed by several architects, including Bernard Maybeck, who created the Palace of Fine Arts at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915 in San Francisco. Inside the walls are rustic redwood, found often in Arts and Crafts buildings and consistent with the Swedenborgian appreciation of natural objects, according to the 1969 book Here Today: San Franciscos Architectural Heritage. The chairs are maple, made by hand, without the use of nails, and their seats were woven of tule rushes from the Sacramento River Delta, the book says. In the fireplace in the back, the andirons become small crosses, and the crackling fire (and recently installed radiant heat) make the church a warm and welcoming spot for quiet contemplation, especially on chilly San Francisco days (which is most of them). (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times) Its also a reminder of the man whose desire to understand Scripture caught fire when he was in his 50s. Emanuel Swedenborg was born Jesper Svedborg in 1688 in Stockholm. In Swedenborg: An Introduction to His Life and Ideas, author Gary Lachman describes Swedenborg as the Scandinavian Da Vinci. He was a scientist, poet, writer, mystic, statesman, inventor and biblical scholar. After Swedenborgs death in 1772 in London, societies took root that were devoted to contemplating his thoughts and works; the Bible is the center of these. These organizations made their way across the pond by the late 1780s, and the New Church (sometimes called New Jerusalem) began to spread in the United States. (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times) Notable Swedenborgian churches include the Wayfarers Chapel in Palos Verdes, designed by Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright. The younger Wright was said to have taken his architectural inspiration for the chapel, dedicated in 1951, from Northern Californias redwoods. Where: The Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco, 2107 Lyon St , is about 385 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Cost: Free. Services are at 11 a.m. Sundays. Office hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; knock to gain entry to the church. Info: Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Soak away your stress and join Club Mud at a Corona hot springs that embraces everyone By Catharine Hamm Why: If youre intimidated by the word spa, Glen Ivy is the place for you. It feels accessible, not exclusive, meaning you can sit back and relax. What: Which is what you want to do. There are 19 pools to try, including the mineral pools, the star attraction in the early days of the late 1800s when you could soak in them for 25 cents. Today, you start by getting a locker for your street clothes and putting on your swim suit in a well-appointed area that includes changing rooms, showers and big, lighted mirrors where youll find hairdryers youll want later in the day. Glen Ivys 12 acres include a float pool and a large pool if you want to exercise. But my new favorite features are the hot and cold plunge pools. (Try switching three times between them and stay in each pool for a minimum of 30 seconds. It doesnt sound like long until youre in the cold pool.) The former Cafe Sole has been replaced by the new Ivy Kitchen, offering light but satisfying meals. (No starvation tactics here.) And, of course, you can find the usual spa treatments (extra charge but no pressure; appointments advisable) including the underground Grotto, where skin hydration is the goal ($25 upcharge). Save Club Mud for last. You paint yourself (and your hair) with mud, which is California red clay, then go bake in the sun. Before you turn into tandoori chicken, you brush it off and rinse or wash it off in the outdoor showers if youve used a tad too much. One note: Beware of bees, which are attracted to the mud. Make sure you youre wearing your sandals. The landscaping makes it all very pretty and it feels all very real, which is refreshing if youre weary of L.A. artifice. Where: 25000 Glen Ivy Road, Corona; (888) 453-6489, about 60 miles southeast of downtown L.A. (Set aside at least 90 minutes to get there.) How much: Go on a weekday when its less expensive ($49 for the day Mondays-Fridays, averaging 300 guests). Saturdays, Sundays and holidays its $68 and about 700 people will be there. Through Feb. 28, hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Its open an hour later from March through May. Check on summer hours. Info: Glen Ivy Hot Springs Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print See the small world within this Carlsbad museum of miniature engineering By Irene Lechowitzky Why: The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum in Carlsbad is novel and quirky and proof that good things come in small packages. What: The collection includes painstakingly crafted, remarkable miniatures, many with moving parts. There are cars, planes, engines of all sorts, ships, thumb-sized guns and knives, and much more. These are not the plastic model car kits from your childhood; for example, theres an eye-popping version of a 1932 Duesenberg SJ that has more than 6,000 custom-made parts and is said to have taken more than 10 years to finish. The folks who built these tiny wonders spent decades perfecting their craft. There are hundreds of works from around the world on display, and docents to describe the intricacies and makers of each. Try to time your visit to coincide with a tour of the machine shop/engine room for a little extra oomph. Although its not geared for the toddler crowd, the museum, a few miles east of Legoland, can be an inspiring second stop for families with kids who like to build things. And while youre in the neighborhood, you could make it a triple play with a bonus stop at the nearby Museum of Making Music, where visitors have the chance to play musical instruments. Where: Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum, 3190 Lionshead Ave., Carlsbad; 95 miles south of downtown L.A. How much: Free. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Machine shop/engine room demos are at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Info: Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Start the New Year right with a visit to Pasadenas Rose Parade By Chris Erskine Why: Like the Grand Canyon or the northern lights, the majestic Rose Parade needs to be seen in person to be really appreciated. On a bright SoCal morning, the colors, detail and craftsmanship come alive. And throughout December, there are some intriguing pre-parade opportunities for volunteers. What: One of L.A.s finest freebies, the Rose Parade steps off at 8 a.m. every New Years morning (unless the holiday falls on a Sunday, in which case it is bumped to Monday). We wont even bother describing it, since like the Wizard of Oz or a Super Bowl, everyone has probably seen it on TV. In person, though, the parades splendor, precision and pageantry make an early wake-up call worth it. Its almost a rite of passage for Southern Californians, some of whom spend the night along the parade route. The parade has more rules than the Vatican. Do not pass the blue Honor Line painted on the street. No tents, sofas or boxes. Unoccupied chairs are not allowed. No roping off public areas. And thats pretty much just the main stuff. Heres a full list. But dont let them ruin your fun. The parade, after all, is one the best family-friendly events in the area, and theyre just protecting that. To be a part of it all, join in on the float building in the days and weeks before the parade, when the flowers are being supplied and volunteer help is needed. On parade day, get there before sunup to be sure of a place along the route. Tickets in the grandstands are another option. Be sure to dress in layers, because the temperatures will range from frosty to blistering as the day progresses. Heres a little insiders trick that you wont believe until you see it. If you wait till the 8 a.m. start time, the crowd will be in place on the route and there is virtually no traffic. Pay the $20 parking fee at a random gas station along Walnut and join the fun. You wont be in the first row, or maybe even the first 10. But the floats are so high, youll be able to see them well. About an hour into the two-hour parade, the crowds will begin to relax and spots open up for even better viewing. Its a wonderful experience, hassle-free, and a great way to kick off a New Year. Where: Pasadena, about 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles. How much: Free Info: Rose Parade Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Meander among 5 million lights at Riversides Mission Inn By Christopher Reynolds ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Why: The Mission Inn, which dates to the 1870s, stands in the middle of Riverside the way Bruce Springsteen stands in the middle of the E Street band. It fills a city block. And since the early 1990s, the hotel has been putting together an ever-more-lavish Festival of Lights. At last count, about 5 million lights. What: For six weeks at Christmastime, the landmark hotel switches on all those lights and invites visitors to stroll through the property, including a tunnel where faux snow falls. (This years festival runs Nov. 24 through Jan. 6.) The line to walk the property can get very long and the traffic and parking situation in the blocks around the hotel can seem downright devilish. But most folks are in a good mood, and the festival includes live music, horse-drawn carriages, funnel cakes, Santa Claus photo ops and more. To see more lights and skip the line, book a dinner reservation at the Mission Inn Restaurant (one of several on the property) and you may land at a courtyard table, surrounded by Spanish Revival architecture thats more ornate (and with more Tuscan influence) than youll see at any of Californias 21 actual missions. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) And yes, theres a reason the decorations seem to be in motion: Besides lights, the halls and walls have also been festooned with about 200 angels, gnomes, polar bears, many of which move, in the same halting, semi-spooky way that Honest Abe moves in Disneylands Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Its a scene. And speaking of presidents, be sure to peek at the hotels Presidential Lounge and its portrait of Richard Nixon, who was a 27-year-old attorney when he married Pat Ryan at the hotel in 1940. (Theres also a tower, a rotunda, spa, all sorts of artworks and artifacts and a museum next door that traces the inns history through expansion, bankruptcy, renovations and resurgence.) Where: 3649 Mission Ave., Riverside, 55 miles east of downtown L.A. How much: Its free to walk the hotel property during the Festival of Lights. Dinner main dishes at the Mission Inn Restaurant run $15-$42. (I can recommend the Italian sausage pasta and the pan-seared salmon.) Rooms for two start as low as $199 in slow months (like January), $329 or more in December. Info: Mission Inn The inns Presidential Lounge. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Theres a gingerbread hotel in the inns lobby. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Peer into a writers head and a valleys soul in Salinas By Catharine Hamm Why: John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, Calif., a farming community that lacks the cachet of neighboring Carmel and Monterey. But, then, neither of those towns produced a man who went on to win a Pulitzer, a Nobel and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. To be in in Steinbecks hometown is to be reminded that, as fellow author F. Scott Fitzgerald said, genius is the ability to put into effect what is in your mind. What: Steinbecks birthplace home and the National Steinbeck Center tell the tale of the man whose Grapes of Wrath is often thought to be the Great American Novel. The community of his youth he was born here in 1902 was this rich, rural farming area in the Salinas Valley, and his labors alongside migrant workers in the sugar beet fields of nearby Spreckels informed many of his works, including Of Mice and Men. He attended Stanford but never graduated, and he struggled to establish himself, but in 1935, his book Tortilla Flat finally put him in the public eye. His subsequent books included Cannery Row, Sea of Cortez and East of Eden and, of course, Grapes of Wrath, about which he wrote, It isnt the great book I hoped it would be. The story of the Joads, fleeing the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma and arriving in not-quite-as-billed California, won the Pulitzer in 1940. You can have lunch at the Steinbeck House, the Queen Anne style home where he grew up, then stroll the two blocks to the National Steinbeck Center, which somehow captures and conveys the challenges of his writing life. One of the central pieces of the center is Rocinante, the 1960 GMC camper pickup he drove on a 10,000-mile road trip as he scoured the country seeking its essence. The resulting book, Travels With Charley (Charley was his poodle), chronicles what Steinbeck saw as a country in sometimes uncomfortable motion. The center, which turns 20 in 2018, also does not shy away from the controversy that arose from the authors portrayal of farm workers lot in life in Grapes of Wrath. His books infuriated growers some places banned them and he turned his back on his hometown. But as if to prove you can go home again, Steinbeck, who died in 1968 in New York City at age 66, is buried in Salinas. Where: The Steinbeck House is at 132 Central Ave.; lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; reservations at (831) 757-5806. The National Steinbeck Center is at 1 Main St., about 305 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. How much: $12.95 for adults; $9.95 for seniors, students, military, teachers and Monterey County residents; $6.95 for children 6-17; children 5 and younger admitted free. Info: National Steinbeck Center Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Treat yourself to Spago in Beverly Hills, and a possible tableside visit from the boss By Chris Erskine Why: Because Wolfgang Puck, who likes to work the dining room, might stop by and personally sprinkle lemon juice on your perfectly grilled fish. There, better? he asks. Of course it is. What: A meal at Spago is as L.A. as the Hollywood sign and a tad tastier. The landmark restaurant is where Puck made great food fun again. Originally on Sunset and now in Beverly Hills, Spago is synonymous with creative, attentive and amazing dining. (Mariah Tauger / For The Times) (Mariah Tauger / For The Times) At the original Spago on the Sunset Strip, [Puck] created what later became known as casual fine dining, a movement that 35 years later still dominates the restaurant world, wrote Times restaurant reviewer Jonathan Gold. And thus, a nationwide food craze was born. For food lovers, the menu itself is an adventure. Portions are generous, and the service is perfectly timed. And though the dining room is packed and buzzy, you can have a conversation here, unlike so many restaurants these days. At lunch, the go-to standard is the house-cured smoked salmon pizza topped with dollops of caviar. Also pay attention to the veal wienerschnitzel, so tender you could cut it with your thumb. Grilled fish comes off the grill in that 10-second window when it is neither too swimmy nor too dry. Just dont forget the lemon. Where: 176 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, about 13 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. How much: How much you got? For most of us, this is a special occasion restaurant. Lunches for two start at around $100 and quickly reach $200. Dinners for two will run $150 and up, before wine or cocktails. Info: Spago (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Frolic amid mai tais, Spam and tiki culture at the Bali Hai on San Diego Bay By Irene Lechowitzky Why: Because two Bali Hais are better than one. Brush up on your Rodgers and Hammerstein (Bali Hai may call you / Any night, any day), then come away to this San Diego tiki icon, the Bali Hai restaurant. What: Tiki bars have been a Southern California phenomenon for generations, and San Diego with its sunny days, palm trees, ocean views and strong Navy heritage is a perfect fit for the kitschy fad, tiny umbrellas and all. Starting in the 1930s, faux-Polynesian themed bars and restaurants sprang up in the cross-border region from Tijuana to San Diego. The tiki scene started to dwindle in the 1960s, and despite a resurgence of sorts, most of the old cheeky palaces have faded away. But not Bali Hai. At age 63, its still proudly shaking its hula skirt, aided by a waterfront location, fun ambiance and, yes, seriously powerful mai tais. Ambiance first: As you approach the restaurant/bar, the first thing youll notice is The Goof on the roof, a playful tiki that stands guard over the domain below. At the front door, Mr. Bali Hai, a large wood sculpture, greets guests. Inside, there are about a hundred Polynesian artifacts on display, including masks, weapons and tools. The large bar and dining room have dark wood columns, a wood-beam ceiling and large windows with great bay and city views. The Pacific Rim-inspired menu features such items as Hawaiian tuna poke, chicken adobo steam buns, Spam carbonara, pork belly katsu and Chinese garlic noodles, and holdovers such as Huli Huli chicken and coconut shrimp. But for my money, the experience isnt complete without a rum-based cocktail. There are plenty to choose from, but my favorite is the World Famous Bali Hai Mai Tai, a potent drink that proudly has No Juice Added and mixes aged light and dark rums, Trader Vics orgeat syrup, a dash of Triple Sec and a splash of sweet and sour. Where: 2230 Shelter Island Dr., on Shelter Island, about 5 miles west of downtown San Diego, 120 miles southeast of downtown L.A. How much: Dinner main dishes from $19 to $30; Sunday brunch, $40. Classic cocktails are under $10. Info: Bali Hai restaurant San Diego Bay, from Shelter Island (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Celebrate at Lawrys in Beverly Hills, where thick slabs of prime rib are sliced right at your table By Jenn Harris (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times) Why: Since 1938, Lawrys the Prime Rib has been the place for indulgence and celebration. Its where people spend their birthdays, anniversaries, congrats-on-your-promotion dinners and holiday parties. And where football players competing in the Rose Bowl go for the Beef Bowl. What: Walking through the heavy gold doors is like walking into a time machine. Through the other side is a magical place where people still dress up, spotless glasses sparkle on crisp white tablecloths and the plush booths make you feel like the most important person in the world. The idea was to create a version of the English restaurant Simpsons in the Strand, where cuts of meat fit for a giant are served from trolleys. But Lawrys founders Lawrence Frank and brother-in-law Walter Van de Kamp (of the Van de Kamp bakery empire and Tam OShanter Inn) had grander plans for their restaurant, starting with the meat carts. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times) Lawrence designed the stainless steel carving carts the restaurant is known for the ones that glide through the dining room carrying Flintstones-sized cuts of meat to be, well, impressive. And they are. As are the meat carvers, who don medals showing they are part of the Royal Order of Carvers (a title that requires six months of training). Each prime rib dinner comes with its own show of sorts: Servers wear the same style of brown gown uniforms they wore when the restaurant opened, and they pour dressing from up high into spinning metal bowls of salad tableside. When you order your prime rib, you do it directly from one of the shiny carts, and its sliced to order. There are smaller cuts of meat, but treat yourself to the Diamond Jim Brady (16 ounces), named for millionaire Jim Brady, who was known for eating massive amounts of food. All of the prime rib dinners come with the spinning salad, a scoop of mashed potatoes, a ladleful of gravy and a wedge of Yorkshire pudding. If you dont finish it all you probably wont finish it all ask for a doggie bag. The restaurant claims to have initiated the idea, along with valet parking. There are Lawrys the Prime Rib locations in Las Vegas, Chicago and Asia. The original in Beverly Hills is home to a comfortable lounge and excellent bar snacks. This is where you can order a martini kissed with prime rib-stuffed olives and find complimentary snacks that could easily replace your dinner appetizers. Arrive a little early for your reservation, grab a seat in one of the cushy lounge chairs, order a martini, then take turns filling your plate with cocktail meatballs and salty potato chips the size of drink coasters. Go for it. Indulging to your hearts content is encouraged. Where: 100 La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, located on Restaurant Row, about half a mile south of the Beverly Center, about 10 miles west of downtown L.A. How much: Prime rib dinners start at $41, and you can add a lobster tail for $15. Dessert and starters are extra. Drinks in the bar/lounge area are $13 to $17. The restaurant is busier on the weekends, and reservations are recommended. Info: Lawrys Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Read forbidden words and savor daring artists in Big Surs Henry Miller Library By Thomas Curwen (Thomas Curwen / Los Angeles Times) Why: If Big Sur is a temple to the beauty of the California coast, then the Henry Miller Memorial Library is one of its most endearing altars, a respite from the rigors of navigating the twists and turns of Highway 1 and rubber-necking the vertiginous coastline. Beneath stately redwoods is a quiet repository of wisdom, irreverence and charm. Its proprietors say that it is the place where nothing happens, and yet it is where everything seems to converge. What: Henry Valentine Miller came to Big Sur in the 1940s after nearly a decade in Paris. He was, by then, author of Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, which were banned as obscene in America until 1961. Naturally they sold well, and Miller soon became a hero of renegade literature, a model for William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. After Millers death in Pacific Palisades in 1980, a friend, Emil White, opened a memorial library that bore Millers name. With the help of the Big Sur Land Trust, the library has become a nonprofit cultural space, art gallery, performance space, bookshop and destination for artists, writers, musicians and students. Bust of Henry Miller. (Thomas Curwen/Los Angeles Times) The Henry Miller Memorial Library is a reminder of the pleasures afforded by a curated bookstore. It is a place to celebrate the macho and feminist, the consensual and the iconoclastic through the pages of its eclectic collection of books. Psychedelic cumbias from Peru or the twanging guitar of the Del Tones might be your accompaniment as you browse the tables set with Edward Abbey, Joseph Heller, William Faulkner, John Fante, David Foster Wallace, Jon Stewart, Robert Pirsig and William Least Heat Moon. Strings of paper money from around the world offerings from international visitors dangle from the ceiling. Posters celebrate the notable musical performances that have taken place outdoors, including Philip Glass and Patti Smith, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Arcade Fire. Outside, an upright piano falls to ruin off the path from the highway. A typewriter gathers rust on a tree stump, and an effigy made of extension cords is crucified on a cross of computer monitors. In other words, where nothing is sacred, everything is sacred. (Thomas Curwen / Los Angeles Times) Where: 48603 Highway 1 in Big Sur, which is 10 minutes south of Nepenthe, 10 minutes north of Deetjens Big Sur Inn. Also 290 miles northwest of downtown L.A., 152 miles south of downtown San Francisco. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays, closed Tuesdays. How much: Its free to browse. Donations eagerly accepted. Books for sale. Tickets prices vary for performances and programs. Info: Henry Miller Memorial Library Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Roam the San Luis Obispo canyon full of architectural daydreams and wandering horses By Christopher Reynolds Poly Canyon, San Luis Obispo. (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Why: Architects usually keep their daydreams to themselves. But among these hills on the back side of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, some students have allowed their boldest notions to romp free. And horses romp with them. What: Cal Poly is routinely ranked among the nations top schools of architecture, and its students and professors started testing ideas in this canyon as early as the 1960s. Lately, theres a spring Design Village event (April 20-22 in 2018) that brings students out to test temporary structures and sometimes sleep in them. Luckily for the rest of us, those nine acres and the rest of the canyon are generally open to the public, including dogs and mountain bikes (on the dirt road). Its a hike of about 2.5 miles from campus to the farthest structure, but your mileage (and elevation gain) will depend on how tempted your are to probe the structures and stalk the horses. (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) I wandered around on a December day when the hills were the color of straw, and at first I wasnt so happy about all the horse turds. But once the horses themselves showed up, that changed everything. They sidled up to a water tower, then struck heroic poses on the ridge line while I prowled around assorted unconventional houses and bridges, including a geodesic dome. Yes, there was some graffiti and vandalism, but many structures have been reconditioned in more recent years. (The university calls it an experimental construction laboratory.) Id call it a great spot for photo experimentation as well. There are about 20 projects, and plenty of tree shade in the lowlands along Brizzolara Creek. After a rain, Ill bet those grassy slopes light up neon green. Where: The Cal Poly campus is 195 miles northwest of downtown L.A. Enter the campus via Grand Avenue (and beware of dorm construction near the entrance). Follow the campus map to the corner of Village Drive and Poly Canyon Road, then walk northeast on Poly Canyon Road, which is a gate dirt rout that follows Brizzolara Creek. After about 3/4 of a mile, youll see a stone arch. Step through and the canyon will open before you. How much: On weekends, parking is free at lot H4 at Village Drive and Perimeter Road. On weekdays, its $5 for a parking pass at the checkpoint at the campus entrance. (I showed up on a weekday and parked at lot K-1.) Info: Cal Poly College of Architecture & Design, Hikespeaks trail description. (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Step into the vast, strange spectacle of Kenny Irwins Robolights in Palm Springs By Christopher Reynolds ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Why: Youll never see another holiday display quite like it. And it sits on 4 acres in the middle of an upscale Palm Springs neighborhood. What: The Coachella Valley, with its 80-degree December days, is a quirky place to celebrate winter holidays to begin with. And the quirks multiply once you enter Palm Springs Movie Colony neighborhood and approach the Irwin house, about two blocks from the old Frank Sinatra Estate. Since at least 32 years ago, when he was 12, Kenny Irwin has been driven to create epic displays from cast-off items dreamscapes that suggest robots, space aliens and more obscure spectacles that defy description. With his fathers support (and a corps of seasonal workers to handle logistics and crowd control), Irwins compulsion has grown into Robolights, a seasonal landmark that combines Santa Clauses, reindeer, sleighs and gingerbread houses with little green men, skulls, dolls, hybrid creatures, reclaimed consumer electronics, half-melted toys and at least one coffin. At Robolights there are no clear lines between Halloween, Christmas and science fiction. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) From Nov. 22 through Jan. 8, the scene is lighted by thousands of bulbs and visitors are ushered along a path that leads from the front yard through a forest of fantasy in the back, then out again. A thousand visitors in a night is not uncommon. On my visit in early December, Irwin was out and about, a soft-spoken man with a skullcap, caftan, long beard and gentle smile. (Did I mention that the artist converted to Islam many years ago?) Ill bet the hardware store totally loves him, I heard one visitor say. This is insane, said another. Many families pose for pictures amid the luminous chaos. Where: 1077 E. Granvia Valmonte, Palm Springs, 107 miles east of downtown L.A. But while the Robolights are lighted, the city bans nonresident parking on many streets nearby, so youll need to park a few blocks away. Try Ruth Hardy Park. And be careful as you walk there isnt a lot of streetlight illumination in the neighborhood. How much: Free. But theres a receptacle for donations at the entrance. From 4 to 9:30 p.m. daily. Info: Robolights The Robolights yard includes a pond. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Worker Alex Sanchez checks bulbs at Robolights. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Get down, dawg, with a $15 beach yoga class in Santa Monica By Chris Erskine Why: Beach yoga is good for the bod, and the spirit, in ways that no cramped, sweaty studio can match. What: All sorts of beach yoga classes are held up and down the California coast, but few are as affordable and easy as Beach Yoga With Brad and Friends in Santa Monica. No reservations required. Just drop in with $15 and a beach towel (or a yoga mat if you prefer). Instructor/owner Brad Keimach is a Juilliard-trained classical music conductor who moonlights or sunlights with these yoga classes every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 till noon. He also holds Wednesday sunset classes starting at 3:45 p.m. and lasting an hour. When the days are longer and the clocks change, he adds more weekday sunset classes. (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) For almost 10 years, his beach-based classes have appealed to first-timers as well as advanced yoga buffs. They are held on the water side of Guard Tower 29, roughly on the border between Venice and Santa Monica. Paid parking is plentiful at the public lots at the end of Ocean Park or on Main Street. Like many yoga instructors, Keimach emphasizes breathing as well as the moves and poses. He also incorporates the setting, sending students to get their toes wet at one point for a bit of spiritual spritzing. The classes pass quickly, without pain, and without Keimach putting his hands all over the students (a too-common yoga studio experience). Looking out over the sparkly Pacific, his classes combine ocean breezes, a relaxing pace and Keimachs soothing instructions, at a venue where space is never an issue. Where: Lifeguard Tower 29, Santa Monica, 16 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. How much: $15 Info: Beach Yoga With Brad and Friends Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Shop with Victorians on San Franciscos Union Street By Christopher Reynolds Boulangerie de San Francisco, 1909 Union St. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Why: Sometimes you just want to shop in a strange city. Not in the middle of a grand scene like Union Square or the Ferry Building, but along a street that feels like a neighborhood just a bit beyond your means. With Victorian mansions here and there. Hello, Union Street. What: Union Street has had its great-shopping reputation since the 1950s. The eight-block stretch between Van Ness Avenue and Steiner Street, surrounded by the Marina and Cow Hollow residential neighborhoods, is the prime retail portion. Many of the shops (which tilt toward apparel and beauty products) and restaurants are housed in Victorian mansions that survived the quake of 1906. One even older mansion, the pale blue Octagon House at Gough and Union, went up in 1861 and has been preserved in its residential state by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (so it would be wrong to knock on the door and ask if this is the weed dispensary youve heard so much about). The society opens the house a few days a month for tours. Among the restaurants, I can vouch for the Belgian food and beer at Belga (on Union near Buchanon Street). But there are more than two dozen. And theres plenty to peruse at Chronicle Books (on Union between Octavia and Laguna streets). Where: The corner of Van Ness and Union is a good place to start. Its 1.5 miles northwest of Union Square, 383 miles northwest of downtown L.A. How much: Free to browse, of course. Oysters at Belga, $3 each. Median home price in Cow Hollow and the Marina: about $1.8 million. Info: Union Street Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Find yourself in a yogis seaside Encinitas gardens By Irene Lechowitzky Why: Where else can you spend an hour and feel like youve been on a soul-replenishing spiritual retreat? At the Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens in Encinitas, you can be fully present in the moment and get in touch with your inner yogi and do it surrounded by gorgeous gardens on a bluff overlooking the ocean. What: The goal of the Meditation Gardens, part of a large complex at the southern end of downtown Encinitas dedicated to the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, is to inspire you to a greater realization of the Divine Presence that lies within. Walking up the stone steps into the lush, eclectic gardens imparts an instant feeling of serenity. There are koi ponds and many quiet nooks with benches where you can sit. At the top of the ocean bluff is a plaque that marks the location of the Golden Lotus Temple. The temple, built in 1937 to take advantage of the incredible views, only stood for five years before the ground gave way and it had to be dismantled. Wander past the old, empty swimming pool up the tree-shrouded path to the dry area featuring native plants and succulents overlooking the famed surf spot Swamis. (The beachs name was a nod to Yogananda.) Some visitors pray, others meditate. I like to watch the surfers below and imagine them praying for good waves. And dont miss the Hermitage at the opposite end of the gardens, where Yogananda spent many years writing and teaching. The Hermitage, preserved as a shrine, draws followers from around the world; it is open on the first and third Sundays of the month. It was moving to see the study where he wrote his most famous work, Autobiography of a Yogi, which has been translated into dozens of languages. Where: 215 W. K St., Encinitas, 100 miles southeast of downtown L.A. (Look for the three large golden lotus towers as you come down South Coast Highway 101.) How much: Free. Info: Self-Realization Fellowship Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Hoot and holler in UCLAs Pauley Pavilion, the hoop heaven that honors John Wooden By Chris Erskine (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) Why: John Wooden was the Elvis of college basketball, a mythic, once-in-three-lifetimes figure. Pauley Pavilion was his Graceland. Along with Lambeau Field and Fenway Park, it belongs on any sports fans must-see list. What: Updated and comfortable, Pauley sits on the sweeping and shady UCLA campus in Westwood. It is one of the easiest L.A. sports venues to park near ($12) and navigate. Reopened in 2012 after a two-year renovation, the stadium now offers modern concessions, more room to roam and 1,000 more seats. Most significantly, it added a concourse, improving comfort and flow. Be ready for a lot of blue. After Dodger Stadium, this is L.A.s second blue heaven. (Photos by Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) But youre here for the lore, in a place that has produced 38 All-Americans. Wooden started it all, taking over as head basketball coach at UCLA in 1948 and leading the Bruins to a record 10 national championships. Renowned for his disciplined, values-driven approach, he created a basketball dynasty that won seven straight championships in the late 60s and early 70s, including 98 successive victories at Pauley. Wooden, who died in 2010, is the first person to be inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame both as a player and a coach. Though he resembled a gentleman banker more than a rock star, Woodens legacy lives on in the stadium he made famous. The corridors are lined with photos, timelines and a version of Woodens Pyramid of Success, a set of principles formed to help students and teams reach their potential. Where: Pauley Pavilion, on the UCLA campus, 15 miles west of downtown L.A. How much: Prices vary. Seats generally start at $8 for less-attractive games and $25 for popular ones. Info: UCLA Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Drive through In-N-Out Burgers flagship restaurant in Baldwin Park for a double-double, animal-style By Christopher Reynolds (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Why: For certain carnivorous Californians, a visit to this burger chain is like church, but with more calories. At the flagship In-N-Out location just south of the 10 Freeway in the eastern L.A. County suburb of Baldwin Park, of course you can drive through, as most customers do. But you could eat inside, then browse a company store, then (on the north side of the freeway) admire a non-functioning replica of chains first burger shack. What: Harry and Esther Snyder founded the first In-N-Out burger shack in 1948, which puts them among the first to try a drive-through restaurant. Now their granddaughter runs the company. To taste what the fuss is all about, order a double-double, animal-style two beef patties cooked with mustard, two slices of cheese and a choice of hand-leafed lettuce and tomato, plus pickles, extra spread and grilled onions. Its the appeal of these burgers and fries (no heat lamps, freezers or microwaves) that has fueled the companys growth to more than 300 outlets. (But unlike its Southern California cousins McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell and Wienerschnitzel, In-N-Out has never expanded beyond the American West.) (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Though the companys first home at San Francisquito and Garvey avenues has been leveled, the current restaurant is joined by not only a store (open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays) but a regional distribution center, the two-story campus of In-N-Out University and the replica shack, which went up in 2014. (The online store does have wider inventory than the brick-and-mortar one, including socks and surfboards.) Where: 13850 Francisquito Ave., Baldwin Park. The company store is at 13800 Francisquito. The replica shack (free and open for selfies Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) is at 13752 Francisquito. The restaurant is 16 miles east of downtown L.A. How much: Double-double, animal-style, $4.27. Info: In-N-Out (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Light up your life at the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale By Catharine Hamm The Museum of Neon Art in Glendale showcases the once wildly popular light form. (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times) Why: Decorative and delightful, the works that light up our lives at Glendales Museum of Neon Art are part art and part science and all fascinating. What: In 2015, the museum moved from downtown Los Angeles, where it had lived since 1981, to Glendale and has been lighting up lives ever since. Pep Boys grace the entry. (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times) For this you can credit the founder of the feast, Georges Claude, a Parisian who invented the neon light in about 1910. L.A. became a hotbed of neon-ness, thanks to its desire to be the capital of the next big thing and its desire to look the part, beginning in the Roaring 20s. The neon at this museum, where exhibits change often enough to encourage repeat visits, is more amusing than unsavory. And as a reminder that nothing lasts forever, Manny, Moe & Jack (the Pep Boys) are not on permanent display, although the museum doesnt have any plans to move the fellows. Eve de Haans pink neon Love Dont Pay the Bills is part of the She Bends exhibit, featuring works by women neon artists. (Catharine Hamm/Los Angeles Times) Through Feb. 11, an exhibit called She Bends: Women in Neon, takes you inside a creative funhouse of the art form, some works based on words (Eve de Haans pink neon Love Dont Pay the Bills), some on objects (Michie Hongos faces on skateboard remnants). Where: 216 S. Brand Ave, Glendale, about eight miles north of downtown L.A. How much: Museum entrance is $10 for adults ($5 if you live in Glendale), $8 for those 65 and older, and free for those 12 and younger if accompanied by an adult. Info: Museum of Neon Art Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Forage with top chefs at the Santa Monica Farmers Market By Christopher Reynolds Wednesday morning, pluots and persimmons. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Why: Some of the states most accomplished farmers rise before dawn on Wednesday mornings and drive as much as 200 miles, just so they can set up and sell at this market. One reason: The Santa Monica Farmers Market draws some of Southern Californias most decorated (and discriminating) chefs. And the market venue happens to be a tomato toss away from the beach, a cucumber roll from the scores of shops and restaurants along the Third Street Promenade. What: About 75 farmers set up stalls along a few blocks of Arizona Avenue, which is closed to vehicles on market mornings. If youre coming by car, youll have to cope with nasty traffic and parking, even at 8:30 a.m., but once youre afoot, life is good. In late fall, youll likely find dates from Mecca, apples from Cuyama, persimmons from Fallbrook, pluots from Kingsbug, oranges from Ojai, mushrooms from La Habra Heights. Consider this a reminder that for all its glitz, California remains an agricultural powerhouse. And even if youre not going to bite into that persimmon, youll feel the sea breeze and hear the banjo player at Arizona and 2nd, or maybe the guitarist a block to the east. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) The market was born in 1981, and the stampede of kitchen professionals began soon after. Noting that close relationship between growers and chefs, Saveur magazine in 2016 labeled this L.A.s best farmers market. Still, its good to remember that other markets operate on Santa Monicas Main Street (Sundays) and in the citys Virginia Avenue Park (Saturdays). If youre farther east, or youd like more street musicians and more nonproduce merchants, theres the Hollywood Farmers Market on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ivar and Selma avenues. Where: The market happens on Wednesdays along Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica, between Ocean Avenue and 4th Street from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. On Saturdays, a smaller version occupies Arizona Avenue between between 2nd and 4th streets from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The corner of Arizona Avenue and 4th Street is 17 miles west of downtown L.A. -- which could take an hour to drive, depending on the hour and day. How much: In late November, organic pitted Medjool dates from Mecca were $9.50 per pound. Granny Smith apples from Cuyama were $3 a pound. Fuyu persimmons from Fallbrook were $3.50 per pound. Valencia oranges from Ojai were $1 per pound. Info: Santa Monica Farmers Markets ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Drift in a balloon over northern San Diego County By Christopher Reynolds Aloft near Fairbanks Ranch. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Why: Heres your chance to climb into a wicker basket and rise 3,000 feet above Fairbanks Ranch, to stand just below a fire-belching burner (which makes your balloon rise), to see sunset from high up, and maybe even to throw shade onto one of Bill Gatess houses. What: A balloon ride is a 19th century sort of thrill, and as Californias open spaces get filled in, ballooning options are decreasing. The Napa and Temecula vineyard areas still feature plenty of balloons (which usually launch in early morning, when winds are calmer and temperatures are lower). The Palm Springs and Santa Barbara wine country areas have some too. But balloons are a rare sight along the California coast, so I grabbed a chance to soar above northern San Diego County. Though balloon pilots strive to keep their aircraft above land, the views from on high include miles of ocean and the red tile roofs of countless Mediterranean-style mansions. Rides typically last 45 to 60 minutes (depending on which way the wind blows), pilots are permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration, and its traditional to celebrate afterward with a glass of Champagne. In northern San Diego, its often a sunset operation flown by a team that started their day with a flight in Temecula. My ride in late November, operated by Compass Balloons, featured seven passengers and a pilot. (Minimum age: 5.) We launched near the Vegetable Shop at Chino Farm, (which sells produce to some of the regions most admired restaurants). We inflated, climbed aboard, drifted over the Morgan Run golf course, and gazed down on Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, Black Mountain and Carmel Valley. As our round shadow crept across fields, hills and exclusive neighborhoods, pilot Matt Downing pointed out one of Bill Gates houses and another that once belonged to philanthropist Joan Kroc. We touched down smoothly about 3 1/2 miles east of where we took off. Im glad I did it when I did. Compass Balloons owner Evan Munnelly warns that flights in this area may cease within a year because take-off and landing spaces in the area are vanishing so rapidly. Where: Though several companies, including Compass, Skys the Limit and California Dreamin, mention Del Mar in promoting their balloon flights, the vessels usually take off and land farther inland. For my Compass Balloons flight, we met in an Encinitas park-and-ride lot (1969 Villa Cardiff Drive, Encinitas), then the crew drove us to the launch spot. Our meeting spot was 97 miles southeast of downtown L.A., 24 miles north of downtown San Diego. How much: A shared ride (with other passengers in a basket that typically holds eight to 10 people) typically costs $150 to $300 per person. Info: Besides the San Diego companies above, many balloon companies operate in Napa Valley, Temecula and around Palm Springs. . Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Drink dessert over an ocean view at La Jollas La Valencia Hotel By Christopher Reynolds Terrace, the Med, La Valencia. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Why: Life can be seriously sweet at this hotel, which was built in 1926 with a big La Jolla Cove view and anchors a neighborhood of ultra-spendy shops and glitzy galleries. Since the days when Gregory Peck hosted other La Jolla Playhouse luminaries in the hotels Whaling Bar, La V (as many locals know the place) has offered a frothy concoction known as a Whaler. Picture a milkshake, enlivened by Kahlua, brandy, coffee, whipped cream and various mystery ingredients. What: The 114-room hotel has long been known for its pink paint job and Spanish Mediterranean style. In the course of ownership changes, expansions and renovations, the Whaling Bar has slipped away. But its frothy legacy remains. Grab one of the 15 or so tables on the terrace of the hotels signature restaurant, The Med, order a Whaler for dessert, and dont plan on operating any heavy machinery for some hours. (If you think you see a Kardashian, it may not be a hallucination; members of the family have been dropping by for years.) Where: 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, 112 miles southeast of downtown L.A., 14 miles northwest of downtown San Diego. How much: A Whaler costs $14. Main dishes in The Med are priced at $15 to $24. (I can vouch for the snapper ceviche.) Rooms for two typically rent for $289 and up. Info: La Valencia Hotel The Whaler (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Find deep-fried pleasure at a roadside farm stand near Palmdale By Jenn Harris (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times) Why: Maybe youve finished a hike through the Devils Punchbowl and youre hungry. Or youre looking for unexpected holiday gifts. Or youve been hit by a craving for deep-fried fair food and its not fair season. For all these reasons and more, seekers like you end up at Charlie Brown Farms near Palmdale, where all your snack/drunk food fantasies, and your dreams of owning life-size replicas of the Blues Brothers, collide and come true. What: What started as a fruit stand in 1929 is now a six-acre hodgepodge of stores, a restaurant and a snack shop. The main building is a hokey cabin with advertisements for the various tchotchkes and snacks inside. From the road, its impossible to miss with signs that scream collectibles, funnel cake, smoothies, jerky, Dole whip. And just off the side of the building, an enclosed area with dinosaur statues. You may get whiplash trying to take it all in. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times) Once through the front door you experience sensory overload. Directly in front of you is a rack of jerky (the store boasts more than 60 kinds, including elk and ostrich). To the right is a counter where you can order milkshakes, fried candy bars, Texas-style barbecue, funnel cakes, ice cream and a host of other foods any decent doctor would advise you stay away from. To the left, packaged nuts, candy, a room where you can fill your own honey jar, a room devoted to pickles, a room devoted to soda, a fudge counter, and all that food is mixed in with things like raccoon figurines and coffee mugs. This is also where you can find raw frog legs for that stew recipe youve been dying to try. And alligator meat too. But past the fudge counter is where things really start to get weird. There are rooms completely lined with dolls from all over the world. A little creepy, but if youre in need of a doll (seriously, any doll), this is the place to find it. The life-size Blues Brothers statues I mentioned earlier? Theyre on the way to the doll rooms. Out back is a patio with tables and chairs, where you can break open that package of elk jerky or come down from that sugar rush of deep-fried Oreos. You could wander around this place for hours and not see everything. But its sure fun to try. Where: 8317 Pearblossom Highway, Littlerock, a 17-minute drive from downtown Palmdale and about 65 miles northeast of downtown L.A. How much: Depends on what youre in the mood for. Barbecue plates start around $11.50, the deep fried Oreos and Snickers are around $4 for each order, the jerky is around $8 a bag depending on the size, and the knick-knacks will range in price. If youre not a fan of lots of people in tight spaces, plan accordingly. Info: Charlie Brown Farms Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Soak in the view of Californias Grand Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park By Elisa Parhad Why: Perched at the end of the rising desert floor, Fonts Point gives onlookers a majestic view of Californias badlands, several hundred feet below. Though far flung, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is an expansive feast of nature well worth the time it takes to get there. What: Fonts Point is part of a remote and sculptural landscape that was millions of years in the making. The vistas ridge yields to a maze of sinuous channels, razorback ridges and sandy, sun-baked hills. Bring a chair, a picnic and perhaps some friends. The scene is best at sunrise and sunset when the rock formations glow with honey-dipped hues. Even better is a visit during a full moon. The accumulation of photographers at these times is a testament to the spectacle. The brackish waters of the Colorado River and the Gulf of California converged here long ago, making the area a dumping ground for sediment. Today, the windswept and eroded rock is flush with the fossils of animals and marine life that inhabited this once verdant terrain. Four miles of soft dirt road leads up to Fonts Point, so check the road conditions before your departure. Depending on the roads status, a high clearance or 4WD vehicle may be necessary. Closer to the park visitor center, the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is a popular 3-mile round trip that begins with a trailhead at the end of the main campground road. Where: In the heart of the Borrego Badlands, outside of Borrego Springs, 168 miles southeast of downtown L.A. How much: Free until recently. On Nov. 3, the state parks system started collecting a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at the Anza-Borrego visitor center. Info: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Rent a Duffy for a glittery tour of Newport Harbor By Chris Erskine (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) Why: Newport Bay seems made of glitter. Rental boats are plentiful and the harbor is easy to navigate and full of nautical eye candy. Board an electric boat and take a breezy tour. What: Newport Beach is the Beverly Hills of Orange County. The setting for multiple TV shows, it represents much of the California dream giant homes and sensational yachts. The harbor, home to 9,000 vessels, is a recreational wonderland. The Duffy, a popular brand of rental boats, is an excellent way to see it all. Available at a half dozen rental places around the harbor, the slow-moving vessels are as easy to operate as a golf cart. (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) A popular route is around Lido Island, the thumb-shaped isle on the western side of the harbor, where the bridge leaves plenty of space. Note that many of the bridges surrounding neighboring Balboa Island are too low to accommodate the surrey-topped electric boats. A lap around Lido takes about an hour, a typical rental period. Or, head east past the Fun Zone on Balboa Peninsula, past Balboa Island and toward the mouth of the harbor. Youll be warned not to go near the outlet, since the electric boats arent built to handle bigger waves. Pontoons, kayaks, paddle boards and powerboats are also available at rental locations around the harbor. Boat Rentals of America, on the peninsula near the Fun Zone, offers walk-up rentals, but recommends reservations for weekends, no matter the time of year. Where: Newport Beach is in Orange County, 46 miles, or 90 minutes, from downtown L.A. How much: Duffy electric boats that accommodate up to eight passengers rent for about $85 an hour. Info: Boat Rentals of America or Newport Beach Boat Rentals Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Connect with artisans (and beer) at Crafted, a makers market in a San Pedro port warehouse By Christopher Reynolds (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Why: Its a vintage warehouse down by the port, full of artists, designers and makers, neighbored by a craft brewery. And youre not done with your holiday shopping yet. What: Crafted was born five years ago, as the maker movement began to bloom nationwide. Its open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and the first Thursday night of every month in the L.A. Ports Warehouse 10, built in the 1940s. When I stopped by in mid-September, there were about 50 vendors in place, hawking iPhone photo prints, snacks, sculptures, succulents, textiles, vintage reconditioned furniture, soap, you name it. Outside, the San Pedro Festival of the Artists was in full swing-- one of many special events that use picnic tables and patio space between the old warehouses. Pop Kustom Shoppe, Crafted. (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Since 2016, the artisans have been joined by Brouwerij West, a craft beer operation and tasting room that fills about half of Warehouse 9. On weekends, theres usually a food truck (or two or three) on hand, and often live music. Coming eventually: a food hall in the other half of Warehouse 9. Where: Warehouse No.10, 112 E. 22nd St., San Pedro, 26 miles south of downtown L.A. How much: Parking and admission are free. Info: Crafted Brouwerij West. (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Salute General Grant (the tree) in Kings Canyon National Park By Mary Forgione Why: Any way you look at it, General Grant stands tall. First of all, its a massive sequoia, one of the largest living things in California. Moreover, the White House has named this the nations Christmas tree. What: General Grant is 268 feet high, the base of its trunk is 107 feet around. In 1925, Central Valley resident Charles E. Lee (an officer of the Sanger Chamber of Commerce) asked President Coolidge to have this giant sequoia in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon designated the national Christmas tree. In 1926 the president complied. Ever since, the Sanger Chamber has staged an annual Trek to the Tree, drawing hundreds of people each year for a winter program that typically includes songs and prayers. No tinsel, no lights. Just the tree as it has stood for about 2,000 years, and a wreath contributed by park rangers. This years event will be Sunday, Dec. 10, at the base of the tree. and its a free admission day in the park. For reservations or information on shuttle buses to the site, contact the Sanger Chamber of Commerce by phone at (559) 875-4575 or by e-mail at sangerchamber@gmail.com. Whether you reach General Grant in holiday season or not, you can impress the other tree-lovers by pointing out that in 1956, Congress gave General Grant another distinction, naming it the nations only living national shrine in honor of the men and women of the Armed Forces. And if you really love the idea of big trees with high ranks, make a bonus stop at the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park. Its bigger, about 275 feet high. In fact, it might be the worlds largest living thing, depending on how you quantify coral reefs, fungus networks and redwoods. Where: General Grant stands along a 0.8-mile paved loop trail from the General Grant Grove parking lot in Kings Canyon National Park. The grove is 245 miles north of downtown L.A. And its more than 6,000 feet above sea level, so snow is common in winter. Be sure to check weather and road conditions before driving into the area. How much: Admission to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks (which operator jointly, as if they were single unit) is $30 per car for up to seven days. Info: Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ski in the morning in the San Bernardino Mountains, surf in the evening, using these slopes as your launch point By Chris Erskine Snow Summit (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Why: SoCal offers the chance to ski and surf on the same day. This would be the snowy part of such a mountains-to-the-beaches day. What: Bear Mountain and Snow Summit are two slices of the same cake. Two miles apart, the sister resorts are the crown jewels of the town of Big Bear, a couple of hours from the bustle of the big city. Big Bear is three hours away from downtown Los Angeles, and a world apart from the strip malls and gas stations that muck up much of Southern California. Spring, summer or fall, this alpine lake resort town offers plenty of activities, including boating, hiking and zip-lining. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) But in winter, its twin ski resorts really come alive. If you think of Southern California as all palm trees and bikinis, visit Big Bear after a winter storm, when the place is buried in several feet of snow and looks like a Christmas card. In what they offer, the two resorts are very similar, though Summit has the better terrain park. Lift tickets are good for both resorts, and buses run between the two resorts all day. Combined, the resorts offer 27 lifts and four high-speed chairs serving almost 60 runs. The resorts are just a few minutes from the village, where restaurants, shops and a movie theater await visitors. The resorts have begun making snow and opened Dec. 8. As with all mountain visits, note that conditions can change quickly, and chains are usually required on the twisty roads during any significant snow fall. Where: Big Bear Lake is in the San Bernardino Mountains, in San Bernardino County. It is 97 miles east of Los Angeles. How much: Advance purchase lift tickets start around $75. Info: Big Bear Mountain Resorts Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement See the Klamath River flow into the Pacific from this dramatic overlook in Redwood National Park By Christopher Reynolds (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Why: Rugged coast. Big sand spit. Half-forgotten road. Blufftop perch. Despite all these assets, this dramatic corner of Northern California doesnt get that many visitors. So youll probably have it to yourself. What: Your gateway to the Klamath River Overlook is Requa, a hamlet -- the memory of a town, really -- along the Highway 101 south of Crescent City in Del Norte County. Its main landmark is the Historic Requa Inn, a rustic riverside lodging and restaurant that dates to 1914. If you can work out a way to eat dinner and spend a night there, do it. But dont stop there. Continue west 1.5 miles (no RVs!) on ramshackle Requa Road (which becomes Patrick J. Murphy Memorial Road on some maps) until theres no more road, and no more land. That will put you at the Klamath River Overlook. Drink it in. And if its May or June, scan the ocean for gray whales. Rangers say they often linger to feed in the waters spilling from river to sea This bluff is part of Redwood National and State Parks and it includes a modest picnic area. Theres a steep Lower Overlook Trail that will take you about a quarter-mile down the slope, exposing further views. Theres also a Coastal Trail to the north -- follow it for 2.7 miles and youll reach Hidden Beach. But the wide view from the picnic tables may well be plenty for you. Theres something mesmerizing about it -- maybe its the moving water. Theres also a good chance of a stiff, cold breeze or fog, just about any time. Bring layers. Where: Klamath River Overlook, 61 miles north of Arcata, 339 miles north of San Francisco, 713 miles northwest of downtown L.A. How much: No entry fee. Info: Redwood National and State Parks (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pile the kids in the car, head to Riverside and catch a drive-in movie while you still can By Chris Erskine The entrance at the Van Buren Drive-In. (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) Why: What could be more of a California experience than a Hollywood double-feature viewed from the comfort of your car? What: In the 1950s, drive-in movies were a staple of American pop culture. These days, they are a novelty. One of the last remaining hot spots lives on at the Van Buren Drive-In in Riverside. Put the kids in their PJs and pack up the lawn chairs for a fine family getaway at the Van Buren. Opened in 1964 on the site of former orange groves, the three-screen drive-in remains a vibrant local hangout at half the price of your local multiplex. You can even bring your own food. On weekends, arrive 45 minutes before show time to ensure a decent spot, especially if youre going to sit outside in your lawn chairs. By showtime, the three lots serving the three screens resemble tailgate parties, with families wrapped in blankets and settled in for a double feature. (Chris Erskine / Los Angeles Times) SUVs or pickups often pull in with the tail hatch facing the screen, so kids with blankets or sleeping bags can turn the experience into a slumber party. Theres the traditional snack bar, and prices are fair, at least by movie theater standards. But waits can be 20 to 30 minutes on weekends. Check here for express pickup. Keep in mind that youre experiencing a rare phenomenon these days. Once numbering 4,000 across the country, drive-ins are now down to 400 or so. Catch one while you can not just for the sense of nostalgia, but for a memorable evening at a very fair price. Where: 3035 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, 55 miles southeast of downtown L.A. Plan on a drive of 90 minutes to two hours in evening traffic. How much: Admission is $9 per person; children ages 5 to 9, $1. Major credit cards and debit cards accepted. Open seven days a week. No pets. Info: Van Buren Drive-In Theatre Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Taste-test the Thomas Keller restaurant empire in Yountville, Napa Valley By Christopher Reynolds Chocolate tart, Ad Hoc, Yountville (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Why: Yountville is a sleepy, genteel little town in the heart of Napa Valley, population about 3,000. And Thomas Keller, one of this nations most admired chefs, has three restaurants in Yountville, on the same street. Or four. Or five, depending on how you count. What: Keller, raised and trained in Florida and New York and renowned for his high standards, has also cooked in acclaimed kitchens in France and Los Angeles, and he has operations in New York and Las Vegas as well. (His Bouchon in Beverly Hills is scheduled to close Dec. 31.) But since he opened the French Laundry in 1994, Yountville has been the seat of his California empire. With three Michelin stars and a nine-course chefs menu, The French Laundry may be the most celebrated restaurant in the state, and its surely one of the priciest. Ad Hoc, Yountville (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) But the chef has give us options. Bouchon opened in 1998, offering French bistro fare. The Bouchon Bakery followed in 2003. In 2006 came Ad Hoc, devoted to American comfort food in a casual setting. (Its humble-brag slogan: for temporary relief from hunger.) Ad Hocs menu changes daily to take advantage of fresh ingredients, but its all built around the chefs choice for a four-course family-style meal, which includes favorites like pot roast and barbecue. I came before 6 p.m. on buttermilk fried chicken night (a Monday), and found myself in a happily clamorous dining room, surrounded by families, confronting more food than I could eat. (I enjoyed the casual feeling, and I liked the chicken well enough. But I actually enjoyed the salad and cheese courses more livelier flavors.) Bouchon Bakery, Yountville ( Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Either before or after eating in Yountville, stroll Washington Street. At 6640 youll find the French Laundry, fronted by an unassuming, two-story, stone-walled building with minimalist kitchen addition and its gardens across the street. You can even peek through the kitchen window, a long slit that reveals the team laboring fiercely over that evenings dishes. Next, at 6534 Washington, you pause by Bouchon (French bistro fare) and the yellow awning of Bouchon Bakery (6528 Washington), whose snacks are the most affordable way to sample Kellers empire. A few blocks farther south at 6476 Washington, you reach Ad Hoc, which has nine seats at the bar in addition to its many tables (open Thursday through Monday). And behind Ad Hoc, neighbored by picnic tables, is Addendum, an auxiliary space that serves box lunches to go on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Where: Ad Hoc, 6476 Washington St., Yountville, Ca., 55 miles north of San Franciscos Ferry Building, 411 miles northwest of downtown L.A. How much: The nine-course dinner at the French Laundry: $310-$325 each. The four-course dinner at Ad Hoc: $55.A box lunch from Ad Hoc Addendum: $16.50. Info: Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, Yountville Chamber of Commerce The French Laundrys kitchen window ( Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Storm a Tuscan castle in Napa Valley By Christopher Reynolds ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Why: Napa Valley has close to 500 wineries. Castello di Amorosa is the only one housed in a 107-room castle that was built in accordance with 13th century Tuscan aspirations. What: Owner/designer Dario Sattui completed this spectacle, a 15-year project, in 2007. Besides its five towers and the barrel-vaulted retail and tasting area (which never seems to end), its got a great hall and chapel, each with evocative murals. Theres said to be a torture chamber below. Depending on your mood, you might expect a Da Vinci Code villain to round a corner at any moment, or Orson Welles in mid-soliloquy. Or one of the Monty Python guys, clopping coconuts together. Not surprisingly -- given the Tuscan blueprint of the place -- the Castello di Amorosa wines are made in the Italian style. The winery suffered no damage in the wine country fires of October. Where: 4045 St. Helena Hwy., Calistoga, Calif., 70 miles north of San Franciscos Ferry Buidling, 425 miles northwest of L.A. City Hall. How much: Adult admission (which includes wine-tasting) begins at $25. For children the rate is $15-$20 (and theres grape juice to taste). Tours (which include rooms you cant reach just wandering around) cost $40-$95. Info: Castello di Amorosa ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Soak in Calistoga spring water By Christopher Reynolds Fountain, Indian Springs, Calistoga (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Why: Calistoga is the answer to the question of what to do in the Napa Valley when youve had enough wine. Its a little, old resort town full of hot springs, so between wine-tasting excursions (and maybe the occasional bike ride) you can float listlessly in a steaming pool, untroubled by the faint scent of sulfur because you can feel the stress evaporating from your body. What: Samuel Brannan, a brash, controversial figure who became one of Californias first millionaires in the Gold Rush, founded Calistoga in the 1860s, counting on the areas springs to draw tourists from San Fancisco. (In fact, he built a rail route from Vallejo to Calistoga, and the current Napa Valley Wine Train rolls on the Napa-St. Helena portion of that old route.) It was a clever impulse. The town (population: about 5,300) lives on as a resort escape, with hideaways like Calistoga Ranch, Dr. Wilkinsons and Indian Springs (perhaps the oldest continuously operating pool and spa facility in the state) all relying heavily on their hot springs. Though the Napa/Sonoma wildfires of October drew near, they never reached the town of Calistoga, and it remains handsome as ever. In early November, I spent a night and stepped from the chilly morning air into the Olympic-sized, 102-degree, steam-cloaked pool at the 17-acre Indian Springs resort. It was pleasant. In 2015, the resort added a restaurant (Sams Social Club, which has fascinating, colorful mural over the counter) and grew from about 40 rooms to 115. Many of the interiors still have that just-upgraded, ready-for-the-magazine-photographer look. Where: Indian Springs, 1712 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 73 miles north of San Franciscos Ferry Building, 427 miles northwest of downtown L.A. How much: In winter, Indian Springs rooms for two usually start at about $239 per night. Info: Visit Calistoga, Indian Springs The main pool, Indian Springs, Calistoga (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Board the Napa Valley Wine Train, recall discord and disaster, then roll in splendor past miles of vineyards By Christopher Reynolds (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Why: If youre going to fully appreciate this valley and its globally admired vineyards, its better that youre not driving. And on the Napa Valley Wine Train, you have the chance to dine in style while the miles and wineries roll past. What: The train covers about 18 miles, running north alongside Highway 29 from the city of Napa through Yountville and Oakville to St. Helena. Along the way, depending on what you sign up for, you may stop to taste at one to three wineries, eat a three-course meal on board, and be back where you started in three to six hours. Its expensive but so very comfortable. And its got complicated history. The rail route, first laid in the 1860s, had fallen idle by the 1980s. To get the new wine train rolling in 1989, its owners had to outmaneuver many Napa locals who feared a tourist invasion would ruin the affluent communitys character. Skip forward now to 2015, when the trains management drew a storm of criticism for ejecting a group of guests, mostly African American, who were accused of being too loud. The view from the train, near Yountville, in early November. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) In late 2015, new owners took over the train. Then wildfires flared in October. They missed the train track, Highway 29 and the wineries along the route, but killed at least 41 people and destroyed thousands of homes and scores of businesses in Napa and Sonoma counties. By the time I showed up in early November, almost none of the damage was visible from the train. Napa was still in the early stages of recovery and the train was about half-full unusual for the time of year. As for my journey, it was a sunny day, the countryside was gorgeous, the meal pleasant. The distant, fire-blackened hills to the east were barely discernible beyond the green and red vineyard rows, the shade trees and the nearby slopes. Where: McKinstry Street Station, 1275 McKinstry St., Napa, 46 miles north of San Francisco, 402 miles northwest of downtown L.A. How much: Most day trips run $206-$329 per person, which includes lunch and wine-tasting. Info: Napa Valley Wine Train (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Taste China (Live) in San Francisco By Christopher Reynolds Dim sum counter, Market Restaurant, China Live. (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times) Why: Nobody likes to say so, but a lot of San Franciscos Chinatown looks tired these days. And many of the areas best Chinese restaurants are scattered among the outer suburbs where so many affluent Chinese American families live. So its a happy surprise to see China Live bring new energy and higher style to the neighborhood with a combination of design-intensive eating and shopping options. Its mission: to demystify Chinese ingredients and recipes while educating guests on the rich history and influence. What: China Live opened in March 2017, near the frontier between Chinatown and North Beach. The main downstairs space, the Market Restaurant and Bar, is full of long wood tables under a semi-raw concrete ceiling. Picture an Apple Store with steaming, edible merchandise, neighbored by open cooking areas, beckoning counters, a bar and adjacent retail rooms stocked with artisan teas, kitchen tools, condiments, shapely candles, jewelry and such. The restaurants menu is mostly based on sharing small dishes, so you might wind up with a medley dinner of fire-roasted sweet white corn, Dungenes crab spring rolls and Sheng Jian Bao (SJB) pan-fried pork dumplings. Market Restaurant, China Live. (Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Near the entrance is the casual Oolong Cafe. Upstairs waits a more exclusive restaurant offering private, pricey dining in elegant rooms befitting a royal in hiding. Its called Eight Tables by George Chen (dinner only; tasting menu: $225). There are also a pair of bars upstairs, including the Gold Mountain Lounge and one called Cold Drinks -- one of those hip hideaways that seeks to be popular by maintaining quasi-secrecy. Where: 644 Broadway, San Francisco, 380 miles northwest of downtown L.A.. How much: Together, the three dishes above cost about $40. Most cocktails $13-$15. Info: China Live ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print See, sniff and taste Napa Valleys bounty at the Oxbow Public Market By Christopher Reynolds A 1,033-pound pumpkin on display at Oxbow Public Market in Napa. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Why: This market and food hall, set above a fetching bend in the Napa River, is a short stroll from downtown Napa, a block from the headquarters of the popular Napa Valley Wine Train, a block from the COPIA center for wine and food education. Much smaller than San Franciscos food-centric Ferry Building but placed near the starting point of many popular Napa adventures, this foodie acre (about two-thirds the size of a football field) is a point of convergence for locals and tourists and a one-stop reminder that this wine country does more than make wine. What: The Oxbow Public Market opened in 2007, just in time to suffer from a national recession, the closure of COPIA (since rethought and reopened by the Culinary Institute of America) and construction-related disruptions of local traffic. Now those troubles are in the rear-view mirror, and a stroll around the marketplace introduces you to plenty of wine products but also duck tacos (at C Casa); American comfort food (Gotts Roadside); local seafood (Hog Island Oyster Co.); and assorted local fruits and vegetables (Hudson Greens & Goods). On my early November visit, Hudson was showing off a 1,033-pound pumpkin. There were also plenty of signs thanking the first-responders for their work fighting that regions wildfires in October. (Though many homes and about two dozen wineries were lost or damaged in those fires, the vast majority of the areas 500 wineries had reopened by Nov. 8.) Besides browsing at the market, you can also rent a bike at the automatic Spinway stand just outside and pedal seven miles along the Napa River to Kennedy Park and back; or just toodle down 1st Street in downtown Napa, where the new, 183-room Archer Hotel is expected to open in December. Where: 610-644 1st St., Napa, 46 miles north of the San Francisco Ferry building, 401 miles northwest of downtown L.A. How much: C Casa tacos run $4.75-$9. Spinway bike rentals start at $9 per hour. Info: Oxbow Public Market Oxbow Public Market, Napa. ( Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times ) Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Read the walls on Angel Island, the West Coast Ellis Island where Asian immigrants waited and waited from 1910 to 1940 By Christopher Reynolds State parks interpreter Casey Dexter-Lee in the Immigration Station museum on Angel Island. ( Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times ) Why: Its a handsome, green island in San Francisco Bay, popular with sailors, cyclists and hikers, just south of high-toned Tiburon. And from 1910 through 1940, it was something like a western Ellis Island, processing about half a million immigrants, including most of the 175,000 Chinese immigrants who arrived during those years. But those were not happy years. On Thursday night, the U.S. military unleashed a 20,000-pound bomb one of the largest nonnuclear weapons in its arsenal on a tunnel complex the Pentagon said was used by Islamic State fighters in eastern Afghanistan. It was a dramatic escalation of American operations against the militant groups affiliate in South Asia. It also came four days after a U.S. special forces soldier was killed alongside Afghan forces battling Islamic State fighters in the same district. Afghan officials said several militants were killed, but there was no immediate information about civilian casualties as U.S. and Afghan forces continued operations in the mountainous area on Friday. Advertisement As a candidate, President Trump once vowed to bomb the hell out of [Islamic State]. But the use of the Massive Ordnance Air Blast known at the Pentagon as MOAB, or the mother of all bombs came as a surprise because the group isnt seen as a major international threat. Heres a primer on Islamic States presence in Afghanistan and what the bombing could mean for a conflict that is in its 16th year: What is Islamic States affiliate in South Asia? Islamic State in Khorasan Province, as the affiliate calls itself, is made up largely of militant commanders from neighboring Pakistan and disaffected members of the Taliban, Afghanistans main insurgent group. Khorasan is a historical name for a region that includes parts of present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Far from its base in Iraq and Syria, Islamic State announced its presence in Afghanistan in early 2015 but has not been able to expand beyond a few districts in the eastern province of Nangarhar, along a rugged, porous stretch of the Pakistani border. The militants have proved unpopular with Afghan villagers, who resent their attempts to ban poppy cultivation, and have been pummeled by both the Taliban and U.S.-led coalition airstrikes. A U.S. drone strike killed the groups former leader, Hafiz Saeed Khan, in Nangarhar last July. Analysts say the group has sustained itself thanks to extortion, kidnapping and funds from Islamic States central leadership. How serious a threat does Islamic State in Khorasan pose to U.S. and Afghan interests? From an estimated 1,000 to 3,000 fighters about a year ago, the Pentagon believes Islamic States forces in Afghanistan have been whittled down to between 600 and 800 concentrated in three border districts of Nangarhar. The Taliban is far and away the bigger and more powerful insurgent group in Afghanistan. But U.S. officials worry the Islamic State presence is attracting foreign militants from Central Asian and Arab countries, complicating efforts to end hostilities and forge a peace agreement between the Taliban and the Afghan government. And Islamic State has shown a willingness to inflict heavy civilian casualties. Last year the Sunni Muslim group claimed responsibility for bombing a demonstration by minority Shiites in Kabul, killing more than 80 people and wounding hundreds. It has also claimed other deadly attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including against a military hospital in Kabul last month, although some experts believe the group exaggerates its exploits. Does the bombing represent an intensification of the U.S. war in Afghanistan? Its hard to say. Trump has hardly spoken publicly about Afghanistan he hasnt even appointed an ambassador despite having 8,400 U.S. troops deployed there conducting training and counter-terrorism operations. But its clear that the pace of U.S. air operations has quickened since Trump took office. U.S. warplanes fired 403 weapons in Afghanistan in February and March, according to Air Force statistics, the most in a two-month period since 2014. Pentagon officials have said they want to send more troops to help support Afghan forces but the Afghans biggest challenge remains the Taliban, which are inflicting heavy casualties among Afghan soldiers and civilians, and control territory where more than one-third of the population lives. If analysts say the Taliban threat is greater, why was such a huge bomb aimed at a lesser militant group? One of the questions is: Why such a disproportionate level of response? said Timor Sharan, an Afghanistan analyst with the International Crisis Group. [Islamic State] might have killed one or two American soldiers, but the Taliban have killed thousands of American soldiers over the last 15 years. How will this affect U.S. relations with Afghanistan? Reaction to the bombing was mixed. The Afghan government, which worried that the Obama administrations slow withdrawal of U.S. troops would leave the country vulnerable to the Taliban, has lobbied Trump to increase U.S. involvement. On Friday, Afghanistans chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, said in a series of tweets that the U.S. bombing was conducted in coordination with the [Afghan] government, and showed our common resolve to eliminate [Islamic State] and terror safe havens from our country. But Omar Zakhilwal, Afghanistans ambassador to Pakistan, called it reprehensible and many Afghans worried that the mother of all bombs could serve as a recruiting tool for Islamic State. #MOAB was dropped in coordination with the government over an area #ISIS used as training camp, ammunition dump and base. 1/3 Dr. Abdullah (@afgexecutive) April 14, 2017 2/2: If big bombs were the solution we would be the most secure place on earth today. Dr Omar Zakhilwal (@DrOmarZakhilwal) April 14, 2017 Could Trump have intended the bomb as a warning to other adversaries? Throughout its history, Afghanistan has seen its landlocked territory used as a pawn by bigger powers from the 19th century Great Game between Britain and Russia to the Cold War, when the U.S. backed Afghan rebels against a Soviet occupation. Many fear the bombing is the latest example of Afghanistan being exploited as part of a wider geopolitical agenda. U.S. and Afghan officials have been worried by reports that Russia is strengthening ties with the Taliban, seeking to stop Islamic State from creeping into Central Asia. The bombing could be seen as an effort to show that coalition forces are on the offensive against Islamic State, countering Russian influence. Trump has already shown a greater willingness than Obama to use American military power, launching missile strikes against Syria last week in retaliation for President Bashar Assads suspected chemical attack against civilians. And fears are growing that Trump could strike North Korea if it tests a nuclear weapon. Sharan said Thursdays bombing sounds more like a message to the international rivals, including Russia and even North Korea, than actually a serious attempt by the Trump administration to get more deeply involved in the Afghan war. To read the article in Spanish, click here Special correspondent Sultan Faizy contributed to this report from Pandola, Afghanistan. shashank.bengali@latimes.com Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia ALSO Air Force drops mother of all bombs in Afghanistan North Korea says its ready for war, but Pyongyang remains a city of orderly calm Mother of all bombs kills 36 Islamic State militants in Afghanistan, sparks mix of anger and praise on the ground Leo Varadkar, a doctor and Irelands minister overseeing the countrys social welfare system, Friday became the new leader of the ruling Fine Gael party, bringing him one step closer to becoming the next prime minister. Varadkar, who would be the countrys first prime minister who has come out as gay and the first of South Asian descent, was selected by party lawmakers and other politicians to replace outgoing Prime Minister Enda Kenny. He was the favored candidate over Simon Coveney, Irelands minister for housing, planning, community and local government. I want to thank everyone who engaged in this extraordinary, open democratic process, Varadkar, who was born in Dublin and is the countrys minister for social protection, said in his acceptance speech. For me, its just the start of a more democratic and more engaged Fine Gael and we will be stronger for it. Advertisement Varadkar, 38, and Coveney, 44, were vying to replace Kenny, who announced in May that he would step down as head of the Fine Gael party and as the countrys leader once a successor was chosen. Kenny faced mounting pressure from within his party over the handling of a scandal in the Irish police force. As party leader, Varadkar is expected to become the new prime minister also known as the taoiseach when Parliament votes on the matter this month. Coveney delivered a concession speech shortly after Varadkar was announced as the winner. Im so proud of everyone in Fine Gael in the way in which we have conducted a competitive and at times sparky contest, Coveney said. But I think it had dignity and respect in it, in terms of the differences of opinion that were expressed over the last two weeks. Kenny issued a statement offering Varadkar his heartiest congratulations. This is a tremendous honor for him and I know he will devote his life to improving the lives of people across the country, Kenny said. He will have my full support in the work that lies ahead. Varadkar, the son of an Irish mother and an Indian immigrant father, and Coveney, a member of a prominent political family, rose through the ranks in Fine Gael, a center-right Christian democratic party that leads a minority government with rival political party Fianna Fail. Varadkar leans more conservative on social and economic issues, while Coveney tends to edge toward the left of his party, some analysts said. Analysts said Varadkars media-savvy charisma, grass-roots campaign strategy and ability to appeal to both urban and rural voters placed him in the best position to become the countrys next leader. He has promised to strengthen the economy through income tax reform and to pursue technological advancements to help people in rural areas. He is a terrific media performer and has a reputation as a straight talker, said Graham Finlay, a political science professor at University College Dublin. He has a commanding lead among parliamentary members and among counselor and electorate voters because he appeals to urban constituencies. In 2015, shortly before Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in a popular vote, Varadkar came out as gay on Irish national radio. Its not something that defines me. Im not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter, Varadkar told RTE 1 then. Its just part of who I am. It doesnt define me. It is part of my character, I suppose. Many observers see Varadkars rise in politics as a milestone that highlights changing attitudes in Irelands once-religiously conservative population of 4.6 million people. LGBTQ advocates were among those who celebrated Varadkars win, calling it a pivotal moment. Today is a historic one for the LGBTQ community in Ireland, said Belong to Youth Services, a non-profit for LGBTQ youth in Ireland, on its Facebook page. We welcome Irelands first gay presumptive taoiseach...heres to the next generation! Ireland decriminalized homosexuality in 1993 and overturned its ban on divorce two years later. The decline of the Catholic Churchs influence in Irish society over the last 20 years, following revelations that some priests were sexually abusing children, was a significant factor that has contributed to Varadkars rise in politics, said Henry Farrell, a political science professor at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Young people are becoming less religious and more secular and the Catholic Churchs moral authority has diminished, Farrell said. Aidan Somerville, of Dublin, said via Twitter that Varadkars success was historic. I think he has an opportunity to make real change as he is quite well-liked, Somerville, 43, said in an interview. However, he needs to not be cocky, and put real action into place in terms of health and battling homelessness. melissa.etehad@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @melissaetehad UPDATES: 3:25 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comments and details. This article was originally published at 12:30 p.m. Leo Varadkar, a doctor and Irelands minister for social protection, may be close to becoming the countrys next prime minister, also known as the taoiseach. Varadkar, who would be the countrys first openly gay prime minister and the first of South Asian descent, appears to be favored over candidate Simon Coveney, the countrys minister for housing, planning, community and local government, according to media reports. Varadkar, 38, and Coveney, 44, are in the running to replace Prime Minister Enda Kenny, who announced in May that he would step down as head of the Fine Gael party and as the countrys leader once a successor was chosen. Kenny faced mounting pressure from within his party over the handling of a scandal in the Irish police force. Advertisement Party lawmakers and others are expected to choose a new leader by Friday, and then Parliament is expected to vote for a new prime minister within a few days. Varadkar, the son of an Irish mother and an Indian immigrant father, and Coveney, a member of a prominent political family, rose through the ranks in Fine Gael, a center-right Christian democratic party that leads a minority government with rival political party Fianna Fail. Although both candidates offer continuity from the current leadership, analysts say Varadkar leans more conservative on social and economic issues while Coveney tends to edge toward the left of his party. Varadkars media-savvy charisma, grass-roots campaign strategy and ability to appeal to both urban and rural voters have put him in the best position to become the countrys next leader, some analysts said. Varadkar has promised to strengthen the economy through income tax reform and pursue technological advancements to help people in rural areas. He is a terrific media performer and has a reputation as a straight talker, said Graham Finlay, a political science professor at the University of College Dublin. He has a commanding lead among parliamentary members and among counselor and electorate voters because he appeals to urban constituencies. Coveney, who spent several years working in the agricultural industry, is not as high-profile and has had to play catch-up, Finlay said. In 2015, shortly before Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in a popular vote, Varadkar came out as gay on Irish national radio. Its not something that defines me. Im not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter, Varadkar told RTE 1 then. Its just part of who I am. It doesnt define me. It is part of my character I suppose. Many observers see Varadkars rise in politics as a milestone that highlights changing attitudes in Irelands once religiously conservative population of 4.6 million people. Ireland decriminalized homosexuality in 1993 and overturned its ban on divorce two years later. The decline of the Catholic Churchs influence in Irish society over the last 20 years following revelations that some priests were sexually abusing children was a significant factor that has contributed to Varadkars rise in politics, said Henry Farrell, a political science professor at George Washington University. Young people are becoming less religious and more secular and the Catholic Churchs moral authority has diminished, Farrell said. melissa.etehad@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @melissaetehad Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to assuage concerns caused by President Trumps decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord, calling for a constructive dialogue on efforts needed to curb global warming. Speaking Friday at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Putin avoided criticizing Trump for the move that has caused international opprobrium. The Russian president underlined the importance of the Paris climate accord but noted that its a framework agreement offering broad room for maneuvering for each signatory nation. Advertisement Putin also said that Trumps promise to negotiate new conditions for the U.S. leaves hope for reaching a compromise before the Paris deal is set to take effect in 2021. Putin added that U.S. participation is essential for the success of global efforts. Reaction to U.S. withdrawal continued Friday. In Japan, a government official said the country has decided not to join Germany, France and Italy in expressing regret over Trumps decision. The official, who declined to be identified by name or affiliation and requested anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak publicly about the decision, said that Japan chose to issue its own statement, not as part of the group. He declined to give a reason or confirm whether any of the three countries had invited Japan to sign a joint statement. The prime ministers office said Japan shares the importance of the accord with those countries. Japans Foreign Ministry said in a statement earlier Friday that the decision was regrettable but hoped to explore ways to cooperate with Washington to address climate change issues. African nations joined in protesting the U.S. withdrawal as the worlds poorest continent seeks financial help in combating global warming. South Africas government called the U.S. pullout an abdication of global responsibility. The statement Friday by one of Africas largest economies says the decision damages the rule of law and trust between nations. South Africa said the U.S. has a moral obligation to support poorer countries in the global effort against climate change. The once-resplendent Temple of Bel, dedicated to the principal deity of this ancient metropolis, has been reduced to a single sculpted arch rising gracefully from a jagged pile of tumbled columns and monumental stone blocks etched with grape vines and acanthus leaves. Also leveled are the Temple of Baalshamin, a Semitic god of the heavens, and the Arch of Triumph, an iconic assemblage whose image is stamped on Syrias 10-pound coin. Still standing, however, are most of the stately colonnades lined up for nearly a mile along the main boulevard. Advertisement The fate of the historic city has remained a question mark since Islamic State militants who controlled it were driven out in March for the second time. The Los Angeles Times, which negotiated multiple Syrian army checkpoints to travel here recently, is one of the first Western news organizations to survey the destruction. Palmyra has emerged profoundly damaged but not obliterated. That Palmyra which sits in the Syrian desert next to a modern city with the same name has endured, broken but recognizable, provides a measure of consolation following occupation by the extremists, who denounced its architectural splendor as idolatry. The Temple of Bel in 2008, before Islamic State destruction. (Epics / Getty Images) In the 3rd century, the old city featuring Greco-Roman, Persian and indigenous influences was a caravan oasis, a majestic crossroads of the Mediterranean world and Eastern cultures. Then in the year 273, the Romans put down a rebellion here, beginning centuries of decline. Herders, nomads and tribal villagers were living here when intrepid Westerners began visiting in the 17th century. The ruins eventually became a major tourism site, with tens of thousands of visitors a year before Syria erupted in war in 2011. Islamic State first overran the city in May 2015 and began methodically dismantling the ruins with explosives. That month, the militants used the storied Roman theater to stage the public slaughter of two dozen Syrian government soldiers. A black Islamic State flag strung from the theater facade provided an ominous backdrop for the executions, witnessed by children and other civilians, captured on video and posted on the Internet. Three months later, the militants beheaded Khaled Asaad, the octogenarian former curator at Palmyra whose family had helped evacuate artifacts as Islamic State forces approached. The killers left a placard on his mutilated corpse labeling him an apostate, director of idolatry and participant in infidel academic gatherings. He was one of 15 archaeological martyrs killed across the country as they bartered with the insurgents, smugglers and others in a bid to shield Syrias archaeological treasures. Syrian forces and their Russian allies retook Palmyra in March 2016 and two months later used the theater to celebrate with a victory concert by the famed Mariinsky Orchestra of St. Petersburg, Russia. The Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra performs in the Roman theater in Palmyra, Syria. (Maksim Blinov / Sputnik) UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency, conducted a rapid assessment mission around that time and labeled the demolition a war crime and act of cultural cleansing. The destroyed artifacts included statues and sarcophagi that were too heavy to evacuate from the museum and wound up defaced, smashed, their heads severed, their fragments left lying on the ground. The U.N. agency which lists Palmyra as a World Heritage site also concluded that despite the destruction of several iconic edifices, the archaeological site of Palmyra retains a large part of its integrity and authenticity. But then in December, after Syria and Russia redeployed their troops to focus on retaking the city of Aleppo, Islamic State militants staged a counterattack on Palmyra and seized it again, prompting a new wave of destruction. This time, the militants set off explosions at the awe-inspiring Tetrapylon, four pillars on a raised platform that embodied the grandeur during the celebrated reign of Queen Zenobia, the cultivated monarch of the 3rd century. It is now a heap of debris. They also inflicted serious but possibly not irreparable damage to the Roman theater, where shards of ornamental masonry from the blown-up facade now litter the stage. The occupiers had almost three months to destroy what they had missed the first time. The militants were driven out of Palmyra again in March, though they remain nearby. On Thursday, the Russian government announced its cruise missiles had struck Islamic State positions east of the ancient city. Several sites in Palmyra were heavily damaged by Islamic State militants, including the Temple of Bel, the Arch of Triumph, the Tetrapylon and the Roman theater. (Liliana Nieto del Rio / For The Times) Today, Islamic State militants remain within striking range of Palmyra, though Syrian and Russian soldiers protect the ruins along with the mostly abandoned town. Demining operations continue in some parts of the sprawling Palmyra complex, which includes a large necropolis and medieval-era citadel outside the old city walls. Much of the expansive zone has never been excavated. Conservationists are calling for a global campaign to restore the site once security is completely reestablished. We are hopeful that, with international help, Palmyra can return almost to the point where it was before the war, said Maamoun Abdulkarim, who has been Syrias director of antiquities, director of the National Museum in Damascus and chief Monument Man since 2012. Abdulkarim, a French-educated archaeologist of Armenian and Kurdish ancestry, oversees a vast operation to safeguard the historical legacy of Syria. He has often lamented that he has the worlds saddest job, scuffling to save thousands of historic sites and countless artifacts scattered across the war-ravaged nation. Maamoun Abdulkarim, right, Syrias director of antiquities, at the National Museum in Damascus with Mohammed Asaad, son of Khaled Asaad, the former curator of Palmyra who was beheaded by extremists in 2015. (Liliana Nieto del Rio / For The Times) Syrias heritage faces threats not only from bombs and artillery but also from well-organized gangs of thieves who seized on the breakdown in law and order as an opening to launch a methodical pillaging of treasures. Artifacts-trafficking into neighboring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan became a major financing mechanism for Islamic State and other militant factions. From the outset of the war, Syrian authorities were keen to avoid the cultural calamity of neighboring Iraq, where occupying U.S. forces in 2003 did little to prevent the looting of the National Museum in Baghdad and the torching and pillaging of Iraqs National Library and Archive. We absolutely didnt want what happened in Baghdad to happen here, said Abdulkarim, a father of two who yearns to return to his scholarly pursuits at Damascus University. We refuse to lose our national memory. Some archaeological artifacts, including many from the ancient city of Palmyra, were evacuated for safekeeping. (Liliana Nieto del Rio / For The Times) The preservation effort saw tens of thousands of pieces including pre-Babylonian-era tablets with cuneiform script, one of the oldest forms of writing evacuated from regional museums and historical sites, including 400 statues and other pieces from Palmyra. Rescued artifacts were cataloged and hidden for safekeeping. Many precious objects remain hidden in contested territory. To help safeguard artifacts, the government antiquities department has kept paying the salaries of hundreds of employees throughout the country, even as the war has torn Syria apart. Though plunder has taken a toll, Abdulkarim expressed confidence that the great majority of the countrys cultural birthright has been preserved. Among the first items that Islamic State militants smashed here was one of Palmyras most beloved symbols: The Lion of al-Lat, a 15-ton stone likeness of a wide-eyed lion that stood more than 9 feet tall shielding a horned gazelle between its massive paws. The statue, which was unearthed in the 1970s in a Polish archaeological dig, for years graced the entrance to the Palmyra museum and frequently turned up in visitors snapshots. Its pieces now sit in the grounds of the National Museum. Ironically, the lion was a symbol of protection associated with Al-Lat, a pre-Islamic female deity. On its left paw, written in the Palmyrean dialect, is an inscription: May Al-Lat bless whoever does not shed blood in this sanctuary. Special correspondent Liliana Nieto del Rio contributed to this report. patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com twitter: @mcdneville ALSO There are no words that can describe my sadness. Syrians return to Aleppo to find their beloved mosque destroyed Death by stoning: Battered Syrian city offers a window into life under the thumb of Islamic State militants Whats that drone flying in over the horizon? Its a scout from Islamic State At least five people were killed in the Afghan capital Friday when security forces opened fire on protesters calling for government accountability after a bomb blast this week killed at least 90 people, workers at the nonprofit Emergency Hospital and witnesses said. The violence occurred as the protest in Kabul moved from the site of Wednesdays bomb blast toward the presidential palace, according to media reports and witnesses. Although protesters were largely peaceful, witnesses said some were throwing rocks. Among those killed was Mohammad Salem Izedyar, the son of Mohammad Alam Izedyar, the deputy speaker of the upper house of parliament. Izedyar was not immediately in a condition to comment on his sons killing, his secretary said. Advertisement Ahmad Sayeedi, leader of the committee that organized the protest, said presidential palace guards, not police, started firing at the protesters. The police only fired in the air, he said. Protester Muhammad Najib Rahman, 18, said he saw the confrontation between guards and demonstrators. People were moving closer to the presidential palace and the guards stopped them, Rahman said. The protesters started throwing stones at the guards and thats when the guards opened fire. Protesters blamed the government for not doing enough to improve security in the country, and many carried placards demanding the resignations of President Ashraf Ghani and the countrys chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah. Hundreds of people participated in the demonstration Friday, two days after the deadly truck bombing blast in Zanbaq Square that also injured more than 400 people. The bombing was one of the worst to strike Kabul since the 2001 U.S.-led military invasion and illustrated the violence still faced by Afghans. Kabul Police Chief Gen. Hassan Shah Frogh said some of the protesters Friday were carrying guns. At least two protesters were killed and several officers were injured, he said. There were conflicting reports about the number of people killed or injured. Ghanis office issued a statement offering condolences to the families of people who died in the protest and pledging punishment for people who violated laws and security officials who neglected their duties, the Associated Press reported. The government of Afghanistan assures that the culprits of crimes against people will be brought to justice and also the leadership of the government promises that all those security officials who have neglected in their duty to provide security for the people will be punished in accordance to the Afghan laws and will be brought to justice, the statement reads. Safiullah Siraji, a 25-year-old student, said he had gone to the protest because of the worsening security situation in the country. If they cant do anything [about the situation] they should leave and give their posts to someone else, Siraji said. We wanted to support our army and security forces, but now they opened fire on us. Later, the presidents former special representative for reform and good governance, Ahmad Zia Massoud, also appeared at the scene of the protest, along with member of parliament Abdul Latif Pedram. We want an interim government, Massoud said. He said he was taking part in the protest and was organizing a sit-in. Sayeedi said the protest group had no political affiliation but wanted the government to do more about preventing such violence. If the government does not punish the terrorists and the security officials responsible, we will ask for Ghani and Abdullah to resign, Sayeedi said. Gunfire could be heard from the site of the demonstration well after sunset, as the protesters continued chanting their slogans, Down with Ashraf Ghani and Down with the CEO. Liuhto is a special correspondent. Ex-President Park Geun-hye will have to attend court four days a week after all due to the large number of witnesses, the Seoul Central District Court said Thursday. The court has so far held three sessions a week and declined an application from her lawyers to reduce its weekly session over unspecified health problems. The court increased the number of sessions because all the witnesses named by Park's attorneys must be questioned before the trial deadline, scuppering hopes they might have entertained of derailing the trial by procrastination. "By the second week of June it will be two months since the former president was indicted, and at this speed we have no choice but to hold four sessions per week. Otherwise, we risk passing the trial deadline," in mid-October, the court said. Trials must be completed six months from the date of the indictment. Park's attorney Yoo Yeong-ha said the physical strain "is tremendous." But he again refused to disclose what ails Park. "Since this trial is open to the public, I will tell you the details later," he said. "Please consider holding three court sessions a week at least for this month." Park has separately refused to testify in the trial of a former staffer citing back pain. All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced. 19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc. President Trump is looking to reward anti-Castro Republican-based Cuban-Americans for their support by reversing many of the Obama administration's Cuba policies that relaxed travel bans and financial opportunities. Mr. Trump, who pledged to a politically conservative Cuban-American population that strongly supported him in the elections, wants to announce the changes in Miami as early as June. According to anonymous sources within Trump's administration to the New York Times, a decision on reversing these policies have not yet been set due to internal disagreements on how much one of President Obama's most significant foreign policy should be eliminated. Mr. Trump's consideration on reversing this policy is nothing new. He has already threatened to abolish the deal citing Cuba's human rights abuses by the Castro government and has appointed Mauricio Claver-Carone, Obama's harshest critic over the Cuba deal, to the transition team for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In November, Trump tweeted that "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal." If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2016 The thawing of Cuba relations and taking Cuba off the list of state sponsors of terrorism has caused a split between Trump's senior officials, who privately agree that the policy has improved the two country's relationship. The policy allows trades and has also improved travel and commerce, cooperation in intelligence, drug prohibition, scientific and academic research among others. The controversy of Oscar Lopez Rivera, a former militant and Puerto Rican Nationalist, being New York City's Puerto Rican Parade honoree took so much away from the June 11 Celebration that he declined being honored. On Thursday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement saying the controversy was "needless," but Lopez Rivera stepping down as Grand Marshall of the parade was the best decision. "The parade has always been about Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans, not any one participant," says de Blasio. "It is a celebration of a culture and community at the center of what makes New York City great. Unfortunately, the parade and the plight of Puerto Rico have been overshadowed by needless controversy," the statement said. "Oscar Lopez Rivera agreeing to step aside from any formal role in the parade is a critical step forward in refocusing our city's attention on the more important issues facing Puerto Rico." Even though Lopez Rivera will not be the honoree, he will participate and march in the parade as a "humble Puerto Rican and grandfather," according to a statement from the parade organization. Goya Foods, Coca-Cola, and the New York Yankees are just a few companies, media companies and organizations that marched their sponsor dollars away from the event because they did not want to be associated with what they believe is a convicted terrorist. Political leaders such as Governor Andrew Cuomo and Police Commissioner James O'Niel have also declined to participate in this year's parade. On January 25, 1975, members of the FALN bombed Fraunces Tavern in New York City's Financial District. The explosion left four people dead and injured 43. However, even though there was no evidence linking Lopez Rivera with the bombing that killed three police officers, he was convicted for his association with the group. The daughter of Yoo Byung-eon, the businessman and cult leader whose reckless practices are blamed for the 2014 ferry disaster, will finally be extradited from France next week. The decision comes some three years since authorities here requested her extradition. The French Supreme Court on Thursday rejected Yoo Sum-na's appeal against the extradition, and there has been indication that she is taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights. French police plan to arrest Yoo before extraditing her next Tuesday. She will immediately be taken in on arrival at Incheon International Airport. Yoo, who runs a design firm, is accused of embezzling W49.2 billion from ferry operator Chonghaejin Marine and affiliates (US$1=W1,123). U.S. senators have proposed a regulation to strengthen America's defenses against potential North Korean missile attacks. Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan in a statement Tuesday said he introduced a bill named the Advancing America's Missile Defense Act. Alaska may fall within the range of North Korea's Hwasong-12 missile launched recently. Fourteen Republican and Democratic senators are behind the bill. The act details steps to bolster missile defense capabilities on the U.S. mainland including the deployment of 28 more interceptor missiles on the west coast. There are currently 44, but the U.S. aims to boost them gradually to 100. The bill also calls for more tests to be conducted to gauge and improve the accuracy of interceptor missiles. Jun 2, 2017, 2:58am ET Audi developing experimental entry-level EV Possibly named A0, the model will be fully autonomous. Audi's upcoming electric car offensive will include a small, city-friendly model capable of driving itself. The company confirmed plans for an entry-level model during its annual meeting in Neckarsulm, Germany. Details are still vague, but executives explained the EV -- which might get the A0 e-tron name -- will be an experimental model built in strictly limited quantities. British magazine Autocar has learned the A0 e-tron will ride on the same platform as the next generation of the Volkswagen up!, which will make its debut before the end of the decade. It will presumably feature a brand-specific design to help justify its higher price, and a much nicer cabin loaded with state-of-the-art tech features. Audi will begin producing the A0 in 2021, according to insiders. We'll find out more information (including its range and its price) in the coming years. However, we can already tell it's unlikely to cross the Atlantic and reach the company's North American showrooms due to its size. Autocar points out the A0 might not remain a low-volume model. Audi is building it to test the water and gauge buyers' reaction to a premium city car, and it's open to the idea of increasing production if there is enough demand. Jun 1, 2017, 4:50pm ET Audi faces fresh accusations of emissions cheat in A7, A8 The issue is said to involve 24,000 European-market sedans from the 2009-2013 model years. Volkswagen Group apparently faces fresh accusations of cheating diesel emissions tests as German authorities demand refits for two Audi models. German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt issued an announcement claiming the company employed illegal emissions software in certain A7 and A8 variants with V6 and V8 diesel motors from the 2009-2013 model years, according to a Deutsche Welle report. The vehicles allegedly emit approximately double the EU allowance for nitrogen oxides when the steering wheel is turned more than 15 degrees, a condition that would be expected in real-world driving but not in standard lab tests. Tabloid newspaper Bild claims VW Group chief executive Matthias Mueller was summoned to the transport ministry on Thursday. The agency is said to have called for Audi to present a preliminary refit proposal in less than two weeks. The alleged cheat reportedly affects around 24,000 European-market vehicles, most of which were sold in Germany. Reuters suggests Audi has already issued a recall for the fleet and expects to begin software updates next month. Jun 2, 2017, 1:37pm ET Trump ditches climate agreement; EU automakers wary A German auto lobby group is already calling on Europe to reassess its climate policy to remain competitive. President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw the US from the 2015 Paris climate agreement, sparking immediate reaction from automotive industry players. Fulfilling a campaign promise, Trump argued the move was in the best interest of the US economy in terms of both revenue and job retention. "My job as President is to do everything within my power to give America a level playing field," he said. The agreement would have required the US to reduce domestic greenhouse gas emissions by up to 28 percent from 2005 levels to 2025. The US had also agreed to provide $3 billion for an international fund for poor countries. German auto lobbyist VDA has labeled the announcement 'regrettable' but says it is inevitable that Europe will have to revise its commitments to remain internationally competitive. "The preservation of our competitive position is the precondition for successful climate protection," VDA president Matthias Wissmann said in a statement, as quoted by Reuters. "This correlation is often underestimated." Following months of criticism for participating in Trump's advisory panels, Tesla chief Elon Musk has now resigned from the councils to protest the decision. "Climate change is real," Musk wrote in a Twitter post. "Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world." Trump suggests the decision to split from the Paris agreement will open the door for fresh negotiations and he is open to making a deal that is 'fair' for the US. France, Germany and Italy followed up with a statement rejecting any chance of renegotiation, however. To be clear, terms of the agreement do not allow signatories to initiate a withdrawal until late 2019. Completing the process is said to require another year, overlapping the 2020 presidential elections. The government will hire 12,000 more public-sector workers within this year and raise the minimum wage to W10,000 by 2020 (US$=W1,123). It will also draw up a plan to fine big companies that employ excessive numbers of temporary or contract workers. The plans are in line with President Moon Jae-in's election pledges. A woman died Friday after a three-vehicle crash in Easton that began with a hit-and-run crash a mile or so away, city police said. A woman was driving a gray sedan carrying a male passenger just before 11:30 a.m. when she was involved a crash in the 300 block of Larry Holmes Drive, Capt. David Beitler said. The woman sped off from that minor wreck and turned onto Lehigh Drive, he said. She was going very fast when she passed the Lafayette College boathouse and lost control on a curve about a quarter mile to the west, Beitler said. Matt Blackford, 35, of Effort in Monroe County, was driving east at that moment on Lehigh Drive. The gray car was fishtailing on the curve, going, in Blackford's estimate, "close to 100 mph" and was "all over the road," he said. He was able to maneuver the work van he was driving to avoid a head-on collision, he said. But he was horrified by what he then saw next in his side-view mirror. "I saw him cream a white midsized Chevy SUV," he said, not actually knowing the gender of the driver. The car went airborne and twisted as it landed on the eastbound second SUV, he said. The man and woman in the first SUV, which ended up on its side, weren't badly hurt and declined further treatment, Beitler said. But a Bethlehem woman in her mid-60s, who was driving the second SUV, died soon after at an area hospital, Beitler said. Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek confirmed the woman died shortly after noon at Easton Hospital. He said he'd release her name and the cause and manner of death on Saturday pending notification of the family. The man and woman in the car, which landed on its roof, suffered survivable injuries and were hospitalized, Beitler said. Two Easton Emergency Squad ambulances left the scene east on Lehigh Drive. A medical helicopter landed nearby at Riverview Park in Palmer Township, but the patient wasn't loaded on board, an official said. No charges were filed by 4 p.m. Friday and an accident reconstruction was underway as the road remained closed, Beitler said. Just after 4 p.m., an emergency radio report indicated they were getting ready to remove the vehicles. The investigation, which could determine how fast the sedan was going before the crash, continues and involves city police and the Northampton County Coroner's Office, Beitler said. Police will eventually release the names of the people in the crash, Beitler said. The Easton Fire Department assisted at the scene. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Anthony Barroqueiro nearly drove head-on into a car, crashed into a parked car and had to be removed from the car involuntarily by police using "substantial force." Anthony Robert Barroqueiro (Courtesy photo) That stands to reason when you had as much to drink as Barroqueiro that day. The 30-year-old Easton resident had a blood-alcohol content of 0.42. That's more than five times the legal limit of 0.08. "Most people would be dead at that alcohol level," said Northampton County Judge Anthony Beltrami. Barroqueiro said he drank a 12-pack of beer a day, sometimes liquor. He hasn't had a drop since he was sent to Northampton County Prison five months ago for failing to pay child support. The judge sentenced him to three to six months in prison plus two years of probation for his second offense DUI and for resisting arrest. He'll be allowed to skip his last month on the domestic relations sentence and head immediately into an inpatient rehab program for alcohol. "I realize what I've done was wrong every day," Barroqueiro told the judge. "My drinking was out of control." The incident Dec. 19, 2016, on South 20th Street in Wilson Borough stood out to the judge due to his scuffle with police and his extreme level of inebriation. He fled police after his first DUI in 2008, Beltrami said. "When you drink I think you lose control of your senses," Beltrami said. "You obviously have a pretty big problem." Barroqueiro said he was living in Florida when he was arrested in Wilson Borough. He plans to stay in Pennsylvania, get sober and make the most of what's left of his life. "I have a 10-year-old daughter," he said. "I need to be a part of her life." Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. Dust off those capes and get your masks ready, the Lehigh Valley's Superhero 5K returns this Sunday. The 5th annual walk/run, which raises money and awareness for autism and special needs inclusion, is organized by local nonprofit Live Learn & Play. "One-hundred percent of the proceeds raised will stay locally," said Chad Werkheiser, a team leader with Live Learn & Play. Particiapnts can choose an untimed 5K walk or run, or a one-mile family walk. Online registration is still available, and there is same-day registration as well. This year the event moved to the Lehigh Parkway in Allentown. It was first held at Coca-Cola Park, then moved to SteelStacks in Bethlehem. You can find more information about the event here. Organizers anticipate about 600 participants this year. All are encouraged to dress like a superhero "or like any other character that makes you feel like a super hero," Werkheiser said. The race is just part of Live Learn & Play's work in the Valley. Earlier this year, the nonprofit opened a first in the region -- a one-stop-shop center to help families with autistic and special needs children. The vision of Live, Learn & Play's president, Jill VanKuren, the space opened in February at the South Mall, 3300 Lehigh St. in Salisbury Township. "She wanted to build something families would feel comfortable coming into," Werkheiser said, "not just children." The indoor sensory gym includes a foam pit, a ball pit and a two-floor pirate ship with a plank. There's a quiet tower with a crash pad, a small rock-climbing wall, monkey bars and a sensory wall. In the back is an activity room with tables, sensory bins, Legos, educational toys, puzzles and books, Werkheiser said. Everything is for all ages and all abilities. "We're completely inclusive. It's for anybody that wants to come and play," Werkheiser said. The center is offering a 10-week summer program, full days or half days, from June 19 through Aug. 25. The Live, Learn & Play center at the South Mall, 3300 Lehigh St. in Salisbury Township. (Photo courtesy of Live Learn & Play) Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Polling place generic AP photo Registered voters in Warren County can cast their ballot for the June 6 primary at the county clerk's office on Saturday. (AP file photo) Tuesday is New Jersey's primary election, but that's not the only day to vote in Warren County. Registered voters can cast a ballot in person Saturday at the county clerk's office, which will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The office is on the first floor of the county courthouse, 413 Second St. in Belvidere. Otherwise, polls are open statewide 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Here are some election-related links that could be useful before you vote. Who's running? Eleven municipalities, one county office and one of the county's two legislative districts have contested primary races, almost all on the Republican side. Here is our list: A full list of municipal candidates is available on the county's website: tinyurl.com/WarCoElections Need a reminder on which legislative district you reside? The state has a map and list by town: tinyurl.com/NJdistrictmap Where do I vote? It's an important question. If you don't know, New Jersey's state department lets you look up your polling place online: tinyurl.com/NJpollingplace You can also check your registration on that site. Anything else? More links, documents and other information are available at www.warrencountyvotes.com. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe today to get the latest headlines straight to your inbox with our free email updates Leicester is one of the UK's top property hotspots according to new research. Homes in the city generate 56 per cent more interest than the average UK property, beating Birmingham, Coventry and Derby. Zoopla analysed the volume of email enquiries sent by house hunters to estate agents listing homes for sale on its website over the past year to make the findings. Edinburgh came first with Croydon in second place. At the other end of the spectrum, Preston was found to be the least in demand area of the places looked at, with properties there receiving 55% less interest than the average, followed by Wigan, Warrington and the Welsh city of Newport. Buyers' priorities appear to vary depending on where their search is located. Analysis of Zoopla's keyword search tool found buyers in Edinburgh and Croydon often included "garage" in their search, while "freehold" was the most important keyword criteria for those looking to buy in central London. Lawrence Hall, a spokesman for Zoopla, said: "This new set of figures gives us valuable insight into which areas of the British property market are most in demand. "It's interesting to see Edinburgh outranking London, which perhaps reflects a cooling in the property market for central London. "It's no surprise that we see high demand for properties in the outer London suburbs, such as Croydon, as they prove to be an affordable alternative for buyers." Zoopla analysed the volume of enquiries received by each property listing between April 1 2016 and April 1 2017 to provide a ranking of the most in demand property markets. It analysed Britain's 50 biggest urban areas. Top 10 in demand areas 1. Edinburgh, 145% more inquiries than average, average house price 270,991 2. Croydon, 104%, 375,152 3. Central London, 77% 778,530 4. Glasgow, 67%, 180,151 5. Leicester , 56%, 216,230 6. Birmingham, 55%, 185,825 7. Swansea, 42%, 166,838 8. Reading, 39%, 424,388 9. Milton Keynes, 33%, 298,621 10. Coventry, 32%, 193,264 Top 10 least in demand areas 1. Preston, minus 55%, 183,584 =2. Wigan, minus 51%, 155,946 =2. Newport (South Wales), minus 51%, 164,126 =2. Warrington, minus 51%, 204,592 =5. Doncaster, minus 48%, 151,108 =5. Telford, minus 48%, 170,232 =5. York, minus 48%, 278,499 8. Chesterfield, minus 46%, 170,634 9. Stockport, minus 44%, 247,079 10. Derby, minus 41%, 195,268 Two 18-year-old Clondalkin men were a long way from home when they were part of a four-man team that robbed the Ballybrittas Service Station of cash, cigarettes and creme eggs. So said Judge Alan Mitchell at yesterday's (Thursday, June 1) Portlaoise District Court, in the case of Ian Byrne (18) and Rhys Mahon (18), both of Clondalkin, Dublin, charged with an offence under the theft act, at the Ballybrittas Service Station, on February 8 this year. Inspector Aidan Farrelly gave evidence that the gardai received an alarm call at 4am on that date and when they arrived at the scene they discovered the premises had been broken into, with the shutter damaged and the door forced open. CCTV footage from the premises showed four men committed the burglary and fled the scene in an Opel car. Property worth 1,300 was taken, including contents of the till, a charity box, cigarettes and Cadbury Creme Eggs. The Opel car drove to Clondalkin, where the gardai apprehended the men and recovered the property. Insp Farrelly told the court that when interviewed, Rhys Mahon said he had been under the influence of cannabis at the time of the burglary. Defence, Ms Sara Brennan said that at the time, Ian Byrne had built up a debt of 1,000, so the offence was born out of desperation. She said this was Byrnes first encounter with the court system and the matter was a fork in the road for him, as he was addressing his cannabis use. Ms Brennan said that Rhys Mahon was in very similar circumstances. It was an act of stupidity, she said. She said he had experienced an unfortunate childhood, with both parents dying when he was 12. His behaviour spiralled into drug misuse and he had a limited recollection of the offence, said Ms Brennan. The matter was put back to September 7 for probation reports on the accused. They were a long way from home, remarked Judge Alan Mitchell. Fine Gael's new leader Leo Varadkar told the Leinster Express in 2015 that Portlaoise hospital had been allowed to drift without a clear strategic direction for many years Fine Gael's new leader Leo Varadkar spent a lot of time trying to manage problems at Portlaoise when Leo Varadkar was Minister for Health. The crisis at hospital's maternity unit led to him visiting the hospital a number of times. He met parents, patients, staff and management but also took some time to talk to the Leinster Express about the hospital on one visit in 2015 No decision has been reached on the hospital's future status. Minister Charlie Flanagan predicted during the Fine Gael election race that it's position in the health service will come back onto his desk as Taoiseach. Here is the text of that article There have been big problems at many Irish hospitals over the years but rarely has a Minister for Health stood out from the crowd to intervene personally in what is going on. Minister James Reilly showed the way last year in his support and actions to help families to get answers from Portlaoise hospital. But Minister Leo Varadkar went a step further last week with his unprecedented visit to the hospital, meeting parents, staff and management during his 12- hour stay in Portlaoise. In an interview afterwards with the Leinster Express, the Minister spoke about what he learned from his meeting with 160 people who have suffered as a result of their experience in the hospitals maternity unit. He said he would like to have met them all individually. "Had I done that I think I would have been giving people appointments in three months or six months time and I dont think that would have been satisfactory. But I want to thank them very much for sharing their experience with me", he said. The Minister revealed that there were three main themes to emerge. "There were a lot of people who wanted to raise individual issues and are looking for answers and resolutions to their own individual cases which isn't something I can give them but I think that the Dr Peter Boylan process (an obstetrician review of cases) does and I am trying to accelerate that. "There were issues specific to Portlaoise - ones that I knew about and ones that I didn't know about and they now have to be dealt with. Thirdly there are issues that are systemic to the health service. "I'd say if you got people going back 20 years who had a bad experience of my local hospital in Blanchardstown or the Mater or Cork University Hospital they might have said similar things. A lot of it wasn't just down to the quality of care they received but the way they were treated afterwards both by the front line staff when they made complaints or were asked questions, and then subsequently by management and the system when things were passed up. "That is the big thing that maybe I can try to change. What I said to people is that I am not able to fix people or solve individual problems but it is my responsibility to try and fix the system. That's why particularly having an in-dependent patient advocacy service will really change the culture in our health service so that it is more patient centred than at the moment", he said. Asked if the meeting changed his view of the hospitals future, specifically maternity, the Minister said his six hour meeting with families gave him a different outlook. "Just seeing the hospital, meeting management and staff I would have come away with one impression but meeting the families I came away with a different side of the story. Even with the patients and families there would not be a consensus. There are some people who said that they had such a bad experience that they wouldn't go there (to the hospital) again and it wouldn't make any difference if it was closed or not. "There are others who have been back there since and have had very good experiences. So there wasn't consensus on that. What I did say, is that any decision made in any part of the country about reorganising services would be made in the best interests of patient safety and outcomes, not on financial savings", he said. Minister Varadkar met staff after a meeting with local and regional management. He was also accompanied by Department of Health officials. The Minister has said he is ashamed of some of the care given and clearly wants accountability. However, he does not paint all staff with the one brush. "They are very committed to their jobs and the hospital. A lot feel bruised and feel that they have been singled out and some feel they have been sin-gled out as individuals. A lot would say they were doing their best in very difficult cir-cumstances. While I believe it is the case that some people in the hospital failed in the delivery of professional duties, I don't think it would be fair to cast that aspersion on all or even most of the staff", he said. Politics and health are inextricably linked. Political careers have fallen or risen on the back of local hospital services. He believes it is time political responsibility is needed. "What we have to accept political responsibility for in this country is trying to spread our resources - staff, money and equipment - too thinly. Absolutely, politicians have to take responsibility for this. I remember very well the big furore over cancer services being centralised. "I remember very well the fact that we had marches in towns to defend services that were sub-par. Some politicians went along with that and others stood up to it. I would have more respect for those who had the courage to say to people that what they were calling for was in their best interest", he said. Hiqa's report focuses on Portlaoise's status as a Category 3 hospital and whether it should be resourced as a general hospital with emergency services and surgery. The Minister believes such categorisation is wrong. "I think that whole concept is nonsensical and I am trying to get rid of it. The idea that you can categorise hospitals is nonsense. Every hospital is different. Take somewhere like Bantry which is very far away from Cork and Tralee and compare that to Navan which is 20 something minutes from Blanchardstown hospital and yet they are both categorised as category 2. "To me it is not a helpful construct and leads to the idea of upgrading and downgrading. To me every hospital has a unique role in its hospital group. That is the way we should be doing it, not this crude banding system that I don't agree with at all", he said. So does he have a view on Portlaoise's future and when will decisions be reached on what services will be kept and when decisions will be made? "Hiqa have recommended that there be an action plan. Even talking to the staff they want a clear plan and strategic direction and something that they can get behind. We need to put a plan in place sooner rather than later. I don't want to put an exact timeframe on that, but it also needs to take into account the impact on other hospitals", he said. Regardless of the Minister's view, moving services out of Portlaoise will be politically sensitive. So will decisions be taken before a general election? "The decisions going to be made on reorganising services have to be based on the best clinical advise. I see my role as Minister is to back up the medical advice, not to sit around the place making these judgments myself", he said. Hiqa made a lot about re-sources for Portlaoise to deliver care. The report points out that a 2006 plan for a new unit was never acted on. They say a plan to improve facilities temporarily is not mak-ing progress. The maternity unit is definitely going to require capital investment, no question about that, but the number of capital investments around that are required dramatically exceeds the budget. The Minister felt investment was not vital. Not necessarily in terms of safety. "It is possible to achieve safety without major capital investment. It may require minor capital investment. We have hospitals in Ireland that are 200- 300 years old so any capital investment has to be prioritised", he said. The Minister agreed that Portlaoise hospital had been neglected. "I think it is the case that this place was allowed to drift without a clear strategic direction for quite a number of years probably going back decades and I think the major flaw going back decades in this region was the fact that one single regional hospital with half a million people wasnt developed. "That should have happened and didn't. That is a flaw we have all over the country. If you were to start building Irish hospitals all over the country from scratch you would probably have around 12 and not 40 but it is not practical to start from an empty slate. "What we need to do is reorganise our services in a better way and that is what the hospital groups are all about", he said. As to whether pregnant women and the people of Laois can have confidence in their hospital, Minister Varadkar was hopeful. "I hope they do. I can't speak for the community here, I am not a member of the community here, but I certainly hope they have confidence in the hospital. Because of the changes that have been made over the past year or so this hospital is probably safer than at any time in the past ten years," he concluded. Serious underinvestment and no fenced off funding in Portlaoise were key reasons for the failures at Portlaoise, according to a senior obstetrician. Dr Peter Boylan was speaking the launch of the report of the investigation of complaints into the hospitals maternity unit. The former master of the National Maternity Hospital said a lesson learned about the crisis was the governance of maternity services. He said this is really important and is linked to other issues such as money. One of the important things about governance is that you have someone who has authority, but is also accountable. There should be one person who is answerable or is the go to person, and is clearly identifiable as the person who has authority and accountability. But in order to have proper accountability and authority they need to have budgetary allocation which is appropriate for delivering a high quality service. If you look back at what happened in Portlaoise over the past 20 or 30 years, there was a serious underinvestment in the service, he said at the launch of the report. Dr Boylan believes the development of the hospital groups and the work of the new Womens and Children Committee would help to address this problem It is really important that maternity services and womens health care has a protected budget because that is one of the problems that gave rise to all these difficulties in Portlaoise, said Dr Boylan. Governance and budgetary protection for womens health care are absolutely critical, he concluded. Since 2014 extra medical and nursing staff have been recruited as part of the partnership with the Coombe hospital in Dublin. The future Taoiseach has made a lot of promises on how he hopes completely overhaul Fine Gael Leo Varadkar pledged to make Fine Gael a fighting force again in his campaign for the leadership of the party he has now won. The Minister for Social Protection Varadkar and likely Taoiseach published detailed plans to "energise Fine Gael", give power back to its members and restore it as an electoral fighting force. His Taking Fine Gael Forward plan will give party members a real input into crucial decisions like whether to enter government, and real input into policy formation. Conventions to select candidates will be fair and well organised and we will launch a national recruitment drive to attract new members. Fine Gael is a great party. We founded the State, oversaw crucial advances in economic and social policy and were called on to save our country during our recent, darkest crisis. This has given us the confidence and courage to be ambitious. However, nothing is certain in politics. If the right decisions are taken, we can lead this Government and the next. If the wrong decisions are taken, we will be back into survival mode. For parties to survive and prosper they must continuously adapt and modernise. I want to democratise the party, engage with members, and organise and mobilise to connect with a wider public. We will listen to their interests, concerns and views and secure their confidence and support. Gaining new support must be a key priority for the new Leader of Fine Gael. I believe I am best placed to do that. Fine Gael should be a party that can attract votes in Castleknock and Clondalkin, Dungarvan and Doohoma, not because we try to be all things to all people but because there are people in all areas and all walks of life who share our values. Below are a range of his ideas: I. Democratising the Party Letting members decide on Government The formal decision for Fine Gael to enter Government will be made by the party as a whole, as is the case in other parties. Shaping a Dynamic Political Programme - The traditional but outdated party manifesto will be replaced with a rolling Political Programme that details Fine Gaels position on the key issues of the day. Annual Ard Fheis - There will be an Ard Fheis every year. We should not be afraid of good debates, opposing views and open votes. Annual Policy Conference - Every year elected public representatives will meet at an Annual Policy Conference. A delegation from each constituency will also attend. Stronger links between elected members - The Parliamentary Party Chairman will attend the weekly pre-Cabinet meeting of Fine Gael Ministers. II. Engage our members New Groupings and social networks These could include: FG SME group, FG Young Farmers, FG Inclusion, FG Environment, FG LGBT, FG Education, FG for the Arts etc. Tapping into talent and experience Party members will be able to offer their skills and talents to the Party through a new database. Griffith-Collins Summer School - The first one shall be held in Cork this August to coincide with the Beal na mBlath Collins commemoration. It will be open to members and non-members. III. Organise and Mobilise Counties & constituencies with no TD Each county and constituency will have a specific plan to restore Dail representation. Local area representatives will be appointed where appropriate, with visits organised by the Taoiseach and Ministers. Conventions: early, open and fair We will hold conventions once the Boundary Commission report is published. These will be well organised and open to scrutiny, with a dispute resolution process to avoid rancour or recourse to the courts. Sub-constituency organisation - The existing organisational structure below constituency level will be reviewed by the Executive Council and some areas may move to district structures, with others remaining at local level. Diversity & Inclusion - We need to apply a new approach to encourage new citizens to stand as Fine Gael candidates. Recruitment Drive We will hold a national recruitment drive to expand our membership, particularly in cities and towns throughout the country. People who dont wish to become full members will be able to register as supporters. Young Fine Gael we need to ensure that YFGs ideas are heard and listened to at Party Leadership level and that of Government. Deepen our engagement with the European Peoples Party Involvement with the EPP will be extended to the wider party membership. Develop greater links across the border Cross-border Ministerial links should be replicated across the party membership. The Cosgrave Society Former Oireachtas Members have enormous expertise and experience. This new society will allow them to mentor up-and-coming talent and assist Ministers and constituencies. Intern Programme This will offer placements in Headquarters and constituency offices. Focus on the next Local & European Elections within the party - It's crucial that we prepare for the 2019 Local and European elections with clear targets for each local authority. Success locally breeds success nationally. General Secretary In line with modern practice, new appointments as General Secretary, when the position next falls to be filled, will serve a maximum term of 5 or 7 years. Education and Information Department This will be based in Fine Gael HQ offering courses to party members, candidates and public representatives on legislative affairs, economics, legislative affairs and media. Reclaiming our History We will bring back United Ireland Party as a tag line for our party, and mark special events like the foundation of the State, Cumann na nGaedheal, and the declaration of a Republic. In the present day, this slogan will refer to our aspirations for the whole island: north/south, rural/urban and young/old. The Department of Education took a cash payment from the Christian Brothers instead of land which Laois County Council is now trying to buy to use for car parking and housing. The Department confirmed to the Leinster Express that the Christian Brothers offered cash in lieu of their initial offer of property in Portlaoise. The Department said this cash offer was accepted. The Department declined to say how much money was transferred in lieu. The CBS Trust has rejected a number of offers from Laois County Council to buy some of the land. It wants to develop train station car parking and local authority appartments for the elderly in the area. The former CBS secondary school building on the site is rented to the Laois Offaly Education and Training Board as a centre for adult education. It was reported last month that the Christian Brothers may be reviewing the transfer of lands at its schools to the State as part of compensating victims of abuse. There is a substantial area for green space at the rear the former school at Towerhill, Portlaoise. The Department of Education said the Presentation Sisters offer under the Indemnity Agreement to compensate victims of abuse did not include the former Scoil Chriost Ri secondary school in Portlaoise. This land is now for sale. The Department declined to say if it had made enquiries about the Chriost Ri land since it went on sale. Independent Alliance TD for Longford/Westmeath, Kevin Boxer Moran will take over the role of Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works tomorrow (Saturday). Deputy Moran takes over the role from his Independent Alliance colleague, Sean Canney, who has served in this portfolio since May of 2016. Independent Alliance Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross said: Following a highly successful year as Minister of State, Sean Canney is tonight handing over to Boxer Moran. I wish Boxer equal success in his new role and look forward to working with him to progress the agenda of the Independent Alliance and the Programme for Government. Speaking as he prepared for his new role, Deputy Moran said he is hugely proud to serve in a Ministerial capacity in a portfolio that is close to his heart. I will continue to make flood relief and flood relief schemes a priority for this Government. I will be looking at ways to speed up the time frame under which flood relief schemes are delivered as well as looking at the issue of insurance for homes in flood affected areas, he said. He is planning on visiting the UK and the Netherlands to get a broader perspective of flood relief schemes in operation there. Deputy Moran is also keen to promote Irelands many heritage sites which are under the control and management of his Department, the Office of Public Works. I want to open up our fantastic heritage sites to everyone and one way of doing this is to allow all children under the age of 12 in for free. I will be working to achieve that as a priority. Vince Cable makes a major intervention in the election campaign today with a speech on the economy and Brexit. He is not going to mince his words. He will Heres a flavour of what hes going to say. If we crash out of the single market and customs union and revert to World Trade Organisation terms, respected independent estimates suggest that our trade will slump by almost a third by 2030. Far from turning Britain into a centre for exports, the main thing we would export under Theresa May would be jobs. Labours plans for a spending spree funded by taxing the rich and corporations have been described by the IFS as wholly unrealistic, and will certainly scare off the investment and talent that are fundamental to our global economy. The May-Farage extreme Brexit that Labour voted for will drive out high-earners and leading international companies, leaving lower tax receipts for public spending. We are also the only party that genuinely recognises the crucial role of entrepreneurship in generating job creation, innovation and productivity improvements that are fundamental to our economic success. As our endorsement by The Economist shows, we are rapidly becoming the party of business. Theresa May keeps insisting that no deal is better than a bad deal, but respected consultancy firm Oliver Wyman has estimated that an extreme Brexit would cost the financial sector 38bn a year with tax receipts down annually by 10bn. They also warn it would cost 75,000 jobs. This would devastate the economy, but Theresa May just doesnt seem to care. Nick Clegg has been writing in the BMJ outlining our position on Cannabis. He compares criminalisation of drugs to the prohibition of alcohol in the States: Far from controlling and eliminating alcohol use, the noble experiment of prohibition drove users towards increasingly potent and dangerous drinks. With no regulatory levers in place except the threat of arrest (which had to be set against the promise of handsome profits for those who defied the law), there was no effective way to control the market. The ensuing public health crisis was one of the key motivations behind the repeal of prohibition in 1933, when President Roosevelt signed a new law allowing the sale of beer with a maximum alcohol content of 4%. For spirits in 1926, read skunk in 2017. [1] Skunk is a direct result of prohibition. New cultivation methods have pushed up potency over the past 20 years. Just as 1920s-era bootleggers didnt bother to produce and smuggle high volume, low alcohol beer, so the illicit cannabis industry has responded to criminal enforcement by developing products that maximise profit, with no consideration for the health of its customers. He goes on to talk about the merits of regulation: Regulation would also allow us to apply the lessons learned from the control of tobacco and alcohol. The risks of unfettered commercialisation are real, but instead of allowing the industry to establish itself and then rein it in, we would impose strict rules from the start. Plain packaging for all cannabis products and a ban on advertising would prevent manufacturers from stimulating demand. Users could be nudged away from smoking and towards vaping, as we have done with tobacco. Vendors could finally be properly policed, with licenses withdrawn for selling to under-18s as we do with pubs. And some of the tax revenue could be used to support clearer public health messaging. Unlike the Conservative and Labour election manifestos, which make no mention of the cannabis problem, the Liberal Democrat manifesto includes a clear commitment to regulate the market. We believe that regulation would reduce crime and improve public health. We have studied the legal markets that already exist in North America, and have accepted the recommendations of a panel of experts, including former and serving chief constables. He ends with: The opponents of regulation should ask themselves this: what other public health problem do we contract out entirely to organised criminals? You can read the whole article here. * Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary in print, on air or online. Its two years since we woke up to the terrible news that our excellent and much loved former leader Charles Kennedy had gone. He modelled a style of politics that was engaging and accepting but passionate and clear, too. He had the courage to oppose the Iraq war. He continues to inspire many of us. Here is his 2013 speech to Conference on Europe. How we missed him during the EU Referendum. Below is the last article he wrote for LDV just after he lost his seat in 2015. I am very fond of political history. If nothing else, we can all reflect on and perhaps tell our grandchildren that we were there on The night of long sgian dubhs! I would very much like to thank my home team. They have been so energetic, dedicated and selfless to the task. Indeed, with them, I would like to thank the very many over the years who have made possible the previous seven successful general election campaigns locally. I spare a thought for, and this is true of so many constituencies, for members of staff. It is one thing for elected representatives to find themselves at the mercy of the electorate; it is quite something else for the other loyal and skilled people who, sadly, will in due course be searching for employment. I wish them well and stand ready to help. I am sure that their professionalism will stand them in good stead. It has been the greatest privilege of my adult and public life to have served, for 32 years, as the Member of Parliament for our local Highlands and Islands communities. I would particularly like to thank the generation of voters, and then some, who have put their trust in me to carry out that role and its responsibilities. Locally, I wish my successor the very best. The next House of Commons will have to finalise the Smith Commission package, giving effect to the referendum Vow over further powers. I am saddened not to be involved in that process. However, from the perspective of the Highlands & Islands, the case for more powers being returned to us which have been lost to the Central Belt over the past five years, has to be heard as well. On the national picture, I am indeed sorry to learn of Nicks decision but respect entirely his characteristic sense of personal, political and party principle. The eligible candidates must reflect with care and collectively before we rush into the best way forward out of this political debris we must build with thought and care. Nick, I do hope, will be able to contribute with gusto to the great European debate which is now looming. It is one, as a Liberal Democrat, in which I wish to be actively engaged myself. The next few years in politics will come down to a tale of two Unions the UK and the EU. Despite all the difficult challenges ahead the Liberal Democrat voice must and will be heard. We did so over Iraq; we can do so again. Let us relish the prospect. A distraught woman discovered her puppy had died while she was on holiday after the professional pet sitter sent her photos of the dead dog. Denise Maguire, 55, was on a Caribbean break and had paid House and Home Sitters Ltd 540 to look after her chocolate labs Rhea and Delphi full time. She was horrified when four days into the break she got a Whatsapp message from the live-in sitters to say seven-month-old Delphi had died. But cancer-sufferer Denise was left distraught when seconds later it was followed by nearly a dozen photos of her dead pooch lying bloodied on the carpet. (Image: Maguire family/ SWNS) Animal lover Denise and husband Peter Depledge, 56, cut their holiday short to fly home. And they were outraged when the firm apparently blamed their other dog and then the couple for the deaths. Denise said: "I was hysterical. "It was horrendous. My dogs are my babies. "To get the news like that - in that insensitive way - and for it to be followed up by those photos was devastating. (Image: Maguire family/ SWNS) "It was so unprofessional. Nobody wants to find out like that. They had our phone number, the number for the hotel, and for our breeder. "And then for him to blame Rhea - those dogs loved each other and I just don't accept it." Retired academic lawyer Denise and husband Peter, a former IT technician got Rhea in April last year and cousin Delphi three months later. The couple, who don't have children, bought the 650 pups to bring them "more joy" after Denise was diagnosed with incurable non hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009. They booked House and Home Sitters to look after their house and pets for 12 days in February while they went on holiday to Barbados. (Image: Maguire family/ SWNS) It was agreed director David Price and his partner Mei would live in the home - not leaving for more than four hours at a time - for 540. But on the fourth day of their holiday, Denise got a message from David telling her seven-month-old Delphie has died, on February 8. It said: "Hello Denise and Peter, oh my god, I'm sorry to tell you this. "We left at 11am to visit Manchester. We got caught in traffic coming home and got back at 16.30 to find Delphi dead on the kitchen floor, Rhea still twisting her collar in her jaw. "They'd obviously had a fight and Delphi's body was already stiff and cold. (Image: Maguire family/ SWNS) "There was absolutely nothing we could do. "As you'll see from the photos there was blood on the mat under Delphi, although no obvious bite wounds we can see. "Mei saw Rhea snap at Delphi yesterday but we thought it was just normal rivalry. "Rhea is looking mortified. We are truly sorry to have to give you this dreadful news." And without warning just one minute and 26 seconds later it was followed by ten photos of her dead dog. (Image: Maguire family/ SWNS) The dog was sprawled out on the carpet on its side, eyes just open, with blood on a mat under its body and what looked like saliva around it's face. "I'm not a well person - I have angina and cancer and I also suffer with depression," said Denise. "So to get that message, was a huge shock. "I started screaming. People were coming up to me and really it is all a blank because it was so traumatic. "It was so, so insensitive to break the news like that. (Image: Maguire family/ SWNS) "I couldn't believe it." Denise and Peter flew home the next day, paying 400 for earlier flights, and picked up Rhea from friends and ordered a postmortem for dead Delphi. They say it concluded she had no bite marks or evidence she had been attacked by Rhea - but she had a broken neck. "They said it could have been anything like her getting caught on a handle on a cupboard, or even falling," said Denise. "The vet said Delphi may have fallen due to over exuberant play hence the micro fractures to her neck." (Image: Maguire family/ SWNS) A report from their home security system revealed nobody had been in the home for the six hours before the dog was found - more than the agreed four. Denise suggested the couple were to blame for leaving the dogs alone for so long, but David Price in return blamed Rhea and then Denise for the death. Referencing Denise's illness, in an email she claims he sent, David said: "A pathological sociopath hides behind her supposed terminal illness whilst displaying no conscience about placing two large breed dogs in a small home, not to mention the cruelty of their 'cage' without regard to the nature of all dogs to dominate. "Delphi, as you fully know, dominated the food. "A domination struggle was inevitable, one which led in the end to far bigger Rhea killing Delphi." (Image: Maguire family/ SWNS) Denise looked into claiming on the house sitter's company's insurance or taking legal action - but was told she'd have to prove he was negligent. David Price of House and Home Sitters Ltd admitted the dog died - but said it was killed by the larger pup. He added: "Their negative report appears to be more about money, evidenced by their claiming over 5,200 on the insurance. "The insurance company rejected the claim, finding House and Home Sitters neither negligent nor liable, based upon the vet's post-mortem report, which confirmed the older dog killed the younger one, citing possible 'puppy exuberance'. "This could just as easily have happened when they themselves were home, and the same scene would then have confronted them. "I called Ms Maguire a sociopath after she called me a psychopath, since it takes a person without conscience to keep two large breed dogs in a clearly too small home, and then additionally confine them to a small cage in the kitchen, whilst only allowing them about 20 minutes per day exercise. "H&H always strives to provide and improve our service, and this is one more lesson learnt." Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Guarantee you'll never miss another big story by signing up for our free email updates One of Lincolns best fish and chip shops are expecting to see huge queues out of the door as they give out free meals to celebrate National Fish and Chip Day. Burton Road Chippy is set to mark the occasion by offering their customers a free regular haddock and chips tomorrow. And they will also be handing out vouchers for free mushy peas, drinks and kids meals that are valid throughout June. But, the award-winning chippy will be asking patrons to make a donation to the charity Fishermens Mission which provides a lifeline of welfare and support to fisherman and their families. Des Anastasiou at Burton Road Chippy said that they will have their suppliers on standby in case they run out of stock. He said: We have never done anything like this before, so we are going to be doubling up on all of the stock that we would normally have for a busy Friday. We were expecting to have a busy day with it being National Fish and Chip Day, but with the offer running, we are anticipating to see at least twice as many people in our shop tomorrow. Burton Road Chippy was crowned the regional winner at the National Fish and Chip Awards and the second best chip shop in the UK. The annual day is about giving fish and chips the recognition it deserves and helping to secure its position as the nations favourite dish. The national event, which takes place on the first Friday in June every year, is once again being championed by the National Edible Oil Distributors Association (NEODA). NEODA President, Andrew Marriot said: National Fish and Chip Day celebrates the stars who work hard to bring Brits their favourite traditional takeaway. We want to bring the whole industry together to celebrate and showcase the great British institution that is fish and chips. To help build support in anticipation for the event, we are urging people to start tweeting with the hashtag #NationalFishandChipDay. The LDF government had on Wednesday decided to come out with an ordinance to replace the Governor as Chancellor of universities in the state and appoint eminent academicians to that post. We have more newsletters Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our free email alerts for the top daily stories sent straight to your e-mail Lincolnshire Police has received the highest rate of misconduct allegations out of all 44 police forces in England and Wales. A total of 512 allegations per 1,000 employees was recorded between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017. Lincolnshire Police has about 1,800 officers and staff. The national average rate is 279, and the average for forces most similar to Lincolnshire such as Cumbria and North Wales is 311. The allegations made to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) concern the type of behaviour being complained about, and each complaint may have one or more allegations. The total number of allegations against Lincolnshire Police was 965. These included 168 allegations of "incivility, impoliteness and intolerance", one alleged sexual assault , a serious non-sexual assault and 72 "other assaults". The "other neglect or failure in duty" allegations amounted to 337. Discrimination was flagged up 10 times and there were 27 allegations of mishandling property. There were 18 claims of unlawful/unnecessary arrest or detention, and nine allegations of irregularities regarding evidence/perjury. Superintendent Steve Taylor, head of the professional standards department for Lincolnshire Police said: We pride ourselves on our ethical recording and our number of complaints per 1,000 officers is in line with the rest of the UK and is actually currently on a downward trend year to date. However we recognise that we do record a high number of allegations. "This is due to the fact that we break down complaints into each aspect or issue raised in order to effectively and thoroughly deal with all aspects of dissatisfaction raised. As well as ethically and thoroughly dealing with the complaint issues raised it also allows us to maximise the lessons we can learn from our complaints. Our profession is one where inherently we make decisions and take action towards persons that are unpopular or unwanted so we inevitably receive more dissatisfactions than appreciations. "Yet we are pleased that from January to May, 40 per cent of communications have been appreciation letters and cards. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our free email alerts for the top daily stories sent straight to your e-mail Police are appealing for help to find three missing teenagers believed to be in Lincolnshire. Teigan, 16, and Taylor, Welbourne, 13, and Daisy Kelly, 15, went missing from their Grimsby homes shortly before 9pm on June 1. Police believe they are all together in the Grimsby area. Teigan is described as 5ft 9inc tall, of stocky build with dark brown long hair. Thought to be wearing grey track suit bottoms and a grey hoody. Taylor is 4ft 10inc tall, of slim build with short brown hair. Thought to be wearing a green t-shirt, Khaki shorts and black trainers. He went missing with his sister Teigan from their home on Hare Street in Grimsby. Daisy is 5ft 2inc tall, of stocky build with long dark brown hair. Thought to be wearing a white coat, black leggings and white trainers. Missing from her home on The Glade in New Waltham. A police spokesman said: We are asking for your help in finding them. They are not in any trouble but we need to make sure that they are safe and well. We are very concerned for the safety of Tiegan, Taylor and Daisy as their ages make them particularly vulnerable. If Teigan, Taylor or Daisy see this message please contact us urgently, we need to know you are safe and well. If anyone spots the teenager call 101 quoting 614 of June 1. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our free email alerts for the top daily stories sent straight to your e-mail A warning has been issued about a new type of ghost website which is stealing money from people. Lincolnshire Trading Standards and Lincolnshire Police are warning residents after a number of people got in touch about 'fake' copycat websites selling vehicles at super low prices. This has prompted a stark warning about shopping online. The websites in question featured cars, expensive machinery and large plant equipment all for sale at really low prices. They were designed to look like exisiting local business websites, copying their contact details, addresses and information from Companies House. Unfortunately, these websites were full of fake information - con artists had just copied adverts from other websites and changed the prices. A number of residents, who contacted the website to purchase vehicles, were persuaded into sending money up front via bank transfer before seeing the cars. After the money had been transferred the company no longer responded to calls or emails. Pam Allen, senior trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: People need to be careful when shopping online. Although the majority of websites are genuine, there are a small number, like this one, which are not. "They use very sophisticated technology to dupe people into believing what they are seeing. The main message coming out of the warning is to always be vigilant when online shopping in order to avoid falling victim to to these websites. The council advises to double check the domain name, to think whether the price is too good to be true, to never pay by bank transfer, to browse the website first to look for typos and to double check if the trust mark is genuine. DC Stuart Barnes from Lincolnshire Police, added: We would ask the public to observe due diligence when shopping online and to consider their actions when spending large sums. "Take note of Trading Standards advice. If it appears too good to be true, then it more than likely is. If in doubt, be very observant and keep researching. If still in doubt, then avoid and report. If you have been caught out by such a website, please report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 03454 040506 or online at: www.citizensadvice.org.uk Please also report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at: www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud Jun 2, 2017, 8 AM President Donald Trump's proposed 2018 budget seeks to roll back some of the gains the postal unions have made in the almost five decades since President Richard Nixon gave them bargaining rights in return for their support of his plan for a new United St Washington Postal Scene By Bill McAllister Forty-eight years after President Richard M. Nixon pleaded with postal unions to support his plan for an independent postal service, another Republican president appears to be saying those unions might have achieved too many benefits with their collective-bargaining rights. That seems to be what Donald Trumps proposed federal budget for fiscal 2018 is saying. The president wants to roll back some of the gains the postal unions have made in the almost five decades since Nixon gave them bargaining rights in return for their support of his plan for a new United States Postal Service. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter The Trump budget for fiscal year 2018 says it offers the USPS $46 billion in savings by reducing mail deliveries and hitting postal workers benefits. Not surprisingly, the postal unions are in full battle mode with the president. This budget proposal is Robin Hood in reverse, claimed American Postal Workers Union president Mark Dimondstein. It robs from the workers to give more and more to the wealthy. Taken in their entirety, these are draconian attacks on hard working postal workers and our families, the union chief said. Sadly, the new administration seems to have ignored the growing consensus in the mailing industry over ways to strengthen the Postal Service, said Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers. If enacted, the Trump proposals would threaten the long-term viability of the Postal Service and the huge industry it supports, he said. What is infuriating the unions is a proposal to increase pension contributions by workers by a total of 6 percent during the next six years. Specifically, Trump wants worker contributions to the Federal Employee Retirement System to rise by 1 percent every year for the next six years. That would result in a pay-cut of thousands of dollars a year for each FERS postal employee, the unions say. The presidents budget would eliminate cost of living adjustments (COLA) on FERS retirement benefits, reduce COLAs for current civil-service retirees, and base all future retirement pay on a high five-year average instead of the current three-year average. Chaffetz retirement puts postal reform act in doubt The planned retirement of Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has prompted fears that his legislation to help the USPS out of its current financial woes will die in June with the Utah Republicans departure from Congress. Rep. Gerald Connolly, a senior Democrat on the committee, is not one of those who has given up on the Chaffetz legislation. Our Postal Service Reform Act is the culmination of years of hard work and compromise, he told Linns. Mr. Chaffetz was crucial in helping move the legislation along, and he should be commended, but our effort is bigger than any one person, Connolly said. We brought every stakeholder to the table on this bipartisan effort and the bill overwhelmingly passed our Committee. Now Congress must help the Postal Service transition to the 21st century economy and I am hopeful that our bipartisan legislation will do just that. Two million and counting signed up for Informed Delivery The Postal Service has two million people signed up for its mail preview service and is adding more than 10,000 people a day to the service. Thats what Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan told the National Postal Forum in Baltimore May 23. It was the first time that the USPS has issued a national news release about the program, called Informed Delivery. Until now, the Postal Service had depended on direct-mail announcements and news stories to tell the public about the program. As promised at last years Forum, Informed Delivery is now available in virtually every community in America, Brennan told the Baltimore audience. Informed Delivery makes mail even more dynamic, adding a new layer to the evolution of the mail experience, she said. What the Postal Service is clearly hoping is that the program will lure more big mailers back to the mail, slowing the sagging mail volumes that spell trouble for the future. Mail group trio attacks Postal Services new wage agreement Three large mailing organizations have attacked the Postal Services new wage agreement with the National Association of Letter Carriers, saying the pact shows that the USPS cannot be trusted to control its own costs. In a June 1 essay, titled USPS Spendthrift Monopolist, the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, the Association of Magazine Media, and the Association for Postal Commerce argued that a price cap is essential to force the Postal Service to control its spending. Postal workers are paid nearly twice what the private sector pays for similar work, the three mailing groups say. They cited the NALC agreement, saying it offers too much money for union members and converts lower paid city carrier assistants into career postal workers. We have no argument with the nations postal workers, the mailers said. But the USPS wants the Postal Regulatory Commission to eliminate its price cap. That would lead to ruin for the Postal Service, the mailers say, arguing the price caps are needed to save them from out of control postal costs. Jun 2, 2017, 1 PM The 1918 series: the 10-centime semipostal stamp features the arms of canton Uri, with the border showing an apple with an arrow through it. The 1918 series: the15c, the arms of canton Geneva, with the strings of pearls in the border representing the canton as the center of jewelry trade. The 1919 issues: shows the arms of canton Vaud (10c), and the two half-cantons of Nidwalden (7c) and Oberwalden (15c). The borders feature bunches of grapes (Vaud), a bunch of Morgensternen or Morning Stars (Nidwalden), and halberd blades (Oberwalden The 1920 issues: the arms of cantons Schwyz (7c stamp), Zurich (10c stamp), and Ticino (15c stamp). The borders picture a raised hand with the thumb and two fingers extended (Schwyz), gears (Zurich), and bricks (Ticino). The 1921 issue: the arms of cantons Valais (10c stamp), Bern (20c stamp), and Switzerland (40c stamp). The borders feature cherries, grapes, and plums (Valais); heads of wheat (Bern); Count Rudolf I of Hapsburg at the left and William Tell with his crossb The 1922 issue: the arms of cantons Zug (5c stamp), Fribourg (10c stamp), Luzern (20c stamp), and Switzerland (40c stamp). The borders show fish (Zug), bishops miters and rosaries (Fribourg), sailboats encircled by rosaries (Luzern), and Duke Leopold III The 1923 issue: the arms of Half-Canton Basel Stadt (5c stamp), Canton Glarus (10c stamp), Canton Neuchatel (20c stamp), and Switzerland (40c stamp). The borders show crozier heads (Basel), repeating Edelweiss pattern (Glarus), watches (Neuchatel), and Fr The 1924 issue: the arms of cantons Appenzell (5c stamp), Solothurn (10c stamp), Schaffhausen (20c stamp), and Switzerland (30c stamp). The borders feature Swiss cow bells (Appenzell); banners and mitres (Solothurn); grapes (Schaffhausen); and two soldier The 1925 issue: the arms of cantons St. Gallen (5c stamp), the half-canton of Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden (10c), Graubunden (20c stamp), and Switzerland (30c stamp). The borders picture embroidery (St. Gallen), grape leaves (Graubunden), hand embroidery (Appe The 1926 issue: the arms of Canton Thurgau (5c stamp), Half-Canton Basel Landschaft (10c stamp), Canton Aargau (20c stamp), and Switzerland (30c). The borders depict branches of pear trees (Thurgau), ribbons (Basel Landschaft), carrots (Aargau), and the s Swizterland Stamp Scene By Richard T. Hall Have you ever looked closely at the Pro Juventute issues of 1918 to 1926 showing Swiss cantonal arms? Of course, you say. They show the coat of arms of each of the then 25 cantons. But have you noticed the tiny figures to the right and left of the arms? Lets take a look at these, because they have ties to the canton whose arms are featured. Lets start with the first of the series, the 1918 10-centime semipostal stamp showing the arms of canton Uri (Scott B10), one of the first three cantons of 1291. The cantonal capital of Uri is Altdorf, of William Tell fame. So what better to border the arms with than an apple with an arrow through it. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter The next stamp in the series, the 1918 15c, shows the arms of canton Geneva (Scott B11), one of the cantons to join the Confederation in 1815 after the Napoleonic Wars. Geneva, the capital of the canton, is known, among other things, as a center of the jewelry trade. Strings of pearls refer to that. The 1919 issues show the arms of canton Vaud (Scott B13, a 10c stamp) and the two half-cantons of Nidwalden (B12, a 7c stamp) and Oberwalden (B14, a 15c semipostal). Canton Vaud was another of the group that joined the Confederation in 1815, while Unterwalden (the name of the full canton) is also one of the three original cantons in the Confederation. The borders of the two half cantons refer to the struggles they faced in gaining their independence. The border of the Nidwalden stamp shows a bunch of Morgensternen or Morning Stars. A Morning Star was a root gnarl into which iron spikes had been driven, attached to a chain, and then whirled over the head of the soldier. These were lethal weapons during close-in fighting. The Oberwalden border is composed of halberd blades, another very effective weapon at close quarters. The border of the Vaud stamp shows bunches of grapes, referring to the vineyards on the slopes above the Lake of Geneva responsible for most of the wines of Switzerland. The 1920 issues show the arms of cantons Schwyz (Scott B15, a 7c stamp), Zurich (B16, a 10c stamp), and Ticino (B17, a 15c stamp). Canton Schwyz is the third of the three original cantons and is the home of the field at Rutli, where the Confederates swore their allegiance to their cause by raising their hand with the thumb and two fingers extended, shown in the border of the stamp. This gesture is still used to signify a Swiss citizens allegiance to the Confederation. Canton Zurich joined the Confederation in 1351 and is the commercial and financial center of Switzerland. What better way to show this than gears. Canton Ticino is another late entry to the Confederation, having joined in 1803. The border is made up of bricks symbolizing the construction trade of many of the inhabitants. The 1921 issue shows the arms of cantons Valais (Scott B18, a 10c stamp) and Bern (B19, a 20c stamp). The 40c stamp of the 1921 issue features the Swiss arms (B20). The border figures of this stamp are Count Rudolf I of Hapsburg at the left and William Tell with his crossbow at the right, the two proponents in the William Tell legend. Canton Valais is another of the group that joined the Confederation in 1815. The border of the stamp shows cherries, grapes, and plums, referring to the orchards and vineyards of the canton. Canton Bern joined the Confederation in 1353 and is known as the bread basket of Switzerland, hence the heads of wheat in the border of the stamp. The 1922 issue shows the arms of cantons Zug (Scott B21, a 5c stamp), Fribourg (B22, a 10c denomination), and Luzern (B23, a 20c stamp). The fourth stamp (B24), a 40c denomination, shows the Swiss arms bordered by Duke Leopold III of Austria at the left and Arnold von Winkelried with an armful of spears and a battle ax at the right. These men represent the Battle of Sempach in 1386, an important battle for Swiss independence. Winkelried is famed for sacrificing himself by grasping as many of the Austrian spears as he could to open a gap in the battle line to allow the Confederates passage to kill the Duke. Canton Zug joined the Confederation in 1352 and is the location of the Lake of Zug. The lake is the only place where the Zuger Rotel, a fish reknowned for its flavor, is found, hence the fish in the border of the stamp. Canton Fribourg joined the Confederation in 1481. Its capital, the city of Fribourg, is the seat of the Bishopric of Fribourg, Lausanne, and Geneva, hence the bishops miters and rosaries in the border. Canton Luzern joined the Confederation in 1332. On the Lake of Lucerne (officially the Lake of the Four Cantons, Vierwaldstattersee), the border of the stamp shows sailboats encircled by rosaries referring to the pleasures of life on the lake and the strong Catholic influence in the canton. The 1923 issue shows the arms of cantons Glarus (Scott B26, a 10c stamp) and Neuchatel (B27, a 20c denomination) and of the half-canton of Basel Stadt (B25, a 5c stamp). The Swiss arms on the high denomination 40c stamp (B28) show the French Dauphin Louis XI and a Swiss soldier with many arrows piercing his body from the Battle of St. Jakob an der Birs fought in 1444. The battle was a terrible defeat for the Swiss because they were slain to the last man; however, the massive casualties they imposed on the French saved Zurich. Canton Glarus joined the Confederation in 1352. The border of the stamp shows a repeating Edelweiss pattern, referring to the mountainous character of the canton and its reputation for printed fabrics. Canton Neuchatel joined the Confederation in 1815, the final member of the group that became part of the Confederation at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The canton is the home of the watch-making industry, hence the watches (interestingly, none showing the same time) in the border of the stamp. The Canton of Basel joined the Confederation in 1501. Conflict between those living in the countryside and those living in the city of Basel led to a revolt in 1833, which resulted in the canton being split into two half-cantons. The half-canton of Basel Stadt encompasses the city of Basel and is the seat of the Bishopric of Basel, hence the crozier heads in the border. The 1924 issue shows the arms of cantons Solothurn (Scott B30, a 10c stamp) and Schaffhausen (B31, a 20c stamp) and of the half-canton of Appenzell Inner-Rhoden (B29, a 5c stamp) along with the arms of Switzerland (B32, a 30c stamp). The 30c stamp has the figures of two soldiers from the Burgundian Wars of 1474-1477 between the forces of Charles, Duke of Burgundy, and the Swiss. Canton Solothurn joined the Confederation in 1491. The border of the stamp shows banners, referring to the Cathedral of St. Urs, and mitres, referring to the fact that the Bishop of Basel had his residence in Solothurn. Canton Schaffhausen joined the Confederation in 1501. The Hallau region of the canton is famous for its wines, hence the grapes in the border. The Canton of Appenzell joined the Confederation in 1513, but the Protestant Reformation resulted in battles between the Catholics and Protestants in the canton. In 1531, it was decided to split the canton along faith lines. Each town in the canton decided if they wanted to join the Catholic Inner-Rhoden or the Protestant Ausser-Rhoden, resulting in a patchwork of borders between the two half-cantons. The border of the Appenzell Inner-Rhoden stamp shows the famous Swiss cow bells, referring to the herds of cattle grazing on the lush pastures of the region. The 1925 issue shows the arms of cantons St. Gallen (Scott B33, a 5c stamp) and Graubunden (B35, a 20c stamp) and the half-canton of Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden (B34, a 10c stamp) together with the Swiss arms (B36, a 30c stamp). The border of the latter stamp shows soldiers from the Battle of Marignano of 1515. It was this battle that led to the Swiss becoming a neutral power in the European wars of the era, when the Swiss realized that they were fighting fellow Swiss serving as mercenaries for their enemy. Canton St. Gallen joined the Confederation in 1803. The canton is famous for its embroidery, both handmade and machine made, hence the embroidery in the border of the stamp. Canton Graubunden also joined the Confederation in 1803. The border of the stamp shows grape leaves. Like Half-Canton Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden was created in 1531 out of Canton Appenzell. The border of the stamp shows hand embroidery. The final stamps of the Cantonal Arms series were issued in 1926, showing the arms of cantons Thurgau (Scott B37, a 5c stamp) and Aargau (B39, a 20c stamp) and that of Half-Canton Basel Landschaft (B38, a 10c stamp), together with the Swiss arms on the high denomination (B40, a 30c stamp). The 30c stamp shows the sculpture The Lion of Lucerne, a sword blade protruding from his side, commemorating the Swiss Guards who were slain in the Tuileries Palace in 1792 during the French Revolution. Canton Thurgau joined the Confederation in 1803. The border of the stamp shows branches of pear trees, referring to the large number of orchards in the area. Canton Aargau also joined the Confederation in 1803. The border of this stamp shows carrots, referring to the agricultural products of the region. The final stamp in the series is that of the half-canton of Basel Landschaft. As explained with the Basel Stadt stamp, the half-canton was formed in 1833 when the canton of Basel was split between the city and countryside (Landschaft). The border of the stamp shows ribbons, ribbon making being an important industry of the region. See what you can learn by closely examining your stamps! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. Film Review: Baywatch The big-screen version of 'Baywatch' drowns in its own juvenility /how-to-lounge/movies-tv/film-review-baywatch-111646834272886.html 111646834272886 story Baywatch and McDonalds both came to India in the early-to-mid 90s. Its fitting that we took to both around the same time because they were, essentially, operating along similar lines. Both were utterly predictable and completely reliable, andthough its tough to admit nowpretty thrilling at the time. Baywatch was almost an illicit thrill: all that flesh, running about so matter-of-factly. Even back then, I dont think we mistook it for good TV, yet it was one of the post-liberalization Western pop culture imports that hit us early, and hard. Seth Gordons big-screen Baywatch reboot is the daftest $70 million movie Ive seen, and Hollywood makes one of those a month. No one goes into a Dwayne Johnson-starrer expecting a comedy of manners, but theres some Grand Masti-level imbecility on display here. Early on, a new lifeguard tryout, Ronnie (Jon Bass) gets his appendage stuck in a wooden board because hes aroused by the presence of CJ (Kelly Rohrbach). Its a dumb joke but the movie keeps at it; a crowd gathers, other lifeguards join in, the scene stretches over five minutes. This is what you get when you give $70 million to the director of Horrible Bosses. Rather than pretend that whatever existing lifeguards Mitch (Johnson), CJ, Stephanie (Ilfenesh Hadera) and new applicants Ronnie, Summer (Alexandra Daddrio) and Matt (Zac Efron) get up to in the movie is worth detailing, let me instead provide a taste of the subtle pleasures that await. Theres an entire exchange between Matt and Summer about him not being able keep from glancing at her breasts. Theres a scene with the two of them and Mitch in a hospital morgue, in which Matt has to lift the testicles of a corpse and check for evidence. Theres scene after scene of Ronnie humiliating himself and CJ inexplicably finding herself attracted to him as a result (Hollywood logic: the charmless horny geek always ends up with the hot bimbo). And my favourite: the woman on a burning boat who tells Mitch, mid-rescue: If you want me you can have me." There was, apparently, a screenplay (by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift), the source of such witticisms as Who taught you to drive, Stevie fucking Wonder?" and Baywatch isnt a job, its a way of life". Mitch actually tells the applicants that they will have to learn to sacrifice for something larger than themselves"a statement at once blandly all-American and hilariously misplaced. Priyanka Choprathe biggest star in the film after Johnson and Efronplays antagonist Victoria Leeds. Im not a Bond villain yet," she purrs; her manicured but lifeless performance here suggests that even this may not be immediately forthcoming. David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson have brief cameosI can picture them getting together on set and laughing about how this movie makes the series look like King Lear. A blooper reel runs alongside the end credits. I think its cute that the film thinks theres a noticeable difference between Johnson or Efron flubbing and nailing a scene. Henri Cartier-Bressons photos of Nehruvian India in New York Henri Cartier-Bresson's 1947 India visit marked the beginning of his best photojournalistic work. An ongoing exhibition at New York's Rubin Museum of Art showcases his oeuvre /how-to-lounge/movies-tv/henri-cartier-bresson-s-photos-of-nehruvian-india-in-new-york-111646834298735.html 111646834298735 story Henri Cartier-Bressons photograph of Jawaharlal Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten sharing a private joke at Government House in Delhi (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) reflects the French photographers rather deft execution of this decisive moment. But whether one credits the decisive moment or not, it is important to note the access that Cartier-Bresson enjoyed in India, one which played a significant role in creating those moments in his images. The exhibition Henri Cartier-Bresson: India In Full-Frame, on view at the Rubin Museum of Art, New York, until 4 September, is presenting 69 images from the photographers travels here (he first arrived a month after independence in 1947). The exhibition is a joint effort, in collaboration with Magnum Photos, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, and the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation. Even today, most people are unaware of how Cartier-Bresson gained access to the personal spaces of Indias political top brass. His then wife, Ratna Mohini, was a friend of Dorothy Norman, an American writer, photographer and editor committed to gathering support in the US for Indias freedom struggle. Norman, in turn, was close to Nehrus youngest sister, Krishna Hutheesing, and that is how Cartier-Bresson found himself in the middle of Indias political transition. Women outside a mosque because they are not allowed in, in Srinagar, Kashmir, 1948. Courtesy: Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos In 1947, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, held a major retrospective of Cartier-Bressons surrealist photographs. And even though he never formally associated himself with the movement, photographer and friend Robert Capa warned him about being labelled a surrealist photographer". The story goes that it was at the MoMA restaurant a few months later that Capa and friends founded Magnum Photos over a generous bottle of champagne, which gave the agency its name. Cartier-Bresson, assigned Asia, left for India with his wife. At the Rubin Museum of Art exhibit, the 69 photographs on display are said to be images Cartier-Bresson had selected before his death in 2004. There is a rhythm to the selection of photos, but I still have many unanswered questions about them that I would have loved to ask!" says Beth Citron, curator, modern and contemporary art, at the museum, over email. Gandhis funeral. Crowds gathered between Birla House and the cremation ground, throwing flowers. Delhi, 1948. Courtesy: Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos Cartier-Bresson photographed Mahatma Gandhi hours before his assassination. Fourteen photographs are, in fact, dedicated to Gandhi and the events around his cremation, illustrating his nuanced narrative. The photograph of people around Gandhis body in his bedroom is as telling of the leaders presence (in absence) as is the photograph where, just months before, Gandhi is seen leaving a shrine in Mehrauli, flanked by two women. Cartier-Bressons photographs of India are a noticeable departure from his earlier work. Theres a greater emphasis on events of social and political significance, his decisive moment drawing more from circumstance than the other way round. He was known for form and aesthetics, but these took a bit of a back seat in his India images. The cubist influence on his earlier work makes room for news reportage. His intent was amply clear, though many imagined that his artistic style was out of form in India. The Gandhi photographs helped to catapult Cartier-Bresson to fame as a photojournalist, and are certainly among the most newsworthy bodies of his work," says Citron. The photographer visited India six times from 1947 and one can see the ease of familiarity in his later photographs, especially those from the 1966 trip. His photographs from Udaipur and Ahmedabad, as well as one particular image where workers can be seen digging in a barren landscape with just a giant satellite dish and a single palm treethe site of the nuclear power station in Trombay (in Mumbai)rely on an old, familiar aesthetic and the need to distance oneself from the rigour of spot news. They also suggest an understanding of Indias changing social landscape. From the serene and powerful image of several women outside a mosque in Srinagar in 1948 (they were not allowed inside), to the poetic visual of women drying their saris in the sun in Ahmedabad in 1966, Cartier-Bressons abiding interest in daily life rituals and practices is evident. Women spreading out their saris in the sun. Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 1966. Courtesy: Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos So admired was his way of seeing that it inspired a generation of iconic Indian photographers, including Raghu Rai and Raghubir Singh, who met him during his 1966 trip. Rais famous panoramic image from 1975, of villagers caught in a dust storm created by a VIPs helicopter, seems like unspoken homage to Cartier-Bressons 1947 image of a refugee camp in Kurukshetra, where the men are exercising but appear more like theyre being hustled. For Cartier-Bresson also photographed refugee camps extensively. An image of washed clothes hung on trees under which refugee tents have been set up is a tragic, yet poetic, visual of a massive sociopolitical crisis in India and Pakistans shared history. It is one of Cartier-Bressons strengths as a photographer that he found humanity in nearly every situation. Still, the images he made at the Kurukshetra refugee camp in late 1947 and in Kashmir in the summer of 1948 are exceptional in their intermingling of daily life with monumentalityof conflict with aesthetics. And yes, history does seem close at hand in relation to Indias ongoing tensions with Pakistan as well as the tragedy of the refugee crisis across Europe and the Middle East," says Citron, when asked about the nature of his visual reportage in relation to the human crises now. And in the 70th year of Indias independence as well as Magnum Photos founding, it is only apt that this be the decisive show from Cartier-Bressons repertoire. Where AI and fashion cross paths Designers Falguni and Shane Peacock use IBM's cognitive tool to map the future of Bollywood fashion. But can it make for a showstopper? /fashion/trends/where-ai-and-fashion-cross-paths-111646829761366.html 111646829761366 story In 2011, when IBM Watson first won Jeopardy!, the popular American quiz show, it was the triumph of Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the shows human participants. Since then, Watson, a supercomputer with deep research capabilities and the power of cognition, has ventured into the fields of biotechnology, banking, communication, robotics and medicine. Now Mumbai-based fashion designers Falguni and Shane Peacock have collaborated with Watson, creating designs that were showcased at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai last week. Sriram Raghavan, director of IBM Research India, unpacks the process: The way it works is that we teach Watson to understand fashion blogs, reviews, colour, silhouettes. We build an ontology of fashion language, like what does A-line mean, what does mandarin neck mean, infusing it with a deep level of expertise." Once super charged", it works like a fashion expert, providing research as well as suggestions and visual representations. Watson was fed over 600,000 images from fashion weeks that have been held over the last decade in Milan, New York, Paris and Tokyo, plus Bollywood data from the last four decades. Then Falguni and Shane worked with the tool to design a line called the Future Of Bollywood Fashion. Lets say you ask Watson about the little black dress. It will respond with images of the dress, along with when and where it was shown," says Shane. The designs showcased were two structured, sci-fi silhouettes in the Watson-generated colour palette of raisin black and Yankees blue (pictured here). The third, the showstopper, modelled by actor Pooja Hegde, was a textured grey gown paired with silver pumps. If I had to travel and collect data and inspiration, it would take me months, but with Watson you get answers in seconds. Its like a third person sitting with you and telling you that you can actually use this here...its more than a tool, its another person," adds Shane. But while a human studio assistant would find it hard to match Watsons research capabilities, its creative role remains ambiguous. Speed, accuracy and data collection hardly seem like the recipe for a path-breaking line of clothing. Watsons contribution in other industries seems a lot more fascinating. For instance, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York has been using Watson to augment" cancer care since 2013. And in a recent project, Watson was used by students of the Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune, to create Chintu, a robot that assists senior citizens in everyday chores. The role of AI in these cases reveals an immediate connect. In the whimsical world of fashion, however, Watsons nascent intelligence could use some imagination. Find not too frequent updates from the Livesay family here Amazon princess (Image credit: Clay Enos) The 2017 movie "Wonder Woman" (in theaters June 2) is a long-awaited feature film about the mythical Amazon princess who made her first appearance in the DC Comics title "Sensation Comics," in 1942. Since then, Wonder Woman, aka Diana Prince, has long reigned as a rare figure in the world of comics superheroes a woman who is preternaturally strong and skilled in battle. But while Wonder Woman is fictional, she has no shortage of real-world precedents. Throughout history and across cultures, women have outlined military strategies and stormed battlefields, leading armies of both men and women, proving themselves to be fierce fighters and highly skilled leaders. Here are just a few examples of these exceptional women warriors. Fu Hao (died 1200 B.C.) (Image credit: Mu Jun/AP) The earliest known female general of the Shang Dynasty, Fu Hao, lived about 3,000 years ago during China's Bronze Age, according to a biography published in 2002 in Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia (Yorkin Publications). Her exploits were preserved in fragments of text scratched into bone and tortoiseshell; one account, in the collection of the Gulbenkian Museum of Oriental Art and Archaeology in England, describes her leading 3,000 soldiers in a regional campaign. Archaeologists learned even more about Fu Hao's military rank and prowess when they unearthed her tomb near Anyang, China, in 1976. More than 100 weapons were found buried in her tomb, confirming her status as a high-ranking military leader, according to the British Museum. Her tomb also included thousands of ornamental objects and vessels in bronze, jade, bone, opal and ivory, as well as the remains of 16 slaves who were buried alive to serve her in the afterlife. Boudicca (circa first century A.D.) (Image credit: Hulton Archive/Getty) During the Roman invasion and occupation of southern England in the first century A.D., a woman named Boudicca led the Iceni people, a tribe of eastern Britain, in an uprising against interlopers. Accounts recorded by the Roman historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus (56 117 A.D.) describe Boudicca's emergence as a rebel and leader when the Romans confiscated her lands and revoked the tribe's status as Roman allies, following the death of her husband, Iceni king Prasutagus, the Ancient History Encyclopedia recounted. Boudicca's military campaigns razed the Roman settlements of Verulamium, Londinium and Camulodunum, brutally massacring the inhabitants. But her army was decimated at the Battle of Watling Street near Shropshire, in 61 A.D., ending the rebellion against Rome, according to the Encyclopedia Brittanica. Gudit (circa 10th century A.D.) (Image credit: Elitre) "It is well known from relatively recent Ethiopic tradition that Ethiopia was once ruled by a queen called Gudit, Yodit, Isat or Ga'wa," according to a study published in 2000 in the journal Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. However, it is unclear where this warrior queen came from, and some scholarly accounts claim that she was Jewish by descent or marriage, the study suggested. The historian Ibn Haukal wrote of a queen who ruled Abyssinia now Ethiopia during the 10th century, the study author wrote, and a letter penned in 980 A.D. mentions an Ethiopian queen who rose to power by murdering the current king and who went on to reign for decades. She campaigned against Christians and "imprisoned many Ethiopians, burned towns, [and] destroyed churches," according to the study. Tomoe Gozen (circa 1157 1247) (Image credit: Shitomi Kangetsu) Legendary female samurai Tomoe Gozen first appeared in the Japanese military epic "The Tale of the Heike," a series of narratives about the lives and battles of those who fought in the Genpei War of the 12th century, with stories handed down orally for generations until they were first recorded in the 14th century. Gozen was described as a skilled archer who fought for the general Kiso Yoshinaka; she wore heavy armor and carried an oversized sword and a large bow, and when Yoshinaka was attacked and mortally wounded she defended him fiercely, grappling with a rival samurai and lopping off his head, according to a description of the tale by the Japan Times. "She was a fearless rider, whom neither the fiercest horse nor the roughest ground could dismay, and so dexterously did she handle sword and bow that she was a match for 1,000 warriors, fit to meet either god or devil," the description read. Ana Nzinga (circa 1583 1683) (Image credit: Francois Le Villian/Schomburg Center for Research/NYPL) Ana Nzinga ascended to rule as queen of Ndongo, an African state in what is now Angola, in 1624. She quickly formed an alliance with Portugal to protect her people against attacks from rival African kingdoms, and to end Portuguese raids in Ndongo for the slave trade, according to a description published online by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But when Nzinga was betrayed by her Portuguese allies, she fled west to the kingdom of Matamba, where she welcomed runaway slaves and African soldiers to strengthen her army. Though no longer in Ndongo, she supported resistance efforts there, and introduced communal militia organizations in Matamba to raise young boys apart from their families and train them as fighters. Nzinga continued to push back against Portuguese control of Angola by allying with the Netherlands and developing trade within Matamba, to compete with Portugal commercially. She personally marched into battle with her troops until she was in her 60s, finally brokering a peace treaty with Portugal in 1657 and devoting her remaining years in power to rebuilding her war-torn country. Khutulun (1260 1306) (Image credit: PD-US/Gallica Digital Library) In 13th-century Mongolia, the wrestling ring was dominated by a woman that no man could defeat. Her name was Khutulun and she was a great-great-granddaughter of Ghengis Khan, but her reputation emerged from her own strength and prowess as a wrestler, archer and horsewoman, Lapham's Quarterly reported. The so-called "wrestler princess" grew rich from her triumphs in public wrestling competitions, where she beat every man that she faced. But she enjoyed equal success on the battlefield, fighting alongside her father to defend the steppes of western Mongolia and Kazakhstan against Kublai Khan, the Mongol leader who successfully invaded China. Her battle exploits were observed by Venetian explorer Marco Polo, who wrote of her riding swiftly toward the enemy forces, where she would grab one of the hapless soldiers "as deftly as a hawk pounces on a bird, and carry him to her father." Mai Bhago (circa 1705) (Image credit: Chunni Lal/Alamy) In 1705, Sikh warrior Mata Bhag Kaur, more commonly known as Mai Bhago, led 40 Sikhs former army deserters during the Battle of Muktsar in Punjab, a state in northern India. They fought against soldiers of the Mughal Empire, a Muslim dynasty ruling states extending across India and Afghanistan. Bhago shamed the deserters, who had abandoned their Sikh leader, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji during the siege of Anandpur in 1704. She dressed as a man and led them back into battle under her own banner, according to a biography of the female fighter on the website Sikh Heritage. All the deserters died on the battlefield, and Mai Bhago went on to serve as the Guru's bodyguard until he died in 1708. Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730 1796) (Image credit: Postal department/Government of India) The first Tamil woman to take up arms against British colonialism in India, Rani Velu Nachiyar, grew up in the Ramnad Kingdom in South India, where she learned as a child to use weapons, practice martial arts, shoot a bow and fight while on horseback. The British attacked her kingdom in 1772, and after her husband and daughter were killed, Nachiyar formed an army to battle the invaders, defeating them decisively in 1780. She is said to be the first military leader to use a "human bomb" in warfare one of her female followers purportedly covered herself in oil and set herself on fire to trigger an explosion in stores of British ammunition, Bodahub reported. Her story was recently brought to light by historian Kirti Narain, a project director for the Indian Council of Social Science Research in New Delhi. Narain uncovered previously forgotten records documenting extensive contributions by women who fought to free India from British rule, writing about Nachiyar and other warrior queens in her book "Participation and Position of Women Uprising of 1857: Redefinition of Social Status, Then and Now " (Himalaya Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., 2016), The Citizen wrote in 2016. Micaela Bastidas Puyucahua (1744-1781) (Image credit: Shutterstock) Born in Peru, Micaela Bastidas Puyucahua's mother was descended from the Quechua people, the indigenous group living in South America's central Andes region, from Ecuador to Bolivia. And in 1780, when Puyucahua's husband Tupac Amaru led what would be a pivotal rebellion against the Spanish, she played an equal part in the uprising, historian Charles F. Walker wrote in his book "The Tupac Amaru Rebellion" (Harvard University Press, 2016). In the revolt, Puyucahua was "the logistics chief" who devised military strategies for both defense of rebel strongholds and attacks on Spanish forces, threatening death to traitors and deserters. She oversaw the running of the rebel camp, recruited fighters, mobilized soldiers, and doled out punishment to those who resisted, even personally conducting executions. "Both rebels and loyalists feared her wrath," Walker wrote. The "Dahomey Amazons" (17th to 19th century) (Image credit: Lanmas/Alamy) For approximately 200 years in the West African state of Dahomey, now known as the Republic of Benin, thousands of female soldiers served the king as an elite fighting force armed with clubs, knives and 3-foot-long straight razors, Smithsonian Magazine reported. Referred to by contemporary European missionaries and soldiers as "The Dahomey Amazons," this corps of soldiers may have originated as a palace guard made up of the king's "third-class wives" those whom he did not sleep with, and who had not given birth to children. Their ferocity in battle was well-documented, and they inspired respect and fear among their own people. When these warriors left the king's palace, "they were preceded by a slave girl carrying a bell. The sound told every male to get out of their path, retire a certain distance, and look the other way," according to a historical account by British traveler and writer Sir Richard Burton, who visited Dahomey in 1863 and published a description of his adventures in "Mission to Gelele, King of Dahome" in 1864. A Humboldt's flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis) in Mendocino County, California. The discovery of this species using genetic testing brings the total number of species of flying squirrels in North America to three. Here's a squirrelly surprise: The two species of flying squirrel that live in North America turn out to be three. A new species of flying squirrel, the Humboldt's flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis) has been hiding in plain sight along the Pacific Coast. Well, not quite plain sight flying squirrels are nocturnal, so even though they live across North America, many people never see them. But the new species, named after the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, lives in a well-studied habitat and still evaded notice. "I was very surprised," said study leader Brian Arbogast, a biologist at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In previous research, Arbogast had found genetic differences among the northern flying squirrels (G. sabrinus) that live in Canada and the northern United States. But he never expected to find that some of those squirrels were their own species, he said. [The 12 Weirdest Animal Discoveries] "Sadly, we don't know our planet all that well yet," said Joseph Cook, a biologist and curator of mammals at The University of New Mexico's Museum of Southwestern Biology, who co-authored the new research on the squirrel published May 30 in the Journal of Mammalogy. Cryptic squirrel The new squirrel is what is known as a "cryptic species." It looks just like another related species, but genetic testing reveals that the two aren't the same species, and that they aren't interbreeding. Before this research, scientists thought that only two of the almost 50 species of flying squirrels found worldwide lived in North America: G. sabrinus, the northern flying squirrel, and G. volans, the southern flying squirrel, which is found in the eastern part of the United States and in parts of Central America. In 1999, Arbogast and other researchers published a study on flying-squirrel genetics. They found that squirrels from western Washington, western Oregon and Southern California's San Bernardino mountains all seemed similar, genetically, to each other but different from other northern flying squirrels. However, the sample size was small, and the researchers still considered these Pacific squirrels to simply be a subspecies of northern flying squirrel. Now, Arbogast and his colleagues have sampled from much larger populations of squirrels. They trapped many of the squirrels themselves, baiting wire-cage traps with a mix of peanut butter, rolled oats, bacon fat and molasses. Other samples came from tissues preserved in museum collections. Two study co-authors, Cook and Allison Bidlack of the University of Alaska Southeast, coordinated with marten trappers in Alaska and British Columbia to have them send samples from any flying squirrels caught accidentally, Arbogast said. Biologist Jim Kenagy of the University of Washington in Seattle helped secure samples as well. In all, the researchers collected samples from 185 individuals and analyzed their mitochondrial DNA, genetic material from the cell's energy-converting organelle that is passed down through the maternal line. The researchers again found the strange genetic schism among northern flying squirrels, so Arbogast asked his graduate student, Katelyn Schumacher, now a doctoral student at Bowling Green University, to test the genetic sequences to see if the two kinds of northern flying squirrels were breeding with one another. They weren't. [4 Baby Squirrels Get Tails Entangled in Bizarre Video (Here's How)] "It was at that point that we realized we were not just dealing with two types of northern flying squirrel, but with two distinct species that apparently were reproductively isolated," Arbogast wrote in an email to Live Science. "Huge surprise!" A secretive glider So far, there's nothing physical or behavioral that differentiates the Humboldt's flying squirrel from northern flying squirrels, Arbogast said. The squirrels grow to about 15 inches (37 centimeters) long and glide from tree to tree using large flaps of skin that connect their front and back legs. The Humboldt's flying squirrel probably diverged from the northern flying squirrel 1.3 million years ago, during the Pleistocene epoch, when glaciers regularly pushed their way well into what is now the United States. There were more than 20 cycles of glacial advance and retreat during the Pleistocene, Arbogast said, and these icy intrusions probably isolated flying squirrel populations from one another until they eventually became genetically different enough not to interbreed. "We're discovering that dynamic biogeographic histories due to the ebb and flow of large glaciers and associated changes to habitat have had a large role in species and genome evolution," Cook told Live Science. Arbogast and study co-author Nick Kerhoulas of Humboldt State University created maps showing the new species range, including an interactive one viewable with Google Earth. That map shows every squirrel in the study, color-coded by species. The Humboldt's flying squirrel should be in relatively good shape from a conservation standpoint, Arbogast said, though populations in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains of California are fairly isolated and could be at risk. G. sabrinus fuscus, a subspecies of northern flying squirrel found in the southern Appalachians, was listed as federally endangered between 1985 to 2013, when its population numbers recovered. Another subspecies of northern flying squirrel, G. sabrinus coloratus, remains on the endangered species list. Original article on Live Science. The nearly 100-foot-long (30 meters) track will be used to test all hyperloop systems in a vacuum at low speeds. European cities could become even more connected thanks to a superfast transportation system known as a "Hyperloop," which now has its first test facility on the continent. Winners of a Hyperloop technology competition, held by Elon Musk's company SpaceX, unveiled Europe's first test facility for the rail transportation system this week. The nearly 100-foot-long (30 meters) track will be used to test all of the Hyperloop systems in a vacuum at low speeds, according to Hardt Global Mobility, the company set up to commercialize the technology developed by the competition team from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Hardt representatives said this facility is the first step in a four-year plan to build a Hyperloop system connecting two European cities. A second, high-speed test line will be built by 2019, Reuters reported. And by 2021, a commercial Hyperloop could connect Amsterdam and Paris. [In Photos: Building the Superfast 'Hyperloop One' Transit System of the Future] "We're going to test all systems that you need to test before you can actually start building a route between two cities, so: top speed, taking corners, switching lanes, making it as safe as possible," Tim Houter, co-founder of Hardt, told Reuters. The Hyperloop system is made up of passenger-filled pods that are accelerated through a low-pressure tube to their destination. When Musk first unveiled his vision for the transportation system, he said the pods would travel at around 760 mph (1,220 km/h). This could cut the travel time between Los Angeles and San Francisco to only 30 minutes. Several companies are working to bring the transportation concept to fruition. For instance, a startup called Hyperloop One (which is not affiliated with Musk) is building a full-scale test track in the Nevada desert. This facility, known as DevLoop, may hold a public test run as soon as this summer, company representatives have said. Original article on Live Science. How to Be a Muslim: An American Story By Haroon Moghul Beacon Press. 231 pp. Paperback, $17 --- Rarely does a book come along that captures the complicated nature of Muslim life in the West with such probing clarity and authenticity. Haroon Moghul's "How to Be a Muslim: An American Story" is perfectly titled: part memoir, part history lesson, part philosophy. It is a profound and intimate book - the story of a single American Muslim that also illustrates the fears and strengths of a community. This is not an easy or comfortable book, nor should it be. It is framed by Moghul's discussion of an aborted suicide attempt and the lessons he draws from that terrible moment. Though he moves on to discuss his successes and failures,a deep vein of melancholy pervades Moghul's story. He recounts his earliest understanding of faith in terms that are punitive and alienating, as he yearns to belong, to believe and to be loved. His early life is defined by continuous illness, a condition that adds to his marginalization as the child of immigrants who cannot help him find his footing in a place where faith, culture and race define him as an outsider. But Moghul's book is not a paean to despair. Through his personal story, he weaves an admirably precise and powerful history of Islam. He juxtaposes this with reminders of the religion's significance today. As an insider looking within, his story is a thoughtful meditation on how we construe faith as a means of anchoring not only our philosophy but our actions. Moghul makes a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, where he finds the profound and the profane in equal measure. At the prophet's mosque, he experiences a moment of reverence as he tries to pray at Muhammad's tomb. But conservative religious authorities, who wish to keep pilgrims away from the holy site, intervene, pushing the crowds along and denying Moghul and the others the deeper grace they sought. For a Muslim who is connected to the supra-national Muslim community, or the ummah, Moghul's search for meaning in places as disparate as Sarajevo, Jerusalem, Cairo and the Grand Mosque of Cordoba is instinctively familiar; indeed, the search for roots as a passport to belonging is common to us all. Moghul, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Policy, also eloquently discusses differing interpretations of religious ideology, lessons learned by diving deep into Islam's vibrant tradition of theological debate and discourse. One chapter features a brilliant exposition on the poet-philosopher Muhammad Iqbal, known to South Asians by his title Allama Iqbal ("the Vastly Learned"). Moghul displays a keen comprehension of the colossal stature of Iqbal in Muslim homes and Muslim understanding. Iqbal's landmark poetical works - "Shikwa" ("Complaint," as in humanity's complaint to God) and "Jawab-e-Shikwa" ("Answer," or God's response to humanity) - and "The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam," a seminal philosophical treatise, are routinely overlooked. Citing Iqbal, Moghul argues that Islam is a dynamic force, not a spent one: "It was meant to be [a] purposeful movement in a world fated to change." Moghul captures the beauty of a tradition so often overwritten and undermined by propagandists on both sides: violent extremists on the one hand, and on the other, Islamophobes who seek to divorce Islam from its place in history, thus rendering its adherents an infinitely assailable other - soldiers of a never-ending crusade that believing Muslims must wage publicly and bravely as an externally imposed burden. As Moghul pointedly notes: "Outside Muhammad's massive ummah the Prophet is often mocked, rarely acknowledged, and above all ignored. In the West we say 'Judeo-Christian,' excising Islam from the tradition of which it is undeniably a part." Such deliberately conceived misunderstanding, coupled with Moghul's debilitating self-doubt, could drive the most robust spirit into retreat. As Moghul attempts to establish a communal Muslim presence on a university campus in the time between the fall of the twin towers and the invasion of Iraq, he is met with the realization that soon all of Islam - and its adherents - will be conflated with al-Qaeda. Like many Muslims in the public eye, he will find himself in a permanent defensive posture, as his tradition is read back to him as a perversion of his ideals. At the same time, he doubts his convictions, his rightness to serve as a campus or community leader when beset by these inner demons. These dual concerns wear away at his outer facade while redefining his inner truths, a process of continual self-examination and frequently of self-loathing, until he finally arrives at a pinnacle of grace. With this memoir, Moghul has given us an extraordinary gift: an authentic portrayal of a vastly misunderstood American community. In place of the "reformers" who are trotted out to point to the failings of the civilization of Islam, he offers reasoned criticism alongside a humanistic reading of Islam as a universal message, as the foundation of successive empires, and as an individual template for grace and positive change. In the face of virulent anti-Islam discourse, Moghul treats Islam as a source of personal redemption and as a force for good in the world. Deeply knowledgeable, "How to Be a Muslim" is a revelatory book with valuable lessons for these troubled times. --- Khan, a former editor of Muslim Girl magazine, is a lawyer and the author of the novels "The Unquiet Dead" and "Among the Ruins." Phenomena: The Secret History of the U.S. Government's Investigations Into Extrasensory Perception and Psychokinesis By Annie Jacobsen Little, Brown. 527 pp. $28 --- There's been a story in my family for years that flirts with the paranormal. It dates back to the early 1960s, before I was born. My father was driving along a highway near Los Angeles, and the road, as he describes it, was ramrod straight for miles before it took a sharp and unexpected left turn. My father recounts that just as he applied the brakes and downshifted into the bend, the car suddenly filled with the unmistakable scent of his mother's perfume. By the time he completed the turn, the smell was gone. When he mentioned the episode to my aunt months later, the color drained from her face. She asked my father to describe precisely where he had been and then declared that it was the exact spot where my grandmother had died in a car accident years before. I was a child when my father told the story, and it was my first brush with what might be called some sort of extrasensory perception. Was my departed grandmother sending a small message, or was this unusual turn in the road simply sparking a repressed memory of a story told long ago? I wouldn't say that I embraced my father's version of events exactly, but clearly it made an impression, as I remember it all these years later. Those are the kinds of slightly unsettling stories that drive the narrative in Annie Jacobsen's new book, "Phenomena: The Secret History of the U.S. Government's Investigations Into Extrasensory Perception and Psychokinesis." It's an entertaining narrative about the U.S. government's forays into psychic phenomena that, in Jacobsen's telling, seem only slightly more scientific than my father's experience in Los Angeles. There are two kinds of people who read books like this: the ones who already believe and are looking for affirmation, and those in my camp, skeptics looking (and failing) to find proof. The usual suspects of the paranormal all make cameo appearances in the book: from ESP and clairvoyance to out-of-body experiences, telepathy and spoon bending. The difference is that this time, the suspects are sometimes in uniform. Jacobsen begins with a man named Andrija Puharich, who, after going to medical school, persuaded a roster of rich people - from Astors to du Ponts - to fund his experiments in extrasensory perception. They established a research laboratory in Maine called the Round Table Foundation, where Puharich promised to prove once and for all that we all possess an untapped potential beyond our five senses. As fate would have it, Camden, Maine, was (and still is) a favored retreat not just for East Coast aristocracy but for the intelligence community as well, and it was there that Puharich began his on-again, off-again relationship with the U.S. government. At parties in seaside mansions, Puharich met key leaders in the military who ended up funding his experiments. He was asked, among other things, to investigate ESP and see whether it could be used as a means of long-distance communication in submarines, and to explore the potential "for psychic healing on the battlefield." "U.S. government military efforts to explore psychic phenomena remained mostly out of the public eye until December 1959," Jacobsen writes, "when an article about a secret government ESP program appeared in a French magazine called Constellation. ... [The article] reported that ESP tests had been conducted aboard the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, the year before." The French journalist reported that a sailor aboard the Nautilus had been isolated inside a cabin under the sea and had been asked to connect with a technician on the East Coast of the United States. The civilian scientist helping with the experiments told the magazine that "about 75% of the telepathic tries are said to have been successful" (a contention the Navy later denied - officials said the story was a hoax). Even so, the Soviets and the Chinese took notice, and an undeclared ESP war began. For skeptics, Jacobsen's meticulous reporting on the government's experiments into the paranormal won't prove to be very satisfying. She describes how psychics were tested by believers, who ended up giving new meaning to the idea of confirmation bias. (The contention was that nonbelievers would skew results with their negative energy.) Time and again, experiments were presented to military and intelligence officials as earth-shattering, but without peer review or meaningful attempts to re-create the supposed breakthroughs, they tended to disappear into the ether. Among the characters with whom Puharich became obsessed was an Israeli named Uri Geller. For readers who watched variety shows in the 1970s, you may remember Geller as the guy who bent spoons on camera with his mind. He would do so by placing two fingers near his neck, concentrating hard and saying, "Bend, bend, bend." He asked the viewing audience to try it for themselves at home. His party trick went to the next level when he was giving a telepathy demonstration in a theater in Tel Aviv and said he needed to sit down. He claimed he was woozy because a historical event was about to happen or had just occurred. "Geller claimed that Gamal Abdel Nasser, the president of Egypt - Israel's sworn enemy at the time, 'had just died or is about to die.'" "Twenty minutes had passed when someone ran into the room shouting," Jacobsen writes. "Radio Cairo had just announced that Present Nasser was dead. At 6:00 that evening, he had suffered a heart attack and died. With this news, Uri Geller's reputation skyrocketed." Not long after, Puharich arrived in Israel and asked Geller to come to his lab for testing. "Phenomena" is about the U.S. government's efforts to understand people like Geller - Jacobsen makes clear that some were sympathetic figures and others were clearly charlatans. For much of the book, Jacobsen seems firmly ensconced in the skeptics camp, but in the final chapters she seems to succumb to her own evidence. One of her most convincing examples involves a clandestine unit in Army intelligence known as Detachment G, or Det G. Weary of having to decide whether the people who claimed to have special mental powers were taking officials for a ride, the Army dipped into its own ranks to find soldiers who appeared to have some extrasensory gifts. In September 1979, after satellite images suggested increased activity inside a massive building at Severodvinsk Naval Base in Russia, about 650 miles north of Moscow near the Arctic Circle, the National Security Council called upon these psychic soldiers. The council wanted Det G to use its "remote viewing" powers to figure out what was inside the building. The military turned to a man named Joe McMoneagle. He was asked to concentrate on a photograph concealed in an envelope, and he immediately described seeing a building near a shoreline. He said that it smelled like gas and that there was some kind of vessel inside. "I'm seeing fins," he said, "but they're not rocket fins or [air]plane fins. They're ... they look like shark fins." Four months later, Jacobsen writes, new satellite images "made clear to the CIA that the Soviets had covertly constructed a prototype for an entirely new generation of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The Soviets called this clandestine effort Project 941, codename ... 'Shark' in Russian. The Shark submarine would become known in the West by its NATO reporting name 'Typhoon.'" Most everything involved in the experiment is classified, so we don't know exactly how McMoneagle came up with this description. It's unclear whether a sympathetic Det G official had slipped something to McMoneagle that allowed him to make a lucky, educated guess. What we do know is that the Typhoon submarine viewing became fraught with meaning - just like my father's perfume-infused event in Los Angeles. Jacobsen never comes up with a dollar figure on how much the government has spent on its paranormal programs; after reading her book, given my skepticism, I couldn't help thinking that it was too much. Many would like to believe that there may be something in the mists, but neither science nor Jacobsen has confirmed it. --- Temple-Raston, NPR's counterterrorism and intelligence correspondent, is on leave working on a project that explores how adolescents make decisions. She has written four books. It was a summer visit to the city, when I was a freshman in college and hadn't yet spent much time in art museums. I went with a group of friends, and we decided to take refuge against the midafternoon heat in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Among our small gang was a kid who grew up in New York, who knew the Met well and who talked a good game when it came to sounding omniscient about art history. "What shall we see?" he asked. "All of it," I said. When they finished laughing at me, we tried to narrow down our options. Ancient art? Byzantine? 19th century? European or Asian? The options seemed endless, so our leader proposed a game. We would each race through as much of the museum as possible, and then choose one thing that interested us and report back to the group in as much detail as we could about our discovery. It was the art-history equivalent of the old Supermarket Sweep game show, in which contestants ran through a store trying to load their carts with as much valuable food as possible. It was a game, but it had serious consequences. None of us wanted to look ignorant before the others. I had a vague understanding of what a serious conversation of art sounded like, but I wasn't practiced at having one. This was before the Internet gave everyone instant access to almost everything in a major museum, so not only did we have to find something that appealed to us, we had to hold it in our heads with sufficient clarity to describe it to the others. And then we had to say something interesting about it, and defend it against an onslaught of questions and challenges. Fortunately, it was a summer afternoon in the middle of the week, and the Met wasn't particularly full - so racing through the galleries wasn't quite as disruptive as it might be today. I passed by hundreds if not thousands of paintings - breathless, at a near sprint - before I finally came back to one of the first ones I saw. Jacques Louis David's "The Death of Socrates," a prize possession of the Met's French collection, appealed to me for its clarity, its simple geometry and the gloomy architecture of its prison setting. (Work by David, as well as paintings by artists who worked in a similar, neoclassical style, are highlights of one the best shows open in Washington, D.C., this summer, the National Gallery's "America Collects Eighteenth-Century French Painting.") I had read enough Plato to recognize the scene in David's canvas: The moment depicted in the "Phaedo" when Socrates, condemned to death and preparing for his execution, has sent his wife and children away for the last time, and reaches out to grasp the cup of hemlock. He and his disciples have been talking, perhaps for hours, about the soul and the body, and Socrates has said something that any teenage boy - any boy with an ounce of self-knowledge - would understand: "The body fills us with loves and desires and fears and all sorts of fancies and a great deal of nonsense, with the result that we literally never get an opportunity to think at all about anything . . ." After our frantic pursuit of something memorable, we gathered outside the Met and talked it through while walking in Central Park. We were hungry before we were finished, so we kept talking over dinner in a cheap Greek diner. And we were still talking while waiting on the stinking, sultry subway platform for a train home. I don't remember what I said in defense of David's painting, though I am sure we were exercised about the Law and suicide and our duty to the state. But I do remember that run through the Met, and the long walk after. We must have been an obnoxious bunch, sweaty and loud, talking ostentatiously about art while crossing the park. Looking back, I sense something about the painting that must have heightened its appeal. Socrates is a vigorous man, indifferent to and even contemptuous of his body. Death is a mystical release into knowledge and transcendence. I don't believe that now, but it was an attractive idea then, an idea that could only grip you if you were young enough to run the length and breadth of the Metropolitan Museum and still have energy to walk for hours and go to bed feeling as if the day wasn't quite finished because no one had reached consensus on anything. As a specialist in Middle Eastern Studies and a father of two small children, I like to mix books about different religions into our nightly story time. Ramadan is a month of fasting and faith for Muslims around the world, and also a wonderful opportunity to explore religious diversity with young children. Whatever your beliefs, these are great books to read aloud. Their focus on family, food, charity and faith are universal qualities for all to explore. "It's Ramadan, Curious George," by Hena Khan; illustrated by Mary O'Keefe Young. Who can pass up a colorful board book about this famous little monkey? In a work filled with playful rhymes, the iconic characters Curious George and the man with the yellow hat join their friend Kareem in a celebration of Ramadan. Together they bake sweets, prepare gifts for donation, and scan the sky for the crescent moon. George breaks fast after sundown and later joins in the Eid festivities at the end of the month: "Happy Eid! The holiday is here. / The mosque is busy and loud. / Everyone is dressed in their finest. / What a good-looking crowd!" "Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story," by Reem Faruqi; illustrated by Lea Lyon. Selected for special mention by both the American Library Association and the Anti-Defamation League, this work relates the story of young Lailah, who recently moved from Abu Dhabi to Peachtree City, Georgia. First-time author Reem Faruqi skillfully blends a story about fasting during Ramadan with the challenges of moving to a new school. Lailah misses her old friends and fears that her new teacher and classmates won't understand why she is fasting: "What if Mrs. Penworth didn't know about Ramadan? No one else would be fasting with her." At lunchtime, Lailah flees the cafeteria to seek refuge in the school library. There, the librarian Mrs. Carman offers a creative solution, encouraging Lailah to write about her feelings. Intricate watercolors accompany this touching story. "Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story," by Hena Khan; illustrated by Julie Paschkis. Watch the phases of the moon with 7-year-old Yasmeen. Her family breaks their fast with fresh dates, attends and hosts Ramadan parties, and finally prepares for Eid al-Fitr, the festive holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Yasmeen's parents remind her to share with others, be grateful for what she has and enjoy the beauty of the world around us. As Eid ends, Yasmeen receives a special gift, something "to help [her] watch for Ramadan to come again next year." The book's colorful illustrations are framed by geometric and floral designs, evoking traditional Islamic art and architecture. "Under the Ramadan Moon," by Sylvia Whitman; illustrated by Sue Williams. The title of this short book is also the work's reoccurring rhyme: "We fast by day / under the moon, / under the moon, / under the Ramadan moon." Whitman and Williams pair this rhythmic prose with vibrant illustrations. We see family and friends chatting and laughing, people baking sweets and hanging traditional lanterns, and images of charity and prayer. The book sparkles with an air of celebration: "We tell stories / and laugh and play / under the moon. / Then together we pray / under the moon, / under the moon, / under the Ramadan moon." "The White Nights of Ramadan," by Maha Addasi; illustrated by Ned Gannon. Kids get dressed up and go door-to-door for candy and sweets. This sounds like Halloween, but no, it's the festival of Girgian! Author Maha Addasi grew up in Kuwait and provides a unique glimpse into a holiday celebrated around the Arabian (Persian) Gulf in the middle of Ramadan. Noor and her two brothers enthusiastically prepare for this festive night, decorating bags with colorful beads and ribbons, and then donning their traditional clothes. As the night progresses, they are also reminded that "the true meaning of Ramadan is spending time with family and sharing with those less fortunate." An author's note and glossary add to the educational value of this sweet story. "The Best Eid Ever," by Asma Mobin-Uddin; illustrated by Laura Jacobsen. Sometimes the best part of a holiday is spreading joy to others. Although this book is about Eid al-Adha, which occurs two months after Ramadan, the themes addressed here fit well with those seen above. After the Eid prayer, a young Pakistani-American girl Aneesa spots two sisters standing alone in disheveled clothing, shyly watching the festivities around them. The girls are refugees and only recently escaped their war-torn country. Their father has to work, even during this important holiday, and cannot celebrate until later. Aneesa comes up with a plan to help, secretly delivering her own Eid clothes and home-cooked dishes of lamb korma, chicken, rice, and sweets. This moving story shows both sides of charity - giving and receiving. The father initially resists the gifts, not wanting to beg, but acquiesces in the end. His daughter's response eloquently illustrates the book's warmth and its message: "'Papa, there's more food than we need here,' she said, small fingers gently touching his cheek. 'Why don't we share it with the neighbors?' " - - - Floden is a freelance writer and scholar specializing in Islam, the Middle East, and expatriate life abroad. After growing up in the U.S., he has lived in Algeria, Benin, Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia and the U.K. For more, see tuvefloden.com. TOKYO - Japan holds special meaning for Eric Carle, an American children's picture book artist often described as a "wizard of colors" for his luminous works. The author of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" even built a museum in Massachusetts based on the inspirations he got while visiting Japan. Tokyo is hosting an exhibition on the 87-year-old artist, who has won readers beyond generations and borders for his works that depict little creatures and daily life. With about 160 items on display mainly of original drawings, "The Art of Eric Carle" at the Setagaya Art Museum is a must-see not only for children first encountering his works, but for longtime fans. Carle's works often show lively creatures rich in their vibrant colors. His original drawings on display offer visitors a glimpse into the discoveries and surprises that a young Carle experienced when he took walks through natural surroundings with his father. "1, 2, 3 to the Zoo," Carle's first picture book where he did both the story and illustrations, stars a little mouse and encourages readers to count the number of animals aboard a freight train heading to the zoo. This work represents the author's hopes of producing a book that can help children about to start school. In "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," the tiny main character comes out of an egg and keeps eating food throughout the week - an apple on Monday, two pears on Tuesday and so on. The story is meant to make it easier for young readers to understand numbers and the days of the week. Carle's kindhearted eye toward children is one of the great charms of his works. The author made "Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me" in response to a request from his daughter. The exhibition also shows visitors the various artists and writers who influenced Carle. Born in the United States in 1929 to German immigrant parents, Carle moved to Germany at 6. A boy who loved drawing, an art teacher at his school secretly showed him some replicas of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, who were on the list of "degenerate" artists during the Nazi regime. Carle was deeply inspired by Franz Marc's drawing of animals defined in vivid hues, with his blue horses, in particular. Carle's "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" - the first book to which he contributed illustrations - features a blue horse character, representing his passion in his youth for freedom in creation. Paul Klee is another artist by whom Carle felt strongly inspired. Three angel-shaped artworks with a humorous look, Carle's latest works, are on display as an homage to Klee, who drew many angels in his final years. In Japan, Carle was impressed by how local picture book museums appreciate original drawings used for picture books as art. He eventually built the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Massachusetts. The exhibition in Tokyo presents the artist's further connections with Japan, such as the picture book "Where Are You Going? To See My Friend!" - a collaboration with picture book artist Kazuo Iwamura. "The Art of Eric Carle" runs through July 2 at the Setagaya Art Museum in Tokyo. The museum is closed on Mondays. The exhibition will travel to the Museum "Eki" Kyoto in Kyoto from July 29 to Aug. 27; the Iwate Museum of Art in Morioka from Oct. 28 to Dec. 10; and the Iwaki City Art Museum in Fukushima Prefecture from April 14 to May 27 next year. For more information, visit ericcarle2017-18.com/ This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A man charged with murder for the shooting death of a 27-year-old was denied a bond reduction in the 49th District Court after the judge was notified police reports indicate he belongs to a Texas-based prison gang and has a prior criminal history. A grand jury indicted Guillermo Capetillo on charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in relation to a shooting that occurred Jan. 15. The indictment, filed April 5, charges Capetillo with the shooting death of Sergio Ramirez Jr., 27 and alleges he caused injury to Leonel Maldonaldo Jr., 21, by shooting him. Ramirezs death marked Laredos first homicide of the year. On Wednesday, Capetillo appeared before 49th District Court Judge Joe Lopez to request a reduction in his $250,000 bond. READ MORE: Social media reacts to death of Laredo actress, former beauty queen The prosecution objected to the reduction, saying Capetillo was on bond for a previous incident when the January shooting took place. At that time, Capetillo was on bond after he allegedly used a weapon to shoot up a house he knew was occupied, Assistant District Attorney Rene Benavides said. Benavides further argued that there is evidence in police reports from both shooting incidents that indicate Capetillo is a member of the Texas Syndicate. Capetillo is no stranger to run-ins with the law. He has been arrested 14 times on charges of drug possession, deadly conduct, assault, aggravated assault, burglary and reckless driving, according to Laredo police arrest records. Not all cases made it to court. Also, a majority that made it to court were not accepted for prosecution. Capetillo has at least one conviction for misdemeanor assault, for which he received a probated sentence, records show. He also pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal mischief and criminal trespass in 2009. He served 100 days behind bars, according to court documents. The defense offered to implement an ankle bracelet monitor, a set curfew and other bond conditions to mitigate any issues the prosecution raised. George Altgelt, Capetillos attorney, filed a motion for a bond reduction after his clients mother was unable to engage the services of a bondsman. Capetillo is disabled, with a bipolar disorder, panic attacks and blood pressure issues, according to Altgelt, who said those conditions are not being fully treated while Capetillo is in custody. RELATED: Man charged with shooting death in Laredo's first homicide of the year Capetillo and his mother provided testimony Wednesday regarding their indigent status and Capetillos health concerns. Lopez denied Capetillos motion to reduce bond, saying he didnt have enough to be able to lower Capetillos bond any further after considering all of the circumstances introduced during Wednesdays hearing. The incident Capetillo has been in custody since his arrest in January. The case began at about 5 a.m. Jan. 15 when police and the Laredo Fire Department responded to a shooting reported by the intersection of North Arkansas and Price Street. There, EMS encountered Ramirez and Maldonado. Ramirez had at least one gunshot wound to his head. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to reports. Initial reports indicated paramedics treated Maldonado for multiple gunshot wounds sustained to his chest and right bicep area. He was alert and oriented, according to the Fire Department. He was rushed in critical condition to Laredo Medical Center, authorities said. MORE CRIME: Laredo man used cell phone to take videos underneath women's skirts at local Target Police said they learned that an altercation had occurred inside a home on Arkansas and it escalated into a shooting outside on the street. Authorities said they seized several .40-caliber casings from the crime scene. The indictment against Capetillo alleges he used or exhibited a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun during his assault against Maldonado. Capetillos next scheduled court hearing is June 9 for an evidence exchange in the 49th District Court. Taryn Walters may be reached at 956-728-2528 or twalters@lmtonline.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A fire Friday north of Cleveland has led to a report to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, according to Cleveland Fire Chief Sean Anderson. Around 11:30 a.m., firefighters were called to the saw mill, which is on land now owned by Pavers Supply, Anderson said. "They are tearing out the old mill. They've already removed conveyor belts and other parts of the old mill," the chief said. "A company was hired to do the demolition and their workers intentionally set fire to one of the buildings. With air quality regulations now, you aren't allowed to burn buildings any longer." Instead buildings must be taken apart piece by piece, Anderson said, with all the copper wiring, carpets, flooring, insulation and other synthetic materials removed and disposed of properly. Friday's fire created a slight challenge for firefighters as access to the building was only available through the roof. "They had taken down all the walkways to the building so we couldn't gain entry," the chief said. "We had to use a ladder truck and use a defensive attack on the fire." Anderson said when tearing down an old structure, it's best to get advice ahead of time and know the rules. "In the long run, it will cost more in legal fees and fines than to have a company tear down the building piece by piece," he said. "It's best to hire companies that specialize in the destruction of buildings. That way you can make sure all the regulations are met and stay out of trouble." The fire took about two hours to extinguish. Cleveland and Tarkington fire departments responded. Former FBI Director James Comey is scheduled to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 8 in a public hearing that will begin at 10 a.m. The appearance will be the first time Comey has spoken publicly since President Trump fired him last month, and it comes as the law enforcement investigation into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin during the 2016 election is heating up. Here's what you need to know about his testimony: - - - Why does the committee want Comey to testify? The Senate Intelligence Committee is among several congressional committees investigating possible coordination between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin during the 2016 election, and there are few people on the planet who know more about that than Comey. Until he was fired on May 9, Comey was leading the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling, which had started back in July. Now he personally might become a part of the probe, as investigators consider whether Trump obstructed justice in firing him or in interacting with him before his dismissal. Comey has alleged in memos that Trump asked him to pledge loyalty and to shut down his inquiry into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Even if Comey can't talk about sensitive details of an ongoing criminal investigation, legislators will likely want to inquire about his conversations with the president and the circumstances of his firing. That could be interesting in its own right, and it could further legislators' look at Russian meddling. - - - Are there any limits to what Comey can say? Investigators - led by newly appointed special counsel Robert Mueller III - are still working on the Russia case. Even before Mueller was appointed, Comey would almost certainly not have been willing to discuss the details of their work. That is still the case now that Mueller is in charge. People familiar with the matter, though, say Comey has reached an understanding with Mueller's office about what he can and cannot discuss, and it seems Comey will be allowed to reveal at least some details of his exchanges with the president. While Comey's memos on those exchanges already have been reported on, Comey could offer more detail and context. And his testimony would be the first time he has publicly commented. So far, the memos have only been described to reporters by people who have seen them or been briefed on their contents. - - - Can the White House stop this? The president could possibly invoke some form of executive privilege - which is designed to keep sensitive decision-making processes involving the president secret - to stop Comey from testifying. The administration had discussions about privilege with former acting attorney general Sally Yates before she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Russia and other matters last month. In that case, though, Yates ultimately was allowed to testify, and the White House might be on even shakier footing to try to block Comey. The president, after all, has tweeted extensively about the Russia investigation and even mentioned conversations with Comey in his letter firing the FBI director. Trump claimed in that missive that Comey had told him three times he was not under investigation. If the White House did block Comey, it would also spark a political outcry and perhaps damage Trump even more than any unflattering testimony. - - - Will this affect the Russia investigation? Comey could say something that is of interest to the new special counsel, particularly on the question of whether justice was obstructed. But given that he has already been in touch with Mueller's office, that seems unlikely. That's not to say the hearing won't be interesting. Comey is a gifted orator who is not shy about claiming the spotlight. In 2007, he famously described to lawmakers how he raced to the hospital room of Attorney General John Ashcroft to stop, at least for a while, the approval of a National Security Agency surveillance program that he believed to be unlawful. The intervention has become lore in Washington and helped foster Comey's reputation as a fiercely independent official, unafraid to stand in the way of perceived wrongdoing and then expose it publicly. BEIJING -- Philippine authorities scrambled Friday to explain a deadly and bizarre chain of events that they said began as a casino robbery and ended as a gaming-floor inferno that left at least 36 people dead from smoke inhalation. The chaotic incident in the Philippine capital was first feared to be a terrorist attack, perhaps related to ongoing fighting between the army and Islamist militants on the southern island of Mindanao. In Washington, President Donald Trump said he was monitoring "the terrorist attack in Manila." But Philippine authorities insisted there was no evidence of terrorist links in the early Friday mayhem, which ended when the suspected gunman apparently killed himself while holed up in a hotel room. "All indications point to a criminal act by an apparently emotionally disturbed individual," Ernesto Abella, a spokesman for President Rodrigo Duterte, told reporters. The gunman, armed with an M-4 assault rifle and bottles of gasoline, burst into the casino at the Resorts World Manila complex shortly after midnight, stole nearly $2.3 million worth of casino chips and set fire to gambling tables and carpeting, police said. The attacker was later wounded in the thigh in an exchange of gunfire with a security guard and forced his way into a hotel room, which he set on fire before shooting himself in the head, police and the resort's chief operating officer said. The guard was also wounded in the exchange, they said. More than 50 other people were reported injured as they rushed to escape, officials said. The Islamic State, through its Amaq news agency, claimed responsibility Friday, saying that "Islamic State fighters carried out the Manila attack." A Philippine military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, dismissed the assertion. The attack "does not have the slightest signature of terrorism whatsoever," he said. "Although the perpetrator gave warning shots, there apparently was no indication that he wanted to do harm or shoot anyone," said Abella, the presidential spokesman. Questions about the motive remained, however. A senior police officer challenged the theory of a heist gone wrong. "His possible motivation is robbery, but the only thing is you can't exchange those chips just anywhere. And he left the chips in the bathroom," Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said in a media briefing. "Either he lost in the casino and wanted to recoup his losses, or he went totally nuts," Albayalde said. The gunman, who had not been publicly identified as of late Friday, was initially described by police as a "white" foreigner with a mustache, English-speaking and about 6 feet tall. But police later said he appeared to be Filipino. Police also said they were questioning a "person of interest" who was in the casino and was said to be cooperating. The large resort complex is popular with tourists and features hotels, restaurants, bars, a shopping mall and a theater, as well as the casino. Foreigners were among the 36 people who died at the complex. Four people from Taiwan were killed, the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said, and a South Korean suffered a fatal heart attack in the commotion. The attack sent panicked crowds fleeing from the site. Dozens suffered minor injuries during a stampede to escape the complex in Pasay City, in the southwestern part of Metro Manila. National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa said security footage showed the gunman ignoring a security guard who tried to question him at the entrance to the complex. He did not hurt the guard but went straight to the gambling area, dela Rosa said, according to the Associated Press. The attacker's body was found around dawn in a room on the fifth floor of the Maxims hotel connected to the mall and casino. A bag of gambling chips worth 113 million pesos ($2.3 million) was found in a toilet. Apart from the wounded security guard, none of the victims of the attack had gunshot wounds, authorities said. --- Branigin reported from Washington. LOS REYES LA PAZ, Mexico - Whoever wins the race for governor here in Mexico's most populous state Sunday, there is one politician who has already come out on top, and he's not even on the ballot. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the left-wing populist and former mayor of Mexico City, isn't a candidate in Sunday's race, at least not exactly. But he's running for president next year and campaigning hard alongside his hand-picked candidate in the gubernatorial contest, Delfina Gomez. Her win Sunday - and by extension, his - would send shock waves through Mexico's political and business elite. Gomez, a former schoolteacher and relative newcomer, has been polling roughly even with Alfredo del Mazo, the scion of a powerful political dynasty and the standard-bearer of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) that has ruled the state of Mexico for 86 years. Del Mazo also happens to be the cousin of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. As a proxy contest and a warm-up for next year's presidential race, Sunday's results will be closely watched in Mexico and beyond. A Gomez victory would make Lopez Obrador the clear favorite for 2018, and he has embraced a more nationalistic, confrontational approach to coping with President Trump. Even if Gomez loses, analysts say, her insurgent campaign has given Lopez Obrador a trampoline for his presidential run, solidifying his status as the leading anti-establishment candidate in a country that's fed up with the status quo. "This is an election that reflects the cost of corruption scandals and the growing strength of Lopez Obrador. It's the man against the machine," said political analyst Denise Dresser. "And even if [Gomez[ were to lose, he can say victory was snatched away by vote-buying and emerge as a victim." Mexico's other major parties have yet to pick their presidential candidates for next year. Predicting Sunday's outcome is difficult. There are two other contenders in the race, Josefina Vazquez Mota of the National Action Party (PAN) and Juan Zepeda of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party (PRD). In polls, they each draw about 15 percent of the vote, so their supporters could swing the outcome if they change their votes. Alarmed by the possibility of an embarrassing loss on its home turf, Pena Nieto's PRI has poured money into a contest muddied by allegations of dirty tricks. PRI presidents ran Mexico from 1931 to 2000, and the party managed to hold on to power in the state of Mexico long after that, thanks to vast networks of patronage and a support base that reliably delivered at election time. With 16 million people, the state hugs Mexico City like a horseshoe, spanning everything from posh suburbs to huge slums whose residents endure long, miserable commutes to jobs in the capital. It plays an outsize role in Mexican politics, and its problems are those of the nation as a whole: soaring crime rates, stagnant growth, poor public services and monstrous levels of corruption. The state also has been a path to Mexico's highest office, most recently for Pena Nieto, who had been governor before defeating Lopez Obrador in the 2012 presidential race. But Pena Nieto has fared poorly as president, weakened by scandals, disappointing growth and the perception that Mexico's ruling class is irredeemably venal and out of touch. Gomez and Lopez Obrador have barnstormed the state with an anti-corruption message urging voters to depose what they call the PRI "monarchy," embodied by figures like Del Mazo and Pena Nieto. Del Mazo's father and grandfather both served as state governor. "It's time to give a chance to someone else who isn't from the PRI," said Ricardo Acosta, 37, a security guard watching one of Gomez's rallies this week. He wasn't especially impressed with her, he said, but he liked Lopez Obrador. "He reminds me of Benito Juarez," the Mexican national hero, Acosta said. "He'll fight for those of us who are on the bottom." Although Trump hasn't been a factor in the governor's race, Acosta said he thought Lopez Obrador and his party would be more likely to "stand up for Mexico." Trump campaigned on a pledge to build a wall on the Mexican-U. S. border, demanding that Mexico pay for its construction. He angered Mexicans further by referring to undocumented Mexican immigrants who cross into the United States as criminals, drug traffickers and rapists. Other than a few Che Guevara T-shirts in the crowd, it was less a rally with a left-wing message than an anti-PRI one. Del Mazo's signature proposal is something he calls a "Pink Salary" that would provide cash payments to women who qualify as "housewives." It's not clear how the payments would work, or how much cash they would provide, but it reinforces the PRI's reputation as a party of transactional politics. "This country is a sucker for that type of thing," said Victor Alpizar, 52, who spent seven years working in Atlanta and Houston restaurants and now owns a copy shop. The streets are dirty and unsafe, he said, and government taxes and fees are choking small businesses like his, he said. "But there are more and more people like me who are sick of it. They're not willing to sell their vote for a handout." One customer at his shop, Gabriela Hernandez, said PRI party members had come to her mother-in-law's home the week before and offered her discounts at a local business, almost like a club membership. In exchange, she said, they wanted her voter ID card - to assure that she wouldn't be able to vote Sunday. "They want to stop the other side from voting," said Jorge Castaneda, a fierce PRI critic who served as foreign minister under former president Vicente Fox of the PAN party. "This will be one of the most fraudulent elections in Mexico [in decades], but, thanks to that, Del Mazo will probably win," he said. The accusations cut both ways. Mexico's headlines this week were splashed with the sensational claims of a former Morena lawmaker caught on video allegedly receiving illegal campaign cash for Lopez Obrador. Lopez Obrador insisted that the only money he receives is a $3,000 monthly salary as the director of his Morena Party. Still, the lawmaker's accusations may undercut the anti-corruption message of the Gomez campaign, and it will face an opponent with an unrivaled, battle-tested electoral operation. A large rally this week for Del Mazo in the industrial Mexico City suburb of Naucalpan had the feel of a rock concert and was at least as loud as one. The candidate, a tall, white man with perfect teeth who bears little physical resemblance to the vast majority of the state's voters, ascended to the stage to deafening cheers and pounding drums. Del Mazo spoke with the same well-rehearsed, familiar cadence of Pena Nieto. "I will be the governor who fights for women!" he said. "I've been a PRI supporter all my life," said Lucia Villa, 55, wearing a hot-pink Del Mazo shirt and hat. Like many Mexicans, she seemed resigned to the corruption in Mexican politics and was willing to tolerate it as long as it brought modest benefits like a Pink Salary. "The PRI has had good moments and bad, but the good outweigh the bad," Villa said. "They're the ones who can get things done." Valeria Moy, an economist at Mexico's Autonomous Institute of Technology, said the governor's race has brought out the country's worst political habits: empty slogans, unrealistic populist promises and a campaign devoid of substance - all in a state whose fortunes are critical to Mexico's success. "This is why we're not making progress as a nation," Moy said. "It's been a sad campaign." President Donald Trump left the Paris climate accords Thursday, joining Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations outside of the pact meant to curb climate change. On Friday, a host of U.S. states, cities, and companies vowed to live up to the terms of the deal. According to a report in The New York Times, a group of mayors, governors, companies and university presidents are planning to submit a plan to the United Nations that would outline how they would meet greenhouse gas emission targets as stipulated by the deal. When former President Barack Obama signed the pact in 2015, he pledged by 2025 to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below their 2005 levels. This group includes 30 mayors, three governors, more than 100 businesses and more than 80 presidents of American universities. In addition, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg also vowed to put up $15 million of his own money to help the group meet the terms of the voluntary pact. "Mayors, governors, and business leaders from both political parties are signing onto to a statement of support that we will submit to the U.N. - and together, we will reach the emission reduction goals the United States made in Paris in 2015," Bloomberg said in a statement. "Americans will honor and fulfill the Paris Agreement by leading from the bottom up - and there isn't anything Washington can do to stop us." On Thursday, a group of 83 mayors, representing cities such as Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh, separately pledged to meet Paris commitments. University presidents from Emory, Brandeis and Wesleyan are on board, the governors of New York, California and Washington have signed up, and companies, such as Hewlett-Packard and Mars, have also joined the group. Trump said he pulled out of the deal to save American jobs from being shipped overseas. He also said that the pact puts the United States at the mercy of foreign powers; in fact, the agreement is voluntary. He said he was leaving the pact to help the people of Pittsburgh, not Paris, despite the fact that the Steel City has successfully shifted away from heavy manufacturing to a robust economy fueled by the tech, healthcare, and higher-learning sectors. In the wake of Trump's exit, China, the European Union and other countries around the world have reaffirmed their commitment to the accord, leaving the U.S. on a diplomatic island with only Syrian President Bashar Assad and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega (and to be fair to Ortega, his country didn't join because the accords weren't strong enough). TOKYO - The House of Representatives passed during a plenary session on Friday special legislation to realize the Emperor's abdication. The bill was sent to the House of Councillors after winning the vote of all parties except the Liberal Party in the afternoon. The ruling bloc of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, along with the opposition Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, Japanese Communist Party and Social Democratic Party, all voted for the legislation. House Republicans are growing frustrated with the lack of any details about the Trump administration's tax plan, as the slow pace leaves lawmakers in limbo in their negotiations over how to deliver on long promised tax cuts. Republicans in both chambers are leery of getting out ahead of the White House, but a member on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee said the prospect of a detailed White House plan emerging soon was akin to the chances of spotting a unicorn. The pessimism on Capitol Hill stands in sharp contrast to President Donald Trump's public promises. "Our tax bill is moving along in Congress and I believe it's doing very well," Trump said Thursday after announcing that the U.S. would pull out of the Paris climate deal. But no tax bill has been introduced -- or even circulated -- and Republicans who strongly support Trump and are desperate to advance some kind of tax bill fret that the White House is falling far behind. The White House's only public contribution to the debate has been a one-page outline released in late April that included trillions of dollars in individual and corporate tax cuts that would explode the deficit and lacked details on how to pay for them. White House economic adviser Gary Cohn wouldn't say Friday during a Bloomberg TV interview when a detailed tax plan would arrive. He said the White House is "actively engaged" with House and Senate leaders to craft a consensus plan so there's "uniform buy-in" by the time it's released, and added that the White House is working as hard as it can to complete the task by the end of 2017. In a separate interview Friday on Fox Business, Cohn indicated a timeline for a White House proposal: "We will have a very detailed, drafted tax plan to be delivered to Congress by when they get back from the August recess," he said. The Republican lawmaker on the Ways and Means panel, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there have been lots of meetings between White House officials and key lawmakers, but the Trump administration's approach so far feels like amateur hour. The lawmaker said the conversations have mostly involved educating the White House and Senate about the House proposals, which include a controversial border-adjusted tax on imports championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan. The lawmaker said he was hoping to see details this week on an emerging White House plan, but officials said there is currently no plan for the White House to present anything. The Trump administration and top Senate Republicans have made clear they don't favor the border-adjusted tax proposal, as well as other components of the House GOP blueprint. But they haven't proposed alternative mechanisms to offset their plans to cut personal and corporate tax rates. "No one wants to make clear what the tax plan will look like," said Rep. Dave Brat of Virginia, a conservative who is chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access. Brat said he has asked during recent House Republican meetings for a vote count on the border-adjusted tax, also known at BAT, "because we cannot wait for three weeks and then find out that that is a poison pill and come up $1 trillion short." Jonathan Traub, a former staff director for Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee who is now a managing principal at Deloitte Tax LLP, said, "It is becoming clearer to House leaders that the border-adjusted tax is not going to become law." "There's some frustration that there's no Plan B that anybody else has yet developed," Traub said. "The House is frustrated that the White House and Senate keeping taking shots at the BAT" but then don't propose a way to prevent tax loopholes or avoidance strategies, he said. Under rules that Senate leaders plan to use to pass a tax bill with only a simple majority, the legislation would have to be revenue-neutral for its changes to be permanent. "I'm a little confused as to what the endgame is on these efforts by the House, Senate and White House to get on the same page on reform," Traub said. "I've not seen visible signs that they're closer to a deal than they were a month ago." The crowded congressional calendar will also reduce the time available to work on a tax bill. Senate Republicans are prioritizing health-care legislation, which may not finish by the August recess. After the break, Congress faces deadlines to avert a government shutdown, raise the debt limit and extend expiring programs like the Children's Health Care Program. It also needs to agree on spending levels before proceeding to the vehicle for a tax bill. Many key Senate Republicans are waiting for the White House to lay out some of its parameters. House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, meanwhile, is exploring an alternative plan, according to the lawmaker on the panel, but he isn't willing to unveil the details yet because it could spark a backlash from the White House and Senate Republicans. Arthur Laffer, the influential supply-side economist, defended Trump's slow decision-making on the details of a tax plan. "It is not Trump's specialty area," he said. "I think he's doing a great job of trying to adjust to new information." President Donald Trump campaigned as the real estate executive who was going to bring a businessman's sensibilities to Washington. During the transition, he rolled out the welcome mat at Trump Tower, inviting a parade of CEOs from every industry imaginable. He stocked his Cabinet with business leaders, suggested to Silicon Valley chieftains there was an open line to his office -- "You'll call my people, you call me. It doesn't make any difference" -- and spent his first full weekday in the White House hosting a who's-who of American industry, promising to meet often about what could help their industries. "We'll have these meetings every -- whenever you need them, actually -- but I would say every quarter, perhaps," he said during that early meeting. But when business leaders spoke up en masse in recent months about one issue they said was critical to them, Trump didn't take their advice, choosing to exit the Paris climate agreement despite appeals from some of the highest levels of Corporate America to remain. "It's totally contradictory," said David Crane, the former CEO of energy firm NRG and now a senior operating executive at the private-equity firm Pegasus focused on sustainability investments. The Paris accord, Crane said, was the "first thing that's become actionable, where we spoke up in one voice, and he's gone in the opposite direction." A climate expert and two former CEOs alike said the amount of unity chief executives showed on the Paris pact -- and vocally so -- was unusual, if not unprecedented. "This is as close as America ever gets to a unified business position on any issue," said Ted Halstead, a founder of the think tank New America and the Climate Leadership Council, a research and advocacy organization launched in February. "There are no parties that are better situated to speak with authority on what's good for the economy, what's good for jobs, and what's good for innovation and competitiveness" than the CEOs of America's largest companies, he said, calling Trump's move a "profound contradiction." When it came to making his decision on the Paris accord, Trump "ignored many voices. But the most surprising is that he ignored the business voices." Even if Trump may have listened, he appeared to set the CEOs' arguments aside. For months, American business leaders came together to write letters, make personal appeals and run full-page ads imploring Trump to stay in the climate pact. Personal calls or letters came from CEOs ranging from Apple's Tim Cook to ExxonMobil's Darren Woods. Thirty corporate titans wrote a letter laying out the business case for staying in; it and others ran as full-page advertisements in national newspapers. "The whole thing was for an audience of one," said Crane, who made calls to a major CEO who was on a trans-Atlantic flight to urge him to sign the letter. The CEOs made a business case rather than simply an environmental or moral one, going beyond calls for American leadership or sustainability and laying out how exiting the accord would hurt their companies' competitiveness on the global stage and cost American jobs. But in the end, even they didn't have enough sway. As adviser Kellyanne Conway explained it in a story in The Post, "he started with a conclusion, and the evidence brought him to the same conclusion." At least one CEO who tweeted he was "deeply disappointed" with Trump's decision acknowledged he had the right to make up his own mind. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who wrote Thursday that he would double his company's efforts to fight climate change -- even retweeting retorts from California Gov. Jerry Brown and French President Emmanuel Macron -- said of Trump in an interview Thursday before the announcement that "he's his own man," saying that's a "marquee part of any presidency. You take input. You make your own mind up." Trump's rejection of many CEOs' advice on the Paris issue could affect his clout among them, said Bill George, the former CEO of Medtronic who is now a professor at Harvard Business School. "It reduces his power to lead among the business community, and clearly, globally," he said. The decision could carry over into his persuasiveness on other priorities, too, George said. "It's going to hurt his ability, in my opinion, to influence CEOs to produce more in the U.S. They're going to say 'we're going to have to do what we're going to do.' " Crane, speaking before the announcement was made, thought the decision could also prompt some CEOs to consider leaving Trump's business advisory council. "Some people could leave as a matter of principle, other people may say it's not worth my time," he said. CEOs say "I've got a big business to run. I'm down here spending my time on it as long as Congress might do something." Indeed, two CEOs did choose to leave Trump's advisory council on Thursday, and one of them, Disney CEO Robert Iger, in fact said he was doing so "as a matter of principle." Elon Musk also followed through on a threat he'd made Wednesday to leave if Trump withdrew from the accord. "Am departing presidential councils," the Tesla and SpaceX CEO tweeted. "Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world." Scores of others issued statements of disappointment or tweeted their commitment to climate change following the president's decision. In a letter obtained by The Washington Post, Apple CEO Tim Cook told employees "we will never waver, because we know that future generations depend on us." General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt wrote in a tweet that "industry must now lead and not depend on government." Some believe that's exactly what will happen, as the center of gravity on climate change shifts away from the White House. An unnamed group that includes 100 businesses, as well as 30 mayors, three governors and more than 80 university presidents, is negotiating with the U.N. to submit a plan that would sit alongside those from other nations, reported the New York Times. And Halstead said in about three weeks, he will announce 12 to 15 Fortune 100 companies as founding members of his group, which already has the backing of conservative elder statesmen like George Shultz and James A. Baker III and is aimed at what he calls a "concrete, market-based climate solution." Business leaders, he said, "are not about to give up. They're going to lead and policy will follow." America's European allies have been vocal in their response to President Donald Trump's apparent abandonment of U.S. leadership in alliances, trade and most recently climate change. Yet the challenge of "America First'' may go deeper in Asia. For defense ministers gathered this week for the annual Shangri-La security conference in Singapore, Trump's decision to pull out of the 2015 Paris climate change agreement -- and before that, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal -- have raised a near-existential question: Is the U.S. still a reliable security guarantor as they cope with the rise of China? "Some have been concerned the withdrawal from the TPP and now from the Paris climate change agreement herald a U.S. withdrawal from global leadership," Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the leader of one America's most reliable allies, told the forum Friday. "While these decisions are disappointing, we should take care not to rush to interpret an intent to engage on different terms as one not to engage at all." The sharpening contours of what Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy will mean is of special concern when it comes to North Korea, according to John Chipman, director general of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, which organizes the Shangri-La conference. Trump has taken a tough line toward the regime in Pyongyang, putting all options on the table to ensure it doesn't develop a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental U.S. The worry for U.S. allies in Asia is that Trump might sacrifice their interests elsewhere in the region -- especially in resisting Chinese efforts to assert sovereignty over the South China Sea -- as he tries to secure Beijing's support in containing Pyongyang, Chipman said. "This might lead to the U.S. viewing the whole region through the prism of the DPRK," he said, using an abbreviation for North Korea. "There's a concern now about the quality, intensity and form of U.S. engagement in the Asia Pacific.'' So far, the message sent by Trump's top security officials has been positive: No region received as many visits in the first 100 days of Trump's presidency. With arms budgets and arsenals growing quickly across the region, U.S. allies have been spared the accusations of free-riding Trump has leveled at Europe. Defense Secretary James Mattis is expected to drive home the same message of reassurance when he speaks in Singapore on Saturday -- and again at a rare meeting of defense ministers from the U.S. and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Sunday. Mattis told reporters on the plane over he was interested in "reinforcing the international order" while seeking a "peaceful, prosperous and free Asia," according to the Associated Press. U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region haven't made public their concerns over the reliability of U.S. security guarantees, in the way that German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently did, when she said after meeting for three days with Trump that Europe would have to stop relying on others. In a Bloomberg interview this week, Turnbull described his country's relationship with the U.S. as "in the best of health." Even so, as Trump again showed his willingness to overthrow tradition, treaties and advice on Thursday, worries over the solidity of U.S. commitment to allies across the region are likely to grow. Japan on Friday described Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate change accords as "regrettable.'' Those concerns began to rise with Trump's decision to kill the TPP, a trade deal with strategic as well as economic goals that the U.S. negotiated with 11 other Pacific Rim countries minus China. Last year, Mattis predecessor, Ash Carter, described the TPP as equivalent to sending another U.S. aircraft carrier to the region. At the Group of Seven summit last month, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tried to refocus the debate with Trump onto supporting the international rule of law, both in trade deals and for shipping rights in the South China Sea, where the U.S. has led freedom-of-navigation operations to challenge Chinese territorial claims. Until late last month, however, there had been no patrols since Trump's inauguration. Europe faces similar strategic challenges from Trump's brand of U.S. isolationism, as it tries to deal with an increasingly assertive Russia under President Vladimir Putin. Yet, with the exception of former Soviet Republics, the threat in Europe is less fundamental, according to Hugh White, Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University in Canberra. "Putin is challenging how far the European model can extend eastwards, but not at the heart of Europe,'' White said. "What China is doing is challenging the whole order in Asia.'' To be sure, for U.S. allies in Asia with maritime or territorial disputes with China, the hard power decisions Trump makes are likely to matter more than commitments on trade or climate change. The U.S. military sees China as its peer competitor in conventional military force and Trump's commitment to build a 350-ship navy, up from 275 today, appears to be a direct response to China's rapid naval and anti-ship missile-building program. Many of those ships, however, have yet to be budgeted. And for the Asia-Pacific region in particular, with its low-lying archipelagos and fierce cyclones, climate is itself a security issue. WASHINGTON - The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to let it move forward with the president's plan to temporarily ban citizens from six mostly Muslim countries, elevating a divisive legal battle involving national security and religious discrimination to the nation's highest court. Justice Department lawyers asked the court to overturn a decision of the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit that kept in place a freeze on President Donald Trump's revised ban. The 10-to-3 ruling last week was one in a series of legal defeats for the administration, as judges across the country have said Trump's claim of protecting the nation was cover for making good on a campaign promise to ban Muslims from entry into the United States. The government's filing late Thursday asks the justices to set aside the 4th Circuit ruling and accept the case for oral arguments. It also asks the high court to lift a nationwide injunction issued by a federal judge in a separate Hawaii case. A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which covers Hawaii, heard the government's arguments in that case last month, but has not yet ruled. In turning to the high court, Justice Department lawyers said the 4th Circuit should have considered only the language of the executive order and not second guessed the president's motivations. The Supreme Court "has never invalidated religion-neutral government action based on speculation about officials' subjective motivations drawn from campaign-trail statements by a political candidate," the government's lawyers wrote in their filing. Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said Thursday that the administration is "confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism." The president's travel order has been one of the most controversial of the Trump administration, as the first entry ban created chaos at airports around the world and prompted major protests here and abroad. Trump has denounced judicial decisions freezing the ban as unprecedented assaults on his power to fulfill his most important role, keeping the nation safe. It would take the votes of five of the nine justices to grant the government's request, and require a finding that the government was likely to prevail on the merits of its argument - and that it would be irreparably harmed if the 4th Circuit's decision remained in place. The timing of case is tricky: the process of briefing, arguing and deciding a case at the Supreme Court takes months. The justices are scheduled to end their work at the end of the month. And the ban, if it is allowed to be enforced, is proposed as temporary, just to give the government 90 days to study and implement new vetting procedures. Acting solicitor general Jeffrey Wall has said that the ruling in the Hawaii case has prevented the government from moving forward on those objectives. Trump on Jan. 27, just a week after inauguration, issued the first travel ban executive order. It barred the entry of citizens of seven majority-Muslim nations (Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Libya), ordered a temporary halt to refugee arrivals and would have eventually given preference to those who were religious minorities in their countries, such as Christians. Several judges and a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit shut it down. Trump vowed to go to the Supreme Court that time, too, but eventually issued a new order. That order, the subject of the 4th Circuit ruling, removed Iraq from the list, deleted references to religion and added national security rationales for the policy. But it was stopped by federal district judges in Maryland and Hawaii. In the 4th Circuit, which covers Maryland, six judges agreed in full with an opinion by Chief Judge Roger Gregory that the national security rationale advanced by the president was simply pretext for unlawful animosity toward Muslims and an attempt to make good on a campaign promise to bar Muslims from entry into the country. He cited Trump's campaign rhetoric and statements made when he signed the executive orders and said courts had an obligation to look beyond their seemingly neutral language. The order "speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination," Gregory wrote. In their filing Thursday, the government's lawyers acknowledged the high-profile political debate surrounding the travel order, but said it was critical for the court to affirm the president's broad authority when it comes to immigration. "The precedent set by this case for the judiciary's proper role in reviewing the president's national-security and immigration authority will transcend this debate, this order, and this constitutional moment," they said. "The decision below departs from those rules, and calls into question the Executive and his authority in a way that warrants this Court's review." At the 4th Circuit, two of the judges agreed with the majority that the order likely violates the constitutional command that government not favor or disparage one religion over another. But they also said the order was not justified under the power that Congress gives the president by law. That broad power says that "whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens . . . would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may . . . suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants." Congress later added, though that "no person shall receive any preference or priority or be discriminated against in the issuance of an immigrant visa because of the person's race, sex, nationality, place of birth, or place of residence." Judge Barbara Milano Keenan said that Trump had made no finding that the citizens of the six countries provided a specific threat to the United States. And Judge James Wynn Jr. said Congress did not give the president power to take action based on "invidious discrimination." All of the judges ruling against Trump were nominated to the appeals court by Democratic presidents. The three dissenting judges were nominated by Republicans, and said their colleagues had wandered into uncharted territory by relying on campaign statements to find an Establishment Clause violation. "The Supreme Court surely will shudder at the majority's adoption of this new rule that has no limits or bounds - one that transforms the majority's criticisms of a candidate's various campaign statements into a constitutional violation" wrote Judge Paul Niemeyer. DALLAS (AP) Authorities said Wednesday two bounty hunters and the fugitive from Minnesota they were tracking shot each other dead in a hail of bullets that sent customers and employees fleeing for cover at a Texas car dealership. The two men had pursued Ramon Michael Hutchinson, 49, to a Nissan dealership in Greenville, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Dallas Tuesday. Stew Peters, a bail investigator with the private Minnesota-based company U.S. Fugitive Recovery and Extradition, said Hutchinson had been sought since March when he failed to appear for a court hearing in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis. Hutchinson, listed in court records as a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, was facing several charges that included assaulting a law enforcement officer. It's not clear what brought Hutchinson to Texas but Peters said he received a phone call Tuesday from Fidel Garcia Jr., a private investigator based in Corpus Christi, Texas, to say Garcia and colleague Gabriel Bernal had tracked Hutchinson to the dealership. A woman associated with Hutchinson had her car there. After an hours-long wait for Hutchinson to appear, the two bounty hunters approached Tuesday evening. Garcia and Bernal drew their weapons and Hutchinson responded by drawing his own pistol, which he dropped, according to a statement from Kathy Lucas, spokeswoman for the city of Greenville. The men fought as Hutchinson retrieved his weapon and began firing. The other two fired as well and Lucas said about 20 shots were fired in the span of six seconds. Customers and employees fled for cover. "Mr. Garcia felt the defendant would ultimately appear at that dealership," Peters said. "Unfortunately Mr. Hutchinson was more prepared for a gunfight." Hutchinson and the two investigators died at the scene. No one else was struck by the gunfire. The owner of the dealership, Rick Ford, told The Associated Press by email Wednesday that the two men called the dealership earlier and identified themselves as federal agents. They later presented themselves to a receptionist and the general manager in the same way, Ford said. Peters said he didn't know Bernal, 33, but had been friends with Garcia for a decade and said he would not misrepresent himself. "He always performed his investigations with the utmost integrity," Peters said, adding that Garcia commonly wore both audio and visual recording devices while working. It's not known if he was wearing the devices Tuesday. Garcia, 54, sat on the board of the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators and another board member, Bradley Smith, described him as a "gentle giant." "He was a big man and he had a big heart to go with it," Smith said. He said private investigators registered in Texas are licensed through the state Department of Public Safety, and added that bail-bond companies seeking fugitives in Texas are required to use registered investigators. Tuesday's shooting was the second time in about a month in the U.S. when violence erupted as private groups were attempting to apprehend fugitives. Authorities in Tennessee say seven people they described as bounty hunters shot at four people in a car April 23 in Clarksville, killing one man and injuring another. It appears the larger group targeted the wrong vehicle and all seven have been indicted on first-degree murder charges. Not one of the men in the car was wanted on outstanding charges. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 Dreamstime Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Google Maps Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Google Maps Show More Show Less 5 of 5 OKLAHOMA CITY Some imported frozen tuna cubes and steaks are being recalled after testing showed they could be contaminated with the hepatitis A virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Hawaii-based Hilo Fish Co. told the agency in May it had recalled yellowfin tuna that tested positive for the virus. Hilo says the fish was sourced from Sustainable Seafood Co. in Vietnam and Santa Cruz Seafood Inc. in the Philippines. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A woman was allegedly raped at gunpoint Sunday night inside her Medical Center-area apartment in what appears to be the latest in a string of similar attacks over recent months in the area. According to police, a black man forced his way into the 24-year-old victim's unit at the Mission Ranch apartment complex in the 5600 block of Babcock Road as she was entering around 11 p.m. The man, who is believed to be in his 20s, was armed with a gun, police say. Once inside the unit he allegedly sexually assaulted the woman and then fled. RELATED: SAPD releases sketch, security camera footage of suspect in several sexual assaults near Med. Center Police responding to the call set up a quadrant around the area and brought in a K-9 unit to assist with the search, but they were unable to locate the suspect. Mission Ranch apartment managers, who did not respond to requests for a comment on the attack, appears to have sent tenants an email informing them of the alleged attack. "Please exercise caution at all times, be aware of your surroundings, use the buddy system," the email, which was sent to mySA.com by a resident, reads. "If you see or hear anything suspicious please call 911 immediately." Managers also distributed with the email a sketch from police of a suspected serial rapist who has been attacking women in the area. Ofc. Doug Greene, a spokesman for the San Antonio Police Department, said investigators with the Special Victims Unit have not ruled out the alleged serial rapist as a suspect in the case. RELATED: SAPD: Multiple reports of sexual assault, stalking near Medical Center-area apartments The first reports regarding the suspected rapist came in late January, when a string of stalking and sexual assault calls were reported in the area. Police have not released the exact number of confirmed assaults in the area, but determined one suspect may be responsible for all of the reported incidents. In prior attacks, the man was reported to be armed with a knife. Police said the suspect would scratch or knock on women's doors and then force his way inside. The suspected serial rapist is described as a black man in his early to mid-20s who is about 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall. He weighs about 140 to 160 pounds. He has no facial hair, and he wears a bandana to cover his face. Police say he is soft spoken and does not have an accent. He has been seen on a BMX bike but is generally on foot. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 210-225-8477. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867. This story has been updated with a corrected date of the reported assault to reflect new information provided by SAPD. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com cdowns@mysa.com Twitter: @calebjdowns Margaret Ann Garza was born on March 21st, 1986 to Fred and Carmen Garza. She was the epitome of love, and she was so very loved by all. Besides God, her family and close friends were always first. She was a loving daughter and a true friend. Margaret was thoughtful, kindhearted, unselfish, and genuine. She had a beautiful smile, but beyond that, a beautiful heart. She always gave her time to anyone who needed her. She was either sharing a good time celebrating friends, comforting friends, or just there when someone needed a friend. Margaret dared to dream big. She did things most people only aspire to. She loved pageantry, singing, acting, and modeling. Margaret was crowned Ms. Texas Belleza Latina in 2007 and Ms. Belleza Latina International in 2008. She appeared in various ads in television and in print. She had several acting roles and most recently appeared in the nationally televised series, The Son, as well as Mercury Plains with Scott Eastwood and Pizza Joint, which will premiere this June. 2 Daniel Mere, el gaitero "mas famoso del mundo" por su version del "Quedate" de Quevedo y BZRP We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Nature & Weather, Local News, National & World News, Health & Wellness, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: June 02 2017 Suozzi: Climate change is a real and existential threat that must be taken seriously, and this move by the President is a strong signal that he has little interest in protecting our planet." Long Island, NY - June 2, 2017 - Congressman Tom Suozzi (D Long Island, Queens) made the following statement shortly after President Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. Todays decision by the President to remove the U.S. from the Paris Agreement is a bad one. Climate change is a real and existential threat that must be taken seriously, and this move by the President is a strong signal that he has little interest in protecting our planet. America has a critical role to play in the fight against climate change, and this decision will harm our standing across the globe on this issue. Im pleased to hear that some of my Republican colleagues on the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus have already expressed opposition to the Presidents decision to withdraw from this agreement. "The President claims that he will try and negotiate a better economic deal, but his presentation suggests that he is willing to abandon our goal of reducing carbon emissions. In addition, this decision could influence nations like China -- the largest emitter of carbon in the world -- to withdraw from the agreement as well, which would only harm our planet further. While it appears the U.S. cannot completely withdraw from the agreement until 2020, the steps taken today are a big step in the wrong direction. We need to move towards a clean energy economy because 1) we must eliminate our independence on foreign oil, 2) America needs to create green economy jobs instead of China and other global competitors, and 3) its good for the environment." Local News, Crime By Long Island News & PR Published: June 02 2017 Stacy Sakeran, 57, of Jamaica, was allegedly caught on video assaulting her client's 2 week-old child. NCPD reports the arrest of Stacy Sakeran of Jamaica, 57, for Assault that occurred on Friday, June 2, in Searingtown. Searingtown, NY - June 2, 2017 - The Third Squad reports the arrest of a woman for Assault that occurred on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 1:40 am in Searingtown. According to detectives, defendant Stacy Sakeran, 57, of Jamaica was employed as a nanny for a family with a 2 week old female infant. At 1:40 am, the father of the baby heard his daughter cry out as if in pain. The parents now concerned reviewed video from a camera installed in the babys room and observed their nanny forcefully moving the baby around and slapping her in the face. The parents then viewed video from previous days and on May 30, 2017 observed the nanny yelling at the infant and striking her several times with an opened hand. Police were notified and defendant Sakeran was placed under arrest on June 2, 2017 at 4:10 am in Searingtown. Defendant Sakeran is being charged with 2 counts of Assault 2nd Degree and 2 counts of Endangering The Welfare of a Child. She will be arraigned on Friday, June 02, 2017 at First District Court, Hempstead Detectives request that if anyone feels that they may have been a victim resulting in the above defendants actions to contact the Third Squad at 516-573-6354. According to government officials in the Philippines, an attack at the Resorts World Manila (RWM) casino was a robbery gone wrong. More than 30 people died as a result. But the Islamic State, whose loyalists are battling government forces in the southern city of Marawi and elsewhere, says its fighter was responsible. The so-called caliphate issued two claims of responsibility earlier today. The Islamic States Amaq News Agency posted the first on social media. Citing a security source in the jihadist organization, Amaq claimed that multiple fighters executed the Manila attack. A separate statement issued by the organization a short while later differed, identifying the perpetrator as a single brother known as Abul Khayr al-Arkhabili. He stormed into a gathering of the belligerent Christians in Resorts World Manila in the Philippines, killing or wounding 100 people and achieving martyrdom, according to the claim. It appears that only one gunman was responsible, making Amaqs claim inaccurate. This was seemingly corrected in the follow-up statement. Yet, many of the details concerning the gunman are yet to be confirmed. Hours later, authorities were still seeking to identify him. The police released the images seen above in an attempt to determine his identity. In dismissing a terror-related motivation, officials in the Philippines have pointed to the manner in which the attack was carried out. According to the Associated Press, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the attack does not have the slightest signature of terrorism whatsoever. The AP added: Police told reporters the man stole more than $2 million in gambling chips and avoided shooting people he encountered in the casino, pointing his gun upward when he fired some shots. Initial reports say he killed himself. The police also said that most of his victims died of smoke inhalation after he started fires inside the casino. Jihadists who have sworn allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadis self-declared caliphate certainly have the capability to launch such a simple attack. They are battling government forces in the southern city of Marawi and they have claimed other operations in and around Manila. In April, for instance, Amaq claimed that five Filipino soldiers were killed and six others injured in an improvised explosive device explosion in or near Manila. Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Major General Qassem Soleimani, the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps extraterritorial operations branch the Qods Force, has been photographed with Iranian-backed Iraqi militias of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in the northwestern countryside of Iraq near the Syrian border. The photos precise location and date are yet unconfirmed; it surfaced on May 29 on pro-regime social media and propaganda outlets. Two days later, another photo of Soleimani emerged on social media; this time with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Iran. It was reportedly taken after Mondays controversy surrounding a former Iranian parliamentarians accusations against Zarif, in which the figure had accused the foreign minister of surrendering Soleimani to the US in exchange for permitting Iran to be taken off the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF). Answering directly to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Soleimani is in charge of the Islamic Republics Iraq portfolio. After a week-long push, the PMF reached the border village of Um Jaris in northwestern Iraq by May 29. The offensive itself was a component of Operation Muhammad Rasulollah II which was launched last month at Qayrawan, west of Mosul. Backed by the Iraqi air force, ground forces are advancing toward Baaj, another border area to the south, according to the PMF. An Iraqi Shiite commander told The Associated Press that forces entered two Syrian villages for a couple of hours to convey a message to the Americans and (Kurdish-led) Syrian Democratic that we are able to do it. The PMF is the umbrella organization of diverse Iraqi militias formed in 2014 that is dominated by Guard-backed figures and has become an official part of the state. Iraqi Prime Minister Hayder al Abadi confirmed in a press conference on May 30 that Iraqi Security Forces would coordinate with the PMF to establish border security. The PMF has reaffirmed its goal to control the border area with Syria. Guard-backed Iraqi militias have been messaging that goal since the launching of the Mosul campaign. Hadi al Ameri, Badr Organization chief and a senior PMF figure, told the media after forces reached the border this week that the Americans will not be allowed to control the border. Abu Mahdi al Muhandis PMF operations commander and designated global terrorist who is close to Soleimani announced on May 30 that military operations to fully retake the border areas with Syria would continue. The commander of the PMFs 2nd Brigade which is linked to the Imam Ali Combat Division, tied to the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf and loyal to Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani confirmed the plan and specified that forces would head toward the major Qaim border crossing to the south. A PMF spokesman has called for linking with pro-Syrian-regime forces advancing toward the Iraqi border, according to comments that were carried in Western media. The US could potentially disrupt that effort by continuing to hold the Tanf border crossing and supporting the advance of US-backed Syrian forces into Deir Ezzor by the Iraqi border. Iraqi militias that are members of the PMF are assisting the Syrian regime. For instance, the Imam Ali and the Sayyid al Shuhada Brigades are active in northwestern Iraq and southeastern Syria near Tanf, where the US last month struck a pro-regime convoy that included Iraqi militiamen. The PMF units participating in the latest operation in northwest Iraq include Tehran-controlled and shrine militias, as well militias linked to the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, several of which have received support from Iran. The participating units also include Yezidis reportedly 500, according to Kurdish media who defected last month from Kurdish Peshmarga to join the PMF after Muhandis convinced and offered them the opportunity to retake the Yezidi village of Kocho and surrounding areas near Shingal that has been under the Islamic States control since 2014. The shrine militias directly answer Sistani and are not amenable to Khameneis influence, though they have cooperated with Guard-Corps elements within the framework of the PMF during the war against the Islamic State. Following the latters anticipated defeat, Iraq is expected to witness an intensified power struggle across the political spectrum including between Tehran and Najaf, Iraqs powerful center of the Shiite clergy led by the 86-year old Sistani. Soleimani and the Qods Force will continue their mission of advancing and protecting the Islamic Republics interests in Iraq. Amir Toumaj is a independent analyst and contributor to FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. The Taliban has issued a second statement denying any role in the deadly Kabul bombing on May 31. No group has claimed credit for the attack. But the Taliban was quick to defend the Haqqani Network after the Afghan government alleged that its men were responsible. In so doing, the Taliban again affirmed that the Haqqanis are an integral part of its organization not an independent faction. Afghanistans National Directorate of Security (NDS) has blamed the Haqqani Network and the Pakistani military-intelligence establishment, which has long backed the Taliban, for the massive bombing near the diplomatic area of Kabul. These terrorists once again proved they dont represent any religion and they only carry out such coward attacks to please their Pakistani masters which is against all Islamic and human rights principles, the NDS said in a statement, according to Sky News. The Taliban responded on June 1 via a statement issued on its Voice of Jihad website, directly addressing the claims made by the NDS. (The group had previously denied any involvement within hours of the attack. The denial may be self-serving, as the Taliban is concerned with how attacks targeting civilians are perceived.) After the Islamic Emirate denied all involvement following yesterdays blast in Kabul and condemned the incident, the spy agency of Kabul in order to hide its failure and plots of their masters as well as to confuse common thinking quickly alleged that the incident was the work of Islamic Emirate especially of Haqqani Sahibs Mujahideen!!?, the June 1 statement reads. We once again reject all allegations about involvement of Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate in the Kabul incident, the message continues. None of our Mujahideen including those of Haqqani Sahib had any role in this event and neither does the killing of civilians benefit the Islamic Emirate. (Emphasis added.) Haqqani Sahib is a reference to either Jalaluddin Haqqani or his son, Sirajuddin, who is the operational leader of the Haqqani Network. Sirajuddin also serves as one of the Talibans two deputy emirs. The Taliban has long maintained that the Haqqani Network does not operate independently and that the concept of a separate entity is a western construct. Any uncertainty concerning the Haqqanis role within the Taliban should have been put to rest when Mullah Mansour the successor to the Talibans founder and first leader, Mullah Omar appointed Sirajuddin as one of his two top deputies in 2015. After Mansour was killed in May 2016, Mullah Habaitullah Akhundzada was selected as the Talibans new emir. Habaitullah, who still serves as the groups leader, also appointed Sirajuddin as one of his two most senior deputies. [See FDDs Long War Journal reports, The Talibans new leadership is allied with al Qaeda and Taliban names Mullah Haibatullah as new emir.] In 2012, Sirajuddin himself denied claims that the Haqqani Network is a separate entity, instead describing his followers as one of many fronts within the Taliban. There is no truth to such claims and rumors at all; they are part of the war of rumors by the enemies of Islam, Siraj said in the Sept. 2012 edition of Al Samoud, an official Taliban magazine. We are one of the fronts of the Islamic Emirate, and we do jihad in the cause of Allah under its banner, and we are proud of our pledge to its Emir [then Mullah Omar] and we carry out its orders and all its regulations, Siraj continued. All formations and the employment figures with us are by the Islamic Emirate, and we obey completely in good deeds the Emir of the Believers Mullah Muhammad Omar Sirajs explanation of the Haqqanis role within the Taliban is identical to that of other senior leaders. Jalaluddin, his father, told Al Samoud in a 2008 interview that all the Mujahideen wage jihad under the leadership of the Ameer ul-Momineen Mullah Mohammed Omar Mujahid against the American invaders and their lackeys. There is no crisis (of division) under the names moderate or extremist among the Mujahideen, Jalaluddin continued. They all fight under a unified leadership. During the interview, Jalaluddin also stated that he is a member of the High Council of the Islamic Emirate, which is known as the Quetta Shura. The Taliban affirmed several times since the 2008 interview that Jalaluddin was a member of the Quetta Shura. Jalaluddin, who has held senior positions within the Taliban, swore his allegiance to Mullah Omar in the 1990s. Mullah Sangeen Zadran, one of Sirajs top lieutenants and the Talibans shadow governor in Paktika province, has also denied that the Haqqanis are a separate group. Zadran explained the relationship during an interview published in Al Samoud in Jan. 2012. It [a supposed division between the Haqqani Network and the Taliban] is a rumor war that the broadcast stations of the enemy and its media centers are waging, Sangeen said. I assure you with all confidence that all the mujahideen of the Emirate are united under the leadership of the Emir of the Believers Mullah Mohammed Omar, may Allah the Almighty preserve him, and he is the one who guides this battle in all the land, and his honest leadership is taking the jihadi movement towards the anticipated victory, Allah the Almighty willing. In September 2012, the Taliban released a statement on their website declaring that there is no separate entity or network in Afghanistan by the name of Haqqani. The honorable Mawlawi Jalaluddin Haqqani is a member of the Leadership Council of Islamic Emirate and is a close, loyal and trusted associate of the esteemed Amir-ul-Mumineen [leader of the faithful, Mullah Omar] and those Mujahideen entrusted under the command of his sons are in fact the heroic Mujahideen of [the] Islamic Emirate who like other Mujahideen strictly obey the esteemed Amir-ul-Mumineen and wage Jihad against the invaders throughout the country, the Taliban said. In Dec. 2016, the Taliban released a lengthy video containing clips of Sirajuddin. That same video celebrated the historical alliance between the Taliban and al Qaeda. Jalaluddin Haqqani was one of Osama bin Ladens earliest allies in the region, providing the al Qaeda founder with crucial local support. Sirajuddin has his own strong ties to al Qaeda. Files recovered in Osama bin Ladens compound highlight the degree to which al Qaedas men cooperate with Siraj and his forces inside Afghanistan. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Culture / Art Republik Jun 02, 2017 | By Art Republik Miaja Gallery will present Sebastiano Navarras Silent Cities: A Post-Metaphysical Expression between 2 June and 31 August. Before his career as an artist, the octogenarian worked for the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson for nearly a decade in Bogota, Colombia. As a painter, he is known for depicting surprising pairings of famous historical figure with contemporary objects. In Silent Cities, viewers will be presented with Navarras rendition of Metaphysical Art, which is a direct translation of the Italian Pittura Metafisica. The movement as developed by modern artists Giorgio de Chirico and Carlo Carra around the time of World War I, portraying public spaces one would find in Italian cities empty save for objects that do not seem to belong, to go beyond reality into the workings of the mind. Keeping with the style of painting, the background of Navarras works in the series is dominated by curvilinear representations of buildings, while in the foreground, odd singular objects that look like stone sculptures, such as the Pegasus or the sphinx pops up, transporting the viewer to a dreamscape where jarring elements coexist. Art Republik speaks with the artist to find out more. Youve previously put up an exhibition, Puzzle: The Evolution of Communication at Miaja Gallery in early 2016. How did you come to work with the gallery, and what has the experience been like thus far? I came to know Isabelle Miaja after an exhibition in Bali, and she proposed to become my agent in Singapore. I have had a great relationship with the gallery since then, and the Miaja familys support is very important to me. Could you tell us about the works in Silent Cities that will be presented at Miaja Gallery in June? And how does this body of work depart/build on Puzzle? Given that the first part of my professional life was in advertising as an art director, Silent Cities, as with Puzzle, is created to be understood and appreciated instinctively, as one does with pop art. The works in Silent Cities are visual expressions of the fantastical dreams that I have. What has been key in your artistic process? Memory is an archive of images that present themselves when needed, and I feel that my memory has served me well to allow me to combine what has come before with what is going on in the present day to create my artworks. You spent nine years as an art director in South America. How has your training and your time there informed your work as an artist? I believe my experience in visual communication has helped me to communicate my ideas through my artworks in an easily comprehensible and enjoyable way. The colourful natural landscape of South America and the importance of signs in the culture of the people have also had a lasting impact on me and my work. How has your artistic practice evolved over the years? In my time as an art director, I had to work with very precise rules. When I became an artist, I entered a very free world where I could express myself. It took some getting used to, and the first works I made as an artist were probably excessively stylised. However, slowly but surely, this changed, and I began to make meaningful artworks. You have created works in various mediums. Which medium do you like working in the most and why? For me, it is imperative to decide on the medium I want to work on as a first step to making the artwork, and I do this after careful research and consideration. This was the same for both Puzzle and Silent Cities. And what would you say is the greatest pleasure of being an artist? I would say the freedom to express myself, and the luxury of amusing and surprising myself in my artistic practice. I also like to make viewers and collectors of my artworks happy. I want to continue making them curious about what it is that I am presenting to them in my work. To find our more, visit Miaja Gallery. More information at miajagallery.com This article was originally published in Art Republik. Lycoming College today announced it has been named to The Princeton Reviews "The Best 382 Colleges 2018 Edition" premier college guide book. The annual Best Colleges guide is widely regarded as the most important and influential of college guide books as its paperback edition and website are among the most frequently accessed college search sources. Lycoming was chosen for the value it offers students, including financial aid, faculty involvement and graduation outcomes. The Reviews assessment of the College is based on independent surveys of Lycoming students; extensive data about Lycomings programs, costs and post-graduate success; and a campus visit by Review staff to evaluate Lycoming facilities, programs and faculty engagement. These factors led to the Reviews high regard for Lycomings academic programs and other offerings. We are honored to be considered among the nations best colleges, said Kent C. Trachte, president of Lycoming College. The Princeton Reviews assessment affirms what we have long known about the quality of the liberal arts education provided by Lycomings dedicated faculty and staff. The assessment reveals high marks for Lycomings academics, including new programs in neuroscience, entrepreneurship, energy studies and astrophysics, which were designed to address a growing demand in these fields. The College has also greatly expanded learning prospects outside of the traditional classroom setting by offering more internships, student-faculty research and study abroad opportunities, as well as leadership training beyond the classroom, through its new Outdoor Leadership and Education program. Over the past four years, we have greatly expanded the number of enhanced educational opportunities that challenge our students to grow personally and professionally, and which prepare them to enter an increasingly competitive job market, said Trachte. Inclusion in The Best 382 Colleges is a testament to our efforts and to what young scholars need to be successful in post-graduate pursuits. The College has also made significant progress toward one of its top priorities the economic revitalization of the southern entrance into the city of Williamsport. The Gateway Project reflects the Colleges commitment to a broader collaboration with community partners to enhance the citys visual appeal and bring jobs that create a more robust commercial area near the College. Robert Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review, commented, We are truly pleased to add Lycoming College to our widely-used college guide, now in its 26th year. Only about 15 percent of the four-year colleges in the nation are in this book. In our opinion, these are the creme of the crop institutions for undergraduates in America. Lycoming College is one of just six new schools to be named to the 2018 edition, which will be available in August. Dr. Christopher Pearl and Maggie Slawson display the journal with their publication. Download Image: Web Maggie Slawson, a senior history student from Armagh, Pa., and Christopher Pearl, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, published stories about the American Revolution that occurred on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Pearl and Slawson initially learned about the stories through research at the Taber Museum. They then studied family notes, census data and war documents to round out the stories of the three skirmishes and their influence on the war. Having the opportunity to research about Revolutionary times and share that with others who love history has been very rewarding, said Slawson. Dr. Pearl has mentored me through learning how to prioritize, do advanced research and write more clearly. I appreciate all of his help. This article set the ground work for many other projects I completed including papers for two conferences, my senior thesis and my honors thesis. My fascination with ordinary soldiers during the Revolutionary War continued to grow as I advanced as a student, she said. Their stories, titled No Sunshine Patriots: Three Stories of Revolution on the West Branch, was published in The Journal of the Lycoming County Historical Society Vol. LII (2016), 2-10. The Lycoming County Historical Society is a not-for-profit educational organization that discovers, collects, preserves and interprets the prehistorical, historical and cultural heritage of Northcentral Pennsylvania. Slawson plans to pursue a masters degree in library and information science at Clarion University. The research was made possible by the Mellon Foundation as part of its commitment to liberal arts education, and is given to colleges that make substantial economic, cultural and intellectual contributions to their communities. The Mellon Grant to Lycoming College supports, among other initiatives, high-impact educational opportunities like faculty-student research projects within the arts, humanities and humanities-focused social sciences. From left, President Kent C. Trachte, Sandra Kingery, Caroline Payne, and Provost Philip Sprunger. Download Image: Web Innovative teaching techniques and dedication to student success earned two Lycoming College professors recognition during an awards ceremony this spring. Sandra Kingery, Ph.D., a professor of Spanish, received the 2017 Constance Cupp Plankenhorn Alumni Award for Faculty Excellence. Given to a senior faculty member every year, this years award recognized Kingery for classroom excellence and individual student collaboration. She is nationally known for her extensive translations of Spanish authors, particularly contemporary women writers from Spain. She recently completed a collaborative translation project, funded by the Mellon Foundation, with Kaitlyn Hipple, a junior Spanish major. Caroline Payne, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, earned the 2016 Junior Faculty Teaching Award in recognition of her high standards and energy in the classroom. Specializing in international relations and comparative politics, Payne is also well known for developing a growing interdisciplinary connection between Lycoming College and the Dominican Republic, including the development of Warrior brand coffees. The ventures on the Caribbean island provide real-world opportunities for students to apply what theyve learned. Her enthusiasm has captured the interest of professors and students in a variety of fields to make the entire Dominican Republic program reflect the true value of a liberal arts education. These two professors exemplify Lycoming Colleges commitment to high quality teaching and to enhanced academic experiences that allow students to learn outside of the traditional classroom, said Philip Sprunger, provost and dean of the College. click to go to homepage In this year of falling European political uncertainty, one of the Continent's largest economies was missing from the spotlight. Well, wonder no longer: Italy has joined the fray. Recent public comments from Matteo Renzi, former prime minister and current leader of the ruling Democratic Party (PD), have many experts thinking snap elections loom. Though just talk right now, even if Italy goes to an early vote, we believe the most probable outcome is further gridlock-a status quo that hasn't hindered the eurozone economy or markets. Reports this week said Italy's four main political parties have agreed in principle on a new electoral system, giving rise to early election chatter. Renzi's center-left PD, the antiestablishment Five Star Movement (M5S), the center-right Forza Italia (led by one Silvio Berlusconi) and the far-right, anti-EU Northern League all agreed to pass a law by the first week of July that would replace Italy's current process with a German-style proportional representation electoral system. With this tentative deal in place, Renzi suggested Italy could aim to vote the same time as Germany's federal election in September, squashing any broad lingering European political uncertainty. But despite all the speculation, early elections aren't a given. Only President Sergio Mattarella has the authority to dissolve parliament and call elections, and he has indicated a preference to let current Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni finish out his term to early next year, rather than rush into a vote-particularly with banking issues and the 2018 budget law still unresolved. Some clarity on the Italian electoral law front is the primary reason early elections are even on the table. In January, the constitutional court ruled on the Italicum electoral law . Passed in 2015, the Italicum offered proportional representation for both the Senate (upper house) and Chamber of Deputies (lower house). However, parties needed only 3% of the vote to enter the lower house, giving smaller parties influence over legislation. The Italicum also awarded a supermajority (340 seats, or about 55%) to parties that won more than 40% of the vote in the lower house. The constitutional court kept most of the Italicum intact, save for a runoff vote component. After this ruling, Italy's four main parties have been in talks for a new electoral system, and German-style proportional representation is the current favorite.[i] This system doesn't award the supermajority bonus and requires parties to win at least 5% of the votes to enter the lower house. While making a German-style electoral system law is no given, Italy's current political landscape shows why the four biggest parties prefer it. For one, a 5% threshold virtually ensures power will be consolidated among the PD, M5S, Forza Italia and the Northern League. Current polling shows the PD and M5S running neck-and-neck at ~30% with Forza Italia and the Northern League around 12% each. Under the German system, these four parties would likely gain more votes-e.g., many smaller parties' votes could go to the PD-but current poll figures suggest no one party would rule alone: They would need to form a coalition. While a "grand coalition" between the more centrist PD and Forza Italia is in play through this German model, an anti-euro/anti-EU coalition between M5S and the Northern League is also feasible. M5S' strong poll numbers have stirred fears of greater political instability should they win power. Though the prospect of an anti-euro/anti-EU coalition leading Italy sounds troublesome, political realities should temper some of those concerns. For one, M5S aren't automatically compatible with all populists, and they lack ideological ties with the other primary parties. (Even the far-right Northern League has served as a coalition partner with Berlusconi before as part of a broader conservative bloc.) Besides being "antiestablishment," it is difficult to pin down M5S' broader goals beyond holding a referendum on the euro-and party opinion on this issue is mixed, too. Even after M5S won 25% of the national vote in a 2013 general election, party leader (and former comedian) Beppe Grillo refused to ally with any mainstream parties, costing the group representatives. Moreover, M5S hasn't exactly been successful in its limited trials in power. For instance, Rome's high-profile M5S mayor has been hit with embarrassing corruption cases and cumbersome issues like mounting piles of trash. M5S has faced the same issues governing Italy as the rest of the establishment. A coalition between M5S and the Northern League-which share only some high-level similarities-doesn't necessarily mean big, streamlined action would be forthcoming. So even if the Germanic model is used for early elections-all hypothetical at this point-gridlock still looks likely to persist for the foreseeable future. This hasn't stopped the Italian economy from growing during the present expansion. In our view, an Italian election-whether it happens later this year or in May 2018-would be another chapter in the broader theme of falling uncertainty in the eurozone. Despite the current angst over snap elections, holding them earlier would be akin to "ripping off the Band-Aid" and allow any uncertainty to clear up much sooner.[ii] Rather than prolonged worrying for another year, investors would have the answers they're looking for, like: Is M5S leading the government or not? This would end the uncertainty, as just knowing an outcome brings relief. Moreover, even if M5S wins, it isn't an immediate "Italexit." Or, more poetically, a "Quitaly." Italy's constitution bans changing treaties through referendum, which is what M5S wants to hold. So while questions still remain, Italian snap elections aren't likely to bring about the type of change that will imperil the country's foreseeable prospects, let alone the broader eurozone's. MARTINSVILLE A demand for the repayment of an $800,000 state grant is not stopping Dr. Noel Boaz from planning to establish a medical college in the city. Were more convinced now its going to work than ever before, Boaz said, referring to himself and the boards of the proposed College of Henricopolis School of Medicine and the Integrative Centers for Science and Medicine (ICSM), of which he is president and which is trying to establish the school. The momentum continues, he indicated. For example, the ICSM has submitted a needs statement to The Harvest Foundation about how it aims to move forward in establishing the school, he said. What is needed right now and in the long run, he maintains, is public support. He admitted that he has heard of lot of naysayers. He wants yea-sayers, he said. To try and get them, a joint meeting of the boards will be open to the public from 1:30-5:30 p.m. today on the third floor of Jefferson Plaza at 10 E. Church St. uptown. Boaz said he hopes representatives of community stakeholders, such as Harvest, come and voice ideas on how to proceed, but the general public is welcome to come and contribute ideas, too. Anyone who wants to participate yet cannot come is welcome to call into the meeting at 403-ICSM (4276), he said. Boaz asks that anyone planning to come call that number before the meeting to let him and board members know they will be coming, but that is not required. Just to drop in will be fine, he said. The boards will meet privately on Saturday to develop specific plans on how to proceed, he added. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission recently demanded payback of an $800,000 Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund (TROF) grant it awarded to the city to pass along to the ICSM for the medical school project. According to the commissions website, TROF grants are awarded to localities to help with specific projects expected to result in the creation of new jobs and investment. A performance agreement is required, and repayment of all or part of the money is required if performance levels are not met. The citys 36-month TROF grant required that by the end of the first 18 months, the college must hire 25 percent of its staff and generate $1.5 million in capital investment. Earlier this month, the commission determined that the requirements were not met and ordered repayment of the $800,000 within 30 days. It had no other choice, according to an official. The tobacco commissions hands were tied, because the ICSM failed to meet grant requirements, commission member Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, said during a Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce luncheon earlier this week. The commission sent a letter to Boaz seeking repayment because he was the signatory of the grants performance agreement. That letter was sent out May 24. Boaz has said he and the ICSM cannot afford to pay back the $800,000. That would leave Martinsville City Council responsible. City officials have said the council is exploring options for repaying the money while waiting to see how Boaz responds to the letter. They apparently will wait a bit longer. It doesnt look like the city council members will be attending, or at least most of them, said City Manager Leon Towarnicki. The council was invited to the meeting, Towarnicki said. Although he has not heard from all of them, he said he is aware that at least three members the majority of the five-member panel, including Mayor Gene Teague have previous commitments. It makes no sense, Towarnicki said, for some council members to attend if all cannot, especially if the ICSM is seeking from the city some type of commitment of future support. A ticking clock According to the letter sent by the commission, there is a 30-day timer in place to at least start payback discussions. First, the commission asks the company to officially declare if they can or cannot pay back the funding. Boaz has said he and his group can't afford to do that. At that point, the commission will start discussions with Martinsville officials to come up with a payment plan. We don't want to place a burden on the city any more than we have to, said Jordan Butler, the commission's public relations coordinator. He added that a final plan didn't have to be approved by the end of the 30 days, but a discussion needed to start. Sometimes these things can take a little longer than a 30-day window might allow to work. He added however that the timeline is not infinite and the money will need to be repaid. Towarnicki said the city must give Boaz the opportunity to make plans to pay back the money before starting any conversations. Until we see what the (Boazs) plan is its too soon for comment on how the city may respond, Towarnicki said. In the meantime, theres not a lot we need to do, he said, until city officials see Boazs response. He said that if the city must write an $800,000 check, the only option we have is to take the money out of the citys reserves. However, he said he expects the commission would be willing to work with the city to set up a payment plan in which the money could be paid back in installments over time. Knowing the financial constraints of cities, towns and counties statewide, Towarnicki said, theyve indicated a willingness to work with localities in previous situations like the one that Boaz and Martinsville now are in. Boaz said he wants to meet with the council at some point. Everybodys focusing on the money thing, he said. But in the immediate future, weve got to make sure weve got our ducks in a row, such as by making sure the school has the right curriculum to earn accreditation. In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. This Privacy Policy (Policy) sets out our data collection and processing practices and your options regarding the ways in which your personal information is used. This Policy contains important information about your personal rights to privacy. 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Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com "If the peasants sow the fields poorly, they should be helpedand this particularly applies to the poor peasantsby means of collective cultivation of the large estates. There is no other way of helping the poor peasants. And this, unfortunately, is just the remedy which S. Maslov does not propose." Published in Pravda No. 61, June 2 (May 20), 1917. Izvestia of the All-Russia Soviet of Peasants Deputies, in its issue No. 10 for May 19, publishes a report by S. Maslov who discourses on the subject of land seizures. In some places, says S. Maslov, the peasants are endeavouring to assert their right to the land by unauthorised seizure of lands belonging to the local landowners. The question arises: is such a procedure advisable? S. Maslov considers it inadvisable, and gives four reasons for thinking so. Let us examine his arguments. Argument 1. Russias lands are distributed unevenly in the various regions and gubernias. In pointing out this incontestable fact, S. Maslov says: It is not difficult to imagine how complicated the proper settlement of the land question would become if every gubernia or region laid claim only to its own lands and seized them for its own use. It is not difficult to foresee what would happen if the peasants of some villages seized the land of the local landowners and left the other peasants without any land. This argument is an obvious, a gross deviation from the truth. It would hold good against anybody who might take it into his head to advise the peasants to seize the landand seize it in an unorganised way at thatas private property. Take it, share itand thats that. That would indeed be the height of anarchism, the height of absurdity. We do not know what party, if any, proposed such nonsense. If that is what S. Maslov had in mind, then he is fighting windmills. It is ludicrous. Our Party, the Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party of the Bolsheviks, has proposed in a carefully worded resolution that property in the land be vested in the people as a whole. Consequently, we are opposed to any seizure of land as private property. But this is not the question at issue, and S. Maslov has betrayed himself by mentioning what is really the essential and cardinal point, namely, the seizure of the landed estates. That is the crux of the matter. It is on this question that S. Maslov is beating about the bush. The landed estates must be confiscated immediately, that is, private ownership of them must be abolished immediately and without compensation. And what about the possession of these lands? Who is to take immediate possession of them and cultivate them? The local peasants are to do this in an organised way, that is, in accordance with the decision of the majority. That is the advice of our Party. The local peasants are to have the immediate use of these lands, which are to become the property of the people as a whole. Ownership will be finally decided by the Constituent Assembly (or the All-Russia Council of Soviets, should the people choose to make it the Constituent Assembly). What has the uneven distribution of lands in the various regions got to do with this? Obviously, nothing whatever. Pending the convocation of the Constituent Assembly this uneven distribution will remain under all plans, be it the landowners plan, S. Maslovs plan or our own plan. S. Maslov is simply drawing the attention of the peasants away from the matter in hand. He has screened the real issue behind empty words that have no bearing upon the matter. And the real issue is that of the landed estates. The land owners are for keeping them. We are for handing them over immediately to the peasants without compensation, free of charge. Maslov is for shelving the question by means of conciliation chambers. That is bad. Stalling tactics are bad. The landowners must submit at once to the will of the peasant majority without attempts at conciliation between this peasant majority and the landowner minority. This conciliation is an unlawful, unjust, undemocratic privilege for the landowners. Maslovs second argument is this: The peasants are for seizing the land in the hope that if they manage to raise a crop on it they will be able to keep it. But this can be done only by such peasant households as have the necessary number of work hands and horses. Horseless families or families that have given most of their labour-power to the army will not be able to get land by this seizure method. Obviously, those who will gain by this method are those who are the stronger, or even those who are more land-prosperous, and not those who arc most in need of land. This argument, too, is a downright falsehood. Again S. Maslov tries to draw the attention of the peasants away from the real issuethat of the landed estates. If the peasants were to take the landed estates not by seizure (i.e., free of charge, as we propose), but on lease, that is, paying rent for the land (as the landowners and S. Maslov propose)would anything be altered? Are not horses and work hands needed to till the land rented from the landowners? Can families that have given their working members to the army lease land on a par with large families? The difference between our Party, the Bolsheviks, and Maslov on this point is that he proposes the land should be taken from the landowners for payment after a conciliation agreement has been arrived at, whereas we propose taking it immediately and free of charge. The question of rich people among the peasants has nothing to do with it. What is more, to take the land free of charge is more in the interests of the poor. To pay rent is easier for the rich. What measures are possible and necessary to prevent the rich peasant from wronging the poor one? 1. Majority decision (there are more poor than rich). This is what we propose; 2. A special organisation of poor peasants, where they can specially discuss their own special interests. This is what we propose; 3. Common cultivation of the landed estates by common draft animals and common implements under the direction of the Soviets of Agricultural Labourers Deputies. This is what we propose. These last two measuresthe most importantare just the ones the Party of the Socialist-Revolutionaries does not support. Its a great pity. The third argument is this: At the beginning, during the early days of the revolution, when rumours were current among the soldiers that back there, at home, a division of the land was taking place, many of them were eager to go home for fear of being done out of their share. Cases of desertion became more frequent. This argument concerns the immediate division of the land as private property. No one has proposed any such thing. S. Maslov is wide of the mark again. The fourth argument: Finally, land seizures simply threaten to reduce the crops. There have been cases when the peasants, after seizing the landed estates, have done the sowing poorly , using insufficient seeds or leaving their own land uncultivated. Now that the country is so badly in need of food such a situation is absolutely intolerable. This is such a flimsy argument that people can only laugh at it. We are asked to believe that if the land taken from the landowners is paid for it will be cultivated better! You ought to be ashamed of yourself to use such arguments, Citizen Maslov! If the peasants sow the fields poorly, they should be helpedand this particularly applies to the poor peasantsby means of collective cultivation of the large estates. There is no other way of helping the poor peasants. And this, unfortunately, is just the remedy which S. Maslov does not propose. In all justice it should be said that S. Maslov apparently realises the flimsiness of his arguments, for be hastens to add: After what I have said I feel that some of you are ready to protest, saying, how can we be told to leave things as they were when we have suffered so much from this big landownership. I do not claim to propose anything. Precisely! From what Maslov said it could be inferred that he wished to leave things as they were (although he does not want that). There is something wrong with his arguments then. It is for the peasants to decide. It Is for parties to propose. Our Party proposes what I have stated above. These proposals have been clearly elaborated in our resolutions,[1] for which see Supplement to No. 13 of Soldatskaya Pravda, price 5 kopeks. N. Lenin Source: Marxist Internet Archive "City Hall is green tonight," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh wrote on Twitter several hours after the world learned America would no longer participate in the Paris climate accord. "Boston stands with the environment. We must protect our future. #ParisAccord" Green light illuminated the building late Thursday to signal the message of the mayor, who also serves as one of 87 members in Climate Mayors and as vice chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. Walsh said in a statement that Boston will try to accelerate its efforts to become carbon-neutral by 2050. "Withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement isn't just a setback, it's irresponsible," Walsh said. "Boston will not standby given what's at stake." President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 international pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions came as a blow to both democrats and republicans who support environmental protections. Trump said the deal was unfair to American businesses and taxpayers, and that a renegotiation was possible "if we can make a deal that's fair." Mayor Walsh joined other mayors who disapproved of the withdrawal on Thursday, following the lead of former President Barack Obama. "Even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I'm confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we've got," Obama said in a statement. Boston was not the only city to cast a green glow onto one of its local government landmarks. Buildings in New York City, Washington D.C., Mexico City, Montreal and Paris shared the same pro-environmentalist message. City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement. pic.twitter.com/BV0IIZYPpA Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 2, 2017 .@realDonaldTrump's hometown trolling hard! Both 1 World Trade Center and the Kosciuszko Bridge were lit green to... https://t.co/eAqueUFOlQ pic.twitter.com/f3WQYBuEEE Perez (@ThePerezHilton) June 2, 2017 Gov. Cuomo: "Climate change is real and won't be wished away by denial." Our gate is green for Paris Climate Accord, new NY, CA, WA effort. pic.twitter.com/tznubxL7qx New York State Fair (@NYSFair) June 2, 2017 Boston police on Wednesday arrested three juveniles, including an 11-year-old, after a series of knifepoint robberies near Columbia Road and Ceylon Street, reports . All three suspects, residents of Dorchester, face charges of delinquency by reason of armed robbery with a knife. The other two suspects are 13 and 16 years old. "An 11-year-old -- it's sad," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans told The Globe. "We're disturbed when we see kids this young committing crimes, but hopefully this is a wake-up call for the kids, their families, the community, and for us as a police department." The youths were arraigned in Boston Juvenile Court on Thursday. UPDATE, June 2, 2017, 7:30 p.m.: Dariel Grullon and Dario Grullon were held on $100,000 and $250,000 bail, respectively, following their arraignments in Springfield District Court. Read the story >> SPRINGFIELD -- A major drug bust in the heart of downtown Springfield netted more than 18,000 bags of heroin, cocaine, marijuana and just over $10,000 in cash, according to city police. Sgt. John Delaney, spokesman for the department, announced on Facebook that on Thursday evening, a team of detectives led by Lt. Alberto Ayala and detectives Daniel Huard and Jose Robles, concluded a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking out of apartment 1608 at 70 Harrison Ave., a building also known as Chestnut Park Tower. Related Companies, a New York City real estate company, recently took over management of the Chestnut Towers housing and retail complex overlooking the city's downtown. According to Delaney, the execution of a search warrant in that apartment netted: 18,147 bags of heroin with various stamps, including "Donald Trump," "Addicted," and "Flat line" 809 grams of raw heroin which could produce another 40,000 bags of heroin cut for distribution 138 grams of cocaine 13.7 ounces of marijuana $10,280 cash Packaging materials and equipment A 9mm firearm and ammo The two men arrested, who Delaney said are brothers, were Dariel Grullon, 33, and Dario Grullon, 35. They are facing a long list of charges including trafficking heroin and cocaine, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a large-capacity firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and defacing a firearm's serial number. Both Grullon brothers were expected to be arraigned in Springfield District Court on Friday. "Great arrest by the investigating officers by getting this large quantity of heroin and cocaine off the streets tonight and getting two major dealers behind bars," Delaney said in the press release. "This arrest will make a significant dent in this heroin trafficking ring." AMHERST -- Hampshire College has issued a letter in support of graduation speaker Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor after she reportedly received death threats in the wake of her address and has canceled events fearing for her safety. Taylor, assistant professor of African American studies at Princeton University, said in her May 20 speech that President Donald J. Trump is "a racist, sexist, megalomaniac. A subsequent FOX News segment dubbed the address an "anti-POTUS tirade." "My speech at Hampshire was applauded but Fox News did not like it," Taylor wrote in a message posted to the Haymarket Books Facebook page. She said her speech was meant as a warning to graduates "about the world they are graduating into." Shortly after the FOX segment aired, she wrote, her professional email account was "inundated with vile and violent statements," including racial and sexist epithets. "I have been threatened with lynching and having the bullet from a .44 Magnum put in my head," she wrote. A statement posted to the Hampshire College Facebook page Thursday, signed by President Jonathan Lash and Board of Trustees Chairwoman Gaye Hill, read: "We are dismayed that Professor Taylor is being attacked and threatened as a result of her speech at Hampshire. The assault to which she is now being subjected only serves to reinforce how very important her message is, especially in these times. Professor Taylor has our heartfelt support and thanks." In her message, Taylor argued that FOX did not run its story because her speech was newsworthy. Rather, she wrote, the intent was "to incite and unleash the mob-like mentality of its fringe audience, anticipating that they would respond with a deluge of hate-filled emails -- or worse." During her speech she outlined several criticisms of President Trump, culminating in a passage in which she said: "This list could continue, but suffice to say that Donald Trump has fulfilled the campaign promises of a campaign organized and built upon racism, corporatism and militarism." Responding to the threats against Taylor, Lash and Hill wrote, "[W]e condemn the actions of those who are inciting violence by willfully taking information out of context and fanning the flames of prejudice and hate." In a separate letter of support, members of the Hampshire College community wrote "to express our deep regret, alarm, and outrage at news of the hate speech and death threats" targeting Taylor. "These threats are explicitly designed to terrorize and to silence those posing critical questions about the world we live in," the letter reads. "In this particular context, they are also a violation of Professor Taylor's rights to intellectual freedom and free speech, and the rights of our entire community to the same." SPRINGFIELD -- A drug dealer who fatally stabbed one of his customers on High Street after calling the man a "snitch" pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter. Hampden Superior Court Judge Tina S. Page sentenced John Sanchez Jr. to 12 to 15 years in state prison for the February 2015 slaying of Alexis Perez-Melendez. Perez-Melendez, 38, was a drug addict and Sanchez, 39, supplied him with drugs, a prosecutor said Friday. At about 9 p.m. on Feb. 23, 2015, Sanchez walked up to Perez-Melendez outside 56 High St. in Springfield and stabbed him in the front of his thigh. "He bled, essentially, to death," Assistant District Attorney Henry L. Rigali told the judge. While Sanchez had been charged with murder in the case, Page accepted the joint recommendation by Rigali and defense lawyer David Rountree that the defendant plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Both the prosecution and the defense had agreed to the sentence Page handed down. Sanchez also pleaded guilty to intimidation of a witness for threatening two men who were with the victim. For the intimidation charge Sanchez, of 27 High St., was sentenced to three years probation after the jail term. He has credit on his sentence for 827 days spent in jail awaiting trial. The two men with Perez-Melendez provided a description of the suspect, and police matched that description with a store's surveillance footage to identify Sanchez. Rigali also said Sanchez saw Perez-Melendez, with whom he had been friendly, as a potential witness against him for drug dealing. Rigali said he was prepared to go to trial, cited the challenge of convincing jurors that Sanchez intended to kill Perez-Melendez with a single stab to the thigh. Rountree said Perez-Melendez was treated at the scene by emergency personnel for 40 minutes when a hospital where he could have gotten a blood transfusion was minutes away. "That's an exceptionally long time to treat someone at the scene," Rountree said, adding that he had hired a pathologist who said the stab wound would not have been fatal if Perez-Melendez had received proper medical treatment. "This didn't have to happen." Rountree said Sanchez surrendered himself at the courthouse to be arrested. He also noted that Perez-Melendez had five children and Sanchez has six children -- for a total of 11 children affected by the stabbing. Page said the tragedy was an example of where drugs can lead dealers and addicts. Perez-Melendez's wife and two of his daughters, ages 15 and 13, were in the courtroom, and Rigali read statements from them describing their loss. A group of Sanchez's family members, including his mother, were in the courtroom. As conditions of probation Sanchez must remain drug free and have random testing, stay away from witnesses and the victim's family, and complete a mental health evaluation and as well as any recommended treatment. A state court has voided a Revenue Department rule that said students attending private, religious schools in Montana cant benefit from a new state education tax credit. But the states top revenue official told MTN News Thursday the state will appeal the ruling to the Montana Supreme Court. State Revenue Director Mike Kadas said the agency believes the tax credit is an "indirect payment" and that the state constitution forbids any such payment to sectarian, or religious, organizations. By Mike Dennison MTN News Full Story: http://www.kpax.com/story/35569861/state-will-appeal-education-tax-credit-ruling-to-mt-supreme-court When most people hear the word innovation, they think about Uber, Airbnb and Amazon disruptive companies that upended entire industries with a radical new way to do business. But Wharton operations, information and decisions practice professor David Robertson argues that this view is too narrow a definition of innovation, and one that is not useful to most companies. In his book, The Power of Little Ideas: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Approach to Innovation, Robertson talks about a more practical way companies can innovate: by focusing on complementary actions around a key product. He teaches innovation and product development at Wharton and is the host of Innovation Navigation, a Wharton Business Radio program. Robertson recently spoke to [email protected] about his book. An edited transcript of the conversation follows. Repeated exposure to a common anesthesia drug early in life results in visual recognition memory impairment, which emerges after the first year of life and may persist long-term, according to a study from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published in The British Journal of Anaesthesia. Each year, approximately a million children under the age of four undergo surgery with general anesthesia, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Experimental studies in animals have shown that exposure to general anesthesia in infancy can cause loss of cells in the central nervous system and long-term impairments in neurocognitive function. Some human epidemiological studies have shown that children who undergo more than one operation under general anesthesia before they are four years old are at a greater risk of learning disability and other cognitive impairments. The Mount Sinai study is among the first to address the question of whether repeated postnatal anesthesia exposure, in and of itself, results in memory impairment in a highly translationally relevant rhesus monkey model. Rhesus monkeys at birth are at a stage of neurodevelopment that is more similar to that of human infants than are neonatal rodents; with respect to brain growth, a six-week-old rhesus monkey corresponds to a human 6 to 12 months of age. Because these kinds of controlled studies cannot be carried out in humans, it is essential to use a comparable animal model to discover if anesthesia is affecting the brain. Unlike previous research, the study was conducted in the absence of a surgical procedure, co-morbidities that may necessitate surgical intervention, or the psychological stress associated with illness. "The major strength of this study is its ability to separate anesthesia exposure from surgical procedures, which is a potential complication in the studies conducted in children," says Mark Baxter, PhD, professor in the Departments of Neuroscience and Anesthesiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Our results confirm that multiple anesthesia exposures alone result in memory impairment in a highly translational animal model. Interestingly, the anesthesia-exposed group had normal visual memory at six months of age. Visual memory impairment didn't emerge until the second year of life, corresponding roughly to the age of three to six years old in humans." Specifically, the study team exposed 10 non-human primate subjects to a common pediatric anesthetic called sevoflurane for four hours, the length of time required for a significant surgical procedure in humans. They were exposed to the anesthetic at postnatal day 7 and then again two and four weeks later, because human data indicate that repeated anesthesia results in a greater risk of cognitive disability relative to a single anesthetic exposure. Researchers evaluated the visual recognition memory of exposed subjects compared with that of healthy controls at 6-10 months of age, 12-18 months of age and again at 24-30 months of age using the visual paired comparison test, which measures memory by assessing preference for looking at a new image over a previously viewed one. They found the anesthesia-exposed infants displayed no memory impairment when tested at 6-10 months, but demonstrated significant memory impairment (reduced time looking at the novel image) after the first year of life compared with the control group. "Our findings are consistent with epidemiological studies that show increased risk of long-term cognitive impairments after repeated exposure to anesthesia in infancy and early childhood, but perhaps most interestingly, we found that these deficits may emerge at later developmental stages, even when memory performance is unaffected earlier in development," says Dr. Baxter. "Our goal is to continue this work to test possible interventions that can prevent long-term cognitive impairments after early anesthesia exposure." These findings are part of a larger longitudinal study, and researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Yerkes National Primate Research Center will continue to follow these study subjects behaviorally to fully characterize the length of time that cognitive and emotional changes persist and whether they resolve over time. In December 2016, the FDA placed a warning on common anesthetic/sedative drugs, including sevoflurane, for children under three years of age receiving prolonged (more than three hours) or repeated anesthesia, saying that this may cause a risk of cognitive impairment. This primate model may be used be researchers for future studies to develop a new anesthetic agent or prophylactic treatment to counteract the impact of anesthesia on behavior in children. The findings also suggest that additional work is required to identify the mechanisms by which anesthetics may cause long-term changes in central nervous system function that impact behavior. Article: Visual recognition memory is impaired in rhesus monkeys repeatedly exposed to sevoflurane in infancy, M. C. Alvarado, K. L. Murphy, M. G. Baxter, The British Journal of Anaesthesia, doi: 10.1093/bja/aew473, published 31 May 2017. For the past six years, Syria has been left hanging and secluded from the rest of the world, with a tag of war-torn country pasted on it. The residing families and children are constantly under the fear of being the prime targets of deadly terror attacks. Whether they will live to narrate their ordeal the next day is a doubt that harbors in everyones minds especially the young children, who have seen nothing but wars till now. What once was a beautiful and picturesque location has now turned into a place that reeks of wreckage, devastation, loss and blood. However, while on one hand some extremist groups are trying to wreck havoc in the country, one good samaritan has turned into their messiah, and is trying to provide every possible help thats within his jurisdiction. Facebook Abdullateef Khaled is an aid worker who set out on a mission to put a smile on the faces of Syrian children. Right from teaching those young kids, providing them with medical aid to distributing free food ; Khaled and his team have left no stone unturned in offering help. Khaled is also the founder of One Solid Ummah, a non-profit organization that has been actively doing humanitarian work in Syria since 2012. One look at Khaleds Facebook page and you will know how he is working towards his goal. Here is one such heartwarming video where Khaled distributes Iftar meals to children and in the process gets to witness one of the most beautiful moments the smiling faces of those kids. We need more people like Khaled to keep pushing humanity, which has been slowly slipping out from the hands of the world. Syrian children and families have already experienced the death of their loved ones, many have been subjected to the brutal wrath of terrorism, and millions of people have displaced from their homes. Its time that we join forces with humanity to provide help to them in every way possible. Although Khaleds efforts might appear small, even the smallest gesture is a huge help. Looking at amazing vacation pictures your friends post while youre stuck at work sucks. To this, a village in Switzerland said we feel you, bro and has completely banned everyone from clicking pictures there, as they can cause envy and extreme unhappiness for people who see them on social media. Lawmakers in Bergun/Bravuogn thought that the place is so beautiful that the pictures might cause crippling FOMO. It is scientifically proven [that] beautiful vacation photos on social media make the viewers unhappy, because they themselves cannot be on the spot, the tourist office said in statement. Obviously, they recommend just visiting the village to overcome this FOMO. They kind of have a point though. I mean, just look at this place! A post shared by Eva G. (@eva_._._._._) on May 2, 2017 at 11:59am PDT A post shared by Johanna Willi (@henna_johnson) on May 28, 2017 at 12:43pm PDT A post shared by A nomad family with roots. (@lucylux72) on May 26, 2017 at 5:22am PDT From today on, a community-wide photographing ban comes into effect in Bergun. the resort announced the ban in a statement on its website. A law has been passed that threatens a fine of about $5 for anyone who takes a photo in Bergun/Bravuogn. Of course, this is all a big marketing ploy to increase tourism, since his town will be on everyones radar whenever they go to Switzerland. Hotel Piz Ela And, seems like it kind of is working. At least we have a newfound fascination with this beautiful village. Also, at least theyre owning up to it. In the background of course the idea is that everyone talks about Bergun. So its a combination of both we made the law and also theres some marketing [aim] behind it, Marc-Andrea Barandun, the Bergun/Bravuogn director of tourism, told the Local. LANSING Hes a master at what he does, literally, and was recently recognized with an award from the state to prove it. Meet Don Schadd, the man with the plan when it comes to industrial/technology education at Bad Axe High School. Born and raised in Huron County, Schadd will be entering his 20th year with the district this fall. He was named this years Harold J. Van Westrienen Master Teacher and recently honored at a state convention banquet in Lansing. The award is presented each year to the best industrial/technology teacher in the state. It takes a while for me to soak stuff in, Schadd said, recalling the moment when he heard he won. Its one of those things where I said to myself, Im not sure if I deserve this? Im just doing my job, thats all, he added. To be considered for the award, the recipient must have taught industrial/technology education in Michigan for at least 10 years, been an active member of the Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society (MITES), and be nominated by a fellow educator. Schadd is the Regional Area Officer for Region 11 for MITES as well as a Regional Area Chairperson meaning he manages all regions in the state. Im one of the people who help promote the program, he said about his position with the organization. Schadd teaches shop and technology-related classes at Bad Axe from eighth through 12th grades. His hard work shows through his students and their accomplishments. Recently, 25 of his 32 students ranked at a state competition. The skills and knowledge hes acquired over the years goes back to a major influence from a family member close to him. I give a lot of credit to my dad (Earl Schadd), he said. He was very mechanically inclined and I inherited that from him. He was the person who influenced me the most in my life. The Master Teacher Award wasnt the first time Schadds talents have been recognized by MITES, and it probably wont be the last time either. In 2012, the Bad Axe shop program received an outstanding quality rating by the organization, Schadd said. Two years later, he found himself receiving the Paul M. Schilling award, which is given to an individual who makes significant contributions to promote goals and objectives of industrial/technology education within their community. With so many things on his plate, Schadd can be on the busy side at times. However, solid management skills are what has guided Schadd to his success. Classroom management is key and thats how I work best with my students, he explained. Each student is different and they all learn at different speeds. The award is great, but I have to give the credit to the kids, Schadd said. If anything, its all about the kids and their (state) rankings. Theyre a good bunch of kids and I do it for them. 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... U.S. Army weapons officials have launched a survey to see what gunmakers can offer for an off-the-shelf 7.62mm Interim Combat Service Rifle. The May 31 request for information, known in acquisition parlance as an RFI, on behalf of Product Manager Individual Weapons, is an attempt to "identify sources for a combat rifle system" and determine the potential cost and lead time to deliver up to 10,000 weapon systems, according to the document. The request comes in the wake of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told lawmakers Congress last week that the M4 Carbine's current 5.56mm round can't penetrate modern enemy body armor plates and that he's considering arming infantry units with rifles chambered for a more potent 7.62mm cartridge. "The rifle must be a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) system readily available for purchase today. Modified or customized systems are not being considered," according to the document, which specifies that the caliber must be 7.62x51mm. Related content: Milley told Senate Armed Services Committee members May 25 that Army officials at the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning in Georgia, have developed a new 7.62mm round capable of penetrating enemy body armor plates similar to U.S. military-issue rifle plates such as the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert, or ESAPI. Milley told lawmakers the Army might not require a new rifle since weapons can be chambered for various calibers. The M4, however, would require a new barrel, bolt carrier group, and buffer system in addition to a new lower receiver to shoot 7.62mm ammo, experts maintain. Milley also told lawmakers that not every soldier will need a 7.62mm rifle -- that they could be issued to those infantry units most likely to deploy on contingency operations and engage in close combat. The Army would want an Interim Combat Service Rifle to have either 16-inch or 20-inch barrels, a collapsible buttstock, an extended forward rail, and a detachable magazine of at least 20 rounds, the RFI states. The rifle should weigh less than 12 pounds unloaded and without an optic. Interested companies have until 3 p.m. June 6 to submit their responses to the RFI. "The information provided may be used by the Army in developing its Acquisition Strategy, Performance Work Statement and Performance Specification," according the document. "This Request For Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any services or hardware." In June 2013, the Army ended a five-year effort to replace the M4 with an Improved Carbine. Instead, the service decided to replace the standard M4 with the M4A1, as a result of its M4 Product Improvement Program. The M4A1 is the special operations version of the weapon that's been in use for more than a decade. It features a heavier barrel and a full-auto trigger. The Army's decision to dump the current three-round burst trigger will give shooters a more consistent trigger pull and lead to better accuracy, weapons officials maintain. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. #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... Prakash Gaba of prakashgaba.com told CNBC-TV18, "I like two stocks and would look at Jindal Steel & Power. That certainly is looking good to me with good base formation here. The level of Rs 120 is a strong support zone to work with. Give some time and space, it is likely to go to around Rs 127-130 zones. So Jindal Steel is a buy." "I also like Tata Motors . It is holding on. The stock has seen a good base formation, it has seen a good upmove today and is holding out. I think Tata Motors in a day or two can climb to levels closer to Rs 495 zones, keep stop loss below Rs 478," he added. LIVE | Twitter, Meta & Big Tech Layoffs: What can you do if you've been fired? | Experts Talk business Hyderabad Metro remains a long-term game; looking at a strategy for it: L&T Demonetisation impacted growth in the real estate segment as well as the switchgear segment because of which the company had to slowdown the pace of the construction (in real estate segment) to maintain working capital, SN Subrahmanyan, MD & CEO of L&T told CNBC-TV18. Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari hit out at the Narendra Modi-led NDA government saying the country's economy was currently going through the worst phase in decades and was on the "verge of anarchy". "Looking at the GDP figures released yesterday, it is now very much clear that the Indian economy has collapsed completely under the NDA's three-year rule, as the growth rate has remained at just 6.1 per cent in the quarter ending March. It shows that the economy was hit badly by the decision of demonetisation," Tewari said in a press conference here. Citing the GDP growth figures released yesterday, Tewari said the performance of Indian economy has been the worst in the past 37 years. "Even these figures are jugglery, as the Modi government has changed the base year for GDP calculation from 2004-05 to 2011-12. If you take into account 2004-05 as the base year, GDP growth would come down to just 4.1 per cent. This is the worst ever performance in the last 37 years," Tewari said. "The economy is on the verge of anarchy. Non performing assets are touching new heights. The Centre has no clear policy to recover the NPAs of over Rs 12 lakh crore from defaulters. The economy is down because of the note-ban, inspector-raj and economic mismanagement," the former Union minister said. The Congress leader also hit out at the Centre on the issue of internal security and foreign policy. "Internal security is crippled under the BJP rule. The situation in Kashmir is more dangerous now than it was in 1979. Naxal activities are also spreading fast. However, even after three years, the BJP government has failed to formulate or execute any concrete policy to tackle it," he said. Commenting on the foreign policy, he said India has lost its grip as the country's old friends like Russia are now getting cozy with Pakistan. "When India raised its voice against China's plans to access PoK under the 'One Belt One Road' initiative, no country except Bhutan supported us. Even our old friend Russia has started conducting joint military exercise with Pakistan. This is the state of our foreign policy today," he said. When asked about Congress' strategy to tackle BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Tewari said the upcoming presidential polls would help the party form a broad vision for the general elections. "The process of formulating a strategy for the 2019 polls would begin during the presidential polls. This election for choosing the country's next president would help us in articulating our vision for 2019," Tewari said. Employees row a boat as they examine solar panel boards at a pond in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China, in this March 16, 2016 file photo. Global funds are cautiously venturing back into Chinese equities after prices collapsed to 4-1/2-year lows in February, taking advantage of cheaper valuations to buy stocks they believe will benefit from China's shift to a consumption-led economy. REUTERS/Stringer/Files ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA - RTSCXID The State Bank of India (SBI) today announced financing of rooftop solar projects worth Rs. 400 crore with private developers. This would add at least 100 MW of rooftop solar capacity to the grid, and is a significant step towards meeting the governments target for 40 GW of rooftop solar installations. SBI has availed loan of USD 625 million from the World Bank for on-lending to viable Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar PV (GRPV) projects undertaken by photo-voltaic (PV) developers, ggregators and end-users, for installation of rooftop solar systems on the rooftops of commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. Implementation of the programme by SBI will support the installation of more than 600 MW of rooftop solar capacity, a World Bank statement said. With the World Bank funded capacity development programme, SBI is making efforts to expand and incentivize the market for rooftop solar power by way of low cost financing, the statement said. Financing is being provided to those with sound technical capacity, relevant experience, and creditworthiness, meeting SBI standards, the statement said. Developers that the SBI will be financing under this programme include Azure Power, Amplus, and Cleanmax among others. The capacity of the projects and programs financed range from 25kWp to 16MW. As the largest Bank in India, SBI is committed to finance renewable energy projects to support the Government of India in realising its renewable energy targets. With the World Bank loan, SBI aims at developing the nascent rooftop solar market. As a tropical country, India has a huge potential to be the leader in the rooftop solar space, said Karnam Sekar, Deputy Managing Director, SBI. In order to accelerate demand for rooftop solar systems in the market, SBI has developed financing models that will provide loans at a very competitive pricing with long tenor. Several capacity building measures and awareness programs are being undertaken to sensitize operating functionaries. So far, SBI has sanctioned GRPV projects with aggregate capacity of 100 MW, and proposals are in the pipeline with aggregate capacity of around 125 MW. Going forward, off-take of loan would accelerate as awareness builds up in the market for grid-connected solar rooftop, he added. Aided by government policy and declining costs, rooftop solar has the potential to transform the energy sector. Through this project and others like it, tens of millions of electricity customers will eventually be able to generate part of their own electricity needs from one of the cleanest sources of energy available, said Riccardo Puliti, Senior Director, World Bank. India is one of the lowest per capita consumers of electricity in the world. Over 200 million people remain unconnected to the electricity grid, and those who are, continue to face frequent disruptions. Power shortages also affect industrial output with many industries and manufacturers relying on expensive and polluting diesel-based back-up power supplies. Despite energy shortages, and the high cost of backup supply, rooftop solar PV systems have not yet become widespread in India. This is primarily due to the lack of adequate financing, unfamiliar technology and low consumer awareness. Until now, those that wanted to install rooftop solar PV systems had to pay the full cost up-front. The total capacity of rooftop solar, therefore, remains low. Signalling a cautious stance on the market due to stretched valuations, Avendus Capital Alternate Strategies said that the Street was not factoring in many negative news flows. The bullish run is continuing to baffle us and we just cannot fight the momentum, Andrew Holland, CEO, Avendus Capital Alternate Strategies, told CNBC-TV18 in an interview. Holland highlighted US President Donald Trumps actions on Paris climate deal and travel ban. Whether that brings protectionist fears back needs to be seen, he said. Back home, we have GSTcompanies are destocking, he told the channel. Many sectors such as pharmaceuticals, among others, on the indices are under pressure. We are ignoring them due to liquidity, he added. Liquidity issue, too, is pushing up global indices, he said. But the market breadth doesn't exist. Few stocks are pushing up the Dow. That is also happening here (in India), he told the channel. Elaborating on the sectors, Holland believes it is best to stay away from pharmaceuticals. The sector is entering a phase that IT did a few years ago. The story of growth is over, he said, adding that it could see a de-rating as well. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) could be the new growth area, he said and remains bullish on the sector. Meanwhile, private banks will also continue to gain market share from public sector banks, he observed. He is extremely bullish on housing finance companies based on the benefits of governments affordable housing push. On a day when the market hit record high points, experts like Andrew Holland and UR Bhat have been sounding caution on the market. Bhat, Director at Dalton Capital Advisors said that the current rally is not supported by fundamentals. Currently, liquidty was boosting the market, but in the long term, fundamentals and earnings will have to improve to justify the high valuations, he added. In fact, going forward, there could be disruptions both domestic and global that could have an impact on the economy and markets. Bhat highlighted that small businesses would be hit on the back of goods and services tax (GST) roll out. There would be disruption in terms of supply to big businessesthis could impact GDP for a few quarters, he told CNBC-TV18. Internationally too, situation in North Korea, policies from US President Donald Trump, steep rate hike by the US Fed could have a negative impact. Speaking on FMCG sector and its rally on the indices, Bhat said that companies need to show better earnings growth. The market feels that the growth numbers should be much dramatic, he added. Watch the video for the complete interview. Debt is an important aspect of a balance sheet especially for capital intensive companies but too much of debt without adequate cash flow will start to hurt margins. A lot of companies with excessive debt on the books are struggling to keep up with repayments. A scenario which was brought to light by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last week when the central bank released a list of top 50 stressed accounts which need immediate attention. However, companies which have been instrumental in bringing down their debt exposure got rewarded handsomely by the market. Almost 100 companies which have reduced their debt more than doubled investors wealth in the last one year, Capitaline data showed. Prominent companies which have reduced debt burden include names like Indiabulls Ventures, Jindal Stainless, Phillip Carbon, Lumax Industries, Venkys, Prime Securities, GTL Infra, Future Lifestyle, Shakti Pumps, Vardhman, National Fertilisers, Dalmia Bharat etc. among others. Additionally, more than 700 companies on the BSE saw debt reduction on the books of accounts which also got rewarded by markets handsomely. Yes, paying off debt obligation didnt go unnoticed by the Street. The sentiment of the market towards companies capacity to service or to reduce their debt from balance sheet has given positive traction in stock returns within a span of time, Dinesh Rohira, Founder & CEO, 5nance.com told Moneycontrol. Indiabulls Venture, for instance, saw a 28 percent reduction in debt obligation from 2016 to 2017 while the stock generated 3 digit returns during the same period. A timely servicing of a debt obligation reduces the cost of interest associated with borrowing and it also increases the profitability margin with lower interest expense, he said. Interest coverage ratio or ICR is calculated to ascertain the capacity of the company to service debt or pay interest on outstanding debt. It is calculated by dividing the Earning Before Interest & Tax (EBIT) by Interest expenses. Reduction of debt is important but it will not be right to take an investment call just based on one indicator. This is just one indicator which investors should use to determine the relative attractiveness of the stock but to become a strong play in the market, a fundamental soundness should be taken into consideration. Investors should give equal important to sector outlook, business efficiency and managements ability to turn around the business when faced with the toughest working environment. Mounting concerns over loan default by various companies coupled with broadening size of non-performing asset (NPA) in the banking sector have brought the financial health at edge eruption, suggest experts. We cannot paint all the mentioned companies with the same colour. However, in a general sense, certainly, reduction of debt is a strong signal to the market implying prudent fiscal/balance sheet discipline, Pankaj Pandey, Head of Research, ICICI Direct told Moneycontrol. It is more rewarding for the shareholders if the reduction in debt is driven by operational efficiencies amid healthy cash flow generation from operations. Some companies in the aforesaid list have certainly become a strong play in the market, the case, in particular, is a leading tyre chemical manufacture, he said. What should investors do? Regular repayment of debt is an indication of healthy cash flow and it also improves chances for rerating. However, only debt repayment is not sufficient, business outlook, product portfolio and management integrity are important as well, suggest experts. Most of the given companies are trading at very high valuation and we believe that most of the positives are priced in. We need to look at next couple of quarter results to see the consistency, before considering it as BUY, Tushar Pendharkar, Head of Research, Right Horizons Investment Advisory Services told Moneycontrol. Companies operating in Autos, Infra and Discretionary segment would get the maximum benefit because the outlook for these sectors is strong, he said. Pandey of ICICI Direct said that investment in a stock warrants a detailed study and should always be company specific rather than debt reduction being a universal buying signal. "Only if the business prospects are brighter for such stocks one should use this opportunity to continue holding the stock or initiate a fresh Buy," he said. The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts 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. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More IIFL Private Wealth Action post the strong 25th and 26th May rally has been lacklustre (Yet again in Thursdays trade, Nifty formed a narrow trading range of just 45 points, unable to build on previous weeks swashbuckling move). In Wednesdays trade, it hit a new high of 9,650 but thereafter lacked the momentum to sustain at the top. On the downside, 180 degrees from the recent low of 9342 is placed around 9530. The same also coincides with the earlier peak (seen on 17th May 2017), acting as immediate support. The Nifty midcap 100 index is back in focus as it rallied 0.6% in Thursdays trade. Post a consolidation at the bottom, around the support of four-digit gann number 1702(0), the midcap index has staged a breakout which indicates more upside in the near term for the broader markets. As the index hovers around the multiple supply points between 9600-9640, sector rotation is likely to continue. Traders are advised to use intraday dips around the support levels as a buying opportunity. With Nifty unable to register a close above the resistance of 9640, chasing the momentum at the top wont be the ideal approach. Here is a list of top five stocks which can give up to 12% percent return in short term: DCB Bank: BUY| Target Rs 225| Stop Loss 194| Return 12% DCB Bank has been consolidating at the top after a strong rally from January to May 2017. From last one month, it has been moving sideways between Rs183 and Rs200. However, in recent phase of consolidation, the stock continues to find support around its 35-DMA. On several occasions, it found support at the above mentioned critical moving average. In fact, the same is acting as a strong support since January 2017. Moreover, it continues to trade above the three-digit gann number of 169, implying strength in the recent sideways phase. Since it is an up trending stock, traders should always use any phase of consolidation and also breakout from the same to build a long position. A confirmation of a move above Rs202 would result in an upside breakout and the stock could attempt Rs225 in the medium term. Based on above rationales, we recommend a buy on DCB Bank above Rs202 with a stop loss of Rs194 and a target of Rs225. Karnataka Bank: BUY| Target Rs196| Stop Loss 172| Return 10% After failing to build on the momentum seen during the start of the previous month, it finally staged a breakout on the upside on Thursday. It is showing the trait of a stock which is in a strong uptrend since November 2016. In the month of May, it went through a phase of correction after it failed to sustain above gann number of 169 and declined towards Rs154. It took support at its 35-DMA and staged a pullback and in the process broke out above the previous peak of Rs176. Fresh breakout was seen in Thursdays trade, suggesting resumption of the ongoing uptrend. Up trending stocks like Karnataka Bank tend to find support at declines and also tend to recover sharply. Keeping in mind above-mentioned parameters, we recommend a buy on Karnataka Bank above Rs179 with a stop loss of Rs172 and a target of Rs196. Colgate-Palmolive: BUY| Target Rs 1130| Stop Loss 1010| Return 9% It is currently going through a phase of consolidation at the top of its rally. It is displaying characteristic of a stock which is in a strong uptrend. It is moving higher along with the support of its 13-WEMA since March 2017, wherein every pullback towards this critical moving average has resulted into buying opportunity. Since April 2017, the sideways consolidation at the top of its trend can be termed as bullish consolidation. The outcome of such sideways movement is dealt positively during an uptrend. Moreover, it continues to trade above the gann number of 961. Sustenance above the same for last one month suggests that the stock has moved into a new orbit. However, a fresh breakout from the recent sideways activity above Rs1,045 would provide the much ammunition for the stock to ascend higher. Based on above analysis, we recommend a buy on Colgate-Palmolive above Rs1,045 with a stop loss of Rs1,010 and a target of Rs1,130. Voltas: BUY| Target Rs 550| Stop Loss Rs 492| Return 8% With a breakout from a pennant pattern on the daily chart, Voltas is likely to replicate the movement it had in the last week of May 2017. It rallied sharply from low of Rs403 (support of its 35-DMA) to a high of Rs502 before going into a phase of consolidation, which led to a formation of the pennant. This pattern is normally found in an uptrend. A descending trend line extended from the peak of Rs502 has been pierced on the upside in this weeks trade, thus putting an end to the short-term downtrend. Also in the process, the stock regained ground above the midpoint of current gann channel. Thursdays move of 5 percent suggests the beginning of the previous uptrend. We expect the stock to witness follow-up buying and build on recent momentum. Buy Voltas above Rs509 with a stop loss of Rs492 and a target of Rs550. Cholamandalam Finance: BUY| Target Rs1150| Stop Loss Rs 1010| Return 10% The recent corrective phase in the counter came to an end around the start of the current gann channel. The same also coincides with the support of rising trendline which is in place since December 2016. Moreover, on the daily chart, the stock has made a bullish ABCD pattern as it took support at the 161.8% extended move of the last leg. In Thursdays session, the stock also attempted a breakout from the downward sloping trendline resistance. A move above Rs1,049 would result in an end of recent consolidation phase at the bottom of last two weeks. An early confirmation is seen with regards to breakout on the daily RSI. Price confirmation is awaited on the charts. Traders are advised to initiate buy on a move above Rs1,049 with a stop loss of Rs1,010 for a target of Rs1,150. : The author is Head of Technicals Research at IIFL Private Wealth. The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts 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. Rahul Gandhi's salvo targeting Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao over dynastic politics has ricocheted back, with TRS leader K T Rama Rao calling it "joke of the millennium". "Some of the so-called national leaders of national parties who cant even win an election in their own backyard, make tall claims elsewhere?Indian Notional (sic) Congress leadership talking of family rule has to be the joke of the millennium. Classic comedy ?," Rao, son of the chief minister, wrote on Twitter. The Congress vice president was in Sangareddy in Telangana yesterday where he attacked the chief minister, accusing him of taking care of only his own family. Without naming Rao's son K T Rama Rao, a minister in his government, daughter and Lok Sabha member K Kavitha, and nephew Harish Rao, also a minister, Gandhi had asked if students and farmers fought for the creation of Telangana for a "single family". "Has the state been created just for four people," Gandhi said, and alleged that the chief minister was not taking along with him students, youth, women and the backward classes. In New Delhi, apparently apprehensive of the possibility of questions being asked about Gandhi's remarks against dynastic politics, some Congress leaders at the party's briefing were overheard talking about the likely posers from the media. Union Minister Smriti Irani quickly latched on to it and posted on Twitter: "Comedy of errors? Dynasty ke statement par dynasty ke supporter kya bolein iss par gehen calculation" (Serious calculation over how supporters of dynasty should respond to statement on dynasty)." In a video of the Congress' press conference put out by Irani, a party leader is heard talking to its spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi about Rahul Gandhi's comments. He is also heard on microphone telling Singhvi that nobody from the Gandhi family has been in power since Rajiv Gandhi, apparently a suggestion to counter questions on Gandhi's dynasty jibe at Rao. Later, Singhvi mounted a counteroffensive against the BJP, saying the saffron party has been an ally of the Akali Dal and Shiv Sena, which pursue dynastic politics. "When you talk of errors and a miss, you obviously don't look at the detail and the BJP will answer this question. All those who ask this question, like BJP and others, like an ostrich in the sand forget to ask the question of Akalis or the Shiv Sena who are their longest allies. Dynasty is forgotten that time," he said. Singhvi said in the last 28 years, of which Congress has been in power for 16 years at the Centre, no leader from the Gandhi family has occupied any government office despite winning elections. "So let us put things in perspective. I think this (the question about dynastic politics) has lost its logic," he said. "It is an irony that a member of the Gandhi family, which is the biggest example of the dynasty politics in India, is accusing another leader of promoting dynasty," BJP's media department head Anil Baluni said. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Established in 1989, SP Apparels Ltd (SPAL) is engaged in the business of manufacturing and sale of knitted clothes for infants and children. End-to-end manufacturing processes of such items are undertaken by the companys garments division, which caters solely to the export markets. SPAL also set up a subsidiary in the UK - SP Apparels (UK) (P) Ltd, to be better connected with its clients in Europe. SPALs retail segment exclusively manufactures and sells Crocodile branded menswear garments in India through Crocodile Products Pvt Ltd (CPPL), an India-based joint venture between SPAL (70 percent share) and Crocodile International Pte Ltd (CIPL) as per a technology licence agreement. Product distribution is effected through a network of Crocodile stores and third-party e-commerce platforms. Natalia is SPALs own brand for womenswear products, the sales of which have not commenced yet. Capacity Expansion & Additional Stores Looking at the increase in orders, SPAL initiated expansion of its manufacturing and dyeing capacities. With backward integration also on the agenda to cut input costs, the companys operating income growth and gross margin profile are likely to improve. Presence of all 21 manufacturing facilities within a 125 kms radius of Tirupur, a pivotal textile hub in South India, is operationally synergistic, too. SPAL's move to launch 70 Crocodile stores in nine Indian states, apart from exploring the option of adding 10-20 franchisees by the end of FY18, aims at boosting its top-line by capitalising on the uptrend in demand for branded garments. SPALs retail segment, plagued by operational losses in the past, is expected to break even by the end of H1FY18. Strong Visibility SPAL is a preferred vendor for knitted infant/children garments by renowned UK-based retailers such as Tesco, ASDA, Primark, Mothercare, and Dunnes Stores. To expand its customer base, the companys efforts are directed towards adding 4-5 new clients in FY18 (including some outside the UK), while simultaneously sourcing more orders from the existing ones. In India, SPALs product presence spans large format stores (Star Bazaar, Mega Mart, Central, Unlimited, Reliance Market, More, Globus, Walmart) and e-commerce portals (Flipkart, Amazon, Jabong). The company has an exclusive licence to manufacture and distribute Crocodile branded menswear in India, which yield superior realisations vis-a-vis non-branded variants. Debt Repayment Majority of SPALs initial public offer (IPO) proceeds were utilised to repay long-term debt of Rs 630 crore in FY17. As the debt equity ratio reduces gradually to 0.3x over the next two years, interest coverage is likely to go up to 7.5/10x in FY18/19, respectively. A resultant impact of this would be visible in the profit after tax (PAT) margins, which are projected to cross 10 percent by the end of FY19. Benefits of GST Implementation GST will cause unorganised entities (many of which are present in the kids garments space) to lose a significant degree of the pricing edge and market share. Rising disposable incomes have led to a shift in consumers preferences towards high-quality garments, especially in tier 2/3/4 Indian cities. Global Tailwinds The market size of children-wear/infant products is estimated to grow to USD 300 billion by 2019 at a compounded annual growth rate of 5-6 percent. Germany, UK, France, and Italy are ranked high in terms of per child spending on apparel in the world. In financially adverse economic conditions, parents tend to reduce their own discretionary spends but not those of their children. Moreover, children quickly outgrow clothes, thus making periodic purchase of new apparel an absolute necessity. The rise in Chinese labour and power costs will give a competitive edge to Indian garment manufacturers. Challenges Export of infant wear/children wear garments, which constitute 90 percent of SPALs sales, are billed in USD/Pounds/Euros, thereby exposing the company to foreign exchange fluctuation and global economic/trade uncertainty risks. SPAL has a high degree of concentration risk in the UK markets that warrants mitigation by way of geographical and client diversification. Vietnamese and Bangladeshi garment players could be competitive threats for SPAL, owing to their relatively lower manufacturing costs. Chances of a Delhi High Court decree being passed in favour of Lacoste in the ongoing legal tussle between the French company and CPPL may potentially disrupt SPALs retail segment performance trajectory. Valuation At 11x FY19 projected earnings, SPALs valuations seem cheaper than most other leading Indian garment manufacturers. Any global volatility, including the one that could emanate from the upcoming UK elections, may provide an opportunity to accumulate the stock with a medium to long-term investment horizon. Maharashtra farmers spill milk on highway. Photo: Twitter NCP president Sharad Pawar today said the farmers in Maharashtra should continue their strike until all their demands are met. "Until the farmers get complete loan waiver and the government agrees to all their demands, they should ensure they stay united and continue the agitation. The government is trying to create fissures among them by leaking reports that it is considering loan waiver for small farmers," Pawar said, speaking to reporters here. However, the former Union agriculture minister also said the farmers shouldn't throw the produce on roads as a part of protest. "Instead of dumping vegetables and milk on road, farmers should distribute it to the poor in villages and thereby strengthen their agitation," Pawar said. Maharashtra NCP chief Sunil Tatkare said the BJP-led state government should concede farmers' demands immediately. "Without waiting for farmers to intensify the stir further, the government should accept all demands," he said. Opposition raised farmers' issues time and again but instead of responding, the government mocked the opposition and suspended its MLAs (for disruptions during the Budget session), he said. "The anti-farmer policies of the Centre and the state government are responsible for over 9,500 farmer suicides in three years while BJP is in power," Tatkare said. Madras High Court has upheld the appointment of Dr. Bhaskar Ramamurthi as the Director of IIT Madras. Justice M Sathyanarayanan dismissed the petition for writ of "quo warranto" filed by one Dr. E Muralidharan questioning the appointment of Ramamurthi. The judge said in his order that "In the considered opinion of this court the selection and appointment of Ramamurthi to the post of the Director of IIT, Madras has been done in accordance with the provisions of the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 and Statutes. This court is of the considered view that insofar as shortlisting of candidates is concerned more transparency should be in place." He observed of the 64 applications, five were shortlisted and as far as the requirement of the person who was appointed as Director is concerned, it appears to be subjective in all fairness and the Union Ministry of HRD should have put the candidates on notice as to how the shortlisting was done. "Therefore in future, the Ministry shall make every endeavor to put the applicants/candidates on notice in advance as to the procedure and manner in which the shortlisting is being done as it would definitely avoid favouritism and transparency, in selection and appointment," he said. Muralidharan submitted that the Union Minister for Human Resources Development in his capacity as Chairman of IIT Council took a unilateral decision and appointed Ramamurthi without the knowledge and approval of the council and the same is in clear contravention of Section 17(1) of the Institutes of Technology Act 1961. Vijay Narayanan, counsel for Ramamurthi submitted that the appointment was made on merit and it was strictly in conformity with the Statutes and in terms of Section 17(1) of the Institutes of Technology Act 1961 and his appointment also had prior approval of the visitor- The President of India and therefore cannot be faulted with. S Namonarayan, who appeared on behalf of Union HRD Ministry, submitted that proper procedure, strictly in accordance with the Act and statutes was followed while selecting the Director. "The materials placed before this court would indicate that the process of selection was initiated by publishing the vacancy in prominent dailies, including "Employment News" and was also uploaded on the websites of the Union HRD Ministry and Pan IIT, besides addressing letters to over hundred eminent and distinguished personalities in various educational, scientific and management institutions soliciting their recommendations in respect of eminent persons suitable to the post of Director of IIT", the judge said. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hand with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a photo opportunity ahead of India-Russia Annual Summit in Benaulim, in the western state of Goa, India, October 15, 2016. Photo: REUTERS India and Russia signed the much-awaited agreement on setting up of two more units of a nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu and decided to give a "new direction" to the defence cooperation between the two "great powers". The two countries also decided to hold the first tri- Services exercises, named 'Indra-2017', this year and start joint manufacturing of frigates, adding on to the co- production of Kamov-226 military helicopters. These decisions were taken at the wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin here which covered a range of issues, including terrorism and increasing trade and investment. Addressing the media jointly with Putin after the talks, Modi said the relations between India and Russia have been unwavering, based on "mutual love, respect and strong trust". "From culture to security, our relations have been at par... We speak in one language," he added. He said the two leaders had decided to speed up the bilateral cooperation in all fields, for which an 'Action Plan' has been devised. Noting that India and Russia were celebrating the 70th anniversary of their relations, Modi said there has been no impact on the ties in all these decades. Putin described the talks as substantative and said the India-Russia "partnership is developing into strategic and priveleged one." He described the talks as "constructive and fruitful which will strengthen friendship" between the two nations. A Joint Declaration issued after the talks said that "the Indian-Russian special and privileged strategic partnership is a unique relationship of mutual trust between two great powers." It said the relationship covers all areas of cooperation, including in the spheres of political relations, security, trade and economy, military and technical field, energy, scientific, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and foreign policy. The relationship helps promote national interests of both countries, and contributes to the establishment of a more peaceful and just world order, the declaration said. The two sides signed five agreements, which included one on setting up of Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu with the Russian help. Modi said the nuclear agreement, which was a major outcome of the summit meeting, will further strengthen the ties between the two countries. Putin said, "India and Russia have agreed in joint plans to erect 12 NPP units of Russian design". The other pacts included a contract for a high-speed train service between Nagpur and Secunderabad, an MoU for export of precious stones and jewellery and a programme on cultural exchanges. "We welcome the conclusion of the the General Framework Agreement and Credit protocol for Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power plant," said a 'Vision Document' issued after the talks. The reactors will be built by India's Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Russia's Atomstroyexport company, a subsidiary of Rosatom, the regulatory body of the Russian nuclear complex. Each of the two units will have a capacity to produce 1,000 MW of power. The document titled 'A vision for the 21st Century' said economies of India and Russia complement each other in the energy sector and both countries will strive to build an "energy bridge". It said the future of Indian-Russian cooperation holds great promise across a wide spectrum covering nuclear power, nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear science and technology. "We will strive to build an 'energy bridge' between our states and expand bilateral relations in all areas of energy cooperation, including nuclear, hydrocarbon, hydel and renewable energy sources and in improving energy efficiency," it said. The growing partnership in the nuclear power sector between India and Russia has opened opportunities for developing advanced nuclear manufacturing capabilities in India in line with India's "Make In India" initiative, the declaration said. India and Russia commit themselves to earnestly implement the "Programme of Action for Localisation in India" signed on December 24, 2015, and to encourage their nuclear industries to engage closely and foster concrete collaborations, it said. The current nuclear power generation capacity of all 22 nuclear power reactors is 6780 MW. In October 2015, a joint statement between Modi and Putin promised the signing of a GFA on the nuclear units by December 2016. After an inter-ministerial group cleared the project, it was sent to the Prime Minister's Office for approval. But, sources said, the Credit Protocol, or a line of credit that Russia was to provide, proved to be a hurdle. The two countries also said that there has been a "steady and demonstrable" achievements in bilateral civil nuclear partnership, including advancing nuclear power projects at the Kudankulum site and transforming it into one of India's largest energy hubs. "Cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy has emerged as one of the hallmarks of the strategic partnership between the two countries, contributing to India's energy security and energising broader scientific and technological cooperation," as per the document. Referring to the defence ties, Putin said the two countries "agreed on designing and producing state of the art weapons." Talking about terrorism, Modi said the views of the two countries are similar on the problem in whichever form it exists, whether in Afghanistan, Middle East or Asia-Pacific. "India and Russia stand together on terrorism and new challenges to the security," he said. In the joint statement, the two sides said that the "unprecedented spread" of the threat of terror "requires decisive collective response on part of the entire global community, without double standards and selectivity, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter." It added, "We urge all countries and entities to work sincerely to disrupt terrorist networks and their financing, and stop cross-border movement of terrorists." The two countries called for early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to strengthen the global counter-terrorism normative and legal framework to combat this scourge. Referring to trade, Modi said the two countries were close to achieving the target of USD 30 billion by 2025. At present, trade between the two nations stands at USD 7.8 billion, down from USD 10 billion in 2014. Russian investment in India is USD 4 billion while Indian investment in Russia is USD 8 billion, Putin noted. He said the declining trend in bilateral trade has been reversed with a 29 per cent growth in the first quarter. Modi will be addressing a large gathering of business leaders tomorrow at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where India is the guest country for the first time. The prime minister said it was a privilege for him. narendra_Modi_PM_prime_Minister_Modi As a part of his four-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commence his official visit to France on Friday. In his latest visit, PM Modi will be meeting newly appointed French President Emmanuel Macron, who became the youngest President in the history of the country. The two leaders will be exchanging views on UN Security Council Reforms, Indias Permanent membership in the UNSC, counter-terrorism, climate change, and Indias membership for multilateral export control and International Solar Alliance, as per a statement by PM Modi on social media. Several deals are expected to be signed during the visit. Heres a glimpse of Indo-France deals so far: Defence France is a major supplier of military equipment to India, and the two nations regularly conduct joint military exercises on an annual basis. After a 15-year delay, the 7.8 billion Euro (Rs 58,000 crore) Rafale fighter jet deal was executed between the two nations in 2016. Differences over the pricing of the fighter jets were a primary factor in stalling the multi-million dollar deal. The purchase was a strategic military move in Indias efforts to keep up with neighbour Pakistan and China. The two nations signed 14 MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) when former President Francois Hollande came as the Chief Guest on Republic Day, the fifth time for a French leader in Indias history. Nuclear Power India signed two agreements to fast-track the Jaitanpur Nuclear Power plant during PM Modis Paris visit in 2015. It included a pre-engineering agreement signed with AREVA, Alstom and Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and also aimed to utilise the new EPR (European Pressurised Reactors) technology in Jaitapur. Space technology An agreement was signed on cooperation in the areas of Satellite Remote sensing, satellite communications and satellite meteorology; space sciences and planetary exploration; data collection and location; operations of satellite ground stations and spacecraft mission management; space research and applications. Railways A pact was signed between Indian Railways and French National Railways under which latter has agreed to co-finance an execution study for "a semi-high speed project on upgradation of the Delhi-Chandigarh line to 200 kmph". UNSC Voting patterns of France in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has made it an all-weather friend of India. Being one of the only nations that did not condemn Indias nuclear tests in 1998, France has also been in continuous support bid for Indias permanent membership in the UNSC. Modis visit comes a year after Brexit when Europe-US relations are strained due to the Trump factor. Baleswar : Interceptor missile being test fired from Chandipur in Baleswar on Saturday. PTI Photo (PTI2_11_2017_000263B) Russia is preparing to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both sides are discussing the terms of the sale, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has said. Precontract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Rogozin said. "Pre-contract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India," he said. "It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms," Russia's official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to this Russian city. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over USD five billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. In April, Sergei Chemezov, director-general of the Rostec State Corporation had said that the deal for the S-400 anti- aircraft missile systems (AAMS) to India is not yet concluded. "The contract has not yet been signed," Chemezov had said. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. The S-400 Triumph is Russia's latest mobile long-range multiple anti-aircraft missile system, which came into service in 2007. It is meant for destroying aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and ground targets. China was the first foreign buyer of the S-400 anti- aircraft missile systems. The Gravelines nuclear power plant is seen across the beach in Petit Fort Philippe, northern France, March 10, 2017. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol The fifth and the sixth unit of India's largest nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu will cost about Rs 50,000 crore to build with half of it being funded by Russia as loan. The project will take seven years to start generating electricity, Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) Chairman and Managing Director S K Sharma told PTI here. India and Russia yesterday signed an agreement for the two new reactors for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) on the sidelines of the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The entire project will cost about Rs 50,000 crore. The first unit will be commissioned in 66 months and the second six months thereafter," Sharma said. Atomstroyexport, a unit of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, will build the reactors. "The project will be funded in 70:30 debt-equity ratio (70 per cent debt, 30 per cent equity)," he said. The Russian government will lend India USD 4.2 billion to help cover the construction cost. Sharma said the equity portion of project will either come from NPCIL's own resources or from government. At the agreement signing ceremony yesterday, Russian President Putin said the first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant was put into operation. "The most reliable, latest Russian technology was used in its construction. The plants second unit has also started to generate electricity. "At a joint teleconference in October 2016 with Narendra Modi we launched the construction of the plants third and fourth units. And we reaffirmed our intention to build in India at least 12 Russian-designed energy units, which will make a large contribution to the development of India's nuclear industry," he said. The KKNPP was the outcome of an inter-governmental agreement between the erstwhile Soviet Union and India in 1988. It is the single largest nuclear power station in India. The power station was envisaged to have six units with total capacity to generate 6,000 MW of electricity (1,000 MW each). Construction on the plant began on March 31, 2002 and Unit 1 was synchronised with the southern power grid in October 2013. The second unit started generating electricity in August last year. The original cost of the two units was Rs 13,171 crore, but it was later revised to Rs 17,270 crore. Russia advanced a credit of Rs 6,416 crore for construction of the two units. Construction of plant's third and fourth units was launched last year and will cost Rs 39,747 crore. While the cost of generating power from first two units is reported at Rs 4.29 per unit, the cost from 3 and 4 is likely to be significantly higher than that. Units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam plant are expected to be commissioned by 2022-23. The Russian built Water-Water Energetic Reactor (VVER) reactor Kudankulam unit 1 and 2 are the largest power generating stations in the country. After all the units (1-6) of the plant are commissioned, the nuclear park will have the power generating capacity of 6,000 MW, boosting significantly the country's nuclear power generation. The current nuclear power generation capacity of all 22 nuclear power reactors in India is 6780 MW. Krish Subramanyam, Co-Head Equity Advisory at Altamount Capital told CNBC-TV18, "I have got a buy call on Engineers India. The stock has shown a lot of promise but gone into some sort of correction, but I think closer to levels of Rs 150-160, it enjoys decent support. It could be bought for a possible target of Rs 169 and one could keep a stop loss of Rs 155." "The other stock is Hindalco Industries where post the results we saw some euphoria and then the cooling down is there. So one could possibly do some sort of a strangle again, selling a strangle. So, one could sell a 190 strike Put and 210 strike Call. Keep a target of Rs 4 and stop loss of Rs 11," he added. By CNBCTV18.COM Musk's decision follows an announcement from President Donald Trump that the U.S. will back out of the Paris climate accord. Elon Musk said he will leave his positions on three presidential councils. Musk's decision follows an announcement from President Donald Trump that the U.S. will back out of the Paris climate accord. Leaving the agreement is "not good for America or for the world," the Tesla and Space X CEO said in a tweet. Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 Musk had served on councils advising Trump on business, manufacturing jobs and infrastructure. He had defended his decision to serve the president, despite criticism. However, on Wednesday Musk warned he might quit if Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement. The landmark climate deal calls for the U.S. to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by between 26 and 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, among other things. Trump has said the Paris accord was negotiated to have terms that are unrealistic and unfair to the U.S. The president is looking to withdraw from the accord and immediately restart talks to set targets that would be more fair. However, French, German and Italian officials said they do not believe the agreement can be renegotiated. The accord was the result of more than 20 years of negotiations, and the only countries in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that have not signed on to the deal are Syria and Nicaragua. Proponents of the deal expect it will help bolster businesses like those that Musk runs. Both electric cars and solar energy can be used to help reach the targets proposed in the deal. Musk isn't the only CEO who has pushed Trump to uphold the deal. Others include Apple and Microsoft. Silicon Valley investor Doug Derwin, who had pledged to spend up to $2 million of his own money on a campaign to pressure Musk to quit the councils, welcomed the news. "Thanks, Elon, for doing the right thing," said Derwin, in a statement sent to CNBC on Thursday. "Welcome to the resistance." Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at a session of the International Arctic Forum in Arkhangelsk, Russia March 30, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin - RTX33CQE Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday urged the world to work with Donald Trump on climate, insisting he did not "judge" the US leader for quitting the landmark Paris accord. "You shouldn't make a noise about this, but should create the conditions for joint work," Putin said at an economic forum, adding that Trump had said he wanted to renegotiate a new deal. "If such a major emitter as the US is not going to cooperate entirely then it won't be possible to agree on any deal in this area," Putin said. The Kremlin leader said that "in my view, it was possible (for the US) not to leave the Paris agreement because it is a framework deal, and it was possible to change the US obligations inside the framework of these agreements." "But what has been said has been said. And we need to think what to do further," he said. Other world leaders have reacted with anger and defiance after President Trump announced that the United States, the world's second-biggest carbon emitter, was quitting the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Led by Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Emmanuel Macron, they have branded Trump's decision as misguided and vowed to defend an accord they consider crucial to the future of the planet. In what will come as a surprise to many, President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the US will exit the Paris climate agreement, jeopardizing the prospects of arguably the most sweeping climate change pact between countries. The pact, termed the COP21, has been ratified by 147 countries and respective governments have agreed to "pursue efforts" to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degree Celcius. Trump, who has often denied the existence of man-made climate change, said that the agreement was not in favour of America or the climate and assured that he will begin negotiations to re-enter another accord. In his speech, Trump, like many other right-leaning American politicians challenge the fight against climate change, blamed emerging countries like India and China on the rising level of CO2 emission in the world. The US President said that the COP21 pact let the "world's leading polluters" off the hook, clearly pointing a finger at China and India. One of the major reasons why Trump considers the Paris accord a bad deal is because of America's contribution to the Green Climate Fund. The fund helps in financing clean projects in developing and poor countries. But Trump feels that this contribution to the fund will be "costing the United States a vast fortune." Trumps pullout rekindles a contentious debate on whether high-growth emerging economies should cut emissions as much as developing economies, who have long exploited cheap fossil fuel for decades and are still the worlds largest producers. The COP21 agreement requires developed nations to help fast growing countries like India embrace alternative sources of energy, and use them to fulfill their growing energy demand instead of relying on cheap fossil fuel. In prepared remarks, Trump raised several concerns on structure of the pact and made several arguments against it. Here is a fact-check on what he said. Allegations against India and China "For example, under the agreement, China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years, 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us." FACT: China has pledged under the Paris accord to halt its growing carbon emissions by 2030, 13 years from now. Given the progress it has made, experts now believe that China can achieve its target a few years ahead of the deadline. China has actually taken steps to stop building coal plants. In January, China stopped construction of 103 new coal-fired plants. "India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries." FACT: India did not make any monetary demand in order to sign the agreement. It is nowhere stipulated in the pact that India will receive a certain amount of capital. The country never has never asked for 'billions and billions and billions of dollars'. Pointing fingers at India and China, he said: "I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States, which is what it does, the worlds leader in environmental protection while imposing no meaningful obligations on the worlds leading polluters." FACT: It is true that there is an increase in carbon emission by India and China due to homegrown consumption and lack of infrastructure. But India's carbon emissions per capita are still one-tenth, and China's half, of that of the US. According to the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) released this year, India's per capita emissions are still relatively low, but emissions are rapidly increasing. For 2017, India's ranked at 20 on the index, an improvement of three places as compared to 2016. Whereas, America slipped from 35 in 2016 to 43. Also, in absolute terms, America continues to be the second largest polluter as it is responsible for 16 percent of global CO2 emission. The Green Climate Fund "The Green Fund would likely obligate the United States to commit potentially tens of billions of dollars, of which the United States has already handed over $1 billion. Nobody else is even close." FACT: All contributions to the GCF are voluntary and the pact cannot obligate the US to contribute money. Former President Obama pledged USD 3 billion to the Green Climate Fund. The US commitment to the fund was capped at 30 percent of the fund's total, with the expectation of its share declining over time as more countries pitched in. Impact on India The Indian renewable energy sector, which is expected to spearhead the countrys green movement, has witnessed rapid growth over the past few years. Experts believe it would continue to grow regardless of any aid from developing countries. "We don't expect any adverse impact from the US move on India. India's adoption of renewables is not dictated by any external considerations. On the contrary, renewable sector presents huge economic, social and environmental benefits for India," Vinay Rustagi, MD, Bridge to India, an Indian renewable market research firm said, told Moneycontrol. "US has been providing valuable financial and operational assistance in this sector to India. But withdrawal of these schemes can be mitigated by suitable planning and recalibration of other programmes," he added. Is US hurtling in the wrong direction? Not only has the US left the Paris agreement, few months back it also rolled back incentives that were powering the country's emerging renewable industry. In its bid to create more mining jobs, it also recently lifted restrictions on the coal industry. The renewable sector was emerging as a major job creator in the US but that trend might reverse now. Coal industry leaders have said that this move will not create many jobs as most of the mining process is now automated. Statista Also, because the free market is playing its bit and fossil fuels are falling out of favour in the US, such forced stimuli won't be able to add new jobs in coal and mining but might hurt the rising employment opportunities in the renewable sector. Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, "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 Jarrett Coleman goes from school board to statehouse with win in 16th Senate District race I sing what I want to sing, be how I wanna be, and reach as big of an audience as I can. 1 hour ago A student-generated petition challenging the practices of math teachers at Sobrato High School has gained considerable traction among current and former students on the site change.org. Student Lauren Buckley, who titled her petition, Create Change in the Math Department of Ann Sobrato High School, has garnered 335 supporters since she posted it four weeks ago. The math department at our school is leaving people behind, states Buckley in the petition she created May 4. In my experience as a student in the Common Core program at Ann Sobrato High School, I discovered that the math department does not tailor its teaching needs to every learning style of its students. Buckley recently submitted the digital documentation to administrators. School officials did not respond to the Times requests for comment regarding the petition. Buckleys petition is just as much an indictment on the math teachers as it is on the Common Core State Standards that were adopted by California legislatures in 2010. Currently, 42 states, the District of Columbia, four territories and the Department of Defense Education Activity have adopted the CCSS. These standards are designed to supply students with a deeper understanding of course material as well as better equip them for college and career readiness. Common Core is based on groups, so the teachers arent as involved as they would be in another curriculum, Buckley continues. Sometimes, we do not even get to ask questions at all from the teacher, we have to work in groups and ask others who are just as confused as we are. Buckley also claims that the teachers move on from one lesson to another before students can even grasp the concepts; they dont allow students to retake tests that often have subject matter that was not previously covered in class; and they use an unfair weighted grading system. Upon asking the teachers to alter this grading system, we are only confronted with thats the way the other teachers do this and thats they way the math department wants it to be, wrote Buckley, noting that the average grade for students taking the Integrated 3 math class is a C. This is not acceptable for students who wish to go on to college with a good GPA. Despite these struggles, Sobrato students still maintained a 93.7 percent graduation rate, according to the latest California Department of Education data released earlier this year. For the 2015-16 cohort group, Sobrato held a 90.7 graduation rate (7.8 dropout rate) among Hispanic students and 95.2 (4 dropout) among White students. However, many current and former students share in Buckleys frustrations as most left comments while signing the electronic petition on change.org, which touts itself as offering the worlds platform for change. One such student, Parth Shah, the valedictorian for Sobratos Class of 2016, commented that he spent hours tutoring other students going over the basics that the teachers shouldve gone over. Shah said he supports the common core curriculum, but the basics must be taught before you delve into the deep thinking that common core requires. Student Olivia Adams is not convinced that Sobrato teachers are using the most effective methods to get through to their students. Sobratos math department is insufficient in the way they teach the curriculum, Adams wrote. The teachers do not care about each individual student and their different learning abilities. Student Jack Bailey, of Morgan Hill, attacked the common core system of learning more so than the teachers at Sobrato in his comments. He said students are reliant on being placed in a strong group with others who care about their grades or they all suffer. So if your members dont care, then youre out of luck, Bailey commented. Teachers wont even give you credit for completing classwork if some of your group members didnt do their work exactly as instructed, and they wont help your group if no one knows how to solve a problem. Student Christopher Vu doesnt feel like he gets the support he needs to be successful in class. The math department had definitely left me behind; it is (as) though I have been thrown into a pit for the lions to eat my tortured soul, commented Vu, who hopes Buckleys petition brings change. While the focus of the petition is on the Sobrato math department, Alyna Vasquez wrote: this problem isnt specific to Sobrato, this is a problem all throughout (Morgan Hill Unified School District). Buckleys goal is to create dialogue with the administration to generate change at Sobrato, specifically with the weighted grading system, the pace of moving from one lesson to the next and differentiating the instruction to student needs. We hope that by doing this, we can help students in the future to learn this subject and be able to take higher-level math classes in high school and college, Buckley concluded. In 2015, Sobrato was awarded Googles AP Equity & Excellence Award and was recognized as being the top 1 percent of high schools in the nation that have reached equity among students enrolling in Advanced Placement courses. At that time, 60 percent of Sobrato students were enrolled in at least one AP course. School officials also touted that in 2015, approximately 375 students received A grades in AP courses, and another 375 students finished with B grades in AP courses. The old Burke County courthouse and its grounds may see some major changes in the future. City officials and representatives with the consulting firm Stantec met with members of the community at a meeting on May 16, at the Katz building on W est Union St reet in Morganton to receive input on ideas for improving the area around the historic building. The meeting was a part of the citys charrette, a community-oriented planning and design process for the citys latest version of its Downtown Master Plan. The purpose of this meeting is to talk specifically about the courthouse square and the opportunities for improvement, as well as conservation and preservation, said Craig Lewis, a certified master planner from Stantec, who led the meeting. Lewis is listed as a principal with the Urban Places Group within Stantec, which is based in Charlotte. Lewis and his team had a large map of the courthouse square spread out on a table, over which they put different design overlays to explain some of their ideas to attendees. Some of the ideas they presented included: Providing more seating to increase use of the area Preserving the views to and from the courthouse Improving the landscaping around the courthouse Getting rid of the sidewalks around the courthouse to make a continuous lawn Replacing/relocating the courthouses HVAC system to make better use of the space it occupies Grading the lawn in the lower section to make it more level and building retaining walls Installing an interactive water feature on the grounds Camouflaging the back of the courthouse with a building or stage with amphitheatre seating Setting up a permanent shelter on the grounds for the farmers market that could be rented for events when the farmers market is not in season. Lewis said he was pleased with the size of the grounds on the courthouse square, which makes it ideal for hosting large events. You could probably fit easily 2,000 people on that lawn for an event, he said. He said he was interested in creating multi-functional areas with tiers of event opportunities around the courthouse, so those areas would be in constant use. One attendee asked Lewis what he thought would be the best use of a building behind the courthouse, and he said restaurants. (We envision) something that provides activity along that edge that is commensurate with what is happening on the Union Street side, so all around the square, we try to focus as much activity as possible, Lewis said. One of our precedents (for this idea) is Decatur, Georgia, which has their town square, and it has restaurants that are all along the edge right up against that square. Theres no street between the restaurants and that plaza. He also suggested retail, office space or housing as uses for the space. There was some discussion as to what the dimensions of the building would be, how many floors it would have and whether it would have a rooftop deck. Morganton Main St reet Director Sharon Jablonski, who attended the meeting, said people might not want to make use of a building in that location due to the constant noise of many events going on at the courthouse and on the grounds. In general, most attendees seemed to favor the idea of constructing a stage there instead of a building, especially to accommodate the TGIF Concert Series. One attendee suggested incorporating a stage and building into one facility. Those at the meeting debated the pros and cons of locating a stage in various places on the grounds, noting issues with terrain and proximity to features already in place. One attendee brought up the fact that any permanent outdoor facilities constructed on the grounds of the courthouse would necessitate the construction of a public rest room facility onsite. Attendees also questioned if the courthouses registration on the National Register of Historic Places would affect what improvements could be made around the square. Linda Lindsey, a member of the Historic Burke Foundation, shared with planners what the courthouse and grounds mean to her. To me, the courthouse square is sacred ground in this town, and I would fight to keep its integrity and make it more beautiful, Lindsey said. I really appreciate what you all are doing and really appreciate your asking and really listening to the input. One attendee asked if the recent trend of taking down Confederate monuments around the south might make its way to the monument on the grounds of the courthouse. Jablonski replied that she has received only one complaint about the monument so far. I dont think its an issue, Jablonski said. Lewis shared what he thought was special about Morganton after the meeting. What we love about working here is that Morganton has such great, rich history, and its really starting to catch its stride again, Lewis said. There are a lot of really great things going on, so were not building from the base level. People see the excitement and the opportunities and the energy. For us, its really about how we move from good to great and take it up to the next level. He said hundreds of people had come into the Katz building this spring to give input on what they would like to have included in the master plan. Jablonski said she was pleased with the level of response from community members sharing their hopes for the future of downtown Morganton. I think the meetings are going great, Jablonski said. Weve had so much positive feedback. I love this process, because it energizes you and makes you think of the possibilities. Its an incredible team, and I hope the public will still continue to come out. She mentioned that a resident who moved here from another location expressed amazement that city officials would reach out to get community members opinions before moving ahead with any plans. She said some of the most popular ideas she has heard from residents during the planning process is the need for more parking areas and family-centered activities downtown and the desire to make all the streets two-way instead of one-way. The one-way traffic pattern downtown was instituted before the bypass road was constructed to keep cars moving, which isnt an issue anymore. Two-way streets are much better for business, Jablonski said. The city of Morganton and representatives from Stantec are in the process of reviewing all the ideas residents shared with them and will present a draft of the new Downtown Master Plan on Wednesday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m. at CoMMA. Visitors will have the opportunity to take in various visual displays featuring different aspects of the plan that will be set up in the lobby before the official presentation is made at 6:15 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Morganton Main Street Office at 828-438-5280. Tammie Gercken can be reached at tgercken@morganton.com. Many Dodd-Frank Provisions May Be on House Chopping Block Next Week House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has told reporters he expects a full House vote next week on H.R. 10, The Financial Choice Act which was voted out of the Financial Services Committee (FSC) on May 4. The Act, sponsored by FSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) would repeal or modify many of the changes made by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including broad changes in financial regulations, revising the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and limiting much of its authority. It also includes provisions that will affect the home mortgage industry. In the latter area, the bill would incorporate more than two dozen proposed regulatory relief bills for community financial institutions, which we include for reader's reference; H.R. 2896, H.R. 1210, and H.R. 766. Information provided by associates at the Ballard and Spahr law firm, Richard J. Andreano and Pavitra Bacon has been used to explain some of the impact passage of the law could bring to the mortgage industry. Barbara Mishkin, another Ballard & Spahr attorney, has also written to clarify the impact on CFPB, and other regulatory agencies. H.R. 10 would create a safe harbor under the Regulation Z ability to repay requirements if a depository institution holds a loan in portfolio from the time of origination and complies with a limitation on prepayment penalties. Originators working for depository institutions would have a safe harbor from a related anti-steering provision if they informed the consumer that the institution intended to hold the loan in portfolio for the life of the loan. Another provision would affect the definition of points and fees under Regulation Z and high-cost mortgage loan requirements to exclude charges for title insurance and/or title examinations and similar purposes. Under current rules such exclusions were only allowed if the vendor was not affiliated with the lender. Escrowed funds for taxes are currently excluded from points and fees and H.R. 10 would also include insurance escrows in that exclusion. Certain small lenders, those with consolidated assets of $10 billion or less, would be excluded from Regulation Z escrow requirements for higher priced mortgages if the creditor portfolios the loan for a minimum of three years. The Act would also create, under the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act, a temporary authority for a loan originator to continue to originate loans while licensing issues are resolved if he or she moves from a depository to a non-depository lender or from a non-depository lender in one state to another non-depository lender in a different state. Several changes will affect reporting under CFPB's revised Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) rule. The volume threshold for a reporting institution would change to 100 closed-end mortgage loans or 200 open-end lines of credit in each of the prior two years from the CFPB threshold of 25 closed-end and 100 open-end loans. The Act would also compel the Comptroller General to study the issue surrounding the privacy of consumers that has arisen from the proposed expansion of consumer and loan level data to be collected and report his or her findings to Congress. It would also roll back requirements for information reporting institutions must make available to the public to those that existed under HMDA immediately prior to adoption of Dodd-Frank. The Act would also increase the threshold for exemption of small servicers from some servicing requirements. The current minimum is 5,000 loans annually and the servicers and its affiliates must be the creditor or assignee of all of them. This would be expanded to 20,000 loans and the bill makes no reference to ownership or assignment. Passage of H.R. 10 would have a profound impact on CFPB. First, its name would change to the "Consumer Law Enforcement Agency" (CLEA) and, while its single director format would not change, that director would no longer serve a set term, but at the pleasure of the President. The agency would also be brought into the Congressional appropriations process (as would the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA,) and Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), have its own Inspector General, and be subject to the same oversight by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) as other non-independent regulatory agencies. The Deputy Director would also be a presidential appointee. The CLEA would have no supervisory authority, no authority to make or enforce rules under Unfair, Deceptive and Abusive Acts and Practices (UDAAP) that affect payday, vehicle title or similar loans, and no authority over arbitration agreements concerning consumer financial products or services. CLEA could not use an administrative proceeding in a case that could result in a cease and desist (CID) order or penalty and must instead bring a civil action. The recipient of a CID could file a petition with a federal district court to modify or set it aside. The CLEA would be required to maintain a segregated Civil Penalty Fund for all penalties it receives, with any undistributed funds reverting to the U.S. Treasury after two years. CLEA would have to establish an Office of Economic Analysis to conduct an impact analysis of all proposed rules, review them at regular intervals, and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of proposed administrative actions, civil lawsuits, or consent order. The law would also significantly interject Congress into the rulemaking process, not only of CFPB, but also other regulators including the Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, and NCUA. It creates categories of major and non-major rules and requires a joint resolution of Congress for the former to take effect and allows joint resolutions of disapproval of the latter. The act would also repeal the amendment to the Equal Opportunity Act made through Dodd-Frank that requires financial institutions to collect and maintain certain data in connection with credit applications made by women- or minority-owned businesses and small businesses. Posse saddles up to help children Russell Libby describes his golden palomino horse, Sonny, as the calmest, sweetest guy and his best friend for nearly two decades. Sonny is the reason Libby and his wife, Laura,... Kris Kringle to support library programs The Moorpark Friends of the Library is offering the second annual Letter from Santa fundraiser. For a $25 donation to the Moorpark Friends of the Library, children will receive a... Oakmont welcomes new executive director Ronda Wilkin, certified dementia practitioner and a senior living executive, joins Oakmont of Moorpark with more than three decades of experience in health and human services. During her 15 years... Middle-class African-American and Hispanic families are being virtually priced-out of many hot housing markets on the West Coast according to Redfin. The real estate firms analysis found that just 18% of homes for sale in the 30 largest US metros were affordable for middle-class Hispanic families and just 14% were affordable for African-American families. These rates have fallen 11 percentage points since 2012. American cities are at risk of losing both the economic and racial diversity that has been their hallmark, said Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson. Middle-class homebuyers are being priced out of Americas largest cities at an alarming rate, as the home affordability gap gets wider. Given the significantly lower rates of homeownership among African-American and Hispanic families, the reduction in affordable listings has even more dire consequences for income inequality when broken out by race. For those earning the median income, just 2% of homes in the Denver metro were affordable for Hispanic or African-American families compared to 8.3% for white families; this is the smallest racial gap of the 30 metros surveyed. The largest gap is in Minneapolis where white families can afford 66% of homes while for Hispanics its 24.8% and for African-Americans its is just 5.2%. Federal and state governments can do much more to be influential in local housing policy, said Richardson. Thats where the crisis startsat the neighborhood levelwhen people vote against inclusionary zoning policies, making it difficult or impossible to build higher-density, affordable housing in a community. He added Federal and states governments can reward communities that change to inclusionary zoning practices by offering them infrastructure investments to improve the neighborhoods. That way, inclusionary zoning is more appealing to longtime residents. The full report is available on the Redfin blog. Investors in a California mortgage company are so dissatisfied with its returns that theyre demanding the company liquidate itself, according to a news release. In an open letter to Owens Realty Mortgage, Freestone Capital Management which, together with its affiliates, owns about 7.6% of Owens outstanding shares slammed Owens management for questionable decisions and its continued destruction of shareholder value. We believe that Management should explore the immediate liquidation of the Company to close the value gap between the Companys current market price and our estimated liquidation value, thereby returning capital to the Companys long-suffering investors, wrote Gary I. Furukawa, Freestone founder and senior partner. Furukawa wrote that Owens and its predecessor, Owens Mortgage Investment Fund, had a long-term history of trailing market returns. According to Freestones calculations, between Jan. 1, 2009, and May 31, 2017, investment in Owens gave shareholders returns more than 15% below the returns of the FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REIT Index. We believe that this enormous gap is due to a flawed business model which penalizes shareholders and primarily enriches Management, Furukawa wrote. He wrote that Freestone believed that Owens paid above-market fees to its external manager, Owens Financial Group. In our view, this explains why the Company, with a tangible book value of approximately $214.9 million, incurred an aggregate operating loss from 2010 to 2016 of approximately $7.2 million, Furukawa wrote. Based on these numbers, we believe the only winner here is the Owens Manager, with the shareholders stuck with an underperforming investment. Furukawa slammed Owens for its perceived long-term enrichment of its own management at the expense of shareholders. Between 2010 and 2016, the company paid Owens Financial Group more than $28 million. During the same period, the company had an operating loss of $7,178,271! Furukawa wrote. The Owens Managers compensation keeps rolling in while shareholders lose money in our opinion shareholders are clearly losing at the expense of Management. Not surprisingly, (Owens Financial Group) is owned by Company insiders. William C. Owens, executive chairman of Owens Realty Mortgage, owns 62.5% of Owens Financial Group, while Owens President and CEO Bryan H. Draper also owns a significant chunk. Furukawa said the agreement between Owens Realty Mortgage and Owens Financial Group created a conflict of interest. He also said that continued mortgage lending by the company which would result in millions of dollars in additional fees to Owens Financial Group would be a breach of the Boards fiduciary duty to shareholders. After more than eight years of poor returns, instead of continuing to bet on unprofitable and risky loans, the Company should recognize reality and return its underperforming capital to its long-suffering shareholders, he wrote. Related stories: Spring market may underperform in California Everythings not Al-REIT in NY Billing Ocwen $2 million for loan-file review an amount reflecting more than 13,000 billable hours, according to Ocwen for a month that FIS associates did not complete a single loan-file review Repeatedly charging Ocwen for implausible amounts of time Billing Ocwen for every minute FIS employees were onsite, regardless of whether they were actually working to the point that associates took breaks as often as 14 times a day, or were observed watching videos instead of doing their jobs Ocwen also claimed that FIS charged it for amounts (FIS) associates spent patronizing strip clubs and casinos, and allowed its associates to buy liquor, groceries and gifts for colleagues on Ocwens dime. Owen Financial is suing the company that acted as an independent monitor of its 2015 settlement with the state of California. The embattled servicer which faces multiple legal battles of its own claims that Fidelity Information Services defrauded it, even using Ocwens money to pay for visits to strip clubs and casinosAs part of a 2015 settlement between Ocwen and the state of California, FIS was retained to conduct a two-year review of Ocwens servicing practices at a budgeted cost of $44.8 million. However, Ocwen claimed in a lawsuit filed in the California Superior Court that (t)hroughout the engagement, FIS made fraudulent or negligent misrepresentations in its monthly invoices to Ocwen about the services FIS claims to have performed and the expenses FIS claims to have incurred.Instead, Ocwen claimed that FIS had submitted invoices totaling millions of dollars that were fraudulent. Ocwen claimed that the financial technology company dramatically inflated hours, charging Ocwen for time that FIS employees didnt actually work, and billed Ocwen for expenses that either were never incurred or reflected attempts by FIS associates to reimburse themselves for personal or other unallowable expenditures.Among the offenses Ocwen claimed FIS committed were:All told, FIS allegedly ran through the two-year budget of $44.8 million in 11 months. FIS was on pace to charge Ocwen $120 million nearly triple the project budget, Ocwen claimed in its lawsuit.FIS strongly denied the claims. In a statement to HousingWire, the company claimed that Ocwen filed the lawsuit purely to avoid paying what it owed.The complaint filed by Ocwen Loan Servicing against FIS is completely baseless and we plan to defend ourselves vigorously against these false allegations and to pursue collection of the invoices this litigation was filed to avoid.However, in a statement emailed to MPA, Ocwen spokesman John Lovallo was adamant that FIS intentionally defrauded the servicer.Our complaint speaks for itself, and documents that Fidelity Information Services exploited its position by submitting fraudulent, false and improper invoices to Ocwen relating to FISs services and expenses, Lovallo said. Ocwen intends to vigorously pursue all remedies stemming from FISs fraudulent and abusive billing scheme. Some students dream of becoming movie directors. Thanks to local public television, budding filmmakers will get that chance this summer. Basin PBS will host its inaugural Student Short Film Festival this fall. The film festival will be an excellent opportunity for our local students to showcase their talents and gain exposure for their work, network with other like-minded students and find out more about what it takes to be a filmmaker, Carla Anne Holeva, Basin PBS CEO said in a press release. The idea for this had been brewing for a while at Basin PBS, and Holeva said the timing is right. Students are already creating and were excited to see that, she said. Junior high and high school students in Midland County ages 12 to 18 with proof of enrollment can enter the festival to create a short film that runs up to eight minutes long. Because this was first announced in May, recent high school graduates are eligible. Film categories include narrative, documentary, journalism, public service announcement, animation or as a Basin PBS Special My America. I think that can mean a lot of different things to whoever is filming, Holeva said. You could get a whole lot of creativity on that in this area, but we like for young people to express themselves. Films must be completed after May 1 and the deadline for submissions is Oct. 27. Filmmakers can enter more than one submission. While this first festival is limited to Midland County, Holeva is looking forward to expanding to Odessa (possibly next spring), Andrews, Marfa and other cities where Basin PBS is broadcast. We cant wait to dive into and have fun with everyone in the area and turn it into a real film festival in our new building, she said. The station is currently working on its future home in the former Ritz Theater building in downtown Midland. Completion of the building is expected to be done in early 2018 where the festival would then be based. The film festival luncheon is planned for Nov. 1 at the Junior League of Midland. The event will showcase the winning film from each division and honorable mention films. The films will air on Basin PBS. First-place winners will receive a camcorder. We look forward to seeing the short films from our talented students and encourage all junior high and high school students in Midland to submit their work, Holeva said. For more information about the festival or to submit a film, visit basinpbs.org. The granddaughter of Coleman High Schools namesake is scheduled to deliver a message to graduates Friday night. Dr. Kathleen Green will speak to about 50 graduates of the Midland ISD alternative school, named after Dr. Viola Coleman. Its an honor to speak at the Coleman High graduation, Green said. I hope to leave bits of knowledge with the graduates and help them realize their full potential. Green worked at her grandmothers medical clinic before graduating from Midland High School in 2000. She completed her medical residency at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu and later transitioned out of the U.S. Army. She is now an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Florida. David Moore, principal at Coleman, said Greens career, Midland upbringing and connection to the school factored into the decision to select her as the speaker. We typically look for a speaker who highlights the difficulty of going through high school and graduating but highlights the great things after graduation where you can go and what you can do, Moore said. The schools motto is a quote from Coleman: You can be anything you want to be; do anything you want to do, if you are willing to pay the price of success. Moore said Greens accomplishments remind graduates about what they can achieve. Shes done that, Moore said. She went through the university, medical school, the military and has been successful at passing that on to future doctors. Graduation is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Chaparral Center at Midland College. At a special meeting on Friday, June 2, the Michigan Technological University Board of Trustees unanimously appointed members of a Presidential Search Committee. The 14-member committee will review candidates for a president to succeed Glenn Mroz when he returns to the faculty at the end of June 2018. Search committee members are: Faculty David Shonnard, professor of chemical engineering Brian Barkdoll, professor of civil and environmental engineering Ashutosh Tiwari, associate professor of chemistry Staff Jim Baker, executive director of innovation and industry engagement Darnishia Slade, director of international career education Academic Administrator Lorelle Meadows, dean, Pavlis Honors College Undergraduate Student Braeton Ardell, mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics Graduate Student Lavanya Rajesh Kumar, PhD candidate in cognitive science and human factors Alumni/Community Member David Rowe, manager, Systems Control; Michigan Tech Fund Board member Board Chair Appointee Carl Anderson, professor emeritus, mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics Board of Trustees Bill Johnson, search committee chair Julie Fream Brenda Ryan, search committee vice chair Bob Jacquart The selection of a chief executive or president is the most important and significant decision that any university Board can make, Board Chair Terry Woychowski said. We will use a methodical, inclusive and transparent process to fulfill that obligation. While the final selection of a President rests solely with the Board, we have developed a process that is designed to be inclusive of all of our primary constituencies and one that ensures that their inputs are considered and their voices heard. To that end, on May 5, I solicited nominations from various sectors of the university community to serve on the Presidential Search Committee. The nominations were allocated so as to encompass the greater university community with representation from the Board, undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni and the local community, along with any other representation that the search committee chair deems necessary and prudent. The Presidential Search Committee is charged with the responsibility to identify and bring forward for the Boards consideration the best candidates for this critical position, Woychowski explained. They will be expected to present three or four finalists for the presidency to the Board by February 2018, with a goal of selecting a new president by April 2018, to start July 1. They will be assisted by a presidential search firm. A request for proposal was sent to search firms in early May. The Presidential Search Committee will be asked to recommend two search firms later this month. The Board reviewed each persons nomination packet thoroughly, seeking to have representation from colleges and departments across the campus and student representation to provide a balanced and diverse perspective including various viewpoints and professional experiences, Woychowski said. He thanked the 25 people who volunteered to serve on the search committee. Serving on this committee requires a commitment of a significant amount of time and brings a measure of inconvenience by its very nature. Thank you for your willingness to shoulder this burden for the good of our University, Board chair said. Those not selected will be invited to serve as an advisory focus group, to provide additional input and a sounding board for the Presidential Search Committee. The Board was extremely impressed with the high caliber of the nominations, and we do not want that knowledge base to go untapped, he noted. At the April Board of Trustees meeting, Woychowski appointed Board members Julie Fream, Bob Jacquart, Bill Johnson and Brenda Ryan to the Presidential Search Committee. Johnson has agreed to serve as the search committee chair and Ryan will serve as vice chair. To ease the burden on Board members serving on the search committee, Woychowski said that Johnson is stepping down as chair of the Leadership Committee, with Ryan replacing him as chair. Jacquart will step down as chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, and Steve Tomaszewski will become that committees chair. Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. We are collating signatures to petition ... GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that America is pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Weather Channel isn't happy about it. After the announcement, Weather.com led with a breaking story about Trump's withdrawal from the agreement, which aims to lower greenhouse emissions and help limit increasing global temperatures. Other stories on Weather.com were all about what could happen to the environment without policies battling climate change. Moving quickly to fill a climate leadership vacuum opened by President Trump, the governors of California, New York and Washington on Thursday announced a new alliance of states dedicated to fighting global warming and urged others to join them. The move came within hours of Trumps statement that he will pull the United States out of the landmark 2015 Paris climate accord and seek to renegotiate it, casting it as a threat to American jobs. An angry California Gov. Jerry Brown called Trumps decision tragic and insane, pointing out that his states economic growth has surged even as it boosts its use of renewable power and ratchets down greenhouse-gas emissions. California will resist, Brown told journalists on a conference call. Trump may well create the exact opposite of what he intended, which is an aroused citizenry and an aroused international community who will not tolerate this kind of deviant behavior from the highest office in the land. Brown and his counterparts, Jay Inslee of Washington and Andrew Cuomo of New York, announced that they would join forces in a United States Climate Alliance, a coalition of states committed to upholding the goals of the Paris Agreement. The three states, combined, represent more than 20 percent of the U.S. population and at least 10 percent of the countrys greenhouse-gas emissions, according to the governors. I am proud to stand with other governors as we make sure that the inaction in D.C. is met by an equal force of action from the states, Inslee said in a news release. Todays announcement by the president leaves the full responsibility of climate action on states and cities throughout our nation. Meanwhile, 27 California state senators, led by President Pro Tem Kevin De Leon, sent Brown a letter Thursday urging him to convene a climate summit with representatives of Mexico, Canada and other states and subnational governments. The summit, they wrote, would help ensure that we continue to charge ahead without forfeiting all of our historic progress to date. Brown has, for years, worked to form partnerships with other states, countries and provinces on climate policies, with mixed results. Californias cap-and-trade system for reining in greenhouse-gas emissions, for example, also includes Quebec and may soon add Ontario. But when the system was still under development in 2008, it was supposed to cover seven states and four provinces. Most dropped out over the years. Since Trumps election last fall, Brown has dramatically ramped up his efforts, positioning California as both the focal point of resistance to Trumps environmental policies and the countrys leading force for climate action. He has also emerged as a persistent environmental diplomat. Brown has badgered foreign officials to join his Under2 Coalition, a group of national and subnational governments dedicated to keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius in this century. The coalition now boasts more than 170 jurisdictions worldwide, with Canada, Mexico and Sweden among the newest members. Indeed, the timing of Trumps long-awaited announcement on the Paris accord may have played into Browns hands. The governor is scheduled to fly to China on Friday to discuss the states ongoing collaboration with that nation on climate and energy issues. He will then travel to Bonn, Germany, to attend the 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Californias climate policies are considered the nations most aggressive, and could get tougher. The state Senate, for example, approved a bill Wednesday that would force California utilities to get 100 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2045. Other states have set their own targets, leading some analysts to hope that the country will continue to make progress in the coming years, despite Trumps determination to undo former President Barack Obamas federal climate policies. Thankfully, most of the decisions that really matter in this country happen at other levels, said Andrew Steer, president of the World Resources Institute think tank. David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A 33-year-old tourist from Australia was killed Friday in a fight outside a hotel in the Polk Gulch neighborhood of San Francisco, authorities said. Police were called about 2:15 a.m. to the Da Vinci Villa hotel at 2550 Van Ness Ave., between Union and Filbert streets, where they found the victim severely injured from a physical altercation, officials said. Matthew Bate, from the Northern Territory of Australia, was taken to a hospital, where he died, said Officer Giselle Talkoff, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco Police Department. Talkoff said Bate had gotten into a verbal altercation with more than one person that turned physical. It doesnt appear that any weapons were used in the fight, Talkoff added. Two men were detained shortly after the altercation, and Talkoff said homicide detectives are investigating their involvement in the fight. A spokeswoman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the death and said the consulate was assisting the mans family. This is the latest crime involving tourists in typically low-crime areas of San Francisco: In February 2016, a 44-year-old British tourist visiting the city was fatally stabbed in the head as he was strolling down Post Street near Franklin Street with his niece, who was visiting from Southern California. The run-in occurred when they were attacked by a man and woman, who tried to snatch the victims messenger bag, police said. His niece was not hurt in the incident. Six months later, two sightseers in their 20s were robbed at gunpoint in August at Twin Peaks. The men, one from Russia and one from outside California, were taking photos when an assailant put a handgun against the back of one of them and threatened to shoot if either made a sound, police said. The assailant, accompanied by another person, stole the victims belongings and fled on foot, police said. In August 2015, a man believed to be visiting from Thailand was shot in the shoulder after two muggers stole his camera as he observed the winding stretch of Lombard Street, police said. Both muggers were arrested, police said. Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani Katarina Premfors/Getty Images/arabianEye Legacy Community Health, one of the state's largest community health systems serving the poor, will celebrate the opening Saturday of its new $5 million state-of-the-art campus in Houston's Fifth Ward. The 16,900-square-foot campus is part of a larger revitalization of the city's historical district. The center will offer adult primary care, obstetrics-gynecology, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental and vision service. A geriatric practice and pharmacy are slated to open soon. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate While President Donald Trump has announced Americas withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, one of the countrys largest military installations has committed itself to buying nearly half its power from renewable energy sources. After four years of work, Fort Hood in Killeen will begin receiving up to 65-megawatts of electricity enough to power a small city of 13,000 homes from wind and solar projects for more than 10 percent less than it was paying before. Thats the beauty of this weve locked in electricity rates for 30 years that are lower than we were paying at Fort Hood before the construction of this renewable energy project, Brian Dosa, director of public works at Fort Hood, said in a phone interview. Dosa said Fort Hood with its tens of thousands of soldiers and thousands of buildings will pay less than a nickel per kilowatt hour for the renewable energy, which will provide roughly half of Fort Hoods energy needs. The renewable energy cost is a savings compared to the 5.5 cents and 6 cents a kilowatt hour Fort Hood pays to buy electricity from the grid. In a news release Fort Hood officials estimated the installation will save more than $100 million in energy costs over the life of the contracts with Virginia-based Apex Clean Energy, which owns and operates the renewable installations. Apex built the 50-megawatt wind farm located near Plainview and the 15-megawatt, 132-acre solar farm on Fort Hoods campus for a combined $600 million. When Dosa joined Fort Hood seven years ago, he said bringing renewable energy into Fort Hoods power portfolio was one of his priorities. One of the things that I thought was important for the future of Fort Hood was to move toward energy independence, Dosa said. In 2010, then-Assistant Secretary of the Army Katherine Hammack announced the creation of the Armys Net Zero Initiative, which aimed to reduce the amount of loss in the branchs energy, water and waste use. This has included over 200 megawatts of solar and wind installations that supply electricity to military installations across the country, with another 136 megawatts in the assessment, contracts and construction phases. Fort Hood is not the only Texas military installation using or experimenting with renewable energy. Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston brought a small microgrid installation online in January that is installed next to a noncritical library. The microgrid a small 20-kilowatt solar panel installation coupled with a 75-kilowatt battery can provide power to the 23,000-square-foot library for up to 40 minutes if the power is cut. While microgrids are on Dosas mind, he said work is continuing with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to try to better integrate the 15-megawatt solar farm into existing backup generation at Fort Hood. We could have energy storage (along) with some of our backup generation tied to our solar array; that would give us a microgrid to protect some of our key assets on Fort Hood, Dosa said. Its a step toward energy security but were not there yet, we still have more work to do. rdruzin@express-news.net Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous country about the size of Ohio tucked along the west side of Greece. During the 60s and 70s, Bulgaria was the world's sixth largest wine-producing region in the world. The "Cold War" ended with the demise of the Soviet System. As the USSR broke up during this time, the Bulgarian economy changed from Communist to an economy in crisis as it changed to a capitalistic society. This caused the popular Bulgarian Wine Industry to implode with the strong wineries of the state falling into disrepair. However, in the early part of the 21st century, a group of Bulgarians began to resurrect the over-grown vineyards and re-tool the fallen wineries. This group had a fire inside that was full of passion to make the best wines. There is several comparisons to be made between Napa and Bulgaria. Both areas went through a huge downturn with Napa experiencing the huge impacts of Prohibition and Bulgaria experiencing its fall 40& years later. Napa has resurrected with a passion, being designated as a region to grow outstanding grapes which are then turned into great wines. The same is happening in Bulgaria. These unknown Bulgarians with hard-to-pronounce names are growing outstanding grapes which are then being produced into award-winning wines. Napa was an unknown for many years with Bulgaria now an unknown. Napa is now very famous. What will become of Bulgaria and its five distinctive wine regions? Several outstanding Bulgarian winemakers will be around Houston this week, particularly around WINE AND FOOD WEEK IN THE WOODLANDS to showcase wines made from grapes that trace back to the Old Thrace in the general area where Western Civilization began. Their goal is to re-introduce the wines of Bulgaria to the USA just like Napa introduced itself to the world after its resurrection. Bulgaria is home to grape varietals that trace back thousands of years. Melnik is one of those grapes which traces to 4,000 BC according to Velizar Ropa from Bulgaria. Please note that the wines are not that old, but the grape varietal has been found in archeological diggings not far from Velizar's vineyards and winery. He is bringing one of his Gold Medal Wines made from Mavrud to showcase in the Houston area. Mavrud is another of those ancient grapes that trace back about 5,000 years ago in the Old Thrace. Besides these almost unknown grape varietals in the Western World, Bulgaria also makes delightful wines made from better known grape varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Moscato. Besides being such great wines, these Bulgarian wines are making a name for themselves by being inexpensive which then catapults them into the "value wine" category. I love great inexpensive wines! I am looking forward this week to re-discover the wines of the Old Thrace and enjoy the wines of ancient grapes! Ron Saikowski may be reached at rsaikowksi@comcast.net. It's a rarity to escape from the city in the city. Hopefully your schedule has slowed just enough for summer to get reacquainted with an old flame. When's the last time you've been to The Houstonian? Talk about the ultimate staycation in Uptown! Once you're in, there's every reason to stay. This 18-acre wooded oasis in the heart of Houston has what I long for in a vacation -- real R&R! The fitness center is world-class, the pools are inviting and the award-winning Trellis Spa is in a league all its own. If you haven't already done so, head to my website at Goodtaste.tv for a chance to win a romantic spa weekend at Trellis that includes two 50 minute Swedish Massages. http://goodtaste.tv/giveaways/win-a-romantic-spa-weekend-at-the-houstonian/ If you win, it would be the ultimate gift to yourself! :) WASHINGTON - Sounding as despondent as a resident of death row, White House press secretary Sean Spicer slogged through the daily briefing on Wednesday, making little news except for news about the briefing itself. As news briefings go, it really was brief - less than 12 minutes from Spicer's opening statement to his abrupt departure. It was also oddly circumscribed by a White House edict banning TV cameras. Audio only, the White House decreed, turning an event regularly aired on live television into something out of the golden age of radio. The day before, Spicer railed against "fake news" and huffed out of the briefing room. On Thursday, there was even less. There was no briefing at all. All of which raises a question: Oh, what's the point? What's the purpose of assembling 70 or so journalists (in a room that seats 49), and letting them ask questions that aren't really answered? What's the deal with not showing the White House's public face to the public itself? Whose interest is served by this kind of non-exchange of non-information? As bad news has piled up around him, the president himself has suggested canceling the press briefings outright. Doing so would end a long, not-always-noble tradition of give-and-take between the press mob and the president's representatives. Journalists have reported from the White House grounds on a regular basis since the 1880s, first in 1881 when President James Garfield was shot by an assassin and lingered near death for more than two months. Grover Cleveland's private secretary, Daniel Lamont, established the tradition of having a White House aide regularly answer reporters' questions in the mid-1880s, according to historian Martha Joynt Kumar. Cleveland had a good reason for offloading the responsibility: Reporters had hounded him while he was on his honeymoon in 1886 with his 21-year-old wife, who had been his legal ward since she was 11. Since then, the United States has been unique among democratic countries in holding a daily briefing that is both on the record and on camera, said Josh Earnest, President Barack Obama's press secretary. Even the British, Earnest says, don't televise the prime minister's twice-daily news briefings or put them on the record, that is, directly attributable to a named individual. As a Washington institution, the press briefings have established certain pecking orders (the TV reporters sit in the front row and ask the most combative questions), and made celebrities out of both dogged reporters (Sam Donaldson, Helen Thomas) and loyal briefers (Ari Fleischer, Dana Perino). As a trustworthy source of sound bites and TV clips, the briefings have been essential in establishing the day's news - whether it be the Clinton administration's comments on a blue dress or the Bush White House's official justifications for invading Iraq. The Trump White House considered tinkering with the status quo even before it was even the Trump White House. There was discussion among officials about moving the briefings off the White House grounds (hasn't happened); about rearranging the briefing-room seating (hasn't happened); and about holding fewer briefings than previous administrations (seems to be happening). "Maybe there's a more effective way of delivering the news and having a more, you know, appropriate adult conversation with the media," Spicer said in December. To be sure, the briefings may never have had as high a profile as they did in the first two months of the Trump administration. The daily sessions were a great public curiosity, widely covered via live streams and live cable news. "Saturday Night Live" built its most memorable sketches around Spicer's alleged abuse of the press, elevating not just "Spicey's" profile but that of pixel-stained wretches like Glenn Thrush of The New York Times, too. Spicer also innovated in fitful ways, giving valuable question time to Trump-friendly talk-show hosts piped into the briefings via Skype and handing out media credentials to conspiracy peddlers. Perhaps by design, however, the evidence so far suggests that the daily briefings have declined as an important source of information about what the president is thinking and planning each day. Most obviously, Trump has shown that prefers to be his own PR man. His tweets have been his signature mode of communication, backed by semiregular interviews and sporadic news conferences. A fire hose of leaks from unnamed officials has filled in the parts of the picture that Trump refuses to address (among the frequent leaks: that Spicer's days as press secretary are numbered). Far worse, the briefings themselves have at times become untrustworthy sources of information. Both Spicer and assistant press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders have made assertions in Trump's behalf that the boss himself has contradicted within hours. The continuing embarrassment of these press encounters, as well as the stream of adverse news, makes cutting back the briefings a seemingly useful strategy for the White House. Fewer briefings and audio-only sessions will produce fewer clips of Spicer answering (or deflecting) questions about Russian election interference and ongoing investigations. No briefings at all will enable Trump to dictate his own message, without the risk that his press secretary will have to explain it all to reporters. Some Trump supporters may find that prospect appetizing. But it disappoints and scares those interested in accountability and transparency. Earnest, now an NBC analyst, said it's "valuable for our democracy" to have a senior official explaining and defending the president on a daily basis. Rather than a burden, he said, the Trump administration should relish the briefings as a platform to make its case. "One thing we know is that for all his complaints about journalists, President Trump cares a lot about what they say about him," Earnest said. "A daily briefing is a particularly effective venue for influencing the way journalists are talking and writing about the administration. . . . It's an opportunity to tell the White House press corps and the rest of the world what he's up to and why the course he's chosen is the best way to go." If the briefings were to end, the real loser would be the country, said Peter Baker, The New York Times' veteran White House reporter. "It would be . . . one more chip away at the foundational idea that people in power should be answerable to the public." While the briefings can be "an exercise in futility" for anyone seeking straightforward answers (a statement that predates Trump, Baker notes), the more important consideration is that the briefings "are literally the only time a White House can be forced to respond to questions on the record on a regular basis. Without a daily briefing, White House aides would simply hide behind anonymity to answer only the questions they want to answer, while ignoring those that may be uncomfortable or challenging, which would further a culture of secrecy and impunity in Washington." San Antonio will have another way to celebrate Independence Day this year when the Pearl launches Red, White and Blues. The family oriented event will feature music by up-and-coming Austin musician Jackie Venson, Nakia and the Blues Grifters and Will Owen Gage, plus a picnic, dance contest and more. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate San Antonio native Wendell Burton, a film and TV actor whose most memorable big-screen role was opposite Liza Minnelli in the poignant college love story, "The Sterile Cuckoo," died of brain cancer Tuesday at his home in Houston. He was 69. Burton was born in the Alamo City, where his military dad was stationed. He attended college in California, however, which also was the setting of his first professional acting job. That was in San Francisco, where he nabbed the title role in a stage production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." RELATED: Celebrities spotted around San Antonio While performing in the musical, Burton was seen by director Alan J. Pakula, who was impressed by his talent and chose him over hundreds of more experienced movie actors to co-star with Minnelli in the 1969 movie "The Sterile Cuckoo." She played eccentric college misfit "Pookie" Adams, winning an Oscar nod for her performance, and Burton was cast as Jerry Payne, the awkward student with whom she falls in love. The movie also was known for the Oscar-nominated song, "Come Saturday Morning," which was sung by The Sandpipers. He went on to play a prison inmate named Smitty in 1971 motion picture, "Fortune and Men's Eyes." After that, most of his work was for television, most notably as Fred Kramer, an innocent man framed for murder, in the critically acclaimed TV movie "Murder Once Removed" starring John Forsythe. RELATED: Celebrities who have lived in or are from Texas He also starred in TV versions of "The Red Badge of Courage," "Go Ask Alice," "East of Eden," and reprised the role of Charlie Brown in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." His last movie was on the big screen in 1986. Burton played the role of Osgood, a mild-mannered man who fights Burt Reynolds' character in action crime drama "Heat." According to Yahoo.com, Burton eventually became a Christian minister, moving to Houston in 1997 to work with Joel Osteen and the Lakewood Church. RELATED: 32 celebrities we think are Texans but aren't Burton also wrote, performed and recorded Christian music, chronicling his spiritual journey in his 2016 book "Godsmacked, A Souljourner's Guide to the Heart of God." Burton's daughter is Broadway actress Haven Burton ("Rent," "Shrek the Musical," "Legally Blonde" and "Kinky Boots"). jjakle@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Ill never forget the time I met two friends for dinner on the River Walk and ended up spending the evening not only with them, but with a comedian at their table. Youd think being in the presence of a professional jester might be fun. It wasnt. The wisecracks wouldnt stop, whether we were laughing or not. I couldnt wait to say goodbye, relax my frozen smile and return to a relatively punchline-free existence. Still, the guy intrigued me. What drove him to go to such obnoxious lengths to get yuks? Was he able to form real relationships, or was he always just on, desperate for the next gig? A few years later, I saw the guy perform on The Tonight Show. He actually was pretty funny up on that TV stage. The audience liked him, and his face beamed neon-bright as he basked in laughter and applause. Such blissful standup moments also pop up in Im Dying Up Here, Showtimes very adult drama about the lives of a group of aspiring L.A. comics. It bows at 9 p.m. Sunday. The setting is 1973, a time when America was coming out of Vietnam and Nixon, and game-changing comedians were making us laugh with their edgy truths. George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Dave Letterman, Albert Brooks, Jay Leno, Andy Kaufman and Robin Williams were among them. Pryor, as portrayed by the energetic Brandon Ford Green, even appears in the fourth episode, delighting the audience at Goldies the dramas fictional club on the Strip modeled after The Comedy Store with his observations on life that are laced with the colorful obscenities that were his signature. In the opener, were introduced to the Holy Grail of that eras comics: a spot on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. A Goldies staple named Clay (Sebastian Stan) gets the call, nails it, and even earns a little time on the couch next to the late-night monarch, played, curiously, by Dylan Baker. What happens next helps set the stage for the rest of the series. Mostly, the drama spotlights a group of young newbies whove yet to make the leap; the sacrifices, failed relationships, egotism, insecurity and extreme competitiveness of these damaged individuals who live for 15 minutes every night in hopes of enlivening the audience with enough funny material to impress club owner Goldie (Oscar-winner Melissa Leo, whos excellent here). The core characters smart-ass interaction coupled with eternal grumbling over bad hours or not enough to eat may not be pretty, but it is frequently engaging, thanks to strong writing and raw performances. Keeping it real is one of the minds behind the drama, someone who knows this world personally: Jim Carrey, one of Dyings executive producers. Youd think the superstar of The Mask and Dumb and Dumber wouldnt know squat about suffering and scrambling. But he assured us that he had plenty of failures back in the day. For a time, he even lived in a closet, Carrey said. It was fairly early in his career, when the comedian left Toronto for the promised land of L.A. Hed landed a spot on The Tonight Show, which Carrey described as a comics dream (what) could catapult people to the stars. However, it fell through, and he, like the comics in the show, struggled not only to be seen, but survive. You know, I had so many incredible experiences. Im lucky to be alive really, Carrey told TV critics gathered on the West Coast for Showtimes press session. The closet that Larry and Eddie live in is my closet. I met somebody at the Improv who said they had a room, and it turned out to be a closet. So for the first year or so I was here, I lived in that closet. Ari Graynor, one of the casts standouts as Cassie, the clubs lone female up-and-comer, said Carreys stories were invaluable. Turning to the star, she recalled something Carrey told them at the kickoff dinner. You said, Its your responsibility to take the pain and alchemize it into something beautiful, and it was something that I think we all thought a lot about as we were shooting. Refusing to take too much credit, Carrey went about praising series creator Dave Flebotte, who based the show on William Knoedelseders best seller about real comedians of the 70s, his co-producers, and, last but not least, the actors who brought the show to life. Theyre an incredible cast, and they really captured the feeling of the era and the feeling of the camaraderie and the competition and the smart ass quality of being a comic. Oftentimes it wasnt who was funniest on stage; it was who was funniest at the bar or who was funniest in the parking lot. Thats what mattered, he said. In Dying, that backstage banter and bickering can get ugly, and downright crude. But there are enough golden moments to keep you hooked. Some of the best involve the aforementioned young closet-dwellers Larry and Eddie, played with the greatest of ease by Clark Duke (The Office) and Michael Angarano (Almost Famous). Barely scraping by, and hungry for a comedy platform not to mention something to eat the two grab any chance to get both, whether its dressing in silly costumes on the TV game show Lets Make a Deal or cracking jokes for elderly patrons of a deli in the Valley. Also memorable are Andrew Santino as bitterly competitive Bill, who has his moments on stage, but frequently shoots himself in the foot with self-destructiveness; Erik Griffin as Ralph, a Vietnam vet whose caustic humor helps him deal with whatevers thrown his way; RJ Cyler as quick-on-his-feet Adam, who supports himself with handyman work, but really itches to perform; and Al Madrigal as Edgar Martinez, who effectively turns his Mexican heritage into irreverent laughs. Like its characters, Im Dying Up Here isnt perfect. But its an immersive slice of life with riveting inhabitants and more than a few surprises. Its also an atmospheric trip back to the distinctive 1970s, a vivid era that rang with so much possibility. Jeanne Jakles column appears Wednesdays and Sundays in mySA. jjakle@express-news.net Pounding midday sun, spicy salsa music thumping, the din of hungry patrons queued up for homestyle favorites. The scene might be a better fit during the lunch hour rush on the streets of San Juan than within a stone's throw (note: do not actually throw the stone) of Fort Sam Houston. But the vibrant flavor of the Caribbean is exactly what they're serving up at El Pilon Sabor Boricua, San Antonio's newest Puerto Rican restaurant. The location is no stranger to island eats, previously hosting El Bohio, which received a visit from Food Network star Guy Fieri when his show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" filmed an episode in the Alamo City in 2011. The space has received a major overhaul since El Bohio's closing in 2016, with the kitchen now clad in shimmering new stainless and the dining room reconfigured with brightly painted walls sans the stencil of Fieri's spiky mug that formerly graced a corner of the room. The new establishment has been open for about two months, and judging by the steady flow of both uniformed and civilian traffic packing the joint, El Pilon has hit a sweet spot with local Boricuans and Texans alike. Fast facts: If El Pinon's fare seems familiar, there's a good reason for that. Owner and San Juan native Marcial Rodriguez, perhaps better known as "Papote," was also the culinary force behind the food truck Cocina El Jibarazo. On the menu: If you're not familiar with Puerto Rican cuisine, get ready to embrace your inner carb lover. What the island lacks in tortillas it more than makes up for in dozens of plantain permutations. Mofongo, a mash of starchy green plantains and (in this case) mild seasoning, is traditionally prepared in a wooden mortar and pestle called a pilon -- the restaurant's namesake kitchen implement. El Pilon offers the staple with fried chunks of pork, cubed steak, roasted and shredded pork or chicken for $9.99, with a seafood version with octopus, conch or shrimp at $14.99. The shredded pork option was light on seasoning but abundant in ballast. While our table backed off with a few bites to spare, diners at surrounding tables were scarfing down order after order and remained nimble enough to gyrate out a few dance steps while filling their cups at the soda fountain. While the sandwich bears the name of a neighboring island, few do a Cuban as well as Puerto Ricans thanks to the island's love of roasted swine. El Pilon's version sticks to the traditional assemblage of pork, ham, cheese, mustard and pickles. For a variation on the theme, consider the Tripleta, an aptly named triple threat of beef, pork and chicken similarly dressed with the addition of lettuce and tomato. Thickly piled on a soft and perfectly griddled roll, the sandwich (all six on the menu run $6.99) will earn repeat visits from this guy. About an hour east of San Juan, hungry explorers will find an iconic roughly half-mile long strip of food kiosks at Luquillo Beach. These stalls are known for all manner of fried nibbles, many of which show up on El Pilon's list of appetizers and side orders. And just like a snack at those famous kioskos, you're going to find some hits and misses. The Puerto Rican-style chorizo ($2.89), considerably less fiery than the more common Mexican variety, is a crispy and savory hit served unadorned in a paper basket. Likewise for the alcupurrias ($3), a fritter of savory ground beef wrapped in a plantain dough and fried to a golden crisp. Less successful are the empanadas de pizza, a playful though disappointingly sparse pastry that doesn't quite marry the best of two worlds. For heartier fare -- let's be honest here, it's all hearty fare when you're talking about Puerto Rico's beloved cocina criolla -- El Pilon offers several platters served with the island's signature rice and gandules (pigeon peas) or habichuelas (pink beans). A small and unremarkable salad of shredded iceberg lettuce and sliced tomato accompanies each of the eight dishes. It should be noted this is right in line with how the busiest traditional restaurants in Puerto Rico do vegetables, which is, basically, not at all unless it's a starchy tuber. The chuleta de puerco, a grilled pork chop ($8.99), proved a bit tough, but was aided by the savory rice and beans. Most of the other options ($8.99-$14.99) feature fried, grilled or roasted chicken, fish and pork with two less common entries: bistec a caball0 -- fried cube beef (no horse here) steak topped with an egg -- and bandeja paisa, a lone Colombian entry on the menu featuring pork, egg and avocado on top of beans. And because this is San Antonio and not San Juan, they, of course, offer a selection of tacos ($7.99) made with many of the same meats featured elsewhere on the menu. Location: 1127 Harry Wurzbach Road, 210-474-0578, ElPilonSaborBoricua.com, Facebook: El Pilon Sabor Boricua. Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday. pstephen@express-news.net Twitter: @pjbites Instagram: @pjstephen This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Two Houston-area students made it deep Thursday evening into the finals of the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. But Raksheet Kota, a 14-year-old from Katy, was knocked out about 9 p.m. with only five spellers left after misspelling "oedemerid." Shourav Dasari, a 14-year-old from Spring, remained as one of the final four spellers competing until about 9:45 p.m. It was Ananya Vinay, 12, from California who eventually took home the $40,000 championship prize later in the evening after spelling the word "marocain." It was Kota's first time to the national spelling bee, but he also easily spelled difficult words through multiple rounds. His twin sister closed her eyes as her brother carefully spelled different words such as "bouchee" or "izzat." Raksheet, who's twin sister is also a competitive speller, missed qualifying last year after he struck out with "ailsyte," a rock composed of alkalic migrogranite. Now 14 and in his last year to compete, the Katy speller finally made the cut for the national bee. Dasari started spelling competitively a year after his sister Shobha Dasari brought home a flyer advertising the elementary school spelling bee. Shobha took home top honors at the Houston Public Media Spelling Bee and qualified for the Scripps national competition four times. She's since aged out of the competition, but Shourav is doing his best to fill his big sister's shoes. On Thursday evening, he breezed through words "concours" and "oncochaeta." During the 10th round with only six spellers left, he carefully spelled "pterygoideus." The 14-year-old said his dream meet-up would be with Rockets player James Harden. Last year, Shourav told the Chronicle his training is a year-round effort that takes up about eight hours a week. His efforts paid off when he won the 2015 MetLife South Asian Spelling Bee and the 2015 North South Foundation Spelling Bee. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Four men were detained following a suspected human smuggling attempt Thursday afternoon by the Laredo Community College South Campus. U.S. Border Patrol, Webb County Precinct 2 Constable deputies and LCC police combined efforts to detain four men who were in a blue Infinity G35. They were detained after an agent noticed the Infinity driving off-road near a construction area. When the agent tried pulling over the vehicle, the men abandoned the car, leading to a brief foot chase. READ MORE: Man charged in Laredo's first homicide of the year has gang ties, criminal history "That area is a high trafficking hot spot for human smuggling and drug trafficking," said constable deputy Ricardo Rodriguez. Rodriguez and an agent spotted one suspect hiding by the brush on Cielito Lindo Boulevard and South U.S. 83 and took him into custody. Meanwhile, constable deputy Mario Landa caught up to a second suspect near the campus. Assisting agents detained the rest of the men. Border Patrol took custody of them. Click through the gallery above to see photos from the scene, as well as a gallery about human smuggling in Texas. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate No two places in North America look less alike than the tar sands of Alberta, a vast, Mordor-like oil field, and the blue waters and islands of the Salish Sea and Strait of Juan de Fuca, shared by British Columbia and Washington. The "oil patch" and our common waters are centerpiece in a looming showdown between British Columbia and Alberta. On this side of the border, we have Orca whales, national parks and monuments and salmon runs in the hunt. A new "red green" government is about to take power British Columbia. It vows to "employ every available tool" to stop a $7.4 billion (Canadian) pipeline that would carry up to 848,000 barrels of oil a day from Edmonton, across B.C. to Burnaby, just east of Vancouver. RELATED: Connelly: West Coast leaders vow 'green wall' against Trump on climate The Canadian federal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has approved the Kinder Morgan project, set to begin construction in September. Alberta is desperate to get its oil to salt water for export. "At the end of the day, we can't be a country that says one of its two functioning coastlines is only going to do what the people who live right beside it want to do," Alberta Premier Rachel Notley told CBC Radio on Wednesday. "We have to be able to engage in international trade, and that's what we're doing." The international trade means a seven-fold increase in tanker traffic: 34 tankers a month would pass through Haro Strait, which separates our San Juan Islands from Canada's Gulf Islands, and then out through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The Trudeau government has promised a $1.5 billion National Oceans Protection Plan with a "world class" marine safety system. Over the past 30 years, however, Canadian response to even small spills has been slow and maladroit. The pipeline project is already being challenged in Canada's courts by Aboriginal First Nations groups. City governments in Vancouver, Burnaby and Victoria passionately oppose the project, fearing environmental calamity. RELATED: Connelly: Political tsunami in British Columbia; Green Party gets role in government The government of B.C. Premier Christy Clark, who supports the pipeline, lost its legislative majority in elections last month. Its candidates took a dunking on both sides of Burrard Inlet, where a giant oil terminus would be located. Clark is likely to be voted out of office as soon as the B.C. legislature reconvenes. Taking her place will be a government of the left-leaning New Democratic Party backed by the Green Party, which won a pivotal three seats in last month's election. The new government's pipeline strategy: Look for ways to gum up the works. "We're going to be consulting with the attorney general's ministry, as well as energy and environment, to make sure permitting and other issues are exhaustively reviewed," John Horgan, the New Democrats' leader and soon-to-be premier, told reporters this week. The new government could join court action to reverse federal approval of the pipeline. And it could order a new and exhaustive review of the 600-plus mile project, although Canada's National Energy Board has already given it the green light. Kinder Morgan, the big Houston-based pipeline company, must persuade investors to back the project. Delay is a strategy for generating uncertainty. Or as one British Columbia environmentalist put it, "Create chaos, then conquer." The new government could also impose new environmental requirements on the pipeline project. For instance, the outgoing Clark government stood ready to "adjust" boundaries of provincial parks to provide for construction. What if the new government says no? Canada is a country that has prized "mega-projects," despite cost increases and huge environmental costs. The valley bottoms of the Peace and Columbia Rivers were never logged when the government of B.C. Premier W.A.C. "Wacky" Bennett built huge dams. The wildlife kill was enormous. The lovely Arrow Lakes along the Columbia were given a fluctuating shoreline and came to experience fierce, frequent dust storms. The Clark government was gung-ho for thinking big, with a premier who loved wearing hard hats, hitting up resource industries for campaign cash and cutting ribbons. No so the new crew. The new government may nix a planned $3.5 billion bridge to replace the Massey Tunnel under the Fraser River. The proposed 10-lane bridge looks a lot like what the then-Department of Highways wanted to build across Lake Washington 40 years ago. Horgan and Green Party leader Andrew Weaver have argued that the gargantuan bridge need not be built, and that improved transit offers an alternative. The two leaders will order an independent review of the $8 billion Site C dam on the Peace River, a project that would flood farmland and wildlife habitat, passionately opposed by Aboriginal First Nations and environmentalists. Horgan has advised BC Hydro to hold off signing new contracts. Clark's boosterism will be replaced by a meticulous independent review by the B.C. Utilities Commission. In the meantime, however, 2,000 workers will continue construction on the project. British Columbia has long been a place dominated by boomer politicians, lavishly financed by industry -- Clark held $10,000-a-place fundraisers -- with foreign corporations getting big tax breaks to come in and extract its resources. The days of drilling, logging, mining and building big -- often without adequate oversight -- may be at an end. Big business is unsettled. A grumpy Globe & Mail columnist is predicting that B.C. will be hard to recognize. In words now remembered, "Wacky" Bennett once warned: "The socialist hordes are at the gates." The New Democrats and Green Party must govern, however, with a bare one-seat majority in the legislature. The ornate Parliament Building in Victoria is due some genuine drama. As John Horgan put it this week, it will be a "very exciting time for democracy in British Columbia." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A top House Republican, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, is the lone member of Washington's congressional delegation to praise President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. "I believe it disproportionately, negatively impacts America," McMorris told KHQ-TV in Spokane before flying to Bellevue for a $5,000-a-plate fundraising dinner on Thursday night. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., had exactly the opposite view, saying: "Donald Trump just quit the race to become the world's clean energy superpower and greatly diminished us in the eyes of the world." RELATED: West Coast leaders vow 'green wall' against Trump on climate Cantwell and Gov. Jay Inslee have stressed the economic benefits of getting out ahead in development of new clean energy technologies, and have warned that the U.S. risks forfeiting world leadership on climate to China. McMorris Rodgers is becoming the public face of the Trump administration in Washington, on health care "reform" and now climate. Explaining her stand in a statement, McMorris Rodgers, who represents Eastern Washington, said: "We all want to protect our environment and ensure we leave a better community for the next generation. The problem with the Paris Agreement is how it was done -- without the approval of the American people or their elected representatives through a ratified treaty. "I agree with this decision and look forward to future conversations about how we can have a stronger environment and a stronger economy." McMorris is chair of the House Republican Conference, a post in which she has the job of developing "talking points" for GOP House colleagues, lines of argument and issues to stress on their trips home. RELATED: Local waters at risk in Canadian pipeline battle Another Washington Republican, Rep. Dave Reichert, quietly came out against Trump's Paris pullout. "The Paris accord gives the United States a global platform to be a leading voice on international issues impacting our economy, security and the environment," Reicheert wrote. "Withdrawing from the agreement would cause us to lose this influence. "I have always believed stewardship of our environment and sound economic policy are not mutually exclusive." Seattle's Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, put fire into her denunciation of Trump's global warming denial. (The President once tweeted that climate change was a "hoax" perpetrated by China.) "This decision, based on falsehoods and the denial of climate change, would be a compete disaster for our cities, Washington state, our country and the entire world," Jayapal said. "It's not a hoax -- the science is clear on climate change." When Britain's June 8 snap election was announced just a few weeks ago, the outcome seemed a done deal. Prime Minister Theresa May would extend her Conservative government's majority in Parliament - a move that would help her push through some of the trickier parts of the ongoing Brexit negotiations. For Jeremy Corbyn, the divisive and at times embattled leftist leader of Britain's main opposition party, things looked grim. Poll numbers suggested that Labour would lose a large number of seats; one member of his own party predicted a "historic and catastrophic defeat." There were widespread warnings that Britain risked becoming a one-party state and that Labour, a historic left-wing party in Europe, could be wiped out. Yet as voting day looms, those fears are looking less and less likely. Instead, the Conservatives are starting to get worried. An average of polls collated by groups like Britain Elects shows a clear surge in support for Labour. If the polls are right, this means that May could actually lose seats in Parliament rather than gain them. At least one poll has raised the possibility of a hung parliament, where no one party would have an outright majority - a scenario that could even see Corbyn as prime minister, if he could cobble together a coalition. This unexpected scenario has prompted two big questions to hang over British politics for the past week or so. First, what could have happened to make Britons rethink their opinion of Corbyn, previously derided as "unelectable" by his critics? And secondly, could the polls just be wrong? --- When May announced the snap election in mid-April, analysts suggested that she was seeking a mandate to personally lead the country through its exit from the European Union. The prime minister, who had campaigned against Brexit, had come to lead Britain after Prime Minister David Cameron stepped down after last year's referendum. This would be her first major test with national voters. Though she had previously suggested she would not call a snap vote, May seems to have looked at Labour's low polling numbers and thought that now was an opportune time to call an election. It's an understandable impulse: A big win would not only give her a larger majority in Parliament, but it also potentially would give her another five years until the next election - during which time she could focus on the complicated business of leaving the EU. But things weren't so simple. While the prime minister attempted a "presidential"-style campaign that focused on her "strong and stable leadership" slogan, May often cut an awkward figure at campaign events and faced a backlash for her refusal to take part in debates with other parties' candidates. Her attempts to stay on message, no matter what, led to criticism that her campaign lacked any substance. "Is the reason that you're doing so badly is that whenever people ask you about policy, all we get are cliches and platitudes?" Channel 4's Michael Crick asked May during a tense question-and-answer session with journalists this week. There were problems with the substance, too. When the Conservatives announced a plan to make elderly people pay for care in their own home if they had more than 100,000 ($128,000) in assets - a move seen as potentially forcing some to sell their home to pay for treatment - the backlash was swift. Labour swiftly dubbed the policy a "dementia tax," and the Conservatives were forced to make a U-turn on the policy. Some news outlets argued that the controversy had cost May 5 percentage points off her lead. At the same time, Corbyn has been able to portray himself as an anti-establishment underdog, proffering populist spending increases, and he has largely avoided major mistakes. Labour is buoyed not only by a dedicated young and social media savvy fan base that is often able to dictate the terms of the debate, but also the lackluster performance of Britain's other major parties, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP. --- There is a catch, however. Britain's polls have a history of overestimating Labour support - most recently in 2015, when most expected Corbyn's predecessor, Ed Miliband, to win election and become prime minister. He didn't. Instead, his loss led to an identity crisis and leadership contest that resulted in Corbyn, a member of the party's once-isolated left wing, ending up as an election candidate. Polling companies went back to the drawing board after 2015, hoping to understand where they went wrong. Most ended up agreeing that they had paid too much attention to enthusiastic young voters, ignoring the fact that these young voters often don't actually vote (both the 2015 general election and the Brexit referendum saw 18- to 24-year-olds less likely to vote than those over 65). The polling companies most optimistic about Corbyn's chances seem to have placed their faith in these young voters again this year, taking them at their word that they will vote and that they will generally do so for Corbyn. Anthony Wells, director of the political and social research team works in YouGov's London office, conceded this in a blog post published Thursday. "From the pollsters' point of view this is an experimental election," Wells wrote. "We all got it wrong in 2015 and we are all trying different methods to get it right this year." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate For the first time in two years, Terex increased its backlog of orders on a year-over-year basis, with a burst of sales in North America for its Genie aerial work platforms. Westport-based Terex sells a range of heavy equipment used by builders. In the first quarter, the company narrowed its loss to $4.6 million, down from $71 million a year ago, with sales off 10 percent to $1 billion after selling a unit that makes port cargo lifts and cranes. Firm sells hair salon vendor Tengram Capital Partners sold off DevaCurl, a New York City-based maker of shampoos, conditioners and styling products for those with curly hair. Tengram did not say what Ares Management paid for DevaCurl, with Westport-based Tengram having acquired it three years ago for an unspecified amount. DevaCurl products are sold at Ulta Beauty and Sephora among other outlets, with the company also operating DevaCurl Academies in New York City and Los Angeles. A top attorney Edward Nusbaum, co-founder and principal of Westport-based family law firm Nusbaum & Parrino P.C., has been selected a member of the Nations Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel for 2017. NADC is an organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of legal excellence. Its mission is to objectively recognize attorneys who elevate the standards of the bar and provide a benchmark for other lawyers to emulate. Nusbaum & Parrino concentrates its practice in the areas of family law, including all aspects of divorce, child custody and parenting, alimony, child support, property division, post-divorce issues and jurisdictional issues. A significant portion of Nusbaum & Parrino work is concentrated in Fairfield County, yet its geographic reach often extends throughout the state. A medic moves Part of Western Connecticut Medical Group, Annette Rodriguez-Merturi, a physician assistant, will be relocating to the groups new Norwalk location on Westport Avenue on June 5. Rodriguez-Merturi currently works at Associated Internists of Fairfield in Westport. Chamber honors First Citizens The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is honoring David Waldman, principle of David Adam Realty, and Jeff Wieser, CEO and president of Homes with Hope, as this years First Citizen Award recipients. They will be recognized at the Chambers gala June 13 at the Saugatuck Rowing Club. Each year the board looks for one nonprofit and one traditional business person. Waldman latest work at Bedford Square, in association with the preservation and moving of the Kemper Gunn house, has transformed Westports downtown. The Chamber of Commerce hopes his continued engagement and collaboration with Westport brings the same benefits in the future. Homes With Hope tackles the heartache of homelessness and hunger. Wiesers nonprofit organization runs multiple shelters and supportive housing facilities, as well as mentoring programs and a food pantry. This year, Wieser spearheaded the merger with Project Return, which cares for and empowers young women, to join forces to create an even stronger and more far reaching collaboration. Also receiving awards will be four Young Entrepreneurs, high school students Aishah Avdiu, Remy Glick, James OBrien and Pheobe Spears. The teenagers from Staples and Weston high schools were selected for their efforts in creating new and intriguing business ventures. The keynote speaker at the gala will be Westporter David Pogue, the noted technology reporter, columnist and Emmy award-winning TV personality. Tickets are available at westportwestonchamber.com. Weichert expands to Westport Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. has added four Connecticut offices to its national franchise network. The new company is called WEICHERT, REALTORS - Madison and Post, an independently-owned and operated affiliate run by CEO, President and Owner Nick Germak. The new Connecticut affiliate has offices in Stamford, Ridgefield, Westport and Greenwich. Westport service pro honored Westport-based Catamount Wealth Management announced that Fairfield resident Laurie Stefanowicz is a first-time recipient of the Five Star Professional Award. Each year, Five Star Professional conducts market-specific research to identify service professionals who show a commitment to clients, strong industry credentials and are evaluated on the quality of their practice. Free SCORE webinar series SCORE Fairfield County will present a free webinar series, Real World Time Management, on June 6 from 12 to1 p.m. Cliff Ennico, the former host of MoneyHunt on PBS, will present on time management in todays world of modern technology. An attorney and small business consultant based in Fairfield, he has helped launch over 15,000 businesses and is the author of 16 books. For more information or to register for the online event, visit fairfieldcounty.score.org. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Three Westport natives graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. the weekend of May 19. Molly Elliot received a Bachelor of Science in business administration; Gregory Shikowitz received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology; and Cameron Meyer received a Bachelor of Science in computer science. Rebecca M. Raab, who attended Staples High School, was one of more than 600 students who were awarded bachelors degrees from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. on May 21. Raab, who majored in environmental studies and sociology, received a Bachelor of Arts cum laude. Eastern Connecticut State Universitys annual graduation ceremony was held at the XL Center in Hartford on May 16. Shannon Connors, of Westport, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Matthew George, of Westport, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in health sciences. Leigha Grushkin, of Westport, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Three Westport natives participated in the University of New Hampshire Commencement Ceremony held May 20 in Durham, N.H. Alexandra Bookbinder graduated with a bachelors degree in hospitality management; Margaret Mills graduated with a bachelors degree in math education, elementary; and Morgan DiDonato graduated with a bachelors degree in communication. Westports Corey W. Pasquarelli earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in physical therapy from The University of Scranton in Pennsylvania on May 27. Five Westport natives graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. on May 28. Anne Cooperstone earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and film; Nick Daley earned a Bachelor of Arts in dance; Rachel Guetta earned a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Integrative Sciences in hispanic literatures and cultures and psychology; Edward Hoy earned a Bachelor of Arts in computer science and math; and Adam Mirkine earned a Bachelor of Arts in film. At the library The Westport Library is located at 20 Jesup Road. Law & Order: Jeff Pegues, a Staples High School graduate and justice and homeland security correspondent for CBS News, will be dropping by the library June 8. Pegues will discuss his book, Black and Blue: Inside the Divide between the Police and Black America, which examines the growing crisis between law enforcement and people of color as well as his access to top law enforcement officials throughout the country, including former FBI Director James Comey, who used to live in Westport. Joining him for a discussion will be Westport Chief of Police Foti Koskinas. The program, held in memory of Westport illustrator Tracy Sugarman, a civil rights and social justice activist, is hosted in TEAM Westport and the Westport Police Department. The discussion will be held in the McManus Room from 7 to 8 p.m. Help out a grad The Human Services Departments Ceremonies and Celebrations program is now underway and will continue through the month of June. Developed in response to requests from school staff for assistance in purchasing new clothing for graduating middle and high school students, 2017 marks the programs 14th year. Last year 34 Westport students were able to purchase new special event clothing for their graduations from middle and high school. Those wishing to help out can do so in remembrance of a special teacher or person in a students life. Donors are asked to note the teachers name and the donors or students name with the donation. A formal letter of acknowledgement will be sent to the honored individual. If donors prefer, gift cards of any amount (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Trumbull Mall/Westfield Shopping Center) are welcome as well. Checks should be made payable to DHS Family Programs (memo line: Ceremonies). Donations may be mailed or delivered to DHS, Westport Town Hall, Room 200, 110 Myrtle Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Westporters who are aware of individuals who could benefit from this program should contact Family Program Coordinator Patty Haberstroh at hsyouth@westportct.gov or 341-1069. Social work staff there will assure that families in need meet financial and program criteria and are helped. Get your beach pass Parking emblems are required on all vehicles entering Westport beaches. Parking emblems can be purchased at WestportRecreation.com or at the Parks and Recreation Department office, Longshore Club Park, 260 Compo Road South, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Career counseling The Westport Library will be offering free one-on-one, career counseling sessions to local job seekers. The sessions will be by appointment only and will focus on general career counseling, as well as resume assistance and LinkedIn profile preparation assistance. Patrons may schedule one-hour sessions on Mondays and Saturdays. To schedule an appointment, contact Ellen Janpol, the business librarian, at ejanpol@westportlibrary.org. Parkway lane closures to extend into 2019 Do you drive on the Merritt Parkway late at night or early in the morning between Fairfield and Westport? Then be prepared for some delays because of a $56.7 million project that wont be finished until August 2019. The project will focus on a five-mile stretch of the parkway between the Congress Street bridge in Fairfield to the Newtown Turnpike overpass in Westport. The project will include new pavement in both the northbound lanes and work on 11 structures related to the historic bridges, built nearly 80 years ago. Theres also upgrades planned for guiderails, drainage and restoration of the historic bridges. With all this work, lane closures are needed. Northbound lane closures are planned from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Saturday to Wednesday and from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Thursday and Friday. Southbound lane closures are from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday; from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday and from 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday. Chambers of commerce plan Danube cruise The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, together with the Greater Norwalk, Fairfield and Danbury chambers, will be taking a group trip to the scenic Danube River, stopping at Imperial cities along the way. Departure is Sept. 28; return is Oct. 7. Chamber members, guests, family and the public are invited to visit one of the most spectacular rivers in the world, the Danube. Included in the trip are stops in Munich, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, and Linz, with an optional, three-night extension stay in Prague. Chamber trips are affordable, while providing the same high-quality travel of other tour groups. Each city boasts its own unique and beautiful architecture, fine culture and specialty stores for shopping. On board the ship, with only 71 cabins, providing comfort without crushing crowds, guests experience superb dining with all meals included during the cruise, including complimentary, quality red and white wines from Europes great wine regions with every dinner onboard the ship. The starting price is $4,199 for double occupancy. Those interested in learning more about the trip, can call the Norwalk Chamber at 203-866-2521. Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg faced sharp criticism Thursday during the company's annual shareholders meeting about how the company operates, deals with violence and handles fake news. Shareholders submitted five proposals critical of the company's top-heavy structure, as well as the way Facebook curates its content. All five were heard and rejected by majority vote; Zuckerberg controls more than 50 percent of Facebook's shareholder votes. Arjuna Capital and Baldwin Brothers, two smaller investors, called on Facebook to publish a report examining the public policy implications of its guidelines around "fake news." "To be clear, we are talking about content that is posted and disseminated with the intent to mislead, not the mainstream media, which the president refers to as fake news," said Natasha Lamb, Arjuna Capital's director of equity research and shareholder engagement. She added that Facebook needs to take clear action on the issue or risk alienating its audience. Lamb also spoke on behalf of a petition to have Facebook release information about its gender pay disparity, saying the firm is lagging behind its competitors on this front. Another group, SumofUs, had filed a petition to remove Zuckerberg as Facebook's chairman, arguing that his current role gives him far too much power. "We don't think you should be your own boss, Mr. Zuckerberg," representatives from the consumer watchdoggroup said at the meeting. In an open question-and-answer session, the Rev. Jesse Jackson asked Zuckerberg to develop an independent advisory commission to address the growing trend of Facebook users sharing violent videos. "There is no place for live killings to be broadcast on Facebook," Jackson said. Zuckerberg, who took questions after a brief speech, addressed some shareholder concerns. He acknowledged that Facebook's mission has changed somewhat since it went public five years ago with the stated mission of connecting friends and family. "We have this growing realization that . . . is not enough," he said. "We also have to proactively work to build community and bring people closer together." He added that Facebook is a place that should support good discourse, while also making sure that people have the ability to share what is important to them. He said that it is important that people see a variety of viewpoints and that it is the most effective way to find the truth. "The big issue that we face today is just having one side of the story at a time," he said. But even as he spoke about Facebook's place in shaping public discourse, Zuckerberg rejected the idea that his tech firm has become a media company. He said the firm's problems are still technology problems with technology solutions and pointed to artificial intelligence as a way to address these issues over time. But, echoing previous statements on the subject, he asked for patience when it comes to finding a solution. "It's just going to take longer than we all want to get to the state-of-the-art," he said. The Washington Post President Donald Trump took a nine-day international trip last week that included stops in Brussels for a NATO summit and Sicily for a Group of Seven meeting. During those stops, Trump took some actions that were unsettling for our foreign allies. In Brussels, Trump chastised fellow NATO members and demanded they meet payment obligations. In Sicily, he did not commit to keeping the United States in the Paris climate agreement, and on Thursday afternoon, he announced that the United States would, in fact, withdraw from the accord. Berlin Top European leaders pledged Thursday to keep fighting against global warming as U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was pulling out of the Paris climate accord, they but rejected his suggestion that the deal could later be renegotiated. The leaders of France, Germany and Italy said in a joint statement that they regretted the United States' decision to withdraw from the accord, but affirmed "our strongest commitment" to implement its measures and encouraged "all our partners to speed up their action to combat climate change." While Trump said the United States would be willing to rejoin the accord if it could obtain more favorable terms, the three European leaders said the agreement cannot be renegotiated, "since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economics." President Emmanuel Macron of France repeated that belief in an English-language speech from the Elysee presidential palace, unprecedented from a French president in an address at home. He said, "I do respect this decision but I do think it is an actual mistake both for the U.S. and for our planet." "Wherever we live, whoever we are, we all share the same responsibility: make our planet great again," Macron added. The European Union's top climate change official, Miguel Arias Canente, said in a statement that Trump's decision to leave the Paris accord made it "a sad day for the global community," adding that the bloc "deeply regrets the unilateral decision." Canete also predicted that the EU would seek new alliances from the world's largest economies to the most vulnerable island states, as well as U.S. businesses and individuals supportive of the accord. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement "a major disappointment" and said it was "crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues," according to his spokesman. Norway's largest pension fund with $59.5 billion in assets under its management said it would continue to invest in renewable energy despite the American president's decision, saying in a statement that "Donald Trump is jumping off a train that has already left the station." Chief executive Odd Arild Grefstad cited the growth of renewable energy in U.S. states such as Texas, New York and California as signs that "the world has started the transition from fossil to a renewable economy." In Mexico, former President Vicente Fox criticized Trump's move, saying on Twitter: "He's declaring war on the planet itself." Fox, who has clashed with Trump since last year's presidential campaign, said the U.S. leader's decision "condemns this generation and those to come" and would leave "a dark legacy just to satisfy your greediness." The U.S. Conference of Mayors said it strongly opposed Trump's action and vowed to continue efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming. Inventor and entrepreneur Elon Musk said he would keep his promise to end his participation in two presidential councils after Trump issued his decision. "Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world," the CEO of electric car maker Tesla Inc. tweeted shortly after Trump officially withdrew the U.S. from the global climate pact. A Pennsylvania man arrested at Trump International Hotel in downtown Washington after a military-style rifle was found in his vehicle is set to face a U.S. magistrate Friday afternoon on a federal firearms charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Bryan Moles, 43, was ordered released from detention late Thursday despite having said that he came to Washington, D.C., with guns and ammunition to meet with President Trump. D.C. Magistrate Joseph Beshouri ordered Moles held overnight under guard at an undisclosed hotel, and to surrender his weapons and stay away from the White House and the Trump hotel. Court documents say Moles, a licensed physician and former Navy corpsman, drove to Washington, D.C., from his home in Edinboro, a small town about 100 miles north of Pittsburgh, with an AR-15 rifle, a handgun and more than 90 rounds of ammunition. Prosecutors said Moles said he came to Washington to "bring down big medicine business and big pharmacy" and did not plan to leave 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue until he saw the president. In a voice-mail message turned over by a tipster, Moles allegedly said he stockpiled his black 2017 BMW with so much survival gear that it "looked like Timothy McVeigh or Eric Rudolph was going on a camping trip," according to prosecutors, referring to one of the 1995 Oklahoma City federal building bombers and the serial bomber who attacked the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. But Moles' attorney, Eugene Ohm of the D.C. Public Defender Service, argued in D.C. Superior Court that his client committed no crime other than not knowing Washington, D.C.'s strict gun laws. "Dr. Moles is a father of two, a 14-year veteran of the Navy and eight-year reservist who has multiple marksmanship ribbon awards," Ohm said, arguing that his client was neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk and should be released. He said visitors come to Washington, D.C., not knowing the gun laws "about three or four times a week." Outside court late Thursday, Moles declined to comment to reporters about the case, but he said of his family, "I love them and I'll talk to them soon." Moles is set to appear in federal court Friday on the federal felony charge, which bars possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance. In a court filing, police said that when they spoke with Moles at his room at the Trump hotel officers smelled marijuana and stated that Moles told them he had marijuana and a vaporizer with him, which police recovered. Prosecutors said that while they did not have enough evidence to charge Moles with making threats, his alleged crimes were "committed under concerning circumstances." Moles also faces a D.C. charge of unlawful transport of a loaded firearm in an unlocked passenger compartment of a vehicle, punishable by up to 1 year in prison. Prosecutors wanted to bring Moles to federal court Thursday, but said a late change in court venue was required after they failed to notify the federal court of their plans before a 1 p.m. deadline. The notification is required for U.S. Marshals to arrange the transport of defendants to the courthouse, in Moles's case from his cell at D.C. Superior Court, said Jelahn Stewart, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office of Washington, D.C. Defendants typically have a right to an initial hearing within 48 hours of arrest and Moles was arrested early Wednesday. When the federal court is not available within 48 hours, such as in Moles's situation or when it is closed on weekends, defendants in Washington, D.C., are taken to Superior Court. According to charging documents, Moles apparently supported Trump but told police he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and refused his medication; owned more than 20 guns at his home and had experience with explosives and pipe bombs. According to the criminal complaint, Moles told detectives that before his road trip, he had withdrawn $10,000 "to live the life he always wanted before it was too late." He said that he left $4.19 in his checking account because the digits were significant to him and that he had once written a term paper on McVeigh, who killed 168 people in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Prosecutors initially argued for Moles' detention Thursday, but agreed with his defense that his negotiated, conditional release ensured public safety, Stewart said. Police were already searching for Moles by the time he arrived at the Trump hotel Wednesday and parked his car, telling the valet to secure it because he had weapons inside, according to the criminal complaint. Police said detectives went to the hotel about 1:50 a.m. and saw a rifle case in the car in plain view and opened the door using a keyless entry system that the valet had been given. Inside, police found the rifle, two 30-round high capacity magazines and a loaded Glock 23 inside the unlocked glove box. Police said they had received a tip from an acquaintance who had listened to a voice-mail recording from Moles and relayed information to Pennsylvania State Police. D.C. police and Secret Service agents went to Moles's room and said he opened the door and agreed to speak to them, the court document shows. He told investigators, according to the complaint, that he brought the AR-15 to Washington, D.C., to have a friend customize it for his son's use back home. The complaint says he told police that he was a recovering alcoholic who has been sober since 2013 and that he suffered from PTSD and medicated with marijuana instead of prescription drugs because the medications made him suicidal. Moles enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1992 and served until August 1996 as a hospital corpsman at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Navy records show. Moles served in the reserves until 1996 as part of a surgical battalion. He also had apparently worked at a hospital until 2013. --- Keith L. Alexander contributed to this report. WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled House Intelligence Committee asked U.S. spy agencies late last year to reveal the names of U.S. individuals or organizations contained in classified intelligence on Russia's meddling in the 2016 election, engaging in the same practice that President Donald Trump has accused the Obama administration of abusing, current and former officials said. The chairman of the committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., has since cast the practice of "unmasking" U.S. individuals and organizations in classified reports as an abuse of surveillance powers by the outgoing Obama administration. Trump has argued that investigators should focus their attention on former officials leaking names from intelligence reports, rather than whether the Kremlin coordinated its activities with the Trump campaign, an allegation he has denied. "The big story is the 'unmasking and surveillance' of people that took place during the Obama administration," Trump tweeted Thursday. According to a tally by U.S. spy agencies, the House Intelligence Committee requested five to six unmaskings of U.S. organizations or individuals related to Trump or Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton between June 2016 and January 2017. Officials familiar with the matter said that the committee's requests focused on the identities of U.S. organizations that had been hacked by the Russians in 2016. Officials declined to say how many of the requests came from Democrats vs. Republicans. The chairman of the committee wields enormous control over the actions of its members and requests for more information from intelligence agencies. Officials said that committee rules require the chairman to sign off on the requests, even if they are not his own. A spokesman for Republicans on Nunes's committee declined to comment on whether the panel made any requests for unmasking. He added, "It is standard operating procedure for the House Intelligence Committee to forward all committee members' questions from both parties to the appropriate agencies, whether or not they are answered. I refer you to committee Democrats for further questions on this subject." Every day, U.S. intelligence agencies sweep up vast quantities of foreign communications. Sometimes, they pick up communications involving U.S. individuals or organizations. In reports based on those communications, intelligence agencies "mask" the identities of the Americans, part of an effort to protect their privacy. Senior government officials, however, can ask spy agencies to reveal the names of Americans or U.S. organizations in the reports if they believe that doing so will help them better understand the underlying intelligence. They must have a legitimate need to know, and National Security Agency unmaskings are reviewed by the Justice Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, known as the ODNI. Some officials said that House Intelligence Committee members may not have realized that spy agencies would count their requests as unmaskings. These officials said lawmakers submitted questions that intelligence officers could answer only by revealing the identities of U.S. individuals. Nunes served subpoenas earlier this week to the CIA, the NSA and the FBI asking for information about unmaskings requested by three former officials: national security adviser Susan Rice, CIA director John Brennan and U.N. ambassador Samantha Power. On Thursday, Nunes tweeted, "Seeing a lot of fake news from media elites and others who have no interest in violations of Americans' civil liberties via unmaskings." Democrats on the panel say they believe the latest direction of Nunes's investigation is designed to deflect attention from the Russia probe. In April, Nunes was forced to recuse himself from the committee's probe of Russia because of allegations he may have inappropriately disclosed classified information. Nunes has denied any wrongdoing. Current and former U.S. intelligence officials say requests for unmaskings are a routine and necessary part of their national security work. After requests are made, spy agencies decide whether to provide the names. Officials say few requests are rejected because most are legitimate. Still, senior officials know that unmaskings can be controversial and are often reluctant to submit large numbers of requests. To protect themselves from any allegations of abuse, spy agencies track unmasking requests closely. Rice and Brennan declined to comment. During an appearance on MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports" in April, Rice denied that she or other Obama administration officials sought to improperly unveil the names of Trump campaign or transition officials for political purposes. In recent congressional testimony, Brennan also has denied that he made any improper unmaskings. Power did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Nunes first called for his committee to investigate alleged Obama administration-era surveillance of Trump and his associates after the president, in a March 4 tweet, accused Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower. Officials said at the time that Trump's wiretap allegations were false. On March 15, Nunes and the committee's ranking Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, sent a joint letter to the CIA, the NSA and the FBI asking them to provide the names of any intelligence and law enforcement agencies, as well as senior executive branch officials, who requested or authorized the unmasking of any U.S. persons or organizations between June 2016 and January 2017 related to "presidential candidates Donald J. Trump and Hillary Rodham Clinton and their associates in 2016." While the House Intelligence Committee asked only for the names of administration officials who requested unmaskings related to Trump and Clinton, intelligence agencies responded to the request by providing a tally that included requests by lawmakers. The tally showed several requests from the House Intelligence Committee - requests that one official said were treated like those made by Obama administration officials. "This notion that there are these politically motivated unmaskings is just nonsense," said the official. In contrast to the committee's handful of unmasking requests, officials said the tally showed that Rice requested a single unmasking related to Trump's activities between June and January. The Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee made no requests for unmaskings during that time frame related to either Trump or Clinton, according to the tally. At a House Intelligence Committee briefing in May, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., pressed Brennan on whether he had ever requested the unmasking of a U.S. person's identity. Brennan responded that he had. Gowdy then pressed Brennan on whether he was aware of any requests made by any "U.S. ambassadors," a possible reference to Power. Brennan said he was not aware of any unmasking requests by ambassadors. On Jan. 4, an exquisitely sensitive instrument on Earth detected a disturbance that rippled through space and time. Scientists traced the ripple 3 billion light-years away, back to two ancient black holes on a collision course. This marked the third time in about a year that physicists, thanks to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, or LIGO, discovered gravitational waves from the violent death spirals of merging black holes. The first gravitational wave discovery was announced in February 2016 and the second a few months later. The black holes identified in January were slightly smaller than those in the first detection, but they were much farther away, according to David Shoemaker, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and spokesman for LIGO, an international collaboration involving more than a thousand researchers. They reported the details of the new binary black hole system that generated the wave Thursday in the journal Physical Review Letters. "Gravitational waves are distortions in the metric of space that we live in," said Michael Landry, a LIGO physicist at California Institute of Technology, during a news conference on Wednesday. He used a metaphor of a painting's canvas to describe distorted space. If you grip the top and bottom of the canvas and pull, the picture warps, expanding on one axis while contracting in the other. Two L-shaped LIGO detectors, one in Washington state and the other in Louisiana, check for these distortions. The shoot synchronized laser beams down perpendicular vacuum tubes, each 2.5 miles long. As a gravitational wave passes by, one arm of the L will shrink or expand, throwing the beams out of alignment. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology spearhead the project, with support from the National Science Foundation and scientific agencies from a host of other countries. "This is exactly what we hoped for from NSF's investment in LIGO: taking us deeper into time and space in ways we couldn't do before the detection of gravitational waves," said NSF director France Cordova in a statement. The signal in January failed to set off the usual automated alarm - the LIGO scientists had just restarted the detector, after a short winter break, and hadn't yet properly calibrated the trigger setting at the Washington site. A researcher in Germany, who happened to be poring over the LIGO data, first spotted the wave. (The wave would have been caught eventually, the LIGO team said; in a worst-case scenario there's an offline backup to review.) The scientists named it GW170104. The wave hit Washington about 3 milliseconds before Louisiana. Given the data captured, the LIGO team calculated that the chance an event like this would be a false alarm would occur once every 70,000 years. "The key thing to take away is we're looking for novelty," Shoemaker said during Wednesday's briefing. On these terms, the new black holes complied, at least a little bit. Both of these black holes were much more massive than our sun. One was roughly 30 times solar mass, and the other 20 times the sun's mass, putting these black holes in the intermediate range between the first detection (two larger black holes) and second (two smaller black holes). During this hole-on-hole merger, the equivalent of two solar masses were converted into gravitational waves. "These are the most powerful astronomical events witnessed by human beings," Landry said. The new detection also offered hints about the ways black holes spin with respect to their orbits. Georgia Tech astrophysicist Laura Cadonati on Wednesday likened the spinning black holes to a pair of tornadoes that dance around each other. Black holes can spin counterclockwise and clockwise, like tornadoes, but can also tilt at angles tornadoes could never achieve. "We opened a new window into the universe," Cadonati said. "Before our discoveries we didn't even know for sure that these black holes existed." It is possible that one of the black holes had a misaligned spin, which is to say that it was not spinning in the same direction as its overall spiral orbit. "We have an indication that at least one of the two spins is not aligned with the orbital angular momentum," said B.S. Sathyaprakash, a cosmologist at Pennsylvania State University, during Wednesday's conference. If the two black holes are not spinning in the same way, that hints at the way they met. Broadly speaking, there are two ways that binary black hole systems form: They began as an isolated pair of stars (think the dual Tatooine sunset in "Star Wars") that collapsed, or the black holes collapsed independently in a dense star cluster. Cadonati said "this finding lightly favors the theory" of a cluster of stars. And once again, Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity held up. Einstein's theory indicates that gravitational waves do not disperse through a physical medium, unlike light through a prism. "Even for this new event, which is about two times farther away than our first two detections, we could not find any evidence that gravitational waves disperse as they travel in the fabric of space-time," said Alessandra Buonanno, a University of Maryland physics professor and LIGO collaborator, in a statement. The LIGO team continues to increase the detectors' sensitivity. In Louisiana, workers recently entered the vacuum envelope, clad in sterile bunny suits, to patch up areas where light could scatter in the tubes, cutting down on noise at low frequencies. In Washington, the observatory beefed up its laser to reduce high-frequency noise. With every improvement in clarity, LIGO can push its reach deeper into space. The two teams will swap notes to improve their systems' range for the next run, scheduled to start in 2018. Italy's Virgo detector, too, is close to completion, which will join in LIGO's hunt for gravitational waves. It is possible, members of the LIGO team said during Wednesday's conference, that future discoveries could include merging neutron stars - collisions between the dense remnants of spent stars, the size of a city with the mass of a sun. Manila It started as a mass panic at the biggest hotel-casino resort in the Philippines over fears of an Islamic State terrorist attack. It ended with the police saying the assailant, who was killed, may have been a gambler with a grudge. Patrons jumped off balconies and fled as police officers with bomb-sniffing dogs searched Resorts World Manila complex for armed attackers early Friday. At least two dozen people were reported hurt in their rush to escape. Hours later, the police and hotel officials said initial reports that Islamic State gunmen had invaded and set fire to the hotel casino were false, and that one man possibly an irate gambler armed with a rifle and can of gasoline had shot a television and set a table ablaze. Ronald dela Rosa, director general of the national police, said his officers exchanged fire with the gunman early Friday as he hid inside the hotel. The gunman was found dead. Dela Rosa also said it was clear he was not a terrorist and instead possibly a "sore loser." "As of now the situation is going back to normal," he said. "We've cleared everything." Dela Rosa's description punctuated a cascade of confusing and sometimes contradictory accounts of what had unfolded at the casino hotel in the Pasay City neighborhood of the Philippine capital, just across from the international airport, starting just after midnight. It came against the backdrop of a nation on edge because of a resurgent Islamist militant insurgency in the south, where President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law last week and said terrorist attacks were a possibility. Early accounts on Twitter and in local media said gunmen may have stormed the casino hotel, and the sound of gunfire and explosions were heard. Patrons fled, and gray smoke was billowing from the building more than three hours later. The police sealed off the area and the casino hotel was placed in lockdown as officers searched the complex. Pleas by the police not to spread rumors via social media appeared to go largely ignored. Dela Rosa told reporters the terrorism angle made no sense considering the gunman's behavior. "In fact, he passed by people," the chief said describing video recordings of the gunman taken inside. "He didn't mind them. He was carrying a liter of gasoline, set the table on fire. Maybe he's mad at gambling. Why did he steal the chips? Maybe he's a sore loser." "It's too early to tell, but so far as far as we are concerned there was no indication that it was ISIS," added dela Rosa, using an acronym for the Islamic State. "If he were, he would have mowed down those gambling or exploded a bomb." Stephen Reilly, chief operating officer of Resorts World Manila, said all guests had been accounted for and were safe. At least 25 people were injured and taken to hospitals, a spokesman for the Pasay Chapter of the Philippine Red Cross was quoted as saying by The Manila Times. Some of the wounded were injured jumping from the hotel's second-floor balconies to escape, the spokesman, Fernando Atienza, was quoted as saying. Since May, the country's military has been locked in a pitched battle against Islamist groups allied with the Islamic State on the restive southern island of Mindanao. Vista Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for Vista Bank, has announced that it completed its acquisition of The Hamlin Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, Hamlin National Bank, on June 2, 2017. After the transaction Vista Bancshares, Inc. has total assets of approximately $515 million. As students on Midland High Schools Drug, Alcohol, Safety and Health committee prepare for next school year, they hope to educate their peers about prescription drugs and other substances. Mia Bejil, a rising senior and Student Council treasurer, thinks the focus will bring awareness to a topic that students dont often speak about. Ive heard about times it does happen, Bejil said. At parties, people use prescription drugs that arent prescribed to them theyre taking prescriptions and giving them out. Kevin Thompson, regional evaluator for the Permian Basin Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (PBRCADA), said teen prescription drug misuse is an issue in Region 9, which includes Midland and surrounding counties. Nationally, were seeing a decline in prescription drug abuse among teenagers, Thompson said. In Texas specifically our region weve seen an increase. Its definitely a problem here, and we need to figure out why and address it as a panel. Thompson is one panelist scheduled to weigh in on prescription drug misuse at an event Friday. Teenagers and community members who work with young people are encouraged to attend the Prescription Drug Misuse Prevention Town Hall, scheduled for 2-5 p.m. at the Region 18 Education Service Center. Event coordinators will conduct a separate teen session, depending on registration numbers. That portion is scheduled to include games, a video and other age-specific programming. More Information For more information on Friday's town hall meeting, visit prescriptiondrugsummit.com/regional.html or call 877-451-8700. See More Collapse The main session will feature a segment for public comment and remarks from panelists working in various fields. The panel will be speaking about prescription drug abuse in our area and the state, said Carrie Bronaugh, director of community prevention programs at PBRCADA. The goal is to have as many community members as possible not only hear the panel but speak about what theyre seeing in the community. The event is one of a dozen town halls the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is hosting across the state this spring and summer. The HHSC will use feedback from the events to create a statewide strategic plan, according to its webpage. Ashley Hoppman, project coordinator at Palmer Drug Abuse Programs Midland Coalition, expects event coordinators to educate teenagers and their parents. She said the coalition starts education before age 13, when some start to use substances. Talking about it to the parents and getting the word out is going to be the best thing, Hoppman said. Parents are in the mode that its not going to happen to my child. Were hoping its going to change their mind. Some consequences are life-changing. Bejil hasnt noticed recent prescription drug use at MHS but said some students experiment with alcohol, marijuana and other substances. In the city of Midland, opioid abuse cost an estimated $9.3 million in 2014, according to Thompson. To gather unused or unwanted prescription drugs, the Midland Coalition operates collection bins and partners with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to host take-back events. As of May 25, the coalition collected 853 pounds of prescription drugs, according to Hoppman. The organization gathered more than 1,600 pounds last year, she said. What weve noticed is a lot of hydrocodone and stuff like that in huge bottles..., she said. Im glad were throwing them away because thats what kids get into. Hoppman said some teenagers taking prescription drugs dont realize the potential to develop addictions. She hopes the town hall will inform people about the impact. Its not just a pill, Hoppman said. Youve got to respect the power that it has. They think its just a pill, but one pill turns into two pills. Law enforcement offices seized about 25 dogs - believed to be pit bulls - in late April when they raided a home in Crosby of a man wanted on narcotics and weapons charges in Louisiana. The dogs, a mixture of males and females, were confiscated April 28, 2017, when officers served an arrest warrant at the home of 45-year-old Trevian Edwards. According to court documents dated May 30, the dogs were subject to forfeiture because being involved with animal fighting is illegal under federal law. The dogs confiscated at his home are in the official custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. They are being cared for by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, according to court records. The seizure of the dogs was part of a federal case filed against Edwards in Louisiana. He is accused of narcotics trafficking involving five kilograms of cocaine along with possessing a weapon - a Ruger .40 caliber handgun - during a drug-related crime, officials said. Police said many of the dogs found at Edwards' home were chained to the ground or to car axles. "And the rest were housed in dirty wire pens," according to the filing by the U.S. attorney's office. They also wore thick collars commonly used in dog fighting because they are stronger and less likely to allow a dog to break off the chain, the complaint against Edwards stated. Investigators said none of the dogs appeared to have been spayed or neutered - a common practice for those destined to be fighters. During a search outside the home, investigators also found a treadmill used to condition the dogs. During a search of his home, investigators also found books and videos about dogfighting, animal pedigree charts and receipts for weighted dog collars used to enhance their stamina and muscle strength, officials said. In 2009, Edwards was convicted of misdemeanor dog fighting in Harris County, according to court records. On Memorial Day, phone calls from pedestrians in the Medical Center began flowing into Animal Care Services and other city departments for reports of a strange occurrence meows echoing from inside a traffic pole. Responders discovered that a two-month-old kitten, just tiny enough to crawl beneath the concrete lip of the metal traffic pole, was stuck at the intersection of Floyd Curl Drive and Medical Drive. The kittens meows grew as thunderstorms swept across the area. The crew left food for the cat trapped inside of the pole, where a passerby had taped a sign on the base that read, Please help this kitten. For more than two days, ACS Officer Daniel White and a crew from the Citys transportation and capital improvements department tried to coax the kitten from the metal pole lined with low voltage wires. White was upset when he had to leave the scene. Unable to sleep, he went back on patrol with the crew and gave their rescue attempt another try. Eventually they used an improvised rope system to pull the cold and wet kitten to safety. White rushed the tabby to the veterinary clinic at the ACS campus where two veterinarians used a syringe to feed him and wrapped him in a Purrito, a makeshift blanket used to swaddle a sick or injured animal. ACS spokeswoman Lisa Norwood said the three-day misadventure was an example of animal abandonment in the San Antonio community. This animal was left in this area, she said. This is not an animal that could care for itself. Norwood said that animal abandonment is illegal, and yet the number of unwanted and abandoned pets will rise at ACS and area shelters as the summer heats up. She urged residents to spay/neuter companion animals, try to re-home unwanted litters, and foster pets in need. ACS staff members named the gray kitten Floyd the Cat, after the street where he was rescued. Norwood said the kitten will be available for fostering soon and then eventual placement. vtdavis@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate AUSTIN Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Thursday he has certified the $216.8 billion, two-year proposed state budget as balanced, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbot for his consideration. The comptrollers action is a required step to ensure that the budget approved by lawmakers doesnt spend more than the revenue available. But this time, it has extra significance, because Gov. Greg Abbott said he was waiting for the budget certification before making an announcement about a potential special session. It is premature to say what, if anything, will be on a special session call, Abbott said Wednesday, when he also noted he was waiting for the budget to be sent to him. Abbott is the only one with the authority to call a special session of the Legislature and set its agenda. It may be needed because lawmakers ended their 140-day regular session Monday without approving a key bill to continue several state agencies, including the Texas Medical Board. Thats because Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick carried through on a threat to try to force a special session by stalling action on that bill. Patrick wants a special session because the House didnt follow the Senate in approving two of his priorities changing the property tax system to allow for automatic rollback elections and restricting the public restrooms that transgender people can use. The House instead passed bills to give Texans more information about their property taxes and provide for schools to provide an alternative to students who dont want to the restrooms that align with their biological sex. If Abbott calls a special session, there will be no shortage of people urging him to expand its agenda. Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, wrote to Abbott on Wednesday urging him to include property tax relief and annexation on a special-session agenda. Campbell pushed a bill in the regular session that would have required cities including San Antonio to get approval of an areas residents before annexing it. Opposed by cities including San Antonio, the bill was killed with a filibuster by Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, who said he was concerned about the effect it could have had on military bases, citing their importance to the economy of the city and state. Guaranteeing Texans a voice in the annexation process will make our local governments more accountable and limit their appetite to tax, spend, and expand with no end in sight, Campbell wrote to Abbott. The will of the people cannot be denied. pfikac@express-news.net Twitter: @pfikac This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Days after they lost one of their own in a structure fire, roughly 50 San Antonio firefighters suited up for another call a first grade graduation ceremony. Tyler Deem, 7, graduated from the first grade at Lieck Elementary the week after his father, Scott, was killed in a fire on the Northwest Side May 18. During the ceremony, firefighters lined the back wall, according to a photo shared on Facebook. A representative from Lieck Elementary did not immediately return request for comment. DEEM LAID TO REST: San Antonio pays tribute to fallen firefighter killed in Northwest Side blaze San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Woody Woodward said the idea to attend Tylers graduation was something the group did on their own they didnt alert the media, or the department. There was no news release, or photographer the group was there to support a member of their family. David Cevallos, a 25-year veteran of the fire department here, was touched by what his fellow firefighters did for the Deem family. "I, just like yourself, was overjoyed by this showing of support for one of our brothers' son," he said. "We are a brotherhood unlike no other and I have brothers from all over this country that work in various departments that would, in an instant, drop what they are doing if I, or any other brother, needed something." He said he hopes the Deem family knows they are not alone. Monique Zigmond, a counselor at the elementary school, thanked the department for supporting the 7-year-old. According to a Facebook photo, the firefighters posed with Tyler, who was wearing a uniform like the rest of the SAFD group in attendance. Zigmond said Scott Deem was one of the schools greatest volunteers, attending almost all school functions, and walked his kids to class each morning. READ MORE: Radio traffic details chaotic scene at fatal Northwest Side inferno that killed Scott Deem We used to jokingly ask, Do you ever sleep? she said. His presence here will be greatly missed." Graduation day was Tyler's first day back at school since the fire and the firefighters there made sure it was a good one, she said. One of the last lessons I did with Tyler's class, about three weeks ago, was about safety and tricky people, she said. When I asked the class who our safe strangers were, Tyler raised his hand and answered, My dad is a safe stranger. He is a fireman and he saves people's lives kind of like a hero. Deem is the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in more than two decades. Two other firefighters were injured in the blaze at a strip mall in the 6700 block of Ingram Road. SAFD is continuing to raise money for the Deem family through a T-shirt fundraiser, the department announced this week. Those interested can purchase a T-shirt here. So far, $30,320 has been raised for the family. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Two years after the body of a shooting victim was found in a Northwest Side ditch called Hells Gate, police arrested a suspect Friday in the citys West Side. Robert Bobby Martinez, 21, was charged with murder in the death of Steven Cerna, back in February 2015, said officer Douglas Greene, a San Antonio police spokesman. READ MORE: Man killed in San Antonio's 'Hell's Gate' shooting ID'd Police responding to a call for a shooting found Cerna dead in a ditch around 8 a.m. Feb. 20, 2015, in the 1100 block of Shadwell Drive. Since then, police have actively searched for who they believe are multiple suspects involved in Cernas death. Neighbors said young men and teens frequently hang out in the ditch to smoke, drink and tag nearby buildings, according to previous reports. In March 2015, police released a photo of Martinez and asked for the publics assistance in locating him, though at the time they did not release his name. A few witnesses interviewed by police said Martinez, Cerna and two others had left a motel downtown to buy drugs at Hells Gate. In March this year, a witness approached police saying that Martinez and two others had set up Cerna because he was allegedly involved in a separate shooting of a fellow gang member, according to Martinezs arrest warrant affidavit. RELATED: Police searching for person of interest in West Side killing Martinez and two others plotted to kill Cerna while they were at the hotel. They had told Cerna they were going to buy drugs, according to the affidavit. Detectives arrested Martinez without incident Friday morning on the West Side. Greene said police anticipate more arrests in the case. We are pleased to make an arrest in this case and bring some kind of solace to this family of Steven Cerna, Greene said. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 RELATED: kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 Google Maps SAN ANTONIO A juvenile girl not yet in her teens was sexually assaulted behind a Northeast Side middle school on Thursday, police said. Police say the girl was standing at a bus stop near White Middle School, in the 7800 block of Midcrown Dr, around 5:40 p.m. when a man approached her, brandished a handgun and forced the girl to walk into a wooded area, where the alleged assault took place. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When a Central Texas police department needed help finding theft suspects, they invoked famous imagery from the movie "Top Gun" aviators. Three women, two wearing "the iconic aviator glasses," were caught on surveillance footage exiting a Valero Corner Store in Seguin March 25 with less than $100 of stolen merchandise. The Seguin Police Department posted a plea on Facebook Friday for the public's help in locating the perpetrators. "Cue the theme song to the movie 'Top Gun.' We don't have Lt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell or LTJG," Officer Contreras began the Facebook post. RELATED: 3 S.A. men arrested in connection with multiple Central Texas hardware store burglaries Contreras said in the post that the woman wearing white in the footage "assisted a juvenile in a theft." "The female made it a teachable time for the juvenile for all of the wrong reasons. The juvenile, who will not be shown, grabbed a few items and handed it to the female in white while they were inside the store," the officer said. "Once it was given to her, they left the store without paying." Days after the theft, the group of women were recognized in the corner store, and caused a disturbance. READ ALSO: South Texas authorities arrest 18 in sting that netted more than $40K, 200 gambling machines "Maybe singing Kenny Loggins' 'Danger Zone.' Who knows," the officer wrote. "We would like to identify them and make sure they don't "buzz" through stores taking things. Instead, it would be entertaining to arrest anyone who is involved in this incident and tell them... 'Negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.'" Those with information on the group of women can contact Detective Brown at: 830-379-2123. "Make them famous," Contreras said at the end of the post. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 A manhunt is on for a registered sex offender who escaped from a Panhandle jail this week, with multiple law enforcement agencies involved in the search. Authorities in Perryton and Ochiltree County are looking for Richard Aguirre Jr., 54, a Hispanic male who is listed at 5 feet 5 inches tall and 175 pounds. He has short brown hair, said Roxie Newcomb, a dispatcher supervisor with the Ochiltree County Sheriffs Office. Wang Yuan (right) and Yi Yangqianxi sing at the International Children's Day gala.[Photo provided to China Daily] The Chinese teen boy band TFBoys and Connie Talbot joined children from Italy, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and China, singing and dancing to celebrate International Children's Day in a gala show on China Central Television on Thursday. Talbot, the 16-year-old vocalist who won fame on the reality show Britain's Got Talent in 2007, sang an English song, CupsWhen I'm Gone, followed by Elfins, a new song by Wang Yuan and Yi Yangqianxi, members of TFBoys. Wang Junkai, the other member of TFBoys, was absent. He was preparing for the college entrance examination next week. Wang Yuan and Yi wished a happy Children's Day to kids all around the world, saying, "We should all do something that makes us happy ... study hard and also have fun". They also wished "Good luck!" to their team leader and best friend, Wang Junkai, as well as all the students who are going to take the exams this year. Children from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative sang famous local songs in their own languages, such as Molihua from China, Kalinka from Russia, A Colorful Day from Italy, My Prairie from Kazakhstan and Let's Dance from Pakistan. Hundreds of children from different countries then came together onstage to sing The Same Song in Chinese. "This is about music making everyone come together from different countries," says Talbot. "It can represent the universal language for everyone and tie people closer." International Children's Day is celebrated on June 1 in China and nearly 50 other countries. Some countries celebrate Children's Day on other days. Talbot says the celebration is not as big in the United Kingdom as it is in Beijing. "But we do have a Charity Base day, also called the Children's Day, when people wear bears to raise money for charity for children," she adds. The tradition of celebrating the occasion with a CCTV Children's Gala spans more than 30 years. This year, children and teenagers from more than 10 countries were invited to Beijing to perform in the gala. "We tend to make the celebration more international, give children around the world an opportunity to communicate, open up Chinese children's eyes and also let foreign kids learn more about China," says Yin Yongbin, director of the gala. Virginia Franga and Francesca Zucchini, two 11-year-old girls from the Italian children's choir Piccolo Coro "Mariele Ventre" dell'Antoniano in Bologna, made some Chinese friends when rehearsing for the gala. Giampaolo Cavalli, director of the choir, says he feels people are becoming closer since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013. Cavalli is from Venice, an important port city on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This is Cavalli's third visit to China, and he is eager to come back more often with children's choirs. "We see more stories coming to Venice from China. It's like Marco Polo's journey to China more than 700 years ago," says Cavalli. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When she was a scrawny 11-year-old, Sherry Johnson found out one day that she was about to be married to a 20-year-old member of her church who had raped her. It was forced on me, she recalls. She had become pregnant, she says, and child welfare authorities were investigating so her family and church officials decided the simplest way to avoid a messy criminal case was to organize a wedding. My mom asked me if I wanted to get married, and I said, I dont know, what is marriage, how do I act like a wife?' Johnson remembers today, many years later. She said, Well, I guess youre just going to get married.' So she was. A government clerk in Tampa, Florida, refused to marry an 11-year-old, even though this was legal in the state, so the wedding party went to nearby Pinellas County, where the clerk issued a marriage license. The license (which I've examined) lists her birth date, so officials were aware of her age. Not surprisingly, the marriage didnt work out two-thirds of marriages of underage girls dont last, one study found but it did interrupt Johnsons attendance at elementary school. Today she is campaigning for a state law to curb underage marriages, part of a nationwide movement to end child marriage in America. Meanwhile, children 16 and under are still being married in Florida at a rate of one every few days. Youre thinking: Child marriage? Thats what happens in Bangladesh or Tanzania, not America! In fact, more than 167,000 young people age 17 and under married in 38 states between 2000 and 2010, according to a search of available marriage license data by a group called Unchained at Last, which aims to ban child marriage. The search turned up cases of 12-year-old girls married in Alaska, Louisiana and South Carolina, while other states simply had categories of 14 and younger. Unchained at Last was not able to get data for the other states. But it extrapolated that in the entire country, there were almost 250,000 child marriages between 2000 and 2010. Some backing for that estimate comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, which says that at least 57,800 Americans age 15 to 17 reported being in marriages in 2014. Among the states with the highest rates of child marriages were Arkansas, Idaho and Kentucky. The number of child marriages has been falling, but every state in America still allows underage girls to marry, typically with the consent of parents, a judge or both. Twenty-seven states do not even set a minimum age by statute, according to the Tahirih Justice Centers Forced Marriage Initiative. A great majority of the child marriages involve girls and adult men. Such a sexual relationship would often violate statutory rape laws, but marriage sometimes makes it legal. In New Hampshire, a Girl Scout named Cassandra Levesque learned that girls in her state could marry at 13. So she set out to change the law. A legislator sponsored Cassandras bill to raise the age to 18, and researchers found that two 15-year-olds had recently married in New Hampshire, along with one 13-year-old. But politicians resisted the initiative. Were asking the Legislature to repeal a law thats been on the books for over a century, thats been working without difficulty, on the basis of a request from a minor doing a Girl Scout project, scoffed one state representative, David Bates. In March the Republican-led House voted to kill the bill, leaving the minimum age at 13. (Legislators seem willing to marry off girls like Cassandra, but not to listen to them!) New Jersey lawmakers passed a bill that would make their state the first in the country to ban marriages of people under 18, but Gov. Chris Christie this month blocked the legislation. New York legislators are considering a bill backed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to raise the age to 17, from the current minimum, 14. Opponents worry that raising the age will lead to out-of-wedlock births, and they note that many underage marriages are consensual. Globally, a girl marries before the age of 15 every seven seconds, according to estimates by Save the Children. As in Africa and Asia, the reasons for such marriages in the U.S. are often cultural or religious; the American families follow conservative Christian, Muslim or Jewish traditions, and judges sometimes feel that they shouldnt intrude on other cultures. Johnson, the former 11-year-old unwitting bride who is now fighting for Florida to set a minimum marriage age (there is none now), says that her family attended a conservative Pentecostal church and that other girls of a similar age periodically also married. Often, she says, this was to hide rapes by church elders. She says she was raped by both a minister and a parishioner and gave birth to a daughter when she was just 10 (the birth certificate confirms that). A judge approved the marriage to end the rape investigation, she says, telling her, What we want is for you to get married. It was a terrible life, Johnson recalls, recounting her years as a child raising children. She missed school and remembers spending her days changing diapers, arguing with her husband and struggling to pay expenses. She ended up with pregnancy after pregnancy nine children in all while her husband periodically abandoned her. They took the handcuffs from handcuffing him, she says, referring to the risk he faced of arrest for rape, to handcuffing me, by marrying me without me knowing what I was doing. You cant get a job, you cant get a car, you cant get a license, you cant sign a lease, she adds, so why allow someone to marry when theyre still so young? Those are precisely the reasons marriages for even 17-year-olds are problematic, according to Fraidy Reiss, who founded Unchained at Last to fight forced marriage and child marriage. Bullied by their parents into marriage, she says, girls may feel powerless to object and fearful of telling a judge that they dont want to wed. If they try to flee an abusive marriage, they are turned away from shelters and may be treated as simple runaways. Some judges and clerks intervene on behalf of young girls; others do not. Reiss says one clerk told a 16-year-old bride: Dont cry. This is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. For almost all of them, says Reiss, marriage means rape on their wedding night and thereafter. Reiss, now 42, says she was forced into a marriage at age 19 by her ultra-Orthodox Jewish family. Lyndsy Duet, now a school counselor in Texas, told me that she was forced into a marriage at 17 after enduring a series of rapes beginning when she was 14, by a young man her conservative Christian family had taken into the house. Confused, shamed and helpless, she didnt speak up but her rapist did. He asked my parents if he could marry me, Duet remembers. My mom was crying, she was so happy. Duet felt powerless to resist her parents pressure and it was eight years before she could flee what she says was a violent marriage. Once, she says, her husband threatened her with a chain saw, and it was only when she went to college on her own and proved a brilliant student (she graduated first in her class) that she was able to escape. Most girls who reach out to us love their families, Reiss says, and their primary concern is that they dont want their families to get into trouble. The United States has denounced child marriage in other countries as a human rights abuse that contributes to economic hardship, in the words of a State Department document published last year. Lets listen to ourselves. State legislators must understand that child marriage is devastating in Niger and Afghanistan and also in New York and Florida. Its past time to end child marriage right here at home. Contact Kristof at Facebook.com/Kristof, Twitter.com/NickKristof or by mail at The New York Times, 620 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10018. The Benedictine monks of Norcia, Italy, are gifted listeners. Part of a religious order that spends a portion of each day in silent prayer and meditation, open and receptive to whatever God might ask of them, they understand well the virtues of listening and obedience. When a devastating earthquake rattled and cracked the walls of their monastery in the middle of the night last August, they heeded the warnings, evacuating their century's old basilica and dwelling, the home of their patron, St. Benedict, and settling in the hills of Umbria, on a mountainside overlooking the town. There they pitched tents and continued their life of work and prayer in Spartan conditions, still ministering to the people of the tiny city below. Two months later, a stronger earthquake hit the region, its epicenter just north of Norcia. The Basilica and Monastery of St. Benedict crumbed to the earth, leaving only its badly damaged facade still standing. In his new book, The Benedict Option, Rod Dreher describes the event. The next morning, as the sun rose over Norcia, Father Benedict, who would soon take over as prior from the retiring Father Cassian, sent a message to the monastery's friends all over the world. He said that no Norcini had lost their lives in the quake because they had heeded the warnings from earlier tremors and left town. (God) spent two months preparing us for the complete destruction of our patron's church so that when it finally happened we would watch it, in horror but in safety, from atop the town. On their perch above Norcia, the monks have already started to rebuild. Their objective is to create a new monastery and church on the hill an effort that will require $5 million, a difficult sum to come by for monks who live by a rule of no personal possessions. It is the call to rebuild that brought them to Dallas last weekend to raise the funds needed to remake their holy sanctuary on a hilltop in Umbria. At a benefit dinner and before an audience of supporters, Father Benedict described the monastic life of prayer, contemplation, Scripture study, work (they operate a small brewery), discipline, ministry and complete submission to God. He recounted the life of St. Benedict, whom they seek to emulate, and whose monastic order helped restore Christianity to the people of Europe years after the continent had fallen away from the Church. For Dreher, who offered the keynote address at Saturday's dinner, the monks' ordeal is a prophetic illustration of the state of Christianity. Like the basilica in Norcia, where only the facade remains, Christianity in the West is but a shell of what it once was. Secular forces, like the quakes that rocked northern Italy last fall, have successfully gutted its core, leaving the faith too unstable to withstand another blow. In his latest tome, he describes the plight of contemporary orthodox Christians trying to live out their faith in a post-Christian society, and offers a strategy for navigating the uncertain terrain that lies ahead. He advocates for Christians to meaningfully withdrawal from secular society in order to live out their faith and preserve it for future generations. Dreher's proposal doesn't call for complete and total retreat, but like the monks of Norcia whose isolation on the hilltop does not preclude them from accepting guests or serving through ministry the people of the town, it will require that Christians thoughtfully engage in some earnest and deliberate separation from a world that threatens to dilute and erode their faith. (His text is thoughtful and complex, and warrants further explication in a future column.) As he writes in the book's conclusion, Father Cassian later reflected that the earthquake symbolized the crumbling of the West's Christian culture, but on the night of the quake, hope was also present with the townspeople gathering in the piazza to pray around the statue of St. Benedict. There is still hope for the future of Christianity on the hilltops of Norcia and around the world. To support the Benedictines of Norcia, please visit their website: en.nursia.org/donations/ Cynthia M. Allen is a columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Email: cmallen@star-telegram.com. So what if, in his speech last week to NATO, Donald Trump didnt explicitly reaffirm the provision that an attack on one is an attack on all? Whats the big deal? Didnt he affirm a general commitment to NATO during his visit? Hadnt he earlier sent his vice president and secretaries of state and defense to pledge allegiance to Article 5? And anyway, who believes that the United States would really go to war with Russia and risk nuclear annihilation over Estonia? Ah, but thats precisely the point. It is because deterrence is so delicate, so problematic, so literally unbelievable that it is not to be trifled with. And why for an American president to gratuitously undermine what little credibility deterrence already has, by ostentatiously refusing to recommit to Article 5, is so shocking. Deterrence is inherently a barely believable bluff. Even at the height of the Cold War, when highly resolute presidents, such as Eisenhower and Kennedy, threatened Russia with massive retaliation (i.e., all-out nuclear war), would we really have sacrificed New York for Berlin? No one knew for sure. Not Eisenhower, not Kennedy, not the Soviets, not anyone. Yet that very uncertainty was enough to stay the hand of any aggressor and keep the peace of the world for 70 years. Deterrence does not depend on 100 percent certainty that the other guy will go to war if you cross a red line. Given the stakes, merely a chance of that happening can be enough. Leaders therefore do everything they can to bolster it. Install tripwires, for example. During the Cold War, we stationed troops in Germany to face the massive tank armies of Soviet Russia. Today we have 28,000 troops in South Korea, 12,000 near the demilitarized zone. Why? Not to repel invasion. They couldnt. To put it very coldly, theyre there to die. Theyre a deliberate message to the enemy that if you invade our ally, you will have to kill a lot of Americans first. Which will galvanize us into full-scale war against you. We resort to tripwires because parchment promises are problematic and tripwires imply automaticity. We do what we can to strengthen deterrence. Rhetorically as well. Which is why presidents from Truman on have regularly and powerfully reaffirmed our deterrent pledge to NATO. Until Trump. His omission was all the more damaging because of his personal history. This is a man chronically disdainful of NATO. He campaigned on its obsolescence. His inaugural address denounced American allies as cunning parasites living off American wealth and generosity. One of Trumps top outside advisers, Newt Gingrich, says that Estonia is in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, as if Russian designs on the Baltic states are not at all unreasonable. Moreover, Trump devoted much of that very same speech, the highlight of his first presidential trip to NATO, to berating the allies for not paying their fair share. Nothing particularly wrong with that, or new. But if youre going to berate, at least reassure as well. Especially given rising Russian threats and aggression. Especially given that Trumps speech was teed up precisely for such reassurance. An administration official had spread the word that he would use the speech to endorse Article 5. And it was delivered at a ceremony honoring the first and only invocation of Article 5 ironically enough, by the allies in support of America after 9/11. Trumps refusal to utter those words lowers whatever probability Vladimir Putin might attach to America responding with any seriousness to Russian aggression against a NATO ally. Angela Merkel said Sunday (without mentioning his name) that after Trumps visit it is clear that Europe can no longer rely on others. Its not that yesterday Europe could fully rely and today it cannot rely at all. Its simply that the American deterrent has been weakened. And deterrence weakened is an invitation to instability, miscalculation, provocation and worse. And for what? letters@charleskrauthammer.com Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in Brussels, Belgium, June 1, 2017. Li is scheduled to attend the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels and pay an official visit to Belgium. [Photo/Xinhua] BRUSSELS -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here Thursday for the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels. Upon his arrival, Li said China and the EU are contributors and beneficiaries of world multipolarization and economic globalization. He urged the two sides to jointly confront the instability of the international situation with a stable bilateral cooperation. Li hopes his visit could further promote China-EU relations in a stable and in-depth way, while boosting both sides' confidence in stability, cooperation and development. The relationship and pragmatic cooperation between China and Belgium have always been a model in China's relations with European countries over the past 46 years since the two countries established their diplomatic links, he said. China is willing to work with the Belgian side to blaze new trails in a pioneering spirit and tap the potential to the full to push forward the China-Belgium all-around partnership of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples, Li said. During his stay in Brussels, Li will co-chair the China-EU leaders' meeting with President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. Li will also hold talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and meet Belgium's King Philippe. Li is expected to discuss China-EU cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of common concern with European leaders, attend a series of activities in Brussels, including a China-EU business summit, a China-EU dialogue on innovation cooperation, a signing ceremony of cooperation documents between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and activities marking the China-EU year of tourism. During Li's visit, China and the EU are expected to sign several cooperation agreements in trade, logistics, new energy vehicles, education, finance, tourism and SME, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry. China and the EU, two important players on the world stage, enjoy a comprehensive strategic partnership. The EU is China's largest trading partner while China is the EU's second largest trading partner. Li's Brussels trip came after his official visit to Germany where he attended the annual meeting between Chinese premier and German chancellor. Li is scheduled to attend the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels on Friday and pay an official visit to Belgium. Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives approved the American Health Care Act, or AHCA, after amending it to allow states to eliminate the pre-existing conditions protections of Obamacare. Apparently they took comfort in the fact that people with pre-existing conditions already have guaranteed access to health care in America. Congress created that right back when Ronald Reagan was president, but it did so in the most expensive and least effective way possible. If the AHCA becomes law, Republicans will exacerbate that mistake. As the political fervor suggests, the pre-existing condition protections are a big deal. More than 50 million people younger than 65 have a pre-existing condition. Jimmy Kimmels newborn son has one as a result of a congenital heart anomaly. Far more common are the conditions mostly affecting adults heart and lung diseases, diabetes and joint problems. These chronic, often lifelong conditions drive more than 85 percent of U.S. health care spending. Many conditions can be reversed with early relatively inexpensive care that helps patients change lifestyles and adhere to medication programs. But when care is delayed or done poorly, health declines. Those people become frequent, expensive visitors to hospitals. Although the intent of Congress was clearly not to create universal access to health care, it did so when it passed the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act in 1986, often called the EMTALA. That law guarantees every person emergency care at virtually every hospital. Congress passed the law to prevent the dumping of uninsured patients onto publicly funded safety-net hospitals, but its universal coverage effect remains, as House Speaker Paul Ryan said, the law of the land. The emergency care limitation of EMTALA is its fundamental flaw, and the Houses willingness to deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions repeats the blunder. Instead of quickly bringing people with a health condition into the health care system, the AHCA pushes them out. Theres no magic wand. Very few medical conditions simply disappear over time. If people with pre-existing conditions lose insurance coverage and cant access health care, they will get worse. And when they get bad enough, theyll go to an emergency room where they will receive less effective care that is vastly more expensive. Instead of maintaining health with inexpensive medication and treatment, patients get crisis treatment in a rushed emergency room where the overhead costs dwarf those of any primary care practice. Amid the mayhem, busy clinicians lack bandwidth for the time-consuming counseling that chronic disease patients need. Necessary follow-up rarely happens. Late and rushed is a one-two punch that almost guarantees that patients stay in poor health and their care remains expensive. One might think that any imminent threat to health constitutes an emergency. Chest pain would correctly be viewed this way. But slightly less imminent threats dont count as emergencies. For example, coverage is not assured for refilling a prescription drug. However, when the lack of medication triggers an emergency say for a person with diabetes EMTALA requires hospitals to provide care. The AHCA repeats this fundamental mistake of EMTALA, the Republicans last, albeit unintentional, universal health insurance plan. By eliminating basic insurance coverage, the AHCA precludes millions from access to needed primary care. But primary care is how people effectively manage chronic conditions that drive health spending. The act throws people back into the warped world of having to wait for care until an emergency. If the goal is fiscal responsibility, ensure basic insurance for primary care. Its the decent thing to do and it saves lives. It also saves money. Scott Wallace is an associate professor and managing director of the Value Institute at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. Cecilio Pineda Brito was lying in a hammock when they shot and killed him. Miroslava Breach Velducea was taking her 14-year-old son to school. Ricardo Monlui Cabrera was walking out of a restaurant after breakfast. Maximo Rodriguez was in a parking garage. Javier Valdez was dragged from his car in broad daylight. Jonathan Rodriguez was driving alongside his wife, Sonia. Each case is a Mexican journalist killed over the past five months for the simple act of doing his or her job and seeking to bring a bit of light to the countrys darkest corners. The stories never cease to be shocking, representing not just a full-fledged assault on a profession but an attack on the countrys rule of law. With every gunshot, criminals extinguish the voices that Mexico needs most for accountability and seek to silence those that remain. Since 1992, at least 41 journalists have been killed in Mexico for their work, another 50 have been murdered for unconfirmed motives, and hundreds more have been threatened or attacked. The threats are varied, coming from both organized criminal groups and government officials. Yet, regardless of the attackers, as the press goes silent, Mexico loses its channels to share citizens stories, push officials to keep promises, demand justice for bad actors, and inform a national audience about local realities. The high number of recent murders of Mexican journalists correlates to a renewed spike in violence. Homicides have begun to rise again, with the first four months of 2017 clocking in as the countrys most violent first yearly quarter on record. All the while, the rampant impunity for crimes against journalists, which gave rise to the rallying cry of Justicia, has remained unchanged for decades despite sweeping judicial system reform. Achieving significant improvements in these two areas will undergird any future efforts to protect Mexicos journalists. There have been some targeted efforts to improve protections for journalists, with the Mexican government launching a special prosecutor for crimes against freedom of expression in 2009, and following up in 2012 with the Law for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists. This law and the subsequent efforts to strengthen it have aimed to provide at-risk journalists with a greater police presence, panic buttons and camera systems in their homes, among other measures. Currently, 196 journalists and 342 human rights defenders are being offered some form of protection under this program. However, even with these programs, journalists continue to be murdered in the streets and the special prosecutor has so far only achieved three convictions. Providing better protections for Mexicos journalists and, by extension, defending the countrys rule of law wont have any easy solutions. But it all starts by sitting down with journalists, hearing from them directly, and truly listening to their concerns and suggestions. Mexicos civil society should continue to be vocal and unrelenting, and partner with multilateral organizations that are well suited to highlight crimes against journalists and ensure that they continue to receive high-level attention and pressure. In the past weeks, Mexicos journalism community has come together to support one another and doggedly continue to write where their murdered colleagues were forced to leave off. These are the writers and editors who prove that you cannot kill the truth merely by killing those who report it. Yet each murder endangers something broader, which makes the killings even more disturbing. The spreading silence is an attack on the countrys rule of law, quietly but continuously ripping at the very foundation of Mexicos society and its democratic future. Mexicos officials need to commit to action when it comes to protecting journalists within their country. They need to embrace their professional responsibilities with the same passion and dedication that Mexican journalists bring to their jobs each and every day. This is the essence not only of good policy but also of real leadership, presidential legacies and the nations future. Antonio Garza is a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico. He is counsel in the Mexico City office of White & Case. District 2 City Councilman Alan E. Warrick II recently drank too much and passed out on a bench outside City Hall, where a security guard discovered him early in the morning. Thats distressing. But equally distressing is Warricks utter failure to speak honestly about what happened and take personal responsibility. He and his staff initially pushed a bogus story that someone drugged him to damage his political career. He was never a victim, and no one drugged him. His story was easily refuted. Faced with reality, Warrick dropped the drugging claim, saying, I just had too much to drink. He couldnt explain why he thought he was drugged, but he said he has no memory of the night. Warrick, 36, has a history of drinking irresponsibly. As Express-News reporter Josh Baugh has outlined, Warrick pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in Florida in 2002 and 2004. In 2007, he was found not guilty of DWI in Bexar County. Our concern is not merely about Warricks honesty. Warrick has pledged he will never let this happen again. If he is serious about never letting this happen again, he should get help. Nonetheless, Warricks handling of this moment has been deeply disturbing. He was dishonest to his constituents, who deserve to know the truth about how their elected representative could end up passed out on a park bench. He made unfounded and vague accusations of wrongdoing against his political opponent, William Cruz Shaw, suggesting someone wanted me to sleep outside City Hall. His false story potentially tarnished the reputation of a bar whose owner is clearly concerned about the safety of his patrons. Finally, and most importantly, Warrick undermined the very real issue of date and acquaintance rape. People do get drugged at bars. Especially women. The last thing real victims need is a local politician serving up a fake story to salvage his crumbling political career. In his statement, Warrick apologized to Shaw and Justin Vitek, owner of the bar, On The Rocks, where Warrick was drinking and where he suggested he had been drugged. But he did not acknowledge the realities of real drugging victims. A number of factors make Warrick unfit for office. But whether or not District 2 voters choose to re-elect him despite this incident and his political limitations, it will be imperative that Warrick seek help. JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News This weeks scuffle on the last day of the Texas Legislature featured charges and countercharges each side claiming the other started the shoving and first threatened violence. But heres what else it featured a demonstration of the raw emotion that Senate Bill 4, the ban on sanctuary cities, invokes. There is plenty in Texas version of show-me-your-papers legislation that warrants anger and action properly channeled. The law itself is unnecesary. It raises the specter of racial profiling because officers will be unloosed to inquire about immigration status. And it raises the specter of immigrants not trusting authorities enough to come forward to report crimes. Re: Goodbye to a fallen firefighter; Thousands honor Deem, front page, Saturday: Farewell and Godspeed, firefighter Scott Deem. With tear-filled eyes, Ive been reading and watching the news coverage about the fire that hurt two firemen and took the life of Deem. Seeing our city come together to honor and support our firefighters was very heartwarming. To the firefighters from our city, throughout our state and from around the country who gathered for the final sad farewell, thank you for the love and honor given to Scott. To our firefighters, their families and the family of Scott Deem, I can think of no more eloquent words to say than, I cried with you. May God bless. Rachel V. Diaz-Kennon Maintain respect Re: Goodbye to a fallen firefighter; Thousands honor Deem, front page, Saturday: I am always proud of the way our city shows respect and compassion, honoring heroes like firefighter Scott Deem. There was a Walk of Honor ceremony for him with 1,000 firefighters from the Alamodome to the Alamo Plaza. Then, the next day, the funeral procession passed in front of the Alamo. Neither of these solemn, respectful events could have taken place if the proposed Reimagine the Alamo plan were followed. Alamo Street needs to remain open for events and parades by using removable bollards. The glass wall would be out of place. Alamo Plaza is the fiber that in so many ways keeps our city connected. It needs to stay open for the convenient use of all our residents and visitors. Bill Lyons What hypocrisy Re: Fight for truth, Clinton urges Wellesley graduates; She rips budget plan, doesnt name Trump, Nation, Saturday: You devoted almost an entire page to Hillary Clintons commencement address at her alma mater, Wellesley College. And your headline emphasized that Clinton was urging the graduates to fight for truth. I cannot imagine any public personality who has lied and continues to lie as much as Hillary Clinton. Her list of fabrications would fill your pages, and yet you decided that this was a New York Times article worth the time to peruse. By the way, I am still looking for your coverage of Vice President Mike Pences address to the graduates at the Naval Academy. Candidly, of Clinton or Pence, which is more believable or relevant today? What hypocrisy. Chris Heinrichs If South had won Re: Landrieus eloquence on race a needed tonic, Frank Bruni, Other Views, May 26: Regarding the long-delayed monument removal of Southern Civil War heroes, I recall my family moving from Oklahoma to Washington, D.C., in 1941. As we were driving through northern Virginia, observing Washington-Lee High School, Lee Highway, Lee Boulevard, etc., my mother exclaimed, My goodness! What would they have done if hed actually WON the war! Barbara Ridgeway Predictable news First thing in the morning, I toss the A Section of the Express-News. You already know what it says: Bad, corrupt Trump and his administrations involvement with the Russians. Impeach him! Maggi Smith Emulating Trump I was once a fan of Mayor Ivy Taylor. But now with her invoking Trumpism by name-calling and trying to stigmatize her opponent as Liberal Ron, I have a different opinion. I wonder if Martin Luther King Jr. might also be demonized as a liberal even though we know where his heart was. Yes, we remember lying Ted, low energy Jeb and crooked Hillary, but if my memory is correct, Donald Trump received only 40 percent of the vote in Bexar County, so maybe it isnt such a good idea to emulate his insults. It was my understanding that the mayor was here to represent all the people, liberal and conservatives alike. Demonizing a liberal in the town of Henry B. Gonzalez doesnt seem like a good idea to me! Arlene Almaleh Does GOP care? To all those Republicans who say that Donald Trump is being disrespected, I say get over it. Have they forgotten how Trump disrespected President Barack Obama for the past eight years? Trump took every opportunity to denigrate Obama, including leading the call for Obama to show his birth certificate. By the way, why hasnt he shown us his tax returns? What is he afraid of? Trump is a liar, a racist and a traitor for colluding with the Russians. I read where some people say, Give him time. If we give him any more time, he is going to give this country and democracy to the Russians. Republicans just dont care. Bill Zulaica, Windcrest Plunging sky redux Re: Political cartoon, Michael Ramirez, May 26: In the classic fable, Chicken Little misinterprets an acorn dropping from a tree to mean that the sky is falling. She amasses many followers Goosey Lucy, Ducky Lucky and other fowl company to rush and tell the king. Along the way, they encounter Foxy Loxy. He offers to show them the way. Perhaps they thought Foxy could help make the kingdom great again. See any parallels to the present political situation? Revisit the story to see how it ends. Paul A. Foerster Its alive! Lets call out the disaster for what it is a GOP-made monster out of control. A modern-day Frankenstein. Treason, obstruction of justice and colluding with the enemy in time of war is bad enough, but to embrace this monster takes the GOP to a level beyond disgusting. I will not soil another word to describe Donald Trump or the GOP that collectively hoists this snake as its leader. Shame, shame, shame! Craig C. Budreau, Austin 1 Helicopter crash: Kurdish militants have claimed responsibility for a Turkish military helicopter crash that killed all 13 personnel on board two days ago near the Turkey-Iraq border. The Peoples Defense Forces said in a statement Friday that its units fired at the Cougar helicopter Wednesday in the border province of Sirnak. The group is the armed wing of the Kurdistan Workers Party, which has waged a three-decade-long insurgency against the Turkish state. The war has led to an estimated 40,000 deaths and a two-and-a half-year cease-fire collapsed in the summer of 2015. The Turkish military said the crash was an accident. 2 Mali jihadists: Officials say that French soldiers deployed to Mali to fight against Islamic extremists have killed at least 20 jihadists at the countrys border with Burkina Faso. They said the operation began with air strikes followed by soldiers on land, but it didnt specify how the jihadists were killed. A local resident said the extremists included members of Macina Liberation Front and Islamic State and jihadists from Burkina Faso. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons. About 1,600 French soldiers are deployed in Mali as part of the military operation against Islamic extremists in the Sahel region. Cape Town's Zola Nene is in Beijing for a food festival with recipes from her latest book, Simply Delicious.[Photo provided to China Daily] South African food made a splash in China last week, with two TV hosts and authors scooping up honors at the Gourmand International awards in Yantai, Shandong province. One of them, Cape Town's Zola Nene, is lingering in Beijing for a food festival at The Village Cafe, which continues through Monday. The menu features recipes from her latest book, Simply Delicious (about $20, from Penguin Random House). It's a tantalizing journey that follows Nene's career in food, one mouth-watering dish at a time. The opening chapter, "Nostalgic Nibbles", is all about the comfort foods she enjoyed growing up. "Steamed mealie bread was the first thing my maternal grandmother taught me to make," she says, "and her steamed bread is still a family favorite." Mealies are corn kernels freshly shaved off the cob, and the bread is one of several recipes that originate in India (chicken biryani is another family favorite). One legacy of South Africa's colonial past is that food cultures of several countries have melded in South African cuisine over the past two centuries. Also getting star billing among the comfort foods is roast leg of lamb, which Nene recalls as one of the six roasts always on the table at Christmas. "Don't judge me!" she jokes in the recipe notes. Her youthful enthusiasm for food has stayed with her. "I took a two-year study break and ventured off to the UK to see if I actually wanted to make a career of my love for food and cooking," she says. She snagged a job as vegetable chef at an upscale brasserie in Cheshire, where "I must have peeled 10,000 potatoes during my time," she writes. "The menu had every potato dish imaginable, from silky mash and crisp roast potatoes to hand-cut chips and pommes boulangere, but my favorite was always the creamy potato Dauphinoise." Since then, she's made the dish her own with the addition of sweet butternut squash. Her days working in British restaurants get a chapter of recipes in Simply Delicious, and the book tracks her culinary career from there, gathering recipes from different jobs and experiences. A final chapter is "a representation of where I am right now in my life," filled with the recipes she likes to make for herself at home to enjoy with her friends. These include butternut and chickpea tagine with couscous and boerie roll, a sausage encased in baked dough for those times when she's in the mood for braai (South African barbecue) but can't be bothered to light a grill. Another favorite to make at home is spicy lamb potjie, a slow-simmer stew served with crusty bread. "I love dishes that take minimal effort to prepare, but pack a punch in flavor," she says. At the ongoing South African food festival she's hosting in Beijing, offerings include a cumin-andcinnamon-scented butternut soup, pan-seared whitefish in curried cream, bobotie (a curry-crusted beef fillet) and for dessert, a shortbread crumble with coconut meringue, apricot and vanilla ice cream. A three-course lunch is 108 yuan net (about $16), dinner is 168 yuan net, including your choice of South African wine, cider, fruit juice or passion-fruit iced tea. If you go Village Cafe Through June 5 at Opposite House, 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6410-5210. PARIS Finding parking at a busy international airport can be difficult, especially if youre running late for a flight. While many airports have valet services, Charles de Gaulle Airport now offers valet parking a la Stan, a robot, Springwise.com reports. French startup Stanley Robotics developed the automated parking valet, which recently debuted at the airport. Passengers wanting to use the service drop off their vehicles at the Stanley Robotics dedicated parking terminal. Drivers lock their car and take their keys with them, entering their information and flight details at a kiosk. Stan then collects the car with a lift, clamping the wheels and lifting the entire vehicle to transport it to a parking space. The car is returned to a pickup area ahead of the travelers return flight. The valet robots give airports more efficiency in parking because they can safely park cars closer together in existing parking garages. Stanley Robotics designed the robots to be all electric. Stanley Robotics recently raised $4 million in the hopes that the new capital will allow the company to expand beyond Charles de Gaulle to other airports around the world. Robots are becoming more integrated into everyday life. Already, Sally the robot makes salads, and a San Francisco cafe has a robot barista. By Lambert Strether of Corrente Politics Policy The $834 billion cut in federal Medicaid spending in the American Health Care Act would kick off budget battles in the states that go way beyond Medicaid. We could see cuts to higher education, school funding, corrections, environmental protection or other state priorities or new taxes, depending on the state [Axios]. UPDATE Statement by President Trump on the Paris Climate Accord [WhiteHouse.gov]. Why Trump Actually Pulled Out Of Paris [Michael Grunwald, Politico]. Trumps abrupt withdrawal from this carefully crafted multilateral compromise was a diplomatic and political slap: It was about extending a middle finger to the world, while reminding his base that he shares its resentments of fancy-pants elites and smarty-pants scientists and tree-hugging squishes who look down on real Americans who drill for oil and dig for coal. He was thrusting the United States into the role of global renegade, rejecting not only the scientific consensus about climate but the international consensus for action, joining only Syria and Nicaragua (which wanted an even greener deal) in refusing to help the community of nations address a planetary problem. Congress doesnt seem willing to pay for Trumps border walland Mexico certainly isntso rejecting the Paris deal was an easier way to express his Fortress America themes without having to pass legislation. Lambert here: In short form, yes: Regulation, executive orders, and diplomacy/war powers are the big story of the Trump administration; areas where the executive can act unchecked by the legislative branch. That said, I would very much like an answer to the following question, because I havent seen it addressed in my travels: Is there an elephant chart for climate regulation? That is, under globalization, average global well-being improved, but the average improvement concealed the effects of, say shipping Rust Belt jobs off to Asia to create a middle class there, which turned out to be an actual drop in life expectancy in the impacted areas (see Case-Deaton). The intuitive shape of justifications for the Paris Agreement seem very much the same to me as the justifications for globalization: A global average increase in well-being, but no discussion of who will bear the costs, or be compensated for them (if at all). As Warren Buffet says: If youve been playing poker for half an hour and you still dont know who the patsy is, youre the patsy. So whos the patsy? Now, to caveat and my OED says that caveat is a verb Im by no means an expert on climate policy. And Id love to hear that Im just wrong to have this concern; that is, that green jobs (see below) will come through, and so forth. Readers? (NOTE: If my concern is well-founded, But the planet! is not an answer. As Frank Herbert writes in Dune: The people who can destroy a thing, they control it. So) Oh, and this has nothing to do with the science, which I think is right; I live next to the very dynamic Gulf of Maine; I know the lobsters are moving North. But politics is the art of the possible, not the art of But science!' Negotiating the Paris accord was complicated and required determined American diplomacy and the leadership of President Barack Obama, but the reason that 195 nations signed the agreement and made ambitious national commitments is rather simple: The science clearly shows that the world is warming at a rapid pace. If we collectively fail to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, our children and grandchildren will face higher sea levels, more violent storms, disrupted food supplies, catastrophic loss of infrastructure, climate-induced human migration and global insecurity [John Podesta, WaPo]. In addition to damaging U.S. strategic interests, the future of the American economy is at stake. While other countries will lead the global transition to clean energy, particularly China and the European Union, Trump and his allies in Congress are undermining Americas innovative businesses and workers. Renewable energy supports between 4 million and 4.5 million jobs in the United States, and renewable-energy capacity has more than tripled since 2008. Thats why the majority of Americans in every state support the Paris agreement and why thousands of businesses and investors worth trillions of dollars are calling for climate action. Trumps America first strategy is putting America last in the race to create the clean-energy jobs and industries of the future. Unfortunately, this is John Podesta Ive helpfully underlined the buzzwords appealing to the 10%ers that form Clintons base and notice that all the domestic benefits are couched in terms of those averages (hidden under the word collectively). UPDATE Fact check: Trumps Paris climate speech claims analyzed [Guardian]. The Paris agreement itself places no energy restrictions on the US its a voluntary agreement that leaves it up to countries to decide how to cut their emissions. But several economists have warned that leaving the Paris agreement will stymie clean energy investment and ensure the production of solar panels and wind turbines the very blue-collar jobs Trump claims to value will take place in China rather than the US. That Paris places no energy restrictions on the US undercuts Trump, but surely it rather undercuts the effectiveness of the deal, as well? UPDATE Trump misunderstood MIT climate research, university officials say [Reuters]. If we dont do anything, we might shoot over 5 degrees or more and that would be catastrophic, said John Reilly, the co-director of the program, adding that MITs scientists had had no contact with the White House and were not offered a chance to explain their work. A senior administration official defended Trumps use of the findings. Its not just MIT. I think there is a consensus, not only in the environmental community, but elsewhere that the Paris agreement in and of itself will have a negligible impact on climate, the official told reporters at a briefing. UPDATE Trump Pulls Out of the Paris Climate Agreement [Foreign Policy]. Oil giants ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips, as well as Apple, Dow Chemical, Adobe, Intel, Hewlett Packard are among 25 big U.S. firms who ran a full-page ad in Washington, D.C. newspapers urging Trump to honor his predecessors climate commitments. So UPDATE Here Are the 10 Governors and 82 Mayors Who Denounce Trumps Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement [Weather.com]. Remarkable source! 2020 Interview with Bernie Sanders: The Man Who Knows Trumps Voters [Der Spiegel (MsExpat)]. In his opinion, would the Democrats be making a mistake by focusing solely on Russia? If everything is about Russia, says Sanders, many people will say: Hey, all of that is interesting, but you know what? I cant afford health care. I dont have a job. My kid cant afford to go to college. Why dont you pay attention to our needs? I think we have got to do both, and I am doing my best not to simply get involved in the Trump controversies, but to stay focused on his disastrous budget, their disastrous health-care plan, and more importantly, bring forth a progressive agenda, which can excite working people and young people all over this country, Sanders says. Because of the terms of the agreement, it will take until 2020 for the United States to fully exit. That means that the battle lines are formed for the 2018 and 2020 elections. Every politician between now and then must answer the question of whether she or he stands with Trump and fossil-fuel special interests or stands with the health and well-being of our children and our planet [John Podesta, WaPo]. From the same article as above, but important. I would love a shift in attention from the Russkis, and if the Paris Agreement is that shift, then have at it, say I. UPDATE At a time when Democrats could project themselves as the adults in the room, the clamor for resistance and militant rhetoric is growing louder and louder. There is a pressing need for pragmatic, moderate voices on health care, climate change, and a panoply of other issues, but Democrats seem to be unhinged by their animus toward the leader of the opposition party. The visceral loathing of both Obama and Hillary Clinton among so many conservatives and Republicans undermined attempts by moderates to be fair-minded, balanced, and measured. Today, the contempt that liberals and Democrats have for Trump has reached a comparable level. Judging by news reports, the recent California Democratic state convention appeared to be almost completely out of control, a case of the inmates taking over the asylum [Charles Cook, Cook Political Report]. To capture House and Senate majorities, Democrats will need to win districts and states that Trump carried with room to spare, as well as those that he just barely won or split almost evenly. Rather than pushing the message that the voters in those districts and states were stupid, foolish, or morally deficient, Democrats should be presenting themselves as a better alternative, a party prepared to confront the problems facing the country no matter who is in the White House. What a schizoid article by Cook! In California, for example, its precisely the inmates who are prepared to confront the problems facing the country with, for example, #MedicareForAll. And its people like Perez, Clinton, and Pelosi who want to yammer about evil Russkis. 2017 UPDATE Poll: Dem Ossoff leads by 1 in Georgia House race [The Hill]. Early voting for the contest started Tuesday and runs through June 16. The special election over Georgias 6th District is scheduled to conclude June 20. WBS-TV/Landmark Communications conducted its latest survey of 500 Georgia voters via phone and online interviews from May 30-31. It has a 4.4 percent margin of error. 2016 Post Mortem In (partial) defense of Hillary Clinton [Ezra Klein, Vox]. But the harder question the one this blame game is designed to obscure is why was the election close enough for Clinton to lose? To be answered next week UPDATE Democratic Senator Al Franken told Yahoo News: I think she has a right to analyse what happened, but we do have to move on' [Yahoo News]. Minnesota Senator Franken said on Thursday: We have to move on by proving we are the party that cares about a lot of the people who voted for Donald Trump.' Which is, of course, precisely what many factions in the Democrat Party resist doing, vehemently. UPDATE Ukrainian efforts to sabotage Trump backfire [Politico]. Ukrainian government officials tried to help Hillary Clinton and undermine Trump by publicly questioning his fitness for office. They also disseminated documents implicating a top Trump aide in corruption and suggested they were investigating the matter, only to back away after the election. And they helped Clintons allies research damaging information on Trump and his advisers, a Politico investigation found. Yeah, sheesh, its almost like the Clinton campaign was trying to get a foreign power to hack interfere with meddle in our elections. I mean, I always did feel that having a Ukrainian doing oppo for the DNC smelled a bit funny. Realignment and Legitimacy Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor opens up about her sons opioid addictions [Dayton Daily News]. It is amazing to me to watch Democrats not give two sh*ts about the opioid crisis, and its larger context, deaths from despair a la Case Deaton. Of course, if a humanitarian crisis is far away liberal Democrat goodthinkers are all over it like a cheap suit. Close to home, not so much. Odd. Then again, considering that the last time we had a drug epidemic, we got the horrid War on Drugs and the carceral state, maybe this is a case of be careful what you wish for. Oh, and Mary Taylor is a Republican. UPDATE In the Trump era, the conviction has spread among elitesespecially, but not only, among progressive elitesthat the people have failed them. This very conviction, though, is an indication of how American elites have failed the people [RealClearPolitics]. Very Brechtian: Wouldnt it be simpler if the government simply dissolved the people and elected another? More: One can quarrel with the elements of the new social compact that [Financial Times columnist Edward] Luce proposes [in The Retreat of Western Liberalism] to assist Western elites in regaining the peoples trust. In America, the compact would comprise an array of policies that are, he notes, not easy to pigeonhole. But with its call for universal health care, humane immigration laws, free speech on campuses and in the media, a greatly simplified tax code, a Marshall plan to retrain the middle class, emancipation of politics from money, and a reimagining of representative democracy, it resembles nothing so much as an updated version of the moderate center-left politics championed by Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. Hmm. We saw Neera Tanden, et al., propose a Marshall Plan recently; but it was sloppy and unserious. UPDATE The empirical evidence of the danger from administrative power is mounting. Not being directly accountable to the people or even to judges who act without bias administrative power crushes the life and livelihood out of entire classes of Americans, depriving them of work and even of lifesaving medicines. It therefore is difficult to avoid the conclusion that, overall, the administrative assault on basic freedoms is unnecessary and even dangerous [RealClearPolitics]. Americans therefore need to recognize that administrative power revives absolute power and profoundly threatens civil liberties. Once Americans understand this, they can begin to push back, and the fate of administrative power will then be only a matter of time. Stats Watch Employment Situation, May 2017: An unexpectedly weak employment report has put a rate hike at this months FOMC in doubt [Econoday]. Average hourly earnings are also not favorable. Wages are going nowhere with the year-on-year rate sitting at 2.5 percent. A fall in the participation is yet another negative Unemployment is very low and contrasts with the lack of wage pressure. Trump may be delivering for his base, but hes not delivering for the volatility voters who went for MAGA (as they did for hope and change). And: The household and establishment surveys were well out of sync this month. The unemployment rate drop was caused by a decline in the size of the workforce. One has mixed feeling while diving into the data is the glass half full or empty? [Econintersect]. And: The headline jobs number was below expectations, and there were combined downward revisions to the previous two months. Is this is slowdown in hiring a short term issue, part of the normal business cycle, or due to a Trump Slump? My view is this slowdown in hiring is mostly part of the normal business cycle [Calculated Risk]. And: The chart says it all- deceleration that started when oil capex collapsed not abetting, and the decelerating credit charts indicate much more of same coming [Mosler Economics]. Oil capex has been Moslers story consistently. If ditching Paris gives oil capex a boost, that might help Trump with his volatility voters, and some factions in the oligarchy, though not with his suburban base. International Trade, April 2017: [Econoday]. The bad news is accelerating for the second quarter. The trade deficit widened in April to $47.6 billion from a revised $45.3 billion in March. This opens the quarter on yet another defensive front. And: Higher than expected trade deficit means GDP was that much lower than expected. And all highly $US unfriendly [Mosler Economics]. And: Our monthly analysis using unadjusted data showed less strength in both exports and imports relative to last month. But the data in this series wobbles and the 3 month rolling averages are the best way to look at this series. The 3 month averages are decelerating. This data will have a negative impact to 2Q2017 GDP [Econintersect]. And: The trade deficit with China increased to $27.6 billion in April, from $24.3 billion in April 2016 [Calculated Risk]. Housing: Loan origination volume hit a three year low this year. What? How is that possible when all the cheerleaders are out in the streets preaching the good gospel of buying real estate? Well the reality is that a good portion of the market is still driven by investors [Dr. Housing Bubble]. Nationally inventory is down 7.7 percent year-over-year. For Los Angeles, it is down 11.3 percent. And this is down from already record low levels. There is simply too few crap shacks available to buy. So that bodes well for prices right? Well that assumes the economy keeps chugging along and optimism runs supreme. Retail: Report: 1 in 4 Malls to Shutter by 2022 [Sourcing Journal]. Though the commercial real estate industry has been putting a sunny face on its collective preparednessanchors are becoming gyms! Storefronts are transforming into restaurantsits hard to imagine how all of this space will be repurposed in just 5 years. That said, some have been using the rash of closures and bankruptcies to oust low paying tenants in favor of businesses from which they can demand more. And some property owners have more of a challenge than others. The credit agency highlights Simon Property Group and General Growth Properties as two of the once that have long since exited vulnerable B and C properties. Today each enjoy at least 96 percent occupancy. With 11 and 12 percent respective occupancy rates in weak malls, Macys and JC Penney have the most exposure, Credit Suisse noted. Retail: Major Wall Street Firm Expects 25% of U.S. Malls to Close by 2022 [Fortune]. That translates to some 275 shopping centers in the next five years the expected rash of closings is much more likely to hit low end malls than high end ones, or at least those that are well maintained. There is no doubt there is too much retail space in the U.S. and that a contraction has long been coming: there are 2,353 square feet of space of shopping centers in the U.S. for every 100 Americans, compared with 1,636 in Canada and 458 in Britain, according to recent data from CoStar Realty Information. Seems like our mall space is just as out of line as our health care system. WTF? Retail: [Radio Shack] shuttered more than 1,000 stores over the Memorial Day weekend, leaving the Fort Worth, Texas-based chain with just 70 company-owned stores [247 Wall Street]. Following the announcement over Memorial Day weekend, there will be 425 stores owned by franchisees and 500 dealer-owned stores. Most of the remaining company-owned locations of the 96-year-old electronics retailer are located in a handful of states, and three states have the lions share of them. New York has the most company-owned stores of any state, 22, followed by Pennsylvania with 18 and Texas with 13. Radic Shack, bust. Shake Shack, boom. Why? Shipping; China-Europe rail services are set to triple within three years as demand grows and shippers catch on to the advantages [The LoadStar]. [Antonio Pacciolla, regional head of overland Europe at Panalpina] added: The rail service is one-third the cost of air freight and twice as fast as ocean freight. Its an interesting proposition that is catching on.' Fascinating to watch China stretch as a land power. Shipping: Kenya Just Opened a $4 Billion Chinese-Built Railway, its Largest Infrastructure Project in 50 Years [Newsweek]. As above. But come on. Can the Chinese develop a $400 WiFi-enabled cold press juicer? Huh? Huh? Shipping: The German shipowner Rickmers Group, established in 1834, is to file for insolvency after its bankers surprisingly denied approval of its financial restructuring [The LoadStar]. I dont like surprises. Shipping: Rickmers Holding AG said it would file for insolvency after a proposal to refinance was surprisingly denied by creditor HSH Nordbank, the WSJs William Wilkes writes. Both the carrier and its creditor are victims of the deep slump in global ocean freight, where stagnant volumes and a glut of ships drove down rates. The biggest shipping lines consolidated into a handful of alliances to weather the downturn, while many smaller carriers went bust, saddling banks like HSH Nordbank with bad loans. The financial firm is under pressure from regulators to clean up its balance sheet, likely reducing its flexibility to extend more loans to keep Rickmers afloat. As a charterer leasing ships to third parties, a Rickmers bankruptcy likely wouldnt cause the sort of disruption seen after Hanjin Shippings filing, which left billions of dollars in cargo stranded at sea [Wall Street Journal]. The Bezzle: Silicon Valleys Unicorns Are Overvalued [Stanford Business] (original study). But are these magical beasts really dressed-up ponies? New research from Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor Ilya Strebulaev shows that these companies report values on average about 51% above what they are really worth. And some, including management software company Compass and financial technology company Kabbage, are more than 100% above fair market value. But with all that stupid money sloshing about, who cares? The Bezzle: Blue Apron Gears Up for IPO [247 Wall Street]. Since its inception, Blue Apron has scaled rapidly, developing its expertise and an ever-more ambitious vision. From inception through March 31, 2017, the company has delivered over 159 million meals to households across the United States, which represents about 25 million paid orders. Im filing this under The Bezzle because of a common factor they share with Silicon Valley startups: Ugly labor practices which, one day, may come back to bite them (and their valuation depends, does it not, on that never happening?) The Bezzle: What if the bitcoin bubble bursts? [The Economist]. If there is such a thing as a healthy bubble, this is it. To be sure, regulators should watch out that cryptocurrencies do not become even more of a conduit for criminal activity, such as drug dealing. But they should think twice before coming down hard, particularly on ICOs. Being too spiky would not just prick a bubble, but also prevent a lot of the useful innovation that is likely to come about at the same time. Ah. Innovation. Political Risk: Bitcoin mining companies face shutdown in southwest China [Peoples Daily]. Bitcoin mining companies have been shut down or relocated in Mabian Yi Autonomous County, home to a prosperous mining industry in southwest Chinas Sichuan province, and the reason for the phenomenon is unclear. Another industry insider reluctant to reveal his name said China is home to the largest amount of Bitcoin factories in the world, but the industry is under loose supervision. Political Risk: Google could face a $9bn EU fine for rigging search results in its favour [Independent]. The EU competition authority accused Google in April 2015 of distorting internet search results to favour its shopping service, harming both rivals and consumers. Shocking, I know, that when the same company runs a search business and a shopping busienss the two come into conflict. Why dont we break Google up? Climate: The immediate industries that have the most to win and lose around climate change are solar, alternative energy, renewable energy, coal, oil and gas, and other fossil fuels. However, these industries did not translate into an obvious outcome in the financial markets. Does it seem odd that solar hardly budged or that coal and oil fell? [247 Wall Street]. What many industry watchers may have overlooked is that the global investment in clean energy already had posted a big decline in 2016. This was the first annual decline in years, and it was long before Trump became president. Todays Fear & Greed Index: 58 Greed (previous close: 58, Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 58 (Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed. Last updated May 19 at 11:57am. Back in form! Class Warfare Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is testing a program that sends store employees to deliver online orders at the end of their shifts [Bloomberg]. Workers can opt in to earn extra money by making deliveries using their own cars. Theyre assigned packages based on where they live so the route aligns with their commute home, the company said Thursday in a blog post. Wal-Mart didnt specify how the employees will be compensated. The test began at three locations in Arkansas and New Jersey About 90 percent of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Wal-Mart, and the company is using those locations as shipping hubs to compete with Amazon on the last mile of delivery the most expensive part of getting goods to customers. By using existing workers in their own cars, Wal-Mart could create a vast network with little upfront cost, similar to how Uber Technologies Inc. created a ride-hailing service without owning any cars. So theres an accident when a Wal-Mart employee is doing this. How does the insurance work? In much of the country, public housing is disappearing as governments fail to maintain the buildings or actively demolish them. Thats a disaster for many low-income people, who have nowhere else to go. But its hard to find much public support for maintaining the housinglet alone building more [JSTOR]. News of the Wired I guess Im just not feeling wired today. You? UPDATE New U.S. visa applications ask for social media handles, email addresses for past 5 years [Daily Dot]. This is madness, since other countries will do the same. * * * Readers, feel free to contact me with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, and (c) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi are deemed to be honorary plants! See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. And heres todays plant (ChiGal): ChiGal writes: Notice in the first pic of the Grand Dame of the South there is a bee yay! * * * Readers, Water Cooler is a standalone entity, not supported by the Naked Capitalism fundraisers. Please use the dropdown to choose your contribution, and then click the hat! Your tip will be welcome today, and indeed any day. Water Cooler will not exist without your continued help. Yves here. Too many links! This is getting to be a problem, since more links means less time for original posts. Stolen puppies go for a wild ride in Mercedes as alleged thieves flee down interstate Macon Telegraph (J-LS) Coal Ash Is More Radioactive Than Nuclear Waste Scientific American (Chuck L) To kill net neutrality rules, FCC says broadband isnt telecommunications ars technica (martha r) Rise of the crypto-currency smart ponzi MacroBusiness Supreme Court Ruling Could Hinder Patent Trolls New York Times (EM). From last week, still germane. Googles Map of the Most Misspelled Word in Every State Should Make America Feel Ashamed GQ (Micael) Bomb-Sniffing Dogs, Scanners Pushed to Avoid Airline Laptop Ban Bloomberg THE SCIENCE OF HOT CHILI PEPPERS JSTOR (Micael) Lets reconcile to a diet of squid as we overfish to our own peril South China Morning Post(J-LS) Girl makes underclassman kowtow to her in show of respect Coconuts India India Used Questionable Loophole to Hide Its Zika Cases From the WHO The Wire Vietnam and the United States Make Nice for Now, but Disappointment Looms Council on Foreign Relations (furzy) Its pious and inaccurate to say Manchester attack had nothing to do with Islam. It was rooted in Saudi Arabian Wahhabism Independent (Sid S) Its not Islam that drives young Europeans to jihad, Frances top terrorism expert explains Haaretz (furzy) Missing the Real Noriega Story Consortium News Venezuelas hunger crisis is for real Washington Post (furzy) EU maps out road to deeper Monetary Union EUbusiness. Micael: EU maps out road to deeper Monetary Union. UK Election Syraqistan Kazakhstan rallies equity investors for latest privatization drive Euromoney (Micael) New Cold War Big Brother is Watching You Watch Trump Transition Ex-DNC aide hits back hard at Clinton, says her campaign ignored data on Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin Washington Post (martha r). Look at how he was bullied into deleting his tweet. DNC data folks firing back at Hillary Clinton is amazing. pic.twitter.com/lfRU4GFASQ Walker Bragman (@WalkerBragman) June 1, 2017 Hillary Lacks the Remorse of Conscience Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal (J-LS). A must read. Her public statements since defeat have been malignant little masterpieces of victimhood-claiming, blame-shifting and unhelpful accusation. They deserve censure. Google the headline. When logged out in Google Chrome, I got a $1 for 2 months offer. Secret Service relaxes marijuana policy in bid to swell ranks CNN (J-LS). I take it no one has told Jeff Sessions. JAMES OKEEFE HIT BY GROUP HE STUNG WITH MILLION-DOLLAR LAWSUIT Intercept. Comparison to Watergate is overwrought. The precedent the 1996 ABC-Food Lion case. Youll see the fact set is similar. California Senate passes universal health care bill Sacramento Bee. Martha r: Shades of the Vermont battleloud objections: How are you going to pay for it; You wont say, because we cant pay for it.' Economist Shows That Single-Payer Health Care in California Would Protect Business and Save the Public Money Alternet (furzy) S&P, Moodys Downgrade Illinois to Near Junk, Lowest Ever for a U.S. State Bloomberg POLL: Younger voters favor Ossoff, older voters support Handel WSB-TV (martha r) Leading Right-Wing Christian Figure Calls for a More Violent Christianity Alternet (furzy) IEX chief sticks to principles in battle for presence Financial Times (David L) U.S. Homes Are Finally Shrinking Bloomberg Bleecker Streets Swerve From Luxe Shops to Vacant Stores New York Times (J-LS). I lived on Bank Street when the West Village was cute due to all the trees and the buildings being small scale, but it was bohemian and a bit gritty rather than twee. We are seeing the same phenomenon on Third Avenue in my hood with less upscale merchants. Landlords doubled the rents, killing quite a few formerly viable businesses. Many storefronts have been vacant for over a year. The U.S. Has Forgotten How to Do Infrastructure Bloomberg. Important. Guillotine Watch Class Warfare Antidote du jour. Hodor: Attached is my puppy threatening my pit bull with the Wuxi finger hold: See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. How many ways can you spell payoff? By Joshua Weitz, a research associate at the Academic-Industry Research Network and an incoming graduate student in the PhD program in political science at Brown University Since leaving office President Obama has drawn widespread criticism for accepting a $400,000 speaking fee from the Wall Street investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, including from Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Only a few months out of office, the move has been viewed as emblematic of the cozy relationship between the financial sector and political elites. But as the Presidents critics have voiced outrage over the decision many have been reluctant to criticize the record-setting $65 million book deal that Barack and Michelle Obama landed jointly this February with Penguin Random House (PRH). Writing in the Washington Post, for example, Ruth Marcus argues that while the Wall Street speech feels like unfortunate icing on an already distasteful cake, the book deal is little more than the outcome of market forces fueled by consumer demand: If the market bears $60 million to hear from the Obamas, great. For industry insiders, however, the size of the deal has vastly exceeded estimates of a projected final offer. As the leading trade magazine, Publishers Weekly, reported, a week before the announcement one publisher involved in the negotiations estimated that the two books would likely garner a $30 million contract, less than half the accepted bid. Seeking to make sense of the $65 million figure, some have pointed to the former Presidents prior book sales and Clintonesque celebrity status. Since 2001, 1995s Dreams from My Father and 2006s The Audacity of Hopeboth of which were published by Crown, a division of Random House (now PRH) owned by the German multimedia conglomerate Bertelsmannhave sold roughly 4.7 million copies, undoubtedly yielding substantial profits. But according to industry insiders the former First Ladys contribution is a far greater gamble. And despite the Presidents successful publishing record the size of the contract remains something of a mystery. At $20 per book, sales of the two books combined would have to exceed 3.25 million copies to match the cost of the advance, and that doesnt include necessary overhead such as the costs of materials, distribution, and marketing. As one insider stated, no one expected it to go this high, [with the books selling for] almost double what we might have imagined At this point, a brief review of the relationship between the Obama administration and the companies behind the deal may shed light on the logic underlying this extraordinary bid. Since the merger of Penguin and Random House in 2013, PRH has been owned jointly by Bertelsmann and the British education and publishing multinational Pearson, PLC. A leading producer of education and testing materials, Pearson has profited substantially from one of President Obamas major legislative initiativesRace to the Top (RTTT). Much like its Bush-era predecessor, No Child Left Behind, RTTT provides competitive funding to K-12 schools based on a range of criteria intended to stimulate higher teacher and student performance. Among the standards for receiving funding under RTTT is the adoption of Common Core (CC) testing, which, in effect, incentivized school districts to hand federal grant money over to private firms that create CC tests. Backed by the powerful Gates Foundation and pushed heavily by President Obama and then Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, RTTT was met with widespread criticism among parents, teachers, and education scholars for its punitive and test-centric approach to education reform. In July of 2011, outrage over the initiative culminated in a widely publicized march held outside the White House, attendees of which included some of the countrys leading educators, such as Jonathan Kozol and Diane Ravitch. Despite extensive outcry, including calls for Duncans resignation in 2014 from the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, two groups that many regard as traditional Democratic constituencies, President Obama continued to voice support for Duncan and RTTT. When Duncan finally resigned in late-2015, Obama praised Duncans record, while not-so-subtly infantilizing his critics: Arne has done more to bring our educational systemsometimes kicking and screaminginto the 21st century than anybody else. But if RTTT was a failure in the eyes of the countrys educators, it was a remarkable success for the testing companies. Between 2010, when RTTT first took effect, and 2014 demand for tests in the U.S. grew from $1.6 to $2.5 billion. Few firms benefitted from the rise of standardized testing in the United States as much as Pearson. According to an analysis by CNBC from 2010 to 2014 Pearson received more contracts than any other company in the industry27 out of 128 in total. As Elaine Weiss noted in a 2013 report published by the Economic Policy Institute, in the state of Tennessee, one of the top recipients of RTTT awards, state funds flowing to Pearson increased threefold, from roughly $7 to $22 million between 2009 and 2013. While the Obamas deal is unique for the amount of money involved, outsized book contracts between politicians and industries theyve benefitted has precedent. In a recent report issued by the Roosevelt Institute, the studys authors, Thomas Ferguson, Paul Jorgensen, and Jie Chen, argue that the mainstream approach to money in politics fails to recognize major sources of political spending. Among the least appreciated avenues for political money, they argue, are payments to political figures in the form of directors fees, speaking fees, and book contracts. They note, for example, an apparent quid pro quo between former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, and telecommunications firms: By Jianwei Xu, an associate professor at Beijing Normal University, and also works as an affiliate fellow at China Academy of Social Science and a youth member of the China Finance Forum 40. Originally published at Bruegel Pharmaceuticals are a hugely important industry for the EU and the UK. The sector creates thousands of jobs, billions of euros in exports, and is Europes most research-intense industry. But will Brexit mean for pharma? Border delays, disruption to R&D and regulatory divergence all pose hazards. Despite numerous debates about the impact of Brexit, the pharmaceutical industry seems to be less eye-catching than other sectors like the manufacturing supply chain and financial services. However, pharmaceuticals are one of the EUs most important and fastest-growing industries, and they benefit greatly from EU integration. Pharmaceutical in the EU has increased from 125 billion to 225 billion over the past fifteen years. Employment in the sector also grew dramatically from 535000 to 725000. The pharmaceuticals sector has also become very advantageous for the EU. Exports of pharmacy products have more than tripled over the past fifteen years, with most of these gains obtained from extra-EU transactions. Pharmaceuticals are also the third largest industry in the UK, contributing 10 percent of the UKs GDP, with an employment of 73000 people and a trade surplus of 3.3 billion. Table 1: The rapid growth of the European pharmaceutical industry Source: The pharmaceutical industry in figures, 2016, European federation of pharmaceutical industries and associations. The rapid advance of the pharmaceuticals sector over the past decade can be closely associated with the integration of the EU trade chain. In 2016, around 67% of the EUs exports of its products were intra-EU exports; 52% of the EUs imports of its products were intra-EU imports. According to EFPIA figures, among the EU member states the UK is undoubtedly a key player, constituting 10% of the EUs total production and employment. Moreover, the UK runs a trade deficit of 114 billion against the other EU27 countries, implying that it is a major destination for EU pharmaceutical products. Non-tariff barriers such as the possible establishment of physical border could have negative effects on pharmaceutical trade Fortunately, the EU has long adopted zero most-favored-nation tariffs even for international extra-EU transactions for pharmaceutical products. So the worst scenario, even in a hard Brexit where the EU and UK treat each other in the WTO multilateral framework manner, would not add a specific tariff burden on pharmaceutical trade. However, tariffs are not the only barrier to trade. There is also a possibility that other types of non-tariff barriers could be created to hamper pharmaceutical trade. In particular, with the strengthening of immigration control, border checks might be resumed which could create delays in transferring pharmaceutical products to/from the UK. Longer lead times and increased paperwork caused by these customs bottlenecks could affect service levels and margins especially for pharmaceutical products, which have a short shelf life. Evidence has shown that, for time-sensitive industries, every 1 hour of customs delay adds 0.8 percentage points to the ad valorem trade-cost rate and leads to 5% less trade. This means that perishable pharmaceutical products are likely to cost more for UK residents, especially in the case of emergency. The establishment of a physical border also matters particularly for Ireland. Ireland is the only country that shares a land border with the UK. Although it is hard to say what will eventually happen in the event of Brexit until the final post-Brexit model is determined, the risk has been mounting since Theresa Mays report signaling a hard Brexit. Establishing an Irish-Irish border would mean that Irish pharmaceutical products need to go across the UK border twice before entering the rest of the EU. One solution to avoid this additional processing cost is to construct a common border for two countries, which was already the case for passengers from 16 countries such as China and India to enter the region. But that undoubtedly means additional costs for Irish pharmaceutical consumers. Disruption of Research and Development (R&D) Activities One of the key characteristics of the pharmaceutical industry is its high intensity in research and development. Figure 3 shows that the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector accounts for the highest R&D intensity in the EU, even higher than the software and computer services sector. Eurostat data also indicates that the pharmaceutical industry has the highest added-value per person employed. Within the pharmaceutical industry, UK has long been a center for research and development (R&D) activities. In 2015, it contributed approximately 20% of the EUs total R&D, only slightly lower than Germany and France. As Maria Demertzis and Enrico Nano highlight, these research and development activities rely on two key factors: skilled labour supply and research funding. Both factors could be at risk in the post-Brexit era. For the former, the UK has attracted a large number of skilled workers from abroad, most of which are EU citizens. For the latter, the UK gains more research funding in the current system than any other country. Therefore, Brexit could undoubtedly have a negative impact for both factors in the pharmacy industry. What We Do In the Art Museum Shadows A look into the hilarious vampire mockumentary series that now appears to be haunting the museum halls. 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. Floridas Senator Bill Nelson released some figures yesterday about the woeful status of the recall of vehicles fitted with Takatas lethal airbags. This is only yet another reminder of how corporations dodge responsibility for preventing foreseeable harms their defective products can cause a problem thats not a new one, and that seems to be getting worse, rather than better. Nelson is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee thats charged with regulating this area. According to his press release, Two-thirds of defective Takata airbags still not repaired: Two thirds of the roughly 2.3 million vehicles in Florida with potentially deadly Takata airbags have not yet been repaired, according to new figures released today by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL). The numbers provided to Nelson by the independent monitor appointed to oversee Takatas handling of the recall show that approximately 30.4 million of the 46.2 million recalled inflators nationwide have not yet been repaired as of mid-May. Takita: Quick Recap This whole story history is a reminder that its not just too big to fail banks and those who inhabit their their C-suites that successfully manage to sidestep punishments that fit their crimes. Beginning in about 2000 Takata executives knew some ammonium nitrate-based inflators included in their products didnt meet automakers standards, and were aware of the safety dangers they posed, according to this January 2017 Department of Justice (DoJ) press release, Takata Corporation Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $1 Billion in Criminal Penalties for Airbag Scheme. Nonetheless, they sold products they knew could kill people. And those products did kill people to date, at least 11, as well as being linked to more than 180 injuries in the US, according to this WSJ account, Auto Makers Settle Takata Air-Bag Claims for $553 Million. Now, despite Takata entering into a settlement with the DoJ, and four automakers last month agreeing to a half billion dollar settlement of some private claims, more than 30 million cars continue to ply US highways with this problem unfixed. This is not a new problem Japanese automakers began their first recall of Takata airbags in 2013, and some US automakers followed in 2014, according to a 2014 New York Times piece, Now the Air Bags Are Faulty, Too. Nor does a fix require inventing some brand new gee whiz technology. Allow me to quote from an Open Letter to Attorney General Lynch: Prosecution or Guilty Pleas for Corporate Crime, which lawyer and consumer advocate Ralph Nader wrote to then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch in January of this year, as the DoJ put the finishing touches on the settlement. Nader relied on comments made by Clarence Ditlow, an engineer and lawyer who headed the Center for Auto Safety for many decades, who died in 2016. From the Open Letter: On Takata, Mr. Ditlow said this: Up through the year 2000, almost every airbag inflator made worldwide, including by Takata, used sodium azide as a propellant. Very stable. If it broke down it just simply degraded and there were no adverse effects. If you had to replace it, you had to replace it. But, what Takata did in the beginning of 2001 was to change the propellant to ammonium nitrate, an incredibly powerful explosive. Its what Terry McVeigh used to bring down the government office building in Oklahoma City. Its what a lot of terrorists in the Mideast are using in the improvised explosive devises. And so, yet this propellant that Takata used, it was known to degrade, known to explode, they put it into the airbag inflator to save, once again, a few pennies per inflator. And so, they knew immediately, once these inflators were put into production that they were failing, they were exploding, and when they exploded they sent the shrapnel of the housing into the occupant compartment. And, if youre behind the steering wheel and you had no other choice at that time, you are very likely to be killed or seriously injured. Unsafe at Any Speed Now, auto safety has long been a big problem in the US. As many older readers might recall, Nader first burst onto the national political scene with publication of his book, Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile, in 1965. I dont have my copy of the book to hand, so Im relying on my memory and permit me to quote from this New York Times account, 50 Years Ago, Unsafe at Any Speed Shook the Auto World: But most of the book focused on a long list of neglected safety issues ranging from brake performance to drivers being impaled by noncollapsible steering wheels and poor crash protection. The sharp-edged theme was that there was a gap between existing design and attainable safety and the auto industry was ignoring moral imperatives to make people safer. The book became a best seller, and in 1966, Nader was invited to testify before a Senate subcommittee on automotive safety. Later that year, Congress passed 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This legislation established the auto recall system, and created the Department of Transportation, as well as various precursor agencies that in 1970 became the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as part of the 1970 Highway Safety Act). Now, these reforms were certainly a significant step forward much better than what went before. Yet they also bequeathed two problems that certainly contributed to the current Takata impasse. First, as originally designed, the 1966 auto safety legal framework eschewed criminal penalties for culpable auto companies and their executives, and instead relied heavily on civil liability. Consumer advocates have spent the last 50 + years trying to fix that, with little success, and its extremely unlikely that the current Congress is going to change anything in this regard. While the 2000 Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act, established a limited basis for holding auto executives criminally liable for failing to disclose a safety defect, this has been sorely inadequate as either a deterrent, or a means to promote rapid correction of problems. Under TREAD, prosecutors must satisfy a far more stringent standard than the looser ones they can be used under regulatory statutes that establish the basis for criminal liability in other industries. Auto executives benefit from a generous safe harbour provision that allows an executive considerable leeway to fix the original safety violation. I should point out that several automakers began recalling vehicles in the US with defective airbags in 2014. So, the combination of a weak statutory basis for automaker liability and the Department of Justices adherence to the Holder doctrine (followed by the Yates memorandum which translated into plain English means that the DoJ generally pursued civil rather than criminal actions against corporations and their executives meant that prosecutors were not exactly zealous in pursuing corporate transgressions. Regular readers are well-aware that DoJ policy led to a failure to pursue any too big to fail banks or anyone in their C-suites for legally culpable activity that led to the great financial crisis. Ive discussed this issue here, The Obamamometers Toxic Legacy: The Rule of Lawlessness, among other places. The takeaway for this post is its not just bankers that got away with minuscule monetary penalties, relative to damage caused mere slaps on the wrist but other companies as well. I dont want to belabor this point, so allow me to return to discussing the second relevant defect in the creaky vintage-1966 auto recall system: the failure to update procedures. Now, alert readers will probably say that these characteristics are not bugs but features, and with that assessment I would have to agree. For starters, many recalls are voluntary undertaken by the company after it becomes aware of a safety defect while others are triggered by an NHTSA investigation. The system requires companies to repair the defect free of charge, and one might imagine that companies might not be rushing to inform consumers that theyre eligible for a recall. Yet get this: Guess how companies inform customers of problems? They use first-class mail! Wow, I guess this is another strong argument for keeping the US Postal Service going (not as strong as would be creating a Postal Savings Bank, but I digress). The laughably antiquated system makes monitoring the status of a recall difficult, not to mention informing consumers of potentially lethal defects and that they should and can be fixed at no cost to the consumer (other than lost time and their lack of access to the vehicle while the repair is being undertaken). Some have suggested that it might be high time to make use of technologies that might allow a manufacturer to access a vehicles electronic system to inform consumers of recalls (I leave aside for the time being surveillance concerns such a system might raise). Permit me another aside, at the age of 83, believe it or not, Naders still plugging away to promote greater auto safety, and in that Open Letter quoted above, called for Lynch: To bring justice to the victims of the Takata and VW criminal actions, I ask that you not just fine the companies and agree to deferred prosecution agreements, or a guilty plea against some subsidiary of the company but bring the full weight of the criminal law against both the parent company and responsible executives. The recent trend of settling major corporate crime cases with deferred or non prosecution agreements has undermined the criminal justice system and sent a message that we live in a society with a two tier system of justice deferred and non prosecutions for the powerful, guilty pleas and jail for the powerless. Pinto Problem So what we have here is not a straightforward case of regulatory crapification, but of a system thats been defective from the start, and that Congress with the connivance of multiple administrations has failed to improve or modernize. Im old enough to remember the Pinto debacle unfolding, in the mid-1970s. Younger readers may find it difficult to believe that at one time, Japanese autos were considered to be flimsy, low-quality products, that didnt meet the standard of American products. Sometime in 1968, then Ford-CEO Lee Iacocca made a decision to get into the economy car market, and set an aggressive timetable to launch the Pinto. Somewhere during this expedited the development cycle, the company discovered a flaw in the design of the cars fuel tanks which could be punctured by a low-impact crash from the rear, causing catastrophic fires. The engineers produced several solutions, according to The Top Automotive Engineering Failures: The Ford Pinto Fuel Tanks.) But there was great pressure to meet the aggressive timetable. So the car was launched in 1970, with the defect unremedied. After which, Pintos involved in low-speed rear-end collisions started to explode. The NHTSA first began to investigate the defect in 1974, but it wasnt until Mother Jones published an article in 1977 that the problem became more widely known. And in what later became a cause celebre, it became a nightmare for the company and its reputation, when it became known that a cost-benefit analysis had concluded that the benefit preventing the increased number of deaths the company estimated would occur if it left the design unchanged wasnt worth the marginal extra cost $11 per car to correct the problem by providing additional protection for the vulnerable fuel tanks, as is discussed further in Case: The Ford Pinto. As a teenager growing up in Newton, New Jersey a place I like to say was located 60 miles and 60 years away from midtown Manhattan I first became aware of the types of arguments that later morphed into that scourge known as neoliberalism by reading an Atlantic article (IIRC this was, after all, roughly 40 years ago) that discussed the rising use of cost-benefit analysis. Although perhaps to their credit, most of my classmates couldnt have cared less about cost-benefit analysis was let alone define it virtually everyone was aware of the Pinto problem. The car was quite popular in my home town,and as teenagers are so prone to do, we often joked inappropriately about the dangers we were exposing ourselves to whenever one stepped into the back seat of a Pinto. I want to draw a few points from Case: The Ford Pinto. By the time Ford was obliged to recall the Pinto in 1978, the car had accounted for many fire-related deaths: Ford estimates this at 23, while others have claimed as many as 500. (Other estimates also fall in that range.) The companys own engineers admitted in sworn testimony that 95 percent of the fatalities would not have occurred if Ford had located the fuel tank over the axle (as it had done in other models it produced). The companys never admitted the car was unsafe compared to others in its class and of that period, nor does it highlight that successful lobbying by it and others in the industry was responsible for delaying for seven years the adoption of any NHTSA crash standard until 1976. According to the article: Ford made an extremely irresponsible decision, concludes auto safety expert Byron Bloch, when they placed such a weak tank in such a ridiculous location in such a soft rear end. Pinto v. Takata Summed Up So, all I can say here is, plus ca change There seem to be several similarities here: a deliberate decision to put profits over people, regulatory failure, company denial, a belated response once the problem became public. But in one regard, the Takata situation is substantially worse. For, despite all the delay and obfuscation that led up to it, once the Pinto recall finally began, it was completed in a year. Lets contrast that to the airbag debacle. US recalls began in 2014. Yet as Autoblog.com reported yesterday in Most of 46 million recalled Takata inflators in US not fixed: Automakers have recalled 46 million Takata air bag inflators in 29 million US vehicles. By 2019, automakers will recall 64 million to 69 million US inflators in 42 million total vehicles, NHTSA said in December. Thats not a typo: 2019. Yes, 2019. Pathetic. So, I say to Takata, the automakers, NHTSA, DoJ, and any other regulator or other concerned party involved in this sorry mess: Why dont you fix this? Now. Not in 2019. No more excuses. Yves here: Theres a small off-key note in this post. Feffer repeats Graham Allisons remarkable misreading of Thucydides. Athens was not a rising power challenging a dominant force in the form of Sparta. Athens has been the leader in the region until its humiliating defeat in the Peloponnesian War and it was Sparta that attacked Attica. Similarly, when the Great War broke out, England was so confident of its victory that young aristocratic men were falling all over themselves to sign up for military service, certain the engagement would be a romp of a few weeks that would allow them to tell great stories to their girlfriends and later, their children. The result instead was the decimation of a generation of the leadership classes (as well as working class men) of all the combatants. And China faces a separate challenge: no large country has made the shift from being export and investment-led to being consumption-driven without undergoing a major financial crisis. By John Feffer, the author of the new dystopian novel, Splinterlands (a Dispatch Books original with Haymarket Books), which Publishers Weekly hails as a chilling, thoughtful, and intuitive warning. He is the director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies. Originally published at TomDispatch Asia has been the future for more than a generation. When Americans try to glimpse whats to come, images of the Pacific Rim flood the imagination. For movie audiences in 1982, the rain-soaked Los Angeles of Blade Runner looked like downtown Tokyo. By 2014, the City of Angels in the Spike Jonze film Her had more of a Shanghai vibe. This upcoming October, with the release of Blade Runner 2049, Los Angeles will likely resemble Seoul. Off-screen as well, Asia has been almost as good as a time machine. When I was coming of age, it was the place to go for anyone hankering for the next big thing. After college, a number of my classmates traveled to Japan to strike gold teaching English. Today, recent grads are more likely to visit the big cities of South Korea and China, or head further south to Singapore and Malaysia. They all come back, as I did in 2001 after three years in Asia, with stories of the future: bullet trains, otherworldly urban landscapes, the latest electronic gizmos. So, its not surprising that when foreign policy elites think about what will replace a U.S. superpower in relative decline speculation that has grown more feverish in the Trump era they, too, look East. But no longer to Japan, which is passe, or South Korea, which has also perhaps peaked. Instead, they tremble before China, which has already surpassed the United States in gross economic output, while steadily enhancing its military capabilities. It seems like the only country remotely capable of challenging the United States as the worlds sole superpower. The anxiety of declining U.S. influence became so intense during the Obama years that the notion of a Group of Two (G2) gained considerable currency: if we cant beat em, went the thinking at the time, then maybe we should join em. However seriously intended such a proposal to co-rule the world with China might have been, the Obama administration never followed up beyond agreements on climate change and bilateral investment. Ambitious and impatient, Beijing decided to strike out on its own. It has unveiled a twenty-first-century, industrial-strength version of the post-World War II Marshall Plan with which the U.S. once put a devastated Europe back on its feet. Chinas vision, however, focuses on the building up of all the countries on its periphery and some even further afield, as it tries to draw the whole Eurasian continent into its sphere of influence. Although its expected to provide an estimated $1 trillion to more than 60 countries, this One Belt, One Road plan is anything but a charity mission. It will direct a major influx of resources to Chinese construction companies, bring minerals and energy to Chinese factories, and promise a better potential return on investment than U.S. treasury bonds. Some infrastructure projects will also allay security concerns, like the energy pipelines to be built through Myanmar that will bypass the watery bottleneck of the Malacca Straits where a determined adversary could potentially shut off 80% of Beijings oil imports. The victory of Donald Trump in the 2016 elections has only deepened anxiety over Chinas ascendance among Washingtons policymakers and pundits. During his campaign, Trump frightened both the neocons and more conventional militarists with his talk of avoiding military entanglements overseas. As president, he has pledged to boost military spending but seems to have no idea of how to use all the Pentagons new toys other than to bomb the stuffing out of the militants of the Islamic State. Nor does Trump care a whit about the soft power the United States has traditionally used to cultivate international support. For instance, Washington had long promoted international financial institutions and free trade agreements, but Trump has railed against the false song of globalism. China, meanwhile, is positioning itself to become the new overlord of global capitalism, even going so far as to set up a parallel international financial system to realize its vision. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which began operations in January 2016 without the support of the United States or the European Union, will function like the World Bank in providing financing for Chinas various building projects abroad. Whereas Beijing controls less than 5% of the votes at the World Bank, it commands 28% of the shares in the AIIB. Although still a small operation compared to Chinas commercial banks, it will be quite capable of scaling up if the opportunity arises. The contrast between Beijing and Washington has become even sharper around climate change. Trumps denial of global warming he once labeled it a Chinese hoax has whetted the Beijing leaderships appetite for global influence. As one of its top climate change negotiators said shortly after Trump won the November election, Chinas influence and voice are likely to increase in global climate governance, which will then spill over into other areas of global governance and increase Chinas global standing, power, and leadership. All of this is part of a larger trend of power flowing from West to East. In 2010, North America and Western Europe were responsible for 40% of the global gross national product. By 2050, that share, the Economist Intelligence Unit estimates, will fall to 21%, with Asias share rising to a commanding 48.1%. But dont rush out to begin that crash course in Mandarin and exchange your dollars for yuan quite yet. The showdown between Beijing and Washington is unlikely to play out exactly as the Chinese hope and Americans fear. The Decline of the United States On a visit to Beijing in October 2016, in the presence of the Chinese leadership, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared, America has lost now. Ive realigned myself in your ideological flow. He went on to imagine a new axis of Russia, China, and the Philippines arrayed against the arrogance of American power. Talk about shockers. The Philippines has traditionally been a cornerstone of U.S. influence in Asia, a place for Washington to station troops, dock ships, and, in the post-9/11 era, send military advisors to help suppress a Muslim insurgency. Moreover, Manila had gone toe to toe with Beijing over disputed islands in the South China Sea, even submitting its case to an international tribunal for arbitration. But that was before Duterte became president in May 2016 and labeled President Obama, who took a dim view of Dutertes gruesome record of extrajudicial killings, a son of a whore. The apparent defection of the Philippines was the coup de grace for one of the Obama administrations most heralded foreign policy efforts aimed at staving off American decline. In October 2011, just before the Arab Spring broke out, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton authored an article in Foreign Policy laying out what would become known as the Pacific pivot. The United States, at the time, was fitfully trying to extricate itself from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thanks to imports from Mexico and Canada, as well as investments in shale fracking and sustainable energy, Washington was no longer quite so dependent on Middle Eastern oil. The Obama administration felt that it might finally put the failures of the Bush years behind it and turn to new horizons. The Pacific pivot should have been called the Willie Sutton policy. When Sutton was asked why he robbed banks, he replied, Thats where the money is. So, too, with Asia. It contains four of the top 11 economies in the world: Chinas, Japans, Indias, and South Koreas. With the United States focused on losing bets in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen, China has been cornering this rich Asian market. By now, it has become the leading trading partner for South Korea, Japan, Australia, and virtually all of Southeast Asia. To recapture its edge in the region, the Obama administration promoted a free trade compact known as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). U.S. negotiators managed to achieve the near impossible by getting a dozen disparate countries on the same page while leaving China out of the picture. But Congress proved, at best, lukewarm on the deal. And sentiment among the American public ran even colder so cold, in fact, that one of its chief architects, Hillary Clinton, fearing that the trade agreement might take her presidential bid down in flames, came out against it in 2016. Withdrawing from the TPP would, of course, be one of Donald Trumps first acts as president. The United States, in fact, faces more than just an economic challenge in Asia. Washington had long considered the Pacific to be an American lake. It currently has 375,000 military and civilian personnel stationed within the Pacific Commands ambit and devotes roughly half its naval capacity to Pacific waters. It maintains treaty alliances with Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, as well as dozens of military bases in the region. But China, after more than a decade of double-digit increases in military spending, has begun pushing back against American pretensions to be the only Pacific power around. It has developed new weapons to deny the U.S. military access to its coastal waters and has come to excel at cyberwarfare, vacuuming up huge amounts of confidential data by hacking into U.S. government agencies. Meanwhile, in the world of spy versus spy, China has managed to plug leaks on its end by jailing or killing more than a dozen U.S. intelligence assets. Even before the ascension of Donald Trump, the Pentagons effort to pivot eastward had come up short. For all its overwhelming military edge, Washington has increasingly found itself unable to dictate outcomes through force anywhere in the Greater Middle East. The rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and turmoil in Yemen and Libya have all continued to bedevil the U.S. military. In the meantime, the Obama administration made some token rearrangements of its forces in the Pacific, sold some high-tech weaponry to its allies in the region, and threw some brush-back pitches at Beijing. But in the end, as with so many of Obamas initiatives, the Pacific pivot proved largely aspirational. The U.S. never really pivoted out of the Greater Middle East. As a presidential candidate, Trump was content to bluster about Chinese threats, even as he also threatened to withdraw the U.S. nuclear umbrella from both Tokyo and Seoul. He demanded that U.S. allies pony up more money for American help and protection, while offering no new ways of anchoring the United States in the Pacific. Now in the Oval Office, Trump has sent mixed signals. Hes repaired relations with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but hes also been pushing a major rise in the Pentagon budget. And what country would be the target of those additional tens of billions of dollars in military spending? The U.S. Navy certainly doesnt need a 350-ship force to counter the Islamic State. Trump has welcomed the election of South Koreas new president, Moon Jae-in, but also insists that he wants to renegotiate bad trade and security deals with South Korea. He has tried to bully North Korea, but has also held out the possibility of meeting personally with that pretty smart cookie, Kim Jong-un. Thanks to his erratic pronouncements, even though its early in Trumps term, American influence in the region is already dropping as inexorably as the presidents approval ratings at home. Add to this mix a president who only wants big wins but doesnt see the likelihood of that happening in Asia and you have the definition of decline. That decline has, in recent years, often been calculated in terms of approaching horizons: when North Korean missiles can reach the West Coast; when Chinas military spending pulls closer to the Pentagons; when Japan and South Korea, like the Philippines, begin to reconsider their allegiances. Now, in the Trump era, add one more item to the list: when Asia faces an incompetent, corrupt, and self-defeating administration in Washington. The way seems clear enough for China, the strongest country in Asia, to fill the potential vacuum. But, as they say, the best-laid plans oft do go astray. The Weakness of Asia Japan is the incredible shrinking country. Between 2010 and 2015, the population of Americas most steadfast ally in the Pacific dropped by a million people to just over 127 million. As a result of a strikingly low fertility rate and negligible immigration, there could, according to official projections, be only 85-95 million Japanese by 2050. By 2135, after living in a fossilized society, the last Japanese, at the age of 118, could breathe his or her final breath. This worst-case scenario, as spelled out by former trade negotiator Clyde Prestowitz in his recent book Japan Restored, is perhaps far-fetched, but Japan is nevertheless on a path toward what looks like national seppuku: ritual suicide by attrition. Ah, well, thats Japan, you might think. Its been in a fiscal funk since its economic bubble burst back in 1990. But the rise, stagnation, and shrinkage of that country remains a cautionary tale for all the other lands that have followed its path of export-led and state-facilitated growth. After all, South Korea has entered its own period of diminished economic expectations, with anemic growth, widening inequality, and pervasive corporate corruption. Young South Koreans, facing the prospect of unemployment or poorly compensated contract labor, refer to their country as Hell Choson, a play on the Choson dynasty that ruled from 1392 to 1897. Taiwan, another member of the flying geese of industrialization responsible for Asias tremendous economic growth, faces a strikingly similar set of problems, according to economist Frank Hsiao, including low and stagnating wage rates, increasing income inequality, the hollowing out of domestic industries, and languishing exports. Some of the shine is even wearing off Chinas economic miracle. The days of annual double-digit growth in its gross national product are long past. Officials are happy now if they can cite growth figures closer to 7% (and even those are believed to be overstated). The Chinese labor force has been contracting since 2012. Strikes and labor protests increased dramatically in 2016, while unrest continues in Chinas westernmost provinces of Xinjiang and Tibet. The governments official anti-corruption campaign, despite netting some highly placed individuals, has only driven the corrupt into more discrete forms of graft. Meanwhile, its not only Japan that faces a demographic crisis. The fertility rates of both Taiwan (1.12) and South Korea (1.25) are even lower than Japans (1.41), while Chinas (1.6) is only a bit higher. None of them is close to the replacement rate of 2.1. Approaching 2050, all four countries will have to dig deep to pay the retirement benefits and healthcare costs of all the industrious workers currently outperforming their counterparts elsewhere in the world. What was once called Japan passing investors skipping that country in search of better opportunities elsewhere in the region is already morphing into China passing. Financial flows are also going to be affected by the rising waters of climate change, which, later in the century, will threaten major cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Predicting the coming supremacy of the East has been a veritable cottage industry in the West, and its stock is still rising as Chinas One Belt, One Road venture, meant to tie the vast Eurasian continent together, goes head to head with Trumps my way or the highway. The future, however, promises to be far messier than China or its boosters imagine. Demographics, corruption, and reduced economic growth not to mention environmental degradation and the declining legitimacy of its ruling partys ideology are by no means the only problems that Beijing faces. Asias New Nationalism The United States once billed itself as the antidote to nationalism in Asia. After World War II, it established a permanent military presence across the region to prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism. It portrayed itself as a neutral party, with no territorial ambitions. It restored the island of Okinawa to Japan in 1972. It refused to take sides in several island disputes in the region. In this way, its liberal internationalism squared off against the illiberal Communisms of China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Both these supranational ideologies, which flourished in the region during the Cold War, have entered hospice care in the twenty-first century. Communism has functionally disappeared from the region, replaced by nationalisms of varying degrees of intensity. Xi Jinpings China and Kim Jong-uns North Korea are hardly the only places where nationalism has taken root. In Japan, for instance, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is busy trying to rebuild the very militarism that the United States once professed to despise. A succession of U.S. administrations has aided and abetted this right-wing nationalist effort to dispense with the countrys post-World War II peace constitution and push the Japanese Self-Defense Forces onto the offensive. Nationalist leaders, meanwhile, have assumed power throughout Southeast Asia: the murderous president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte; the former military commander, now prime minister of Thailand, Prayuth Chan-ocha; and the corrupt Najib Razak, prime minister of Malaysia. Even more ominously, nationalism has taken hold in South Asia, particularly in India, which recently replaced Great Britain as the worlds sixth largest economy and where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made Hindu exceptionalism the heart and soul of his ruling party. One obvious result of this rising nationalism has been escalating arms imports across the region. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India became the worlds largest arms importer in 2012-2016. During that period, Southeast Asias arms imports rose by more than 6%, with Vietnam jumping to 10th place globally. In 2012, for the first time, Asia surpassed Europe in overall military spending. Both the nationalist rhetoric and those weapons imports are certainly linked to regional perceptions of the waxing and waning of great powers. To reinforce their claims to the South China Sea and several other disputed territories, countries in the region feel the need to arm themselves in the face of a newly aggressive China and a perennially distracted United States. At the moment, those two countries are cooperating in one key area: pouring money into the kind of military hardware that could someday lead to a catastrophic showdown. This reality has led ever more foreign policy analysts to invoke the Thucydides trap, in which a rising power like Athens (read: China) takes on the hitherto dominant power Sparta (read: America) in a long, debilitating conflict like the Peloponnesian War (read: World War III). But the conflicts in Asia may, in fact, shape up quite differently. Movements for greater self-determination are undercutting the reach of both the rising and the reigning superpower. Consider the contrasting examples of Myanmar and South Korea. China is the largest investor in Myanmar, and at one time the two countries were as thick as thieves. But relations between them have grown tense. In 2011, the new civilian-led government in Myanmar stopped work on the Myitsone dam, one of a number of mega-projects financed by Beijing. Plenty of Burmese blame China for helping to prop up the military junta, writes journalist Tom Miller in his new book, Chinas Asian Dream. Newly enfranchised, the Burmese have taken aim at projects like Myitsone, where 90% of the electricity generated would have gone to China. Myanmars leader Aung San Suu Kyi must now decide between permanently mothballing the dam, which would require paying back the $800 million owed Chinese financiers, or going forward with a deeply unpopular project she previously opposed. The example of Myanmar is not unique. Sri Lanka has recently swung away from China and back toward India. Filipino President Duterte has recently edged back toward a United States led by Donald Trump, who has praised the Philippine leaders drug war (despite its massive human rights violations). Vietnam is perennially suspicious of Chinas geopolitical intentions, but anti-Chinese sentiment has also been building in Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia. One Belt, One Road might outstrip the Marshall Plan in size, but it lacks the underlying regional political solidarity that ensured the latters success. And yet China is not alone in feeling a backlash in the region. In South Korea, for instance, a decade of conservative rule came to a crashing end with the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye on corruption charges, a hastily organized election, and the victory of progressive Moon Jae-in. The new South Korean leader is no firebrand, so dont expect a dramatic break with Washington. South Korea has been subservient to the United States for too long to risk that any time soon. Moon has, however, promised to take another look at the missile defense system the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) that the United States worked so hard to deploy in South Korea before he took office. The new president also wants to mend fences with China, the countrys largest trading partner, and revive a more cooperative relationship with North Korea as well. Meanwhile, in Japan, opposition from politicians, activists, and ordinary citizens in Okinawa has blocked a plan hammered out in Tokyo and Washington to close an old U.S. military base in the city of Futenma, only to build a replacement elsewhere on the island. Okinawa is where America houses a good deal of its Pacific firepower. The refusal of Okinawan inhabitants to support the construction of the new base has not only scrambled the Pacific plans of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton but given new legitimacy to the idea of withdrawing U.S. forces from Japan and South Korea to a secondary tier of islands like Guam. The growing willingness of Asian countries to put their own interests above those of their putative patrons has also made it more difficult for the region to find common ground. Asia is not remotely cohesive, writes Jessica Mathews of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. There is no East comparable to the West. Though the region is integrating economically, it is riven by active conflicts, bitter historical memories, and deep cultural divisions. Past as Prologue? If liberal internationalism no longer appeals to U.S. allies in Asia or, indeed, to the new leadership in Washington it might be easy enough to assume that the future will be a replay of the past: the return to a Sinocentric universe that prevailed for 1,000 years or more in the region. Instead of local satraps loaded with gifts visiting an emperor in Beijing, the leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines will build dams and ports and pipelines with Chinese money and then repatriate much of the proceeds to that country. As it happens, though, the intensification of nationalism in Asia has greatly complicated this picture and may leave leaders like Duterte playing Beijing off against Washington, or striking out on their own, or perhaps seeking help from India or even Saudi Arabia, which has made a bid for greater influence among Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. If the rise of China has caused much anxiety in the West, so has the possibility that no country will become dominant in Asia in the wake of U.S. decline and that a new kind of chaos will descend on the region. The idea of a multipolar world, without dominant powers and guided solely by the rule of law, is theoretically attractive, Financial Times journalist Gideon Rachman writes in his recent book Easternization. But he adds, I fear that just such a multipolar world is already emerging and proving to be unstable and dangerous: the rules are very hard to enforce without a dominant power in the background. For years, Asia has contemplated an alternative to both Chinese and American hegemony. Following the example of the European Union, politicians and scholars have imagined a future of economic and political integration. But the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and similar efforts continue to fall far short of the EU ideal (which itself looks increasingly shaky and fragmented). In other words, despite all those dreams of Asias glittering future, its unlikely to resemble the peaceful prosperity of Europe, nor is it likely to see a continuation of U.S. hegemony or a repeat of the China-centered system of centuries past. Its likely, however, to involve population decline, economic contraction, heightened nationalism, and rising waters a future, in short, filled with troubles and dangers of every sort. Although Washington still commands considerable power in the region, it could stand back, Trump-like, and just watch everything unravel. Or, alongside Beijing, it could make a serious investment in a new organization of security and economic cooperation, in which the United States and China would be equal partners, the region could have its collective say, and the new nationalism would be deprived of its major raison detre. Without such a supranational vision that could bring the region together around the twin threats of climate change and economic inequality, one thing is essentially guaranteed. The Asia to come wont look shiny and new like some Hollywood movie. The future may not look like Asia at all, but more like Europe circa 1913, at the edge of conflict and cataclysm. Seeing the forest and the trees to find parasitic reactions in batteries (Nanowerk News) Everyone's heard the phrase about seeing both the details and the big picture, and that struggle comes into sharp relief for those studying how to create batteries that hold more energy and cost less. It's difficult to see the details of atomic and topographical changes as a battery operates. For DOE's Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), Vijay Murugesan and his colleagues at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Texas A&M University found a way. The result? They saw the products of the parasitic electrolyte decomposition reactions. The reactions led to a layer that smothers the electrode in energy-dense-but short-lived-lithium-sulfur batteries (Chemistry of Materials, "In-Situ Chemical Imaging of Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Layer Evolution in Li-S Batteries"). This research is thanks, in part, to a new device that let the team track the progression of sulfur in a vacuum inside a powerful scientific instrument. "We can now realistically probe the reactions happening and view how the products actually spread," said Murugesan, PNNL researcher. The Forest, the Trees and Parasitic Reactions in Batteries. Researchers built a new stage and created a designer electrolyte to obtain both detailed and broad overviews of a troubling layer that causes promising lithium-sulfur batteries to fail. (Image: Nathan Johnson, PNNL) Better batteries affect everything from how you get to work to how long you can work on your laptop computer before finding an outlet. The results from this fundamental study benefit energy storage in two ways. First, to do the work, the team created a new "stage." This device let scientists determine the atomic composition and electronic and chemical state of the atoms on the electrode while the battery was running. Scientists can use this device to obtain a detailed view of other batteries. "Doing this measurement is challenging," said Vaithiyalingam Shutthanandan, a PNNL scientist who worked on the research. "This is the first time we could access this level of quantity and quality data while batteries were charging and discharging." The second benefit of this study is the potential to solve the fading issue in lithium-sulfur batteries. "Sulfur is significantly cheaper than current cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries," said Murugesan. "So the total cost of a lithium-sulfur battery will be low. Simultaneously, the energy density will be a huge advantage-approximately five times more than lithium-ion batteries." The team achieved the results thanks to a combination of scientific innovation and serendipity. The innovation came in building the unique stage for the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) instrument. The researchers needed to track the sulfur in the battery, but sulfur volatilizes in a vacuum. All samples in an XPS are studied under vacuum. Combining the newly designed stage and ionic liquids as electrolyte media let the team operate the battery inside the XPS and monitor the growth of sulfur-based compounds to see the parasitic reactions. "We designed a completely new capability for the XPS system," said Ashleigh Schwarz, who performed many of the XPS scans on the battery and helped determine the electrolyte to use on the stage. The electrolyte's composition is crucial, as it must survive the vacuum used by XPS. Schwarz and her colleagues tested different compositions to see how well the electrolyte performed in the XPS. The team's choice contained 20 percent of the traditional solvent (DOL/DME) combined with an ionic solvent. Using the XPS in analysis or spectroscopy mode, the team obtained the atomic information, including the atoms present and the chemical bonds between them. Switching over to an imaging or microscopic mode, the researchers acquired topological views of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer forming. This view let them see where the elements were on the surface and more. The combination of views let them obtain critical information over a wide range of spatial resolutions, spanning from angstroms to micrometers as the battery drained and charged. The XPS resides in EMSL, the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a DOE Office of Science user facility at PNNL. In addition, the team benefited from a serendipitous meeting at a national scientific conference. Murugesan was talking with Perla Balbuena, Texas A&M University, about her research into lithium-sulfur batteries. The pair quickly realized that her work on ab initio molecular dynamics modeling would benefit the experiments. Balbuena and her colleague Luis Camacho-Forero worked with the experimentalists to interpret the results and test new ideas about how the SEI layer forms. Knowing how the layer forms could lead to options that stop its formation altogether and greatly extend the battery life cycle. Breaking Newton's Law (Nanowerk News) In the quantum world, our intuition for moving objects is strongly challenged and may sometimes even completely fail. Experimental physicists of the University of Innsbruck in collaboration with theorists from Munich, Paris and Cambridge have found a quantum particle which shows an intriguing oscillatory back-and-forth motion in a one-dimensional atomic gas. A ripe apple falling from a tree has inspired Sir Isaac Newton to formulate a theory that describes the motion of objects subject to a force. Newtons equations of motion tell us that a moving body keeps on moving on a straight line unless any disturbing force may change its path. The impact of Newtons laws is ubiquitous in our everyday experience, ranging from a skydiver falling in the earth's gravitational field, over the inertia one feels in an accelerating airplane, to the earth orbiting around the sun. In the quantum world, however, our intuition for the motion of objects is strongly challenged and may sometimes even completely fail. What about imagining a marble falling through water oscillating up and down rather than just moving straight downwards? Sounds strange. Yet, that's what experimental physicist from Innsbruck in collaboration with theorists from Munich, Paris and Cambridge have discovered for a quantum particle (Science, "Bloch oscillations in the absence of a lattice"). At the heart of this surprising behavior is what physicists call quantum interference, the fact that quantum mechanics allows particles to behave like waves, which can add up or cancel each other. Physicists have observed an intriguing oscillatory back-and-forth motion of a quantum particle in a one-dimensional atomic gas. (Image: Florian Meinert) Approaching absolute zero temperature To observe the quantum particle oscillating back and forth the team had to cool a gas of Cesium atoms just above absolute zero temperature and to confine it to an arrangement of very thin tubes realized by high-power laser beams. By means of a special trick, the atoms were made to interact strongly with each other. At such extreme conditions the atoms form a quantum fluid whose motion is restricted to the direction of the tubes. The physicists then accelerated an impurity atom, which is an atom in a different spin state, through the gas. As this quantum particle moved, it was observed to scatter off the gas particles and to reflect backwards. This led to an oscillatory motion, in contrast to what a marble would do when falling in water. The experiment demonstrates that Newton's laws cannot be used in the quantum realm. Quantum fluids sometimes act like crystals The fact that a quantum-wave may get reflected into certain directions has been known since the early days of the development of the theory of quantum mechanics. For example, electrons reflect at the regular pattern of solid crystals, such as a piece of metal. This effect is termed Bragg-scattering. However, the surprise in the experiment performed in Innsbruck was that no such crystal was present for the impurity to reflect off. Instead, it was the gas of atoms itself that provided a type of hidden order in its arrangement, a property that physicist dub correlations. The Innsbruck work has demonstrated how these correlations in combination with the wave-nature of matter determine the motion of particles in the quantum world and lead to novel and exciting phenomena that counteract the experiences from our daily life. 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. Three High School students were recently honoured at an awards ceremony at the residence of the Austrian Ambassador, Helmut Freundenschuss, in Ailesbury Road, Dublin. Brian Lacey and Niall Gannon won first and second place respectively (Transition Year Category) in a National German Essay competition titled Fur und Wider Kunstschnee in den Alpen - For and against Artificial snow in the Alps. Brian, son of Eamon and Joan Lacey from Clonmel, wrote a factual essay on how years ago people linked global warming to distant locations such as the Amazon rainforests and Antarctica. However climate change is moving closer to home and is having a detrimental effect on our planet. He argued that even though artificial snow is a decision at local, regional and national level, the consequences of this decision are felt on a global scale. If the economies of the developing countries put their economic interests before environmental issues, the result is a global issue that we all should be concerned about. For his unique and heartfelt essay, Brian received The Perpetual Dubsky Environment Trophy plus a two-week scholarship comprising air travel, tuition in German, board and accommodation at ISK International Sprachkurse in Salzburg, which is a well-known centre for students of German under the patronage of the University of Salzburg. Niall, son of Martin and Olga Gannon from Piltown, decided to take a creative approach to writing his essay and used two snowmen as a metaphor to emphasise the pros and cons of artificial snow. Although his artificial snowman lived longer, the environmental consequences were detrimental and children still prefer playing and building snowmen with real snow. Denis Moskalenko, a Third Year student, was thrilled to discover his essay titled Eine Schifffahrt an der Donau - A boat trip on the river Danube - won second prize in the Junior Category. This was Deniss first experience of writing a creative essay in the German language and he was thrilled to attend the awards ceremony with his parents Sergiy and and Natalya Moskalenko. The nationwide essay competition is organised annually by Ulrike Scholler of the Austrian Irish Society and the essays are corrected by university lecturers. This year the competition celebrated its 20th anniversary and High School Principal Karen Steenson and German teacher Martina OReilly were delighted to attend the awards ceremony, with High School students coming away with three of the six awards presented. The national housing charity, Threshold is urging families who are worried about losing their home to call the organisations Tenancy Protection Service for information, advice and support. The appeal follows reports that families are being referred to Garda stations as a last resort if they cannot access emergency homeless accommodation, and detail in the recently launched annual report from The Ombudsman for Children, which showed an increase in the number of housing complaints. This included difficulties in accessing suitable accommodation, Traveller accommodation, and issues in relation to Direct Provision. Threshold Chief Executive, John-Mark McCafferty said: "What these reports starkly highlight is the terrible effect that the current housing crisis is having, particularly on children. Every child and their family should have a right to live in secure, affordable accommodation and no family should have to resort to going to a Garda station if they have nowhere else to go. If a family is renting and worried about losing their home we would urge them to contact us immediately for help. The earlier people seek help, the greater the chance that the problem can be resolved. Thankfully, where families do get in touch with us homelessness can be prevented." The Tenancy Protection Service, a Freephone service (1800 454 454) provided by Threshold, is a vital service ensuring that families at risk of homelessness throughout Ireland stand a better chance of staying in their current housing without having to seek homeless services. Mr McCafferty added: Since June 2014, the Tenancy Protection Service in Dublin has helped 2,846 households remain in their privately rented homes through an enhanced rent supplement payment. At a time when there are over 1,000 households with over 2,000 children in homeless services, the problem would be much worse for families if Thresholds services were not in place. In Cork, many low-income families are finding it increasingly difficult to access private rented housing. Since it was introduced in 2015, the Tenancy Protection Service in Cork has assisted over 2,300 households at risk of homelessness, including 2,117 children. In Galway, between June 2016 and May 2017, 40 per cent of tenants many of them families - contacting the Tenancy Protection Service were at risk of losing their homes as a result of being served a notice of termination. Thresholds Tenancy Protection Service can be contacted across the country on Freephone 1800 454 454, from 9am to 9pm. (Natural News) Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comics, seems to have triggered social justice warriors and climate science fanatics on the web with a recent cartoon that lampooned the selective application of computer models to support climate change. The climate change scientist in the Adams Dilbert cartoon (see below) admits that he ignores models that look wrong and then runs the acceptable data through long-term economic projections that are always incorrect. When the Dilbert character questions this approach, he is deemed a climate denier. The cartoon sums up pretty much everything the layman needs to know about the state of climate science and how it abuses the public trust, Breitbart London concluded. Man-made climate change advocates insist that the science behind it is settled, as if science is something that can be forever locked down. However, as Natural News founder Mike Adams previously revealed, the claim that 97 percent of scientists agree on man-made climate change is a bunch of hot air. (RELATED: Read more about global warming propaganda at ClimateScienceNews.com). Scott Adams, a non-scientist who earned an MBA from UC-Berkeley, is not your typical climate change skeptic, however. He seems to accept climate change, but wants its supporters to use solid data. In a lengthy blog post a few months ago that that explored similar themes as with the cartoon, Adams pondered why the climate scientists cant seem to put together a sound argument for global warming, while those who argue against man-made climate change always seem to have a good point to make. Adams wrote in part: 1. Stop telling me the models (plural) are good. If you told me one specific model was good, that might sound convincing. But if climate scientists have multiple models, and they all point in the same general direction, something sounds fishy. If climate science is relatively settled, wouldnt we all use the same models and assumptions? And why cant science tell me which one of the different models is the good one, so we can ignore the less-good ones? Whats up with that? 2. Stop telling me the climate models are excellent at hindcasting, meaning they work when you look at history. That is also true of financial models, and we know financial models can NOT predict the future Dilbert is turning up the heat on climate science. ===> https://t.co/EdMdNAbAIE pic.twitter.com/ELsu5D2np5 Mike Cernovich (@Cernovich) May 14, 2017 Among other things, Adams wants climate scientists to reveal the percentage of global warming caused by humans, the absence of which suggests that the omission is intentional. He also thinks a cost-benefit approach would help. The world is full of risks that might happen. We dont treat all of them as real Should we put a trillion dollars into climate remediation or use that money for a missile defense system to better protect us from North Korea? Another aspect of Adams personal beliefs that doesnt sit well with his liberal following is the fact that he supports Donald Trump. Although he temporarily hopped off the Trump Train during the Access Hollywood scandal, Scott Adams long predicted that master persuader Donald Trump would win the 2016 presidential election in a landslide, which proved accurate at least insofar as the Electoral College was concerned. And if you take away the massive voter fraud in corrupt states like California, who knows, Trump might have won the popular vote as well. A trained hypnotist, Scott Adams regularly talks about President Trump and persuasion techniques, among other issues, on his blog and through his daily Periscope broadcasts. During the presidential primary season, Adams praised Trump not on the issues but for operating like a 3-D chess master (while everyone else, in his opinion, was playing at best 2-D) who is also a master of negotiation, persuasion, and of the linguistic kill shot. An example of the latter was Trumps memorable labeling of rival Jeb Bush as low energy. With that in mind, Adams lauded Trump for describing ISIS terrorists as evil losers in the aftermath of the horrific Manchester, U.K., concert attack. This is literally weapons-grade persuasion from the most powerful Master Persuader of our time. As I have taught you in this blog, President Trumps clever nicknames for people are not random. They are deeply engineered for visual impact and future confirmation bias. On a somewhat unrelated note, in yet another example of climate change hysteria, two academics hoaxed a peer-reviewed social science journal into publishing a paper purposely written with lofty, nonsensical gibberish, feminist buzzwords, and citing fake sources that claimed that the conceptual penis drives climate change and that hypermasculinity is irreparably damaging the global ecosystem. They described their paper as academically worthless nonsense. Could it be examples like this that have caused Adams to take the stand he did? Isnt it time for some real science on climate change? Adams think so. Scott Adams, by the way, is of no known relation to Mike Adams, editor of Natural News, who demonstrates critical thinking and skepticism thats very similar to Scott Adams. Sources: Breitbart.com Blog.Dilbert.com Inquisitr.com Thursday, June 01, 2017 by: Robert Jonathan Tags: chemical warfare , chemical weapons , ISIS , terrorism This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author (Natural News) ISIS is using human guinea pigs to test toxic chemical weapons for later deployment against the West, the British news media is reporting. Iraqi special forces reportedly found evidence of chemical experiments on prisoners in papers hidden at Mosul University. The Iraq military recently regained most of that city back from the terrorist army. The documents show that one prisoner was force-fed thallium sulfate, described as a commercially available salt that is colorless, tasteless, and dissolves easily in water. The prisoner apparently writhed in pain for 10 days with fever, nausea, and a swollen stomach and brain, before he finally succumbed to the poison. Another prisoner died a few hours after being injected with a nicotine-based compound. According to the Independent of London, U.S. and British security agencies which have validated the documents worry that the ISIS intends to use this poison on the free world through chemical warfare: The extremist group has reportedly poisoned prisoners by spiking their food and water with compounds used in pesticides that are easy to obtain. Security forces now fear the terror network may hatch a twisted plot to contaminate Western food supplies with formulas that quickly dissolve in liquid. Describing it as a horrifying throwback, a U.K. chemical weapons expert compared this disturbing development to how the Nazis tested deadly mustard gas on concentration camp prisoners during World War 2. ISIS has recently deployed chlorine gas against Iraqi troops as well as using mustard gas in Syria, The Times of London noted, adding that authorities believe the jihadists have recruited chemical weapons experts both from around the world and from the regime of former dictator Saddam Hussein. (RELATED: Read more about ISIS at Terrorism.news.) Against the backdrop of a potential chemical attack or another form of terrorism, the open-borders-obsessed establishment on both sides of the Atlantic continue to allow ISIS terrorists to easily walk into Europe and the U.S. as Natural News founder Mike Adams warned late last year. This is a function of politicians harboring a delusional sense of political correctness that puts public safety at the bottom of the priority list. Moreover, U.S. federal judges living in a theoretical world keep thwarting President Trumps reasonable efforts to impose a temporary travel ban on a just a handful of failed states. Although the scenario is different, and there may be no direct parallel, Natural News readers may recall that pharmaceutical giant Pfizer some years ago agreed to pay $75 million to settle a class-action lawsuit from Nigerian parents. The plaintiffs claimed that the company harmed their children by using them as guinea pigs in a nonconsensual, unlicensed drug trial. Eleven of the 200 children in the study died, and parents claim that others suffered from brain damage, organ failure, and other severe side effects. Who is going to be held responsible when a terrorist attack of this nature occurs on our shores? Sources: Independent.co.uk Times.co.uk (Natural News) Nearly one-quarter of adults prescribed antibiotics as a first line treatment for community-acquired pneumonia were non-responsive to the medications, a new study revealed. Current guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia, published by the American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Disease Society of America in 2007, offer insight on the disease. However, researchers noted that large-scale, real-world data were needed to gain greater knowledge of antibiotic choices and to better evaluate risk factors that may stem from treatment failure. As part of the study, a team of researchers looked at databases with records of nearly 252,000 adult patients treated between 2011 and 2015. The patients received a single class of antibiotics such as beta-lactam, macrolide, tetracycline, or fluoroquinolone following a health care visit for community-acquired pneumonia. The scientists defined treatment failure based on the following factors: antibiotic refill, antibiotic switch, emergency department visit, and 30-day hospitalization following initial antibiotic prescription. The study revealed that the total antibiotic failure was 22.1 percent. The research team also found that older patients and those with preexisting co-morbid conditions had higher rates of drug failure. The scientists were also able to determine failure rates based on the class of antibiotics used. According to the study, the failure rates for beta-lactam users was 25.7 percent, while macrolide users had a failure rate of 22.9 percent. In addition, the failure rates for tetracycline users was 22.5 percent, while fluoroquinolone users had a failure rate of 20.8 percent. Pneumonia is the leading cause of death from infectious disease in the United States, so it is concerning that we found nearly one in four patients with community-acquired pneumonia required additional antibiotic therapy, subsequent hospitalization or emergency room evaluation. The additional antibiotic therapy noted in the study increases the risk of antibiotic resistance and complications like C. difficile (C diff) infection, which is difficult to treat and may be life-threatening, especially for older adults, lead author Dr. James A. McKinnell said in ScienceDaily.com. Our findings suggest that the community-acquired pneumonia treatment guidelines should be updated with more robust data on risk factors for clinical failure. Our data provide numerous insights into characteristics of patients who are at higher risk of complications and clinical failure. Perhaps the most striking example is the association between age and hospitalization: Patients over the age of 65 were nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized compared to younger patients when our analysis was risk adjusted and nearly three times more likely in unadjusted analysis. Elderly patients are more vulnerable and should be treated more carefully, potentially with more aggressive antibiotic therapy, Dr. McKinnell added. The lead author also noted that the study identified substantial regional differences in treatment outcomes, which were not addressed in the community-acquired pneumonia guidelines published 10 years ago. The study also revealed that patients with comorbid conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, or diabetes were not prescribed combination antibiotic treatments as indicated in the guidelines. The findings were presented at the 2017 American Thoracic Society International Conference. Pre-penicillin era may just be around the corner In line with the recent findings, health ministers of the G20 leading economies cautioned that the world may return to a pre-penicillin era as antibiotic resistance continues to worsen. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance has become one of the biggest threats to global health. The organization noted that an increasing number of infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poisoning, and gonorrhea have become more difficult to manage using antibiotic treatment. (Related: Read more news about superbug treatments at Superbugs.news) Just last year, a report from the European Union (EU) revealed that antibiotics resistance accounted for more than 25,000 deaths per year in the region. In line with this, the G20 health ministers assented on the implementation of national action plans by the end of 2018 in order to combat the worsening cases of antibiotic resistance. (Related: Antibiotic alternatives you need to know today) Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk ScienceDaily.com One of the most exciting missions lined up for NASA is Psyche, which will take a spacecraft to explore a one-of-a-kind metallic asteroid three times farther from the sun than Earth. According to an official report from NASA, the mission Psyche aims to explore the asteroid 16 Psyche which is unique because of its makeup. Instead of being made of rock or ice like most asteroids, this one is comprised mostly of metallic iron and nickel that's similar to Earth's core. In fact, some scientists suggested that it could be the exposed core of an early planet. 16 Psyche is a precious resource because it's the only known object of its kind in the universe - but also because of the potential economic value it could yield. Mankind is a long way away from dragging this 130-mile-wide chunk of space rock to Earth, but a report from Global News revealed that asteroid's iron alone was estimated to be worth around $10,000 quadrillion. Considering the gross world product (GWP) in 2015 was recorded at only $73.3 trillion, it's likely that bringing in such a high-value resource would cause the economy to collapse. "Even if we could grab a big metal piece and drag it back here ... what would you do?" lead scientist of the NASA mission Lindy Elkins-Tanton pointed out. "Could you kind of sit on it and hide it and control the global resource - kind of like diamonds are controlled corporately - and protect your market? What if you decided you were going to bring it back and you were just going to solve the metal resource problems of humankind for all time? This is wild speculation, obviously." There's no existing technology to actually bring the asteroid to Earth, so the team's goal on 2023 is to simply observe and collect data. Whether or not Psyche will actually be able to transform the economy, it's certain to provide new information on asteroids or early planetary formation. Rising temperatures increase the danger of cliffs cracking and loose rocks toppling down below. Rockfalls, the fastest type of landslide and characterized by newly detached rock fallind rapidly down a steep slope, can be caused by a number of different factors. According to a report from Mercury News, heat also plays a huge role in the phenomenon of rockfalls. In a new study of domes and cliffs in Sierra Nevada, researchers discovered that cooler times bring less risk of toppling rocks endangering lives of people and wildlife. Menlo Park-based U.S. Geological Survey scientist Brian Collins explained and U.S. Park Service geologist Greg Stock analyzed the patterns of 228 previous rockfalls in Yosemite with unknown causes. The pair found out that about 15 percent took place during the hottest time of the day - noon to 6 p.m. - in the warmest months of July to September. Random occurrence would not reach those rates and would be limited to about 6 percent. The pair also climbed Yosemite's Royal Arches and discovered that during a hot summer afternoon an unstable slab of rock moves off a cliff by eight millimeters. On cool nights, it moves back by seven millimeters. "Cliffs move in and out, and detach," Collins explained. "People look at landscape as static, that it will be there forever. But it's changing all the time." Yosemite isn't the only place where rockfalls occur, although the phenomenon hasn't killed a huge number of people - only about 15 people over the past 150 years. Even the world's majestic mountains like Everest can be vulnerable to such destruction. According to a report from Phys Org, the famous Hillary Step just a few meters from the elusive summit has even already partially collapsed. The Nepal Mountaineering Association has refuted the claim, though. The study was published in the journal Nature Geosciences. San Francisco police on Saturday arrested one person in connection with the homicide of a 33-year-old Australian tourist at a Russian Hill hotel one day prior. The victim, identified by the San Francisco Medical Examiner's Office as Matthew Bate, was killed around 2 a.m. Friday in the vicinity of the Da Vinci Villa hotel on the 2500 block of Van Ness Avenue, police said. Police said they had detained two people in the hours after the killing. They have not provided any additional suspect information. Bate got into a verbal altercation with someone, but it quickly turned physical. The victim sustained injuries during the scuffle and was taken to a hospital, where he died, according to police. They do not believe any weapons were used in the fight. Bate lived in Woolner, a suburb of Darwin. He was an analytical chemist with SGS Australia, which offers a range of testing and certification services to businesses. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing Bate's family with consular assistance. Footage from the hotel showed crime tape, a number of evidence markers near clothes and a pair of sunglasses, and investigators taking photographs of the scene. Police said there is cause for concern about public safety. An investigation is ongoing. People with information are asked to call San Francisco Police Department at 415-553-0123. The Associated Press contributed to this report. After President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, former President Barack Obama issued a statement in response to the decision. President Obama, who was in office when the agreement was finalized in 2015, disagreed with Trumps decision to withdraw the United States from the accords. "A year and a half ago, the world came together in Paris around the first-ever global agreement to set the world on a low-carbon course and protect the world we leave to our children," he said. "Simply put, the private sector already chose a low-carbon future. "And for the nations that committed themselves to that future, the Paris Agreement opened the floodgates for businesses, scientists, and engineers to unleash high-tech, low-carbon investment and innovation on an unprecedented scale," he continued. Illinois Politicians React to Withdrawal From Paris Agreement According to reports, the United States will begin a four-year process of withdrawing from the agreement, with the final date for withdrawal set for 2020. Republican lawmakers, including Vice President Mike Pence, were quick to offer support for the decision by President Trump, who made withdrawing or renegotiating the Paris accord one of his stances during the campaign. "Our President is choosing to put American jobs, American consumers, American energy, and American industry first," Pence said in a tweet supporting the decision. House Speaker Paul Ryan also spoke out in favor of the decision, calling the Paris accord "a raw deal for America" on his Twitter feed. Even though some Republican lawmakers support the decision by the president, Obama says that the decision to withdraw from the agreement is a step in the wrong direction, and one that will have an adverse effect on the country. "The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created," he said. "I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack. Im confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet weve got." A New Hampshire state lawmaker is facing multiple charges, including tax evasion. The state attorney general's office announced that Rep. Thomas Katsiantonis, 44, of Manchester, was arrested and charged with four counts of tax evasion, two counts of theft, and one count each of falsifying physical evidence unsworn falsification. Katsiantonis, a Democrat, is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth in monthly meals and rentals tax payments from two businesses he owned, Grand Slam Pizza and Tommy K's Restaurant and Bar. The AG's office also says Katsiantonis tried to evade business profit taxes, including those he owned during an audit of Grand Slam Pizza, and making false statements on behalf of Tommy K's liquor license renewal application. Officials say Katsiantonis could face up to 15 years in state prison on the theft charges, and up to seven years on the other felony charges. He'll be arraigned on June 15. It's unclear if he has an attorney. In a statement, New Hampshire House Speaker Shawn Jasper said while Katsiantonis is due his day in court to face the charges, "It is unfortunate that incidents such as these cast a shadow on the institution and the good things the [sic] our members have accomplished this session." The fallout from the Illinois General Assembly failing to reach a budget compromise by midnight Wednesday was swift. Illinois now has the lowest credit rating for a US state on record. Standard and Poors cuts Illinois debt rating by one notch, now at just above junk. S & P also put Illinois on the CreditWatch negative. Gov. Bruce Rauner says the failure to reach a budget deal is so frustrating, so disappointing. The state has a $14 billion budget hole. Rauner insists hes not being inflexible in his demands for reforms before he agrees to an income tax hike as well as expansion of sales taxes. The governor says Ive been as flexible as possible, but what we cant do is just give up and do phony reforms that are a headline and do a massive tax hike. House Speaker Mike Madigan says lawmakers will hold budget hearings in June, but the governor calls those hearings a sham. The new deadline to reach a budget deal is June 30th, just one day before the start of the new fiscal year. However, lawmakers dont expect to return to the State Capitol until days before the deadline. Senate President John Cullerton says Im obviously ready to continue to negotiate and continue to work to try to pass a budget. Were going to start to see some real pain now. Penn State University's board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution that gives the school's administration stronger oversight of Greek life on campus. The change is among several initiatives voted by the board after the death of a 19-year-old student during an alcohol-fueled hazing ritual at a fraternity house. Tim Piazza died two days after being found unconscious in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house on Feb. 2. New measures announced Friday include a transfer of responsibility from the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils to the university for disciplinary matters and establishes a grading system for fraternities and sororities. "Hazing that involves alcohol, physical abuse, or any behavior that puts a students mental or physical health at risk will result in swift permanent revocation of university recognition for the chapter involved, said University President Eric Barron. The university said it will defer rush and Barron called on restricting sorority sizes. Penn State has already tightened restrictions on social functions and alcohol service, but spelled that out again. "These new safety and reform initiatives represent a significant departure from the Greek systems broken self-governance model and indicate steps necessary to address the complex problems. Piazza's parents, James and Evelyn Piazza, penned a scathing letter to the trustees ahead of Friday's board meeting urging the university to admit responsibility so that the university can move forward. In their letter dated May 31, Piazza's parents slammed Penn State for what they said was the universitys enabling of "a long history of harsh hazing, excessive drinking and sexual assaults in its Greek life. "Our son died on your watch because of ignorance and denial by Penn State. Yes, he died at the hands of men who had no regard for human life, but that behavior was fostered and accepted at Penn State for a long time." The Piazzas vowed in their four-page letter to fight for changes in laws against hazing in Pennsylvania and nationally. But in the meantime, they wrote, Penn State should act. The University must introduce strict policies and procedures for existence and interaction of Greek life and must put into place means in which to monitor and strictly enforce such policies and procedures, they wrote, urging the board to "do the right things, not the popular things to appease a small group of alumni." Eighteen members of the fraternity have been charged with Tim Piazzas death, including some who face involuntary manslaughter convictions. The scene depicted in the criminal complaint of the night and early morning hours that led to the 19-year-old's death are chilling. It tells of an alcohol-fueled evening in which young men allegedly stood around and watched a former standout athlete from Lebanon, New Jersey, fall several times and eventually pass out on the floor. Some frat members even allegedly prevented others from calling 911. Our son died on your watch. We will never see him again because of the Administration's failures to protect him and turning a blind eye to known problems, the Piazzas wrote. You now have an obligation to make the appropriate statements and changes to make sure this never happens again. The world is watching. In a statement early Friday, Penn State called Tim's death a "horrific tragedy" and said the university has already begun to take "aggressive" action to address student safety. "Our deepest sympathies continue to go out to the Piazza family. This was a horrific tragedy and our focus is on reaching solutions to the complex issues of hazing, dangerous drinking and other misconduct that plague fraternities here and around the country," the statement read. "University leaders have taken aggressive actions to date and they will meet tomorrow to discuss additional measures to advance student safety." DV.load("https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3765550-Parents-of-Tim-Piazza-Letter-to-PSU.js", { responsive: true, height: 850, sidebar: false, container: "#DV-viewer-3765550-Parents-of-Tim-Piazza-Letter-to-PSU" }); Parents of Tim Piazza Letter to PSU (PDF) Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted Friday that the Syrian leader didn't use chemical weapons against his people, saying the recent attack that killed scores of civilians was a "provocation" against President Bashar Assad. Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg on Friday, Putin made one of his strongest rejections of blaming Assad's forces for the chemical attack in April. The attack in northern Syria killed at least 90, including many children. "We are absolutely convinced that it was a provocation. Assad didn't use the weapons," Putin said. "It was done by people who wanted to blame him for that." He added that Russian intelligence had information that a "similar scenario" was to be implemented elsewhere in Syria, including near Damascus. "Thank God, they were smart enough not to do that after we released information about it," he said. The attack in the town of Khan Sheikhoun caused an international uproar as images of the aftermath, including quivering children dying on camera, were widely broadcast. Russia, one of Assad's closest allies, and the Syrian government have repeatedly denied using chemical weapons. Following an equally fatal chemical attack in 2013, Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons under a deal brokered by Russia and the United States and declared a 1,300-ton chemical arsenal when it joined the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. That stockpile has been destroyed, but the organization continues to question whether Damascus declared everything in its chemical weapon program. This year, the new U.S. administration led by Donald Trump was quick to react. In a one-off, the U.S. struck a Syrian air base with cruise missiles only days after the April 4 attack 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 and criticized them for their refusal to do so. Last week, a team from the international chemical weapons watchdog found exposure "to sarin or a sarin-like substance" in samples it examined from the April 4 attack and said it is planning a trip to visit the opposition-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in northern Syria. The team has conducted interviews with victims of the alleged attack and witnessed the collection of biomedical samples from casualties. It also received samples from dead animals reported to have been close to the site of the incident and environmental samples from close to the impact point. OPCW fact-finding teams have been investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria but aren't mandated to determine responsibility for attacks. That has been left to a joint U.N.-OPCW investigative body. Putin said Assad is not without mistakes but investigation into his adversaries' actions must also be pursued. "Has Assad make mistakes? Yes, quite a few. And what about people confronting him? Are they angels? Who are they who kill people there, execute children? Are they people who we should support?" he said. Putin said he wanted to avoid Syria meeting the same fate as Somalia or Libya, where militias rule. "Primarily, we are defending not Assad but the Syrian statehood. We don't want to see the situation there become like it is in Libya, Somalia or Afghanistan," he said. Asked about his view of Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord, Putin refrained from criticizing the move and called for a constructive dialogue on efforts needed to curb global warming. He underlined the importance of the Paris climate accord, but noted that it's a framework agreement offering a broad room for maneuver for each signatory nation. Putin also said that Trump's promise to negotiate new conditions for the U.S. leaves hope for reaching a compromise before the Paris deal takes effect, adding that U.S. participation is essential for the success of global efforts. He joked that Trump's move made him a convenient person to blame for any spell of bad weather, including wet snow in Moscow on Friday, an extremely rare occurrence in the summer. "Now we can dump it all on him and American imperialism," Putin said. Associated Press writer Sarah El Deeb contributed from Beirut. Isachenkov reported from Moscow. John Boyd makes his living by consulting companies on where is best for them to move and conduct business. He surveys cities and states all the time and says the conclusions about Connecticut are harsh. Connecticut is actually one of the least attractive states to do business in quite frankly," he said. Aetna announcing it would likely move its headquarters out of Hartford, Boyd said, shouldn't have come as a surprise. He's consulted Chevron, Boeing, and Pepsico, and in Connecticut he currently provides guidance on site selection to Pratt & Whitney and Pitney Bowes. The consultant said ever since General Electric announced it would leave Fairfield, the state's finances have been under the microscope and when anyone from the outside looking in has taken a close look, they've seen trouble. Lawmakers need to get the fiscal house in order here," Boyd said during an interview in Farmington. "Lawmakers need to cut taxes and cut spending and do what successful states do. Theres a common denominator among states that are attracting industry and these are states that cutting taxes and holding the line on spending. Despite all of the bad news, Boyd maintains that Connecticut has qualities other states and cities could only wish for in some instances. He says Connecticut is well-known for its highly skilled, educated workforce and the state's high quality of life. As far as infrastructure goes, he said Bradley Airport may in fact be the most critical asset the state has in recruiting industry. "The second most trafficked airport in New England is Bradley with nonstop flights to major and domestic markets. Thats something companies look for with not only a corporate headquarters, but also a regional headquarters," Boyd said. Boyd said the news of Aetna moving its headquarters should act a key moment for the state and for the region. He said Hartford has potential but the right people need to harness it across both local and state lines. Thats an asset Hartford has. It is a millennial friendly, walkable town, unlike other suburban markets that are struggling today so the pieces are there with the right approach, the right leadership, some tweaks in policy to really I think absorb this loss and use it as a positive. The Connecticut Medical Examiners Office released new details on the death of 15-month-old Michael Citron. In December 2016, Citron died in a foster home under the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The new report shows that Citron died from acute chlorpheniramine intoxication administered by someone else. Chlorpeniramine is a specific type of cold and allergy medication that is available over the counter. The manner of death, a metric used to determine whether a death was a homicide, natural or accident, was ruled undetermined. This month, the Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate said in a report that chlorpheniramine can cause central nervous system excitation, hallucinations, seizures and cardiac dysrhythmias, or improper beating of the heart. Both the Bridgeport Police Department and the DCF have ongoing investigations into baby Citron's death. Bridgeport police did not respond to requests from NBC Connecticut regarding the newly released report. A child's death is always tragic. The police are still investigating this matter as is the Department. Consequently, there is no definitive answer yet as to the manner of death or sufficient clarity as to whether the death was the result of a tragic accident or whether it is unexplained. As we continue to work together to get all the facts of this case, our hearts go out to the biological and foster families for the loss they have suffered, DCF Commissioner Joette Katz said in a statement. A child's death is always tragic. The police are still investigating this matter as is the Department. Consequently, there is no definitive answer yet as to the manner of death or sufficient clarity as to whether the death was the result of a tragic accident or whether it is unexplained. As we continue to work together to get all the facts of this case, our hearts go out to the biological and foster families for the loss they have suffered, DCF Commissioner Joette Katz said in a statement. "This is a catastrophic failure of the system that was supposed to provide for Michael Citron's safety and now he is dead, family attorney Chris Kenworthy said. He is representing the biological mother as the death investigations are ongoing. "Our intention is to figure out what happened and to hold the agencies and individuals responsible accountable, he said. Kenworthy said state agencies have kept the Citron family in the dark while waiting for the autopsy report and other records. DCF should be an open book with the interest of preventing this from happening in the future, Kenworthy said. DCF has long been criticized for the death of children in their care. A month before Citrons death, politicians criticized DCF Commissioner Katz for her handling of numerous cases of child deaths. A teacher in the Lebanon Public School district is under investigation, concerning allegations of "inappropriate conduct," according to the Connecticut State Police. Troopers said district administrators contacted them earlier this week. The superintendent of schools in Lebanon told the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters the unnamed teacher at Lyman Memorial High School has been placed on paid administrative leave. A video appears to show the teacher climbing a ladder in the dark and going down a zip line at a social gathering of students in Bozrah over the weekend. The clip was circulating among students and on social media, including SnapChat. NBC Connecticut has a copy of the nearly two-minute long video in question. Phrases like "let's go," "move out of the way," and a countdown from the number five, could be heard, before the reported teacher in question takes hold of a zip line and swings across it for approximately 15 seconds. The crowd erupts, as it happens and student, Tanner Evans, who said he was there explains the teacher then dropped into a body of water before drying off and leaving the gathering. "All of a sudden, she just like huffed it down the zip line and it was like Woah, the teacher just did that. Everyone was pretty shook," Evans told NBC Connecticut after school Thursday. Evans, a senior at Lyman Memorial, doesn't know who allegedly invited the high school teacher -- who is now on paid leave -- to a Memorial Day weekend gathering he described as students celebrating the end of the year at a field in Bozrah. Evans said the teacher was gone after 15 minutes. "I just heard her, 'Are you guys going to tell me when to jump?' And she was standing by the ladder. She was pretty hesitant. After she came out of water, she was pretty wet obviously, so she went down and dried herself off and I'm pretty sure she left after that," Evans said. Superintendent Robert Angeli would not discuss the nature of the allegations or confirm the teacher's name, but, assures the school community this teacher did not teach any classes on Wednesday before being escorted off school grounds around lunch time. Administrators were made aware of the allegations against the staff member in question after school Tuesday, according to Angeli. The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters are not naming that person because the district investigation is not complete and no criminal charges have been filed. State police told the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters they are investigating the allegations of "inappropriate conduct." One mom who wants to remain anonymous said the teacher taught her son. "I'm really concerned. My son is a student at Lyman and I would hope that the teachers would be good role models and I'm really sad to hear this. I would think there needs to be repercussions and, you know, if she loses her job, that's really sad but she should've thought before she did what she did," she said. Evans said he did not see any alcohol at the party and feels maybe it wasn't the best idea, but believes it isn't too serious. "It was pretty funny to see our teacher go down a zip line, but I think if she does get booted, then it's a little unfair," Evans said. NBC Connecticut reached out to this particular teacher, stopping by at her house, over email, on social media and by phone, along with reaching out to her union contact, the Connecticut Education Association in Hartford, but nobody got back to us. None of the nine members of the school board returned our emails and phone calls either. Walking into the expanded United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford was like transporting to a different state or parallel universe Friday afternoon. No one was critical of Connecticuts finances. No one said the state was in a fiscal death spiral. No one said Connecticut was a bad place for business. No one said Connecticut cant draw young, highly educated talent to the Capital Region. Instead, it was only high praise for the state thats housed Pratt and Whitney and corporate parent United Technologies since the early part of the 20th century. The companys CEO directly thanks Gov. Dannel Malloy and attributed the companys commitment and success in Connecticut to the relationship he and his executive team have with the current administration. That same administration had to deal with the political fallout of finding out that Aetna will likely announce it is leaving Hartford in the coming months. CEO Greg Hayes said, This is the great example of why Connecticut is such a great place to do business because we can have such a talented organization like this." The United Technologies Research Center is the main innovation hub or the aerospace and engineering giant. It employs more than 500 people from 45 different countries. Those who run the center say they havent had any trouble recruiting talent, even though the narrative about Connecticut is that it has trouble with that very issue. "Half of our folks we hired in the last five years. They love being here, said Dr. David Parekh, the Director of the UTRC. They put their roots in the community and they enjoy working together and they themselves are the ones recruiting others saying hey, come and work and come and join us and be a part of the innovation that's happening at UTC." Governor Dan Malloy said following the event that walking through the center, he thinks the talk of Connecticuts demise are overblown, even though on his watch both General Electric and Aetna made clear their intentions to find new homes. "In this very building you have 45 different countries represented as part of this research team and there aren't too many places in the world where that can happen and East Hartford is one of them." Top lawmakers met with Gov. Dannel Malloy Thursday morning, six days before the adjournment date for the General Assembly, and they said they will not be able to reach an agreement by the end of the regular session. Rep. Joe Aresimowicz, the Speaker of the Connecticut House, said lawmakers have decided that their new deadline to come up with a budget compromise is June 30. The date is not arbitrary, as that's the last day of the state's fiscal year. Lawmakers would have to call themselves into a Special Session for the second straight time in order to pass a budget. Similar fiscal crises sent the General Assembly into a Special Session in 2015, and in order to balance the 2016 budget, lawmakers met in a Special Session last year. Sen. Len Fasano, (R- North Haven), the top Republican in the Connecticut Senate, said a nonpartisan analysis of spending plans showed there is only agreement on 25 percent of spending issues. Gov. Malloy acknowledged that chasm and added that there are big gaps between Democrats and Republicans on everything from municipal aid to how to raise revenue. "I've wanted to get this done sooner rather than later," Malloy said. "That's why I've convened people and tried to move this along. I'm trying." The legal equivalent of a barroom brawl among owners of Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth pits longtime friends and family members against each other including a father and son and raises questions about the future of the world's largest honky tonk. In a recent lawsuit, Billy Bob's president Concho Minick claimed a group of investors improperly tried to fire him in April, changed the locks and transferred millions of dollars after falsely accusing him of misstating financial results to get bigger bonuses. The lawsuit asked the judge to appoint a receiver to run the business. On Tuesday the court proceedings were delayed until Friday, as majority owners asked for a continuence, and minority owners changed attorneys due to a conflict of interest. Minick said in his court filing that the dispute started several years ago when a large investor, Brad Hickman, announced plans to develop the Fort Worth Stockyards and Minick opposed the idea. "It's really about doing the right thing in the Stockyards regardless of who's involved," Minick said in June 2014. Minick claimed Hickman tried to oust him as part of a vendetta, and that any such action required a unanimous vote of all investors. Minick owns three percent of the business and has one other investor supporting him. The lawsuit also named his father Billy Minick, who ran Billy Bob's before the younger Minick became president in 2011. Tarrant County District Judge Mike Wallach temporarily blocked Concho Minick's ouster until the case is heard. The bar remains open. Counter-Lawsuit Filed In a counter-lawsuit filed on June 1, Billy Minick and other investors accused his son, Concho Minick, of acting in his own self-interest and demanded that he repay his 2016 and 2017 salaries and bonuses. The filing also accused the younger Minick of pressuring his mother, Pam, who was marketing director, to resign in 2013 and of firing his father, Billy, the following year "without consulting the owners." "Since that time, Concho has increasingly acted in autocratic manner largely ignoring and thwarting the wishes of the majority ownership interest to perpetuate his own self-interests," the suit said. The father also asked the judge to appoint a receiver to run the company, but not one who would allow Concho Minick to continue as president. "Concho wants to preserve and protect his shroud of secrecy over the management and performance of Billy Bob's in order to cover up and perpetuate his own self-dealing," the counterclaim said. Push for a Settlement Judge Mike Wallach is pushing both sides to settle out of court and appointed a lawyer to act as mediator. Marshal Searcy, an attorney for the majority owners, said such family disputes are regrettable. "We disagree vehemently with the allegations made by the other side and hopefully we can come to a rational conclusion to this matter," Searcy said. Stephen Pezanosky, an attorney for Concho Minick and another investor, said his clients control more than 20 percent of the company and have the right to approve important decisions and protect their rights. The other investor is a company known as Murrin Brothers 1885. "We tried very hard to resolve the deadlock among the owners outside of court," Pezanosky said. "Unfortunately, the actions of a few of the owners made that impossible. We remain hopeful that a consensual solution to the deadlock can be reached." Among the possible outcomes is that Billy Bob's will be sold to an outside buyer or that some of the investors will sell their interests. "I'd hate to see it go away," said Burleson. "It's part of who we are." Billy Bob's History Billy Bob's opened in 1981, quickly branding itself as the world's biggest bar. Its capacity was 6,000 people, and on the first night it opened fire marshals stopped allowing people in when the crowd reached an estimated 8,000. In 1988, Billy Bob's briefly went out of business but was rescued by prominent Fort Worth business families. Over the years, it has hosted concerts and events featuring virtually every country music star. Willie Nelson has often performed there during Fourth of July parties. State lawmakers couldn't agree on a school finance reform bill by the time the legislative session ended this week. Now, about 175 school districts in the state are missing out on millions of dollars they were anticipating next year. Mesquite ISD will not see $10 million it was expecting. That means lower raises for teachers. In Prosper, a $10 million budget cut means less money spent on students. Plano ISD could have benefited by $9.8 million. Frisco ISD lost $24 million. The district asked voters to approve 13-cent tax rate hike last year. The measure didn't pass, so a district spokesperson says the district began a "priorities-based budget process." And in the small Lovejoy ISD, a $6 million loss has administrators getting creative to make up the difference. "I've been in the school business almost 40 years now, and I am the most frustrated that I have ever been," said Lovejoy ISD superintendent Ted Moore. Moore says the district relies on ASATR funding, or Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction. The funding was put in place in 2006 to offset a reduction in property taxes. The funding was set to expire in September. Moore says a hardship grant included in House Bill 21, a school finance reform bill, would have made up for the lost money. Because lawmakers in Austin failed to take action on HB 21, the money the district was expecting will be gone. "We are scrambling now," Moore said. Moore says the district will have to dip into savings to make up the difference. The district is also considering charging students for extracurricular activities and to ride the bus. "Not happy about that," said Uyen Taylor. Taylor is a mother with three children in the district who ride the bus and play five sports. "If they're going to start charging for that and depending on how much it is, and if it's per sport, it's going to affect us," she said. Lawmakers in Austin couldn't agree on a component of the school finance reform bill a voucher that would have caused the flow of state dollars to private schools. Now, Lovejoy and nearly 200 school districts are facing an unexpected predicament: finding a way to make due with less. "Our children are suffering the consequences," Moore said. The district doesn't have much time at all to figure things out. By law, they have to pass a budget by June 30. This could be resolved if Gov. Greg Abbott calls for a special session and the bill is taken up again. So far, no announcement has been made whether that will happen. Three Democratic governors say they won't let the United States back away from the global commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions despite President Donald Trump withdrawing from an international pact. Jerry Brown of California, Jay Inslee of Washington state and Andrew Cuomo of New York have formed the U.S. Climate Alliance to uphold the Paris climate agreement. Their announcement Thursday came just after Trump's formal declaration that he intended to remove the U.S. from the deal. The governors say they're committed to reducing U.S. emissions by 26 to 28 percent from 2005 levels. They're urging other states to join. Brown has made climate change one of his legacy issues and is calling Trump's decision to withdraw from the agreement "deviant behavior from the highest office in the land." "Trump is AWOL but California is on the field, ready for battle," Brown wrote in a tweeted photo. In his announcement, Trump said the U.S. would try to negotiate re-entry on better terms. See more reactions from world leaders to the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris accord here. [2017 UPDATED 12/19] 2017 Southern California Images in the News Kathy Griffin and her attorney said Friday that President Trump and his family are trying to "ruin" the comedian over a gruesome photo shoot that depicted the president's severed head covered in fake blood. Attorney Lisa Bloom also said the comedian has been contacted by the Secret Service in the wake of her controversial photo shoot. Bloom said Griffin has retained a criminal attorney, who also appeared at a Friday press conference in which Griffin apologized again for the images she and celebrity photographer Tyler Shields posted on Tuesday. Griffin said she will not refrain from joking about Trump in the future and that she has received "constant" and detailed death threats over the photos. She described Trump as a "bully" and characterized the widespread condemnation as a "mob mentality pile-on." "If you don't stand up, you get run over," Griffin said. "A sitting president of the United States and his grown children and the first lady are trying to ruin my life forever. I know him." She added, "I am teasing the president because this is America." At Friday's news conference in Woodland Hills, Bloom said the depiction of Trump's head covered in fake blood was not intended to encourage an act of violence. She said the shoot was in part a response to comments made by Trump during the presidential campaign when he described then-Fox News host Megyn Kelly as having "blood coming out of her wherever" after a debate involving the Republican candidates. "It was a parody of Trump's own sexist remarks taken to an extreme, absurdist visual," Bloom said. Griffin apologized within hours of the images appearing online. They were met with swift and widespread condemnation. In her initial apology, Griffin said, "I'm a comic. I crossed the line. I moved the line, then I crossed it. I went way too far. The image is too disturbing. I understand how it offends people. It wasn't funny." Trump later tweeted that Griffin "should be ashamed of herself" for posting the images. First lady Melania Trump said the content of the video is disturbing and raises questions about Griffin's mental health. Donald Trump Jr. said the picture was "disgusting but not surprising." He called Griffin's apology "phony." "For the first time in history that we are aware of, the president of the United States and his family are attempting to ruin a comedian," Bloom said Friday. The images prompted CNN to fire Griffin from her decade-long gig hosting a New Year's Eve special with Anderson Cooper. The 56-year-old comic has faced controversies before for her abrasive humor, but none as widespread as the one generated by Tuesday's images. At least four venues announced that they canceled her performances due to the severed head photoshoot. Venues in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania have nixed shows. The Community Arts Theater in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, posted on its website that the show had been dropped "due to the recent controversy surrounding Kathy Griffin and the concern for the safety and security of our patrons and staff." Sen. Al Franken (D-Minnesota) said Friday he had dis-invited Griffin from an event promoting his new book, "Giant of the Senate." Franken said he heard from constituents "who were rightfully offended," leading the Minnesota Democrat to change his mind from earlier, when he had said she was still welcome. He said he takes seriously that Minnesotans were upset by her behavior, which he characterized as "inappropriate and not something that should be anywhere" in the national discourse. Donald Trump Jr. went after Griffin on social media following the presser, posting she has made a point of targeting Baron Trump. The people of Los Angeles, in all of our life-expanding, mind-opening, it's-all-good-ing chill-out-a-tude, can get a mite competitive when it comes to a particular topic of an edible, sugar-topped, custard-middled nature. Exhibit A: When reading any article on the important matter of doughnuts, a Southern Californian will fully, and rightly, expect that our region's exemplary devotion to dippable, crumb-y works of art will be mentioned if, not in the first sentence, then somewhere in the first paragraph. If not? We feel flat-out wronged, as wrong as a jelly doughnut with no jelly. But prepare to feel right, on Friday, June 2, which is, any calendar will tell you, the first Friday in June, which is, as any doughnutist will tell you, National Doughnut Day. It sounds as fluffy as a batch of airy dough, but the origins of the holiday are rife with meaning and emotion. National Doughnut Day pays moving tribute to the women who handed out doughnuts to World War I soldiers, the "Salvation Army lassies." That role came to symbolize cheer and support in a time when both were much needed. Where to find the good stuff in SoCal? Well, Exhibit B: Look around, at our area's hundreds of excellent doughnuteries, and go, and enjoy one of the most economical confections ever. Of course, you can always try out... Trejo's Coffee & Donuts: The brand-new, impressive-of-queue eatery at Highland and Santa Monica has those buzzed-about nacho doughnuts. (Updated note: They're not free, but they are high up on the talked-about scale, at the moment.) It's opening at 7 a.m. on National Doughnut Day, so if you want to beat the line... Well, you might not, but the Pinata Cake is worth it. Dunkin' Donuts: Are you swinging by for that celebrated cup o' joe? Then you can score yourself, on June 2, a single and nummable classic doughnut for nada. The only route to a gratis doughnut is purchasing a beverage. Where to find one? Your location line-up is here. Krispy Kreme: Did someone say "free doughnut"? Well, we did, just a sentence or two ago, but check it out: The glazed-luscious go-to is also walking the free-doughnut-giveaway path for customers on Friday, June 2. This is happening throughout the day, do note, but also note that this is definitely "while supplies last." Don't take chances there: Arrive early. California Donuts: The treat shop is marking its 35th anniversary in 2017, which also happens to be the 35th anniversary of the Care Bears. If you think we're about to say that "variations of limited-edition Care Bear donuts" will go on sale at the 3rd/Vermont-close shop on June 2, well... We just said it, because that's exactly what's up. Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken: The still-new downtown joint is taking National Doughnut Day and making it a fundraiser, all to give back to military families. Buy a Cherry Pie Doughnut for $3.50 and see all the money go to the Fisher House Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping military families in myriad ways. Police confiscated 60 automatic rifles found in a cargo shipment Thursday at Rio de Janeiro's international airport, Brazilian authorities said. The weapons were discovered in a container along with pool heaters in the cargo section of Galeao International Airport. Four people were arrested, and a Brazilian citizen is being investigated in Miami, where the shipment originated, officials said. Police showed off the haul, which included AK-47s and AR-15s, at a news conference. Rio State Security Secretary Roberto Sa said 250 automatic rifles in all have been confiscated the last five months in the state. Valued at over $1.2 million, he called the latest seizure as "the biggest in 10 years" in the state of Rio. Authorities said they began investigating arms smuggling in 2015 after tracing the origin of a weapon used in the killing of a military police officer in the Sao Goncalo neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. The probe unveiled a massive international scheme to buy military grade firearms, investigators said. "This is a serious blow to these criminal organizations, to this international arms dealer," said Fabricio Oliveira, the head of the Brazilian Bureau of Firearms and Explosives. "Some details of the investigation are being kept confidential, as the investigations continue. This is only the beginning." Police representatives said they planned to use the seized weapons, noting Rio state is struggling under budgetary constraints. Rio authorities declared a state of public calamity a year ago and have struggled to pay the salaries of the public sector ever since, including police. The city of Rio de Janeiro, which hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics, has long struggled with violence. Heavily armed drug traffickers control many slums and shootouts are frequent. A South Florida man is under federal investigation about two weeks after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for his wife, who has been missing since a May 14 boat incident, police said. Lewis Bennett was on a boat with his wife, Isabella Hellmann, when it turned over last month, Coast Guard officials said. Bennet was spotted on a life raft 30 miles west of Cay Sal, Bahamas, but Hellmann was never found. The Coast Guard led an air and sea search for four days but was unable to locate Bennett, who is listed as a local realtor. Hellmanns family said Bennett recently left the U.S. with the couples baby. As of Thursday night, the FBI did not have an update on the investigation. The Coast Guard Investigative Service is working jointly with the FBI on a missing persons investigation involving this matter, The Coast Guard said in a statement. As that investigation is ongoing we cannot provide further details at this time." On Sunday, Bennett was engaged in a dispute with his in-laws in Boca Raton, leading police to learn the FBI is investigating him in connection with Hellmanns disappearance. Bennett made contact with his sister-in-law, Dayana Rodriguez, who he claimed had stolen an iPad, a computer, an engagement ring, clothes and handbags from his house, police said. Dayana invited Bennett into her home to search for the items before Elizabeth Rodriguez, his other sister-in-law, insisted that Bennett leave. Outside, Elizabeth shouted that Bennett had killed Hellmann, according to a police report. After a conversation with police, Bennett decided to leave the property. When U.S. Marshal Dennis Munchel learned of the incident, he revealed that Bennett is under FBI investigation. What to Know Robert Lebron was in the Bronx when two men punched him and stole his dog, a service canine that helped him with his PTSD, cops say Brian Cohen was arrested for allegedly beating Lebron last month on Mother's Day and stealing his service dog, police say Cohen had since maintained his innocence and said he had nothing to do with the crime Police arrested at least one of the two men accused of beating an Army veteran last month in the Bronx and stealing his service dog. Brian Cohen, who has denied he had anything to do with the crime, was arrested at 10 a.m. Thursday, police said. Cohen is charged with robbery, assault and criminal possession of a stolen property, according to cops. One of the suspects accused in the beating of a retired Army veteran and theft of his service dog claims he is innocent. Tracie Strahan reports. Former Army Ranger Robert Lebron, 40, was on Valentine Avenue and East 49th Street in Fordham on Mother's Day, May 14, when two men punched him and stole his dog, a service canine that helped him with his PTSD, police said. Authorities named Cohen, of Philadelphia, as well as a second man as suspects in the crime, authorities said, but Cohen had said it isn't him. Cohen had said Lebron is dating his ex-girlfriend and the two are embroiled in a bitter love triangle. The NYPD released this video of two men punching a veteran and stealing his service dog. It was not immediately clear if the dog was returned or is still missing. It also wasn't clear if the second suspect had been arrested. A busy block near Rockefeller Center was reopened Friday afternoon after a swarm of more than 2,000 honey bees overtook a van, forcing authorities to close the street. Video from the scene shows the yellow van parked in the middle of East 47th Street, a massive amount of bees cloaking the top of the vehicle. The van driver told NBC 4 New York he had come back to the vehicle around 11 a.m. after finishing up a job and opened the door to "thousands of bees." "They have the potential to kill people so you have to be very careful with them," said Henrique Paiva, the driver. Bees Attack Van in Midtown, Causing Street Closure It's not clear where they came from, but a police officer at the scene told NBC 4 New York witnesses reported first seeing a swarm of bees in front of the building across the street from where the van was parked. Paiva said the van contained dehumidifiers and other equipment. The NYPD's bee wrangler was seen around 3:20 p.m. working to corral the insects. Meanwhile, cops cordoned off 47th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenue. The wrangler vacuumed the bees, and the van was eventually taken away and the block reopened. The bees were taken to the NYPD's beehive in the Bronx. The NYPD said June is the start of bee swarming season, and that swarming is the natural means of reproduction for honey bee colonies. No injuries were reported. A Connecticut family says a black bear killed and ate one of their beloved donkeys. Megg and Ted Hoffman told The News-Times of Danbury that the bear visited their Kent property on at least two other occasions last month before breaking into a paddock containing four donkeys on May 21 and killing 15-year-old Radar, named after Gary Burghoff's character from the TV series "M*A*S*H." Two other donkeys were injured. Megg Hoffman said she went to the feed the donkeys at about 8 a.m. that morning when she discovered Radar's body. His torso was full of puncture wounds and half of his hindquarters were eaten, she said. Black bear footprints were also left in the mud near pools of blood. State environmental officials set a trap for the bear, but so far it has not been caught. What to Know Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris agreement deals a major blow to efforts to combat climate change The president's announcement came the same day that a study was released that says climate change threatens many NYC neighborhoods Hundreds took to the streets of NYC to protest and several buildings, including One World Trade Center, were lit green in solidarity Hundreds of people protested in Lower Manhattan and buildings were lit green in solidarity after President Trump declared Thursday that the U.S. is withdrawing from the landmark Paris climate agreement. Trumps decision strikes a major blow to worldwide efforts to combat climate change and distances the U.S. from many allies. It also led to widespread condemnation, from social media to the streets of New York City. About 400 protesters gathered at Foley Square after Trumps announcement. They held signs and chanted, What do we want? Climate justice! When do we want it? Now! The crowd marched through the streets to nearby City Hall, where they pounded drums and chanted, You cant drink oil, leave it in the soil! In a show of solidarity, Gov. Cuomo said One World Trade Center and the Kosciuszko Bridge would be lit green on Thursday night. Mayor de Blasio said City Hall would also light up green. The World Trade Center, the Kosciuszko Bridge and City Hall went green Thursday night after President Trump said the U.S. would pull out of the Paris climate agreement. Hundreds of people protested in the city. The U.S. Conference of Mayors said it strongly opposed the decision and said mayors will continue efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming. Under former President Obama, the U.S. had agreed under the accord to reduce polluting emissions by about 1.6 billion tons by 2025. But the targets were voluntary, meaning the U.S. and the nearly 200 other nations in the agreement could alter their commitments. Framing his decision as "a reassertion of America's sovereignty," Trump said, "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." Trump said that he would begin negotiations to re-enter the agreement or establish "an entirely new transaction" to get a better deal for the U.S. But he suggested re-entry was hardly a priority. "If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine," he said. Trumps announcement came the same day that a study was released saying East Harlem is one of the most vulnerable neighborhoods to both flooding and poor water quality. Experts say if Sandy had hit during high tide, East Harlem would have been completely under water. According to the study by the Waterfront Alliance, 400,000 New Yorkers face a 50 percent risk of major flooding over the next 40 years. President Trump withdrew from the Paris climate accord on Thursday. Critics call it a major blow to efforts to combat climate change. How could climate change affect the New York City area? Ida Siegal reports. To think that a storm like that could affect this neighborhood is pretty scary and not just the storm, but the long-term aftermath of that, Christina Nadler, of East Harlem, said. The neighborhoods most at risk are East Harlem and the Lower East Side in Manhattan; Mott Haven and Throggs Neck in the Bronx; Coney Island and Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn; Howard Beach and the Rockaways in Queens; and Mid-Island on Staten Island. The studys authors say to make those neighborhoods safe barriers, like those planned for Staten Island, need to be built and the world needs to combat climate change. Stop pouring carbon into the atmosphere, stop the global warming, Waterfront Alliance CEO Roland Lewis said. Annette Fisher, of the Coney Island Beautification Project, had her home decimated during Sandy back in 2012. She still struggles to secure funding to rebuild. What about the people who werent here to speak today, who are going to become bankrupt and whose houses are going to be foreclosed on, Fisher said. We have to get Trump to wake up! By abandoning the world's chief effort to slow the tide of planetary warming, Trump was fulfilling a top campaign pledge. But he was also breaking from many of America's staunchest allies, who have expressed alarm about the decision. Several of his top aides have opposed the action, too, as has his daughter and adviser, Ivanka Trump. Scientists say Earth is likely to reach more dangerous levels of warming sooner as a result of the president's decision because America contributes so much to rising temperatures. Calculations suggest withdrawal could result in emissions of up to 3 billion tons of additional carbon dioxide in the air a year enough to melt ice sheets faster, raise seas higher and trigger more extreme weather. Trump, however, argued the agreement had disadvantaged the U.S. "to the exclusive benefit of other countries," leaving American businesses and taxpayers to absorb the cost. Carolina! Who do you protect? Who do you serve? chanted several dozen demonstrators Thursday afternoon outside Congreso de Latinos Unidos, the largest Latino-serving organization in Philadelphia. A small head occasionally emerged from a fifth-story window. Whether it belonged to Carolina Cabrera DiGiorgio could not be determined from across the street, where angry community members and activists called for her resignation. This woman does not live our lives, said protester Valentina Rosario through a loudspeaker. She only knows privilege. She has the best healthcare, probably, and were on Medicaid. Thursdays demonstrators included members of Juntos, Galaei and the Black and Brown Workers Collective. Former and current Congreso employees joined in the chorus. They questioned DiGiorgios support for Trump. They questioned her ability to lead a Latino organization and they even questioned her marriage to a Republican. DiGiorgio made headlines last month after being photographed at President Donald Trumps rally in Harrisburg. She took photos with her phone while he promised audience members to build that wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Honduras-born CEO of Congreso likely didnt anticipate the maelstrom that would follow. First, a Philadelphia Weekly reporter questioned why she attended the rally. The answer, she said, was simply to support her husband, Valentino DiGiorgio, the chairman of Pennsylvanias Republican Party. Then came the calls for her to step down or be fired. Among the protesters was former Congreso employee Elicia Gonzales, who is also the former executive director of Galaei. She urged others inside Congreso to join the movement against DiGiorgio and force the board to oust the embattled CEO. We see you and we are here with you. We want you to know that your voice does not need to be silenced, she said. You may or may not lose your job, but you cannot stand for this gross injustice to the community any longer. Inside the walls of Congreso, some staffers are grumbling about what is seen as a betrayal, an employee said. The worker asked to not be named for fear of losing their job. Im here because when the community hurts, I hurt, the employee said. If theyre shouting that something needs to be done, then something should be done. The organizations leadership has done little to assuage concerns about DiGiorgios politics other than issue a brief statement to the media last week. "While we do not support any administration's policies that could negatively impact the Latino community we serve, we do remain supportive of and confident in Carolina's leadership and vision for Congreso", said Esperanza Martinez Neu on behalf of Congreso's board of directors. CORRECTION (June 1, 2017, 8:50 p.m.): An earlier version of this article misstated the name of Galaei's executive director. California Gov. Jerry Brown is looking for allies in the fight against climate change, and he sees one in China, which he'll visit later this week. The Democratic governor hopes to build support for carbon policies that have found resistance in Washington under President Donald Trump. Brown told The Associated Press on Wednesday that California will work with governments around the world to combat climate change even if Trump rolls back domestic environmental regulations. Brown leaves Friday for his second trip to China as governor. He'll promote California's climate policies at a conference of global energy ministers and look to marshal states, provinces, cities and other non-national governments to take their own actions to reduce greenhouse gases. A confrontation caught on camera shows a Southern California family being booted off a Los Angeles-bound Delta Air Lines flight after they refused to give up a seat that was occupied by their infant son. Brian Schear of Huntington Beach was headed home with his wife and two infants from Maui to Los Angeles International Airport on April 23 when they were kicked off the plane. In a video posted online, Schear tells airline employees he purchased a ticket for his older son 18-year-old Mason. Mason ended up taking an earlier flight, so the family decided the younger son would instead occupy his place in a car seat instead of having the child sit on the wife's lap. "He won't sleep unless he's in his car seat," the father explains to the employees. The staff tells Schear his younger son can't sit on the seat because Mason's name is on it, not the infant's. Although the ticket was initially bought for his teenage son, Schear says he was led to believe the switch was not a big deal. He told NBC4 his family told airline staff about the situation from the beginning, and that Delta suggested using the seat for the infant son. At the airport, Schear claims they spoke with a ticketing agent downstairs who said they technically needed to cancel and buy a new ticket, before saying it was fine. The family obtained the boarding pass. When the airline asked the family to give up the seat, at first, Schear refused to abide. He claimed the airline ordered his family to do this because Delta overbooked the flight. Delta like other airlines has a strict policy that customers cannot transfer a ticket to another person. In the video, an employee tells him refusing to get off the plane was a federal offense and he could be jailed. "What blew me away was when they said, if you don't give the seat up, you're going to jail, your wife is going to jail, and they're gonna take your kids away," he told NBC4 Wednesday. The eight-minute-long video was filmed by his wife and posted on YouTube. "When you're a mother, and they say they're gonna take the kids, it made my heart drop," said Brittany Schear. "I was shaking the rest of the time." In the video, a flight attendant argues that it is Federal Aviation Administration policy to put children under the age of two on an adult's lap and not in a plane seat. "He cannot be in a seat at all," the flight attendant tells the father. Both Delta and the FAA state on their websites that children under the age of two could travel in a seat, so as long they are sitting in an approved child safety seat. In fact, the method of travel is highly recommended by both the airline and the FAA. "What are we supposed to do?" Schear asks an employee in the video. "I got two infants and my wife, I've got no where to stay, there's no more flights. What are we supposed to do? Sleep in the airport?" At the end of what the family said was an hour-long exchange, the Schears left the plane. They said they were forced to find a taxi in the middle of the night, pay for a hotel room and buy tickets for a new flight. The family was never contacted or reimbursed, the Schears claimed. Delta Air Lines issued this statement Wednesday to NBC4: "We're sorry for what this family experienced. Our team has reached out and will be talking with them to better understand what happened and come to a resolution." Delta also told NBC4 it has apologized for not helping the family find solutions for their travel issues and says it will refund the Schears for their travel and other compensation. But the Schear family says there is nothing the airline can do to make up for their ruined vacation and frustrating traveling experience. "They need to change the way they treat us," Brian Schear said. "They treat us like cattle. It's unbelievable. It's not fair to treat people this way. We're the customers, we're supposed to be treated with respect." The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) is holding its quarterly meeting Thursday at the Tijuana Estuary. Reports from a bi-national investigation done by the IBWC on the major sewage spill back in February will headline the meeting. The spill sent 28 million gallons of sewage into the Tijuana River and into U.S. waters after a sewage pipe collapsed in Tijuana. Beaches were closed from Imperial Beach to Coronado. The report will include recommendations to prevent future sewage spills in Tijuana effecting San Diego. Were definitely working on it. Its going to take both countries," Lori Kuczmanski, public affairs officer of IBWC, said. "Equipment is needed to address emergency situations and they have been asked to have appropriate equipment for emergency situations, of which, they have already purchased one pump. So, we feel that is progress toward future spills. Another recommendation in the report will be for improved communication between Mexico and the United States, which the IBWC says this has improved already. The IBWC is also having Mexico look at their current infrastructure. We have asked Mexico to analyze all of their infrastructure and provide an update on aging infrastructure, Kuczmanski said. A small group protested outside of the South Bay Water Reclamation Plant this morning ahead of tonight's meeting. The group believes our local leaders need to do more to prevent a sewage spill from happening again. Its damaging our natural wildlife in the area," Imperial Beach resident Sandy Brillhart said. "Its a health hazard to children or anyone who uses the beaches. Its damaging our local economy. Its impeding Navy SEAL training. Its affecting Border Patrol. Its really a national threat and the response has been underwhelming and appalling." The meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tijuana Estuary meeting room. A Maryland man who bought a pet-friendly carpet because of his aging cats accidents said he found its protection fell short. We were mainly replacing the carpet because our older cat had used the carpets as a litter box, basically, said Jason Folliot of Frederick County. Mittens' frequent accidents sent him searching for new flooring options. We were going to go with laminate or hardwood or something like that, but when the salesperson came out, he explained that they had this new carpet that was pet-friendly, he said. The acronyms were PUP -- pet urine protection. He hired Empire Today and thought his odor and stain problems were over. About a month after they put it in, the cat used the floor again as the litter box, Folliot said. My wife caught her the second she did it. It did not bead up at all. It soaked right in as soon as she went. My wife thought she got all of it out using the regular cleaning method, trying to soak it up, but a couple of days later, we smelled it really strong again, Folliot said. He hired professional cleaners as recommended in the warranty. No help at all, he said. We spent the money to have them come out, and they sprayed, I forget what it's called, some kind of enzyme on it, and it didnt help, either. Stunned that their pet urine protected carpet wasn't holding up, Folliot reached out to Empire but was left with only more questions. Their first reaction was, Oh, well, your cat peed on it, that voids the warranty, Folliot said. I said, Um, but I bought a pet urine protection carpet specifically because of that. The warranty does not cover odors, and Folliot said he understands that, but he said the carpet simply didn't perform the way it should have. They basically said any kind of urine or water liquid would just bead up on top and be easily wiped off, he said. But instead, the urine immediately soaked through, he said. It didn't easily clean up and it really smelled, he said. Over the next six months of back and forth with Empire, Mittens passed away but the odor remained. NBC4 Responds reached out to Empire and immediately got results. About a day after that, their corporate office contacted me, said that whether the manufacturer or the company honors the warranty or not, they would go ahead and replace the carpet for me, Folliot said. In a statement to NBC4 Responds, Empire said, "The warranty excludes 'odor resulting from the covered pet urine stain' and states that while the 'carpet is inherently stain resistant, some staining may still occur.' It went on to say, We are sorry for Mr. Folliots loss of his cat and are hopeful that Mr. Folliot will be pleased with his carpet replacement. Despite the ordeal, Folliot still had some kind words for the company. In the long run, I probably would go back with Empire again, he said. The people that they send out are great. They did a great job on the carpets and the other floors. When purchasing a product that comes with a warranty, make sure you understand what the requirements are in terms of maintenance to make it easier and faster for the company to respond to your concerns. Reinhold Hanning, a former SS sergeant whose conviction last year on 170,000 counts of accessory to murder for serving as an Auschwitz guard was hailed as a long-overdue victory for Holocaust victims, has died. He was 95. Hanning died on Tuesday, his attorney Andreas Scharmer told The Associated Press on Thursday without providing further details. Hanning was convicted last June in Detmold state court in northwestern Germany and sentenced to five years in prison, though he never served time behind bars as his case was still being appealed. Unlike most other death camp guards who have been brought to trial, Hanning apologized for his wartime service in Auschwitz from January 1942 to June 1944, telling Holocaust survivors from around the world who attended the proceedings that "it disturbs me deeply" to have been a part of the Nazis' genocidal machinery. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More "I am ashamed that I saw injustice and never did anything about it, and I apologize for my actions," he said, speaking with a weak voice into a microphone while sitting in a wheelchair. "I am very, very sorry." Hanning joined the Hitler Youth with his class in 1935 at age 13, then volunteered at 18 for the Waffen SS at the urging of his stepmother. He fought in several battles in World War II before being hit by grenade splinters in his head and leg during close combat in Kiev in 1941. Following the injury, his commander decided he was no longer fit for front-line duty and assigned him to Auschwitz. In a statement to the court, Hanning said he didn't know what Auschwitz was at the time but quickly found out. "People were shot, gassed and burned. I could see how corpses were taken back and forth or moved out," he said. "I could smell the burning bodies; I knew corpses were being burned." Nearly 1 million Jews and tens of thousands of others were killed in Auschwitz, which was located in Nazi-occupied Poland. Though his own duties were not directly linked to the killings, with him being initially assigned to register patrols and work details and later posted to a guard tower, he was tried under new legal reasoning in Germany that anyone who helped a death camp function can be held culpable as an accessory to murder. That argument was first successfully used in 2011 in Munich to convict former Ohio autoworker John Demjanjuk on allegations he served as a Sobibor death camp guard. Although Demjanjuk denied serving at the death camp and died before his appeal could be heard, it opened a wave of new investigations by the special prosecutor's office in Ludwigsburg responsible for Nazi war crime probes, including that of Hanning. The argument was also used in the 2015 conviction of former Auschwitz guard Oskar Groening, whose appeal was rejected last year by a top court, firmly establishing the precedent. Authorities have said Groening is in good enough health to serve his sentence, but the process of finding him a place in a geriatric prison is ongoing. Efraim Zuroff, head Nazi hunter at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Jerusalem, lamented the fact that so far none of the recently convicted men have gone to prison and urged Germany to speed up the process. "The trials are important, and the significance doesn't hinge solely on punishment, but if punishment is never a component it does weaken the message," he said. At his trial, Hanning told the court he had never spoken about his wartime service, even to his family, but wanted to use the public forum to set the record straight. "I've tried my whole life to forget about this time," he said. "Auschwitz was a nightmare." School administrators in Worcester, Massachusetts, are improving student performance and behavior with a washer and dryer. After seeing students come to school in soiled clothing or the same clothing day after day, the principal decided to help. Sullivan Middle School and its principal, Dr. Josephine Robertson, raised enough funds to purchase the machines which were added to the building this year. The school started helping its low income students, who make up 80 percent of the school population, by collecting clothing they could have. That only addressed half the problem, Robertson said. "Students still needs to clean that clothing, so I figured, 'OK, the next best thing to do is to get a washer-dryer,'" she said. Due in part to the addition of the machines, Robertson said she sees a difference in the students. "We have had a significant improvement in our attendance record," said Robertson. The school's wraparound coordinator, Ivelis Macaruso, said some students don't have access to washing machines. "Laundry can get expensive, and not all of our students have access to that, or transportation," said Macaruso. Students discreetly bring their laundry to school in a backpack and run on a tight schedule to complete their load of laundry, never crossing paths. "During lunch, they have their lunch, then they can come down and switch their clothes from the washer to the dryer," said Macaruso. "At the end of the day, we fold it and they take it home." Macaruso helps students address non-academic learning barriers so when it's time to learn, they can focus. "It empowers them," she said. "They like doing the laundry. They feel more comfortable and they are happier." On average, the school helps with about 10 loads of laundry a week, and the number of students using the machine varies daily. The superintendent of schools is now partnering with UMass to add washing machines in four other schools throughout the district. Robertson couldn't be happier to help students succeed. "We are social, we are emotional, we are physical," said Robertson. "We are all of these things, and when each and every element of the child is supported, then we have a successful person." A teenage boy and two others were arrested Thursday in connection with a late-night shooting in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Lawrence police said they were called to Sam's Store on Broadway for a report of a fight around 11:45 p.m. Thursday. When they arrived, they were told that a 21-year-old Lawrence man had just arrived at Lawrence General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries resulting from a gunshot wound. Police said the victim could be seen on surveillance video inside the store just moments before the call about the fight was received. Moments later, Lawrence police learned that a Massachusetts State Police trooper had a motor vehicle pulled over with three male occupants, and a gun had been located in the vehicle. The gun was the same caliber as the shell casing recovered at Sam's Store. It was later determined that the gun had been stolen. The three men were taken into custody and transported to the Lawrence Police Department for booking. Junior Almanza, 24, of Lawrence, is charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, possessing a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm and receiving stolen property. Carlos Torres, 25, of Methuen, is charged with possessing a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm and receiving stolen property. A 17-year-old juvenile - whose name was not released by police - is charged with possessing a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm and receiving stolen property. The juvenile also had a state Department of Children and Families warrant for his arrest and was remanded to DCF custody. Almanza and Torres were scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Lawrence District Court. Lawrence police said the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be forthcoming. A candidate for the planning board election in Walpole, Massachusetts, is being asked to withdraw from the race due to controversial posts on his Facebook page. In one of the posts, George Hodges wrote, "If there's a rag on your head. You want Americans dead." Another post reads, in part, "My theory on a day without woman [sic]. First of all, most woman [sic] won't participate. The ones that do are on or need meds. Or they need a good.......u know what. But they're to bugly to git any [sic]." The Massachusetts Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations calls the posts misogynistic and Islamophobic. "It's deeply hurtful and troubling when you have someone who is running for elected office would make such hateful comments towards women and Muslims," said CAIR Executive Director John Robins. The group's now urging Hodges to withdraw from the election. "These are comments that are not befitting of anyone running for elected office and really drawn to question whether he would serve Muslim constituents," Robbins added. Hodges acknowledges the words are harsh, but he says said he didn't mean any harm. He says the posts are actually lyrics to songs he had written and were taken out of context. "The verse is, 'you put a rag on your head you make American's dead.' Then it goes on to say, 'but your boots are in the sand, now tore a fighting man,'" Hodges said. "It's about the struggle with ISIS in Syria, where my heritage is." Hodges said he has been a musician since he was a child. "For somebody to go to this extent to try and make me look bad over something that wasn't intended to be anything bad," he said. "It was merely me expressing myself through my art which is writing songs." Hodges is running against Sarah Khatib, a Muslim woman. Hodges says he will not drop out of the race. The planning board election is scheduled for Saturday. About the project Norfolk Feeds 5000 is a research project which aims to establish the extent to which the Christian community across Norfolk is meeting the simple command of Jesus to "feed the hungry". Christian churches, groups and individuals across Norfolk meet the needs of the hungry and the thirsty every day of the year through foodbanks, free community meals, homeless projects, soup runs, Messy Church and other activities. A simple survey has been conducted to attempt to quantify the extent to which this is happening and the findings of the survey will be published here, including many of the stories about the projects which feed people throughout Norfolk. The project is supported by Celebrate Norfolk, Network Norfolk, Christian Aid, the Diocese of Norwich, Good News for Norwich & Norfolk and Bright Map and is named after the Bible story of the Feeding of The 5000. If your Christian food-related project is not featured in our case studies and you would like us to include you, please send details, a fact file, a picture and web links to us by clicking here . The research and reporting team behind NorfolkFeeds5000 is from Network Norwich & Norfolk Share our stories Please share our stories about Norfolk Feeds 5000 on social media using the hashtag #Norfolkfeeds5000. Tell your friends and feel free to use any of the stories in your own newsletters and communications. Just one month ago, Microsoft acquired Deis, an open source software developer focused on making Kubernetes easier to use. One month later, the acquisition pays off in the form of the first product from the group, called Draft. Draft is a tool designed to simplify and ease development of applications running on any Kubernetes cluster. Microsoft made the announcement at the CoreOS Fest in San Francisco, a conference discussing container technology. It also posted the news on the Azure blog. Gabe Monroy, lead project manager for containers on Microsoft Azure and former CTO of Deis, made the announcements. While many turn to Kubernetes for its extensible architecture and vibrant open-source community, some still view Kubernetes as too difficult to use, he wrote. Thats where Draft comes in. Using two simple commands, developers can now begin hacking on container-based applications without requiring Docker or even installing Kubernetes. When it purchased Deis, Scott Guthrie, Microsoft's executive vice president of cloud and enterprise, said the acquisition is part of Microsoft's commitment to ensuring Azure is the best place to run containerized workloads. Microsoft has really gotten the container religion in recent years, almost from the moment containers were introduced. Docker containers first hit the market in 2013, but were very much a Linux-only technology. A container is basically a very small virtual machine that has the bare minimum of technology code needed to run. Its designed to be even more lightweight than a virtual machine, since the VM runs the full OS. However, containers are not meant as a replacement for VMs but a complement. You can run dozens or even hundreds of containers within one virtual machine, and then have many virtual machines on one system, all running containers. Microsoft introduced Docker on Windows Server, running Linux containers, but really got into it with the release of Windows Server 2016, which had native Docker support for Windows, which was developed via a partnership between Microsoft and Docker. This eliminated the need for Linux virtual machine in the middle. Microsofts Docker support is still a little green, which is no surprise given its newness. It only runs on Server 2016 and Windows 10 and of course, only runs Windows apps, but there are separate containers for Linux apps as well. The Draft tool detects the application language being used to write the app and writes out a simple Dockerfile and Kubernetes Helm, the package manager for Kubernetes. Draft supports Python, Node.js, Java, Ruby, PHP, and Go. It then writes out a build and deployment configuration, so the development and container deployment are handled in one fell swoop. Draft is available now on GitHub. In other Azure news, Microsoft today announced the public preview of Azure Site Recovery. The solution enables businesses to create a disaster recovery plan for their Azure apps that will automatically recover in another geographic location, since down time is often confined to one physical location. Two Newbury women cycled for seven hours to raise money for cancer charities TWO Newbury women cycled for almost seven hours through the night to raise more than 2,000 for cancer charities. Anne Harding and her friend Rowena Overend took part in the Women v Cancer Ride the Night event, setting off from Windsor Racecourse at 10am on Saturday. They pedalled 100km to London, pausing at Westminster Bridge to lay a rose in memory of the victims of the Manchester terror attack, before riding back to Windsor, finishing as the sun rose at 4.50am on Sunday. Mrs Harding, aged 52, of Castle Grove, Donnington, and Mrs Overend, 45, of Butson Close, Newbury, signed up for the event despite never taking on an endurance cycle ride before. They started training in January and gradually lengthened their rides until just before the event, when they managed to cycle 50 miles. Mrs Harding, who has a son and daughter, said: Riding through London at night was amazing. With all 3,000 riders wearing pink hi-vis vests we looked like a river of pink flowing through the streets. Lots of people cheered and shouted encouragement as we passed, which was brilliant. The London Eye was lit up pink for the night in our honour. Mrs Overend, who has a son, said: We hadnt practiced riding at night so I was a bit worried about it, but by the time we arrived at Windsor I was more excited than nervous. Mrs Harding said that everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. The support and encouragement of our friends and family really helped to keep us going during the long months of training and on the ride itself, she said. I am over the moon but it would be wonderful to raise even more. The couple raised the cash for Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jos Cervical Cancer Trust. Anyone wishing to donate can visit www.justgiving.com and search for Anne Harding or Rowena Overend Ride the Night or type www.bit.ly/2riBL5h By Express News Service KOCHI: The plastics industry has urged the government to remove the anomalies in prescribed GST on various plastic items of day-to-day use. While some of the plastics products have been kept below the 12 per cent tax bracket, a large number of plastics items have been placed in 18 per cent tax brackets. Plus, some are even being placed at the highest tax bracket of 28 per cent. Industry players feel that the overall increase in tax will not only hit thousands of small-and-medium plastics firms but also hurt the poor and middle class and lead to increase in prices of plastics products. Products such as plastics furniture, tarpaulin woven and non-woven raffia fabric, school supplies and PVC flooring etc have been kept under highest GST tax bracket of 28 per cent. Plastics furniture, though light-weight and low in cost but a voluminous article incurring huge transportation, storage and distribution costs, the cascading effect under the GST rate of 28 per cent will be very prohibitive. Besides, under the present indirect tax regime, the Central Excise is to be paid only up to manufacturing stage but under GST, the impact will be right up to the end consumer, said K K Seksaria, president, Plastindia Foundation, the industrys apex body. Interestingly, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers had recommended a GST rate of 12 per cent on all plastics raw materials, machinery and plastic finished products. The plastics industry in the country has been growing by over 10 per cent annually. The industry exported plastic products worth $7.9 billion in 2016-17. Out of over 50,000 plastics units, over 95 per cent fall in the medium-and-small scale category. KOCHI: The plastics industry has urged the government to remove the anomalies in prescribed GST on various plastic items of day-to-day use. While some of the plastics products have been kept below the 12 per cent tax bracket, a large number of plastics items have been placed in 18 per cent tax brackets. Plus, some are even being placed at the highest tax bracket of 28 per cent. Industry players feel that the overall increase in tax will not only hit thousands of small-and-medium plastics firms but also hurt the poor and middle class and lead to increase in prices of plastics products. Products such as plastics furniture, tarpaulin woven and non-woven raffia fabric, school supplies and PVC flooring etc have been kept under highest GST tax bracket of 28 per cent. Plastics furniture, though light-weight and low in cost but a voluminous article incurring huge transportation, storage and distribution costs, the cascading effect under the GST rate of 28 per cent will be very prohibitive. Besides, under the present indirect tax regime, the Central Excise is to be paid only up to manufacturing stage but under GST, the impact will be right up to the end consumer, said K K Seksaria, president, Plastindia Foundation, the industrys apex body. Interestingly, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers had recommended a GST rate of 12 per cent on all plastics raw materials, machinery and plastic finished products. The plastics industry in the country has been growing by over 10 per cent annually. The industry exported plastic products worth $7.9 billion in 2016-17. Out of over 50,000 plastics units, over 95 per cent fall in the medium-and-small scale category. By Express News Service BENGALURU: The Anekal unit vice-president of Bharatiya Janata Party SC, ST Yuva Morcha, Harish was hacked to death by a group of armed men on the citys outskirts on Wednesday night. Police said the incident took place around 9 pm in Surya City when Harish (40) was returning home after meeting his friends at a bar and restaurant. The killers intercepted his motorcycle, threw chilli powder into his eyes and hacked him to death before fleeing the spot. Personal rivalry is suspected to be the reason behind Harishs murder. Harish had recently entered into a brawl with his relative Raju and his brothers over fishing in a tank in Anekal. He alleged that they were fishing in the pond illegally. Locals had to intervene to pacify them. Harish on Wednesday went to Rajus house and beat up Raju and his parents over the issue. Later in the evening, he went to the restaurant to have a party with his friends. It may be a case of murder to avenge humiliation, Surya City police said. Bengaluru rural SP Amit Singh said, Four teams headed by a Dy SP have been formed to crack the case. FIR has been registered against Raju, Sandeep, Karthik, Kishore and Santosh. While the prime accused Raju has been arrested, the other four are still on the run. Following the murder, Harishs family members staged a protest alleging that it was politically motivated. Traffic came to a halt on Chandapura Road for a while. BJP general secretary Shobha Karandlaje has, meanwhile, sought NIA probe into the murders of BJP workers in the State. She was speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi. Harish was elected to the post of morchas vice-president just a week back. BENGALURU: The Anekal unit vice-president of Bharatiya Janata Party SC, ST Yuva Morcha, Harish was hacked to death by a group of armed men on the citys outskirts on Wednesday night. Police said the incident took place around 9 pm in Surya City when Harish (40) was returning home after meeting his friends at a bar and restaurant. The killers intercepted his motorcycle, threw chilli powder into his eyes and hacked him to death before fleeing the spot. Personal rivalry is suspected to be the reason behind Harishs murder. Harish had recently entered into a brawl with his relative Raju and his brothers over fishing in a tank in Anekal. He alleged that they were fishing in the pond illegally. Locals had to intervene to pacify them. Harish on Wednesday went to Rajus house and beat up Raju and his parents over the issue. Later in the evening, he went to the restaurant to have a party with his friends. It may be a case of murder to avenge humiliation, Surya City police said. Bengaluru rural SP Amit Singh said, Four teams headed by a Dy SP have been formed to crack the case. FIR has been registered against Raju, Sandeep, Karthik, Kishore and Santosh. While the prime accused Raju has been arrested, the other four are still on the run. Following the murder, Harishs family members staged a protest alleging that it was politically motivated. Traffic came to a halt on Chandapura Road for a while. BJP general secretary Shobha Karandlaje has, meanwhile, sought NIA probe into the murders of BJP workers in the State. She was speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi. Harish was elected to the post of morchas vice-president just a week back. By Express News Service BENGALURU: IT major Wipro on Wednesday received a mail demanding transfer of `500 crore worth currency in bitcoins to a bank account within 72 hours, failing which the company has to face dire consequences. This is the second such threat mail received by the Bengaluru-headquartered company in a month. It received a similar mail on May 5, where the anonymous sender threatened a bio attack on employees. When Express contacted Wipro, the company sent out a statement: Wipro confirms that it has received a second threatening email. Wipro has reinforced security measures at all its office locations. There is no impact on the companys operations. Investigators suspect that both mails were sent from the same ID and IP address located in Switzerland. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is seeking help of the Union home ministry to identify the cyber criminal(s). They also suspect the IP address may have been manipulated to mislead investigators. The mail sent from one ramesh2@protonmail.com stated, If you ignore my threats you will face severe trouble. This is the last chance I am giving you to pay the ransom or get ready to face the disaster. An earlier mail, sent from the same ID, had threatened to spread Ricin, a natural toxic protein, in the campus. Wipro had filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police after the first mail. Suspecting insider hand, police had transferred the case to Bellandur police station under whose jurisdiction the Wipro office comes. But, police were not able get any leads and sought assistance of CID cyber crime wing. CID traced the IP address to Switzerland. Police sought help from Interpol wing of the CBI. After the second threat mail from the same ID and IP address, police have written to Union home ministry to seek information from Switzerland. They also suspect cyber criminals may be manipulating the IP address. Sources said, Some frustrated insider or former employee of the company may be behind it. The IP address can be manipulated very easily and we suspect somebody in India is behind this crime. BENGALURU: IT major Wipro on Wednesday received a mail demanding transfer of `500 crore worth currency in bitcoins to a bank account within 72 hours, failing which the company has to face dire consequences. This is the second such threat mail received by the Bengaluru-headquartered company in a month. It received a similar mail on May 5, where the anonymous sender threatened a bio attack on employees. When Express contacted Wipro, the company sent out a statement: Wipro confirms that it has received a second threatening email. Wipro has reinforced security measures at all its office locations. There is no impact on the companys operations. Investigators suspect that both mails were sent from the same ID and IP address located in Switzerland. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is seeking help of the Union home ministry to identify the cyber criminal(s). They also suspect the IP address may have been manipulated to mislead investigators. The mail sent from one ramesh2@protonmail.com stated, If you ignore my threats you will face severe trouble. This is the last chance I am giving you to pay the ransom or get ready to face the disaster. An earlier mail, sent from the same ID, had threatened to spread Ricin, a natural toxic protein, in the campus. Wipro had filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police after the first mail. Suspecting insider hand, police had transferred the case to Bellandur police station under whose jurisdiction the Wipro office comes. But, police were not able get any leads and sought assistance of CID cyber crime wing. CID traced the IP address to Switzerland. Police sought help from Interpol wing of the CBI. After the second threat mail from the same ID and IP address, police have written to Union home ministry to seek information from Switzerland. They also suspect cyber criminals may be manipulating the IP address. Sources said, Some frustrated insider or former employee of the company may be behind it. The IP address can be manipulated very easily and we suspect somebody in India is behind this crime. By Express News Service CHENNAI: After another day of protests inside the campus, the group of IIT-M students demanding justice for R Sooraj finally managed to meet director Bhaskar Ramamurthi, who reportedly assured their demands would be met. Later in the day, a probe panel was formed with IIT-M administrative dean P Sriram as its head. Around 40 students staged a protest at the main gate of IIT Madras shouting slogans against the alleged assailant, Manish Kumar Singh, the institute and the ABVP. According to students, this was not the first time the administration remained just a mute spectator. We have CCTV footage of the hospital where Manish came and threatened Sooraj, but the administration is not allowing us to share it with the media, said Abhinav Surya, one of the protesting students. The rumour that Sooraj forced vegetarian students to eat beef is completely false. The institute security who was present in the mess was witness, said another student. Arjun Jayakumar, a resident of Pampa hostel and a research scholar in Mechanical Engineering, filed two complaints with police commissioner, claiming Manish had threatened to kill him and hang him in public. A similar complaint was made by K Swaminathan, a resident of Krishna hostel, pointing out a series of events where Manish had either threatened or assaulted other students. The complaint sought immediate inquiry. The students cited the instance where Arjun was threatened by Manish and gang during a Students Advisory Committee for organising a solidarity march against the attack on JNU students on February 24, 2016. Manish was also charged of roughing up Arjun at a Student Legislative Council meeting. The inquiry following a complaint to the dean proved him guilty, but the punishment was minimal, they alleged. Similarly, on April 13, Manish allegedly assaulted a student Abhishek for distributing pamphlets for a meeting on Ambedkar Jayanthi. There was another verbal quarrel on August 30, in the presence of the professors during a discussion on Kashmir issue. Again, when the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle released a poster in support of Ravanleela held in Chennai on October 2016, he allegedly tore the posters. Free, fair probe Here are the oral assurances IIT-M Director Bhaskar Ramamurthi gave to the students: IIT will foot Soorajs medical bill Will form a probe panel. Probe will be free and fair, but it wont be time bound All material evidences produced by both sides will be scrutinised. CCTV footage to be checked thoroughly Disciplinary action will be decided based on the enquiry committee report Whos on the panel IIT-M administrative dean P Sriram will head the enquiry commission. Two faculty members, Chief Security Officer, Chief Medical Officer, two elected representatives from students, student general secretary and hostel affairs secretary will be part of the probe committee CHENNAI: After another day of protests inside the campus, the group of IIT-M students demanding justice for R Sooraj finally managed to meet director Bhaskar Ramamurthi, who reportedly assured their demands would be met. Later in the day, a probe panel was formed with IIT-M administrative dean P Sriram as its head. Around 40 students staged a protest at the main gate of IIT Madras shouting slogans against the alleged assailant, Manish Kumar Singh, the institute and the ABVP. According to students, this was not the first time the administration remained just a mute spectator. We have CCTV footage of the hospital where Manish came and threatened Sooraj, but the administration is not allowing us to share it with the media, said Abhinav Surya, one of the protesting students. The rumour that Sooraj forced vegetarian students to eat beef is completely false. The institute security who was present in the mess was witness, said another student. Arjun Jayakumar, a resident of Pampa hostel and a research scholar in Mechanical Engineering, filed two complaints with police commissioner, claiming Manish had threatened to kill him and hang him in public. A similar complaint was made by K Swaminathan, a resident of Krishna hostel, pointing out a series of events where Manish had either threatened or assaulted other students. The complaint sought immediate inquiry. The students cited the instance where Arjun was threatened by Manish and gang during a Students Advisory Committee for organising a solidarity march against the attack on JNU students on February 24, 2016. Manish was also charged of roughing up Arjun at a Student Legislative Council meeting. The inquiry following a complaint to the dean proved him guilty, but the punishment was minimal, they alleged. Similarly, on April 13, Manish allegedly assaulted a student Abhishek for distributing pamphlets for a meeting on Ambedkar Jayanthi. There was another verbal quarrel on August 30, in the presence of the professors during a discussion on Kashmir issue. Again, when the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle released a poster in support of Ravanleela held in Chennai on October 2016, he allegedly tore the posters. Free, fair probeHere are the oral assurances IIT-M Director Bhaskar Ramamurthi gave to the students: IIT will foot Soorajs medical bill Will form a probe panel. Probe will be free and fair, but it wont be time bound All material evidences produced by both sides will be scrutinised. CCTV footage to be checked thoroughly Disciplinary action will be decided based on the enquiry committee report Whos on the panel IIT-M administrative dean P Sriram will head the enquiry commission. Two faculty members, Chief Security Officer, Chief Medical Officer, two elected representatives from students, student general secretary and hostel affairs secretary will be part of the probe committee By PTI NEW DELHI: The Petition Committee of Delhi Assembly today summoned four top bureaucrats including the chief secretary to appear before it on Monday over shortage of medicines in city-run hospitals, non-desilting of drains and other issues. The move came after the nine-member committee, headed by AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj, received complaints pertaining to three departments- Public Works Department (PWD), Health and Social Welfare. Bharadwaj said the committee held its meeting today and decided to summon Chief Secretary M M Kutty, PWD Ashwani Kumar, Health Secretary Madhup Vyas and Social Welfare Secretary Anil Kumar on June 5. "Petition Committee Assembly met 2day. Concerned about non-availability of medicines in Hospitals. CS and Secretary Health summoned for Monday (sic)," Bharadwaj tweeted. He said the committee had also received a complaint about non-desilting of drains and that's why it asked the PWD secretary to appear before the panel on Monday. Concerned over non-availability of medicines, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently directed Chief Secretary M M Kutty to adequate supply of medicines in Delhi government's hospitals. Yesterday, Kejriwal wrote to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and sought removal of the medical superintendent of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital here over the alleged deficiencies in the facility. He had apprised Baijal about the lack of availability of medicines and other facilities to conduct diagnostic tests in the city government-run hospital at Mongolpuri. NEW DELHI: The Petition Committee of Delhi Assembly today summoned four top bureaucrats including the chief secretary to appear before it on Monday over shortage of medicines in city-run hospitals, non-desilting of drains and other issues. The move came after the nine-member committee, headed by AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj, received complaints pertaining to three departments- Public Works Department (PWD), Health and Social Welfare. Bharadwaj said the committee held its meeting today and decided to summon Chief Secretary M M Kutty, PWD Ashwani Kumar, Health Secretary Madhup Vyas and Social Welfare Secretary Anil Kumar on June 5. "Petition Committee Assembly met 2day. Concerned about non-availability of medicines in Hospitals. CS and Secretary Health summoned for Monday (sic)," Bharadwaj tweeted. He said the committee had also received a complaint about non-desilting of drains and that's why it asked the PWD secretary to appear before the panel on Monday. Concerned over non-availability of medicines, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently directed Chief Secretary M M Kutty to adequate supply of medicines in Delhi government's hospitals. Yesterday, Kejriwal wrote to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and sought removal of the medical superintendent of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital here over the alleged deficiencies in the facility. He had apprised Baijal about the lack of availability of medicines and other facilities to conduct diagnostic tests in the city government-run hospital at Mongolpuri. By PTI NEW DELHI: Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra today alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government allowed a company to sell China-made CNG kits as products manufactured in Canada in the national capital. He claimed that the company had sold over 10,000 kits with 'Made in Canada' tags and the kits were fitted to different types of vehicles, including autorickshaws. The AAP declined to comment on the issue. Labour Minister and AAP's Delhi unit convenor Gopal Rai said, "Let them (the Anti-Corruption Branch) lodge an FIR." According to Mishra, the owners of the company in question owned another firm which was earlier "blacklisted" by the Delhi High Court for providing duplicate kits. "The director of the company then formed two other entities -- one in Canada and another one in Mumbai. The company in Mumbai was asked to supply the CNG kits to Delhi. However, after cross-checking, we came to know that the Canadian entity did not exist. "The Indian entity imported the CNG kits from China, instead of Canada," Mishra alleged. He claimed that when the bills of the import were checked, it was found that the Indian company had been selling the CNG kits by claiming that they were manufactured in Canada, whereas they were imported from China. Mishra also claimed that the AAP government, in a circular issued in 2015 and 2016, had declared the company an "authorised" CNG kit seller, which sold over 10,000 of such kits in the national capital. NEW DELHI: Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra today alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government allowed a company to sell China-made CNG kits as products manufactured in Canada in the national capital. He claimed that the company had sold over 10,000 kits with 'Made in Canada' tags and the kits were fitted to different types of vehicles, including autorickshaws. The AAP declined to comment on the issue. Labour Minister and AAP's Delhi unit convenor Gopal Rai said, "Let them (the Anti-Corruption Branch) lodge an FIR." According to Mishra, the owners of the company in question owned another firm which was earlier "blacklisted" by the Delhi High Court for providing duplicate kits. "The director of the company then formed two other entities -- one in Canada and another one in Mumbai. The company in Mumbai was asked to supply the CNG kits to Delhi. However, after cross-checking, we came to know that the Canadian entity did not exist. "The Indian entity imported the CNG kits from China, instead of Canada," Mishra alleged. He claimed that when the bills of the import were checked, it was found that the Indian company had been selling the CNG kits by claiming that they were manufactured in Canada, whereas they were imported from China. Mishra also claimed that the AAP government, in a circular issued in 2015 and 2016, had declared the company an "authorised" CNG kit seller, which sold over 10,000 of such kits in the national capital. By Express News Service GUNTUR: In a tragedy in the far off United States, 31-year-old techie from Guntur and his three-year-old son met a watery grave in a swimming pool in Northville in Michigan on Wednesday. The incident occurred when the techie Nagaraju Surepalli dived into the swimming pool, unmindful of the fact that he could not swim, after he saw his son Anant Sai on a tricycle fell into it. Nagaraju who hailed from Nehru Nagar in Guntur, was an Infosys employee. He had been living in Northville for the last three years with his wife Bindu (29) and son Anant Sai. The family has been in the United States on an H-1B non-immigrant visa. He was an alumnus of Vignan Engineering College at Vadlamudi and Majety Guravaiah High School in Guntur. His brother-in-law Ramanatham Koteswara Rao said: We never expected his dreams of making it big in life would end this way. He was in India recently and we wished that he would go up in life. Koteswara Raos wife Nagamani (Nagarajus sister) said: He is our only brother. He came here with his son and we had a great time. How can I comfort my parents now. . Nagarajus father Siva Lingaiah, a retired APSRTC conductor, and his mother Danamma are still in a state of shock after knowing the tragic incident from Nagarajus friends. His relatives said they received a call that the police had found the bodies of Nagaraju and his son in the swimming pool on Wednesday. After pulling Nagaraju and his son from the swimming pool, the police took them to St John Providence Hospital, but the doctors declared that they were brought dead. The tricycle was found at the bottom of the pool. According to the police, the pool does not have staff or a lifeguard and at the time of the incident only Nagaraju and his son were there. GUNTUR: In a tragedy in the far off United States, 31-year-old techie from Guntur and his three-year-old son met a watery grave in a swimming pool in Northville in Michigan on Wednesday. The incident occurred when the techie Nagaraju Surepalli dived into the swimming pool, unmindful of the fact that he could not swim, after he saw his son Anant Sai on a tricycle fell into it. Nagaraju who hailed from Nehru Nagar in Guntur, was an Infosys employee. He had been living in Northville for the last three years with his wife Bindu (29) and son Anant Sai. The family has been in the United States on an H-1B non-immigrant visa. He was an alumnus of Vignan Engineering College at Vadlamudi and Majety Guravaiah High School in Guntur. His brother-in-law Ramanatham Koteswara Rao said: We never expected his dreams of making it big in life would end this way. He was in India recently and we wished that he would go up in life. Koteswara Raos wife Nagamani (Nagarajus sister) said: He is our only brother. He came here with his son and we had a great time. How can I comfort my parents now. . Nagarajus father Siva Lingaiah, a retired APSRTC conductor, and his mother Danamma are still in a state of shock after knowing the tragic incident from Nagarajus friends. His relatives said they received a call that the police had found the bodies of Nagaraju and his son in the swimming pool on Wednesday. After pulling Nagaraju and his son from the swimming pool, the police took them to St John Providence Hospital, but the doctors declared that they were brought dead. The tricycle was found at the bottom of the pool. According to the police, the pool does not have staff or a lifeguard and at the time of the incident only Nagaraju and his son were there. Mrinal Rajaram By Express News Service Film Wonder Woman Director Patty Jenkins Cast Gal Gadot. Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, Elena Anaya Rating 4/5 Superhero films dont usually stand out for their exemplary acting. There have been some exceptions in the past, of course, and Wonder Woman will certainly be included in that list in the days and years to come. In the very first live action theatrical film based solely on the DC Comics character, Gal Gadot puts in a performance for the ages (she portrayed the character in 2016s Batman v Superman as well). The chemistry shared between Gadot and Pine is also something to behold; the scenes involving the characters initial conversations are laced with genuine intelligence and wit. Full marks go to Allan Heinbergs screenplay that keeps you riveted throughout the storys undulating journey. Patty Jenkins direction must also be commended, for we get to see Wonder Woman from an authentically female perspective. While most of the action sequences are par excellence, there may have been one too many of the slow-mo variety. In Themyscira, the island home of the Amazonians, a young Diana dreams of being a fearless warrior. Her mother, Queen Hippolyta, however, forbids her daughter from being trained. She recounts to the girl a story of how Ares, the God of War, was responsible for corrupting mankind and killing all the other gods, except Zeus. As Diana grows into adulthood, she is secretly trained by her aunt. Though her mother is opposed to this, she lets the training continue, but holds on to a grave secret in order to protect her daughter. Shortly after, a fighter plane manned by Steve Trevor crashes into the sea of Themyscira. As Diana saves Steve from drowning, hundreds of German soldiers enter the realm in hot pursuit of the pilot. The Amazonians fight off their intruders, only to gather that Steve is an Allied Spy in World War 1. While being interrogated, he reveals that German General, Erich Ludendorff, and his scientist associate, Doctor Poison, are planning the use of a deadly gas in the war. Diana frees Steve, and they travel to London together. She believes that Ludendorff is Ares himself, and that his destruction will end all war. Between all the films death-defying battle sequences, is the infusion of a great deal of humour. And this, along with the superlative acting of the whole cast, is one of the true highlights of Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot lends an authentically heroic quality to her portrayal of the titular character (something that is lacking in most superhero flicks). It is clear that Gadot is a star to look out for in the future. One can well surmise that the roles are just lining up for her by now! Film Wonder Woman Director Patty Jenkins Cast Gal Gadot. Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, Elena Anaya Rating 4/5 Superhero films dont usually stand out for their exemplary acting. There have been some exceptions in the past, of course, and Wonder Woman will certainly be included in that list in the days and years to come. In the very first live action theatrical film based solely on the DC Comics character, Gal Gadot puts in a performance for the ages (she portrayed the character in 2016s Batman v Superman as well). The chemistry shared between Gadot and Pine is also something to behold; the scenes involving the characters initial conversations are laced with genuine intelligence and wit. Full marks go to Allan Heinbergs screenplay that keeps you riveted throughout the storys undulating journey. Patty Jenkins direction must also be commended, for we get to see Wonder Woman from an authentically female perspective. While most of the action sequences are par excellence, there may have been one too many of the slow-mo variety. In Themyscira, the island home of the Amazonians, a young Diana dreams of being a fearless warrior. Her mother, Queen Hippolyta, however, forbids her daughter from being trained. She recounts to the girl a story of how Ares, the God of War, was responsible for corrupting mankind and killing all the other gods, except Zeus. As Diana grows into adulthood, she is secretly trained by her aunt. Though her mother is opposed to this, she lets the training continue, but holds on to a grave secret in order to protect her daughter. Shortly after, a fighter plane manned by Steve Trevor crashes into the sea of Themyscira. As Diana saves Steve from drowning, hundreds of German soldiers enter the realm in hot pursuit of the pilot. The Amazonians fight off their intruders, only to gather that Steve is an Allied Spy in World War 1. While being interrogated, he reveals that German General, Erich Ludendorff, and his scientist associate, Doctor Poison, are planning the use of a deadly gas in the war. Diana frees Steve, and they travel to London together. She believes that Ludendorff is Ares himself, and that his destruction will end all war. Between all the films death-defying battle sequences, is the infusion of a great deal of humour. And this, along with the superlative acting of the whole cast, is one of the true highlights of Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot lends an authentically heroic quality to her portrayal of the titular character (something that is lacking in most superhero flicks). It is clear that Gadot is a star to look out for in the future. One can well surmise that the roles are just lining up for her by now! By Express News Service Mirror Game Ab Khel Shuru Cast: Parvin Dabas, Sneha Ramachander, Pooja Batra, Omi Vaidya Director: Vijit Sharma Rating: 3/5 Vijit Sharma's Mirror Game - Ab Khel Shuru begins with opening credits playing over life-size chess boards. We see words related to psychiatry and mental health that unscramble to reveal the actual credits. In a lot of places, it is apparent that Sharma (who is also the writer) has thought things through. This is not a whodunit that goes from A to B to C in a laundry list fashion that we've seen a million times before. It's not great and the reveal is not shocking either. But it is the way Sharma situates the politics of this sparsely populated thriller that turns out most rewarding in Mirror Game. Dr. Jay Verma (Parvin Dabas) is a professor at Valley State University and it takes only a few frames to establish that he specialises in psychiatry, is in an unhappy marriage, and possibly undergoing therapy for depression. He refuses to give in to a divorce even when his wife (Shanti Akkineni as Tanya Verma) repeatedly brings up the idea, and also suspects her of having an affair. A new student (Dhruv Bali as Ronnie Bhanot) approaches Jay, requesting him to be his thesis adviser, with Jay acting hard to get and reluctant at first, and then turning the tables in completely unexpected ways. Mirror Game also reflects Hindi cinema of another time, with actors like Parvin Dabas and Pooja Batra making themselves visible in relevant roles. Films like Mirror Game have their downfall already etched into their DNA - all the science and the associated buzzwords. But the film doesn't go too deep into it. It does throw words and equations into the mix, but they are used in interesting ways to tell what is fairly a simple story. Sharma contrasts the beautiful spring time New Jersey that decorates the film with the inner turmoil that every character is going through in his film. We first think Jay's depression has something to do with his troubled marriage, but it's only later we find out about the troubled past in his profession. When we first see Detective Shenoy (Sneha Ramachander), she is in a session with her lawyer, and her soon to be ex-husband and his lawyer. In fact, we don't even know who she is, nor what her profession is. Sharma gives her character a cold opening. But we find out she loves her job, and it could be one of the reasons for her failing marriage. This is a strand that might seem inconsequential, but Sharma is very determined. His is a world where men are scum and women try to rise above it all. Like the real world. Jay cannot stand that his wife might be having an affair, and he says if he gives in to divorce, that means the paramour wins. Shenoy is frustrated that the men in her department get all the interesting cases and she's left with missing persons. She even takes it up with the chief and refers to her work environment as a "male infested shark tank". It's not a coincidence that the whodunit in Mirror Game involves a missing woman, couple of male suspects, and both the detective handling the case, and the doctor treating Jay on the request of the police, are women. Sharma's film does not have the traditional kinetics of a whodunit. It ambles along at its own pace and the plot is mostly mechanical. All the joy is in how Sharma sculpts his pieces. Mirror Game Ab Khel Shuru Cast: Parvin Dabas, Sneha Ramachander, Pooja Batra, Omi Vaidya Director: Vijit Sharma Rating: 3/5 Vijit Sharma's Mirror Game - Ab Khel Shuru begins with opening credits playing over life-size chess boards. We see words related to psychiatry and mental health that unscramble to reveal the actual credits. In a lot of places, it is apparent that Sharma (who is also the writer) has thought things through. This is not a whodunit that goes from A to B to C in a laundry list fashion that we've seen a million times before. It's not great and the reveal is not shocking either. But it is the way Sharma situates the politics of this sparsely populated thriller that turns out most rewarding in Mirror Game. Dr. Jay Verma (Parvin Dabas) is a professor at Valley State University and it takes only a few frames to establish that he specialises in psychiatry, is in an unhappy marriage, and possibly undergoing therapy for depression. He refuses to give in to a divorce even when his wife (Shanti Akkineni as Tanya Verma) repeatedly brings up the idea, and also suspects her of having an affair. A new student (Dhruv Bali as Ronnie Bhanot) approaches Jay, requesting him to be his thesis adviser, with Jay acting hard to get and reluctant at first, and then turning the tables in completely unexpected ways. Mirror Game also reflects Hindi cinema of another time, with actors like Parvin Dabas and Pooja Batra making themselves visible in relevant roles. Films like Mirror Game have their downfall already etched into their DNA - all the science and the associated buzzwords. But the film doesn't go too deep into it. It does throw words and equations into the mix, but they are used in interesting ways to tell what is fairly a simple story. Sharma contrasts the beautiful spring time New Jersey that decorates the film with the inner turmoil that every character is going through in his film. We first think Jay's depression has something to do with his troubled marriage, but it's only later we find out about the troubled past in his profession. When we first see Detective Shenoy (Sneha Ramachander), she is in a session with her lawyer, and her soon to be ex-husband and his lawyer. In fact, we don't even know who she is, nor what her profession is. Sharma gives her character a cold opening. But we find out she loves her job, and it could be one of the reasons for her failing marriage. This is a strand that might seem inconsequential, but Sharma is very determined. His is a world where men are scum and women try to rise above it all. Like the real world. Jay cannot stand that his wife might be having an affair, and he says if he gives in to divorce, that means the paramour wins. Shenoy is frustrated that the men in her department get all the interesting cases and she's left with missing persons. She even takes it up with the chief and refers to her work environment as a "male infested shark tank". It's not a coincidence that the whodunit in Mirror Game involves a missing woman, couple of male suspects, and both the detective handling the case, and the doctor treating Jay on the request of the police, are women. Sharma's film does not have the traditional kinetics of a whodunit. It ambles along at its own pace and the plot is mostly mechanical. All the joy is in how Sharma sculpts his pieces. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Actor Kamal Haasan on Friday became the face of anger against the proposed 28% Goods and Services Tax on the regional entertainment industry, saying if it is not rolled back he would be forced to quit cinema. The industry has been placed in the highest tax bracket, popularly called sin tax. We are an art form and to put us in that bracket is a big insult, said L Suresh, the president of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce. Kamal too saw in it a personal insult. I came into this industry when I was three-and-a-half years old, and I learnt to speak in cinema. Art is important to culture and in South India, so many Chief Ministers have come from this industry. How then can you proclaim cinema to be sinful and levy on us the highest taxes? I am supposed to pay income tax over and above this. I see this as a punishment. If this persists, I will be forced to quit cinema. WATCH VIDEO: In a statement, the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce said that when taxation was implemented with similar uniformity in Europe, Hollywood ended up destroying films from countries like Spain, France and Italy. A similar move in India, the statement said, would kill regional content, and therefore a differential tax rate for regional and Hindi/international films is a must. Given that the government has placed 18% GST on creative art, regional cinema too should be placed within that framework, it said. Kamal expanded on the impact of regional cinema: Regional cinema has always been the pride of India, and has bagged the most awards for the country. This is achieved by films made on 1/10th the budget of a Hindi film. We are not against Hindi, but you cannot bring a monoculture in a diverse country like India. SIFFCC requested that the regional cinema GST be reduced from 28% to 18%. CHENNAI: Actor Kamal Haasan on Friday became the face of anger against the proposed 28% Goods and Services Tax on the regional entertainment industry, saying if it is not rolled back he would be forced to quit cinema. The industry has been placed in the highest tax bracket, popularly called sin tax. We are an art form and to put us in that bracket is a big insult, said L Suresh, the president of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce. Kamal too saw in it a personal insult. I came into this industry when I was three-and-a-half years old, and I learnt to speak in cinema. Art is important to culture and in South India, so many Chief Ministers have come from this industry. How then can you proclaim cinema to be sinful and levy on us the highest taxes? I am supposed to pay income tax over and above this. I see this as a punishment. If this persists, I will be forced to quit cinema. WATCH VIDEO: window.__ventunoplayer = window.__ventunoplayer||[];window.__ventunoplayer.push({video_key: 'OTQ0OTM1fHw4fHw2fHwxLDIsMQ==', holder_id: 'vt-video-player', player_type: 'vp', width:'100%', ratio:'4:3'});In a statement, the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce said that when taxation was implemented with similar uniformity in Europe, Hollywood ended up destroying films from countries like Spain, France and Italy. A similar move in India, the statement said, would kill regional content, and therefore a differential tax rate for regional and Hindi/international films is a must. Given that the government has placed 18% GST on creative art, regional cinema too should be placed within that framework, it said. Kamal expanded on the impact of regional cinema: Regional cinema has always been the pride of India, and has bagged the most awards for the country. This is achieved by films made on 1/10th the budget of a Hindi film. We are not against Hindi, but you cannot bring a monoculture in a diverse country like India. SIFFCC requested that the regional cinema GST be reduced from 28% to 18%. By Express News Service The teaser of the Tamil-Telugu bilingual SPYder, starring Mahesh Babu, was released on June 1. The one-minute-long video has already created a record for the highest ever views on day one for the teaser of a South Indian movie, having clocked around 6.3 million views on YouTube within 24 hours of its release. This is the first time that Mahesh Babu is playing a spy, but for director AR Murugadoss, this genre is familiar territory, having already made Thuppakki. SPYder is said to be the story of an intelligence officer who resists his agencys unlawful practices. The teaser indicates that Mahesh Babus character might use high-end technology. The film also reportedly has adrenaline-pumping action sequences that are being shot in Chennai. Considering that the film will feature extensive portrayal of advanced technology, it will also rely on the use of detailed visual effects. Baahubali VFX supervisor, RC Kamalakannan, who has been signed for the film, has already begun work on the visuals at a Russian studio. SPYder, bankrolled by NV Prasad and Tagore Madhu, also stars Bharath, Rakul Preet and SJ Suryah. The film, which marks Mahesh Babus Tamil debut, is tentatively set to release on September 30. The teaser of the Tamil-Telugu bilingual SPYder, starring Mahesh Babu, was released on June 1. The one-minute-long video has already created a record for the highest ever views on day one for the teaser of a South Indian movie, having clocked around 6.3 million views on YouTube within 24 hours of its release. This is the first time that Mahesh Babu is playing a spy, but for director AR Murugadoss, this genre is familiar territory, having already made Thuppakki. SPYder is said to be the story of an intelligence officer who resists his agencys unlawful practices. The teaser indicates that Mahesh Babus character might use high-end technology. The film also reportedly has adrenaline-pumping action sequences that are being shot in Chennai. Considering that the film will feature extensive portrayal of advanced technology, it will also rely on the use of detailed visual effects. Baahubali VFX supervisor, RC Kamalakannan, who has been signed for the film, has already begun work on the visuals at a Russian studio. SPYder, bankrolled by NV Prasad and Tagore Madhu, also stars Bharath, Rakul Preet and SJ Suryah. The film, which marks Mahesh Babus Tamil debut, is tentatively set to release on September 30. By Express News Service SANGAREDDY: Focusing his entire attack on Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice president Rahul Gandhi, on his visit to the state on Thursday, called for his party cadre to build another movement to liberate Telangana from the clutches of Raos family, which is working for contractors and land mafia. The Gandhi-Nehru scion, while blowing the bugle for the state Assembly elections, amid talks of early polls, hit out strongly at the CM, popularly known as KCR, branding the TRS rule as one led by one family to realise its own dream and not the dreams of 3.5 crore people. Gandhi had descended on the State, created by the Congress-led UPA government in 2014, on Thursday to instil confidence in his party workers. Speaking from a dais of the Ambedkar Stadium in Sangareddy, he evoked memories of his grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had addressed a public meeting from here in 1979 before going on to lead the Congress to victory in the 1980 general elections. The AICC second-in-command, this time, posed questions to the gathering of over a lakh, asking if the dream of Telangana had been achieved. He attempted to strike a chord with every section of the electorate, specifically farmers and unemployed youth, by mentioning the unfulfilled promises of the TRS. During his 46-minute speech, Gandhi, who was visiting the State a week after BJP national president Amit Shahs tour focused on projected the KCR government as autocratic, one which works for realising the dreams of a single person, by trampling on the rights of all other people on land, water and other resources in the State. Accusing KCR of shattering the dream of Telangana, Gandhi said that the people of the region had demanded statehood in order to enjoy their rights on land, water and other resources. But, one family in the State is exercising its right on all resources, he charged. Interestingly, at a time when BJP is undertaking a 15-day Karya Vistar Yojana programme, to expand its base by sending 8,000 leaders and workers to each household in the State, the AICC vice-president too asked his party cadre to undertake door-to-door visits in every nook and cranny of the State to ensure the Congress came to power in 2019. Go to every village and visit every household to convey the Congress message, he told them, while asking Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy to lead a new movement to ensure the dream of Telangana was realised. Invoking Indira, Rahul says state is being run by one family AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi, while invoking his grandmother Indira Gandhi, branded the K Chandrasekhar Rao government in the State as one run by a family for the sake of four persons. Speaking from the dais of Praja Garjana, Rahul said unlike TRS, Congress does not run governments on individuals. Our party runs the government based on feedback from all MPs, MLAs and other elected representatives. We listen to everyone to run the government. We run your government, he said. The AICC second-in-command said, Congress is not one familys party. This is Telanganas party. Addressing a mammoth gathering from the Ambedkar Stadium on Thursday evening, Rahul Gandhi said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to give 2 crore jobs, Telangana Chief Minister KCR promised to give one job to each family. However, both of them failed to honour their promises, he criticised. Rahul Gandhi at Begumpet, on his way to Sangareddy on Thursday Rahul shakes hands with a commuter Folk dancers welcome Rahul Gandhi at Sangareddy Youngsters wearing masks of the AICC vice president at Sangareddy| Sayantan Ghosh, Vinay Madapu Hence, Rahul asked the youth to question both Modi and KCR on their failure to provide jobs. He said state government should be asked to open factories to create more jobs. If they fail, the Congress will provide an answer, he said. He also announced that after returning to power, the Congress government will ensure that the phones and other products would carry the mark of Made in Telangana and Made In India. We dont make false promises. We know how to deliver and will do that after returning to power, he added. He also criticised TRS for not implementing the Fee Reimbursement scheme. Rahul Gandhi criticised both KCR and Modi governments for not implementing the Land Acquisition Act 2013. He accused the duo of scrapping away the Act. Firing salvos at KCR, he said the TS CM is the only leader across the world who had constructed a luxurious mansion for himself by spending `350 crore of peoples money. No leader in the world would have such a costly house. This was your money. This money belonged to Telanganas farmers. It was the money which was to be paid for fee reimbursement, he said. KCRs niece defects from Congress to BJP Hyderabad: On a day when AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi was touring the state, the BJP on Thursday successfully poached TPCC official spokesperson Regulapati Ramya Rao, who is the niece of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, to its fold. Ramya announced she decided to join BJP as she believed that Telangana would be developed only under the leadership of Modi. According to sources, the saffron partys central leadership is making efforts to woo some other leaders from the Congress to its fold to weaken its national rival at the grassroots level in the state SANGAREDDY: Focusing his entire attack on Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice president Rahul Gandhi, on his visit to the state on Thursday, called for his party cadre to build another movement to liberate Telangana from the clutches of Raos family, which is working for contractors and land mafia. The Gandhi-Nehru scion, while blowing the bugle for the state Assembly elections, amid talks of early polls, hit out strongly at the CM, popularly known as KCR, branding the TRS rule as one led by one family to realise its own dream and not the dreams of 3.5 crore people. Gandhi had descended on the State, created by the Congress-led UPA government in 2014, on Thursday to instil confidence in his party workers. Speaking from a dais of the Ambedkar Stadium in Sangareddy, he evoked memories of his grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had addressed a public meeting from here in 1979 before going on to lead the Congress to victory in the 1980 general elections. The AICC second-in-command, this time, posed questions to the gathering of over a lakh, asking if the dream of Telangana had been achieved. He attempted to strike a chord with every section of the electorate, specifically farmers and unemployed youth, by mentioning the unfulfilled promises of the TRS. During his 46-minute speech, Gandhi, who was visiting the State a week after BJP national president Amit Shahs tour focused on projected the KCR government as autocratic, one which works for realising the dreams of a single person, by trampling on the rights of all other people on land, water and other resources in the State. Accusing KCR of shattering the dream of Telangana, Gandhi said that the people of the region had demanded statehood in order to enjoy their rights on land, water and other resources. But, one family in the State is exercising its right on all resources, he charged. Interestingly, at a time when BJP is undertaking a 15-day Karya Vistar Yojana programme, to expand its base by sending 8,000 leaders and workers to each household in the State, the AICC vice-president too asked his party cadre to undertake door-to-door visits in every nook and cranny of the State to ensure the Congress came to power in 2019. Go to every village and visit every household to convey the Congress message, he told them, while asking Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy to lead a new movement to ensure the dream of Telangana was realised.Invoking Indira, Rahul says state is being run by one family AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi, while invoking his grandmother Indira Gandhi, branded the K Chandrasekhar Rao government in the State as one run by a family for the sake of four persons. Speaking from the dais of Praja Garjana, Rahul said unlike TRS, Congress does not run governments on individuals. Our party runs the government based on feedback from all MPs, MLAs and other elected representatives. We listen to everyone to run the government. We run your government, he said. The AICC second-in-command said, Congress is not one familys party. This is Telanganas party. Addressing a mammoth gathering from the Ambedkar Stadium on Thursday evening, Rahul Gandhi said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to give 2 crore jobs, Telangana Chief Minister KCR promised to give one job to each family. However, both of them failed to honour their promises, he criticised. Rahul Gandhi at Begumpet, on his way to Sangareddy on Thursday Rahul shakes hands with a commuter Folk dancers welcome Rahul Gandhi at Sangareddy Youngsters wearing masks of the AICC vice president at Sangareddy| Sayantan Ghosh, Vinay MadapuHence, Rahul asked the youth to question both Modi and KCR on their failure to provide jobs. He said state government should be asked to open factories to create more jobs. If they fail, the Congress will provide an answer, he said. He also announced that after returning to power, the Congress government will ensure that the phones and other products would carry the mark of Made in Telangana and Made In India. We dont make false promises. We know how to deliver and will do that after returning to power, he added. He also criticised TRS for not implementing the Fee Reimbursement scheme. Rahul Gandhi criticised both KCR and Modi governments for not implementing the Land Acquisition Act 2013. He accused the duo of scrapping away the Act. Firing salvos at KCR, he said the TS CM is the only leader across the world who had constructed a luxurious mansion for himself by spending `350 crore of peoples money. No leader in the world would have such a costly house. This was your money. This money belonged to Telanganas farmers. It was the money which was to be paid for fee reimbursement, he said. KCRs niece defects from Congress to BJP Hyderabad: On a day when AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi was touring the state, the BJP on Thursday successfully poached TPCC official spokesperson Regulapati Ramya Rao, who is the niece of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, to its fold. Ramya announced she decided to join BJP as she believed that Telangana would be developed only under the leadership of Modi. According to sources, the saffron partys central leadership is making efforts to woo some other leaders from the Congress to its fold to weaken its national rival at the grassroots level in the state Aishik Chanda By Express News Service KOLKATA: Just 45 days after the BJP planned big for West Bengal during its national executive meet in Bhubaneswar in mid-April, 16 BJP leaders including Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, his Jharkhand counterpart Raghubar Das, Central ministers Ananth Kumar and Suresh Prabhu, BJP national secretary Shahnawaz Hussain and Cabinet ministers of Uttar Pradesh will hold public meetings in different towns of the State from Friday to highlight the achievements of the 3 years of the Narendra Modi government. The programmes will start with UP minister Suresh Ranas public meeting at Sodepur in the North 24 Parganas district on Friday and conclude with Ananth Kumars meet at South Kolkata on June 18. Public meetings will be held in Kolkata, Jalpaiguri, Balurghat, Barrackpore, Asansol, Burdwan, Siliguri, Malda, South 24 Parganas, Bishnupur and Howrah. However, State BJP president Dilip Ghosh claimed that the programmes were not decided in Bhubaneswar. This has nothing to do with the Bhubaneswar national executive meeting. In this 16-day government programme, we will highlight the achievements of three years of the Narendra Modi government. However, Trinamool Congress goons have destroyed a tent erected to receive Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das in Durgapur. I am here to oversee its repair, he said. Asked whether the saffron party would try to consolidate its urban vote bank with the programme, Ghosh was evasive and said: If the programmes are not held in cities, how will village people come from all sides to attend them? Asked about the partys preparations for the 2018 panchayat elections, the BJP State president said that massive booth-level preparations are underway. We are forming booth-level committees so that we can give candidates for every booth during the rural polls, he added. KOLKATA: Just 45 days after the BJP planned big for West Bengal during its national executive meet in Bhubaneswar in mid-April, 16 BJP leaders including Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, his Jharkhand counterpart Raghubar Das, Central ministers Ananth Kumar and Suresh Prabhu, BJP national secretary Shahnawaz Hussain and Cabinet ministers of Uttar Pradesh will hold public meetings in different towns of the State from Friday to highlight the achievements of the 3 years of the Narendra Modi government. The programmes will start with UP minister Suresh Ranas public meeting at Sodepur in the North 24 Parganas district on Friday and conclude with Ananth Kumars meet at South Kolkata on June 18. Public meetings will be held in Kolkata, Jalpaiguri, Balurghat, Barrackpore, Asansol, Burdwan, Siliguri, Malda, South 24 Parganas, Bishnupur and Howrah. However, State BJP president Dilip Ghosh claimed that the programmes were not decided in Bhubaneswar. This has nothing to do with the Bhubaneswar national executive meeting. In this 16-day government programme, we will highlight the achievements of three years of the Narendra Modi government. However, Trinamool Congress goons have destroyed a tent erected to receive Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das in Durgapur. I am here to oversee its repair, he said. Asked whether the saffron party would try to consolidate its urban vote bank with the programme, Ghosh was evasive and said: If the programmes are not held in cities, how will village people come from all sides to attend them? Asked about the partys preparations for the 2018 panchayat elections, the BJP State president said that massive booth-level preparations are underway. We are forming booth-level committees so that we can give candidates for every booth during the rural polls, he added. By Express News Service RAIPUR: Disregarding their own earlier assurance, Adani Enterprises has registered a first information report (FIR) against tribal people who are opposing the companys efforts to carry out coal mining in their area. The FIR, lodged by Ritesh Gautam, Adanis general manager (land acquisition), sought a probe into the villagers agitation which, the complaint claimed, has affected coal transportation and led to financial loss. The villagers had held a demonstration on May 27 and blocked a road that affected transportation of coal for over six hours. The district administration led by the local sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) then convened a meeting between the Adani officials and the agitating villagers to broker peace. The villagers said the company promised to get back with a response to their grievances on June 3. How can the FIR be fair? We withdrew the demonstration following the companys promise to look into our grievances, the villagers said in a plea to the SDM with a request to act against the FIR. When contacted, Ritesh Gautam refused to comment. We are not authorised to speak to the media, he said. The Adani group company is attempting to mine coal in the area, having bagged a subcontract for the Parsa East-Kante Basin coal block from the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Nigam Limited, the contractor engaged by the Ambikapur district administration in north Chhattisgarh. As per the agreement, Adani Enterprises will work as mine developer-cum-operator through its subsidiary Adani Mining. RAIPUR: Disregarding their own earlier assurance, Adani Enterprises has registered a first information report (FIR) against tribal people who are opposing the companys efforts to carry out coal mining in their area. The FIR, lodged by Ritesh Gautam, Adanis general manager (land acquisition), sought a probe into the villagers agitation which, the complaint claimed, has affected coal transportation and led to financial loss. The villagers had held a demonstration on May 27 and blocked a road that affected transportation of coal for over six hours. The district administration led by the local sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) then convened a meeting between the Adani officials and the agitating villagers to broker peace. The villagers said the company promised to get back with a response to their grievances on June 3. How can the FIR be fair? We withdrew the demonstration following the companys promise to look into our grievances, the villagers said in a plea to the SDM with a request to act against the FIR. When contacted, Ritesh Gautam refused to comment. We are not authorised to speak to the media, he said. The Adani group company is attempting to mine coal in the area, having bagged a subcontract for the Parsa East-Kante Basin coal block from the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Nigam Limited, the contractor engaged by the Ambikapur district administration in north Chhattisgarh. As per the agreement, Adani Enterprises will work as mine developer-cum-operator through its subsidiary Adani Mining. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: An Army captain and a civilian were injured in an encounter with suspected insurgents of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in Assams Kokrajhar district. The police said the encounter took place at Raimora in Gossaingaon area on Thursday night. Capt Tripatpreet Singh of the Rajput Regiment and a civilian, Rufon Tigga- who was hit by a stray bullet, are undergoing treatment in Guwahati. The Army officer, who sustained bullet injuries on his shoulder, is admitted to an Army hospital in Guwahati while the civilian is being treated at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, Kokrajhar superintendent of police, Rajen Singh, told the New Indian Express. The incident came amid stepped up operations by security forces against the NDFB rebels in Kokrajhar and some other districts of western and northern Assam. In the aftermath of the 2014 carnage of the Adivasis by the NDFB, over a 100 rebels of the outfit were either killed or apprehended by police and security forces. But a group of rebels, led by G Bidai, have still remained elusive. The police and security forces managed to zero in on them on some occasions but they managed to flee. According to police, the group is currently holed up along the Assam-Bhutan border. GUWAHATI: An Army captain and a civilian were injured in an encounter with suspected insurgents of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in Assams Kokrajhar district. The police said the encounter took place at Raimora in Gossaingaon area on Thursday night. Capt Tripatpreet Singh of the Rajput Regiment and a civilian, Rufon Tigga- who was hit by a stray bullet, are undergoing treatment in Guwahati. The Army officer, who sustained bullet injuries on his shoulder, is admitted to an Army hospital in Guwahati while the civilian is being treated at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, Kokrajhar superintendent of police, Rajen Singh, told the New Indian Express. The incident came amid stepped up operations by security forces against the NDFB rebels in Kokrajhar and some other districts of western and northern Assam. In the aftermath of the 2014 carnage of the Adivasis by the NDFB, over a 100 rebels of the outfit were either killed or apprehended by police and security forces. But a group of rebels, led by G Bidai, have still remained elusive. The police and security forces managed to zero in on them on some occasions but they managed to flee. According to police, the group is currently holed up along the Assam-Bhutan border. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: With situation in Valley tense and fragile, only few hundred Kashmiri Pandits on Friday thronged the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tumulla in central Kashmir for the annual Zeshta Ashtami festival with messages Kashmir is incomplete without you greeting them. The festival was celebrated with religious fervour by the Kashmiri Pandits at the famous Ragnya Devi temple with spring at Tulumulla area in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district. The Kashmiri Pandit devotees from Jammu and other places of the country visited the temple to participate in the festival. However, the number of Pandit devotees at the shrine was less this year as compared to previous years. Only few hundred Pandit devotees were present in the temple. In previous years, thousands of devotees used to throng the temple on the annual festival. The Kashmiri Muslims had put up sign boards enroute the temple to welcome the Kashmiri Pandits. Welcome Home-breaking walls of hatred and Kashmir is incomplete without you read some of messages. The devotees congregated at the temple by chanting religious hymns and bhajans. The temple at Tulmulla is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mata Ragnya Devi. Like the past, this time also the festival witnessed Hindu-Muslim amity with the local Muslims setting up stalls for the convenience of the devotees. They provided material for offerings including the milk and flowers to the Pandit devotees. A group of Pandit devotees living in Delhi said they have Muslim friends in the Valley, who made arrangements for them. The local Muslims have been very hospitable. They provided us all the material, they said adding nobody attacked or heckled them. Another Pandit devotee Shuban Ji, who hailed from uptown Srinagar and now lives in Jammu, said due to turmoil-like situation in Valley, most Pandits preferred not to attend the Kheer Bhawani mela this time. He said the Pandits were apprehensive that something untoward may happen during their visit to the Valley. Mahesh Tikoo, a Kashmiri Pandit settled in New Delhi, said there is less number of devotees this year due to prevailing tension in the Valley. The situation in Valley is fragile and can deteriorate anytime. for this reason, most devotees preferred not to visit Kashmir this year, he said. Kashmir has been tense after killing of eight civilians in security forces firing on protestors during bypolls to Srinagar parliamentary seat on April 9. The tension further escalated after student protests and recent killing of Hizbul Mujahideen top commander Sabzar Bhat during an encounter with security forces in Tral in south Kashmirs Pulwama district. According to the devotees, the colour of water of spring this year was clean and pure as was the case last year. It is a good omen for the valley, they said adding colour of spring water, which flows through the temple premises, is an indicator of the situation in the valley. The Pandits had migrated enmasse from Kashmir after eruption of militancy in 1989. However, they have been annually visiting Kashmir to attend the Kheer Bhawani festival. Meanwhile, J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited the temple and interacted with the Pandit devotees. People in Kashmir eagerly await return of the Pandits. The socio cultural milieu of Valley is incomplete without Pandits, Mehbooba said. She hailed the gesture of local Muslims and appealed the devotees to pray for peace, harmony and brotherhood, which has been a characteristic feature of the State. SRINAGAR: With situation in Valley tense and fragile, only few hundred Kashmiri Pandits on Friday thronged the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tumulla in central Kashmir for the annual Zeshta Ashtami festival with messages Kashmir is incomplete without you greeting them. The festival was celebrated with religious fervour by the Kashmiri Pandits at the famous Ragnya Devi temple with spring at Tulumulla area in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district. The Kashmiri Pandit devotees from Jammu and other places of the country visited the temple to participate in the festival. However, the number of Pandit devotees at the shrine was less this year as compared to previous years. Only few hundred Pandit devotees were present in the temple. In previous years, thousands of devotees used to throng the temple on the annual festival. The Kashmiri Muslims had put up sign boards enroute the temple to welcome the Kashmiri Pandits. Welcome Home-breaking walls of hatred and Kashmir is incomplete without you read some of messages. The devotees congregated at the temple by chanting religious hymns and bhajans. The temple at Tulmulla is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mata Ragnya Devi. Like the past, this time also the festival witnessed Hindu-Muslim amity with the local Muslims setting up stalls for the convenience of the devotees. They provided material for offerings including the milk and flowers to the Pandit devotees. A group of Pandit devotees living in Delhi said they have Muslim friends in the Valley, who made arrangements for them. The local Muslims have been very hospitable. They provided us all the material, they said adding nobody attacked or heckled them. Another Pandit devotee Shuban Ji, who hailed from uptown Srinagar and now lives in Jammu, said due to turmoil-like situation in Valley, most Pandits preferred not to attend the Kheer Bhawani mela this time. He said the Pandits were apprehensive that something untoward may happen during their visit to the Valley. Mahesh Tikoo, a Kashmiri Pandit settled in New Delhi, said there is less number of devotees this year due to prevailing tension in the Valley. The situation in Valley is fragile and can deteriorate anytime. for this reason, most devotees preferred not to visit Kashmir this year, he said. Kashmir has been tense after killing of eight civilians in security forces firing on protestors during bypolls to Srinagar parliamentary seat on April 9. The tension further escalated after student protests and recent killing of Hizbul Mujahideen top commander Sabzar Bhat during an encounter with security forces in Tral in south Kashmirs Pulwama district. According to the devotees, the colour of water of spring this year was clean and pure as was the case last year. It is a good omen for the valley, they said adding colour of spring water, which flows through the temple premises, is an indicator of the situation in the valley. The Pandits had migrated enmasse from Kashmir after eruption of militancy in 1989. However, they have been annually visiting Kashmir to attend the Kheer Bhawani festival. Meanwhile, J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited the temple and interacted with the Pandit devotees. People in Kashmir eagerly await return of the Pandits. The socio cultural milieu of Valley is incomplete without Pandits, Mehbooba said. She hailed the gesture of local Muslims and appealed the devotees to pray for peace, harmony and brotherhood, which has been a characteristic feature of the State. By PTI JAMSHEDPUR: A man with the help of a tantrik allegedly sacrificed a seven-month-old baby to appease God, so that he and his wife could have a child in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharswan district, police said today. Bhadoi Kalindi and a tantrik, Karmu Kalindi were arrested by police yesterday from Chaida village under Tiruldih police station, said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Chandil), Sandeep Bhagat. Bhadoi, a snake charmer was married for about eight years ago but had no issue, the SDPO said adding that he decided to sacrifice a child to appease God so that he and his wife could have a child. On the night of May 26, Bhadoi and Karmu abducted the baby girl, who was the daughter of Karmus neighbour Subhash Gope, in her sleep and sacrificed her at a cremation ghat near a river at Tiruldih, Bhagat said. Karmu went missing after the incident, which led police to suspect his involvement in the abduction of the child, Bhagat said adding that police arrested him and Bhadoi. Both of them have confessed to the crime during interrogation on Thursday, the SDPO said. Police have seized the weapon used to sacrifice the infant from Bhadois house, the SDPO said adding that a search has been launched to recover the body of the baby girl. JAMSHEDPUR: A man with the help of a tantrik allegedly sacrificed a seven-month-old baby to appease God, so that he and his wife could have a child in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharswan district, police said today. Bhadoi Kalindi and a tantrik, Karmu Kalindi were arrested by police yesterday from Chaida village under Tiruldih police station, said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Chandil), Sandeep Bhagat. Bhadoi, a snake charmer was married for about eight years ago but had no issue, the SDPO said adding that he decided to sacrifice a child to appease God so that he and his wife could have a child. On the night of May 26, Bhadoi and Karmu abducted the baby girl, who was the daughter of Karmus neighbour Subhash Gope, in her sleep and sacrificed her at a cremation ghat near a river at Tiruldih, Bhagat said. Karmu went missing after the incident, which led police to suspect his involvement in the abduction of the child, Bhagat said adding that police arrested him and Bhadoi. Both of them have confessed to the crime during interrogation on Thursday, the SDPO said. Police have seized the weapon used to sacrifice the infant from Bhadois house, the SDPO said adding that a search has been launched to recover the body of the baby girl. By PTI PILIBHIT: Union minister Maneka Gandhi today complained of stomach pain while on a visit to her parliamentary constituency of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and was being rushed to the national capital. Gandhi was taken to a hospital in Pilibhit where an ultrasound detected stones in her gall bladder, District Magistrate Sheetal Verma said. Sources close to the women and child development minister said she was being flown back to Delhi for treatment. 60-year-old Gandhi had held a meeting with the DM and the Superintendent of Police at Pilibhit this morning, after which she went to a guest house at Bisalpur road. After she complained of stomach pain and breathing trouble, she was taken to the hospital. PILIBHIT: Union minister Maneka Gandhi today complained of stomach pain while on a visit to her parliamentary constituency of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and was being rushed to the national capital. Gandhi was taken to a hospital in Pilibhit where an ultrasound detected stones in her gall bladder, District Magistrate Sheetal Verma said. Sources close to the women and child development minister said she was being flown back to Delhi for treatment. 60-year-old Gandhi had held a meeting with the DM and the Superintendent of Police at Pilibhit this morning, after which she went to a guest house at Bisalpur road. After she complained of stomach pain and breathing trouble, she was taken to the hospital. By Express News Service BHOPAL: The Narendra Modi government has decided to de-affiliate as many as 35 private industrial training institutes (ITIs) in Madhya Pradesh for not meeting desired quality parameters. The MP government sent our ministry a list of 35 private ITIs, which as per the State governments scrutiny were found to be not up to the desired quality parameters. All these 35 ITIs have been de-affiliated, for the first time ever in the country, said Union minister of state (independent charge) for skill development and entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Thursday. He added that 23 lakh students are enrolled in 13,000 ITIs across the country and these ITIs are now being strictly monitored by the government to ensure that they meet the desired quality standards. Rudy, who is in Madhya Pradesh to detail about the achievements of the NDA government on the completion of its three years in office, took part in the inaugural function of the global skill summit here on Thursday. The list of de-affiliation of trades and units of the 35 ITIs affiliated to the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) includes the ITIs located in 18 districts of Madhya Pradesh. A maximum of 12 such ITIs are located in Gwalior and Bhind districts. Weve made a start on the issue from Madhya Pradesh, said Rudy. Rudy said the annual national GDP is stable at 7 per cent and its expected to touch 10 per cent in the next two years. BHOPAL: The Narendra Modi government has decided to de-affiliate as many as 35 private industrial training institutes (ITIs) in Madhya Pradesh for not meeting desired quality parameters. The MP government sent our ministry a list of 35 private ITIs, which as per the State governments scrutiny were found to be not up to the desired quality parameters. All these 35 ITIs have been de-affiliated, for the first time ever in the country, said Union minister of state (independent charge) for skill development and entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Thursday. He added that 23 lakh students are enrolled in 13,000 ITIs across the country and these ITIs are now being strictly monitored by the government to ensure that they meet the desired quality standards. Rudy, who is in Madhya Pradesh to detail about the achievements of the NDA government on the completion of its three years in office, took part in the inaugural function of the global skill summit here on Thursday. The list of de-affiliation of trades and units of the 35 ITIs affiliated to the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) includes the ITIs located in 18 districts of Madhya Pradesh. A maximum of 12 such ITIs are located in Gwalior and Bhind districts. Weve made a start on the issue from Madhya Pradesh, said Rudy. Rudy said the annual national GDP is stable at 7 per cent and its expected to touch 10 per cent in the next two years. By PTI JAIPUR: If RSS leader Indresh Kumar is to be believed, the "western" tradition of Valentine's Day is responsible for rape, illegitimate children, and violence against women. Addressing RSS volunteers on the completion of a training programme here, Kumar today said love holds "sacredness" and "piousness" in India, but the West has commercialised it and given birth to the festival. "In India, love has been sacred and pious. It has been sung as the tales of Radha-Krishna, Laila-Majnu and HeerRanjha but the western culture commercialised love and gave birth to festival of Valentines day which is now responsible for problems like rape, illegitimate children and violence on women," he said. "Not only India, the entire world is facing this problem today," he said. Kumar also said that the RSS "purifies" the soul and the character of a person and imparts humane and moral values. "A movement should be run for purification of peoples' soul so that the society and the nation can progress," he said. Kumar also said the RSS is against untouchability and casteism. "Everybody should pledge to contribute to eradicate such evils," he said. He lashed out at "those raising the issue of human rights of stone pelters". "Our defence forces are targeted in Kashmir. Those who pelt stones and slaughter cows have no human or moral rights," he said. He also urged people to boycott Chinese products during festival seasons, claiming the sale of products from the country have affected jobs of 3 crore people in India. JAIPUR: If RSS leader Indresh Kumar is to be believed, the "western" tradition of Valentine's Day is responsible for rape, illegitimate children, and violence against women. Addressing RSS volunteers on the completion of a training programme here, Kumar today said love holds "sacredness" and "piousness" in India, but the West has commercialised it and given birth to the festival. "In India, love has been sacred and pious. It has been sung as the tales of Radha-Krishna, Laila-Majnu and HeerRanjha but the western culture commercialised love and gave birth to festival of Valentines day which is now responsible for problems like rape, illegitimate children and violence on women," he said. "Not only India, the entire world is facing this problem today," he said. Kumar also said that the RSS "purifies" the soul and the character of a person and imparts humane and moral values. "A movement should be run for purification of peoples' soul so that the society and the nation can progress," he said. Kumar also said the RSS is against untouchability and casteism. "Everybody should pledge to contribute to eradicate such evils," he said. He lashed out at "those raising the issue of human rights of stone pelters". "Our defence forces are targeted in Kashmir. Those who pelt stones and slaughter cows have no human or moral rights," he said. He also urged people to boycott Chinese products during festival seasons, claiming the sale of products from the country have affected jobs of 3 crore people in India. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: The Union government will start clamping down on fake BEd colleges in the country soon, said Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar at an event organized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development here on Friday. Speaking on the concluding day of the Northern Region Workshop On Innovative and Best Practices In School Education organised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in collaboration with the Department of School Education in Punjab, Javadekar said that in order to crack down on shops being run in the name of BEd colleges, the Union Government had sought affidavits from as many as 7,000 colleges with complete information about their courses and criteria for admissions. Responding to a query on whether students failing in class 5 and 8 board exams should be detained, the Union minister said that the states had been given the authority to decide on the issue. He also highlighted the need to impart education in native languages besides English and the role of teachers, students as well as parents in shaping the future of the students. The inculcation of humanitarian values, gender sensitivity and dignity of labour should also be a significant aim of education besides subject knowledge and skill development, he said. He also batted for improvement in the infrastructure of government schools. Punjab education minister Aruna Chaudhary thanked Javadekar for making the workshop a grand success and said that the exchange of ideas among the participating states during the workshop would go a long way in ensuring that novel methodologies were being adopted in the education sector. Haryana government to give concessions to students of JK With an aim to integrate students from Jammu and Kashmir into the national mainstream, the Haryana government has decided to provide various concessions to such students during admission in the colleges and universities of the state. The concessions included relaxation in cut-off percentage of up to 10 per cent subject to minimum eligibility requirement, and increase in intake capacity up to five per cent, course-wise. The other concessions included reservation of at least one seat in merit quota in technical and professional institutions, waiving of domicile requirements and setting up of a grievances redressal mechanism for such students in every institution. A written communication in this regard has been sent to all Vice-Chancellors of state and private universities, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police and principals of government and aided colleges for compliance in letter and spirit. CHANDIGARH: The Union government will start clamping down on fake BEd colleges in the country soon, said Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar at an event organized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development here on Friday. Speaking on the concluding day of the Northern Region Workshop On Innovative and Best Practices In School Education organised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in collaboration with the Department of School Education in Punjab, Javadekar said that in order to crack down on shops being run in the name of BEd colleges, the Union Government had sought affidavits from as many as 7,000 colleges with complete information about their courses and criteria for admissions. Responding to a query on whether students failing in class 5 and 8 board exams should be detained, the Union minister said that the states had been given the authority to decide on the issue. He also highlighted the need to impart education in native languages besides English and the role of teachers, students as well as parents in shaping the future of the students. The inculcation of humanitarian values, gender sensitivity and dignity of labour should also be a significant aim of education besides subject knowledge and skill development, he said. He also batted for improvement in the infrastructure of government schools. Punjab education minister Aruna Chaudhary thanked Javadekar for making the workshop a grand success and said that the exchange of ideas among the participating states during the workshop would go a long way in ensuring that novel methodologies were being adopted in the education sector. Haryana government to give concessions to students of JK With an aim to integrate students from Jammu and Kashmir into the national mainstream, the Haryana government has decided to provide various concessions to such students during admission in the colleges and universities of the state. The concessions included relaxation in cut-off percentage of up to 10 per cent subject to minimum eligibility requirement, and increase in intake capacity up to five per cent, course-wise. The other concessions included reservation of at least one seat in merit quota in technical and professional institutions, waiving of domicile requirements and setting up of a grievances redressal mechanism for such students in every institution. A written communication in this regard has been sent to all Vice-Chancellors of state and private universities, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police and principals of government and aided colleges for compliance in letter and spirit. Vikram Sharma By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Income Tax (IT) Departments anti-evasion drive over the last two years has netted it a rich haul of unaccounted property in south Indian cities, particularly Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi. But in cities up north, including financial capital Mumbai and political capital New Delhi, the returns have not been commensurately handsome. According to a document detailing the number of searches, seizure and admission of undisclosed income for the financial years 2016 and 2017 (up to February) filed to the Investigation Wing of the IT Department (a copy of which is with New Indian Express), Bengaluru tops the list among 14 cities. In 2016, the department carried out 25 searches against Bengaluru-based groups and individuals and seized Rs 64.84 crore while securing admission of undisclosed income worth Rs 1854.45 crore. In 2017, the total number of searches stands at 72, seizure of unaccounted money at Rs 131.82 crore while admission of undisclosed income has shot up to Rs 4590.92 crore. In contrast, business hub Mumbai saw 30 IT searches in 2016 in which Rs 35.27 crore was seized. The search targets disclosed unaccounted money amounting to Rs 1726.62 crore. In 2017, there were 54 searches in which Rs 115.09 crore was seized. But surprisingly, the admission of unaccounted money amounted to only Rs 20.76 crore. Also Read: I-T warns against cash dealings of Rs two lakh, seeks tip-off The returns from Delhi were similarly paltry. In 2016, there were 32 IT searches in which Rs 41.54 crore was seized. And only Rs 147.57 crore was disclosed as unaccounted. In 2017, there were 84 searches in which Rs 173.41 crore was seized. Admission of undisclosed income amonuted to Rs 727.49 crore. These figures pale in comparison to the findings in the south. ''For business hubs like Mumbai and Ahmedabad, these figures are shocking,'' said a source in the IT Department. Chennai stood second in the list after Bengaluru. In 2016, admission of undisclosed income in that southern city was Rs 1330.65 crore (17 searches). In 2017, the figure went up to Rs 3327.66 crore from 99 searches. There were seizures of Rs 93.84 crore in 2016 and 429.74 crore in 2017. Coming to Hyderabad, the IT circle of which has jurisdiction over Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, there were 46 searches in 2016 with Rs 43.20 crore seized. Admission of undisclosed income stood at Rs 650.57 crore. In 2017, the number of raids went up to 74, and seizures were to the tune of Rs 76.16 crore. Admission of undisclosed income amounted to Rs 1172.91 crore. Even Kochi fetched a good haul for the IT Department. In 21 searches in 2016, IT officials seized Rs 16.13 crore and the admission of undisclosed income was a mere Rs 7.25 crore. But in 2017, the number of searches went up to 42 and seizures to Rs 37.69 crore while admission of undisclosed income went up to Rs 1069.09 crore. A top source disclosed to New Indian Express that a majority of those who were searched or those who came forward to admit undisclosed income in the south were either politicians or groups and individuals known to have financially supported political parties'. The IT Department ramped up its anti-evasion drive in 2016 even while the Income Declaration Scheme was in operation. After giving time to individuals and groups to come forward and declare undeclared income, sources said all sorts of methods'' were used to instill fear among tax evaders. This included monitoring of phones, randomly calling up industrialists and coercing them with severe action. "Delhi was monitoring the progress almost on a daily basis. All of us were under tremendous pressure," the source said. After demonetization of large currency notes in November last year, the investigation wings began to chase businessmen in south Indian cities. But the drive was seemingly not as intense elsewhere although the Income Tax establishments there are adequately staffed and assisted by intelligence gathering mechanisms. Across the South, people who stashed away huge amounts of money were chased by the department. This yielded big results. But the IT wings in the north did not do as much,'' sources said. Coming to Ahmedabad, there were 14 searches in 2016 in which Rs 76.40 crore was seized and the admission of undisclosed income stood at Rs 248.12 crore. In 2017, there were 74 searches in which Rs 69.66 crore was seized while the admission of undisclosed income was only Rs 423.18 crore. Income Tax hauls in major cities, 2017 City Searches Seizures (Rs, cr) Undisclosed income (Rs, cr) Bengaluru 72 131 4590 Chennai 99 429 3327 Hyderabad 74 76 1172 Kochi 42 37 1069 Mumbai 54 115 20 Delhi 84 173 727 Ahmedabad 74 69 423 NEW DELHI: The Income Tax (IT) Departments anti-evasion drive over the last two years has netted it a rich haul of unaccounted property in south Indian cities, particularly Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi. But in cities up north, including financial capital Mumbai and political capital New Delhi, the returns have not been commensurately handsome. According to a document detailing the number of searches, seizure and admission of undisclosed income for the financial years 2016 and 2017 (up to February) filed to the Investigation Wing of the IT Department (a copy of which is with New Indian Express), Bengaluru tops the list among 14 cities. In 2016, the department carried out 25 searches against Bengaluru-based groups and individuals and seized Rs 64.84 crore while securing admission of undisclosed income worth Rs 1854.45 crore. In 2017, the total number of searches stands at 72, seizure of unaccounted money at Rs 131.82 crore while admission of undisclosed income has shot up to Rs 4590.92 crore. In contrast, business hub Mumbai saw 30 IT searches in 2016 in which Rs 35.27 crore was seized. The search targets disclosed unaccounted money amounting to Rs 1726.62 crore. In 2017, there were 54 searches in which Rs 115.09 crore was seized. But surprisingly, the admission of unaccounted money amounted to only Rs 20.76 crore. Also Read: I-T warns against cash dealings of Rs two lakh, seeks tip-off The returns from Delhi were similarly paltry. In 2016, there were 32 IT searches in which Rs 41.54 crore was seized. And only Rs 147.57 crore was disclosed as unaccounted. In 2017, there were 84 searches in which Rs 173.41 crore was seized. Admission of undisclosed income amonuted to Rs 727.49 crore. These figures pale in comparison to the findings in the south. ''For business hubs like Mumbai and Ahmedabad, these figures are shocking,'' said a source in the IT Department. Chennai stood second in the list after Bengaluru. In 2016, admission of undisclosed income in that southern city was Rs 1330.65 crore (17 searches). In 2017, the figure went up to Rs 3327.66 crore from 99 searches. There were seizures of Rs 93.84 crore in 2016 and 429.74 crore in 2017. Coming to Hyderabad, the IT circle of which has jurisdiction over Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, there were 46 searches in 2016 with Rs 43.20 crore seized. Admission of undisclosed income stood at Rs 650.57 crore. In 2017, the number of raids went up to 74, and seizures were to the tune of Rs 76.16 crore. Admission of undisclosed income amounted to Rs 1172.91 crore. Even Kochi fetched a good haul for the IT Department. In 21 searches in 2016, IT officials seized Rs 16.13 crore and the admission of undisclosed income was a mere Rs 7.25 crore. But in 2017, the number of searches went up to 42 and seizures to Rs 37.69 crore while admission of undisclosed income went up to Rs 1069.09 crore. A top source disclosed to New Indian Express that a majority of those who were searched or those who came forward to admit undisclosed income in the south were either politicians or groups and individuals known to have financially supported political parties'. The IT Department ramped up its anti-evasion drive in 2016 even while the Income Declaration Scheme was in operation. After giving time to individuals and groups to come forward and declare undeclared income, sources said all sorts of methods'' were used to instill fear among tax evaders. This included monitoring of phones, randomly calling up industrialists and coercing them with severe action. "Delhi was monitoring the progress almost on a daily basis. All of us were under tremendous pressure," the source said. After demonetization of large currency notes in November last year, the investigation wings began to chase businessmen in south Indian cities. But the drive was seemingly not as intense elsewhere although the Income Tax establishments there are adequately staffed and assisted by intelligence gathering mechanisms. Across the South, people who stashed away huge amounts of money were chased by the department. This yielded big results. But the IT wings in the north did not do as much,'' sources said. Coming to Ahmedabad, there were 14 searches in 2016 in which Rs 76.40 crore was seized and the admission of undisclosed income stood at Rs 248.12 crore. In 2017, there were 74 searches in which Rs 69.66 crore was seized while the admission of undisclosed income was only Rs 423.18 crore. Income Tax hauls in major cities, 2017 City Searches Seizures (Rs, cr) Undisclosed income (Rs, cr) Bengaluru 72 131 4590 Chennai 99 429 3327 Hyderabad 74 76 1172 Kochi 42 37 1069 Mumbai 54 115 20 Delhi 84 173 727 Ahmedabad 74 69 423 Karamatullah K Ghori By For long, Saudi Arabia has had a special status in the perception of Pakistanis, high and low alike. A liking bordering on infatuation for Saudi Arabia is anchored in the common Muslims belief that its the cradle of Islamthe official religion of Pakistan as enshrined in its constitution. But this tenet of faith has been added on to with a political dimension since the Kingdoms ruling royals arrogated to themselves the highly-vaunted title of Guardians of the Two Holy Cities of Islam, in Mecca and Medina. That makes the haughty Saudi royals, with all their well-known foibles and angularities, as people who should be looked up to as the gate-keepers of the kingdom of faith. That, at the very least, is the myth informing an average Pakistanis mind-set. And who, amongst the Pakistanis, should claim to know the Saudi royals better than Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, with his well-earned fame of being their blue-eyed boy? Not that his repute of a Saudi hireling is without foundation. They were the ones who, back in 1999, literally saved his skin and aborted his date with the gallows when Musharraf, who had overthrown him and usurped political power for himself, was on the verge of signing his death warrant. Instead, Musharraf was coaxed by Nawazs Saudi mentors to let go of him in a deal that sent Nawaz into political wilderness for 10 years. The Saudis guaranteed the deal and whisked their ward off to a plush exile in Jeddah, where he was mollycoddled like one of the thousands of Saudi princes. With that experience of royal treatment under his belt Nawaz must have had a gruelling time at the Summit in Riyadh, last May 21, where he was, at best, given the run-of-the-mill protocol of one of the also attended leaders from 50-plus Islamic countries. There was no special billing for Nawaz at the Saudi-sponsored, first-ever, Arab-Islamic-American Summit organised at the behest of the Saudi royals at their capital, Riyadh. Donald Trump, out on his maiden overseas voyage as the new occupant of the White House, was the star of the show. It was his welcoming party hosted by the Saudis, who also summoned their loyal friends from the global Muslim comity of nations, or Ummah, to be there, in tow behind them, to greet and pay their own obeisance to Trump. Calling it a summit was just a foil; it was more in the style of a Roman emperor out on a safari to receive pledges of loyalty and fidelity from his tributary vassals and surrogates. Trumps munificent Saudi hosts, with extra-deep pockets, did indeed make the gilded assembly seem like a court of tributaries by pledging to purchase American arms and ammunitions to the hefty tune of $110 billion dollarsthe largest weapons sale in US history to any one country. Trump had more reason to smile all the way back to Washington when his Saudi minions also sweetened his pot by pledging another $260 billion in investments into American infrastructure projects. Nawaz wouldnt have minded being counted amongst acolytes of AmericaPakistan, in fact, is in a double jeopardy by being a known Saudi acolyte toohad he been given a chance to express his solidarity with the Saudis and their American friends out loud at the conclave. But what cut him up, and Pakistanis at large, was that he was only conspicuous by his absence at the speakers podium. Rubbing salt into Pakistani wounds was the calculated Saudi affront of giving the podium to the president of Indonesia, supposedly representing the non-Arab part of the Muslim Ummah. Technically, Pakistan shouldve no room for grouse at Indonesias honour to speak for the non-Arab Muslims. Indonesia is, on the basis of population, the largest Muslim state. But technicalities matter least to Pakistanis in the Saudi context: Theyve this syndrome of a special, very special relationship with the Saudis. That makes the snub even more unbearable for them. How could the Saudis be so unmindful of their special relationship with Pakistan, they ask in horror. But Pakistanis who may still be able to put their thinking cap on can see through the Saudi manoeuvre to get Pakistan lined up among those in the Muslim world ready to stand by the Saudi side in their fight for regional hegemony, vis-a-vis Iran. The summit was, brazenly, all about Iran. Buoyed by Trumps campaign rhetoric to turn the clock back on Obamas pacification of Iran, the Saudis thought they had their man in him in their pursuit to corner Iran in the region and cut into its increasing influence among the have-nots of the Muslim world. So the Saudis rolled out the red carpet for a narcissistic Trump and massaged his bloated ego with pledges of hundreds of billions of dollars pouring into the US economy. The summit may have, ostensibly, been geared to spawn a united Muslim front, with US as its guardian-angel, to confront extremism and terrorism, according to King Salman. But the bloody Saudi incursion into Yemen makes it all too palpable that Wahhabi Saudis are seeking domination of the region at the expense of Shia Iran. With a cavalier Trump signing on to their agenda they may be smugly confident of reaching their goal. However, alert Pakistani observers can see through the Saudi game. They thanked their stars that Nawaz didnt figure among Muslim leaders mindlessly articulating and waxing eloquent in praise of the joint Saudi-American game plan against Iran. To thoughtful Pakistanis, it was a blessing in disguise that Nawaz wasnt a speaker at the conference. The puffed-up Saudis, in their own way, were telling Nawaz that with Trump in their corner they didnt need Pakistan any more. Karamatullah K Ghori Professor, School of International Studies, JNU Email: ssingh@jnu.ac.in For long, Saudi Arabia has had a special status in the perception of Pakistanis, high and low alike. A liking bordering on infatuation for Saudi Arabia is anchored in the common Muslims belief that its the cradle of Islamthe official religion of Pakistan as enshrined in its constitution. But this tenet of faith has been added on to with a political dimension since the Kingdoms ruling royals arrogated to themselves the highly-vaunted title of Guardians of the Two Holy Cities of Islam, in Mecca and Medina. That makes the haughty Saudi royals, with all their well-known foibles and angularities, as people who should be looked up to as the gate-keepers of the kingdom of faith. That, at the very least, is the myth informing an average Pakistanis mind-set. And who, amongst the Pakistanis, should claim to know the Saudi royals better than Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, with his well-earned fame of being their blue-eyed boy? Not that his repute of a Saudi hireling is without foundation. They were the ones who, back in 1999, literally saved his skin and aborted his date with the gallows when Musharraf, who had overthrown him and usurped political power for himself, was on the verge of signing his death warrant. Instead, Musharraf was coaxed by Nawazs Saudi mentors to let go of him in a deal that sent Nawaz into political wilderness for 10 years. The Saudis guaranteed the deal and whisked their ward off to a plush exile in Jeddah, where he was mollycoddled like one of the thousands of Saudi princes. With that experience of royal treatment under his belt Nawaz must have had a gruelling time at the Summit in Riyadh, last May 21, where he was, at best, given the run-of-the-mill protocol of one of the also attended leaders from 50-plus Islamic countries. There was no special billing for Nawaz at the Saudi-sponsored, first-ever, Arab-Islamic-American Summit organised at the behest of the Saudi royals at their capital, Riyadh. Donald Trump, out on his maiden overseas voyage as the new occupant of the White House, was the star of the show. It was his welcoming party hosted by the Saudis, who also summoned their loyal friends from the global Muslim comity of nations, or Ummah, to be there, in tow behind them, to greet and pay their own obeisance to Trump. Calling it a summit was just a foil; it was more in the style of a Roman emperor out on a safari to receive pledges of loyalty and fidelity from his tributary vassals and surrogates. Trumps munificent Saudi hosts, with extra-deep pockets, did indeed make the gilded assembly seem like a court of tributaries by pledging to purchase American arms and ammunitions to the hefty tune of $110 billion dollarsthe largest weapons sale in US history to any one country. Trump had more reason to smile all the way back to Washington when his Saudi minions also sweetened his pot by pledging another $260 billion in investments into American infrastructure projects. Nawaz wouldnt have minded being counted amongst acolytes of AmericaPakistan, in fact, is in a double jeopardy by being a known Saudi acolyte toohad he been given a chance to express his solidarity with the Saudis and their American friends out loud at the conclave. But what cut him up, and Pakistanis at large, was that he was only conspicuous by his absence at the speakers podium. Rubbing salt into Pakistani wounds was the calculated Saudi affront of giving the podium to the president of Indonesia, supposedly representing the non-Arab part of the Muslim Ummah. Technically, Pakistan shouldve no room for grouse at Indonesias honour to speak for the non-Arab Muslims. Indonesia is, on the basis of population, the largest Muslim state. But technicalities matter least to Pakistanis in the Saudi context: Theyve this syndrome of a special, very special relationship with the Saudis. That makes the snub even more unbearable for them. How could the Saudis be so unmindful of their special relationship with Pakistan, they ask in horror. But Pakistanis who may still be able to put their thinking cap on can see through the Saudi manoeuvre to get Pakistan lined up among those in the Muslim world ready to stand by the Saudi side in their fight for regional hegemony, vis-a-vis Iran. The summit was, brazenly, all about Iran. Buoyed by Trumps campaign rhetoric to turn the clock back on Obamas pacification of Iran, the Saudis thought they had their man in him in their pursuit to corner Iran in the region and cut into its increasing influence among the have-nots of the Muslim world. So the Saudis rolled out the red carpet for a narcissistic Trump and massaged his bloated ego with pledges of hundreds of billions of dollars pouring into the US economy. The summit may have, ostensibly, been geared to spawn a united Muslim front, with US as its guardian-angel, to confront extremism and terrorism, according to King Salman. But the bloody Saudi incursion into Yemen makes it all too palpable that Wahhabi Saudis are seeking domination of the region at the expense of Shia Iran. With a cavalier Trump signing on to their agenda they may be smugly confident of reaching their goal. However, alert Pakistani observers can see through the Saudi game. They thanked their stars that Nawaz didnt figure among Muslim leaders mindlessly articulating and waxing eloquent in praise of the joint Saudi-American game plan against Iran. To thoughtful Pakistanis, it was a blessing in disguise that Nawaz wasnt a speaker at the conference. The puffed-up Saudis, in their own way, were telling Nawaz that with Trump in their corner they didnt need Pakistan any more. Karamatullah K Ghori Professor, School of International Studies, JNU Email: ssingh@jnu.ac.in By Express News Service TUMAKURU: A businessman hailing from Turuvekere in Tumakuru district, who was mistaken for a criminal and detained in Saudi Arabia, was released on Thursday evening following the intervention of the External Affairs Ministry. My older brother Nayaz Ahmed spoke to me over phone and confirmed that he has been released, Fayaz Ahmed told Express from New Delhi. He will return to India after completing his pilgrimage in 5-6 days, he added. Nayaz Ahmed (41) was on Umrah pilgrimage along with 32 others when he was detained by immigration officials as soon as he landed at Jeddah airport on April 20 in a case of mistaken identity. His name and date of birth matched with that of a person with criminal antecedents hailing from Bengaluru. Nayazs family approached the office of External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj through Tumakuru Lok Sabha member S P Muddahanume Gowda on May 22. The MEA, in turn, alerted the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia following which the embassy officials spoke to Nayaz over phone on May 23 and promised his safe release. We are grateful to Sushma Swaraj madam and her office. We have no words to express our happiness, said Muzzamil, brother-in-law of Nayaz who too had been camping in New Delhi. Nayazs another younger brother, Imroz Ahmed, has been with the Indian Army for over a decade and is currently posted in Assam. Nayaz, a father of two children, was looking after the timber business along with his father Ansar Ahmed in Turuvekere town. His mother Shamshad Begum, brother Riyaz Ahmed, wife Afiya Banu, son Ayaz and daughter Amreen too thanked the ministry for securing his safe release, family sources said. TUMAKURU: A businessman hailing from Turuvekere in Tumakuru district, who was mistaken for a criminal and detained in Saudi Arabia, was released on Thursday evening following the intervention of the External Affairs Ministry. My older brother Nayaz Ahmed spoke to me over phone and confirmed that he has been released, Fayaz Ahmed told Express from New Delhi. He will return to India after completing his pilgrimage in 5-6 days, he added. Nayaz Ahmed (41) was on Umrah pilgrimage along with 32 others when he was detained by immigration officials as soon as he landed at Jeddah airport on April 20 in a case of mistaken identity. His name and date of birth matched with that of a person with criminal antecedents hailing from Bengaluru. Nayazs family approached the office of External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj through Tumakuru Lok Sabha member S P Muddahanume Gowda on May 22. The MEA, in turn, alerted the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia following which the embassy officials spoke to Nayaz over phone on May 23 and promised his safe release. We are grateful to Sushma Swaraj madam and her office. We have no words to express our happiness, said Muzzamil, brother-in-law of Nayaz who too had been camping in New Delhi. Nayazs another younger brother, Imroz Ahmed, has been with the Indian Army for over a decade and is currently posted in Assam. Nayaz, a father of two children, was looking after the timber business along with his father Ansar Ahmed in Turuvekere town. His mother Shamshad Begum, brother Riyaz Ahmed, wife Afiya Banu, son Ayaz and daughter Amreen too thanked the ministry for securing his safe release, family sources said. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Legislative Assembly will hold a special session on June 8 to discuss new restrictions on cattle trade and its impact. The Assembly is expected to reach a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the May 23 notification putting brakes on animal markets from trading in cattle for slaughter. A special cabinet meet on Friday decided to hold the Assembly session to collect political opinion and arrive at a consensus. Though the state wants to bring out a unanimous resolution against the BJP led Union government's notification, it seems difficult considering the stance of lone BJP MLA O Rajagopal, who may oppose the move. "The Assembly will discuss all aspects of the new development. Based on the opinions from all political parties at the assembly, a final decision will be taken for the future course of action," said minister for animal husbandry, K Raju. Legally challenging the restrictions, including approaching the Apex Court, are also being considered. The state government will also consult constitutional and legal experts on the way forward. Kerala is also exploring the possibilities of bringing in a legislation within the purview of the state to overcome the restrictions. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced on Wednesday the government's decision to call a meeting of all chief ministers across the country on the matter. However in the wake of the special Assembly session, the future course of action will be decided only as per the opinions put forth before the Assembly. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Legislative Assembly will hold a special session on June 8 to discuss new restrictions on cattle trade and its impact. The Assembly is expected to reach a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the May 23 notification putting brakes on animal markets from trading in cattle for slaughter. A special cabinet meet on Friday decided to hold the Assembly session to collect political opinion and arrive at a consensus. Though the state wants to bring out a unanimous resolution against the BJP led Union government's notification, it seems difficult considering the stance of lone BJP MLA O Rajagopal, who may oppose the move. "The Assembly will discuss all aspects of the new development. Based on the opinions from all political parties at the assembly, a final decision will be taken for the future course of action," said minister for animal husbandry, K Raju. Legally challenging the restrictions, including approaching the Apex Court, are also being considered. The state government will also consult constitutional and legal experts on the way forward. Kerala is also exploring the possibilities of bringing in a legislation within the purview of the state to overcome the restrictions. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced on Wednesday the government's decision to call a meeting of all chief ministers across the country on the matter. However in the wake of the special Assembly session, the future course of action will be decided only as per the opinions put forth before the Assembly. By Associated Press BEIRUT: The founder of the Islamic State group news agency was reportedly killed in an airstrike in eastern Syria, activists and his brother said. The militant group itself has not reported the death of the founder of Aamaq news agency, Baraa Kadek. But his brother, Hozaifa, posted on his Facebook that Kadek and his young daughter were killed in an airstrike in Mayadeen town in Deir el-Zour province. Other Syrian opposition news outlets, including Halab News Network and Qasioun news agency, reported Kadek's death late yesterday. But it was not immediately clear where Kadek was killed or when. His brother said he was killed in his home. Halab News Network, an activist-run media platform where Kadek previously worked, said he was killed with his daughter in his car. All said he was killed yesterday in a suspected airstrike by the US-led international coalition fighting IS in Syria and Iraq. There was no immediate comment from the coalition. Last week, the coalition told The Associated Press it had carried out a series of airstrikes on May 25 and 26 targeting IS media infrastructure and "propaganda facilities." It said at the time that targeting such facilities "degrades" the group's abilities and inspiration of foreign attacks. Aamaq news agency has become the group's fastest and most reliable source of information, using it to post videos and claims of attacks. It has remained online despite bans from social media platforms. Mayadeen has become a refuge for IS leaders as the group comes under attack in Mosul in Iraq and their de-facto capital Raqqa. Some Syria watchers said the group's media operations have moved to Mayadeen as the US-led coalition and allied Syrian Kurdish-led forces close in on Raqqa. Kadek became known as a media activist covering the outbreak of protests in 2011 then rebel fronts. Originally from Aleppo province, he later joined IS in 2013 and set up the group's flagship media arm. BEIRUT: The founder of the Islamic State group news agency was reportedly killed in an airstrike in eastern Syria, activists and his brother said. The militant group itself has not reported the death of the founder of Aamaq news agency, Baraa Kadek. But his brother, Hozaifa, posted on his Facebook that Kadek and his young daughter were killed in an airstrike in Mayadeen town in Deir el-Zour province. Other Syrian opposition news outlets, including Halab News Network and Qasioun news agency, reported Kadek's death late yesterday. But it was not immediately clear where Kadek was killed or when. His brother said he was killed in his home. Halab News Network, an activist-run media platform where Kadek previously worked, said he was killed with his daughter in his car. All said he was killed yesterday in a suspected airstrike by the US-led international coalition fighting IS in Syria and Iraq. There was no immediate comment from the coalition. Last week, the coalition told The Associated Press it had carried out a series of airstrikes on May 25 and 26 targeting IS media infrastructure and "propaganda facilities." It said at the time that targeting such facilities "degrades" the group's abilities and inspiration of foreign attacks. Aamaq news agency has become the group's fastest and most reliable source of information, using it to post videos and claims of attacks. It has remained online despite bans from social media platforms. Mayadeen has become a refuge for IS leaders as the group comes under attack in Mosul in Iraq and their de-facto capital Raqqa. Some Syria watchers said the group's media operations have moved to Mayadeen as the US-led coalition and allied Syrian Kurdish-led forces close in on Raqqa. Kadek became known as a media activist covering the outbreak of protests in 2011 then rebel fronts. Originally from Aleppo province, he later joined IS in 2013 and set up the group's flagship media arm. By AFP MEXICO CITY: Mexico, a country hailed as a leader on fighting global warming, called the commitments made in the Paris climate pact a "moral imperative" Thursday after its neighbor the United States withdrew from the deal. "We will continue promoting international cooperation, without restrictions, to see the accord implemented in full," Mexico's foreign and environment ministries said in a statement. Climate change is "an incontrovertible fact based on scientific evidence," it said. "Taking action to slow climate change is a moral imperative." President Enrique Pena Nieto also reaffirmed his support for the deal, tweeting that "Mexico maintains its backing and commitment to the Paris accord." Mexico was the first emerging country to announce its commitments to cut greenhouse gases in the build-up to the deal, in March 2015. Environmental groups praised its ambitious targets and leadership. That is in stark contrast with its giant neighbor to the north, where President Donald Trump stoked anger Thursday with his announcement that the United States was pulling out of the hard-won, 195-country deal. Mexico's relations with the US -- its crucial trading partner -- have been strained since Trump took office in January vowing to build a wall on the US-Mexican border and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he says has shipped American jobs to Mexico. MEXICO CITY: Mexico, a country hailed as a leader on fighting global warming, called the commitments made in the Paris climate pact a "moral imperative" Thursday after its neighbor the United States withdrew from the deal. "We will continue promoting international cooperation, without restrictions, to see the accord implemented in full," Mexico's foreign and environment ministries said in a statement. Climate change is "an incontrovertible fact based on scientific evidence," it said. "Taking action to slow climate change is a moral imperative." President Enrique Pena Nieto also reaffirmed his support for the deal, tweeting that "Mexico maintains its backing and commitment to the Paris accord." Mexico was the first emerging country to announce its commitments to cut greenhouse gases in the build-up to the deal, in March 2015. Environmental groups praised its ambitious targets and leadership. That is in stark contrast with its giant neighbor to the north, where President Donald Trump stoked anger Thursday with his announcement that the United States was pulling out of the hard-won, 195-country deal. Mexico's relations with the US -- its crucial trading partner -- have been strained since Trump took office in January vowing to build a wall on the US-Mexican border and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he says has shipped American jobs to Mexico. By AFP BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday pledged "more decisive action than ever" to protect the climate after the US pullout from the landmark Paris accord. "We in Germany, in Europe and the world will band together to take more decisive action than ever to confront and successfully surmount major challenges to humanity such as climate change," she told reporters. In a strongly worded statement, Merkel said US President Donald Trump's announcement to turn his back on the Paris pact was "highly regrettable, to put it very mildly". "This decision cannot and will not stop those of us who feel obligated to protect our Earth," she said. Calling the Paris pact a "historic quantum leap," she said that Germany would live up to its "obligations under this agreement, particularly on financing of climate assistance for the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the world". She said it would be a "rocky road" toward full implementation of the agreement but called it "irreversible". Merkel hailed private initiatives around the world on climate protection, including in the United States, saying they would help ensure "more prosperity and opportunities for the world". She vowed to make a success of the next round of UN climate talks in the western Germany city of Bonn in November. "I say to all those for whom the future of our planet is important: let us continue on this path together so that we can succeed for Mother Earth," she said. BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday pledged "more decisive action than ever" to protect the climate after the US pullout from the landmark Paris accord. "We in Germany, in Europe and the world will band together to take more decisive action than ever to confront and successfully surmount major challenges to humanity such as climate change," she told reporters. In a strongly worded statement, Merkel said US President Donald Trump's announcement to turn his back on the Paris pact was "highly regrettable, to put it very mildly". "This decision cannot and will not stop those of us who feel obligated to protect our Earth," she said. Calling the Paris pact a "historic quantum leap," she said that Germany would live up to its "obligations under this agreement, particularly on financing of climate assistance for the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the world". She said it would be a "rocky road" toward full implementation of the agreement but called it "irreversible". Merkel hailed private initiatives around the world on climate protection, including in the United States, saying they would help ensure "more prosperity and opportunities for the world". She vowed to make a success of the next round of UN climate talks in the western Germany city of Bonn in November. "I say to all those for whom the future of our planet is important: let us continue on this path together so that we can succeed for Mother Earth," she said. By PTI ST PETERSBURG: India and Russia have agreed to set up joint ventures for manufacturing aircraft and automobiles as the two nations look to boost trade and economic ties. Russian President Vladimir Putin, after summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, said Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory. "We both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend," he said. "Our talks are always held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and are always substantive and productive. This time was no exception." Putin said agreements made in the St Petersburg Declaration outlines steps to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural spheres. "Encouraging the growth of trade, improving its structure, and expanding industrial cooperation constitute our key priority," he said. Bilateral trade, he said, was declining in recent years but has reversed this year. It rose by 29 per cent in the first quarter of 2017. "As of today the sides have agreed a list of 19 projects aimed at establishing joint ventures for transport infrastructure, new technology, including pharmaceuticals, aircraft and automobile manufacturing, the diamond industry, and agriculture," he said without giving details. After summit talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on intellectual property, a master framework agreement on building two units at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, a programme of bilateral cultural exchanges for 20172019, an agreement on a feasibility study for a high- speed link between Nagpur and Secunderabad, and a memorandum on cooperation between joint stock company ALROSA and India's Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. Also signed were documents on building Russian-designed nuclear power plants at new sites in India, developing a bilateral leasing platform, developing bilateral investment activity, and developing rail transport vehicles. Russia's cumulative investment in the Indian economy exceeded USD 4 billion, and Indian investment in Russia is USD 8 billion. "All these facts show that Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory, and we both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend," Putin said. Putin said the cooperation is not limited to direct supplies of the latest Russian military equipment to India. "The assembly of high-tech military products has been set up in India with Russias participation. We agreed with the Prime Minister to continue to jointly develop and manufacture modern weapons systems." At the CEO forum that immediately followed the Summit discussions, Putin said over the past seven decades, first the Soviet Union and then Russia built steel works, power stations, chemicals plants, gas pipelines, agribusiness facilities, and transport infrastructure in India. "We in Russia are proud of this capital we have developed together," he said. He said it was important to move from simply trading goods to more sophisticated forms of cooperation. "We invite our partners to localise production in Russia. We know Prime Minister Modi's idea regarding projects in India in areas where we can support each other and exchange modern technology. We can do this on a bilateral basis, of course, in areas where we are competitive at the global level." Businessmen of the two nations can create new, high value-added products and build production chains, including for promoting their goods and services on third country markets, he said. "On the agenda we have the launch of promising joint projects in fundamental areas for the economy and high-tech sectors such as nuclear energy, the aerospace sector, and biotechnology. We need to look to the future, and the future is about harnessing the common powerful scientific and technical potential of both countries." Russia's market, he said, today offers every opportunity for carrying out the boldest business initiatives. "We continue to improve our investment and business mechanisms, including with respect to foreign companies and citizens. We will use modern market instruments to stimulate growth in the high-tech sectors." ST PETERSBURG: India and Russia have agreed to set up joint ventures for manufacturing aircraft and automobiles as the two nations look to boost trade and economic ties. Russian President Vladimir Putin, after summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, said Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory. "We both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend," he said. "Our talks are always held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and are always substantive and productive. This time was no exception." Putin said agreements made in the St Petersburg Declaration outlines steps to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural spheres. "Encouraging the growth of trade, improving its structure, and expanding industrial cooperation constitute our key priority," he said. Bilateral trade, he said, was declining in recent years but has reversed this year. It rose by 29 per cent in the first quarter of 2017. "As of today the sides have agreed a list of 19 projects aimed at establishing joint ventures for transport infrastructure, new technology, including pharmaceuticals, aircraft and automobile manufacturing, the diamond industry, and agriculture," he said without giving details. After summit talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on intellectual property, a master framework agreement on building two units at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, a programme of bilateral cultural exchanges for 20172019, an agreement on a feasibility study for a high- speed link between Nagpur and Secunderabad, and a memorandum on cooperation between joint stock company ALROSA and India's Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. Also signed were documents on building Russian-designed nuclear power plants at new sites in India, developing a bilateral leasing platform, developing bilateral investment activity, and developing rail transport vehicles. Russia's cumulative investment in the Indian economy exceeded USD 4 billion, and Indian investment in Russia is USD 8 billion. "All these facts show that Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory, and we both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend," Putin said. Putin said the cooperation is not limited to direct supplies of the latest Russian military equipment to India. "The assembly of high-tech military products has been set up in India with Russias participation. We agreed with the Prime Minister to continue to jointly develop and manufacture modern weapons systems." At the CEO forum that immediately followed the Summit discussions, Putin said over the past seven decades, first the Soviet Union and then Russia built steel works, power stations, chemicals plants, gas pipelines, agribusiness facilities, and transport infrastructure in India. "We in Russia are proud of this capital we have developed together," he said. He said it was important to move from simply trading goods to more sophisticated forms of cooperation. "We invite our partners to localise production in Russia. We know Prime Minister Modi's idea regarding projects in India in areas where we can support each other and exchange modern technology. We can do this on a bilateral basis, of course, in areas where we are competitive at the global level." Businessmen of the two nations can create new, high value-added products and build production chains, including for promoting their goods and services on third country markets, he said. "On the agenda we have the launch of promising joint projects in fundamental areas for the economy and high-tech sectors such as nuclear energy, the aerospace sector, and biotechnology. We need to look to the future, and the future is about harnessing the common powerful scientific and technical potential of both countries." Russia's market, he said, today offers every opportunity for carrying out the boldest business initiatives. "We continue to improve our investment and business mechanisms, including with respect to foreign companies and citizens. We will use modern market instruments to stimulate growth in the high-tech sectors." By PTI ST. PETERSBURG: Describing terrorism as a global menace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged the world community to block funding, weapons and communication modes of terrorists, in an apparent reference to Pakistan's support for Kashmiri militants. "The call of time is that we should rise above specific incidents. Terrorism is the enemy of humankind. All should come together to fight terrorism," Modi said during a discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Modi, while noting that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present in the gathering, lamented that for 40 years, a resolution is pending before the United Nations regarding definition of terrorism and of those who help terrorists. "Only lip service has been provided. There has been no discussion, nor any decision," he said. The prime minister said he was glad that Putin had yesterday publicly stated that the resolution would be discussed. In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Modi said terrorists don't manufacture weapons, but some countries supply guns to them. Similarly, terrorists don't print currency, but some countries facilitate their financing through money laundering. Terrorists don't own telecommunications system and social media networks, but some countries help them with that, he said. "Now we should come out of good terrorism, bad terrorism (debate); my terrorist, your terrorist (syndrome). It is an issue of humankind. That's how we can fight terrorism," he said. India, he said, has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for 40 years and thousands of innocent citizens have been killed but the world recognized terrorism merely as a law and order problem for many years. Only after 9/11, the world woke up to know how deep terrorists can strike and how much havoc they can wreak, he said. He said terrorism has no boundaries and all countries should fight it collectively. Putin also said that India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an "imaginary thing". He agreed with Modi that terrorism is a common threat and "that should unite us. We ought to understand what is happening and where it will lead us. We ought to be aware of the danger" of terrorism. ST. PETERSBURG: Describing terrorism as a global menace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged the world community to block funding, weapons and communication modes of terrorists, in an apparent reference to Pakistan's support for Kashmiri militants. "The call of time is that we should rise above specific incidents. Terrorism is the enemy of humankind. All should come together to fight terrorism," Modi said during a discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. Modi, while noting that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present in the gathering, lamented that for 40 years, a resolution is pending before the United Nations regarding definition of terrorism and of those who help terrorists. "Only lip service has been provided. There has been no discussion, nor any decision," he said. The prime minister said he was glad that Putin had yesterday publicly stated that the resolution would be discussed. In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Modi said terrorists don't manufacture weapons, but some countries supply guns to them. Similarly, terrorists don't print currency, but some countries facilitate their financing through money laundering. Terrorists don't own telecommunications system and social media networks, but some countries help them with that, he said. "Now we should come out of good terrorism, bad terrorism (debate); my terrorist, your terrorist (syndrome). It is an issue of humankind. That's how we can fight terrorism," he said. India, he said, has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for 40 years and thousands of innocent citizens have been killed but the world recognized terrorism merely as a law and order problem for many years. Only after 9/11, the world woke up to know how deep terrorists can strike and how much havoc they can wreak, he said. He said terrorism has no boundaries and all countries should fight it collectively. Putin also said that India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an "imaginary thing". He agreed with Modi that terrorism is a common threat and "that should unite us. We ought to understand what is happening and where it will lead us. We ought to be aware of the danger" of terrorism. By Associated Press BEIRUT: The founder of the Islamic State group news agency was reported killed with his daughter in an airstrike last week in eastern Syria, opposition activists said Thursday. The militant group itself has not reported the death of the Aamaq agency founder, Baraa Kadek. Activists said Kadek was close to the IS leadership, gaining their trust and reportedly meeting with the enigmatic leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Kadek's brother, Hozaifa, and former friends reported his death, saying he died when a suspected airstrike by the U.S.-led international coalition fighting IS hit his home in the town of Mayadeen in Deir el-Zour province. The brother posted the announcement on his Facebook page. A former colleague said Kadek and his daughter and wife were wounded in an airstrike last Friday and that he died of his wounds Wednesday. Mohammed Khaled, executive manager of Aleppo 24, an activist-operated media platform and a former friend of Kadek, said his wife remains in critical condition. IS supporters and activist websites reported Wednesday that a prominent IS cleric was also killed in an airstrike. The circumstances and whereabouts of the death of Turki al-Binali, a Bahraini cleric who rose to be one of the group's leading ideologues, were conflicting. Some supporters said he died in an airstrike in Deir el-Zour; other activists said he died in Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an IS leading figure, believed to be from the Gulf, was killed in airstrikes in the last 48 hours, though it couldn't confirm if it was al-Binali. If confirmed, al-Binali's death would be a major blow to the group as it struggles with intensified attacks in Iraq and Syria. Al-Binali was also among the IS leaders that helped set up the group's branch in Libya. He also provided religious justification for the enslavement of hundreds of women from Iraq's Yazidi minority. There was no immediate comment from the coalition on the reported deaths. Last week, the coalition told The Associated Press it had carried out a series of airstrikes on May 25 and 26 targeting IS media infrastructure and "propaganda facilities." It said at the time that targeting such facilities "degrades" the group's capabilities and its tools to inspire attacks on foreign lands. At the time, activists said the coalition airstrikes killed at least 35 civilians, including family members of IS. Mayadeen has become a refuge for IS leaders as the group comes under attack in Mosul in Iraq and their de-facto capital Raqqa in Syria. Some Syria watchers said the group's media operations have moved to Mayadeen as the coalition and allied Syrian Kurdish-led forces close in on Raqqa. Khaled, the former friend, said Kadek became trusted by the IS leadership after he supported their presence in the city of Aleppo in 2013. The militants later clashed with other rebel factions, who eventually chased them out of Aleppo. Khaled said Kadek met with al-Baghdadi in 2014 in Iraq during an introduction to the Aamaq network. "He even bragged in one of his posts about being 'honored' by a meeting with al-Baghdadi," Khaled said, speaking from Syria. Kadek was also a friend of Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, IS's powerful spokesman who was killed in an airstrike in Aleppo in September 2016. Aamaq news agency which surfaced in 2014_has become the group's fastest and most reliable media arm. IS militants have used it to post news, videos and claims of their attacks worldwide. It has remained online despite bans from social media platforms. The group has other media outlets, including a daily recorded news bulletin and a weekly magazine. Kadek was first known for his support of the moderate opposition and rebel groups, founding a media platform to cover their news. Khaled said his transformation was remarkable and came as funds dried up for the network he founded in the early days of the revolt against Syria's government. Originally from Aleppo province, he joined IS in 2013, covered their activities in Aleppo and later moved on to found Aamaq. In other developments, a Syrian Kurdish party denied rumors that an Iraqi government-backed and mainly Shiite militia, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, had entered northern Syria on Thursday and seized two villages abandoned by the Islamic State group. Some Iraqi Shiite factions have aligned themselves with Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces, such as Harakat Nujaba. Speculation on social media raised concerns the Iraqi Shiite militiamen would try to seize Syrian territory at the expense of U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in the north. An Iraqi Shiite lawmaker and a spokesman for the PMF, Ahmed al-Asadi, denied the move into Syria, saying the forces "only want to secure the nearly 400-kilometer (250-mile) -border from the Iraqi side. However, an Iraqi Shiite commander who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for the PMF, said they had in fact entered two Syrian villages for a couple of hours "to convey a message to the Americans and (Kurdish-led) Syrian Democratic that we are able to do it." BEIRUT: The founder of the Islamic State group news agency was reported killed with his daughter in an airstrike last week in eastern Syria, opposition activists said Thursday. The militant group itself has not reported the death of the Aamaq agency founder, Baraa Kadek. Activists said Kadek was close to the IS leadership, gaining their trust and reportedly meeting with the enigmatic leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Kadek's brother, Hozaifa, and former friends reported his death, saying he died when a suspected airstrike by the U.S.-led international coalition fighting IS hit his home in the town of Mayadeen in Deir el-Zour province. The brother posted the announcement on his Facebook page. A former colleague said Kadek and his daughter and wife were wounded in an airstrike last Friday and that he died of his wounds Wednesday. Mohammed Khaled, executive manager of Aleppo 24, an activist-operated media platform and a former friend of Kadek, said his wife remains in critical condition. IS supporters and activist websites reported Wednesday that a prominent IS cleric was also killed in an airstrike. The circumstances and whereabouts of the death of Turki al-Binali, a Bahraini cleric who rose to be one of the group's leading ideologues, were conflicting. Some supporters said he died in an airstrike in Deir el-Zour; other activists said he died in Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an IS leading figure, believed to be from the Gulf, was killed in airstrikes in the last 48 hours, though it couldn't confirm if it was al-Binali. If confirmed, al-Binali's death would be a major blow to the group as it struggles with intensified attacks in Iraq and Syria. Al-Binali was also among the IS leaders that helped set up the group's branch in Libya. He also provided religious justification for the enslavement of hundreds of women from Iraq's Yazidi minority. There was no immediate comment from the coalition on the reported deaths. Last week, the coalition told The Associated Press it had carried out a series of airstrikes on May 25 and 26 targeting IS media infrastructure and "propaganda facilities." It said at the time that targeting such facilities "degrades" the group's capabilities and its tools to inspire attacks on foreign lands. At the time, activists said the coalition airstrikes killed at least 35 civilians, including family members of IS. Mayadeen has become a refuge for IS leaders as the group comes under attack in Mosul in Iraq and their de-facto capital Raqqa in Syria. Some Syria watchers said the group's media operations have moved to Mayadeen as the coalition and allied Syrian Kurdish-led forces close in on Raqqa. Khaled, the former friend, said Kadek became trusted by the IS leadership after he supported their presence in the city of Aleppo in 2013. The militants later clashed with other rebel factions, who eventually chased them out of Aleppo. Khaled said Kadek met with al-Baghdadi in 2014 in Iraq during an introduction to the Aamaq network. "He even bragged in one of his posts about being 'honored' by a meeting with al-Baghdadi," Khaled said, speaking from Syria. Kadek was also a friend of Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, IS's powerful spokesman who was killed in an airstrike in Aleppo in September 2016. Aamaq news agency which surfaced in 2014_has become the group's fastest and most reliable media arm. IS militants have used it to post news, videos and claims of their attacks worldwide. It has remained online despite bans from social media platforms. The group has other media outlets, including a daily recorded news bulletin and a weekly magazine. Kadek was first known for his support of the moderate opposition and rebel groups, founding a media platform to cover their news. Khaled said his transformation was remarkable and came as funds dried up for the network he founded in the early days of the revolt against Syria's government. Originally from Aleppo province, he joined IS in 2013, covered their activities in Aleppo and later moved on to found Aamaq. In other developments, a Syrian Kurdish party denied rumors that an Iraqi government-backed and mainly Shiite militia, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, had entered northern Syria on Thursday and seized two villages abandoned by the Islamic State group. Some Iraqi Shiite factions have aligned themselves with Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces, such as Harakat Nujaba. Speculation on social media raised concerns the Iraqi Shiite militiamen would try to seize Syrian territory at the expense of U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in the north. An Iraqi Shiite lawmaker and a spokesman for the PMF, Ahmed al-Asadi, denied the move into Syria, saying the forces "only want to secure the nearly 400-kilometer (250-mile) -border from the Iraqi side. However, an Iraqi Shiite commander who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for the PMF, said they had in fact entered two Syrian villages for a couple of hours "to convey a message to the Americans and (Kurdish-led) Syrian Democratic that we are able to do it." By AFP WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's administration asked the US Supreme Court on Thursday to reinstate its controversial ban on travelers from six Muslim majority nations despite repeated setbacks in the lower courts. In its filing, the government asked the highest court in the land to rule on the legal standing of Trump's order, appealing a ruling by the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld a nationwide block of the travel ban. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said. "The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States." The Trump administration's filing came just one week after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling dealt a fresh blow to the government's effort. The court said it "remained unconvinced" that the part of the measure naming the specific countries -- Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen -- had "more to do with national security than it does with effectuating the president's promised Muslim ban." It added that it was unclear whether the government's security concerns outweighed the plaintiffs' concerns about discrimination. "The stakes are indisputably high: the court of appeals concluded that the president acted in bad faith with religious animus when, after consulting with three members of his cabinet, he placed a brief pause on entry from six countries that present heightened risks of terrorism," the government's filing read. "The court's decision creates uncertainty about the president's authority to meet those threats as the Constitution and acts of Congress empower and obligate him to do." Trump issued his initial travel ban by executive order in January, but that measure -- which banned entry to nationals from seven countries for 90 days and suspended the nation's refugee program for 120 days -- was quickly halted by the courts. A revised executive order announced in March, meant to address the issues raised by the federal judges, deleted Iraq from the list and removed an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees. It earned widespread scorn nevertheless, including from human rights activists and states led by Democrats. A district court judge in Maryland issued a nationwide block on the ban's core provision concerning travel from the shortlist of countries, sending the issue to the Fourth Circuit. Given the case's high-profile nature, the full appeals court in Richmond heard the arguments -- bypassing the usual initial three-judge panel -- for the first time in a quarter of a century. Thirteen of the court's 15 active judges took part. Two recused themselves over potential conflicts of interest. WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's administration asked the US Supreme Court on Thursday to reinstate its controversial ban on travelers from six Muslim majority nations despite repeated setbacks in the lower courts. In its filing, the government asked the highest court in the land to rule on the legal standing of Trump's order, appealing a ruling by the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld a nationwide block of the travel ban. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said. "The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States." The Trump administration's filing came just one week after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling dealt a fresh blow to the government's effort. The court said it "remained unconvinced" that the part of the measure naming the specific countries -- Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen -- had "more to do with national security than it does with effectuating the president's promised Muslim ban." It added that it was unclear whether the government's security concerns outweighed the plaintiffs' concerns about discrimination. "The stakes are indisputably high: the court of appeals concluded that the president acted in bad faith with religious animus when, after consulting with three members of his cabinet, he placed a brief pause on entry from six countries that present heightened risks of terrorism," the government's filing read. "The court's decision creates uncertainty about the president's authority to meet those threats as the Constitution and acts of Congress empower and obligate him to do." Trump issued his initial travel ban by executive order in January, but that measure -- which banned entry to nationals from seven countries for 90 days and suspended the nation's refugee program for 120 days -- was quickly halted by the courts. A revised executive order announced in March, meant to address the issues raised by the federal judges, deleted Iraq from the list and removed an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees. It earned widespread scorn nevertheless, including from human rights activists and states led by Democrats. A district court judge in Maryland issued a nationwide block on the ban's core provision concerning travel from the shortlist of countries, sending the issue to the Fourth Circuit. Given the case's high-profile nature, the full appeals court in Richmond heard the arguments -- bypassing the usual initial three-judge panel -- for the first time in a quarter of a century. Thirteen of the court's 15 active judges took part. Two recused themselves over potential conflicts of interest. By PTI ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country plans to build walls along its borders with Iraq and Iran, similar to the one currently being erected along the frontier with Syria. Erdogan said today that Turkey has so far completed the construction of a 650-kilometer (403-mile) stretch of the wall along the 911-kilometer border with Syria. Turkey began building the wall in 2014 to boost its security by preventing infiltrations of Kurdish militants and Islamic State group fighters as well as refugees from Syria. Erdogan said Turkey aims to build along its entire border with Syria. He added: "We'll do the same along the Iraqi border and in appropriate places along the Iranian border." ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country plans to build walls along its borders with Iraq and Iran, similar to the one currently being erected along the frontier with Syria. Erdogan said today that Turkey has so far completed the construction of a 650-kilometer (403-mile) stretch of the wall along the 911-kilometer border with Syria. Turkey began building the wall in 2014 to boost its security by preventing infiltrations of Kurdish militants and Islamic State group fighters as well as refugees from Syria. Erdogan said Turkey aims to build along its entire border with Syria. He added: "We'll do the same along the Iraqi border and in appropriate places along the Iranian border." By Associated Press UNITED NATIONS: A U.S.-drafted resolution circulated to the U.N. Security Council would add 15 North Korean individuals and four entities linked to the country's nuclear and missile programs to a U.N. sanctions blacklist. The resolution would not impose any new sanctions over North Korea's missile tests, something that China has opposed. The final draft, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, is expected to be put to a vote Friday afternoon, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an announcement. The proposed resolution would impose a global travel ban and asset freeze on a range of North Koreans from the man believed to head overseas espionage operations and foreign intelligence collection to officials who control the media and key government and military appointments. The Vietnam representative of a bank and the heads of two companies would also face sanctions. The draft would also freeze the assets of two trading companies, a bank and the Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean People's Army, which is in charge of all ballistic missile programs. The Security Council has already imposed six rounds of sanctions on North Korea, and the United States has been pushing for new and tougher measures. But China's U.N. ambassador, Liu Jieyi, made clear last week that Beijing's top priority is to restart talks with North Korea following its multiple tests to try to reduce tensions, rather than impose new sanctions. The draft resolution doesn't call for any new sanctions, but it would add significantly to the U.N. blacklist of individuals and entities with links to North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. That list currently names 39 individuals and 42 entities and groups subject to sanctions. One diplomat said all five permanent veto-wielding members the U.S., China, Russia, Britain and France had agreed to the proposed additions. The first individual on the proposed new blacklist is Cho Il U, believed to be the overseas espionage and intelligence chief who is identified as the director of the Fifth Bureau of the Reconnaissance General Bureau. Another key figure on the list is Kim Chol Nam, president of Korea Kumsan Trading Co., which procures supplies for North Korea's atomic energy department and serves as "a cash route" to North Korea. The company would also be added to the sanctions list. Others facing possible sanctions include: Kim Tong-Ho, Vietnam representative for Tanchon Commercial Bank, which is North Korea's main "financial entity for weapons and missile-related sales." Pak Han Se, vice chairman of the government committee that oversees ballistic missile production and directs activities of Korea Mining Development Corp., the country's "premier arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons." Ri Yong Mu, vice chairman of the State Affairs Commission, which directs and guide all military, defense and security-related affairs in the country, "including acquisitions and procurement." The draft resolution expresses "serious concern" that North Korea continues to violate U.N. resolutions with repeated launches and attempted launches of ballistic missiles, noting that these tests contribute to development of its nuclear weapons delivery systems. It expresses "gravest concern" that the North's nuclear and missile activities are generating "increased tension in the region and beyond" and continue to threaten international peace and security. The proposed resolution would condemn North Korea's nuclear and ballistic activities "in the strongest terms" and reaffirm the Security Council's demand that Pyongyang abandon all nuclear weapons and programs and halt all nuclear and missile tests. It would also reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in northeast Asia, express the council's commitment "to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation," and welcome efforts "to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive situation through dialogue." UNITED NATIONS: A U.S.-drafted resolution circulated to the U.N. Security Council would add 15 North Korean individuals and four entities linked to the country's nuclear and missile programs to a U.N. sanctions blacklist. The resolution would not impose any new sanctions over North Korea's missile tests, something that China has opposed. The final draft, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, is expected to be put to a vote Friday afternoon, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an announcement. The proposed resolution would impose a global travel ban and asset freeze on a range of North Koreans from the man believed to head overseas espionage operations and foreign intelligence collection to officials who control the media and key government and military appointments. The Vietnam representative of a bank and the heads of two companies would also face sanctions. The draft would also freeze the assets of two trading companies, a bank and the Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean People's Army, which is in charge of all ballistic missile programs. The Security Council has already imposed six rounds of sanctions on North Korea, and the United States has been pushing for new and tougher measures. But China's U.N. ambassador, Liu Jieyi, made clear last week that Beijing's top priority is to restart talks with North Korea following its multiple tests to try to reduce tensions, rather than impose new sanctions. The draft resolution doesn't call for any new sanctions, but it would add significantly to the U.N. blacklist of individuals and entities with links to North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. That list currently names 39 individuals and 42 entities and groups subject to sanctions. One diplomat said all five permanent veto-wielding members the U.S., China, Russia, Britain and France had agreed to the proposed additions. The first individual on the proposed new blacklist is Cho Il U, believed to be the overseas espionage and intelligence chief who is identified as the director of the Fifth Bureau of the Reconnaissance General Bureau. Another key figure on the list is Kim Chol Nam, president of Korea Kumsan Trading Co., which procures supplies for North Korea's atomic energy department and serves as "a cash route" to North Korea. The company would also be added to the sanctions list. Others facing possible sanctions include: Kim Tong-Ho, Vietnam representative for Tanchon Commercial Bank, which is North Korea's main "financial entity for weapons and missile-related sales." Pak Han Se, vice chairman of the government committee that oversees ballistic missile production and directs activities of Korea Mining Development Corp., the country's "premier arms dealer and main exporter of goods and equipment related to ballistic missiles and conventional weapons." Ri Yong Mu, vice chairman of the State Affairs Commission, which directs and guide all military, defense and security-related affairs in the country, "including acquisitions and procurement." The draft resolution expresses "serious concern" that North Korea continues to violate U.N. resolutions with repeated launches and attempted launches of ballistic missiles, noting that these tests contribute to development of its nuclear weapons delivery systems. It expresses "gravest concern" that the North's nuclear and missile activities are generating "increased tension in the region and beyond" and continue to threaten international peace and security. The proposed resolution would condemn North Korea's nuclear and ballistic activities "in the strongest terms" and reaffirm the Security Council's demand that Pyongyang abandon all nuclear weapons and programs and halt all nuclear and missile tests. It would also reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in northeast Asia, express the council's commitment "to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation," and welcome efforts "to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive situation through dialogue." By AFP GENEVA: 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 today. 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. Baloch said UNHCR desperately needed more funds to help the displaced, indicating that so far it has received just six percent of the USD 209 million it needs to provide aid in CAR this year. 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. GENEVA: 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 today. 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. Baloch said UNHCR desperately needed more funds to help the displaced, indicating that so far it has received just six percent of the USD 209 million it needs to provide aid in CAR this year. 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. By AFP KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti appeals court on Wednesday sentenced seven young men to death for the abduction and rape of a disabled 13-year-old boy, the victim's lawyer said. Ibrahim al-Bathani told AFP that the court overturned a 10-year jail term handed in April by a lower court against the seven accused. He said the seven defendants, aged 18-23, abducted the victim in September last year to a chalet where they sexually assaulted him. The victim is a Kuwaiti citizen suffering from partial mental disability, the lawyer said. "This is a historic verdict," Bathani said. The convicts, four Kuwaitis, a Yemeni, an Iraqi and a stateless person, filmed part of the rape and threatened to post it on social media if the boy spoke of his ordeal, Bathani said. Prosecutors found the videos on the phones of some of the defendants. The ruling is not final as the case must go to the Kuwaiti supreme court whose verdicts are final. The death penalty in Kuwait is carried out by hanging. KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti appeals court on Wednesday sentenced seven young men to death for the abduction and rape of a disabled 13-year-old boy, the victim's lawyer said. Ibrahim al-Bathani told AFP that the court overturned a 10-year jail term handed in April by a lower court against the seven accused. He said the seven defendants, aged 18-23, abducted the victim in September last year to a chalet where they sexually assaulted him. The victim is a Kuwaiti citizen suffering from partial mental disability, the lawyer said. "This is a historic verdict," Bathani said. The convicts, four Kuwaitis, a Yemeni, an Iraqi and a stateless person, filmed part of the rape and threatened to post it on social media if the boy spoke of his ordeal, Bathani said. Prosecutors found the videos on the phones of some of the defendants. The ruling is not final as the case must go to the Kuwaiti supreme court whose verdicts are final. The death penalty in Kuwait is carried out by hanging. 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. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Sunny. Windy during the morning. High 74F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 45F. SSE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. An international team of scientists have discovered a new class of compounds that inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase. The team, including scientists from the Norwich-based John Innes Centre, GSK and Sanofi, have reported a class of compounds that target bacteria in a unique way, and show activity against some drug-resistant strains in the laboratory. Antibiotics are an essential component of modern clinical care, used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. However, the dependence on antibiotics and their widespread misuse has led to bacterial pathogens evolving resistance to an ever-wider range of treatment options. The emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria has brought a marked increase in the number of untreatable infections, and tackling this problem constitutes one of the major global challenges facing humanity. This research, carried out by scientists from Professor Tony Maxwell's group at the John Innes Centre and partners in the pharmaceutical industry, was reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). http://www.pnas.org/content/114/22/E4492.full Professor Dale Sanders, Director of the John Innes Centre, said, "This discovery highlights the impact of partnership work between leading pharmaceutical companies and our innovative plant and microbial scientists." The collaborative research was facilitated by the ENABLE (European Gram-negative Antibacterial Engine) consortium, part of the EU-funded Innovative Medicines Initiative's 'New Drugs for Bad Bugs' (ND4BB) program. The new research reveals that the compounds inhibit a bacterial enzyme called DNA gyrase in a different manner to other known gyrase inhibitors. Professor Maxwell, a project leader in Biological Chemistry at the John Innes Centre, explained: "Bacterial chromosomes are tightly coiled, but for bacterial cells to replicate these coils must 'unwind' so that the DNA code can be accessed and copied. DNA gyrase creates a cut in the DNA, which allows it to uncoil before the cut ends are reconnected. This creates the opportunity for DNA-replicating enzymes to access the DNA. "Inhibiting DNA gyrase is lethal for the bacterium because it can no longer replicate its DNA." Compounds that act on DNA gyrase are not new; in fact, a common and extremely effective class of existing antibiotics called 'fluoroquinolones' is among a number antibiotics that do exactly that. However, most of the antibiotics which act against DNA gyrase work in a similar way, meaning that when bacteria evolve resistance to one, they may also be resistant to the others of the same class. But the newly discovered compounds inhibit DNA gyrase in a completely different way. Postdoctoral scientist Dr Thomas Germe explained: "Unfortunately, many dangerous bacteria have already developed resistance to fluoroquinolones, so these may not be successful in treating some resistant infections."After screening a collection of compounds, one compound - known at this stage as 'Compound 1' - was found to inhibit DNA gyrase in a new way." "Fluoroquinolones work by blocking DNA gyrase at the point at which it interacts with DNA. Compound 1, however, doesn't interfere with the DNA at all; rather it binds to a 'hinge pocket' in the other side of the enzyme's structure, which prevents the enzyme from swinging into the correct position to do its job." But the discovery doesn't end there. Professor Maxwell said: "Structural analysis revealed that if the chemical structure of Compound 1 was modified slightly, it would fit more tightly into the 'hinge' region of the DNA gyrase enzyme. This led to 'Compound 2', which is better DNA gyrase inhibitor, Both Compounds 1 and 2 prevent the growth of bacterial strains that are resistant to fluoroquinolone antibiotics in the laboratory." "Although the work on this compound series was stopped due to toxicity, this discovery shows that we can continue to identify novel compounds working in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry and it highlights the importance of collaborative effort, including European-funded collaboration." Before Ebola virus ever struck West Africa, locals were already on the lookout for a deadly pathogen: Lassa virus. With thousands dying from Lassa every year-;and the potential for the virus to cause even larger outbreaks- researchers are committed to designing a vaccine to stop it. Now a team led by Staff Scientist Kathryn Hastie and Professor Erica Ollmann Saphire at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has solved the structure of the viral machinery that Lassa virus uses to enter human cells. Their study, published June 2, 2017 in the journal Science, is the first to show a key piece of the viral structure, called the surface glycoprotein, for any member of the deadly arenavirus family. Importantly, the new structure provides a blueprint to design a Lassa virus vaccine. "This was a tenacious effort-;over a decade-;to conquer a global threat," said Ollmann Saphire, senior author of the new study. Arenavirus Structure Had Never Been Seen Before This story starts with a young graduate student in San Diego and leads all the way to Sierra Leone, to a unique hospital where Lassa fever victims arrive by the thousands every year. When Hastie joined Ollmann Saphire's lab as a graduate student in 2007, she told her thesis committee she wanted to solve the structure of the assembled arenavirus glycoprotein, something never done before. "Maybe it was my graduate student naivete, but I thought it sounded interesting," said Hastie. "The thesis committee looked at her and said, 'good luck!' " Ollmann Saphire remembered. In biology, solving a structure means determining its shape in 3D. Hastie planned to solve the structure of the Lassa virus glycoprotein using a technique called x-ray crystallography, in which researchers prompt protein molecules from a virus to align and form a crystal. When x-rays hit the electrons in the crystal, they create a diffraction pattern that reveals the organization of the crystal and the molecular structure of the protein that formed it. By solving the structure of the Lassa virus glycoprotein, Hastie hoped to create a map of the target on the virus where antibodies need to attack-;a key step in developing a vaccine. X-ray crystallography depends on having a stable protein, yet all the Lassa virus glycoprotein wanted to do was fall apart. The problem was that glycoproteins are made up of smaller subunits. Other viruses have bonds that hold the subunits together, "like a staple," Hastie said. Arenaviruses don't have that staple; instead, the subunits just floated away from each other whenever Hastie tried to work with them. Another challenge was to recreate part of the viral lifecycle in the lab-;a stage when Lassa's glycoprotein gets clipped into two subunits. "We had to figure out how to get the subunits to be sufficiently clipped and where to put the staple to make sure they stayed together," Hastie said. Meeting Patients in West Africa As Hastie tackled those challenges from her lab bench in San Diego, staff at the Kenema Government Hospital in Sierra Leone labored on the front lines of the ongoing fight against Lassa. Until the 201415 Ebola virus outbreak, Kenema was the only hospital in the world to have a special ward dedicated to treating hemorrhagic fever viruses. Staff at the clinic-;from the nurses to the ambulance drivers-;are all Lassa survivors, which gives them immunity to the disease. Scientists at TSRI have a long-term collaboration with Kenema as part of a research program run by Tulane University. "We have an excellent working relationship with them," said Hastie. The laboratory building at the Kenema Government Hospital in Sierra Leone. (Photo courtesy Erica Ollmann Saphire.) Through this program, their Tulane collaborators, particularly James Robinson's group, provided the TSRI scientists with antibodies from survivors of Lassa fever. These antibodies could inactivate the virus and have been found to provide lifesaving protection to animal models. These are the kinds of antibodies researchers are hoping to elicit with a future Lassa virus vaccine. In 2009, Hastie got to visit Kenema on a trip with Ollmann Saphire. Driving up to the hospital, the team saw the staff laundry hanging outside. Inside, scientists and staff were hard at work treating patients and studying Lassa. "I had been working on the project for two years with very little success at that point," Hastie said. "Going to West Africa showed me how important it was to keep going." Like Ebola virus, Lassa fever starts with flu-like symptoms and can lead to debilitating vomiting, neurological problems and even hemorrhaging from the eyes, gums and nose. The disease is 50 to 70 percent fatal-;and up to 90 percent fatal in pregnant women. In between her hours studying samples in the clinic lab, Hastie visited nearby villages, where she met ecologists investigating how rodents spread the disease. In one village, locals gave the team a goat as a thank-you gift for their efforts to fight the disease. Both Hastie and Ollmann Saphire found it bizarre that Lassa strikes so many people every year without making news headlines. "Studying Lassa is critically important. Hundreds of thousands of people are infected with the virus every year, and it is the viral hemorrhagic fever that most frequently comes to the United States and Europe," said Ollmann Saphire. "Kate's study needed to be done." Success in Solving the Structure It took several more years before Hastie saw promising results, but her perseverance paid off. By creating mutant versions of important parts of the molecule, she engineered a version of the Lassa virus surface glycoprotein that didn't fall apart. She then used this model glycoprotein as a sort of magnet to find antibodies in patient samples that could bind with the glycoprotein to neutralize the virus. At last, she solved the structure of the Lassa virus glycoprotein, bound to a neutralizing antibody from a human survivor. An antibody from a human survivor (light blue or turquoise) is shown inactivating the Lassa virus surface protein. The work shows how to engineer vaccine strategies to elicit protective immune responses. (Image courtesy Ollmann Saphire Lab.) Her structure showed that the glycoprotein has two parts. She compared the shape to an ice cream cone and a scoop of ice cream. A subunit called GP2 forms the cone, and the GP1 subunit sits on top. They work together when they encounter a host cell. GP1 binds to a host cell receptor, and GP2 starts the fusion process to enter that cell. The new structure also showed a long structure hanging off the side of GP1-;like a drip of melting ice cream running down the cone. This "drip" holds the two subunits together in their pre-fusion state. Zooming in even closer, Hastie discovered that three of the GP1-GP2 pairs come together like a tripod. This arrangement appears to be unique to Lassa virus. Other viruses, such as influenza and HIV, also have three-part proteins (called trimers) at this site, but their subunits come together to form a pole, not a tripod. "It was great to see exactly how Lassa was different from other viruses," said Hastie, 10 years after starting the project. "It was a tremendous relief to finally have the structure." This tripod arrangement offers a path for vaccine design. The scientists found that 90 percent of the effective antibodies in Lassa patients targeted the spot where the three GP subunits came together. These antibodies locked the subunits together, preventing the virus from gearing up to enter a host cell. A future vaccine would likely have the greatest chance of success if it could trigger the body to produce antibodies to target the same site. Ollmann Saphire couldn't be prouder of her former student and long-time collaborator. She explained that Hastie accomplished something unique in structural biology. "TSRI has an institutional expertise in understanding viral structures and antibodies-;and in designing vaccines," said Ollmann Saphire. "This study goes even further. The research started from scratch with the native, wild-type viruses in patients in a remote clinic-;and went all the way to developing a basis for vaccine design. And the work was done almost entirely by one woman." Moving Forward with a Lassa Vaccine The next step is to test a vaccine that will prompt the immune system to target Lassa's glycoprotein. "There's a tremendous global interest," Ollmann Saphire said. "I think the world woke up when they saw the scale of the Ebola outbreak." As director of the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Immunotherapeutic Consortium, Ollmann Saphire is already coordinating with her partners at Tulane and Kenema to bring a vaccine to patients. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), an international collaboration that includes the Wellcome Trust and the World Health Organization as partners has recently named a vaccine for Lassa virus as one of its top three priorities. "The community is keenly interested in making a Lassa vaccine, and we think we have the best template to do that," said Ollmann Saphire. She added that with Hastie's techniques for solving arenavirus structures, researchers can now get a closer look at other hemorrhagic fever viruses, which cause death, neurological diseases and even birth defects around the world. Structural biology has recently opened new doors in vaccine design, the researchers explained. Efforts to stabilize the surface protein of HIV-1 and respiratory syncytial virus, for example, are also leading to improved immunogens that can be recognized by the most potent antibodies. Ollmann Saphire added that the Department of Energy-supported beamlines, such as 12-2 at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), which provided the x-ray beam used to finally determine the Lassa virus glycoprotein structure, and recent detector upgrades are essential for on-going advances in structural biology. In a project supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, the microbiologist Andreas Farnleitner is looking at new methods for analyzing fecal pollution in water. Using DNA analytics, the scientist aims to develop comprehensive and simple methods to determine the extent and origin of fecal pollution. In 2015, the United Nations formulated 17 objectives for sustainable development. One of these objectives is to provide all people with access to clean water. At present, the water available to at least 1.5 billion people is polluted with faeces. This may produce serious illnesses such as cholera some 500,000 people fall ill because of consuming polluted water each year. The goal is to solve this problem by 2030, but it is often difficult to put the right measures in place, because the source of the pollution cannot be detected using currently available tests. In a project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, a group led by Andreas Farnleitner from the Technische Universitat Wien (TU Wien) and the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences in Krems intends to change that by research into developing more accurate and faster analytical methods for water. A METHOD THAT IS MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS OLD "For the past 120 years, feces have been detected in water on the basis of the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli. It lives in the intestines of animals and humans, and it is relatively simple to detect it in water", says Farnleitner. "You filter the water and put the filter on a petri dish. If Escherichia coli is present, it will start to grow and form easily visible colonies the next day. This is the traditional method used, conditioning all standards worldwide." According to Farnleitner, however, this essential standard method no longer suffices. "For one thing, the test does not tell us the source of the contamination. Is it animal or human? Domestic or wild animal? Today you also want to be able to draw conclusions about the health risk." In and of itself, the "Escherichia coli" bacterium is harmless and not all feces contain dangerous microbial agents. "We need methods to assess what types of faecal pathogens might be present in the water", explains Farnleitner. IDENTIFYING FECAL BACTERIA BY THEIR DNA In several projects funded by the FWF, Farnleitner conducts research into new detection methods for faecal microbial contamination in water resources. He concentrates his efforts on populations of intestinal bacteria that could not be detected in the past, so-called "abundant host-associated bacteria". "Actually, 'Escherichia coli' bacteria only play a supporting role in the intestines. Other bacteria are found in much higher amounts, higher by several orders of magnitude even, but, unlike 'Escherichia coli', they cannot be cultivated by means of standard processes." It is possible, however, to detect those bacteria directly by means of their DNA. "In principle, it is a bit like using DNA analysis in criminal investigations. We analyze the DNA of fecal bacteria that are relevant for our purposes." Finding out just which bacteria are relevant for such an analysis is at the center of one ongoing FWF project. In order to find the answer, Farnleitner analyzes the feces of a wide variety of domestic and wild animals, including birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, as well as soil specimens, in order to draw up a database of the microorganisms found there. "We have built the fecal database which by now includes excretions from more than 450 different animals, in order to get a first impression of the diversity and the differences of bacterial populations between the various fecal contamination sources." In the sampling, which was conducted worldwide, the researchers were assisted by veterinarians in a team led by Chris Walzer and Gabrielle Stalder from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna. 23 MILLION DNA SEQUENCES Distinguishing groups of animals on the basis of their fecal bacteria presented the research group with new challenges: "It is a more complex undertaking than we thought. First of all we established that the faeces of ruminants are very different from the rest. This was to be expected because their digestive system works differently. It is nice to see that this fact is reflected in their intestinal microbiome." Among other issues, the project concerns the question of "co-evolution". Some intestinal bacteria developed together with their host and are characteristic of that organism. They are like a fingerprint for the respective group of animals. This is exactly what Farnleitners team is looking for. So far they have analyzed 23 million DNA sequences a number that represents a challenge for current bioinformatics methods. The molecular biologist Georg Reischer is in charge of sequence analysis, supported by the group of Prof Ruth Ley at the Max Planck Institute in Tubingen, Germany. "In the future we will be able to use the outcome for field tests and rapid detection methods that work outside in the open air, using simple tools. All over the world, people are working on developing such intelligent detection tools", says Farnleitner. "A race was started 10 years ago in the USA, where new regulations were introduced. If you have problems with water quality in the US, you also have to specify their source. This development is going to revolutionize the analysis of water quality", concludes Farnleitner. Now, after almost 150 years, the door is open for progress. Source: http://scilog.fwf.ac.at/en/environment-and-technology/6145/tracking-microbial-faecal-pollution-in-water When it gets cold around you, your body turns up the heat to maintain its normal temperature. The heat is produced by brown adipose tissue, or brown fat, which also plays a role in how the body uses glucose and fat. However, scientists do not completely understand how brown fat carries out its functions both in health and disease, in part because of the lack of an appropriate animal model. In a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, a team of researchers from several institutions, including Baylor College of Medicine, has filled this gap with the discovery that mice also have brown fat deposits similar to the largest depot found in people. The discovery opens the door to research that might lead to new ways of using brown fat to treat metabolic conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes in the future. "In addition to white adipose tissue, or white fat, people have brown fat, an important contributor to the body's energy balance via the generation of body heat and the participation in metabolic processes," said senior author Dr. Miao-Hsueh Chen, assistant professor of pediatrics and nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine and the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital. Brown fat contains adipocytes, cells that are rich in small fat-filled droplets and in energy-producing structures called mitochondria. Brown fat adipocytes use fat and glucose as sources of energy. In mice, brown fat activated to produce heat markedly affects the energy balance. For instance, mice housed at temperatures below their normal body temperature (20-22 degrees Celsius) would need to consume 60 percent more food to maintain their normal temperature than mice housed at 30 C. Other experiments have shown that when brown fat is dysfunctional or absent, mice decrease their energy expenditure and become obese. A mouse model of human brown fat Studies have indicated that most brown fat in mice is on the back, between the shoulder blades. In people, however, the main depots of brown fat are located above the collar bones and deep in the neck. Scientists think that what they learn by studying mouse brown fat might not be applicable to people because mouse and human brown fat are at different locations. In the search for a better mouse model, Chen and her colleagues analyzed mouse embryos and found brown fat surrounded by muscles in the neck, including a brown fat depot located above the collar bones, the same location of main human brown fat that had not been described before. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today "Further studies showed that adult mice also have brown fat above the collar bones," Chen said. "This is important because studies will be carried out mostly in adults. In addition, mouse brown fat in the collar bone is morphologically similar to human brown fat in the same location, produces compounds involved in the production of heat and expresses genes similar to those expressed by human brown fat." Mouse brown fat can change metabolism In collaboration with Dr. Kristin Stanford, assistant professor of physiology and cell biology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the research team carried out brown fat transplantation experiments in mice. "For several years, I've been interested in how to combat obesity and improve metabolic health," Stanford said. "A few years ago, my lab developed a transplantation model looking at the effects of increasing brown fat above the shoulder blade in mice, and we saw a dramatic improvement in metabolic health. When Dr. Chen showed me her data identifying brown fat above the collar bone in mice, I was excited to collaborate and apply our transplantation model." When the researchers increased the amount of brown fat above the collar bone by transplanting more of it into healthy mice, they saw improvement on the animals' glucose tolerance. This shows that "this brown fat depot, which is remarkably similar to the main brown fat depot in humans, can be metabolically beneficial," Stanford said. "This study highlights how important this tissue most likely is in humans." "I am most excited to bring this model to scientists in the field so they can use it to study brown fat," Chen said. "This model is the first step to improve our understanding of the role of human brown fat in metabolic processes. The model offers the possibility of carrying out studies that might result in treatments to reverse or prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity." As the cell's molecular control center, the mTor kinase regulates cellular metabolism, growth and division. However, in cells affected by pathological change, the regulation goes array. Therefore, it would be helpful if the central control could be simply turned off to suppress insulin resistance or cancerous growth for example. Scientists at the Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut fur Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) in Berlin (Germany) succeeded in locating a crucial off-switch for the central cell control. Paradoxically, this 'off-switch' is a lipid kinase producing a product previously known for its role in the activation of mTor. The results just appeared in the high-ranking journal 'Science'. They bolster the hopes of patients waiting for new effective therapies against diabetes, obesity, cancer and a rare congenital muscular disease. The important control functions of the mTor kinase influence cell metabolism, division and growth. For example, the molecular control unit ensures the production of new proteins or the storage of fat and carbohydrates in metabolically active tissue. These processes are stimulated by the influx of sugar and amino acids and by signals initiated by growth factors including the insulin-like growth factor. If this influx does not occur in a starvation period, mTor switches the cell from anabolic to catabolic mode. Instead of synthesizing new proteins from amino acids, the cell now activates clean-up processes to remove damaged proteins, which could become hazardous for the cell or organ. The cleansing effect of interval fasting is attributed to the consequences of deactivating the mTor kinase. In certain disease states, it would be sensible to shut down the mTor kinase complex. In cases of diabetes and obesity for example, pathological mutations exist in the cellular control center. This also applies to many cancers. This raises the question how and where to switch off such a complex mechanism. A Surprising Discovery To find this switch-off mechanism, researchers in the Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut fur Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP) in Berlin kept a keen eye on nature's ways to accomplish this down regulation. According to known facts, the lysosomal mTor kinase complex becomes less active or inactive in extended hunger periods. The lysosome is the regular cell compartment for the mTor kinase complex activity. However, the complex also turns inactive several times during the day without leaving its membrane-bound place. This happens for example when the stimulating insulin signals do not arrive. Therefore, there has to be a natural mTor brake somewhere in this location. The discovery of this brake is now published in the top journal 'Science'. It came as a surprise even for FMP Director Professor Volker Haucke: "We found a local lipid kinase on the lysosome. This kinase deactivates mTor. Paradoxically, if the lipid product of this kinase is synthesized on the cell surface membrane, it is rather known as growth stimulating lipid, i.e. it has the exact opposite effect." As the scientist discovered, another scarcely investigated specific class II lipid kinase (PI3KC2) exists in the cell, which deactivates the mTor complex on the lysosomal membrane in the absence of stimulating signals from the outside. In the absence of hormonal signals such as insulin or insulin-like growth factor (e.g. at night), the lipid kinase PI3KC2 becomes active at the lysosomal membrane. The active lysosomal lipid kinase phosphorylates a lipid, which then deactivates the mTor complex. Under these conditions the lysosome mainly functions to degrade cellular proteins. The discovery of this off-switch for mTor sheds light on one of the riddles in basic cell biology. In addition, the new insights are of the highest relevance for clinical research projects. Doctoral candidate Alexander Wallroth in collaboration with Dr. Andrea Marat (a former postdoctoral researcher now working in New York) discovered the mTor brake. Alexander Wallroth comments: "We set out to discover biomedical applications, and our research is closing in on that goal." Biomedical Applications are within Reach The scientists set their immediate sights on practical applications in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. The well-known diabetes drug Metformin already utilizes the mTor repression by activating an enzyme in the same cascade as the now discovered lipid kinase. Alexander Wallroth emphasizes: "If we succeed in activating the discovered lipid kinase, we will have another, possibly better shut-off switch for mTor. This will enable us to devise therapies, which influence sugar and fat metabolism. There is even a chance to influence the growth of malignant tumors. It is generally known that patients treated with Metformin are less prone to developing cancer even though obesity actually increases the cancer risk. Right now, our discovery may or may not be applicable to cancer therapies. However, our group considers new approaches within the range of the possible." Now Underway: The Search for Active Agents Scientists consider the lipid kinase PI3KC2 a particularly suitable therapeutic fulcrum because this kinase is not essential for survival. Targeted manipulations from outside the body would therefore be relatively safe. Therefore, scientists working in the screening unit of the FMP are busy hunting down activating and inhibiting substances, which are specific for the lipid kinase. An activator could be useful for the treatment of diabetes and obesity because it will dampen mTor activity. An inhibitor could possibly be useful in other therapeutic applications: The lipid kinase now identified as an mTor inhibitor also plays a crucial role in myotubular myopathy. So far, there is no treatment for this disease, let alone a cure. Recently, Canadian scientists demonstrated in mouse and zebra fish models that switching off the lipid kinase PI3KC2 can at least partially cure a rare congenital myotubular myopathy (muscle weakness). So far however, the used inhibitors are unsuitable for use in humans because they also inhibit related enzymes. This alone is a good reason to search for a specific inhibitor. While the FMP has not developed real drugs, the institute certainly can deliver the 'raw materials' for such development. In view of the started search for active drugs, Volker Haucke promises: "We discovered a new, potentially promising point to attack mTOR and are now pursuing possible therapeutic options. Following up on our work, there is a reasonable chance for our scientists to identify candidate molecules with the desired clinical effects someday." The role of microglial cells in neurodegenerative disease is not fully understood. But new results from researchers in Munich and Basel suggest that stimulation of this arm of the immune system might well delay the onset of such disorders. The precise impact of the microglia in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's remains unclear. In the brain, microglial cells migrate to sites of neural damage in response to neuro-inflammatory signals, and dispose of dying cells and insoluble cell debris by engulfing and enzymatically digesting them. The microglia therefore perform essentially the same role as that carried out by the immune cells known as macrophages in other tissues. However, neuro-inflammatory responses may also contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration, as microglia are known to be activated in virtually all types of dementia. This may simply relate to their role as phagocytic cells in the degradation of the extracellular protein deposits (amyloid plaques) that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's. But it is also possible that activated microglia promote disease progression by secreting molecular signals that exacerbate inflammatory responses which are ultimately deleterious to healthy nerve cells. The new study was carried out by an interdisciplinary German-Swiss team of cell biologists, radiologists and neuropathologists led by Professor Christian Haass, who holds the Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry at LMU and is Speaker of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Munich. To clarify whether the microglia are the good guys or the bad guys, the researchers focused on the function of the gene TREM2. In the brain, this gene is expressed predominantly in microglia. Furthermore, mutations that impair its expression or the function of its protein product are associated with increased risk for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). With the aid of the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system, Haass and his colleagues altered a single subunit (base-pair) in the coding sequence of the TREM2 gene of mice, which directs the synthesis of the TREM2 protein. In humans, this same mutation is associated with increased risk for a form of FTD. In earlier studies, it had been demonstrated that the normal TREM2 protein is transported to the cell membrane in order to perform its biological function. The mutation introduced by the CRISPR system disrupts this process, such that very little of the protein is expressed on the surface of microglial cells. In mice, this genetic alteration leads to a drastic impairment of microglial function, as evidenced by a variety of tests. For example, the mutant strain no longer activates its microglial cells in response to neuronal loss in the brain. As a result, the cells fail to migrate to sites of cell damage - and dead cells, insoluble debris and plaques cannot be disposed of. In addition, the mutation has catastrophic consequences for energy metabolism. The normal brain is totally dependent on glucose as an energy source, but loss of the TREM2 function leads to a significant fall in glucose consumption in the mutant brain. Moreover, the blood supply to the brain in a whole is markedly curtailed. Similar phenomena are observed in patients who carry loss-of-function mutations in the TREM2 gene. Taken together, these observations argue that microglial activation is indispensable for normal brain function. Christian Haass summarizes the wider implications of the study as follows: "Our findings underline the significance of microglia for homeostasis in the brain, and they imply that these cells have an immunoprotective function, at least in the early stages of the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. We believe that our data provide the rationale for a new approach to the development of effective therapies, based on boosting the defense response of the microglia. If we succeed in enhancing this function, either by pharmacological or other means, it might be possible to delay the onset of dementias." In a new study published in Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, a team from Michigan Technological University calculated the cost of combusting coal in terms of human lives along with the potential benefits of switching to solar. Health Impacts Tens of thousands of Americans die prematurely each year from air pollution-related diseases associated with burning coal. By transitioning to solar photovoltaics (PV) in the US, up to 51,999 American lives would be saved at $1.1 million invested per life. "Unlike other public health investments, you get more than lives saved," says Joshua Pearce, a professor of materials science and electrical engineering at Michigan Tech. "In addition to saving lives, solar is producing electricity, which has economic value." Using a sensitivity analysis on the value of electricity, which examines the different costs of electricity that varies by region throughout the country, saving a life by using solar power also showed potential to make money -- sometimes as much as several million dollars per life, says Pearce. "Everybody wants to avoid wasting money. Just based off the pure value of electricity of the sensitivities we looked at, it's profitable to save American lives by eliminating coal with solar," he explains. Pearce worked with energy policy doctoral student Emily Prehoda on the study, and their main goal was to better inform health policy. They gathered data from peer-reviewed journals and the Environmental Protection Agency to calculate US deaths per kilowatt hour per year for both coal and solar. Then they used current costs of solar installations from the Department of Energy and calculated the potential return on investment. Pearce and Prehoda also analyzed the geographic impact of coal-related deaths. "Here, we have solid numbers on how many people die from air pollution and what fraction of that is due to coal-powered plants in each state." Power of Solar To fully replace all the coal production in the US with solar PV, it would take 755 gigawatts -- a significant increase compared to the 22.7 gigawatts of solar installed in the US currently. The total cost of installing that much solar power totals $1.5 trillion, but that investment is figured into Pearce and Prehoda's calculations, and is a profitable investment. As Pearce sums it up: "Solar has come down radically in cost, it's technically viable, and coupled with natural gas plants, other renewables and storage, we have ways to produce all the electricity we need without coal, period." He says resisting the rise of solar energy is akin to if computer manufacturers kept using vacuum tube switches instead of upgrading to semiconductor transistors. "My overall take away from this study," Pearce says, "is that if we're rational and we care about American lives -- or even just money -- then it's time to end coal in the US." Next Steps The World Health Organization reports that millions die each year from unhealthy environment, air pollution notably the largest contributor to non-communicable diseases like stroke, cancers, chronic respiratory illnesses and heart disease. Future work can expand this study globally. "There's roughly seven million people who die globally from air pollution every year, so getting rid of coal could take a big chunk out of that number as well," Pearce says, adding that another goal of future research is to dig deeper into the life cycles of coal production as this study only looked at air pollution related deaths. Doing so will continue to illuminate the multiple positive impacts of solar power and its potential to do more than keep the lights on. : In a major embarrassment to United States President Donald Trump, Bloomberg founder and CEO Michael Bloomberg has offered to pay $15 million in funding that the United Nations stands to lose from Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement.Media reports quoted Bloomberg as saying that the country would go ahead with the agreement. "Americans are not walking away from the Paris Climate Agreement," the billionaire philanthropist and former New York City mayor was reported as saying. "Just the opposite we are forging ahead".Reports further said that "under the historic agreement, the US would have been expected to contribute that amount to the operating budget of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the accord's coordinating agency."The billionaire said that he believed "non-state actors" will be able to achieve the United States' 2025 emissions reduction target without the federal government's support.In a draft letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, cited in the New York Times, he wrote: "The bulk of the decisions which drive US climate action in the aggregate are made by cities, states, businesses, and civil society. Collectively, these actors remain committed to the Paris accord." Mumbai: In fire fighting mode following doubts over Reliance Communications' loan repayment capability, Anil Ambani on Friday sought to reassure investors saying the debt- laden telecom firm has been given a reprieve of seven months to service its debt. This is a part of a strategic debt restructuring (SDR) programme that a consortium of lenders has invoked for the company that is saddled with Rs 45,000-crore debt. It is a restructuring programme of the Reserve Bank involving conversion of debt to equity. The RCom Chairman addressed the media here in a rare appearance following pressure from lenders over its ability to service debt. The crisis management comes within days of leading credit rating firms Fitch, Moody's, ICRA and CARE downgrading the company. "Our plans have been accepted by the lenders and they have constituted a joint lender forum (JLF). Reliance Communications, under the provision (SDR), will receive a standstill on serving debt obligations for a period of seven months, that is, till December 2017," Ambani told reporters here. Elaborating on how the company planned to pare debt, he said RCom will receive Rs 11,000 crore from sale of its tower business to Canadian firm Brookfield Infrastructure . This along with the merger of wireless business of RCom and Aircel, to form a new entity called Aircom, will enable the company trim debt by nearly 60 per cent. "Both the transactions, we believe, will lead to a reduction of Rs 25,000 crore of debt, which is 60 per cent by just two transactions," he said. Terming RCom's debt reduction as the largest in the history of India, Ambani exuded confidence that the company would be able to conclude the two deals by September this year, well before the December deadline. He said in the seven-month period, the lenders will not convert the company's debt into equity. "There is no plan B... our plan B is plan A," he said when asked what would the company do if the two proposed deals failed to materialise. In case the company fails to meet the deadline, the lenders would convert debt into equity. "It is only right for the lenders to keep all options open. At the end of December, they have options to do whatever form of restructuring they want to do," he said. Ambani asserted that such a situation would not arise as RCom is already doing what the lenders want, that is, bringing in buyers for the two crucial assets. He said the company met with lenders today and presented its plans for a strategic transformation. The lenders took note of the "substantial progress" that RCom has made on strategic transformation plan, especially creation of a new independent wireless company focused on India and the agreements signed with Aircel as well as Brookfield, he added. Both domestic as well foreign lenders have accepted the company's plans. Moreover, he said, the company is also looking at strategic sale of global business, including Global Cloud Exchange (GCX). Other options for paring debt include sale of DTH and real estate assets. Together these would help "the new RCom" -- the residual entity after the wireless vertical merges with Aircel -- reduce its debt, Ambani said. He also expressed disappointment on the downgrades by rating agencies but said "we will continue to engage with them and restore the credit rating (of RCom) at the earliest". The problems being faced by RCom are the result of a crisis in the telecom sector and unforeseen events, he said seeking government support for the industry. RCom CFO Puneet Garg warned that the telecom industry may see up to 40,000 job losses this year and rued that the sector is among highest taxed in India. The cumulative tax incidence is nearly 33 per cent of revenue, the company said pitching for reduction in levies like licence fee and a longer moratorium on deferred spectrum payments. Ambani, however, said RCom's two deals will be carried out irrespective of any government action with regard to a financial relief for the sector. RCom has been reeling under a slew of rating downgrades over the last few days and its stock has tanked amid reports that it failed on its debt serving obligations towards 10 or more local banks. The company last week reported its first ever annual loss of Rs 1,283 crore for the fiscal ended March 2017, against anet profit of Rs 660 crore in 2015-16. Like its larger rivals, RCom too has been hit hard by intense price war unleashed by Reliance Jio, owned by elder brother and India's richest man Mukesh Ambani. The company's shares ended the day at Rs 20.65 apiece, down 0.4 per cent from the previous close on the BSE. Last month, Saharanpur district in western Uttar Pradesh was witnessing repeated episodes of violence as caste-based riots broke out between Dalits and Thakurs. However, there was a parallel conflict brewing on social media. Inflammatory messages on social media platforms, according to police, played a key role in fanning the riots in the restive district. It was due to this that newly appointed Saharanpur SSP Babloo Kumar launched an investigation into social media accounts and handles that were linked to violence.Speaking to News 18, Kumar said, Last week, we began our crackdown on social media accounts that were key in inciting violence. The platforms where such messages were being circulated are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and WhatsApp. We have identified 74 Facebook profiles, including individual profiles and pages, 35 Twitter handles and 32 YouTube accounts as troublemakers. These have been taken down for now and we are investigating more such accounts.According to Kumar, over 90% of the troublemaker social media accounts belonged to Bhim Army, a radical Dalit outfit led by 30-year-old lawyer Chandrashekhar Azad. There are very few accounts which posted original content. Most of them either shared or commented on objectionable posts. That is why we will not be indiscriminate in arresting anyone. We have identified 20-30 accounts, including pages, which were posting inflammatory content.He added, Of the profiles that made the posts, nearly all of them have links with the Bhim Army. Only two profiles that made objectionable posts belonged to Thakurs but if there are more such account, we will find them and punish the administrators. We are looking at all platforms and combing content. It is dangerous for inflammatory content to still be available online. Soon, we will be in a position to make arrests. The IT cell is coordinating with the Special Investigative Team (SIT) which is probing all riot related cases. This has been done to streamline these cases.Bhim Army leaders, despite numerous attempts, were unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, Chandrashekhar, who is wanted by the police, is currently absconding.While Kumar did not share the exact posts, due to their sensitive nature, he told News18 that they were retributive in nature. There was a clear intent to incite people. There were posts blaming an entire community for the Shabbirpur case on May 5 and called for revenge. In fact, some posts went further and claimed the police was biased, which was never the case. They even asked people to teach police a lesson. Similarly, the posts made by Thakurs asked for revenge.The SSP added, When I visited the village, I found that common people form both sides held no hatred. They just wanted the violence to come to an end. It is clear that these messages are being spread by some organizations that are trying to use these clashes to expand. Before dinner, had a brief interaction with noted journalist & commentator @megynkelly, moderator of tomorrow's session at the @SPIEF. pic.twitter.com/5CQ58Zn5hP Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 1, 2017 Megyn Kelly : "Are you on Twitter? SERIOUSLY? Modi: Yes, All the time. I run my government from there . Pritam (@lipseater) June 2, 2017 Megyn Kelly asking #Modi if he's on #twitter tell either of 2 things The world media is still ignorant of India or she was just being stupid Yash Sharma (@yashrma) June 2, 2017 Unlike @megynkelly, Indian #PM @narendramodi did do his homework & makes small talk about umbrella photo on twitter! https://t.co/Mfnl3SPCyh Uma Sudhir (@umasudhir) June 2, 2017 Every time a woman meets Modi she becomes fodder for troll army. Next up- Indians attack Megyn Kelly's FB page telling her who Sachin is. Aditi (@awryaditi) June 2, 2017 Did Megyn Kelly just ask the PM if he's on Twitter?! https://t.co/43VkvZ9x0r Sreenivasan Jain (@SreenivasanJain) June 2, 2017 NBC's Megyn Kelly clearly fell short on her homework and is now being bashed across Twitter for asking "Are you on twitter?" to PM Modi. pic.twitter.com/pw7f4OwFMZ (@iarunmani) June 2, 2017 Are You On Twitter? @megynkelly Asked PM @narendramodi , The World's 2nd Most followed Political LeaderGreatest Joke by a journalistst. pic.twitter.com/rYUKMq2ioW Tanmay Shankar (@Shanktan) June 2, 2017 : American journalist and anchor at NBC News Megyn Kelly provided social media with enough ammunition to roast her over her asking Prime Minister Modi if he is on Twitter.Modi, on the other hand, tweeted about his interaction with the 'noted journalist and commentator'.The 'noted journalist' was surprised when PM Modi said: "I saw your tweet...with umbrella.""Oh really, did you? Are you on Twitter?" was her response.Modi joined in the laughter and said, "Yes."Ever since the interaction made its way to the social media, Kelly has become the butt of all jokes.For the record, Modi is the second most followed world leader on Twitter. The pole position is occupied by Donald Trump. New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, the result of class XII boards topper in Bihar, Ganesh Kumar, has been cancelled and he has been arrested by the police. In the FIR lodged by the Bihar School Examination Board, a charge of cheating has been made against him. "Ganesh Kumar's result has been cancelled with immediate effect," said Bihar School Examination Board's Chairman Anand Kishor. Defending himself, Kumar said, " I have full faith in the judicial system. I challenge the media to reveal the scams of the government in various appointments, instead of highlighting this issue". Ganesh Kumar, who topped Class XII boards in humanities stream, failed to answer basic questions posed by the media on music, in which he scored 65 out of 70 in practicals. Kumars Class 10 result was also withheld because he used forged documents to appear for an exam to hide is actual age. The school has declared the second topper as the topper for this year. Kumar was a student of Ram Nandan Singh Jagdeep Narayan college in Samastipur. No sooner the results were declared he went underground, which triggered suspicion over him securing the top position. Last year, Ruby Rai had topped the Class XII examination conducted by the Bihar State Education Board in humanities stream. She got into trouble after a sting by a TV channel showed her giving ludicrous answers to elementary questions related to her subjects. Class XII science stream topper Saurabh Shreshtha was also caught on camera giving wrong answers to basic science questions. The sting suggested the "toppers" might have used cheating or fraud to achieve their ranks. Both Ruby and Saurabh belonged to V.R. College in Vaishali district. I am sorry to know that your father requires liver transplant.It appears there is some misunderstanding. /1 https://t.co/mt5avldGQX Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) June 2, 2017 We have not refused a medical visa. If Mr.Sartaj Aziz recommends your case, we will give the visa immediately. /2 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) June 2, 2017 So instead of requesting me, please request Mr.Sartaj Aziz./3 Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) June 2, 2017 : External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday told a Pakistan resident that he needed to get an approval from Pakistan foreign affairs minister Sartaj Aziz for a medical visa.Mazhar Hussain tweeted to Sushma Swarajs official handle that his father was unwell and needed a liver transplant at the earliest."I am sorry to know that you're father requires transplant...If Mr. Sartaj Aziz recommends your case, we will give you visa immediately... So, please get in touch with him," Swaraj replied in a series of tweets.Swaraj's reply to Hussain comes just days after the Indian High Commission in Pakistan issued visas to an ailing minor and his parents after Swaraj intervened and promised them of full assistance.Last month, Pakistan had allegedly summoned the Indian envoy in Islamabad over non-issuance of medical visas to Pakistani nationals seeking treatment in India.Tensions had escalated between the two nations after Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death by a military court on spying charges and the brutal killing of Indian soldiers in Kashmir. Countries like India and China are taking up climate leadership roles, Climate Action Tracker (CAT), a global initiative that tracks carbon emissions, has said. This comes as President Donald Trump announced that the United States would be pulling out of the Paris Agreement.CAT has called India a possible leader in the renewable energy market along with the European Union and China, while claiming that the US will fall behind these countries.The advance of renewable energy globally meant that market pressures towards clean energy solutions will not favour President Trumps desire to expand coal use in the country, CAT said.Even before US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Paris Agreement its rating on climate action was Medium.The Climate Action Tracker, a global initiative that tracks climate action covering 80% of global carbon emissions said on its website:President Trumps announcement that the US will pull out of the Paris Agreement is a severe backwards move and an abrogation of its responsibility as the worlds second largest emitter. The US move comes at a time when more, not less, commitment is needed from all governments to avert the worst impacts of climate change.CAT, a coalition of leading research institutes, said that it would update the USs rating when it submits the formal communication about its decision to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.In his America First Energy Plan, President Trump committed to eliminating burdensome regulations on our energy industry and to reviving Americas coal industry. With his Executive Order on energy independence, President Trump began the process of suspending, revising, and rescinding a number of existing policies, including the Clean Power Plan. He also rescinded the Obama Administrations Climate Action Plan.CAT said that in order to meet its 2025 Paris Agreement commitment, wherein the US should be reducing emissions by 2628% below 2005 levels, the country would have had to implement both the Clean Power Plan and the Obama Administrations full Climate Action Plan.Without further policies, the US will miss its 2025 NDC commitment by a large margin, CAT said.The medium rating indicates that the USs climate plans are at the least ambitious end of what would be a fair contribution. This means it is not consistent with limiting warming to below 2C, let alone with the Paris Agreements stronger 1.5C limit, unless other countries make much deeper reductions and comparably greater effort, according to CAT.Under the Paris Agreement, all parties have agreed to develop long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies. The Obama Administration submitted a Mid-Century Strategy for Deep Decarbonization (The White House 2016), in which it set an emissions reduction target of 80% or more below 2005 levels in 2050.Data courtesy Climate Action Tracker India and Russia signed pacts for joint ventures in 19 projects for transport infrastructure, new technology, including pharmaceuticals, aircraft and automobile manufacturing, the diamond industry, and agriculture Russias cumulative investment in the Indian economy exceeded USD 4 billion, and Indian investment in Russia is USD 8 billion. All these facts show that Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory, and we both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend, Putin said. : India and Russia have agreed to set up joint ventures for manufacturing aircraft and automobiles as the two nations look to boost trade and economic ties.Russian President Vladimir Putin, after summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, said Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory.We both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend," he said.Our talks are always held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and are always substantive and productive. This time was no exception, Putin added.Putin said agreements made in the St Petersburg Declaration outline steps to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural spheres.Encouraging the growth of trade, improving its structure, and expanding industrial cooperation constitute our key priority, he said.Bilateral trade, he said, was declining in recent years but has reversed this year. It rose by 29 per cent in the first quarter of 2017.As of today the sides have agreed a list of 19 projects aimed at establishing joint ventures for transport infrastructure, new technology, including pharmaceuticals, aircraft and automobile manufacturing, the diamond industry, and agriculture, he said, without giving details.After summit talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on intellectual property, a master framework agreement on building two units at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, an agreement on a feasibility study for a high-speed link between Nagpur and Secunderabad, and a memorandum on cooperation between joint stock company ALROSA and India's Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.Also signed were documents on building Russian-designed nuclear power plants at new sites in India, developing a bilateral leasing platform, developing bilateral investment activity, and developing rail transport vehicles.Russias cumulative investment in the Indian economy exceeded USD 4 billion, and Indian investment in Russia is USD 8 billion.All these facts show that Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory, and we both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend, Putin said.Putin said the cooperation is not limited to direct supplies of the latest Russian military equipment to India.The assembly of high-tech military products has been set up in India with Russias participation. We agreed with the Prime Minister to continue to jointly develop and manufacture modern weapons systems.At the CEO forum that immediately followed the Summit discussions, Putin said over the past seven decades, first the Soviet Union and then Russia has built steel works, power stations, chemicals plants, gas pipelines, agribusiness facilities, and transport infrastructure in India. We in Russia are proud of this capital we have developed together, he said.He said it was important to move from simply trading goods to more sophisticated forms of cooperation. We invite our partners to localise production in Russia. We know Prime Minister Modis idea regarding projects in India in areas where we can support each other and exchange modern technology. We can do this on a bilateral basis, of course, in areas where we are competitive at the global level.Businessmen of the two nations can create new, high value-added products and build production chains, including for promoting their goods and services on third country markets, the Russian President said. Bengaluru: Human Resource (HR) managers of major software companies in the city seem to be promoting a dog-eat-dog world as they are allegedly asking techies to either resign or propose their colleagues name to be sacked in order to keep their own jobs. The HR managers are playing musical chairs as they are being asked to cut down on headcount and are also trying to make the exits less expensive for their companies that is, ensure pink-slips are given with minimal payoffs, claim techies. "I got a call on the 23rd from the HR to meet them. In a video chat, the HR head from Hyderabad told me that as a senior member, he is giving me two weeks and two months' basic salary to quit," said one such victim who is losing his job at a top IT services company in Bengaluru. "On 29th I got another call asking why I havent resigned yet. I said I won't resign, and they said in that case, they will terminate my contract and I wont get any job outside. On the 31st, I got another call from HR. He said they spoke to my manager, if I propose any other employee's name as a replacement (for sacking), they will see what they can do," he alleged. The victim, who requested anonymity, joined three others from top IT companies to approach the Karnataka Government's Labour Commissioner to help them out from illegal layoffs. Techies, who have so far never thought of 'unionizing' themselves, are now trying to get together into forums in different cities, now that they are faced with the reality of job cuts across the sector. This victim, for instance, has seen three others in his team already out. On the 31st, he got an automatically-generated mail that it was his last day at work his company mail ID and other services were suspended. He did not get any mail from his HR team only a phone call, he alleges. His colleague, who had just last month got a promotion, was also called and told there were no 'opportunities for his role' in the company. No other reason was provided to him. "This is nothing less than harassment. They have been mailing and asking me to call them back. To be on the safe side, they call me from the landline all the time. They are pushing me out and are threatening me that they can blacklist my name such that I won't get another job anywhere else," he said. Many others like him are equally worried about identifying themselves with either any unions or any activism with government agencies they are worried that once they do that, they won't be able to find other jobs. A coordinator for Forum of IT Employees (FITE), Rajesh said, Every day we get at least ten calls from various companies. Most people say they have been asked to leave without any reason, and don't receive official e-mails. They are just summoned to the meeting rooms and asked to sign resignations. This is done because if the companies terminate them, some have a clause of ten months' salary plus notice period salary so they are cleverly handling it to get out of paying that much, by making people 'quit' on their own." Layoffs began first with Cognizant sending about 5,000 people home others like Wipro and Tech Mahindra have also eased out a few hundreds. "We want the Labour Commissioner to take this petition under the Industrial Disputes Act, so that he can ask the companies to stop the mass termination process and maintain status quo of the employment of these engineers," Rajesh said. The worst affected are employees whove joined recently (less than one year in the company) the forum's memorandum stated, adding that even those with H1B visas have been asked to resign. Coming just as the academic year begins, the layoffs will hit families of the techies hard as they won't be able to meet even basic needs, the petition stated. The government though cannot do much other than offer 'legal advisory help, as IT companies are exempt from labour laws. "We met a forum of employees. They said companies are forcefully asking them to resign but nobody is coming forward and filing a complaint. They are scared and not very sure on how to go about it," said IT Minister Priyank Kharge. "I ask them if they took any legal help or met with a lawyer; they draw a blank. I offered them some legal help to understand their standpoint, understand government rules and regulations, and that of the Labour Department. Currently, they don't have complete legal understanding of the issue," Kharge said. Reiterating that nobody has come forward with a formal complaint saying they were evicted, Kharge said the government cannot suo motu act against a private company just like that. "We have to work things legally, I cannot act ad hoc," Kharge told News18. Bengaluru: You may have heard of bizarre practices like villagers marrying off frogs to appease the rain gods. But ever heard of a government spending lakhs for such rituals? After the third consecutive year of drought, the Karnataka government has decided to spend Rs 20 lakh to pray to the rain-gods, notwithstanding the Met Department's prediction of a normal monsoon this year. The Government-run Krishna and Cauvery Irrigation Boards have made a proviso for pujas for ten lakhs for each river, and the pujas will be held on Friday and Sunday, government sources told CNN-News18. Incidentally, this comes three months after the State government sought over 4000 crores in drought relief when nearly 80 per cent of the taluks were hit by a severe drought. Water Resources Minister M B Patil, who is personally going to Mahabaleshwar for the first puja on Friday, told News18 in a telephonic interview that this is being done as "both rivers are like the two eyes of Karnataka, all 6 crore people of the State are attached to the rivers." A special provision for the cost of the pujas was made this year to bear the cost of pandals, priests, puja materials and, of course, prasad. "What is wrong in a puja? There are governments that spend crores on Ganga pujas, hundreds of crores are spent on the Godavari pushkarni, why don't you question those? We all want rain, right? And we may not spend ten lakhs, that is just a provision. The cost may be just four or five lakhs. The MD of the Boards, the chief engineers will all be there, they will take care of it," Patil told News18. It's just a bonus of course that the pujas are happening in the picturesque locales of Mahabaleshwar near Pune and Bhagamandala near Coorg -- the catchment areas or origin points of the two rivers -- and this entire entourage of officials and minister will go for it at tax-payer's cost. Asked whether he did not believe in the Met department's prediction of a normal rainfall, Patil said he "wished" the Met department's forecasts come true. "We also wish for the Met department forecast, but they said above-normal monsoon last year, did we get above-normal? Somewhere in all our minds we felt we should offer our prayers," Patil said. Interestingly, a staunchly non-superstitious chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mysore that he has never believed in yagnas and pujas. "You cannot get rains just because you do some puja. I have never done pujas, nor will I start doing now. If a minister has taken this up, it hasn't come to my notice," he said. Patil however took this in his stride. "The CM does not believe in yagnas. We are not doing yagnas, we are doing pujas (rituals) and prarthanas (prayers)," he said. However, a day later, the minister said that he was hurt by the reports claiming such an exuberant cost of Pujas, adding that he and his friends will bear the total cost of the two Pujas. "All elected representatives from the Cauvery region and a religious mutt head agreed to participate in this Puja. The exercise is being undertaken for the welfare of farmers and to fulfil drinking water needs." : One of the most popular religious fair of the Kashmiri Pandits - the Mela Kheer Bhawani - drew a disappointing number of devotees this year.The unrest seems to have a direct bearing on the "very low" attendance at the revered shrine of Mata Ragnya Devi in Tulmulla village of Ganderbal district.The colourful festival that had slowly started to attract thousands of Kashmiri Hindus post the worst phase of militancy could draw only 500 to 600 devotees this year.Last year 12,000 pilgrims, mostly Kashmiri Hindus, had come down to pray at the scenic pilgrim village dotted by Chinars and a clean stream that flows through the shrine premises.The tension and strife post the killing of local militant commander Burhan is being attributed as the singular reason for the poor attendance. Many intending pilgrims attribute wild rumours and mischievous ranting on sections of media for their apparent reluctance to visit Tulmulla."It is for the first time since 1999 that the number of devotees has fallen so much," Sanjay Tickoo of Kashmir Pandit Sangarsh Simiti told media men.Tickoo, who stayed back in Kashmir despite en masse migration of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, has fronted a relentless battle seeking control of temple properties be handed over to native Hindus and not to outside religious bodies."Even in 2010 unrest, devotees thronged the shrine. Unrest and propaganda both in electronic media and social media has played its part," he regretted."Only 350 Pandits had turned up at the shrine by Thursday night. We were surprised why not many did not come. We had kept buses at Srinagar to ferry devotees," an official from Ganderbal told News18.Despite the low turnout, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited Tulmullah. She was seen greeting the members of Pandit community."People in Kashmir eagerly await the return of their Kashmiri brethren. The socio cultural milieu of Valley is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits," she told the small gathering.This year too, the local Muslim neighbours had set-up stalls selling puja material to Pandits who had come from far-flung areas.An emotional Mehbooba Mufti appealed to devotees to pray for peace, harmony and brotherhood. Mumbai: Protests by farmers in Maharashtra crippled food and milk supply as the strike entered its second day on Friday. Farmers have been agitating to demand a crop loan waiver and better procurement rates. Rates of vegetables rose by 40% in the wholesale market on Friday morning, as farmers blocked the supply trucks. Only 5% of the vegetable trucks that arrived in Vashi market were from Maharashtra. The rest were from outside the state. At present, only the wholesale markets in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur are open. The rest are all closed due to the agitation, Sanjay Pansare of Vashi APMC told News 18. As farmers continues their protest, social activist Anna Hazare offered to hold talks with the government on their behalf. Hazare had met CM Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday night, and on Friday, appealed to the farmers leader to approach him with their grievances. There are limits to farmers tolerance. When the helpless farmer hits the street, the government ought to treat him sympathetically. If not, then they are forced to take law in their hands. I have heard the grievances raised by the farmers, and I agree with them, said Anna Hazare. Many political parties including Congress, NCP have supported the agitation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, however, said the protests were an opposition ploy to target the government. We are sympathetic towards the farmers issues, and we are willing to hold talks with them, he said. He said that the protesters pelted stones at the police at a few places. He also accused Shetkari Sanghatanas Raju Shetti of arm twisting the farmers. Agitation should be voluntary. Some people with vested interests are holding the farmers to ransom. By stopping the trucks of vegetables and milk, they are causing more losses to the farmers, he said. Meanwhile, police said that the protests have been largely peaceful but there have been a few stray cases of violence. Farmers have hit the streets at many places in the State. Six cases have been registered in Pune rural area. Close to 13 farmers have been arrested, police said. Ahmednagar rural police reported an incident of violence where protesters broke the glass of a state transport bus. Some protesters reportedly burnt the effigy of a local BJP spokesperson in Ahmednagar. We have started providing police escort to milk tankers and vegetables which are moving towards Mumbai, a police officer from Pune said. : More than four years after a five-year-old girl was brutally gang-raped in east Delhi, one of the accused has been declared a juvenile by a city court.The court relied on a school document and ignored the ossification report submitted earlier that showed he was an adult.The minor girl was raped just four months after Nirbhaya, in April 2013, and the case had drawn parallels. But unlike Nirbhaya, whose rapists were given the death sentence by the Supreme Court, her case has been marred by several delays.During the pendency of the case, one of the accused had filed an application stating that he was a minor when the crime was committed. But an ossification test found that he was a major.The accused then requested that he be allowed to produce a school certificate in the court to prove his age. He filed an application to produce the school document to prove he was juvenile at the time of commision of crime, said the minor girls uncle.The court had asked the school's head master to produce school records of the time when the accused took admission.The head master produced the admission register, and in his statement he said he had no requisite documents on record regarding the admission of the accused except the admission register. Keeping in view the age stated on the admission register, the court declared that the accused was a juvenile in a hearing in the second week of April.Talking to CNN News 18, the minor girls uncle said that it is very easy to produce a fake document as age proof and the court should have considered the ossification test report.The family of the girl has now requested the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara district, (under whose jurisdiction the matter comes now) to appeal to the High court against the judgement of the trial court.In the gruesome crime, the rapists had inserted candles and bottles into the private parts of the minor girl, who is now nine-years-old. She has undergone six surgeries, her family has shifted homes four times over six months and finally left Delhi to protect their privacy. Now, settled in Gurugram, the family has been running pillar to post to get justice. "The president opened the meeting with President Putin by raising the concerns of the American people regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election," Tillerson told reporters after the meeting on the sidelines of the G20 in Germany. (Photo:Getty Images) St Petersbrug: Russia on Thursday said it was preparing to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both governments were "simply discussing" the terms. Precontract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters in St Petersburg. "It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms," Russia's official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to this Russian city. India had announced on 15 October last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over $5 billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Modi and Russian president Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. St Petersburg: The fifth and the sixth unit of Indias largest nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu will cost about Rs 50,000 crore to build with half of it being funded by Russia as loan. The project will take seven years to start generating electricity, Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) Chairman and Managing Director S K Sharma told PTI. India and Russia on Thursday signed an agreement for the two new reactors for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) on the sidelines of the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The entire project will cost about Rs 50,000 crore. The first unit will be commissioned in 66 months and the second six months thereafter, Sharma said. Atomstroyexport, a unit of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, will build the reactors. The project will be funded in 70:30 debt-equity ratio (70 per cent debt, 30 per cent equity), he said. The Russian government will lend India USD 4.2 billion (Rs 27,000 crore) to help cover the construction cost. Sharma said the equity portion of project will either come from NPCILs own resources or from the government. At the agreement signing ceremony on Thursday, Russian President Putin said the first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant was put into operation. The most reliable, latest Russian technology was used in its construction. The plants second unit has also started to generate electricity. At a joint teleconference in October 2016 with Narendra Modi we launched the construction of the plants third and fourth units. And we reaffirmed our intention to build in India at least 12 Russian-designed energy units, which will make a large contribution to the development of Indias nuclear industry, he said. The KKNPP was the outcome of an inter-governmental agreement between the erstwhile Soviet Union and India in 1988. It is the single largest nuclear power station in India. The power station was envisaged to have six units with total capacity to generate 6,000 MW of electricity (1,000 MW each). Construction on the plant began on March 31, 2002 and Unit 1 was synchronised with the southern power grid in October 2013. The second unit started generating electricity in August last year. The original cost of the two units was Rs 13,171 crore, but it was later revised to Rs 17,270 crore. Russia advanced a credit of Rs 6,416 crore for construction of the two units. Construction of plant's third and fourth units was launched last year and will cost Rs 39,747 crore. While the cost of generating power from first two units is reported at Rs 4.29 per unit, the cost from 3 and 4 is likely to be significantly higher than that. Units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam plant are expected to be commissioned by 2022-23. The Russian built Water-Water Energetic Reactor (VVER) reactor Kudankulam unit 1 and 2 are the largest power generating stations in the country. After all the units (1-6) of the plant are commissioned, the nuclear park will have the power generating capacity of 6,000 MW, boosting significantly the country's nuclear power generation. The current nuclear power generation capacity of all 22 nuclear power reactors in India is 6780 MW. Coming on the back of an anyway unpredictable foreign policy, President Donald Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris climate change agreement has established his administration as a significant risk to geopolitical stability. At this juncture the world order seems to be split vertically. In the top league are the United States, China and Russia. In the second league are a range of the so-called middle powers, from Germany and France both of which Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited over the past week to India, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and even Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. To be fair this is an interregnum, not a long-term state. This is not classic multipolarity. The top league looks shaky. At least one of its members, Russia, counts only because it has military capacities that allow it to punch above its weight. Otherwise, in terms of an economic or demographic future, it has little to show. India and one or two of the other middle powers would want to climb into that top league in the coming decade. For an India that has focused extraordinary diplomatic resources on the major powers over the past 15-20 years, the troika at the top are becoming unreliable and unpredictable. Whatever President Trump does in his four years, he is likely to leave America weaker as an anchor power in the global system. Given three successive prime ministers have invested heavily in the America relationship, Indian diplomacy now needs a somewhat more diverse investment portfolio. China was never reliable but it used to be predictable. Today, it is the superpower that refuses to grow up. It obsesses with petty battles and rejects the enlightenment that usually comes with great power. As for Russia, it is moving inexorably into the Chinese zone. At a closed-door meeting a few weeks ago, a retired Russian official, with deep connections in the Moscow establishment, made it plain that on Central Asia and even Afghanistan, the Russians would adapt to Chinese cues. Concerns about China and irritation or disappointment with America are being felt by different countries in different ways. Whether it is India or Germany or Japan, nations are responding as they can. Regional, sectoral and ad hoc partnerships, some of them intersecting with one of the big powers, some not are being experimented with. A collective of broadly democratic middle powers are learning to work with each other without the certainty of American facilitation. This is no grand alliance and never will be. It is a network of transactional arrangements that India can use for its own benefit. It also fits into an Indian approach that will look to tap American institutions others than the White House and administration in Washington, DC. For instance on climate change and adherence to Paris agreement benchmarks, India will find common ground with individual American state and city economies and leaderships, even if Mr Trump himself is not interested. The trade conversation with Washington, DC, too may sour, with some speculation that the US could even target India as a supposed currency manipulator. Yet, the investment relationship with, say, pension funds in American states hoping for robust and consistent returns from investment in Indian infrastructure could grow. A similar flexibility and pragmatism is beginning to inform Indias engagement with a series of fellow middle powers. India needs capital, technology and strategic/military capacities for its modernisation. There are about a dozen countries that can help India in this regard. Germany and France and Japan and Singapore course, but also the UAE and Canada as sources of long-term infrastructure capital. The UK too holds promise, provided the June election delivers a verdict that leads to a post-Brexit clarity, A number of these middle powers are exiting the manufacturing game but are repositories of sensitive technologies that India can use and deploy for an effective Make in India strategy, or even to reimagine cities, waterways and public spaces and resources. Not all of these are technologies that democratic countries would easily share with China. On its part India has to be clear about what it asks for. Finally, Americas vacation of space in the broader Indian Ocean region from Southeast Asia to the Gulf has got old friends alarmed. Chinas self-centred mechanism of dealing with radical Islam as well as ocean regimes has led to India being seen as a better long-run partner. It has also led to countries such as Germany attempting to develop independent Indian Ocean expertise for the first time in a century. India is a potential pivot of this loose middle-powers coalition. Modi needs to grab his opportunities. (The author is distinguished fellow, Observer Research Foundation) I've been breaking fashion boundaries way before you guys! @arjunk26 @RanveerOfficial @Varun_dvn I challenge you to beat this! Up for it? pic.twitter.com/wtkF3LmMov Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) June 1, 2017 RED HOT !!!! I concede https://t.co/eDHfkMS9RP Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) June 1, 2017 I need a month or 2 to get over the look first...will make sure I break the boundary with u when we promote #Mubarakan together !!! https://t.co/5suFxKI1SK Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) June 1, 2017 The young generation of actors including Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Ranbir Kapoor may be some of the most stylish names to have happened to this film industry but the fact that the likes of Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan are a league of their own is undeniable.Veteran actor Anil Kapoor, probably made the best use of throwback Thursday, when he chanced upon his old photograph and decided to extend a fashion challenge to the likes of Ranveer, Varun and his nephew Arjun.In a self-referential tweet, the actor shared a photograph of himself sporting a bright red vest and shorts coupled with a red cowboy hat and black gladiator sandals and asked the current generation of actors to beat this.He captioned the image as, "I've been breaking fashion boundaries way before you guys! Arjun Kapoor, Ranveer Singh (and) Varun Dhawan I challenge you to beat this! Up for it."Even though Ranveer has an unconventional maverick style statement that no other young actor can even come close to, Ranveer himself conceded to Anil's challenge and wrote, "RED HOT !!!! I concede."Arjun, who'll next be seen sharing the frame with Anil in Aneez Bazmi's Mubaraakan, took up the challenge and wrote, "I need a month or 2 to get over the look first...will make sure I break the boundary with u when we promote #Mubarakan together !!!"Now one can easily see why the entire Kapoor clan including Anil's wife, daughters Sonam and Rhea are referred to as one of Bollywood's most stylish family! Dwayne Johnson, Priyanka Chopra, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, Kelly RohrbachSeth GordonAbout an hour into the film you are convinced that Baywatch - the movie adaptation of the 90s TV action-drama has dreadfully failed at sustaining viewers interest. Honestly speaking, Baywatch goes beyond just disappointing. It comes across as a film that truly wastes not just ideas, but also talent.Going by the manner in which Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill-run 21 Jump Street franchise was liked by both fans and critics alike, it was expected that the studios wanted to evoke the magic and consider big-screen adaptation of other popular series. But Baywatch unfortunately offers nothing much to laud, but a lot to loathe.Baywatch tries its best to retain the TV series spirit by focusing on its original characters - Mitch (Dwayne The Rock Johnson), CJ (Kelly Rohrbach), Summer (Alexandra Daddario), Matt Brody (Zac Efron) and Stephanie (Ilfenesh Hadera), but doesnt succeed in delivering on the promise of creating an experience for the viewers.Set in Floridas Emerald Bay, Lieutenant Mitch Buchannon and his squad of lifeguards, try just about everything to ensure it is a safe haven for swimmers.The film begins just when lifeguard tryouts kick off with only three open spots. While Olympic gold medal swimmer, Matt believes he will definitely succeed, Mitch, an iconic figure who has saved several lives, doesnt feel so. The two find it difficult to get along well right from the beginning, and thats what makes their interaction a bit funny.Once the guards have been assembled, they get on an undercover operation to stop Victoria Leeds (Priyanka Chopra) from selling drugs and murdering those who come in her way, and not let her seize control of the bay. The plot clearly focuses on the Baywatch team taking action to make sure drugs are kept off their beaches. But it is sad that the talented assembled cast ends up being underused. Zac, who is still remembered for his comedies, especially the Neighbours movies, tries to be comical, but ends up being annoying. Dwayne intends to be funny by taking digs at Zac, but they arent as funny as they should have been. But whats even strange is that he takes his role of a lifeguard so seriously that he remains unaware of jurisdictional restrictions.Frankly, had the screenwriters Damian Shannon and Mark Swift focused a bit on the actors physical comedy, it could have elicited a few chuckles. Whats the point of having charismatic actors like Zac and Dwayne when the screenplay bombs at highlighting their comic chemistry? Whats even more confusing is whether Seth Gordon is interested in mocking the television series, or remaking it for the audience in 2017.Actors Kelly Rohrbach, Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Daddario, Zac Efron and Ilfenesh Hadera dont fail because of their acting potential, but find it tough to deliver because of the flawed script and direction.It is interesting to see how Priyanka as a despicable entrepreneur Victoria Leeds stands out in the film. We love to hate her because of multiple reasons impressive character development, her ability to make the writing look better and just by creating a personality one wouldnt be able to forget that easily.Going by the attractive cast that the director got, Baywatch could have been promising. But there is nothing spectacularly good about it. Tough to recommend, easy to skip!Rating: 1/5 #baywatch is fun in the sand. @TheRock brings the humour like only he can and @priyankachopra is badass. I laughed throughout. Varun Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) May 31, 2017 Thank you brotha! Me and @priyankachopra talked about how much you (and India) will enjoy the movie. Fun is the key word. #Baywatch https://t.co/MblDsKynjp Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 31, 2017 Defiently india is gonna have great time watching #Baywatch. https://t.co/fMuahT4qET Varun Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) May 31, 2017 After Baywatch got not-so-encouraging reviews internationally, Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson and actress Priyanka Chopra are excited about the film's release in India.Indian actor Varun Dhawan was impressed by the film, and tweeted: "'Baywatch' is fun in the sand. Dwayne Johnson brings the humour like only he can and Priyanka Chopra is badass. I laughed throughout."To this, Johnson responded: "Thank you brother! Me and Priyanka Chopra talked about how much you (and India) will enjoy the movie. Fun is the key word. 'Baywatch'."Varun, who is a fan of Johnson, tweeted: "Definitely India is going to have great time watching 'Baywatch'."Priyanka has made her Hollywood debut with Baywatch, which has been adapted from the 1990s' popular TV series of the same name.She re-tweeted a video from her team's account, where Varun is seen talking about Baywatch."Priyanka we are sending you lots and lots of love from here from India. I have watched the film and it's really really funny. And even though it is censored in India, it's still damn funny," Varun said in the video.Directed by Seth Gordon, the film also stars Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach and Jon Bass.The film has released internationally and fared very poorly with critics -- many described the film as "shallow", "stupid", "misguided", and "wantonly crude".But it hasn't dampened the spirits of the film's team. They are busy promoting the movie in Berlin and London.Baywatch Uttar Pradesh: A district court in Rampur has ordered a fresh probe into Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for his derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Arvind Mishra slammed the police for its shoddy probe against Khan, the Rampur MLA. He also asked the district police chief to initiate action against the investigating officer in the case, J P Tyagi, for his rush in filing a closure report in the case, PTI reported. An FIR had been registered against Azam Khan on April 10, 2014. He was a minister in the UP government at the time. He was booked under sections sections 153-A (promoting enmity between communities), 2095-A (deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings) and 505-2 (speeches creating hatred between classes) of the Indian Penal Code. The FIR was registered based on a complaint by the election panel. The court rejected the final report and ordered the SHO of the Rampur City police station to initiate a fresh investigation into the case. New Delhi: Theres a birthday party on Saturday, and theres going to be a lot of cake. As Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo Karunanidhi turns 94, opposition leaders from all over the country are set to descend to the massive YMCA ground in Chennai to wish the veteran a long and healthy life. The icing on the cake, however, is the fact that the opposition is finally coming together, three years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power with historic mandate. The opposition has time and again tried to put up a united front against the Modi juggernaut, but has inadvertently failed in its attempts. Even last week, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi tried to bring together fellow opposition leaders but failed to a certain extent as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar snubbed her. Instead, he chose to have lunch with PM Modi the very next day. Now all eyes are on Karunanidhis birthday party and it remains to be seen which opposition leader will get biggest slice of the cake. The BJP is definitely not the one getting it as Karunanidhis son Stalin has categorically announced that no saffron leader is welcome. Let this be a turning point in national politics, Stalin had said. And indeed, the birthday party is expected to be a show of strength. With a bevy of leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Nitish Kumar, Lalu Yadav, Omar Abdullah, Derek O Brien, Sitaram Yechury and D Raja, as part of the invitees, the opposition hopes to bond at the party and come alive, stronger. DMK, on its part, wants to try and drive home the Dravidian pride and rise out of the stumbling condition that Tamil Nadu politics is in. This is not the first time when politicians have tried to mix politics with birthday party. Mayawatis legendary birthday bashes reiterated her position as the undisputed Queen of Dalits. Take Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh, who celebrated his 74th birthday for two days with Azam Khan ordering a specially designed cake from London. Late Jayalalithaa, in 2014, had cut a birthday cake that was shaped like the Parliament, with a subtle, yet clear, message that she was contending to be the next PM. A year later, in 2015, NCPs Sharad Pawar threw a grand bash to mark his 75th birthday when attendees included Modi and other top leaders. Birthdays provide an opportunity to break ice and get together informally. However, present day opposition needs to understand that beyond an agreement between the leaders of the opposition parties, unity and harmony between cadres of different parties is far more important for effectively countering BJPs electoral challenge, said political observer Rasheed Kidwai. Heres hoping that the cake is big enough for everyone to eat. Mumbai: Impeccable secular credentials and total commitment to the Constitution will the basic criteria for choosing the joint opposition candidate for the presidential election, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said. Declining to give any clue about the possible nominee for the highest office, Yechury said the opposition would prefer to wait till the NDA announced its candidate, adding declaring the opposition's nominee at this juncture would mean putting his or her political life at "risk". "During our luncheon meeting with (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi, we have decided on two things. First, the candidate should have impeccable secular credentials and second, the person should be able to take decisions in accordance with the Constitution," Yechury told reporters. Asked if the opposition parties have reached a consensus on the probable nominee, he said, "There are some candidates we are thinking about but we cannot name them until they (the NDA) name their candidate. You know what happened to L K Advani. Naming a candidate now would mean risking that person's political future." About the farmers agitation in Maharashtra, he said there was an "agrarian crisis" across the nation. "Today the non-performing assets of banks stand at around Rs 11,000 crore. Thousands of crore of rupees taken as loan by a handful of people are being waived by the government. When farmers demand a rightful loan waiver, they (the government) say they do not have the money," he said. Asked about the ban on sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter at animal markets, the CPI(M) leader said it would render thousands of people jobless. "Save cows but do not butcher Muslims and Dalits for animals. Today around 2.5 million are employed in the meat and leather industry. All of them will be ruined by the Centre's notification on cattle ban," he said. While the BJP is busy celebrating three years of its government in office, not a single step has been taken towards fulfilling its election promises, the CPI(M) leader said. "The BJP promised employment to 2 crore people a year, but people are losing employment. Services and the IT sector are in a mess with the biggest lay offs happening there. Farmers were promised 1.5 times as MSP of their input costs, and on the contrary, procurement has stopped and import duty on goods has been made zero," he said. Lenovo launched its GST-ready solutions across its notebook, desktop, and all-in-one PC powered by Intel Core processors, and the tablet portfolio. Lenovo GST advantage PCs start for a price of Rs 19,999.With this launch, Lenovo aims to enable small businesses and entrepreneurs with a choice of attractive offers from GST-compliant accounting, ERP and POS solutions along with the purchase of select Lenovo PCs.To start with, Lenovo has collaborated with Intel and three solution providers: IDOS, Marg and WeP Digital. Businesses that are currently evaluating the need to purchase computing devices can review all offerings available and select what is best suited to their needs. The Lenovo GST advantage offers also include online training programs specifically created for first-time users. Lenovo is looking to add more partners and also offer easy EMI solutions as part of this GST advantage rollout.Processing capability is integral to the needs of a GST-enabled economy. Intels portfolio of processors can address needs of different industries, across form factors, ranging from laptops to all-in-one PCs. The complete range of Lenovos business computing devices can bring improved productivity, enabling SMEs to run their business smoothly. said Prakash Mallya, Managing Director Sales & Marketing Group, Intel Technology India Pvt. Ltd. Sony's flagship device for 2017, the Xperia XZ Premium, has been launched and more so, aims to compete amongst the best smartphone line-up. There's no doubt that Sony had to put its best foot forward to give the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Apple iPhone 7 Plus a run for their money. For that, Sony has focussed on 3 core technologies in the Xperia XZ Premium: Display, Processor and its Camera.On the display front, the Xperia XZ Premium features a 4K HDR Display which Sony claims to have brought down from its Bravia Television range. The 5.5-inch display also comes with Sony's proprietary Triluminos Display Technology. All in all, the phone delivers a crisp and dynamic viewing experience.The Sony Xperia XZ Premium has been designed in Sony's signature style with not less bezel area, metallic finish and reflective surfaces with Corning Gorilla Glass protection on both front and back. The top and bottom of the Xperia XZ Premium have been designed in a flat loop surface and house an Aux input and a USB Type C charging port respectively.What is really impressive is the side placement of the fingerprint sensor, which also functions as the power button of the smartphone.Xperia XZ Premium will be the first smartphone in India to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. Along with this, the smartphone carries a 4GB RAM along with a 64GB internal storage, expandable up to 256GB. It also offers the latest Android Nougat support out of the box. The entire combination makes the Xperia XZ Premium function smoothly and pre-installed games like Asphalt Nitro are a treat to play on the phone.Sony makes big claims about its 19-megapixel Motion Eye camera that is said to come with features like Super-slow motion recording at 960 fps, Predictive Image Capturing, Anti-distortion shutter and more. It incorporates Sony's trademark Exmor RS sensor and the 'Motion Eye' technology is said to capture movements that a normal Human eye cannot detect.Sony says that the camera has been stacked with a memory sensor as well that prevents the delay of information transfer between the Camera sensor and the Snapdragon 835 processor of the phone. On the front, it houses a 13-megapixel camera, again with the Exmor RS sensor and a 22mm wide-angle lens.Xperia XZ Premium is powered by a 3230 mAh battery that comes with Smart stamina, Qnovo adaptive charging, and Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0 technology. On the Audio front, Sony has deployed High-Resolution Audio technology that is said to minimize Noise and deliver a clear audio.No doubt that Sony has put in effort in making the Xperia XZ Premium their best flagship smartphone till date. The Technology giant has not left anything to chance and has deployed all the latest technology in the XZ Premium.The thing to note here is that smartphone users are already skeptical about shelling out big sums of money as the likes of OnePlus have brought down the overall price quotient of smartphone technology for the end-users.While the Sony Xperia XZ Premium deploys the best of technology and will be a treat to own as a smartphone, will the Rs 59,990 price tag on the smartphone let it rule the premium flagship smartphone segment?Let us wait for the full review here and find out.(Disclaimer: The author was at the event in Shimla on the invite of Sony) IAG, the parent group of British Airways and Spain's Iberia, on Thursday launched its new long-haul, low-cost airline Level with a flight from Barcelona to Los Angeles as it joined a growing trend of cheap, long-distance carriers. The British group announced in March it was launching the new airline based out of Barcelona and connecting various US destinations, after Norwegian in September also said it would start cheap long-distance flights from the Spanish Mediterranean city. Level's first flight took off Thursday afternoon for a 13-hour flight to Los Angeles with a 314-seater Airbus 330. IAG chose to base the airline out of Barcelona as the airport of this popular tourist attraction is also the home of its short- and medium-haul, low-cost airline Vueling, hoping this will attract passengers from one to the other. The low-cost, long-haul model had not taken off until recently as it was not profitable. But an increasing number of airlines are betting that the model will be a success on popular routes. Norwegian, for instance, started long-haul flights from Paris to New York last summer. Barcelona will be its fifth base for such flights as well as London, Bangkok and Amsterdam. Icelandic airline WOW uses Reykjavik as stopover to offer low-cost flights between Europe and North America. Beirut: A roadside bomb and government shelling killed at least 19 people, most of them rebel fighters, in southern Syria's Daraa province on Thursday, a monitor said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an explosive device placed on a road by government forces detonated as a convoy of rebel fighters passed by. "After the blast, civilians from nearby came to the scene and the regime shelled the area," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. He said 13 of the dead were from local rebel factions, and at least three others were civilians. The identities of the remaining fatalities had not been confirmed. The monitor said the toll in the incident in the northwest of the province could rise further because several people were suffering serious injuries. Syrian forces have been occasionally accused of planting explosives to target opposition fighters. Daraa province is one of the last remaining bastions of rebel forces, who retain control of a majority of the region even as they have been routed elsewhere. More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011. When the largest historical contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions United States of America pulled out of the Paris Agreement, aimed at lowering the effects of GHG and climate change, it heaped blame on India and China for skewing the Accord in their favour.That argument, a basic knowledge of facts shows, cuts absolutely no ice. President Donald Trump, in his speech announcing the US withdrawal from the Pact said China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. So, we cant build the plants, but they can, according to this agreement. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020.He went on to say that India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from the developed countries.Niklas Hohne, professor at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and founder of the New Climate Institute, told The Washington Post: As a scientist, I was amazed by the many wrong assertions that he used He said that India may double their coal production, but also India is slowing its growth of coal use and just stated that the recent coal plants in construction may not be necessary until 2022.India had submitted to the Agreement that it would reduce its emissions per unit of economic output by 33 to 35 per cent below 2005-level by 2030; the submission does seek foreign aid to meet its goals and mitigate the costs.Arti Khosla, a Delhi based consultant on climate change and energy told News18 that India is not heavily dependent on aid from the global Green Fund, that developed countries have to contribute to, to meet its clean energy targets.The Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) made by developing countries such as India are ambitious and India has shown commitment towards keeping them, well on its way to becoming the worlds third largest solar-powered economy.All countries set their own targets, determined by domestic needs, which are non-binding. Any country can change its emission targets. The US has already been criticised for having set underwhelming emission cut targets under the Obama administration, which all countries, including India accommodated at COP21 in Paris, December 2015. It has also only signed off $1 billion for the pledged $3 billion for the Green Climate Fund that was instituted as aid from developed countries which have been GHG emitters since industrialization. This aid will help developing countries that are trying to fulfil their energy needs and adapt to climate change. The Fund is supposed to collect $10.13 billion. India and China had taken a stand in 2015 to make sure that the rich countries contribute for this, instead of the developing nations.From 1850 to 2010, Indias CO2 emissions have been one tenth that of the US and of the European countries. India had also agreed to a five-yearly review of its targets. Dublin (Ireland): Leo Varadkar, an Indian-origin doctor and Ireland's first openly gay minister, on Friday won the leadership race for the ruling party to become the country's youngest-ever and first homosexual Prime Minister-in-waiting. Varadkar, 38, will officially take over as Taoiseach, as the Irish prime ministerial title is known in Ireland, in Parliament later this month after he was declared the winner in the leadership race for the Fine Gael party. He took a majority of the votes to be declared as the 11th leader of the party as counting concluded at Mansion House in Dublin. The final count, including all three electoral colleges, saw Varadkar win with 60 per cent to Housing Minister Simon Coveney's 40 per cent votes. Polling had closed earlier on Friday with a 100 per cent turnout in the parliamentary party recorded. The Dublin-born son of Mumbai-born Ashok Varadkar and Irish mother Miriam, served as Ireland's welfare minister and had emerged as the most popular choice since he announced his candidacy after current leader Enda Kenny stepped down as prime minister earlier this year. Varadkar went up against housing minister Coveney in the leadership race, who bagged two-thirds of the party membership votes but lost out to the more popular candidate in the end. The voting for the Fine Gael leadership is decided in an electoral college system that gives the Fine Gael parliamentary party 65 per cent of the vote. The 21,000 rank- and-file members of the party have 25 per cent and 235 local representatives 10 per cent. The parliamentary party voted for Varadkar, overwhelmingly, as was widely expected. Ireland's new Taoiseach is expected to be formally confirmed by June 13, when the country's Dail Parliament resumes following a week-long break. Varadkar came out as a gay man in 2015, when Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through popular vote. In a coming-out speech he gave in a radio interview, he had said, "It's not something that defines me. I'm not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It's just part of who I am, it doesn't define me, it is part of my character I suppose." His family originates from Varad, a village in Gujarat, and Leo Varadkar kept his Indian connect alive, completing an internship at the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. His partner, Matthew Barrett, is also a doctor. "Matt is just a very special person. Someone who is unconditionally on my side, which is always great. He is the kind of person who has made me a better person," Varadkar recently said. The popular minister has campaigned for same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion laws. He worked as a general practitioner (GP) before winning a seat in Parliament in 2007 and has rapidly risen through the party ranks, holding several ministerial portfolios including minister for social protection and minister for transport, tourism and sports. Fine Gael is Ireland's centre-right political party, seen as taking liberal positions on several social and economic issues. Varadkar was campaigning on a platform of reducing child poverty and educational disadvantage as key policy areas. New Delhi: In what is being touted as a huge generational shift in politics of Ireland, Indian native Leo Varadkar is likely to be named the country's next Prime Minister, bringing with his election a series of firsts in a historic mandate. Son of a Mumbai doctor and an Irish nurse, Varadkar could be the first Irish PM with Asian roots. If elected, he would also become the first openly gay PM of Ireland. And at 38, the youngest as well. The results are expected to be declared around 5 pm Irish time or 10pm IST. Varadkar may seem an unlikely frontrunner in socially conservative Ireland, but in many ways, he is symbolic of a more tolerant and secular society, particularly in Dublin and other urban areas. Indian Roots Varadkar is the son of a doctor from Mumbai. His father, Ashok, met an Irish nurse, Miriam, when he was working in England in the 1970s. The couple moved to Ireland and Varadkar was born in Dublin. Speaking to CNN, Chief Executive of the Ireland-India Council, Prashant Shukla, said it was a proud moment for his father and mother. Over 30,000-strong Irish-Indian community is interestingly looking forward to it. However, Varadkar himself has played down the significance of his background and personal life. Despite Varadkars parents both being immigrants at one point, Varadkar has also taken a controversial stance on immigration in the past. He had suggested deportation of unemployed immigrants to combat rising unemployment figures. Equality rights His sexual preferences is hardly mentioned and the consensus has been that what he does in bed is his personal matter. Senator Nora Owen, the first Irish Leader to publicly come out as gay, said it would signal another stride forward for equality rights in Ireland 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 it's a great day for Ireland that we can do that, Owen, a former Justice Minister of Ireland, told CNN. He campaigned on same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion laws, although like the majority of his party colleagues, he is an advocate of tight fiscal restraint. Varadkar had entered Irelands political stage when he was just 22. He was elected to parliament at 27 and nine years later, he publicly came out as gay. In 2015, the once-staunchly Catholic country was heading towards a referendum on legalising gay marriage. It was during that time that Varadkar came out publicly on Irish national radio. The country later passed the Marriage Equality Bill, allowing same-sex couples to marry. (With inputs from CNN) "Some people speak now about a big Marshall Plan for Syria, but we also know this will not happen if there is no political consensus and minimal stability," Maurer told a small group of reporters in his Geneva office. "For the rest, you will need massive investment and investment only comes with a political deal on the future of Syria. While we can help people survive in a very difficult situation, I'm very concerned that we are here again moving into a long, long-term protracted conflict where we don't really see an overall peace deal," Maurer said. : Syria is unlikely to see a major "Marshall Plan" for reconstruction as peace remains elusive despite hundreds of thousands more civilians possibly returning to their homes, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Friday.ICRC President Peter Maurer, speaking after his fifth visit to Syria, said the aid agency was stepping up work to restore the water, health and power infrastructure in areas retaken by the government, to which civilians are returning."You can't expect humanitarian and development agencies to rebuild Syria. There is not enough money, there is not enough capacity, there are not enough skills."Russia, Iran, and Turkey agreed last month to arrange and monitor "de-escalation zones" in Syria to ease the fighting. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that the zones are a chance for rebels to "reconcile" with Damascus and drive out Islamist militants.Up to 8 million people remain displaced in Syria, and a maximum of 500,000 have returned to Aleppo and other areas, Maurer said. Another 700,000-800,000 may be considering a return to their homes in these zones or under local ceasefires that include the evacuation of rebels to Idlib province, he said.The ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent can repair heavily damaged infrastructure so that people can go back to their communities and resume a more normal life, he said.A peace agreement would galvanise the world to seek public and private investment in Syria and invite financing by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, he said.Maurer said that despite his "more promising and more constructive" talks with senior Syrian officials on opening up more prisons to ICRC visits, he could not report any breakthrough on access to detainees or prospects for a prisoner exchange anytime soon. Washington: President Donald Trump's administration asked the US Supreme Court on Thursday to reinstate its controversial ban on travelers from six Muslim majority nations despite repeated setbacks in the lower courts. In its filing, the government asked the highest court in the land to rule on the legal standing of Trump's order, appealing a ruling by the federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld a nationwide block of the travel ban. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said. "The president is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States." The Trump administration's filing came just one week after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling dealt a fresh blow to the government's effort. The court said it "remained unconvinced" that the part of the measure naming the specific countries -- Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen -- had "more to do with national security than it does with effectuating the president's promised Muslim ban." It added that it was unclear whether the government's security concerns outweighed the plaintiffs' concerns about discrimination. "The stakes are indisputably high: the court of appeals concluded that the president acted in bad faith with religious animus when, after consulting with three members of his cabinet, he placed a brief pause on entry from six countries that present heightened risks of terrorism," the government's filing read. "The court's decision creates uncertainty about the president's authority to meet those threats as the Constitution and acts of Congress empower and obligate him to do." Trump issued his initial travel ban by executive order in January, but that measure -- which banned entry to nationals from seven countries for 90 days and suspended the nation's refugee program for 120 days -- was quickly halted by the courts. A revised executive order announced in March, meant to address the issues raised by the federal judges, deleted Iraq from the list and removed an indefinite ban on Syrian refugees. It earned widespread scorn nevertheless, including from human rights activists and states led by Democrats. A district court judge in Maryland issued a nationwide block on the ban's core provision concerning travel from the shortlist of countries, sending the issue to the Fourth Circuit. Given the case's high-profile nature, the full appeals court in Richmond heard the arguments -- bypassing the usual initial three-judge panel -- for the first time in a quarter of a century. Thirteen of the court's 15 active judges took part. Two recused themselves over potential conflicts of interest. Philippines: This image made from closed circuit television made available by the Philippine National Police on Friday, June 2, 2017, shows the gunman at the Resorts World Manila complex in Manila, Philippines. A gunman stormed a casino in the Philippine capital and torched gambling tables in the crowded space, creating a choking level of smoke that killed dozens, authorities said. The gunman stuffed a backpack with casino chips before he fled but was found dead in an adjacent hotel early Friday. (Image: AP) The power of talk But today it is clear, that the band has widened and, having set the standard for what talk radio should be, has also seen the growth of other talk radio stations in TT. There are more than five stations dedicated to talk radio in TT. But Radio Vision Ltds [under which Power 102 falls] chairman Peter Gillette is certain that Power 102s format, with help from new technologies, will see another 20 years of Power 102 and talk in TT. He recalled for Newsday, how the station got started. Gillette said: The Gillette group had applied [for a radio licence] to the Government of the day, at the time it was the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) who was looking at liberalising the radio and television sector and we got the opportunity to get two frequencies. We got 102.1 and 102.5 to be able to give national coverage. TTs geography and radio technology, at the time, he said, demanded other frequencies to get the coverage. So we began broadcasting out of Cumberland Hill and Gran Couva, which, is today, our main broadcast site. But that was not the only concern for the Gillettes in terms of broadcasting. Of equal importance was what should be broadcast. At the time, we were very concerned about which segment we would serve and there was a feeling in the group that the talk radio market, while many had before flirted with it, was not successful...I had forged a friendship with Louis Lee Sing, who is former CEO at state media, by serving on boards jointly. I said to him, Louis if ever you were interested in doing something you might want to join us. And he had been relieved of his duties over at state media by the then Basdeo Panday- led administration. He said, Peter, what do you have in mind and I said, talk radio. And he asked, Why talk radio, everybody has failed at that, it has not been something that we have been able to prove as successful, people still want a fair amount of music and so on. Gillette said the underlying philosophy was that people were always going to be interested in what was going on around them, whether it be in their neighbourhoods, communities or country. So I convinced Louis to join us and he became a business partner and equity owner in Power 102 and that was how Power 102 launched. I think it has proven to be a very successful format. It has proven to be ground-breaking in many ways, in terms of some of the things we sought to do. Over time, Power 102 has gotten a reputation for doing a number of controversial-type programmes. The phones never stopped ringing from our corporate sponsors. I remember vividly a call from one corporate sponsor who was very infuriated by the kind of conversations that were taking place on Power 102 at the time and, while we had to be very sensitive to the language, the question of libel and so on, it was provocative language. It pricked at the consciousness of the elite, and the bourgeois. For me, we were being successful the more those calls came in from our sponsors. We lost sponsorships because of it, we lost them full well, knowing we continued to give voice to the small man in the corridor. Knowing that the small man did not have that voice, he said. While the face of how messages are transmitted is changing, for Gillette, the core of what Power 102 does remains the same. While social media, with platforms like Facebook and Instagram, is rapidly changing how people receive information, Gillette believes this opens a market, previously TT was unable to harness the international market. We are seeing that more and more millennials, in particular, are tuning in to getting their news and information from social media and that is what we are competing with. All media is facing that competition. Today, we have a national, regional and international audience. Tremendous amount of people that tune in to Power 102 to get their news is diaspora- based. We dont see, that in fact. We are no longer competing for listenership, or viewership, or readership, in just TT but actually on a global scale. The diaspora, Gillette said, would be Power 102s main target going forward. What we want to do is meet people where they are at. Whether they are comfortable going on a desktop computer or on a tablet and accessing our link and tuning in to us, or whether they are just comfortable doing updates and podcasts in the future to listen to our programmes, were going to be there. We are going to be on all the platforms, were already on Facebook, Instagram, and our website... We see eventually, down the road, the way that we reach our audience may be completely digital and utilising a terrestrial broadcast may become obsolete in the future. We are prepared for that. The stations strength was built on the interactivity of its current affairs programmes, the ability to have different personalities and opinions and this he said would not change. The company, he added, would continue to invest in its content and programming going forward. Gillette sees the market growing rather than shrinking. While many might believe that foreign content and music are what will sell radio spots, Gillette sees it differently. For me when we started 20 years ago, I was told over and over we have got to play, foreign music because that is what Trinidadians want to listen to. To me, that was not the future, the future is what were seeing right now. I said we have to have something unique so when the future arrives not just Trinidadians will be interested but Trinidadians and West Indians, generally, and the rest of the world. If they want to find out whats going on in TT , they tune in to us. That is why we remain positioned the way we are... Whether that old argument of talk radios impending death is true or not, for Gillette there will always be a place for talk even among millennials. If you look at a lot of talk products that exist today...they are highly, highly successful. But we have to challenge ourselves to make it interesting, informative and entertaining. It must fit all those categories... While over the 20 years it has been a long journey for Power 102, Gillette maintains that the fat ladys song is far from over. It is a long journey, we are no where we want to be yet, he said. Gillette said, while thanking those who stood by the station throughout its 20 years, to, stay tuned for more exciting stuff. Celebrating kaiso and piano The concert will feature spellbinding soca jazz pianist Louis Nurse & the Lynx, and Lord Superior (Andrew Marcano) with sweet Trini kaiso. Nurse, a former business analyst at the Ministry of Finance, has been lecturing (MBA programme) at the Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, housed in the School of Accounting and Management from 2001 to the present. The upcoming concert is called the celebration of a number of things, he said. One of them, his own overcoming an ailment that left him incapacitated somewhat for a while but he was able to bounce back. Ive come back a long way so we are inviting people to come and join us for the celebration, he said. In the first half of the concert, Louis & the Lynx will accompany Lord Superior for an hour, and together they will give the audience classic calypso from what Nurse described as Superiors bright and cheerful repertoire of music One of the great things about Superior is, he has spent a lot of time out there working in hotels so he is accustomed to entertaining an audience. He is a calypso entertainer. So it will be good kaiso and kaiso jazz, Nurse said. For the second part of the show Nurse will be introducing Marie Cartar as part of Louis and the Lynx, though she has been performing with the band since Christmas. Cartar will be singing seven covers, including Sades Sweetest Taboo and Chaka Khans Through the fire. Nurse said Carter gave a fantastic performance at Kariwak Village in Tobago, when she performed with the band during the Tobago jazz weekend last month. Nurse will also take the opportunity on the night to launch his Journey album, an album that he says is one of healing music. Nurse said: The music in the 15-track album is designed for reflection and redemption. Not dance music, because when I wasnt well God guided me to do a production of music that will help you. If you listen to it, if you are well it will make you feel better, and if you are not well it will actually massage your brain. The album, done with Sanch Recording, was completed late last year but Nurse said he was waiting for the right time and place to launch it. And what a better time than the night of celebration! At the concert Nurse will be on his favourite instrument, the keyboard, but will show off his cuatro skills for one song. He also plays, and taught students how to play both pan and guitar for a number of years in the past, but the instrument that he plays in public is the keyboard. The concert is from 8 pm - 11 pm. Nurse said: I dont like the long-night thing. It is a family show where people could bring their children because my thing is that children should get a chance to see musicians play well and inspire them to become musicians in their own right. So if a child is interested in music let them come. He spoke of notable drummer/percussionist Tamba Guinde who will be playing with the Lynx and from whom children can gain a lot, musically. However, Nurse said of the main focus of the show is to bring fathers out and have some fun. It is going to be an evening of joyfulness. WHERES MARCIA? As the controversy surrounding Ayers-Caesar rages on, Gaspard objected to the cases being aborted by acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle and restarted from the beginning. Gaspards request for official acknowledgement of Ayers-Caesars judicial status came as his stated position was ventilated, for the first time, in the Eighth Magistrates Court yesterday, where 39 of the part-heard cases came up for case managing by Earle-Caddle. Yesterdays hearing took place exactly one week after the Judiciary through its Court Protocol and Information Manager Alicia Carter-Fisher, said a consensus was reached during a meeting the day before, to have all 53 matters restarted de novo (from the beginning). It was announced that the acting chief magistrate would preside over indictable matters while all summary cases will be handled by an assigned magistrate. Gaspard advised Earle-Caddle that it may be prudent for her to invite submissions from attorneys representing numerous accused persons on the question of her jurisdiction to abort the cases and have them transferred or restarted. He said it was important that the issue of the courts jurisdiction to do so to be ventilated to give effect for the lawful and proper handling of the cases. While he did not make direct reference to last weeks meeting - which was convened by Chief Justice Ivor Archie- Gaspard advised that the courts lawful position could be in conflict with the decision made, On the urging of outsiders. The ice on which this court is skating may not support the courts weight, Gaspard said as he also submitted that before he can exercise his constitutional powers as DPP, he needs to be furnished with the unequivocal position of the former chief magistrate. That is absent and missing, he said. The DPP does not know as a fact that the former chief magistrate has resigned. Under section 90 of the Constitution, the DPP is vested with the conduct of criminal prosecutions and has the power to undertake, institute and discontinue criminal prosecutions. This power also allows the DPP to file voluntary bills of indictment for cases to go straight to a trial list in the High Court. This court should thread with caution not with any instruction from elsewhere, Gaspard advised. DONT ABORT CASES At yesterdays sitting, of all 39 cases called, prosecutors from the Office of the DPP objected to Earle-Caddle aborting the matters and having them restarted from the beginning in 38 of them. In the private complaint against Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Imam Yasin Abu Bakr, special prosecutor Israel Khan SC, also raised his objections, saying the Chief Justice could not issue instructions arbitrarily, and echoed Gaspards submissions that it must first be established that Ayers-Caesar was no longer a magistrate. He also posited that Ayers-Caesars failure to apprise the Judicial and Legal Services Commission of the number of cases she left unresolved could constitute a criminal offence of misbehaviour in public office as she may have had a motive for hiding the information to be promoted to the High Court. Vice president of the Law Association attorney Rajiv Persad, who represents former Public Services Association executive member Nixon Callender, also questioned the status of Ayers-Caesar and objected to Earle-Caddle aborting the matter and having it transferred to another magistrate to be restarted. Persad, who was at last weeks meeting, has reported that as far as he was aware no decision had been arrived at to have the cases restarted de novo. Joining the chorus of objections was attorney Gerald Ramdeen, who appeared for two of the six men who rioted at the courthouse in April which led to Ayers-Caesars resignation two weeks after she was appointed as a judge on April 12. Ramdeen referred to a statement from the Judiciarys Court Protocol and Information Manager, dated April 27, which said Ayers-Caesar had been restored as chief magistrate. Unless we are told otherwise Mrs Ayers-Caesar is the chief magistrate... (now) all I am hearing is that she is not with us. I dont know what that means, he said. I am concerned about this. The court is only able to transfer these matters on the precondition that we are told that she is no longer the chief magistrate. The court cannot say it has received instructions. That is not satisfactory, he said. EARLE-CADDLE AT A LOSS Faced with the unenviable position, acting Chief Magistrate Earle- Caddle had no answer for the DPP or the objecting attorneys. I cant answer that question...I am not in charge of the JLSC, she said. I have my instructions to restart the matters, she added. As she apologised to each prisoner - with the exception of one of them who after the m?l?e earlier refused to be brought to the courtroom __ Earle-Caddle told them that the magistrate who started the matter was no longer with us and it was the law that the cases must be restarted. She also disclosed that she was informed that Ayers-Caesar had vacated the office of chief magistrate and that she was given the directive on Wednesday that the part-heard matters were to be restarted. Earle-Caddle did not say from whom she received the directive. I am sorry I have tried to assist you. I cannot assist you any further, she said. Busby-Caddle also disclosed that no decision to restart the cases de novo was taken at last weeks meeting. As far as I am aware no decision was made, she told attorneys. Earle-Caddle also told each prisoner that unless the DPP chooses to nolle prosequi (decline to prosecute) their cases, she cannot continue the matters as it is the law that they must be restarted from the beginning. In the interim, the cases were adjourned to several dates in June and July __ depending on individual age, with older cases being given priority __ to await the DPPs position. Earle-Caddle has also indicated that transcripts of the cases have been ordered and are expected to be ready soon. She also assured prisoners that should she be allowed to restart their cases, she intends to have been each completed within a matter of days. Several of the part-heard cases were all but complete with rulings to be made on no-case submissions. PRISONERS UNHAPPY Despite assurances that their matters, some more than half a decade old, will be given priority and completed in a short period, prisoners who were affected by the shock resignation of Ayers-Caesar were not too happy when they were brought back to court yesterday. There was a riot by a handful of prisoners who had to be forcibly restrained by police and dragged out of the courtroom after they began hurling obscenities and demanded answers. I never kill nobody, shouted Nigel Mayers, who is before the court for murder. He and his two co-accused fought with police officers who attempted to subdue them. They also shouted obscenities before being dragged out of the court. The shouting could be heard on the street outside the courthouse. A decision was taken to return the accused immediately to prison and there was some panic as they were being loaded into prison vans as they continued with their agitation and were violently rocking one of the vans, while still shouting. Heavily armed police, some with masks on their faces, swarmed outside the courthouse. A short break had to be taken when the police informed Earle- Caddle that they were having some difficulty with the prisoners at the holding cells. Inside the courtroom, the complement of police officers increased. Let us start over as quickly as possible, a prisoner said. I know it is not your fault but we suffering in jail, he told Earle-Caddle. The group of prisoners who caused a riot in April which led to Ayers-Caesars resignation __ Chicki Portello, Anton Cambridge, Kareem Gomez, Levi Joseph and Israel Arnold Lara, who are charged for the murder of Russell Antoine in 2010 __ caused no disruption yesterday but were vocal in their protests. How long we have to wait again? We suffering. It hard. We fed up! they charged. Another prisoner, Jonathon Phillip who got down on bended knees to plead with Earle-Caddle, said he counted the days he has been in prison since he was charged for murder. I in here eight years, three months and 14 days. My son was two when I come in, now he is ten. My family hurting for me. This place only playing with me. So I guilty till I am proven innocent? I am fed up! Send me home to my family. I eh kill nobody. Do something please, he pleaded. Other prisoners asked whether the authorities needed someone to shoot dey way out of prison before something is done. Mobile scanners in TT for ports security Discussions on the acquisition of fixed scanners were also underway with the port authority, he said. As soon as the legal issues are cleared up, Dillon said, the mobile scanners will be put to use at the Port of Port of Spain, Point Lisas and other ports. In response to a question during yesterdays sitting of the Senate on measures being taken to improve the monitoring of containers being brought into the country, and in view of a recent find of a quantity of arms and ammunition at a courier company in El Socorro, Dillon said the Ministry of National Security will continue to work with the Customs and Excise Divisions of the Ministry of Finance with respect to security at the ports. He expressed appreciation to the national security agencies that worked together with Customs and Excise and made the discovery of the weapons in El Socorro. He was advised by the Comptroller of Customs, he said, that the Customs and Excise Division was using its canine outfit and guards of the preventative branch to carry out its monitoring and security duties. They would be enhanced when the scanners are put into use, he said. As to whether any arms and ammunition would have slipped into the country through the ports, Dillon said, these matters were being thoroughly investigated by the police and other security agencies. Additionally, to enhance port and national security, Dillon said,recently, the Comptroller of Customs was included as part of the Governments strategic operations team. The team includes the Commissioner of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, and Director of Strategic Services Agency. The team meets weekly. Coming out of the strategic operations teams joint border protection study, he said, there is a recommendation to establish a joint border protection task force. This is being considered. Alexandrov complains of unfair treatment for Tobago autopsies It is alleged that Des Vignes is not willing to go to Tobago to conduct autopsies. Alexandrov yesterday described this situation as inhumane and antisocial. Its a mess, its a catastrophe and I cannot get any explanation on what is going on except the absolutely universal stupidity, incompetence, total misunderstanding of what we are for and how we are doing things, thats the problem of this country. Trinidad and Tobago is one country and the people in Tobago deserve the same quality of service in a timely fashion as Trinidad. I realise that something is happening between Des Vignes and the Scarborough Hospital so I offered to compromise. I agreed to take all the cases in Tobago but on the basis day for day. If I agree to travel, Dr Des Vignes will take one of my days here in Trinidad. He refused so now there are two bodies in Tobago, who is supposed to finish the job? I want fair treatment, so I am not traveling (to Tobago) anymore. He explained that he has received emergency calls from the Tobago Homicide police department, the Ministry of National Security and the Scarborough General Hospital about a buildup of bodies for over two weeks at the morgue with no one coming to conduct the autopsies while Mc Donald-Burris was on vacation. He added that the length of time taken for an autopsy in Tobago can interfere with investigations. In the face of death, there is no such thing as mentality and culture. In many cases, especially when we are talking about homicide, the autopsy should be done as soon as possible. The autopsy is a very important part of the investigation, it does not solve crime but it gives clues. Delaying autopsies is a trauma for the families and a hindrance to investigations. Thank God the mortuary is state of art in Tobago so the body is kept in good condition but not indefinitely. It does not stop decaying, it slows it down. If we are talking about two weeks it is not so detrimental but we need to remember how the families feel. Keeping a body in a fridge for so long is not culture. Even the people who do not have to do anything with forensic would not intervene. He recalled an instance where he spent two days doing autopsies in Tobago last year December. He added that the issues began last year and to date he has not received an explanation as to why he is mostly called upon to conduct autopsies in Tobago. Calls to pathologist Dr Hughvon Des Vignes went answered yesterday. Amazon Is First Company to Lose $1T in Market Value A masked gunman stormed a hotel-casino complex in the Philippine capital of Manila early Friday, shooting up a TV screen, torching gambling tables, and stuffing a backpack with casino chips before fleeing, authorities say. Police say 36 people suffocated from smoke after the man set tables ablaze by pouring gasoline on them. None of the dead bodies had gunshot wounds. A guard was shot during the melee but survived, and more than 70 others were injured in a stampede to get away from the gunman, who was wielding an assault rifle, the AP reports. The attack produced an immediate claim of terrorism from an ISIS-affiliated operative. But police say no terror links have been uncovered and they suspect the motive was robbery. The suspect was later found dead of apparent suicide. Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde says the English-speaking suspect was found dead with his rifle on the fifth floor of the Resorts World Manila complex. Albayalde says either the suspect lost in the casino and wanted to get his money back, or went "totally nuts." As news of the attack spread, President Trump offered the thoughts and prayers of the American people to the Philippines. "It is really very sad as to what's going on throughout the world with terror," he said. A US intelligence official says Trump was "freelancing" when he said that, according to NBC Nightly News. (Read more Manila stories.) President Trump has announced America's withdrawal from the Paris climate accordand US Rep. Tim Walberg probably isn't losing any sleep over it. The conservative Republican, who represents a district in southern Michigan, says he isn't worried about climate change because if it is happening, a higher power than Trump will take care of it, USA Today reports. "I believe there's been climate change since the beginning of time. I believe there are cycles," he told constituents at a town hall meeting in Coldwater days before Trump's announcement. "Do I think man has some impact? Yeah, of course. Can man change the entire universe? No," he said, per the HuffPost. "Why do I believe that? Well, as a Christian, I believe that there is a creator in God who is much bigger than us," the 65-year-old lawmaker continued. "And I'm confident that, if there's a real problem, he can take care of it." Walberg also joked that it would be helpful if climate change did something about the cold in Michigan and the humidity in Washington, DC. Some religious leaders don't agree with Walberg's stance on climate change, including Pope Francis, who warned in 2015 that it is an urgent problem that "can no longer be left to a future generation." (Here's what's next regarding Trump's withdrawal from the accord.) Ten years after Brett Katzenmoyer died following a "violent struggle" with New Jersey police, a county coroner has classified the 20-year-old's death as a homicide, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Katzenmoyer was drinking beer with friends outside an OAR concert in 2007 in Camden when a woman told police officers Katzenmoyer hit her in the chest. In a police report, officers Ronald Lattanzio and John McArdle say Katzenmoyer refused to put his hands behind his back and swung at them. After subduing Katzenmoyer, the officers took him to a hospital. A hospital security guard says Katzenmoyer was threatening to sue the officers, and McArdle hit him repeatedly in the face to "shut him up." The guard says McArdle also beat [Katzenmoyer] in the face, from the nose to the eye" while the 20-year-old was restrained. Katzenmoyer suffered a concussion, broken nose, and more, NJ.com reports. He was sent home from the hospital but died days later from heart and renal failure. The coroner at the time ruled a cause of death "could not be determined" because Katzenmoyer had morphine and sleeping pills in his system. His family has been fighting that ruling for years, getting the new county coroner, Gordon Eck, to re-examine the case. On Thursday, Eck changed the cause of death to "homicide." Katzenmoyer's mother says she's "just grateful that someone finally ... did the right thing." She plans to ask the prosecutor's office to reopen the investigation. Katzenmoyer's family received a $750,000 settlement from the city in 2013, but the officers were never disciplined. (Read more police brutality stories.) We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. Incidents of "sextortion"adults posing as teens to get actual teens to send nude photos, then blackmailing themare on the rise in Canada. But Canadian teens have a new defender: the humble naked mole rat. Quartz reports a new campaign from the Canadian Center for Child Protection encourages teens asked to send a naked photo to send a picture of a naked mole rat instead. The nonprofit even has naked mole rat memes available on the campaign website to get teens started. The PSA is aimed at teen boys in particular. The center says there's been an 89% increase in sextortion cases victimizing teen boys over the past two years. And it's not just in Canada; a Minnesota man was sent to prison last year after sextorting more than 150 boys, according to the New Yorker. So why a naked mole rat? Besides the fact they're seriously interesting (the New Yorker has a list of naked mole rat factsthey're immune to most pain, can live 18 minutes without oxygen, etc.that you really should read), the PSA explains: "Long, veiny, and fleshy, the naked mole ratyou can call it Willylooks a lot like that picture you were just about to send." The center's executive director, Lianna McDonald, says it was a "brazen" choice to use humor to address a serious subject, but it's the best way to reach teen boys, who can become suicidal over sextortion. "They're so deeply humiliated about what's about to happen and what they've done," she tells CBC. And the idea of giving potential victims something proactive to doconfront a would-be victimizer with an ugly animalis an appealing one. (Read more sextortion stories.) In another sign of marijuana's shift toward corporate respectability, a controlling interest in a magazine founded by an outlaw hippie pot smuggler in 1974 has been bought by a group of cannabis investors. The consortium that bought High Times includes Damian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, and the owners of the Denver Relief marijuana shop chain, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Their 60% majority stake cost $42 million, a price that values the magazine at $70 million, TechCrunch reports. The magazine, which started out as a countercultural publication, is now a major part of the emerging legal marijuana industry and holds events like the Cannabis Cup competition. The acquisition was led by investment firm Oreva Capital whose CEO, Adam Levin, describes the High Times brand as the "Coca-Cola of cannabis." He says buyers have seen the opportunity to shift the magazine "from the authority in the counterculture movement to a modern media enterprise." Frequent cover star Tommy Chong compares the magazine's journey to his own career with Cheech Marin. "We all went through some hard times. We all went through some really good times," he tells the Chronicle. "And now we're faced with the prospect of weed being mainstream." (Read more High Times stories.) A former teenage sex worker who claimed to have had sexual contact with more than two dozen Bay Area police officers, including while underage, is getting a nearly $1 million payout. The city of Oakland has agreed to pay $989,000 to settle a claim with the 19-year-old, who has asked to be identified only as Jasmine, reports the Los Angeles Times. Her allegations previously led to chargesincluding oral copulation with a minor and obstruction of justicefor five Oakland police officers, a former Contra Costa County sheriff's deputy, and a retired Livermore police officer. "It's taken its toll on me," Jasmine tells the East Bay Times. "I feel happy that I can close this chapter and move on with my life." But the book is not yet closed: Jasmine's lawyers also have filed claims with five other Bay Area law enforcement agencies, including the San Francisco Police Department, and are looking at possible litigation. Still, the Oakland settlement is "in the best interests of Jasmine," and may help pay for her education, one of her lawyers tells the San Francisco Chronicle. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf adds it was also "in the best interest of the city to settle this matter quickly and fairly," noting the city remains "focused on rebuilding the public trust that was so damaged by this incident." The settlement was approved during a 7-1 vote at a City Council meeting on Wednesday. The lone dissenter wanted the city to pay more. Officers allegedly gave Jasmine information about prostitution stings in exchange for sex and protected her from arrest. (Read more Oakland stories.) A female engineer who said she endured sexual discrimination and harassment at Tesla is out of a job. The company has fired AJ Vandermeyden over the complaints, reports the Guardian. Tesla hired an outside attorney to investigate Vandermeyden's accusations, per Business Insider, and concluded that she was lying and thus unfit to work at the company. Vandermeyden's attorney, however, says the firing is blatant retaliation and plans to file a formal complaint with the state to that effect. Vandermeyden started working at Tesla in 2013 and says she was paid less than her male counterparts and unjustly passed over for promotions. She also alleges the company tolerated catcalls and abusive language. She filed suit and went public with the allegations in an interview with the Guardian in February. "After we carefully considered the facts on multiple occasions and were absolutely convinced that Ms. Vandermeyden's claims were illegitimate, we had no choice but to end her employment at Tesla," says a company spokesperson. "They've just proven our case," fires back Vandermeyden attorney Therese Lawless. The development comes amid a backdrop of similar allegations in Silicon Valley, including Uber, and as Tesla's working conditions in particular have come under scrutiny, notes the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Three HR execs have left this year, and CEO Elon Musk issued a memo to employees defending the "hardcore and demanding" pace as a necessity to compete with "giant, entrenched competitors." (Meanwhile, Tesla just earned some serious bragging rights against those competitors.) The widow of a senior Polish official killed with scores of others in a 2010 plane crash accuse the Russians of "displaying a filthy attitude towards our dead" after the reinvestigation of the crash yielded disturbing results. Prosecutors announced Thursday that parts from the wrong bodies had been found in 12 of 24 coffins reopened so far, including that of president Lech Kaczynski, which had parts from two other victims, Reuters reports. It's not clear how big the body parts involved are, but they're not all tiny: Authorities say the coffin of archbishop Miron Chodakowski held his top half and the bottom half of Gen. Tadeusz Ploski. The other half of Ploski was in his own coffin, but it's unclear where the rest of Chodakowski is. The officials were killed when their plane crashed in thick fog in western Russia. The Polish government says the 83 planned exhumations, which began after errors were found in forensic documents sent back with the bodies by Russia, will be finished by next April, the BBC reports. The findings show that in the Russian postmortems, there was "nonchalance in the best case, and ill will in the worst case," says Magdalena Merta, widow of culture ministry official Tomasz Merta. The new investigation was ordered by the ruling Law and Justice Party, which is led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, twin brother of the deceased leader. (Poland's top prosecutor says there is "no doubt" that Russian air traffic controllers deliberately contributed to the disaster.) The appeal of the nonstop flight is a great one, and United Airlines has just come up with the most extreme one of all for travelers in the US: an 18-hour flight from Los Angeles to Singapore, Fortune reports. The 8,700-mile flight, set to begin in October, will take the full 18 hours heading west and 15 hours heading back to the States, making it the longest nonstop flight to or from the US. United already holds the current record for a US carriera 8,446-mile flight to Singapore out of San Francisco, per a press releasewhile Aussie airline Qantas tops that with a 8,576-mile route from Sydney to Dallas, per USA Today. (Qatar Airlines currently flies the world's longest route: 9,032 miles from New Zealand to Qatar.) The new United flight, which needs final approval by regulators, would also set a record for the longest regularly scheduled route on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Because of the drastic time difference created when crossing over the international date line in between the two countries, commuters heading toward Singapore will arrive there on paper two days later, while those heading east toward the US will actually feel like time-travelers: They'll take off from Singapore at 11am and "go back in time" to touch down in LA at 10:15am the same day. (United is probably better off sticking to the flight business instead of tweeting about chicken nuggets.) Health workers vaccinating children in South Sudan against measles last month used the same syringe for all the children without sterilizing it and did not properly refrigerate the vaccine during storage, leading to the deaths of at least 15 children. Of the 300 or so children vaccinated between May 2-5 in Nacholdokopele village in Eastern Equatoria state, another 32 were sickened with symptoms including fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, but recovered, Reuters reports. "The team that vaccinated the children in this tragic event were neither qualified nor trained for the immunization campaign," the health minister told reporters. Specialists found that the children were afflicted with severe sepsis toxicity as a result of the contaminated vaccine. Per Sky News, children as young as 12 administered the vaccines, and officials are working to discover who should be held responsible. Per the Independent, the World Health Organization provides some training on administering vaccines to South Sudan's health officials, and UNICEF, the United Nations' children's agency, provides the vaccines to the government. But it was unclear whether UN officials were present for the Nacholdokopele vaccinations, and a joint statement from the two agencies says the people administering the vaccines were not qualified or trained. All the children who died were under the age of 5, the AP reports. (Read more South Sudan stories.) Don't be shocked if James Comey doesn't testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee next Thursday, as scheduled. Comey is sure to be asked about his conversations with President Trump, particularly as they relate to Michael Flynn, as part of an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, but he could be blocked from speaking by Trump himself. As ABC News explains, Trump could invoke executive privilege, which gives the president the authority to withhold certain communications from the legislative and judicial branches of government if he can show that the need for secrecy outweighs, in this case, Congress' need for the information. Coming up with such an argument in this case might be difficult, however. An expert tells ABC that Trump would have to show Comey's testimony "would cause undo public harm by compromising national security or an ongoing investigation." Trump's own tweets about his conversations with Comey might also hurt an argument for secrecy. There's also the matter of public opinion: Blocking Comey from testifying might look as though Trump has something to hide. In an explainer on the issue, the New York Times notes that Comey's new status as a private citizen, as opposed to a government employee, also may complicate any White House effort to block him. In short, the entire issue is "fuzzy." Asked about the use of executive privilege Friday, White House adviser Kellyanne Conway didn't rule it out, saying "the president will make that decision," per Politico. (Obama invoked executive privilege in 2012.) It's a summer-season nightmare no parent wants to envision: their young child drowning in a backyard swimming pool. Instead of drawing sympathy, however, one Georgia mom has instead been charged with felony murder after her 3-year-old was found unconscious on Memorial Day in a swimming pool and subsequently died from his injuries, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Cops and paramedics rushed to the house in Bartow County after being dispatched to the home, but it was too late for rescuers to resuscitate the toddler. Less than five hours later, 32-year-old Bobbie Jessica Prather was arrested and hit with the murder charge, as well as four counts of first-degree cruelty to children. WGCL has tapes of the 911 call made by neighbors who found the non-responsive boy in what CBS and the AP report was an aboveground pool. "Come on, baby, breathe," the distressed woman on the phone can be heard pleading as the dispatcher gives her instructions on conducting CPR. Prather allegedly left the boy unsupervised for 14 hours; it's not apparent what she was doing during that period. Three other children were removed from the home, including a 4-year-old boy, said to be the brother of the victim, and two 18-month-old twin boys, whose relation to the toddler is unclear. The father of the victim was also arrested, but on warrants not related to his son's drowning (cops aren't ruling out charging him in the drowning death). Prather was denied bond at a Wednesday court appearance. (A 5-year-old saved her mom from drowning.) Elizabeth Wettlaufer says she would get a "red surge" right before killing a nursing home resident with a lethal dose of insulin; afterward she would have a "laughing feeling." The 49-year-old former nurse pleaded guilty Thursday to 14 charges, including first-degree murder, in what the New York Times reports is one of the worst serial killing sprees in Canadian history. Prosecutors say Wettlaufer killed eight seniors at two nursing homes and seriously harmed six others between 2007 and 2014, according to CBC. They say she was angry about her lifeher marriage had recently fallen apart and she may have had trouble getting a joband that anger would turn into an "urge to kill" that had to be sated. Wettlaufer told police she "honestly thought God wanted to use me" after her failed marriage, but "after a while, I started to really wonder ... if it was God or if it was the Devil." Wettlaufer confessed to giving a piece of pie to a 95-year-old victim who loved the dessert and then deciding she needed to die, the National Post reports. She also said a 75-year-old with dementia was a difficult patient and she thought, "Enough was enough." Wettlaufer said the man tried to stop the injection, but "eventually, I got it into him." Wettlaufer's mother says her daughter has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. A daughter of one of Wettlaufer's victims tells CBC: "I'm not going to forgive her. ... She knew what she was doing." Wettlaufer is scheduled for sentencing at the end of June. (Read more serial killer stories.) Notorious "schoolgirl killer" Karla Homolka appears to have been doing volunteer work at a private Montreal elementary school. Homolka's children attend Greaves Adventist Academy, which is operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighborhood, and local media including CTV recently reported that Homolka had done volunteer work including chaperoning a field trip, bringing her dog in for show-and-tell, and coming to class to talk to students about knitting. Now, though the church has not mentioned Homolka by name, it issued a statement appearing to address the controversy, the Toronto Star reports. The church said it has "heard and listened to the concerns of parents and members of the community uncomfortable with recent reports in the media" and that the school will no longer allow anyone with a criminal record to volunteer on school grounds. Earlier this week, a church spokesperson told City News that Homolka was never allowed to be alone with students, and that she was not a regular volunteer. Homolka and then-husband Paul Bernardo, now her ex, raped and murdered at least three teenage girls, including Homolka's own 15-year-old sister, USA Today and the Sun report. Homolka ultimately made a deal with prosecutors and served 12 years in prison for manslaughter; she was released in 2005. (Read more serial killer stories.) A "possible terrorist threat" shut down Rock am Ring, one of Germany's biggest music festivals, Friday near Nuerburg, AFP reports. Police say they have "concrete elements, in the light of which a possible terrorist threat cannot be ruled out." But no other details were released. According to the Guardian, thousands of people were asked to leave the festival calmly "in order to help police investigations." It's unclear how many people were in attendance Friday, but about 90,000 were expected over the three-day festival. Organizers hoped the festival would resume Saturday. Rock am Ring had already increased security, adding 1,200 additional staff, after the recent Manchester bombing at an Ariana Grande concert. (Rock am Ring was also suspended last year after dozens were injured by lightning.) Pakistan said Kulbhushan Jadhav will remain alive till he does not exhaust the right to seek clemency Islamabad : Pakistan on Thursday said alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav will remain alive till he does not exhaust the right to seek clemency, even as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif discussed with top officials Islamabad's strategy to counter India at the next hearing in the International Court of Justice. "Irrespective of ICJ's stay, Jadhav will remain alive until he has exhausted the right to request for clemency, initially with the COAS (army chief) and later with the President," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said at a briefing here. Sources privy to the Sharif meeting said the National Security Committee (NSC) discussed Pakistan's options and preparation to defend its stance in the case, with the next ICJ hearing scheduled on June 8. The meeting was attended by army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Hayat, naval chief Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, air chief Sohail Aman and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Adviser to Sharif on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, and the National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua participated in the meeting. The meeting also discussed names of former judges of the superior judiciary to select the ad hoc judge for the ICJ. However, no name was finalized. Zakaria said the Indian petition at the International Court of Justice was about Jadhav's entitlement to consular access. "It is not about whether the ICJ can act as a Court of Appeal from Pakistani legal proceedings. That is why Barrister Khawar Qureshi informed the Court that India cannot obtain from the Court what it is seeking. He also told the Court that India is using media to create a false impression about the case." The spokesperson said India had failed despite reminders to provide information sought on January 23 by Islamabad on the basis of Jadhav's alleged confession of spying and fomenting terror in Pakistan. He termed the ICJ stay on Jadhav's hanging as "nothing but usual". India last month moved the ICJ against the death sentence awarded to Jadhav by a military court for "fomenting terrorism in Balochistan and Karachi". The UN court granted a provisional suspension of the execution on May 18. The US President Donald Trump decided on Thursday to leave the US Embassy to Israel Washington : The US President Donald Trump decided on Thursday to leave the US Embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv and not move it to Jerusalem, going back on a campaign promise. Trump signed a waiver that postpones the embassy's relocation for six months, Efe reported. "No one should consider this step to be in any way a retreat from the President's strong support for Israel and for the US-Israel alliance," the White House said in a statement. "As he (Trump) has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the question is not if that move happens, but only when." "President Trump made this decision to maximise the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend US' national security interests," the White House added. However, Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that it's "disappointed" with Trump's decision to postpone the moving of the US embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The statement further accused Trump's decision of breaking his campaign promise and driving peace away. A law passed by Congress in 1995 mandates the embassy's relocation to Jerusalem but includes language allowing the president to waive its enforcement for six months "on grounds of national interests." Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all signed the waivers. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump vowed he would expedite the move. During his first official visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories last month, Trump said there was "an exceptional opportunity" to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The president also made a commitment to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to support a return to the negotiating table. The US government does not recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state, as many other nations do, and despite the fact that the Israeli parliament, or Knesset, declared a unified Jerusalem as "eternal capital, indivisible from Israel." East Jerusalem, which Palestinians consider the capital of their hoped-for independent state, was occupied by Israel in the 1967 war and annexed in the 1980s. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Snow showers will become more widely scattered for the afternoon. High 19F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 70%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low near 10F. Winds light and variable. New Delhi: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) likely to announce class 10th results 2017 this week. However, CBSE would have informed a day before the results were announced. They are likely to give a date on Friday and results will probably be declared either on Saturday or Sunday. The students may check there results on official portal of CBSE. The CBSE class 10th results will be announced for all regions at one go on three websites-www.results.nic.in, www.cbseresults.nic.in and www.cbse.nic.in. The schools will automatically receive their cbse class 10th results on board official email ids already registered with the Board. There has been confusion regarding the declaration of results as official sources have not given a confirmed date. However, the results are expected to be out between 31 May and 2 June. While the class 10th examination has taken place from 9th March to 10th April, the 12th examination was scheduled from 9th March to 29th April. Around 8.8 lakh students are eagerly awaiting for their CBSE class 10th results 2017. Also Read: Uttar Prdesh Board 10th and 12th results 2017 to be announced on June 9 at 12 PM; click here to know more Steps to check CBSE Class 10th Result 2017: -Go to the official website -Click on the link, 'Secondary School Examination (Class X) Results 2017' -Enter your roll number -After submitting the same, the results will be displayed on the screen -Take a printout for future use Also, students can get their results on the telephone numbers of NIC and MTNL through which results can be accessed through IVRS. National Informatics Centre: 011 - 24300699 MTNL: 011 -28127030 Last year, the results were announced on May 28 and girls outperformed boys with a pass percentage of 96.36 percent, while boys had 96.11 per cent. Thiruvanathapuram region recorded the highest pass percentage in the country at 99.87 per cent. About Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was established on Nov. 3, 1962. The headquarter is situated in Preet Vihar, New Delhi. The academic body is responsible to regulates and supervises the development of education in the country. It conducts academic programmes and organises examinations, especially for Class 10 and Class 12 students. New Delhi: Salman Khan, who will be seen participating in the prestigious International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards-2017, has admitted that he isn't much keen to win an award. In fact, he asserted, he is more interested in the rewards from IIFA and fans. The superstar has been nominated for the category of 'Best Actor' for his movie 'Sultan'. He will be competing with Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Sushant Singh Rajput in the category. During the recent press conference was IIFA, when Khan was quizzed about who does he think will take home the award, Salman said, Definitely not me. I believe in the rewards I get from IIFA and fans, but awards are not my thing. The 'Dabangg' actor also asserted that he will be a part of everything that will happens in IIFA this year to be held from July 13-15 at MetLife Stadium in New York - be it the performance or award giving ceremony. I will be part of everything that happens with IIFA this year. I will be performing on stage on radio (a song from his movie Tubelight)and maybe giving away an award but not receiving one, Salman said. Also Read | Katrina Kaif to Alia Bhatt: Leave Salman Khan for me Talking about the competition from the young actor, Salman admitted that it is difficult to compete with the younger lot of actors today but his fans keep him going. My fans keep me going. The older you get the harder it is to keep going as you need to compete with your juniors and it is difficult. Today competing with juniors is very difficult, Khan was quoted as saying. Currently, Salman Khan is busy promoting his upcoming release 'Tubelight' Helmed by Kabir Khan, the movie also stars Sohail Khan, Chinese actress Zhu Zhu and Matin Rey Tangu. It will hit the screens on June 23, 2017. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Sunny Leone has come out in support of Priyanka Chopra over her dress controversy saying it is unfair to judge the actress on her clothes. Priyanka, who recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin, invited online trolls after she shared a picture of the meeting where she was seen wearing a short dress. The 'Quantico' actress was slammed by a certain section of the society for not being appropriately dressed for the meeting. However, Sunny Leone lashed out at the trollers saying no body has the right to troll anyone. She further asserted that if PM Modi had a problem with PeeCee's dress he would have expressed it. We have elected a very smart man to be the prime minister of this country If he had a problem with it he wouldve said something. But he didnt and I dont think anybody has the right to troll, Sunny Leone was quoted as saying. Also Read | Priyanka Chopra gets trolled for her dress to meet PM Modi, slams haters with a PERFECT reply The Jism 2 actress said Priyanka is a smart woman who does a lot for the society. Theres enough hate, we should love each other more and not be mean. I know she (Priyanka) gives back to the society, she is good to people. Lets judge her based on her actions and not her clothes. Interestingly, Priyanka Chopra too had shut down the haters with a post where she along with her mother were seen flaunting their legs. Chopra captioned the image as, "Legs for days.... #itsthegenes with @madhuchopra nights out in #Berlin #beingbaywatch". Legs for days.... #itsthegenes with @madhuchopra nights out in #Berlin #beingbaywatch A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on May 30, 2017 at 4:23pm PDT Priyanka Chopra is currently busy promoting her maiden Hollywood release 'Baywatch' which got released in India on June 2. Helmed by Seth Gordon, 'Baywatch' also stars Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Priyanka Chopra, Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach, Jon Bass, and Ilfenesh Hadera. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Srinagar: After years of fighting armed militants with bullets and brickbats, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir are now facing a new enemy bedroom jehadis who manipulate social media from the comfort of their homes to spread rumours and influence youths. Its a new battleground and a new battle, say senior officers. Far removed from conventional weaponry and the conventional fighting zones of the warren of narrow streets and forests, these new age jehadis use computers and smartphones to wage war from just about anywhere in Kashmir or outside, safe inside their homes or out on the streets, from a nearby cafe or even just a convenient roadside. An immediate worry for security agencies is the Amarnath Yatra that starts June 29. Armed with access to platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, there are fears that the new band of jehadis could instigate communal riots in the Valley ahead of the 40-day pilgrimage to the high altitude shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a virtual battleground where a bloody war is fought, but with words. However, this has an impact on the young minds, said a senior police officer. Many officers felt that false rumours could be floated in Jammu in the coming days, leaving authorities with little time to react. Anyone, while sitting on his bed or sofa, can plant this news in one of the thousand chat groups and the entire state can plunge into communal divide, said a police officer. The social chat groups are active not just in Jammu and Kashmir. They are seeing participation from youngsters in the national capital, rest of the country and abroad as well. Read | Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat says 'Dirty war in Kashmir has to be fought with innovative ways' Officers cite the recent example of a constable from the Kashmiri Pandit community to explain how difficult it is to tackle the unseen enemy. The constable went missing and his body was found in north Kashmirs Kupwara, about 90 km from here, after a thorough search. But even before the investigations began, people in the Pandit community posted stories that he had been kidnapped by militants and had died a martyrs death. The impact of social media on the case was so profound that it began to be probed as a militancy-related case. However, a Special Investigating Team (SIT), constituted by Director General of Police S P Vaid, later found that the constable had been murdered by a fellow policeman whom he had allegedly sodomised and threatened to make it public. Another instance of trouble being engineered was a fake picture of a pond around the shrine of Goddess Ragnya Devi, also known as Kheer Bhawani, being shared on WhatsApp groups ahead of the annual Kheer Bhawani mela being celebrated today. According to the post, the water of the pond had turned black, which according to folklore indicates inauspicious times for Kashmir. The government stepped in and released official photographs in an attempt to quell the rumours. They also tried to find those responsible. But it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Millions of people are on social networking sites and is too difficult to locate that one person, a police officer said. In the Valley, social media access had been controlled to a large extent after authorities clamped down on 22 websites. While many users in the Valley found a way out through virtual private networks (VPN), they found it difficult to share pictures or videos because of the clamp down on 3G and 4G networks. Read | Pak funding Kashmir unrest: Are '90s terrorists link between separatists and LeT? A police officer recalled that many hartal calls attributed to separatist leaders last year actually came from students or employees who did not want to attend work. The hartal calls used to spread like a jungle fire even leaving separatists wondering at times whether they actually had given them, he said. Most youngsters picked up for questioning were let go with a warning. Given the governments push for Digital India in other parts of the country and the rapid strides in technology, the state government has received severe flak for its ban on the world wide web. Security agency officers feel it is necessary to keep bedroom jehadis at bay so that they can concentrate on nabbing or eliminating terrorists with real guns. The government has warned administrators of these chatting groups or social networking sites against hosting any incriminating material on their platform.However, officers felt that a few more curbs and punitive action would help in reining in such bedroom jehadis. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. St Petersbrug: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that his nation is making preparation to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both nations are discussing the terms of the sale. Precontract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Rogozin said. Pre-contract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, he said. It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms, Russias official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modis ongoing visit to this Russian city. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over USD five billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. In April, Sergei Chemezov, director-general of the Rostec State Corporation had said that the deal for the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems (AAMS) to India is not yet concluded. Also Read | Modi's four-nation tour: India, Spain sign 7 agreements during PM's visit The contract has not yet been signed, Chemezov had said. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi backs Chancellor Merkel's EU leadership as US President Trump scolds Germany The S-400 Triumph is Russias latest mobile long-range multiple anti-aircraft missile system, which came into service in 2007. It is meant for destroying aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and ground targets. China was the first foreign buyer of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Union minister Maneka Gandhi was diagnosed with gall bladder stones after complaining of stomach pain in her Pilibhit constituency on Friday, following which she was admitted to AIIMS in Delhi for treatment. The women and child development minister has been admitted to a private ward, according to sources at AIIMS. "A team of doctors has examined her. Her condition is fine and she will be under observation at AIIMS for a day or so. The treatment for gall bladder stone will continue," the woman and child development ministry said in a statement. Read | Father's name in caste certificates should be optional, says Maneka Gandhi Gandhi had complained of stomach pain this morning and was taken to the district hospital. An ultrasound there detected stones in her gall bladder, district magistrate Sheetal Verma said. Thereafter, she was flown back to Delhi for medical treatment. The 60-year-old Gandhi had held a meeting with the DM and the Superintendent of Police at Pilibhit. She then went to a guest house at Bisalpur road where she complained of uneasiness, breathing trouble and stomach pain. Read | Watch Video | Maneka Gandhi at Goafest 2017: 'Romance in almost every film starts with eve teasing' For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. St Petersburg: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented over 100 volumes of Urga Kanjur to the head priest of the Datsan Gunzechoinei Buddhist Temple in St Petersburg. Urga Kanjur is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist text. PM presents Urga Kanjur to Jampa Donor, Buda Balzheivich Badmayev, Head Priest, Datsan Gunzechoinei Buddhist Temple, St Petersburg, Office of the Prime Minister said in a tweet. Modi, who is on an official visit to Russia, met President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The Urga edition of the Tibetan Kanjur was unknown till 1955 when Prof Raghu Vira brought to India its complete set of 104 volumes with a volume containing the catalogue. It was presented to him by Mongolian prime minister as a unique bibliographic rarity. Also Read: Deputy PM Dmitry Rogozin says Russia all set to supply S-400 Triumf missile systems to India On the second day of his Russia visit, Modi visited Institute of Oriental Manuscripts. He also left a message in the Gujarati language at the Institute, said a tweet by the Indian Embassy in Moscow. The institute has manuscripts and early printed books consisting of more than 100 thousand items in 65 living and dead languages. It also has the archives of the Orientalists that contains some valuable documents on the history of the Oriental Studies in Russia. It has manuscripts and xylographs. He also met Tigran Sargasyan, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission and former Prime Minister of Armenia. India and Russia yesterday agreed on early commencement of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the five-nation Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. St Petersburg: In an apparent reference to Pakistan's policy of backing terrorists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressed the world community to come together to fight the menace of terrorism. With Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting next to him at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday, Modi emphasised that the world should move beyond the "good terrorism, bad terrorism" debate and block funding, weapons and communication modes of terrorists. Modi also pushed for early decision on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), a resolution pending before the United Nations for the last 40 years. Read | PM Modi at SPIEF-17 : 'Political will, political stability and clear vision has set the tone for transformative reforms' Joining Modi, Putin said India was facing a serious problem on account of terrorism and it was not an "imaginary thing". During a question-answer session after addressing the SPIEF, Modi said, "terrorists don't manufacture weapons, but some countries supply guns to them; terrorists don't print currency, but some countries facilitate their financing through money laundering; terrorists don't own telecommunications system and social media networks, but some countries help them with that." Although the Prime Minister did not name any country, the reference was clearly to Pakistan which India says has been indulging in all these activities in Kashmir. Also Read: Deputy PM Dmitry Rogozin says Russia all set to supply S-400 Triumf missile systems to India "The call of time is that we should rise above specific incidents. Terrorism is the enemy of humankind. All should come together to fight terrorism," he said. Noting that the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was present in the gathering, Modi lamented that for 40 years, the CCIT resolution has been pending before the United Nations regarding definition of terrorism and of those who help terrorists. "Only lip service has been provided. There has been no discussion, nor any decision," he said. The Prime Minister said he was glad that Putin had on Thursday publicly stated that the resolution would be discussed. "Now we should come out of good terrorism, bad terrorism (debate); my terrorist, your terrorist (syndrome). It is an issue of humankind. That's how we can fight terrorism," Modi said. India, he said, has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for 40 years and thousands of innocent citizens have been killed but the world recognized terrorism merely as a law and order problem for many years. Read | Modi in Russia: PM presents 'Urga Kanjur' to Buddist temple head priest PM Modi in Russia: President Vladimir Putin says India to formally become SCO member within a week For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Sangareddy (Telangana): Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, asking him whether the state was formed only for the benefit of his family. Addressing a public meeting here, Gandhi said while it was not possible to fulfil the dreams of Telangana people in three years, the state government had not made the right beginning and it was not going in the right direction. Targeting his familyhis minister-son K T Rama Rao, daughter and Lok Sabha member K Kavitha, and nephew and Minister Harish Rao, without naming them, he asked if students and farmers fought for the creation of Telangana for a single family. Has the state been created just for four people, Gandhi said, and alleged that the chief minister was not taking along with him students, youth, women and backward classes. Only contractors and land mafia are benefiting. The Congress vice-president addressed the public meeting on the eve of the third formation day of Telangana. The UPA government formed separate Telangana, though there was opposition to the move, as it understood the pain of Telangana people and their yearning for a bright future in their own state. However, the dreams of the people for a separate state are not being fulfilled now, alleged Gandhi. The venue of the meeting had immense sentimental value for the Congress as it was at the same location where Indira Gandhi kicked off her election campaign in 1979-80 and went on to win back the prime ministers post. Congress leaders who spoke ahead of Gandhi hoped that the public meeting would herald a change and repeat history to bring the party to power. The NDA government at the Centre and the TRS government in Telangana should stop making hollow promises and instead deliver on them. Saying that the biggest challenge in the country is massive job creation for the youth of the country, Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Rao have to answer the question about who will create this job. ALSO READ | Kerala: Rahul Gandhi condemns butchering of calf by youth Congress members If Modi and KCR wont reply to the question, Congress will answer it (when it comes to power, he said. Gandhi charged the chief minister with snatching MPs, MLAs from the Congress and other elected representatives. Do you want to waste your strength and future with the four member family? What kind of Telangana is being formed. Is it bangaru (golden) Telangana? he asked. The congress vice-president said 2,855 farmers have committed suicide in the three-year tenure of the TRS government, including 100 in the chief ministers constituency. Farmers have given their blood and sweat for creating Telangana. They did not do so for creating a graveyard, Gandhi said. ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi takes potshot at govt over 3-yr gala, says what it was celebrating He claimed the Modi government promised to give two crore jobs to the youth every year but the Centre, in reply to a query in Parliament recently, admitted that unemployment is highest in the past seven years. Similarly, the Telangana chief minister promised to give one job to every family in the state but did not keep his word. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Twitter is buzzing with news alerts from India and rest of the world. Here are the latest updates from the micro-blogging site in one scroll: #11:00 PM India lose to Belgium in Hockey #10:30 PM Champions Trophy: Australia-New Zealand match abandoned due to rain. #10:00 PM UP: 200 people unwell after eating food at a wedding in Bijnor. Six of them are in critical condition #9:35 PM RSS leader #IndreshKumar says Valentine's Day is responsible for rape, illegitimate children and violence on women. #9:25 PM Khanderi, second of the 6 Scorpene class submarines being built in India, sailed out yesterday from Mumbai harbour for its maiden sea sortie #9:15 PM Lucknow police SIT file charge sheet in court against former UP Minister Gayatri Prajapati in a rape case #9:00 PM Police have detained Bihar class 12th topper Ganesh Kumar after his result was cancelled #8:50 PM EVM Challenge is "on" as scheduled. It will start at 10 am, tomorrow. NCP and CPI(M) have nominated 3 representatives each: ECI #8:40 PM 'Responsible' India committed to climate deal: PM Modi #8:30 PM Delhi: Maneka Gandhi admitted to AIIMS. She was airlifted from Pilibhit after gall bladder ailment. #8:20 PM Social activist #AnnaHazare backs Maharashtra farmers' stir, says ready to mediate if asked to.A #8:10 PM Bihar: Result of class 12th topper Ganesh Kumar suspended #7:50 PM It was after 9/11 that the entire world realised the dangers of terrorism. The World must come together to fight terrorism: PM Modi #7:30 PM J&K: Massive search by security forces underway since morning in jungles of Kupwara district, following reports of infiltration by terrorists #7:10 PM Even before #Parisagreement, #India has been working to protect the climate, @narendramodi. #7:05 PM Bad summer weather in Russia is due to American imperialism: President Putin on US pulling out of #Parisclimateaccord #7:00 PM Bad summer weather in Russia is due to American imperialism: President Putin on US pulling out of #Parisclimateaccord #6:58 PM Our relations with #China over the last 40 years have been stable. Not one bullet has been fired over borders: PM @narendramodi @SPIEF #6:55 PM Indian #Cricket Team's practice session at Edgbaston Stadium ahead of their first match against #Pakistan on June 4th #ChampionsTrophy2017A Indian Cricket Team's practice session at Edgbaston Stadium ahead of their first match against Pakistan on June 4th #ChampionsTrophy2017 pic.twitter.com/cGOeasoKBA a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #6:50 PM India plans to buy S-400 missile systems from Russia # 6:36 pm Dont think on this subject I will take sides, but would rather take side of our future generation: PM Modi on US pulling out of Paris accord- ANI # 6:06 PM CBSE Class 10 results to be announced on Saturday: PTI # 5:40 PM All credit rating agencies across the world have unanimously said that India is a rapidly developing country: PM Modi in Russia #5:30 PM Delhi Court extended ED remand of Misa Bharti's CA by two days, in a money laundering case _ANI #5:20 PM Saina Nehwal stormed into semi-final of Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold 2017 after defeating Japan's Haruko Suzuki _ANI #5:10 PM A Ludhiana court issued non-bailable warrant against Rakhi Sawant again, for making derogatory remarks on Valmiki -ANI #5:00 PM CPM suspends Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee from the party for three months after complaints about his lifestyle -ANI #4:50 PM Maharashtra CM has blamed Congress for farmers' strike. This is an insult to the farmers of the state and India: AM Singhvi, Congress #4:40 PM Compliment Haryana govt for their initiative to make Haryana a Kerosene-free state: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Gurugram #4:30 PM Dantewada (Chhattisgarh): Police arrested three Naxals (Jan Militia members) from Kamalur forest, yesterday #4:20 PM The 'Make in India' Lion which was said to be roaring, now seems to be snoozing: AM Singhvi, Congress _ANI #4:10 PM They suddenly came without any information. It's a political thing, institution like Kerala House should be avoided: Vishwas Mehta #4:00 PM Patiala House Court asks Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh to vacate govt bungalow allocated to him on Delhi's Janpath when he was a LS MP. -ANI #3:50 PM PIL filed against Election Commission of India's EVM challenge in division bench of Uttarakhand High Court -ANI #3:40 PM Sensex rises by 135.70 points to end at 31,273.29. Nifty closes at 9,653.50 -ANI #3:30 PM Russia: PM Narendra Modi visits Institute of Oriental Manuscripts in Saint Petersburg. _ANI #3:20 PM We'll try BCCI lifts ban on #rca &players from state will get chance to play at international level: C P Joshi -ANI #3:10 PM Bihar: A Bank of India branch manager shot dead by unidentified men in Siwan's Mairwa, assailants fled with Rs. 1.5 lakhs. -ANI #2:50PM Uttar Pradesh: Union Minister Maneka Gandhi admitted to emergency ward of a hospital in Pilibhit after breathing problem - ANI #02:34 PM Bihar: Bottles and pouches containing total 60,000 liters of liquor crushed by Bihar Police, in Rohtas district pic.twitter.com/AFn9inSlVA a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #02:08 PM Russia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at The State Hermitage Museum in St.Petersburg pic.twitter.com/7dVNvwFnuO a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #01:55 PM Bengaluru: Medical College Doctors&Teachers Association protest demanding adequate security aftr a doctor's assault by a patient's relative #01:51 PM Maharashtra: Demanding crop loan waiver & better procurement prices, farmers in Nashik dump fruits and vegetables on roads in protest pic.twitter.com/3p2mUd4Bv8 a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #01:50 PM MP-CBI files 2 charge sheets in a Gwalior court against 2 candidates, 3 middlemen & an impersonator in separate cases related to Vyapam scam-ANI #01:42 PM Assam:1 Army officer was injured during encounter with terrorists in Kokrajhar, last evening.Terrorists escaped due to bad weather conditions-ANI #01:16 PM Russia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg pic.twitter.com/M8I4DKioT3 a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #01:07 PM Delhi HC notice to MCDs (North,South&East) for violating court orders in matters relating to sanitation, summons commissioners on June 21.-ANI #01:04 PM Pointed out that awarding MS Dhoni an aAa contract when he ruled himself out from Test matches was indefensible on cricketing grounds: Guha-ANI #01:02 PM BCCI accorded preferential treatment to some national coaches giving them 10 month contracts for national duty allowing to work at IPL: Guha-ANI #12:59 PM CP Joshi got 19 votes against Ruchir Modi's 14 votes-ANI #12:57 PM CP Joshi wins Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) president election. Lalit Modi's son Ruchir Modi was also contesting. -ANI #12:54 PM Migration imp aspect of development.While rural areas need to be developd sustainability,migration must not be treated negatively-Panagariya-ANI #12:50 PM Data on employment lacking & NITI Aayog's Task Force enabling creation of robust annual nation-wide data&quarterly urban data:A Panagariya-ANI #12:50 PM Ramachandra Guha writes a 7 point letter to Vinod Rai, expressed unhappiness with alleged rift between Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble-ANI #12:39 PM No NOCs to be issued to players/officials (coaches) contracted to Afghanistan T20 league. No Pak player/official can feature in league: PCB-ANI #12:32 PM BJP national president Amit Shah attends BJP state core committee meeting in Kerala's Kochi pic.twitter.com/OBkqq9fWcD a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #12:31 PM #WATCH Wife drags husband to get X-ray done due to unavailability of stretcher at Megan Govt Hospital in K'taka's Shimoga(Last week's video) pic.twitter.com/IWKu5vhdPP a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #12:20 PM Mumbai: Man arrested under POSCO for allegedly raping his mentally challenged daughter in Oshiwara #12:15 PM 3 years of Modi Govt: Govt to hit sustained 8% growth rate over next 2 years: @APanagariya, Niti Aayog #12:13 PM PM Narendra Modi presented 'Urga Kanjur' to Jampa Badmayev, Head Priest, Datsan Gunzechoinei Buddhist Temple in St.Petersburg, Russia pic.twitter.com/1NJqtAY1s8 a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #12:13 PM 3 years of Modi Govt: In 2017-18, #IndianEconomy to grow at around 7.5%: @APanagariya , Niti Aayog #12:12 PM PM Narendra Modi met Tigran Sargasyan, Chairman of Eurasian Economic Commission and former PM of Armenia, in St Petersburg, Russia pic.twitter.com/0hcEDNZoni a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #12:10 PM 3 years of Modi Govt : #NITIAayog VC @APanagariya shares future projections for Indian Economy #11:48 AM On attack on complainant, FIR under Section 307 registered in Greater Noida police station-ANI #11:44 AM Tis Hazari Court directs ACB's Addl CP to assess threat perception against complainant Rahul Sharma, who was allegedly attacked recently-ANI #11:42 AM Bihar: Abandoned body of a woman carried in a garbage cart for post-mortem in Muzaffarpur's Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital. pic.twitter.com/2VTaCr6aAm a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #11:36 AM PWD Scam: ACB says 3 FIRs have been filed on separate allegations of corruption, forgery and cheating in various areas of Delhi.-ANI #11:35 AM PWD Scam:ACB files status report in Tis Hazari Court on Rahul Sharma's complaint against Kejriwal's deceased brother-in law SK Bansal #Delhi-ANI #10:58 AM Some farmers detained, sec 144 imposed in parts of Nashik in wake of farmers' strike demanding crop loan waiver & better procurement prices.-ANI #10:53 AM Telangana's Deputy CM Kadiyam Srihari faints during #TelanganaFormationDay celebrations in Warangal pic.twitter.com/uDJCtCeQOg a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #10:49 AM Telangana CM KC Rao at the state's formation day celebrations in Hyderabad #TelanganaFormationDay pic.twitter.com/LowAdofuWb a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #10:40 AM Kerala: Mortal remains of Flight Lt. Achu Dev, a pilot of crashed Sukhoi-30 IAF aircraft, reaches his residence in Trivandrum's Pongumoodu. pic.twitter.com/FvTNHZ1GXz a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #10:30 AM Kerala: BJP president Amit Shah arrives in Kochi on a three-day visit to the state pic.twitter.com/z6WbcatKon a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #10:17 AM #WATCH: Farmers spill milk on road in Maharashtra's Shirdi as a part of protest demanding crop loan waiver and better procurement prices. pic.twitter.com/Q9DLneRmYm a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #09:55 AM Kerala: BJP president Amit Shah to arrive in Kochi today on a three-day visit to the state. pic.twitter.com/rvgnf8TpCN a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #09:39 AM Tamil Nadu: Elephant strayed into a residential area in Coimbatore's Vellalore and killed four people #09:30 AM Sensex rises 128.76 points, currently at 31,266.35. Nifty at 9,659.25-ANI #09:37 AM Maharashtra: State buses with a new logo containing the words 'Jai Maharashtra' flagged off from Mumbai Central to Belgaum. pic.twitter.com/u6qJoYEBr7 a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #09:36 AM #Jammu-My 13-year-old son was crushed to death by a car of a VIP person and had no number, didn't even help my son: Purushottam Kumar,Father pic.twitter.com/ANjlyC4btw a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #08:51 AM Allahabad (UP): A contractor Dhiraj Singh, son of retired DIG stamp, shot dead in front of AG office in Civil Lines area-ANI #08:35 AM 34 bodies found after gunman sets fire to Philippine casino: police (Source: AFP)-ANI #08:25 AM UP: 10 teams former under supervision of Lucknow DM to probe petrol theft and adulteration at stations, 157 petrol pumps identified.-ANI #07:58 AM Himachal Pradesh: Tourists throng five day 'Shimla Summer festival' that kicked off in the city with cultural and traditional performances. pic.twitter.com/i4BMlkMN4L a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #07:42 AM Heavy rain lashed Mumbai late last night, many areas waterlogged: Visuals from Khar and Andheri areas. pic.twitter.com/DQT8QmRMha a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #07:37 AM Earthquake occurred at 4:25 AM, region being Rohtak(Haryana), and magnitude 5 which is moderate: Ved Prakash Thakur,Seismology Dep Scientist pic.twitter.com/G9wLMjF7PA a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #07:31 AM National Investigation Agency (NIA) files the third supplementary Charge-Sheet against six accused persons in Professoras Palm Chopping Case pic.twitter.com/vTkxHsdRE3 a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #07:28 AM Naxals set ablaze five vehicles of a construction company last night, working to construct a road in Jharkhand's Giridih. pic.twitter.com/8VVKzqrQ8z a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #07:21 AM A PM Modi will visit Make In India Pavilion, to also meet Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Kern & UN Secy-Gen AntAnio Guterres-ANI #07:17 AM #Russia:PM Narendra Modi to visit The State Hermitage Museum, will also attend plenary session of St Petersburg International Economic Forum pic.twitter.com/qJhGiyvv2e a ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 #04:55 AM Earthquake tremors felt in Delhi NCR. 4.7 on the richter scale and epicentre was in Haryana pic.twitter.com/k6lR9jVHjN a ANI (@ANI_news) June 1, 2017 #04:29 AM Earthquake tremors felt in Delhi NCR- ANI For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Paris: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) in the US comprising of scientists from across the world, including those from India, has announced that the team has yet again detected gravitational waves for the third time. The gravitational waves are the ripples in the space that were first predicted by Albert Einstein more than a century ago. The detection of third gravitational waves was made by LIGO on January 4 this year. The detection has firmly opened a new window in astronomy. The extremely sensitive LIGO detectors can hear the gravitational waves as they pass though the Earth. While the first gravitational waves were detected in September 2015 during the first observing run, a second detection was made in December 2015. The latest gravitational waves detection has been described in a new paper accepted for publication in the journal Physical Review Letters. Just like the first two detections, the waves occurred when two black holes merged to form a larger black hole. "Our handful of detections so far is revealing an intriguing black hole population we did not know existed until now," said Northwestern University's Vicky Kalogera, a senior astrophysicist with the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC).The new gravitational wave detection is called GW170104. It took place during the ongoing second observing run of the Advanced LIGO detectors which began on November 30, 2016. 40 authors in the publication belong to 11 Indian institutions. Under the leadership of Dr Chandra Kant Mishra, IIT-Madras recently joined the LSC as one of the participating institutes. Led by Dr K.G. Arun, the Chennai Mathematical Institute has also been contributing to the activities. The IIT-Madras team models the sources of the gravitational wave such as the ones detected by the LIGO detectors so far. They also test the consistency of the detected gravitational wave signals with the predictions of Einstein's general theory of relativity. The latest detection of gravitational waves shows how the black holes located twice as far away from Earth as the two earlier pairs about three billion light-years away merge. This time around, the size of the two black holes was different with one significantly lighter than the other. They merged and formed a black hole whose size is in the middle of the other two merged black hole pairs. "Now we have three pairs of black holes, each pair ending their death spiral dance over millions or billions of years in some of the most powerful explosions in the universe. In astronomy, we say with three objects of the same type you have a class. We have a population, and we can do analysis," Kalogera added. The newly formed black hole has a mass of about 49 times that of our sun. This fills in a gap between the masses of the two merged black holes that were previously detected by LIGO. They had solar masses of 62 (first detection) and 21 (second detection). "We have further confirmation of the existence of black holes that are heavier than 20 solar masses, objects we didn't know existed before LIGO detected them," said David Shoemaker of MIT, the newly elected spokesperson for the LSC. India is also working towards setting up of its own LIGO observatory and the move had received approval from the cabinet in February last year. The LIGO observatory in India once set up will greatly enhance the scientific capabilities of the international network of observatories for astronomy. Scientific and engineering teams at IPR Gandhinagar, IUCAA Pune and RRCAT Indore are actively involved in the pre-construction activities of LIGO-India. Indias contribution in gravitational waves detection: ALSO READ | China building Gravitational waves observatory worth $18.8 million close to border with India Indias strong efforts have been involved in these detections that were made by contribution from researchers from across the world. The scientists from India have performed foundational work over the last three decades in modelling the signal waveforms and developing mathematical techniques to search for gravitational wave signals in noisy data. "With the third definite detection of from a coalescing black hole binary, we have discovered a new class of astrophysical sources to test Einstein's theory of general relativity in extreme conditions," Bala Iyer, the Principal Investigator of the Indian team in LIGO said. ALSO READ | Albert Einstein Institute's scientist terms gravitational waves detection as most important scientific discovery of 2015 For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Singapore: Project in the mega One Belt One Road initiative can be joined by India at any time, according to a Singaporean think tank which quoted a Chinese official. "China will never impose anything on others," an unnamed Chinese official was quoted as saying by Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) in a paper published in Singapore. "India can come in at any time on any project" under the One Belt One Road (OBOR), an ambitious initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping, ISAS quoted the official as saying at the recently concluded Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) summit meeting in Beijing. Beijing would, therefore, welcome the "very, very good point" of a quadrilateral dialogue among China, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan on issues relating to the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said. However, it would be good if such a proposal came from India and the other countries concerned rather than as a Chinese initiative, the official was quoted as saying by the paper's current affairs editor P S Suryanarayana, who participated in the BRF meetings in Beijing as a delegate. One of the BRF themes was "Regional and Global Security: Situation and Prospect". Interpreting Jinping's "studied avoidance of India's counter narrative" on China's connectivity projects, during the BRF meetings, the author says. "China cannot hope to be a benign global power if its major neighbour (India) remains estranged," said Suryanarayana, who is also the author of 'Smart Diplomacy: Exploring China-India Synergy' published in 2016. Tracing India's well-known objections to the CPEC project, Suryanarayana said "the Chinese tend to think that India's objections to the CPEC also stem from the possibility of the CPEC propelling Pakistan, too, as an attractive destination for foreign investments from far and wide". Yet, "there is also a view that India perhaps has time until the next BRF Summit in 2019 to say a belated 'yes' or a final 'no' to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI also called OBOR)," the author said. India did not attend the BRF held in Beijing in mid-May, which observers believe, was a strong objection to OBOR for its partial route through Kashmir. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: American journalist and anchor at NBC News Megyn Kelly gave social media plenty of reasons to pummel her over her asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he is on Twitter. Modi, on the other hand, tweeted about his interaction with the 'noted journalist and commentator'. Kelly launched her new show with an interaction featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Modi at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg. However, she soon found herself being slammed on social media for her not doing her homework properly while greeting the Indian Prime Minister. The exchange took place before Ms Kelly recorded the meeting for her show at the Konstantin Palace. While she was greeting the two leaders, PM Modi said he had seen a post by the journalist with an umbrella. This is what happened when met NBC News anchor Megyn Kelly met Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was with Russion President V Putin. EXCLUSIVE: NBC News' @megynkelly joins Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi ahead of tomorrow's International Economic Forum in Russia. pic.twitter.com/L12ahtuTDO a NBC News (@NBCNews) June 1, 2017 The 'noted journalist' was surprised when PM Modi said: "I saw your tweet...with umbrella." "Oh really, did you? Are you on Twitter?" was her response. Modi joined in the laughter and said, "Yes." Ever since the interaction made its way to the social media, the Indian Twitterati has gone on a trolling spree on the journalist's absurd question has been brutal. How Twitterati reacted after listening to the conversation between NBC News anchor Megyn Kelly and PM Modi when she asked the Indian PM, "are you on Twitter?"- A Dear @megynkelly here is ur twitter profile vs @narendramodi sir profile,still u ask that r u on twitter. Wats d population f ur country btw pic.twitter.com/bFcanO6iLP a Kumar Amritansh (@Banarasi_Hindu) June 2, 2017 A This was funny ???? While @narendramodi had done his homework Ms. Kelly had not researched her subjects well??. The first thing I do before.. a Nitin Kapoor (@NitinKapoor2020) June 2, 2017 A Let's not cry for her negligence.. let's enjoy our PM Modi's sense of humour and preparedness, attention to details! a Praveen ?????? (@pkshirali) June 2, 2017 A No wonder we are screwed up. She asks if the PM of India is on Twitter. duh, he only has 30M + followers...how about basic research? a Radman ?????????? (@radbcc) June 2, 2017 A That awkward moment whn a journalist wit 2.3 M followers ask a PM of biggest democratic state wit 30.3 M followers "Are you on Twitter?" :p a Kunal Manusmare (@storieskecher) June 2, 2017 A How silly, a "journalist" is going to interview a head of a nation and doesn't know he has over 48Million (30+18) followers! a GB (@_Gbhat) June 2, 2017 A Narendra Modi came out of syllabus. It happens she had gd conversation with Putin, preparedness limited to Putin. a RadiantSafdar (@safderwahab) June 2, 2017 A Seriously Kelly ? You asking PM Modi if he is on Twitter! Wow! This qualifies for the dumbest question of 2017. a StoryTeller (@AStoryTeller14) June 2, 2017 A ???? Someone from a "news" channel doesn't know that Indian Prime minister is on Twitter! Boy oh boy. These "news" channels, I tell ya! a randomthoughts (@gauravlavania) June 2, 2017 For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Manila Police on Friday confirmed that the casino shooting and fire, which triggered fears of a terrorist attack, was most likely robbery gone wrong and added that the lone culprit who fired an automatic rifle inside the casino has been shot dead. Police, as quoted by news agency AFP, has also said that they have pulled out at leats 34 bodies from the burnt casino. Before the gunmen had been killed and police had confirmed any motive, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility and US President Donald Trump also branded it a terrorist attack. However, the incident was most likely a robbery gone wrong rather than a terrorist attack, Dela Rosa and Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde told reporters. People ran screaming out of Resorts World Manila, which is across a road from the Philippines international airport, after the man fired what police chief Ronald dela Rosa said was an M4 assault rifle and set fire to a gambling table about midnight. The gunman did not shoot anyone but disappeared into the chaos of smoke and running people, leading to a manhunt throughout the casino, hotel and shopping complex that ended just after dawn. Hes dead. He was killed by our troops, Dela Rosa told the GMA television network.Dela Rosa said the man, who appeared to be acting alone, walked into one of the gambling rooms and fired the rifle at a large television screen, then poured gasoline onto a gambling table and set it alight. He said the man then fired again at a stock room containing gambling chips and filled a backpack with them. The man left the room and went upstairs to the hotel section, according to Dela Rosa.Albayalde said the gunman had tried to steal 113 million pesos (USD 2.3 million) worth of gambling chips, although he left the backpack on the ground near the stock room. There is no indication that this is a terror attack, Albayalde told reporters outside the casino. It is a simple robbery and most likely it was done by a demented person.Dela Rosa was less equivocal, saying that it appeared not to be a terrorist attack but that an investigation would determine the gunmans motive. BREAKING: Terror attack at a vacation resort in #Manila, Philippines. pic.twitter.com/OZJpZ4Nr5j Based Monitored YY (@BasedMonitored) June 1, 2017 (With Inputs from PTI) Read | Philippines: Gunshots, explosions heard at Manila casino resort; ISIS claims attack For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: PM Modi on Friday said that India is moving at fast pace in achieving goals and it has become possible due to a stable government in the country. He said political will, political stability, and clear vision has set the tone for transformative reforms. While speaking at Plenary Session of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia, PM Modi thanked Russian President Putin. PM Modi said, "Digital divide can create a lot of problems in any society, so we have started a 'Digital India' campaign." He said that all credit rating agencies across the world have unanimously said that India is a rapidly developing country. Prime Minister Modi said that the country has witnessed substantial reforms under "Minimum government maximum governance" policy. He said that GST will be implemented and there would be uniform taxation system in India. He further said that India is developing an ecosystem where the youth will become a job creator instead of a seeker. Modi said, "In India, the sky is the limit. there is immense scope in manufacturing, healthcare, equipment, defence and service sector." Bharat mein 'Sky is the limit' aap jis bhi sector mein jana chahen usmein sambhavnaayein bachi hain: PM Modi #SPIEF pic.twitter.com/T6dWm6ru6W ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 He further said, "Bollywood is very popular in Russia, I doubt if there is anyone in Russia even from the younger generation who does not know Raj Kapoor." Bollywood is very popular in Russia, I doubt if there is anyone in Russia even from younger generation who does not know Raj Kapoor: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/wLTqAO3rK1 ANI (@ANI_news) June 2, 2017 The Prime Minister said that several projects are underway in the sector renewable energy. He said the world is looking towards India. Also Read: Deputy PM Dmitry Rogozin says Russia all set to supply S-400 Triumf missile systems to India For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. St Petersbrug: Russia on Thursday said it was preparing to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both governments were simply discussing the terms. Precontract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters here. Precontract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, he said. It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms, Russias official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modis ongoing visit to this Russian city. Read | Major boost to Make in India: India finalises strategic deal to build submarines, fighter jets India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over USD five billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters.The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A NEW route is being considered which would take the proposed 5.6 billion Central Railway line and its freight trains away from the High Wycombe area. Consultants have been commissioned by the South East England Development Agency (Seeda) to draw up an alternative line for the southern end of the north-south route. This would go east of London, not west. Its report should be ready in about three months. The decision to reconsider the Central Railway route was taken after a meeting of county council leaders and officers at Gerrards Cross a few weeks ago. It was hosted by David Shakespeare, leader of Buckinghamshire County Council and chairman of the South East Regional Assembly, and Seeda chairman Allan Willett. They realised they must support the strategy of getting heavy freight traffic off roads and on to rail, but if they were not to have a route they didn't like they would have to come up with their own. The current proposed route travels through the middle of Buckinghamshire and along the Chiltern Line through Haddenham, Princes Risborough and High Wycombe. The proposal created an outcry from people along this part of the line, who say they gain no immediate benefit, only noise. After the Gerrards Cross meeting, Cllr Shakespeare told the Free Press the feedback he had from it was that the line went round the wrong side of London. It should go through Milton Keynes and via the area known as Thames Gateway a growth area. Regional assembly leaders in the north of England are in favour of the Central Railway project with only the south-east region against it. Central Railway wants the Government to introduce another bill in the Commons. People would give evidence at the committee stage and there would be no need for two or three years of planning inquiries. Chris Williams, the council's chief officer, said there was lots of pressure for the scheme from northern regions. "They get lots of benefits from it, which is the opposite of the south, which gets disbenefits," he said. County councillor David Rowlands, vice-chairman of a consortium of county councillors looking at public transport, said he had discussed the idea with members. "I am pleased that Seeda has commissioned W S Atkins to review the route," he said. But he said leaders in the north wanted it to go west of London so that there would be good links to the M25 and the motorways to the west of the country. A Central Railway spokesman said: "Central Railway has undertaken extensive engineering studies using international consultants, and the route to the west of London emerged as our preferred route." Tomorrow is Pentecost, sometimes called the birthday of the Christian church. It is rooted in the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Law to Moses. We also might even consider Pentecost the birthday of democracy, since the binding of covenant continues in faith communities like mine, where members seek guidance through prayer and Bible study before taking a congregational vote. The Pilgrim ancestors of my Protestant denomination, the United Church of Christ (UCC), launched modern democracy in America as they signed their Mayflower Compact in Provincetown Harbor. Their covenant, signed November 11, 1620, brought together two very different groups: the saints of the separatist Congregational refugees fleeing English tyranny, and the strangers, the adventurers and tradesmen who shared the voyage. As a pastor today of the 260-year-old Congregational Church of Brookfield (UCC), Pentecost inspires my ministry and gives solid biblical grounding to one of our covenants, which we call our Open and Affirming (OnA) statement. Adopted in May 2005 by congregational vote, our OnA statement begins with a passage from the Hebrew prophet Hosea, and ends with words from the Hebrew prophet Micah: I will show love to those who were called unloved and to those who were called 'not-my-people' - I will say 'you are my people,' and they will answer 'you are our God.'" (Hosea 2:23) With the help of God's grace, we celebrate the total identity of all people created in the image of God. We continue to follow the call of Jesus to love God and neighbor by cherishing and honoring people regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, gender, age, economic status, physical or mental ability. We therefore actively welcome all to share in the full life and leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation in our congregation. With God's guidance and love, we the people of the Congregational Church of Brookfield declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming Congregation. "to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8) This practice of bringing diverse groups together dates back to the first Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled the Jerusalem house where the followers of Jesus were observing Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, 7 weeks after Passover. The Acts of the Apostles describes it like this: 1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2:1-4) To me, the most amazing Pentecost miracle was not the wildfire from heaven, or the speaking in tongues, but the understanding of each others perspectives. The text says the crowd was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. (Acts 2:6) As a reversal of the Tower of Babel story (Genesis 11:9), this model of holy peacemaking preceded both the United States and the United Nations! Peter, the leader of the disciples, interpreted the event through Gods prophecy from the Hebrew Bibles book of Joel: I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit (Acts 2:17-18 & Joel 2:28-29) This Pentecost, I celebrate Joels democratic vision of Gods holy wisdom shared with all humanity - regardless of gender or sexual orientation, age or ability, marital or economic status, or race or national origin. I believe this spirit of diversity and inclusion is truly the foundation of a free nation, a free people, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Our church shares this vision of Gods extravagant welcome to all peoples in our Sunday worship, but also through our Refugee Resettlement Ministry and our mission trips. You are invited to visit our Parsonage Thrift Shop today from 9am to 3pm. Gently used sporting goods, baked treats, and clothing are offered in exchange for donations to IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services) in New Haven and to this Julys Senior High Youth Mission trip to Boston. Smallwood-Garcia is senior pastor of the Congregational Church of Brookfield (UCC), 160 Whisconier Road, Brookfield, CT 06804 Bryn@uccb.org 203-775-1259 www.uccb.org DANBURY - A bill that strengthens the states domestic violence laws by increasing penalties for perpetrators is on its way to the governors desk to be signed into law, according to a release. The bill, co-sponsored by state Rep. Stephen Harding, passed the state Senate and House of Representatives unanimously, the release said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A bill passed by the state Legislature will strengthen the states domestic-violence laws to protect victims from emotional abuse and online stalking, local advocates said. Domestic violence is about power and control, one individual trying to take power and control over another, said Karen Jarmoc, head of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They do that through multiple strategies. Domestic violence doesnt always have to look like physical abuse. It can be mental abuse, emotional abuse. The bill passed last week includes language to protect victims who suffer emotional distress as well as physical abuse. Under existing law, victims must prove they fear for their physical safety in order to be protected under anti-stalking statutes. The legislation is the first to include protection for victims against stalking through electronic or social media. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is reviewing the bill and has not signed it yet, his office said. Abusers often use strategies that can be just as scary as physical violence, Jarmoc said. Offenders physically stalk their partners, or cyberstalk them, constantly sending text and Facebook messages, she said. At least 29 states have eliminated fear of physical safety as the sole requirement to meet the definition of stalking, and 17 states include emotional distress in their anti-stalking statutes, according to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Wethersfield. Other states are following suit, Jarmoc said. More Information By the numbers Of nearly 3,000 domestic violence victims across the state in 2016: 71percent reported having their daily activities controlled. 49 percent reported being followed or spied on or subjected to threatening messages. 46 percent reported that their abuser threatened to kill them. 54 percent reported being choked. See More Collapse Connecticut is known for having some rather progressive laws to protect victims of domestic violence, she said. What (the bill) does is it serves to fortify what already exists in statute, but really recognizes the unique threat of emotional distress and how scary that can be and how impactful that can be. Jarmoc said the bill was initiated because of data collected through the Lethality Assessment Program, a screening tool used by most of the states police departments to assess whether a victim is at high risk for further violence. The data shows stalking is widespread, she said. Information from almost 3,000 lethality asessments last year showed 71 percent of victims reported having someone control their daily activities, 49 percent reported being followed or spied on or subjected to threatening messages, and 46 percent reported their abuser threatened to kill them. But victims cannot prove they fear for their physical safety, resulting in a low number of arrests, according to the coalition. In 2015, 71 people were arrested for stalking in intimate partner relationships and 87 arrested in 2014, according to the group. Many victims cant attest to that high level of fear of physical safety, said Ann Rodwell Lawton, a legislative liaison with the Womens Center of Greater Danbury. Stalking is about intimidation and terrorizing victims, but that doesnt alway come through in a physical threat or physical force. The average victim is stalked for two years, Lawton said. But under this bill, police could intervene before two years to prevent a situation from turning lethal, she said. The bill also broadens the strangulation statutes to include suffocation when a person obstructs another person's nose or mouth. Theres been an increase in digital abuse, Lawton said . The Womens Center has worked with young clients whose partners monitored their computer and phone use or constantly texted them asking them what they were doing, she said. One young woman had to send a photo to her partner to prove where she was. With the use of technology and social media being an everyday thing that most individuals interact with, were absolutely seeing abusers use those tools ... to maintain power and control or harass their victims, Lawton said. State Rep. Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, one of several lawmakers to sponsor the bill, said the law would help tackle this trend. He said existing law, which was enacted prior to the boom in social media, never really addressed cyberstalking, he said. This brings our laws up to speed on what can be done through social media and the hurt it can cause individuals. DANBURY - Two men who police said were dealing prescription drugs out of a downtown area apartment were arrested Thursday. According to a statement released by police, Jeremy Popp Colon, of Chestnut Street in Bethel, and Robert Frey, who lives in an apartment on Harding Place near West Street, are facing numerous drug charges including the sale of narcotics after investigators discovered them with of Xanax and Oxycodone pills. OTTAWA, June 1, 2017 /CNW/ - The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde encourages First Nations and all Canadians to take part in cultural events and other celebrations in honour of National Aboriginal History Month held every June and National Aboriginal Day on June 21. "National Aboriginal History Month gives Canadians an opportunity to learn about their Indigenous neighbours and build a new relationship that is based on understanding and a mutual desire for a positive future. Education on First Nations, history, rights and Treaties can help build a foundation for positive change for all of us," said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. "As Canadians celebrate their 150th year as a nation, let's join together to learn about First Nation cultures, languages and traditions as well as the many contributions First Nations peoples have made to Canada's history. The movement across the country of acknowledging traditional territory is a simple and honourable way to respect the past and teach new generations about history. But we also want Canadians to learn that despite the genocide from the residential school system, in spite of the colonization and control of the Indian Act, and everything we have endured as First Nations Peoples, we are still here, we are getting stronger and we are getting louder." AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde recently sent a letter to the Prime Minister, proposing that the words "Indigenous Peoples" replace "Aboriginal" in the name of National Aboriginal Day and National Aboriginal History Month. This would bring it in line with the current terms used by the United Nations. In 2013, Chiefs-in-Assembly passed a resolution calling for the Government of Canada to declare June 21 a National Holiday known as Indigenous Peoples Day. The term "Aboriginal" refers to the three distinct Indigenous peoples in Canada First Nations, Metis and Inuit. In connection with the summer solstice, special events and gatherings take place across the country celebrating First Nation, Metis and Inuit contributions and accomplishments, cultures, traditions and languages. National Aboriginal History Month is recognized by the federal government every June in an effort to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The notion of a national holiday celebrating the Indigenous peoples in Canada was called for by AFN in 1982. A day already known by many as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day was formally recognized by the federal government as National Aboriginal Day in 1996. The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates. SOURCE Assembly of First Nations For further information: Jamie Monastyrski, Press Secretary - National Chief's Office, 613-241-6789 ext. 222, 343-540-6179 (cell), [email protected]; Alain Garon, Bilingual Communications Officer, 613-241-6789 ext. 382, 613-292-0857 (cell), [email protected]; Michael Hutchinson, Communications Officer, 613-241-6789 ext. 254, 613-299-6330 (cell), [email protected] EVENT: Parliament Secretary to the Minister of Health speaks at the 2017 Canadian Pharmacists Conference MONTREAL, June 2, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - For the Signature Canada 150 project Dictee P.G.L. 150: Travelling through History," Dictee P.G.L. and the Ligue Nationale d'Improvisation (LNI) travelled across Canada from May 16 to 26 hosting improv workshops for high school students and presenting improv matchs in VIA Rail Canada stations (or nearby). The closing show for this major project took place at the Canadian Museum of History on May 26. The activities were organized as part of VIA Rail's participation in hundreds of gatherings to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. The tour, which marked the end of the "Travelling through History" project, was a huge success! "On the occasion of Canada 150, the Fondation Paul Gerin-Lajoie celebrates French-Canadian language and culture, cultural diversity and history with Canadians from all across the country. I am delighted with the success of the Travelling Through History project, particularly among young people. Many thanks to all the participants and congratulations to the winners!" The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage The tour visited Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Gatineau, Montreal and Halifax. In addition to making connections between history, improvisation and the French language, it celebrated the winners of two contests held in high schools across Canada from January to April. The 10 winners of the dictation contest and six winners of the writing contest received gift certificates from VIA Rail Canada. Dictation contest winners: West: Alex Dong , Ben Tyler , Prairies: Zoe Desautels , Sydney Brown , Ontario : Loic Mathieu, Ian Chan : Loic Mathieu, Quebec : Stephanie Leclerc, Sofia Mangov : Stephanie Leclerc, Atlantic: Lizaveta Zakharova , Ariane Chouinard Writing contest winners: Ontario : Chloe Vachon, Jasmine Groleau and Monica Costache : Chloe Vachon, and Quebec : Yorgo Jabbour : West: Maya Somji and Hannah Cheetham Close to 13,000 high school students participated in at least one of Dictee P.G.L. 150's cultural activities. This project was made possible with support from the Government of Canada, VIA Rail Canada, Theatre de la LNI, Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada, MAtv, Canal Savoir, Francolab and the Canadian Museum of History. The Fondation Paul Gerin-Lajoie and Theatre de la LNI would also like to thank the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Canadian Immigration Museum Pier 21, Alliance Francaise in Toronto and Vancouver, and the Ecole de technologie superieure for their support of the cross-Canada tour. ABOUT THE FONDATION PAUL GERIN-LAJOIE AND DICTEE P.G.L. The Fondation Paul Gerin-Lajoie is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2017. It is active in Canada and internationally, promoting its mission of Education for All! In Canada, it is undoubtedly best known for Dictee P.G.L., an educational initiative that was introduced in 1991. SOURCE Fondation Paul Gerin-Lajoie For further information: Caroline Cantin, Project Manager, Dictee P.G.L. 150, [email protected] / 514-288-3888 ext. 240 Related Links https://fondationpgl.ca/accueil/ OTTAWA, June 1, 2017 /CNW/ - The relief package for the softwood lumber industry is welcomed by forestry workers as a good start to cushioning the blow dealt by new U.S. duties on Canadian softwood exports. "Today the federal government has shown real leadership in protecting good resource jobs," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "This is welcome news for dozens of communities that are already feeling the pain of unfair trade sanctions." The Trump government's re-introduction of duties on Canadian softwood exports threatens tens of thousands of Canadian jobs and could cost the industry billions. Unifor has been lobbying the federal government to take action to support forestry communities in hopes of mitigating the effect of anticipated job losses as duties are imposed and until a new agreement is negotiated. U.S. industry claims that Canadian lumber is unfairly subsidized have proven to be unfounded in past, including by international trade tribunals. The union welcomes today's federal assistance measures, but cautions that the softwood lumber trade dispute is far from over. "We continue to press the federal governments of both Canada and the U.S. to negotiate a fair deal," said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to the Unifor National President. "Today's announcement is good progress and we're optimistic that the federal government can add to this relief program as time goes on." The U.S. has already signalled that anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood exports could be added in June 2017 to compound the countervailing duties. Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged. SOURCE Unifor For further information: Unifor Communications Representative Ian Boyko at [email protected] or 778-903-6549 (cell). Government of Canada supports community project by Tourisme Waterloo des Cantons de l'Est WATERLOO, QC, June 2, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) Acting on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, Pierre Breton, Member of Parliament for Shefford, announced that Tourisme Waterloo des Cantons de l'Est (website in French only) has been granted $112,500 in financial assistance, in the form of a non-repayable contribution, for the restoration and enhancement of the bike path that runs through the Town of Waterloo. Key local stakeholders have long been asking for concrete, sustainable measures to improve community and recreational infrastructure. As part of the Canada 150 celebrations, the Government of Canada is proud to support projects like the one by Tourisme Waterloo des Cantons de l'Est, which contribute to the strength and vitality of all regions of the country. Tourisme Waterloo des Cantons de l'Est (TWC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and revitalize downtown Waterloo and develop its tourist attractions. In addition to managing a bike path and a tourism information booth, TWC ensures the revitalization of the downtown core and organizes various activities for the community. The funding awarded through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP150) will enable Tourisme Waterloo des Cantons de l'Est to repave some of the bike path sections, shift the path in certain spots, improve the lighting and install some fixed urban furniture. CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Quotes "I am very pleased about CED's support for Tourisme Waterloo des Cantons de l'Est, whose contribution to the vitality of the municipality is undeniable. Its mission is critical to maintaining a healthy environment that fosters the well-being of the entire community." Pierre Breton, Member of Parliament for Shefford "The Government of Canada supports the projects of organizations like Tourisme Waterloo des Cantons de l'Est, which mobilize and unite our communities. These projects strengthen Canada's communities, stimulate economic activity and benefit families and the middle class." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED Stay connected Follow CED on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube Follow Tourisme Waterloo on Facebook SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions For further information: Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Tel.: 514-283-7443, Email: [email protected]; Office of Member of Parliament Pierre Breton, Etienne Couture, 450-378-3221 TORONTO, June 2, 2017 /CNW/ - Indigo (TSX: IDG), the world's first cultural department store for booklovers, is delighted to kick off its Canada 150 celebrations with the launch of its brand new coffee table book The World Needs More Canada. Also launching today is Indigo's list of Top 10 Canadian books of all time. The Top 10 books are available individually, or the Top 5 are available in a beautiful, limited-edition boxed set, available for pre-order at indigo.ca today. "We are proud of our Canadian heritage, and believe there is no better way to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday than with a great Canadian book," said Krishna Nikhil, EVP of Print at Indigo. "For years, we've championed the notion that 'The World Needs More Canada' and we are excited to release a book with that very title. The World Needs More Canada is our birthday card to Canada, full of anecdotes from some of Canada's most celebrated culture-makers, from authors and artists to poets and filmmakers. Through this book we hope to inspire a sense of pride in all Canadians not just on July 1st, but every day throughout the year." Indigo's first-ever coffee table book, The World Needs More Canada, celebrates more than 100 Canadian celebrities and storytellers who have made their mark on this great country. This one-of-a-kind book features commentary and candid photography from an eclectic mix of Canadians, from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Drake, Margaret Atwood, Douglas Copeland, and Malcolm Gladwell. Available exclusively at Indigo locations and indigo.ca, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation, transforming high-needs elementary schools across Canada. Indigo has created its list of the Top 10 Canadian books of all time to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday. Perfect for gifting, each book on this list was selected by Indigo's expert booksellers across the country to reflect their favourite Canadian books and ensure there is a title on this list that every Canadian will love. Top 10 Canadian Books Important and iconic these are the Top 10 books that belong in every Canadian's library, according to Indigo's expert booksellers: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery When Marilla Cuthbert and her brother, Matthew, decide to adopt a child from a distant orphanage, they don't get quite what they bargained for. The child who awaits them at the tiny Bright River train station is not the strapping young boy they'd imagined--but rather, a freckle-faced, redheaded girl named Anne (with an e, if you please). Armed with only a battered carpetbag and a boundless imagination, Anne charms her way into the Cuthbert's hearts and into the hearts of readers as well. Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro Lives of Girls and Women is the intensely readable, touching, and very funny story of Del Jordan , a young woman who journeys from the carelessness of childhood through an uneasy adolescence in search of love and sexual experience. As Del dreams of becoming famous, suffers embarrassment about her mother, endures the humiliation of her body's insistent desires, and tries desperately to fall in love, she grapples with the crises that mark the passage to womanhood. The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King Rich with dark and light, pain and magic, The Inconvenient Indian distills the insights gleaned from Thomas King's critical and personal meditation on what it means to be "Indian" in North America . King refashions old stories about historical events and figures, takes a sideways look at film and pop culture, relates his own complex experiences with activism, and articulates a deep and revolutionary understanding of the cumulative effects of ever-shifting laws and treaties on Native peoples and lands. This is a book both timeless and timely, burnished with anger but tempered by wit, and ultimately a hard-won offering of hope--a sometimes inconvenient but nonetheless indispensable account for all of us seeking to understand how we might tell a new story for the future. Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler Ebullient, perverse, and thrice married, Barney Panofsky has always clung to two cherished beliefs: life is absurd, and nobody truly ever understands anybody else. But when his sworn enemy publicly states that Barney is a wife abuser, an intellectual fraud and probably a murderer, he is driven to write his own memoirs. Charged with comic energy and a wicked disregard for any pieties whatsoever, Barney's Version is a brilliant portrait of a man whom Mordecai Richler has made uniquely memorable for all time. It is also an unforgettable love story, a story about family and the riches of friendship. The Orenda by Joseph Boyden A visceral portrait of life at a crossroads, The Orenda opens with a brutal massacre and the kidnapping of the young Iroquois Snow Falls, a spirited girl with a special gift. Her captor, Bird, is an elder and one of the Huron Nation's great warriors and statesmen. It has been years since the murder of his family, and yet they are never far from his mind. In Snow Falls, Bird recognizes the ghost of his lost daughter, and sees the girl possesses powerful magic that will be useful to him on the troubled road ahead. Bird's people have battled the Iroquois for as long as he can remember, but both tribes now face a new, more dangerous threat from afar. Christophe, a charismatic Jesuit missionary, has found his calling amongst the Huron and devotes himself to learning and understanding their customs and language in order to lead them to Christ. An emissary from distant lands, he brings much more than his faith to the new world. As these three souls connect, small battles erupt into bigger wars and a nation emerges from worlds in flux. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood In this multi-award-winning, bestselling novel, Margaret Atwood has created a stunning Orwellian vision of the near future. This is the story of Offred, one of the unfortunate "Handmaids" under the new social order, who have only one purpose: to breed. In Gilead, where women are prohibited from holding jobs, reading, and forming friendships, Offred's persistent memories of life in the "time before" and her will to survive are acts of rebellion. Provocative, startling, prophetic, and with Margaret Atwood's devastating irony, wit, and acute perceptive powers in full force, The Handmaid's Tale is at once satire and dire warning. Life of Pi by Yann Martel One boy. One boat. One tiger. After the tragic sinking of a cargo ship, a solitary lifeboat remains bobbing on the wild, blue Pacific. The only survivors from the wreck are a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi, a hyena, a zebra (with a broken leg), a female orangutan--and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. The scene is set for one of the most extraordinary and beloved works of fiction in recent years. Shake Hands with the Devil by Romeo Dallaire When Lt-Gen. Romeo Dallaire received the call to serve as force commander of the UN intervention in Rwanda in 1993, he thought he was heading off on a modest and straightforward peacekeeping mission. Thirteen months later he flew home from Africa , broken, disillusioned and suicidal, having witnessed the slaughter of 800,000 Rwandans in only a hundred days. In Shake Hands with the Devil, he takes the reader with him on a return voyage into the hell of Rwanda , vividly recreating the events the international community turned its back on. This book is an unsparing eyewitness account of the failure by humanity to stop the genocide, despite timely warnings. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje With ravishing beauty and unsettling intelligence, Michael Ondaatje's Booker Prize-winning novel traces the intersection of four damaged lives in an Italian villa at the end of World War II. Hana, the exhausted nurse; the maimed thief, Caravaggio; the wary sapper, Kip: each is haunted by the riddle of the English patient, the nameless, burned man who lies in an upstairs room and whose memories of passion, betrayal, and rescue illuminate this book like flashes of lightening. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry A Fine Balance, Rohinton Mistry's stunning, internationally-acclaimed bestseller, is set in mid-1970s India . It tells the story of four unlikely people whose lives come together during a time of political turmoil, soon after the government declares a "State of Internal Emergency." Through days of bleakness and hope, their circumstances and their fates become inextricably linked in ways no one could have foreseen. Mistry's prose is alive with enduring images and a cast of unforgettable characters. Written with compassion, humour, and insight, A Fine Balance is a vivid, richly textured, and powerful novel written by one of the most gifted writers of our time. About Indigo Books & Music Inc. Indigo is a publicly traded Canadian company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (IDG). As the largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer in Canada, Indigo operates in all provinces under different banners including Indigo Books & Music; Indigo Books, Gifts, Kids; Indigospirit; Chapters; and Coles. The online channel, indigo.ca, offers a one-stop online shop with a robust selection of books, toys, home decor, stationery, and gifts. SOURCE Indigo Books & Music Inc. For further information: For media requests, please contact: Kate Gregory, [email protected], Senior Manager, Public Relations, Indigo Related Links http://www.indigo.ca MONTREAL, June 2, 2017 /CNW/ - Library and Archives Canada (LAC) will provide $1.5 million to support 48 projects (including 38 new projects) by archives, libraries and documentary heritage institutions throughout Canada. The recipients of this third cycle of the Documentary Heritage Communities Program (DHCP) were announced today in Montreal, at the annual meeting of the Association des archivistes du Quebec. Eighteen projects submitted by Quebec organizations will be funded under the program. The DHCP was created in 2015 to provide financial assistance for activities that enhance the visibility of, and access to, materials held by Canada's local documentary heritage institutions. The program also aims to increase the capacity of local institutions to sustainably preserve, promote and showcase the country's documentary heritage. At the end of the selection process, the DHCP will provide contributions for eligible applicants across Canada for a variety of projects that will allow citizens to access and engage with their nation's history like never before. The following projects will be funded by the DHCP in Quebec in 20172018: Access to the holdings and collections of the private archives of the Societe d'histoire du Plateau- Mont-Royal (Societe d'histoire et de genealogie du Plateau- Mont-Royal ), Montreal, 14 606 $ (Societe d'histoire et de genealogie du Plateau- ), 14 606 $ The Emile Berliner Sound and Image Archive (Musee des ondes Emile Berliner ), Montreal , 20 574 $ ), 20 574 $ Preservation, description and digital distribution of nitrate negatives (Canadian Railroad Historical Association), Saint-Constant , 45 302 $ 45 302 $ Preservation of the documentary heritage of Nunavik: digitization and description of two fonds of critical importance to Nunavimmiut (Avataq Cultural Institute Inc.), Westmount , 94 970 $ 94 970 $ 50 years of history in pictures: preservation and development of the archival holdings of photographer Jean-Claude Gagne Phase 1 (Centre d'archives de Laval ), Laval , 15 000 $ ), 15 000 $ Digitization, preservation and development of the Yvon Latreille photography fonds (Centre d'archives de Vaudreuil-Soulanges), Vaudreuil-Dorion , 22 880 $ 22 880 $ Preservation through technological transfer and development of the Archives Lanaudiere multimedia document collection (Corporation du Centre regional d'archives de Lanaudiere), L'Assomption, 76 985 $ 76 985 $ Digitization and distribution of the archival holdings of the daily Le Nouvelliste (Appartenance Mauricie Societe d'histoire regionale), Shawinigan , 66 881 $ (Appartenance Mauricie Societe d'histoire regionale), 66 881 $ Contributions of religious communities to the Diocese of Sherbrooke (Regroupement des archives du Seminaire de Sherbrooke et de l'Archidiocese de Sherbrooke ), Sherbrooke , 51 010 $ (Regroupement des archives du Seminaire de et de l'Archidiocese de ), 51 010 $ Creation of preliminary guides to archival holdings, digitization of photos and training of volunteers (Societe d'histoire de Coaticook ), Coaticook , 54 368 $ ), 54 368 $ Celanese: A Last Salvage (Societe d'histoire de Drummond ), Drummondville , 12 331 $ ), 12 331 $ Processing and development of the Andre Brochu fonds (Centre d'archives de la region de Thetford), Thetford Mines , 9 505 $ 9 505 $ The Catholic church in Quebec , Confederation and the Government of Canada : inventory of correspondence, 18641967 (Archeveque catholique romain de Quebec), Quebec, 10 465 $ , Confederation and the Government of : inventory of correspondence, 18641967 (Archeveque catholique romain de Quebec), 10 465 $ Digitization of the past records of the Congregation des Ursulines du Quebec from the 18th to the 20th century (Pole culturel du Monastere des Ursulines), Quebec, 14 988 $ 14 988 $ Photographs of the Augustinian sisters in Canada , a national memory to be shared (Monastere des Augustines), Quebec, 57 990 $ , a national memory to be shared (Monastere des Augustines), 57 990 $ Safeguarding, conservation and development of film and radio archives (Centre d'archives de la region de Riviere-du-Loup), Riviere-du-Loup, 18 640 $ 18 640 $ Development of access to graphic collections online (Musee de la Gaspesie), Gaspe , 52 450 $ 52 450 $ Digitization of holdings and collections, and control of archival services on servers and management software to improve service (Centre d'archives regional des Iles), Iles-de-la-Madeleine, 92 340 $. View the list of all recipients for 20172018. Quick facts Organizations such as archives, privately funded libraries, historical societies, genealogical organizations and societies, museums with an archival component, and relevant professional associations are eligible to apply for funding under the DHCP. Applications received by LAC are reviewed by an external advisory committee. Since the implementation of the DHCP in 2015, LAC has invested $4 .5 million to support documentary heritage communities. .5 million to support documentary heritage communities. The next funding cycle will be launched in fall 2017. Quotes "As we celebrate Canada 150, the preservation of our documentary heritage is more important than ever. I would like to congratulate all the beneficiaries of the 20172018 Documentary Heritage Communities Program and thank them for the admirable work they do to educate and inform Canadians about their history. We are proud to support these investments, which will continue to support local institutions and help build stronger communities." The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage "I believe that we get an incredible return on this investment in our communities! With help from the program, recipient organizations have digitized and described thousands of records and audiovisual recordings, modernized their equipment, trained employees, organized workshops and presented travelling exhibitions that enhance awareness of important chapters in our collective history." Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada "The financial support will allow the Musee des ondes Emile Berliner to make publicly available some of the museum's most rare discs from a collection received by Oliver Berliner, the grandson of the inventor of the gramophone and disc, Emile Berliner. As a small museum on Montreal's periphery, we further wish to improve our visibility to the general public and to increase our social and educational impact regarding our museum's mandate. Montreal played a key role in the evolution of sound recording and sound-recording technology, and we hope our project helps to highlight the country's impact, starting this project the year of the celebration of Canada 150." Anja Borck, Assistant Director, Musee des ondes Emile Berliner "This financial support will significantly move the digitization of the approximately 1,000 Tweedsmuir Community History Collections of the Women's Institute (WI) found across Ontario. Some of these Tweedsmuirs would have been lost over time. At the end of this three-year project, about 250,000 more pages will be added to the virtual archives. While the original documents remain locally across Ontario, the digitized documents are together in one location, allowing researchers across Canada and the world to access the Tweedsmuirs and other historical documents and information to learn about our rich communities, conduct family research and discover the wonderful work that has been created by WI members." Irene Robillard, Digitizing Coordinator, Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario Related link Documentary Heritage Communities Program About Library and Archives Canada The mandate of Library and Archives Canada is to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations, and to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, thereby contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada. Library and Archives Canada also facilitates co-operation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge, and serves as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions. Follow Library and Archives Canada on Twitter (@LibraryArchives), Facebook, Flickr and YouTube. SOURCE Library and Archives Canada For further information: Contacts: Media Relations, Library and Archives Canada, 819-994-4589, [email protected]; Note: To obtain the contact information for recipients of funding under the Documentary Heritage Communities Program for 2017-2018, please contact Library and Archives Canada. Related Links http://www.lac-bac.gc.ca tanks4.JPG Genesee beer tanks on the Erie Canal in the Rochester suburb of Fairport earlier this week. Submitted by Patty Flanigan (Patty Flanigan) ROCHESTER, NY -- After a historic 12-day trip down down the Erie Canal, 12 giant beer fermentation tanks will take to the streets of Rochester overnight Friday to their final destination at the Genesee Brewery. Thousands of people lined the 225-mile route from the Hudson River to Rochester to "toast the tanks" and take pictures during the canal journey, which began May 19 and ended on Tuesday at 150 Lee Road in the Rochester suburb of Gates. For the past few days, they've been "off-loaded" from the canal barges onto trucks for the final leg. The trip through Rochester won't be such a public spectacle: It will happen between 8 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday to minimize traffic disruption, said Henry Hui, vice president for Welton Shipping Co. of Queens, which is handling the logistics of the trip. But it's is still a feat: The 20-foot by 60-foot tanks -- considered too large to be trucked down the state Thruway -- will require the blocking of streets, temporary removal of power lines and other precautions to make their way to the brewery on St. Paul Street, just north of downtown. "A little magic will happen tonight," Hui said. The tanks are part of a $49 million modernization project currently underway at Genesee, New York's oldest brewery. Don Cazentre writes about craft beer, wine, spirits and beverages for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. 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 ... Fourteen persons have been shot dead while several others were injured in Sime, Tai Local Government Area of Ogoniland, Rivers State, af... Fourteen persons have been shot dead while several others were injured in Sime, Tai Local Government Area of Ogoniland, Rivers State, after a bloody clash between cult gangs in the community in the early hours of Friday.Bob Uelor Nkue, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Tai Local Government who confirmed the massacre regretted the dastardly incident which is coming barely a month after Governor Nyesom Wike extended a second round of amnesty programme to the four local government areas for members of various cult groups to renounce their membership and surrender their weapons.Nkue asked the Sime community not to panic as adequate security has been put in place to forestall further clash and ensure protection of lives and property in the area.Investigations also revealed that a lot of resident of the area fled their homes to escape the shootings.I totally condemn this attack that led to the death of 14 persons, because the governor has given a second chance to cultists and criminals in Ogoniland to embrace the amnesty programme.Few days ago, two persons were also killed by cult gangs. I am using this opportunity to call on the people of Sime not to panic as the police and other security agencies are on top of the situation, Nkue assured.Ogoniland, like many parts of Rivers state, in recent times, has been a hotbed of cult gang fights.In the first round of the Rivers state government amnesty programme, most of the criminal gangs refused to surrender their weapons. A second chance was extended to them but the number of weapons surrendered were small compared with the dangerous weapons suspected to be in hands of gangs in the area.The state police command is yet to comment on the incident as at the time of filing this report. A Civil Society Organization, Progressive Mind for Development Initiative, has forwarded a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, over an alleged assault on a policeman by Adamawa Assembly Speaker, Kabiru Mijinyawa.In the petition read to newsmen on Friday in Yola, President of the organization, Abubakar Abdulsalam, accused the speaker of using police institution in the state to cover up the matter.We write in respect of the assault carried out by Hon. Speaker Adamawa State House of Assembly against one Sgt. Salihu Aliyu who was posted to the speakers house as a security man.It claimed that state police command had not shown interest to investigate the matter.We have been following with keen interest the trends of this matter and our investigation revealed to us that the State Police Command is no longer willing to investigate and prosecute this case for reasons best known to them.It is consequent on the above that we deem it necessary to write to your office to demand that this matter be investigated and prosecuted as no one is above the law.In the event the police failed to carry out this constitutional duty, we shall not hesitate to proceed to court to compel the police to comply, the organisation added in the petition.Spokesman of Adamawa Police Command, SP Othman Abubakar, however, said the matter was being investigated.In his reaction, the speaker denied assaulting any policeman.He said in a press statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Assembly, Mr Yahaya Daji that the allegation was baseless, false, unfounded and malicious.According to the speaker, the allegation was only aimed at denting his image.He stressed that as a legislator, he has respect for the rule of law and would not carry out such dastardly act against anybody. All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ekiti State, Olufemi Aduloju, has criticised the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose and his media aide, Lere Olayinka, over their comments on the Presidential Adviser, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, which he said lacked the finesse expected of public officials.Aduloju said that by attacking Ojudu, the governor and his aide have only shown their uncouth nature and revealed the filthiness of their minds.They have demonstrated that they are misfits for the public offices they occupy in the state at present, he added.Aduloju was reacting to a statement credited to Olayinka castigating Ojudu for advising Governor Fayose against portraying Ekiti State in bad light through his recognition seeking criticisms and incessant insults on President Muhammadu Buhari, a man old enough to be Fayoses father.Olayinka had in the statement where he said the state government did not need Ojudus advice, urged the Presidential aide to first advise himself and make moves to settle his war with his family members in Ado Ekiti and people of the state generally for allegedly being a hypocrite.Aduloju, who hails from Ado Ekiti, said: The statement credited to Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayoses media aide, Lere Olayinka, against the Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, was barbaric and displays his stupidity which shows he is not qualified to hold any public office.The statement also shows the rascality in Ayo Fayoses government that has no single respect for institutions. It shows as well that the Fayose administration has no good ideas in governance and not impacting positively on the state is not surprising.A government that cannot be advised, where everything concerning government is based on the thinking and mood of the governor will definitely be deep in errors as we are witnessing in Ekiti. That is why the governor will see insulting and abusing the nations President as business of the state and subjecting the state to ridicule.It is a pity that Ayo Fayose and his media aide refused to address the issues, but instead were busy attacking the families of the distinguished senator, erudite and veteran journalist.This is a revelation of what illiteracy and lack of necessary values can cause. Anyway, I cant blame Lere Olayinka, theres an adage in Yoruba land that says eniti ko ni iru eni,ko le mo iyi eni, which means if you dont know someones worth, you cannot appreciate the person.Let Lere Olayinka, the leader of Ayo Fayose cyber dogs, mention any of his siblings that can match our Ado Ekiti true son, Babafemi Ojudu in any capacity or sphere of life. I am bold to say Lere Olayinka can never mention a person in his families at at Okemesi Ekiti.It is glaring that in political settings, Ayo Fayose cant and will never be on this same page with Babafemi Ojudu. The 2014 Ekiti senatorial election defeat is still fresh in the memory of Ayo Fayose. Fayose is still nursing being trounced in all the five local governments in the senatorial district during the election. The so-called Ayo Fayose popularity was defeated by the veteran journalist in an election whereby Fayose struggled to come a distant third.Babafemi Ojudu is well loved and respected by his people in Ado Ekiti, the state and even beyond. He is a man of integrity with high pedigree. Also, he has contributed immensely to the development of Ado Ekiti and worked for many years in the pen profession and now a factor in the politics of Ekiti and indeed Nigeria.Without mincing words, Ayo Fayose is a boy to Babafemi Ojudu in all ramifications. This is why the presidential adviser has to, as a matter of necessity, ignore Fayose and his cyber dogs because they are just seeking attention which they do not deserve, Aduloju stated. Arsenal has submitted a stunning 100million (87million) bid for Monaco starlet, Kylian Mbappe.According to French daily, LEquipe, Arsene Wenger is ready to kick-off his summer spending with a world-record bid for the 18-year-old, who scored 25 goals in Ligue 1 last season.If the deal happens, it would be more than double Arsenals record signing of Mesut Ozil worth 42.5million.Wenger signed a new two-year deal with the club on Wednesday and is ready to add top quality to his squad, ahead of the 2017/2018 season where they will play in the Europa League.On the same day, Mbappe insisted he was not afraid to leave the Ligue 1 champions.Why play less? Ill have time to reflect on that and no, Im not afraid to leave.The advice of [Deschamps] counts. That will not guide my choice, but it will count.I do not think I will go to his office to ask. But theres plenty of time to think about all this. There are important matches for Frances, the France forward said. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo says the ceding of Bakassi to neighbouring Cameroon as a result of a judgement by the international court of justice (ICJ) is a loss to Nigeria.Speaking at a town hall meeting in Calabar on Thursday, Osinbajo said the federal government will do more for the displaced people of Bakassi.He also said that government would also investigate issues between the people of Bakassi, the military and militants.The ceding of Bakassi as a result of the judgement of the ICJ is a development that we all consider a loss, the acting president said.But President Buhari strongly believes that while we ruminate over the legal issues we must not allow Nigerian citizens in Ikang and elsewhere to suffer.The federal government will certainly do more and engage more with the displaced in Bakassi. This is our duty and our commitment.He said that the federal government is interested in Cross River state and it is the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to partner with states to create opportunities for its citizens.Osinbajo also said that Buhari renegotiated China-EXIM loan for the Lagos-Calabar rail line and the 2017 budget has provided for the Udokpani/Ikot Ekpene road.He urged the people of the state not to relent in ensuring the unity of the state and country as they continue to set the pace in the tourism and hospitality sector in the country.The acting president was accompanied to the state by Ibe Kachukwu, minister of petroleum resources; Usani Ughuru, minister of Niger Delta, and Winifred Oyo-Ita, the head of the civil service of the federation. A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, on Thursday, granted Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Obla... A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, on Thursday, granted Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Obla, leave to travel to the United States to seek medical attention.Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, a serving judge of the Federal High Court, is being prosecuted alongside Obla by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an allegation that the SAN bribed the judge with N5m.The judge, through her counsel, Mr. Olawale Akoni (SAN), had sought the leave of the court to travel to the US for urgent medical attention in Morris Height Centre, Bronx, New York.In a 17-paragraph affidavit in support of her claim, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia was said to be suffering from high blood pressure and stress-related issues.Counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, had countered the application, contending that if Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia was granted leave to travel, she might jump bail and fail to come back to face trial.Oyedepo also contended that Ofili-Ajumogobias request to travel for 30 days was a ploy to stall the trial.Justice Oshodi stated, The prosecution failed to give evidence why the applicants sickness can be treated in Nigeria. Also, how the prosecution came to the decision that the defendant would jump bail was best known to him.I believe that the 1st defendant, as a Federal High Court judge, has a lot to lose if she considers the idea of jumping bail.The Chief Registrar is, hereby, ordered to release the passport of the 1st defendant to enable her to travel abroad between June 7 and June13, 2017. The defendant must return the passport to the Chief Registrar on or before July 1, 2017.Also, the judge granted the second defendant, Obla, leave to travel to Houston, Texas, USA for medical treatment.The 2nd defendant is also granted leave to travel for medical treatment and must also return his passport to the Chief Registrar on July 4, the judge ruled.Justice Oshodi, thereafter, adjourned the matter till July 7 for the continuation of trial of the suspects who were arraigned on November 28, 2016 on 30 counts. Its no news that Governor Ayo Fayose and the state chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria IPMAN, are curr... Its no news that Governor Ayo Fayose and the state chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria IPMAN, are currently having a face-off over the former's decision to demolish all petrol stations built in residential areas in the state. Well, Black market petrol dealers in Ekiti state are currently making quick business from the lingering fuel scarcity in the state. The photo above was taken in Ekiti today, where the black market petrol dealer thanks Governor Fayose also known as Oshoko for the persistent scarcity of petrol Some Nigerians in Abuja on Friday flayed the Senate recommendation for a N5 fuel levy on every litre of petroleum or diesel imported into... Some Nigerians in Abuja on Friday flayed the Senate recommendation for a N5 fuel levy on every litre of petroleum or diesel imported into the country.The respondents expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.Mr Adebayo Ojo, a resident noted that the present recession called for a reduction in petrol price and not an increment.Ojo, a commercial taxi driver, said: Government cannot possibly be thinking about increasing the petrol price when they know the harsh economic situation in the country.The government should rather think of reducing the price else they will be calling Nigerians fools for being patient all this the while.We are not fools and government should not take us for granted, how can the senate be so mean to even contemplate a thing like that.I personally will recruit people to take to the street if a thing like that should happen, he said.Mrs Zainab Abu, a shop owner at Wuse market, said: No, it cant be true. That will be callous.Abu disclosed that she could no longer afford her childrens school fees and had withdrawn them to a local school because of the recession.This government has failed Nigerians and if we are not expecting anything more they should stop frustrating us, she said.A salon owner in Maitama, stated on condition of anonymity: Aunty, look around, I have laid off my staff. This one with me is cheap labour and she comes in thrice a week.I couldnt increase their pay and they both said they could not cope because the salary barely covered their cost of transportation.At a bus stop in Maitama, a lady who offered her name as Sala, almost slumped when NAN asked her reaction to the imminent hike.Sala said: The proposed hike is unreasonable, it will increase everything again and we have not recovered from the increments in virtually everything.The Senate Committee on Works, had on June 1, recommended a N5 fuel levy on every litre of petroleum or diesel imported into Nigeria to help finance the proposed National Roads Fund.The committee, chaired by Sen. Kabiru Gaya (APC-Kano), also recommended the deduction of 0.5 per cent on fares paid by passengers travelling on inter-state roads to commercial mass transit operators and return of toll gates on federal roads, among others.The inference of the proposed fuel levy charge is that end-users, including motorists, would pay N5 tax on every litre of fuel bought at any fuel station.The recommendation, which has kept busy all social media platforms, comes a year after a recent increase of the pump price of premium motor spirit (petrol) from N87 to N145 per litre. The Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello has dismissed allegation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that he registere... The Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello has dismissed allegation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that he registered twice as a voter in Abuja and subsequently in Lokoja. He stated this when he spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja on Friday after observing the two-rakaat Jumaat prayer at the Aso Rock Mosque. INEC on May 25 via a statement issued by one of its National Commissioners and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr Solomon Soyebi, alleged that Bello registered twice as a voter. Soyebi said the governor first registered in Abuja in January, 2011, and subsequently on May 23, 2017, in Government House, Lokoja. He described the governors double registration and doing so outside lNECs designated centres as illegal. Reacting to the allegation, Bello said it might be his ghost that must have done the double registration and not him. I travelled on (May) 19 to Dubai for a brief break and I saw the press release and I was taken aback that I did a double registration on (May) 23rd, probably it's my ghost that must have done the double registration. I think INEC has earned itself a very high reputation and Im very confident that the leadership of INEC will not allow some elements to drag its name into the mud. Actually, that is a falsehood; I did not do double registration of permanent voter card, he said. The INEC statement read: It has come to the attention of INEC that Gov. Bello of Kogi state registered as a voter for the second time on Tuesday May 23, 2017, in Government House, Lokoja, the state capital. His first registration was on January 30, 2011, in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. The governors double registration and doing so outside lNECs designated centres are both illegal. For the on-going Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, INEC has designated a centre in each of the countrys 774 local government areas including FCTs six area councils. NAN reports that INEC has since dissociated itself from the governors action while it also pledged to take disciplinary action against its staff implicated in the second registration for Bello. On outstanding salary arrears of workers in Kogi, the governor pledged to abide by the decision of the Governors Forum to use part of the outstanding Paris Club refund meant for the state to settle the arrears. Bello also frowned at those calling for his impeachment over alleged non-performance, saying his achievements in the last 15 months could be seen by well-meaning citizens of the state. Fasting Muslim residents have called on the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to borrow a leaf from other Northern state governors ... Fasting Muslim residents have called on the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to borrow a leaf from other Northern state governors by providing them food stuff in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Before the coming of the El-Rufai administration, fasting Kaduna residents enjoyed similar largesse from the state government. Previous administrations distributed rice, millet, vegetable oil, milk, sugar and other commodities to Muslims; and also hosted religious groups to Ramadan breakfast. But Mr. El-Rufai announced that the state government would not continue the practice in 2015 when he received leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Jamaatul Nasril Islam at the Government House, Kaduna. Mr. El-Rufai said if his government continued to fund the welfare package, it would not be able to deliver on its key programmes, considering the states financial situation. I have also been made to understand that this Ramadan period, we are supposed to have started sharing rice, milk and sugar; but we will not do that. One, the government is not supposed to be involved in religious activities. Two, the government is broke, he had said. Residents whilst speaking with pressmen confessed that they needed government help during this holy month. We all know how the economy is fairing. Many people are not able to get even sugar for their pap at dawn. We are begging Governor El-Rufai to help us and please distribute some food items to the locals so that we can have some ease. We know he had said he cannot use government money to do so but we are begging that he should take a second look, Ibrahim Sani, a bricklayer in Tudun wada, Kaduna, said. Hajiya Laure, a resident of Kofa in Zaria, said this year is difficult for many residents of Zaria. I cannot understand what is happening. With the little I have, I think more than 50 people came to my house to break their fast in the past two days. I think the government can help in establishing few centres where people can just break their fast. I will beg for this from the state government. Nasir Bala, resident of Pambegua, Kubau Local Government Area, called on other government officials and wealthy Nigerians to help the less-privileged especially in this month of Ramadan. Yes, the government has a duty to provide for its people but also wealthy individuals should come to the rescue of the people. Kano is doing it, Yobe, Sokoto and many others. I call on Governor El-Rufai to please help the people. We need it so badly this Ramadan. Asked if Mr. El-Rufai would change his stance about not using state resources to feed the fasting Muslims, an aide said the state government will not change its stance. The official, who declined to be named, said the governor and his friends have already provided similar largesse to the less privileged not only during Ramadan. The state government is not going to use state resources to feed or do what it is not meant for. However, the governor and his friends through his existing foundation, El-Rufai Foundation, have been feeding the less privileged, and even give out scholarship to indigents in the state. Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo, a social media enthusiast and daughter of a former governor of Old Oyo State, Omololu Olunloyo, has accused the ch... Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo, a social media enthusiast and daughter of a former governor of Old Oyo State, Omololu Olunloyo, has accused the chief registrar attached to the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court of sitting on her case in order to keep her perpetually behind bars, despite having allegedly met her bail conditions.But Maimunat Folami, the Deputy Chief Registrar, strongly denied the allegations, stating that her office had cooperated fully with Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos counsel to ensure proper vetting of her bail documents.We have done everything that were supposed to do, Ms. Folami said. This allegation is very strange.Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo spoke inside Port Harcourt Prison, where she had been remanded since her initial arraignment in mid-March for alleged criminal defamation against a Port-Harcourt-based preacher, David Ibiyeomie.Speaking with newsmen inside the office of the Comptroller of Prisons in Rivers State, Ifeanyi Amaliri, last week, Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo stated that her lawyers had satisfied all bail requirements set by H.I.O. Shamah, a federal judge who granted her bail on April 11.She said she had strong indications to believe the deputy chief registrar was sitting on her case on alleged orders of some powerful interests. But the court registrar said the accuseds bail paperwork was still being perfected by her lawyers, with whom she said she had been in constant touch with.I have to do all the works of ensuring that all the documents are put in place, Ms. Folami said. Even if the documents are put in place, we still have to conduct certain investigations, like verifying the addresses of the sureties to be sure they are who they say they are.Ms. Folami also said Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos case file was taken away the last time her matter was heard on May 23. Although the judge was absent, the case file was not returned to her office, causing further delay in working out the final details of Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos release.Peter Nkanga, the West Africa representative of the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos continued incarceration for over 78 days and counting, despite all bail conditions met since May 11, including signing an undertaking not to jump bail.It is an outrage that the judiciary can be taking over three weeks and counting to verify Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos bail requirements, at the expense of her freedom, Mr. Nkanga told reporters.Fatai Lawal of Afe Babalola Chambers, which is representing Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo, spoke to newsmen but declined to blame the registrar for the challenges faced in perfecting his clients bail requirements.Were confident about her possible release this week, he said.A team of police officers first arrested Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo in Ibadan on March 13.She was whisked to Port Harcourt where she was arraigned before a Chief Magistrates Court in Port-Harcourt. The case was later transferred to the Federal High Court.Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo, however, spoke positively about the prison officials.They have done an excellent job taking care of me and ensuring that I dont starve and my health does not deteriorate, she said. Kidnappers of students at the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, on Friday resumed negotiations with parents of the students and d... Kidnappers of students at the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, on Friday resumed negotiations with parents of the students and demanded N100 million ransom.It was gathered that the kidnappers contacted parents of two of the students on Friday and insisted that they should approach the state government to pay the amount demanded.Six students Yusuf Farouk, Ramon Isiaka, Pelumi Philips, Peter Jonas, Adebanjo George and Judah Agbaosi were whisked away from their hostels Yellow and Green Houses on May 25, by gunmen cladding in police uniform.The kidnappers, who established contact with the parents on May 27, initially demanded N400 million ransom.They asked the affected parents to approach Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the money.When the government wasnt forthcoming, the kidnappers adopted selective negotiations with parents and demanded varying sums.A parent said: We need help. We are begging the government to intervene in this matter. They contacted some parents this evening (Friday) and said they want us to tell the government to bring N100 million. They said they are not interested in us because they know we cannot raise the money. The kidnappers said it is the government they are interested in.Please, help us. We need help on this issue. We do not know what to do anymore. We have begged them to take the ransom down but they refused.How do we raise N100 million? The government has said it would not pay ransom. We are helpless. A lonely bachelor gave away a fortune to Nigerian scam artists who promised to send him the love of his life, a court heard. But when Steph... A lonely bachelor gave away a fortune to Nigerian scam artists who promised to send him the love of his life, a court heard. But when Stephen Wallaces bank put a stay on his account after noticing the transactions, he marched in with a kitchen knife, a hammer and a baton. Wallace, from Market Street in Clifden, Galway, pleaded guilty to producing a weapon in a manner likely to intimidate another person or inflict serious injury at the Bank of Ireland in Clifden on December 20, 2016. Garda Alan Murphy told Clifden District Court he was called to the bank where he found Wallace, 42, in a very agitated state. He was brandishing a large kitchen knife, a small hammer and a wooden baton and was arrested and taken to a psychiatric unit. When he was released from hospital a month later, on January 19, he was called into Clifden Garda Station and was again very agitated and abusive, Garda Murphy recalled. He had to be arrested for his own safety, Garda Murphy stated. Garda Murphy said Wallace had been willingly sending the money - but the court was not told how much he had handed over. Defence solicitor, JJ Mannion, said his client had an IQ of 65, whereas the average in Ireland is 100. Hes believed to be on the autistic spectrum, he told the court. When the Bank of Ireland became aware through family that Wallace was the victim of a scam, they put a stay on his account, which was the reason for his frustration at the branch. Judge Fahy said the case was so sad and just unbelievable and it was something that could continue for the rest of the defendants life. Garda Murphy said the defendant truly believed somebody would come over after he had sent the money. Judge Fahy spoke directly to Wallace: Im telling you now that person is not going to come and youre going to stop putting money into that account. Would you agree to do that? I will yes, he replied. Judge Fahy urged him to only pay his bills and stop putting money into anybody elses accounts. She adjourned the case until September 28. Member of the House of Representatives representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency of Kano State, Garba Umar-Durbunde has narrated his... Member of the House of Representatives representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency of Kano State, Garba Umar-Durbunde has narrated his ordeal in the hands of those who kidnapped him on Tuesday. Recall that unknown gunmen had on Tuesday abducted the lawmaker in Jere, along the Abuja-Kaduna road while driving to Kano from Abuja. Umar-Durbunde, who was released on Wednesday night after paying a sizeable ransom disclosed that his abductors almost slaughtered him. The Reps member said the hoodlums numbering 14 who were well armed with deadly weapons threatened to slaughter him if he refused to give them a reasonable amount of money. Narrating his experience, the lawmaker said, I spent over 21 hours with them and they released me about 7.30pm. They kidnapped me and I travelled with them for over four hours into the bush from point to point. I met 14 of them; they were armed to the teeth. They all carried guns, daggers and knives; it was terrible. At a point, they threatened that they would slaughter me. Those people are fearless, ruthless; they can kill anybody. Admitting that ransom was paid, the lawmaker refused to disclose how much changed hands. However, unconfirmed sources said N10m was raised to secure the lawmakers freedom. The kidnappers reportedly demanded N60m initially. Speaking further, the Kano lawmaker revealed that the moment the kidnappers pulled him out of his vehicle, they saw his red cap and concluded that he was a political associate of a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso. They said I was a Kwankwaso ally, he added. He said though he was unharmed, he had to undergo immediate medical check-up after he was released because of the psychological trauma he faced in the hands of the kidnappers. My brother, I thank God that I am now stable. But, I must tell you that yesterday (Wednesday), I couldnt sleep. The experience was terrible and nobody should pray for it, he stated. Governors of the 36 states in the country have resolved to pay outstanding salaries and pensions of workers in their states with the nex... Governors of the 36 states in the country have resolved to pay outstanding salaries and pensions of workers in their states with the next tranche of the Paris-London Club loan refunds.The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.The statement issued by Head of Media and Public Affairs at the NGF Secretariat, Abulrazque Barkindo, said the governors took the decision at the end of their meeting held in Abuja on Thursday night.The governors, according to the statement, met in anticipation of the release of the money, which had been approved for payment by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.Out of the N522.74 billion owed the states, N388.304 was paid to them in December last year.Yari said the governors were not oblivious of the workers plights over the non-payment of their salaries and pensions.He said the governors deliberated on the matter and concluded that something immediate must be done to ameliorate the workers plight by paying their outstanding salaries and emoluments.We all agreed that a substantial amount from the next tranche of the Paris-London refunds be used in the settlement of workers salary and pension arrears, Yari said.NAN Contrary to the position of those he described as prophets of doom that the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) will go into extinction if Sena... Contrary to the position of those he described as prophets of doom that the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) will go into extinction if Senator Ali Modu Sheriff wins at the supreme court, former Ambassador to Canada and governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Amb Dare Bejide has said such situation would fortify the party the more. Bejide said the party will begin to wax stronger after the judgment, saying those predicting doom days will be put to shame in the end. He also assured that the party will organize a free, fair and credible primary to select the candidate for the 2018 governorship poll in Ekiti, expressing confidence that the party will retain Ekiti even if Governor Ayodele Fayose defects to another party. The former envoy spoke in a statement in Ado Ekiti, describing the party as having enormous goodwill among Nigerians taking cognizance of the lacklustre performances of the All Progressives Congress-led government at the federal level. Bejide said the 16 years of PDP in the country, especially the administrations of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru YarAdua and Goodluck Jonathan; the economy was better managed than the current recession crippling the system under President Muhammadu Buhari. PDP has no reason to die because nobody is an island no matter how politically powerful you are. Those predicting doom days are only being selfish because it was wrong for you to wish a party that makes you a governor dead. The Senator Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi must learn how to work together after the judgement and whoever wants to defect is free. One thing is certain, the only vibrant opposition platform that can wrest power from APC in 2019 general election is the PDP, no new party can achieve such a herculean task. I am sure that those who have the interest of the party at hearts will stand by Sheriff if he wins while the few people who said they have nothing to do with him can defect and see which party will actually make headway in 2019. But predicting outright death for PDP was not only wrong but that devilish prediction will never come to fruition. Bejide called on the PDP members in the state to be battle ready for the 2018 poll, saying nobody will be allowed to impose candidate on them. Whether Governor Ayodele Fayose stays put in PDP or not, what is certain is that we wont allow anybody to impose the governorship candidate on us. The candidate will emerge through free and fair primaries, because the era of impunity has gone. The PDP was formed through the collective will of all Nigerians and not by any individual, so nobody has the sole right to dictate what should happen. Let me assure our teeming supporters not to entertain fear, no one will foist any candidate on us in Ekiti. An allegedly killed the Enugu Deputy Governors orderly, Sgt. Helen Sunday has been apprehended by the police while attempting to flee.The commands spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement on Friday in Enugu, said that the fleeing member of the group was arrested on May 27 in Lagos State.The orderly was killed in Enugu on May 9 by a group of armed men while on her way home from work.The police had on May 10 stormed the groups hideout and engaged the suspects in a gun duel.Two people suspected to be members of the group were arrested while others escaped.The police said the deceaseds Infinix smartphone, amongst other items, was recovered from the hideout after the shootout.Amaraizu said the anti-kidnapping unit of the command arrested the suspect via a well-coordinated operation.He said police operatives trailed the suspect to a hideout at Apapa in Lagos State, where he was allegedly receiving treatment.It is believed that the treatment was for bullet wounds sustained on May 10 when a shoot-out ensued between members of the armed group and police at Lomalinda and Amorji Nike areas of Enugu.On that day, two of the gang members were fatally injured and apprehended while others believed to have been hit by bullets escaped, he said. Russia has promised to supply Nigeria with military hardware and helicopters to battle the Boko Haram sect, Minister of Foreign Affairs ... Russia has promised to supply Nigeria with military hardware and helicopters to battle the Boko Haram sect, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama said yesterday.Onyeama spoke in Moscow, Russia,in an interview with reporters from Nigeriaon the gains of his visit.He said during his discussions with Russian officials led by Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, Nigerias exemplary role in ensuring peace and stability in Africa and the rest of the world was hailed.Onyeama said both countries are stepping up their cooperation in the efforts to tame Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the world.The minister said: Terrorism is an area we also want to cooperate with Russia. Its a global challenge. They also face terrorism challenges and we look forward to stepping up our cooperation with Russia in the area of fighting terrorism.They have agreed to deliver some military equipment and some helicopters. They are very much in the pipeline.He added: Russia has shown great solidarity with us, and we really look forward to a vibrant and very dynamic relationship between our two countries. We face a lot of conflicts in Africa and also in our country Nigeria. Again, we are looking to Russia.The minister stressed that a strong Russia will give the world a balance.He said: If you have one country that is totally dominant, it might not always necessarily make for a balance approach towards issues. We believe in multilateralism. We believe that global issues should be addressed on a multilateral framework. Strong indications emerged, yesterday, that the Senate is recommending a fuel levy of five naira chargeable per litre on any volume of pe... Strong indications emerged, yesterday, that the Senate is recommending a fuel levy of five naira chargeable per litre on any volume of petrol and diesel products imported into Nigeria and on locally refined petroleum products.The Senate also recommended various taxes and levies to fund the proposed National Roads Fund. The recommendations are contained in a report by the Senate Committee on Works on a Bill for an Act to Establish the National Roads Fund for the purpose of financing the Maintenance and Rehabilitation of National Roads and for other Matters connected therewith, 2017( S.B 218) presented by its chairman, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South). In the report, which was signed by Senator Gaya and others, the committee recommended that the proposed National Roads Fund would be funded through axle load charges, toll fees, a percentage not exceeding 10 per cent of any revenue paid as use charge per vehicle on any federal road designated as a toll road, excluding PPP roads.Every passenger to pay additional charge of 0.5% According to the report, another source of revenue for the National Roads Fund include international vehicle transit charges, inter-state mass transit user charge of 0.5 per cent deductible from the fare paid by passengers to commercial mass transit operators on inter-state roads. Other sources of revenue recommended by the committee are Roads Fund surcharge of 0.5 per cent chargeable on the assessed value of any vehicle imported at any time into Nigeria; lease, license or other fees which shall be 10 per cent of the revenue accruing from lease or license or other fees pertaining to non-vehicular road usages along any federal road.The committee in its report, also recommended that the National Roads Fund be established with high levels of independence under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Finance that will only oversee the fund for policy direction.It added that it was important and fundamental that a balance be achieved in the administration and development of the road infrastructure in the country. The committee chairman explained in the report: A National Roads Fund should be established with high levels of independence under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Finance who will only oversee the fund for policy direction. It is important and fundamental that a balance be achieved in the administration and development of the road infrastructure.Other recommendations Other recommendations of the committee are that the fund shall set aside an amount not exceeding three per cent of the total monies accruing to it in the preceding year as Administrative Fund. The use of National Roads Fund is restricted to routine and periodic maintenance works on roads and the administration of the road network, which includes research and development. Roads agencies that will receive disbursement from the National Roads Fund must be established by law as independent agencies with dedicated accounts to receive disbursements from the National Roads Fund. The National Roads Funds should be excluded from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and Treasury Single Account relying on Section 80 (1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).Senator Gaya said the legislation, when passed, will contribute positively to the economic growth of the nation and impact positively on the lives of Nigerians and deliver a road sector that will be a model for other countries to adopt. He explained that the establishment of Roads Fund to address constraints in road maintenance had been on a common pathway for effective governance within the road sector over the years.In the report, the objectives for of the bill are to establish the National Roads Fund to be a repository of revenues from road user related charges and other sources for financing which shall be managed and administered for routine and periodic maintenance works on roads in Nigeria. Other objectives are to establish the Governing Board which shall be responsible for the management of the fund and create an enabling environment for private sector participation, management and financing in the road sector.Other members of the committee who signed the report are Senator Clifford Ordia who is the Vice Chairman; Senators Barnabas Gemade; Mao Ohuabunwa; Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Ben Murray- Bruce; Abubakar Kyari; Mustapha Bukar; Sani Mustapha; Gilbert Nnaji; Ibrahim Danbaba; Buruji Kashamu and the Clerk, Foluke Ogunbayo. Members of the committee who did not sign the report include Senators Olusola Adeyeye; Ahmed Ogembe and Biodun Olujimi. The corpse of a detective attached to the Special Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command, Musa Sunday, who disappeare... The corpse of a detective attached to the Special Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command, Musa Sunday, who disappeared into thin air 6 months ago, has been found in a shallow grave at the Ibeju Lekki area of the state. Sunday was reportedly abducted, tortured and later buried alive while on illegal duty at Ibeju Lekki. He and four of his men were alleged to have been drafted to guard a land, which was under dispute by their Admin Officer (AO), at Ibeju Lekki. According to a news source, the policemen were drafted to the disputed land without the knowledge of the Officer in Charge of SARS (OC) and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni. The skeleton of the 45-year-old, a father of four children, was exhumed from a shallow grave after a six months search. The police have arrested at least five persons including a traditional ruler, in connection with the murder of the inspector. The newspaper reports that the police are hunting for one Mr Balogun, who led the hoodlums that attacked, abducted and buried Sunday alive. It also reported that it was the fleeing Balogun that tied the hands of the Inspector before burying him alive. Baloguns second in command, Arokin is in police custody and is helping the police with investigation. The suspects, during interrogations, confessed to have buried the officer alive after starving him for more than five days. They also admitted to have buried him alive on the orders of a traditional ruler, who has interest in the land under dispute. Inspector Sunday was abducted sometimes in November, while guarding the disputed land. The abductors made away with his rifle. The Inspector, who was the leader of the team, was on duty with four other policemen. The abductors, alleged to be armed to the teeth, stormed the land on that fateful day in November and overpowered Sunday, his policemen and civilian guards, patrolling the area. Sunday was said to have been kidnapped when he confronted a large number of thugs from the other faction. After his abduction, his phone stopped going through. His colleagues became frantic. Sundays wife and family members besieged the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, demanding to know what had become of him. Speaking with journalists a few months after the abduction of Sunday, his wife, Halimat, 27, said that, They were deployed there to maintain peace. We learnt that hoodlums were attacking a man, so my husband and his men moved to rescue the man. He told the other two policemen to go and put the man in the car so he could be safe. The hoodlums pounced on my husband and took him away. Sensing danger as the hoodlums kept increasing in number, his men ran away. Since then, we have not heard from him. Three months after, police kept telling us that they were on the matter. We learnt they have arrested the Prince that hired the hoodlums, but nothing has happened since then. His children keep asking after him. His aged mother, who has high blood pressure, has not stopped asking for his whereabouts. We dont know what else to tell her. Nobody from the police cared to check on us, and now we dont have money because we dont have access to his ATM pin. I want my husband to come back. The children are suffering, and I cant carry the load alone. There is palpable tension in Delta State as the lingering land dispute between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri South-West... There is palpable tension in Delta State as the lingering land dispute between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri South-West Local Government Areas has spilled over to Warri South Local Government with sporadic gun shots and attacks from both sides. It was gathered that suspected Ogbe-Ijoh militants allegedly stormed Aladja community at about 6am on Friday, June 2, shooting sporadically at everyone on sight. The incident made Urhobo and Ijaw residents to flee their homes through the waterways to Pessu, McCaiver, Main Markets Axis the stronghold of the Agbarha-Warri Urhobos who before now were also having a land dispute with their Ijaw brothers over the ownership of Iron Market in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. Several persons have been seriously wounded but no one has been confirmed dead at the time of this report. An indigene of Aladja community, Comrade Igjitegwuolor Bezi confirmed the report saying, Ogbe-Ijoh people came to attack us at about 6am this morning. It is this fight that may have spilled over to Warri because some of our people escaped through the river to Warri and others were injured. Contacted, the Warri Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Mohammed Shaba said, I have not gotten the facts but I have detailed the DPO of that area to go and send me the report. So, you can call the DPO and get some more facts. The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Hon. Mofe Matthew Edema said that, Soldiers and Policemen are there now just as he called for peace among the warring groups. The UN says the decision by the United States to withdraw from Paris Agreement on Climate Change is a disappointment for global efforts ... The UN says the decision by the United States to withdraw from Paris Agreement on Climate Change is a disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security. Stephane Dujarric, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General, told the media at the UN Headquarters in New York, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced his countrys withdrawal from the Agreement.The Paris Agreement was adopted by all nations in the world in 2015 because they recognise the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents.It offers a meaningful yet flexible framework for action by all countries, Dujarric said. ADVERTISING He added that the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remained confident that cities, states and businesses within the U.S., along with other countries, would continue to demonstrate vision and leadership. According to him, this can be done by working for the low-carbon and resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for 21st century prosperity.It is crucial that the United States remain a leader on environmental issues, the spokesman for the Secretary-General noted. Dujarric also said that the Secretary-General looked forward to engaging with the U.S. Government and all actors in the country and around the world to build the sustainable future on which the future generations depend.Trump had promised to make his decision known this week on the Paris Climate Agreement, which as at May, 195 members of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change had signed and 147 had ratified. In a nationwide broadcast, Trump announced: to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord but begin negotiations to re-enter our way into Paris Accord.Or in really entirely new transaction or terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people and its tax payers. So, we are getting out but we will start to negotiate and we would see if we could make a deal that is fair and if we can, thats great and if we cant, thats fine. As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of the American citizens. The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States.For the exclusive benefits of other countries, leaving American workers, who I love, and tax payers to observe the cost in terms of job loss, low wages, shattered factories and vastly diminished economic production. Thus, as of today, the United States would cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris Accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country.This includes ending the implementation of the nationally determined contributions and very importantly, the Green Climate Fund, which is costing the United States a vast fortune. According to him, compliant with the terms of the Paris Accord and the onerous energy restriction that is placed on the U.S. can cost America as much as 2.7 million job loss by 2025. Two Chibok schoolgirls who escaped from their Boko Haram abductors in 2014 have graduated from a high school in Washington DC, the United S... Two Chibok schoolgirls who escaped from their Boko Haram abductors in 2014 have graduated from a high school in Washington DC, the United States Capital. The two girls, known by their first names, Debbie and Grace, on Thursday graduated after completing junior year (11th grade) and senior year (12th grade) at a prestigious private international school in the Washington metro area in America. According to the release, Debbie and Grace were among 57 girls who escaped from the terrorists after the mass abduction of almost 300 of them at Government Girls State School in April 2014. Unlike most of their colleagues who jumped out of the trucks in which they were being herded away into captivity, the two girls arrived the terrorists camp in Sambisa forest before escaping back home in a terrifying journey that took about a week with their captors in hot pursuit. They were the last to escape until Amina Ali also escaped last year after two years with the terrorists. The two schoolgirls were among a dozen Nigerian girls sponsored to schools abroad by the NGO with the help of Mr. Ogebe. The NGO is run by victims of Boko Haram helping other victims to overcome the impact of the insurgency. By this graduation, Debbie and Grace became the first escaped Chibok girls to graduate from an American high school with diplomas after completing and meeting academic standards, Mr. Ogebe stated. On hand to witness the historic graduation of the two Chibok girls in the class of 2017 were a delegation from Nigeria which included the founders and directors of Education Must Continue Initiative, Mr and Mrs Paul Gadzama, and the parent of one of the girls who travelled all the way from Chibok in North-east Nigeria. The only Chibok girl currently pursuing a degree programme in an American university, cut short her summer vacation in Nigeria to return for the graduation of her colleagues. The girls American host families and Mr. Ogebe and his family were among the audience who witnessed the historic graduation. The class of 2017 was the 50th graduation of the school which was the first high school in America to win a prestigious Presidents award last year. The Chibok girls were among only 21 students who graduated as a few international students were unable to graduate. In remarks during a celebratory reception, the Chibok girls thanked their host families and the NGO volunteers from EMC for supporting them to achieve their dreams. They particularly appreciated them for driving the girls daily to and from school for two years. Also speaking, the parent visiting from Nigeria stated that he had personally seen that the team had done more for his daughter in America than he could have done for them in Nigeria and thanked them for their love. Recounting how the initiative started, Mr. Ogebe said he first brought the orphan of a pastor murdered by Boko Haram to school in the U.S in 2013. Mr. Ogebe appreciated the sacrifice of EMC founders, Mr. and Mrs. Gadzama, who flew at their own expense to witness the girls graduation after missing their own daughters graduation with a masters in Public Health (MPH) in Michigan just a few weeks earlier. He also thanked EMCs American volunteer Education Adviser, Deanna who helped obtain admission and scholarships to the exclusive $35,000 per year school for her role after their former school tried to take advantage of them. The girls had to repeat 11th grade after their initial school failed to meet up to its obligations. Mr. Ogebe said the girls won several awards, including for Most hard-working student in English as Second Language 3. This is an outstanding feat for Chibok girls especially given the fact that in Nigeria, most continue to speak in Hausa to the consternation of many Nigerians. This shows that our education model of immersion placing the students in American homes was immensely successful as they are now able to engage confidently, communicate effectively and blossom generally. This is why the girls in EMCs US program are the most articulate Chibok girls anywhere in the world. Confirming this, host parents including lawyers, doctors and accountants narrated tales of how Americanized the girls are quoting one as saying mum, the weather is gross while on another occasion explaining to her host mum, an American doctor, how Uber, the app-based taxi service, operates. With this graduation, Mr. Ogebe said EMC has no more students in high school in the US. All are now post-secondary level and exceed all the Chibok girls in the Nigerian programs run by the Federal Government and Borno State government. EMC and AUNs programs are the two most advanced programs for Chibok girls. The fact that these girls could succeed in spite of the worst of terrorism and the opposition of their own government no less is proof that the gates of hell cannot prevail against the march of a girl committed to achieving her dreams or any band of individuals united to support them. They are truly a testament to the indomitable human spirit under guidance of a great God. Not one iota of support has come from any government anywhere. Rather we have paid the Nigerian and U.S governments numerous times for various needs for the girls. At the end of the day, our labour of love has been crowned with success in spite of all the naysayers and saboteurs. To God alone by the glory. We thank all our friends and supporters, Mr. Ogebe stated. PHILADELPHIA -- Students from Cherry Hill High School East celebrated their 2017 prom in style at Vie Thursday night. NJ Advance Media snapped photos of some of the students on their big night. Check back at nj.com/southjerseyproms for other local high school prom coverage from schools in South Jersey. And be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom. BUY THESE PHOTOS Are you one of the people pictured at this prom? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? When viewing the images on a desktop computer, look for a link in the photo caption to purchase the picture. You'll have the ability to order prints in a variety of sizes, or products like magnets, keychains, coffee mugs and more. SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Let's see your prom photos. Post your pictures on Twitter and Instagram with #njprom. We'll retweet and repost our favorites on Twitter @njdotcom and Instagram @njdotcompix. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook. PITTSGROVE TWP. -- Students from Vineland High School celebrated their 2017 prom on Thursday night as they arrived in style at the Centerton Country Club in Pittsgrove Township. NJ Advance Media was there to capture images of some of the students as they arrived for the celebration. Check back at nj.com/southjerseyproms for other local high school prom coverage from schools in South Jersey. And be sure to check out our complete prom coverage at nj.com/prom. BUY THESE PHOTOS Are you one of the people pictured at this prom? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? When viewing the images on a desktop computer, look for a link in the photo caption to purchase the picture. You'll have the ability to order prints in a variety of sizes, or products like magnets, keychains, coffee mugs and more. SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Let's see your prom photos. Post your pictures on Twitter and Instagram with #njprom. We'll retweet and repost our favorites on Twitter @njdotcom and Instagram @njdotcompix. Lori M. Nichols may be reached at lnichols@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @photoglori. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Rapper Lil Kim is losing her multi-million dollar Alpine mansion to foreclosure, Bergen County court records show. Lil Kim, who toured last year with Sean "Diddy" Combs as part of the Bad Boy Family Reunion, bought the contemporary home on two acres in 2002 for $2.275 million but apparently has been struggling to make her payments for years. HSBC Bank first instituted foreclosure proceedings against Lil Kim in 2010, and records obtained by NJ.com show that Lil Kim and the bank have been in mediation since 2015. But the judge's ruling last month that Lil Kim was in default was uncontested. Property taxes are $23,308 a year, according to state records. Lil Kim has reportedly defaulted on her loan for her Alpine mansion. Bossip.com was first to report the news. According to court papers, the rapper owes $1.9 million, including interest and taxes. Now that Lil Kim has been found in default, the home will hit the auction block. Foreclosure auctions are often delayed, and Lil Kim has until 10 days after the auction to come up with the funds to reclaim the house. If not, she has 30 days to vacate. Lil Kim is a Brooklyn native, but she has lived in Bergen County for about 20 years, first moving into the Teaneck condo of former boyfriend Christopher Wallace (aka Biggie Smalls and the Notorious B.I.G.) after he was gunned down in 1997. She bought a townhouse in Englewood for $450,000, which she sold for $785,000 in 2005, shortly before she was sentenced to a year in prison for lying to a federal grand jury about her friends' involvement in a 2001 shooting outside a New York radio station. Lil Kim, who became a first-time mom in 2014, was also hit with a $126,805 tax lien by the Internal Revenue Service in 2015, which is still active. Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Yet another venue has canceled an upcoming Kathy Griffin performance as the fallout continues from the comedian's recent photo shoot depicting President Donald Trump's fake decapitated head. Griffin's Nov. 4 appearance at Bergen Performing Arts Center was canceled last night as public outcry from the photo shoot heats up. This comes on the heels of the State Theatre in New Brunswick canceling her Nov. 3 show, announced Thursday. Both venues posted announcements on their Facebook pages Thursday evening explaining their decisions to cancel the show. Organizers from Bergen PAC stated in the post that, "After careful consideration, bergenPAC has decided to no longer move forward with the scheduled performance of Kathy Griffin." After very careful consideration, bergenPAC has decided to no longer move forward with the scheduled performance of... Posted by bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) on Thursday, June 1, 2017 St. George Theatre in Staten Island also decided to axe Griffin's show. Organizers released a statement saying, "The St. George Theatre does not endorse the the actions or beliefs of any of its performers, and Ms. Griffin's recent actions have severely inhibited our ability to fulfill our mission as a non-profit theatre serving the Staten Island community." All venues announced that ticket holders will receive a full refund. Meanwhile, venues from coast to coast have severed ties with the comedian due to the backlash. On Wednesday, CNN released a statement via Twitter saying they have terminated their agreement with Griffin to appear on their New Year's program. Similarly, the toilet stool company Squatty Potty, which planned to run an ad campaign with Griffin, said in a statement that they have terminated their agreement. Griffin apologized in a video on her Twitter page Wednesday, saying "she went too far." Many well-known figures, including President Trump himself, have express outrage and disgust with the photo shoot. Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017 Prominent political figures on both sides of the aisle have firmly opposed Griffin's photo shoot. Even her New Year's cohost Anderson Cooper voiced his displeasure with the 56-year-old comedian. Griffin announced she will hold a press conference at noon Friday with her attorney Lisa Bloom to "explain the true motive behind the image, and respond to the bullying from the Trump family she has endured." Proud to announce that I represent Kathy Griffin. We will be holding a press conference tomorrow morning. Here's the details. pic.twitter.com/1FejPNGzoV Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) June 2, 2017 Hunter Hulbert may be reached at hhulbert@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook ELIZABETH -- For at least three Indonesian Christian immigrants, the decades-long battle to stay in the U.S. after fleeing religious persecution has come to an end. By Friday, two of the four Indonesian men who were detained by immigration officials since May were deported, joining a third who was deported last month, advocates said. Saul Timisela and Rovani Wangko were sent back to Indonesia after their requests to stay in the country were denied, said Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale, a longtime advocate for the immigrant community. A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed Wangko's deportation but would not comment further. Arino Massie, of Metuchen, was deported last month, leaving behind his wife and a 13-year-old U.S. citizen son who was in school when his father boarded a plane. "I'm just seeing utter outrage, a level of disgust for the country we live in that is unparalleled," Kaper-Dale of The Reformed Church of Highland Park said. The fourth detainee, Oldy Manopo, remains at the Elizabeth Detention Center but is expected to be removed after officials, too, denied his stay of removal. Manopo has three U.S. citizen grandchildren and two kids who received work permits under President Obama's deferred action program for undocumented immigrants who arrived as children. Wangko, who has been in the country for 22 years, called his wife Friday morning from a layover stop in Japan, telling her immigration officials had put him on a flight back to Indonesia, Kaper-Dale said. "His wife called me at a quarter to 6 a.m. this morning," he said. "She's been going every single night to see him. When she went last night (to the detention center) she asked to see Rovani, and they said there's no Rovani here." "That's how Rovani's life in America comes to an end. With lies, with family breaking, with insensitivity and hate -- the well-developed skills of our government officials and their enforcers," Kaper-Dale of The Reformed Church of Highland Park said. Wangko and the others were detained by immigration officials last month during a check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. All four had applied for asylum more than 10 years ago but missed the deadline for eligibility and were ordered deported. The group worked out an agreement with ICE to stay in the country so long as long as they periodically checked in. But when the four reported in May, they were detained. Since taking office, President Trump has widened the net of who is considered a priority for deportation to include those with previous deportation orders even if they don't have a criminal record. U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.), who introduced a bill that would allow Indonesian immigrants to reopen their asylum cases said it was "morally reprehensible" to separate the men from their families in the U.S. "These men who sought asylum from religious persecution, have now fallen victim to the Trump administration's appalling refugee and immigration policy," Pallone said in a statement to NJ Advance Media. "If President Trump thinks that New Jerseysans will forget about Rovani, Saul and Arino, he is completely wrong. I have been inspired by the groundswell of support for these men and we will continue to fight until our country has a just and humane immigration policy." Kaper-Dale, who is running for governor, said Wangko was a chef and worked at a Chinese restaurant. Wangko also helped rebuild homes along the Jersey Shore which were destroyed during Superstorm Sandy. "The Indonesian community itself to me, it feels like there's great uncertainty about how to face this. Do you try and live a normal life until you get picked up, do you hunker down? These are all things that happen when people are in crisis," he said. [Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the deportation of Saul Timisela.] Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. The nurse who filed a lawsuit against the governor after she spent three days quarantined in a New Jersey hospital out of concern she might have Ebola has reached a "settlement in principal," according to court documents. No details of the settlement were included in a letter to trial judge James B. Clark III, who was handling the civil rights lawsuit filed by Kaci Hickox against Gov. Chris Christie and three administration officials. In the lawsuit, filed in October of 2015, Hickox, who worked for Doctors Without Borders, says her rights were violated "for political gain" when she was placed in "Christie's private prison." At the time of her quarantine, Christie was widely considered to be poised to enter the race for the Republican presidential nomination. At the time of the episode, Christie was dismissive of her situation, saying, "I've been sued lots of times before. Get in line. I'm happy to take it on." He apologized for her inconvenience, but insisted his actions were necessary to protect public health. The timetable for a final settlement was not included in the letter to the court from Ronald L. Israel, the attorney representing Christie and the other three officials. He could not be reached for comment. Reached by email, Hickox, who now lives on the West Coast, said she expected to see a conclusion to her suit by the end of the month. MORE: Read Kaci Hickox's lawsuit against the Christie administration Hickox was an infectious disease public health nurse who was returning to her home in Maine on a Friday afternoon in October, 2014, after a month-long stint helping treat Ebola patients in Sierra Leone. She landed at Newark Liberty International Airport just as both Christie and New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo were announcing a strict new policy on handling travelers from West Africa nations where Ebola was present. When Hickox was pulled aside for a health screening upon landing, a forehead-scanning thermometer registered a slight fever. Because of that, she was held at the airport for several hours before being transported to University Hospital in downtown Newark. Once there, she was placed in quarantine in a clear-plastic isolation tent within the hospital - even though she didn't register any fever when doctors took her temperature by conventional means. An Ebola test announced the next day was negative. She remained at the hospital the next two days while Doctors Without Borders and two civil-rights lawyers fought to get her released. She was finally discharged on Monday morning and escorted by New Jersey EMTs to her home in Maine. In her lawsuit, she sought damages of $250,000 - $2,000 for each one of the 80 hours she spent in the hospital against her will, along with another $90,000 in punitive damages. Since the lawsuit was filed, Hickox has continued to voice her displeasure with how she was treated during that episode, which drew national attention. She recently spoke at a Harvard Law School conference, saying, "Sitting in a tent in New Jersey and then having a state trooper parked outside my home in Maine, I learned how vulnerable we are when our civil liberties are taken away and we are not ensured due process." Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- A Jersey City man with 18 convictions and a severe drug problem faced a possible four-year prison sentence Thursday, but was instead sentenced to Drug Court probation where he will have a chance to get clean. Taylor Stackhouse, 35, said prison time would probably be easier. "I think I need drug court because I ain't got nothing left," Stackhouse told Hudson County Superior Court Judge Edward DeFazio Thursday morning as he stood at the defense table in handcuffs. If he fails out of the five-year Drug Court program, he could serve out the years behind bars. Stackhouse, who is already on probation, said it would probably be easier to just serve a state prison sentence but he wanted help. In March, he pleaded guilty to burglary, unlawful taking of a means of conveyance, unlawful possession of an imitation firearm and drug possession "My family stopped messing with me," said Stackhouse, who has successfully completed Drug Court probation in the past before relapsing and committing crimes while on PCP. "My girlfriend left. She moved with my kids. I don't have too much of nothing left. When I was in drug court, everything was right. I was working three jobs and living with my family." Defense attorney Mignon Devens told DeFazio that Stackhouse's crimes were mostly related to drugs or supporting a drug habit. She said that after completing Drug Court probation last time, he began focusing on his job rather than continuing go to meetings, lost contact with his sponsors and was then unable to get his medications. "When he's good he's good, but when he's bad, boy, he's bad," Devens said. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Andrea Hellinghausen told DeFazio that Stackhouse's probation officer felt Drug Court was a good option for the defendant and the prosecutor agreed. The judge noted that Stackhouse has already served prison time, and "that clearly didn't work. The only thing that has worked for a period of time was Drug Court." But DeFazio added: "I can assure you that if you do commit a crime when you are on this program sir, you will be subject to the maximum sentence the court can give you ... You get involved in the criminal justice system when you are on this Drug Court probation - be prepared to pay some consequences." Drug Court probation for Stackhouse will include a drug treatment program, drug testing, and employment guidelines. He cannot drink alcohol and has to avoid places where it is sold, possess no weapons of any kind, and avoid associating with anyone who uses or possesses drugs. He also must be arrest-free, attend all court hearings and be on time for probation meetings. DeFazio said he found Stackhouse was not a threat to the community. He also noted one incident in which officers responding to a report of a man with a gun found Stackhouse with what turned out to be a BB gun. DeFazio asked, "Did you want to get shot by the police officers?" "No," Stackhouse replied. "Because they drew down on you, no?" the judge asked. "Yes" was the reply. "You could have been shot and killed and the police would have been entirely justified, as far as I am concerned, in the shooting," DeFazio said. When police approached Stackhouse that day, they smelled PCP. After the hearing, Stackhouse was to be taken back to the jail and then released. O mankind, We have created you male and female a , and made you nations and tribes, that you may know one another b Surely the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most godfearing among you c God is All-knowing [about your works], All-aware [about your circumstances.] a You are equal in lineage, because you descended from Adam and Eve b c quran-ayat.com/pret/49.htm#a49_13 , which means:............................................................................13The meaning:, so do not boast to each other about the lineage.13But not to boast to each other.The people is more than the tribe, and for this reason, Jews say we are the chosen people of God, because they descend from one father: Jacob, then they divided into tribes, each tribe descend from one of the sons of Jacob; therefore, the people is comprised of many tribes, then come the clans then the families [The interpreter mentioned in Arabic more detailed Arabic terms about such classification.]13It means: Most of you in reward, and highest of you in rank before God, is the most of you in avoiding His disobedience and the most of you at working with His obedience. Once elected, members of the Public Service Commission typically have an easy time hanging onto their jobs. Voters dont know much about them or their work, and the only real money in the campaigns has traditionally come from utilities and others Staffing is a key concern of any enterprise be it a government or a business, nonprofit or for-profit, big or small. The federal government has a staffing problem right now, which isnt helped by obstructionist Democrats nor the conflict among the ranks of Republicans. The chief problem, however, is with the chief executive, who has yet to nominate anyone for 442 key administration positions, to include many staff members who do the work of implementing the administrations policies. The Washington Post has teamed up with Partnership for Public Service, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, compiled an online tracking tool that is monitoring 559 key Senate-confirmable positions in the Trump administration. So far, of a total of 63 individuals have been officially nominated, of whom 39 have been approved. An additional 15 other individuals has been publicly identified to fill other positions but have not yet been formally nominated. That leaves 442 key positions for which no one has been identified to fill let alone nominated. These key positions are Cabinet secretaries, deputy and assistant secretaries, chief financial officers, general counsel, heads of agencies, ambassadors and other critical leadership positions, according to The Post, and they dont include more than 600 other Senate-confirmable positions, nor the many political appointees who dont require approval from lawmakers. While it does take time to recruit, check, nominate and confirm an administrations worth of federal employees, President Donald Trump is behind where he should be at this point in his presidency. For comparison, Trump had 35 positions confirmed and 59 submitted to the Senate as of May 20. Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama, had 130 key staff members confirmed and 89 awaiting confirmation at the same point in his first term. George W. Bush had 60 confirmed and 117 awaiting confirmation, while Bill Clinton had 101 confirmed and 100 awaiting confirmation. George H.W. Bush had 94 confirmed and 49 awaiting confirmation. So, among recent presidents, Trump is significantly behind on filling these key positions. These are jobs essential to U.S. interests. The Department of State, for example, has 112 unfilled positions, while the Department of Agriculture only has its secretary in place among its key positions. It is every presidents duty to the country to fill out a government that can work to serve the interests of the people here. Empty position after empty position does nothing to help Trumps proclaimed efforts to move the country forward. If he is sincere and we believe he is President Trump needs to move forward in filling all key positions if he hopes to really move the country forward. The adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard, Maj. Gen. Daryl L. Bohac, made a stop on Thursday in North Platte. Bohac said he tries to visit communities that house a Nebraska National Guard unit every year. He flew into North Platte on Thursday morning and met with members of the 1075th Transportation Company as well as Mayor Dwight Livingston and members of the North Platte Area County Chamber and Development Corporation. Were checking in with them to see how things are going, Bohac said. The trips give him an opportunity to see facilities and equipment firsthand and discuss any concerns of local leaders. Bohac said that in his four years as adjutant general, hes never had a community leader express concerns. Bohac said that the Nebraska National Guard is currently at about 95 percent of its authorized strength across the state. Although he admits that hed like to be at 100 percent, he said recruitment efforts are going well partially because of a strong training program. Our folks do a really good job of setting up demanding, rigorous training, he said, explaining that if recruits are bored during their training they may not want to stay involved. He also noted that for the soldiers who deploy, training has improved significantly from what was done before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Bohac said joining the National Guard comes with big benefits, including up to 75 percent tuition assistance for state colleges and an inexpensive health insurance plan. Bohac said being in the guard also teaches discipline and leadership skills, as well as giving members a chance to be a part of something larger than oneself. Youre going to be a better person for your experience with us, Bohac said. In recent years, the National Guard has deployed fewer Nebraskans. Were not as busy as we once were, Bohac said. Bohac said about 200 Nebraska Guard members are currently deployed. Bohac also acts as the director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and said there also hasnt been as much need for the guards assistance on a local level in recent years. Which is a good thing for the citizens, Bohac said. It means they havent been threatened. While citizens havent needed help from the National Guard in recent years, the soldiers are ready when the call comes. Bohac said the current National Guard is the best trained, best equipped and most professional that the nation has ever seen. Train buffs can make reservations now for free bus tours of Union Pacifics Bailey Yard during North Platte Rail Days. The 1-hour tours on Sept. 16 are scheduled every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Buses will depart from Cody Park, transport guests through Bailey Yard and stop at the Golden Spike Tower before returning to Cody Park. Guests on the tour will see Bailey Yard operations up close and Union Pacific employees will serve as tour guides, said Kirsten Parker, executive director of the Golden Spike Tower. Tickets are free, but seats are limited. Reservations are recommended and can be made at NorthPlatteRailDays.com. Many seats already have been claimed. Parker said a private pre-release of ticket reservations was made May 23 in a joint effort with the North Platte Visitor Center and Trains Magazine. Tickets were offered through an email blast at 8 a.m. and the first booking was made at 8:02. Within 12 hours, 148 tickets were reserved, Parker said. Reservations came from 27 states and five countries, Parker said, and only five of the 148 tickets were reserved by people in Nebraska. North Platte Rail Days runs Sept. 15-17 and will feature a model train show all weekend, family day festivities at Cody Park on Saturday, a pancake feed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum and other events. Volunteers are welcome to participate in planning or helping at events; contact Parker at the Golden Spike Tower at 308-532-9920 or kparker@goldenspiketower.com. The National Wildlife Federation brings nature to life in the pages of our publications, inspiring people of all ages and reading levels to develop a deeper relationship with our natural world. To learn more about receiving magazines from the National Wildlife Federation, please visit our subscription page. For information about rights and permissions, visit our Permissions page or contact permissions@nwf.org. BRUSSELS Top officials from China and the European Union were set Friday to reaffirm their commitment to a landmark climate change agreement, a day after President Donald Trump said he was pulling the United States out of the Paris accord. Climate issues were expected to dominate discussions between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who is leading a large delegation of ministers to Brussels, and EU Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Speaking to European business leaders alongside Li, Juncker said EU-China ties are underpinned by "a rules-based international system." Brussels and Beijing believe in "the full implementation, without nuances, of the Paris climate agreement," Juncker said, and underlined that there can be "no backsliding." In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted that the U.S. withdrawal won't prevent the rest of the world from pressing ahead with efforts to curb global warming. "Nothing can and will stop us from doing so," she said in a brief statement to reporters. Merkel, whose country hosts this year's international climate summit, said Trump's decision was "extremely regrettable and that's putting it very mildly." At their short summit, the EU and China two of the world's major polluters are set to reaffirm their stance on global warming. According to a draft, they will express their determination "to forge ahead with further policies and measures for effective implementation of their respective nationally determined contributions." European heavyweights France, Germany and Italy said in a joint statement on Thursday that they regretted Trump's decision to withdraw from the accord, while affirming their "strongest commitment" to implement its measures. While Trump said the United States would be willing to rejoin the accord if it could obtain more favorable terms, the three European leaders said the agreement cannot be renegotiated, "since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economics." Germany's environment minister, Barbara Hendricks, told reporters in Berlin that other countries will fill the leadership vacuum but none will be expected to make up the shortfall in emissions reductions caused by Washington's exit. Hendricks said the absence of $500 million contributions from the United States to the Green Climate Fund will be felt from 2018, but suggested the gap could be filled with "other financing mechanisms, for example through the World Bank." The Green Fund is designed to help poor countries adapt to climate change and bypass some of the heavily polluting technologies formerly used by rich countries. Poor countries are predicted to be among the hardest hit by global warming, with some predicting tens of millions of "climate refugees" in coming decades. The leader of the country to next hold the rotating presidency of the European Union called Trump's decision "very bad, very negative." Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas told The Associated Press that the Paris accord "was, and still is a very important goal to achieve." Estonia takes over the rotating six-month presidency from Malta at the end of the month. ___ Jordans contributed to this report from Berlin. Raf Caser contributed from Tallinn, Estonia. The Congressional Steel Caucus is backing the U.S. Department of Commerce's Section 232 investigation into whether imports threaten national security. U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, vice chairman of the caucus, and its bipartisan membership sent a letter of support saying that it was necessary for American steelworkers to make metal for aircraft carriers, armored vehicles, submarines and other military uses. They argued the United States could be vulnerable to foreign pressure in wartime if it failed to sustain its domestic steel industry. "In order to ensure that steel continues to be made in America and that we will never be vulnerable to foreign pressure or coercion in the event of a true national security emergency affecting the homeland or our interests around the world something must be done to address the onslaught of imports affecting the industry," the caucus argued in the letter. The market share of imported steel was back up to 28 percent in April, and it's climbed 23 percent over the first four months of 2017, as compared to the previous year, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. "These imports are often traded well below market value or are subsidized by foreign governments, preventing American companies from competing on a level playing field," the caucus wrote. The United States currently has 191 tariffs on foreign steel, and 20 more investigations are under way, according to Visclosky's office. Congress also recently passed two new laws intended to crack down on the dumping of foreign steel. "While we believe these actions have been helpful in addressing the ongoing steel import crisis, more must be done," the caucus wrote. "That is why we welcome the Departments investigation into the impact of steel imports on national security. It is important that the federal government use every tool available to address this issue and carefully examine how unfairly traded steel is affecting the prosperity and security of this nation." HAMMOND City residents had their opportunity Thursday to see the results of seven months of conceptual planning for development around stations on the South Shore's proposed West Lake Corridor. About 40 residents gathered at Kenwood Elementary School for the open house, the last in a series led by the consulting firm Farr Associates to establish a "vision plan" for transit-oriented development. West Lake's Hammond stations include Hammond Gateway, which would be located about a third of a mile west of the current Hammond South Shore station, and the Hammond South station near 173rd Street and Lyman Avenue. Doug Farr of Farr Associates said the Gateway station posed challenges as a "hard-to-get-to site" with limited available land. But the fact that West Lake would meet the existing South Shore Line there offers opportunities as a transportation hub. The plan shows offices and mixed-use buildings in the area but was relatively open. "We're flexible about that," Farr said of the types of uses that might locate there. The South station would be north of 173rd, but parking would be north and south of 173rd. The residential neighborhood precludes higher density development, though some could exist at the nearby Hohman and Calumet intersection. Farr noted that 15 percent of residents in the immediate area commute to Chicago, the highest proportion around the proposed West Lake stations. The presentation was followed by an open house where comments were collected on the plan. "Chances are it could change in some ways, or change a lot," Farr said at the outset, encouraging public input. Most commentary, in the form of written notes posted to renderings of the sites, focused on the South Hammond station. Concerns about green space, housing types and traffic predominated. Sandy O'Brien, of the Duneland Sierra Club, said her organization was contacted by some residents. "If it's going to be developed, there's no reason not to develop it in a way that supports butterflies and birds and other wildlife," she said. Native wildflowers can counter a "blank landscape" and help sustain other native species. "It can be done," she said. Thursday's forum followed one Tuesday in Munster, which covered the Munster Ridge Road and Munster/Dyer stations. Economic development planning is part of the Federal Transit Administration's evaluation process for New Starts grant money, which would fund half of the $615 million project. Visit westlakeTOD.civicpage.com for information on Farr Associates' planning. New U.S. Steel Chief Executive Officer David Burritt has named new executives and made some changes to the steelmaker's leadership team. Burritt, who took over when previous CEO Mario Longhi retired on May 8 after a disastrous first-quarter loss of $180 million, named Pipasu Soni to serve as interim chief financial officer, filling in a role Burritt vacated. Soni is currently the companys vice president of finance, and will oversee U.S. Steel finances while a search for a permanent CFO is underway. Burritt also shook up roles and responsibilities for company leaders, making Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer Christine Breves the senior vice president of supply chain and manufacturing support. She will now oversee asset revitalization and manufacturing excellence and information technology, while remaining chief supply chain officer. Scott Buckiso, a 27-year company veteran who has previously worked at the Gary Works steel mill, was promoted from vice president of European Solutions to senior vice president of European Solutions. Buckiso has overseen U.S. Steels operations in the Slovak Republic since 2015. "These changes are designed to drive an operational excellence mindset deeper into our business from our manufacturing facilities to the numerous business processes that support them," Burritt said. "An increased focus on our operations is critical as we move to accelerate our asset revitalization efforts and realize improvements in safety, quality, delivery and cost." He also appointed former Amtrak human resources executive Barry Melnkovic as vice president and chief human resources officer, a management position in which he "will be responsible for all facets of the companys human resources division as well as labor relations." Barrys proven record of success in human resources and labor relations for several prominent manufacturers and other heavy industries, coupled with his extensive transformation experience, made him the ideal person to fill this important role, Burritt said. He is a seasoned leader with a proven record of implementing and executing operational excellence with a focus on continuous improvement. We appreciate his longstanding commitment to safety in the workplace and look forward to utilizing his expertise on our executive team." The Pittsburgh-based company is one of Northwest Indiana's largest employers with mills in Gary, Portage and East Chicago. Although his day job is a professor of speech at Victoria College, during his off time Cary Voss pollinates interest in bees in people of all ages. The Victoria Advocate reports Mike Olson learned about bee removal from Voss during an adult education class in 2014. Olson had just retired from a 32-year career with AT&T. After observing Voss for months, Olson started his own bee removal business in 2015. "At the end of my career, I was in the office all the time, so I needed to get out," he said. Now, Olson's on his second year of Texas A&M University's five-year master bee program. He's also mentoring Lauren Garrett, a junior at Victoria West High School. Lauren has been accompanying Olson on bee removals and started her own hive at her family's property off Lower Mission Valley Road to prepare for the Texas 4-H Roundup, an educational contest held during the first full week of June. Then, she'll give and be judged on a 12-minute presentation about bees using PowerPoint and other props, said her father, Kirby Garrett. On May 10, the trio tried to remove a hive of western honey bees from some leftover concrete in a field near the intersection of Waterford Drive and Balboa Court. "The city owns the property and was mowing it. When they drove by, they disturbed the bees and started getting popped," Voss said. "It would've been real easy to get a bulldozer and a tractor and just wipe them out." This hive was composed of a swarm, or a queen and half the worker bees from an existing hive that had become too big and needed to leave as new queens emerged for dominance, he said. It was also worth saving. While western honey bees haven't been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, another bee was earlier this year. That was the rusty patched bumblebee. Besides, about 70 percent of the fruit and vegetables humans eat are pollinated by bees, "so why kill them?" Voss asked. Voss, Olson and Lauren on May 10 each took turns cutting out comb from the concrete and impaling it on top bars that slide down into a hive Voss made of recycled wood. They also used a low impact vacuum to suck the bees into a bucket they'd later use to transfer them to the new hive. At some point, they tried smoking the bees out. Smoke blocks the bees' ability to receive pheromone messages from each other, so they can't coordinate attacks. In fact, no one was stung May 10. Voss said their prime directive was to catch the queen. "When she's gone, other bees act like sheep without a shepherd," he said. But as the minutes ticked by and there was no sign of her, indicating she'd gone further into the concrete, Voss grew frustrated. "I'm not asking her to abdicate the throne, just to surrender," he said. Eventually, he caught her, putting the other bees at ease with the new location of their hive. Voss planned to take the hive to a ranch off of Farm-to-Market Road 446, where they'll likely help pollinate wildflowers. This year, he's done 20 bee removals and thinks it's catching on because people are not only concerned about bees' continued existence, but they want to get off what he calls "the exterminator treadmill." Exterminators typically use a poison that goes inert after a while, so that location can become infested with bees again. Also, when a colony can't defend its resources, bees from other hives rob it of its honey and can track the poison back to their hive. So bee removal is the better option. "This way, everybody wins," Voss said. Information from: The Victoria Advocate, http://www.victoriaadvocate.com This is an AP Weekend Member Exchange shared by the Victoria Advocate LAKE STATION City leaders for more than a year have been discussing the possibility of selling the Water Department, and a meeting giving initial authorization to do so lasted only a few minutes. The City Council voted 5-2 during the brief special session Thursday to approve the first reading of an ordinance to sell the utility to Indiana American Water, and the meeting ended with applause from residents in attendance. Mayor Christopher Anderson said he was feeling great and excited after the action was taken. Anderson has long supported selling the water system. Indiana American has offered nearly $20.7 million for the utility, and he believes finalizing a deal is what's best for Lake Station to address the communitys lingering financial problems. No final decisions have been made regarding how those funds would be designated, but it has been suggested proceeds could pay off debt associated with the Water Department and stabilize the general fund. Anderson said the remaining funding would be used wisely. Projects to attract new residents and businesses are among the possibilities, he said. Lake Station had submitted a counteroffer of $21 million to Indiana American for the Water Department. Anderson said the company responded with its original offer of nearly $20.7 million and a pledge to tear down the water tower at Ripley Street and Central Avenue. The property also would remain in the city's hands. Anderson said he was pleased with the company's response. Matthew Prine, Indiana American's community and government affairs director, described the council's 5-2 decision as a strong vote supporting the sale. Prine said Indiana American is excited to add the community as one of its customers. Councilwomen Esther Rocha-Baldazo, D-at large, and Jennifer Miller, I-2nd, voted against the measure. Rocha-Baldazo said her decision comes after considering Lake Station's long-term financial needs. She views the Water Department as an asset that generates funding for the community, and the city can't get the department back once it's gone. Rocha-Baldazo said she also has talked to numerous residents about the matter, and there are many who oppose the sale. Although Rocha-Baldazo's perception of the ordinance differs from the majority of the council, she said she was fine with how the vote went Thursday. There was an attempt to consider adopting the ordinance on second reading, but it didn't receive the required unanimous approval. The council will vote on the final reading during its regular meeting June 8. If the measure is adopted, it will start the next phase of the sale, which is a review by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. That process could take about seven months, Anderson said. A controversial Muslim rights activist delivered a CUNY commencement address at the Apollo Theater Thursday. "I'm still standing and still unapologetically Muslim-American, Palestinian-American, and from Brooklyn, New York," said Linda Sarsour, who delivered the speech to graduates of the School of Public Health despite pressure put on CUNY to drop her. Sarsour was picked for her activism and work towards social justice. But critics denounced her because of her criticism of Israel. "If you're against the Jews even having a state, that's called being anti-Semitic," said one protester. "I think it's really sad and unfortunate that this tiny fringe group of right-wing extremists has decided to smear someone who has an incredible reputation, has been a deep friend and ally to Jews and people all across New York City," said one supporter. Outside the theater, there were more supporters of Sarsour than critics. Trying to put an end to a controversy, Mayor Bill de Blasio says Puerto Rican nationalist Oscar Lopez Rivera will no longer be officially honored at the Puerto Rican Day parade. The Thursday night announcement comes after Rivera wrote a column published in the Daily News, saying, "I will be on Fifth Avenue not as your honoree but as a humble Puerto Rican." Organizers sparked a firestorm after deciding to honor Rivera. He spent 35 years in prison for ties to a group behind more than 100 bombings around the country, including one that killed four people in Manhattan in 1975. Several major companies have dropped their sponsorship of the march, including Coca-Cola, AT&T and Goya, and some officials, including Governor Andrew Cuomo and Police Commissioner James O'Neill, are skipping the June 11 parade because of Riveras announced role. City Hall on Thursday night said Rivera wont be honored. They released a statement that reads, in part, "Oscar Lopez Rivera agreeing to step aside from any formal role in the parade is a critical step forward in refocusing our city's attention on the more important issues facing Puerto Rico." In his Daily News column, Rivera never directly addressed his role in the controversy, adding that he hoped all New Yorkers would attend the parade. In a statement, the parade's board said, "We are looking forward to marching with Oscar Lopez Rivera and respect his decision to walk up Fifth Avenue, "not as an honoree but as a humble Puerto Rican and grandfather". Now we can focus again on important issues and the plight of Puerto Rico." NEW YORK - Mayor Bill de Blasio says President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Accord is a direct threat to the city. During his weekly radio show Friday on WNYC, the mayor said the city will honor the accord, adding that it is now up to local governments to shoulder the burden of addressing climate change. "This is a threat to New York City directly. What President Trump, a New Yorker of all things, what he did is a dagger aimed at the heart of New York City because we're a coastal city. We already experienced Sandy. If climate change worsens, New York City will be hurt. So we have to take disproportionate action for our own good," The city has already committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. The mayor says he plans on signing an executive order to bolster those efforts. Trump announced Thursday that he wants to hold further discussions with other countries to "level the playing field" when it comes to carbon emissions standards. In a joint statement, leaders from France, Germany, and Italy responded to say the deal cannot be renegotiated. Trump says current restrictions are costing the U.S. trillions and slashing manufacturing jobs. "As someone who cares deeply about the environment, which I do, I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States which is what it does," said Trump. "We will start to negotiate and we will see if we can make a deal that is fair, and if we can that's great and if we can't that's fine." It takes two years before the U.S. can actually start the process of formally dumping the Paris Accord. But when that happens, the United States will be one of just three countries not on the Paris Accord, the other two being Nicaragua and Syria. Trump insists the U.S. will remain the world leader on environmental issues. The decision has also led to some high-profile resignations from Trump's advisory councils, including Tesla founder Elon Musk and Disney Chairman Bob Iger. Staten Island residents, meantime, are reacting to Trumps decision to withdraw from the climate deal. The borough voted overwhelmingly for Trump last year, and Staten Islands shoreline was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy back in 2012. Some people disagree with the move, while others say they still have faith in Trump. "Listening to his whole speech, he did say he was going to renegotiate. So I have faith in him," said one Staten Island resident. "I just think security is a bigger thing right now. I'm sure private industry will take care of all the green stuff," said another resident. "I'm really, really upset he pulled out. Because what we do in America affects everybody," added a third Staten Island resident. Meanwhile, state officials announced additional funding to build a new seawall on the boroughs eastern coast to protect against future flooding. It will be 20-feet high and seven miles long, and would also feature a boardwalk. A day after pulling out of the Paris Climate accord, questions swirled whether Trump believes global warming at the hands of humans is a hoax. During a press briefing Friday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer did not address Trump's beliefs on climate change, instead supporting his choice to leave the Paris Climate Agreement. "People have called me a climate skeptic or a climate denier," Pruitt said at the White House. "I don't even know what it means to deny the climate. I would say there are climate exaggerators." "There were other sectors that were very concerned about the implementation of it, and frankly I think there were some companies on some organizations that are among those you mentioned that, while they maybe wanted to stay in, also expressed concerns about the target levels," Spicer said. Trump famously called climate change a hoax that was cooked up by the Chinese to improve their trade advantage. Police say the ex-convict accused of killing his estranged wife in Brooklyn last weekend has been arrested in Delaware. Gabino Genao, 30, was captured by a regional task force at a hotel in New Brunswick Friday morning. He has 15 prior arrests, including for robbery and assault. Police say he shot his 30-year-old wife, Iveliss Alvarado-Genao after the two got into a fight. She was found dead last Saturday night near West 36th Street and Canal Avenue in Coney Island. Her family wants her to be remembered as a hardworking and dedicated mother. "She left behind two daughters, a 9-year-old and a 5-year-old. She worked a full-time job, and then she went to school at night. She was pursing an education in the medical field. And she allows looked out for her two daughters, her nieces, her nephews, and always her mom, making sure that whatever her mother needed, everything was taken care of," said Christopher Crespo, the victim's brother-in-law. Her family has set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money for her funeral. They have also created a college fund for her two daughters. Police said Genao will likely be extradited back to the city next week. Mayor Bill de Blasio showed his support of the Paris Accord by tweeting a picture of City Hall lit up in green. City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement. pic.twitter.com/BV0IIZYPpA Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 2, 2017 The spire atop the World Trade Center and the Kosciuszko bridge were also lit up in green to show support. World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/Ubw7WSPgu0 Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 2, 2017 In response to President Donald Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Accord, Governor Andrew Cuomo is joining state leaders on the West Coast to form a new climate coalition. He will act as co-chair alongside the governors of California and Washington State for the new "United States Climate Alliance." In a statement, Cuomo says the partnership will bring together states that are committed to upholding the Paris Climate Accord. The alliance will also work to strengthen existing programs for the environment and create new initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. The governor called Trump's move to pull out of the Paris agreement irresponsible and reckless. Patrice Tanaka, recipient of the 2017 Paladin Award of the PRSA Foundation, which recognizes courage in the pursuit of worthy causes, stressed the need for diversity and inclusion. Teneo Tallies Up More UAE Riches Mon., Jun. 7, 2021 Teneo has extended its contract with the Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation for an additional four months to July 31, adding another $1.8M in fees to the New York firms coffers. Ranked the top School of Education in Canada and fourth in the world, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education has a diverse community of innovators, collaborators and leaders that have been advancing education, human development and professional practice globally for over a century. We ignite possibilities by placing award-winning faculty, top researchers and bright, passionate students together with world-class resources, a tradition of excellence and a rich network of collaborators. Agricultural News Karen Eifert Jones of Waukomis Spotlighted as a Significant Woman in Oklahoma Agriculture As part of a continuing series of stories on Significant Women in Oklahoma Agriculture, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry and Oklahoma State University are recognizing and honoring the impact of countless women across all 77 counties of the state, from all aspects and areas of the agricultural industry. The honorees were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of 14 industry professionals. This week Karen Eifert Jones of Waukomis, Okla. is featured this week as a Significant Woman in Oklahoma Agriculture. Two years gave way to more than two decades. After graduating from Oklahoma State University, Karen Eifert Jones intended to go off and work for a couple of years and then return to the land of her raising, just off U.S. Highway 81 near Waukomis in Garfield County. Instead, Jones spent more than 20 years away from home working in the agriculture industry in ag finance, ag chemical sales, government programs and farm management. However, two decades isn't all that long when you consider her ties to the reddish silt loam soil where she was raised go back more than 125 years to her great-grandfathers. That connection was powerful enough, that Jones did return in 2008 and many days can be found covered from brow to jeans in that dirt she loves so much. One recent honor goes a long way in describing Karen Eifert Jones. This year, she was a recipient of Oklahoma State University's "Master Agronomist" award. Recipients of this award, initiated in 1947, have participated in agronomic education efforts and have contributed valuable public service because of their unique efforts in the fields of soil conservation, range management, or crop production. Both on and off the farm, Jones has remained a faithful friend to agriculture throughout her life. "I have always had a deep faith in God's plan for my life," she said. "I could never have predicted many of the turns my life has taken. So, no, I didn't always know that I would be back on the farm I grew up on. I was at peace working in whatever facet of agriculture I was in and simply trusting God's plan." Home and away, and then back home Jones, who has a rich sense of humor, was asked what took her away from the farm and what brought her back. Jokingly, but literally, she replied, "Left in a Nissan car and came back in a Dodge pickup." Jones graduated from the OSU College of Agriculture in 1985 as a Top Ten Senior. Her father knew his four daughters all carried a deep devotion to the farm. "But despite his love for agriculture he ensured that each of us went to college and told me I was not allowed to come back to the farm for two years after graduation," she said. "He wanted to be sure I was there because I chose it, and not because I didn't know anything else to do." She was away from the home place for 23 years. In that span, she was employed by Dow AgroSciences working with farmers and ranchers and teaching proper use of chemicals. Then she spent several years with USDA Farm Service Agency analyzing farm finances and administering the guaranteed loan program in conjunction with local lenders. During eight years of her USDA career, Jones was based in Washington D.C. and traveled to nearly every state and Puerto Rico. She returned to a life of full-time production in 2008. Her husband Dr. Rod Jones is a professor of Agricultural Economics and Finance at OSU and they have two children, son Weston, 16, and daughter Caroline, 14. While Karen is the primary operator of the farm, she says "there is no way I could be doing this without him." Rod comes home as often as he can and the two are in frequent contact on production decisions. It is truly a family farming operation. "God's timing allowed me to become a full-time farmer as my employer had offered a buyout to reduce staffing and my father had passed away leaving a void in the family farming operation," she said. "We did not take over the family farm. We simply rented land from my family; most of which I have a part ownership in. My mother kept the cattle. We also purchased several quarters ourselves and rented some from neighbors. It has been a building process. We didn't walk into a ready-made operation. My husband liquidated some of his own farmland in Kansas to purchase land here." Jones' approach to farming is as diversified as her overall ag experiences. "I knew that the only way we could grow a sustainable operation was to utilize no-till practices and rotational crops to improve the soil and produce the best crops," she said. "This year I have corn, soybeans, and grain sorghum growing and canola and wheat being harvested now." Lessons learned Away from the farm, but still knee deep in agriculture, Jones worked in sales and marketing, policy development, auditing and ag lending. She looked at organizations that worked and saw what made others fail. Jones worked with corn in Iowa, almonds in California, rice in Arkansas, fruits in Puerto Rico, ranches in Montana, poultry producers in Delaware, wheat farmers in Oklahoma and almost any other ag commodity you can name. "I had a front row seat to agriculture of all types in all areas," she said. Sharing her crop If experience in the ag industry were grain, Jones would have countless bins that could be completely full. The key is "could be" because instead of storing her knowledge, her challenges and her successes, she readily shares with others. "Looking at Karen's career in agriculture, her greatest service is that she is an encourager," said Dr. Damona Doye, who has known Jones in part through the producer's service for several years to the planning committee for the Oklahoma Women in Ag and Small Business Conference. "She has held leadership positions, but really thrives when in a role of encouraging others; helping them to be their best so they can contribute to the industry that she holds dear." Jones has remained in the ag industry not only because of her own love for agriculture, but also to encourage others who are traveling paths she's already been down. "When I was in the FSA Kansas State Office, helping field staff was my focus," she said. "When I was selling chemical, I worked hard to see that the least knowledgeable could become educated about range and pasture management. I have helped coworkers move ahead. I have broken through barriers so others can succeed without wasting time or energy on those." She's encouraged bright minds to participate in the highly successful Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program. Jones has fought for loans for those that seem to have potential but barely meet the criteria. Patiently, she has taught many who needed a job how to drive a tractor or a standard transmission pick up. She's recognized high school students that seem to have potential and "mentored them through their job on our farm and college." All because, Jones is not only an ag producer but an ag encourager. The "soul" reason Even though she'd been away from home for more than two decades, Jones feels blessed that her life has circled back to Waukomis "and we get to raise our children on the land that is in my soul." "Our children are growing from life here and will take the farm with them in the form of passion and life lessons, regardless of the vocation they choose to pursue," she said. Source - Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady NSI Top Agricultural News Another traffic stop, another bust for Loki the drug-sniffing dog. A Douglas County Sheriffs Office deputy stopped a 2016 Toyota Rav4 with California license plates on Interstate 680 near West Center Road on Thursday about 9:50 p.m. The deputy said the SUV failed to signal a lane change. The driver, a 37-year-old Moreno Valley, California, man, was breathing so heavily that deputies asked whether he had a medical condition. Deputies also spotted several silver, heat-sealed bags partially covered by a sleeping bag in the rear cargo area. The Sheriffs Office said the deputies picked up a strong odor of coffee coming from the vehicle. Authorities say coffee grounds are used by drug runners to mask the odor of marijuana. Deputies had Loki sniff around the SUV, and the dog indicated that illegal drugs could be inside the Toyota, the Sheriffs Office said. Deputies searched the vehicle and found 82 pounds of pot in the heat-sealed bags, a small amount of hash and drug paraphernalia, the Sheriffs Office said. The driver was arrested and booked into the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, the Sheriffs Office said. Wednesday night, a California man and woman were arrested after Loki sniffed out almost a pound of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on I-80 near 60th Street in Omaha. The RIU hotel chain buys Madrids 8th tallest building; 'Edificio Espana' and will turn it into the first Riu Plaza urban hotel in Spain. After purchasing the building from Wanda, the Baraka Group has sold the property on to RIU Hotels & Resorts. RIU has always shown immense interest in this project. 'It had always been part of our strategic plan to open a Riu Plaza hotel in Spain and this opportunity in Madrid, in such an unbeatable location and emblematic building, surpasses all expectations,' say Carmen and Luis Riu, CEOs of RIU Hotels. 'After several months, the operation progressed to the point where RIU could buy the building outright, an opportunity that, after examining it in depth, we havent wanted to pass up,' explain the directors. The Baraka Group Chairman Trinitario Casanova is to be in charge of the 15,000m commercial area which will include department stores. As was announced at the beginning of the year, the future 4-star Riu Plaza hotel will occupy 24 of Edificio Espana's 27 floors, with 650 rooms, while the rest will be given over to retail. The hotel will also contain over 1,800m of space for events, with an open-plan room measuring 1,500m with 6m high ceilings, turning it into a unique venue in the center of Madrid. It will also have two restaurants, a rooftop swimming pool next to the Sky Bar and an additional 900m of space for events. RIU currently has six Riu Plaza hotels around the world. The first opened its doors to guests in Panama City in 2010 and since then has been joined by the Riu Plaza Guadalajara in Mexico, the Riu Plaza Miami Beach and Riu Plaza New York Times Square in the United States, the Riu Plaza Berlin in Germany and more recently, the Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin, in Ireland. Photo credit: Carlos Delgado Good news soon It may be recalled that the employees of the Karnataka government had called off the strike scheduled for May 4 protesting the lack of a salary hike. They took the decision following an assurance by the CM who agreed to set up a panel to explore the possibility of a pay hike. Now with the pay commission being set up, the Karnataka government employees can soon expect a pay hike. Benefit for 6 lakh employees The setting up of the commission by the Karnataka government would mean there is good news on its way for 6 lakh employees. The strike call for May 4 was backed by pensioners as well. However the strike was called off following an assurance. Assurance by finance department An assurance by the finance department of Karnataka was given that the grievances of the employees would be looked into. The finance department had approved the proposal and had said that it would notify a commission soon. The proposal saw the light of the day with Siddaramaiah constituting the 7th Pay Commission. What state employees are asking for The demand by the state government employees of Karnataka is that they want a pay hike.The Karnataka State Government employees association have asked for release of 30 per cent of amount (with effect from April 1, 2017) as an interim relief. AAP MLA Sanjay Singh suggests to make Goat as a national sister India oi-Madhuri Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh on Friday said that the suggesting that goat should be made the national sister. His comments came a day after Rajasthan High Court judge Mahesh Chandra Sharma suggested to make cow as a national animal. Singh took to Twitter and expressed his views. He wrote, Mahatma Gandhi once told that goat milk is healthy. Keeping this view in mind, Singh suggested that goat should be declared a national sister. After this post, he received much criticism and was trolled in a horrible manner by the Twitterati. Justice Mahesh Chandra Sharma of Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday in a 145-page order said that cow should be a national animal and anyone who kills the cow should be put behind bars for life.This decision of Justice Sharma came days after a calf was slaughtered in Kannur, Kerala against Centre's guidelines of banning the sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 8:44 [IST] Farmers' Protest: Former Maharashtra CM to meet Anna Hazare ahead of his hunger strike Anna Hazare to go on indefinite hunger strike from Feb 14 over Maha govt's wine policy Anna Hazare extends support to Maharashtra farmers' strike India oi-IANS By Ians English Ralegan-Siddhi, June 2: Social activist Anna Hazare extended his support to the indefinite strike of farmers which entered the second day on Friday. But concerned over the violence witnessed on the first day, he urged farmers to carry out their agitation peacefully without causing damage to public or private properties. "I support the farmers' cause, but I appeal to them to carry out the agitation peacefully. I am prepared to intervene on their behalf with the government and resolve the issue," Hazare said in a statement. Over half a million farmers across Maharashtra, barring the coastal Konkan, have resorted to an unprecedented strike, which was marred by several violent incidents on Thursday. Major cities like Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and others have started feeling the pinch of the strike with shortages looming ahead coupled with spiraling prices of essentials like milk, fresh fruits, vegetables and even foodgrains. The farmers are demanding a complete waiver of farm loans, free electricity, appropriate remunerative prices for their produce, grants for irrigation, pension for farmers who are 60 years and above, and implementation of the M S Swaminathan Committee recommendations. They continued to hold agitations, protest marches and processions at various government and APMC offices to press for their demands even as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said talks with the farmers leaders will continue to hammer out a solution. On Thursday, Fadnavis accused the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine of allegedly inciting the farmers. The Shiv Sena asked the Bharatiya Janata Party to heed the farmers' demands and take urgent steps. Fadnavis said the government was 'aware of its responsibility' and expected the same from its ally, the Sena. As the strike progressed into the second day on Friday, movement of agricultural goods has been affected. Most APMC markets wore a desolate look. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 13:36 [IST] Bihar Topper scam case: ED files case against 4 principals India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar The Enforcement Directorate on Friday filed money laundering case against four principals in Bihar in connection with last year's topper scam case. Officials said the agency has booked a criminal case against a total of eight people, including former Bihar School Examination Board chairman and four principals, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The central probe agency took cognisance of a Bihar Police FIR and the findings of the Special Investigation Team to register its own ED Case Information Report, the ED equivalent of a police FIR. Former BSEB Chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh, his former JD(U) MLA wife Usha Sinha and Secretary cum Principal of Bishun Roy college in Vaishali Bachha Rai, alleged to be kingpins of the racket, are among 21 persons arrested in the case so far. In 2016, political science topper Ruby Rai said "prodigal science" is about cooking and this time too, Bihar's Class XII topper in humanities struggled to explain the basics of music, one of his subjects. A whopping 64 per cent of students failed the board exams in 2017. (With agency inputs) BJP MLA holds Akhilesh govt responsible for Jewar incident India oi-Gulam Rabbani Jewar, June 2: Jewar MLA and Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Dhirender Singh on Friday blamed the previous Akhilesh Yadav-led government in Uttar Pradesh for the recent horrible incident in the region where four women of the same family were gang-raped and a male companion was shot dead by the armed robbers in May. The MLA on Thursday took the victims to meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after which he said that the incident was a result of Samajwadi Party's tenure in the state. According to sources, the SP and Bahujan Samaj Party were politicising the Jewar incident o target Adityanath government. Singh said that between 2016-16, several cases of loot were reported along the Yamuna Expressway but instead of arresting the criminals, the police were busy ' managing the case'. He added that he had shared this information with Yogi Adityanath as well. He added that in several cases, the police failed to even register a case, while in rest of the case, the police 'framed wrong people and had taken the credit for cracking the cases, adding that criminal gangs were seeded during Akhilesh Yadav's term as a chief minister and now these gangs have spread all over the place, resulting in major law and order mess in Gautam Badh Nagar and neighbouring districts. Singh said that BJP government in the state do not want the police 'managing' cases and framing wrong people to crack the case, adding that the chief minister during the victims meets had called the Principal Secretary and directed him to provide all facilities to stop such heinous crimes along the Yamuna Expressway. Irked by the MLA allegations against SP, The party MP Surendra Singh Nagar said that blaming the SP for Jewar incident proves BJP-led government's frustration and incompetence. He added that the people of UP had elected them for good governance but they had failed in Law and Order front. He said that after Jewar incident, similar case has been reported from that area, adding that the SP want the government to give a deadline to crack the Jewar case. On May 24, a family belonging to Jewar were attacked by a bunch of armed robbers allegedly gang-raped four women of a family, killed a male companion and looted Rs 14,000 when they were going to Bulandshahr in a car. The incident took place when a family of eight, including four female members, two children accompanied by two men were travelling in a car when all of a sudden the armed robbers fired at one of the tyres of the car. Later they held the family hostage and gang-raped four women. When of the male companion tried to stop the robbers they shot him dead. After sometimes they looted Rs 14, 000 from the family and evaded the scene. The incident happened at the Jewar-Bulandshahr highway in Greater Noida region of Uttar Pradesh. According to reports, the family were on their way to Bulandshahr to treat one of the child. The Uttar Pradesh police who reached the spot has launched an enquiry into the matter and sent the women to medical examination and the deceased to post-mortem. It is not the first time that these type of incident took place. Last year, a Noida woman and her daughter were gang-raped in Dostpur village of Bulandshahr in Delhi-Kanpur highway. The incident took place near bypass when the family from Noida was travelling to Shahjahanpur on National Highway 91. OneIndia News Morbi Bridge is not the only Incident - Quality of Bridges, roads and Highways in BJPs government! Three down in three days: Congress loses yet another MLA to BJP in Gujarat BJP's conquer South India Mission: Shah to stop over at Kerala India oi-Vicky By Vicky It is a well known fact that the BJP has put in place a plan to conquer South India. After a stop-over at Telangana where the BJP is aiming at 150 seats, Amit Shah, BJP's national president will stop over at Kerala. God's own country as Kerala is popularly known as is on the BJP's radar for long and Shah will head there for a three day tour. Kerala has been boiling in controversy and has been in the news after a cow was brutally killed in retaliation to the Centre's notification on cattle sale. Shah will point out several issues while in Kerala apart from bridging gaps with several community leaders. He would meet with the Bishops in Kochi on Saturday and try and build bridges with the Christian community which accounts for 18 per cent of the state's population. The BJP is looking at Kerala very seriously keeping in mind the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2014, the party had drawn a blank in the state. However the party would take hope in the fact that it bettered its performance in the 2016 Assembly elections. The party had effectively increased its vote share to 16 per cent. The party had however won just one seat in the Assembly polls. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 6:44 [IST] Morbi Bridge is not the only Incident - Quality of Bridges, roads and Highways in BJPs government! Three down in three days: Congress loses yet another MLA to BJP in Gujarat Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja thanks PM Modi, Amit Shah for giving BJP ticket to his wife BJP's Muslim leader in UP shot at, condition critical India oi-Vicky By Vicky Raees Ahmed, the vice-president of BJP's Bareilly region minority wing was shot at by unidentified persons on Thursday. Ahmed who was shot at thrice has been admitted to hospital in a critical condition. Raees Ahmed was shot around 7pm. He was returning home on a motorcycle when the attack took place. The police are yet to ascertain the motive behind the incident. The attackers targeted Ahmed in Deochara area. He was however rescued by the police personnel of Bhamora, Uttar Pradesh. The opposition in Uttar Pradesh was quick to condemn the incident and called it a failure on the part of the BJP government in UP to maintain law and order. OneIndia News Congress and Janata Dal (S) coalition in the offing? India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar The Congress High Command's decision of continuing Home Minister G. Parameshwara as the KPCC president is not a surprising move at all. The Congress has its own share reasons for backing a Dalit face for top post considering upcoming assembly elections. But choosing Parameshwara over a strong Vokkaliga leader DK Shivakumar sends a different political signal. What we have to understand is its impact on former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular). Now, both Congress and its likely alliance JD (S) and Congress are in a win-win situation. Why is it win-win for JD (S)? It is well-known fact that JD (S), which has solid Vokkaliga vote bank in old Mysore cannot tolerate rise of another strong Vokkaliga leader in the region. Had DK Shivakumar been appointed as PCC president, the bonhomie between the two potential coalition partners would have been soured. Though formally not announced, the tacit understanding between the Congress and JD (S) is palpable. For instance, in the recent bypoll held in Nanjangud and Gundlupet constituencies, Congress bagged both seats as JD (S) didn't field candidates. Ahead of the by-poll, HD Kumaraswamy cited an internal survey taken up by the party in both the constituencies which said that JD (S) would emerge only second and chances of winning was less. Besides, he said the election would only benefit BJP and didn't want his party to contest the poll to benefit another party. However, the results proved the opposite, which raised doubt of tactical understanding between the two parties. The bypoll wasn't considered an indicator for 2019 assembly elections, certainly, it opened the door for a joint force against the BJP. Moreover, the animosity between two Vokkaliga leaders is well documented in the annals of political history of the state. Firstly, in 2004, DK Shivakumar ensured the victory of journalist-turned-politician Tejaswini against mighty Deve Gowda in Kanakapura Lok Sabha (now Bangalore Rural) parliamentary by-election. Secondly, former CM HD Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar have sparred in more than one occasion. Reports say their enmity span over a decade. Given these facts, Parameshwara's appointment as PCC President gives a relief to JD (S) to contemplate future actions. Why win-win for Congress? Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rise to power, the Congress has miserably failed in state assembly elections held in 2014 to 2017. Congress bit the dust in Haryana, Uttarakhand, Assam, Goa and Arunachal Pradesh and recently in Uttar Pradesh. Yet there are exceptions like AAP's victory in Delhi, JD (U) and RJD coalition in Bihar and Mamata's TMC in West Bengal. In Punjab, Congress tasted success, thanks to the corrupt Badal-government. Coming to South, Karnataka is the only state where Congress could think of retaining power. Yet the road to success is not easy. BS Yeddyurappa's return to BJP has brought Lingayats back to BJP's fold as time and again he has been projected CM face in the upcoming elections. It may be recalled that Congress' success in the 2013 assembly poll partly attributed to Yeddyurappa's Karnataka Janata Paksha which divided BJP votes. Now, if Congress want to repeat its feat it must form an alliance with JD (S). On the other hand, JD (S) too know that it cannot come to power singlehandedly. Since its inception, the party has remained a sub-regional party. Till date, the party has known to perform very well only in 2004 with 59 seats in 224-member assembly. Parameshwara as KPCC head the Congress has played safe. On one hand, the party is successful in placating Dalit vote banks; on the hand won over JD (S) by appointing DK Shivakumar as head of Campaigning Committee. Firstly, JD (S) staying away from bypolls, Parameshwara as PCC president and Sonia Gandhi's invitation to Deve Gowda to the luncheon meeting to discuss a candidate for the upcoming presidential polls- all leads to a coalition in the offing, however, leaders from both the parties may deny. OneIndia News Etihad Airways introduced its flagship Airbus A380 aircraft on its second daily service between the UAE capital and New York JFK. All 14 weekly flights between the two cities are now operated by the double-decker aircraft. The superjumbo has replaced a three-class Boeing 777-300ER previously operating one of the airlines twice daily flights. The new deployment means New York will join London and Sydney as an all-A380 operation. Guests can now enjoy the consistency, convenience and comfort of a seamless A380 service in both directions. Etihad Airways launched daily nonstop flights to New York JFK on 26 October 2006, and introduced a second daily service in March 2014. It subsequently upgraded one of the daily flights to an A380 aircraft in November 2015. Guests flying on all Etihad Airways flights from Abu Dhabi to the airlines six U.S. ports of entry New York JFK Airport, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco are processed through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility available at Abu Dhabi International Airport, which means they pass through all U.S. immigration and customs checks in Abu Dhabi and arrive at their U.S. destination as domestic passengers. The airline also operates a dedicated Premium Lounge within the CBP facility. The most highly customized cabin interior ever designed, Etihad Airways A380 carries 496 guests in a four-class configuration: The Residence, First Apartments (First Class), Business Studios (Business Class), and Economy Smart Seats (Economy Class). Etihad Airways has taken the finest details from the best service and hospitality establishments around the world to redefine the air travel experience. DigiLocker users can now store Ayushman Bharat health records: Here's how to do it 'Cow vigilante' group protests against beef fest infront of Kerala House India oi-Gulam Rabbani New Delhi, Jun 1: Members of a 'cow vigilante' group allegedly barged into the Kerala House in the national capital on Thursday to protest against the beef festivals organised recently in the south Indian state. 'Beef fests' were held in various parts of Kerala to protest against the Centre's decision banning sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter, while some Youth Congress activists butchered a calf in full public view in the state where beef is widely consumed. Police said around 12 to 14 people, claiming they belonged to 'Bharathiya Gauraksha Kranti', entered the Kerala House around 8 PM and started distributing cow milk. Eyewitnesses claimed that the protesters blocked the main entrance of the Kerala House and also threatened the police who asked them if they had any permission to organise the protest. They reportedly said they 'do not need any permission' as they were working according to the 'dharma'. The police, however, maintained that it was a peaceful protest. Kerala House Resident Commissioner Vishwas Mehta denied knowledge of any such incident. He said no such incident or protest had taken place until 6.30 PM. Mehta also said he had already informed police authorities concerned about the chances of such protests in front of the House. On May 27 Kerala lead the protest against the first Central regulation for cow protection in the name of animal welfare. The Central government's rules banning the sale of cows and buffaloes for slaughter has invited criticism from Kerala. Chief Minister P Vijayan, in a public function, blamed BJP for following RSS' agenda by banning cow slaughter. written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The government cannot decide the choice of our food. The decision seems illogical. The state government will look into it and see if anything can be done legally," Finance Minister Thomas Isaac told media. According to reports, left-wing student union SFI has called for protests against the ban in 220 centers across the state. Also, reportedly conducting beef parties in defiance of the ban. The notification on slaughter ban is significant in the wake of rising cases of violence against cow-traders. Cow slaughter is banned in states except in most parts of north-east India and Kerala. In fact, ruling CPM had held a beef fest at Nallela village in Kollam district, where BJP had called for a hartal to protest against local governing body's failure in acting against 'illegal slaughter houses'. The BJP protested in front of a beef stall at Nallela for two days before calling for hartal. Later, the CPM organised the fest in reaction to the bandh. With Agency inputs DigiLocker users can now store Ayushman Bharat health records: Here's how to do it Delhi roads stink with garbage, HC issues notice to civic body heads India oi-IANS By Ians English New Delhi, June 2: Upset at seeing video footage of garbage piling up on the city roads, the Delhi high court on Friday issued show cause notice to the Commissioners of East, North and South Municipal Corporations, asking why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them for defying its order. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar asked the three Commissioners to remain present in the court on June 21. The court's order came after watching the video footage of a TV news programme showing complete apathy in collection of garbage by the municipal corporations, especially east and north municipal areas. "The footage is explicit in the fact that no effort has been made in picking of garbage... Dengue, Chikungunya have resurfaced in Delhi even before the advent of the monsoon," the court observed. The footage showed piles of garbage in different areas in Delhi which had not been picked up by the municipal corporations for over five days. The court said it was forced to take on the Commissioners as they "don't care about the public but care about saving their own skins". The court also directed that video footage of the ABP news channel programme be sent to the Principal Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, so that cleaning of garbage in Delhi "is taken up on the same war footing as 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'". It also directed that a copy of the video be sent to the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal. Noting that Delhi has been "consciously turned into an urban slum", the court observed that "right to clean environment cannot be compromised". "You need a court order to do your basic duty of picking up the garbage," the bench told civic agencies, adding that "somebody has to be made accountable". The programme, which was played in the courtroom, also highlighted other issues faced by the EDMC workers, including non-payment of salaries and lack of proper shoes, clothing and other equipment to clean drains and garbage. Upset with wrong information being given to it over collection of garbage, the High Court had on May 31 appointed a TV news reporter as the local Commissioner to inspect various areas in Delhi for piling up of garbage. The High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the ABP news channel's report highlighting contradictions in the manner in which the East Delhi Municipal Corporation was undertaking the task of garbage cleaning in areas under its jurisdiction. The high court asked the news channel to conduct random inspection on garbage removal and disposal in Delhi and submit a report before June 2. On Friday, it asked the news channel to continue its inspection. The high court has also been hearing PILs claiming the government and civic agencies have not taken preventive steps against vector-borne diseases such as Chikungunya and dengue. The government and civic bodies had told the court that they have taken all steps to prevent these diseases. IANS For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 15:41 [IST] This man is on a country wide padayatra: He wants a ban on EVMs UP Election Results 2022: SP candidate who perched atop jeep to 'guard' on EVMs with binoculars loses seat EVM hackathon on schedule: Uttarakhand HC rejects plea India oi-Vicky The Uttarakhand High Court has dismissed a petition that sought a stay on the hackathon to be conducted by the Election Commission of India. This means the ECI's hackathon will go on as per schedule tomorrow. Earlier the court had stayed the EVM challenge organised by the Election Commission of India. The court observed that the ECI does not have the authority to undertake such an exercise. However in its final order it said that the petition against the hackathon cannot be allowed. Following the assembly elections held in the five states several parties questioned the authenticity of the Electronic Voting Machine. The ECI then decided to hold a hackathon on June 3. The conditions of the challenge were: The Challenger under Challenge I shall be deemed to have ''FAILED'' if: The EVM becomes non-functional after the tamper attempt made by the Challenger. The EVM is functional and results displayed on the CU after conduct of challenge attempt are the same as ECI declared results stored on the chosen CU (prior to the pressing of CLEAR Button). If the Challenger violates any of the guidelines prescribed for the EVM Challenge. The challenger withdraws from current challenge. The Challenger under Challenge II shall be deemed to have ''FAILED'' if: The EVM becomes non-functional after the tamper attempt made by the Challenger. The EVM remains functional and after erasing the earlier stored result, a mock poll or full poll is conducted by the Challenger along with his challenge attempt and manually recorded votes(by ECI staff) are the same as that stored on the chosen CU after the said mock/full poll. If the Challenger violates any of the guidelines prescribed for the EVM Challenge. The challenger withdraws from current challenge. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 20:59 [IST] Farmers' strike turns violent in MP, six bikes torched India oi-PTI Dhar, Jun 2: A protest by farmers in Sardarpur town in the district turned violent on Friday morning as six motorcycles were set on fire and two shops were damaged after an argument broke out between the agitating farmers and shopkeepers over keeping the shops shut, police said. The incident took place when the farmers reached the market area in Sardarpur town, around 40 kms from Dhar, to close the shops as part of their ongoing agitation, which was launched in parts of the state on Thursday. "A group of farmers reached around 8 am to force shut the shops in Sardarpur local market. However, an argument broke out between the agitating farmers and the shopkeepers," Dhar Superintendent of Police Virendra Singh said. "Following the argument, six motorcycles belonging to the farmers were burnt, while two shops were damaged," he added. Singh said that police force has been deployed there and the situation is under control. Later, some farmers also staged a protest against the incident at Sardarpur police station. Farmers in several parts of western Madhya Pradesh launched a ten-day long agitation, stopping supply of milk, food grains and vegetables to protest the lack of 'good prices' for their farm produce. Protesters had stopped vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables and food grains and emptied milk containers on roads. "We gave a call for protest through the social media which evoked a good response from farmers. Prices of food grains have nosedived and farmers are not even recovering the money they invested," MP Kisan Sena secretary Jagdish Rawalia had told PTI on Thursday. Farmers in Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Jhabua, Neemuch and Mandsaur districts are supporting the protest, he claimed. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 16:17 [IST] GDP fall: Chidambaram slams Centre for criticising Manmohan's suggestions India oi-Gulam Rabbani Sivaganga, June 2: Dubbing the demonetisation as the biggest scam and Centre for ridiculing the suggestions of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday trained the guns on the Union government over Gross Domestic Product fall and other issues. "The Central Statistical Organisation has released the GDP GVA figures for 2016-17. Finally, the bluff of the Government is called. The economy was slowing down in the middle of 2016 and we had cautioned the Government that unless it takes corrective steps, the economy will slide further. Instead of taking corrective steps, the Government decided to demonetise high-value currency. Suddenly, without any warning, Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 were declared legal tender and something like Rs. 14.5-15 lakh crore was pulled out of money supply," Chidambaram told ANI. Former finance minister blamed the for ignoring his and former prime minister Manmohan Singh's suggestion regarding the same, and instead ridiculing the duo. "Immediately, we (Manmohan Singh, I) had cautioned that this was a wrong move and it will gravely affect the Indian economy. I had said that the hit to the economy will be between 1-1.5 percent. We were laughed at, the Government ridiculed us. Now, what's the truth. The CSO has said that the economy has taken a hit of 1.3 percent. Right in the middle of the range I had given. That's going to cost the country Rs. 1.5 lakh crore," Chidambaram said. Recalling the bad effects due to demonetisation in the country, Chidamabaram said that millions of people, agriculture workers, daily wage labourers, self-employed people were hit very hard. "While you and I could not get a Rs. 2,000 note for several days, bundles of the same were recovered from Khandla Port engineers, from highway chief engineers in Karnataka, from senior officials in Andhra Pradesh, from businessmen, lawyers, bankers, yet, even today, we don't know how these Rs. 2,000 notes found their way to these people. The Government promised an inquiry, but there has been no inquiry," he said. He added that the Centre must be guided by some genuine economists, people who know the economy, people who understand development economics and the people who have the knowledge on the market economy. "Instead, I am afraid this Government brushes aside the views of economists. In fact, it brushed aside the criticism of Manmohan Singh, and the result is this that the country has taken a big hit. I have repeatedly said, demonetisation was the biggest scam of 2016," he said. The Congress leader demanded answers to various questions on the controversial and instantaneous decision by the Centre to demonetise the high-value currency notes. "The country has been hurt and the Government owes an explanation to the people why is embarked on this misadventure that has caused so much damage to the economy. I hope there will be answers very soon," he said. OneIndia News India successfully test fires Prithvi-II ballistic missile in Chandipur India oi-Madhuri Indian army on Friday successfully test fired Prithvi-II ballistic missile from Odisha's Chandipur at 10.56 AM on Friday. The Prithvi-II missile, made from aluminum alloy and with its wings fashioned from magnesium, has been inducted into the 333-missile regiment of the Indian Army. This missile has the capability to carry a payload of up to 1,000 kg but if the same was reduced by half, the striking range could be enhanced. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target with precision and accuracy. The missile stops climbing when it reaches an altitude of 30 km and dives towards the target at an 80 degree angle. With constant efforts of the DRDO scientists, the range and precision of this missile has been to enhance the country's nuclear arsenal. In salvo mode, two Prithvi-II missiles were successfully test fired in quick succession from the same base, on November 21, 2016. Inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003, the nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The success of India's indigenous missile tests now strengthens India's position in the exclusive Ballistic Missile Defence club of the US, Russia and Israel. OneIndia News (with IANS inputs) JIPMER MBBS online entrance exam 2017 on June 4: From id proof to rules, all you should know India oi-Vicky By Vicky The JIPMER MBBS online entrance exam 2017 will be held on June 4 2017. In a press meet held on Thursday, Jipmer Director S C Parija said that nearly 1,89,663 students have registered this year for the entrance test. "The test will be conducted in 339 centres in 75 cities across India," he said. He added that the entrance test will be held in two shifts - between 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m and from 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. In the morning shift 83,720 students will take the test. The afternoon shift will see 1,05,943 students appearing for the examination. In Puducherry, the online entrance examination will be held in six centres and the number of Puducherry students appearing for the examination is 1,861. Late arrivals The examination centres will open at 8 a.m. and the gates will be closed at 9.15 a.m. and 2.15 p.m. for the morning and afternoon shifts respectively. "Students arriving for the examination after 9.30 a.m. or 2.30 p.m. will not be allowed into the examination hall," he said. What ID proof you need: The students should bring Aadhaar card, e-Aadhaar card or passport which is considered valid ID proof to appear for the examination. CCTV coverage and jammers are deployed to find out erring candidates. Erring candidates will be debarred from appearing for the examination. Parents have been advised to stay away from the centres. Biometric attendance and photograph of the students will be captured to prevent impersonation. Ground floor seating arrangements have been provided for orthopaedically handicapped (OPH) candidates. JIPMER MBBS online entrance exam result 2017 The results will be declared on or before June 19 and the first round of counselling will be held from June 27 to 30. Second round of counselling is tentatively fixed on July 19. The courses will commence on July 5. Of the 200 seats, 54 seats will be reserved for Puducherry students. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 16:33 [IST] Maharashtra SSC Class 10th results 2017 expected on this date, check how to find out India oi-Vicky By Vicky The Maharashtra SSC Class 10th results 2017 will be released only after June 9. The results of Class 10th or SSC exam will be announced by next week, sources say. The results would be available on the official website of the board. 17,66,098 candidate appeare in Class 10th exam, which is an increase of 2.23 per cent from last year. Once the results are announced, students can log in to mahresult.nic.in, result.mkcl.org, mh-ssc.ac.in or msbshse.ac.in. How to check Maharashtra SSC Class 10th results 2017 Visit mahresult.nic.in, result.mkcl.org , mh-ssc.ac.in or msbshse.ac.in. Click on SSC results 2017 Enter roll number, other details Submit View results Take a printout OneIndia News Mann Ki Baat: Chandigarh airport to be renamed after Bhagat Singh, says PM Modi Two words to raise your josh, 130 crore Indians elated: Full text of PM Modis 93rd Mann Ki Baat Mann Ki Baat: Chhath festival is example of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat, says PM Modi Now, Modi's Mann ki baat to be aired in regional languages India oi-Madhuri Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, will now be translated into various regional languages to reach out people of the country. The move is aimed at ensuring a better reach of the Prime Minister's message to every nook and corner of the country by overcoming linguistic barriers between states. According to sources, the Prime Minister's Office has already given a go-ahead on the project to the Information and Broadcasting ministry, which has asked All India Radio to implement the plan. It has also asked every states to produce dialectical translations that should follow soon after the PM's message is broadcast. State information departments have also started to hire regional language experts. People can also dial the toll-free number 1922 to listen to the address in their language of choice. Jharkhand, Haryana and Chhattisgarh will be the first to take lead to translate it out in regional languages and other states will follow suit. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 6:03 [IST] Prof M M Kalburgi's killer may be abroad, biggest manhunt underway India oi-Anusha Almost two years after he was shot dead by assailants, the Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department may have made some progress in the M M Kalburgi case. Outgoing Home Minister G Parameshwar said that the prime accused in the case is abroad and a manhunt is underway to nab the mastermind. Speaking to the media on the day he resigned as the Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the biggest manhunt in the history of Karnataka CID was underway to nab the culprits. "We have information that the conspirator in the M M Kalburgi case is abroad. This case is seeing the biggest manhunt in the history of CID and it is unfair to say that no progress has been made in the probe," Parameshwar said. He maintained that further details could not be divulged since the investigation was still underway. No arrests have been made so far in the case. While the CID attempted to coordinate with the Maharashtra police as well as the CBI investigating murders of rationalists Narendra Dabolkar and Govind Pansare, no headway was made. Samples of the bullets fired at Prof Kalburgi was sent to the Scotland Yard police for tests. CID claims that the firearm used to attack Prof Kalburgi was similar to the ones used in the murders of other rationalists, a country-made pistol. Despite arrests being made in the cases involving Pansare and Dhabolkar, for two years now, neither have arrests taken place in the Kalburgi case nor have the motive for murder been ascertained. OneIndia News Air Canada announces the launch of two new international routes from Vancouver to Nagoya and Frankfurt, marking the beginning of the airline's summer season. In total, the airline plans to launch 11 new international non-stop routes this summer from Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. "Nothing says summer like winging off to an exciting foreign destination, and Air Canada is pleased to offer its customers more options than ever this year. Through our ongoing international expansion, we are adding 11 new routes touching three continents beginning this summer. This includes exciting destinations in Asia such as Mumbai, Taipei and Nagoya; new cities in Europe, including Berlin, Marseille and Reykjavik; and our second city in Africa, Algiers," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. The 11 new international services will be operated from Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal, either by Air Canada mainline, using Boeing 787-8/9 or Airbus A330-300 aircraft, or by Air Canada Rouge, flying Boeing 767-300ER or A319-100 aircraft. Two routes, Vancouver-Taipei and Toronto-Mumbai, will continue to operate year-round while the others are available for the summer season. These international additions to Air Canada's network follow on new transborder routes started this year from Vancouver to Boston, Denver and Dallas; from Toronto to Savannah, San Antonio, and Memphis and Montreal to Dallas; and, later this month, from Montreal to Washington Dulles. The new international routes starting for summer 2017 include: FROM VANCOUVER Destination Start Date Aircraft Type Frequency Frankfurt June 1, 2017 Boeing 787-8 (mainline) Daily (seasonal) Nagoya June 1, 2017 Boeing 767-300ER (Rouge) Four-weekly (seasonal) Taipei June 8, 2017 Boeing 787-9 (mainline) Daily (year-round) London-Gatwick June 8, 2017 Boeing 767-300ER (Rouge) Three-weekly (seasonal) FROM TORONTO Destination Start Date Aircraft Type Frequency Berlin June 3, 2017 Boeing 767-300ER (Rouge) Four-weekly (seasonal) Reykjavik June 21, 2017 Airbus A319-100 (Rouge) Four-weekly (seasonal) Mumbai July 1, 2017 Boeing 787-9 (mainline) Four-weekly (year-round) FROM MONTREAL Rahul Gandhi to attend Karunanidhi's bash, Lalu Yadav to skip event India oi-Anusha The grand gala organised by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on account of party Supremo M Karunanidhi's 94th birthday is all set to be held on Saturday. While Karunanidhi himself will give the event at YMCA grounds in Chennai a miss, the meeting is expected to be the largest congregation on non-NDA parties ahead of the Presidential elections. Saturday's event also marks 50 years of Karunanidhi as a legislator. The DMK has invited almost all parties expect the BJP. While leaders like Nitesh Kumar, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Sitaram Yechury are expected to be part of the event, Lalu Prasad Yadav who had confirmed his attendance is likely to miss the event owing to ill-health. On Friday, the DMK released a video of Karunanidhi going through the schedule for the event. The DMK supremo will not take part in the event owing to infection risks. M K Stalin had earlier announced that Karunanidhi's participation in the event would be subjected to doctor's advice. It is now learnt that the 94-year-old leader has been asked to stay away from huge crowds. Karunanidhi had to undergo a tracheostomy for infection in 2016. Stage set for an anti-BJP force While the Congress has been trying hard to consolidate support and bring all opposition parties to one side, Saturday's meeting is all set to provide a platform for the same. Stalin had made it clear that the BJP was not invited to the party since its purpose in Tamil Nadu was the destruction of Dravidian parties. Stalin on Friday, however, did not forget to wish Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundarrajan on her birthday. Following the luncheon hosted by Sonia Gandhi earlier in May, Saturday's event is going to bring tall leaders of many parties together. While Stalin has maintained that Presidential elections are off the table during the event, discussions of the same are inevitable given the massive non-NDA gathering that is to take place. Kanimozhi has personally invited leaders of many political parties that do not align with BJP's ideology and agenda. Saturday's meet will see anti-BJP forces come together and Stalin emerge as the top leader of DMK in his father's absence. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 16:38 [IST] Lack of development in J&K for decades was one of the reasons behind rise of terrorism: Rajnath Singh Rajnath breaks protocol, gives brave BSF jawan who battled terrorists a hug India oi-Vicky By Vicky Godhraj Meena, a BSF constable suffered 85 per cent disability after he was hit by bullets fired by militants in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014. On Thursday he was moved to tears when Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh broke protocol and hugged him. In 2014. Meena's bus, part of a Border Security Force convoy, was ambushed by militants on August 5, 2014 near the 'narsu nalah' area in Udhampur with a heavy gunfire. The citation of the 44-year-old trooper said he was on guard duty in the bus and his bravery, acute presence of mind and accurate fire kept the two militants at bay and thwarted their attempts to enter and target the about 30 personnel onboard. Meena, who is not able to speak properly as one bullet had pierced through his jaw, received a thunderous applause from the officials and jawans when the home minister pinned the gallantry medal on his chest. Even before Meena could accord the mandatory salute, the home minister hugged and patted him and saw him off from the dais with a firm and long hand shake. BSF officials said as per protocol, the home minister, after pinning the medal and handing over the citation, has to shake hand with the awardee and the person moves ahead after according a salute to him. "What we saw today is rare, very rare. This is only in very special cases like that of Meena who has suffered 85 per cent disability after the attack. He is not able to talk and walk properly but despite this he dons his uniform with pride," a senior officer said. The officer said Meena has now been deputed for conducting administrative duties. This retaliation had led a total of four BSF personnel, including Meena, being decorated with gallantry medals. The others included constable Subhendu Roy, driver Daljit Singh and constable Rocky who was awarded the 'Shaurya Chakra'. Singh said he was proud of Meena's bravery and grit. He also awarded the police medal for gallantry posthumous) to the wife of the constable and cook of the BSF unit Sanjay Dhar. Dhar was posted at the 'Pittal' border post along the Indo-Pak International Border in Jammu and laid down his life while saving his friend who had got injured in an unprovoked firing incident by Pakistan on July 16, 2014. OneIndia News Soon Shirdi Trust will use foot energy of visitors to generate electricity India oi-PTI Mumbai, Jun 2: The Shirdi Trust, which manages affairs of famous Saibaba shrine, is working on an innovative measure wherein foot energy of devotees will be harnessed to generate power. Announcing a number of projects and programmes ahead of the Saibaba samadhi centenary festival next year, the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust chairman Suresh Haware told reporters in Mumbai on Thursday that the proposed project includes installation of energy pedals at the shrine, located in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. On a daily average, 50,000 devotees take darshan of Saibaba, a saint who has devotees across the globe. "Around 50,000 people visit Shirdi daily. We would install energy pedals...when you walk, pedals would get pressed and then return to their normal positions. This would produce power. This walking energy will be thus converted into power. The power so generated by walking on pedals will power the bulbs and fans in the temple area," Haware told reporters. He said the Trust is working on nitty-gritty of the project. Among other projects announced by the Trust are starting an IAS training academy for the tribal and underprivileged children, setting up a cancer hospital, energy generation through solid waste, and holding of daily blood donation camps as part of the 'Samadhi Shatabdi Mahotsav', to be held between October 1-18, 2018. The management committee has taken a decision to help women and students hailing from the families of farmers who have committed suicide, Haware said. "Women in the families of farmers who have committed suicides will be given implements like sewing machines (and help will be extended to them for) setting up fruits and vegetable stalls and means for sustained livelihood will be provided. Besides, the children from such families will be given support in their education," he said. With the help of NGOs, the trust has identified 600 such suicide-affected families of farmers. Haware said that from October 1 this year, the trust will start IAS training academy which will mainly cater to tribal and deprived children, besides wards of farmers with humble means. Taking note of the need for a cancer hospital in the area, the trust, in collaboration with the Tata Trust, will be setting up 100-bed cancer hospital at a cost of Rs 125 crore in a year's time, he said, adding that the hospital will be managed by the Tata Trust. Considering an average daily footfall of 50,000 devotees at the Shirdi shrine, the trust will hold blood donation camps every day with the help of blood banks, Haware added. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 13:59 [IST] Sushma Swaraj keeps her word, Pakistan infant gets medical visa India oi-Anusha A two and a half-month-old infant from Pakistan will get a chance at life thanks to Sushma Swaraj who kept up her promise of medical visa for the family. Following Sushma Swaraj's assurance on a tweet by a Pakistani man over his son's health condition, the external affairs ministry has granted four-month medical visa to the infant's family. Sushma assures medical visa to ailing infant, Pakistan father says 'Jai Hind' Kanwal Siddiq, an engineer from Lahore had tweeted about urgent medical help required for his infant son who suffered from a cardiac condition. Netizens from both sides of the border came to his support and made his tweet viral. Once India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj got wind of the situation, she assured that father that medical visa would be granted to ensure that the infant had a chance to access healthcare. I thank you all specially those who helped me to get through this process.Your prayers are always needed.God bless you all. Rohaan ken sid pic.twitter.com/jPiBjNKT3U Ken Sid (@KenSid2) June 1, 2017 The infant's father posted a tweet thanking everyone who helped the family get the medical visa. Rohaan, the two and a half-month-old Pakistani boy suffers from a heart ailment and the family was unable to get medical visa to visit India given the unrest between the two countries. Siddiq took to Twitter to voice his problem which soon went viral after netizens came together to fight for the young boy. On May 31, Sushma Swaraj had asked the Pakistani man to visit the Indian high Commission and assured that medical visa would be given. Staying true to her word, the family has now been issued medical visa to allow their infant son to access healthcare in India. OneIndia News PFI ban 'dangerous' as every Muslim who speaks his mind can now be arrested: AIMIM chief Owaisi Why a terror angle should not be ruled out in the Coimbatore cylinder blast case What if Owaisi had? Muslim users on Twitter blast Kejriwal for asking for Hindu God images on currency notes Tasmida, 1st Rohingya girl to write Class 10 exam in India, wants to become a doctor India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer New Delhi, June 2: Tasmida is 19 and is determined to break all barriers to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor. First, she is one of the many Rohingya Muslim refugees, who had fled their homes in Myanmar to start life afresh in India. Second, she is a girl and her orthodox community does not allow women/girls to venture outside their homes to study or work. Moreover, she belongs to a poor family where finances are not enough to support education for children. In spite of all these odds, Tasmida creates a record of sort by becoming the first Rohingya girl to write her Class 10 board exams in India recently. A resident of a refugee camp in Delhi, now Tasmida is eagerly waiting for her exam results scheduled to be declared on June 9. A determined Tasmida tells The Indian Express that she aspires to become a doctor to treat Rohingya patients in Myanmar who have no access to health care. Until and unless, the teenager does not adorn the white coat, Tasmida vows not to get married. "I want to be a doctor because no doctor tended to the Rohingyas back home... I will not get married till I become a doctor," she says. In her community, girls usually get married at a young age. Tasmida giving priority to her career over her personal life is one more step towards breaking gender gap. "In Myanmar, Rohingyas are not allowed to study beyond Class 10. Authorities withhold Class 10 results for us. Government or private jobs are out of question," she says. Life for Tasmida and her family, like millions of Rohingyas, who were persecuted in Myanmar and took shelter in Bangladesh and India, was never easy. Tasmida's family left Myanmar in 2002 after her father was jailed for several months. First they stayed in Cox Bazaar, Bangladesh, for eight years. Then once again her family had to leave Bangladesh in 2012 after anti-Rohingya violence erupted and authorities in the country started detaining the Muslim refugees. This time her family decided to come to Delhi in India. Since then Tasmida's family is staying in a ghetto in Southeast Delhi's Kalindi Kunj with several other Rohingya refugees. According to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Rohingya Muslims are the world's most persecuted minority people. There are around 60 million Rohingyas from the Rakhine State of Myanmar. Most of them are on run as the Bengali-speaking Muslims in Myanmar face state-sponsored violence because of their religion and language. Figures state that 1,40,000 Rohingyas have been displaced from Myanmar. India has around 40,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees, as per the figures available with the ministry of home affairs. After leaving Bangladesh, where Tasmida studied for a couple of years, the teenager restarted her education in a study centre at Kanchan Kunj in the national capital. However, when she expressed her desire to attend junior school at the Bosco Refugee Assistance Project in Jangpura, her father and elder brother did not allow Tasmida to study further. At this juncture, her other brother, Ali Johar, 24, a college student and a women's rights activist, persuaded the family to send Tasmida to school. Ali, who heads the Rohingya Refugee Committee (Delhi) under the UNHRC says, "Rohingya women are hard-working but they are used to working as agricultural workers in Myanmar. In Delhi's urban set up, they have not been able to find the same kind of work opportunities. And the language barrier is also a problem." Like Tasmida, a couple of other Rohingya girls from her area are now going to schools. Moreover, many Rohingya refugee women have started doing small jobs to earn their livelihood and become self-reliant. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 7:54 [IST] SC notice to Centre on plea against supply of electoral roll to candidates Union government may consider new law on cattle trade: Minister India oi-Gulam Rabbani Agartala, June 2: The Centre may consider any vital proposal on the new law on cattle trade and slaughter, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan has said. "If we get any acceptable and vital proposal, we might consider the new law on cattle trade and slaughter," the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change told reporters here on Thursday night. The Minister came to Agartala on Thursday night to attend a programme in connection with the third anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. In the meanwhile, Tripura's Left Front government has already announced that it would not implement the new rules as it is against the interest of the people. "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 had told IANS. The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist also vehemently criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government for promulgating the new law on cattle trade and slaughter. "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 depend on cattle for their source of protein would be directly affected," CPI-M's Tripura state Secretary Bijan Dhar had 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. On May 25, the first central regulation for cow protection in the name of animal welfare was notified. The notification is significant in the wake of rising cases of violence against cow-traders. Cow slaughter is banned in states except in most parts of north-east India and Kerala. The special section for cattle has been notified under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960. Under this section, it is said, "Take an undertaking that the animals are bought for agriculture purposes and not for slaughter." It further states that cattle bought cannot be resold within six months impinging the business of cow traders. Cattle can be sold only to a person having documents to prove he is an 'agriculturist', the rule says. Further, it also states that young and unfit animals cannot be sold. What the rules state: Further, the rules which run into 8 pages state that setting of animal markets within 50 km of an international border and 25 km from a state border is banned. Taking animal outside the state will require special approval of the state government nominee. No animal market will now be able to run without the approval of district animal market committee to be headed by a magistrate and having two representatives of government-approved animal welfare groups. The rules are expected to take at least 3 months to implement. There is a lot of paperwork involved in it and the cow traders across the country need to be educated about the same. Further, the rules say that after buying a cow the trader will have to make 5 copies of proof of sale and submit them at the local revenue office, the local veterinary doctor in the district of the purchaser, animal market committee, apart from one each for seller and buyer. It also makes it mandatory veterinary inspector to certify proper loading and unloading of animals to ensure they are not cramped inside trucks. The inspector can mark any animal unfit for sale. The rule that makes it mandatory for the owner of the animal to bear the cost of its upkeep in a shelter. If the owner is unable to pay, it should be recovered as land arrears, the rule says. The cost will be specified by the state government every year on April 1. OneIndia News ( With Agency imputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 14:52 [IST] Why are Sharad Pawar and Nitish Kumar at war? India oi-Vicky By Vicky Nitish Kumar and Sharad Pawar are engaged in a silent battle. They have not spoken out against each other, but there is palpable tension among the two leaders who are eyeing for the post of coordinator of a UPA like coalition. This coalition is being planned ahead of the 2019 elections to take on the BJP. This coveted post is being eyed by both leaders. Pawar as it may be recalled had turned down an offer to be the opposition's candidate for the next President of India. He did not want to be part of a losing campaign and would rather lead the opposition against the BJP. Nitish on the other hand who has been nurturing Prime Ministerial dreams too wants to lead the opposition. He had walked out of the NDA for a similar reason. Kumar has been sending out many signals and the strongest one was when he skipped the grand lunch programme organised by the opposition recently. He had sent Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) instead. The very next day he attended a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi. Kumar however has denied sending any message to the BJP. He says that he has already met with Sonia Gandhi on May 20 and would be attending the birthday celebrations of DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi in Chennai on June 3. OneIndia News Wipro receives threat e-mail once again seeking Rs 500 crore in bitcoin India oi-Anusha IT giant Wipro said that it had received a threat mail for the second time in less than a month. Security has been beefed up following the threat. In a threat e-mail, blackmailers demanded that Rs 500 crore be paid in bitcoins failing which the company may have to face 'dire consequences'. Wipro in a statement said that the email demanded digital currency to be deposited within 72 hours. The company's Bengaluru headquarters received the mail. On May 5 a similar mail had been sent to Wipro where the sender threatened to launch a bio attack on employees if a ransom was not paid. "Wipro confirms that it has received a second threatening email. Wipro has reinforced security measures at all its office locations. There is no impact on the company's operations," a statement from Wipro said. A complaint has been lodged with the police who suspect that both e-mails were sent from the same ID and IP address located in Switzerland. The investigating officials have sought the help of Union home ministry to identify the cyber criminal. It is suspected that the IP address has been masked to mislead investigators as it is the norm with such cyber crimes. "If you ignore my threats you will face severe trouble. This is the last chance I am giving you to pay the ransom or get ready to face the disaster," read a mail that came from ramesh2@protonmail.com. An earlier threat mail was also sent from the same ID and had threatened to attack Wipro employees with Ricin, a natural toxic protein. The local police failed to make any headway after a complaint was filed following the first threat mail and sought the CID cyber crime wing. Officials of the wing traced the IP address to Switzerland. Help has been sought from the Interpol wing of the CBI to track the user. Following the second threat letter, Bengaluru police have written to the Union Home Ministry seeking help to access information from Switzerland even as officials suspect that the cyber criminal has masked the IP address and is operating from India. OneIndia News China will stick with Paris Climate accord, rules out renegotiation International pti-PTI Beijing, Jun 2: China on Friday vowed to uphold the Paris climate deal and asserted that it cannot be renegotiated as desired by President Donald Trump but expressed willingness to work with the US to push for low carbon emission mechanism globally. The Paris agreement was signed by 194 countries and ratified by 174 countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told media, reacting to Trump's decision of to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate deal. Hua referred to the statement by UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) which said the Paris deal cannot be renegotiated as desired by Trump when asked about China's stand on Trump's demand that the deal be revised. "The UNFCC also made an announcement rejecting the possibility of renegotiation," Hua said. "We are also ready to cooperate with international community members, including the US, to push for low carbon generation globally," she said. Hua said China wanted all parties to cherish and safeguard the hard-earned accord. She said the deal embodies the "broadest consensus" of the international community about how to cope with the climate change. Hua said China will remain committed to upholding and promoting global governance on climate change and take an active part in the multilateral process. "China will work with all relevant parties to enhance cooperation, press ahead with the negotiation and implementation of enforcement rules, and promote green, low- carbon and sustainable global growth," she said. She said China is willing to strengthen effective communication and practical cooperation with the EU to safeguard and advance the process of multilateral governance on climate change. Hua said developed countries should be obligated to provide funding through the Green Climate Fund to developing countries to help them deal with climate change, within the framework of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris climate agreement. The Paris agreement's central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the rise in global temperature this century at well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius thereafter. The landmark agreement, which came into force last November, calls upon countries to combat climate change, and to accelerate and intensify actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future, and to adapt to the increasing impact of climate change. PTI Infosys techie, child drown in the US, friends crowdfund to send bodies home International oi-Anusha Friends of an Infosys techie who died in the United States of America are crowdfunding to send his body back home to Andhra Pradesh. Nagaraju Surepalli and his three-year-old son were found dead in the community swimming pool in Michigan. Infosys employee Nagaraju Surepalli and his son Ananth Sai are suspected to have drowned in their apartment's swimming pool. The software engineer who hails from Guntur lived in Michigan with his wife and young son. Bodies of Surepalli and his son were found on Tuesday. Friends and colleagues of Surepalli have taken to crowdfunding method to send their mortal remain back to India. Call for donations are being made on gofundme.com. Police suspect that Nagaraju Surepalli entered into the five-feet deep pool to rescue his son but accidentally drowned himself. "The pool does not staff a lifeguard and they were the only occupants in the pool at that time," a police statement said. The family has been in the United States for three years on an H-1B non-immigrant visa for work purposes. Nagaraju is survived by his 29-year-old wife. He was an alumnus of Vignan Engineering College in Vadlamudi, and Majety Guravaiah High School in Guntur. OneIndia News Sabre Corporation, the leading technology provider for the travel and tourism industry, opens a new office in Ankara, Turkey. The regional office will support Sabres Travel Network business, a global travel marketplace processing more than $120 billion of travel transactions. The new office in Turkish capital will provide dedicated local support to travel and tourism customers in and around the city, and will be a vital hub for training agents to use the Sabre system. To mark its significant new opening, Sabre hosted an evening of celebrations at the new office in Ankara city centre. Professionals from the travel and tourism industry attended the event including several of Turkeys most prominent travel agencies, airlines and third party developers. Turkey is an important strategic market for Sabre, and is one of our fastest-growing regions in EMEA, said Dean Bibb, interim senior vice president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Sabre. Its a country with a young population that is increasingly aspiring to travel the world. Since we opened our first Turkish office in Istanbul in 2014, the countrys travel industry has seen significant growth particularly in domestic and outbound travel. Weve seen our bookings consistently increase in Turkey, so now is an ideal time to expand our presence in the market. Travel accounted for around 12.5 percent* of Turkeys GDP in 2016 and the industry remains resilient, with outbound and domestic travel continuing to rise. Recognising the significance of domestic travel in Turkey, Sabre has built several Red Apps that are specific to the local market. The Troya app, for example, is a unique piece of technology that enables exclusive access to Turkish Airlines domestic fares. Its recently-developed Arkman app is also unique to customers in Turkey, enabling agents to check their customers credit limit and select the service fees that come from the Arkman Bilet back office system. This helps agencies to automate the process between ticketing and accounting departments. Turkey relies hugely on both its domestic and international travel and tourism industries and connecting travel suppliers and buyers via technology is becoming more important than ever, said Altug Bekdemir, country director, Turkey. Although we have been in the Turkish market for less than three years, we are now a significant player in the industry and most of Turkeys largest travel agencies are choosing to use Sabre. Ankara is a market that holds a lot of potential for us and our customers so, to reflect this, we will now be providing dedicated additional support that will help our customers to grow and thrive. Guests at the Ankara opening event enjoyed presentations from Sabre on the growth of travel in Turkey, as well as a ribbon and cake cutting ceremony. Jadhav won't be executed until he exhausts all mercy pleas says Pak International oi-Vicky By Vicky Pakistan has said that Kulbhushan Jadhav will not be executed until he exhausts all mercy pleas. Jadhav was sentenced to death in Pakistan on the charge that he was an Indian spy. India went up to the International Court of Justice which stayed the execution pending final hearing. Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria+ released a statement which he claimed was aimed at addressing "certain misrepresentations/false statements/allegations" made in the Indian media following the ICJ's provisional measures order of May 18 in the Jadhav case. Zakaria asserted that irrespective of the ICJ's stay, Jadhav would remain alive, until he has exhausted the right to request for clemency, initially with the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and later with the Pakistan President. He accused the Indian government of misusing the media to create a "false impression of winning" Jadhav's case in the ICJ+ . Indian media, backed by the official quarters, misled people in the two countries by propagating that India has won" in Jadhav's case, he said. The discussions that ensued in the two countries showed a complete lack of understanding of the matter," Zakaria said. He said the Indian media, based on the reported briefing by official quarters, called ICJ's letter dated May 8, 2017, the day India filed its petition, to the Pakistan government as a "stay on Jadhav's execution. This is a lie. The ICJ noted that lie," he claimed. Zakaria said that the ICJ stated clearly that its decision on provisional measures was not concerned with "jurisdiction/ merits" and it considered that Jadhav would not be executed until the full hearing. This is nothing unusual," Zakaria asserted. He said that a full hearing will take place after the court sets down a timetable on June 8 at the Hague. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 7:28 [IST] IT industry veteran appeals to PM for a 'corruption-free' Karnataka Thailand: PM Prayuth can stay in office, court says 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 Modi meets Governors of 16 Russian regions International ians-IANS By Ians English St Petersburg, June 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended a collective meeting of Governors of Russian regions in St Petersburg. "Strengthening bonds with Russia's regions. PM @narendramodi attends first ever collective meeting with Governors of 16 regions of Russia," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. Earlier on Friday, Modi attended for the first time the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President. During the course of the day, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Tigran Sargasyan also called on Modi in view of India's decision to start discussions with EAEU to have a free trade agreement. The Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Russia, he will leave for France later on Friday on the fourth and final leg of the tour. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. IANS Paris Climate deal: Arnold Schwarzenegger hits out at Donald Trump International oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Fellow Republican, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, has lashed out at President Donald Trump for pulling out the USA out of Paris Climate deal on Friday. In a two-minute video message to Trump, the Terminator-star Schwarzenegger at the outset says, " Once man can't go back in time, only I can do that'. 'As a public servant, especially as President, your first and most important responsibility is to protect the people. 200000 people die in the US from air pollution and half of our rivers and streams are too polluted for our health. We can't sit and just do nothing while people are getting sick and dying, especially when you know there is another way'. Schwarzenegger batted for 'clean energy', saying 'It' s not scary'. He cautions Trump against choosing 'dirty energy future with asthma, emphsyma and cancer is much more terrifying'. Earlier, Trump said the Paris accord "punished" the US and would cost millions of American jobs. In an address at the White House, he said he was prepared to negotiate a new agreement or re-enter the accord on improved terms. In December 2015, 195 countries agreed to the first global pact aimed at reducing emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases. It was considered a landmark achievement of former US President Barack Obama's environmental agenda. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 11:39 [IST] US quits Paris Climate deal: How America has been destroying Earth over the years International oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Washington, June 2: The world is in shock after President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the United States is withdrawing from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. During his announcement, Trump said that the decision was taken as the agreement is "draconian" and "economically burdens" the US. European leaders and green organisations have expressed anger and dismay over the US' latest "anti-climate" step. The US is the world's second biggest carbon emitter. However, the rest of the signatories pledged to defend the agreement and not to backtrack in the fight against climate change. Europe's three biggest economic giants-- Germany, France and Italy -- issued a joint statement in which they criticised Trump's decision and said the pact was "not renegotiable." "We note the United States' decision with regret," they said, describing the accord as "a vital tool for our planet, our societies and our economies." Environmental activists say that the world superpower, the US, over the years, has caused a lot of damage to the environment bringing negative impact to our climate. By leaving the Paris Climate Agreement, the US took one more decision against the world's fight to bring some resemblance to rapid climate change. Here is a list, prepared by the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, to outline the role US has played in global climate change: Largest contributor to climate change: The US is the largest historical contributor to climate change, responsible for 21 per cent of the current carbon stock in the atmosphere. It is currently the second largest polluter in the world, and has the highest per capita emissions. Weak climate agreements: To accommodate the US' interests, countries have worked towards making climate agreements weak. The Kyoto Protocol had weak targets. Likewise, to bring back the US under the UN climate framework, the Paris Agreement was made a voluntary, bottom-up decentralised regime with no emission reduction commitments for countries and no punitive measures if countries failed to meet their targets. US climate commitments: Under its climate action plan, the US had pledged merely 26-28 per cent emission reduction below 2005 levels by 2025. On the 1990 baseline, the US will cut emissions by a mere 13-15 per cent by 2025 and 23-27 per cent by 2030. In comparison, the EU-28 will reduce 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. The pulling out of the Paris Agreement means that the US will not fulfill its already weak commitments. Financial commitments in jeopardy: In its federal budget, the US has announced that there will be no further funding to IPCC and UNFCCC. It has also vowed not to fulfill its support commitment of USD 2 billion to the Green Climate Fund. This would mean that funding to the GCF, meant to help developing countries to address climate change, would suffer tremendously. US domestic measures: By adopting a slew of measures domestically which includes revoking its Clean Power Plan, Trump has made his agenda clear - unfettered expansion of domestic fossil fuel production and repealing anything that is against it. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 2, 2017, 9:19 [IST] US quits Paris deal: Indo-US ties in jeopardy after Trump attacked India specifically? International oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Washington, June 2: The latest move by President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement is not only going to have environmental-related impact on India, but the political relationship between the two major democracies also looks 'little shaky' now. During his Thursday announcement, President Trump attacked various countries, specifically India, while trying to convince the world as why the agreement is "draconian" for America. In his usual shrill speech, Trump used the victimhood card to tell everyone as how other countries are fleecing the US in the name of climate change. Trump alleged that the climate accord gave a better deal to "some of the world's highly polluting countries" like India and China and left the US hamstrung. He accused New Delhi of trying to extract "billions and billions and billions" of dollars in foreign aid from the developed world to sign up for the climate accord. "India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions of dollars in foreign aid," he said. Trump said according to the Paris Climate deal terms, China will be allowed many coal plants, and India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020, but not the US. The direct attack on India by Trump has come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to visit the US later this month. In New Delhi, officials and diplomats kept a close tab on Trump's latest announcement to understand its ramifications in India. Political observers say that such a harsh and no-holds-barred attack on India is definitely going to affect the otherwise warm relationship between the two nations. Experts say it would be too early to say if PM Modi should cancel his planned visit to the country or not. According to reports, although dates for the PM's trip to the nation have not been officially announced, the White House has earmarked June 26-27 for the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and PM Modi. PM Modi was one of the first few world leaders to congratulate Trump after he won the presidential elections last year. Moreover, there is a sizeable numbers of Indians, both in the US and India, who are self-proclaimed Trump bhakts (fans). OneIndia News 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the appointment of a new General Manager to its flagship property in Bangkok, Thailand. Greg Liddell named as the new General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Mr Liddell who has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry is no stranger to the Land of Smiles. He began his career with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in 2009 as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai. He was appointed General Manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong in 2012 where the property was awarded numerous accolades including Conde Nast Travelers Gold List for 3 consecutive years during his tenure, and Forbes Five Star Ratings in Hotel, Restaurant and Spa; one of the only three hotels in greater China to achieve this prestigious recognition. In 2014, Mr Liddell joined Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona where he has been instrumental in positioning the property as the citys premier hotel for service excellence and culinary destination. An Australian national, Mr Liddell studied and worked in Sydney, before embarking on his hospitality career to Asia. Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Mr Liddell held various senior management positions including General Manager of Aman Resorts, and Group General Manager of Karma Resorts where he was responsible for resorts Bali, Indonesia and Koh Samui, Thailand. UNWTO strongly condemns the attack perpetrated in Manila yesterday. On behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO has conveyed its heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of the victims and to the Filipino people. "The Philippines is one of the most consolidated tourism destinations in the world. We are fully confident that this will continue to be the case and we look forward to meet in Manila next 21 June for 6th International Conference on Tourism Statistics: Measuring Sustainable Tourism, one of UNWTOs major events. This will be the best expression of support and union against these hideous acts." said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. Reinsurance in Qatar 2017 Market Challenge, Driver, Trends & Forecast to 2021 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1325441-reinsurance-in-qatar-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1325441-reinsurance-in-qatar-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 www.linkedin.com/company/4828928 https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts Synopsis'Reinsurance in Qatar, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the Qatari reinsurance segment.GET SAMPLE REPORT @It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country, gives a comprehensive overview of the Qatari economy and demographics, and provides detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Qatari insurance industry.The report brings together research, modeling and analysis expertise to enable reinsurers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and access profiles of reinsurers operating in the country.Summary'Reinsurance in Qatar, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Qatari reinsurance segment, including: An outlook of the Qatari reinsurance segment A comprehensive overview of the Qatari economy and demographics Detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Qatari insurance industry The competitive landscape in the Qatari reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in Qatar: It provides historical values for the Qatari reinsurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period. It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Qatari reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020. It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in Qatar, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects. It analyzes various natural hazards and their impact on the Qatar insurance industryReasons to Buy Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Qatari reinsurance segment, and each category within it. Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Qatari reinsurance segment. Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories. Gain insights into key regulations governing the Qatari insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key Highlights On March 29, 2016, the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) issued a decision on executive instructions for the insurance sector and the principles of governance for insurers. The new rules apply to all insurance, reinsurance, takaful and retakaful companies, and to branches of foreign companies operating in Qatar.. The minimum capital required to conduct reinsurance business in Qatar is QAR72.7 billion (US$20.0 billion). The Qatari reinsurance segment is dominated by domestic reinsurers Qatar Reinsurance Company LLC and QGIRC.Table of Content: Key Points1 Key Facts and Highlights2 Executive Summary3 Economy and Demographics4 Reinsurance outlook4.1 Reinsurance Segment Size, 201120204.2 Reinsurance Segment Size by Premium Ceded, 201120205 Natural and Man-Made Hazards6 Competitive Landscape6.1 Company Profiles6.1.1 Qatar Reinsurance Company LLC (Qatar Re) company overview6.1.2 Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Company SAQ (QGIRC) company overview7 Definition and Methodology7.1 Definitions7.2 MethodologyContinuedACCESS REPORT @Get in touch:LinkedIn:Twitter:Facebook: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.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Global High Voltage Switchgear Market Exhibit at a CAGR of 11.77% during the period 2017-2021 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/302097 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase/302097 https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbis-research SummaryOrbis Research delivers key insights on the Global High Voltage Switchgear Market 2017-2021, new research report of 70 pages, Global and United States Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies.DescriptionSwitchgear is a highly integral electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) equipment that comprises of a combination of electrical disconnect switches, circuit breakers and fuses. Switchgears find application not only to de-energize a particular electrical equipment for maintenance work but also helps in clearing faults downstream.The Global High Voltage Switchgear Market to grow at a CAGR of 11.77% during the period 2017-2021.Key Players Of Global High Voltage Switchgear Market 2017-2021 As Follows:ABB, GE, Mitsubishi Electric, Siemens, Toshiba, TGOOD Global, SkipperSeil, SHANDONG TAIKAI POWER ENGINEERING, Jiangsu Jingke Smart Electrical (Jingke Group), Ningbo Tianan (Group), Silverstone Electric, Xian Electric Engineering, CHINA XD GROUP, BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited), CG Global, Eaton, Hyosung, Lucy Electric, MEIDENSHA CORPORATION, Methode Electronics, G&W, KON?AR - Electrical Industry, Bowers Electricals , East Coast Power Systems, New Northeast Electric Group High Voltage Switchgear, Electro-Mechanical Corporation (federal-Pacific), Hitachi, and S&C Electric Company.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global high voltage switchgear 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:AmericasAPACEMEAGlobal High Voltage Switchgear 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.Download PDF Sample of Global High Voltage Switchgear Market Research Report @Key vendorsABBGEMitsubishi ElectricSiemensToshibaOther prominent vendors TGOOD Global SkipperSeil SHANDONG TAIKAI POWER ENGINEERING Jiangsu Jingke Smart Electrical (Jingke Group) Ningbo Tianan (Group) Silverstone Electric Xian Electric Engineering CHINA XD GROUP BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) CG Global Eaton Hyosung Lucy Electric MEIDENSHA CORPORATION Methode Electronics G&W KON?AR - Electrical Industry Bowers Electricals East Coast Power Systems New Northeast Electric Group High Voltage Switchgear Electro-Mechanical Corporation (federal-Pacific) Hitachi S&C Electric CompanyMarket driverIncreased demand for electricity in emerging countriesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeHigh cost of upgrading distribution networks and weak financial health of distribution sectorFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendPASS system available for operation up to 420 kVFor 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?Place a Purchase Order for this Report @:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Follow Us on LinkedIn: Snom Completes IPTAM PBX Interoperability & Releases Major New Firmware Update The new Snom Icon Interface http://wiki.snom.com/Firmware/V8_9_3_60 www.snom.com www.vtech.com Berlin, 1 June 2017 Snom Technology, celebrating twenty years since it was founded in 1997, has successfully completed the full spectrum of interoperability testing with German developer IPTAMs PBX solution. In addition, the IP phone vendor also announced its latest major firmware update this year.Following extensive interoperability testing, the IPTAM PBX integrates the full range of Snom IP phones including the D3XX series, the D7XX Series and the workplace mobility DECT multi and single cell solutions so that they can be automatically configured and implement diverse telephony functions and systems. Features include call forwarding configuration on the PBX directly from the Snom phone, call list display, executive/secretary and call management. The IPTAM PBX central phone directory is also available directly via the Snom phone and can even be accessed during calls.Users of Snom IP phones can now feel completely at home with the IPTAM PBX and will have access to an advanced range of telephony features that the IPTAM PBX offers, reflected IPTAM CEO Karsten Wemheuer. The Snom desk phones, as well as their mobile DECT solutions, now work seamlessly with our PBX for an easy to deploy complete telephony system.Alongside this latest interoperability success, Snom has also released a major update to its firmware to version 8.9.3.60 for the D3XX Series and D7XX Series. Following an extended period of QA and beta testing the familiar Snom strengths of security, stability, user-friendliness and functionality will now be even more comprehensive than before.Among the highlights of this update is the new Snom Icon Interface which the design team has developed to increase intuitive usage and cut down text-heavy menus with self-explanatory symbols that are recognizable in any language. The best thing about the new icon designs is not just that they are easy to use and understand but that they can be adapted for specific purposes, explained Mark Wiegleb, Snom Technologys Head of Interop and Integration. For example, a hotel can add a direct dial to each Snom phone to its reception or room service by means of an easy to recognize icon.The latest Snom firmware as well as a detailed overview of all new features and functions can be downloaded here:About Snom Technology GmbHFounded in 1997 and headquartered in Berlin Germany, Snom is a German multinational corporation and the worlds first and leading brand of professional and enterprise VoIP telephones. Snom is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of VTech operating subsidiaries and branches in the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Taiwan.Snoms German engineering is globally renowned for robust, high quality and feature-rich business telephones that are designed exclusively for the trained and certified professional IT and PBX installer. All of Snoms products are universally compatible with leading PBX platforms operating under the SIP standard with over 4 million end-point installations globally. Snom products are sold through distributors to over 25,000 Snom Value Added Resellers across the world.For more information about Snom, please visit. To learn more about VTech, please visitunited communications GmbHJason Green/Peter LinkRotherstr. 1910245 BerlinTel.: +49 30 78 90 76 0snom@united.deSnom Technology GmbHHeike CantzlerHead of MarketingWittestr. 30g13509 Berlinmarketing@snom.com Smart Antenna Market: Demand For Smartphones Provide Lucrative Opportunities For Market http://www.marketintelreports.com/report/qyrc0102/global-smart-antenna-market-research-report-2017 http://www.marketintelreports.com/pdfdownload.php?id=qyrc0102 http://www.marketintelreports.com/purchase.php?id=qyrc0102 The report Global Smart Antenna Market Research Report 2017 available in Market Intel Reports estimates that the Global Smart Antenna 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.Browse 117 Pages of recent research on Global Smart Antenna Market @The Smart Antenna Market produces smart antenna which is a multi-element antenna in which the signals received at each antenna element are combined and managed for improving the performance of the wireless system. The smart antenna system is capable of increasing signal range, suppressing interfering signals, and combating signal fading.The need for faster data transmission in modern communication systems with high speed downloading, optimized evolution data, and web browsing has forced companies to increase efficiency for wireless transmission. This has a positive impact on the Smart Antenna Market. The smart antenna applications are classified either as switch beam or adaptive array systemsScope & Regional Forecast of the Smart Antenna MarketThe Smart Antenna Market can be segmented into three types namely SIMO (Single Input Multiple Output), MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), and MISO (Multiple Input Single Output). The proliferation of the wireless communication is driving the demand for the smart antenna design. The wireless communications are needed to address the problems of interference and spectral efficiency. The smart antenna technology also helps in dealing with problems like co-channel and multipath interference.The Smart Antenna Market has opportunities in the application of automotive smart antenna in smart phones. The rising demand for the smartphones will provide opportunities for the market.The cost and design constraints for smart antennas for wireless communication inhibit the Smart Antenna Market. Smart antennas are are more costly than the traditional omnidirectional antennas.Avail more information from Sample Brochure of the report, Get a Copy @Segmentations & Key Players Involved in the Smart Antenna MarketThe Smart Antenna Market can be broken down into various segmentations on the basis of Type- SIMO (Single Input, Multiple Output), MISO (Multiple Input, Single Output) and MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output). Applications- Wi-Fi Systems, Wimax Systems, Cellular Systems, and Broadband and Wireless Access Networks (BWA). Region- United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.Some of the key players involved in the Smart Antenna Market are as follows: Accel Networks Airgain Molex NovAtel Trimble NavigationPurchase this report @About us:MarketIntelReports (MIR) aims to empower our clients to successfully manage and outperform in their business decisions. We do this by providing Premium Market Intelligence, Strategic Insights and Databases from a range of Global Publishers.MarketIntelReports currently has more than 70,000 plus titles and 75+ publishers on our platform and growing consistently to fill the Global Intelligence Demand Supply Gap. We cover more than 15 industry verticals being: Automotive, Electronics, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Chemicals, Building & Construction, Agriculture, Food & Beverages, Banking & Finance, Media and Government, Public Sector Studies.Contact Us:Mayur SBusiness Development ManagerMarketIntelReportspr@marketintelreports.comPhone: 1-302-261-53432712 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, DelawareUnited States Global Fiber Demister Market 2017 United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia Fiber Demister Market http://bit.ly/2ss7y1a http://bit.ly/2rXZPeu Fiber Demister Market Research ReportA market study based on the " Fiber Demister Market " across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Fiber Demister Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Fiber Demister industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Fiber Demister market on the basis of this analysis.Ask For Sample Copy of Report :Top Manufacturers Companies Covered In This Research Report -Company 1Company 2Company 3Company 4Company 5Company 6Company 7Fiber Demister Market : Type AnalysisType IType IIFiber Demister Market : Application AnalysisApplication 1Application 2The report studies the industry for Fiber Demister across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Fiber Demister market & dynamics of demand and supply of Fiber Demister into consideration. The ' Fiber Demister ' research study covers each and every aspect of the Fiber Demister market globally, which starts from the definition of the Fiber Demister industry and develops towards Fiber Demister market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Fiber Demister market is classified and analysed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Fiber Demister market. The geographical segmentation of the Fiber Demister industry has also been covered at length in this report.Enquiry Here :The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Fiber Demister is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Fiber Demister market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Fiber Demister market worldwide.The global Fiber Demister market 2017 is also analysed on the basis of product pricing, Fiber Demister production volume, data regarding demand and Fiber Demister supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tool of Fiber Demister such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in Fiber Demister market research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for Fiber Demister 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 Global High-speed Disperser Market 2017 United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia High-speed Disperser Market http://bit.ly/2ss4ty5 http://bit.ly/2rfnje3 High-speed Disperser Market Research ReportA market study based on the " High-speed Disperser Market " across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global High-speed Disperser Market 2017. 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The ' High-speed Disperser ' research study covers each and every aspect of the High-speed Disperser market globally, which starts from the definition of the High-speed Disperser industry and develops towards High-speed Disperser market segmentations. Further, every segment of the High-speed Disperser market is classified and analysed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the High-speed Disperser market. The geographical segmentation of the High-speed Disperser industry has also been covered at length in this report.Enquiry Here :The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for High-speed Disperser is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, High-speed Disperser market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the High-speed Disperser market worldwide.The global High-speed Disperser market 2017 is also analysed on the basis of product pricing, High-speed Disperser production volume, data regarding demand and High-speed Disperser supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tool of High-speed Disperser such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in High-speed Disperser market research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for High-speed Disperser 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 Global Adult Vaccines Market SWOT Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecasts To 2022 Global Adult Vaccines Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1330686-global-adult-vaccines-market-professional-survey-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1330686-global-adult-vaccines-market-professional-survey-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1330686 www.wiseguyreports.com This report studies Adult Vaccines 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, coveringGlaxoSmithKlineSanofi PasteurMerckNovartisPfizerBioCSL (Seqirus)Protein Sciences...Get Sample Report @By types, the market can be split intoInfluenzaCervical CancerZoster ShinglesPneumococcalMeningococcalMMRVHepatitisDTPTravel and MiscellaneousBy Application, the market can be split intoMedical CareHealthyHospitaBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Leave a Query @Table Of contentGlobal Adult Vaccines Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Adult Vaccines1.1 Definition and Specifications of Adult Vaccines1.1.1 Definition of Adult Vaccines1.1.2 Specifications of Adult Vaccines1.2 Classification of Adult Vaccines1.2.1 Influenza1.2.2 Cervical Cancer1.2.3 Zoster Shingles1.2.4 Pneumococcal1.2.5 Meningococcal1.2.6 MMRV1.2.7 Hepatitis1.2.8 DTP1.2.9 Travel and Miscellaneous1.3 Applications of Adult Vaccines1.3.1 Medical Care1.3.2 Healthy1.3.3 Hospita1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Adult Vaccines8.1 GlaxoSmithKline8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 GlaxoSmithKline 2016 Adult Vaccines Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 GlaxoSmithKline 2016 Adult Vaccines Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 Sanofi Pasteur8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 Sanofi Pasteur 2016 Adult Vaccines Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 Sanofi Pasteur 2016 Adult Vaccines Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 Merck8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 Merck 2016 Adult Vaccines Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 Merck 2016 Adult Vaccines Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Novartis8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Novartis 2016 Adult Vaccines Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Novartis 2016 Adult Vaccines Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 Pfizer8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 Pfizer 2016 Adult Vaccines Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 Pfizer 2016 Adult Vaccines Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 BioCSL (Seqirus)8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 BioCSL (Seqirus) 2016 Adult Vaccines Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 BioCSL (Seqirus) 2016 Adult Vaccines Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 Protein Sciences8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 Protein Sciences 2016 Adult Vaccines Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 Protein Sciences 2016 Adult Vaccines Business Region Distribution Analysis...Buy Now@CONTACT US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Pune, India Global Laboratory Furniture Market Drivers, Trends and Opportunities Forecasts from 2017 to 2022 Laboratory Furniture Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1329163-global-laboratory-furniture-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1329163-global-laboratory-furniture-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1329163 www.wiseguyreports.com Executive SummaryGlobal Laboratory Furniture Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Laboratory Furniture Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Request a Sample Report @Laboratory Furniture 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 Laboratory Furniture basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.The report includes six parts, dealing with:1.) basic information;2.) the Asia Laboratory Furniture Market;3.) the North American Laboratory Furniture Market;4.) the European Laboratory Furniture Market;5.) market entry and investment feasibility;6.) the report conclusion.Browse Full Report Details@Some Major Points from Table of Content:Table of ContentsPart I Laboratory Furniture Industry OverviewChapter One Laboratory Furniture Industry Overview1.1 Laboratory Furniture Definition1.2 Laboratory Furniture Classification Analysis1.2.1 Laboratory Furniture Main Classification Analysis1.2.2 Laboratory Furniture Main Classification Share Analysis1.3 Laboratory Furniture Application Analysis1.3.1 Laboratory Furniture Main Application Analysis1.3.2 Laboratory Furniture Main Application Share Analysis1.4 Laboratory Furniture Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 Laboratory Furniture Industry Development Overview1.5.1 Laboratory Furniture Product History Development Overview1.5.1 Laboratory Furniture Product Market Development Overview1.6 Laboratory Furniture Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 Laboratory Furniture Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 Laboratory Furniture Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 Laboratory Furniture Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 Laboratory Furniture Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 Laboratory Furniture Global Market Development Trend AnalysisChapter Two Laboratory Furniture 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 Laboratory Furniture Industry (The Report Company Including the Below Listed But Not All)Chapter Three Asia Laboratory Furniture Market Analysis3.1 Asia Laboratory Furniture Product Development History3.2 Asia Laboratory Furniture Competitive Landscape Analysis3.3 Asia Laboratory Furniture Market Development TrendChapter Five Asia Laboratory Furniture Key Manufacturers Analysis5.1 Company A5.1.1 Company Profile5.1.2 Product Picture and Specification5.1.3 Product Application Analysis5.1.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.1.5 Contact Information5.2 Company B5.2.1 Company Profile5.2.2 Product Picture and Specification5.2.3 Product Application Analysis5.2.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.2.5 Contact Information5.3 Company C5.3.1 Company Profile5.3.2 Product Picture and Specification5.3.3 Product Application Analysis5.3.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.3.5 Contact Information5.4 Company D5.4.1 Company Profile5.4.2 Product Picture and Specification5.4.3 Product Application Analysis5.4.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.4.5 Contact InformationChapter Six Asia Laboratory Furniture Industry Development Trend6.1 2017-2021 Laboratory Furniture Capacity Production Overview6.2 2017-2021 Laboratory Furniture Production Market Share Analysis6.3 2017-2021 Laboratory Furniture Demand Overview6.4 2017-2021 Laboratory Furniture Supply Demand and Shortage6.5 2017-2021 Laboratory Furniture Import Export Consumption6.6 2017-2021 Laboratory Furniture Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginPurchase a Copy of This Report @CONTINUEDMore about WiseGuyReports:Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune 411028Maharashtra, India IT Robotic Automation 2017 Global Key Players Blue Prism, Be Informed, IBM, Appian, IPsoft Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022 IT Robotic Automation Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1331180-global-it-robotic-automation-market-professional-survey-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1331180-global-it-robotic-automation-market-professional-survey-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1331180 IT Robotic Automation Market 2017Report Details:The Global IT Robotic Automation Industry 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Hearth industry.This report studies IT Robotic Automation 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, coveringBlue PrismBe InformedIBMAppianIPsoftTata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS)HitachiToshibaGEGenpact LtdRequest for Sample Report @By types, the market can be split intoRPA Technology SupplyRPA Service SupplyOtherBy Application, the market can be split intoBankingUtilitiesHealthcareOtherBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaComplete Report Details @Table of Content:1 Industry Overview of IT Robotic Automation1.1 Definition and Specifications of IT Robotic Automation1.1.1 Definition of IT Robotic Automation1.1.2 Specifications of IT Robotic Automation1.2 Classification of IT Robotic Automation1.2.1 RPA Technology Supply1.2.2 RPA Service Supply1.2.3 Other1.3 Applications of IT Robotic Automation1.3.1 Banking1.3.2 Utilities1.3.3 Healthcare1.3.4 Other1.4 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 IT Robotic Automation2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of IT Robotic Automation2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of IT Robotic Automation2.4 Industry Chain Structure of IT Robotic Automation3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of IT Robotic Automation3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global IT Robotic Automation Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global IT Robotic Automation Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global IT Robotic Automation Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global IT Robotic Automation Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global IT Robotic Automation Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global IT Robotic Automation Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 IT Robotic Automation Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global IT Robotic Automation Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global IT Robotic Automation Sales Price4.4.2 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment).8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of IT Robotic Automation8.1 Blue Prism8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Blue Prism 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Blue Prism 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 Be Informed8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 Be Informed 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 Be Informed 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 IBM8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 IBM 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 IBM 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Appian8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Appian 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Appian 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 IPsoft8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 IPsoft 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 IPsoft 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS)8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS) 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS) 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 Hitachi8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 Hitachi 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 Hitachi 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 Toshiba8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 Toshiba 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 Toshiba 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution Analysis8.9 GE8.9.1 Company Profile8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.9.2.1 Product A8.9.2.2 Product B8.9.3 GE 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.9.4 GE 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution Analysis8.10 Genpact Ltd8.10.1 Company Profile8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.10.2.1 Product A8.10.2.2 Product B8.10.3 Genpact Ltd 2016 IT Robotic Automation Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.10.4 Genpact Ltd 2016 IT Robotic Automation Business Region Distribution AnalysisContinue.Buy this report @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. 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Please note that no procedures are performed at Bosley until the patient has been examined, diagnosed and accepted for treatment by a Bosley physician.The Buzz Agency104 w. atlantic ave., delray beach, fl 33444(855) 525-2899 Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Global and Chinese Market - Analysis and Forecasts from 2017 to 2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1336065-global-and-chinese-electronic-security-systems-ess-industry-2017-market-research https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1336065-global-and-chinese-electronic-security-systems-ess-industry-2017-market-research https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1336065 www.wiseguyreports.com Executive SummaryGlobal and Chinese Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Market 2017 Global and Chinese Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Request a Sample Report @The 'Global and Chinese Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry, 2012-2022 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Electronic Security Systems (ESS) industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Electronic Security Systems (ESS) manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2012-2017 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2017-2022 market development trends of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2012-2022 global and Chinese Electronic Security Systems (ESS) industry covering all important parameters.Browse Full Report Details@Some Major Points from Table of Content:Table of ContentsChapter One Introduction of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Electronic Security Systems (ESS)1.2 Development of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry1.3 Status of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Electronic Security Systems (ESS)2.1 Development of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Manufacturing TechnologyChapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.1 Company A3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.2 Company B3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.3 Company C3.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.4 Company D3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.5 Company E3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.5.4 Contact Information3.6 Company F3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Product Information3.5.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.6.4 Contact Information3.7 Company G3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Product Information3.7.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.7.4 Contact Information3.8 Company H3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Product Information3.8.3 2012-2017 Production Information3.8.4 Contact InformationChapter Five Market Status of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry5.1 Market Competition of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry by Company5.2 Market Competition of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry by Country (USA, EU, Japan, Chinese etc.)5.3 Market Analysis of Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Consumption by Application/TypeChapter Six 2017-2022 Market Forecast of Global and Chinese Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry6.1 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Capacity, Production, and Production Value of Electronic Security Systems (ESS)6.2 2017-2022 Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry Cost and Profit Estimation6.3 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Market Share of Electronic Security Systems (ESS)6.4 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Supply and Consumption of Electronic Security Systems (ESS)6.5 2017-2022 Chinese Import and Export of Electronic Security Systems (ESS)Purchase a Copy of This Report @CONTINUEDMore about WiseGuyReports:Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune 411028Maharashtra, India Grease 2017 China Key Players Castrol, Chevron, Joyrun, Belray LLC, ETS Australia, CNPC Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Grease Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/366433-global-grease-market-segmented-by-thickener-by-additives-by-application-and-geography-trends-and-forecasts-2015-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/366433-global-grease-market-segmented-by-thickener-by-additives-by-application-and-geography-trends-and-forecasts-2015-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=366433 Grease Market 2017Report Details:Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Grease Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Manufacturers and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Key Deliverables in the StudyMarket analysis for the Global Grease Market, with region specific assessments and competition analysis on global and regional scalesMarket definition along with the identification of key drivers and restraintsIdentification of factors instrumental in changing the market scenarios, rising prospective opportunities, and identification of key companies that can influence this market on a global and regional scaleExtensively researched competitive landscape section with profiles of major companies along with their market sharesIdentification and analysis of the macro and micro factors that affect the Global Grease market on both global and regional scalesA comprehensive list of key market players along with the analysis of their current strategic interests and key financial informationA 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 marketInsights on the major countries/regions in which this industry is blooming and to also identify the regions that are still untappedRequest for Sample Report @Table of Content:Introduction1.1 Description1.2 Research MethodologyExecutive SummaryGlobal Grease market3.1 Overview3.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis3.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's 5 Force Analysis3.3.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers3.3.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers3.3.3 Threat of New Entrants3.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services3.3.5 Degree of CompetitionAny Query @Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.1.1 Development of Advanced Greases for High end Applications4.1.2 Growth of Manufacturing Industries in Developing Countries4.2 Restraints4.2.1 Dependance on Natural Raw Materials4.2.2 Saturation in North American and European Markets4.2.3 Development of Self-Lubricating Equipment4.3 Opportunities4.3.1 Need of Bio-Based Greases in Evironmentally Sensitive CountriesMarket segmentation and Analysis5.1 By Base Oils5.1.1 Group I (Solvent Refined)5.1.2 Group II (Hydrotreated)5.1.3 Group III (Hydrocracked)5.1.4 Group IV (Polyalphaolefins (PAOs))5.1.5 Group V5.1.6 Others5.2 By Thickeners5.2.1 Metal Soaps5.2.1.1 Lithium Soap5.2.1.2 Calcium Soap5.2.1.3 Aluminum Soap5.2.1.4 Sodium Soap5.2.1.5 Other Metallic Soaps5.2.2 Other Thickeners5.2.2.1 Organo Clay5.2.2.2 Polyurea5.3 By Additives5.3.1 To Enhace desirable Properties5.3.2 To Suppress Undesirable Properties5.3.3 To add New Properties5.4 By Applications5.4.1 Mining5.4.2 Pharmaceutical5.4.3 Auto Manufacturing5.4.4 Construction5.4.5 Railways5.4.6 Food and beverage5.4.7 Wind Turbines5.4.8 OthersRegional Market Analysis (Market size, growth and forecast)6.1 Asia-Pacific6.1.1 China6.1.2 India6.1.3 Japan6.1.4 Australia6.1.5 Others6.2 Europe6.2.1 Germany6.2.2 France6.2.3 Italy6.2.4 UK6.2.5 Others6.3 North America6.3.1 USA6.3.2 Canada6.3.3 Others6.4 South America6.4.1 Brazil6.4.2 Argentina6.4.3 Columbia6.4.4 Others6.5 MEA6.5.1 Saudi Arabia6.5.2 South AfricaFuture of Grease MarketCompetitive Landscape8.1 Mergers & Acquisitions8.2 Joint Ventures, Collaborations and Agreements8.3 Market Share Analysis8.4 Strategies Adopted by Leading PlayersProfiles of Key Companies (Overview, Products & Services, Financials, Recent Developments)9.1 Axel Christiernsson9.2 Belray LLC9.3 Castrol9.4 Chevron9.5 CNPC9.6 Dow Corning9.7 ETS Australia9.8 Exxon Mobil9.9 FUCHS9.10 Joyrun9.11 JX Nippon Oil and Energy Corp.9.12 Kluber Lubrication9.13 Lopal9.14 Lubriplate9.15 Petromin Corporation9.16 Shell9.17 Sinopec9.18 SKF9.19 Total9.20 Whitmore10. DisclaimerContinue.Buy this report @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Grease 2017 Global Key Players Castrol, Chevron, Joyrun, Belray LLC, ETS Australia, CNPC Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Grease Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/366433-global-grease-market-segmented-by-thickener-by-additives-by-application-and-geography-trends-and-forecasts-2015-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/366433-global-grease-market-segmented-by-thickener-by-additives-by-application-and-geography-trends-and-forecasts-2015-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=366433 Grease Market 2017Report Details:Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Grease Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Manufacturers and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Key Deliverables in the StudyMarket analysis for the Global Grease Market, with region specific assessments and competition analysis on global and regional scalesMarket definition along with the identification of key drivers and restraintsIdentification of factors instrumental in changing the market scenarios, rising prospective opportunities, and identification of key companies that can influence this market on a global and regional scaleExtensively researched competitive landscape section with profiles of major companies along with their market sharesIdentification and analysis of the macro and micro factors that affect the Global Grease market on both global and regional scalesA comprehensive list of key market players along with the analysis of their current strategic interests and key financial informationA 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 marketInsights on the major countries/regions in which this industry is blooming and to also identify the regions that are still untappedRequest for Sample Report @Table of Content:Introduction1.1 Description1.2 Research MethodologyExecutive SummaryGlobal Grease market3.1 Overview3.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis3.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's 5 Force Analysis3.3.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers3.3.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers3.3.3 Threat of New Entrants3.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services3.3.5 Degree of CompetitionAny Query @Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.1.1 Development of Advanced Greases for High end Applications4.1.2 Growth of Manufacturing Industries in Developing Countries4.2 Restraints4.2.1 Dependance on Natural Raw Materials4.2.2 Saturation in North American and European Markets4.2.3 Development of Self-Lubricating Equipment4.3 Opportunities4.3.1 Need of Bio-Based Greases in Evironmentally Sensitive CountriesMarket segmentation and Analysis5.1 By Base Oils5.1.1 Group I (Solvent Refined)5.1.2 Group II (Hydrotreated)5.1.3 Group III (Hydrocracked)5.1.4 Group IV (Polyalphaolefins (PAOs))5.1.5 Group V5.1.6 Others5.2 By Thickeners5.2.1 Metal Soaps5.2.1.1 Lithium Soap5.2.1.2 Calcium Soap5.2.1.3 Aluminum Soap5.2.1.4 Sodium Soap5.2.1.5 Other Metallic Soaps5.2.2 Other Thickeners5.2.2.1 Organo Clay5.2.2.2 Polyurea5.3 By Additives5.3.1 To Enhace desirable Properties5.3.2 To Suppress Undesirable Properties5.3.3 To add New Properties5.4 By Applications5.4.1 Mining5.4.2 Pharmaceutical5.4.3 Auto Manufacturing5.4.4 Construction5.4.5 Railways5.4.6 Food and beverage5.4.7 Wind Turbines5.4.8 OthersRegional Market Analysis (Market size, growth and forecast)6.1 Asia-Pacific6.1.1 China6.1.2 India6.1.3 Japan6.1.4 Australia6.1.5 Others6.2 Europe6.2.1 Germany6.2.2 France6.2.3 Italy6.2.4 UK6.2.5 Others6.3 North America6.3.1 USA6.3.2 Canada6.3.3 Others6.4 South America6.4.1 Brazil6.4.2 Argentina6.4.3 Columbia6.4.4 Others6.5 MEA6.5.1 Saudi Arabia6.5.2 South AfricaFuture of Grease MarketCompetitive Landscape8.1 Mergers & Acquisitions8.2 Joint Ventures, Collaborations and Agreements8.3 Market Share Analysis8.4 Strategies Adopted by Leading PlayersProfiles of Key Companies (Overview, Products & Services, Financials, Recent Developments)9.1 Axel Christiernsson9.2 Belray LLC9.3 Castrol9.4 Chevron9.5 CNPC9.6 Dow Corning9.7 ETS Australia9.8 Exxon Mobil9.9 FUCHS9.10 Joyrun9.11 JX Nippon Oil and Energy Corp.9.12 Kluber Lubrication9.13 Lopal9.14 Lubriplate9.15 Petromin Corporation9.16 Shell9.17 Sinopec9.18 SKF9.19 Total9.20 Whitmore10. DisclaimerContinue.Buy this report @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. 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The Anti-money Laundering Software market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Anti-money Laundering Software industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Ask a sample or any question, please email to:hebe@qyresearchglobal.com or hebe@qyresearch.comPlayers covering:ACI WorldwideAML360AML PartnersEastNetsExperianFiservNice ActimizeOracleSafe Banking SystemsSASSunGardThomson ReutersTonbellerTruth TechnologiesVerafinAquilanAscent Technology ConsultingBankers ToolboxCellent Finance SolutionsCS&SKey Topics Covered:Chapter One Industry Overview of Anti-money Laundering SoftwareChapter Two Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Anti-money Laundering SoftwareChapter Three Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Anti-money Laundering SoftwareChapter Four Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Anti-money Laundering Software by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Five Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Anti-money Laundering Software by Regions, Types and ManufacturersChapter Six Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Anti-money Laundering Software by Regions, Types and ApplicationsChapter Seven Supply, Import, Export and Consumption Analysis of Anti-money Laundering SoftwareChapter Eight Major Manufacturers Analysis of Anti-money Laundering SoftwareChapter Nine Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Anti-money Laundering SoftwareChapter Ten Industry Chain Analysis of Anti-money Laundering SoftwareChapter Eleven Development Trend of Analysis of Anti-money Laundering SoftwareChapter Twelve New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Anti-money Laundering SoftwareChapter Thirteen Conclusion of the Global Anti-money Laundering Software Industry 2017 Market Research ReportRelated Reports:US Anti-money Laundering Software Industry Market Research Report 2017Europe Anti-money Laundering Software Industry Market Research Report 2017India Anti-money Laundering Software Industry Market Research Report 2017China Anti-money Laundering Software Industry Market Research Report 2017Korea Anti-money Laundering Software Industry Market Research Report 2017Japan Anti-money Laundering Software Industry Market Research Report 2017Would like to place an order or any question, please feel free to contact me~O(_)O~Hebe | Sr. Manager Global SalesProfessional Market Research Report PublisherQYResearch Co.LtdQYResearch focus on Market Survey and ResearchPhone: +86 20 2209 3278Email: hebe@qyresearchglobal.com or hebe@qyresearch.comWeb:About QYResearch LtdQYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. the company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience). Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team).QYResearch LtdAddress: Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District Guangzhou City Guangdong Province 510610 ChinaPhone: +86 20 2209 3278Email: hebe@qyresearchglobal.com Geekologie has shut down. Thank you to everybody. Now go be happy. Non-Life Insurance In South Africa, Key Trends And Opportunities To 2020 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1107591 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/1107591 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Non-Life Insurance in South Africa, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Non-Life InsuranceTimetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in South Africa, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the South African non-life insurance segment, and a comparison of the South African insurance industry with its regional counterparts.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).Get Sample Copy of this report @The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the South African economy and demographics, explains the various types of natural hazard and their impact on the South African insurance industry, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.View Report @SummaryTimetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in South Africa Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the South African non-life insurance segment, including:The South African non-life segments detailed outlook by product categoryA comprehensive overview of the South African economy and demographicsA comparison of the South African non-life insurance segment with its regional counterpartsThe various distribution channels in the South African non-life insurance segmentDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the South African insurance industryDetails of the competitive landscape in the non-life insurance segment in South AfricaDetails of regulatory policy applicable to the South African insurance industryScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the non-life insurance segment in South Africa:It provides historical values for the South African non-life insurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the South African non-life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.It provides a comparison of the South African non-life insurance segment with its regional counterpartsIt analyzes the various distribution channels for non-life insurance products in South Africa.It analyzes various natural and man-made hazards and their impact on South African insurance industryIt profiles the top non-life insurance companies in South Africa, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the South African non-life insurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the South African non-life insurance segment.Assess the competitive dynamics in the non-life insurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the South African insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsNon-life insurance penetration stood at 2.5% in 2015, the largest in Southern Africa.Property insurance was the largest category during the review period.South African liability insurance was the third largest category during the review period, with a 4.7% share in terms of gross written premium in 2015.Marine, aviation and transit insurance was the smallest category in the South African non-life segment in 2015, accounting for 3.2% of the total non-life gross written premium.In terms of frequency, floods were the main hazard during the period, accounting for 37.9% of all natural disasters.The South African non-life insurance segment is highly competitive, and contains both domestic and foreign insurers.Table of Contents1 Key Facts and Highlights2 Executive Summary3 Economy and Demographics4 Segment Outlook4.1 Regional Comparison4.2 Segment Indicators4.2.1 Gross written premium4.2.2 Claims4.2.3 Profitability4.2.4 Assets and investments5 Outlook by Category5.1 Property Insurance5.1.1 Product overview5.1.2 Claims5.1.3 Profitability5.2 Motor Insurance5.2.1 Product overview5.2.2 Claims5.2.3 Profitability5.3 Liability Insurance5.3.1 Product overview5.3.2 Claims5.3.3 Profitability5.4 Marine, Aviation and Transit Insurance5.4.1 Product overview5.4.2 Claims5.4.3 Profitability6 Distribution Channel OutlookMarketResearchReports.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.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Reinsurance In South Africa, Key Trends And Opportunities To 2020 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1107593 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/1107593 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Reinsurance in South Africa, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About ReinsuranceTimetrics 'Reinsurance in South Africa, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the South African reinsurance segment.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).Get Sample Copy of this report @The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country, gives a comprehensive overview of the South African economy and demographics, and provides detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the South African insurance industry.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.View Report @SummaryTimetrics 'Reinsurance in South Africa Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the South African reinsurance segment, including:An outlook of the South African reinsurance segmentA comprehensive overview of the South African economy and demographicsDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the South African insurance industryThe competitive landscape in the South African reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in South Africa:It provides historical values for the South African reinsurance segment for the reports 20112015 review period, and projected figures for the 20152020 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the South African reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020.It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in South Africa, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects.It analyzes various natural and man-made hazards and their impact on the South African insurance industryReasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the South African reinsurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the South African reinsurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the South African insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsThe South African reinsurance segment recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% during the review period (20112015).The premium ceded by the non-life segment was 29.3% in 2015, which was followed by the personal accident and health segment with 8.0% and the life segment with 4.5%.The South African reinsurance segment is highly concentrated, with the six leading companies accounting for 85.6% of the segments total gross written premium in 2015.The reduced severity of natural disasters in South Africa during the review period resulted in excess reinsurance capacity.Reinsurance forms an integral component of South Africas risk management plans, due to the frequent occurrences of natural disasters.MarketResearchReports.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.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Diabetic Footwear Market to Rear Excessive Growth till 2023 Allied Market Research https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2289 According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Diabetic Footwear Market by Distribution Channel, End User, and Footwear: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023, the diabetic footwear market size was valued at $4,994 million in 2016, and is estimated to reach $8,148 million by 2023, registering a CAGR of 7.6% from 2017 to 2023. In 2017, number of women diabetic footwear market share and specialty stores segments share dominated the global market share.North America is the market leader and accounts for 40% share of the global market in 2017, followed by Europe. North America is anticipated to dominate the market throughout the analysis period, due to the increasing diabetic population, more awareness regarding diabetic shoes and easy availability of these shoes.In addition, Asia-Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period. The Diabetic footwear market is witnessing growth in the developing countries of Asia-Pacific due to the rising diabetic population, increase in disposable income and growing awareness about the diabetic footwear. The countries such as Japan and China are contributing more in the diabetic footwear market due to the high old age population which is high risk diabetic population. For instance, about 26% of Japans population is 60 years and above, and are more prone to diabetes. Therefore, companies have started investing in the diabetics footwear market.The key driver of the global diabetic footwear market is associated with rapid increase in diabetic cases and cases pertaining to foot deformities, ulcers, and others along with its costs of treatment, which continue to escalate annually. Increase in disposable income, improvement in GDP, and expenditure on healthcare, the orthopedic/diabetic footwear market has gained popularity in markets, globally. Furthermore, majority of local players are increasingly competing for market share by improvising their shoe designs and expanding their market.Furthermore, increased e-commerce market within major economies also aid the high market growth rate. E-commerce channels are expected to gain popularity in diabetic footwear market in the near future with some restraints, such as lesser awareness among consumers, customer-related carelessness, and higher cost issue.Key Findings of the Diabetic Footwear Market: North America leads the global diabetic footwear market, followed by the European region. Asia-Pacific is growing with the highest CAGR of 8.6%, with the major share contributed by India and China. The women end-user segment accounted for the highest market share with nearly 65% in 2016; however, the men end-user segment is anticipated to witness highest demand during the forecast period. The online platform for diabetic footwear is expected to show better growth rate as compared to specialty stores and footwear stores. The shoe footwear type segment possesses higher market share and is expected to witness a considerable growth during the forecast period.Get PDf brochure of this report study @The key players profiled in this report include Aetrex Industries, Inc. (U.S.), New Balance Atheltics, Inc. (U.S.), Orthofeet, Inc. (U.S.), DJO Global, Inc. (U.S.), Drew Shoe Corporation (U.S.), Podartis Srl (Italy), Propet USA, Inc. (U.S.), Hush Puppies Retail, Inc. (U.S.), Skechers U.S.A., Inc (U.S.), and Dr. Zen Products, Inc. (U.S)About Us:Allied Market Research is the best destination for your research and analytical solutions; simply because our primary and secondary sources of information are adroit to give one stop solutions. We creatively combine primary and secondary research in correct proportion to have the best report which not only provides latest information but also helps you grow.Our generated reports and analysis gives an all-round view of industrial trends, complete picture of market forces and industrial growth rates.We have in-house one of the best teams that use very fair means to gather information which is scrutinized at every stage. Their vision and liveliness makes work swift and creates the best research reports. Our professional analysts have a great range of experience and expertise that make work accurate and error free. We work as a bridge between you and very crucial business information that can go waste otherwise. Hence, our bridge is strong and constructed on the core value of trust, integrity and authenticity.5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220,United States.Int'l: +1-503-894-6022Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285Fax: +1-800-792-5285help@alliedmarketresearch.com Reinsurance In Vietnam, Key Trends And Opportunities To 2018 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/242359 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/242359 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Reinsurance in Vietnam, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2018 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Reinsurance in VietnamThe report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Vietnamese reinsurance segment, including:The Vietnamese reinsurance segment's growth prospects by reinsurance categoryKey drivers for the reinsurance segmentVietnamese reinsurance segments growth prospects by reinsurance ceded from direct insuranceThe competitive landscape in the Vietnamese reinsurance segmentGet Sample Copy of this report @Executive summaryDespite the financial crisis, the Vietnamese reinsurance segment recorded stable growth during the review period (20092013). This was primarily due to the increasing cost of reinsurance protection, the expansion of direct insurance, and a greater understanding of the benefits of reinsurance. The number of dedicated reinsurers increased from one to two in 2011, although some of the countrys larger insurers, such as Bao Viet and Bao Minh, conducted their own reinsurance operations in 2013.The segments gross written premium increased from VND2.1 trillion (US$0.1 billion) in 2009 to VND5.6 trillion (US$0.3 billion) in 2013, at a review-period compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.7%. The high frequency of natural disasters prompted insurance companies to increase the percentage of premium ceded to reinsurers. The segments value is expected to increase from VND5.6 trillion (US$0.3 billion) in 2013 to VND12.5 trillion (US$0.5 billion) in 2018, at a forecast-period (20132018) CAGR of 17.4%.View Report @ScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in Vietnam:It provides historical values for Vietnams reinsurance segment for the reports 20092013 review period, and projected figures for the 20132018 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in Vietnams reinsurance segment, along with market forecasts until 2018.It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in Vietnamese its growth prospects.Reasons to buyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Vietnamese reinsurance segment and each sector within itUnderstand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Vietnamese reinsurance segmentIdentify the growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categoriesGain insights into key regulations governing the Vietnamese insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's futureKey highlightsDespite the financial crisis, the Vietnamese reinsurance segment recorded stable growth during the review period.The number of dedicated reinsurers increased from one to two in 2011, although some of the countrys larger insurers, such as Bao Viet and Bao Minh, conducted their own reinsurance operations in 2013.The high frequency of natural disasters prompted insurance companies to increase the percentage of premium ceded to reinsurers.The cumulative effect of expansion of Vietnam's insurance industry generated more business for reinsurance, a trend that is expected to continue over the forecast period.The key growth driver is anticipated to be government regulations on higher capital requirements for insurers in March 2013.Tables Of Contents1 Key Facts and Events2 Executive Summary3 Introduction3.1 What is this Report About?3.2 Definitions3.3 Methodology4 Vietnamese Insurance Industry Attractiveness4.1 Insurance Industry Size, 200920185 Reinsurance Growth Dynamics and Challenges5.1 Reinsurance Segment Size, 200920185.2 Reinsurance Segment Size by Type of Insurance, 200920186 Key Industry Drivers6.1 Reinsurance Drivers6.2 Life Insurance Drivers6.3 Non-Life Insurance Drivers6.4 Personal Accident and Health Insurance Drivers7 Competitive Landscape and Strategic Insights7.1 Overview7.2 Leading Companies in the Vietnamese Reinsurance Segment7.3 Vietnam National Reinsurance Corporation Company Overview7.3.1 Vietnam National Reinsurance Corporation key facts7.4 PVI Reinsurance Company Company Overview7.4.1 PVI Reinsurance Company key factsMarketResearchReports.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.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Revenue Management Systems Market 2017 Global Trend, Segmentation and Opportunities Forecast To 2021 https://goo.gl/ct9uc3 https://goo.gl/K0Cer4 https://goo.gl/PdBzlK https://goo.gl/rY0qXv https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/ Big Market Research include new market research report Global Revenue Management Systems Market Research Report Forecast 2017-2021Get Sample@The Global Revenue Management Systems Market Research Report Forecast 2017-2021 is a valuable source of insightful data for business strategists. It provides the Revenue Management Systems industry overview with growth analysis and historical & futuristic cost, revenue, demand and supply data (as applicable). The research analysts provide an elaborate description of the value chain and its distributor analysis. This Revenue Management Systems market study provides comprehensive data which enhances the understanding, scope and application of this report.Key market segments and sub-segmentsEvolving market trends and dynamicsChanging supply and demand scenariosQuantifying market opportunities through market sizing and market forecastingTracking current trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive insightsOpportunity mapping in terms of technological breakthroughsCheck Details and Sample Enquire@Global Revenue Management Systems Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGet Discount@The Major players reported in the market include:Revenue Management SystemsMicrosoftIDeaS Revenue SolutionsAmdocsComverseSyniverse TechnologiesAlcatel-LucentOracleCSG InternationalTable of ContentsChapter 1 Revenue Management Systems Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on Revenue Management Systems IndustryChapter 3 Global Revenue Management Systems Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 4 Global Revenue Management Systems Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)Chapter 5 Global Revenue Management Systems Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)Chapter 6 Global Revenue Management Systems Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeCheck Full Report With TOC@About Us:Big Market Research uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us:Contact Us:5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesDirect: +1-971-202-1575Toll Free No: +1-800-910-6452Email: help@bigmarketresearch.comWeb: Global Biodiesel Catalyst Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 http://www.globalinforesearch.com/goods.php?id=8606 http://www.globalinforesearch.com/goods_all.php http://www.globalinforesearch.com/goods_all.php Full information Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines that is produced by chemically reacting a vegetable oil or animal fat with an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol.The chemical reaction used to make biodiesel requires a catalyst. A catalyst is usually a chemical added to the reaction mixture to speed up the reaction. Since the catalyst is not consumed in the reaction, it will be left over at the end in some form. In biodiesel production, the actual compound that catalyzes the reaction is called methoxide. One common way to make methoxide is to dissolve sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in methanol. Large producers buy a solution of sodium methoxide in methanol that is much safer to work with.(GIR-Globalinforesearch) Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Biodiesel Catalyst 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 coversEvonikBASFTSS GroupDupontCamera AgriculturaDOWAlbemarleSud-ChemieMarket 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, coversHydroxideSodium MethylateMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Biodiesel Catalyst market.Chapter 1, to describe Biodiesel Catalyst Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Biodiesel Catalyst, with sales, revenue, and price of Biodiesel Catalyst, 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 Biodiesel Catalyst, 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, Biodiesel Catalyst market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Biodiesel Catalyst sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceMarcoSales Director (GIR-GlobalInfoResearch)E-mailmarco@globalinforesearch.comTel: HK:00852-58197708 USA:0013479661888Add: Room 1902 Two International Finance Centre 8 Finance Street, Central Hong KongWebsite:GlobalInfoResearch is a customer interest-based suppliers. Is in the best interests of our clients, they determine our every move. At the same time, we have great respect for the views of customers. With the improvement of the quality of our research, we develop custom interdisciplinary and comprehensive solution. For further development, we will do better and better.GlobalInfoResearch will with excellent professional knowledge and experience to carry out all aspects of our business. At the same time, we will fully look for information, to give a more comprehensive development.GlobalinforesearchRoom 1902 Two Interational Finance Centre 8 Finance Street,Central Hong KongUSA:0013479661888 HK:00852-58197708Email Id: marco@globalinforesearch.comWebsite: Ignition Coil Market: Industry Analysis, Future Growth, Business Prospects and Global Forecast to 2023 Ignition Coil Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/ignition-coil-market-3019 Market Research Future published a half cooked research report on ignition coil. The global market for ignition coil is majorly driven by factors such as rising automotive production, stringent fuel efficiency and emission norms and among others.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 20 market data tables and 15 figures spread over 110 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global Ignition Coil Market Research Report - Forecast to 2023.Market Highlights:The global market of ignition coil is growing rapidly. Technological advancement and heavy investments are helping both automotive glass manufacturers and consumers. Major factors such as rising automotive production, government initiatives, and strengthening transportation infrastructure are some of the factors driving the market. The use of new and improved electronic ignition system provides lesser deposits and a much cleaner combustion than the conventional ignition system. The global automotive ignition coil market is driven by continuous growth of global automotive production. The high growth in automotive production, especially in developing countries such as China, India and Mexico, is expected to spur the global ignition coil market.Key Players of Ignition Coil Market: Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany) BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH (Germany) Delphi Automotive PLC (UK) Denso Corporation (Japan) Federal-Mogul Corporation (US) Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan) Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. (U.S.) Wings Automobile Products Pvt. Ltd (India)Market Research Future Analysis:Market Research Future analysis show that the global market of ignition coil is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 3.8 % by the end of year 2023. Demand for vehicles is consequently high in Asia-Pacific, with China and India projected as the most promising markets. Lower manufacturing cost with cheap labor, advantage of location of production base and short-distance supply are some of the factors, which boost the market in Asia-Pacific.Brief 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 Ignition Coil Market, By Type4.1 Compression Ignition4.2 Spark Ignition4.3 Battery4.4 Others5 Global Ignition Coil Market, By Component5.1 Introduction5.2 Spark Plug5.3 Ignition Coil5.4 Capacitor5.5 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 Components, Application, Technologies and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Egg Powder Processing Unit-Business Feasibility Study Report + Business Model + Business Plan and Project Report Egg Powder According to MBSPLs latest report, the Egg Powder sector is growing at an average CAGR of 6% by value and 20% by volume. This sector is growing at a faster pace as compared to agriculture industry; which is growing at an average of 2-3% annually. The most influencing factor of this sector is the increase in per capita consumption of eggs and egg powder i.e. people are shifting towards protein food supplements.As the global economy is climbing, the risk of starvation is also rising; egg powders nutritional composition can play a vital role in resolving this problem for many countries. It has a wide range of uses from your home kitchen to bakeries and, also used as military food. As if now India is supplying Egg Powder to more than 10 countries globally. In the future, we have a vision that Egg Powder will turn to be a daily-use food supplement.These reports comprise a complete study of the Egg processing sector and, an overview of the global market. We can understand the complications and problems which occur while implementing any business idea; thus these reports can assist you.What is Business Feasibility Study Report? Egg Powder Processing UnitIt describes Industry Overview, Market Feasibility, Technical Feasibility, Legal feasibility, Sales Feasibility, Infrastructure Feasibility etc. Also emphases on Market Position, Demand, Market Size, Statistics, Market Dynamics, and Trends. This report provides a comprehensive business feasibility analysis and helps you to take a decision of starting up business.What will I get from this report? It will give you a brief idea about Egg Powder processing business. It will give you a brief information of processing plant. It will give you the information required budget, daily expenses, and profitability. It will provide you market-related information.What is Business Modelling? Egg Powder Processing UnitIt describes Industry Overview, Types, Variants and business options from the industry. Business Models included explains the key details, prerequisites, market, pricing/costing, infrastructural requirements etc. This information enables you to analyze to decide your startup plan with resources available to you. Also emphases on Market Position, Demand, Market Size, Statistics, Market Dynamics, and Trends. This report provides a comprehensive business modeling analysis and helps you to take the decision of starting up business.What will I get from this report? It will give you a brief idea about the milk processing business. It will give models/options available in the Egg Powder Processing industry with its key details. It will help you to plan and get most feasible, potential and profitable business options with your same resources available. It will give you the information required budget, daily expenses, and profitability.What is a Business Plan / Project Report? Egg Powder Processing UnitIt describes Industry Overview, Business Feasibility, Business Modeling, Business Planning, Financial, Technical aspects of the business idea. Also emphases on Market Position, Demand, Market Size, Statistics, Market Dynamics, and Trends. This report also describes the infrastructure required, the budget required, pricing and costing of feed, fodder and final products. This report provides a comprehensive business analysis and helps you to understand business and help you to raise the funds.The Business Plan / Project Reports inclusions. Detailed Financial Projections and Calculations 3 Yrs/5 Yrs. Systematic Sales and Marketing Plan. Production and Operational Plan Admin and HR Plan Registration and Legal information related to project set up. Strategic Portfolio. And much more.What will I get from this report? It will give you a brief idea about Egg Powder Processing business. It will give you knowledge on technical, commercial aspects of milk processing unit. It will give you the information required budget, daily expenses, and profitability. It will provide you market-related information. It will give you all the information which is necessary to start-up.Key questions answered in these reports:- What is the feasibility of starting an egg powder processing unit in India? What are the most important affecting factors for egg powder processing unit? Which are the high-growth market segments in egg processing units? With what capacity of processing per day one should start? What are the requirements for starting an egg powder processing unit? What will be the budget for xx tons per day capacity of the plant? How to minimize the production cost? What are the market forecasts and estimates from the period 2017-2022? What are the major drivers, trends, restraints, threats, and opportunities in the market? Who are the major players in the industry? How to get a loan or raise funds to start an egg powder processing unit? How to operate the plant?All these and many more question will be answered in the report with detailed information.Why should one get these innovative reports? These are the most innovative format of the reports which helps you take the decision about the business idea on the basis of information provided in. Most systematically researched and constructed reports. Prepared by the experts and professionals from the industry.How can I order this report? You can ask for all business planning reports related to the subject. Drop a line about your interest to info@meticulousbizsol.com OR fill up the inquiry form.About Meticulous Business Solutions Private LimitedMeticulous Business Solutions is founded in 2013 and incorporated as Meticulous Business Solutions Private Limited in 2016 as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956. Since its incorporation, the company has become the provider of premium Start-Up Consultations in India.MBSPL's is having a very conscientious team of business experts. With the meticulous techniques and, analyzing capability, we have built a great reputation in analyzing the current market needs and feasibility of a business, potential and profitable business variants and the actual process from start to end, to start a business. We at MBSPL, work with you closely to understand your dream business, right from its conceptualization to its commercialization. We help you to set up your dream business and help you to bridge the gaps in the process of making it a reality with our meticulously designed and uniquely crafted solutions. We are dedicated to nurture and promote entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurship challenges, which we face, are complex, but our understanding of its intricacies has grown and continues to grow considerably.Today, business needs are constantly evolving due to the quickened pace of development in our society. Thus, it is essential to meet customer requirements continually and that should be reliable, beneficial and inspirational to society. So we are here to Shape Your Ideas.We understand the initial decision-making process of starting a new business and, would like to assure you that we do have all the expertise and capabilities for planning your business venture. If you need any further information, clarification or guidance then please feel free to revert. We will be happy to consult you.Contact Us:Meticulous Business Solutions Private LimitedOffice 402, Second Floor, Pushpak Business Hub, Near Bhumkar Chowk, Wakad, Pune, Maharashtra 411057Email- info@meticulousbizsol.comContact number - +91-9921 671 578 Global Network as a Service Market Size, Competitors Strategy, Regional Analysis and Growth Forecast to 2022 Global Network as a Services Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2251 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/network-as-a-service-market-2251 Market Highlights:Network as a Service (NaaS) Market is expected to grow at CAGR of 28.4% during the forecast period and expected to reach market size of US $126.8 Billion by the end of forecast period. The network as a service (NaaS) market is growing rapidly with the emerging need of connecting various devices wirelessly. The growing demand of the NB-IoT solutions among the enterprise companies help to increase the utilization of their assets in the optimum way, the usage of these solutions caters in creating the standardization in 3rd generation partnership projects, provides robust authentication and for global coverage.During the study it was found that the network function visualization (NFV) in the network as a service market is emerging rapidly. It enables the smartphone to interact with something in close proximity. It provides connectivity between two devices which are active at the same time and are able to send and receive data in the real time. The technology helps in transmission and receiving of data by the use of radio waves. This is followed by bandwidth on demand which is utilized for network connectivity service that allows the user to request bandwidth at the desired level as and when they are required. It also allows the individual to customize the connectivity parameter by providing the control to the user.Request a Sample Copy of Report @Major Key Players in Network as a Service Market are Alcatel Lucent (U.S.) Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (U.S.) Ciena Corporation (U.S) Cisco Systems (U.S.) IBM Corp. (U.S.) Juniper Networks (U.S.) NEC Corp. (Japan) VMware (U.S.) Aryaka Networks Inc. (U.S.) AT&T (U.S.)Network as a Service (NaaS) MarketGlobal Network as a Service (NaaS) Market has been segmented on the basis of type, service, component, deployment and end-user. Type comprises of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN). Service comprises of network virtual function (NVF), WAN connection, Data Center, Bandwidth On Demand, and others.Component comprises of Infrastructure and technological service. Deployment comprises of On Cloud and On Premises. Whereas, end-user includes IT & telecommunication, BFSI, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail, Transportation and others.Regional Analysis:North America is expected to propel the market due to the intense research and development in the field of telecom industry technology related to network expansion, high penetration of Internet of Things, and growth of a number of IoT and cloud related technology in the region. Europe has been benefitted mainly due to the extensive initiatives taken by government. Whereas, Asia Pacific market is expected to witness the fastest growth due to increasing awareness among individual, and development of technology hubs in the region.North America region is expected to hold a highest market share with the existence of early technology adopters in the region. The region also has existence of technologically advanced countries such as U.S. and Canada which are promoting the application related network as a service (NaaS) market.Intended Audience: Network infrastructure providers Wireless infrastructure provider SDN solution providers Cloud and virtualized datacenters Mobile network operatorsBrowse Report Details @Table of Contents1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope Of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market Structure2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Network Solution2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Data Collection, Analysis & Forecast2.4.2 Market Size EstimationContinued.List of TablesTable 1 Global Network As A Service Market, By TypeTable 2 Global Networks As A Service Market, By ServiceTable 3 Global Networks As A Service Market, By ComponentTable 4 Global Networks As A Service Market, By DeploymentTable 5 Global Networks As A Service Market, By End UserTable 6 Global Networks As A Service Market, By RegionsContinued..List of FiguresFigure 1 Research Network SolutionFigure 2 Global Network As A Service Market: By Type (%)Figure 3 Global Network As A Service Market: By Service (%)Figure 4 Global Network As A Service Market: By Component (%)Continued..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 United States Bridge Rectifier Market Report 2017 Bridge Rectifier https://www.reporthive.com/request-sample.php?id=845989 https://www.reporthive.com/details/united-states-bridge-rectifier-market-report-2017-x000d http://www.reporthive.com Report Hive Market Research Released a New Research Report of 112 pages on Title "United States Bridge Rectifier Market Report 2017" with detailed Analysis, Forecast and Strategies.A diode extension is a course of action of (at least four) diodes in a scaffold circuit arrangement that gives a similar extremity of yield for either extremity of information.At the point when utilized as a part of its most basic application, for transformation of a substituting current contribution to an immediate current yield, it is known as a scaffold rectifier. An extension rectifier gives full-wave correction from a two-wire AC input, bringing about lower cost and weight when contrasted with a rectifier with a 3-wire contribution from a transformer with an inside tapped optional winding.The fundamental component of a diode scaffold is that the extremity of the yield is the same paying little heed to the extremity at the info. The diode connect circuit was concocted by Polish electrotechnician Karol Pollak and protected on 14 Jan, 1896 under the number DRP 96564. It was later distributed in Elektronische Zeitung, vol. 25 in 1897 with comment that German physicist Leo Graetz likewise was examining this matter around then. Today the circuit is still regularly alluded as Graetz circuit or Graetz connect.For More Information Request Research Sample:In this report, the United States Bridge Rectifier 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 splits the United States market into seven regions: The West,Southwest,The Middle Atlantic,,New England,The South,The Midwest with sales (volume), revenue (value), market share and growth rate of Bridge Rectifier in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast).United States Bridge Rectifier market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Bridge Rectifier sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including : Fairchild,Vishay,IXYS,Diodes Incorporated,Infineon,Liteon,Semikron,Taiwan Semiconductor,Comchip,Microsemi,ON Semiconductor,Rectron,Shindengen,Bourns,Central semiconductor,GeneSiCOn the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume, revenue, product price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoFull-Bridge RectifierHalf-Bridge RectifierOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Bridge Rectifier for each application, includingAutomotiveCommercialIndustrialMedicalIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Browse Full Report:Key questions answered in the report What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2022? What are the key factors driving Bridge Rectifier? What are the key market trends impacting the growth of Bridge Rectifier? 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 vendors in Bridge Rectifier? Trending factors influencing the market shares of the Americas, APAC, and EMEA? What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of Bridge Rectifier?We are a leading repository of market research reports and solutions catering to industries like Comm & Technology, Energy & Power, Food And Beverages, Automotive & Transportation, Healthcare & Life Science etc. This large collection of reports assists organizations in decision-making on aspects such as market entry strategies, market sizing, market share analysis, competitive analysis, product portfolio analysis and opportunity analysis among others. We also assist in determining the best suited and targeted report from our large repository of global reports, company-specific reports and country-level reports.Mike RossMarketing Managermike.ross@reporthive.comPhone: +1 312-604-7084Sainath Nagar, Vadgaon Sheri,Pune, Maharashtra 411014 Global Permanent Magnets Market Share, Size, Trends And Growth Rate From 2017 To 2022 http://www.expertmarketresearch.com/request?type=report&id=73&flag=B http://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/permanent-magnets-market http://www.expertmarketresearch.com/categories/chemicals-market-reports www.expertmarketresearch.com Permanent magnet is an object which is made by processing ferromagnetic materials in a powerful magnetic field. One of its distinctive attributes is its high degree of retentivity which enables it to retain magnetism so as to maintain a large magnetic flow even in the absence of an applied magnetizing field.Request sample report @Moreover, as compared to other energy storage devices, permanent magnet does not perform any network on its surroundings due to which its performance is not affected by repeated usage. Owing to the aforementioned characteristics, it finds numerous applications across various industries.According to a new report by Expert Market Research, the global permanent magnets market reached a consumption value of US$ 16,808 Million in 2016 and is further expected to reach US$ 23,979 Million by 2022. Over the past several years, the demand for permanent magnets has accelerated as usage of energy-efficient technology and devices has been on a rise. Some of the other factors that have further added to the market growth include its expanding applications, focus on reduction of carbon footprint, advancements in information and communication technology and infrastructural developments in emerging markets.Key findings from the report:Various types of permanent magnets are Ferrite, Neodymium Iron Boron, Aluminium Nickel Cobalt and Samarium Cobalt.The end-uses of permanent magnets include Data Storage Devices (HDD, CD, DVD), Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Electric Bicycles, Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioners (HVAC), Wind Turbines and Others. In 2016, Data Storage Devices represented the largest end-use segment with the majority of the market share.Region-wise, China dominated the market with a share of more than two-third of the total global production in 2016. It was followed by Japan, United States and Europe and Others.Being fragmented in nature, the global permanent magnets market is surrounded by a number of players, namely, Advanced Technology & Materials Co. Ltd, Beijing Zhong Ke San Huan High-Tech Co. Ltd, BGRIMM Magnetic Materials & Technology Co. Ltd., Adams Magnetic Products Corporation, Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corporation, Bunting Magnetics Corporation, Jiashan Pengcheng Magnets Co. Ltd, Hitachi Metals America Ltd., Magnetics, Inc. and Master Magnetics, Inc.Read full report with TOC @Expert Market Research has analysed the global permanent magnets market according to type, end-use, major regions and top players:Market breakup by Type- Ferrite- Neodymium Iron Boron- Aluminium Nickel Cobalt- Samarium CobaltMarket breakup by End-use- Data Storage Devices (HDD, CD and DVD)- Hybrid Electric Vehicles- Electric Bicycles- Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioners (HVAC)- Wind Turbine- OthersMarket breakup by Region- China- Japan- United States- Europe- OthersTop players- Advanced Technology & Materials Co., Ltd- Beijing Zhong Ke San Huan High-Tech Co., Ltd- BGRIMM Magnetic Materials & Technology Co., Ltd.- Adams Magnetic Products Corporation- Arnold Magnetic Technologies Corporation- Bunting Magnetics Corporation- Jiashan Pengcheng Magnets Co., Ltd- Hitachi Metals America Ltd.- Magnetics, Inc.- Master Magnetics, Inc.Browse more reports on chemical & material research @About Expert Market ResearchExpert Market Research (EMR) is a market research and consultancy firm providing syndicated and custom research along with consultancy services to a wide clientele base which includes Fortune 1000 companies as well as small and medium enterprises. With our tailored approach, the clients gain valuable and unbiased insights that help to improve their competitive edge and realize sustainable growth.With a keen focus on the qualitative aspect as well as accuracy of the reports, we align our resources and services as per the clients requirement and offer a flexible engagement model that best suits their needs. We offer market intelligence across a range of industry verticals which include Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverage, Technology, Retail, Chemical & Materials, Energy & Mining, Packaging and Agriculture.Contact usExpert Market Research85 Broad StNew York, NY 10004United StatesWebsite:Email: sales@expertmarketresearch.comUS & Canada Phone no: +1-415-325-5166UK Phone no: +44-702-402-5790 Global Data Center Rack Market to witness an Intense Price Competition between Local and Global Vendors http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/reports/research-report-ict-market/data-center-rack-market-research-report/ http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/reports/research-report-ict-market/data-center-rack-market-research-report/ http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/contactus/request-sample/ http://www.beigemarketintelligence.com/data-center-rack-market-to-witness-price-competition-between-local-and-global-vendors/ The data center rack market is likely to witness a change in the coming years. The market, which is a major place of interest for many major IT companies, offers lucrative opportunities to global as well as local vendors.According to a research report by Beige Market Intelligence, the data center rack market will witness an intense price competition between local and global vendors during the period 20162022. This intensified price competition among vendors is considered as a major trend, which is expected to drive the data center rack market over the next five years.View the report here:The report Global Data Center Rack Market Strategic Assessment and Forecast 2017 2022 states that the price war among data center rack market vendors is similar in every geography, except the US. According to the market research report, in the US the leading ten vendors are mostly the global players who have presence in other geographies. For instance, Eaton, BlackBox, Emerson Network Power, HP, IBM, Rittal, Schneider Electric, and Trip Lite dominate the market in the US due to their presence across geographies.In the US, these players account for almost 80% of the market share, whereas local players account for 20% market share. One of the common trends for last ten years in the US market has been that buyers mostly prefer providers that offer both data center rack and servers. The presence of local vendors who are pureplay as rack providers has moderate presence.However, the scenario is different in EMEA. In EMEA, the market is shared equally among global vendors and local vendors. Many cloud service providers and large telecom operators such as Telefonica, BT, EE, and Telenor are following the trend of selecting server vendors along with the rack vendors. Hence, they prefer single vendors. Several other data center owners prefer low-cost data center racks to minimize their initial investment. For instance, Eaton is a major provider for racks and servers for major data center owners in the Nordic region for operation of their social network sites in the European region.The competition in APAC varies significantly. In APAC countries such as China, India, and Singapore, the local vendors account for almost 5565% of the market share. Moreover, the price competition between local players and global players is intense.Click Here To View The Report:Many vendors are preferring to have standardized 41U and 48U racks and moderate price to compete with other global vendors as well as local vendors. Since 2015, the global vendors of 51U racks have been offering customized racks and have gained a significant momentum. For instance, Rittal has more than 20 customized 51U rack customers that are revamping their data centers by enhancing the height of data centers.Order a Free Sample:Source Link:In case you need a report on a market in specific country or geography, please contact cs@beigemarketintelligence.com with your requirement and our research team will be glad to create a customized report for you.About Beige Market IntelligenceBeige Market Intelligence provides competitive and insightful business intelligence across various industry verticals. Our expertise and knowledge ensures that the analysis provided is comprehensive, detailed, and complete. The analysis helps our client organizations to make insightful decisions and devise marketing strategies for their businesses. The actionable insights delivered through our market research provide a comprehensive market analysis at every level of market segmentation in the industry.Our team of experts ensure the analysis is not just analyzed and presented but also can be customized depending upon the clients requirement. When it comes to competitive intelligence, we ensure our clients do not look beyond us.Our employment base is spread across the globe. Our analysts come with numerous quality reports and wide industry experience, which ensures understanding of the client's requirement and delivering high-quality research reports.Beige Market IntelligenceChinnapannahalli Main Road, Bangalore-560037Mail: contactus@beigemarketintelligence.comUS: +1 347 903 9949UK: +44 20 323 99499APAC: +91 99 012 75473 Ophthalmic Devices Market Will Procure US$ 42,685.1 million in 2020 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/ophthalmic-devices-market.asp http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/ophthalmic-devices-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3188 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Globally, the ophthalmic devices market is witnessing significant growth due to increasing prevalence of eye disorders, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. In addition, growing global aging population, increasing government initiatives towards healthcare infrastructure in developing countries, and increasing incidence of lifestyle-associated diseases are also driving the growth of the market. However, lack of awareness among people about eye disorders, poor primary healthcare infrastructure, and lack of insurance in developing countries hamper growth of the global ophthalmic devices market. In addition, eye diseases in children are also increasing due to the general lack of awareness.Browse Complete Report @According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research Global Market Study on Ophthalmic Devices: Asia to Witness Highest Growth by 2020, the global ophthalmic devices market was valued at USD 29,171.5 million in 2014 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2014 to 2020, to reach an estimated value of USD 42,685.1 million in 2020.The global ophthalmic devices market is anticipated to grow from an estimated USD 29,171.5 million in 2014 to USD 42,685.1 million in 2020 at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period.Age-related eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration, are the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in North America. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 22 million Americans aged 40 and above were affected by cataract and 2.3 million Americans were affected by glaucoma in 2011.In Europe, increasing prevalence of chronic eye diseases among the rising aging population is becoming a challenge for the European healthcare system. In France, the number of age-related macular degeneration cases was 0.3 million in 2000 and it is anticipated to increase by 0.5 million in 2020.Request to view table of content @However, glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy are the major causes of blindness in Asia. Cataract can be held responsible for 50% to 80% of all cases of blindness in Southeast Asia. The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration is also increasing in Asia due to increase in life expectancy and rising incidence of diabetes among the younger population. As per the Centre for Eye Research Australia, prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among people ranged between 17% and 22% in India and 43.1% in rural China in 2012.A sample of this report is available upon request @Johnson & Johnson, Essilor International, Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Novartis AG, HOYA CORPORATION and Abbott Laboratories, Inc. are some of the major players of ophthalmic devices market.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Smart Bottles Sales Market Report 2017 qyresearch http://qyresearcheurope.com/ http://qyresearchglobal.com/ Sample/TOC request, please email : josephine@qyresearch.comReport summaryThe report provides a basic overview of the Smart Bottles industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.The report then analyzes the global Smart Bottles market size (volume and value), and the sales segment market is also discussed by product type, application and region.The major Smart Bottles market (including USA, Europe, China, Japan, etc.) is analyzed, data including: market size, import and export, sale segment market by product type and application. Then we forecast the 2016-2021 market size of Smart Bottles .The report focuses on global major leading companies providing information such as company profiles, sales, sales revenue, market share and contact information. Then the Smart Bottles OEM market and Smart Bottles production market status is discussed.Finally the marketing, feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.Part of the Catalog for reference:2 Global Smart Bottles Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Smart Bottles Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Smart Bottles Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.1.2 Global Smart Bottles Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.2 Global Smart Bottles (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Smart Bottles Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.2.2 Global Smart Bottles Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.3 Global Smart Bottles (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Smart Bottles Sales and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.3.2 Global Smart Bottles Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.4 Global Smart Bottles (Volume) by Application3 USA Smart Bottles (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 USA Smart Bottles Sales and Value (2011-2016)3.1.1 USA Smart Bottles Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.2 USA Smart Bottles Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.3 USA Smart Bottles Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)3.2 USA Smart Bottles sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 USA Smart Bottles Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 USA Smart Bottles Sales and Market Share by Application...Contact me:QYRESEARCH CO., LTDVILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District Guangzhou ChinaJosephine Luo - QYResearch Report Global SalesEmail: josephine@qyresearch.comWeb:QYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business.Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District Guangzhou City Guangdong Province 510610 China Covering Machine Market - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2022 Covering Machine Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/391343 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-covering-machine-market-research-report-2017 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/391343 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/send-an-enquiry/391343 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com The write about "Worldwide Covering Machine Market" is an expert report which provides careful learning alongside total data relating to the Covering Machine industry a propos orders, definitions, applications, industry chain outline, industry arrangements notwithstanding plans, item particulars, fabricating forms, cost structures, and so forth.The Global Covering Machine Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Covering Machine Industry on a global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.For Requesting a Sample Copy of This Report, Please Visit:The potential of this industry segment has been rigorously investigated in conjunction with primary market challenges. The present market condition and future prospects of the segment has also been examined. Moreover, key strategies in the market that includes product developments, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, etc., are discussed. Besides, upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also conducted.Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Covering Machine Market on a regional as well as global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain. The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market. In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment.The report contains diverse profiles of primary market players of Covering Machine Market.1. AMF REECE2. AUTOMATEX3. Barudan4. MAGETRON5. SCHMALEDURATETo Browse the Entire Report, Visit:The report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the Covering Machine industry, present condition of the market, feasibleness of the investment along with several strategies and policies. Apart from the definition and classification, the report also discusses the analysis of import and export and describes a comparison of the market that is focused on the trends and development. Along with entire framework in addition to in-depth details, one can prepare and stay ahead of the competitors across the targeted locations. The fact that this market report renders details about the major market players along with their product development and current trends proves to be very beneficial for fresh entrants to comprehend and recognize the industry in an improved manner. The report also enlightens the productions, sales, supply, market condition, demand, growth, and forecast of the Covering Machine industry in the global markets.Every regions market has been studied thoroughly in this report which deals with the precise information pertaining to the Marketing Channels and novel project investments so that the new entrants as well as the established market players conduct intricate research of trends and analysis in these regional markets. Acknowledging the status of the environment and products up gradation, the market report foretells each and every detail.On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, Market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into:Single WireDouble WireThree WireOtherCheck for Discount @Some points from TOC:-7 Global Covering Machine Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 AMF REECE7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Covering Machine Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 AMF REECE Covering Machine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 AUTOMATEX7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Covering Machine Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 AUTOMATEX Covering Machine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Barudan7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Covering Machine Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Barudan Covering Machine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 MAGETRON7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Covering Machine Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 MAGETRON Covering Machine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 SCHMALEDURATE7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Covering Machine Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 SCHMALEDURATE Covering Machine Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview...Enquiry before Buying @About Us:QY Research Groups 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. QY Research Groups 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 world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb- Global Ortho Biological Products Market to Gain Impetus with the Rising Geriatric Patient Population: Forecast 2017-2022 Market Research Hub http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1081457 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-ortho-biological-products-market-research-report-2017-report.html http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ The use of ortho biologic products and inclusion of biology and biochemistry in the treatment of bone and soft tissue injuries has been a growing area of interest for surgeons in many fields. Presently, there is a growth of orthobiological products is driven by increasing awareness towards the adoption of ortho biologics and increasing number of orthopedic related procedures. A new study, focusing on the driving trends and the factors that are active in this market are analyzed by the researchers and now added to the wide portfolio of Market Research Hubs offerings, with a title of Global Ortho Biological Products Market Research Report 2017. This study offers detailed insights to the market current scenario and provides future growth predictions for the given forecast period of 2017 to 2022.Request Free Sample Report:Geographically, the research highlights some of the key regions including North America, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, Japan and India. For each region, it also carried out the details of production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate. Initially, an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the ortho biological products industry along with its key pointers such as development status, industrial chains, market drivers, barriers as well as investment opportunities for the companies in the coming few years are highlighted.Orthobiologics is a relatively new area of study that has captured the interest of orthopedic surgeons in their effort to find ways to facilitate the body's healing process. These products are made from substances that are naturally found in human body. These products are gaining popularity as it provides accelerated healing, faster recovery, and reduction in a number of hospital visits. As per the findings, currently, rising prevalence of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity needs therapeutic consideration and surgeries by utilizing orthobiological products is a major factor which is anticipated to boost the market growth during the forecast period. Rising worldwide geriatric patient base and rising outdoor activities combined with accidents are other important drivers for the business sector.Moreover, the report segments the market on the basis of product type which includes DBM, Allograft, BMP, Viscosupplementation, Machined Bones and others. Then, it has been further segmented by the end user/applications that contain Spinal Fusion, Tendon & Ligament Repair, Trauma, Reconstructive Surgeries and others. For each segment, the report carried out the details of production, revenue (value), price, market share and growth rate.Browse Full Report With TOC:Some of the key players dominating this market are Bioventus, Pioneer Surgical Technology, Bone Biologics, DePuySynthes, Medtronic, Baxter International, Stryker Corp, Smith and Nephew, Globus Medical, Allograft Tissue Systems, Berkeley Advanced Biomaterials, Integra Life Sciences, Sanofi and Tissue Genesis.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 Dinnerwares Market 2017 - Libbey, EveryWare Global, Arc International, Sisecam, Bormioli http://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/57729/request-sample https://goo.gl/4U735B www.fiormarkets.com www.9dimenreports.com Dinnerwares 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.In this report, the global Dinnerwares 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.Download Sample Report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Dinnerwares in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Dinnerwares market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingLibbeyEveryWare GlobalArc InternationalSisecamBormioli...On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoGlassStainless SteelPlasticCeramicsOtherAccess Full Report With TOC @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 Dinnerwares for each application, includingCommercial UseResidential UseTable of ContentsGlobal Dinnerwares Market Research Report 20171 Dinnerwares Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Dinnerwares1.3 Global Dinnerwares Segment by Application1.3.1 Dinnerwares Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Commercial Use1.3.3 Residential Use1.4 Global Dinnerwares Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Dinnerwares Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Dinnerwares (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Dinnerwares Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Dinnerwares Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Fior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales Manager2566, Lincoln StreetPrinceton,New Jersey 08540USAPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog: Global Soft Gelatin Capsules Market 2017 Overview, Production Techniques, Growth, Analysis to 2022 http://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/55053/request-sample https://goo.gl/9i31IX www.fiormarkets.com www.9dimenreports.com Focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with Production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer.Soft Gelatin Capsules market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability also lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The Global Soft Gelatin Capsules 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Soft Gelatin Capsules. 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 report, titled Soft Gelatin Capsules is an in-depth analysis of the Soft Gelatin Capsules market across the world. A brief historic overview of the Soft Gelatin Capsules market has been mentioned in the report, followed by the present scenario of the market. The report analyses the size of the market and forecasts the valuation and the growth rate of the market in the span of next couple of years. Key drivers and restraints of the overall market have been pointed out. The report cites the various opportunities to favour the growth of the Soft Gelatin Capsules market during the forecast period. It also indicates the key market trends shaping up the market.The Soft Gelatin Capsules market has certain distinct aspects. The report throws light on each of these aspects and studies the various segments of the market in detail. The growth of each of the market segments during the forecast horizon has been analyzed in the report. The present state of the Chinese economy has lowered the demand from every market. The report discusses the impact of the various initiatives taken by the government in China to revive the economy and how this would impact the demand from Soft Gelatin Capsules market in the nation. The report also takes note of the various micro- and macro-economic factors governing the overall market in rest of the world.Get Full Report With TOC @Discussing about the key players operating in the Soft Gelatin Capsules market, the report provides crucial information about them. The Soft Gelatin Capsules market has become very competitive worldwide. The report profiles the key players and analyzes their growth in the next couple of years. The report serves as a useful tool for enterprises looking out to invest in projects in the Soft Gelatin Capsules market.Various analytical tools are applied in the analysis on the Soft Gelatin Capsules market to achieve an accurate understanding of the market players into the potential development of this market. These tools include feasibility analysis, investment return analyses, as well as SWOT analysis of the major market players.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 Special Silica Market 2017 Overview, Production Techniques, Growth, Analysis to 2022 http://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/55056/request-sample https://goo.gl/4pUwR6 www.fiormarkets.com www.9dimenreports.com Focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with Production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer.Special Silica market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability also lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The Global Special Silica 2017 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Special Silica. 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 @Global Special Silica Industry 2017 presents an executive level blueprint of the global Special Silica market. This is an analytical research report that delves into evaluating the dynamics of the global Special Silica market drawing reference to the key trends shaping the supply-chain pattern of the industry. To study the exhaustive information sourced from detailed primary and secondary research, the analysts of the report have used industry leading analytical tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters five forces. The observation made from the analysis not only helps analysts to compile a comprehensive report on the global Special Silica market, but the same also assists them to understand the prevailing competitive landscape of the market.For a study to be beneficial for stakeholders, it should constitute a detailed research on the market competitiveness. For the purpose of the same, the research report profiles the leading and prominent players in the Special Silica market. Information pertaining to key strategies adopted by these companies has been obtained from their respective financial reports and a meticulous study on the market trends that has impacted their plan of action. Results achieved from the strategies are analyzed thoroughly in the report to update stakeholders about the trends impacting the market. Key findings of the report on the global Special Silica market will also help companies operating in the market to identify the growth opportunities to propel their operations.To provide a comprehensive report of the global Special Silica market, the study has segmented it on the basis of product types, applications, end-use industries and geography. The leading geographic segments are identified in the report, which also studies the prospects exhibited by the emerging regional markets. With an aim of presenting a 360 degree overview of the market, the report studies the growth drivers, market restraints and opportunities in detail. Based on in-depth study, the report presents refined growth forecasts for the Special Silica market.Get Full Report With TOC @An exhaustive qualitative review of the factors accelerating and restraining the growth of the Special Silica market and approaching opportunities has been deployed. The Special Silica market has been analyzed based on applications, geographic distribution and the substantial factors accountable for the rising demand of the Special Silica market globally have been detailed in this report. The report covers the global Special Silica market right from its definition to the numerous categorizations of the market as well as its key end-use applications.The elementary weaknesses and strengths of the leading vendors coupled with the rate of growth for each of the segments of the Special Silica worldwide market have been conferred after a complete analysis of past and prospective trends, regulatory needs and technological innovations.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: Ransomware Protection Market To Make Great Impact In Near Future by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=614 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=614 https://www.tmrresearch.com/ransomware-protection-market Global Ransomware Protection Market: OverviewRansomware is capable of preventing access to operating systems and encrypting files such that any PC user cant use them. It can target home computers, the end point in an organization network, and servers used by healthcare providers or government agencies. The potential data and financial loss caused by ransomware are mandating the deployment of ransomware protection solutions. The growth of the global ransomware protection market is primarily fuelled by end-user industries such as BFSI, education, healthcare, and government and defense. The commonly available protection solutions are secure web gateways, application control, standalone anti-ransomware software, web filtering, intrusion detection system/intrusion prevention system (IDS/IPS), and threat intelligence.The research report on the global ransomware protection market is compiled using data from various paid and unpaid sources including journals, white papers, presentations, and press releases. It serves as an essential source containing a detailed description of drivers, restraints, and opportunities and an analysis of the extent to which they impact the growth of the market. In addition, it includes Porters five force analysis that is useful in deriving the competitive landscape of the market. It profiles key players in the market along with their market shares, cost and revenue structures, business strategies, latest developments, and contact information.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Ransomware Protection Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe increasing cases of targeted security breaches and phishing attacks are by far the leading factor driving the global ransomware protection market. The large ransom demanded by hackers through these attacks is one of the major concerns for organizations worldwide. The information extracted by hackers usually has a huge demand in the black market, which can adversely affect the overall growth of an organization. Moreover, the introduction of crypto-currencies for ransom payments and the growing popularity of ransomware-as-a-service model are working in favor of the growth of the market. On the other end, the presence of free solutions for endpoint security for ransomware is hampering the overall revenue generation of the global ransomware protection market.Global Ransomware Protection Market: Geographical SegmentationThe key segments analyzed in the report on the basis of geography are North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. North America and Europe will collectively represent a substantial share in the market in the forthcoming years. The domicile of a large number of key players along with the early adoption of advanced security technologies provides an edge to these regions over other regions. The high incidence of hacking via ransomware attacks is one of the primary factors augmenting the growth of these regions.Request TOC of the Report @Asia Pacific is likely to register a noteworthy CAGR over the forecast horizon. The growth of the region can be attributed to the increasing spending by enterprises on security and cyber protection. Countries such as Australia, China, India, Japan, and Singapore will be the major contributors to the growth of the region. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in this region are highly targeted by ransomware perpetrators to extort large ransom.Global Ransomware Protection Market: Competitive LandscapeThe majority of the players in the global ransomware protection market are focusing on the development of new products to attain inorganic growth in the global ransomware protection market. Partnerships and acquisitions are also among the commonly adopted strategies by prominent players to boost their offerings in the market. Some of the prominent players in the global ransomware protection market are Symantec Corporation, Intel Security, Malwarebytes, Trend Micro, Kaspersky Lab, Bitdefender, Zscaler, and SentinelOne.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@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 Global Medical Molecular Imaging Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 - Cardiarc, Digirad, Gamma Medica, GE http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=998089&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-medical-molecular-imaging-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022.html http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Medical Molecular Imaging Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The market intelligence report examines the global Medical Molecular Imaging market offers insights concerning the growth prospects over the next few years. The expected forecast and figures on the basis of value and revenue have been given in the scope of the research study considering 2017 to 2022 as the forecast period. The key factors that are anticipated to influence the overall development of the global Medical Molecular Imaging market have been discussed in the scope of the research study. In addition to this, the growth prospects, opportunities, and the current trends in the global Medical Molecular Imaging market have been provided in the report.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @In order to provide a strong understanding regarding the global Medical Molecular Imaging market, the research study has addressed several queries related to the growth prospects and limitations in the market. Some of these questioned have been mentioned below:What is the expected growth rate of the global Medical Molecular Imaging market in the next few years?Which regional segment is likely to experience a strong growth in the coming years?What are the key application of Medical Molecular Imaging in the global market?Which latest trends and opportunities in the market are likely to accelerate the growth of the market?Which are the prominent players operating in the Medical Molecular Imaging market across the globe?Which factors are anticipated to encourage the growth of the global Medical Molecular Imaging market in the near future?Furthermore, the research report, in order to offer a clear picture of the global Medical Molecular Imaging market, throws light on the competitive landscape. A detailed list of the prominent players operating in the Medical Molecular Imaging market across the globe has been provided in the scope of the research report.For more information on this report, fill the form @Table of ContentGlobal Medical Molecular Imaging Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Medical Molecular Imaging1.1 Medical Molecular Imaging Market Overview1.1.1 Medical Molecular Imaging Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Medical Molecular Imaging 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 Medical Molecular Imaging Market by Type1.3.1 MRI1.3.2 CT1.3.3 PET1.3.4 SPECT1.3.5 Ultrasound1.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Oncology1.4.2 Cardio and vascular1.4.3 Neurology1.4.4 Others2 Global Medical Molecular Imaging Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Medical Molecular Imaging 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 Cardiarc3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Digirad3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Gamma Medica3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 GE3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Gvi Medical Devices3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Hitachi3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Mediso3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 CMR Naviscan3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Neurologica3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Neusoft3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Medical Molecular Imaging Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 BC Technical3.12 Philips3.13 Positron3.14 Siemens3.15 Biosensors International3.16 Toshiba3.17 Trivitron Healthcare3.18 Molecular Devices4 Global Medical Molecular Imaging Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Medical Molecular Imaging Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Medical Molecular Imaging Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Medical Molecular Imaging in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Medical Molecular ImagingAbout 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 Hysterectomy Devices Market Research Report Forecast to 2025 Hysterectomy Devices Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hysterectomy-devices-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=23954 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ The surgical procedure undertaken to remove a womans uterus is known as hysterectomy. This surgery can also treat infections, certain types of cancer, and a number of chronic pain conditions. The degree of hysterectomy depends on the purpose behind the surgery. In most cases, the entire uterus is removed. Hysterectomy can be performed to cure uncontrollable vaginal bleeding; chronic pelvic pain; cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries; fibroids, which are benign tumors that grow in the uterus; uterine prolapse, which occurs when the uterus drops through the cervix and protrudes from the vagina; adenomyosis, which is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus grows into the muscles of the uterus; pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a serious infection of the reproductive organs; and endometriosis, which is a disorder in which the inner lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterine cavity, causing pain and bleeding.Laparoscopic power morcellators are medical devices used in different types of laparoscopic surgeries. These can comprise certain procedures to treat uterine fibroids, such as removing the uterus or uterine fibroids. Morcellation refers to the division of a tissue into smaller pieces or fragments. It is often used during laparoscopic surgeries to facilitate the removal of a tissue through small incision sites. Types of hysterectomy include the total or simple varieties which remove the entire uterus and cervix; partial hysterectomy, which removes the body of the uterus while the cervix is left in place; radical hysterectomy, which removes the uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and possible upper portions of the vagina & affected lymph glands; and hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which removes the uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes. The numerous ways in which a hysterectomy can be performed include laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, abdominal hysterectomy, laparoscopic-assisted abdominal hysterectomy, and robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy.This report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Hysterectomy Devices Market:According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hysterectomy ranks second (after cesarean section) among the various frequently performed surgical procedures for women in the U.S. who are of reproductive age. From 2006 to 2010, 11.7% of women between the ages of 40 and 44 underwent a hysterectomy. Approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed annually in the U.S. and approximately 20 million American women have undergone a hysterectomy.Technological advancements to avoid side-effects as well as the rapidly aging female population in the world are expected to drive the global hysterectomy device market. There are, however, certain limitations faced by the market. For instance, the FDA cited a study by Columbia University which stated that one in 350 women who undergoes hysterectomies or myomectomies may have undetected uterine cancer and there is no way to detect it before the surgery. The FDA analyzed an insurance database of about 15% of the countrys hospitalizations between 2006 and 2012 and discovered that of about 36,000 patients who underwent power morcellation, 99 of them were diagnosed later with uterine cancer. Had it been detected prior to the procedure, power morcellation would not have been performed because of the risk of spreading the cancer.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Hysterectomy Devices Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:Based on geography, the global hysterectomy devices market is distributed over North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America constitutes the maximum share in the global hysterectomy devices market, followed by Europe. Asia Pacific is likely to report a higher growth rate in the next few years mainly due to the rising female geriatric population in the continent. In Latin America and Middle East & Africa, the emphasis on increased awareness about female health is predicted to propel the global market.Key players operating in the global hysterectomy devices market include Johnson & Johnson, CooperSurgical Inc., and LiNA Medical USA.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. 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.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: High-content Screening Market: Upcoming Demands and Growth Analysis 2025 High-content Screening Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/high-content-screening-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=23777 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ High-content screening (HCS) or high-content analysis (HCA) (also known as cellomics), is a set of analytical techniques that is applied in genetic research and drug discovery processes in order to recognize elements such as peptides, small molecules, or genetic materials (such as RNAi) that have the potential to modify the phenotype of a cell in a certain manner. High-content screening employs a set of analytical procedures such as multi-parameter image processing, automated microscopy, fluorescence imaging, and other visualization processes to get quantitative data from cell populations. The phenotypic alterations may comprise rise or decrease in the production of cellular produces such as proteins, or changes in the morphology of a cell. High-content screening can be employed to analyze whole cells or certain components of cells with simultaneous data collection of numerous factors.The high-content screening market is anticipated to witness significant growth during the forecast period, owing to the ability of HCS to study several parameters in a complex biological system simultaneously. High-content screening (HCS) is also expected to generate high demand due to its numerous applications in pre-clinical, clinical trial, and later stages of drug development. High-content screening can also be used to calculate cellular toxicity, to recognize and validate new drug targets or new prime combinations, and to propose pathways or molecular targets of orphan compounds. The steep rise in demand for better and cost-effective methods of drug discovery and clinical trials and increased knowledge of pharmacogenetics and pharmacokinetics are factors inclining the clinicians toward high-content screening of certain medications. Rapid increase in the prevalence of complex neurological diseases and genetic disorders has fueled the demand for high-end R&D activities. This, in turn, is anticipated to boost the high-content screening market during the forecast period. Moreover, increasing investment in research and development in cellular science of novel molecules by private and government bodies is expected to propel the HCS market in the near future. In addition, development of innovative tools for health care management is propelling the market further. However, low research and development (R&D) yields, high cost of infrastructure, stringent regulatory framework, and lack of trained resources are some of the restraints for the high-content screening market.This report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the High-content Screening Market:The high-content screening market can be segmented on the basis of product, application, end-user, and region. The product segments include cell imaging systems, flow cytometers, microplates, software, and consumables. Increasing preference to technologically advanced services and innovative products is a factor expected to fuel the high-content screening market during the forecast period. Based on application, the market has been segmented into primary and secondary screening, target identification and validation, toxicity studies, and compound profiling. Based on end-user, the market can be segmented into pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology industry, educational institutions, government organizations, and contract research organizations (CROs).Geographically, the high-content screening market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America is estimated to hold the major share of the global high-content screening market during the forecast period, due to presence of superior research and health care facilities, strong regional economy, and greater focus on healthcare wellness by the government. This trend has also reflected in other countries. The high-content screening market in Europe is expected to witness growth at a rapid pace in the next few years, due to high consciousness about wellbeing coupled with increasing expenditure on R&D activities in the region. Countries in Asia Pacific such as China, Japan, and India are also poised to be promising markets for high-content screening in the near future. Major factors responsible for the positive outlook for the Asia Pacific market are extensive development of health care infrastructure and growing emphasis on research and development in the health care sector.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the High-content Screening Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:Key players in the global high-content screening market include Thermo Fisher Scientific, PerkinElmer Inc., GE Healthcare, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), Olympus Corporation, Thorlabs Inc., Merck KGaA, Cell Signaling Technology, Genedata AG, and Yokogawa Electric Corporation.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. 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.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: Global Sewing Machine Market Share, Size, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017-2025 http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-household-sewing-machines-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-household-sewing-machines-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-sewing-machines-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/eu-household-sewing-machines-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/germany-household-sewing-machines-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ www.indexbox.co.uk IndexBox has just published a new report World: Household Sewing Machines - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025". (This report has been designed to provide a detailed analysis of the global sewing machine 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: Household sewing machines.Data coverage:- Sewing machine market size and volume;- Sewing machine market trends and prospects;- Global sewing machine production and its dynamics;- Per capita consumption;- Breakdown of production by region and country;- Medium term outlook;- Sewing machine trade (exports/imports);- Prices for sewing machine;- 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 effectiveness.TABLE OF CONTENTS1. INTRODUCTION1.1 REPORT DESCRIPTION1.2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1 KEY FINDINGS2.2 MARKET TRENDS3. MARKET OVERVIEW3.1 MARKET VOLUME AND VALUE3.2 CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY3.3 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES BY COUNTRY3.4 MARKET FORECAST TO 20254. PRODUCTION4.1 PRODUCTION 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: Sewing Machines - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025EU: Household Sewing Machines - Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2025Germany: Household Sewing Machines - 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: Global Halal Nutraceuticals & Vaccines Market projected to expand at a 7.7% CAGR, 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2703 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-2703 www.futuremarketinsights.com A majority of global consumers for halal products are concentrated in APEJ and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) regions, with some of the prominent Halal Certifying Agencies located in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE and Saudi Arabia.Acceptance of halal nutraceuticals & vaccines is expected to remain higher in APEJ and MEA regions, pertaining to the prevalent Muslim populations in their constituent countries. The global demand for halal nutraceuticals & vaccines will continue to be associated with acceptance of halal methods over other production methods. Regions such as North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Western Europe are less likely to become lucrative markets for halal nutraceuticals & vaccines, considering the consumer preferences for alternative vaccines and nutraceuticals in these regions. In 2015, revenues amassed from sales of halal nutraceuticals & vaccines in APEJ as well as MEA region surpassed over US$ 30 billion.Ask For Report Sample@According to research report compiled by Future Market Insights, the global halal nutraceuticals & vaccines market, which is currently valued at US$ 39,265 million, is projected to expand at a 7.7% CAGR and reach US$ 82,207 million over the forecast period, 2016-2026. More than 80% of global halal nutraceuticals & vaccines revenues will be accounted by the MEA and APEJ region collectively. Over the next decade, expanding the potential of global market beyond Muslim consumers will compel companies to urge multiple drug regulatory bodies and halal certifying agencies in the world for devising methods to produce halal nutraceuticals & vaccines for vegetarian consumers. Government initiatives for promotion of halal medications will also benefit the global halal nutraceuticals & vaccines market to a considerable extent.Future Market Insights report, titled Halal Nutraceuticals & Vaccines Market: Global Industry Analysis & Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026, also delivers key research findings that indicate factors which are likely to inhibit the growth of global halal nutraceuticals & vaccines market. While lack of universal acceptance to halal products restrains an overall growth in the global demand for halal nutraceuticals & vaccines, limited sources for obtaining halal complaint ingredients is also expected to a major growth deterrent. High production costs for halal compliance and increasing presence of halal ingredients substitutes are also projected curb the production of halal nutraceuticals & vaccines by global leaders in pharmaceuticals industry.Leading Manufacturers of Halal Nutraceuticals & VaccinesProduction of nutraceuticals and vaccines in compliance with halal methods becomes an intricate task for manufacturers, compelling them to induce more technological advancements in their production techniques. Companies manufacturing halal nutraceuticals & vaccines are obligated to work in accordance to the production regulations set by halal certifying agencies such as European Institute of Halal Certification (Germany), Global Halal Certification (UK), Halal Industry Development Corporation (Malaysia), and Saudi Food & Drug Authority (Saudi Arabia), among others. Such an interdependency might restrict manufacturers from producing halal nutraceuticals & vaccines at reduced costs, or even coerce the halal certifying agencies for approving certain techniques mounted by multiple dominant market players.Ask For More Information@Abbot Laboratories and Herbalife International of America, Inc. are two leading companies participating in the growth of global halal nutraceuticals & vaccines market. While Abbott Labs are expected to focus on producing halal nutraceuticals & vaccines for infants, women and specific therapeutic nutrition, Herbalife is directing its business measures more towards consumer awareness through promotional campaigns. Multinational F&B company like Nestle S.A. and home care products conglomerate Amway are also increasing their presence in the global halal nutraceuticals & vaccines market. Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad, PT Kalbe Farma Tbk, NoorVitamins, AJ Biologics Sdn Bhd., Agropur, Inc., and Kotra Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd, are also recognized as the leading companies in the global halal nutraceuticals & vaccines market.Key Research Excerpts on Global Halal Nutraceuticals & Vaccines Market:Several global regulatory bodies such as the FDA are yet to approve commercialization of halal-certified vaccines, which is why vaccine products are less likely to enter the global market before 2018.Hospital pharmacies and retail pharmacies will remain the dominant distribution channels for halal nutraceuticals & vaccines through 2026, accounting for over US$ 50 billion in revenues towards the close of the forecast period.By 2026, global revenues generated from sales of halal nutraceuticals & vaccines for disease prevention applications will expand at the fastest CAGR 9.2%.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 Digital Valve Positioner Market Emerson, Flowserve, Metso, General Electric, Siemens Forecast to 2022 http://www.globalinforeports.com/request-sample/244798 http://www.globalinforeports.com/report/global-digital-valve-positioner-market-by-manufacturers-countries-type-and-application-forecast-to-2022 http://www.globalinforeports.com/check-discount/244798 http://www.globalinforeports.com/send-an-enquiry/244798 http://www.globalinforeports.com http://www.globalinforeports.com/blog "Pneumatic positioners. These devices receives a pneumatic (air) signal from the controller and output a pneumatic signal to the actuator.Analog, or electro -pneumatic, positioners. Here, the input signal is electrical, rather than pneumatic.Digital, or smart , positioners. These positioners also receive an electrical signal, but its digital as opposed to analog."Get a Sample of Digital Valve Positioner Market research report from Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Digital Valve Positionerin 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 Digital Valve Positioner Market:EmersonFlowserveMetsoGeneral ElectricSiemensABBSAMSON AGRotorkAzbilBurkertSchneider ElectricGEMUYokogawaChongqing Chuanyi AutomationMaxonicAnd Many OthersScope of the Digital Valve Positioner Industry on the basis of region: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 AfricaBrowse full Report with table of contents and data tables For Digital Valve PositionerMarket Report @Market Segment by Type, coversSingle Acting PositionerDouble Acting PositionerMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoOil and GasChemicalPharmaceutical ManufacturingOthersThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Digital Valve Positioner market.Chapter 1, to describe Digital Valve Positioner Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Digital Valve Positioner, with sales, revenue, and price of Digital Valve Positioner, 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 Digital Valve Positioner, 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, Digital Valve Positioner market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Digital Valve Positioner sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceCheck for Discount @Some points from TOC:-1 Market Overview1.1 Digital Valve Positioner Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Single Acting Positioner1.2.2 Double Acting Positioner1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Oil and Gas1.3.2 Chemical1.3.3 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing1.3.4 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 ForceContinuedFor more help Speak to our Experts @No. of Report Pages: 116Price of Report (Single User Licence): $3480About Global Info Reports:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.comWeb-Blogs- Global Glass Container Market will exhibit a moderate revenue growth at 4.1% CAGR, 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-935 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-935 www.futuremarketinsights.com In packaging industries, plastic and metal have always been looked at as alternative materials for glass. On the same lines, demand for glass packaging is expected to lose traction against rising preference for plastic bottles and metal cans. Nevertheless, such preferences get reversed when it comes to packaging highly-reactive fluids, industrial solvents, and alcoholic beverages. Future Market Insights predicts that the growth of global glass container market is, thus, contingent upon growing consumption of such liquids, and alcoholic drinks & beverages.In 2016, more than US$ 46,500 Mn worth of glass containers were consumed globally. Key findings from Future Market Insights report estimate that the market will be valued at US$ 65,569.4 Mn by the end of 2026. Although, during this forecast period, the global glass container market will exhibit a moderate revenue growth at 4.1% CAGR.Ask For Report Sample@Impact of Plastic and Metal PackagingThe report has compiled several factors that impact the growth of global glass container market, and highlighted the ones that restrain the market from attaining steady expansion. First off, the global market for glass containers is expected to continue facing challenges as companies struggle to keep up with pricing pressures. Continuous consolidation of consumer base for glass containers has intensified pricing pressure on manufacturers, compelling them to cater to big clients - the ones demanding their products at low prices.Then, theres the inexorable competition arising from plastic bottles and metal cans. Baby food, coffee, sauces, and several other such products, which were once packaged in glass containers, are now available in plastic bottles & metal tins. High cost of producing glass containers, their fragile composition, and heavy weight are also prompting food & beverage makers for shifting towards metal or plastic packaging.Rising Demand for Lightweight Glass BottlesIndustry leaders will continue to strive for reducing the weight of glass containers, thereby increasing their sustenance in logistics operations. Lighter glass containers will also gain traction by providing added advantage to manufacturers and increasing profit margins of packaged products. The report reveals that throughout the forecast period, more than two-third of global glass container revenues will be accounted by glass bottles. The demand for glass jar will also be high, while candle glass containers and glass vials will witness a downtrend in terms of consumption.A majority of glass containers sold in the world are consumed for packaging beverages. In 2016, more than US$ 31,000 Mn worth of glass containers were used for beverage packaging, which alcoholic beverages accounting for 80% of these revenues. Demand for glass containers is also projected to be high in cosmetics & perfumery, revenues from which are likely to soar at 4.6% CAGR. Apart from their end-use and shape, glass containers are also being purchased according to their colour. Almost 45% of the global market value is procured from sales of amber glass containers across the globe. By 2026, more than 32,000 KT of amber glass containers will be consumed globally, according to the report. Clear glass containers, on the other hand, will have procured over 28% share in the global glass container market value by the end of 2026.Ask For More Information@In the report, titled Glass Container Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026, Europe is identified as the largest market for glass containers. Although, Europes market value share is expected to be just a tad higher than Asia-Pacifics glass container market, which is procuring around 33% share through 2026. Leading glass container manufacturers in the world are profiled in this report, which include Vidrala SA, Amcor Limited, Owens-Illinois, Inc., BA Glass, Saverglass Group, Ardagh Group SA, Consol Glass (Pty) Ltd., Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Limited, Nampak Ltd., and Wiegand Glas.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 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size, Share, Growth, Status And Forecast 2022 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/935147 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/935147 This report studies the global Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market, analyzes and researches the Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeACE Texasan GroupAllianz InsuranceAmTrust International UnderwritersAssurantAsurionAvivaBrightstar CorporationCarphone WarehouseGeek SquadGoCare Warranty GroupHollard GroupLiberty Mutual Insurance GroupMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Application, Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem can be split intoApplication 1Application 2Request For Sample Copy :Table of ContentsGlobal Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem1.1 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Overview1.1.1 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem 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 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 22 Global Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size (Value) by Players (2015-2016)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in FutureView More :3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 ACE Texasan Group3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Allianz Insurance3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 AmTrust International Underwriters3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Assurant3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Asurion3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Aviva3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Brightstar Corporation3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Carphone Warehouse3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Geek Squad3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 GoCare Warranty Group3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Hollard Group3.12 Liberty Mutual Insurance Group4 Global Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.2 Potential Application of Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem in Future4.3 Top Consumer/End Users of Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem5 United States Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)6 EU Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)7 Japan Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)MarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Market Report 2017 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1018258 This report studies sales (consumption) of Cyber Security of Security Hardware in United States market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player, coveringVenustechWestoneH3CHuaweiTopsecNsfocusSangfor360 Enterprise SecuritySymantec CorporationAsiainfoDBAPPSecurity LtdOthersMarket Segment by States, coveringCaliforniaTexasNew YorkFloridaIllinoisSplit by product types, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoSafety CertificationAuthentication Tokensmart cardBiometric SystemsSecurity ApplicationsFirewallIDSIPSSCMOthersSplit by applications, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Cyber Security of Security Hardware in each application, can be divided intoGovernmentEducationEnterpriseFinancialMedicalOthersRequest For Sample Copy :Table of ContentsUnited States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Market Report 20171 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Cyber Security of Security Hardware1.2 Classification of Cyber Security of Security Hardware1.2.1 Safety Certification1.2.2 Authentication Token1.2.3 smart card1.2.4 Biometric Systems1.2.5 Security Applications1.2.6 Firewall1.2.7 IDS1.2.8 IPS1.2.9 SCM1.2.10 Others1.3 Application of Cyber Security of Security Hardware1.3.1 Government1.3.2 Education1.3.3 Enterprise1.3.4 Financial1.3.5 Medical1.3.6 Others1.4 United States Market Size Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) of Cyber Security of Security Hardware (2012-2022)1.4.1 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Competition by Manufacturers2.1 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Average Price by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2012-2017)3.1 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.2 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Revenue and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.3 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Price by States (2012-2017)4 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2012-2017)4.1 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.2 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.3 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Price by Type (2012-2017)4.4 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales Growth Rate by Type (2012-2017)5 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales (Volume) by Application (2012-2017)5.1 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)5.2 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)5.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6 United States Cyber Security of Security Hardware Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis6.1 Venustech6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.1.2.1 Product A6.1.2.2 Product B6.1.3 Venustech Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 Westone6.2.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.2.2.1 Product A6.2.2.2 Product B6.2.3 Westone Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 H3C6.3.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.3.2.1 Product A6.3.2.2 Product B6.3.3 H3C Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.4 Huawei6.4.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.4.2.1 Product A6.4.2.2 Product B6.4.3 Huawei Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.5 Topsec6.5.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.5.2.1 Product A6.5.2.2 Product B6.5.3 Topsec Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.6 Nsfocus6.6.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.6.2.1 Product A6.6.2.2 Product B6.6.3 Nsfocus Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.7 Sangfor6.7.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.7.2.1 Product A6.7.2.2 Product B6.7.3 Sangfor Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.8 360 Enterprise Security6.8.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.8.2.1 Product A6.8.2.2 Product B6.8.3 360 Enterprise Security Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.9 Symantec Corporation6.9.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.9.2.1 Product A6.9.2.2 Product B6.9.3 Symantec Corporation Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.10 Asiainfo6.10.2 Cyber Security of Security Hardware Product Type, Application and Specification6.10.2.1 Product A6.10.2.2 Product B6.10.3 Asiainfo Cyber Security of Security Hardware Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.11 DBAPPSecurity Ltd6.12 OthersMarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Pipeline Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dilated-cardiomyopathy-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2293 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A new market research report has been recently published by Transparency market research, a leading market intelligence firm. The research report, titled Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Pipeline Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020, presents a market overview, market drivers, opportunities, challenges, product segmentation, and competitive landscape. The research report also features inputs and recommendations from industry experts and professionals to help the existing as well as new players in this market in designing their business strategies.According to the research study, in 2013, the global dilated cardiomyopathy therapeutics market was valued at US$651 mn and is anticipated to decline to US$328.6 mn by the end of 2020. This market is projected to exhibit -7% CAGR between 2014 and 2020.The growing prevalence of congestive heart failure is the only key factor that is driving the demand for dilated cardiomyopathy therapeutics; however, there are many factors that are expected to hamper the growth of this market in the forecast period. Easy availability of pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, promising developments in gene therapy, and implantable devices such as heart pumps are the factors curbing the growth of the dilated cardiomyopathy therapeutics market. In addition, the various side effects associated with the use of dilated cardiomyopathy therapeutics and other easier therapies using devices that have negligible side effects will hold back the growth of this market in the next few years.This 90 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market. Unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:On the basis of drug class, the global market for dilated cardiomyopathy therapeutics has been classified into aldosterone antagonists, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers. By pipeline drugs, the market has been segmented into ARRY-797, CAP-1002, MYDICAR, ixCELL-DCM, and OR-1. A detailed analysis of these segments has been presented in the research report.The global dilated cardiomyopathy therapeutics market has been divided on the basis of geography into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. In 2013, North America accounted for the largest share of the market owing to the growing adoption of branded drugs, and the rising occurrence of congestive heart failure. In the U.S., dilated cardiomyopathy strikes around five to eight people amongst every 100,000. Asia Pacific and the Rest of the World markets for dilated cardiomyopathy therapeutics are growing at a fast pace owing to the increasing per capita income, improving economic standards, and rising demand for generic drugs.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:Furthermore, the research report covers the competitive landscape of the global dilated cardiomyopathy therapeutics market including an overview of leading companies, their product portfolio, financial overview, business strategies, recent developments, and SWOT analysis. Some of the prominent players operating in the global market for dilated cardiomyopathy therapeutics are Novartis International AG, Celladon Corporation, Sanofi S.A., Vericel Corporation, AstraZeneca plc, Pfizer, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Merck & Co., Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Array BioPharma, Inc.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.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: Global Managed Services Market Research, Market Share, Competitor Strategy, Industry Trends, Forecast to 2022 GLOBAL LIDAR MARKET https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2460 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/lidar-market-2460 Market Highlights:LIDAR stands for light detection and ranging which also known as remote sensing. LIDAR does not require electromagnetic radiation but it requires laser pulses that strike the object back to the sensor. It measures the distance from the sensor to the object by determining the time between the releases to receiving of the reflected pulse.Data processing technologies over other technologies, automated systems in LIDAR, adoption of aerial LIDAR and emergence of new applications are the factors contributing to the growth of the LIDAR Market. However, less awareness about the benefits of LIDAR systems, use of expensive components in LIDAR systems such as laser scanners, navigation system, high-resolution 3D cameras which collectively increases the cost of LIDAR systems are hampering the growth of the overall market.The growth in this market can be attributed to the encouragement from the governments, application of LIDAR in engineering projects & large magnitude set and rise in demand for robust security and sensor accuracyRequest a Copy of Sample Report @Major Key Players: Faro Leica Geosystems (Sweden) Technology (U.S.) Velodyne LiDAR, Inc. (U.S.) Beijing Beike Technology Co., Ltd (isurestar) (China) Riegl Laser Measurement Systems GmbH (Austria) Quantum Spatial (Aerometric, Inc.) (U.S.) Teledyne Optech Inc. (Canada) YellowScan (France) Geokno India Pvt. Ltd. (India) Trimble Inc. (U.S.)Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 30 market data tables and figures spread over 100 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on LIDAR Market Research Report -Forecast to 2022.Nowadays LIDAR is used everywhere across all the important applications. For instance, terrestrial uses LIDAR which is infrared laser with approximately 9001064 nanometers and water penetration green light with approximately 532 nanometers for the water measurement. The usage of LIDAR systems has made detection and mapping of objects easier than other conventional methods. LIDAR stands for light detection and ranging it is basically remote sensing. LIDAR does not require electromagnetic radiation but it requires laser pulses that strike the object back to the sensor.The key factors contributing to the growth of the LIDAR market are data processing technologies over other technologies, automated systems in LIDAR, adoption of aerial LIDAR and emergence of new applications. Also, the growth in this market can be attributed to the encouragement from the governments, application of LIDAR in engineering projects & large magnitude set and rise in demand for robust security and sensor accuracy.Other factors contributing to the growth of the market are rising demand of 3D imaging across various applications. However, less awareness about the benefits of LIDAR systems, use of expensive components in LIDAR systems i.e laser scanners, navigation system, high-resolution 3D cameras which collectively increases the cost of LIDAR systems are hampering the growth of the overall market. Also, over the forecast period LIDAR market would pose a higher impact on the increasing number of automated cars.Access Report Details @According to Market Research Future, market has been segmented into type, application, component, end-users and region.Out of these components, GIS accounted for the largest market share majorly due to increasing demand for GIS services in canopy height estimation, forest planning, and harvesting planning applications. They are majorly adopted by the government for the forest management and for planning crops.Also, the market for laser scanners is increasing due to the technological advancement in laser technology. It is also growing due to a rising demand for ground-based LIDAR.Regional Analysis:Regionally, North-America accounted for the largest market share, because of the increasing investment by various firms towards ADAS and driverless cars and also provides new opportunities for small, versatile, and low-cost LIDAR systems.Intended Audience: Manufacturers Distributors Research firms Consultancy firms Software Developers Vendors Semiconductor Manufacturers Stakeholders End-user sectors Technology InvestorsMarket Research Future AnalysisThe global lidar market is expected to grow significantly. The market is highly application basis. GSS segment of LIDAR market globally drives the market. The market is expected to have higher growth rate as compared to the previous years.North-America accounted for the largest market share, because of the increasing investment by various firms towards ADAS and driverless cars and also provides new opportunities for small, versatile, and low-cost LIDAR systems.Table of Contents1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market Structure2 Research Methodology2.1 Research Network Solution2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Data Collection, Analysis & Forecast2.4.2 Market Size EstimationContinued..List of TablesTable 1 Global Lidar Market, By ComponentTable 2 Global Lidar Market, By ApplicationTable 3 Global Lidar Market, By End-UsersContinued..List of TablesTable 1 Global Lidar Market, By ComponentTable 2 Global Lidar Market, By ApplicationTable 3 Global Lidar Market, By End-UsersContinued..About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Market Growth, Forecast and Value Chain 2014-2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-152 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-152 www.futuremarketinsights.com Polyvinyl Chloride generally known as PVC is a polymer which is widely produced after polyethylene and polypropylene. It is said to be the third largest most widely produced polymer. PVC is preferred against traditional materials that include iron, copper or wood in a number of profile applications due to its operational efficiencies and benefits. Pure polyvinyl chloride is a brittle solid white in color and slightly soluble in tetrahydrofuran whereas insoluble in alcohol. It can be made flexible and soft by adding plasticizers and phthalates. In flexible and soft form, PVC is used in electrical cable insulation, plumbing and inflatable products and some applications which can replace rubber. PVC has high mechanical and hardness properties, which enhance along with molecular weight and gradually decrease with rising or increasing temperature. PVC decomposes at high temperature as its heat stability is very poor. It has good insulation properties but owing to its high polar nature, its electrical insulation property is less significant to non-polymers that include polypropylene and polyethylene.Polyvinyl Chloride can be produced from a wide range of hydrocarbons such as derivatives of plants including sugarcane and coal. Currently, PVC is produced from ethylene, which is a product of oil and gas industry. It is therefore known as a petrochemical product. Polyvinyl Chloride has a wide range of applications, which include electric cables, pipes, unplastisized polyvinyl chloride for construction, furniture and clothing, healthcare and plasticizers among others. It exists in a wide range of consumer products that include bottles, credit cards, cling films and packaging among others and construction materials such as window frames, pipes, cables, flooring and wallpaper among a range of products.Request For Report Sample@The PVC production costs are based on types of production expenses that include raw materials such as chlorine, ethylene and acetylene. In Asia Pacific, the PVC costs are highly influenced by PVC prices in China, hence, in addition to ethylene prices; acetylene is widely used in the production of PVC and therefore has growing importance in this region.The construction industry is the major driver of global PVC market owing to a wide range of applications in the household, commercial and industrial sectors. Due to improving infrastructure and housing conditions in the developing economies are expected to maintain the demand for PVC. Long-term demand for PVC depends on the renaissance of the construction markets in the urbanized economies.The key segments for PVC market include the North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World (RoW). The demand for PVC remains moderate in Europe due to debt crisis along with depressed business climate and due to slow monetary recovery. Owing to huge manufacturing facilities in China, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest and largest growing market for PVC. The collapse of the building and construction industry in North America was the major reason for stagnant demand for PVC in this region. In addition, sluggish growth in construction industry in the large economies such as Italy, Germany and U.K. lead to stagnant demand in Europe.Request For TOC@The major companies profiled in the PVC market are: Aiscondel, Arkema, Chemplast Sanmar Limited, Chemson Group, Formosa Plastics Corporation, INEOS Group Ltd, LG Chem, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Solvay, Vinnolit GmbH & Co. KG, PolyOne Corporation and Georgia Gulf Corp among others.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: Vegetable Glycerin Market to register a healthy CAGR for the forecast period, 2016-2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2433 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2433 www.futuremarketinsights.com Vegetable glycerin is natural product extracted from vegetable oil by heating oil at a very high temperature under water pressure. It is produced from palm oil, soy, coconut/ palm oil and others. In terms of taste and color, vegetable glycerin is odorless, colorless and has a sweet flavor. Primary demand for vegetable glycerin is in food and beverage, personal care products and medicines. In food and beverage industry, vegetable glycerin is used as a sugar substitute or sweetener and in personal care and cosmetic products, it is often used in skin care products to make skin moist and healthy. North America and Western Europe are expected to gain largest market share in terms of value and volume during the forecast period.Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Market DriversSome of the key drivers which are influencing the demand for vegetable glycerin are from the food and beverage manufacturers as it helps to thicken and control the moisture level in food. The majority demand for vegetable glycerin is from processed food manufacturers in which it is added as a humectant and used for preservative purpose. It is also gaining its demand from dairy and confectionery manufacturers where it is primarily used as sweetener. Demand for vegetable glycerin in personal care manufacturers and pharmaceutical industry is also increasing as it often used in moisturizing skin care products. In the global market, demand for vegetable glycerin is also driving due to increasing number of health conscious consumers as in compare to sugar, vegetable glycerin is less sweetens than sugar. Moreover, it is also preferred by consumers seeking for food and beverages with the lower amount of carbohydrates.Request Report Sample@Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Market segmentationVegetable glycerin market is segmented on the basis of by source, by grades and by application. Market segment as by source includes palm oil, soy, coconut/palm oil and others (grape seed). Vegetable glycerin market is segmented on the basis of grades such as food grade, pharm grade and industrial grade. Vegetable glycerin market segmentation on the basis of application, it includes food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics and medicines. On analyzing the demand for vegetable glycerin in the global level market, it assesses that majority of its application is from food and beverage industry followed by personal care and cosmetic products. Recently the demand for vegetable glycerin is increased in food industry as it is used as a thickener, wetting agent and as a sweetener. It is mostly used as a food additive in food industry such as in confectionery products, dairy products, prepared and processed food products and many other food products. On the other side, its demand is also expected to increase in personal care and cosmetic industry as it used as a humectant in skin care products, body lotions, shampoos, soaps etc. In pharmaceutical, vegetable glycerin is used as an ingredient in medicines and ointments.Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of regional segment, vegetable glycerin market is segmented in seven regions including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan and the Middle East & Africa. On analyzing the market share on graph, it is expected that North America and Western Europe accounts to majority of share in terms of value in global vegetable glycerin market. Furthermore, increasing demand for confectionery, dairy and processed food products and personal care and cosmetic products among the urban population in developing regions shows that Asia-Pacific is expected to be one of the attractive market in near future.Visit For TOC@Global Vegetable Glycerin Market: Key playersSome of the key players operating in global vegetable glycerin market are Procter & Gamble, NOW Foods, VVF L.L.C., Cargill, Incorporated, Dutch Glycerin Refinery (DGR), The Dow Chemical Company, Parchem fine & specialty chemicals , Avril Group, Essential Depot, Inc. among others.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Global Artificial Lens Market 2017 - ALCON, AMO (Abbott), Bausch + Lomb, HOYA, CARL Zeiss, Ophtec Artificial Lens https://goo.gl/FozDqF https://goo.gl/2ZKszD https://www.bigmarketresearch.com The Artificial Lens Market 2017 examines the performance of the Artificial Lens market, enclosing an in-depth judgment of the Artificial Lens market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Artificial Lens market in the present as well as the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Artificial Lens Market 2017 report includes Artificial Lens industry volume, market Share, market Trends, Artificial Lens Growth aspects, a wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity, Artificial Lens Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Request For Sample Report:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Artificial Lens Market 2017:ALCONAMO (Abbott)Bausch + LombHOYACARL ZeissOphtecRaynerSTAARLenstecHumanOpticsArtificial Lens Market Analysis: By ProductMonofocal Artificial LensMultifocal Artificial LensToric Artificial LensAccommodative Artificial LensOthersArtificial Lens Market Analysis: By ApplicationHospitalsOphthalmology ClinicsAmbulatory Surgery CentersEye Research InstitutesAt the beginning, the report covers the top Artificial Lens manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on topographical regions.Further, the Artificial Lens report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Artificial Lens industry, Artificial Lens industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Artificial Lens Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Do Enquiry Before Purchasing Report:The Artificial Lens 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 Artificial Lens market revenue worldwide.Finally, Artificial Lens market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About US:Big Market Research uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact US:5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesDirect : +1-971-202-1575Toll Free : + 1-800-910-6452Email: help@bigmarketresearch.comWeb: Market Research on Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment Device Market 2016 and Analysis to 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2533 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2533 www.futuremarketinsights.com Urinary incontinence is a condition wherein there is unintentional loss of urine. This is also referred to as stress incontinence which happens during physical activities like coughing, sneezing, running or lifting heavy weights, thats exerts pressure on the bladder. Stress incontinence differs from urinary urge as it is caused by contraction of bladder muscles. Stress incontinence is very common among females than in males and can be of the reason for isolating oneself from the social life. Female stress urinary incontinence is caused by weal sphincter muscle. There are two types of female stress urinary incontinence: urethral hypermobility and intrinsic sphincter deficiency. In urethra hypermobility, the urethra changes its position due to increase in abdominal pressure, whereas in intrinsic sphincter deficiency there is inability in the sphincter to get sealed. Female stress urinary incontinence is most commonly observed above the age of 60 years as weakening of pelvic muscles occurs by this age. There are further more causes of female stress urinary incontinence like pregnancy and childbirth, hysterectomy, nerve or muscle damage during birthing or surgical trauma, obesity, menopause, chronic coughing, anatomical predisposition and impact of various heavy physical activities.The major driver of the female stress urinary incontinence market is changing lifestyle and its complications. Lifestyle changes has led to many anatomical changes which has causes gynecological problems with females at younger age. Increase in the conception, increase in the number of hysterectomy cases, large number of women with early onset of menopause, increase in obese population and stress which weakness the nerves and muscle and also stressed induced smoking has increased in the women. However the major restrain for female urinary incontinence market is that these devices are all under FDA approval process. There are also some of the side effects of using female urinary incontinence treatment devices such as pain, organ perforation, and painful intercourse, urinary and fecal incontinence. Also, social constraint faced by women in understanding the condition this leads many women remain undiagnosed and untreated.Request Report Sample@The global female stress urinary incontinence treatment device is segmented by the type of devices, type of material used by end users and by geographySegmentation by Type of DevicesInternal Urethral DevicesInternal Vaginal DevicesTraditional DevicesPurpose made devicesExternal Urethral DevicesSegmentation by type of Material UsedSiliconePolyurethane foamSegmentation by End UsersGynecology ClinicHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersSegmentation by geographyNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeMiddle East and AfricaAsia PacificThe female urinary incontinence market is expected to grow over the forecast period due to FDA approval of these devices and huge investment in the healthcare sector. The future is developing improved devices with less side effects and with easy usage. Along with investment in the healthcare sector and there is requirement of awareness among the female population regarding the causes and treatment of urinary incontinence and break the social barrier regarding the same. The female stress urinary incontinence treatment device market is segmented according to the type of device as internal urethral devices, internal vaginal devices and external urethral devices. Among these internal vaginal devices are more widely used and also termed as transvaginal mesh or vaginal sling. These are further classified as traditional devices and purpose made devices. The traditional device segment consists of tampons, pessaries and contraceptive diaphragms and the purpose made device segment consist of vaginal slings which are generally used for uplifting the bladder. The internal and external urethral devices are not widely used ones. The other segment of the female stress urinary incontinence treatment device market is according to the material used in making these devices like silicone and polyurethane foam. The market further can be segmented according to end users of these devices which are gynecology clinics, hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.According to geography, the female stress urinary incontinence treatment device market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific. The factors contributing for the growth of female urinary incontinence treatment device market differs by region, as less obesity but higher smoking rates in Chines population. Lack of awareness among the symptoms and social barriers in developing countries. Furthermore, U.S., Canada and United Kingdom are the major growth areas whereas the Middle East and Africa are slowly emerging markets due to lack of awareness, poverty and less healthcare facilities. The Asian countries are also expected to grow in the coming years due to rising awareness, healthcare facilities at affordable cost and overcoming the socioeconomic barriers. Owing to the growth in the developing counties, the prominent players are attracted to these regions with a strategic view to increase productivity and expansion of business.Visit For TOC@The major players contributing to the growth of female stress urinary incontinence treatment device market are Johnson & Johnson, Bard Medical, American Medical Solutions, Boston Scientific, Teleflex, Karl Storz and Coloplast.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: Tuberculosis Testing Market is expanding at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2014 - 2020 Tuberculosis Testing Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/tuberculosis-testing-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2267 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis has been identified as the second deadliest disease in the world after HIV/AIDS. Tuberculosis was the cause of 1.5 mn deaths across the globe in 2013, adds the WHO report.As such, the prevalence of the disease in alarming numbers has led to the increased use of TB testing techniques. In order to curb the prevalence of the disease, government and non-government bodies are taking initiatives to promote awareness about TB and have introduced control programs, leading to increased demand for TB testing.This 109 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Tuberculosis Testing Market. Browse through 7 data tables and 31 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:Latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis are the most prevalent forms of TB. Over time, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the TB-causing pathogen, has developed into drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis that are either multi-drug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Thus, the growing demand for advanced TB testing techniques and equipment will propel the market. However, high cost of TB testing is cited as a challenge to the growth of the TB testing market.The report divides the global market for tuberculosis testing on the basis of test type and geography. By test type, smear microscopy, nucleic acid testing, radiography, culture-based tests, drug susceptibility testing, Mantoux test, and others (IGRA, serological tests, ADA, etc.) are the prime segments of the global market for tuberculosis testing.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Tuberculosis Testing Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:In 2013, culture-based TB tests held the largest market share and accounted for US$691.2 mn in the overall market for tuberculosis testing. The culture-based TB tests segment is expected to display consistent growth during the forecast period due to the reliability and accuracy of these tests.By geography, North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World (RoW) are the segments of the global market for TB testing. In 2013, Asia Pacific emerged as the largest market for TB testing. The prevalence of a large TB patient pool due to unregulated emissions from industries and high air pollution in developing countries such as India and Malaysia accounted for Asia Pacifics 35% share in the overall market.North America stands as the second largest market for TB testing and is closely trailed by Europe. Spain, France, Germany, and Italy are the major markets for TB testing in Europe.The report identifies key players operating in the global market for TB testing, namely Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Akonni Biosystems Inc., Alere Inc. Hain Lifescience GmbH, Abbott Laboratories, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Hologic Inc., and QIAGEN.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.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: Global Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size, Status And Forecast 2022 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/911502 This report studies the global Nasal Drug Delivery Technology market, analyzes and researches the Nasal Drug Delivery 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, likeMerck & Co., Inc.Novartis AGGlaxosmithkline PLCJohnson & Johnson Services, Inc.Pfizer Inc.Astrazeneca PLCAptargroup, Inc.Aegis Therapeutics LLC3MBecton, Dickinson and CompanyMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Nasal Drug Delivery Technology can be split intoSpraysDrops & LiquidsPowdersGelsMarket segment by Application, Nasal Drug Delivery Technology can be split intoAllergic And Non-allergic RhinitisNose CongestionVaccinationOther Therapeutic ApplicationsRequest For Sample Copy :Table of ContentsGlobal Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Nasal Drug Delivery Technology1.1 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Overview1.1.1 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Nasal Drug Delivery 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 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market by Type1.3.1 Sprays1.3.2 Drops & Liquids1.3.3 Powders1.3.4 Gels1.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Allergic And Non-allergic Rhinitis1.4.2 Nose Congestion1.4.3 Vaccination1.4.4 Other Therapeutic Applications2 Global Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size (Value) by Players (2015-2016)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Merck & Co., Inc.3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Novartis AG3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Glaxosmithkline PLC3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Pfizer Inc.3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Astrazeneca PLC3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Aptargroup, Inc.3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Aegis Therapeutics LLC3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 3M3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Becton, Dickinson and Company3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.10.5 Recent Developments4 Global Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size by Type and Application (2011-2016)4.1 Global Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size by Type (2011-2016)4.2 Global Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size by Application (2011-2016)4.3 Potential Application of Nasal Drug Delivery Technology in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Nasal Drug Delivery Technology5 United States Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size (2011-2016)5.2 United States Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)6 EU Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size (2011-2016)6.2 EU Nasal Drug Delivery Technology Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)MarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Now Available - Worldwide Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market Report 2017-2027 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2679 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2679 www.futuremarketinsights.com Biologics are genetically engineered proteins which originate from human genes. These drugs target the specific parts of the immune system. Biologics are entirely different from chemically synthesized drugs. There is wide range of biologics products include vaccines, blood components, allergenic, somatic cells, gene therapy and recombinant therapeutic proteins. Biologics are constituted as nucleic acids or proteins or may be cells and tissue from living entities. Biologics are isolated from different sources such as animal, human or microbes by using different biotechnological methods. Biologics are a complex mixture, and it is heat sensitive product and highly susceptible to microbial contamination. Therefore manufacturing of biologics needs very aseptic environment and skilled professional. Hence, the demand for biologic contract manufacturing has shown subsequent growth. The pharmaceutical companies are signing an agreement with CMOs for the manufacturing of biologics.Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe factors driving the growth of biologics contract manufacturing are growing number of drug development by traditional pharmaceutical companies and the entrance of various small manufacturers in the pharmaceutical market. Increasing rate of drug approval by FDA and number drugs in the pipeline has also boosted the growth of biologic contract manufacturing market. Increase in generic drugs competition and rise in patent expiry has also propelled the growth of biologics contract manufacturing market. Increasing geriatric population and increasing the prevalence of diseases such as cancer are driving the growth of biologic contract manufacturing market. Production of biologics requires highly skilled professional and aseptic environment which will restrain the growth of this market. Beside that production of biologics are very complex and costly method which can again hamper the growth of this market.Request Report Sample@Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market: SegmentationBased on product type biologics contract manufacturing market is segmented into followingAntisenseCell TherapyGene TherapyGrowth FactorsInterferonsMonoclonal AntibodiesRecombinant HormonesRNA InterferenceVaccinesOthersBased on indication biologics contract manufacturing market is segmented into followingAutoimmune DisordersBlood DisordersCancerCardiovascular DiseasesDigestive DisorderEye ConditionGenetic DisorderInfectious DiseasesMusculoskeletal DisordersNeurologic DisordersRespiratory DisordersSkin DiseasesOthersBased on geography biologics contract manufacturing market is segmented into followingNorth AmericaLatin AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAsia Pacific excluding JapanJapanMiddle East and AfricaBiologics Contract Manufacturing Market: OverviewBiologics contract manufacturing is expected to show significant growth over the forecast period. Biologics cover around 10-15% of revenue from overall revenue generated by leading pharmaceutical companies. Biologics contract manufacturing market is expected to show double growth in every five years. This market is growing because of traditional pharmaceutical companies are unable for meet the need required for the production of biologics, besides that they are also the lack of skilled professional. Biologic contract manufacturing market can be classified by product type and indication. On the basis on product type biologic contract manufacturing market is classified as antisense, gene therapy, cell therapy, growth factors, interferons, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant hormones, RNA interference, vaccines and others. From all product type monoclonal antibodies is expected to dominate the biologic contract manufacturing market.Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market: Regional OverviewRegion-wise contract manufacturing market is classified as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to dominate the biologics contract manufacturing due to rise in FDA approval in last decade. Western Europe and Asia-Pacific then follow this market. Western Europe is projected to show subsequent growth due to the high availability of skilled professional for the production of biologics. Asia-Pacific region is expected to show the fastest growth over the forecast period owing to rise in the number of CMOs.Visit For TOC@Biologics Contract Manufacturing Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in biologics contract manufacturing market are Boehringer Ingelheim, Lonza, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A., Inc., Rentschler Biotechnologie GmbH, Celonic AG, AutekBio Co. Ltd., WuXiAppTec, Kemwell Biopharma, Shasun Pharma, Intas Pharmaceuticals, Syngene, Piramal Pharma Solutions, AAIPharma Services, Alpax Pharmaceuticals, Cantab Biopharmaceuticals Ltd, 3P Biopharmaceuticals, and BIBITEC GmbH.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: Latest Research report on Cardiac Event Monitor Market predicts favorable growth and forecast till 2023 https://marketreportscenter.com/request-discount/538955 https://marketreportscenter.com/request-sample/538955 https://marketreportscenter.com/buy-now?sku=WGMAY131702 https://marketreportscenter.com/reports/538955/cardiac-event-monitor-markets-market-shares-strategies-and-forecasts-2017-to-2023 Growth is based on implementation of devices that measure cardiac function over a period of a month, provide analytics within the device, and send alerts to a physician.Consideration of cardiac event recorder forecasts indicate that markets at $1.1 billion in 2016 will reach $4.8 billion by 2023.Check the discount on report atDigitalization of healthcare is shifting value from devices per se to software and services. Physicians are looking for new ways to proactively monitor and manage patient health. The challenges of delivering patient cardiac care can only be met through new, more integrated forms of care delivery across the health continuum, with a shift away from a focus on acute care and late-stage interventions to continuing care delivery that is appropriate to the circumstance.Get sample of report atA cardiac event recorder is a battery-powered portable miniature device. Devices record heart's electrical activity (ECG) to detect presence of symptoms. Event recorders can be a loop memory monitor and a symptom event monitor with newer devices containing internal analytics and the ability to notify a physician directly if an event is detected. Cardiac event ambulatory monitors can detect arrhythmias and get people to treatment faster before it is too late. Units are useful in the fight to correct congestive heart failure even after it has been initiated.Buy report atConsiderable interest and effort has been put into patch-based devices aimed at improving convenience for the patient and achieving better compliance. MCT 1-lead patches have been developed. Medtronic's SEEQ device is such a unit.BioTelemetry's CardioNet MCOT and Preventice BodyGuardian Heart have devices. The newer patch based devices rely on MCT technology, iRhythm, a US-based AECG specialist, is selling a somewhat differentiated patch, Zio XT. Similar to Holter monitoring, the device can record arrhythmias.It can record 10 days of continuous data, which is retrieved after completion of the monitoring, ie not live transmission like in MCT. Cardiologists would hardly be able to handle such large amounts of data, therefore iRhythm has developed proprietary algorithms, which provide summary reportsCompanies ProfiledMarket LeadersBiotelemetry / Cardionet / MednetPreventice Solutions / eCardioApplied Cardiac SystemsMarket ParticipantsAliveCorApplied Cardiac SystemsAT&TBiomedical SystemsBiotronikBioTelemetryBiomedical SystemsetcFor More information on segmentation, companies profiled, Submarkets and detail table of content visit @About Market Reports Center;Market Reports Center is an e-commerce platform obliging the needs of knowledge workers, experts, professionals who are subject to market research information for their work, or to make strategic business decisions. We are dedicated to create a comprehensive offering of market research which is accurate, credible and affordable.Market Reports Center currently has more than 4,00,000 plus titles and 50+ Publishers on our platform and growing consistently. We cover more than 35 industry verticals being: Automotive, Electronics, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Chemicals, Construction, Agriculture, Food, Beverages, Banking & Finance, Media and Government, Public Sector Studies.Connect for more details:Sam CollinsMarket Reports Center1-646-883-3044 (US)info@marketreportscenter.com304, Avon Complex,Baner, Pune - 411045 Vitreous Tamponades Market Research Report Forecast to 2020 Vitreous Tamponades Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/vitreous-tamponades-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4233 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Transparency Market Research (TMR) has announced the addition of a new market study based on the vitreous tamponades market. The report analyzes the drivers and restraints of the vitreous tamponades market and the impact of these on the demand for vitreous tamponades during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. The report studies the attractiveness of the vitreous tamponades market for investment on the basis of factors such as growth rate and market size. According to the report, the global vitreous tamponades market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 2.5% during the period from 2014 to 2020. The market, which was valued at US$64.5 bn in 2014, is expected to reach a value of US$77.5 bn by the end of 2020. The report is titled Vitreous Tamponades Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020. The report provides information that helps a reader have a clear and decisive opinion on the vitreous tamponades market.Based on the important information provided in the report regarding the challenges that new entrants face, the strategies used by leading companies in the vitreous tamponades market, and also the present and future trends, an interested individual or enterprise can effectively make smart decisions regarding investment in the market.This 73 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Vitreous Tamponades Market. Browse through 9 data tables and 15 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:Vitreous tamponades are used in vitrectomy procedures conducted in the human eye. These procedures assist in healing or reattachment of the retina and are also used to provide a replacement to a clouded vitreous humor. The vitreous humor of the eye acts as a refractive medium and provides nutrition to the eye. After a trauma or due to the natural process of ageing, the vitreous humor, which is a highly viscous gel-like substance made from collagen and water, starts tearing or getting detached from the fragile retina. To repair this retinal detachment and also for any other vitreoretinal disorders, vitrectomy is required. Vitrectomy involves the removal of the vitreous humor and replacing it with a synthetic substitute. This synthetic substitute is called a vitreous tamponade. Currently, the most commonly used substitutes are: silicone oil, perfluorocarbon liquids, and intraocular gases.The global vitreous tamponade market is expected to expand due to the rising incidence of retinal detachment and growth of the geriatric population. The growing cases of diabetic retinopathy, macular pucker, and similar other retinal disorders are also driving the global vitreous tamponade market. Vitreous substitutes are biocompatible and transparent, which allow them to replace natural vitreous humor successfully.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Vitreous Tamponades Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:The global vitreous tamponade market is segmented on the basis of type and geography. On the basis of type, the market is segmented into gaseous tamponades and liquid tamponades. Liquid tamponades are further classified into silicone oil and perfluorocarbons. Although the liquid tamponades market was the leading segment in 2013, accounting for 49% of the global market, the gaseous tamponades segment is expected to grow at a faster rate due to their ease of use and lower costs. The most extensively used gaseous tamponades in vitreoretinal surgeries are C2F8, SF6, and C3F8, as these gases are expansive and allow the eyeball and the retina to gradually adjust to the volume of the eye, enabling better healing.Some of the key manufacturers of vitreous tamponades profiled in the report are: Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (parent of Bausch + Lomb), Alcon, Inc., Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Fluoron GmbH, Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center B.V., AL.CHI.MI.A Srl, and Croma Pharma AG.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.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: Global Aircraft Turn Indicators Sales Market Report 2017 qyresearch http://qyresearcheurope.com/ http://qyresearchglobal.com/ Sample/TOC request, please email : josephine@qyresearch.comReport summaryIn this report, the global Aircraft Turn Indicators 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 split global into several key Regions, with sales (Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Aircraft Turn Indicators for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Aircraft Turn Indicators market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Aircraft Turn Indicators sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingKelly ManufacturingMikrotechna PrahaMid-Continent Instruments and AvionicsBendixPioneerBaocheng GroupNu-Tek Aircraft InstrumentsTokyo Aircraft InstrumentOn the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (Units), revenue (Million USD), product price (USD/Unit), market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoTurn and Slip IndicatorTurn CoordinatorOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Aircraft Turn Indicators for each application, includingMilitary AircraftsCivil AircraftsIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.The report provides a basic overview of the Aircraft Turn Indicators industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.The report then analyzes the global Aircraft Turn Indicators market size (volume and value), and the sales segment market is also discussed by product type, application and region.The major Aircraft Turn Indicators market (including USA, Europe, China, Japan, etc.) is analyzed, data including: market size, import and export, sale segment market by product type and application. Then we forecast the 2016-2021 market size of Aircraft Turn Indicators .The report focuses on global major leading companies providing information such as company profiles, sales, sales revenue, market share and contact information. Then the Aircraft Turn Indicators OEM market and Aircraft Turn Indicators production market status is discussed.Finally the marketing, feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.Part of the Catalog for reference:2 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.1.2 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2011-2016)2.2 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators Sales and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.2.2 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)2.3 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators Sales and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.3.2 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2011-2016)2.4 Global Aircraft Turn Indicators (Volume) by Application3 USA Aircraft Turn Indicators (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 USA Aircraft Turn Indicators Sales and Value (2011-2016)3.1.1 USA Aircraft Turn Indicators Sales and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.2 USA Aircraft Turn Indicators Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2016)3.1.3 USA Aircraft Turn Indicators Sales Price Trend (2011-2016)3.2 USA Aircraft Turn Indicators sales and Market Share by Manufacturers3.3 USA Aircraft Turn Indicators Sales and Market Share by Type3.4 USA Aircraft Turn Indicators Sales and Market Share by Application...Contact me:QYRESEARCH CO., LTDVILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District Guangzhou ChinaJosephine Luo - QYResearch Report Global SalesEmail: josephine@qyresearch.comWeb:QYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business.Room 2311 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road Tianhe District Guangzhou City Guangdong Province 510610 China Pharmacovigilance Market Research Report Forecast to 2020 Pharmacovigilance Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pharmacovigilance-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1729 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Pharmacovigilance is a crucial component of an effective drug regulation system and is used for evaluating and monitoring adverse drug reactions. Pharmacovigilance activities are essential for conducting clinical research. Currently, the global network of pharmacovigilance centers is operating effectively to assure appropriate functioning of drug safety procedures. The large volume of international adverse drug reaction reports collected and stored in a central database assists the national drug regulatory authorities to improve the safety profiles of various drugs. This is expected to help avoid disasters associated with drugs. Growing expectations regarding the safe use of drugs and increasing health awareness among people have propelled the global pharmacovigilance market in the recent past.This 151 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Pharmacovigilance Market. Browse through 5 data tables and 46 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:The growing number of pharmacovigilance centers worldwide is playing a key role in spreading awareness among people about safe use of drugs. Web-based sales of drugs, unavailability of knowledgeable people, and high data security risk are some of the possible factors expected to restrict the growth of the global pharmacovigilance market in the years to come. However, factors such as strict regulatory expectations, immediate need for patient reporting, and tough drug inspection systems are expected to propel the global pharmacovigilance market in the coming few years.The global pharmacovigilance market is segmented on the basis of phase of drug development, region, type of method, and type of service. Based on phase of drug development, the global pharmacovigilance market is classified into preclinical studies, phase I, phase II, phase III, and phase IV or post-marketing surveillance. In 2013, the phase IV or post-marketing surveillance segment held a 60% share in the global pharmacovigilance market and is expected to maintain its dominant position by 2020. Factors such as the need to conduct risk assessment studies at the time of crucial stages of drug development, development of comparative safety data, and the valuation of medication errors are some of the factors expected to help expand the phase III clinical trial segment in the years to come.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Pharmacovigilance Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market:Based on the type of service, the global pharmacovigilance market was dominated by the outsourcing segment, accounting for more than 50% of the total pharmacovigilance market, in 2013. By region, in 2013, North America held the largest share of 35% in the global pharmacovigilance market.The global pharmacovigilance market is highly competitive and fragmented. The rapid growth of the global pharmacovigilance market is expected to attract many CROs and BPOs from across the world. Some of the leading players in the global pharmacovigilance market are Covance, Inc., Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc., Cognizant Technology Solutions, Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC, (PPD), Novartis International AG, PAREXEL International Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Accenture plc, GlaxoSmithKline plc, and Wipro Limited.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.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: Market Research on Microgrid Market 2014 and Analysis to 2020 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-59 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-59 www.futuremarketinsights.com A microgrid is a modern small-scale electricity system used to generate, distribute and regulate the flow of electricalpower. It includes distributed energy resources and multiple loads which enable it to interconnect with other electrical grids as well as operate in a parallelpower generation environment. Microgrids can be used to generate power from both renewable and non-renewable energy sources. There are different types of microgrids. The first one is true microgrid or customer microgrid, which is self-governed, has a regulatory structure and is compatible with the current technology. The second type is utility or community microgrid or milligrid which involves a division of regulated grid.The thirdvariety is virtual microgrid orvgrid.It covers multiple sitesdistributed energy resources (DER) and are coordinated in a manner such that they can be presented as a single unit to the grid.Around the world, governmentsare taking initiatives in setting up solar, biopower and wind energy farms, and increasingly concentrating on renewable energy resource based microgrids.Increased requirement ofenhanced technology for power generation and distribution, growing industrialization, government initiatives towards green energy, and a demand for secure andconsistent power supply are some of the factors driving the growth of microgrid market.Request Report Sample@However,monetaryobstructions, complication in land acquisition and registration of land for solar PV installation in rural areas, high primary cost of installation, huge investment required for integrating existing systems with microgrid, technological barriersetc. are some of the aspectsholding backthe microgridmarket in some regions.The microgridmarket can be segmentedinto verticals, technology andtype. By verticals,the market can be categorized into public sector, healthcare, telecom and manufacturing. On the basis oftechnology,the market can be divided into various categories such as by power and component technology. Bytype,microgridmarket is segmented intooff-grid, connected grid and hybrid grid.The microgrid market is expected to be a multi-billion-dollar market and to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period, from 2014 to 2020. At present, the market is led by North America owing to growing industrialization and electrification. However, it is expected to witness ahuge potential in emerging economies of Asia-Pacific regions, such as India, China and Australia.Introduction of advanced solutions, collaboration with other organizations, joint ventures/partnerships,and acquisitions&mergers are a few strategies followed by key players operating in microgrid market, in order to outperform their competitors. For example, Toshiba Corporation acquired Consert Inc. in 2013, inorderto improve their distribution services and widen their global presence and customer base.Additionally, in November 2014, HOMER Energy LLC introduced HOMER Pro software, anupgraded version of their HOMER software,to set a global standard for microgrid designand analysis at initial stage.Further, its analysis tool mainly focuses on hybrid microgrids that are combined with multiple storage and renewable energy resources.Visit For TOC@Some of the key players in this market include Lockheed Martin Corporation, ZBB Energy Corporation, ABB Ltd., GE Digital Energy, Power Analytics Corporation, Consert Inc., Viridity Energy, Inc., S&C Electric Company, Chevron Energy, Toshiba Corporation,HOMER Energy LLC, Honeywell International Inc.,Microgrid Energy LLC and Siemens among others.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Market Will Hit At CAGR of 7.16% In The US by 2019 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/489877 PBMs are responsible for processing prescriptions for corporations or insurance companies. Earlier, their major role was administration and negotiation with drug pharmacies and manufacturers to get rebates on drug prices. Now they have evolved into entities taking over the drug benefit portion of health plans in the US. Recent healthcare reforms in the US have contributed significantly to increase their area of expertise. Increase in costs of drugs and other healthcare services has made PBM's services more desirable. PBMs act as an intermediary between the payer and other entities in a healthcare system. They generate revenue through service fees they charge from large customer contracts for activities such as operating mail-order pharmacies, processing prescriptions, and negotiating with drug manufacturers and pharmacies.The analysts forecast the PBM market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 7.16% during 2014-2019.Covered in this reportThe report covers the current scenario and the growth prospects of the PBM market in the US for the period of 2015-2019. To calculate the market size, the report considers revenue generated by PBMs by offering pharmacy benefit services to end-users in the healthcare market in the US.Request For Sample Copy :The report, Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Market in the US 2015-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the PBM market landscape in the US and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsCatamaranCVS Health (CVS Caremark)Express ScriptsOptumRxPrime TherapeuticsOther prominent vendorsAetnaArgus Health SystemsCenteneCignaHumanaMedlmpactRite AidMarket driverIncrease in healthcare expenditureFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeCriticisms of PBMsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendShift toward multi-tier prescription drug plans by employersFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2019 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?MarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Global Coffee Market: Trends And Opportunities (2016-2020) http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/703135 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/703135 The report titled Global Coffee Market: Trends & Opportunities (2016-2020) provides an in-depth analysis of the global coffee market with detailed analysis of market sizing and growth, market share and economic impact of the industry. The report also provides the production and consumption analysis of the market. The report provides detailed market analysis of the global retail coffee market by value and volume along with the segments of the market.The report provides detailed regional analysis of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America Middle East & Africa and Australasia for the coffee market. Regional analysis includes market sizing by value along with the production and consumption analysis. It also provides the retail sales value of each region.The report also includes the country analysis of Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ethiopia and India. It provides the production and consumption analysis along with the export-import trends in each of the above mentioned countries.Request For Sample Copy :Furthermore, the report 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 global retail coffee market has also been forecasted for the period 2016-2020, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends. The competition in global coffee market is stiff and dominated by the big players like Nestle. Further, key players of the coffee market The J.M. Smucker Company, Mondelez International Inc. and Strauss Group Ltd. are also profiled with their financial information and respective business strategies.Regional CoverageWestern EuropeEastern EuropeNorth AmericaAsia PacificLatin AmericaMiddle East and AfricaAustralasiaCountry CoverageBrazilVietnamIndonesiaEthiopiaIndiaCompany CoverageView More :The J.M. Smucker CompanyMondelez International Inc.Strauss Group Ltd.Executive SummaryGlobal coffee market increased at a significant CAGR during the span of 5 years i.e. 2011-2015 and projections are made that the market would rise in the next five years i.e. 2016-2020 tremendously. The market can be segmented on the basis of end-users as retail coffee market and food services market, of which global retail coffee market displayed an increase, driving the global coffee market. The increasing consumption of coffee led by the westernization trend in India, China and Latin America drive the market in the positive direction.The growth drivers for the global coffee market are: rise in disposable income, rapid urbanization and increase in the population along with the emergence of caf culture and new consumer base. Despite the market is governed by various growth drivers, there are certain challenges faced by the market such as: aging of coffee trees, lack of government support, negative impact of climate change, price volatility and increase in production cost.MarketResearchReports.biz supports your business intelligence needs with over 100,000 market research reports, company profiles, data books, and regional market data sheets in its repository. Our document database is updated by the hour, which means that you always have access to fresh data spanning over 300 industries and their sub-segments.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz New Trends of Clinical Trials Market with Worldwide Industry Analysis to 2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-384 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-384 www.futuremarketinsights.com Clinical trials are research studies performed on humans to gain specific information about biomedical interventions such as novel vaccines, devices, treatments and drugs and thereby generating safety data. Clinical trials are regulated by health authorities and ethics committees.Documents required for performing clinical trials are investigators brochure (IB) which include current and relevant scientific information about the investigational product, United States Food and Drug (FDA) form 1572, protocol and amendments, inform consent, other written information for participants, recruitment advertisement, financial disclosure form (FDF), master clinical trial agreement (MCTA), institutional review board (IRB) approval, medical licensure, training records, laboratory accreditation, visit monitor reports, miscellaneous document, signature sheet and documentation of investigational drug destruction. The International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) brings together regulatory authorities of Europe, the United States, Japan and experts from pharmaceutical industry to frame and regulate the technical and scientific aspects of pharmaceutical product registration. The Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) states rules and standard guidelines for clinical trials. ICH guidelines are followed as law by several countries in the world.Request Report Sample@Clinical trials are conducted in four phases namely, Phase I, II, III and IV. Phase I is conducted for safety, phase II is conducted for efficacy, phase III is conducted for final confirmation of safety and efficacy and phase IV is conducted for post sales studies. Risk to participants involved in clinical trials decreases from phase I to phase VI. Number of participants increases from phase I to phase IV resulting in increasing cost of trials. Based on the phases of clinical trials, global clinical trials market is segmented as follows:Phase IPhase IIPhase IIIPhase IVBased on indication, global clinical trials market is classified as follows:Blood disordersOphthalmologyAutoimmune diseasesCirculatory diseasesCancerGenitourinary diseasesCongenital diseasesMusculoskeletal diseasesCentral nervous system (CNS)InfectionsDermatologyMetabolic disordersCardio vascular system (CVS) diseasesGastrointestinal diseasesMental disordersOthersBeing relatively costly process, in order to reduce economic burden on company and shift focus on core business activities, many companies outsource their clinical trial activities to contract research organizations (CROs). Contract research organizations provide services such as clinical trial management, clinical research and preclinical research. Factors such as advancement in technology and increasing demand of innovative solutions in healthcare industry are driving the market of global clinical trials towards growth. On the other hand, factors such as high cost and stringent regulations are restraining the growth of clinical trials market globally. Geographically, the global clinical trials market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World.Visit For TOC@North America is the leading consumer of global clinical trials solutions, followed by Europe. Ample availability of funds to outsource clinical trials serves as the major growth driver for the North America clinical trials market. Asia-Pacific demonstrates impressive growth potential for clinical trials market and is expected to show the highest growth rate as compared to other regions in the world. Countries such as India are attractive markets due to advantages such as availability of skilled practitioners and availability government support in terms development of outsourcing hubs thus attracting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to outsource clinical trial activities to CROs in this region. Some of the market leaders contributing to the global clinical trials market include Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Ltd., Sanofi Aventis A.S. and Roche Group.About Us Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: N Methyl 2 Pyrrolidone Market Value is Expected to Increase to US$ 985 Million by 2020 N Methyl 2 Pyrrolidone Market http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12940 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone-market/toc http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12940 www.persistencemarketresearch.com The global N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) market is expected to observe modest growth over a five-year forecast period, 2015-2020. Expanding at a 5.4% of CAGR during the assessed period, the global NMP market will possibly attain the revenues of US$ 985.3 Mn by 2020 end.Sample of this report is available upon request @The market for NMP in developing Asian countries will be primarily driven by increasing urbanization and industrialization, coupled with rampantly evolving infrastructure development realm. Attributed to its chemical properties, such as higher flame point and lower volatility, N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone finds various applications several end-use industries. This will remain a key factor driving the demand on a global level. Industrial applications in a sweeping range of verticals, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, petrochemical, agrochemical, paints and coatings, and industrial cleaning will also continue to drive the market for N-Methylpyrrolidone over the next few years.The flourishing consumer electronics sector is likely to generate substantial demand for NMP. With soaring demand for electronics production, the consumption of N-Methylpyrrolidone will also witness a significant hike. Moreover, increasing demand for agrochemicals is expected to elevate the revenue sales in the next few years. Another industrial sector estimated to support the growth of the global N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone market is pharmaceuticals. Growing market in Asia Pacific are expected to play a vital role in boosting the demand throughout the forecast period, eventually fostering the market for NMP globally.Stringent regulations regarding usage of N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone may remain a long-term restraint to market growth. Moreover, the market has been experiencing a rapid setback in certain verticals, such as paints and coatings, and industrial cleaning. This can also be a major limiting factor impacting the market growth by 2020 end.By application, the electronics application segment is expected to remain dominant over other segments, including agrochemicals, petrochemical processing, industrial cleaners, pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, and others. Electronics application segment will possibly capture around 23% share of the entire market revenues in 2020, witnessing an optimistic CAGR of 6.7% during 2015-2020. Pharmaceuticals will continue to be the second largest application segment that was evaluated at US$ 122.7 Mn in 2015. This segment is anticipated to demonstrate a moderate CAGR of 6.3% by 2020 end, accounting for nearly 15% market value share.According to Persistence Market Researchs regional analysis, Asia Pacific is foreseen to remain the global leader with over 36% share of the market revenues in 2016. This growth is predominantly attributed to lower production costs in Asian countries. The second largest regional market, North America, will contribute around 30% share to the market in 2016.Request to view Table of Content @A few key market players include LyondellBasell Industries N.V., BASF SE, Ashland Inc., Abtonsmart Chemical (Group) Co. Ltd., and Shandong Qingyun Changxin Chemical Science-Tech Co., Ltd. A few other notable companies competing in the N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone marketplace are Zhejiang Realsun Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Hefei TNJ Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Puyang Guangming Chemicals Co., Ltd., and Balaji Amines Limited.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @Long-term Outlook: The global N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone market is likely to reach a value of US$ 985.3 Mn by the end of the forecast period, 2015-2020.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Macadamia Market Shares, Strategies and Forecast Worldwide, 2016 to 2026 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1304 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1304 www.futuremarketinsights.com Macadamia nut was introduced in the early 1960s to the Kenyan highlands from Australia. Macadamia is a member of the family Proteaceae, native to Australia. Australia and Hawaii are the major producing areas of macadamia with others including eastern and southern Africa, and Central and Latin America. Several species of macadamia exist in Australia but only two species such as M. tetraphylla and Macadamia integrifolia and their hybrids are grown commercially. Production of macadamia nuts in Australia is mainly in eastern shore of Australia (northern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland). Currently, Hawaii is the largest producer of global macadamia, accounting for around 70 percent of total macadamia production worldwide followed by Australia, around 22 percent, rest is produced by other countries including Malawi, South Africa, Kenya, Guatemala, Mexico, California, Costa Rica, Brazil, New Zealand and China.Tree nuts include almond, cashew, hazelnut, pistachio, walnut, macadamia, and pecan. Currently, macadamia accounts for around only one percent among all the tree nuts available across the globe. Almond nut dominates the nut segment, accounting for around 34 percent. Increasing health claims for macadamia have witnessed a surge in recent years, which if succeeded is expected to increase the consumption of macadamia nuts among consumers.Request Report Sample@Global Macadamia Market Segmentation:On the basis of application the global macadamia market is broadly segmented into food industry, and cosmetics industry. In food industry macadamia is widely used in confectionaries including chocolate bar, chocolate covered candy, ice cream and other baking products. In cosmetics industry it is used in shampoos, sunscreens, soaps and others.Geographically, global macadamia market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa. Currently, North America and Western Europe account for major market share for macadamia however, Asia Pacific excluding Japan is expected to grow significantly in the forecasted years.Global Macadamia Market Dynamics:Owing to increasing variety of applications of macadamia, various workshop are taking places in order to increase the international trade for macadamia and since capitalise the growing demand for macadamia. Adoption of macadamia in chocolate and ice cream among consumers is expected to drive the demand for global macadamia in the near future. The biggest restraint for macadamia market is increasing crop losses due to immature nuts and moldy / rotten nuts. The crop losses due to these type of nuts accounts for around 50 percent of the total macadamia wastage globally. Thereby, reducing inclination of crop growers for macadamia and thus, hampering the market growth.There is a high opportunity to increase the market share of macadamia in terms of revenue across countries such as Mexico, China, South Africa and others. Companies are investing in these countries through promotional activities in order to increase the footprint of macadamia worldwide.Visit For TOC@Global Macadamia Market Key Players:Some of the key players operating in the global macadamia market are Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp., Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company, MacFarms, Wondaree Macadamias, NAMBUCCA MACNUTS Pty Ltd, Golden Macadamias, Royal Macadamia (Pty) Ltd., Kenya Nut Company Ltd. and MWT Foods Australia.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: Global and Chinese Piezoelectric Ceramics Industry Market Outlook of Top Regions & Players till 2017 Market Research Hub http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1012671 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-and-chinese-piezoelectric-ceramics-industry-2017-market-research-report-report.html http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ In the recent times, the piezoelectric ceramics industry is booming significantly due to the demands from several ultrasonic applications and related sectors. Focusing on to this change, a fresh study has been added to the huge repository of Market Research Hub (MRH) with title Global and Chinese Piezoelectric Ceramics Industry, 2017 Market Research Report. The study aims to present a professional analysis of the key factors such as the industry, as well as an in-depth study of the regional expanse and manufacturing process till the year 2017.Request Free Sample Report:In the current times, the Piezo-ceramics create mechanical movement are used inside transducers for ultrasonic applications, sensors, ultrasonic transmitters and receivers, actuators, precision positioning or injection systems. The report begins with the clear overview of the industry together with the definition of the market.Another major factor in this report is the regional expanse of the market allowing the evaluation of all the useful factors and the globally active regions. The research concentrates specifically over the regions of USA, EU, Japan and China. The prime introspection is done on the Chinese GDP and growth rates, Chinese CPI changes and Chinese PMI changes. Alongside, the Chinese financial revenue and growth rate, along with the Chinese total fixed asset investment and growth rate 2012 to 2017 is also mentioned in this functional study.In the concluding section of the report, the key players of this market are all analyzed considering the major parameters such as capacity list, key manufacturers capacity share list and manufacturers capacity share. By including the production list, production share list and the production share in terms of the manufacturers the study enables understanding the behavior of each player. Correspondingly, the evaluation of the company profile, product specification and product application are depicted aptly. Such relevant studies about the production and top players help to tremendously improve work production in the future.Browse Full Report With TOC:Additionally, the analysis describes the market growth in the world based on the output from the year 2012 to 2017, along with the annual percentage change, unemployment rates in certain developed countries, from January 2008 to March 2015. The nominal effective exchange rates for Japan and selected emerging economies, from September 2012 to March 2015, are also available in this precise study. Thus, the research gives all the decisive factors with respect to the top regions and players to enable better productivity and profitability.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 Agriculture Tire Market Share, Size, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017-2025 http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-tyres-for-agriculture-forestry-construction-industry-and-other-off-the-road-vehicles-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-tyres-for-agriculture-forestry-construction-industry-and-other-off-the-road-vehicles-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-tyres-for-buses-or-lorries-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/us-tire-except-retreading-market-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/eu-tyres-for-agriculture-forestry-construction-industry-and-other-off-the-road-vehicles-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/ www.indexbox.co.uk IndexBox has just published a new report World: Tyres For Agriculture, Forestry, Construction, Industry And Other Off The Road Vehicles - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025". (This report has been designed to provide a detailed analysis of the global agriculture tire 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: New pneumatic tyres, of rubber, of a kind used on agricultural or forestry vehicles and machines and of a kind used on construction or industrial handling vehicles and machines and other off the road (except those used on aircraft) vehicles.Data coverage:- Agriculture tire market size and volume;- Agriculture tire market trends and prospects;- Global agriculture tire production and its dynamics;- Per capita consumption;- Breakdown of production by region and country;- Medium term outlook;- Agriculture tire trade (exports/imports);- Prices for agriculture tire;- 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 effectiveness.TABLE OF CONTENTS1. INTRODUCTION1.1 REPORT DESCRIPTION1.2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1 KEY FINDINGS2.2 MARKET TRENDS3. MARKET OVERVIEW3.1 MARKET VOLUME AND VALUE3.2 CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY3.3 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES BY COUNTRY3.4 MARKET FORECAST TO 20254. PRODUCTION4.1 PRODUCTION 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: Tyres For Buses Or Lorries - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025U.S. Tire (Except Retreading) Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025EU: Tyres For Agriculture, Forestry, Construction, Industry And Other Off The Road Vehicles - 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: Artificial Intelligence Market In The US Education Sector To Grow At A CAGR Of 47.50% During The Period 2017-2021 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1027692 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1027692 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Artificial Intelligence Market in the US Education Sector 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Artificial intelligence analyzes huge data sets at granular levels. These data can potentially help both students and mentors who are involved in the developmental and personalized education process. Irrespective of the subject, these solutions have capabilities to create personalized learning profiles for students. The technology helps educators to develop optimized learning processes for every student.Technavios analysts forecast the artificial intelligence market in the US education sector to grow at a CAGR of 47.50% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the artificial intelligence market in the US education sector for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated through sales of artificial intelligence software-based products and complementary services to customers in the education market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Technavio's report, Artificial Intelligence Market in the US Education Sector 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 vendorsCogniiIBMNuance CommunicationsQuantum Adaptive LearningOther prominent vendorsALEKSBlackboardDreamBox LearningJenzabarMicrosoftPearsonMarket driverGrowing collaboration among vendors and institutions.For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeSteering cognition developments.For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendArtificial intelligence services through mobile devices.For 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 @ Carbon Steel Market 2015-2025 Shares, Trend and Growth Report http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-307 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-307 www.futuremarketinsights.com Carbon steel which is also known as plain carbon steel is an alloy which is manufactured using the combination of iron and carbon. Carbon steel is also the term used to refer steel which is not stainless steel. Carbon steel also contains other metals in extremely small quantities. Other alloying metal used in the manufacturing of carbon steel includes manganese, copper and silicon. The proportion of carbon is increased in the steel in order to increase the physical properties of the product. High carbon content in the metal increases the hardness as well as strength of the product. However, increased proportion of carbon reduces the ductility of the product making it extremely difficult to weld. High carbon content usually lowers the steels melting point and also its temperature resistance. The carbon content in the steel varies from 0.1 to 1.5%. However, there are steels that contain above 2% of carbon content but they are rarely used and have extremely specific applications. Carbon steels are mainly classified as low carbon steel, medium carbon steel and high carbon steel depending on the carbon content in the steel alloy. Carbon steel is one of the most widely used steel alloys. Low carbon steel or mild steel is the most common form of carbon steel used owing to its easy availability and cheap price.Request For Report Sample@Medium and high carbon steel is widely used in many common applications. High carbon steel are used to manufacture a wide range of tools and equipments which includes knives, saw blades, chains, brackets, wear parts,pneumatic drill bits, railway wheels, shear blades, wire for structural work and jaws for vices among others. Carbon steel is majorly used in manufacturing a range of cutting tools owing to their great hardness and brittleness. Carbon steel is used in sheeting and in various structural forms owing to its amenability to tooling and wielding. Carbon steel is also used to in the construction industry. Carbon steel is widely used in the construction of bridges. Thus, the growing construction industry is expected to drive the growth of the carbon steel market. Carbon steels also find applications in the automobile industry. Carbon steel is an important material used in the manufacturing of automobiles framework. The automobiles body is usually manufactured using carbon steel. Carbon steel is used in manufacturing ships and rail roads.Thus, the growing automobile industry is expected to boost the overall demand for carbon steel market.Asia Pacific is the largest manufacturer of carbon steel. Presence of many carbon steel manufacturers in China is expected to boost the overall demand for carbon steel market. Asia Pacific is also the largest consumer of carbon steel. The increase in urbanization coupled with the growing economies in the region is expected to augment the overall demand for carbon steel in the region. Asia Pacific is followed by Europe in terms of consumption of carbon steel. Presence of many automobile manufacturers in the region is expected to boost the demand for carbon steel in the region. The demand for carbon steel is expected to grow rapidly owing to the high demand for the steel alloy in the railway and ship industry.Request For TOC@Curtis Steel Co., Inc., Omega Steel Company, Afarak Group, ArcelorMittal SA and Bushwick Metals LLC are some of the participants of the global carbon steel 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: Chromatography Instrumentation Market Value Share, Analysis and Segments 2015-2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-383 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-383 www.futuremarketinsights.com Chromatography is the most essential and well known separation technique which is extensively used across various industries. Chromatography is referred to as a technique that is used for the purification of biomolecules in which the components that are to be separated are distributed between two phases. Among these two phases, one is stationary phase and other is a mobile phase. All types of chromatography systems work on the same principle i.e., separation of sample mixture into stationary phase (solid or liquid supported on solid) and mobile phase (liquid or gas). Over the years chromatography technique and its instrument are being used in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for the development of pure drug molecule. The instruments that are utilized in the chromatography have benefitted the researches due to their ability to separate, analyze and purify a molecule in an efficient and effective manner. These chromatography instrumentation techniques are used in various application areas such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food production, diagnostics, genetic engineering, drug discovery and water analysis.The global market for chromatography instrumentation can be segmented as follows:By systemGas chromatography systemLiquid chromatography systemHigh pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)Ultra high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC)Low pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC)Request For Report Sample@OthersIon-exchange chromatographyAffinity chromatographySuper critical fluid chromatographyColumn chromatographyThin layer chromatographyBy consumables and instrumentsColumnsSyringe filtersVialsTubingsDetectorsAutosamplersPumpsFraction collectorsOthersBy end usersBiotechnology and pharmaceuticals industriesHospitals and research laboratoriesAgriculture and food industriesOthers (cosmetic industries, environmental agencies and nutraceutical companies)The market for chromatography instrumentation holds an immense potential due to increasing number of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Rising government investments for research purpose, expansion of chromatography companies in the Asian region and increasing collaborations among the existing players in the market are some of the other propelling factors for this market. The chromatography instrumentation market is also witnessing huge advancements in the design of column which is consequently raising the demand for development of better analytical resins and reagents. Additionally, emergence of green chromatography, usage of nanomaterial in chromatography and increasing usage of chromatography instrument for monoclonal antibody purification are some of the other opportunities that are fuelling the growth of this market. However, high cost of the chromatography systems and economic slowdown across the globe has resulted in decreased sales of chromatography systems. In addition need of skilled personnel for operates chromatography instrument is a factor which might restrict its demand in the global chromatography instrumentation market.Geographically, North America accounts for the largest share of the chromatography instrumentation market followed by the European region. The dominance of these regions in this market is seen due to growing government investments and funding for research. Further, augmented research and development activities of drugs and biologics and increasing number of conferences on chromatography are some of the key drivers of this industry. However, in the near future the U.S market is expected to decline its market share owing to the market maturity. Asia-Pacific region is expected to show healthy growth in the near future due to expansion of chromatography companies in the regions of India, China, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam. Additionally, several major pharmaceutical companies are also increasingly outsourcing their drug and development services especially in the Asian region which is indentified as another major driver that is augmenting the demand of chromatography reagents in this region.Visit For TOC@Major players operating in this market includes Agilent Technologies, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Bio-Rad Laboratories, GE Healthcare, Life Technologies Corporation, Pall Corporation, Regis Technologies, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, Waters Corporation, Helena Laboratories, Phenomenex, Inc. WWR International, Tosoh Corporation and others.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: Compression Therapy Market Shares, Strategies and Forecast Worldwide, 2015 to 2025 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-496 http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-496 www.futuremarketinsights.com Compression Therapy is a process of applying external pressure to the limbs or other parts of the body through which different chronic disease can be treated. Compression therapy is a very effective technique for disease indication such as, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Venous Thrombolism (VTE), Varicose Veins, Lymphedema, Chronic and Diabetic Ulcers.A gradual pressure is being given to infected area or the veins which in turn increases the blood flow in the veins, increases the drainage of nocious substances, reduces pain and inflammation.A common myth prevailing among people is that compression bandages and clothes hinder the blood circulation but in reality these products are designed in such a way that when applied properly they assist in blood flow.The annual incidence of DVT is around 1 per 1000 people. As per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 60,000-100,000 patients have DVT in United States.Request For Report Sample@Compression Therapy Market: Drivers and RestraintsCompression therapy market is driven by aging population, high incidence of disease indications, rising awareness among patients and ease of application and durability of the products.Other factors include regular product training to physicians that helps them to better understand the product and use of fancy garment to manufacture stockings and bandages.Lack of knowledge about the disease indication among patients and inadequate reimbursement for compression therapy products from government agencies in developed countries will slow down the market in the forecast period.Compression Therapy Market: SegmentationGlobal Compression Therapy Devices is further segmented into these following types:Static Compression TherapyCompression GarmentsUpper Compression GarmentsLower Compression GarmentsCompression BandagesAnti-Embolism StockingsDiabetic ShoesDiabetic Compression SocksDynamic Compression TherapySegmented Compression PumpsNon-Segmented Compression PumpsCompression SleevesCompression Therapy Market: OverviewWith the advancement of technology and increase incidence in disease population, compression therapy is gaining wide acceptance as a method of choice among patients. This market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the forecast period (2015-2025).Advances in garments, textile technology, compression stockings, and bandages aimed at improving patient comfort are expected to drive the market in the forecast period.Compression Therapy Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global compression therapy market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.Visit For TOC@In terms of geography, North America dominates the compression therapy market, followed by Europe. Growing aging population and increasing prevalence of diabetes are also supporting the growth of compression therapy market in this regions. India, China, and Japan are expected to be the fastest-growing markets for compression therapy in Asia.Compression Therapy Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in compression therapy market are SIGVARIS, BSN medical GmbH, Covidien Plc. PAUL HARTMANN AG, 3M Co., ArjoHuntleigh, Thuasne SA, Smith & Nephew plc and medi GmbH & Co.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: Cylinder Particulate Filter Market - Industry Analysis, Size, Trend, Overview, Demand, Gross Margin and Forecast To 20212 Cylinder Particulate Filter Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/392777 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-cylinder-particulate-filter-market-research-report-2017 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/392777 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/send-an-enquiry/392777 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com A new and latest research report proposed by QYResearch Groups renders a market summary of the Cylinder Particulate Filter 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.The Global Cylinder Particulate Filter Market Research Report 2017 renders deep perception of the key regional market status of the Cylinder Particulate Filter Industry on a global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like Europe, North America, and Asia and the key countries such as United States, Germany, China and Japan.For Requesting a Sample Copy of This Report, Please Visit:The report on Global Cylinder Particulate Filter Market is a professional report which provides thorough knowledge along with complete information pertaining to the Cylinder Particulate Filter industry a propos classifications, definitions, applications, industry chain summary, industry policies in addition to plans, product specifications, manufacturing processes, cost structures, etc.The potential of this industry segment has been rigorously investigated in conjunction with primary market challenges. The present market condition and future prospects of the segment has also been examined. Moreover, key strategies in the market that includes product developments, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, etc., are discussed. Besides, upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also conducted.Report Includes:-The report cloaks the market analysis and projection of Cylinder Particulate Filter Market on a regional as well as global level. The report constitutes qualitative and quantitative valuation by industry analysts, first-hand data, assistance from industry experts along with their most recent verbatim and each industry manufacturers via the market value chain. The research experts have additionally assessed the in general sales and revenue generation of this particular market. In addition, this report also delivers widespread analysis of root market trends, several governing elements and macro-economic indicators, coupled with market improvements as per every segment.The report contains diverse profiles of primary market players of Cylinder Particulate Filter Market.1. Monnier2. Delphi3. Tenneco4. Dinex5. Donaldso6. ESW Group7. Eminox8. Bosal9. Huangdi10. HUSS11. DCL12. RYPOS13. Johnson Matthey14. Weifu15. SPMC16. EEC17. NGK InsulatorsTo Browse the Entire Report, Visit:Cylinder Particulate Filter Market Analysis: By Product Glass Fiber Plastic Stainless Steel OtherCylinder Particulate Filter Market Analysis: By Application Pharmaceutical Industry Chemical Industry Electronics Industry OtherThe report is generically segmented into six parts and every part aims on the overview of the Cylinder Particulate Filter industry, present condition of the market, feasibleness of the investment along with several strategies and policies. Apart from the definition and classification, the report also discusses the analysis of import and export and describes a comparison of the market that is focused on the trends and development. Along with entire framework in addition to in-depth details, one can prepare and stay ahead of the competitors across the targeted locations. The fact that this market report renders details about the major market players along with their product development and current trends proves to be very beneficial for fresh entrants to comprehend and recognize the industry in an improved manner. The report also enlightens the productions, sales, supply, market condition, demand, growth, and forecast of the Cylinder Particulate Filter industry in the global markets.So as to fabricate this report, complete key details, strategies and variables are examined so that entire useful information is amalgamated together for the understanding and studying the key facts pertaining the global Cylinder Particulate Filter Industry. The production value and market share in conjunction with the SWOT analysis everything is integrated in this report.Check for Discount @Some points from TOC:-7 Global Cylinder Particulate Filter Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Monnier7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Cylinder Particulate Filter Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Monnier Cylinder Particulate Filter Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Delphi7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Cylinder Particulate Filter Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Delphi Cylinder Particulate Filter Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Tenneco7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Cylinder Particulate Filter Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Tenneco Cylinder Particulate Filter Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Dinex7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Cylinder Particulate Filter Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 Dinex Cylinder Particulate Filter Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Donaldso7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Cylinder Particulate Filter Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Donaldso Cylinder Particulate Filter Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 ESW Group7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Cylinder Particulate Filter Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 ESW Group Cylinder Particulate Filter Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business OverviewEnquiry before Buying @About Us:QY Research Groups 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. QY Research Groups 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 world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb- Zimbabwe Hindus to observe celebration involving women fasting & praying for husband http://www.newspatrolling http://www.newspatrolling NewsPatrolling.com : The Hindoo Society Harare (HSH) in Zimbabwe is organizing Vad Savitri Poonam on June eight, which its announcement describes as a day when women hold a fast and pray for their husbands safety.It further elaborates the celebration as an occasion when wives tie threads around a banyan tree and pray for the well-being of their husband. Women worship a banyan treeWomen give water to the tree, sprinkle red powder (kumkum) on it, and wrap cotton threads around trees trunks. Then they go seven times around the tree. It will reportedly be held in the HSH complex in Ridgeview area of Harare.HSH, a registered welfare organization whose history goes back to 1916, celebrated the 25th anniversary of majestic Shree Omkar Mandir in Ridgeview area of Harare on April 15-16.This temple, completed in 1992, is the centerpiece for various spiritual activities for the Hindu community. Motto of HSH, which runs this temple, is: To promote and preserve the Hindu religious and cultural heritage and to strive for inter-religious harmony, understanding, and universal brotherhood.HSH also runs Cameron Street Omkar Mandir (inauguration stone of which was laid in 1929), Westridge High School (character building is one of whose missions), Westridge Primary School, Gujarati School (foundation stone laid in1928), Mahila Mandal, Shishu Mandal and Yuvak Mandal. It conducts various bhajan events, twice-weekly yoga classes, Hindi lessons, cultural/social activities; organizes daily aarti at both the temples, Havan on Sundays; and offers funeral assistance for bereaved families; etc.Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended efforts of HSH and Zimbabwe Hindu community towards realizing, maintain and running two Hindu temples and conducting various activities around these.Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that HSH would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.Gunvant Bhai Shah is HSHs President. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents.Read more relegious news only at :. ...NewsPatrolling.com : The Hindoo Society Harare (HSH) in Zimbabwe is organizing Vad Savitri Poonam on June eight, which its announcement describes as a day when women hold a fast and pray for their husbands safety.It further elaborates the celebration as an occasion when wives tie threads around a banyan tree and pray for the well-being of their husband. Women worship a banyan treeWomen give water to the tree, sprinkle red powder (kumkum) on it, and wrap cotton threads around trees trunks. Then they go seven times around the tree. It will reportedly be held in the HSH complex in Ridgeview area of Harare.HSH, a registered welfare organization whose history goes back to 1916, celebrated the 25th anniversary of majestic Shree Omkar Mandir in Ridgeview area of Harare on April 15-16.This temple, completed in 1992, is the centerpiece for various spiritual activities for the Hindu community. Motto of HSH, which runs this temple, is: To promote and preserve the Hindu religious and cultural heritage and to strive for inter-religious harmony, understanding, and universal brotherhood.HSH also runs Cameron Street Omkar Mandir (inauguration stone of which was laid in 1929), Westridge High School (character building is one of whose missions), Westridge Primary School, Gujarati School (foundation stone laid in1928), Mahila Mandal, Shishu Mandal and Yuvak Mandal. It conducts various bhajan events, twice-weekly yoga classes, Hindi lessons, cultural/social activities; organizes daily aarti at both the temples, Havan on Sundays; and offers funeral assistance for bereaved families; etc.Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended efforts of HSH and Zimbabwe Hindu community towards realizing, maintain and running two Hindu temples and conducting various activities around these.Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that HSH would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.Gunvant Bhai Shah is HSHs President. Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents.Read more relegious news only at :. ...A-9,Bhagat Singh Marg, Kewal ParkAzadpur Men Formal Shoe Market Expected to Reach $ 460,312 Million, Globally, by 2022 Allied Market Research https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2068 According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Men Formal Shoe Market by Shoe Type and Leather Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20142022, the global men formal shoe market was valued at $6,573 million in 2015, and is estimated to reach $ 9,881 million by 2022, registering a CAGR of 6.2% from 2016 to 2022. In 2015, the oxford shoe type and patent leather segments dominated the global market share. While, the boots shoe type and pebble or full grain leather type segments are anticipated to grow at a robust rate in terms of market share.Men dress shoes are available in various shapes, textures, and colors. Formal hoes are worn in offices, formal meetings, dance, dress code parties, and special occasions. These shoes are made of natural materials rather than synthetic leather.The Oxford shoes segment accounted for 25% share of the global market in 2015, followed by the derby shoe type segment. In addition, the boots shoe type segment registered significant growth in 2015, and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. The market in the developing economies is propelled by aggrandized production and sales of formal shoes in China and other Asian countries. There is also increased imports from many Asia-Pacific countries such as China, Indonesia, Vietnam and India to Europe and North America that enhanced the revenue on classic oxfords, stylish brogue, and loafers globally.Men formal shoe market is one of the expensive segment of the apparel industry. But, increase in GDPs of China and India are gaining the market share both in production and consumption, Japan, China and India as also the major exporters of leather for footwear to developed economies of Europe and North America. Moreover, increased e-commerce within Asia-Pacific is also helping to gain market with maximum CAGR. E-commerce channels are expected to gain popularity in formal shoe sales in the near future.Request for sample report:Key Findings of the Men Formal Shoe Market: Increase in overall disposable income and consumer spending on footwear is expected to propel the market growth. Europe is leading men formal shoe market, followed by the Asia-Pacific region. Asia-Pacific would witness the highest CAGR of 7.9% mainly led by China, because of the large amount of footwear production and exports to European and North America nations. Other countries such as India, Japan, and Malaysia have also started to increase in market share. Oxford shoe type is the most selling and common shoe of this market followed by Derby and Loafers shoes gaining popularity worldwide. Patent leather type is the most utilized leather in men formal shoe market followed by top grain and suede leather gaining acceptance and popularity very fast worldwide.Europe generated the highest revenue in 2015, and is projected to dominate the market throughout the analysis period. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth rate, owing to the presence of emerging economies such as China.The key players profiled in this report include C. & J. Clark International Ltd (UK), Dolce & Gabbana (Italy), Guccio Gucci S.p.A (Italy), Cole Haan LLC (U.S.), Calvin Klein Inc. (U.S.), Burberry Group Inc. (UK), Louis Vuitton (U.S.), Prada S.p.A.(Italy), Hugo Boss AG (Germany), and Alden Shoe Company (U.S.)Allied Market Research5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesDirect: +1-503-894-6022Toll Free: +1 (800) 792-5285 (U.S. & Canada)Fax: +1 (855) 550-5975E-mail: sales@alliedmarketresearch.comAbout UsAllied 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. Global Cloud-enabling Technologies Market Propelled by Growing Demand for Cloud-based Platforms and Solutions: Market Forecast 2017-2021 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1059760 http://www.researchmoz.us/global-connected-car-m2m-market-2017-2021-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Latest Research Report titled " Global Cloud-enabling Technologies Market 2017-2021 " features Key Market Players, Market Trends, Market Challenges and Market Drivers.The latest report, titled Global Cloud-enabling Technologies Market 2017-2021, elaborates on the current features of the market as well as the factors that are influencing it. Apart from calculating the impact of the current drivers and restraints, the report also calculates the overall scope of growth in the market over the forecast period from 2017 to 2021. In order to figure out the overall size of the global cloud-enabling technologies market, the report takes into account the revenues generated from factors such as the adoptions of service oriented architecture solutions, automation and management solutions, and virtualization solutions.According to the report, the global cloud-enabling technologies market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.84% within the forecast period from 2017 to 2021. The report lists out the various drivers of the global cloud-enabling technologies market, and naming the top factor as the booming demand for cloud based solutions across the world. The global cloud-enabling technologies market benefits in particular from the rapidly reducing costs of the solutions, making them highly preferred by clients of all sizes.Browse Research PDF at:However, the global cloud-enabling technologies market is currently being restrained by the lock-in period of most vendors with the older and physical software solutions and infrastructure solutions. The future of the global cloud-enabling technologies market is likely to be directed by the growing rate of implementation of software-defined networks. SDNs have shown a huge potential for growth and are being highly sought after by most client pools.Browse more details at:The evolution of cloud computing has created the availability of resources that are allowing users to earn a high level of value from solutions that include SOA technologies, virtualization technologies, and automated computing. The use of optimal cloud computing technologies allows an organization or an enterprise to gain a deeper level of function at a lower cost. At the same time, advancements in cloud computing technologies have led to a further increase in their adoption, fueling the global cloud-enabling technologies market.The regional analysis of the global cloud-enabling technologies market has been carried out through the segmentation of the global market into the core regions of the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. Each region is explained in full detail, giving the readers of this report a greater level of knowledge regarding the factors that can be take advantage of in each region.The leaders of the global cloud-enabling technologies market over the recent past, have been BMC Software, CA Technologies, Citrix Systems, HPE, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Dell (VMware). Other prominent vendors in the market include Adaptive Computing, Brocade Communications Systems, Fujitsu, Huawei Technologies, Infosys, NEC Corporation, Puppet, Red Hat, SAP, ServiceNow, Tata Consultancy Services, Veeam Software, and Wipro.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: North America's Printing Inks Market - Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 Market Research Report http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=901402 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=901402 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "North America's Printing Inks Market - Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.This research study analyzes the market for North America printing inks in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) and volume (Kilo Tons). The North America printing inks market has been segmented on the basis of product, application, end-use, and country. The report features a detailed segmentation with market growth forecasts from 2016 to 2024. 2015 has been considered the base year and 2016 the estimated year, while all forecasts have been given for the period from 2016 to 2024. Market data for all the segments has been provided at the submarkets and country-specific levels from 2016 to 2024.North America Printing Inks Market: ScopeThe report provides a broad competitive analysis of companies engaged in the production and distribution of printing inks in North America. The report also includes key market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities affecting the North America printing inks market. These are analyzed in detail and illustrated in the report with supporting graphs and tables. The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the market with the help of the Porters Five Forces Analysis model, which helps in understanding the factors that affect the structure and profitability of the North America printing inks market. These are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition.North America Printing Inks Market: Drivers and TrendsThe report provides detailed insights into the North America printing inks business. Currently, numerous factors drive the North America printing inks market. The most prominent drivers include growth of renewable energy, volatility in crude oil prices, bio-based raw materials, oil & gas industry outlook, North America printing ink production facilities, growth rate of end-user industries, and others. Market attractiveness analysis was carried out for the North America printing inks market on the basis of product, application, end-use, and country. Market attractiveness was estimated on the basis of common parameters that directly impact the market.Flexographic and gravure printing inks are primarily used with solvents as base materials. Flexographic and gravure printing methods are widely employed in flexible packaging, especially in food and beverages industries. Solvent-based inks consist of inorganic solvents and toxic metals such as cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. These lead to various health hazards if they come in direct contact with edibles. The number of safety regulations in North America has been increased in order to avoid adverse health consequences resulting from intake of toxic substances. This is likely to hamper the printing inks market in the next few years. In North America, demand for VOC-free printing inks is gaining momentum. Increased environmental regulations regarding usage of VOC inks are driving the market for UV-cured printing inks.Packaging is considered one of the highly important marketing aspects that influence the consumers purchasing decision. In North America, the packaging industry is one of the major consumers of printing inks. Expansion of the food & beverages industry along with increased demand for flexible packaging from the health care sector is expected to boost the demand for printing inks in the next few years.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @North America Printing Inks Market: SegmentationThe North America printing inks market has been segmented into four categories: product, application, end-use and country. In terms of product, the North America printing inks market has been classified into solvent-based, water-based, oil-based, and UV-cured. In terms of application, the North America printing inks market has been classified into flexographic printing, gravure printing, offset printing, digital printing, screen printing, and specialty printing. In terms of end-use, the North America printing inks market has been classified into publication & commercial printing, packaging, textiles, metal cans, and others (decorative printing etc.). In terms of country, the North America printing inks market has been segmented into the U.S. and Canada.Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:Major players operating in the North America printing inks market include Sun Chemical Corporation, Flint Group, Wikoff Color Corporation, Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KgaA, Toyo Ink America, LLC, American Ink and Coatings, INX International Ink Co., and others. The North America printing inks market has been segmented as follows:North America Printing Inks Market: By ProductSolvent-basedWater-basedOil-basedUV-CuredNorth America Printing Inks Market: By ApplicationFlexographic PrintingGravure PrintingOffset PrintingDigital PrintingScreen PrintingSpecialty PrintingNorth America Printing Inks Market: By End-UsePublication & Commercial PrintingPackagingTextilesMetal CansOthers (Decorative Printing, etc.)North America Printing Inks Market: By CountryThe U.S.CanadaMake 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 @ Important Sources Of Wealth in India: Focus On The HNW Investors 2017 Market Research Report http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1117875 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1117875 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Important Sources Of Wealth in India: Focus On The HNW Investors 2017" to its huge collection of research reports."Wealth in India: HNW Investors 2017", analyzes the Indian investment market, with a focus on the HNW segment. The report is based on our proprietary datasets.The Indian wealth management market is characterized by family business owners and inheritors. A lack of expertise and access to sophisticated investment products are driving uptake of financial advice. However, execution-only services are the most popular. As many Indian wealthy individuals made their wealth through the IT sector, it is unsurprising that demand for automated services is forecast to rise. Wealth managers should develop digital propositions to attract this tech-savvy client segment and meet their high expectations in terms of financial advice. Equities are the preferred asset class, and as economic growth will be strong, demand for this product will continue to rise. The provision of financial planning services is also mandatory.Specifically the report -- Sizes the affluent market (both by number of individuals and their demographics) using our proprietary datasets.- Analyzes which asset classes are favored by Indian investors and how their preferences impact the growth of the total savings and investments market.- Examines HNW clients attitudes towards non-liquid investments such as property and commodities.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Scope- Family business ownership and inheritance are the most important sources of wealth, reflecting the importance family holds in India.- Execution-only mandates are the preferred means for investing among Indias HNW individuals, followed by advisory mandates, which are forecast to experience the greatest increase in demand.- Equities, property, and bonds have come to dominate HNW portfolios. Allocations in these asset classes are forecast to grow in the next 12 months.- Pension planning will be the priority for HNW investors, along with financial and tax planning.Reasons to buy- Benchmark your share of the Indian wealth market against the current market size.- Forecast your future growth prospects using our projections for the market to 2020.- Identify your most promising client segment by analyzing penetration of affluent individuals in India.- Evaluate your HNW proposition by understanding how the Indian tax system will impact HNW clients.Table of Contents1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 31.1. Rising levels of affluence have seen Indian HNW investors diversify 31.2. Key findings 31.3. Critical success factors 32. PROFILING THE INDIAN HNW INVESTOR 92.1. Financial services and IT are the primary sources of HNW wealth 92.1.1. The bulk of Indian HNW individuals are males above 50 years of age 92.1.2. Family business ownership is the leading source of Indian HNW wealth 102.1.3. Many HNW investors have built their fortunes through the financial services sector 132.1.4. The majority of HNW investors in India hold executive positions 152.2. Expats in India account for a lower proportion than the regional average 163. INDIAN HNW INVESTMENT STYLE PREFERENCES 193.1. A lack of expertise drives demand for professional advice 193.1.1. HNW investors favor execution-only mandates 193.1.2. HNW Indians expect their wealth managers to be highly experienced 203.1.3. Indias HNW investors place more than half of their managed wealth with their main wealth manager 223.2. The expectation of better returns drives demand for advisory asset managemeMake 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 @ Surgical Sutures Market 2017- Covidien, B.Braun https://goo.gl/pfplmv http://marketreports.biz/report/world-surgical-sutures-market-by-product-type-market-market http://marketreports.biz/ Marketreports.biz, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Surgical Sutures Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Surgical Sutures Market" from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global Surgical Sutures industry, and estimates the future trend of Surgical Sutures market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Surgical Sutures Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportJohnson & Johnson MedicalCovidienB.BraunInternacional FarmaceuticaDemeTechKono SeisakushoSurgical Specialties CorporationManiSamyang BiopharmaceuticalsPeters SurgicalThe market research report explores the Surgical Sutures market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Surgical Sutures Market". The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Surgical Sutures market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Surgical Sutures. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Surgical Sutures market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.The competitive landscape of the global market for Surgical Sutures is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Surgical Sutures market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Surgical Sutures market globally.Read full report with TOC @The worldwide Surgical Sutures market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Surgical Sutures production volume, data pertaining to demand and Surgical Sutures supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Surgical Sutures along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Surgical Sutures across the world.About UsMarketReports.biz offers elevating market research worldwide. We have collection of various syndicated reports of different fields. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank Valadez155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4250Chicago, IL 60606Toll Free: +1-855-918-5551 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +17739042683Web:Email: sales@marketreports.biz Proliferation of Shopping Malls Augments Growth of Global Beacon Management Software Market: Forecast 2017-2021 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1059755 http://www.researchmoz.us/global-beacon-management-software-market-2017-2021-report.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Latest Research Report titled " Global Beacon Management Software Market 2017-2021 " features Key Market Players, Market Trends, Market Challenges and Market Drivers.The report offers an insightful take on the ongoing developments in the overall market. The publication discusses the market drivers and restraints in complete detail along with making a detailed evaluation of strengths and weaknesses. Analysts have applied principles of SWOT analysis to determining the factors likely to influence the segments of the global beacon management software market. The publication has been compiled using primary and secondary research methodologies to help the readers get an accurate and an exact perspective of the overall market.According to the research report, the global beacon management software market is expected to surge at a CAGR of 9.36% during the forecast period of 2017 and 2021. The market is likely to be driven by soaring demand for beacon management at various public places. The emergence of shopping malls has fairly contributed to the demand for beacon management software as it offers an efficient solution for safe transfer and integration of data to software such as CRM and several other social analytics tools from beacons.Browse Research PDF at:On the basis of end users, the global beacon management software market is segmented into non-retail and retail. Of these, the retail sector dominated the global market in 2016. The growing adoption of beacon management software in spaces such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, discounters, cash and carry retailers, specialty stores, and discounters among others are expected to be fuel market growth.Browse more details at:On a geographic point of view, the global market for beacon management software is segmented into Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. Of these, the Americas held a dominant share in the global market. The mushrooming retail sector in the Americas is expected to be the key growth driver for the overall market. Asia Pacific is also estimated to be an emerging market during the forecast period. The only drawback in the global beacon management software market is the lack of awareness about this technology in developing countries. The market is also likely to be restrained by the delayed adoption of technology in the near future.Some of the leading players operating in the global beacon management software market are Swirl, Estimote, Kontakt.io, Gimbal, Beaconinside, Aruba by HP, Sensoro, BlueCats, Cisco Systems, Blue Sense Networks, Glimworm Beacons, Quuppa, Onyx Beacon, Relution, and ZIH. The research dedicates a chapter to the competitive landscape present in the global market and its impact on the revenue earnings of the market. The research report also mentions that the research and development activities of these companies, their plans for mergers and acquisitions, and financial outlook. The research analysts have also estimated the threat this market faces from new entrants and availability of substitutes.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: Latest Research Report On Global and Chinese Hepatitis B Vaccine Industry | ResearchMoz Market Research Report http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=352809 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=352809 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Latest Research Report On Global and Chinese Hepatitis B Vaccine Industry | ResearchMoz" to its huge collection of research reports.The 'Global and Chinese Hepatitis B Vaccine Industry, 2010-2020 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Hepatitis B Vaccine industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Hepatitis B Vaccine manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2010-2015 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Hepatitis B Vaccine industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export.The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2015-2020 market development trends of Hepatitis B Vaccine industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Hepatitis B Vaccine Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2010-2020 global and Chinese Hepatitis B Vaccine industry covering all important parameters.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Chapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.1 Company A3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2010-2015 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.2 Company B3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2010-2015 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.3 Company C3.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2010-2015 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.4 Company D3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2010-2015 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.5 Company E3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2010-2015 Production Information3.5.4 Contact InformationMake 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 @ India IVF Services Market - Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014-2022 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2172 According to a new report published by Allied Market Research titled, India IVF Services Market by End User and Cycle Type: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014-2022, the Indian IVF services market is estimated to reach $775.9 million by 2022, registering a CAGR of 16.6% from 2016 to 2022.The Indian IVF services market is characterized by improvement in standard of living, growth in number of couples delaying parenthood due to professional commitments, increase in stress level, trend of late marriages, and ongoing trends toward financial stability. According to 2013 World Bank estimate, the fertility problems became a major concern since the year 2000, in India. These infertile population incline toward IVF services for parenthood.Get PDF brochure @The growth of the market is associated with modern lifestyle, increase in infertility rate among couples, and increase in spending capacity of middle class and higher class for IVF treatment.The fertility clinics segment is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period in terms of volume and revenue. This is because the fertility clinics provide technologically advanced and wide range of fertility treatments under one roof for patients.Key Findings of the India IVF Services Market: Based on cycle type, thawed IVF cycles (non-donor) is projected to be the one of the fastest growing segment at a CAGR of 18.8% from 2016 to 2022, in terms of revenue Based on end users, fertility clinics is projected to be the one of the fastest growing segment at a CAGR of 17.3% from 2016 to 2022, in terms of revenue Based on cycle type, fresh IVF cycles is projected to be the one of the fastest growing segment at a CAGR of 17.4% from 2016 to 2022, in terms of volume Based on end users, fertility clinics is projected to be the one of the fastest growing segment at a CAGR of 16.4% from 2016 to 2022, in terms of volumeKey players in the Indian IVF services market includes companies, hospitals, surgical centers, fertility centers, and clinical research institutes. These are Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd, Cadila Healthcare Ltd, Trivector Origio Scientific, Lab IVF Asia Pte. Ltd., LG Life Sciences, Bourn Hall Clinic, Morpheus IVF Fertility Center, Southend Fertility, Indira IVF, Pearl Women Hospital & Yash IVF Center, Corion Fertility Clinic, and Origin International Fertility Center.t 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 France IVF Services Market by End Users and Cycle Type by 2022 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/france-ivf-services-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2188 According to a new report published by Allied Market Research titled, France IVF Services Market by End User and Cycle Type: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014-2022, the France IVF services market is estimated to reach $579.2 million by 2022, registering a CAGR of 4.0% from 2016 to 2022.The IVF services market in France is characterized by important factors such as higher success rate, low costs of IVF services as compared to the UK and the U.S., and adoption of IVF child by homosexual couples. In addition, the social security policy on assisted fertility treatments in France is currently recognized as more liberal than the U.S. or the UK. Lower rates of fertility and married homosexuals adoption of IVF babies drive the market growth.Read more @The fertility clinics segment is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period in terms of volume and revenue. Whereas, the fresh IVF cycles (non-donor) segment is expected to be the highest revenue contributor.Key Findings of the France IVF Services Market: Based on cycle type, fresh IVF cycle (non-donor) is projected to be the one of the fastest growing segment at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2016 to 2022, in terms of revenue. Based on end users, fertility clinics is projected to be the one of the fastest growing segment at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2016 to 2022, in terms of revenue. Based on cycle type, fresh IVF cycle (non-donor) is projected to be the one of the fastest growing segment at a CAGR of 4.3% from 20162022, in terms of volume.Request for sample Report @About Us:Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of Market Research Reports and Business Intelligence Solutions. AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.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 Europe Cosmetic Surgery Products Market by Technology, Application & Geography - Analysis & Forecast to 2021 Research N Reports http://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=41600 https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=41600 https://www.researchnreports.com/pharma-healthcare/Europe-Cosmetic-Surgery-Products-Market-Report-2016-41600 Europe Cosmetic Surgery Products Industry 2021 Market Research Report Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.This report on Europe Cosmetic Surgery Products market is a detailed research study that helps provides answers and pertinent questions with respect to the emerging trends and growth opportunities in this particular industry. It helps identify each of the prominent barriers to growth, apart from identifying the trends within various application segments of the Europe market for Cosmetic Surgery Products. Collecting historical and recent data from various authentic resources, and depending on all the factors and trends, the report presents a figurative estimate of the future market condition, along with compound annual growth rate (CAGR).This report studies sales (consumption) of Cosmetic Surgery Products in Europe market, especially in Germany, UK, France, Russia, Italy, Benelux and Spain, focuses on top players in these countries, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each player in these Countries, covering Allergan Cynosure DePuy Synthes Galderma Syneron Medical Alma Lasers, Ltd. Stryker Cutera, Inc. IRIDEX Corporation Johnson & Johnson Lumenis Ltd Genesis Biosystems Merz Aesthetics, Inc. Sanofi S.A. Smith & Nephew plc Syneron & Candela Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Cynosure SoltaRequest Sample Copy of This Premium Report Here:Market Segment by Countries, this report splits Europe into several key Countries, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of Cosmetic Surgery Products in these countries, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like Germany France UK Russia Italy Spain BeneluxThe study segments the market by geography into: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. It provides in-depth forecasts of revenue of the market as a whole as well as each and every application segment. The competitive landscape is mapped depending on product and technology. This study also offers an overview of pricing trends and ancillary factors that will be influencing pricing in the Europe Cosmetic Surgery Products market. The market study, estimation, and market sizing have been done utilizing a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches.Split by product type, with sales, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into1. Injectable2. Implants3. Equipment4. OthersSplit by application, this report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Cosmetic Surgery Products in each application, can be divided into1. Breast2. Facial3. Body4. Neck5. OthersMost important data include the key recommendations and predictions by our analysts, intended to steer a strategic business decision. The company profiles section of this research service is a compilation of the growth strategies, financial status, product portfolio, and recent developments of key market participants. The report provides detailed industry analysis of the Europe Cosmetic Surgery Products market with the help of proven research methodologies such as Porters five forces. The forces analyzed are bargaining power of the buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and the degree of competition.Get 30% Discount On This Premium Report Here:Table of Contents:Europe Cosmetic Surgery Products Market Report 20161. Cosmetic Surgery Products Overview2. Europe Cosmetic Surgery Products by Manufacturers, Type and Application3. Germany Cosmetic Surgery Products (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4. France Cosmetic Surgery Products (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5. UK Cosmetic Surgery Products (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6. Russia Cosmetic Surgery Products (Volume, Value and Sales Price)7. Italy Cosmetic Surgery Products (Volume, Value and Sales Price)8. Spain Cosmetic Surgery Products (Volume, Value and Sales Price)9. Benelux Cosmetic Surgery Products (Volume, Value and Sales Price)10. Europe Cosmetic Surgery Products Manufacturers Analysis11. Cosmetic Surgery Products Manufacturing Cost Analysis12. Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers13. Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders14. Europe Cosmetic Surgery Products Market Forecast (2016-2021)15. Research Findings and ConclusionFor More Info On This Report: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 Us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(ResearchnReports)10916, Gold Point Dr Milk Powder Asia-Pacific Market Size, Share, Growth, Demand, Opportunities, Analysis and Forecasts to 2022 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001818308/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001818308/discount http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW0001818308/buy/4000 Geographically, this report split Asia-Pacific into several key Regions, with sales (K Units) , revenue (Million USD) , market share and growth rate of Milk Powder for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast) , including China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Southeast Asia and Australia.Get free sample copy of report atAsia-Pacific Milk Powder market competition by top manufacturers/players,with Milk Powder sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including Danone, Nestle, FrieslandCampina, Arla, Vreugdenhil Dairy, Alpen Dairies, California Dairies, DFA, Lactalis, Land O'Lakes, Fonterra, Westland, Tatura, Burra Foods, MG, Ausino, Yili, Mengniu, Feihe and Wondersun.Browse complete report at http://www.reportsweb.com/asia-pacific-milk-powder-market-report-2017On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (K MT) , revenue (Million USD) , product price (USD/MT) , market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Goat Milk Powder and Cow Milk Powder. On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume (K MT) , market share and growth rate of Milk Powder for each application, including Milk Powder Processing, Food Processing and Other.Get discount on Purchase report atTable of Content1 Milk Powder Overview2 Asia-Pacific Milk Powder Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type andApplication3 China Milk Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4 Japan Milk Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5 South Korea Milk Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6 Taiwan Milk Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)7 India Milk Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)8 Southeast Asia Milk Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)9 Australia Milk Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)10 Asia-Pacific Milk Powder Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data10.1 Danone10.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.1.2 Milk Powder Product Category, Application and Specification10.1.2.1 Product A10.1.2.2 Product B10.1.3 Danone Milk Powder Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.2 Nestle10.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.2.2 Milk Powder Product Category, Application and Specification10.2.2.1 Product A10.2.2.2 Product B10.2.3 Nestle Milk Powder Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.3 FrieslandCampina10.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.3.2 Milk Powder Product Category, Application and Specification10.3.2.1 Product A10.3.2.2 Product B10.3.3 FrieslandCampina Milk Powder Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview11 Milk Powder Manufacturing Cost Analysis12 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers13 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders14 Market Effect Factors Analysis15 Asia-Pacific Milk Powder Market Forecast (2017-2022)Purchase complete 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 Regulator Valve Market 2017- Watts, Emerson, Jordan Valve, Spirax Sarco, Honeywell, Cash Acme, Cla-Val, Cunico, Danfoss Regulator Valve Market https://goo.gl/LlclIS https://goo.gl/yahcxv http://www.apexresearch.biz Apex Research, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Regulator Valve Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Regulator Valve Market" from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global Regulator Valve industry, and estimates the future trend of Regulator Valve market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Regulator Valve Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportWattsEmersonJordan ValveSpirax SarcoHoneywellCash AcmeCla-ValCunicoDanfossAmicoPraxairAcareCEODEUX MEDITECEssex IndustriesGreggersen GasetechnikMegasan Medical Gas SystemsVTI Ventil TechnikArigmedDELTAFlow-MeterGenstar Technologies CompanyHarrisScott Medical ProductThe market research report explores the Regulator Valve market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Regulator Valve Market". The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Regulator Valve market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Regulator Valve. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Regulator Valve market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.The competitive landscape of the global market for Regulator Valve is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Regulator Valve market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Regulator Valve market globally.Enquire Before Buying @The worldwide Regulator Valve market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Regulator Valve production volume, data pertaining to demand and Regulator Valve supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Regulator Valve along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Regulator Valve across the world.About UsApexResearch offer reports from top publishers and update to serve you with immediate on-line access to professional insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development Executive| sales@apexresearch.biz Compressor Rental Market Studies Research 2017 Detailed Analysis of Restrain and Growth Factors https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=665 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=665 https://www.tmrresearch.com/compressor-rental-market Global Compressor Rental Market: OverviewCompressors are devices that convert mechanical energy into pneumatic energy by using compressed air and gas. As this compressed air or gas is released, a considerable amount of energy is trapped, so as to utilize it for a variety of purposes, such as air transfer, cleaning, and pneumatic device activation. As the rate of urbanization and industrial activities increases, the market for compressor rentals will advance rapidly.The report provides key information about the market trends, opportunities, growth drivers and challenges, along with aspects such as market size, supply and demand ratio, and detailed market segmentation. The leading market players are analyzed in terms of their market shares, product portfolios, and business strategies.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Compressor Rental Market: Drivers and RestraintsWith the development of designs of compressors, more efficiency has been attained so as to meet the demands of various end-users. Some of the compressors being portable, are extensively used in industrial and domestic activities, benefitting the growth of the global compressor rentals market. Technological advancement in the field of compressors is expected to boost the adoption rate of compressors. One example is that of air compressors. Traditional air compressors are run at full speed, and have to be stopped when they reach the right pressure. Then, the compressed air is stored to allow pressure hysteresis. As this is a wasteful practice, technological upgrades in air compressors have been carried out to control speed, thereby saving energy, and contributing toward market growth. Air compressors facilitate transfer of air in several industries such as chemical plants, oil extraction, food and beverage, automobiles, and transport. This is expected to expand the global market for compressor rentals.On the other hand, factors such as high maintenance costs and the contamination of air caused by oil lubrication are expected to limit growth. Also, oil-free compressors can be noisy, and thus can restrict demand for them.Request TOC of the Report @Global Compressor Rental Market: Key SegmentsThe market can be segmented based on end user, technology, types, and geography. On the basis of their design and function, compressors can be divided into centrifugal compressors and positive displacement compressors. In terms of end user, the market for compressor rentals was dominated by the construction segment. The construction segment gained prominence because the execution of construction and building activities such as blasting, piling, spraying, and operating pneumatic tools require portable air compressors.Oil-free air compressors have been growing popular recently as they supply non-contaminated air. The portable air compressors, on account of the convenience they offer, are high in demand in off-site operations. The key end-user segments for air compressors can be industrial, commercial, and residential. Industrial air compressors are similar to commercial air compressors; only they are more powerful and bigger in size and volume. Commercial level air compressors are not very portable when compared to residential ones, but they are certainly more powerful. They can run for a long time without a refill. On the residential level, air compressors are used to spray paint, fill air in balloons, balls, and tires. These functions are generally conducted with electric air compressors, which are ideal for domestic purposes. As the demand for air compressors in all these sectors increases, the compressor rental market is slated to present significant opportunities.Global Compressor Rental Market: Regional OutlookAccording to geography, the key segments can be Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, Europe, and EMEA. The region of Asia Pacific has been exhibiting substantial growth, thanks to the presence of a number of capital-intensive companies that are inclined towards renting compressors instead of buying them. Large- scale construction projects in the countries of Asia Pacific, such as China, Thailand, and India, will further fuel market growth.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Compressor Rental Market: Vendor LandscapeSome of the key players operating in the global compressor rental market include Caterpillar Inc., Ingersoll Rand, Atlas Copco, Aggreko plc, and United Rentals, Inc. One key development in the competitive landscape is the launch of new GA VSD+ oil-injected, compact, rotary screw compressors by Atlas Copco in 2013. These air compressors are designed to cut energy consumption to half the amount required by traditional compressors of similar type. The leading companies in the global compressor rental market have been emphasizing on better product offerings through increased investments in R&D activities.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 ATM Market Supply, Import, Export and Consumption 2017 Global Report ReportsWeb www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001818024/sample www.reportsweb.com/global-atm-market-professional-survey-report-2017 www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001818024/discount www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW0001818024/buy/3500 This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringNCRDieboldWincor Nixdorf InternationalGRG Banking EquipmentHitachi Payment ServicesSynkey GroupPertoFujitsuOKINautilus HyosungSPL GroupHantleRoyal Bank TechnologyKingTellerEastcomRequest a Sample atBy types, the market can be split intoCash DispenserAutomated Deposit TerminalRecycle TypeBy Application, the market can be split intoBankingRetaiOthersBrowse Complete Report atBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaGet discount on report purchase atKey Point from Table of Contents:1 Industry Overview of ATM2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of ATM3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of ATM4 Global ATM Overall Market Overview5 ATM Regional Market Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E ATM Segment Market Analysis (by Type)7 Global 2012-2017E ATM Segment Market Analysis (by Application)8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of ATM9 Development Trend of Analysis of ATM Market10 ATM Marketing Type Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of ATM12 Conclusion of the Global ATM Market Professional Survey Report 2017Purchase Complete Report atContact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiEmail: sales@reportsweb.comOrganization: ReportsWebPhone: +1-646-491-9876ReportsWeb.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. The market research industry has changed in last decade. As corporate focus has shifted to niche markets and emerging countries, a number of publishers have stepped in to fulfil these information needs. We have experienced and trained staff that helps you navigate different options and lets you choose best research solution at most effective cost.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Stationary Catalytic Systems Market: Industry Survey and Outlook 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=731 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=731 https://www.tmrresearch.com/stationary-catalytic-systems-market Global Stationary Catalytic Systems Market: Inclusive InsightsStationary catalytic systems help in reducing the harmful emissions such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from power-plants as well as petro-chemical and other manufacturing industries. Besides destroying carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons with oxidation catalysts, these stationary catalytic systems can also capture fine particulate matter and are are built to withstand high operating temperatures or thermal shock. With the growing environmental concerns across the world, global stationary systems market is projected for a healthy growth rate during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.This report on global market for stationary systems market is a comprehensive analysis of all the factors that are expected to impact the growth rate over the course of next few years, and presents estimations of the future scenario. Considering stringent guidelines set by several governments as a primary factor of this market, the report highlights some of the important regulations in place in various countries. One of the key feature of this report is the section on company profiles wherein some of the key players in this market have been analyzed for their market share, regional outreach, product portfolio, and recent strategic developments. The global stationary catalytic systems market can be segmented on the basis of technology into selective catalytic reduction and catalytic oxidation, and on the basis of application into power plants, chemical and petrochemicals, cement, and metal.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Stationary Catalytic Systems Market: Drivers, Restraints, and OpportunitiesRegulations pertaining to GHG emission, which are getting stricter every passing year due to growing environmental concerns, is the primary driver for the market. For instance, in the U.S., regulations such as National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) is in place for industries to follow in order to reduce industrial pollutant emissions. Coal fired boiler replacement program in China is another recent development that will positively reflect on global stationary catalytic systems market. China, a country with vast population and landscapes, retrofitted 400,000 MW of existing coal-fired boilers with selective catalytic reduction in 2012. With an average life of 3 to 5 years, the country-wide market of china is expected to generate fresh demand for stationary catalytic systems during the forecast period. Some of the other factors complementing the growth rate are expanding adoption of oxidation catalysts to control pollutant emission from gas turbine power generators, varied application of catalytic incineration process at refining, chemical, metal, and food and beverage industry in Asia Pacific, escalating demand for electricity with growing population, and rapid industrialization.Request TOC of the Report @The report detects that selective catalytic reduction segment has the maximum demand in terms of product segment while application-wise, power plant stationary catalytic systems dominate owing to electricity demand from the commercial, industrial, and residential sector.Global Stationary Catalytic Systems Market: Regional OverviewCountry-wide markets of China and India make Asia Pacific the most lucrative region, and with growing number of power plants, the region is anticipated to remain highly profitable through-out the forecast period. Government of India has set aside a budget of US$44 bn for the development of 35,000 km road across the country, which will augment the demand for stationary catalytic systems. France generates maximum demand from Europe market while Canada dominates North America market. Canadian government has pledged an investment of US$11.9 bn for the improvements of social infrastructure that is in sync with environment.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Companies mentioned in the reportDCL International Inc., Johnson Matthey, BASF, CORMETECH, Amec Foster Wheeler, Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, MECA, APC technologies, Ducon Technologies, Air Clean LLC, and Hamon Corporation are some of the prominent names in global stationary catalytic systems 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 Vial Adaptors for Reconstitution Drug Market is expected to reach US$1.3 bn by the end of 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/vial-adaptors-for-reconstitution-drug-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=18509 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Global Vial Adaptors for Reconstitution Drug Market: SnapshotThe global market for vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs has been experiencing a steady demand as these vial adaptors have come to be the safest solutions for quick transfer for drugs between vials. The demand for these vial adaptors is also expected to shoot up as they are exceptionally cost-effective and come with a reduced the risk of needlestick injuries. The growing prevalence of infectious diseases, widening pool of geriatrics, and increasing safety concerns have all triggered a demand for vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs. According to the research report, the global vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market was valued at US$780 mn in 2015 and is expected to reach US$1.3 bn by the end of 2024. Between the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the global market is expected to progress at a CAGR of 7.5%.This 155 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs market. Browse through 28 data tables and 58 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:Autoimmune Diseases to Drive Global Vial Adaptors for Reconstitution Drug MarketOn the basis of therapeutic area, the vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market has been segmented into autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, metabolic conditions, reproductive health and others. Currently, the infectious diseases segment holds a major share in the global vial adaptors for reconstitution drug therapeutic area segment. However, the autoimmune diseases segment is expected to show robust growth rate in the coming years. As of 2015, it was the second largest segment in the overall market in terms of revenue. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) states that more than 50 million individuals are affected by autoimmune disorders in the U.S. every year. This is expected to drive the autoimmune diseases segment in the coming years.North America to Remain the Leading Regional Market during Forecast PeriodIn terms of geography, the global market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. Out of these regional markets, North America remained dominant in the global vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market in 2015. Europe followed this lead closely. The high incidence of autoimmune diseases, rising technological advancements, and growing demand for needle-free products likely to support the growth of the vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market in North America. On the other hand, the demand in Europe will be fueled by increasing advancements in healthcare technology amidst rising safety concerns.Request a sample of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs market during 2016 - 2024:Analysts estimate that Asia Pacific is also likely to be a lucrative market for the vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs during the forecast period. The growing adoption of technology, high prevalence of autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, and increasing adoption of technology are all expected to make a significant contribution to the soaring vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market in Asia Pacific. This regional market will also be propelled by the swelling pool of geriatrics, who are prone to various medical conditions and a vast pool of unmet medical needs. The strengthening economies of Asia Pacific and improving access to healthcare in the region are also likely to augment the demand for vial adaptors for reconstitution drugs.The key players operating in the global vial adaptors for reconstitution drug market are Baxter International Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Cardinal Health, Inc., Sensile Medical AG, Unilife Corporation and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. The market is largely consolidated as major players hold a dominating share.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: Wireless LAN Controllers Market Type, Application, Specification, Technology and Forecast to 2022 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/global-wireless-lan-controllers-wlan-controllers-market-research-report-2017 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001815024/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW0001815024/buy/2900 ReportsWeb.com added Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Market Research Report 2017 to its vast collection of research Database. The report is spread across 119 pages and supported by 18 company leaders.The Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Market Research Report 2017is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) industry. In a word, This report studies Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) in Global market, especially in 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. Key companies included in this research are Cisco, Zyxel, Fortinet, Huawei, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (Aruba Networks), Allied Telesis, Hirschmann, Juniper, NETGEAR, Samsung, Avaya Corporation, D-Link, ZTE Corporation, Dell, LANCOM Systems, MERU Networks, 4ipnet and Ruckus Wireless.Browse complete report @Market Segment by Region, this report splits Global into several key Region, with sales, revenue, market share and growth rate of Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) in these regions, from 2011 to 2022 (forecast), like United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Firstly, Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Market On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into 2 Port Wireless LAN Controllers, 4 Port Wireless LAN Controllers, 6 Port Wireless LAN Controllers, 8 Port Wireless LAN Controllers, 16 Port Wireless LAN Controllers, 32 Port Wireless LAN Controllers and Others. 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 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) for each application, including Enterprise, Residential and Others.Request for Sample @Major points from Table of Contents:1 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Market Overview2 Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Market Competition byManufacturers3 Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Production, Revenue (Value) by Regions (2012-2017)4 Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)5 Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Types6 Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Market Analysis by Applications7 Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Cisco7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Zyxel7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Zyxel Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Fortinet7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Fortinet Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview8 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Market Forecast (2017-2022)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers)Figure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Production (K Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Product Picture of 2 Port Wireless LAN ControllersTable Major Manufacturers of 2 Port Wireless LAN ControllersFigure Product Picture of 4 Port Wireless LAN ControllersTable Major Manufacturers of 4 Port Wireless LAN ControllersFigure Product Picture of 6 Port Wireless LAN ControllersTable Major Manufacturers of 6 Port Wireless LAN ControllersFigure Product Picture of 8 Port Wireless LAN ControllersTable Major Manufacturers of 8 Port Wireless LAN ControllersFigure Product Picture of 16 Port Wireless LAN ControllersTable Major Manufacturers of 16 Port Wireless LAN ControllersFigure Product Picture of 32 Port Wireless LAN ControllersTable Major Manufacturers of 32 Port Wireless LAN ControllersFigure Product Picture of OthersTable Major Manufacturers of OthersFigure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Consumption (K Units) by Applications (2012-2022)Figure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Consumption Market Share by Applications in 2016Figure Enterprise ExamplesTable Key Downstream Customer in EnterpriseFigure Residential ExamplesTable Key Downstream Customer in ResidentialFigure Others ExamplesTable Key Downstream Customer in OthersFigure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Market Size (Million USD) , Comparison (K Units) and CAGR (%) by Regions (2012-2022)Figure United States Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure EU Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Japan Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure South Korea Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Taiwan Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Capacity, Production (K Units) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Major Players Product Capacity (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Capacity Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2016Figure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2017Figure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Major Players Product Production (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Production (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Production Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure 2016 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Production Share by ManufacturersFigure 2017 Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Production Share by ManufacturersFigure Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Major Players Product Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue (Million USD) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table 2016 Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable 2017 Global Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable Global Market Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Average Price (USD/Unit) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure Global Market Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Average Price (USD/Unit) of Key Manufacturers in 2016Table Manufacturers Wireless LAN Controllers (WLAN Controllers) Manufacturing Base Distribution and Sales AreaPlace a Direct Purchase Order of Complete 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 Car Alternator Market 2017- Bosch, Valeo, Denso, Mahle, Mitsubishi Electric, Prestolite, Remy International, Hella, Hitachi Car Alternator Market https://goo.gl/gZllUT https://goo.gl/Lj7k5R http://www.apexresearch.biz Apex Research, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Car Alternator Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Car Alternator Market" from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global Car Alternator industry, and estimates the future trend of Car Alternator market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Car Alternator Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportBoschValeoDensoMahleMitsubishi ElectricPrestoliteRemy InternationalHellaHitachiThe market research report explores the Car Alternator market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Car Alternator Market". The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Car Alternator market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Car Alternator. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Car Alternator market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.The competitive landscape of the global market for Car Alternator is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Car Alternator market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Car Alternator market globally.Enquire Before Buying @The worldwide Car Alternator market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Car Alternator production volume, data pertaining to demand and Car Alternator supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Car Alternator along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Car Alternator across the world.About UsApexResearch offer reports from top publishers and update to serve you with immediate on-line access to professional insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development Executive| sales@apexresearch.biz Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market: Latest Trends & Insights 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medical-oxygen-concentrators-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3998 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market: SnapshotThe global medical oxygen concentrators market is currently being driven by the rising number of COPD patients across the world. The number of patients suffering from lung cancer, asthma, smoking-related lung disorders, and other respiratory illnesses is also increasing at a swift rate, further boosting the overall demand for oxygen supply units and especially medical oxygen concentrators. These units are also considered more advantageous due to their portability and the fact that they can provide an uninterrupted supply of oxygen. Government reimbursement policies are also being increasingly favorable to the global medical oxygen concentrators market and the adoption rate of these units. The market also credits the increasing geriatric population as one of the leading demographics in need of constant oxygen supply. However, the global medical oxygen concentrators market is being restrained by the large number of oxygen concentrators with continuous flow technology, which essentially waste oxygen and electricity when not in use. The high cost of portable oxygen concentrators is also making it difficult for emerging economies to adopt them at a faster rate.This 171 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market. Browse through 24 data tables and 70 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:The global medical oxygen concentrators market is projected to reach US$2.41 bn in 2024. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2016 to 2024, and was valued at US$1.25 bn in 2016.Consumers Show Greater Preference for Portable Medical Oxygen ConcentratorsIn terms of modality, the global medical oxygen concentrators market is segmented into portable and stationary oxygen concentrators. Portable oxygen concentrators were leading the market in terms of demand in 2015. Portable oxygen concentrators are easy to carry, light in weight, work on rechargeable lithium batteries, and are small in size. They are designed for an individual of any age being able to carry a unit along his/her daily activities while receiving a concentrated supply of oxygen. The technology used in portable oxygen concentrators is largely known as pulse technology. Stationary oxygen concentrators work on continuous flow technology and consequently require a continuous electricity supply. These are generally used by patients during the night or at their homes. Due to the several advantages posited by the use of portable oxygen concentrators, it is expected that they will continue to acquire the leading share in the global oxygen concentrators market during the forecast period.According to technology, pulse flow technology leads the global medical oxygen concentrators market in terms of growth rate currently. This technology releases concentrated oxygen only when the patient inhales. Thus it does not base itself on continuous working of the oxygen concentrators and reduces overall consumption of power, allowing units with pulse flow technology to work on rechargeable lithium batteries. Among the end users of the global medical oxygen concentrators market, the home care segment has so far been the leading revenue generator.Request a sample of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Medical Oxygen Concentrators Market during 2016 - 2024:Geriatric and COPD Population in North America Puts Region in LeadIn terms of geography, the global medical oxygen concentrators market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America contributed the leading volume of demand in the global oxygen concentrators market for 2015, owing to an increasing use of portable oxygen concentrators at home. This region is likely to remain in the lead over the coming years. Europe places second in terms of demand in the global medical oxygen concentrators market, owing to an increasing level of awareness over use of oxygen concentrators over conventional oxygen supply units. Latin America and Asia Pacific collectively contributed to 31.4% of share in the global medical oxygen concentrators market for 2015 and are positioned as high potential locations in terms of untapped regions.Leading players in the global medical oxygen concentrators market so fat have been Chart Industries, Inc., Inogen, Inc., Invacare Corporation, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Resmed Inc., Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare LLC., Precision Medical, Inc., Besco Medical Co. Ltd., O2 Concepts LLC, and GCE Group.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: Pulmonary Drug Delivery Devices Market is likely to attain a value of US$43.05 bn by the end of 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pulmonary-drug-delivery-systems.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=873 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ The global pulmonary drug delivery devices market demonstrates a high degree of competition between GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, AstraZeneca Plc, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Merck & Co. Inc. states a new research report by Transparency Market Research. With the top five players accounting for more than 67%, the market exhibits a largely consolidated structure.Analysts project this market to remain competitive over the forthcoming years, specifically the drug markets for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), thanks to the robust product pipelines of established drug-makers.This 238 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the pulmonary drug delivery devices market. Browse through 42 data tables and 86 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:According to the research report, the worldwide market for pulmonary drug delivery devices, which stood at US$32.2 bn in 2015, is expected to progress at a CAGR of 3.30% between 2016 and 2024 and reach US$43.05 bn by the end of the forecast period. The application of these devices is higher in the asthma segment and is expected to remain so over the next few years, thanks to the robust pipeline of drugs for the treatment of asthma.North America to Continue to Lead Global MarketAn analysis of the geographical presence of the global pulmonary drug delivery devices market has also been presented in this research report. As per the study, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa are the prime regional markets for pulmonary drug delivery devices. North America, among these, is leading the global market with Europe trailing closely. The key factor behind the rise of both the regional markets is the increasing prevalence of COPD.With the technological advancements in pulmonary drug delivery devices, North America is likely to retain its position across the world with a share of more than 40% by the end of the forecast period. The markets for pulmonary drug delivery devices in Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa are also projected to witness significant growth in the next few years, owing to the increasing prevalence of respiratory disorders. The rising level of awareness among consumers regarding health and wellness and the increase in the disposable income are also anticipated to propel these markets in the near future, states the research report.Request a sample of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving pulmonary drug delivery devices market during 2016 - 2024:Rising Pool of Respiratory Disorder Patients to Fuel Markets GrowthThe rising pool of patients suffering from respiratory disorders is having the most prominent impact on the global market for pulmonary drug delivery devices, states an analyst at TMR. The alarming rise in air pollution and the increasing number of smokers, worldwide, are adding substantially to the already worsened situation of COPD patient pool, leading to a remarkable surge in the demand for these devices. Analysts expect this scenario to remain so over the period of forecast, resulting in a high demand pace for these devices.In addition to this, the market is anticipated to benefit from the increasing research and development in the treatments for asthma and COPD in the near future. However, the imminent patent expiry of blockbuster drugs and several regulatory hurdles may limit the growth of this market to some extent in the years to come, notes the research study.The study presented here is based on a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR) titled Pulmonary Drug Delivery Devices Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2016 - 2024.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: Wire Telecom Equipment Market Production, Consumption, Revenue, Price, Development Trend and Key Manufacturers Analysis 2017 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/global-wire-telecom-equipment-market-research-report-2017 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001818080/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW0001818080/buy/2900 ReportsWeb.com added Global Wire Telecom Equipment Market Research Report 2017 to its vast collection of research Database. The report is spread across 108 pages and supported by 10 company leaders.The Global Wire Telecom Equipment Market Research Report 2017is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Wire Telecom Equipment industry. In a word, This report studies Wire Telecom Equipment 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. Key companies included in this research are HUAWEI, ZTE, Cisco Systems, Fujitsu, Qualcomm, Juniper Networks, ECI Telecom, Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia Solutions and Networks.Browse complete report @Market Segment by Region, this report splits Global into several key Region, with sales, revenue, market share and growth rate of Wire Telecom Equipment in these regions, from 2011 to 2022 (forecast), like North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. Firstly, Wire Telecom Equipment Market On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Optical Fiber, Cable and Other. 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 Wire Telecom Equipment for each application, including Homehold and Commercial.Request for Sample @Major points from Table of Contents:1 Wire Telecom Equipment Market Overview2 Global Wire Telecom Equipment Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Wire Telecom Equipment Production, Revenue (Value) by Regions(2012-2017)4 Global Wire Telecom Equipment Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)5 Global Wire Telecom Equipment Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Types6 Global Wire Telecom Equipment Market Analysis by Applications7 Global Wire Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 HUAWEI7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Wire Telecom Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 HUAWEI Wire Telecom Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 ZTE7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Wire Telecom Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 ZTE Wire Telecom Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Cisco Systems7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Wire Telecom Equipment Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Cisco Systems Wire Telecom Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview8 Wire Telecom Equipment Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Wire Telecom Equipment Market Forecast (2017-2022)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Wire Telecom EquipmentFigure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Production (K Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Product Picture of Optical FiberTable Major Manufacturers of Optical FiberFigure Product Picture of CableTable Major Manufacturers of CableFigure Product Picture of OtherTable Major Manufacturers of OtherFigure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Consumption (K Units) by Applications (2012-2022)Figure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Consumption Market Share by Applications in 2016Figure Homehold ExamplesTable Key Downstream Customer in HomeholdFigure Commercial ExamplesTable Key Downstream Customer in CommercialFigure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Market Size (Million USD) , Comparison (K Units) and CAGR (%) by Regions (2012-2022)Figure North America Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Europe Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Japan Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Southeast Asia Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure India Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Capacity, Production (K Units) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Major Players Product Capacity (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Wire Telecom Equipment Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Wire Telecom Equipment Capacity Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2016Figure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2017Figure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Major Players Product Production (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Wire Telecom Equipment Production (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Wire Telecom Equipment Production Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure 2016 Wire Telecom Equipment Production Share by ManufacturersFigure 2017 Wire Telecom Equipment Production Share by ManufacturersFigure Global Wire Telecom Equipment Major Players Product Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue (Million USD) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table 2016 Global Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable 2017 Global Wire Telecom Equipment Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable Global Market Wire Telecom Equipment Average Price (USD/Unit) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure Global Market Wire Telecom Equipment Average Price (USD/Unit) of Key Manufacturers in 2016Table Manufacturers Wire Telecom Equipment Manufacturing Base Distribution and Sales AreaPlace a Direct Purchase Order of Complete 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 Baby Powder Market 2017- Pigeon, Johnson & Johnson, California Baby, Wyeth, Lancome, Burts Bees, Dr.Browns, Goodbaby, FIVERAMS Baby Powder Market https://goo.gl/Qej3q2 https://goo.gl/iPwTP7 http://www.apexresearch.biz Apex Research, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Baby Powder Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Baby Powder Market" from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global Baby Powder industry, and estimates the future trend of Baby Powder market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Baby Powder Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportPigeonJohnson & JohnsonCalifornia BabyWyethLancomeBurts BeesDr.BrownsGoodbabyFIVERAMSWakodoSanosanZichumyCareforYumeijingThe Honest Company, Inc.Chattem, Inc.The market research report explores the Baby Powder market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Baby Powder Market". The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the Baby Powder market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Baby Powder. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Baby Powder market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.The competitive landscape of the global market for Baby Powder is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Baby Powder market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Baby Powder market globally.Enquire Before Buying @The worldwide Baby Powder market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Baby Powder production volume, data pertaining to demand and Baby Powder supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Baby Powder along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for Baby Powder across the world.About UsApexResearch offer reports from top publishers and update to serve you with immediate on-line access to professional insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development Executive| sales@apexresearch.biz Microcars Market - Global Trends, Market Share, Industry Size, Growth, Opportunities, and Market Forecast 2017-2022 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/global-microcars-market-research-report-2017 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001817932/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW0001817932/buy/2900 ReportsWeb.com added Global Microcars Market Research Report 2017 to its vast collection of research Database. The report is spread across 124 pages and supported by 22 company leaders.The Global Microcars Market Research Report 2017is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Microcars industry. In a word, This report studies Microcars in Global market, especially in United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer. Key companies included in this research are Daihatsu, Suzuki Motor, Hyundai, Honda, Maruti, Nissan, Toyota Motor, Fiat, PSA, Daimler AG, Renault S.A., Grecav Auto, Tata Motors, Changan, ZOTYE, SAIC, Chery, BYD, Geely, JAC, Piaggio and Tata.Browse complete report @Market Segment by Region, this report splits Global into several key Region, with sales, revenue, market share and growth rate of Microcars in these regions, from 2011 to 2022 (forecast), like United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea and India. Firstly, Microcars Market On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Electricity Cars, Hybrid Cars, Fuel Cars and Other. 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 Microcars for each application, including Personal and Commercial.Request for Sample @Major points from Table of Contents:1 Microcars Market Overview2 Global Microcars Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Microcars Production, Revenue (Value) by Regions (2012-2017)4 Global Microcars Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)5 Global Microcars Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Types6 Global Microcars Market Analysis by Applications7 Global Microcars Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Daihatsu7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Microcars Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Daihatsu Microcars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Suzuki Motor7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Microcars Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Suzuki Motor Microcars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Hyundai7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Microcars Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Hyundai Microcars Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview8 Microcars Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Microcars Market Forecast (2017-2022)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of MicrocarsFigure Global Microcars Production (K Units) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Types (Product Category) (2012-2022)Figure Global Microcars Production Market Share by Types (Product Category) in 2016Figure Product Picture of Electricity CarsTable Major Manufacturers of Electricity CarsFigure Product Picture of Hybrid CarsTable Major Manufacturers of Hybrid CarsFigure Product Picture of Fuel CarsTable Major Manufacturers of Fuel CarsFigure Product Picture of OtherTable Major Manufacturers of OtherFigure Global Microcars Consumption (K Units) by Applications (2012-2022)Figure Global Microcars Consumption Market Share by Applications in 2016Figure Personal ExamplesTable Key Downstream Customer in PersonalFigure Commercial ExamplesTable Key Downstream Customer in CommercialFigure Global Microcars Market Size (Million USD) , Comparison (K Units) and CAGR (%) by Regions (2012-2022)Figure United States Microcars Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure EU Microcars Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China Microcars Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Japan Microcars Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure South Korea Microcars Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure India Microcars Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Global Microcars Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Microcars Capacity, Production (K Units) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Microcars Major Players Product Capacity (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Microcars Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Microcars Capacity Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure Global Microcars Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2016Figure Global Microcars Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2017Figure Global Microcars Major Players Product Production (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Microcars Production (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Microcars Production Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure 2016 Microcars Production Share by ManufacturersFigure 2017 Microcars Production Share by ManufacturersFigure Global Microcars Major Players Product Revenue (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Microcars Revenue (Million USD) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Microcars Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table 2016 Global Microcars Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable 2017 Global Microcars Revenue Share by ManufacturersTable Global Market Microcars Average Price (USD/Unit) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure Global Market Microcars Average Price (USD/Unit) of Key Manufacturers in 2016Table Manufacturers Microcars Manufacturing Base Distribution and Sales AreaPlace a Direct Purchase Order of Complete 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 Medical Holography Market Worldwide Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts 2016 to 2026 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medical-holography-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19295 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Biomedical imaging technology is bringing in numerous innovations in the medical technology field. Medical imaging has become one of the fastest growing industries. Medical holography is one such technical advancement in medical science that is expected to answer the most complicated diagnostic issues. A medical hologram produces three dimension (3D) images of the human body in real time images or in the form of video stream. The real time images produced by the medical hologram are of high resolution and would help to reveal the complexities in the diagnosed body. Some of the medical holograms are interactive in nature that also provide most effective user interface for better understanding.Obtain Report Details:There is a high demand for advanced medical imaging from the healthcare sector. As the innovations in medical education are growing, medical holography market is expected to benefit from these innovations due to increased technology integration. Increased awareness among the consumers related to advanced medical technologies is expected to have a positive influence on medical holography market. Medical holography facilitates the real-time viewing of the diagnosed body, further improving the analysis process. The medical holography system provides an advanced diagnostic methodology to the doctors. These systems offer doctors a better understanding about the anatomy of the patients body, driving the demand for medical holography market. Medical holography helps the doctors to view complex displacement of bones or tissues that had occurred. The medical holography system is also expected to help the doctors to understand the medical complications more easily and quickly. Hologram guided heart surgeries are expected to gain more importance during the forecast period. With the help of holograms doctors can easily examine patients heart conditions or detect a colon cancer without breaking the skin. It will result in the quick diagnosis of any disease and the doctor can start with his treatment. Furthermore, there are numerous companies across the world investing in medical holography technologies. Introduction of augmented reality in the field of medical holography could be one of the greatest opportunities to the producers of medical holograms. Limited adoption of medical holograms despite its numerous advantages could prove to be a restraining factor for the market. The pricing of such medical holography technology is also higher which could affect its adoption among customers. However, with increasing technology adoption in medical and healthcare sectors this hurdle is expected to be tackled.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report:The medical holography market can be segmented on the basis of medical hologram types and the technology adopted in medical holography. Volumetric displays, planar/HUD interactive display, segmented displays, static digital holograms are a few of the types of medical holograms. Some of the common technologies viewed in medical holography market are plasma, touchable, electro holographic, semi-transparency, and laser technology.Some of the key players engaged in medical holography market are Dongguan Linbiao hologram manufacturer, Eon Reality Inc., EchoPixel, Inc., Zebra Imaging, General Electric Company, Microsoft Inc, Provision Holdings Inc., RealView Imaging Ltd., Holographic 3d solutions, Holography Industry JV, Ne&Ro Invest SRL., Arnold Herzig GmbH, DPL Industri A/S Denmark and Olomagic.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a 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: Global Petroleum (Petcoke) Coke Market Price by Types (Chart, Index, per ton,), Suppliers, Material Handling, Industry Company Demand of Research Report 2025 Petroleum (Petcoke) Coke https://www.progressivemarkets.com/request-sample/petroleum-coke-market https://www.progressivemarkets.com/enquiry-about-report/petroleum-coke-market https://www.progressivemarkets.com/request-customization/petroleum-coke-market The Global Petroleum Coke Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2017 to 2025.Petroleum coke, also known as petcoke, is a black, solid organic material obtained as a byproduct of the crude oil refining process. Crude oil left behind after the extraction of petroleum (petroleum coke price market) products, such as wax, diesel, and other lubricants, is further processed to produce petroleum coke. The type of petroleum coke produced depends on several factors, such as the quality of raw materials used or the temperature and time of the process. Due to its high calorific value, petcoke gained importance in the market since 2008, and is being used as a source of energy in several industries.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @ :Based on type, the market is bifurcated into fuel grade coke and calcinated coke. Fuel grade coke occupies around four-fifths of the total petcoke produced globally. According to application, it is categorized into power generation, calcination, cement kilns, and others (paper, paint, and fertilizer industries). Geographic breakdown and deep analysis of each of the aforesaid segments have resulted in the following regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. (lpg price market)Petroleum Coke Market by Type Fuel Grade Coke Calcined Coke (coking coal price market)Petroleum Coke Market Dynamics:Drivers: High demand of fuel grade coke from the cement industry, especially in the Asia-Pacific region Increasing global energy demandRestraints: Highly volatile prices and environmental concerns such as pollution due to high Sulfur contentFor further inquiries, about Global Petroleum Coke Market enquire here >>>>Petroleum Coke Market Players:The top players in the global petroleum coke market include BP plc, ExxonMobil Corporation, Chevron Corporation, Reliance Industries Limited, Valero Energy Corporation, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Royal Dutch Shell Plc., Essar Oil Corporation, Saudi Arabian Oil Company, and HPLC-Mittal Energy Limited.Petroleum Coke Market by Application Power Generation Calcination Cement Kilns OthersKey Point From Table of Content7. Company profiles7.1. BP plc7.1.1. Overview (jet fuel prices market)7.1.2. Financials and business segments7.1.3. Recent developments7.2. Chevron Corporation7.2.1. Overview7.2.2. Financials and business segments7.2.3. Recent developments7.3. Essar Oil Corporation7.3.1. Overview (coke prices market)7.3.2. Financials and business segments7.3.3. Recent developmentsRequest for Customization:Petroleum Coke Market by Geography North Americao U.S.o Canadao Mexico Europeo UKo Germanyo Franceo Spaino Italyo Rest of EuropeAbout us:Progressive Markets is the answer to every possible business query. It is a market research and business consulting firm, headquartered in India with an aim to deliver up-to-date executive support to foster overall growth of an organization in its domain.Contact us:Antviews Global,Serve No. 721/1 Flat No 404,Sudhanshu co. op Housing Society,Shastri Road, Near Kalavati Devi Mandir,Fatak Baug, Pune 411 030.help@progressivemarkets.com Lateral Flow Diagnostic Tests Market : APAC Industry Analysis 2023 & Strategies Of Key Players http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/apac-lateral-flow-diagnostic-tests-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=7739 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Rise of Diseases Increases Demand for Lateral Flow Diagnostic TestsLateral flow diagnostic tests have become the need of the hour due to a global rise in the number of diabetics, cancer cases, patients suffering from cardiovascular conditions, and those struggling with autoimmune diseases across Asia Pacific. The demand for these diagnostic tests has also seen a spike given their ease of use and minimal operating instructions. At the same time, the increasing demand for point-of-care diagnosis has given this market a gigantic platform for growth. The increasing awareness about diseases and rising expenditure on healthcare are also augmenting this market.With these market drivers, the APAC lateral flow diagnostic tests market is expected to register a revenue of US$3.22 bn by the end of 2023 as compared to US$2.30 bn in 2015, as the market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 5.7%. Analysts predict that the untapped market for diagnosing cancer will present a lucrative opportunity to this market in the near future. The future also demand lateral flow diagnostic tests for the purpose of diagnosis a range of conditions such as drugs of abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy as consumers become aware of a myriad health conditions.Obtain Report Details @Japan to Retain Lead, Even as China and India Follow with Large Population BaseThe report states that Japan is the key region in the APAC lateral flow diagnostic tests market and is expected to rise at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2015 and 2023. This growth will be supplemented by the fact that Japan is the second largest healthcare market. Furthermore, the ongoing infrastructural developments, growing access to medical, and investments in medical research are all contributing towards the growth of this geographical segment. Efforts to develop cost-effective diagnostic kits for Ebola by researchers at Nagasaki University are expected to help this country retain its lead in the coming years as well.Considering the exploding population of China and India, both these countries will continue to show remarkable progress in the healthcare sector, thus, propelling the adoption of lateral flow diagnostic tests. Changing lifestyles, increasing cases of obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and rising per capita incomes of the residents of these countries will also contribute towards sizeable earnings of the overall market.Greater Awareness about Pregnancy Testing to Boost Demand for Lateral Flow Diagnostic TestsLateral flow diagnostic tests are widely used in diagnosing pregnancy, HIV, influenza, syphilis, malaria, and others. Pregnancy was the leading application segment in 2014 due to a greater awareness about pregnancy testing amongst the female population, affordable pricing of these tests, and the increasing number of pregnancies in the region. During the forecast period, this segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.5%. The hepatitis application segment will also be an emerging segment in the APAC lateral flow diagnostic tests market as cases of hepatitis continue to be on the rise in the region.Fill The Form To Gain Deeper Insights On This Market @Some of the leading players operating in the APAC lateral flow diagnostic tests market are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Alere, Inc., Beckman Coulter, Inc., Dickinson and Company, Becton, bioMerieux SA, EMD Millipore, Siemens Healthcare, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., and QIAGEN. The competitive landscape of the market is defined as consolidated with the presence of a few large regional players. Companies will have to dedicate their research and development activities towards delivering solutions that are technologically advanced to stay ahead of the competition.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 insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: UV Curable Coatings Market 2017 - PPG, Heygey, Y.S.Paint, Bona, KLUMPP, Banfert, SHIMING.E.C, Akzonobel UV Curable Coatings Market https://goo.gl/QVaagq https://goo.gl/w69A8E http://www.apexresearch.biz Apex Research, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "UV Curable Coatings Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "UV Curable Coatings Market" from view of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries. The research report analyses and provides the historical data along with current performance of the global UV Curable Coatings industry, and estimates the future trend of UV Curable Coatings market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "UV Curable Coatings Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportAkzonobelPPGTREFFERT Group(Looser Holding AG)Musashi Paint CoTIKKURILAOyjCoattec.IncKLUMPPBonaSherwin-WilliamsY.S.PaintHeygeyJiangyin Mingda Chemical CoJiangsu Himonia Technology CoTONG JOU CHEMICAL INDUSTRIALChina Paint MFG.CoSokan New MaterialShenzhen City Yong Sheng Hui CoHipro Polymer MaterialsShanghai LanbaoJiangsu East Asian elephants Paint CoSHIMING.E.CHuarun(Valspar)Hang Cheung Coatings (Hui Yang) LtdBanfertPhiChem CorporationThe market research report explores the UV Curable Coatings market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "UV Curable Coatings Market". The research report studies the entire value chain from raw material to end user industries. The report also shares import/export statistics along with production and consumption for all major regions and countries. Moreover, the research study classifies the UV Curable Coatings market based on major product types, application and end users industries of UV Curable Coatings. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for UV Curable Coatings market. The report further provides production, capacity, price per region, gross margin, production cost, for all major regions and countries listed in report.The competitive landscape of the global market for UV Curable Coatings is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, UV Curable Coatings market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the UV Curable Coatings market globally.Enquire Before Buying @The worldwide UV Curable Coatings market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, UV Curable Coatings production volume, data pertaining to demand and UV Curable Coatings supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of UV Curable Coatings along with detailed manufacturing sources. The report also shares list of major raw material manufacturers along with their manufacturing locations. Detailed raw material price trend analysis along with manufacturing cost analysis is also incorporated into the report. Various methodical tools such as investment returns, feasibility, SWOT analysis and market attractiveness analysis has been implemented in the research study to present a comprehensive, detailed study of the industry for UV Curable Coatings across the world.About UsApexResearch offer reports from top publishers and update to serve you with immediate on-line access to professional insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends. Customers can buys different reports across various categories such as Chemical and Material, Biotechnology, Healthcare, Food and beverages, Automobile and various sectors. Our Website offers safe and secure online ordering experience, convenient payment options.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development Executive| sales@apexresearch.biz Construction Repaint Market Growth with Worldwide Industry Analysis to 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=689 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=689 https://www.tmrresearch.com/construction-repaint-market Global Construction Repaint Market: OverviewConstruction repaints are paints used in residential buildings, commercial, and institutional establishments for the purpose of maintenance works, making repairs, and carrying out renovation. They typically consist of varnishes, emulsions, and enamels. The paints are primarily waterborne or solvent-borne formulations. The large number of buildings and constructions across the globe that need renovation and repairs have necessitated the demand for these repaints and kept the construction repaint market fast emerging.The construction repaints market can be segmented on the basis of resin type, formulation, application, and region. Major resin types that have applications as repaints are acrylic, epoxy, alkyd, polyurethane, and epoxy. Key regions witnessing the growth of the construction repaint market are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.Waterborne paints being water soluble are widely used as construction repaints. Acrylic paint, a resin type and having waterborne formulations, occupies a prominent share in the construction repaint market. Acrylic paints are available as emulsions, lacquers, powders, and enamels and are easy to maintain. Being cost-effective and having low volatile organic compounds (VOC), they are preferred over other construction repaints. Stringent environmental regulations related to emission norms of volatile organic compounds laid down by the governments in various countries have led to a significant demand for these construction repaints.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The research report provides a comprehensive insight into the manufacturing processes, current and emerging trends, and the advances in specialty chemicals. The study analyzes the key market dynamics and assesses their impact on the demand for the major types of construction repaints across the globe. Prepared with the help of insights from various industry leaders and market experts, the report evaluates the development of upstream raw material value chain, downstream client survey, and supply chain network, along with their impact on competitive dynamics. The insights help stakeholders track the key trends and enable players to devise impactful strategies to gain a stronghold in the construction repaint market.Global Construction Repaint Market: Drivers and RestraintsWorn-off paint coatings in a large number of commercial and residential buildings and the damage of paints in various construction structures over time are the key factors driving the demand for construction repaints. Coupled with this, the rising demand for various repair and maintenance activities in the construction sector is anticipated to boost the growth of the construction repaint market. The demand for paints in different end-use industries such oil and gas, petrochemical, mining, and pharmaceutical is expected to stimulate the demand for construction repaints for various applications.Request TOC of the Report @In contrast, volatility in the raw materials prices due to fluctuating crude oil prices and growing popularity of glass buildings are crucial factors expected to hinder the growth of the construction repaints market. The application of durable paints, which has slowed down the decay of paints in buildings, is likely to impede the growth of the construction repaint market to some extent. In addition, the high cost involved in the manufacturing of paints having high performance characteristics is expected to hinder the growth of the market in some regions. However, the demand for bio-based paint materials driven by stringent environmental regulations by various governments in developed and developing regions is anticipated to create promising growth opportunities for players in the construction repaint market.Global Construction Repaint Market: Region-wise OutlookThe Asia Pacific region is estimated to contribute a major share in the construction repaint industry. The growth in the region is driven by the construction of residential and commercial buildings in countries such as China, Japan, and India, which has spurred the demand for cost-effective construction repaints. Growth of non-residential constructions due to increased urbanization in these countries and the rise in infrastructural spending have stimulated the demand for construction repaints in Asia Pacific. Companies vying for a significant share in these regions need to evaluate the market dynamics and the key development trends to devise business strategies.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Companies mentioned in the report:Prominent players operating in the construction repaint market include Akzonobel N.V., PPG Industries Inc., The Sherwin-Williams Company, Axalta Coating Systems LLC, RPM International Inc., The Valspar Corporation, Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd., Kansai Paint Co., Ltd., and Asian Paints Ltd.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 Latest Research Report On Smoke Evacuation System Market : Growth And Forecast To 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smoke-evacuation-system-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18068 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Since the past decade, a large number of surgical procedures are moving out of the traditional ways, and they are replaced by minimally invasive techniques which is driving the market of smoke evacuation system globally. Use of electrocautery and electrosurgery devices is unavoidable in minimally invasive surgery which produces surgical smoke. Researchers have found more than 80 organic compounds in surgical smoke such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide that can cause upper respiratory infection, nausea, and other short-term symptoms. Smoke evacuation system has been developed to overcome this problem. The system is intended to remove smoke, aerosol, and noxious odors produced during electrosurgical procedure. Smoke evacuation systems are high-flow vacuum sources used to capture, at the surgical site, the smoke aerosols and gases generated during the use of lasers and electrosurgical units.Obtain Report Details @There are a number of factors that affect the growth of the smoke evacuation system market. Some of the key factors include growth in demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures; development and advancement of energy based electrocautery and ultrasonic devices; and rise in global geriatric population. Other key growth drivers include technological advancements in smoke evacuation system, increase in the number of cosmetic procedures, and high or sudden rise in the number of surgeries related to elderly population. The market is further witnessing restraints, or challenges in its path such as development of other non-invasive surgery technologies, alongside stiff competition among existing smoke evacuation system manufacturers. Moreover, product recalls and government regulations for reduction of overall health care cost are restraining the growth of this market.The global smoke evacuation system market is segmented on the basis of product, application, modality, end-user, and region. Based on product, the smoke evacuation system market is categorized into smoke evacuation filters, pencils & wands, smoke evacuation fusion products, and accessories. The smoke evacuation filters segment is further divided into ULPA filters, HEPA filters, charcoal filters, in-line filters, and pre-filters. The ULPA filters sub-segment is expected to hold a significantly large share of the smoke evacuation filters segment. A significant share of this segment is attributed to technological advancement and extraordinary evacuation capacity as compared to other filters. The smoke evacuation accessories segment comprises adapters, reducers, sensors, and smoke evacuation tubing. Among the accessories, the smoke evacuation tubing sub-segment is expected to account for a significant share in the near future. Rise in number of surgeries performed and recent product launches in this sub-segment is contributing to the large share in this market.On the basis of application, the smoke evacuation system market is divided into electrosurgical devices, electrocautery units, radiofrequency units, ultrasonic devices, laser units, and others. The electrocautery devices segment is anticipated to hold a significant share of the market during the forecast period. Increase in demand for minimally invasive surgeries and rise in geriatric population are expected to fuel the demand for the electrocautery devices segment during the forecast period.Based on modality, smoke evacuation systems are available in portable evacuation systems and centralized evacuation systems. High cost associated with maintenance of centralized evacuation systems and less efficiency as compared to portable evacuation systems are estimated to hamper the growth of the centralized evacuation systems segment. New launches and product innovation in portable evacuation systems are further expected to drive the growth of the market of this segment.On the basis of end-user, the smoke evacuation system market is segmented into hospitals, specialized clinics, and ambulatory surgery centers. The hospitals segment accounted for a major share of the market in 2015 due to increasing demand for electrosurgical devices from corporate hospitals. Globalization of health care and pharmaceutical standards is likely to support the growth of better hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in developing regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America. This in turn is expected to propel the growth of the smoke evacuation system market in these regions.Geographically, the global smoke evacuation system market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the global smoke evacuation system market during the forecast period. Large geriatric and obese population facing cardiac and orthopedic problems and rise in incidences of cancer are anticipated to drive the market in this region. Asia Pacific has a high growth rate and is expected to offer growth opportunities in this market. Improved health care infrastructure and rise in health care spending by government are estimated to increase adoption of smoke evacuation system in this region.Fill The Form To Gain Deeper Insights On This Market @Key players operating in this market include Bovie Medical Corporation, Medtronic, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH, Boston Scientific Corporation, Olympus, Johnson & Johnson, Symmetry Surgical Inc., ConMed Corporation, KLS Martin, and Bowa-electronic GmbH & Co. KG.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 insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Hydraulic Cylinder Market Segments, Size, Trend and Market Projections For Upcoming Years https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=656 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=656 https://www.tmrresearch.com/hydraulic-cylinder-market Global Hydraulic Cylinder Market: OverviewA hydraulic cylinder refers to a mechanical actuator that is utilized to provide unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke. Powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid, hydraulic cylinders have extensive applications in construction, manufacturing, heavy industries, and agriculture.The research report presents a detailed assessment of market drivers, market challenges, growth trends that will impact the growth of the global hydraulic cylinder market during the forecast period. The report provides detailed insights into the vendor landscape of this market throwing light on the growth opportunities that leading players can leverage.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Hydraulic Cylinder Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe top factor driving the global hydraulic cylinder market is rapid industrialization combined with economic growth in developing countries. The robust demand for modern agriculture equipment for improved productivity and conservation of energy is expected to augment the growth of the global hydraulic cylinders market. Furthermore, the evolution of food processing industries combined with the modernization of agricultural practices will fuel the demand for hydraulic cylinders in the coming years.Furthermore, the rising demand for material handling equipment for minimizing the risk of downtime will fuel the growth of the global hydraulic cylinder market in the near future. Material handling equipment such as electronic overhead traveling cranes and level luffing cranes are utilized across a large range of industries such as food and beverage, oil and gas, power, and retail.In developed countries such as the U.S., large-scale initiatives for the exploration of shale gas is expected to benefit the markets growth. In industrial units, factors such as the expansion of production capacity and capacity utilization will also augment the growth of the hydraulic cylinder market.Request TOC of the Report @Global Hydraulic Cylinder Market: Regional OutlookThe global hydraulic cylinder market can be divided into the regional segments of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. China is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the Asia Pacific hydraulic cylinder market. This is mainly due to huge investments announced by the Chinese government in the infrastructure sector. The modernization of agricultural practices combined with increasing investment in infrastructure will lead India to contribute significantly to the Asia Pacific hydraulic cylinder market during the forecast period.In North America, the U.S. hydraulic cylinder market is expected to grow by leaps and bound. The increasing investment on defense and material handling and aerospace will further boost the industrys growth.Russia is anticipated to display significant gains in the hydraulic cylinder market. The increasing demand for modern agriculture and construction equipment will bolster the demand for hydraulic cylinders in the country. In Latin America, Brazil is expected to display significant demand for hydraulic cylinders. The increasing investment in transport infrastructure and government initiatives for the development of the transportation sector will boost the hydraulic cylinder market in this region.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Major Companies Mentioned in ReportSome of the leading companies in the global hydraulic cylinder market are Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, Best Metal Products, Eaton Corporation PLC, Lignon Industries LLC, Hydrapac Italia, Chapel Hydraulic, Bailey International LLC, Enerpac Corp., Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Texas Inc., Hydrosila, Weber-Hydraulik Group, Bosch Rexroth AG, Aggresssive Inc., Hannon LLC, Perfection Prince Manufacturing Corporation, Burnside Autocyl (Tullow) Ltd, United Hydraulics, Caterpillar Inc., Hyco International Inc., Precision group Inc., Norrhydro OY, and Pacoma GmbH.Each of the companies is profiled for their business attributes of competitive position, technological developments, financial standing, and SWOTs.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 Phenol Derivatives Market : Recent Industry Trends and Projected Industry Growth, 2017 - 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=719 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=719 https://www.tmrresearch.com/phenol-derivatives-market Global Phenol Derivatives Market: OverviewPhenol derivatives are compounds that are obtained from phenol, a carbolic acid found in household products such as detergents and throat sprays. Increasing number of applications of phenol derivatives on account of their low costs and easy availability, will augment the worldwide demand for phenol derivatives, suggest analysts.The report analyzes key market factors such as growth opportunities, trends, drivers, and restraints prevailing in the global market for phenol derivatives. The report also covers topics such as market attractiveness, market projection, and market size, along with accurate market figures and statistical data. The business strategies, market shares, recent developments, and product portfolios of the major market players have been revealed, in addition to recommendation to companies.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Phenol Derivatives Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe continuous demand for Bisphenol A will support the global market for phenol derivatives in reaching new heights. Bisphenol A is extensively used in the polycarbonates that are used in medical industry and consumer goods. As both of these sectors have been growing at a fast pace, the demand for bisphenol A is likely to extend.Recently, the wind energy sector has been growing in several countries. Wind turbine power generators require epoxy resins in their rotor blade composites. The global inclination toward cleaner sources for generating energy is expected to increase the demand for epoxy resins, boosting the overall phenol derivatives market. Epoxy resins, acquired through phenol derivatives, are being widely adopted in numerous other areas such as general purpose adhesives, rigid foams, industrial coatings, non-skid coatings, in cements and mortars, and in oil drilling. This will further fuel the demand for phenol derivatives. Moreover, newer formations of phenol derivatives are being developed as per the requirements of different industries, contributing towards market growth.Chloro-phenols, bisphenol A, salicylic acid, bakelite, and alkyl-phenols are some of the derivatives of phenol, which can be some of the segments based on type. Chloro-phenols are used in medical industry for manufacturing bactericides and antiseptics such as Dettol. Bisphenol A is used in the production of paint coatings, domestic electrical appliances, in polycarbonate plastics, and epoxy resins. Salicylic acid is used in the manufacturing of aspirin and other similar pharmaceuticals. Whereas, bakelite is used in the production of cataract lenses, hip joint replacement parts, rotary dial-dial telephones, guitar, and radio sets. This rise in the variety of end-user users will augment market growth. High level of competition is expected to pose a threat to the market.Request TOC of the Report @Global Phenol Derivatives Market: Regional OutlookBased on geography, the global phenol derivatives market can be segmented into Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. Europe and North America will be the most prominent regions owing to the growing production of antiseptics and disinfectants. Hospitals, food-processing units, and homes have been displaying great demand for disinfectants and antiseptics in these regions.The region of Asia Pacific is projected to emerge at the foremost with a rapid rate of growth. The factors driving the market in these regions include high levels of industrialization, increasing manufacturing of electronic products, and expansion of the automotive industry. China appears to be the leading regional market in Asia Pacific, and is expected to retain its position, as it has been importing a major portion of phenol derivatives. Apart from China, South Korea, Japan, India, and Taiwan are exhibiting high demand for phenol derivatives.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the key players operating in the global market for phenol derivatives are Honeywell International Inc., Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Sinopec, LG Chem INEOS, Compania Espanola de Petroleos S.A.U., and Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.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 Social Television Market Research Report 2017 - Sharing Technology, Social Epg, Content Discovery, Content Detection, Content Matching http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1117346&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Social Television in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Social Television market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingYidioYoutoo Social TvRoviGrace NoteBluefin LabsAirtimeTweet-TVBuddy TVLexalyticsOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoSharing TechnologySocial Epg/Content DiscoveryContent Detection/MatchingOthersOn 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 Social Television for each application, includingTV Specific Social NetworkSocial Gaming/InteractionSocial Check-InSocial RewardsRemote ControlTo Get a Free Sample Copy of this Report Visit @Table of Contents1 Social Television Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Social Television1.2 Social Television Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Social Television Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Social Television Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Sharing Technology1.2.4 Social Epg/Content Discovery1.2.5 Content Detection/Matching1.2.6 Others1.3 Global Social Television Segment by Application1.3.1 Social Television Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 TV Specific Social Network1.3.3 Social Gaming/Interaction1.3.4 Social Check-In1.3.5 Social Rewards1.3.6 Remote Control1.4 Global Social Television Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Social Television Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)QYresearchreports.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 Rubber Anti-Tack Agents Market Detailed Analysis and Forecast by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=725 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=725 https://www.tmrresearch.com/rubber-anti-tack-agents-market Global Rubber Anti-Tack Agents Market: Brief DescriptionThe self-adhesive characteristic of rubber hinders several purposes that it is used for, and therefore the need for anti-tack agents that can be applied on products in a form of thin layer and achieve the desired durable product. As rubber remains as an essential material for several sectors such as packaging and automobile, the demand in the global rubber anti-tack agents market is expected to remain constantly progressive with a healthy CAGR during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.This report on the global market for rubber anti-tack agents is a comprehensive analysis of all the crucial factors that are expected to influence the market over the course of next few years. Some of the key trends of the market have also been highlighted and explored in order to adjudge their near and far implications. Another key feature of the report is the company profile section, wherein several prominent vendors have been analyzed for their market share, geographical outreach, product portfolio, and latest strategic developments. The global rubber anti-tack agents market can be segmented on the basis of product, into fatty acid esters, fatty acid amides, stearates, soaps, silicone polymers, and others. Geographically, the report studies the opportunities available in the regional markets of Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Rubber Anti-Tack Agents Market: Influential FactorsWith growing population across the globe, and increasing disposable income among the urban community, the demand for automobile is at an all-time peak and consequently, the demand for rubber anti-tack agents is escalating, which is used in tire manufacturing. Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is now increasingly used in the tire industry for its property to offer abrasion resistance. Additionally, the modifications in rubber processing has helped the players improve efficiency of the production to meet the incremented demand. In the medical and industrial sector, anti-tack agents are also used to remove the cohesive property of rubber products. Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) is now increasingly used to manufacture gloves that prevent transmission of viruses. Moreover, stearic acid is an important feedstock stearate production, which is commonly present in vegetable and animal oils and fats. Certain stearates such as lead and zinc, which are primarily used in PVC processing, are put under severe environmental regulations and hence the demand is decreasing. This factor is expected to hinder the growth rate during the forecast period.Request TOC of the Report @Global Rubber Anti-Tack Agents Market: Regional OutlookNorth America serves the maximum demand for anti-tack agents, primarily driven by the country-wide market of the U.S, owing to factors such as growing awareness pertaining to hygiene by restricting bacteria and virus transmission in the healthcare sector. Growing aging population in the country is also extending the demand for nitrile gloves. Asia Pacific, which resides vast populations, is anticipated to extend the demand at the most robust rate among all regions, gaining from countries such as India, China, and Malaysia wherein automotive industry is thriving. Malaysia is the most prominent rubber manufacturers globally.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Companies mentioned in this research reportBaerlocher, Schill + Seilacher, Evonik, H.L. Blachford, and the Hallstar Company are some of the key companies who hold significant share of the market while Croda International, Lion Specialty Chemicals, King Industries, Peter Greven GmbH, FACI SPA, SASCO Chemical Group, Stephenson Alkon Solutions, and McLube are some of the other notable players. The nature of competition is moderately concentrated and several partnerships and collaborations are underway, or expected during the forecast period, which will somewhat change the market scenario.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 United States Medical Ceramics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast Medical Ceramics https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1206795 https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/united-states-medical-ceramics-report-2017-market https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1206795 https://www.bigmarketresearch.com United States Medical Ceramics Market Report 2017 Order This Report by calling BigMarketResearch.com at +1-971-202-1575.In this report, the United States Medical Ceramics 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.Request sample report @The presented market research considers the important parameters of the MEDICAL CERAMICS market such as the sales, revenue, consumption, growth rate and gross margin. The report segments the MEDICAL CERAMICS industry on the basis of application, end-use, type and geography. The market scenario in the major regions of the world are studied in this specific report along with tables and figures to support the data. The growth prospects of each application is examined under the scope of the report on the MEDICAL CERAMICS market. A thorough analysis of the major players operating in the MEDICAL CERAMICS market is carried out in the report and data such as sales area, production capacity, competitor and market position of each market player is enclosed in the report.United States Medical Ceramics market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Medical Ceramics sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including3MDePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson)KyoceraBerkeley Advanced BiomaterialsTemex-CeramicsWright Medical TechnologyKurarayOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Medical Ceramics for each application, includingImplantable DevicesDiagnostic InstrumentsLay eyes on complete report @Fundamentals of Table of Content :6 United States Medical Ceramics Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data6.1 3M6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 Medical Ceramics Product Category, Application and Specification6.1.3 3M Medical Ceramics Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson)6.2.2 Medical Ceramics Product Category, Application and Specification6.2.3 DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson) Medical Ceramics Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 Kyocera6.3.2 Medical Ceramics Product Category, Application and Specification6.3.3 Kyocera Medical Ceramics Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.4 Berkeley Advanced Biomaterials6.4.2 Medical Ceramics Product Category, Application and Specification6.4.3 Berkeley Advanced Biomaterials Medical Ceramics Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.4.4 Main Business/Business OverviewTo know more do inquiry about report @About Company :Big Market Research uniqueness lies in its highly ethical reports at economical rates because we value your relationship and growth more than money. Your growth is our aim. With the arsenal of different search reports, we help you here to look and buy research reports that will be helpful to you and your organization. Our research reports have the capability and authenticity to support your organization for growth and consistency.Contact Us :5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesDirect : +1-971-202-1575Toll Free : + 1-800-910-6452Email: help@bigmarketresearch.comWeb: Ultra-low Temperature Freezer Market - Overview of Key Market Forces and Market Growth https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=683 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=683 https://www.tmrresearch.com/ultra-low-temperature-freezer-market Global Ultra-low Temperature Freezer Market: OverviewThe global market for ultra-low temperature freezers is likely to grow at a steady pace in the coming years. This type of freezers is being used extensively in hospitals, bio-banks, and research institutes in order to preserve bacteria, viruses, drugs, chemicals, enzymes, cell preparations, and tissue samples. The increasing adoption of ultra-low temperature freezers is anticipated to supplement the growth of the market in the near future. The research study provides a detailed analysis of the global ultra-low temperature freezer market, emphasizing on the market dynamics that are estimated to impact the growth in the near future. The key segmentation, growth factors, and challenges in the global market have been included in the study to provide a strong understanding among players and readers.Global Ultra-low Temperature Freezer Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe rising prevalence of chronic diseases across the globe and the rising need for innovative and high-efficient products are some of the major factors that are likely to encourage the growth of the global ultra-low temperature freezer market in the next few years. In addition, the increasing focus of players on innovations and research and development activities in order to enhance their product quality is predicted to accelerate the markets growth in the near future.Request Sample Copy of the Report @On the contrary, the ethical concerns related to the freezing of embryos and the high cost of freezers are anticipated to restrict the growth of the global ultra-low temperature freezer market in the coming years. Nonetheless, the increasing expenditure and research in the biomedical field and the growing demand for environment-friendly refrigerators are projected to offer promising opportunities for players operating in the global ultra-low temperature freezer market in the forecast period.Global Ultra-low Temperature Freezer Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global market for ultra-low temperature freezers has been divided on the basis of geography into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. The research study has highlighted the key factors that are encouraging the growth of the leading segments. In addition, the anticipated growth rate of each regional segment, along with the market size and share have been discussed at length in the scope of the study to offer a clear understanding of the overall market.Request TOC of the Report @Among the key regional segments, North America is predicted to observe healthy growth in the forecast period. The rising demand for ultra-low temperature freezers, owing to the advanced healthcare infrastructure in this region is estimated to contribute substantially towards the growth of the market in the next few years. Furthermore, Europe is anticipated to grow at a steady growth rate in the coming years. On the other hand, according to the research study, the Asia Pacific market for ultra-low temperature freezers is likely to witness robust growth in the near future.Key Players Mentioned in the Research Report are:The global market for ultra-low temperature freezers is expected to witness strong growth in the coming few years. The increasing participation of players in the market and the growing focus on innovations in this field are some of the key factors anticipated to strengthen the competitive scenario of the overall market across the forecast period. Moreover, the leading companies operating in the global market are emphasizing on strategic collaborations and mergers and acquisitions in order to enhance their market penetration across the globe.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Some of the key players leading the global ultra-low temperature freezer market are Thermofisher Scientific Inc., Haier, VWR International, Panasonic Healthcare Corporation of North America, Helmer Scientific, and Eppendrof AG. To offer a strong understanding of the market, the research study has provided a detailed overview of the company profiles, along with their business tactics, marketing activities, financial overview, and recent developments.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 Marine Seismic Equipment and Acquisition Market Segment Forecasts up to 2024, Research Reports:TMR http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/marine-seismic-equipment-acquisition-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2953 The global marine seismic equipment and acquisition market is highly influenced by the exponential rise in the oil and gas industry as seismic services and various analytical data make a critical part of oil and gas exploration. The increase in oil and gas exploration activities in emerging regions, such as Africa and Latin America, is likely to add to the growth of this market substantially in the near future.Obtain Report Details @:The significant rise in multi-client projects is also projected to propel this market in the years to come.The opportunity in the global marine seismic equipment market reached US$359.8 mn in 2015. Rising at a CAGR of 4.50% between 2016 and 2024, the market is likely to touch US$533.9 mn mark by 2024. During the same period of time, the worldwide marine seismic acquisition market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 5.30%, to increase from US$3.5 bn in 2015 to US$5.6 bn by the end of 2024.Continued Dominance of Europe in Global Marine Seismic Equipment and Acquisition MarketEurope has been leading the worldwide marine seismic equipment and acquisition market and is expected to remain so over the next few years. In 2015, the Europe marine seismic acquisition market generated US$944.1 mn, whereas, the market for marine seismic equipment in Europe garnered US$83.1 mn in the same year. The high demand for conventional oil reserves is the key factor behind the growth of this regional market.North America, which stood second in 2015, is expected to retain its position in the years to come. The significant growth in the end-use industries, such as mining, construction, and oil and gas, is likely to boost the North America market for marine seismic equipment and acquisition over the forthcoming years.Make an Enquiry @ :In near future, the marine seismic equipment and acquisition markets in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are also expected to register high-paced growth. Latin America is anticipated to emerge as a highly attractive market for marine seismic acquisition due to the increasing demand from exploration and production companies. The Middle East and Africa, on the other hand, is projected to offer lucrative opportunities for the marine seismic equipment vendors on account of the expansion in the oil and gas industry in this region.3D Survey to Continue its Leading Streak2 dimensional (2D) survey, 3 dimensional (3D) survey, 4 dimensional (4D) survey, and ocean bottom nodes are the main technologies used for marine seismic acquisitions across the world. The 3D survey led the global market with a share of more than 85% in 2015 and is expected to continue its leading steaks over the forthcoming years, thanks to the continual rise of the end-use industries.Agile Seismic LLC, FailfieldNodal, Seismic Equipment Solution, Geo Marine Survey Systems, Polarcus DMCC, Fugro N.V., SeaBird Exploration PLC, Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. ASA, Mitcham Industries Inc., and Compagnie Generale de Geophysique, S.A (CGG) are some of the leading players functional in the global market for marine seismic equipment and acquisition.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.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207 Global Industrial Automation Market: Restraints, Opportunities, Drivers and Trends 2017 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=910643 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=910643 Albany, New York, June 2, 2017: ResearchMoz presents professional and in-depth study of "Industrial Automation Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024".Industrial automation is defined as the amalgamation of all machinery, processing systems, test facilities and factories which became automated because of great technological progress. The global market is poised to grow at a substantial rate during the forecast period because of the growing economy across the globe.Global Industrial Automation Market: Drivers and TrendsThe strong growth in the CNC technology segment is driving the global growth of the industrial automation market, especially in the Asia Pacific and Europe region. Industrial automated products are manufactured in large varieties, each differing from another based on automation type, instrumentation, flow computers, analyzers, operation, and geography. The industrial automation market has been globally emerging to be a relatively more attractive space for investment by organizations across the world. The usage of robots in industrial controller mechanisms is an established trend. Thus it paves the way for larger adoption of the industrial control and industrial automation equipment. In spite of this, the development of the global industrial automation market is affected with massive threats in some regions all over the world, considering the fact that the method caters to human labor replacement with machines and computers.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @Global Industrial Automation Market: RestraintsThe decreasing human interface in many of the processes is resulting in loss of jobs in many of the industries which in turn is hindering the growing adoption of industrial adoption systems. However, with several innovative studies revealing the ability of industrial automation to generate jobs in the other ancillary segments, such as after-sales services, automation system installation, and software development for the management of industrial automation, some concerns are dispelled.Global Industrial Automation Market: OpportunitiesThe largely used parts in this market are actuators, proximity sensors, flow meters, servo and DC motors, industrial communication systems, and robotic arms. Escalating frequency of factories is moving ahead along the automation path, and the incidence of automation devices such as PLCs, PCs, and PACs will become even more common in the coming years. While the opportunities for industrial automation branched from the developed economies of the west, it is presently taking industrial units of the Asia and South America regions by storm. Factor owners look out for factors such as quicker response time and faster output when they invest in factory automation.Global Industrial Automation Market: SegmentationOn the basis of various automation types, the global industrial automation market is segmented into distributed control system (DCS), programmable logic control system (PLC), machine vision system, manufacturing execution system (MES), human machine interface (HMI), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), product lifecycle management (PLM), plant asset management, computer numerical control (CNC) routers, electronic control units (ECU),and other types. Among the automation type segments, the PLM segment constituted the biggest market share, followed by MES, in 2014. On the basis of end use industries, the global industrial automation market is segmented into automation and transportation, metals and mining, oil and gas, pulp and paper, hydro power, energy and power system, chemical, material and food, measurement and instrumentation. There is rapid growth in demand in the environment and building technologies, heavy industries, and other segments. The global market for energy and power systems is one of the major factors that are driving the demand for industrial automation industry, globally.Global Industrial Automation Market: Regional OutlookIn terms of regions, the global industrial automation market has been segregated into five geographical zones: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), andSouth America. Currently, Europe holds the major share of the market, followed by Asia Pacific, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to grow swiftly with rise in trade with North America and Europe.Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:Key players profiled in this report are ABB Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., FANUC Corporation, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Toshiba Machine Corporation Ltd., Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Emerson Electric Company, General Electric Company, Rockwell Automation, Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and Voith GmbH.The segments covered in the global Industrial Automation market are as follows:Global Industrial Automation Market: By Automation TypeDistributed Control System (DCS)Programmable Logic Control System (PLC)Machine Vision SystemManufacturing Execution System (MES)Human Machine Interface (HMI)Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)Plant Asset ManagementComputer Numerical Control (CNC) routersElectronic Control Units (ECU)OthersGlobal Industrial Automation Market: By IndustryAutomation and TransportationMetals and MiningOil and GasPulp and PaperHydro powerEnergy and Power SystemChemical, Material and FoodMeasurement and InstrumentationMake an Enquiry of this report @Global Industrial Automation Market: By GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeU.K.GermanyFranceItalyRest of EuropeAsia PacificSouth East Asia and IndiaChinaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and AfricaUAESaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaRest of MEASouth AmericaBrazilArgentinaRest of Latin AmericaResearchMoz 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 Cement & Concrete Additive Market: Drivers, Challenges & Trends Market Research Future https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1544 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/cement-concrete-additive-market-1544 Market HighlightThe global cement & concrete additive market has seen a positive growth over the past few years and as per analysis, the global market will experience a remarkable growth during the forecast period. Globally, the cement & concrete additive market is completely driven the rising demand of residential and non-residential properties. As per the data, the construction business is likely to increase in near future which in turn will escalate the demand for cement & concrete additives. Geographically, Asia-Pacific is expected to be the largest market owing to the rising construction and infrastructure investments in China, India, Indonesia and other countries as well.Request for Sample Report@SegmentationOn the basis of product types: fiber mineral chemicalsOn the basis of application: residential Non-residential.Key Player BASF Dow Chemicals Sika AkzoNobel Heidelberg Cement China National Bluestar Group Company Grace Construction Products Master Builder Solutions USG Corporation LanxessStudy Objectives of Cement & Concrete Additive Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Global Cement & Concrete Additive Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the Global Cement & Concrete Additive 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 product type and application To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketBrowse Full C & C 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 FPGA Market - High Performance Computing Capabilities In Imaging Equipment Is One Of The Major Factors Contributing To The Growth http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/field-programmable-gate-array.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1405 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com This market research study analyzes the FPGA system market on a global level, and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD million) from 2014 to 2020. It recognizes the drivers and restraints affecting the industry and analyzes their impact over the forecast period. Moreover, it identifies the significant opportunities for market growth in the next few years.A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is an integrated circuit or semiconductor device used to implement logical function that an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) could perform, but the ability to update the functionality after manufacturing offers advantages such as re-programming in the field for rapid prototyping and debugging for many applications. FPGAs use programmable routing channels and pre-built logic blocks for implementing custom hardware functionality depending upon the embedded system developer configuring these devices. FPGAs are programmed and configured using Hardware Description Language (HDL) such as VHDL and Verilog. Some key benefits of FPGA technology are high performance, shorter time to market, cost effective solutions, reliability and long term maintenance.Obtain Report Details @High demand for bandwidth in wireless networks is expected to give impetus to the global FPGA market. Moreover, increasing demand for bandwidth has made service operators to provide compatible networks from 2G to 3G and further from 3G to LTE. In addition, growing demand for smartphones and tablets is expected to drive the market over the forecast period. Automobiles continue to witness a proliferation of electronic content due to government pollution guidelines, and security and safety regulations. In addition, rising fuel prices in the global market have resulted in demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, which in turn is expected to drive FPGA content in automobiles. Rising usage of FPGA in imaging equipment of medical imaging and in automobile for high performance computing abilities is also fueling the market growth.ASIC, ASSP usage has been parallel to that of FPGA in certain application areas. This is expected to be a potential threat to the market. ASIC offers full custom capability for design, since the device is manufactured to design specification. Moreover, lower unit costs as compared to FPGA for high volume designs make it a credible alternative to FPGAs. However, field re-programmability and faster time-to-market are the key factors supporting FPGA usage. ASIC vendors are moving towards using FPGA fabric to connect together Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Central processing Unit (CPU) and Digital Signal processors (DSPs) among others. ASIC vendors are moving up-market and integrating ASIC with FPGA. Therefore, demand for FPGA is expected to remain substantial in the coming years.The global FPGA market is segmented by region into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Rest of the World (RoW). Geographically, Asia Pacific led the global FPGA market share in 2013. Countries such as Japan, China, India, Taiwan, and South Korea are key markets for consumer electronics, industrial, and automotive applications. Japan contributed to huge market share of the global FPGA market in 2013. FPGA market is highly concentrated among the players such as Xilinx Inc, Altera Corporation, Lattice Semiconductors and other regional and local companies, which have substantial presence across the U.S. and Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific.Fill The Form For An Exclusive Sample Of This Report @This report provides strategic analysis of the global FPGA market, and the growth forecast for the period 2014 to 2020. The span of the report includes competitive analysis of various market segments based on the types, module and in-depth cross sectional analysis of the FPGA market across different geographic segments. To support strategic decision making, the report also includes profiling of leading players in the industry, their market share and various strategies adopted by them. The Porters Five Forces analysis and market attractiveness analysis included in the report provide insight into market dynamics and industry competition.The report also provides company market share analysis of the various industry participants with company overview, financial overview, business strategies, SWOT analysis, and recent developments in the field of FPGA market. Major market participants profiled in this report include Xilinx Inc., Altera Corporation, Lattice Semiconductor Corporation, Microsemi Corporation, among others.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Optocouplers Market - New Technologies For Isolation Are Giving Rise To High Speed, High Operating Temperature And Low Input Current Optocouplers. http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/optocouplers-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4656 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Optocouplers or opto-isolators are electronic devices used to protect components that require low voltage inputs. Optocouplers isolate a lower voltage section from a high voltage section in the same circuit.. The scope of the report includes competitive analysis of various market segments based on types, applications and in-depth cross sectional scrutiny of the optocouplers market across different geographic segments. Growing demand for automotive and industrial optocouplers has fuelled the growth of optocouplers market. Optocouplers are used for isolation of components that requires low voltage to operate and also for transferring data while filtering noise among others. Increasing penetration of high end vehicles with driver assistance systems and various industrial applications for isolating components is driving the market for optocouplers,. Driver assistance system in automotives requires an electronic control unit (ECU) to operate which runs on a considerably low voltage. This step down of voltage and isolation is achieved through an optocouplers. Moreover industrial machines and components require a high voltage butwhere as some components among them require low voltage to operate. These needs for isolation of voltages are generally achieved through an optocoupler. As a result, usage of optocouplers is estimated to rise during the forecast period.Obtain Report Details @Rising environment concerns for lead free production of electrical components has created opportunity for optocouplers manufacturers to manufacture optocouplers according to environment standard. Demand for printer and imaging device and digital signage has fuelled the market for optocouplers in all the regions globally. Expansion of various industries in Asia Pacific has conjointly impacted the application of optocouplers in communication, industrial and automotive sectors. Growth of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and advancement in isolation techniques are the two major drivers driving growth of the optocouplers market. HEVs have a wide application of optocouplers in their powertrain, and charging unit, to safeguard their user. New isolation techniques such as hermetically sealed components (airtight) in applications like aerospace, military and navy among others gave rise to the need for hermetic optocouplersTo aid in strategic decision making, the report also includes competitive profiling of leading players in the industry and their market share in different geographic regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World). Moreover, various business strategies adopted by leading players has also been discussed in the report. The market attractiveness analysis in the report provides insight into market dynamics and industry competition.The report segments the market on the basis of geography into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW), and estimated in terms revenue (USD Billion). In addition, the report segments the market based on product types into 4 pin optocouplers, 6 pin optocouplers, high speed optocouplers, IGBT gate driver optocouplers and isolation amplifier optocouplers. The market is also segmented by application of optocouplers in different sectors into automotive, printer and imaging device, signage, commercial, industrial and communication. Each application segment and product type has also been estimated on the basis of geography in terms of revenue (USD Billion).Fill The Form For An Exclusive Sample Of This Report @The report also provides breakdown and review of various factors impacting the market growth, which are appropriately described as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. These factors determine various existing trends and their impact on market growth. Overall, the report includes a holistic analysis of the global optocouplers market, and provides an estimate of growth for the period 2015 to 2021, keeping in mind the various factors that has an impact on the market.Some of the leading players in the market are: Avago Technologies (United States), Fairchild Semiconductor (United States), Vishay Intertechnology (United States), Toshiba Corporation (Japan), Silicon Laboratories, Inc. (United States), Analog Devices, Inc. (United States) and Renesas Electronics (Japan) among others.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Food Service Equipment (Commercial Refrigeration) Market Is Expected To Grow Significantly During The Forecast Period Attributed To Growth In Hospitality Industry Across The Globe. http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/food-service-equipment.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1547 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Refrigeration is the process of transferring the heat from one location to another. In this case the heat is taken from the foods and other edible items and transferred out from the refrigeration units. The commercial refrigeration equipments are primarily used in the hospitality industry. The changing lifestyle and increase in number of hotels and restaurants is fuelling the market for growth. The commercial refrigeration equipments are generally segmented by the types of equipments. Continuous technological advancement in refrigeration systems is owing to the growth of this market.The food service equipment (commercial refrigeration) market is considered to be volatile as a result of the fluctuation in the trends of various equipments and application markets across the globe. The rise in number of hotels and restaurants across the globe is owing to the growth in food service equipment (commercial refrigeration) market. In addition, the changing lifestyle of the working population is also ensuring the demand for ready to cook food. This is resulting in the rise of retail outlets and supermarkets leading to the demand for commercial refrigeration equipment. Moreover, commercial refrigeration equipment also find their application in hospitals to preserve medicines and vaccines.Obtain Report Details @Acceptance of high end technologies and the expansion of hospitality industry across various geographic locations is creating new opportunities for the food service equipment (commercial refrigeration) manufacturers globally. However, the high initial investment is acting as a restraint for the market. Regionally, North America has the highest penetration rate for food service equipment (commercial refrigeration) as they are the early adapters of latest technology.This report covers the global food service equipment (commercial refrigeration) market along with their performance in regions such as North America, East Europe, South West Europe, North West Europe, Central Europe, Asia Pacific and Russia among others. The report provides in-depth analysis for each region along with market estimates and forecast from 2013 to 2020 in terms of revenues and volumes.This market research study analyzes the food service equipment (commercial refrigeration) market globally, and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD million) and volume (thousand units) from 2014 to 2020. In addition, the drivers and the restraints that are affecting the industry have been recognized. Furthermore, they have been analyzed to understand their impact over the forecast period. Moreover, it identifies the significant opportunities for market growth in the coming years.By region, the market has been divided into North America, Latin America, East (Europe), South West (Europe), North West (Europe), Central (Europe), Asia-Pacific (APAC), Russia, China, India, Turkey & Middle East and Africa and these have been estimated in terms of revenue (USD billion) and volume (thousand units). In addition, the report segments the market based on the equipment type, which include ice machines, refrigerated vending machines, beverage dispensers, glass door merchandisers (GDMs), commercial fridges/freezers, blast freezers, ice cream machines, ice cream cabinets, and walk ins among others.Fill The Form For An Exclusive Sample Of This Report @In order to have a better understanding of the food service equipment (commercial refrigeration) market, a detailed value chain has been provided. In addition, the Porters five forces affecting the market have been identified. Furthermore, the study also includes the market attractiveness analysis where the applications have been benchmarked based on the growth rate, scope and attractiveness in general.The report provides company market share analysis of various industry participants. The key players have also been profiled on the basis of company overview, financial overview, business strategies, and the recent developments in the field of food service equipments (commercial refrigeration). Major market participants profiled in this report include .Ali Group, Meiko, Hobart Corporation, Manitowoc Company Inc., Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd. Cambro Manufacturing Company Inc. and Dover Corporation among others.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Aircraft Fire Detection & Protection Systems Market to Surge at a Robust Pace in Terms of Revenue Over 2025 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/aircraft-fire-detection-protection-systems-market.asp http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/15943 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/15943 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Market Definition and IntroductionAircraft fire detection & protection systems are generally mounted inside an aircraft, close to the engine compartment and fuselage area to immediately detect any occurrence of a fire and take corrective actions to ensure the safety of people on-board, cargo & the aircraft. Aircraft fire detection & protection systems track fire-causing parameters in case of any fire-related emergency, signal the on-board personnel in the aircraft about the imminent danger and take corrective actions such as fire extinguishing, etc.Get access to full summary @:Aircraft fire detection & protection systems also track any condition that might lead to a fire inside the aircraft. In case of such a situation, these systems sense and transmit signals to alarm devices by creating audible as well as visible signals.Fire extinguishing agents are an integral part of aircraft fire detection & protection systems and play an important role in replacing air with an inert gas to stop the combustion causing the fire. Water, carbon dioxide and dry powder have been popular fire extinguishing agents in aircraft fire detection & protection systems.Considering the crucial role aircraft fire detection & protection systems play in ensuring the safety of the people & cargo on-board an aircraft coupled with stringent aviation regulations & laws being implemented by governments worldwide to ensure adequate deployment of aircraft fire detection & protection systems, the study of the aircraft fire detection & protection systems market becomes an important read.Market SegmentationOn the basis of product type, the global aircraft fire detection & protection systems market is segmented as follows: Detection loops, Alarm & warning systems, Fire extinguishers. On the basis of application, the global aircraft fire detection & protection systems market is segmented as follows: Aircraft cargo compartment fire detection/suppression systems, Power plant fire detection/extinguishing systems, Auxiliary power unit (APU) fire detection/extinguishing systems, Cabin and lavatory fire protection systems.A sample of this report is available upon request @Key Trends and DriversIn an effort to augment air transport safety and minimize fire hazard risks during air transport, aviation regulatory bodies worldwide have been implementing increasingly stringent safety regulations, laws and norms to ensure the installation of improved aircraft fire detection & protection systems by air carriers across the globe. For instance, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aviation regulatory body of the U.S., has been pressing on more stringent requirements regarding aircraft fire detection & protection systems to enhance air transport safety. This is expected to considerably drive the market growth of the aircraft fire detection & protection systems worldwide.More recently, fire extinguishing halons have been finding increasing applications in aircraft fire detection & protection systems. They are fire extinguishing agents which are discharged into the aircraft environment in the form of vapors. As halons work on the principle of intrusion on chain responses that accelerate the spread of fire, they have been gaining popularity, there has been a considerate increase in their installation number. Halons are expected to add to the growth of the aircraft fire detection & protection systems market in near future.However, it should be noted that the aircraft fire detection & protection systems consists of fire detector sensing elements which are positioned in many high movement areas around aircraft engines. Their sensitive location coupled with the delicateness and small size of fire sensing elements heightens the possibility of damage to sensing elements during maintenance procedures. This factor in particular, atleast to some extent, has resulted in slightly reduced number of applications of sensing elements in extremely sensitive areas of the aircraft, especially in low cost air carriers and has been responsible for slowing the market growth rate of aircraft fire detection & protection systems over the next few years.Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global aircraft fire detection & protection systems market are: Gielle Industries, UTC Aerospace Systems, Advanced Aircraft Extinguishers, Meggitt PLC, Ventura Aerospace Inc., Fire System Services, Omnigas Systems, Inc., Janus Fire Systems, Vulcan Fire Systems, Inc., The Chemours Company.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, application, and industry.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Hydroxyapatite Acetylene Cylinder Valve Market Research Report Forecast 2017-2021 Hydroxyapatite Acetylene Cylinder Valve Market http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/global-hydroxyapatite-acetylene-cylinder-valve-market-research-report-119709 https://goo.gl/zeigz4 This research report on Global Hydroxyapatite Acetylene Cylinder Valve Market 2017 is being made by the experts to create a reliable and detailed picture of the global market, including analysis of the present and past performances of the Hydroxyapatite Acetylene Cylinder Valve market all around the world.The report has considered different dimensions of the market and has segmented the Hydroxyapatite Acetylene Cylinder Valve industry according to the geography, production, application and many more. Each such segment is analyzed by the experts to get detailed idea of the revenue (gross/net).Get full report with TOC @Considering the utility to the users, makers of the report has studied various aspects of the Hydroxyapatite Acetylene Cylinder Valve industry such as the value chain and major policies that influence the market. Factors such as growth drivers, restraints, and future prospects of the market are extensively evaluated in this report.Apart from this, the given report educates reader about availability of different product in the market along with their pricing, production volume, demand and supply, and their contribution in terms of revenue in the global market.Various analytical tools have been used to collect data for this report. The methods used and the sources are factual and reliable, making this report trustworthy for its users. The report has considered different market tools such as investment feasibility, investment return, and market attractiveness analysis in relation to the global Hydroxyapatite Acetylene Cylinder Valve market.Get Free sample report @The user of the Hydroxyapatite Acetylene Cylinder Valve report will be able to design his market strategies that are likely to pay off in the long run as the report consists of potential and present key players of the market with their probable future strategies too.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 Global Film Thickness Measuring System Market: KLA-Tencor Corporation, Otsuka Electronics, FilmetricsInc,Nanometrics Incorporated, Forecast to 2022 Film Thickness Measuring System http://www.globalinforeports.com/request-sample/244803 http://www.globalinforeports.com/report/global-film-thickness-measuring-system-market-by-manufacturers-countries-type-and-application-forecast-to-2022-d-10 http://www.globalinforeports.com/report/global-film-thickness-measuring-system-market-by-manufacturers-countries-type-and-application-forecast-to-2022-d-10 http://www.globalinforeports.com/send-an-enquiry/244803 http://www.globalinforeports.com http://www.globalinforeports.com/blog "Film Thickness Measuring Systems can measure and analysis of single layer and/or multilayer films in less than a second. The optical properties are obtained from reflection and thickness is measured by detecting the sinusoidal fringe pattern from the samples specular reflectance.Thin film measurement instrumentation has evolved from complex, difficult to use systems to todays compact, practical tools that provide a simple but powerful and flexible interface."Get a Sample of Film Thickness Measuring System Market research report from Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Film Thickness Measuring System 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 Film Thickness Measuring System Market:KLA-Tencor CorporationOtsuka ElectronicsFilmetricsIncNanometrics IncorporatedToho Technology Inc.Rudolph Technologies, Inc.LumetricsBruker Howell MetalAnd Many OthersScope of the Film Thickness Measuring System Industry on the basis of region: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)Browse full Report with table of contents and data tables For Film Thickness Measuring System Market Report @Market Segment by Type, coversThickness MonitorSpectrum EllipsometerMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoSemiconductorsDisplaysMedicalOthersThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Film Thickness Measuring System market.Chapter 1, to describe Film Thickness Measuring System Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Film Thickness Measuring System, with sales, revenue, and price of Film Thickness Measuring System, 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 Film Thickness Measuring System, 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, Film Thickness Measuring System market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Film Thickness Measuring System sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceCheck for Discount @Some points from TOC:-3 Global Film Thickness Measuring System Market Competition, by Manufacturer3.1 Global Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Market Share by Manufacturer3.2 Global Film Thickness Measuring System Revenue and Market Share by Manufacturer3.3 Market Concentration Rate3.3.1 Top 3 Film Thickness Measuring System Manufacturer Market Share3.3.2 Top 6 Film Thickness Measuring System Manufacturer Market Share3.4 Market Competition Trend4 Global Film Thickness Measuring System Market Analysis by Regions4.1 Global Film Thickness Measuring System Sales, Revenue and Market Share by Regions4.1.1 Global Film Thickness Measuring System Sales by Regions (2012-2017)4.1.2 Global Film Thickness Measuring System Revenue by Regions (2012-2017)4.2 North America Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)4.4 Asia-Pacific Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)4.5 South America Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)4.6 Middle East and Africa Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)5 North America Film Thickness Measuring System by Countries5.1 North America Film Thickness Measuring System Sales, Revenue and Market Share by Countries5.1.1 North America Film Thickness Measuring System Sales by Countries (2012-2017)5.1.2 North America Film Thickness Measuring System Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)5.2 USA Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)5.3 Canada Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)5.4 Mexico Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)6 Europe Film Thickness Measuring System by Countries6.1 Europe Film Thickness Measuring System Sales, Revenue and Market Share by Countries6.1.1 Europe Film Thickness Measuring System Sales by Countries (2012-2017)6.1.2 Europe Film Thickness Measuring System Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)6.2 Germany Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)6.3 UK Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)6.4 France Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)6.5 Russia Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)6.6 Italy Film Thickness Measuring System Sales and Growth (2012-2017)ContinuedFor more help Speak to our Experts @No. of Report Pages: 116Price of Report (Single User Licence): $3480About Global Info Reports: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:John+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.comWeb-Blogs- Audiophile Headphone Market by Countries, Type, Application and Manufacturers Beats, Harman, Bose Forecast to 2022 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/437664-global-audiophile-headphone-market-4 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/437664-global-audiophile-headphone-market-4 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=437664 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/437664-global-audiophile-headphone-market-4 HTF Market Intelligence released a new research report of 123 pages on title 'Global Audiophile Headphone 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 and Asia-Pacific, South America, Africa and important players such as Beats, Harman, Bose ..................SummaryAudiophile Headphone is one kind of Headphone used in Headphone lover or pursuer. It is of high Sound quality.Request a sample report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Audiophile Headphone 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 coversBeatsHarmanBoseSennheiserAudio-TechnicaSonyBeyerdynamicGradoPhilipsShurePioneerAudezeEtymotic ResearchHiFiManOPPOMarket 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, coversWired HeadphoneWireless HeadphonesMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoBy AgeBelow 1818-34Above34There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Audiophile Headphone market.Chapter 1, to describe Audiophile Headphone Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Audiophile Headphone, with sales, revenue, and price of Audiophile Headphone, 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 Audiophile Headphone, 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, Audiophile Headphone market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Audiophile Headphone 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 Audiophile Headphone Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Wired Headphone1.2.2 Wireless Headphones1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 By Age1.3.2 Below 181.3.3 18-341.3.4 Above341.4 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 Beats2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Beats Audiophile Headphone Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Harman2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Harman Audiophile Headphone Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Bose2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Bose Audiophile Headphone Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 Sennheiser2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Sennheiser Audiophile Headphone Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 Audio-Technica2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 Audio-Technica Audiophile Headphone Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6 Sony2.6.1 Business Overview2.6.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 Sony Audiophile Headphone Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7 Beyerdynamic2.7.1 Business Overview2.7.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Type 12.7.2.2 Type 22.7.3 Beyerdynamic Audiophile Headphone Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.8 Grado2.8.1 Business Overview2.8.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.8.2.1 Type 12.8.2.2 Type 22.8.3 Grado Audiophile Headphone Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.9 Philips2.9.1 Business Overview2.9.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.9.2.1 Type 12.9.2.2 Type 22.9.3 Philips Audiophile Headphone Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.10 Shure2.10.1 Business Overview2.10.2 Audiophile Headphone Type and Applications2.10.2.1 Type 12.10.2.2 Type 22.10.3 Shure Audiophile Headphone 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)sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218 Global Big Data Services Market Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2017-2021 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1072252 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1072252 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Big Data Services Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Technavio Announces the Publication of its Research Report Global Big Data Services Market 2017-2021.Technavio recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global big data services market: Accenture, Deloitte, Hewlett-Packard (HP), IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), SAP, and Teradata.Other Prominent Vendors in the market are: Alteryx, Atos, Attivio, Chartio, Cirro, ClearStory Data, Cloudera, Continuum Analytics, Datameer, DataStax, Doopex, Dell, Enthought, Hortonworks, MAANA, MapR Technologies, MarkLogic, Microsoft, MongoDB, Mu Sigma, Predixion Software, and SAS Institute.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Commenting on the report, an analyst from Technavios team said: The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is increasing market consolidation. The consolidation in the global big data services market is increasing as many large enterprise computing vendors are acquiring companies to provide new big data technologies. Large vendors are targeting small companies to expand their business portfolios and are acquiring major pure-play big data vendors.According to the report, one of the major drivers for this market is growing amount of data. The data volumes are exploding, and more data has been created since 2014 than in the entire previous history. It is estimated that by the year 2020, more than 1.5 megabytes (MB) of new information will be generated every second for every person across the world. Enterprise applications are generating large volumes of data and this will keep continuing throughout the forecast period and beyond. Large volumes of data are being generated from many sources such as the Internet, mobile devices, and social media.Further, the report states that one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is adhering to diverse client requirement. Several industries lack policies or frameworks to store all the data, which leads to difficulty in effective performance of big data. This in turn, affects the market penetration of big data service providers as their quality of service deteriorates. Big data service providers need to continuously develop and offer innovative solutions in step with changing customer requirements. This is a complex and cost consuming process as it involves high degrees of uncertainty and failure in understanding the requirements of customers leads to potential loss of time and money.The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to a SWOT analysis of the key vendors.Table of ContentsPART 01: Executive summaryPART 02: Scope of the reportPART 03: Research MethodologyPART 04: IntroductionPART 05: Market landscapeMarket overviewMarket size and forecastPART 06: Five force analysisFive forces analysisPART 07: Market segmentation by end-userGlobal big data services market by end-userPART 08: Geographical segmentationGlobal big data services market by geographyAmericasEMEAAPACPART 09: Decision frameworkPART 10: Drivers and challengesMarket driversMarket challengesPART 11: Market trendsPART 12: Vendor landscapeCompetitive scenarioTop-vendor offeringsKey vendor profilesOther prominent vendorsPART 13: AppendixMake 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 @ New Study on Future of the Turkey Defense Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1120411 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1120411 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Future of the Turkey Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The Future of Turkey Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022, published by Strategic Defence Intelligence, provides readers with detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of industry leading companies, and key news.SynopsisThis report offers detailed analysis of Turkey defense industry with market size forecasts covering the next five years. This report will also analyze factors that influence demand for the industry, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following -- Turkey defense industry market size and drivers: detailed analysis of Turkey defense industry during 2018-2022, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for the industry. It also provides a snapshot of the countrys expenditure and modernization patterns- Budget allocation and key challenges: insights into procurement schedules formulated within the country and a breakdown of the defense budget. It also details the key challenges faced by defense market participants within the country- Porters Five Force analysis of Turkey defense industry: analysis of the market characteristics by determining the bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitution, intensity of rivalry, and barriers to entry- Import and Export Dynamics: analysis of prevalent trends in the countrys imports and exports over the last five years- Market opportunities: details of the top five defense investment opportunities over the next 10 years- Competitive landscape and strategic insights: analysis of the competitive landscape of Turkey defense industry. It provides an overview of key players, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysisScope- Turkish defense expenditure stands at US$10.6 billion in 2017, and registered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.49% during the historic period. The countrys strained relationship with Greece, persistent threats from the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), active participation in peacekeeping missions, and the reduction in foreign dependency for military equipment procurement drove defense expenditure during the historic period.. As a percentage of GDP, the countrys defense expenditure will average 1.3% over the forecast period compared to an average of 1.4% recorded during the historic period.- The capital expenditure allocation, which stood at an average of 26.1% during the historic period, is projected to slightly decrease to an average of 24.1% over the forecast period. This is primarily due to the procurement of advanced defense equipment and a focus on increasing the capabilities of the countrys indigenous defense industry. Various procurements that are expected to fuel the growth of capital spending over the forecast period include multi-role aircraft, missile defense systems, corvettes, and main battle tanks (MBTs). Consequently, the remaining budget will be allocated to revenue expenditure, which constitutes personnel salaries, development programs for military personnel, and training.- The MoD is expected to invest in fighters and Multi-role aircraft, Main Battle Tanks (MBT) and frigates.Reasons to buy- This report will give the user confidence to make the correct business decisions based on a detailed analysis of Turkey defense industry market trends for the coming five years- The market opportunity section will inform the user about the various military requirements that are expected to generate revenues during the forecast period. The description includes technical specifications, recent orders, and the expected investment pattern by the country during the forecast period- Detailed profiles of the top domestic and foreign defense manufacturers with information about their products, alliances, recent contract wins, and financial analysis wherever available. This will provide the user with a total competitive landscape of the sector- A deep qualitative analysis of Turkey defense industry covering sections including demand drivers, Porters Five Forces Analysis, Key Trends and Growth Stimulators, and latest industry contractsMake 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 @ Advanced Technologies : Operators Focus on Data Network Coverage and Quality Enhancement in Indonesia 2017 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1117979 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1117979 Albany, New York, June 2, 2017: Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of " Demand of Data Network Coverage and Quality Enhancement in Indonesia Industry : Overview, Size, Share, Trends, Analysis and Research 2017 " globally."Indonesia: Operators Focus on Data Network Coverage and Quality Enhancement", is a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Indonesia 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 Indonesia is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% during 2016-2021, primarily driven by growth in mobile data, VoIP and fixed broadband revenue. Mobile data will be the largest revenue-contributing segment until 2021. Going forward, operators will focus on data-centric services and invest in 4G and FTTH deployments to boost broadband penetration in the country. Operators push for smartphone bundles will create significant opportunities for smartphone vendors to capitalize from rising data demand.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Regional context: telecom market size and trends in Indonesia compared with other countries in the region.- Economic, demographic and political context in Indonesia.- 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 Indonesia's telecommunications markets.Scope- The overall telecom service revenue in Indonesia will grow at a CAGR of 4.8% during 2016-2021, mainly driven by growth in the mobile data, VoIP and fixed Internet segment.- Mobile revenue will account for 87.2% of the total telecom revenue in 2021, with mobile data accounting for 68.6% of mobile revenue in 2021.- 3G will be the most adopted mobile technology through 2021. However, 4G will witness a faster growth rate as customers migrate to higher-speed 4G services.- The top two operators, Telkom Indonesia and Indosat Ooredoo, accounted for 73.9% share of overall service revenue in 2016. We expect competition to intensify further as operators focus on fixed and mobile broadband expansions across Indonesia and services such as M2M/IoT, smart cities, enterprise solutions to drive additional revenue.- Operators will continue to focus on investments in 4G network expansion and fiber deployments to increase connectivity and cater to the rising data demand.Make an Enquiry of this report @Reasons to buy- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Indonesias 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 Indonesias 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 Indonesias 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 Indonesia.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 Rise In Demand : Insights of Baby Food Market in Finland Industry : Development and Forecast 2017 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1117855 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1117855 Albany, New York, June 2, 2017: "Recent research and the current scenario as well as future market potential of "The Baby Food Market in Finland 2017" globally.The Baby Food Market in Finland 2017", is an analytical report by GlobalData which provides extensive and highly detailed current and future market trends in the Finnish market.Living standards in Finland are high and thus the vast majority of the population is able to buy commercially prepared baby food. The number of births has declined significantly since 2010, causing a negative effect on sales of baby food. Consumption of baby food declined by 12.3% between 2010 and 2016, but market value was 14% higher in current terms in 2016 than in 2010; at constant 2010 prices, the increase dropped to 3%. Fluctuations in the number of births are expected by 2022, these should be small, and no expansion in baby numbers is foreseen. As such, given the high levels of consumption of meals and cereals, all sectors of the baby food market are forecast to remain virtually static, leading to a market in 2022 of almost the same size in volume terms as in 2016. In terms of value sales, growth at current prices is estimated at 14.7% between 2016 and 2022, although at constant prices the increase is likely to be only 3%.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @What else does this report offer?- Consumption data based upon a unique combination of industry research, fieldwork, market sizing work and our in-house expertise to offer extensive data about the trends and dynamics affecting the industry.- Detailed profile of the companies operating and new companies considering entry in the industry along with their key focus product sectors.- Market profile of the various product sectors with the key features & developments, segmentation, per capita trends and the various manufacturers & brands.- Overview of baby food retailing with a mention of the major retailers in the country along with the distribution channel.- Future projections considering various trends which are likely to affect the industry.Scope- The number of births has declined significantly since 2010, causing a negative effect on sales of baby food: by 2016 sales stood at tons - 12.3% down on the 2010 level. In terms of value, sales of meals and other baby food have risen more strongly than other sectors since 2010.- Meals & others constitute by far the largest part of the market, both in value terms (60.6%) and in volume (78.6%). Cereals account for slightly more than milks in terms of value, at 20.3% in 2016. Milks make up the remaining 19.1% of value sales; their share has fallen slightly since 2010.- Finland has a number of factories involved in producing baby food despite the small size of the market. Importsincreased up to 2013, but have fallen back since, to tons in 2015 (million). Exports have fluctuated from year to year, but remain low at tons.- Although Nestl and Danone continue to dominate the market, with 72.5% of value sales in 2016, they have lost share in recent years, a trend attributed to the entry of new players such as Ellas Kitchen, Hipp, and Arla, the re-entry of Valio, and most recently, Pirkka, the K-Groups own label brand.- The grocery sector accounts for almost all baby food sales. Within the grocery sector, sales of baby food have followed trends common to all grocery markets, in those hypermarkets, larger supermarkets, and discount stores have become increasingly dominant.- The high levels of consumption of meals and cereals, all sectors of the baby food market are forecast to remain virtually static, leading to a market in 2022 of almost the same size in volume terms as in 2016.Make an Enquiry of this report @Reasons to buy- Evaluate important changes in consumer behavior and identify profitable markets and areas for product innovation.- Analyse current and forecast behavior trends in each category to identify the best opportunities to exploit.- Detailed understanding of consumption by individual product categories in order to align your sales and marketing efforts with the latest trends in the market.- Investigates which categories are performing the best and how this is changing market dynamics.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 High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market Size, Share, Analysis, Industry Demand and Forecasts Report to 2022 High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/392745 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-high-voltage-instrument-transformers-market-research-report-2017-d-178 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/392745 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/send-an-enquiry/392745 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com New Market Research Reports Title "Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market Research 2017" Has Been Added to QY Research Groups Report database.This in-depth report discusses this industrys market in forms of overview/definition, application, classification, predictions pertaining value and volume, and future predictions. It also prominently attributes the current situation and outlooks with industrial and financial aspect. Furthermore, it comprises of current events, latest market trends, schematic representation of the global companies with their prime developments, mergers & acquisitions, deals and agreements, expansions and investments, etc. Additionally, it talks about the vital prospects such as market restrains, growth drivers, challenges and potential opportunities that may affect the overall High Voltage Instrument Transformers market.Request for sample of High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market research report @Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer:1. ABB2. Arteche3. Koncar4. Pfiffner5. Siemens6. GE7. Trench Group8. Schneider Electric9. Indian Transformers10. Emek11. DYH12. Dalian Beifang13. TBEA14. XD Group15. Sieyuan16. Shandong Taikai17. Hengyang Nanfang18. Shenyang Instrument TransformerDue to the constant altering business landscape, enhancements in the technology, the process of communication in several organizations have become intricate. Moreover, nowadays, customers demands have increased and expanded, this in return expects efficient and effective communication inside an organization. Escalated use of social networking websites, increased use of smartphones, and ascending demand for improved enterprise efficiency are the prime growth factors of the High Voltage Instrument Transformers market. Enhanced technologies and several Information technology tools better the productivity of the business and escalate functional efficiency. Additionally, many services and solutions are put to use in various industrial verticals which includes banks, insurance (BFSI), public sector, travel & hospitality, healthcare, energy & utilities, education, IT & telecom, transportations and logistics, retail, many other industry sectors such as media and communications.Detailed TOC and Charts & Tables of High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market Research Report available @This extensive professional market research report renders an in-depth study of this markets industry along with growth prospects for the forecast period with exclusive focus on the size and characteristics of the market, major market manufacturers, present trends, growth forecasts, competitive landscape for the predicted frame of time coupled with market restrains and prime success. Besides, this exclusive report cloaks the global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market based on applications, regions, competitive landscape and products. The report enlists profiles of several companies of prime market players, market share, financial metrics, business strategies, and forecasts and predictions.On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoHV Current Instrument TransformersHV Voltage Instrument TransformersOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of High Voltage Instrument Transformers for each application:Indoor ApplicationOutdoor ApplicationThe High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market report wraps: Industry summary with market definition, key elements such as market restrains, drivers, potential opportunities, challenges, trends in the market, etc. Market sectioning depending on product, application, geographical region, competitive market share Market size, approximates, forecasts for the said frame of time Distribution channel assessment Competitive analysis of crucial market manufacturers, trends, company profiles, strategies, etc. Factors accountable for the growth of the market Thorough assessment of prime market geographically Factual information, insights, market date backed by statistics and industryThis report is worth a buy becauseThe report High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market Research Report 2017 incorporates the existing market size of this industry. It also renders the various product segments of the market on a global level. The present market summary and the future prospects of the sector have also been analyzed in-depth in this report. Fundamental market players of High Voltage Instrument Transformers are evaluated on various parameters like product portfolio, company summary, revenue generation, and sales analysis in the forecast period. Furthermore, the overall market potentiality is additionally described in this report along with different countries across the globe.Check for Discount @Some points from TOC:-Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market Research Report 20171 High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of High Voltage Instrument Transformers1.2 High Voltage Instrument Transformers Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 HV Current Instrument Transformers1.2.4 HV Voltage Instrument Transformers1.3 Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Segment by Application1.3.1 High Voltage Instrument Transformers Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Indoor Application1.3.3 Outdoor Application1.4 Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 EU Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of High Voltage Instrument Transformers (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global High Voltage Instrument Transformers Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)...Enquiry before Buying @About Us:QY Research Groups 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. QY Research Groups 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 world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb- Global Specialty Pulp Sales Market Report 2017 | Now Available at Researchmoz.us http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1076937 http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1076937 http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Specialty Pulp Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Specialty Pulp 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 split global into several key Regions, with sales (K MT), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Specialty Pulp for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Specialty Pulp market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Specialty Pulp sales volume, Price (USD/MT), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingMunksjoSPMIKemira OyjShell ChemicalsAshland Inc.AkzoNobel N.V.Nalco Holding CompanyBuckman Laboratories International, Inc.SNF FloergerBASF SEEvonik Industries AGDOWOn the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (K MT), revenue (Million USD), product price (USD/MT), market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoBleachedUnbleachedOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume, market share and growth rate of Specialty Pulp for each application, includingRelease PaperElectrotechnical PaperMoulding CompoundsOtherIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Specialty Pulp Sales Market Report 20171 Specialty Pulp Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Specialty Pulp1.2 Classification of Specialty Pulp by Product Category1.2.1 Global Specialty Pulp Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Specialty Pulp Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Bleached1.2.4 Unbleached1.3 Global Specialty Pulp Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Specialty Pulp Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Release Paper1.3.3 Electrotechnical Paper1.3.4 Moulding Compounds1.3.5 Other1.4 Global Specialty Pulp Market by Region1.4.1 Global Specialty Pulp Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Specialty Pulp Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Specialty Pulp Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Specialty Pulp Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Specialty Pulp Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Specialty Pulp Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Specialty Pulp Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Specialty Pulp (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Specialty Pulp Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Specialty Pulp Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Specialty Pulp Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Specialty Pulp Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Specialty Pulp Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Specialty Pulp Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Specialty Pulp (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Specialty Pulp Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Specialty Pulp Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Specialty Pulp (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Specialty Pulp Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Specialty Pulp Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4 Global Specialty Pulp (Volume) by Application3 United States Specialty Pulp (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Specialty Pulp Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Specialty Pulp Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Specialty Pulp Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Specialty Pulp Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Players3.3 United States Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 China Specialty Pulp (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Specialty Pulp Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China Specialty Pulp Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China Specialty Pulp Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China Specialty Pulp Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Players4.3 China Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.4 China Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Application5 Europe Specialty Pulp (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Specialty Pulp Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Europe Specialty Pulp Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Europe Specialty Pulp Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 Europe Specialty Pulp Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 Europe Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Players5.3 Europe Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Application6 Japan Specialty Pulp (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Japan Specialty Pulp Sales and Value (2012-2017)6.1.1 Japan Specialty Pulp Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.2 Japan Specialty Pulp Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.3 Japan Specialty Pulp Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)6.2 Japan Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Players6.3 Japan Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by Type6.4 Japan Specialty Pulp Sales Volume and Market Share by ApplicationMake 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 @ Low Power Next Generation Display Market 2017 Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth and Forecast Report Up To 2022 Low Power Next Generation Display Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/392748 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-low-power-next-generation-display-market-research-report-2017 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/392748 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/send-an-enquiry/392748 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com A new and latest research report proposed by QYResearch Groups renders a market summary of the Low Power Next Generation Display 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.This in-depth report discusses this industrys market in forms of overview/definition, application, classification, predictions pertaining value and volume, and future predictions. It also prominently attributes the current situation and outlooks with industrial and financial aspect. Furthermore, it comprises of current events, latest market trends, schematic representation of the global companies with their prime developments, mergers & acquisitions, deals and agreements, expansions and investments, etc. Additionally, it talks about the vital prospects such as market restrains, growth drivers, challenges and potential opportunities that may affect the overall Low Power Next Generation Display market.Request for sample of Low Power Next Generation Display Market research report @Due to the constant altering business landscape, enhancements in the technology, the process of communication in several organizations have become intricate. Moreover, nowadays, customers demands have increased and expanded, this in return expects efficient and effective communication inside an organization. Escalated use of social networking websites, increased use of smartphones, and ascending demand for improved enterprise efficiency are the prime growth factors of the Low Power Next Generation Display market. Enhanced technologies and several Information technology tools better the productivity of the business and escalate functional efficiency. Additionally, many services and solutions are put to use in various industrial verticals which includes banks, insurance (BFSI), public sector, travel & hospitality, healthcare, energy & utilities, education, IT & telecom, transportations and logistics, retail, many other industry sectors such as media and communications.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Low Power Next Generation Display Market 2017:LG Display, Samsung SDI, Sony, Panasonic, Qualcomm, Philips, Motorola, Planar Systems, Tdvision Systems, Universal Display Corporation, Novaled, Ge Lumination, Toshiba Mobile Display, RitDisplay, Pelikon.The methodological analysis which is used to approximate and forecast the Low Power Next Generation Display Market starts with gathering data on vital vendors with the help of secondary research through various trusted sources that include news articles, presentations, journals and paid database. In addition, information which the vendors provide is also taken into consideration to analyze the segmentation of the market.Detailed TOC and Charts & Tables of Low Power Next Generation Display Market Research Report available @This extensive professional market research report renders an in-depth study of this markets industry along with growth prospects for the forecast period with exclusive focus on the size and characteristics of the market, major market manufacturers, present trends, growth forecasts, competitive landscape for the predicted frame of time coupled with market restrains and prime success. Besides, this exclusive report cloaks the global Low Power Next Generation Display Market based on applications, regions, competitive landscape and products. The report enlists profiles of several companies of prime market players, market share, financial metrics, business strategies, and forecasts and predictions.The Low Power Next Generation Display Market report wraps: Industry summary with market definition, key elements such as market restrains, drivers, potential opportunities, challenges, trends in the market, etc. Market sectioning depending on product, application, geographical region, competitive market share Market size, approximates, forecasts for the said frame of time Distribution channel assessment Competitive analysis of crucial market manufacturers, trends, company profiles, strategies, etc. Factors accountable for the growth of the market Thorough assessment of prime market geographically Factual information, insights, market date backed by statistics and industryLow Power Next Generation Display Market Analysis: By ProductOrganic Light-emitting Diode (OLED)Organic Light-emitting Transistor (OLET)Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display (SED)Field Emission Display (FED)Quantum Dot Display (QD-LED)MEMS Display (iMoD, TMOS, DMS)Ferro Liquid Display (FLD)Telescopic Pixel Display (TPD)Laser Phosphor Display (LPD)OthersLow Power Next Generation Display Market Analysis: By ApplicationConsumer ElectronicsHome ApplianceAutomotiveAvionicsOthersCheck for Discount @Some points from TOC:-Global Low Power Next Generation Display Market Research Report 20171 Low Power Next Generation Display Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Low Power Next Generation Display1.2 Low Power Next Generation Display Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Low Power Next Generation Display Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Low Power Next Generation Display Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Organic Light-emitting Diode (OLED)1.2.4 Organic Light-emitting Transistor (OLET)1.2.5 Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display (SED)1.2.6 Field Emission Display (FED)1.2.7 Quantum Dot Display (QD-LED)1.2.8 MEMS Display (iMoD, TMOS, DMS)1.2.9 Ferro Liquid Display (FLD)1.2.10 Telescopic Pixel Display (TPD)1.2.11 Laser Phosphor Display (LPD)1.2.12 Others1.3 Global Low Power Next Generation Display Segment by Application1.3.1 Low Power Next Generation Display Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Consumer Electronics1.3.3 Home Appliance1.3.4 Automotive1.3.5 Avionics1.3.6 Others1.4 Global Low Power Next Generation Display Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Low Power Next Generation Display Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 EU Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Low Power Next Generation Display (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Low Power Next Generation Display Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Low Power Next Generation Display Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)...Enquiry before Buying @About Us:QY Research Groups 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. QY Research Groups 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 world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb- High Demand for Convenience Baby Food Market in Finland 2017 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1117855 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/1117855 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report The Baby Food Market in Finland 2017 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz""The Baby Food Market in Finland 2017", is an analytical report by GlobalData which provides extensive and highly detailed current and future market trends in the Finnish market.Living standards in Finland are high and thus the vast majority of the population is able to buy commercially prepared baby food. The number of births has declined significantly since 2010, causing a negative effect on sales of baby food. Consumption of baby food declined by 12.3% between 2010 and 2016, but market value was 14% higher in current terms in 2016 than in 2010; at constant 2010 prices, the increase dropped to 3%. Fluctuations in the number of births are expected by 2022, these should be small, and no expansion in baby numbers is foreseen. As such, given the high levels of consumption of meals and cereals, all sectors of the baby food market are forecast to remain virtually static, leading to a market in 2022 of almost the same size in volume terms as in 2016. In terms of value sales, growth at current prices is estimated at 14.7% between 2016 and 2022, although at constant prices the increase is likely to be only 3%.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @What else does this report offer?- Consumption data based upon a unique combination of industry research, fieldwork, market sizing work and our in-house expertise to offer extensive data about the trends and dynamics affecting the industry.- Detailed profile of the companies operating and new companies considering entry in the industry along with their key focus product sectors.- Market profile of the various product sectors with the key features & developments, segmentation, per capita trends and the various manufacturers & brands.- Overview of baby food retailing with a mention of the major retailers in the country along with the distribution channel.- Future projections considering various trends which are likely to affect the industry.View Report @Scope- The number of births has declined significantly since 2010, causing a negative effect on sales of baby food: by 2016 sales stood at tons - 12.3% down on the 2010 level. In terms of value, sales of meals and other baby food have risen more strongly than other sectors since 2010.- Meals & others constitute by far the largest part of the market, both in value terms (60.6%) and in volume (78.6%). Cereals account for slightly more than milks in terms of value, at 20.3% in 2016. Milks make up the remaining 19.1% of value sales; their share has fallen slightly since 2010.- Finland has a number of factories involved in producing baby food despite the small size of the market. Importsincreased up to 2013, but have fallen back since, to tons in 2015 (million). Exports have fluctuated from year to year, but remain low at tons.- Although Nestl and Danone continue to dominate the market, with 72.5% of value sales in 2016, they have lost share in recent years, a trend attributed to the entry of new players such as Ellas Kitchen, Hipp, and Arla, the re-entry of Valio, and most recently, Pirkka, the K-Groups own label brand.- The grocery sector accounts for almost all baby food sales. Within the grocery sector, sales of baby food have followed trends common to all grocery markets, in those hypermarkets, larger supermarkets, and discount stores have become increasingly dominant.- The high levels of consumption of meals and cereals, all sectors of the baby food market are forecast to remain virtually static, leading to a market in 2022 of almost the same size in volume terms as in 2016.Reasons to buy- Evaluate important changes in consumer behavior and identify profitable markets and areas for product innovation.- Analyse current and forecast behavior trends in each category to identify the best opportunities to exploit.- Detailed understanding of consumption by individual product categories in order to align your sales and marketing efforts with the latest trends in the market.- Investigates which categories are performing the best and how this is changing market dynamics.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.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Digital Intelligence Technology Market - Research Report, Drivers and Restraints, Regional Overview 2025 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/digital-intelligence-technology-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=20342 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Digital intelligence (DI) is the process of collating the big data of customers to analyze and develop insights. These insights can be used to deliver the best and the most relevant experiences to the customer during digital interaction. Digital intelligence technology includes understanding of customers and usage of the companys website by the customer either through the mobile site or mobile application. The company can use this data to optimize its experience irrespective of time, or place of interaction with the customer. Marketers are able to combine insights from existing, new, and emerging channels which allows them timely, customer-oriented decision-making. Hence, digital intelligence is essentially a modern competitive approach to assess customer expectations and needs. Digital intelligence technology has the ability to transform digital data into real-time data. In todays changing multi-device and multi-channel world, the digital data collected can be turned into actionable and customer centric insights. Digital intelligence technology is the backbone of customer experience management. Recent trends in digital intelligence technology are rise of the intelligent personal assistant at home, chatbots, data driven decisions and so on.Obtain Report Details @Growth of the global digital intelligence technology market is fueled by factors such as increasing need to optimize customer experience management (predictive and real time data), increasing public, corporate, and government use of the internet and digital data, growth in voice and video communications on the Internet, and availability of cheap data storage and processing for the digitization of back offices. These factors are expected to contribute to the growth of the digital intelligence technology market. Tools such as online testing, predictive analytics, and behavioral targeting are used by companies to understand web behavior in real time. There are few restraining factors for the digital intelligence technology market such as data security, linking the real time data, and data quality. There are chances of current technology getting obsolete in the mid to long term due to rapid advancements in technology and software in the market.In recent years, there is an increasing need for deeper understanding of products and its features used by customers and also customer interactions. This is helpful for companies to create the best website or mobile user experience. All this can be achieved through digital intelligence technology, which provides an end-to-end snapshot of customer interaction across various channels such as web, mobile, and offline.The digital intelligence technology market is segmented on the basis of deployment, end-use industries, and regions. The segmentation on the basis of deployment includes cloud and on premise. Cloud is further sub segmented into public, private, and hybrid. End-use industries of the digital intelligence technology market include aerospace and defense, information and telecommunications, retail and consumer goods sector, manufacturing sector, healthcare, energy, government and public sector, and others. The market is segmented into five regions namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America. North America and Europe are the leading regions in the digital intelligence technology market.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Some of the key players in the global digital intelligence technology market include Accenture, Splunk, Inc., Simon Waller, SAS Institute Inc., AT Internet, Digital Intelligence, Inc., ACCESSDATA, Adobe Systems Incorporated, BlueAnt Digital Intelligence Pvt. Ltd., Emerson Electric Co., and so on.About Us :Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us :Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Ethyl Polysilicate Market Size Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis by 2022 https://marketsizeforecasters.com/get-sample/72164/?utm_source=OPR-AN https://marketsizeforecasters.com/enquire-for-discount/72164/?utm_source=OPR-AN https://marketsizeforecasters.com/global-ethyl-polysilicate-market https://marketsizeforecasters.com/global-and-chinese-methanesulfonic-acid-msa-industry-2017-market/?utm_source=RR-AN http://marketsizeforecasters.com/ https://marketsizeforecasters.com/news The Global Ethyl Polysilicate Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, forecast to 2022 renders deep perception of the Market Segment by Regions market status of the Ethyl Polysilicate Industry on a global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa and the key manufacturers such as Evonik, Wacker, COLCOAT."Ethyl Polysilicate is a hydrolyzed and oligomerized form of ethyl silicate. It is a mixture of monomers,dimers, trimers and cyclic polysiloxanes. Ethyl Polysilicate is a transparent liquid containing 28%, 32% or 40% silica (SiO2) by mass.There are mainly three distinct categories: Ethyl Polysilicate 28, Ethyl Polysilicate 32 and Ethyl Polysilicate 40."Request a sample copy of Ethyl Polysilicate Market Research Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Ethyl Polysilicate 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 Evonik, Wacker, COLCOAT, MomentiveMarket 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 Ethyl Polysilicate 28, Ethyl Polysilicate 32, Ethyl Polysilicate 40, OthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Silicone Rubber, High-purity Silica, Vitrified Bond, Silica Gel Material, Paint and Coating, OthersRequest Discount for Global Ethyl Polysilicate Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Ethyl Polysilicate market.Chapter 1, to describe Ethyl Polysilicate Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Ethyl Polysilicate, with sales, revenue, and price of Ethyl Polysilicate, 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 Ethyl Polysilicate, 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, Ethyl Polysilicate market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Ethyl Polysilicate sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceBrowse full table of contents and data tables For Global Ethyl Polysilicate Market Report @Related Reports: -Global and Chinese Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA) Industry, 2017 Market Research ReportGlobal and Chinese Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA) Industry, 2012-2022 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA) industry with a focus on the Chinese market.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: EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Baby Food Packaging Market Report 2017 Market Research Reports http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1100007&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/emea-europe-middle-east-and-africa-baby-food-packaging-market-report-2017.htm Qyresearchreports include new market research report "EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Baby Food Packaging Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the EMEA Baby Food Packaging 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 split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, With sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Baby Food Packaging 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 Baby Food Packaging market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Baby Food Packaging sales volume (K Units), price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingAmcorArdagh GroupBemis CompanyTetra Laval InternationalVeralliaAmpacBallCaspakCrownMeadWestvacoMondiOwens-IllinoisReynolds GroupSealed AirSonocoEnter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (K Units), revenue (Million USD), product price (USD/Unit), market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoGlass JarsPlastic ContainersMetal CansFolding CartonsFlexible PackagingOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume (K Units), market share and growth rate of Baby Food Packaging for each application, includingDried FoodsPrepared FoodsMilk FormulaIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of Contents1 Baby Food Packaging Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Baby Food Packaging1.2 Classification of Baby Food Packaging1.2.1 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Glass Jars1.2.4 Plastic Containers1.2.5 Metal Cans1.2.6 Folding Cartons1.2.7 Flexible Packaging1.3 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-20221.3.2 Dried Foods1.3.3 Prepared Foods1.3.4 Milk Formula1.4 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Market by Region1.4.1 EMEA Baby Food Packaging 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 Baby Food Packaging (2012-2022)1.5.1 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Browse Press Release of this Research Report:2 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Competition by Manufacturers/Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers2.1.1 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume and Market Share of Major Players (2012-2017)2.1.2 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Revenue and Share by Players (2012-2017)2.1.3 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Sale Price by Players (2012-2017)2.2 EMEA Baby Food Packaging (Volume and Value) by Type/Product Category2.2.1 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.3 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Sale Price by Type (2012-2017)2.3 EMEA Baby Food Packaging (Volume) by Application2.4 EMEA Baby Food Packaging (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.3 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Sales Price by Region (2012-2017)3 Europe Baby Food Packaging (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Players, Countries, Type and Application3.1 Europe Baby Food Packaging Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 Europe Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 Europe Baby Food Packaging Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.2 Europe Baby Food Packaging Sales and Market Share by Type3.3 Europe Baby Food Packaging Sales and Market Share by Application3.4 Europe Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries3.4.1 Europe Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)3.4.2 Europe Baby Food Packaging Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)3.4.3 Germany Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.4 France Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.5 UK Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.6 Russia Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.7 Italy Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.8 Benelux Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4 Middle East Baby Food Packaging (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Region, Type and Application4.1 Middle East Baby Food Packaging Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Middle East Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Middle East Baby Food Packaging Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.2 Middle East Baby Food Packaging Sales and Market Share by Type4.3 Middle East Baby Food Packaging Sales and Market Share by Application4.4 Middle East Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries4.4.1 Middle East Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)4.4.2 Middle East Baby Food Packaging Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.4.4 Israel Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.4.5 UAE Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.4.6 Iran Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5 Africa Baby Food Packaging (Volume, Value and Sales Price) by Players, Countries, Type and Application5.1 Africa Baby Food Packaging Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Africa Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Africa Baby Food Packaging Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.2 Africa Baby Food Packaging Sales and Market Share by Type5.3 Africa Baby Food Packaging Sales and Market Share by Application5.4 Africa Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries5.4.1 Africa Baby Food Packaging Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)5.4.2 Africa Baby Food Packaging Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)5.4.3 South Africa Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.4.4 Nigeria Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.4.5 Egypt Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.4.6 Algeria Baby Food Packaging Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6 EMEA Baby Food Packaging Manufacturers/Players Profiles and Sales Data6.1 Amcor6.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.1.2 Baby Food Packaging Product Type, Application and Specification6.1.2.1 Product A6.1.2.2 Product B6.1.3 Amcor Baby Food Packaging Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.2 Ardagh Group6.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.2.2 Baby Food Packaging Product Type, Application and Specification6.2.2.1 Product A6.2.2.2 Product B6.2.3 Ardagh Group Baby Food Packaging Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview6.3 Bemis Company6.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors6.3.2 Baby Food Packaging Product Type, Application and Specification6.3.2.1 Product A6.3.2.2 Product B6.3.3 Bemis Company Baby Food Packaging Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)6.3.4 Main Business/Business OverviewQYReseachReports.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.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States Titanium Composites Brazing Market Demand is Increasing in Most Part of World 2025 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/titanium-composites-brazing-market.asp http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/15178 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/15178 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Global Titanium Composites Brazing Market Introduction:Titanium composites have higher wear resistance, stiffness, and strength compared to conventional titanium alloys. It has contain particles such as TiC or TiB which are responsible for the self-lubricating behavior of titanium composites. This in turn, results in lower wear and elastic modulus than other metal-matrix-composites. Titanium composites is used in various industries including aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Titanium composites is used for most of the application in as a substitute for titanium alloys, which is responsible for the growth of global titanium composites brazing market. Titanium composites brazing market registers significant growth rate, owing to increasing demand for heat resistant metal filler in the aerospace and automotive industry. North America titanium composites brazing market is expected to contribute for major revenue share, attributed to growing aerospace industry across the region.Get access to full summary @:Global Titanium Composites Brazing Market Dynamics:The growth of the global titanium composites brazing market is driven by growing industries such as aerospace, automotive, and electronic. Moreover, increasing demand for heat resistive metal filler also fueling the global titanium composites brazing market. The advantages of titanium alloy filler over other ceramic and metal filler including high heat and thermal conductivity, and high pressure tolerance, fueling the demand for global titanium composites brazing market. However, high prices of raw material used in the production of titanium composites brazing restraining the titanium composites brazing market across the globe. The company operates in the titanium composites brazing market can increase its share in the global titanium composites brazing market by increasing their investment in Asia-Pacific region.Global Titanium Composites Brazing Market Segmentation:The global titanium composites brazing market is segmented on the basis of application, end-use, and region. Based on application, the global titanium composites brazing market is further classified into aero-engines, gas turbines, and high-pressure systems. Among which, aero-engines segment is expected to account for significant revenue share followed by gas turbines segment in the global titanium composites brazing market. By end-use, the global titanium composites brazing market segmented into aerospace, semiconductor, automotive, healthcare, and other industries. Among these, aerospace segment is growing at a substantial CAGR in global titanium composites brazing market with relatively high revenue share over the forecast period.Based on application, the global titanium composites brazing market is segmented into: Aero-Engines, Gas Turbines, High-Pressure Systems. Based on end-use, the global titanium composites brazing market is segmented into: Aerospace, Semiconductor, Automotive, Healthcare, Other Industries.A sample of this report is available upon request @Global Titanium Composites Brazing Market Regional Outlook:On the basis of geographies, the global titanium composites brazing market is segmented into seven regions North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific except Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Among the regions, North America account for a relatively high share of the global titanium composites brazing market in terms of value, attributed to the growing aerospace industry across the regions. Western Europe is followed by North America in global titanium composites brazing market, owing to high demand for automotive across the region. Eastern Europe and Japan also accounts for significant value share in the global titanium composites brazing market, owing to high technological advancement in the regions. The Asia-Pacific is expected to register relatively high growth in the global titanium composites brazing market over the forecast period, owing to rapid rate of advancement in industries such as automotive, medical devices, and electronic across the region. The developing economy such as Middle East Africa and Latin America have a moderate growth in the global titanium composites brazing market, attributed to industrial development across the regions. Overall, the outlook for the global titanium composites brazing market will have a positive growth over the forecast period.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Global Titanium Composites Brazing Market Player:Few players in the global titanium composites brazing market include Morgan Advanced Materials and its affiliates, Titanium Brazing Inc., Advanced Materials Technology GmbH, Superior Flux & Mfg. Co., Wesgo Metals, and Aimtek, Inc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Lateral Flow Assay Test Market to Witness Comprehensive Growth by 2016 2026 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11236 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/11236 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/lateral-flow-assay-test-market.asp www.persistencemarketresearch.com Lateral flow assay (LFA) tests also called as lateral flow immunochromatographic assays, are simple device used to detect the presence or absence of intended analyte in sample. This test does not use costly specialized equipment. Generally, these tests are used for clinical diagnostics either for point of care (POC) testing, home testing or laboratory use. A widely accepted and well known application of LFA test is pregnancy test. These assay tests changing the way in which health care providers deliver diagnostic care to patients. Lateral flow assay test produces quality test results in short duration. This test is widely accepted and employed in several fields from defence to health care. Lateral flow assay test market is witnessing promising technological changes and is one of the most competent area in POC testing devices.Lateral flow assay test market is expected to witness positive growth owing to higher prevalence of infectious and communicable diseases and increased use rapid testing in home care settings. Apart from this, increasing geriatric population, rising use of lateral flow assay in clinical laboratory practice, increased chronic diseases, and technology up gradation perhaps positively impact the growth of lateral flow assay test market over the forecasted period. However increased regulations, inconsistency in test results may pose restrain to the lateral flow assay market growth over forecasted period.Global lateral flow assay test market has been segmented on the basis of product, technique, application, end user and region.Global lateral flow assay test market is highly competitive with the strong presence of global players which are focusing on newer technologies to gain significant market share. With the advent of newer technologies in the given market which is expected to prompt the patients from using laboratory facilities to point of care (POC) tests may change the market dynamics over a given period of forecast. Merging of small lab chains into big chains proves to be concentration of revenues from small players to big players. By application segments, clinical laboratories in the global lateral flow assay test market are expected to grow in positive traction owing to higher prevalence of acute and chronic diseases.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Geographically, lateral flow assay test market is classified into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. North America and Europe will remain key markets for lateral flow assay test market due to higher demand for decentralised laboratory test and presence of highly evolved health care system will boost this market significantly. Asia Pacific is anticipated to register positive growth owing to governmental initiatives, improved healthcare infrastructure, and increased demand for quality care at affordable price.Request to View Tables of Content @Some of the key players in the Global lateral flow assay test market are F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Alere, Inc., Danaher Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Johnson & Johnson, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.To Know About Latest Report Click Here:About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Mining Chemicals Market 2017 Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth and Forecast Report Up To 2022 Mining Chemicals Market https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/392767 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-mining-chemicals-market-research-report-2017 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/392767 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/send-an-enquiry/392767 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com A new and latest research report proposed by QYResearch Groups renders a market summary of the Mining Chemicals 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.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 Mining Chemicals 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.Request for sample of Mining Chemicals Market research report @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 Mining Chemicals 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 Mining Chemicals 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 Mining Chemicals Market.Detailed TOC and Charts & Tables of Mining Chemicals Market Research Report available @Global Mining Chemicals market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer:Akzonobel N.V.BASF SEClariant AGChevron Phillips Chemical CompanyKemira OyjDOW Chemical CompanyHuntsman CorporationOrica LimitedArrmaz Products L.P.Snf Floerger SasCytec Industries Inc.Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Exxonmobil.Cheminova A/SCharles Tennant & CompanyHychem, Inc.Zinkan EnterprisesDyno Nobel, Inc.Nalco CompanyNasco Chemsol International FZESQMAeci Ltd.Ashland Inc.Arizona Chemical CompanyBeijing Hengju Chemical Group CorporationMarket Scope:Various aspects are considered in this all-inclusive market research report and it inspects the global Mining Chemicals 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.The report furnishes: An in-depth widespread market analysis of the global Mining Chemicals Market Analysis of global market trends, forecasts for 2022, 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 Mining Chemicals 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. South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)5. 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 Mining Chemicals 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 Mining Chemicals Market manufacturers. The report can function as an assistive reference point for helping individuals as well as businesses from this segment.Check for Discount @Some points from TOC:-Global Mining Chemicals Market Research Report 20171 Mining Chemicals Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Mining Chemicals1.2 Mining Chemicals Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Mining Chemicals Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Mining Chemicals Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Base Metals1.2.4 Non-metallic Minerals1.2.5 Precious Metals1.2.6 Rare earth Metals1.3 Global Mining Chemicals Segment by Application1.3.1 Mining Chemicals Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Mineral Processing1.3.3 Explosives & Drilling1.3.4 Water & Wastewater Treatment1.3.5 Others1.4 Global Mining Chemicals Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Mining Chemicals Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Mining Chemicals (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Mining Chemicals Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Mining Chemicals Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Mining Chemicals Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Mining Chemicals Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Mining Chemicals Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Mining Chemicals Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Mining Chemicals Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Mining Chemicals Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Mining Chemicals Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Mining Chemicals Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Mining Chemicals Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Mining Chemicals Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion...Enquiry before Buying @About Us:QY Research Groups 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. QY Research Groups 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 world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:Email- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWeb- High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market 2017 Worldwide Detailed Analysis by Covering All Major Industrial Aspects http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/310755 http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/2017-market-research-report-on-global-high-voltage-circuit-breaker-industry http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/310755 Summary:Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market Report provides, wherever applicable and relevant, technical data of products, and sheds useful light on expected commercial production dates and current R&D status. This report will help the viewer in Better Decision Making.Introduction:In our aim to provide our erudite clients with the best research material with absolute in-depth information of the market, our new report on Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market is confident in meeting their needs and expectations. The 2017 market research report on Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market is an in-depth study and analysis of the market by our industry experts with unparalleled domain knowledge. The report will shed light on many critical points and trends of the industry which are useful for our esteemed clients. The report covers a vast expanse of information including an overview, comprehensive analysis, definitions and classifications, applications, and expert opinions, among others. With the extent of information filled in the report, the presentation and style of the Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market report is a noteworthy.Request a sample of this report @The Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Industry report provides key information about the industry, including invaluable facts and figures, expert opinions, and the latest developments across the globe. Not only does the report cover a holistic view of the industry from a global standpoint, but it also covers individual regions and their development. The Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Industry report showcases the latest trends in the global and regional markets on all critical parameters which include technology, supplies, capacity, production, profit, price, and competition. The key players covered in the report provide a detailed analysis of the competition and their developments in the Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Industry. Accurate forecasts and expert opinion from credible sources, and the recent R&D development in the industry is also a mainstay of the High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market report.The report also focuses on the significance of industry chain analysis and all variables, both upstream and downstream. These include equipment and raw materials, client surveys, marketing channels, and industry trends and proposals. Other significant information covering consumption, key regions and distributors, and raw material suppliers are also a covered in this report.Browse the complete report @Finally, the High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market report ends with a detailed SWOT analysis of the market, investment feasibility and returns, and development trends and forecasts. As with every report on Orbis Research, the High Voltage Circuit Breaker Industry is the holy grail of information which serious knowledge seekers can benefit from. The report which is the result of ultimate dedication of pedigree professionals has a wealth of information which can benefit anyone, irrespective of their commercial or academic interest.If you have any enquiry before buying a copy of this report @Major Points from Table of Content: Chapter One: High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market Overview Chapter Two: Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market Competition by Manufacturers Chapter Three: Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Capacity, Output, Revenue by Regions Chapter Four: Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Supply (Output), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions Chapter Five: Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Output, Revenue, Price Trend by Types Chapter Six: Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Market Analysis by Applications Chapter Seven: Global High Voltage Circuit Breaker Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis.ContinuedAbout Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Email at: sales@orbisresearch.com Building Information Modelling Market to Reach US$1,335.3 mn by 2024: India to Surge at 23.9% CAGR by 2024 - Australia, New Zealand and India Industry Analysis http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=905062 http://www.researchmoz.us/ict-market-reports-96.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG http://deep-research-report.blogspot.com/ ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Building Information Modelling Market - Australia, New Zealand and India Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024 " to it's Large Report database.Australia, New Zealand and India Building Information Modeling (BIM) Market: Report ScopeThe Building Information Modeling (BIM) market report provides an in-depth analysis of the BIM market for the period 2014 2024, wherein 2015 is the base year and the years from 2016 to 2024 is the forecast period. Data for 2014 has been included as historical information. The report covers all the prevalent trends playing a major role in the growth of the BIM market over the forecast period. It also highlights various drivers, restraints, and opportunities expected to influence the markets growth during the forecast period. The study provides a holistic perspective on market growth in terms of revenue estimates (in US$ Mn), across the countries. The report provides analysis of the BIM market in terms of market estimates and projections for all the segments across country. The report also covers profiles of major players, their growth strategies, various recent developments, and includes market positioning analysis of key players operating in the BIM market.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Australia, New Zealand and India Building Information Modeling (BIM) Market: OverviewBuilding information modeling (BIM) is a three-dimensional (3D) graphical presentation of a technical diagram which includes the elevation, plan, and segment of a building. It is a type of digital building system in which the real model of the structure with precise value is digitally constructed. The BIM market is expected to experience high growth in the coming decade owing to factors such as rise in construction activities and government initiatives to lift BIM adoption rate in these countries.Australia, New Zealand and India Building Information Modeling (BIM) Market: SegmentationThis research study on the BIM market provides a detailed analysis of various solution types of building information modeling available in the market. Based on solutions, the market is further segmented into software, and professional & consultancy service.Read All ICT Market Research Reports @Table of Content1. Preface1.1. Market Definition and Scope1.2. Market Segmentation1.3. Key Research Objectives1.4. Research Highlights2. Assumptions and Research Methodology3. Executive Summary : Building Information Modeling (BIM) Market4. Market Overview4.1. Introduction4.1.1. Product Definition4.1.2. Industry Evolution / Developments4.2. Key Market Indicators4.3. Market Dynamics4.3.1. Drivers4.3.2. Restraints4.3.3. Opportunity4.4. Porters Five Force Analysis4.5. Ecosystem Analysis4.6. Market OutlookAbout 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: Consumer Segmentation Model: Food Tourism - Detailed Market Analysis, Trends, Information, Forecast and Insights http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1117980 http://www.researchmoz.us/retail-market-reports-137.html http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG http://deep-research-report.blogspot.com/ ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Consumer Segmentation Model: Food Tourism " to it's Large Report database.Consumer Segmentation Model: Food TourismSummary"Consumer Segmentation Model: Food Tourism", report contains a consumer segmentation model regarding the food tourism market based on survey responses. Main objective is to understand the three different consumer segment groups based around food tourism.GlobalData has identified three different types of food tourists worldwide: Foodies, Adventurers, Traditionalists.What else does this report offer?- Detailed market analysis, information, and insights, including:- Historic and forecast tourist volumes and values covering Germanys outbound tourism sector- Detailed analysis of tourist spending patterns for various categories in the travel and tourism sector, such as purpose of spending and top source markets.- Detailed analysis of the market trends in the Germanys outbound tourism sector.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Scope- Foodies are the type of tourists that will take a trip purely for culinary reasons and are most likely to be Asian. This consumer group has the most interest in the sharing economy and social media, and are likely to take a cultural and eco-tourism trip.- Adventurers are somewhat likely to book a culinary trip and willing to try new food. With an average age of 42.9 years they are the oldest of every consumer group and the most likely to drink alcohol. Their next international trip is most likely to be in Europe.- Traditionalists think food is nice but not a massive draw to go on holiday. They are the consumer group with the lowest disposable income and prefer cost above comfort when it comes to hotels and airlines, and the consumer group that has the highest preference for local food.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions using a consumer segmentation model related to food tourism- Understand consumer behaviour within the industry to identify key market trends and growth opportunities- Direct the promotional efforts on most promising markets by identifying the different types of food touristsRead All Retail Market Research Reports @Table of ContentsResearch Methodology & ObjectivesThree different types of touristsFoodiesAdventurersTraditionalistsCost / ComfortFood identificationType of holidayReasons to take a holidaySharing economyNext international tripAbout 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: Global Aircraft MRO Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 Global QYResearch http://globalqyresearch.com/download-sample/218564 http://globalqyresearch.com/global-aircraft-mro-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 http://globalqyresearch.com/checkout-form/0/218564 http://globalqyresearch.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-qy-research https://twitter.com/gqyresearch This report studies the global Aircraft MRO market, analyzes and researches the Aircraft MRO development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeLufthansa TechnikGE AviationAFI KLM E&MST AerospaceMTUAARSR Technics (Mubadala)SIA EngineeringDelta TechOpsHaecoAmeco BeijingIberia MaintenanceANAJAL EngineeringKorean AirKAIMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaRequest more information atMarket segment by Type, Aircraft MRO can be split intoAirframeEngineComponentLineMarket segment by Application, Aircraft MRO can be split intoAir TransportBGAIf 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 Aircraft MRO Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Aircraft MRO1.1 Aircraft MRO Market Overview1.1.1 Aircraft MRO Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Aircraft MRO 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 Aircraft MRO Market by Type1.3.1 Airframe1.3.2 Engine1.3.3 Component1.3.4 Line1.4 Aircraft MRO Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Air Transport1.4.2 BGA2 Global Aircraft MRO Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Aircraft MRO 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 Lufthansa Technik3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 GE Aviation3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 AFI KLM E&M3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 ST Aerospace3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 MTU3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 AAR3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 SR Technics (Mubadala)3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 SIA Engineering3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Delta TechOps3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Haeco3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Aircraft MRO Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Ameco Beijing3.12 Iberia Maintenance3.13 ANA3.14 JAL Engineering3.15 Korean Air3.16 KAI4 Global Aircraft MRO Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Aircraft MRO Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Aircraft MRO Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Aircraft MRO in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Aircraft MRO5 United States Aircraft MRO Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Aircraft MRO Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Aircraft MRO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Aircraft MRO Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Aircraft MRO Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Aircraft MRO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)7 Japan Aircraft MRO Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Aircraft MRO Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Aircraft MRO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)8 China Aircraft MRO Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Aircraft MRO Market Size (2012-2017)8.2 China Aircraft MRO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)9 India Aircraft MRO Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Aircraft MRO Market Size (2012-2017)9.2 India Aircraft MRO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)10 Southeast Asia Aircraft MRO Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia Aircraft MRO Market Size (2012-2017)10.2 Southeast Asia Aircraft MRO Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)11.1 Global Aircraft MRO Market Size (Value) by Regions (2017-2022)11.1.1 United States Aircraft MRO Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.2 EU Aircraft MRO Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.3 Japan Aircraft MRO Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.4 China Aircraft MRO Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.5 India Aircraft MRO Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.6 Southeast Asia Aircraft MRO Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.2 Global Aircraft MRO Market Size (Value) by Type (2017-2022)11.3 Global Aircraft MRO Market Size by Application (2017-2022)12 Aircraft MRO Market Dynamics12.1 Aircraft MRO Market Opportunities12.2 Aircraft MRO Challenge and Risk12.2.1 Competition from Opponents12.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy12.3 Aircraft MRO Market Constraints and Threat12.3.1 Threat from Substitute12.3.2 Government Policy12.3.3 Technology Risks12.4 Aircraft MRO 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: Automotive HVAC Technology Market 2017 Global Key Players Air International Thermal Systems, Delphi Automotive, Denso, Valeo, Visteon, Calsonic Kansei, Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Automotive HVAC Technology https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/938315-global-automotive-hvac-technology-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/938315-global-automotive-hvac-technology-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=938315 www.wiseguyreports.com Automotive HVAC TechnologyReport Details:This report focused on global and regional market, major manufacturers, as well as the segment market details on different classifications and applications.Major Key PlayersAir International Thermal SystemsDelphi AutomotiveDensoValeoVisteonCalsonic KanseiEberspacher Climate Control SystemsGenthermJapan Climate SystemsKeihinMothersonSumi Infotech & DesignsSandenSensata TechnologiesSubrosClick here for sample report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Automotive HVAC Technology can be split intoManual HVAC SystemsAutomatic HVAC SystemsMarket segment by Application, Automotive HVAC Technology can be split intoPassenger VehiclesLight Commercial VehiclesHeavy Commercial VehiclesSome Major Points from Table of content:Global Automotive HVAC Technology Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Automotive HVAC Technology1.1 Automotive HVAC Technology Market Overview1.1.1 Automotive HVAC Technology Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Automotive HVAC 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 Automotive HVAC Technology Market by Type1.3.1 Manual HVAC Systems1.3.2 Automatic HVAC Systems1.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Passenger Vehicles1.4.2 Light Commercial Vehicles1.4.3 Heavy Commercial VehiclesFor Detailed Reading Please visit @3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Air International Thermal Systems3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Delphi Automotive3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Denso3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Valeo3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Visteon3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Calsonic Kansei3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Eberspacher Climate Control Systems3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Gentherm3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Japan Climate Systems3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Automotive HVAC Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Keihin3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview...ContinuedBuy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1- 646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About UsWise 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 understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042Mail :info@wiseguyreports.com Camanche City Councilman Bill Wruck faces charges in Clinton County after sheriffs deputies say he bypassed the water meter at his home last year. The 42-year-old made an initial court appearance through his attorney, James Bruhn, on charges of third-degree fraudulent practices, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison, and fifth-degree theft, a simple misdemeanor. Wruck waived his right to a preliminary hearing and will be arraigned June 23. According to an affidavit filed by the Clinton County Sheriffs Office in support of the criminal complaint: On Dec. 9, Camanche City Administrator Andrew Kida reported possible water meter tampering to the Sheriffs Office and said the city had looked at previous water records for Wrucks home in the 300 block of 15th Place. City water records indicated that there were six days of zero consumption in June 2016; 22 days of zero consumption in July; 41 days of zero consumption between late August and mid-October; and seven days of zero consumption in November. Kida told a sheriffs deputy that a city maintenance worker had gone to Wrucks house on Nov. 21 to examine the water meter and was denied entry by Wrucks wife. The maintenance worker told the deputy that within an hour of being at the home, the meter started to show consumption again. Kida provided the deputy with water billing records for Wrucks residence that showed he had been issued delinquent and final notices several times in 2016. Kida estimated that the cost of water not billed to Wruck was less than $200. The meter was tested twice and was working properly. Wruck is a field services technician for Iowa American Water. His duties include reading, testing and installing water meters, according to the affidavit. Wruck declined comment Thursday. Global Carnauba Wax Industry Survey, Trends, Outlook, Overview and 2021 Forecast https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1403 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/carnauba-wax-market www.marketresearchfuture.com Global Carnauba Wax Market Information by types (type 1, type 3 and type 4), by application (food & beverages, cosmetics, paint & coating, automobiles and others) and - Forecast to 2021Carnauba wax is also known as palm wax and Brazil wax which are produced from palm Copernicia prunifera leaves that are only planted in north east Brazil. Hence, it makes Brazil as the topmost producer as well as exporter across the globe. Over the past few year, the global carnauba wax market has seen a potential growth due to the increase in the demand of carnauba wax in the application segment. Continuously increasing in the demand of cosmetics and food has become one of the major growth driver and has created a positive impact in the eyes of manufacturers. The major challenge which can hinder the market is low profitability of new use of carnauba wax.Get a sample report atStudy Objectives of Carnauba Wax Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Global Carnauba Wax Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the Global Carnauba Wax 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 types and applications. 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 Carnauba Wax MarketThe leading market players in the global carnauba wax market include Akrochem Corp Toa Kasei Pontes Industria de Cera Ltda Cargill Tropical Ceras do Brasil TMC Industries, Inc Roger A. Reed, Inc First Source Worldwide Spectrum Chemicals & Laboratory ProductsBrowse Complete Report atThe report for Global Carnauba Wax 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.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 AnandP: +1 646 845 9312W: Bioreactors and Fermenters Global Market Industry Analysis Research Report and Forecast - 2024 MRRSE http://www.mrrse.com/sample/3009 http://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/3009 http://www.mrrse.com/checkdiscount/3009 http://www.mrrse.com/ Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) announces the addition of a new report titled Bioreactors and Fermenters Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Volume, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024. Bioreactors and fermenters are mainly used in research institutes and bioprocessing industries. Bioreactors are employed for the cultivation of mammalian, plants, and insect cells, and for large scale production of pharmaceuticals, antibodies, vaccines, etc., or for the bioconversion of organic wastes.Request For Sample Report@Global Bioreactors and Fermenters Market: OverviewFermenters are utilized for the growth and maintenance of a population of bacterial or fungal cells in a controlled mode. They are small as compared to bioreactors. This report analyzes the current and future prospects of the bioreactors and fermenters market based on product, process, end user and geography.Global Bioreactors and Fermenters Market: Scope of the ReportThe research is a combination of primary and secondary research, conducted for understanding and arriving at trends, used to forecast the expected revenue of bioreactors used in biopharmaceutical industries, CROs, etc. 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 product, process, end user, and geography for the period 2015 to 2024. The revenue generated from product type was calculated by considering the adoption rate of bioreactors and fermenters across all geographies, number of product launched, average cost of products, trends in industry, and end user trends, among others.Global Bioreactors and Fermenters Market: SegmentationThe 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 product, process, end user, and geography. The market overview section of the report analyzes market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influences the bioreactors and fermenters 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 identification of the market need to their final reach to the end users. Furthermore, the report provides Porters five force analysis that studies five factors and their impact on the bioreactors and fermenters market.Make an Enquiry@Global Bioreactors and Fermenters Market: Competitive AnalysisMarket share analysis among the market players is analyzed to signify the contribution of these players in the market in terms of percentage share. 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 major regions: North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. The study also covers detailed country analysis contributing majorly in the bioreactors and fermenters market.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 bioreactors and fermenters market include Applikon Biotechnology B.V., Danaher Corporation, Eppendorf AG, Finesse Solutions, Inc., GE Healthcare, Merck KGaA, PBS Biotech, Inc., PIERRE GUERIN TECHNOLOGIES, Sartorius AG, SOLARIS BIOTECHNOLOGY srl, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc and ZETA Holding GmbH. Acquisitions was the primary strategy adopted by the major market players to enter into the bioreactors and fermenters market. For instance, GE Healthcare acquired Xcellerex, Inc. in 2012, to establish its footprints in single-use bioreactors market.The Bioreactors and Fermenters Market has been segmented as follows:Bioreactors and Fermenters Market, by Product, Revenue (US$ Mn) 2016-2024Single-use BioreactorsMultiple-use BioreactorsBioreactors and Fermenters Market, by Process, Revenue (US$ Mn) 2016-2024Fed batchContinuousBatchBioreactors and Fermenters Market, by End User, Revenue (US$ Mn) 2016-2024Biopharmaceutical companiesCROsAcademic & Research InstitutesBioreactors and Fermenters Market, by Geography, Revenue (US$ Mn), 2016-2024North AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeU.K.GermanySpainFranceItalyRest of EuropeLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanAustraliaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaU.A.E.South AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaAsk For Discount @About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite: Aerospace Robotics Market Expected to Reach $5,687 Million, Globally, by 2022 Aerospace Robotics https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aerospace-robotics-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-free-sample/2152 The aerospace robotics market in LAMEA region is estimated to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period, owing to the heavy inflow of investment by government to develop the aviation industry. Moreover, it is expected to witness significant growth in the emerging countries such as Africa, Brazil, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.Aerospace Robotics Market Report, published by Allied Market Research, projects that the global aerospace robotics market is expected to reach $5,687 million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 17.2% from 2016 to 2022. The articulated robot segment is expected to dominate the global market during the forecast period. North America is expected to generate the maximum revenue in the global market by 2022.Access Full Summary at:The robotics technology is used in aerospace industry for variety of applications during the manufacturing of aircraft components including welding, drilling, painting, material handling, cutting, assembly automation, and fabrication of engines. The aerospace robotics market offers automation, precision, and accuracy in repetitive tasks done in the manufacturing procedure,The aerospace robotics market growth is fueled by enhanced need of automation for efficient aircraft production. In addition, increase in cost of labor worldwide. However, high installation cost of robotics technology hampers the growth of the aerospace robotics industry. The adoption of advanced technologies in the aircraft manufacturing industry including Internet of Things (IoT), 3D vision technology, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing is expected to present numerous opportunities to the global aerospace robotics industry.In 2015, the drilling application segment generated the maximum revenue in the global market, owing to utilization of robotics technology for drilling holes in aircraft components with high precision. The inspection application segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the implementation of new technologies such as ultrasonic technology, 3D imaging technology, and other non-destructive methods used in the inspection process of aircrafts. The collaborative technology segment is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate, registering a CAGR of 19.8% from 2016 to 2022. The articulated type segment is expected to generate the highest revenue throughout the forecast period. The other (cylindrical, spherical, SCARA, and parallel) type is anticipated to grow at the highest rate during the study period.Get PDF brochure of the report at:In 2015, North America dominated the global aerospace robotics market. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period on account of the surge in the number of air passengers and continuous economic development in various countries such as India, Malaysia, China, and Singapore.The key players profiled in the report include ABB Group, KUKA AG, Fanuc Corporation, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, JH Robotics, Inc., Oliver Crispin Robotics Limited, Electroimpact Inc., Universal Robots A/S, and AV&R Vision & Robotics Inc.Key Findings of the Aerospace Robotics Market: In 2015, the articulated robot segment dominated the global aerospace robotics industry, in terms of revenue, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.4% during the forecast period. Traditional technology segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.4%. Inspection application segment is estimated to show highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, during the study period. In 2015, the drilling application segment generated the highest revenue of around 32%. In 2015, North America dominated the global market with a market share of 37%.About Us:Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions". AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.Contact Us:5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220,United States.Int'l: +1-503-894-6022Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285Fax: +1-800-792-5285help@alliedmarketresearch.com Multigrade Asphalt Cement Market 2017 Global Key Players Evonik Industries AG, Tri-Chem Industries, AkzoNobel N.V, DuPont, Honeywell International, Huntsman International Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Multigrade Asphalt Cement https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/862135-global-multigrade-asphalt-cement-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/862135-global-multigrade-asphalt-cement-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=862135 www.wiseguyreports.com Multigrade Asphalt CementReport Details:This report focused on global and regional market, major manufacturers, as well as the segment market details on different classifications and applications.Major Key PlayersEvonik Industries AGTri-Chem IndustriesAkzoNobel N.VDuPontHoneywell InternationalHuntsman International LLCKao CorporationArrMazThe Arkema GroupClick here for sample report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Multigrade Asphalt Cement in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoPolymer Polymer Modified AsphaltSynthetic Resin Modified AsphaltOn 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 Multigrade Asphalt Cement for each application, includingRoad ConstructionRoad PavingAirport RunawayParking LotsRoofingSome Major Points from Table of content:Global Multigrade Asphalt Cement Market Research Report 20171 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Multigrade Asphalt Cement1.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Multigrade Asphalt Cement Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Multigrade Asphalt Cement Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Polymer Polymer Modified Asphalt1.2.4 Synthetic Resin Modified Asphalt1.3 Global Multigrade Asphalt Cement Segment by Application1.3.1 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Road Construction1.3.3 Road Paving1.3.4 Airport Runaway1.3.5 Parking Lots1.3.6 Roofing1.4 Global Multigrade Asphalt Cement Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Multigrade Asphalt Cement Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Multigrade Asphalt Cement (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Multigrade Asphalt Cement Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)For Detailed Reading Please visit @7 Global Multigrade Asphalt Cement Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Evonik Industries AG7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Evonik Industries AG Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Tri-Chem Industries7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Tri-Chem Industries Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 AkzoNobel N.V7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 AkzoNobel N.V Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 DuPont7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 DuPont Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Honeywell International7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Honeywell International Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 Huntsman International LLC7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 Huntsman International LLC Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Kao Corporation7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 Kao Corporation Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 ArrMaz7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 ArrMaz Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 The Arkema Group7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.9.2 Multigrade Asphalt Cement Product Category, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Product A7.9.2.2 Product B7.9.3 The Arkema Group Multigrade Asphalt Cement Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview...ContinuedBuy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1- 646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)About UsWise 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 understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042Mail :info@wiseguyreports.com Indo-China Chocolate Market Size, Trends and Forecast Report 2017 Market Research HUB http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1109586 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/a-study-of-the-indo-china-chocolate-market-2017-report.html http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1109586 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ The global demand for chocolate is now showing recovery and leading suppliers such as Barry Callebaut are now forecasting stabilization of demand in the key markets worldwide. By 2020, the United States is expected to be the largest consumer of chocolate globally, followed by Russia. Amongst the BRIC nations, while India and China are nations projected to have the highest chocolate market growth in the period 2015-2020, economic conditions in Brazil and Russia have been hampering the chocolate markets growth.Request Free Sample Report -It is expected that the global chocolate market will grow at a CAGR of approximately to 5% through 2020. New flavours coupled with product packaging innovations will be the trend going forward. World over there is growth potential in the customized and luxury chocolate segments. People have a rising affinity for handcrafted chocolate and many startups are dappling in the art of chocolate making. Popularity of premium chocolates is on the rise particularly in the United States and Brazil. While rising obesity and health concerns world wide is a challenge for the growth of the sector, there is also growing awareness about the benefits of dark chocolate. Players have also been introducing low sugar and sugarless chocolates.Globally, India is amongst the fastest growing chocolate markets. In 2016, the chocolate market in the country grew by 13% year-on-year. Other than India, Poland's market which grew at 2% year-on-year are the only two countries globally to have shown growth in the chocolate market. India is amongst the four countries projected to have the highest chocolate market growth in the period 2015-2020. Other countries include Mexico, China and Brazil. The chocolate market in India is currently growing at a rate of 20% annually and is projected to grow by 30% by 2020.In 2014 the per capita consumption of chocolate in China was just 0.2 kgs as compared with 2.5 kgs per person in Brazil, 0.7 kgs per person in India and 2.2 kgs in United States. Hence, a huge untapped potential exists in the market. However, the recent government corruption crackdown has dampened the chocolate market in China.Browse Full Report with TOC -A challenge facing the market is that Chinese customers do not trust home grow brands due to food safety issues. They have a greater affinity for foreign chocolate brands, close to 70% of the Chinese chocolate market is controlled by European brands. Other than the food safety concern, the poor performance of local chocolate brands can be attributed primarily to poor marketing efforts.The report A Study of the Indo-China Chocolate Market 2017highlights key dynamics ofthe global, India and China's chocolate market. The potential of the sector has been investigated along with the emerging trends.The current market scenario and future prospects of the sector has also been studied. The report contains profiles of key players including Nestle S.A., Mars Foods, Ferrero Rocher, The Hershey Company, Mondelez International Inc., Amul. The report contains latest opinions of industry experts.Table of contents1. Global ChocolateMarket1.1 Overview1.2 Market Statistics & Performance1.3 Outlook1.4 Industry Speak2. India ChocolateMarket2.1 Overview2.2 Market Statistics& Performance2.3 Market Drivers2.4 Outlook2.5 Industry Speak3. China ChocolateMarket3.1 Overview3.2 Market Statistics & Performance3.3 Market Drivers3.4 Outlook3.5 Industry Speak4. Competitive Landscape4.1 Nestle S.A.4.2 Mars Foods4.3 Ferrero Rocher4.4 The Hershey Company4.5 MondelezInternational Inc.4.6 Amul5. List of Charts and Graphs5.1 Global Forecast Leading Chocolate Consuming Countries (2020, thousand tons)5.2 Global Total Chocolate Consumption (1999, 2009 & 2020 P, million tonnes)5.3 Global Top Eight Confectionery Companies Net Confectionary Sales (2015, USD millions)5.4 Global Per capita consumption of Chocolate Confectionery by Key Markets (2015, kilograms)5.5 Global Chocolate Consumption (1999-2020 E, million tonnes)5.6 Global Chocolate Consumption (2012-2019 E, million tonnes)5.7 India Chocolate Market Size (2012-2019 E, INR billion)5.8 India Retail Sales of Chocolate (2010-2015, billion USD)5.9 India Chocolate Market Share by Player (%, 2014)5.10 India Chocolate Consumption Volume as Compared with Other Countries (2020, in 1,000 tons)5.11 China Chocolate Market Share by Players (%, 2014)5.12 China Chocolate Market Size (2014-2019 E, tonnes)5.13 China Retail Sales of Chocolate (2010-2015, billion USD)6. Research Methodology7. 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 :Read Industry News at - Organic Baby Food Market to Reach $11,592 Million, Globally, by 2023 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2243 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/organic-baby-food-market According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Organic Baby Food Market by Product and Mode of sale: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023, the organic baby food market was valued at $5,834 million in 2016, and is projected to reach at $11,592 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 10.15% from 2017 to 2023. Europe is expected to be the leading contributor to the global organic baby food market, followed by Asia-Pacific and North America.Request Sample Report at:Rise in parental concerns with respect to babys health and nutrition, increase in awareness about benefits of organic products, eco-friendly farming techniques, rise in disposable income of consumers, growth in standard of living encourages the adoption of organic baby food products, and improved distribution channels in the industry drive the organic baby food market growth. However, premium price and certain government regulations for the approval of organic food & beverage hamper the organic baby food market growth. Various government initiatives and investment of government and private investors in the organic baby food industry are expected to provide numerous growth opportunities for the global organic baby food market. Moreover, increase in working women and growth of nuclear families have led to the adoption of organic baby food products.In 2016, the prepared organic baby food segment accounted for the maximum revenue share in the overall organic baby food industry due to the convenience in usage and time saving factor for preparation of the food product. Moreover, prepared baby food products, such as purees and vegetable & fruit blends, are available in variety of flavors, such as mango, banana, peach, and others thereby providing taste and nutrition. Moreover, the other organic baby foods, such as puffs, rusks, and biscuits are expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.93% during the forecast period. The prepared organic baby food market is expected to grow, owing to the benefits of these food products in terms of nutritional value.Access Full Summary at:The offline segment accounted for the maximum share in the global organic baby food market with around 81.55% in 2016. Offline stores, such as supermarkets and hypermarkets, are mostly preferred by the costumers to purchase organic food products. However, the trend is shifting toward purchasing products online due to ease and convenience provided by these online portals. The online mode of sale is expected to grow at a CAGR OF 12.94% during the forecast period.Europe accounted for the major share of the global organic baby food market in 2016, and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period, owing to health-conscious costumers and demand for chemical-free baby food products. Asia-Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest rate due to rise in birth rates and growth in awareness related to beneficial effects of these food products.Key Findings of the Organic Baby Food Market: In 2016, the offline mode of sale segment accounted for the maximum revenue, and is projected to grow at a notable CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period. The organic infant milk formula market accounted for 12.2% share in the global organic baby food market. China is the major shareholder in the Asia-Pacific organic baby food market, accounting for more than 28% share in 2016.The key players profiled in the organic baby food market include Abbott laboratories, Nestl S. A, Hero Group, Amara Organics, Danone, Plum organics, The Hein celestial group, North Castle Partners, LLC. HiPP GmbH & Co. Vertrieb KG, and Baby Gourmet Foods Inc. Market players have adopted various strategies, such as product launch, collaboration & partnership and acquisition, to expand their foothold in the market.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: +1?855?550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.com Rice Bran Oil 2017 Report status and outlook for major applications, market share, growth rate and Forecast to 2022 Rice Bran Oil Industry https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/731691-global-rice-bran-oil-forecast-to-2021 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/731691-global-rice-bran-oil-forecast-to-2021 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/check-discount/731691-global-rice-bran-oil-forecast-to-2021 Https://Www.Youtube.Com/Channel/Ucegrh5nnb7c6vg4cgpuzbpw www.wiseguyreports.com Rice Bran OilWiseGuyReports.com adds Global Rice Bran Oil Research Report 2017 to its Database.Report ScenarioRice bran oil is the oil extracted from rice bran. Rice bran is an oily layer in between the paddy husk and the white rice. It can be used as edible oil. In addition to its use in the food industry serve as additives, it is also used in the health care industry and the pharmaceutical industry. In HS codes and duty rates for rice bran oil, rice bran oil was classified as food& drinks oils, herbs& spices oil. the mainly content statistic is crude rice bran oil.For Sample Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Rice Bran Oil 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 coversRicelaKamalBCLSVROilVaighaiA.P. Refinery3F IndustriesSethia OilsJain Group of IndustriesShivangi OilsBalgopal Food ProductsKing Rice Oil GroupCEO Agrifood LimitedKasisuriSurin Bran OilAgrotech InternationalTsuno Rice Fine ChemicalsOryza Oil & Fat ChemicalWilmar InternationalWanyuan Food & OilJinrunShanxinJinwangMarket 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, Middle East and AfricaMarket Segment by Type, coversExtractionSqueezingMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoFoodCosmeticIndustryOtherThere are 13 Chapters to deeply display the global Rice Bran Oil market.Chapter 1to describe Rice Bran Oil Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2to analyze the top manufacturers of Rice Bran Oil , with sales, revenue, and price of Rice Bran Oil , in 2015 and 2016;Chapter 3to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2015 and 2016;Chapter 4to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Rice Bran Oil , for each region, from 2011 to 2016;Chapter 5, 6, 7 and 8to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 9 and 10to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2011 to 2016;Chapter 11Rice Bran Oil market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2016 to 2021;Chapter 12 and 13to describe Rice Bran Oil sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, appendix and data source.For any Enquiry or special requirement related to Rice Bran Oil you can write us @Table of ContentRice Bran Oil Market has got deeper insights in Market Overview, Manufacturers Profiles, Competition by Manufacturer, Market Analysis by Regions, North America Rice Bran Oil by Countries, Europe Rice Bran Oil by Countries, Asia-Pacific Rice Bran Oil by Countries, South America, Middle East and Africa Rice Bran Oil by Countries, Rice Bran Oil Market Segment by Type, Rice Bran Oil Market Segment by Application, Rice Bran Oil Market Forecast (2016-2021).The Rice Bran Oil Market Report comprises 154 Titles and 44 Figures according to Global Rice Bran Oil Sales and Market.Global Rice Bran Oil Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 20211 Market Overview1.1 Rice Bran Oil Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Extraction1.2.2 Squeezing1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Food1.3.2 Cosmetic1.3.3 Industry1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA1.4.1.2 Canada1.4.1.3 Mexico1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany1.4.2.2 France1.4.2.3 UK1.4.2.4 Russia1.4.2.5 Italy1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China1.4.3.2 Japan1.4.3.3 Korea1.4.3.4 India1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil1.4.4.2 Egypt1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia1.4.4.4 South Africa1.4.4.5 Nigeria1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Ricela2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Rice Bran Oil Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Ricela Rice Bran Oil Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share2.2 Kamal2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Rice Bran Oil Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Kamal Rice Bran Oil Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share2.3 BCL2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Rice Bran Oil Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 BCL Rice Bran Oil Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share2.4 SVROil2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Rice Bran Oil Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 SVROil Rice Bran Oil Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market ShareContinuedFor discount check @Subscribe Our Youtube Channel @CONTACT US:NORAH TRENTPartner Relations & Marketing Managersales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)"Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. 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We boast a database spanning virtually every category and an even more comprehensivecollection of research reports under these categories and sub-categories"Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028 Maharashtra, India Malaysia's Cocoa Industry Size, Share, Trends and Forecast 2017 Market Research HUB http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1109580 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/a-study-of-malaysias-cocoa-industry-report.html http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1109580 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ Africa is globally the largest cocoa producing region, accounting for 73% of total world cocoa production in the 2015-16 season. While Cte d'Ivoire alone contributes 40% to the world production, Ghana is the next largest contributor within Africa. Global market shares of the Americas, and of the Asia & Oceania regions rested at 16% and 11% respectively in the same period. Globally, the demand for cocoa is expected to be driven by the rising demand for premium quality cocoa powder based packaged foods.Request Free Sample Report -Post the cocoa deficit of approximately 220,000 tonnes in the 2015-16 season, a surplus is projected for the world cocoa market in the 2016-17 season, which started in October 2016. The surplus is due to an expectation of a good main crops in West Africa and milder harmattan winds.Malaysia is the largest cocoa grinder in Asia and the fifth largest globally, behind Netherlands, Cote dIvoire, Germany and the United States. The country currently has 15,000 hectares cocoa trees, with about 5,500 hectares in Sabah, 5,000 hectares in Sarawak and the remaining in rest of the peninsula. The total size of cocoa plantations in Malaysia is approximately 18,000 hectares and there are 15,045 small holders throughout the country. The largest plantation is Sabah, which has a total area of 7,072 hectares. The second largest plantation is Sarawak at 6,949 hectares, which has a total area of 4,101 hectares.Our analysts believe that the outlook of the cocoa industry is medium and not bleak due to the governments interest in the sector and rising demand from developing economies. However, the low production, falling motivation of cocoa farmers and the fragile nature of cocoa crop need to be kept in mind.The report A Study of Malaysia's Cocoa Industry highlights key drivers of and trends emerging in Malaysia,s cocoa sector. The performance of the sector along with government initiatives have been examined in detail. The current market scenario and future prospects of the sector has also been studied.The report contains latest industry leader's verbatim.Browse Full Report with TOC -Table of Contents1. Global Cocoa Industry1.1 Overview1.2 Market Performance &Statistics1.3 Market Drivers1.4 Challenges1.5 Outlook1.6 Industry Speak2. Malaysia Country Snapshot3. Malaysia Cocoa Industry3.1 Overview3.2 Market Performance &Statistics3.2.1 Production&Consumption3.2.2 Import&Export3.3 Market Drivers3.4 Challenges3.5 Government Initiatives3.6 Outlook3.7 Industry Speak4. Key Consuming Companies4.1 Barry Callebaut4.2 Nestle SA4.3 Ferrero SpA4.4 Hershey Company4.5 Kraft Foods5. List of Charts & Tables5.1 World Cocoa Production (2004-2016 E, 1,000 tonne)5.2 Global Cocoa Production Share by Region (2016E)5.3 World Cocoa Production by Country (2016 E, in 1,000 tonne)5.4 Global Top 15 Highest Annual Per Capita Chocolate Consuming Countries (2014, kg)5.5 Global of Cocoa Beans Globally (2001-2016 E, in 1,000 metric tons)5.6 Global Forecast Leading Chocolate Consuming Countries (2020, thousand5.7 Malaysia Cocoa Beans Production (2000-2014, Tonne)5.8 Malaysia Grinding of Cocoa Beans (2000-2016, Tonne)5.9 Malaysia Cocoa Beans Import (2006-2016, Tonne)5.10 Malaysia Cocoa Beans Export (2006-2016, Tonne)5.11 Malaysia Sales Value of Manufactured Cocoa Products (2012-2015, Billion Malaysian Ringgit)6. Research Methodology7. 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 :Read Industry News at - Acousto Optic Devices Market Technological breakthroughs By 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/acousto-optic-devices-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18191 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Optics is a particular branch of science that studies and takes into account both the behavior and properties of light. It also includes science that deals with interactions between matter and instruments that are used for detection of light. Optic involves the behavior of ultraviolet, infrared and visible lights.Acousto optics is that particular branch of science that analyzes the interactions between sound and light waves. Acousto optic waves are formed on the basis of changes in the refractive index of a particular medium because of the sound waves present in the medium.Acousto optic devices can deflect as well as modulate laser. The performance of these devices is achieved by making high-quality single crystal. The global market for acousto optic devices has been segmented on the basis of type, application, end use industry and geography.Obtain Report Details:The various types of acousto optic devices that are considered includes modulators, optical filters, mode lockers and deflectors among others. Material processing, micro processing and laser processing form the different application areas on the basis of which the global acousto optic devices market has been segmented by application.Various end use industries that are considered in the global acousto optic devices market includes aerospace and defense, medical, telecom, industrial, oil & gas and semiconductor and electronics among others.Global acousto optic devices market on the basis of geography has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.The rise in demand for laser applications especially to be used in the field of life science and research vertical is a major driver contributing to the growing demand for acousto optic devices globally. Moreover, the high demand for modulators is expected to help increase the demand for acousto optic devices and in turn helping the overall market to grow globally.Use of modulators across different industry verticals has enhanced because of the capability for controlling frequency, direction and power of laser beam with electric signal. Acousto optic devices are used across different industry verticals especially in semiconductors industry where it is needed in laser equipment for electronic control of laser beam.These all factors together makes for some important drivers for the growth of global acousto optic devices market. With all these drivers that is increasing the demand for acousto optic devices, still there are certain restraints that negatively impacts the growth of this market.High cost initially associated with implementation of acousto optic devices has been a major restraint that negatively impacts the demand for acousto optic devices. Other than this, the high research and development expenses involved with usage of acousto optic devices has been another major restraint for the acousto optic devices globally. The huge growth opportunities for laser market is expected to help in the growth of this market in coming years.Geographically, it is Asia Pacific region that forms one of the major regions that contributes to the growth of this market with China, Japan and India being some of the major players in this market.Huge growth in semiconductor industry along with rising applications of acousto optic devices has been some of the major reasons contributing to the growth of overall market. In addition to this, it is the rapid industrialization in this region that has contributed to the growth of this market globally.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market:After Asia Pacific it is, North America and Europe forms some other major markets for the acousto optic devices market globally. High industrial presence along with growing research and development facilities has been some major factors contributing to the growth of this market in this region.Some of the major players operating in the acousto optic devices market include Isomet Corporation (U.S.), Harris Corporation (U.S.), Coherent, Inc. (U.S.), IntraAction Corp. (U.S.), Gooch & Housego PLC (U.K.), Brimrose Corporation of America (U.S.), AMS Technologies AG (Germany), Lightcomm Technology Co., Ltd. (China) and AA Opto Electronic (France) among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions.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: Fire Protection Systems Market: Commercial vertical expected to hold the largest market share by 2022 http://www.marketintelreports.com/report/ets0006/fire-protection-systems-market-by-technology-active-passive-product-fire-detection-sensors--detectors-rfid-management-fire-sprinklers-extinguishers-fire-analysis--response-service-vertical-and-geography--global-forecast-to-2022 http://www.marketintelreports.com/pdfdownload.php?id=ets0006 http://www.marketintelreports.com/purchase.php?id=ets0006 www.marketintelreports.com MarketIntelReports Recent Report - "Fire Protection Systems Market by Technology (Active, Passive), Product (Fire Detection (Sensors & Detectors, RFID), Management (Fire Sprinklers, Extinguishers), Fire Analysis & Response), Service, Vertical, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2022", The fire protection systems market size is expected to grow from USD 47.96 Billion in 2015 to USD 98.24 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 10.1% between 2016 and 2022.As a result of the increase in fire hazards, government agencies across the globe are implementing stringent measures to reduce the losses from fire. The increase in fire-related spending by a number of enterprises and SMEs across the globe is driving the demand for fire protection systems. There has been a tremendous amount of advancements in the facilities management environment of developing nations over the last several years, especially in the area of building automation. Various security aspects of building automation include monitoring & control systems such as HVAC, power production, lighting, safety, and security systems and elevators among others.Browse Our Research Report on Fire Protection Systems Market Analysis and Global Forecast to 2022 @Passive fire protection systems market expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast periodThe market for passive fire protection systems is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period in the fire protection systems market. The passive fire protection systems work on the principle of strengthening building structure and helping in leveraging the profitability by reducing the damages involved in the fire accidents and one of the vital features of the passive fire protection systems is a cluster of codes and regulations to be followed.Fire management systems held the largest market share of the fire protection systems market based on products in 2015The fire management systems held the largest market share of the global fire protection market based on products in 2015 and are expected to dominate the market till 2022. The fire management systems such as sprinklers and extinguishers are expected to be used extensively in the commercial vertical during the forecast period. The market for fire analysis software is expected to grow at the highest rate in the fire protection systems product market during the forecast period. The high growth rate of fire analysis software is estimated due to the increasing need for sophisticated fire analysis which helps in proper decision making and fire prevention.Commercial vertical expected to hold the largest market share by 2022The commercial vertical is expected to hold the largest share of the fire protection systems market by 2022, while the fire protection systems market for the oil, gas, and mining vertical is expected to grow at the highest rate between 2016 and 2022. The reason for the high growth rate of the oil, gas, and mining vertical is the high risk of fire associated with the same.Avail more information from Sample Brochure of the Report. Get a Copy @North America expected to hold the largest market share, while Europe expected to witness the highest growth rateNorth America is expected to hold the largest market share and dominate the fire protection systems market between 2016 and 2022, owing to the increased awareness of the installation of fire safety systems and government fire safety regulations. In this region, there are numerous fire protection systems and equipment manufacturers that offer different fire protection systems such as smoke detectors, flame detectors, heat detectors, sprinklers, extinguishers, fire alarms, sirens, control panels & interfaces, fire analysis software, and many other products along with the fire service providers.The major players in the fire protection systems market include Honeywell International Inc. (New Jersey, U.S.), Johnson Controls (Wisconsin, U.S.), Siemens AG (Munich, Germany), Tyco International Plc (Cork, Ireland), and United Technologies Corporation (Connecticut, U.S.) among others.The scope of the report covers detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the fire protection systems market such as drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. Detailed analysis of the key industry players has been done to provide insights into their business overview, products and services, key strategies, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, partnerships, agreements, collaborations, and recent developments associated with the fire protection systems market.Procure this Report @About us:MarketIntelReports (MIR) aim to empower our clients to successfully manage and outperform in their business decisions, we do this by providing Premium Market Intelligence, Strategic Insights and Databases from a range of Global Publishers.A group of industry veterans who are well experienced in reputed international consulting firms after identifying the sourcing needs of MNCs for market intelligence, have together started this business savior MarketIntelReports.Contact us:Sales ManagerMayur S2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,Wilmington,Delaware,19808United Statessales@marketintelreports.comTelephone: 1-302-261-5343 WATERLOO A federal magistrate has ruled that a Waterloo couple caused of luring two Chicago teens to Iowa to engage in prostitution will remain in jail until trial. Lawrence Edward Campbell Jr., 36, and Sade Desire Campbell, 25, were indicted May 3 on charges of sex trafficking of children by force or coercion. On Thursday, Magistrate C.J. Williams found the Campbells were a danger to the community. He ordered they remain detained until trial, which is currently set for August in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. Waterloo police arrested the couple on state charges in August after two 16-year-old girls from Chicago told investigators they had been brought to Waterloo and directed to have sex with men for money and to steal from local stores to get items to sell. Future of the Turkey Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape, Trends and Forecasts to 2022 Market Research HUB http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1120411 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/future-of-the-turkey-defense-industry-market-attractiveness-competitive-landscape-and-forecasts-to-2022-report.html http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1120411 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ Albany, New York, June 2, 2017: Market Research Hub includes new market research report "Future of the Turkey Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.Report provides readers with detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of industry leading companies, and key news.Request Free Sample Report -Report offers detailed analysis of Turkey defense industry with market size forecasts covering the next five years. This report will also analyze factors that influence demand for the industry, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants.In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following -Turkey defense industry market size and drivers: detailed analysis of Turkey defense industry during 2018-2022, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for the industry. It also provides a snapshot of the countrys expenditure and modernization patternsBudget allocation and key challenges: insights into procurement schedules formulated within the country and a breakdown of the defense budget. It also details the key challenges faced by defense market participants within the countryPorters Five Force analysis of Turkey defense industry: analysis of the market characteristics by determining the bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitution, intensity of rivalry, and barriers to entryImport and Export Dynamics: analysis of prevalent trends in the countrys imports and exports over the last five yearsMarket opportunities: details of the top five defense investment opportunities over the next 10 yearsCompetitive landscape and strategic insights: analysis of the competitive landscape of Turkey defense industry. It provides an overview of key players, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysisBrowse Full Report with TOC -Scope- Turkish defense expenditure stands at US$10.6 billion in 2017, and registered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.49% during the historic period. The countrys strained relationship with Greece, persistent threats from the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), active participation in peacekeeping missions, and the reduction in foreign dependency for military equipment procurement drove defense expenditure during the historic period.. As a percentage of GDP, the countrys defense expenditure will average 1.3% over the forecast period compared to an average of 1.4% recorded during the historic period.- The capital expenditure allocation, which stood at an average of 26.1% during the historic period, is projected to slightly decrease to an average of 24.1% over the forecast period. This is primarily due to the procurement of advanced defense equipment and a focus on increasing the capabilities of the countrys indigenous defense industry. Various procurements that are expected to fuel the growth of capital spending over the forecast period include multi-role aircraft, missile defense systems, corvettes, and main battle tanks (MBTs). Consequently, the remaining budget will be allocated to revenue expenditure, which constitutes personnel salaries, development programs for military personnel, and training.- The MoD is expected to invest in fighters and Multi-role aircraft, Main Battle Tanks (MBT) and frigates.Reasons to buyThis report will give the user confidence to make the correct business decisions based on a detailed analysis of Turkey defense industry market trends for the coming five yearsThe market opportunity section will inform the user about the various military requirements that are expected to generate revenues during the forecast period. The description includes technical specifications, recent orders, and the expected investment pattern by the country during the forecast periodDetailed profiles of the top domestic and foreign defense manufacturers with information about their products, alliances, recent contract wins, and financial analysis wherever available. This will provide the user with a total competitive landscape of the sectorA deep qualitative analysis of Turkey defense industry covering sections including demand drivers, Porters Five Forces Analysis, Key Trends and Growth Stimulators, and latest industry contractsMake 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 :Read Industry News at - Oerlikon making aircraft innovations fly at Paris Air Show www.oerlikon.com Pfaffikon, Switzerland June 2, 2017 Under the slogan Making Aircraft Innovations Fly, Oerlikon is presenting its market-leading surface solutions, advanced materials, turbine components and 3D metal printing, under its Oerlikon Balzers and Oerlikon Metco brands, at the Paris Airshow.Aerospace components must withstand wear, corrosion, thermal effects, erosion and greater loads, and at the same time, be light and provide low friction. Oerlikon will be displaying a complete set of surface solutions, advanced materials, turbine components and 3D metal printing for the aerospace industry from its Oerlikon Balzers and Oerlikon Metco brands at the 2017 Paris Airshow.Greater performance and reliability Oerlikon Balzers thin-film solutionsProtected with BALINIT coatings from Oerlikon Balzers, such as the new BALINIT TURBINE PRO, the light-weight materials and components used in the aerospace industry permit greater loads, meet higher tolerances and reduce maintenance. They exhibit excellent wear resistance, low co-efficient of friction and functional stability at high temperatures, while improving corrosion resistance.Materials important to the aerospace industry, like titanium and nickel alloys, impose severe stress, thermally and mechanically, on the tools used to machine them. Composite materials, increasingly used in the light-weight construction of aerospace parts, are challenging to cut. Oerlikon Balzers customizable BALINIT coatings, such as the new BALINIT DIAMOND coatings, are designed to improve the cutting parameters for a wide spectrum of aerospace applications.Reducing fuel consumption and emissions Oerlikon Metco thermal spray and turbine components solutionsThermal spray materials, coatings, specialized machining services and components for aircraft engines significantly increase engine efficiency and fuel economy while reducing emissions. Specifically designed materials and coatings protect the base material of critical turbine parts from oxidation, hot gas corrosion, erosion, wear and excessive heat. In particular, thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) reduce the amount of heat transferred to the base material of turbine parts, allowing high operating temperatures, which in turn leads to improved efficiency and life expectancy. Next-generation materials designed for coating and additive manufacturing processes, such as the new MetcoAdd alloys, are key contributors to improve aircraft engine efficiency.Decreasing weight Oerlikon metal-based additive manufacturing (AM) solutionsOerlikon provides additive manufacturing metal powders and contract services for design, prototyping and series production. The metal alloy powders are produced at Nadcap-certified atomization facilities, where alloy development for AM-specific applications is possible. Equipped with a fleet of metal AM printers in Europe and the USA, the materials can be used to additively produce advanced components out of aluminum, titanium, nickel superalloys and steels for aerospace customers. Oerlikon also offers component design services for lightweight, structural, heat-resistant and high-performance applications within aircraft structures, aviation engines, space and missile assemblies, and ground and marine structures.Oerlikons high-end surface solutions, advanced materials, turbine components and metal additive manufacturing solutions for the aerospace industry will be showcased at stand E 121 / Hall 2B at the Paris Air Show.About the Surface Solutions SegmentThe Surface Solutions Segment of the Oerlikon Group includes the two brands Oerlikon Balzers and Oerlikon Metco. Oerlikon Balzers is one of the worlds leading suppliers of surface technologies that significantly improve the performance and durability of precision components as well as tools for the metal and plastics processing industries. Extremely thin and exceptionally hard coatings, marketed under the BALINIT and BALIQ brand names, reduce friction and wear. The BALITHERM brand opens up a broad range of heat treatment services, whereas BALTONE comprises coatings that are available in a full range of elegant colours, perfectly suited for decorative applications. Under the technology brand ePD, the company develops integrated services and solutions for the metallization of plastic parts with chrome effects. Worldwide, more than 1100 coating systems are in operation at Oerlikon Balzers facilities and its customers. Equipment engineering and assembly of Balzers' systems are processed in Liechtenstein and in Bergisch Gladbach (Germany). Oerlikon Metco enhances surfaces with coating solutions and equipment. Customers benefit from a uniquely broad range of materials, surface technologies, coating equipment and services, specialized machining services and components. The innovative solutions improve performance and increase efficiency and reliability of numerous industry products and applications. As innovation leader, Oerlikon Metco is forging new paths with metal based materials for additive manufacturing (AM). Oerlikon Metco serves industries such as power generation,Andreas BachmannHead of Technology CommunicationsP: +41 56 618 81 81F: +41 56 618 81 00metco.media@oerlikon.com BREAKING GEOMETRIES - HENRIK EIBEN, MIKE MEIRE, BEAT ZODERER Condo, 2015 Lacquer and magnets on mdf, polystryrol and steel, 220 x 176 x 2 cm Bartha Contemporary is delighted to announce the forthcoming group exhibition Breaking Geometries showcasing works by gallery artists Henrik Eiben, Mike Meire and Beat Zoderer.The exhibition explores the motive of geometrical abstraction achieved through the manipulation of everyday objects and materials. The artists share an interest in geometric composition as a point of departure for their artistic productions.Henrik Eibens (b. 1975 in Tokyo, lives and works in Hamburg, Germany) works are characterised by what at first appear to be perfect geometric assemblages. Condo a large scale work made up of multiple elements, reveals an additional characteristic of Eibens practice through the use of unorthodox materials. The experience is further elevated through the considered use of colour, subversively altering the appearance of the otherwise monochrome relief. Eibens pieces invite the viewer to engage in a closer visual examination, revealing the works playful yet minimal disposition.Grid-Paintings by Mike Meire (b. 1964 in Darmstadt, lives and works in Cologne, Germany) on newsprint illustrate the artists preoccupation with abstraction rooted in found-geometry. The paintings origin is determined by the systems that make up the layout of newspapers which serve as the basis for these works and were originally determined by the text that is now concealed. The artist deletes the printed information and allows the underlying structure to emerge. These works exemplify the inherent abstract geometry that is hidden in plain sight.Beat Zoderers (b. 1955 in Zurich, lives and works in Wettingen, Switzerland) works too are defined by an apparently systematic and precise order, which reveals different qualities upon closer inspection. Each piece is made of everyday materials, inviting imperfections and errors. One work displayed in the show, part of a series entitled Ringfaltung, is made of acrylic paint on curved aluminium. The folded circular form reveals a sequence of primary and secondary colours typical of his works. Its primary circular shape disguised by four folds.As the exhibition title Breaking Geometries indicates, the works by Henrik Eiben, Mike Meire and Beat Zoderer undermine the often overtly precise nature which is inherent in this genre, resulting in different yet truly engaging works. These artists employ geometry as a means to create objects routed in a shared reality without relying on narrative.Bartha Contemporary was founded by Swiss-German couple Niklas and Daniela von Bartha in January 2000. The gallery relocated to its current space in Fitzrovia in early 2012. The program has a strong emphasis on non-figurative and conceptual contemporary art. The gallery regularly participates at international art-fairs.Bartha Contemporary Ltd.25 Margaret StreetLondon W1W 8RX Industry First RF Safety One Stop Launched By LBA https://www.lbagroup.com/rf-safety-one-stop GREENVILLE, NC, May, 2017 RF safety industry leader LBA Group, Inc. announced its launch of an industry first RF Safety One Stop service center. LBA has integrated the resources, products, technical expertise and customer support excellence of its three business units to create this first-in-class resource for OSHA/FCC radio frequency (RF) safety and health compliance.The center portal is accessed online throughand convenient logos on relevant webpages. The RF Safety One Stop is a direct line to RF environmental audit and survey services, NIER studies, online RF awareness certification, RF safety monitors and MPE survey equipment, signage, RF/EMF shielding products and more.The RF Safety One Stop includes enterprise-level coordination and provisioning to integrate total organizational RF safety and management under one responsibility.Were thrilled to make what is a first of its kind RF safety compliance and management resource just one click or phone call away for our customers, LBA COO, Mike Britner said. This convenient one stop provides immediate access and integration for RF safety services, products, and professional assistance without endless searches, he added.The identification, management and mitigation of radio frequency hazards are a large and growing challenge. The environment is awash with millions of RF signals from an infinite variety of cell tower antennas, medical, communications and industrial sources. An unknown and constantly changing number pose hazards to human health and do not comply with FCC and OSHA guidelines. RF signals can also pose hazards to machines and processes, sometimes with secondary injuries and production disruptions. Few companies organically possess the means or expertise even to determine the existence of internal hazards, much less manage or remediate them. The RF Safety One Stop offers the industry an integrated approach to address all RF hazard issues such as ensuring worker health, public protection, minimization of lost production costs, and compliance with government regulations.For over 50 Years, LBA business units have provided OSHA/FCC Compliance RF safety solutions for wireless carriers, the U.S. government, broadcasters, and industrial organizations while training thousands of workers in RF safety. The combined synergies and expertise of Lawrence Behr Associates, Inc.; LBA Technology, Inc. and LBA University, Inc. power the RF Safety One Stop.For additional information and services activation, contact Bryan Dixon, 252-757-0279, bryan.dixon@lbagroup.com.Keep up on LBA news and information by following LBA Group on Facebook and LinkedIn.LBA Group, Inc. has over 50 years of experience in providing RF asset solutions and risk management for industrial and telecommunications infrastructure assets. The company is comprised of the technology consultancy Lawrence Behr Associates, Inc.; LBA Technology, Inc., a leading manufacturer and integrator of radio frequency systems, lightning protection, safety, and EMC equipment for broadcast, industrial, and government users worldwide; and LBA University, Inc., providing international online professional safety training. The companies are based in Greenville, N.C., USA.LBA Group, Inc.3400 Tupper DriveGreenville, NC 27834 Smart Bullets Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Growth, Trends and Forecast to 2025 Market Research HUB http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1109485 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/smart-bullets-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2017-2025-report.html http://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1109485 http://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ A smart bullet not only follows the route of the target but also sends data, changes its speed, and turns according to it. Smart bullets exhibit various features such as better lethality with aim point range. They are also effective against moving targets. Increase in the demand of smart bullets in several developing countries such as India, China, Brazil and Argentina among others is expected to boost the market during the forecast period. The smart bullets market is dominated by North America due to the focus of the U.S. government for the incorporation of the technologically advanced weapons to its weapon list. In addition, the U.S. government is also the major customer of smart bullets in both global as well as North America.Request Free Sample Report -One of the major factor fueling the market for the smart bullets is increase in the budget of defense in several countries such as China, India, France, U.S. and U.K. among others. In February 2017, U.S. government boosted their defense spending by approx. USD 54 Million. This budget will help the law enforcement to keep the terrorists out of the country. In February 2017, Indian government announced to increase their defense budget by 6.2%. This budget includes to buy new equipment, aircrafts, weapons, army vehicles and naval warships among others. In March 2017, Chinese government announced to boost the military spending by 7% which in turn boost the market for the smart bullets in the coming years in Asia Pacific as well as globally. This will help the country to be a step closer to become the supreme power globally.Global Smart Bullets Market: SegmentationGuided smart bullets and self-guided smart bullets are the various product types of the smart bullets market. In 2016, guided smart bullets market is estimated to be the largest market followed by self-guided smart bullets market and expected to be the same during the forecast period of 2017 2025. Increase in the criminal activities is one of the major factor fueling the market for smart bullets in some of the major countries such as the U.S. among others during the forecast period.The smart bullets market has been segmented on the basis of end user into naval, land and airborne. In 2016, land segment in smart bullets market is estimated to be the largest market followed by naval segment and expected to be the same during the forecast period of 2017 2025. Increasing economies in the Asia Pacific region to invest significantly in smart weapons for military is one of the major factor driving the market for the land segment in smart bullets market. In addition, Wars in various countries such as Turkey, Ukraine, Lebanon, China, India, France, Afghanistan and Pakistan among others is major factor boosting the demand of smart bullets during the forecast period of 2017 - 2025.Browse Full Report with TOC -North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America are the various geography type of the smart bullets market. In 2016, North America held the major share of the market, followed by Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America and anticipated to be the same in the coming years. Increase in the investment in defense is one of the major factor driving the market for smart bullets during the forecast period. Demand for airborne smart bullets is one of the major factor fueling the market for smart bullets during the forecast period of 2017 - 2025.Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe major company in the global smart bullets market are Lockheed Martin Corporation (United States), The Raytheon Company (United States), BAE Systems PLC. (United States), General Dynamics Corporation (United States), Thales Group (France), Northrop Grumman Corporation (United States), Harris Corporation (United States), Boeing Company (United States), Taser International, Inc. (United States) and Textron Defense Systems (United States).The segments covered in the global Smart bullets market are as follows:By Product TypeGuided Smart BulletsSelf-guided Smart BulletsBy End UserAirborneLandNavalBy GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeU.K.RussiaFranceGermanyRest of EuropeAsia PacificIndiaChinaJapanRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and AfricaSaudi ArabiaRest of Middle East and AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilRest of Latin AmericaMake 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 :Read Industry News at - Key Players Operating for the North America Travel Insurance Market by 2022 https://goo.gl/ghOcUg https://goo.gl/A8tEv1 The report features a competitive scenario of the augmented and virtual reality industry and provides the comprehensive analysis of key growth strategies adopted by major players. The key players profiled in this report include Seven Corners Inc. (U.S.), Travel Safe Insurance (Chester Perfetto Agency, Inc.) (U.S.), USI Insurance Services, LLC. (U.S.), MH Ross Travel Insurance Services, Inc. (U.S.), American International Group Inc. (U.S.), Travel Insured International (U.S.), Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (U.S.), Travelex Insurance Services Inc (U.S.), American Express Company (U.S.), and CSA Travel Protection (U.S.).Request Sample Report:The primary driver of the North America travel insurance market is the increase in number of outbound travelers in the region, wherein baby boomers have witnessed highest growth in terms of traveling. Moreover, baby boomers focus on secure travel, thus creating growth opportunities for the North American travel insurance market. Additionally, a notable increase in business travelers would also have a significant impact on the travel insurance market in the region.U.S. is the market leader, accounting for nearly 43% share of the market in 2016, followed by Canada. U.S. dominates the North America travel insurance market, owing to the rise in multi-generational family travel. In addition, higher disposable income of the populace in the country supplements the demand for weekend getaways and trips.From a growth perspective, Mexico is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period. The market growth in the country is attributable to the rise in number of initiatives by Mexican government, insurance companies, and the insurance regulatory bodies to create awareness about travel insurance among the masses and thereby increase the travel insurance adoption rate.Send Enquiry About Report:By insurance cover, single trip insurance policy is identified to be the most purchased insurance policy. The growth in executive travel for cross border business is a key factor for the adoption of single trip travel insurance policy. However, annual multi-trip insurance segment is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period (2016-2022), owing to the rise in number of number of business travelers and backpackers who opt for annual multi-trip insurance policy.About Allied Market Research:Allied Market Research is a Market Research Company which offers Syndicate & Custom Market Research Reports with Consulting Services.Contact Us:5933 NE Win Sivers Drive,#205, Portland, OR 97220,United States.Int'l: +1-503-894-6022Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285Fax: +1-800-792-5285help@alliedmarketresearch.com Calcium Carbonate Market - Global Industry Analysis | Research Report http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/calcium-carbonate-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1478 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global calcium carbonate market is fairly fragmented due to the availability of lucrative opportunities and is likely to support a large number of market players in the coming years. The leading players in the global calcium carbonate market include Maruo Calcium Co. Ltd., Shiraishi Kogyo Kaisha Ltd., Omya AG, Huber Engineered Materials, Great Lakes Calcium Corp., Minerals Technologies Inc., Solvay SA, Mississippi Lime Co., Excalibar Minerals, Schaefer Kalk GmbH & Co. KG, and Imerys. While the global calcium carbonate market is expanding steadily, dominance of the existing market leaders could restrict the entry of new players into the market in the coming years.According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global calcium carbonate market is expected to be valued at more than US$25 bn by the end of 2019.This 102 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Calcium Carbonate Market. Browse through 19 data tables and 26 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market.Ground Calcium Carbonate Likely to Dominate Global Calcium Carbonate MarketThe global calcium carbonate is bifurcated into ground and precipitated calcium carbonate on the basis of product type. Ground calcium carbonate is likely to remain the leading contributor to the global calcium carbonate market in the coming years due to its widespread production across the competitive chain of the market. The production of precipitated calcium carbonate is limited to certain companies and is likely to trail the ground calcium carbonate segment in the global market in the coming years. However, the better physical characteristics of precipitated calcium carbonate are likely to ensure a steady rise in its demand in the coming years.Regionally, the global calcium carbonate market is led by Asia Pacific, which is likely to remain the leading contributor in the coming years due to the steady availability of raw materials in the region and the rapid growth of several end use applications in the regions developing economies. Asia Pacific is expected to take up a majority share in the global calcium carbonate market by the end of 2019. Developed economies in North America and Europe are not likely to be great movers in the global calcium carbonate market in the coming years, with the two regional markets likely to exhibit a negligible decline in market share over the forecast period. However, they are still likely to retain significant shares in the global calcium carbonate market due to the steady growth of various end use applications.Booming Construction Industry Likely to Remain Influential for Global Calcium Carbonate MarketThe prime driver for the global calcium carbonate is the rising demand from the construction industry, where calcium carbonate is a major ingredient of cement. The construction industry boom in Southeast Asia, particularly in rising economies such as India and China, is thus likely to remain a key contributor to the global calcium carbonate market in the coming years. The global calcium carbonate market also derives an important share of its revenue from the paints and coatings industry, where calcium carbonate is used as an extender. The rising construction industry is thus likely to a dual impact on the global calcium carbonate market in the coming years.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Calcium Carbonate Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @The growth of the education industry in Asia Pacific and several other emerging regions is also likely to remain a key driver for the global calcium carbonate market in the coming years, as it has driven the demand for books, notebooks, and other stationery material. Calcium carbonate is used as a brightener in paper, making it a key beneficiary of the rising demand for paper. The paper industry accounted for more than 40 mn tons in 2016 and is expected to rise to close to 46 mn tons 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. 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: Silicone Defoamer Market - India Industry Analysis 2024 | Research Report http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/silicone-defoamer-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=24701 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com India Silicone Defoamer Market: SnapshotThe easy availability of silicone defoamer in a wide range of viscosities and its ability to work at higher temperatures and pH has been driving the market for silicone defoamers in India substantially. Its insolubility in foaming medium and superior surface active properties compared to organic defoamers are another significant factors that are fueling its demand in this country. In addition, the growing popularity of silicone defoamer, supported by its chemically inert nature and flexibility to work in dramatic climate changes, is likely to propel this market over the next few years.The India market for silicone defoamer was worth US$197.4 mn in 2015. Rising at a steady CAGR of 4.90% between 2016 and 2024, the markets opportunity is likely to reach US$299.4 mn by the end of 2024. In terms of volume, the market is expected to touch 64,605.2 tons over the same time period.This 83 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Silicone Defoamer Market. Browse through 02 data tables and 11 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market.Demand for Silicone Defoamer to Remain High in Water Treatment ProcessesThe water treatment, paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals, metalworking fluids, and the food and beverages industries are the main application areas of silicone defoamers. Apart from this, it is also widely utilized in the pulp and paper, textile, oil and gas, and the detergents industries. The demand for silicone defoamer is higher in the water treatment industry compared to other application segments and the scenario is anticipated to remain same over the next few years.With the growing scarcity of fresh drinking water and the rising concern over water, the demand for silicone defoamer for wastewater, boiler water, or effluent treatment is increasing substantially. However, silicone defoamer, if added in high dose and if not disposed of properly, may affect water table quality, leading to severe hindrance in the markets growth trajectory.Increasing Number of New Residential Projects to Boost Demand for Silicone Defoamer in Paints and CoatingsThe metalworking fluids, pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, and the food and beverages industry are also anticipated to witness an increasing demand for silicone defoamer in the next few years. The demand for silicone defoamer in the paints and coatings industry is expected to be driven by the increasing population density across urban regions, surge in new residential projects, and the growth of the automotive sector in this country. In the metalworking fluids segment, the demand for this defoamer is projected to be driven by the increasing need to reduce foam accumulation in metal working operations.The pharmaceutical industry experiences a significant demand for silicone defoamer due to critical parameters, which manufacturer came across during production of varied drugs and fermentation process. On account of its superior properties, silicone defoamer, are widely used in antacid production, bottle filling operations, fermentation, and antibiotics production. However, the demand for it in the pharmaceutical industry expected to slow down in the near future due to stringent regulations on non-biodegradable products and the increasing focus on eco-friendly products.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Silicone Defoamer Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @With a very few number of local participants, the India market for silicone defoamer is majorly led by international players. Wacker Chemie AG, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., BASF SE, Bluestar Silicones International, Clariant International AG, Dow Corning Corp., Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Elkay Chemicals Private Ltd., Chempro India Pvt. Ltd., Om Tex Chem Private Ltd., Resil Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., and Supreme Silicones are some of the prominent vendors of silicone defoamer in India.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: Rigid Packaging Market SWOT Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecasts To 2024 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/rigid-packaging-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2881 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=2881 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Rigid Packaging Market: OverviewThis report provides forecast and analysis of the rigid packaging market on Global level. It provides historical data of 2015 along with estimated data of 2016, and forecast data up to 2024 in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) and volume (Mn MT). The report also includes macroeconomic indicators along with an outlook on rigid packaging consumption pattern across the globe. It includes drivers and restraints of the global rigid packaging market and their impact on each region during the forecast period. The report also comprises the study of current issues with end users and opportunities for rigid packaging manufacturers. It also includes value chain analysis.In order to provide users of this report with comprehensive view of the market, we have included detailed competitiveness analysis and company players with their SWOT analysis and strategy overview. The dashboard provides detailed comparison of rigid packaging manufacturers on parameters such as operating margin, total revenue, product portfolio, and what we call innovation scale. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis by material type, product type, application type and region.This 195 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Rigid Packaging market Browse through 14 data tables and 114 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market.Global Rigid Packaging Market: SegmentationThe report includes consumption of rigid packaging and the revenue generated from sales of rigid packaging across the globe and important countries. By material type the market has been segmented into plastic, metal, glass, wood and paper & paperboard. The global rigid packaging market has been segmented on the basis of product type such as boxes, trays, container & Cans, bottles & jars and others. On the basis of application type, the market has been segmented into food &beverages, chemical & petrochemical industry, consumer goods, healthcare & pharmaceuticals and other industries.Global Rigid Packaging Market: Research MethodologiesMarket numbers have been estimated based on extensive secondary and primary research, average pricing of rigid packaging by material type and the revenue is derived through regional pricing trends. Market size and forecast for each segment have been provided in the context of global and regional markets. The rigid packaging market has been analyzed based on expected demand. Prices considered for the calculation of revenue are average regional prices obtained through primary quotes from numerous regional Rigid packaging manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. All key end users have been considered and potential applications have been estimated on the basis of secondary sources and feedback from primary respondents. Country demand patterns have been considered while estimating the market for various end users of rigid packaging in the different regions. Top-down approach has been used to estimate the rigid packaging market by regions. Global market numbers by material type, product type and application type have been derived using the bottom-up approach, which is cumulative of each countrys demand. Company-level market share has been derived on the basis of revenues reported by key manufacturers. The market has been forecast based on constant currency rates.Key Players Mentioned this Report are:A number of primary and secondary sources were consulted during the course of the study. Secondary sources include Factiva, FAO, Packaging Digest, and Hoovers, and company annual reports and publications.The report provides detailed competitive and company profiles of key participants operating in the Global market. Key Players of the rigid packaging market are 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.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Rigid Packaging market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Rigid packaging market segmentation is belowRigid Packaging Market By Material TypePlasticMetalGlassWoodPaper & PaperboardRigid Packaging Market By Product TypeBoxesTraysContainers & CansBottles & JarsOthersRigid Packaging Market By Application TypeFood & BeveragesChemical & Petrochemical IndustryConsumer GoodsHealthcare & PharmaceuticalsOther IndustriesRigid Packaging Market By Region TypeNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsiaMEARequest for Discount of this report - @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Tin Market - Global Industry Analysis 2023 | Research Report http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/tin-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=9695 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The consolidated global tin market is dominated by three leading companies, namely Malaysia Smelting Corporation, Yunnan Tin Group Company Ltd., and PT Timah (Perseo) Tbk. These three companies collectively account for a stable majority share in the global tin market and are likely to retain their dominance through the forecast period. The other half of the global tin market, though, is relatively fragmented, with several regional and application-specific dealers occupying key shares. According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), Yunnan Tin Group Company Ltd. was the largest company in the global tin market in 2014 in terms of revenue. By production, Malaysia Smelting Corporation beat Yunnan Tin Group Company Ltd. to the top spot and is likely to remain the leader in tin production in the coming years.The global tin market is expected to exhibit steady growth in the coming years. Nevertheless, the impact of key restraints such as the rising scarcity of raw material could destabilize the global tin market. According to TMR, the global tin market is likely to rise to a valuation of US$7.3 bn by 2023, expanding at a moderate CAGR of 3.4% and 2.5% by revenue and volume, respectively.This 128 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Tin Market . Browse through to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market.Asia Pacific Likely to Retain Strong Dominance over Global Tin MarketThe presence of large tin ore mines in Asia Pacific has strengthened the regions position in the global tin market and is likely to ensure steady growth of the regional tin market in the coming years. Southeast Asian countries such as China and Malaysia are likely to remain among the leading producers of tin in the global market. The Asia Pacific tin market is expected to account for more than two-thirds of the global tin market in the coming years. Latin America is also likely to feature prominently in the global tin market in the coming years due to the rising demand for tin from the regions developing countries. The rapid urbanization in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina is thus likely to be a major driver for the global tin market.On the other hand, the global tin market faces a key roadblock in the form of the declining levels of ore in tin mines across the world. Due to consistent tin mining in major producers, several large mines are on the way of exhaustion. The Latin America tin market is among the most badly hit by this concern.Booming Consumer Electronics, Food and Beverage Industry Crucial for Global Tin MarketThe global tin market derives a major share in its revenue from the consumer electronics and food and beverage industries. In the case of the latter, the demand from the global tin market has been propelled primarily by the rising demand for packaged food, which has led to a rising demand for tin foil and other packaging materials. The rising demand for packaged food from urban centers across the world is likely to make this an influential driver for the global tin market, with the Asia Pacific tin market likely to gain substantially from the rising demand for packaged food in the regions emerging economies.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Tin Market . Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @The leading application segment of the global tin market is soldering, as tin is a crucial element in soldering devices. The rising consumer electronics industry has thus become a key driver for the global tin market, as soldering is an essential requirement for maintaining the expected build quality in todays highly competitive consumer electronics industry. The rising pricing pressure in the global smartphone market is likely to drive the demand from the global tin market, as reliability of the mechanical equipment is now considered a key factor by most consumers.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: SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City man was arrested Monday on charges that he punched and choked his 12-year-old son and assaulted other family members. JT Ring, 35, was booked in to the Woodbury County Jail on charges of child endangerment, domestic abuse assault and two counts of simple assault. Police were called at about 6 p.m. Monday to a lot at 5309 Highway 75 N., where family members reported that Ring was intoxicated and was yelling, calling them derogatory names and threatening to assault them. According to court documents, Ring got into an argument with his 12-year-old son and others at the home. Ring became upset when his son took away his alcohol for his own safety, court documents said. Ring then punched his son in the face and started to choke him. Ring also pushed his mother and punched his 11-year-old niece in the side of the face when she tried to protect her mother, who Ring grabbed by the neck and threw to the ground, court documents said. When tested by police, Ring had a blood-alcohol content of 0.196 percent, above Iowa's legal limit of 0.08 percent. Acrylamide Market - Global Industry Analysis 2024 | Research Report http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/acrylamide-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18524 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Acrylamide Market: SnapshotThe global acrylamide market is projected to gain strength with municipal wastewater treatment applications promoting the consumption of acrylamide. A wide scope of industrial wastewater treatment processes that employ paper, breweries, leather, pharmaceuticals, electroplating, textiles, and petrochemical necessarily use acrylamide. Acrylamide also plays the role of a solid-liquid separator in municipal wastewater treatments for primarily treating sewages.Browse Market Research Report @According to seasoned analysts, the global acrylamide market could be segmented according to end use, where wastewater and water treatment is expected to secure a larger share.Buyers of the report are exposed to some of the critical elements of the global acrylamide market which could help them to rise above the odds and gain a foothold in the industry. Factors such as drivers and restraints, opportunities, and competitive landscape are comprehensively explained by the report authors.Global Acrylamide Market: Trends and OpportunitiesIn the next few years, the global acrylamide market is anticipated to invite a sturdy growth with the expansion of oil and gas activities coupled with the burgeoning demand for wastewater and water treatments. In respect of both revenue and volume, wastewater and water treatment is expected to be a larger segment of the global acrylamide market by application. Moreover, there are some strict laws pertaining to wastewater treatment penned down by the governments of developed regions, which makes the usage of acrylamide altogether more important. Across the globe, the extensive application of acrylamide for treating wastewater is predicted to lay a solid foundation of growth for the global acrylamide market.Unconventional gases can be recovered economically with the use of acrylamide via hydraulic fracturing. With the U.S. planning to invest around US$71.1 bn for new shale gas capacities by 2020, the demand in the global acrylamide market could propel at a telling degree with the need to perform hydraulic fracturing operations. Although Europe holds a notable number of shale gas reserves, there are still a myriad of them present throughout the globe. With fracking applications rising internationally, the consumption in the global acrylamide market is envisaged to inflate exceptionally, supported by the upsurge in shale gas extraction activities.Global Acrylamide Market: Geographical AnalysisThe consumption pattern in the world acrylamide market was almost similar to the production pattern in the recent past. Therefore, while Asia Pacific was a leader in the world acrylamide market in terms of production, its consumption also exceeded than that of the other key regions such as Europe and North America. Countries such as India and China could be the major acrylamide markets in Asia Pacific. As these countries further their economic development, the growth of the Asia Pacific acrylamide market is forecasted to increase even more.However, North America, including Canada and the U.S., is prognosticated to be a vital region that rakes in a heavy demand for acrylamide as it is researched to be one of crucial markets for wastewater and water treatment. The several regulations ordained by Europe regarding wastewater treatment are envisioned to be a weighty force driving the demand in the world acrylamide market.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Acrylamide Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @Global Acrylamide Market: Companies MentionedAmong the other prominent players in the worldwide acrylamide market, INEOS, BASF SE, Nalco, Kemira, and SNF Group are prophesied to make their presence known. Collaborations and agreements, new product developments, and mergers and acquisitions could be the go-to strategies adopted by leading companies in the worldwide acrylamide 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: Acetochlor Market - Global Industry Analysis 2024 | Research Report http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/acetochlor-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18473 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Acetochlor is an organic herbicide belonging to the chloracetanilide group of chemicals. Acetochlor herbicide, also known as Azetochlor, is utilized as a pre-emergent selective herbicide employed against grasses, especially on corn crops. It is a systemic herbicide that acts as a protein synthesis inhibitor (inhibits elongase and geranyl geranyl pyrophosphate enzyme in the Gibberellin Pathway in grasses) and leads to metabolic dysfunction in the targeted weeds. Acetochlor herbicide is primarily absorbed by germinating stem shoots and secondarily through roots in weeds growing on the pre-planted arable crop land.Browse Market Research Report @Acetochlor herbicide is most used on maize (corn) crops across the world. It can also be used for controlling weeds in sunflower, soybean and sugarcane crops among others. Acetochlor herbicide is an amber colored odorless liquid with syrup like viscosity. It is soluble in water in low quantities and has low volatility. Acetochlor herbicide is toxic to aquatic life forms and has low bio-accumulation potential. It is a hazardous chemical and brief exposure may cause skin burns and irritation. It has been identified as a potent carcinogen and exposure may occur in the factory setting during manufacturing or during application on crop.Acetochlor herbicides are primarily used as selective herbicides against grasses sedges and some broadleaved weeds. They are extensively used by the U.S. corn farmers and sugarcane and soybean farmers in other parts of the world. Acetochlor herbicide has been recognized as a substitute for environmentally harmful herbicides by the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) when used in regulated quantities. It is the key active ingredient in a variety of herbicide formulations.The acetochlor herbicide market is driven by rising food security concerns for the rapidly increasing global population and decreasing area of arable land. This is putting pressure on farmers to increase yields to meet the global demand. However, rising awareness about the harmful effects of herbicides and other toxic agrochemical products and strict environmental regulations, especially in the developed nations of North America and Western Europe is expected to be the major restraining factor for the acetochlor herbicide market.In terms of geography, Asia Pacific is the largest consumer of acetochlor herbicide riding on high sales of herbicide products to its large population base. Major agricultural economies including China, India and Indonesia are the major consumers of acetochlor herbicide for application in a variety of crops. Populous countries including China and India are growing rapidly and there is a general increase in prosperity of the resident population. This in turn is expected to drive demand for food grains and further for acetochlor herbicide. Major market players have established their production facilities in Asia owing to the availability of cheap labor and land and comparatively lenient norms and regulations against chemicals.Another key consumer for acetochlor herbicide is North America especially in the well irrigated southern land in the Mississippi, Missouri and other corn planting areas of the U.S. In Rest of the World, Brazil, South Africa and Central Africa contribute to major demand for the market. Brazil is one of the worlds largest suppliers of corn and sugarcane, which makes it an attractive market for acetochlor herbicide suppliers. Europe is expected grow comparatively slower than other parts of the world due to stern government control over potentially harmful agrochemicals and general tendency of farmers towards sustainable organic farming techniques.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Acetochlor Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @Some of the key market players include Monsanto, Syngenta AG, Dow AgroSciences, Bayer CropScience, Shanghai Mingdou Agrochemical Company Limited, and SinoHarvest Corporation among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.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: Thermal Energy Storage Market SWOT Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecasts To 2020 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/thermal-energy-storage-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2101 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=2101 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The need for a sustained energy solution for daily needs has fueled demand for thermal energy storage (TES) systems globally. Thermal energy storage systems stock up energy for later use, employing water, ice-slush tanks, rock from the bedrock layer, aquifers, insulated lined pits and eutectic, phase-changing materials (PCMs). Demand for energy can be managed effectively through the usage of TES systems. These systems store solar energy for space heating in the winter and store cold winter air for air conditioning purposes in summer. TES solutions can be implemented in buildings, towns and districts. Sources for TES include heat pumps, peak shaving, heat generated by power plants and heat from waste. TES systems are capable of replacing nearly 50% of the conventionally sourced energy in any industry. These systems also optimize the overall efficiency of energy systems, thus balancing fluctuating demand in the process. TES systems reduce demand for energy during peak hours, lower carbon dioxide emissions and bring down energy consumption by end-consumers.This 122 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Thermal Energy Storage market Browse through 34 data tables and 27 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market.This research study is designed to analyze the global market for thermal energy storage both in terms of capacity installation (MW) and revenue (USD Million). The market for thermal energy storage has been segmented based on technology and end-use. The market has also been segmented on a regional level. Regional segments included in this study are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). The research provides an in-depth analysis of the total demand for thermal energy storage technologies and market revenue of the global thermal energy storage market. The report features a detailed regional segmentation along with growth forecast for the period from 2014 to 2020. Projections have been provided for both technology and end-use segments under each region. The market study on thermal energy storage technologies also provides historical data, detailed analysis, and statistically refined forecast for technology, end-use applications, and regional segments.The size of the thermal energy storage market has been estimated based on indicators in technology, end-use application, and regional segments. The report includes the key market dynamics affecting demand for thermal energy storage technologies globally. In order to study the market dynamics, we have analyzed market drivers, market restraints, and market opportunities. 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 detailed industry analysis of the global thermal energy storage market with the help of Porters Five Forces model. This model helps understand the five major forces that affect the industry structure and profitability in the global thermal energy storage market. Bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat from new entrants, threat from substitutes, and degree of competition are the forces analyzed through the model.The study also includes the value chain of the global thermal energy storage market, which provides a glimpse of the upstream, midstream, and downstream players involved in the business as well as their interaction with end-users of technologies. Market share analysis has been conducted considering the thermal energy storage system/capacity installed and the upcoming thermal energy storage projects. The attractiveness analysis involves benchmarking and ranking each technology and region on the basis of numerous parameters. The parameters selected are likely to significantly affect demand for each technology in the current scenario as well as in the near future.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Thermal Energy Storage market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.The technology segment analysis has been carried out on the global and regional level. The overall thermal energy storage market has been bifurcated into sensible heat, latent heat, and thermochemical storage technology segments. Primary end-user applications of thermal energy storage systems identified in this market study include commercial and industrial, utilities, and residential applications.Key participants in the global thermal energy storage market include CALMAC, EVAPCO, Inc., Chicago Bridge & Iron Company (CB&I), and Goss Engineering, Inc. Other market players that have been profiled in this report include Abengoa Solar, S.A., Baltimore Aircoil Company, Burns & McDonnell, Caldwell Energy, FAFCO Thermal Storage Systems, and TAS Energy. This report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial revenue, business strategies, and recent developments.Global Thermal Energy Storage Market: Technology SegmentSensible HeatLatent HeatThermochemical HeatGlobal Thermal Energy Storage Market: End Use SegmentCommercial and IndustrialUtilitiesResidentialGlobal Thermal Energy Storage Market: Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificRest of the World (RoW)Request for Discount of this report - @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: The Present Scenario and the Growth Prospects of the Global Chromatography Software Market for 2017-2022 https://goo.gl/jJ9JXz https://goo.gl/jHCm0l https://goo.gl/FB8kOK https://www.researchnreports.com/healthcare-it/Global-Chromatography-Software-Market-Research-Report-Forecast-2017-to-2021-66317 www.researchnreports.com Global Chromatography Software Market Research Report Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.The global Chromatography Software market from the perspective of all its current trends that are influencing it is important to understand in order to obtain the most rounded solution for business strategies in it. These trends are geographical, socioeconomic, economic, consumer, political, cultural, and their overall effect on client or consumer preferences will have a major data in how this market will form itself in the following years to come. Dynamics and the way they impact the global market have been studied in absolute precise details in the report. The ultimate goal for the dissemination of this information is to create a detailed descriptive analysis of how these trends could potentially affect the future of the global market within the reports forecast period.Download sample pages of this report:This report on global Chromatography Software market is a detailed research study that helps provides answers and pertinent questions with respect to the emerging trends and growth opportunities in this particular industry. It helps identify each of the prominent barriers to growth, apart from identifying the trends within various application segments of the global market for Chromatography Software. Collecting historical and recent data from various authentic resources, and depending on all the factors and trends, the report presents a figurative estimate of the future market condition, along with compound annual growth rate (CAGR).For more inquiry before buy:This report studies the global Chromatography Software market, analyzes and researches the development status and forecast in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Various key players are discussed in details and a well-informed idea of their popularity and strategies is mentioned.Most important data include the key recommendations and predictions by our analysts, intended to steer a strategic business decision. The company profiles section of this research service is a compilation of the growth strategies, financial status, product portfolio, and recent developments of key market participants. The report provides detailed industry analysis of the global Chromatography Software market with the help of proven research methodologies such as Porters five forces. The forces analyzed are bargaining power of the buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and the degree of competition.Ask For Discount:A competitive analysis of this global market has also been presented, wherein key market players have been thoroughly reviewed to determine the markets grading. The major players upgrading the global market for the growth of consumers is mentioned in this study. This research report gives a clear image of the global market to the customers so that it can help them understand this market.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 Genotyping Global Market by Technology & Data Validation, Analysis and Forecast 2022 http://www.reportsweb.com/genotyping-global-market-outlook-2016-2022 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001565004/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW0001565004/buying According to Publisher, the Global Genotyping market is estimated at $6.43 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $24.36 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 21% from 2015 to 2022. Growing awareness regarding personalised medicine and genetic diseases among the people, increase in target diseases occurrence and technological improvements in genotyping are the key factors driving the market growth. On the other hand, poor reimbursement policies is hampering the market growth. Demand for low cost genotyping service and huge flow of investments are the opportunities for the market to grow.The reagents and kits in product segment leads the market globally with the biggest market share and reagents is expected to grow with a high CAGR during the forecast period. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) holds the largest share whereas sequencing in application segment is expected to overtake it during forecast period. North America is projected to be the leading markets in terms of market size, the growth is attributed to R&D investments and technological advancements. Asia Pacific is expected to witness high growth rate during the forecast period.For more information atSome of the key players in the market are Sequenom Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Illumina, Inc., Roche Diagnostics., Life Technologies Corporation (Thermofisher Scientific), Harlan Laboratories, Agilent Technologies, Affymetrix, Inc, Beckman Coulter, Genewiz, Inc., Qiagen NV, GE Healthcare and Fluidigm Corp.Technologies Covered:- Sequencingo Sanger Sequencingo Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)o Pyrosequencing- Maldi-Tof- Capillary Electrophoresiso Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP)o Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)o Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLP)- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)o Digital PCRo Real Time PCR- Microarray- Other TechnologiesEnd Users Covered:- Academic Institutions- Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Companies- Diagnostic & Research LaboratoriesProducts Covered:- Genotyping Services- Reagents & Kits- Instrumentso Analyzerso Sequencers & Amplifiers- Bioinformatics SoftwareApplications Covered:- Agricultural Biotechnology- Pharmacogenomics- Animal Genetics- Diagnostic Research- Other ApplicationsRequest Sample Copy:Regions Covered:- North Americao USo Canadao Mexico- Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spaino Rest of Europe- Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Pacific- Rest of the Worldo Middle Easto Brazilo Argentinao South Africao EgyptMake 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 Function-as-a-Service Market: Key Growth Factors and Forecast 2026 Function-as-a-Service Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/function-as-a-service-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=20240 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Swift uptake of Function-as-a-Service (FaaS), a type of cloud computing service that provides a platform to customers to build, run, and manage application functionalities, on account of their easy deployment and execution ability, is expected to majorly boost their market globally. It can be deployed via public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud. Both small and medium enterprises and large organizations are leveraging it fast to avoid the hassle of building and maintaining in-house infrastructure, typically associated with developing and launching an app.A report by Transparency Market Research offers essential information about the global market for function-as-a-service. It does so by offering essential insights into the market dynamics and the extent to which they impact the growth of the market. It also presents a granular analysis of the factors promoting or hindering it. Further, the report profiles leading companies in the market and discusses their cost and revenue structure, business strategies, market shares, competitive edge, and operations. Further, the report leverages market-leading analytical tools to gauge the various threats and opportunities awaiting the key players.Obtain Report Details @Reduction in cost and improving efficiency are the two unique perceived benefits of function-as-a-service helping to spur its demand. The two prominent types of function-as-a-service are developer centric and operator centric. Among the two, developer-centric FaaS is slated to hold a sway over the market in the near future with developers increasingly taking to the platform for their coding needs in order to save costs. Further, they provide simpler methods for coding unlike other monolithic architectures. Such advantages have catalyzed overall growth in the global FaaS market.One factor, countering the growth in the global function-as-a-service market is application portability issues on cloud environments. Based on service, the global market for function-as-a-service can be classified into microservice monitoring and management service, support and maintenance, automation and integration service, API management service, and training and consulting, among others including metering and billing. Among them, the micro service monitoring and management services is growing at a good clip because of its easy deployment, operation, and management. Banking, finance services and insurance, manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, and other verticals have been frontrunners at adopting this application to address customer queries.Further, the automation and integration is another segment that holds out a strong promise. The need to swiftly and effectively unite the associated microservices is driving the automation and integration services.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on The Function-as-a-Service Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Geographically, the key segments of the global market for function-as-a-service are Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Rest of the World. North America, at present, dominates the market owing to the presence of global giants in the domain, the high concentration of highly skilled manpower, and early adoption of new technologies in the region. Going forward, however, Asia Pacific is slated to clock maximum growth with companies in the region continuously endeavoring to better market efficiency and further augment customer satisfaction. This creates an opportunity for the FaaS solution and service providers.Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the noteworthy companies competing in the global market for function-as-a-service, profiled in the report are SAP SE, IBM, Amazon Web Services, Google Inc., Infosys Ltd., TIBCO Software Inc., Microsoft Corporation, and Fiorano Software and Affiliates.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 rovide 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: Robotic Flight Simulator Surgery Market : Advanced technologies & growth opportunities in global Industry by 2026 Robotic Flight Simulator Surgery Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/robotic-flight-simulator-surgery-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=20105 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Use of robot-assisted surgery has increased exponentially in the past decade. Despite this rapid uptake, there are no credentialing requirements or clear training recommendations surrounding this technology. Institutions are left to determine on their own how best to train and keep their surgeons current in order to address patient safety issues while minimizing cost burden. This white paper discusses the current industry-leading robotic surgical equipment and the solution Mimic Technologies has implemented to change the field of robotic surgery training.Robot-assisted surgery has quickly been adopted by institutions as the gold standard in the treatment of many diseases. Robotic surgery, proven to be as safe and effective as traditional surgical methods, allows for minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures for procedures that historically have been accessed by large incisions. The benefits of MIS procedures using robotics have been well-documented, and include reduced hospital stay, fewer blood transfusions, and a lower likelihood of developing post-operative respiratory and other surgical complications. The demand for robotic surgical methods has skyrocketed in the past ten years and will only increase as technology continues to improve.The market leader in robot-assisted surgical equipment is Intuitive Surgical with its da Vinci surgical system, introduced in the year 1999. This equipment is renowned for its surgical precision, dexterity, range of motion, visualization, and access. Above 2,000 da Vinci systems have been installed in institutions all over the world and the install base is growing at a rate of over 25 percent per year. Da Vinci has revolutionized the field of minimally invasive surgery, allowing for more complex precision surgical procedures than ever before.Obtain Report Details @Some of the advantages of robotic flight simulator surgery are cost effective surgical simulator for implementation of a robot-assisted surgical training program with a prediction that the cost of surgical education will be reduced. Robotic flight simulator surgery equipment comes with different levels of difficulty which can prepare surgeons for almost any and everything that can happen during a surgery. It also eliminates the previous method of training on animals. The major disadvantage of the robotic flight surgery simulator is that training for the robotic flight simulator surgery can take away the time needed to perform other surgeries; surgeries that are not robot assisted.The primary concern of all hospitals is patient safety. The best estimates of patient safety data indicate that approximately over 100,000 patients die each year from preventable medical harm. While this number includes preventable deaths from all causes, with medication errors being a large component, it speaks to the ongoing concern hospitals have with preventing patient harm. Any additional safeguards that could be put in place to train staff more efficiently and ensure patient safety would reap huge rewards.The robotic flight simulator surgery market has been segmented based on two broad categories: application and method. In terms of application, the market has been segmented into general surgery, neurosurgery, cardiology surgery, gynecology, and others. Based on method, the market has been divided into direct telemanipulator and computer control. In addition, the global robotic flight simulator surgery market has been segmented into five regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, and Europe.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on The Robotic Flight Simulator Surgery Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Europe was the leading market for robotic flight simulator surgery in 2015, followed by North America and Asia Pacific. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a high growth rate. Growth of the market in Asia Pacific is attributed to increased technological advancements in robotic surgery field.Major players of the robotic flight simulator surgery market are Intuitive Surgical (U.S.), Freehand (U.K.), TransEnterix (U.S.), AVRA Surgical Robotics Inc. (U.S.), Hansen Medical (U.S.), Virtual Incision Corporation (U.S.), Titan Medical (Canada), Corindus Vascular Robots (U.S.), and Interventional Systems (U.S.).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 rovide 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: Recent Report Covers Upcoming Opportunities in Integrated Building Management Systems Market Integrated Building Management Systems Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/integrated-building-management-systems-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=20045 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Building Management Systems (BMS) or building automation systems (BAS) are computer based control systems installed in buildings, which monitor and control the buildings electrical and mechanical equipment such as security system, fire system, power system, lighting and ventilation. Building management systems consist of hardware and software. The software can be proprietary and is generally programmed in a hierarchical manner, using protocols such as Profibus and C-Bus. In modern times, building management systems also integrate through internet protocols such as Modbus, LonWorks, BACnet, XML, SOAP, and DeviceNet. Building management systems are commonly installed in large scale projects which have extensive electrical, HVAC, and mechanical systems. Close to 40% of a buildings energy usage is from systems that are linked to a building management system. In addition to internal systems, building management systems are also linked with access control such as access doors controlling and turnstiles that allow access and outlet to the building, and other security systems such as motion detectors and CCTV. Elevators and fire alarm systems are often linked with a building management system for monitoring purposes.The global integrated building management systems market is segmented on the basis of solutions, end-user, and geography.On the basis of solutions, the market is segregated into hardware, software, and services. Hardware dominated the market segment for solutions in 2015 and is forecasted to experience a steady growth rate over the forecast period. This is attributed to increase in buildings preferring integrated building management systems over individual building management systems (BMS). In addition, an integrated system replacing an unconnected system in existing buildings is also triggering market growth of this segment. On the basis of end-user, the global market is segregated into government buildings, residential buildings, and commercial buildings. Commercial buildings held the most dominant market share in 2015 and is forecasted to witness a steady growth rate over the forecast period owing to increase in demand among commercial buildings as it is easier to predict and manage potential issues by managers. Therefore, there is increased demand for adopting integrated building management systems in commercial buildings.Obtain Report Details @Major drivers of the global market for integrated building management systems include the amount of cost and energy savings among commercial end-users. In addition, degree of flexibility offered by integrated building management systems is another major reason driving the global market. High cost of switching from a traditional individual building management system is a major restraint hindering market growth. The upcoming trend of convergence of IoT and smart buildings is a major opportunity forthe global market for integrated building management systems.Geographically, the global market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America held the most dominant share in the global market in 2015 and is forecasted to witness steady growth over the forecast period. This is attributed to increased adoption of advanced technology in the region. In addition, more number of buildings integrating IBMS into their systems is a major reason for the dominant market share. Asia Pacific is forecasted to be the most rapid growing region in the global market for integrated building management systems.Major players of the market include Cisco, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Schneider Electric, United Technologies, Bosch Security, BuildingLogiX, Siemens, Bajaj Electricals, Jardine Engineering Corporation, MS Group, Oberix, AllGreenEcotech, Phoenix Energy Technologies, Alerton, Demont Engineering, Avanceon, and Building IQ.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on The Integrated Building Management Systems 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.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 rovide 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: U.S. Population Health Management Solutions Market Research Report: Analysis & Trends 2023 U.S. Population Health Management Solutions Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/us-population-health-management-solutions-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=7412 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com This report on the U.S. population health management (PHM) solutions market studies the current as well as future prospects of the market. The stakeholders of this report include technology vendors, software companies and other intermediaries engaged in population health management solutions as well as new entrants that are planning to enter the U.S. PHM solutions market. This report comprises an elaborate executive summary with a market snapshot providing overall information of various segments and sub-segments considered in the study scope. The section also provides with overall information and data analysis of the PHM solutions market in U.S. with respect to the leading market segments based on source type, mode of operation, and type of end-users. Based on source types, the U.S. population health management solutions market has been categorized into two major segments: software and services. The market for these two segments has been extensively analyzed based on of their application as a population health management solution and their respective role in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, sales, and presence in the U.S. healthcare system. The market revenue in terms of USD billion for the period between 2013 and 2023 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2015 to 2023 are provided for both the segments under source type, considering 2014 as the base year.By mode of operation, the U.S. market has been segmented into premise-based operations; cloud-based operations, web-based operations. Market revenue in terms of USD billion for the period between 2013 and 2023 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2015 to 2023 are provided for all the segments categorized under mode of operation, considering 2014 as the base year. In terms of end-users, the market has been categorized into health care providers, government insurance providers, private insurance providers, pharmaceuticals companies, medical device organizations, others (employers, diagnostic and imaging centers and research institutions etc.). Market revenue in terms of USD billion for the period between 2013 and 2023 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2015 to 2023 are provided for all the segments classified under the end users, considering 2014 as the base year.This exhaustive report includes 360 view of the U.S. Population Health Management Solutions Market. Browse through this 93-page report to know what factors will shape the market during the period 2015-2023Each of the segments has been analyzed in detail for market trends, recent developments, outlook, and opportunities. The market overview section of the report explores market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities that currently have strong impact on the U.S. population health management solutions market and could influence the market in the future as well. Market attractiveness analysis has been provided in the market overview section in order to explain the intensity of competition between leading market players in the U.S. market. Porters five forces analysis is also explained in this section to understand the market in U.S. considering different parameters that have an impact on the sustainability of the companies operating in the market.The competitive scenario among different market players is evaluated through market share analysis in the competitive landscape section of the report. All these factors would help market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their respective market shares in the U.S. The recommendations section included in the report would assist existing market players in targeting the end users of population health management solutions and also to those aiming to seek an entry. The report also profiles major players in the population health management solutions market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments.Major players operating in the U.S. PHM solution market includes Caradigm, Conifer Health Solutions, Health Catalyst, Healthagen, LLC, International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, Lumeris, NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, LLC, Optum Health, Inc., Persivia, Premier, Inc., The Advisory Board Company, Verisk Health, Wellcentive, Inc., and ZeOmega, Inc. Many of these players continuously innovate by developing new softwares and services besides improvising existing ones to keep pace with technological advances in order to maintain their position in the market.Request a sample of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving U.S. Population Health Management Solutions Market during 2015- 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: Dynamometer Products & Services Market: Market Trends and Key Developments Dynamometer Products & Services Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/dynamometer-products-services-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19955 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com A dyno or dynamometer is a device that is used in evaluating power, force, or torque. For instance, the torque produced by a motor, engine, or other prime rotatingmoving parts can be determined by concurrently measuring rotations per minute and power. A dyno is also used to decide the power and torque necessary to drive a driven device such as a motor in a pump. In that case, a driving or motoring dynamometer is utilized. Dynamometers have a significant role in research and development laboratories. With the rising focus on creating an eco-friendly environment while improving the air quality, automobile firms are under tremendous pressure to improve vehicle engines while controlling emission and noise of exhaust gases. This has mandated automobile makers to either setup their own engine testing facilities or enter into contract with third party organizations for dynamometer testing on their new power train or engine.The demand for clean and eco-friendly power sources such as wind, necessitates massive generators and turbines to produce power at a huge gauge in an efficient manner. To move forward with this kind of infrastructure, there is a consistent need for research and development facilities with dynamometers to calculate the torque and power output. Additionally, the machine/cutting tool business is flourishing based on recent developments in technology. This necessitates the use of force plates and multi component dynamometers for axial pressure calculations. Rehabilitation centers for treating wounded bones and muscles utilize dynamometers to calculate muscle grip and strength of patients.Obtain Report Details @The global dynamometer market growth is directly proportional to the increase in industrial activity of its end users. Major part of the revenue in this industry is generated by providing dynamometer- based services for testing, researching, and maintaining automotive, aerospace, and power equipment such as turbines, generators, motors, engines, powertrains, pumps, and compressors among others.With strict laws being formulated for noise and emission control from vehicles, a new field is being created called NVH (noise, vibration and harness) where the design of engine and powertrain in a vehicle is continuously modified and upgraded. Hence, the only device available to validate the improved performance parameters is a dynamometer. The above mentioned reason is a major driver of the dynamometer products & services market.The dynamometer products and services market can be segmented into five broad categories. By type, by resistance, by transmission, by end users,and by force. By type, the market can be further segmented into absorption, transmission and motoring (AD/DC). By resistance, the market has been further segmented into solid friction dynamometers, hydraulic/liquid friction dynamometers, and eddy-current dynamometers. By transmission, the market is further drilled down into epicyclic train, belt, Tatham, and von Hefner. By measurement, the market is divided into 0 250N, 250-1000N, 1kN-8kN, and 8kN-60kN. By end users, the market is further segmented into testing & research facility, power equipment, automotive services, kinesiology, and machine tools. Additionally the global dynamometer products & services market has been further divided into five regions; they are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Dynamometer Products & Services Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Europe held the maximum market share in the dynamometer products & services market followed by North America and Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market owing to the presence of major developing nations such as India and China.Major players in this industry are Dyne Systems Inc., Dynostar Dynamometers, Dyno One Inc, and Horiba Europe GmbH among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.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 rovide 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: WATERLOO A Waterloo woman has been arrested after her teenage son claimed she tried to stab him during an argument. Tequila Love, 36, of 1326 W. Fourth St., was arrested Thursday for two counts of child endangerment after the 15-year-old son and his 3-year-old brother ran to a friends house and called 911. Love was later released from jail. According to court records, police were called to Loves home around 11:50 p.m. Wednesday following an argument where she allegedly threw his PlayStation to the ground and then retrieved a knife and attempted to stab him while his brother was standing next to him. The teen told police he blocked the weapon with a book bag, picked her up, punched her in the face and grabbed the knife, court records state. Love told police she had been drinking and admitted to holding a knife and told police she was going to kill her son, records state. But she denied trying to stab him and told officers he had assaulted her. Solid Tumor Market Research Report: Analysis & Trends 2023 Solid Tumor Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/solid-tumor-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=8209 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Solid tumors are formed due to aggregation of a group of abnormal tissues that do not comprise of any cyst or liquid areas within. Solid tumors can be of both types, i.e. benign (non-cancerous) as well as malignant (cancerous) in nature. Solid tumors majorly comprise of lymphomas, carcinomas, sarcomas and melanomas; whereas, all forms of leukemias usually do not cause solid tumor formation. The treatment of these solid tumors is a complex task and it requires coordinated actions of many healthcare professionals, such as, radiologists, surgeons, oncologists, radiation specialists, nurses and other professionals. Hence, most of the solid tumors are treated via radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or surgery. However, at present, surgery is the most preferred choice of treatment for cancerous solid tumors. Chemotherapy is often utilized along with other modes of solid tumor treatment i.e. radiation and/or surgery. Several chemotherapeutic drugs are available along with a ripe pipeline of drugs that will soon be commercialized in the global market. Solid tumor market can be classified into five major segments, based on the site of origin, namely, prostrate cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer and other cancers.Some of the major driving factors for the growth of this market include increasing incidences of several cases of solid tumors, rising prevalence of different forms of metastatic cancers, increasing demand for highly effective chemotherapeutic agents and ripe pipeline of drugs which is available in the global market. According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 8.2 million people died due to different types of cancers worldwide in 2012. Among them lung, colorectal, breast and liver cancers were among the leading causes of cancer deaths. Most common forms of solid tumors include brain tumors (medulloblastoma and glioma) and neuroblastoma; other less common solid tumors include rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma.Some of the major drugs that available in the global market are Avastin (bevacizumab), Afinitor (everolimus), Jevtana (cabazitaxel), Sutent (sunitinib), Tarceva (erlotinib), Taxotere (docetaxel), Zytiga (abiraterone acetate), Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel among others. Also, major promising drugs that are in different stages of clinical trials include Abraxane (albumin-bound paclitaxel), AMG 386 (trebananib), Votrient (pazopanib) and Xtandi (enzalutamide) among others. These drugs will soon be commercialized in the global market, which will further boost this market in future.View Report -Geographically, North America holds the leading position in solid tumor market followed by Europe. Major factors responsible for their dominance in this market include high incidence rate of various solid tumor cases along with very well developed healthcare infrastructure of these regions. These regions also comprise of high geriatric population, which contribute heavily towards the solid tumor patient population in the region. However, Asia Pacific is considered to be the most lucrative market for solid tumor market due to recent advancements in healthcare infrastructure and growing medical tourism in these regions. The region also accounts for high cancer patient population and increasing awareness and affordability of the people of this region will contribute heavily towards the future growth of this market in the region.Some of the major players operating in this market are AstraZeneca plc, Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Amgen, Inc., Biogen Idec, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Baxter International, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., and Sanofi among others.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 Solid Tumor Market during 2015- 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: Fault-Tolerant Servers Market: Opportunity Analysis and Market Trends Fault-Tolerant Servers Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/fault-tolerant-servers-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19160 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Fault torrent servers enables a network or computer system to deliver uninterrupted services. The fault torrent technologys purpose is to prevent complete failure that originates from fault at a single point. It also resolves probable service interruptions related to logic or software errors. These systems are designed to compensate multiple failures in the enterprises. These systems automatically detects a failure of the input/output system, motherboard, computer systems, network components and others. The failure point is detected and backup procedure immediately takes place in the server. Enterprises need fault tolerant servers to prevent crash of the crucial systems & networks and resolves issues related to uptime and downtimeThe fault tolerant servers are designed to maintain high availability of computer systems and networks in the enterprises where critical data and operations are to be kept safe and accessible. A high availability group consists of sets of independent servers united together to provide system wide distribution of critical data and resources. These groups monitor each and every networks condition and provide fault recovery to guarantee applications remain accessible. A fault-tolerant server switches backup componentry to sustain high levels of system performance and availability.The factor favorable to the growth of fault-tolerant market include increasing adoption of technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and big data & analytics in the enterprises, backed by the growing need for businesses efficiency in compliance control and for high availability of the system. The growth of the market is expected to be hindered by high cost of fault-tolerant system. However, fault-tolerant server market is expected to witness immense growth opportunities from the e-commerce, IT and Telecom, BFSI, and healthcare which require uptime for critical IT and other applications and services at the center. Furthermore, organizations are expected to invest in effective server technology to enable quick workflow, easy, cost-effective management of fault-tolerance, while minimizing the risk of downtime.Obtain Report Details @The fault tolerant server market can be segmented on the basis of component, enterprise size and end-user. Segmentation based on component includes hardware and software. Segmentation based on enterprise size includes large enterprises and small & medium enterprises. Furthermore, segmentation based on end-user includes information technology, banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), healthcare, telecom, aerospace, e-commerce and others., In e-commerce sector the large software are stored at the server and required online connectivity so it required fault-tolerant servers to detect failure errors and backup with a solution within a less time. Mission critical applications also need fault tolerant servers to achieve high availability such as in airplanes which has many redundant systems to provide continuous functioning. The fault tolerance are capable to detect one or more failure in the system and keep continuous operation.In computing environments, fault tolerance is a key component in the operation of systems and design. The fault tolerant is being used for business critical applications for absolute uptime. In todays world companies deploy it for online usage, exchange of email and for different applications used in the companies. For these, the companies need to be supported with the backup solution. Therefore they deploy server error dictator to monitor and maintain applications accessible.The North America region is expected to be a major market for these systems as it hosts the headquarters of number of large organization including Facebook Inc., Microsoft Corporation and many others. These large organizations in the region and investing in fault tolerance technologies to prevent failure in the organization and keep process uptime. Major markets for fault-tolerant server in the region include countries such as the U.S. and Canada.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Fault-Tolerant Servers Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Some of the leading players dominating in the fault-tolerant servers market are International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Stratus Technologies, Microsoft Technology, NEC Corporation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, Oracle Corporation Unisys Corporation, Fujitsu Limited and One-Net CommunicationsThe 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 rovide 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: Veterinary Surgical Instruments Market Research Report: Analysis and Forecast up to 2024 Veterinary Surgical Instruments Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/veterinary-surgical-instruments-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18998 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Veterinary surgical instruments are designed in a special way to perform surgical procedures on animals. The surgical instruments are selected based on their function that includes holding, pulling, clamping, cutting, crushing, and closing a wound. Surgical instruments are classified into different types based on design and function. They are made of austenitic or martensitic stainless steel. Austenitic stainless steel is mostly used to make retractors and suction tips. All surgical instruments need to be inspected for pitting, corrosion, and rust. Veterinary surgical technicians are specially trained and certified to assist veterinarians with surgical procedures. This training is usually part of a curriculum in the veterinary technician program. The goal of veterinary surgery is quite different in farm animals and pets. In case of pets, more complex surgeries are performed with sophisticated anesthesia techniques like in human beings. In case of farm animals, the cost of the surgery must not exceed the economic benefit in treating the illness surgically. Different types of surgery require different surgical instruments. The common surgery types include sterilization surgery, dental surgery, surgical oncology, ophthalmic surgery, and orthopedic surgery. Other common procedures include caesarean section, bloat surgery, cystotomy, wound repair, foreign body removal etc.Driving factors such as growing demand for animal-derived food products, growing companion animal market, rising animal health expenditure, increasing pet insurance coverage, increasing number of veterinary practitioners, and increasing per capita expenditure in developed regions will fuel the global veterinary surgical instruments market. Due to a competitive market environment, product innovation is another driving factor which will add value to the global veterinary surgical instrument market. On the other hand, factors such as lack of animal health awareness and shortage of skilled veterinarians in developing countries will hinder the growth of the veterinary surgical instruments market globally.View Report -The veterinary surgical instruments market has been segmented by product type, animal type, application, end-users, and geography. In term of product type, the market is classified into forceps, surgical scissors, needle holders, retractors, electrosurgery instruments, dental instruments, orthopedic, and others. In terms of animal type, the market is classified into canine, equine, feline, and large animal. In terms of application, the market is classified into soft tissue surgery, gynecology, orthopedic surgery, and dental surgery. In terms of end-users, the market is classified into veterinary clinics, veterinary hospitals, and veterinary diagnostic laboratories.Geographically, the veterinary surgical instruments market is classified into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa.Geographically, North America dominates the veterinary surgical instruments market due to rising animal healthcare expenditure, growing number of veterinary practitioners, rising companion animal adoption and rising demand for pet insurance and a well-established animal healthcare market. North America market is followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Europe is the second largest market for veterinary surgical instruments due to increasing pet adoption, and research and development activities. Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a higher rate due to growing per capita animal health expenditure in this region, growing demand for animal-derived food products in China and India, progressive urbanization and rising pet adoption. Emerging markets such as Brazil, South Africa, India, and China will create opportunities for the veterinary surgical instruments market.The major players operating in this market include STERIS, plc, DRE Medical, Inc., B. Braun Vet Care GmbH, DRE Medical, Inc, World Precision Instruments Inc., Surgical Holdings, Neogen Corporation, Integra LifeSciences Corporation, Antibe Therapeutics Inc., and Germed USA Inc.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Request a brochure of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Veterinary Surgical Instruments Market during 2016- 2024About 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: Neuropathic Pain Market Research Report: Trends, outlook and Opportunity Analysis 2026 Neuropathic Pain Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/neuropathic-pain-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19871 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Neuropathic Pain Market: OverviewNeuropathic pain refers to a condition of chronic pain that is caused by a primary lesion such as trauma, infection, or other dysfunction in the nervous system. Prominent syndromes of neuropathic pain include root avulsions, postherpetic neuralgia, painful traumatic mononeuropathy, painful polyneuropathy, postsurgical pain syndromes, central pain syndromes, and complex regional pain syndrome. Some of the usual medications prescribed for neuropathic pain are anesthetics, anticonvulsants (also called neuroleptic medications), and antidepressants (also known as tricyclic antidepressants). Common antidepressants include amitriptyline and nortriptiline whereas valproic acid, carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, and clonazepam a few of the most common anticonvulsants used for the treatment of neuropathic disorders. Tocainide or Mexiletine and Idocaine are some of the major anesthetics used to reduce neuropathic pain.This report on global neuropathic pain market is a thorough study of the market in its current scenario and based on all the major factors that may impact the growth rate in the near future, it estimates the state of the market until 2024. It also notes and explores some of the trends of the market as well as highlights a few opportunities available. Among the key features of the report is the section on company profiles, wherein several key players in the global market have been analyzed for their product portfolio, market share, global presence, and recent developments including mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations.The global market for neuropathic pain can be segmented on the basis of drug class, by indication, distribution channel, and region. By drug type, the market can be divided into tricyclic antidepressant, anticonvulsants, local anaesthesia, opioids, steroids, and others. On the basis of indication, the market can be categorized into diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and others. By distribution channel, the market can be segmented into retail pharmacies, drug stores, and online pharmacies. Geographically, the report studies the opportunities available in the regions of Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World.View Report-Global Neuropathic Pain Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe report observes that diabetes is the usual indication of neuropathic pain, while cancer comes second. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 422 million people were suffering from diabetes in 2014 and this number will continue to expand in the near future, especially among the middle to low-income countries. This vast population is the primary driver in the global neuropathic pain market. Moreover, rising geriatric population, who commonly suffer from neuropathic pain, is another driver for this market. In addition to that, factors such as approval of novel treatment options, increasing demand for neuropathic pain, improving healthcare infrastructure in emerging economies, increased investment by pharmaceutical companies for research and development of improved drugs, and rising number of pain management centers will further fuel the market in positive direction. Conversely, side effects of opioids and steroids as well as cost of branded drugs are some of the factors that will hinder the growth rate of the market during the forecast period.On the basis of drug class, the segment of anticonvulsants are most popular whereas the demand for tricyclic antidepressant is expected to expand at the best CAGR. By indication, diabetic neuropathy segment serves maximum demand while chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy is projected for most prominent growth rate. In terms of distribution channel, retail pharmacies are most profitable and is expected to remain the leading segment during the forecast period.Global Neuropathic Pain Market: Region-wise OutlookNorth America currently is the most lucrative regional market, owing to strong healthcare infrastructure and higher buying ability of the consumers. However, Asia Pacific is projected for the most significant growth rate, due to increasing prevalence of diabetes in countries such as China and India.Companies mentioned in the research reportSome of the key companies currently operating in global neuropathic pain market are Pfizer Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., Depomed Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb and Company, Sanofi S.A., Biogen Idec Inc., Eli Lily and Company, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, and Baxter Healthcare Corporation.Request a brochure of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Neuropathic Pain Market during 2016- 2026About 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: Accountable Care Solutions Market Research Report: Trends, outlook and Opportunity Analysis 2024 Accountable Care Solutions Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/accountable-care-solutions-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=20999 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The term accountable care organizations (ACO) represents modification in reimbursement from process based fee for service to fee for quality, disease and condition based repayment with capitated payments to health care delivery organizations on a per case and per capita basis. In order to be commercially operative as an accountable care organization, it needs to determine whether it is delivering an advanced quality of health care and upgraded proficiency. Accountable care solutions help aggregate disparate electronic health record (EHR) data, although permitting providers to use their present systems and workflows. The financiers establish an outline whereby provider groups agree to care for a population of patients with the aim of reaching or exceeding prearranged cost and quality standards. Integrating distinct sources of information to build a single organized accountable care solution is hard, but organizations have made significant investments in these software to help and make it easy for experts to swiftly incorporate accountable care solutions software.Accountable Care Solutions Market: DynamicsThere is growing importance in the possibility for accountable health care to contain costs while promising patient-centered affordable care. Growing need to abide by regulatory guidelines, high return on investment, government initiatives for eHealth, and the need to restrain increasing health care costs are some of the key factors driving the accountable care solutions market. However, hesitancy among end-users to adopt new procedures and lack of in-house IT familiarity are factors likely to hamper the growth of the market. Additionally, reluctance among providers to adopt to these solutions, requirement of infrastructural investments, inadequate patient engagement, low usage of Internet solutions, lack of interoperability, and data security concerns related to cloud-based solutions are other factors restraining the accountable care solutions market.Accountable Care Solutions Market Segmentation:Based on component, the accountable care solutions market can be segmented into hardware, software, and services. In terms of deployment, the market can be segmented into on-premise, cloud-based, and web-based solutions. Based on end-user, the accountable care solutions market can be segmented into health care payers and health care providers.The ability to rapidly access computing and storage resources when needed without the need for a large technical staff is an important factor encouraging the uptake of accountable care solutions. Gradually, health care is molded and critically compressed by software and information technology that surrounds and supports the industry.View Report-Accountable Care Solutions Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, the market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America holds major share of the global accountable care solutions market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. However, Latin America and Asia Pacific hold lucrative growth potential in the accountable care solutions market due to rising prevalence of various disorders, extensive customer base, rising medical tourism, increasing government initiatives for eHealth, growing demand for quality health care, and large base of aging population in the region. Most of the accountable care solutions products and services in these regions are driven by developing countries such as Singapore, China, India, Mexico, Brazil, and South Korea.Accountable Care Solutions Market: Key PlayersKey players operating in the accountable care solutions market are Aetna, Inc., Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Cerner Corporation, eClinicalWorks, Inc., Epic Systems Corporation, IBM Corporation, McKesson Corporation, NextGen Healthcare, Optum, Inc., UnitedHealth Group, Inc., Verisk Health, and Zeomega, Inc. The companies in this market are adopting various strategies such as partnerships, collaboration, mergers and acquisitions, expansion, product enhancements and product deployment to proliferate their share and create a strong position in the global accountable care solutions 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)Request a brochure of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Accountable Care Solutions Market during 2016- 2024About 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: Logistics Robots Market: Development Insight and Manufacturers Challenge Competitors Logistics Robots Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/logistics-robots-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18371 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Logistics robots are automated machines that improve the efficiency of logistics operations. The use of robots in logistic networks serves as an efficient alternative to the customary belt-based transportation system. Logistic slots and concomitant networks are designed in the zone where logistic robotics operations are desired to be undertaken. Logistic robots are self-directed floating devices enabling the easy transportation of assets/merchandises in an appositely designed logistic network.Logistic robots simplify operations in vast accommodations, such as airports and automotive work-floors, and at the same time simplify the passage activity for end-users. This distinct norm is anticipated to serve as a major driver for the logistic robot segment during the forecast period. Logistics robots are deployed by airport ground crew and factory management for the proper management of time and resources in material and goods transmission activities. The industrial sector is undergoing a revolutionary technological transformation from tangibly managed activities to automation technologies, on account of increasing global export activity. The evolution of the logistic robotic substructure as per business requirements has abridged the associated time losses and theft intimidations. Furthermore, the shortcomings of archival delivery techniques, hampering production and sales outcomes, are expected to be a key driving factor for the logistic robots market. However, high R&D investment and initial acquisition cost are anticipated to restrain the markets growth in the current scenario. Low adoption rate to technically advanced infrastructure would challenge market evolution over the forecast period that would be overawed eventually. Strong demand for logistics robots in the supply chain management and defense & military verticals would put forward immense growth opportunities in the years come.Obtain Report Details @Industrial logistics robotics projects are enduring worldwide with an emphasis on end-to-end process automation. Key to industrial robots application is keeping costs down. Adapting existing tools, implementing commercial mechanisms, and loading and unloading pallets is emerging as the best way to build viable robots.The global logistics robots market can be segmented on the basis of component, operation environment, product type, and application. Based on component, the market can be segregated into hardware and software. The operation environment segment can be further classified into warehouse, outdoor, factory, and others. Based on product type, the logistics robots market can be further divided into robotic arms, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Furthermore, the market can be segmented on the basis of application, which includes pick & place, loading & unloading, packaging & co-packing, shipment & delivery, and others.The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to dominate the global logistics robot market during the forecast period owing to the demand for labor. With the growth of the e-commerce industry in the region, the application of robots is expected to provide increased efficiency. Additionally, North American countries including the U.S. and selective European countries such as the U.K. and France are anticipated to grow at a considerable pace in the logistics robots market to bring new automated process into various industries.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Logistics Robots Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Some of the key players in the logistics robots market include ABB Robotics, Fanuc India Private Limited, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kuka AG, Yaskawa America, Inc., Krones AG, I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A., Gebo Cermex, Toshiba Corporation, Asic Robotics AG, and Columbia Okura LLC.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 rovide 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: Network Function Virtualization Market: Emerging Market Trends, Size, Share and Growth Analysis Network Function Virtualization Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/network-function-virtualization-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18326 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Network function virtualization (NFV) represents the shiftof focus from hardware to software in the telecom industry, with operators making loftier investments in software than in storage, server, and switch hardware. The software segment accounted for a major share in the network function virtualization market in terms of revenue contribution. Geographically, this market is distributed over North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East &Africa (MEA), and Latin America.North Americadominated the global demand for network function virtualization in 2015 and is expected to retain its position over the forecast period, thus creating considerable opportunities for market players.The U.S. is a significant contributor to the growth of network function virtualization due to the superior technological infrastructure in the country and its acceptability of innovative and niche systems such as network function virtualization which are anticipated to experience rapid growth, propelling the market in North America. The market is primarily driven by the commercial deployment of NFV by telecom operators such as Telefonica, AT&T, Verizon, and CenturyLink. The migration to the 5G network further pushes the need to deploy NFV technologies. Leading vendors intending to improve customer experience of network usage is also projected to play a role. Asia Pacific is a highly attractive market for network function virtualization in terms of growth potential owing to the consumer awareness in this region. Latin America is a potentially attractive market for and its share is likely to rise over the forecast period.The network function virtualization market is highly competitive with the presence of large-scale as well as small-scale global and regional vendors. All the companies race against each other to increase their respective shares of revenue in the market. This cut-throat environment is projected to further intensify with new entrants in the market, which is primarily motivated by technological upgrades of existing services.Obtain Report Details @To survive and gain success in this market, it is important for leading companies to distinguish their services through a unique and clear value proposition. Establishing communities such as Open NFV and strong partnerships are predicted to strengthen their market positions and generate revenue. Deployment of network function virtualizationis majorly implemented by service provider networks such as Telefonica, Vodafone, AT&T, and Orange. Competition between vendors offering similar solutions is more intense compared to that in the total market. In order to gain a competitive edge and to meet increasing demands, network function virtualization companies focus on providing services that increase efficiency and reliability.Key players include Brocade Communication Systems, Ericsson, Huawei Technologies, Nokia, Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Juniper Networks, and VMware. Other prominent vendors in the market include 6WIND, Affirmed Networks, A10 Networks, Allot Communications, ASTRI, Amdocs, Broadcom, Ciena (Blue Planet), Canonical's Ubuntu, Citrix, F5 Networks, Dell, Fortinet, GENBAND, Fujitsu, Intel, Ixia, IP Infusion, Mirantis, Metaswitch Networks, NFWare, NEC and Netcracker, OneAccess Networks, PacketLogic, Oracle, PLUMgrid, Palo Alto Networks, Quali Systems, Sonus Networks, Radware. Red Hat, Trend Micro,Telco Systems, Wind River, VeloCloud, and ZTE.These emerging market players have been investing huge amounts of capital in research and development activities and innovation centers in order to expand their production capacities and meet the markets growing demands. In addition, major market players are extending their share in the global network function virtualization marketthrough mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and expansions.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.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Network Function Virtualization Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@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 rovide 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: Recent Report Covers Upcoming Opportunities in Print Labels Market Print Labels Market http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/print-labels-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18284 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com These labels are known as printed labels. Information printed directly on the container of the product can also be considered as printed labeling. Printed labeling is used to identify products and to avoid counterfeiting of products and maintain credibility. They are also essential for creating brand identity and impart useful information to consumers. The global market for print labels is segregated on the basis of mechanism, type, raw material, printing technology, identification technology, end-use industry, and geography. On the basis of mechanism, the global market for print labels is segregated into pressure sensitive labeling, glue applied labeling, heat transfer, and others. Pressure sensitive labeling held the dominant market share in 2015 owing to the fuss-free technique and less chances of getting damaged.On the basis of type, the global market for print labels is segregated into branding labels, weatherproof labels, equipment asset labels, warning/security labels, and others. Warning/security labels held the dominant market share in this category in 2015 owing to increased demand for warning/security labels in end-use industries such as logistics & transportation, consumer durables, automotive, and construction among others. This segment is also forecasted to have the most rapid growth rate. On the basis of raw material, the global market is segregated into plastic/polymer labels and metal labels. Plastic/polymer label is further segmented into polyurethane (PU), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and others.Plastic/polymer label held the dominant market share in 2015 in this category. Metal label is forecasted to witness the most rapid growth rate owing to easy installation, cost effectiveness, and durability. On the basis of printing technology, the global print labels market is segregated into screen printing, digital printing, offset, flexography, and others. Digital printing held the dominant market share in 2015 due to the accurate finish and longevity of the prints. On the basis of identification technology, the global market for print labels is segregated into RFID, barcode, and others. Barcodes held the dominant market share in 2015 due to its varied uses in different end-user industries such as consumer durables, transportation & logistics, and automotives among others. On the basis of end-use industry, the global market for print labels is segregated into construction, consumer durables, automotives, transportation & logistics, and others. Transportation & logistics is forecasted to witness the most speedy growth rate over the forecast period. This is attributed to rise in warehousing & supply chain as online retailing is booming.Obtain Report Details @Major drivers of the global print labels market include rise in production of consumer durable products. Compulsory use of print labels in these products is triggering overall market growth of print labels worldwide. Printed label application in the growing automotive industry is a major driver triggering overall growth of this market. Rise in raw material cost such as plastics in various forms increases overall cost of the labels which is a major restraint to the global market for print labels. Increased growth of various end-user industries in emerging countries of Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa is a great opportunity for the growth of the overall print labels market.Geographically, the market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America held the dominant market share in 2015 owing to larger presence of end-user industries in the region. Asia Pacific is forecasted to witness the most rapid growth rate owing to growth of various industries in emerging economies such as China, India, and Indonesia among others.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Print Labels Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Major players of the global print labels market include Dunmore (Pennsylvania, U.S.), Fuji Seal International, Inc. (Osaka, Japan), H.B. Fuller Company (Alaska, U.S.), Henkel AG & Company (Dusseldorf, Germany), Cenveo Corporation (Connecticut, U.S.) and Brady Corporation (Wisconsin, U.S.).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 rovide 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: Smart Connected Assets and Operations Market: Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-connected-assets-operations-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19412 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The Internet of Things has become a globally adoptive technological solution which has shown a significant shift from the academic circles to various other industry. This is predominantly, due to the development of cost-effective sensors, affordable connectivity, accessible cloud platforms, effective processing and storage capabilities of large amounts of structured and unstructured data by the big data platforms, abundant mobile applications and smart machine learning tools. Enterprises, nowadays have become acquaintance to IoT and have enabled it as an innovative solution to solve business problems. One such problem where industrial internet of thing is applied for the efficient management, monitoring and maintenance of enterprises asset and operation.Smart connected asset and operation are the devices used by the enterprises to produce and deliver goods and services that can efficiently sense and respond to internal and external environment in a prompt and accurate manner. The smart connected asset and operation devices are well aware of environment and can react to design and configuration, support customer requirement or supplier performance and even handle inventory and maintenance schedule. Assets that have been installed and managed for years have decades of historical information. These information reside in various places such as paper files, dataset and knowledgeable workforce. To extract more information from assets, companies are embarking on digital transformation by deploying more and more smart sensor at multiple touch-points.Obtain Report Details @Smart connected operation provides a comprehensive path for managing factory and its production line. It significantly transform the manufacturing operation and allow manufacturer to have real time analysis of operation data through predictive analytics technology. Smart connected asset and operations are developed through convergence of big data analytics and, cloud and mobile technologies that are merging traditional Informational and operational technology (IT/OT). Smart connected asset and operation are one of the strategic objective that an asset intensive organization are following as it allows an enterprise to move beyond real-time control to predictive control and ultimately to autonomous operationIncrease in manufacturing agility, need for cost reduction and energy and requirement for improving performance has driven the smart connected asset and operation market. Manufacturing industry significantly adopt new technology in order to efficiently compete and fulfil customer demand through improving efficiency and flexibility. This is also expected to increase the adoption of the smart connected assets and operations market in a significant manner. Lack of proper standardization is major restating factor for the market. Furthermore, the cyber security is also one of the biggest concern for the vendors to implement smart connected assets and operation among their end-user facilities. Despite, these challenges, smart connected asset and operation market display immense opportunity due to growing adoption of smart connected assets and operation among end-user vertical for efficient asset monitoring and measurement.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Smart Connected Assets and Operations Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@The market can be segmented on the basis of end-use vertical such as automotive, healthcare, agriculture, power and energy and others (transportation, factory automation). The market can also be segmented on the basis of component such as include hardware, software and services.Key players in the market include Intel Corporation, General Electric International Inc., Bentley systems, Rockwell Automation, Broadcom Corporation, STMicroelectronics N.V., Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., ARM Holding PLC, Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, Texas instruments Inc, Cypress Semiconductor Corporation and ABB Ltd.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 rovide 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: Corporate executives generally shy away from addressing hot-button political issues for fear of alienating customers. But after President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate change accord, a who's who of Fortune Magazine cover models took to social media to criticize the decision. Brad Smith, president of Microsoft Corp., said in a lengthy statement Thursday that the technology giant was "disappointed" with Trump's decision. "We believe that continued U.S. participation benefits U.S. businesses and the economy in important and multiple ways," he said. "We remain steadfastly committed to the sustainability, carbon and energy goals that we have set as a company and to the Paris Agreement's ultimate success. Our experience shows us that these investments and innovations are good for our planet, our company, our customers and the economy." Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella added his own thoughts in a tweet, saying: "We believe climate change is an urgent issue that demands global action. We remain committed to doing our part." Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said he spoke with Trump on Tuesday to try to persuade him to keep the U.S. in the Paris accord on global warming, "but it wasn't enough." In a letter obtained by the Los Angeles Times, Cook told employees late Thursday afternoon that Trump's decision "will have no impact on Apple's efforts to protect the environment." "Our mission has always been to leave the world better than we found it," he wrote. "Climate change is real and we all share a responsibility to fight it." Twitter Inc. Chief Executive Jack Dorsey called Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris agreement an "incredibly shortsighted move backwards by the federal government." Elon Musk, chief executive of electric car maker Tesla Inc. and aerospace firm SpaceX, said Thursday he was resigning from White House advisory councils after Trump's announcement. Musk had faced criticism for joining Trump's panels on business and manufacturing, though he said at the time that "engaging on critical issues will on balance serve the greater good." Musk said Wednesday that he had "done all I can" as a member of the advisory councils, through White House personnel and directly with the president to push Trump to stick with the President Obama-era plan. He warned then that he would have "no choice" but to leave the councils if Trump decided to withdraw the U.S. from the accord. Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Robert Iger also said Thursday that he resigned from Trump's business advisory panel because of the withdrawal from the Paris agreement. At Disney's shareholder meeting in March, Iger defended his decision to be involved with the council, saying he wanted to be "in the room where it happens." General Electric Chief Executive Jeff Immelt said Thursday that he was "disappointed" with the decision. Meg Whitman, chief executive of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, made one last attempt to dissuade the president in a televised interview on CNBC on Thursday before the decision was announced. "Please do not withdraw from the Paris climate accord," she said. "This is not in the best interest of Americans. I think this will be a big mistake if he withdraws from the Paris climate accord." Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein used his first ever tweet to criticize the president's decision. -- Los Angeles Times DES MOINES The number of Iowa school districts that share superintendents more than tripled over the past decade as more small, rural districts in particular looked for ways to save money. The spike in shared superintendents largely can be traced to three factors, according to multiple school officials: Historically lower increases in state funding. Enrollment decreases that also lead to lower funding. A program started in 2007 that provides incentives by increasing state funding to districts that share administrative personnel. The number of full-time superintendents in Iowa whose work and salary was shared by multiple school districts has increased from 16 during the 2007-08 school year to 52 this year, according to state Department of Education data. Locally, CAL and Hampton-Dumont currently share Superintendent Todd Lettow. Osage and Riceville will begin sharing a Superintendent Barb Schwamman in 2017-18. The Riceville School Board had been faced with replacing its current superintendent, Steve Nicholson, who retired earlier in the year. I think this will make both of our districts stronger, Schwamman said during an Osage School Board meeting in March. We are not looking to shut them (Riceville) down. Its always about whats best for, not only our students, but all 2,200 students in Mitchell County. Schwamman also said more sharing opportunities could develop with Riceville or the neighboring St. Ansgar school district. I think were seeing a change in attitudes in small districts, and theyre more willing. They see (sharing superintendents) as a means of not just survival but being able to thrive, said Randy Collins, a superintendent shared by three northwest Iowa school districts: Akron-Westfield, Lawton-Bronson and Whiting. Thats something Ive observed over the last 10 years, that districts are becoming more and more willing to cooperate, share and partner up, said Collins, who said he has served as a shared superintendent for eight years. The overriding reason districts decide to share a superintendent is to curtail costs, school officials said. The average superintendent salary this year was $147,825, according to state data. By sharing a superintendents salary, districts can save money for costs more directly tied to the classroom. I really believe (school) boards pretty consistently have been prioritizing how do we maximize the programs we can provide for students while still allocating the right level of resource to that important function of administration and leadership, said Lisa Bartusek, executive director of the Iowa Association of School Boards. And I think thats what the parents and communities and taxpayers of Iowa would absolutely want. Financial decision The decision to share superintendents is tied to a web of fiscal factors, school officials said. One is the recent trend of below average increases in state funding to public K-12 education. In the 38 years between 1973 when the current school funding formula was written and 2010, annual state funding to schools increased by 2 percent or less just three times. It has been 2 percent or less in six of the past eight years. Many times, the districts that decide to share a superintendent are facing declining student enrollment. That causes a drop in available money because schools receive state funding on a per-student basis. But perhaps the biggest driver in the spike in shared superintendents is the state incentive program, created in 2007, that adds state funding to districts that share administrative personnel. The program provides additional funding by counting extra students for each administrative position a district shares, up to 21 students. Districts that reach the maximum allotment would receive roughly an extra $140,000 in fiscal year 2018, according to calculations by the Iowa Association of School Boards. So participating districts not only reduce spending by sharing a superintendents salary with another district, they get extra funding from the state incentive program. After the program was implemented, it took only two years for the number of shared full-time superintendents in the state to nearly double. Chris Fee, a superintendent who is shared by the Andrew and Easton Valley districts in eastern Iowa, called the state incentive program a huge benefit to rural schools. Fee said the districts share multiple administrators and receive the programs maximum allotment of bonus funding. The state catches a lot of heat over school funding, said Fee, who is in his first year as a shared superintendent. The state doesnt have the money either, or I assume they would be giving more to schools. So its good to see them doing what they can to help fund schools ... and allow these opportunities to share and get additional funding through mechanisms such as this. How it works The state incentive program allows districts to receive the extra funding for five years, and the entire program is scheduled to expire after fiscal 2020. School officials are lobbying state lawmakers to remove the five-year limit and extend the program into perpetuity. This has worked very well, said Roark Horn, executive director of School Administrators of Iowa. "It has saved taxpayers a great deal of money, and the state contribution really makes that work." Sharing a superintendent comes with its challenges. The individual is doing the work in two districts; that can mean double the school board meetings, paperwork and other duties. It often means a shared superintendent is not able to spend as much time interacting with the public. And it means the districts involved, especially the school boards, must work closely together. When districts enter into a sharing agreement, they determine how much time a superintendent will spend in either district. In order to qualify for the state incentive program, the sharing agreement must include at least 20 percent of the administrators time spent at one of the districts. Fee said his position is 80 percent at Easton Valley and 20 percent at Andrew but the districts school boards grant him flexibility. Im fortunate for the school boards that I work for that they recognize the direction Im given is to go where Im needed. So theres nobody tracking my hours, Fee said. My hours just flex based on where the needs are. More districts are finding sharing a superintendent preferable to having a part-time superintendent or a one who also doubles as a principal. Part-time superintendents have nearly disappeared in the past decade; there were 30 in the 2007-08 school year and only seven this year, according to state data. For recruiting purposes, school boards have found it easier to attract one candidate to work full-time but be shared by two districts than to find a superintendent candidate willing to work part time. And shared superintendents said they would rather perform the same job functions in multiple districts than be in one district but have multiple jobs. I see so many advantages to being shared between districts in one role rather than to be in one district and serve two roles, Fee said. Trying to be a superintendent and a principal, theres a lot of differences in those jobs. Me, personally, I would worry about being able to do both of those jobs very well if I was stretched in those two very different directions. Plans for a half-acre marijuana farm in the rolling hills of Yamhill County are on hold in a fight that pits Oregon's new legal agricultural crop against a valuable Willamette Valley industry. Richard Wagner was acquiring the necessary paperwork to start growing about 1,000 pounds of marijuana and then process it on his property when vineyard owners next door intervened. They appealed the tentative approval of Yamhill County planners for the processing plant, saying the odor could affect their grapes. On Thursday, the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to uphold the appeal. Planning Director Ken Friday said he had attached 15 conditions to the approval of the site design review for Wagner's operation many of which mirror the hoops wineries must jump through to grow and process grapes on site, such as how outside lights must be angled and proof of water rights prior to opening. Some were also specific to concerns brought up by neighbors, with the county planners limiting how much marijuana can be processed on site each year and requiring odor mitigations so the funk of pot wouldn't waft into nearby nostrils. The two commissioners opposed to the farm said they think marijuana processing should be done in areas within the city limits zoned for industrial uses, rather than in rural areas. "There's a lot of passion on both sides. It's hard sometimes when you have to separate that passion from the facts," said Commissioner Richard Olsen, who as McMinnville mayor voted to allow processing in city limits. He voted against Wagner, he said, because he's concerned about how much water the processing facility might use and what could happen to the wastewater in an earthquake, he said. Mary Starrett, the lone commissioner in support of the processing facility, said she doesn't want to apply different standards to marijuana farms and wineries. "It really is like having to pick and choose what products or what farm crops we're going to thumbs-up or thumbs-down," Starrett said. The Momtazi family, along with neighbors Harihara and Parvathy Mahesh, filed the appeal of the processing facility. They also asked a Yamhill Circuit Court judge for a temporary restraining order on any work on the farm, which was denied. They say the smell from the marijuana harvest will ruin the taste of their grapes, which they sell to wine makers. According to their lawsuit, the Momtazis already have lost one customer. They also fear Wagner could grow 8,000 pounds of marijuana a year a claim that Wagner says is much more than he expects. The Momtazis have grown grapes for 18 years and own about 580 acres along Muddy Valley Road southwest of McMinnville. They sell their grapes under the name Momtazi Vineyard and produce wine under the label Maysara. Wagner plans to convert a horse and cow pasture into a half-acre of outdoor marijuana fields. The seven-acre property he bought for $682,000, with financial backing of his parents Steven and Mary Wagner of Southwest Portland, includes a home and barn. In court filings, Wagner said he hasn't started preparing the farm for growing marijuana yet or asked the Oregon Liquor Control Commission for a license to cultivate and process pot. Wagner and his parents declined to comment after the meeting, saying they were weighing their options on how to proceed. The county will issue its final order on June 22. At that point, Wagner could appeal to the state Land Use Board of Appeals. There, the county commissioners would have to choose whether to defend their decision or not. Friday said that since this issue is uncharted territory, commissioners usually would advocate their position to the state. There are about six operations similar to Wagner's already permitted in Yamhill County, Friday said. Wagner's is the only one that has been appealed. Katie Kulla, who grows produce and marijuana in the county, showed up in support of the farm. She was upset by what she saw as a more powerful wine industry halting the progress of small pot startups. "It's disappointing to see what appears to be a continuation of a historical misunderstanding of marijuana," Kulla said. -- Molly Harbarger mharbarger@oregonian.com 503-294-5923 @MollyHarbarger Cleveland High student Annabelle Schwartz says she couldn't figure out why she seemed to be her school's only resource for classmates who reported to school officials that they had been raped by fellow students. She had been sexually assaulted, she says, so she knew the problem firsthand. But as a student, she hardly felt prepared to be a victim's solution. "I'm not a lawyer. I'm not even a full-grown adult," the senior told a school board committee in April. "There are many people out there who know way more about this than me, and I think that should include administrators." It had been a long journey for Schwartz. She told the board of Portland Public Schools in November 2015 that a boy at her school had sexually assaulted six of her classmates, yet her principal said she was unable to take action because of insufficient policies. She thought someone would investigate. No one did, she said. So she kept pressing the issue. Now, a year and a half after her initial plea to the board, the panel is looking to reform how school leaders handle student-on-student sexual violence and harassment that intrude onto campus and impede education. District leaders say the changes are a direct response to Schwartz's advocacy. Until now, the district has relied on a part-time administrator with such low visibility that students and many district leaders spoke as if there was no one in the role. In the past couple years, U.S. colleges have faced their day of reckoning over federal requirements to keep students safe from sexual violence and its fallout. But so far, public schools serving younger students have lagged. "One of the major drivers of the attention at the higher ed level has been really courageous and creative student activism," Fatima Goss Graves, president-elect at the National Women's Law Center, told The Oregonian/OregonLive. "But when we are talking about students who are as young as in elementary school who are experiencing assault, are experiencing violence, we can't rely on students to do all the work. Schools need to step up." If passed, the policy Portland has drafted at Schwartz's urging will for the first time define sexual violence and outline actions administrators must take to respond to allegations. Current district guidelines address only sexual harassment and don't specify in detail how the district will respond. As it is now, Oregon's largest district leaves enforcement of federal Title IX requirements to a part-time employee with a murky job description that no one seems to understand. The 1972 law mandates officials ensure girls and women can fully benefit at schools and colleges. Cleveland Principal Tammy O'Neill says the charges of inaction are horrifying and untrue. O'Neill points to specific and immediate steps she took after fielding students' complaints of sexual violence, including calling police, limiting the alleged assailant's freedom to roam the campus and keeping victims' parents in the loop. "When a student needs support, they are going to get it. I make darn sure victims are taken care of," O'Neill said. "Sexual assault and sexual harassment are happening, and as a community, we have the responsibility to educate and protect our kids." Because Schwartz wasn't a victim in that instance, however, the school could not tell her about how it investigated or disciplined alleged perpetrators or helped students who said they had been victimized at school, O'Neill said. Cleveland has been proactive on both preventing and addressing sexual assault, O'Neill said: Student activists and the administration have made awareness of rape culture a banner issue in recent years. The school has a partnership with Raphael House, an agency dedicated to helping domestic violence victims, to help educate students and staff about consent and healthy teen relationships. Early in 2017, O'Neill gave three school board members and top district administrators a detailed account of what Cleveland did in response to a student's 2016 complaint that she had been assaulted by a fellow student during a previous summer and follow-up complaints that the same boy had sexually assaulted other girls, too. O'Neill sent the emails after Schwartz in January reiterated to board members her unaddressed concerns about the district's lack of adequate sexual assault policies. O'Neill's account shows a principal using every tool at her disposal to tackle a tough issue, running down every claim of harassment after police closed the case, frequently checking in with victims and their parents and creating safety plans to reduce the odds of accusers crossing paths with the accused at school. She also spurred creation of a robust anti-sexual violence curriculum now taught to every Cleveland freshman as part of an interdisciplinary health class. That puts Cleveland far ahead of most K-12 schools. What school districts must do to protect students from intimidation or humiliation by fellow students who may have perpetrated sexual violence against them off campus is unclear to many school administrators. That is true even in large districts like Portland Public Schools. A recent investigation by The Associated Press found about 17,000 official reports of sexual assaults from public elementary and secondary students over four years. The Associated Press' investigation also pointed to two Oregon districts, Forest Grove and Salem-Keizer, as being sophisticated and proactive in preventing and addressing sexual attacks. Schwartz said in the absence of an adult who she felt would take sexual harassment and violence seriously, she worked to identify perpetrators of alleged rapes and sexual assaults herself, then convinced classmates to shun them. "If I can talk to a survivor one-on-one and hear their story, that to me is enough proof for me to tell people the rapist's name and tell people we have to stop being friends with him," she said. "That has been a big part of this: getting people to stop being friends with rapists." Schwartz's crusade to shine a spotlight on sexual violence in her school district started early in the 2015-16 school year. Knowing that Schwartz held herself forth as a survivor of sexual assault, her counselor asked her to help a Cleveland freshman who said she'd been raped by a classmate. Schwartz listened, then investigated. What she found, she later told administrators, was that six students all said they had been assaulted by the same boy. None of the teens knew what to do, Schwartz said. Like many sexual assaults, what happened between the two students occurred when they were alone. It was not reported to medical or legal authorities until well after it happened. Schwartz says when she alerted her principal to the girls' allegations and their discomfort at school, O'Neill cited policies she said left her unable to do more. Schwartz says she saw one girl's safety plan and judged it inadequate. In response, Schwartz says she set her sights on changing policy. She researched Title IX requirements. Then she went to the school board to ask it to make the district do better. Schwartz didn't sugarcoat the situation. Teens had to endure daily vulgar slurs from their rapists and no one would help, she testified in November 2015, repeating one particularly offensive slur to make her point. "I want to know why administrators will not use tools like Title IX to their full extent," she said. "I stand here to ask where should students go if both their school and their police department cannot or will not help them?" Only one board member inquired further at the meeting. "Is the harassment still continuing?" Steve Buel asked. "Yes." "Like in the last 10 days?" "Yes, even today," she said. "It's unfortunate, but it has escalated, too." Still, it would take the district more than a year to meaningfully respond. Schwartz continued to push, and eventually board member Amy Kohnstamm connected her with a school district lawyer who agreed the district needed new policies. Kohnstamm said she wasn't sure why there was such a long lag between Schwartz's testimony and action. "One of the things that I think that is really important about this change in policy is the district didn't have adequate guidelines in place for school staff on how to respond," Kohnstamm said. "When these issues were coming up people were just relying on their own best judgment. There wasn't enough guidance from the district on what resources were available." Together, Schwartz and attorney Jeff Fish worked to craft change. If the policy goes through, schools will be required to complete an investigation of sexual violence within 30 days. The district will assign an employee full time to track complaints, serve as an independent watchdog and makes sure training happens. The person is expected to be hired next school year. Time matters, said Goss Graves, the incoming president at the National Women's Law Center. She noted that students can't take a break from school. They are required to be there, and a school has a duty to make sure the environment is safe. If students feel the environment is hostile, she said sometimes they take it upon themselves to create relief the school isn't providing. "There is no way that a student should have to come up with a strategy to drive a rapist out of school," Goss Graves said. "In this case, you saw a student try to rise up. In many cases we see students drop out altogether. We see students stop being engaged in their activities. We see students withdrawing." Principals and students aren't supposed to flounder with these issues on their own. By law, school districts must have a Title IX coordinator to make sure the district safeguards students from sexual harassment. The district has such a coordinator listed on every page of its website, but Greg Wolleck, 66, a former principal and overseer of principals, works part-time. He came out of retirement to work as director of high school programs. During portions of this week and last, he was away from work and unavailable for an interview. O'Neill seemed baffled last week when asked if she called the district's Title IX coordinator about the incidents at Cleveland. She strained to imagine a scenario in which she would loop him in, noting the school had access people with expertise in these matters. She said she supposed if she had some sort of policy question she might call him. Schwartz, who has made it her mission for a year and a half to search for and tally allegations of student-on-student sexual assault, was surprised to learn the district had anyone filling the position. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights sent a letter to all school districts reminding them of their obligations under Title IX and, specifically, that they needed to have a Title IX coordinator with the authority to safeguard students. The letter noted that federal authorities found some of the "most egregious and harmful" violations happened when coordinators didn't exist or were not trained or empowered to do the job. The letter recommended that the coordinator be full-time, informed of all alleged violations, and able to monitor outcomes and provide preventative training. None of that happens under Portland Public Schools current structure, but would if proposed changes go through. Across Oregon, where most districts are small or even tiny, it is standard for the Title IX role to fall to the superintendent or another high-ranking administrator with a lot else on his or her plate. Under the proposed policy she helped draft, Schwartz hopes students will be able to count on a district leader to keep watch and offer informed help so that students no longer feel they have to resort to haphazard hallway justice. "I think it is important for other students to see if you care about something deeply, and you do something about it, you can see results," said Fish, the district lawyer. "Advocacy about these kinds of things can make a difference." -- Bethany Barnes bbarnes@oregonian.com @betsbarnes Describing Jeremy Christian: I appreciated Laura Long's letter "An Accurate Description" (May 31) and Samantha Swindler's "sort-of" apology for incorrectly calling the MAX killer "a white Christian extremist" (May 31). Jeremy Christian is a nihilist. But let's be very accurate: He self describes on social media as a Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein fan. He hatefully rants against Jews, Muslims, and Christians. And he opposed Donald J. Trump for president. Karen Heuberger, Salem Amendment 1A?: Portland illiberals and regressives introduce Amendment 1A to the U.S. Constitution: Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of only the speech we want to hear. Imagine Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler altering Voltaire: "I disagree with what you say, and will defend to the death my right to keep you from saying it!" Louis Sargent, Gearhart By Leonard Pitts Jr. Can we stop talking now about "thoughtful" conservatives? That phrase and various variations have been used by certain Republicans over the years to distinguish them, with their principled belief in low taxes, less regulation and other elements of conservative orthodoxy, from those wild-eyed types who believe in gay bans, Muslim bans and Kenyan birth, and who tend to behave with a sense of contemplative restraint typically associated with pigs at feeding time. To accuse conservatives of such extremism has often meant being chided by rank and file Republicans that those flame throwers and zealots weren't really conservatives. "Thoughtful" conservatives, they'd tell you, were far more sober and realistic than that. They never seemed to understand the obvious. Namely, that the very need of "thoughtful" conservatives, to use that modifier, is a tacit concession that something has gone wrong with conservatism. Worse, for all the disdain with which they regarded them, "thoughtful" conservatives were never above trying to co-opt the energy the rowdies brought to the table. There was no conspiracy theory too bizarre, no rhetoric too hateful, no tax pledge too restrictive, no Alaskan governor too loony, no reality show host too coarse, mendacious or incompetent, that they could not make common cause in pursuit of power. Which offers an interesting context to news that House Speaker Paul Ryan was pointedly snubbed last week by a group of eighth-graders. Students from South Orange Middle School in New Jersey were on a field trip to Washington, D.C., when they were offered a chance to take a picture with Ryan, often posited as the most thoughtful of thoughtful conservatives. Dozens of them declined. The reason, as student Matthew Malespina explained it to the Washington Post: Ryan is a man "who puts his party before his country." Some observers have huffed that, had this happened to Barack Obama, it would have been called "racist." Which is laughable, given that Obama spent eight years being snubbed in ways great and small, usually for reasons far less substantive than the one Malespina gave. One thinks, unavoidably, of the Hans Christian Andersen fable, "The Emperor's New Clothes." Like the child in that story, these children are calling out what many adults should see, but don't. Namely that, where there is no moral foundation, the amassing of power can have no calling higher than the feeding of ego and the gratification of self. And that when you are willing to see America embrace its enemies and cold-shoulder its friends, willing to look the other way as justice is obstructed, willing to shut down programs funding the arts, rural aid, education, housing and food for the poor and infirm, willing to let rivers be contaminated, air befouled and sea levels rise, willing to take health care from 23 million people in order to line the pockets of millionaires and billionaires, to victimize the vulnerable in order to reward with more those who already have the most . you forfeit all claim of a moral foundation. So let us hear no more about thoughtful conservatives saving us from the excesses of their peers. They've had their chances to take the principled stance and flinched, every time. Now Paul Ryan's moral flexibility has become so odious that even middle-schoolers would rather stand upwind. When you are being rebuked by children, it should give you pause. At the very least, it's something for thoughtful conservatives to think long and hard about. (c) 2017, The Miami Herald Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for The Miami Herald and can be reached at lpittsmiamiherald.com. By Kambiz GhaneaBassiri Thanks to witness Rachel Macy, we know the last words of Taliesin Namkai-Meche were, "Tell everyone on this train that I love them." Taliesin died from stab wounds inflicted by a white nationalist. Taliesin was one of three people who courageously tried to stop the verbal assault of two young African American women whom they had never met -- one was a Muslim in hijab. Even though he was my student in only one class, "Islam in the Modern World," I immediately recognized these words as being characteristic of his remarkable soul. His final words carried the same resonance of purity and earnest desire as when he told me why he wanted to learn more about Islam. He wanted to help counter the prejudices Muslims face in America today. Yet, while I quickly intuited Taliesin's compassion and intelligence in his last words, I must admit that I did not immediately fathom their beauty and profound significance. Did he want the African American and Muslim young women on whose behalf he confronted his attacker to know that they were loved? Did he want, even as he lay dying, to compassionately release the burden of guilt of others on the train who did not have the courage to confront the murderer? Was his expression of love also an act of forgiveness? Love is a powerful emotion that we sometimes reduce to a cliche. "Oh, I love that restaurant," or, "How I love that movie." At other times, we idolize love as romantics who see beauty in everything. But now I think back to my experiences with Taliesin and the course he took with me. He wrote an analysis of a panel on Islam that involved two leaders of the Portland Muslim community: "Islam: A Religion of Peace," sponsored by a local organization called Race Talks. Rereading that paper, I am confident that Taliesin's final expression of love was neither romantic nor idealistic. Nor, I believe, was it said in vain. It was an expression of the deeper ethics empowering his inconceivably brave final actions. Now that I reflect on it, there are other reasons that make me even more confident of this sense of the man. My first impression of Taliesin was that he was an attractively naive young man who thought that Islam and all Muslims, indeed all of humanity and its religions, are essentially good. I saw in him a conviction that, if he just learned about Islam and Muslims, he could counteract news headlines about violent acts carried out by a few Muslims in the name of religion. When he learned that our class was not going to define Islam in reaction to the headlines, but rather examine the variety of ways Muslims have interpreted and practiced Islamic concepts in relation to the changes brought on modern society, I sensed a bit of disappointment in Taliesin. Unlike many students who take my introductory courses on Islam with similar motivations, Taliesen defied my preconceptions. He did not drop the course. He persevered and struggled to learn how he could apply the critical study of religion to better understand the Islamic tradition in all its rich diversity and on its own terms. He wrote in the conclusion of his paper on the Race Talks event that the "event affirmed what I have learned throughout the semester... Islam, like all religions, is riddled with complexity. Dispelling ignorance about Islam will not come about through a two-hour panel... Rather, it will come about only when enough people pledge themselves to researching the deeper intricacies of Islamic history and the motley nature of the various cultures that have adopted Islam as their religion." I sensed then, and I know now, that Taliesin's motivation for learning about Islam was not to reinforce what I assumed were his own naive preconceptions that all humans and all religions are essentially good. He was motivated to learn about Islam because his ethics of love required him to be informed about other cultures and religions in every day life so that -- rather than acting out of ignorance -- he could act justly out of an informed love for others. Share your opinion Submit your essay of 500 words or less to commentary@oregonlive.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification. That is why he persevered in my class even though what he learned challenged his hopes and preconceptions. Taliesin's last words tell us that he sacrificed himself out of an informed ethics of love, in this case, as the ultimate affirmation of the worth -- the love-worthiness of others -- in a word, of diversity. There is no doubt that the attacker acted with hate and intended to terrorize, but that should not permit us to lose sight of how these heroes spontaneously rose above the moment of terror. Their sacrifice gifted us examples of a possible Portland and a diverse America. These men stood up for their vision of community. It is up to us who survived to realize their vision as our community. Kambiz GhaneaBassiri is a professor of religion and humanities at Reed College in Southeast Portland. By Greg Stanko The Trump administration's recent trade actions to protect American industry against Chinese steel and aluminum imports have garnered the lion's share of headlines when it comes to trade matters. But another trade case bubbling under the surface may have greater international repercussions. Last month, the bankrupt Georgia-based solar panel manufacturer Suniva filed a trade petition against its foreign competitors. If Suniva succeeds, it could bring some stability to a solar manufacturing industry that desperately needs it. If this case sounds familiar, it's because we've been down this road before. In 2011, Hillsboro-based SolarWorld alleged Chinese manufacturers were "dumping" illegally subsidized solar panels in the American market, driving manufacturers in the United States out of business. SolarWorld won its case. But Chinese manufacturers shifted production of some components to Taiwan to avoid tariffs. As a result, SolarWorld filed a second trade case. It won again in 2015. The resulting tariffs brought the domestic industry some breathing room. Solar manufacturing in the U.S. began to grow. That respite lasted a year. Almost at once, additional capacity at new Chinese-owned plants in places such as Vietnam, Singapore and Mexico came online in 2016, driving prices down 30 percent. Balance sheets at U.S. competitors collapsed. Workers were laid off and plants were shuttered. In an attempt to survive, Suniva, which idled its plants in Georgia and Michigan, stepped to the forefront. Suniva is hoping for help under a provision of U.S. trade law known as Section 201. It allows a company to get relief -- in as little as six months -- from all countries that produce solar panels. Suniva's case also differs from other trade cases in another important way: who decides the final penalty. In a Section 201 case, if the International Trade Commission (ITC) finds American industry has been seriously injured, it will be up to Trump to make the decision on what, if anything, the penalty will be. Suniva has requested a four-year minimum import price on solar modules and cells starting at a system price equal to where the market was at in 2015 (according to GTM Research) and decreasing in subsequent years. Suniva also requested Trump initiate talks to solve the global overcapacity problem of which China is the culprit. Simply put, Chinese manufacturers are producing more solar panels than the world wants. In short, Suniva asked for a comprehensive, multi-pronged solution. And there is a good chance it could get it. The stars are aligning that the ITC will rule in Suniva's favor. Late last month, the case cleared a key procedural hurdle. The next day, SolarWorld, which announced it would be laying off at least 500 workers, signed on in support of Suniva. Before these events, industry experts such as former Solar Energy Industries Association CEO Rhone Resch put Suniva's chance of success at 70 percent. The only suspense may be what penalty the Trump administration will apply. This is a perfect case for the administration to match its campaign rhetoric with real action. Suniva's lawyers wrote their petition with the president in mind. Its petition appeals to the president both as a defender of American manufacturing and a deal maker. Share your opinion Submit your essay of 500 words or less to commentary@oregonlive.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification. For American solar manufacturing to survive, there needs to be rationality in the marketplace. Trump can bring this about using market access as both the carrot and stick. While others in the solar industry may protest, a well-crafted, government-brokered solution to the problem, as Suniva requested, is the best answer to the solar problem. Greg Stanko is the senior partner at Mitchell Point Communications. He advised SolarWorld during its two trade cases. The views expressed in this piece are his own. Evergreen State College remained closed Friday after county officials received an anonymous call Thursday morning from someone claiming to be armed and headed to campus. The public university in Washington state has attracted national attention in recent days after protests over race erupted and video of the unrest on campus went viral. Last week, students of color confronted a professor who had objected to a request by school officials that white people consider avoiding campus on a day of discussions about race. They called him racist and angrily demanded that he be fired. Protests continued the next day with a standoff with the college's president and other officials, and video clips and news coverage were widely shared, with intense debate online. Warning: Video contains graphic content Some were sympathetic to the complaints of the student protesters about racism on campus and the treatment of protesters, and students of color, by police officers. The public university in Washington state has attracted national attention in recent days after protests over race erupted and video of the unrest on campus went viral. And many were offended by their behavior, seeing the chaos on campus as a symbol that liberal politics so dominate college campuses that civil debates about ideas have become impossible. On social media, people wrote things such as, "Fascists at Evergreen College Demand Professor Be Fired for Teaching While White," and shared video of students shouting at white administrators. Someone else called for a national no-white-people day so that nonwhite people "can have a day to just be for once." The college's Facebook page is full of posts about the controversy and the protesters. One woman wrote that the college supports racism, and said every student in a video of the protest "should be expelled and prosecuted for a hate crime and the head of the school terminated for allowing this type of action at the school." A woman writing as an alumna and community member wrote that "even though political tensions can make it a powder keg, I always figured it would explode with a riot, not a terrorist threat. Please be careful, current Greeners." Student protest leaders did not immediately return requests for comment. One student wrote on social media that "our movement against police brutality & campus racism got co-opted by an angry white man." On Thursday morning, the Thurston County Communications Center received a 911 call from an unknown number with the threat. That afternoon, college officials announced that the school would close, sending people scrambling to get off the Olympia campus quickly. Students who live in dorms were allowed to remain on campus, along with staff in dining halls, residence halls and police, but all classes were canceled. On Thursday, school officials alerted the campus community: "In response to a direct threat to campus safety, the college is closing immediately for the day. All are asked to leave campus or return to residence halls for instructions." Law enforcement officers from the Washington State Patrol, Thurston County Sheriff's Office and Olympia Police Department have been stationed on campus and, after searching buildings, determined that there was no threat, according to college officials. Officials at the Thurston County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday morning. The public college of 4,500 students has had racial tensions all year, like many campuses across the country. But those boiled over last week with demands that the school fire several people, including a biology professor, Bret Weinstein. In the fall, Weinstein had launched a debate when he said the school's "equity action plan" was flawed for several reasons and would not benefit students of color. "There is an unwritten rule that when a person with white skin responds in an unsanctioned way to a policy proposal that is nominally about race or equity, that the label racist can be applied to them and will automatically be accepted," Weinstein said Thursday. Warning: Video contains graphic content "In fact, it has been stated by a faculty member in one of our faculty meetings that to question a claim of racism is, itself, racist." This spring, he angered people again. The school has since the 1970s held an annual demonstration, a "day of absence," inspired by a play, that is meant to highlight the importance of people of color to the community by their absence, and give them a chance to gather to talk about racial issues. This year, the school suggested that white students and faculty stay away from campus that day. Weinstein objected, and told organizers, "On a college campus, one's right to speak - or to be - must never be based on skin color." Student protesters burst into his class last week demanding that he be fired. The college's president, George Bridges, refused to terminate employees based on protesters' demands, but he agreed to a series of changes including mandatory cultural competency training for all faculty and staff, and additional training for police. After those flare-ups, things had calmed down and classes had resumed this week, until the threat was called in. "We've listened to students, we've heard them, we will continue to work with them in the months ahead on some of these issues," Bridges said Thursday afternoon. "We are an institution dedicated to learning. My hope is that they, and we, have learned a lot from this process, and the college is going to be stronger as a result." A decision on when to reopen campus will be made "as soon as possible," according to a news release. "I really believe in Evergreen," Weinstein said Thursday. "Watching it be dismantled is horrifying." -- The Washington Post The Great Wolf Lodge, a resort featuring an indoor water park in Centralia, Washington, responded last week after a guest claimed her daughter had been bitten "hundreds" of times by bedbugs while staying at the hotel. Bedbugs at hotels are nothing new, but for some reason, the Facebook post that spurred the response, featuring pictures of the damage wrought by the bugs, was shared nearly 20,000 times. Maranda Kuehn, a resident of Fort Stevens, Washington, wrote that her daughter Sydney went to the resort in early May and was " was BITTEN OVER 100x's by bed bugs." "It took her over a week before sleeping in a bed again, she was in so much pain she missed school, was embarrassed because of the bites (FROM HEAD TO TOE), she was given steroids after the 2nd trip to the doctor," Kuehn continued. Kuehn went on to say it took more than 10 calls and emails before the lodge got back to her and she was dubious that the room had been cleared by a third party inspector brought in by the hotel. "We take claims of this nature extremely seriously and immediately initiated our protocol when the concern was brought to our attention," General Manager Diana Harrison, wrote in a post on the lodge's Facebook page. Harrison said, on top of the third party inspectors, the hotel had also hired a canine detection company that did a room-by-room search of the lodge to try to alleviate any guest concerns. "If you are planning to visit Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, and have any concerns, myself, or a member of our management team would be happy to accompany you to your room and conduct an inspection of your room," Harrison wrote. -- Kale Williams kwilliams@oregonian.com 503-294-4048 A new bill in the Oregon House would prohibit schools, courts and other public bodies from disclosing personal information such as an address or workplace for the purposes of federal immigration enforcement, except when required by law. The bill, requested by Gov. Kate Brown and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, and introduced Thursday by Reps. Teresa Alonso Leon, D-Woodburn, and Diego Hernandez, D-Portland, aims to increase privacy and reduce fear in immigrant communities. "I have heard from children who are afraid to go to school in the morning, because they aren't sure if their parents will be home at the end of the day," Alonso Leon said in a statement. Other information the bill would prohibit public bodies from sharing include the time and location of a person's public appointments, the identity of relatives, and telephone numbers. The bill would also prohibit these institutions from requesting information about a person's immigration or citizenship status. If they already have that information, they "may decline to disclose" the status to federal authorities unless required by law or court order, according to the bill. Under the bill, public bodies in the state would also receive guidance from the attorney general on interacting with Immigration and Custom Enforcement authorities. "We have heard from school administrators, county judges, and other public bodies that they want and need guidance from the state on how to respond if ICE comes asking for information," Hernandez said in a statement. Andrea Williams, executive director of Oregon-based immigrant rights organization Causa, said the need for clarity is urgent. "We've received hundreds of emails from school administrators and teachers asking for help on how they can ensure a safe environment for immigrant students," she said. Oregon has been a sanctuary state for several decades, meaning the use of state and local resources to enforce federal immigration law, if a person hasn't committed a crime other than being in the country illegally, is prohibited under state law. However, an increased federal commitment to curbing illegal immigration has brought panic to immigrant communities across the country. "So many people in the community are afraid," said Romeo Sosa, executive director at Voz Workers' Rights Education Project, a Portland-based organization that has advocated for immigration reform. "This would make it easier for immigrants to go about work or college or school, without being afraid." Sanctuary status has been debated in Tigard, Eugene, and other Oregon cities in recent months, and continues to be a contentious issue. On the House bill, James Buchal, chairman of the Multnomah County Republican Party, said, "I don't think there's such a great public interest in concealing people's immigration status." He added, "The more layers of operational restrictions that are placed on public agencies, the more their functions get caught up in bureaucracy." -- Janaki Chadha jchadha@oregonian.com 503-221-8165; @janakichadha MASON CITY | A man accused in a Mason City double homicide case will be tried in Fort Dodge in July after a judge granted a defense request Thursday for a change of venue. Peter Veal, 31, Lake Mills, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the Nov. 17 deaths of Mason City residents Mindy Kavars and Caleb Christensen at a residence in the 1600 block of North Hampshire Avenue. Veal is also facing one count of attempted murder involving a witness at the scene. Quiet Mason City neighborhood rattled by double homicide MASON CITY Residents in the Highlands area of Mason City were stunned by a double homicide Since Veal's arrest there have been numerous print and television stories concerning the case, District Court Judge Rustin Davenport noted in his ruling granting the change of venue. The ruling stated there have been no allegations the news coverage was inaccurate or inflammatory. However, the media reported information about proceedings regarding Veal's competency that might not be admissible at trial, according to Davenport. Davenport's ruling also stated if the trial proceeds in Cerro Gordo County and it becomes clear that "selecting a jury may be problematic," any delay in the trial may raise issues regarding Veal's right to a speedy trial. Veal pleaded not guilty in December and was scheduled to go to trial on Jan. 24. However, court proceedings were postponed in early January after Davenport ruled probable cause existed for a psychiatric evaluation of Veal to determine if he was able to understand court proceedings and assist in his own defense. In early March Davenport ruled Veal was not competent to stand trial based on a report from a doctor who determined he was suffering from a mental disorder that prevented him from participating in court proceedings. Judge: North Iowa man fit to stand trial for double homicide MASON CITY | A judge ruled Tuesday that a Lake Mills man accused of murdering two people in Davenport sent Veal to the Iowa prison system's licensed Forensic Psychiatric Hospital to be treated until he was able to stand trial. Last month Davenport ruled Veal is now competent. His trial is scheduled to begin July 10 at the Webster County Courthouse in Fort Dodge. MASON CITY | A Mason City man received a deferred judgment this week for felony methamphetamine delivery. Marcus A. Ledyard, 27, was put on probation for five years. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 civil penalty and a $100 surcharge, as well as $700 restitution to the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force. If he successfully completes probation, the charge will be stricken from his record. Ledyard delivered meth to a cooperating individual under the control of agents from the North Central Narcotics Task Force on Dec. 11, 2013 in Mason City, according to the criminal complaint. An additional felony charge of meth delivery was dismissed as part of a plea bargain. Mary Pieper MASON CITY | Five Mason City-area residents were arrested on felony drug charges and police are seeking four more after a series of months-long investigations. According to court documents, one of the arrestees, Cole Pearce, 25, of Mason City, was caught growing hallucinogenic mushrooms under his bed. Another, Bradley Anthony, 45, of Mason City, allegedly had 26 pounds of marijuana. Cerro Gordo County sheriff's deputies say others had methamphetamine, cocaine or prescription pills. The department announced the arrests Friday morning. In addition to the felony arrests, several were jailed on misdemeanor charges. The following people were arrested Thursday on felony charges, according to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office: Bradley Charles Anthony, 45, Six felony counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent, felony possession of marijuana with intent and misdemeanor possession of cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms and drug paraphernalia. Jolene Kay Anthony, 45, Six felony counts possession of meth with intent to deliver, felony possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and misdemeanor possession of cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Cole Arthur Pearce, 25, Mason City Three felony counts of manufacturing psilocybin mushroom and misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Eric Dean Johnson, 32, Mason City Four felony counts of possession of meth with intent to deliver, felony failure to affix a drug tax stamp and misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. * Brandi Jean Awe, 38, Mason City Felony possession of meth with intent to deliver. Six others were arrested for misdemeanors. Sheriff's deputies are still seeking the following individuals on felony charges: Michael Duane Lee, 50, Mason City Three felony counts of possession of meth with intent to deliver, felony failure to affix a drug tax stamp and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Todd Kenneth Regan, 50, of rural Worth County Two felony counts of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and felony failure to affix a drug tax stamp. Riley Gene Steven Willis, 20, of Pueblo West, Colorado Two felony counts of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and felony failure to affix a drug tax stamp. Lucas Richard Rutta, 34, Mason City Four counts of possession of meth with intent to deliver, two misdemeanor counts of marijuana possession and one misdemeanor count of possession of amphetamine. Clear Lake police, Franklin County sheriff's deputies, agents from the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Mason City police, Worth County sheriff's deputies and the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force assisted with the operation. Anyone with information about the location of people with outstanding charges can call the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office at 641-421-300 or Crime Stoppers at 800-383-0088. CLEAR LAKE | A woman police say went into a Clear Lake home and slammed the occupant's head into a wall faces criminal charges. She's also accused of keying a car in the complex's parking lot. Hollie Toppin, 46, of Osage, was charged Thursday with felony third-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief. The alleged incident happened around 11 p.m., May 23 in the 700 block of South Ninth Street. Toppin grabbed an apartment resident by the neck, slammed the person's head into a wall and also kicked the occupant's leg, according to court documents. She was allegedly seen keying a car in the parking lot. Police say it will cost approximately $1,700 to repair. Toppin is free on bond. Molly Montag Tecwyn King Ngai Tahu Bachelor of Music Master of Teaching and Learning Self-proclaimed Southland bloke Tecwyn King says Otagos proximity to his home province, along with its vibrant culture and rich musical history, meant the University was an obvious choice for his tertiary study. Learning about Otagos music programme during an open day on campus enticed me further, and I remember being absolutely gobsmacked by all the goodies and toys they had in their world-class studio. Once at Otago, Tecwyn wasnt disappointed. Whether I was composing a four-part harmony or playing shredding guitar solos, the expertise of the teaching staff was the reason for my success as a musician. In contemporary performance I enjoyed how often, and how hard, I was pushed to be the best player I could be. Just being able to do the scale or play the song was often not enough we were pushed to our limits and Im very grateful for this now. After finishing his Bachelor of Music Tecwyn completed a Master of Teaching and Learning at Otagos College of Education. After a challenging but rewarding year, he moved to Taranaki where he is now Head of the Music Department at Stratford High School, creating and teaching a music programme for Year 9-13 pupils, doing instrumental teaching and creating bands. He credits both his teaching and music studies at Otago as fully preparing him for his new role because he is able to communicate technical and theoretical concepts in a way that students understand. For many people music is a way of life a way of expressing ideas, storytelling, creating. At Otago you develop so many skills that craft you into the ultimate musician, while being given the space to evolve your own style. Local members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America are bringing attention to the effects of gun violence through several upcoming events. The group will participate in Wear Orange, which was inspired by friends of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Chicago high school student killed by gunfire, who decided to honor her life by wearing orange. The color orange is the traditional color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves. BLOOMINGTON Western Avenue Community Center has closed its food pantry and is inviting families who used it and the volunteers who helped there to visit The Salvation Army of McLean County Food Pantry. "We are hoping that this is not so much losing a food pantry as it is combining efforts at space in our new facility," said Salvation Army Corps Officer Capt. Paul James, referring to The Salvation Army's Family Services building at 611 W. Washington St., Bloomington. Western Avenue Community Center, 600 N. Western Ave., Bloomington, closed its food pantry Tuesday, said Executive Director Amy Cottone. "It's hard," said Cottone. "We've been doing this a long time. But not as long as some of our other programs. "If food was scarce, we wouldn't be doing this," Cottone said. Western Avenue's better-known programs include an after-school club, summer camp, senior services and Hispanic outreach. The food pantry began as a small operation several years ago and grew to take over much of the center's gymnasium. "We've never been set up for a food pantry per se," Cottone said. After the pantry moved into the gym, "setup and teardown has been tough on our volunteers and staff," she said. "A focus became picking up and moving food." In December, food pantry hours were reduced from twice a week to once a week. The pantry serves 250 to 300 families each month, Cottone said. "In January, I did an informal survey of about 200 people and the majority of them go to more than one food pantry," she said. "We wouldn't even consider doing this if we were the only game in town." Western Avenue decided to focus on its core programs and looked for a food pantry partner. "The Salvation Army is mission-minded like us, and they have a much nicer setup than we could ever do," Cottone said. Western Avenue has donated its pantry equipment to The Salvation Army and has invited its volunteers and pantry clients to go to The Salvation Army. The food pantry director, Jackie Dunson, will continue her involvement with a Western Avenue club for girls and will volunteer at The Salvation Army Food Pantry, Cottone said. Another part-time employee has taken a job elsewhere. The additional gym space will be used to expand the after-school program, she said. "Everyone has been pretty accepting of it," Cottone said. "We'll work through the transition." BLOOMINGTON Central Illinois lawmakers expressed frustration with the failure to approve a state budget for the next fiscal year but remained hopeful Thursday that an agreement could be worked out. By failing to approve a budget by the end of May, lawmakers now will need a supermajority of three-fifths in each chamber to pass a budget. Obviously, it's going to be harder to reach (an agreement) now that it takes a supermajority vote, state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said. Brady said he negotiated with Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, and we came very close to an agreement. Instead, Cullerton moved forward with a budget measure, Senate Bill 6, that did not attract Republican support, passing 33-23 with two senators voting present. But House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago, did not call the Senate bill for a vote. We at least sent a budget to the House, Brady said. They should at least pass a budget back to us. State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said, In the Senate, we had some tremendous work on a bipartisan set of measures before Democrats walked away from negotiations on workers' compensation, property tax reform and education funding. The reality is we were very close there, said Barickman. Rank-and-file members should pick up that work product and run with it. He said the spotlight is on Madigan, and we stand ready to work with him if that's the path he chooses. State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said, A core group of rank-and-file legislators needs to come together as we have in the past to present a budget package, as they did earlier in the session with the stopgap measure that provided six months of funding for this fiscal year. I'm frustrated, disappointed and discouraged but not willing to give up, he said. The only thing we can do is continue to try. He said the chairs and minority spokespersons for various appropriations committees will be meeting at least a couple of days a week to work on the budget. Rep. Brady is minority spokesman on the House Appropriations-Higher Education Committee. A big part of the meetings will be fine-tuning of Senate Bill 6, he said, referring to the budget bill approved by the Senate. Maybe we can craft something more palatable to the speaker and the governor. State Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Morton, said, I'm confident that we'll be seeing some sort of resolution in the next 30 to 45 days. Sommer said working groups have been reaching across the aisle to come up with proposals, but when the recommendations of the groups aren't taken, we're left powerless. Although Sommer would like to see a full-year budget approved, that hasn't happened since fiscal 2015, and Sommer said, I would not be surprised to see another stopgap to get agencies through the summer and fall. A key part of the budget process is not only deciding who gets how much money but also where the money will come from. Sen. Brady noted that he has not voted for tax increases but added, in the current situation, there's no way out without temporary revenue. Without a balanced budget, there's going to be great pressure (on elected officials) that likely could be damaging, he said. Hopefully, that will be enough to wake Madigan and other people up. Lawmakers acknowledged the impasse has caused harm. Sommer, a former board member for The Baby Fold in Normal, said he was dismayed and saddened by the loss of its residential program, calling it devastating. Sommer is hopeful that at some point this political bickering will be set aside. Barickman said, Every incumbent, regardless of party, is going to hear from constituents. They don't care about Republicans and Democrats. They care about balanced budgets and solutions. MASON CITY | A Mason City man suspected in the stabbing of another man Tuesday is now behind bars on a charge of attempted murder. Braedon Steven Bowers, 20, was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail shortly before 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. No bond will be set until he is seen by a magistrate, according to information on the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office website. Bowers is accused of stabbing Wraymond Leon Todd, 23, Mason City, in the chest Tuesday afternoon in the 300 block of West State Street. Police say Todd was seriously injured and was transported to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, where emergency surgery was performed. He remains in critical condition. Cody Michael Bublitz, 28, Mason City, was also cut during the assault but declined immediate medical attention, according to police. Police towed a vehicle they believe Bowers was driving as he left the scene and later abandoned. The Britt Police Department on Wednesday afternoon spotted a vehicle Bowers was believed to be in and stopped the vehicle. Bowers, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was taken into custody. Police say Bowers and the victim knew each other prior to the incident, which occurred on the street near a two-story home at 325 W. State St. The stabbing was reported around 3:35 p.m. Tuesday. The Mason City Police Department says its investigation, in which the Iowa DCI, Forest City and Britt police departments and Mason City Fire Department provided assistance, is ongoing. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636 and speak with Criminal Investigation Division Lt. Rich Jensen. Tips also can be called in to North Iowa CrimeStoppers. BLOOMINGTON Students take home assignments and textbooks during the school year, but teachers leave the building with something heavier. You dream about them, think about them, pray for them, cry for them for the nine months in a school year, theyre yours, said Shari Cooper. Cooper has retired from Oakland Elementary School in Bloomington after 24 years teaching fourth grade and 29 years as an educator. She was one of dozens of Twin City teachers and administrators whose first day of summer vacation also signaled the first day of retirement. Since she started teaching, Cooper said the biggest changes have included the sweet relief of central air conditioning and the ever-evolving surge of technology. The role of teaching has not changed, though, said Eden Davis, another retiree of Oakland. We encouraged, nurtured, tied shoes and wiped noses then just like we do now. Davis taught third grade at Oakland for 20 years and retired after 28 years in the classroom. She said one of the biggest challenges for teachers today is increasing classroom sizes because of diminished funding from the state. The schools have to be careful how their money is spent. If they can pack the classrooms, its one less teacher to hire. We understand, but we dont like it, said Davis. Lawmakers like to cut, but weve cut to the point where were bleeding. Both Davis and Cooper said while they are no longer in teaching, they hope to see education become a statewide priority again. I hope societys attitude changes and we put more value on education, said Davis. When I went to school, they couldnt build schools fast enough. People were willing to spend money on buildings to provide students with the best education. I hope we never lose sight of the fact that these are children, added Cooper. Sometimes we get so caught up in the politics of the world. I hope teachers always maintain that focus on why were here. For young teachers or those studying education, Cooper said it's important to be flexible. Things in a classroom can change from minute to minute. Be open to whatever comes your way, she said. I love those teachable moments when they run away with an idea and you go with it. If you see learning through their eyes, you stay humble and focused on whats truly important. In McLean County Unit 5, Bruce Weldy is retiring this summer after 33 years teaching in Central Illinois. He is currently the human resources coordinator for Unit 5, but also has served students as a teacher and principal. Weldy said despite years without adequate funding from the state, Central Illinois teachers have done well to not allow the impasse to affect students. But because theyve done so well, they have taken on an incredible amount of stress, responsibility and rigor, he said. Thats where I see the budget issues making the biggest impact; on the health and well-being of teachers. Weldy said he also hopes to see education become a higher priority, especially in Illinois. I want to see it matter to officials. If it truly mattered to them, we would have a state budget, he said. After 39 years of teaching, Jacqueline Garibay retired from Central Catholic High School in Bloomington where she taught English for 29 years. She said while Illinois is heading into its third year without a state budget, which can affect the hiring rate of teachers, aspiring educators should look past it and find a way to do what they love. You go into education knowing youre not going to be wealthy, but that you want to work with children and have a part in influencing a small segment of their lives, said Garibay. STREATOR A search continued Friday for a Streator woman who is missing after a sport utility vehicle crashed in Mississippi, killing two others from Streator and a man from from Ottawa. Authorities found the bodies of one woman and two men on Tuesday. They are searching for the fourth person who was traveling with the group that left last Friday, headed to Florida. A fisherman found a blue Chevrolet SUV in a creek Tuesday in Tupelo, under an Interstate 22 bridge. Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green said DNA tests are being done to confirm the woman who died was 25-year-old Heather Uhren of Streator. Green initially said the body was that of 24-year-old Amber Smith of Streator. Smith is now the missing woman being sought. Green said the two women have similar facial features, and Uhren's family provided information about items she was wearing. Two others killed in the accident were identified by the coroner as Sean Haygood, 30, of Streator, and Terrance Wege Jr., 29, of Ottawa, according to a report in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo. Centuries of subjugation has seen Black people repeatedly forced to find alternative ways to reclaim and communicate their identity, inadvertently sticking it to the man through various forms of creative articulation. While many associate this expression with the wildly popular musical genres Black culture pioneered, a la jazz, blues and hip-hop, the rise and evolution of dandyism the Black man who immediately demands respect through his sharp street style has been among the more subtle and most colorful methods for Black men to prove they won't be boxed in. To learn more about the evolution and power of dandyism, we spoke to Shantrelle Lewis, a New Orleans native who has dedicated her career to researching diaspora aesthetic and has curated her findings into a new Aperture-published book Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style, which is launching tonight at the Brooklyn Museum. First off, what attracted you to this subject matter? Was subverting hyper-masculine stereotypes a big part of what made you pursue the project? Dandy Lion exists at a time when repetitively, every 28 hours, a Black man, woman or child is executed by police or security personnel in the United States of America. When young Black people are profiled and harassed by police in urban centers throughout the Americas and Western Europe. Despite the fact that in 2015, the United Nations declared the official Decade for People of African Descent, we're haunted by gut-wrenching, lifeless images of slain Black bodies, riddled with bullets from the same institution that has made legal oaths to protect and serve us. These images not only haunt, madden and sadden us, they are also broadcasted around the world, for people of all cultures to bear witness to the blatant disregard of Black life and assaults made upon the valueless Black body. These images are not new. They are modern manifestation of printed postcards of charred Black bodies that hung from Southern poplar trees. Marques Toliver, London, 2010 The Dandy Lion Project first came into being out of necessity in the fall of 2010. Despite the phenomenal economic success of hip hop artists such as Jay-Z and Kanye West, and their subsequent adaptation of a more serious, style and fashion, there was a misrepresentation of Black men that dominated mainstream media from here to Europe. The dominant narrative generally involved some gang-related murder on the nightly news, mass violence erupting in continental African countries, or the modern blackface caricatures and their soap opera-esque dramas on reality television. Jody Ake, Untitled, 2003 Like many others in my community and throughout the diaspora, I was exasperated by the repetitive and oversaturated manufactured image of Black masculinity. An image created to maintain a grotesque and glorified culture of manhood and masculinity, one perpetuated by today's mainstream hip-hop and Prison Industrial Complex. The image of today's sagging pants wearing youth is not one of rebellion by the lumpenproletariat but a buy-in into a corporate controlled image that is the result of negligent public policy and a failed education system. Thus, to dress outside of that uniform, is to act from a place of agency, to contradict, to rebel. Tell me about Black Dandyism itself, how has it changed with the culture over the decades? No one can better articulate the historical trajectory of the Black Dandyism as Monica Miller, Barnard and Columbia University scholar. She brilliantly outlines the trajectory of the Black dandy in her book Slaves to Fashion. We saw dandyism touted by individuals such as Frederick Douglass and later W.E.B. Du Bois. I think in an earlier era, it was deeply rooted in respectability. It then reflected scholastic rigor and self- respect - think Malcolm X and his sharp suits or James Baldwin. Today, dandyism is a more recent manifestation of hip hop culture. Black dandies are using hip hop methods of sampling to mix styles and articles of clothing from different eras and cultures to articulate statements of Black masculinity and individuality. Daniele Tamagni, from the series Gentlemen of Bacongo, Brazzaville, Congo, 2008 How important is the use of color to the Dandy culture? What purpose does it serve? Color permeates dandy culture globally. However, within the Black community, color serves as a continuum of expressiveness and meaning present in the African aesthetic. You see pops of color that reflects the vibrancy of African Diasporan people internationally. It's loud, it's disruptive, it's flamboyant and filled with self respect and pride. It takes a lot of confidence to strut down the street dressed in a bright sky blue ankara fabric jacket. That color is often pleasurable for the wearer as it is for the the observer. Daniele Tamagni, Lalhande in Front of a Photo Studio, from the series Gentlemen of Bacongo, Brazzaville, Congo, 2007 What are the pieces the Black Dandy will always have in his closet? A very well, nicely cut, suit. It could be custom. Vintage that was tailored or a high fashion ensemble from Ozwald Boateng, Adrien Sauvage or Waraire Boswell. But one really good suit is central to any Black Dandy's wardrobe. Everything else is lagniappe, as we say in New Orleans. Would you say that Dandyism could also be considered less radical, in the sense that these men are conforming to these traditionally white standards of dress? It could be considered sort of, non-threatening self-presentation for the black male. It could be considered that in a different context, perhaps during the late 60s and early 70s at the height of the Black Power movement. During that era, Black dandyism could be seen as passive, and co-opting into the corporate machine. But today? In contemporary society when corporations have co-opted hip hop and capitalizing off of a hyper masculine popularized image of Black men as thug, dandyism is most certainly radical, subversive and resistant. It's oppositional fashion at its finest. Contemporary Black dandies, particularly the ones in my book, are appropriated white standards of dress, flipping it on its head and creating a new urban fashion statement that speaks to Transnational, African Diasporan identity. I hope this e-mail finds you well. How many of your e-mails start that way? Probably not many, unless, like me, you work with colleagues across the globe, in which case, quite a few. Its the e-mail equivalent of a cultural imperative that all interactions, and, in particular, business dealings, must start with extended inquiries into the health and well-being of each party and their families. And its just one of a number of ways in which our American culture differs from many others, differences that get lost in the emphasis on the notion of multiculturalism that is, the idea that we are a nation of many cultures makes us blind to the fact that there is, deeper down, an American culture. And it seems to me that the reason why the United States has rejected the Paris Accord on climate change is a cultural one. Oh, sure, you might say that the rejection is because Trump is evil and wants to destroy the planet in the name of short-term profits for American businesses, but, when Obama signed the agreement in 2016, he did not submit it to the Senate for ratification. To be sure, the Senate was GOP-controlled so doing so wouldnt have had any practical effect, but neither did Obama make any push for a binding agreement during the years when the Democrats controlled House, Senate, and the presidency. Beyond which, its my understanding that the agreement itself is fundamentally a declaration of good intentions. As described by The American Interest and Commentary magazine, the targets for reductions are set by countries themselves, and can be changed at any time, without any sort of external enforcement mechanism. Secondly, the Green Climate Fund does not have (so far as I can tell) any power to compel any country or other entity to had over the cash thats supposed to go to poor countries (who, buy the way, have nothing to lose in signing the agreement, since they are intended to be recipients of the funds, not contributors). And, indeed, the United States is nearly alone, in the company only of Syria and Nicaragua, in not signing the agreement. But thats not the only such case. The United Sates is the only country to have not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Clinton signed in 1995. The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (SEDAW)? Only the Holy See, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Tonga have not signed it; the U.S. and Palau are the only ones who have signed but not ratified it (the U.S. under Carter, in July of 1980; see Wikipedia). The Convention on Rights of Persons With Disabilities? Heres that list: US, Libya, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Chad, Cameroon, Botswana, Solomon Islands, Fiji have signed but not ratified, South Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, and Equatorial Guinea have not signed. (Per the UN site.) Why has the U.S. not ratified these agreements? Its easy to find individual explanations: the Convention on the Rights of the Child takes away parental rights, might prohibit homeschooling, etc. CEDAW could prohibit even the moderate abortion restrictions we have in the U.S., eliminate single-sex schools, would require quotas on the hiring of women, and so on. But consider that Saudi Arabia, despite its notorious guardian system, has ratified CEDAW. North Korea, which imprisons whole families, has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. And if I werent already running out of time to start my workday, Id find a really good example of a country which does really dastardly things to the disabled. And beyond these specific examples, every other country that has signed it has taken the view that, to whatever extent they disagree with any aspect of the application of the Convention, theyll go their own way, and its no big deal. (With respect to the Paris Accord, I would guess that the other signatories had a similar view: well make the decisions that we think are best for our people, and try to get as much benefit out of the deal as possible.) What, then, is the point of signing these conventions? To some degree, its a matter of taking an action to further their resolve to Do the Right Thing; in other cases, its purely about asserting on the world stage that youre just as good and righteous as everyone else, no matter the truth at home. To some degree, there is also the hope that any given nation that signs/ratifies will then have greater moral standing and a specific platform from which they can effect change in nations that are deficient in their treatment of children, women, the disabled. Why didnt the U.S. ratify them? In the same way as we dont ask whether every member of your family is doing well before getting down to business. We focus on the practical, the concrete, and dont see the same value in the aspirational and symbolic (or, as critics would say, the farcical claims of success) we ask, how, concretely, will this ratification affect the people at home? Consider, too, the fact that in certain cultures (Ive read this of various Asian countries), Americans have trouble doing business because, culturally, their counterparts just will not say no, leading the Americans to think theyve made the deal, when, in reality, our American culture of a straightforward yes and no is not a part of how they do business. We want an Agreement, a Treaty, to have a clear path, a practical impact, and enforceable consequences, when much of the rest of the world just doesnt care. (It reminds me a bit of two views of marriage: the U.S. says the equivalent of marriage is a serious binding commitment; the ROW says, marriage is a piece of paper thatll show everyone else how much we love each other, make everyone like us more, and maybe get us some benefits.) And Im not saying American culture is right or wrong on this point. But its different. And this has nothing to do with climate change. Image: https://pixabay.com/en/pollution-global-warming-environment-2049211/ Voice in the Wind, pp. 180-186 This weeks section is all about how much Atretes hates Romans. It begins with him walking through crowds, into the city to the ludus. A man touched him in a way that sent the hair on the back of his neck bristling. He lunged at him, wanting nothing more than to break his neck, but the chains prevented him from doing so. Bato gave an order and several guards moved closer to the wagon to keep admirers back. But that didnt prevent him from following and calling out lewd propositions. In Germania, men who lusted for men were drowned in a bog, their perversity thus hidden from the world forever. Ah, but in Rome, they spoke openly of their foul passion, shouting it from the roofs and street corners, and in the streets, as they strutted about proud as peacocks. Atretes felt a burning contempt in his heart. Rome, reputedly pure and majestic, was a stinking bog of base humanity drowning in the filth of depravity. In the hands of a different author, I might think this simply an attempt to get at what Atretes might think as he encounters a culture very different from his own. And its true that Tacitus wrote that the Germans punished homosexuality with death in the bog (we have no sources from the Germans themselves). However, given that Rivers is writing for an evangelical audience, this reads as far more than that. And then theres this xenophobic bit: His hatred deepened and an even fiercer pride rose within him. His people were pure, unpolluted by those they conquered. Rome tolerated every excess, accepted every philosophy, encouraged every abomination. Rome joined itself with every comer. Note that the characters were meant to care about are from places other than Rome. Atretes, Hadassah, and even the Valerian family (theyre originally from Ephesus). Rivers has a major problem with Romewith its tolerance of other religions, but also with its glorification of violence and, most importantly, its moral code. The trouble is, the Rome shes dealing with is a stereotype. Consider Arria, a young unmarried Roman noblewoman who has slept with a string of lovers, with everyones full knowledge. As several commenters with a background in this area have noted, there is much about Rome that has far more in common with Christianity than evangelicals like Rivers seem to understandincluding Roman sexual ethics. Julias storybeing kept in the home and carefully chaperoned until a marriage is arrangedwas the norm, not Arrias. Next, Rivers writes the following: Sometimes women came to the ludusRoman women who found it entertaining to go through the paces of a gladiator. Beneath the watchful eyes of several armed guards, they exercised with the trainees. Dressed in short tunics like the men, they exposed their legs. Atretes looked upon these women with disdain. They were arrogant in their insistence that they were as good as any man, all the while demanding that they be pampered. Its true that noble women liked to go to ludi and watch the gladiators train. Unfortunately, its been a few weeks since I read Mary Beards book on the Colosseum, and I had to return it. One thing that struck me in reading Beards book is that historians actually know far less about gladiators, and gladiatorial games, than most think we do. Very few sources exist, and those that do are often complicated. Before I get to what historical sources we do have, let me give you the rest of the passage: Atretes mother had been a strong woman, capable of entering a battle when necessary. Yet never once had he heard her claim she was better than or even equal to any man, even the least among the tribesmen. Her husband was Hermun, chief of the Chatti, and there was no one to equal him. His mother was a sorceress and seer, and no one had equaled her either among all the Chatti. She was considered a goddess in her own right. Atretes thought of Ania, his young wife. Her sweetness had roused a tender protectiveness in him. He had wanted to keep her from harm This bit just exists as contrast. It does bring up another questionwhat we know about Germanic women. But really, what I read here is the evangelical influence. Atretes mother was to be admired within her given role. She never tried to step foot out of it. And Atretes wifeher primary characteristic was sweetness. How convenient! Atretes wife and mother fit evangelical gender narratives perfectly. But wait! Were still not done with Atretes loathing of Roman women! He looked at a young Roman woman exercising with the men. No woman of his tribe would strut about dressed as a man and brandishing a sword as though the mere mention that she was a woman would enflame rage and shame. This makes me more curious about Germanic women. I did a bit of digging, but the sources on things like this are really very sparse, and always filtered through specific lenses. Atretes mount twisted in contempt. These Roman women came to the ludus disdainful of men, then strove to become one. Youll see why the above bit is in here in a moment. First, lets finish: He noticed they never challenged the well trained. They chose instead the smallest novice on which to test their blade, strutting about when they drew blood. They believed they had proven themselves equal. What a joke! All with whom they sparred were constrained by unspoken lawsonly free Roman women came to play games with the gladiators, and one scratch on a pretty white Roman hide could cost a man his life, unless the woman was fair-minded and spoke quickly enough to spare him. So theyre also cowardly in Atretes estimation. Lovely. Rivers appears to have read Juvenals Satires, written in the same general period: Who has not seen the dummies of wood they slash at and batter Whether with swords or with spears, going through all the moves? These are the girls who blast on trumpets in honour of Flora. Or, it may be, they have deeper designs, and are really preparing for the arena itself. How can a woman be decent, sticking her head in a helmet, denying her sex she was born with? Manly feats they adore, but they wouldnt want to be men, Poor weak things (they think), how little they really enjoy it! What great honour it is for a husband to see, at an auction Where his wifes effects are up for sale, belts, greaves, manica and plumes! Hear her grunt and groan as she works at it, parrying, thrusting; See her neck bent down under the weight of her helmet. Look at the rolls of bandage and tape, so her legs look like tree trunks. Then have a laugh for yourself after the practice is over, Armour and weapons are put down, and she squats as she uses the vessel. Ah, degenerate girls of the line of our praetors and consuls, Tell us, whom have you seen got up in any such fashion, Panting and sweating like this? No gladiators wench, No tough strip-tease broad would ever so much as attempt it. Ive highlighted the relevant points. Women, denying the sex they were born with, but also despising menthis is exactly what Rivers has Atretes thinkingand how could he know these women also despised men. Juvenals work appears to be the primary (and perhaps only) Roman source suggesting that noble women would sometimes practice in ludi. But remember that these were satirical poems. Echoing satirical poems line for line, completely uncritically, seems unwise. And, again, note Rivers demonization of anything Roman. Note, too, how much of this has strong anti-feminist undertones. Rivers is using Atretes hatred of Rome to make evangelical pointsopposition to gay rights and feminism among them. Rather than recognizing Rome as a complex society both culturally and morally, Rivers presents it as a target board for evangelical darts. Theres a full bingo of something here. Rivers next writes that Roman men sometimes came to the ludus to train as well, and that after he had been there for several months Atretes was set against a young Roman aristocrat. The two fought with real swords, and Atretes nicked the mans face. Bato ends the match, but the Roman is angry, and Atretes taunts him. Real swords? Really? Wouldnt that be rather dangerous? Bato was grim. The two guards said nothing as Atretes was led away from his quarters. He expected to be whipped and put in solitary confinement. Instead, Bato sent him a woman. This one was not a tired kitchen slave, but a young prostitute with imagination and a sense of humor. The door opened and she stood looking in at him, a guard just behind her. She was young and beautiful and dressed in finery fitting for a Roman feast. Well, well, she said, smiling and looking him over from head to foot as she entered his cell. Bato said I would like you, She laughed as he stood frozen with shock, staring at her, and the sound was like long-forgotten music. The next morning, Bato tells Atretes he sent the woman so that Atrees would have one good thing before you died. The man Atretes nicked was the son of a powerful Senator, and he was angry. Bato expected Atretes to be crucified for what he didbut come to find out, Domitian feels too much has been invested in Atretes, and decides to bump up his fighting schedule instead. But Im still stuck on Atretes remarking that this woman was not a tired kitchen slave. That girl Atretes raped during his early days in the ludus in Capua was only the first of manyand he clearly knows that his attentions are not wanted. But its not as though he is forced to rape these women. As a reader pointed out, in the movie Spartacus, the titular character reacted differently when a woman was sent to him in a similar manner. He refused to rape her, recognizing her situation. Atretes, in contrast, is an asshole pure and simple. Atretes position as consummate asshole makes it perhaps odd that Rivers is using him as a lens through which to condemn the moral excesses of Rome. But then, there is a certain rightness about this. Evangelicals frequently condemn one sort of behavior without necessarily condemning another. Theres a skew here. Sexual contact outside of marriage is condemnedbut women are expected to submit to their husbands. Fallen women are condemned as temptresses who lead men astray, and evangelicals view of an ideal man is often one that is domineering. As soon as you move away from consent-based ethics, things get messy. Next week, Atretes fights in the arena for the first time. FERTILE | Five were hurt when a car crossed the centerline and collided with a pickup Thursday night near Fertile. The crash happened about 5:15 p.m. on Highway 9 near Cardinal Avenue. State troopers say Christy Mettry, 17, of Forest City, was driving west when she went across the centerline of the highway and sideswiped a Ford F-350 truck. She then crashed head on into a Trailblazer driven by Joan Odens, 73, of Forest City. The sideswiped pickup crossed the centerline and rolled into the ditch. Mettry, Odens and the driver of the pickup, Douglas Kroneman, 64, of Osage, were transported to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa by Forest City Ambulance. Passengers Don Ritter, 63, of Greene, and Charles Odens, 75, of Forest City, also were taken to the Mason City hospital. Their conditions weren't immediately available Friday morning. The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. Molly Montag Well-Known Iranian Cleric Urges Rouhani to Drop Justice Minister for Role in 1988 Prisoner Massacre 06/02/17 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran The son of the once heir apparent to Iran's first supreme leader is urging newly re-elected President Hassan Rouhani to drop Justice Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi from his cabinet for the major role he played in the 1988 massacre of thousands of political prisoners. Ahmad Montazeri, the son of the late Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri "Out of respect for the honorable people of Iran, I hope Pourmohammadi will not be introduced into the future cabinet," Montazeri told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) in a recent interview. "Truths must be told, but unfortunately, the officials deny them and this harms everyone," he added. "First of all, denying the truth denies knowledgeable people about their country's history. We must take these painful historic events as experiences and learn how to prevent them in the future." "This will be Rouhani's last term as president. To ensure the path of reform continues, he should carry out his promises and give people hope," said Montazeri. "If people lose their hope, it would be a national catastrophe and affect future elections." In the summer of 1988, as the Intelligence Ministry's representative in Tehran's Evin Prison, Pourmohammadi was appointed by then-Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini to what came to be known as a "Death Committee," which ordered the swift executions of an estimated 4,500-5,000 political prisoners. Iran's Justice Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi Another member of the committee, Ebrahim Raisi, was strongly criticized by human rights organizations and activists for his role in the massacre when he ran for the presidency in the May 2017 election. "When people pointed out Mr. Raisi's problems, they were sending Mr. Rouhani a very clear message," Montazeri told CHRI. "Even Mr. Rouhani himself echoed the people's concerns during the election campaign and criticized the persecution, elimination and execution of opponents," he added. In a speech to his supporters at a campaign rally in Hamadan on May 8, 2017, Rouhani made a veiled reference to Raisi's role in the massacre: "The people of Iran are saying they don't accept those who only hung and imprisoned people for the past 38 years (since the revolution)." In November 2016, Ahmad Montazeri, the son of the late Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, was sentenced to six years in prison for publishing an audio file of his father directly condemning the committee-set-up by Khomeini-for ordering the executions. In the 40-minute recording of the meeting, the grand ayatollah declares: "I believe this is the greatest crime committed in the Islamic Republic...and history will condemn us for it. This action has been carried out by you, good and pious figures in the judicial administration." Hosseinali Montazeri was ultimately sidelined by the ruling elite for condemning the executions and spent most of his elderly years confined to house arrest. Ahmad Montazeri is currently free on furlough. Montazeri told CHRI: "People must know what really happened in their country. In addition, the four members of the committee can come forward and tell the truth. Perhaps they could defend themselves by explaining how and why the executions took place and take the opportunity to apologize to the people. Transparency is the best way forward. Coming clean would be a service to themselves and to their country's history." CHRI and other human rights organizations called for Pourmohammadi's immediate withdrawal from the post of justice minister when he was appointed in 2013. In its 2005 report "Ministers of Murder," Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented Pourmohammadi's direct role in the 1988 executions. The death sentences were issued after revolutionary courts had already tried, convicted, and sentenced the vast majority of the victims to prison on national security charges following unfair trials. Between 1988 to 1998, Pourmohammadi was in charge of the Intelligence Ministry's foreign operations, a period when dozens of Iranian dissidents were assassinated in exile. According to two HRW sources, Pourmohammadi was also implicated in the "serial murders" (also know as the "chain murders") of prominent intellectuals in Iran in 1998 by agents of the Intelligence Ministry. Pourmohammadi refused to respond to a request by HRW on October 28, 2005 requesting a comment about the allegations. Doug Rozendaal has been flying airplanes for more than four decades, but when he took off from Mason City Airport on Friday it was a first for Iranian Artists, Activists Send Letter to President Rouhani Demanding Release of Imprisoned Music Producers 06/02/17 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Two Iranian artists will have been behind bars for a full year as of June 5, sentenced for their peaceful artistic activities. Today, artists and supporters of artistic freedom from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East called for their release in an open letter sent by Freemuse and the Center for Human Rights in Iran to newly re-elected President Hassan Rouhani. Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian "The continued imprisonment of Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian is unacceptable and in complete violation of international human rights laws ratified by Iran," said the signatories. "We call on the Iranian government to immediately and unconditionally release Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian and all other artists imprisoned for their creative expressions." "Rouhani must fulfill the demands of Iran's artistic community, which strongly supported his re-election," said CHRI's Executive Director Hadi Ghaemi. "He can start by freeing imprisoned artists, including music producers Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian, both sentenced to three years in prison during a 15-minute trial for peacefully engaging in their profession," added Ghaemi. The Rajabian brothers were managing partners of Barg Music, a now-banned popular digital music production and distribution service, when they were first arrested in October 2013 by the Revolutionary Guards' Intelligence Organization and held in solitary confinement for more than two months. "Iranian authorities continue to intimidate, persecute, imprison and ban artists. This is a clear violation of international law and President Rouhani has to stop this and bring Iran on par with other countries on its record on freedom of expression," said Freemuse Executive Director Dr Srirak Plipat. The Revolutionary Court sentenced the two artists to six years in prison each in May 2015 for "insulting the sacred" and "propaganda against the state". Their sentence was reduced to three years in prison upon appeal. Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian started serving their sentences on June 5, 2016. During the artists' imprisonment in Evin Prison, their medical conditions have significantly deteriorated. The Rajabian brothers have twice been on hunger strike to protest the lack of medical attention and their ill treatment. In a letter from prison last year, they wrote: "We urge all artists from around the world to show their protest and criticism against all of this, in a peaceful way, worthy of an artist. Stand by our side and [don't] forget us, because being forgotten is a human's greatest pain." In 2016, Iran more than tripled the amount of artists it imprisoned or detained in comparison to 2015 - from six to 19, according to Freemuse's annual report, "Art Under Threat." In 2016, Freemuse documented 39 violations of artistic freedom of expression in Iran. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights Karima Bennoune, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression David Kaye, have also called for the brothers' immediate release. by Hadi Heidari Read the full letter. Notes: The letter is part of Freemuse's global campaign, Art is Not a Crime. For social media we suggest: #FreeRajabians and #ArtIsNotACrime Trailer for Hossein Rajabian's film, "The Upside Down Triangle." Video of Mehdi Rajabian's Setaar music. Freemuse is an independent, international organization advocating and defending the right to artistic freedom worldwide. The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights in Iran. Turkey-Israel Rapprochement Threat to Iranian Ambitions? 06/02/17 By Dorian Jones, VOA Related Book by Stephen Kinzer Reset Middle East: Old Friends and New Alliances ISTANBUL - With Turkey facing strained relations with most of its neighbors and allies, Ankara is deepening ties with Israel in a rare bright spot. Diplomatic relations collapsed in 2010 after Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish citizens on a boat seeking to break Israel's economic blockade of Gaza. A reconciliation deal reached last year has opened the door to a resumption in relations that could pose a threat to Iran's regional aspirations. "Almost every day there is a certain bilateral activity, either here or in Israel that has to do with the fruits of the reconciliation," said Shai Cohen, the Israeli consul-general, speaking in Istanbul last week at a gathering aimed at enhancing ties. Cohen went further, eyeing regional turmoil as an impetus for further cooperation. "We share almost the same interests along our borders with Syria, Israel on one side and Turkey on the other. The main one is defeating jihadi terrorism Daesh," he said, using an Arabic term for Islamic State. "But there is another one, with the expanding presence of Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah, in that region." Israeli hopes of fostering a powerful alliance against Tehran have been boosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's increasingly fiery rhetoric against Iran. Last month, Erdogan labeled Shia paramilitary forces fighting Islamic State in Iraq "terrorists," calling them part of Iran's "Persian expansionism policy." Erdogan has increasingly positioned himself as protector of Sunni Muslim interests in the region, accusing Tehran of pursuing sectarian policies. Turkey-Israel cooperation on Iran, would, analysts suggest, mark a major step in enhancing relations, especially addressing the "trust deficit." "Trust has to be rebuilt. Security is a crucial issue for both governments," Cohen said. "We are working on that and maybe it's a little bit too early to elaborate on that but I think in the near future we will know more." The warming in Israeli-Turkish relations has brought improvements in trade along with talks on energy cooperation and promising signs of a return to Turkey of lucrative Israeli tourism; but, relations are still far from their heyday of the late 1990's, epitomized by close military cooperation that culminated in a deal that allowed Israeli jets to practice in Turkish airspace. Bilateral cooperation against Iran could offer an opportunity in bridging the trust deficit. "I think the current political setting in the Middle East provides a fertile ground for Turkey and Israel to restore their partnership. They have shared interests in terms of balancing Iran and combating terrorism in the region," said Selin Nasi, journalist for Turkey's Salom newspaper and a columnist for Hurriyet Daily News. Nasi, however, also voices caution. "On the other hand, they (Turkey and Israel) do not see eye to eye on a number of issues. For instance, Iran is a rival but not an enemy for Turkey. Turkey has to take into account the fact that she shares a border with Iran." Former Turkish ambassador Unal Cevikoz, now head of the Ankara Policy Center research organization, warns of risks of joining any anti-Iranian alliance. "If Turkey chooses to do that, then Turkey will be perceived if it's pursuing some kind of sectarian policy just because of the emerging Sunni-Shia divide in the region." There are also domestic political risks for Erdogan, whose priority is his 2019 re-election bid. Much of the president's electoral base is drawn from conservative Muslims, to whom anti-Israeli rhetoric often plays well. Some of the pro-government Turkish media are rampantly anti-Semitic, rarely missing an opportunity to fan anger over Israel's treatment of Palestinians. "It is always better to maintain a cautious optimism when making an assessment on Turkish-Israeli relations, given the place of the Palestinian issue in bilateral ties as a derailing factor," warns journalist Nasi; but, a Turkish presidential source maintains the Palestinian issue remains "compartmentalized" in relations with Israel. "Cooperation and rivalry" is the traditional maxim in Turkish diplomacy in defining Iranian relations. Even in the current tensions, cooperation remains an important aspect of relations. "In the Astana Process, Russia, Iran and Turkey are at least trying to find a common understanding to guarantee the cease-fire and also deconfliction zones in Syria," points out retired Turkish ambassador Cevikoz, citing peace talks in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana. The complexity and sensitivity of attempting to lure Turkey into Israel's fold in its struggle against Iran is acknowledged by Consul-General Cohen. For now it appears Israel is ready to play the long game. "Iran is a common denominator for Israel and Turkey because of its aspirations for regional hegemony; but, the Iranian issue is not right now, something we are putting up at the top of the priority list. It's a common interest; we talk about it," he said. Ex-President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to take up the responsibility of supporting and nurturing the youngsters left behind by the late Captain Adam Mahama. Captain Maxwell Mahama who passed away under very sad circumstances left behind a very young wife and two toddlers. In a tribute message to his nephew, Mr. Mahama said the family will support his wife through this unfortunate incident and safeguard the future of the children. As a family, we will do our bit to console our daughter; his wife, and well also do our bit to look after his children and bring them up, he said. He described the incident as unacceptable and very sad, and condemned persons involved in the gruesome act. According to him, it was very inappropriate for citizens to subject the very same persons tasked to defend them to such treatment. The military is an institution that sacrifices a lot to defend us, and for those who defend us to become the victims of ourselves, for us to inflict this kind of death on them is unacceptable, completely. Mr. Mahama expressed his condolences to the widow and the Ghana Armed Forces. He asked government and all security institutions to as a matter of urgency collaboratively work to bring perpetrators of the dastardly act to book, this he says will deter others from doing same. He also appealed to all to desist from politicizing the issue and admonished citizens to be disciplined and work towards securing a peaceful country. I believe government and the security agencies will do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to book. We should find out who did it and properly prosecute them and apply the penalty.it will serve as a deterrent to people who engage in mob justice..it is my hope that we will use this as a lesson to behave in a manner that is disciplined that allows our country to make the progress that we want it to make and I also appeal that we dont politicize this, he said. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has suspended the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Upper Denkyira West in the Central Region, Daniel Appianing from office. The suspension of the DCE comes on the heels of some disparaging remarks he made regarding the murder of the late Military Captain Maxwell Mahama. He has been directed to hand over to the Deputy Central Regional Minister, Thomas Adjei Baffoe. The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development upon the instructions of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo issued a letter to that effect. The DCE, commenting on the murder of the late Military Captain, said he was the leader of a military detachment to the area to protect illegal miners and purported his death may have occurred due to his involvement in illegal mining (galamsey). The late Capt. Mahama of the 5th Infantry Battalion was heading a Military detachment deployed to the community three weeks ago. More to follow soon. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nana Boakye, Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Secretariat (NSS), has described as "reckless" comments by the General Secretary of the Nationl Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia over the murder of the late Capt. Maxwell Mahama. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Nana Boakye believed the NDC General Secretary's remarks offend the sensibilities of the deceased's family and Ghanaians. According to him, the murder of the Military Officer is a sad issue that should not be toyed with by the NDC General Secretary. Nana Boakye wondered why Mr. Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as General Mosquito, would play politics with the issue by asking the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to resign. He further condemned mob justice in the country and called on all Ghanaians to be each other's keeper, and ensure that any person suspected of a wrongdoing is sent to the security institutions for the country's laws to take full course. Also addressing the issue on 'Kokrokoo', seasoned journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr. called on the Government of Ghana to prepare packages to cater for people who lose their lives in the course of service to the country, particularly security personnel who die in the line of the duty. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The District Chief Executive for Upper Denkyira West in the Central region, Daniel Appianing on Friday handed over to the Deputy Central Regional Minister, Thomas Agyei Baffoe as directed by the President after his sack on Thursday. That same day he laughed off reports in the media that he has been dismissed by President Akufo-Addo, insisting that he was still at post and had never been a happy man until the news of his suspension hit the media. I have never been happy in my life than today. Im still in my office. I have not received official notification. I have heard it on social media and radio, he stated in an interview with Starr News Elvis Adjetey. He added: Ever since this incident happened nobody has called to find out my side of the story. So if they are suspending me and it will be on radio without communicating to me that is their problem. But the Deputy Central Regional Minister, Thomas Agyei Baffoe in an interview confirmed that hes taken over as the Acting DCE after meeting with Mr Appianing at Diaso the district capital where he handed all reports and assets of the assembly in his possession to him. He was dismissed following his distasteful comments over the killing of Junior Military officer. Ghana was thrown into a state of despair on Monday, May 29, 2017, when the news of the lynching of a military officer detailed at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region broke. Captain Maxwell Mahama of the 5th Infantry Battalion was heading a military detachment to the area to fight illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. Following the incident, the DCE for the area, Mr. Appiannin told journalists that he was unaware that the military officer was part of a detachment to the area to assist in the fight against galamsey. There is a large number of military personnel protecting the Chinese and the lynched soldier is alleged to be part of it. In fact, he is said to be the leader I am shocked they are not briefing you very well but rather claiming they are here to fight galamseyers, he was quoted as saying. His utterances, however, attracted lots of condemnation from the public, with the family of the deceased calling for his immediate dismissal. Source: kasapafmonline.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. Featured Video At least 36 people have been found dead inside a resort in Manila, Philippines after a lone gunman set fire to the hotel and casino during an apparent robbery. Southern Police District Superintendent Tomas Apolinario told CNN that the victims are thought to have died of suffocation rather than gunfire, and that most of the victims which included 22 guests and 13 employees were women found dead inside the bathroom. None of them had gunshot wounds. The suspect entered Resorts World Manila via the second story carpark in the early hours of Friday morning, opening fire and setting gaming tables on fire. LOOK: Suspects assault rifle recovered by police at Resorts World. pic.twitter.com/cWDdB32vJK Raffy Sison Santos (@raffsantos) June 2, 2017 Ronaldo dela Rosa, the director general for the Philippine National Police, told CNN that the suspect ransacked the storage room of the chips of the casino, taking about 113 million pesos (AU $3.08 million). He later committed suicide by self-immolation and self-inflicted gunshot wound. In a statement, Resorts World Manila called the incident the cowardly act of a deranged mind. With your prayers, we will overcome this tragedy, it said. A help desk has been set up at Career Hub 1, G/F NECC building. You may reach us at these hotline numbers: 0917-8728300 and 0917-8728756. pic.twitter.com/BVKtrOc8JT Resorts World Manila (@rwmanila) June 2, 2017 A further 54 people have were injured in the attack, and have been taken to nearby hospitals. Despite initial fears, the incident is not believed to be terror related. Source: CNN. Photo: Philippine National Police. World leaders have reacted to U.S. President Donald Trumps decision to pull his nation out of the Paris climate agreement, and uh, look, it hasnt exactly been the most popular decision hes ever made. Freshly-minted French President (and noted hand-squisher) Emmanuel Macron took the significant step of calling Trump out in English. Statement on the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreements. #parisagreementhttps://t.co/T4XOjWZW0Q Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 1, 2017 A spokesperson for German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed exactly how miffed she is. Chancellor Merkel disappointed w/ Pres. Trumps decision. Now more than ever we will work for global climate policies that save our planet. Steffen Seibert (@RegSprecher) June 1, 2017 Similar sentiments were shared north of the U.S. border. We are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 1, 2017 While Mexico reaffirmed its commitment to the accord. Mexico mantiene su respaldo y compromiso con el Acuerdo de Paris para detener los efectos del cambio climatico global. Enrique Pena Nieto (@EPN) June 1, 2017 A harsh assessment was delivered from PM of Belgium. I condemn this brutal act against #ParisAccord @realDonaldTrump Leadership means fighting climate change together. Not forsaking commitment. Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) June 1, 2017 And from the PM of Sweden. .@realdonaldtrump We urge you to show global leadership, we need the USA on the team. Your Nordic Friends #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/7xgGv7ZjmT SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) June 1, 2017 And from the PM of The Netherlands, which has already spent a huge proportion of its time clawing land back from the sea. Same goes in neighbouring Denmark. Its a sad day for the world. Denmark stands ready to continue the climate battle to save future generations. #ParisAgreement Lars Lkke Rasmussen (@larsloekke) June 1, 2017 And in Scotland. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time. @POTUS decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord is profoundly regrettable. Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 1, 2017 UK PM Theresa May expressed her disappointment with the decision and stressed that the UK remained committed to the Paris Agreement directly to Trump. Jeremy Corbyn, her opponent in the upcoming election, also had his say. Pulling out of the #ParisClimateDeal is reckless and regressive. Instead of handholding, Ill work for a sustainable future for our planet. pic.twitter.com/ONKUMZQmzm Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 1, 2017 President Hilda Heine of the low-lying Marshall Islands which are already facing an existential crisis due to rising sea levels issued an emotional statement. She says our children and their children deserve not only to survive, they deserve to thrive. Todays decision is disappointing & confusing for those that support US leadership. Our own commitment to #ParisAgreement will never waiver. pic.twitter.com/wvnr7upPqa Dr. Hilda C. Heine (@President_Heine) June 1, 2017 While Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are yet to issue a statement to Trumps call, both have previously affirmed their commitment to the Paris agreement. Thats huge, as their growing economies will largely be shaped by the deals emission-curbing measures. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hasnt said squat, though. Curious. Labor leader Bill Shorten and Greens chief Richard di Natale have criticised the move, though. Elsewhere, massive players whod usually stay out of the spotlight have been moved to comment, based on the magnitude of the decision. Take, for example, Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of nightmarishly huge investment firm Goldman Sachs, who devoted his first-ever Tweet to the issue. Todays decision is a setback for the environment and for the U.S.s leadership position in the world. #ParisAgreement Lloyd Blankfein (@lloydblankfein) June 1, 2017 Blankfein joins industry leaders in the energy, manufacturing, and technology sectors whove also criticised Trumps plan. Read: the rest of the planet knows Trump just fucked up. Bigly. And this one could seriously make things so, so much worse for everyone on this dumb, incredible planet. Photo: Win McNamee / Getty. Todays update in Rebel Wilson vs Bauer Media: the journalist who kicked off the whole debacle about Wilsons age back in 2015 has told the Supreme Court of Victoria that Wilson lied to her face, prompting her to write the article that started it all. According to the AAP, Caroline Overington, who was then a journalist for Womens Weekly, interviewed Wilson in Sydney in 2014. She told the court that shed tried to establish rapport with Wilson while the actor was getting her hair and makeup done. It was during this chat that Overington says she asked Wilson to confirm that she was 29 year old, and that her real name was Rebel. Overington told the court that Wilson said yes, and on top of that, went into detail about how her mum chose the name Rebel for her. Only after Overington read an article in Mamamia claiming that Wilson was older than shed said, and that Rebel wasnt her real name, did she decide to write the article for Womens Weekly that set the entire Rebel Wilson is a liar mechanism in motion which Wilson is alleging got her sacked from two movies and tanked her career. For her part, Wilson has said that the conversation never happened. The bloke who was doing her hair has been called as a witness, and he has confirmed that a conversation between Wilson and another woman took place, but he cant remember who the woman was or what she looked like. Its getting down to the nitty gritty stuff here, folks. Weve had assertions that Wilson is related to Walt Disney, weve had evidence from her movies, weve had retweets brought into the whole thing, somehow now were getting to the she said/she said stuff. Stay tuned. The case has got a fair bit of steam in it yet. Source: The Guardian. Image: Quinn Rooney / Getty. At this point in time it seems unreasonable to expect anything good to come out of hysterical masculinity vessels like The Footy Show. Still, even with their disastrous track record, youd imagine they would be at least trying to not actively show their arses on national television. To no avail, though. Tonights show featured an Indigenous contestant and Broncos supporter, Michael Romelo, who won $6,600 in a game called Pass for Pesos (hmm). So far, so borderline-good (a sombrero, mate? Really?), but host Paul Fatty Vautin had to go and bugger it up for everyone, didnt he. After congratulating Romelo, Fatty said to him: All of your relations in Cairns just went, How good, wait until he gets back, were having a drink. By all means, experience the moment of shock for yourself: No-one in the audience thought that was a good joke. Romelo clearly wasnt rolling around with mirth. And people on Twitter arent too bloody stoked on it either. @NRLFootyShow did fatty just imply all Indigenous people drink alcohol? @joewilliams_tew. This bloke needs to be sacked. Michael Vincent (@Tjakkamarra) June 1, 2017 Paul Vautin should be stood down @NRLFootyShow & made to publicly apologise to all @IndigenousX ppl. Racial profiling is racism @Channel9 Joe Williams TEW (@joewilliams_tew) June 2, 2017 My lord. That poor guy, he was probably a big Vautin fan until he got shamed on national TV like this too Footy Show is a mess. https://t.co/21du7av7Lf Andrew Eddy (@AEddy6087) June 2, 2017 CH9 @NRLFootyShow showing what they really think of Indigenous community not their fake respect during Indigenous Round https://t.co/KsrXrAE6P3 Jack Hockman (@JackHockman) June 2, 2017 Good grief! This is terrible! On all levels. Cultural appropriation and blatant racism. @TheFootyShowNRL https://t.co/u8TzYBCUGy Sharon Davis (@AETLCEWA) June 2, 2017 Apparently the Daily Mail are reporting that Vautin says that same comment or variation on it to everyone who wins that competition. Maybe just spitballing here maybe thats not actually such a good idea, mates. Good grief. Source: TVNZ. Image: NRL Footy Show. MASON CITY | The City Council on Tuesday will consider a new ordinance prohibiting use of fireworks in cemeteries and parks and within 200 yards of a hospital. City Administrator Brent Trout's recommendation allows the sale and use within the same time periods as the new state law: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 1 to July 8, and Dec. 10 to Jan. 3. The end time is 11 p.m. for July 4 and 12:30 a.m. for Jan. 1. Many cities in Iowa, including Clear Lake, have outlawed the use of fireworks within the city limits and have restricted sales to specifically zoned areas. Trout said city staff, in consultation with the police department, has determined that enforcement of a more restricted time period than the state allows will be difficult. The proposed ordinance restricts sales to commercial zoning areas, where retail sales are allowed. Each vendor will be required to get approval from the city's Development Review Committee to make sure they are in compliance with requirements to sell fireworks. Each location for fireworks sales will be inspected by the state and city fire marshal. The inspection fee is $300. The council will need to vote on approval at the June 6 and June 20 meetings, waiving a second reading and going directly to a third reading on June 20. Unless the council bans use or there are other unforeseen circumstances, the new law should take effect on Friday, June 23, Trout said. The council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Mason City Room of the public library. Ahead of National Negroni Week, Melbourne restaurant Uncle has decided to combine two on-trend items to make a Pho-groni, a fucking Negroni-meets-Pho. Bloody mixologists. To be fair, its no where as terrible as it sounds. Rather than, you know, literally mixing vermouth, gin and Campari with a shot of pho water, Uncle manager Pete Siganto was inspired by pho flavours. Its still hard to not think of it as hot beef water, though. To make the batch of Pho-groni, Pete has soaked the gin in a spice mix of ginger, toasted star anise and coriander seeds for 30 hours to give it those winter-warming notes. Its served with holy basil and a lemon twist, which honestly sounds pretty good. Or, at least, worth trying. We can feel your curiosity rising from here, though theres one sour note: the bottle costs $21.50. Thats about the price of a Pho and a Negroni combined, though $1 from each sale does go to The Lighthouse Foundation. Youll have to wait until Negroni week, starting on the 5th of June, to try it and we strongly advise you dont make your own. Source: TheUrbanList.com An assortment of absolute scumdogs sorry, scalpers have reportedly begun flipping tickets to Sundays One Love Manchester benefit concert, the event organised by Ariana Grande after the Manchester Arena bombing. One Love Manchester ? June 4th http://ticketmaster.co.uk/arianagrandemanchester A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Jun 1, 2017 at 2:21am PDT Ticketmaster has confirmed that itll be nuking scalped passes to the event, which will see artists including Grande, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay, and maybe Oasis perform to raise funds for those affected by the tragedy. #OneLoveManchester Were working hard to get tickets direct to fans. We are cancelling tickets of those who are reselling wherever possible Ticketmaster UK (@TicketmasterUK) June 1, 2017 That tough but totally justified stance comes after tickets to the massive charity gig reportedly sold out in minutes. Infuriatingly, Ticketmaster also says that nearly 25,000 people applied for the free tickets supplied to anyone who was at Grandes Manchester gig last month, when only 14,200 were actually in attendance. In response to that abject fuckery, Ticketmaster has extended the special ticket application deadline to ensure that tickets go to the actual fans and not the opportunists or touts who have also been applying for free tickets. Thankfully, other outlets are also trying to curb the ability of soulless bastards to turn a profit off such a tragic incident. Ebay has confirmed its actively pulling listings from its platform. This is completely against eBay rules. We are immediately removing all listings which attempt to profit unfairly from what happened. eBay.co.uk (@eBay_UK) June 1, 2017 22 people were killed and 116 were injured in the May 22 blast, which took place immediately after Grandes show wrapped up. Source: USA Today / BBC. Photo: Kevin Mazur / Getty. The following list includes business bankruptcies that were filed in United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg) from May 1, 2017 - May 31, 2017. CHAPTER 7 Under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code may be used by businesses or individuals. A portion of the debtors assets is liquidated and distributed among creditors by a trustee to satisfy debts. In some cases, action can be brought against a debtor by creditors. Meghan A. Little formerly doing business as The Eternal Vapor, 2164 Walnut St., North Cornwall Township. Docket No. 17-2228. CHAPTER 11 Provides businesses or large investors with protection from creditors while they continue operating and develop a repayment plan. Both creditors and owners must agree on a reorganization plan, which ultimately must be approved by a federal bankruptcy judge. WG Development LLC, 1860 Baltimore Pike, Suite 1, Mount Joy Township, Adams County. Docket No. 17-1913. Powell, Rogers & Speaks Inc. also known as Powell, Rogers and Speaks, 1 Fisher St., Halifax Township. Docket No. 17-1958. Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. As you might expect, there was plenty of reaction to Thursday's announcement that President Donald Trump plans to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accords. Much like the coastlines will soon be flooded because of this wrongheaded policy decision, our inbox filled to overflowing with statements from political types reacting to the announcement. And because this is a Friday and we need some coffee, we're going to cut right to the chase and share some of our favorite reactions with you: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa: "This is a double-barreled blow to both Pennsylvania jobs and our environment. By pulling out of an agreement to combat climate change, President Trump has put Pennsylvania workers at a disadvantage when it comes to competing for clean energy jobs. Foreign countries will now take the lead in growing an industry that produces jobs with family sustaining incomes. Additionally, pulling out of this climate change agreement will undermine the clean air that every Pennsylvanian has a right to expect. Vulnerable children will be particularly impacted by the lack of action to protect clean air. Without action on climate change, more children will suffer from diseases like asthma and malnutrition. Climate change is a serious challenge which requires action, not retreat." (Context alert: Casey is running for re-election in 2018) (Bonus context alert: Before you ask, there was no statement from U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. This is not particularly surprising, Toomey tends to be a day late and a dollar short when it comes to reacting to important news.) Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf: "I urge President Trump not to abdicate the United States' global leadership and seat at the table on climate change - a pressing issue for Pennsylvania's economy, especially energy, agriculture and tourism, and our resident's health," Governor Wolf said. "Pennsylvania is an energy leader and addressing emissions presents opportunities for Pennsylvania's natural gas, renewable energy and energy efficiency industries to grow and create new jobs. "Many of America's largest corporations - from energy to technology - agree with environmental advocates, faith leaders and scientists that staying in the Paris agreement is the right choice for America. We cannot ignore the scientific evidence and economic significance of climate change and put our economy and population at risk." (Context alert: Wolf's statement was issued before Trump's 3 p.m. announcement. Like Casey, he's up for re-election in 2018 as well) Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto: Trump: I was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris Pittsburgh mayor: We voted for Clinton w/ nearly 80% of vote https://t.co/QQ9WdWntK9 pic.twitter.com/YntQy3SBrJ CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 2, 2017 U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11th District: "The Paris Accord, which President Obama signed without the consent of the American people's elected representatives in Congress, would have been disastrous for American workers, energy consumers, and our economy. I commend President Trump for withdrawing from this terrible deal and announcing his willingness to re-negotiate a better agreement that responsibly balances protecting our environment and family-sustaining jobs." U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-4th District: "U.S. participation in the Paris Climate Agreement failed to follow constitutional protocols when it was undertaken by the Obama Administration. Treaties should be ratified by the Senate, as dictated in our Constitution. We all want clean air and a healthy environment. I've advocated for removing government barriers to the development of hydropower, which would create thousands of American jobs and provide power to millions of Americans at low cost. But decisions can't be made unilaterally. Our removal from the Paris Climate Agreement is a solid first step to reasserting the role of the U.S. Constitution in international affairs and domestic policies." Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Marcel Groen: "Democratic leaders like Governor Wolf, Senator Casey, Congressman Doyle, and Mayor Peduto urged Trump to remain in the accord and demonstrated how removal from it would ultimately put Pennsylvania's economy and population at risk. What's more, Trump's latest decision is yet another in a growing list of foreign policy disasters that undermine America's leadership. The Paris accord brought nearly 200 countries together to make a statement that a healthy environment is vital for all of our futures. In fact, only two countries refused to participate - Nicaragua and Syria. If those two are our only allies we have nothing to be proud of." (Added Bonus: Groen's statement was included in a fund-raising email to fellow Democrats) State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery: "President Trump, you have no idea what you've just done. If you succeed in disrupting the world's effort to fight climate change, people will one day look back on your decision as the moment you condemned humanity to unprecedented flooding, acidic oceans, toxic air, food shortages, and mass extinction. Shame on you." (Context alert: Leach is a rumored candidate for the 7th Congressional District in Delaware County) Allegheny County Democratic Chairmwoman Nancy Patton Mills: "President Trump did not win in Pittsburgh or in Allegheny County. In fact, Allegheny County is the only county in the rust belt who outperformed our 2012 Democratic Presidential results. We don't need President Trump to reinvent Pittsburgh. Under the leadership of Rich Fitzgerald and Bill Peduto, we're already doing that." A hail of gunfire earlier this week came from an unlikely source - two gunmen riding bicycles in North Philadelphia opened fire with deadly results. According to 6ABC, a man and teenage boy were killed during in the shootings 11 p.m. Wednesday, and a third man was wounded. Meanwhile, the bicycle-mounted shooters pedaled away and remain at large, as of last reports. Killed in the incident on the 1300 block of West Rush Street were 24-year-old Dominic Gainey and 17-year-old Dorel Williams, 6ABC reports, adding: Police say two shooters approached their victims on bicycles and fired 30 times at close range. Officers arrived to find Gainey and Williams on the ground, both with gunshot wounds to the torso. Gainey was pronounced dead at the scene. Williams died two hours later at Temple University Hospital. Authorities later found a third victim, a 20-year-old male who showed up at Temple University Hospital by private auto, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told 6ABC. This victim was in stable condition, shot in the arm. The investigation continues, but police have yet to comment on a possible motive and have identified no persons of interest, 6ABC notes. Compiled by Janet Krajcsik | jkrajcsik@pennlive.com There is a wide range of events for you to explore this weekend in central Pennsylvania. Steel bands, Shakespeare in the Park, a plant swap, several strawberry festivals, outdoor yoga, movie screenings, a food truck feast, an animation workshop and more are on tap for the first weekend in June. Don't Edit Trinidad & Tobago Baltimore Steel Orchestra Lower Paxton Township Parks and Recreation presents its TGIF Summer Concert series. Bring seating. Held in the Friendship Center in case of inclement weather. 7-8:30 p.m. June 2 at Heroes Grove in Brightbill Park, 5010 Commons Drive, Lower Paxton Twp. Free. Info: 717-657-5635, www.heroesgrove.org. Don't Edit Janet Krajcsik | jkrajcsik@pennlive.com "Culinary Delights" -- A Solo Exhibit by Zack Rudy Zack Rudy has prepared a visual feast for the eyes, a sardonic commentary on the state of western standards, ideals, and the dark side of consumerism and the pursuit of comfort. All ages welcome. The evening includes live music, art, film, food and door prize drawing 6 p.m. June 2 at Metropolis Collective, 17-19 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg. Free, although $5 suggested donation for the music. Info: info.metropoliscollective@gmail.com, 717-458-8245. **I am waiting for an image for this. Don't Edit Free First Fridays for Families Visitors during Free First Fridays receive free access to more than 60 interactive exhibits relating to science, technology, engineering and math, as well as demonstrations and activities in LSF's "Science Cafe," thanks to donations from PPL Electric Utilities. 5-8 p.m. June 2 at Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Ave., Lancaster. Free admission. Info: 717-509-6363, www.lancastersciencefactory.org. Don't Edit Harrisburg First Friday Food Truck Feast Experience a variety of food trucks at the Harrisburg First Friday Food Truck Feast. Each month will have its own theme. Trucks could include MAD Sandwiches, Up In Smoke BBQ, The Chicken Truck, Soul Burrito, Potato Coop, Mad Dash, Uncle Paul's Stuffed Pretzels, Dough Heads Waffles and Kona Ice. 5-9 p.m. June 2 at Colonial Park Mall, Route 22 and Colonial Road. Info: www.facebook.com/hbgfoodtruckfeast, 717-639-5888. Don't Edit Don't Edit Free Shakespeare in the Park Harrisburg Shakespeare Company presents MacBeth. 7:30 p.m. June 2-3 at Levitt Performing Arts Pavilion (in Reservoir Park), 100 Concert Drive Harrisburg. Free. Info: www.gamutplays.org, 717-238-4111. Don't Edit Community Movie Night: "Beauty and the Beast" Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" (2017, Rated PG) will be shown. There will be a visit from the Nittany Lion, popcorn and cotton candy. Bring your own seating. Rain date: June 9. 8 p.m. June 2 at Penn State Harrisburg, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, Lower Swatara Twp. Free admission, although registration is appreciated. Info: harrisburg.psu.edu/calendar/event/penn-state-harrisburg-community-movie-night. Don't Edit Sunset Movie Series: "Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom" In addition to the film, there will be free children's activities provided by Dauphin County Human Service Agencies beginning at 7:30 p.m. Food concessions available. Bring your own seating. 8:30 p.m. June 2 at Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 5300 N. Front St., Susquehanna Twp. Free. Info: www.dauphincounty.org (under Citizens/upcoming events). Don't Edit Twilight Fishing Event The preserve gets lots of requests for evening hours, so come and fish after hours until 8 p.m. on June 2. All customers who sign in after 4 p.m. receive free admission for everyone in their group. Fish cleaning services will end at 7:30 p.m. 4-8 p.m. June 2 at Limestone Springs Preserve, 930 Tulpehocken Road, Richland. No admission after 4 p.m. Only pay for any trout caught: $5 per pound. Info: 717-866-2461, www.limestonespringspreserve.com. Don't Edit Foundry Day Arts and Crafts Festival This juried festival features original works crafted by 100 fine artists and craftspeople of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, as well as other professionals. Entertainment will include music by Jack Kutz, naturalist programs and children's activities such as sleeping bag races and crafts. In addition, a variety of food items are available in the Food Court. All proceeds support the arts in the Boiling Springs area with a particular emphasis on school children. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 3 in Boiling Springs -- The festival overlooks the Children's Lake, spanning from the Memorial Clock Tower to the walking bridge. Free admission. Info: www.ybcrafts.org, 717-243-6343. Don't Edit Don't Edit Summer Movies in the Park: "Sing" Lower Paxton Township Parks and Recreation presents its Summer Movies in the Park series. "Sing," rated PG, will begin at dusk. Bring seating. Held in the Friendship Center in case of inclement weather. Dusk on June 3 at Heroes Grove in Brightbill Park, 5010 Commons Drive, Lower Paxton Twp. Free. Info: 717-657-5635, www.heroesgrove.org. Don't Edit Animation Workshop Learn about the process of animation in this hands-on workshop. Animator Dana Sink will cover the basics of animation, culminating in a group animated experiment, which will later be posted online. Supplies are included. Open to all ages, although ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. RSVP. 1 p.m. June 3 at Star City Arts & Community Center, 200 Crescent St., Harrisburg. Free, although donations of $5 encouraged to help fund current and future workshops. Info: www.eventbrite.com/e/animation-workshop-tickets-34215751233. Don't Edit Birding Field Trips Meet at the Virginia Memorial on Confederate Avenue, on the Gettysburg Battlefield. Naturalist Jack Olszewski leads off-site birding trips. Some of the species Olszewski has spotted at Gettysburg include the American kestrel, pileated woodpecker, bluebird, meadowlark, indigo bunting, and red-tail hawk, along with robins, orioles, cardinals and others. Bring binoculars, bird identification books and cameras, and wear comfortable shoes for walking. Also suggested, water and snacks, or lunch. 7:30 p.m. June 3 (and again June 10) at Gettysburg Battlefield, 1195 Baltimore St. Free, although RSVPs are appreciated to plan for number of attendees expected. For directions, call Jack at 301-241-3846, or Renfrew Institute at 717-762-0373. Info: www.renfrewinstitute.org. http://media.pennlive.com/entertainment_impact/photo/bird-watchingjpg-fb22535780902a05.jpg Don't Edit Janet Krajcsik | jkrajcsik@pennlive.com Meet PBS Kids' pals WITF's Ready, Set, Explore! offers a fun children's event. Explore Pine Grove Furnace State Park with Daniel Tiger. 9 a.m. June 3 at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, 1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners. Free, although registration is required. Info: www.witf.org, 717-704-3000. Don't Edit Master Gardeners Family Garden Day This fun event offers garden and nature-related activities for the entire family to enjoy. Children can visit with 4-H club animals, pound flowers to create a unique design, pot their own plant, play the bug toss game, go on a scavenger hunt, and take home free seeds and prizes. A parent or guardian must remain with children during the event. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 3 at Penn State Extension Carlisle Office, 310 Allen Road, Carlisle. Free admission. Info: extension.psu.edu/plants/master-gardener/counties/Cumberland, 717-240-6500. Don't Edit Don't Edit Glen Rock Arts & Brew Fest 2017 A 5K Fun-Run will kick-off the event. After that, there will be vendors showcasing and selling original art, crafts and food, as well as an area for craft beer and wine tastings. There will be live entertainment on stages throughout the town, including musicians, storytellers and local historians. Beer and wine are available in designated areas only. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 3 in the town of Glen Rock, York County. Free admission. Info: www.glenrockartsandbrewfest.com. Don't Edit Janet Krajcsik | jkrajcsik@pennlive.com Sangria in the Sun Join the Farm Winery when this year's vintage of our red and white sangria is released. Create a sangria at the Build Your Own Sangria bar and keep the glass. There will be live Latin fusion music by Mojovishnu, and food will be available for purchase, including Spanish-themed food items. 1-5 p.m. June 3 at Adams County Winery, 251 Peach Tree Road, Orrtanna. Admission is free. Build Your Own Sangria Bar is $8. Info: 717-334-4631, www.adamscountywinery.com. Don't Edit Free CPR class In honor of Automated External Defibrillator Awareness month, Geisinger Holy Spirit will offer a free CPR class. American Heart Association-trained instructors will be teaching this class. The Heartsaver AED class is intended to teach the lay rescuer. After successfully completing the course, each participant will receive a course completion card. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 3 in the auditorium at Geisinger Holy Spirit, 503 N. 21st St., Camp Hill. Free, although registration is required: 717-972-4262. Don't Edit Make Something for Dad Kids are invited to drop-in and create a Father's Day mosaic coaster and bound mini travel album. The fun event is being held at two locations in Newport. 1-4 p.m. June 3 at Landis House, 67 N. Fourth St., and at the same time at Roseglen United Methodist Church, 722 New Bloomfield Road. Free. Info: www.perrycountyarts.org, 717-567-7023. Don't Edit Bath Fitter 20th Anniversary Celebration There will be live music, a mascot race (4:15 p.m.), games, a mechanical bull, food trucks, chances to win prizes and kids' activities including bounce houses, slides and mini-golf. The anniversary event benefits Red Land youth sports. 2 p.m. June 3 at Fishing Creek Community Association (Red Land Midget Football Field), 520 Locust Road, Fairview Twp. Free. Info: bfsave.com/bf20. Don't Edit Don't Edit Strawberry Festival in MIddletown Frey Village will hold its annual strawberry festival that will feature dipped strawberries, fresh strawberries and other strawberry items. A pork barbecue or hot dog lunch also is available. Activities include a silent auction, jewelry sale, book sale, live '20s-to-'60s music by Times Past (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and vendor goods. In addition, for a small fee, children can visit the Shaggy Mountain Farm Petting Zoo (10 a.m.-noon). The festival benefits village programming. 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 3 at Frey Village, 1020 N. Union St., Middletown. Free admission. Info: www.freyvillageseniorliving.org, 717-930-1228. Don't Edit Strawberry Festival in York Enjoy homemade food items for lunch, supper, snacks and many different strawberry desserts (yup, even hand-dipped, chocolate-covered strawberries). There also will be an auction, bake sale, and a free bounce house and professional face painting. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 3 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Spry, 2385 S. Queen St., York. Free admission. Info: www.christspry.org, 717-741-4639. Don't Edit Strawberry Fest in Lebanon Event will be held in the churchs Word of Life Center and will feature homemade strawberry shortcake, chocolate-coated strawberries, strawberry sundaes, strawberry milkshakes and strawberry soup. In addition, hot sandwiches, chicken noodle soup and clam chowder, homemade baked goods and other food items will be available (as well as gluten-free items). Congregation members and friends will provide free musical entertainment for the duration of the event. To-go containers are available for take-out. 3-7 p.m. June 3 at Mount Zion Road Church of the Brethren, 2087 Mount Zion Road, Lebanon. Free admission. Info: 717-933-4926. Don't Edit Strawberry Festival in Bainbridge In addition to a variety of strawberry dessert items, there will be picnic fare and soup for dinner. Music will be performed by Raise the Roof. Other activities are children's games, tours, a silent auction and a quilt raffle. Noon-4 p.m. June 4 at Haldeman Mansion, 230 Locust Grove Road, Bainbridge. Free admission. Info: www.haldeman-mansion.org, elainekjackson@centurylink.net, 717 283-7740. Don't Edit Music on the Mountain: Bluegrass and Folk Vinegar Creek Constituency and Tussey Mountain Moonshiners will perform. Bring your own seating to the top of the mountain for an evening of great music. Food vendors will be ready to serve you. 3-7:30 p.m. June 4 at Kings Gap State Park, 500 Kings Gap Road, Carlisle. Free, although donations accepted. Info: www.friendsofkingsgap.org/home/music, 717-486-3799. Don't Edit Don't Edit St. Nicholas Church Picnic St. Nicholas Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church will hold its annual picnic. Entertainment will include continuous music by Sviraj and Orchestra Pobeda. Activities for the children include a special appearance by Mr. Music. And then theres the food! Roasted lamb and pork, sarma (stuffed cabbage), Serbian pastries, palacinke, walnut rolls, strudel and other ethnic foods will be available for purchase. Noon-8 p.m. June 4 at Serb Park, 1131 Eisenhower Blvd., Swatara Twp. Free admission and parking. Info: www.stnicholasssteelton.org, 717-939-3872. Don't Edit NASA "The Great American Eclipse" Join us for a presentation by Robert Naeye, the former editor-in-chief of Sky and Telescope Magazine. He will talk about the first total solar eclipse to take place in the continental United States, coming up on Aug. 21, since 1979. 2 p.m. June 4 at Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Ave. Free, although registration is required. Info: www.hersheylibrary.org, 717-533-6555. Don't Edit Sunday Morning Yoga Sponsored by the Friends of Kings Gap, Yoga Instructor Kristiana Amberger leads a Sunday morning yoga session. The program is appropriate for all levels, beginner to experienced, as Amberger will offer modifications for poses based on ability. A limited supply of mats will be available, so please bring your own if possible. 10 a.m. June 4 at Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center, 500 Kings Gap Road, Carlisle. The program will be held every Sunday through July 9. Classes are held rain or shine (indoors or outdoors depending on the weather). Attend as many sessions as you are able. Sign-up is not necessary, but visit the website prior to event for updates or possible cancellations. Info: www.events.dcnr.pa.gov. Don't Edit Beginner's Yoga & Walk Join yoga instructor Traci Wolfe for a guided 3.1-mile walk around Wildwood with stops along the way for simple yoga exercises. The walk will begin in the front of the nature center. Assume cancelled if it is raining. Dress for the weather. Appropriate for ages 12 through adults. 10 a.m. June 4 at Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg. Free. Pre-registration is not required. Info: www.wildwoodlake.org, 717-221-0292. Don't Edit Community Plant Swap Join Fredricksen for its very first plant swap. Here's a chance to share what you have an abundance of and find something new for your garden. Bring as many plants as you would like to take home. Plants should be divided in advance and in container, labeled with their name if possible, and the type of conditions in which they grow best (shade, sun, etc.). No invasive plants, please. Master Gardeners will be on site to help categorize and answer questions. 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. June 4 at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill. Free. Info: www.fredricksenlibrary.org, 717-761-3900. Don't Edit Don't Edit Keystone Concert Band Keystone Concert Band's concert theme is "That's Entertainment," featuring a variety of pops favorites, medleys, and musicals 3 p.m. June 4 at Historic Peace Church, St. Johns Church and Trindle roads, Hampden Twp. Free. Info: www.keystoneconcertband.com, 614-216-9811. Don't Edit Looking for more fun things to do? Lisa Wardle | lwardle@pennlive.com To mark the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Google thought it would be fun to take a look at the masses who can't spell as well as those contest finalists. Google Trends this week published a map of the top results for "How to spell ..." in each state between Jan. 1 and April 30. The company proved it has problems with spelling itself, first tweeting out "nintey" as the spelling most searched in Washington, D.C. Here's the list. Take notes. Don't Edit Alabama: pneumonia This word does not have the most intuitive spelling. It's easy to forget the "P" or transpose the "U" and "E," but the real question is why Alabamans are Googling it. You could pin some of it on the saying "When one community gets a cold, another community gets pneumonia" or a recent news story about a Marine who died of the illness. Stay healthy, Alabama. Don't Edit Alaska: schedule Trains, planes and cruises out of Alaska all operate on schedules, even if the people taking those modes of transportation can't spell the word. Don't Edit Arizona: tomorrow Arizona residents are either always looking ahead or they love "Annie." Don't Edit Arkansas: chihuahua There are so many chihuahuas in Arkansas the state has a rescue organization solely for that breed. Don't Edit Don't Edit This Sept. 25, 2012 photo shows Banner Peak in the Ansel Adams Wilderness outside Yosemite National Park in California. (AP Photo/John Pain) California: beautiful This was the most recurring word on the map with five instances. Californians may be trying to describe the spectacular parks and beaches, or perhaps they're describing each other. A compliment doesn't mean quite as much if you didn't take the time to spellcheck, after all. Don't Edit Colorado: tomorrow Being diagonal from Arizona, perhaps the ability to spell (or lack thereof) crosses borders. Don't Edit Connecticut: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious This word is long, but spelled like you'd imagine it because it was invented simply for the sake of being a long word. The history of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is steeped in conflict. Disney and "Mary Poppins" songwriters Robert and Richard Sherman were sued for copyright infringement after the film's release. One man who penned the similarly titled "Supercalafajalistickespeealadojus" in 1949 claimed he invented the word. In reality, use has been traced back to a 1931 issue of Syracuse University's student paper. Don't Edit Delaware: hallelujah Sixty-nine percent of Delaware adults identify as Christian, just less than the nationwide average of 70.6 percent. If the search wasn't religious in nature, perhaps Delaware residents can't get enough of Leonard Cohen. Don't Edit Florida: receipt Blame Latin for this spelling. The "P" comes from the Latin word for "received." Don't Edit Don't Edit A traveler walks outside the downtown Chicago Greyhound bus station Friday, Feb. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Georgia: gray We'll be honest, Georgia: You can spell the color with either an "A" or an "E" and people will understand. The former spelling is American and the latter British. However, the British spelling permeates our language in the form of greyhound and earl grey tea. We just like to be different from those other English spellers. Don't Edit Hawaii: people We'll just leave this here. Don't Edit World War II veterans William Abernathy, left, and George Lynch read a President Harry S. Truman quote while touring the World War II Memorial in Washington, Thursday, April 29, 2004. (AP Photo/Lauren Burke) Idaho: quote This one baffled us. Alternative spellings like "kwote" and "quoat" both look unexpected, so we don't know what Idahoans are thinking. Don't Edit Illinois: appreciate Aw, Illinois, we appreciate you too. Don't Edit Indiana: hallelujah Mark another one for religion and/or Leonard Cohen. Don't Edit Don't Edit A man vacuums the stairs at the Democratic National Convention on July 27, 2016, in Philadelphia. (Sean Simmers, PennLive.com) Iowa: vacuum Yep, that's a weird word. There are only a few examples of English words with a double "U" and vacuum, unlike continuum, doesn't sound like it features that treatment. Don't Edit Kansas: diamond Is Kansas about to propose? Oklahoma has been so patient. Don't Edit In this Aug. 3, 2011, file photo, tour participants stand in the rotunda area of Mammoth Cave in Mammoth Cave National Park, Ky. With more than 400 miles of passageways explored, Mammoth Cave is by far the world's longest cave system. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File) Kentucky: beautiful And here's another for the beautiful camp. Don't Edit Louisiana: giraffe The timing of this survey overlaps with the rise of internet celebrity April the giraffe, so we wouldn't be surprised if she had something to do with this search. The state's Global Wildlife Center also welcomed its own baby giraffe in March. Don't Edit Maine: pneumonia ... and another for the sick crowd. Don't Edit Don't Edit (Steven Damron via Flickr.com) Maryland: special Maryland is quite special, being the only state where this word appeared on the list. Maybe they should buy a box of Special K cereal and keep it on the counter so the spelling sticks. Don't Edit Massachusetts: license Perhaps Massachusetts residents love keeping their documentation and identification up-to-date. Don't Edit Michigan: pneumonia ... seriously, maybe you states should go to a hospital. Don't Edit Minnesota: beautiful The land of 10,000 lakes contains many gorgeous natural scenes. Don't Edit Brooks Brunson, left, kisses his son Thomas Brunson-Pitts, 6 months, held by their nanny, goodbye while leaving for work in Washington, on Thursday, May 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Mississippi: nanny It must be a good time to work in childcare in Mississippi. Don't Edit Don't Edit Nick Blase with True North Management Services gathers his equipment as he prepares to climb a cellular phone tower to perform maintenance on Monday, May 22, 2017 in High Ridge, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) Missouri: maintenance Missouri needs some repairs, we guess. "Maintenance" is on Oxford Dictionary's list of most difficult words to spell because writers are wont to include the word "maintain." Don't Edit Montana: surprise We heard that Montana residents are great at surprise parties. Don't Edit Nebraska: suspicious Given what Nebraska's neighbors are doing these days -- college, vacuum, diamond, priority, maintenance, tomorrow -- we would be suspicious too. What are those college kids planning? Don't Edit (Pat Guiney via Flickr.com) Nevada: available Nevadans are trying to sell something, we guess. At least the Craigslist ad will feature proper spelling. Don't Edit New Hampshire: difficult Spelling can be so diffikult. Don't Edit Don't Edit New Jersey: twelve Counting is easy. Spelling is hard. That's why we made the first ten so easy. Don't Edit New Mexico: banana It's uncommon for a popular song to literally spell words. The top examples that come to mind are "Respect" by Aretha Franklin and "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani. New Mexicans can listen to that 2005 hit on repeat until it sticks. Don't Edit New York: beautiful New York has so many remarkable landmarks and intermingling cultures, not to mention a fashion industry and frequent runway shows. There are many things people could be describing with this often-misspelled word. Don't Edit North Carolina: angel Just remember: an angle can be right, but it won't be found in heaven. Don't Edit North Dakota: dilemma Spelling this word can be a dilemma in itself. Is it two "L"s or one? Should you go with a double "M" or an "MN"? Just breathe and Google the answer. Don't Edit Don't Edit This April 24, 2016 file photo shows visitors on a walkway overlooking Brandywine Falls at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Sagamore Hills, Ohio. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz, File) Ohio: beautiful Everything is beautiful, apparently. Don't Edit Oklahoma: patient This could be the medical term or mean someone able to wait. Sometimes they are one in the same. Don't Edit Oregon: sense Oregonians might simply love homonyms and be researching the difference between "sense," "cents" and "scents." ... or they're attempting to develop extrasensory perception. Don't Edit It's a tradition in central Pennsylvania to eat pork and sauerkraut on Jan. 1. (PennLive file photo) Pennsylvania: sauerkraut The Pennsylvania Dutch gave us delicious pickled cabbage. We don't need to know how to spell it if we can eat it instead. Don't Edit Rhode Island: liar Geez, Rhode Island! What are you accusing people of lying about? This is the shortest word on the trend map. Its increase may be related to the frequent use by President Donald Trump, or maybe Rhode Island residents have some trust issues to work out. Don't Edit Don't Edit Andre, a 7-year-old Chihuahua, gets pet before competing in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 26, 2015, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) South Carolina: chihuahua Here is another popular dog state. Don't Edit South Dakota: college Spelling it is the first step to a getting accepted and earning a degree. Just stay on that track, South Dakotans. Don't Edit Tennessee: chaos What is going on in Tennessee? We see how the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final have gone, and it's not looking too good. Don't Edit Workers remove sludge, rocks and trash from a section of the San Antonio River Walk that was been drained for maintenance, clean up and repairs, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Texas: maintenance Texans tie for having the longest word on this list that isn't "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." Don't Edit Utah: disease If it's a fatal disease, maybe "diesease" would be more appropriate--but it's still wrong so don't try it. Don't Edit Don't Edit A European, right, and Union flags are displayed outside Europe House, the European Parliament's British offices, in London, Wednesday, June 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Vermont: Europe Vermont needs a vacation. We hear Europe is nice this time of year. Don't Edit Washington: pneumonia ... and another sick state. Get off Google and get to the hospital. Don't Edit Washington, D.C.: ninety Politicians should just use the numerals and move on. Don't Edit West Virginia: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious We're betting no one in West Virginia actually uses this word in regular conversation. Don't Edit Wisconsin: Wisconsin Read it and weep. Wisconsinites don't know how to spell their own state's name. Congratulations to everyone else for at least passing that bar. Don't Edit Don't Edit In this Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, file photo, packages wait to be sorted in a Post Office as U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Michael McDonald, gathers mail to load into his truck before making his delivery run, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Wyoming: priority Our advice: spend more time at the post office. Don't Edit More state comparisons Even if his cell got smelly, a state prison inmate can't sue jail officials because his toilet didn't work when the facility experienced a three-day water cut-off due to a plumbing problem, a Commonwealth Court panel has ruled. While inconvenient, the problem didn't equate to cruel and unusual punishment, Senior Judge Dan Pellegrini concluded in a recent opinion dismissing prisoner Sidney Martin's complaint. And, the judge found, prison officials are immune from such suits. Martin's legal gripe stemmed from a March 2015 water outage that hit the state prison at Albion. Prison officials provided drinking water and portable toilets, although Martin claimed the latter became quite unsanitary. He contended that prisoners weren't allowed to leave their cells overnight to use the temporary facilities. Prison officials countered that the toilets were cleaned twice daily, Pellegrini noted, and that prisoners could request permission for nighttime bathroom runs. Martin claimed two prison staffers denied his requests to use the portable toilets and that one told him, "You will go when we say you can go." He said he had to defecate in a plastic bag, a potato chip bag and a coffee bag and had to urinate in Styrofoam cups. Pellegrini found that prison officials "acted reasonably" during the water crisis and that Martin "was not deprived of the minimal civilized measure of life's necessities." "While the lack of water and toilet facilities were certainly unpleasant, they did not rise to the standard to show cruel and unusual punishment," the judge wrote. Court records show Martin, 45, is serving a life sentence for a 1992 murder committed in Philadelphia. A state appeals court has ruled that police didn't need a search warrant to test blood found on a suspected killer's shoes to determine if it contained the victim's DNA. The Superior Court judges made that decision this week, rejecting convicted murderer David Smith's argument that the warrantless testing violated his medical privacy rights. Instead, Judge Paula Francisco Ott wrote in the state court opinion that Philadelphia police had legal sanction for the testing because they confiscated Smith's blood-spattered shoes during his lawful arrest for the July 2012 slaying of Andre Strum. The 35-year-old Smith is serving a life sentence for shooting Strum and robbing him of around $2,800. In his appeal to the state court, Smith argued that prosecutors should have been barred from using the DNA evidence that linked him to the crime. He contended that, after seizing his shoes, police should have secured a separate search warrant to authorize the DNA testing. Ott called that argument "unavailing." She noted that "historically no separate warrant has ever been required to conduct scientific testing upon physical evidence lawfully obtained by the commonwealth," she wrote. Smith's medical privacy wasn't breached, she concluded, "because the relevant DNA was not his," but was Strum's. "Smith's general concern that the government might use any DNA sample of his to obtain private medical information about him is nothing more than speculation," Ott wrote. "As such, the government does not require a warrant to conduct such analysis any more than it needs a warrant to take an arrested person's fingerprints," she found. Marilyn Frank February 20, 1934 - May 31, 2017 Clear Lake - Marilyn Frank, 83, of Clear Lake, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. Her son and daughter were at her side. A Memorial Service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St. Clear Lake, with Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson officiating. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. A time of food and fellowship will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The family suggests that any memorials be directed to Hospice of North Iowa whose wonderful staff have been so kind and helpful during both Bud's and Marilyn's last days. Marilyn Frank was born on February 20, 1934, in Kanawha, IA, to Selmer and Clara (Jackson) Anderson. Her family moved to Clear Lake where she graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1952. She met her future husband at the Surf Ballroom when he was home on leave from the service. She married Emmanuel Bud Frank on April 11, 1953, in Mason City, IA. They resided in Clear Lake most of their lives. They had four children, Daniel, Mike, Michelle, and Douglas. They were blessed to have shared 57 years together before his passing on August 31, 2010. In retirement Bud and Marilyn spent 16 wonderful winters in Texas enjoying dancing, jams, hiking, biking, swimming, and all the great activities there. They also loved traveling and camping and hiking along the North Shore of Lake Superior. They shared an interest in antiquing and had a lot of fun at Gold Rush, auctions, flea markets, and garage sales collecting antiques. For several years they sold antiques in Clear Lake and named their shop Memories. After Bud passed away, their children and grandchildren presented Marilyn with an engraved brick just outside the Surf Ballroom entrance with their names and the word Memories on it as a double meaning for the memories they have meeting and dancing at the Surf Ballroom as well as memories of their antiquing days. Marilyn loved spending time with her family and was very active and supportive in their lives. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends from church and her local swimming group known as the Aquabelles. Bud and Marilyn were active members of the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church for many years. Marilyn most recently was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Mike Frank of Clear Lake and Michelle Hamel and her husband Tim of Rochester, MN; four grandchildren, Andrea Frank, Amanda Reb and her husband Jeremiah, Joshua Hamel, and Stephanie Hamel; three great-grandchildren, Elijah, Josiah and Jaxon, and other extended family. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bud, two sons, and one sister. Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, IA 50428 (641)357-2193 ColonialChapels.com Hillcrest Women's Medical Center in Harrisburg has violated Pennsylvania health laws for the fourth time in six years. The facility at 2709 N. Front St. was cited for numerous issues including improper staffing, expired medications and medical supplies, and failing to follow anesthesia policies for surgical abortions, according to the state Department of Health. The state department conducted the inspection in February during an annual registration survey, and the report was recently made public. Among the violations, Hillcrest did not have a registered nurse on staff and twice failed to provide documentation showing that its physician was board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. The facility also was not in compliance with the Child Protective Services Law. Hillcrest treats patients younger than 18, but at least eight employees did not have the required background checks. The state health department reviewed 12 patient records and found all 12 patients went without nursing care and were not monitored while recovering from anesthesia. For seven of those Hillcrest patients, no anesthesia records exist at all. There also was no evidence of testing or recording a patient's blood type prior to surgery. The inspection also revealed drug samples were not secured and were accessible to unauthorized staff and patients. Some medications at Hillcrest were stored a year or more after their expiration dates (a repeat violation). That includes 20 chlamydia and gonorrhea swabs that expired in 2004. Additionally, seven needles and syringes were "in paper wraps that were physically deteriorated and yellow with age," according to the inspection report. Hillcrest was also cited for not having a plan or program to improve patient care. An executive in charge at the facility could not immediately be reached. Department of Health records indicate Hillcrest has since hired a registered nurse, discarded expired medications and medical supplies, plans to provide proper board certification for its physician and will complete background checks this month. Hillcrest has until Aug. 31 to make corrections and comply with state laws, the health department said. WASHINGTON -- A Pennsylvania doctor who authorities say was arrested at Trump International Hotel with guns will live in Georgia while awaiting trial. A federal judge on Friday said 43-year-old Navy veteran Bryan Moles of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, must participate in a mental health evaluation and treatment at a Veterans Affairs facility in Atlanta. He must also stay away from Washington unless the visit is connected to his case, and when in Washington he must stay away from the Trump Hotel and the White House. Moles also agreed to surrender his firearms. He faces charges of unlawful possession and transportation of a firearm. He was not licensed to carry a gun in the District of Columbia, which has strict gun laws, authorities said. Armed with an assault-style rifle and a handgun, Moles told an acquaintance that he was driving to see the president and that he had survival supplies and enough ammunition to make his car resemble Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh "on a camping trip," according to charging documents filed Thursday. The documents describe Moles as a recovering alcoholic and marijuana addict suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He served in the Navy from 1992 to 2006. Before driving to the nation's capital, Moles left voicemails for an acquaintance calling himself "a refugee intent on bringing down big pharmacy and big business medicine," the documents said. He also mentioned of Olympic Park Bomber Eric Rudolph, who was convicted of perpetrating multiple acts of domestic terrorism. Authorities said a tipster contacted them about the messages and they arrested Moles. In Moles' hotel room, investigators found a safe with $10,000 inside, and he told authorities that he'd emptied his bank account "in order to live the life he always wanted before it was too late," according to the charging documents. He left $4.19 in his account, corresponding to the date of McVeigh's bombing of a federal building on April 19, 1995. The blast killed 168 people. Moles told investigators he once wrote a term paper on McVeigh. Pennsylvania records show Moles renewed his license to practice medicine in October 2016. A spokeswoman at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center system said he had been placed on administrative leave there some time before Wednesday's arrest. His hometown is Edinboro, in northwestern Pennsylvania. Jessica Gresko and Juliet Linderman of the Associated Press wrote the story. Pension reform is officially back on the table in the Pennsylvania Legislature. The state Senate Appropriations Committee has scheduled a meeting for Sunday evening to amend in proposed language of a long-sought reform to the state's major public employee pension plans. The latest effort is a continuation of work that started in the 2015-16 legislative session, but ended last fall with the Republican-led House and Senate unable to attain passage of a common plan. Quiet negotiations resumed earlier this year, and have now apparently resulted in language that will accomplish a cherished GOP goal of moving state workers and school teachers into a 401(k)-style retirement plan. While that is not likely to address the severe budgetary hangover created by a major enhancement of pension benefits in 2001, legislative leaders have maintained that it will keep the current situation from getting dramatically worse. The 2001 changes - and a cascade of reactions that have followed - have caused the tax-funded cost of Pennsylvania's pension obligations to explode from under $1 billion in 2010 to a projected $6.4 billion in fiscal 2017-18. Details of the new reform plan - including projected long-term saving, if any, or the effect on future hires' retirement security - were not immediately available. But sources close to the negotiations have suggested it will create three options for newly-hired state employees and public school teachers starting in 2019. The options include two types of a "hybrid" plan that pairs a small guaranteed benefit based on years service and salary, with a defined contribution plan of the type commonly used at many private sector businesses. Those hybrid plans would have slightly different formulas, based on the level of payroll deductions for retirement the worker authorizes from his or her regular paycheck. The third option, sources said, would be a straight-up defined contribution plan. While the proposal is said not to make any changes to benefits plans for current employees, they would have the option, sources said, to choose one of the three new options going forward. What seems to be different politically this time is that House Republicans - who have been unable to pass pension legislation on their own in the last several legislative sessions - may have finally breached what has been a solid wall of opposition in the House Democratic caucus. If there is even a small level of support for a reform bill from the Democrats, the bill's chances of reaching Gov. Tom Wolf's desk are greatly enhanced. Wolf, in a rather big pivot from his candidate days when he often said the state pension plans' design wasn't the problem, has indicated a willingness to sign a plan design change now. "We have the matrix of a good pension reform bill," he told reporters after an appearance this winter. "... I'm happy willing to sign a pension reform bill that makes it to my desk." Wolf's public sector union allies are anxiously awaiting more details on the plan. Reached for this story, David Fillman, executive director of District Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said he could not comment yet because he has not seen final version of the plan. AFSCME Council 13 is the largest of the state employees' unions. If the amendment goes in Sunday evening, Senate Republican spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher said, plans are for a final passage vote on Monday. The bill would then move to the state House for consideration later in the week. In a scathing letter to the Penn State Board of Trustees, the parents of a university sophomore who died in February after falling several times during a fraternity hazing party while profoundly intoxicated excoriated university officials for their part in their son's death. In the letter, James and Evelyn Piazza appealed to administrators to fulfill their obligation to look after students and reject what they say is a culture of denial and complacency. "You, the [Board of Trustees], have a significant obligation to do the right things, not the popular things to appease a small group of alumni who still do not get it, to make Greek Life and all life safer at Penn State," James and Evelyn Piazza wrote in the letter, which is dated May 31. "Our son died on your watch because of ignorance and denial by Penn State. Yes, he died at the hands of Men who had no regard for human life, but that behavior was fostered and accepted at Penn State for a long time." Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge at Penn State's Beta Theta Pi, died after drinking a "life threatening" amount of alcohol and falling down the stairs. It took hours for members of the fraternity to call 911, and when they did it was too late. Authorities have criminally charged 18 members of the fraternity, among the charges conspiracy to cover up their involvement. A grand jury report found that Timothy Piazza died as a direct result of the extremely reckless conduct of members of the fraternity "who operated within the permissive atmosphere fostered by the Pennsylvania State University Interfraternity Council." In their letter, Piazza's parents blast the university for what they said was the enabling of a long history of harsh hazing, excessive drinking and sexual assaults in its Greek system. "Penn State also has a long history of looking the other way at difficult situations," the Piazzas wrote in their letter. "This must stop and all those who are part of turning a blind eye must be held accountable, just as the individuals who committed the crimes and recklessness should be held accountable." An attorney representing the Piazzas, who live in Lebanon, New Jersey, said they have been assured that their letter will be presented to the Board of Trustees when they convene Friday to discuss a course of action for the Greek system. READ MORE: Penn State students arraigned: See who is charged in the fraternity death case Penn State trustees are meeting to consider new student safety measures that president Eric Barron said "will depart drastically from measures commonly employed at institutions nationwide." Barron has signaled willingness to dismantle the system in the wake of persistent violations of regulations put in place in after Piazza's death. He is scheduled to make an announcement on Friday. In their letter, the Piazzas state they are not trying to dismantle Greek life at Penn State but to ensure the safety of all students. "Greek Life at Penn State is broken and must be fixed," they write. "You have an obligation to either fix it or admit that you cannot make it work." The Piazzas outline more than a dozen recommendations they say must be implemented to ensure the university safeguard the welfare and lives of all students. Among their recommendations, the Piazzas appeal to the university to help advocate for reform to hazing legislation; advocating for stricter statutes and extending those statutes possibly up to 10 years; A broader Good Samaritan Law that would give an individual the ability to confidently call for help without risk of getting in trouble and the victim not getting in trouble. They also call for stricter policies and procedures in oversight of fraternities and sororities. These policies and procedures should include: A ban on hazing; defining hazing laws as rigorously as state and federal laws; The expulsion of anyone who fails to promptly report hazing; Stringent alcohol policies that call for the expulsion of anyone providing minors with alcohol; Implementing spot checks on fraternities; Immediate suspension of fraternities that violates the code of conduct. In addition, the Piazzas call for the expulsion of any students who, they say, the university knows to be culpable in their son's death. They refer to a video obtained by authorities that lays out the events of the night leading to their son's lethal injuries. "Many of the responsible students are clearly identifiable. Inaction against the students is hypocritical," they wrote. "I realize some of the students are children of alumni and prominent business figures in Pa., but they committed serious crimes [many of them committed these same crimes for years] and it is on video. What are you waiting for? It is time to act." READ MORE: A night of shrugging it off: Frat cameras show some care, concern for dying student, but no action They also call for the termination of any administrator "who turned a blind eye to the issues in Greek Life," including Damon Sims and Tim Bream. The latter lived in the fraternity house as adviser and was present on the night of the hazing event. Sims, the Vice President for Student Affairs, has played a key role in the sanctions placed on Greek life in the wake of Piazza's death. "He knew about the problems. He led the Task Force which by its own admission was ineffective," the Piazzas wrote. They said the recommendations are only a starting point for them. "Once again, our son died on your watch," the Piazzas wrote. "We will never see him again because of the administration's failures to protect him and turning a blind eye to known problems. You now have an obligation to make the appropriate statements and changes to make sure this never happens again. The world is watching. Take the lead and do the right thing!" The attorney for the parents of the Penn State sophomore who died in February after being fatally injured in an alcohol-fueled hazing event at a fraternity on Friday expressed outrage and disappointment in the university's newly announced safety recommendations intended to ensure Greek life student safety. Thomas Kline, who represents Jim and Evelyn Piazza, described the measures announced by university president Eric Barron as being heavy on aesthetic but lacking in substance. "The announcement today did not measure up," Kline said during a phone interview from Philadelphia. "And while aspirational and positive, as of today not one actual change was implemented." Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge at Penn State's Beta Theta Pi, died after drinking a "life threatening" amount of alcohol and falling down the stairs. It took hours for members of the fraternity to call 911, and when they did it was too late. Authorities have criminally charged 18 members of the fraternity, among the charges conspiracy to cover up their involvement. Tom Kline, the attorney representing the parents of Timothy Piazza, on Friday blasted Penn State officials for handing down fraternity safety recommendations that, he said, were weak on substance. Piazza was 19 when he died after falling multiple times while drunk at a fraternity hazing event at Penn State. Kline represented one of the Jerry Sandusky victims. JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News Kline said the language in the resolution - that of referring to possible future adoption and ratification by the board - diffuses any potential punch. "This resolution while it has many good features and many aspirationally positive things, truly kicks the can down road." Central to the measures outlined by Barron is the transfer of control of Greek organizations from that of self-governance to the administration. Barron said the control transfer is designed to curb excessive and dangerous drinking and hazing activities that widely take place across Greek organizations. Among other recommendations: the permanent revocation of the university's recognition of any Greek organization that engages in hazing involving alcohol, physical abuse or any behavior that puts a student's mental or physical health at risk deferring recruitment for Greek organizations until students have completed a specified number of credits monitoring of social events by university employees a possible fee on students who join fraternities and sororities to cover the cost of extra services that the university has to provide in terms of monitoring compliance with rules and education "Underage and dangerous drinking, sexual misconduct and hazing are complex issues that vex universities and colleges across the nation," Barron said ahead of the announcement. "We are committed to taking the steps necessary to promote the safety and well-being of our students." Kline blasted what he said was weak language and substance of the recommendations, all of which will inevitably have to garner approval from a slew of stakeholders, including alumni with strong ties to Greek organizations. "Those are all on the table presumably to be negotiated among various Penn State constituencies and we have a poor track record for that as it pertains to the fraternity system at Penn State once various interest groups get their hands on a proposal," said Kline, who represented one of the victims in the Jerry Sandusky case. Kline said his clients, Jim and Evelyn Piazza, had declined to comment after Barron's announcement. But he said he spoke to Jim shortly after it wrapped up, and said the couple shares his views. "The Piazzas are very mindful of the necessity to take swift and decisive action," Kline said. "On this issue they are interested in aspirational goals but more importantly, they are interested in concrete action. Today's proposal was aspirational not concrete." The Piazza's this week wrote a scathing letter to Penn State trustees accusing the university of turning a blind eye to a long history of hazing, excessive drinking and sexual assaults in its Greek system. They called on trustees to fire university employees and Greek organization members responsible for their son's death. A grand jury report found that Timothy Piazza died as a direct result of the extremely reckless conduct of members of the fraternity "who operated within the permissive atmosphere fostered by the Pennsylvania State University Interfraternity Council." Barron on Friday reiterated the university's zero tolerance for hazing and alcohol abuse. Kline said the recommendations lack a specific date by which they will be implemented. Kline compared the recommendations to a proposed legislation, which would be debated and amended, and lobbed from the president to the trustees. "They do not need an act of Congress to have changed the fraternity system today," he said. "They could have done it, if they were so outraged and horrified by the death of Timothy Piazza, a stroke of the pen could have changed it today, at least the large majority." To the consternation of Democratic foot soldiers everywhere -- the men and women who gave time, toil, sweat and tears, trying mightily to make Hillary Clinton president last year -- the candidate has examined the most serious problems that doomed her campaign ... and concluded that none were of her own making. "I take responsibility for every decision I made, but that's not why I lost," Clinton told listeners at Recode's Code Conference. She then went on to name and analyze a list of people and factors that led to her defeat last November, from ex-FBI Director James Comey to Vladimir Putin. An ever-expanding set of investigations by Congress and the Justice Department's special counsel will reveal whether any connections between the Russian government and members of the Trump campaign may have tilted the race against Clinton. Such actions, in any event, would have been beyond the control of Clinton and the Democrats. But when it comes to Clinton's touchy accusation that former President Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee were less than helpful, the awkward but important truth is that Clinton is right. For years, local Democratic groups have complained that Obama poured resources into a political organization, Obama for America (later renamed Organizing for Action) at the expense of building the party. The evidence suggests that warnings from the grassroots were ignored -- and came back to haunt and bedevil the party in 2016. "[With] all due respect to President Obama, OFA was created as a shadow party because Obama operatives had no faith in state parties," Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb told Politico earlier this year. "OFA had no faith or confidence in the state parties so they created a whole separate organization, they took money away and centralized it in D.C. They gave us a great president for eight years, but we lost everywhere else." That sentiment is backed up by Jaime Harrison, a former chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party. OFA, he says, "created a shadow organization that was recruiting the same volunteers [as the DNC], using resources from a very limited number of donors, and therefore, as a result it weakened the DNC and the impact that the DNC and state parties could have on politics during [Obama's] tenure." As Clinton ruefully recounted at the Code conference, by 2016 the national party apparatus was broken and starved of resources. "So I'm now the nominee of the Democratic Party. I inherit nothing from the Democratic Party," she said. "I mean, it was bankrupt. It was on the verge of insolvency. Its data was mediocre to poor, nonexistent, wrong. I had to inject money into it." Harsh words, but true. Ex-Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan -- one of the traditionally Democratic Midwestern states that Trump won -- advises a reuniting of Democratic efforts and energy. "OFA should fold into the DNC. Having two organizations is redundant, and dilutes and confuses the mission," she says. "Given the urgency of the moment, we need laser-like focus, with clear lanes and cohesion, not duplication." That's easier said than done, considering that Democrats face a crisis of identity and purpose. "This is a partywide failure, and it will require more than just banishing the Clintons from politics," is how Nathan Robinson, the editor of Current Affairs puts it. "If the Democrats are to have a future, they must offer something better, more honest, and more inspiring." And beyond that, they need to put together a unified party with active, effective chapters in every one of America's 3,000 counties, led by activists with the training and resources to recruit candidates, register new voters and get them to turn out on Election Day. The longer Democrats put off this crucial task, the more we'll see a party that, like Clinton, appears to be lost in a debilitating sense of denial. FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2016, file photo, people stand on the steps of the Supreme Court at sunset in Washington. Conservative groups are wasting little time in trying to deal a crippling blow to labor unions now that Justice Neil Gorsuch has joined the Supreme Court. A First Amendment clash over public sector unions left the justices deadlocked last year after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. But union opponents have quickly steered a new case through federal courts in Illinois and they plan to appeal it to the high court on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, file) Susan Rice lifts her hands to her face. She pushes aside her gray hair and wipes away tears. She turns to her family, sitting behind her in a federal court, and mouths "I love you." It may be a while before they're all together again. Rice turns back to face Judge Mark Bennett as he enters. The federal courtroom is silent except for the clang of shackles on Rice's wrists and ankles and her muffled sobs. Her emotion is perhaps unsurprising. The grandmother of three faces between five and 40 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute 5 or more grams of methamphetamine. That's the size of a packet of sugar. What is surprising -- almost stunning -- is the emotion coming from the bench. Bennett is about to sentence Rice for a crime that she admits committing, one for which she believes she deserves punishment. It's the severity of the punishment that has her and her family flabbergasted -- and the judge frustrated. Bennett seems exasperated, exhausted almost, as he explains he must sentence Rice to a full five years -- the mandatory minimum required by law. It is a sentence he deems unjust, too much for a low-level addict, just for being caught with a certain weight of drugs. Bennett makes sure the record reflects he felt strongly enough to request that Iowa's US Attorney consider waiving the mandatory minimum. He accepts the defense mitigation that Rice had never been in trouble before she was in her 50s, when she began drinking heavily after a bad divorce and was introduced to meth. She met a mid-level dealer who offered her a mattress in his basement and free meth if she would drive him around. A willing drug mule to feed her addiction? Yes. But not the drug trafficker or conspirator whom the charges and mandatory minimum sentences were designed to target, the judge believed. His plea fell on deaf ears. He was told there was no option for Rice to be treated as an exception to the law. "I strongly disagree with that decision," the judge says firmly from the bench. It is not the first time he has felt this way. Bennett says 80% of the mandatory sentences he hands down are unjust -- but that he is handcuffed by the law, which leaves no room for judicial discretion to consider a sentence based on individual circumstances of the defendant. Too often, Bennett says, low-level nonviolent drug addicts dealing to feed their habit end up being sentenced like drug kingpins. Bennett says if he had the power, he would jail Rice for perhaps a year, or 18 months. Across the street in a state courthouse, she would have been put on probation, he says. "I think it's a miscarriage of justice," Bennett says. "But you know people are entitled to their own sense of what justice is." In the courtroom, the judge lowers his head and his voice. "With the greatest of reluctance, I sentence you to 60 months," he says. Judge carries burden of his sentences Before Susan Rice even began using methamphetamine, doling out these mandatory minimum sentences was already weighing heavily on Bennett's shoulders. As the number of cases he disagreed with grew during his nearly 23 years on the bench, so did his frustration. He's watched a stream of what he considers low-level offenders going through the courts turn into a flood. It repeated across the country, overwhelming federal prisons to the extent that half of inmates were serving time for drug offenses. Bennett hoped the tide was turning after members of both parties began pushing for sentencing reform on both state and federal levels, arguing it had been a huge mistake. Now Jeff Sessions, Donald Trump's attorney general, has instructed that the law governing mandatory minimums be enforced with renewed vigor. "If you are a drug trafficker," Sessions said after issuing his memo to prosecutors, "we will not look the other way. We will not be willfully blind to your misconduct." Bennett thinks this approach is unjust. "I basically couldn't live with myself if I didn't speak out," he says, standing in the center of his courtroom only hours after sentencing Rice. "I'm compelled to talk about it because I think it's one of the gravest injustices in the history of America." Year after year, giving out those sentences, is wearing on him. "The burden of having given so many unjust sentences is a very heavy thing for me to carry around," Bennett says beginning to choke up. "I do not consider myself soft on crime, but I consider myself opposed to mandatory minimums for low level non-violent drug dealers who are basically addicts," he says. The mandatory minimum sentences affecting today's offenders stem from the mid-1980s crack epidemic and a desire to punish drug traffickers. The statutes were amended to include virtually all those involved in a drug enterprise, but a key clause was added: if an offender helped investigate or prosecute others, he or she could get a lower sentence. President Obama's first attorney general, Eric Holder, issued new guidelines for prosecutors to pick their charges carefully and not slap nonviolent or first-time offenders with the kind of offenses that would trigger mandatory minimums. It was part of the administration's bid to cut the prison population and support treatment, not incarceration, for those who were criminal only because of their addiction. The National Association of Assistant US Attorneys, made up of those who prosecute federal cases, supports Sessions' push to charge the most serious crime that is provable. "It's an effective way of protecting the public and it has served us well for an awful long time," the group's president Larry Leiser says. "People who were eligible for mandatory minimums are truly people who are involved in significant quantities of these very dangerous substances." He rejects recent efforts to relax sentencing laws. And he rejects the view the law unfairly catches non-violent addicts who are simply feeding their addiction by selling drugs. And he hails the provision that lets offenders help themselves to lower sentences if they in turn help the authorities take serious criminals off the streets. She says her sentence did not fit her crime But that reasoning has a fatal flaw for Mandy Martinson, who had to live with the consequences of the law. She was arrested with her drug dealer boyfriend and sentenced for the pound of meth and a firearm found with them. She'd been dating him for only about a month but let him and his drugs move in with her, in return for a steady supply. She got the mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison. He did not. "He got 12 years because he had more information to share ... when you have more information to share, you have more to bargain with." Martinson says. "I had only known him five weeks, I didn't have any information to bargain with." Like Rice, Martinson is clear-eyed about what she did. She regrets turning to a drug dealer for comfort, and drugs, in reaction to a previous abusive relationship. She didn't know that dealer was under investigation, and had been for two years. "I do believe I should have went to prison to serve my time for breaking the law," Martinson says. But Martinson takes issue with the conspiracy charge that she says held her accountable for everything her then-boyfriend had done before they even met. She was sentenced as if she were a drug dealer -- a sentence that does not fit the crime she admits to committing, she said. She wasn't sentenced by Bennett, but by another man who also thought her sentence unfair, she said. Judge James Gritzner agreed she was no kingpin, but felt he had no choice but to sentence her using laws intended for one, according to court documents. By the time of her sentencing, Martinson was clean, had returned to work and was in the throes of fixing her life. Gritzner acknowledged he believed Martinson posed little threat in the future. Given the choice, he would have imprisoned her for 7.5 to 10 years. But he did not have that choice. Still, Martinson took comfort -- a judge believed in her. Once in prison she met another. Bennett has been visiting prisoners for years, including some he's sentenced and some he has not, to see how they struggle with the long, mandatory terms, but also how they try to turn their lives around -- often becoming rehabilitated long before they are set to be released, he says. Listening to Bennett gave Martinson another sign she had not been treated fairly. "I thought, 'Well, there's two judges that I've heard directly out of their mouths say they're against mandatory minimum sentencing,'" Martinson remembers thinking while hearing Bennett in prison. "I thought, 'why doesn't it change?" She filed appeal after appeal against the length of her sentence. And then a third, very important man came out on her side. In one of his final executive acts, President Obama commuted her sentence. She was released after serving 12 years and three months. Martinson is grateful to be free now but will forever mourn the years lost to a longer sentence -- the prime years of her life when she planned to settle down and have a family. It took away from her being able to care for her mother, Cindy, who got cancer during Martinson's ninth year in prison. She can't help but think that if the judge could have given her the lesser sentence he thought was proper, she could have cared for her mother in her last few months at their home in Mason City, Iowa. Instead, in the months before her mother died, Martinson got just four hours with her. She was not allowed to attend the funeral. Today, she is still grateful to be out, to be sitting in the family home. And she is happy to add her voice to the variety of people making arguments against mandatory minimum sentences and the push to have Congress change the law. Those now include more than a dozen state attorneys general who sent Sessions a letter asking him to rescind his criminal charging guidance. "While this policy may seem on the surface to be tough on crime, there is strong data suggesting that it is neither smart on crime nor fair on justice," argued the attorneys general. Bennett will continue to fight alongside them for lasting changes. But he also has a chance to see redemption on a small scale. He now oversees Mandy Martinson's parole and -- if and when she shows she is ready and when she has fully paid her debt to society -- he could end her probation and welcome her back to freedom. CNN's Stephanie Becker contributed to this report. Inside A Refugee Camp in Bulgaria Story by Judith Fein, photos by Paul Ross Wanting to get a closer look at the refugees her guide hates so much, a visitor to Bulgaria tours the immigrant neighborhood and camp. It was easy to fall in love with Bulgaria and the people as my husband Paul and I bounced from eating the home cooked meals of grandmas to ancient Thracian tombs. As we moved from mountain vistas over fog-swaddled valleys to the intimate workshop of a bagpipe maker, we wandered around with dopey grins and hugged a lot of strangers. One thing really bothered me, however. Our Bulgarian guide was very bitter about refugees in his country. He had a long list of sticking points. His mother retired from a high-level job "and her pension is less than half of what refugees are given by the government." If refugees "were really fleeing violence and trauma they would have identification papers with them, so why did they have no passports or ID of any kind? Refugees "burned the flag of Bulgaria and had no gratitude." They "ruined formerly lovely neighborhoods by opening kabob places and shisha shops." They "litter the streets" and they "want to do bad things and blow people up like terrorists in Western Europe." "The only good thing about them is that they consider Bulgaria a poor country and just want to pass through to go to richer countries in Europe. So they don't stay long. Believe me," our guide continued, "if they were really just fleeing violence they would consider this paradise. They would work the fertile land. Eat our good food. Enjoy the beauty." Shisha in Sofia "Can you take us to the neighborhood where they live?" I asked. He couldn't understand why I was interested but he drove us there and parked. "This was a beautiful neighborhood in Sofia and look at it now," he groused. On one street, some of the old houses were pastel hued and featured early 20th century or late l9th century architectural trims and design elements. The street was lined with small shops that sold three things: Middle Eastern food, house cleaning products, and water pipesnarguila or shisha, depending upon which name you use. I asked our guide if we could walk down some other streets and he got impatient and said they were all the same. "You already saw how it is, " he insisted. Refusing to take no for an answer, I walked ahead of the guide, turning down another street. I couldn't believe that there were so many water pipe shops in such a small area. Did everyone just sit around puffing on scented and flavored tobacco and exhale smoke all day? I walked into one of the shops and talked to the owner and his friend in whatever garbled languages I could summon. It turned out they were Kurds from Iraq. I did not know if they spoke Bulgarian because our guide resolutely refused to speak to them. I asked if they had been in refugee camps. They said yes and it was very bad. No food. No money. No work. I finally implored our guide to ask how they got money to open a small store. They said the shopkeeper's brother had sent the funds from Iraq. When our guide walked away, visibly huffing and frowning, I asked if they like Bulgaria. They said the wages are very low, the cops are not nice to them, and some people don't particularly like them. I found them to be extremely friendly and open. "Shukran," I said, thanking them for speaking with me. I walked out into the street and saw a man who looked either Iraqi or Syrian. It turned out he was the former. I asked if he had a store and he replied, in English, "Bread." "Yes, yes, khubz," I exclaimed, using the Arabic word for bread. "Nimshee nekel," I said in Tunisian Arabic, meaning I was going to eat. I pointed towards his bread shop. A wondrous display of fresh breads was lined up in the window, and inside the bakery a workman with a long wooden spatula tended to the baking breads in a large, rounded, earthen oven. I pointed to a flatbread that we had eaten when we visited Syria, before the country disintegrated into violence. It was round, and covered in a delicious paste made of herbs, one of which was cumin. Paul took out money to pay and the Iraqi man adamantly refused. I thanked him profusely and left the shop. We savored a large piece of the bread. The guide refused to take a bite. When he heard me ponder why there were so many water pipe shops he mumbled that smoking shisha is very trendy among young Bulgarians. I smiled. It meant they came into this neighborhood to shop and didn't shun the streets like our guide did. To the Refugee Camp Now emboldened by contact with refugees who were open, friendly, and generous, I asked our guide if he could take us to a refugee camp. Surprisingly, he had no objection, but he did say that they wouldn't let us in. We drove across Sofia to the outskirts of town. He pointed to an empty, squat, gray concrete building and said locals called it Paradise Hotel. How could that be? It had no windowpanes and looked like an abandoned construction site. He said that was where illegal immigrants lived. I winced. Paradise Hotel. A cynical name, indeed. We drove for a few minutes and our guide stopped the car. To our left were a few nondescript, multi-story cement buildings with a lot of windows. To our right were women sitting on a grassy knoll. One or two had their hair covered with scarves. "Refugees?" I asked our guide who frowned and said yes. I waved hello and walked down the gentle slope towards them. They smiled and waved back and beckoned for me to sit next to them on the grass. I did. They indicated that they lived in the buildings. I had expected to find tents and was relieved they had a roof over their heads at night, and a grassy field, sunshine, and fresh air during the day when the weather was good. Continue to Page 2 Compassionate Education Versus Dark Tourism at an Oregon Mental Hospital Story and photos by Teresa Bergen A writer visiting the Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health, the historic building where One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest was filmed, tries to suppress her morbid curiosity. When I drove up to the Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health in Salem, Oregon, I was expecting an old building stuffed with interesting relics. I'd missed the fact that this is still an enormous working mental hospital with 700 patients and a corresponding number of staff. The razor wire running along the top of one fence attests to the fact that eighty percent of the inmates are "forensic patients," also known as the criminally insane. Nope, this wouldn't be an ordinary history museum visit, the past neatly divorced from the present. I'd been itching to visit the mental hospital museum ever since it opened in 2012. Like many people, I have a fascination with certain sites that seem heavy, strange, and spooky. In tourism lingo, this is called "dark tourism" and means visiting sites of death, suffering and the macabre. For example, concentration camps, prisons, sites of torture and tragedy. Some are quite popular: think Ground Zero in New York City, Tuol Sleng torture center and the killing fields of Cambodia, and ghost tours. Of course, Salem's mental health museum is not as dark as most of these places; while it was a site of suffering and tragedy, there were also cures, breakthroughs and healing. Often, people's impulses are mixed. Sites like killing fields and concentration camps are educational and important historicallyGod forbid we forget that humans around the world have decided that genocide is a good idea. But when you get just a little gleefully over-fascinated with the particulars of torture and suffering, that's the uncomfortable side of dark tourism. The study of history is noble. The other part? I think it's a better-her-than-me sort of feeling. Life is such a crapshoot. I could have been an educated person in Cambodia in 1974 or a Jew in Germany in 1940, or an uppity Oregon housewife committed to an asylum by my husband in 1890. My family has what's probably a typical mix of issues: alcoholism, developmentmental disability, depression, schizophrenia, seizure disorder, anxiety. In the early days of mental health treatment, we could have all been thrown in one institution together. Dark tourism is a flirtation with mortality, and with the realization that that unfortunate sucker could have been me. It wasn't though, so I can safely admire the shiny lobotomy tools. Founding a Museum for the Mentally Ill The museum was officially closed the day I was in Salem, but museum board president Kathryn Dysart had agreed to meet me for a personal tour. Like most of the staff, she's a volunteer. Dysart is part of the group that founded the museum. Her former job of communications director for a school district shows in her articulate explanations of the exhibits and her upfront messaging. "We don't talk about schizophrenics here," she tells me. "We talk about people that suffer from schizophrenia. We use people-first vocabulary. These are people who have their own stories besides mental illness." She does not indulge dark tourists. While ghost hunter websites tout the spooky potential of the old mental hospital, Dysart isn't going there. No paranormal stuff, she states, preempting my ghost questions. "We dont ever get involved in that dehumanizing conversation." The museum is housed in what's left of the original red brick 1880s building. It was built in accordance with Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride's views on moral therapy, which posited that a beautiful, tranquil view out every window improves mental health. Once on the cutting edge of mental health treatment, by Y2K the buildings had fallen into disrepair and the increase in forensic patients meant a big drop in visitors and outside attention. "This was like the forgotten hospital," Dysart says. The catalyst for change came in 2004, when two Oregonian reporters and state senator Peter Courtney toured the hospital. They glimpsed a basement room full of thousands of numbered copper canisters. The senator was horrified to learn this was a storage room for the unclaimed cremains of 3,500 Oregon citizens. The reporters sensed a big story. Their attention to the hospital resulted in a massive overhaul of the facility, many cremated remains being sent to living descendants, and plans for the new museum. What's Inside the Old Asylum? When the state hospital opened in 1883, mental health was much more stigmatized and less understood than it is today. Children were mixed in with the general population until the 1950s, the decade when the hospital's patient count peaked at around three thousand. Back then, most people were committed by family members, or self-committed. One single woman was committed by her landlady, who thought she cried too much. She stayed there 40 years. Native Americans were disproportionately represented. One patient's diagnosis was acute mania caused by masturbation. It's easy to look back now and judge. Those sharp lobotomy tools seem sinister, and what on earth did doctors expect to accomplish with insulin shock therapy? But Dysart assures me that medical staff followed the best treatment methods of their time. Continue to Page 2 The Trump administration Thursday night asked the Supreme Court to reinstate its travel ban blocking entry from six Muslim-majority countries. In its filings, the administration asked the nine justices to consider the legality of President Donald Trump's executive order, a move that appeals a ruling by the 4th Circuit that upheld a nationwide halt to the ban. The case marks the President's first test of his travel ban in the nation's highest court after multiple stinging rebukes of his national security justifications for the ban in the lower federal courts. Last month, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals largely affirmed a federal judge's decision from March, which found the core provision of the revised executive order -- temporarily blocking foreign nationals from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the US -- likely violates the Constitution because its primary purpose was to disfavor Muslims. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the Nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," said Justice Department spokesperson Sarah Isgur Flores. "The President is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States." The administration argues the travel ban should be allowed to go into effect now while the court looks at the ultimate legality of Trump's executive order later this year, said CNN legal analyst and professor at the University of Texas Law School Steve Vladeck. "It's an interesting procedural move, but the fact that it's taken this long may undermine, at least to some extent, the Trump administration's core argument that the entry ban, which has never gone into full effect, is essential to protect our national security," Vladeck said. "Thus, while it seems likely that the Court will eventually hear the government's challenge, the real question now is what happens in the interim," Vladeck added. "Are there five votes to grant a stay and allow the ban to go into effect, or will everything remain frozen until the Court has the last word." This story is breaking and will be updated. 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 slides Friday as U.S. climate withdrawal compounds glut concerns LONDON Petroleumworld 06 02 2017 Brent crude tumbled below $50 on Friday, heading for a second straight week of losses, on worries that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to abandon a climate pact could spark more crude drilling in the United States, worsening a global glut. Benchmark Brent crude futures LCOc1 were off by nearly 3 percent at $49.14 per barrel at 1034 GMT (6:34 a.m. ET), down $1.49 from the previous close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 futures fell $1.45 cents to $46.91 per barrel. Both contracts were on track for weekly losses of more than 5 percent. The U.S. withdrawal from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change drew condemnation from Washington's allies - and sparked fears that U.S. oil production could expand even more rapidly. "I think we will see a United States that is about to go crazy in terms of producing fossil fuels," said Matt Stanley, a fuel broker at Freight Services International in Dubai, adding other producers could do the same. "Why wouldn't they ramp up production when producers like the U.S. have an open invite to do as they please?" U.S. crude production last week was up by nearly 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) from year-earlier levels, straining OPEC's efforts to reduce global oversupply. [EIA/S] A week ago, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and a number of non-OPEC producers met in Vienna to extend a deal to cut 1.8 million bpd from the market until March 2018. On Friday, Igor Sechin, chief of Russia's largest oil producer, Rosneft, said U.S. oil producers could add up to 1.5 million bpd to world oil output next year. Oil prices are down some 10 percent since OPEC's May 25 decision to extend the cuts. Rising output from OPEC members Nigeria and Libya, which are exempt from the output reduction deal, is also undercutting attempts to limit production. OPEC last week discussed reducing output by a further 1 to 1.5 percent, and could revisit the proposal should inventories remain high, sources told Reuters. On Friday, demand for bearish puts expiring in March 2018 spiked, indicating traders and investors are already protecting against a more aggressive drop in price once OPEC's joint supply deal expires. Still, oil markets received some support from official U.S. data which showed crude inventories fell sharply last week as refining and exports surged to record highs. [EIA/S] Crude stockpiles were down by 6.4 million barrels in the week to May 26, compared with analysts' expectations for a fall of 2.5 million barrels. Saudi-Russia cooperation heralds unprecedent 'Axis of love' MOSCOW Petroleumworld 06 02 2017 A meeting between the two men who run Russia and Saudi Arabia's oil empires spoke volumes about the new relationship between the energy superpowers. It was the first time that Rosneft boss Igor Sechin and Saudi Aramco chief Amin Nasser had held a formal, scheduled meeting - going beyond the numerous times they had simply encountered each other at oil events around the world. Their conversation also broke new ground, according to two sources familiar with the talks in the Saudi city of Dhahran last week who said the CEOs discussed possible ways of cooperating in Asia, such as Indonesia and India, as well as in other markets. The sources did not disclose further details, but any cooperation in Asia between Russia and Saudi Arabia - the world's two biggest oil exporters - would be unprecedented. State oil giant Aramco confirmed the meeting took place but declined to give details of the closed-door talks, which took place on the same day as OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC Russia led a global pact to extend a crude output cut to prop up prices. Kremlin oil major Rosneft declined to comment. The meeting - which also saw Nasser give Sechin a tour of Aramco's HQ, according to the sources - gives an insight into the newfound, unexpected and fast-deepening partnership between the two countries. It is one that will be closely watched by big oil consumers around the world which have long relied on the hot rivalry between their top suppliers to secure better deals. Such a detente between Moscow and Riyadh would have been almost unthinkable in the past. Up until a year ago, the two sides had virtually no dialogue at all, even in the face of a spike in U.S. shale oil production that had led to a collapse in global prices from mid-2014. Sechin was strongly opposed to Russia cutting output in tandem with OPEC. In a sign of their white-hot Asian rivalry, Rosneft outbid Aramco to buy India's refiner Essar last year and boost its share in the world's fastest growing fuel market. Fast forward a matter of months, and Moscow and Riyadh have become the main protagonists of the pact to cut output - agreed in December and extended last week - and are even discussing possible cooperation in their core Asian markets. "It is a new 'axis of love'," one senior Gulf official said of the relationship. On Tuesday, Putin welcomed Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Kremlin and both men said they would deepen cooperation in oil and work on narrowing their differences over Syria, where Moscow and Riyadh are backing opposing sides in a civil war. "The most important thing is that we are succeeding in building a solid foundation to stabilise oil markets and energy prices," said Prince Mohammed. Putin said the countries would work together to resolve a "difficult situation". WHY NOW? The first attempt at cooperation between the two countries failed spectacularly with both sides unable to agree joint actions at an OPEC meeting in December 2014, six months after oil prices began tumbling from above $100 a barrel. To add insult to injury, Sechin pledged to keep pushing output higher, even if prices fell to $20 per barrel. Saudi's then oil minister, Ali al-Naimi, retaliated by saying the Russian oil output would collapse as a result of low prices, a prediction that turned out to be wrong. Much has changed since then, however, economically and politically - and the unlikely partnership between Moscow and Riyadh has been born out of necessity. When oil prices collapsed, both economies were driven into deficit after years of high spending and are only now slowly recovering. With Russia heading for a presidential election in early 2018, and Prince Mohammed having pledged to reform the Saudi economy and publicly list Aramco, neither country can afford another oil price shock. The ousting of veteran minister Naimi and his replacement with the more pragmatic Khalid al-Falih last year also appeared to have helped, with their dialogue facilitated by OPEC's new secretary general Mohammad Barkindo. "If minister Falih says something, I know it will be done," Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said last week in Vienna after Russia and OPEC agreed to extend output cuts. Novak is looking to organise a trip for Falih to a Russian Arctic field, having visited Aramco's facilities in the Empty Quarter desert himself last October. "Last year, minister Falih took us to a desert - we want to show him an ice desert," Novak joked last week. 'SPASIBO' On Tuesday, Novak and Falih reiterated in Moscow they would do "whatever it takes" to stabilise oil markets, borrowing a famous phrase used by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi five years ago to defend the euro. They also discussed the outlook for non-OPEC production including U.S. shale output, which has resumed growing over the past year as private American producers have cut costs and adapted to lower prices. U.S. crude is now being exported all over the world and the chances of private producers agreeing to cooperate with OPEC are minimal because of tough U.S. anti-monopoly legislation. "Both Russia and the Gulf countries are interested in some type of oil price stabilisation and they hope that they can achieve this without undertaking a sort of massive cuts which they had to do back in the 1980s," said Paul Simons, a former U.S. diplomat now serving as deputy executive director of the International Energy Agency. Saudi Arabia and Russia say they will remain in partnership long after the current output reduction deal expires. "It is necessary to work out new framework principles for continued cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC even after the expiration of the Vienna agreements," Novak said on Wednesday. Falih, for his part, ended his speech by thanking Novak in Russian: "Spasibo." Foster Wheeler wins Aramco oilfield expansion deal KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia Petroleumworld 06 02 2017 British oil and gas services company Amec Foster Wheeler said on Thursday it won a contract to provide design and project management for the expansion of Saudi Aramco's Marjan offshore oilfield. Amec Foster Wheeler during the five-year contract will deliver pre-front end engineering and design (pre-FEED), FEED, overall programme management and other support services for an additional 300,000 barrels per day gas-oil separation train, it said in a statement. It will offer the same services for a new gas processing plant, a cogeneration facility and changes to an existing facility to add natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation capacity. The company did not provide details on the value of the contract or cost of the work involved. Iraqi oil minister appoints Kareem Hattab new deputy for upstream operations BAGHDAD Petroleumworld 06 02 2017 Iraq's Oil Minister Jabar Ali al-Luaibi appointed a new deputy for upstream operations on Thursday as part of an overhaul meant to bolster the OPEC member's ability to boost crude output capacity, a ministry spokesman said. Kareem Hattab, who will oversee exploration and production, previously served as director general of the state-owned Iraqi Oil Exploration Company, the spokesman, Asim Jihad, told Reuters. The position has been vacant since late last year when Luaibi decided to reshuffle the ministry's top officials. Eletrobras asks Brazil's oil regulator to mediate conflict with Petrobras SAO PAULO Petroleumworld 06 02 2017 Brazil's state-owned power utility Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA has asked the country's oil industry watchdog ANP to mediate a conflict with Petroleo Brasileiro SA, the regulator said on Thursday. Eletrobras, as the power firm is known, wants state-controlled oil company Petrobras to supply natural gas to its thermal plant Maua 3, in the Amazon region, which on Thursday initiated tests needed to begin operations. Eletrobras owes Petrobras around 9.8 billion reais ($3 billion). On Wednesday, Petrobras Chief Executive Pedro Parente said that finding a solution for Eletrobras' debt is "essential." Earlier this week, a court forced Petrobras to supply Eletrobras with enough natural gas to power the plant's initial tests but not enough to allow it to operate normally.. In a statement sent to Reuters, ANP said it was considering a mediation or arbitration. Representatives for Eletrobras and Petrobras did not comment immediately on the mediation. ($1 = 3.2510 reais) . EU and China seek climate leadership after U.S. retreats BRUSSELS Petroleumworld 06 02 2017 By Robin Emmott and Robert-Jan Bartunek BRUSSELS, June 1 (Reuters) - China and the European Union will seek on Friday to save a global pact against climate change from which U.S. President Donald Trump said he will withdraw. As China emerges as Europe's unlikely global partner on areas from free trade to security, Premier Li Keqiang will meet top EU officials at a summit in Brussels that will also address North Korea's missile tests and global steel overcapacity. Speaking in Berlin, Li underlined strong support for the 2015 Paris climate change accord from China, which overtook the United States as the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in 2007. "China will stand by its responsibilities on climate change," he told reporters after meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and before flying on to Brussels. In a statement backed by all 28 EU states, the European Union and China will commit to full implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, EU and Chinese officials said. The joint statement, the first between the China and the EU, commits to cutting back on fossil fuels, developing more green technology and helping raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poorer countries cut their emissions. "The EU and China consider climate action and the clean energy transition an imperative more important than ever," the statement, by European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Li, will say. "The increasing impacts of climate change require a decisive response," they will say. China asked that the annual summit, normally held in mid-July, be brought forward to press home President Xi Jinping's defence of open trade at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January in response to Trump's protectionist stance . Miguel Arias Canete, the EU's energy commissioner, said in a statement after Trump's announcement that the European Union deeply regretted the decision but would seek new allies in the fight against climate change. "We see the Paris Agreement and the low-carbon transition for what it is, the irreversible growth engine of our economies and the key to protecting our planet," Canete said. While China needs EU technical know-how to fight the pollution blighting its cities, the European Union is looking to Beijing to take action against emissions blamed for increased droughts, rising seas and other affects of climate change. STEEL GLUT In a broader final communique focusing on a range of other issues, Li, Juncker and Tusk are expected to commit to free trade and reduce a global steel glut that Europe and the United States say is an attempt by China to corner local markets. The EU and China will seek to "refrain from all forms of protectionism and uphold free and rules-based trade", the leaders will say in a 60-point statement, according to a draft. They promise to "address steel overcapacity at its roots". By far the world's top steel producer, China's annual steel output is almost double the EU's total production. Western governments say Chinese steel exports have caused a global steel crisis, costing jobs and forcing plant closures. The warmer EU-China relationship, partly spurred by Trump, has developed despite a long-running EU spat with Beijing on what Europe sees as China's dumping of low-cost goods on European markets. Still, the EU remains cautious about the direction of its second-largest trading partner, concerned by its militarisation of islands in the South China Sea and what it sees as increased authoritarianism under Xi. EU officials say they will bring up the South China Sea in the talks on Friday, but they will be wary to avoid a repeat of last year's tense EU-China summit in Beijing, which failed to agree a joint statement because of the maritime issue. China's claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. The EU also wants an investment treaty with China to open the huge Chinese market to European companies and remove onerous rules forcing them to share know-how. A senior Chinese official said China is determined to open up and reach a deal, which is seen as a forerunner to a possible future free-trade accord. This piece, titled, The New Plague, depicts life in Philadelphia in the age of COVID. Artist and educator Raphael Tiberino began painting at the age of four and has been in the spotlight as a professional creative for over 25 years. The ArcelorMittal steel-plate plants in Coatesville and Conshohocken are among the industrial facilities that could benefit from the expansion of the U.S. Navy proposed in President Trump's budget guidelines if Congress decides to speed new ship construction. Trump has said he wants to boost the Navy's total ships to 350 from today's 275, though his proposed 2018 budget does not support much of an immediate increase. "The entire fleet of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers contains steel from Coatesville from the first-ever USS Langley, to the USS Enterprise, which is currently under construction," Mike Nichols, a Drexel University graduate who has headed quality control at the Philadelphia-area plants since 2009, noted in a publicly posted Memorial Day memo recounting the plants' military role. Nichols said Coatesville's Navy carrier plate is personal for his family: His father, William, served on the carrier Hornet in the Korean War, built with Coatesville plate. His brother flew fighter jets from carriers armored with Coatesville steel when he was Capt. James P. Nichols, USN. And his son, Lt. j.g. Matthew W. Nichols, flies a Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk helicopter from the USS George H.W. Bush, which is among the ships that have been active in the Indian Ocean in the years since the United States invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. "The hull of every naval submarine is made with our steel, including the first atomic-powered submarine, the Nautilus," Nichols added. "Our steel is found in military Humvees, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles. Together, Coatesville and Conshohocken supply steel plate for the Navy's landing platform dock (LPD) vessels, also called Amphibious Assault Ships," which are named for the Sept. 11, 2001, attack sites USS New York, USS Arlington, USS Somerset. ArcelorMittal also has a larger, newer steel-plate plant at Burns Harbor, Ind., and two dozen other U.S. steel pipe, sheet, beam and tube plants, built for the former Ispat, LTV and International steel groups as well as Bethlehem and Lukens, employing a total of 18,000 Americans. It also has steelworks across Europe and Asia. The former Lukens Steel plants in Coatesville and Conshohocken were acquired by ArcelorMittal (based in the European legal haven of Luxembourg) along with then-owner Bethlehem Steel Corp. in the late 2000s in a merger, restructuring and cost-cutting deal backed by billionaire investor Wilbur Ross. He left the ArcelorMittal board earlier this year to serve as President Trump's Secretary of Commerce, putting him in a position to advocate for his longtime industry. The Coatesville plant employs 770; Conshohocken, about 290. The numbers rise and fall with orders. Plant workers are members of the United Steelworkers labor union. Coatesville's electric-arc furnaces produce carbon- and alloy-steel plates, customize flame-cut shapes, steel-clad rolls and plate steel for such specialized applications as nuclear-reactor containment vessels.The Conshohocken plant turns Coatesville steel slabs into coils and plate for assembly into construction equipment and other uses. Besides military and industrial jobs, ArcelorMittal says its plates have been used in landmark buildings including New York's Freedom Tower (replacing the destroyed World Trade Center) and the new Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson; in the Apple campus at Cupertino, Calif.; in Philadelphia's Cira and Comcast towers; and most recently at New York's 1,400-foot One Vanderbilt office tower, built by contractor Tishman Speyer and steel constructor Banker Steel for SL Green Realty Corp. "Coatesville and Conshohocken provided all of the plate steel for One Vanderbilt. To date, ArcelorMittal has produced over 7,900 tons of plate steel that will be used for built-up structural columns that frame the building," company spokeswoman Mary Beth Holdford said in an interview. The columns provide the tower's foundation and framework. "There will be an additional 2,000 tons required of thinner-gauge plates for the upper floors of the building," with some individual pieces weighing more than 35 tons each, Holdford added. The plates range from 3/8 inch to 6 inches thick. Local clients for ArcelorMittal plate include the Bucks County wind-electric manufacturing plant owned by Spain-based Gamesa and Fisher Tank, which builds industrial and water-storage tanks at its Chester plant; among others. ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia Different country, heightened diplomatic mission. The Philadelphia Orchestra's busy Friday in Mongolia's capital its first of two days here was a long way from its glamorous Beethoven Symphony No. 9 performance Wednesday in Beijing, which was broadcast on Chinese TV and recorded for commercial release. Members of the first U.S. orchestra to play in massive but isolated Mongolia, the Philadelphians quietly spent the day tilling the outer musical fields. After a midnight arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the third city on the orchestra's 16-day Asian tour, violinist Phil Kates was up before 9 a.m. to head into the Ger District on the edge of the city to give impromptu concerts at an orphanage. Hornist Jennifer Montone and trumpeter David Bilger, both esteemed principal players, were set to give master classes at the National Defense University yes, to members of a military band. "Just tell us where to be," said Montone. "Whatever!" Those visits defied initial expectations. Kates had reason to expect hardscrabble poverty among the 50 or so orphans at Blue Skies Ger Village a branch of the apolitical, non-denominational Christina Noble Children's Foundation. Not so. In the compound of tidy, tent-like gers (also called yurts), with all with doors facing south to avoid the north wind, each dwelling had a specific function eating, administration, medical care, and dorms all tidy and decorated with traditional Mongolian bric-a-brac-style painting. An old hand at outreach, Kates brought Nyamsaikhan Odsuren (a Mongolian violinist/conductor who is home from the University of South Carolina) to play light pieces by Bach and Beethoven. Kates zeroed in on a child while giving his violin a fun, hard pluck. Nyamka (as he is called for short) played soulful Mongolian folk songs. Who knows if the kids (ages 3 to 5) recognized them, said staff physician AnuJin Batbold. Most important, she said, is that "the children were very calm, relaxed and at peace." A feat at that age. . For the older kids, a music room had three acoustic guitars, a drum set, and an electric piano, where one of them tapped out a folk melody with the right hand while Kates improvised an accompaniment with his left hand. "Say 'Go Phillies,' " said Kates to the kids while taking a group photo. But that doesn't sit so well on Mongolian tongues. Outside in the blazing noontime sun along the dusty ger-lined roads, a large construction vehicle drove by with a swastika noticeably displayed. "We have that here," explained one local, somewhat abashedly, referring to a small isolationist movement that resents workers from Vietnam and China serving as cheap labor in Mongolia. Those laborers aren't always safe on the streets. The musicians could've been cooling their heels in Beijing: The orchestra's Mongolian concerts had originally been meant as a highlight of the Asian tour but were nearly canceled when the Mongolian government, recovering from a financial crisis, couldn't afford the full orchestra. Thanks to $50,000 from the U.S. Department of State and other partners, Kates, Montone, and Bilger made the trip as part of an 18-member contingent for a series of small-scale concerts and master classes. Music director Yannick Nezet-Seguin reportedly wasn't encouraged to be among them, for fear of intensifying the embarrassment over the financial crisis. (During the gap in the touring schedule, he and his partner, Pierre Tourville, made a quick rest-and-relaxation trip to Vietnam.) Some of the musicians, though, jumped at the chance to go to Mongolia, which is why Montone and Bilger found themselves at the guard gates of the National Defense University. In a spacious auditorium and on a stage incongruously decorated with silver, red, and chartreuse curtains suggesting 1950s Las Vegas they found themselves among young musicians who were somewhat new to their instruments. Montone has been playing for 30 years; her main student had been playing for two. She adapted. Both Philadelphians worked on breathing and articulation in ways that made immediate, even dramatic, improvements in the young players they were working with. "You never know what you're going to get in a master class," said Bilger. "The timing wasn't good, because 30 to 40 of our older players are away right now in Russia," said B. Altankhuyag, one of the academy's jurors, who decides who will be in the band. "But all the techniques that they [the Philadelphia musicians] gave us were very helpful." It wasn't through some oddball quirk that National Defense University was on the orchestra's schedule. Along with that of the United States, Mongolia's military has been a major peacekeeping presence in Afghanistan. "They're among our closest partners," said ambassador Jennifer Galt at an evening reception. And it's a personal relationship that involves frequent communication on both sides. So the National Defense University appearance had what diplomatic circles call "layers of importance." In general, the Philadelphia Orchestra presence has become a focal point for celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Mongolia a strategic ally positioned between Russia and China. Then there's Saturday's scheduled outdoor concert at Beatles Square, where the Philadelphians will perform alongside a statue of the Fab Four. Is the monument a cheesy cultural aberration? Again, no. Beatles records were banned during Mongolia's era of Soviet influence, though, thanks to smuggled-in copies, local musicians learned the music by ear. In fact, Odsuren's father was kicked out of high school for singing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at an assembly. When the orchestra members arrive there Saturday, they'll have a special program yet to be revealed. Co-founder of FRIEDA Thomas Steinborn (left) serves a slice of cake to Sharon Haymie (center) and Helen Grady before the the two ladies began their book club meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2017. YONG KIM / Staff Photographer Read more Join a drawing class, a social media workshop, speak French or Yiddish, screen a film, play backgammon or even start an activity of your own at Cafe Frieda, the brainchild of two transplants to Philadelphia on 320 Walnut St. The best part? You'll mix and mingle with all age groups, as Cafe Frieda encourages seniors to work at the cafe, serves pastries made by retirees, and generally aims for young and older people to hang out together. Cafe Frieda is no ordinary coffee shop: You won't find entrepreneurs-in-training glued to laptops or millennials in headphones not making eye contact, a la every modern Starbucks. The whole point of Cafe Frieda is just that making human contact, joining a painting or book club, speaking German or Chinese with like-minded folks, and possibly bringing your kids or grandkids for a summer class in origami dinosaurs, bookbinding, and puppetry. Oh, and by the way, the space on Third and Walnut, between Old St. Joseph's Church and the Ritz movie theater, serves food and goodies concocted by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef. Think Viennese coffeehouse meets salon/modern art gallery: Along the soaring white walls hang works by local artists, some of whom also wait tables. At the door, you may be greeted by Clementina "Tina" Caruso, 89, who works as a hostess for Cafe Frieda. She lives in Southwest Philadelphia but comes almost every day to don a blue linen shirt and black pants uniform to work at Cafe Frieda. "I love it here," she says, plus her daughter works at Cafe Frieda, making pastries in the kitchen. The idea of Cafe Frieda, which opened in November 2015, sprang from the brain of Thomas Steinborn, a German emigre to the United States who named the spot after his grandmother. His partner David Wong trained in Paris as a chef and takes care of all things in the kitchen. "We created a space, really, to reconnect generations," he explained over coffee. Hence the cafe's website name (www.friedaforgenerations.com), where guests can find a menu, plus a full schedule of all the events and classes. Why create a spot for all of America's generations? "We realized that people are living longer, and people like my mother and grandmother don't just want to shuffle off to a retirement home. I thought, 'Let's do something for them' like this cafe," he said. If they have leftovers, the cafe donates the muffins, jams, and other baked goods to the Old St. Joseph's Church senior center. Steinborn also reached out to senior centers to find older workers. "They need extra income, and we want them in our space," Steinborn said. For instance, a retired art teacher now gives origami workshops, and another retiree teaches sewing. Last year during Passover, Cafe Frieda hosted an open seder to celebrate the holiday, and the list grew to 60 people and a wait list. "It's grown because it's relaxed and people feel safe," he added. The cafe currently hosts 15 classes, plus various events ranging from book clubs to film screenings. A few have a fee, such as the $45 charge for a nutrition workshop. Most events are free, though the cafe has a cover charge. The Meet the Artist series is the cafe's largest, attracting as many as 80 people. Recently, the two owners hosted an 89-year-old artist to show her work in an exhibition, showing her pieces from "when she was at Moore College [of Art & Design] before it was called Moore to the current day. People could really see the artist's process through watching her work throughout her life." Even Steinborn's mother has come to visit from Germany, and "she likes it. As the body ages, we can maintain the spirit and the laughs. The ladies here behave like little girls sometimes, and why shouldn't they?" he adds. More recently, Cafe Frieda has been extending its work into community outreach programs, bringing in social media and computer volunteers to help seniors learn about their phones and tablets and navigate sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Cafe Frieda also hosts community suppers and poetry workshops. It's interesting that very few people bring computers many are reading books over drinks, because there's no free WiFi. "Frieda is a social experiment," Steinborn explains. "The growing success of Frieda leads us to believe that there may be a need for a Frieda somewhere else." Caruso likes the interactivity. "I don't go to other places like Starbucks. No one talks there!" She greets and seats newcomers, and now has many friends through the cafe. Julie Jensen Bryan, a local photographer who has lived in Society Hill Towers since 1989, loves to drift over from her apartment and feast on the almond orange cake and discover what else is happening at Cafe Frieda. "It's just lovely here," she said. Writer/director/producer M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN returns to the captivating grip of The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs with Split, an original film that delves into the mysterious recesses of one mans (James McAvoy) fractured, gifted mind. (Photo Credit: John Baer / Universal Studios) Read more Director M. Night Shyamalan and actor David Morse will headline a rally Saturday on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in support of the local film industry. The rally, set for 10 a.m., was organized by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, which has been lobbying state legislators for tax policies that will help lure film and television productions to Philadelphia. Film office executive director Sharon Pinkenson has said tax credits were needed to help secure productions such as Glass, Shyamalan's next movie, a sequel to both his recent hit Split and his 2000 movie Unbreakable. The film office issued a statement saying the local film industry called the rally "to unite and galvanize our industry and elected officials into addressing the urgency of supporting the film, TV, commercial, and multimedia industry of Philadelphia." The statement makes no mention of tax policy, but earlier this year, Pinkenson linked the fate of future production to tax credits. When Shyamalan announced Glass in February, Pinkenson said, "We fully expect to be hosting the production. As long as our Pa. governor and legislators pass the state budget and include the film-tax credit, we will shoot the movie in the greater Philadelphia area. We couldn't be more excited." The rally also will include actors Tommy Pope and John McKeever, documentary filmmaker Don Argott (The Art of the Steal), and union leaders whose members are employed by television and film productions. People gather at Trocadero plaza as the lights of the Eiffel tower falls dark at midnight in Paris, France, Wednesday, April 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Read more 1) In the Paris Agreement of 2015, participating countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and regularly increase their ambitions to do more to address manmade climate change. It sets an overall goal of limiting the increase in global average temperatures to less than 2 degrees centigrade (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). 2) It is nonbinding, meaning there are no penalties attached for failing to meet reductions. 3) To date, 195 participating countries have signed on to develop their own emissions reduction targets. President Obama's Clean Power Plan, for instance, sought to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 32 percent by 2030. President Trump already signed an executive order in March to unravel the Obama action. 4) With Trump's action Thursday, the U.S. joins Nicaragua and Syria as the only countries not participating in the Paris Agreement. Trump said he would immediately seek to renegotiate the accord, which he called more onerous on the U.S. than other countries. France, Germany and Italy immediately issued a joint statement saying there would be no negotiation. 5) The president objected to the accord's "green climate fund" that would go to help developing countries meet their goals. He said the U.S. has already contributed $1 billion and the fund will cost "a vast fortune." A mountain of coal is being removed from the Mercer Generation Station as part of its shut-down. CLEM MURRAY / Staff Photographer Read more Two of New Jersey's coal-fired plants were shuttered Thursday, even as President Trump outlined plans to save fossil fuel jobs by withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. Public Service Enterprise Group of Newark planned to close its Mercer and Hudson generation stations as reported earlier this week by the Inquirer's Andrew Maykuth. The state has two other operating coal-fired plants remaining. The two PSEG plants are emblematic of both Obama and Trump administration policies. PSEG Power completed more than $1 billion in upgrades to comply with tougher federal standards aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions under the Obama administration. As part of the plan to meet Paris accord carbon reductions, Obama launched his signature Clean Power Plan in 2015, which further took aim at coal-fired plants. But Trump promised to end the "war on coal" during his campaign, joining with the coal industry in lashing out at the tougher standards. Withdrawing from the Paris accord was part of that campaign promise. But neither PSEG, Trump, nor Obama foresaw the continued tumble in energy prices brought on by shale gas and how it would cut carbon emissions, at least in some areas of the country. "We made a bet on high gas prices," Ralph Izzo, PSEG's chief executive, told Maykuth. "We got that wrong." In short, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, of Marcellus Shale gas did in the New Jersey coal plants, much as it has done in Pennsylvania. Environmentalists cheered the closures. "Even though Trump pulled out of Paris we still had two coal plants in New Jersey close," said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "The country will still move forward with clean energy and New Jersey will next year," he said, noting that the state "will see the most consequences from climate change including sea level rise and flooding." Another thing environmentalists might cheer: PSEG is exploring the possibility with New Jersey officials of installing solar panels at the sites, which already have transmission lines connected to the grid. This article was corrected to note that New Jersey has two remaining coal-fired plants. A 27-year-old Bucks County man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Thursday for producing child pornography with a toddler, authorities said. Norman Ridgeway, of Croydon, forced a 3-year-old child to participate in explicit sexual activities that he digitally recorded and then sold online, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The gender of the toddler was not revealed. Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen called Ridgeway's crimes "an abomination." "We are pleased with today's outcome, and we remain dedicated to working on behalf of the victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation to prosecute and incarcerate for lengthy periods of time those who exploit the most vulnerable members of our community," Lappen said in a news release. Ridgeway pleaded guilty in February to producing child pornography, transporting child pornography, and possessing child pornography from January 2015 to March 24, 2016. FILE- In the May 22, 2017 file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at a news conference in his offices in Trenton, N.J. Phil Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs executive, is leading a field of Democrats hoping to replace Christie, who finishes his two terms in early 2018. Read more TRENTON Gov. Christie on Thursday called the Democratic front-runner in the race to succeed him a "fraud," declaring Phil Murphy's decision to limit campaign spending "meaningless" because dark money groups would try to rescue his candidacy if the general-election campaign became competitive. Speaking during a news conference on an unrelated topic, Christie, a Republican, also compared Murphy to his predecessor as governor, Jon S. Corzine, a Democrat who was CEO of the Wall Street firm Goldman Sachs for part of the time Murphy worked there. "The only difference between Phil Murphy and Jon Corzine is Phil Murphy doesn't have a beard," Christie said. "They both bought the nomination," he said, though "at least Corzine had some experience in government" as a U.S. senator. Christie's remarks came a day after Murphy's campaign said he would participate in the state's public-financing program should he win Tuesday's Democratic primary. Murphy, a former ambassador to Germany who has not held elective office, has spent $20 million on the campaign and invested $16 million of his own money. He leads the Democratic field with triple the support of any other candidate, according to the most recent poll. In a hypothetical general-election match-up with Republican front-runner Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Murphy leads, 50 percent to 25 percent, according to a May 3 Quinnipiac University survey. "If that gets to single digits, you and I can have whatever bet you want to have about whether a third-party group with anonymous donors will show up with tens of millions of dollars with attack ads against Guadango or [Assemblyman Jack] Ciattarelli," Christie told reporters. "We won't be able to trace that money until it's long over, if ever. But I guarantee you it's coming from Phil and Tammy Murphy," Christie said, referring to Murphy's wife. In a statement, Murphy adviser Julie Roginsky said, "The last person who should be giving anyone advice on ethics in government is Chris Christie, who is apparently too toxic even for Donald Trump to touch." Murphy's opponents have accused him of hypocrisy, saying he ignored their calls to limit spending in the primary, and have long argued that he has tried to buy the Democratic nomination by donating to influential county party chairs and committees. His top rivals are former U.S. Treasury Undersecretary Jim Johnson, Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, and State Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak. Murphy says he has cut checks and traveled the state to help build the party. Christie, who defeated Corzine in 2009, is term-limited and will leave office in January. "If there were limits on spending, Phil Murphy wouldn't be a serious candidate for governor," Christie said. "He became a serious candidate for governor because he wrote checks to every man, woman, and child who mattered in the Democratic Party to buy their support. Come on. What in his background makes him a serious candidate for governor of New Jersey? "I don't know, because he was ambassador to Germany? Is he appealing to our particularly large German American community in New Jersey?" Christie said. "I don't know." Under the public-financing program, candidates cannot spend more than $13.8 million in the general-election campaign. Murphy's commitment to that limit would be meaningful only if he promised to disavow spending by third-party groups on his behalf, Christie said. Christie has received support from outside groups in his campaigns. After he dropped out of last year's presidential race, Christie was a top supporter of Trump, who had no experience in government before he won the White House. A number of Trump's advisers are, like Murphy and Corzine, former Goldman executives. The governor predicted that if New Jersey returned to "Goldman Sachs politics" in November, Republicans would retake the governor's mansion in 2021. Christie is staying neutral in the Republican primary, saying that as head of the party he does not want to tilt the race. But he said he would endorse the GOP nominee. Despite his harsh words for Murphy, Christie said he had "great admiration for everybody in this race" except for "the knucklehead" Bill Brennan, a Democratic activist who wants Christie prosecuted over the George Washington Bridge scandal. Councilman David Oh was back at work in his City Hall office Friday, less than 48 hours after being stabbed in an apparent robbery attempt. Oh was stabbed about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday in front of his home on the 5800 block of Thomas Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. Police are searching for the man who stabbed Oh once on his side with what Oh described as a sharp shiv. The assailant was described as an African American man in his 20s with a scruffy beard wearing black clothes. The wound penetrated Oh's diaphragm and required surgery for repair as well as exploratory surgery to make sure there was no damage to any major organs, Oh said. "Fortunately, in the examination, they didn't see anything that appeared worrisome," Oh said. He was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon. Dressed in a shirt and tie, sitting behind his desk, Oh quickly tried to change the subject from his assault to a hearing on the teachers' reimbursement fund planned for Monday, and a resolution that he hopes could push Harrisburg to lift a film tax-credit cap, which he says limits business that can come to the city. (He also lamented missing his own fund-raiser at the Racket Club on Thursday night. He said he wanted to go but his wife protested.) Oh, whose 10-year-old daughter was the first to meet him at the door when he walked in bleeding following the attack, said he had no plans to move out of the neighborhood where he has lived since 1963. He didn't always feel so connected to his block. "I never wanted to live there as a child, especially as a teenager," he said. "Every other day a window was broken, the church alarm would go off, someone was burglarized, someone was stuck up, and when my father would be down on me for my behavior, I would say, 'Hey, I am this way because we live here, and that's kind of your fault. You came from halfway around the world to come live in one of the worst neighborhoods in America.' " Now, Oh, 57, a father of four children 10 and under, said he is aligned with his father's way of thinking his neighborhood is his home. "I don't see myself moving because I was stabbed," he said. "I don't want to put my family in danger, obviously, but as an elected official, I think the important thing is that we stay, and that we try to work hard towards making a more peaceful city, and there is no simple way to do it. It is a frustrating problem, but I think it begins in the heart." City Hall staffers popped their heads into Oh's office to welcome him back. Oh's chief of staff, William Stewart Graham, walked in holding a copy of the Daily News. The cover was a photo of a smiling Oh and his family at the hospital. "Your daughter made the front page of the Philly Daily News, and she's only 2!" legislative aide Matthew Pershe said. Oh smiled. "It's yesterday's news," he said. Ginger Katzenmoyers son, Brett, died five days after a violent encounter with police outside a concert in Camden in 2007. Read more Chester County's coroner reversed a ruling from one of his predecessors Thursday, concluding that the manner of death was "homicide" for a Phoenixville man who had a violent encounter with police outside a concert in Camden. Brett Katzenmoyer, 20, died five days after he was left with a concussion and broken nose from the 2007 incident. Then-Chester County Coroner Robert Satriale initially labeled the manner of death homicide, but changed it to "Could not be determined" after finding unprescribed morphine and sleeping pills in Katzenmoyer's system. Katzenmoyer's family spent nearly 10 years fighting the ruling, saying his death was caused by injuries he received from two former Camden police officers, not drugs. Coroner Gordon R. Eck began reexamining the case last year, at the request of Katzenmoyer's family. Eck said Thursday he had issued a new death certificate after reviewing medical records, speaking to people who were involved in the case and "relevant specialists." "Broadly speaking, homicide is any death at the hands of another person," Eck said. "For practical purposes, this may be refined to deaths that arise from acts a reasonably prudent person would have felt had a high degree of probability of producing bodily injury or death." Eck did not elaborate. Satriale, who left the coroner's office in 2008, declined to comment. "I'm just grateful that someone finally listened and researched and did the right thing," Katzenmoyer's mother, Ginger, said Thursday. She said she would ask the Camden County Prosecutor's Office to reopen the investigation into the conduct of the former officers who arrested her son. Attempts to reach the former officers, Ronald Lattanzio and John McArdle, through their attorneys Thursday were unsuccessful. The Camden City police force was replaced in 2013 with a county-run department. The Prosecutor's Office said Thursday afternoon that "it would not be appropriate to comment because it is too soon to make any decision on the matter at hand. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office is still awaiting updated reports." Ginger Katzenmoyer sued Camden City in federal court, and received a $750,000 settlement in 2013 and a letter conveying "sadness and regret" for her son's death, but no acknowledgement of responsibility. Brett Katzenmoyer was arrested in August 2007 in the parking lot of the Tweeter Center, now the BB&T Pavilion, where he and six friends had come to drink before an O.A.R. concert. A young woman summoned police after she said Katzenmoyer swung his fist, knocked a beer from her hands, and hit her chest, leaving a small red mark. The woman said Katzenmoyer was angry because her group, to which he had introduced himself, asked him to leave. McArdle wrote in a police report that Katzenmoyer had refused to put his hands behind his back and swung them as McArdle and Lattanzio took him down and cuffed him during a "violent struggle." The officers then took Katzenmoyer to Virtua Camden. A hospital security guard told investigators that Katzenmoyer was threatening to sue the officers, and that McArdle repeatedly punched him in the face to "shut him up." Police alleged that Katzenmoyer, with his hands cuffed in front of him, then tried to grab McArdle's holstered gun as McArdle and Lattanzio carried him on a board. The security guard testified that Katzenmoyer, a Navy sailor, never reached for a gun and that the board simply tilted toward McArdle, who then "beat [Katzenmoyer] in the face, from the nose to the eye." McArdle testified that neither he nor Lattanzio was disciplined for the incident after inquiries by the FBI and other agencies. Katzenmoyer was charged with simple assault and resisting arrest, but his mother said the charges were later dropped. He returned home after brief hospital stays in Camden, at Virtua and then at Cooper University Hospital. On Aug. 20, 2007, two days after the arrest, he got a CT scan at Pottstown Hospital for bloody fluid leaking from his ears, but it showed nothing amiss. The following evening, at home, he told his mother, "I love you," and went to sleep. She found him unconscious in his bed the next day. He was taken to Phoenixville Hospital, where he died Aug. 23. Brett's brother, Kevin, 26, said Thursday the new ruling on the manner of death gives him hope the family will get justice for Brett. "That feels like a little bit of justice," he said. "But to me, it just calls into question why [Brett's death] happened in the first place. And I hope that raises questions that we might see answered." An oxycodone distribution ring allegedly conspired to fill hundreds of fraudulent prescriptions for the drug at pharmacies around the region. Read more The business manager at a Bucks County medical practice is accused of taking part in an oxycodone distribution ring that sold fraudulently obtained pills. Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia on Friday announced the healthcare fraud and drug charges against 37-year-old Michael Milchin and 13 others accused of having roles in the ring, which allegedly operated from May 2012 until March 2015. "The exploitation of the healthcare system through fraudulent claims for personal gain affects all of us who rely on that system," Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen said in a statement. "The trafficking of oxycodone completely devastates individuals, their families and all of our communities." Milchin, who was the office manager at Central Bucks Health Associates in Southampton, allegedly conspired with the other defendants to fill hundreds of fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone at pharmacies around the region. The prescriptions were purported to have been written by a physician with the practice, but prosecutors said no doctor from the office authorized them. Oxycodone is an opioid prescribed for pain relief. The pain pills are commonly prescribed after surgery or significant accidents, and the growing number of prescriptions for the drugs is frequently cited as a major contributing factor in the epidemic of drug addiction, overdoses and deaths. Milchin sold the drugs or provided them to others to sell on the street, an indictment says. Court documents don't list a total quantity of drugs the group is believed to have sold. Also charged were Augustine Lee of Philadelphia, Nikita Latychev of Feasterville-Trevose, Yaroslav Stadniychuk of Philadelphia, Bryant Bishop of Philadelphia, Ning Jian Du of Philadelphia, Taras Trushchenk of Jamison, Armen Khimoian of Warwick, Linda Flamer of Philadelphia, Igor Khavulya of Philadelphia, Nik Palatnik of Feasterville-Trevose, Vannarat Xayavongsithideth of Philadelphia, Thearack Tham Kith of Philadelphia, and Sebastian Moeung of Philadelphia. Milchin is also accused of taking part in a healthcare fraud conspiracy with John Vira, a chiropractor in the office, from June 2010 to July 2012. Vira, who was charged separately earlier this year, and Milchin would submit claims for hundreds of chiropractic treatments that were never provided, according to court records. In total, they billed insurance companies Independence Blue Cross and Aetna for more than $700,000 in services that were not provided to patients, prosecutors said. An attorney for Milchin could not immediately be reached for comment. A number of others working in healthcare throughout the Philadelphia region, including pharmacists, doctors and secretaries have also faced charges in recent months for allegedly selling or otherwise illegally distributing oxycodone or other drugs. Jewelry and other items displayed by Montgomery County authorities at a March 16, 2017, news conference. The valuables were among 50,000 taken from jeweler Wasim Shazads three stores and home. Read more In March, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office held a news conference to announce a website where people could search among more than 50,000 items, including jewelry, coins and silverware, to see if there were precious heirlooms or other valuables that had been stolen from them. The goods had been seized from a Philadelphia Jewelers Row businessman's three stores and his East Norriton home. Authorities have accused Wasim Shazad of fencing loot stolen by a sophisticated burglary ring that targeted high-end suburban homes. Shazad, 48, was arrested and charged in January with corrupt organizations, receiving stolen property, conspiracy and related offenses. He has been out on bail and is awaiting trial. His attorney, Steven Fairlie, contends his client did not fence stolen goods and said even if a small portion of the items seized were determined to be stolen, Shazad had no knowledge that they had been. Fairlie filed a petition in Philadelphia to get the items returned to his client. Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Tracy Brandeis-Roman sided with Fairlie a week ago, ordering the Montgomery County DA's Office to return a vast majority of the 50,000 items, Fairlie said Thursday. "Police still have not given the jewelry back," Fairlie said, indicating the goods are being kept in Lower Merion. The DA's Office on Thursday appealed the judge's ruling to the state Superior Court, effectively staying it. Brandeis-Roman's May 26 order said all items were to be returned to Shazad's company except for goods already claimed and identified by the rightful owners. Kate Delano, spokeswoman for the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, said Friday the office would not say how many of the 50,000 items have so far been rightfully claimed by others because the office is still in the process of identifying other victims. In an emailed statement, First Assistant District Attorney Ed McCann said: "We strongly disagree with the judge's ruling The jewelry was lawfully seized pursuant to a valid search warrant, supported by probable cause" and authorized by a Philadelphia judge. "As part of this ongoing investigation, law enforcement is continuing to identify stolen jewelry in Mr. Shazad's possession and the victims to whom the jewelry rightfully belongs," the statement said. "Since we first publicized photos of the jewelry, we have identified a large number of stolen items from dozens of burglaries. That process is continuing and potential victims have appointments to inspect the seized jewelry well into June." Added McCann: "Items that have been identified as unlikely to have been stolen have already been returned to Mr. Shazad." Fairlie contends authorities did not have probable cause to seize most of the 50,000 items taken. The DA's Office disputes that. Shazad operated out of Vasim Jewelry at 83 S. Eighth St. in Center City, as well as from a jewelry-tools-and-supply store at 814 Chestnut St. and from V Jewelers, at 735 Sansom St., a retail shop that has been closed since the January seizure of items. His co-defendants were charged as part of a ring that burglarized 15 homes eight in Montgomery County, six in Delaware County and one in Chester County in which valuables totaling more than $1.5 million were taken. They are Kebbie Ramseur, 39, and Jerrel Jaynes, 41, both of Philadelphia; Ralph Mayrant, 40, of Chester; and Shron Linder, 39, of Drexel Hill. They are in custody and also face trial. Authorities believe the five men are also connected to other burglaries in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Photos by Tom Kelly IV Philadelphia Police Crime Scene Investigators as well as member of the FBI Evidence Response Team, gather evidence at the scene of a police involved shooting in the 200 block of E. Montana Street in the East Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, Monday July 22, 2013. According to police, two fugitives [] Read more A 32-year-old man was fatally wounded in a street shooting late Thursday afternoon in North Philadelphia. Police on Friday identified the slain man as Anthony Lewis. Police said the gunfire erupted just before 4:40 p.m. at 24th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue, about a block from where Lewis lived. Officers on foot patrol about a block away heard the gunshots and found him suffering from numerous bullet wounds to his neck, chest, back, and arms, Chief Inspector Scott Small said. Police rushed Lewis to Hahnemann University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:48 p.m. Police recovered nine spent shell casings at the scene. Investigators were checking surveillance cameras in the area for any footage showing the assailant, Small said. No arrests had been made as of Friday. The motive for the killing wasn't known, police said. Private First Class Walter Frank Piper, who died while a prisoner of war in Korea, will be buried with honors on June 17. Read more Sherry Bumm grew up knowing very little about her uncle. He died five years before she was born. Her mother, Lillian Grace Piper his older sister died when she was young, and through the years, Bumm, of Magnolia, lost touch with that side of her family. The only photos she ever saw of her Uncle Walter were from when he was a child. "I just knew that he had been in the Korean War and died in the war," she said. "What I didn't know was that he was a prisoner of war and died as a prisoner of war." Army Pvt. First Class Walter Piper died on June 18, 1951, of wounds received during the Battle of Hoengsong about four months earlier, according to Korean War Project Remembrance. His remains were not recovered until 1990 and not identified until April. On June 17, he will be buried with full military honors at the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Williamstown. A visitation will be held at the Farnelli Funeral Home, 504 N. Main St., Williamstown, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a service at 11, according to his obituary. Piper was born in Philadelphia in 1930 to Charles and Alice Piper. He and his siblings, all now deceased, eventually moved to New Jersey, and he graduated from Glassboro High School in 1949. Bumm said her parents grew up together in South Philadelphia, and moved to New Jersey around the same time. "The two families were intertwined for a long time," she said. Piper enlisted in Philadelphia and became a member of Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division. He was taken a prisoner of war in South Korea on Feb. 13, 1951. During the Battle of Hoengsong, the Chinese army inflicted heavy casualties on U.N. troops and captured hundreds or soldiers. Piper's remains were returned to a military forensics lab in Hawaii in 1990. It wasn't until 1996 that a DNA sample was obtained from his older brother Charles, who died in 2001. Piper's remains were positively identified in April. Bumm received a call Wednesday from a group that had been searching for Piper's living relatives. Bumm said she is still notifying her family about the burial plans. "This was all in motion before me," she said. "Everybody has done everything to make sure this is going to be a special burial." Piper was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the U.N. Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. "To have him sitting in a warehouse someplace is kind of sad," Bumm said. She said it is "very respectful" to have her uncle returned and buried with full honors. "It is nice to know my family will be part of it," she said. "He was my uncle." The Annual General Meeting of TTS Group ASA held 1st June, 2017, unanimously approved the proposal for a new Board of directors, consisting of: Trym Skeie Marianne Sandal Britt Mjellem Gisle Rike Leif Haukom In addition to the shareholder-elected board members, the Board consists of two employee representatives: Anita Krakenes Morten Aarvik The Board of directors elects its own chairman. Board meeting has been held, and Trym Skeie was re-elected as chairman of the board. Bergen, 2nd June 2017 TTS Group ASA Tel.: +47 55 94 74 00 http://www.ttsgroup.com Contact persons: Toril Eidesvik CEO M: +47 900 78 218 Henrik Solberg-Johansen CFO M: +47 982 06 438 VANCOUVER, Washington, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CytoDyn Inc. (OTCQB:CYDY), a biotechnology company focused on the development of new antibody therapies for combating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, announces that Nader Pourhassan, Ph.D., President and CEO, will present at the 7th Annual LD Micro Invitational on Tuesday, June 6, at 12:00 p.m. Pacific time (3:00 p.m. Eastern time). The conference is being held at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles. Dr. Pourhassan will be available for one-on-one meetings with the investment community on Tuesday, June 6. Please contact LD Micro via the conference website at https://www.ldmicro.com/events if you would like to arrange a meeting. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Companys website at www.cytodyn.com under the Investors section/IR Calendar or at http://wsw.com/webcast/ldmicro12/cydy and will be archived for 90 days. Web participants are encouraged to login to either website 15 minutes prior to the start of the webcast to register, download and install any necessary software. About CytoDyn CytoDyn is a biotechnology company focused on the clinical development and potential commercialization of humanized monoclonal antibodies for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection. The Company has one of the leading monoclonal antibodies under development for HIV infection, PRO 140, which has completed Phase 2 clinical trials with demonstrated antiviral activity in man and is currently in Phase 3 development. PRO 140 blocks the HIV co-receptor CCR5 on T cells, which prevents viral entry. Clinical trial results thus far indicate that PRO 140 does not negatively affect the normal immune functions that are mediated by CCR5. Results from seven Phase 1 and Phase 2 human clinical trials have shown that PRO 140 can significantly reduce viral burden in people infected with HIV. A recent Phase 2b clinical trial demonstrated that PRO 140 can prevent viral escape in patients during several months of interruption from conventional drug therapy. CytoDyn intends to continue to develop PRO 140 as a therapeutic anti-viral agent in persons infected with HIV and to pursue immunologic (non-HIV) indications where CCR5 and its ligand CCL5 may be involved. For more information on the Company, please visit www.cytodyn.com. About PRO 140 PRO 140 belongs to a new class of HIV/AIDS therapeutics viral-entry inhibitors that are intended to protect healthy cells from viral infection. PRO 140 is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody directed against CCR5, a molecular portal that HIV uses to enter T-cells. PRO 140 blocks the predominant HIV (R5) subtype entry into T-cells by masking this required co-receptor, CCR5. Importantly, PRO 140 does not appear to interfere with the normal function of CCR5 in mediating immune responses. PRO 140 does not have agonist activity toward CCR5 but does have antagonist activity to CCL5, which is a central mediator in inflammatory diseases. PRO 140 has been the subject of seven clinical trials, each demonstrating efficacy by significantly reducing or controlling HIV viral load in human test subjects. PRO 140 has been designated a fast track product by the FDA. The PRO 140 antibody appears to be a powerful antiviral agent leading to potentially fewer side effects and less frequent dosing requirements as compared to daily drug therapies currently in use. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of United States securities laws, including statements regarding CytoDyns current and proposed trials and studies and their results, costs and completion. These statements and information represent CytoDyns intentions, plans, expectations, and beliefs and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many beyond CytoDyns control. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements or information. The words believe, estimate, expect, intend, attempt, anticipate, foresee, plan, and similar expressions and variations thereof identify certain of such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. CytoDyn disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. While it is impossible to identify or predict all such matters, these differences may result from, among other things, the inherent uncertainty of the timing and success of and expense associated with research, development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of CytoDyns products and product candidates, including the risks that clinical trials will not commence or proceed as planned; products appearing promising in early trials will not demonstrate efficacy or safety in larger-scale trials; future clinical trial data on CytoDyns products and product candidates will be unfavorable; funding for additional clinical trials may not be available; CytoDyns products may not receive marketing approval from regulators or, if approved, may fail to gain sufficient market acceptance to justify development and commercialization costs; competing products currently on the market or in development may reduce the commercial potential of CytoDyns products; CytoDyn, its collaborators or others may identify side effects after the product is on the market; or efficacy or safety concerns regarding marketed products, whether or not scientifically justified, may lead to product recalls, withdrawals of marketing approval, reformulation of the product, additional preclinical testing or clinical trials, changes in labeling of the product, the need for additional marketing applications, or other adverse events. CytoDyn is also subject to additional risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the actions of its corporate, academic, and other collaborators and government regulatory agencies; risks from market forces and trends; potential product liability; intellectual property litigation; environmental and other risks; and risks that current and pending patent protection for its products may be invalid, unenforceable, or challenged or fail to provide adequate market exclusivity. There are also substantial risks arising out of CytoDyns need to raise additional capital to develop its products and satisfy its financial obligations; the highly regulated nature of its business, including government cost-containment initiatives and restrictions on third-party payments for its products; the highly competitive nature of its industry; and other factors set forth in CytoDyns Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 and other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. English Finnish Stock Exchange Release Talvivaara Mining Company Plc 2 June 2017 The District Court of Espoo confirmed Talvivaara's Corporate Restructuring Programme - the development of Talvivaara's new businesses and acquiring finance continues Talvivaara Mining Company Plc ("Talvivaara" or the "Company") announces that the District Court of Espoo has today 2 June 2017 given its ruling and confirmed Talvivaara's Corporate Restructuring Programme. The Court also accepted entry into force of the Programme despite the possible appeal process.As a result of the ruling, the corporate reorganization proceedings of Talvivaara have been completed. The Administrator of the Company's corporate reorganization proceedings filed a request for confirmation of the Restructuring Programme of Talvivaara to the District Court of Espoo on 6 March 2017, when all the special conditions set for the confirmation and entry into force of the Restructuring Programme were fulfilled. Talvivaara focuses now in developing, commercializing and financing its new business opportunities and managing the EUR 9,6 million liabilities set in the confirmed Restructuring Programme. After the confirmation of the Restructuring Programme, acquiring additional finance for the new businesses and for paying the restructuring debts can proceed in accordance with the plan. According to the Restructuring Programme confirmed by the District Court, Talvivaara has two years to pay the secured and unsecured restructuring debts to the creditors. The Company will inform the market on the development of its selected businesses and business opportunities in due course. The District Court of Espoo's ruling on confirmation of the Corporate Restructuring and the confirmed Restructuring Programme are available in Finnish on the Talvivaara corporate website at www.talvivaara.com/corporate-reorganisation. Enquiries Talvivaara Mining Company Plc Tel +358 20 7129 800 Pekka Pera, CEO Pekka Erkinheimo, Debuty CEO Castren & Snellman Attorneys Ltd Tel 020 7765765 Pekka Jaatinen, Attorney-at-Law Attachments: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/618a0769-b354-4f13-8ee4-224dbe6c9080 Federal immigration authorities said they did not circulate or issue notices posted Thursday in the Washington, DC, area asking the public to report undocumented immigrants, reports BuzzFeed. The notices, which feature the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) logo at the top, state that it is a federal offense to harbor, encourage, or help an undocumented immigrant remain in the US. "If you see something, say something," the poster states. "If you would like to report illegal aliens, please call Immigration and Customs Enforcement." The poster, titled "Sanctuary City Neighborhood Public Notice," provides numbers to the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection. On Twitter, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said the signs arent real and has been in contact with the police department and DC Department of Public Works to have them removed. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Even though Donald Trump announced he would pull the United States out of the landmark Paris climate accord, at least 68 mayors across the country pledged to defy the president and commit to the agreement. In a powerful statement, the group of city leaders wrote, We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy economy. The full letter: The Presidents denial of global warming is getting a cold reception from Americas cities. As 68 Mayors representing 38 million Americans, we will adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement. We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy economy. We will continue to lead. We are increasing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We will buy and create more demand for electric cars and trucks. We will increase our efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, and stand for environmental justice. And if the President wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, well build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks. The world cannot wait and neither will we. While Trumps decision to pull from the historic deal is a serious blow to American credibility and global efforts to combat climate change, leaders from across the country are proving that one man without any grasp of reality even if hes the president will not hijack the global effort to tackle this growing threat. Trump may continue to live in a fantasy world in which climate change is a Chinese hoax and coal jobs will come roaring back, but the rest of the country is showing that they will not sit on the sidelines. Instead, they will find new ways of making a difference and advancing this effort where it matters on a local level. As the group of mayors said on Thursday: The world cannot wait. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Hours after Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the 195-nation agreement to fight global climate change, protesters swarmed the gates of the White House to voice their opposition. Activists showed up carrying posters reading, Shame and Science is not an alternative fact. One person even showed up in a polar bear outfit, as CNNs David Wright captured in a tweet. Shoutout to the guy in the full body polar bear suit at the White House climate protest. Its 82 degrees. pic.twitter.com/Onrq56BkJf David Wright (@DavidWright_CNN) June 1, 2017 But one sign, in particular, will likely be hard to top, playing on Trumps incoherent midnight tweet from earlier in the week. Picture: Also standing with the activists was DNC Chair Tom Perez, who said earlier that Trumps decision to walk away from the landmark climate accord was an insult to humanity. The response to the presidents stunning decision wasnt just felt in Washington, though. All across the globe, a throng of leaders, organizations and activists spoke out against the move, calling it not just a blow to American credibility abroad but a betrayal of future generations. As one employee from the environmental nonprofit Sierra Club told PoliticusUSA on Thursday, Our children and grandchildren will look back on this decision stunned that one world leader could be so divorced from reality and morality. Trump is burying his head in the sands while the seas are rising, they added. In a statement, the organization called Trumps move today one of the most ignorant and dangerous acts of any president. But it wasnt just green activists up in arms about the presidents move. Even Wall Street was fuming on Thursday. A tweet posted a short time ago by Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein ripped Trumps decision. Todays decision is a setback for the environment and for the U.S.s leadership position in the world. #ParisAgreement Lloyd Blankfein (@lloydblankfein) June 1, 2017 From environmental activists on the left to Wall Street executives on the right, there appears to finally be a consensus building around one simple idea: Climate change is happening, its impacts are devastating, and the world needs to act before its too late. Unfortunately, the most powerful man in the world doesnt agree. To justify his decision today, Trump said the U.S. does not want other leaders and other countries laughing at us anymore. The president need not worry no one is laughing today. Picture: Twitter Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Trumps speech withdrawing the US from the Paris climate was humiliating because it was total gibberish that revealed that the President Of The United States has no clue what Paris Climate Accord is or what it does and doesnt do. Video of Trump: Trump said, In order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord but begin negotiations to reenter either the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers. Were getting out, but we will start to negotiate and we will see if we can make a deal thats fair. If we can, thats great. If we cant, thats fine. The President also claimed to be bringing an economy back that had record setting job growth before he took office, The economy is starting to come back and very, very rapidly. Weve added $3.3 trillion in stock market value to our economy, and more than a million private sector jobs. The topper was this incoherent stretch of gibberish, where the President seems to think that the global economy is stuck in the early 20th Century: China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. So, we cant build the plants, but they can, according to this agreement. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it. India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants. In short, the agreement doesnt eliminate coal jobs. It just transfers those jobs out of America and the United States and ships them to foreign countries. This agreement is less about the climate and more about other countries gaining a financial advantage over the United States. China is investing $360 billion and creating 13 million new jobs by 2020 in clean energy. China also installs an average of one wind turbine every hour of every single day. Meanwhile, Trump is worried about coal jobs that employ 65,000 people in the US. What Trump said isnt logical. It isnt even a policy position. Trumps speech revealed that he has no understanding of the Paris climate agreement. Donald Trumps ignorance is giving Russia exactly what it always wanted. With each stupid and uninformed decision that Trump makes, he is destroying American global leadership and weakening the United States as a world power. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Almost immediately upon taking office, Donald Trump began working quickly and quietly to lift the sanctions imposed on Russia by the Obama administration for Moscows meddling in the 2016 presidential election. According to new reporting from Yahoo News Michael Isikoff, the White House asked the State Department to come up with ways to ease the sanctions within the first several weeks of Trumps presidency. More from the report: In the early weeks of the Trump administration, former Obama administration officials and State Department staffers fought an intense, behind-the-scenes battle to head off efforts by incoming officials to normalize relations with Russia, according to multiple sources familiar with the events. Unknown to the public at the time, top Trump administration officials, almost as soon as they took office, tasked State Department staffers with developing proposals for the lifting of economic sanctions, the return of diplomatic compounds and other steps to relieve tensions with Moscow. The report also notes that members of the State Department were alarmed by the request and quickly began to urge members of Congress to take legislative action that would block any effort by the new administration to lift the punishments. More from the report: These efforts to relax or remove punitive measures imposed by President Obama in retaliation for Russias intervention in Ukraine and meddling in the 2016 election alarmed some State Department officials, who immediately began lobbying congressional leaders to quickly pass legislation to block the move, the sources said. There was serious consideration by the White House to unilaterally rescind the sanctions, said Dan Fried, a veteran State Department official who served as chief U.S. coordinator for sanctions policy until he retired in late February. He said in the first few weeks of the administration, he received several panicky calls from U.S. government officials who told him they had been directed to develop a sanctions-lifting package and imploring him, Please, my God, cant you stop this? Fried said he grew so concerned that he contacted Capitol Hill allies including Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the ranking minority member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to urge them to move quickly to pass legislation that would codify the sanctions in place, making it difficult for President Trump to remove them. The Trump administration was essentially willing to lift sanctions on Russia in return for absolutely nothing not only poor and unprecedented policy, but also a troubling move given what we now know about this administrations ties to the Russians. The reporting from Yahoo News is also the most in-depth look to date at just how adamant the administration was at essentially rewarding Moscow, despite the fact that they had just interfered in an election only months earlier. The stunning news comes as the investigation into the administrations ties to Russia creeps closer and closer to the Oval Office with associates all around the president, and even Trump himself, now under investigation for a slew of secret meetings and dealing with Russia, not to mention efforts by the president to obstruct an active investigation. The White House will likely continue to dismiss this as a witch hunt, but its becoming abundantly clear they have something to hide. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print By Nathan Layne, Mark Hosenball and Julia Edwards Ainsley WASHINGTON (Reuters) Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating possible ties between the Trump election campaign and Russia, is expanding his probe to include a grand jury investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, three sources told Reuters. The move means Muellers politically charged inquiry will now look into Flynns paid work as a lobbyist for a Turkish businessman in 2016, in addition to contacts between Russian officials and Flynn and other Trump associates during and after the Nov. 8 presidential election. Federal prosecutors in Virginia are investigating a deal between Flynn and Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin as part of a grand jury criminal probe, according to a subpoena seen by Reuters. Alptekins company, Netherlands-based Inovo BV, paid Flynns consultancy $530,000 between September and November to produce a documentary and research on Fethullah Gulen, an exiled Turkish cleric living in the United States. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan blames Gulen for a failed coup last July. Alptekin, an ally of Erdogan, told Reuters he hired Flynn to provide research on how Gulen is poisoning the atmosphere between Turkey and the United States. Gulen has denied any role in the coup and dismisses Turkeys allegations that he heads a terrorist organization. The grand jury in Virginia has issued subpoenas to some of Flynns business associates involved in the work for Inovo, two people familiar with the probe say. The subpoena seen by Reuters seeks bank records, documents and communications related to Flynn, his company, Flynn Intel Group, Alptekin and Inovo. Flynns lawyer, Robert Kelner, did not respond to questions about Flynns work for Inovo or Muellers investigation. A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment. Alptekin declined to comment when asked about the investigation into Flynn and whether he or anyone he knows has been subpoenaed. BROAD POWERS Muellers move to take over the Virginia grand jurys criminal investigation highlights his broad powers as special counsel. Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed Mueller, a former FBI director, on May 17 to oversee an investigation into any links or collusion between Russia and individuals associated with the Trump campaign. Rosenstein also gave him authority to pursue any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation. Some members of Congress have asked the Justice Department to define the scope of Muellers inquiry. Muellers appointment followed an uproar over Trumps firing of FBI Director James Comey, who had been investigating alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Democrats and some of the presidents fellow Republicans had demanded an independent probe of whether Russia tried to sway the outcome of Novembers election in favor of Trump and against Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump, who has said there was no coordination between his campaign and Russia, has decried the investigation as a witch hunt. One of Trumps most trusted aides during the election campaign, Flynn had a long career in the military. He set up the Flynn Intel Group, an Alexandria, Virginia-based intelligence consultancy, after President Barack Obama dismissed him as head of the militarys Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014. UNFINISHED DOCUMENTARY Mueller, who takes over leadership of an FBI investigation that began last July, can present evidence to grand juries and hear testimony from witnesses. Trump fired Flynn in February after it became clear that he had falsely characterized the nature of phone conversations he had with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak in December, just after the Obama administration imposed new sanctions on Russia for what U.S. intelligence agencies had concluded was a Kremlin-led effort through computer hacking, fake news and propaganda to boost Trumps chances of winning the White House. Flynns work for Inovo came under scrutiny after he published a commentary on a political news website on Election Day calling Gulen a radical Islamist who should be extradited to Turkey. Along with the editorial, the Flynn Intel Group also produced a 75-page report on Gulen based mainly on news reports and some video footage for a documentary that was never made, according to three people familiar with the project. Alptekin, who is chairman of the Turkey-U.S. Business Council, told Reuters he was satisfied with Flynns research because it had helped him understand how Gulens network operates in the United States. He said the $530,000 payment to Flynns firm came mostly from his personal funds. On Nov. 18, the day after Flynn was appointed Trumps national security adviser, Trump transition team lawyer William McGinley raised concerns on a call with the Flynn Intel Group and others involved in the Inovo project over who had paid for Flynns commentary, according to two people with knowledge of the conversation. Flynn did not participate in that call, they said. At the time of the call, Flynn had not disclosed that his work for Alptekin meant he was being paid to represent Turkish interests during the election campaign. Flynn Intel Group had said in a September 2016 filing that it was lobbying for Inovo but did not disclose its Turkish links. In March, Flynn retroactively registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. In a letter accompanying the March filing, Flynns lawyer, Kelner, said the disclosure was being made because Flynns work for Inovo could be construed to have principally benefited the Republic of Turkey, which he noted was seeking to extradite Gulen. The House of Representatives intelligence committee, which is also investigating Russian interference in the election, subpoenaed records from Flynn on Wednesday. The Senates intelligence committee, which has a separate probe under way, has also served subpoenas on Flynn and two of his businesses, and earlier this week Flynn indicated that he would start turning over relevant materials. (Additional reporting by Julia Harte in Washington, editing by Kevin Krolicki and Ross Colvin) Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print The Trump administration is trying to bury the Senates 2014 report on the CIAs torture program, but President Obama thought ahead and included a copy of the report in his presidential papers, where Trump cant get to it, and it may someday be declassified. The New York Times reported that the Trump administration is handing back copies of the report to Congress: However, before he left office, President Obama anticipated that Trump might do this, so he had a copy of the report included in his presidential papers. As Reuters reported at the time, President Barack Obamas administration has decided to include a massive report on the CIAs use of waterboarding and other enhanced interrogation techniques in his presidential papers, meaning it may eventually be declassified. The Trump administration has promised to bring back torture, so it was predictable that they would try to bury the definitive report that concludes that torture does not work. Having a copy of the report in Obamas presidential papers is not as good as declassifying the report, as Democrats asked President Obama to do, but the former president did make sure that the report was preserved so that it can serve as a reminder that torture serves no purpose in a democratic society. Because of the actions that Obama took, Trump wont get a chance to completely bury this shameful part of American history. Someday, hopefully soon, citizens of our country can see the consequences of allowing our nation to be governed by fear. Americans may someday be able to read the full torture report because Barack Obama had the foresight to protect it from Donald Trump. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print WASHINGTON (Reuters) White House officials said on Friday they did not know yet whether President Donald Trump will seek to block former FBI Director James Comey from testifying to Congress next week, a move that could spark a political backlash. I have not spoken to counsel yet. I dont know how theyre going to respond, White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters. Comey was leading a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged Russian meddling in last years U.S. presidential election and possible collusion by Trumps campaign when the president fired him last month. Critics have charged that Trump was seeking to hinder the FBIs investigation by dismissing Comey. The former FBI chief is due to testify on Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of its own Russia-related investigation, and his remarks could cause problems for the Republican president. Comey is widely expected to be asked about conversations in which the president reportedly pressured him to drop an investigation into Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, whose ties to Russia are under scrutiny. Critics have said that such pressure could potentially amount to obstruction of justice. Presidents can assert executive privilege to prevent government employees from sharing information. However, legal experts say it is not clear whether certain conversations between Trump and Comey that the president has talked about publicly would be covered, and any effort to block Comey, who is now a private citizen, from testifying could be challenged in court. In an interview with ABC News, White House senior adviser Kellyanne Conway appeared to indicate the president would allow Comey to testify. Well be watching with the rest of the world when Director Comey testifies, she said. But asked directly whether Trump would invoke executive privilege on Comeys testimony, she added: The president will make that decision. Amid a political firestorm touched off by Comeys firing, the Justice Department appointed a special counsel last month to take the lead on the Russia investigation. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded the Russian government sought to influence the U.S. election in Trumps favor, a charge Russia has denied. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, said on Thursday some Russians may have acted on their own. Trump, who has raised doubts about the U.S. agencies findings and denounced the continuing Russia probes, has denied any collusion. (Reporting by Susan Heavey and Roberta Rampton; Writing by Susan Heavey and Tim Ahmann; Editing by Frances Kerry) Nashville, TN, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Colombia Gold Corp. (OTCPink: FCGD) provided a detailed operations update today. The company announced that after careful consideration, they have chosen Wesley T. Johnson to lead their coal operations division. Jason Castenir, CEO of First Columbia Gold Corp. stated, We are all extremely excited about Mr. Johnson and his capabilities and honored to have him on the team. As we are making this transition into the coal industry, Johnson makes an excellent choice for the new direction of the Company. Wes Johnson has over 15 years of experience in the coal industry at varying levels. His expertise in strip mining, terminal management and heavy equipment provides the practical knowledge and leadership that First Columbia Gold Corp. will need to achieve success in this new venture. I am excited to lead First Columbia in this new direction and to kick off operations with this first coal lease. This is an exciting time in the market and I believe that my experience and connections within the industry will be a valuable asset to First Columbia Gold Corp., stated Johnson. Johnson is currently located in Kentucky and believes this lease location, also in Kentucky, is located in a very advantageous region. Mr. Johnson continued, Being centrally located in Kentucky, provides the best access to the Eastern Kentucky coal markets. I intend to focus on two key regional opportunities, our first and easiest market entry is within the Eastern Markets and specifically the ports on the East Coast. As we develop a customer base within that region, we will try to use rail to develop markets in the port of New Orleans. The company has further detailed their operations plan. The initial focus will be on the Haddix Seam which ranges in thickness from 48 inches to 55 inches and will be mined using the area mining method. This seam has an existing permit in place which includes 300,000 tons of recoverable coal. The company plans to mine at a rate of 20,000 tons per month and based upon the current market conditions, the company believes that coal will sell in excess of $50 per ton. The initial estimated mining costs for the initial operation are projected to be $40 to $42 per ton giving First Columbia Gold Corp. an $8 per ton margin. Mr. Castenir gave his thoughts on the overall opportunity within this coal venture, There is a lot of momentum and activity within the coal industry and there are a lot of opportunities within this sector right now. We have everything we need to succeed with this new venture. We are continuing to build our team and recruit the talent necessary to make a profitable entry into the coal market. Investor Inquiries: Website: www.FCGDcorp.com Email: info@firstcolombiagoldcorp.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FirstColombiaGold Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/FCGDCorp Disclaimer This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on beliefs of First Colombia Gold Corp. management and reflect First Colombia Gold Corp.'s current expectations as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When we use in this release the words "estimate," "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "plan," "predict," "may," "should," "will," "can," the negative of these words, or such other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, are all intended to identify forward looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of First Colombia Gold Corp. with respect to future events based on currently available information and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties pertaining to development of mining properties, changes in economic conditions and other risks, uncertainties and factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievement expressed or implied by such forward looking statements to differ materially from the forward looking statements. The information contained in this press release is historical in nature, has not been updated, and is current only to the date shown in this press release. This information may no longer be accurate and therefore you should not rely on the information contained in this press release. To the extent permitted by law, First Colombia Gold Corp. and its employees, agents and consultants exclude all liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of, or reliance on, any such information, whether or not caused by any negligent act or omission. This press release incorporates by reference the Company's filings with the SEC including 10K, 10Q, 8K reports and other filings. Investors are encouraged to review all filings. There is no assurance First Colombia Gold Corp. will identify projects of merit or if it will have sufficient financing to implement its business plan. There is no assurance that the Company's due diligence on the potential acquisition of oil and gas assets will be favorable nor that definitive terms can be negotiated. Information in this release includes representations from the private companies referred to which has not been independently verified by the company. A downturn in oil prices would affect the potential profitability of the proposed acquisition negatively. 25 2021 - 200 ! . ( ) 1 , Cookies . cookies. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Tropical storm conditions possible. Thunderstorms likely - windy with locally heavy rainfall possible, especially this morning. High 73F. Winds E at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Tropical storm conditions possible. Thunderstorms. Low around 70F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall may reach one inch. Washington, D.C, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The nations mayors will voice their strong opposition to President Trumps withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord on a PRESS CONFERENCE CALL tomorrow, Friday, June 2, at 12 noon ET . Under the leadership of the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), mayors have vowed their continued commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to alleviate the impacts of global warming despite what happens at the national level. At its Annual Meeting in June 2016, the Conference reiterated mayors support for the Paris Climate Accord and the economic and health benefits to stronger climate policy on our communities and passed a policy resolution supporting the agreement along with other local, national and international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the USCM approaches its Annual Meeting this June 23-27 in Miami Beach, the nations mayors will gather reaffirm their long-term commitment to addressing climate disruption and celebrate mayors who have made significant strides locally. Since 2005, the Conference has been a leader on the issue of climate change by passing numerous policies, holding several summits, as well as spearheading a bipartisan effort where more than 1,000 mayors committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their individual communities. WHO: New Orleans (LA) Mayor Mitch Landrieu, USCM Vice President Phoenix (AZ) Mayor Greg Stanton, USCM Environment Committee Chair Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, USCM Past President Carmel (IN) Mayor Jim Brainard, USCM Energy Independence & Climate Protection Task Force Co-Chair WHAT: Mayors Press Conference Call on Withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord WHEN: Friday, June 2, 2017 | 12:00 noon to 12:30 pm ET WHERE: Conference Call Number: 888-516-2443 | Passcode: 8201235 ### The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors. Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/217c5839-7a5c-4202-8618-9ef9c80dd9b2 Doughnuts and coffee are a match made in heaven, though we can be flexible with the pastry. No one would turn down a Danish, apple fritter, long john, muffin, cinnamon roll, bismark, bear claw, or brownie. Besides sweets, we love sweet bargains and, in Rochester, if youre nimble, you can start and end the day with delectable discount baked goods. Heres your guide to sweet cheap eats. The Gingerbread House(1104 N Broadway) feels like an old-time bakery and is worth the trip just to ogle its decor and farmstead furniture pieces. You have been warned: you wont leave empty-handed. The bake shop carries a mouthwatering variety of breads, pies, cookies, and sweet rolls, not to mention seasonal items such as Irish soda bread. Big bags of duck food for 79 cents are an everyday bargain, as is the day-old bread selection. The pastry case two-for-one bargains start at 3 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturdays. Their donut holes are my favorite afternoon snack. Rochesters Kwik Tripconvenience stores provide a constant stream of baked good and sweet roll specials. Kwik Trip is famous for its Glazers (buy them fresh first thing in the morning) and for their occasional four-for-a-dollar cookie deal. Less well known is that Kwik Trip has the best brownies in town: a dense chocolate cake with walnuts and a deliriously rich layer of chocolate frosting. These brownies disappear fast but, once in a blue moon, you can find them two-for-a-dollar when the afternoon pastry case markdowns start around 4 or 5 p.m. The markdown muffins and bagels are a great deal, too, and make tomorrows breakfast easy. Peoples Food Co-op(519 1st Ave. SW) has a small but well-supplied self-service pastry case, and the Co-op is the only bakery in town to have morning specials on yesterdays baked goods. These specials sell out fast. If youre early enough for scones, grab them! The Holiday Stationstoresin town stock their pastry cases by way of the marvelous Cub Foods bakery. Holidays afternoon specials start at 4 p.m.. You take home a doughnut for 44 cents possibly the best bargain in town for sweets. Choose what you like from what remains in the pastry case, but know the apple fritters, long johns, and doughnuts fly off the shelves. ADVERTISEMENT Daubes Bakery(1310 5th Pl. NW and the downtown subway) will expand your sweet roll horizons, since there is always something unique among their artful creations. I had a strawberry balsamic paczki on my last visit. Like The Gingerbread House, Daubes is a full service bakery able to do special orders. They also have sandwiches, a dining area and Sunday brunch. Their half-off specials begin at 5:30 p.m. weekdays, 3 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday, and include breads, sandwiches, doughnuts, and pastries. A bit of France with an Irish accent is rolling into the Rochester Downtown Farmers Marketon Saturday. Deirdre Conroyis bringing her Le Petit Caf e coffee cart to the market to serve up cups of espresso, cappuccino, flat white and more as well as teas and "decadent pastries" with ingredients sourced from her nearby hobby farm. After more than a month bringing an old coffee cart back to life and transforming it into a mobile cafe, the former Irish chef is describing her inaugural outing as "a soft opening." "It's a labor of love," she said. "Don't expect a U.S. Big Box coffee shop with caramel Frappuccinos. Think more European with more of an emphasis on really good coffee." Conroy will be brewing organic Peace Coffee and steeping Octavia Tea Co.'s loose-leaf teas. She also will be pouring her own farm fresh rhubarb-ginger cordial creation that can be ordered with bubbles or flat. ADVERTISEMENT As a longtime pastry chef in Europe, she also will be serving up traditional scones, goat cheese tarts, honey yogurt cake, Moroccan orange cake and other treats. Conroy originally made her way to Rochester working with a corporation, but then started planning to open her own eatery here. "I hit a few brick walls trying to set up a brick-and-mortar cafe. Since I didn't have a place for customers to go to, I decided to go mobile and go to the customers," she explained. Marketgoers will find Le Petit Cafe parked near Stephen Jennebach's Firebrick Bread Wood-Fired Pizza trailer. The Farmers Market definitely is developing a cosmopolitan flavor with Jennebach, who trained as a baker in Germany, working next to an Irish pastry chef with a mini French cafe. Of course, Conroy won't be the only one selling caffeinated drinks at the Downtown Farmers Market. Old Abe's Coffee Co.cart already is a well-known market fixture. Conroy, who praised Abe Sauer'sproducts, stressed her espresso and other drinks are very different from Old Abe's cold brew coffee drinks. In addition to weekly appearances at the market, Conroy says her Petit Cafe also is available for private parties and events. You never know where news will come from. In Tuesday's Post Bulletin, you read a story about a farm family in Kellogg that is trying to save its family farm. I could rehash the tale, but if you just click the link or pick up the Region section of that day's newspaper, you can reacquaint yourself with the story of Willard Drysdale, his daughter, Chelsey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For me, the story started at about 3:15 p.m. on May 25 when the mustachioed editor brought me a note about a phone call from a Wabasha County Board member who had an upset constituent (Drysdale.) Four phone calls later, I had the basics of the story and a date to meet the Drysdales at their farm in the morning. But that's not where the story really began. Nope. It really began on Dec. 15 when the St. Paul office of the Corps held a public meeting in Wabasha to discuss the draft of its new dredge material management plan. That meeting was on my calendar and I considered going. I can clearly recall the conversation with the editor to my right. ADVERTISEMENT Turns out, a couple of deer with chronic wasting disease had me in Preston that night instead. That's also a big story. If it's not one thing, it's another. Southeast Minnesota is big. We just can't get to it all. So mea culpa what will certainly be a big story, many stories, was passed over for another big story. Of course, if you read Tuesday's Post Bulletin you know the Drysdales weren't aware of how this issue affected them until the middle of May, so by missing this in December I wasn't alone. I did read the dredge material management plan at the time. Nothing in it screamed "Corps and farmers square off over land." Read it yourself on the St. Paul District website. But big stories have a way of hitting you in the head again and again. The mustachioed editor sent me down the path that led me to the farm in Kellogg. As luck would have it, I had a busy day along the river last Friday, so I stayed in Kellogg and camped out to write said story from a table at a local diner. The owner asked me what I was writing, I told her, and pretty soon just about every customer in the joint was chiming in about the Corps, the Drysdales, and who's side they were on. For the record, I'm not on anyone's side. That's not the job. Though I certainly have feelings about this. My main feeling is there are plenty more tales to be told here. All those folks at the diner in Kellogg certainly made that clear. So did the fact Wabasha's city administrator took time to email me while he was on vacation with his family. And thanks for reading, folks the slew of emails from angry readers (some angry with me!) on the topic didn't hurt either. ADVERTISEMENT My favorite? The fact that I didn't include a link to the Corps' website so they could comment showed I am a pro-government fan of a certain Twitter-happy president. That I should decompose someplace warm and eternal was left barely unspoken. So, here's that link where you can find the Corps' draft plan www.mvp.usace.army.mil make comments by the extended deadline of June 23 about it and learn what the Corps plans to do with the silt and sand that washes down from the Chippewa River in Wisconsin. You can contact the Corps' project manager, Bob Edstrom, at 651-290-5026 or Robert.K.Edstrom@usace.army.mil or write a letter to Edstrom at the St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attention: Project Management, 180 Fifth St. E., Suite 700, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1678. Finally, the Corps is holding a pair of public meetings, the first at 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Nelson Community Building in Nelson, Wis. The second at 7 p.m., June 15 at Wabasha-Kellogg High School. There, I hope that keeps me out of that warm eternal place for the time being. Now, on to the next big story. WESTCHESTER, Ill., June 2, 2017 - Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR), a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, announced today that it has reached an agreement with the SOERM labor union in Argentina. "We have to come to a fair and equitable conclusion. Both of our manufacturing facilities in Argentina will remain open and will resume operations on June 4," said Jim Zallie, Ingredion executive vice president and president, Americas. Ingredion has manufacturing facilities in Baradero and Chacabuco and employs 698 people in Argentina. ABOUT INGREDION Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR) is a leading global ingredient solutions provider. We turn grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant materials into value-added ingredients and biomaterial solutions for the food, beverage, paper and corrugating, brewing and other industries. Serving customers in over 100 countries, our ingredients make crackers crunchy, yogurts creamy, candy sweet, paper stronger and add fiber to nutrition bars. Visit Ingredion.com to learn more. ### CONTACT: Investors: Heather Kos, 708-551-2592 Media: Claire Regan, 708-551-2602 RED WING A Cannon Falls woman is alive and well after Minnesota State Patrol troopers ran a lifesaving blood run when she almost died giving birth last month. After 36-hours of labor, surgeons performed a Cesarean section on Lisa Jaeger on May 18 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing. Jaeger gave birth to her son, Ryan. However, what should be a day of happiness turned into a nightmare. "I remember the doctor saying, 'Turn your head. Wake up. Look at your son," Jaeger recalled during a news conference Thursday. "I thought that I was, and I wasn't; I was not responding at all at that point." Jaeger had started hemorrhaging, and the blood she needed was 45 miles away in St. Paul. Jaeger had lost around three liters of blood, and normal travel time from the Twin Cities to Red Wing would have been too late. This is when Minnesota State Patrol troopers Jesse Einhorn, Jacob Letourneau and Dau Yang, stepped in to perform a lifesaving blood-run to save Jaeger's life. They formed a relay from St. Paul to Red Wing, rushing in their squad cars to hand off the box of blood. ADVERTISEMENT Jaeger said she recalled overhearing doctors ordering the blood run. Since she and her husband, Brent, both work for the State Patrol, she knew she is be in good hands. Jaeger had also participated in a blood run ride-along for her job as a manager of the patrol's vehicle fleet. "In my head I went, 'I bet that's the troopers that are running the blood down here,'" she said. This blood run was trooper Letourneau's third. After finding out that Jaeger was a member of the state patrol staff, the situation became more personal for him. "I thought about my wife and if she had a child and needed the blood," he said. It took just more than an hour from the time the American Red Cross received the request to the delivery of the blood in Red Wing. Now, Jaeger and her son, Ryan, are doing just fine. "We were that close," she said. "I'm here because of a phenomenal team of doctors and nurses at the hospital, because of these three troopers and because of people that donate blood." This type of relay is not a rarity for state patrol. In fact, troopers conduct blood runs from the Twin Cities blood banks, and also transport organs to hospitals on request. There were 89 trooper relay runs last year, and 34 so far this year, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. "It's fairly common, and something that troopers do, something that we're quite good at and proud to do" said Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. Grappling with depression and health problems, Ginger Petersen sought a new purpose. Shortly after visiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness Southeast Minnesota, Petersen, 69, wanted to do something to help herself and others. "I needed a new purpose because I can't do what I used to," she said. "Sitting at home is not good for anybody." Three months ago, Petersen started Operation Bedroll MN, a local group that collects and crochets plastic bags into half-inch thick, six-foot long sleeping mats for Rochester's homeless population. The group will hold its first open house on Saturday, where Petersen hopes to boost membership. The group currently has six members and meets at a house at People of Hope Church every Tuesday. Members crochet the plastic mats with "plarn" made by cutting plastic bags into strips, looping them together and rolling them into balls. Roughly 700 to 1,000 plastic bags are needed to crochet each mat. ADVERTISEMENT Crocheting can be time-consuming, Petersen said, sometimes taking weeks to complete. So far, the group has made around seven mats. When the mats are finished, Petersen and members deliver them to Rochester's Dorothy Day Hospitality House where they're distributed to those in need. For Petersen, the social interaction the group has provided has been a "lifesaver." "It made me realize there's a lot of people, especially elderly, that sit at home with nothing to do. This is something they can do," she said. Chris Miller, a 62-year-old Rochester resident, was one of the first members to join Operation Bedroll MN. Miller was volunteering at the Dorothy Day House one night when she encountered Petersen's husband, who was picking up plastic bags. She joined the group a week later. "I'm a person of faith, so I've been kind of praying for something to come my way that would make me feel useful," Miller said. "The homeless, that group is something I feel strong about serving." Courtney Lawson, executive director for NAMI Southeast Minnesota, a sponsor of the group, said she tries to direct people who need social interaction to Petersen. "Just that social component of someone dealing with poor mental health or a mental illness, it's critical to wellness," Lawson said. The work could have a substantial impact on Rochester's homeless community if more people get involved, said People of Hope Pastor Dan Doering, who's provided space for Petersen to work over the last two months. ADVERTISEMENT "They're working really hard to make these bedrolls, but it's just a labor-intensive process," Doering said. As the first open house approaches, Petersen said she welcomes people of all backgrounds to join in regardless of crocheting experience. Volunteers are welcome to do anything from gathering bags to preparing the plarn for crocheting, she said. Eventually, Petersen said she'd be willing to visit nearby communities, like Austin, to start more groups. "When I started it, I could see the whole state of Minnesota doing it," she said. Were three weeks away from the Georgia special election to fill the open House seat of Tom Price, who moved up to be secretary of Health and Human Liabilities. By all accounts it is a very tight race in a district that Trump carried by a narrow margin, meaning it is winnable by either side. Its one of those suburban districts where Trump is not especially popular even with many Republican voters, so if the election can be made into a referendum on Trump, the well-funded Democrat, Jon Ossoff, probably wins. But if the election can be turned into a referendum on the Resistance, maybe the Republican, Karen Handel, will win. It is nice to see the Republican campaign apparatus exploiting Kathy Griffins art project to point out to voters how crazy the left is today, and to suggest to Democrats that there are consequences for the acts of their celebrity supporters. Ossoffs campaign is crying foul and demanding the ad be taken down, which shows that it is effective. Good for Republicans for hitting back twice as hard. Our friends at that American Greatness site are pushing back on the alleged collusion scandal narrative. Andy McCarthys Real collusion was the first in a series. Brandon Weichert and Chris Buskirks The anatomy of a lie (i.e., the Trump-Russia collusion scandal) is the second. It aims to tell how the Russia story evolved from a campaign talking point into a witch hunt in search of a crime. Weichert and Buskirk have also produced a 30-minute video to accompany their anatomy; the video is embedded in their essay. The Weichert/Buskirk anatomy compiles a substantial amount of information and turns it into a narrative with links to relevant source materials. The video gives a timeline documenting how the claim that Donald Trump colluded with Russia in order to steal the 2016 U.S. presidential election evolved. It argues the falsity of the claims of collusion. By contrast, evidence points both to the corruption of Hillary Clinton with her email server and the Clinton Global Initiative as well as the Obama administrations abuse of power to spy on citizens working for the Trump campaign. By now, most people understand that fact-checkers for organs like the Washington Post are just liberals trying to package their talking points under a byline they hope will bolster their waning credibility. Thats certainly the case with this Washington Post fact check (by Glenn Kessler and Michelle Ye Hee Lee) of President Trumps explanation for withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. This howler appears in the second paragraph: Trump also suggested that the United States was treated unfairly under the agreement. But each of the nations signing the agreement agreed to help lower emissions, based on plans they submitted. So the U.S. target was set by the Obama administration. Q.E.D. But for which side of the debate? In the online version Im working from, the fact-checkers dont bother to link to the text of Trumps speech. Apparently, they would prefer not to be fact-checked. If one bothers to read the text, one finds that Trump didnt say the process that produced the agreement e.g., the way the targets were set is unfair. He said: the Paris Accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States. In other words, the outcome in particular, the targets is unfair. Thus, the fact-checkers have assumed that targets set by Obama are, by definition, fair to the United States. Thats what they used to call begging the question. It would be hard for the fact-checkers to go downhill from there, but they make a good run at it. Trump cited a study finding that full implementation and compliance with the agreement would produce only a tiny, tiny 0.2 degree reduction in global temperature by 2100. The fact-checkers deny that a 0.2 degree reduction is tiny, tiny and say that the author of the study disagrees with Trumps characterization. Do we really need fact-checkers to tell us what is, and is not, tiny, tiny? The Posts fact-checkers take a rather different approach when it comes to assessing the magnitude of lost economic growth. Citing a study, Trump said the agreement would cost the economy nearly $3 trillion in lost gross domestic product by 2040. The fact-checkers say that number must be viewed in context over more than two decades, so $3 trillion amounts to a reduction of 6 percent. A 6 percent loss of GDP isnt tiny, tiny. It seems significant to me. Others may view things differently, but thats a matter of opinion, not fact. Trump hasnt said anything here that constitutes factual error. Much of the criticism leveled by the Posts fact-checkers is based on the fact that the nations arent bound by the key elements of the Paris agreement. Thus, they note that Trump could change Obamas commitments because it is technically allowed under the accord. (Emphasis added). But in evaluating whether to stay in the deal, Trump has the right to take it seriously. Whats the point of being a party to an agreement that any party can blow off? The point, from the climate activist perspective, may be to provide a vehicle for challenging decisions like Trumps rollback of the Clean Power Plan. Trump alluded to this prospect, which has been raised by the White House Counsel, in his speech. According to the Posts fact-checkers, State Department lawyers strongly deny that the Paris accords could be used this way. I suspect they are either disingenuous, insufficiently creative, or oblivious. Anyway, Trump is entitled to rely on the view of his White House Counsel. In the end, I come away from the Posts fact-check believing that, (1) if fully implemented and complied with, the Paris agreement will have only a negligible impact on the earths temperature and (2) even if the U.S. remained in the deal, it would not be fully implemented and complied with. I also coming away believing that, with the possible exception of taking the Paris accord too seriously, Trumps speech contains no error of fact. Przepraszamy! Ogoszenie na stanowisku: Junior Specialist in Disputes Team with Italian wygaso z dniem 2017-06-30 Ta propozycja bya zozona przez Accenture Mozliwe przyczyny wygasniecia ogoszenia to: propozycja zamieszczona przez pracodawce zostaa wycofana z serwisu praca.egospodarka.pl ogoszeniodawca zakonczy proces rekrutacji uzyskujac odpowiednia ilosc CV firma zmodyfikowaa tresc zlecenia i jest ono dostepne pod innym adresem url dostawca tresci usuna ogoszenie z bazy danych zy adres WWW ogoszenia Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w branzy Obsuga klienta / Call center, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Obsuga klienta / Call center Jezeli poszukujesz pracy na stanowisku Junior Specialist in Disputes Team with Italian, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Junior Specialist in Disputes Team with Italian Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w miescie: Warszawa, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Warszawa Pamietaj, ze mozesz takze rozpoczac poszukiwanie pracy od strony gownej, kliknij tutaj. Inne oferty, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan: DALLAS, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Delta Companies (TDC), a leading staffing firm for healthcare professionals nationwide, announced that Ryan Anholt has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Delta Healthcare Providers (DHP). Anholt was previously the Senior Vice President of Recruiting for DHP. Over the past three years, Anholt has been instrumental in establishing and utilizing the business strategies that have enabled DHP to excel and outpace the market. The promotion recognizes Anholts contribution to DHP and his impressive business acumen. Since joining DHP, they have outpaced the industry in growth each and every year, said Bill Tracewell, CEO. Ryan has excellent communications skills and deep experience in travel and direct hire. DHP needed a strong leader with vision and experience. Ryan is the ideal choice to fill this role. In 2002, Anholt joined TDC as a recruiter for Delta Physician Placement (DPP). He was named Recruiter of the Year in 2004 and became DPPs Executive Vice President in 2006. In 2009 he joined DHP to help build the travel therapy recruiting team. Anholt has been named Leader of the Quarter for TDC three times. "It's an honor to accept this position and further contribute to the growth of TDC," Anholt said. As our company expands and as the healthcare landscape changes, our focus on providing the best in healthcare staffing will continue to drive my leadership in this very important role. DHP, which represents allied healthcare professionals, has been recognized with Inaveros Best of Staffing honors for the past five years, and the prestigious Diamond Award for four consecutive years. The Diamond Award is given to firms that have been awarded Best in Staffing for five consecutive years. ABOUT THE DELTA COMPANIES The Delta Companies offer permanent and temporary staffing solutions nationwide for physicians, physician extenders, therapy and other allied healthcare professionals. Physician staffing services are represented by Delta Physician Placement and Delta Locum Tenens. All other allied healthcare staffing services are represented by Delta Healthcare Providers. For More Information, Contact: Eric Sasser Vice President of Advertising, The Delta Companies Four Hickory Centre 1755 Wittington Place, Suite 175 Dallas, TX 75234 (800) 521-5060 x4600 PR@thedeltacompanies.com http://www.thedeltacompanies.com The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, on Thursday said it is too early to determine when production caps should be imposed on Nigeria and Libya. The OPEC Secretary-General, Mohammad Barkindo, said this on Thursday at an economic forum in Russias St Petersburg. Nigeria and Libya had earlier been exempted from an OPEC and non-OPEC producing members agreement to extend the crude oil production cut by another nine months to allow further rebalancing of the market. The decision took place in May after the 2nd ministerial meeting of the two groups at the headquarters of OPEC in Vienna, Austria. The President of the OPEC Conference and minister of energy of Saudi Arabia, Khalid Al- Falih, had said that the extension was necessary to further consolidate the gain by all stakeholders and the period would allow the market to achieve the five year average for stocks. The two countries (Nigeria and Libya) are still well below the expected output quota, it is in our interest to be friendly and brotherly, and exempt them so that they get the maximum revenue from the amount produced. Its not appropriate to discuss any cut for them anytime soon, the President of OPEC conference had said. In a chat with Reuters on Thursday, Mr. Barkindo, OPEC Secretary-General, said the two countries have challenges to resolve. Too early to say when production caps could be imposed on Libya and Nigeria, they have a lot of issues to solve, he told Reuters. On oil price decline, the OPEC scribe said that the cartel has no issues with people taking position, adding that the producers group has decided to focus on the fundamentals. We have no issues with people taking positions in the market, he said, adding that we are focusing on fundamentals. Meanwhile, Mr. Barkindo also disclosed that the Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, told him Russia was fully committed to complying with output cuts. Share this: Twitter Facebook The closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, led to a 28.2 per cent decline in the number of air travellers across Nigerian airports, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, had said. According to the air transport report figures released by the NBS Thursday, the number of air travellers declined by 983,705, due to the six-week closure of the airport. The Abuja airport was closed by the Nigerian government on March 8 for repair works to be carried out on its runway and taxiways. The airport was reopened on April 18 following the completion of the repair work. According to the NBS , the total number of passengers who passed through Nigerian airports in the first quarter of this year at 2,505,612. The bureau added that 67.3 per cent were domestic passengers, while the rest were international passengers, entering or leaving Nigeria. The report noted that, relative to the previous quarter , there were 983,705 fewer passengers , a fall of 28.2 per cent and relative to the first quarter of 2016 there were 1,165 ,482 fewer, or 29 . 4 per cent less. This was largely due to the closure of the Abuja airport from March 8, it explained. There were 311, 261 fewer domestic passengers to travel through the Abuja airport relative to the previous quarter, it added. The bureau noted, however, that the effect on the total number will not be limited to a reduction in passengers travelling through Abuja, as each domestic passenger to leave Abuja would have also counted as an arrival at a different domestic airport, and vice versa. Therefore , although all airports saw a reduction in domestic passenger numbers, this is still partly explained by the Abuja airport closure, it said. The Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, the report said, recorded the most activity as it accounted for 41.4 per cent of domestic passengers, 76.5 per cent of international passengers, 90.3 per cent of cargo movement and 94.9 per cent of mail movement. But despite the closure, the Abuja airport remained the second largest domestic airport, and accounted for 499,149 passengers, representing 29.6 per cent of the total, the NBS said. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Thursday, attributed limited cassava availability and increased cost of cassava products to herdsmen attacks on farms. The groups president, Segun Adewumi, made the observation in Lagos on Thursday. Mr. Adewumi, who spoke on the challenges being faced by cassava farmers, also lamented the lack of compensation to affected farmers. He noted that cassava products such as garri, flour, fufu, starch and semolina had become more costly, saying that attacks by herdsmen had caused cassava farmers to stop in some parts of the country. Mr. Adewumi added that insurance firms did not compensate the affected farmers because policies taken by the farmers did not cover malicious damage to farms. As such, the farmers lost the produce to the attackers without compensation, he noted. It has been a very difficult time for cassava farmers in Nigeria because of the incessant attacks by herdsmen, who make it difficult for them to go to their farms. Farmers are afraid to go and cultivate; some farmers have lost their lives for venturing into the farms. All that the farmers had were lost to these attackers, and that really affected production of cassava, he said. He said the attacks led to shortage of cassava stems thereby causing limited availability of cassava for processing. Mr. Adewumi said farmers who obtained loans from commercial banks were unable to pay back because their cassava farms had been eaten up by animals. The NCGA president said that high demand for local production of ethanol and industrial starch also affected the cost of cassava products, adding that high foreign exchange rate forced industries to go for locally-produced ethanol and industrial starch instead of imported ones. Thus, there is more demand for cassava, Mr. Adewumi said. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that a small paint bucket measure of cassava flakes, otherwise known as Garri, costs between N900 and N1,100, depending on the location in Lagos metropolis. A 60kg bag of the commodity costs between N11,000 and N12, 500 at the Mushin Oloosa Market, depending on the quality. Share this: Twitter Facebook Popular Yoruba actor, Odunlade Adekola, who is renowned for his comic roles, has refuted a fifth death rumour currently being peddled in a new Instagram video. Obviously upset about the speculation which he described as malicious, the 38-year-old film star resorted to cursing those behind the rumour in a funny manner. He started the video, which was recorded in Yoruba language, by saying that he has been seeing the rumours of his death circulating on social media and has no idea why anyone will want to wish him dead. He then made some declarations which he calls prayers for those that wish his dead. He captioned the video, I am so surprised to hear it again that I am dead. This will be the fifth time and it is becoming unbearable. It has gotten to that level in which I have to voice out. Eyin temi, ni agbara Olorun, ao ni foju sunkun ara wa ooooo (My people, by the grace of God, we will not mourn ourselves). He also added that sometimes the rumour peddlers go as far as putting the corpse of someone else side by side his picture and circulate if for whatever reason. He then added that death will visit anyone that wishes him dead. By Gods grace I declare death and darkness into the lives of those that wish me death over and over. I am not angry but just making declarations to those that have been circulating rumours of my death. In Novermber 2015, Social media platforms were awash with the rumour of his death with his fans and lovers of Yoruba movies making enquiries to confirm the rumour. Debunking the tales at the time, the actor described as surprising the rumour that armed robbers stormed his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State and killed him. In the past, another popular Nollywood Yoruba actor, Bolaji Amusan, otherwise called Mr. Latin, who is also based in Abeokuta, was rumoured dead. Arguably the current most poular Yoruba movie actor, Odunlade began acting in 1996, the same year he joined the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts practitioners. He was under the tutelage of the late Nollywood actor and producer Isola Durojaiye (also known as Alasari). He has starred, scripted, produced and directed over a 100 movies. In December 2015, He marked his entrance into the Nigerian music industry. Share this: Twitter Facebook South Sudans health ministry, the World Health Organisation and the UN childrens fund UNICEF said on Friday 15 children have died in rural South Sudan as a result of a botched measles vaccination. The deaths occurred in the remote village of Nachodokopele, where about 300 people were vaccinated. According to the statement, an investigation supported by WHO and UNICEF found that the children died as a result of severe toxicity resulting from the administration of a contaminated vaccine. The untrained vaccination team used a single reconstitution syringe for the entire four days of the campaign and kept vaccines in a building with no cold storage facilities during that time. Thirty-two other children suffered symptoms of fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, but recovered, the UN agencies said. The risk of measles remains high in South Sudan because an ongoing military conflict has disrupted health services. The country has experienced significant measles outbreaks among unprotected population caused by a backlog of unvaccinated children in the country, the statement said. (dpa/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook President Donald Trump has withdrawn the country from the historic Paris Climate Accord dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in 2020. Mr. Trump, in a nationwide broadcast on Thursday, said U.S. would either seek re-negotiation or remain withdrawn from the agreement that went into effect on November 4, 2016. Mr. Trump had promised to make his decision known this week on the Paris Climate Agreement, which as at May 2017, 195 members of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, had signed and 147 had ratified. The United State under Trump will continue to be the cleanest and the most environment-friendly country on the planet. To fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord but begin negotiations to re-enter our way into Paris Accord. Or in really entirely new transaction or terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people and its tax payers. So, we are getting out but we will start to negotiate and we would see if we could make a deal that is fair and if we can, thats great and if cant, thats fine. As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of the American citizens. The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States. For the exclusive benefits of other countries, leaving American workers, who I love, and tax payers to observe the cost in terms of job loss, low wages, shattered factories and vastly diminish economic production. Thus, as of today, the United States would cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris Accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country. This includes ending the implementation of the nationally determined contributions and very importantly, the Green Climate Fund, which is costing the United States a vast fortune. According to him, compliant with the terms of the Paris Accord and the onerous energy restriction that is placed on the U.S. could cost America as much as 2.7 million jobs loss by 2025. Mr. Trump explained that he would immediately work with democratic governments to immediately get together and re-negotiate the Paris deal. But until we do that, America remains out of the agreement. We will remain the leader of the world. The U.S. remains the cleanest country in the world, but we will not remain in the agreement at the expense of our citizens and our country. He said the agreement was unfair to the U.S., adding it sought to cripple the U.S. and empower China, India and other developed countries, and called for a deal that is equitable. Mr. Trump pointed out that with the current agreement, China and India could continue to increase their pollution for a decade or two without penalty while the U.S. could not. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido, on Thursday, said he would never be discouraged as an advocate of change in the society. The emir made the proclamation at his emirate council in Kano when Mohammed Fall, new Country Representative of United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund, UNICEF, paid him a courtesy visit to solicit his support for girl-child education. Mr. Sanusi acknowledged that change was always difficult in any society globally, not only in Nigeria. Change is always difficult in any society; not only in Kano or in Nigeria but the world at large. Once, you want to bring change especially that, which has to do with the old tradition, it always meets with resistance from the society. Im very aware of this, but that will never discourage me in my drive towards change. I know that there are a lot of people in the society that really understand what Im driving at. Im therefore calling on everybody; the Ulama, the contractors, the students, the youth leaders, Muslims, especially you the UNICEF, to come and rally round me as I am ready to pursue this agenda to a logical conclusion. I know I will succeed because the change is meant for the betterment of the society. According to Punch Newspaper, the emir also stressed on girl-child education, saying almost every day, he receives different categories of complaints about child abuse in his palace, adding that the society had destroyed so many kids. The monarch, however, criticised parents for not taking good care of their children adding that if parents were there for their kids, child abuse would be reduced. Mr. Sanusi pledge that the emirate council would give UNICEF the necessary support, especially in the area of improving girl-child education, not only in Kano State but in the North generally. Mr. Fall in his remarks, solicited the support of the emir in addressing issues relating to child protection, survival and development in the country. I am here to assure you of my readiness to work with you to continue expanding what you have been doing in favour of children, not only in northern Nigeria but the country at large, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook The health sector in Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari has had a lot of media attention. Not much of this has however been about the government delivering on its promise to provide functional healthcare system to Nigerians. Instead, the headline has been grabbed by epidemic outbreaks in parts of the country, underlining the challenges that still face the sector. During the electioneering campaign, candidate Buhari essentially promised to reposition healthcare service delivery in the country. After his election, his government said it would reduce import dependence by providing incentives for domestic manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, ensure that unadulterated drugs are easily available and affordable, get states to provide free ante-natal and maternal care for pregnant women, and free healthcare for children up to 12 years of age. It also promised to collaborate with states to raise the gross national health expenditure per person per annum from less than N10,000 to about N50,000 and raise the quality of federal government-owned hospitals to global standard within five years through investment in infrastructure, diagnostic equipment and continuous professional development. However, the government later focused its health agenda on reviving primary health facilities so as to bring healthcare closer to the people. This, it said, would ensure that the poor have access to qualitative and affordable health care services as the health system in Nigeria has only favoured the rich. PRIMARY HEALTHCARE The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, a professor of Medicine and former University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor, has since constantly emphasised the goal of revitalizing the primary health care sector which the government believes to be the bedrock of healthcare provision in the country. If all primary centres were functioning well, at least 70 percent of Nigerias problem would have been solved, Mr. Adewole had stressed. Early in January during the commissioning of the Model Primary Healthcare Centre in Kuchingoro, Abuja to kick off the revitalization scheme, Mr. Adewole said the exercise would touch about 10,000 primary healthcare centres, with at least one in every ward across the country. He said the scheme would avail poor Nigerians with qualitative and affordable healthcare services. The National Primary Healthcare Revitalisation Initiative is to be carried out through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, NPHCDA. The facility in Kuchingoro, as the model for the revitalization scheme, was adequately staffed and provided with all the medical equipment necessary at the primary healthcare level, ambulances and drugs. Since the flag off and in spite of the minister restating the plan several times, special investigation by PREMIUM TIMES in May revealed that the scheme has yet to take off across the country. Most of the PHCs visited remained in dilapidated buildings and lacked manpower, equipment and power supply. The health workers and their patients generally decried the poor state of the facilities and work environment. OUTBREAK OF MENINGITIS The epidemic outbreak of Meningitis C and its spread to 24 states was attributed to the lack of functional primary healthcare facilities which should have quickly detected the disease when it broke and nipped it in the bud. And despite the revitalization project being a priority of the administration, the NPHCDA, which is overseeing implementation of the project, was allocated only N19 billion in the 2017 Budget. Response to public health emergencies in the country was put to test by the outbreak of different types of diseases such as measles, Lassa fever, cholera and meningitis. Though most of these diseases were not of epidemic status, the meningitis C outbreak, however, exposed the low level of response and lack of preparedness for health emergency situations by the country. The Meningitis outbreak started in Zamfara in November 2016 and recorded over 1,114 deaths and 14, 005 suspected cases before it was contained. The Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control, the agency under the Federal Ministry of Health in charge of disease control, claimed that it became aware of the disease very late. The ministry said it did not know about the epidemic until three months after the outbreak, because the health workers on ground were not able to identify the disease and alert the government. Even after the ministry was made aware of the outbreak of the disease, however, it could not immediately provide the vaccine for curbing the spread. The vaccine was not available in the country, although the World Health Organisation WHO, and NPHCDA, had issued a warning well ahead of the likely outbreak of meningitis C in Nigeria due to previous occurrences and the epidemiological cycle of the disease. Due to the recurring nature of the disease, it was expected that public health authorities would have some vaccine in the vaccine store to tackle the outbreak. Unfortunately, the government had to start sourcing for vaccine weeks after the outbreak, resulting in the spread of the disease to 226 local government areas in 24 states of the country. Trying to provide explanation for the anomaly, the Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire, said the drugs and vaccines are extremely expensive and have short shelf life. He added that there was limited stock of the meningitis type C vaccine around the world, as it is not in much demand. Nigeria did not get enough vaccine before nature mercifully intervened to contain the disease: meningitis ravages only during the dry season and washes away when the rain season begins. POLIO SETBACK Polio eradication effort in Nigeria also suffered a setback last year as two new cases were reported in Borno State. This means that the country will not get the polio-free certificate which was expected to be issued in July this year. The new cases were attributed to the Boko Haram insurgency which had made it difficult for immunisation process to be carried out in some communities. The federal government has, however, restated its commitment to eradicating the disease in the country by making funds available early for the purchase of vaccines for immunisation, more so that Boko Haram has been beaten back. NIGERIA STILL DEPENDENT ON DONORS Nigeria has over the years depended heavily on international agencies and donors for most of its activities in the health sector. This was evident in the meningitis type C case whereby the government relied on foreign intervention for the vaccines. Many of the vaccines for immunization activities in Nigeria are still imported and largely come from foreign donors, as the country is not producing them locally. The Federal Vaccine Production Centre in Yaba used to produce some of the vaccines used in the country and exported to some neighbouring countries, but it has been moribund since 1987. Most of the drugs used in Nigeria are also imported as the pharmaceutical companies operating in the country do not have capacity to meet the need of the sector. Mr. Adewole, however, raised hope of local production of vaccines by 2019. He said the federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with May and Baker Nigeria Plc for the production of vaccines Nigeria under a Public Private Partnership. He said it takes two years to produce a vaccine, so the first batch of local vaccine cannot come earlier than 2019. The MOU was approved by the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday. There were also reported cases of acute malnutrition in the north-west and north-east of the country. The therapeutic foods used in combating malnutrition in the country are being imported and majorly sponsored by foreign agencies which are at the forefront of tackling the issue. SHORTAGE OF STAFF One of the major complaints of workers in the health sector has been the shortage of staff to carry out necessary services. The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives said its members are leaving the country in search of greener pastures because of the working condition in the country. Against that backdrop, Gombe State Government recently had to defer the retirement of 100 nurses and midwives due to the shortage of personnel. The government also introduced a policy of a three-year waiver for nurses and midwives from their legally allowed 35 years of service. But the nurses association said the challenge is not about the inability of the country to produce enough nurses, but getting them employment opportunities as most of the health institutions in the country are not employing even though they are short-staffed. The President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Mike Ogirima, also said most hospitals are under-equipped and short-staffed. This, he said, has had an effect on the training of doctors to become specialists and is affecting the quality of healthcare service in the country. HEALTH WORKERS DEMAND BETTER WELFARE Health workers across the country at federal government and state levels also embarked on strikes, protests among others, over their working conditions, state of amenities in government hospitals and their welfare packages. The NMA had called on the Federal Government to shelve its plans to harmonise salaries of health workers, in another face of the crisis in the countrys health sector. Mr. Ogirima noted that although other health workers also face many health hazards in the discharge of their duties, their output could not be compared to those of doctors who perform the bulk of the work. He said the governments attempt to harmonise salaries in the sector was causing a lot of disharmony in the sector. These and many other issues stand in the way of President Buhari achieving his agenda in the health sector. Share this: Twitter Facebook A bill proposing six months imprisonment for persons who distort queues in public places on Thursday scaled second reading at the House of Representatives. The sponsor of the bill, Abubakar Amuda-Kannike (Kwara-APC), said the bill sought to ensure that Nigerians conduct themselves orderly in public places. Mr. Amuda-Kannike said it was normal practice for some Nigerians to shunt or distort queues and go unpunished. He expressed worry that recent events had shown that Nigeria was on the verge of losing its cherished sense of nationalism, cultural identity and hospitality. The bill underscores the need to re-awaken a derailed national culture by proposing disciplinary measures to guide Nigerians in their daily behaviours. In our society today, out of total disregard for other persons, who strive to do the right thing by conducting themselves orderly in public places, a large number of Nigerians distort queues and go unpunished. The bill if passed shall provide a starting point of value and cultural re-orientation in Nigeria, the lawmaker said. He expressed optimism that the bill if passed, would enable future generations of Nigerians have a more sane society that would help to shape morals, principles and respect for each other in addition to adequate awareness on what constitute nationhood. He decried the prevailing level of corruption, indiscipline, disrespect to elders and the rule of law in the country. The bill underscores the need to re-awaken the derailed national culture by proposing disciplinary measures to guide Nigerians in their daily behaviours, he said. Any nation that is not organised cannot have rapid growth. We should be seen as organised people from point of entry but we have accepted that anything goes. Every school should have civic education in its curriculum to instil patriotism and orderliness in the country, Mr. Amuda-Kannike said. Contributing, Sam Onuigbo (Abia-PDP), said the bill would also ensure orderliness, equity, fairness and justice in the distribution of services in the country. It will be nice for us to be seen as orderly people from the point of entry into the country, Mr. Onuigbo said. Ayo Omidiran (Osun-APC) said by being orderly in all our activities, we will be transmitting good behavioural pattern to generations and this will promote a better society. After the debate, the bill was passed for second reading through a unanimous voice vote. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook A former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, is in fresh trouble. Authorities in his state are accusing him of mismanaging a hefty N4.95 billion raised through a bond placement few months before the end of his tenure. The former governor is alleged to have misled corporate organisations and regulators to enable his administration siphon the funds. Mr. Suswam had claimed that the funds would be used to finance some key infrastructural projects in the state. But the new administration in the state is now saying some of the projects listed were long completed and paid for. While the then governor was telling institutions that facilitated the bond in March 2015 about the projects he planned to spend the billions on, authorities said some of the projects he listed were fully executed, paid for and commissioned between 2012 and 2013. Mr. Suswam was recently freed by the State Security Service (SSS) after 70 days in detention for allegedly being in possession of car keys, guns, ammunition, 21 certificates of occupancy of landed properties, among other things found in cars parked at his Abuja residence. The Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, had said on Sunday that his government had uncovered a N4 billion bond fraud, allegedly perpetrated by the Suswam administration in connivance with a bank. The governor made the revelation to journalists at an interdenominational service in Makurdi, the state capital, to mark his second year in office. Mr. Ortom said the financial impropriety allegedly perpetrated by the Suswam administration had impoverished the northcentral state and that it was one of the reasons development of the state was slow and prompt payment of civil servants salaries could not be achieved. The governor make the disclosure just as PREMIUM TIMES was reviewing documents on the matter and putting finishing touches to its investigation. This newspaper found that just about three months to end of its tenure, the Suswam administration, which was in office between May 2007 and May 2015, floated a N4.95 billion bond to fund eight ongoing and new projects. The projects were the construction of Oshigbudu-Obagaji 10 km Road; Oju-Obussu-Utonikan 51.48 Km Road; Taraku-Nako-Agada 61 kim Road; Up-grade/Rehabilitation of Daudu-Gbajimgba Road from rural raod; Construction of Wannunne-Ikpa-Igbo 36.73 Km Road; and Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Water Works at Makurdi, Otukpo and Katsina-Ala. Others were rural electrification and rehabilitation of township roads. The seven year (2015-2017) 16.5 per cent Fixed Rate Development Fund, also called BNS Bond II, issued by way of public offering, was approved by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in March 2015. According to the approval documents, After deductions of the costs and expenses of the issue, which are estimated at N153,028,698 representing 3.0 per cent and the underwriting fees of N173,250,000, representing 3.50 per cent of the gross issue proceeds, the net proceeds amounting to N4,623,721302.50 will be utilised to fund the projects. The debt is to repaid within 84 months at N104million per month, deducted at source from the states federal allocations. Subsidiaries of three banks FBN Trustees Ltd, SKYE Trustees Ltd, and UBA Trustees Ltd were appointed as joint trustees to manage the bond for the benefits of all parties. Three separate accounts were also opened at the Makurdi branch of UBA Plc to receive the bond proceeds. However, documents exclusively obtained by this newspaper suggested that some of the eight projects for which the bond was floated were completed and commissioned years before the bond was issued in 2015. The revelation came via a letter written by the state government in response to request by the three trustees to the bond demanding the bank statement of the Bond Proceeds Account which the Project Monitoring Consultants laboured unsuccessfully to obtain. The trustees had in a letter dated March 10, 2017 to the state government and addressed to the Commissioner of Finance, David Olofu and the Accountant General of the state, Kwagh-Har Asen, lamented the failure of the government to complete the projects for which the bond was issued. They also regretted the inability of the Project Monitoring Consultants to obtain the bank statement of the Bond Proceeds Account. The letter is entitled, Benue State Government of Nigeria N4.95 billion 16.5% fixed rate bond (The Bond) Review of Project Monitoring Consultants Q4 2016 Report was signed by Adekunle Awojobi, Funmi Ekundayo and Tokunbo Ajayi for the three firms. We are in receipt of the Project Monitoring Consultants (the Consultant) report of the project financed with the proceeds of the above Bond issue for Q4 2016 (October-December 2016) (the Report), the letter said. In the Report, the Consultant indicated his inability to obtain the bank statement of the Bond Proceeds Account and that this occasioned difficulty to authenticate the source of finance of the projects. Kindly note also that the completion period stated in the Prospectus for all the projects are 12 months and 6 months, respectively. Nonetheless, the report shows that none of these projects have been completed till now. In view of the foregoing, we advised that you mandate the various contractors to expedite action on all the projects involved as they are already behind schedule. We also request that you kindly provide us with a copy of the bank statement of the Bond Proceeds Account for our immediate review and records. In their reply dated April 10, 2017, apart from furnishing the trustees with the bank statement of the Bond Proceeds Account as requested, Messrs. Olofu and Asen suggested the bond proceeds were not used for the purpose they were meant, and that they might have been mismanaged by the Suswam administration. We also wish to note that most of the projects purportedly financed from the Bond II proceeds as revealed by the report (Project Monitoring Consultant) were fully executed and commissioned in 2012 and 2013 though same contractors are still owed outstanding bills, the letter with reference number S/TRY/717/VII/24, said. They listed the projects as: a) Otabi-Otukpo water works (fully paid) b) Electrification Projects in Otukpo GSTS; Daula Community, Gwer; Awuna Village, G/West (fully paid); Daja Pottery, Makurdi and Tyamu, Makurdi (fully paid); GSTS Anyiin, Logo LGA; GSTS Garagbough; Anvambe Village, Bukuru LGA; Atsaga Anemba Village, Ushongo LGA (Owed 10% retention); Uavande-Javkyudan, Ushongo LGA; Hemben-Tahav, Bukuru LGA (owed 10% retention) and Ako village, Bukuru and c) Construction of New K/Ala water works (fully paid). The two government officials also informed the trustees that there were renewed efforts to complete the remaining ongoing projects, particularly the roads network construction. They added, We have also arranged to pay off the outstanding bills owed the contractors as contained in the consultants report even though from 2015-2016, there were no records of settlement of any particular contractors owed or engaged in these projects earmarked. The letter was copied to The Director General of SEC and The Managing Partners, Prime Juris. Mr. Olofu did not respond to our inquiries. When PREMIUM TIMES reached him on phone he said the line was faint and that he could not hear what this reporter was saying. He did not reply to an SMS sent to him to speak on the matter. Also, Mr. Suswam could not be reached as repeated calls to his mobile phone did not connect. He did not respond to an SMS sent to him by this reporter. The former governor was recently released by the State Security Service after 70 days in detention. The security agency had detained him in February on allegations that car keys, certificate of occupancy of landed properties were, among other things were found in his Abuja residence. He had sued the security agency for N10 billion for violating his fundamental rights. Mr. Suswam, a former member of the House of Representatives, and two others were in March this year accused of diverting N9.79 billion, which was meant for a police reform programme and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P. The former governor, his former finance commissioner, Omodachi Oklobia, and the then accountant, Benue State Government House Administration, Janet Aluga, were also named as defendants in the charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Earlier this year, a six-count charge bordering on alleged N7.5 billion fraud was filed against the former governor by the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Messrs. Suswam and Oklobia are also standing trial for allegedly diverting about N3.1 billion belonging to the Benue State Government. Share this: Twitter Facebook COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worthington Industries (NYSE:WOR) announced today it has acquired Amtrol, a leading manufacturer of pressure cylinders and water system tanks. The purchase price was approximately $283 million. Amtrol is a great addition to our Company and I am pleased to welcome Amtrol employees, said John McConnell, Chairman and CEO of Worthington Industries. This acquisition aligns well with our core competencies in Pressure Cylinders and expands our product offerings to our wholesale and retail customers. McConnell added, Amtrol will also expand and enhance our growing culture of innovation and the development of new products. Amtrol strengthens Worthingtons industrial gas and consumer products businesses and complements Worthingtons refrigerant cylinder manufacturing capabilities. The acquisition combines two leaders in the U.S. and European LP Gas business, and adds water and well tank product lines to Worthingtons wholesale and retail consumer products portfolio. Amtrol and Worthingtons manufacturing operations share many similarities and have significant overlap in distribution channels, providing opportunities to enhance the value proposition to customers. Operations in Rhode Island, Maryland and Kentucky produce refrigerant gas cylinders and ASME products for commercial and industrial applications. Amtrol is also a leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of residential well water and expansion tanks, which are sold through large plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (PHVAC) wholesalers and retailers. Amtrol-Alfa, with manufacturing operations in Portugal, is a leading liquified propane gas (LPG) and industrial gas cylinder producer in Europe. Products from Portugal are sold to numerous LPG marketers and wholesalers throughout Europe and the Middle East. In calendar year 2016, Amtrol had approximately $248 million in net sales and adjusted EBITDA of $38.5 million. We are excited to add the market leader in well water and expansion tanks to our Pressure Cylinders business, said Geoff Gilmore, president of Worthingtons Pressure Cylinders business. Amtrol products have great brand recognition and the business complements ours nicely. We are combining two powerful businesses with robust customer-focused offerings. Gilmore added, Acquiring Amtrol also allows us to immediately expand our footprint internationally as Amtrol-Alfa is a leading cylinder manufacturer in the European market. About Amtrol Amtrol was founded in 1946 and has manufacturing facilities in West Warwick, R.I., Baltimore, MD., Paducah, KY., and Guimaraes, Portugal. Recently celebrating its 70th anniversary, AMTROL has a long tradition of product innovation beginning with the invention of the pre-pressurized expansion tank in 1954. Amtrol followed this with the first pre-pressurized well tank, refrigerant gas cylinders, indirect hot water makers and pre-pressurized thermal expansion tanks. More recently, Amtrol introduced the first composite metal LP tank, the XLite cylinder and the high pressure Genie. Amtrol is considered a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of high quality products for a wide variety of applications. About Worthington Industries Worthington Industries is a leading global diversified metals manufacturing company with 2016 fiscal year sales of $2.8 billion. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington is North America's premier value-added steel processor providing customers with wide ranging capabilities, products and services for a variety of markets including automotive, construction and agriculture; a global leader in manufacturing pressure cylinders for industrial gas and cryogenic applications, CNG and LNG storage, Cryogenic transportation and storage and alternative fuel tanks, oil and gas equipment, and consumer products for camping, grilling, hand torch solutions and helium balloon kits; and a manufacturer of operator cabs for heavy mobile industrial equipment; laser welded blanks for light weighting applications; automotive racking solutions; and through joint ventures, complete ceiling grid solutions; automotive tooling and stampings; and steel framing for commercial construction. Worthington employs approximately 11,000 people and operates 84 facilities in 11 countries. Safe Harbor Statement The Company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Statements by the Company relating to its ability to increase market participation, expand and integrate capacity, increase efficiencies and reduce lead time, achieve growth in general and in specific markets, and other statements which are not historical information constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Act. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those projected. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the overall success of, and the ability to integrate the newly-acquired Amtrol companies and achieve synergies and other expected benefits, and, risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has dismissed an allegation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that he registered twice as a voter in Abuja and subsequently in Lokoja. Mr. Bello said this when he spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja on Friday after observing the two-rakaat Jumaat prayer at the Aso Rock Mosque. The governor was caught on camera registering for a permanent card in Kogi after doing so earlier in Abuja. His office defended the action, blaming INEC for not delivering the first card to the governor. INEC on May 25 via a statement issued by its national commissioners and chairman, information and voter education committee, Solomon Soyebi, confirmed that Mr. Bello registered twice as a voter. The commission however said Mr. Bello was protected by constitutional immunity from prosecution. Mr. Soyebi said the governor first registered in Abuja in January, 2011, and subsequently on May 23, 2017, in Government House, Lokoja. He described the governors double registration and doing so outside lNECs designated centres as illegal. Reacting to the allegation, Mr. Bello said it might be his ghost that must have done the double registration and not him. I travelled on (May) 19 to Dubai for a brief break and I saw the press release and I was taken aback that I did a double registration on (May) 23rd; probably its my ghost that must have done the double registration. I think INEC has earned itself a very high reputation and Im very confident that the leadership of INEC will not allow some elements to drag its name into the mud. Actually, that is a falsehood; I did not do double registration of permanent voter card, he said. The INEC statement read: It has come to the attention of INEC that Gov. Bello of Kogi state registered as a voter for the second time on Tuesday May 23, 2017, in Government House, Lokoja, the state capital. His first registration was on January 30, 2011, in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. The governors double registration and doing so outside lNECs designated centres are both illegal. For the on-going Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, INEC has designated a centre in each of the countrys 774 local government areas including FCTs six area councils. INEC has since dissociated itself from the governors action while it also pledged to take disciplinary action against its staff implicated in the second registration for Bello. On outstanding salary arrears of workers in Kogi, the governor pledged to abide by the decision of the governors forum to use part of the outstanding Paris Club refund meant for the state to settle the arrears. Mr. Bello also frowned at those calling for his impeachment over alleged non-performance, saying his achievements in the last 15 months could be seen by well-meaning citizens of the state. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook The Federal Government says it requires N2.98 billion to curb the armyworm infestation of farmlands across the country. Mike Kanu, the Deputy Director, Horticulture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this in Abuja at a meeting with Commissioners for Agriculture from the 36 states on Thursday. He warned that the country might experience food shortage if the menace was not adequately managed. He noted that the national maize output was currently 10.5 million tonnes, while the demand was 15.5 million tonnes; reflecting a national demand gap of five million tonnes. Kanu said that the country would engage in massive importation of maize if the armyworm infestation was not curbed on time. He suggested the use and spraying of organic and inorganic chemicals to stamp out the pest infestation. The major host for this caterpillar is maize but it also affects cotton, tomato, groundnut and ginger, he said. In his speech, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, said that the achievement of self-sufficiency in maize production would continue to be a mirage with the pest infestation. Mr. Ogbeh said that the spread of the maize disease had negatively affected the poultry industry, which largely depended on maize for the production of feeds. The minister said that the aim of the meeting was to brainstorm on ways of finding sustainable solutions to the armyworm infestation which had ravaged maize farms in the states. It is the state government that owns lands; so we need to tackle this problem to boost agricultural production, he said. Mr. Ogbeh, however, said that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) had pledged to support the country in its fight against the armyworm infestation. Some state Commissioners for Agriculture, who spoke at the event, confirmed the armyworm infestation in some farms in their states. They underscored the need to establish chemical distribution and sale centres in different states to enable farmers to have easy access to pesticides. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook Under the MOU signed today between the State of Israel and ECOWAS, Israels leading solar developer will invest $1 billion over the next four years to advance green energy power projects across the 15 member states of the West African economic community. In honor of President Ellen Johnson Sirleafs two terms in office, and Liberias friendship with the State of Israel, Energiya Global and our international partners will finance and build a commercial-scale solar field at the Roberts International Airport, which will supply 25 per cent of the countrys generation capacity, says Yosef Abramowitz, the CEO. We are prepared to finance and build the first National Demonstration Solar Projects in all ECOWAS-affiliated countries in order to promote political stability and social and economic development, as well as to advance knowledge transfer. Energiya Global and its associated companies developed the first commercial scale solar field in sub-Sahara Africa in Rwanda, which is supplying 6 per cent of the countrys power, and the group broke ground on a similar power plant in Burundi, which will supply 15 per cent of the countrys power by the end of the year. The solar group has fields at various stages of development in ten African countries and expects to announce its full program at the Israel-Africa Summit in Togo at the end of October. In an historic first, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is scheduled today to address the 15 West African heads of state of ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States), as well as the head of the African Union. Israel is coming back to Africa, the Prime Minister will announce, and will outline the technological innovations in agriculture, water, green energy and more that can support economic development in West Africa. The $20 million investment comes as Israel and ECOWAS sign on Sunday an historic Memorandum of Understanding to promote investments, technology and cooperation. With 600 million Africans without electricity, the State of Israel can literally help African heads of state bring power to the African people, says Member of Knesset Avraham Neguise, chairman of the Israel-Africa Caucus of the Israeli Parliament, who accompanied the Prime Minister. Our humanitarian and diplomatic goals are supported by the private sector as well, which can work quickly and efficiently to improve the lives of millions of people. I want to thank my friend Yosef Abramowitz for his investments in solar in Africa. We look forward to working with ECOWAS to deploy $1 billion over the next four years, starting with this first investment of $20 million in Liberia by Energiya Global. A working session between ECOWAS, representatives of the State of Israel and Abramowitz will take place Monday morning in Monrovia, to plan for the deployment of the green energy investments in fulfilment of the MOU signed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and the President of ECOWAS. U.S. Power Africa Coordinator, Andrew Herscowitz, underlined the importance of Energiya Globals work by saying, As a founding Power Africa partner, Energiya Global continues to demonstrate its industry leadership with this important investment in Liberia. Increasing access and power generation is the foundation for economic prosperity and human development. We look forward to Energiya Globals transformative impact on the lives of the Liberian people. We are proud to be involved in the creation of cutting-edge, clean energy for Liberia, says Remy Reinstein, Energiya Globals country director. We are honoured to have the seal of approval from President Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, whose initiatives have made the sustainable development of Liberia possible. Share this: Twitter Facebook Some Nigerians in Abuja on Friday flayed the Senate recommendation for a N5 fuel levy on every litre of petroleum or diesel imported into the country. The respondents expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. Adebayo Ojo, a resident, noted that the present recession called for a reduction in petrol price and not an increment. Mr. Ojo, a commercial taxi driver, told NAN that: Government cannot possibly be thinking about increasing the petrol price when they know the harsh economic situation in the country. The government should rather think of reducing the price else they will be calling Nigerians fools for being patient all this the while. We are not fools and government should not take us for granted, how can the senate be so mean to even contemplate a thing like that. I personally will recruit people to take to the street if a thing like that should happen, he said. Zainab Abu, a shop owner at Wuse market, said: No, it cant be true. That will be callous. Mr. Abu told NAN that she could no longer afford her childrens school fees and had withdrawn them to a local school because of the recession. This government has failed Nigerians and if we are not expecting anything more they should stop frustrating us, she said. A salon owner in Maitama, also told NAN on condition of anonymity that: Aunty, look around, I have laid off my staff. This one with me is cheap labour and she comes in thrice a week. I couldnt increase their pay and they both said they could not cope because the salary barely covered their cost of transportation. At a bus stop in Maitama, a lady who offered her name as Sala, almost slumped when NAN asked her reaction to the imminent hike. Sala said: The proposed hike is unreasonable, it will increase everything again and we have not recovered from the increments in virtually everything. The Senate Committee on Works, had on June 1, recommended a N5 fuel levy on every litre of petroleum or diesel imported into Nigeria to help finance the proposed National Roads Fund. The committee, chaired by Kabiru Gaya (APC-Kano), also recommended the deduction of 0.5 per cent on fares paid by passengers travelling on inter-state roads to commercial mass transit operators and return of toll gates on federal roads, among others. The inference of the proposed fuel levy charge is that end-users, including motorists, would pay N5 tax on every litre of fuel bought at any fuel station. The recommendation, which has kept busy all social media platforms, comes a year after a recent increase of the pump price of premium motor spirit (petrol) from N87 to N145 per litre. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo, a social media enthusiast and daughter of a former governor of Old Oyo State, Omololu Olunloyo, has accused the chief registrar attached to the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court of sitting on her case in order to keep her perpetually behind bars, despite having allegedly met her bail conditions. But Maimunat Folami, the Deputy Chief Registrar, strongly denied the allegations, stating that her office had cooperated fully with Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos counsel to ensure proper vetting of her bail documents. We have done everything that were supposed to do, Ms. Folami said. This allegation is very strange. Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo spoke inside Port Harcourt Prison, where she had been remanded since her initial arraignment in mid-March for alleged criminal defamation against a Port-Harcourt-based preacher, David Ibiyeomie. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES inside the office of the Comptroller of Prisons in Rivers State, Ifeanyi Amaliri, last week, Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo stated that her lawyers had satisfied all bail requirements set by H.I.O. Shamah, a federal judge who granted her bail on April 11. She said she had strong indications to believe the deputy chief registrar was sitting on her case on alleged orders of some powerful interests. But the court registrar said the accuseds bail paperwork was still being perfected by her lawyers, with whom she said she had been in constant touch with. I have to do all the works of ensuring that all the documents are put in place, Ms. Folami said. Even if the documents are put in place, we still have to conduct certain investigations, like verifying the addresses of the sureties to be sure they are who they say they are. Ms. Folami also said Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos case file was taken away the last time her matter was heard on May 23. Although the judge was absent, the case file was not returned to her office, causing further delay in working out the final details of Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos release. Peter Nkanga, the West Africa representative of the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos continued incarceration for over 78 days and counting, despite all bail conditions met since May 11, including signing an undertaking not to jump bail. It is an outrage that the judiciary can be taking over three weeks and counting to verify Ms. Omololu-Olunloyos bail requirements, at the expense of her freedom, Mr. Nkanga told PREMIUM TIMES. Fatai Lawal of Afe Babalola Chambers, which is representing Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo, spoke to PREMIUM TIMES but declined to blame the registrar for the challenges faced in perfecting his clients bail requirements. Were confident about her possible release this week, he said. A team of police officers first arrested Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo in Ibadan on March 13. She was whisked to Port Harcourt where she was arraigned before a Chief Magistrates Court in Port-Harcourt. The case was later transferred to the Federal High Court. Ms. Omololu-Olunloyo, however, spoke positively about the prison officials. They have done an excellent job taking care of me and ensuring that I dont starve and my health does not deteriorate, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday visited Cross River State, where he held a town hall meeting with locals, and commissioned projects. Mr. Osinbajo was received by Governor Ben Ayade. The visit, according to the chairman of the governing board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Victor Ndoma-Egba, was to reaffirm the commitment of the Federal Government towards the Niger Delta region. At the Obong of Calabars palace, Gov Ayade expressed pleasure with how Mr. Osinbajo got down from his car to interact with the people of the state. According to a post on the Twitter account of his spokesman, Laolu Akande, the acting president said Calabar is a great historical city & is very imp to President Buhari & adds Nigeria is great because of our diversity. Photos posted by Mr. Akande shows Mr. Osinbajo greeting and shaking hands with visibly excited supporters who came out in large numbers to welcome him. Ayade notes how AgP shook hands with supporters: both PDP&APC who came out to meet him; was surprised when he asked we get off the car, Mr Akande said in a tweet. See photos of visit below: Share this: Twitter Facebook Nigerian governors have pledged to judiciously spend the second tranche of Paris Club refund recently approved by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, after allegations of fraud marred the first release approved last December. A statement by the Nigerian Governors Forum said Friday that all the 36 governors signed off to the agreement which was reached at a meeting on Thursday night. The meeting held at the Abuja residence of Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, his spokesperson, Bello Barkindo, said in the statement. The governors met in anticipation of the release of the other half of the Paris-London Club refund which has been gratuitously approved for payment by the Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Mr. Barkindo said. The funds are expected to hit the states accounts within the month. We all agreed that a substantial amount from the next tranche of the Paris-London refunds be used in the settlement of workers salary and pension arrears, Mr. Barkindo quoted Mr. Yari as saying after the meeting. About N388 billion was released as the first tranche of Paris Club refund last December, providing immediate relief for cash-strapped states. But the governors have faced criticism from law enforcement agencies and labour unions, who accused them of mismanaging the funds. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been investigating how governors spent the funds. In late March, the agency said it traced about N3.5 billion to aides of Senate President Bukola Saraki, with anti-graft detectives telling PREMIUM TIMES at the time that the money was intended as bribes for lawmakers to keep mum about potential legal implications of releasing funds that were not captured in budget to states. Mr. Barkindo said the governors also resolved to set up a committee to look into pending claims by consultants who worked on the Paris Club refund. There are litigations from more than ten different consultants still agitating for settlement for their roles in the quest to have the refunds made to states, Mr. Barkindo said. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State will head the committee. Governors Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State are members of the committee. Share this: Twitter Facebook There are indications that a former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, will be named the new Waziri of Adamawa by the Adamawa Emirate Council barring any last minute changes. Mr. Abubakars choice for the exalted traditional position was considered by the council at its meeting on Thursday. The former vice president, who currently holds the title Turakin Adamawa will succeed Abba Mohammed, who died recently. The council members have also pencilled Mr. Abubakars son, Aliyu, as the next Turakin in succession to his father. Waziri is one of the most important titles in the Adamawa Emirate. Before his elevation to Waziri, Mr. Abba, who was once of the oldest councillor in the emirate, was Walin Adamawa. The Walin title was later conferred on the current OPEC Secretary General, Muhammad Barkindo. Although the emirate is yet to release an official statement announcing Mr. Abubakars new appointment, a source in the emirate told PREMIUM TIMES that the decision was taken at a meeting held by the members of the emirate council on Thursday. Atikus emergence as new Waziri was sequel to the meeting held by council members on Thursday, the source said. His son, Aliyu, who is also son of Hajja, the younger sister of the present Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha was also confirmed as the new Turaki, taking over from his father Atiku Abubakar. Messrs. Atiku and Barkindo were believed to be among the four contenders for the Waziri position after Mr. Mohammad died. Meanwhile, some residents of Yola, the state capital, have expressed shock over the elevation of Mr. Atiku, who was Nigerias vice president between 1999 and 2007. It was gathered that one of the sons of the late Waziri, including Alkasim Abba, the Vice Chancellor of the Adamawa State University (ADSU) would be considered to replace their father. Though we wish them good luck it surprises us because everybody knows that Waziri is only considered by birth, to those who hail from progeny of Waziris, a resident, Mallum Baba, said. When contacted, Mr. Abubakars spokesperson, Paul Ibe, said he was also aware of the decisions of the Adamawa Emirate Council on his principal and his son. Share this: Twitter Facebook Two Chibok schoolgirls who escaped from their Boko Haram abductors in 2014 have graduated from a high school in Washington DC, the United States Capital. The two girls, known by their first names, Debbie and Grace, on Thursday graduated after completing junior year (11th grade) and senior year (12th grade) at a prestigious private international school in the Washington metro area in America. This was disclosed through a press release on Friday by Emmanuel Ogebe, a U.S.-based human rights lawyer and the International Director of Education Must Continue Initiative, a Nigerian non-governmental organization involved in the care of the girls. According to the release, Debbie and Grace were among 57 girls who escaped from the terrorists after the mass abduction of almost 300 of them at Government Girls State School in April 2014. Unlike most of their colleagues who jumped out of the trucks in which they were being herded away into captivity, the two girls arrived the terrorists camp in Sambisa forest before escaping back home in a terrifying journey that took about a week with their captors in hot pursuit. They were the last to escape until Amina Ali also escaped last year after two years with the terrorists. The two schoolgirls were among a dozen Nigerian girls sponsored to schools abroad by the NGO with the help of Mr. Ogebe. The NGO is run by victims of Boko Haram helping other victims to overcome the impact of the insurgency. By this graduation, Debbie and Grace became the first escaped Chibok girls to graduate from an American high school with diplomas after completing and meeting academic standards, Mr. Ogebe stated. This comes three years after terrorists interrupted their education during their final year in school in northeast Nigeria. Several other girls had dropped out of EMCs school abroad project after managing to graduate from middle school (8th grade) last year and are now attempting to take the GED exam (external GCE equivalent). On hand to witness the historic graduation of the two Chibok girls in the class of 2017 were a delegation from Nigeria which included the founders and directors of Education Must Continue Initiative, Mr and Mrs Paul Gadzama, and the parent of one of the girls who travelled all the way from Chibok in North-east Nigeria. The only Chibok girl currently pursuing a degree programme in an American university, cut short her summer vacation in Nigeria to return for the graduation of her colleagues. The girls American host families and Mr. Ogebe and his family were among the audience who witnessed the historic graduation. The class of 2017 was the 50th graduation of the school which was the first high school in America to win a prestigious Presidents award last year. The Chibok girls were among only 21 students who graduated as a few international students were unable to graduate. In remarks during a celebratory reception, the Chibok girls thanked their host families and the NGO volunteers from EMC for supporting them to achieve their dreams. They particularly appreciated them for driving the girls daily to and from school for two years. Also speaking, the parent visiting from Nigeria stated that he had personally seen that the team had done more for his daughter in America than he could have done for them in Nigeria and thanked them for their love. Recounting how the initiative started, Mr. Ogebe said he first brought the orphan of a pastor murdered by Boko Haram to school in the U.S in 2013. Mr. Ogebe appreciated the sacrifice of EMC founders, Mr. and Mrs. Gadzama, who flew at their own expense to witness the girls graduation after missing their own daughters graduation with a masters in Public Health (MPH) in Michigan just a few weeks earlier. He also thanked EMCs American volunteer Education Adviser, Deanna who helped obtain admission and scholarships to the exclusive $35,000 per year school for her role after their former school tried to take advantage of them. The girls had to repeat 11th grade after their initial school failed to meet up to its obligations. Mr. Ogebe said the girls won several awards, including for Most hard-working student in English as Second Language 3. This is an outstanding feat for Chibok girls especially given the fact that in Nigeria, most continue to speak in Hausa to the consternation of many Nigerians. This shows that our education model of immersion placing the students in American homes was immensely successful as they are now able to engage confidently, communicate effectively and blossom generally. This is why the girls in EMCs US program are the most articulate Chibok girls anywhere in the world. Confirming this, host parents including lawyers, doctors and accountants narrated tales of how Americanized the girls are quoting one as saying mum, the weather is gross while on another occasion explaining to her host mum, an American doctor, how Uber, the app-based taxi service, operates. With this graduation, Mr. Ogebe said EMC has no more students in high school in the US. All are now post-secondary level and exceed all the Chibok girls in the Nigerian programs run by the Federal Government and Borno State government. EMC and AUNs programs are the two most advanced programs for Chibok girls. The fact that these girls could succeed in spite of the worst of terrorism and the opposition of their own government no less is proof that the gates of hell cannot prevail against the march of a girl committed to achieving her dreams or any band of individuals united to support them. They are truly a testament to the indomitable human spirit under guidance of a great God. Not one iota of support has come from any government anywhere. Rather we have paid the Nigerian and U.S governments numerous times for various needs for the girls. At the end of the day, our labour of love has been crowned with success in spite of all the naysayers and saboteurs. To God alone by the glory. We thank all our friends and supporters, Mr. Ogebe stated. Share this: Twitter Facebook As Nasarawa State workers continue their strike, food vendors in schools and offices have continued to suffer low patronage in Lafia, Keffi, Akwanga, Nasarawa and other major towns. Some of them with selling points in government ministries, departments and agencies, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, said that the sales had been extremely low since the workers shut down the state on May 12. NAN found that while some had totally stopped cooking, the few still willing to cook have had to contend with massive leftovers. Agnes Ago, who sells food at the state secretariat in Lafia, said that only casual workers like security men, NYSC members and some management staff visit the offices once in a while. I hardly sell up to half of the little quantity I bring for sell. I used to cook a lot and sell off everything before the close of work. In the past, I cooked and sold half of a 50kg bag of rice every day. Because of the strike, I reduced that quantity to a quarter, but I end up with lots of leftovers every day, she lamented. Ms. Ago said that she would soon suspend further sales until the workers resumed. Another vendor, Halima Ali, who spoke in the same vein, appealed to government and the workers to settle their differences so that the economic life of the state would bounce back to life. Most of the customers are the workers. Some of them sometimes buy on credit and settle at the end of the month, but they have all disappeared owing to the strike. At first, I merely reduced the quantity of food brought to the market, but I have suspended every cooking activity and only sell snacks and other edible items that are not easily perishable, she said. Ms. Ali similarly urged the workers to seek common grounds of agreement with the government so that life will return to normal. NAN correspondents, who visited some state ministries and agencies, observed that restaurants and eateries around the offices were locked, with only security men around the vicinity. Our reporters also observed that the offices were totally deserted, in total compliance with the strike. The workers commenced an indefinite strike action on May 12, 2017 to press home their demands for better working conditions. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook FORM 8.3 PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code") 1. KEY INFORMATION (a) Full name of discloser: MMCAP International Inc. SPC (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree Mariana Resources Limited (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 01 June 2017 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" Sandstorm Gold Ltd 2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security. (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any) Class of relevant security: ORD GBP.01 Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 12,368,863 9.46% (2) Cash-settled derivatives: (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: TOTAL: 12,368,863 9.46% All interests and all short positions should be disclosed. Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions). (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options) Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages: 3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in. The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated. (a) Purchases and sales Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit ORD GBP.01 Purchase 6,000 1.6000 CAD (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options) (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit (ii) Exercise Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities) Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable) 4. OTHER INFORMATION (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" (c) Attachments Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO Date of disclosure: 02 JUNE 2017 Contact name: ULLA VESTERGAARD Telephone number: 001 416 408 0994 Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service and must also be emailed to the Takeover Panel at monitoring@disclosure.org.uk. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129. The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, has said that N1.1billion will be required for the total renovation of Suleja General Hospital. Mr. Bello said the decision to renovate the health facility was in compliance with his administrations restoration agenda following the infrastructural decay in the hospital due to many years of neglect. He listed the rehabilitation of wards, consulting rooms, installation of state of the art medical equipment, laboratory facilities, doctors and nurses quarters as what is involved in the project which will cost the government N1.1billion. The governor disclosed this in a meeting with some elders and All Progressives Party (APC) leaders in Suleja on Friday. The meeting was led by Abubakar Lado, the lawmaker representing Suleja/Tafa/Gurara Federal constituency in the House of Representatives. With the rate of expansion of Suleja and the neglect the overstretched General Hospital has suffered over the years that has led to gross infrastructural decay, we have resolved to carry out total renovation of the hospital to enable it meet the health needs of our people. He also unveiled plans to address the water challenges being faced by the residents of the commercial city. According to him, We are almost through with the Minna water scheme and we are moving into Suleja to address the challenges at the Suleja Water Works. We are carrying out an holistic overhaul of Suleja water works as well as the reticulation network within the city and neighbouring towns. The governor also said that in meeting the environmental hazards associated with growing cities like Suleja, two new fire stations will be built in the town to complement the newly rehabilitated township fire station. He then called on the people of the area to remain committed in meeting their civic responsibilities to the state as he reaffirmed his administrations commitment to its restoration agenda. Earlier the leader of the team, Mr. Lado commended the efforts of the governor at ensuring even distribution of dividends of democracy across the length and breadth of the state. The delegation expressed appreciation to the governor for considering some of their wards for appointments. Suleja, though situated in Niger State, is about 30 minutes drive from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The ever-increasing cost of living in Abuja metropolis has forced many workers to the neighbouring town causing a shift of population and growth of Suleja. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Nigerian Army says its troops on Tuesday ambushed and killed four sea pirates along KM-45 Awoba waterways in Rivers State. The operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, three AK-47 magazines, 22 ammunitions and a speed boat mounted with a 200 horse-power engine, Abubakar Abdullahi, the spokesperson of the Operation Delta Safe, said in a statement issued on Thursday. Mr. Abdullahi, a major, also said that troops, who were on patrol along the waterways in Bayelsa, raided sea pirates hideout at Forupa-Lobia. The pirates fled the hideout on sighting the troops and left behind three fiber boats and one 75 horse-power engine, the army said. The army said the troops destroyed the hideout and then continued with their patrols. The statement said the Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Apochi Suleiman, a rear admiral, has appealed for cooperation from the people in the Niger Delta region to enable the army to keep the region safe from criminals. Delta Safe is a military operation aim at protecting Nigerias oil and gas pipelines and other related infrastructures, as well as curbing criminality in the troubled Niger Delta region. The operation has its headquarter in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Share this: Twitter Facebook The federal government has given a thumb up to the Cross River State government for the construction of a 260 km super highway in the state. Environmental activists have, however, kicked against the project which they say would destroy several species of plants and animals and also displace the indigenous people of the areas where the road will traverse. The highway, which will cut across at least 16 local government areas when completed, is one of the signature projects of the administration of Governor Ben Ayade. The state government has been accusing the federal government of frustrating the project through the delay in granting necessary approvals, like the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA. That we have been playing the good boy so far for the federal government does not mean we do not know our right, the Commissioner for Water Resources in the state, Gabe Orji, had said in February at Calabar during a press briefing that was organised by the state government to explain why the project didnt commence as scheduled. Three other commissioners were present at the press briefing which had the state government threatening to go ahead with the project if they didnt receive approvals by March from the federal government. The acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, during his visit to the state on Thursday described the highway as being very important and said that the federal government was interested in it. Mr. Osinbajo said the highway represents creativity and big vision. Theres no point building a one-kilometre road, I mean that can be done anywhere, Mr. Osinbajo said. It takes courage, it takes vision, it takes farsightedness to say I am going to build a road that passes through 16 or so of the 18 local government areas. Thats a big vision. We will provide as much support as it is required. Mr. Osinbajos remarks drew applause from the crowd inside the newly built International Convention Centre, Calabar, which was earlier declared open by the acting president. Mr. Osinbajo said he was excited that Governor Ayade was working to build a deep sea port in the state and assured him of the federal governments support to ensure that he finishes all his big projects. He also praised the state for its famed hospitality and cleanliness. Everybody that comes to Calabar must talk about the cleanliness here, and I am so excited to see that. You have set a standard in this country, not just for the green you see all over the place, the beautiful trees you see all over the place, but also for the cleanliness. And I really hope that you will maintain that high standard. I am glad that I am in the home of Afang and Edikan Ikong soup, Ill be enjoying myself and I am looking forward to dinner this evening. Mr. Osinbajo visited Cross River State as a continuation of the federal government tour of the troubled Niger Delta region in order to restore peace in the region. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Oyo State Government on Friday ordered the indefinite closure of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, EMACOED, Oyo. The order followed a violent demonstration that rocked the institution Friday morning, when students staged protest over their welfare. The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Adeniyi Olowofela, disclosed the state governments position, in Ibadan on Friday. A statement released by the commissioner directed students to vacate the school premises immediately. Mr. Olowofela explained further that law enforcement agents have been enjoined to secure lives and government property on the college campus. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that students had in the early hours of Friday staged a protest to demand for better welfare. Sources said the protest however turned violent, with some students sustaining various degrees of injuries. A witness said some of the students were subsequently arrested by the police but were later freed Friday afternoon. PREMIUM TIMES efforts to reach the Oyo State Police Command however proved abortive. Mr. Olowofela, in his statement Friday, said the college would remain closed until normalcy returns to the school. Share this: Twitter Facebook The owners of the Post Bar in west downtown Dearborn have made an agreement with the city to pay for police patrols at the business in an effort to keep their liquor license. After the agreement was reached May 24, the city cancelled a Nuisance Abatement Board hearing with bar owners Moe and Jeannette Charara set for that day. Under the plan, The Chararas will pay for police presence Fridays and Saturdays and during special events at the bar. They also agreed to abide by the provisions of a previous agreement that reduced the bars occupancy limit and outdoor patio hours as well as prohibited promoter parties. As a city, our interest has always been to make sure businesses, including the Post Bar, are good neighbors and are acting responsibly, Deputy Corporation Counsel Laurie Sabon-Ellerbrake said. We believe this agreement is a very reasonable way to achieve our goal. A for sale sign has been posted on the business for nearly two months, but no details of a potential sale have surfaced. Ongoing brawls and unruly behavior have gained the bar attention from city officials and police during the past months. In one of the latest incidents, police were called to the business April 16 on a report of multiple fights, thrown bottles and gunfire shortly after 2 a.m. RELATED: Post Bar in hot water with city of Dearborn after continued violence That prompted Council President Pro Tem Thomas Tafelski to call for the bars liquor license to be revoked after the owners failed to follow through on their initial promise to pay for officers at the business after a March 29 hearing in front of the Nuisance Abatement Board. That hearing was held in response to a number of police runs made to the bar for drunken brawls, destruction of property and other unruly behavior. The Chararas said they could not afford the hefty cost for police presence, which wouldve amounted to about $14,000 a month. Under the new agreement, the hours of police presence at the bar were shortened, which reduces the cost. A shooting took place April 3, 2016, outside the bar and in July 2016 a transgender woman was attacked outside after an argument occurred when another bar patron made derogatory remarks about her. Tafelski has been a staunch critic of the violent bar behavior at several downtown establishments, calling for stricter enforcement. To that end, the City Council adopted an amendment to the nuisance code last fall allowing it to fine any Dearborn business deemed a nuisance by complaints about fighting, violence, drugs, discharge of weapons or other breaches of peace. The Nuisance Abatement Board, comprised of city council members, also was established to conduct public hearings regarding businesses with ongoing nuisance issues. If the business is found to be a nuisance, additional measures requiring increased security or addition of cameras could be required. The board also can review the business certificate of occupancy. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission is the deciding body for revoking liquor licenses, but its members take into account recommendations from city officials. ( Read 6630 Times) Source : Journalist and businessman Abhishek Bachchan who is the Executive Director and General Secretary of All India Achievers Conference hosted the All India Achievers Awards 2017 on May 30 at The Club in Andheri (West), Mumbai. The award function honours outstanding people and the organization for their professional achievement. The ceremony saw people from all walks of life including doctors, builders, astrologers, designers, music, journalist, advertising, film and TV fraternity and many others. Global Advertisers, Indias fastest growing OOH agency has created significant buzz once again. Sanjeev Gupta, MD of Global Advertisers bagged the 80th Golden Achiever Award for Outstanding Outdoor Publicity.Veteran actors and Jury members Avtar Gill and Rakesh Bedi presented the award to Sanjeev Gupta. Other celebrity actors like Mukesh Rishi, Sunil Pal, Penaz Masani, versatile TV series maker Dheeraj Kumar and veteran actor Raza Murad, the Jury chairman were also present. Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Gupta, Looking I feel happy that Global Advertisers is a household name in outdoor publicity. The company has achieved unprecedented height with the efforts of my team under my leadership. We believe in giving the best with proper implementation and give more advantage to promote the brands and that too at competitional and affordable rates.The All India Achievers Conference is a registered non-profit, non-political organization and is run independently without any political, religious, social or any corporate on board. PORTLAND, Ore., June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Customer Management Institute (ICMI) awarded DAT Solutions first place in the category of Best Small Contact Center at its 13th Annual Global Contact Center Awards ceremony earlier this week. ICMI makes these awards to companies, contact centers and individuals that provide a platform for leadership, vision, innovation and strategic accomplishments for the industry after a year-long review of nominees in various categories. A video accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/72303c4c-f459-496b-8dad-428f8e874dea This is the third time in the last ten years that DAT Solutions has won the ICMI Award for Best Small Contact Center, having been honored in 2010 and 2007. DAT is the only company honored by ICMI more than once. Its evident this company considers employees as their greatest asset. The off-the-phone programs are excellent, commented the ICMI judging panel. Its nice to see the way this team measures success and then develops actions to continue to improve. We are extremely proud to receive this award from ICMI, an international organization who vets thousands of companies support programs, before making their final decision, said Don Thornton, DAT senior vice-president. A core DAT value is customers for life, and having a world-class customer support organization makes that possible. They do fantastic work. DAT operates the largest on-demand, truckload freight marketplace in North America, where brokers, shippers, and carriers find loads to haul, qualify carriers to move freight, and a host of data services, including the biggest and most accurate truckload rates database supporting the industry. This year the company estimates that brokers, carriers, 3PLs and shippers will post over 141 million loads and trucks on DATs vast network of load boards. The astounding number of customers using our freight exchange network means that our customer service people must handle up to 25,000 phone calls, emails, and/or chat sessions in an average month, said Laura Mendoza, Director of Customer Service at DAT. Weve invested in an extensive training system for our customer reps, new phone systems and chat technology. We have also have added new training facilities. We show our commitments to our customers with the commitments weve made to the people who serve them. Mendoza oversees a team of approximately 50 customer specialists who are trained across DATs extensive product lines. About DAT Solutions DAT operates the largest truckload freight marketplace in North America. Transportation brokers, carriers, news organizations and industry analysts rely on DAT for market trends and data insights derived from 141 million forecasted freight matches in 2017, and a database of $33 billion of market transactions. Related services include a comprehensive directory of companies with business history, credit, safety, insurance and company reviews; broker transportation management software; authority, fuel tax, mileage, vehicle licensing, and registration services; and carrier onboarding. Founded in 1978, DAT Solutions, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Roper Technologies (NYSE:ROP), a diversified technology company and constituent of the S&P 500, Fortune 1000 and Russell 1000 indices. DAT.com ATLANTIC CITY Police said Friday they want the publics help to search for a suspect in a sexual assault. At 12:12 p.m. May 30, police responded to the 1000 block of Drexel Avenue for a report of an attack. The 23-year-old victim told police she was assaulted at knifepoint by the suspect, described as a man in his late 20s to early 30s, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds. He was wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt and darker gray sweatpants. Police said Friday they are looking for the publics help in identifying the suspect from a sketch provided by the State Police Forensic Artist Unit. Police ask residents to check surveillance cameras for someone matching this description. Anyone with information is asked to call the police Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766. Information may also be texted anonymously to tip411 (847411) beginning the text with ACPD. NEW BRUNSWICK The accessibility of casino gaming in the state has contributed to a gambling-disorders rate four times the national average, according to a recent report by the Rutgers University Center for Gambling Studies. One of every 16 adults reported symptoms of a serious gambling problem, according to the report. For most people, gambling is recreation, said Lia Nower, the centers director, who led the study. But the more games you play, the more often you gamble and the more venues you frequent, the more likely you are to develop a problem. Of the more than 3,634 people surveyed, more than 6 percent meet the criteria for gambling disorders, while nearly 15 percent reported gambling problems. The rates are significantly higher than in previous studies in 1989 and 1999, according to the report. The findings of the report were not a surprise to Nower, considering the amount of gaming options in the state and region. We have to educate people on what is recreation and what is a problem, she said. The report says more has to be done to protect those with gambling issues, including strengthening responsible-gambling programs online and ensuring proportionate representation of gambling-treatment services across regions. The fight over North Jersey casinos is set to continue On this week's Atlantic City Story podcast, we focus on the casino industry after spending a This study will help us to target the areas that need attention the most, said Neva Pryor, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ. With the overall prevalence rates being higher compared to studies in the past, we know that it is extremely important to get out the message of support, treatment and hope to all residents of the state of New Jersey. Overall, nearly 70 percent of New Jersey residents surveyed reported gambling in the past year, according to the report. While only 5 percent of gamblers reported gambling online, 75 percent used casinos, according to the report. The study also found 19 percent of those surveyed gamble at both brick-and-mortar casinos and online. The convenience and speed inherent in gambling online, combined with land-based opportunities like casinos, race tracks, convenience-store lotteries and poker tournaments, will increase the likelihood that individuals will gamble more frequently, according to the report. Increased frequency, in turn, leads to increased losses over time as well as to habituation and cognitive distortions that challenge the notion of randomness and chance and fuel chasing behavior and continued play. CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE A Paterson man faces multiple drug charges after a six-month investigation by Cape May County law enforcement, said Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor. Ziyad Walker, 31, is charged with the distribution of heroin as a result of a cooperative investigation among the Cape May County Prosecutors Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Task Force, the Middle Township and Wildwood Police Departments Street Crimes Units, Lower Township Police Detective Bureau and the New Jersey State Police, Gangs and Organized Crime South Unit. Taylor said the six-month investigation was initiated after law enforcement learned Walker was transporting large amounts of heroin from Paterson and distributing the drug throughout Cape May County. On May 31, Walker was arrested and search warrants were executed in the 100 East block of Roberts Avenue, Wildwood, and Mimosa Drive, Rio Grande. Walker was charged with one count of second-degree distribution of drugs, seven counts of third-degree distribution of drugs, one count of third-degree distribution of drugs within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and one count of second-degree possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public place. Walker was processed and lodged in county jail. Taylor said if convicted of second degree crimes, Walker faces five to 10 years in prison. Convictions of third degree crimes can result in a sentence of three to five years. Taylor asked that citizens report any information regarding criminal activity to his office at 609-465-1135 or the Middle Township Police Department at 609-465-8700, text TIP MTPDTIPS followed by a message to 888777 or anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriffs Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net. If New Jersey doesnt bring its summer flounder limits in line with federal regulations, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission said it may result in a moratorium on fluke fishing. When summer flounder season began May 25, New Jersey decided to keep in place an 18-inch limit it felt was a fair compromise to the 19-inch limit federal regulators were requiring. The Marine Fisheries Commission did not agree and voted earlier that week not to accept New Jerseys rules. On Thursday, the federal agency found New Jersey out of compliance with the mandatory management measures for summer flounder, scup and black sea bass. The commission believes the 19-inch limit achieves conservation goals and helps to end overfishing of summer flounder. The state argues the larger minimum size would result in more dead fish. Other opponents of the federal rules, including many local anglers, say the rules directly target female spawning flounder. Were disappointed the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission continues to myopically distance itself from sound fisheries management and advocates for a 19-inch size limit that kills more fish through dead discards than the actual harvesting of fluke, N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin said. This would result in an overall higher mortality rate and be more detrimental to the fish stock that we are sworn to protect. The commission plans to notify the federal secretaries of commerce and the interior of its finding. They will have 30 days to review the recommendation and determine appropriate action. Martin said he stands behind the states decision to keep an 18-inch minimum for fluke. We stand by our regulations that meet the conservation equivalency of the commissions mandated management measures, while protecting a multi-billion dollar fishing industry in New Jersey, he said. We look forward to presenting New Jerseys management measures for summer flounder to the secretary of commerce and NOAA Fisheries. SANDY HOOK For the crowd of about 75 people assembled on a beach at the northeast tip of the New Jersey shore earlier this week, they put on a show. Splashing. Romping. Riding the waves. For almost an hour, before they disappeared into the rough surf. For six young gray seals, a journey that began with separate strandings on South Jersey beaches earlier this spring ended with a 95-mile journey north to Sandy Hook on Wednesday. Staff from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center released the seals into the ocean off Monmouth County early Wednesday afternoon, following months of rehabilitation and care at the Brigantine center. For the seals, its a return to their natural habitat. For the staff, its a rewarding end to a long journey. Seal season spills over into the start of summer On a cool April day in Sandy Hook, Sheila Dean was part of a team who made the two-hour trip They come to us sick, some near death, and what we do is to care for them and provide them with a second chance, said Sheila Dean, co-director of the Stranding Center. Dean said its fulfilling to see them go back out and smiled as she stood on the sand and watched the seals frolic in the shallow surf, seemingly delighted to be home. These six were in the big recovery pool at the center together and clearly formed some sort of bond, and maybe they can go and make their own colony, Dean said. According to Bob Schoelkopf, founding director of the Stranding Center, 10 seals remain at the Brigantine center, which saw a delayed start to the seal season this year and a later than usual peak. Warm sunshine through Saturday, but next week looks unsettled A new month has apparently given us the meteorological reboot that we seriously needed, as w April was an unusually busy month for the stranding center, with as many as five seal calls per day and close to 50 for the month. The reason: a healthier and burgeoning seal population. Four or five of the remaining seals are likely to be released in the next two to three weeks, after theyre placed in the recovery pool so they can socialize, Dean said. Schoelkopf said releases are normally done in Sandy Hook because it is the northernmost point in New Jersey for an ocean release, closest to the seals most likely home waters east of New England. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center is a private, nonprofit organization, and all funding comes through donations, grants and fundraising. Dean and Schoelkopf both stress that all donations are vital and very much welcomed, to help with the cost of food, medication, electricity and running the center. Great white shark Mary Lee pings east of Ocean City early Wednesday This week's gray and gloomy weather isn't exactly packing the beaches along the South Jersey shore. To donate, visit them online at mmsc.org/ways-to-donate for a one-time donation or to learn about their adopt-a-seal program. Aaron Carter, the singer-rapper who began performing as a child and had hit albums starting in his teen years, was found dead at his home in Southern California. He was 34. Representatives for Carters family confirmed the singers death Saturday. They did not provide any immediate further comment. A sheriff's official says deputies responding to reports of a medical emergency found a person deceased at the home in Lancaster. Aaron Carter, the younger brother of Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, performed as an opening act for Britney Spears as well as his brothers boy band, and appeared on the familys reality series, House of Carters. Hillary Clinton bashes President Trumps budget proposal for its unimaginable level of cruelty. Almost every Democratic politician, and most mainstream media, are saying the same. Dont believe it. The budget, released last week, dignifies work. It reforms federal anti-poverty programs that have kept people dependent on government, with taxpayers footing the bills. Like the food stamp program, which has nearly tripled in enrollment and quadrupled in cost since 2000. Call Trumps budget the Work Is Beautiful plan. Trump needs to go to the voters who elected him and defend his budget. While many in Congress are dismissing it as dead on arrival, theyre foolish to ignore the publics disgust with Washingtons spendaholic ways. The presidents budget is exactly what he ran and won on: less government, more jobs, school choice, strong defense, health care for vets and compassion for the working stiff whose taxes are wasted in Washington. The howls of protest are mostly about cuts to anti-poverty programs. But taxpayers should be cheering. According to the General Accountability Office, these programs nearly 100 welfare programs and three dozen food and housing aid programs never even get evaluated. The programs targeted for cuts lack any record of success in reducing poverty. The food stamp program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, now enrolls a staggering 43 million people. Would most of them go hungry without it? Not even close. Less than 1 percent of the nation is at risk of being hungry on a given day, but 14 percent are on food stamps, according to Harvard University food supply expert Robert Paarlberg. Trumps SNAP reforms include requiring mentally and physically able recipients to work or look for a job. Its a revival of President Bill Clintons 1994 welfare reform, which got whittled away over time. Trumps budget also requires states to pay part of the SNAP tab, to stop them from gaming the system. Many governors strive to increase food stamp enrollment in their state, regardless of need, just to rake in more federal dollars. We need folks to work, said Trumps budget chief Mick Mulvaney, Theres a dignity to work, and theres a necessity to work, he added, in order to restore the nations economic productivity. Trumps budget also pares funding for Social Security Disability Insurance to push those capable of working back into the labor force. Nearly 9 million people claim theyre too disabled to work, up from fewer than 2 million in 1970. Its malarkey. The nation cant afford so many working-age adults sidelined. Federal employees are also up in arms against Trumps budget. Currently, they get retirement benefits 47 percent more generous than what private sector workers get. Trumps budget asks government employees to contribute more to their own retirement. Thats fair. Why should federal employees be on easy street, while taxpayers are working overtime to pay the costs? We looked at this budget through the eyes of the people who are actually paying the bills, said Mulvaney. Too bad more members of Congress, including Republicans, dont do the same. They tend to kowtow to the noisiest politically correct advocacy groups rather than looking out for the hard-working silent majority. Strangely, Trumps budget is also getting blasted as ludicrously optimistic for predicting 3 percent economic growth by 2020. But Trumps tax cuts if enacted are likely to spur investment in the equipment needed to raise worker productivity, just as welfare reform will put more people into the labor force. Remember that 3.25 percent growth was the norm for almost the entire last century. Trumps critics want us to think the anemic growth of the Obama years (a mere 1.6 percent in 2016) is the new normal, along with tens of millions on food stamps and disability. Its not the norm and America shouldnt settle for it. Betsy McCaughey is a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research and a former lieutenant governor of New York State. Contact her at betsy@betsymccaughey.com. FORM 8.3 This document replaces the previous document published by Elderstreet VCT plc at 16:43 on 31 May 2017 PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code") 1. KEY INFORMATION (a) Full name of discloser: Elderstreet VCT plc (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree Interquest Group plc (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 30.5.17 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" NO 2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security. (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any) Class of relevant security: Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 410,000 1.09 (2) Cash-settled derivatives: (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: TOTAL: 410,000 1.09 All interests and all short positions should be disclosed. Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions). (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options) Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: N/A Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages: N/A 3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in. The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated. (a) Purchases and sales Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options) (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit (ii) Exercise Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities) Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable) 4. OTHER INFORMATION (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" N/A (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" N/A (c) Attachments Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO Date of disclosure: 31.5.17 Contact name: William Horlick Telephone number: 0207 831 5088 Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129. The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. Dublin, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "IoT in Asia: ASEAN, China, India, Japan, and South Korea Forecasts 2017 - 2022" report to their offering. Certain countries in Asian are anticipated to quickly adopt the Internet of Things (IoT) and to expand usage of IoT applications and services across many industry verticals. This research provides detailed forecasts for IoT in ASEAN, China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Each forecast includes a working Excel document, allowing the user to easily input into their own models and projections. Purchase of this report includes time with an expert analyst who will help you link key findings in the report to the business issues you're addressing. This needs to be used within three months of purchasing the report. Key Topics Covered: IoT in China 2017 - 2022 IoT in India 2017 - 2022 IoT in Japan 2017 - 2022 IoT in South Korea 2017 - 2022 IoT in ASEAN Countries 2017 - 2022 For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/f632p2/iot_in_asia BURLINGTON, Massachusetts, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group (DRG), a subsidiary of India-based Piramal Enterprises Limited (Piramal), today announced that Lou Pascarella has joined the company as Executive Vice President, Global Sales. Pascarella is an accomplished, results-driven, healthcare executive who will be responsible for leading DRG's global strategic sales efforts. Prior to joining DRG, he was responsible for managing the integrated delivery networks (IDN) business at Janssen / Johnson & Johnson. Previously, Pascarella was responsible for Cardiovascular Life Cycle Management, which included overseeing the launch of Xarelto for eight new indications. "Lou is a proven business executive, a great leader of people and a strategic thinker," said Jon Sandler, DRG's CEO. "He brings deep domain knowledge and industry wisdom to DRG and will help us to continue our perpetual efforts to better understand and meet the needs of our clients. I am thrilled that Lou has joined our team." Pascarella will be responsible for creating and executing a global sales strategy, centered on meeting the evolving needs of DRG's healthcare clients with data-driven, technology enabled, healthcare Insights. He commented, "DRG is uniquely positioned to answer our clients' most challenging questions, thereby helping healthcare companies around the globe make better business decisions. DRG has valuable offerings, but it's the people that make this a special company. I'm thrilled to now be part of an organization I so often relied on in previous positions." About Decision Resources Group DRG, a subsidiary of Piramal Enterprises Ltd., is the premier source for global healthcare data and market intelligence. A trusted partner for over 20 years, DRG helps companies competing in the global healthcare industry make informed business decisions. Organizations committed to the developing and delivering life-changing therapies to patients rely on DRG's in-house team of expert healthcare analysts, data scientists, and consultants for critical guidance. DRG products and services, built on extensive data assets and delivered by experts, empower organizations to succeed in complex healthcare markets. Follow DRG on Twitter @DRGInsights and on LinkedIn and keep up with the latest industry news on the DRG Blog. To learn more, visit DecisionResourcesGroup.com Media Contact: Kim Gordon +1 (781) 281-6019 kgordon@teamdrg.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/75057/decision_resources_group_logo.jpg Related Links http://www.decisionresourcesgroup.com SOURCE Decision Resources Group MOSCOW, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosneft and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (HSHI) signed an agreement under which the South Korean company will provide technical support in the design and construction of Aframax class vessels at the Zvezda shipyard in Bolshoy Kamen at the XXI Petersburg International Economic Forum. The agreement is a legally binding document. The document was signed as a part of the development of the agreement, under which a joint venture "Zvezda-Hyundai" was established in May 2017 between Shipbuilding Complex Zvezda and HSHI in the field of engineering and project management. - Under the agreement, HSHI provides a list of technical support for the joint venture forthe design and construction of Aframax type tankers, including those using capable of running on natural gas,. HSHI will make sure that the working design documentation corresponds to the basic design of the vessel, which is transferred to the capital of the joint venture. The establishment of JV will enable HSHI, together with the Russian partner, to implement ship construction projects in the new promising segment of the shipbuilding market - the construction of Green Aframax tankers. Cooperation with the South Korean company will allow Rosneft to create an effective project management system in the field of large-capacity shipbuilding. The JV will be surely another impetus for Russia to localize the production of commercial vessels and marine equipment. Since the design documentation provides for the creation of conditions for a gradual localization of a full cycle of designing tankers of the Aframax type. "Technological partnership with the world's largest shipbuilding company will allow us to acquire the necessary competencies in the area of engineering support and management of ship construction projects. This cooperation will ensure DTSS and Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex access to unique technologies for the production of advanced marine equipment, such as modern environmentally friendly Aframax type tankers that run on NGV fuel, and will open prospects for the localization of production and development of the shipbuilding cluster in the Far East of Russia," said Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin. Notes for editors: The shipbuilding complex Zvezda is being created on the basis of the Far Eastern Zvezda plant by the Consortium of Rosneftegaz, Rosneft and Gazprombank. The project of the complex involves the construction of a heavy fitting dock, dry dock, full-cycle production facilities, and workshops for the construction of offshore marine equipment. The shipbuilding complex Zvezda will produce large-capacity vessels, elements of offshore platforms, ice-class vessels, special vessels and other types of marine equipment. SOURCE Rosneft CASABLANCA, Morocco, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The annual PR conference of APRA, one of Africa's most important PR organizations, was held in Casablanca, Morocco between May 10-13. Attracting participants from all around the world, the conference embraced PR measurement and the updated version of Barcelona Principles as its main topics of discussion were in the center of attention of most esteemed media monitoring companies and PR practitioners. Newsmeter's presentation during the conference Newsmeter team with other attendees Seyithan Teymur, Managing Director of Newsmeter's and Deniz Aydoslu Development Manager of Newsmeter, made a presentation on measurement and evaluation, issues being more and more important in terms of the relationship between media monitoring and PR. Another underlined topic within the presentation was applicability and availability of PR measurement tools. "Advertising Value Equivalent" is dying? One of the most remarkable parts of the presentation was about Advertising Value Equivalent from Seyithan Teymur: "How you measured this metric was you would take a ruler, measure the height of the space, multiply it by how many columns it was given. Multiply that number by how much that outlet charged you for a "single column centimeters" and voila! You had this magical number that told you how valuable this piece of news was." Seyithan Teymur kept on telling about press clippings and added: "It was even worse when it came to the so-called advertising value equivalent so yes - no wonder everybody says AVEs are dead." What About Press Clippings? Another important point, highlighted by Deniz Aydoslu was about press clippings: "What you did, was find the news about you on newspapers and magazines and other outlets. Find on which page they are, and literally take a ruler and measure their sizes. Now, how can you effectively measure the reach or the impact or the "value" of this story? All the metrics that you have are the "number of subscribers" to this news outlet, and "size" of that piece of news. Now you don't need me telling you how misleading any deduction that you'll make will be." Conference ended with SABRE Awards Ceremony during which successful PR works in Africa have been awarded. In the eyes of Africa, whole PR world had a great network opportunity and the important developments of PR field were highlighted. ABOUT NEWSMETER Newsmeter is an online global news tracker service with an award-winning indexing technology. The service traces all the global news sources around the world continuously. Newsmeter has the capability to gather all published news articles together, analyze them and generate detailed intelligent reports on topics that interest you. Contact: Merve Uluser +1 650 488 8186 [email protected] SOURCE Newsmeter Inc. FAIRFAX, Va., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 1999, AHAA has honored those that have made significant contributions to the U.S. Hispanic advertising and marketing industry. Expanding on this program, AHAA has established the AHAA Hall Fame, which recognizes a select group of visionaries, leaders and luminaries who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the Hispanic advertising and marketing field. In addition to previous Eduardo Caballero Lifetime Achievement winners, Hispanic advertising giants Pedro Font and Carlos Montemayor; academia and research legend Dr. Felipe Korzenny; and media pioneer Raul Torano will be inducted during an awards gala at the 2017 AHAA Annual Conference taking place on Wednesday, June 13 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. "Each of these men played an extraordinary role in the conceptualization, building and development of the Hispanic marketing and advertising field our industry is the multibillion dollar business it is because of them," said AHAA Chair Linda Gonzalez. Thanks to a generous three-year sponsorship by State Farm, AHAA will create a digital repository of videos and images that chronicles the Hispanic marketing industry, featuring images and videos of these and all Hall of Fame inductees. Pedro Font Pedro was a major force in making the Hispanic market, and multicultural marketing, into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Along with Joseph Vaamonde, he opened Font & Vaamonde Advertising in 1979, which was then sold to Grey Advertising Inc. in 1987. Font led efforts to encourage America's consumer-product giants to supplement their advertising campaigns for the general market with broadcast commercials, print advertisements and other sales pitches aimed more specifically at Hispanic consumers. Once those advertisers realized just how quickly the Hispanic population was growing, they enthusiastically began augmenting mainstream campaigns with tailored messages. Since leaving the agency he has served as CEO of Global Media Distribution, a business responsible for selling Televisa's content and other companies' films distribution rights all over the world. Dr. Felipe Korzenny Felipe is the Professor Emeritus of Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communication, and Founder and Director Emeritus of the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication at Florida State University. He currently independently consults with major US corporations on their Hispanic marketing strategies, and speaks to them about approaches to better connect with Hispanic Consumers. He is well known in industry for the consumer experience insights he has helped generate to position successful products in the U.S. Hispanic market and in Latin America. A social scientist by training, Felipe has a critical academic perspective combined with a strong business practice. He holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Communication Research and has published six books and almost a hundred research publications dealing with communication and culture. Carlos Montemayor Carlos is nationally recognized as one of the founders of the Hispanic Advertising Industry in the U.S. Carlos proudly served in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. A graduate of the University of Texas with an MBA from Northwestern University, Carlos worked for Ross Roy and Campbell-Ewald Advertising Agencies specializing in automotive accounts. When Carlos returned from Detroit to San Antonio, he became the national marketing director for Church's Fried Chicken and eventually founded Montemayor y Asociados. The agency grew with the acquisition of major accounts, such as Pepsi, Chrysler and Continental Airlines, to mention a few. Nationally, the agency became the sixth largest Hispanic agency in the country. After merging with GlobalHue, Carlos became vice-chairman and in January 2006, after retiring from GlobalHue, he became vice president for strategic development for Rumbo Newspapers, a Texas chain of Hispanic language newspapers. Carlos passed away in September 2006. Raul "Ruly" Torano Raul is considered by many to be the godfather of Spanish-language television. A Cuban immigrant, Raul launched a successful career in television advertising & marketing in the 1960's that spanned four decades. A pioneer in his field, Raul was a driving force in raising awareness among Fortune 500 companies on the need to allocate a greater percentage of their advertising budget to the growing U.S. Hispanic population. He began his career working at the Spanish Advertising and Marketing Services in New York City with the Diaz-Albertini brothers. In 1984, he joined Spanish International Network (SIN), the first non- English-language television network in the United States, which was later renamed to Univision Network in 1987. During the 1990's, he held various executive positions in the sales and marketing departments at Univision culminating with his being named President of Network Sales. He held this position until his retirement in 1997. Raul served as chairman of the board of Little Havana Activities & Nutrition Centers of Dade County Inc., a non-profit organization that provides social services to economically disadvantaged seniors in the South Florida area, and was also an active member of the Cuban American National Foundation. Raul passed away in May 2010. In addition, past winners of the Eduardo Caballero Lifetime Achievement Award will automatically be inducted to the AHAA Hall of Fame: Raul Alarcon Luis Diaz Albertini Joaquin Blaya Ernest Bromley Eduardo Caballero Jesus Chavarria Alicia Conill Jose Manuel Cubas Richard "Dick" Dillon Castor Fernandez Ceryl Shagrin Lionel Sosa Sara Sunshine Dick Tobin Tere Zubizarreta For more information, please visit http://ahaa.org and follow all conference chatter on Twitter using the @ahaa handle and hashtag #ahaanextgen. About AHAA: Founded in 1996, AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is the national trade organization of all marketing, communications and media firms with trusted Hispanic expertise. About State Farm: The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and nearly 70,000 employees serve more than 84 million policies and accounts more than 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies, and more than 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 35 on the 2016 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com. SOURCE AHAA DUBLIN, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), a leading global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that Chairman and CEO Brent Saunders will present at the Goldman Sachs 38th Annual Global Healthcare Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The presentation will begin at 10:40 a.m. Pacific Time (1:40 p.m. Eastern Time), on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. The presentation will be webcast live and can be accessed on Allergan's Investor Relations website at www.allergan.com/investors. The webcast can also be accessed through the following URL: https://cc.talkpoint.com/gold006/061317a_as/?entity=40_HYW0HGU An archived version will be available approximately four hours after the live presentation ends, and can be accessed at the same location until September 12, 2017. About Allergan plc Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a bold, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients around the world. Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics and dermatology, gastroenterology, women's health, urology and anti-infective therapeutic categories. Allergan is an industry leader in Open Science, a model of research and development, which defines our approach to identifying and developing game-changing ideas and innovation for better patient care. With this approach, Allergan has built one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry with 70+ mid-to-late stage pipeline programs currently in development. Allergan's success is powered by our more than 18,000 global colleagues' commitment to being Bold for Life. Together, we build bridges, power ideas, act fast and drive results for our customers and patients around the world by always doing what is right. With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives every day. For more information, visit Allergan's website at www.Allergan.com. Forward-Looking Statement Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Allergan's current perspective on existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Allergan's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Allergan's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Allergan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Allergan's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2017. Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. CONTACTS: Allergan: Investors: Daphne Karydas (862) 261-8006 Media: Mark Marmur (862) 261-7558 SOURCE Allergan plc Related Links http://www.allergan.com BOSTON, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- American Well announced today that its clinical partner, Online Care Group, is open and available for telehealth visits in Texas, following the historic signing of Bill SB107 into law by Governor Abbott on May 27. This bill embraces telehealth, holding medical professionals using telehealth to the same standard of care as those in a traditional medical practice and paving the way for more expansive use of high-quality telehealth services. Six million Texas residents now have access to medical professionals via American Well's telehealth services through their health plans and employers. Health systems working with American Well can offer primary care and specialty care visits such as behavioral health and breastfeeding support to new patients. Additionally any of the nearly 30 million Texas residents can now see a doctor on Amwell, the #1 most downloaded video telehealth app, for an on-demand or scheduled visit 24/7/365. "We join the industry in congratulating Texas on entering the Telehealth Era," said Dr. Roy Schoenberg, CEO, American Well. "We wholeheartedly agree with the position taken by the Texas Medical Board and have always believed that telehealth should be a modality within traditional clinical practice that extends the relationship between patients and the healthcare brands they trust. To that end, we've worked side-by-side with the Texas Medical Board, key industry groups, academic medical centers, and legislators to embrace telehealth that allows medical professionals to uphold the same standards of care patients should expect from in-person care. We are thrilled the bill has passed and we can now bring safe and effective telehealth to patients in Texas." Added Schoenberg, "This new bill not only opens the door for American Well, but also our whole ecosystem of healthcare partners to deliver a variety of services in Texas. Partners who could previously only conduct follow-up visits with patients can now harness the whole power of our entire ecosystem." For more information on American Well's telehealth services, visit www.americanwell.com. About American Well American Well uses telehealth to improve people's access to quality care. Through our partnerships with the nation's largest health systems, insurers, employers, and retailers, our award-winning telehealth Exchange and our direct-to-consumer service, Amwell, we connect millions of Americans to the doctors they trust for live video visits. Through the power of telehealth, we help patients get the care they need in a timely fashion, and help doctors be there for their patients. We build technologies to make healthcare go where people need it most. For more on how we are changing healthcare delivery through telehealth, visit AmericanWell.com. American Well, the Exchange and Amwell are registered trademarks or trademarks of American Well Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. Media Contact: Amanda Guisbond 617-204-3500 x3697 [email protected] SOURCE American Well Related Links http://www.americanwell.com In a series of meetings held in Yerevan this week, Arton's team of experts had the chance to delve into the local political economy as well as the existing legal frameworks relating to visa and residency issuance, naturalization, and laws regarding foreigners. The concept of citizenship by investment was embraced by high level officials at the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidential Administration, the Central Bank, the Police, the State Migration Service and the Center for Strategic Initiatives. The government of Armenia shared its strong belief that alternative means of attracting foreign direct investment are of primary importance for the country's economic development and future growth. For their part, the experts from Arton Capital shared their view that Armenia has the potential to position itself as a unique investment destination for high net worth individuals from the Middle East and Asia. Arton Capital has been tasked with producing a detailed report that will evaluate the existing infrastructure, outline the best ways to structure an attractive and sustainable program in accordance with EU laws, and implement industry-leading due diligence practices. Many countries in Europe, North America and the Caribbean have implemented citizenship and residency programs in the past 20 years, and they have attracted billions in investments. Many more are considering the implementation of such programs as a highly effective means of boosting foreign direct investment. "The direction chosen by Armenia is shared by many others," says Armand Arton, founder and president of Arton Capital. "As a proud Armenian, I am honored to offer my years of professional experience and acute know-how to help the country meet its foreign direct investment goals." In support of its philanthropic commitment, Arton Capital has pledged to donate the consulting fees awarded by the contract to help refugees in Armenia. More than 20,000 Syrians, many of whom are ethnically Armenian, have found refuge in Armenia since the Syrian war began in 2011. * * * About Arton Capital Arton Capital empowers individuals and families to become Global Citizens by investing in second residence and citizenship around the world. This is accomplished through a bespoke service experience that simplifies complexity and is supported by long-term relationships. As a global financial advisory firm specializing in investor programs for residence and citizenship, Arton plays a critical role in helping governments, industry professionals and investors meet their goals quickly, efficiently and effectively. Arton is the founder of the Global Citizen Forum as well as the Global Citizen Foundation. Its global operations are spread over 15 offices around the world and have helped attract over US$3 billion in foreign direct investment to various countries. Arton Capital is a member of The Arton Group, which comprises fully licensed international banking, financial advisory and investment consulting companies tailored to the needs of Global Citizens. SOURCE Arton Capital Related Links www.artoncapital.com Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) announces that the Company has entered into various agreements with oil companies involving data licensing (prefunding and late sales) related to 3D EM data in the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea in Norway. The agreements represent revenues of USD 2.4 million. Contact: Hege Veiseth, EMGS Chief Financial Officer, +47 992 16 743 About EMGS EMGS, the marine EM market leader, uses its proprietary electromagnetic (EM) technology to support oil and gas companies in their search for offshore hydrocarbons. EMGS supports each stage in the workflow, from survey design and data acquisition to processing and interpretation. The Company's services enable the integration of EM data with seismic and other geophysical and geological information to give explorationists a clearer and more complete understanding of the subsurface. This improves exploration efficiency and reduces risks and the finding costs per barrel. EMGS operates on a worldwide basis with offices in Trondheim, Oslo, Houston, Villahermosa, Rio de Janeiro and Kuala Lumpur. For more information, visit www.emgs.com This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. WACO, Texas, June 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Local pathology leader, Little River Healthcare Central Texas Pathology Lab, received accreditation today from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for its recent on-site re-inspection. The accreditation is nationally recognized as a sign of quality operations, making Waco's LRH-Central Texas Pathology Lab one of more than 7,700 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide. "I am extremely proud of the Central Texas Pathology Lab technical and administrative staff for their continued efforts in maintaining College of American Pathologists accreditation, which is considered a benchmark of quality," said Gary F. Geldmeier, M.D., medical director of LRH-Central Texas Pathology Lab. Central Texas Pathology Lab offers high quality pathological readings by Texas' top board-certified pathologists committed to providing time-efficient results to patients and referring providers. The CAP accreditation program began in the early 1960s and is designed to certify the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients. During the process, inspectors examine the laboratory's records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years, as well as laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management. Central Texas Pathology Lab is part of the Little River Healthcare family, which operates six popular clinical locations in the Waco area, including a state-of-the-art radiology center, Little River Healthcare Waco Imaging. To learn more about Little River Healthcare, visit LRHealthcare.com. To learn more about Central Texas Pathology Lab, visit centexpathlab.com. SOURCE Little River Healthcare Related Links http://www.lrhealthcare.com DALLAS, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Incorporated today announced that it will make a presentation at the Morgan Stanley Financials Conference. Comerica's presentation will begin at 8:50 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. Speaking on behalf of Comerica will be Curtis C. Farmer, president. David E. Duprey, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Darlene P. Persons, director of Investor Relations, also will participate. To access the live audio Webcast, including presentation slides, visit the "Investor Relations" area of Comerica's Web site at www.comerica.com. Replays will be available at the same location following the conference. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $73 billion at March 31, 2017. SOURCE Comerica Incorporated Related Links http://www.comerica.com CHICAGO, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- UCSD oncologist and CureMatch Co-Founder Dr. Razelle Kurzrock and colleagues are presenting ground-breaking cancer discoveries on a variety of topics related to personalized cancer therapy at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago. The Annual Meeting brings together oncology professionals from around the world to discuss state-of-the-art treatment modalities, new therapies, and ongoing controversies in the field. The abstracts cover a broad range of topics in precision oncology, including combination therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, liquid biopsies, next-generation DNA sequencing, RNA expression, and other topics that are highly relevant to CureMatch. The abstracts explore a broad range of cancers. "We are very proud of Dr. Kurzrock and her team for what they have accomplished," said Stephane Richard, Ph.D., President and COO of CureMatch, who will also be attending the ASCO conference. "Together, these abstracts further strengthen the case for the use of precision medicine in cancer treatment. CureMatch's decision support platform incorporates many of the findings from these studies in its custom-curated databases, so many of these discoveries are available to oncologists and their patients today." Dr. Kurzrock is a board-certified medical oncologist and a renowned expert in precision medicine. She is the Director of the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy at the Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego, and is a Co-Founder and Chief Medical Advisor of CureMatch. The following is a list of the abstracts that are co-authored by Dr. Kurzrock including dates and locations of the presentations: Matched Combination Therapy Abstract 2512 Personalized, molecularly matched combination therapies for treatment. Hall A, June 5, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Advances in Precision Medicine Abstract 6086 Targeted therapy for advanced salivary cancer with HER2 or hedgehog alterations: Interim data from MyPathway. Hall A, June 5, 1:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Abstract 9073 Targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with HER2, BRAF, or hedgehog alterations: Interim data from MyPathway. Hall A, June 3, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Abstract 2513 Initiative for Molecular Profiling and Advanced Cancer Therapy (IMPACT): An MD Anderson precision medicine study. Hall A, June 5, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Abstract TPS11625 WINTHER: An international study to select rational therapeutics based on the analysis of matched tumor and normal biopsies in subjects with advanced malignancies. Hall A, June 3, 1:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Circulating Tumor DNA Abstract 1514 Identification of putative germline mutations in 10,288 patients undergoing circulating tumor DNA testing. Hall A, June 5, 1:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Abstract 11511 Genomic analysis of circulating tumor DNA in 442 patients with carcinoma of unknown primary: Implications for targeted therapeutics. S406, June 3, 4:45 PM to 6:00 PM. Abstract 11593 Genomic alterations in 670 patients with diverse cancers analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Hall A, June 3, 1:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Abstract 11574 The mutational landscape of gastrointestinal malignancies as reflected by circulating tumor DNA. Hall A, June 3, 1:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Tumor Biology Abstract 11578 Rare tumor clinic: The UCSD Moores Cancer Center experience with a precision therapy approach. Hall A, June 3, 1:15 PM to 4:45 PM. Developmental Therapeutics Abstract 2526 Phase I study of nab-paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and bevacizumab in advanced cancers. Hall A, June 5, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Abstract 2563 Pharmaco-kinetics/dynamics (PK/PD) evaluation and individual patient cross-over studies with growth trajectory assessment to adaptively develop ilorasertib. Hall A, June 5, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The abstracts were authored by Dr. Kurzrock and collaborators from several institutions. Additional information about ASCO 2017 can be found at https://am.asco.org. About CureMatch CureMatch, Inc., based in San Diego, is a digital health company focused on personalized medicine and combination therapy in oncology. Combination therapy has been used effectively in the treatment of other diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, and is considered by many to be the future of cancer treatment. CureMatch's report guides oncologists in the selection of combinations of cancer drugs that are personalized for individual patients, based on the molecular profile of the patient's own tumor. The CureMatch technology has a foundation in supercomputing, oncology, genetics, proteomics, biochemistry, and cell biology. For more information, visit www.curematch.com SOURCE CureMatch Related Links http://www.curematch.com COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Dominican Sisters of Peace issued a statement decrying the decision of President Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord stating the decision will ultimately affect the poor and those least able to cope with climate adaptation. "Research shows that climate change is already damaging our planet and disproportionately harming the poor through weather related disasters such as flooding and hurricanes," Sr. Pat Twohill, OP, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace said. "Climate change will ultimately affect food production, create water crisis and increase mosquito borne diseases. By putting political interests before the global common good, this decision alienates the United States and tarnishes its role as a global leader." During the President's recent meeting with Pope Francis, the Pope gave President Trump a copy of his encyclical Laudato Si' and encouraged him to protect the Earth and remain in the Paris Climate Accord. "As Catholics, we are called to care for God's creation and protect the poor and vulnerable," said Sr. Pat. The Dominican Sisters of Peace, whose 484 members and 600 Associates serve in 24 states, Nigeria and Peru, are committed to reducing the impact of global climate change. The sisters support actions, programs, and legislation on all levels to protect Earth's climate, with particular concern for the negative impact affecting the lives of the poor. Numerous companies, cities, and even states have vowed to uphold the commitment to the Paris Accord despite the President's decision. The Dominican Sisters of Peace call on President Trump to reconsider his decision, which, if implemented, will have long-term negative effects on the health of the planet. The Paris Accord is necessary to bring together the nations of the world in order to combat climate change. The Dominican Sisters of Peace, members of the international Order of Preachers, are vowed Catholic Sisters who strive to live a life of peace-making. Their headquarters are in Columbus, OH. A fundamental commitment they make is to foster all of life and advocate for just policies and decisions to reduce the impact of global climate change. For more information visit https://oppeace.org/climate-change-2 SOURCE Dominican Sisters of Peace Related Links http://www.oppeace.org SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE: DEI), a real estate investment trust (REIT), announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on each share of its common stock of $0.23, or $0.92 on an annualized basis. The dividend will be paid on July 14, 2017 to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2017. About Douglas Emmett, Inc. Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. For more information about Douglas Emmett, please visit our website at www.douglasemmett.com. Safe Harbor Statement Except for the historical facts, the statements in this press release regarding Douglas Emmett's business activities are forward-looking statements based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to us about known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements to anticipate future results or trends. For a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. CONTACT: Stuart McElhinney, Vice President Investor Relations 310.255.7751 [email protected] SOURCE Douglas Emmett, Inc. Related Links http://www.douglasemmett.com KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DST Systems, Inc. (NYSE: DST), a leading global strategic advisory, technology, and operations outsourcing company today announced that Maria Mann has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. She joined the company in 2016 as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer responsible for IT strategy, leadership, planning, development and operations for the DST Enterprise. Mrs. Mann leads the Enterprise Services organization, which is responsible for automating business processes, providing information for decision making, and supporting productivity tools that increase efficiency. In addition, she provides oversight to DST's IT Services Groups worldwide. The company stated that during her tenure at DST, Mrs. Mann has collaborated with business leaders and senior technologists from across the company to define DST's future technology roadmap, she has expanded our company's Information Security and Risk Management programs, and she is driving the IT components of DST's Transformation effort. Steve Hooley, Chairman, CEO and President of DST said, "New technologies and innovations are changing the way we live, opening up incredible opportunities to create, to discover, and to do what we never thought possible. In her role as Executive Vice President and CIO, Maria will lead our efforts to leverage our people, process, and technology to position our company for the future." Prior to joining DST, Mrs. Mann was Chief Technology Officer for JPMorgan Chase and is a graduate of West Virginia University. She has been recognized by Information Week and CIO Magazine during her career and is currently active in numerous employee engagement networking groups for women and Hispanics. Mrs. Mann also serves as executive sponsor for the Alliance for Veterans at DST. About DST DST Systems, Inc. (NYSE: DST) is a leading provider of specialized technology, strategic advisory, and business operations outsourcing to the financial and healthcare industries. DST enables clients to transform complexity into strategic advantage by helping them continually stay ahead of and capitalize on ever-changing customer, business and regulatory requirements in the world's most demanding industries. For more information, visit the DST website at www.dstsystems.com. Media Contact: Laura M. Parsons DST Global Public Relations 1-816-843-9087 [email protected] Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131023/CG03088LOGO SOURCE DST Systems, Inc. BOSTON, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Please join us at the Edison Electric Institute's (EEI's) Annual Convention in Boston from June 11-14. Electric company executives, industry thought leaders, and policymakers will discuss the transformation taking place throughout the electric power industry and the innovative solutions that America's electric companies are developing to meet customers' evolving needs and expectations. The convention also will feature EEI's Smart Community, an interactive exhibit showcasing examples of the different approaches that communities are taking to improve sustainability, spur economic development, enhance public safety, drive efficiencies, and create a better quality of life. A smart community is a connected community that is built on smarter energy infrastructure and leverages the power of data. Tap into an unrivaled opportunity to connect with the industry's top executives and thought leaders as they participate in panel discussions on Taking Smart Cities to the Next Level, Securing the Nation's Energy Grid, Building an Energy Workforce for Tomorrow, Powering Mobility in the 21st Century, The Impact of Technology on the Energy Grid, and much more. In 2016, more than 50 CEOs and senior executives addressed these critical industry issues. When: Sunday, June 11 - Wednesday, June 14, 2017 Where: Boston Marriott Copley Place; 110 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116 Who: Keynote speakers for the opening general session on Monday, June 12, include: General (Ret.) Keith Alexander , Former Director of the National Security Agency and former Commander of the United States Cyber Command , Former Director of the National Security Agency and former Commander of the United States Cyber Command Michael Beaton , Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs David Gergen , CNN senior political analyst and co-director of the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership , CNN senior political analyst and co-director of the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership Andy McAfee , Principal research scientist at the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, MIT Sloan School of Management Tom Brokaw, legendary NBC journalist celebrating his 50th year of award-winning journalism, will speak to attendees at the gala reception and dinner on Tuesday, June 13. Other speakers include: Greg Abel , Chairman, President and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Chairman, President and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Nick Akins , Chairman, President and CEO, American Electric Power Chairman, President and CEO, American Electric Power Gerry Anderson , Chairman and CEO, DTE Energy Chairman and CEO, Warner Baxter , Chairman, President and CEO, Ameren Corporation Chairman, President and CEO, Ameren Corporation Ashley Brown , Executive Director, Harvard Electricity Policy Group Executive Director, Harvard Electricity Policy Group Chris Clark , President, Minnesota , South Dakota , North Dakota , Xcel Energy President, , , , Xcel Energy Chris Crane , President and CEO, Exelon President and CEO, Exelon John Daly , Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, The White House Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, The White House Scott Drury , President, San Diego Gas & Electric President, San Diego Gas & Electric Tom Fanning , Chairman, President and CEO, Southern Company , Chairman, President and CEO, Southern Company Lynn Good , President and CEO, Duke Energy President and CEO, Duke Energy Patricia Hoffman , Acting Under Secretary, Office of Science and Energy, U.S. Department of Energy , Acting Under Secretary, Office of Science and Energy, U.S. Department of Energy Judith Judson , Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Joseph McClelland , Director, Office of Energy Infrastructure Security, FERC Director, Office of Energy Infrastructure Security, FERC Philip Mezey , President and CEO, Itron President and CEO, Itron Andy Ott , President and CEO, PJM Interconnection President and CEO, PJM Interconnection Bob Perciasepe , President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions Scott Prochazka , President and CEO, CenterPoint Energy President and CEO, CenterPoint Energy Marcy Reed , President Massachusetts , National Grid , President , National Grid Rich Riazzi , President and CEO, Duquesne Light Company President and CEO, Duquesne Light Company Matt Roberts , Executive Director, Energy Storage Association Executive Director, Energy Storage Association Shawn Schukar , Chairman and President, Ameren Transmission Company Chairman and President, Ameren Transmission Company Gordon van Welie , President and CEO, ISO New England President and CEO, ISO New England Pat Vincent-Collawn , Chairman, President and CEO, PNM Resources Chairman, President and CEO, PNM Resources Geisha Williams, President and CEO, PG&E Corporation The full schedule of events is available here. For more information or to register (free for press), please contact Brian Reil at [email protected] or (202) 508-5514. EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 60 international electric companies as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members. SOURCE Edison Electric Institute Related Links http://www.eei.org Cyprus teachers saw this installation as an opportunity to teach their students about the real-world applications of STEM, including the importance of energy efficiency and air quality. The renovation not only created a unique learning experience for the students the new system could save Cyprus nearly 50% annually on their HVAC energy expenses. Watch the students set up the system here. While traditional control systems take years to get certified and master, 75F has created a solution that's as easy to set up as an iPhone. For the 8- and 9-year-old kids accustomed to playing with touch devices all day long, setting up the system was intuitive. "Cyprus Classical Academy offers one of the most unique, advanced and rigorous learning environments in Minnesota," said Michelle Wallick, principal of Cyprus Schools. "Discovering and partnering with 75F was a fantastic fit for us we are now able to solve a real challenge for our school building while giving our students a STEM experience they can't get anywhere else." Like many older buildings in the Midwest, Cyprus Classical Academy's 13,500 sq. ft. location deals with hot and cold spots and rooms feeling stuffy. Based on classroom layouts, large windows, insulation and inefficient placement of thermostats, the school's HVAC expenses were very high and temperature comfort was difficult to maintain. "Cyprus Classical Academy deals with a lot of HVAC issues that we see in many aging buildings here in the Midwest," said Deepinder Singh, CEO of 75F. "After some simple measurements, our team knew immediately that we could save the school thousands of dollars every year by installing smart HVAC controls, while improving air quality and comfort." Cyprus students met with 75F technicians to discuss HVAC concepts and challenges. They analyzed the building and observed how the system was configured. For the students, one of the highlights was drilling holes in their classroom walls to install sensors and running up step ladders to install equipment in the ceiling. After watching an instructional video, the students paired the sensors and control units together through the school Wi-Fi. They even hand drew a floor plan of the school and uploaded it to the 75F portal as a part of the commissioning process. As of June 2, about 40% of the project is complete. Additional student-led installations are planned throughout the summer for the remaining classrooms. Cyprus students, Cyprus staff and 75F staff are available for media interview and comment related to this project. Cyprus Schools contact: Logan Wang, Director of Communications 651.260.4601 [email protected] 75F contact: Kristen Johnson, Marketing Director 612.616.6272 [email protected] About Cyprus: Cyprus Schools (Cyprus Classical Academy, Montessori and School of Music and the Arts) are private school options offering the most unique and rigorous education environments in Minnesota. Built on the foundation of gifted/talented learning, ability-based class placement, 6:1 student teacher ratio, and classical education concepts (language, science, arts, music and critical thinking), Cyprus students learn real-world skills at an accelerated pace and test in the top 1% of students nationwide. About 75F: 75F is a high-tech start-up disrupting the building automation industry by taking a fresh approach to HVAC, lighting and other controls in commercial buildings. Their mission is to save energy, while improving comfort and air quality. Instead of reacting to problems, the 75F system predicts needs and manages buildings accordingly. Beginning with temperature control, 75F was founded in 2012 and has delivered hundreds of energy-efficient spaces to enthusiastic customers who rave about the results. 75F is a proud member of the United Nations Environment Program- Sustainable Buildings Climate Initiative. SOURCE 75F; Cyprus Classical Academy Related Links http://75f.io NEW YORK, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Republic of Equatorial Guinea was elected today to the United Nations (UN) Security Council. Equatorial Guinea will be a non-permanent Member and serve a two-year term beginning 1 January 2018. Equatorial Guinea's candidacy was endorsed by the African Union and pledged to strive toward global sustainable peace and development. Equatorial Guinea declared its priorities as Member of the Security Council will include negotiations and dialogues for peaceful resolution of armed conflicts; negotiations and dialogues on the reform of the Security Council, active participation in strategies to combat terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, cross-border crime, endemic diseases and pandemics, extremism, xenophobia, racial discrimination, and corruption; active defense of human rights; active participation in mitigating the catastrophic effects of climate change; strong support for gender equality and the empowerment of women; and active participation in the execution of the UN 2030 and African Union 2063 agendas, in parallel with the Equatorial Guinea Horizon 2020 national development program. Equatorial Guinea has dedicated significant resources in its development over the past two decades, with priority investments in literacy, healthcare services, education, and infrastructure. The UN Security Council is the governing body within the UN responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council is comprised of fifteen Members, who determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression, resolve disputes by peaceful means or recommend terms of settlement, and impose sanctions or authorize force when necessary. The Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Peru, and Poland were also elected to the UN Security Council. SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea Almere, The Netherlands June 2, 2017 ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today announces that it will be hosting a technology seminar in Kyoto, Japan on Tuesday June 6, 2017, in conjunction with the VLSI Symposium. In this technology seminar, ASM will highlight the challenges and potential solutions for achieving next generation devices. The agenda is as follows: 6.00 pm Reception, drinks and food 6.40 - 6.45 pm Dr. Ivo Raaijmakers (ASM) - Welcome and introduction 6.45 - 7.15 pm Invited speaker: Dr. Tohru Mogami (PETRA) - "Introduction of silicon photonics technology" 7.15 - 7.45 pm Dr. Toshihisa Nozawa (ASM) - "ALD technologies for future Si devices" Following the presentations, there is room for open discussion and networking. The ASM technology seminar will take place in the Kokin room (5th floor) at the Hotel Granvia Kyoto. The room will open at 6:00 pm for invited attendees. Interested parties should contact Rosanne de Vries, +31 88 100 8569, rosanne.de.vries@asm.com. About ASM International ASM International NV, headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, its subsidiaries and participations design and manufacture equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International, its subsidiaries and participations provide production solutions for wafer processing (Front-end segment) as well as for assembly & packaging and surface mount technology (Back-end segment) through facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol ASM). For more information, visit ASMI's website at www.asm.com . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: All matters discussed in this press release, except for any historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, economic conditions and trends in the semiconductor industry generally and the timing of the industry cycles specifically, currency fluctuations, corporate transactions, financing and liquidity matters, the success of restructurings, the timing of significant orders, market acceptance of new products, competitive factors, litigation involving intellectual property, shareholders or other issues, commercial and economic disruption due to natural disasters, terrorist activity, armed conflict or political instability, epidemics and other risks indicated in the Company's reports and financial statements. The Company assumes no obligation nor intends to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future developments or circumstances. CONTACT Rosanne de Vries T: +31 88 100 8569 M: +31 651 252 448 E: Rosanne.de.Vries@asm.com LOS ANGELES, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ZAFUL, an Asia-based online fashion outlet, is celebrating its third birthday by holding a 12-day sales event, the Big 3, which begins on June 8. "We're offering more than just discounts," said Sara Lau, the company's marketing director. "We want to thank our loyal customers for their continued support. It's going to be our biggest sale since Black Friday." For photos: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0-lss2liHyJQjYwLWlPR2l5b3c https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0-lss2liHyJNHFGMUNOclgxQXM Discounts and other offers are applicable to any item on the ZAFUL website (www.zaful.com), including swimwear, workout apparel, fashion clothing, footwear, bags and accessories. The Big 3 sale will be accessible through the website, mobile site and ZAFUL app. The already-low prices for ZAFUL fashion wear, usually $20-50, will be slashed even further, with some items available for just 1 cent. Free shipping From June 15-17, ZAFUL will be offering free shipping on every item. Since a large portion of customers are from North America, Europe and other international sites, this can add up to big savings. Huge discounts These ZAFUL "never-before" deals will feature flash sales, bundling discounts and price markdowns when orders reach a certain amount. In addition, ZAFUL has added a coupon center to its website, enabling shoppers to obtain up to 22 percent in savings on selected items. In some cases, the coupons are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online games, prizes and rewards Each day, ZAFUL will offer online games which enables shoppers to win prizes as well as receive coupons and points toward future purchases. Big 3 celebration ZAFUL employees will be celebrating the Big 3 with a company party. There will be special Big 3 T-shirts, celebration flags and posters commemorating this event. "Through this Big 3 sale and party we want to show our appreciation for our customers and staff," Lau said. "We want it to be just like the Black Friday sale. It's a big celebration and we're all very excited about it. "Our employees have worked extremely hard over the years, it's time to recognize it with a party. We're one big happy family." To view the party video, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQo0n-e3v4E About ZAFUL Founded in 2013, ZAFUL launched its e-commerce fashion site market on June 15, 2014. Sammydress and Rosegal are her sister sites, which focus on different target customers. With an eye for the latest product lines and styles, ZAFUL offers fashionable clothing, swimwear and accessories at discount prices, usually $20-50. ZAFUL exports products from factories in China or Philippines, selling to more than 50 countries from its fulfillment centers in the United States and Europe. SOURCE ZAFUL Related Links http://www.zaful.com/ About Fifth Harmony: Fifth Harmony returns with the much-anticipated release of new single "Down" feat. Gucci Mane, the first of new music from the group's forthcoming album, due out in 2017 via Syco Music/Epic Records. "Down" follows the record-breaking success of Fifth Harmony's sophomore album 7/27. "Work from Home," the album's quadruple platinum certified first single, earned Fifth Harmony their first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, notching the top spot on both the Billboard Rhythmic and Pop Songs charts. Their second single "All In My Head (Flex)" is certified platinum, while their latest single "That's My Girl" was another top 40 radio hit. The group's accomplishments on the charts added to an award-winning 2016, with first-time wins at the American Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, People's Choice Awards & Much Music Video Awards, their second win at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, two wins at the MTV Video Music Awards & Radio Disney Music Awards and three wins at the Teen Choice Awards. Fifth Harmony's global 7/27 Tour began its North American leg that summer, hitting over 30 cities before heading to Europe in the fall and continuing on to Asia in early 2017. Fifth Harmony's already successful 2017 kicked off with a performance at the People's Choice Awards and has already brought the group wins for every nomination so far, including "Favorite Group" for the second year in a row at the People's Choice Awards, three wins at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, two wins (Favorite Music Group & Fiercest Fans) at the Radio Disney Music Awards, and the two top honors "Favorite Music Group" and "Favorite Song" at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. In 2015, Fifth Harmony released their debut album, Reflection, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and has since been certified Gold. Reflection includes two platinum records, "BO$$" and "Sledgehammer" in addition to the quadruple-platinum success of the single, "Worth It." The group is currently in the studio working on their highly-anticipated third album. Connect with Fifth Harmony: https://fifthharmony.com/ https://twitter.com/fifthharmony https://www.facebook.com/fifthharmony https://www.instagram.com/fifthharmony/ https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialFifthHarmony SOURCE Epic Records Related Links https://fifthharmony.com ORLANDO, Fla., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Opening the doors to homeownership is a top priority for Florida Realtors. Across the state and throughout the U.S., Realtors continue to promote housing opportunities and the removal of barriers to homeownership in recognition of June as National Homeownership Month. "As Realtors, we work every day to help people realize the American Dream of owning their own home," says 2017 Florida Realtors President Maria Wells, broker-owner with Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart. "Opening the door to homeownership helps families find security and stability. While buying a home is usually the biggest financial investment someone may make in their lifetime, it also offers a sense of place and community. Our homes hold our hopes, our memories and our dreams for the future." Continuing a long tradition, President Donald Trump has declared June as National Homeownership Month and pledged his support for increasing the U.S. homeownership rate. According to the declaration: "For generations of Americans, owning a home has been an essential element in achieving the American Dream. Homeownership is often the foundation of security and prosperity for families and communities and an enduring symbol of American freedom. This month, we recommit to ensuring that hard-working Americans enjoy a fair chance at becoming homeowners." Recognizing June as National Homeownership Month encourages all in the real estate and housing industries to promote homeownership as source of economic strength and to increase the ranks of homeowners, especially among minorities. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, the homeownership rate in Florida for first quarter 2017 was 64.6 percent; the U.S. homeownership rate was 63.6 percent for the same period. Wells adds that homeownership serves as a solid foundation for communities, instilling pride and a sense of belonging among individuals. Research supports Realtors' belief that homeownership provides a variety of tangible and intangible benefits to the community, the economy and the individual homeowner. For instance, studies have found that homeowners volunteer for political and charitable causes more frequently than renters do. Also, children whose parents own their own home tend to do better in school and to be better behaved; the greater stability of homeownership also has been found to be good for child development and for better health outcomes. Recognition of homeownership began as a week-long celebration in 1995, and was later proclaimed to last the entire month of June in 2002 under former President George W. Bush. Florida Realtors serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its more than 165,000 members in 55 boards/associations. Florida Realtors Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org. SOURCE Florida Realtors Related Links http://www.media.floridarealtors.org DUBLIN, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Product Analysis of 20 Manufacturers & Deals" report to their offering. High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive therapeutic technology with the potential to transform the treatment of many medical disorders by using ultrasonic energy to target tissue. Till date more than 100,000 patients have been treated with HIFU therapeutic technology; nearly 25,000 patients alone treated in 2015. New regulatory approvals in United States and other part of the world, expansion of research and treatment sites and innovation continues in new companies are some the growth driving factors for HIFU devices. Prostate Cancer is the Leading use of HIFU Technology Globally Prostate cancer is one of the common types of cancer in the men. Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow uncontrollably. It is estimated that nearly 161,360 new cases of prostate cancer will be found in the United States and nearly 26,730 men is expected to die in 2017. About One Third of the Total HIFU Patients are Treated for Uterine Fibroids Cases in 2015 Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus. Most of the women did not found any symptoms whereas some women have painful period. The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unclear. Uterine fibroids are the other leading application for HIFU device. About one third of the total HIFU patients are treated for uterine fibroids cases in 2015. Nearly One Third of the Total HIFU Manufacturers are based in European region At present 36 companies are manufacturing HIFU device globally. Nearly one third of the total manufacturers are based in European region. France and United States are two most favorable places for HIFU manufacturers in European and North American region. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Product Analysis of 20 Manufacturers & Deals is the 2nd edition report on High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). This 150 page report contains 17 Figures and 14 Tables it provides a detailed analysis of the HIFU products of the companies. This report provides the latest available and emerging High Intensity Focused Ultrasound products being utilized by the HIFU centers. Each company is discussed in depth with a section on its product line, revenue and latest development in HIFU market. All the High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in the report has been studied from 7 viewpoints: 1. HIFU Manufacturers, Research Sites, Pre-Clinical Research Sites, Clinical Research Sites, Technical Research Sites & Commercial Treatment Sites 2. Major Deals (Collaboration Deals, Distribution Agreement Deals, Partnerships Deals) - 2012-2017 3. HIFU Products 4. HIFU Patents and Intellectual Property 5. HIFU Clinical & Regulatory Status 6. Companies HIFU Revenue 7. Latest Development in High Intensity Focus Ultrasound (HIFU) 20 High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Manufacturers studied in the report is as follows: 1. EDAP TMS 2. Sonacare Medical 3. Haifu 4. Insightec 5. Theraclion 6. Alpinion 7. Shanghai A&S Co., LTD 8. Mianyang Sonic Electronic Ltd 9. Eye Tech Care 10. FUS Instruments 11. Image Guided Therapy 12. Philips Healthcare 13. Profound Medical Corp 14. Promedica Bioelectronics 15. Shenzhen PRO-HIFU Medical Tech. Co., Ltd. 16. Shenzhen Wikkon 17. Sonic Concepts 18. Verasonics 19. Changjiangyuan Technology Development Co., Ltd 20. EpiSonica This report provides the answer of following questions: - How many HIFU research sites are currently working across various world regions and in globe? - What are the company's latest developments in the HIFU segments? - What is the advantage of the each HIFU manufacturer products? - How many HIFU clinical research sites are currently working across various world regions and in globe? - What are the company's latest developments in the HIFU segments? - How many HIFU commercial treatment sites are currently working across various world regions and in globe? - What are the company's latest developments in the HIFU segments? - What is the advantage of the each HIFU manufactures products? - How many HIFU products are available for the particular company? - What is the HIFU product regulatory status for the particular company? For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6rbhq2/high_intensity 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 http://www.researchandmarkets.com COLUMBIA, Md., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Shortly after the Cygnus cargo vehicle (which launched in March 2017) undocks from the International Space Station on June 4, 2017, a team of researchers from NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), Universities Space Research Association (USRA) and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) will conduct the Spacecraft Fire Experiment-III (SAFFIRE III). SAFFIRE III is the third in a series of six flight experiments to better understand how flames spread in microgravity and increase understanding of how an accidental fire might behave in space. "The SAFFIRE portfolio of experiments is providing the best data yet on how large fires behave in the microgravity environment of space," said Christopher Pestak, Director of USRA operations at NASA GRC. While the SAFFIRE III experiment is being remotely controlled from the Orbital ATK Control Center in Dulles, VA, the NASA/USRA/CWRU research team will be viewing images and telemetry data in real time at NASA GRC in Cleveland, OH. According to USRA's Dr. Paul Ferkul, member of the SAFFIRE science team, "SAFFIRE III will provide important data on how air flow speed affects flammability and flame spread in microgravity. It has significant implications both for fundamental understanding of flame spread as well as practical implications for spacecraft fire safety." With this knowledge NASA can create the safest environment possible for all astronauts during crewed missions, work toward preventing spacecraft fires, and validate operational protocols for dealing with fire emergencies in space. The SAFFIRE flight experiments are sponsored by the Advanced Exploration Systems Division in NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. In addition, the experiments are also supported by numerous international space agencies, including JAXA, European Space Agency, RSA, CNES, DLR, and the Russian Academy of Sciences. The SAFFIRE units are built at NASA GRC with contributions from NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, and the White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, NM. About USRA Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities, and conducts other major research and educational programs, under Federal funding. USRA engages the university community and employs in-house scientific leadership, innovative research and development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at www.usra.edu. About NASA Glenn Research Center The NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio designs and develops innovative technology to advance NASA's missions in aeronautics and space exploration. It is focused on researching and testing game-changing technology in propulsion, aeronautics, materials and structures, communications, power and energy storage, and biomedical sciences. Contact: Suraiya Farukhi 410-470-6224 [email protected] SOURCE Universities Space Research Association Related Links http://www.usra.edu ARMONK, N.Y., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Sage Bionetworks announced today that the winners of the first phase of its DREAM Digital Mammography (DM) Challenge have developed algorithms that had 5% fewer false-positive errors in breast cancer screenings than recently published state of the art computerized methods1. This 5 percent improvement could potentially lead to less anxiety and unnecessary procedures for an estimated two million women per year in the United States and could help reduce costs associated with follow-up exams and biopsies. More than 120 independent teams of data experts from inside and outside the medical imaging field have participated in the challenge, which focused on developing predictive algorithms that reduce false-positive mammograms while maintaining or improving cancer detection. The goal is to enhance the predictive accuracy of algorithms so that they can be used in routine clinical practice. In the first phase of the challenge, participants completed two tasks: They (i) developed a predictive algorithm that can analyze digital mammography images, (ii) and developed a predictive algorithm that can analyze both digital mammography images and clinical information. Winning Teams Yaroslav Nikulin, an engineer from the French imaging company Therapixel, and his team received top honors for their work on the first task and tied for first place in the second task. In the first task, they developed an algorithm with a predictive accuracy of 80.3 percent, which is 5 percent more accurate than the runner up. In the second task, Nikulin and his team developed an algorithm that was 80.4 percent accurate. Tied for first place in the second task was a team led by Yuanfang Guan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The group developed an algorithm with a predictive accuracy of 77.5 percent and outperformed the runner-up by more than 2 percent. Though the difference in accuracy between Guan's and Nikulin's teams was 2.9 percent, their performance was indistinguishable in the other metrics used to score the algorithms. Both winning teams used "Deep Learning," one of the most advanced artificial intelligence techniques capable of analyzing and interpreting images. Reducing False Positives Mammograms are widely considered the most accessible and cost-effective breast cancer screening method. However, the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventive Services Task Force recently issued changes to recommendations for when women should start having mammograms and how often they should get them. The changes are due, in part, to the large number of false-positive mammograms. One in 10 women undergoing screening mammography is recalled for a diagnostic workup, though fewer than 5 percent of the recalled women will eventually be found to have cancer. Recalled patients often experience stress and additional medical costs, and some require interventions, including unnecessary biopsies. New algorithms may eventually be used by doctors to help them customize screening regimens for patients and identify women who would benefit from more or less frequent screening. About the Challenge Participating teams used hundreds of thousands of de-identified mammograms and clinical trial data provided by Kaiser Permanente Washington and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to create algorithms that can determine a woman's cancer status in the 12 months following her mammogram. Eight teams with the best algorithms will now move on to the community phase of the challenge, where they will be invited to add outside expert collaborators. They will also share their source code publicly, including other challenge participants, in an attempt to foster cooperative learning. In the community phase, finalists will work together to develop an algorithm that can fully match the accuracy of an expert radiologist. "I am extremely pleased with the results of the competitive phase of the DM Challenge," said Gustavo Stolovitzky, Director at IBM Research and Founder of the DREAM Challenges. "By providing powerful computational resources and making available what is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest public mammography dataset ever released, we empowered hundreds of data scientists to contribute to the solution in the fight against breast cancer. Moreover, the code and methods generated during the DM Challenge are now available for anybody interested in building on these results to help solve this important public health problem." "The innovation in this challenge stems not only from its final outputa set of robust models to aid clinicians in detecting breast cancerbut also the structure of the challenge itself. This challenge embodies a new paradigm for data sharing and cloud-hosted collaboration to tackle important questions in biomedicine," said Dr. Justin Guinney of Sage Bionetworks. "By working together as a community of researchers and using the best tools of science and technology, we have advanced set the framework for clinicians in the field of breast cancer detection." If by the end of the community phase, the top eight teamsincluding Nikulin's, Guan's, and six otherscan develop an algorithm that matches the expert radiologist performance of about 87.9 percent accuracy, they will receive a prize of up to $1 million. The DM Challenge was born out of the White House's Cancer Moonshot initiative and is funded in part by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. It was designed by an organizing committee that includes IBM, Sage Bionetworks, Kaiser Permanente Washington, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The challenge relied on the technological advances of Sage Bionetworks and IBMSage provided Synapse, a collaborative platform to host the challenge, as well as science and engineering expertise; IBM research teams in the United States, Israel, and Australia built the infrastructure for the challenge within the IBM Watson Health SoftLayer cloud and contributed further engineering and data science expertise. Additional information about the DM Challenge is available here: https://www.synapse.org/Digital_Mammography_DREAM_Challenge About DREAM Challenges First conceived by IBM in 2006, DREAM Challenges have addressed objectives that range from predictive models for disease progression to developing models for cell signaling networks. Designed and run by a community of researchers, DREAM Challenges invite participants to propose solutions, fostering collaboration and building communities in the process. The DREAM Challenges community shares a vision of open collaboration to leverage the "wisdom of the crowd" to improve human health and sciences. About IBM Research For more than seven decades, IBM Research has defined the future of information technology, with more than 3,000 researchers in 12 labs located across six continents. Scientists from IBM Research have been awarded six Nobel prizes, a U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, ten U.S. National Medals of Technology, five U.S. National Medals of Science, and six Turing Awards. The teams have also included 19 inductees into the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and 20 inductees into the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame. For more information about IBM Research, visit www.ibm.com/research. About Sage Bionetworks Founded in 2009, Sage Bionetworks is a nonprofit biomedical research organization that promotes innovations in personalized medicine by enabling a community-based approach to scientific inquiries and discoveries. In pursuit of this mission, Sage Bionetworks has assembled an information commons for biomedicine supported by Synapse, an open compute space. The commons facilitates open research collaborations and innovative DREAM Challenges; it also empowers citizens and patients to share data and partner with researchers through Sage's BRIDGE platform (https://developer.sagebridge.org/). Media Contact: IBM: Adrienne Sabilia Media Relations, IBM Research [email protected] 914-945-1402 Sage Bionetworks: Diane Gary Sage Bionetworks (206) 667-3038 [email protected] Source [1] "Deep Learning in Mammography: Diagnostic Accuracy of a Multipurpose Image Analysis Software in the Detection of Breast Cancer." Investigative Radiology, 2017.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28212138 SOURCE IBM Related Links http://www.ibm.com FOXBOROUGH, Mass., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ICONICS today announced that it won the 2017 Microsoft Application Development Partner of the Year award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. "ICONICS is honored to have won its fourth Microsoft Partner of the Year award," said Russ Agrusa, President and CEO of ICONICS. "This year's award for Application Development has a special meaning to us because it represents our commitment to helping customers in energy management, manufacturing, buildings and industrial automation to 'make the invisible visible' and to uncover the true value of their data." Awards were presented in several categories, with winners chosen from a set of more than 2,800 entrants from 115 countries worldwide. ICONICS was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in Application Development. "Our ecosystem of innovative partners is the cornerstone to delivering transformative solutions to our mutual partners," said Ron Huddleston, corporate vice president, One Commercial Partner, Microsoft Corp. "We are pleased to recognize ICONICS for being selected as winner of the 2017 Microsoft Application Development Partner of the Year award." The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions during the past year. About ICONICS ICONICS, a longtime Microsoft Gold Partner and now four-time Microsoft Partner of the Year award winner, including the CityNext and Sustainability Partner of the Year, provides solutions to improve productivity, reduce integration time and operating costs, and optimize asset utilization with visualization and automation software. Founded in 1986, ICONICS has 350,000 installations in over 80 countries worldwide. ICONICS meets the demanding application challenges of the automotive, building automation, food and beverage, government infrastructure, manufacturing, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, renewable energy, utilities and water/wastewater industries. Follow ICONICS on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to receive the latest updates. Contact: Melissa Topp Telephone: (508) 543-8600 Senior Director of Global Marketing Fax: (508) 543-1503 ICONICS, Inc. Email: [email protected] SOURCE ICONICS Related Links http://www.iconics.com CALI, Colombia, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Inca Worldwide (Pink Sheets: QEDN), QED Connect Inc., announces the steps to follow with the Colombian Government: 1. The Colombian government will prioritize the loans for Sacha Inchi under a special line of credit with 100% Finagro guarantee with the Banco Agrario. 2. Green Mine Solutions SAS will work with the government to bring the technology to do all the processing in Colombia. 3. The Colombian Government and Inca Worldwide along with its subsidiary Green Mine Solutions SAS will work together to get the necessary steps needed to promote more farmers to grow Sacha Inchi and to get the necessary finance to make Colombia the leaders in Sacha Inchi worldwide. Kate Bahnsen the CEO said: "We are very pleased with our meeting with the government and we are going on the right direction with our project. This is the beginning of a project that will transform the lives and the economy of a country. This is a legacy that will mark the beginning of a new Colombia." For more information email [email protected] or visit the company website. About Inca Worldwide Inca Worldwide is a public listed company on the OTC under the symbol QEDN. Our project offers an alternative to Farmers in Colombia to grow crops like Inca Seeds (Sacha Inchi) instead of Coca Plants. Our Inca Seeds (Roasted Sacha Inchi) a complete protein with all 9-essential amino-acids rich in Omega 3, 6 & 9 and an antioxidant. A real Super-food. Sold to private brands and our own brand Inca Snacks. www.incaworldwide.com Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements: Our public communications and SEC filings may contain "forward-looking statements" that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," or "target." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about our announced plan to reduce the size of our financial services businesses, including expected cash and non-cash charges associated with this plan and earnings per share of QED retained businesses (Verticals); expected income; earnings per share; revenues; organic growth; growth and productivity associated with our Digital business; margins; cost structure; restructuring charges; acquisition-related synergies; cash flows; returns on capital and investment; capital expenditures, capital allocation or capital structure; and dividends. SOURCE Inca Worldwide Related Links http://www.incaworldwide.com CHICAGO, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- InveniasPartners, a Chicago-based healthcare C-Suite executive recruitment and talent advisory services firm, today announced that Bruce Schroffel has joined the firm as a Partner. Bruce brings to the firm extensive experience in academic medical center leadership, having most recently served as the President and CEO of University of Colorado Health/University of Colorado Hospital from 2006-2014. His prior roles include senior positions at Stony Brook University Hospital, the University of California, San Francisco, and UCSF-Stanford. Additionally, he is active on several professional and community boards, and volunteers with healthcare-focused organizations. Of this news, Curt Lucas, Managing Partner and Chairman of InveniasPartners, says, "We are delighted to welcome Bruce to our team of consultants. His experience leading change at major academic medical centers will allow him to quickly identify solutions for our clients with a keen understanding of the feasibility and logistics of implementation. We look forward to his involvement in our executive searches, talent management, and thought leadership initiatives, among other areas." Bruce holds an M.P.H. and an M.S. from Columbia University, New York, NY, and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. For more information, please contact James Hillis, [email protected]. SOURCE InveniasPartners NEW YORK, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- J.P. Morgan Asset Management today announced that Joanna Gallegos has been named Head of its U.S. ETF business, reporting to Mike Camacho, Global Head of Beta Strategies. Ms. Gallegos has been instrumental in the firm's U.S. fund launches, which have included 13 product launches with over $1 billion in assets under management. She joined the firm in 2013 as Head of ETF Product Development, having previously worked at BlackRock iShares for 14 years, where she held a number of leadership positions, including Managing Director in the Strategic Product Initiatives Group. "We have made great strides in our ETF business over the past few years, receiving industry recognition for our innovative product lineup," said Mr. Camacho. "As we enter the next phase of growth in our ETF platform, we are thrilled to have someone with Joanna's background and experience at the helm of our U.S. business." Ms. Gallegos succeeds Bob Deutsch in this role, who announced his retirement earlier this year. She will also assume Mr. Deutsch's role as President of the U.S. ETF complex. Mr. Deutsch will continue in his role as Chairman of JPM's ETF Board. About J.P. Morgan Asset Management J.P. Morgan Asset Management, with assets under management of $1.5 trillion (as of March 31, 2017), is a global leader in investment management. J.P. Morgan Asset Management's clients include institutions, retail investors and high-net worth individuals in every major market throughout the world. J.P. Morgan Asset Management offers global investment management in equities, fixed income, real estate, hedge funds, private equity and liquidity. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), the parent company of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, is a leading global financial services firm with assets of approximately $2.5 trillion (as of March 31, 2017) and operations in more than 60 countries. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com. J.P. Morgan Asset Management is the marketing name for the asset management businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Those businesses include, but are not limited to, J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc., Security Capital Research & Management Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Alternative Asset Management, Inc. SOURCE J.P. Morgan Asset Management Related Links http://www.jpmorganchase.com English French Press release All resolutions submitted to shareholders at MRM's General Meeting adopted Approval of a dividend of 0.11 per share in cash in respect of the 2016 financial year Reappointment of six Board members Paris, 2 June 2017: MRM (Euronext code ISIN FR0000060196), a mixed real estate investment company specialising in retail and office property, announced today the adoption of all of the resolutions submitted to the Combined General Meeting of 1 June 2017. MRM's Combined General Meeting was held in Paris on 1 June 2017, under the chairmanship of Francois de Varenne, Chairman of MRM's Board of Directors. All of the resolutions put forward were approved by shareholders by a very large majority. The General Meeting approved in particular: . the payment of a dividend of 0.11 per share in respect of the 2016 financial year, with an ex-dividend date of 7 June 2017 and payable on 9 June 2017. . the reappointment of six of the seven members of the Board of Directors, it being specified that these terms of office now differ in order to ensure that Board members are reappointed on a rotation basis, in accordance with AFEP-MEDEF Code recommendations. Detailed results of the votes on resolutions are available at www.mrminvest.com. Members of the Board of Directors at the end of the General Meeting of 1 June 2017 Francois de Varenne, Board member and Chairman of the Board of MRM, term ending in 2021 Jacques Blanchard, Board member and Chief Executive Officer of MRM, term ending2 in 2019 Gerard Aubert, independent Board member, term ending2 in 2019 Brigitte Gauthier-Darcet, independent Board member, term ending2 in 2021 Jean Guitton, Board member, term ending2 in 20182 Valerie Ohannessian, independent Board member, term2 ending in 2018 SCOR SE, Board member represented by Karina Lelievre, term2 ending in 2021 Calendar Results for the first half of 2017 are due to be published on 28 July 2017 (before market opening). About MRM MRM is a listed real estate company with a portfolio worth 197.8 million (excluding transfer taxes) as at 31 December 2016, comprising retail properties (77%) and offices (23%). Since 29 May 2013, SCOR SE has been MRM's main shareholder, holding a 59.9% stake. MRM is listed in compartment C of NYSE Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000060196 - Bloomberg code: MRM:FP - Reuters code: MRM.PA). MRM opted for SIIC status on 1 January 2008. For more information: MRM 5, avenue Kleber 75795 Paris Cedex 16 France T +33 (0)1 58 44 70 00 relation_finances@mrminvest.com Isabelle Laurent, DDB Financial 54, rue de Clichy 75009 Paris France T +33 (0)1 53 32 61 51 isabelle.laurent@ddbfinancial.fr Website: www.mrminvest.com SEATTLE, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MDCorp (OTC: MDCX) has executed an LOI to acquire 100% equity stake in Terramed, Ltd., Intellemed Ltd., Neuraxon, Ltd. hereafter described as "European Distribution Medical Systems" (EDMS). The EDMS group shall upon successful acquisition, if completed, become a wholly owned subsidiary of MDCorp. EDMS represents a trio of European Medical distribution companies headed by Mr. Pantelis Stanitsas historically covering 6 countries in the European Union with sales channels into the United Kingdom, Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, and Kazakhstan. Revenues currently in the neighborhood of $5 million Euros are expected to expand with additional CAPEX funding. It is expected that our cooperation and acquisition shall allow EDMS as a wholly owned subsidiary of MDCorp to take advantage of new products and services layered across an existing, growing base of new branch offices. EDMS seeks to utilize over 15 years of local market expertise and funding from MDCorp to open new branch offices and expand sales, layering more products and services through existing and then new sales channels. Inquiries: [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding the MDCorp's position as a market leader, acceleration of innovation and expansion of total addressable market opportunity. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date they were first issued and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "should," "believe," "hope," "target," "project," "goals," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "may," "will," "might," "could," "intend," variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the MDCorp's control. MDCorp's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to (1) failure to realize the estimated synergies or growth anticipated as a result of the transactions or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected, (2) risks related to unanticipated costs of integration of European Distribution Medical Systems by MDCorp, (3) the effect of the consummation of the transactions on the ability of MDCorp to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with key business partners and customers, and on MDCorp's operating results and businesses generally, (4) adverse trends in economic conditions generally or in the industries in which the MDCorp operates, (5) adverse changes to, or interruptions in, relationships with third parties unrelated to the merger, (6) MDCorp's ability to compete effectively and successfully and to add new products and services, (7) MDCorp's ability to successfully manage and integrate acquisitions, (8) the ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers in the manner anticipated, (9) unanticipated changes relating to competitive factors in the MDCorp's industries, and (10) any business interruptions in connection with MDCorp's acquired technology, sales or systems. MDCorp is under no obligation, 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. Persons reading this announcement are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof. SOURCE MDCorp WASHINGTON, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA's three-week national campaign to further test and refine its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) technologies continues, and media are invited to see these technologies in action Tuesday, June 6, at four Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) test sites across the country. The campaign, known as Technology Capability Level 2, began May 15, and focuses on flying small, remotely-operated aircraft, or drones, beyond the pilot's line of sight in sparsely populated areas to demonstrate, evaluate and refine functional designs and UTM technology prototypes. Media attending the demonstrations will be able to talk with engineers, ask questions and, at some sites, watch an actual drone flight demonstration. All times listed below are EDT. NASA's Ames Research Center, in California's Silicon Valley, will host media at the center's UTM Laboratory, which coordinates the test sites across the country. Representatives from NASA, the FAA, industry and test sites will explain UTM technologies in front of the UTM master display wall. To attend, media should contact Darryl Waller at 650-604-2675 or [email protected] by June 5, and arrive at 1 p.m. June 6 at Ames' Airspace Operations Lab (Bldg. N262) in Moffett Field, California. To attend at the New York test site event, media must contact these individuals by 1 p.m. June 5, and arrive at 592 Hangar Road in Rome by 9:30 a.m. June 6: For media in North Dakota, contact one of the following people by June 6, and arrive at Robin Hall, located at 4275 University Ave. in Grand Forks by 11 a.m. June 6: Media can attend tests in Texas by contacting Casandra Lorentson at 361-945-2771, 361-825-4039 or [email protected] by 6 p.m. June 5, and arrive at the Charles R. Johnson Airport in Port Mansfield by 11:30 a.m. June 6. Media in Alaska must contact the following people by 5 p.m. June 5, and arrive at 903 Koyukuk Drive in Fairbanks by 2 p.m. June 6: The FAA test site at Virginia Tech is unable to support a media event at this time. However, they have UTM project materials and b-roll of flight tests to share with local media and an option to conduct subject matter expert interviews by appointment. To receive these materials or schedule an interview, contact Eleanor Nelsen at 540-231-2761 or [email protected]. Because these test ranges have been reserved for the UTM flight campaign, no additional drones may be brought to the test site during this time. NASA Ames will also host a Facebook Live event featuring UTM researchers on June 6 at 6 p.m. To watch the event live, visit: http://www.facebook.com/nasaames For information about NASA aeronautics, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics J.D. Harrington Headquarters, Washington 202-358-5241 [email protected] Darryl Waller Ames Research Center, California's Silicon Valley 650-604-2675 [email protected] SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov MAGOG, QC, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Metareal, Inc. announces an early preview of Metareal Stage, a game-changing solution to capture and publish mobile-ready, 3D VR content that will empower designers and photographers, without specialist computer graphics skills, to grow their businesses. Gareth Morgan, Co-Founder and CEO, will debut and demonstrate Metareal Stage at The International Virtual Reality Photography Association Conference (IVRPA) in Vienna, Austria on June 4, 2017. The company initially plans to target VR and real estate photographers, and web designers. Virtual tours prove to be valuable, but today they're mostly created with 2D panoramas. 3D virtual tours are desired but they typically require expensive hardware and software and involve CG expertise. To create a 3D tour, it takes hours, and sometimes days, to capture and publish a 3D VR walkthrough. Metareal is breaking down the barriers to 3D creation by making production as easy and cost-effective as 2D virtual tours, and making the content mobile-ready. Virtually anyone will be able to capture real-world locations and products and share them online and in mobile apps in minutes. Metareal Stage is the fastest, easiest, and most affordable 'capture to publish' solution in the market; creating an exciting shift as it will disrupt the way that VR-ready, 3D content is currently created. 3D content drives sales - consumers report 20% more engagement versus 2D content, and virtual experiences can double conversions to sales versus traditional content on websites. Also, the proliferation of 3D stereo headsets now allows for easy consumption of 3D content. This makes 3D content creation more relevant. "We're excited to put easy-to-use, mobile-ready 3D tech into the hands of photographers and web designers - we hope to help them grow their businesses, and be able to offer new kinds of affordable VR experiences to their clients," says Morgan. Metareal Stage will be available for wide-distribution in fall 2017, and the company plans to release a beta version in July 2017. The company will announce an affordable subscription-based pricing structure that includes a freemium option. For additional information, or to test-drive the experience, please contact Gareth Morgan. About Metareal A proud member of the Magog Technopole IT community in Estrie, Quebec, Metareal Inc. was founded in 2015 by Alexandre Jean Claude and Gareth Morgan to develop technology and services to meet the growing demand for enterprise strength, VR-ready, 3D content on the open web. Alex and Gareth are both veterans of technology software development, having played leadership roles in various technology companies including Autodesk, Avid, Microsoft, Haivision, Softimage, and Xtranormal. With over 280M websites in the world, and, at most, a few million professional 3D artists, the traditional CG industry will not be able to meet the growing demand for 3D content as both brands and consumers increasingly seek more immersive 3D and VR web experiences. Metareal solves this problem with a capture-to-publish content suite that empowers photographers and designers themselves to compose and publish beautiful, interactive 3D experiences. www.metareal.com Images SOURCE Metareal ALLEN, Texas, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The founder of Motina Books realized that resources for single moms are few and far between. Publisher Diane Windsor wants to change that. That's why she created Motina Books, whose tagline explains exactly what they do We publish books by and for mothers; especially single mothers! Diane Windsor, with some of the single moms from the Single Side UP support group. They are displaying the coloring book for single moms, published by Motina Books. It's Just Pot, published by Motina Books, is the story of a single mom who struggles when she discovers that her teen-aged son is experimenting with marijuana. "My goal is to publish books that will help families led by single moms to be successful," says Windsor. "Sometimes a person just needs to know that a tool, or a particular resource, is available that can help improve their life." She knows that while being a single mom is not easy, that doesn't mean that a single-parent led family cannot be successful. Some of the books that have already been published include, How to Interview Like You've Done It Before, and How to Relationship-A Guide for Teens with Divorced Parents. Windsor says, "There are not enough resources available to help single parents. They face very specific challenges that differ greatly from parents who have a partner." Windsor is very familiar with these challenges, having been a single mom herself. Now, she leads a very large, active single parent support group in North Texas. The group, Single Side Up (the single parent support program of www.thissideupfamily.org), provides practical support to single parents, just like Motina Books does. During the five years that she has been leading this group, Windsor has discovered that the most crucial topics for single parents are financial and legal. "When I was divorced I searched for resources that would help me be a successful single parent," says Will Rhodes, a member of Single Side Up. "Most support groups are really gripe sessions. This group is educational, and provides the tools that I need. They're very positive." Motina Books fits beautifully with Single Side Up (and the mission of This Side UP! Family). Windsor has taken the insights and concerns of the parents in the group to help develop the topics. She has also met several aspiring authors, including the 16-year-old daughter of a single mom! Motina Books isn't afraid to tackle controversial topics. The novella It's Just Pot is the story about how a single mom faces the fact that her teenager has started smoking marijuana. Upcoming releases included The Single Parent Money Philosophy and How to Choose the Right Attorney for YOU. "It's very difficult today to be published traditionally. That's why I want to help moms tell their stories, and share their valuable wisdom," states Windsor. "There are no upfront costs to publish with us; we share the royalties when a book is sold. And, we make sure that the author receives a very fair share." Please visit www.MotinaBooks.com to view available resources or to submit a manuscript. Diane Windsor Motina Books We Publish Books By and For Mothers Allen, TX 303-668-0440 [email protected] http://www.motinabooks.com SOURCE Motina Books Related Links http://www.MotinaBooks.com HOUSTON, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MRC Global Inc. (NYSE: MRC) will release second quarter 2017 results on Thursday, August 3, 2017 after the market closes. In conjunction with the release, the Company will host a conference call, which will be webcast, on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central. What: MRC Global Second Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call When: Friday, August 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central How: Via phone -- Dial 412-902-0003 and ask for the MRC Global call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, or webcast -- at http://www.mrcglobal.com A replay will be available through August 18, 2017 by dialing 201-612-7415 using pass code 13663757#. An archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at www.mrcglobal.com for 90 days. About MRC Global Inc. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, MRC Global is the largest global distributor, based on sales, of pipe, valves, and fittings (PVF) and related products and services to the energy industry and supplies these products and services across each of the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. More information about MRC Global can be found at www.mrcglobal.com. Contact: Monica Broughton Investor Relations MRC Global Inc. [email protected] 832-308-2847 SOURCE MRC Global Inc. Related Links http://www.mrcglobal.com EDISON, N.J., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Saturday, June 3rd at 8:30 a.m., the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (NRCC) will hold a rally with more than 300 New Jersey union carpenters to express the organization's support for Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Phil Murphy. Murphy is expected to talk at the rally about his support for the State's unions and protecting workers rights. Following the rally, union carpenters will conduct "Get Out the Vote" canvassing to encourage citizens throughout New Jersey to vote for Murphy in the June 6th New Jersey Democratic primary. "We are a society that used to respect the central role of organized labor and understood how supporting unions meant improved rights and working conditions for all middle-class workers," said Murphy. "I will be a Governor that believes in supporting unions. I believe that doing so will improve our State economy and lead to good paying jobs for our citizens and new infrastructure that will take our State into the next decade." The NRCC was one of the first organizations to endorse Phil Murphy for Governor due his strong beliefs of protecting worker rights issues, investing in new infrastructure and enforcing important issues like payroll fraud. "Former Ambassador Phil Murphy is the right choice for the State and the right choice of our union for so many reasons," said John Ballantyne, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of NRCC. "After eight years of failed leadership and lack of Department of Labor enforcement under Governor Chris Christie, we believe that Murphy will bring back to the Statehouse a focus on progressive, pro-union issues that are so important to us." Under Governor Christie, worker rights and Department of Labor investigations on the job site were significantly scaled back due to budget cuts at the Department. The cuts effectively cut the legs out of the Department's enforcement of payroll fraud/1099 misclassification. Under Christie, infrastructure projects like the ARC tunnel between New York and New Jersey were cancelled in 2010 and the Governor held municipalities across the State hostage in the Summer of 2016 when he halted $3.5 billion of non-essential road and rail projects during the discussion on how to fund the Transportation Trust Fund. "We believe that Murphy will bring to Governor's office a fresh approach toward building a strong New Jersey economy," added Ballantyne. "He'll support the construction of new roads and bridges and push in the Democratic-lead Legislature bills to build new schools, hospitals and university buildings." 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 EAST HANOVER, N.J., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis announced today updated findings from the Phase III MONALEESA-2 study that reinforce the efficacy and safety of Kisqali (ribociclib) plus letrozole in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer. After an additional 11 months of follow-up, a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 25.3 months (95% CI: 23.0-30.3) for Kisqali plus letrozole and 16.0 months (95% CI: 13.4-18.2) for letrozole alone was observed (HR=0.568 (95% CI: 0.457-0.704; p<0.0001))1. These data will be presented on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago (Abstract #1038). These updated results further support that Kisqali plus letrozole improves PFS as a first-line treatment across all patient subgroups1. After two years of treatment, the progression-free survival rate was 54.7% in the Kisqali plus letrozole arm compared to 35.9% in patients treated with letrozole alone1. In a cohort of 213 US patients treated as part of MONALEESA-2, the median PFS was 27.6 months with Kisqali plus letrozole and 15.0 months with letrozole alone (HR=0.527 (95% CI: 0.3510.793))1. Treatment benefit remained consistent across all patient subgroups regardless of demographics or disease characteristics, including women with visceral disease and those diagnosed de novo1. In women with measurable disease at baseline, 55% saw their tumor size shrink by at least 30% (overall response rate (ORR)) compared to 39% with letrozole plus placebo1. Follow-up to measure overall survival is ongoing as data remain immature1. "This new look at the MONALEESA-2 data, after an additional year of follow-up, demonstrates the continued efficacy of ribociclib plus letrozole," said Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, MD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and MONALEESA-2 Principal Investigator. "With more than two years of follow-up, the PFS data confirm the inclusion of ribociclib plus an aromatase inhibitor as a strong option among first-line treatments for HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer." A separate analysis of patient-reported, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes from the MONALEESA-2 trial presented at ASCO (Abstract #1020) showed no significant difference in quality of life for women taking Kisqali plus letrozole compared to those taking letrozole alone2. This suggests that adverse events did not significantly impact HRQoL2. Updated safety data from the MONALEESA-2 trial show the safety profile of Kisqali plus letrozole remained consistent and the incidence of laboratory and electrocardiogram (ECG) irregularities is similar to that observed at the first interim analysis1. At the time of this updated analysis, the most common (10%) grade 3/4 laboratory abnormalities were as follows for Kisqali plus letrozole compared to letrozole alone: decreased neutrophils (62.6% vs 1.5%), decreased leukocytes (36.8% vs 1.5%), decreased lymphocytes (16.2% vs 3.9%) and elevated alanine aminotransferase (11.4% vs 1.2%)1. "Updated MONALEESA-2 results validate the sustained efficacy and established safety profile of Kisqali plus letrozole in patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer and confirm the data that supported its recent FDA approval," said Vas Narasimhan, MD, Head, Global Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. "We are excited about the potential of Kisqali, and are continuing to evaluate its activity in several Phase III trials with multiple hormonal therapy combinations across a broad range of patient populations, including in the adjuvant setting. We look forward to sharing new results with the scientific community in the coming months and years." The MONALEESA clinical trial program includes two additional Phase III trials in advanced breast cancer, MONALEESA-3 and MONALEESA-7, which are evaluating the efficacy and safety of Kisqali in combination with other endocrine partners. Novartis also is enrolling patients in a study to further evaluate Kisqali in men and pre- or postmenopausal women (CompLEEment-1) and initiating Phase III trials evaluating Kisqali in the adjuvant therapy setting (EarLEE-1 and EarLEE-2). Kisqali was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 13, 2017, as a first-line treatment for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer in combination with any aromatase inhibitor. Full US prescribing information for Kisqali can be found at https://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/sites/www.pharma.us.novartis.com/files/kisqali.pdf. About Kisqali (ribociclib) Kisqali (ribociclib) is a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, a class of drugs that help slow the progression of cancer by inhibiting two proteins called cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). These proteins, when over-activated, can enable cancer cells to grow and divide too quickly. Targeting CDK4/6 with enhanced precision may play a role in ensuring that cancer cells do not continue to replicate uncontrollably. Kisqali was developed by the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals. About the Kisqali Clinical Trial Program MONALEESA-3 is evaluating Kisqali in combination with fulvestrant compared to fulvestrant alone in postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer who have received no or a maximum of one prior endocrine therapy. MONALEESA-7 is investigating Kisqali in combination with endocrine therapy and goserelin compared to endocrine therapy and goserelin alone in premenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer who have not previously received endocrine therapy. These trials are fully enrolled. Novartis will initiate two multicenter, randomized, double-blind Phase III clinical trials, EarLEE-1 and EarLEE-2, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Kisqali with endocrine therapy as adjuvant therapy in pre- and postmenopausal women who have not previously received treatment with CDK4/6. EarLEE-1 will assess Kisqali with adjuvant endocrine therapy compared to adjuvant endocrine therapy alone in women with HR+/HER2- high-risk early breast cancer. EarLEE-2 will investigate Kisqali with adjuvant endocrine therapy compared to adjuvant endocrine therapy alone in women with HR+/HER2- intermediate-risk early breast cancer. The CompLEEment study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of Kisqali plus letrozole in men and pre- or postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer with no prior hormonal therapy for advanced disease. This open-label, multicenter, Phase IIIb CompLEEment-1 trial is currently enrolling participants. More information about these studies can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov. About Novartis in Advanced Breast Cancer For more than 25 years, Novartis has been at the forefront of driving scientific advancements for breast cancer patients and improving clinical practice in collaboration with the global community. With one of the most diverse breast cancer pipelines and the largest number of breast cancer compounds in development, Novartis leads the industry in discovery of new therapies and combinations, especially in HR+ advanced breast cancer, the most common form of the disease. Kisqali (ribociclib) Important US Safety Information Kisqali (ribociclib) is a prescription medicine used in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as the first hormonal-based therapy to treat women who have gone through menopause with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It is not known if Kisqali is safe and effective in children. Kisqali can cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation. This condition can cause an abnormal heartbeat and may lead to death. Patients should tell their health care provider right away if they have a change in their heartbeat (a fast or irregular heartbeat), or if they feel dizzy or faint. Kisqali can cause serious liver problems. Patients should tell their health care provider right away if they get any of the following signs and symptoms of liver problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice), dark or brown (tea-colored) urine, feeling very tired, loss of appetite, pain on the upper right side of the stomach area (abdomen), and bleeding or bruising more easily than normal. Low white blood cell counts are very common when taking Kisqali and may result in infections that may be severe. Patients should tell their health care provider right away if they have signs and symptoms of low white blood cell counts or infections such as fever and chills. Before taking Kisqali, patients should tell their health care provider if they are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant as Kisqali can harm an unborn baby. Females who are able to become pregnant and who take Kisqali should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of Kisqali. Do not breastfeed during treatment with Kisqali and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of Kisqali. Patients should tell their health care provider about all of the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements since they may interact with Kisqali. Patients should avoid pomegranate or pomegranate juice, and grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Kisqali. The most common side effects (incidence 20%) of Kisqali when used with letrozole include white blood cell count decreases, nausea, tiredness, diarrhea, hair thinning or hair loss, vomiting, constipation, headache, and back pain. The most common grade 3/4 side effects in the Kisqali + letrozole arm (incidence >2%) were low neutrophils, low leukocytes, abnormal liver function tests, low lymphocytes, and vomiting. Abnormalities were observed in hematology and clinical chemistry laboratory tests. Please see full US Prescribing Information for Kisqali, available at www.kisqali.com. Disclaimer The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "continues," "recommended," "will," "support," "ongoing," "suggests," "excited," "potential," "continuing to evaluate," "look forward," "in the coming months and years," "may," "evaluating," "investigating," "investigate," "pipelines," "in development," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new indications or labeling for Kisqali or any of the other products in the Novartis breast cancer pipeline, regarding potential marketing approvals for Kisqali or any of the other products in the Novartis breast cancer pipeline, or regarding potential future revenues from Kisqali and the other products in the Novartis breast cancer pipeline. 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 Kisqali or any of the other products in the Novartis breast cancer pipeline will be submitted or approved for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that Kisqali will be submitted or approved for sale in any additional markets, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that any of the other products in the Novartis breast cancer pipeline will be submitted or approved for sale in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that Kisqali or any of the other products in the Novartis breast cancer pipeline will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Kisqali and the other products in the Novartis breast cancer pipeline could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; global trends toward healthcare 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. About Novartis Located in East Hanover, NJ, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com. Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis and @Novartis Cancer at http://twitter.com/novartiscancer. For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library. For questions about the site or required registration, please contact [email protected]. References 1. Hortobagyi G, Stemmer S, Burris H, et al. Updated results from MONALEESA-2, a phase III trial of first-line ribociclib plus letrozole in hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. Presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), June 4, 2017, Chicago, Illinois (abstract #1038). 2. Verma S, O'Shaughnessy J, Burris H, et al. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER20) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with ribociclib + letrozole: Results from MONALEESA-2. Presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), June 4, 2017, Chicago, Illinois (abstract #1020). SOURCE Novartis Related Links http://www.novartis.com VANCOUVER, BC and PEORIA, IL, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. (NYSE & TSX: RBA) and Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today launched a strategic alliance, originally announced in 2016, following the Ritchie Bros. acquisition of IronPlanet, a leading online marketplace for heavy equipment and other durable assets. Under the alliance, Ritchie Bros. will become Caterpillar's preferred global partner for live onsite and online auctions for used Cat equipment, and will complement existing offerings within Cat dealer channels. Ritchie Bros. will provide Caterpillar and its dealers with access to proprietary auction platforms, software and other value-added services, enhancing the exchange of information and services between customers, dealers and suppliers. The strategic alliance is also expected to strengthen Ritchie Bros. relationship with independent Cat dealers around the world by providing them enhanced and continued access to a global auction marketplace to sell their used equipment. "Ritchie Bros. is proud to enter into this historic alliance, which will strengthen our relationship with Caterpillar, its dealers and end users, as well as help expand our global reach and footprint," said Ravi Saligram, Chief Executive Officer of Ritchie Bros. "Our marketing capabilities, unrivaled suite of technology and powerful multi-channel transactional platforms will add tremendous value and make us a trusted strategic partner to the Caterpillar family." The strategic alliance is expected to deliver benefits to both companies, independent Cat dealers and their respective customers, accelerating the delivery of Caterpillar's connectivity offerings to improve customer fleet utilization. "Caterpillar currently has the largest connected industrial fleet in the world and the strategic alliance with Ritchie Bros. will help strengthen this key element of our digital strategy," said Rob Charter, Caterpillar group president for Customer and Dealer Support. "Through this alliance, we will now be able to retrofit used Cat assets with new technology. Combined with connected new equipment, the data captured from these machines will help improve our customer's productivity through our Cat Connect Technologies and Services." The strategic alliance between Ritchie Bros. and Caterpillar will have an initial five-year term. Prior to the acquisition, Caterpillar and its dealers owned a minority position in IronPlanet. About Ritchie Bros.: Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a multitude of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offers live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with featured weekly auctions and providing its exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; EquipmentOne, an online auction marketplace; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; and Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales. The company also offers sector-specific solutions including GovPlanet, TruckPlanet, and Kruse Energy Auctioneers, plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about the unprecedented choice provided by Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com. About Caterpillar: For more than 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2016 sales and revenues of $38.537 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three product segments - Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation - and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media. SOURCE Ritchie Bros. EAST GREENWICH, R.I., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Airgas USA employees who went on strike Tuesday extended picket lines to four additional Airgas locations yesterday and today: Hingham and Billerica, Mass.; Salem, N.H.; and Bangor, Maine. No Airgas Teamsters in those locations have crossed the extended picket lines. The striking Teamsters are members of Local 251 in Rhode Island. They work as truck drivers and gas cylinder fillers, supplying gases to many Rhode Island hospitals as well as Veterans Administration facilities in Providence and Bristol, the Air National Guard, Naval Base Newport, Raytheon, Fuji Film and Electric Boat. Airgas is America's largest distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases. Airgas' parent corporation is France-based Air Liquide [EPA: AI], which is the world's largest distributor of these gases and is a Forbes Global 2000 company. As he walked the line early this morning, Airgas shop steward Carlos Salgado said, "Our work earns huge profits for Airgas and Air Liquide. Air Liquide earned $20 billion last year, of which $2 billion was pure profit." Salgado continued, "Like all workers, we deserve a secure retirement and high-quality, affordable healthcare. We asked for a defined benefit pension plan as well as the affordable health plan that union workers at Airgas' competitors have. Airgas refused to consider our proposals, so we are on strike and now we have exercised our legal right to extend picket lines." "Teamsters in New England understand solidarity and working together to ensure all workers are treated fairly and with respect," said Sean O'Brien, Teamsters International Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10 in New England. "I'm happy to see that our other Airgas members have chosen to honor their Rhode Island brothers' picket lines." In 2015, Airgas locked out its employees in Hingham, Mass. during contract negotiations. The workers there, members of Teamsters Local 25, extended picket lines to Airgas' other New England facilities. "Our brothers in Rhode Island supported us in 2015 by honoring our picket line," said chief shop steward Bob Farquharson at Airgas in Hingham. "Of course we are going to support them during their strike for fair treatment. We aren't going to cross their picket line." Jeffery Padellaro, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 633 in New Hampshire, said, "Airgas has a pattern in New England of being abusive to workers. We will continue to stick together to stand up for each other." Brett Miller, Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 340 in Maine, said, "I'm proud that our members are also honoring their Rhode Island brothers' picket lines. That's what solidarity is all about." On May 9, Airgas sent a letter to employees that violates federal labor law, which bans companies from negotiating directly with workers about their union contract. Local 251 filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board. "It is outrageous that Airgas decided to violate federal labor law that's meant to protect workers' rights," said Matthew Taibi, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 251. Taibi continued, "It's disheartening to have to go out on strike to send the company a wake-up call. But the silver lining is the strong support that Teamster locals and members are giving us across the entire region." Contact: Matthew Taibi, (401) 434-0454 SOURCE Teamsters Local 251 NEW YORK, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SyndiCrowd (www.SyndiCrowd.com), an online crowd-funding platform for alternative investments, has launched. SyndiCrowd provides an online marketplace where subprime borrowers with asset-based loan pools can connect with private investors looking for the higher returns and lower risks available from investing in diversified loan pools. SyndiCrowd's peer-to-peer site is designed to serve the rising needs of both yield-hungry private investors and subprime debt borrowers. Accredited individual investors and smaller institutions now have the opportunity to invest in diversified auto, real estate or consumer loan pools, investment opportunities that were often limited to larger institutions in the past. Subprime borrowers can use www.SyndiCrowd.com to sell asset-based loans to these investors, freeing up capital to make new loans. SyndiCrowd co-founder and CEO, Yury Vasilyev, has more than 20 years of experience as a financial entrepreneur, lawyer and economist in the United Kingdom, Israel and Russia. Co-founder and CFO, Oleg Ermolin, is a former CFO and investment management professional and entrepreneur with experience in numerous early stage Fin-Tech projects. "We offer an entirely new model that minimizes the risks for prospective investors," notes Vasilyev. "We provide investors with a pool of asset-based loan products, which decreases the investment risks per se. The chances of overall pool default are extremely low." SyndiCrowd's experienced team conducts a thorough screening of borrowers and provides an extensive risk assessment of the loan underwriting process. Loans are doubly secured by both the underlying collateral (real estate and vehicle loans, for example) and the borrowing company's guarantee. Igor Postelnik, head of Risk Assessment at SyndiCrowd, is an accomplished risk manager with decades of experience in market, credit, and operational risk management and regulatory reporting for financial service firms such as Fidelity, JP Morgan and BNP Paribas. According to CEO Vasilyev, the U.S.A. has the largest subprime market in the world, with the subprime auto loan market alone having an estimated value of $60 billion per year. High rates of return in these subprime markets have attracted banks, hedge funds and institutional investors from around the world. The SyndiCrowd platform now allows private investors and smaller institutions to tap into these enormous markets, providing opportunities previously reserved for larger hedge funds and institutional investors. "The real estate, auto and consumer loans markets have been largely inaccessible to private investors," according to Vasilyev, SyndiCrowd's Founder and CEO. "With 8- 20% average rates of return, private investors would obviously like to participate. SyndiCrowd can now help them to access these markets." Media contact: Diana Friling [email protected] 888-705-0114 SOURCE SyndiCrowd Related Links http://www.SyndiCrowd.com Riverside, CA, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The City of Riverside has upped its commitment to customer service even further by creating a One Stop Shop that brings together on one floor all City departments that are part of the development process, with exclusive use of an express elevator, cell phone charging stations and a concierge-type system that helps customers obtain permits and approvals faster than ever. The business-friendly change means that people who want to invest in Riverside are welcomed as they come off an elevator that operates only between the City Hall lobby and the third floor, where the One Stop Shop is located. Customers are assisted through a series of work stations staffed by experts from several city departments, including planning, building, fire, utilities, business license and public works. By grouping together in one place everyone that customers will need to interact with before they can build a project, the One Stop Shop focuses the development review process on the needs of the user. In the process, it makes a statement about the Citys values and priorities. Riverside is the City of Arts and Innovation, and the One Stop Shop shows how a commitment to innovation can generate real value for people who are investing in Riverside, Mayor Rusty Bailey said. This transformation sends a message to the business community that we are committed to helping you create jobs in our community. The One Stop Shop is a marked difference from the traditional way of doing business in local government, where someone trying to open a business or complete a project often is required to move from floor to floor in a government building to receive information and required approvals. In some cases, they have to move from one building to another or from one part of town to another. This traditional process, while practical for government workers, is time-consuming for business people. The One Stop Shop approach reverses those roles and embraces the adage, time is money. By reducing the time it takes to get a building permit and increasing the speed with which a business can open, the One Stop Shop can save business people money and potentially make them more likely to invest in Riverside. Everything about the One Stop Shop screams out that this is not a typical government office, said Community and Economic Development Director Rafael Guzman. From the furnishings to the bright colors to the amenities, including a water bottle refilling station, there is a different look and feel to the One Stop Shop than you get anywhere else. Large television screens track customers by name, letting them know when they can expect to receive service. Work stations allow customers to work on their laptops while waiting their turn. Customers who want to grab a coffee or a meal from the City Hall lobby receive a text message when staffers are about to take up their issue. The One Stop Shop approach is the latest evolution of the Streamline Riverside effort, which seeks to encourage development and investment in Riverside by reducing barriers and cutting wait times. The Streamline Riverside effort is part of an overall commitment to excellent customer service that the Riverside City Council made a top priority. The new approach already is showing results. The City of Riverside utilizes the Happy or Not? tool to gauge customer satisfaction around City Hall, and the data has trended upward since the One Stop Shop was first introduced. Customer service is the Riverside City Councils top priority, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Gardner said. Streamline Riverside, and the One Stop Shop in particular, show that Riverside is serious about providing the best customer service in Southern California. Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/56e69113-ed6f-4f59-9ff5-5f296ab6a232 Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8e9883a0-ccdf-40da-a06d-a4d8db4b7346 Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/222244e8-8b3f-4157-8a7f-58a1457a2400 NEW YORK, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Turkish Society honored Nevzat Aydn, co-founder and CEO of Yemeksepeti, and Dr. Tamer Seckin, founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, at their 2017 Gala on Wednesday, May 31 at 583 Park Avenue in New York. Both honorees received The American Turkish Society's Philanthropy Award for their significant contributions and moral commitment to improving the lives of so many in the United States and Turkey. The award was presented by Dr. Mehmet Oz of The Dr. Oz Show. After observing a moment of silence for the 13 soldiers killed in a helicopter accident in Srnak, Turkey that day, Murat Koprulu, Chair of The American Turkish Society gave opening remarks, focusing on the importance of immigrants in US society. ATS Vice Chair, Larry Kaye read an enthusiastic letter of support from Governor Cuomo. Dr. Mehmet Oz, introduced both honorees and emphasized their cutting-edge innovations in technology and medicine. Nevzat Aydn, in his acceptance speech, encouraged the young guests to follow their passion and to build strong teams to help them accomplish their goals. Dr. Tamer Seckin spoke passionately about the Endometriosis Foundation's goal of bringing women's medical issues into public awareness so medical advancements are valued and supported. The Gala hosted more than 350 guests including dignitaries from both the public and private industry. The American Turkish Society also launched the Annual Young Society Leaders (YSL) Awards, a program that recognizes Young Society Leaders who have contributed to ATS's mission. The YSL group consists of a diverse and powerful network of young business leaders who focus on making an impact on issues that are critical to building ties between the US and Turkey. This year's awardees were Asl Ay, managing partner at US Policy Metrics and Deniz Beyazt, assistant curator of Islamic Art at The Metropolitan Museum. Founded in 1949, The American Turkish Society is the oldest, independent organization in the world dedicated to building bridges between the United States and Turkey. The American Turkish Society's mission is to enhance business, economic, and cultural ties between Turkey and the United States. The Society fosters understanding and cooperation between the countries through education, cultural exchange, philanthropy, humanitarian efforts and networking; presents and supports programs highlighting Turkish arts and culture; and nurtures the next generation of leaders through its Young Society Leaders program. Over 350 guests from the public and private sectors, including diplomats, leading business executives, artists, scholars and thought leaders from Turkey and the United States will support this year's Gala and all proceeds will support the non-profit's many programs in the areas of education, arts, culture, and business. For more on the American Turkish Society, please visit www.americanturkishsociety.org SOURCE The American Turkish Society Related Links http://www.americanturkishsociety.org CINCINNATI, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit concluded Friday that a Michigan Township can forbid religious schools, specifically First Liberty Institute's client Livingston Christian School, from moving into its city. A copy of the opinion is available here. "This precedent is very dangerous. It states that it is not a burden on religious exercise for a city to ban religious schools, churches, synagogues or mosques from moving into town. In fact, if a city wanted to ban a specific synagogue or mosque from moving into its city limits, the court held such a ban would not be a substantial burden on religious exercise. This is shocking and cannot be allowed to stand," says Hiram Sasser, Deputy Chief Counsel of First Liberty. "Towns who use their zoning laws to keep religious schools and organizations out of their backyard violate federal law and the First Amendment." Livingston Christian School first brought a lawsuit in a federal court in Michigan in an effort to protect its right to exist as a ministry in Genoa Township. They sued the Township under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), arguing that the Township's actions substantially burdened the school's ability to operate as a religious ministry. After arguments at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in April of 2017, the three judges of the Sixth Circuit concluded that the Township's ban did not present a "substantial burden" on the free exercise of religion of Livingston Christian School. To read more about First Liberty's clients, go to FirstLiberty.org. About First Liberty Institute First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans. SOURCE First Liberty Institute Related Links http://firstliberty.org/ WASHINGTON, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau: CITIZENSHIP EXTENDED Profile America Friday, June 2nd. On this date 93 years ago, Congress passed and President Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act, which stated "all noncitizen Indians born within the territorial limits of the United States be, and they are hereby declared to be, citizens of the United States: Provided that the granting of such citizenship shall not in any manner impair or otherwise affect the right of any Indian to tribal or other property." Prior to this act, about two-thirds of the American Indian population were already citizens by other provisions. Today, there are over 2.5 million single-race American Indian and Alaska native people possessing this full citizenship, and 566 federally recognized tribes. The American Indian and Alaska Native population, including people of more than one race, numbers 6.6 million. Profile America is in its 21st year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau. Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 5871 American Indian population: https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/15_1YR/B02003 Number of tribes/pg.1/accessed 3/24/2017: www.ncsl.org/research/state-tribal-institute/list-of-federal-and-state-recognized-tribes.aspx Population including mixed race population: www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2016/cb16-ff22.html Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotion of the U.S. Census Bureau. Statistics and accounts drawn from cited non-Census sources are employed for illustrative or narrative purposes, and are not attested to by the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Audio" in the "Library" pull-down menu). SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau Related Links http://www.census.gov WASHINGTON, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Vice President Mike Pence will visit NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Wednesday, June 7, to welcome America's newest astronaut candidates, chosen from more than 18,000 applicants to carry the torch for future human space exploration. The event will air live at 2 p.m. EDT on NASA Television and the agency's website. Additionally, the Vice President will tour the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center and hear briefings on current human spaceflight operations. Media who wish to cover the Vice President's visit must contact the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 no later than 1 p.m. CDT Tuesday, June 6. Badges will be available Wednesday morning at the Johnson Security Office, Bldg. 110, adjacent to the center's main gate off NASA Road One. Television media should plan to arrive at Johnson no later than 9 a.m. to allow time for badging. Other media should arrive at the badging office no later than 10 a.m. Transportation to events will be provided from the Bldg. 2 news center. Media who already have requested credentials to cover the astronaut announcement event are not required to submit an additional request for the Vice President's visit. The new astronaut candidates could one day be performing research on the International Space Station, launching from American soil aboard spacecraft built by American companies, and traveling to the moon or even Mars with the help of NASA's new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket. Get more information on astronaut selection and information on the candidates after their introduction at: https://www.nasa.gov/2017astronauts SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov The Woodforest National Bank Community Development and Education Center is located in the "banking desert" on North Main in the North Main Plaza. This corridor is a strategic investment area for the city of Columbia as they strive to build and revitalize the area through public and private investments and partnerships. Woodforest worked alongside local and regional small businesses Bricker and Beam, Franklin Smith Co., Stuyck Co. and M&M Construction to build out the center that will be utilized for small business and consumer financial education classes, and small business networking nights. Additionally, the center will be offered to area community partner organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Harvest Hope, Midlands Fatherhood Coalition, and What's Next Midland in support of their mission through events, meetings, and classes. "Woodforest is proud to be here on North Main and to help strengthen the North Main community by providing solutions to help the community succeed," said Andrew Rabuck, Senior Vice President of Woodforest National Bank and a North Main resident of the Earlewood community. Celebrating over 35 years of community banking service, Woodforest National Bank has successfully stood among the strongest community banks in the nation, proudly offering unsurpassed quality customer service since 1980. Woodforest currently operates 743 branches in 17 states across the United States. For more information about Woodforest National Bank, please visit www.woodforest.com. SOURCE Woodforest National Bank Related Links http://www.woodforest.com Lithuanian English AB "Rokiskio suris", Pramones str.3, Rokiskis, Lithuania, 2017-06-02 18:04 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On 2 June 2017, Panevezys Regional Court has dismissed all the claims of East Capital (LUX) Baltic Fund against AB Rokiskio suris CEO Antanas Trumpa. East Capital (LUX) Baltic Fund submitted a claim against Antanas Trumpa for compensation of potential damages to AB Rokiskio suris in the amount of EUR 10.524 million. East Capital (LUX) Baltic Fund specified in its claim statement that Antanas Trumpa was liable for granting loans by AB Rokiskio suris in breach of the provision of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania prohibiting the provision of financial assistance, and for conclusion of contracts that are against the interests of AB Rokiskio suris. By dismissing the claim, the Court held that the actions of Antanas Trumpa did not constitute any damage against the Company or its shareholders; moreover, it stated that the Defendant did not follow certain provisions of the Law on Companies. The Court established that East Capital (LUX) Baltic Fund missed the prescription period to file the claim, which, in the claims for the compensation of damages, is 3 years and starts on the date when the right to file the claim has arisen. In the opinion of the Court, East Capital (LUX) Baltic Fund, as a professional investor that became a shareholder of Rokiskio suris in 2003, had to be interested in the activities of the Company, its loans and other information which was publicly available. However, as stated by the Court, the claimant started addressing its enquiries to Rokiskio suris about the financing of UAB Pieno pramones investiciju valdymas (PPIV) only in 2013, although it was always actively present in all the meetings of the shareholders of the Company as well as meetings with the representatives of the Company. The claimant did not substantiate why it missed the prescription period and the Court therefore stated that there was no ground to restore the missed period of prescription. The judgment of Panevezys Regional Court does not have the force of res iudicata. The parties of the case may within 30 days from the date of the judgment, file an appeal with the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Lithuania. French English CALGARY, Alberta, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadas nurses are coming to Calgary to speak up at the biennial convention of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU). Beginning Monday June 5, close to 1,200 nurses from across the country will be arriving in the city to attend the convention at the TELUS Convention Centre. Nurses will participate in two days of educational workshops, conduct CFNU business and hear from a range of speakers on issues including nursing in conflict zones, the U.K.s National Health System investigations, the impact of nursing overtime on their patients and themselves, and hear from CFNU President Linda Silas on workplace violence and other vital topics. The 1,200 nurses will speak up on the streets of Calgary on Friday June 9 as they demonstrate their support for quality health care and celebrate 150 years of advocacy for patients. All sessions except the education workshops are open to the media. More details of the biennial convention are available on the CFNUs website at http://nursesunions.ca/Convention2017 Biennial convention sessions begin Tuesday June 6 and wrap up Friday afternoon. Media should watch for further advisories and media releases next week. CFNU President Linda Silas is available for interviews. The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) is Canadas largest nurses organization representing nearly 200,000 nurses and student nurses. The CFNU has been advocating for national discussions on key health priorities, such as a national prescription drug plan, a comprehensive approach to long-term and continuing care, greater attention to health human resources, and federal government engagement on the future of public health care. Visakhapatnam/Hyderabad, May 28 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Sunday urged the Centre to post-humously confer Bharat Ratna on its founder and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, without any further delay. The DP, a partner in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, unanimously passed a resolution on the second day of its 'Mahanadu' or the annual conclave in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam. TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the late leader deserved the highest civilian award as he brought a revolution in Indian politics and played a key role in the country's development, besides making huge contribution to Indian cinema. Speaking on the resolution, he said Bharat Ratna for NTR would be an honour for the country. The resolution was passed on the birth anniversary of the actor-turned-politician, who had launched the TDP in 1982 on the slogan of Telugu self-respect and created a record of sorts by coming to power within nine months of forming the new party, ending the single-party rule of the Congress in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. Naidu said NTR created history in the politics and also served the people by launching many innovative schemes for the welfare of poor. "NTR's name will remain forever in the history of Telugu people," said Naidu, who is the son-in-law of the late NTR. While the TDP had been passing the resolution to this effect at every 'Mahanadu', the party is hopeful of an early decision. TDP leader and central minister Y.S. Chowdary told reporters on the sidelines of the conclave that the matter was before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking on the resolution, TDP's Andhra Pradesh unit chief Kala Venkat Rao said it was NTR who ended the Congress party's rule in the country by bringing all non-Congress parties on a common platform. Meanwhile, rich tributes were paid to NTR on his birth anniversary across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. NTR's family members paid floral tributes at NTR Ghat on the edge of Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad. NTR's daughter N. Bhuvaneswari, who is wife of Chandrababu Naidu, her daughter-in-law N. Brahmani and grandson Devansh visited the Samadhi. NTR's another daughter and former minister D. Purandeswari, son-in-law D. Venkateswara Rao, sons N. Harikrishna and N. Ramakrishna also paid tributes to him. The TDP founder's grandson and popular actor Junior NTR also offered floral tributes at the ghat. Speaking on the occasion, he said Telugu people could never forget NTR. NTR's second wife Lakshmi Parvathi also visited the Samadhi. Colombo, May 28 : The deaths in floods and landslides caused by the heavy rainfall that began last week in Sri Lanka have mounted to 146 while 112 other people have been reported missing, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said on Sunday. The DMC said in its latest situation report that 442,299 people have been affected by the rains in one way or another in 15 of the country's 25 districts, Efe news reported. On Sunday, the rainfall eased somewhat, although it is expected to intensify again from Monday. In addition, 101,638 more people had to be evacuated, the DMC added. Water levels in rivers in the districts of Hambantota and Ratnapura have begun to fall, but in other places such as the Nilvala river, levels are on the rise, DMC spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili, told Efe news. "We were able to evacuate the people in the surrounding villages and towns on time last night," added Kodippili, referring to Nilvala river, which rescue workers were trying to contain with sand bags. The number of troops engaged in emergency work has increased to 1,700. The authorities were preparing to deploy military transport vehicles to assist in evacuation in the affected areas, army spokesman Brigadier Roshan Senevirathne said. The areas of Kalutara, Galle and Mataro -- traditional tourist destinations -- are among the worst affected. The Sri Lankan government has called on the international community to provide financial aid and logistical support. Heavy seasonal rains -- which this year came after one of Sri Lanka's worst droughts in 50 years -- often hit the island nation hard at this time of year, generating uncertainty in the agricultural sector, a major source of resources in the country. The first vessel with humanitarian aid from India reached Colombo on Saturday. A second vessel will arrive later on Sunday. Cannes, May 29 : Director Ruben Ostlund walked away with the Cannes Film Festival's highest honour as his "The Square", an art world satire that stars Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss and Dominic West, won this year's Palme d'Or here. When Ostlund did not get an Oscar nomination in 2015, he good-naturedly released a video that included what he called a "worst man cry". On Sunday night, the Swedish director took a different tack as he rejoiced in his Cannes win. He asked photographers in the pit below the stage at the Lumiere Theatre to turn their cameras on the audience and led all attendees in a primal scream "of happiness". He said: "I can direct you now, after all I won the Palme d'Or." Other winners included Diane Kruger as Best Actress for her first German-language turn in Fatih Akin's "In the Fade", a timely story of the aftermath of a terrorist bombing, reports deadline.com. The actress, who works largely in French and American cinema, gave a shout-out to those affected by terrorism, particularly the folks left behind. To those "who have to go on living" after losing someone, she said, "please know you are not forgotten". Joaquin Phoenix was named Best Actor for "You Were Never Really Here". He sported Converse sneakers, apologising that his proper shoes already had been sent home. The Amazon Studios title also won Best Screenplay for writer-director Lynne Ramsay, who shared that nod in a tie with Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Filippou for "The Killing of a Sacred Deer". Actress Nicole Kidman was awarded a special 70th anniversary award. She sent a video message from Nashville saying she was "devastated" for not being present at the event. "Last week was like a dream. This is a lovely way to come back to the dream," Kidman said. Among her acknowledgements was Sofia Coppola, in whose movie "The Beguiled" Kidman starred. Coppola, also absent from the Palais gala, was named Best Director for the film. She sent a message honouring, among others, her mother and father, director Francis Ford Coppola who made "The Godfather" trilogy. This is the second time in the festival's history that a woman has won this prize, following Yuliya Solntseva for "The Story of the Flaming Years" back in 1961. In other big wins, Andrey Zvyagintsev's "Loveless", won the Jury Prize. And, Robin Campillo's AIDS activist drama "120 Beats Per Minute" picked up the Grand Prize. Islamabad, May 29 : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's son Hussain Nawaz appeared before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in connection with the Panama Papers probe into the familys assets, the media reported on Monday. Headed by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Wajid Zia, the JIT grilled Hussain Nawaz on Sunday for about two-and-half hours at the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) here, Dawn news reported. Though he has raised objections against two of the six JIT members, which will be taken up by the Supreme Court on Monday, Hussain Nawaz told the media that since the court had not issued a restraining order, he had complied with the team's directions and preferred to appear before it in person. "I received a notice from the JIT yesterday (Saturday) and was asked to appear on May 28," he said. The JIT was formed by the Pakistan Supreme Court last month for the implementation of the Panama leaks verdict which said there was not enough evidence to disqualify Prime Minister Sharif. But in a 3-2 judgement, the apex court ordered a fresh probe into allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering against the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister's son had said earlier that he wanted to appear before the JIT in the presence of his lawyer. But sources told Dawn news that the JIT did not allow counsel to assist Hussain Nawaz during his interview and asked him to first seek permission from the Supreme Court. Along with the Prime Minister, the apex court also cleared his daughter Maryam Nawaz in the Panama Papers case. Last year's Panama Papers leaks, which documented the offshore dealings of many of the world's rich and powerful, alleged that Maryam was the beneficiary owner of the London properties owned jointly by her brothers as well. Washington, May 29 : Pakistan is experiencing a significant decrease in number of non-immigrant US visas issued to its nationals under the new administration despite not being on the list of US President Donald Trump's "Muslim ban" countries. An analysis of newly-released official figures shows non-immigrant visas granted to Pakistanis were down by 40 per cent in March and April this year compared to the monthly average in 2016, the News International reported on Monday. On the other hand, the number of non-immigrant visas increased for India by 28 per cent in March and April this year as compared to last year, said the report. The US State Department data showed Indian nationals received 87,049 visas in April and 97,925 visas in March. Last year, people from India received 72,082 non-immigrant visas per month on average with an annual total of 864,987 visas. Pakistanis were issued 3,925 non-immigrant visas in April and 3,973 visas in March this year under the Trump administration, the daily reported on Monday. The Barack Obama administration last year issued a total of 78,637 non-immigrant visas to Pakistanis with a monthly average of 6,553 -- 40 per cent higher than the current average. A spokesperson of 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 though there may be different trends at the country, nationality, or visa-category level," the spokesperson added. Six countries -- Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen -- targeted by Trump's March 6 travel ban experienced 55 per cent decline in non-immigrant visas compared with last year's monthly average. Experts said drop in visas may indicate that more visa applicants are now subject to excessive scrutiny. A week after assuming office Trump had issued an executive order barring visitors from Iraq, Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. US federal court blocked the order after massive protests, terming the order discriminatory against Muslims. A revised softer executive order issued in March also met a similar fate. New Delhi, May 29 : The Art of Living (AoL) foundation on Monday snubbed as unscientific the NGT expert committee's report on the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains due to its mega fest last year. The Aol, appearing before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), also claimed that prior to the World Culture Festival, which saw over three million attendees, the flood region was not demarcated. The AoL questioned the findings of the committee and said quantification related to the restoration and rehabilitation of the floodplains was beyond the capabilities of the committee. "Rehabilitation and restoration are synonyms... To tell about restoration and rehabilitation of the floodplains is beyond the power of the expert committee," AoL representatives told the Tribunal bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar. However, the Tribunal was quick to correct AoL, asserting that "restoration is an inclusive term under rehabilitation and they are not synonyms". A seven-member expert committee headed by former Water Resources Ministry Secretary Shashi Shekhar on April 12 reported that it would take Rs 42.02 crore to monitor and a decade's time for the ecological rehabilitation of the Yamuna floodplains from damages caused by the festival. The cultural event was held from March 11 to 13, 2016, on the left bank of the river between the Barapullah elevated road and the DND flyway. Earlier in March, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) which granted permission for the fest, informed the Tribunal that it did not have the expertise to repair the damage caused to the Yamuna floodplains during the fest and also apologised for questioning the court's findings in the case. AoL founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had also earlier commented that the authorities should have never given permission to hold the World Culture Festival if the Yamuna was "so fragile and pure". On Monday, however, the AoL's lawyers spoke at length and rejected the findings of the expert committee. "The report didn't produce any technical or scientific data," said AoL. It further raised questions over the satellite images of the floodplains used in the report, saying that many Google images project a different picture of the region. The Tribunal bench has said that two more days shall be granted to AoL to make its points. The matter has been listed for July 12 and 13. New Delhi, May 29 : The Supreme Court on Monday put on hold the operation of a Rajasthan government order, directing telecom operators to remove their cell towers from within a 500-metre range 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. Issuing notice to the state government, the vacation bench gave it four weeks' time to respond to the plea by Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), challenging the May 9 order that asked telecom operators to decommission their towers in the proximity of jails. The Rajasthan government's order followed a Rajasthan High Court order on April 6 in this regard. The state government had given service providers 30 days 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 directed that no coercive steps should be taken by the authorities. The 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 a 500 metre radius of jail premises, was superseded by a February 6, 2017 policy. The February 6 policy of the state government allowed setting up of cell towers not only within 500 metre of jails but also on public and private locations, including parks, playgrounds, hospitals, schools and government-owned/controlled buildings and lands under cultivation. However, this policy was amended saying that the permission for setting up 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 those or take any coercive steps against the cellular service providers. The COAI had said that the May 9 order would impact 80 lakh subscribers, as the entire exercise would involve removal of 400 Base Transceiver Towers (BTSs), including Base Station Controller sites, which further catered to 2,500 BTS. Islamabad, May 29 : The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday dismissed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's son Hussain Nawaz's reservations regarding two members of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to probe the Panama Papers case. Hussain in an application filed to the country's apex court had raised objections against Bilal Rasool of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Amer Aziz of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Dawn online reported. The Prime Minister's son had expressed apprehensions that the officials' presence may affect the fairness and impartiality of the JIT and its findings. Hussain said Rasool is a nephew of Mian Mohammad Azhar, whose family are ardent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, and Aziz was part of a National Accountability Bureau investigation that was carried out into the Hudabiya Paper Mills scam under former President Pervez Musharraf. Hussain's counsel Khawaja Haris during the hearing argued that the behaviour of the two JIT members was "abusive". However, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who headed the three-judge bench, dismissed the accusation and ordered the JIT to continue with its proceedings and operate within its jurisdiction. Another judge observed that the two members of the JIT "targeted" by Hussain were experts in white-collar crime. "We will not change any members of the JIT, nor will we prevent someone from doing their work," he said, drawing attention to the fact that a special bench of the SC had appointed the members of the JIT. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Wajid Zia, who heads the JIT, told the bench that Qatari royal Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani had not yet appeared before the JIT. Two letters signed by the Qatari royal had been presented before the court by representatives of the Prime Minister's children during the hearing. Justice Afzal said that the letters would be thrown out if the Qatari royal did not appear before the JIT. The JIT had on May 28 grilled Hussain Nawaz for about two-and-a-half hours regarding his ownership of the London flats. Guwahati, May 29 : A week after a Sukhoi-30 fighter jet went missing and days after its wreckage was found, there is still no clarity on the fate of its two pilots though a search for them is on, said an IAF official on Monday. The black box of the jet was found on Sunday, when the ground search teams reached the accident site on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The official said the black box will be brought back and it will take some time before the data can be analysed. "The cause of the accident will be known only after the information is extracted from the black box. We are looking for signs of the crew," the official said, but termed sabotage or foul play was unlikely. "It may be a case of 'controlled flight into terrain' (an accident in which a aircraft is unintentionally flown into the ground, or water), but anything final would be known only from the black box. The court of inquiry will establish the cause" the official said. Asked if it could be a case of an advanced cyber attack which manipulated the flight, the official said it would not be possible as the aircraft had an option where the pilot can switch to manual mode in case the computer system appeared faulty. The wreckage of the Sukhoi-30 fighter jet, which went missing on May 23, was found on Friday through aerial recce, in a thick forest around 60 km from Assam's Tezpur. The Su-30 had taken off from the Tezpur air bas, around 10.30 a.m. on a routine training mission on May 23 but 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. Hamilton, Bermuda, June 2, 2017 For the interest it may have, below is a press release from Nordic American Offshore Ltd. that was announced today. ----------------- Nordic American Offshore Ltd. (NYSE:NAO) - the Executive Chairman and his family increase its holding in NAO. Hamilton, Bermuda, June 2, 2017 A company owned by the NAO Executive Chairman, Herbjorn Hansson and his son, Alexander, today bought 1,000,000 shares in NAO at an average price of $1.21 per share. Over the last few weeks, as from Tuesday May 9, the Hansson family has acquired 3,881,007 NAO shares in aggregate at an average price of $1.16 per share. In addition to the holdings of the past, following today's transaction, the immediate Hansson family holds shares equivalent to 10.0% of NAO. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the PSV market, as a result of changes in the general market conditions of the oil and natural gas industry which influence charter hire rates and vessel values, demand in platform supply vessels, our operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry docking and insurance costs, governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities as well as potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, the availability of financing and refinancing, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hire and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contacts: Herbjrn Hansson, Executive Chairman Nordic American Offshore Ltd. Tel: +1 866 805 9504 or + 47 90 14 62 91 Web-site: www.nao.bm New Delhi, May 30 : Congress leader and MP Sushmita Dev on Tuesday slammed the BJP-led central government for being "insensitive" while branding the soon to be rolled out comprehensive indirect tax regime the Goods and Services Tax a failure on "gender-sensitive" issues. Dev's criticism came after the Centre rejected the demand for making sanitary napkins affordable and tax-free. "As India makes history by implementing the GST, women's empowerment has been completely ignored. The BJP government, despite repeated demands, has failed to make the GST gender-sensitive," she said. "The government is insensitive to the demand of half of India's population by not exempting the tax on sanitary napkins," said Dev in a statement. Dev also said that the GST could have been instrumental in making an important intervention by making sanitary napkins tax-free or minimally taxed. "Neither happened despite my petition being supported by more than three lakh men and women. 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," said Dev. "In India, only 12 per cent women use napkins and poor menstrual hygiene is a cause of serious health issues and even deaths for women especially in rural India," she added. Dev further said that girls increasingly drop out of schools primarily due to problems related to menstruation as it works as an obstacle to their education. "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. Affordability and accessibility are two primary reasons for such dismal figures of women using hygienic napkins, said Dev. "Equality of opportunity cannot be a reality unless we equip our girls better to access these opportunities. Poor menstrual hygiene impacts the women's right to life," she added. Dev said: "Menstruation is an involuntary physical process which is 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. "Our constitution permits special laws for women and children and yet the demand of half the population of India ... was rejected by the BJP government," she said. Jammu, May 30 : The army's Northern Command chief, Lt. Gen. Devraj Anbu visited south Kashmir 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 Kashmir 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. Madrid, May 30 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Spain on Tuesday on a two-day visit in the second leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. This is 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 Turkey's Antalya 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 in Berlin. Later, Modi called on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bellevue Castle in the German capital before departing for Spain. Following Wednesday's engagements in Spain, Modi will travel to Russia where he will hold the 18th annual bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and attend for the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), a business event, the next day. On Saturday, Modi will hold his first meeting with newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris before returning to India. Washington, May 31 : SpaceX is all set to launch the Dragon spacecraft for its 11th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 1. Liftoff is targeted for 5:55 p.m. EDT on June 1 (3.25 a.m Friday India time) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the US space agency said. "This will be the sixth SpaceX rocket to take off from the historic pad further emphasising the centre's role as a premier, multi-user spaceport," NASA said on Wednesday. The company's 230-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket will boost a Dragon capsule filled with supplies and experiments. The payload will include important materials to support more than 250 science and research investigations taking place during Expeditions 52 and 53. The flight will deliver investigations and facilities that study neutron stars, osteoporosis, solar panels, tools for Earth-observation, and more. When the Dragon arrives at the space station, US astronauts Peggy Whitson and Jack Fischer will grapple Dragon using the station's 57-foot-long robotic arm. Ground commands then will be sent from mission control for the station's arm to rotate and install the Dragon capsule to the station's Harmony module. The Expedition 51 crew will unpack the Dragon and begin working with the experiments. The Dragon capsule will spend approximately one month attached to the space station, remaining until early July. The spacecraft then will return to Earth with results of earlier experiments, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California, NASA said. Washington, May 31 : Ancient Mars had flowing water much longer than previously believed, suggests pale zones called "halos" with high concentration of silica on the Red Planet. The halos were analysed by NASA's Curiosity Mars rover's science payload, including the laser-shooting Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) instrument, developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory in conjunction with the French space agency. "The concentration of silica is very high at the centrelines of these halos," said Jens Frydenvang, a scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. "What we're seeing is that silica appears to have migrated between very old sedimentary bedrock and into younger overlying rocks," Frydenvang, lead author of a paper published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, said. The goal of NASA's Curiosity rover mission has been to find out if Mars was ever habitable, and it has been very successful in showing that Gale crater once held a lake with water that we would even have been able to drink, but we still don't know how long this habitable environment endured. "What this finding tells us is that, even when the lake eventually evaporated, substantial amounts of groundwater were present for much longer than we previously thought - thus further expanding the window for when life might have existed on Mars," Frydenvang said. The elevated silica in halos was found over approximately 20 to 30 metres in elevation near a rock-layer of ancient lake sediments that had a high silica content. "This tells us that the silica found in halos in younger rocks close by was likely remobilised from the old sedimentary rocks by water flowing through the fractures," Frydenvang said. Specifically, some of the rocks containing the halos were deposited by wind, likely as dunes. Such dunes would only exist after the lake had dried up. The presence of halos in rocks formed long after the lake dried out indicates that groundwater was still flowing within the rocks more recently than previously known, the study said. Curiosity has travelled more than 16 km over more than 1,700 sols (martian days) as it has traveled from the bottom of Gale crater part way up Mount Sharp in the center of the crater. Scientists are using all the data collected by ChemCam to put together a more complete picture of the geological history of Mars. Berlin, May 31 : After she was trolled for wearing a short dress and flaunting her legs during her meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, actress Priyanka Chopra shut all the trollers with just a "legs for days" photograph of herself along with her mother Madhu Chopra. Priyanka on Tuesday drew flak on social media for sporting a short dress and flaunting her legs in front of Modi. Priyanka then shared a photograph of herself with her mother on Tuesday night on Instagram. In the photograph, the "Bajirao Mastani" star is seen sporting a dress with a long slit in the front and flaunting her towering legs. Madhu is seen donning black top and a short skirt. "Legs for days... It's the genes with Madhu Chopra nights out in Berlin... Being 'Baywatch'," Priyanka captioned the image. Modi is on a two-day visit to Germany. He arrived here 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. Priyanka was there to promote "Baywatch", her debut Hollywood film, when she called on Modi. New Delhi, May 31 : The first of the indigenous Scorpene submarines, Kalvari, is likely to be inducted in the Indian Navy by July-August, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said on Wednesday. "Kalvari is going through its final phase of trial and we are hopeful to take delivery sometime in July-August," Lanba said on the sidelines of a seminar here. The submarine had on May 27 test-fired a torpedo, with sources saying that it was the last major test that was required before the submarine could be inducted. On March 2, the Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene submarines being built in India, had test-fired an anti-ship missile for the first time. The Scorpene submarines are being built by Mazagaon Dockyard Limited under Project 75 with transfer of technology from the collaborator, DCNS of France. Two of the submarines are ready, and rest four are under construction. The second submarine Khanderi was launched on January 12 this year, and will undergo rigorous tests and trials in the harbour and at sea, on surface and underwater till December this year, and will be commissioned in the Navy after that. The state-of-the-art features of the Scorpenes include superior stealth and ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons. The attacks could be carried out with torpedoes, tube-launched anti-ship missiles both while underwater or on surface in all theatres, including the tropics, giving it invulnerability unmatched by many other submarines. Asked about Sri Lanka's denial to a Chinese submarine for docking at one of its harbours, the Navy Chief said: "We were not in any dialogue or in touch with Sri Lanka, this is a decision they took on their own." Asked about the indigenous aircraft carrier's induction, the Navy Chief said the IAC construction is going on as per the timeline. "We are hopeful she will start trials in 2019 and we will take delivery in 2020," he said. Bhubaneswar, May 31 : Agitation over discrepancies in the CBSE Class 12 results in Odisha intensified even as two officials deputed by the Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar arrived here on Wednesday to look into the goof up. While aggrieved students and their parents continued to protest in front of the CBSE regional office here, the members of Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) and National Students' Union of India (NSUI) staged protest demanding action against the officials for the discrepancies. BCJD members tried to forcibly enter into the CBSE office along with parents of the Class 12 students protesting outside the office since the last three days. However, police stopped the agitators. NSUI members burnt the effigy of HRD Minister blaming him for playing with the future of the students. "The central government is responsible for the goof up in the results. The officials should be held accountable for playing with the future of the students," said state NSUI president Itish Pradhan. Meanwhile, CBSE Bhubaneswar Zone assistant secretary Jagabandhu Pradhan said the issue will be resolved in 15 days. He said the students would be provided with copy of answer sheets so that they can ascertain their actual marks in the examination. Following the direction of Javadekar, CBSE controller of examination K.K. Choudhary and deputy secretary D.K. Goyal arrived here to discuss the issue of discrepancy in results with the officials here. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday wrote to the Union HRD Minister to personally intervene in the matter and address the discrepancies in CBSE 12 Board results on an urgent basis. Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had also requested the HRD Minister in this regard. New Delhi, May 31 : Full-service passenger carrier Jet Airways on Wednesday announced the appointment of Vinay Dube as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). "Dube's appointment was approved by the Jet Airways Board of Directors at their meeting yesterday. The appointment is subject to receipt of all requisite government, regulatory approvals, including his security clearance," the airline said in a statement. The statement said Dube, who is currently Senior Vice President-Asia Pacific with Delta Air Lines, will also head the airline's executive management team. He succeeds Cramer Ball who had left the company in February 2016. The company's whole-time Director Gaurang Shetty has been the acting CEO of the airline. The team has been tasked by the Board of Directors of Jet Airways to drive the company's growth and future strategy by leveraging its enduring partnership with equity partner Etihad Airways, and achieve significant efficiencies and value for stakeholders, on the back of mutual synergies. "I look forward to meet the organisation's business objectives and deepening the relationship with its strategic partner Etihad Airways, in my effort to strengthen Jet Airways' illustrious legacy as India's largest premium international carrier that is ready for its next phase of growth," Dube said. United Nations, June 1 : The UN General Assembly's (UNGA) President-elect Miroslav Lajcak has promised to give new impetus to the stalled Security Council reform process, saying "the time is up" for it. After the Slovak Foreign Minister's unanimous election on Wednesday, he told the UN's 193 members that he would "work closely and consult widely on how to push forward agreementa on reforming the Council." Reform of the Security Council is a priority for India, which seeks a permanent seat on an expanded forum. "There is a high degree of accord that the time is up to transform the Security Council into a 21st century body," Lajcak said, noting that the world leaders had committed to the reform at their 2005 summit. Soon after Lajcak's election, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj congratulated him and India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin tweeted that Lajcak "appreciates prompt congratulatory message". Lajcak visited India in 2013 while he was the Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia. He will succeed Peter Thomson of Fiji when the assembly convenes for its 72nd session in September. Lajcak came second in last year's Secretary-General election, losing to Antonio Guterres, although it had been widely expected that an East European would get the post as no one from the region had held it. The council reform process has been languishing for decades because of opposition from a small but determined group of countries led by Italy. They include Pakistan. Overcoming their opposition, Sam Kutesa, the Ugandan who was President of the assembly in 2014-15, had the assembly adopt a basic document for negotiations on council reform. But under his uninterested successors, Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark and Peter Thomson of Fiji, the process lost momentum. Now Lakjac may be able to move it forward, working on the negotiating text produced under Kutesa's tenure. Outlining his priorities as President, Lajcak said he would "strive for peace and decent life for all on a sustainable planet", combining the demands for ending poverty while combating climate change. Another priority he said would be moving along the efforts for a global agreement on migration. "Migration is not a short-term seasonal and regional problem," he said, and added, "It is a very complex global and generational issue that needs true world-wide attention." In dealing with the migration issue, which includes the refugee crisis in Europe, he will be straddling two opposing lines. While the UN has been committed to rights of refugees and their relocation, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has opposed Muslim migration and also challenged in European Court of Justice the refugee resettlement quotas set for each member nation by the European Union. While defending the court challenge as his country's Foreign Minister, Lajcak has opposed discrimination against Muslim refugees. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in) TORONTO and NEW YORK, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. (NYSE:AG) (TSX:FR) (the "Company" or First Majestic) is pleased to announce that it has reached a tentative agreement with the National Union of Miners, Metallurgists, Steelworkers and Similar Workers of Mexico (National Union), to restart operations at the La Encantada Silver Mine in the state of Coahuila, Mexico. In the coming weeks, the Company will undertake a phased restart of operations. On May 20th, a rogue group of workers halted activities via an illegal blockade after some of the individuals did not agree with the bonus that the Company and the National Union had previously agreed to offer the miners in lieu of profit sharing. Since then, the Company and the National Union have been working together to find an agreement to the dispute which will be favourable for all parties. Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO commented, I am very pleased by the responsiveness and cooperation we have received from the National Union in working with us towards finding a solution that satisfies all parties. La Encantada is one of the largest employers in the area and is crucial to the overall health of the local economy. The Company is planning to implement a reinduction and retraining process for the union miners as soon as next week. Mine production is now expected to restart by mid-June before ramping up to full production by the end of June. ABOUT FIRST MAJESTIC First Majestic is a mining company focused on silver production in Mexico and is aggressively pursuing the development of its existing mineral property assets. The Company presently owns and operates six producing silver mines; the La Parrilla Silver Mine, the San Martin Silver Mine, the La Encantada Silver Mine, the La Guitarra Silver Mine, Del Toro Silver Mine and the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine. Production from these six mines is projected to be between 11.1 to 12.4 million ounces of pure silver or 16.6 to 18.5 million ounces of silver equivalents in 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact info@firstmajestic.com, visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll free number 1.866.529.2807. FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. signed Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, schedule and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral reserve and resource estimates and estimates of future production and costs of production at our properties; estimated production rates for silver and other payable metals produced by us, the estimated cost of development of our development projects; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies on our operations, including, without limitation, the laws in Mexico which currently have significant restrictions related to mining; obtaining or maintaining necessary permits, licences and approvals from government authorities; and continued access to necessary infrastructure, including, without limitation, access to power, land, water and roads to carry on activities as planned. These statements reflect the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of silver, gold, base metals or certain other commodities (such as natural gas, fuel oil and electricity); fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada, Mexico; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining, including those currently enacted in Mexico; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; the Companys title to properties; and the factors identified under the caption Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Information Form, under the caption Risks Relating to First Majestic's Business. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. Lucknow, June 1 : An attempt was made on the life of Rahul Sharma, who had accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's late brother-in-law of involvement in a PWD scam worth Rs 10 crore, the police said on Thursday. Sharma has escaped unhurt in the Greater Noida attack. The attack came late on Wednesday night, as Sharma's car was overtaken by bike-borne assailants near the Gaur City society roundabout under the Bisrikh police station in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The attackers tried to fire at Sharma's car but the pistol apparently got locked. Sharma hit the bike and fled the spot, the police said. He was with his cousin Varun when the incident occurred. The entire episode was caught on a CCTV. A police complaint has been filed. Rahul Sharma, who runs an NGO, had complained of graft against Suresh Bansal, brother-in-law of Kejriwal, who died some time back. The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch recently recorded the statements of Sharma. Sharma filed a complaint on May 9, alleging that Bansal in connivance with senior Public Works Department officials of the Delhi government had pressurised the passing of a Rs 10-crore fake bill involving roads and sewer lines tenders in Delhi. Three cases were filed by the ACB against Bansal and others. Rahul has been alleging in the past that he has been getting death threats for that complaint. Aam Adam Party spokesman Vaibhav Maheshwari, however, said that the party had nothing to do with such incidents as this was "not our brand of politics". He also said that the police should get to the bottom of the incident and arrest those involved. Lucknow, June 1 : The four Greater Noida gang rape victims met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here on Thursday, and were assured that they would get justice and the guilty will not be spared, an official said. Adityanath also called up Director General of Police (DGP) Sulkhan Singh and sought the progress into the matter. The Chief Minister asked the state police chief to expedite the action to nab the culprits. The Senior Superintendent of Police of Noida has already been asked to step up investigation into the gang rape of the four women of the same family and the murder of one of its men who were accompanying them during their travel. Adityanath assured the victims that his government was committed to the safety and security of girls and women in the state. He also said that criminal elements would soon be behind bars. A financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the family and free education to the children has also been announced. The DGP informed the Chief Minister that four special police teams were on the job. The Bulandshahr and the Aligarh police were also helping in the probe. A family member, Yunus, informed reporters that Adityanath heard them patiently and said that criminals belong to no community. The women along with male members were travelling by a van to meet an ailing relative when they were intercepted at an isolated stretch of the Jewar-Bulandshahr highway, some 65 km from Noida. While one of the men who resisted was shot dead on the spot, the criminals took turns in raping his wife, sister, sister-in-law and mother. Three persons -- Haji, Waheem and Munna -- have been arrested so far and the police is on the lookout for the remaining criminals. The police had initially denied rape but had to beat a hasty retreat after the victims protested their claim. Kolkata, June 1 : Responding to a student's plea, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced that her Trinamool Congress party will stop conducting meetings and rallies in the city's education hub of College Square. She also batted for a law to ensure students are not disturbed due to the rallies. The College Square area in north Kolkata houses the main campuses of Calcutta University, Presidency University as also the Calcutta Medical College. Lined with age-old books shops, the venue on any given day is choc-a-bloc with students and researchers. College Square is also one of the top choices for political parties to articulate their views through rallies and meetings. It is also home to the intellectuals' meeting point, Coffee House, immortalised by the legendary Manna Dey in an eponymous song. "The research scholars should officially write to the police (Kolkata Police Commissioner Surajit Kar Purakayastha). Officially, I am telling (Minister) Firhad Hakim to instruct our party, we will not hold any meetings and rallies in College Square," Banerjee said. "You have given a good proposal. I agree with you. Students get disturbed due to the din... the sloganeering etc. Everybody must follow up. This is a genuine demand. Make a law," she said, responding to a Calcutta University student's grievance during an administrative review meeting in Hooghly district. She asked the student to give the proposal in writing to the police and instructed Purakayastha to forward it to her office. "Although I hold only a few rallies there, but I agree with you. The others hold regular rallies there," she added. Kolkata, June 1 : The All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) on Thursday announced a three-day protest against the Centre for asserting that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose died in a plane crash. The AIFB - founded by Bose - said that the Centre should apologise to the nation and immediately withdraw the statement. The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday said in reply to a query under the Right To Information Act that Netaji had died in an air crash in 1945. The AIFB said that starting on Friday, there will be a three-day demonstration in different districts of the state and threatened to burn Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy. "Netaji is the father of Indian freedom movement. How can the government make such statements without any conclusive evidence? We demand they withdraw the statement immediately," Naren Chatterjee, General Secretary of the party's West Bengal unit, told IANS. "People of the nation would not accept such irresponsible response to such a big issue. The central government should apologise to the nation for their irresponsibility," he said. "All India Forward Bloc would hold protest demonstrations in various districts. Effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be burnt on the streets," Chatterjee said. Another veteran leader of the party, Naren Dey, said the government should take a call on the Mukherjee commission report which clearly stated that Netaji did not die in a crash. "The Mukherjee commission was formed to probe the mystery behind Netaji's disappearance as the reports of two previous commissions were not satisfactory. It clearly mentioned that there was no plane crash in Taipei in that week. Maybe the government is scared to accept it because many political leaders would be in trouble," he said. Terming Netaji's disappearance as a "smoky" episode propagated by the then British and Congress leadership, Netaji researcher Jayanta Choudhuri alleged the latest controversy has been kicked up only to "influence" the proceedings of the Vishnu Sahai inquiry commission set up to establish the identity of Gumnami Baba alias Bhagwanji, who many believe was actually Netaji. The Gumnami Baba alias Bhagwanji lived in Uttar Pradesh's Faizabad district till 1985. "The controversy being cooked up now on the alleged air crash death of Netaji Subhas Chandra on August 18, 1945, is a move by all stakeholders who want to adversely influence the proceedings of the ongoing Sahai Commission," Choudhuri told IANS. Choudhuri said in reply to a letter they had written last year, the government had not been assertive or conclusive on the issue. "What made the government change its stand from disappearance/death to only death within a span of few months?" he asked. "After considering the reports of the Shahnawaz Committee, Justice G.D. Khosla Commission and Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry, the government has come to the conclusion that Netaji has died in plane crash in 1945," the Ministry said in its response to a query from Open Platform For Netaji spokesperson Sayak Sen. Mumbai, June 2 : Actor Tej Sapru, 61, says he lives by one motto and that is to eat and stay healthy. He makes it a point to exercise everyday and doesn't skip any of his meals. The actor, who will soon be seen in Star Plus's show "Aarambh", also urged "everyone to make it a point to walk at least for an hour every day". "I am 61 and I live by the motto eat healthy, stay healthy. I wake up at 6 a.m. for my walk before I get into any work," Sapru said in a statement. He will be seen as Agnimitr in "Aarambh". The actor said: "When I was approached for Agnimitr, they told me about on how I should maintain my good health as we were scheduled to shoot at extreme locations. We've shot in 46 degrees as well as -5 degrees. It's my plea to everyone to make it a point to walk at least for an hour every day. Like the way it has helped me all through these years, I'm sure it will help everyone too." Written by K.V. Vijayendra Prasad of "Baahubali" and "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" fame, "Aarambh" will narrate the clash of the Dravidian and Aryan civilisations -- born and built out of two different existential needs. "Aarambh" also features Bollywood actress Tanuja, who will play the role of Hahuma, the spiritual leader of Dravidians. The show will be a finite series of 65 episodes. The Hague, June 2 : The decision by the US President Donald Trump to pull his country out of Paris climate agreement "is a historic mistake," tweeted Dutch Minister for the Environment Sharon Dijksma on Thursday evening. "Now we need leadership, intensive cooperation with China and climate action!" Dijksma said. "A clear message from Europe," Dijksma added after France, Germany, Italy issued a joint statement saying the Paris climate deal can't be renegotiated. "A deal is a deal. The Paris Agreement can't be renegotiated!" A report in Xinhua quoted Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as saying that he regrets the decision of Trump. "The climate change approach is not only necessary, it offers global economic opportunities," he said on Facebook. "It is about the economic sectors of the future. Without US participation, it becomes more difficult to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement. But the rest of the world remains behind the Agreement. That does not change," Rutte emphasised. "The Netherlands will also continue to fully support the climate Agreement." New York, June 2 : The UN Security Council will discuss the threats of the North Korean ballistic missile and nuclear programmes on Friday, officials said. The council has scheduled a meeting on Friday afternoon to study the situation in Ivory Coast, but later decided to add the North Korean issue to the agenda, Efe news reported. The provided official information does not specify whether there will be any voting session on a new UN resolution over the Stalinist state. The UN Security Council has been negotiating a possible resolution to impose new sanctions on the Pyongyang regime for weeks. The decision has to be endorsed by the five major world powers, including Russia, who could exercise its right to veto the proposed resolution. The Friday meeting session will be headed by Bolivia, who is set to preside over the Security Council in June. Bolivian ambassador to the UN, Sacha Llorenti, said Thursday afternoon as he announced the monthly programme of the Security Council that no meeting had been held to discuss the possible resolution. However, the North Korean nuclear threats were added to the discussion table after Llorenti gave out the monthly programme in the press conference. The Security Council has repeatedly condemned the nuclear and ballistic missile tests carried out by the Kim Jong-un regime in violation of UN regulations. In May, UN representatives revealed that the Security Council was considering adding new sanctions to those already put in force after the North Korean nuclear tests that began in 2006. The proposal to be discussed during the council meeting on Friday is part of the efforts by the US and China, the two countries leading this initiative. However, it is unknown what decision Russia will adopt if the draft resolution is approved. On Thursday, the US government imposed new economic sanctions on North Korea, affecting three individuals and six companies who are reported to have funded the Pyongyang regime. Among the companies sanctioned are Ardis-Bearings LLC, a Moscow-based company allegedly linked to Pyongyang's nuclear program, and the Independent Petroleum Company (IPC), which was accused by Washington of supplying oil to North Korea. Canberra, June 2 : Australia will do "everything it can" to assist in a new search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 should more evidence arise indicating to the aircraft's location, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Friday. In January, a joint statement from Australia, China and Malaysia confirmed that the ocean search for the missing Boeing 777 jet, which disappeared on March 8, 2014 en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, would be suspended until "credible new evidence" can lead to a "specific" location, Xinhua news agency reported. The joint search was described as the largest in aviation history and covered more than 120,000 sq.km of the Southern Indian Ocean, but was ultimately unsuccessful. A spokesperson for Turnbull said the government was very much hoping to still find the plane, which was carrying six Australians and 153 Chinese nationals at the time. "The Prime Minister raises this issue with his Malaysian counterpart every time they speak," the spokesperson told News Corp. "Malaysia is the lead nation in the investigation into the disappearance of MH370, but Australia stands ready to assist in any way it can." "At present, the search for MH370 has been suspended, but if any credible evidence emerges, the Australian government will do everything it can in partnership with Malaysia to ensure the search is resumed," he said. The MH370 was a scheduled passenger flight carrying 239 passengers and crew, and is believed to have crashed into the Southern Indian Ocean, well off Australia's western coastline. Washington, June 2 : The planned launch of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for a commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station on Thursday was scrubbed due to poor weather, NASA has said. Liftoff was targeted for 5:55 p.m. EDT on June 1 (3.25 a.m Friday India time) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. "Standing down due to lightning. Backup launch opportunity on Saturday, June 3 at 5:07 p.m. EDT or 21:07 UTC," SpaceX tweeted. There is a 70 per cent chance of favourable weather for Saturday's planned launch of the 11th SpaceX cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, NASA scientists wrote in a blogpost on Friday. Liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for 5:07 p.m. EDT (2:37 a.m. Sunday India time) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The vehicle is carrying a Dragon spacecraft loaded with about 2,721.5 kg of experiments and supplies bound for the space station, NASA said. The payload will include important materials to support more than 250 science and research investigations taking place during Expeditions 52 and 53. The flight will deliver investigations and facilities that study neutron stars, osteoporosis, solar panels, tools for Earth-observation, and more. New Delhi, June 2 : As India's population continues to grow and threatens to overtake that of China, a campaign started by a group called Taxpayers' Association of Bharat wants every state in the country to execute a two-child policy so that the resources and taxpayers' money can be utilised properly. But critics wonder if that's the right path to tread. The two-year-old campaign, which now has over two lakh members -- including celebrities such as Ajay Devgan, Suniel Shetty, Priyanka Chopra and Virendra Sehwag -- has also written to all the chief ministers to come up with a population control policy on the lines of Assam. Assam in April announced a draft population policy, which suggested denial of government jobs to people with more than two children and making education up to university level free for all girls. According to the campaign, since independence citizens have been paying tax so that the country could be developed in a poverty-free and crime-free environment, but over the years, both the crime rate and poverty have only increased. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) -- the number of children who would be born per woman during childbearing age -- instead of decreasing, has gone up. "Over the years, governments have done nothing to control the population, instead they did only caste-based politics. In 1961, the population below poverty line was 19 crore while in 2011 it rose to 36 crore. Why the increase? Is this why the citizens are paying tax for," questioned Manu Gaur, National President of the campaign, also known as Taxab. Stating that it was important for every state to have a two-child norm to make the country prosperous, Gaur told IANS that with the continuity in same TFR, India's population would hit 200 crore in the near future. "Are we ready for such a situation," he asked. For a stable population, a country needs a TFR of 2.1, whereas Indian states have a TFR as high as 3-3.2. "It is quite evident that with such a TFR, India cannot grow. Today, every well-off nation has a TFR of 2.1 or below," said Gaur, adding that in India government jobs and welfare schemes should always be for the families having two children. According to the campaign, India has invested a considerable amount of resources in the name of family planning but no significant breakthrough has been made towards population control. "Such policies cannot yield results. Until we educate the couple and let them realise that more children is indeed a problem, the problem can't be solved. We have to make contraceptives available in the rural areas, whose absence is one of the biggest reasons for population growth," Suneeta Mittal, Head of Gynaecology at Fortis Healthcare, told IANS. Mittal, formerly the Head of Gynaecology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, said that couples needed to be informed about other family planning methods, such as spacing and permanent contraceptives, instead of implementing the two-child policy. Population Foundation of India (PFI), an NGO involved in various family planning policies of the country, in its recent letter to Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, also raised its reservations against its draft population policy. "We sincerely request you not to go ahead with the two-child norm. China, where a one-child policy was state law for 35 years, till the country was forced to lift it in 2015. The country now finds itself in the midst of a population crisis," said the PFI letter to Sarma. According to PFI, it was observed that China's dramatic post-1978 economic boom and the profound social changes unleashed by rising incomes and levels of education and rapid urbanisation would have driven down the birth rates even in the absence of a state birth planning campaigns. (Rupesh Dutta can be reached at rupesh.d@ians.in) NEW YORK, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against United States Steel Corporation (U.S. Steel or the Company) (NYSE:X) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired U.S. Steel securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you are a shareholder who purchased U.S. Steel securities between November 1, 2016 and April 25, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until July 3, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased. [Click here to join this class action] U.S. Steel is an integrated steel producer of flat-rolled and tubular products with major production operations in North America and Europe. Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) while the Company was implementing its Carnegie Way program, it was focused on cutting costs and was not making investments necessary to position U.S. Steel so that it could respond to improved market conditions; (ii) Defendants failure to invest in improving capital assets during the industry downturn, in order to report apparent financial improvements, meant that U.S. Steel had higher production costs than its competitors, even in the face of improved pricing, which would negatively impact its financial results; and (iii) Defendants were forestalling expensive capital equipment upgrades in order to boost the Company's short-term financial results at the expense of long-term financial performance, leaving U.S. Steel in need of accelerated, costly equipment upgrades that would leave the Company years away from generating improved financial performance; and (iv) as a result of the foregoing, U.S. Steels public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. During the Class Period, steel market conditions improved substantially. Indeed, in the first quarter of 2017, the average price of U.S. hot-rolled steel coil, a benchmark product used in a variety of products ranging from bridges to microwaves, rose 55% from a year earlier, helped by successful U.S. trade cases against foreign imports. By all accounts, U.S. Steel appeared primed to pounce on the domestic steel market turnaround. After the market closed on April 25, 2017, however, the Company reported what analysts labeled hard-to-fathom and abysmal financial results, as U.S. Steel revealed shortcomings that, according to Bloomberg, choked earnings even as prices of the metal surged. Specifically, the Company reported a net loss of $180 million, or negative $1.03 per diluted share, and adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $74 million. The Companys earnings release revealed negative operating cash flow of $135 million, a significant decline in the Companys Flat-Rolled segment, and a reduced 2017 outlook that widely missed analyst expectations, including a 35% reduction to 2017 EBITDA guidance. 2017 guidance was worse at the earnings level, where guidance was cut 50% from $3.08 per share to $1.50. The $1.50 earnings per share (EPS), however, included the benefit of an accounting change that cut $175 million from operating costs. Factoring that positive accounting change out of the mix, the Companys adjusted EPS guidance was closer to $0.85, a cut of approximately 72%. The Company also eliminated language about being cash positive for the year. The Companys earnings release quoted Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mario Longhi (Longhi) as stating, in part, that operating challenges at our Flat-Rolled facilities prevented us from benefiting fully from improved market conditions. Longhi also added that U.S. Steel would not let favorable near-term business conditions distract us from taking the outages we need to revitalize our assets in order to achieve more reliable and consistent operations, improve quality and cost performance, and generate more consistent financial results. He also added that U.S. Steel made the strategic decision to accelerate [its] efforts to resolve the issues that challenge our ability to achieve sustainable long-term profitability. During a conference call before the market opened on April 26, 2017, Longhi stated that in 2017 the Company would be taking more downtime at our facilities, which will limit our steel production volumes. On this news, U.S. Steels share price fell $8.33, or 26.78%, to close at $22.78 on April 26, 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 Vijayawada, June 2 : Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the state has yet to come to terms with the bifurcation of the undivided Andhra Pradesh. On a day when Telangana was celebrating its third formation day, Andhra Pradesh organised 'Nava Nirmana Deeksha', where people took the pledge to rebuild the state. At the main function held here, the Chief Minister administered the oath to the people. Naidu vowed to take the state to greater heights despite all the odds in the aftermath of the bifurcation. He described June 2, as a 'black day' in the history of Andhra Pradesh and said the state was yet to come to terms with the division. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief said while lodging their protest over the manner in which the state was bifurcated, people should dedicate themselves to rebuild the state. He said the government has organised the 'Nava Nirmana Deeksha' in all the towns and villages in the state. Recalling the manner in which the then Congress-led government at the Centre went ahead with the bifurcation, he said the attitude of the Congress party has hurt the people. Naidu said the bifurcation bill was passed in Parliament by closing the doors and attacking the TDP MPs who tried to protest. He claimed that the bill was sent in a fighter plane to Hyderabad for ratification by the state assembly. Naidu alleged that Congress President Sonia Gandhi divided the state on the independence day of her country, Italy. Recalling the efforts made by his government during last three years to put the state back on rails, Naidu said if people work hard nothing was impossible. The TDP chief said countries like Japan should be an inspiration to Andhra Pradesh as it emerged as a major economy in the world after being devastated in the Second World War. Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, ministers and senior officials participated in the rally. Colombo, June 2 : The European Union (EU) has allocated 300,000 euros in humanitarian funding to flood-stricken Sri Lanka, it was announced on Friday. "This contribution from the EU will allow our partners on the ground to provide relief to the most-impacted families. This is an expression of solidarity from the European people to the people of Sri Lanka," Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said in a statement. The EU aid will focus on the most pressing needs in the aftermath of the floods, including access to clean water and sanitation facilities, provision of essential household items and emergency shelter, Xinhua news agency reported. The death toll in Sri Lanka caused by floods and landslides reached 206 on Friday with 92 people still missing, the Disaster Management Centre said. Over 650,000 people have been affected while an estimated 100,000 people have been shifted to safe locations. Over 10,000 houses have also been fully or partially destroyed. Days of severe rains since May 26 caused major floods and landslides in at least seven districts - the worst floods to hit Sri Lanka since 2003. International assistance has also poured into the country in addition to naval teams from India, Pakistan and China. Ralegan-siddhi (Maharashtra), June 2 : Social activist Anna Hazare extended his support to the indefinite strike of farmers which entered the second day on Friday. But concerned over the violence witnessed on the first day, he urged farmers to carry out their agitation peacefully without causing damage to public or private properties. "I support the farmers' cause, but I appeal to them to carry out the agitation peacefully. I am prepared to intervene on their behalf with the government and resolve the issue," Hazare said in a statement. Over half a million farmers across Maharashtra, barring the coastal Konkan, have resorted to an unprecedented strike, which was marred by several violent incidents on Thursday. Major cities like Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and others have started feeling the pinch of the strike with shortages looming ahead coupled with spiraling prices of essentials like milk, fresh fruits, vegetables and even foodgrains. The farmers are demanding a complete waiver of farm loans, free electricity, appropriate remunerative prices for their produce, grants for irrigation, pension for farmers who are 60 years and above, and implementation of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee recommendations. They continued to hold agitations, protest marches and processions at various government and APMC offices to press for their demands even as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said talks with the farmers leaders will continue to hammer out a solution. On Thursday, Fadnavis accused the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine of allegedly inciting the farmers. The Shiv Sena asked the Bharatiya Janata Party to heed the farmers' demands and take urgent steps. Fadnavis said the government was "aware of its responsibility" and expected the same from its ally, the Sena. As the strike progressed into the second day on Friday, movement of agricultural goods has been affected. Most APMC markets wore a desolate look. Bengaluru, June 2 : Global leader in security software and solutions Trend Micro Incorporated on Friday announced that it has won the VMware 2016 Global Partner Innovation Award in the technical independent software vendor (ISV) category. Trend Micro was recognised at VMware Partner Leadership Summit 2017, held in Ranchos Palos Verdes, California, last week, the compnay said in a statement. "I am pleased to recognise this year's Global Partner Innovation Award winners, which are given to a select group of partners for their exceptional efforts in 2016," Ross Brown, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Partners and Alliances, VMware, said in a statement. Since 2011, Trend Micro has been recognised every year by VMware for the Japan Partner Award. However, this is the first year the company has received the Global Technical Partner Award. "We have had many successes along the way with joint product innovation, sales activity and tech support collaboration, making us particularly proud of an award that recognises the strength of our partnership," Partha Panda, Vice President of Corporate and Business Development for Trend Micro, added. Trend Micro Deep Security, powered by XGen, has been specifically built and optimised to secure VMware customers. Beijing, June 2 : China is ready to forge a closer innovative partnership with Germany, Prime Minister Li Keqiang said in a meeting here. Li made the remarks at a bilateral forum on innovation cooperation on Thursday, also attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Xinhua news agency reported. Calling China and Germany a golden pair of innovation cooperation, Li said such a partnership has put a high-powered engine to China-Germany pragmatic cooperation. In 2014, the two countries launched a joint action plan themed "shaping innovation together", which set a precedent for science and technological cooperation between major countries, said Li. During the past three years, solid steps have been taken in bilateral innovation cooperation, namely the alignment between "Made in China 2025" plan and Germany's Industry 4.0 concept, the successful cooperation model of the Research Funding 2+2, and the rapid development of various China-Germany industrial parks. Unveiled in May 2015, the "Made in China 2025" plan helps transform China from a manufacturing giant into an innovation-motivated manufacturer. Industry 4.0, a concept coined by the German federal government in 2011, aims to facilitate automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies, including cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things and cloud computing. Next month, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Germany and attend the G20 Summit in Hamburg, said Li, calling on the two sides to maintain close high-level exchanges, cement political mutual trust, speed up the synergy of their development strategies, and launch more demonstrative programmes. Merkel, in her speech, appreciated China's efforts in easing market access and protecting intellectual property rights. She said Germany is ready to work with China to build a platform to synergise the innovation and high-tech development strategies of the two countries. She agreed with Li that the two countries should encourage mutually beneficial cooperation between big and small business, deepen cooperation between higher education and vocational education, and expand social involvement of Germany-China partnership of innovation. She believed that, through joint efforts, the two countries will better meet common challenges and boost shared development. New Delhi, June 2 : A crucial issue in disinvestment of Air India is whether the government is willing to write off at least a part of the national carrier's massive accumulated debt, the Niti Aayog said on Friday. "Air India has a debt of Rs 52,000 crore, settling which will be a very difficult affair," Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya told reporters here, while briefing about the work of the government think-tank since it was set up in 2014. "Something has to be done on the debt issue...Whether the government writes off part of the debt, or not," Panagariya said, elaborating on the crucial issues involved in the divestment. "The government needs to resolve four big issues in Air India's strategic disinvestment...Whether or not to privatise, and if yes, then what is the universe of potential buyers... Whether even foreign buyers can bid," he said. Besides the huge debt, Panagariya said the government also would need to consider whether to retain some stake in Air India since it is the national carrier. In a recent report to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the NITI Aayog has recommended strategic disinvestment from the loss-making Air India, by which government control would be transferred to a private owner. New Delhi, June 2 : A moderate intensity earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter Scale shook parts of the national capital and Haryana early on Friday. There were no reports of any loss of life or property. The tremors lasted for nearly a minute around 4.25 a.m. and its effects were felt in Delhi and adjoining areas of the National Capital Region, the Met department said. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the epicentre of the quake was near Gohana town in Haryana, between Rohtak and Panipat cities at a depth of about 22 km. Mohammad Usman, a resident of Preet Vihar in east Delhi, told IANS: "We were in a mosque offering prayers when we felt the tremors. Everyone immediately rushed out." Akash Bhargava, an IT professional, also rushed out of his house after feeling the tremors. He alerted his neighbours, who too followed suit. A second tremor of 3.2 magnitude was felt at 8.13 a.m. It also had its epicentre in Rohtak in Haryana at a depth of 10 km. Islamabad, June 2 : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's younger son, Hassan Nawaz, on Friday made his first appearance before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted by the Supreme Court to probe the Panama Papers case. Hassan arrived at the Federal Judicial Academy accompanied by leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) to record his statement before the JIT, Dawn reported. A day earlier, Sharif's elder son, Hussain Nawaz, appeared before the JIT for the third time over the past five days to defend the money trail of the Sharifs' London properties. As he emerged from the JIT secretariat, Hussain claimed that there was not an iota of evidence of any wrongdoing or illegality committed by him, his father, brother and sister. Hussain was summoned by the JIT for a fourth round of questioning but it was not specified when he will make his next appearance. The six-member JIT was constituted by the Supreme Court to examine the financial transactions of the Sharif family to buy four apartments in Park Lane, London. The JIT had also summoned Qatari royal Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani. Two letters signed by the Qatari royal had been presented before the top court by representatives of the Prime Minister's children's during the Supreme Court's hearing of the Panamagate case. In his first appearance before the JIT, Hussain had refused to answer questions put forth by the investigative body, saying that the JIT's status was "sub judice" as he had already filed a petition before the apex court regarding two of its constituents. Subsequently, the apex court rejected Hussain's plea, seeking exclusion of the two JIT members. After each of the next two hearings, the elder son of the Premier told reporters that he answered all of the questions put forth to him by the members of the JIT. Patna, June 2 : A 15-year-old boy was arrested in Bihar's Kishanganj district for allegedly posting a pro-Pakistan slogan on social media, police on Friday said. Acting on a complaint, the district police arrested Afsar Khan for posting the slogan "Pakistan Zindabad" on his Facebook account along with his photograph. Additional Superintendent of Police, Kishanganj, Rajiv Mishra, said that locals approached the police and demanded action against the teen. Some even demanded his arrest for "hurting people's sentiments", he added. Los Angeles, June 2 : Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who has often expressed concern over climate change, has slammed US President Donald Trump for his decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. DiCaprio took to social media to decry the controversial decision, reports vanityfair.com. "The Revenant" star posted on Facebook: "Today, the future livability of our planet was threatened by President Trump's careless decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement." "Our future on this planet is now more at risk than ever before. For Americans and those in the world community looking for strong leadership on climate issues, this action is deeply discouraging." He added: "Now, more than ever, we must be determined to solve climate change, and to challenge those leaders who do not believe in scientific facts or empirical truths. It is time for all of us to stand up, organize, fight back, and channel our energy into grassroots political action." DiCaprio ended the post by pointing his followers to "organisations on the front lines of this fight", including Indivisible Guide, NRDC, Stand Up America, and Before the Flood. "Before the Flood" was also a 2016 documentary co-produced by him on climate change. NEW YORK, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Celadon Group, Inc. (Celadon or the Company) (NYSE:CGI) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Southern District of New York, and docketed under 17-cv-03806, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Celadon securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you are a shareholder who purchased Celadon securities between January 27, 2016 and May 1, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until June 19, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased. [Click here to join this class action] Celadon, through its subsidiaries, provides long-haul, full-truckload freight service across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Company also provides supply chain management solutions such as warehousing and dedicated fleet services, as well as freight brokerage services. Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Celadons equity contribution to its joint venture with Element Financial Corp. was $68.2 million, rather than the $100 million contribution the Company reported in its public filings; (ii) the Company is being actively investigated by the SEC; (iii) Celadon had errors in previously reported consolidated financial statements related to its accounting of transactions involving dispositions and acquisitions of revenue equipment; (iv) in turn, the Company lacked effective internal controls over financial reporting; and (v) as a result of the foregoing, Celadons public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On April 5, 2017, the market research website Seeking Alpha published a detailed report authored by a Prescience Point Research Group, entitled Celadon Group: A Story That Ends At Chapter 11, which, among other things, alleged that CGI has used . manipulative accounting practices to hide its insolvent condition from investors and creditors. On this news, Celadons share price fell $0.85, or 13.6%, to close at $5.40 on April 5, 2017. On April 19, 2017, the same prominent market research group published another report entitled FOIA Requests Reveal CGI as the Subject of an Active SEC Investigation, which reported that the research group was denied information about Celadon sought under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) due to an ongoing SEC investigation. On this news, Celadons share price fell $0.20 or 4.55%, to close at $4.20 on April 19, 2017. On May 1, 2017, post-market, Celadon issued a Current Report filed on Form 8-K in the SEC, stating that the Company's financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 and quarters ended September 30 and December 31, 2016, and related reports of [Celadons auditor], should not be relied upon. On this news, Celadons share price fell $2.20, or 55%, to close at $1.80 on May 2, 2017. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com. Agartala, June 2 : The Centre may consider any vital proposal on the new law on cattle trade and slaughter, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan has said. "If we get any acceptable and vital proposal, we might consider the new law on cattle trade and slaughter," the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change told reporters here on Thursday night. Vardhan, who also holds the Science and Technology and Earth Sciences portfolios, said that there were some information gaps and misunderstanding on the issue. The Minister came here on Thursday night to attend a programme in connection with the third anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. The Environment Ministry had earlier notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter. Tripura's Left Front government has already announced that it would not implement the new rules as it is against the interest of the people. "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 had told IANS. The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist also vehemently criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government for promulgating the new law on cattle trade and slaughter. "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 depend on cattle for their source of protein would be directly affected," CPI-M's Tripura state Secretary Bijan Dhar had 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. Beijing, June 2 : As President Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal from the Paris climate deal slamming China and India, Beijing said on Friday it was ready to "shoulder the responsibility" of fighting climate change. "China has closely followed the withdrawal by the US. We think the Paris Agreement reflects the widest agreement of international community against climate change," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. Hua said China will take "concrete actions" against climate change. "This is a responsibility shouldered by China as a major country. In future, China will continue to work on anti-climate change progress and uphold climate change process globally." China, the world's biggest greenhouse gases emitter, ratified the Paris Agreement in September 2016 on the eve G20 Summit in Hangzhou. India followed the next month. "China's stance on climate change has been steadfast with effective measures and remarkable outcomes. "China is now emitting 2020 greenhouse gases emission target and will submit 2030 self-determined target. "This is China's active participation in the global climate change as a responsible major country and we are making a positive contribution." Trump on Thursday said the US was pulling out of the Paris accord because of the "draconian financial and economic burdens". Trump said the accord "disadvantages the US to the exclusive betterment of other countries" and targeted India and China specifically. "India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions of dollars in foreign aid," he said. Trump said according to the Paris Climate deal terms, China will be allowed many coal plants and India will be permitted to double its coal production by 2020 but not the US. He said the US will begin negotiations to re-enter the Paris Agreement "on terms that are fair to the US". St. Petersburg, June 2 : Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Tigran Sargasyan called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said on Twitter that following India's decision to hold negotiations to have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EAEU, Sargasyan, a former Prime Minister of Armenia, called on Modi. In his address to the media here on Thursday following the annual India-Russia bilateral summit, Modi said negotiations for an FTA with the EAEU would further strengthen economic cooperation. Having come into force on January 1, 2015, the EAEU comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. India's move to have an FTA with the EAEU assumes significance as a similar agreement with the European Union has failed to fructify despite 16 rounds of negotiations. Later on Friday, Modi will attend for the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President. The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Russia, he will leave for France later on Friday on the fourth and final leg of the tour. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. New Delhi, June 2 : The CPI on Friday approached Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for a judicial probe into last month's gang rape of four women in Greater Noida and the removal of two top officials. The incident occurred on the Jewar-Bulandshahr highway on May 25 when eight members of a Greater Noida-based family, including four women, were waylaid while they were headed to Bulandshahr to visit an ailing relative. Upon resisting, one man was shot dead. The criminals then took turns in raping his wife, sister, sister-in-law and mother. The victims were also looted of their valuables and cash. A day after Yogi Adityanath assured justice to the victims and directed the police to expedite the probe, Communist Party of India Secretary K. Narayana, in a letter to the Chief Minister, said removal of Gautam Budh Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Luv Kumar and Chief Medical Officer A. Bhargava was imperative for a fair probe. "After the gruesome incident, the SSP and CMO held a press conference, dismissing claims that the women were raped. This is ample evidence of their intention to divert and subvert the investigation," said Narayana. Kumar and Bhargava in a joint press conference on May 26 rejected allegations of rape, citing preliminary medical examination reports. "If the said officers are allowed to continue, justice cannot be done. Hence, I may request you to suspend the said officers and issue orders for judicial probe immediately," Narayana added. Athens, June 2 : Greek police on Friday started the evacuation of an improvised refugee and migrant camp located in an old airport here. A large police force converged at the Athenian Hellenikon international airport. The officers blocked all accesses and formed a security perimeter around the airport's three main buildings, Efe news reported The evacuation operation began at around 6.30 a.m., and involved relocating over 650 refugees and migrants sheltered there, down from some 3,000 last year. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) arranged a nine-bus convoy to carry out the evacuation. According to the police, some 500 refugees will be transferred to the Thebes refugee camp, some 50 km from Athens, while the remaining 150 will be distributed in various refugee shelters in and around the Greek capital. On Thursday, the refugees were handed special packages to pick up their belongings. The Hellenikon also hosted some sporting events during the 2004 Olympic Games. Under the Greek bailout plan, the airport, which has a total surface of 6.2 million square metres is set to be demolished to build a residential project, hotels and a shopping mall complex. It will also include a massive green zone spanning 2.6 million square metres. There are approximately some 62,000 refugees and migrants stranded in Greece since the Balkan states locked down their borders in March 2016 -- many of them are Afghans who cannot apply for the European relocation programme. Mumbai, June 2 : Actress Sunny Leone has supported Indian actress Priyanka Chopra after she was trolled on social media for wearing a short dress when she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin. Sunny, who was present at the launch of animal rights organisation People for Ethical Treatment of Animals' newest vegetarian campaign in Mumbai on Thursday, said: "I believe that we have elected a very smart man to be the Prime Minister of India. He is so smart, so intelligent and so outspoken that if he had a problem with it (Priyanka wearing a short dress) he would tell Priyanka. But he didn't." She finds it wrong that people judge others by the clothes they wear. "I know she (Priyanka) gives back to society. I know she is good to people. So let's judge her based on her actions and not by her clothes," she said. Celebrities have refrained from voicing their opinions about the episode, including megastar Amitabh Bachchan who refused to comment on the same by saying: "Neither am I the Prime Minister nor am I Priyanka Chopra." Talking about who she gets inspired by in life, Sunny said: "I don't get inspired by a particular person. I get inspired by business people and people who are successful who do something outside the box. I get inspired by people like Salman Khan who has an amazing clothing line and does lot of charity... That is very inspiring." Srinagar, June 2 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday visited the Tullamulla Hindu shrine and interacted with devotees participating in the Kheer Bhawani mela, as local Muslims traditionally welcomed the Kashmiri Pandits with milk to their holiest festival. Mehbooba Mufti also oversaw the arrangements for the devotees at the annual festival, which saw a dismally low attendance this year of around 300. The festival is dedicated to Hindu goddess Mata Ragnya, who legend says flew from Sri Lanka during Ravana's reign to Kashmir and established her seat beside a spring in the then Tullamulla village. Kashmiri Pandits believe that the colour of the spring inside the shrine annually predicts Kashmir's future. Local Muslims have been traditionally welcoming their Pandit brothers with milk during the festival at Tullamulla, 29 km from here in Ganderbal district. This year, too, despite the record low number of devotees, local Muslims served milk to the devotees, an encouraging evidence of the fact that whatever be the security and political situation in the state, the basic fabric of Hindu-Muslim amity remains intact. Authorities believe that malicious propaganda spread by miscreants through social networking sites was responsible for the minimal number of migrant Pandits attending the festival this year. Even after the majority of local Pandits migrated out of the valley in early 1990s after violence broke out here, they have been coming in large numbers from different parts of the country to attend the festival and pray at Mata Ragnya's shrine. New Delhi, June 2 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED)on Friday said it has registered a money laundering case in connection with the 2016 Bihar toppers scam linked to the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), an official said. Former BSEB chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh, his wife and ex-MLA Usha Sinha, Principal of Vishnu Rai college in Bihar's Vaishali district Bachcha Rai, ex-BSEB secretary Harinath Jha and others have been booked under charges of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. "We registered the case last month to probe the inflow of money in the proceeding of crime in which several government officials are involved in direct and indirect way," an Enforcement Directorate official told IANS on condition of anonymity. The official said those booked in the case will be questioned by the Enforcement Directorate soon. The central agency's move comes on the basis of a case registered by the Bihar Police and the revelation made in the inquiry conducted by a Special Investigating Team (SIT). The state government had ordered an SIT probe after the scam rocked Bihar in May last year when a video featuring Class 12 topper in humanities stream Ruby Rai and science topper Saurabh Shreshth went viral where the students of Vishnu Rai College were seen giving "ridiculous" answers to basic questions regarding their subjects. The sting suggested that the 'toppers' might have indulged in fraud to achieve their top ranks. Kolkata, June 2 : Urging the state police to be more "active and effective" in controlling goons, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday asserted that her administration would take strong action against the "riot mongers". "Riots would not be permitted anywhere. If any group tries to start a riot, beat up both the parties so that they do not dare to think about it again," said Banerjee during an administrative meeting at Pailan in South 24-Parganas. "The police have to be more effective and active in these matters," she said. "Crime is crime and criminals are criminals. There should be no lobbying in such cases," she instructed the police. Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purakayastha, present at the meeting, claimed that the police were keeping a close watch on all the riot mongers in the state and pursuing all the previous cases of breach of law and order. "We have made a list of the probable riot mongers under every police station and keeping all these goons under close watch," Purkayastha said. "All the previous cases of law and order breach and crimes related to riots are being pursued. We have detected the offenders in several cases and will ensure that they get punished," he said. After Thursday's administrative meeting in Hooghly, Banerjee again on Friday repeatedly cautioned her legislators and public servants not to indulge in any kind of brokerage or taking "cut money". "Please do not take 'cuts' from a project. Then the projects would get stalled. There should be no brokerage in the public offices. Whether it is the police station, BDO office or the MLA's office; this rule is applicable to everyone," Banerjee cautioned. Criticising a couple of police inspectors from the district for not addressing people's grievances properly, the Trinamool Congress supremo suggested all the police stations use a mobile surveillance app to monitor the proceedings inside the police stations. "Use the app named IVMS 4500 at the police stations to monitor the situation even when you are outside so that your subordinates do not misguide you." "We use this at several state hospitals to monitor the proceedings. I use it myself," she said. New Delhi, June 2 : The Trump administration's decision to pull out of the 2015 Paris climate agreement on Friday drew global criticism from environmental advocates who said India, China and the EU will now lead the battle against climate change. The secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the foundational agreement under which the Paris accord was negotiated, clarified that the pact "cannot be re-negotiated based on the request of a single party". The US move to leave the Paris agreement will not stop its incredible momentum, UN Environment chief Erik Solheim said. He said China, India, the European Union and others were already showing strong leadership. Committing to climate action means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the frontline of extremism and terrorism, he said. "It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands." Under the Paris Agreement, all nations have agreed to combat climate change and to unleash actions and investment towards a low carbon, resilient and sustainable future that will keep a global average temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius with the accepted international aim of working to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The UNFCCC said "it stands ready to engage in dialogue with the US regarding the implications of this announcement". European Union Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete said the Trump announcement had galvanized the world rather than weaken it. "The world can continue to count on Europe for global leadership in the fight against climate change. The EU will strengthen its existing partnerships and seek new alliances from the world's largest economies to the most vulnerable island states. "This vacuum will be filled by new broad committed leadership. Europe and its strong partners all around the world are ready to lead the way. We will work together to face one of the most compelling challenges of our time," Canete added. For Fijian Prime Minister and incoming President of Conference of the Parties (COP 23) Frank Bainimarama, the decision disappointed everyone, especially the climate vulnerable nations. He said he was especially encouraged by the commitment shown by China, India, the European Union, Canada, Mexico and the vast majority of other nations to lower emissions. "They will continue to lead this process, with or without the support of the Trump administration, but with the knowledge and assurance that many ordinary Americans support participation in the Paris Agreement." Tim Buckley of the US-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis foresees India and China as leaders to lead the world towards a low-carbon economy -- a step towards achieving the 2015 Paris pact aim of cutting greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels. "We view China and India as the two most important countries globally in terms of momentum in energy market transformation. Both are achieving economic growth rate of more than double the US; and both are looking to show global leadership in terms of clean energy technology deployment, investment and financial capital," he said. UNEP Executive Director Solheim had previously said climate action would continue in the US even if Washington withdraws. "There is the US private sector. Companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Walmart and Tesla are true global leaders when it comes to bringing down their carbon footprints. Even coal and oil companies are stepping up their shift to renewables. They are doing so because it's sound business and they want to remain competitive globally," he told IANS. "China and India do not depend on the US -- nor any other country -- to set their own policies. "And what we are seeing at the moment is significant steps from both Beijing and New Delhi to put their economies on a path of sustainable, inclusive and low-carbon growth because it makes perfect strategic and business sense to do so." (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in) ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. (TSX-V:ZOM) (Zomedica or Company), a veterinary pharmaceutical and health care solutions company, is pleased to announce that all ordinary and special resolutions were passed at the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders, which was held today in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. An aggregate of 56,285,614 shares (64.46%) of all issued and outstanding shares of the Company were represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. The following seven nominees were re-elected as Directors of the Company to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company, or until their successors are elected or appointed: Gerald Solensky Jr., Shameze Rampertab, Jeffrey Rowe, James LeBar, Rodney Williams, Thomas Robitaille, and Jane Eagleson. The following additional resolutions were passed at the Annual and Special Meeting of Company Shareholders: Approval of the appointment of MNP LLP as Auditors of the Company for the ensuing year; Approval of the stock option plan of the Company; and Confirmation and ratification of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (for details, please refer to the Company's press release dated April 28, 2017). About Zomedica With U.S. operations based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Zomedica is a veterinary pharmaceutical and health care solutions company creating products for companion animals (canine, feline and equine) by focusing on the unmet needs of clinical veterinarians. Zomedica is developing a diversified portfolio to include innovative drugs, drug-delivery technologies, diagnostics, and devices. With multiple clinical veterinarians in executive management, it is Zomedicas mission to give veterinarians the opportunity to lower costs, increase productivity, and grow revenue while better serving the animals in their care. For more information, visit www.ZOMEDICA.com. Follow Zomedica Reader Advisory Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success for new products and technologies; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of products and services; changes in technology and changes in laws and regulations; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships; risks pertaining to permits and licensing, intellectual property infringement risks, risks relating to future clinical trials, regulatory approvals, safety and efficacy of our products, the use of our product, intellectual property protection and the other risk factors disclosed under our profile on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com/. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. New Delhi, June 2 : Climate change experts fear the US decision to pull out of the Paris Accord may lead to climate fund deficit and increasing emissions worldwide. They feel the US decision would also delay actions towards both reduction of global emissions as well as adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. While announcing the US decision on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said the Paris Accord "disadvantages the US to the exclusive betterment of other countries", and targeted India specifically. "India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions of dollars in foreign aid," he said. India, which was lauded during the Marrakech Climate Talks (COP22) last year for its anti-emission initiatives, would not be affected by the US exit, feels Harjeet Singh, Global Lead on Climate Change for ActionAid. The international climate research organisations at COP22 said that the country was set to "over-achieve" its emission intensity targets. "However, the overall kitty for the climate finance is going to be smaller. India will have to look forward and manage its finance resources in a manner that it does not affect its targets," Harjeet Singh said. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) also criticised Washington's move, saying that without the active and ambitious contribution from the US, any action to combat climate change under the Paris Agreement would be insufficient by a huge margin. "Even if other countries, including the developing countries, raise their ambition, they would not be able to fill in the void left by the US," said Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director General, CSE, told IANS. Suggesting a possible void in the global environment leadership, The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), however, said that positive trends in the decline of prices of renewable energy and energy efficiency would continue to drive global action to ensure that global temperature rise remained well below two degrees Celsius. "The absence of its (the US') leadership and financial support in implementing the Agreement could delay actions to both reduce global emissions as well as to adapt to the adverse impacts of the climate change that has already occurred," said Ajay Mathur, TERI Director General. Technically, the US cannot pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement (which came into force on November 4, 2016) till November 4, 2020, as per the UN rules applied to all the parties. The Paris Climate Agreement, inked by 195 nations, was signed in 2015 and aims to keep global warming level well below 2 degrees Celsius and aspires to restrict it to 1.5 degrees. The US may, however, have no obligation towards its commitment of cutting its emissions by 26 to 28 per cent by 2025 (as set in its Nationally Determined Contributions). The US, as Trump indicated, would also not transfer $2 billion that it still owes of its $3 billion commitment to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support the developing countries curb emissions. The $1 billion was paid in two instalments by Barack Obama, of which the last $500 million instalment was paid three days before he left the Oval Office. Being the largest emitter historically, the US also had the obligation to contribute the largest share of $100 billion per annum climate finance to help the developing nations cut their emissions from 2020 onwards -- one it is expected to turn down. But the biggest threat of the US pullout lies elsewhere: according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), failure to cut emissions may increase the cost of mitigation to $300 billion by 2030 and up to $500 billion by 2050. "Trump represents vested interests of the world's dirtiest fossil fuel industries. His actions to undermine progress in the fight against climate change will face huge resistance in the US and around the world," said Harjeet Singh. He said that if the next US President, in 2020, continued with Trump's decision, it would be an ultimate blunder, as the Paris Agreement was set to come into force from 2020 onwards and that's the year the US could leave the deal completely. The biggest global polluter, America accounts for 17 per cent of the global emissions -- the biggest chunk after China. With its decision to quit, the US joins Nicaragua and Syria as the only other non-participants to the accord. "It is a morally-bankrupt decision that Trump will come to regret... We are witnessing a seismic shift in the global order as Europe, China and others lead the way forward," said Jennifer Morgan, Greenpeace International Executive Director. (Kushagra Dixit can be reached at kushagra.d@ians.in) New Delhi, June 2 : Union minister Maneka Gandhi, who is being flown from Pilibhit to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here after she complained of stomach pain, will undergo a gall bladder surgery at the premier hospital, said a hospital official on Friday. "Manekaji is being brought to Delhi and will reach the AIIMS around 6.30 p.m. She will be admitted under general surgeon Anurag Srivastava. She will be examined and undergo a gall bladder surgery today (Friday) itself," the official told IANS. Earlier in the day, Union Women and Child Development Minister Gandhi-- who was in her parliamentary constituency Pilibhit -- suffered severe stomach pain, following which she had to be admitted to a local government hospital. Gandhi complained of stomach pain around 3 p.m, after which she was admitted to the emergency ward of the local government hospital in Pilibhit, an aide told IANS over telephone. Brussels, June 2 : The President of the European Commission on Friday urged the European Union and China to lead the way in the fight against climate change by implementing the Paris agreement in full. In a speech during the EU-China Business Summit, Jean-Claude Juncker said the parties agreed that international solutions were needed in everything from the fight against terror to supporting global economic growth. "Nowhere is that more important than in leading the global clean energy transition and the implementation -- the full implementation without nuances -- of the Paris Climate Agreement," he said. Juncker said joint leadership by Brussels and Beijing would provide businesses, investors and researchers the certainty needed to build economies with lower carbon emissions, Efe news reported. This would send a message that moving away from the pact was not possible, after US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he was pulling his country out of it. "There is no reverse gear to the energy transition," said Juncker. "There is no backsliding on the Paris Agreement." The EC leader also criticised that it was difficult for EU companies to do business in China, highlighting that the bloc's investments in the country were only three percent of what is invested in the US. He pushed for the advancement of negotiations to approve an investment deal between Brussels and Beijing with the aim of guaranteeing market access and equal conditions for companies. "The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment currently being negotiated will be a game changer," he said. "It will allow us to invest with confidence. It will help protect investments, ensure market access and level the playing field." The European Commission-China Business Summit gathers over 500 participants, including high-level politicians such as Juncker and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang. It takes place alongside the two-day EU-China political summit, which began on Thursday. Gurugram, June 2 : Pointing out that a majority of people in India still lived in its villages, President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said he believed our country will develop only when the villages develop. "Even today, 68 per cent of our population lives in the villages. If we want that our villages should prosper, we will have to improve our economy's structure," President Mukherjee said at Daulha village in Gurugram district of Haryana. The President said the Indian villages not only have the capacity to develop but are also eager for development. "If we keep moving ahead in this manner, the day is not far off when our youth will need not leave villages for cities in search of better avenues," Mukherjee said. "It will also be possible to complete education of girls in nearby villages. Good and affordable health services will be available to all and the youth will get training and employment in the vicinity of villages itself." He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of a driver's training institute and a school under the SMARTGRAM Initiative of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also e-inaugurated new Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras at Mahendragarh, Ambala and Palwal. The President said that when the SMARTGRAM Initiative was started on July 2, last year, he was sure the work done to make President's Estate in the national capital a Smart Township could be replicated in villages as well. With the help of the Haryana government, Rashtrapati Bhavan had selected five villages in the state, including Daulha, and taken a number of initiatives for their development. In view of the success achieved in these five Haryana villages, the programme has since been extended to 100 villages. He said the success in SMARTGRAM Initiative is possible only when the government and private sectors, academic institutions, non-governmental organisations and villagers come together for the development of their villages. Moscow, June 2 : US President Donald Trump should not be judged for his decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday. "I would refrain from judging President Trump right now because it was President (Barack) Obama who made the decision (on joining the Paris Agreement)," he said. "...Maybe the new President believes it was not well-conceived, maybe he thinks there are not enough resources... This situation needs to be thoroughly assessed," TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying. At the same time, the Russian President pointed out that "it was possible not to withdraw from the Paris agreement because it is a framework document so the US's obligations could have been changed." Putin said that Moscow wanted to wait before ratifying the Paris climate agreement till the participating countries set out clear-cut rules. "As far as I remember, the US has ratified the agreement, but we (Russia) have not done it yet," he said. "We have not done this since we want to wait until the rules for distributing resources are set out, along with other purely technical but essential things," Putin added. New Delhi, June 2 : Sacked Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra on Friday accused the Delhi government of "cheating" people and alleged that "10,000 fake CNG kits" were installed in vehicles plying on the capital's roads. "The AAP government made false claims that the CNG kits fitted in the vehicles were made in Canada, as the truth is that these kits were made in China and assembled at a unit at Dabri Chowk in west Delhi," the suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader told reporters here. He claimed that the company "TA Gas Tech India Pvt Ltd was blacklisted by the Delhi High Court" in 2012. "Delhi government in an order had said that a Canada-based company Tech Gas will supply CNG kits to Dashmesh CNG IMPEX Pvt Ltd, which had been authorised to fit the gas kits. Both these companies were set up by the director of the blacklisted company," Mishra alleged. "We found that there was no import of components like gas injectors from any part of the world, but as per certification, it had to be purchased from Tech Gas, Canada. "These CNG kits were being imported from China and assembled at a workshop at Dabri Chowk in Delhi," Mishra alleged. He said that he would make public all details of all "scams" of the government at 5 p.m. at Constitution Club on Saturday. Chennai, June 2 : Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan on Friday welcomed the One India, One Tax GST regime but said the 28 per cent tax will ruin regional cinema. "We wholeheartedly welcome GST and One India, One Tax. But the current rate needs to be revised, otherwise it will run regional cinema," Kamal told the media here on Friday. He urged the Finance Minister to reduce the Goods and Services Tax rate for the cinema industry. "As an industry, we request that the GST rate be brought down to 12-15 per cent. At the present rate, I can't afford the tax and I'll be forced to quit. We should remember this is not East India Company," he said. Kamal went on to add that Hollywood, Bollywood and regional cinema can't be put on the same slab. "Film tickets across industries can't be fixed like essential services," he said. Thiruvananthapuram, June 2 : A 54-year-old godman who was bobbitised by a young woman denied her allegation of sexual molestation and claimed he was "fast asleep" when it happened. Hariswami said this to reporters here on Friday when he was being taken by the police, which has got his custody for further probe. The swami was a frequent visitor to the home of a 23-year-old woman who bobbitised him last month. The woman, who stays with her parents, alleged she had been sexually molested by him on many occasions. "I was asleep and when I woke up I saw the lady. She got help from her friend Ayyapa Das," the swami said, while being taken into a police jeep. He denied the woman's allegation that she assaulted him with a kitchen knife after he made sexual advances at her. "The news you hear from the police is the version of the lady, and that's not true. The probe is going forward only on the basis of what she has said," he claimed. This is the first time Hariswami was making a statement to the media. It comes close on the heels of a letter by the woman's mother to the Kerala Police chief on May 29 in which she said that her daughter was not keeping the best of mental health and that the swami had never harassed her. In her letter, the victim's mother said the swami had chided her for an affair with a friend of hers and this led to him being bobbitised on May 18. According to the mother, her daughter has twice in the past attempted suicide by slashing her wrist. The godman will now be produced before the court on Saturday when the police custody period ends. The 23-year-old woman had told police the godman had been raping her since she was a minor, and continued the abuse for about eight years. Islamabad, June 2 : The Indian High Commission on Friday issued a medical visa to an ailing two-and-half-year-old Pakistani child after his father sought help from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Pakistani national Ken Sid reached out to the minister earlier this week through Twitter and posted a picture of his child, who suffered a heart complication which cannot be treated in Pakistan. His message said: "Why my bud suffers for medical treatment!! Any answers (Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs) Sir Sartaaj Azeez (sic) or Ma'am Sushma?? In response, Sushma Swaraj tweeted: "No. The child will not suffer. Please contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan. We will give the medical visa." The family had been trying to get a visa for three months, Dawn reported. "It is heartening to see humanity prevailing despite many differences. Thank you for your efforts. Humanity prevails! God bless everyone," the child's father tweeted. The Indian High Commission had reportedly issued four-month medical visas to the family so that the young boy may undergo heart surgery in India. New Delhi, June 2 : Soon after suspended AAP leader Kapil Mishra on Friday accused the Delhi government of certifying Chinese CNG kits as Canadian kits, the BJP attacked the AAP government, saying it damaged the "credibility" of certification by the Arvind Kejriwal government and sought an ACB probe. "The allegation that Kejriwal government allowed Chinese CNG kits to be sold with Canadian labels is a very serious allegation, so Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) should take suo motu cognisance and start an investigation," Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Manoj Tiwari said here. He also said that the case of Chinese Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) kits being labelled as Canadian was not only a matter of monetary misappropriation but actually it damaged the "credibility" of the Delhi government's certification. "Thousands of vehicle owners installed the kit in their vehicles trusting the Delhi government certification and now they feel deceived by the Kejriwal government," Tiwari said. Tiwari, who represents the Northeast Delhi constituency, also said that the CNG kit scam could prove to be a massive safety and security hazard. "This CNG kit scam can prove to be a safety and security risk, as Chinese equipment are often considered to be lacking in international parameters," he said. Tiwari's remarks came after the suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader accused the Delhi government of cheating people, alleging that "10,000 fake CNG kits" were installed in vehicles plying on Delhi roads. Hitting out at the Delhi's Health Minister, Tiwari said: "It is shocking that this CNG kit scam too involves (Satyendar) Jain." "After the exposure of his name in the scam involving labelling of Chinese CNG kits as Canadian and selling those above the market price, it was clear that Jain was the mastermind of scams of this government," he said, adding that Chief Minister Kejriwal and Jain are equal partners in all sins. NEW YORK, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick or the Company) (NYSE:ABX) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Southern District of New York, and docketed under 17-cv-03815, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Barrick securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you are a shareholder who purchased Barrick securities between February 16, 2017 and April 24, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until June 19, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased. [Click here to join this class action] Barrick is a gold mining company that purportedly engages in exploration and mine development. The Company also produces and sells gold and copper. The Company has a history of pipe ruptures and chemical spills at its Valedero mine in the San Juan Province of Argentina. On September 13, 2015, the Company identified a valve failure on a leach pad pipeline, resulting in a release of cyanide-bearing process solution into a nearby waterway. This resulted in a temporary court order restricting the addition of new cyanide to the mines processing circuit. The restriction was subsequently lifted, however, on September 24, 2015. Then, on September 8, 2016 a pipe carrying process solution was damaged by a large block of ice that had rolled down a nearby slope, resulting in a temporary suspension of operations at the Veladero mine. Operations resumed on October 4, 2016. On February 16, 2017, the Company held a conference call to discuss its 2016 fiscal year financial results. On the call, Defendant Palmes stated that [a]t Veladero, 2016 was a very challenging year due to the pipe-related damage, but that the Company completed a series of remedial works to prevent such an incident from occurring again. On the same call, Defendant Palmes provided fiscal year 2017 Veladero production guidance, stating: For 2017, we expect increased production of 770,000 ounces to 830,000 ounces at all-in sustaining cost of $840 per ounce to $940 per ounce. On March 28, 2017, the Companys Veladero troubles reappeared, when a pipe carrying gold-bearing solution ruptured. Surprisingly, in response to the rupture, the Company reaffirmed its fiscal year 2017 guidance. On March 30, 2017, the Company stated: [a]t this time, we do not anticipate a material impact to Veladeros 2017 production guidance. Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) that the pipes and safety systems at the Veladero mine were not robust enough to prevent gold-bearing solution spills; (ii) that, as a result, Argentinian authorities would restrict the addition of cyanide to the Veladero mines heap leach facility and require remedial work; (iii) that these developments would impact (and were impacting) the production capacity of the Veladero mine; (iv) that as such, the Companys Veladero mine production guidance and total gold production guidance were overstated; and (v) as a result of the foregoing, Barricks public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On April 24, 2017, the truth about the Veladero mine began to emerge when the Company issued a press release announcing its first quarter 2017 financial results. Therein, the Company revised its full year guidance, stating that [f]ull-year gold production is now expected to be 5.3-5.6 million ounces, down from our previous range of 5.6-5.9 million ounces. The Company further stated that [a]pproximately two-thirds of this reduction is attributable to the anticipated sale of 50 percent of Veladero. The Company also provided Veladero-specific guidance, stating: we now expect full-year production at Veladero of 630,000-730,000 ounces of gold, at a cost of sales of $740-$790 per ounce, and all-in sustaining costs of $890-$990 per ounce. . . . This compares to our original 2017 guidance of 770,000-830,000 ounces (100 percent basis), at a cost of sales of $750-$800 per ounce, and all-in sustaining costs of $840-$940 per ounce. On this news, Barrick's share price fell $2.15, or 11.3%, to close at $16.89 on April 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 Johannesburg, June 2 : South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party on Friday called on the government to establish veracity of the so-called "Gupta emails" involving President Jacob Zuma. The ANC "has noted with grave concern reports of allegations contained in a series of emails leaked to the media dubbed Gupta emails", the party said in a statement emailed to Xinhua news agency. The "Gupta emails", published last week by South African news outlets, further exposed the relationship between Zuma and the controversial Indian Gupta family and the extent of the family's alleged power over South Africa, said the report. According to the emails, the Gupta family was awarded lucrative contracts with South African state-owned enterprises (SOEs) through its close ties with Zuma and senior government officials, including a 570-million-rand ($44 million) dairy project in Vrede, the Free State Province. "These reports contain very worrying claims about the nature of the relationship between government and private interests," the ANC said. The ANC said it viewed these allegations in a "very serious light". "These allegations call into question the integrity and credibility of the government and the use of state resources under the direction of or to the benefit of private interests," ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said. "Such matters cannot be allowed to fester in the public domain so the party calls on government to urgently seek to establish the veracity of these claims and explanation from those implicated, Kodwa said. The ANC further reiterated the resolution of its National Executive Committee calling for the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of "state capture" without delay, Kodwa said. The "Gupta emails" fueled public outcry over the alleged influence by the Guptas over Zuma in the appointment of cabinet ministers and CEOs of SOEs in what is known as "state capture". Both Zuma and the Guptas denied the allegations. Kolkata, June 2 : The West Bengal government will write a "strong letter" to the Centre to protest against the latter's "saffronisation and religious divisiveness" in education and slashing of funds to the sector, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday. "We are writing a strong letter because issues pertaining to NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) scholarships etc. are very important. We have taken a strong stand against these issues. I am against divisiveness on the basis of religion in education," Banerjee said while chairing an administrative review meeting at Pailan in South 24 Parganas. Banerjee made her government's stand on the issue known while reacting to a Jadavpur University student's query on the matter. She exhorted the student community to unite and use social media to counter divisive and religious politics. "Students are our asset. The student community of Jadavpur must unite and use social media to protest and pave the way for other varsities to follow," the Chief Minister said. "We want Jadavpur University to prosper and this is above party interests," she said. Banerjee also welcomed students to join politics. "I want good people to do politics. Politics will be strengthened if students join in. We invite students to these administrative meetings because we want them to enter public service," she added. New Delhi, June 2 : The State Bank of India (SBI) on Friday announced the receipt of a World Bank loan for financing 100 MW rooftop solar projects worth $625 million (Rs 400 crore) by private developers. "SBI has availed loan of $625 million from the World Bank for on-lending to viable Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar PV (GRPV) projects undertaken by PV developers/aggregators and end-users, for installation of rooftop solar systems on the rooftops of commercial, institutional and industrial buildings," the SBI and World Bank said here in a joint statement. "This would add at least 100 MW of rooftop solar capacity to the grid," it said. The capacity of the projects and programmes financed range from 25 kWp to 16 MW. The developers that the SBI will be financing under this programme include Azure Power, Amplus and Cleanmax, among others. SBI Deputy Managing Director Karnam Sekar said India has a huge potential to be the leader in the rooftop solar space. "The SBI has so far sanctioned 100 MW of GRPV projects, while proposals are in the pipeline for another around 125 MW," he said. Sekar also said that against the normal lending rate of 11-12 per cent, the SBI is financing the projects at a rate that is up to 3.5 percentage points less because India's largest lender can access World Bank funding at lower rates. World Bank Senior Director Riccardo Puliti said: "Through this project and others like it, tens of millions of electricity customers will eventually be able to generate part of their own electricity needs from one of the cleanest sources of energy available." Amplus said in a statement here on Friday that out of the SBI project for 100 MW, the company has a loan sanction for 56 MW. St Petersburg, June 2 : In an oblique disapproval of the US decision to quit the Paris climate change accord, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was not taking sides with countries on the issue as he was focussed on protection of the environment for future generations. "It is not an issue whether I go this side or that side. The issue is about coming generations. The generations which are yet to be born. I will go in their favour," Modi said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in reply to a question about President Donald Trump's announcement that the US was quiting the Paris agreement and which way he would go. He recalled that in Berlin earlier this week, he had said, "Whether Paris or no Paris, our conviction is to protect environment. We have no right to take away what belongs to the future." Earlier in his address at the economic forum, Modi referred to the Atharva Veda written 5,000 years ago that is dedicated to nature and its protection. "Our belief is exploitation of nature is a crime." Even the principle of "zero defect, zero effect" for manufacturing industries is to avoid an adverse effect on the environment, he said. New Delhi, June 2 : A serving Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Sanjeet Singh Kalia on Friday urged the Supreme Court to vacate the stay of the Delhi High Court order directing HAL and the Centre to pay him compensation of Rs 55 lakh, as order was passed without hearing him though he was on caveat. The high court had ordered a compensation of Rs 55 lakh to be paid to Kalia for the injury suffered in a MiG-21 crash in 2005 that rendered him unfit to fly a fighter aircraft. While lowering his medical category, the IAF had said that Kalia could fly transport aircraft and gliders only. The high court, by its May 2 order, had asked the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to pay a compensation of Rs 50 lakh and the central government to pay Rs five lakh. Besides, the court had also asked HAL to pay him Rs 50,000 as litigation cost. Kalia told the vacation bench of Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar and Justice Deepak Gupta that he was on caveat, but due to certain technical glitches, the court registry could not inform him, and the May 23 order staying the High Court order was passed without hearing him. The vacation bench directed to list the application seeking the vacation of stay by Kalia for July 17, as Additional Solicitor General Neeraj Kishan Kaul told the bench that the main issue -- the challenge to the Delhi High court order by the HAL -- was listed for hearing on July 17 as well and therefore, both applications could be taken up the same day. Kalia's lawyer Bharat S. Kumar told the vacation bench that when they approached the top court registry after the high court order was stayed on May 23, they were told that they failed to inform about the listing of the matter due to technical glitches on account of ongoing upgradation. The top court had on May 23 stayed the operation of the Delhi High Court order on an appeal by HAL. In 2013, Kalia had moved the high court seeking direction to the government and HAL to issue a formal apology for alleged manufacturing defect and faulty workmanship of the MiG-21 fighter jet that led to its crash. The high court, while granting compensation to Kalia, had said that putting officers of the armed forces into more than expected "normal risk" is against the fundamental right to life, especially the right to work in a safe environment guaranteed under the Constitution. The HAL in its appeal has raised the question whether duty to provide safe working environment under Article 21 could be invoked against employer or could be extended to third parties, including the supplier of defence equipment. Contesting the more than seven years' delay in approaching the court, HAL in another question of law has urged the court to examine whether a supplier of military equipment was liable to compensate for injury occurred out of and in the course of military service, especially when the supplier of military equipment had followed all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and all reasonable steps were taken to ensure that the equipment was free from any defect. St Petersburg, June 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended a collective meeting of Governors of Russian regions here. "Strengthening bonds with Russia's regions. PM @narendramodi attends first ever collective meeting with Governors of 16 regions of Russia," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. Earlier on Friday, Modi attended for the first time the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President. During the course of the day, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Tigran Sargasyan also called on Modi in view of India's decision to start discussions with EAEU to have a free trade agreement. The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Russia, he will leave for France later on Friday on the fourth and final leg of the tour. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. Visakhapatnam, June 2 : Police in this coastal city on Friday arrested a sailor in the Naval Dockyard for making a video of a woman when she was taking bath. According to police, Sandeep Narwal allegedly followed the woman for three days and videographed her when she was taking a shower in her home. Neighbours of the woman caught and thrashed him. He was later handed over to police. Narwal, a native of Haryana, is a Leading Mechanical Engineer (LME), a non-commissioned officer, at the dockyard and is married. The incident took place in the civil area, two km from the Naval Dockyard. Police said the accused followed the woman for three days. He went to the woman's house on Thursday and inquired if any room is available for rent. He came to the area again on Friday and when the woman was taking a bath, he was peeping through the window and taking visuals on his mobile phone. The police suspect that Narwal was taking the video to blackmail the woman for sexual exploitation. New Delhi, June 2 : The second of the indigenous Scorpene submarines, Khanderi has successfully completed its maiden sea sortie, in a major step forward to its induction in the Indian Navy, an official statement said. Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said the submarine will add to India's future naval power and make the oceans safe. French company DCNS is collaborating with Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) for constructing the submarines. Submarine Khanderi sailed out from Mumbai harbour for her maiden sea sortie on Thursday. This was was also the first major trial for her propulsion plant and a very important milestone in the construction programme, the statement said. "The successful trial moved the submarine a significant step closer to her induction into the Indian Navy later this year. She will now be put through her paces via a rigorous set of trials, which are designed to test her operating envelop to the maximum," the statement said. Jaitley congratulated the engineers of MDL. "Congratulations to MDL engineers as their efforts have moved the second Scorpene class submarine for surface sea trials. These Scorpene class submarines will not only add to our future naval power and strengthen defence but also make our ocean safe and secure," Jaitley said in a series of tweets. The Scorpenes submarines are being built by Mazagaon Dockyard Limited under Project 75 with transfer of technology from the collaborator, DCNS of France. Two of the submarines are ready, and rest four are under construction. First of indigenous Scorpene submarine Kalvari is likely to be inducted in the Indian Navy by July-August. Khanderi was launched on January 12 this year. The state-of-the-art features of the Scorpenes include superior stealth and ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons. The attacks could be carried out with torpedoes, tube-launched anti-ship missiles both while underwater or on surface in all theatres, including the tropics, giving it invulnerability unmatched by many other submarines. New Delhi, June 2 : A farmers' front of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Friday threatened to launch agitations across the country against the Centre's rules on cattle sale and called the Union government "the most anti-farmer ever". "We will launch mass agitations across the country and also approach the Supreme Court against the rules that prevent sale of cattle for slaughter. In reality, it's a ban on beef eating. How is one supposed to eat meat when one cannot slaughter cattle," All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) General Secretary Hannan Mollah told the media here. He said the notification of rules is subversion of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which aimed to only protect cattle from unnecessary pain during their transportation. "The notification says that trading of cattle not meant for agricultural purpose cannot be done in a market place but can be done from farms and houses. This is akin to denying the farmers a bargaining place for their goods... this will further entrench corruption since now so many papers are required for sale and purchase," Mollah said. The CPI-M member said the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, a flagship programme of the central government, was a "total flop". "It (scheme) has given only 3.31 per cent of the premium collected in 2016-17 by insurance companies, which was Rs 21,500 crore. Of the total claims of Rs 3,270.55 crore for Kharif crop for last year, only claims of Rs 714.14 crore have been disbursed by these companies till now," he said. The promise of doubling farmers' income by 2020 is turning out to be fraudulent and "was a white lie from the beginning", Mollah said. He also flayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying 'Modi' word stands for "Murder of Democracy in India". "He is undermining federalism. He is making a mockery of the Constitution... they have taken away our land... Tamil Nadu is reeling under the worst ever drought but there is no compensation yet," he said. Srinagar, June 2 : Chief of Indian Army, General Bipin Rawat on Friday called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra in Srinagar and both discussed steps to effectively tackle militant activities among other issues. A defence ministry spokesman said in Srinagar, "General Rawat informed the Governor about the operational review which the army chief conducted here earlier this evening." "Governor and the Army Chief discussed several important inter-related internal and external security management issues and the steps required to be taken for more effectively dealing with militant activities. "Governor also discussed with the Army Chief issues relating to providing increased opportunities and avenues for assuring a satisfying future for the youth of the state." The Governor met the three Army Commanders and several senior lieutenant generals holding key positions who had participated in the review meeting taken by the Chief, the spokesperson said. NEW YORK, June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Eco Science Solutions, Inc. (Eco Science or the Company) (OTCCQB:ESSI) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, District of New Jersey, and docketed under 17-cv-03760, is on behalf of a class consisting of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Eco Science securities, seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you are a shareholder who purchased Eco Science securities between May 1, 2017 and May 19, 2017, both dates inclusive, you have until July 24, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased. [Click here to join this class action] Eco Science Solutions, Inc. is a technology-focused company that provides solutions for the health and wellness industry. The Company provides enterprise software solutions and services including consumer apps, localized communication platforms between consumers and businesses, educational content, e-commerce platforms, and social networking services. The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the Companys plan for strategic acquisitions lacked veracity; and (ii) as a result, Defendants statements about the Companys business, operations and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable bases at all relevant times. On May 19, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued an order of suspension of trading, halting trading of the Companys securities. To date, trading the Companys securities remains halted, rending the Companys securities illiquid and virtually worthless, thereby damaging investors. 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 Kolkata, June 2 : Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member Surjya Kanta Mishra on Friday criticised Army chief General Bipin Rawat's comments on Jammu and Kashmir and accused him of declaring a war on Indian citizens. "The language that the new Army chief is using... seems he has declared a war against the country's citizens," Mishra told a media meet here. The Army chief recently defended Major Leetul Gogoi, who had on April 9 tied a Kashmiri civilian to a moving Army jeep as a human shield against stone-pelters. General Rawat also gave a Commendation Card to the officer even while an inquiry into the widely criticised action was underway. He said the Indian Army was facing a "dirty war" in Jammu and Kashmir, which needed to be fought through innovative ways. Kolkata, June 2 : CPI-M's West Bengal Secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra on Friday ridiculed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime minister Narendra Modi, saying both were competing to produce serials. "Both are doing serials one after the other. They are almost competing with each other. At a time when people are in deep distress, unemployment is going up, there is crisis in agriculture and industry, there is no job security in information technology and manufacturing sectors, they are only doing serials," Mishra said. Ridiculing broadcast of administrative meetings chaired by Banerjee in the districts, the Communist Party of India-Marxist leader said: "This is something new she has come up with. We have seen some serials. We will wait for the next episode." He said at the Centre the Modi government was "doing drama with cows and buffaloes". "At a time when people are not even looking after their elderly parents, they are being asked to look after cows." Banerjee has pulled up ministers, party lawmakers, leaders, police and bureaucrats during administrative meetings, which are telecast live on different news channels. Mishra also slammed Banerjee for declaring that her government will enact a law to ban meetings and rallies in the city's education hub, the College Square. Hours after the Chief Minister's announcement, the city police clamped restrictions on meetings and rallies in and around the area, which houses Presidency University, Calcutta University and Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. The area has also been a traditional site for meetings and protests organised by students and political parties since pre-independence days. "If she passes such illegal laws, we will break those laws," said Mishra. "I don't know whether she has studied in the hub; but there have been lot of students who have studied in this hub or its vicinity and then went on to run this country, this state or other states," the CPI-M leader remarked. "There are many instances. She has no sense about the hub, its tradition of student politics. She can't silence the voices of protests in this way," he added. New Delhi, June 2 : Union minister Maneka Gandhi was on Friday admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where she will undergo a gall bladder surgery soon, said a hospital official here. The 60-year-old Union Women and Child Development Minister was air-lifted to the premiere hospital after she suffered a severe stomachache during the visit to her parliamentary constituency Pilibhit. After being rushed to a nearby government hospital, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was given the initial medical treatment. She was later referred to the AIIMS for further treatment. "Manekaji was brought to the hospital at 8.30 p.m. She has been admitted under general surgeon Anurag Srivastava. She will be examined and undergo a gall bladder surgery soon," the official told IANS. Gandhi was accompanied by her son and BJP leader Varun Gandhi. St. Petersburg, June 2 : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met newly elected UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday on the sidelines of a multilateral business and economic event here. "Stressing multilateralism to address global challenges such as terrorism. PM @narendra receives UNSG @antonioguterres in St. Petersburg," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. A former Prime Minister of Portugal, Guterres assumed office at the UN headquarters at the beginning of this year. Prior to his meeting with Guterres, Modi met Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern. Earlier on Friday, Modi attended for the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual business and economic event hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also attended a collective meeting of Governors of 16 regions of Russia. During the course of the day, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Tigran Sargasyan called on Modi in view of India's decision to start discussions with EAEU to have a free trade agreement. The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Russia, he will leave for France later on Friday on the fourth and final leg of the tour. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. St. Petersburg, June 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern on the sidelines of a multilateral business and economic event here. "Bilateral diplomacy at multilateral forum. PM @narendramodi meets Mr. Christian Kern, Chancellor of Austria on the margins of SPIEF," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. Earlier in the day, Modi attended for the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President. He also attended a collective meeting of Governors of 16 regions of Russia. During the course of the day, Chairman of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Tigran Sargasyan called on Modi in view of India's decision to start discussions with EAEU to have a free trade agreement (FTA). The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Russia, he will leave for France later on Friday on the fourth and final leg of the tour. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. Shivamogga (Karnataka), June 2 : A poor woman dragged her ailing septuagenarian husband to an x-ray room in a state-run hospital in Karnataka's Shivamogga city after the staff denied her a stretcher after her refusal to pay bribe, an official said on Friday. The horrifying incident of May 31 came to light after Kannada news channels telecast a video footage on Friday. "We have suspended nurses Asha, Chaithra, and Jyothi, and attender Suvaranamma for not providing the stretcher to the patient," McGann Hospital Medical Superintendent T.B. Satyanarayana told IANS. Shivamogga in the Malnad region is about 310km from the state capital Bengaluru. In the footage, Fameeda is seen dragging 75-year-old Amir across the hospital's corridor to the x-ray room from the General Ward. "I had to drag him from the general ward as I could not afford to give Rs 50 bribe to the hospital staff," 65-year-old Fameeda told reporters here. Amir was admitted to the hospital nine days ago for treatment of bronchitis. "As I had no faith in the hospital's doctors, I wanted to take my husband back home. No doctor bothered to take care of him," rued Fameeda. Dubbing the incident shameful and unacceptable, Health Minister K.R. Ramesh Kumar ordered an inquiry into Fammeda's bribe charge. "The hospital is not under my control. As it is under Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, I will tell him to take stringent action against the erring staff," Kumar told reporters in Bengaluru later in the day. Many patients admitted at the hospital narrated similar woes. "My nephew was admitted in the hospital last month. Its staff refused to give him a spitoon while he was vomiting," said homemaker M. Mamatha. United Nations, June 3 : The UN General Assembly voted on Friday for The Netherlands, Peru, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, and Poland to occupy six of the 10 rotating seats on the Security Council. In the case of the Dutch, the General Assembly confirmed a 2016 agreement between the Netherlands and Italy to split the 2017-2018 term after neither country secured enough votes to win the seat outright, Efe reported. Italy will cede the seat to the Dutch at the start of next year. Once the Italian-Dutch arrangement was ratified, the General Assembly proceeded to elect Peru, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, and Poland, to non-permanent seats on the council for the 2018-2019 term. Each of the Security Council's five permanent members - the United States, China, Russia, France, and the Britain -- has the power to veto resolutions. Ulan Bator, June 3 : Named after Mongolia's endangered gobi bear Mazaalai, Mongolia's first satellite will be sent to space on June 4. The satellite will accompany the "SpaceX Falcon 9" rocket at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida through a project supported by UNESCO and Japan, Xinhua reported. The Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite is a cross-border interdisciplinary satellite project for non-space-faring nations, aimed at supporting developing countries to build and launch their first satellite. During this two-year project, 15 students from participating countries including Mongolia, Ghana, Japan, Bangladesh and Nigeria shall design, develop and operate five units of identical 1U CubeStats, a type of miniaturised satellite for space research. Mongolia can contact the satellite being sent off 400km away from the earth 5-6 times a day. Having a satellite brings many advantages, such as the ability to conduct independent space studies, capture the geographic picture of a country, develop more accurate maps, and better prevent natural disasters, the Deputy Prime Minister and head of emergency affairs of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa said. The team members shared their plan to launch the second satellite in 2019. Although the Mazaalai satellite was supposed to be sent to space on June 2, the flight was postponed due to rain. We are pleased to be partnering with 46 Labs whose architecture assures constant quality and network redundancy, commented Alexey Yanson, Director of Lanck Telecom Today, 46 Labs LLC, a recognized leader in telecommunications infrastructure-as-a-service (IAAS), announced they entered into a license agreement with Lanck Telecom, a global telecom solutions provider. Within the new agreement, Lanck is licensing the PE-4000 Class 4 softswitch solution. Compatible with the latest requirements for new generation networks, the PE-4000 supports a variety of network infrastructures. Customers have come to rely on 46 Labs solid scalable platform and its full suite of scalable commercial telephony products including licensed, hosted and cloud based solutions, designed for telecommunications providers worldwide to expand their business needs. Their hosted platform, Peeredge is built to handle the complexities of wholesale telephony in a simple and secure way, handling over a billion phone calls each day. LanckTelecom's network is built on solutions supplied by the market's leading vendors to ensure high quality services and flexibility of scale, delivering quality voice traffic to more than 200 countries worldwide. We are pleased to be partnering with 46 Labs whose architecture assures constant quality and network redundancy, commented Alexey Yanson, Director of Lanck Telecom. We are excited to provide Lanck with a modern scalable telephony platform, enabling them to offer their customers advanced features and increased functionality," stated Trevor Francis, CEO of 46 Labs LLC. "We are driven to continually develop innovative, scalable telecom solutions that empower communication providers like Lanck to remain stable and competitive in their space. About LANCK Telecom LANCK Telecom has been providing high quality voice services worldwide since 2001. As an international carrier LANCK Telecom efficiently cooperates with leading telecommunication providers in every region of the world and delivers voice and SMS traffic worldwide. The company has Points of Presence in all major interconnect centers in Europe, North America and Asia. The list of loyal partners includes over 1000 companies worldwide that benefit from competitive rates, an individual approach and highly responsive service. About 46 Labs LLC 46 Labs is a leading provider of telecommunications infrastructure and services to carriers and the Fortune 1000. The 46 Labs difference is its attention to simplicity, scalability and customer service. It is that approach that allows the company to power over 1 billion phone calls per day across its network and have deployments for some of the largest companies in the world. For more information on 46 Labs communications service platforms, please visit http://www.46labs.com or email sales(at)46labs(dot)com. For Media inquiries contact pr@46labs.com I think we've excelled in this industry by listening to smart, experienced peopleour customers and our staff Picking up the phone at 2 a.m. was a difficult habit for Jon and Wendy Phillips to break. Responding to a customers needsor, more commonly, a customers inspired inputis very much in keeping with how they do business. And, given that their customer base was spreading across the globe, their phone was liable to ring at any hour. Fortunately, things have changed. A venture that began out of their home is now a global company, with experienced account executives on three continents. Gather Digital, a provider of best-of-breed mobile event apps for corporations, associations and educational institutions, is celebrating an anniversary. On May 29, 2009, Jon and Wendy filed articles of organization for the business that would soon be christened Gather Digital. The idea had come to the husband-wife team a few months earlier while driving back home to North Carolina from a visit with family in Florida. The two were discussing their upcoming undergraduate reunions. Mobile apps were starting to really take off at the time, and it occurred to them: Wouldnt it be great if there were a way to connect with classmates without having to know cell numbers or email addresses? A way for people to better connect leading up to and throughout a reunion? They were inspired to consider ways to make that happen. And Gather Digital was born. The plan took shape at the Phillips kitchen table, and in June 2010 their first event app debuted at the Harvard Business School Class of 1995 reunion. Their first corporate clientJMP, a division of SAScame on board in September of that year. The Phillips, aka the First Couple of Event Apps, were in business. Eight years later, still headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Gather Digital is established as an industry leader. And though the company now has 22 employees on three continents, an intimate, hands-on, kitchen-table approach to doing business endures. Jon and Wendy had both worked in senior management positions in Silicon Valley in the late 90s and saw the bubble burst around them. They knew the kind of company they would want to build: one with steady, planned growth; no venture capital; and, most importantly, a commitment to people firstclients, employees and partners. Leslie Boggs, a senior account manager whos been with Gather Digital since February 2013, explains what that looks like. Open dialogue is encouraged and real consideration is given to feedback from both clients and employees, Boggs says, and we all have a hand in helping our company grow. I think we've excelled in this industry by listening to smart, experienced peopleour customers and our staff. From the outset, across-the-board input has been considered an essential ingredient of quality and growth. Customers frequently call to collaborate and members of the Gather Digital development team regularly meet with their account team colleagues, the front-liners, to hear how customers are responding to their app experiences. Collectively, customers and the GD team create features that make events yet more engaging and productive for attendees, sponsors and conference planners alike. Design Director Bruce Russell speaks of the pleasures of working in a laid-back environment, one in which hes encouraged to explore: Were given a lot of independence here; the freedom to innovate. Thats really nice. Steady, planned growth has brought Gather Digital to the forefront of its industry. Its mobile app suite and content management system are deployed today by some of the worlds largest financial and banking institutions, large technology firms, universities, member organizations and many others. Its been incredible to watch our growth, Boggs says. And its fun to be part of that, not just to have it happen around you. Were treated like a family, and listened to. We help drive the changes. Bringing people together is the very core of Jon and Wendy Phillips business model. Its what their Gather Digital mobile app does, and its what theyve done in building a successful enterprise. If the cost of that was, back in those early days, often being awoken in the wee hours so be it. The return today is immeasurable. ABOUT GATHER DIGITAL Gather Digitals suite of event application services enhances attendees engagement leading up to, during and after an event. As an industry leader, Gather Digital provides best-of-breed mobile event apps for corporations, associations and educational institutions. Established in 2009, Gather Digital creates native and mobile web applications with an in-app integrated system for lead retrieval, continuing education credits, contact exchange, live polling, surveys, small-group meetings, personalization and gamification. For more information, contact Angie Sloan at 919-932-4266. https://www.gatherdigital.com Joseph Duryea Joseph S. Duryea has joined First National Technology Solutions (FNTS) as vice president of sales and marketing. In this executive role, Duryea will lead FNTS long-term sales and go-to market strategies as it continues to expand its Infrastructure as a Service, Public Cloud and Digital Transformation business. Duryea is an experienced global sales and marketing leader with a strong track record of achieving rapid revenue growth, uncovering new markets and spearheading international expansion. Duryea, who joins FNTS with over 25 years in the industry, was an early leader in international IT Outsourcing and Business Process Outsourcing industries. He and his teams consistently closed long-term, multi-million- dollar client engagements, primarily with Fortune 1000 companies. His previous career experience includes senior sales and marketing leadership roles at American Express, Softbank and IBM. In addition to Duryea, Colum ODonovan has joined FNTS as global partner manager. ODonovan is a senior sales professional with a proven track record in closing new business and strategic partner management for organizations within the technology sector. As global partner manager, he will work closely with FNTS existing partners (Dell/EMC, IBM, Microsoft, Pivotal, Cisco) and partner relationships. ODonovan has held sales management positions with Amazon, Oracle, Paypal and Quest Software. For more information on FNTS, visit http://www.fnts.com or follow us @FirstNatTechSol. About FNTS: With over 20 years in the managed IT services industry, First National Technology Solutions (FNTS) is a leading provider of flexible, customized hosted and remote managed services. Specializing in best of breed cloud technology and data center services, FNTS is dedicated to quality personal service, guaranteed uptime, and custom-built solutions that fit individual enterprises today, and align with their future strategic growth plans. Built on stability and fueled by innovation, FNTS partners with the worlds most respected technology companies including VMware, EMC, IBM and Microsoft. For more information about FNTS, visit http://www.fnts.com or follow us @FirstNatTechSol. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, FNTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of one of the Midwests largest privately held financial holding companies, First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska has grown into the largest privately owned banking company in the United States. First National and its affiliates have $20 billion in assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas. Draken Harald Harfagre We are thrilled to partner with one of the leading maritime museums in the US, said Emanuel Persson, Draken Harald Harfagre CEO and Expedition Director. "It is an honor to share our ship and story of the Vikings with visitors of Mystic Seaport. The worlds largest Viking ship, the Draken Harald Harfagre and Mystic Seaport announced today the ship will be open to the public for guided deck tours starting June 30 through September 4, 2017. The cultural summertime attraction offers a rare opportunity for visitors to the renowned maritime museum to discover the historical Nordic Viking ship recreated to educate the world of the adventures of the Vikings over 1,000 years ago. As part of an epic voyage beginning in April 2016, Expedition America saw the ship sail from Haugesund, Norway across the North Atlantic Ocean via the Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland and the St Lawrence Seaway. The vessel then journeyed through the Great Lakes before docking in New York City in summer 2016. We are thrilled to partner with one of the leading maritime museums in the US, said Emanuel Persson, Draken Harald Harfagre CEO and Expedition Director. "It is an honor to share our ship and story of the Vikings with visitors of Mystic Seaport as we prepare for the next leg of the ships American expedition and tour of the US east coast in 2018." The Viking story and their voyages across the Atlantic are part of our shared maritime experience, and we are very excited to be able to partner with the Draken Harald Harfagre, so they can tell that story firsthand at Mystic Seaport. There is no substitute for actually walking the deck of a ship to understand what it takes to venture across an ocean, said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport. Guided deck tours will be offered June 30-September 4, 2017 on Tuesday and Thursday, 1-5 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The last tour each day is at 4:30 p.m. The ship will be closed Mondays and Wednesdays. Tours will be conducted every 30 minutes and will cost $6 per person. Children age 3 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased on-site at the ship, or online in advance at http://www.drakenshop.com. ABOUT THE DRAKEN HARALD HARFAGRE: The Draken Harald Harfagre is a clinker-built Viking longship launched in 2012. She is not a replica of a known ship but is a reconstruction of what the Norse Sagas refer to as a Great Ship based on historical documents especially the Norse sagas archeological findings, and Norwegian boat building traditions. She is the worlds largest Viking ship sailing in modern times. For more information, please visit http://www.draken.no/ and follow Draken Harald Harfagre on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. ABOUT MYSTIC SEAPORT: Mystic Seaport is the nations leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, Americas oldest commercial ship and the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museums collection of more than two million artifacts includes more than 500 historic vessels and one of the largest collections of maritime photography in the country. The newly opened Thompson Exhibition Building provides a state-of-the-art gallery to host compelling, world-class exhibitions, beginning with the current show SeaChange. The Collections Research Center at Mystic Seaport provides scholars and researchers from around the world access to the Museums renowned archives. Mystic Seaport is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $28.95 for adults ages 15 and older and $18.95 for children ages 4-14. Museum members and children three and younger are admitted free. For more information, please visit http://www.mysticseaport.org and follow Mystic Seaport on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. # # # For press inquiries, please contact: DRAKEN HARALD HARFAGRE: Emanuel Persson emanuel(at)vikingkings(dot)com 917.471.2245 MYSTIC SEAPORT: Daniel McFadden dan.mcfadden(at)mysticseaport(dot)org 860.333.7155 *** TO ACCESS IMAGES AND PRESS ASSETS: https://draken.smugmug.com/PRESS/PICTURES/Gallery/n-3wKpv4/ The partnership will see Screen6s cross-device ID technology integrated into Infectious Medias programmatic advertising platform, Impression Desk. By incorporating the two technology platforms, digital advertisers and marketers will be able to build cross-device profiles of audience segments in any market they require and target ads across multiple devices. Scaling audiences and ad buys in new regions requires an understanding of each markets nuances, as well as deep expertise in technology and data. Infectious Media is one of the few agencies to have built its own programmatic technology, giving a level of access and data processing to advertisers that traditional media agencies cant offer. Impression Desk, Infectious Medias programmatic advertising platform, incorporates advanced reporting and finance tools, plus sophisticated data analytics that allows for campaign optimisation around multiple local variables, such as language, age, time of day or local weather patterns. This, coupled with Screen6s innovative cross-device ID technology, will offer advertisers and publishers what they need to better monetise global audiences and drive international revenue. Dan de Sybel, Chief Technology Officer at Infectious Media said, One of the keys to our international expansion is being able to quickly roll out in any market across the world, wherever one of our clients wants to expand. Other cross-device ID solutions are restricted to wherever their public graphs have critical mass. Our partnership with Screen6 means we can deploy in any market after only a couple of weeks of launching a campaign. This is now a powerful differentiator for Infectious Media and something our clients will hugely benefit from. David de Jong, CEO at Screen6, commented A consumers digital activities can span multiple devices throughout the day, so it is important for advertisers to be able to identify cross-device behaviour, leading to more effective campaigns and ad buying. By integrating our innovative cross-device ID technology with Infectious Medias Impression Desk, we will be allowing advertisers to measure reach and frequency more comprehensively, gain insights into cross-device attribution and allow for targeting on a global scale. About Infectious Media Infectious Media is an international programmatic agency that partners with global brands to deliver effective and efficient media campaigns. Founded at the dawn of the programmatic era, Infectious Media has developed specialist teams and technology that exclusively focus on making programmatic work for advertisers. Contact: Neil McKinnon, Head of Marketing, neil(at)infectiousmedia(dot)com, T. +44(0) 20 7775 5764 About Screen6 Screen6 is the global leader in cross-device identity technology. The company was founded in 2012 and now services more than 30 of the leading ad-tech vendors by identifying the missing link in their data - which devices belong to the same person. Screen6 partners are able to make smart, real-time decisions across devices by using exceptionally reliant cross-device data. At Screen6, a team of data scientists and engineering-gurus sift through hundreds of billions of data points and find the right matches within. Contact: Keith Petri, CSO, keith(at)screen6(dot)io, T. 201 207 9950 Dallas Neighborhood Homes, a nonprofit provider of home loans, working in partnership with Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, is pleased to partner with IBERIABANK to offer Affordable Housing Loans to families in southern Dallas. The goal is to provide 100 or more loans a year over the next five years for low-income residents in specific zip codes in Dallas. IBERIABANK, a Louisiana-based regional bank with operations in Texas and six other states, is providing up to $5 million in loans and $40 thousand in down payment assistance funds to support the expansion of the affordable mortgage program in 2017. Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity will provide its HUD-certified counseling services to prepare individuals for home ownership and give qualified borrowers up to $4,000 in closing cost assistance. Dallas Neighborhood Homes will facilitate lending to low- and moderate-income borrowers with the support of IBERIABANK. This partnership will make home ownership possible for those with limited or no access to conventional mortgages. Mark Tribuna, Co-President at Dallas Neighborhood Homes, said, We are very grateful to IBERIABANK for helping us expand our Affordable Housing Loan Program and assisting us to lend to this underserved population of borrower. With the generous support of IBERIABANK, we will be better able to help enhance a familys quality of life through homeownership. Bill Hall, CEO of Dallas Habitat for Humanity commented, The relationship between Dallas Habitat and IBERIABANK has been well established for many years; we look forward to continuing our partnership and helping serve the community. The IBERIABANK Dallas team is happy to partner with Dallas Neighborhood Homes and Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, said Daryl Kirkham, Dallas Market President for IBERIABANK. Dallas Area Habitat has been creating vibrant and diverse neighborhoods for years, and we are delighted by this new opportunity to continue supporting such worthy efforts. About Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity is the largest nonprofit home builder in Dallas, constructing more than 50 homes per year. Over the last 30 years, Dallas Habitat has built 1,600 homes in more than 25 neighborhoods in the Dallas community. Dallas Habitat transforms families, revitalizes neighborhoods and is working to build a better Dallas through strategically bringing together public and private funding, community leadership and vision and thousands of volunteers to break the cycle of poverty and transform our communities. About Dallas Neighborhood Homes Dallas Neighborhood Homes is a non-profit state licensed mortgage banker established by Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity to assist homebuyers with all aspects of securing a mortgage (http://www.dallasneighborhoodhomes.org). Dallas Neighborhood Homes has a mission to lend to individuals who fall into the gaps of traditional mortgage lenders thereby facilitating homeownership that make loans affordable for every borrower that they serve. Their motto Making the American Dream a reality, one home at a time will ensure increased neighborhood diversity and low to moderate income buying power. About IBERIABANK IBERIABANK Corporation is a financial holding company with 300 combined offices, including 200 bank branch offices and three loan production offices in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Florida, and Georgia, 24 title insurance offices in Arkansas and Louisiana, and mortgage representatives in 64 locations in 10 states. The Company has eight locations with representatives of IBERIA Wealth Advisors in four states, and one IBERIA Capital Partners L.L.C. office in New Orleans. Les Wharton has been volunteering his time to our organization for years and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that is greatly valued by the Committee and our franchisees. Les Wharton, Chief Legal Officer of Coverall North America, one of the leading franchisors of commercial cleaning businesses, has been selected to serve as Chair of the Legal Committee of the International Franchise Association (IFA), the worlds oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA plays a vital role in supporting 733,000 franchise establishments around the U.S., said Wharton. Franchises play a vital role in communities, creating millions of jobs and helping entrepreneurs make their business dreams a reality. Im honored to be a part of such a valuable organization. The goal of the Legal Committee is to advise IFA with respect to identification, prioritization and position on legal, legislative and regulatory issues affecting franchising. The Committee provides a forum for maintaining a high level of awareness of these issues among the Associations membership. In addition, the Committee provides a means by which the maximum resources available can be brought to bear on these legal, legislative, and issues identified as a priority for the Association. The success of the IFA depends on committed and dedicated leaders who are willing to volunteer their time to guide and educate other members and IFA staff on issues and topics impacting the franchise industry, said IFA President & CEO Robert Cresanti. Les Wharton has been volunteering his time to our organization for years and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that is greatly valued by the Committee and our franchisees. Wharton serves as the Chief Legal Officer for Coverall North America. He joined the company in March 2012 and has been a franchise attorney for more than 30 years. Wharton is a frequent speaker on franchise related topics, and is a published author in the area as well. He has served in leadership positions in various franchise groups, including the Corporate Counsel Committee of the ABA Forum on Franchising, the State Bar of Georgias Franchise Law Section and the Southeast Franchise Forum. He attended the University of Georgia School of Law. About Coverall North America, Inc. Since its inception in 1985, Coverall North America, Inc. has grown into a leading franchised brand, licensing thousands of entrepreneurs to operate independent commercial cleaning businesses using the Coverall brand and system. February 26, 2015, marked the companys 30th year in business, a milestone anniversary celebrated across the entire Coverall Franchise System. In 2008, Coverall launched its proprietary Health-Based Cleaning System Program and in 2014, introduced the Coverall Core 4 Process, demonstrating its dedication to continuous innovation and leadership on behalf of its franchisees. Coveralls unique system combines advanced cleaning technologies and tools, hospital-grade disinfectants, professional training programs, business support services, and a passion for healthy cleaning. System-wide, more than 8,000 Franchised Businesses provide Coverall Program services across 90 markets to over 40,000 customers. For more information, visit http://www.coverall.com. About IFA (http://www.franchise.org) Celebrating 57 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and nearly 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development. Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry of Durham, NC Our priority is providing gentle, trusted dental care and treatment that meets our patients needs and fits in their budgets, explains Dr. Riccobene. Were excited to bring our brand of dentistry to our new neighbors. Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry, the Research Triangles premier family-oriented multi-specialty dental practice, will open its first office in Durham on June 14, 2017. The office will be located at HWY 751 and NC 54 (in the Harris Teeter Shopping Plaza). Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry, founded by Dr. Michael Riccobene in 2000, prides itself on its patient-centric care, state of the art dental technology, and commitment to ongoing education for its clinical staff. Building on these values, Riccobene Associates has grown from one to fourteen locations, earning Best Dentist in Wake and Johnson Counties awards from Angies List and Cary Magazine for more than 10 years. Our priority is providing gentle, trusted dental care and treatment that meets our patients needs and fits in their budgets, explains Dr. Riccobene. Were excited to bring our brand of dentistry to our new neighbors. The Durham office of Riccobene Associates will focus on comprehensive dental care, including general, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry. However, patients who need specialty care will have access to the full suite of services Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry provides, including orthodontics and endodontics, at its network of practices in the Research Triangle area. Dr. Sree Nadella, DDS, will be the primary provider at Riccobene Associates Durham office. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Dr. Nadella was born in Virginia, but grew up in Roanoke Rapids, NC. She has practiced dentistry in Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona, and is thrilled to return to her home state to practice. She and her husband have two daughters, and love to spend time outdoors, playing games, cooking, and dancing together. On joining the Riccobene Associates team, Dr. Nadella explained, I feel blessed to be able to use my education and skills to serve and improve the dental health of others, and it is an honor to be an associate for Dr. Riccobene. I look forward to serving your dental needs. Im here for you! ### For additional information, contact: Jeff Kovatch Director of Marketing and Development Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry (973) 809-5466 Cell jeff.kovatch(at)brushandfloss9dot)com We take the feedback and incorporate it in the software to ensure the absolute best experience for all our users. CoEnterprise, a B2B software and professional services company based in New York City, today announced a new set of features for the Syncrofy platform. Syncrofy is CoEnterprises groundbreaking business visibility and analytics solution that provides businesses the tools they need to work directly with their EDI data. The growth of Syncrofy is continuing at a rapid and steady pace, said CoEnterprise Founder Michael Rabinowitz. We are excited about all the feedback weve been getting from our customers. We take the feedback and incorporate it into the software to ensure the absolute best experience for all our users. Some of the new features and enhancements include: Improved notifications, making it easier to manage the types of information our users receive alerts on. Users can now be notified on virtually any event that happens within the system. Additionally, in-app notifications feature a Why Am I Seeing This button that directs users back to their settings so they can manage each alert. Enhanced dashboards and exception functionality, allowing exceptions to be assigned to a user upon rule creation, whether it be an internal team member or external partner, and enabling users to create reports and dashboards on exceptions. Exceptions highlight irregularities or inconsistencies within EDI documents and provide proactive alerts regarding data that may require extra attention. Manual acknowledgement of documents when a partner is unable to resend their functional acknowledgment. The feature indicates who acknowledged the document and when and also allows users to enter comments if necessary to create an audit trail. New PO functionality, making it easier for non-technical users to view and manage Purchase Order Change documents without having to leverage IT resources. The system now displays PO Change information in easy to understand English sentences. In addition to the new features and modifications, CoEnterprise has added over 10 new supported documents to Syncrofy within the last six months and completed major UI improvements to make the system even stronger and more user-friendly. To learn more about the new additions to Syncrofy, you can watch the Q1 release video here: https://youtu.be/eAw8EFDMAnk About CoEnterprise CoEnterprise is a B2B software and professional services company headquartered in New York, NY. Comprised of three major divisions, CoEnterprise helps companies maximize their business potential and gain a competitive edge. CoEnterprises consulting practice is made up of industry experts who work together with their customers to solve business problems with real solutions, not just by installing software. The Support Services division provides high-touch services to support customers critical business systems. CoEnterprises flagship product Syncrofy is a flexible, B2B solution that enables companies to gain valuable insights into their data, collaborate with partners, and solve problems. For more information, visit http://www.coenterprise.com. Operation: Tohidu is run by veterans, for veterans." In recognition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month in June, Melwood invites the community to take part in its Dining For Veterans campaign. Participating restaurants in the greater metropolitan DC area have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds from Memorial Day, May 29, through Independence Day, July 4, to Melwoods Operation: Tohidu, a retreat program in Nanjemoy, MD, for veterans from around the country who suffer from post-traumatic stress (PTS), traumatic brain injury, and other service-related traumas. Since 9/11, overseas conflicts have produced at least 650,000 veterans with service-related injuries and thousands more have invisible wounds, such as PTS. Any veteran or active duty service member who has been diagnosed or is self-reporting with PTS or other service-related trauma is eligible to attend Operation: Tohidu at no cost to them. The retreats focus on confidence-building and reintegration through experiential learning, outdoor activities, education, and group discussions. Operation: Tohidu is run by veterans, for veterans, said Melwoods Program Director of Veteran Affairs, David Blackledge, who is a retired Army Brigadier General with two Purple Heart medals for wounds sustained in combat. I understand all too well the effects of PTS, brain injury, and other service-related traumas. At Tohidu, we provide a peaceful and supportive atmosphere where participants connect with nature and their fellow warriors, and with the help of experienced counselors, become empowered with alternative therapies to better manage anxiety and stress. Retreats are designed for both male and female veterans, who participate separately, and couples where one or both individuals are veterans struggling with the effects of service-related trauma. Each retreat session serves up to 16 participants. They follow the challenge-by-choice principle using the adventure-based therapy model, whereby participants are invited to voluntarily join in each of the various activities and challenges. A participant may choose the level of involvement in an activity and this choice is respected by others in the group and the instructors. All participants are encouraged to, at a minimum, be present and encourage others who are performing the activity. But, most importantly, Melwood fully pays for all participants to attend Operation: Tohidu, including accommodations and travel. Campaigns such as Dining for Veterans are critical to generating revenue that will help fund the retreats so we can continue to provide this amazing experience for Americas heroes, said Cari DeSantis, President & CEO of Melwood. Several years ago, we began searching for ways to increase services for veterans. We knew we could provide job opportunities, but the ability to proactively tackle healing and empowerment through a program such as Operation: Tohidu was a driving force for us to get it done. We make sure the participants that come through the doors leave with some resources they need to help them reintegrate and thrive in their respective communities. The first restaurants to participate in the Dining for Veterans campaign include: JOllies Restaurant, Lanham, MD: June 1. Proceeds will go to the campaign. Pizza Hotline, La Plata, MD location: June 6, July 5, August 8, and September 5. 10% of the proceeds will go to the campaign. Pizza Hotline, Charlotte Hall, MD: June 6, July 5, August 8, and September 5. 10% of the proceeds will go to the campaign. Potbelly Sandwich Shop, National Harbor: July 13 from 5-8pm. 25% of the proceeds will go to the campaign. Noodles & Company, Lanham, MD: June 16, 5-8pm. 25% of the proceeds will go to the campaign. Honey Baked Ham: Visit Honey Baked Ham to purchase a gift card. 20% of the proceeds will go to the campaign. (https://honeybakedfundraising.com/fundraisers/dining_for_veterans) For more information about Melwood and to participate in the Dining for Veterans program, please visit http://www.melwood.org/dineforvets. ### About Melwood Melwood is an AbilityOne non-profit organization, and one of the largest employers of people with differing abilities in the Northeast U.S., with a highly competitive and inclusive workforce providing a range of services to federal, state and local governments, and the private sector. Using an innovative and effective social entrepreneurial model, Melwood offers job placement, job training, life skills for independence, and support services to more than 2,100 people each year in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Maryland, and Virginia. We also provide recreation opportunities through seasonal inclusive camp programs for children and adults with and without differing abilities. In addition, Melwood provides employment and support services to veterans and active duty military members coping with a variety of combat-related traumas such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. Melwood operates a training program that graduates approximately 100 workers with differing abilities each year, and employs more than 1,300 workers, including nearly 800 persons with differing abilities. Since 1963, the 501(3)(c) organization has envisioned a world in which people with differing abilities are fully included by advocating for and empowering them to transform their own lives through unique opportunities to work and play in the community. For more information visit http://www.Melwood.org. Open Therapeutics AuthorAID has aproven ability to deliver a mentorship and educational program to underserved scientists," says Jason Barkeloo, founder and executive chairman of Open Therapeutics. Open Therapeutics and INASPs AuthorAID project announce the formation of a unique scientific collaboration for helping underserved scientists around the world communicate break-through therapeutic biotechnology research. The partnership will provide scientific researchers an ability to conduct or receive mentorship, educational materials, and grant funding. AuthorAID is a pioneering global network that provides support, mentoring, resources and training for researchers from low and middle income countries. The programme supports over 16,000 researchers to publish and communicate their work by providing free access to mentoring, online courses in research and proposal writing,training resources, and a global network of supporters. Open Therapeutics helps underserved researchers around the world gain scientific collaborators. This is done by crowdsourcing the researchers around open therapeutic biotechnologies within its free web-based collaboration platform, Therapoid. According to Jason E. Barkeloo, Founder and Executive Chairman of Open Therapeutics, AuthorAID has a proven ability to deliver a mentorship and educational program to underserved scientists. We are proud to offer the AuthorAID program to collaborating scientists within Therapoid. We are also excited to help the researchers within Therapoid learn about communicating their scientific findings to other researchers, journals, and grant funders. Jennifer Chapin, AuthorAID Program Manager at INASP, outlines how AuthorAID and Open Therapeutics complement each other: We are looking forward to connecting our researchers with the innovative offers on the Therapoid platform, and we know that this partnership will create a richer breadth of services for researchers from developing countries looking to build skills, publish and progress in their careers. About Open Therapeutics LLC Open Therapeutics (http://OpenTherapeutics.org) is a crowdsourcing life science firm that creates and attracts therapeutic biotechnologies and crowdsources them for the global scientific community. The global research community can freely access the biotechnologies and funding to further the development of the biotechnologies at Therapoid (https://Therapoid.net). The Company is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, with laboratory operations in Covington, Kentucky, Cincinnati, OH, Amman, Jordan, and Bangalore, India. Contact: Jerome Hamilton, CEO, Open Therapeutics +1 (651) 900-0412 OpenTherapeutics.org @OpenTherapeutic About AuthorAID AuthorAID (http://www.authoraid.info) was launched in 2007 by Oxford-based organization INASP (http://www.inasp.info) to support researchers in developing countries to publish and communicate their work. It serves as a global forum for researchers to discuss and disseminate research and now comprises a community of over 16,000 researchers from around the world. In addition to providing mentorship, resources and grant funding, AuthorAID also runs massive open online courses (MOOCs) routinely attracting over 3,000 participants, and works locally with institutions in Africa and Asia to institutionalize training in research writing and in better supporting women researchers. The fifteenth running of Gianguan Auctions summer sale kicks off with Buddhist Art, a $1.5M Painting and a $1M Jade Vase. The sale is June 10. Previews begin Friday, June 2. Bird in a Lotus Pond, a sharp edged and spare painting by Bada Shangren (Zhu Da), the Ming prince turned monk turned professional artist is expected to command $1.5M at Gianguan Auctions on June 10. Previews of the painting, as well as a $1M carved jade jar and an exceptional collection of early Buddhist statues begin Friday, June 2 and run through Friday, June 9, at the gallery, 39 W. 56th Street. (http://www.gianguanauctions.com) The enigmatic work presents a long beaked bird resting on a broken branch, caught between pond below and flowers above. It is Lot 80, signed with the Zhu Da characters that resemble the signs for laughing and crying, has one artist seal, and is of the period. The days other marque offering is an alabaster-white jade jar that has survived intact from the Han Dynasty (221-206 BC). Staggering in size and complexity, it is carved with 18 mythical qilin, the fire-breathing beasts said to appear in the presence of a sage of illustrious ruler. According to Kwong Lum, President of Gianguan Auctions, "The jars size11 tall, weighing 20 poundsindicates the nearly two-thousand-year-old vessel was a very special commission. " Lot 120 is now destined to go to a very special collector. A strong collection of Buddhist statues calls attention to the many media Chinese artisans turned to in crafting Buddhist art for public display and private worship. The earliest work is a Northern Wei (386-535AD) stone Bodhisattva, in an unusual seated asana with crossed ankles and hands in mudras fear not and charity. Backed by a mandorla, positioned atop a base flanked by lions, the 11 tall, mottled figure with some remaining pigment is Lot 148, valued at $40,000 or above. From the Northern Qi (550-557 AD) period, comes a marble statue of a standing Buddha in a frontal stance, with a columnar posture marked by a curved profile, and a long robe with parallel U-shaped folds, the image is typical of the period. The figure stands 33 tall and weighs nearly 80 pounds. It is Lot 145, valued at more than $60,000. The Song Dynasty (960-1127) produced a bronze Bodhisattva Manjushri riding on the back of a Buddhist lion. The 10 tall statue weighs more than four pounds. It is Lot 153, similar to an example in the Palace Museum Beijing, and valued at more than $30,000. A surviving statue form the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1371) is a gilt and celadon glazed Guanyin. The face, headpiece and jewelry are gilt. The delicate facial gestures demonstrate the skill of Yuan Longquan potters. Lot 157, the 26 tall statue is set to go off at above $20,000. The most recent statue is from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is a golden robed Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) seated with one hand on raised knee. The 14 tall bronze carries the Qianlong Imperial six character mark embossed in a rectangle. It is Lot 155, of the period, and valued at more than $30,000. The Buddhist art collection adheres to the 1970 Unesco accord on importation. The need to nourish the body as well is evident in a special collection of Zisha teapots, with examples of Gu Jingzhou's work as well as Qing antique teapots that have both style and staying power. The teapots range in value from $500 to $2,000. Notable among the scholars objects is a massive songhua stone square double ink-well with a double grinding surface and recessed water pools, reminiscent of Double-Happiness. It is inscribed with a four-character seal in Manchurian and Han Characters Seal Script: Huang Di Zhi Bao, Imperial Treasure. It is Lot 278, expected to command upwards of $2,000. Also making a statement, Lot 51, is a Qing Dynasty pink jade and tourmaline court necklace with lapis lazuli beds, and a back cloud is the stand out at upwards of $10,000. Details on these and other properties in Gianguan Auction's June 10 sale are online at http://www.gianguanauctions.com. Chad Brandmeyer, Clickstop Chief Financial Officer Clickstop has hired Chad Brandmeyer as its chief financial officer. He succeeds Todd Kuennen, who in October was named president of US Cargo Control, a newly created role for Clickstops flagship brand. Brandmeyer most recently served as senior manager with RSM US LLP in Cedar Rapids, formerly McGladrey, a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services. He started at Clickstop on May 1. Chad is a major win for us and Im very excited for the opportunity to work with him, Kuennen said. He is extremely sharp and will be able to see things with a fresh lens that will help drive us forward in new ways. RSM announced in March that Brandmeyer would be leaving the firm after 12 years. His 17-year career also includes time as a tax manager at Transamerica Life Insurance Company and CliftonLarsonAllen, both in Cedar Rapids. In 2016, he was among the Corridor Business Journals Forty Under 40 honorees. The publication annually recognizes 40 people under the age of 40 for their professional achievements and dedicated community service in the seven-county region that encompasses Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. After spending much of his career advising privately held companies, Brandmeyer says the strategic vision of Clickstop leaders is right on point. He is eager to begin contributing toward the companys long-term goals and successes. Theres a lot of greatness to have at this company, and thats really what brought me over here, Brandmeyer said. Ive seen a lot. All companies are different, from growth companies like Clickstop to companies that have gone through bad times and barely survived. CEO Tim Guenther founded Clickstop in 2005, and the business has boomed ever since. Last year Clickstop made its seventh consecutive appearance on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. For a record eighth time this year, the Corridor Business Journal named Clickstop one of the top 25 Fastest Growing Companies in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area. Continuing that trend is never easy, Brandmeyer said. There has to be evolving changes, and I truly think Tims got it headed in the right direction, Brandmeyer said. According to Guenther, Brandmeyer will be a key player as Clickstop forges ahead with accelerated initiatives. Were gearing up for rapid growth in 2018 and beyond, and adding Chad to the team is another way to ensure that we are a sustainable growth company, Guenther said. This feels like another breakout time for Clickstop. The next few years are shaping up to be our largest growth years yet. Clickstop owns and operates a diverse suite of brands from its headquarters in Urbana. US Cargo Control, its largest division, specializes in cargo control, rigging and lifting equipment, and moving supplies. A more than 53,000-square-foot building addition is nearing completion and has allowed for expanded manufacturing capabilities, as well as much-needed office and common spaces. Brandmeyer, 39, obtained a bachelors degree in accounting in 2000 from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, and is a certified public accountant. He grew up in Story City and currently lives in North Liberty with his wife, Nikki, and two kids, Luke and Ava. ### About Clickstop, Inc. Clickstop is a multi-brand merchant based in Urbana, Iowa. Its focus on great workplace culture has landed the company multiple work environment-focused awards including two first-place achievements as the Coolest Place to Work, along with being named one of Iowas Top Workplaces by The Des Moines Register for four consecutive years. Clickstop serves diverse markets that include the moving and cargo control industry, energy-efficient insulation products, fasteners and home organizing solutions. For more information, visit Clickstop.com. About US Cargo Control US Cargo Control is a leader in the cargo control industry, specializing in cargo control, lifting slings, rigging equipment and moving supplies. With growing product offerings and a focus on innovation, the company is committed to offering quality products, timely delivery, and an excellent customer experience. Expanding manufacturing capabilities and custom options further ensure customers get what they want, when they need it. Graphic Concrete pattern on exterior precast wall A bold new era of aesthetic possibilities with precast concrete begins today in North America. AltusGroup, the partnership of precasters dedicated to innovation powered by collaboration, has become the exclusive U.S. and Canadian sourcepoint distributors of Graphic Concrete technology for imparting durable patterns and images onto precast surfaces such as facades, walls, spandrels and soundwalls. Graphic Concrete is a patented technology that has been used extensively in projects across Europe, the Nordics and Australia. The technology transfers patterns -- custom or stock -- as a surface retarder via membrane placed at the bottom of the form. Concrete is cast atop the membrane. After the concrete is cured and extracted from the form, the retarder is washed away with a high-pressure washer, revealing an image that results from the contrast between the fair faced and the exposed aggregate surface. Selection of various aggregates and pigments can dramatically expand possibilities in the finished surface. Graphic Concrete offers architects the versatility to deliver distinctive, intriguing and iconic imagery to precast concrete surfaces, says Kimmo Knaapila, CEO of Graphic Concrete Ltd. Precast concrete has always been celebrated for its aesthetic versatility. Graphic Concrete allows architects to easily add a true sense of artistry and creativity to create surfaces that range from sublime to breathtaking. The Graphic Concrete membrane is environmentally friendly and the patterned concrete surface is very durable and virtually maintenance free. Driving precast innovation The agreement with Graphic Concrete builds on the AltusGroups expanding portfolio of precast innovations. AltusGroup members will use the Graphic Concrete technology on CarbonCast Enclosure Systems, its mainstay precast concrete high performance sandwich walls and architectural insulated cladding products, as well as its new ARCIS Rainscreen technology in addition to other precast elements and precast products that can take advantage of the image technology. Our nimble and driven group of precasters continues to embrace novel and innovative technologies that improve the performance and aesthetic beauty of precast concrete to the benefit of the building team, says John Carson, executive director of AltusGroup. We expect a rapid adoption of the Graphic Concrete technology among our current members, which will expedite the availability of this proven surface treatment from Florida to British Columbia and everywhere in between as new precasters are expected to join the organization for the right to use Graphic Concrete as a network user member. Our goal is to enable architects and designers to turn their visions into reality, says Blair Davies, head of Graphic Concrete, North America. Our products can be tailored and the outcome of each project is unique. We believe in building a better built environment through the use of Graphic Concrete. About AltusGroup The first-ever national partnership of precast companies dedicated to innovation powered by collaboration, AltusGroup challenges the industrys brightest minds to speed the development and perfection of precast technologies that improve the built environment. Products include the award-winning CarbonCast line of products featuring C-GRID carbon fiber grid reinforcing and ARCIS ultra-thin precast panels for rainscreens and other applications. AltusGroup companies have an unparalleled network of manufacturing plants, technical staff and sales personnel to ensure architects, engineers and contractors get the help they needand the quality and performance they expect. For more information, visit altusprecast.com or call 866-GO-ALTUS. About Graphic Concrete Graphic Concrete Ltd manufactures and sells Graphic Concrete, a patented innovative product that enables durable patterns and images to be produced on prefabricated concrete surfaces. The technology was invented by interior architect Samuli Naamanka in the late 1990s. Samulis inspiration was to create an industrial product for large-scale surfaces, a tool with which architects could be more visually creative. Graphic Concrete has since been working with a wide range of projects in 25 countires around the world, ranging from industrial buildings to fine art. Media Contacts: Michael Drabenstott for AltusGroup (610) 417-0503 michael(at)drabenstottcommunications(dot)com Product Contacts: Blair Davies for Graphic Concrete (647) 923-8967 blair(at)facadesystemsinc(dot)com John Carson, AltusGroup (864) 314-3486 info(at)altusprecast(dot)com Chris Meystrik, CTO of Jewelry Television and Chairman of Riversand Customer Advisory Board addressing the Board Members Riversand and business partners will benefit from the wealth of MDM experience that the senior executives bring to this board. Riversand Technologies, a visionary Master Data Management (MDM) provider and a Product Information Management (PIM) leader announced today that the first Customer Advisory Board meeting in Greensboro North Carolina was a huge success. The key long-standing Riversand customers who attended the event included retailers in jewelry and loose gemstones, beauty, and cosmetics, guitars and accessories, luxury department stores, a manufacturer of apparel and footwear and manufacturer of abrasive products. Riversand is appreciative of all the time and efforts our clients took in participating at the Riversand Customer Advisory Board meeting. A special note of thanks to our customers who co-hosted the event. We are pleased to announce that Chris Meystrik, CTO of Jewelry Television has accepted to preside as the Chairman of the Riversand Customer Advisory Board. Members of the Board are committed to collaboration and knowledge sharing. Riversands vision is to launch a Riversands User Group involving all of Riversands customers and partners, said Executive Vice President and Co-Chairman of this new Board, Raul Rom. Riversand customers appreciated the exclusive opportunity to connect with each other and learn from their MDM journey. The members voted unanimously for the creation of Customer Advisory Board. Riversand and business partners will benefit from the wealth of MDM experience that the senior executives bring to this board. The members passionately shared their MDM best practices among each other. We are all looking forward to continuing this momentum of knowledge sharing and MDM innovation at future meetings. We are delighted with Riversands growth and excited about their new MDM 2.0 platform, said Chris Meystrik, CTO of Jewelry Television and Chairman of Riversand Customer Advisory Board. About Riversand Riversand is a Master Data Management (MDM) visionary and a Product Information Management (PIM) Leader. Riversand serves leading global enterprises in Retail, Manufacturing, Distribution, Energy, Healthcare, and Food Services. Riversand MDMCenter helps clients enhance their customers experience and move products faster to the market. Riversand is headquartered in Houston with offices in Bangalore (India), London (UK), Stuttgart (Germany), Switzerland and Sydney (Australia) Visit us at http://www.riversand.com for more information and follow us @RiversandMDM on Twitter @Riversandtech on Instagram, @RiversandTechnologies on Facebook. Differio, encouraging self expression through men's fashion Today's men buy clothes on impulse. They try new menswear websites, follow influencers, search for style tips and fall for trends. In short, they are shopping more like women do. This behavior creates a big change in how men shop and what they buy. Increasingly, men frequently search google and other search engines for unique independent brands, and men's trendy clothing, using sophisticated unconventional style keywords, analytics at Differio shows. Differio, a New York based menswear e-commerce platform is quickly rising above the mass of mens clothing websites with a vision unlike any other website. Since their launch in 2014, this mens trendy clothing website is reportedly soaring in sales with an average monthly sales growth of 25 to 30 percent. Although their headquarters is based in New York City, Differio is known for avoiding mainstream mens clothing styles by carefully selecting independent designers and international streetwear brands that arent widely available in the U.S. Differio CEO, Jimmy Chrabieh, states that while increasing revenue is important, the companys core motto fashion different is the principle behind every business strategy and marketing campaign. Aside from what is promoted in editorial ads and runway shows, the mass of commercial menswear remains stagnant in developing clothing designs that think outside the box. Ultimately, their goal is to fill this void by offering innovative and high fashion styles that encourage self-expression through mens fashion. Differio is constantly evolving and staying afloat trends to satisfy their target market the modern man. This so-called modern man is one who takes pride in his appearance and invests the time and energy to look and feel good from working out regularly to scoping out the best grooming products. This menswear online shopping store takes this into account by offering virtually everything their target market could want from an online retailer, like slimming tank tops and first-rate mens skin care. While some of their urban clothing is heavily inspired by New York menswear, shoppers can also indulge in edgy skinny jeans for men hailing from as far as Korea, Italy and Turkey. Some of these brands arent necessarily popular in their country of origin either, making them an even hotter commodity exclusive to their site. Along with their target market, their priority is to consider how consumers are taking advantage of online shopping by utilizing the latest apps and mobile devices. Today, shopping for clothes is more about finding the most convenient ways to purchase what youre looking for, especially amongst millennials. As Differio continues to experience a surge in website traffic, large malls and freestanding boutiques are experiencing less foot traffic, which can be detrimental to sales. Likewise, theyve tailored their website to mimic an in-store experience by providing exact measurements for every size and item, as well as an online chat service. Differio is consistently creating viral trends in social media by offering products that start a conversation. Theyre one of the few online retailers to offer edgy clothing styles, that arent sold in large department stores, like mens kilts and male lingerie. Apart from stylish menswear and trendy mens shoes, they were the first to successfully launch leading International brands into the US market, the likes of Jet Set Sun Europes best self tanner. They also brought underwear brands such as Maskulo from Russia, Canadian brand Gregg Homme and Modus Vivendi by Greek designer Christos Bibitsos,. Differio was the first to launch a new category for makeup for men thats now booming in the male market. Their products cause a stir and force you to reconsider where the limits of mens fashion actually lie. Differio is the furthest thing from your cookie-cutter menswear store with all the resources to expand exponentially as an online retailer. With this grant, we are able to help families achieve long-term financial stability, said Brent McLaughlin, Executive Director. Were proud and honored to partner with TD Bank and its Charitable Foundation." The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, Americas Most Convenient Bank, recently donated a total of $7,500 to Branches as part of the foundations commitment to giving back to the community. A staunch commitment to active involvement in the local community is a vital element of the TD Bank philosophy. TD Bank, Americas Most Convenient Bank and the TD Charitable Foundation provide support to affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and environmental initiatives, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families. Branches is a local non-profit organization based in Miami and primarily focuses on student services and financial stability. Its Grow Program serves elementary students, preparing them for lifelong success through enrichment of their minds, bodies and hearts. The Climb Program serves middle and high school students, focusing on the development of their individual assets in order to maximize opportunities to become better students and better people. Branches Achieve Programs target the well-being of the entire community through services fostering financial stability. Services include the ASSETS small business solutions program, the Ways to Work car loan program for working families, free VITA tax preparation and hunger relief. Branches is also proud to house and operate the United Way Center for Financial Stability (UWCFS). The funds from the TD Charitable Foundation will help Branches specifically fund its Achieve programs which provide a continuum of financial services that equips and enables families to achieve increased financial stability and long-term success in life. The Achieve programs create opportunity, stimulate productivity and ultimately lead to financial stability and long term success in the following areas: increasing access to knowledge, tools and resources to accomplish financial goals; increasing capacity to learn, earn, save and protect assets; and, developing the behaviors, tools and assets that promote stability and resiliency. With this grant, we are able to help individuals and families achieve long-term financial stability and independence, said Brent McLaughlin, Executive Director. Were honored to be a partner with TD Bank and its Charitable Foundation and appreciate their desire to remain a concerned corporate citizen by supporting their local communities. About Branches For over 40 years, Branches has made a positive impact in the community by delivering on its mission to serve, educate and inspire people through student, family and financial stability services. Branches provides long-term, holistic services for motivated individuals and families. We help people grow deeper and climb higher in life by building a foundation through education so they can achieve their goals and fulfill their potential. For additional information about Branches, please call 305.442.8306 or visit http://www.branchesfl.org. About the TD Charitable Foundation The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank N.A., which operates as TD Bank, Americas Most Convenient Bank, and is one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. The Foundation's mission is to serve the individuals, families and businesses in all the communities where TD Bank operates, having made more than $153.6 million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002. The Foundations areas of focus are affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and the environment. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including an online grant application, is available at http://www.TDBank.com If the status of Jerusalem were ever to be called into question, the Jewish peoples right to exist in Israel and elsewhere would immediately follow suit. Just prior to US President Donald Trumps whirlwind tour of Israel and the breathtaking, emotional 50th anniversary Jerusalem Day celebrations across the country, United with Israel, the worlds largest grassroots pro-Israel movement, met with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to present him with the Jerusalem Declaration, a historic book containing the names of over 500,000 individuals from around the world who recognize Jerusalem as both the eternal capital of the Jewish People and the undivided capital of the State of Israel. Mayor Barkat, an outspoken proponent of maintaining Israeli sovereignty throughout all areas of Jerusalem, was very moved by the volume, a beautifully designed hardcopy version of United with Israels ever-growing online petition, as he appreciated the powerful statement of grassroots support for a united Jerusalem. This declaration is a beautiful way of enabling people to show their love for our city. Its very original and it warms my heart, said Mayor Barkat as he studied the book. I am grateful to United with Israel for helping Jerusalem lovers and supporters come together and show their commitment to the eternal, united and undivided capital of Israel and the heart and soul of the Jewish people. With millions of supporters around the world, United with Israel promotes global unity with the nation and land of Israel by spreading the truth about Israel, highlighting the positive global impact of Israeli technological and medical advances, fighting media bias, the BDS movement and online incitement and initiating calls to action that turn its followers into advocates for Israel. Since the Jerusalem Declaration went live on United with Israels online platform several years ago, it has garnered support from individuals in 168 countries, including Arab states and other nations that are fiercely critical of Israel, all of whom are willing to stand with Israel in support of keeping Jerusalem united under permanent Israeli control. Although half a million signatures is a significant milestone, and one worth celebrating, it is only the first step. Thankfully, global support for this historic undertaking continues to grow rapidly, and we are marching towards true international awareness of the underlying issue: Israels right to exist and the necessity of a strong and undivided Jerusalem as the foundation of the one and only Jewish homeland, explained Michael Gerbitz, founder of United with Israel. As Jerusalem Day celebrations continue, our petition stands as a reminder to the world that Jerusalem is not merely a city, but an eternal symbol of the Jewish nations deep roots in the Land of Israel. If the status of Jerusalem were ever to be called into question, the Jewish peoples right to exist in Israel and elsewhere would immediately follow suit. Jerusalem can never be seen as just another item up for negotiation because it is the very basis of our national identity. The Jerusalem Declaration was also delivered to US President Donald Trump during his visit to Israel and is on its way to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a fitting statement to conclude their brief but significant summit in Jerusalem. In the coming months, additional copies will be presented to other heads of state and influential leaders as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining and strengthening Jerusalem as the eternal, undivided capital of Israel. Following their meeting with Mayor Barkat, United with Israel members hung a massive banner bearing the actual names of the Jerusalem Declarations more than 500,000 supporters on the outer walls of Jerusalem and in several high-traffic locations throughout the Old City. The extraordinary sign, an impressive feat of Israeli technology and design that was produced using multiple specialized digital printing machines, encouraged dialogue among onlookers, including Israeli residents and active IDF soldiers, birthright groups, and tourists from around the world. The groups flocked to Hurva Square where United with Israel was displaying additional hardcopies of the Jerusalem Declaration and amassing additional signatures for the online petition. The face-to-face campaigning was so successful that the United with Israel staff returned to the Old City on Jerusalem Day to engage with the thousands of residents, students and tourists who came out to celebrate the milestone anniversary. Jerusalem is our link to the past and our conduit to a bright future. It is our responsibility to spread the message that Jerusalem is simply non-negotiable and indivisible, and the outpouring of support that we saw here in Jerusalem and that we continue to see every day online gives me hope that we are truly making a difference, said Gerbitz. In the two weeks since the hardcopy version of the Jerusalem Declaration was sent to print, online support has climbed to well over 540,000 signatures. To learn more about the initiative and sign the petition, click here. United with Israel is a global movement comprised of individuals who are deeply committed to the success and prosperity of Israel. While building a massive network of pro-Israel activists to promote unity with the People, Country and Land of Israel, UWI has developed efficient channels of communication to distribute critical information about Israel in real-time in an effort to educate, inspire and empower their ever-growing readership about practical ways to support, promote and defend the truth about Israel. United with Israel has the world's largest pro-Israel Facebook page which is currently approaching 5 million supporters. Lawley, one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the United States according to Business Insurance, formally announces the launch of its life science insurance practice, led by life science veterans Jose Carbajal and William DeStefano. The team will be based out of Lawleys Florham Park, NJ office and service Lawley life science clients across the U.S. The enhanced focus on this sector will offer specialized insurance and risk management solutions tailored to life science and associated industries including hospitals, academic medical centers, biotechnology companies and universities. I am excited to welcome these two very qualified individuals to Lawleys team. Utilizing Jose and Williams expertise in life science insurance will be a valued asset for clients of all of our branches across the East Coast, stated Tom Sachs, Lawley Partner. Lawleys life science insurance team will provide clients guidance on a full spectrum of risks, including, but not limited to clinical research, product liability, professional liability, directors and officers liability (D&O) and medical malpractice. Carbajal joins Lawley with over 15 years of experience, which has ranged from developing risk management solutions for emerging research and development companies, to those with an international footprint and commercially available product. Most recently, he served across various positions at large insurance brokerage firms. Carbajal is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University. DeStefano brings more than 10 years of insurance experience to Lawley, previously working as a claims adjuster, account manager and senior account executive serving Fortune 1000 customers throughout the U.S. A Fort Lewis College graduate, DeStefano accumulated experience working as part of an elite sales team at one of the largest third-party administrators among other insurance brokers. Both Carbajal and DeStefano are active in the life science community as members of BioNJ, New York Bio, PABio, the New Jersey Technology Council (NJTC) and more. For more information on Lawleys life science insurance offering, visit our life science insurance page here. About Lawley Lawley is a privately-owned, independent regional insurance firm specializing in property, casualty and personal insurance, employee benefits and risk management consulting and ranked among the 100 Largest Insurance Brokers in the U.S., according to Business Insurance magazine. For over 60 years, Lawleys team of more than 375 associates have developed customized property, casualty, surety and benefits insurance programs for businesses and municipalities of all sizes along with personalized protection for individuals and their families. Lawley is recognized as one of the Best Places to Work nationally by Business Insurance and Buffalo Business First along with recognition as a Top Workplaces by the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Lawley has branch offices across New York in Amherst, Batavia, Fredonia, Melville, Purchase and Rochester along with Darien, Connecticut and Florham Park, New Jersey. To find out more, visit lawleyinsurance.com. West Automotive Group opened a new location, West Kearny Mesa Automotive & Transmission, Wednesday, May 24, 2017 in San Diego, Calif. The new automotive repair facility is the brands third location. West Automotive Group has another location in El Cajon, Calif., and its flagship shop is located in Escondido, Calif. Owner, Brian Bowersock, is known in the San Diego County area as The Auto Man, and he discusses automotive repair tips and general automotive information on weekly television and radio segments on local channels. Were very excited to be able to provide top-quality automotive repair and service to even more drivers in San Diego County, said Bowersock. We cant wait to see the success this new location achieves and the wonderful community it builds, he continued. All locations are full-service repair facilities and specialize in transmission repair, offering customers a one-stop shop for all things automotive repair. All businesses operate under one central brand - West Automotive Group - and Bowersock hopes to eventually continue the brands expansion to serve even more drivers. All three West Automotive Group locations provide general automotive and transmission repair services, fleet maintenance and repair, and hybrid repair services. They are open weekdays from 7:15 a.m. - 6 p.m., and the Escondido location has Saturday hours from 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Visit the website for further location information. ### West Automotive Group has three locations providing the best automotive and transmission repairs in San Diego County. Each location offers the latest and most sophisticated auto service by only employing skilled technicians who are trained to use the latest technology. West Automotive Group's repair facilities have provided prompt service at a fair price since 1993. This reaffirmation of accreditation is evidence that Northcentral University and the School of Business and Technology Management are committed to maintaining the highest quality business education for their students for the next 10 years. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Board of Commissioners has reaffirmed accreditation of the business programs at Northcentral University in San Diego, California. Established in 1988, ACBSP is the only organization offering specialized business accreditation for all degree levels, from associate to baccalaureate to doctoral degree programs. ACBSP accreditation certifies that the teaching and learning processes offered through the School of Business and Technology Management at Northcentral University meet the rigorous educational standards established by ACBSP. The Business Administration programs* at Northcentral University were first accredited by ACBSP in 2007. The University is required to go through the reaffirmation process every 10 years to maintain ACBSP accreditation. Northcentral University has shown their commitment to teaching excellence and to the process of quality improvement by participating in the accreditation process, said ACBSP Chief Accreditation Officer Dr. Steve Parscale, who will present the Certificate of Reaffirmation of Accreditation at the ACBSP Conference 2017 in Anaheim, California on June 26. This reaffirmation of accreditation is evidence that Northcentral University and the School of Business and Technology Management are committed to maintaining the highest quality business education for their students for the next 10 years, just as they have done since 2007, said Parscale. The School of Business and Technology Management at Northcentral University is dedicated to providing innovative and high-quality educational opportunities for our students to prepare them to make ethical and professional contributions in their chosen field, said Peter Bemski, PhD, Dean of the School of Business and Technology Management. The reaffirmation of accreditation by ACBSP is one of the ways in which we ensure our programs meet educational standards in the business field. About Northcentral University Founded in 1996, Northcentral University is a regionally accredited, private, online and graduate-focused university serving professionals globally. With no physical residency requirements, courses are taught one-to-one by an NCU professor with a doctoral degree. NCU offers doctoral, masters and bachelors degrees in business and technology management, education, and psychology, as well as doctoral and masters degrees in marriage and family therapy. Northcentral University is regionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001, wscuc.org. For more information, visit ncu.edu or call 866.776.0331. About ACBSP ACBSP is a leading specialized accreditation body for business education. ACBSPs mission is to promote continuous improvement and recognize teaching excellence in the accreditation of business education programs throughout the world. ACBSP accredits business, accounting, and business-related programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctorate degree levels. Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in 2001 and again in 2011, ACBSP was the first to offer specialized business accreditation at all degree levels. ACBSP currently accredits business programs at more than 1,200 campuses in 60 countries. FAQs / Accreditation FAQs. (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, 11520 W 119th Street, Overland Park, Kansas, 66213, 913.339.9356, acbsp.org.) *For more information about NCUs graduation rates, the median debt of students who complete programs, and other important information, please visit ncu.edu/program-disclosures. 30 New 4DX Theatres to Open in Europe via Partnership Between CJ 4DPLEX and Les Cinemas Gaumont Pathe It is a great pleasure for us to announce that, through this roll-out agreement, 4DX will be able to reach more European consumers looking for the ultimate in cinema - Byung-Hwan Choi, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX CJ 4DPLEX, the worlds leading 4D cinema company, has announced a partnership with Les Cinemas Gaumont Pathe the largest cinema chain operator in France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland through which they will open 30 4DX theatres in France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium by 2020. The agreement, which includes plans to open six theatres by the end of this year, follows the opening of the first 4DX theatre in France at Pathe La Villette in Paris in March 2017. Pathe La Villette has achieved remarkable occupancy rates in the little over ten weeks since its opening. The highest occupancy rates during this time period were for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. II, and Kong: Skull Island. It is a great pleasure for us to announce that, through this roll-out agreement, 4DX will be able to reach more European consumers looking for the ultimate in cinema, said Byung-Hwan Choi, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX. From the overwhelmingly positive response weve received from audiences so far, we believe our further expansions will also be met with great success. About CJ 4DPLEX CJ 4DPLEX is the worlds first 4D cinema company, headquartered in Seoul with international offices in Los Angeles and Beijing. The company created 4DX, the first and leading 4D cinema technology for feature films, providing moviegoers with an immersive cinematic experience that utilizes all five senses, allowing the audience to connect with movies through motion, vibration, water, wind, snow, lightning, scents, and other special effects that enhance the visuals on-screen. CJ 4DPLEX brings 4DX auditoriums to exhibition partners along with 4DX codes for both major Hollywood blockbusters and local titles. Each auditorium incorporates motion-based seating synchronized with more than 20 different effects and optimized by a team of skilled editors, maximizing the feeling of immersion within the movie, beyond the limits of audio and video. Since 2009, more than 440 Hollywood titles have been screened in 4DX. As of June 2017, more than 46,000 4DX seats operate in 375 auditoriums spanning 48 countries. CJ 4DPLEX was named a Most Innovative Company of 2017 in Live Events by Fast Company. For more information, please visit http://www.cj4dplex.com. About Les Cinemas Gaumont Pathe Les Cinemas Gaumont Pathe is the biggest cinema chain operator in France (71 movie theatres), the Netherlands (25 movie theatres), and Switzerland (8 movie theatres). It is also present in Belgium (5 movie theatres). At the end of 2016, Les Cinemas Gaumont Pathe operated 109 movie theatres totaling 1,080 screens, 66,8 million admissions and 743 million euros in revenue.Les Cinemas Gaumont Pathe pairs the continuous modernization of its movie theaters with the never-ending pursuit of innovation. This quest for constant refinement rests on an active policy of construction, reconstruction and renovation of movie theaters and innovative projection technology.Les Cinemas Gaumont Pathe is owned by Pathe, one of the biggest film producers in Europe and a major player in film distribution. Rick Kapres, vice president, states, We serve customers all over the USA. They keep coming back to us because our people care about quality, service and innovation. Thats the mindset thats bringing success back to Pennsylvanias manufacturing sector. In a recent Jobs That Pay tour visit to Versatex Building Products, LLC, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf praised the dedication, enthusiasm, and care that the company puts into its products. Versatex has shown great leadership in building its manufacturing operations through innovation, Governor Wolf said. This has allowed them to create new, good-paying jobs and contribute to Pennsylvanias economy. My administration continues to invest in initiatives that help companies like Versatex build their workforce. According to John Pace, Versatex president and CEO, the governor concluded his plant walk-through by saying that he finally understands why Versatex is such a strong competitor in the building-products arena. That means a lot, coming from Gov. Wolf, Mr. Pace said. Because of his many years of experience as a former business owner, Gov. Wolf has long been familiar with the manufacture and distribution of building materials. Rick Kapres, vice president of sales at Versatex, reported a free-flowing discussion on the factory floor, in which the governor interacted with managers and hourly employees alike. We talked about the challenges of manufacturing in this state, and the conditions necessary to allow manufacturers to stay open hereand to be profitable. Hes aware that Versatex was able to get established in a distressed community like Aliquippa because tax incentives allowed us to acquire the property our plant stands on, Mr. Kapres said. Mr. Pace noted that the governor showed concern for the challenges of maintaining business momentum in a time of recovery. He lent a sympathetic ear to our discussion of the need for balanced policies that enable companiesmanufacturers, home builders and contractors aliketo keep moving forward without unnecessarily onerous regulations. The market we serve, new construction and remodeling, has faced some challenges in the past decade, but through it all weve been able to remain stable, invest in our future, and build a solid relationship with our community, said John Pace. We understood that Versatex was the latest stop on the statewide Jobs That Pay tour because it demonstrates how an American manufacturer can succeed in the 21st century. Our company opened in 2004 and has seen significant profit growth ever since, stated Rick Kapres. Versatex, which employs almost 100 people at its Aliquippa plant and about 125 nationwide, manufactures premium PVC trim, fascia and decorative exterior moldings for home construction throughout the U.S. Since 2008 the plant has occupied the site of a long-gone LTV Steel plant. Versatex last year completed a $1.3 million expansion that was funded partially through enterprise zone tax credits from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Developments Neighborhood Assistance Program. Rick Kapres added, We serve customers all over the USA, and they keep coming back to us because our people care about quality, service and innovation. Thats the mindset thats bringing success back to Pennsylvanias manufacturing sector. About Versatex Weather-resistant, long-lasting Versatex trim materials and systems are manufactured by Versatex Building Products, LLC, of Pittsburgh, where state-of-the-art facilities produce cellular PVC extrusion products such as Versatex trimboards, sheet, T&G, moldings and prefabricated corners; the innovative Versatex soffit system; and dimensionally compatible Versatex Max nominal 2-by boards. Details are posted at http://www.versatex.com. Gina Castellano I am very passionate about Brooklyn, its people, the neighborhoods, and all the changes that are happening in this very exciting market Stribling & Associates, a premier New York residential brokerage, announces that Gina Castellano has been named Brooklyn Director of Sales. Formerly an agent with Stribling for nearly three years, Gina brings a decade of real estate experience working throughout Brooklyn and a vast knowledge of the boroughs evolution. We are extremely proud to welcome Gina as part of the management team. Shes a natural leader who has more than proven herself in her time at Stribling, and I know she will continue to be an invaluable resource to our agents and clients as we continue to grow in Brooklyn, said Stribling President Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan. Striblings Brooklyn brokerage launched in 2013 with the opening of the Boerum Hill Office. Catherine Witherwax, the previous Brooklyn Sales Manager, decided to step down to return to her roots as an agent and will remain with Stribling at the Chelsea office. In her new role, Castellano a Brooklyn native - will oversee 29 agents as well as day-to-day operations in Brooklyn. I am honored to be able to work and represent Brooklyn, my home, as part of the Stribling management team, said Castellano. I am very passionate about Brooklyn, its people, the neighborhoods, and all the changes that are happening in this very exciting market. Before joining Stribling, Castellano worked at two of New Yorks most prominent real estate agencies, and built a solid reputation as a sophisticated and knowledgeable Brooklyn specialist. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced film and television industry for 15 years, which she says has prepared her for the brisk pace of NYC real estate. Castellano attended both Hunter College and Rutgers University, and currently lives with her family in Park Slope. About Stribling: Stribling & Associates, Ltd. is a premier residential real estate firm with over 300 agents throughout three locations in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. As one of the most renowned brokerages in New York, Stribling uses its respected expertise in the current market to provide individualized services to both buyers and sellers. Stribling agents specialize in the sale of luxury townhouses and cooperative and condominium apartments. The companys philosophy is based on professional, personalized services coupled with exceptional knowledge of key residential market trends. Stribling Private Brokerage specializes in the discreet marketing of properties over $5 million and commands a prominent market share in that sector of Manhattan residential real estate. Stribling Marketing Associates, one of NYCs most successful development marketing firms, specializes in consulting, marketing and sales of new developments and conversions. Dean Jones (left) & John Spear celebrate the release of the second edition of "Seattle Luxury Living" magazine For the second year in a row, Realogics Sothebys International Realty (RSIR) sponsored the publishing of the glossy, all-Chinese magazine Seattle Luxury Living, which is catered to Chinese consumers in the Pacific Northwest as well as those seeking real estate and lifestyle opportunities throughout the Seattle metro area. Tiger Oak Media, owner of Seattle Magazine, Seattle Bride, and Seattle Business Magazine is the publisher and included exclusive real estate content provided by RSIR along with featured listings, lifestyle editorial, and third-party advertisers. The 2017 edition comprises 112 pages, an increase from the 88 pages in the 2016 edition. The official debut is hosted by Wild Ginger, an advertiser, at 1401 3rd Avenue, Seattle on June 1, 2017 from 6:00-7:45pm. Our premier edition in 2016 was so successful we had to run an encore edition in September of 30,000 copies in print, with more than 70,000 digital editions downloaded via Wechat last year, said Dean Jones, President & CEO of RSIR. The Seattle area is the fastest-growing market among Asian buyers seeking education, investment, and immigration opportunities in North America. Seattle Luxury Living is an innovative marketing platform to engage with this emerging consumer group here at home and overseas. The editorial published includes a chronology called The Seattle Pivot Begins, which is a research collaboration by Jones and RSIR Research Editor and Publisher, William Hillis. The article highlights major events in policy making, air travel, taxation and media awareness that led to Seattles meteoric rise with Chinese tourism and investment. Of specific note, Chinese demand appears to have diverted southward following the announcement that the BC government imposed a 15-percent foreign buyer tax on non-resident real estate purchases in the City of Vancouver on August 2, 2016. An English version of this article can be found here. Promoters of Seattle Luxury Living have sold premium advertising positions to five-star hotels, retailers, furniture stores, jewelers, service providers and real estate developers. A print run of 25,000 copies is being distributed via the international baggage claim terminal at SeaTac International Airport and Vancouver International Airport as well as at select airport lounges, five-star hotels, featured retailers, Starbucks Reserve, and RSIR retail stores. Additionally, the digital version of Seattle Luxury Living will be available on RSIRs exclusive Wechat portal, which has the potential to reach more than 700 million active subscribers worldwide including those inside Chinas firewalls. Consumers within China are not able to view many western media sources or social media. The Pacific Northwest has become a global real estate market and our Chinese magazine is just another sign of the times said John Spear, Publisher of Tiger Oak Medias Seattle Luxury Living. Asian consumers are an influential demographic and a major consumer of luxury products and services in our region. Many local businesses are eager to welcome an increasingly international clientele. RSIR brokers report a record year of home sales to mainland Chinese buyers, which comprised about 50-percent of the top sales in many Eastside neighborhoods in 2016, up from an estimated 33-percent the prior year. Leading the trend, RSIR developed its exclusive 14-member Asia Services Group, specializing in the language and logistics of international sales. Jones is an acting board member with the Washington State China Relations Council and was the emcee during the most recent 37th Annual Dinner Banquet. He is also a co-author alongside Ben Briggs of Dallas-based Briggs Freeman Sothebys International Realty, who collaborated on the hardcover book Chinese Investors Definitive Guide to USA Real Estate, which is currently for sale on Amazon.com. To be sure, Chinas growth as the second largest economy in the world has produced a bounty of millionaires and billionaires, many of which seek mobility to travel and a financial safe harbor in US real estate. Seattle is at the intersection of where this Chinese Miracle meets the American Dream, adds Jones. As the most affordable housing market when compared with other West Coast gateway cities, we remain a relative bargain while offering the greatest trajectory for investment and lifestyle returns. We also enjoy a moderate climate and stable government sought by Chinese buyers. A rising middle class in China is among the most active consumers that target US immigration using the USCIS investment visa known as EB-5. They note Seattle as the closest mainland port to China while offering nationally-ranked schools; attainable real estate; an abundance of economic opportunities; and no state income tax, according to Jones. He says property purchases, especially waterfront in the Seattle/Bellevue metro, are prime during the summer. China is Seattles largest overseas tourism market and we expect yet greater growth in the future, said Tom Norwalk, Visit Seattle President & CEO. Visit Seattle maintains in-country marketing representation in China and leads annual tourism missions to several Chinese cities in order to stimulate tour and travel business, and generate positive travel media coverage of our destination. Were excited that the new Seattle Luxury Living Magazine will welcome Chinese visitors. A report by Juwai.com cites 92-percent of Chinese surveyed plan to travel internationally in 2017 and 42-percent plan to explore real estate opportunities during their holidays. The Hurun Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey 2017 reports half of their respondents still plan to emigrate from China. SeaTac International Airport is the fastest-growing large airport in the nation, according to the Port of Seattle and currently hosts three airlines offering direct flights to China; including Hainan Airlines, Delta Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. View a digital version of the publication >> Tiger Oak Media publishes Seattle Luxury Living once a year. Contact John.spear(at)tigeroak(dot)com ### About Realogics Sothebys International Realty (http://www.RSIR.com) - Artfully uniting extraordinary homes with extraordinary lives, Realogics Sothebys International Realty is a leading global sales and marketing brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest. Recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal amongst the fastest-growing private companies in Washington State for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the boutique real estate firm of 200+ brokers consistently rank among the top producing firms within the markets that it serves with branches in downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Kirkland, Issaquah and Madison Park. Half of inquiries on SothebysRealty.com are now originated from international markets. EDITORS NOTES: For high-resolution photography contact Andrea Savage at 206.448.5752 or email Andrea.Savage(at)RSIR(dot)com. Craig Spiezle, OTA I am proud of how OTA has and will continue to advocate how essential trust is to the foundation of the Internet and the importance to move beyond online security and privacy compliance to stewardship. As the Online Trust Alliance (OTA) combines resources with and becomes a key initiative of the Internet Society (ISOC), OTAs members today reflected on what the non-profit has accomplished since it was founded in 2004. Over the past 12 years OTA has continually played a pivotal role in online security and privacy by providing important data, tools and guidance to help fight online abuse and fraud while empowering businesses, government agencies, consumers and the online community at large to help enhance online trust and improve the resiliency of the Internet. OTA was formed by Craig Spiezle during his tenure at Microsoft in 2004, who at the time was a senior director in the online safety group. He recognized that the industry and standards community were at an impasse and the levels of spam and malicious email were having a significant impact on consumers and businesses worldwide. Under Spiezles vision and passion for taking on hard and complicated issues, he successfully convened a diverse group of stakeholders to work together toward the common goal of increasing transparency and trust in the online ecosystem. Since his early days of driving email authentication standards, to the development of extended validation SSL certificates and most recently the IoT Trust Framework and guidelines to fight malvertising, his leadership and commitment to working with diverse stakeholders has been recognized as a voice of reason. As a founding member of OTA, I am proud of the role the organization has played in bringing together public and private sector stakeholders to develop best practices that maximize online consumer trust. Craigs leadership, forward thinking, agility and understanding of real-world issues and public policy has directly led to OTAs accomplishments. He has positively shaped the world of data security and privacy, said John Scarrow, General Manager of Safety Services, Microsoft. Spiezles passion for the security, privacy and trustworthiness of the Internet has had a substantial impact on users worldwide. As one of the first to champion responsible and ethical privacy practices, and the importance of moving from compliance to stewardship, he has equally shown leadership in the security and privacy communities, said Sal Tripi, AVP, Publishers Clearing House. "Threats continue to increase exponentially in both frequency and sophistication. OTA, under Spiezles leadership and vision bringing the public and private sectors together, has played a pivotal role in helping us stay a step ahead of cyber attackers. By joining forces with the Internet Society, OTA once again proves its commitment to increasing cybersecurity awareness and online privacy through continued collaboration, education and innovation," said Neill Feather, President, SiteLock. Craigs vision of creating and continually enhancing the Online Trust Audit has been instrumental in driving sound security and responsible business practices globally. His forward thinking and objectiveness in driving the OTAs Online Trust Audit has been invaluable to the industry and policy makers worldwide, said Neil Daswani, Consumer Chief Information Security Officer, Symantec Corporation. Some of OTAs specific accomplishments that have helped improve and increase awareness of cybersecurity and online privacy include: Creating and publishing the annual benchmark Online Trust Audit & Honor Roll, focusing on domain security, privacy and consumer protection, recognizing excellence in security and responsible privacy practices. Today, in its ninth year, the Audit is the only independent benchmark report tracking business and security practices of the leading consumer-facing websites. Publishing the annual Cyber Incident & Breach Readiness Guide as a tool to help prevent, detect, mitigate and respond to cyber incidents. The guide, which is in its ninth year, provides organizations prescriptive and actionable advice. Developing the IoT Trust Framework, the most comprehensive and prescriptive guidance to address core security, privacy and sustainability requirements for Internet of Things devices. The Framework reflects input from hundreds of industry leaders including ADT, Microsoft, the National Association of Retailers, Symantec, Verisign and others. Creating the OTAs Email Marketing & Unsubscribe Audit report. As the first such effort to measure email practices, for the past three years OTA has analyzed the worlds largest 200 ecommerce companies email marketing practices for end-to-end user experience, from signup through unsubscribe. The effort has accelerated the adoption of safe and transparent unsubscribe practices to help protect consumers inboxes and provide brands the ability to better address users needs. Providing formal briefings to U.S. government agencies. OTA Founder and President, Craig Spiezle, has been called on numerous times to testify in front of U.S. Congress and brief the White House and congressional members on topics such as IoT security and privacy dangers, drone security and privacy, cybersecurity policy and data sharing. Driving adoption of Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) and Domain Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance (DMARC). Combined they are an effective strategy to help counter email abuse and business email compromise as leading attack vectors that drive breaches, ransomware and account takeover. Articulating the business and consumer protection value of Extended Validation Secure Sockets Layer (EV SSL) certificates. Providing a global forum to educate, discuss and advance balanced online security and privacy public policy, mutually benefiting consumers, businesses and government including hosting multi-stakeholder initiatives to address the security risks of botnets, ransomware, ICANN top-level domain (TLD) changes and malvertising. I am proud of how OTA has and will continue to advocate how essential trust is to the foundation of the Internet and the importance to move beyond online security and privacy compliance to stewardship, said OTA Founder and President, Craig Spiezle. As OTA is now part of the Internet Society, I look forward to our mission and principles being embraced and amplified building upon OTAs accomplishments. OTAs long tradition of prescribing best practices to improve online security and privacy, and then measuring their adoption and recognizing stewardship, is a key reason we wanted OTA as part of the Internet Society, said Internet Society Chief Internet Technology Officer, Olaf Kolkman. We look forward to expanding OTAs efforts, and to Craigs leadership and guidance as a strategic advisor to ISOC going forward. This April, OTA and the Internet Society (ISOC) announced that the two global non-profit organizations were combining resources, expanding the reach and impact of OTA to a broader group of stakeholders and industry members. Under the agreement, OTA will operate within the Internet Society, and members will automatically become members of Internet Societys Organizational Member Advisory Council. More details about OTAs history are here. About OTA The Online Trust Alliance (OTA) is an initiative within the Internet Society (ISOC), a 501c3 charitable non-profit with the mission to promote the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet for the benefit of all people throughout the world. OTAs mission is to enhance online trust, user empowerment and innovation through convening multi-stakeholder initiatives, developing and promoting best practices, responsible privacy practices and data stewardship. To learn more about OTA visit https://otalliance.org. Information about the Internet Society is at https://www.internetsociety.org/. Cloth & Company To Host Textile Design Contest This design contest is a unique way to offer the design community an opportunity to participate in a high-tech and innovative process that embraces the concept of manufacturing disruption. -Dana Teague, Vice President, Informa Exhibitions Dwell on Design will welcome designer Christiane Lemieux this year as a featured speaker and exhibitor. Lemieux is one of the countrys leading design entrepreneurs and experts in home decor and furnishings. Her keen eye for fashion and unconventional approach to the age-old furniture and textile industries has propelled her to be one of the go-to authorities in the world of interiors. A serial design entrepreneur, Christiane is set to follow the success of her first company, DwellStudio with her new venture Cloth & Company. Lemieux has partnered with fourth-generation furniture maven, Meganne Wecker, to create this customer-curated furniture brand. Wecker is the President and Chief Creative Officer of her familys Chicago-based wholesale furniture manufacturer, Skyline Furniture. Using 3-D modeling and digital printing technology, Cloth & Company produces custom designed pieces including upholstered seating and window treatments that ship within six days of purchase. With quick turnarounds and virtually limitless design possibilities, Cloth & Company is innovating the ways in which retailers can create and manufacture furniture. Currently they offer collections for several retail partners and have an exceptional collaboration program which recently launched celebrated collections with Oh Joy!, Apartment Therapy, and now Dwell on Design. Architects, designers, and artists are always forefront in our planning for Dwell on Design and we continue to explore ways to interact with the design community outside of the three-day event. We are excited to partner with Cloth & Company to present their vision for modern design and furniture production. This design contest is a unique way to offer the design community an opportunity to participate in a high-tech and innovative process that embraces the concept of manufacturing disruption. We are excited to see the contest entries, the results, and have the finalists and the winner featured at Dwell on Design 2017! ~ Dana Teague, Vice President, Informa Global Exhibitions | Dwell on Design This year, Cloth & Company and Bed Bath & Beyond are partnering with Dwell on Design to host a special contest for emerging designers. Contestants will have the opportunity to submit textile designs to be considered for production by Cloth & Company. The selected top five finalists will have a prototype chair produced and exhibited in the Cloth & Company booth #2107 at Dwell on Design from June 23-25. The final winner will be announced onsite and will have their design produced into a line of five to six furniture pieces to be sold through Bed Bath & Beyond. Designers can submit two to three designs that can be applied to various furniture styles at the link below. The deadline for submission is June 7, 2017. Submit an entry: https://www.codaworx.com/rfp-toolkit/rfp/dwell-on-design In addition to the exciting contest, Christiane will be onsite throughout the weekend, speaking at multiple presentations, covering everything from ethical design to technology to creative solutions. She will join her Cloth & Company co-founder, Meganne Wecker for Manufacturing Disruption on Friday, June 23 at 2:15 pm, a conference session discussing the capabilities of 3-D printing, and the current state of technology within the design market. Lemieux will also speak alongside a number of designers and industry professionals onstage about ethical and sustainable design practices for Ethical Design: Fair Trade and Sustainability on Saturday, June 24 at 10:45 am. Lastly, she will share the stage with other creative visionaries as they discuss inspirations and debate solutions to design challenges for Powerhouse of Creativity on Sunday, June 25 at 11:45 am. Dwell on Design will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Friday, June 23 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday, June 24 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; and Sunday, June 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Architects and design professionals, along with the design enthusiast public, may purchase tickets online at dwellondesign.com/register. About Dwell on Design June 23- 25, 2017 / Los Angeles Convention Center With three full days of dynamic exhibitions, unparalleled educational opportunities, new home technologies, onstage panels, 40+ speakers, and more than 2,000 innovative modern furnishings and products, Dwell on Design is the largest modern design event on the west coast. In addition to featuring over 200 exhibiting brands, Dwell on Design encourages an ongoing design dialogue. Learn more by visiting dwellondesign.com. About Dwell Dwell is a media and technology brand focused on design and architecture. Through an award-winning magazine that has been published since 2000, and a sharing platform launched in 2016, Dwell promotes an architecture that is optimistic and innovative. In December 2016 Dwell launched a collection of products with Target called Modern by Dwell Magazine. Dwell, Dwell Homes, Dwell Prefab, and Dwell on Design are registered trademarks of Dwell Media, LLC. Dwell Media, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Dwell Life, Inc. About Informa, Global Exhibitions Dwell on Design is part of Informas Global Exhibitions Division. With over 200 trade and consumer exhibitions annually, Informa Exhibitions is a global market leader in such end markets as Beauty, Construction & Real Estate, Design, Life Sciences, Maritime, Health & Nutrition, Natural Products, Agriculture and Pop Culture. Through face to face and digital channels, our transaction-oriented exhibitions and trade shows enable communities to engage, experience and do business. In doing so, we bring together people who want to buy and sell, network, do business and gain inspiration. Our industry insight, coupled with our innovative and entrepreneurial approach, provides them with the opportunity to create business advantage and access markets. Informa Exhibitions is a division of Informa PLC, a leading business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events business, creating unique content and connectivity for customers all over the world. Informa PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100. Kendall Cavaletto - Law Offices of Michael Cordova The Law Offices of Michael Cordova is pleased to announce the addition of new attorney Kendall Cavaletto. Kendalls history with our firm began with a clerkship prior to ultimately receiving her Juris Doctorate in 2017. She will serve the firm as an attorney, focusing on cases that include personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and motor vehicle accidents. She is passionate about helping people and has a strong work ethic and values, along with a strong will to achieve the highest outcome for our clients. Kendall Cavaletto was born in Phoenix, Arizona, where she remained until moving to San Diego, California to attend Point Loma Nazarene University. She graduated Cum Laude and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration. Upon graduation, she returned home to Phoenix, Arizona to attend Sandra Day OConnor College of Law at Arizona State University. While in school, Kendall was part of the Lodestar Mediation Clinic, where she served as a co-mediator for civil cases in the Maricopa County Justice Courts. Kendall was also involved in the Innovation Advancement Program, where she provided legal services to start-up technology ventures under the supervision of an attorney. Additionally, Kendall was a Legal Extern for the Honorable Susan Brnovich at the Maricopa County Superior Court, and worked at the Ruth V. McGregor Project to Stop Sex Trafficking, where she assisted attorneys with providing criminal, family, and juvenile services to victims of sex trafficking. About the Law Offices of Michael Cordova: The Law Offices of Michael Cordova was founded in 1994 by Michael Fairbairn Cordova, a graduate of Harvard Law School. The law firm is one of the leading Plaintiffs law firms in the State of Arizona. This level of quality is demonstrated through the outcomes we work hard to attain for our clients and through the service we strive to provide. We have decades of experience and have represented thousands of clients over the years. We represent clients in the Phoenix metropolitan area and throughout the state of Arizona and are ready to assist them through their difficult time. Our experienced attorneys handle various types of cases. These cases include, but are not limited to: personal injury, dog bites, wrongful death, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and product and premises liability. Dazzling images entered in a photo contest helped raise awareness during the International Year of Light. A new photo contest will provide images for the International Day of Light. Ian Bell photo The International Day of Light is an incredible opportunity for global education. Observance of an annual International Day of Light (IDL) has been endorsed by the Executive Board of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) with the support of organizations including SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. Following the highly successful International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies in 2015, the International Day of Light will provide an annual focal point for the appreciation of the role that light plays in science, culture, education, and sustainable development, in fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy. Light is such an inclusive topic and resonates with people from very diverse backgrounds," said SPIE Education Committee chair Anne-Sophie Poulin-Girard. "The International Day of Light is an incredible opportunity for global education that reaches beyond the technical community, and across disciplines, borders, and generations. The broad theme of light will allow many different sectors of society to participate in activities around the world to raise awareness of science and technology, art and culture, and their importance in achieving the goals of UNESCO education, equality, and peace said IDL 2018 Steering Committee Chair John Dudley and UNESCO International Basic Sciences (IBSP) Assistant Programme Specialist Jean-Paul Ngome Abiaga in a press release today. The International Day of Light will be proclaimed at the General Conference of UNESCO in November 2017. The first celebration will take place on 16 May 2018 along with an official inauguration ceremony at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Plans are already underway for a wide variety of local celebrations and activities to raise awareness of the many different ways light impacts society. SPIE has launched a "World of Light" photo contest offering cash prizes, to help raise awareness about the IDL and the vital roles that light and light-based technologies play in daily life. The International Day of Light is administered from the IBSP of UNESCO by a steering committee that includes representatives from UNESCO as well as the American Institute of Physics (AIP); American Physical Society (APS); European Physical Society (EPS); the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD); the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP); the IEEE Photonics Society (IPS); Light: Science and Applications; the lightsources.org International Network; The Optical Society (OSA); Philips Lighting; SPIE, the International Society for Optics and Photonics; and Thorlabs. An advisory board represents all sectors of the community of light science and technology, astronomy, lighting and applications, art, energy, architecture, and lighting design, as well as representatives from international organizations. About SPIE SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering, and technology. The Society serves nearly 264,000 constituents from approximately 166 countries, offering conferences and their published proceedings, continuing education, books, journals, and the SPIE Digital Library. In 2016, SPIE provided more than $4 million in support of education and outreach programs. http://www.spie.org Installing Syria Solar Project Our dream is to see every medical facility in Syria running on clean, sustainable energy. UOSSM launched the Syria Solar Initiative on May 29, 2017, after 10 weeks of installation, and months of testing, and monitoring. The 480-panel pilot project is the first of its kind in Syria, and was designed to stabilize electricity in hospitals in Syria. UOSSM installed 480 solar photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 127 kWp DC power, 288 batteries capable of storing 720kWh of power, and advanced data control systems. After six years of conflict, major sections of the electrical grid in Syria were destroyed making hospitals dependent on diesel generators. Frequent shortages of diesel jeopardized patient lives and skyrocketed the price of diesel fuel. The project is expected to save over 7,000 liters of diesel per month on average. This amounts to approximately 20-30% of the monthly energy cost of the hospital. The system can fully power the ICU, operating rooms and emergency departments during diesel outages. With the success of the pilot project, plans are drafted to deploy solar systems in five more vulnerable medical facilities in Syria. UOSSM is currently soliciting funding partners for upcoming funding ready projects. Renewable energy for those critical facilities will increase the resilience of the health-system in Syria, empower local communities, and help terminate the vicious cycle of the diesel-based war economy. Tarek Makdissi, UOSSM Syria Solar Initiative Project Director said, We believe that this type of projects brings hope. Solar energy is a democratizing force, that has the capacity to empower institutions and communities in very positive ways. Syria is in one of the best regions globally to harvest solar energy, and needs to be leveraged. During the project implementation; restructuring the hospital electrical network, and working through the winter to deploy the technically complex system, were our greatest challenges. The goal now is to empower the health system by scaling the solar project to at least five other critical hospitals. Our dream is to see every medical facility in Syria running on clean, sustainable energy. Mohamad Dirbas, an UOSSM Neonatal Nurse said, In our department, we have a total of six incubators. Electricity is critical for the functioning of these incubators. Electricity must be available continuously without shut down or cut-offs. Even if the electricity was to shut down for half an hour, it can cause severe problems. Children in incubators need a constant temperature. Dr. Khaula Sawah, Board Secretary of UOSSM USA said, " Projects like this raise a level of hope in Syria, in an almost hopeless situation. This project will enable hospitals to continue to function even if they have lost power, keeping vital medical equipment, such as incubators, respirators and other life-saving equipment functioning even through power outages. To have patients die from power outages is unacceptable, and through the amazing work of our team we have found a way to ensure that these deaths do not happen again. I am so proud of this initiative and how it will enable us to continue to save lives and build hope." *Hospital name concealed for the protection of the staff and the facility. Website: http://www.syriasolar.org For Media Inquiries Please Contact: Najah Allouch: UOSSM USA Communications and Media Director Email: press(at)uossm(dot)us Project inquiries and interviews please contact: Name: Tarek Makdissi Project Director, UOSSM Syria Solar Email: tarek(at)syriasolar(dot)org Phone: +44 115 888 2099 http://www.syriasolar.org About UOSSM USA Since 2012, UOSSM has been providing emergency medical relief and healthcare services to the Syrian people affected by the crisis, working primarily inside Syria and with Syrian refugees in Turkey. Date aired: May 15, 2017 Guests: Dr. Yuan Fang, M.A. Bio Chemistry Research Center, China Dr. Yuan Fang created a foundation in China dedicated to studying cancer. From that starting point, his research and science teams have led the way in China in searching for and finding cures for many diseases. Over the years this research led him into a deeper and deeper appreciation of the fundamental role water plays in all health issues and for this reason, host Sharon Kleyne enthusiastically welcomed him as a guest on her nationally syndicated radio program The Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water, Global Climate Change and Your Health on VoiceAmerica sponsored by Natures Tears EyeMist. Noting that another of Dr. Fangs specialties is the brain and brain research and noting that the brain is 80% to 85% water, Klyene asked him to comment on the importance of water to organ health. Every organ needs water to function properly, said Fang. When organs become dehydrated due to excessive evaporation, they are compromised and serious health issues can and usually will be the result. Kleyne also noted Dr. Fangs work with the international Geonome Project. Just as organs need water to function, said Fang, cells need water to function as well. Genetically, were functioning better when were properly hydrated. Kleyne agreed, adding that fresh water is necessary for all life and for all cures, too. We are, after all, like walking batteries that need to be recharged on a consistent basis. Dr. Fangs work on the ebola virus was also discussed and Fang pointed out that the immune system is seriously affected by evaporation of body water. Fang also said that all aspects of ones life are impacted by water and the lack of water. One cant sleep well without enough water, he said. One cant function as well on a daily basis if one is dehydrated due to over-evaporation of body water vapor. If you are hydrated, Fang added, you always feel better when you wake up and when you are making your way through your day. Fang also agreed with Kleyne that the eyes are especially susceptible to dehydration due to excessive evaporation, resulting in dry eye conditions and even blindness. The tear film is where water so easily evaporates, said Fang, and it needs to be supplemented on a regular basis to avoid severe dry eye symptoms. Fang approved of the product that Kleynes research center at Bio Logic Aqua Research Water Life Science developed, Natures Tears EyeMist for supplementation of the eyes tear film and surrounding areas. Yuan noted that it is the only product on the market that is one hundred percent pure water with no chemicals or additives. Fang also expressed his pleasure in the news that Natures Tears EyeMist is on its way to China where dry eye disease and blindness are running rampant. State-of-the-Art Facility Increases Manufacturing Capacity by 4X and Expands Distribution Capability Establishment Labs, a global medical device company focused on aesthetic technologies with a strong emphasis on product development and innovation, announced today that its second manufacturing facility in Costa Rica has received its EC Certificate - Full Quality Assurance System from BSI and has begun shipping units from the new facility to Europe and around the world. This new site, in combination with the companys existing facility, extends manufacturing capacity by 4X and enables Establishment Labs to expand its distribution capability. Full Quality Assurance System certification of our new, state-of-the-art facility is an important milestone, as it not only reinforces the high quality standards of our entire organization, but also meaningfully increases manufacturing capacity, and enables us to fully supply expanding demand, said Juan Jose Chacon-Quiros, CEO and founder of Establishment Labs. This certification is instrumental to our long-term strategic plans, provides compliance with key regulatory authorities, and adds significantly more flexibility to our current manufacturing and distribution operations. Our focus on product quality, state-of-the-art facilities, and deep technological know-how continues to establish and maintain our brand of consistency, quality and safety, concluded Chacon-Quiros. Designed and built with advanced, environmentally beneficial techniques, the buildings infrastructure is supported by systems that are sustainable, renewable, and cost effective over the long term, such as a solar and battery microgrid, as well as an ice bank system that supports the clean room air systems, said Salvador Dada, Chief Operating Officer. These were important considerations for us, and I am pleased that we were able to build a modern, environmentally friendly facility that meets the highest quality of standards. The 40,000-square foot complex was completed in December 2016 and will serve as the companys corporate headquarters, hosting more than 300 people, including manufacturing, research & development, regulatory affairs, finance, customer service, and other operational functions. The facility is located in the Coyol Free Zone of Costa Rica, considered the largest and most modern high-tech business park in Central America, hosting medical device companies including Abbott, Medtronic, Philips, Smith & Nephew, and Cooper Vision, among others. About Establishment Labs: Establishment Labs is a global, privately held, medical technology company with a strong emphasis on innovation that designs, develops, manufactures and markets an innovative product portfolio. Its CE-marked Motiva Implants line of silicone breast implants (http://www.motivaimplants.com) utilizes ultra-high purity medical-grade silicone and is subject to the strictest quality assurance testing throughout the manufacturing process. Motiva Implants are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide. Puregraft's FDA cleared and CE-Marked technology provides plastic surgeons with purified fat for reinjection on the sterile field and is used in hospitals and clinics around the world. Divina is a proprietary 3D imaging technology for full integration in consultation and surgical planning of unique solutions for breast aesthetics and reconstruction. All manufacturing facilities have been successfully inspected according to the MDSAP program for compliance with 8 of the most stringent standards and regulations, including ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CRF Parts 820 and 821. We're encouraged to push limits and try things that others in our industry just aren't doing TOPS Software, a leading provider of Community Association Management software, was recently named to Tampa Bays Top Workplaces 2017 list by the Tampa Bay Times. This is the second time that TOPS has won the coveted employee award. The Top Workplaces in Tampa Bay program was created by the Tampa Bay Times and WorkplaceDynamics. The program continues to be a good barometer of Tampa Bay companies and helps promote those companies to both potential employees and to the community. The companies were ranked based on leadership, compensation and training, workplace flexibility, and diversity. While TOPS is a small company with fewer than 100 employees, it leaves a large footprint. Millions of homes across the United States are managed by organizations using TOPS products to stay on top of accounting, management and automation of their day-to-day operations. With such a large potential impact, every team member at TOPS is vital to the success of the company, which is why this award is so meaningful. In the survey, TOPS team members shared what they thought of the companys culture in their own words: Everyone I work with on a daily basis are great people both personally and professionally. This is not an accident, but a result of TOPS choosing its employees with care, and treating them with care as well. They also showed great pride in TOPS products and services: We're encouraged to push limits and try things that others in our industry just aren't doing. Our application is leaps and bounds above others in this field and we're not complacent about it. Our team strives to keep getting better. This attitude is precisely what makes TOPS an exemplary company for the Tampa Bay workforce: The reports are so enriching because the stories come directly from the employees, which gives the readers a pure behind-the-scenes look into these companies, said Chris Tisch, Times business editor. Tampa Bay companies are truly interested in creating productive work environments and engaging employees. For a complete list of the 2016 Top Workplaces in Tampa Bay, go to http://www.tampabay.com/topworkplaces2016. To see the TOPS Softwares Top Work Places listing, go to http://www.topworkplaces.com/frontend.php/regional-list/company/tampabay/tops-software-llc About the Tampa Bay Times The Tampa Bay Times is widely considered one of the Top Ten newspapers in America and has won 10 Pulitzer Prizes. It is Floridas largest newspaper, with an average circulation of 367,936 Sunday and 297,626 daily (AAM Annual Audit 2014). The Times is produced by the Times Publishing Company, which also publishes TampaBay.com Tampa Bays largest local news Web site with about 2.7 million unique visitors each month (comScore six-month average for 7/15-9/15). Additionally, the company publishes the free daily tbt*, an edition of the Tampa Bay Times, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning website, PolitiFact.com; and produces special events, specialty publications, and targeted advertising programs. About WorkplaceDynamics, LLC Headquartered in Exton, PA, WorkplaceDynamics specializes in employee feedback surveys and workplace improvement. This year alone, more than two million employees in over 6,000 organizations will participate in the Top Workplaces campaigna program it conducts in partnership with more than 40 prestigious media partners across the United States. Workplace Dynamics also provides consulting services to improve employee engagement and organizational health. WorkplaceDynamics is a founding B Corporation member, a coalition of organizations that are leading a global movement to redefine success in business by offering a positive vision of a better way to do business. About TOPS Software TOPS Software helps community association management professionals save time and effort in managing condominiums and homeowners associations. TOPS technology empowers management companies to focus on growing their business and delighting their clients while reducing their labor costs. One management company was able to raise the number of communities in the portfolio of each of their managers from 8 to 12 by implementing TOPS. That's a 50% gain in efficiency! Learn more about TOPS at http://www.topssoft.com. Survivorship is part of the continuum of care that we are committed to providing to all patients here at Summit Medical Group, says Jeffrey Le Benger, MD, Chairman and CEO, Summit Medical Group. In support of National Cancer Survivors Day, Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center will host The Art of Healing, a special event honoring cancer survivors on Thursday, June 8, 5:30 8:00 PM at its 1 Diamond Hill Road campus in Berkeley Heights. The free event will feature inspiring stories of cancer survivorship, an uplifting concert by a chamber ensemble of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and an intimate meet and greet with artists of the Visions of Hope and Voices of the Journey art exhibits. Individual registration is required at http://www.survivors-thrive.com. Anyone living with a history of cancer from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life is a cancer survivor, according to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation. In the United States alone, there are more than 15.5 million people living with a history of cancer. This represents 4.8 percent of the population, as cited by the National Cancer Institute. Community events across the globe during the first week of June will honor cancer survivors and show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be fruitful, rewarding, and inspiring. Survivorship is part of the continuum of care that we are committed to providing to all patients here at Summit Medical Group, says Jeffrey Le Benger, MD, Chairman and CEO, Summit Medical Group. Within our multidisciplinary patient-centered healthcare model, Summit Medical Group patients have access to enhanced cancer treatment, including MD Andersons world-renowned treatment protocols, extensive clinical trials and cutting edge research. Major advances in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment have resulted in longer survival, and therefore, a growing number of cancer survivors, says William T. DeRosa, DO, FACP, Chief of Oncology, Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center. As we carry out the mission to advance and integrate quality cancer care, we strive every day to transform how healthcare and cancer treatment is delivered to our patients and to increase the number of cancer survivors. National Cancer Survivors Day reminds all of us at Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center of our patient-centered mission, adds Carol Boyer, RN, MSN, APN, CN-BP, AOCNS, Clinical Program Manager and a certified breast nurse patient navigator for Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center. Our event will be filled with joy, hope, camaraderie, and compassion as we acknowledge our communitys cancer survivors. We also will recognize the contributions of their families, friends, and healthcare providers and raise awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by many cancer survivors today. Cancer survivors will share their personal stories of how life after a cancer diagnosis can be beautiful, abundant and fulfilling. Shannon Vick, a young mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 33-years-old and 27 weeks pregnant with her fourth child, will be among the survivors who will share their inspiring stories. The integrated care and collaboration, as well as the seamless communication between my obstetrician and oncologist and the teams at Summit Medical Group was vital in getting me through my cancer journey, shares Mrs. Vick. The Art of Healing event will feature a special performance by a string quartet from the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO), which is presented through the NJSOs Music and Wellness Program and made possible by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The event will also present the acrylic paintings, photographs and sculptures by and for cancer survivors in Visions of Hope and Voices of the Journey, with several artists in attendance. For a curated display to appear in the new Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center in Florham Park, cancer survivors are invited to bring a keepsake from their journey a note of encouragement, a photo, a favorite coffee/tea mug to inspire others on their journey to healing. Refreshments and hors doeuvres will be served. The event is free and open to all cancer survivors, friends and family. To register, visit http://www.survivors-thrive.com or call the Summit Medical Group events hotline at 908-277-8889. Visit NCSD.org for more information about National Cancer Survivors Day, and The National Cancer Institute for resources and information on survivorship. About Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center With a special emphasis on continuity of care, the Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center was formed in 2016 through a partnership between Summit Medical Group (SMG) and MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide fully integrated, multidisciplinary cancer care for patients in northern New Jersey and the tristate area. An extension of MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper in Camden, New Jersey, Summit Medical Group MD Anderson Cancer Center is clinically integrated with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper joined MD Anderson Cancer Network, a program of MD Anderson Cancer Center, in 2013. Summit Medical Group is one of four partner members of the network and contributes to MD Andersons mission to end cancer. For more information, visit http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/service/Oncology-Center/. About MD Anderson Cancer Center The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. The institutions sole mission is to end cancer for patients and their families around the world. Last year, more than 135,000 individuals came to MD Anderson for not only the largest clinical trials program in the world, but for its signature multidisciplinary care. MD Anderson in Houston employs almost 21,000 cancer fighters, including nearly 1,700 physicians and scientists. Media Contact: Natalie Thigpen Summit Health Management nthigpen(at)shm(dot)net (908) 977-9501 San Diego City Council President Myrtle Cole, a National University alumna, will be the University's 2017 Southern California Commencement Keynote Speaker San Diego City Council President and National University alumna Myrtle Cole -who became the first African-American woman elected to the City Council and to serve as its president - will be the keynote speaker at the Southern California Commencement of National University. Cole, who started her public service career in law enforcement, will address approximately 20,000 graduates and their families and guests on June 17 at Petco Park. This marks the second year the event is being held in the iconic ballpark by the University, which is one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the state. Myrtle Cole exemplifies the great leadership and community impact of our National University students, and we are honored to welcome her back to Commencement as our honored keynote speaker, said National University President Dr. David Andrews. Like many of our students, she earned a National University degree while working full time, and continues to contribute tirelessly and passionately to make our community better. In recognition of her lifetime dedication to public service, Cole will receive an honorary doctorate degree. Coles career in public service started in law enforcement with the Tucson, Ariz., Police Department shortly after earning her bachelors degree in business administration from the University of Arizona. After moving to San Diego, she rose to the rank of lieutenant with the San Diego Community College Districts Police Department. After earning her degree from National University, Cole worked as a campaign manager and staffer for several city council members. She also served as a San Diego Regional Coordinator for United Domestic Workers of America, working on behalf of care providers to thousands of low-income seniors, children, and people living with disabilities. Voters chose Cole in a special election in late 2012, and she won election to a full term in June of 2014. As a National University alumna, I understand the significance of this degree and what it means for us to pursue our academic goals while working, raising families and juggling other responsibilities, said Cole. I am so proud of these graduates, and of the Universitys dedication to making a quality higher education accessible to so many students who will go on to have a powerful impact in our communities. National University, which is the anchor university of the National University System, was launched in San Diego in 1971 to address a growing need to better serve adult learners with a quality education. The University is now ranked fifth nationally in granting masters degrees in education to minority students, and it recommends more teachers for credentials than any other university in the state. National University serves a diverse student population, and about 25 percent of students are from the military community. The University offers more than 100 programs including an online criminal justice masters program that was recently ranked #15 nationwide by U.S. News and World Report. As a councilmember (San Diego District 4), Cole is an advocate for increased public safety, along with neighborhood revitalization and economic development. Among her many recognitions include the A. Philip Randolph Award from the NAACP for educational leadership in 2010. Her dedication to community service was recognized by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., in 2009, and she was honored as the Public Official of the Year by the Neighborhood Market Association in 2014, the same year St. Stephens Cathedral Church of God in Christ honored her with the Womens Community Leader Award. In addition to Cole, many of the regions government leaders and elected officials have earned a National University diploma, including former San Diego City Council Marti Emerald, who served on the council at the same time as Cole; former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, now President and CEO of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce; and former Mayor of Escondido Lori Holt Pfeiler, who is now President/CEO of San Diego Habitat for Humanity. About National University Founded in 1971, National University is the second-largest private, nonprofit institution of higher education in California. With more than 150,000 alumni, National University is the flagship institution of the National University System. National University is dedicated to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible, challenging, and relevant to a diverse population of students. Four schools and two colleges the Sanford College of Education, the College of Letters and Sciences; the School of Business and Management; the School of Education; the School of Engineering and Computing; the School of Health and Human Services; and the School of Professional Studies offer more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degrees and 23 teacher credentials. Programs are offered at locations throughout California and across the nation, and are also available online. National University is headquartered in La Jolla, California. http://www.nu.edu Dr. Todd Britten Performs Bone Grafting Procedures To Make Dental Implants Possible For Patients With Missing Teeth. Dental implants have become a vital and mandatory option for tooth replacement in recent years. I am excited about the many advancements in implant planning, placement and technology. Advances in implant dentistry allow periodontal and dental implant specialist Dr.Todd Britten better tools for diagnosis and implant planning, regenerate lost bone more predictably, and place implants with more accuracy and into more sites than ever before. Cone Beam Technology Dr. Todd Britten now uses Cone Beam technology in his Clearwater, FL periodontal office for a better understanding of his patients anatomy, allowing him to place dental implants in exactly the right place and more effectively replace missing teeth. Traditional dental x-rays provide a limited picture of the patients mouth and jaw. Recent developments in technology have led to Cone Beam imaging, which produces 3D, high-resolution images of the mouth. Cone beam imaging is different than a traditional dental x-ray because it uses an x-ray beam that is shaped like a cone rather than using a fan shape. After the beam passes through the patient, the remnants are collected on a silicon panel or charge-coupled device (CCD) detector. Hundreds of images are taken and are used together to form a comprehensive image of the patient, including soft tissue. This is a very powerful treatment tool in our practice, says Dr. Britten. With it, we can work together with our referring dentists to more confidently map our surgical and restorative treatment plans and place and restore implants with accuracy, while protecting our patients and our staff with lower radiation. I have read thousands of CT scans of the jaws but am still amazed at the fine details that I am now able to see in our Cone Beam CT scans." Dental professionals often use this type of imaging to determine the precise placement of dental implants. Dr. Britten recommends implants as the leading permanent tooth replacement solution for patients with missing teeth. After evaluating images generated by Cone Beam CT scan imaging, Dr. Britten determines whether or not implants are a good option for each patient, based on factors like jaw bone density. The images will reveal if the patients jaw bone is at a healthy enough degree of density to support implants. Periodontal Regenerative Procedures If the jaw bone does not have enough support for an implant, other periodontal regeneration procedures can be performed to support an implant. Ridge augmentation uses bone and tissue-grafting procedures to fill in the area where jaw bone has been lost, leaving more bone and better support for dental implant placement. Guided bone regeneration for ridge augmentation has been found to be very predictable. Synthetic growth factors have used for this procedure have improved and we can also use our patients own blood to produce materials rich in growth factors, such as L-PRF. Improved Dental Implant Systems Once the bone looks healthy enough, Dr. Britten will place the implants by first placing a titanium base in the bone of the jaw. An abutment piece and natural-looking crown will then be attached to the base. Patients will then care for the implants as they would their natural teeth. The ideal candidate for implants is a non-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease. Implant sizes, materials and systems continue to improve. The titanium alloy used in dental implants now allows for more compact and biocompatible implants while still providing the needed strength to resist the strong bite forces of the mouth. Implant-supported dentures have also come a long way, and many times four implants can be used to retain a complete upper or lower denture. Dental implants today are not only considered the gold standard of care for tooth replacement, but are usually now considered to be the superior or ideal treatment option for damaged or lost teeth. Dr. Britten said, We are excited about the many advancements in implant planning, placement and technology. To learn more about periodontal and oral health, tooth replacement, periodontal regenerative procedures, or dental implants, interested parties can visit http://www.brittenperio.com About The Doctor Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten received his Bachelor of Science & Doctorate of Dental Surgery from University of Florida, a Masters Degree and Certificate in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry; and completed extensive training at the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry. He is one of the only board-certified periodontists in Pinellas County. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Florida Association of Periodontists, Upper Pinellas County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Association, Hillsborough County Dental Research Association and Florida West Coast Dental Association. To learn more about Dr. Britten and his dental services, call (727) 586-2681 or visit http://www.brittenperio.com Past News Releases RSS Nightingale College announces the achievement of initial accreditation of the baccalaureate degree program by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through June 30, 2022. The RN-to-BSN program at Nightingale College began in September 2014 to prepare nurses to lead the everchanging health care landscape. Nurses form the largest segment of health care staff employed in facilities and are the main deliverer of patient care. At the forefront of health care, nurses are taught to address a variety of patient needs in diverse settings. The BSN nurse enters the profession having acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes, to improve the safety and quality of patient care, said Dr. Suzette Scheuermann, Director, Nursing Education Services at Nightingale College. To improve patient care and in response to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Future of Nursing 2010 study, Nightingale Colleges RN-to-BSN program is now available to all registered nurses in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. This has always been a part of our mission and is our answer to IOMs committee recommendation that 80 percent of nurses have baccalaureate degrees by 2020, said Jonathan Tanner, Vice President, Partnerships and Business Development. With patient care growing increasingly complex and requiring skill sets beyond the hospital, the demand for baccalaureate prepared nurses will be escalated. Nightingale College provides high quality nurse preparation in programs which produce effective and sophisticated clinicians to meet this increasing demand, said Scheuermann. Nightingale College celebrates the accreditation of the baccalaureate degree program as an integral step to fulfilling its mission, contributing to the elevation of health care in all communities. This is monumental for the communities we serve and while we celebrate this achievement, it is only the beginning. We will develop a Generic BSN track for those students that want to move straight to a BSN degree. We anticipate this option being available by January 2018. In the meantime, we are elated to offer the ADN and RN-to-BSN programs, said Tanner. With two fully accredited distance education programs, Nightingale College continues to serve communities in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. ABOUT NIGHTINGALE COLLEGE Nightingale College creates avenues to accessible nursing programs with its fully accredited distance education associate and bachelors degree nursing programs. Supporting the growing need for nurses and providing strategies to combat the nursing shortage, the Colleges programs work to not only grow but maintain homegrown nurses with the help of local health care systems. Nightingale College emphasizes graduating future nurses who are confident, competent, and compassionate, ready to work in their community. Since its establishment in 2010 in Ogden, Utah, the College has graduated nurses in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. To learn more about the College, its mission, and programs, visit http://nightingale.edu/bsn or email admissions@nightingale.edu. Foodies Unite for a Cause! Join the Food Truck Revolution and Cast Your Vote! DATE: SAT JUN 3 TIME: 12 NOON to 9 PM (VIP & Early Admission 11 AM) PATTERSON PARK PULASKI MONUMENT 2806 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, MD 21231 http://www.tasteof3cities.com Voted one of the best festivals in Maryland, The Taste of 3 Cities unites foodies and food truckers for a day to kick back and enjoy a feast like no other in the birthplace of Baltimores Revolution. It happens only once a year and this time, the lineup is amazing. 40+ Trucks & 3 Stages to hold the largest food truck festival in the mid-Atlantic. This year, guests will be able to get a birds eye view with helicopter rides over the park throughout the day! The Food Truck Lineup Includes: Gypsy Queen - Cap Mac - The Cow and the Curd - Kommie Pig - DC Slices - DC Taco - Fast Bowl - Iced Gems - KBBQ Box - That Cheesecake Truck - Cruisin Cafe - Grr Che - Captain Cookie and the Milkman - Grr Che - Capital Chicken & Waffles - Mexican on the Run - Midnite Confections - Greek on the Street - Healthy Fool - Dizzy Cow Pizza - Red Hook Lobster - Taco Truck - Sugar Butter Batter - Charming Nomad - London Chippy - Jerk at Nite - Farm to Charm - Maui Wowie - Eat This - Diner on the Go - Foodgitive - Bmore Brulee - Crossroads Bistro - El Gringo - Duck-In - Ritas - Jammin Flava - Beef on the Street - Miss Twist - Deddles Donuts & Quinns Ice Mayors Cup Competition Peoples Choice Awards and Prizes Family Style Dining Polite People & Pets welcome 14 West VIP Lounge Kids Ultra Zone 3 Stages of Live Performances by: SONIC PENTAMETER - SENECA - ELIKEH AFRO POP - AUSTIN 27 - THE SOLICITORS - DIAMOND COPY featuring BOND STREET DISTRICT with SPECIAL GUESTS THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED: Patterson Park is the site of Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812 where American Revolutionaries thwarted the British Navy and forced their retreat. Todays trucks are revolutionizing our cities, fighting against the odds of finding a place to park or making it through harsh winters. Baltimore is still battling for food truck freedom against archaic laws that no longer serve the public interest. Taste of 3 Cities is dedicated to supporting the food truck revolution and the fight for food truck freedom. For info about how cities can reform their laws and the benefits food trucks create for their communities, visit http://www.ij.org/vending COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP: Taste of 3 Cities will benefit Children's Scholarship Fund of Baltimore. Since 1998 CSFB has provided more than 7,500 scholarships to children in over 100 schools in and around Baltimore City. To this day, CSFB has funded over $14 million in scholarships. CFSBs impact is far-reaching and making a real difference in peoples lives. Donate directly here: https://csfbaltimore.org/donate-now/ 14 WEST VIP LOUNGE PROVIDES SOME STRESS RELIEF! 14 West holds the key to compelling, competitive businesses. Comprised of Personnel & Talent, Legal, Financial, Global Technologies, Information Security, Communications, Marketing, Operations, and Management experts, 14 West offers businesses the services of seasoned administrative professionals. While we ensure the well-being of their workplace, they focus on growing their enterprises through new ideas.In other words, For more info: 14west.us or westword.14west.us Advance Tickets $15/$20 solo adv/gate | $39/45 FAMILY adv/gate | $65/$75 VIP CHILDREN 12 and UNDER FREE FAMILY TIX INCLUDE KIDS FOOD TRUCK LUNCH For tickets, http://www.tasteof3cities.eventbrite.com For more info: http://www.tasteof3cities.com Identify & Investigate Information Leak Within Seconds "Self-service, instant visibility and analytics capabilities security and forensics professionals need to determine the source, impact, and vector of information exfiltration in just 90 seconds. ThinAir will demonstrate its information visibility and security solutions for rapid data leak investigation at the Techno Security & Digital Forensics Conference next week in South Carolina. ThinAir is a sponsor of the annual conference for cybersecurity and digital forensics industry professionals, which runs June 4-7. Attendees will see first-hand how ThinAir works like the digital equivalent of an HD video camera to detect and investigate information leaks. ThinAir continuously records all activity and provides a complete information chain of custody so security teams can quickly and easily complete their investigations. The combination of rapid information growth, escalating security threats, rising trend of insider threats and an unprecedented shortage of skilled IT and security resources makes it more difficult than ever to detect, investigate and respond to data breaches in a timely manner, said Gajraj Singh, VP of Marketing of ThinAir. ThinAir delivers the self-service, instant visibility and analytics capabilities security and forensics professionals need to determine the source, impact, and vector of information exfiltration in just 90 seconds. Who: ThinAir (Booth #509) What: Techno Security & Digital Forensics Conference Where: Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina When: June 4-7 Additional Resources: Testdrive ThinAir: testdrive(at)thinair.com Blog: https://thinair.com/blog/ ESG Lab First Look: https://get.thinair.com/PDF-Shield_ESG-Report.html About ThinAir THINAIR SIMPLIFIES INFORMATION VISIBILITY AND SECURITY. ThinAir answers sophisticated questions about information creation, consumption and communication through easy to use search and analytics, tracking and reporting. This enables customers to effectively address four critical areas Information Usage and Loss, Compliance and Governance, Defense Coverage and Gap Analysis, and Risk Impact and Infonomics. To learn more and schedule a demo, visit http://www.thinair.com. Connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn Media Contact Gajraj Singh 650-689-3104 gajraj at Thinair dot com Twiiter: @thinairlabs Wayne Diviney, Vice Chair of California Casualty Indemnity Exchange Advisory Board CCIE is grateful for the 23 years Siegel has given to the Advisory Board, serving the past three years as the Vice Chair, and looks forward to Wayne's leadership. Wayne Diviney, certified public accountant and Chief Financial Officer of the National Education Association (retired), has been elected Vice Chair of the Advisory Board of California Casualty Indemnity Exchange (CCIE). Diviney will also serve as Board Chair of the companys four subsidiaries. He has served on the California Casualty Advisory Board for more than 15 years. During his tenure with CCIE, Diviney held a variety of leadership roles including Chair of the Audit and Financial Review Committee and member of the Nominating, Compensation and Governance Committee. Diviney is the current CFO for SailTime, handling strategic financial operations of the business. He will assume his new elected responsibilities June 3, 2017, succeeding Lynne Siegel, who was elected as an honorary member of the Board. CCIE is grateful for the 23 years Siegel has given to the Advisory Board, serving the past three years as the Vice Chair. Founded in 1914, the company provides auto and home insurance in 43 states and the District of Columbia, offering the highest level of care, service, compassion and understanding to people who make a difference for our communities educators, peace officers, firefighters and nurses. About California Casualty: Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with Service Centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas, California Casualty provides auto and home insurance to educators, firefighters, law enforcement and nurses across the country. Founded in 1914, California Casualty has been led by four generations of the Brown family. To learn more about California Casualty, visit http://www.calcas.com. Cookies What are cookies ? How do we use cookies? How to control cookies? Managing cookies in your browser see what cookies you have got and delete them on an individual basis block third party cookies block cookies from particular sites block all cookies from being set delete all cookies when you close your browser X A cookie is a small text file that a website saves on your computer or mobile device when you visit the site. Cookies are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site.Website use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. ("Google") to help analyse the use of this website. 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You can delete all cookies that are already on your computer and you can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed.Most browsers allow you to:If you chose to delete cookies, you should be aware that any preferences will be lost. Also, if you block cookies completely many websites (including ours) will not work properly and webcasts will not work at all. For these reasons, we do not recommend turning cookies off when using our webcasting services. Mackinlay narrowly beat then UKIP leader Nigel Farage in 2015 to become the MP for South Thanet. However, Mackinlay is accused of failing to properly declare spending on his campaign. The allegations surround his use of the Conservative party's "battlebus" used to bus national activists in to help win the seat. Under election rules all spending on local campaigns must be listed separately and be within a set limit. In a statement the Crown Prosecution Service said on Friday morning that they had authorised charges to be made against Mackinlay, as well as separate charges against one of his campaign aides and against another national Conservative party official. "On 18 April we received a file of evidence from Kent Police concerning allegations relating to Conservative Party expenditure during the 2015 General Election campaign," "We then asked for additional enquiries to be made in advance of the 11 June statutory time limit by when any charges needed to be authorised. "Those enquiries have now been completed and we have considered the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. "We have concluded there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to authorise charges against three people. "Craig Mackinlay, 50, Nathan Gray, 28, and Marion Little, 62, have each been charged with offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983 and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 4 July 2017. "Criminal proceedings have now commenced and it is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceeding." Mackinlay has been charged with breaching Section 82 of The fines related to a number of seats contested by the party in 2015 as well as several by-elections in 2014. The commission found the party's general election spending return was missing payments worth at least 104,765 while other payments worth up to 118,124 were either not reported to the commission or were incorrectly reported. The CPS later decided not to authorise charges against a number of other Conservative MPs, having found insufficient evidence that the false declarations had been made knowingly. "I do respect his decision, but I do think it is an actual mistake, both for the United States and for the planet," Macron said in an unprecedented English-language speech at the Elysee Palace. Trump's decision has drawn international condemnation, and it has some experts predicting it could damage the US's international standing on environmental issues. Macron seemed to hint at that in his speech, at one point directly addressing Americans and encouraging them to work with like-minded people abroad. "To all the scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and responsible citizens who were disappointed by the decision by the president of the United States, I want to say they will find in France a second homeland," Macron said. "I call on them come and work here with us, to work together on concrete solutions for our climate." Macron also insisted that the Paris Agreement "remains irreversible." In Trump's announcement at the White House on Thursday, the president said the US may try to renegotiate the terms of the agreement at a later time. If Macron's criticism of Trump weren't clear enough, he left no room for doubt with his final line, in which he appropriated Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan. "Wherever we live, whoever we are," Macron said, "we all share the same responsibility to make our planet great again." According to the British news outlet The Telegraph, Macron's speech marked the first time a French leader had addressed his nation in English from the president's official residence. CNN reported Friday that Comey knew the document a memo purporting to show collusion between Loretta Lynch, who was then the attorney general, and the Clinton campaign was fake. That has raised questions about why he used it as justification to skirt the Department of Justice and hold a press conference last summer in which he skewered Clinton for her "extremely careless" use of a private email server while she was secretary of state and defended the bureau's decision not to recommend charges. "In cases where there is intelligence suspected of being false, the correct procedure is to investigate," said Scott Olson, a recently retired FBI agent who ran the agency's counterintelligence operations and spent more than 20 years at the bureau. "In this case, the parties referenced should have been interviewed as part of the investigation," Olson said. "Then, if the document was used as feared, the results of the investigation could be used to effectively rebut." The FBI reportedly uncovered the memo last year as it was examining a trove of documents believed to have been hacked by Russia. The document, first disclosed by The New York Times in late April and described in more detail by The Washington Post last week, described an email supposedly sent by Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who was then the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, to an official at the billionaire George Soros' Open Society Foundations. The memo showed Wasserman Schultz describing in a message how Lynch had privately assured a Clinton staffer during the campaign that the Justice Department wouldn't take the investigation too far. Comey knew the information in the memo wasn't real, but he feared that the memo would cast doubt on the credibility of the FBI's investigation if it leaked after Lynch closed the probe, CNN reported. The sequence played a part in his decision to circumvent the Justice Department to hold the press conference, where he issued a blistering assessment of Clinton's recklessness that many believe damaged her reputation among voters. None of it makes much sense Comey told lawmakers after the press conference that he had no choice but to go around the Justice Department and answer directly to reporters out of fear that the document might leak, but he did not tell them that the document was probably fake, according to CNN. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham told CNN on Sunday that Comey "never once told a member of the House or the Senate that he thought the email was fake" and would have been "incredibly incompetent" to act on a document he knew to be fraudulent. "I can't imagine a scenario where it's OK for the FBI director to jump in the middle of an election based on a fake email generated by the Russians and not tell the Congress," Graham said. Olson said Comey's decision to bypass his superiors based on the document was even more bizarre. "None of it makes much sense," Olson said. "The notion that the FBI needs to circumvent DOJ procedure and officials because a known false document might be used publicly to forward some political agenda makes no sense. And the notion that DOJ is somehow incapable of defending itself against false publicity does not withstand scrutiny." FBI officials briefed Lynch on the existence of the document one month after Comey publicly announced the end of the email investigation. Lynch said she "never communicated" with the Clinton campaign staffer in question, Amanda Renteria, and offered to be formally interviewed by the FBI about the matter, according to The Post. Renteria also told The Post she had never spoken to Lynch. And Wasserman Schultz said she had never heard of the Open Society Foundations official, Leonard Benardo, whom the document said she had emailed to discuss Lynch's communications with Renteria. "The FBI is in the business of ascertaining the true facts through investigation," Olson said. "That is what should have been done. I'd love to know why it was not done." Matthew Miller, who was a Justice Department spokesman under Barack Obama, agreed that Comey "absolutely should have briefed" his superiors on the existence of the document before holding the press conference, especially if he thought it was fake. "If he already knew the document was fake, then he in no way should have relied on it to make decisions about how to handle the case, and he had an obligation to brief his superiors," Miller said on Tuesday. "Even if it was a real document, it wouldn't excuse him acting on his own," Miller added. "There are procedures set up for handling sensitive information like this when someone is potentially compromised, which is the best-case interpretation of his thinking. He could have briefed his direct boss, Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, and the two of them could have decided how to proceed. "The bottom line is this document seems to have been an excuse to do what he always wanted to do, rather than an actual factor in any decision-making." Comey has said he felt compelled to tell Congress in October, three months after he closed the investigation, that the bureau had discovered new emails that were possibly relevant to the probe because he had already gone public with the details of the case. Clinton has said the disclosure, which dominated media coverage in the days leading up to the election, factored heavily into her loss. Many Clinton backers felt vindicated by Comey's revelation in March that the FBI had been investigating ties between President Donald Trump's associates and Russia since July, but others were outraged that Comey had broken protocol to disclose the existence of new emails days before the election but didn't tell voters that Trump's campaign also under investigation until four months later. Trump fired Comey earlier this month amid the bureau's Russia investigation. A wildly successful Russian operation The revelation that a tainted document believed to have been planted by the Russians in the trove of hacked documents obtained by the FBI influenced Comey's decision-making is evidence of the extent to which Russian disinformation could penetrate the highest levels of American law enforcement during the presidential campaign. The weaponization of stolen documents is increasingly becoming Russian hackers' modus operandi, according to a new report from researchers at the Citizen Lab group at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Public Affairs. Hackers linked to Russia have begun stealing data and tampering with it to achieve specific propaganda aims, the report said, "and to seed mistrust and disinformation." Glenn Carle, a former CIA operative who spent 23 years at the agency, said Comey's use of the document to justify a decision that may have "changed the course of US history" meant that Russia's election meddling was more "wildly successful" than anyone had imagined. "It is common to let bogus reports from the [foreign] opposition go forward, and continue unchallenged, so as not to compromise sources and methods," Carle said. "But I dispute that the director should have treated this from the strict sources and methods protection perspective. "In my view, he should in this instance have briefed the attorney general, the president, and the Gang of Eight," Carle said, referring to a select group of lawmakers briefed on sensitive intelligence matters. "This was a policy call a larger issue than the source and method. Historic errors on his part." Mark Kramer, the program director of the Project on Cold War Studies at Harvard's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, said Comey's failure to alert the congressional committees that the document "was almost certainly a fake" was "appallingly negligent." "He should have emphasized that at the very start," Kramer said. "By having failed to do so, he was disastrously incompetent and irresponsible." Olson said he believed Comey and his team "forgot that the reputation of the FBI is secondary to the FBI's responsibility." "At the end of the day, with due respect to notions of transparency, credibility, independence, and ensuring there is not even the appearance of improper conduct, what matters most is executing the role the FBI has in government," he said. "Appearances don't matter if reality, if the actual content, is wrong." The longtime FBI agent said he still believed Comey and his advisers "were trying very hard to do the right thing." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, and Moldovan President Igor Dodon appeared on the panel alongside the Russian president. Asked about the Paris Agreement on climate change that President Donald Trump withdrew the US from on Thursday, Putin replied, "Don't worry, be happy. "It's about preventing temperature changes of 2 degrees," Putin said, adding that those at the forum "somehow do not yet feel that the temperature is rising. By the way, we should be grateful to President Trump. In Moscow, it's raining and cold and even, they say, some snow. Now, we could blame this all on American imperialism, that it's all their fault, but we won't." Putin seemed to leave the door open to the US rejoining the agreement, which Trump has said is a possibility. "The agreement has not yet even come in effect," Putin said. "It will come into effect in 2021. So we still have time. If we all work constructively, we can agree on something." Kelly later asked Putin about the US intelligence community's assessment that Russian hackers were responsible for the cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, during the 2016 presidential election. "IP addresses can be invented. A child can do that!" Putin replied. "Your underage daughter could do that. That is not proof." He then compared US intelligence officials blaming Russia for the hacks to "anti-Semitism and blaming the Jews. This is disinformation." Putin said on Thursday that the Kremlin did not order the hacking campaign, but that "patriotically minded" Russian citizens may have taken it upon themselves to target "those who say bad things about Russia." When asked at Friday's forum about reports that Russia's ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak, met with members of Trump's campaign during the election, Putin was again flippant. "So our ambassador met someone. So what? It's his job," he said. He later said Kelly "shouldn't be labeling people" when she asked whether he thought Syrian President Bashar Assad, whom Russia has supported throughout the country's six-year civil war, was "evil." Putin argued that Assad was not responsible for the chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in April that killed dozens of civilians, claiming that the massacre was "orchestrated" by Assad's opponents. (Western officials have blamed Assad's military for the aerial gas attack.) The Russian leader also questioned why Trump was calling on NATO members to increase their military spending, saying the defense organization "was established as a Cold War instrument in the fight against the Soviet Union." He said there was no longer a Soviet Union, "but NATO is still there." "The question is, what for?" he said. Asked whether "squabbles" in the West had helped Russia, Putin said they did if it meant NATO would be dismantled. According to him, one of the biggest impediments to Africas growth is the unavailability and erratic supply of power. Urging governments to provide consistent energy, at the real cost, to drive growth, he said, No power, no growth. We need to make sure we tackle the issue of power, speaking at a panel discussion at the ongoing Development Finance Forum (DFF) in Accra." The development forum, organized by the World Bank Group and the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET), was aimed at scaling up private sector investment in Africa.Mr. Dangote said small businesses on the continent can never survive without stable power when the income or revenue generated is used in purchasing diesel to power and service generators.He complained that in the status quo, generators are the source for providing consistent power and the grid is now standby although this scenario should be the direct opposite. READ ALSO: Meet the richest people in Africa Dangote then cited the case of the state of Kano, with a population of 21million people, which has a power supply of less than 35megawatts from the grid. "We must make sure that power is available, if not businesses cannot grow, he added. These comments come at the back of the release of a report by the World Bank declaring 32 of the 48 nations on the continent to be in an energy crisis. The report also states that energy development has not kept pace with rising demand in developing regions, placing a large strain on the continent's existing resources over the first decade of the new century. From 2001 to 2005, GDP for over half of the countries in Sub Saharan Africa rose by over 4.5percent annually, while generation capacity grew at a rate of 1.2percent. READ ALSO: Dangote Group to raise fund for the Africa Center According to the World Development Report published by the World Bank in 2012, Africas economy is about the size of the Netherlands' economy, which is equivalent to only approximately six percent of the U.S. economy. Ghanas president Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo Addo, also speaking on at the forum on energy and power generation noted We have encouraged majority Ghanaian private sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the main distributor of power in Ghana, under the Millennium Challenge Compact with the U.S. Government.He also touched on governments renewal of the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and governments efforts to move Ghana from a reliance on thermal towards renewable energy. "Therefore, all the new PPAs will only be signed for renewable energy, he said. Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, touching on the Ghanaian power challenges, noted that there are two levels in fixing the power problems. First, we have the issue of mismanagement and secondly the inability to explore renewable options. We are trying to clear the backlog so that we can get back into decency and how we negotiate these contracts and ensure there is stable power, he added. The event brought together more than leaders from around the world to identify constraints and opportunities to developing. The agreement, which was signed by 195 nations in December 2015, aims to slow down the rate at which the planet is warming. Before today's decision was made, several executives of US companies showed their disapproval of the US pulling out of the agreement. On Wednesday, a letter signed by the executives of major companies, including Facebook, Google, Apple, and Unilever, urged the president not to abandon the agreement. After Trump announced his decision, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said that he will be leaving Trump's advisory council. Other executives have taken to social media to voice their concern. Jeff Immelt, chairman and CEO of General Electric Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft Brad Smith, president of Microsoft Aaron Levie, CEO of Box Mark Cuban, owner of NBA's Dallas Mavericks Lisa Jackson, vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives at Apple and former administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce Brent Saunders, CEO of Allergan Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Apple CEO, Tim Cook Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Amour Kevin Plank released a statement today disagreeing with Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement. He wrote: "In 2015, the United States signed a contract with all of our closest allies and 194 member nations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. I believe in keeping ones word and doing everything possible to execute on our commitments. We at Under Armour are disappointed by the Administrations decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement as climate change continues to threaten our planet, our cities and our economies. Climate change is real and must be taken seriously by our business community, our customers, our neighbors and our elected officials. Sustainability has always been part of our DNA: its integral to how we live and work and is essential to our environment. As a business leader concerned with creating American jobs, I disagree with the decision to exit the Paris Accord. 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. Many on social media have attributed the incident to the lack of trust in the police in investigating crimes thoroughly. READ ALSO: Suspect gives chilling details about the murder of Captain Mahama The most immediate incident is the murder of J.B Danquah Adu. The Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North was stabbed in his bed in his home in East Legon. More than a year later, the family is yet to gain closure as the primary suspect in his murder has been discharged by the court as state prosecutors seek additional evidence. The Upper East Regional chairperson of the governing New Patriotic Party, Adams Mahama died in hospital in May 2015 after he suffered severe burns from an acid attack. Earlier this month, the Northern Regional chairperson of the party, Bugri Naabu accused the slain Mahamas successor, Rockson Bukari and the Minister of Gender, Otiko Djaba of having a hand in the case. Although Naabu has since retracted the claim, it has emboldened the family and defence attorneys of Gregory Afoko (who is on trial for the murder) who are calling for his release. This risks making the case a foolish case. In March 2014, Fennec Okyere, the manager of musician Kwaw Kesse, was found dead at his home. He had been shot and three years later, his family is yet to gain closure about what happened during the last moments of his life. It prompted Kwaw Kesse to say in an interview after what now appears to be initial impressive work done by the police after the murder of JB Danquah. He said I think my manager's case has not been dealt with the way the late MPs case has been dealt with. I want to ask the police if its because my manager was not an MP. Although Ibrahim Mohammed pleaded not guilty, an Accra Circuit Court sentenced him to the jail term, while the items he stole has been returned to the owner. The Ghana News Agency reports that prosecuting Chief Inspector Adu told the court that on December 15, 2016, Mohammed and a partner accosted the woman outside her home and attacked her with a knife and demanded her to give them her bag which included her iPhone 6 plus. The smartphone costs about 3,000 cedis. READ ALSO: Angry soldiers want revenge for lynching of their colleague After that he sat on the motorbike they were using an attempted to speed off. An alarm was sounded by the woman and residents of the area, helped to arrest Mohammed while his accomplice managed to evade arrest. This was in a bid to continue claiming the old age pension, 1,700, belonging to the deceased, the Mirror UK reports. The body of the 90 year-old woman was found by the police after they launched an investigation and found the corpse of the deceased. "They were hidden in a freezer, and there had been no report of the mothers death. "The freezer was not connected to the electricity supply going into the house. It was just a hiding place," a prosecutor revealed. The police believe that the old woman died a decade ago, contradicting claims made by the suspect who stated that her mother died seven years ago. The Attorney General (AG) filed a nolle prosequi discontinuing trial of the two suspected murderers of J.B Danquah. The AG represented by a state attorney Sefakor Batse on Tuesday moved the application at the high court. 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 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. 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. Ms Huang is also to report to the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration Service twice a week for further investigations. According to the presiding judge, Justice Ekow Baiden the prosecution failed to convince the court that Aisha and the other four suspects will interfere in investigation, as stated in the argument opposing the bail. Ms Huang is also to hand over her passport and other travelling documents to the court registry. According to him, such a move will alert Ghanaians on the repercussions of engaging in such heinous acts. He said that the police administration must ensure that investigations into the murder are thorough so that suspects are convicted when they appear before court. Our hope and our prayer as we join voices as a nation this morning is that these investigations are not conducted in the normal way as most of these investigations are done But that these investigations are done in a manner driven by a clear desire to get convictions in the court, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said. My personal desire is that the trial and sentencing of the persons responsible is carried live on national television so that the many people who have seen this act, will also see some punishment being exacted, he added. He believed that Captain Mahamas death should not be left to have happened in vain. If for nothing at all, we should take advantage of it and use it as an opportunity to stop this dastardly act in our country once and for all. Ghanaians on Tuesday woke up to the sad news of the murder of a soldier, Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama, sending shock waves across the country. Adam 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. This implies that fourteen (14) suspects have so far been arrested, and are being investigated over the murder of the Captain. The first seven which includes the Assemblyman of the area have made their first appearance in court. They were arraigned on June 1, 2017. A magistrate court in Cape Coast remanded the seven suspects. They were also charged with murder. The Regional Police PRO, ASP Irene Oppong, told Accra-based Citi FM that one of the suspects was arrested at Techiman in the Brong Ahafo region, while 5 others were arrested at Asankragua in the Western Region. One of the suspects, identified as Charles Akwasi Buah, was arrested on Friday dawn following a tip-off by an informant at Domenasi Ojobi in the Central Region. At a meeting with the soldiers at Burma Camp in Accra, most of the soldiers were visibly irritated. They expressed their readiness to draw their pint of blood following the death of one of their own. One angry soldier said We are the last resort in this country. If we allow ourselves to be beaten this way as a Christian, by what Jesus said in Matthew 26 verse 52: he who draws the sword must die by the sword. This soldier was supported by a Muslim counterpart with verses from the Quran. This was followed by cheers and applause from the soldiers present. The soldiers said they were growing impatient with the pace of the police investigation, which has so far seen seven suspects arrested for their alleged roles in the murder. They asked why the military police could not take over the investigation and subsequent prosecution of the matter. We have military police. It is not in every instance that we allow the civilian police to be telling us about evidence. You have seen something clearly and you are telling me about evidence. What more evidence do you want from this? The Ghana Armed Forces has the military police. We can handle our things. It is not everything that you take to the civil police. Some of the soldiers also called for a total boycott and discontinuation of all anti-lumbering and anti galamsey operations currently being run by the Army. I will suggest we leave the work for the police to also carry out so that we come back to our barracks, on soldier noted. READ ALSO: JJ Rawlings speaks following murder of soldier However, the CDS reemphasised the stance of Former President, J.J Rawlings and President Nana Akufo-Addo for them not to engage in any reprisal attacks. Even though this is a cruel act, cool heads must prevail. A statement like this coming from a former member of the Ghana Armed Forces and a former head of state and a former commander in chief needs to be examined and listened to very carefully. They are said to have died after the vehicle they were travelling in broke down in the middle of the journey. The report of the incident was given by six survivors who managed to walk to a nearby town where they are being taken care off. According to reports, they were mainly citizens of Ghana and Nigeria, who were hoping for a better life in Europe for themselves and their families. The dead also included babies. READ ALSO: Angry soldiers want revenge for lynching of their colleague Ghana is among the countries with the highest number of citizen arrivals in Libya and the shores of Italy in their quest to migrate to Europe. In December 2016, the International Organisation for Migration said the number of Ghanaian irregular migrants to Italy had jumped from 4,450 to 5,545 from the previous year. Nigeria is also a country with a large population arriving on the shores of Italy. According to him, he has not received any official letter from the Presidency asking him to step down. "I have never been happy in my life than today. Im still in my office. I have not received official notification. I have heard it on social media and radio," he said. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has suspended Daniel Appianing from his post. He has been told to hand over to the Deputy Central Regional Minister, Thomas Adjei Baffoe. A letter was signed to that effect by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development asked him to hand over. The DCE was suspended following comments he made after news emerged that army captain Maxwell Adam Mahama had been lynched at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central region. The DCE shortly after the death of Captain Mahama said he [Mahama] is protecting a group of Chinese illegal miners in the Upper Wassa Forest. He said on Accra-based Adom FM that "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." The comments did not go down well with many Ghanaians which led to his suspension by the President. But Daniel Appianing said he is still at post as the DCE of Denkyira-Obuasi. Beauty editors, entrepreneurs, enthusiasts, bloggers and more are invited to the premium beauty store launch celebrating women across all industries and inspiring the everyday woman to change her perception of self, believe in her worth and go for her dreams unapologetically! The event is bringing beauty entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond under one roof as she provides a carefully curated catalogue of quality beauty services and products, fit for the quintessential African woman. Excited about the launch, the brand's Creative Director, Nowe Alexis Isibor reveals MOSE is much more than a retail store but the very heart of the conversation on what true African beauty entails; Every woman is an OmonoMOSE (child of beauty in bini language), who deserves to be celebrated, and her true inner beauty revealed. The Mose brand seeks to make beauty retail in Africa a personalized experience with accessible, available, affordable products/services, great customer service, provide retail space to beauty entrepreneurs while pushing conversations on beauty and confidence. The premium beauty retail hub will open its doors to beauty connoisseurs at its flagship location at NELLE MALL, Lekki phase 1, Lagos. Event starts at 12 noon with a session for the media and beauty influencers with top skin expert and dermatologist, Dr Vivian Oputa, Mose In house makeup artist/beauty blogger and Influencer, Stephanie Ani (Pro Make Up Artistry) as speakers. The grand opening of The Mose Wonderland African Tea Party will start at 2pm. Guests are to come in their best African "Printastic" attire. The Lagos beauty retailer boasts of a collection of over 80 beauty brands including Aralewa, Arami Essentials, Makariah Scrubs, R N R Luxury, Yanga Beauty, Kilienma, Natural Nigerian, Kaeme, HVS Beauty, Ewami Essentials,5th Sense Habitat, UBERCHIC VILLE, AWI Gluta C and Moringa Beauty line, Nuban Beauty, Lash Suite,My Lash Extentionz, Wura Naturals, ORIKI; with an impressive catalogue of international favourites like The Bodyshop, Molton Brown, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Nars, Laura Mercier, Cover fx, Got2b, Elf, Smashbox and so much more! Organic beauty products like the Aweni Organics, Organic Life Plus, Mos Essentials, Midori wonders and more will also be available to shop at the event. Details: Date: Saturday, 3rd of June 2017 Address: 8, Nelle Mall, Admirality way. Time: 2:00 pm Dress Code: African prints The Department of Justice's petition asks the high court's nine-justice panel to rule on the legality of Trump's order. In a May ruling halting the order, the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals argued that the travel ban "drips with religious intolerance, animus, and discrimination." In its appeal filed Thursday night, the DOJ argued that the lower court's ruling contained "several mistakes." DOJ spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said the ban was lawful, and was structured in the interest of national security. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Flores said in a statement. Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the same assertion last month after the 4th Circuit Court's ruling, saying, "The Department of Justice strongly disagrees with the decision of the divided court, which blocks the president's efforts to strengthen this country's national security." The UK's biggest broadcasters have all but ditched general election polls this year. While newspaper appetite for polling appears undimmed, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Sky News have all admitted that they are not overly interested in predicting the result. Moreover, the broadcasters have made polls the supporting act, rather than the star turn of their election coverage. And with just days remaining in the 2017 campaign, don't expect things to change. Why? The TV organisations argue to varying degrees that voting intentions surveys have lost their lustre after pollsters got it disastrously wrong on the 2015 election, Brexit, and Donald Trump. A total waste of time ITV News anchor Tom Bradby puts it more succinctly. "It should be abundantly clear by now that the polls are a total waste of time," he said in a sequence of tweets on Wednesday night. ITV News has, unusually, not commissioned a single poll this year. Instead, the guiding mantra in the newsroom over the past few weeks has been "people, not polls." The broadcaster has extended its 10 p.m. bulletin by 10 minutes on weeknights and handed over time to reporters in the field, talking directly to voters about their intentions. Specifically, extra resources have gone into sending correspondents Penny Marshall and Martin Geissler on fact-finding missions around Britain. The "What Matters" strand has explored themes including social care and immigration. "I'm not going to criticise polling whatsoever, but they didn't have their finest hour in 2015/16," ITV News editor Geoff Hill told Business Insider. "We're doing our own reporting and analysis. At this particular time, I want to spend more money on getting out and reporting." It's a similar story over at the BBC. The broadcaster is not commissioning polls at a national level, although there is some ad-hoc polling going on at its local news and radio services. Instead, the BBC has shifted the focus away from hypotheticals and placed a greater emphasis on policy. "We're focused on the choice rather than the outcome scenarios," an insider said. It's an admission that the BBC didn't get it entirely right in 2015. At the time, polls predicted a hung parliament and huge energy was expended on predicting the colour of a coalition government, which could have been led by former Prime Minister David Cameron, or Labour's Ed Miliband. "We and all other media organisations allowed the poll numbers to infect our thinking: There was too much 'coalitionology' as a result," BBC News director James Harding said in a speech soon after the last general election. "With the benefit of hindsight, we would all have been better off with less discussion of deals and allowed the dissection of policy." Sky kills the Poll Bug Sky News made a decision at the start of the 2017 campaign to remove its polling aggregator tool, known as the 'Poll Bug,' from on-screen graphics. Like ITV, it has put a greater emphasis on journalism in the field, while specialist correspondents have applied more scrutiny to policy. Economics editor Ed Conway, for example, did a detailed analysis of each party manifesto in a regular "Election Forensics" segment. This meant that on the day Labour's blueprint for government was published, he costed it up and came to the conclusion that the party had managed to balance its spending pledges. Polling remains in the mix, with Sky leaning on its own data tools, which use traditional and other polling techniques to produce largely qualitative information. Jonathan Levy, Sky News' director of news-gathering and operations, said its approach has been more "sophisticated" than in 2015. "I feel a lot more comfortable with what we're doing this year," he said. Levy explained: "The problem with an over-focus on the polls, it means you're not making the most of your own journalism and digging deep beneath the surface. "While we were all focused on headline poll numbers in 2015, which didn't turn out to be particularly accurate, the pattern of David Cameron going repeatedly to the south-west [of England] was what was important. That's how he won the election, by taking Lib Dem seats." Channel 4 News has also not commissioned any polls (although it made the same decision in 2015), while Channel 5 News editor Rachel Corp told TV industry trade magazine Broadcast that it had ditched them completely because of "scepticism" among viewers. Levy said he was "not surprised" most broadcasters are on the same page. He described the change of strategy as a "journey" that started with the US election last year, when Sky placed less emphasis on voter surveys. It was always Sky's intention to wean itself off polls in time for a 2020 election, he said. It just had to move quicker after Prime Minister Theresa May called a snap election. The one poll that matters Ignoring polls is impossible, however. Particularly when some begin to show a dramatic narrowing in the race for 10 Downing Street, as they have in recent days. Hill said ITV News often injects these figures into live studio discussions between Bradby and political editor Robert Peston. "We are acknowledging the polls," he stressed. These fluctuations are partly why the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, and Sky News have taken a step back. Channel 4 News editor Ben de Pear told Broadcast: "We can see that Theresa Mays U-turns and a couple of good appearances from Jeremy Corbyn have been reflected in the polling, which makes them good indicators. But they no longer have the same purpose they dont lead stories." But there is still one poll that really matters to the broadcasters and that's the exit poll. A collaboration between the BBC, ITV, and Sky, it's an enormous undertaking which asks people how they have voted, rather than how they intend to vote. It will be published at 10 p.m. on June 8. Famously, the 2015 exit poll contradicted the previous voting intention surveys, which had all pointed to a hung parliament, by predicting a Tory majority. It flabbergasted the Westminster bubble when it was announced. Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown famously told the BBC that he would "eat my hat" if it was correct. "We still have faith in the exit poll, which was remarkably accurate in 2015," Sky's Levy said. "I remember when we heard the result 20 minutes before we went on air, it was a really jaw-dropping moment." Less than an hour later, Marcato Capital Management announced that Buffalo Wild Wings' shareholders had elected all three of the activist investor's nominees to the company's board, including Mick McGuire, Marcato's founder and managing partner. The end of Smith's leadership and the election of Marcato's nominees comes after months of disputes between the hedge fund and the restaurant company. McGuire kicked off the power struggle in August when he published an open letter accusing Buffalo Wild Wings' management of mismanaging the company. The letter set off a brutal series of attacks and rebuttals. Marcato, which now owns about 10% of the company's shares, accused Buffalo Wild Wings of ripping off franchisees; Buffalo Wild Wings said McGuire had a "track record of losses in the boardroom." With the moves, it now looks as if the activist investor could carry out its plan for the chain: more locations owned and operated by franchisees. "We are very pleased that our fellow Buffalo Wild Wings shareholders recognize that additional change on the board is warranted to return Buffalo Wild Wings to a path of growth and long-term value creation," McGuire said in a statement. "We will bring the fresh perspectives, restaurant-industry expertise, and oversight the Buffalo Wild Wings board needs to spearhead improvements at the company." In addition to McGuire, Buffalo Wild Wings shareholders nominated Scott Bergren, the former CEO of Pizza Hut, and Sam Rovit, the CEO of the food-service company CTI Foods, to the board. This bit of information was passed across by actor Yomi Fabiyi. According to him, the immigration procedure for the return of the body and child to Nigeria is at an advanced stage. ALSO READ: Yomi Fabiyi pens touching note to late actress All documents have been secured and the burial committee would give exact details of her burial as soon as they receive confirmation from Canada. Plans are currently underway to fly in the late actress' body by former Lagos state governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The burial committee have released the burial details below: Day 1: Tuesday June 6, 2017, 4pm Memorial service and artiste night at Blueroof, LTV 8, Lateef Jakande, Agidingbi, Ikeja. All guests are enjoined to be on black but corporate outfit. Day 2: Wednesday, June 7, 2017, 10 am She will be buried at Ebony Vault at Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos. Brief lying in state will preceed the burial. T-Shirt for the burial costs N1,500 and will be available at the memorial service and artiste night. Meanwhile, the baby girl of late actress Moji Olaiya is now with her brother, Femi, who travelled to Canada to get the baby. The remains of Moji Olaiya will be brought back to Nigeria by top Nigerian politician Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Moji is survived by two daughters, Adunola who is currently mourning the loss of her mom and her two-month-old baby who is in the care of her friend in Canada. Country Category Manager, Mr. Olumide Aniyikaiye in a remark at the celebration enjoined the 2,000 school children who pledged to healthy and nutritional living to consume milk daily. Speaking at the event, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, represented by Mrs. Kehinde Hazoume at the event highlighted the benefits of milk and commended Dano for bringing school children together for the World Milk Day Celebration. "I appreciate TG Arla for a job well done. It provides an opportunity to focus attention on milk. "Milk is beneficial to the human body. It is essential for the well-being and physical development of every child." Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, represented by Mrs. Oyinlola Adejare championed milk as an important component of childrens meal. Mrs. Ambode said, "Milk has always been an important nutritional component of a childs food. Setting aside a day since 2001 to celebrate is a great idea. "Milk stands apart as it boosts the power of childrens brain and enhances their physical development." Speaking further, Mrs. Ambode praised Dano for its numerous CSR initiatives and programmes with emphasis on its strong schools and Dano cares Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) campaigns. "For many years, TG Arla, producers of Dano milk has occupied the front seat in that industry making and distributing Dano to millions of Nigerian children across the length and breadth of the country. "Your strong schools programme aimed at improving the health and nutritional lifestyle of 10million children by 2020 is impressive. "Your generosity to the IDP through your Dano cares campaign is equally commendable." President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Dr. Bartholomew Brai while giving an address at the event showered praises on Dano for taking a bold step by partnering with NSN and contributing to the well-being of Nigerian children. Dr. Brai said, We are glad with this strategic partnership with TG Arla, manufacturers of Dano milk. This partnership is part of our resolution to associate with individuals and brands taking significant steps to help get rid of malnutrition of Nigeria. As a nation willing to curb malnutrition, lets cultivate the habit of milk drinking. "A glass of milk everyday makes that significant difference. We are proud to associate with Dano on this malnutrition campaign as it is a brand that is contributing positively to the well-being of children in Nigeria. Assistant Category Manager, Ms. Rosette Agbor while appreciating guests and stakeholders who graced the occasion said Dano would continue to provide Nigerian mothers and other Nigerians with healthy, nutritional and affordable range of Milk products, capable of boosting the mental and physical wellbeing for the young and old. The World Milk Day, a significant day created by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is celebrated annually on June 1. It was created in 2001 by FAO to raise awareness for milk as a global food for healthy living. The Chief of Training and Operation, Army Headquarters, Maj.- Gen David Ahmadu gave the warning in a message to the Graduation Regimental Dinner for Direct Short Service Course 23 of Nigeria Army School of Infantry Jaji, Kaduna State. He told the graduating officers that the economic situation was temporary and a result of measures adopted by government to reposition the economy for a better Nigeria. As the economic reforms progress, our country is bound to witness falling living standard for the majority of the population in the short term. The armed forces cannot be an exception." Hardship occasioned by the economic reforms may drive some personnel to adopt desperate measures to sustain their livelihood. he noted. Ahmadu advised the officers to detect who among your men are desperate and who may be driven by hardship, fear of the unknown or greed to commit crime. It is your task to identify the desperate personnel, counsel them and if it is not possible to change them, show them the way out of the system before they harm the institution. He also spoke on the need for upcoming leaders in the military to be mindful of the rights of the civil populace and the rule of law in the course of their military engagements. Your generation will find that its conduct of military operations including training will become increasingly subject to questions of human right and the rule of law." Higher standards will now be demanded of your troops to act with greater restraint even in the face of obvious provocation." You must learn media management skills, which will enable you exploit the growing power of the mass media rather than trying to fight it." You will now find, unlike before, that an obscure action of a soldier, under you could redefine the entire perception and character of your operation because the media will define it for you. The general noted also that the growing sophistication of military weapons has made it imperative to have highly educated personnel to manage dwindling resources amidst high expectations. It will therefore be a challenge for your generation to devise the necessary skills, which will enable our military engage the services of the private sector to enhance our own efficiency." This will include evolving new ways to address personnel welfare problems particularly in areas of children education, Medicare, post service housing, pension and post retirement investment. According to him, the advancement in science and technology is changing the face of battle very significantly. Todays weapons and equipment are sophisticated, fragile and complex. The semi-literate or the technologically deficient can no longer use them. He therefore charged the officers to evolve new management and leadership skills, delegate authority to the very low level. Your new soldier will be very conscious of his dues under military law and will demand for them. Ahmadu stressed that there would be no compromise in terms of total loyalty to constituted authority including the Commander-in-Chief, Chief of Army Staff and other superior officers. The 37-year-old Pumpy who was arrested at his hideout in the Mushin area of Lagos State by operatives of the State Taskforce during an operation confessed that he and his gang members had robbed and raped their female victims, old and young, married or single. According to the State Police Command, Olowojobi and his gang members had been holding Mushin and other parts of the state to ransom by their activities, adding that he had admitted to killing many of his victims for refusing to let go of their valuables. His doom came when he was arrested during a raid of some identified criminal hideouts in the Akala, Idi-Iro, and Fadeyi areas of the state following frequent complaints by members of the public about the activities of the gang. While confessing during interrogation, the deadly gang leader said that most of his victims were waylaid by his gang on their way to or from work and markets early in the morning and late at night. He explained that his accomplices would drag their victims into the bush or abandoned buildings where they would take turns raping them. The robbery kingpin, an indigene of Ipoti in Ekiti State, also confessed that he had killed more than 10 people in the frequent fracas in the Akala area of Mushin. I joined the boys in the street in 2008 but I founded my own gang in 2010. Initially, we were four members in the gang but we later increased to 10. Aside from being contracted by land grabbers and members of the different transport unions during their frequent leadership tussles, we also recruit young boys and girls to sell drugs on the street. I have over 20 young boys and girls who sell Indian hemp, Codeine, Tramadol and other drugs to users in the area. These young boys and girls do this in return for food, shelter, and protection. A good number of them ran away from their homes while some of them are destitute. Since 2010 when I founded my own gang, I have killed so many persons. Some of those killed either died during shootouts or were macheted. There was a time I butchered one guy like a goat simply because he assaulted my girlfriend. Before then, I had warned him to stay away from my girl but he refused. I even sent some of his friends to him and he still paid deaf ears. One day, I sent some of my boys to corner him at night and macheted him severally during the fight that later ensued, Pumpy who has been described by the police as very dangerous and deadly, narrated. Punch reports that Momoh's discharge was made possible following the recommendation of the State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, that the charges against her should be dismissed. Immediately after Momoh stepped out of the dock, she was reported to have knelt down and started singing praises to God and when she got out of the court, she covered her face with two sets of clothes and hastened towards the back gate of the court. Recall that Momoh was rescued by the Lagos State Police Command on Friday, March 23, 2017, when she attempted to jump into the Lagos Lagoon from Third Mainland Bridge. It was then gathered that she had accumulated debts of over N18 million after a bureau de change operator allegedly fled with money belonging to her Swiss creditor. Coupled with that, her shop was also reportedly burgled around the time, which led to frustration and depression and the decision to kill herself. She had also claimed that efforts to see her pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God over her challenges, did not yield fruit. Momoh had narrated to the police that on the day she tried to kill herself, she had left her house and headed for the lagoon, removed her shoes and was about to take a dive into the water when she was rescued and handed over to operatives of the Rapid Response Squad. The police subsequently transferred the matter to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, where she was detained for three days before she the case was later charged to court. After the first arraignment, Momoh cried out for help, saying she could not explain why she attempted suicide and when the matter came up for hearing on Thursday, she was represented by two counsel, F.A. Azeez and Eniola Disu, both from the Office of the Public Defender. A prosecutor from the state Ministry of Justice, Mrs. A.T. Olaleye, announced that the DPP had issued advice on the matter. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sentence was handed down by Justice Toyin Abodunde who found the convict guilty on charges bordering on rape and forceful carnal knowledge. Oluwatoba allegedly committed the crime on August 12, 2013, at Odo Usi Street, Awo Road, Igede-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, and was first arraigned in court on November 27, 2015. While presenting its case, the prosecution provided exhibits which included photographs, the medical report on the sexual assault, statement of the accused at the police station, among others. At the time of committing the crime, the convict was married to two wives including the mother of the victim who is the second wife. The victim was a product from a previous marriage before her mother married Oluwatoba. It was gathered that on the day of the incident, the victims mother was not at home and the convict forcefully had carnal knowledge of the girl after giving her a bath. The mother on arrival discovered bloodstains on the victims cloth and also the bleeding from her private part which prompted her to raise an alarm. The incident was reported to the Igede-Ekiti Police Divisional Headquarters and the convict was promptly arrested. A resident of the area while commenting on the conviction, said: We are not happy that he was jailed but this will serve as a lesson and deterrent to other elderly people raping minors in the society. It is difficult to explain why a man at his age married to two women would condescend to have carnal knowledge of his stepdaughter. According to a video recording of the incident captured and shared online by Anastasya Vorobyova, the lady was on the Turkish airline flight that was traveling from Istanbul to Abuja on Tuesday, May 30, when the incident happened. It was gathered that as the passengers were settling down into their seats, the Nigerian lady asked the Turkish air hostess for water which was refused. The Nigerian lady was said to have gotten angry and smashed the cup of water in the air hostesss hand in annoyance. The lady was said to have been angry at the hostess who had initially refused to give her water before the plane took off after the hostess had argued that they do not give passengers water until the flight has taken off. Officials and security men of the airline quickly rounded up the woman and forced her out of the flight while other Nigerians on the plane stood up in defense of the woman. The Nigerians were seen and heard in the video begging the officials to forgive the woman no matter what her offence was but she was still kicked off the plane nonetheless. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Jibrin is challenging his suspension from the House of Representatives. The Kano lawmaker fell out with the House after he accused the leadership of illegally padding the 2016 budget. Sequel to that, Jibrin was barred from the House for 180 legislative days on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. On Friday, April 13, 2017, the chairman House committee rules, Emmanuel Oker-Jev and Ossai Ossai, chairman House committee ethics, had applied to join the suit in the lower court but they were denied. They proceeded to the Appeal Court to apply for a stay of proceedings in the case. At the Appeal Court on Thursday, June 1, 2017, the three-man panel of judges led by Abdul Aboki said that they do not grant such application. Counsel to Jibrin, Femi Falana, had earlier told the court that the application lacked merit. Falana said those seeking to join the suit did not seek permission of the court before bringing such an application before it. He prayed the court to grant an expeditious hearing as the constituents of Jibrin have been illegally denied representation for almost a year. After listening to the counsels, the panel dismissed the application and ordered that the substantive matter be heard at the federal high court, Abuja. According to Sahara Reporters, Melaye who represents Kogi West in the Senate, did bribe the judge who ruled an election case before her, in his favour. Sahara Reporters gave the name of the judge as Justice Akon Ikpeme. In 2015, Ikpeme was the tribunal judge who handled the election case between Melaye and his challenger Smart Adeyemi. Ikpeme ruled in Melayes favour in 2016. To back up its story, the news site put up a purported phone conversation between Melaye and Ikpeme. Heres a paragraph from that Sahara Reporters story: In the tape, which captures a telephone conversation between Justice (Mrs) Akon and Mr. Melaye, the judge is overheard asking Mr. Melaye to give her a bribe in US dollars. She also asks Mr. Melaye to assist a person Dino repeatedly referred to as her "daughter" secure a job at the State Ministry of Health. There was some name dropping as well from Dino, according to the story: In a second call between Ikpeme and Mr. Melaye, the Senator bragged that he had already spoken to the State Governor, Prof. . Melaye has reacted to the story through his twitter account. Sahara Reporters and awada kerikeri (comedy). Using voice over to malign me because my case with them comes up in few days time. (5th June 2017), the senator wrote. Its as weak a defense as they come. A straw mans argument if ever there was one. Melaye can certainly do better. You dont refute an allegation by trying to blackmail the accuser. Thats so two thousand and late. The allegation by Sahara Reporters is grave because it borders on obstruction of justice; or if you would, perverting the course of justice. The bigger implication is that Melaye could lose his seat in the Senate if found guilty. If proven to be true, Justice Ikpeme will be standing trial alongside Melaye as well for the same offence and stripped of her position on the bench. Alternatively, she could be asked to recuse herself from further sitting over cases until this one is determined in a court of competent jurisdiction. Which is why Melaye's defense through twitter doesn't cut it. The senator should sue Sahara Reporters for all its worth if hes got a cast-iron conviction that hes innocent of the allegation. Sahara Reporters and Melaye have a storied past littered with duels and punch swinging. But this is a fresh allegation which should be viewed and treated on its merit. To say the voice in that audio was doctored is a stretch and an attempt by the senator to pull a wool over the eyes of the Nigerian people. May this case not die a natural death like many before it. According to them, recalling the controversial Senator is in the best interests of Kogi West Senatorial Zone, Kogi State. The group, who claim they represent: Yagba West, Yagba East, Mopamuro, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Koton-Karfe and Lokoja Local Government Areas say dignity will be restored to the Senate if Melaye is removed. The group, in a statement which was sent to Pulse News, said "We have compiled the key reasons below to show the world that Senator Dino Melayes recall is not only long overdue, but the right thing to do in the best interests of Kogi West Senatorial Zone, Kogi State, Nigeria, and in fact the institution and dignity of the distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic Republic. " "Dino Melaye has breached multiple codes of conduct by his deliberate acts and omissions and it is time the authorities acted to enforce the laws and the Constitution. Whether the appropriate authorities act or not, we the people of his constituency who are at the receiving end of his shameful deeds have run out of patience and are resolved to recall and replace him with a decent and people-oriented Senator. "We understand the requirements of S69 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 regarding the recall of such a member of the National Assembly and hereby assure everyone that Kogi Central Senatorial Zone is united in this and will achieve it. "We hereby give the Kogi State Government notice that we are going through with this and if they will not help us, they must also not try to stop us or put obstacles in our way, in particular, everything the Law requires to be done by the Administration in Lokoja in aid of this process must be done with despatch," they added. The aggrieved constituents also gave some reasons for their decision to recall Melaye. They are that: 1. He has not deemed it fit to have a Constituency Office in Kogi West Senatorial Zone even after 2 years in the Senate, meaning he has no presence in the Zone and we have no way of reaching our Senator. 2. He has no projects initiated in the constituency after 2 years in the Senate. 3. He is known for a continuous flow of irresponsible utterances which embarrass the constituency. For example: I will beatimpregnate you referring to a fellow Senator and the wife of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu. 4. Violence, thuggery and other electoral Offences against our people during elections. 5. He insulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo. 6. He insulted President Muhammadu Buhari. 7. He not only insulted Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but he travelled all the way from Abuja to the leader's home in Lagos looking for a fight. 8. He insulted the Sultan of Sokoto, calling him an Islamist with a Muslim agenda in Kogi State, simply because His Eminence visited to celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the Government of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello. 9. He routinely insults other leaders, elders and personalities. 10. He persists in portraying our Senatorial Zone as hostile to the Administrations of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari and His Excellency, Governor of Yahaya Bello of Kogi State respectively, for no just cause and not minding the impact on us. 11. He is notorious for conduct unbecoming of a Senator in the way and manner he relates to the Senate President as if he were a bodyguard or houseboy instead of a full Senator representing a proud constituency like us. 12. He is enmeshed in a pending certificate scandal - we now believe he lied to us about his academic qualifications, part of the basis of which he sold his candidature. 13. He has brought home no dividends of democracy to our Senatorial District. 14. He paints our dear Kogi State bad in the Press at every opportunity he gets for his own selfish political interests, many times without even a clear understanding of what he is talking about. 15. His source of wealth is questionable to us and certainly not the model we wish our youth to emulate. 16. He is indecent and deliberately corrupts public morals, for example, he routinely gives youths in the constituency who approach him for help N1000.00 or less, telling them to use it to buy condoms. 17. He is notoriously corrupt and has been caught on video scheming to steal the resources of Kogi State among himself and a few cronies calling us elephants to be killed and shared. 18. He is an electoral fraud and has been caught on audio offering a Judicial Officer money to decide an electoral matter in his favour. The respondents expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Adebayo Ojo, a resident noted that the present recession called for a reduction in petrol price and not an increment. Ojo, a commercial taxi driver, told NAN that: Government cannot possibly be thinking about increasing the petrol price when they know the harsh economic situation in the country. The government should rather think of reducing the price else they will be calling Nigerians fools for being patient all this the while. We are not fools and government should not take us for granted, how can the senate be so mean to even contemplate a thing like that. I personally will recruit people to take to the street if a thing like that should happen, he said. Mrs Zainab Abu, a shop owner at Wuse market, said: No, it cant be true. That will be callous. Abu told NAN that she could no longer afford her childrens school fees and had withdrawn them to a local school because of the recession. This government has failed Nigerians and if we are not expecting anything more they should stop frustrating us, she said. A salon owner in Maitama, also told NAN on condition of anonymity that: Aunty, look around, I have laid off my staff. This one with me is cheap labour and she comes in thrice a week. I couldnt increase their pay and they both said they could not cope because the salary barely covered their cost of transportation. At a bus stop in Maitama, a lady who offered her name as Sala, almost slumped when NAN asked her reaction to the imminent hike. ALSO READ: Nigerian senators want to increase price of petrol Sala said: The proposed hike is unreasonable, it will increase everything again and we have not recovered from the increments in virtually everything. The Senate Committee on Works, had on June 1, recommended a N5 fuel levy on every litre of petroleum or diesel imported into Nigeria to help finance the proposed National Roads Fund. The committee, chaired by Sen. Kabiru Gaya (APC-Kano), also recommended the deduction of 0.5 per cent on fares paid by passengers travelling on inter-state roads to commercial mass transit operators and return of toll gates on federal roads, among others. The inference of the proposed fuel levy charge is that end-users, including motorists, would pay N5 tax on every litre of fuel bought at any fuel station. The Field Operation Officer of the commission, Mr Christopher Monday, said this when he paid a visit to the returnees camp in Ifa-Okon village in Essien Udim Local Government Area on Friday. He said We are here to assess your plight. We have seen your sufferings and what you are going through. I want to assure you people that the Federal Government is not leaving any of you in the dark. The government has approved that we come here and see what is on ground. We have seen what is on ground and we will report back to the commission and in the shortest possible time, we will come to put smiles on your faces. I want to let you know that this government is not playing partisan politics with the welfare of its citizens. He said that the commission would visit all the IDPs camps in the state to give hope to the hopeless. What we are going to do is to carry out assessment of the number of people in the camp because we cannot render assistance without knowing the total number of people, he added. Earlier, Mr Aston Inyang, the National Coordinator of Bakassi Returnees in Akwa Ibom, said that the returnees had living at the mercy of the community people for over four years since returning from Cross River. Inyang appealed to the government to rehabilitate the IDPs camps in Akwa Ibom as they were in deplorable conditions. He appealed to the government to empower the returnees to avoid their being used by mischief makers, especially in this period of economic recession. Inyang added that returnees camps spread across the 31 local government areas were in need of governments assistance. Inyang said that the IDPs camp at the defunct Technical College, Ikot Ada Idem in Ibiono Ibom LGA was the first IDPs camp. The people staying in this camp are in thousands, but some of them have left to fend for themselves since no succour is coming from government, Inyang said. In a remark, the village head of Ifa-Okon village in Essien Udim LGA, Chief Michael Akpan, said that the returnees had been living in pitiable conditions since their return and that whenever it rains, the returnees took shelter in the Church. The village head urged the government to provide skill acquisition for youths, healthcare facilities and education for the children, to give the returnees sense of belonging. ALSO READ:Militants take over LGs in Cross River One of the children in the camp, Miss Mary Essien, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she had lost her father and that her mother was poor and had no money. A visit to some of the camps by NAN on Friday revealed a pitiable living condition for the Bakassi returnees, especially children and women, with some children looking malnourished. The Mission extended its condolences to the family of the late peacekeeper and the Government of Nigeria. UNAMID strongly condemns this attack, which constitutes a violation of international law. The incident has been reported to the relevant Sudanese authorities. UNAMID calls on the Government of Sudan to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. The Mission extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late peacekeeper, his colleagues, and the Federal Government of Nigeria. The UN, at a press briefing by Mr Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General, confirmed the death and extended its condolences to the family, colleagues and the Federal Government. A statement signed by Ahmed Naibi, the Secretary, said that Adeka was removed for announcing the suspension of the strike, immediately after his reinstatement. It said that the surprising action violated the resolutions reached at the NLC headquarters as a condition for his reinstatement. In the meeting held at our national secretariat in Abuja on May 23, we all agreed that Adeka must sustain the strike. That was a condition for his reinstatement. We also agreed that his mother union, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and all other affiliates of the NLC, must join the strike to maximise its effect. But, instead of sustaining and widening the strike, Adeka announced its suspension, a day after he was reinstated, the statement said. The statement declared that Adeka, by that action, had demonstrated that he was not a trustworthy leader. We have resolved that he stands impeached; , his deputy, is now the substantive Chairman of NLC in Nasarawa State, the statement declared. It said that the strike action would continue and advised workers to await further directive from the new leadership. Some executive council members, who spoke with NAN, accused Adeka of clearly taking sides with the government, with many describing his action as shocking. Adeka had been suspended from office on May 21, when he suddenly declared an end to the strike without due consultation. He was reinstated on May 23, after the headquarters intervened, but went on air on May 24, to announce the end of the strike without consulting with other members of the executive council. Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Port Harcourt, handed-over the vessels and 16 suspects to operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday in Onne, Rivers. He said that MT Sea Eunice had 1 million litres of diesel while MT Santos was caught transporting 500,000 litres of diesel to undisclosed destination. On Sept.25, 2016, naval troops during a routine patrol, intercepted and impounded MT Santos carrying about 500,000 litres of petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined diesel. The vessel which is quite massive was seized around Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) anchorage in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers. Similarly, on Nov. 5, 2016, our forces on routine patrol equally accosted and seized MT Sea Eunice laden with 1 million litres of product suspected to be stolen diesel. Sixteen all-male crew members were arrested onboard both vessels; and they had been in our custody providing useful information as part of our preliminary investigation, he said. Choji said the seizures and arrests was in-line with the new strategic directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas to rid the waterways of all forms of criminality. He assured that NNS Pathfinder had put measures and resources in place to rid the area of illegality aimed to encourage legitimate economic activities to thrive in the waterways. A senior detective Superintendent of the EFCC, Mr Macaulay Olayinka, who received the 16 suspected oil thieves and vessels, said the commission would conduct thorough investigation on the matter. Olayinka said that the suspects would be arraigned if found culpable of the allegations against them. In a related development, Capt. Choji, Executive Officer, NNS Pathfinder Port Harcourt, said that troops equally impounded a vessel and barge with undisclosed quantity of petroleum product. He said that 26 all-male crew members of Nigerian nationality onboard the vessel had been detained to obtain useful information on the source of the products. On May 29 at about 11.50 p.m., troops while on routine patrol of the creeks, apprehended a huge vessel, MT Anino operating side-by-side with a barge. The barge which has capacity to carry as much as 1 million litres was filled up with petroleum products suspected to be illegally refined diesel, he said. The Nigerian Navy is ever committed and will not tolerate criminality on the waterways, and as such, criminals must have a rethink and engage themselves in legitimate businesses. Those who attack our national assets and carry out illegalities on our maritime environment must stop as they would soon be caught and prosecuted, he warned. ALSO READ:Naval officers reportedly burn down police station leaving over 3 dead in Calabar Choji said that troops of NNS Pathfinder would continue to carry out 24-hours patrol of the waterways and creeks, while maintaining presence at flash points. Mohammed explained in a radio interview on Thursday, June 1, 2017 that London medical practitioners and hospitals can offer Buhari the best treatment which he deserves as the President of Nigeria. My answer is very simple. Mr President is our father, he is the leader of the nation and I think he deserves the best in terms of medical treatment, the minister said while responding to a caller that criticised the President for getting medical treatments abroad when he barred public officials for doing same. Mohammed was a guest at a live radio programme, Morning Crossfire on Nigeria Info 95.1FM. The minister had earlier said there is no cause for alarm over President Muhammadu Buhari's health saying he is in very competent hands in London. ALSO READ: President Buhari departed on May 7, 2017, for an indefinite medical vacation to London after months of ill health. Dr Maikanti Baru said this while receiving the Gov Seriake Dickson, at the NNPC Towers in Abuja. According to Baru, the power plant will be built at the states proposed industrial park while the collaboration will afford the state and the NNPC the opportunity to share technical knowledge that will attract investors to the Niger Delta region. He said, We have a lot of areas of collaboration. The NNPC will support Bayelsa State Government every inch of the way to deliver on the power plant in the proposed industrial park, ensure security of oil and gas infrastructure and siting of other inclusive projects that would improve the lives of the people in the communities. Baru added that Bayelsa was earmarked for the Federal Governments Greenfield Modular Refinery project, feasibility studies had been concluded but the project was stalled due to the withdrawal of foreign partners. He said the delay on the Final Investment Decision (FID) of Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (BLNG), was because a market window for the product was being arranged. We have spent a lot of money on the Brass LNG project and we had planned the FID for 2012 but the shareholders were unable to secure the market due to new plants in East Africa and other developments in the industry. What the shareholders in Brass LNG are doing now is to redesign the plant and secure a market because without the market the project cannot go on, he said. Baru also expressed interest in the states Brass Fertilizer Company, assuring that NNPC was prepared to invest in the project as a shareholder. He pledged that the corporation would rally its Joint Venture partners to support the State Trust Fund in order to mitigate the incidences of pipeline vandalism which impact negatively on the efficiency of the operators as well as the environment. Gov. Seriake Dickson had earlier said the visit was to appreciate Barus laudable efforts and to solicit the Corporations support for the states security, development and the Oil and Gas industry. Dickson said his state would seek an Oil Prospecting License, OPL, whenever the industry undertakes another bid round. This is because, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have passed for third reading a bill seeking six-month imprisonment for persons who distort queues. Speaking at plenary on Thursday, June 1, 2017, sponsor of the bill, Abubakar Amuda-Kannike said the bill would ensure that Nigerians conduct themselves in an orderly manner in public. The Kwara state lawmaker argued that Nigeria was on the verge of losing its cherished sense of nationalism, cultural identity and hospitality. The bill underscores the need to re-awaken a derailed national culture by proposing disciplinary measures to guide Nigerians in their daily behaviours, he said. In our society today, out of total disregard for other persons, who strive to do the right thing by conducting themselves orderly in public places, a large number of Nigerians distort queues and go unpunished. The bill if passed shall provide a starting point of value and cultural re-orientation in Nigeria. The bill underscores the need to re-awaken the derailed national culture by proposing disciplinary measures to guide Nigerians in their daily behaviours. Any nation that is not organised cannot have rapid growth. We should be seen as organised people from point of entry but we have accepted that anything goes. Every school should have civic education in its curriculum to instil patriotism and orderliness in the country, the lawmaker said. The PDP chieftain noted that all the defectors would be disappointed and subsequently return to the party. They (defectors) are trying to destroy the foundation of our party - the PDP, Alhaji Kano said according to DailyTrust. We are not fools; those that decamped may make a U-turn one day and history will beckon on them because they are cowards. Besides, Nigerias democracy will never grow when people lack the discipline and political ideology to stick to their political commitment, the PDP chieftain added. "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. "The government of Chad strongly opposes this report which is unfairly written," said the letter from Justice Minister Ahmat Mahamat Hassan, describing it as "filled with false, defamatory and prejudicial allegations against the honour of Chadian soldiers". Dated May 24, it said Chad was "opposed" to the publication of the report issued Tuesday which mapped a litany of human rights violations in CAR between 2013 and 2015. The damning report documented 620 serious human rights violations including rape, murder, torture and kidnapping committed by the army, armed groups and international forces. Published by the UN Human Rights Office and the UN mission in Central Africa (MINUSCA), it included details of abuses allegedly carried out by Chadian soldiers. Chadian troops were the largest part of MISCA, an African Union peacekeeping mission which began operating in CAR in December 2013. But in April 2014, Chad withdraw its entire force of more than 800 troops following UN accusations its soldiers staged an unprovoked attack on a market in the capital Bangui, firing into the crowd and killing about 30 people. At the time, the UN Human Rights Commission said an investigation had found the soldiers fired "without any provocation" in claims branded defamatory by Chad. The troops were also repeatedly accused of siding with the mainly Muslim Seleka movement and condoning their abuses against the majority Christian population. Chad, which neighbours CAR to the north, has a predominantly Muslim population. MISCA later became the MINUSCA force. One of the world's poorest nations, Central Africa collapsed into anarchy in 2013 with the overthrow of president Francois Bozize by former Seleka rebels, sparking a bloody sectarian showdown with Christian anti-Balaka militias. 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. 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. Often dressed in combat fatigues that complemented his "desert fighter" nickname, Habre fled to Senegal after he was ousted by current Chadian President Idriss Deby in 1990. Habre will now serve the rest of his life behind bars after judges in Dakar Thursday upheld his sentence for war crimes, crimes against humanity and torture, quashing the appeal attempt by his court-appointed lawyers, though a rape conviction was overturned. Habre was first sentenced by the Extraordinary African Chambers in May last year, setting a global precedent for the first time a country had prosecuted a former leader of another nation for rights abuses. The legal body created by Senegal and the African Union further ordered him in July to pay compensation to each victim who suffered rape, arbitrary detention and imprisonment during his rule, as well as to their relatives, a decision also upheld on Thursday. Reed Brody, a US-based lawyer who has worked closely with Habre's victims to secure the conviction, said the final verdict would "go down in history as the day that a band of unrelenting survivors finally prevailed over their dictator," all of whom have waited a quarter century for justice. Kadhafi critic The 74-year-old's rule was marked by fierce crackdowns on dissent, including alleged torture and executions of opponents, earning him comparisons to Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. Investigators found that more than 40,000 people were killed during his rule. The son of a farmer, Habre was born in Faya-Largeau, northern Chad, and grew up among nomads in the Djourab desert. His intelligence landed him a job as a local official before he left for Paris in 1963 to study law and attend Sciences-Po, the prestigious political science school. One of his influences at the time was Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Habre joined the Chad National Liberation Front a year after returning home in 1971 and became its leader, before breaking away to form another rebel group, the Northern Armed Forces (FAN). He made headlines in 1974 when he kidnapped a French ethnologist who was held for three years before France agreed to terms for her release. A staunch nationalist, Habre then served as prime minister in the government of president Felix Malloum and as defence minister under his sometime ally Goukouni Weddeye who later became president. Unlike Weddeye, Habre was an outspoken opponent of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi and the relationship did not last. Habre broke from his Tripoli-backed ally just months after the formation of Weddeye's 1979 government, triggering violence in Chad's capital, N'Djamena. He fled the city for eastern Chad in 1980, but returned to fight his way to power in 1982. Two decades in Dakar During his rule, opponents -- real or imagined -- were arrested, tortured and often executed by the dreaded Documentation and Security Directorate (DDS), Chad's secret police. Habre's reign ended as dramatically as it had begun when Deby, formerly a loyal general, led a rebel force that drove him from power and into exile in Senegal. The former dictator lived freely for more than 20 years in an upmarket Dakar suburb with his wife and children, swapping his military garb for billowing white robes and a cap. Habre was considered a discreet, generous neighbour and a pious Muslim who helped finance the construction of several mosques. The AU mandated Senegal to try Habre in July 2006, but then president Abdoulaye Wade delayed the process for years despite an agreement to create a special court for the trial. Belgium also sought Habre's arrest over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity after three Belgian nationals of Chadian origin filed a suit in 2000 for mass murder, arbitrary arrest and torture during his regime. Brussels issued an arrest warrant for him in September 2005, and he was arrested in Senegal shortly after, but the African country said its courts did not have the jurisdiction to rule on a Belgian extradition request. Habre was arrested again in Dakar on June 30, 2013, and the AU decided his trial should take place there, a world first. The visit comes after a US warship sailed near an artificial island built by Beijing in the South China Sea last week. The US also transferred seven security vessels to Vietnam last week. The ship's routine technical stop on Friday was a "strong symbol of the positive trajectory of the US-Vietnam comprehensive partnership", according to a statement from the US Embassy in Vietnam. McCain praised the American sailors as he toured the massive destroyer in the strategic southern port, Vietnam's largest naval base, with fellow senators Christopher Coons and John Barrasso. "People all over America are grateful that you are here, far away from home, far away from your loved ones, representing the United States of America," he said. McCain, a former navy pilot, was shot down during a bombing mission over North Vietnam in 1967 and famously became a prisoner of war in Hanoi's Hoa Lo prison, dubbed the "Hanoi Hilton". His pilot uniform is today displayed in the prison, now a tourist attraction in communist Vietnam's capital city. Vietnam has found itself increasingly alone in challenging China's island building campaign, especially as the Philippines warms up to regional superpower China. Buildings burned after the raids, as ground forces shelled fortifications and tunnels in the eastern half of the mainly Muslim city, where up to 50 fighters are believed to be holed up. Friday's fighting came as attention in the Philippines was focused on a casino in Manila, where a masked gunman set fire to gaming tables, igniting a blaze that left 36 people dead. Authorities insisted the gunman, whom they said had committed suicide inside the leisure complex, was a robber, not a terrorist. But the US-based Site Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist threats, said IS-linked operatives were behind the attack. In Marawi, the death toll from the 11-day-old conflict reached 175 as the military reported four fresh fatalities among its forces. The toll includes 11 soldiers who were killed in friendly fire this week during a mis-targeted air strike. A total of 120 militant gunmen have been killed, including suspected foreign fighters, while the battles have also left at least 19 civilians dead. Around 2,000 people remained trapped by the fighting, some of them being used by the militants as human shields, the military said. The Islamists have also kidnapped a Catholic priest and 14 other people, whose fates are unknown. They have threatened to kill the hostages unless government forces pull back. The Philippine government has rejected the demand. Clashes erupted in Marawi, a city of 200,000 people, when security forces raided a house to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as IS's leader in the Philippines. Authorities said they were taken by surprise when many gunmen emerged to protect Hapilon and then went on a rampage through Marawi. Shortly after the violence erupted President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law across the southern region of Mindanao, home to 20 million people, to quell what he said was an IS bid to establish a base in the mainly Catholic Philippines. Lieutenant-ColonelJo-Ar Herrera, spokesman for the government forces fighting them in Marawi city, said Hapilon remained in the area. "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. The text of the draft, a copy of which AFP obtained, again condemns "in the strongest terms" Pyongyang's series of nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The Council calls on the North to "abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner," and end all ballistic missile test launches. An annex to the resolution adds to an already lengthy blacklist another 14 individuals and four entities accused of contributing to the missile programs whose assets would be frozen and who would face a travel ban. Those listed are bank and corporate executives involved in military financing, or officials in North Korea's Workers' Party. The first on the list, Cho Il-U, is described as the man "believed to be in charge of overseas espionage operations and foreign intelligence collection" for Kim Jong-Un's regime. The entities listed include Koryo Bank, two trading houses linked to North Korea's military, and the army's Strategic Rocket Force. For weeks, the United States has been negotiating with China on how to respond to Pyongyang's missile tests. Washington is counting on Beijing to bring the North in line. "China has agreed to this text... and the American idea is to move rather quickly," one Council diplomat told AFP. The diplomat added that none of the Council's five veto-wielding permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the US -- have threatened to block the resolution. The North has carried out two atomic tests and dozens of missile launches since the beginning of last year in its quest to develop a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States -- something President Donald Trump has vowed "won't happen." The Security Council had threatened to boost sanctions against Pyongyang after one of its May test launches. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said Tuesday that she believed Washington and Beijing could reach a deal on new sanctions by week's end. The ruling ZANU-PF party is widely seen as divided over Mugabe's successor, while opposition parties are in talks to unite to try to oust him in the election. "We want our party to remain united and not divided. If you are a real ZANU-PF member, be true to your party," Mugabe said at the rally in Marondera. He urged those seeking to succeed him to "be at peace". "The time will come," he said. "It's certainly coming." ZANU-PF officials say Mugabe is focusing on youth issues at the series of "interface rallies" in each of Zimbabwe's 10 provinces. Mugabe has slurred his words in interviews this year and struggled to walk in public, but he stood up throughout his long speech on Friday. He wore a jacket in the party colours, and arrived at the open-air venue standing on the back of a police truck and waving at cheering supporters. "President Robert Mugabe is our sole candidate for 2018. We declare you our life president," Kelvin Mutsvairo, a provincial youth party leader, said in his speech. A banner at the rally called Mugabe "the father of youth empowerment" and urged young people to register to vote in the elections. The move sets the stage for a constitutional showdown over the presidents authority to make national security judgments in the name of protecting Americans from terrorism. Last week, a federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, said President Donald Trumps travel ban was a product of religious animus and intolerance, and so violated the First Amendment. Trumps national security justifications for the ban, that court said, were a pretext for the religious discrimination suggested by his campaign rhetoric, including his pledge to ban Muslim immigrants from entering the country. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals split along ideological lines in its 10-to-3 decision, with its three Republican appointees in dissent. Shortly after the decision was issued, Attorney General Jeff Sessions vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court. In its brief filed late Thursday asking the Supreme Court to consider the case, the Trump administration said the question for the justices was momentous. The stakes are indisputably high: The court of appeals concluded that the president acted in bad faith with religious animus when, after consulting with three members of his Cabinet, he placed a brief pause on entry from six countries that present heightened risks of terrorism, the brief said. It added that the appeals court had gone badly astray. The court did not dispute that the president acted at the height of his powers in instituting the executive orders temporary pause on entry by nationals from certain countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, the brief said. The brief also said the orders text and operation are religion-neutral. The Supreme Court is back at full strength with the appointment of Justice Neil M. Gorsuch to fill the seat left vacant for more than a year after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. The new case will be an early indication of how Gorsuch affects the balance of power on the court. A week into his presidency, on Jan. 27, Trump issued an executive order to ban travel from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. It also banned all Syrian refugees indefinitely. The order was blocked by the 9th Circuit in February. In March, Trump issued a new, revised ban that narrowed the scope of his original order. It omitted Iraq from the countries that faced the travel scrutiny and allowed case-by-case exceptions for travelers from the others. It also removed the complete ban on Syrian refugees and deleted explicit references to religion. Like the earlier order, the new one suspended the nations refugee program for 120 days and reduced the annual number of refugees to 50,000 from 110,000. In its brief, the Trump administration urged the court to place law above politics. This order has been the subject of passionate political debate, the brief said. But whatever ones views, the precedent set by this case for the judiciarys proper role in reviewing the presidents national security and immigration authority will transcend this debate, this order, and this constitutional moment. Precisely in cases that spark such intense feelings, it is all the more critical to adhere to foundational legal rules, the brief said. It said the lower court ruling departs from those rules and calls into question the executive and his authority in a way that warrants this courts review. Omar Jadwat, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents people and groups challenging the ban, said the Supreme Court should let the appeals court decision stand. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Mary Catherine Aime, professor of botany and plant pathology at Purdue University, has been named recipient of the universitys 2017 Agriculture Research Award for her significant contributions and excellence in research to agriculture, natural resources and quality of life across the globe. The award is presented annually by Agricultural Research at Purdue to honor an outstanding mid-career faculty member. Aime studies all aspects of fungi from genomics to pathology, including their biodiversity, complex systems and interactions with other organisms in their environment. She has spent more than15 years combing regions in Guyana and other tropical forests worldwide, discovering and naming newfound species, and studying their ecologies. Aimes research continues to bring into focus the relationships between the microbial world and higher plants, combining exploratory field work with modern tools that can now tell the story of unsolved mysteries about plant and microbe interactions. said Karen Plaut, senior associate dean for research and faculty affairs in Purdues College of Agriculture. The award brings $10,000 for Aimes program in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology along with a $1,500 honorarium and plaque, which Aime will receive during a presentation this fall. Im very appreciative of this award and grateful to the college, especially since my lab studies have so many facets of fungal biology and the results often are not immediate, Aime said. For instance, my lab has been studying the poorly known yeasts in Basidiomycota for decades, but it wasnt until last year that we discovered that some of these form a third partner in lichens. These findings could have a significant impact in other areas, such as the utilization of lichen-produced secondary compounds in medicine, for example. Another research focus is the phytopathology and epidemiology of fungi that cause disease on tropical tree crops. Aimes research has impacted crop owners in some of the poorest parts of the world where the diseases of cacao (chocolate) and coffee crops can economically devastate entire communities of small shareholder farmers. A long-term study that mapped genotypes of a particularly virulent disease of cacao is now being employed to help retrace the source of a new invasion in Jamaica that occurred earlier this year. Some results can be used more immediately, Aime said. Through fungal genomics and utilization of collection data, we continue to untangle the life cycles of more than 8,000 species of rust fungi known in the world and provide identification tools for these. This information is used at our Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory, where diseased plant samples can be sent for diagnostics. As quoted in Envision magazine, Aime describes herself as being In love with asking the questions, and says her newest interest is trying to decipher the evolutionary history of rust fungi - obligate pathogens that cannot exist outside of a host and display what may be the most complex life cycles in all biology. Are they complex because theyre speciose, or are they speciose because theyre complex? Aime wonders. Today we have access to better genomic tools and methods to finally start to tackle these types of questions that mycologists and pathologists have been grappling with for centuries. I am very fortunate. Writer: Cheri Frederick, 765-494-2406, cfrederick@purdue.edu Source: Christy Rich, 765-494-8362, cmrich@purdue.edu Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415; Shari Finnell, Manager/Media Relations and Public Information, sfinnell@purdue.edu Agriculture News Page URBANA, Ill. (AP) A University of Illinois professor who spent decades pushing for a federal ban on artery-clogging artificial trans fats has died at age 102. Family members say Fred A. Kummerow died Wednesday at his home in Urbana. Kummerow was a comparative biosciences professor whose trans fats research dated back to the 1950s. His efforts to have artificial trans fats removed from processed foods included filing a 2009 petition with the Food and Drug Administration. He also sued the agency in 2013. Two years later, the FDA ordered food companies to phase them out. University Chancellor Robert Jones called Kummerow a "trailblazer" and "maverick." Kay Kummerow said Friday that her father lived a healthy life by example, including exercising regularly. She says he died of "old age." The university will host a Sept. 1 memorial service. CARBONDALE (AP) Nearly 80 employees are losing their jobs and dozens more could be affected as Southern Illinois University Carbondale struggles financially due to the ongoing state budget impasse, according to university officials. Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell wrote a letter to the campus community Wednesday saying that officials have been trying to identify $19 million in permanent reductions since March, The Southern Illinoisan reported. He said they've also been trying to account for the first of 10 annual payments to reimburse funds spent this year that the university didn't receive because of the impasse. "We built much of our permanent reduction on vacant positions in order to avoid layoffs, but unfortunately, layoffs and the non-renewal of some contracts are unavoidable," Colwell wrote in the memo. "Decisions affecting members of our community are deeply painful to all of us. We will do all we can to assist those employees who are affected." Colwell said the campus expects to give over 50 civil service employees layoff notices. Two non-tenure-track faculty members have received layoff notices, and nearly 25 more were informed their contracts wouldn't be renewed. The nonrenewal of a contract is not technically a layoff, but the result is the same for employees who are affected. Most of them hold those teaching jobs full-time, or close to full-time, as their primary position. Another nearly 100 civil service employees will also receive notice that their status with the university may be affected through a "bumping process," according to Colwell's memo. University spokeswoman Rae Goldsmith said in an email that individuals with seniority can "bump" into the position of someone with less seniority according to the labor contract that covers the school's civil service workers. 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... G'day! It's Murray here. I've put together a little quiz to test your musical knowledge. Think you can score top marks in Murray's Magic Music Quiz? Give it a go now! The six-axle units were built at CRRCs plant in Qishuyan, China, and are part of an order for 67 broad-gauge and 10 standard-gauge locomotives for Argentinean Trains Cargo. The first two units for the San Martin Railway arrived in Argentina at the end of last year. The locomotives are equipped with MTU 16V 4000 R43 engines, which generate an output of 2.2MW. The renewal of the locomotive fleet is part of a broader project to rehabilitate the line, which links the province of Mendoza with the ports of Buenos Aires and Rosario. Upgrading of infrastructure and modernisation of motive power and rolling stock is expected to increase the lines capacity from 2.3 million tonnes to more than 13 million tonnes by 2024. Around 110 trains a day were in operation throughout Europe and to Russia and the Far East. In its core market of transalpine consignments through Switzerland, the increase was even higher at 19.4% to 450,862 units, which was due in equal measure to its key Shuttle Net division and its new Company Shuttle Division. Hupac president Mr Hans-Jorg Bertschi noted at the press conference that this growth is contributing to Switzerlands modal shift policy. For the first time in 20 years, less than 1 million trucks crossed the Swiss alps by road, thanks to Hupac, he says. Financial results were also up as the company strengthened its position in the wake of the 2015 euro/Franc currency shock. Group revenue was up by 10% to SFr 470.3m and gross profit rose by 5.3% to SFr 105.3m, yielding a net profit of SFr 10.8m, a 77.5% surge. All sectors contributed to this result. Operation of trains through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which opened to commercial traffic last December, is running smoothly according to Bertschi, but the full benefit will not be realised until the Ceneri Base Tunnel is completed in 2020. Hupac says it plans to continue investing in new terminals, wagons and rolling stock, confirming it has ordered eight multi-system Siemens Vectron locomotives, with delivery due to start in May 2018. Bertschi says this is important for ensuring seamless cross-border operation across Europe, pointing out however that there is still a great deal of work to do on international cooperation agreements for train path allocation and punctuality. Another challenge facing Hupac this year will be a six-month closure of the Bellinzona - Luino line. This key freight link between Switzerland and Italy is being upgraded as part of the project to create a transalpine rail corridor for 4m lorry semitrailers on the Gotthard route. GE was awarded a $US 2.5bn contract in November 2015 to supply 700 3.36MW and 300 4.47MW six-axle locomotives over an 11-year period through a joint venture with IR. The first 100 locomotives will be built at Erie and shipped either fully assembled or as kits, while the remaining 900 units will be constructed at a new joint venture production facility at Marhoura in the Indian state of Bihar. The 91.5-hectare facility is due to be commissioned next year. In addition to production, the joint venture will be responsible for maintaining the fleet for a period of 13 years from the start of production. The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. and Astra Holding GmbH on June 1 completed their previously announced plans to create Greenbrier-Astra Rail, described as Europes largest end-to-end freight railcar manufacturing, engineering and repair business. Greenbrier-Astra Rail was created to reach markets throughout Europe, Eurasia, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like Saudi Arabia. The merger partners said they expect the new venture to be accretive to Greenbriers annual earnings per share by $0.15-$0.35, beginning in fiscal 2018. As previously announced, Greenbrier controls Greenbrier-Astra Rail with an equity interest of approximately 75%. Thomas Manns, most recently chairman of Astra Rail, owns the remainder of the new company. In addition to his ownership stake, Manns becomes Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Greenbrier-Astra Rail and leads its commercial operations, working closely with its Management Board and Jim Cowan, President of Greenbrier International. Also serving on the Supervisory Board is Bill Furman, Chairman and CEO of Greenbrier; Alejandro Centurion, President of Greenbrier Global Manufacturing Operations; Klaus Krauth, Managing Director of Astra Holding GmbH and Cowan. Greenbrier-Astra Rail includes all European operations of Greenbrier and Astra Rail, including six railcar manufacturing sites and railcar repair facilities in addition to sales, administration and engineering offices. The new company employs 4,000 people across Eastern and Western Europe. The new company will deploy the global engineering, design and manufacturing expertise of the Greenbrier Manufacturing Organization (GMO), with flagship facilities in Portland, Ore., and Colleyville, Tex., Greenbrier said. GMOs extensive capabilities allow Greenbrier-Astra Rail to produce freight cars for any gauge or local standard in the world. For example, contracts with GCC-based customers for U.S.-style freight railcars will continue to be manufactured in Europe under the direction of Greenbriers senior U.S. manufacturing team. Greenbrier-Astra Rail is led by a team with decades of experience in railcar markets throughout Eastern and Western Europe, as well as experience in North America and emerging markets around the world, Greenbrier said. A Management Board including CEO and President Bernd Bose, most recently CEO of Astra Rail, and CFO Bogdan Lesnianski, previously head of Greenbriers Wagony Swidnica operations, lead daily operations. Industry estimates indicate a high replacement demand for freight railcars in the Western European rail market, where the typical freight railcar has been in service for at least 25 years. Demand in mature markets like Western Europe coupled with opportunities in nearby emerging markets positions Greenbrier-Astra Rail for success. The creation of Greenbrier-Astra Rail extends Greenbriers commitment to global diversification while providing scale and greater value to our customers in Europe, said Furman. We are excited to unify the creative and capable management teams from both companies to deliver world-class innovation to our freight railcar customers in Europe and beyond. Together with our investments in Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Mexico, Greenbrier has substantially grown its international footprint over the past several years to create a truly global network. We look forward to an expanded presence in Europe, while we also address developing markets in the GCC, Africa and Eurasia. This transaction is transformational. Our combined operation is better positioned to pursue the growth opportunities offered by the freight car markets in Europe and globally, said Manns. Greenbrier-Astra Rail will capitalize on the substantial market opportunity in Europe, leveraging our resources to provide the best end-to-end solutions for our customers. Beyond Europe, we will aggressively pursue opportunities in emerging freight railcar markets that we can uniquely access from our Europe-based operations. Israel Morelos has joined Vertex Railcar Corp. as Director of Quality Assuranceannounced in the carbuilders Wilmington , N.C., office . Morelos previously worked in international manufacturing, including the railcar and oil industries, with the Greenbrier Cos. and Valeo. Vertex also announced a Tank Car Upgrade program, TU1. By 2023, all traditional DOT 111 and CPC 1232 tank cars will need to be retrofitted or replaced. In North America, that covers approximately 120,000 cars. As part of the program, car owners and operators can trade in their existing DOT 111 tank car and have it replaced, at additional cost, with a new DOT 117 car. Vertex will scrap the old tank body, salvage the original parts and components, make sure all conform to AAR Rule 88, store the parts, then utilize them in construction of a new car. Vertex manufactures a variety of cars including tanks, hoppers, gondolas, and flat cars. President Trump's decision yesterday to initiate the withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement could have far-reaching consequences for U.S. global leadership on many issues, not just on global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The decision was framed as strengthening American sovereignty and protecting American jobs, but a likely outcome is to threaten American jobs and reduce American influence and autonomy. The risks and rewards of the president's decision with respect to global leadership are highly asymmetric: commitments undone at the stroke of a pen cannot easily be restored with similar speed. Years of good-faith negotiation, relationship building, and leadership are quickly lost and can only be rebuilt slowly, brick by brick. For the climate system, that translates into higher magnitudes of global warming and greater potential for irreversible impacts. For global diplomacy, the question is how the U.S. will manage its diminished role in the world in the face of many other challenges to the world order, from North Korea to the Middle East. This decision was not unexpected, given the president's campaign promise to withdraw from the climate agreement. Earlier this year, RAND published a report that articulated three distinct options for U.S. strategy in the world: Come Home America, which would emphasize domestic renewal and international restraint; The Indispensable Nation, in which the U.S. would be a promoter of world order; and Agile America in which the U.S. would primarily focus its efforts on adapting and competing economically in a changing world. With yesterday's decision, President Trump took a step towards the Come Home, America option, at least in regards to the issue of climate change, but in such a way as to reduce its benefits and accentuate its risks. At its best, this Come Home, America climate change option makes sense if the impacts of climate change prove small and the world makes little progress in replacing fossil fuels. In addition, this decision makes sense if other countries are willing to pursue bilateral deals on climate change with the U.S. None of these bets appear likely at present. The decision could cause the U.S. and its citizens damage if climate change proves significant. The decision, however, could cause the U.S. and its citizens damage if climate change proves significant; if the green energy revolution continues to pick up steam; and if the rest of the world recommits itself, under Chinese and/or European leadership to the Paris agreement. The decision carries significant economic risks, the largest being a hugely consequential bet that climate change will not prove to be severe, at least not for the U.S. It also assumes that the U.S. will benefit from a bilateral approach, that it can negotiate new agreements, that climate change will be small, that fossil fuels are the energy of the future, and that the withdrawal will unravel global emission reduction efforts. The Trump administration is rolling the dice in a game that the U.S. cannot control. In addition, the Come Home America option also allowed for the inclusion of backup plans in case things went wrong. These included building climate resilience into U.S. critical infrastructure, mitigating the impacts of rising seas and extreme weather and continuing investment in research and development of low-carbon technologies. But the president's recent 2018 budget proposal has no such backup planrather, it would dramatically cut such investments. In other words, there is little evidence of such a hedging strategy, and so the U.S. could be left with a large and uncovered exposure to risk. The economic case for withdrawing from the Paris agreement is not well supported by the evidence. The economic case for withdrawing from the Paris agreement is also not well supported by the evidence. This decision seems based entirely on the near-term savings from not reducing the nation's greenhouse gas emissions, while ignoring the long-term costs and associated risks. However, the overwhelming support of U.S. corporations for the U.S. remaining a party to the Paris agreement suggests a very different business case than the one in support of withdrawal. As many business leaders in the U.S. and abroad have articulated, the world is awash in opportunities for economic gain in this period of massive shifting of energy technologies. Trillions of dollars will be invested in new energy systems in the coming years. The U.S. may have just ceded to other countries economic leadership and the new jobs in these growing industries. The RAND report also considered the geopolitical consequences of a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris agreement: Doing less always runs the risks that adversaries will do more and challenge U.S. preferences. Countries that play a global role bear the risk and financial burden of doing so, and reap the rewards in power and influence. If and when the public mood shifts in favor of activism, the U.S. could find that power is more difficult to regain than sustain. Those familiar with the history of U.S. climate policy may find similarities with President George W. Bush's 2001 decision to withdraw from the 1992 Kyoto Protocol. But there are major differences. Kyoto only covered a small number of countries. China, for instance, had no emission reduction commitments. So there were still opportunities for bilateral agreements outside Kyoto. The same is not true today if the U.S., Syria, and Nicaragua remain the only countries outside the Paris deal. The U.S. has now offered China a golden opportunity to fulfill a part of its dream of regional and global leadership. Yesterday, while the White House was preparing to announce its withdrawal, leaders from China and the European Union were announcing their intention to bolster their partnership to address climate change. No doubt, this display of leadership did not go unnoticed in the capitals of other nations. The formal withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement will take years to unwind. Between now and 2020, we will have the chance to observe the behavior of states, cities, and businesses in the U.S. with respect to their greenhouse gas emissions reductions. We also will see the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal on the behavior of the 190 other countries that signed the agreement. The challenge for all parties is to find a way to minimize the downside risks that the president has thus far chosen not to hedge against. Debra Knopman is a principal researcher at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation. Robert Lempert is a principal researcher at RAND and director of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for Longer Range Global Policy and the Future Human Condition. Jordan Fischbach is a policy researcher at RAND and codirector of the Water and Climate Resilience Center. Benjamin Preston is a senior policy researcher at RAND and director of its Infrastructure Resilience and Environmental Policy Program. This commentary originally appeared on Inside Sources on June 2, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. Refusal to collect $3.7 mln from Russian insurer in 2012 Superjet crash case upheld MOSCOW, June 2 (RAPSI) The Moscow District Commercial Court has upheld lower courts refusal to recover $3.7 million from Kapital Strakhovaniye Company in relation to the 2012 Sukhoi Superjet-100 crash in Indonesia, the court told RAPSI on Friday. According to courts, that payment in favor of Kapital Strakhovaniye has been made upon the occurrence of an insured event stipulated under the terms of the reinsurance agreement. Earlier, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals in February put on hold an appeal filed by QBE Corporate against refusal to collect over $4 million from Kapital Strakhovaniye Company in connection with the crash. In the fall of 2016, the court dismissed a lawsuit lodged by six foreign companies against Russian insurer. The case was reconsidered. On February 29, 2016, the Supreme Court of Russia overturned all rulings in this dispute and remanded the case for a new trial. The plane crashed in Indonesia was insured by Kapital Strakhovaniye, which later reinsured 95% of its risks on the foreign market. The plaintiffs QBE Corporate, Starr Syndicate, Starr Insurance and Reinsurance, Muenchener Rueckversicherungrs-Gesellchaft AG, Dornoch and Catlin Insurance Company (UK) reinsured the risks in line with Lloyd's of London terms. After the crash, the plaintiffs transferred $3.5 million to Kapital Strakhovaniye, which was to compensate the relatives of deceased passengers. After conducting an investigation, the foreign companies decided that this was not an insured accident because the plane had crashed during a demonstration flight and because the insurance policy covered only test flights. In September 2014, the reinsurers sued the Russian company at the Moscow Commercial Court, demanding a refund, plus interest. Three court instances upheld their lawsuit. The airplane crashed on its first ever demonstration tour, across six Asian countries, over Indonesia on May 9, 2012. All people on board the plane, including eight Russian nationals, were killed. The plane crashed into Mount Salak at an altitude of 1.6 km. Investigation found that the disaster was caused by human error. Russian court acknowledges $442 mln debt of Transaero to foreign firms MOSCOW, June 2 (RAPSI) The Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region has granted several applications lodged by foreign companies seeking to include a 25-billion-ruble debt (about $442 million) of Transaero air carrier on the creditor's register, according to court papers. Earlier, the court granted similar claims filed by other organizations including Otkritie bank and Irish company BG Avia. In 2015, Transaero found itself unable to pay its debts valued at 250 billion rubles (about $4 billion). Government-approved plan of transferring 75% of companys shares to Aeroflot failed. Its problems resulted in a large number of flight cancels and delays. In October 2015, Sberbank and Alfa Bank filed bankruptcy petitions against the troubled airline. The Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region initiated a bankruptcy procedure against Transaero on December 16. On November 17, 2016, Transaero filed an application with the Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region seeking to drop bankruptcy proceedings against it. Transaero managers submitted the companys business resumption plan. The airlines management headed by Director General Alexander Burdin analyzed alternatives which could make it possible to return money to creditors via relaunching the airline on the base of its assets. Russian priest charged with pedophilia goes on trial MOSCOW, June 2 (RAPSI) A criminal case against Russian priest Gleb Grozovsky, who stands charged with sexual abuse of children, has been forwarded to court, the Investigative Committees St. Petersburg Directorate announced on its website on Friday. Investigators have built a sufficient evidence base, the statement reads. According to investigators, Grozovsky committed several crimes against minors in 2011 and 2013. In 2013, he fled to Israel and applied for citizenship. However, his application was dismissed. In April 2014, Grozovsky was put on the international wanted list. Israeli police arrested him in September. In January 2015, a court in Jerusalem ruled that the priest should be extradited to Russia pursuant to the European Convention on Extradition. The ruling was appealed but rejected. In April 2016, the Justice Minister signed an order on Grozovskys extradition. In September 2016, the priest was extradited from Israel to Russia. Defense lawyers claim that charges against Grozovsky are politically motivated. Russian government lifts certain restrictions on product deliveries from Turkey Context President Putin lifts number of economic restrictions against Turkey MOSCOW, June 2 (RAPSI) Russias Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed an order to lift a series of restrictions on deliveries of products from Turkey, the statement published on the Cabinets website on Friday reads. Under the decree, frozen meat, turkey and hen by-products, cucumbers and pickling cucumbers, apples, pears, grapes, strawberry and wild strawberry have been removed from the embargo list. Moreover, the decree raises a ban on construction of buildings and engineering structures; construction specialized works; activity in the field of architecture, design and engineering; engineering tests; research and analysis; tourist activities; hotel business; performance of works and services for provisioning governmental and municipal needs; woodworking, by companies under the jurisdiction of Turkey and companies controlled by citizens of Turkey. The document has been drafted by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade pursuant to the decree of Russias President Vladimir Putin. Putin signed an order lifting a number of economic restrictions against Turkey on May 31. Donald Trump made political hay in Appalachian and industrial states by running as an ardent booster of coal. Yet whats really powered Americas remarkable energy boom over the last decade is shale oil and natural gas, renewable solar and wind, clean-tech and energy efficiency. Energy innovation, in short, is the key to creating more good jobs and lowering U.S. carbon emissions. But given the Trump administrations animus toward energy technology funding and low-carbon approaches generally, much of the political leadership for Americas next energy revolution will have to come from states where Democrats are in charge. Take Colorado, which is aggressively pursuing energy innovation across the full spectrum of fuels and technologies. Governor John Hickenlooper has crafted a pro-growth, low-emissions agenda that should be a model to other states and to national policymakers. It emphasizes shale gas, wind, solar, hydropower, efficiency and advanced technology in everything from zero emissions electric cars to home net electricity metering. Colorado voters approved the nations first Renewable Energy Standard, getting buy-in from citizens who are increasingly aware of the economic as well as environmental benefits of the clean energy revolution. Renewable energy production has burgeoned, growing from 1 percent in 2004 to more than 15 percent in 2014. The states largest utility has committed to producing 30 percent of its power from clean sources within 3 years. The payoff in jobs has been significant with more than 62,000 clean energy jobs state-wide. Clean tech was the Denver areas fastest growing industry in 2015, with the nine-county Northern CO region ranking 5th among the nations 50 largest metro areas for clean tech employment concentration in 2015. And the regions 21,600 clean tech direct employment jobs are high paying--with an average salary of over $76,000 a year showing that the clean energy revolution has a key role to play in rebuilding Americas middle class. But Hickenlooper has also recognized that shale gas has an important role to play in Colorados balanced energy portfolio as long as its produced responsibly. In 2014, he negotiated with citizens, industry, and environmentalists the nations first methane leak detection regulations, which became a template for rules at the national level. Data from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission shows that statewide oil production increased more than 21 percent in 2015, the year after Colorado adopted its methane and hydrocarbon rule. Meanwhile the rule is expected to reduce emissions from gas development in the Front Range by 33 percent by the end of this year. Low emissions gas development is especially important because natural gas growth nationally has been a key factor in reducing overall emissions, since gas has half the CO2 emissions of coal, and because fast-ramping gas plants are uniquely adept at integrating with wind and solar when those resources are ramping down. As Colorado pioneers ways to create more energy jobs while lowering greenhouse gas emissions, the Trump administration is headed in the opposite direction. The new White House budget would slash funding for clean energy technology by more than $3 billion, about 18 percent at the Department of Energy alone. This is a recipe for hobbling the United States in the global race for the worlds largest market the $10 trillion market in advanced energy. Indeed, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, located in Boulder, CO, which has been a lynchpin of the US energy technology innovation for decades, will face the severest cuts under the Trump proposal, unless Congress reverses his shortsightedness. Trumps penchant for fumbling at the goal line is especially striking on energy and climate issues. Under President Obama, the United States began to decarbonize its economy even as it experienced steady economic growth. American greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by more than 12 percent since 2007, even as the economy grew by more than 15 percent. Indeed, U.S. CO2 emissions fell by 3 percent in 2016 alone, according to the International Energy Agency. Remarkably, this decoupling of economic growth from rising carbon emissions has been accomplished even amid an unprecedented boom in U.S. oil and gas production. America became the worlds largest producer of natural gas and oil in the Obama years, with oil production increasing a stunning 74 percent, and natural gas production growing 34 percent. Yet renewable energy production grew even more rapidly in the same period, with wind and solar production in the United States more than tripling, primarily because the costs of wind and solar came down dramatically. Solar costs have fallen by more than 60 percent in just last five years, and wind energy costs are two-fifths lower today than when President Obama took office. Meanwhile, coal jobs have fallen from 180,000 in 1985 to fewer than 50,000 today. Solar energy alone already employs more than twice as many Americans as coal, and employment in the U.S. solar business is growing 12 times faster than the economys overall job creation. Trumps promise to bring back coal jobs rings hollow, since their loss is mainly due to automation and the new influx of cheap shale gas that his policies support. Finally, as Democratic governors like Hickenlooper have shown, the clean energy economy is not only good economics, it is good politics. Under pressure from ultra-green activists demanding fracking bans and keeping shale energy in the ground, Hillary Clinton missed an opportunity to more fully embrace the balanced, but high-employment course taken by Democrats like Obama and Hickenlooper. Other Democrats should not make the same mistake going forward, but instead lead the country to creating millions more high-paying, clean energy jobs in the future. Philip Hamburger was writing about the deep state well before that coinage became popular. Through a series of essays and books especially his 2014 study, Is Administrative Law Unlawful? the Columbia Law School professor has argued that the growing scope and reach of the unelected and largely unaccountable federal bureaucracy is an unconstitutional threat to liberty and democracy. Now he has consolidated his insights into a short work, The Administrative Threat (Encounter Books). In it he draws a straight line from the idea of the absolute power of kings which the Framers expressly sought to negate when they wrote the Constitution to the executive branchs assertion of broad rulemaking authority. He then argues that a shadow court system with built-in conflicts of interest has arisen to adjudicate many claims within this shadow government, one that often denies basic constitutional protections. In this excerpt from the end of his new book, Hamburger connects the rise of the administrative state to the expansion of voting rights since the Civil War, before considering ways the power of government's so-called "fourth branch" might be restricted or reversed. To understand how profoundly administrative governance threatens civil liberties, consider the growth of equal suffrage and the expansion of administrative power. Voting rights and the administrative state have probably been the two most remarkable developments in the federal government since the Civil War. It therefore is worth pausing to ask whether there is a connection. Federal law was slow to protect equal suffrage. In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment gave blacks the right to vote. In 1920, women acquired this right. And in 1965, the equality for blacks began to become a widespread reality. Administrative power tended to expand in the wake of these changes in suffrage (a curiosity first noted by Thomas West). In 1887, Congress established the first major federal administrative agency, the Interstate Commerce Commission. In the 1930s, the New Deal created a host of powerful new agencies. And since the 1960s, federal administrative power has expanded even further. Of course, it would be a mistake to link administrative power too narrowly to the key dates in the expansion of suffrage. But growing popular participation in representative politics has evidently been accompanied by a shift of legislative power out of Congress and into administrative agencies. The explanation is not hard to find. Although equality in voting rights has been widely accepted, the resulting democratization of American politics has prompted misgivings. Worried about the rough-and-tumble character of representative politics, and about the tendency of newly enfranchised groups to reject progressive reforms, many Americans have sought what they consider a more elevated mode of governance. Some early progressives were quite candid about this. Woodrow Wilson complained that the reformer is bewildered by the need to persuade a voting majority of several million heads. He was particularly worried about the diversity of the nation, which meant that the reformer needed to influence the mind, not of Americans of the older stocks only, but also of Irishmen, of Germans, of Negroes. Elaborating this point, he observed: The bulk of mankind is rigidly unphilosophical, and nowadays the bulk of mankind votes. Rather than try to persuade such persons, Wilson welcomed administrative governance. The people could still have their republic, but much legislative power would be shifted out of an elected body and into the hands of the right sort of people. President Woodrow Wilson on the campaign trail. Rather than narrowly a matter of racism, this has been a transfer of legislative power to the knowledge class meaning not a class defined in Marxist or other economic terms but those persons whose identity or sense of self-worth centers on their knowledge. More than merely the intelligentsia, this class includes all who are more attached to the authority of knowledge than to the authority of local political communities. Which is not to say that they have been particularly knowledgeable, but that their sense of affinity with cosmopolitan knowledge, rather than local connectedness, has been the foundation of their influence and identity. And in appreciating the authority they have attributed to their knowledge, and distrusting the tumultuous politics of a diverse people, they have gradually moved legislative power out of Congress and into administrative agencies to be exercised, in more genteel ways, by persons like . . . themselves. The enfranchised masses, in short, have disappointed those who think they know better. Walter Lippmann worried that what thwarts the growth of our civilization is . . . the faltering method, the distracted soul, and the murky vision of what we grandiloquently call the will of the people. More recently, Peter Orszag urges that bold measures are needed to circumvent polarization in particular that America needs to overcome the resulting gridlock of our political institutions by making them a bit less democratic. Of course, the removal of legislative power from the representatives of a diverse people has implications for minorities. Leaving aside Wilsons overt racism, the problem is the relocation of lawmaking power a further step away from the people and into the hands of a relatively homogenized class. Even when exercised with solicitude for minorities, it is a sort of power exercised from above, and those who dominate the administrative state have always been if not white men, then at least members of the knowledge class. Journalist Walter Lippmann, 1914 It therefore should be no surprise that administrative power comes with costs for the classes and attachments that are more apt to find expression through representative government. In contrast to the power exercised by elected members of Congress, administrative power comes with little accountability to or even sympathy for local, regional, religious, and other distinctive communities. Individually, administrators may be concerned about all Americans, but their power is structured in a way designed to cut off the political demands with which, in a representative system of government, local and other distinctive communities can protect themselves. Administrative power thus cannot be understood apart from equal voting rights. The gain in popular suffrage has been accompanied by disdain for the choices made through a representative system and a corresponding shift of legislative power out of Congress. Although the redistribution of legislative power has gratified the knowledge class, it makes a mockery of the struggle for equal voting rights and confirms how severely administrative power threatens civil liberties. Is It Practicable to Abandon Administrative Power? Although administrative power is the nations preeminent threat to civil liberties, many commentators worry that the nation cannot get along without it. In fact, the resulting economic problems suggest that the nation cannot afford to retain administrative power. But even so, it remains to be considered whether government is practicable without it. For example, is administrative power the only means of rapid legislative change? Actually, when Congress wishes, it can act faster than most agencies, while relying on their expertise. Popular complaints about congressional gridlock therefore do not usually reflect the realities of institutional impediments, but instead typically serve to justify circumventing the political obstacles inherent in representative government. Lets pretend, however, that gridlock is an institutional rather than a political impediment. How much administrative power actually involves genuine emergencies matters that simply cannot wait for Congress to act? In fact, most administrative power effectuates long-term policies, and most claims of emergencies are merely excuses to shift power out of Congress. Does complexity require administrative power? Federal statutes obviously can be just as complex as agency rules. The only difference is that statutes are adopted by Congress rather than by agencies. Even if rules were adopted by Congress rather than agencies, how would the courts be able to handle the vast amount of adjudication currently handled by agencies? Apologists for administrative power protest that there are over ten thousand administrative adjudicators whose work could not be handled by the courts. But the vast bulk of such adjudication does not impose legal obligation. Thus, rather than administrative power, most such adjudication is merely the ordinary and lawful exercise of executive power for example, in determining the distribution of benefits or the status of immigrants. In fact, outside the Social Security Administration, which distributes benefits, there are only 257 administrative law judges. This is not an overwhelming number, and it suggests that the scale of administrative adjudication is grossly overstated. The work of at least these 257 administrative law judges could easily be handled with the addition of an equivalent number of real judges. What about the value of impartial administrative expertise? It is not clear that agencies have greater expertise than the private sector. Indeed, industry has much influence over agency regulation in part because of industrys greater knowledge. Some agencies are so short of expertise that they rely on regulated industries to write the regulations as happened, for example, with the 2010 net neutrality rules. More generally, expert knowledge must be distinguished from expert decision making. A decision to adopt a regulation in one area of expertise will almost inevitably have consequences in other fields of knowledge, and expertise in the one area is therefore not enough to resolve whether the regulation should be adopted. Indeed, a person with specialized expertise will tend to overestimate the importance of that area and underestimate the significance of others. As a result, although experts can be valuable for their specialized knowledge, they usually cannot be relied upon for decisions that take a balanced view of the consequences. This is why administrative power so frequently seems harsh or disproportionate: the administrative experts focus so closely on what they care about that they fail adequately to see other aspects of the question. It therefore makes sense to get the views of experts, but not to rely on them for decisions about regulation. Atlanta, 1963: Helping aspiring voters to fill out registration forms. Ultimately, the question as to whether the government can get along without administrative power should be answered by its proponents. The arguments about the need for administrative power are empirical, and those who assert the need to depart from the Constitution must bear the burden of proof. Nonetheless, the advocates of administrative power rarely, if ever, back up their claims with serious empirical evidence. Meanwhile, the empirical evidence of the danger from administrative power is mounting. Not being directly accountable to the people or even to judges who act without bias administrative power crushes the life and livelihood out of entire classes of Americans, depriving them of work and even of lifesaving medicines. It therefore is difficult to avoid the conclusion that, overall, the administrative assault on basic freedoms is unnecessary and even dangerous. What Is To Be Done? Lenin asked his fellow Russians, What is to be done? Fortunately for Americans, the answer is not revolution but a traditional American defense of civil liberties. To this end, Americans will have to work through all three branches of government. Of course, none of the branches has thus far revealed much capacity to limit administrative power. But this is all the more reason to consider what they can do before it is too late. First, although Congress has repeatedly authorized and acquiesced in administrative power, it still perhaps can redeem itself. Most basically, Congress should reclaim its legislative power. And, of course, it need not do this all at once; instead, it can convert rules to statutes at a measured pace, agency by agency. By leaving so much lawmaking to the executive, our legislators have allowed not only power but also leadership and even fundraising to shift to the president. Ambitious legislators might therefore realize the advantages of reclaiming their constitutional role. Congress also should bar judicial deference to agencies on questions of law or fact, as this violates due process and other constitutional limitations. Congress additionally should abolish administrative law judges and replace them with real judges (a reform it can partly fund by shifting money from the unconstitutional adjudicators to the courts). More generally, Congress should remove immunity for administrators beginning with those who have desk jobs in agencies with a track record of violating constitutional rights. The executive offers a second mechanism against administrative power. Presidents come and go, and a president worried about administrative power should not be content merely to put bad administrative policies on hold until the next election; more seriously, he should end administrative paths of governance. For example, he could require agencies, one by one, to send their rules to Congress for it to adopt. He also could require federal lawyers to refrain from seeking judicial deference, lest they participate in the courts due process violations. For any president, such steps would be a remarkable constitutional legacy. 2015: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, left, applauds a Federal Communications Commission vote on "net neutrality." Lacking expertise, government agencies often rely on regulated industries to write rules. A third and more predictable approach will be through the courts. The judges have repeatedly acquiesced in administrative power. Between 1906 and 1912 and again in 1937, the judges who stood up against it were threatened, and each time they gave way. Subsequently, even without threats, the judges have bent over backward to accommodate such power. They thereby have corrupted their own proceedings for example, by refusing jury rights even in court, by abandoning their office of independent judgment, and by engaging in systematic bias in violation of the due process of law. Overall, administrative power is one of the most shameful episodes in the history of the federal judiciary. Nonetheless, Americans can persuade the judges to do their duty. The judges have high ideals of their office of independent judgment. And they are dedicated to their role in upholding the law, especially the Constitution. Accordingly, once they understand how administrative power corrupts the processes of the courts and violates constitutional liberties, at least some of them will repudiate it. Ultimately, the defeat of administrative power will have to come from the people. Only their spirit of liberty can move Congress, inspire the president, and brace the judges to do their duty. Americans therefore need to recognize that administrative power revives absolute power and profoundly threatens civil liberties. Once Americans understand this, they can begin to push back, and the fate of administrative power will then be only a matter of time. Its a lesson every world leader learns, even those who understand it going in: Campaigning is easy, governing is hard. Donald Trump, both the candidate and the president, repeatedly said the United States would completely overhaul, if not walk away from, the North American Free Trade Agreement. But time constraints, elections and business pressure have all conspired against any lofty expectations for a renegotiated NAFTA. It now appears the changes to the treaty will be more of a refresh than a remake. The main impediment up to this point has been delays on the U.S. side. Before the United States could enter into NAFTA renegotiations, an array of Cabinet posts needed to be filled. The most important post in this case was that of U.S. trade representative, the head of the office responsible for administering U.S. trade agreements. The Trump administration nominated Robert Lighthizer for that role on Jan. 3, but the government couldnt formally declare its intent to renegotiate NAFTA and move forward until he was approved, which didnt happen until May 11. Within a week, Lighthizer gave the requisite notice on behalf of Trump, but U.S. law requires a 90-day consultation period before American officials can formally begin the renegotiation process with their foreign peers. This gave the U.S. government three months until Aug. 16 to fill the remaining Cabinet posts that could be involved in the renegotiation. Even with this obstacle cleared, the U.S. is still working against the clock. According to a May 31 article by Mexican newspaper El Economista, Mexicos economy secretary, Ildefonso Guajardo, told the International Chamber of Commerce that he and Lighthizer had agreed on an accelerated timetable for NAFTA negotiations, with a deadline for completion of Dec. 15. This date would enable their agreement to pass through each countrys legislature well in advance of Mexicos general elections in July 2018 and thus, both sides hope, before electoral politics or a new administration in Mexico City could become too great an obstruction. Four months is not enough time for a serious modernization of an agreement as large as NAFTA. It took nearly two years from February 1991 until December 1992 for the U.S., Mexico and Canada to negotiate the terms of the original agreement, and that excludes eight months of preparation and seven months to conclude side agreements related to the main treaty. Renegotiation could reasonably be expected to take less time than original composition, but this is still a major undertaking. Simply revisiting the rules of origin, a topic that is very likely to be included in the talks, involves a slew of technical details for setting standards for many different types of goods. Without more time, negotiators will be able to make only small changes or add specialty clauses to the existing document. If negotiators miss their self-imposed Dec. 15 deadline, they run a higher risk that Mexicos 2018 general elections will interfere with the process. With the vote scheduled for July, campaign season will occupy much of the governments time and attention early next year. By law, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto cannot run for re-election in 2018. This means a government transition will necessarily occur, which will delay all government activities. More important, there is no guarantee that the next president wont derail negotiations immediately after assuming office. Since the publication of the El Economista article, World Trade Online reported that U.S. and Canadian officials have not confirmed the existence of a deadline. A spokeswoman for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said that negotiations should move expeditiously toward a conclusion and that it was in the U.S. interest to conclude negotiations sooner rather than later. A Canadian Foreign Ministry spokesman said he could not confirm media reports of a Dec. 15 deadline. Still, the El Economista article cannot be dismissed out of hand: It came from a source who would be privy to this information, and the news outlet is reputable. The U.S. and Canadian responses, moreover, are to be expected. Neither side wants to appear to be agreeing to limitations or concessions before formal negotiations even begin. The other major hindrance the U.S. faces on NAFTA renegotiation comes from American businesses. The economies of the U.S. and Mexico are so entwined that it would be difficult for the United States to leave the agreement without disrupting U.S. businesses. In particular, the gross domestic product of massive states such as Texas and California heavily count on trade with Mexico. The business plans of many American companies are based on NAFTAs continued functioning, and the uncertainty created by the renegotiations could hurt their bottom lines in the short and long term. Just last week, CEOs from 32 major U.S. companies signed a letter urging the U.S. government not to make drastic changes to the agreements structure and to move quickly. Similarly, an automotive lobbying group comprising Ford, Fiat Chrysler and General Motors expressed its desire to merely modernize NAFTA, since any major change could put the industrys competitiveness at risk. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will accept public comments on the renegotiations through June 12, and the list of companies advocating limited modernization of the treaty will likely grow. NAFTA is going to be renegotiated. Everyone involved especially Mexico and Canada has been laying the diplomatic and administrative groundwork for it. But the participants have neither the time nor the business community support to completely overhaul the agreement. They will instead set their sights on a much lower target: bringing the treaty into the 21st century. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Posted by Philip on at 03:54 PM CST NEW PRE-ORDERS NEW ARRIVALS The Titan Class Trypticon figure is the largest figure in the 2017 Titans Return universe and is also the biggest Decepticon figure ever made. The towering T-Rex converts between 3 different modes: dino, spaceship, and city. When the figure is in city mode, it connects to Titans Return Leader Class figures (each sold separately) to form the giant Nemesis Command. When the figure is in T-Rex mode, it can "eat" Titan Master figures: Trypticon can chomp them down, then you can open his stomach to get them out. $149.99The next wave in the Marvel Legends Infinite lineup includes Spider-Man with web wings, Spider-Man in a homemade suit, Moon Knight, Cosmic Spider-Man, Tombstone, Beetle and Vulture. Each 6" figure features detailed design, is easily poseable and highly articulated, and includes a Build-A-Figure component. Collect them all to assemble Vulture's Flight Gear!We have 19 new Bandai Japan items up for preorder including Mega Man X Chogokin, Cars Lightning McQueen, S.H.Figuarts Captain Jack Sparrow, S.H.Figuarts Iron Man Mark V with Hall of Armor Set, eight FiguartsZero figures from the One Piece 20th Anniversary lineup, and more!Takara expands the Masterpiece lineup with MP-12+ Masterpiece Sideswipe, MP-39 Masterpiece Sunstreaker, and MP-36 Megatron with Collector Coin. The Transformers Legends series continues with the addition of LG50 Sixshot, LG51 Targetmaster Double Cross, LG52 Targetmaster Misfire, and LG53 Broadside.Three new items from The Last Knight are up for preorder including a remote controlled Autobot Sqweeks that features a blaster mode and dancing mode and sound effects from the movie; the Mega One Step Changer Dragonstorm that features conversion from robot to Dragon in one step and LED Cyberfire lights; and the first wave of Leader Class figures featuring Optimus Prime and Megatron.Hey Third Party fans, does BBTS have a deal for you!! Now is your chance to collect all the Third Party figures and upgrade kits you have missed out on at clearance prices. Collect entire combiner sets like Prometheus, Hades, Ares, and Perseus, or just get some of the single figures you may be missing. BBTS is offering as total of 60 items in one great sale!!"Imagine all the people living life in peace." Legendary songwriter, international icon of peace, renaissance man - John Lennon's legacy lives on through his artistic and humanitarian accomplishments. Complete with his "Imagine" era outfits and iconic sunglasses, this impressive 1:6 scale recreation memorializes John Lennon from his music video for "Imagine," a revolutionary anthem for peace and unity. $299.99First up in Tweeterhead's Super Powers Collection of DC Maquettes is none other than Harley Quinn!! Harley stands at an amazing 18.5 inches tall on her elaborate "Abandoned Fun House Base" and features a clear flame and vapor trail. $294.99This all-new version of Aragorn is built on the Asmus Toys KP01A+ male body (slim version), with over 36 points of articulation and rooted hair. The sculpt features the likeness of the actor and the figure includes his complete ranger outfit including his Evenstar necklace. $174.99This brand-new version of Ahab is based on his appearance in the Dark Horse comics. Neca has given the SDCC 2014 exclusive a massive upgrade, equipping it with the all new "Ultimate" Predator body which has added articulation in the biceps (bicep swivels), elbows (double elbow joints) and torso, plus an opening gauntlet. $24.99Thor. God of Thunder. Son of Odin. Prince of Asgard. Worthy. He goes by many names, but all know him by his mighty hammer, Mjolnir. Wearing his famous silver helmet with feathered wings, Thor is ready to launch into battle by taking flight with his hammer. Godly golden locks, carefully tailored fabric tunic and pants, sculpted gauntlets, sturdy boots, and his mighty red cape complete his classic portrait. $249.99Batman's arch nemesis and most heinous villain, the Joker, joins the VARIANT PLAY ARTS KAI series with this design by Tetsuya Nomura. This Joker is essentially a phantom, able to transform at his will, thanks to an arsenal of accessories. These include seven interchangeable faces, enabling a variety of transfigurations, as well as a heavy machinery-like power arm apparatus that can be transformed into a wheelchair. $299.99MP-36 Megatron has been redesigned to be in scale with the MP-10 Masterpiece Convoy figure, but he still transforms into a Walther P-38 handgun. The scope accessory features voice quotes and sounds and can be attached to Megatron's arm when in robot mode. The stock, silencer, weapons, facial expressions, and other accessories allow you to create all of your favorite action poses from the animated series. Collector Coin also included. $239.99Check out these new items from Super7 including 3.75" ReAction figures from The Toxic Avenger and Street Fighter II, Blind Boxed Alien Xenomorph ReAction figures, and Mega Man M.U.S.C.L.E. three packs.Amp up your Metals Die Cast collection with these new items from the Wonder Woman movie, Street Fighter, Fast & Furious, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, Marvel, and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers!Based on his look in How to Train Your Dragon 2, Toothless stands 12 inches tall on a rocky crag base. He has scale texturing on his legs and head, as well as claws that grip the mossy rocks where he stands. He has subtle blue paint accenting his spine ridges, and his prosthetic red fin comes complete with a painted Viking skull design. $249.99Join Mario and his pals as you advance them up the Mushroom Kingdom while challenging other players to gather the most coins and reach the castle at the top. Custom game pieces include a 3D game board, 13 Character Movers, Power Up cards and ? Block Chips. $17.99The legendary Captain Jack Sparrow from Disney's Pirates of the Carribean films joins the S.H.Figuarts crew! He's about 5.10 inches tall, and is every bit as poseable as a constantly-drunk pirate can be; he has two interchangeable faces, extra hands, the compass both open and closed, his sword, his hat, and of course, a bottle of rum! $74.99This list contains some cool new import items by Max Factory, Union Creative, Good Smile Company and more; including figma No.354 Kirito from Sword Art Online The Movie, Alexander Yamato and Kazuki Nishina 1/8 scale figures from King of Prism by PrettyRhythm, and a 1/4 Scale Megurine Luka V4X from Vocaloid.Check out these 17 new import items including DC Comics ES Gokin Superman and Batman figures, Nendoroids of Erwin Smith and Levi from Attack on Titan, POLYGO Minnie Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, a Dead Dead Demon's Vignette figure, Space Channel 5 figma of Ulala, and more!12 new import exclusives are up for preorder including the Super Robot Chogokin Great Mazinkaiser, S.H.Figuarts Kame Rider Lazer Hunter Bike Gamer Level 5 and Genm Zombie Gamer Level X, FW Gundam Converge Hong Kong City Combat Set, Sailor Moon Crystal Star and Cosmic Heart Cushions, and more!Next up in KFC's EAVI Metal lineup is Phase Ten:A Kingzilla & Komodus! Kingzilla is a triple changer that transforms from robot to jet or dragon creature; and his head transforms into Komodus, who can either be a driver for Kingzilla's jet mode or the head for dragon mode. The light up control board and thruster flame effect parts make this a unique and must have set! $149.99Next up in the X-Transbots Master X lineup is MX-X Virtus. This nearly 10 inch tall robot is a triple changer that can become a helicopter or alien car. Virtus featurs die cast joints and feet with real rolling landing gear in helicopter mode! $129.99The S.H.Figuarts Hall of Armor project continues with an all-new refined sculpt of the iconic Mark V armor! The hall of armor features an LED light-up function so you can recreate Tony Stark's lab. $109.99The Kingsman agents and their foes are joining forces with Funko! From the British spy action-comedy film Kingsman: The Secret Service, comes Harry in his dapper suit, Eggsy with his pug, the internet billionaire Valentine and his right-hand Gazelle -- all receiving the Pop! vinyl treatment!$9.99 eachThe latest craze in plush collectibles is the Phunny line by KidRobot! These high-end soft sculptures are on the leading edge of urban plush collecting. Check out the latest additions from the worlds of Alien: Covenant, Army of Darkness, and DC Comics! $11.99 eachAhead of the highly anticipated return of season 7, Game of Thrones Pop! are back with an all-new collection including the fearless Jon Snow, Tyrion with a chalice of wine in hand, Cersei in her coronation gown and royal headpiece, the beloved Bran Stark, and Tormund Giantsbane wielding his trusty sword. And standing at 6", the series would not be complete without a Free Folk Giant Pop! of Wun Wun!Kids and fans alike can imagine the biggest battles and missions in the Star Wars saga with figures from The Black Series! With exquisite features and decoration, this series embodies the quality and realism that Star Wars devotees love. Wave 7 features K-2SO and Director Krennic from Rogue One, Lando Calrissian from Episode V, Qui-Gon Jinn from Episode I, Tusken Raider from Episode IV, and Imperial Royal Guard from Episode VI.MP-11ND Dirge features a newly designed front wing, realistic jet details like air brakes and the engine block cover, and a facial expression characteristic of Dirge. Dirge includes 2 under-wing mounted missiles, a clear pilot mini-figure, a collector card, and instruction manual. $169.99Finally, the Megazord makes its long awaited debut in the Soul of Chogokin line with exquisite MMPR series inspired detail and a fully articulated combined mode capable of recreating the most dynamic poses from the show. And just like in the show, the five zords combine into the Beast Tank Dino Tanker form before the final transformation into the Megazord! $299.99The Masterpiece Artfire figure transforms from robot to ladder fire truck includes a gun, two faces, and his Targetmaster partner Nightstick. The Nightstick figure can transform into a gun and can be held in Artfire's hand or attached to his wrist. $139.99The LG42 Godbomber transforms into an armored trailer and a battle station, which can both be manned by Legends Headmasters. Godbomber can be attached to the back of LG35 Super Ginrai's vehicle mode and Godbomber can also be split into pieces to form God Ginrai. His front hatch opens and has enough space inside to fit three Headmasters, and he includes the sword based on the one used by God Ginrai to fight Deathsaurus. $69.99The lastest figure from Fans Toys is FT-10 Phoenix. This figure stands 14" tall at the top of his head in robot mode and the height to the top of his backpack is 15.2" tall. Phoenix converts from robot to jet plane. $219.99A bunch of new items have arrived including regular and chase versions of Pop! figures including John Wick from John Wick Chapter 2, Eleven from Stranger Things, Punisher from the Daredevil TV series, and Bill Cipher and Dipper Pines from Gravity Falls. Also find the rest of the Gravity Falls crew, several Tekken characters, Chip & Dale from Kingdom Hearts, and more!Many years after the fall of YEW, the threat of the death still looms. In order to survive, resources and land must be fought for. The dusts of war plague the sky, and have yet to dissipate. We must survive by any means necessary. The 1/12 scale figures of Ranger Anonymous, Iron Mask Maxwell, and Canis SPP Jackal feature highly detailed head sculpts and clothing, and come with a variety of weapons and accessories. $74.99 eachKaiyodo's Figure Complex Amazing Yamaguchi line continues with the symbiote known as Venom! Standing nearly 7 inches tall, Venom is fully posable and comes with extra attachable tendrils of evil black goop, an alternate head, and a swiveling tongue! $84.99The super articulated R-19 Kultur stands 8 inches tall in robot mode and includes a twin cannon, manual, comic, and bio card. $119.99These Robotech SD figures by Kitzconcept are fully painted, die-cast action figures that stand nearly 6 inches tall in Battloid mode. Each fully transformable figure can be converted to Fighter, Guardian and Battloid modes. The high metal content, LED functions, effect parts and weapons on these highly collectible figures make them a must have for Robotech fans.It's Gizmo's first appearance in NECA's Ultimate line! He's fully poseable, including ears and eyes (a small ball carefully concealed on the back of the head allows you to move the pupils in all directions to create many different expressions). Plus, Gizmo comes with four swappable faces so you can customize his expression! This Ultimate edition comes with Santa hat, trumpet, bow, pencil arrow and more. $24.99 Old Soviet 7.62x54R weaponry isn't widely considered very accurate. Robust? Surebut precision? Nah. Even some of the newest rifles in this caliber generally can be shot circles around with an average out-of-the-box AR. There are still fans of the cartridge though, and it's no surprise at the crew at MOD Outfitters is among them. [Understatement of the year] It wouldn't be inaccurate to think of MOD Outfitters as the skunkworks for Dead Air (back in Issue 26 we built an AKM with them). One of the major detractors of 7.62x54R ammunition is that most of what is commercially available is very corrosive. The extra pain in the ass of washing a gun every time you take it out to the range can make the entire experience less enjoyable. Solving this has been a pet project of Gary Hughes, AK Nerd Supreme, for quite a while. Here's what he told us: When we set out to develop a handled for 7.62x54r, it seems to make not much senseexcept that all the inexpensive import ammunition is corrosive, and we hate cleaning guns. We wanted a non corrosive load that used a commonly available, US made lead core projectile so we didnt have to disassemble import ammo for components. The standard deviation and quality of the Russian surplus ammo, is generally not very good. So we wanted a readily available, non corrosive replacement load. We also wanted a load that was ballistically similar enough to utilize original Russian optics, the adjustments of which are set up to range in meters, not in mils or any other set adjustment, just in range. So in order to utilize original optics the trajectory had to pretty closely match. And after a long period of load development and testing on the side, MOD Outfitters did indeed come up with a non-corrosive ballistically similar configuration. Being a little more accurate was expected. Being a lot more accurate was not. MOD Outfitters tells us that while the cold bore shots are erratic to say the least, once the barrel warms up they regularly achieve accuracy results ranging from .5-1.5MOA, depending on the platform used. They've also shot a Mosin sniper variant (91/30 PU) out to 1,000 yards with mostly just windage correctionsit seems their goal of trajectory matching worked out. Check out the video below to see some of the details Warning: Handloading while stupid can be extremely hazardous to your health. If you are stupid or think you might be, please do not attempt anything you may see in this video. Stupidity is out of our control and we make no claims about the suitability of this information for any application outside of our own. If you're not stupid, thanks for watching. Reloading 7.62x54R Light Ball Duplicate The Goal: Create a light ball non corrosive duplicate Velocity and trajectory matched to the original to keep iron sights closely calibrated for bullet drops Original Weight: 148gr Duplicate Weight: 150gr .311 SP (Sierra) Original Velocity: 2848FPS (91/30 PU) Duplicate Velocity: 2855FPS (91/30 PU) 48 grains of Varget Powder used Using a G1 BC of .344 the load is a very close match the original Soviet trajectory charts (for extra accuracy be sure to fill any airspace in case with the sweet sound of Soviet national anthem comrades) 7.62x54R Light Ball Duplicate Load Data: PPU Brass Case WLR Primer Varget power, 48.0 grains Sierra .311 150gr SP (g1 BC .344) Velocity 2855 (out of 91/30) Thanks for watching (and for not being stupid) modoutfitters.com If you can't watch the video right now, we've taken the time to transcribe the information inside: You can visit MOD Outfitters on YouTube and Instagram. Proceeds may be used to partly pay off its Rs 46,570-cr debt Air India is planning to sell its properties and land parcels across the country. Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju met finance minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday to decide the process. Sources privy to the discussions say the idea is to sell real estate assets in cities, airport locations, and airline offices at prime locations. A consultant will be appointed to make a detailed inventory report of the assets and fix a proper valuation for them. The entire process will be reviewed by a committee, which will comprise of secretary-level officials from the civil aviation ministry and finance ministry, people from Air India, and a retired judge. Air India has a vast bank of immovable properties, which have been accumulated over a period of time at various locations in India and abroad. Some of the properties are lying unused for a long time. Besides these, there are some locations from where the airline has stopped functioning; the idea is to sell those assets to see how much it can reduce the companys debts, an official close to the developments said. When asked about it after the meeting between civil aviation minister and finance minister, civil aviation secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey said the government was considering all options. "At this stage, we are considering all options and we cannot say as to what will be the final decision," Choubey said. Air India has a total debt of Rs 46,570 crore. Of the total debt, around Rs 16,000 crore is on account of aircraft loans, which were raised partially from Export-Import Bank of India, foreign institutions and through non-convertible debentures. The aircraft loans are guaranteed by the government. The remaining is working capital loan raised from a consortium of 25 banks led by State Bank of India. This is not the first time that the company has decided to sell its assets. The previous UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government had also advised selling properties as a part of a turnaround plan approved in 2012. When asked about Air Indias privatisation plan, finance minister Arun Jaitley said the civil aviation ministry will prepare a road map for the process. Business Standard has learnt that despite Niti Aayogs suggestion of a complete sell-out, the government may not cede control over the airline, and instead attempt a turnaround by a debt-equity swap with lenders, sale of non-core assets and appointment of professionals to run the airline. Officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the control of Air India by government is important because of its strategic importance in a sector that has a few private players. If you see Air Indias performance in terms of pure operational metrics, over the last two years it has done well, the debt issue has pinned them down, selling off non-core assets can be used to retire some of the debt burden, a senior official said. A sale of the assets can generate more than Rs 10,000 crore (Rs 100 billion), the official said. Saurabh Mahajan, a former Indian Army officer, is making history in medieval battles grounds. Rediff.com's Archana Masih meets the man who has supplied vintage armour and war props to Assassin's Creed, The Hobbit and knights in shining armour to the Tower of London. IMAGE: Captain Saurabh Mahajan started Lord of Battles after serving the Indian Army. He wants Lord of Battles to be one of the world's best companies supplying medieval products for movies and theatre. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lord of Battles There is every chance that the swords being sold at the souvenir shops at Fontana de Trevis in Rome will have a Made in India tag and the guards at the Tower of London are wearing armour made by a Dehradun-based company run by a former captain of the Indian Army. "I see these two guys wearing chain mails (armour) at the Tower of London, and I tell them they are made by my company -- and they say, 'Sir, can we have a picture with you!" says Captain Saurabh Mahajan, founder and managing director, Lord of Battles, sitting in his office with a miniature medieval body armour behind him; and a treadmill, in front. Medieval helmets (imagine King Arthur and his knights) sit on a shelf. Rock music plays softly in the background as Mahajan deftly straddles the medieval and modern worlds. The walls are lined with posters of Hollywood and television blockbusters that the company has supplied medieval war weapons, armour and camping equipment to -- The Hobbit, Assassin's Creed, The Bastard Executioner, Merlin series... There are posters of other big Hollywood films with bigger stars -- films that have come and gone -- and a hugely successful television series but I am cautioned not to mention them because of strict non disclosure contracts. IMAGE: Medieval war helmets made by the company on display at the Lord of Battles office in Dehradun. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lord of Battles So careful is Mahajan about any breach of contract that he ensures a member of his staff e-mails me a list of the films, television shows and stage productions that can be mentioned in this feature. "Hollywood production companies are very strict and secretive because billions of dollars are at stake. If anyone puts a picture online of an item being used, the interest in the film is lost," says Mahajan, who started Lord of Battles in 2005 after serving the Indian Army for seven years, five of those in Jammu and Kashmir. "Till the time the movie is released we don't know anything," he says. "Even for Assassin's Creed they told us the correct name of the film after the release." IMAGE: A worker sportingly puts on a chain mail armour at the workshop. Chain mails are the most in demand item. Photograph: Seema Pant for Rediff.com Mahajan learned the importance of secrecy early on in the business. A chain mail made by Lord of Battles for famous theatre company in London was worn by a friend who was visiting the office. He posted a picture wearing the chain mail on Facebook and tagged Mahajan. The costume designer of the play, who was Mahajan's friend on FB, saw the picture and cancelled the order. "It was done unintentionally. I hardly had 2, 3 friends on FB then. But because it was to be worn by the lead character, they cancelled the order and changed the design." Up till now most orders for films have come through the big 'prop' companies from the US, UK and Europe that buy from Lord of Battles and subsequently sell to the movies. "We must have supplied stuff for many movies -- as many as 70, 80 maybe -- but because they are sold through prop companies, most often we don't come to know." "We are also bound by contract not to reveal the name of the film. The movies I mentioned are the ones that have directly contacted us." A prominent spot in the office-cum-workshop display posters of a hit television series. The company has provided items for the last two seasons. It is supplying items for the next season as well. IMAGE: Rings are sewn together to make patches that then create an armour. Captain Mahajan started with 3 workers. He now employs 130 crafts persons. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lord of Battles A 100% export company, Lord of Battles primarily sells to markets in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Russia and Japan. The items most in demand are chain mails, camisoles (the clothing worn under the chain mail), medieval leather boots and camping items -- pots, pans, cauldrons, S-hooks, kettles etc. In the workshop below, neck ties and wine bottle holders, made of chain mail, are ready to be shipped to a souvenir shop in Europe. On another rack, 150 sauce pans are waiting to be dispatched for a camping scene in an upcoming film. "Our craft persons make everything by hand, nothing is machine-made. It's a great feeling to see big actors wear our stuff," says Mahajan, giving us a walk-through as we walk past Michael Fassbender in Assassin's Creed. A group of women working from home stitch the rings into patches that are then made into armour. 130 craft persons, mostly employed in the factory in Saharanpur, UP, work on creating the items. Currently, the company is creating material for two films and five theatre productions. A group of Russian costume designers had arrived the previous day to decide on the final costumes for a war movie. IMAGE: Swords and daggers. Hobbyists who participate in the re-enactment of great battles form the biggest market. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lord of Battles A meeting with an Australian costume designer on a rafting adventure in Rishikesh led Mahajan to start Lord of Battles. The lady was looking for medieval helmets and Mahajan got them for her at a fraction of the estimated cost. She referred him to other costume designers and orders gradually started coming for re-enactment and live action role-play. From 2010, theatres and movies companies started approaching him. The biggest initial boost came when Alistair MacArthur, head of costumes, Royal Shakespeare Company, contacted him for Morte d'Arthur. "We were invited for the play and the end it was announced that the manufacturer of the props were luckily in the audience. They made us stand and gave us a standing ovation. Imagine what a feeling it was!" remembers Mahajan. IMAGE: Chest plates and helmets being crafted by a worker. "Our items are hand-made with great detail," says Captain Mahajan. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lord of Battles What gives the company an edge over its main competitors in Poland, the Czech Republic, says Mahajan, is that Lord of Battles' products are hand made. In most cases, the production house sends a design sample. Lord of Battles also has a small in-house design team. The company also supplies medieval leather journals, helmets, chain mails, miniature helmets etc to the souvenir shops at the Wallace Collection Museum, the Tower of London and to several castle shops in Europe. "I want us to be one of the world's best companies supplying medieval products for movies and theatre," says Mahajan who has no immediate plans to enter the Indian market. "We craft each item with great detail, hence they are expensive. A helmet costs Rs 8,500, I won't be able to make it for Rs 1,500 for a Hindi film and compromise on the quality. I want to do limited business, but good business," he says. Once he has achieved his professional goal, Mahajan wants to start a war museum in India some day. "The aim is not to only increase the turnover," he says, over coffee and delicious locally made biscuits. "My salary in the army was Rs 21,000 and I was happy. Money is not the only thing that gives you happiness. What is important is customer satisfaction." He has never been late with any delivery, he says, and credits his training in the army for this quality. "It costs $15,000 a day for booking a castle and a lot of money is lost if a shipment reaches late." The Lord of Battles conference room has framed letters of appreciation from production companies commending him for his on time delivery. IMAGE: A Roman helmet and shield sold in souvenir shops in Rome. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lord of Battles The son of an army officer and alumnus of the National Defence Academy, most of Mahajan's military batch mates are now lieutenant colonels and colonels. The pride in his voice is evident when he says his best friend recently commanded a regiment in Dehradun. In 2004, when Mahajan left the army he only had about Rs 5 lakh rupees. He invested all of it in his business. His advice to young entrepreneurs is to give it their best and take some calculated risks. "In international business, if you are honest, deliver on time and maintain quality, you will multiply," he says, posing with a sword. "You should also have fun in what you do." In what is being billed as Opposition show of strength, top leaders including Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are expected to share dais at an event to mark 60 years of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi as a legislator in Chennai on Saturday. Besides, the diamond jubilee celebrations of Karunanidhi's entry into the Tamil Nadu assembly will also be celebrated. Apart from Lok Sabha MP Derek B'Brien, who will represent Trinamool Congress, Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI National Secretary D Raja, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar are also scheduled to attend the event. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad will not attend the celebrations due to ill health. "Laluji is suffering from fever and hence will not be able to go to Chennai tomorrow," his close aide and MLA Bhola Yadav said. Party spokesperson Ashok Sinha also confirmed Yadav's inability to go to Chennai. Lalu and Kumar had accepted the invitation and the Bihar CM even had talks with DMK working president Stalin in the presence of Kanimozhi. Lalu Prasad's cancellation of travel plan to Chennai is being read in political circles as his unwillingness to be seen with Kumar, who had skipped a luncheon meeting hosted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on May 26 in which he himself was present. Both the RJD and the JD-U -- the Grand Alliance partners -- have, however, dismissed it. "Laluji is not going to Chennai purely on health grounds on advise of doctors. There is nothing political in it," Sinha said. JD-U chief spokesperson Sanjay Singh too said, "Laluji is not going to Chennai on medical grounds and it's wrong to read any politics in this," Singh said. Ironically, Karunanidhi's participation is still uncertain as doctors have not given him the nod to attend the function, scheduled to coincide with his 94th birthday. The nonagenarian leader is recuperating following a tracheostomy procedure in December last to improve breathing. The event comes amidst parleys by non-National Democratic Alliance parties involving TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to field a common candidate for the Presidential polls due in July. However, Karunanidhi's son Stalin has denied his father's birthday bash will serve as a platform for the non-NDA parties to discuss the Presidential polls. He had earlier said Congress President Sonia Gandhi had already held discussions with him on the possibility of putting up a joint Opposition candidate. Incumbent Pranab Mukherjee's term ends in July this year. A five-time Chief Minister, Karunanidhi made his debut as a Member of Legislative Assembly from Kulithalai in then undivided Tiruchirappally in 1957 and has not lost a single election in his career. Even during times his party faced routs at the hand of arch rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, including in 1991 and 2011 where the late J Jayalalithaa led her party to stupendous wins, Karunanidhi had emerged victorious. He presently represents his native Thiruvarur constituency in the 234 member Tamil Nadu assembly. Meanwhile, Kerala governor Justice P Sathasivan, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and Bharatiya Janata Party state president Tamilisai Soundarajan greeted Karunanidhi on his long stint as a legislator. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wished the DMK leader on his birthday. American TV anchor Megyn Kelly was on Friday trolled on social media for asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he was on Twitter. Kelly, a journalist and news anchor at National Broadcasting Company, asked the question while interacting with Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum which she was to moderate. IMAGE: NBC's Megyn Kelly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the state dinner party Konstantin Palace in St Petersburg. Photograph: Megyn Kelly/Twitter After shaking hands with Putin and Modi, the prime minister praised Kelly's picture on her Twitter account where she is seen posing with an umbrella. Kelly then asked Modi, "Are you on Twitter?" Modi, the world's second most followed leader on Twitter after United States President Donald Trump, then laughed off her question and continued the interaction. As the video containing the question went viral, she was trolled on social media with some users wondering why she had not done her homework before asking the question. One Twitter user said, "@megynkelly You asked the wrong guy is he's on Twitter !!! You're a journalist, some homework is needed!" Another user said, "Megyn Kelly To Modi - Are You On Twitter? @megynkelly Please have a look on the Follower stats of @narendramodi and yours. We wonder if Russia's Putin could hold back the laughs. Photograph: GIPHY Kelly is followed by 2.31 million people on Twitter while Prime Minister Modi is followed by over 30.3 million followers. Trump is followed by 31.2 million people. "Megyn Kelly asking #Modi if he's on #twitter tell either of 2 things. The world media is still ignorant of India or she was just being stupid," another user tweeted. "Unlike @megynkelly, Indian #PM @narendramodi did do his homework & makes small talk about umbrella photo on twitter!," tweeted another user. More tweets came in saying, Dear self-obsessed Americans, yes @narendramodi is on Twitter and has more than 30 Million followers. In April, Modi emerged as the most followed world leader on photo-sharing app Instagram with a whopping 6.9 million followers, surpassing Trump. Using phones and computers to spread rumours, jihadis are waging a new, unconventional war in the Valley, reports Sumir Kaul. After years of fighting armed terrorists with bullets and brickbats, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir are now facing a new enemy -- bedroom jihadis who manipulate social media from the comfort of their homes to spread rumours and influence youths. Its a new battleground and a new battle, say senior officers. Far removed from conventional weaponry and the conventional fighting zones of the warren of narrow streets and forests, these new age jihadis use computers and smartphones to wage war from just about anywhere -- in Kashmir or outside, safe inside their homes or out on the streets, from a nearby cafe or even just a convenient roadside. An immediate worry for security agencies is the Amarnath Yatra that starts June 29. Armed with access to platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, there are fears that the new band of jihadis could instigate communal riots in the Valley ahead of the 40-day pilgrimage to the high altitude shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a virtual battleground where a bloody war is fought, but with words. However, this has an impact on the young minds, said a senior police officer. Many officers felt that false rumours could be floated in Jammu in the coming days, leaving authorities with little time to react. Anyone, while sitting on his bed or sofa, can plant this news in one of the thousand chat groups and the entire state can plunge into communal divide, said a police officer. The social chat groups are active not just in Jammu and Kashmir. They are seeing participation from youngsters in the national capital, rest of the country and abroad as well. Officers cite the recent example of a constable from the Kashmiri Pandit community to explain how difficult it is to tackle the unseen enemy. The constable went missing and his body was found in north Kashmirs Kupwara, after a thorough search. But even before the investigations began, people in the Pandit community posted stories that he had been kidnapped by terrorists and had died a martyrs death. The impact of social media on the case was so profound that it began to be probed as a militancy-related case. However, a Special Investigating Team, constituted by Director General of Police S P Vaid, later found that the constable had been murdered by a fellow policeman whom he had allegedly sodomised and threatened to make it public. Another instance of trouble being engineered was a fake picture of a pond around the shrine of Goddess Ragnya Devi, also known as Kheer Bhawani, being shared on WhatsApp groups ahead of the annual Kheer Bhawani mela being celebrated on Friday. According to the post, the water of the pond had turned black, which according to folklore indicates inauspicious times for Kashmir. The government stepped in and released official photographs in an attempt to quell the rumours. They also tried to find those responsible. But it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Millions of people are on social networking sites and is too difficult to locate that one person, a police officer said. In the Valley, social media access had been controlled to a large extent after authorities clamped down on 22 websites. While many users in the Valley found a way out through virtual private networks, they found it difficult to share pictures or videos because of the clamp down on 3G and 4G networks. A police officer recalled that many hartal calls attributed to separatist leaders last year actually came from students or employees who did not want to attend work. The hartal calls used to spread like a jungle fire even leaving separatists wondering at times whether they actually had given them, he said. Most youngsters picked up for questioning were let go with a warning. Given the governments push for Digital India in other parts of the country and the rapid strides in technology, the state government has received severe flak for its ban on the world wide web. Security agency officers feel it is necessary to keep bedroom jihadis at bay so that they can concentrate on nabbing or eliminating terrorists with real guns. The government has warned administrators of these chatting groups or social networking sites against hosting any incriminating material on their platform. However, officers felt that a few more curbs and punitive action would help in reining in such bedroom jihadis. Is Stalin positioning himself as a central figure in the anti-Bharatiya Janata Party, anti-Narendra Modi formation? Does Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam working president M K Stalin have national ambitions? Why else will he be in constant touch with top Opposition leaders in almost all political parties, that too from the Hindi heartland? For instance, he often talks on the phone with Akhilesh Yadav, Omar Abdullah, Lalu Prasad Yadavs sons, even Mayawatis brother. Then, there is the grand rally of senior national Opposition leaders he has organised in Chennai on June 3 to mark his father, former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhis 94 birthday. Which leads to the question: Is Stalin positioning himself as a central figure in the anti-Bharatiya Janata Party, anti-Narendra Modi formation? That Stalin has decided to go against Modi and BJP is a fact. That it will lead to a consolidation of 15-20 percent of minority Muslim and Christian votes in Tamil Nadu is besides the point. Insiders in the DMK who are feeling neglected by Stalin speculate that it was on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhis advice that he decided to align himself with the anti-BJP forces at the national level. What this new stance has meant is a toning down in Stalins anti-Hindi statements. Behind Stalins decision to cosy up to North Indian leaders, insiders say, is also the family squabbles in the DMKs first family. With siblings MK Alagiri and Kanimozhi and stepmother Rajathi Ammal turning a little assertive internally, Stalin, it is said, is keeping all options open. In the time that he has been working president of the DMK, when his son-in-law Sabareesan has taken control of the party, Stalin has brought about major changes, rather on the lines of Rahul Gandhi, be it a change in attire from white veshti and shirt to jeans and T-shirt, or the manner of addressing students while walking about the stage. For Rahul Gandhi, his courtship of Stalin in Tamil Nadu goes with his plan to encourage younger leaders from other non-BJP outfits, like Akhilesh Yadav in the Samajwadi Party. Interestingly, till recently, it was believed that Rahul Gandhi will come closer to the rival AIADMK, for he was the first national leader to visit former chief minister Jayalalithaa when she was in hospital. He also attended her funeral. In fact, the Tamil Nadu Congress chief, S Thirunavukkarasu, is said to be close V K Sasikala, Jayas aide. But the interesting angle in this Rahul-Stalin friendship is Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra, whose discomfiture over the DMK goes back to the fact it was in power in the state when her father, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated in May 1991. Priyanka Gandhi even visited the Vellore jail to meet the killers of Rajiv Gandhi who are lodged there. She and Rahul Gandhi had attended the public hearing by the Justice M C Jain commission of inquiry which went into the conspiracy angle behind Rajivs killing. The DMK was part of the United Progressive Alliance government but it was not a decision that was universally welcome in the Congress party. As much as Rahul Gandhi may desire close ties, till the time such misgivings are resolved, there cannot be total political synergy with Stalin. Any amount of Modi bashing by them will not bring about a comprehensive, cohesive alliance between the DMK and Congress. On another level, can Stalin tolerate the Hindi speakers domination of this emerging anti-Modi spectrum, and what role will he play in national politics except to be a lightning rod for anti-Modi forces, are things that remain to be seen. IMAGE: A file photograph of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and DMK working president M K Stalin campaigning in Madurai during last year's Tamil Nadu assembly election. Photograph: PTI Photo. R Rajagopalan is a senior journalist in New Delhi who has been reporting on Tamil Nadu affairs for decades. Several buildings across the world lit up bright green on Thursday night in support of the Paris climate accord. The action came following United States President Trump announcing that the nation was withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement, The White House's reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet. This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Trump can turn his back on the world, but the world cannot ignore the very real threat of climate change. This decision is an immoral assault on the public health, safety and security of everyone on this planet, he said adding that New Yorkers are already experiencing hotter summers, more powerful storms and rising seas, which disproportionately affect already vulnerable communities. On behalf of the people of New York City, and alongside mayors across the country, I am committing to honour the goals of the Paris agreement with an executive order in the coming days, so our city can remain a home for generations to come, de Blasio said. Green lights are projected onto the facade of the Hotel de Ville in Paris. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters As directed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in response to President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord, One World Trade Center is illuminated with green light. Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Angel of Independence monument is bathed in green light to stand in solidarity with the Paris climate accord. Photograph: Carlos Jasso/Reuters New York City hall turned a shade of green on Thursday as it stated that it would abide by the terms of the Paris Climate accord. Photograph: @NYCMayor/Twitter Boston's City Hall too turned a shade of green to support the climate agreement from which Trump withdrew on Thursday. Photograph: @austinfblackmon/Twitter IMAGE: Russian S-400 Triumf medium-range and long-range surface-to-air missile systems drive during the Victory Day parade, marking the 71st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, at Red Square in Moscow, Russia. Photograph: Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters Russia is preparing to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India and both sides are discussing the terms of the sale, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has said. Pre-contract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Rogozin said. Pre-contract preparations are underway on the supplies of S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, he said. It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms, Russias official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modis ongoing visit to St Petersburg. India had announced on October 15 last year a deal on the Triumf air defence systems from Russia, worth over $five billion, and collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. In April, Sergei Chemezov, director-general of the Rostec State Corporation had said that the deal for the S-400 anti- aircraft missile systems to India is not yet concluded. The contract has not yet been signed, Chemezov had said. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. India and Russia have been in talks for over a year for the purchase of at least five systems of S-400 that will be a game changer in the region. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. The S-400 Triumf is Russias latest mobile long-range multiple anti-aircraft missile system, which came into service in 2007. It is meant for destroying aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and ground targets. China was the first foreign buyer of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. India has issued a medical visa to a two-and-a-half-month-old baby from Pakistan, suffering from a heart disease, after his father sought intervention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Swaraj's intervention came after the infant's father brought the matter to her notice on Twitter. Earlier this week, Ken Sid, a Pakistani national, reached out to Swaraj through the social media platform for a medical visa for his son, who has a heart complication which cannot be treated in Pakistan. "The child will not suffer. Please contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan. We will give the medical visa," she had said. The family had been trying to get a visa for three months. "It is heartening to see humanity prevailing despite many differences. Thank you for your efforts. Humanity prevails! God bless everyone," the child's father tweeted. An official at the Indian high commission said that a four-month medical visa has been issued to the family so that the boy could undergo heart surgery in India. However, in another case, Swaraj asked a Pakistani lawyer to get a recommendation from Pakistan's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz . "I am sorry to know that your father requires liver transplant. It appears there is some misunderstanding," Swaraj tweeted, and added "We have not refused a medical visa. If Mr.@sartajaziz recommends your case, we will give the visa immediately. So instead of requesting me, please request Mr @sartajaziz." She was responding to a tweet by one Mazhar Hussain, who said, "@SushmaSwaraj dear Madam! I'm a lawyer from Pakistan, my father needs urgent visa for liver transplant in India. Please help us." In the aftermath of Kulbhushan Jadhav episode, India had said, "We have suggested that their Foreign Minister or Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaz Aziz give a recommendation letter and it will be cleared immediately, without any delay", adding the insistence on a recommendation letter would enable to ascertain that the requests received from Pakistan are genuine. Ailing Pakistanis frequently to travel to India on medical visas to seek treatment for complicated health problems. Indian hospitals have previously reported receiving around 500 patients from Pakistan every month. Many of the unwell needed a liver transplant, which costs between Rs 2-3 million. In 2015, five-year-old Basma from Pakistan had been granted a visa to India for an emergency liver transplant surgery. There are now many tales like hers, sometimes with footnotes on how the travelling patients were helped financially by Indians. However, the visa process for travellers who want to visit India for medical reasons has slowed amid rising tensions between the two countries over a number of reasons, including the issue of cross-border terrorism and Pakistani military sentencing to death Indian national Jadhav on charges of espionage. The Trump administration has asked the United States Supreme Court to reinstate its travel ban blocking the entry of citizens from six Muslim-majority countries. President Trump signed Executive Order titled Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States on March 6 this year. The countries which the ban affects are Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Syria. In its filings, the administration has asked the nine apex court judges to consider the legality of President Trumps executive order that was halted by the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. The case marks the US Presidents first test of his travel ban in the nations highest court. Last month, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals largely affirmed a federal judges decision from March, which found the core provision of the revised executive order -- temporarily blocking foreign nationals from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the US as possibly violative of the US Constitution because prima facie it appeared to be discriminatory against Muslims. We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trumps executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism, CNN quoted Justice Department spokesperson Sarah Isgur Flores, as saying. Flores added, The President is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States. The administration argues the travel ban should be allowed to go into effect now while the court looks at the ultimate legality of Trumps executive order later this year. Legal experts are seeing the executive order as an interesting procedural move. There are some in favour of the ban and some who are not, given that terror strikes have become frequent and a global phenomenon. Image: Demonstrators protest outside the office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement inn Chicago, Illinois against the US president's travel ban which affects Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Syria. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images A judge has ruled that a lawsuit against the NYPD for officers' use of a Long Range Acoustic Device sound cannon at a Black Lives Matter protest can proceed, because "sound can be used as a force." The city had sought to get the federal lawsuit thrown out in part on the basis that "the LRAD is not an instrumentality of force, but a communication device," and that "the officers' creation of a sound that plaintiffs happened to hear cannot be considered 'physical contact.'" The lawsuit stems from a demonstration in Midtown in December 2014 in response to a grand jury's decision not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo, one of several cops who killed Eric Garner in Staten Island. The evening protest bled into early the next morning, and around 1 a.m. at East 57th Street and Madison Avenue, marchers were gathered in the street, and some in the crowd were throwing bottles and garbage at police when two officers with the NYPD Disorder Control Unit activated the LRAD. Video from the protest captures part of the chaotic scene. "You must remain on the sidewalk. You must not interfere with vehicular traffic," one officer repeats into the microphone as the other holds the portable sound device, occasionally activating its "deterrent tone" and pointing it at people on the sidewalk. "If you do, you will be placed into custody." One clip shows the officers use the sound blast more than a dozen times in 2 1/2 minutes. The plaintiffs, two photojournalists, three protesters, and a videographer, say they experienced migraines and severe ringing in their ears in the immediate aftermath of the protest. Three reported experiencing continued ringing in their ears as of last August, and a fourth suffered nerve damage in his ear as a result of the blasts, according to the suit. The LRAD was developed as a military sound weapon following the 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen. Police departments have since acquired the devices to use for crowd control. The NYPD first used one to make announcements during the 2004 protests against the Republican National Convention. In 2009, Pittsburgh police used the LRAD's high-deciblel weapon function against protesters at the G-20 financial summit. In a 2010 briefing, the NYPD Disorder Control Unit described the Pittsburgh deployment by saying the LRAD was "used successfully." However, as lawyers for the Black Lives Matter protesters note, Pittsburgh paid $200,000 to settle litigation stemming from its handling of the protest, including $72,000 to a bystander who suffered permanent hearing loss from the LRAD. The backpack-sized LRAD 100x used by the NYPD in 2014 can emit sounds up to 137 decibels, according to marketing materials. Exposure to sound levels over 85 decibels can cause hearing loss, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. "This is force, and the kind which could be used excessively," Judge Robert Sweet wrote in a decision. Sweet threw out some of the claims, but allowed the lawsuit to proceed, and strongly suggested that those blasted with the LRAD seem to have a case. "Literally the city argued that loud sounds can't constitute a use of force," lawyer Gideon Oliver told Gothamist. "At the bare minimum, the judge has clarified that this isn't factually or legally correct and that should guide the police department going forward." The written decision appears to be the first regarding the use of LRADs in the U.S. In addition to arguing that the sound machine is not a weapon, city lawyers wrote that its use at the Garner protest did not constitute an unreasonable seizure of the plaintiffs, did not "shock the conscience," a legal standard, and did not curtail their constitutional rights. Sweet allowed claims of assault and the NYPD's failure to train its officers to proceed, as well as the claim of excessive force. On top of financial damages, Oliver and other lawyers from the National Lawyers Guild are arguing that the NYPD seems not to have had any policies or training in place for the use of LRADs at the time of the protest, and should come up with some that keep the department from using the machines indiscriminately on crowds at close range. Now that Sweet has denied the city's motion to toss the case, the NYPD must turn over more information about its policies or lack thereof, and the events of the night of the demonstration, and make officers available to be interviewed. The city could also settle, and Oliver said that the decision "strongly suggests that the city should go that route rather than continuing through the discovery process to trial." In a statement, Law Department spokesman Nicholas Paolucci wrote, "The Long Range Acoustic Device is an effective and safe communication tool. We are reviewing the decision and evaluating our next steps." Disclosure: The author previously worked as communications coordinator for the National Lawyers Guild. Trucks rumbled along the crumbling triple cantilever section of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway Friday afternoon as NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg implored state legislators to pass a bill she believes could shave two years and millions of dollars off of critical repairs. Unless a streamlined "design-build" process is approved in the next 11 days, she argued, a long-overdue overhaul to the high-traffic roadway could get further bogged down in bureaucracy. "We really need to get moving," Trottenberg said. "The structure is safe at the moment but it's not something where I can wait years and years. We've been up in Albany for a few years now trying to make this case." Supporters of design-build say the process holds engineers and construction firms accountable by forcing them to bid jointly on contracts. Currently, New York City seeks a designer for a project, then puts out a separate bid for construction. "I have one company that does my design, and then I hand that to a separate company [for construction]," Trottenberg said. "That separate company is allowed to say, 'Well that design had problems.'" This can lead to delays and lawsuits, she said. "Timing is critical," added Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Feniosky Pena-Mora. "If we don't get it now, we may miss the opportunity to be able to use design-build on this project. Because we will have to move forward with a design firm [soon]." The BQE rehab project already hit a major snag in 2011, when the State Department of Transportation backed out. Topped with the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, the steel and concrete structure supports three lanes of Queens-bound traffic, which jut over three lanes of Staten Island bound traffic. Designed by Robert Moses and constructed in 1948, the network of roadways has already surpassed its intended 50 year lifespan by more than a decade. According to the city, design-build would shave $300 million off of an earmarked $1.89 billion in DOT and Parks Department funding for the BQE overhaul. It would also push up the estimated completion date two years, to 2022, according to DOT. Recent state-run design-build projects include the Kosciuszko Bridge, and the Tappan Zee Bridge. The process is also gaining momentum across the country. Opponents of design-build include upstate labor unions who argue the streamlining process could marginalize their rights and benefits, Crain's reports. Public employee unions have also pushed back, demanding that approved projects include explicit protections of their bargaining rights. The State Society of Professional Engineers has argued that engineers could lose autonomy under the process. But local union organizationsincluding the NYC Central Labor Council and the NY Building Congresssupport design-build, which also has the endorsement of good government groups. "So much of this city was built up to 50, 80, 100 years ago," Jonathan Bowles, director of the Center for an Urban Future, told reporters on Friday. "It is deteriorating. It is aging. We need to make sure the limited funds we have for infrastructure get stretched as much as possible." Republican State Senator Marty Golden introduced legislation this session that would secure design-build for the BQE, one of eight projects NYC has prioritized, including the Rodman's Neck NYPD training facility and a new NYPD Precinct in Southeast Queens. "I'm working with Senator [Daniel] Squadron to at least help us get out the BQE and Rodman's Neck," Golden said Friday. "We're going to hopefully come up with a compromise, [but] we have a lot of work to do." (The bipartisan support is unusual, a spokesman for Squadron, a Democrat, noted.) Governor Cuomo's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mayor de Blasio, who has long endorsed design-build for the BQE, stated Friday that, "We have serious capital needs that cannot wait for an emergent crisis." Senator Squadron, who represents Brooklyn Heights, said Friday that considering Albany's track record, action now is critical. "The normal session ends in three weeks time," he said. "After that there's no way to get this authorization until the beginning of next year. And the way this works in Albany, everyone says, 'Let's wait until the end of the budget' ... and if it doesn't happen in the budget, everyone says, 'Alright, by end of session.' And before you know it you're thirteen months from today." Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon predicted the wait could be disastrous. "This roadway is being beaten up all the time and it's not going to continue to last," she said. "We need to build a shorter nightmare, rather than a longer one." Burmese military must end its judicial harassment of media Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 1 June 2017 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Burmese military must end its judicial harassment of media, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593114984.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. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the Burmese military to withdraw a defamation suit against The Voice Daily newspaper over a satirical article and urges the authorities to amend the 2014 Telecommunications Law, under which the lawsuit was brought. Filed on 17 May, the suit accuses The Voice Daily's editor, Kyaw Min Swe, and a columnist who writes under the pen-name of British Ko Ko Maung of contravening Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law by insulting the military in a satirical comment about an army propaganda film called "Union Oath." The Burmese armed forces tolerate no criticism and do not hesitate to bring lawsuits under the Telecommunications Law whenever journalists cover subjects that reflect badly on them. This harassment persuades many journalists to censor themselves. Under Section 66(d), "extorting, coercing, restraining wrongfully, defaming, disturbing, causing undue influence or threatening to any person by using any telecommunications network" is punishable by up to three years in prison. Since Burma's new civilian government took office, a total of 54 people have been accused under Section 66(d) and seven of them have been given prison sentences. They include Myo Yan Naung Thein, a human rights activist and member of the ruling National League for Democracy, who was arrested last October for criticizing the commander-in- chief of the armed forces on Facebook. Burma is ranked 131st out of 180 countries in RSF's 2017 World Press Freedom Index. Press freedom violations recounted in real time January 2017 Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 1 June 2017 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Press freedom violations recounted in real time January 2017, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5931150f4.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. 01.06.2017 - Narges Mohammadi back in prison two days after operation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is very concerned about the health of Narges Mohammadi, an imprisoned journalist and human rights defender who has been returned to prison just two days after undergoing an operation. Rushed to hospital with severe uterine bleeding on 28 May, Mohammadi was operated on the next day and was taken back to prison yesterday. Held since May 2015, Mohammadi was deemed to have completed an initial six-year sentence on 17 March and immediately began a second, ten-year one. She has several ailments including muscular paralysis but is being denied the medical care she needs. Her health is in danger and she should not be in prison. We call for her immediate release. ---------- 24.05.2017 - Magazine editor Morad Saghafi released on bail Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has learned that Morad Saghafi, the editor of the magazine Goft o Gu (Dialogue in Persian), was released on payment of bail on 20 May pending trial. He had been arrested at his Tehran home on 16 March. ---------- 18.05.2017 - Hengameh Shahidi suspends hunger strike Reporters Without Borders (RSF) was relieved to learn today that imprisoned journalist Hengameh Shahidi decided to suspend her hunger strike after receiving a visit from her family in 16 May and a promise from the Tehran prosecutor's office that her appalling prison conditions will be improved and that she will be given complete medical examinations. According to her family, she is suffering from several heart and respiratory ailments, along with other conditions. She had not been eating any food since 10 May. --------- 12.05.2017 - Journalist freed after ten years in prison Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is pleased to learn that Mohammad Sedegh Kabodvand, the editor of Payam-e mardom-e Kurdestan (a regional newspaper closed by the authorities in 2004), was granted a conditional release today on completing ten years in prison. Held since July 2007 in Tehran's Evin prison, Kabodvand was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison in connection with his journalistic activities and his creation of a human rights organization in Iranian Kurdistan, the northern region where he lived. He has been freed provisionally pending a judicial decision on the application of article 134 for the new Islamic criminal code to the rest of his sentence. Under a 2013 amendment to the code, a person convicted on several charges should serve only the most important sentence. By this token, he should have been freed four years ago. -------- 27.04.2017 - Two journalists freed conditionally Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has learned that two imprisoned journalists, Kaivan Karimi and Issa Saharkhiz, have been released conditionally in the past week. Karimi, a young documentary filmmaker, was freed on 20 April after completing half of the one-year sentence he received in November 2016 . Saharkhiz, the editor of several reformist newspapers was released on 25 April. His lawyer, Mahmoud Alizadeh-Tabatabaie, said he had completed his sentence. One of the victims of a wave of arrests in early November 2015, Saharkhiz was sentenced by a Tehran revolutionary court in August 2016 to three years in prison on charges of anti-government propaganda and insulting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. While held, he staged several hunger strikes in protest against his imprisonment and had been hospitalized since March 2016. The sentence was reduced last September. Ranked 165th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2017 World Press Freedom Index, Iran is one of the world's five biggest prisons for media personnel, with a total of 28 journalists and citizen journalists detained. ---------- 19.04.2017 - Narges Mohammadi begins serving second jail term Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is outraged by the continuing persecution of journalist and leading human rights defender Narges Mohammadi, who has just started serving a ten-year prison sentence on completing a six-year one. She received the ten-year sentence a year after her most recent arrest, on 5 May 2015. Mohammadi has a long history of persecution by the judicial authorities and has been arrested several times. During her spells out of prison, she has worked closely with Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi at the Centre for Human Rights Defenders. The six-year sentence followed her arrest at her home on the evening of 10 June 2010. She was convicted two months later on charges of "meeting and plotting against the Islamic Republic," "anti-government publicity:" and "collaborating with the Centre for Human Rights Defenders" and was given an 11-year jail term that was reduced to six years on appeal in March 2011. Mohammadi suffered muscular paralysis as a consequence of the heavy-handed interrogation sessions to which she was subjected after her arrest in 2010. As a result, she was paroled in July 2012. ---------- 17.03.2017 - More journalists arrested Reporters Without Borders (RSF) yet again condemns the persecution of journalists in Iran after at least three more were arrested in the past week. The latest victims include Morad Saghafi, the editor of the magazine Goft o Gu ("Dialogue" in Persian), who was arrested at his Tehran home yesterday and was taken to an unknown location. His lawyer, Hamed Zargar, said neither he nor Saghafi's family have been told why he was arrested. Meanwhile, Ali Motahari, the deputy speaker of Iran's parliament, yesterday asked the minister of intelligence to explain why a military unit recently arrested 12 editors of pro-reform information pages on the instant messaging service Telegram. Motahari also criticized the detention of Ehssan Mazandarani, the former editor of the newspaper Farhikhteghan, on 12 March (see RSF's 13 March release). His wife, Malieh Hossieni, a journalist with the newspaper Farhikhteghana, was fired the day after his arrest. Although banned, apps and social networks such as Telegram, Facebook and Twitter nowadays play an important role in providing Iranians with news and information. Telegram says it has more than 15 million users in Iran. According to the Kalameh news website, Ali Ahmadinia, the administrator of the Eslahat News (Reform News) channel on Telegram, was arrested on 14 March and was taken to an unknown location. RSF is currently very concerned about the health of two journalists who have been on hunger strike since their arrest. One is Mazandarani, who was arrested on 12 March (see above). The other Henghameh Shahidi, who was arrested on 9 March. ---------- 15.03.2017 - Former editor gets six-month jail term Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the six-month prison sentence that has been passed on Hossein Karoubi, the former editor of Etemad Meli (a newspaper closed since August 2009) for circulating the open letter that his father, Mehdi Karoubi, wrote to President Hassan Rohani. In the April 2016 letter, published in mostly foreign-based media outlets and on social networks, Mehdi Karoubi asks to be tried before a public court "in order to present the evidence I possess about massive fraud during the 2005 and 2009 presidential elections and to show what has happened to young Iranians in the country's legal and illegal detention centres." Etemad Melli's owner and a former parliamentary speaker, Mehdi Karoubi has been under house arrest since February 2011, a fate he has shared with former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi (the owner of the closed newspaper Kalameh Sabaz) and Mousavi's wife, the writer Zahra Rahnavard. Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, who are both former presidential candidates, are being held illegally and are being denied their rights. Their state of health is very worrying. RSF has meanwhile learned that Samna Safari, a journalist with the monthly Andisher Poya, was released on 11 March after the authorities determined that he had served his two-year jail sentence. Detained along with three other journalists in a wave of arrests in November 2015, he was sentenced by a revolutionary court in March 2016 to five years in prison for "anti-government propaganda activities." This was reduced to two years on appeal. ---------- 28.02.2017 - City of Qom suspends newspaper Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the decision by the city of Qom's public prosecutor to suspend the newspaper Shakheh Sabz on 26 February, a day after it ran a story criticizing the level of violence in one of its poorest districts, which it likened to a "jungle." The suspension was ordered after 136 parliamentarians supported a resolution accusing the daily of "insulting the population of the Holy City of Qom." The newspaper's name means "Green Branch." ---------- 22.02.2017 - Ahmad Montazeri returned to prison Reporters Without Borders (RSF) firmly condemns progressive cleric Ahmad Montazeri's arrest yesterday. The editor of the website of his late father, Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, he was returned to prison after being summoned before a special court for clerics. Tried behind closed doors and without a defence lawyer on 20 October, Montazeri was sentenced on 27 November to ten years in prison for endangering state security, ten years for publishing a "classified audio recording" and another year for anti-government "propaganda." He was prosecuted for posting an old recording on the website on 9 August 2016 in which his father could be heard criticizing the wave of executions of political prisoners in the 1980s. For more information: Ahmad Montazeri gets 21-year jail term as part of bid to suppress history ---------- 17.02.2017 - Editor freed on completing jail term Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has learned that Ehssan Mazndarani - the editor of the newspaper Farhikhteghan and one of the victims of a wave of arrests in November 2015 - was released on 9 February. He had been given a seven-year jail sentence that was reduced to two years on appeal, His lawyer said he was freed as a result of a decision that he had completed his sentence. While in prison, he was hospitalized several times with heart and chest problems after a three-week hunger strike. ---------- 10.01.2017 - Website reporter flogged for getting facts wrong Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is appalled to learn that Hossien Movahedi, a local news website reporter, was flogged last week in Najafabad, a city 450 km south of Tehran, for getting one of his facts wrong in a story about the confiscation of mopeds from female students at a technological secondary school in the city. Movahedi reported on the Najafabad News website on 14 June 2016 that the police seized 35 mopeds when, according to the police, it was only eight. Although he apologized for his mistake and although the police were allowed to publish their version on the website, the police pressed charges against him and a Najafabad court sentenced him to 40 lashes for "publishing false information." This inhuman and medieval sentence was carried out on 4 January. Iran has yet to ratify the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment. ---------- 06.01.2016 - Woman journalist freed on completing one-year jail term Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has learned that Rihaneh Tabatabai, a journalist who has worked for several reformist newspapers, was released yesterday on completing a one-year jail term on charges of endangering national security and anti-government publicity. She was arrested on 12 January 2016 to begin serving the sentence, which was originally imposed in November 2014 and was confirmed by a Tehran appeal court a year later. The sentence also includes two-year ban on political and journalistic activity in the media and online following her release. In all, Tabatabai has been jailed four times since 2010 in connection with her journalistic activities. Reporters attacked during new Serbian president's inauguration Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 2 June 2017 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Reporters attacked during new Serbian president's inauguration, 2 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593115954.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. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the violence by government supporters against journalists in central Belgrade yesterday as the police looked on without intervening. The journalists were there to cover the swearing-in of Serbia's new president, Aleksandar Vucic. The attacks occurred as opposition activists began clashing with the thousands of Vucic supporters who had gathered outside parliament for the ceremony. Lidija Valtner, a reporter for the newspaper Danas, was filming an altercation between supporters of Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and a Vucic opponent when she was attacked by two activists. One tried to grab her phone in order to prevent her from filming and, when she tried to defend herself, the two men seized hold of her and forcibly took her away to a neighbouring park. In an interview with RSF, Valtner expressed dismay that two plainclothes police officers watched this attack without coming to her help. Force was also used to prevent journalists with Vice, Radio Belgrade and the Cenzovska and Insajder websites from reporting or filming the demonstrations. "We condemn the attacks and acts of intimidation against journalists by members of President Vucic's SNS party," said Pauline Ades-Mevel, the head of RSF's EU-Balkans desk. "The use of such methods against the media is not worthy of a country that aspires to join the European Union." Serbia is ranked 66th of 180 countries in the 2017 World Press Freedom Index compiled by RSF. Tiananmen, 28 years on, government suppression continues Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 1 June 2017 Reference ASA 17/6402/2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Tiananmen, 28 years on, government suppression continues, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5931162b4.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. On the night of 3-4 June 1989, troops from the People's Liberation Army entered Beijing to put an end to weeks of peaceful protests and occupation of Tiananmen Square by students to demand political reforms, killing hundreds, if not thousands, of unarmed protestors. On the 28th anniversary of these events, Amnesty International reiterates its call for a thorough inquiry into the 1989 military crackdown, and for the government to fully uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. On the 28th anniversary of these events, Amnesty International reiterates its call for a thorough inquiry into the 1989 military crackdown, and for the government to fully uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Amnesty International continues to call on the Chinese government to: - launch an open and independent inquiry into the 1989 military crackdown and hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable; - publicly acknowledge the human rights violations which occurred and provide an accounting of all those killed and injured during the military crackdown; - provide appropriate compensation to victims of the crackdown on the 1989 pro-democracy protests, and their families, and; - cease harassment and prosecution of individuals and immediately release all those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly including those seeking reassessment of the 1989 Tiananmen protests and commemorating its victims. The Chinese government thus far has never accepted responsibility for the human rights violations that took place during the military crackdown or held any perpetrator legally accountable. Moreover the authorities continue to systematically censor any reference to the military suppression and to harass, suppress or prosecute individuals who commemorate the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown: In March 2017, activist Chen Yunfei, who was first detained in May of 2015 after he visited the grave of a victim of the 1989 government crackdown was convicted of the crime of "picking quarrels and provoking troubles" and sentenced to four years. Chen took part in the pro-democracy protests in 1989, and had previously been placed under "residential surveillance" in 2007 after he placed a newspaper advertisement in a local newspaper that commemorated Tiananmen victims. In March 2017, four friends - Fu Hailu, Chen Bing, Zhang Junyong and Luo Fuyu - were formally indicted for "inciting subversion of state power" for discussing the production of a label for "baijiu" (a Chinese alcohol) commemorating the Tiananmen crackdown. According to the indictment recently released by their lawyers, the activists used the labels and the "commemoration wine" (jinian-jiu) to "promote the June 4th incident on the internet". Liu Shaoming, a labour rights activist and democracy advocate who was detained in May 2015 after he published an online essay reflecting on his participation in the pro-democracy movement in Tiananmen Square, is still awaiting sentencing on the charge of "inciting subversion" even though his trial concluded on 15 April 2016. On 24 April, Xu Jue, one of the key members of the Tiananmen Mothers, an advocacy group of parents whose children were killed on 3-4 June 1989, succumbed to cancer after an eight-year battle. Her son, Wu Xiangdong, had left their house at 8pm on the night of 3 June, never to return home. He was killed on Chang'an Jie, "The Avenue of Eternal Peace", by bullets fired by People's Liberation Army soldiers. Xu Jue fought for justice and truth for her son, despite facing increasing surveillance and intimidation from the authorities. Ding Zilin, one of the founders of the Tiananmen Mothers, could not attend Xu Jue's funeral due to illness, but she wrote this heartfelt letter as a farewell to her friend: "Xu Jue, my dear sister! I used all my force, but I couldn't stop you from taking the last steps in your life, and all I can do is pray that you go with ease, and that you go in peace! Xu Jue, my dear sister! You have iron will that ordinary people can only strive for, and you fought with all your might to persist until even the last moment, marking a beautiful 'full stop' to the end of your life. I will always remember you, my dear sister! I will exhaust all my efforts in seeing that your last wish - not yet fulfilled - is finally realized." Answering the Tiananmen Mothers' calls for an investigation into the Tiananmen crackdown, accountability and compensation are now more urgent than ever. It is time for the political leadership to stop obstructing the families of the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown, and finally help them fulfil their wish for justice. Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Bahrain: Woman Human Rights Defender tortured, including sexually assaulted, as Bahrain renews campaign to silence peaceful critics Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 1 June 2017 Reference MDE 11/6392/2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Bahrain: Woman Human Rights Defender tortured, including sexually assaulted, as Bahrain renews campaign to silence peaceful critics, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593118884.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. Amnesty International has today called on the Bahraini authorities to immediately end the torture and other ill-treatment of human rights defenders and other critics of the government, and to investigate all allegations of torture and other ill-treatment with the intention to bring those responsible to justice through fair trials. The state must end all forms of reprisals it is currently using against human rights defenders and government critics, targeted solely for the peaceful exercise of their freedom of expression. This call comes after woman human rights defender Ebtisam al-Saegh described to Amnesty International the torture including the sexual assault she was subjected to for around seven hours on 26 May at the National Security Agency (NSA) building in Muharraq. Amnesty International is gravely concerned that other peaceful critics and human rights defenders, summoned for interrogation by the NSA, are at high risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Ebtisam al-Saegh told Amnesty International that she received a phone call on 25 May from the NSA who told her to present herself to the NSA building in Muharraq the following afternoon. When she arrived, she was immediately blindfolded, and in the subsequent hours, she was sexually assaulted, beaten all over her body, kicked in the stomach and kept standing for most of the seven hours she was being interrogated. "They beat me on my nose and they kicked me in the stomach, knowing that I had undergone surgery on my nose and that I was suffering from my colon. I could hear an electric device next to me, which was to scare me. I was made to stand up for most of the time, except for ten minutes when they wanted to eat something. I fainted twice and was woken up with cold water thrown on me. They sat me on a chair only for a few seconds while still interrogating me. I was threatened that they would harm my family and that they would bring my husband and torture and electrocute him. The men told me 'no one can protect you'. They took away my humanity, I was weak prey to them." During her interrogation, Ebtisam al-Saegh was questioned about Duraz, where security forces attacked an ongoing protest on 23 May killing five people, and about other human rights defenders she knew, as well as about her participation at the UN Human rights Council in Geneva last March, where she spoke out about violations in Bahrain. She was also told to stop all her human rights activities or she would be further targeted. Ebtisam al-Saegh was released from the NSA at around 11pm in shock and unable to walk properly. She was transferred to hospital where she received treatment for a nervous breakdown. There are reports of other human rights and political activists who were summoned to the NSA and may have also been tortured or otherwise ill-treated between 24 and 28 May. Some have since Tweeted that they are stopping their activities. The torture of human rights defenders, in this instance a woman, is a clear indication that the Bahraini government has stepped up its repression of peaceful critics and human rights defenders, moving from locking them up or banning them from travel, to now resorting to torture in order to force them to halt their activities. Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Dominican Republic: Vote against decriminalization of abortion, a betrayal to women Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 1 June 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Dominican Republic: Vote against decriminalization of abortion, a betrayal to women, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59311a1c4.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. In reaction to news that the Senate of the Dominican Republic voted against a proposal that could have decriminalized abortion in certain circumstances, Amnesty International's Americas Director Erika Guevara-Rosas said: "The Dominican senate just wasted a huge opportunity to be on the right side of history." "This shameful vote against the decriminalization of abortion does nothing but put the health and lives of millions of women at risk." "Instead of playing political games with women's lives, authorities should focus their time and efforts on protecting their human rights." Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Singapore: Restrictions to LGBT gathering another attempt to suppress activism Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 1 June 2017 Reference ASA 36/6386/2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Singapore: Restrictions to LGBT gathering another attempt to suppress activism, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59311afd4.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. Singapore authorities must immediately revoke a new requirement that insists that entrances to a peaceful assembly are barricaded, and that people will be subjected to identity checks in order to enter. This restriction is another attempt by authorities to restrict and suppress peaceful activism in Singapore. On 30 May, organisers of Pink Dot - an annual gathering for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, their friends, families and supporters of LGBT rights - announced that police will require barricades around the perimeter of Hong Lim Park, where the event is scheduled to be held. Additionally, as well as bag checks, mandatory identity checks would be carried out on the day of the event. Pink Dot has taken place in Singapore since 2009, and is next scheduled to take place on 1 July 2017. Security concerns, as well new legal restrictions which prevent participation in public assemblies by those who are not Singapore citizens or permanent residents, are apparently the reason for these measures.(1) Amnesty International believes that these latest restrictions imposed by the Singaporean authorities on peaceful assembly are another attempt to force almost impossibly stringent requirements on activists and human rights defenders in the country. These measures are, in effect, yet another means of discouraging gatherings and protests by individuals and groups who challenge social and cultural norms or who express dissenting views. The organisation is particularly concerned that the new decision to impose identity checks on event participants sets a disturbing precedent. As such, it calls on the government to urgently clarify if all other assemblies will be subject to the same restrictions as Pink Dot. In April 2017, amendments to Singapore's Public Order Act adopted by its parliament gave police and other officials' additional broad powers to limit or ban public assemblies and protests. Under the revised Act, police and the Home Minister have wide discretion to cancel, postpone or relocate events. The Act also banned those who are not Singapore citizens or permanent residents from attending, organizing or funding, assemblies in any way. The amendment to the Public Order Act increases the risk of criminalization of peaceful assembly in Singapore and will stigmatize those who participate in these rallies, including LGBT people, instead of ensuring they are able to enjoy their human rights without discrimination. Discrimination against LGBT people in Singapore was raised by numerous states during the review of Singapore's human rights record at the UN in 2016. Section 377A of the Penal Code criminalizes consensual sexual relations between men, and must be repealed. In June 2016, the Home Affairs Ministry announced that foreign corporate sponsors would no longer be allowed to fund Pink Dot. As a consequence of this restriction, the organisers were forced to raise funds towards the 2017 event solely from local donors. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. Under international human rights law, this right applies is not limited to those who are citizens or permanent residents of a country, and restrictions on it are only permissible if they are demonstrably necessary and proportionate for the protection of specific public interests or the rights and freedoms of others. Amnesty International calls on the Singaporean authorities to respect and protect the right to peaceful assembly and ensure that they work to facilitate peaceful demonstrations instead of creating more restrictions to silence communities, or their critics. Background The Public Order Act, first promulgated in 2009, regulates public talks, religious assemblies and political protests, among other public events in Singapore. As of 3 April, organizers of public events have had to adhere to strict measures such as applying for a permit at least 28 days in advance and informing the police of the estimated size of the gathering. Failure to do so will result in a fine of SGD $20,000 (USD 14,297) or imprisonment for up to a year, or both. Under the revised Act, police and the Home Minister have broad powers to cancel, postpone or move events. An application for a permit may also be rejected if the police deem that a public meeting will be used for a political purpose and be attended, organized or funded, in any way by foreign nationals. In April, Amnesty International expressed concern that authorities would use the added powers granted by the new law to further curtail freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, in an environment where government critics and activists are already heavily controlled. (1) - http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/pink-dot-event-will-be-barricaded-security-checks Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Russia: Government vs. Rights Groups Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 1 June 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Russia: Government vs. Rights Groups, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59311d184.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. For the past four years, the Kremlin has sought to stigmatize criticism or alternative views of government policy as disloyal, foreign-sponsored, or even traitorous. It is part of a sweeping crackdown to silence critical voices that has included new legal restrictions on the internet, on freedom of expression, on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, and on other fundamental freedoms. An enduring, central feature has been the 2012 law requiring independent groups to register as "foreign agents" if they receive any foreign funding and engage in broadly defined "political activity." In Russia, the term "foreign agent" can be interpreted by the public only as "spy" or "traitor." To date, Russia's Justice Ministry has designated 158 groups as "foreign agents," courts have levied staggering fines on many groups for failing to comply with the law, and about 30 groups have shut down rather than wear the "foreign agent" label. Organizations targeted include groups that work on human rights, the environment, LGBT issues, and health issues, groups that do polling about social issues. A court forced the closure of AGORA Association, one of Russia's leading human rights organizations , in response to a Justice Ministry suit alleging that the group violated the "foreign agents" law and carried out work beyond its mandate. The ministry has removed its "foreign agent" tag from over 20 groups, acknowledging that they had stopped accepting foreign funding. Accordingly, as of June 1, 2017, the official list of active "foreign agents" consisted of 95 groups. The 'Foreign Agent' Law Under the 2012 law, groups must register with the Justice Ministry as "foreign agents" if they receive even a minimal amount of funding from any foreign sources, governmental or private, and engage in "political activity." The definition of political activity under the law is so broad and vague that it effectively extends to all aspects of advocacy and human rights work. Initially, the law required all nongovernmental organizations that met these criteria to register with the ministry and to identify themselves as "foreign agents" in all their public materials, with legal consequences for failure to comply. Russia's human rights groups resolutely boycotted the law, calling it "unjust" and "slanderous." In 2013, Russia's then-federal ombudsman, Vladimir Lukin, challenged the law in Russia's Constitutional Court. In 2014, the court upheld the law, finding that there were no legal or constitutional grounds for contending that the term "foreign agent" had negative connotations from the Soviet era and that, therefore, its use was "not intended to persecute or discredit" organizations. The court also found that the "foreign agent" designation was in line with the public interest and the interest of state sovereignty. Two years of mounting pressure by the authorities, court proceedings, and massive fines did not succeed in forcing groups to voluntarily register as foreign agents. In May 2014 Russia's parliament amended the "foreign agents" law to authorize the Justice Ministry to register groups as "foreign agents" without their consent. In May 2016, parliament adopted another set of amendments to the law, expanding the controversial definition of "political activity" to include, among other things, any attempt by an independent group to influence public policy, regardless of the group's mandate. To date, the registry of "foreign agents" includes the following organizations: Association of NGOs in Defense of Voters' Rights "Golos" (Moscow) - June 5, 2014 Regional Public Association in Defense of Democratic Rights and Freedoms "Golos" (Moscow) - June 5, 2014 Center for Social Policy and Gender Studies (Saratov) - June 5, 2014 (the organization was shut down - May 22, 2015) Women of Don (Rostov region) - June 5, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - February 29, 2016) Kostroma Center for Support of Public Initiatives (Kostroma) - June 5, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - June 19, 2015) Interregional Human Rights Association "Agora" (Kazan) - July 21, 2014 (the organization was shut down - December 29, 2016) Regional public organization "Ecozaschita! - Womens' Council" (Kaliningrad) - July 21, 2014 Public Verdict Foundation (Moscow) - July 21, 2014 Human Rights Center "Memorial" (Moscow) - July 21, 2014 Lawyers for Constitutional Rights and Freedoms / JURIX (Moscow) - July 21, 2014 (the organization was shut down - May 26, 2015) Soldiers' Mothers (Saint Petersburg) - August 28, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - October 23, 2015) Freedom of Information Foundation / Institute for Information Freedom Development - August 28, 2014 PIR Center - September 3, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - February 24, 2016) Association "Partnership for Development" (Saratov) - October 2, 2014 (the organization was shut down - November 6, 2015) "News Agency MEMO.RU" (Moscow) - November 20, 2014 Regional Press Institute (St. Petersburg) - November 20, 2014 Moscow School of Civic Education - December 9, 2014 Rakurs, Arkhangelsk regional non-governmental LGBT organization - December 15, 2014 All-Russian movement "For Human Rights" - December 22, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - December 30, 2015) Human Rights Center (Kaliningrad) - December 25, 2014 Krasnodar Regional Social Organization of University Alumni - December 25, 2014 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - April 22, 2016) Regional social organization "Public Commission for Academic Sakharov's Heritage Preservation" - December 25, 2014 Resource Human Rights Center (St. Petersburg) - December 30, 2014 (the organization was shut down - November 3, 2015) Regional Public Organization "Man and the Law" (Republic of Mari El) - December 30, 2014 Center for Social Development "Vozrozhdeniye" (Pskov) - December 30, 2014 (the organization was shut down - January 31, 2017) Public Human Rights Organization "Civil Control" (St. Petersburg) - December 30, 2014 The League of Women Voters (St. Petersburg) - December 30, 2014 (the organization was shut down - May 22, 2015) Free Press Support Foundation - December 30, 2014 Interregional Non-Governmental Organization "The Committee Against Torture" - January 16, 2015 (the organization was shut down - September 13, 2016) Educational Center "Memorial" (Sverdlov region) - January 16, 2015 Autonomous non-profit human rights organization "Youth Center for Consulting and Training" - January 20, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - July 22, 2015) "Information Bureau of the Nordic Council of Ministers in St. Petersburg" - January 20, 2015 Jewish regional branch of the Russian public organization "Municipal Academy"- January 26, 2015 (the organization was shut down - May 22, 2015) The noncommercial partnership "Press Development Institute - Siberia" - January 30, 2015 Center for social, psychological and legal help to victims of discrimination and homophobia "Maximum" (Murmansk) - February 4, 2015 (the organization was shut down - October 28, 2015) Interregional public fund for civil society development "Golos-Povolzhye" (Samara) - February 6, 2015 Interregional charity organization "Siberian Environmental Center" (Novosibirsk) - February 12, 2015 Center for Civic Analysis and Independent Research / GRANI (Perm) - February 13, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - June 19, 2015) Municipal public organization "Samara Center for Gender Studies" (Samara) - February 16, 2015 Regional Fund "Center for Defense of Mass Media Rights" (Voronezh) - February 26, 2015 Regional Charitable Social Foundation "For nature" (Chelyabinsk) - March 6, 2015 (the organization was shut down - April 18, 2017) Regional Ecological Social Movement "For nature" (Chelyabinsk) - March 6, 2015 Humanist Youth Movement (Murmansk) - March 13, 2015 (the organization was shut down - August 25, 2015) Regional Social Organization for Contribution to Harmonization of Interethnic Relations "Azerbaijan" - March 13, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - July 22, 2016) Regional Social Environmental Organization "Bellona-Murmansk" - March 19, 2015 (the organization was shut down - October 16, 2015) "Educational Center for Environment and Security" (Samara) - March 20, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - October 8, 2015) Foundation "Migration XXI Century" - March 27, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - November 25, 2016) Eco-logika (Rostov) - April 3, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - March 30, 2016) Transparency International Russia - April 7, 2015 Social Environmental Organization "Planeta Nadezhd" - April 15, 2015 Foundation for Consumers' Rights Defense (Novosibirsk) - April 17, 2015 (the organization was shut down - May 12, 2016) Civic Assistance Committee - April 20, 2015 Foundation 19/29 - Foundation for Support of Investigative Journalism - April 24, 2015 Commemorative Centre of History of Political Repressions "Perm - 36" - April 29, 2015 (the organization was shut down - August 18, 2016) Women's League (Kaliningrad ) - April 29, 2015 (the organization was shut down - December 16, 2015) Legal Expert Partnership "Soyuz " - May 7, 2015 (the organization was shut down - 25 August 2015) Center for Development of Non-Commerical Organizations - May 13, 2015 Club of Accountants and Auditors of Non-Commercial Organizations - May 13, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - March 30, 2016) Informational Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Northern Countries (Kaliningrad) - May 13, 2015 Sutyajnik (Yekaterinburg) - May 15, 2015 Human Rights Academy (Yekaterinburg) - May 15, 2015 Ecological Center "Dront" (Nizhny Novgorod) - May 22, 2015 The non-profit organization "Liberal Mission" Scientific Foundation of Theoretical and Applied Research - May 25, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - September 11, 2015) The non-profit Dynasty Foundation - May 25, 2015 Union of Employers (Tula region) - May 28, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - December 13, 2016) Youth organization "Nuori Karjala/Young Karelia" - June 19, 2015 (the organization was shut down - March 25, 2016) Siberian Center for Support of Social Initiatives - June 19, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - September 21, 2016) Interregional Social Foundation for Peace in the South and in the Northern Caucasus - June 19, 2015 Informational Center "Free Inform" - June 22, 2015 (the organization was shut down - June 21, 2016) Center for Independent Sociological Studies (St. Petersburg) - June 22, 2015 Regional Organization for Population and Development - June 23, 2015 Geblerov Ecological Societ (Barnaul) - June 23, 2015 Association "Legal Basis" (Yekaterinburg) - July 3, 2015 Interregional Non-governmental Organization "Northern Environmental Coalition" (Petrozavodsk) - July 8, 2015 (the organization was shut down - December 1, 2015) Komi Human Rights Commission "Memorial" (Syktyvkar) - July 21, 2015 Altai Regional Public Fund for 21st Century Altai (Barnaul) - July 22, 2015 (the organization was shut down - March 28, 2016) Interregional Public Foundation for Civil Society Development "GOLOS-Ural" (Chelyabinsk region) - July 22, 2015 SREDA Foundation - July 28, 2015 Non-governmental environmental organization "Green World" (Nizhny Novgorod) - July 29, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - October 28, 2016) Civic Action Foundation (Perm) - August 5, 2015 Alliance of Funds of Local Communities of the Perm territory - August 11, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - October 26, 2016) Kabardino-Balkaria Human Rights Center - regional branch of the "For Human Rights" All-Russian movement (Nalchik) - August 18, 2015 (the organization was shut down - November 6, 2015) The Human Rights Center of the Chechen Republic (Grozny) - August 21, 2015 Interregional Social Ecological Foundation "ISAR-Siberia" (Novosibirsk) - August 26, 2015 Perm Regional Human Rights Center (Perm) - September 3, 2015 Siberia's lifeline (Novosibirsk) - September 3, 2015 Golos Foundation in Support of Democracy - September 4, 2015 (the organization was shut down - June 21, 2016) Jewish Cultural Center "Hesed-Teshuva" (Ryazan) - September 11, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - December 13, 2016) Sakhalin Environment Watch (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk) - September 18, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - April 10, 2017) Yasavey Manzara Information and Research Center (Naryan-Mar) - September 23, 2015 (the organization was shut down - June 15, 2016) Consumer Rights and Environment Protection Association "Princip" (Moscow region) - October 5, 2015 Far East Center for the Development of Civil Initiatives and Social Partnership (Vladivostok)- October 13, 2015 Russian Research Center for Human Rights - October 20, 2015 Women of the Don (Rostov region) - October 27, 2015 Friends of the Siberian Forests (Krasnoyarsk) - October 28, 2015 (the organization was shut down - December 6, 2016) Photography Club "Sobytiye" (Omsk) - October 28, 2015 (the organization was shut down - December 16, 2015) Research and Information Center "Memorial" (St. Petersburg) - November 6, 2015 Baikal Environmental Wave (Irkutsk) - November 10, 2015 (the organization was shut down - August 1, 2016) Glasnost Defense Foundation - November 19, 2015 Human Rights Institute - November 20, 2015 Center for Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North - November 27, 2015 Green World (Leningrad region) - December 2, 2015 Mashr (Republic of Ingushetia) - December 8, 2015 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - April 18, 2017) Woman's World (Kaliningrad) - December 11, 2015 Panorama Information and Research Center (Moscow) - December 18, 2015 Dauria Ecological Center (Chita) - December 30, 2015 (the organization was shut down - September 1, 2016) Yekaterinburg Memorial Society (Yekaterinburg) - December 30, 2015 Bureau of Public Investigations (Nizhny Novgorod) - January 14, 2016 Committee for the Prevention of Torture (Orenburg) - January 14, 2016 Institute of Forecasting and Resolving of Political Conflicts (Nizhny Novgorod) - January 22, 2016 Ryazan Historical, Educational and Human Rights Center "Memorial" (Ryazan) - February 1, 2016 Society of Assistance to Social Protection of Citizens "Peterburgskaya EGIDA" (Saint Petersburg) - February 2, 2016 (the organization was shut down - April 26, 2016) Center for Health and Social Support "SIBALT" (Omsk) - February 15, 2016 Chelyabinsk Regional Organ of Public Independent Action "Ural Human Rights Group" (Chelyabinsk) - February 15, 2016 Women of Eurasia (Chelyabinsk) - February 15, 2016 Ural Democratic Foundation (Chelyabinsk) - February 15, 2016 Legal and Social Support Charitable Foundation "Sphere" (Saint Petersburg) - March 1, 2016 Centre for Civic Education and Human Rights (Perm) - March 3, 2016 The International Development Fund for Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation "Batani" (Moscow) - March 11, 2016 Center for Social and Labor Rights (Moscow) - March 21, 2016 Arkhar (Gorno-Altaysk) - April 5, 2016 (the organization was shut down - October 6, 2016) Publishing House "Valentin Manuylov" - April 15, 2016 Tengri School of Soul ecology (Altay) - May 17, 2016 Hanse Buero / Information Bureau of Schleswig-Holstein in Kaliningrad (Kaliningrad) - May 24, 2016 (the organization was shut down - December 30, 2016) Krasnoyarsk Regional Public Organization Agency of public initiatives (Krasnoyarsk) - May 27, 2016 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - September 21, 2016) Saratov Regional Public Organization "Socium" (Engels) - May 30, 2016 Perm regional non-governmental organization "Perm Civil Chamber" (Perm) - June 9, 2016 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - September 21, 2016) Regional non-governmental organization Integration center "Migration and Law" (Moscow) - June 16, 2016 Non-Profit Partnership "ESVERO" (Moscow) - June 22, 2016 Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice (Moscow) - June 29, 2016 Altai regional sport and patriotic youth public organization "Arctica" (Biysk) - July 6, 2016 ("foreign agent" status was suspended - February 8, 2017) Autonomous non-governmental organization "Free Word" (Pskov) - July 13, 2016 The Institute of Economic Analysis (Moscow) - July 22, 2016 Penza regional youth civic organization for prevention of negative phenomena among youth "Panacea" (Kuznetsk) - August 15, 2016 (the organization was shut down - December 8, 2016) Samara regional, civic organization "American alumni club" (Samara) - August 26, 2016 Autonomous non-for-profit organization "Publishing house 'Park Gagarina'" (Samara) - August 31, 2016 Levada Analytical Center (Moscow) - September 5, 2016 Environmental Watch on North Caucasus (Maikop) - September 13, 2016 Autonomous non-for-profit human rights organization "Draftee's school" (Chelyabinsk) - September 21, 2016 Foundation for support of civil freedoms "Legal mission" (Chelyabinsk) - September 21, 2016 International Historical, Educational, Human Rights And Charitable Society Memorial (Moscow) - October 4, 2016 Sverdlovsk regional non-profit foundation "Health Era" (Ekaterinburg) - October 11, 2016 Chapaevsk non-profit organization "Chapaevsk city medical personnel association" (Chapaevsk) - October 21, 2016 Regional charity foundation "Samarskaya gubernia" (Samara) - November 2, 2016 Non-profit partnership "Internet Community" (Samara) - December 13, 2016 Autonomous non-profit organization for social support "Project April" (Tolyatti) - December 19, 2016 ANNA Centre for the prevention of violence (Moscow) - December 26, 2016 Southern Human Rights Centre (Sochi) - December 26, 2016 Sverdlovsk branch of the International Historical, Educational, Human Rights And Charitable Society Memorial (Ekaterinburg) - December 29, 2016 SOVA Center for Information and Analysis (Moscow) - December 30, 2016 Sverdlovsk civic organization for assistance to legal migration "Nelegalov.Net [No Illegals]" (Ekaterinburg) - January 10, 2017 Environmental human rights center Bellona (Saint Petersburg) - January 16, 2017 Youth civic organization "Pro-movement" (Altay region) - January 25, 2017 Kaliningrad regional civic organization "Society for German culture and Russian Germans Eintracht - Soglasie" (Kaliningrad) - January 31, 2017 Foundation for development assistance to mass communication and legal education "Tak-Tak-Tak" (Novosibirsk) - February 20, 2017 Murmansk regional non-profit organization "Kola ecological center" (Apatity) - April 20, 2017 And the four NGOs which registered voluntarily: Non-commercial Partnership "Supporting Competition in the CIS Countries" - June 27, 2013 "The Union of Young Political Scientists", Karachay-Cherkess Republican Youth Social Organization - December 15, 2014 Regional Social Movement "Novgorod Women's Parliament" (Veliky Novgorod) - March 6, 2015 Center of Independent Researchers of the Altai Republic - June 10, 2015 Leader of at least 1 NGO faces criminal charges personally: Women of Don (Rostov region) - criminal proceeding is in process. Chair Valentina Cherevatenko faces up to two years in prison for "malicious evasion of the duty to file the documents required for inclusion in the register of nonprofit organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Burma/Thailand: Deported Turkish Man at Risk Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 1 June 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Burma/Thailand: Deported Turkish Man at Risk, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5931200e4.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. Burmese authorities have forced back Turkish asylum seeker, Muhammet Furkan Sokmen via Thailand, putting him at risk of serious human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said today. On May 24, 2017, Burmese officials detained Sokmen at Yangon International Airport at the request of Turkish authorities who had canceled his passport. After he and his family were held for approximately 24 hours, he was forcibly sent to Turkey - via Thailand - because of alleged connections to the Gulen movement, led by US-based Sunni Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, which the Turkish authorities deem responsible for a failed coup in 2016 and has termed a terrorist organization. In Thailand, he was held at an airport immigration detention center for approximately another 24 hours before being deported to Turkey on May 26. On arrival in Turkey, authorities placed Sokmen in detention and transported him to his home province where a criminal investigation is set to begin. Little is known about his treatment now in the custody of Turkish authorities. "Burma and Thailand flagrantly violated Furkan Sokmen's human rights by caving in to pressure from Ankara and deporting him despite his claim for asylum and the real risk of ill-treatment and an unfair trial in Turkey," said Brad Adams, Asia director. In two videos Sokmen sent from the immigration lockup at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok before his phone was confiscated and Thai officials handed him over to Turkish embassy staff, he said: "I am calling everyone, please help me. I am in the terminal area; they are pushing me. They are trying to give me to the Turkish Embassy. Please help me, all over the world, please help me." In a second 20-second video he said: "Please help me, now I am in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport in the terminal area. They are pushing me, to give me to Turkish Embassy staff, they are pushing me to go to Turkey. I don't want to go to Turkey, I want to stay here. Please help me-all over the world please help me." The deportation of Sokmen went ahead even after the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other UN agencies had informed key Burmese and Thai government agencies that there were substantial grounds to believe that he would face an imminent risk of human rights abuse upon his return to Turkey. Forcing Sokmen back to Turkey - where he is at risk of ill-treatment in custody - without examining his claim for protection constitutes refoulement. Under customary international law, the governments of Burma and Thailand are obligated to ensure that no one in their custody is forcibly sent to a place where they would risk serious human rights violations. The principle of non-refoulement is also included in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Thailand is a party. "It is deeply alarming that both Burmese and Thai authorities prioritized showing deference to rights-violating demands from Turkey over respecting the bedrock principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits any government from returning an asylum seeker without examining his or her claim for protection," Adams said. Sokmen is an accountant who was formerly the director of a company that managed a recently closed international school in Rangoon that was associated with the Gulen movement. Turkish media reporting his return to Turkey have alleged he was a leading figure in the Gulen movement in Burma. Since October 2016, he is at least the sixth person forced back from Southeast Asia to Turkey over alleged connections to the movement. The other five were sent back to Turkey from Malaysia, and all five are believed to still be in pre-trial detention. Turkey accuses Fethullah Gulen of being behind a coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016. Gulen has denied any involvement. Since the attempted coup, the Turkish government has put more than 50,000 people in pre-trial detention. Among those detained are military personnel, police officers, civil servants, teachers, academics, businessmen, judges, and prosecutors. The majority face terrorism charges based on their alleged links to the Gulen movement and many have been held in prolonged detention without due process or credible evidence of personal criminal wrongdoing. Some of those held have alleged that they were subjected to torture or other ill-treatment in police custody, and while in prison have excessive restrictions on visits by family members, receiving and sending letters, and having private communication with lawyers. Their prison detention conditions may amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in violation of international law. "Burma and Thailand should ensure that anyone who alleges they are at risk of human rights abuse in Turkey can seek protection," Adams said. "To make it clear they will not further violate international law, Burma and Thailand should immediately announce that they will provide UN agencies with access to conduct assessments of protection needs of any Turkish nationals wanted by Ankara, and not return to Turkey anyone determined to be a refugee." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Central African Republic: Amid fresh violence, UN rallies support for displaced Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 30 May 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Central African Republic: Amid fresh violence, UN rallies support for displaced, 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593133264.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 Nations agencies are seeking to rally support for the people fleeing escalating violence in the Central African Republic (CAR), while the Organization's human rights office has called for the establishment of a strong justice system in the country. 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), according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), or the UN refugee agency. More funds are urgently needed to aid more than 88,000 people who have been forced to flee an upsurge in violence, said UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch at today's press briefing in Geneva. 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, he noted. UNHCR is calling for urgent support to its funding appeal of $209.2 million for the CAR situation, which is only 6 per cent funded. For its part, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), or the UN migration agency, has tracked more than 19,000 displaced people in the nation's sub-prefecture of Bangassou in Mbomou Prefecture, which is situated at the border with the DRC. More than 13,000 of those displaced are children. More than 80 per cent of the displaced persons are living with host communities and not in camps, said Yoko Fujimura, IOM's expert on displacement tracking. Host families are sharing the little that they have with displaced people and therefore should also be supported to avoid tensions over limited resources, she added. As of May 2017, there were more than 500,000 internally displaced persons nationwide, a figure that had not been reached since August 2014. Meanwhile, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has released a report that maps 13 years of violence and impunity in the CAR. Mass killings and other serious human rights violations have been documented in the report covering the multiple conflicts in the Central African Republic between 2003 and 2015. Many of the violations may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, the mapping report states, as it sets out a strategy to fight pervasive impunity in the country. The history of the country has been marked by deep-rooted poverty, ethnic tensions, pervasive political instability, corruption and nepotism that led to a succession of armed conflicts, the mapping report states. After gaining independence, the Central African Republic was subjected to a succession of authoritarian regimes that committed, condoned and were unable to prevent serious violations and abuses. Regional instability and internal conflicts in neighbouring countries have fuelled the volatile conditions in the country, particularly through the flow of arms and rebel groups across its porous borders, the report adds. 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, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein 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 UN Special Representative for the CAR and head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The report sets out recommendations, such as having a sequenced and comprehensive approach to transitional justice, creating a prosecution strategy for the Special Criminal Court, and establishing a truth and reconciliation commission. Photo by Rob Bennett/Office of Mayor of New York/Getty Images We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today UN urges aid for civilians swept up in Central African Republic's 'new spiral of escalating violence' Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 1 June 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UN urges aid for civilians swept up in Central African Republic's 'new spiral of escalating violence', 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59314b3f4.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. Warning that violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) is quickly escalating, the top United Nations aid official in the country today urged the international community to assist the tens of thousands of newly displaced civilians. Speaking to representatives of UN Member States in Geneva, Najat Rochdi, the Humanitarian Coordinator and UN Resident Coordinator in the country, said the frequency and brutality of attacks in Bangassou, Bria, Alindao and other localities have reached levels not seen since August 2014. "In the past two weeks the signs are very clear, violence in the Central Africa Republic has entered a new spiral of escalating conflict and the situation is quickly deteriorating," Ms. Rochdi said. "Over 100,000 people have been newly displaced, family running for their lives, leaving everything behind," she added. Humanitarian actors are facing logistical and security challenges to reach the people in need, as well as funding shortages. The UN requested nearly $400 million on behalf of the humanitarian community to meet CAR's needs. So far, only about 25 per cent have been received, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Without sufficient resources, the most vulnerable people will be cut off from aid "many of them will be killed, and entire areas of the country abandoned," warned Ms. Rochdi. Clashes between the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition and anti-Balaka militia, which are mostly Christian, plunged the country of 4.5 million people into civil conflict in 2013. According to the UN, more than half the population is in dire need of assistance. Despite significant progress and successful elections, CAR has remained in the grip of instability and sporadic unrest. In her briefing today, she urged Governments to remain engaged in CAR: "This is not the time to let the people of the Central African Republic down. This is not the time to give up on peace." UN human rights chief urges repeal of repressive NGO law in Egypt Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 1 June 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UN human rights chief urges repeal of repressive NGO law in Egypt, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59314c194.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 United Nations human rights chief today urged Egyptian officials to repeal a new law on non-governmental organizations, saying that it further tightens the noose around NGOs trying to hold the Government to account for human rights obligations. Law 70 of 2017, which was enacted on 24 May, requires all NGOs to work in line with the Government's development and social welfare plans or face jail time. The crucial function of these NGOs to hold the State accountable for its human rights obligations has been severely hampered already through asset freezes, travel bans, smear campaigns and prosecutions, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said. This new law further tightens the noose. The law also requires civil society groups to report all information on their funding, activities and programmes to authorities, and to seek permission for conducting surveys and any other activities. The latest law replaces Law 84 of 2002, which Mr. Zeid said was already repressive. In recent years, hundreds of civil society groups were dissolved or had their assets frozen under this legislation. More than 37 Egyptian NGO workers and leaders have been accused of illegal receipt of foreign funding and working without legal permission, according to the Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR). None of them have been officially charged. The revised law places such tight restrictions on civil society that it effectively hands administration of NGOs to the Government, Mr. Zeid said. He added that while national security is a consideration in Egypt, muzzling civil society is not the solution. Civil society and media oversight of the Government are essential elements of a strong and stable society, where grievances can be openly aired. Muzzling dissent can only lead to further instability, he warned. 'Warning signs are flashing' in crisis-torn Central African Republic, warns senior UN official Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 31 May 2017 Cite as UN News Service, 'Warning signs are flashing' in crisis-torn Central African Republic, warns senior UN official, 31 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59314cb54.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. Despite "vast improvement" in security in parts of the Central African Republic (CAR), there are still deep tensions and some fear of a sudden relapse, a top United Nations human rights official said while visiting the strife-torn country. Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Andrew Gilmour said he was struck by the improvements in the capital, Bangui, such as "bustling markets and signs of growing economic life" and a "police, justice and corrections institutions beginning to take form." In Bambari, within the Ouaka prefecture, where clashes between armed groups killed numbers of civilians and displaced a significant population, Mr. Gilmour saw a fledging gendarmerie, police, judiciary and civil authorities. Calling it a "town without armed groups," Mr. Gilmour said Bambari "represents a model of hope of the possible way forward," due to the collaboration between Government forces, UN peacekeepers from the UN Integrated Stabilization Mission, known as MINUSCA, international partners and non-governmental organizations. The senior UN official warned, however, that armed groups are coalescing and continuing with "atrocious attacks" against women and children, even as disarmament has stalled, attacks on peacekeepers continue, and deployed forces battle without sufficient resources. "This is a time for leadership, strengthened partnerships, and a coordinated approach that puts Central Africans' 'Human Rights Up Front'," Mr. Gilmour said referring to the UN initiative to prevent and respond early to large-scale human rights or humanitarian violations. "Warning signs are flashing and must not be ignored," stressed Mr. Gilmour. Clashes between the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition and anti-Balaka militia, which are mostly Christian, plunged the country of 4.5 million people into civil conflict in 2013. According to the UN, more than half the population is in dire need of assistance. Despite significant progress and successful elections, CAR has remained in the grip of instability and sporadic unrest. Fresh violence surfaced earlier this year. As of May 2017, there were more than 500,000 internally displaced persons nationwide, a figure that had not been reached since August 2014. Act before time runs out, urges UNICEF, as Yemen grapples with 'unprecedented' cholera outbreak Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 31 May 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Act before time runs out, urges UNICEF, as Yemen grapples with 'unprecedented' cholera outbreak, 31 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59314d524.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. Amid an "unprecedented" increase in suspected cholera cases in war-torn Yemen - where medical facilities are teetering on the edge of collapse - the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has stepped up its response but warned that time may be "running out." "More and more children die every day in Yemen from preventable causes like malnutrition and cholera," said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, in a statement yesterday. "Anyone with a heart for children cannot let the situation continue. Stop the conflict [now]," he urged. According to the UN agency, more than 65,000 suspected cases of the deadly disease have been reported in the country, of which about 10,000 were reported in the past 72 hours alone. Some 532 people, including 109 children have succumbed to the disease over the past month. The numbers are feared to rise as more cases are verified. Responding to the outbreak, UNICEF has sent in three aircrafts carrying over 40 metric tonnes of lifesaving supplies including medicines, oral rehydration salts (ORS), diarrhoea disease kits and intravenous fluids to treat more than 50,000 patients. It is also helping provide chlorinated drinking water, disinfect wells and set up water filling stations and storage. But needs continue to increase, with medicines and other vital medical equipment in short supply, said UNICEF. This latest crisis comes as the country has been reeling under the effects of a conflict, now into its third year, that has rendered water treatment plants barely functional and water sources severely contaminated by sewage and uncollected garbage. Half of the country's health facilities aren't working, and medical staff haven't been paid for over eight months. "The situation in Yemen is teetering on the verge of disaster [] over 27 million Yemenis are staring at an unforgiving humanitarian catastrophe. The biggest victims of this man-made tragedy are Yemen's most vulnerable population - its children," underscored Meritxell Relano UNICEF Representative in Yemen. "The international community needs to support long-term investments in social services like water and sanitation. Otherwise, deadly disease outbreaks will strike again and kill many more." 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. UN condemns terrorist attack in Kabul, underscores need to protect civilians Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 31 May 2017 Related Document(s) The situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories Cite as UN News Service, UN condemns terrorist attack in Kabul, underscores need to protect civilians, 31 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59314fb84.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. Condemning the terrorist attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul, United Nations officials, including the Secretary-General and his Special Representative for the country as well as members of the Security Council underscored that all parties to the conflict are obliged, under international law, to ensure that civilians are protected from any harm. "Indiscriminate attacks against civilians are grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and can never be justified," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement attributable to his Spokesman. "Those responsible for today's attack must be brought to justice," he added, underlining the need to reinforce the fight against terrorism and violent extremism The UN chief also expressed his sympathies to the families of the victims, wished a speedy recovery to those injured, and reaffirmed the solidarity of the UN with the people and the Government of Afghanistan. Also today, the UN Security Council, in a press statement stressed that those responsible for the bombing should be held accountable, and called on all UN Member States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Afghanistan and all other relevant authorities in this regard. Reaffirming that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, members of the Security Council "reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed." Hundreds of people - mostly civilians - were killed and injured when a suicide attacker detonated a vehicle-borne explosive device in downtown Kabul's Wazir Akhbar Khan area, which also houses a number of diplomatic missions, this morning (local time). While the Security Council says the attack resulted in more than 80 deaths and at least 350 injuries, news reports suggest the casualty numbers are expected to rise. In addition to the loss of lives and injuries, the explosion also resulted in considerable damage to the immediate and surrounding, with some embassies being seriously affected. "Beyond the immeasurable human suffering caused by today's attack, the deliberate detonation of a massive truck bomb in a civilian area, particularly during the peaceful month of Ramadan, is morally reprehensible and an outrage," Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said in a news release, underscoring that the attack is a serious violation of humanitarian law. "There can be no exceptions: the use of explosive weapons in civilian-populated areas must stop," Mr. Yamamoto, who is also the head of the UN Assistance Mission, known as UNAMA, added. Do not stand silent while Syrian parties use starvation, fear as 'methods of war,' urges UN aid chief Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 30 May 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Do not stand silent while Syrian parties use starvation, fear as 'methods of war,' urges UN aid chief, 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593151254.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. Though there are significantly fewer reports of violence in some parts of Syria, the consequences of the conflict continue to devastate lives, the top United Nations relief official said today, calling for ending attacks and obstacles that prevent humanitarian workers from reaching the hundreds of thousands of civilians still trapped in the war-torn country. "We must not lose sight of the fact that - all over Syria - millions of people, in locations inside and outside the four de-escalation areas, continue to suffer because they lack the most basic elements to sustain their lives," said Stephen O'Brien, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefing the Security Council. "We must not stand silent while violence flares up elsewhere in the country and parties continue to use starvation, fear tactics and the denial of food, water, medical supplies, and other forms of aid as methods of war," he stated. The war in Syria, now into its seventh year, has extracted the worst toll on the country's children. Tens of thousands have been killed and many have been forcibly detained, tortured, subjected to sexual violence, forcibly recruited and in some cases executed. Just last week, 30 children and women were injured in an attack by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) on besieged neighbourhoods in Deir ez-Zor as they were lining up to collect water. Furthermore, in recent weeks, more than a hundred civilians, many of them women and children, have fallen victim to escalating counter-ISIL airstrikes, particularly in the north-eastern governorates of Al-Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. According to estimates, nearly seven million children are living in poverty and some 1.75 million are out of schools with another 1.35 million at the risk of dropping out. Almost one in three schools have been damaged, destroyed, or otherwise made inaccessible. "And even if the schools were intact, many would be unable to open, with almost one quarter of the country's teaching personnel no longer at their posts," said Mr. O'Brien. The situation of those outside of the country, living as refugees, remains equally uncertain with many rendered "stateless". In his remarks, Mr. O'Brien, also the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and the head of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recalled the memorandum, agreed to during the recent meetings in Astana, between the three guarantors - Iran, Russia and Turkey - on the creation of four de-escalation areas and that stipulates that fighting must significantly decrease and unhindered humanitarian access be enabled to these four areas. He also stressed the need to ensure that all obstacles, including bureaucratic ones, are put to an end, once and for all, and the UN and its humanitarian partners can sustainably reach those who are trapped behind the current front lines. He also underscored that in many other parts of Syria, humanitarian and protection space continues to shrink, primarily due to increasingly strict limitations by local authorities, non-State armed groups, as well as terrorist organizations. Speaking particularly on the north-eastern parts of the country, Mr. O'Brien called on all with influence over the parties involved to act now, "further delays or restrictions will only result in the continued suffering and the death of civilians." "With some 100,000 people displaced due to fighting around Raqqa since April, access is needed now through every possible modality," he said, calling on the Security Council "to take all necessary steps to see that the will to place humanitarian aid delivery in its rightful position - outside of any military or political calculations and totally impartially - is restored." 'We are not close' to urgently needed peace deal in Yemen, UN envoy tells Security Council Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 30 May 2017 Cite as UN News Service, 'We are not close' to urgently needed peace deal in Yemen, UN envoy tells Security Council, 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593151de4.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 United Nations envoy for Yemen today stressed an urgent need for a peace agreement by the warring sides in the country, but confessed that "we are not close" to such an accord due to the failure of the key parties to compromise. "The reluctance of the key parties to embrace the concessions needed for peace, or even discuss them, remains extremely troubling," said Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen, at a Security Council briefing on the situation in the country. "Yemenis are paying a price for their needless delay." The envoy updated the Council on his recent efforts to broker an agreement that would avert a possible attack by the pro-Government forces on the critical port city of Hodeidah, controlled by the rebel Houthis. Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed warned that the spread of fighting to the city would lead to a devastating loss of civilian life and infrastructure, and threaten the flow of food and medical supplies through the port and bring further suffering to the Yemeni people. "So far, we managed to avert military action in Al Hodeidah," he said, but expressed regret that the Ansarallah - General People's Congress delegation in the capital, Sana'a, did not meet him to discuss the framework for such an agreement. Civil society's calls for peace "falling on deaf ears" "I very much regret to inform this Council that the call for peace from Yemeni women and civil society and the international community is still falling on deaf ears," he said. He said he has proposed an agreement which avoid military clashes in Hodeida that should be negotiated in parallel with an agreement to ensure the resumption of salary payments nationally to all civil servants. "An agreement on Hodeida and salaries should be just a first step towards a national cessation of hostilities and renewed discussion of a comprehensive agreement. Yet even serious negotiations of these first steps have been slow to start," he said. The envoy said that pro-Government forces are attempting to make progress on the western coastline of Taiz governorate - from Al-Dhubab and Al-Mokha towards Al-Hodeidah port and inland towards Taiz city. An assessment mission carried out by humanitarian agencies in early April found that Al-Dhubab was largely empty due to widespread destruction of infrastructure and contamination by unexploded ordnance and landmines. In Al-Mokha, an estimated 40 per cent of houses and infrastructure have been damaged by the fighting. Violence has also continued in Hajjah governorate and the border area between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The persistent military action is leading to an increased militarization of the Yemeni population, extensive proliferation of weapons, and widespread use of deadly landmines, the envoy warned. On the humanitarian front, he said seven million Yemenis are at risk of famine, and half of Yemen's population lacks access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services. The latest outbreak of cholera has led to more than 500 deaths and over 60,000 suspected cases in 19 governorates. Less than 45 per cent of medical facilities are functioning and medicines for diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other chronic diseases are in short supply. "I urge the 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 re-commit to a peaceful end to the war," he said. Situation in Yemen a result of international community's inaction Also speaking at the Council meeting today was Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O'Brien, who said that the people of Yemen are being subjected to deprivation, disease and death as the world watches. Stephen O'Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefs the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen. UN Photo/Evan Schneider He stressed that "this is not an unforeseen or coincidental result of forces beyond our control" but rather it is a direct consequence of actions of the parties and supporters of the conflict and "sadly, a result of inaction - whether due to inability or indifference - by the international community." In just the last month, twice as many people were suffering from suspected cholera cases compared to those in the last six months combined. According to estimates, 150,000 cases are projected for the next six months, in addition to the broadly 60,000 current suspected cases since late April, with 500 associated deaths. The UN and partners urgently scaled up assistance, quadrupling the number of diarrhoea treatment centres in the last month and established 136 oral rehydration corners, he said, also noting that synchronised efforts in water, sanitation and health are in place to ensure a comprehensive and holistic response, including a nationwide awareness campaign. On Hudaydah Port, Mr. O'Brien said it is a lifeline for Yemen, being the primary point of entry for commercial and humanitarian imports into the country, which historically is 80 to 90 per cent dependent on imported food staples. "It is also the only port in Yemen that can handle fuel, and bulk and containerized cargo at scale," he said, appealing to Member States to ensure that all efforts are made to keep the port open and operating. "An attack on Hudaydah is not in the interest of any party, as it will directly and irrevocably drive the Yemeni population further into starvation and famine," he said. Perpetrators of attack in Baghdad during Ramadan must be held accountable UN chief Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 30 May 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Perpetrators of attack in Baghdad during Ramadan must be held accountable UN chief, 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593152cc4.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. Condemning "in the strongest terms" recent terrorist attacks in Iraqi capital, Baghdad, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today underscored the need to swiftly apprehend and prosecute its perpetrators. In a statement attributable to his spokesperson, Secretary-General Guterres also "reiterated that the United Nations will continue to stand by the Government and people of Iraq in their efforts to fight terrorism." The attacks come in the midst of the holy month of Ramadan, a period marked with fasting, charity and prayers. Also in the statement, Mr. Guterres expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. According to reports, at least 26 people were killed and many more wounded in two explosions that tore through two locations in the Iraqi capital. Libya: UN ramps up cooperation to help hundreds of thousands of desperate refugees and migrants Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 30 May 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Libya: UN ramps up cooperation to help hundreds of thousands of desperate refugees and migrants , 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593153414.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. Two United Nations agencies today pledged to join forces and "go the extra mile" 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 IOM's 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 Commissioner's Office (UNHCR) issued today 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 Mr. 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 Libya's 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. Last week, Uber admitted to failing to account for New York's sales tax and injury compensation fee while taking its commission from drivers, an apparent accounting error dating back to November 2014 that cost drivers millions of dollars. Uber has promised to pay drivers back with interest, but according to a new report in the Times, the company knew about the issue since at least 2015, despite claiming they only just realized the mistake. When Uber announced the accounting error last week, the company said they discovered the violation of the terms of service agreement while updating its contract. "We made a mistake and we are committed to making it right by paying every driver every penny they are owed, plus interest, as quickly as possible," Rachel Holt, regional general manager of Uber in the U.S. and Canada, told Gothamist in an email at the time. "We are working hard to regain driver trust, and that means being transparent, sticking to our word, and making the Uber experience better from end to end." But the Times reports that a small update to Uber's contract dating back to December 2015 suggests the company was aware that it was wrongly taking commission on gross fares. In November 2014, the contract read that Uber's commission would be taking on "net" fares, i.e., those that are pretax, and that if cities require taxes to be imputed in the fare," like in New York, "Uber shall calculate the service fee based on the fare net of such taxes." Then, according to the Times, in December 2015 Uber replaced the phrase "imputed in the fare" to "calculated on the fare," which suggests the company was trying to clarify that they wouldn't take commission on full fares that included tax. But even after the tweak, the company continued to take too much commission. The change was "very powerful circumstantial evidence that they understood that their calculation of the commission was wrong," plaintiffs attorney Richard Emery told the paper. "It seems clear that they were looking at it." Uber declined to comment on the Times' report. It's also noteworthy that the issue of over-calculating commission came up in class action lawsuit filed by the Taxi Workers Alliance last year. The TWA argued that Uber "violated" the terms of service agreement by taking "the taxes and BCF surcharge amounts entirely from the Driver's portion, on top of the Service Fee that Uber states will be the only deduction from Driver-earned fares." Uber told Gothamist they were not aware of TWA's assertion at the time. Meanwhile, a number of Uber drivers in New York say the reimbursement they're being offered by the companyan average of about $900 per driveris inadequate, and Gizmodo reported earlier this week that some drivers think Uber's trying to distract them from pursuing claims in a class action lawsuit from last year, which asserted that Uber took sales tax from drivers fares instead of from riders. "They are trying to cop to the cheaper fix rather than admitting the larger problem with taking out the sales tax from drivers pay when they should have been assessing it on top of the fare, driver Tim Cavaretta, who is named in the suit, told Gizmodo. "I think they thought they could get away with it. Now that they know they are clearly caught on that count, they are trying to appease drivers with that and hope we dont stick it to them on the larger issue." Afghanistan: Security forces open fire on protesters voicing anger over Kabul blast Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 2 June 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Afghanistan: Security forces open fire on protesters voicing anger over Kabul blast, 2 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593176f14.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. Responding to the Afghan security forces opening fire today on crowds protesting insecurity in the wake of the 31 May bombing in Kabul, Biraj Patnaik, Amnesty International's South Asia Director, said: "The security forces' use of excessive and fatal force on protesters voicing anger over one of Afghanistan's deadliest attacks ever illustrates the authorities' contempt for the lives of ordinary people. While there are reports that a minority of protesters used violence including throwing stones at the police, this does not justify such an excessive and deadly response. "The people of Afghanistan deserve justice and there should immediately be an independent and effective investigation into the bombing so that the perpetrators can be held accountable. "The authorities must also investigate the unlawful use of force against protesters and ensure that those responsible for deaths during the protest are brought to justice in fair trials." According to media reports, at least seven protesters were killed after the security forces opened fire on the demonstration in downtown Kabul. Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International China: Own Up to Tiananmen Massacre Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 1 June 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, China: Own Up to Tiananmen Massacre, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593178234.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 Chinese government should acknowledge its role in the massacre of untold numbers of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators around June 4, 1989, and hold perpetrators to account, Human Rights Watch said today. Authorities should allow commemorations of the occasion, and release those imprisoned for having done so in the past. "While President Xi Jinping preaches openness on the world stage, his government buries the truth about the Tiananmen Massacre through silence, denial and persecution of those who mark the occasion," said Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch. "Until Beijing reverses course and owns up to its past atrocities, Xi's calls have little credibility." As in past years, to preempt dissent and commemoration of the Tiananmen Massacre, Chinese authorities have heightened surveillance and control of activists as June 4 draws closer. In May, the police in Guangzhou repeatedly harassed human rights lawyer Huang Simin and her partner, writer Li Xuewen, forcing them out of the city. Guangzhou police also broke up a gathering of activists at a restaurant, including Wang Aizhong, who was detained and interrogated for hours after the gathering at a police station. Over a dozen police officers in Shandong Province blocked a group of activists from going to retired professor Sun Wenguang's home to attend a gathering to commemorate the Tiananmen Massacre. Over the past year, a number of activists have been detained, charged, or sentenced for commemorating the Tiananmen Massacre. In March, authorities in Chengdu, Sichuan's capital, charged Chen Bing, Fu Hailu, Luo Fuyu, and Zhang Junyong with "inciting subversion of state power" for producing and selling a liquor named "Eight Liquor Six Four," a homophone for "89.6.4," the numerical date of the massacre. In March a Chengdu court sentenced activist Chen Yunfei to four years in prison for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" after he organized a memorial service for victims of the massacre. In April, Guangzhou-based activist Liu Bing was detained on suspicion of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" after he held up a poster in public calling for people to go to the street to protest on June 4. While the last individual known to have been imprisoned for his involvement in the 1989 pro-democracy protests was released in October 2016, many other participants have been re-incarcerated for their continuing pro-democracy activism, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, Sichuan activists Liu Xianbin and Chen Wei, and Guangdong activist Guo Feixiong. Under President Xi, the Chinese government has aggressively cracked down on a broad array of human rights, targeting civil society activists, further constricting freedom of expression and religion, as well as increasing ideological control. While the Chinese government continues to ignore international and domestic calls for justice for the Tiananmen Massacre, foreign governments have adopted new measures to bring accountability for human rights violations around the world. In December 2016, the US Congress passed the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which will allow the US to impose sanctions and deny visas to individuals credibly alleged to be responsible for human rights violations. In the UK, legislators will also be voting on proposals similar to the Magnitsky Act which, if passed, will enable the UK government and private entities to apply for the freezing of assets of human rights abusers around the world. In May 2017, the Canadian government announced that it will support a Senate bill that would expand Canadian sanctions legislation against human rights abusers, freezing their assets and denying them visas. "New mechanisms to act against rights violators abroad are renewing hopes that one day those responsible for the Tiananmen Massacre could be held accountable," said Richardson. "This should give pause to President Xi and other Chinese leaders who continue to commit serious rights abuses." Background: Bloodshed in 1989 The Tiananmen Massacre was precipitated by the peaceful gatherings of students, workers, and others in Beijing's Tiananmen Square and other cities in April 1989, calling for freedom of expression, accountability, and an end to corruption. The government responded to the intensifying protests in late May 1989 by declaring martial law. On June 3 and 4, the military opened fire and killed untold numbers of peaceful protesters and bystanders. In Beijing, some citizens attacked army convoys and burned vehicles in response to the military's violence. Following the killings, the government implemented a national crackdown and arrested thousands for "counter-revolution" and other criminal charges, including disrupting social order and arson. The government has never accepted responsibility for the massacre or held any officials legally accountable for the killings. It has been unwilling to conduct an investigation into the events or release data on those who were killed, injured, forcibly disappeared, or imprisoned. The nongovernmental organization Tiananmen Mothers, consisting mostly of family members of those killed, has established the details of 202 people who were killed during the suppression of the movement in Beijing and other cities. During the 28 years since the massacre, many members of the Tiananmen Mothers as well as participants who had been imprisoned - including Yu Zhijian, who served 12 years in prison for throwing ink onto Mao Zedong's portrait at in Tiananmen Square - have passed away without seeing justice. Human Rights Watch urges the Chinese government to mark the 28th anniversary of June 4, 1989, by addressing the human rights violations pertaining to the event. Specifically, the government should: Respect the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and cease the harassment and arbitrary detention of individuals who challenge the official account of June 4; Meet with and apologize to members of the Tiananmen Mothers, publish the names of all who died, and appropriately compensate the families of the victims; Permit an independent public inquiry into June 4, and promptly release its findings and conclusions to the public; Allow the unimpeded return of Chinese citizens exiled due to their connections to the events of 1989; and Investigate all government and military officials who planned or ordered the unlawful use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators, and appropriately prosecute them. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch Journalists must be free to cover Rif protests Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 2 June 2017 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Journalists must be free to cover Rif protests, 2 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/593178b04.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. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the harassment of journalists and citizen-journalists covering the frequent protests in northern Morocco's Rif region since Mohcine Fikri, a fish seller, was crushed to death by garbage truck last October. Are the authorities trying to hide what is going on in the Rif? According to the information so far gathered by RSF, two journalists have been arrested and three have gone into hiding in the past few days, while an Algerian journalist has been deported. Mohamed Al Asrihi and Jawad Al Sabry, two reporters for the news website Rif24, and Abd Al Ali Haddou, a presenter on Araghi TV (a web TV), have been in hiding since 26 May for fear of being arrested and charged. Rif Press photographer Houssein Al Idrissi and Agraw TV reporter Fouad Assaidi were arrested in the city of Al Hoceima on 27 May and were immediately taken to Casablanca for further questioning by the judicial police. It is not yet known on what grounds they are being held. But they were arrested at the same time as members of the Al-Hirak protest movement and it is feared that criminal charges could be brought against them that have nothing to do with their journalistic activities. "It is vital that journalists and citizen-journalists should be allowed to cover the events in the Rif, or else this region could become a no-go zone for independent news coverage as the Western Sahara is already," RSF editor-in-chief Virginie Dangles said. "We urge the Moroccan authorities to free the citizen-journalists currently detained for exercising their right to inform. We also call for an end to the prosecutions and threats against them." Foreign journalists trying to cover the unrest in the Rif have not been spared. Djamal Alilat, a leading reporter for the Algerian newspaper El Watan, was arrested in Nador on 28 May and was deported after being held for more than 24 hours without returning his seized equipment. The authorities said Alilat was expelled because he had no permit to film. This much-used pretext lends itself to abuse because the criteria for issuing permits are not transparent. The authorities do not notify applicants within a reasonable period that their application has been turned down, and no reason is given for a refusal. Morocco is ranked 133rd out of 180 countries in RSF's 2017 World Press Freedom Index. Freelance journalist, Nijat Amiraslanov, sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment Publisher Article 19 Publication Date 1 June 2017 Cite as Article 19, Freelance journalist, Nijat Amiraslanov, sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment, 1 June 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5931793b4.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. ARTICLE 19 submitted the following alert to the Council of Europe's Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists: On 22 May 2017 freelance journalist, Nijat Amiraslanov, known for his critical reports for local and regional media about poverty in the region and corruption among local officials, was detained in the Gazakh region of north-western Azerbaijan. On 23 May 2017 Amiraslanov appeared before Gazakh Regional Court, which found him guilty under Article 535.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences ('disobeying police orders') and sentenced him to 30 days' administrative arrest. According to reports by the Turan news agency in Azerbaijan, human rights activist, Bashir Suleymanly, believes that Amiraslanov was detained as a result of recent posts he has made on social media which are critical of the Azerbaijani authorities. Meydan TV's reporting on the arrest also states that Amiraslanov's parents believe his arrest to be linked to posts on his Facebook page. Copyright notice: Copyright ARTICLE 19 I have to apologize to Nerd Prom Denver for the lateness of this post, seeing as the geekfest actually happened in April. But their founder Andy Rok is out at the Wonder Woman movie with my husband this very moment, so I thought it was a perfect opportunity to catch up and relive the fun. This years headliners were MC Lars and Megaran, who seem to have been put on this earth to perform together. Nerd Prom 2017 also included Rocket Surgeons, DJ Boyhollow, hosts Alf & Rick as well as Andys own band The Real Deal. As usual, attendees were in full cosplay mode (also making me sad I didnt go to Wonder Woman tonight) and all us nerds had a blast playing trivia and video games in between the music. Photos from Denvers Nerd Prom at Summit Music Hall Displayed in random order. On desktop, click any thumbnail for a larger version. Then use the navigation bar on top (or your keyboard arrow keys) to move left and right through the photographs. [envira-gallery slug=denver-nerd-prom-2017] From 2-7 to sectional champs, Monrovia has one question: 'Why not us?' Cambodias ruling and main opposition parties marked a final day of a two-week campaign period ahead of June 4 commune elections with huge rallies in the capital Phnom Penh Friday, with their respective leaders urging voters to back them in the polls, seen as a bellwether for a general ballot next year. Prime Minister Hun Sen made what was only his second appearance on the campaign trail as his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) kicked off the days events at 60-Meter Road in the capitals Chak Angre Leu commune, before leading supporters through the city with its chief on the back of a flatbed truck. The Cambodian strongman, who has led his country for more than 30 years, again warned of chaos and instability if his party does not win the election, while addressing tens of thousands of supporters through loudspeakers along the route. Please vote for the CPP so as to maintain peace, progress and development, he said. Voting for the CPP means voting for oneself. A wrong decision made in one day will result in misfortune for a whole lifetime. Hun Sen raised the specter of Lon Nol, who led a 1970 military coup against then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk and became the self-proclaimed president of the newly created Khmer Republic, ruling until he was deposed by the murderous Khmer Rouge regime in 1975. We already witnessed [such a mistake] when Lon Nol made a wrong decision on March 18, 1970 which, as a consequence, made our citizens victims ever since, he said. Hence, we must grab what we already have in our hands. The prime minister also warned opposition parties against challenging the outcome of Sundays vote, saying the countrys courts could dissolve them for doing so. The main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) nearly unseated Hun Sen in 2013 elections and claimed it only lost due to voter fraud. The CNRP staged its rally hours later, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Phnom Penhs Wat Pothiyaram pagoda, with party president Kem Sokha telling a smaller turnout of supporters that his candidates want positive change for the country. Our Khmer brothers and sisters used to enjoy renowned history during the Angkor era, gaining respect and admiration throughout the world, he said. Why are we now being criticized by the international community? Is this not because of our human rights violations, destruction of our natural resources, and corruption, he questioned. By voting for the CNRP, the reputation and value of our Khmer nation will flourish. None of the other 10 smaller political parties competing for 1,646 commune council seats across Cambodia staged rallies in the capital Friday, though many held gatherings in other provinces around the country. Election improvements The rallies came at the end of a 14-day campaign period that began on May 20 and has been relatively calm, compared to those ahead of previous elections, despite repeated threats from Hun Sen of civil war should the CPP lose. On Friday, the Situation Room group of NGOsincluding the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL), Licadho, and Adhocissued a statement evaluating the electoral process in the lead up to the polls, saying technical arrangements made by the National Election Committee (NEC)the countrys top electoral bodyhad produced more positive outcomes than in previous years. The political environment and security situation are free from any serious violence that may negatively affect the management of the election, [or the] political freedom of participating parties, associations, civil society organizations and voters, the group said. We believe that there will be security and safety during Election Day and the announcement of election results. According to the Situation Room, the legal framework of the election was satisfactory, with only a law on political parties approved by the National Assembly in Februarydespite an opposition boycott of parliament in protestcontaining more negative points than before it was amended. The NEC, the group said, had managed its work better than in the previous mandates, including its recruitment and appointment of election officials, performance of duties, planning, training, use of law enforcement, and implementing of regulations and legal procedures. Cambodias voter list is of better quality and more accurate, while the registration of political candidates was positive and inclusive of women and a variety of different parties. The Situation Room applauded the election campaign for being held positively and smoothly without any violence or disputes among parties leading to the obstruction of campaign activities, though it noted restrictions by authorities with regard to the use of public compounds and freedom of speech. Preparation for the election and vote counting methods are better, including more effective methods of ensuring that each voter can cast only one ballot, it said. Through general observations, Cambodias political environment and security did not experience any serious violence, the statement said. But there were political messages of threats used by senior officials of the ruling authorities that may cause concerns and fears among the citizens. Campaign obstruction While Cambodias campaign period was seen as one of the most free and fair of recent elections, opposition officials and supporters have reported several instances of obstruction. One such case occurred Friday, when authorities in Kandal provinces Takhmao district, which abuts Phnom Penh municipality, prevented two CNRP vehicles carrying more than 20 supporters from traveling to the capital to join their party at Wat Pothiyaram, saying the NEC would not permit cross-commune campaign rallies. Dos Nich, a member of the Takeo province CNRP Executive Commission, told RFAs Khmer Service that Takhmao authorities stopped his vehicle citing a NEC statement released a day earlier, which barred supporters from Takeo, Kompong Chhnang, Kompong Cham and Tbaung Khmum provinces from joining Fridays rally in Phnom Penh due to the threat of traffic congestion and affecting public order. Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (NICFEC) executive director Sam Kuntheamy told RFA such orders from the NEC and the Phnom Penh municipal government are issued purely to gain political advantage. The law [on the election of commune councilors] does not prohibit residents from various provinces from participating in a [campaign rally] in Phnom Penh, he said. Such prohibitions are seen as a restriction on voters or the public from participating in a campaign rally. They should enjoy the full right to take part in political activities. Sam Kuntheamy said that if the NEC had banned mobile campaign rallies, party presidents should not have been allowed to campaign in various provinces. Reported by Sothearin Yeang, Chandara Yang and Zakariya Tin for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. The aging relatives of those killed when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) put a bloody end to weeks of student-led democracy protests on Beijing's Tiananmen Square 28 years ago this weekend say they will continue with their struggle for a reappraisal of the incident, which is styled a "counterrevolutionary rebellion" by the ruling Chinese Communist Party. The Tiananmen Mothers victims' group said in a statement commemorating the loved ones who died in the massacre that began on the night of June 3, 1989 that they still hope for justice in spite of advancing years and growing ill-health. "Our search for justice for the victims has been a long and difficult path to tread, and one that has often been blocked by thorny obstacles and made harder still by heavy burdens," the group said in a statement as they commemorate those who died in the crackdown. "The parents of those young people who were lost 28 years ago are gradually declining into old age, beset by all manner of weakness and illness," it said. "We treasure the times when we can meet with each other, and hope that we will still be here to see each other next year." "Everyone knows very well that we don't have much time left, but still we share a common hope for our remaining years, that of justice and rehabilitation for the victims of June 4, 1989," the statement said. Tiananmen Mothers spokeswoman You Weijie told RFA that the group represents some 128 relatives of known victims of the bloodshed, who have campaigned year in, year out, in the face of routine surveillance and police harassment, for a change in the government's stance on the matter. "Our first letter to parliament was back in 1995," You told RFA. "Kids born in 1989 will be 28 years old this year, so we thought that we would repeat our demands one more time." Zhang Xianling, a founder member of the Tiananmen Mothers victims group who lost her 19-year-old son during the crackdown, said the group is calling for a full and transparent investigation into the events of June 1989 and rehabilitation and compensation for the victims' families. "Three things: go public with the truth about what happened, including a list of those who died, compensation through legal channels for the victims' families," Zhang said. "We have never had a response, ever." Shrinking numbers She said the group's numbers continue to shrink, meanwhile. "We have already seen more than 40 of us die, and those who are left will continue, but those 40-some people will be unable to rest in peace," she said, remembering in particular Xue Jue, who recently died of cancer. "When her illness was at its height, she sent me a message saying she didn't think she'd see the day that our fight was over, but that she believed we'd see victory nonetheless," Zhang said. The government styled the 1989 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. Victims' families are permitted make private memorial ceremonies at the graves of the victims, usually under escort by the state security police. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. North Korean farm workers tend to a field on the outskirts of the capital Pyongyang, July 12, 2016. North Koreas annual campaign to mobilize its population to do unpaid farm work has prompted wealthy citizens to bribe doctors to issue false medical evaluations that exempt them from the compulsory labor, sources inside the country said. Authorities of the regime of leader Kim Jong Un require that male and female citizens mobilize to provide additional farming manpower during the spring planting season and in early summer when rice is grown. In response, wealthy North Koreans have been paying bribes to doctors at hospitals to issue phony diagnoses of medical conditions that will get them out of performing hard manual labor in the fields, sources said. An incident involving a drunken, wealthy North Korean who was returning to the capital Pyongyang by train during the mobilization period after visiting relatives in China, tipped off authorities that rich citizens might be obtaining false medical papers to skip the mass mobilization, said a source in North Hamgyong province which borders China. The authorities arrested the man, who is said to be a merchant, when he displayed violent behavior. They discovered that he had a valid travel document which usually cannot be obtained during mass mobilizations, said the source who declined to give his name. Only rich people can get it by paying a bribe to officials, he said. The man also had been diagnosed as a spinal stenosis patient in need of long-term treatment for the condition in which the spinal canal narrows causing back pain and other nerve-related problems, he said. [Yet], he got drunk and got violent, the source said. [The man] is known to be exempt from the farming mobilization by bribing doctors for a fake diagnosis, he said. The authorities who arrested the train passenger alerted the Central Committee, the leadership body of the ruling Workers Party of Korea, which then ordered inspections of the Peoples Hospitals, the source said. The Peoples Hospital in the Chongam district of Chongjin, capital of North Hamgyong province and the countrys third-largest city, is being inspected by professionals from the citys Science and Education Department, who believe that doctors have been issuing false diagnoses in return for bribes so wealthy North Koreans have a legitimate excuse to get out of the mandatory farming mobilization, he said. Powerless people suffer A source in North Pyongan province said that ordinary people who cannot afford to pay bribes and must provide the forced labor resent that wealthy and powerful people are getting medical exemptions. Powerless people are suffering physically from farming, while some rich people are lounging around, said the source who requested anonymity. The amount needed to bribe a doctor to issue a false medical diagnosis valid for a month is about 200 Chinese yuan (U.S. $30), he said. Very wealthy North Koreans pay more to obtain a diagnosis that is valid for several months to a few years and become long-term patients, the source said. Though inspectors conduct probes of Peoples Hospitals for false diagnoses every year, it has become a mere formality, the source said. If the false diagnostic statements are discovered, doctors can easily get away with it by bribing inspectors, so it is only the powerless people who are forced to participate in what is essentially slave labor during farming season. Other North Koreans are responding to the drive with satire. North Korean residents are taunting the Central Committees propaganda about farming mobilization that requires the participation of every individual if they have the energy to hold a spoon, said the source in North Hamgyong province. They are ridiculing the propaganda by raising the possibility of avoiding the farming mobilization if they use chopsticks instead of spoons, he said. Mandatory mass mobilization campaigns, or battles as the regime likes to call them, are routine in North Korea, where the authorities use them to mobilize manpower for various projects and measure citizens loyalty to the state and Korean Workers Party. Earlier this year, North Korean authorities imposed limits on the operating hours of local markets nationwide to encourage residents to go the fields and collect manure to use as fertilizer in light of a shortage of chemical fertilizer. The move caused great discontent among locals, many of whom shop for food and other necessities during the day. Reported by Jieun Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. An independent Myanmar newspaper editor and its satire columnist were detained on Friday over an article that allegedly insulted the armed forces, in the latest application of controversial telecommunications law attack experts say curbs free speech in the democratizing Southeast Asian country. Kyaw Min Swe, editor-in-chief of The Voice Daily, and the newspapers satire columnist who writes under the pseudonym "British Ko Ko Maung," were detained under Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law, which prohibits the use of the telecom network to defame people. Violators are subject to a jail sentence of up to three years and a fine. Government, military, and other officials are increasingly using the controversial statute to file defamation suits against their critics under the current civilian administration of de facto national leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which came to power in April 2016. "Police came and took us to Bahan Police Station in the afternoon," Kyaw Min Swe told RFA's Myanmar Service. "They said we wont be arrested and they just need to ask us about three questions. But when we got to the police station, they said they will not release us," he said. The military filed the charges on May 17 at Bahan Township Police Station in the commercial capital Yangon, citing alleged defamation over an article the newspaper published in late March. British Ko Ko Maung had written a piece entitled Oath of the Nation of Bullets that mocked Union Oath, a military propaganda film that aired on the military-owned Myawaddy TV channel to coincide with Armed Forces Day on March 27. Lieutenant Colonel Tun Tun Oo of the Yangon regional command initially filed a complaint with the Myanmar Press Council charging that the piece offended the dignity of the armed forces, according to a report by the online news agency Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB). The council mediates disputes involving the press. The Voice Daily issued an apology on May 14. The military, which previously ruled Myanmar for 50 years and continues to wield enormous political and economic power, has filed similar complaints about articles critical of it in the past. It settled the cases out of court when the publications offered a formal apology or published a correction, DVB reported. Rights groups argue that the defamation provision of Myanmars Telecommunications Law has been used to silence criticism of the government, military, and Buddhist leaders, and should be dropped. The new case brings the number of people who have been charged under Section 66(d) to 56 under the National League for Democracy (NLD) government. So far, seven of them have been sentenced to jail. During the previous military-backed government of former president Thein Sein, only seven people were charged under Section 66(d), and five of them received prison sentences. Reported by Kyaw Thu for RFA's Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Paul Eckert. UPDATED at 01:45 P.M. on 2017-06-06 Authorities in Chinas Qinghai province have arrested more than 40 Tibetans following a clash between villagers and police over water rights that left dozens injured, according to Tibetan sources. On June 1, Tibetans from Shitsa village, in Tsoshar (in Chinese, Haidong) prefectures Bayen (Hualong) Hui Autonomous county, confronted authorities led by Bayen county chief Ma Jinxi over plans to divert their village waterway to nearby Tharga village, the residents of which are mostly Hui Muslim, the sources said. Security personnel had escorted construction workers and excavators to Shitsa to begin laying pipes that would reroute drinking water from the Yitsa Zachu river to Tharga, the sources said, and when Tibetan residents tried to explain their objections to the project, Ma refused to listen, warning them that he would not be responsible for any "clash or deaths" that arose from a confrontation. The river flowing within the territory of Shitsa village was to be diverted towards Tharga village, which is inhabited by Muslims, and this was resisted by the Tibetan villagers, Dorjee Bum, a Tibetan living in exile who asked that his location not be revealed, told RFAs Tibetan Service on Friday. The dispute escalated into a serious crisis, so armed police arrived at the scene and attempted to quell the situation. In the midst of the tension, the police sided more with Tharga village, and that led the Tibetan protestors to clash with police, leaving 20 Tibetans and 10 police injured. According to a second source inside Tibet who spoke on condition of anonymity, and video footage obtained by RFA, Ma ordered police to use tear gas to break up the mob of angry Tibetans and detained two Shitsa village heads. The source said that police had also "fired" on the crowd with what he assumed were non-lethal weapons used for riot control. In the aftermath, the Tibetan village community called on the authorities to resolve the dispute fairly and asserted that truth was on the Tibetan side, the source said. They also called on the police to release the two detained leaders. Villagers attend to a Tibetan woman injured during a clash with police in Qinghai's Bayen (Hualong) Hui Autonomous county, June 1, 2017. Credit: RFA listener Dorjee Bum said that not only were their demands ignored, but authorities had taken additional action against the Shitsa villagers since Thursdays clash. During the past two days more than 40 [Tibetan] members of Shitsa village were detained, including the two leaders arrested on Thursday, he said. The Tibetan source inside Tibet said that 70 Tibetans had been detained after the clash, although 36including a nine-year-old child and a 70-year-old manwere later released. Several vehicles owned by the residents of Shitsa were also seized, he said. The official titles of the two detained village leaders and whether any of the other Tibetans detained held official positions was not immediately clear. But Dorjee Bum said he believed the Tibetans were detained in connection with the injuries police officers suffered during the clash, adding that no Muslims had been arrested. Meanwhile, he added, the dispute over the diverted water continued Friday. More residents from both of the opposed villages arrived at the scene today, and the crisis remains unresolved, he said. Many of those who were injured [in Thursdays clash] have ended up in the hospital for treatment. Of those Tibetans hurt in the clash, one 56-year-old woman had suffered "serious injuries," said the Tibetan in Tibet, adding that the wounded were being treated at a hospital in the Qinghai capital Xining and had been instructed not to speak with anyone about the incident. Around 40 Tibetan youths from Shitsa had fled into the mountains during the clash, pursued by "hundreds" of police, but escaped due to snow-covered terrain, he said. In the days since the clash, residents of several other Tibetan communitiessuch as Goeyok, Lakha and Shingtha villageexpressed solidarity with the Shitsa villagers and at one point staged a silent protest in front of the Bayen county government office, he added. Chinas Hui Muslims are largely Sinicized, apart from religious traditions, and live in scattered communities across the countrys Gansu, Qinghai and Yunnan provinces, in addition to Ningxia Hui Autonomous prefecture. A total of 150 Tibetans living in China have set themselves ablaze in protests since the wave of self-immolations began in 2009. Most protests feature demands for Tibetan freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from India, where he has lived since escaping Tibet during a failed national uprising in 1959. Reported by Lhuboom and Thakla Gyal for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A former office manager for Pence Nissan Kia Subaru and its successor company, Hyman Bros. Automotive, pleaded guilty Friday to stealing $204,600 from the Midlothian dealerships over four years and using the proceeds to keep her husbands car repair business afloat. Martha A. Runyon, 63, entered guilty pleas in Chesterfield County Circuit Court to five counts of embezzlement in a scheme in which she forged signatures on company checks that were directed to All U Need Automotive, owned by her husband, or a credit account associated with that business. The theft occurred between July 12, 2012, and Nov. 30, 2016, at the dealerships where she had been employed for 27 years. She had personally forged the signatures (of authorized company officials) on the checks and used the money to keep her husbands business afloat, Chesterfield prosecutor Robert J. Fierro Jr. told the court in a summary of evidence. Pence Nissan Kia Subaru at 11841 Midlothian Turnpike was sold in November 2014 to Hyman Bros. Automobiles. The dealerships were renamed in 2016 to use the Hyman Bros. moniker. Fierro said Runyon issued two forged checks in 2012 for $19,906 on the account of Pence Nissan Kia Subaru. She issued three more checks in 2013 totaling $22,644, and one additional check in 2014 for $21,786 on the Pence Nissan account, Fierro said. Ten other checks were written on the account of Hyman Brothers in 2015 and 2016 for a total of $140,264, the prosecutor added. The checks Runyon issued were linked to money spent by the dealerships to pay off the car loan balances of customers who traded in their existing vehicles, Fierro said. As cars would come in and be traded at the car dealership, oftentimes the business would pay off the loan that was outstanding on a particular car, Fierro explained. But duplicate checks were discovered after an account audit was done: one to pay off a customers car loan and a second that Runyon funneled directly to her husbands car repair shop or that businesss SunTrust credit account. The theft initially went undiscovered because it was not uncommon for dealership checks to be issued to SunTrust or Runyons husbands business, which occasionally did work for the dealerships, Fierro said. Runyons husband was not involved in, or aware of, the theft, the prosecutor said. Runyons husband had fallen ill with a life-threatening condition that required surgery and a period of extended recovery, Fierro said. He was unable to work and she wanted to keep the small family business that had a handful of employees. Runyon was fired in December 2016. In an interview with police, Runyon was shown copies of the forged checks and admitted she wrote them, Fierro said. So far, she has repaid $95,648 of the stolen funds, Fierro said. A restitution order likely will be entered for the balance when she is sentenced Oct. 2. She was allowed to remain free on bond. BISMARCK, N.D. A flight attendant from Arizona accused of making bogus bomb threats on two Skywest flights in 2015 on the East Coast and in the upper Midwest pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in North Dakota, saying he made the threats because he wanted to be recognized as a hero. Justin Cox-Sever, 23, who was living in Tempe, Ariz., at the time of the threats, will not spend any time in prison. U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland sentenced him to up to five months in a transitional facility, five months on home confinement and three years of supervised release. He will serve the sentence in California, where he's now living. Cox-Sever was accused of making threats on a July 2015 flight from Charlottesville to Chicago, and on a September 2015 flight from Minneapolis to Dickinson, N.D. In the first incident, the plane had to turn around mid-flight. The second incident resulted in the temporary shutdown of the Dickinson airport. Cox-Sever in February reached an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to four of five charges related to interfering with an aircraft, with prosecutors dropping a fifth count in return. Hovland on Thursday accepted the agreement and the recommendation of both the prosecution and defense that Cox-Sever not spend time in a federal prison. Cox-Sever has a history of bipolar disorder, an autism disorder and a brain injury, defense attorney Michelle Monteiro said. While that doesn't excuse his actions, she said, its helps "explain why something like this could happen." Cox-Sever said in court that he had witnessed a fellow flight attendant be recognized for her handling of a plane emergency. "I decided to fake these (bombs threats) to sort of get the recognition she did," he said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme said he didn't want Cox-Sever to get a "slap on the wrist" because his actions subjected the plane's passengers to an "increased level of anxiety, probably for the rest of their life, all because Mr. Cox-Sever wanted to be a hero." FBI Special Agent Daniel Genck wrote in an affidavit filed in the case that Cox-Sever admitted planting a bag with towels on the North Dakota flight and reporting it as a suspicious package making beeping noises. Genck said Cox-Sever admitted writing a threat on a wall of the plane's bathroom in the Virginia case. Emergencies were declared on both flights. No injuries were reported. Cox-Sever was charged in federal courts in North Dakota and Virginia, complicating the matter and resulting in his trial being delayed eight times. The cases were consolidated in federal court in North Dakota earlier this year. An offer of campaign money to a potential House of Delegates candidate in Norfolk to run for school board did not violate state law, a special prosecutor concluded Friday. Joe Dillard Jr. is one of two candidates in the June 13 Democratic primary for the seat of Del. Daun Sessoms Hester, D-Norfolk, who is running for city treasurer. In March, Norfolk community activist Michael Muhammad complained to the Norfolk commonwealths attorney that government players in Norfolk, through city Democratic Party Chairman Linwood Fisher, offered Dillard $10,000 if he would opt out of running in the primary and run for school board instead. Norfolks prosecutor recused himself from the case, which was given to Lynchburg Commonwealths Attorney Michael Doucette to review. Doucette found that although money was offered, it wasnt done so in an attempt to influence Dillard in his potential capacity as an elected official. Muhammad slammed Doucettes report in an email, noting that Doucette and Virginia State Police never contacted him during their investigation and telling Doucette, I could have directed investigators to other communications and witnesses. In January, Fisher offered Dillard political, financial support of $5,000 to $10,000 to run for school board, Doucette wrote in his report. While it would be natural to conclude that by choosing to run for the school board Dillard would not be able to also run for the House of Delegates, that House election was not specifically mentioned, Doucette wrote. Dillard contacted Fisher in February and declined his offer of a contribution to run for school board, and two days later told Fisher he would run for the House seat in the 89th District, Doucette wrote. Doucette wrote that because there was no evidence that the offer was intended to influence Dillard in his potentially official capacity as a member of the School Board or the House of Delegates, the investigation would be concluded without charges. Dillard is competing against Jerrauld Jay Jones, whose parents are both Norfolk judges, in the primary. States top insurance regulator to step down Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jacqueline K. Cunningham will retire at the end of the year after serving for a total of 30 years with the State Corporation Commissions Bureau of Insurance. She was appointed by the commission to serve as Virginias 13th commissioner of insurance on Jan. 1, 2011. Cunningham has been a key player in state-level initiatives related to health care reform. Cunningham served as deputy commissioner of the life and health division of the Bureau of Insurance for 6 years before being named commissioner. She originally joined the bureau in 1981 as a policy forms reviewer. She worked for an insurance company as a compliance officer for a brief period before she returned to the bureau in 1993. The bureau oversees compliance with Virginias insurance laws affecting more than 2,400 insurance companies, groups and plans, and nearly 248,000 insurance agencies and agents. Va. interested in being Aetnas headquarters Could Virginia be in the running to land the corporate headquarters of insurance giant Aetna? Gov. Terry McAuliffe has expressed an interest in getting Aetnas headquarters for Virginia, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd P. Haymore said late Wednesday. The governor reached out to Aetna officials by telephone several months ago after becoming aware of the companys interest in relocating from Hartford, Conn., Haymore said. Aetna officials made no promises that Virginia would be selected. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Fred Lark, known as The Beatle Guy around Blacksburg, will celebrate quite a day in the life of every Fab Four fan this weekend. Lark will play rare versions of familiar Beatle songs, tell stories and give a little history to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band during a Saturday-morning segment on Virginia Tech radio station WUVT-FM (90.7). Lark will be a guest on Peter Frenchs show for one hour beginning at 8 a.m. Lark, 58, will highlight cuts from the newly released Sgt. Pepper boxed set that includes six discs of remixed stereo versions of Sgt. Pepper, outtakes and unreleased versions of songs recorded during the Sgt. Pepper sessions. His segment will also include Beatles trivia and cover versions of Sgt. Pepper songs by other artists. Just something to keep the young students mindful of the creative music from long ago, Lark said. Lark said that he recently told a young employee at Best Buy that he was looking forward to the Sgt. Pepper boxed set. The young man asked, Who did that? Lark replied that the Beatles recorded Sgt. Pepper, which sounded vaguely familiar to the young man. I was actually envious of that young fellow, Lark said. I wondered what his reaction would be when hes introduced to the Beatles music for the first time. That guy can get a listen Saturday on the radio or online at www.wuvt.vt.edu/listen-live. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales At the Cinemark (PG-13) Grade: C+ The Bible notwithstanding, a single Sparrow is falling, and Im not sure the Almighty cares all that much. Johnny Depp, aka Jack Sparrow, once the iconic darling of a generation, is in sharp decline. His off-screen life includes charges of domestic abuse. Some of his recent films have flopped. On screen, hes begun parodying himself. In Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, the Disney ride that became a movie, Depps persona for two full hours is a stumbling drunk who slurs his words, while making salacious remarks about the ladies. Depp is no longer cute nor charming. His life is a mess. Articles about Depp have a common dark thread these days. Where did it all go wrong for Johnny Depp? or Johnny Depps star power looks as wobbly as Jack Sparrow on a plank or Depps eccentricities, once so endearing, have curdled into something creepy. People are even asking what happened to his teeth after seeing photos of hobo Depp. Such negative press led to this inevitable ultimatum from an Irish paper: Its hard to overestimate the significance of this Pirates film to his brand. The Pirates brand, by the way, has generated more the $3 billion worldwide since the franchise left Disneyland for theaters. The verdict on the latest edition? The new Pirates film earned a respectable $62 million on opening weekend in the US, but added a powerful $208 million overseas including $67 million in China. Forbes estimates $300 million opening, plus eventual DVD sales of perhaps $100 million more. So the cash cow is still delivering the milk. As for Depp, he delivers a totally predictable performance with lots of cynical muttering, which admittedly drew laughs for the young Helena crowd. As someone who has liked Depp at his best, I found him annoying and cloying. I agree with the Irish writer who called him creepy. Somethings not right in his life, and its seeping onto the screen like water into a sinking ship. As for the rest of the film, its brilliantly produced with stunning photography and special effects. And the supporting cast includes top flight actors such as Geoffrey Rush, Javier Bardem and Orlando Bloom. Even Paul McCartney shows up. But the story is so predictable that not a single performance is memorable. We must remember that Depp actually received a Best Actor nomination for the original Pirates, a reminder that the quality was once much higher. The story is about a young boy who sets out to break a curse and along the way sorta falls in love. A tyrannical fleet of undead pirate hunters provides the opposition. As for Depp, hes Jack Sparrow, the reluctant hero who, after resurrecting the Black Pearl, ultimately helps break the curse and bring the undead back to life -- at least I think thats roughly what happens. Along the way everyone abandons Jack Sparrow, but, of course, he redeems himself. The final 30 minutes are touching as Sparrow and his beleaguered crew reunite and celebrate. Its easy to see the goal: to show the decline of Jack Sparrow followed by his redemption -- an unlikely anti-hero who bumbles his way to glory. Id like to believe Depp will enjoy a similar revival of his spirit and energy, but at this moment his own Black Pearl life shows no sign of bobbing back to the surface. Perhaps his fans dont care -- the ones at the theater certainly didnt. But people who arent members of the Pirates congregation arent likely to be enticed to queue up for a spot in the pews. Graham Hobson is seen recently outside the hall. CAMPAIGNERS were stunned to discover a landmark town hall they were desperate to save will be bulldozed for a 1 million roundabout. Greasbrough Public Hall Community Trust was formed by concerned residents when Rotherham Borough Council invited groups to take over the building. But less than six months later the council has confirmed it will not transfer the centre and, instead, wants to clear the site for new traffic measures. Trust chairman Graham Hobson said: This group has worked incredibly hard because this is the villages iconic hall. Weve had two top-level meetings with the council, including the chief executive and chief planners. But now its all fallen on deaf ears. We were being asked if we wanted to take over the hall, but then they changed their minds and said they needed to knock it down for a traffic congestion project. The hall was built in 1925 from 7,000 public subscriptions and has been used as a doctors surgery and library and has hosted scouts, guides, dances and parties. Trust member Ann Lilley said: The halls been used for as long as I can remember. Its only in the last few years its been left to rack and ruin. The traffic problem is not this roundabout. Anyone will tell you that and it doesnt matter how many lanes they add. The trouble is at Church Street and at the bottom of The Whins. So people will see the hall gone but the traffic congestion still there. They will be livid. There were four expressions of interest after the council invited ideas last October, including for flats, a childrens nursery and one where the building would have been shared by the trust and Rotherham Military Community Veterans Centre. Trust treasurer Linda Holland said the groups research and business case had demonstrated the demand for a community hub in Greasbrough. The actual emotional attachment to that building is huge, she added. People told us they wouldnt be here if not for the hall, because thats where their mum and dad met. Im frustrated with the lack of listening to the voice of the people. You would think the council would have learned from giving Bramley a traffic project residents didnt want. But we have appreciated the support of our ward councillors. They have been fantastic. Conservative peer William Hague was also among those who called for the hall closed by the council in 2014 to be saved. He said: When it was a library I went there every week as a young boy to find the next history book I wanted to read. So my own work in government and in writing books began there in many ways. The proposed 1 million project will see a larger, signalled roundabout added a few yards further north than the present mini-roundabout. The council said it was unaware of the additional land required to deliver the highway scheme when it asked for expressions of interest. Regeneration director Damien Wilson added: A number of options were considered to deal with both the current and future traffic demand, all of which identified a need for the land on which the hall resides. Anyone interested in being involved with the hall trust can email Graham on ghob@blueyonder.co.uk. Mining major ALROSA has sought tax concessions from the Indian government for establishing a sales outlet for diamantaires in Mumbai, according to media reports in India. The ALROSA Group has been selling rough diamonds in small quantity through exhibitions organised at the special notified zone (SNZ) in the Bharat Diamond Bourse. The bulk is sold through zero-tax centres in Dubai and a low-tax one in Belgium. While the Indian Government seeks turnover tax through advance pricing of rough diamonds, ALROSA wants to equalise tax rates along the lines of Belgium to increase supply to Indian processors. ALROSA contributes around eight per cent of India's total annual import of 153.31 mn carats worth $17.08 bn. "Foreign diamond mining companies seek a business environment that is similar to Dubai and Belgium. Ultimately, the rough diamonds they offer to buyers in both the countries are routed to India, as most investors there are of Indian origin. We have requested the government to bring down taxation to the level of Belgium. The current environment allows the business to go to Dubai and Belgium," said Sabyasachi Roy, executive director, Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to a local newspaper. The Indian Government has reportedly taken an initial step of signing a Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC) with ALROSA on June 1, 2017. This is expected to lead to a congenial tax structure. India is the largest diamond cutting and polishing centre in the world; ALROSA is the largest producer by volume of roughs. Cooperation here would have a big impact on the global diamond industry says the report. "The MoC is the first step towards ALROSA setting up a rough diamond representative office. For long, GJEPC has been encouraging diamond mining companies to sell roughs directly to the Indian market; the MoC may well be the first step to this goal," said Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman of GJEPC. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asia, Rough & Polished Gem International said initial field work and technical programmes, which include establishment of a camp logistics base and procurement of mining and infrastructure equipment, are now underway at its Dala diamond project in Angola. The company had been reviewing an extensive database of information for both alluvial and kimberlite exploration by a previous operator at the project, according to Proactive Investors. More than 30 high priority areas had been identified where there are classic trap sites in active drainages and accumulations of river gravels preserved in old meanders and terraces. With data for over 900 alluvial sample sites and extensive information from kimberlite exploration this database will speed up the ability to prioritize initial work areas, reads Proactive Investors report. It is known that at least 5 new kimberlite pipes were located at Dala and numerous other untested kimberlite targets are known to be present. Large and high value diamonds were currently being recovered in small scale garimpeiro operations within the concession. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished UPCOMING EVENTS East Helena Fun Run and Carnival The annual East Helena Fun Run, Color Run and Carnival will be held on June 3, at Kennedy Park in East Helena. The carnival starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. The Under 8 Kids Race, which is free, starts at 9:30 a.m., while the 5K and 10K races and the Color Run will start at 10 a.m. Registration forms are available online at www.EHQEF.weebly.com. Print out the registrations and all entries will be accepted the day of the event. *** ANNOUNCEMENTS Teacher recognized with award Susan Court, from Montana OPI, has been awarded the Honor Award by SHAPE Montana. SHAPE (Society for Health & Physical Education) Montana is a volunteer organization dedicated to serving Health and Physical Education teachers of Montana through conferences, workshops and continuing professional development opportunities. The Honor Award is the highest award that the organization can bestow on its members in recognition of outstanding service dedication and contributions to SHAPE Montana and to the youth of our state. Court will be presented the award at SHAPE Montanas annual conference July 31-Aug. 1 in Bozeman. *** Lewis and Clark County board openings Augusta Solid Waste Management District: The board generally oversees the management and operation of the Augusta Solid Waste Management District; 3-year terms. Applicants must reside within the boundaries of the Augusta Solid Waste Management District. Fair Board: The Fair Board consists of seven members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners serving staggered terms beginning and ending Dec. 31. The Commission generally oversees the overall management and operation of the fairgrounds for Lewis and Clark County. Human Services Task Force: The Task Force was organized to serve people who were left without assistance when the General Assistance program was abolished. The Task Force provides burial for indigent persons, food and shelter for persons waiting for SSI assistance and emergency medical care to individuals without Medicaid. The Task Force consists of nine Board members. Lewis and Clark County DUI Task Force: The DUI Task Force members shall be appointed by the Lewis and Clark County Commission and will include representatives from a cross section of the community, such as, but not limited to, government officials, law enforcement, public health, school personnel, church, civic and community groups, and citizens at large. Members shall be appointed for a term of two years and terms will be renewable at the consent of the Commission. Lincoln Parks Board: Seeking one Lincoln resident to serve on the board that oversees Hooper, Lambkins and 7Up Parks. Lincoln Solid Waste District Board: The board generally oversees the management and operation of the Lincoln Solid Waste Management District. Seeking two citizens who live in the Lincoln Solid Waste District; three year terms. Mental Health Local Advisory Council: The purpose of the Mental Health Local Advisory Council is to assist in the improvement of public mental health services in the local community and to review and make recommendations about local public mental health services, as well as provide input and recommendations to the Mental Health Oversight Advisory Council and the Service Area Authorities serving the community. Seeking one provider of child mental health services. Open Lands Citizens Advisory Committee: The primary purpose of the Program is to conserve resources on private lands in Lewis and Clark County that fulfill the objectives of the bond measure. The BOCC appointed the Citizens Advisory Committee on Open Lands (CAC) to make recommendations on project applications. Seeking three citizens to serve on the Open Lands Citizens Advisory Council. Scratchgravel Solid Waste Management District: The Scratchgravel Solid Waste Management District consists of seven members: five serving staggered three-year terms appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, one member appointed by the Board of Health, and one County Commissioner. Transportation Coordinating Committee: The Committee shall work closely with the City, County, and State to develop and keep current urban transportation planning, design and construction in the Helena area. The committee shall adopt and recommend implementation of long and short-range transportation programs for the Helena urban area 5. The committee shall transmit all reports and recommendations related to the continuing transportation planning for the urban area to the various agencies for final adoption and implementation. The TCC shall consist of the following: two City Commission members, two County Commission members, one Montana Highway Department Representative, one Federal Highway Administration Representative, one Helena Citizens Council, one Planning Board, one City Staff Contact, one County resident and two City residents (one City resident is a nonvoting member). The citizen members of the TCC shall be appointed for terms of two-years. Meetings are the second Tuesday, every other month at 3 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, City-County Building. Water Quality Protection District: The Board consists of nine members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners serving staggered three-year terms beginning and ending July 1. The purpose of the Board is to develop a local water quality program; administer the budget and employ personnel; and contract individuals or agencies to develop and implement the program; receive gifts, grants or donations; administer local ordinances; apply for federal or state money; borrow and repay money for the water quality district; construct and maintain facilities that do not cost more than $5,000. Applications are available at www.lccountymt.gov/bocc/boards.html or by calling 447-8304 and can be submitted to the Lewis and Clark County Commissioners Office, 316 N. Park Ave., Room 345, Helena, MT 59623. *** STUDENT NEWS Farmers market awards scholarships The Helena Farmers Market board has announced the recipients of two scholarships. Helena High Schools Christine Fisher and Annelise Heleling from Capital High School received the $1,000 scholarships at the May board meeting. Christines parents are Leslie and Wade Fisher, and Annelises parents are Joe and Erin Heleling. *** Student participates in entrepreneurial program April Werle, a senior studying fine art from Helena, earned a certificate from the Pursue Your Passion program at the University of Montana. The yearlong initiative help participants explore their interests through an entrepreneurial mindset. Find more information out about the program online at www.umt.edu/passion/ or call 406-243-5723. *** Area students offered college scholarships The Student Financial Services Office (SFS) within the Montana University System has released the names of area students who were offered the Montana University System Honor Scholarship. The MUS Honor Scholarship is a renewable scholarship offered by the Montana Board of Regents that waives undergraduate tuition for up to eight semesters at any campus of the Montana University System or Dawson, Flathead Valley, or Miles community colleges. Thomas Frost and Derek Neel, both from Broadwater County High School; Sydney Bangerter, Nathan George, Caleb Noble, Rylan Rowsey, William Southworth, Marcus Welnel, and Zachary White, all of Capital High School; Britta Binde, Isabelle Brus, Abbie George, Jarred Hunsaker, Noah Jakovac, Kendall Johnson, Margaret Kerr, Katie Lindner, Gregory Martin, Shannara McDunn, Seth Putnam, James Starke, Lane Ulberg, and Emily Walter, all of Helena High School. DEAN'S LIST/GRADS Hannah Haas, of Helena, has been named to the dean's list for the 2017 spring semester at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. *** Rebecca Ries-Roncalli, of Helena, has been named to the spring 2017 Dean's List at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. *** Rocky Mountain College in Billings, has announced the 2017 spring semester high honors and dean's list students. High honors students who maintained at 4.0 GPA are noted with an asterisk (*). Helena: Terry Anthony, Keely Huth,* Alexander Koch, Jacob Ramirez, Abigail Rausch, Kajlea Richards,* and Nicole Sparks East Helena: Madison Siebenaler Wolf Creek: Makala McDonough* *** Daniel J. Held, of Helena, will graduate from Oregon State University in Corvallis on June 17 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. *** Elizabeth Hardwick, of Helena, has graduated from Concordia College in Moorehead, Minn., with degree in psychology global studies. She is the daughter of James and Sharon Hardwick of Helena. First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by more than expected in the week ended May 27th, the Labor Department revealed in a report on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims climbed to 248,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level of 235,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to edge up to 239,000 from the 234,000 originally reported for the previous week. The Labor Department said the less volatile four-week moving average also rose to 238,000, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 235,500. Meanwhile, the report said continuing claims, a reading on the number of people receiving ongoing unemployment assistance, fell by 9,000 to 1.915 million in the week ended May 20th. The four-week moving average of continuing claims also dropped to 1,914,500, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised average of 1,930,500. With the decrease, the four-week moving average of continuing claims hit its lowest level since January of 1974. Friday morning, the Labor Department is scheduled to release its more closely watched monthly employment report. Employment is expected to increase by 185,000 jobs in May after jumping by 211,000 jobs in April. The unemployment rate is expected to hold at 4.4 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. The Cabinet office is slated to release the Japan consumer confidence index for May at 1:00 am ET Friday. The index is seen at 43.5, compared to 43.2 in April. Ahead of the data, the yen held steady against its major rivals. As of 12:55 am ET, the yen was trading at 125.23 against the euro, 143.76 against the pound, 114.95 against the Swiss franc and 111.63 against the U.S. dollar. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Forex News Spain's unemployment declined notably in May, data published by the Labor Ministry showed Friday. The number of unemployed registered with the Public Employment Services decreased by 111,908 in May from the previous month. On a seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment decreased by 39,566 in May. This was the largest reduction on record in the month of May. From May 2016, unemployment fell by 11.06 percent or 430,275. Unemployment among youth aged under 25 dropped by 4.3 percent or 12,057 in May. 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. Eversource Energy (ES) said it has reached an agreement to acquire public water supply company Aquarion Water Co. for an enterprise value of $1.675 billion, comprised of $880 million in cash and $795 million of assumed Aquarion debt. The deal will combine combine New England's largest energy company with the region's largest private water company. Aquarion has more than 300 employees and serves nearly 230,000 customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Eversource's 8,000 employees work to provide sustainable energy solutions and power the region's , serving 3.7 million electric and natural gas customers in the same states. Since 2007, Aquarion has been owned by a partnership led by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners. The acquisition requires approval from the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. It also requires U.S. Justice Department review under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. The transaction is expected to close by December 31, 2017. Eversource intends to finance the transaction with a combination of cash and a small amount of debt. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is testing the concept of using its store employees to deliver packages to customers' houses on their commute home, terming it as a "last-mile innovation". The retail giant noted that the move will cut shipping costs and enable packages to be delivered faster and more efficiently, "creating a special win-win-win for customers, associates and the ." "Unlike crowd-sourced delivery, where the driver has to travel (often out of the way) to pick up the package, then drive the full distance to deliver it, our associates are starting at the same place as the packages," Marc Lore, president and CEO of Walmart eCommerce U.S., said in a blog post. According to Wal-Mart, trucks moving orders from fulfillment centers to stores for pickups and can be used to bring ship-to-home orders to a store close to the final destination, where a participating associate can sign up to deliver the package to the customer's house. The company noted that the move will also give associates a way to earn extra income on their existing drive back home. Wal-Mart said it has developed a proprietary app that will allow employees to sign up for the program, while the participation is optional. Associates who choose to participate in the program can set preferences on choosing the number of packages they can deliver, the size and weight limits of those packages, and the days they are able to make deliveries after work. In addition, Wal-Mart will allocate packages based on minimizing the collective distance associates need to travel off of their commute to make a delivery. Wal-Mart is starting with three test stores - two in New Jersey and one in northwest Arkansas, noting that the response from associates and customers was great. The company noted that many orders are being delivered the next day. "Walmart has strength in numbers with 4,700 stores across the U.S. and more than a million associates. Our stores put us within 10 miles of 90% of the U.S. population," the retailer said. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Despite President Donald Trump's controversial decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said the U.S. will continue its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Tillerson, who reportedly advocated for remaining in the agreement, was asked about Trump's decision to withdraw from the accord before a meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes on Friday. "Well, it was a policy decision and I think it's important that everyone recognize the United States has a terrific record on reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions," Tillerson said. "It's something I think we can be proud of and that was done in the absence of a Paris agreement." He added, "I don't think we're going to change our ongoing efforts to reduce those emissions in the future either, so hopefully people can keep it in perspective." Trump announced his decision on Thursday to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate accord that seeks to reduce carbon emissions and slow the effects of climate change. In a speech from the White House, Trump said the move was made in order to fulfill his solemn duty to protect the U.S. and its citizens. Trump indicated he would begin negotiations to re-enter the Paris accord or an entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the U.S., its businesses, its people and its taxpayers. The president described the Paris climate accord as the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the U.S. to the exclusive benefit of other countries. Many in the international community have condemned Trump's decision, although members of the administration and Republican lawmakers have backed the move. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Universities consulted on the internalisation policy in higher education Date Released: Fri, 2 June 2017 10:19 +0200 By Orla Quinlan Rhodes University recently hosted Chief Mabizela, Chief Director of higher education policy for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to engage on the draft Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Higher Education in South Africa as part of International Week. Mabizela engaged with the senior leadership and academics on the draft policy framework, as the policy permeates every aspect of a higher education institution. Higher Education Minister, Blade Ndzimande has called for the public to submit comments until the end of June 2017. The Chief Director explained that while different institutional policies and strategies must be aligned and be within the parameters set for the higher education system of South Africa, the policy framework simultaneously provides enough room for creativity and innovation. The policy framework defines internationalisation of higher education as an intentional or steered process to integrate or infuse intercultural, international and global dimensions in higher education; to advance the goals, functions and delivery of higher education and thus to enhance the quality of education and research. We have consultation plans, including the statutory-mandated consultation for advice with the Council on Higher Education (CHE), which would end with a Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Higher Education in South Africa on or before 31 March 2018, he re-assured. While the policy framework does not condone the commercialisation of higher education, it does not bar institutions from generating income, primarily in order to sustain the activities relating to internationalisation. The new proposals supporting cross-border joint degrees were welcomed by the Rhodes academics in attendance. Academics engaged in cross-border teaching, such as the Rhodes post-graduate education programme in Namibia were invited to be propositional, if certain policy framework content might hinder their endeavours in the current form. The policy outlines the responsibilities of government, which includes policy integration; inter-departmental coordination and cooperation among the affected and relevant government departments. Mabizela concluded that the draft framework commits that there will be no direct steering of internationalisationinternationalisation must primarily happen at institutional level with government providing support and endeavouring to create a conducive environment for internationalisation to flourish. Although there is no immediate commitment to funding being made available for internationalisation, Mabizela did not rule it out for the future. While there will be some new mandatory reporting requirements, Rhodes University is currently engaged in many dimensions of internationalisation, as proposed in the policy framework. The Draft policy framework is available on the link below. Specific propositional comments for the Rhodes University submission must be directed to o.quinlan@ru.ac.za by 23June 2017. https://www.ru.ac.za/media/rhodesuniversity/content/international/documents/policy/Draft%20Policy%20Framework%20for%20the%20internationalisation%20of%20HE%20in%20SA.pdf During Saturday's commencement ceremonies in Helena, this year's high school graduates will hear from either a former deputy administrator at NASA or a multimedia journalist who has worked in more than 100 countries. Journalist Thomas Nybo and former NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman both graduated from high school in Helena. Capital High School's commencement is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, and Helena High School's commencement is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Nelson Stadium at Carroll College. *** Thomas Nybo Nybo flew out of Afghanistan Wednesday to speak to graduates at Helena High School. Nybo graduated from Helena High before going to Brown University for a year and eventually transferring to the University of Montana. He received degrees in creative writing and journalism and started working at the newspaper in Choteau. Nybo said he had an editor who gave him time and resources to work on projects he was interested in as long as he covered the basics. When he was ready to move on, he had impressive work samples and connected with a former Helena High graduate who worked at CNN. He started working there as a writer and producer and later worked as an embedded war correspondent. When one of his bosses at CNN was hired by UNICEF, he brought Nybo along. Nybo spends about half the year traveling to work in other countries. I think Im in a pretty good spot just because I grew up in Helena for the most part, he said. Now I spend almost half my time in tough situations around the world. That juxtaposition offers a lot. Nybo said growing up in Helena gave him a sense of community and a good friendship base. He said he knows its challenging to encourage people to try different things, but thats a piece of advice hell give to graduates on Saturday. Youve got that base, but at some point you need to jump off the deep end and get out there, he said. He also wants to relay some of the powerful stories he hears constantly during his travels. Several weeks ago, he visited a refugee camp in Bangladesh. Thousands of people had been pushed out of Myanmar after they lost family members and saw their houses burned down. How do you relate that to your life and pass that along to a group of graduating seniors and reach them in a way where it means something? he said. To be able to relay these stories to a group of 17- and 18-year-olds is pretty powerful. *** Dava Newman Capital High School's senior class voted to hear a speech from Newman, who was second in command at NASA. Newman graduated from Capital High School before going to Notre Dame and MIT. Newman taught as an Apollo Professor of Astronautics and Engineering Systems at MIT before she was nominated in January 2015 to NASA by former President Barack Obama, where she was responsible for providing leadership and policy direction. She resigned on Jan. 20 at the end of the Obama administration and returned to teach at MIT. Newman started teaching at MIT in 1993 and stayed until she left for NASA. She was the director of MITs Technology and Policy Program from 2003 until 2015. According to her faculty biography, Newmans expertise is in multidisciplinary research on aerospace biomedical engineering. Shes been working on designing a space suit thats light and essentially shrink wraps to an astronauts body. Currently, astronauts wear a clunky, gas-pressurized suit that limits mobility. Newman and her colleagues have been developing technology to design compression suits with small coils, made from a shape memory alloy, that contract in response to heat and remembers a shape if bent or deformed. The astronaut could loosen and take off the suit by using moderate force. To put it back on, the coils would contract when heat was applied to become skin-tight again. After Newman visited several of Capital High's science classes a few years ago, students were anxious for her to come back. Newman has been a proponent of jobs in science, technology, math, arts, design and engineering. She also is an advocate for women in STEM jobs. In his first interview since an election-eve attack on a reporter, Republican Congressman-elect Greg Gianforte declined to explain why his campaign issued a statement contradicted by eyewitnesses to the event and also declined to provide his version of what happened. Gianforte sat down with reporter Mike Dennison for a one-on-one conversation that was broadcast Friday night on the Montana Television Network. Gianforte hasn't spoken publicly since he defeated Democrat Rob Quist by 6 percentage points in the May 25 special election to fill Montanas lone seat in the U.S. House. When asked to describe what happened between himself and Ben Jacobs, a reporter for The Guardian, Gianforte said only that he wasnt proud of the altercation and repeated much of the apology he delivered in his victory speech on election night. It wasnt right the way I treated him, Gianforte said. He also called for a return to more civility on both sides. Dennison also asked Gianforte about the statement released by his campaign shortly after the altercation, which claimed Jacobs grabbed his wrist and pulled both men to the ground. The release also labeled Jacobs a liberal journalist. A reporter for Fox News, as well as audio recorded by Jacobs, conflict with that description of the alleged assault. The audio showed that Jacobs asked Gianforte a question about a development that day related to replacement of the Affordable Care Act when Gianforte began yelling, followed by a loud crash. A Fox News reporter in the room said Gianforte grabbed Jacobs, threw him to the ground and began punching him. Gianforte was cited by the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office that night with misdemeanor assault, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500. Jacobs injuries did not meet the definition of felony assault. When asked whether his campaign's statement describing the altercation was false, Gianforte responded: Its important that as we look at this that I take responsibility for my actions. Right now, analyzing the facts is I need to focus on taking responsibility for my actions and thats what Ive done. On Friday afternoon, Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert said hed been talking with a lawyer representing Gianforte about possibly extending the deadline for Gianforte to appear in Justice Court. Without an extension, the congressman-elect is required to appear before June 7. "It's under consideration," Lambert said. "It happens all the time." Justice Court in Bozeman is only in session Monday, Wednesday and Friday, leaving just two more opportunities for Gianforte to appear. Lambert said Jacobs, the reporter, has a right to attend the court appearance as well, and his schedule is being taken into account. When asked about commentary that Jacobs was somehow at fault or deserved to be assaulted, Gianforte said he addressed that in his victory speech and by taking responsibly for his actions. I think thats the way we repair relationships and move forward, Gianforte said. He also added that the role of the press is extremely important and that he plans to make himself open and available as a public official. Discussion of the election-eve altercation covered about four minutes of the 16.4-minute interview. The rest was devoted to Gianfortes plans for when he takes office. The congressman-elect repeated many of his campaign promises, including pledging to drain the swamp, push for term limits and ban former representatives and senators from becoming lobbyists. 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. BUTTE When Los Angeles-based film director Joe Litzinger heard about a Zulu prince coming to Butte America for the summer, he knew this story is too good to be true. Litzinger heard about this unusual event through friends he made in the Mining City. He had come to know the Clark and Dark Show on KBMF 102.5. Litzinger, executive producer of a documentary media producing company based out of L.A., got on a plane and came to Butte. He found the town fascinating. He found the people fascinating. And once he met Prince Sbo and his two colleagues Nkokhelo Msomi and Mokai Malope, Litzinger found them fascinating as well. So for a week, a cameraman, Eric Michael Schrader, followed the Zulus' every move. Litzinger hired a South African crew to film the Zulus before they left their native land in Nongoma, South Africa. Litzinger and Schrader visited Butte before the Zulus arrival to get plenty of footage of the Mining City. For an hour and 20 minute documentary, they shot 1,000 hours of footage. And they are coming back for more. The filmmakers intend to return during Buttes festival time to get even more film of the Zulus making their way around Butte America. Schrader and Litzinger made sure they were at the Bert Mooney Airport when Prince Sbo, Mokai and Nkokhelo came walking off the plane in African garb, carrying a shield, and touched snow for the first time in their lives. This is one of the most interesting stories Ive ever heard, Litzinger told The Montana Standard last week. The hard part is going to be what not to include. Schrader said that following the Zulus around Butte America for a week felt like he was hanging with the Beatles. Everyone on the street, people stop and shout hello, Schrader said. The project is a labor of love for Interesting Human Media. Schrader and Litzinger both have day jobs. Schrader is an editor for BBC Worldwide and Litzinger is executive producer for National Geographic TV. Litzinger said they got so much footage because he was equally blown away by Butte. I fell in love with the town, he said. Schrader calls filming in Butte a film makers dream. He cited filming out of the back of a Dodge pickup truck without a permit something he would not likely get away with in Tinsel Town. Meanwhile, the prince, Mokai and Nkekhelo seemed to take having a camera watch their every move in stride. A rough cut of the film, tentatively titled Untitled Zulu Nation/Butte, Montana project should be complete by early next year, Litzinger said. The documentary will then make the film festival rounds before a theatrical distribution and Netflix release sometime next year. Culture, family and faith. These are aspects New Zealand Prime Minister, Bill English, loves about Samoa. The Prime Minister is in Samoa for the first time as the leader of his country. Yesterday, he joined Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi at the celebration of Samoas 55 years of political independence. Mr. English is joined by his wife, Dr. Mary English, whose father is Samoan from the Scanlan family. Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Mr. English said he has learnt a lot about the importance of faith from his wifes family. What Ive learnt from the Samoan part of my family is the strong sense of family, he said. The importance of faith to the Samoan families and the drive to be successful which in Marys family focuses strong on education. Her whole family has been well educated. Thats because of strong parents, making sure that the children would succeed through education. Mr. and Mrs. English have six children. The Prime Minister was asked how he manages to run the country and be a father and husband at the same time. We make sure that we have quite very specific family time, he said adding that going to church is important to them. We try to keep our Sundays clear. He said that even when Parliament is in session, he makes time for his family. For parliament, I always go home for the evening meal and then back to Parliament. I often have to work late. So its important to us that we have that time as a family, he said. He also commented on how Samoan families are hard workers in New Zealand. There are a lot of families who have to work hard, particularly a lot of Samoan families who are in New Zealand and maybe on lower incomes. Parents on shift week and those parents don't always get recognition. We do because were in public life. But what those parents are doing is just as important and they work harder, said the Prime Minister. During the trip, Mr. English is scheduled to be bestowed a title at Faleula today. Its a real honor, he said. The Prime Minister also commented on the admiration he has for the Samoan culture. We admire the success of Samoa as an independent country and thats why its such a special day to be reminded about it. We admire the resilience, the strong leadership and the sensible way the country sets out to have a good economy. As well as maintaining the uniqueness of its culture. ABOUT BILL ENGLISH According to the governments official website, Mr. English has served New Zealand and the National Party since his election to Parliament in 1990. Born in Lumsden in 1961 and educated at St Patricks College Silverstream he studied Economics at the University of Otago and English Literature at Victoria. He went on to work as a Treasury analyst before returning to the family farm in Dipton and standing in the seat known today as Clutha-Southland a post he held until his decision in 2014 to stand as a List MP only. As Finance Minister from 2008 until 2016, he oversaw one of the fastest-growing economies in the developed world, steering it through shocks including the Global Financial Crisis and the Christchurch earthquakes and returning the Governments books surplus. He also focused on tackling New Zealands toughest social problems, including inequality, welfare dependence and the educational under achievement of Maori and Pasifika children, aiming to give all New Zealanders the best chance of succeeding. He is married to Mary, a GP, and they have six children. BILLINGS A 28-year-old man is suspected of killing a 6-month-old boy. Grant Edwin Johnson was arrested Friday afternoon by the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office on suspicion of deliberate homicide. Yellowstone County Sheriff's deputies and Emergency Medical Services responded to reports of an unresponsive infant at a residence off South Frontage Road on the afternoon of May 27, said YCSO Lt. Kent O'Donnell. The child was taken to St. Vincent Healthcare. "Our coroner began investigating the death portion of it and then when things didn't look quite right, information we got was suspicious," O'Donnell said. "Then of course the medical opinion at the hospital also raised questions. Then detectives were called in and began their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death." "Detectives have been working on this all week," he said, adding they interviewed "multiple witnesses." Johnson is expected to appear in court Monday, O'Donnell said. O'Donnell declined to release more details about the circumstances of the child's death, but said those would be available when charging documents were made public. No other arrests have been made as a result of the investigation, O'Donnell said. The investigation is ongoing, said Sheriff Mike Linder. While everyone was rushing to Apia to witness and watch performances for Independence Day, Iakopo Autagavaia from Alafua was walking everywhere to sell his faalifu talo and bananas for $6. Hes a 54-year-old father of two. Its not everyday I have good money from selling my faalifu but I know today is going to be sold out fast because its Independence and its a busy day, he said. This is my job everyday so even though its a very special day, to me its like a normal day and Im just going about my normal duties. Im the only one in the family that works so you can see why I always need to do this. My family and children are relying on me. So I may be old but it doesnt mean Im tired of taking care of my family. He added on to say Of course Im grateful for this day and Im celebrating it by selling my faalifu. Its one of the happiest days for Samoan people and Im truly honored to be a Samoan. My job to sell faalifu is a Samoan tradition so that is a celebration for today and every other day. Our ancestors have fought a great battle for this day. And I know that I wouldnt be here today, doing whatever I want if it werent for them. So as soon as I sell all of these, then Im going to get something nice to eat for our family and watch Independence. Mr. Autagavaia is hardworking man and hes happy about that. Its always good to be positive about everything because that is how you get to be happy with whatever life you have no matter what. Today is Samoas day and we all know what it means for our people. Its Independence Day for Samoa; I am alive and I am free. New Zealand Prime Minister, Bill English, has become a Samoan chief. At the village of Faleula yesterday, he was bestowed the Leulua'ialii-o-tumua* title. The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Mary English, and her father George Scanlan during the ceremony. Traffic came to a complete stop while the Scanlan family made their way across the street to the guesthouse where the event was held. They were led by a band while the village aumaga (untitled men) and family members danced and escorted Mr. English to his seat. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, were present along with Ministers of Cabinet. The prayer and blessing was conducted by Faleula C.C.C.S Reverend Fili Matalavea who told Mr. English that being a chief is a calling from God. During the ceremony, the New Zealand Prime Minister expressed how honored he was to have been bestowed a title by his wifes family. He was thrilled to have had received it with his elderly father in-law present. Prime Minister Tuilaepa thanked Faleula for hosting such a significant event. He said the Chiefly title for Mr. English strengthens the ties between Samoa and New Zealand and the gesture is part of the governments welcome to Mr. English. Following the ceremony, Leulua'ialii-o-tumua said his family has just gotten bigger. I am used to big families. I come from a big family, and I married into a huge family and so its just got even bigger in Faleula, he said. It was great to see my father in law able to talk to people about all their relations that he knows. Today I think he would've been the oldest person there and he has a fantastic memory for the stories and the relatives. Its great to see him have that opportunity as he left sixty years ago. The New Zealand Prime Minister said he is humbled to be honoured on behalf of the Scanlan family. Its a real honor for me to accept it, but I am accepting it on behalf of my Samoan Scanlan family, said Leuluaialii-o-tumua. Mr. Englishs proud wife, Dr. English said the Leulua'ialii-o-tumua title bestowment not only signifies the strengthening of the relationship between the two governments but its also a tie to the Scanlan family in Faleula. I am very grateful for the honor, that has been bestowed upon my husband, but also for the people of New Zealand. It signifies the connection between the two countries in a formal way and an important way. The respect which has been shown both ways has been special. My father [George Scanlan] and my sister were present and saw that happen, is something very special to me. Because I think about my father being in his 80s and I think about him as a young man coming to New Zealand in the 1950s and not speaking much English, if any. Here he is to be able to live long enough to see this come in full circle and to see us come home and to say that his son-in-law the Prime Minister of New Zealand is a chief in his village. It makes my father very happy and that makes me happy. Dr. English said being able to connect with her Samoan people is the highlight of her trip. The warmth and friendliness of the people and being a part of the Independence Day festivities and seeing the nations confidence and proud of their heritage and culture is just overwhelmingly joyful. Dr. English added that her father has never witnessed Samoas Independence Celebration. Hes back and in his 80s and he has finally seen it. Just being a part of his countrys Independence Day, makes me very happy. Incorporating the Samoan way of life into Dr. English life while as a little girl was challenging. My mother is not Samoan and her family were immigrants as well from Italy, so I couldn't learn the individual cultures. But what I learned from both my parents, was hard work, commitment and family working as a team, but most importantly their faith in God. * An explanation is warranted here. The title Leauluaialii belongs to the Savea Leuleuaialii family of Afega. Thats the family of the wife of the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Bill English. Dr. Mary English is therefore the daughter of the Savea Leuluaialii family. Yesterday morning, the honorary title, Leuluaialii-o-Tumua was bestowed on Mr. English by Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, at Faleula Village. Dr. Mary Englishs father is George Scanlan. His mother was the late Peiai Maria Leuluaialii Tuivaiese 1, of Afega. Mr. Scanlan, who lives permanently in New Zealand is in Samoa today, and so are other members of the family whove traveled from abroad, to attend yesterdays ceremony. GSSM Leulua'ialiiotumua Bill English has pledged NZ$4.8million (T$8.5m) to support Samoas cocoa industry. The announcement was made yesterday during his visit to the Eden plantation in Fasitoo, as part of his state visit. Samoa has ideal conditions to produce larger amounts of high value, chocolate-grade cocoa, Mr. English said. During his visit, he saw first hand the process of getting the cocoa ready for exporting. He was impressed with the ingenuity of how the cocoa is processed by the workers. Its about the integrity of the product, the people would buy a chocolate wants to know the story. Theres a great story here about the tradition and the way its done. Its great that the Samoan government can see that potential and they can work with the farmers to show them a few changes, based on traditional knowledge could make this industry successful. According to a press statement issued by the New Zealand government, Samoa exported about 5000 tonnes of cocoa annually during the 1960s, but exports have since declined to only 40 to 50 tonnes a year. Now there is a cocoa renaissance taking place in Samoa and New Zealand is very pleased to be able to contribute to it, Mr. English says. The New Zealand investment is intended to help Samoa achieve its goal of developing a thriving, sustainable, resilient and inclusive agricultural sector, with a particular focus on local crops where smallholders have a comparative edge. The funding will provide practical help for farmers by establishing grafting nurseries and providing training on grafting and growing cocoa plants. Furthermore, it will provide on-farm training in plantation management, harvesting and processing. New processing facilities on Upolu and Savaii will be developed, and the industry will be helped to establish a national cocoa association and develop an industry strategy. The five-year programme will complement various other small-scale initiatives currently under way within the Samoan cocoa industry. New Zealand is already co-funding a targeted initiative in Samoa with J.H. Whittakers and Sons, to improve production and processing. This programme has enabled Samoas largest cocoa exporter, Vaai Plantations to lift the quality and quantity of cocoa it supplies. Vaai Plantation now supplies 30 tonnes of cocoa a year for Whittakers Single Origin Samoan Cacao block and intends to double exports by the end of 2018. The Vaai plantation has had to explore land in Upolu, including Mrs Tuli Simetis of Edens planation to meet the demands. Setting aside current land-use squabbles, next weeks Context forum, annually sponsored by the San Diego Architectural Foundation, will focus on what San Diegos neighborhoods could be like 10 years hence. What will neighborhoods be like if they are approached from sustainability, practical density and good design practices? said program chairwoman Margit Whitlock. Free and paid elements will be included in the six-hour forum, starting at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Green Acres restaurant,10300 Campus Point Drive on Torrey Pines Mesa. The paid portion, which starts at 5 p.m., is $90 with a discount for foundation members. Information is available at sdarchitecture.org and payments may be made at the door. Advertisement The keynote speaker, Vishaan Chakrabarti, is a New York City architect and planner, Columbia University professor and author of the A Country of Cities: A Manifesto for an Urban America. He said in an interview that he will discuss how the cities drive the economy and help control environmental degradation. But he also said cities have to wrestle with the jobs/housing balance in development, homelessness, NIMBYism and income inequality. My major advice (to San Diego) is embrace the place youre in, he said, having been here most recently six months ago. What makes San Diego special is it has an extraordinary climate. It has a history with the U.S. military, proximity to Mexico. There are things that make San Diego very unique. Other speakers will include Kate Goodson on creative placemaking, Bruce Appleyard on transit-oriented communities, Nancy Graham on reenvisioning Mission Valley and San Diego City Councilmembers Georgette Gomez and Scott Sherman. Four visiting architects will share their work that could become models for San Diego David Baker from San Francisco, Christopher Bledsoe from New York City, Sarah Dunn from Chicago and Kevin Wronske from Los Angeles. Representatives from various organizations, companies and institutions will share their work and information as well. Were hoping we can demonstrate how well-designed neighborhoods can improve the quality of life and try to demystify density, Whitlock said. Business roger.showley@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-1286; Twitter: @rogershowley Each year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside recognize outstanding members from each of their seven sites around Oceanside as well as current members of the Real Options for Adults with Disabilities (aka R.O.A.D.s) program. Jennifer Jimenez was awarded Distinguished Youth of the Year. Ariana Tahmas was selected as the 2018 Youth of the Year, the highest honor for a club member. Tahmas will compete for the National Youth of the Year title. She gave a speech about her struggles growing up in a challenging home environment and the leadership roles she had to take on at a young age. Advertisement The keynote speaker was Dominic Camacho, San Luis Rey Elementary School principal. Other speakers included Julie Hernandez, California State 2017 Youth of the Year. Hernandez was presented with a proclamation signed by Sen. Patricia Bates and Assemblyman Rocky Chavez for her outstanding character and perseverance. Members of the Year and the R.O.A.D.s members were presented with medals and with certificates signed by Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood, Chavez and Bates. Visit bgcoceanside.org. Poway Mayor Steve Vaus will ask the City Council next week to send a letter to state regulators opposing the route of a proposed 36-inch natural gas pipeline that will cut through part of the city. San Diego Gas & Electrics project which if approved would create a 47-mile long pipe from Rainbow to Miramar would run through six miles of Poway right down the length of Pomerado Road. Construction of the line would begin in 2020 and take two years to complete. Construction along the road would take months. Advertisement Vaus said the city doesnt question the need for the pipeline, but that the route makes no sense. Why greatly inconvenience local drivers along the citys main north/south road when the Interstate 15 corridor is just a couple miles to the west? He also suggested that, should something go wrong with the pipeline, it would be far safer to have it near the freeway rather than in the densely populated area around Pomerado Road. I doubt you could find a location that would have more impact on homes, businesses, churches and a hospital, Vaus said. The bottom line is there has got to be a better way. SDG&E says Caltrans doesnt want us to put it down the 15. I say, who cares? Calling it the Pipeline Safety and Reliability Project, SDG&E proposes using the new pipeline to relieve pressure on a 30-inch pipeline that runs in a north-south direction near Interstate 5 and replace a 16-inch pipeline that runs along the Interstate 15 corridor and has been in existence since 1949. The new pipeline would run from the Riverside County border, along dozens of miles of Interstate 15, and then beneath Centre City Parkway and other streets in southern Escondido, before going beneath Lake Hodges. From there it would travel down Pomerado Road through Rancho Bernardo and Poway to a processing station at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The project is expected to cost $639 million that will be paid for by ratepayers. The city of Escondido through which nearly eight miles of the pipeline will run has sent a letter to the commission fully supporting the project and in fact encouraging its approval as quickly as possible. We are eager to see the system modernized with state-of-the-art infrastructure, Mayor Sam Abed wrote. The safety of our residents is of paramount concern to us elected leaders, as is having a reliable supply of natural gas for residents and businesses. The states Public Utilities Commission will decide if the project should be approved and where the pipe will be laid. The Poway council will indicate its route objection in a letter to the regularity agency. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones Best friends for more than 25 years, San Diegan Liz Fenton and Chicagoan Lisa Steinke have written four novels together. Their new one, The Good Widow, moves away from contemporary womens fiction into the suspense genre. It tells the story of an elementary school teacher whose husband dies in a car crash in Hawaii. Tragic enough, but he was supposed to be on a business trip to Kansas. And he was in the car with another woman. Fenton and Steinke met in high school in Vista and went to Cal Poly Pomona together. They blend their writing voices by trading off chapters and then editing each others work. Publishers Weekly named The Good Widow one of its best summer books in the mystery/thriller category. Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke book launch: 6:30 p.m. June 5. Ignite Bistro, 6996 El Camino Real, Carlsbad. $35, which includes dinner and a signed copy of The Good Widow. This is a ticketed event through Adventures By the Book. (619) 300-2532 or adventuresbythebook.com Advertisement john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com; (619) 293-2236 Its a hole-y proposition, really: Come on in, and get a free donut. But thats exactly what some businesses across America are doing today Friday, June 2 to celebrate National Donut Day. Free? Donuts? Who are we to argue? Advertisement In the words of the worlds best known sugary confection connoisseur, Homer Simpson: Mmm donuts. Not everyone is offering freebies, but if youre in the mood for a donut today and dont want to pay, here are some options. Dunkin Donuts Buy any beverage, and you can have one free classic donut of your choice, while supplies last. The offer is good all day at participating locations nationwide. In San Diego County, there are several locations, including one at 601 Pacific Highway near Seaport Village and 2139 East Plaza Blvd. in National City. dunkindonuts.com Krispy Kreme This other national chains offer is slightly better: One free donut any donut with no purchase required. Its good all day at participating locations. In San Diego County, there are several locations, including one at 4180 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. in San Diego, 11050 Rancho Carmel Drive in San Diego and 2305 Otay Lakes Road, Suite 206, in Chula Vista. krispykreme.com Not quite free, but Devils Dozen Donut Shop in Little Italy is observing the holiday by unveiling new flavors, such as circus animal cookie donut, the classic Homer Simpson (DOH)nut, a birthday cake batter donut and a funfetti old fashioned. Be among the first 20 customers to order a devils dozen, and your order will come with a free mini donut and donut pool floaties. Throughout the morning, there will also be a random giveaway of Devils Dozen T-shirts. devils-dozen.com Other donut businesses around town may have specials heck, they might even be free so if you discover one, please share them in the comments below. So, go ahead, celebrate National Donut Day, but remember to celebrate responsibly. RELATED A bakers dozen of San Diegos best donuts San Diegos best doughnut is After 25 years, Chows Donuts may be losing lease Dunkin Donuts making big move into San Diego Twitter: @outdoorlivingsd michael.rocha@sduniontribune.com As a mainstay of the San Diego jazz scene, veteran drummer Richard Sellers has provided solid percussive support to an array of artists. Now, his fellow artists are banding together to provide financial support for Sellers 8-month-old daughter, Nikki, who is being treated at Rady Childrens Hospital for a rare strain of leukemia. Mondays Jazz for Baby Nikki concert and jam session will feature such top area musicians as Gilbert Castellanos, Holly Hofmann, Curtis Taylor, Bob Magnusson, Jim Plank, Bob Boss, Lorraine Castellanos and more. Advertisement Those unable to attend can contribute to Nikkis GoFundMe page: gofundme.com/prayforbabynikki Jazz for Baby Nikki benefit concert When: 5:30 p.m. Monday Where: 950 Lounge, Handlery Hotel, 950 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley (parking is free) Tickets: $20 donation at the door; $10 for students Phone: (619) 298-0511 Twitter @georgevarga george.varga@sduniontribune.com Arizona sizzles in summer and so do its deals. One of our favorites is exclusive to Union-Tribune Travel Deals readers. Through Sept. 3, The Palomar, a swanky Kimpton hotel in downtown Phoenix, is offering us rooms for two for just $120 a night. Thats even better than the deal it offers Arizona locals. Theres no resort fee, and Wi-Fi is free to members of Kimptons free loyalty program, Karma. Leave the car at home: Self-parking costs $23 per night, but the hotel is steps from Light Rail and just 5 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport plus, the hotel offers free use of bicycles. Rooms are equipped with yoga mats and Bluetooth speakers. Theres an outdoor pool and rooftop bar, which is fast becoming one of downtowns coolest weekend party scenes. Theres a free coffee/tea bar each morning and a hosted wine hour each evening. Book online at www.hotelpalomar-phoenix.com using the rate code SDUT. The newly renovated Aqua Ohia in Waikiki has an exclusive deal for us that makes a summer vacation in Hawaii affordable. Union-Tribune Travel Deals readers get an upgraded room for two starting at $129, plus a $20 daily breakfast credit at the hotels Big Kahuna restaurant. Well get half off the $20 resort fee and well also receive $20 cash back per stay. The hotel is in the heart of Waikiki, two blocks from the beach and steps from the International Market Place where celeb chef Michael Minas culinary wonderland, The Street, opened last month. Most rooms have full kitchens, all have mini fridges, coffee makers and balconies. No need to rent a car; parking costs $25 per day, and readers get free use of the hotels Waikiki Shuttle. Check out the hotel online at www.ohiahotel.com, but to get this deal, youll have to book by phone (808-926-6442) and let them know youre a San Diego Union-Tribune Travel Deals reader. Advertisement Closer to home, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in downtown Riverside has an exclusive deal for Union-Tribune Travel Deals readers. Through August, pay as little as $119 a night for rooms for two, Sundays through Thursdays. Regular rates generally start at $200+ per night. The U-T deal includes free Wi-Fi (a $9.95 per-day value); self-parking costs $16 per night. The historic 238-room inn has five dining venues, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Its Presidential Lounge pays homage to former hotel guests, from Amelia Earhart to Albert Einstein and 10 U.S. presidents. Check out the hotel at www.missioninn.com and book online using the Promo/Corporate code UTSD. Hard to believe, but its still ski season in some spots. Mammoth Mountain is among them. For the rest of the Mammoth ski season (through at least July 4), kids 12 and younger can ski free at the resort. No other purchase necessary; just visit a ticket window to get a free ticket for chairlift access. Warmer temps make it a perfect time to introduce youngsters to the sport: No frigid fingers and toes and no lift lines. For the latest in conditions at Mammoth, go to www.mammothmountain.com/winter/mountain-information. Families headed to London this summer are in for a treat: Kids fly free, round-trip, from Heathrow to Scotland, Northern Ireland and even Denmark. British Airways is offering the freebie (in economy class) for up to two children under 12 who are traveling with a paying adult. Flights must be booked by Oct. 1, but the offer is valid for travel through Oct. 31. The deal applies to round trips from London Heathrow to Belfast, Inverness, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Billund in Denmark. The freebie also applies to round trips taken from those destinations to Heathrow. No seat assignment worries: The airline is automatically seating children with their accompanying adults. Learn more at www.britishairways.com/en-gb/offers/flights/kids-fly-for-free . British Airways offers daily nonstops linking Lindbergh Field and Heathrow. Cruise passengers debarking at the Port of Seattle this summer will be able to check luggage through to the airport and receive an airline boarding pass before leaving their cruise ship. The service is free, aimed at giving cruisers more time to spend money in that city. Some cruise lines offer the service, but usually for a fee. Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Lindbergh Field? The Airport Authority is giving San Diegans a chance to find out. The Authority is offering free two-hour tours of the airport and airfield, including up-close looks at the runway, endangered species areas and public art. Upcoming tours will begin at 10 a.m. on June 9 and 22, July 7 and 27 and Aug. 31. Register online at www.san.org/Service-Facilities/Tours. DaRosa is a freelance travel writer. Prices quoted are subject to change. Restrictions and blackout dates may apply, and all deals are subject to availability. KALISPELL A Montana man accused of pushing another man to his death from a bridge in northwestern Montana has pleaded not guilty to deliberate homicide. 26-year-old Cecil Rice, who entered his plea Thursday, is charged in the April 26 death of 34-year-old Anthony Walthers, whose body was recovered in the Flathead River on Monday. According to court documents, one witness said he followed Walthers as he was swept downstream in "obvious distress" before his head slipped beneath the surface. Investigators say Rice was angry because he believed Walthers had made an inappropriate remark about Rice's girlfriend. Authorities have described all of those involved as transients who were living in the Kalispell area. Under President Barack Obama, the overall budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs increased by 84 percent and yet, this massive increase did not produce better results for veterans who use the VA. Instead, benefit application backlogs, deadly waitlist scandals, and gross mismanagement of resources defined the VA during the Obama administration. While containing a few positive reform items, the recently-proposed VA budget for fiscal year 2018 largely continues this pattern of substantially increasing the VAs funding without much consideration to the changing veteran demographics or real-life implications for veterans who use the VA. Advertisement This budget would also do little to help Secretary David Shulkin achieve his vision of a more efficient, cost-effective VA. Instead, it would take the VA further in the opposite direction. GUEST VOICES: Authoritative views on the military and veterans issues In particular, the following line items in the budget are of concern and should face scrutiny from Congress: An estimated $800 million for construction, despite ongoing problems with the VAs construction programs and a clear lack of oversight. The VA has long struggled to properly manage its major construction programs. Just last year, the VA reported that $26 million is spent on operating and maintaining 370 vacant buildings and 770 underutilized buildings. To make matters worse, a recent Government Accountability Office report found the VA has several deficiencies in their efforts to facilitate realignment with medical facilities and services. If left unaddressed, this will be an even more significant issue as the veteran population continues to decline. $6.5 billion for existing medical facility leases, maintenance, and other costs a $1.2 billion increase from 2017. The proposed budget would increase spending related to medical facility maintenance and operations from $5.3 billion to $6.5 billon even though the VA is sending more patients to private providers and plans to increase its reliance on providers outside of the VAs traditional brick-and-mortar-health care system. As House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman, Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., said during a recent committee hearing, throwing money at a problem rarely makes it go away. With $26 million already being spent on vacant or underutilized buildings, this funding increase for facilities is illogical and only perpetuates reckless spending. Increases in VA staff by nearly 8,000 full-time employees which would make the VA bigger than the active-duty Marine Corps, Air Force or Navy. The VAs proposed budget would add nearly 8,000 additional full-time employees to the VAs payroll many of whom would be administrative staff, not directly supporting medical services. Again, Chairman Roe hit the nail on the head when he expressed his concern that increasing VAs bottom line year after year results in more bureaucracy but seldom results in better service for our veterans. As the VA relies more on private providers for the provision of medical care, this increase in administrative staff adds more red tape and will not improve the clinical needs veterans deserve. Despite the problems with the proposed budget, a few positive aspects of the plan should be acknowledged. Long-term funding for veterans health care choice. While the current Veterans Choice Program is a flawed, temporary program, the VA is currently working on a long-term health care reform plan that will hopefully give veterans true health care choice. It is therefore commendable that the Trump administration recognizes that choice should be a part of any long-term VA reforms and is proposing long-term funding for veterans health care choice. Reforms to the individual unemployability benefit. The proposed budget also proposes reforms to the VAs individual unemployability benefit, which could save taxpayers upwards of $3 billion a year. The individual unemployability benefit was designed to help veterans whose service-connected disabilities prevented them from obtaining gainful employment. However, the number of veterans who receive individual unemployability has exploded in recent years. There are questions about whether the benefit properly incentivizes certain veterans to retrain and seek gainful employment and if it and other disability benefits are truly improving the well-being of disabled veterans. Reforms to this program will allow more funds to be set aside for veterans health care and ensure these benefits programs are running as efficiently as possible. Increased staffing for the Board of Veterans Appeals using existing funds. The disability claims appeals backlog has grown significantly in the past few years leaving some veterans waiting upwards of five years, if not longer, to have their disability claims resolved. This budget would add staff to the BVA using existing funds to help reduce the backlog. These reforms in the 2018 budget proposal should be retained in the budget Congress ultimately puts forward for the VA. However, Congress should not accept the remainder of the proposed budget simply because of these positive reforms. Instead, we recommend that Congress aggressively seek out more savings within the VAs budget especially in its construction, medical facility operations, personnel and medical compliance accounts. Cutting waste and passing systemic reform is what will make the VA more efficient and effective in delivering our veterans the care they have earned. Throwing more money at the current system is not the answer. Dan Caldwell is the director of policy at Concerned Veterans for America. Caldwell is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq. Reach him at dcaldwell@cv4a.org. Guest Voices is always open to new points of view. If you have an opinion to put forth in a column, email us at jen.steele@sduniontribune.com Anita Hill is often asked if she would do it all over again. Would she still come forward with her allegations of sexual harassment by her former boss and Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, if she knew shed be forced to testify before Congress and the world? If she knew how much she would be derided for telling her story. If she knew how much that snapshot in time in 1991 would define her the rest of her life? The answer is yes, I would do it all over again, Hill said emphatically Thursday night, speaking to a room of 800-plus lawyers and judges in San Diego. Advertisement Hill was the keynote speaker at the Lawyers Club of San Diego annual banquet, held in the ballroom of the Marriott Marquis hotel downtown. The club, with some 1,300 members, was founded in the early 1970s to address gender discrimination issues in the legal profession and the community. While the club was founded on the womens movement and works to advance equality, it is open to men. Hill, 60, is a professor of law and policy at Brandeis University in the Boston area. She has built her career on advocating for civil rights, so she was a fitting special guest. The nights theme: Stand up, speak out, take action. Hill was working as a law professor at the University of Oklahoma in 1991 when Thomas was nominated to the highest court in the nation. She went to the FBI, telling agents that he had sexually harassed her when she worked for him at the U.S. Department of Education and later at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The confirmation hearings were done, but the FBI report was leaked to the news media and the hearings were reopened. The all-male Senate Judiciary Committee subpoenaed her to testify, and she said the tone was set that this would be more like a trial, and she was in the hot seat. Her testimony ran for eight hours, and it remains a political moment in time that many Americans remember watching and forming their own opinions on. She described it as political theater. The committee didnt call three other women who alleged similar behavior by Thomas. In the end, the senators largely dismissed her testimony and confirmed Thomas as a justice. Thomas vehemently denied the allegations, calling the hearing a high-tech lynching and a national disgrace. But the rarely talked about issue of sexual harassment was now out in the open. Fortunately we didnt sit back and let the senators have the last word, Hill said. Women shared their stories of harassment, including at work, and more women decided to run for political office or support female candidates. Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell of the California 4th District Court of Appeal recalled the power of Hills testimony. She was at a National Association of Women Judges conference in Chicago in 1991 and watched the hearings in a room with about 20 other female jurists. Although she was a Yale law school honors graduate, nothing could have prepared her for this grueling event, but she was poised, clear and unwavering, McConnell recalled of Hill. And every single judge in the room with me believed her, because every one of us had experienced similar abuse. Hill still likes to ask: What would have happened had the senators taken the issue of sexual harassment seriously? Her answer: Im certain we would be in a better place than we are today. While she never mentioned President Donald Trump by name, she said many feel that some civil rights are being threatened under his administration. The issues that we call equality that we have taken for granted that shouldve been in existence, shouldve been secure since the 1970s, are now being threatened either because people dont care or they think theyre not important, Hill said. In a separate interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune, Hill elaborated on that stance. There is a tendency to read Trumps election as a rejection of the value of women, of people of color, Mexicans, the disabled, Hill said, referring to comments Trump made on the campaign trail last year. She said the overwhelming backlash and uprising in response has shown the public does care about civil rights and civil liberties. The reality check tells us these rights and values we thought were ironclad are somewhat tenuous, Hill said. She encouraged the lawyers in the room to use their special skill set and position in society to become socially engaged and to advocate for equality. We can use our skills to better the conditions of underprivileged citizens, Hill said. Besides teaching, Hill has written books, has recently partnered with artist Mark Bradford to provide context to his work, which explores race, abuse and homophobia, and is beginning a project with a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to promote racial and gender inclusion in engineering. Hill acknowledged this was not the life she imagined for herself. She paraphrased the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American to run for president of a major party in 1972: Ive learned that I was, am and will always be a catalyst for change, Hill said, and I dont think there is any higher calling than that. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis Mexican tycoon Jose Susumo Azano Matsura, convicted of steering about $600,000 in illegal campaign contributions in the 2012 San Diego mayors race, wont get a new trial, a federal judge decided Friday. U.S. District Judge Michael Anello also rejected a batch of post-trial motions filed by Azano and co-defendants Ravneet Singh and Marco Polo Cortes. He is still considering a new trial motion from Azanos son, Edward Susumo Azano Hester, and could rule on that at a hearing Tuesday. The two Azanos and Singh were convicted by a federal jury last summer for conspiracy to make illegal campaign contributions and for making those contributions. The older Azano was convicted of 36 charges, Singh of four charges and the younger Azano of two charges. Advertisement The jury acquitted the younger Azano of six charges and deadlocked on six others. Cortes was acquitted of four charges, but the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on one other. Federal prosecutors charged Jose Azano with orchestrating a scheme to funnel campaign contributions to two mayoral candidates, Democratic Rep. Bob Filner and Republican District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. The money came in the form of straw donations and contributions made to independent committees via either a shell corporation of Azanos or through businesses owned by a La Jolla luxury car dealer who was a friend and associate of Azano. As a foreign national with no legal status in the U.S., Azano was prohibited from participating in domestic elections. Knut Johnson, Azanos lawyer, argued Friday his client was entitled to a new trial because of a series of mistakes and blunders made by attorney Michael Wynne, who represented Azano at the trial. He blamed Wynne for failing to introduce evidence Johnson said would show Azano did not know he was prohibited, as a foreign citizen, from contributing to political campaigns and could have led to his acquittal. He also argued he botched examinations of witnesses and torpedoed Azanos case by his own comments during opening and closing arguments to the jury. But Anello ruled that determining if Wynne had legally blundered would likely require multiple hearings delving into why the lawyer made his decisions. If he was found to be deficient, the court would have to decide if the outcome of the case would have been different, the judge said. Such an inquiry is more appropriate for an appeal, he said. The judge also again turned down a request from Johnson to get information from prosecutors about why former U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy recused herself from the case. Neither Duffy nor prosecutors have disclosed the reason. Johnson had been rebuffed before the trial when he asked for that information. But he argued Friday that text messages exchanged by Duffy and Dumanis before and during the trial which were not introduced at the trial again raised the issue of why the U.S. attorney recused herself. Dumanis, who was identified in FBI reports as a subject of the investigation, testified at the trial. Anello said the recusal information is protected from being turned over by attorney work product and deliberative process privileges. Duffy is now a San Diego Superior Court judge. Dumanis has announced she will resign in July. Azano still faces a charge of illegal possession of a firearm, which prosecutors have said they plan to retry him on. No date has been set for that. Twitter: @gregmoran greg.moran@sduniontribune.com ALSO: Jury finds Azano guilty on 36 counts in foreign money case Some defendants in Azano campaign finance corruption case face FEC inquiry Feds will retry Mexican businessman convicted in campaign financing scandal on gun charge An appeals court panel has chastised San Diego federal judges for allowing nearly all defendants to be restrained in five-point shackles during routine hearings, likening the courts policy to treating inmates like a bear on a chain. In a 6-5 split opinion, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday found the District Courts 2013 shackling policy unconstitutional. The ruling, however, is somewhat moot because the San Diego court no longer has the same restraint policy. The courts current restraint policy was not detailed in the ruling, though many defendants now are chained at the ankles and their hands left free. The topic of how heavily inmates should be shackled in court drew strong responses and sharp words from the majority and dissenting judges. Advertisement The most visible and public manifestation of our criminal justice system is the courtroom. Courtrooms are palaces of justice, imbued with a majesty that reflects the gravity of proceedings designed to deprive a person of liberty or even life, wrote Judge Alex Kozinski in the majority opinion. A member of the public who wanders into a criminal courtroom must immediately perceive that it is a place where justice is administered with due regard to individuals whom the law presumes to be innocent. That perception cannot prevail if defendants are marched in like convicts on a chain gang. Both the defendant and the public have the right to a dignified, inspiring and open court process. Thus, innocent defendants may not be shackled at any point in the courtroom unless there is an individualized showing of need. The dissenting opinion by Judge Sandra S. Ikuta said the majoritys analysis is wrong at every turn. We should not be hearing this case at all, much less using it to announce a sweeping and unfounded new constitutional rule with potentially grave consequences for state and federal courthouses throughout this circuit, Ikuta wrote. The right of a defendant to remain free of shackles in front of a jury unless absolutely necessary has long been rooted in law and was not at issue. Other court proceedings, however, arent as clear cut. The San Diego federal court decided to enact the shackling policy in 2013 after the U.S. Marshals Service cited safety concerns about securing courtrooms because of an increase in the number of cases being heard, understaffing at the agency, an uptick in violence in court and the seizure of handmade weapons in holding cells. U.S. District Chief Judge Barry T. Moskowitz agreed to defer to the marshals on security, allowing the default policy to be the use of five-point restraints leg and arm shackles connected by a belly band during routine hearings, from arraignments to status conferences to bond hearings. The judge said the restraints wouldnt be used during change-of-plea hearings and sentencings unless necessary, and individual judges could overrule the policy in their courtrooms. Federal Defenders of San Diego, which provides public defense for defendants, challenged the policy and sued on behalf of four people charged with crimes such as illegal re-entry, drug importation and misuse of a passport. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit in 2015 found the San Diego judges should have provided better justification for adoption of a policy that is so restrictive and widely applied, but did not ban the policy. The U.S. Attorneys Office asked for an en banc panel, or larger panel of 11 judges, to rehear the case, and oral arguments were heard in September in San Francisco. The majority opinion found that a blanket policy applied to all defendants infuses the courtroom with a prison atmosphere. The Marshals Service should not have proposed it and the judges should not have paid heed. Instead, the court must make individualized decisions on each defendant whether shackles are necessary, the majority panel stated. The dissenting judges responded with an opinion that says their colleagues got it all wrong. Because there is no substantial evidence on this record that the Marshals Service is punishing detainees by restraining them or otherwise imposing conditions of confinement unrelated to the governments legitimate interests, the challenged policy is not an unconstitutional condition of detention, Ikuta wrote. Accordingly, the district courts deference to the Marshals Services recommendation does not violate the pretrial detainees constitutional rights. Ikuta said the ramifications of the majority opinion will reach into courthouses of every size and capacity, yet the majority never once pauses to consider the consequences of its one-size-fits-all security decree. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis ALSO 9th Circuit pans courts shackling policy Appeals court rules for San Diego County in lawsuit over 2013 fatal shooting by sheriffs deputy San Diego concealed weapons case appealed to U.S. Supreme Court Sen. Kamala Harris on Friday said she is frustrated with the pace of the Senate Intelligence Committees investigation into Russian interference in last years presidential election and wants the panel to move faster. We are reviewing binders and binders of documents, and we have a great group of folks who are working on that. But certainly I do become a bit impatient with the case, I do believe we need to pick it up, the California Democrat said in a brief interview outside Naval Air Station North Island. The subject matter is a very serious one, she continued. When we have another country involving itself in the election of our president, that should cause everyone a serious amount of concern, especially when that country has been an adversary. We should all want to get to the answer. Advertisement President Donald Trump said that his campaign did not collude with Russians, and questioned the intent and legitimacy of some of the investigations. He has called one of the inquiries into any such associations a witch hunt and said that any possible interference, including hacking by Russians of Democrats computer files, did not alter the outcome last years election. He has further said that former FBI Director James Comey had told him he is not under criminal investigation. Trump also said that he was thinking of the FBIs investigation into the matter when he decided to fire Comey last month. Harris, a career prosecutor and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said she is satisfied with other aspects of the investigation, including staff and resources needed to conduct it. The panel is issuing subpoenas to compel the answers to the questions members have. Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and friend and personal lawyer Michael Cohen have been subpoenaed. Harris remarks were made as Comey prepares to testify before the Intelligence Committee next week. He is expected to discuss the investigation into Russian involvement in last years election, any possible associations that country or its operatives had with Trumps campaign, and reports that the president tried to interfere with the law enforcement agencys inquiry. He is expected to testify in open session before meeting with committee members behind closed doors. After Comey was fired, the Justice Department appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel to oversee the Russia investigation in an attempt to isolate the people conducting the probe from political interference. Harris said she plans to press Comey on matters that have emerged since the last time he testified before Congress. Ive got a lot of questions to follow up on that last conversation, including whether he was told, in any way, to manipulate the investigation, she said. She said she also wants to determine if Comey believes the FBIs investigation has proceeded in the right speed and manner, and if he has any information he can share with committee members that would assist with their own investigation. Harris did not say whether the committees investigation was expanding or contracting, nor did she speculate if any charges are likely based on the information and evidence she has seen. I wont jump to any conclusions, she said. It was the freshman senators first trip to San Diego since she was sworn into office, and her schedule included a tour of the Naval Special Warfare Training Center to learn about the SEALs and a reconnaissance team, and a tour of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. Also, she was to be briefed on the Navys 3rd Fleet, whose reach extends to the Eastern and Northern Pacific and Arctic. Harris said she also will meet with SEALs who are mourning Special Warfare Operator Remington Peters, who died last week during a jump as a member the Leap Frogs skydiving team. Twitter: @jptstewart joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1841 A possible grenade was found at the downtown Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center, prompting police to close streets and evacuate buildings in a two-block radius Friday until the object was found to be not dangerous. Urban Discovery Academy nearby locked down during the incident. A construction site and auto shop were evacuated. Someone at the Salvation Army center called police about 10:05 a.m. to report finding what might be a grenade on the property at E and 14th streets. Advertisement Officers confirmed that the object appeared suspicious and potentially dangerous, and the building was evacuated. The Fire Department bomb squad was sent in and found the object inside a can, a fire spokeswoman said. A police command post was set up at Ninth Avenue and Broadway about 10:45 a.m. Officers blocked off roads from Broadway and F Street and 13th to 14th streets. San Diego police headquarters, at 14th and Broadway, did not evacuate. The bomb technicians X-rayed the can about 11:15 a.m. and found that it was not a threat, a fire official said. The all-clear was given and roads were being re-opened about 11:30 a.m. MISSOULA Just 30 percent of the employees offered early retirement buyouts at the University of Montana expressed interest in the deal, according to a UM spokeswoman. UM would save less money than higher education officials had hoped, but President Sheila Stearns said Thursday the buyouts remain a good deal for the university and are just one step in a process that is evolving. "I'm very pleased at this initial step," Stearns said. In order to reduce its budget and personnel costs, UM offered 48 employees a deferred payment of half their annual salary to retire this July. UM communications director Paula Short said 14 faculty members expressed interest in the deal. The faculty members have 45 days to consider a formal agreement and seven days to revoke a signed contract. This year, the Montana Legislature reserved $2 million to help UM's budget, which has been in financial straits due to an enrollment decline and ensuing financial trouble. A state higher education official said earlier that if all 48 people accepted buyouts, UM eventually would save $4 million a year from the $2 million payout. Short said that if each of the 14 faculty members do move ahead with contracts, the termination cost would be "just under $1 million," and UM would save $1.5 million a year starting in the 2019 fiscal year. Last week at the Montana Board of Regents, a faculty leader from Montana State University-Billings suggested that if UM did not use all the termination money, other campuses with tight budgets also could make use of the funds since it was officially set aside for the Montana University System. However, Stearns said UM still has plans for the funds and aims to use them in conjunction with the outcome of its effort to set priorities for programs on campus. "We wanted to reserve utilization of some of the funds for the transition," Stearns said. She said a future incentive program could be structured differently in response to campus priorities. She said UM had not discussed using termination money to pay severance costs, but she did believe the money could help speed up attrition. "I see it as a really positive process continuing on a pretty voluntary basis," she said. Stearns said she is optimistic about UM's plan to set priorities for programs as well. She said people on the committee are hard at work on the details and the process gives a voice to the people affected. "It won't be easy, and it won't be without its bumps, of course. But I think it's off and running," Stearns said. The result will be a clear idea of where UM should put its resources, she said. She said the termination pay offers UM flexibility in how it moves forward subsequently over the next two or three years. "It will enable us to make reinvestments in all the strong, and stronger, and strongest programs," Stearns said. Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian and other state higher education officials have stressed that UM needs to set priorities for how it spends its money and on what programs. As recently as last week's meeting of the Montana Board of Regents, Christian said it's important for campuses not only to identify programs that are priorities, but the ones that are not. Police had Interstate 15 closed in Barrio Logan for two hours Friday until they talked a possibly suicidal man with a knife into surrendering. Motorists trying to go north or south on I-15 were diverted to Interstate 5 and Main Street running under the freeway also was closed. The incident began about 10:18 a.m. when motorists called 911 to report a man with a knife along the freeway. Some saw the man wearing a flannel shirt and others saw him shirtless, California Highway Patrol Officer Mary Bailey said. Advertisement At one point he had one leg over the edge of the freeway, Bailey said. CHP officers blocked freeway lanes near the man and San Diego police emergency negotiators were called in to try to get the man to surrender. At times the man stepped sideways along the outside edge of the freeway. Negotiators succeeded in talking him into going with them peacefully about 12:35 p.m., police said. A robber in a fishermans hat made threats as he stole cash from an Ocean Beach restaurant Friday, San Diego police said. The robber hit Daybreak Island Restaurant at the corner of Bacon Street and West Point Loma Boulevard about 12:30 p.m. His method was one more commonly used at a bank holdup: He handed over demand note and threatened to shoot the clerk, police said. Advertisement The clerk gave him cash from the register, and he left. He was described as Latino or Asian, in his 30s, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, thin, and clean-shaven. He wore a blue fishermans hat, a long-sleeved red shirt and shorts. California moved a step closer Thursday to becoming a sanctuary state where local and state police would not assist federal enforcement of marijuana laws. The state Assembly approved a bill Thursday barring state and local law enforcement officers, absent a court order, from helping federal drug agents in arresting people who are complying with state laws allowing the use and sale of marijuana. With a Friday deadline for action, the measure by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) was sent to the state Senate for consideration. Advertisement The lawmaker argued his legislation was needed because the Trump administration had threatened to resume enforcement of federal law that considered marijuana an illegal drug. In November, California voters legalized the sale and use of recreational marijuana by approving Proposition 64, two decades after medical use was approved by state voters. The state plans to begin issuing licenses to grow, transport and sell marijuana in January. AB 1578 ensures that our limited local and state resources are not spent on federal marijuana enforcement against individuals and entities that are in compliance with our laws, Jones-Sawyer said during the floor debate. With law enforcement opposed to the bill, the measure faced long odds and only achieved the bare majority 41-32 vote late Thursday night. Also against the idea were Republican lawmakers, who said it would hamper the working relationship between California police officers and federal drug agents who might discover illegal activity involving marijuana sales even in a legal market. It would interfere with local and state agencies ability to cooperate with the federal government, said Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City). This is bad policy. Assemblyman Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) said the Jones-Sawyer bill was similar to sanctuary-state legislation that would prohibit local law enforcement agencies from helping federal immigration agents arrest and detain people in the country illegally. This is insanity, Allen told his colleagues. This is a complete violation of federal law. The hubris of California Democrats believing they can flout federal law on immigration and drug policy is beyond words. He said local law enforcement would be put in harms way if there was no cooperation with federal drug enforcement officers. Jones-Sawyer said he was open to revising the bill language to make it clear he wanted to allow cooperation between locals and federal agents in cases where state and federal marijuana laws were being violated. He said there were about 1,400 illegal marijuana businesses operating in Los Angeles that he wanted shut down. Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Alameda), who co-wrote the bill, said the measure would reassure those who complied with Californias cannabis laws that they would not get in trouble. People who are compliant with California law and operate within the legal cannabis market should not have to fear that a state or local agency will participate in efforts to punish or incarcerate them for activity that the state and its voters have deemed legal, Bonta said. The Assembly on Thursday also approved a separate bill that merges rules from the medical marijuana laws with those from Proposition 64. That bill, which also now goes to the Senate for consideration, allows medical cannabis facilities that are for-profit, bans pot billboards on interstate and state highways, requires state licenses after officials determine recreational-use businesses comply with local ordinances, and provides $3 million to the California Highway Patrol for developing drugged-driving enforcement plans. patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com Twitter: @mcgreevy99 ALSO Trump administration signals a possible crackdown on states over marijuana Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom asks Trump for cooperation with California on marijuana regulation Cities and counties tell legislators theyre struggling to keep up with the legalized marijuana industry More than half the positions on the City of San Diegos 41 advisory boards are either vacant or filled by members serving on expired terms, limiting the public participation in government decisions, according to a new audit. The report, released Thursday by City Auditor Eduardo Luna, reviewed the citys management of its citizen advisory boards. The boards when they are managed effectively allow citizens to advise the city on important civic issues such as police, libraries, parks, community relations, affordable housing and community development funding. But the city isnt managing its 30 active boards as well as it could, and failures have led to problems including reduced transparency and public participation in local government, Luna found. Advertisement For example, in most cases, the boards cant legally meet unless members for a majority of positions regardless of vacancies are present, the report said. When boards have empty seats, its hard or even impossible for them to meet regularly. The Consolidated Plan Advisory Board, which advises the city on how to spend grant money for affordable housing and economic development, had three vacancies last year, according to the report. There werent enough members present for five of its 12 meetings. The City Council can appoint members to positions that have been vacant or expired for more than 45 days, but it typically leaves the job to the Mayors Office, auditors found. A single mayoral staff member is responsible for identifying candidates for more than 200 positions. Auditors made 11 recommendations to improve the citys management and oversight of advisory boards, including suggestions to streamline the appointment process, better educate board members on open meeting laws and monitor performance for maximum effectiveness. City officials agreed to all the recommendations and agreed to make the changes by years end. Previous audits morgan.cook@sduniontribune.com Officials are looking for whoever threw 15 hedgehogs into an Ocean Beach trash can and left the tiny animals to die. Hedgehogs are very shy, timid creatures and for someone to tie them up in trash bags and throw them away is unconscionable, said County Animal Services Director Dan DeSousa. We need the public to step up and say that this is completely wrong and to help us identify the owner. The department received a call about 10:15 a.m. on Thursday from a person who found the animals in the receptacle on Voltaire Street near Froude Street. Advertisement When an animal control officer arrived, he found several of the hedgehogs loose in the can and then he noticed that a tied trash bag was moving. Inside that bag he found more of the animals, five of which were dead. A sixth was euthanized at a shelter because it was suffering, DeSousa said. The surviving animals are being cared for at a shelter until they can be transferred to out-of-state facilities for adoption in places where it is legal to own them. DeSousa said officials will work with organizations who have permits to deal with the animals. DeSousa said that while hedgehogs are illegal in California, they can still be found for sale on sites like Craigslist. We cannot thank enough the person that called us, as these animals would have either died of suffocation or we shudder at what would have happened when the trash can was finally picked up by the trash company, DeSousa said. A $3,000 reward had been offered by San Diego Animal Advocates for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. That person could face anything from misdemeanor abandonment charges to felony animal cruelty charges which could mean three years in jail, a $20,000 fine or some combination of both. Anyone with information is asked to call the animal services department at (619) 767-2740. 619-293-1710 debbi.baker@sduniontribune.com twitter.com/Debbi_Baker Lightly edited comments from our online coverage. Regarding Issa appears on rooftop as hundreds protest outside his Vista office (May 30): Hang in there Darrell Issa. The fact that the snowflakes are out there says you are doing a good job. Lasertop Advertisement Joined April 20, 2016 Trying to take health insurance away from the poor, sick and elderly is not doing a good job. stephenGil Joined March 4, 2017 Regarding ACLU says Vistas rules on anti-Issa protesters are unconstitutional (June 1): Cowardly Issa is just a little snowflake. He is too fragile to face the voters who have had enough of his Trump worship, so he gets the City of Vista to try to keep voters away from him. Matt Joined Jan. 29, 2017 Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Hell face a group of voters who behave responsibly, but not a vicious mob whose intentions are to incite violence and obstruct other tenants of the building. The rules set in place by the City of Vista are no different than those set in place by all of the liberal snowflakes who cancel conservative speakers at campuses and other locations. Wheres the ACLU when that happens? Memo23 Joined April 30, 2016 The permit restrictions were based on public safety and civility. They have nothing to do with restricting anyones rights. Steve Swyn Joined April 18, 2016 And dont forget, Darrell Issa is so scared he sent out postcards with a code on them allowing only certain people to preregister to get into his town hall! I guess hes kind of afraid of allowing all of his constituents equal opportunity to join his town hall. I cant figure out why! Political Irony May 3, 2016 Regarding Are millennials abandoning fishing? (May 26): If millennials are abandoning fishing, I think its likely because theres no electronic communication or video device associated with it. Some fishing reel company should develop a reel with a built in device attached to the reel. Fishbook. Werock51 Joined Sept. 12, 2016 Regarding San Diego home prices outpaced nation, state in March (May 30): All that Baby Boomer money (life insurance proceeds, trust funds, etc.) is now being passed down and all that money will keep this market climbing. When young families are coming in with huge down payment or paying cash for new homes, it doesnt matter what rates do. BigTsunami Joined April 20, 2016 Get rid of Proposition 13 and you will see a flood of inventory come on line and prices will adjust to the true cost of ownership. Cities will have incentives to allow building again because they wont be stuck will a low amount of property taxes and underutilized property will be rehabilitated because the cost of ownership will have gone up. Right now there is no incentive for current home owners to allow more building because that just makes their property more valuable and they have locked in their costs, so you will never have the amount of building needed under current law. SoCalBaker Joined April 20, 2016 Regarding Horton Plaza: Homeless Plaza? (May 28): We do a tremendous outreach to the homeless in San Diego at our church. It is our signature effort for us for more than 50 years. Ive donated my time, money, and volunteered many afternoons cooking their Sunday dinners. Out of the 150-plus homeless we have served in the last five years, perhaps one turns his life around. One man we actually hired to do maintenance, our big success story. He worked six months, claimed a back injury then proceeded to sue our church for workmans compensation. After that incident, I realized that there is huge non-conformist attitude within the homeless community. In some small way, I appreciate the fact they want to fend for themselves. However, it has mushroomed into a severe problem in our downtown area. bunnybun92103 Joined April 15, 2017 Regarding Living in downtown San Diego with a balcony for $525 a month (May 31): Its expensive to build or buy anything in downtown San Diego, so comparing the cost to build to the price of an average apartment in the whole county is not relevant. So why put low-income housing downtown? Because having a mix of income levels makes for a better city in so many ways. There are thousands of lower-wage jobs downtown, in hotels, retail, restaurants, etc. If those workers have an option to live downtown they are not commuting from Temecula or Tijuana and adding to traffic and smog. And I hear constant complaints about homeless on the downtown streets. This provides a place for 51 of those people to get off the streets, into whatever treatment or support they need to stabilize their lives services that are often centralized downtown. Do we really want a city that is strictly for the very wealthy? We need more places for people to live at every income level, and this building is only a drop in the bucket but you have to start somewhere. elizabeth26 Joined Jan. 21, 2017 Pay your taxes and keep quiet. Big guv know best how to spend your tax dollars. Hahahahaha. federal_license Joined April 29, 2016 Regarding Pot festival would be better than horse racing (June 1): Totally agree. Horse racing needs to stop. Guest12345678910 Joined March 6, 2017 Clearly, someone doesnt understand the terrible dangers marijuana presents. I urge you to watch a documentary called Reefer Madness to get set straight! John Oliver1 Joined May 19, 2016 Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. The 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation has recently awarded $32,000 in grants to support youth development. The 10th annual grants presentation ceremony was held on May 25 at the Ranch House in Del Sur. This years presentation brings the total amount awarded by the foundation for community endeavors to $274,000. Five recipients were selected for their projects designed to enrich the 4S Ranch and Del Sur youth communities and foster their growth to become informed and well-prepared citizens, officials said. The recipients and their grants were: The Zoological Society of San Diego received $9,000 for its outdoor education program, Citizen Science Goes Big. The grant will be used to expand the program that educates middle school students on citizen science and brings science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning to wildlife research and exploration, officials said. Through the grant, 120 students from Oak Valley Middle School and Design 39 Campus will learn how to review data from wildlife researchers in Africa and Asia. They will also participate in field trips to the Elfin Forest to perform data collection and analyze local wildlife. The money will support classroom instruction, field trips, transportation, activities and supplies, according to the grant application. The Junior Achievement of San Diego County received $7,500 for its financial literacy programming. The grant will help more than 250 students at Del Norte High School and Oak Valley Middle School learn financial literacy. At the middle school level, students are to learn the importance of budgeting, saving and using credit at all stages of life, according to the grant application. High school students are to learn about future financial security and the link between education, career and finances. Oak Valley Middle School Music Boosters received $7,000 for its Play it Forward! program. The money will go toward providing new instruments for the campus music program. The instruments are expected to be used for more than 20 years and will benefit Oak Valleys band, orchestra and choir, according to the grant application. SOLE Effects received $5,500 for the 4S Ranch and Del Sur SWITCH Experience. The money will go toward giving more than 200 students an opportunity to go through the program, which focuses on growing leaders through influential role models. According to the application, Del Norte High freshmen will speak with college-age mentors during in-school sessions that address many common teen challenges, such as depression, substance abuse, bullying and overuse of technology. The goal is to guide students in finding their passion, purpose and help them build leadership skills. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego received $3,000 for its Junior Leaders Civic Engagement & STEM Project. The grant will be used to establish a leadership program at the 4S Ranch Boys & Girls Club plus support the clubs STEM initiative that will serve around 30 students, per the application. Through two three-month training sessions, a leadership camp and community service projects, youth participants will build their confidence and develop core skills in various STEM fields. Email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com Time is running out for Inland Corridor residents to offer comments on a proposed natural gas line project that could add 47 miles of pipeline less than four feet below city streets. The California Public Utilities Commission is giving residents until June 12 to weigh in on San Diego Gas & Electrics proposed Pipeline Safety and Reliability Project. Roger and Setsuko Ferm are speaking up. The Poway couple recently attended a commission-sponsored meeting in Escondido to get more information and share their initial thoughts. The purpose of the May 24 meeting was to ask residents what concerns they would like the commission to study before the proposal moves forward for possible approval. Once the study, also known as an environmental impact review, is complete, it will again be put forth for public review before the commission decides to approve or deny the project. If approved later this year, the pipeline would be constructed starting next year with the goal of being put into service by 2020, according to SDG&E. Well, one thing Id really like to know is if the thing is going to take up to two years, like they say, and its going to be on Pomerado Road, what are they going to be doing? asked Roger Ferm. I dont imagine theyre going to shut it down the whole time but what are they going to do? Id like to know. Safety is the No. 1 concern for Ferms wife, Setsuko, because she has grown children and a close friend who all live along Pomerado Road. I just want to know whats going on, she said. Now that I know its not a done deal, I can breathe. I was really worried when I first heard (about the proposal) on the news. According to SDG&Es proposal, the new pipeline would measure 36 inches in diameter and be buried 42 inches below mostly existing streets. It would be built to replace an aging 16-inch pipeline that was built in the same area in 1949, when the population and its energy demands were much less. The pipeline would run down Pomerado Road through Rancho Bernardo and Poway. If SDG&E was not to get approval for a new pipeline, the utility would be required by the state to conduct pressure testing on the aging line or reduce the amount of pressure that currently flows through it. The mandated testing comes in the wake of a natural gas line explosion that occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2010. Eight people were killed and 38 homes were destroyed when a high-risk Pacific Gas & Electric Company line exploded in the city of San Bruno. SDG&Es top priority is safety and the proposal is about that, said Jennifer Ramp, a spokeswoman for the utility. As far as the pressure test goes, we believe if we were to do that, we would still be left with an old pipe We think a modern, state-of-the-art pipeline, such as the one we are proposing, is the best option for the region. Though there are several alternative routes still up for debate, SDG&Es first choice would be to route the pipeline from Rainbow to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar via primarily existing streets, including Pomerado Road. Among the neighborhoods that would be on SDG&Es preferred route are Escondido, Poway and Scripps Ranch. Residents interested in leaving comments with the CPUC about the proposed pipeline can visit https://sandiegopipeline-psrp.com. Through the website, residents may also sign up for a mailing list to receive updates as the proposal moves forward in the review process. Email: editor@pomeradonews.com UPDATES: Poway Mayor Steve Vaus on Tuesday night will ask the City Council to oppose the construction of the new pipeline along Pomerado Road in Poway and to urge the relocation of the proposed route to another route, such as along the I-15 freeway. Meanwhile, both the Rancho Bernardo Planning Board and Community Council are asking the PUC to address a long list of project concerns in the upcoming environmental review. BOX OFFICE LEADERS Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell no Tales PG-13 In this 5th installment, Captain Jack takes his men on a search for Poseidons trident Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 PG13 The team ventures to discover the mystery of Peter Quills true origins in the boundaries of the galaxy. Baywatch R A criminal enterprise threatens the future of their Bay, but Mitch, his team of lifeguards, and a new recruit will ultimately save the day. Alien: Covenant R Ridley Scott returns with an alien adventure as the colony ship discovers a remote planet touted to be a virtual paradise. Everything, Everything PG13 In this romantic drama, a teen breaks from her sheltered life when she falls madly in love with the boy next door. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul PG In this 4th installment, the Heffley family ventures on a road trip to Meemaws b-day with a side trip. Snatched R Jilted by her boyfriend, a young woman convinces her mother to join her on a trip to paradise that turns out to be a survival nightmare. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword PG13 Young King Arthur becomes the king of Camelot after pulling a magic sword from the legendary stone. The Boss Baby PG A suitcase wielding baby arrives to an expectant family, and the 7-year old brother soon recognizes a sinister plot starting to unfold. Beauty and the Beast PG Disney brings the classic love affair of a beautiful woman and a hideous prince to the screen with this live action musical. Fate of the Furious PG13 While Dom and Letty are honeymooning, a mysterious woman woos Dom back into a crime ring and challenges the gang. ***ALSO PLAYING IN THEATERS*** Born in China, Buena Vista Social Club: Adios, The Circle, Colossal, A Dark Song, Dear Other Self, Elian, Get Out, Gifted, Hindi Medium, How to Be a Latin Lover, The Lost City of Z, The Lovers, Lowriders, Norman, Paris Can Wait, A Quiet Passion, Radha, Sachin: A Billion Dreams, Slack Bay, 29 + 1, The Wall, The Wedding Plan, Your Name, The Zookeepers Wife Coming to theaters June 2 Captain Underpants PG George and Harold play the ultimate prank at their school by hypnotizing the principal into believing hes Capt. Underpants. Stars: Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Nick Kroll, Thomas Middleditch. Directed by David Soren. Wonder Woman PG-13 Diana, Princess of the Amazons, learns of evil outside of her world and becomes a crusading crime fighter, Wonder Woman. Stars: Gal Gadot, David Thewlis, Robin Wright, Chris Pine. Directed by Patty Jenkins. Coming Soon: Dean, 3 Idiotas, Past Life, Band Aid, The Mummy, Vincent and Roxxy, Megan Leavey, It Comes at Night, The Hero, Beatriz at Dinner, Rough Night, My Cousin Rachel, Cars 3, 47 Meters Down, All Eyez on Me, The Book of Henry, Maudie, I Daniel Blake, The Journey, The Big Sick, Transformer: The Last Knight, The Bad Batch, The Beguiled, Despicable Me 3, The House, Baby Driver, Amityville: The Awakening, 13 Minutes, The Little Hours, The B-Side: Elfa Dorfmans Portrait Photography. New on DVD May 30 The Shack PG13 A mans life spirals into despair through a family tragedy, but there is hope when he is summoned to meet God in a remote shack. Fist Fight R A mild-mannered English teacher is having a terrible day along with upsetting a bully teacher who challenges him to an afterschool fight. Before I Fall PG13 A beautiful young woman with a perfect life experiences her impending death and discovers how she may lose all that she has. Collide PG13 A young man needs money for his girlfriends medical situation but hiring on as a driver to an eccentric drug dealer is not the best idea. Foreign, Classics, Documentaries: The Blackcoats Daughter, Hotel Inferno, Captain Harlock: Arcadia of My Youth, Staying Vertical, The Sheik, Son of the Sheik, Tough Guys, Iron Master, One Two Three, Rupture, Slaughterhouse Rock, Code of a Killer, Pelle the Conqueror, Thats Outrageous, Interrogation, Dark Harvest. Television: Major Crimes s5, Queen Sugar s1, Suits s6, The Last Kingdom s2. Mystery Science Theatre XXXV. Guy Hanford retired after a 39-year teaching career in Ramona. ASSUMPTION Nearly half a century after he was shot down and killed during the Vietnam War, Air Force Capt. Joe Smith is returning to his Assumption hometown. The remains of the 25-year-old fighter pilot were recovered recently from the countryside of Kampong Thum Province in Cambodia by search teams from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which searches the world for missing American veterans. He will be given a full military funeral, the date yet to be set. Smith's remains, still with the wreckage of his F-100 Super Sabre jet, which was shot down on April 4, 1971, were positively identified using DNA analysis and other techniques in May. Word has spread fast in his hometown where the handsome Assumption High School class president of 1963 is fondly recalled as an American hero. Oh, he was just a really, really nice guy, said Susan Banning, a classmate of Smith's. Banning's said her own pilot father's love of small planes and flying had helped hook Smith on the thrill of flight as a boy. But when war came, her father feared for the bright and polite young man the boy had grown into. My dad begged him not to go, but he went willingly, Banning said. My father said, 'Joe, your dad is deceased, your mother is alone and you've got all this education and you are an only child; you don't have to do this.' Smith, who earned bachelor's and master's degrees in business at University of Notre Dame and Washington University, respectively, left no children and had been married for just less than a year when he was killed. He was a first lieutenant and posthumously promoted to captain. His mother, Jean, died in 1994. Banning recalled how she never quite lost the hope her son might come back to her alive. The pilot's Decatur-born widow, Elaine Mills, has since remarried and now lives in Peoria. She could not be reached for this story but is coordinating with the military on her former husband's funeral arrangements. Mills has also worked hard to keep Smith's memory alive, and contributed photographs, articles, medals and memorabilia now on display at the Assumption Historical Society. In a letter she wrote after finding out that Smith was to be honored in his posthumous absence at his 50th high school class reunion in 2013, she said: Thanks to the Alumni Committee for choosing to honor Joe ... If life had gone in a different direction he would have been there (at the reunion) with bells on. He loved his hometown and his high school days. Mills also wrote that she has a daughter who is a captain in the Air Force and she had honored Smith's memory with a display of memorabilia about him at her squadron officers' school. He was a wonderful man and lived a short, but good, life, Mills said of her late husband. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency had used DNA from an 87-year-old cousin of Smith's as part of the identification process. He is a priest who serves as the chaplain of the St. Teresa Motherhouse of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm convent in Germantown, New York. The prioress, Sister Francis Patrick, has become familiar with Smith's story through acting as the phone liaison for the priest, who is hard of hearing and did not want to be identified. Patrick said the story of the pilot's found remains is quite amazing. She was so moved by it, she added a note about the identification to an online ancestry site that carried Smith's obituary. I probably should not have done that, but it was just such exciting news, she added. It's wonderful that he is going home. Hope for Smith had faded fast after he was shot down, and a memorial service was held for him in Assumption on April 17, 1971, with three military aircraft flying over St. Mary's Catholic Church in salute. The grave with its gray marble marker is neatly kept, adorned with silk flowers left by old friends who remember. He's a local hero, and since he has no family here, people just come out and leave flowers, said the Rev. Charles Banning, Susan Banning's husband. It's just something that they do. Grave site or not, however, as far as the military records were concerned, Smith remained on the missing list until his remains were found and identified, according to Army Sgt. 1st. Class Kristen Duus, a spokeswoman for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. He had always been listed as missing in action, she said. Reports of exactly how he came to be shot down are sketchy. Duus said Smith had been on a combat mission with other aircraft and attacking a ground target when he was hit. He was making a pass over a target on a combat mission and vapor was seen coming out of the left wing of his aircraft which ended up crashing, she said. Other pilots on the same mission did not see him eject from his aircraft and no beepers were ever heard. The beepers provide electronic notification a pilot has ejected and help locate them, she said. The next day, pilots did an aerial search and did notice aircraft wreckage ... but because it was wartime and there was intense enemy activity, they could not attempt a recovery operation. Investigative teams from the military have made multiple treks to the remote area since 1996 and finally, in February 2016, they were able to excavate the remains that were recently identified as belonging to Smith. For Norman Bethard, commnader of Veterans of Foreign Wars Tacusah Post 6577 in Assumption, knowing Smith is on his his way home is proof positive of the military's tradition of not leaving anyone behind. They never stop looking, he said. Bethard and his wife, Jerri, active in the post auxiliary, believe it's worth every dime it costs to repatriate all the missing veterans who yet lie in some corner of a foreign field waiting for America to find them. They died for us, said Jerri Bethard. And so, by God, the least we can do is bring them home and pay our respects. Every weekday at lunchtime, Ramona Senior Center is filled with enticing aromas as a staff of three, led by Lora Cicalo, busily prepare food in the kitchen. Cicalo, head cook and a Ramona resident, has been working in the senior center kitchen for 17 years and said working in the kitchen is like being at home and every day she looks forward to her job. I love it. Its like my second family, she said. Cicalo, her assistant cook, and a kitchen aide start at 6 a.m. each day to prepare meals for the homebound. The Ramona Meals on Wheels has three drivers who deliver meals to nine zip codes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. By 9 a.m., Cicalo said they have prepared 140 meals for the homebound. After that we clean up and start all over and we cook for the congregate that can come in and eat here. Senior center lunches start at 11:30 a.m. weekdays, except for holidays. The suggested donation for seniors is $5. The whole program is based on suggested donations. We dont turn anyone away, said Cicalo. Cooking was not always Cicalos forte. The job in the kitchen sort of fell in her lap. Honestly, I didnt have a background with cooking, she admitted. I really didnt. Cicalo was living in San Diego and decided to move to Ramona when her brother and sister did. Born and raised in the Clairemont/Pacific Beach area, Cicalo said, For me, Ramona was light years away. After the move, she had a difficult time finding a job. I came here (senior center) one day and I did some volunteer work here, said Cicalo. About five months later she received a call from the senior center, was commended on the way she worked, and offered a full-time job as assistant cook. She was thrilled to receive the job. Emphasizing her previous lack of culinary skills at home, Cicalo humorously commented, Its really strange because my whole family goes who would have thought youd end up cooking for a living. I call that on-the-job training. Around 2003, she was offered a promotion. And when they offered me the cook job, I was very, very nervous, recalled Cicalo. It was a big responsibility to jump into. You know, youre running the whole show back there. As head cook, Cicalo isnt only tasked with preparing the food; she has certain county and state guidelines to follow for the senior center. That includes watching the amount of sodium, including certain amounts of vitamins C and A, and adding milk, starches, and whole grains. Each month she submits the menu to the countys Aging and Independent Services representative for approval. Theres a lot that goes into it, she said, adding, We pretty much have set meals that they like. Meatloaf is the favorite, she noted. When Cicalo makes beef stew she has to itemize all the ingredients. Over the years some seniors have brought in recipes, but the challenge for the head cook is to see if she can take the six-serving recipe and turn it into 240 servings. One new entree, suggested by a senior, is a ravioli bake, said Cicalo, who also makes one of her family recipes a chicken broccoli casserole. Cicalo, who enjoys living in Ramona, recruits her husband, Lane Yule, and family members to help with senior center fundraisers such as the annual Rib Fest. And, what do her sons, now age 22 and 14, think of their mothers meal preparation at home? They noticed a difference, Cicalo chuckled. Mom learned how to cook. After years of wars, sanctions and drought, farmer Qais Nima Khamis says its time to save the dates - and bring back Iraqs long-regaled fruit palm industry, which once led the world market. Khamis, whose family has been growing the fruit since 1880, is growing hundreds of more date trees this year, aiming to double his grove to up to 1,500 palms. The government is taking its own action to revive Iraqs lost golden age of dates, supporting farmers with loans and launching nurseries. Its just a start, said the 40-year-old Khamis, but Iraq is now open to all the world, the government started some steps and that has brought some hope. Advertisement During its heyday, in the 1950s and 1960s, Iraq was the worlds No. 1 date producer and exporter and boasted 32 million date palms, more than any other nation in the world. At that time, Iraq produced about 1 million tons of dates annually, said Kamil Mikhlif al-Dulaimi, head of the Agriculture Ministrys Date Palm Board. But by 2003, there were only half that number of trees and production fell to 200,000 tons. The southern province of Basra was the worst hit by the slump, with only about a quarter of the 12 million date trees it once had. That prompts only deep sadness, al-Dulaimai said in an interview. Its not just an economic issue of getting a bigger slice of a date export market that nets big producers like Iran and Pakistan millions of dollars a year. Being renowned for dates is also a point of pride. Like all Muslims, Iraqis honor the date palm as a blessed plant. It is mentioned many times in the holy book of Quran which, at one point, states that Mary gave birth to Jesus under a palm tree and she ate its fruit to ease the pain of childbirth. And the prophet Mohammed stressed the benefits of dates as a medicine for several human diseases. A date is the traditional way for Muslims around the world to break their daily sunrise to sunset fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Now, with the worst years of violence following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion over and oil revenues bubbling on the horizon, Iraq has focused on the date industry as one of several sectors - including oil, agriculture and infrastructure - it wants to develop. The government has begun supporting date farmers with soft loans to plant new orchards and subsidized fertilizers and insecticides. It established the Date Palm Board in 2005 with a mission to more than double to number of trees nationwide to 40 million by 2021. The board has built 30 nurseries around the country to produce new varieties and it has launched programs to rehabilitate old orchards and build processing and storage facilities. It is aiming to develop tree varieties that produce fruit in two years rather than the four or five it usually takes. The push has brought some progress. The number of trees has risen to 21 million trees, producing 420,000 tons last year, al-Dulaimi said. This is a major leap forward, al-Dulaimi said proudly. We are reaping the fruits of these efforts. Marhon Abid Falih, a date farmer south of Basra, would like to reap some of those profits. But hes not sure the government can help. Iraqs chronic problems over the decades - lacking of water, electricity, fuel, and storage - have forced many farmers to abandon cultivation and find another jobs like in the army or police. In 2002, Falihs orchard in the Abu al-Khasib area south of Basra boasted as many as 200 date palm trees. He grew fruits and vegetables in their shade, and hired dozens of workers to help him during harvest. The farm made enough money to meet all his familys daily needs. But a year later, his farm was hit by drought and its soil grew bitter. Only about 50 trees survived. There is no motive to cultivate anymore, said Falih, 52. Its not a matter of planting new trees or taking loans, he said. There is no a longer benefit from agriculture because of the salinity and dearth of water. All attempts are in vain. We will look for another work and come back only when there is water. DECATUR The man a Decatur police officer shot during a chase had a loaded 9 mm handgun at the time, Decatur law enforcement said Thursday. Police identified the man as Donald L. Redmon, 33, of Decatur, and the officer as Detective Jeffrey Hockaday. Redmon was wounded in the lower back during a chase following a traffic stop in the 800 block of South Webster Street on Wednesday afternoon, police said. Hockaday fired three times, ending the perceived threat, Deputy Chief Jason Walker said in a statement. Hockaday has worked for the police department for 17 years. Decatur police have said they are not discussing the incident because the shooting is the subject of an independent investigation by the Illinois State Police to determine if it was justified. Redmon, who police said was a passenger in the vehicle, as of Thursday was recovering at HSHS St. Marys Hospital. Walker previously said he underwent surgery. Police arrested 29-year-old Dallas C. Vorties, of Decatur, the driver of the car, on a preliminary charge of armed violence. Police also found cocaine in the vehicle, according to an affidavit obtained by the Herald & Review on Thursday. Bond for Vorties was set at $200,000. The Macon County State's Attorney's Office is reviewing the case. It was not immediately clear whether the men had lawyers. The incident began at 1:14 p.m. Wednesday when two Decatur detectives saw a white Nissan car with Illinois license plates traveling south in the 600 block of South Webster Street, police said. The detectives said the vehicle appeared to be traveling over the speed limit and failed to make a complete stop on Webster at Cantrell Street. Detectives were conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle on Webster Court west of Webster Street when Vorties and the passenger fled on foot, and the detectives chased them, police said. According to the affidavit, Vorties was seen removing a black semiautomatic handgun in the yard of a residence in the 600 block of East Cantrell. A detective took Vorties to the ground and handcuffed him. A black 9 mm pistol was found under Vorties' chest with a live round in the chamber and live rounds in the seated magazine, the affidavit said. Police found 26 bags of suspected "crack-based cocaine" in the vehicle, affording to the affidavit. The substance later tested posted for the presence of cocaine. The Illinois State Police is handling the investigation and Hockaday is on administrative duties with pay, which are standard procedures when a police officer is involved in a shooting. Police have said his car was equipped with an in-car camera. In his initial statement, Walker identified the race of Redmon, who is black, and Hockaday, who is white. Later responding to emailed questions, police said they no comment on why they had provided the race of the men. The incident comes 11 months after Decatur police officer Andrew Wittmer shot a man who authorities said had a knife and BB gun. The state's attorney's office ruled the shooting was justified. In the shooting Wednesday, officials with the group Area Leaders Educators Response Team urged community members to wait for the investigation to conclude before coming to conclusions. The group was formed by the Decatur Police Department and local NAACP branch following the officer-involved shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, that sparked days of protests. The Rev. Anthony Fluker, a member of the team, said he was pleased with the amount and timeliness of information being released. Walker had updated him with information Wednesday night and Thursday, he said. Fluker was not aware of any vigils or other events being planned related to the shooting. Team members so far had not heard any negative responses from the community, he said. Its pretty calm right now, he said. DECATUR Webster-Cantrell Hall's emergency shelter care program for homeless teens is closing at the end of the month after the state ended funding for three of the eight available beds. The shelter, at 1220 Underwood Court, just north of Mound Road, served youths ages 12 to 18 who didn't have a place to stay. With a lack of similar shelters in the region, those teens will have to be taken to Chicago, said Holly Newbon, Webster-Cantrell director of development. "They're (Department of Child and Family Services) wards who have been kicked out of foster care, run away from another residential program or they were just on the streets," Newbon said. "DCFS could call day or night and place a youth there. "We would bring them in and provide case management and therapy. We'd work with them to find appropriate placement." Newbon said Webster-Cantrell couldn't afford the cost of running a shelter with just five beds. "It would have been a loss of $300,000 a year for us; we can't sustain that," Newbon said. "We had to completely cut it." The cut won't affect Webster-Cantrell's other services, which include support and counseling for families and children. Webster-Cantrell has more than 1,500 clients. Newbon said the shelter was one of the few of its kind in Central Illinois, and those that were being placed there will now go to Chicago. "The majority of the youth there were from Central Illinois," Newbon said. "Now they're going to be taking them to Chicago, where the per diem rates are higher and the cost of service is higher, not to mention the travel. It's very sad." Newbon said Webster-Cantrell will try to place most of the staff from the shelter in new jobs but between eight and 10 employees would lose their job. "We're in the process of seeing if we can assimilate any of those workers into other programs at the agency, if they're interested. But some of them, because of what their degree and background is in, we may not have a spot for." State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, said he was "sad and sorry" to hear about the closing of the program. "They do great work there," Mitchell said. "But without a budget, theres going to be a lot more cases like this." On Wednesday, the last day of the General Assembly's session, lawmakers for the third straight year failed to pass an annual operating budget. The budget plan at hand, borne of months of bipartisan Senate negotiations, called for spending $37.3 billion fueled by $5.4 billion in tax increases. The House did not vote on the measure. A legislative rule means it will now take more votes to pass a budget. Webster-Cantrell released several letters CEO Martin Harris wrote that reveal the timeline of events. Webster-Cantrell was first contacted by DCFS about cutting the beds on May 12, according to the letters, and Harris wrote two letters asking DCFS to reconsider. On May 23, Harris sent a letter to DCFS representative Antwan Turpeua formally withdrawing Webster-Cantrell's contract with the state to provide an emergency shelter. In a letter Harris wrote to Webster-Cantrell staff, he explained why the contract was terminated. "Given licensing regulations as it pertained to staffing requirements, financially the program would operate in a deficit position that was unsustainable given the loss in bed space capacity," Harris wrote. A Department of Child and Family Services spokesperson who did not want to be named said DCFS is relying less on residential shelters and has moved toward specialized foster care and homelike settings instead. Newbon and Dot Jackson, therapist and clinical case manager at the shelter, said foster care is great for some youths, but not all are ready for it. "They're saying children deserve to have homes, not be in shelters, and in a perfect world, that's wonderful," Newbon said. "But there are children who may be too dangerous to put in a family situation. We're worried something serious will happen and cause the state to rethink this. "You're talking about a 16- or 17-year-old in your home who is angry and upset. I don't know how they think these foster parents will sleep at night. Here, we have someone prepared to deal with situations at all times." Jackson said the Webster-Cantrell shelter helps prepare troubled teens for foster care. "Foster care is great, and it's worked out for a lot of kids, but we get phone calls all the time asking us to please take a child because no foster parents will take them," Jackson said. "Some of them, when they get here, they're not ready for foster homes. When we take kids in, we teach them the skills they need. We help them get turned around before they go to the foster home." The DCFS spokesperson said another reason it cut funding was because DCFS analysis showed Webster-Cantrell's shelter averaged three beds used per day. DCFS was willing to contract for five but didn't think eight was cost-effective. Newbon said there had been a decline in the number of referrals the past six to eight months. "We feel like there's been a conscious effort on DCFS' part to show there's no longer a need," Newbon said. "Last year at this time, they decided it was an area to make cuts." Jackson said her fear was that kids from Central Illinois will be taken away from their homes to the Chicago area, where it's easy to lose track of them. "It will be easy for them to get up there and get lost in the system," Jackson said. "And there's human trafficking, gangs ... . "This is DCFS trying cut corners because of the predicament the state is in. But I don't think they're looking at what's best for children." DECATUR For Army veteran Cody Floyd, returning home from his service overseas has been a struggle. Floyd was a medic in the Army for four years, serving one year in Afghanistan. He medically retired in 2011 due to injuries, both physical and mental. On Thursday afternoon, Floyd was presented with his own comfort dog to help ease the continued mental turmoil he suffers. The puppy was given to him by PawPrint Ministries and Dales Southlake Pharmacy. Keating, an 11-week old German Shepherd puppy, was donated to PawPrint by Champaign breeder Van Dukeman. The dog's purpose is to hopefully curb Floyd's post-traumatic stress symptoms. Before Floyd met the puppy, he began training with his own dogs just to get the basics down. When he was introduced to Keating, the two immediately began working together. We just hit the ground running, Floyd said. Keating is already responding to his name and a few commands. His future job will be as a comfort dog, specifically for Floyd and other veterans. He will get further training to be a service dog and be able to go with me everywhere I go, Floyd said. Keating was named after the outpost Floyd served at in Afghanistan. According to Floyd, the dog's name serves two purposes. To honor the guys that didn't make it back and also serve the guys that did, but maybe didn't make it back the same way they went overseas, he said. I have no doubt he is going to live up to it and serve it well. Keating is expected to grow to 100 pounds. Although he has not received much training so far, his breeder and trainer were able to see the potential in the puppy. For an ideal comfort dog, PawPrint dog trainer David Dodd watches the dog's attitude and temperament. They have to have a sound temperament, meaning they are stable around noise, motion, change of environment, he said. Keating will be trained at various levels, from basic obedience to performing in crowds, elevators and around vacuums and medical equipment. Dodd said many dogs are unable to properly handle these situations. We determined this puppy was appropriate through his first hour here doing standardized testing, he said. He passed with flying colors. As Keating's original owner, Dukeman was able to recognize the puppy's ideal qualities for a comfort dog. The dog was a little more docile, he said. This was an easy decision to donate him. For 30 years, Dukeman has been breeding and showing German Shepherds. Although he enjoys dog competitions, he feels pride in seeing his puppies go to good homes. The most pleasure I've gotten is from puppies going to pet homes and being loved by their families, he said. It is just great gratification to see puppies get in hands where they can really do some good. Floyd met PawPrint Ministries Director Jennifer Dahn at an veterans' event and learned of the organization and its mission. Dahn was hoping to find a veteran who had a desire to give back to the community. They were looking for someone who would not just take a dog, but someone who would take a dog back out into the community and help others, Floyd said. Floyd agreed with the PawPrint mission and 10 months later the veteran met Keating. Floyd knew he would be paired with a dog that was social with people, not just dogs. And he doesn't care who comes up to him, he said. Manchester, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/02/2017 -- Nick's Removals is a highly trusted Removals and Storage Company providing quality assured removal services throughout the UK. The company recently announced that they will now be working in association with Elite European Removals to offer removal services to various destinations in Europe including Spain. 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Once onsite at your premises, we position your effects where required and unwrap furniture." Nick's Removals is offering door to door removals to Spain services from the UK to the major Spanish principalities in Malaga Barcelona Valencia and Alicante. The team of professional movers at Nick's Removals understand the stress people go through when they consider moving a business or their home to another place, especially if it is in another country and have therefore tailored their services to ensure that their customers are at ease when they choose to do business with Nick's Removals. With many years of experience serving in the UK, the removal professionals at Nick's Removals have acquired extensive knowledge and experience which is important when moving specialty items such as large pieces of artwork such as framed paintings and sculptures, Large Antiques, and other large electronics, Pool tables and other item that require special care during the move. About Nick's Removals Nick's Removals is based in Manchester and specializes in providing removals and storage solutions to residential and commercial clients, moving individual household goods, personal effects and motor vehicles throughout the UK and now to various destinations in Europe. To learn more about Nicks Removals to Spain, please visit http://www.nicksremovals.co.uk/spain-removals.htm Media Contact: Nick Willis Company Name: Nicks Removals Email: info@nicksremovals.co.uk Telephone: 07944 079878 Address: Austin Court, Didsbury, Manchester, United Kingdom Researchers analyzing data from NASAs Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) have found evidence of surface frost near the Moons south pole. We found that the coldest places near the Moons south pole are also the brightest places brighter than we would expect from soil alone and that might indicate the presence of surface frost, said Elizabeth Fisher, a graduate student at Brown University and lead author of a paper published in the journal Icarus. The icy deposits appear to be patchy and thin, and its possible that they are mixed in with the surface layer of soil, dust and small rocks called the regolith. Were not seeing expanses of ice similar to a frozen pond or skating rink. Instead, we are seeing signs of surface frost, the researchers said. The frost was found in cold traps close to the Moons south pole. Cold traps are permanently dark areas located either on the floor of a deep crater or along a section of crater wall that doesnt receive direct sunlight where temperatures remain below minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 163 degrees Celsius). Under these conditions, water ice can persist for millions or billions of years. More than five decades ago, scientists suggested that lunar cold traps could store water ice, but confirming that hypothesis turned out to be challenging. Observations made by NASAs Lunar Prospector orbiter in the late 1990s identified hydrogen-rich areas near the Moons poles but could not determine whether that hydrogen was bound up in water or was present in some other form. Understanding the nature of these deposits has been one of the driving goals of LRO, which has been orbiting the Moon since 2009. Fisher and co-authors found evidence of lunar frost by comparing temperature readings from LROs Diviner instrument with brightness measurements from the spacecrafts Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA). In these comparisons, the coldest areas near the south pole also were very bright, indicating the presence of ice or other highly reflective materials. The researchers looked at the peak surface temperatures, because water ice wont last if the temperature creeps above the crucial threshold. The findings are consistent with another teams analysis of LRO data, reported in 2015. Together, the two studies strengthen the case that there is frost in cold traps near the Moons south pole. So far, however, researchers have not seen the same signs near the Moons north pole. What has always been intriguing about the Moon is that we expect to find ice wherever the temperatures are cold enough for ice, but thats not quite what we see, said co-author Dr. Matt Siegler, a researcher with the Planetary Science Institute. Another question is how old the lunar ice is. If the water was delivered by icy comets or asteroids, it could be as ancient as the solar system and could mark the early delivery of water to Earth and the Moon. But if the water was produced by chemical reactions driven by the solar wind, it is much more recent. Or both may be true. There could be eons-old ice deposits buried below ground and newer water at the surface. In any case, theres enough evidence now to argue for further investigation. Not only could the Moons ice provide resources for exploration, it also might help us understand the origins of Earths water, Dr. Siegler said. _____ Elizabeth A. Fisher et al. 2017. Evidence for surface water ice in the lunar polar regions using reflectance measurements from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter and temperature measurements from the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment. Icarus 292: 74-85; doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2017.03.023 The new leader was backed by the global South. Can he get the worlds premier health body into shape? Linda Nordling finds out. [CAPE TOWN] Last week the World Health Assembly, for the first time in its history, elected an African to be the next director-general (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO). Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian, will also be the first WHO leader from a developing country for over 45 years since Marcolino Candau from Brazil stepped down in 1973. Tedros, who goes by his first name, enjoys solid support among developing countries. For the first time in WHOs 70-year history, each of the 194 member countries that make up its Assembly was allowed to vote a job that in the past fell to the 34-member WHO executive board. Tedros beat his last opponent standing, the UKs David Nabarro, with a landslide 133 votes to 50 numbers that suggest the entire global South voted for the former Ethiopian health minister. As a result, when Tedros succeeds Margaret Chan on 1 July he will have an unprecedented mandate from the countries with the worlds most pressing health problems. From dreaded new diseases like Ebola to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, the burden is vastly higher in developing countries than in developed ones and is now worsened by soaring rates of non-communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes. Urgent cash boost Funding will be at the top of the agenda, according to global health experts. Gavin Yamey, a professor of the practice of global health at Duke Universitys Global Health Institute in the United States, says that, as a matter of urgency, Tedros will need to use this unique mandate to try to leverage increased funding for the WHO after years of dwindling support from member states. The WHO was caught on the wrong foot in its slow, weak response to Ebola, but in many ways we are all responsible because we as a global community have been starving the WHO of the core funding it needs, says Yamey. Yamey was the lead author of an article, published this month in The Lancet, urging health ministers to boost their support for the WHOs programmes to quell epidemics and outbreaks. A scientist with extensive research experience in Africa can help guide the WHO to be responsive to researchers on the frontlines. Nina Dudnik, CEO, Seeding Labs initiative He says there is guarded optimism about Tedros ability to revitalise the WHO. He puts this down to, on the one hand, the assured way in which Tedros handled the transparent election process, and, on the other, his deft political skills on the global stage. Others are not so sure Tedros clout will be sufficient to re-invigorate the WHOs funding base. The organisations biggest funder, the US government, is looking at curtailing support for international health programmes if President Donald Trumps administration gets its way in upcoming federal budgets. I think the new DG will be locked in hard negotiations from day one, said one African health expert who did not want to be named. Mission drift Another challenge for Tedros is how to transform the WHO into an organisation fit for its 21st century purpose. At its inception in 1948, it was the only health organisation with a global mandate. Today, there are many other players in the field, ranging from charities like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation the second biggest contributor of funds to the WHO to inter-governmental instruments like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The WHO is a lumbering and expensive bureaucracy with headquarters in Geneva and regional offices around the world. Last year, it reportedly spent more on travel and hotels than on AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Its mission has also grown over the decades, from infectious diseases to issues like chemical safety, road traffic safety and ageing a 2014 Chatham House report urged the WHO to rein in its mission-creep and streamline its operations. Yamey says Tedros track record in reforming Ethiopias health system while health minister speaks volumes about his ability to oversee change: He walks the walk. According to WHO figures, during his tenure from 2005 to 2012, Tedros created 3,500 new health centres and 16,000 health posts in the country, and expanded the number of people covered by the health system. The WHO also points out that Ethiopia has achieved a remarkable drop in infant mortality, achieving the Millennium Development Goal of a two-thirds reduction some two years ahead of schedule. On-the-ground experience His background as a molecular biologist and malaria scientist could mean Tedros uses his new platform to impress upon global health actors the importance of building and calling on local scientific expertise when dealing with health crises. A WHO DG who is a scientist with extensive on-the-ground research experience in Africa, can help guide the WHO to be responsive to the priorities of those researchers on the frontlines in Africa and worldwide, says Nina Dudnik, founder and chief executive of the Seeding Labs initiative, which accepts donated research equipment from developed country institutions and places them in developing world labs. More importantly, he could use his influence to impress upon developing countries the need to invest in and leverage funding for their own health systems and research capacity, says Bassirou Bonfoh, Director General of the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques in Cote d'Ivoire. The need for such capacity became apparent during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, when a dearth of health workers on the ground contributed to the delayed recognition of how severe the outbreak was, and hampered containment efforts. Would such investments align with broader public health and funding priorities? A WHO report dating back to 2007 suggests that it would help maximise the benefit of international funding channelled through organisations like the WHO, by expediting their work and ensuring health gains do not vanish with the departure of international workers. And as WACI Health, an Africa-based health NGO, highlighted earlier this year, it would also buffer countries against future health crises, which could be made worse by dwindling international support should Tedros fail to generate the cash. The new leader was backed by the global South. Can he get the worlds premier health body into shape? Linda Nordling finds out. [CAPE TOWN] Last week the World Health Assembly, for the first time in its history, elected an African to be the next director-general (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO). Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian, will also be the first WHO leader from a developing country for over 45 years since Marcolino Candau from Brazil stepped down in 1973. Tedros, who goes by his first name, enjoys solid support among developing countries. For the first time in WHOs 70-year history, each of the 194 member countries that make up its Assembly was allowed to vote a job that in the past fell to the 34-member WHO executive board. Tedros beat his last opponent standing, the UKs David Nabarro, with a landslide 133 votes to 50 numbers that suggest the entire global South voted for the former Ethiopian health minister. The WHO was caught on the wrong foot in its slow, weak response to Ebola. Gavin Yamey, Duke Universitys Global Health Institute As a result, when Tedros succeeds Margaret Chan on 1 July he will have an unprecedented mandate from the countries with the worlds most pressing health problems. From dreaded new diseases like Ebola to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, the burden is vastly higher in developing countries than in developed ones and is now worsened by soaring rates of non-communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes. Urgent cash boost Funding will be at the top of the agenda, according to global health experts. Gavin Yamey, a professor of the practice of global health at Duke Universitys Global Health Institute in the United States, says that, as a matter of urgency, Tedros will need to use this unique mandate to try to leverage increased funding for the WHO after years of dwindling support from member states. The WHO was caught on the wrong foot in its slow, weak response to Ebola, but in many ways we are all responsible because we as a global community have been starving the WHO of the core funding it needs, says Yamey. Yamey was the lead author of an article, published this month in The Lancet, urging health ministers to boost their support for the WHOs programmes to quell epidemics and outbreaks. He says there is guarded optimism about Tedros ability to revitalise the WHO. He puts this down to, on the one hand, the assured way in which Tedros handled the transparent election process, and, on the other, his deft political skills on the global stage. Others are not so sure Tedros clout will be sufficient to re-invigorate the WHOs funding base. The organisations biggest funder, the US government, is looking at curtailing support for international health programmes if President Donald Trumps administration gets its way in upcoming federal budgets. I think the new DG will be locked in hard negotiations from day one, said one African health expert who did not want to be named. Mission drift Another challenge for Tedros is how to transform the WHO into an organisation fit for its 21st century purpose. At its inception in 1948, it was the only health organisation with a global mandate. Today, there are many other players in the field, ranging from charities like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation the second biggest contributor of funds to the WHO to inter-governmental instruments like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The WHO is a lumbering and expensive bureaucracy with headquarters in Geneva and regional offices around the world. Last year, it reportedly spent more on travel and hotels than on AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. A scientist with extensive research experience in Africa can help guide the WHO to be responsive to researchers on the frontlines. Nina Dudnik, CEO, Seeding Labs initiative Its mission has also grown over the decades, from infectious diseases to issues like chemical safety, road traffic safety and ageing a 2014 Chatham House report urged the WHO to rein in its mission-creep and streamline its operations. Yamey says Tedros track record in reforming Ethiopias health system while health minister speaks volumes about his ability to oversee change: He walks the walk. According to WHO figures, during his tenure from 2005 to 2012, Tedros created 3,500 new health centres and 16,000 health posts in the country, and expanded the number of people covered by the health system. The WHO also points out that Ethiopia has achieved a remarkable drop in infant mortality, achieving the Millennium Development Goal of a two-thirds reduction some two years ahead of schedule. On-the-ground experience His background as a molecular biologist and malaria scientist could mean Tedros uses his new platform to impress upon global health actors the importance of building and calling on local scientific expertise when dealing with health crises. A WHO DG who is a scientist with extensive on-the-ground research experience in Africa, can help guide the WHO to be responsive to the priorities of those researchers on the frontlines in Africa and worldwide, says Nina Dudnik, founder and chief executive of the Seeding Labs initiative, which accepts donated research equipment from developed country institutions and places them in developing world labs. More importantly, he could use his influence to impress upon developing countries the need to invest in and leverage funding for their own health systems and research capacity, says Bassirou Bonfoh, Director General of the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques in Cote d'Ivoire. The need for such capacity became apparent during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, when a dearth of health workers on the ground contributed to the delayed recognition of how severe the outbreak was, and hampered containment efforts. Would such investments align with broader public health and funding priorities? A WHO report dating back to 2007 suggests that it would help maximise the benefit of international funding channelled through organisations like the WHO, by expediting their work and ensuring health gains do not vanish with the departure of international workers. And as WACI Health, an Africa-based health NGO, highlighted earlier this year, it would also buffer countries against future health crises, which could be made worse by dwindling international support should Tedros fail to generate the cash. This article was originally published on SciDev.Net's Global edition. Albert Einstein's scientific publications collided head-on with scientists when he published his findings in 1915. Einstein was a nobody at that time and his publications were met with fierce debate over what the learned men of their era stood for until the solar eclipse unified the scientists and proved Einstein's theory of relativity to be correct. Earlier beliefs state that space is inert, by Sir Isaac Newton's study that had scientists react to Einstein's theory of relativity with utmost skepticism. Albert Einstein writings demonstrate that space is constantly moving and the element of time is added to his findings, rebutting the Newtonian theory. The concept of time and space has a distinct relationship creating a universe wide fabric, which Einstein called, "space-time". Objects passing through space-time can be bent, twisted, or warped by the masses and motion within the fabric. The gravity of light is where the two theories intersect stating that lights create a curvature while it travels to space. Light, according to Einstein always travels in a straight path, It's the warping of the universe-wide fabric that causes its deflection not the gravitational pull of stars. The light from objects behind massive stars seems to be in a different location in the sky. Present astronomers look at massive galaxies warping space-time and altering the path of light which they termed as gravitational lensing. But Albert Einstein has yet to test his theory of relativity and that means massive objects to make use of and huge settings for the experiment. It was Sir Arthur Eddington, a follower, and believer of Albert Einstein's published writings, who made it possible to prove Einstein's theory. May 29, 1919, solar eclipse was the avenue to test all the scholarly writings in tow, reports Space. Eddington first measured the positions of the stars beyond the path of the solar eclipse trajectory during the months of January and February 1919. He then went on an expedition in Principe, a remote island in the Gulf of Guinea, West Coast of Africa to measure the position of the same stars during the solar eclipse. Another team was also sent to Sobral, Brazil to take position gradients of the same stars in case there are no clear views in his position, reports Wired. Fortunately, both locations have clear skies presenting a clear view of the solar eclipse. The observers took pictures of the 6-minute solar eclipse. Eddington returned to England to finalize his findings; his data from Principe confirmed Einstein's calculations and theory. The effect of gravitational lensing occurred on Eddington's watch during the solar eclipse and is now a very important tool in the field of astrophysics. Astronomers and scientists use the tool to further understand the constant expansion of the universe and delving into dark matter. A new study shows that cognitive tests could now detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease on people before even the symptoms of the disease are not present. The new study also shows that biological changes occurring within the brain could also be a sign of the disease before the symptoms become persistent. In a study published in Neuropsychology Review titled "Detectable Neuropsychological Differences in Early Preclinical Alzheimers Disease: A Meta-Analysis," Duke Han of the University of Southern California, the lead author of the study, suggests that cognitive tests could also be used in detecting early signs of Alzheimer's disease in people without the symptoms of it. Before, doctors observe the biological changes and behaviors occurring in the brain in order to see if a disease is emerging. "There are new imaging methods that can identify neuropathological brain changes that happen early in the course of the disease but the problem is that they are not widely available, can be invasive and are incredibly expensive so I wanted to see whether the cognitive tests I regularly use as a neuropsychologist relate to these biomarkers," Han said. He also serves as an associate professor of family medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. In observing biological changes to detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease, doctors are looking at the activities of amyloid plaques, which are clusters of protein fragments, along with tangles of a protein known as tau, which forms in the brain and grows in numbers. In an article published in Science Daily, If their activities eventually get in the way of the brain's ability to function, it could be an early sign of the disease. The study concluded that people who had amyloid plaques had a poor performance on neuropsychological tests of global cognitive function, memory language, and visuospatial ability than those people who did not have amyloid plaques. They also performed worse on processing speed and attention/working memory/executive function, which could be a signal for Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the study found that people with tau pathology or neurodegeneration had a poor performance on memory tests than people with amyloid plaques. "The presumption has been that there would be no perceivable difference in how people with preclinical Alzheimer's disease perform on cognitive tests and this study contradicts that presumption," Han said. Five million people in the US are suffering from Alzheimer's disease and it could even reach up to 16 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Currently, there is no cure for the disease. American space agency National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) announced that they will launch its first-ever mission devoted to studying neutron stars. These rapidly spinning unusual objects in space were first discovered 50 years ago by British astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell. NASA announced their intention on having a mission focused on neutron stars in their official website. They said that they will use the same platform to carry out the world's first demonstration of X-ray navigation in space. NASA plans in launching two-in-one Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), which would be aboard the SpaceX CRS-11, a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. The Space X CRS-11 will also aboard the Falcon 9 rocket. This investigation, which is described by NASA as "one-of-a-kind", will begin observing neutron stars, the known densest objects in the universe. The mission would also focus on pulsars, the neutron stars that appear to wink because their spin sweeps beams of radiation like a cosmic lighthouse. Keith Gendreau, a scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said that the timing of the neutron stars launch is apropos. In an article published by Phys.org, although the team behind this mission had already completed and delivered the payload equipped with 56 X-ray telescopes and silicon detectors last summer, a launch opportunity did not materialize until 2017. NICER Deputy Principal Investigator Zaven Arzoumanian claims that after the 50th anniversary of the discovery of neutron stars, the NICER team have collected enough data to study these space objects. NASA would further extend the study if enough data was garnered with this launch. Neutron stars and pulsars were first theoretically proposed back in 1939 and then discovered back in 1967. NASA described these space objects as remnants of massive stars that came after exhausting their nuclear fuel, exploded, and collapsed into super-dense spheres that are about the size of New York City. South Korean company LG plans to launch two new additional models of the existing G6 handset. The G6 Plus and the G6 Pro may be coming this month. ETNews, the popular South Korean site, reported that LG may launch two new variations of the company's first 2017 flagship smartphone LG G6. The tech company may release the G6 Pro and the G6 Plus soon in Korea. No doubt this is good news for the tech enthusiasts. The site also revealed that the officials of the LG Electronics said the company is preparing to release the derivative model of LG G6. The official even adds that the tech company is trying several ways to show products in order to meet the customers' needs. The South Korean the giant will release the G6 Pro and the G6 Plus for the three mobile communication companies. Reports say two new models the G6 Plus and the G6 Pro will be available along with the flagship smartphone LG G6. The G6 Plus model would be equipped with the wireless charging feature and a large internal storage of 128 GB. But, the other G6 Pro model will come with the 32 GB internal storage, GSMArena reported. These two models of LG will also be available with different prices. LG's G6 Plus variant would cost 1,000,000 Won or $891. On the other hand, another handset, G6 Pro may cost $624 or 790,000 Won. The important thing is the LG G6 is currently available with a cost price of $801 or 899,800 Won. The existing G6 is no doubt a nice handset with small bezels, a large display and dual cameras on the back. New reports say both the G6 Plus and the G6 Pro would be packed with the Snapdragon 821 and sport the 5.7-inch Full Vision Display. So it appears that the probable key difference between these two models of LG should be the storage capacities. It is indicated that these two models will hit the market by the end of the current month. A new research indicates that when a matter or object has been pulled past an event horizon, it would simply be diminished. Once a black hole was shaped, the event horizon also formed. In the event horizon, there is the point of no return and the matter just simply vanishes. The research was led by scientists from the University of Texas and Harvard University. Pawan Kumar, a professor of astrophysics at the University of Texas at Austin, said their whole point in this research is to turn the idea of an event horizon into an experimental science and to determine if event horizons really do exist or not. The team wants to find concrete evidence that there is an event horizon around black holes. Wenbin Lu, a scientist who examined the hard-surface theory, said given the rate of stars falling onto black holes and the number density of black holes in the closeby universe, they gauged how many transients Pan-STARRS have been identified over a period of operation of three and a half years. He further said that it turns out it should have identified over 10 of them, if the hard-surface theory is true, as noted by Forbes. There should be a definitive signature if there is an existence of the hard surface outside of the black hole's event horizon. On the other hand, no signature has been seen at all. The researchers look for stars, in which most black holes slurp stars. They thought that crashing star onto a hard surface could be visible. So, they looked for stars using the Pan-STARRS, a 1.8-meter telescope in Hawaii. The researchers found nothing, according to ZME Science. Ramesh Narayan, a co-author of the study, said that their study indicates that some or all black holes have event horizons and that material really does vanish from the observable universe when pulled into these objects as they have expected for decades. He then concluded that Einstein's General Relativity Theory has passed another acute test. In the Theory of Relativity, published by Albert Einstein in 1915, the event horizon is defined as a boundary in spacetime beyond which events cannot affect an outside observer. It is the point of no return, in which the gravitational pull is so powerful that escape becomes impossible, even for light. The event horizon is also linked to black holes. He offers no information at all about how, where and when he was shot. Shant Mardirossian, a member of the Board of Directors of the Near East Foundation and the executive producer of They Shall Not Perish: The Story of Near East Relief documentary, was recently in Armenia to present the film to the public. Near East Relief, the former name of the American humanitarian Near East Foundation, saved many Armenian, Greek and Assyrian refugees in the beginning of the 20th century. The documentary is about America's humanitarian activities at times of the Armenian Genocide refugee crisis, with some rare archival footage (digitized photographs and archival documents from the Rockefeller Center). Henry Morgenthau, the U.S. ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during the First World War, is one of the key characters in the one-hour-long film. Faced with the accumulating evidence on the ongoing massacres, he officially informed the U.S. government about the activities of the Ottoman government. His telegram (see photo) described the massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as a "campaign of race extermination". Apart from historical photos and videos, interviews with experts are also included in the film. Shant came up with the idea of the film years ago, aiming to capture public attention on the important phase of American history, when ordinary citizens withstood injustice and saved the lives of more than 132,000 orphans. It took two years to produce the film. Mr. Mardirossian, as a diasporan, whats your family story? My story is very similar to that of other diasporan Armenians. My fathers mother was from Ayntab and was saved thanks to the orphanage under American management. The other grandmother was from Diyarbakir. My two grandfathers came from Urfa. They simultaneously appeared in Syria as refugee orphans, then they married, forming families. The grandmother who was saved due to the orphanage inspired me to explore and learn more about the history, and hence, Near East Relief. Whats the back story of the film? Having learnt more about the history, I decided to make a documentary. This is an important phase of American history, which is somehow omitted in American schools and books. This film is a reminder, especially for Americans, on how the Americans helped millions of people, mostly Armenians, a hundred years ago. Mr Mardirossian What are the other messages of the film? The film has two main messages - Ive mentioned the first already. The second is for survivor Armenians to be responsible and transmit the story to others. I hope these two messages reach the right audience. Another important message is about the choices that we make as individuals, as a society and as a government. The film shows all these parties. We see that one person can initiate change. In this case, Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, who called his friends for support. They became two, three, thousands and millions, who made donations and helped for many years, thus saving thousands of lives. In this case, we can see how the public makes decisions and how the government supports its implementation, as President Wilson did. The opposite is also possible. Some individuals can incite racism or violence or inject it in society, in government, thus contributing to the crimes. Who are you and who will you be? This is not a question just for the Armenians - this is universal. Whatever is presented in the film, its not just about the past - its important for the present, too. Whether a businessman or a spiritual being or a government leader, we have to address the same problems. Do we want to have the same situation as a hundred years ago? Or should we think about prevention methods? The film reminds us where we were and where we stand now. The world is in such a state that we are faced with the necessity of making a decision again. P.S. The movie premiered on April 8, at theNew York Times Center. It has beenaired on American TV channels, and will be on Armenia TV soon. The film is directed by George Billard. You can watch the trailer here. Top photo: From the exhibition (They're finally smiling: Transcaucasian orphans",1920s) Ive selected a few stories of children that I shot over the past year while travelling throughout Armenia. Hope you enjoy them. These kids are strong, are survivors, despite their circumstances. Each member of the Moujikyan family has their dream. The youngest is 6-year-old Arshak. He wants a new bike to replace the old, broken, one. His parents want to finish repairing the house. The village school in Vardenis hasnt been renovated in years. Classes were held in the old, dilapidated, building. Last year, the kids went on strike, demanding better conditions. The children now attend classes in the newly renovated building. This boy is from the Yezidi village of Tlik. Residents havent had running water for years. Narineh waits for her siblings to return from school, so that she can wear their shoes. There are eight kids in the Bozoyan family, residing in Geghhovit, a village in Gegharkounik Province. The family of this boy, and 75 other families, live in a crumbling dormitory built in 1958. Theyre awaiting resettlement or the buildings collapse. Sousanna and her six brothers and sisters live in the Sourenavan village in Ararat Province. The village school in Oujan has been repaired, piecemeal, between 2009-2015. Today, it needs a complete overhaul. Such is the case with all schools so repaired. Alice and her family live in Karmiraghbyur, a village near the Azerbaijani border. Their house is on the verge of collapsing since they dont have the money to fully complete its construction. Eleanora, Milena, Vache and Vahan live with their mom in Vanadzors hut neighborhood. Vachik is from the Gegharkounik village of Geghhovit. He suffered a brain injury and cannot be left alone. Lias only wish is the restoration of her fathers eyesight. The Khachatryans live in the Armavir village of Qarakert. Lias only wish is the restoration of her fathers eyesight. The Khachatryans live in the Armavir village of Qarakert. This little rascal is a member of the large Avetyan family of Loris Shnogh village. Mariannas parents couldnt afford to buy her school clothes and supplies. Theyre were thinking of keeping her home this year. Nshan, the father of this child with cerebral palsy, lives in Voskehat, a village in Armavir Province. He makes 7,000 AMD ($15) monthly cleaning the village bus station. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. British Steel chiefs have withdrawn their objection to prospectors drilling for oil on the doorstep of the Scunthorpe works In January North Lincolnshire Council planners turned down the application from Egdon Resources UK Limited to start production on the site on Lodge Farm,north of Wressle, because of concerns over contamination and the impact on the local economy and the community. But the prospectors have submitted a revised application to the local authority, offering to install new production and environmental protection facilities. Following successful tests two years ago Egdon bosses are predicting the Wressle well will produce more that two million barrels of crude oil over its 15-year life span. Earlier British Steel had expressed concerns the extraction process would have a negative impact on the companys on-site water abstraction bore-holes which supply the nearby Scunthorpe works. But the two sides met in March when Egdon gave assurances that drilling would not be carried out beneath the bore-holes or within the surface groundwater protect zone. Safeguards would also be in place to protect the yield and quality of the water quality from the Lincolnshire limestone formation used in the iron and steel-making process. A British Steel spokesman said today: Following a meeting with Egdon Resources, we have received assurances that the allayed our initial concerns regarding our ground-water abstraction bore-holes. We have therefore withdrawn our objection. From the outset Egdon bosses have insisted Wresle will be a conventionally- drilled oil well and hydraulic engineering known as fracking will not be used on the site. But anti-fracking campaigners continue to make their concerns known to the planning authority. No date has yet been fixed for the renewed application to be heard.. The ship's 'Total Eclipse Cruise' will feature a concert performed by a major headliner, to be revealed at a later date. 'Were set to take vacationers on an unprecedented experience that is nearly a century in the making,' said Michael Bayley, president and ceo, RCI. A total solar eclipse hasnt been visible across the US since 1918, and with many of the line's ships sailing the Caribbean along the projected path, 'the stars aligned,' Bayley said. Oasis of the Seas will offer a full schedule of eclipse-themed activities, including dance parties, trivia, enrichment lectures, interactive science fun for kids and cocktails and dishes with names like the Cosmic Cosmo, Planetary Punch and Moon Pie. The 'Total Eclipse Cruise' sails Aug. 20 from Port Canaveral to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau. Seven other Royal Caribbean ships will be in the Caribbean during the eclipse on itineraries ranging from three to nine nights, offering what Royal Caribbean described as 'extraordinary partial views.' They are Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas. Newly appointed Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hit the ground running. In one of his first actions as Secretary of Agriculture, Perdue announced changes that will loosen restrictions on school lunch programs across the nation. Of particular interest to the dairy industry is that schools will once again be able to offer low-fat (1 percent) flavored milk as part of the National School Lunch and Breakfast program. Since 2010, schools could only serve nonfat flavored milk as low-fat varieties were eliminated from school meal and a la carte programs under the Obama Administration. In the two years after low-fat flavored milk was removed, 1.1 million fewer students drank milk with their lunch, according to the National Milk Producers Federation. Perdues proclamation also delays an upcoming requirement to reduce sodium levels in school meals. It will allow schools more flexibility on grain product selection as well, loosening the rule in which 50 percent of grain products were to be whole grain. According to Perdue, the purpose for his proclamation was to provide more food options for students, reduce waste, and lower costs. USDA will prepare new guidelines to go into effect for the 2017-2018 school year, which will shift more decision making power back to schools. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2017 (c)2017 May 8, 2017 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As he rolled out a city budget that prioritizes services for homeless people, Mayor Ed Lee issued a challenge to San Franciscos 11 supervisors: Find places in your district for Navigation Centers to help get this population off the streets. Lee has set aside $6 million over the next two years to open a Navigation Center a shelter that offers substance-abuse treatment and job training, and allows homeless people to bring along their partners and pets. Such facilities three are open and locations have been chosen for three more are central to the mayors strategy to end homelessness, but theyve met resistance from many San Francisco residents and officials, who dont want to live next door to a homeless hub. When Lee announced the $6 million funding in his budget proposal Thursday morning during an address to the Board of Supervisors, he asked each one to help scout a location for the new center the implication being that all parts of the city are candidates. Finding an appropriate site can be a painstaking process that requires community input, which is why the mayor sought the boards help, said Lees spokeswoman, Deirdre Hussey. Lee got a warm response from the three supervisors who have centers in their districts, and want the rest of their colleagues to pitch in. But others were lukewarm at best. The minimum footprint for one of these buildings is 10,000 square feet, and we just dont have space like that, said Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who represents the Excelsior, the southern edge of the city thats blanketed with single-family homes. Fewer than 200 homeless people live there, he noted, so theres little demand or desire for the types of services that abound in the Mission, the Tenderloin or South of Market. In a practical, a planning and a policy sense, I dont think theres much need for a Navigation Center, Safai said. And I dont think my district would be very supportive. Other supervisors who represent the more residential, well-to-do or moderate-leaning areas that dont have a lot of in-your-face homelessness were also dubious of the idea. For me, the question is who would the Navigation Center be serving, said Supervisor Jeff Sheehy, whose district includes the Castro. He said he would cooperate with the mayors office to look for a location but would want the center to cater to young adults, especially LGBTQ youth who are estranged from their families. Board President London Breed, who confronted opposition from property owners when she sought sites for a Navigation Center in the Haight, questioned whether these facilities are a good fit for every neighborhood. We tried to identify sites, but the people who owned those properties were unwilling to work with the city, Breed said. Over the past three years, she has helped secure more than $500,000 in city funding and private donations for an organization called Taking It to the Streets, which shuttles transient youth from Haight Street to SROs in SoMa, which is represented by Supervisor Jane Kim. Lee and Jeff Kositsky, director of San Franciscos Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, say that all districts should help shoulder the burden of a citywide problem. Currently, the city has Navigation Centers located in Civic Center, the Mission and the Bayview. A fourth, temporary center is expected to open June 19 at 1515 S. Van Ness Ave. Two more are planned at San Francisco General Hospital, on the border of the Mission and Potrero Hill, and at 520 Jessie Street in SoMa. I think it would be great to have Navigation Centers in all the districts, Kositsky said. We need more temporary and permanent places (for people) to be ... and at the end of the day, theres no district except District 6 (SoMa) thats really carrying its weight. The supervisors Kim, Hillary Ronen and Malia Cohen who represent districts with navigation centers all supported Lees push for a more equitable distribution of the facilities. Last month, they made a similar demand, co-sponsoring a resolution for geographic equity of Navigation Centers and other homeless services. I almost jumped out of my seat clapping when (Lee) said it in his budget speech, Ronen said. San Franciscans have made it crystal clear that homelessness is their top priority. Asking a few neighborhoods to carry the entire burden of the homeless crisis makes no sense. Its unfair and ineffective. Every district needs to toughen up and do their part. Ronen faced stout criticism from many constituents when she proposed opening a temporary 100-bed center in the South Van Ness Avenue building owned by Lennar Multifamily Communities. Lennar will begin building a market-rate development at the site next year. Cohen, who campaigned hard for the Dogpatch Navigation Center that opened in her district last week, said she wants to see similar facilities on the suburban west side. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. We are in the midst of a crisis, and we need all hands on deck, she said. Westside Supervisors Norman Yee and Katy Tang expressed cautious support for the centers, which are hard to sell in parts of the city where even tall residential buildings can start a fight. Theres going to be push back, no doubt about it, said Yee, whose district includes West Portal and Forest Hill. He said hes committed to working with the mayors office to see if he can identify anything appropriate for a Navigation Center. Tang, who represents the Sunset, said shes spoken with Richmond District Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer about coming together to serve the street dwellers in their adjoining neighborhoods. Theres no reason why we should provide disjointed services based on supervisorial district boundaries if we can collaborate when appropriate, Tang said. Supervisor Mark Farrell, who represents the Marina, said he is looking at sites for supportive housing for the homeless in his district, but that he is reluctant to open a Navigation Center. Services should be community-based and meet people where they are, Farrell said. He noted that Navigation Centers are best suited to areas where encampments and street homelessness are most acute which is not the Marina. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan Martin Winckler is a celebrated author in his home country of France, but the 62-year-old doctor and writer is a very special tourist in San Francisco. Winckler is here for about five weeks, and he needs to make the most of his time. As the first laureate of the new Room With a View artist-in-residence program, hosted by the French Consulate, Winckler will write a great deal more than just a postcard home to earn his coveted spot. I want to write a book that will make the French readers understand this part of America, and this part of American culture and thinking, Winckler said as he relaxed in a newly renovated in-law unit beneath the French consul generals residence. The consuls house is perched in the hills above Cole Valley, on a quiet, brick-lined street surrounded by lush trees. The large windows of Wincklers temporary home afford a commanding view over northern and eastern San Francisco, the Golden Gate firmly on one end and Salesforce Tower ever-growing on the other. Winckler is working on a trilogy of novels that explore the 1960s and 70s through the experiences of a French boy. In the third novel, the teenager travels to San Francisco. This current project, one of the many Winckler is juggling at any given time, was selected from 15 applicants for the inaugural Room With a View residency. Winckler was given airfare and the rather spectacular place to stay for more than a month on writing and research all on the French governments dime. The consulates parameters for the residency are limited: Applicants must be available for five to six weeks, agree to attend a series of events and interviews, and have at least one piece of work already published in English. A panel of six (including Chronicle Book Editor John McMurtrie) selects the winning writer. Winckler, who is nearing the end of his stay in the city, says the experience has been a thrill. This residence is the first positive experience Ive had with a French institution in all my life, he said with a grin. Paul Kuroda A native of French Algeria whose family moved to France in 1963, Winckler has been living in Montreal for the past eight years, supplementing his writing by teaching clinical ethics and creative writing at the University of Ottawa, McGill University and the University of Montreal. Soft-spoken and genial, Winckler dresses as one might imagine a country doctor to dress, with glasses dangling around his neck and the sleeves of a well-loved denim shirt rolled up his arms. Winckler was in fact a country doctor for several years, and his experiences informed the narrative of his 2000 novel The Case of Dr. Sachs his only book translated into English which the New England Journal of Medicine praised as poignant without being maudlin or unsentimental (and) full of insightful writing that can only come from someone who has watched people closely for a long time. Wincklers body of work is as impressive as it is eclectic, including fiction and nonfiction works on the patriarchal culture of French medicine as well as a handful of television scripts. His next project is a manual on pain management. An Americophile to his core, Winckler says he has been having a ball in San Francisco. His forthcoming novel is inspired in part by his own travels to the United States as a teenager, when Winckler lived with a family in Minnesota for about a year. But he said the Midwest wasnt the right place to send his novels central character in the late 1960s. What would be cool, Winckler said, leaning forward, elbows on his knees, would be to send him to a place where many, many things were happening, and to a place that would be very receptive to what was happening in the U.S., and to the U.S. Against the residences living room window, Winckler has placed a Frisbee emblazoned with the Haight and Ashbury street signs. He has spent his days immersing himself in the many corners of San Francisco, mainly on foot. Im more interested in the history of the city, in the architecture, the aesthetic, he said. Im gathering not only impressions of the city and facts, but also Im collecting small experiences. Wincklers visit and the enrichment of his subsequent work is due to the passion of a young, forward-thinking diplomat. Emmanuel Lebrun-Damiens, appointed consul general last year at 39, was eager to foster a French custom with the artist-in-residence program. The residencies that France created abroad is a tradition that goes back to the 17th century, Lebrun-Damiens said, pointing out that in those days, the artists were selected by the king. San Franciscos Room With a View program is Frances fourth outpost, with other artists in residence in Rome, Japan and New Zealand. Much like Frances program in New Zealands Randell Cottage, San Franciscos residency is specifically for writers. Lebrun-Damiens intends to host writers twice a year, in the spring and fall. Applications are now being accepted for this falls residency. We see these residencies as a way to strengthen cultural ties between the Bay Area and France, Lebrun-Damiens said. I consider it soft diplomacy. Also, the program gives the consul and his co-workers the chance to get to know and engage with artists. We love it, he said. Its in the French DNA. Beth Spotswood is a freelance writer. Evan Sernoffsky A 47-year-old church pastor in Menlo Park was arrested on suspicion of six counts of sexual assault, including instances involving children, police said Thursday. Victor Elizandro Tax-Gomez, who lives in East Palo Alto, was arrested Thursday after an interview at the Menlo Park Police Department, officials said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The grisly events that unfolded in a small San Francisco jewelry shop on July 12, 2013, are undisputed. Barry White slit the throats of two store clerks and critically wounded the owner over the price of a gold chain, say both Whites attorney and the prosecution. He then shot at responding police officers, surrendering only when he ran out of ammunition. But their perspectives quickly diverged in opening statements Thursday in Whites trial. While Assistant District Attorney Diane Knoles argued that Whites deliberate and calculated actions that day stemmed from anger and an intent to kill, Deputy Public Defender Kwixuan Maloof said they were the result of an untreated mental disorder that White, 27, has suffered from since 2009, when Antioch police shot him in the head. No one can be shot in the back of the head and not suffer a mental defect, Maloof told the jury. Knoles is seeking a conviction on first-degree murder charges. Maloof is hoping for lesser manslaughter charges in connection to the deaths of 51-year-old Lina Lim and 35-year-old Khin Min, who were employees at Victoga in the San Francisco Gift Center and Jewelry Mart on Brannan Street. Their families packed the courtroom Thursday, filling almost an entire side, gasping and sobbing when Knoles showed the jury a video of the slayings and photos of their loved ones bodies. The camera footage showed White calm and collected, at one point asking the stores owner, Vic Hung, for change for parking. White waited until the last customer left before speaking to Hung, allegedly to challenge the price of a $5,500 gold chain hed purchased earlier, Maloof said. The chain was advertised as weighing 100 grams, but was actually just 80 grams, Maloof said, and White was seeking a partial refund. He then reached into his pocket and drew out a five-shot revolver, firing three times at the owner and once at Lim, striking them both. As they fled to a back room, White approached Min, firing his last shot. When the shot missed, White pulled out a knife and slit her throat. White then moved to the back room, where Lim was later found almost decapitated. Hung fought back and had slash wounds on his hands and face. Covered in blood, White exited the store and reloaded his revolver. He fired at responding police officers, ducking into a nearby taqueria for cover before finally surrendering when he ran out of ammunition. Investigators later found a loaded AK-47 rifle in Whites car, and an extra ammunition magazine. While Knoles showed the jury graphic photos of the victims, Maloof showed bloody photos of White shortly after he was shot by Antioch police in 2009. The officers said they had been investigating reports that White and two friends had threatened a club bouncer with a pump-action shotgun when White tried to run them over, prompting them to shoot him in the head and the back. Maloof said White wasnt found until 90 minutes later, lying in a pool of blood, and the officers first took trophy photos before rendering aid. Whites civil lawsuit against the police is still ongoing. It was a miracle that White survived, but he was never the same after the shooting, Maloof said. His co-workers at the medical center where he worked as a file clerk described the previously mellow, smart guy as a walking zombie with shaking hands and memory loss, Maloof said. White seemed depressed and withdrawn, and became fixated on buying high-end jewelry and always carrying a gun with him for protection, Maloof said. He was diagnosed in 2011 with post-traumatic stress disorder, but Maloof said White most likely also suffered from frontal lobe syndrome, which would affect his social behavior, emotional state, impulse control and problem-solving capabilities. Every eyewitness to this case will say that Barry appeared to walk calmly and slowly, as if nothing had happened, Maloof said. When the police first saw him, they thought he was a victim. He had no emotion, and he was unresponsive. The trial is expected to continue over the next few weeks. Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo Californias $5 fee on gun sales, which funds laws to take firearms away from criminals and mental patients, will remain in effect after a federal appeals court rejected a constitutional challenge from gun groups Thursday. The fee is part of a $19 charge that the state collects on each firearms sale to pay for background checks and notify dealers if the would-be purchaser is barred from owning a gun under federal or state law. A 2011 law set aside $5 to support state programs to identify and confiscate guns from people who purchased them legally but later became ineligible to own them because of convictions for serious or violent crimes, domestic violence restraining orders or mental illnesses. More than 18,000 Californians in those categories owned guns as of 2011, according to a legislative staff analysis. The National Rifle Association and other advocacy groups sued the state in August 2011, arguing that the fee placed an unjustifiable financial burden on Californians exercising their right to buy and own guns. They noted that most of the fee-payers were legal gun owners. But the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said Thursday that the surcharge imposed a minimal burden, at most, on gun ownership rights, and was properly limited to programs aimed at reducing gun crimes. Since the U.S. Supreme Court has approved bans on gun ownership by felons and the mentally ill, we have recognized that public safety is advanced by keeping guns out of the hands of people who are most likely to misuse them for these reasons, Chief Judge Sidney Thomas said in the 3-0 ruling, upholding a lower-court decision. And while the state may not tax constitutionally protected activities to increase general revenue, Thomas said the California fee supports only programs related to gun sales and public safety. The ruling is further evidence that the Second Amendment, which declares a right to keep and bear arms, is not unlimited, said Michael McLively, an attorney with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which filed arguments supporting the state law. It protects the right to have a handgun in the home, but it doesnt mean that every single law touching on firearms is unconstitutional, McLively said. Theres a lot the states can do to protect people. C.D. Michel, a lawyer for the gun organizations, said they were disappointed but not surprised by the ruling, since the Ninth Circuit, he contended, has ignored the Supreme Courts standards for gun laws. We look forward to the possibility of the Supreme Court clarifying its ruling in this or another Second Amendment case soon, Michel said. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko Angel Ramos family is throwing him a party Saturday for his 22nd birthday, but he wont be there. Thats because Vallejo police shot and killed Ramos, at the home he shared with his family, in the early morning hours of Jan. 23. Visitors to his Sacramento Street home are greeted by a memorial of photographs, empty liquor bottles, flowers and big block letters tied to a fence that spell out RIP ANGEL. Its a stunning sight on one of Vallejos busiest roads. Ramos, who was one of eight children, was a custodian who enjoyed skateboarding, graffiti art and pets. Compared to any of us, he was just different, said his sister, Alicia Saddler, when I visited the home earlier this week. His mother, Annice Evans, added, He just had a whole different personality. He stood out of the crowd. Eric Kayne/Special to The Chronicle Now hes dead. But thats not the end of his story, because the official police account of what happened just doesnt add up. And because the police have refused to release Ramos autopsy report, the familys doubt of what police have told them has deepened. According to Lt. Jeff Bassett, a spokesman for the Vallejo Police Department, officers responded to a fight at the home involving people with weapons. Neighbors had heard screams, and someone inside the house, where family members and their friends had been drinking for several hours, called police and said Ramos had a knife. During the fracas, two officers came upon a 6-foot-2, 250-pound 16-year-old boy who was in a mutual combat situation with Ramos on the back deck, Bassett told two of my colleagues in the hours after Ramos died. One officer used his Taser on the 16-year-old, who at that point was on top of Ramos. But one of the prongs missed. Moments later, the teen fell on his back and Ramos pounced on him, according to Bassett. Ramos, Bassett said, had a knife and presented himself as an immediate and lethal threat to the victim down on his back. Thats when one of the officers, an eight-year veteran of the force, fired four shots at Ramos. Ramos family disputes just about everything the police have said about the killing. They say Ramos had a knife before he went onto the deck, but not when he was on the deck. Whats more, the teen police say Ramos was threatening has told police Ramos didnt have a knife, according to an attorney representing Ramos family. The family says Ramos was standing when he was shot. The family, which is being represented by John Burris, a well-known civil rights attorney, is demanding that authorities release the autopsy report. The report should reveal the trajectory of the bullets that hit Ramos. But Melissa Nold, who works in Burris law office, said police havent responded to the familys demands to release the report. Theres no legitimate reason for not releasing the coroners reports. Its a public record, she told me. It may or may not support their version of the event. If it does, it would behoove them to release it. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Eric Kayne/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Eric Kayne/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Eric Kayne/Special to The Chronicle Show More Show Less Heres where the story really gets murky. Police have told the family the officer shot from where he stood at the side of the house and he was on the ground, not the second-floor deck. If true, the shots wouldve been taken at an upward angle, and the bullets wouldve gone through the rails of a dimly lit deck that was occupied by several others, including police officers. I dont know how Vallejo trains its officers, but shooting in the dark doesnt seem like proper operating procedure. Nold said that if Ramos was on top of the teen and if the officer fired from the ground, as the police contend, he wouldve been hit in the back or the side. He wouldve had to have had his back to the person that was shooting on the ground, said Nold, who viewed Ramos body in the morgue. He was not shot in the back. He was only shot in the front of his body. Burris is also representing the young man Ramos allegedly was about to stab. Angel was not trying to stab him at all, Nold said. The fight that led to police being called began on the front stoop between Saddler, 27, and her boyfriend Phillip Vaughn, 28. They have three children together. According to Saddler and Vaughn, they had argued and Vaughn had pushed Saddler. Dante Ramos, Saddlers and Angel Ramos 20-year-old brother, confronted Vaughn, who went into the house. As the altercation escalated, another young man who was at the house pushed Vaughn and the teen onto the small deck and locked the door. Angel Ramos, who had been sleeping in his room, was awakened by Dante Ramos girlfriend. Angel Ramos came out of his room in his boxer shorts. The family doesnt dispute that Angel Ramos grabbed a knife, but they say it was taken away from him by the young man who had locked Vaughn and the teen out of the house. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Angel had a knife, but way before the cops got here, Saddler said. He had a knife in the house. Someone on the deck punched through the window to strike Dante Ramos. Angel Ramos went onto the deck. So did Saddler, who tried to break up the fight. Soon the police arrived shouting commands and with their guns drawn. Saddlers 9-year-old son, Giovanni Wilson, watched. I see my son standing here, recalled Saddler, who was sitting on the porch against Vaughn. I knew my two other babies were in here. I looked up at the officer and I was like, Please dont shoot. My kids are in the house. And he tased me for saying that. Vaughn, who admitted to fighting with the Ramos brothers, told me Ramos didnt bring a knife onto the porch. I seen him when he came outside. He didnt have no knife, Vaughn said. I dont know why the police are trying to say he had a knife when he came outside. If Angel had a knife, why didnt they tase Angel first instead of (the teen) first? Saddler told me that when police ordered her, Vaughn and the teen to get down, they took up most of the room on the deck. There was no space for Angel Ramos, especially with officers also on the deck. She and Vaughn didnt see Ramos get shot. Neither did the teen, but he did tell Nold that Ramos body fell on top of him after the shooting. At the end of the day, if he had a knife or not, they didnt have to shoot him, said Evans, 53, Angel Ramos mother. Evans wonders why police treated Ramos differently than the others at the house. Why was he shot and not tased? I wonder the same thing, but Bassett didnt return my call requesting an update on the investigation into Ramos death. They portrayed my son to be freakin monster, that hes out there over the guy getting ready to stab him, Evans said. Theyre portraying him as a monster that he wasnt. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr Three correctional deputies were convicted of second-degree murder Thursday in the 2015 jail-cell beating of a mentally ill inmate at Santa Clara Countys Main Jail a case the county sheriff said tarnished the reputation of her entire agency and was a catalyst for reform. A jury found Jereh Lubrin, 30, Matthew Farris and Rafael Rodriguez, both 28, guilty of killing 31-year-old Michael Tyree, whose soiled and battered body was found inside his sixth-floor cell. The defendants, dressed in dark suits, showed no reaction as the verdicts were read, although family members seated behind them gasped and sobbed. Shannon Tyree, the sister of the slain man, watched the reading of the verdict from the front row of the spectators gallery. The three convicted guards, who face prison terms of 15 years to life when they are sentenced Sept. 1, were led away in handcuffs. Courtroom observers said the jurys decision to convict the three men came in sharp contrast to other recent cases involving law enforcement officers who have been cleared of homicide charges in the Bay Area and across the country. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, speaking in front of the courthouse immediately after the verdicts were read, thanked the jury for recognizing that Tyree was a man with rights and dignity and a family who loved him. Trapped behind bars, Michael Tyree could not stand up to the men whose job it was to protect him, Rosen said. The jury stood up to them. His death will never be invisible. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith vowed that her department will not be defined by the action of these three individuals. ... Were proud that justice was served and that those who are culpable are behind bars. The acts carried out by these three individuals tarnished the reputation of this profession and of our entire agency, the sheriff added. Conversely, I stand behind the hard work and dedication of the 1,400 deputies who perform their job every day to the highest standards and do the right thing. She vowed that the verdicts would serve as a catalyst for reforms in the Santa Clara County jails. Relatives of the three convicted guards walked solemnly from the courthouse, some of them with arms linked, not speaking or answering questions. The death spurred wide public outrage and prompted efforts to improve conditions inside the countys jails. In December, the county settled a $3.6 million civil rights and wrongful-death lawsuit with Tyrees family. The jury reached its decision Thursday afternoon after three days of deliberation. Tyree was found naked covered with feces and vomit in his cell on Aug. 25, 2015. The county medical examiner determined he died of internal bleeding from severe damage to his spleen and liver. Several inmates testified at trial they heard Tyree and inmate Juan Villa being beaten inside their cells that night. One witness said he heard Tyree screaming for help as the three guards entered his cell and began their assault. Prosecutors used the witness testimony, along with cruel-sounding text messages sent by Farris to other guards, to portray the correctional officers as sadistic brutes who got satisfaction out of beating inmates. The jury could not reach verdicts on two counts of assault under the color of authority for two attacks on Villa, another mentally ill inmate housed on the same floor as Tyree. Defense attorneys for the three guards, who had been out on $1.5 million bail each during the trial, argued over the two-month trial that Tyree died after plunging from his jail toilet into his stainless-steel sink. Expert witnesses testified that a chevron-shaped mark on Tyrees back likely came from the lip of the sink. That wound, they argued, caused his spleen to rupture. Tyrees burst liver may have been the result of bungled CPR, the attorneys said. The defense at trial picked apart the credibility of the witness testimony from criminal inmates, while lambasting what they described as a hasty and inadequate investigation. Erratic writing scrawled on the top of the cell and feces high on the wall showed Tyree was standing on his toilet details detectives disregarded in their investigation, the defense argued. Tyree was in jail on misdemeanor theft and drug charges. He was housed on a floor reserved for inmates with mental illness or other special needs. Chronicle staff writer Steve Rubenstein contributed to this report. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky Many investors see Franco-Nevada (NYSE: FNV) as just another way to invest in the precious-metals market. It's natural to assume that because the company makes financing arrangements for which it primarily gets repaid in streams of gold and other precious metals, its stock price would move in lockstep with the precious-metals markets. Yet over the past decade, Franco-Nevada has dramatically outpaced gold as an investment, and the company's business model suggests that further outperformance could persist for years to come. How Franco-Nevada has done compared to gold Over the past year, Franco-Nevada has done well in comparison to the gold market. Gold prices are up about 5% from this time last year, but Franco-Nevada shares have seen their price rise by 17%. That doesn't even include the dividends that the company has paid along the way. A look at the company's performance over the long haul shows even more dramatic differences: When gold was climbing during the late 2000s and early 2010s, Franco-Nevada managed to grow at an even-faster pace. Yet when gold prices hit their peak and started to deteriorate from 2012 onward, Franco-Nevada nevertheless managed to find ways to boost its stock price. How Franco-Nevada wins even when gold drops The key thing to understand about Franco-Nevada is that the company is opportunistic in its investments. When gold prices are high, the streams of precious metals that Franco-Nevada has coming in are worth more. But the chances of Franco-Nevada making lucrative new investments aren't as good, because most mining companies don't have as much need for outside capital when the gold they produce is worth more money. Moreover, even miners that do need cash infusions typically have no trouble getting financing from any number of sources when the gold market is strong. By contrast, when the gold market drops, mining companies often fall on hard times. Profits decline, and marginal players in the industry start losing money. That increases the need for financing, but weak industry conditions also make conventional financing sources reluctant to provide cash. That gives Franco-Nevada the opportunity to swoop in and secure favorable terms in exchange for much-needed financing. You can see how that cycle works in Franco-Nevada's recent acquisitions. In October 2015, Franco-Nevada provided $610 million in exchange for a silver stream on production from the Antamina mine in Peru from Teck Resources (NYSE: TECK). The company initially expected silver streams of 2.8 million to 3.2 million ounces annually, but 2016 deliveries amounted to 4.4 million ounces. Teck's decision to increase deliveries was motivated in part by low metal prices and the desire to strengthen its balance sheet. Similarly, when mining giant Glencore was struggling to manage its extensive debt, Franco-Nevada managed to make a deal that gave it a gold and silver stream in exchange for a $500 million one-time payment. Already, the mine has delivered on its promise, and Franco-Nevada expects the mine to keep producing until 2030. Even more importantly, Franco-Nevada structured the deal to get rights to potential future expansion of the mine site. Those kinds of concessions are a big key to Franco-Nevada's overall success. Will Franco-Nevada stay ahead of gold? Because of the success of its business model, Franco-Nevada has demonstrated an ability to outperform gold over its history, and that outperformance looks likely to continue. Franco-Nevada believes that the precious-metals markets have rebounded sufficiently that future opportunities for streaming arrangements are likely to diminish. In response, Franco-Nevada is looking more at the energy sector, where oil and gas royalty interests offer the same kind of risk and reward as streaming deals in the precious-metals market. By moving from a current 95-5 mix of precious metals to energy toward a more balanced 80-20 mix, Franco-Nevada thinks it can diversify and take advantage of better conditions in the oil and gas market. In the long run, Franco-Nevada will likely invest anywhere that natural-resources markets offer profitable opportunities. With the right to participate in rising gold prices, as well as the potential for growth independent of what precious metals do, Franco-Nevada is setting itself up for the best of both worlds. 10 stocks we like better than Franco Nev When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Franco Nev wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of May 1, 2017 Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. President Trump said Thursday that the United States formally will withdraw from the Obama-era Paris climate accord. Despite the decidedly shrill cries made by environmental groups claiming withdrawal from the accord will spell doom for Earths climate, the poorly negotiated treaty would have done very little to avert global warming and would have hurt everyday Americans struggling to pay their bills and seeking to find high-paying jobs. To meet the stringent requirements of the Paris agreement, President Barack Obama enacted arduous regulations on U.S. industry and workers for no real-world, tangible environmental benefits. A prime example is Obamas Clean Power Plan, which every year would have imposed billions of dollars in compliance costs on businesses and workers and 11 to 14 percent higher electricity costs and led to the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs, according to a study by NERA Economic Consulting. And what would Americans have received for all this trouble? According to the climate models used by the Obama administrations Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Power Plan would have averted only .018 of a degree Celsius of future potential warming by 2100, an amount so small, it is impossible to detect with any confidence by even the most sophisticated scientific equipment. Even Gina McCarthy, who headed EPA under the Obama administration, conceded the so-called value of the Clean Power Plan was not measured by how much the regulations would reduce future global temperature, but by showing strong domestic action, which can actually trigger global action. So, what kind of global action did the Clean Power Plan trigger, exactly? The answer is very little. Even the climate models used to develop the Paris accord say these measures would have avoided just 0.2 of a degree Celsius of potential future warming, and only if all pledges were met by 2030 and held through 2100 a condition that is highly unlikely to be fulfilled because China, India and Pakistan continue to rapidly build additional coal-fired power plants and have promised to peak their emissions only sometime around 2030. In the meantime, another NERA study found that the price of complying with Paris would have been disproportionately placed on the backs of the American people in the form of rising electricity prices and the loss of up to 440,000 jobs by 2025 and up to 6.5 million industrial-sector jobs 3.1 million of these in manufacturing by 2040. It also would have resulted in the transfer of billions of dollars from hardworking Americans to the United Nations Green Climate Fund. President Trump was right when he said in his speech announcing the decision to leave the Paris climate agreement he represents the people of Pittsburgh, not Paris. Its refreshing to have a president who puts American interests first and refuses to partake in symbolic gestures that would hamper the economy in exchange for nothing more than trivial reductions in future global temperature. Isaac Orr is a research fellow specializing in energy and environmental policy at the Heartland Institute. Email: iorr@heartland.org Twitter: @thefrackingguy This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The first BART car was carefully covered in a gigantic sheet before it was wheeled into view, then unveiled to the public with a magicians flourish. Once the model car was made visible in 1965, it took a victory tour from Concord to Oakland, then Berkeley to San Franciscos Union Square. Enthralled crowds lined up, climbed stairs and waited patiently to sit in a BART car that didnt actually go anywhere. BART has had a lot of highs and lows in its long history, with planning beginning in the 1940s and the first trains rolling in 1972. But dreams of a transit utopia were never stronger than on June 22, 1965, when the first car was put on display for the public. BART General Manager B.R. Stokes eagerly stoked the hype, addressing politicians, media members and a few others at the agencys Diablo Test Track in Concord. Were in the business of selling a ride to commuters who might otherwise take their cars, Stokes told the crowd, speaking from a podium at an elevated stage. Weve got to compete with the luxury of todays autos and I think weve got something that only, possibly, a jet can compare with. Then a ribbon was cut and the cover floated to the ground, revealing a whale-sized BART car to the oohing and ahhing crowd. Bill Young/The Chronicle The car had a temporary logo (BARTD for Bay Area Rapid Transit District) and the seats were designed differently, but its otherwise remarkable how little the physical design of the car has changed in 52 years. Officials boasted that as the BART cars traveled through different Bay Area microclimates, the air conditioning system would adapt to keep riders comfortable. Other promises were harder to keep. Stokes and BART President Adrien J. Falk said the cars would reach 80 mph, new cars would arrive at each station every 90 seconds and all passengers would be seated the first cars had no overhead bars or hanging straps. A route map included in the model cars showed BART service that extended into Marin County. (North Bay citizens later opted out of the program.) The most surprising announcement: Instead of advertising cards, officials suggested the cars might have a much more high-tech flourish. Were thinking of a screen or slide projector at either side of the car, Stokes said. It could flash public information as well the next stop, for instance. And this car has such jetliner luxury, we might even compete with movies. Not full-length ones, the ride is too short for that just short subjects, educational ones. Bay Area commuters never got to see their in-flight movies. But BART service did finally arrive in the East Bay on Sept. 11, 1972, with the Transbay Tube opening on Sept. 16, 1974. The Chronicle has photos from those events too, but the faces seem a little more jaded, shoulders a little more slumped. For pure Bay Area transit excitement, 1965 was the all-time peak. Peter Hartlaub is The San Francisco Chronicles pop culture critic. Email: phartlaub@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @PeterHartlaub Week after week the plight of nonprofits and artists in the gentrifying Mission District is a theme at Planning Commission meetings. Finally the neighborhoods nonprofits got some good news Thursday, although this being San Francisco, some residents still found plenty to complain about. The Planning Commission unanimously approved Common Ground Urban Developments project at 1850 Bryant St., a $120 million, 200,000-square-foot commercial condominium complex that will be 100 percent occupied by 10 nonprofits offering services including job training, housing placement, addiction counseling and adult education. Commissioner Dennis Richards called the project an idea whose time has come. Ownership is the best form of eviction defense. Despite the unanimous approval, the project, led by developer Chris Foley, faced criticism from two abutting groups: artists living at 1890 Bryant St., and residents of the Franklin Square live/work lofts at 1800 Bryant St. While members of both groups were careful to say they support the concept of creating a home for nonprofits, they said the five-story building will cast shadows, leaving their spaces in darkness. We are not against nonprofits, were just concerned about the light. We need the light to work, said Gustavo Ramos Rivera, an abstract painter from 1890 Bryant whose work has been shown internationally. Artists have been treated badly in this city. But Jack Tse, a nonprofit real estate specialist with the Northern California Community Loan Fund, called 1850 Bryant a bold project that will encourage vision. He credited the developer for coming up with the idea. There are not enough philanthropic landlords in the city, he said. J.K. Dineen Direct messages: Fielding angry phone calls and emails is routine for any elected official in San Francisco. But in the age of Twitter, citizens have an easier way to voice their displeasure. Now its up to the citys Sunshine Task Force to decide whether officials have to listen. Next week the task force will hear three complaints from citizens saying that department heads and politicians should not be allowed to shield themselves on social media. Two of those complaints are against Board of Supervisors President London Breed one challenging her freedom to block Twitter trolls, the other saying she failed to provide a list of the accounts shes blocked. Angela Greben, who filed the first complaint against Breed, is a Sunnyvale resident who has requested Twitter block lists from public officials in several cities, including some in New York and Florida. She publishes some of the results on a blog. Ive been submitting these requests for two years now, said Greben, who has collected block lists from state health departments, law enforcement agencies and Supervisor Jane Kim. Greben also requested lists of people blocked or muted by Supervisor Mark Farrell, who said he doesnt block anyone, which is not that interesting, Greben said. Josh Wolf who filed the second complaint against Breed, asked for the supervisors blocked user list on March 14, and said he has yet to hear back from her office. Wolf is a member of the Sunshine Task Force, but said he will recuse himself from this decision. The third complaint, filed against the citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Services, for failing to respond on time to requests for tweets from the departments director, Jeff Kositsky. The complainant, Dolores Clean, said Kositsky has prevented at least one Twitter user from reading his tweets on homelessness. All three complaints cite a March ruling by the state Supreme Court over a legal fight that began eight years ago in San Jose, when the city refused to disclose personal texts and emails about a downtown real estate development. The high court ruled that information kept on private accounts or devices can be subject to public records laws. Breed did not return calls seeking comment Friday. Kositsky said hes unblocked the user who wrote the complaint against him, even though members of the Sunshine Task Force told him he didnt have to. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Im a public figure, and people have a right to hear my opinion, and Im sorry to the person I blocked, he said. As for the delay in getting the tweets, Kositsky said his department was short-staffed and that the request caused some confusion. This is a challenging question that comes up when people use Twitter for personal and public reasons, he said. Rachel Swan Peace, at last: After a two-year court battle, tension has thawed between San Francisco and the vacation rental service Airbnb. Mayor Ed Lee ratified a settlement between the city, the company and a similar platform called HomeAway on Friday, creating an online registration system for all local hosts. Airbnb spokeswoman Mattie Zazueta praised the new system, saying it provides certainty and clarity for thousands of San Francisco families who share their homes to help make ends meet. Rachel Swan Email: cityinsider@sfchronicle.com, jdineen@sfchronicle.com, rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfcityinsider, @sfjkdineen, @rachelswan This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As the Bay Area continues to embrace the do-it-yourself movement, betrothed couples are fabricating their own, one-of-a-kind rings in the heart of North Beach at Macchiarini Creative Designs. Weve noticed people have a real hunger to handcraft 3-D objects on their own, says North Beach metal artist Dan Macchiarini. Especially couples who want to express their feelings for each other. The gallery and working studio was founded in 1948 by his father, Peter Macchiarini, a Sonoma County-born son of Italian immigrants who pioneered modernist metalwork design and sculpture in the United States. He was also a beloved North Beach character, in the red-hot center of that neighborhoods Bohemian heyday, palling around with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera or forging a wedding ring for Beat-era icon Neal Cassady. After his death in 2001, the S.F. Board of Supervisors named a portion of Kearny Street steps (from Telegraph Hill down to Broadway) in his honor. Last fall, San Francisco Heritage bestowed Legacy Business status on Macchiarini Creative Design, which was already the oldest ongoing metal-arts production studio for modernist design in the United States. Im very fortunate ours is still a family-run business from father-to-son, and to my daughter, Emma, Dan says. The depth of arts and culture in San Francisco is very intrinsic to our work here. And its 36-year-old Emma Macchiarini, a local metalsmith instructor and MFA graduate, who in 2015 dreamed up adding metalsmithing sessions (for adults and kids) and wedding-ring workshops, under the Metalworks SF banner, at the tool-filled production studio behind the Grant Avenue gallery. Rather than having our jewelry-making space be some secret thats kept in the back, Dads been doing this forever, Emma says. Welcoming people to be part of the creative process of our jewelry design. (Full disclosure: Dan and Emma handcrafted wedding rings in 2013 for this reporter and her husband.) Most workshop attendees are absolute beginners. They first participate in a design consultation to discuss metals, settings and designs. But if you dont like our design ideas and want to do something different, thats totally fine. Its your wedding ring, says Emma. One couple arrived, each with rings from their mothers to make new rings. So we work with old gold, recycled metals and responsibly sourced metals. The Macchiarinis typically use conflict-free Canadian diamonds. Workshops start at $550 for a six-hour, two-day session. Silver rings run $200 to $250 per ring; gold rings are $1,100 to $2,000 per ring, not including the stones and settings, which Emma or her father add to finish the ring. One of the things I hear from folks whove made rings here is theyre surprised that, as a novice, they can actually create a piece of jewelry, she says. Theyre also delighted with the experience of working with their partner. Its really touching. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. To celebrate a workshops end, Emma often joins the couple in a toast or snaps a smooch photo of the pair, their ring fingers entwined. Combined with its gallery, Macchiarini provides a kinetic connection between artist and consumer. That dynamic equips people who take their classes or rent benches with an avenue to immediately put their work before the public. The energy in this place is amazing: I hear artists talking about different creations and concepts, Dan says. The whole experience is a dynamic engine that drives itself forward. This place is like Warhols Factory, without the drugs. Catherine Bigelow is The San Francisco Chronicles society correspondent. Email: missbigelow@sfgate.com Instagram: @missbigelow Macchiarini Creative Design 1544 Grant Ave., S.F.; (415) 982-2229. www.macreativedesign.com Once upon a time, Bill Harlan raced motorcycles, docked a schooner on seven continents and played professional poker. Now, he buys unwieldy swaths of Napa Valley wilderness. Same sensation of thrill seeking, perhaps; different resource set. Harlan rests in a singular sort of Napa Valley regency. With his fortune first built on the real estate firm Pacific Union, Harlans crown is now studded with the jewels of Harlan Estate and Bond wineries, and Meadowood resort with its three-star Michelin restaurant. At 76, he is about to officially unveil his latest and presumably, last wine estate, Promontory. Developing Promontory, as both a vineyard property and a wine brand, might from the outside look like a thrill seekers gamble. In the foothills of Mount Veeder, straddling Oakville and Yountvilles borderlands, the vineyard doesnt fall within the boundaries of any AVA. Two seismic fault lines bisect it. Averaging a 40 percent slope, its nearly too precipitous for cultivation. Scarcely 10 percent of the 840-acre territory is plantable. This unique geography, and its quality of feral grandeur, has prompted many wine pundits to already declare Promontory Harlans crowning achievement: It has set the wine world abuzz with anticipation, wrote Karen MacNeil in 2014. It reimagines the classic Napa Cabs of the 70s, by Jay McInerneys estimation. Bill Harlan himself has told several writers that the wine from the Promontory vineyard will fill in Napas missing shade of red a provocatively immodest goal. But Promontory also represents the Harlan familys attempt to be more accessible a relative term, granted, when youre in Napa, and when youre a Harlan. So unlike Harlan Estate, famously shuttered to the public, the Promontory winery will be open for tastings. Promontory will actually have wine for sale at the winery, unlike Harlan Estate and Bond, which sell wine only through their allocated mailing lists. And whereas Harlan Estates current release sells for $850 a bottle, Promontorys is $450. Allowing customers to visit your winery hardly sounds like a radical innovation. But Harlan Estate, considered one of Napas cult Cabernets, first gained fame in the nineties not only for its wine quality its ripe, generous, concentrated wines helped define a new era of wine style but also for its astronomical prices, for the wines scarcity and for the estates all-around secrecy. It wasnt just that you couldnt visit the winery. Even if you had the money, you couldnt buy the wines. Promontorys tasting appointments, in limited supply, cost $200 a person. But theyre also instituting a modified, discounted group session, likely $50, on Saturdays at 8 a.m. That discount is a nod, they say, to Bill Harlans own frugal college student days in the 1960s, when he enjoyed tastings at Napa wineries, then all free. It also seems designed to discourage the rowdier, louder tourist crowds that tend to arrive at wineries much later in the day. While in todays era the free program isnt quite feasible, we wanted to be able to engage younger folks at an earlier stage of their wine development, Will Harlan, Bills son, says. If theyre genuinely curious ... and willing to wake up a bit early, we feel it would be really important to be able to offer an experience at a price thats attainable. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle Bill Harlan likes to talk about having a 200-year plan for his businesses. Phase one is securing a successor. Thats how 29-year-old Will has come to play such a large role in Promontory, and Cory Empting the 36-year-old winemaker for Harlan Estate and Bond under longtime director of winegrowing Bob Levy to assume the new winerys director position. Promontory has been in the making Wills entire life; the 200-year plan doesnt move quickly. Bill Harlan had had his eye on the Promontory property since hed hiked there in 1984, while he was planting Harlan Estate nearby. It wasnt until 2008 that he was able to begin buying the land, which he acquired in three parcels. Only someone with Harlan-level resources, perhaps, could endeavor to harness Promontorys ferocity. Though just a quarter-mile south as the crow flies from Harlan Estate, in the Oakville hillsides, and a scant mile from the French Laundry, it feels a world away from both. These arent the soft rolling hills of Harlan Estate, Empting says. Instead, Promontory whose two seismic fault lines give it three distinct soil series, including a highly heterogeneous metamorphic pocket is jagged, steep, rocky. Empting believes the wines reflect this landscape. They scream purity and wildness, he says. OK, but not too wild. When the Harlans first bought the property, it needed a lot of work: Cut-down trees had been dumped negligently; erosion was rampant; the roads were getting washed out. The soil, formerly treated with harsh herbicides and acidulated fertilizers, was infirm. Emptings prescription: do-nothing farming, the agrarian philosophy prescribed by Masanobu Fukuoka in his treatise The One-Straw Revolution. (Sometimes called natural farming, it shares many goals with biodynamic agriculture, but deviates from it in practices and spiritual principles.) Promontorys soil variation and tendency toward compaction, Empting says, demanded a novel approach. And though Harlan Estate and the Bond properties are farmed organically, the do-nothing imperatives no tilling, no soil ripping, no weeding have inspired changes there, too. (The company does not pursue sustainability certifications.) John Storey/Special to the Chronicle The first year the Harlans had Promontory, 2008, they made wine from the vineyard but werent satisfied with it. They will never sell it. Ever since, vineyard manager Mary Maher has been chipping away piecemeal at restoring Promontory, replanting underperforming vines block by block. Im gonna be in my 70s before our replanting program comes to completion, the younger Harlan says. The only remnants of infrastructure on the 840 acres are an abandoned creekside cabin and the ruins of a vestigial Prohibition-era bootlegging still. In order to keep Promontory wild, the Harlans decided not to build a winery there, which would have required complicated permits, not to mention paved roads. Instead, Harlan purchased an existing winery on Oakville Grade, 300 yards north of Harlan Estate. The building has had several lives before as Vichon, in the early eighties, later as the Cal-Ital project La Famiglia di Robert Mondavi, most recently as Diamond Oaks and as such, was grandfathered into some now-unheard-of use permits. For instance, they can serve full meals there and hold nighttime events, activities permitted to few Napa wineries anymore. (The culinary program, likely to involve Meadowood chef Christopher Kostow and a hearty, family-style midday meal, wont debut until next year.) We have a certain freedom, Will Harlan says. The wineries proximity may look to some like the equivalent of buying a vacation house on the same block as your home. Indeed, the physical winery looks much like its Harlan Estate counterpart; both were designed by Howard Backen, Napa Valleys architect to the stars. But Promontory is Howard Backen Contemporary: almost industrial, in Will Harlans words, incorporating more concrete, steel and glass than the other, which is dominated by stone and redwood. Construction, begun in 2012, finished in May. In this kingdom of bottomless resources, the winery has been outfitted with equipment designed to complement the Promontory vineyards rustic wildness though calling anything the Harlans do rustic would be a stretch for most people. The hallmark of the apparatus: After the standard nine to twelve months of aging in French oak barrels, the Promontory Cabernets are blended and put into Stockinger Austrian oak casks. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle Austrian oak? Its a big departure, Empting concedes. But what was working at Harlan and Bond all sweet, toasty French wood wasnt working here. Bill Harlan wasnt immediately on board with the idea, especially since they initially had to import the casks from the cooperage themselves, but Empting prevailed. Similar to the Austrian and German vessels that Inglenook used in the old days, the casks help realize the retrograde personality of the Promontory wines. Though still rich and driven by fruit, these wines are a little quieter, wearing a little bit less of the opulent polish of the Harlan Estate powerhouses. That shift is simply a reflection of the vineyards personality, Empting insists. But its hard not to read into it, too, a sign of the times a concession to the terms of restraint that have crept into the California Cabernet conversation over the last decade. That conversation has often targeted benchmarks of hedonism that came of age in the nineties and early aughts, like Harlan Estate. Empting himself engages in that conversation: Theres a sweetness to Napa fruit already. And to reinforce that doesnt seem intuitive. Likewise, the decision to open Promontory to the public feels like an acknowledgment that luxury branding is now better served in transparency than in secrecy. Harlan Estate, lavish secluded wine palace never intended for public eyes, thrived on mystery, but building a wine business or any business in 2017 demands face-to-face connection. We know how important it is to have direct relationships with people, Will Harlan says. Empting agrees: It seemed like it was worth fostering those relationships, and not being so exclusive. He pauses. I say this, but I was probably the biggest advocate at first for not having visitors. It doesnt take a cynic to see the irony in calling a $200 tasting appointment accessible. And then again, accessibility by that standard is not what the Harlans are going for. Its rather the posture of openness a controlled transparency. That the Promontory vineyard can produce an original wine, not merely a copy of Harlan Estate, testifies to the character of Napa Valley land that two vineyards separated by a mere quarter-mile, even when handled by the same people, can turn out meaningfully different wines. But with the Harlans its never just about a patch of dirt. Its about establishing institutions. Is Promontory the institution meaningfully different from Harlan Estate? Will a $200 tasting appointment help the wines reach a new audience? Will the wineries, in the end, appear as twins, steel and concrete notwithstanding? In the nineties, Harlan Estate defined the era, introducing a new wine style, stoking a new level of demand for Napa Valley wines. Will Promontory sound that same, comfortable horn? Or will it have something new to say? If you go Visits to Promontory will begin with a glass of Dom Perignon Champagne likely one of their experimentally aged cuvees, P2 and P3 since, after all, Promontory produces only red wine. Each party will have its own individual host, who will use a map to orient guests to the Promontory vineyard. (They wont visit the vineyard.) A tour of the winery follows, culminating in a cask sample tasting a young wine not yet bottled while standing among the Stockinger oak casks. Finally, theyll retire to a private room, where the host will guide guests through tastings of a few different vintages, including the upcoming release and a library selection. Wine may be purchased. (Longtime mailing-list customers of Promontory, Harlan Estate and Bond may expect an enhanced itinerary.) To request an appointment, email visit@promontory.wine or call (707) 963-2206. Appointments offered 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, $200 per person. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) A plan that would pave the way for ending daylight saving time in California has passed in the Assembly. AB 807, authored by Assemblyman Kansen Chu, D-San Jose, passed 48 to 6, with 26 members not voting. The bill now heads to the California Senate. If passed, the bill would repeal California's 67-year-old Daylight Saving Time Act. Then, lawmakers would have to decide whether to keep California on standard time or daylight saving time year-round, with the approval of the federal government. If the plan is approved by the federal government, it would then become a statewide ballot initiative in the next general election. Chu proposed a similar effort last session. It failed after lawmakers raised concerns about harming business in the state. How did daylight saving time even begin? California has been observing the annual time shift since voters approved it in 1949, but the idea formed decades earlier. The U.S. Department of Transportation said railroads adopted a four-zone time system in 1883 to reduce confusion as they operated in about 100 conflicting time zones. Then daylight saving time was introduced by President Woodrow Wilson's administration in 1918 as a way to save energy during World War I. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established a uniform daylight saving time throughout the nation, from the second Sunday of March through the first Sunday of November. The act allows Congress or the transportation secretary to change a time-zone boundary. What's the point of daylight saving time? The U.S. Department of Transportation has three key arguments for keeping it: It saves energy. Because the sun sets an hour later during daylight saving time, people tend to use less electricity for lights and appliances. It saves lives. DOT officials report there are fewer crashes because people are more likely to be driving during daylight. It reduces crime. DOT officials claim extra daylight means people are out less at night, when more crime occurs. Has anyone else dumped daylight saving time? A variety of states have proposed measures over time to eliminate the time change, but most have failed. Only two states currently do not observe daylight saving time: Arizona and Hawaii. American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands also do not observe it. This story originally appeared on KCRA.com. For more than 100 years, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has entertained and thrilled guests vacationing on its waterfront. Now featuring a handful of rides and roller coasters, carnival-style games, a casino arcade and a popular family-friendly summer concert series, the Boardwalk credits its success to its ability to fuse "vintage" attractions with modern innovations sparking interest in visitors young and old. The waterfront destination, however, faced some struggles early on. The casino burned down one summer in 1906, just 22 months after it opened in 1904. Luckily, its creator, Fred W. Swanton, was able to rebuild and reopen it exactly a year later, on June 22, 1907. But this time, it came with an indoor plunge pool and a ballroom along with the casino. As the amusement park claims, more than 1,200 people came to its opening gala to see the new building on the Boardwalk lit up. That makes this historic cornerstone of the Boardwalk's business just about 110 years old almost 50 years older than Disneyland. Rides came shortly after the casino was finished, with a roller coaster called the L.A. Thompson Scenic Railway being the first of many in 1908. A merry-go-round, accompanied by a 1894 Ruth Und Sohn band organ, would be installed in 1911 (you can still ride it today!). In the decades since then, periodic innovations and updates have made the park safer and more attractive to new generations, and live events like the Miss California Pageant (held for the first time at the Boardwalk in 1924) and the summer concert series (which began in 1988) have continued to attract guests for decades. In the above gallery are some rare photos taken at or near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk; some date as far back as Prohibition-era. See what the Boardwalk has looked liked through the years. Photos compiled by Bob Bragman. Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As he rolled out a city budget that prioritizes services for homeless people, Mayor Ed Lee issued a challenge to San Franciscos 11 supervisors: Find places in your district for Navigation Centers to help get this population off the streets. Lee has set aside $6 million over the next two years to open a Navigation Center a shelter that offers substance-abuse treatment and job training, and allows homeless people to bring along their partners and pets. Such facilities three are open and locations have been chosen for three more are central to the mayors strategy to end homelessness, but theyve met resistance from many San Francisco residents and officials, who dont want to live next door to a homeless hub. When Lee announced the $6 million funding in his budget proposal Thursday morning during an address to the Board of Supervisors, he asked each one to help scout a location for the new center the implication being that all parts of the city are candidates. Finding an appropriate site can be a painstaking process that requires community input, which is why the mayor sought the boards help, said Lees spokeswoman, Deirdre Hussey. Lee got a warm response from the three supervisors who have centers in their districts, and want the rest of their colleagues to pitch in. But others were lukewarm at best. The minimum footprint for one of these buildings is 10,000 square feet, and we just dont have space like that, said Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who represents the Excelsior, the southern edge of the city thats blanketed with single-family homes. Fewer than 200 homeless people live there, he noted, so theres little demand or desire for the types of services that abound in the Mission, the Tenderloin or South of Market. In a practical, a planning and a policy sense, I dont think theres much need for a Navigation Center, Safai said. And I dont think my district would be very supportive. Other supervisors who represent the more residential, well-to-do or moderate-leaning areas that dont have a lot of in-your-face homelessness were also dubious of the idea. For me, the question is who would the Navigation Center be serving, said Supervisor Jeff Sheehy, whose district includes the Castro. He said he would cooperate with the mayors office to look for a location but would want the center to cater to young adults, especially LGBTQ youth who are estranged from their families. Board President London Breed, who confronted opposition from property owners when she sought sites for a Navigation Center in the Haight, questioned whether these facilities are a good fit for every neighborhood. We tried to identify sites, but the people who owned those properties were unwilling to work with the city, Breed said. Over the past three years, she has helped secure more than $500,000 in city funding and private donations for an organization called Taking It to the Streets, which shuttles transient youth from Haight Street to SROs in SoMa, which is represented by Supervisor Jane Kim. Lee and Jeff Kositsky, director of San Franciscos Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, say that all districts should help shoulder the burden of a citywide problem. Currently, the city has Navigation Centers located in Civic Center, the Mission and the Bayview. A fourth, temporary center is expected to open June 19 at 1515 S. Van Ness Ave. Two more are planned at San Francisco General Hospital, on the border of the Mission and Potrero Hill, and at 520 Jessie Street in SoMa. I think it would be great to have Navigation Centers in all the districts, Kositsky said. We need more temporary and permanent places (for people) to be ... and at the end of the day, theres no district except District 6 (SoMa) thats really carrying its weight. The supervisors Kim, Hillary Ronen and Malia Cohen who represent districts with navigation centers all supported Lees push for a more equitable distribution of the facilities. Last month, they made a similar demand, co-sponsoring a resolution for geographic equity of Navigation Centers and other homeless services. I almost jumped out of my seat clapping when (Lee) said it in his budget speech, Ronen said. San Franciscans have made it crystal clear that homelessness is their top priority. Asking a few neighborhoods to carry the entire burden of the homeless crisis makes no sense. Its unfair and ineffective. Every district needs to toughen up and do their part. Ronen faced stout criticism from many constituents when she proposed opening a temporary 100-bed center in the South Van Ness Avenue building owned by Lennar Multifamily Communities. Lennar will begin building a market-rate development at the site next year. Cohen, who campaigned hard for the Dogpatch Navigation Center that opened in her district last week, said she wants to see similar facilities on the suburban west side. We are in the midst of a crisis, and we need all hands on deck, she said. Westside Supervisors Norman Yee and Katy Tang expressed cautious support for the centers, which are hard to sell in parts of the city where even tall residential buildings can start a fight. Theres going to be push back, no doubt about it, said Yee, whose district includes West Portal and Forest Hill. He said hes committed to working with the mayors office to see if he can identify anything appropriate for a Navigation Center. Tang, who represents the Sunset, said shes spoken with Richmond District Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer about coming together to serve the street dwellers in their adjoining neighborhoods. Theres no reason why we should provide disjointed services based on supervisorial district boundaries if we can collaborate when appropriate, Tang said. Supervisor Mark Farrell, who represents the Marina, said he is looking at sites for supportive housing for the homeless in his district, but that he is reluctant to open a Navigation Center. Services should be community-based and meet people where they are, Farrell said. He noted that Navigation Centers are best suited to areas where encampments and street homelessness are most acute which is not the Marina. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan Uber posted a $708 million loss in the most recent quarter and said its head of finance is leaving the company, the latest executive to depart in what has been a very tough year to date. Uber told the Associated Press Thursday that its first-quarter loss was narrower than the $991 million loss it posted in the previous quarter. It had revenue of $3.4 billion, up 18 percent from the final three months of last year. Thursdays announced departure of head of finance Gautam Gupta adds to Ubers struggles. The San Francisco company recently lost its head of communications, president and other senior executives as it faces allegations of sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace. CEO Travis Kalanick had to apologize this year after video of him arguing with an Uber driver was made public. And the Justice Department is probing allegations that Uber used an app to thwart authorities who were trying to determine if the company was following local regulations. Guptas departure comes just days after Kalanicks mother was killed in a boating accident. The company this week followed through on threats to fire star autonomous-car researcher Anthony Levandowski, whose hiring touched off a bitter trade-secrets fight with Waymo, the former self-driving car arm of Google. Cybersecurity Kmart stores were hacked Some Kmart stores were hit by hackers, leading to unauthorized activity on some of its customers credit cards, the retailers parent company said. Sears Holdings Corp. said in a blog post Wednesday that Kmarts store payment systems were recently infected with a virus-like computer code undetectable by current antivirus systems. It said some credit card numbers were stolen. A Sears Holdings spokesman said the investigation into the hack is still going on, so details on the dates of the breach, how many customers were affected and which stores were hit by the breach were not available. Not all Kmart stores were affected, he said. Kmart had 624 stores at the end of April. No personal information, such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers and email addresses, was pilfered, the company said. Sears Holdings said it has removed the hackers code and is confident Kmart customers can safely use their credit and debit cards in its stores. Credit AmEx, Hilton tighten bond American Express will become the exclusive credit card issuer for Hilton Hotels, the company said Thursday, a major success for a business that has been facing increased competition. The company will be the sole issuer of the Hilton co-branded credit card starting Jan. 1. Currently Hilton has credit cards issued by Citigroup and AmEx. Hilton started taking American Express cards in the late 1960s and the two companies issued their first co-branded credit card in 1995. Housing Fewer sign up to buy homes Americans retreated from signing contracts to buy homes in April for the second straight month, a possible sign that a declining number of homes on the market are stifling sales during the traditional spring buying season. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that its pending home sales index fell 1.3 percent in April to 109.8, after slipping 0.9 percent in March to 111.3. The index has fallen 3.3 percent in 12 months. Chronicle News Services This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A recent thread on Reddit posed an important question for many San Franciscans: What does one do if he or she witnesses a bike theft? The post was peppered with advice from citizens. "Scream 'STOP THIEF! HELP!'" advises one responder. Chase and tackle, says another. According to the experts on this sort of thing at the San Francisco Police Department, a bystander witnessing a bike theft should do none of the above. Before you bust out the superhero antics, SFPD officer Giselle Talkoff says, definitively, "call the cops." "We just don't want anyone to get hurt," she said, acknowledging that "as human beings, it's sometimes hard for us not to react." Talkoff says to abide by the rule "see something, say something," meaning if you stumble upon a thief in the midst of lock-breaking, call 911 immediately. While theft is obviously lower priority than violent crimes "Life takes precedent over property," says Talkoff the police respond to every call, no matter how miniscule. In the slim chance that the thief is brought to justice, he or she can face a misdemeanor citation up to a felony charge, depending on the cost of the stolen property. Bikes stolen from homes are another matter; Police classify stealing from a garage or backyard as burglary. While confronting a thief has obvious pitfalls, some in the Reddit thread encouraged filming or tailing the perpetrator from a distance. Again, Talkoff advises "not to put yourself in harm's way" by every means possible. If you can get the thief on film from a safe place and distance, great, if not, don't bother. As for tracking, leave it to the professionals. So what can you do? Talkoff says to memorize the bike and thief's appearance in order to give 911 dispatchers as much information as possible. Chances of recovery, however, are slim and bicycle "chop shops" are prevalent in San Francisco. Of the approximately 1,600 bikes reported stolen last year, 40 were returned to their owners. That's 2.5 percent. With odds like these, theft prevention is essential. Talkoff emphasizes the importance of registering your bicycle's serial number it's free to do so on BikeIndex.org so cops can more easily return recovered property to its rightful owner. Also key? Keeping your bike locked up, tips for which the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition shares on its website. And remember, in the heat of the moment, safety first. "Going after thieves is our job," says Talkoff. Read Michelle Robertsons latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com. WASHINGTON The special counsel investigating possible ties between President Trumps campaign and Russias government has taken over a separate criminal probe involving former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and may expand his inquiry to investigate the roles of the attorney general and deputy attorney general in the firing of FBI Director James Comey, the Associated Press has learned. The Justice Departments criminal investigation into Manafort, who was forced to resign as Trump campaign chairman in August amid questions over his business dealings years ago in Ukraine, predated the 2016 election and the counterintelligence probe that in July began investigating possible collusion between Moscow and associates of Trump. The move to consolidate the matters, involving allegations of kleptocracy of Ukrainian government funds, indicates that Special Counsel Robert Mueller is assuming a broad mandate in his new role running the sensational investigation. The expansiveness of Muellers investigation was described to the Associated Press. No one familiar with the matter has been willing to discuss the scope of his investigation on the record because it is just getting under way and because revealing details could complicate its progress. In an interview separately Friday with the Associated Press, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein acknowledged that Mueller could expand his inquiry to include Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Rosensteins roles in the decision to fire Comey, who was investigating the Trump campaign. Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller as special counsel to take over the investigation, wrote the memorandum intended to justify Trumps decision to fire Comey. Sessions met with Trump and Rosenstein to discuss Trumps decision to fire him despite Sessions pledge not to become involved in the Russia case. Rosenstein said that if he were to become a subject of Muellers investigation, he would recuse himself from any oversight of Mueller. Under Justice Department rules, Mueller is required to seek permission from Rosenstein to investigate additional matters other than ones already specified in the paperwork formally appointing Mueller. Ive talked with Director Mueller about this, Rosenstein said. Hes going to make the appropriate decisions, and if anything that I did winds up being relevant to his investigation then, as Director Mueller and I discussed, if theres a need from me to recuse I will. Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment on the scope of the investigation. Mueller, who spent 12 years as FBI director and served under Republican and Democratic presidents, was appointed as special counsel following the May 9 firing of Comey, who is expected to testify for the first time next week before the Senate. Muellers assignment, detailed in a one-page order signed by Rosenstein, covers the federal investigation into possible links or coordination between Russia and associates of the Trump campaign but also any matters that arose or may arise directly from the probe. Sadie Gurman, Eric Tucker and Jeff Horwitz are Associated Press writers. Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Dan Zimmerman defended his agency's management of the state's largest nursing home this week, saying news coverage and commentary on King concentrates on the negative and ignores the positive. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Update: On Friday morning Portland Police apprehended the man suspected of stealing the belongings of Ricky Best, a victim of the Portland MAX train stabbing. The suspect, 51-year-old George Elwood Tschaggeny, will be arraigned on Monday in Multnomah County Court, police announced in a press release. The arrest came less than 24 hours after police released video surveillance footage of the suspect exiting the MAX train with Best's backpack. According to police, a vigilant Domino's Pizza employee spotted Tschaggeny near her place of work and believed him to be staying near the Cesar E. Chavez overpass in Portland. At the time of his arrest, Tschaggeny was wearing Best's wedding ring, leading officials to suspect that the man had removed the ring from Best's finger after the stabbing attack. Best's backpack was also recovered, although some items were missing, including his wallet. End of update. A man is suspected of stealing a backpack and wedding ring belonging to one of the victims of the Portland MAX train stabbing. The items belong to Ricky Best, a father of four and 23-year Army veteran, and include personal items important to his family, the Portland Police Bureau said in a press release. The suspect, a white male with a blonde mullet-style haircut, was captured on surveillance video leaving the MAX train with Best's backpack on Friday afternoon, following the stabbing that took the lives of Best, 53, and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, and seriously injured 21-year-old Micah David-Cole Fletcher. Surveillance footage of the backpack theft suspect The men were killed after attempting to calm down a fellow passenger who was yelling anti-Muslim slurs at two teenage girls. Police arrested the suspect, 35-year-old Jeremey Joseph Christian of Portland, on Friday. He is being held on suspicion of aggravated murder and attempted murder. See also: Unease about white supremacy grows after Portland stabbings As of Thursday evening, the suspect in the backpack theft remains at-large. In the surveillance video, he wears a black Jordan brand hat, a black T-shirt featuring Marilyn Monroe, and carries two black backpacks in each hand. Portland police are uncertain who the second backpack belongs to. Police have released the surveillance video in hopes that Portland residents can help locate the man and backpack. Those with information are asked to contact Detective Mitch Hergert at mitch.hergert@portlandoregon.gov. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Read Michelle Robertsons latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com. RACINE A former substitute teacher convicted of sexting and fondling high school girls was sentenced to a year in jail and three years of probation. But any violations of his probation or jail work release privileges, including orders that he have no unsupervised contact with minors, could result in him seeing prison time for his offenses, a local judge warned Tuesday. These are crimes for which imprisonment would very well be appropriate if you had a criminal history, Racine County Circuit Court Judge Emily Mueller told Justin Beaton, 29. I am opting now for some punishment, which is very appropriate. I am opting for intensive treatment, initially in the community, but I am leaving open the potential for substantial prison time in the event you either choose to, or are simply incapable of, following the rules. Beaton, of the 1600 block of Grange Avenue, Racine, was charged last March with two counts of child enticement, two counts of sexual assault of a student by a school staff member and exposing a child to harmful material, after he allegedly exchanged sexually explicit text messages, kissed and groped two older teen girls, and sent a photo of his genitals to a 14-year-old Case High School student over social media. He pleaded guilty on March 14 to one of the two sexual-assault charges he faced, and the charge of exposing a child to harmful material. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of bail jumping for reportedly trying to contact one of the alleged victims in the case, violating the terms of his bond. Right and wrong On Tuesday, Mueller expressed concern not only for the gravity of the crimes, but also over what she saw as Beatons failure to grasp that gravity. I think you are a low risk to re-offend when you know that something is wrong. Your problem is, you dont always know when something is wrong, Mueller said. You have indicated embarrassment and remorse, but frankly I dont believe that you have actually internalized your responsibilities here. Youre the adult. One of these girls was 14 years old. You sent her a picture of your (genitals)? Where does that come from? Mueller could have sentenced Beaton to up 10 years in prison for his crimes, but opted to heed much of the recommendation of presentence investigators with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Those investigators recommended that Beaton, who had no criminal record prior to his arrest on the sexual assault charges, be sentenced to three years of probation, with the condition that he spend one of those years in jail. That was the sentence they recommended for all four charges. Mueller instead sentenced Beaton to one year in jail for the bail jumping charges, and another three years on probation for the sexual assault and exposing a child to harmful material charges. In addition to having no unsupervised contact with anyone under 18, Beaton may not teach or have any contact with elementary, middle of high schools. He must also register as a sex offender, undergo counseling, and random drug and alcohol testing. Warning Assistant District Attorney Dirk Jensen also deferred to the DOCs sentencing recommendation, but he too cautioned that Beaton would surely face prison time if he violated the terms of his probation. I want Mr. Beaton to understand clearly that if I see his name on a referral (for charges) in my office I am going to ask for that referral, and I will not be recommending he be placed on probation in the community, Jensen said. Earlier in his remarks Jensen stated that he believed Beaton had minimized his role in the offenses committed. He doesnt understand the lines that were crossed. And I think that is a somewhat of a concern to be quite honest, Jensen said. Addressing the court, Beaton said that he has been working to address faulty thinking that led him to act as he did, and assured Mueller and Jensen that they would not hear from him again. It was not okay for me to violate the rules, said Beaton. I just feel really embarrassed. I dont know what else to say. Im very sorry. My prayer is for forgiveness and restoration for everybody I know. A Warrens man charged in the November 2015 death of his infant son faces new charges that accuse him of abusing another child. The victim, now 9, said Troy Tralmer spun her by the arms and legs and swung her into a wall and bed while he was babysitting between November 2012 and November 2014, according to the complaint filed in Monroe County Circuit Court. Tralmer, 27, is due in court June 12 to face a charge of physical abuse of a child. Prosecutors in November 2015 charged Tralmer in the death of his 3-month-old son. Tralmer told investigators he dropped his son Chad on Nov. 5 while performing the Heimlich maneuver after the infant choked on milk, according to the complaint filed in Monroe County Circuit Court. He tried CPR when his son stopped breathing and called 911 from his residence in Tunnel City. The infant did not regain consciousness and died at a hospital two days later. Tralmer denied violently shaking his son while home alone with the infant. An autopsy found the child suffered seven broken ribs, a fractured skull and bleeding in his brain, according to the complaint. Tralmers trial for first-degree reckless homicide and physical abuse of a child causing great bodily harm is June 18-29, 2018. Devils Lake State Park officials hope to cut wait times for visitors entering the property on busy weekends by expanding the parks entrances. Park Superintendent Steve Schmelzer said additional lanes are being added to the parks north and south shore entrance roads in an effort to keep traffic flowing through the area over the busy summer months. Its going to be used for vehicles that are just driving through, he said. Typically when weve had two lanes, weve sold tickets out of the second lane on busy weekends, and then it kind of backs things up. The park takes in about 2 million visitors annually, with an influx coming throughout the summer camping season. The parks two-lane entrance roads historically have been used to separate two groups of people making their way into the park. Visitors who already have a vehicle admission sticker keep to the right, and those who dont have a pass stay in the left lane to eventually purchase one from a vendor window. During busy weekends, visitors often confuse the lanes, creating backups and long wait times to enter the park. When the park must use two lanes to sell tickets, Schmelzer said the third lane will cut down on backups by allowing park visitors who already have their stickers to pass through. While Memorial Day weekend was busy for the park, Schmelzer said hes unsure how many visitors it hosted. He added that major incidents and backups along the roadways were limited. Construction on the entrance roads began in the week leading up to Memorial Day. Schmelzer said the roadwork was started in anticipation of the summers influx of visitors. He said he expects the increase in traffic to continue this weekend, as the park hosts visitors free for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Free Fun Weekend promotion. During the event, which runs Saturday through Sunday, visitors can enter Devils Lake State Park at no cost. State parks public affairs manager Paul Holtan said the DNR hosts the free, annual event at all of its parks to showcase the states natural sites for people who may be unfamiliar with them. In addition to free admission, the DNR also waives trail passes and fishing license requirements for the weekend. Devils Lake State Park visitors can fish without a trout stamp as well. We hope that by encouraging people to come out and visit, it will entice them to come back later and purchase an annual or daily sticker, Holtan said. The same goes for fishing if people havent fished for awhile, now they can go out and try it. Schmelzer said roadwork will not be completed by the weekends free attractions. He added that the construction likely will be completed by July. Schmelzer said hes still unsure of the total project cost, as hes waiting on bids for road paving. He said special funding for the project was provided by the Bureau of Parks and Management. WASHINGTON (AP) Now that President Donald Trump is pulling the United States out of the international agreement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, what does that mean for the rapidly heating Earth? Here's a guide to what's in the Paris agreement, what's going on with global warming, and what might happen if the rest of the world keeps fighting man-made climate change and the U.S. stays partially or completely on the sidelines. WHAT IS THE PARIS AGREEMENT TRYING TO DO? The 2015 agreement aims to prevent the Earth from heating up by 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) since the start of the industrial age. But the world has already warmed about 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) since the Industrial Revolution, so this is more about preventing an additional 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit of warming. HOW? Each nation submitted its own goals for curbing heat-trapping emissions. Those pledges added up to preventing 117 billion tons of carbon dioxide from being put into the air by 2030, analysts calculate. The U.S. set a target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 at 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels or about 1.6 billion tons of annual emissions. A study last year in the journal Nature Climate Change said America will probably only reach four-fifths of that goal. For China, the No. 1 polluter, having overtaken the United States, the goal was for emissions to peak by 2030 and then start dropping, reducing the amount of carbon pollution per person to about 60 percent of 2005 levels. Some recent signs show that Chinese carbon emissions may have already flattened out, a decade earlier than expected. China accounts for nearly one-third of the pledged reductions. The Paris accord was agreed upon by 197 countries and so far has been ratified by 147 parties, which includes the European Union. That put the deal in effect. The goals are voluntary. There is no climate court. All that's required is a plan and reporting on progress toward the plan. WHAT ARE THE U.S. OPTIONS? The U.S. could stay in the agreement and work toward fulfilling its pledges. It could stay in the accord and not hit its goals. It could stay in the pact and change its target, probably by lowering it. Or it could pull out of the agreement altogether. It takes at least a year and possibly up to 3 years for a nation to withdraw from the pact. No matter what the U.S. does, the Paris agreement remains in effect. THE SCIENCE The world is warming, with the last three years the hottest on record. This year is on track to be the second-warmest, behind 2016. Sea levels are rising. Sea ice in the Arctic is at record low levels. Glaciers worldwide are melting, as are parts of Antarctica. Plants and animals are changing in their growing and migration habits because of shorter and milder winters. Extreme weather in many places has increased. All but a very few scientists say the overwhelming majority of warming is man-made, as do dozens of scientific academies and professional societies. Scientists have known since the 19th century that burning coal, oil and gas spews carbon dioxide into the air, which then acts like a blanket to trap heat on Earth. Carbon dioxide stays in the air for 100 years, and about one-fifth of what has accumulated in the atmosphere came from the U.S., more than any other country. WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT U.S. COOPERATION? The Associated Press interviewed dozens of scientists and consulted computer simulations, and they say without the U.S. pledges, the dangerous 2-degree rise is nearly inescapable. But they also say that even with the U.S. doing its share, preventing that warming is going to be unlikely and will require even more cuts than contained in the Paris agreement. University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Jason Furtado said blowing past the 2-degree mark would be a potential "tipping point" that would lead to "a new and irreversible state in the climate system." One computer simulation one that many other scientists say is too much of a worst-case scenario calculates that if the U.S. increases carbon dioxide emissions and the rest of the world hits its targets, America's added carbon pollution will be responsible for about half a degree of warming (0.3 degrees Celsius). Other scientists look at market forces and see the United States still cutting emissions because the nation is already shifting toward cleaner fuels such as cheaper natural gas, solar and wind. Solar power employs more people in the U.S. than coal. "The U.S. pulling out of Paris will not stop the fight against global warming, since almost all other countries are committed to it," said German climate scientist Stefan Rahmstorf. "But it could delay it and any delay could be detrimental, as stopping global warming before critical tipping points are crossed is a race against the clock." ST. PETERSBURG, Russia President Vladimir Putin ridiculed the allegations of Russian meddling in U.S. elections, accusing the Democrats of trying to shift blame for their defeat and likening the accusations against Russia to anti-Semitism. Facing questions from NBCs Megyn Kelly, who moderated Fridays panel discussion at St. Petersburgs economic forum, Putin said the claims of Russian interference in the U.S. election contained nothing concrete, only assumptions. Asked about the fingerprints, IP addresses allegedly belonging to Russian hackers, he said those could have been easily rigged and couldnt stand as credible evidence. Dmitry Lovetsky/Associated Press What fingerprints? Putin said sarcastically. Hoof prints? Horn prints? Technology experts can invent anything and put the blame on anyone. U.S. intelligence agencies have accused Russia of hacking into Democratic Party emails, helping Donald Trumps election victory, and the congressional and FBI investigations into the Trump campaigns ties with Russia have broken the Kremlins hopes for a detente with Washington. In a sign of exasperation, Putin compared what he described as the obsessive U.S. focus on alleged Russian interference with the vote to anti-Semitism. It reminds me of anti-Semitism, he said. A dumb man who cant do anything would blame the Jews for everything. He blamed the Democrats for the failure to acknowledge their mistakes in the campaign, and taking internal U.S. political squabbles into the international arena. With particular scorn, Putin scoffed at the U.S. focus on the Russian ambassadors contacts with members of Trumps team, saying that the envoy was merely doing his job. Ambassador Sergei Kislyaks meetings with members of Trumps team have been a focus of the congressional investigation. Putin insisted that it was perfectly normal for Kislyak to try to establish contacts and discuss future ties, adding that he hadnt even started to discuss specifics. What else is the ambassador supposed to do? Putin said. Hes paid for holding meetings, discussing current affairs. Are you nuts? Asked specifically if Kislyak had agreed with members of Trumps team on lifting anti-Russian sanctions, Putin denied that any such deal was made. My answer is no, he said. There were no agreements. We didnt even come close to that. We didnt even start negotiations. Asked if Russia is happy to see divisions in NATO over Trumps push for members to increase defense spending, the Russian leader responded on an acerbic note that Moscow would be happy to see the meltdown of the alliance he described as a Cold War relic. Putin also insisted Friday that Syrian leader Bashar Assad didnt use chemical weapons against his people. The April attack in northern Syria killed at least 90, including many children. We are absolutely convinced that it was a provocation. Assad didnt use the weapons, Putin said. It was done by people who wanted to blame him for that. Ian Phillips and Vladimir Isachenkov are Associated Press writers. SINGAPORE The Trump administration is aiming for continuity in Asia policy, sticking broadly with the approach its predecessors have taken by emphasizing diplomacy and cooperation with allies, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Friday. Mattis outlined the Trump administrations approach in remarks traveling with him to Singapore, where he will deliver a policy speech at an international security conference Saturday and meet with several Asian counterparts. He spoke of reinforcing the international order while seeking a peaceful, prosperous and free Asia echoes of the traditional U.S. policy goals without mentioning the narrower challenges of a nuclear North Korea and a rising China. He is expected to discuss North Korea and China in his Saturday speech. Upon arriving in Singapore, Mattis scheduled meetings Friday with Singaporean and Asian officials. President Trump raised doubts in Asia when he took office following a campaign in which he sharply criticized Japan and South Korea for not pulling their weight as treaty allies. So far, however, the administration has been more supportive. As a Pacific nation, we have enduring interests and commitments in the Asia-Pacific region, Mattis said aboard his aircraft, referring in part to U.S. defense treaties with Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines. Accordingly, we are demonstrating the priority this administration places on maintaining stability alongside our allies and partners, he added. The Pentagons role, he said, is to reinforce alliances, strengthen U.S. military capabilities to deter war in Asia, and help enable countries to sustain their own security. Mattis is mindful of emerging threats in Asia, starting with North Koreas development of nuclear weapons and missiles with sufficient range to deliver nuclear strikes on U.S. territory. Trump has said he is leaning more heavily on China North Koreas only significant ally to contain that threat. At the same time, the administration has repeated the Obamas administrations criticisms of China for reclaiming land in areas of the South China Sea that several other nations claim as their own. Its unclear how far China will go to help on North Korea in the face of South China Sea tensions. Trump also has used gunboat diplomacy by speaking of a U.S. naval armada within range of North Korea and noting the presence of U.S. nuclear submarines in the region. The U.S. Navy has two aircraft carrier strike groups in waters off the Korean Peninsula, and on Thursday those groups led by the Carl Vinson and the Ronald Reagan began three days of joint exercises, the first in that area since the 1990s. David Helvey, Mattis senior adviser on Asia policy, told reporters on the way to Singapore that the dual carrier exercise is not intended as a provocation. He called it routine but acknowledged that it is the first of its kind in about 20 years. The exercises are intended to reassure allies, he said, and to keep U.S. forces ready for any crisis. Robert Burns is an Associated Press writer. MANILA A gunman stormed a casino in the Philippine capital and torched gambling tables in the crowded space, creating a choking level of smoke that killed at least 36 people, authorities said. The gunman stuffed a backpack with casino chips before he fled but was found dead in an adjacent hotel early Friday of an apparent suicide. Metropolitan Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said the bodies were found in smoky rooms by firefighters and all died from suffocation and smoke inhalation. None of the bodies had gunshot wounds. The attack sent hundreds of people fleeing into the night outside the Resorts World Manila complex and produced a claim of terrorism that police stressed had no evidence to support it. The violence unfolded as government forces were engaged in a second week of fighting against Muslim militants aligned with the Islamic State group in the southern city of Marawi. He would have shot all the people gambling there if it had been terrorism, national police chief Ronald dela Rosa said. But he did not hurt anyone. Authorities suspect the motive was robbery. Its either he lost in the casino and wanted to recoup his losses or he went totally nuts, Albayalde said. He saw no connection to the fighting in Marawi. Dela Rosa said security footage showed the gunman ignoring a guard who tried to question him at the entrance to the complex. He did not hurt the guard but went straight to the gambling area, dela Rosa said. The gunman stole gambling chips, shot TV screens and set gambling tables ablaze by pouring gasoline on them, dela Rosa said. It was not clear how the gunman smuggled gasoline and an assault rifle into the crowded casino, but the assailant did not fire at people he encountered. An additional 70 people or more suffered mostly minor injuries in the stampede to escape. The only gunshot wound was a guard at the complex, who accidentally shot himself when the attacker entered the room, authorities said. Ronald Romualdo, a maintenance worker at Resorts World, said he and his colleagues heard gunshots and saw people smashing the windows on the second floor and third floor to escape. We took out a ladder to save them. We were able to save many of them, he said. But one woman I was trying to save fell from the second floor. ... I could not carry her. He said the woman was not moving afterward, but he didnt know what happened to her. Jim Gomez is an Associated Press writer. 1 No move: President Trump signed an order keeping the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv rather than moving it to Jerusalem as he promised during last years campaign, aides said Thursday, disappointing many Israel supporters in hopes of preserving his chances of negotiating a peace settlement. The order waives for six months a congressional edict requiring the embassy be located in Jerusalem, after which he will have to consider the matter again. 2 Cyberwarfare: The head of the French governments cybersecurity agency is warning of the approaching risk of permanent war in cyberspace because of hacking attacks for espionage and fraud by states and criminals. Guillaume Poupard said on Thursday that in terms of effects and impact, we are clearly getting closer to a state of war. He lamented a lack of commonly agreed rules to govern cyberspace and said nations must work collectively, not just with two or three Western countries, but on a global scale. Poupard also said his agency found no trace of a notorious Russian hacking group in its investigations of a hack and document leak that hit French President Emmanuel Macrons election campaign. PARIS A Malian cattle herder, German environmental activists, leaders from Mexico to China theyre among millions on Friday denouncing President Trumps decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord. Many nations pledged to ramp up their efforts to curb global warming instead. Some allies pointedly refrained from criticism, however, and Russian President Vladimir Putin even joked that Trumps move made him a convenient scapegoat for any bad weather. While Trump argued the landmark 2015 accord hurts U.S. jobs and business, others took a more global view. The French presidents call to #MakeOurPlanetGreatAgain went viral online, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said its time to look ahead. This decision cant and wont stop all those of us who feel obliged to protect the planet, she said. On the contrary. We in Germany, Europe and the world will combine our forces more resolutely than ever to address and successfully tackle challenges for humanity such as climate change. Merkel, whose country hosts this years international climate summit, called Trumps decision extremely regrettable, and thats putting it very mildly. Greenpeace activists projected Trumps silhouette onto the side of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin along with the words #TotalLoser, so sad! In what could herald a tilt away from trans-Atlantic ties, European and Chinese officials joined to affirm their commitment to the Paris agreement, widely considered a landmark deal for bringing together almost all countries under a common goal. European Council chief Donald Tusk, after meeting with visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Brussels, said the EU and China are convinced that yesterdays decision by the United States to leave the Paris agreement is a big mistake. Referring to the latest unfortunate decisions of the new administration, Tusk said that the EU and China had demonstrated solidarity with future generations. Trump said the United States would be willing to rejoin the accord if it could obtain more favorable terms, but the leaders of France, Germany and Italy said in a joint statement that the agreement cannot be renegotiated. Scientists blame man-made climate change for rising seas and increasing extreme weather. In the African country of Mali, many see global warming as the reason for a protracted drought. In Malis northern city of Timbuktu, 23-year-old Sididi Ould Batna has already lost a dozen cattle. The drought has become so severe that my animals are eating the branches of dried trees, he said on Friday. I would tell Trump that here the misery is caused by climate change, and if he doesnt pay attention, the United States will be touched one day by these problems, too. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said on Twitter that Trump is declaring war on the planet itself. Environmental activists in Bosnia, one of the poorest European countries, said they were worried the Trumps move would empower global polluters. In Paris, where the agreement was reached after painstaking negotiations, President Emmanuel Macron encouraged an American brain drain, inviting U.S. climate scientists to move to France instead Lorne Cook and Angela Charlton are Associated Press writers. Before making a final decision on allowing the Russians to reoccupy the compounds, the administration is examining possible restrictions on Russian activities there, including removing the diplomatic immunity the properties previously enjoyed. Without immunity, the facilities would be treated as any other buildings in the United States and would not be barred to entry by U.S. law enforcement, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic matters. Any concessions to Moscow could prove controversial while administration and former Trump campaign officials are under congressional and special counsel investigation for alleged ties to Russia. Congressional investigators are examining whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions had an additional private meeting with Russia's ambassador during the presidential campaign, according to Republican and Democratic Hill sources and intelligence officials briefed on the investigation. Investigators on the Hill are requesting additional information, including schedules from Sessions, a source with knowledge tells CNN. They are focusing on whether such a meeting took place April 27, 2016, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, where then-candidate Donald Trump was delivering his first major foreign policy address. Prior to the speech, then-Sen. Sessions and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak attended a small VIP reception with organizers, diplomats, and others. Sources with knowledge of the investigation said the former Ukip leader had raised the interest of FBI investigators because of his relationships with individuals connected to both the Trump campaign and Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder whom Farage visited in March. ...Farage has not been accused of wrongdoing and is not a suspect or a target of the US investigation. But being a person of interest means investigators believe he may have information about the acts that are under investigation and he may therefore be subject to their scrutiny. Sources who spoke to the Guardian said it was Farage's proximity to people at the heart of the investigation that was being examined as an element in their broader inquiry into how Russia may have worked with Trump campaign officials to influence the US election. "One of the things the intelligence investigators have been looking at is points of contact and persons involved," one source said. "If you triangulate Russia, WikiLeaks, Assange, and Trump associates the person who comes up with the most hits is Nigel Farage. He's right in the middle of these relationships. He turns up over and over again. There's a lot of attention being paid to him." A few important items of note today...As you may recall, back in December 2016, President Obama announced punitive measures against Russia, which included shutting down two Russian intelligence compounds in Maryland and New York. I wrote about it at the time for Shareblue: Obama Administration Hits Back Hard Against Russia for Election Interference Now, Donald Trump is restoring those compounds to Russian control. Karen DeYoung and Adam Entous at the Washington Post: Trump Administration Moves to Return Russian Compounds in Maryland and New York One might also consider it "controversial" that the Trump administration is considering handing control of the compounds back to Russia given that Russia publicly threatened "counter measures" last week unless the property was given back to them.The administration is also considering handing back compounds thought to be used for intelligence operations inside the U.S. even as more evidence is revealed every day about the myriad ways Russian intelligence fucked with our electionand, as a significant report by Ali Watkins for Politico details, U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that "the Kremlin is waging a quiet effort to map the United States' telecommunications infrastructure, perhaps preparing for an opportunity to disrupt it."Donald Trump says he did not collude with and is not compromised by Russia. But everyone around him has ties to Russia, which they've sought to conceal. He is so desperate to stop an investigation that would exonerate him (if he is innocent as he claims), that he may have obstructed justice by trying to coerce the former FBI Director to halt the investigation and then firing him when he wouldn't. And, in the last week, he has delivered to Russia their chief foreign policy goal for 70 years, and now stands to hand back compounds from which they orchestrate intelligence ops, even as U.S. intelligence officials warn they are committing espionage that appears to have the objective of massive disruption for the U.S.doesn't begin to describe it.Meanwhile...[Content Note: Video may autoplay at link] Jim Sciutto, Jamie Gangel, Shimon Prokupecz, and Marshall Cohen at CNN: Sources: Congress Investigating Another Possible Sessions-Kislyak Meeting Stephanie Kirchgaessner, Nick Hopkins, and Luke Harding at the Guardian: Nigel Farage Is 'Person of Interest' in FBI Investigation into Trump and Russia Naturally, Farage has denied that he has anything to do with Russian interference in the U.S. election, and his spokesperson told the Guardian that their questions about Farage's activities were "verging on the hysterical."And finally: The House Intelligence Committee has issued seven subpoenas related to its investigation into Russian interference. It's enough to make one imagine the Republicans on the committee are actually interested in finally doing their jobsuntil you find out that three of them "are related to questions about how and why the names of associates of [Donald] Trump were unredacted and distributed within classified reports by Obama administration officials during the transition between administrations."Well. It was a nice democratic country while we had it. First NZ Capital lifted its 12-month target price on Air New Zealand to $2.50 from $2.10 but lowered its rating to 'underperform' from 'neutral' based on its updated valuation and current share price. The shares last traded down 2.3 percent at $2.95 but have gained 38 percent so far this year. On Thursday the company said it now expects its 2017 financial year earnings before taxation to exceed $525 million versus previous guidance of $475 million to $525 million. First NZ Capital lifted its passenger booking total or PBT estimates by 10.5 percent in FY17, 31.4 percent in FY18 and 30 percent in FY19, reflecting the latest operating statistics, revised fuel cost assumptions, improved cargo revenue, modestly lower depreciation, the company's latest update and its operating leverage, said research analyst Andrew Steele in a note. He also said FNZC now assumes that Air New Zealand's pre-tax return on invested capital or ROIC reverts to 14.5 percent in the long term, versus its prior assumption of 14.0 percent. However, despite the upgrades to its PBT forecasts "we estimate that the current share price of around NZ$3.00 implies a sustained through-cycle pre-tax ROIC of 16.5 percent," he said. Steele notes this is 200 basis points ahead of FNZC's revised long-run assumption and 150 bps about the company's targeted return. Steele said the key risks to the target price include material changes in the competitive landscape, fuel costs as well as underlying demand. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: GMT - Customer demand supports strong first-half operating result EVO - Embark Education announces Special Dividend BLT - Strategy reset and revenue growth Mainfreight Half Year Financial Results 30 September 2022 ATM - Organisational announcement: Chief Supply Chain Officer November 10th Morning Report Blis Technologies: FY23 Half Year Results TEM - Market Abuse Regulation, Article 19, Paragraph 11 NZME updates FY22 guidance & announces new dividend policy November 9th Morning Report A new beauty school in Madison's South Side is set to open in June. Chanell Ardor Schools of Beauty and Culture will be the city's first African-American owned cosmetology school, Founder and CEO Tanisha Harbert said. Harbert has been a Madison stylist and salon owner for over 14 years and has owned Beauty Masters in the South Side for nine years. "It became my dream to provide and environment where students could learn to provide the latest in techniques and skills to all culture and backgrounds, where these skills were a priority, not just an option," she said. The name is a combination of Harbert's middle name, Chanell, and ardor, which signifies her "passion for the industry," she said. Tuition for the school's one-year program will cost almost $12,000, Harbert said. Chanell Ardor, 1810 S. Park St., will host a grand opening June 17, with classes starting July 10. Carbon markets in Europe and in New Zealand are taking news the US will put out of the Paris Agreement in their stride as countries around the world reaffirm their commitment to the accord. In a widely expected outcome, US President Donald Trump said the U.S. will begin negotiations to either re-enter the accord or start a new deal on "terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers." Prices of European carbon credits dipped from 5.10 euros per tonne of CO2 on May 30 to 5.05 euros on June 1, according to data on the European Energy Exchange, but did push up from 4.48 euros at the beginning of May. There may be some action when the market reopens later in the global trading day but "it was hardly a surprise," said Nigel Brunel, director, financial markets for OMF. In New Zealand the market has been weaker over the last few weeks but "indifferent to Trump," he added. Brunel said the withdrawal of the US will make it more challenging to reach the targets set out in the Paris Agreement. He said, however, there is quite a bit of resolve among other countries and the US pull-out is "a little bit like having that grumpy guest at the party that finally leaves, or the kid who picks up his ball and goes home." He noted that the US represents only 17 percent of global emissions. Lizzie Chambers, at Carbon Match, a web-based emission unit trading facility, said spot prices in New Zealand had been steady around $16.70 for the past few days and trading had been extremely light. She said Trump's decision might have an impact on sentiment at the margin "but doesn't change our fundamentals." She underscored that under the terms of New Zealand's commitment it has to find roughly 230 million tonnes of emissions reductions over the decade from 2021 to 2030. "That's not nothing. It's going to take quite a bit of work and some luck and a carbon price that needs to be more than $16," she said. Chambers said Carbon Match still has bids on the screen at $16.70 today. "No one has pulled those yet. I have pretty good demand at the $16.70 mark," she said. The Carbon Match trading facility begins trading at 1pm. Both Brunel and Chambers also noted that the US can't officially pull out of the deal until 2020, under the terms of the agreement by which time Trump will be up for re-election. The Paris Agreement came into force last November and 147 of 197 signatory nations have ratified the agreement, according to the United Nations. The global response to Trump's move was immediate with European and Chinese leaders pledging to push forward with the agreement. According to CNN, those leaders will spell out their continued commitment to the deal in a joint statement slated to be published Friday at an EU-China summit. In a rare joint statement, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron urged their allies to speed up efforts to combat climate change and said they would do more to help developing countries adapt, according to Reuters. New Zealand also reaffirmed its commitment. "It's really disappointing the US has chosen to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, but New Zealand remains absolutely committed to it," Minister for Climate Change Issues Paula Bennett said in an emailed response to questions. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: GMT - Customer demand supports strong first-half operating result EVO - Embark Education announces Special Dividend BLT - Strategy reset and revenue growth Mainfreight Half Year Financial Results 30 September 2022 ATM - Organisational announcement: Chief Supply Chain Officer November 10th Morning Report Blis Technologies: FY23 Half Year Results TEM - Market Abuse Regulation, Article 19, Paragraph 11 NZME updates FY22 guidance & announces new dividend policy November 9th Morning Report Dane County officials on Thursday identified the victim of the North Side fatal shooting earlier this week. Michael Meaderds, 33, was shot in his home on the 500 block of Northport Drive Tuesday afternoon, Medical Examiner's Office spokesman Barry Irmen said. Meaderds was shot during a home invasion, Madison police said, and he was transported to UW Hospital, where he died. Police Chief Mike Koval said Tuesday that three or four assailants were involved in the home invasion, and the shooting did not appear to be random. No arrests had been made in connection to the shooting Thursday, police said. Meaderds was the father of five children and worked as a cook at a local Italian restaurant. CAMBRIA Just about everybody in Cambria knows somebody who works at the Didion Milling Plant. And in this village of just under 800 people, Cathy Ramirez is the kind of person who knows just about everybody. So Ramirez, a waitress at Two White Doves Family Restaurant, on the single block downtown that contains Cambrias library, village offices, bank and both of its bars, spent much of Thursday on her phone. She called friends and acquaintances some in Wisconsin, others in Texas, a couple in Mexico to get and spread the word about the workers hurt or missing in the explosion at the corn mill late Wednesday night that killed at least two people. The good news was that of the two dozen or so Didion employees Ramirez knows, most work day shifts. The bad news was that two of those who work nights were in comas Thursday afternoon. At The Dump, a bar and restaurant across West Edgewater Street, bartender Cindy Erikson was relieved to hear the Didion employee she knows, a coworkers son, was safe and accounted for. Everybodys just sick to their stomach, because its so huge and so close to home, Erikson said. As the wrecked Didion facility smoldered through Thursday, many residents of this village that sits along a small lake about halfway between Portage and Waupun in Columbia County were taking stock of how closely they were connected to the tragedy. And while their top priority was finding out about the workers hurt in the blast, some also wondered what the explosion could mean for Cambria if the village loses one of its economic anchors. Now whats going to happen? Ramirez said. County snow plows blocked the roads that lead to the facility, which hulks over Cambria from the southeastern edge of town. A convoy of trucks, one marked Urban Search and Rescue, rumbled toward the mill Thursday afternoon. TV news vans lined the streets around the First Presbyterian Church, where the Red Cross had set up a center in the basement, and dotted the parking lot of the single building that houses the Cambria-Friesland elementary, middle and high schools. The schools, located about a quarter of a mile from Didion, were closed Thursday but will reopen Friday, when officials said the high schools graduation ceremony will go on as scheduled. A message board outside flashed, Thoughts and prayers. Complex relationship with major employer The village of Cambrias relationship with Didion has often been a rocky one. Founded in 1972 in Johnson Creek, where the company is still headquartered, Didion employs a total of about 225 people, many of whom move between locations in Jefferson, Columbia and Green Lake counties, making it hard to know how many work at the Cambria facility, which opened in 1991. The addition of an adjacent ethanol facility led to a fight between the Village Board and Didion in 2006 over environmental and safety concerns. A group of Cambria residents sued the company two years later, alleging the milling operation was causing air pollution, though the suit was thrown out. Didion has also paid fines and settlements with state and federal regulators over workplace safety and environmental protection violations. But Didion could also be a good corporate citizen, residents said it sponsored events put on by the library and historical society, and gave money to The Dumps annual fundraiser benefiting a range of organizations, including local schools and the volunteer fire department. Were always cooking for them, and theyre always sending us new customers, Erikson said. Theyre huge in the community. Explosion, then town springs to action The loudest thing Barb Haldemann typically hears at night in Cambria is rushing water from the dam next to her home on Taggart Lake. That quiet shattered with the explosion at Didion around 11 p.m. Wednesday. Heard it, felt it and then the whole town went dark, Haldemann said. The blast had knocked out Cambrias power. When she went outside, Haldemann saw an orange glow in the sky to the south as the corn mill burned. Sirens started and they didnt quit all night, Haldemann said. On the other side of the lake, closer to the facility, Jeremey Blease was afraid the blast could cause another explosion at the ethanol operation, so he moved with his daughter to a relatives home farther away. His wife worked overnight at her job in village government. Concern for future Ramirez said there has been a mix of workers at the milling facility some stayed there for decades, while others worked seasonally. Employees seemed to like Didion, she said, though for many the work could be tough, with a lot of heavy lifting. Theres always a job there its whether you want it or not, she said. Sixteen workers were inside the plant when the explosion happened, according to company officials. As Ramirez and others waited for more information about the explosion and the workers, questions about what would happen to other Didion employees, and what the companys future in Cambria looks like, added to the uncertainty Thursday. Along with jobs, the plant provides business to area farmers, Ramirez said, and its employees and executives are regulars at Two White Doves and The Dump. Its not just the workers there who will be affected if the plant closes, Ramirez said. Its going to be everybody. Gov. Scott Walker was scheduled to fly to Japan on Friday with the states jobs agency, his spokesman said. Walker is heading overseas with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation officials to pursue a significant foreign direct investment opportunity for our state, spokesman Tom Evenson said. Walker is scheduled to return Sunday, Evenson said, but no other details about the trip were released. Kelly Lietz, vice president of marketing and communications for WEDC, said the agency does not comment on pending or potential opportunities when asked for more details about the trip. Evenson did not immediately respond to a request for more information. Derek Notman has scuba-dived the cold depths of Lake Superior, braved the streets of Johannesburg, launched a new career in Vermont, and holds dual Irish-American citizenship. Now hes settled in Madison, where he founded a business providing financial services to entrepreneurs and launched a charity to funnel some of the revenues from his business to support budding entrepreneurs. Notman is 37 and lives with his wife and soon-to-be 6-year-old son. Among the other highlights of his biography are surfing in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans and the Caribbean and Celtic seas. How does your and your wifes charity, Intrepid Charitable Partners, relate to your company, Intrepid Wealth Partners? I wanted to have more meaning towards what I was doing and I wanted it to be connected to what Im doing on a day-to-day basis. I work with entrepreneurs through all stages of their business. I get paid, my business generates revenue from working with these entrepreneurs. So why not start a charity that I can donate money from my core business to this charity and then support charitable organizations? What efforts does the charitable group support? Through the (Wisconsin Technology) Council theres something called the Wisconsin YES! competition. Its a statewide contest where its mainly high school kids, but I think some junior high kids do enter. But they have these startup businesses that theyre working on, usually with classmates and teachers and parents. So my wife and I judge some of those, along with a lot of other judges, and we also donate some money to the winner to help them start their business. The other one is down in South Africa. Its the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship. (South Africa has) a really troubled past with apartheid and post-apartheid. There is a tremendous amount of unemployment. The crime rate is extremely high. Here in Wisconsin, for example, really the main thing we have to worry about when were working on our business is what the temperature is when we go outside. Whereas there theyre actually worried about, are they going to get mugged on the way to work? At some point what Id love to do is bring a group of them here to see how things are done here, but then also bring a group of entrepreneurs from Madison down there and say, hey, this is how things are going on in different countries. You think you had it tough here ... Exactly. But what Ive also found is that connecting entrepreneurs like that, at the end of the day theyre still entrepreneurs. So they can share ideas. They can share tips and best practices, and just getting people together, all these good things happen. Is there enough volunteer support for entrepreneurship from people in your position? I think theres more to do. I know a lot of them here locally do try to give back, but really its tough because theres not enough time in the day to do it. I think I see that after they have had their exit, (after) they build their first company, they have some funds. That can take the pressure off a little bit. Theyre much more focused on giving back. Interview by Chris Rickert WASHINGTON: NASA is set to launch the world's first mission devoted to studying rapidly spinning neutron stars, the densest objects in the universe. The US space agency plans to launch the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer, or NICER, aboard SpaceX CRS-11, a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, now rescheduled to be launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on Saturday. The SpaceX cargo resupply mission was earlier scheduled for launch on Thursday. The launch was aborted due to bad weather. About a week after its installation aboard the International Space Station as an external attached payload, this one-of-a-kind investigation will begin observing neutron stars - objects containing ultra-dense matter at the threshold of collapse into black holes, NASA said. The mission will focus especially on pulsars ? those neutron stars that appear to wink on and off because their spin sweeps beams of radiation past us, like a cosmic lighthouse. NICER will also test ? for the first time in space ? technology that relies on pulsars as navigation beacons. "The timing of this launch is apropos," said Keith Gendreau, a scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland who led the mission's development. Because of their extreme nature, neutron stars and pulsars have engendered a great deal of interest since their existence was theoretically proposed in 1939 and then discovered in 1967. Soon after the 50th anniversary of British astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell's discovery on July 25, the NICER team should have collected enough data "to make a little bit of a splash," added NICER Deputy Principal Investigator Zaven Arzoumanian. Neutron stars and pulsars are the remnants of massive stars that, after exhausting their nuclear fuel, exploded and collapsed into super-dense spheres. Just one teaspoonful of neutron star matter would weigh a billion tons on Earth. "The nature of matter under these conditions is a decades-old unsolved problem," Gendreau said. "Theory has advanced a host of models to describe the physics governing the interiors of neutron stars. With NICER, we can finally test these theories with precise observations," Gendreau said. Read Also: Modi Invites Spanish Industry To Invest In India India's Manufacturing Sector Expansion Eases In May: PMI STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- If you walk down Dehart Avenue in Mariners Harbor, you might feel like you've left Staten Island -- or that you've left New York altogether. It's not the style of the houses. People aren't speaking with Southern accents. It's the dozens of cars with out-of-state license plates. Stroll down any block between Van Pelt and Union avenues, between Forest Avenue and Richmond Terrace, you'll see more than a dozen cars with Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, North Carolina, Tennessee and other out-of-state plates. "There's definitely something funny going on," said Tom R., a Mariners Harbor resident who alerted the Advance. Most of the cars are also missing a New York State registration sticker on the front windshield. A closer look reveals many of the stickers have been scraped off. A number of the cars also are missing New York State inspection stickers. Some of the cars are missing both. And others have no license plates. And at least two of the vehicles spotted on Dehart Avenue recently with out-of-state license plates had New York State registrations. "Why is it that the owner of these vehicles is getting away with this for months but if my car was parked in the street missing any one of these I would get tons of tickets?" Tom said, pointing in frustration to a car missing all three. IS IT LEGAL? A spokesman for the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information said if a vehicle is abandoned, stolen or a non-derelict vehicle, it is the NYPD's responsibility to tow. Towing of derelict vehicles is the responsibility of the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). If a car is missing one or both license plates and/or missing a valid New York State registration and/or inspection stickers, the NYPD can slap summonses on the vehicle, the spokesman said. The DSNY only removes vehicles from city streets that do not have front or back license plates and meet the Department's criteria of a derelict vehicle, a DSNY spokeswoman explained. The Department defines a derelict vehicle as one with: *Hood, grill, front bumper, front fender missing; *Door(s), trunk lid, and hood missing or damaged; *Front and rear end damage; *Interior and glass damage; *Engine or transmission missing; *Damage to right or left side; *Fire damage, or otherwise seriously burned; *That's eight or more years old that's deteriorated or dilapidated. "Basically, the key is the attachment of the license plates," the spokeswoman said. "Sanitation cannot remove any vehicle that has a license plate(s) attached." It is also illegal to have a New York state registration sticker on a vehicle with out-of-state license plates, a spokesman for the Department of Motor Vehicles said. The law states that: "No person shall operate, drive or park a motor vehicle on the public highways of this state unless such vehicle shall have a distinctive number assigned to it by the commissioner and a set of number plates issued by the commissioner with a number and other identification matter, if any, corresponding to that of the certificate of registration conspicuously displayed..." COMPLAINTS According to the city, 311 got 1,304 calls about apparently abandoned vehicles with license plates on Staten Island between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2017. During the same time, 311 received 683 calls about illegal parking. Tom R. said he has complained about the vehicles, which are often parked in front and near his home, to the 120 and 121st Precincts, as well as 311 and the Department of Sanitation. He also called Councilwoman Debi Rose's office about the vehicles. "We ask constituents to call 311 so that there is a record of the issue with the city. We always follow-up on these calls with NYPD and/or the Sanitation Department, depending on the circumstances," a spokesman for Rose's office told the Advance. The spokesman said that a number of factors, like determining whether the cars are legally registered, whether the out-of-state plates represent insurance fraud, and other scenarios, can result in ticketing or towing of the vehicles. The NYPD and DSNY did not say if complaints about this specific location were made. "It's just frustrating because no matter who I call, nothing is being done; nobody is claiming responsibility to have these cars removed," Tom said. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Stapleton man, whose first-degree assault conviction for a vicious slashing in his community six years ago was overturned due to an "unduly suggestive" police lineup, was expected to be released from jail Thursday after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. John Pena, 25, pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to attempted second-degree robbery stemming from the July 26, 2011 attack, in exchange for a five-year prison sentence. Pena, who was sentenced in June 2012 to 22 years behind bars on his original conviction, has already served the five years while awaiting the disposition of his appeal and subsequent proceedings. Two years ago, a state appellate court reversed Pena's conviction in state Supreme Court, St. George, and ordered a new trial, citing problems with the lineup conducted after his arrest. An Appellate Division, Second Department panel unanimously ruled the lineup was "unduly suggestive" in that it "conspicuously displayed" Pena, the only participant wearing a red shirt. The red shirt had "figured prominently" in the victim's description of the clothes his attacker had worn, said the appellate court. The defense's pretrial motion to suppress the lineup identification had originally been denied by the trial court. During the trial, the victim, who did not testify at the original suppression hearing, identified Pena in court. Besides a new trial, the appellate court ordered a new pretrial hearing since the victim never testified at the suppression hearing. At a recent hearing, the victim couldn't identify Pena as his attacker. In June 2012, a jury convicted Pena, now 25, of two counts of first-degree assault and one count of attempted first-degree robbery. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Authorities alleged Pena, a reputed member of the "Gorilla Stone Mafia" gang, and an accomplice, Timothy Palmer, then 18, assaulted the victim at about 4:20 a.m. on Canal Street after he asked them for a cigarette. When the man resisted, Pena, then 19, pinned him down and savagely attacked him with a box cutter, slashing him several times in the face, authorities alleged. The assault occurred just over a month after Pena, who had served a three-year sentence for attempted robbery, was released from prison. Palmer was convicted of one count each of first-degree assault and attempted first-degree robbery. Now 24, Palmer, a Stapleton resident, is serving a 15-year sentence. Pena, meanwhile is also subject to five years' post-release supervision under the terms of his plea agreement. He'll be sentenced on June 15. A large, muscular man garbed in a white T-shirt and tan pants, Pena wore a string of rosary beads around his neck at Thursday's proceeding. He answered Justice Mario F. Mattei's questions in a loud, clear voice. In entering his plea, he admitted to forcibly attempting to steal the victim's cell phone while aided by another person. He made no other statement. "It's refreshing to see the system work, and we were able to bring a successful appeal of this conviction," Mario F. Gallucci, Pena's lawyer said outside court. "Once it was overturned, Mr. Pena took responsibility for the actions he did commit." Prosecutors declined comment. Mr S has always said Spain is his favourite country. A childhood growing up visiting the beautiful beaches, a love affair with the incredible food and late nights spent at tapas bars. For me Spain is still a largely undiscovered place but this summer that is all set to change and Ive just got back from my first of two visits to this gastronomic kingdom. And my first trip would be a rather epic journey spanning the length of the country, sampling Michelin starred restaurants, luxury hotels and beautiful bodegas. A trip fuelled with Gin Mare, a savoury gin made in Spain and inspired by botanicals from the Mediterranean. Blending flavours of basil, thyme, rosemary, olives and juniper, this refreshing combination was soon to become my new favourite tipple. My gastronomic journey began in Rioja, one of the worlds leading wine regions and a hub for fine dining. There are over 500 wineries in Rioja and regular readers will know that Ive previously visited Haro Station, a town with seven world-class wineries all two minutes walk apart. This time I would be visiting one of the most iconic bodegas in Rioja, The City of Wine which combines the incredible wine with gastronomy and one of the most beautiful and unique luxury hotels Ive ever seen. Spanning 100,000 metres squared Hotel Marques de Riscal is the culmination of a dream by Canadian architect Frank Gehry who was commissioned to design the property at the Marques de Riscal winery in Elciego. Little had changed at the winery since 1858 and the opening of the new hotel put the location firmly on the map in terms of wine tourism. Being a hotelaholic myself, Id seen pictures of the hotel, which forms part of The Luxury Collection, and Id placed it on my list of places to visit one day. I felt incredibly lucky to finally be seeing those undulating folds of titanium created by the renowned architect for myself. Gehry had already made his mark on the region with the creation of the Guggenheim museum in nearby Bilbao and was the perfect choice to create this hotel in the City of Wine. The flowing shapes are a trademark of Gehrys with the colours being inspiring by the sought-after wine of the region. Pink for the burgundy tones of the Rioja, silver for the foil on the cork and gold for the mesh on the wine bottle. As you explore the property the shapes of Gehrys design perfectly frame the views of the country, the San Andres church and the mountains beyond. The juxtaposition of the metal girders and waves with the rural vineyards is striking and adds to the interest and flair of the hotel. This is so much more than a hotel, it is a work of art. The are 43 bedrooms, each totally unique and with high occupancy, we were lucky to get a glimpse of one during our visit. Each room has huge windows with views over the vineyard, high ceilings and a quirky asymmetric design. It is deceptively simple but the walls alternating between white and wood, designer leather furniture and crisp white bed sheets provide the perfect backdrop for the jaw dropping views. Guests can stay in the main building under the shapes and colours of Gehrys creation or adjacent in the spa wing which also boasts an incredible view. The spa is a destination in itself being run by Les Sources de Caudalie, a luxurious brand from the Bordeaux wine region that specialises in wine inspired treatments based on grapes. The unique Spa Vinotherapie Caudalie Marques de Riscal offers treatments such as Merlot, honey and wine body wraps, Cabernet scrubs and red wine baths which apparently help the circulation. Honestly I knew the grape had many healing powers, but I never knew quite the extent of how nourishing it could be. Speaking of which a visit to the hotel goes hand in hand with a visit to the Herederos del Marques de Riscal winery. Housed in a stunning building from 1858 that provides a stark contrast to Gehrys creation, it is actually one of the oldest wineries in La Rioja. Founded by Don Camilo Hurtado de Amezaga, the family-run vineyard has always been pioneering and innovative whilst honouring tradition. Taking us below the building we got a peak into the cellars of Marques de Riscal and learnt more about the wine-making process and discovered it was first winery in La Rioja to use the Bordeaux Method of wine production. The most intriguing part of the cellar was The Cathedral which houses some of the oldest wine in the region. Like a museum of wine the collection spans all the vintages produced at Marques de Riscal going back to the first in 1862. The oldest wines are impossible to uncork and have to be carefully clamped open at the neck with heated tongs. Emerging from the cellar and back into daylight I took a chance to look aroundthe entire grounds of the winery are just gorgeous and as we walked around I inhaled the beautiful flowers and the sweet country air. Hearing about all the award-winning wine produced at the winery had definitely whet our appetite to try some and moving out of the heat and into the tasting room our guide poured us a glass of white first of all. It was in the 1970s that Marques de Riscal started producing white wine and with their forward thinking attitude, created a fruity white in a region known for fortified wine. We sampled the Marques de Riscal Rueda Verdejo which was delicate and fruity with hints of fennel and grass. The chosen red was Marques de Riscal Reserva, one of the vineyards iconic wines which had a brilliant cherry red glow, fragrances of balsamic and the taste of dark berries. As well as being a being a homage to art and wine Marques de Riscal is also a temple of gastronomy and having had my breakfast around 6am in the airport, a two hour flight and an hour long drive, I was well and truly ready for lunch after our tour! Visitors and guests have the choice of two restaurants 1860 Tradicion is on the terrace and serves traditional Spanish cuisine with a modern twist. But its Michelin-starred Marques de Riscal Restaurant thats the jewel in the crown here. Inside theres a soaring ceiling and vibrant red walls embellished with modern art. Outside the beautiful Medieval towns of surrounding Elciego provide the perfect backdrop for eating good food, tasting fantastic wine and enjoying great company. Native Riojan chef Francis Paniego revolutionised the dining scene in Rioja when he opened El Portal de Echaurren, based on his familys restaurant, Echaurren. He took the classic rustic dishes of the region served at the original restaurant and reinterpreted them to create a brand new style. He has the accolade of being the first chef in the region to gain a Michelin star, and how has two for El Portal de Echaurren. He came to Marques de Riscal Restaurant in 2005 to oversee both restaurants and was awarded a Michelin star here in 2011. Madrid-born Juan Bautista Penas is now Executive Chef, working under the direction and advice of Francis Paniego. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the hotel a very special menu has been created and in the true style of the restaurant it blends traditional Riojan cuisine with innovative ideas and techniques. The impressive looking breadsticks came in a smoking basin and were actually made of squid ink and cheese. These olives were actually cheese and anchovies and not real olives. The potato croquettes will be recognised by any tapas fan and nicknamed this land contained in a morsel, the croquetas are incredible special as the recipe has been in the family for three generations. The perfect little morsels ooze with bechamel sauce and ham. This Norwegian lobster carpaccio was as delicious as it was beautiful and sat on a tartar of tomato and creamy white garlic. The caviar pearls on top were made rather ingeniously out of red wine and with chefs in our group we talked about how this was possible. We came to the conclusion that it must be a very delicate spherification process turing the liquid into solid oval spheres. And talking of wine, thats as important as the food at this restaurant and guests can select from the Marques de Riscal cellar or from over 200 international labels, many available by the glass. Our menu was paired with delicious white and red wines from the vineyard, selected perfectly by the Sommelier to complement our dishes. The next course was named fresh grass or eating a high mountain meadow and actually turned out to be sheeps cheese with covered with frozen foie gras dust smoked sheep milk foam. The next dish was Mediterranean cucumber concase served with a delicious almond and apple sorbet. So much more than just a palate cleanser, Ive always been a cucumber fan but on this trip I was made even more aware of the innovative ways it could be used as an ingredient and added subtle yet important flavours. Design is always at the forefront in The City of Wine and all tableware is carefully selected to present the food at its best. The crockery was just gorgeous and has been designed bespoke for Riscal and placed alongside Zwiesel wine glasses and Puiforcat cutlery. My favourite dish was these beautifully grilled cod flakes with a hot punch of paprika. Francis Paniego is also known for his hake confit cooked at 45 degrees with green pepper and rice soup. Glazed lamb with rich, hearty and unctuous but well portioned so it wasnt too over the top and the beautifully cooked meat was enhanced with just a touch of ginger and lime. Francis Paniegos philosophy is good food with honest ingredients, shown in the dessert. A fairly simply combination of sweet toast with Cameros cheese, apple and honey ice cream is the absolute perfect way to end a fantastic meal. Its kind of like a tarte tatin with a twist and cleverly blends a dessert course with a cheese course. I love the incredible contrast of old and new and fusion of art, wine and gastronomy at the City of Wine and Marques de Riscal but our short time here was at an end. Our group would be swapping the vineyards and countryside for the bright lights and elegant city streets of Madrid! PIN FOR LATER: My trip to Spain was hosted by Gin Mare but this is not a sponsored post. Long line at the Simi Valley Library polling place shortly before it closed tonight, explains why it took a long time to get those ballots to Ventura for counting. Photo by @Michael_Coons With all those people's votes still to be counted, early results could change some. WASHINGTON So what if, in his speech last week to NATO, Donald Trump didnt explicitly reaffirm the provision that an attack on one is an attack on all? Whats the big deal? Didnt he affirm a general commitment to NATO during his visit? Hadnt he earlier sent his vice president and secretaries of state and defense to pledge allegiance to Article 5? And anyway, who believes that the United States would really go to war with Russia and risk nuclear annihilation over Estonia? Ah, but thats precisely the point. It is because deterrence is so delicate, so problematic, so literally unbelievable that it is not to be trifled with. And why for an American president to gratuitously undermine what little credibility deterrence already has, by ostentatiously refusing to recommit to Article 5, is so shocking. Deterrence is inherently a barely believable bluff. Even at the height of the Cold War, when highly resolute presidents, such as Eisenhower and Kennedy, threatened Russia with massive retaliation (i.e., all-out nuclear war), would we really have sacrificed New York for Berlin? No one knew for sure. Not Eisenhower, not Kennedy, not the Soviets, not anyone. Yet that very uncertainty was enough to stay the hand of any aggressor and keep the peace of the world for 70 years. Deterrence does not depend on 100 percent certainty that the other guy will go to war if you cross a red line. Given the stakes, merely a chance of that happening can be enough. For 70 years, it was enough. Leaders therefore do everything they can to bolster it. Install tripwires, for example. During the Cold War, we stationed troops in Germany to face the massive tank armies of Soviet Russia. Today we have 28,000 troops in South Korea, 12,000 near the demilitarized zone. Why? Not to repel invasion. They couldnt. Theyre not strong enough. To put it very coldly, theyre there to die. Theyre a deliberate message to the enemy that if you invade our ally, you will have to kill a lot of Americans first. Which will galvanize us into full-scale war against you. Tripwires are risky, dangerous and cynical. Yet we resort to them because parchment promises are problematic and tripwires imply automaticity. We do what we can to strengthen deterrence. Rhetorically as well. Which is why presidents from Truman on have regularly and powerfully reaffirmed our deterrent pledge to NATO. Until Trump. His omission was all the more damaging because of his personal history. This is a man chronically disdainful of NATO. He campaigned on its obsolescence. His inaugural address denounced American allies as cunning parasites living off American wealth and generosity. One of Trumps top outside advisers, Newt Gingrich, says that Estonia is in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, as if Russian designs on the Baltic states are not at all unreasonable. Moreover, Trump devoted much of that very same speech, the highlight of his first presidential trip to NATO, to berating the allies for not paying their fair share. Nothing particularly wrong with that, or new half a century ago Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield was so offended by NATO free riding he called for major reductions of U.S. troops in Europe. Thats an American perennial. But if youre going to berate, at least reassure as well. Especially given rising Russian threats and aggression. Especially given that Trumps speech was teed up precisely for such reassurance. An administration official had spread the word he would use the speech to endorse Article 5. And it was delivered at a ceremony honoring the first and only invocation of Article 5 ironically enough, by the allies in support of America after 9/11. And yet Trump deliberately, defiantly refused to simply say it: America will always honor its commitment under Article 5. Its not that, had Trump said the magic words, everyone would have 100 percent confidence we would strike back if Russia were to infiltrate little green men into Estonia, as it did in Crimea. But Trumps refusal to utter those words does lower whatever probability Vladimir Putin might attach to America responding with any seriousness to Russian aggression against a NATO ally. Angela Merkel said Sunday (without mentioning his name) that after Trumps visit it is clear that Europe can no longer rely on others. Its not that yesterday Europe could fully rely and today it cannot rely at all. Its simply the American deterrent has been weakened. And deterrence weakened is an invitation to instability, miscalculation, provocation and worse. And for what? Rep. Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake, made a great point this week about Wisconsins twisted priorities in going after small amounts of marijuana. If youre caught with a joint or two, you can be charged with a crime, fined up to $1,000 and sent to jail for six months, under state law. Thats excessive and costs the state millions of dollars for enforcement and incarceration with little evidence of improved public safety. Now suppose youre caught driving drunk on a state highway, risking the lives of innocent people. Thats not even a crime in Wisconsin for a first offense. Its a traffic ticket. It seems to me to be pretty odd that possession of a couple joints could land you in jail or prison, Jarchow said Tuesday at the state Capitol. Its strange, indeed. Thats why Jarchow is leading a bipartisan effort to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana so law enforcement has more time and resources to deal with serious and violent crimes. Under a bill Jarchow and several Democrats including Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, introduced this week, possessing 10 grams or less of pot would come with a $100 fine 10 times less than current law allows and no incarceration or criminal charge. Dane County and some of its municipalities have decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana at the local level. And Jarchow said many constituents in his conservative northern Wisconsin district have urged him to reconsider the states harsh approach to the drug. State and federal authorities generally dont prosecute small amounts of pot unless it is connected to other, more significant crimes. Yet Jarchow noted that 80 people were imprisoned on possession charges last year in Wisconsin, costing taxpayers $32,000 per inmate. Nearly half of all states have decriminalized small amounts of the drug, while eight states have legalized recreational use. This includes Colorado, which hasnt experienced safety or health problems. Twenty-nine states allow medical marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Thats something else Wisconsin should do. Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-run Legislature moved in that direction this spring by legalizing an oil extracted from marijuana thats used to treat seizures. Congress is showing it doesnt have an appetite for cracking down on marijuana possession. It refused last month to give Attorney General Jeff Sessions funding to fight states that have legalized the drug. Wisconsin must be tough but also smart on crime. Small amounts of pot shouldnt be a priority. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree Every voter should have an equal say in democracy. But following the 2010 census, Wisconsin Republicans spent over $2 million in taxpayer money on lawyers and fancy software to draw hyper-partisan state legislative districts. This packed Democratic voters into districts that already leaned Democratic. Late last year, federal judges ruled this redistricting was an "unconstitutional political gerrymander" and that the state must redraw district boundaries by Nov. 1. Using even more public money, Republican leaders schemed with high-priced attorneys to push back. Recently, Attorney General Brad Schimel asked the Supreme Court to block the Nov. 1 requirement. Republicans should stop wasting taxpayer dollars to disproportionately help one political party. Instead, I urge them to support a plan, outlined in Senate Bill 13 and Assembly Bill 44, to create an independent commission that would draw district boundaries according to specific, fair criteria. Modeled after the bipartisan redistricting process in Iowa, this would be a crucial step toward fair and competitive elections in Wisconsin. Paul Martorell, Milwaukee Bethany Lutheran Videos at Each Live Worship Service Such is the contrast between the Bible of the old and the Bible of the new theologies. That there are compromise systems between the twoor at any rate attempts at a compromise is certainly true; but it is impossible to effect a compromise between systems fundamentally and essentially at variance. This is a case of either or, Delitzsch was right when he maintained that a deep chasm existed between the old and the new theology, and this chasm exists because there is a chasm between the Bible of the old and the Bible of the new theologies. In one word, the Scriptures of the one is the Bible without God; the Scriptures of the other is the Bible of and with God. The Bible Of The Old And The Bible Of The New Theology. By Rev. Professor George H. Schodde, Ph. D., Columbus, O. in Loy, ed. The Columbus Theological Magazine. Vol. 18, 1898. LutheranLibrary.org This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted. "I think it's probably unlikely. I think maybe the Democrats are putting that out. Who knows? But I think that it's pretty unlikely. But, you know, who knows?" If Russia were involved, Trump said he hopes "somebody's going to be able to find out so they can end it because it would not be appropriate at all." System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
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Five Canberra Grammar students left the ACT this week for San Jose in the heart of the Silicone Valley to meet and learn from more than 1000 Apple engineers. Canberra Grammar students Jack Carey, Year 10, Zack Noyes, Year 9, Joseph Fergusson, Year 11, Marcus Gellel, Year 10, and George Dan, Year 11, who have won scholarships to attend Apple's web developer conference in the US. Credit:Rohan Thomson Year 9 Zack Noyes, Year 10 students Jack Carey and Marcus Gellel and Year 11 students Joseph Fergusson and George Dan will join Canberra Grammar digital innovation head Matthew Purcell for the June 5 to 9 conference. The boys wowed judges by creating interactive apps that gave information about themselves. The cost of after-hours home doctor visits to taxpayers has hit $245 million a year and 10 doctors have been referred for investigations into potential "inappropriate" billing practices for such visits this fiscal year. Answers to Senate Estimates questions on notice tabled last month show at least 10 doctors have been referred to the Professional Services Review this fiscal year for investigations into "potential inappropriate practice in relation to after-hours services". The cost of Medicare-subsidised home doctor visits has more than doubled in five years. Credit:Andrew Quilty But the federal health department was unable to give the Senate any more information, as it could prejudice ongoing investigations and audits. It comes as audits of after-hours services claims has found some "incorrect claiming" by doctors, but did not unearth enough evidence to refer the matters to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. Uber will start mapping Canberra's streets with its own version of the Google Street View cars to improve its ride-sharing app and pave the way for its new carpooling services. For the next few weeks drivers in a dozen camera-equipped cars will canvas the city, section by section, to collect imagery which will help improve their "underlying technology", Uber's head of maps Manik Gupta said. Mick Deery is one of several contractors who will be driving around Canberra over the next few weeks mapping suburbs for Uber. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong "From the street imagery that is captured, we can extract information which helps us improve core elements of the Uber rider and driver experience, such as ideal pick-up and drop-off points, better routes, and calculating more accurate ETAs," Mr Gupta - who is a former Google Mapping executive - said. "Examples of information we extract from imagery can include business names and addresses, locations, street names, and much more." An ACT government investigation has found that clubs are bypassing the $250-a-day limit on ATM withdrawals by installing eftpos machines that allow gamblers to withdraw thousands of dollars of cash a day. Gaming Minister Gordon Ramsay has described the findings as "troubling" and is now considering new ways to limit access to cash. The $250 limit on ATMs was introduced in 2013 to help problem gamblers, but the government was warned barely a year later that clubs were installing eftpos machines to circumvent the limit. In 2015, the government accepted a voluntary code of practice from clubs about the use of eftpos machines, but Mr Ramsay said on Friday that had not worked. Macquarie Group, battling a surprise $6.2 billion tax on Australia's lenders, left open the option of moving its headquarters abroad on Friday, baffling analysts and lawyers who warned a costly shift may do little to avoid the levy. The government shocked banks and investors last month with a new balance sheet tax that hits all lenders with more than $100 billion of total liabilities. It catches Macquarie, the country's top investment bank, in the same net as the four largest commercial lenders. Macquarie has two-thirds of its business and most of its staff outside Australia, but the issue of where its headquarters should be located has not been actively or publicly debated. The arrival of Amazon to Australia is likely to have a big impact on other online retailers and if they are not competitive they could perish, according to retail experts. It could have the same impact Google had on other search engines when it arrived. That is, if the sites are not able to attract the clicks away from Amazon, it will spell doom, warns Michael Bate, the head of retail at Colliers International. "Amazon will hurt the other groups, such as Kogan and Catch of the Day, among many others if these sites can't keep up the traffic," Mr Bate said. The call for a new background to grace the 7pm ABC News (C8) unleashed a torrent of suggestions. Many favoured the Sydney GPO building dubbed the "Great Public Outrage" by Mangerton's George Manojlovic. Joy Cooksey, of Harrington, thinks an early picture of the harbour from the days it appeared "to float on air" would be lovely. But Paul Hunt, of Engadine, calls on the ABC to also desist from using the Reserve Bank photograph with financial reports. He generously promised to donate money to this column's staff superannuation fund in the unlikely event that a new image is used. Crowded week. Coral Button, of North Epping, has emerged from illness-enforced isolation to a new world disorder. She says Pauline Hanson seems to have suffered a gunshot wound to the foot, Margaret Court is auditioning for a role in the Salem witch trials rerun, and the Blues prevailed. "I feel like Rip van Winkle," she says. Penrith's Peter Riley tells us he is suffering chronophobia fear of time passing. "The second thing I do every morning after I wake is to check with the Herald to see what the Commander-in-Chief has been up to overnight," he says. But all that stateside reading has revealed one shaft of light: the American Social Security Administration's latest baby name data for 2016 reveals that 238 boys were named of the Star Wars character Kylo. "There's hope for the place yet!" Riley says. Three colourful origami horse sculptures that lit up at night and brought a little brightness to West Ryde Plaza for years have vanished, Anne Cook, of Ermington, tells us. She says they have been put away because people kept bumping into them and wants them restored. To alert wayward pedestrians, she suggests they be fitted with sensors similar to vehicle reversing "beeps". "They would 'neigh', of course" she says. Still on the 75th anniversary of the Japanese submarine attack, Norm Pilbeam, of North Rocks, thinks the words "the Japanese submarine vanished into thin water" contained in a Herald report (June 1) may have added a new expression to our language. "This leads to the question does the ocean get thinner as you go deeper?" he says. We were reflecting in the night last week on the passing of good people and fine times when one of our number stood up and read a poem by the wonderful Irishman Seamus Heaney, himself passed on almost four years now. It seems a simple little poem, urging at first glance nothing more than that you should take a trip into nature, with a wild sea on one side and a slate-grey lake on the other "lit by the earthed lightning of a flock of swans". A view of the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland, looking towards the north end of the cliffs. Credit:iStock It is called Postscript. "And some time make the time to drive out west/Into County Clare along the Flaggy Shore ... " it begins. It happens that I took the time to do just that a few years ago. A new study of One Nation's stance on racial issues has found that, while the party has shifted its rhetoric from the "Asianisation of Australia" to the perceived threat of Islam, the party remains broadly anti-Asian and increasingly anti-Chinese. The author of the study, Phil Dorling, has analysed policy positions and public statements by One Nation's leader Pauline Hanson over two decades in public life. During her maiden speech to Parliament, Hanson infamously declared that Australia was at risk of "being swamped by Asians". On her return to Parliament last year, she said the nation was now at risk of being "swamped by Muslims". Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called on countries in Asia to buttress United States leadership in the region and warned China that smaller powers will unite against it if it tries to bully neighbours. In a much-anticipated keynote speech to a major security meeting in Singapore on Friday night, Mr Turnbull expressed confidence the US would remain engaged in Asia despite international despondency in the wake of its Paris climate pact withdrawal. But in a clear nod to US concerns that allies and partners need to do more, Mr Turnbull told the Shangri-La Dialogue that the region needed to "find new sources of leadership to help the United States shape our common good". The Prime Minister said China understandably would play a larger role in the region but warned that if its expression of newfound power meant upsetting the rules and laws that have underpinned stability for decades, China itself would lose out. The 1840 Treaty of Waitangi rests proudly in New Zealand's National Archives Constitution Room, close to the celebrated 1893 petition, which gave women the vote, before Australia (which followed in 1902). In Canberra, there are memorials to Captain Cook, and a copy of the Magna Carta in Parliament House. Last week's Indigenous constitutional convention, which culminated in the Uluru Statement from Heart, called for a Makarrata commission to supervise a process towards a treaty, or treaties, between the nation and its Indigenous people. In New Zealand, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed at the beginning of British settlement, more than 175 years ago. It recognised Maori ownership of their lands, ensured their rights and is considered a founding document of the nation. How did this striking difference come about? The key is in the different timings during the development of modern international law, which was undergoing major change when Britain claimed half of Australia in 1788. Then, the major source of that law was custom. Treaties were considered a minor part and, even, not law itself but merely agreements between sovereigns. International law's main authorities were the books of legal scholars. Britain's first such English-language texts were by William Blackstone, who wrote in 1765: "Colonies ... are either such where the lands are claimed by right of occupancy only, by finding them desert and uncultivated, and peopling them from the mother country; or where, when already cultivated, they have either been gained by conquest, or ceded to us by treaties. And both these rights are founded upon the law of nature, or at least upon that of nations." They say art exists in the eye of the beholder, the audience bringing their own unique emotions, knowledge and politics to the interpretation of any given work. Art also exists within cultural context and changing times. Meaning is subjective and fluid. The intent of the artist, if known, is but one influence on how artwork is perceived once it enters the public sphere. With that in mind, I must say that when pictures of 'Pissing Pug' - a poorly formed sculpture of a peeing dog, placed to appear as though it was urinating on the now iconic 'Fearless Girl' - began to circulate, what I perceived was an accidental work of genius! "Charging Bull" and "Fearless Girl" face off against each other in New York. Credit:AP What a brilliant representation of the smallness, the impotence, the stinky insignificance of men who fear women's power. Pissing Pug has no influence. No voice. No substance. He is an irritation, unacknowledged (perhaps unnoticed) by Fearless Girl, who remains focussed on her charged interaction with Wall Street's famous 7ft bronze 'Charging Bull'. Fearless Girl has more important matters on her mind than a yapping pest at her heels. Alex Gardega, the New York artist behind the sculpture, interprets his handiwork a little differently. "I would like to think that I should have the same access to cover as anyone else," Taylor says. "I would rather make the decision of whether to get life insurance than the life insurer making the decision," she says. Discrimination Other countries have introduced laws for their life insurance industries, or the life insurers acted themselves, to end discrimination on the basis of genetic testing. In Britain, for example, the life insurance industry agreed to a moratorium on asking applicants to disclose results of genetic tests. Some patients are not having genetic testing because of concerns they may be refused insurance cover. They did so, in part, because of legal uncertainties over how much the results of genetic testing could be used in assessing whether to provide cover. In Australia, when applying for personal life insurance, including total and permanent disability, income protection and trauma insurance, it is a condition of cover that genetic test results are provided. A joint parliamentary committee is looking into the issue of genetic testing and life insurance as part of a broader inquiry into the life insurance industry. The committee is due to issue its report by October 31, 2017. Leading academics are calling on the insurance industry to follow the overseas lead and cease asking applicants whether they have had genetic testing. They say some patients are not having genetic testing because of concerns they may be refused insurance cover when the results of genetic testing could be life-saving. Early warnings that someone has a susceptibility to cancer, for example, usually leads to diagnostic testing such as screening. "I've published research that points to the fact that it does put people off from getting genetic testing," says Louise Keogh, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne. "It's not everybody, but there is a sub-group for whom it is a deal-breaker and they are not interested in getting genetic testing while they know that it will impact on their life insurance," she says. Genetic tests Only a small portion of the population is tested, but that is expected to rise as technology advances and costs fall. As this stage, laboratories from overseas that are promoting their services online are testing for ancestry and ethnicity rather than for health. But that is changing. It is now possible to sequence our entire genome, fairly cheaply, as a means of identifying and managing health risks. Kristine Barlow-Stewart, an associate professor at the University of Sydney, warns that not all tests are of the same quality. If the testing is done through a doctor, specialist or hospital in Australia, the laboratories will have the appropriate accreditation. She says that tests ordered online and without a doctor or genetic counsellor are done in overseas laboratories and cannot be regulated by Australian authorities.Barlow-Stewart says that genetic discrimination is not only stopping people from having testing, but also from participating in the research that has to be done to make sense of the results of genome testing. "I want any results from research to be excluded from the requirement of disclosure in life insurance and that includes trauma and income protection," Barlow-Stewart says. Online push Australian life insurers have an exemption under the Disability Discrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of genetic testing. Under a standard of the Financial Services Council, which represents life insurers, a life insurer cannot request an applicant to undergo genetic testing. And those who have personal insurance have guaranteed renewal each year, as long as they continue to pay the premiums. Heath insurance is different again, as it is community rated where there should be no discrimination based on genetic testing. Brad Fox, the former chief executive of the Association of Financial Advisers, says the testing that is available online, where a saliva sample is sent overseas for analysis, appears to the harmless enough. It appears to be used for testing for "ancestry", such as Scottish, Greek or some other heritage. But he can see problems down the track if the testing includes health. Consumers could even receive raw genetic data, which includes health data. And the life insurer could even conceivably seek to interpret the raw genetic data itself, Fox says. Super funds Super funds will usually have a certain level of life insurance cover that is provided to the member on joining the fund. Bessie Hassan, the money expert at comparison site Finder, says though many super funds have automatic acceptance, regardless of pre-existing conditions or positive genetic tests, the amount of cover is likely to be lower than personal insurance. For example, many funds provide some cover for death and total and permanent disablement, and sometimes also income protection with automatic acceptance. The level of death and total and permanent disablement cover may increase until age 35 to $200,000 or so, and then decrease with age. For extra cover above the automatic acceptance level, super funds will usually ask the fund member half a dozen basic questions, such as whether the member smokes, is in a white- or blue-collar occupation or has been hospitalised in the past two, three or five years. However, even though a fund member will not be asked about genetic testing, there is usually an open-ended question such as "is there anything that you should be disclosing", Fox says. He points out that some super funds will have much more detailed questions and require a full medical history before agreeing to provide extra cover. Where personal life insurance is bought direct from the insurer, the "underwriting" or the assessment of the risks that the applicant presents to the insurer, is usually done at the time of the claim, Fox says. That makes it very important to understand the policy conditions and to answer medical questions carefully to help ensure that a claim is paid. Advice If the insurance is bought through an adviser, the underwriting is done upfront, which gives certainty that the claim will be honoured, Fox says. "It gives certainty that the fine print of the contract will not catch you out at claim time." Paul Del Grande, the managing director of In Sync Financial Services and a financial adviser, says that genetic results may not be that important for life insurance. With improving management of diseases such as cancer, it is not so much a question for insurers of mortality but more the morbidity the risk of onset of disease. Matthew Leveson's ex-boyfriend travelled with police to point out the 20-year-old's bushland burial site on multiple occasions before it was finally found. As the human skeleton uncovered on Wednesday undergoes forensic examination to confirm it is definitely that of Mr Leveson, his family are now living with the fact the person who hid information about his death will most likely remain a free man. It is understood Michael Atkins, 54, has given police his version of what happened on September 23, 2007, the last time Mr Leveson was seen alive. A close examination of the bones will help police decide whether Mr Atkins' story is true or not. Travers Duncan became rich beyond his wildest dreams. Credit:Brendan Esposito It was Christmas Eve 2008 when Macdonald, then resources minister, "put out the garbage" - political slang for the release of a controversial decision at a time when they hope no one is paying attention. Macdonald's sneaky media release announced he had granted a coal exploration licence for Doyles Creek, near the town of Jerrys Plains and bordering on national parkland. Ian Macdonald is led into the Supreme Court on Friday to be sentenced. Credit:Nick Moir What the minister didn't say was the process had been by "invitation only", it had been expressly against the recommendation of his own department and the winner just happened to be a company part-owned by his good mate and former CFMEU boss John Maitland. Ostensibly it had been granted as a "training mine" but, once Maitland had acquired the licence, his company sold the rights over the coal deposits for a huge profit and the former union boss instantly became a multimillionaire. Six months earlier, on June 30, Mr Flannery, as the managing director of Felix Resources, was one of five people who had put pen to paper to say what a valuable resource this "training mine" would be. Maitland had sent him a template of what he should say. Macdonald, who will now spend at least seven years behind bars over this matter, told the Independent Commission Against Corruption that these five letters "were critical" in forming his decision to grant the training mine. Commissioner David Ipp found that the letters were used by Macdonald to try to give some legitimacy to what was a very corrupt decision. Mr Flannery, who had no corruption findings made against him, told the ICAC he had no idea that Maitland stood to make a substantial amount of money from granting the licence. Later that year, Macdonald was to make a decision that would change Mr Flannery's life. In August 2008, Mr Flannery and Mr Duncan's company Felix Resources had lost their right to mine at Moolarben, near Mudgee, after mining giant Xstrata won a case before the NSW Court of Appeal. The appeal court ruled that the Mining Act prevented the grant of mining leases to Felix on land owned by Xstrata. But a fortnight later, Macdonald introduced amendments to the Mining Act that effectively overturned the court's decision. "The amendment will provide certainty for mineral exploration and mining in this state," Macdonald told Parliament. The following year, Flannery and Duncan made their debut on the BRW Rich List, having each pocketed $530 million from the $3.5 billion sale of their company Felix to Chinese miner Yanzhou Coal. As the sale to the Chinese was being finalised, another ambitious coal play was in its infancy with a privately owned company Cascade Coal being granted a licence to explore for coal at Mount Penny in the Bylong Valley. The Mount Penny licence just happened to cover the farm of Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid. A subsequent ICAC inquiry heard that Mr Flannery bought $640,000 worth of shares in Cascade in September 2010. Eight weeks later, the Australian Stock Exchange was informed that White Energy, of which Mr Flannery was managing director, was planning to buy Cascade Coal for $500 million. Five of the seven Cascade investors were on the board of the publicly listed White Energy, and stood to gain about $60 million each had the deal with White Energy gone through. The Obeids had negotiated a 25 per cent stake in Cascade Coal. The corruption inquiry heard that Mr Duncan had organised a $30 million payout to the Obeids to "sanitise" the company in preparation for the sale. Mr Flannery told the commission he had no idea that the money was going to the Obeids. Instead, he thought it was possibly a corrupt payment to ensure a rival company dropped out of the tender process. The possibility of this illegality so alarmed him he decided White Energy had to pull out of the deal to purchase Cascade, he told the ICAC. When asked why he did not alert any regulatory bodies of his suspicions, he told the ICAC: "It wasn't necessary." Corruption findings were made against White Energy directors Mr Duncan, Mr Atkinson, Mr McGuigan and Mr Kinghorn (the latter was overturned on appeal). While no corruption findings were made against Mr Flannery, the commission found that his press release to the ASX in April, 2011, announcing the sale to White Energy had fallen over for "cultural heritage" reasons, was false. But the disappointment of the collapse of the sale of Cascade to White may have been alleviated by another stroke of a Labor pen. Only days before the Labor government was booted out of office in March, 2011, NSW Land Titles records showed that a 70-hectare piece of government land was transferred to White Energy for the princely sum of just one dollar. In fact, the deal had been finalised in August 2010 but had been kept under wraps until days before the election. Probity concerns about the sale had been raised within the Land and Property Management Authority, but then planning minister Tony Kelly pushed ahead with the sale, which had been vigorously promoted by Macdonald before he resigned from Parliament in disgrace in June 2010 over the failure to disclose airline upgrades which he had received for doing favours to the thoroughbred breeding industry. Loading It is never acceptable to use your position to look after a mate, said Justice Adamson. "It damages the system from within in a particularly corrosive way," said the judge. Queensland's corruption watchdog will not investigate allegations Pauline Hanson's chief of staff James Ashby proposed inflating One Nation's electoral expenses so the party could profit from the upcoming Queensland election. The Crime and Corruption Commission said it had decided not to investigate the allegations against Mr Ashby because he is not a public sector employee in Queensland and, therefore, the matter is not within its jurisdiction. One Nation senator Pauline Hanson and chief-of-staff James Ashby. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Loading However, Queensland police and the Australian Electoral Commission have launched probes into the allegations, stemming from a secret recording of a One Nation party meeting last year. After fighting off a shark in South African waters in 2015, Mick Fanning will be forever linked with another feared creature. A worldwide competition that attracted hundreds of online entries has named a Queensland water spider in Fanning's honour, the winning name coming from a Brazilian arachnologist who was also a surfing fan. Surfer Mick Fanning: "It's pretty awesome to know that the spider is quite local to the Gold Coast." Credit:WSL/Kirstin Scholtz Queensland Museum arachnologist Dr Robert Raven said the spider, named Pisauridae mickfanningi, was quite delicate and ornate with a beautiful pattern on its back. "They all look very distinctive with magnificent styles and patterns, which can look like skeletons, ghosts or quite uniform," he said. Four people have been attacked at a hotel in Brisbane's east on Friday night, with two men taken to hospital. Police said three separate assaults took place between 10 and 11.30pm at the Waterloo Bay Hotel in Wynnum and a 19-year-old man was assisting with inquiries. Two men taken to hospital with head injuries after a series of assaults in Wynnum. Credit:Nine News Queensland - Twitter The attacks occurred on Berrima Street and the Queensland Ambulance Service said two men, 23 and 68, were taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital with head injuries. It is understood the older man was punched in the jaw. A man and woman were also treated by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries. A new inquest into the 1973 Whiskey Au Go Go firebombing has been ordered by Queensland's Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath. Fifteen people died when Brisbane's Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub on Amelia Street, Fortitude Valley was firebombed on Thursday, March 8, 1973. There had been calls to reopen the probe following the convictions of Vincent O'Dempsey and Garry Dubois for the murders of Barbara McCulkin and her two daughters 43 years ago. O'Dempsey's recent trial heard he may have been motivated to kill Mrs McCulkin over fears she would implicate him in the firebombing and Ms D'Ath said the 78-year-old's jailing may encourage some witnesses to come forward. The waters off Gippsland would be home to Australia's first offshore wind farm under a radical proposal for as many as 250 turbines generating enough renewable energy to power 1.2 million homes. The "Star of the South" project, would supply about 18 per cent of Victoria's power usage and be connected to existing power infrastructure in the Latrobe Valley via undersea and underground cables, according to the local company behind the project, Offshore Energy. This offshore wind farm is in the North Sea near Hartlepool in the north-east of England. Credit:Matthew Lloyd News of the proposal comes as pressure grows on the State Government to release its long-awaited coal policy. Latrobe City Council has called for the policy's immediate release and confirmed that it considers the Latrobe Valley's vast brown coal reserves "vital to the economy of Gippsland". Victoria's chief psychiatrist has been ordered by the Andrews government to review Monash Health's care of Manodh Marks, the man accused of threatening to blow up a Malaysian Airlines flight. Mental Health Minister Martin Foley has asked Dr Neil Coventry to look over all the case and clinical notes and what planning was undertaken for Marks, who left the Monash Psychiatric Centre on Wednesday before buying a ticket on MH128. Manodh Marks is taken from Tullamarine to the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday. Marks has been accused of threatening to blow up a Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur flight shortly after takeoff last on Wednesday. He did not have an explosive device and was immobilised by passengers before the plane returned to Tullamarine. "We want to make sure we act in an evidence-based way based on what we know has been the case, rather than what to date has been a degree of speculation," Mr Foley said. The man accused of fatally assaulting a teenager in a Chinatown alley reportedly doubled back to offer to take the victim to hospital and pay his medical costs. Shenglian Wan, 23, has been committed to stand trial for the bashing murder of Jeremy Hu, 19, who was attacked by three others in La Trobe Place on April 15, 2016. He has pleaded not guilty. The teen got into a fight in La Trobe Place, just off Chinatown's Little Bourke Street. Credit:Daniel Pockett Mr Hu was repeatedly punched, kicked and stomped, and died from severe head injuries days later. A teenager - who cannot be named - started a fight because he was interested in Mr Hu's girlfriend. Yet another truck has crashed into the notorious Montague Street bridge in South Melbourne. The bridge won the hairy battle against a rental truck about 3pm on Friday, when an Atlas truck wedged itself underneath. A rental truck wedged itself under Montague Street bridge on Friday afternoon. Credit:Leigh Henningham The back of the truck was completely shattered by the collision, leaving the bridge victorious yet again. At about 3.30pm, a VicRoads spokesman said south-bound traffic on Montague Street had completely stopped. North-bound traffic into the city was not affected, the spokesman said. In Melbourne's long history of graffiti, Nost is regarded as one of the city's most prolific taggers. But now Nost is rattling a cage, not a spray can. Nost, real name Shane Newman, has been charged with more than 30 criminal offences, and has been remanded in custody, after allegedly spraying more tags while on bail. A colurful tag by Nost on a Collingwood wall. Credit:Eddie Jim The 35-year-old is alleged to have committed multiple counts of criminal damage, burglary, trespass, indictable offences while on bail, theft, and possessing a graffiti implement with intent to use. A police spokeswoman said the man is alleged to have committed the offences since February last year. The Australian Border Force, Royal Australian Navy and Department of Fisheries have patrolled WA's remote Kimberley coast to combat the threat of illegal fishing and wildlife smuggling. The vessel stopped at several remote locations and known landing sites along the coast. Rear Admiral Peter Laver said the patrol aims to detect and deter maritime threats, even in the most isolated areas. "We are well aware that criminal groups will try to use the remote Australian coastline to attempt to breach our borders, but as this patrol demonstrates, these criminals should always assume we are nearby and we are watching," Rear Admiral Laver said. However 2016 budget papers revealed there was only a provision for minor custodial projects in the form of $1.5 million. It was also found there was no provision in any forward estimates that would allow for a new custodial facility to be built by 2018. When asked if the promised new prison was a possibility, Minister Logan said no site had been identified as a future location and there simply wasn't enough money to cover its construction. "Unless the previous government would like to tell us what site they exactly had lined up, I'm still looking for the $600 million that the Barnett government promised before the election and still eluded to after the election for the new prison. "The legacy the Barnett Government has left us does not allow us to go and spend $600 million on a new prison. They knew that, the previous government knew that, and they just simply didn't have the guts to tell people," Mr Logan said. Mr Logan said the overcrowding problem had continued to worsen over the last two years due to both the large amount of prisoner's currently on remand in WA - reportedly a 62 per cent increase since 2015 - and prisoners' inability to access parole programs. "The whole thing's blocking up. We have more and more people coming in, and less and less people going out the door," Mr Logan said. It is understood government officials will be investigating a range of different temporary solutions to ease the strain on the prison system, including updated prisoner security classification, accelerated hiring processes of new prison officers and demountable temporary accommodation in minimum security facilities. Minister Logan said they were currently investigating options within their means, which would mean operating within the existing budget constraints of the system. "We are looking at the existing prison state and how to work smartly and how to work more efficiently in terms of getting more beds into the system and around the system, which would allow us to deal with increasing numbers. "It's managing our assets in a smarter way which will allow us more beds and getting these programs in place so people can apply for parole," he said. "As soon as is practical the Wandoo Reintegration Facility, currently under the management of Serco, will become a women's drug rehabilitation prison. We are also looking at how to turn the privately run Melaleuca Remand and Reintegration Facility into a men's drug rehabilitation prison." WA Prison Officers Union secretary John Welch told Radio 6PR it was unsurprising the State Government was now scrambling to fix an issue that had been only worsening over a three-year period. "It is plain that the prison population is outstripping the capacity that we've got in prisons. It is plain that that is putting huge pressure on the facilities that we've got and the staff that we have," he said. "If the previous government were serious about doing that [building a new facility], they would have put the money in the budget when the previous commissioner James McMahon said we needed one back three years ago. "What we have to do is deal with the situation we're now in... the reality is that every prison is bursting at the seams." A 2016 report by Inspector of Custodial Services WA professor Neil Morgan also found the WA prison system was operating at 97 per cent of 'modified capacity', and there was 'little capacity to securely and humanely accept extra prisoners' into the facilities. "Western Australia's prison population has risen very rapidly over recent years. Two new prisons have opened in the last four years (West Kimberley and Eastern Goldfields Regional Prisons) but the system has largely absorbed the extra numbers by adding bunk beds to single cells and by adding new accommodation units to existing prisons," professor Morgan said. "This has led the Opposition and the WA Prison Officers Union (WAPOU) to claim our prisons are overcrowded to the point of crisis, posing risks to staff and prisoners. However, the government and the Department of Corrective Services say the system is not overcrowded, the risks are overstated, and there is actually still spare capacity. "Our prisons are crowded and that needs to be recognised." In February this year, WAtoday revealed more than a dozen prisoners were sleeping on the floor because of chronic overcrowding at Hakea prison, and Greenough Regional Prison was forced to deal with a similar situation when 20 inmates were found to be sleeping in 'completely inappropriate conditions'. Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has confirmed the widening of Guildford Road will not go ahead after months of uncertainty for local land and business owners. The five-kilometre stretch of road was set to widen up to ten metres, and would make way for a bus and cycle lane in order to improve traffic flow in the area. Guildford Road was the subject of plans from the WA Planning Commission for it to be widened. Credit:Elli Petersen-Pik The proposal was met with concerns from Bayswater, Maylands and Mount Lawley residents, who said the plan would cut into verges, front yards and buildings. Ms Saffioti first flagged the Labor Government's intention to halt the proposal in January, but was forced to wait for the submission of the Western Australian Planning Commission's final recommendation before confirming the project would no longer go ahead. Perth Muslim students attending a career expo at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre were allegedly forced to leave after onlookers felt threatened by their "attire" because of Manchester's suicide bombing. Some people complained the school children's hijabs were "making them feel uncomfortable after what happened in Manchester" and asked staff to have them removed from the venue. Muslim students were forced to leave the Perth Convention Centre because of their attire. (file pic) Credit:Michael Clayton-Jones The PCEC has confirmed the centre was contacted about an alleged incident involving discrimination against patrons on May 26 but deny their staff were involved. It comes just over a week after Salman Abedi killed 22 people in a suicide bomb attack in Manchester at an Ariana Grande concert. Two Perth men who allegedly tried to claim $700,000 from an insurance company after reporting to police their home had been burgled have been charged with fraud. The incident occurred in March with police claiming it wasn't the first time the men had attempted an alleged insurance scam. A group of Perth men have been charged with insurance fraud. Credit:Nic Walker "In March 2017, a man reported to police that his home had been burgled and items valued in excess of $700,000 had been stolen," a police spokeswoman said. "It will be alleged inquiries identified inconsistencies in the man's report and similar claims made with previous insurance companies involving high quality furnishings, cars and jewellery. Health Minister Roger Cook is in crisis talks with Princess Margaret Hospital over an Australian Medical Association report that warned staff morale was at rock bottom and affecting patient safety. Of more than 850 junior doctors surveyed, only eight per cent said morale was good at PMH, compared with between 59 and 97 per cent at Perth's other five major hospitals. PMH performed by far the worst on a range of measures, including feeling supported at work (17 per cent), the hospital's culture (19 per cent) and recommending it as a place to work (30 per cent), compared to 55-99 per cent for all other hospitals. The revelations come after Perth father and TV personality Trevor Cochrane publicly criticised the hospital after he was told his young son's brain tumour operation was cancelled and delayed for nearly a month because no surgeon was available. Brasilia: Brazil's economy has emerged from its worst recession on record with the fastest growth rate in nearly four years, new data shows, boosting President Michel Temer's case for staying in office as he battles a corruption scandal. Brazil's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.0 per cent in the first quarter from the preceding one, matching economists' forecasts for the biggest rise since the second quarter of 2013. Embattled Brazilian President Michel Temer, front, next to former president Jose Sarney on Wednesday. Credit:AP Growth is unlikely to stay as strong in the second quarter, economists said, as the first-quarter performance was driven up by extraordinary harvests of corn and soy and by a strong build-up in inventories across the economy. Yet Temer, who has resisted protests for his resignation after being placed under investigation by the Supreme Court, tweeted minutes after the release: "The recession is over. After eight consecutive falls, the Brazilian economy has returned to growth". An Australian man has died after a fight outside a hotel in San Francisco in the United States. The San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the man as 33-year-old Matthew Bate, originally from Ocean Grove in Victoria and residing in Woolner, a suburb of Darwin. Australian man Matthew Bate has been killed in the US. San Francisco Police Department spokeswoman Giselle Talkoff said Mr Bate was involved in "a verbal altercation which became physical" near the Da Vinci Villa hotel in the Russian Hill neighbourhood about 2am Friday local time. Officer Talkoff said Mr Bate was injured during the fight and taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It is not believed any weapons were involved. Mr Varadkar is poised to be elected prime minister when parliament next meets in the middle of this month. Social Protection Minister Varadkar, 38, defeated Housing Minister Simon Coveney, 44, to replace Enda Kenny, who is stepping aside after six years. Ireland's ruling party has chosen Leo Varadkar as its new leader, putting him on track to become the nation's first openly gay prime minister. The election of Varadkar marks a generational and social shift. Ireland, which voted to recognise same-sex marriage in 2015, was among the last European Union members to decriminalise homosexual activity. With Mr Kenny and Finance Minister Michael Noonan set to depart, a new cadre of younger figures is set to move centre stage in one of Europe's fastest-growing economies. "The country needs change," said Michael O'Leary, chief executive officer of Ryanair, Europe's biggest discount airline, which is based in Dublin. "Leo represents a slightly more risky candidate, more of a change." The party's lawmakers had the biggest say in choosing Mr Kenny's successor, controlling 65 per cent of the total vote. Party members accounted for 25 per cent of the vote, with local representatives the rest. Mr Varadkar lined up a number of senior colleagues to support him for leader within hours of Mr Kenny laying out his plans to step down after 15 years in charge of the party. That led one of Mr Varadkar's opponents to label his backers as "choreographed choirboys singing for their support." Mr O'Leary said the strength of Mr Varadkar's campaign underlined his ability. Washington: The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to let it move forward with the President's plan to ban citizens temporarily from six mostly Muslim countries, elevating a divisive legal battle involving national security and religious discrimination to the nation's highest court. Department of Justice lawyers asked the court to overturn a decision of the full US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit that kept in place a freeze on President Donald Trump's revised ban. The 10-3 ruling last week was one in a series of legal defeats for the administration, as judges across the country have said Trump's claim of protecting the nation was cover for making good on a campaign promise to ban Muslims from entry into the United States. The government's filing late on Thursday asks the justices to set aside the 4th Circuit ruling and accept the case for oral arguments. It also asks the high court to lift a nationwide injunction issued by a federal judge in a separate Hawaii case. A panel of the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which covers Hawaii, heard the government's arguments in that case last month, but has not yet ruled. Hotel guests wait outside the Resorts World Manila complex early on Friday. Credit:AP The dead were found scattered in the casino area on the second and third floors of the Resorts World Manila, according to Osar Albayalde, chief of police in the capital region. "The 36 bodies were retrieved all over the gaming area, not in hotel rooms," Albayalde said. "Their deaths were caused by suffocation from the thick fumes when the suspect burned the gaming tables and the carpets." Smoke rises from the Resorts World Manila complex near Manila, Philippines. Credit:AP He said the gunman died after setting himself on fire. He was burnt beyond recognition. "He had a gunshot wound to the head and he was really burned," Albayalde said. "What we think happened is he poured gas on his body, covered himself with blanket and he ignited himself. Then he shot himself before he was burned totally." A fireman adjusts the vent to allow smoke to escape from the Resorts World Manila. Credit:AP Earlier, police said they had killed the gunman, amid reports that he had been shot dead. Johnny Ordanza, an employee of the hotel, said he saw at least one person starting to set tables on fire on the second floor of the casino and firing shots. People walk with their luggage outside the Resorts World Manila complex. Credit:AP "There were other gunmen because we can hear gunshots elsewhere," he told Manila radio station DZMM. "They were not targeting the casino players, and we rushed out through the emergency exits." Soon after the attack police said they believed the gunman was acting alone but later announced they were looking for another "person of interest" in connection with the attack.. Bomb sniffing dogs walk outside a hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex. Credit:AP Witnesses said that after the gunman set the gaming tables alight, he left the gambling area and went upstairs to a hotel section of the complex, prompting police to search the hotel room by room. The gunman also forced his way into a storage room and grabbed gambling chips, which he put in his backpack. An injured man is placed on a stretcher after explosions rang out in Manila. Credit:AP But amid the chaos he left the backpack behind, which forensic experts were examining. Some of the wounded were injured jumping from the hotel's second-floor balconies to escape the gunman, Fernando Atienza, a Red Cross spokesman, told the Manila Times. SWAT members of the Philippine National Police arrive at the Resorts World Manila complex early Friday. Credit:AP Resorts World Manila is the largest casino resort in the country, according to its website, and is located across the road from Terminal Three of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. All flights from Manila's international and domestic airports were grounded following the incident. Tight security has surrounded a just completed 57-storey Trump Tower at Century City in Manila's financial district of Makati. The US$150 million building is licensed under the Trump brand. A picture of the gunman circulated by Philippine police. Credit:Philippine police Australia warned early Friday morning that the deterioration of security in Mindanao "has resulted in a more volatile security environment in the Philippines". "Travellers are reminded of the high threat of terrorist attack in the Philippines, even Manila," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in an updated post on its smartraveller.gov.au website. The post advised people to stay away from Resorts World Manila. Security forces in Manila have been on high alert during a nine-day siege of the southern Philippine city of Marawi by extremists linked to IS. Check-points have ringed sprawling Manila amid fears that militants would target the capital in retaliation the fierce fighting in Marawi, 830 kilometres south of Manila, where dozens of fighters from the Maute group have been killed. Military air and group strikes have failed clear the city of 200,000. Analysts say militants seized Marawi as part of a coordinated plan for a dozen groups to gain a foothold in the southern Philippines. The groups, including the brutal Abu Sayyaf, have sworn allegiance to IS. The Abu Sayyaf has in the past carried out bombings, kidnappings and assassinations across the Philippine islands that have killed hundreds of people. Philippine security forces last week botched an operation in Marawi to capture Isnilon Hapilon, the Abu Sayyaf's leader and the head of IS in the Philippines. St Petersburg: The White House and a Russian state-owned bank have very different explanations for why the bank's chief executive and Jared Kushner held a secret meeting during the presidential transition in December. The bank maintained this week that the session was held as part of a new business strategy and was conducted with Kushner in his role as the head of his family's real estate business. The White House says the meeting was unrelated to business and was one of many diplomatic encounters the soon-to-be presidential adviser was holding ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration. The contradiction is deepening confusion over Kushner's interactions with the Russians as the president's son-in-law emerges as a key figure in the FBI's investigation into potential coordination between Moscow and the Trump team. The discrepancy has thrust Vnesheconombank, known for advancing the strategic interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin and for its role in a past US espionage case, into the centre of the controversy enveloping the White House. And it has highlighted the role played by the bank's 48-year-old chief executive, Sergey Gorkov, a graduate of the academy of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, the domestic intelligence arm of the former Soviet KGB, who was appointed by Putin to the post less than a year before his encounter with Kushner. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Department is informing the general public that after a very in-depth investigation into the bomb threat which took place on Saturday, May 27th, 2017, that a male suspect, in this case, has been arrested. The suspect in question with initials K.J.C. (27) was arrested on Thursday, June 1st without incident and taken to the Philipsburg Police Station where he remains in custody for further investigation. The police management team is congratulating the investigating team for a swift and in-depth investigation that leads to the quick identification and arrest of this suspect. It is because of their dedication and professionalism this has been solved. The investigation continues. On Saturday, May 27th at approximately 02.00 p.m. the Central Dispatch received a phone call informing them of a bomb being on a board of one of the Jet Blue aircraft on the Princess Juliana International Airport. Immediately after receiving this call all emergency services such as Airport Security, Fire Department and other relevant authorities were informed of the ongoing situation. A complete shutdown of traffic going to and from the airport area and the diversion of aircraft coming into Sint Maarten to other neighboring islands immediately went into effect. The airport building was completely evacuated. A Jet Blue aircraft on the ground at the time was removed from the main building and taken to secure area where all passengers disembarked and were taken to a secure area for security processing. The aircraft in question was completely searched by a highly trained search team who gave the all clear sign after no explosive device was located. All employees of the airport were allowed back into the building, air traffic into island was again allowed and traffic to and from the airport area was again open. The police management team is congratulating the investigating team for a swift and in-depth investigation that lead to the quick identification and arrest of this suspect. It is because of their dedication and professionalism this has been solved. The investigation continues. It should be noted that several flights had to be diverted to Puerto Rico and Air France to Guadeloupe leaving a number of passengers in a terrible situation. At least one passenger from St. Eustatius could not board her flight due to the road block and the airline did not provide any accommodation for the passenger who had to stay over on St. Maarten at her own expense. Passengers that traveled on Seaborne Airline had to find their way back to St. Maarten since the airline chose not to bring the passengers back to St. Maarten but to drop them off in Anguilla. It is clear that the perpetrators that are making these false alarms and have caused the country unnecessary negative attention and putting passengers in very uncomfortable situations. PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of the ongoing Cops and Kids program kids from the sixth grade of the Learning Unlimited School visited the Police Head Quarters in Philipsburg on Thursday, June 1st, 2017. The Community Police Officer, Inspector Rensley Henson hosted a tour of the department. The kids were able to meet the Police Chief Carl John, the Chief Prosecutor Ton Maan and Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson of the Public Relation and Communication Department. Although a very hectic day at the police station the kids received a complete tour and even caught a rare and unexpected glimpse of the arrest team who were at the time heading out on a mission. The kids were all impressed and grateful to have been able to visit. (See pic attached) Police prepare student for upcoming traffic exams. On Thursday, June 1st, 2017 Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson briefly visited group 7 of the Ruby Labega School during a class on traffic rules provided by Sergeant Rexcarlos Courtar of the Police traffic department. The class given was in preparation for the upcoming yearly traffic exams. Officer Courtar offers words of encouragement to all students. KPSM Press Release Evertz Technologies Limited to Announce Year End Results on June 13, 2017 BURLINGTON, ONTARIO (Marketwired) 06/01/17 Evertz Technologies Limited (TSX: ET) will release its 2017 fiscal year end financial results on June 13, 2017 at approximately 4:00 p.m. (EDT). The Company will hold a conference call with financial analysts to discuss the results on June 13, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. (EDT). Media and other interested parties are invited to join the conference call in listen-only mode. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 647-793-2625 or Toll-Free (North America) 1-888-297-0356. For those unable to listen to the live call, a rebroadcast will also be available until July 13, 2017. The rebroadcast can be accessed at 647-436-0148 or Toll-Free 1-888-203-1112. The pass code for the conference call and rebroadcast is 8673665. Contacts: Evertz Technologies Limited Anthony Gridley Chief Financial Officer (905) 335-7580 Solar Novus Today Has Been Integrated With Novus Light Technologies Today Visit Novus Light Technologies Today to see all the cutting-edge stories and products that you have come to enjoy on Solar Novus Today. In addition, you will find more information on related light-based technologies. Get the latest solar and renewable energy news delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for the Green Technologies newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR GREEN TECHNOLOGIES NEWSLETTER I have been critical in the past of President Donald Trump's eccentric behavior, but when he is right on policy he deserves support even from conservatives like me who did not support him in primaries last year. The latest odd spin from left-leaning media pundits at CNN and MSNBC is that no matter what campaign promise the president tries to honor he must be "hurting" the same base of voters that backed him last November. Pull out of the Paris Climate Accord and the cable nets search high and low for some Democrat who lives in a red county to interview on why the Trump policy will hurt that voter who likely did not really vote for Trump in the first place. Repeal Obamacare and that supposedly "hurts" Trump supporters, who will now turn on him. The same MSM pollsters who badly undercounted Republicans last November are still spinning out badly flawed data now about the approval ratings of the president. Sometimes left-of-center media can make legitimate complaints about how odd the White House communications operation can be, but they undercut their own credibility because they still cannot separate their own anti-conservative bias from straight reporting of the news. For all their criticism of White House fantasies, the MSM pundits live in their own fantasy world where there is a blue wave just waiting in 2018 to overturn GOP majorities in the House and Senate but no matter how hard they dream there is no hard evidence yet from special elections that their dream will come true. 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. The event, Women in Education, featured four women who have succeeded in transforming education across the country to be more competitive, decentralized, accountable, and accessible. They are effective voices that believe education, first and foremost, should enrich the lives of students -- not government -- and parents should be able to choose the best education options for their children. Education is in need of strong and capable leaders. On Wednesday, May 24, the Heartland Institute presented a discussion with four such leaders in its Andrew Breitbart Freedom Center. Joy Pullmann, a research fellow on education policy at The Heartland Institute, who discussed her new book, The Education Invasion, which tackles the issue of Common Core. Vicki Alger, a fellow at the Independent Institute, who discussed her book Failure: The Federal Misedukation of American's Children, which shows how federal government intervention has harmed the education of children across America. Lindsey Burke, director of the Center for Education Policy with The Heritage Foundation, who discussed the current state of education reform coming out of Washington, D.C. Leslie Hiner, president of programs at EdChoice, who discussed what is happening in the states on educati Joy Pullmann Book: The Education Invasion Book: The Education Invasion As her first time in Heartland's new headquarters in Arlington Heights, Joy expressed her appreciation for Heartland in allowing her to be a mother and also to have a platform for advancing her hard work on Common Core. Joy Pullman's new book, The Education Invasion, tackles the issue of Common Core and how Common Core fights parents for control of American kids. Pullmann presented a brief history of this nation's warped educational system: The 2002 No Child Left Behind law signed by President George W. Bush, also included a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. The 1965 law is recognized as this nations national education law and shows a longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. Under President Bush's 2002 law, states are required to test students in reading and math in grades 38 and once in high school. All students are expected to meet or exceed state standards in reading and math by 2014. The major focus of No Child Left Behind was to close student achievement gaps by providing all children with a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. Slated to expire in 2007, the House narrowly voted to extend the bill. In 2011 the Obama administration starting issuing waivers to release states from No Child Left Behind in response to demands from governors and school districts who found that the standards set were too difficult to achieve; however, upon agreeing to the waiver, states had to sign on to Common Core standards in Math and Language Arts which had not yet been devised. Not until December 2015 did Congress to pass the Every Student Succeeds Act to replace No Child Left Behind. According to Joy Pullmann, the ESSA requires states to align their standards to Common Core using college ready tests, but the only standards are Common Core standards. The upshot: the ESSA didn't get rid of Common Core, it's just Common Core with a new name. Joy Pullmann is somewhat concerned about Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. In referencing a speech Pullmann heard DeVos present on Monday, May 22, Pullmann is concerned that Betsy Devos might issue a reverse of a 1983 "Nation at Risk"report. Pullmann is pleased with DeVos' strong stance on vouchers. Pullmann supports school choice as a major education reform initiative. As Common Core poses a threat to school choice. Common Core must be defeated from the ground up. Vicki Alger Book: The Federal Misedukation of America's Children To the surprise of those in attendance, Dr. Alger spoke about a native Illinoisan going back to 1867, Rep. Samuel Molton, who laid out his idea of what education should be all about: Now, sir, in order to make education universal, what do we want? What is the crying necessity of this nation today? Why, sir, we want a head. We want a pure fountain from which a pure stream can be poured upon all the States. We want a controlling head by which the various conflicting systems in the different States can be harmonized, by which there can be uniformity, by which all mischievous errors that have crept in may be pointed out and eradicated. About the Department of Education, the Department: It was established in 1980 and is now 37 years old. Vicki further commented on three goals that the Department of Education was designed meet, but has failed to do. 1. Improve student achievement. We spend 1/3 more than top countries in education, but yet our student achievement is staying flat. 2. Provide for a better partnership between states and government. $80 million has been spent by states to implement Common Core, which came about when Obama offered states money to leave NCLB standards which, obligated states to sign on to common standards in Math and Language Arts, sight unseen. 3. Provide useful program for schools to adopt. After 30 years 300 programs have been passed, but there still isn't a definition of what a federal education program is. Only 6% of the programs have been deemed successful. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has introduced a simple a bill in the House stating: "The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2018." The possibility to end the Department of Education is more a hope than a reality because of its size and its entrenchment in the federal bureaucracy, but we do know enough to get government out of education and make it a local issue. Leslie Burke - Education Reform at the Federal Level Leslie began her presentation by comparing the advancement in computer technology to that of progress in education. Fifty years ago computers were huge and filled an entire room. A full time operating staff was needed. Leasing a computer could cost $200,000 a month. The same improvement has not been seen in education. Since 1970 the Education Department has nearly tripled in size, yet the outcome remains nearly flat. Any business would have been shuttered with such a record, yet the response heard time and again from legislators and educators is that more money spent will produce better results. In 1857 the education bureaucracy remained small with only four individuals and stayed the same for about 20 years. In 1965 there was significant federal spending on education in conjunction with Johnson's "War on Poverty." In 1965 both the Higher Ed Act and the Federal Headstart Program were approved. Headstart is a $9 billion program, and it's not even administered by the Department of Education! The Department of Education became a cabinet agency in 1990. With this status came new programs and more spending. Through the 90's there were no national standards until 2001 when the George W. Bush administration ushered in No Child Left Behind. This educational program led to Common Core standards, when states, struggling to achieve the mandated standard of NCLB, were enticed by Obama administration money to sign on to Common Core standard not yet formulated, as a way to be released from NCLB mandates. As explained by Leslie Burke, the cost of education could be greatly reduced if the teacher to non-teacher ratio in school districts were reduced. As it now stands, the ratio is one teacher to one non-teacher. Chicago, with a school budget of $5.4 billion is bigger in size than the GDP of some governments. Since 1992 Chicago has seen a 12% increase in students, yet staff has nearly tripled instead of keeping pace with the number of new students. In regards to Trump's budget for the Dept. of Education, Burke applauds the 13.5% decrease where programs deemed ineffective will be cut, but wonders whether Congress will have the backbone to go through with the roll backs? Regarding the new choice program initiated by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Ms. Burke is encouraged it will start to reduce government intervention and restore state and local control. Leslie Hiner - Education at the state level As the vice president of programs at EdChoice, Ms. Hiner directs the educational programs and state relations of the organization's state programs team in educating parents. She works in all the states educating parents about school choice programs. EdChoice was founded in 1996 by Nobel laureate Milton Friedman and his wife, economist Rose Director Friedman. The organization's mission is to advance school choice for all children nationwide. Parents can decide what is best, for they know their children far better than bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. Parents should also have control over funding. Until 2011 there wasn't much in the way of school choice programs. Then an epiphany occurred and 6 to 7 choice programs were established. As more and more children come home from school expressing a dislike for school, parents are searching for education alternatives. Ms. Hiner spoke of tremendous activity in 2017 about a new school choice venture -- Tax Credit Scholarship Programs -- as an alternative to vouchers. The first program was in Arizona. A Tax Credit Scholarship Program enables a parent to tailor education for a child that meets his or her needs, whether it be to pay for tuition, tutoring, on-line learning, etc. Arizona has expanded its Tax Credit Scholarship program every year because it works. In Illinois a $500 tax credit is available for educational expenses. In that 285,000 have taken advantage of the tax credit, must mean that Illinois parents want better educational opportunities. Ms. Hiner, through EdChoice, did offer to help Illinois when Illinois is ready. As Ms. Hiner remarked, "It could be life and death for children of low income parents." _____ Lennie Jarratt, as Project Manager for Heartland's Center for Transforming Education, welcomed attendees seated in the Breitbart Freedom Center and those watching on-line. As explained by Mr. Jarratt: The Heartland Institute has long been a leading voice for school transformation and school choice in particular. Since 1997, it has published the school choice movements national outreach publication, School Reform News. More than half of state elected officials surveyed say they read School Reform News, making it the movements most effective way to reach policymakers. Heartland contacts over 1,000,000 elected officials with information promoting free market ideas. Stephanie Trussell, a wife, grandmother, and unapologetic constitutional conservative, was on stage as moderator and introduced each panel member. The Stephanie Trussell Show can be heard every Sunday night from 9 p.m. to 12 midnight Central time. Stephanie, in 2012, won an American Idol-type contest on WLS 890. From more than 100 contestants, Stephanie was chosen as the first Next Talk Star. As a mother of 5 children from 12 to 31, education reform is very important to Stephanie. Stephanie was taught the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic from nuns in a Catholic school, so she knows how to do things, even though she never attended college. Because the only people to advocate for kids are their parents, Stephanie made the choice to move her family to west suburban Lisle, because she felt the schools were better there. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Thunderstorms. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 71F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 68F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. When haze built up in the atmosphere of Archean Earth, the young planet might have looked like this artist's interpretation -- a pale orange dot. We know little about Earth's surface temperatures for the first 4 billion years or so of its history. This presents a limitation into research of life's origins on Earth and how it might arise on distant worlds. Now researchers suggest that by resurrecting ancient enzymes they could estimate the temperatures in which these organisms likely evolved billions of years ago. The scientists recently published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "We need a better understanding of not only how life first evolved on Earth, but how life and the Earth's environment co-evolved over billions of years of geological history," said lead author Amanda Garcia, a paleogeobiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles. "A similar co-evolution seems certain to be the case for any life elsewhere in the Universe." [Ancient Earth: Pummeled, Cracked and Oozing Magma (Visualization)] Garcia and her colleagues focused on the history of Earth's surface temperatures. Rocks offer many clues to deduce temperatures over the last 550 million years in the Phanerozoic Era, when complex, multicellular life took off, including that of humans. However, few such "paleo-thermometers" exist for the earlier Precambrian Era, spanning the Earth's formation 4.6 billion years ago and the rise of life. Earlier geological evidence has suggested that 3.5 billion years ago, during the Archean Eon, the oceans were 131 degrees to 185 degrees F (55 degrees to 85 degrees C). They cooled dramatically to current average temperatures of 59 degrees F (15 degrees C). Scientists made these estimates by examining oxygen and silicon isotopes in marine rocks. Quartz-rich rocks in the seabed, known as cherts, have higher levels of the heavier oxygen-18 and silicon-30 isotopes as the seawater gets colder. In principle, the ratio of heavier to lighter oxygen and silicon isotopes can shed light on ancient temperatures. But such paleo-thermometers do not adequately take into account how these rocks or the ocean might have changed over the course of billions of years. Perhaps the isotopic ratios in seawater varied over time in response to physical or chemical alterations, such as water flows off the land or from hydrothermal vents. The image on the left depicts what Earth might have looked like more than 3 billion years ago in the early Archean. The orange shapes represent the magnesium-rich proto-continents before plate tectonics started, although it is impossible to determine their precise shapes and locations. The ocean appears green due to a high amount of iron ions in the water at that time. The timeline traces the transition from a magnesium-rich upper continental crust to a magnesium-poor upper continental crust. (Image credit: Ming Tang/University of Maryland) Given the uncertainties, Garcia and her colleagues sought an independent measurement of seawater temperatures in the Precambrian that centers on the behavior of biological molecules. The scientists examined an enzyme known as nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK), which helps manipulate the building blocks of DNA and RNA, as well as many other roles. Versions of this protein are found in virtually all living organisms, and were likely vital to many extinct organisms as well. Previous research found a correlation between the optimal temperatures of protein stability and an organism's growth. By comparing the molecular sequences of versions of NDK in a variety of contemporary species, researchers can reconstruct the versions of NDK that might have been present in their common ancestors. By synthesizing these reconstructions, scientists can experimentally test these "resurrected" ancient proteins to find the temperature that stabilizes the protein and deduce from that the likely temperature that supported the ancient organism. Scientists estimate when ancient enzymes might have existed by looking at their closest living relatives of their host organism. The greater the number of differences in the genetic sequences of these relatives, the longer ago their last common relative likely lived. Scientists use these differences to gauge the age of biomolecules such as the reconstructions of NDK. [The Strangest Alien Planets (Gallery)] Previous research had reconstructed ancient enzymes to deduce past temperatures, but some of these enzymes may have come from organisms that lived in unusually hot environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents, which would not be representative of the wider ocean. Instead, Garcia and her colleagues sought to reconstruct NDK from land plants and photosynthetic bacteria living in the upper sunlit depths of oceans, presumably far away from boiling hot springs. Microbial reefs called stromatolites are examples of biological structures found as far back as 3.7 billion years ago. (Image credit: Pamela Reid, Ph.D., University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science) Their research suggests that Earth's surface cooled from roughly 167 degrees F (75 degrees C) about 3 billion years ago to roughly 95 degrees (35 degrees F) about 420 million years ago. These findings are consistent with previous geological and enzyme-based results. Garcia said such a dramatic cooling is hard to fathom, emphasizing how scientists need to remember how different conditions were in the past when figuring out how life evolved over time. "It requires a lot of effort to envision a world that does not seem to fit with the common sense of our current Earth conditions." Future research could reconstruct versions of NDK from more organisms, as well as other enzymes, giving more evidence to support the method. Such research could help "in solving big questions about the early evolution of life and Earth's environment," she said. The participation of study co-author J. William Schopf, founder of the Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life at the University of California, Los Angeles, was supported by his membership in the NASA Astrobiology Institute's Wisconsin Astrobiology Research Consortium. This story was provided by Astrobiology Magazine, a web-based publication sponsored by the NASA astrobiology program. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. A little dragonfly paid a visit to the much larger Dragon spacecraft at Cape Canaveral Thursday (June 1), just hours before SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launch was scrubbed due to inclement weather. For the first time, SpaceX is launching a used Dragon spacecraft, sending the same capsule into space for its second delivery to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, titled CRS-11, is now slated to launch on Saturday (June 3) at 5:07 p.m. EDT (2107 GMT). You can watch live coverage of the launch here. Having stumbled upon an incredibly poetic photo opportunity Thursday morning, NASA photographer Bill Ingalls snapped this shot of a male Marl Pennant dragonfly posing in front of Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The dragonfly is probably completely oblivious to the impending launch, which will soon rattle its world as sonic shock waves propagate for miles. And it definitely has no idea that it shares a name with the spacecraft that is perched on top of the 230-foot (70 meters) rocket. But with that picture-perfect pose atop a vertical twig, it certainly looks like the insect is being a little copycat. Email Hanneke Weitering at hweitering@space.com or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The globular cluster Messier 54 as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope. Located some 90,000 light-years away, the object might actually be the star-filled core pulled out of a neighboring galaxy by the gravity of our home galaxy, the Milky Way. Adam Hadhazy, writer and editor for The Kavli Foundation, contributed this article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. Much to their surprise, scientists are finding dozens of black holes deep within densely packed collections of stars called globular clusters. Astrophysicists are using a record-breaking computer simulation to learn the clusters secrets, including whether they gave rise to recently observed ripples in space-time. In 2015, after a century of speculation, the world finally detected the elusive ripples in the universes fabric known as gravitational waves. This happened when a wave-hunting experiment called LIGO, which acts like a colossal tuning fork, sensed these waves hurled out from the cataclysmic collision of two massive black holes. (Read more: What is LIGO?) But where are these collisions occurring? A new paper about LIGO's third gravitational-wave detection, announced June 1, suggests that the black hole smashup might well have been inside of a beautiful object called a globular cluster a glittering celestial "snow globe" filled with hundreds of thousands of closely packed stars. At their centers, globular clusters are believed to harbor dozens to hundreds of black holes by far the greatest concentration of these exotic objects found anywhere in the universe. [Hunting Gravitational Waves: The LIGO Laser Interferometer Project in Photos] Globular clusters could very well be a major source of the gravitational waves scientists are sensing with LIGO. Studying these waves could teach us more about their dense, star cluster origins, and in the process also shed light on the construction of galaxies, the universe's biggest groupings of stars. In this simulation, 60 black holes and 500 stars interact with each other at the chaotic core of a globular cluster until two black holes combine to form a black hole binary. Credit: Carl Rodriguez/Northwestern Visualization (Justin Muir, Matt McCrory, Michael Lannum) The Kavli Foundation spoke with three astrophysicists about the many scientific opportunities globular clusters present for understanding the collisions of black holes as well as the workings of the broader cosmos. The participants were: Rainer Spurzem a professor at the Kavli Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics at Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He specializes in computer simulations of complex astrophysical systems such as galaxies and globular clusters. Carl Rodriguez a Pappalardo Postdoctoral Fellow and a postdoctoral scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as well as a member of MITs Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. His research focuses on dense star clusters, including globular clusters, as well as how black holes form and behave in these crowded systems. Jay Strader an assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy at Michigan State University. He conducts searches for black holes in globular clusters. The following is an edited transcript of their roundtable discussion. The participants have been provided the opportunity to amend or edit their remarks. The Kavli Foundation: Skygazers have admired the starry brilliance of globular clusters for centuries. Is it surprising that these luminous objects have dark "hearts" full of black holes, as recent computer simulations and observations are bearing out? Carl Rodriguez: Its not surprising from the standpoint that as long as you start off with a large population of stars anywhere in the universe, you will end up with some ultra-bright, massive stars. These rare, monster stars are the ones that gravitationally collapse to form black holes when they die. Because globular clusters are home to so many stars, scientists had long figured some black holes would inevitably be produced in them. Yet until about ten years ago, we had no observational evidence to prove that these hordes of black holes were actually there. Rainer Spurzem: It has always been clear that there should be a lot of black holes in globular clusters. But the big question has been, and still is: What happens to them? Do they stay inside globular clusters or get hurled out into space soon after they form? Have we seen evidence for black holes that recently formed or have lingered inside globular clusters for billions of years? The assumption used to be that globular clusters couldnt retain black holes. But thats not what computer simulations by me and my colleagues, as well as in work by Carl and others, are now showing. Rodriguez: Thats right. In earlier models, the idea was that the black holes would essentially fall out of solution, like how heavy dust particles in the atmosphere slowly settle onto the Earths surface. But thats not what we see. [Images: Black Holes of the Universe] In the more recent computer simulations that my team and Rainers team have been doing independently, theres a lot more mixing, and the black holes dont force each other out of the globular cluster. Earlier models failed to capture that black holes have a wide range of masses, whereas we deal with black holes having as little as three times, and all the way up to 30, 50, or even 80 times the mass of the sun. So now theres a smooth continuum. With that, we dont see this sort of oil-and-water separation of the stars and the black holes in a globular cluster anymore. Jay Strader: What is great is that youve got these two separate lines of inquiry, of theory and experimental observations. Rainer and Carl are creating computer simulations based on theoretical models, while my team is gathering observational evidence for the existence of black holes in globular clusters. At the moment, were reaching the same conclusions, that globular clusters can keep their black holes. And if thats the case, then globular clusters could be where black holes often collide and create gravitational waves. An artist's conception of black holes feeding on matter from companion stars and sending out bright jets into the space within a globular cluster. (Image credit: Benjamin de Bivort; Strader, et al.; NRAO/AUI/NSF) TKF: Rainer, the simulation you just mentioned you are working on is the most realistic simulation of a globular cluster to date. Because it suggests that the gravitational waves we have been detecting with LIGO came from two black holes within a globular cluster, do you think the mystery of their origin is now solved? Rainer Spurzems research on dense stellar systems relies on state-of-the-art supercomputing systems. (Image credit: Rainer Spurzem) Spurzem: The simulation we ran is called the DRAGON Simulation Project. Its an incredibly sophisticated simulation of a globular cluster, created by tracking a million digital stars as they interacted over 12 billion years nearly the age of the universe. It does a great job of simulating globular clusters, and using it, we did find some merging black holes that more or less agree with the gravitational-wave events LIGO has detected. But we cant be absolutely sure yet. Something were missing is a real census of all of the globular clusters in our cosmic neighborhood. We need to know how many are out there to see if their number correlates to the expected rate of gravitational wave events that we expect LIGO will end up detecting per year. The more globular clusters there are, the likelier it is that the first gravitational waves LIGO ever detected were from within one. We have a lot more work to do beyond DRAGON in figuring out the origin of LIGOs detected gravitational waves. TKF: Carl, youre investigating how globular clusters probably act like "factories" for making pairs of black holes. What have you learned? Rodriguez: Globular clusters have a significantly fewer stars and black holes than youd find in a whole galaxy. For example, the Milky Way has 200 billion or so stars, while globular clusters have maybe only a million stars. But when it comes to making pairs of black holes, its the density of stars that matters, and thats where globular clusters have galaxies beat. Whereas the Milky Way is about 100,000 light-years in diameter, give or take, a globular cluster is only around 10 light-years in diameter. This extreme density of stars allows for dynamical processes you dont see other places in the universe. Black holes can come close enough to one another that theyll undergo gravitational interactions and form a pair, known as a binary. You can see that in galaxies, too, but its incredibly rare, whereas it happens all the time in globular clusters. TKF: Youve also mapped out a way for astrophysicists to figure out the source of a gravitational wave. How does this work? Rodriguez: This goes back to my PhD thesis, where I managed to swing the term "black hole mosh pit" into an earlier paper to describe what this cosmic environment would be like. I was pleased with myself for that. [Laughter] Carl Rodriguez uses computer modeling for his studies examining how gravitational waves can help explain star formation, especially of massive stars, in cluster environments. (Image credit: Carl Rodriguez) Black holes rotate along some central axis. When they orbit each other in a binary system, each of the black holes will have its own spin orientation. These spin orientations can be aligned with the black holes orbit, like two tops spinning toward each other on a flat table. Or, the spin orientations can differ and be misaligned, like tops spinning whichever way in three-dimensional space. LIGO can actually detect when merging black holes have these sorts of misalignments. And in the newest, third detection of gravitational waves to date, it looks like there's significant evidence that the black holes are not aligned with the orbit. If they are spinning at all, it seems to suggest that they're somewhat anti-aligned with the orbit, just as you would expect if they came from a cluster. So astrophysicists will use this information to figure out whether the merger occurred in a globular cluster or somewhere else less chaotic out in the Milky Way. TKF: Why do we care whether the waves were the result of a merger of two black holes within a cluster or not? Rodriguez: Being able to discriminate these two populations of binary black holes those inside and outside of globular clusters would be very, very interesting and really help unlock the potential of gravitational-wave astrophysics. If we discover, for instance, that most of these black hole binaries are coming from dense star clusters, then we could map that back onto the evolution of these clusters and get a better idea about their formation and behavior. On the other hand, if we can discriminate two separate populations and show that, say, half of the binary black holes are coming from clusters and half are coming from binary stars outside clusters, then we could start to also answer questions about the physics of producing the universes most massive stars. TKF: What else makes globular clusters so intriguing? Strader: By learning more about what keeps globular clusters together, we can learn about the varying conditions under which stars are born. Globular clusters can form with a million stars near each other. The collective gravity of that whole stellar ensemble can help the stars stay together for many billions of years. Thats very different from most stars in the universe, which we think formed in groups of maybe a hundred or a thousand stars. Generally, these star clusters are held together very tenuously by gravity, so they quickly disperse over time. We can also learn about the evolution of the broader universe. Early in its history, the universe was a very dense place, which we think was quite conducive to forming massive clusters, including globular clusters. We can test that idea by examining the ages and lifetimes of globular clusters. Spurzem: Globular clusters offer fascinating tests of celestial mechanics, of how hundreds of thousands or even millions of stars interact. They are also among the oldest objects youll find in our galaxy as well as others, so they can offer a unique window into understanding galaxy formation. TKF: Speaking of galaxy formation, Jay, you are part of the SLUGGS survey, which uses ground telescope-based telescopes to study this very topic. How are globular clusters useful for tracing the development of galaxies over the history of the universe? Jay Strader's work delves into globular cluster systems for insights into the formation of galaxies. (Image credit: Jay Strader) Strader: Globular clusters are relatively bright objects. That makes them easier to observe and study at greater distances than other groups of stars. This is important, because as you move from our Milky Way out to nearby galaxies and then into more distant galaxies, often it becomes impossible to study their individual stars to learn anything about their characteristics, such as their chemical composition and age. But you can still do those studies on these galaxies globular clusters. So globular clusters allow you to push these sort of looking-back-in-time, "fossil" studies of how galaxies formed out to substantially larger distances, letting us learn about much more about galaxies in the universe. Another way that globular clusters inform us about galaxy formation actually has a connection to black holes. Recently, weve discovered that a lot of objects we thought were the most massive globular clusters dont appear to be globular clusters at all. Instead, they seem to be the remnants of more massive galaxies that were torn apart by another galaxy, leaving behind only the original galaxys core. Some of these cores are loaded with stars, so they look like little, starry nuggets very similar to a globular cluster. But they have just a single, supermassive black hole in their center, like we have in the center of our own Milky Way galaxy. We can study these remnants to understand supermassive black holes and how galaxies interact over the lifetime of the universe. Spurzem: Theres an object called Omega Centauri in our own galaxy that might be one of these remnants of a more massive galaxy. Omega Centauri has long been considered the Milky Ways largest globular cluster and it contains 10 million stars. Strader: Thats right. Its also almost certainly the case that the globular cluster Messier 54 near the Milky Way is actually the nucleus of a galactic neighbor, the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy. There are a few other clusters that are candidates as former galaxies that were eaten by the Milky Way. TKF: Returning to the DRAGON simulation, Rainer, what did you and your colleagues hope to learn about globular clusters, and did you turn up any surprises? Spurzem: Surprisingly, there were few surprises! That showed us we are on the right track in broadly understanding globular clusters. The DRAGON simulation was successful in fitting with the observations of real globular clusters, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, for example. The simulated cluster also retains dozens of black holes. DRAGON is an endpoint of a very long struggle to simulate a million moving, interacting bodies. Back in 1990, scientists thought it could be done with powerful computers in 10 years. It was not so easy! Even after we developed the computing codes, we still needed a machine that could run them. Going back nearly a decade, my colleagues and I began using a supercomputer at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which I had helped acquire and is one of the reasons I first came to China. We collaborated with researchers at the Max Planck Computing and Data Facility at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany. This Chinese-European collaboration enabled the DRAGON simulation project, and a student of mine, Long Wang, spearheaded the effort. We finally reached our goal of running the simulation. TKF: Jay, instead of a supercomputer, youre studying these black holes using radio data collected by the Very Large Array, a ground-based telescope. How do these instruments let you "see" and probe black holes? Strader: Well, with a black hole, its right there in the name you cant see it. So what youre looking for is indirect evidence. That might be a companion star or gas that surrounds the black hole and is heated up by it. These signatures dont tell you whether an object is a black hole or something else called a neutron star the dense remnants of stars that werent quite massive enough to produce a black hole when they died. So my work with the Very Large Array, which is this big radio telescope in New Mexicoyou saw it in the movie "Contact" takes advantage of the fact that black holes emit radio jets that are substantially brighter than any jets that come off of neutron stars. Thats what pinpoints candidate black holes for us. Then we look with the Hubble Space Telescope, which has the sharpest vision, allowing us to associate those radio jets with individual stars. Once weve done that, we can say if that star might be in a binary system with a black hole. Finally, we study that star to see if its motion provides dynamical evidence that the object its paired with is actually a black hole. [The Hubble Space Telescope: A 25th Anniversary Photo Celebration] TKF What are some of the other major open questions about globular clusters and their black holes, and how might we answer them? Strader: Were finding candidate black holes inside of the Milky Ways globular clusters, and were currently working on confirming them. A big question I have is, what is the relationships between the objects were finding and the total black hole population in these clusters? How many are we not finding? Most black holes inside of a globular cluster are probably not going to be observable, so how do we estimate the overall rate at which black holes form pairs that might be detectable by LIGO? Spurzem: Weve recently learned that globular clusters can host multiple generations of stars, meaning that not all of the clusters stars were born at the same time. That goes against our standard models, which say the stars in globular clusters should all be about the same age. The other question is rotation in globular clusters. Its a mystery, because when we look at globular clusters now, all of them are spherical. But when they formed, they must have had a natural rotation, and you would not expect them to ball up into such tight, round groups of stars. Some process allowed them to lose the rotation and form spheres. Thats been very much neglected. Rodriguez: In certain, ancient globular clusters that have not dynamically evolved much with other clusters or galaxies, you should theoretically get very, very massive black holes, as large as 50 times the mass of the sun or even bigger. I think it would be very interesting to see if we could catch a glimpse of one of those monsters inside one of these unevolved clusters, because we have never indirectly seen a black hole like that. Spurzem: Something that is most fascinating is that in the intergalactic space between groups of galaxies, there can be tens of thousands of globular clusters that are just freely floating there. If this is common, it would mean there may be many, many more globular clusters around than we had previously thought. Adam Hadhazy, Spring 2017 Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates and become part of the discussion on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was published on Space.com. A Russian cosmonaut and an astronaut from France returned from the International Space Station on Friday (June 2), landing with one fewer crewmate than when they left Earth six months ago. Oleg Novitskiy of Russia's space agency Roscosmos and Thomas Pesquet with the European Space Agency (ESA) touched down on the steppe of Kazakhstan on board the Russian Soyuz MS-03 spacecraft at 10:10 a.m. EDT (1410 GMT or 8:10 p.m. local Kazakh time). Their parachute-assisted landing wrapped up 196 days in space since their launch on Nov. 17, 2016 along with NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. [Launch Photos: Expedition 50 Blasts Off to the International Space Station] "We're a little bit sad to leave her behind," said Pesquet on Thursday (June 1), a day before he left the space station. Whitson had originally been slated to land with her launch crewmates, Novitskiy and Pesquet. An available seat on a subsequent Soyuz launched in April allowed her mission to be extended. She will now return to Earth with cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and astronaut Jack Fischer when they land in September. A record-setting astronaut, including being the only woman to command the space station twice, Whitson has already spent more time in space over the course of her three trips to orbit than any other American or woman worldwide. "I just want to say for Oleg and me, we are really proud of being part of such a team and flying with Peggy. Peggy is a legend, but she is also absolutely unbelievable to work with or just hang around with and live with in space," said Pesquet. "We are, of course, going to miss Oleg and Thomas," said Whitson. "They're exceptional astronauts in every sense of the word. But mostly, we are going to miss their sense of humor and camaraderie." Novitskiy and Pesquet served on the space station's 50th and 51st expedition crews. Their undocking aboard Soyuz MS-03 from the orbiting complex's Rassvet module at 6:47 a.m. EDT (1047 GMT) marked the beginning of Expedition 52 with Yurchikhin in command. Three more crewmates, Sergei Ryazansky of Roscosmos, Randy Bresnik of NASA and Paolo Nespoli of ESA, are set to launch on Soyuz MS-05 on July 28. During Novitskiy and Pesquet's time in space, they helped to conduct a multitude of science experiments, including a payload of European investigations flown to the station as part of Pesquet's "Proxima" mission. The two also saw the departure of the Russian Progress MS-03 cargo craft and arrival of Progress MS-05, and they helped receive and unpack the S.S. John Glenn, a U.S. commercial freighter launched by Orbital ATK for NASA. Soyuz MS-03 leaves the International Space Station after 194 days docked to the Rassvet module on Friday, June 2, 2017. (Image credit: NASA TV) Pesquet also went out on two spacewalks with Expedition 50 commander Shane Kimbrough to connect a new set of batteries on the exterior of the station and to prepare one of the outpost's ports for the future installation of a docking adapter to support U.S. commercial crew spacecraft. In total, Pesquet logged 12 hours and 32 minutes on the extravehicular activities (EVA), the first two of his career. "It's been a fantastic adventure and amazing ride," wrote Pesquet on Twitter on Friday of his time in orbit, which was also his first time flying in space. Pesquet, 39, is the tenth French astronaut and the last of the 2009 ESA astronauts, nicknamed the "Shenanigans," to fly in space. Novitskiy, 45, has now logged more than 340 days in orbit on his two missions, including a 144-day stay on the space station during Expeditions 33/34 in 2013. Pesquet's and Novitskiy's return to Earth marked the first two-man Soyuz landing since March 2010, when cosmonaut Maxim Surayev and astronaut Jeff Williams completed Expedition 21 on board Soyuz TMA-16. Whitson's empty seat aboard Soyuz MS-03 was filled with a cargo carrier for the return to Earth. Now safely home from space, Novitskiy and Pesquet will be flown to the Kazakh town of Karaganda for a traditional welcome ceremony and then they will split ways, Novitskiy flying to Star City in Russia and Pesquet heading for the European Astronaut Center in Cologne, Germany. Soyuz MS-03 was the 49th Soyuz to fly to the International Space Station. It traveled 82.9 million miles (133.4 million kilometers) over the course of 3,136 orbits of Earth. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2017 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and Robert Bigelow, founder of Bigelow Aerospace, talk while standing next to the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module on Jan. 16, 2013, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Aliens are among us. That's the gist of comments made by billionaire space entrepreneur Robert Bigelow on CBS' "60 Minutes" on Sunday. Could intelligent alien life really exist on Earth and we wouldn't know about it? Not likely, according to Seth Shostak, a senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, who said, "Obviously, I think that aliens are out there. The conditions for life seem to be very widespread. All the requirements for life are everywhere, that doesn't prove life is everywhere." "Could they come here and be buzzing the skies and occasionally entertaining Bob Bigelow by visiting him? It doesn't violate physics, but is it likely?" Shostak told Live Science. (Not really, because if it were, humans would have better evidence by now for their Earthly invasion, he said.) [13 Famous People Who Believe in Aliens] Bigelow noted during the interview May 28 that his grandparents spotted a UFO on a canyon road outside Las Vegas: "It really sped up and came right into their face and filled up the entire windshield of the car. And it took off at a right angle and shot off into the distance," he told "60 Minutes" reporter Lara Logan. "Do you believe in aliens?" Logan asked. "I'm absolutely convinced and that's all there is to it," said Bigelow, founder and CEO of the commercial space company Bigelow Aerospace. "There has been and there is an existing presence, an E.T. presence." When asked if he expects to see forms of intelligent life as humans explore the universe, Bigelow replied, "You don't have to go anywhere. It's just, like, right under people's noses." No proof of Earthly aliens More than half of Americans (54 percent) believe intelligent life capable of communication exists among the stars, according to a 2015 survey by marketing research firm YouGov. Plenty of money and big minds have been put to the task of finding signs of E.T., with an entire institute called SETI devoted to just that. "He's not the only Silicon Valley type, entrepreneur in the tech industry, that thinks we're being visited," Shostak said. Even so, the solid evidence of these visitors is nonexistent. "Interstellar travel is very difficult; it's an energy problem," Shostak explained. Adding to that, why would aliens come visit humans now and not 2,000 years ago? (There are no records of the ancient Romans worrying about UFOs.) If there were some reason for modern-day alien visitors, Shostak said, someone would have strong evidence by now. "Well, if you really do think they're here, then why is it that the evidence is so poor; if the evidence was so good, we wouldn't be arguing about it, we'd be investigating it," Shostak said. "We have satellites monitoring the Earth all the time. And they don't see these guys, and yet they're apparently so visible that a random guy like Bob Bigelow can see them." Hostile aliens Cosmologist Stephen Hawking believes not only that aliens are out there (though he doesn't think we'll find them anytime soon), but that they could destroy humanity. Another believer in hostile aliens is film director Ridley Scott, who recently told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that extraterrestrial beings exist, and if they decide to visit planet Earth, humans should watch out. "If you are stupid enough to challenge them you will be taken out in three seconds," Scott told AFP. Even Winston Churchill believed: "I, for one, am not so immensely impressed by the success we are making of our civilization here that I am prepared to think we are the only spot in this immense universe which contains living, thinking creatures," he wrote in an essay on the search for alien life that was recently uncovered at the Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri. Astronomers are looking deeper into the universe for signs of alien life, which could range from microbes to "little green men," using sophisticated equipment to detect chemical signatures or radio signals that could be explained by biological or intelligent processes. [4 Places Where Alien Life May Lurk in the Solar System] Right here in the solar system, NASA and private companies have spent billions on getting to know the Red Planet, with high hopes of finding signs of Martian life (though not intelligent beings), Leonard David reported in an article in Scientific American. "Yet against all odds (and researchers' hopes for a watershed discovery), Mars remains a poker-faced world that holds its cards tight. No convincing signs of life have emerged. But astrobiologists continue to, quite literally, chip away at finding the truth," reported David, author of "Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet," in a 2016 National Geographic article. What if alien life were not fleshy biological beings at all? Shostak thinks that most intelligent life may be machines. Original article on Live Science. X-ray flash knocks so many electrons out of the iodine atom (right) such that it pulls in the electrons of the methyl group (left) like an elecetromagnetic version of a black hole, before finally spitting them out. The world's most powerful X-ray laser has created a molecular "black hole." The black hole is not a tiny version of the supermassive celestial object that devours everything within its event horizon. Rather, when X-ray energy is aimed at a molecule, it strips away so many of the electrons that it creates a void that then sucks in all the electrons from nearby atoms in black-hole fashion. "It basically sucked all the electrons away from the surrounding environment," said study co-author Sebastien Boutet, a physicist at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California. "It's an analogy to how a black hole gravitationally pulls everything in." [Brightest X-Ray Laser 'Blows Up' Water Droplets in Stunning Video] The molecular black-hole effect occurs thanks to the most intense X-ray beam of its kind equivalent to focusing all the sun's light onto a spot the size of a thumbnail. Powerful beams The experiments relied on the SLAC's Linac Coherent Light Source X-ray free-electron laser, which generates extremely high-energy laser pulses known as hard X-rays. Boutet and colleagues then used a series of mirrors to focus that X-ray energy onto a spot about 100 nanometers in diameter. (A human hair is about 70,000 nanometers wide, where 1 nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.) These focused laser pulses then illuminated isolated xenon atoms and molecules of iodomethane (CH3I) and iodobenzene (C6H5I). The intense energy was tuned so that the X-rays would strip electrons first from the innermost energy shells of the iodine atoms. (Electrons whirl around the nucleus of an atom in shells, or orbitals, with different energy levels.) At first, everything acted as predicted: Like pinballs, the outer electrons cascaded from the outermost electron orbitals into the innermost shells, where they would also be ejected by the X-ray pulses. Though dramatic, that initial process was expected. However, X-ray pulses didn't just deplete the outer shell of iodine's electrons: The iodine atom, which normally contains 53 electrons, continued to suck in electrons from neighboring carbon and hydrogen atoms in the molecule after which they were violently ejected as well. All told, the iodine molecules lost 54 electrons more than the atoms initially started with. The whole process occurred in just 30 femtoseconds, or one quadrillionth of a second. At the end of this dramatic cascade, the molecule exploded. Simple in theory, not in practice The findings suggest that some of the basic models physicists have used in the past to capture the impact of X-ray laser pulses may be lacking, Boutet said. "Even for something relatively simple, a six-atom system, it ends up being pretty challenging to predict how the damage will occur," Boutet told Live Science. The findings could help scientists better model the radiation damage incurred by the powerful laser pulses, which are frequently used to visualize intricate organic molecules, such as viruses, enzymes and bacteria, he added. While the process underpinning the molecular black hole is dramatic, it likely has never happened before on Earth. "There's some celestial events that will create these intense fields, like supernovas," Boutet said. "It does not happen naturally in any place that we humans happen to be." The findings were published today (May 31) in the journal Nature. Originally published on Live Science. A new report by Canadian astronomers considers the benefits of moving the planned Thirty Meter Telescope from its controversial building site at Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano to Spain's Canary Islands. The next-generation telescope was set for construction on Mauna Kea, but the Hawaii Supreme Court pulled its construction permit in 2015 after saying the state had granted the permit without addressing a petition against the project. Construction began in 2014, but it has been halted multiple times due to protests calling out the mountain's sacred status locally, as well as the project's environmental and cultural impacts. As reported by Motherboard, Canadian researchers have released a report that considers the costs and benefits of building the powerful telescope in Spain's Canary Islands instead. [Thirty Meter Telescope: Hawaii's Giant Space Eye (Gallery)] The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project is a partnership among Canada, the United States, Japan, China and India. Canada has pledged up to 243.5 million Canadian dollars ($180 million US) to the project over 10 years. As its name suggests, TMT will feature a light-collecting surface nearly 100 feet (30 m) wide when it's up and running, potentially allowing astronomers to make groundbreaking discoveries about black holes, exoplanets and other celestial bodies and phenomena. TMT isn't the only megascope in development. The Giant Magellan Telescope and the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) are currently under construction in Chile and are scheduled to come online in the early to mid-2020s. The TMT report's authors emphasize that a move to the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) on La Palma, in the Canary Islands, should be considered only if the project is facing a significant delay compared to the E-ELT, or if the project's funding is at stake. (The report goes into detail about how far along each of the other megatelescopes are from first light.) The report was compiled by a joint committee from the Canadian Astronomical Society and the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy, which formed in January to consider alternative locations. "There is certainly a big scientific advantage to being first on the sky; to execute the first obvious observations that take advantage of new technology (the 'low-hanging fruit') and to be first to stumble upon exciting new discoveries," the researchers wrote in the new report. "At this point it is still unclear which of the three [very large optical telescopes] is most likely to be constructed first, even with the construction delays that TMT is facing. However, we can take action to minimize the impact of a delay, by ensuring that TMT has first-light capabilities that are unique, and scientifically exciting." The researchers discuss the fact that the Mauna Kea location is strongly preferred scientifically to La Palma, but that La Palma could be a valid choice to minimize delay and be one of the first to turn eyes to the sky. They detailed the benefits and challenges of the telescope's current location, and compared them with the pros and cons of building the telescope on La Palma, or at the two locations in Chile where the other two upcoming mega-telescopes are being constructed. They found that the climate and lower altitude at La Palma would require more adaptive optics essentially more work done at the telescope mirror and instrumentation level to correct for interference from Earth's atmosphere. "The main drawbacks of ORM are that it is warm and relatively wet, which makes [mid-infrared] observations all but impossible," Michael Balogh, chairman of the CASCA/ACURA TMT Advisory Committee that authored the report, told Motherboard. "That means it takes longer to achieve the same science compared with [Mauna Kea] or Chile. But for the most part, the same science is still achievable." In 2016, a different Canadian committee recommended a backup site in Chile that would be the best for scientific purposes because of the altitude and clear weather, but the Thirty Meter Telescope's International Observatory Board chose the La Palma site as its alternative, according to the report. A Northern Hemisphere location, such as Mauna Kea or La Palma, would give the new telescope the ability to see targets not visible from the other two locations and would work in coordination with other Northern Hemisphere telescopes, the researchers wrote. That's an important point, they said, because the E-ELT has a planned larger aperture, letting it potentially see farther targets more clearly. A northern telescope could contribute unique results the southern ones can't access. A final resolution for the construction permit case is uncertain, the researchers wrote, but some scenarios could allow for construction to start back up in 2018. . As the government organizations reach a conclusion, the international project's leaders will have to consider when and where the telescope will finally see first light. Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement Optimization Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should? Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. A More Pugnacious Tone In truth, though, the chancellor has only lost faith in one person, in Donald Trump. And rightly so. Just because the U.S. is currently being led by an inadequate president shouldn't mean an end to the trans-Atlantic alliance. The relationship between Germany and America is so tight that not even someone like Donald Trump can -- or should be allowed to -- ruin it. Merkel could have said as much herself, but with the German campaign heating up, she too prefers a more pugnacious tone. Such comments may not be as abrasive as those consistently emanating from the White House, but they are undiplomatic. She is clearly willing to risk a bit of scandal to win over a few more votes from the steadily growing number of America-skeptics in Germany, particularly because it helps her withstand the Trump bashing coming from her political adversaries on the center-left. But Trump, too, profits from such conflicts -- strife is his preferred political method. His withdrawal from the climate agreement provides an example: The more the world criticizes Trump for his climate change denials, the more his supporters worship him -- as the great, courageous warrior against the political elite on both sides of the Atlantic. Havana (Cuba), June 2, 2017 (SPS) - Sahrawi President Brahim Ghalis last visit to Cuba reflects the nature of the strong relations between the two countries and the support to the Sahrawi cause at the international level, which is a clear response to Morocco which is looking for a rapprochement with Havana to the detriment of the Sahrawi State, said American Arabic-language newspaper "Watan. The newspaper, which reported Brahim Ghalis visit to Cuba, said that the reception that Castro granted to Sahrawi President is a slap to the Moroccan sovereign who didnt have the opportunity to have such a reception by the Cuban authorities during his last visit to this country in April 2017. The Cuban President Raul Castro received Secretary General of the Polisario Front Brahim Ghali on the second day of Sahrawi Presidents visit to Cuba, which denies the information reporting a total normalization of relations between Morocco and Cuba, particularly after the visit of Mohamed VI to Havana last month, said the source. The conflict between Western Sahara and Morocco has recently been marked by an escalation and provocation from Morocco, notably the violation of the ceasefire in the region of El Guergarate. There are also serious violations of human rights in the occupied Sahrawi territories and the mockery of a trial with the continuation of the embargo and the deployment of the Moroccan forces while continuing to steal the natural resources of Western Sahara, said Sahrawi President in the visit he paid to Havana from 26 to 28 May. Following his meeting with President Ghali, Raul Castro reaffirmed his countrys position of principle for the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and called to speed up the implementation of the United Nations decisions. (SPS) 062/090/700 A changing farming environment, the adoption of new technology, the increasing use of drones and changes to personal injury law means that now, more than ever, it is essential a farm insurance policy reflects the different business landscape for the agricultural sector. This is the call from independent farm insurance brokerage, Farmers & Mercantile (F&M), as it uses the platform of Cereals 2017 to provide advice and guidance to help farmers negotiate an often neglected, but crucial element of the business plan. We are aware through our own research that up to 66 percent of farmers are neglecting to review their insurance policies, explains Alexandra Wellings, F&Ms managing director. When you consider the changing face of farming, the emergence of precision farming, the implementation of guidance systems and drone technology and the general move to diversification at any level, then this is a real concern. Farmers & Mercantile will be hosting a press briefing from their stand (814) at 10.30am on Wednesday 14 June to address some of the key issues affecting industry today, and giving an insight into the future challenges as farming evolves. Aside from the general move in farming to embrace new methods of operating and embracing new technology, changes in legislation could have substantial insurance implications. Not least of these has been the revision of the Ogden tables, resulting in significant changes to personal injury law meaning lump sum awards could rise exponentially. The French-Tunisian agritech startup welcomed the recent decision by EU regulators to officially allow insect protein to be fed to farmed fish, but said more must be done to ensure outdated regulations do not slow progress in such a vital field of sustainable agriculture. With an estimated global population of more than nine billion by 2050 and increasing concerns around food supply and waste, nextProtein aims to address land and resource scarcity through insect protein production. nextProtein can produce the equivalent amount of protein from 100sqm as 100ha of soy field. The European Commission officially authorised insect-based processed animal proteins (PAPs) as feed for aquaculture animals on May 24, 2017, through a change to Annex IV of Regulation 999/2001, with the regulation text to come into effect on July 1 this year. Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Syrine Chaalala said: We welcome the European Commissions official ruling on this important reform for the aquaculture industry. With the vast majority of farmed fish relying on fishmeal and the depletion of our marine ecosystems, insect-based proteins offer the aquaculture industry a more sustainable way to ensure fish for human consumption. Our insects are fed on organic waste, namely fruit and vegetables from markets, so allowing insect-based protein supplies like ours we can alleviate the pressure on severely depleted wild fish stocks. The latest available UK sales data from 2015 shows Colistin sales into veterinary medicines were already low at around one tenth of the EU recommended limit. But preliminary analysis of data received via the new pig e-Medicines Book (e-MB), which was developed and launched by AHDB Pork last year and has now collected the 2015 and 2016 medical records of more than two-thirds of the national herd, suggests that use of Colistin in pigs decreased more than 70% in 2016. Mandy Nevel from AHDB Pork says the news is important as Colistin use in humans has increased in recent years for the treatment of specific serious bacterial infections that are resistant to other antibiotics. This is why the European Medicines Agency has classified Colistin as a highest priority Critically Important Antibiotic for the treatment of a number of human bacterial conditions, despite it being a very old drug, she explains. But crucially, the regulators have retained access for animal use because it also has importance as a last-resort drug to safeguard welfare in livestock. Its very positive to see the pig sector vets and farmers together responding to the responsibility of having continued access to this drug as a last resort and reducing use where possible. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It's a sad reality that, in the U.S., women earn less than men for the same jobsgenerally, 70-something cents for each dollar of a man's salary in most parts of the U.S. But it turns out that the exact difference depends a lot on where you live. Curious about how much progress we've made in narrowing the wage gap since the Equal Pay Act of 1963 mandated equal pay for equal work, researchers at rental site Abodo analyzed wage trends among male and female full-time workers in various fields for the top 100 metropolitan areas across the country. And indeed, we've made at least some progress: In 1963, women earned 59 cents for every dollar earned by men. Today, that number has risen to 79 centswhich translates to a median salary of $38,315 for women, $49,828 for men. The city with the smallest wage gap today, according to the study? Durham, NC, where women earn 94 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts. Both California and Florida, meanwhile, boast three metros in the top 10. Related Articles: Silicon Valley Shake-Up: These Are the Next Top Tech Towns Do You Live in One of the Worst States in America? Find Out Top 10 Happiest Cities ... and 10 That Will Crush Your Soul As for cities with the worst (largest) pay gaps, this oppressive distinction goes to Provo, UT, where women make a mere 63 cents for every dollar made by men. In fact, three cities in this state ended up among the bottom 10. A full rundown of the best and worst cities for gender-based pay parity is below: Cities with the smallest pay gaps Durham, NC: 93 cents Los Angeles, CA: 90 cents Fresno, CA: 89 cents Daytona Beach, FL: 87 cents McAllen, NV: 87 cents Miami, FL: 87 cents Las Vegas, NV: 86 cents North Port, FL: 86 cents New York, NY: 86 cents Sacramento, CA: 85 cents Cities with the biggest pay gaps Provo, UT: 63 cents Baton Rouge, LA: 68 cents Ogden, UT: 69 cents Wichita, KS: 72 cents Youngstown, OH: 73 cents Augusta, GA: 73 cents Salt Lake City, UT: 74 cents Colorado Springs, CO: 74 cents Detroit, MI: 74 cents Bridgeport, CT: 74 cents So why, exactly, does wage equality vary so much from place to place? According to Reeve Vanneman, a stratification sociologist (yes, that's a thing) at the University of Maryland, local education levels play a large role. In his own research, "areas with more college graduates had more equal pay," he explains. "So did areas that were growing more rapidly. Thats why its not a surprise that metro areas like Washington [DC] and San Francisco look good on the gender gap, and Detroit and Cleveland not so good." Experts also theorize that Durham came out on top because it's part of the Research Triangle, an area where three universitiesDuke, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hillsurround an office park populated by high-tech companies such as IBM. The Triangle was developed in the 1960s to stem the "brain drain" of recent college grads to other areas, which apparently was a good move for educated women and the wages they could command in their careers. Should women move to make more money? So what should women hoping for a fair paycheck dopack their bags and move from Utah to Durham? It's certainly an option, but a less extreme alternative is that wherever you live, make sure to suss out a company's attitudes toward equal pay during the interview process. More Information This article, Top 10 Cities Where Women's Salaries Are Catching Up With Men's, originally appeared on Celebrity Real Estate News from Realtor.com. See More Collapse "In every city, there are companies making equal pay for equal work a priority," points out Dan Green, founder of millennial career site Growella. "It's a mission that starts with management, and works its way into a company's DNA. So when you're interviewing for a job, it's a question you can ask: 'Does your company give equal pay for equal work?' How your interviewer answers that question will tell you everything you need to know." Women can also broach this topic with their current employer, suggests Rebecca Brooks, a demographic researcher and founder of Los Angelesbased market research firm Alter Agents. "For your current employer, if you think it's a concern, bring it up with them during performance review times and ask for more transparencyand to work on a plan with you to get your wages in balance." Because fair is fair, right? A nother day on the election roller-coaster, another day of speculation whether Philip Hammonds number is up as chancellor. This time, were told, Amber Rudd is a contender. Rudd has been an impressive and confident number two to the robotic PM in the campaign so far, but the loss of Spreadsheet Phil would be a pity. Having a successful entrepreneur in No 11 with a commercial background from housebuilding to healthcare was healthy. You got the impression the self-made millionaire understood the needs of the businesses May seems to take such pleasure in bashing. The supposed anti-business mistake in his one and only Budget, of increasing National Insurance contributions by the self-employed, was not a mistake at all, merely a rebalancing of the tax burden to a rapidly growing class of people who benefit from let-offs employees dont enjoy. The only error presumably from No 10 was to order a U-turn at the behest of the tabloids. One source close to the Tory campaign said last week that Hammonds job is safe, at least for a while, but when the PM keeps her cards so close to her chest, who knows? Yet more uncertainty for British businesses. C osta Coffee owner Whitbread was in need of a caffeine boost of its own today, after Goldman Sachs gave a bleak assessment of its prospects this year. The investment bank declared the Premier Inns parent a sell and sent the stock tumbling 73p to 4225p. It claimed the company, which last month warned of a squeeze on consumers, would lag behind the rest of the hotels industry this year, forecasting just 1% growth in revenue per available room, a key industry metric, versus the UK average of 7% this year. It didnt see much hope of it profiting from the tourism boom brought on by the pounds slump either. We think Whitbread is unlikely to benefit from the trend due to its largely regional business exposure, it wrote. Things were far perkier on the FTSE 100, which rose 29.32 points to 7573.09. It earlier hit a record intraday high, helped by upbeat economic data from Europe. A handful of financial firms and insurers also did their bit to keep the blue-chip index moving upward. Old Mutual was the top riser, adding 4p to reach 194.7p, after completing its acquisition of the financial adviser network, Caerus Capital Group, while Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered, climbed 4.3p to 263.2p and 11.4p to 756.4p. EasyJet flew 12p higher to 1402p as HSBC lifted its price target and reiterated its buy rating. On the mid-cap FTSE 250 index, miners led. KAZ Minerals, up 16.1p at 504p, had Credit Suisse to thank as the broker lifted it to outperform from neutral, praising its strong operational performance and reduced spending. It was beaten only by Acacia Mining, which stuck to its full-year production guidance and bounced up 12.6p to 296.5p. AIM-listed fast-fashion retailer boohoo rose 4.5p to 217.5p as Peel Hunt predicted another strong statement from its first-quarter update next week. The broker sees sales growth of 35% for boohoo and 80%-100% for recently acquired business Pretty Little Thing. Hair and skincare firm Innovaderma was still riding high on a deal to sell its fake-tan-cum-slimming product Skinny Tan in Boots stores in Ireland. The stock rose 24p to 361p. A technology startup factory hoping to churn out billion dollar unicorn companies is launching in London in the first of its kind for the capital. RocketSpace, which has helped to nurture some of the biggest so-called unicorns such as Uber and Spotify at its San Francisco workspace, is opening the doors on Tuesday to its new state-of-the-art facility at Royal Bank of Scotlands old cash-counting operations in Angel. It will give tech startups a place to work, and allow them to mix with other companies and tap into RocketSpaces network of blue-chip companies. RocketSpace was founded by Scottish entrepreneur Duncan Logan, but the UK business will be run by British diplomat Priya Guha, the former British Consul-General in San Francisco. San Francisco is a campus where weve had 18 unicorns Uber, Blippar, Supercell, others coming through the door. While we would never want to take full credit for those companies success, it shows the environment we bring to the table works, Guha said. The UK has produced a handful of unicorn companies tech startups with billion dollar valuations, but there have been high-profile casualties recently such as e-commerce firms Powa and Ve Interactive. In the six years RocketSpaces San Francisco campus has been running, more than 90% of the companies are still in existence, which Guha calls an incredible statistic for the world of startups. C ontroversial US private-equity firm Cerberus is ditching a near-600 million mortgage book, raising fears it is losing faith in the UK market. Cerberus, named for the dog that guards the gates of the Underworld, bought a record-breaking 13 billion pile of old Northern Rock mortgages from the Government in February. It today sold 596.7 million of loans, 92% of which are buy-to-let mortgages, to Metro Bank. Metro said the mortgages were old Capital Home Loans deals, which Cerberus had acquired in 2016. That increases the size of Metros loan book by 9% to 7.1 billion. It said it had acquired the debt at a discount to par. Analysts at Jefferies said of the deal: We regard this portfolio acquisition as incremental as opposed to transformational. Metro Bank chief executive Craig Donaldson said: Our lending and deposit growth has gone from strength to strength and the acquisition of this high-quality loan portfolio supports our high-growth, organic business model. Metro, which listed on the London Stock Exchange last year and is Britains first new High Street bank in more than 100 years, has said it is on track to deliver a full year of profitability in 2017. Metro shares moved up 4p to 3759p today, leaving the bank valued at 3 billion. It aims to reshape the UK banking landscape with modern stores and high levels of customer service. I could not disagree more with your editorial about the Lib-Dems offering no serious vision. Firstly, they are the only party prepared to have a grown-up conversation about funding the NHS properly. Their work on mental health equality is why I joined three years ago. This happened when I had to pay 4,000 for private treatment after being deemed at risk of self harm or wait months for treatment. On education, they have pledged to properly fund schools and have the support of leading chefs in their desire to keep universal school lunches, unlike the Conservatives. The Lib-Dems are also the only party committed to keeping us in the single market knowing that jobs are already being lost to Europe in financial services. If Brexit negotiations go badly then, as with the Iraq war, they will be proven right when it comes to the idea of a second referendum. But by then it may be too late. Chris Key I think the Prime Minister is more clued up on trade than Miriam Gonzalez Durantez gives her credit for. In her article (Comment, May 31) she purports that by dogmatically responding with No deal is better than a bad deal to the question of whether or not the PM is willing to walk away from Brexit negotiations, the PM reveals how little she knows about trade. But the alternative would be for Theresa May to say she is willing to accept a deal at any price! While Ms Gonzalez Durantez may know a lot about trade law, it strikes me that she is less well informed about the concept of negotiation. David Baldwin Watching Mondays Jeremy Paxman debate with Jeremy Corbyn on C4 merely highlighted for me that he is a showman who only seems interested in being the centre of attention, not the political issues to be discussed. He could learn to let people speak and not talk over them for a start, and then attempt to ask genuine questions instead of constantly mocking with sarcastic undertones. And the live debate showed exactly why Theresa May didnt rush to be there. It was another waste of time with attempted points-scoring and no real insight into any genuine issues. This type of media farce helps nobody. MS Enjoying a beautiful June day off in the sunshine with my young family, I can see I will be eternally grateful for Jeremy Corbyns four new winter bank holidays and the inevitable reduction in my annual holiday entitlement. As a further bonus, childcare costs will have increased along with my heating bill. Ben Alexander This election is our last chance to put to death the ghost of Brexit past and have a second referendum to push away the bleating liars who took us out of the EU. Michael James Cyrus The UK must keep up climate support so the US is joining a small list of nations, including Nicaragua and Syria, that have rejected the Paris Agreement. Walking away from the deal is the latest in a sequence of errors by President Trump, having imposed cuts for the environment and signed executive orders that dismantle the work of the Obama administration. The international agreement in Paris to tackle climate change a deal signed by 195 nations is so critical that even now Chinese and EU leaders say it is as an imperative more important than ever. As part of the accord, the US agreed to cut emissions by 2025. Sadly, Trumps move is no great surprise, given his repeated criticisms. Pleading by Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron fell on deaf ears. In the meantime, the UK must prepare to co-operate and move forward on the issue of climate change. Catherine West Labour candidate for Hornsey & Wood Green Renting seems the best option for now In Wednesdays Homes & Property, you write that high levels of lending and mouldering prices could trap owners in homes worth less than they paid for them. This assertion is very misleading. Someone buying a 400,000 flat today, with a 95 per cent mortgage at the Yorkshire Building Society rate of 3.25 per cent that you cite, would pay off 30,000 which is 15 per cent during the first five years. When you also take into account the five per cent deposit, this means they would not be in negative equity unless the value of their flat fell by 20 per cent from its original price over that period. At the low rates we have, the risk of negative equity is lower and shorter lived than in the past. As you note, both main parties are reluctant to say they will bring immigration down, so any such crash, while not impossible, does not seem imminent. Nobody is forecasting a slump in net immigration. Fortunately there is a financial product available for those of a nervous disposition who are reluctant to buy for fear of negative equity. Its called rent. J P Redman T homasina Miers says her Mexican restaurant Wahaca will be more experimental in the future as she celebrates its 10-year anniversary during London Food Month. The MasterChef winner, 40, said she was keen to move away from being known as that chain Wahaca and instead push customers with more unusual food. She added: I have done a lot of travelling in Mexico and have had a new lease of life. I want to sharpen the menu, be more experimental. I want to be pushing customers. There seems to be a real thirst for authenticity now. I want us to be a bit more unusual, to break away from the chain image. I cant wait to introduce people to the different regional food I love from Mexico. There is a huge variety of cuisine there... we want to be celebrating all the different regions and the different tastes. Miers is hosting a one-off greatest hits evening at her Charlotte Street restaurant next Wednesday for London Food Month, where guests can enjoy a selection of archive dishes that have appeared on the Wahaca menu over the past decade. The Mexican Mezcal Feast will be a five-course tasting menu featuring highlights such as a summer-foraged herb quesadilla with seared venison . The best of the Night Market, in pictures 1 /9 The best of the Night Market, in pictures Michelin stars and more from Angela Hartnett Michelin stars and more from Angela Hartnett Angela Hartnett will be in residence throughout the Night Market, showcasing dishes from all her restaurants in rotation. This means youll be able to find pop-up street food versions of her four restaurants Murano, Cafe Murano St James, Cafe Murano Covent Garden and Merchants Tavern. Alex Lentati ... as well as her Generation next For those looking for something completely different though, its the rotating cavalcade of rising street food start-ups shes hosting in her tent that will further pique your interest. From Suujooks colourful Turkish bagels to Indian tacos at Naughty Roti, and souped up spicy Thai curries from KraPow, the supporting cast will be making a bid to steal the show. Catch them here before they open permanently booked-up restaurants. The big hitters This is an opportunity to try Londons best food without having to book a table. For fans of the Michelin-starred Cinnamon Club, Vivek Singhs Cinnamon Bazaar will be dishing up cross-cultural street food inspired by the history of markets along trade routes, including Lahori chicken kadhai with root vegetables and chicken haleem. The Ivys classic shepherds pie can be enjoyed here in the wild (well, Kensington) for 10, while barbecue specialist Smokestaks specials rotate, literally, on a daily basis. Look out for the whole Tamworth pig, smoked apple and cider. NIGEL HOWARD Get flicks n chill Bring your heaving plates to the Westfield Open-Air Cinema, where giant deckchairs, beanbags and pre-show acoustic sets are the 5pm preamble to a film list that includes blockbuster Walt Disney, Disney-Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm hits such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Doctor Strange, The Jungle Book and Moana, as well as classics like Notting Hill and Pretty Woman. Getty Images Keep on trucking #VanLife isnt just the preserve of Instagrams social media savvy bohemians. The UKs best meals on wheels will be revving their kitchen engines here. The Cheese Trucks irresistible grilled sandwiches include Cropwell Bishop stilton, bacon and pear chutney sandwiches (from 6). Saucy Chip, kitted out in a vintage Citroen truck, will cook up its signature Rock and Roll chips, smothered in 24-hour-steeped gravy and melted cheese. Meanwhile, The Joint, which boasts a black former St John ambulance, provides an emergency service of pulled pork and mac n cheese. A classic vintage Don Julio truck, overflowing with cocktails, will be serving during a screening of the TV comedy Chef, because, appropriately, the cast enjoy Don Julio throughout. And so can you! The street foodies Street food stalwarts will be out in force, including Laffa, inspired by the flavours of the sunshine-bathed Eastern Mediterranean and Zoes Ghana Kitchen, usually based in a Brixton shipping container, but popping up here with Ghanaian food. Mamas Jerk, with its Jamaican BBQ jerk chicken, and Vinn Goute, with Seychelles dishes including 8 curried Goat 12 octopus curry, will also be whetting appetites. Throw in bao buns from Le Bao, cheese-slathered Alpine delicacies from the Raclette Brothers and Japanese gyoza dumplings from Rainbo, and youre still not even scratching the surface. Salivating yet? Cocktail masterclasses and more There will be cocktails galore on offer at the Night Market, with the World Class Craft Bar offering competition-winning mixes, summer whiskey serves available from the Bulleit Bourbon Woody trailer, bloody Mary masterclasses and late night espresso martinis from the Ketel One Vodka Kitchen. Elsewhere, Cobra Beer will host a bar and has an immersive, upstairs Unlock the Flavours room where you can match beer with food. Included in the 45 cost will be a welcome cocktail and tastings of Mezcal a Mexican spirit similar to tequila. Miers said: It is going to be like a greatest hits of Wahaca bringing back the old and best dishes. Since winning MasterChef in 2005, Miers has opened 19 Wahacas, released several cookbooks, had three children with her husband, investment banker Mark Williams and faced some controversy. This week, she suggested that Theresa May would not have scrapped universal free school lunches in her manifesto if she had children. Last month, the Standard reported that Wahaca may be in line for making substantial payouts after 160 customers and 200 staff members fell ill after eating at her restaurants last year. But despite the ups and downs, she said she was proud to be at the forefront of Londons Mexican revolution. When we first opened, many people didnt have much awareness of Mexican food, she said. We had a lot to do to convince people it was not just tacos. Now London is in a taco craze. W e live in the age of hysteria. Mention the words Muslim, Islam, Islamofascism or Islamophobia and someone goes nuts. It has become almost impossible to discuss rationally the influence that Islam has had on the United Kingdom. Severe criticism or, worse, lampooning the tenets of the Prophet or the Prophet himself, and theres a real chance someone will want to kill you. Try to explain to a racist Islamophobe that the teachings of the Prophet are less bloodthirsty and, frankly, point to a more benevolent God than much of the Old Testament and youll get accused of supporting terrorism. Its this madness, this clash of civilisations, that the extremists intend to spread using the tactic of terror. Osama bin Laden could never have dared dream of the chaos that his Twin Towers attack would unleash: war in Afghanistan, war in Iraq, war in Syria; Europe reeling in fear of a flood of refugees from those wars and elsewhere. Brexit, even, may have part of its roots in 9/11. The consequences for Britains Muslims have been disastrous. British governments, Fergusson argues, have been crass and heavy-handed. By clumsily establishing the Prevent strategy, thousands of young people especially have felt singled out, spied upon and alienated from their own country. Thats not surprising if you turn teachers and NHS workers into spies for the government who are being asked, indeed required, to report children at risk of radicalisation. A veteran of wars in Muslim nations and a journalist of many years experience outside his home country, Fergusson embarks on a meandering trek through British Muslim heartlands, from High Wycombe to Bradford, Whitechapel to Dewsbury and Glasgow. Manchester, however, where Salman Abedi was part of a community that has produced a frightening concentration of vicious Islamic State killers, goes unexplored. A Christian, Anglo-Scottish public schoolboy, Fergusson is scrupulous about acknowledging his own preconceptions and spends a lot of time in the company of reasonable people who espouse the hard-line Salafist version of Islam and with the conservative Deobandis who dominate the clerical scene in Muslim Britain. Few, if any, tell him they support the ideals of IS. More book reviews 1 /24 More book reviews Recovery by Russell Brand Will Russells brand of self-help prove quite so addictive? By Nicholas Lezard. Read review A Life in Questions by Jeremy Paxman Paxo refuses to answer all the really good questions, says David Sexton. Read review Politics: Between: The Extremes by Nick Clegg The basis of this book makes it impossible not to warm to Clegg, says Melanie McDonagh. Read review Serious Sweet by A L Kennedy Thank heavens for London in this tale of self-obsessed lovers. Read review The Last Royal Rebel: The Life and Death of James, Duke of Monmouth by Anna Keay Born a kings b****** and destined for a traitors death. Read review Man Up: Boys, Men and Breaking the Male Rules by Rebecca Asher Getting to the bottom of why boys will be boys. Read review The Course of Love by Alain de Botton A philosophical novel that does run smooth, says Johanna Thomas-Corr. Read review The Tree Climbers Guide: Adventures in the Urban Canopy by Jack Cooke How I gave this book a proper test and ended up with a broken ankle. Read review Reader, I Married Him: Stories Inspired by Jane Eyre Brontes classic tale in the imaginations of other writers, says Claire Harman. Read review Moranifesto by Caitlin Moran Caitlin comes clean about politics the world according to our funniest feminist. By Rosamund Urwin. Read review Spark Joy An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying by Marie Kondo Theres no messing wih Marie, says Katie Law. Read review Cockfosters Stories by Helen Simpson After 50, a womans life gets better not worse. By Katie Law. Read review Stalins Englishman: The Lives of Guy Burgess by Andrew Lownie Joker in the spying pack. By Richard Bassett. Read review Even Dogs in the Wild by Ian Rankin The darkness that lies at the heart of the novel is offset by a lightness of touch, says Mark Sanderson. Read review Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello Elvis proves not quite so lyrical on the page, says Nick Curtis. Read review The Importance of Elsewhere: Philip Larkins Photographs by Richard Bradford His poetry paints better pictures than any camera, says David Sexton. Read review Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith Morality wins out over macabre murders, says Melanie McDonagh. Read review The Grownup by Gillian Flynn Calling all Flynnies: the con girl whos like gone girl. Read review Poverty, drugs, a young mans search for meaning, a young mans arrogance and a thirst for power and structure emerge from Fergussons travels as the motivations for joining these death cults. But these are my words, not his. In giving voice to his subjects its hard to know or hear how Fergusson has synthesised his knowledge. The Muslim comedienne Shazia Mirza sums up the appeal of travelling to Syria for young IS brides: They want to get laid, she says, IS is the One Direction of Islam. She might have added that most recruits to IS have only a rudimentary understanding of Islam. Fergusson shies away from the more worrying conclusion, perhaps, which is to ask why even more idiotic young men, full of testosterone, dont follow the call of jihad? To a certain type of young man who has lost his way it probably looks like fun. Like joining the Blackshirts or the Hitler Youth. 16.59, Amazon, Buy it now A ir pollution is linked to the early deaths of around 40,000 people in the UK every year, while the health consequences include asthma, heart and lung disease. Research done by Airlabs, a Piccadilly-based startup, shows that the citys nitrogen-dioxide level has exceeded the legal limit almost every day this year. This is why the team behind it have installed a new technology at three bus stops in central London which filters out up to 97 per cent of nitrogen-dioxide from the air. This means, the capital's commuters can breathe cleaner air while waiting to get to work. The technology was independently tested by Kings College London at its air quality monitoring location on Marylebone Road, one of the most polluted roads in London. The initiative is part of a larger campaign Airlabs is participating in together with The Body Shop to encourage more businesses and authorities to take a stand against air pollution, raise awareness and encourage them to roll out clean air zones across the city. Bus stops are some of the most polluted parts of the city, so having a clean air-zone really gives people protection when taking the bus, Sophie Powers, CEO of Airlabs, said. The campaign ends 18 June.Watch the video above for the full story. T heir love is unconditional, theyre loyal, theyre protective and theyre great listeners. Dogs can mean so many things to us, but taking care of them comes with great responsibility. And this responsibility can be tough to fulfil if you're living on the streets. A new charity has popped up in the London that lends a helping hand to homeless people and their dogs. Dogs on The Streets (DOTS) offers a free drop-in clinic to homeless dogs on Sundays on The Strand, offering everything from health check-ups to treats, and now vaccinations. Every Sunday, Lachlan Mcinnes and his eight-year-old dog Misty make their way to the dog shelter to join the staff and volunteers of DOTS. Misty and her owner, Lachlan Mcinnes, play on The Strand after Misty's stitches are taken out. She had a surgery removing five lumps from her tummy about 10 days ago. We get dog food, treats, and also Misty gets a bath once month, he told me. Shes with me 24/7, keeps me company, she sleeps with me, he said. Shes been loyal and very protective. DOTS started around in March this year with the mission to provide dogs living on the streets with their homeless owners the same care as any other pet dog would need and deserve. Michelle Clark, the founder of DOTS, has been looking after street dogs of homeless owners in London for about five years now, providing basics like food, collars, leads and also flea and worm treatment. She has also taken in a street dog whose owner was ill and couldnt provide for its essential health needs. It made me realise that more is needed out here, she added. So I decided to bring the service out on the streets. Jade Statt, the vet at DOTS, also started independently with a backpack helping homeless dog owners keeping up with health check-ups. But now that her and Michelle have teamed up, shes on site every Sunday doing regular check-ups and vaccinations on each dog that comes around. The most common problems she sees are digestive due to the fact that the dogs arent on regular or healthy food. We try to get them on having consistent food, and having them come back every week rather they just ending up eating whatever they can, Statt said. Another problem she often comes across with is teeth-related. Cassie, one of the 40 dogs registered at DOTS, had a surgery two weeks ago removing 40 teeth leaving her with only two. Cassie visits the DOTS station to get checked out after a teeth operation she had a couple of weeks ago. The care doesn't end there - the dogs can enjoy a bit of pampering too. Misty's getting a bubble bath. Fees Pamper Camper, a professional mobile dog grooming van, provides nail trimming, grooming, bubble bath and dry to all the fury guests once a month. Kimberly Freeman, a professional dog trainer, is also part of the team teaching essential skills to the dogs and their owners. She said one of the most common issues is dog-on-dog aggression, so its key to resolve those socialisation problems to avoid trouble on the streets. I feel that a lot of people I see here often forget how important dog training actually is, she told me. Dogs need to be polite in approaching other people and approaching other dogs, and these things need to be taught. It doesnt come naturally to a lot of animals. So what's next? Founder Michelle Clark hopes they will eventually be a UK-wide service, with stations like the London one in every major city around the country. You can find the DOTS station outside Charing Cross Police Station on The Strand every Sunday from 2-4pm. A second location is expected to open in east London soon. DOTS relies on donations and volunteers to contribute visit dotslondon.co.uk S ay youre off to Fort Lauderdale and youll likely get more than one response along the lines of: Oh, great! Um Where is that again? Which wouldnt be too surprising this beachside city bang in the centre of Floridas Gold Coast is somewhat overshadowed by its brash neighbour, Miami. Forty minutes drive north, Fort Lauderdale is the more demure, less expensive big sister to Miamis party town. But thats part of the attraction. It offers laid-back charm to accompany the year-round sun, long stretches of sandy beach and warm, turquoise waters. This part of Florida is often assumed to be synonymous with Snowbirds elderly visitors who migrate south for the winter but theres a lot more to Fort Lauderdale than shuffleboard and bowls. Scratch the surface and youll find a vibrant arts scene, specialist craft beer bars and Fort Lauderdales USP: canals. Not for nothing is this city known as the Venice of America. If its previously gone under the radar, Fort Lauderdale is about to get a significant boost British Airways has a new direct route from London Gatwick launching on July 6. Where to stay The newly-opened Hyde Resort and Residences (001 754 212-3083, hydehollywoodbeach.com) is as oceanfront as it gets, plonked right on the beach in Hollywood. This town lies between downtown Fort Lauderdale and Miamis South Beach, making it well-placed to experience the best of both. Hyde Resort Its a condominium hotel of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, each complete with walk-in wardrobe, a fully-stocked kitchen and sprawling balcony. A ninth-floor pool area and gym are free for guests to use. Rates from 185 a night for a one-bed apartment, room only. What to eat and drink Staying this near the ocean means its a safe bet that the seafood will be exquisitely fresh. One of Fort Lauderdales signature dishes is stone crab. Found on menus all over town, its served cold with a tangy mustard dip. Some of the best on offer is at Billys Stone Crab (001 954 923 2300, crabs.com) in Hollywood. This delicacy is sustainably sourced the crabs arent killed, their claws are simply removed before they are let back into the wild, where their claws grow back. Be sure to catch them in season from mid-October to mid-May. In the evening head to Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The citys main boardwalk, its dotted with bars, restaurants and galleries boasting artwork ranging from the surreal to the sublime. There are pre-dinner watering holes aplenty; American Social (001 954 715 1134, americansocialbar.com) has an extensive drinks list with more than 40 craft beers on tap. Enjoy a local IPA with a side of classic Americana: comfy booths are strewn with US flag cushions. Alamy Stock Photo The Royal Pig (001 954 617 7447, royalpigpub.com), meanwhile, offers bespoke cocktails in more sophisticated surroundings. High, arched ceilings, dark-wood bar stools and intimate lighting make for a cosmopolitan backdrop in which to enjoy a Lazy Pig muddled cucumber and lime shaken with Nolets gin and St Germaine elderflower liqueur, served over ice. Drink up and head down to Louie Bossie (001 954 356 6699, louiebossi.com), also on Las Olas, and the hottest dinner ticket in town. This upmarket Italian prides itself on using traditional ingredients, often shipped over from Italy. Bag an outside table to experience the pretty courtyard, complete with several tables inside ornate, birdcage-like summer houses. The melt-in-the-mouth charcuterie platter comes with plump Sicilian olives, while the mozzarella tasting board is lifted by the addition of truffle honey, roasted Marcona almonds and dried fruit. For mains, the Paccheri pasta mixed mushrooms and mascarpone sounds simple but is swoon-worthy. Where to shop Second only to Walt Disney World when it comes to most-visited Florida attractions, Sawgrass Mills and the Colonnade Outlets (001 317 636 1600, simon.com/sawgrass-mills) is the shopping mall to end all shopping malls. This sprawling behemoth, located a 30-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale, has more than 350 retailers packed inside. Its an outlet mall high-street brands, designers and department stores alike offer serious discounts to the hundreds of shoppers who flock there each day. Swing by Century 21 for labels without the hair-raising price tags and grab cheap, laid-back basics at Old Navy. Or, for the quintessentially American experience, take a wander through Barneys and Bloomingdales. Alamy Stock Photo What to do and see FATVillage (001 954 760 5900, fatvillage.com) is Fort Lauderdales art district a hub of creativity for budding contemporary artists. For those lucky enough to be in town on the last Saturday of the month, theres ArtWalk, an all-day event which sees local artists throw open the doors to their studios and galleries to let visitors have a snoop around. There are also food trucks, musicians and an artisanal market to round-out the day and imbue a fun, festival atmosphere. Catch the free trolley service to get around it runs from 6am to 11pm and takes in all the ArtWalk sites. Details: Fort Lauderdale British Airways offers holiday packages to Fort Lauderdale including flights and accommodation. Three nights at Hyde Resort and Residences and return flights from London Gatwick from 1,860 per person, room only (0344 493 0787, ba.com). sunny.org A fter this week's shock announcement from Donald Trump about the US leaving the Paris climate agreement, there's never been a better time to step back from the digital world we live in and reconnect with mother nature. In celebration of World Environment Day on June 5, here are five volunteering projects where you can combine a love of travel with saving the planet. 1. Volunteer at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand Elephants have had a history of mistreatment in Thailand. Historically elephants were taken from the wild and made to work in the logging industry, now elephants are taken out on the streets of Bangkok and forced to perform tricks. This is an illegal practice in Thailand, and luckily there are elephant sanctuaries helping to rescue these elephants. Volunteering at this elephant sanctuary in the Malay Peninsula you will play a vital role in caring for and rehabilitating the rescued elephants. Tasks will include harvesting grass to ensure the elephants have plenty of food and helping to bathe the elephants. In your free time explore the beaches and beautiful scenery in this striking area of Thailand. 1 week costs 779; each additional week costs 195 per week, excluding flights. Find out more. 2. Help protect turtles in Costa Rica Costa Rica is home to vast stretches of beautiful turtle nesting beaches. Unfortunately the turtles living here are at great risk of extinction, with the sea turtle population in Costa Rica rapidly plummeting. Turtles are plagued by numerous threats including predation from other animals and human interference, such as egg poaching, industrial fishing and the sale of turtle shell products. By taking part in the turtle conservation project you will help protect this endangered species from extinction by helping to safely hatch turtle eggs, working to end industrial fishing and helping to teach in the local community. On your days off relax on a hammock among the palm trees or swim in the sea. 1 week costs 879; each additional week costs 260 per week, excluding flights. Find out more. 3. Conserve Australias natural wonders Step off of the well-beaten tourist path and venture into the heart of Australia, with this project to conserve Australias natural wonders. Australia is a tourist hotspot, and with such a diverse range of terrain to explore its no surprise from beaches to coral reefs to snow covered mountains, Australia has it all. However, the country has been victim to pollution, climate change, urban development and other harmful factors which are destroying much of the beautiful nature which tourists come to see. With this conservation project you will take on numerous missions, from planting trees to restoring boardwalks and wildlife habitat restoration. The project includes working in cities, national parks and beaches, with an option to pick between various routes across Australias 15 gateway cities. 2 weeks costs 790; each additional week is 240 excluding flights. Find out more. 4. Volunteer underwater in Thailand Help to protect Thailands coral reefs with a diving and marine conservation project. Immerse yourself in the underwater world, completing daily dives off the stunning Thai island of Koh Phangan, all whilst helping with important research and conservation. Most of the worlds coral reefs are under threat; this is an important issue as without coral reef fish will become extinct. With this project you can combine the adventure of exploring under the sea with crucial work to help conserve marine habitat and species. Every day will involve diving across various locations where you will be examining the local coral reef and water temperature to contribute to ongoing research. As well as helping to conserve the marine environment you can also earn a diving qualification upon completion of this project, opening up a whole new world of underwater exploration. 2 weeks costs 1255 for PADI qualified divers; each additional fortnight costs 400. If you are not a qualified diver you can take the PADI Open Water course during your stay for an extra 350. Find out more. 5. Preserve the Galapagos Islands The Galapagos Islands are widely recognised as one of the most beautiful places on the planet. With its incredible biodiversity, its craggy beauty and its protected landscapes, it has gone down in legend as the worlds premier wildlife destination. However the wildlife on the Islands have been under threat since the 1500s seas have been over-fished, lands have been over-farmed and native plants and species have been overtaken by mainland creatures - 60 per cent of the Islands native vegetation is considered to be under threat. With this conservation project you will get the opportunity to experience and protect the beauty of the Galapagos through removing invasive vegetation, community engagement and helping local farmers. In your free time you can explore the wonders of the Galapagos including snorkelling in the crystal waters and joining the sea lions on the beach. 1 week costs 893; each additional week costs 250 per week, excluding flights. Find out more. T his is the dramatic moment Londoners confronted a pair of hammer-wielding moped thieves as they used an angle-grinder in a brazen daylight attempt to steal a bike. Footage shows two men attempting to steal the vehicle from outside an office block in east London before shocked onlookers try to tackle them to the ground. One of the helmet-clad men appears to threaten people with a hammer as they walk past the thugs in Back Church Lane, Whitechapel. Video taken on Thursday at 2pm outside Loom House, shows a member of the public clambering out a car and challenging the men, yelling: Ive got you, you bloody thief. Threats: One of the men was wielding a hammer Despite the onlookers, the thieves continue to try and steal the bike, with one using an angle-grinder to free the vehicle while another waves his hammer at passersby. Another clip taken by a shocked driver via his wing mirror, shows the moment a group of young office workers take on the men. One have-a-go-hero leaps at the two thieves as they give up and try to flee, throwing his arms around them in a bid to bring them to the floor. Theft: Footage shows the have-a-go hero attempting to stop the would-be thieves Another worker lashes out at the men before he is sent toppling to the ground by the bikers and a small crowd give chase. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: Two suspects on a moped were observed trying to cut the lock on the motorcycle using an angle grinder. The victim and another witness confronted the suspects, who threatened them with a hammer and subsequently made off. Attempted theft: The brazen would-be thieves were caught on camera There have been no arrests and enquiries continue. The incident is the latest in a string of moped-enabled crimes in the capital, which figures show have rocketed to the level of one per hour. Campaigners called for the Met to be given greater powers to tackle the problem after new data showed there has been a seven-fold increase in the crime in the last year. In April, a gang of moped thieves attacked a rider with a fire extinguisher and knocked him to the ground in an attempt to steal his bike in Ilford. The incident is the latest in a string of moped-enabled crimes in the capital, which figures show have rocketed to the level of one per hour. Campaigners called for the Met to be given greater powers to tackle the problem after new data showed there has been a seven-fold increase in the crime in the last year. Moped gang use fire extinguisher in attempted theft In April, a gang of moped thieves attacked a rider with a fire extinguisher and knocked him to the ground in an attempt to steal his bike in Ilford. Terrifying footage, captured on the victims helmet-mounted camera, showed the failed daylight attack unfold. In another incident, four thieves, armed with crowbars and a hammer, were also pictured targeting terrified pedestrians as they carried out at least one phone theft in the West End. Witnesses to the raid, which happened near the BBCs HQ Broadcasting House last month, described how pillion passengers waved their weapons to ward off any have-a-go heroes. Police have drawn up a list of about 200 individuals who they suspect of the majority of moped-related crimes, but they are hard to prosecute because of the difficulty in securing evidence. Many are not pursued because of fears for their safety and that of other road users and it is difficult to identify them when they are covering their faces. T he ex-wife of former Liberian president Charles Taylor is to appear in court in London accused of committing torture in the African country. Agnes Reeves Taylor, 51, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police's war crimes unit on Thursday over alleged crimes committed during the Liberian civil war between 1989 and 1991. Reeves Taylor, of Kitchener Road, Dagenham, was charged on Friday with four torture offences and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday, a Scotland Yard spokesman said. The charges against Reeves Taylor all stem from a period between December 23 1989 and January 1 1991. One charge accused her of agreeing "with others unknown that a course of conduct would be pursued which, if the agreement was carried out in accordance with those intentions would necessarily amount to or involve the commission of the offence of torture." The other three allege that "as a public official or person acting in an official capacity together with others unknown at Gbarnga, Liberia, intentionally inflicted severe pain or suffering on an individual in the performance or purported performance of her official duties". Gbarnga served as the headquarters of Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front during the conflict. A final peace agreement led to the election of Taylor as President of Liberia in 1997. A second civil war broke out in 1999 and Taylor was forced into exile in 2003. T wo maids stole 500,000 of jewellery from a widow who was grieving the death of her husband, a court heard. Rowena Manuel, 44, took a 250,000 diamond butterfly pendant and a rare coin collection valued at 200,000 while working at 69-year-old Edna Gehls home in St Johns Wood. She had been hired as a carer for Mrs Gehls ailing husband at their 3 million home, and was kept on after his death as a maid and cleaner. But she concocted a plan with fellow maid Lorna Manuel to disable the CCTV in the house and fill a suitcase with valuables while their employer was out running errands in April last year. Among the stolen items were Mrs Gehls 20,000 diamond engagement ring and a 10,000 pair of Chopard earrings, as well as an iPhone and iPad. Rowena Manuel fled back to her native Philippines, but Lorna Manuel was arrested and was yesterday jailed for three years at Southwark crown court. In a statement to the court, Mrs Gehl revealed the devastating impact of the thefts. It is still hard to believe as I am still very much grieving the loss of my husband and for someone I consider to have been like a member of the family to have betrayed our trust is unforgivable, she said. The items stolen were of extreme sentimental value. I felt that when I was wearing them my late husband and late father were still with me. These items cannot be replaced. Most of the jewellery is still missing, though some of the coin collection has been recovered. Prosecutor Sesay Asante said Lorna Manuel was tracked down when the stolen iPad was traced to her address when it was logged on to the internet. Police found texts and Facebook messages between the two maids discussing the plot and how to switch off the CCTV. Abigail Bache, defending, said Rowena Manuel had wrongly claimed she was being emotionally abused by Mrs Gehl to lure Lorna into the plot and added: It was for that reason that this defendant responded by helping Rowena steal Mrs Gehls property and flee back to the Philippines. Jailing Lorna Manuel for three years after she admitted conspiracy to steal, Judge Andrew Goymer said: There is no doubt in my mind that it is Rowena Manuel who must bear the main responsibility for what happened. Police are still hunting for Rowena Manuel, who is 5ft 4ins tall and wears a hearing aid. She has links in Suffolk and Brentwood and was known to frequent Kensington and Chelsea, Kilburn, Hendon and Westminster. Detective Constable Nikki Hubbard, from Westminster police, said Mrs Gehl is totally devastated by the loss. She is still grieving for her husband and the ring was something that felt close to her husband ... she has lost her independence and is in constant fear. Anyone who knows Rowena Manuels whereabouts should call Westminster police on 07909 706 295, or via 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. T he owner of a cheese shop turned the tables on Transport for London bosses when he hired bailiffs to settle a congestion charge dispute. Danny Michelson instructed debt collectors, backed by a small claims judgment in his favour, as a last resort to recover payment or seize goods after TfL management ignored a court order to refund him 60. The Standard has previously reported how London transport bosses send their own bailiffs to recoup unpaid fines. On this occasion it was TfL which defied a legally binding order and refused to issue an anticipated refund to Mr Michelson, who owns the La Fromagerie gourmet cheese shops in Marylebone and Highbury. He drives his all-electric car in the congestion zone because it is exempt from the 11.50 daily central London levy. TfL today apologised unreservedly for the row, which began at Christmas when Mr Michelson received a wad of 11 penalty tickets demanding more than 700 for the BMW i3, after numberplate-scanning cameras captured him entering the payment area. Mr Michelson, 73, said he called the C-charge helpline and was told that because of a technical fault his exemption permit had not been renewed and no reminder had been sent to him. To save being hit with further fines while his new exemption paperwork was being processed, Mr Michelson paid 71.50 for a weeks worth of permits and was told he could claim the money back later. The cheesemonger said the operator promised him other motorists in a similar situation had received a full refund due to continuing problems with their system. But when he applied for the agreed reimbursement, Mr Michelson was paid only 11.50 for a single day as a goodwill gesture. He took TfL to the small claims county court at the Royal Courts of Justice last month to get the outstanding 60. The judge found for Mr Michelson. TfL still refused to pay so Mr Michelson instructed bailiffs to recover his money. Debt collectors threatened to send a team to TfLs Victoria HQ to seize goods worth 60 if it did not pay. Shortly afterwards he received a cheque for 162, including his costs. Paul Cowperthwaite, TfLs general manager of congestion charging, said: We apologise unreservedly to Mr Michelson for the difficulties he has experienced. We were clearly at fault and will compensate Mr Michelson for the problems we have caused him. A black and white cat with a striking resemblance to Batman has gone up for adoption in north London. Tumbles, 11 months old, is described as very sociable and friendly by The Animals Charity in Wood Green. But his distinct facial colouration is uncannily similar to the mask worn by comic book and Hollywood superhero Batman. A charity spokeswoman told the Standard: Tumbles is described as a real lap cat by his carers, he will jump onto your lap as soon as you're sat down. Being only 11 months he is also very playful and loves to play cat and mouse all day. Anyone interested in rehoming Tumbles is invited to meet him at The Animals Charitys headquarters on Lordship Lane, Wood Green. L ondon climate change experts say Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris agreement could have done their cause "a huge favour". The US leader withdrew from the global warming deal on Thursday, claiming the agreement punishes the US and had been poorly negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama. But today some of the capitals experts on climate change offered a glimmer of hope with one professor suggesting the US President had done environmental campaigners a huge favour. Leading scientist and UCL professor Chris Rapley told the Standard: My initial reaction was obviously kind of shock and horror. Paris Agreement Climate Change Explainer At first sight it looks damaging, but actually Ive been reflecting on it overnight. I think hes done a huge, huge favour. We could not have got more publicity. And the framing of that publicity is not that climate change is not real. The framing that everybody is adopting is that climate change is real. Everybody sees he is a buffoon. Greenpeace activists protest with a light-projection onto the American embassy in Berlin. / REUTERS Professor Rapley added: He doesnt understand the science. The science is overwhelming. And he doesnt understand the Paris agreement. Its not legally binding, its voluntary. The US could always re-negotiate it quietly. Putting America first: Friday's Evening Standard cartoon (Adams ) / Adams He doesnt understand the economics that this is going to damage American jobs and the economy. America is now seen as a laughing stock. Make America Great Again is ironic. Samantha Heath, head of the London Sustainability Exchange, said the polling in the US following President Trumps move shows that this is not a lost cause. Undeterred: The One World Trade Center in New York is illuminated with green light in response to Donald Trump's move. / Getty Images I think the polling in the states shows that more Americans do not support Trump on this particular matter, she said. So there are positives. It comes as three Democratic governors in California, Washington and New York united to defy President Trump and back the Paris accord. A source from organisation Climate UK added: We have already seen states and cities and large companies step up and say despite what the president wants to do we are still going to go ahead. Ms Heath added that agreements between cities and states rather than simply nations can help to combat climate change. Cities are a way forward in a huge way. Cities will stand up and its good that many American states have said they will carry on. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan slammed President Trumps decision and said world leaders must unite now more than ever to tackle climate change. Climate Trade Accord Protest - In pictures 1 /13 Climate Trade Accord Protest - In pictures Green lights are projected at the Angel of Independence monument in support in the Paris Climate Agreement, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Agreement in Mexico City, Mexico Reuters The Paris City Hall is illuminated on green to mark the disapproval of the French capital and its mayor Anne Hidalgo after the decision of US President Donald J. Trump to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement EPA One World Trade Center is illuminated with green light Getty Images New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future @NYGovCuomo Monument of Revolution in Meixco is illuminated @dacynthiaban Wilson Building's lit up in Washington @councilofdc City Hall is green tonight. Boston stands with the environment. We must protect our future @marty_walsh New York State Fair tweeted 'Our gate is green for Paris Climate Accord' @NYSFair One World Trade Center is illuminated with green light Getty Images Montreal salutes your leadership. You have our full support.Cities will making sure to reach goals #ParisAccord. No Plan B for planet @DenisCoderre He said: I remain committed to the Paris Agreement and working with other world cities on solutions to tackling emissions, harmful pollutants and safe guarding the environment. Londons own fight to protect the environment comes hand in hand with toxic air in the capital. Levels of air pollution hit the top black alert in the capital earlier this year, with one school restricting time outdoors for children. The protest outside the US embassy in Berlin. / Getty Images Shocking new figures revealed toxic air pollution limits were breached more than 1,000 times in 2016 just in Putney High Street. On Friday, Jeremy Corbyn accused Theresa May of subservience to the US President after her criticism paled in comparison to other European leaders. Politicians around the globe joined in condemning President Trump with Japans finance minister saying he was angry and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker deeming the decision as seriously wrong. PM Theresa May said she was disappointed and told President Trump in a phone call that the deal protects the prosperity and security of future generations. Mr Corbyn labelled the move as reckless and dangerous while Lib Dem leader Tim Farron told the PM to use whatever influence she has to urge President Trump to reverse his exit. C ommuters are facing chaos after an east London Tube station was closed due to deep flooding. Gants Hill, on the Central line, was shut at 4pm after a sudden thunderstorm battered the capital with torrential downpours. The first of the rain arrived at about 3pm on Friday, with the rain set to continue into the night. Footage taken by Ilfords Labour incumbent Wes Streeting showed nearby Woodford Avenue flooded and cars slowly manoeuvring through the deep water. 'Very bad': Woodford Avenue also suffered flooding / Wes Streeting / Twitter The politician posted the clip to Twitter, describing the flooding as "very bad". Gants Hill, located in Redbridge, is the easternmost station to be entirely underground. Transport for London announced the closure on Twitter, stating: Gants Hill: the station is currently closed due to flooding. There was no immediate timeframe as to when the station would reopen. Londoners are set for a soaking Friday night with the Met Office having issued a weather warning after the weeks sweltering conditions gave way to torrential downpours. Y oung Londoners looking to get on the property ladder would need to forgo nearly 25,000 portions of avocado on toast in order to afford a deposit for their first home, according to some wry new figures. The stats show that a London house deposit on average costs the same as 24,499 4.50 helpings of the healthy dish, which has been mockingly described as being popular with hipsters. The stats come after a millionaire property mogul said young people were pricing themselves out of the housing market by spending more than 20 a day on coffees and avocado breakfasts. Tim Gurner, a property developer based in Melbourne, caused outrage when he said he didnt buy such expensive treats while saving for his first home. Avocado: Londoners are being told to choose between 25,000 portions or a deposit on a house / Shutterstock / Romrodphoto According to the new statistics, Londoners would have to go without the food 24,499 times before they could afford a 20 per cent deposit on a property. The study also shows that those looking for their first home in the capital would have to miss out on the food more than they would in any other city in the world. In Berlin, a deposit on a home would cost the same on average as just under 7,000 portions of smashed avocado on toast. And in Sydney and New York, potential buyers would have to forgo around 12,000 helpings before they could hope to get their foot on the property ladder. Mr Gurner, who is worth more than 260m, caused a stir when he told an Australian news programme: "When I was trying to buy my first home, I wasnt buying smashed avocado for $19 and four coffees at $4 each. Tim Gurner said millennials spend too much on avocado on toast / @60Mins He added: When I had my first business when I was 19, I was in the gym at 6am in the morning, and I finished at 10.30 at night, and I did it seven days a week, and I did it until I could afford my first home. "There was no discussions around, could I go out for breakfast, could I go out for dinner. I just worked. Avocado bun burgers 1 /5 Avocado bun burgers Avocado bun burgers Cheese and bacon, fried chicken and veggie burgers, served in avocado buns. Avocado bun burgers They are on the menu now at Joe's Southern Kitchen in Covent Garden... Avocado bun burgers ... they're gluten-free and low-carb... Avocado bun burgers ... and they also look like bright green eggs. He isnt the first person to blame first-time buyers struggles on their claimed fondness for the snack. In October, columnist Bernard Salt wrote in The Australian: "I have seen young people order smashed avocado with crumbled feta on five-grain toasted bread at $22 a pop and more. "I can afford to eat this for lunch because I am middle aged and have raised my family... Twenty-two dollars several times a week could go towards a deposit on a house." The new figures are based on the average house price in each city compared with the price on average of avocado on toast, roughly 4.50. A man mowed down by fanatic Khalid Masood in the Westminster terror attack has launched a claim against the insurer of the jihadis car, the Standard has learned. Francisco Lopes, 26, is the first victim known to be launching such an action over the Hyundai Tucson 4x4 Masood used to carry out his rampage, which left four people dead and 50 injured. The Islamist extremist ploughed into dozens on Westminster Bridge then ran into Parliament and fatally stabbed Pc Keith Palmer before being shot dead. Mr Lopes was one of the last to be hit before the car crashed outside Parliaments front gates. He was thrown over the bonnet, leaving his legs covered in gashes and his head with severe cuts. He has limited use of his left hand and has been signed off work. Terror: The Hyundai 4x4 used in the attack on Parliament and Westminster Bridge Now Mr Lopes, of Willesden, has launched a claim for thousands of pounds against Zurich, which provides insurance for cars hired from rental firm Enterprise. Masood hired the vehicle from a branch in Birmingham. The action could be made less complicated by a little-known rule change just weeks before the March 22 attack, which has made it easier to pursue payouts for terrorism-related claims. Metropolitan Police Mr Lopes, who was pictured recovering after the atrocity, said the greatest damage was mental: I just cant escape the horror. When I close my eyes I have flashbacks of the car about to hit me, the sounds of people screaming. I often have nightmares. The other night I dreamed I was in another terrorist attack. I try to be like I was scared of nothing but what happened changed me. I am scared to go outside, scared of traffic, and havent been on my bike since. I want my normal life back. London Terror Attack Floral Tributes at Westminster - 27 March 2017 1 /16 London Terror Attack Floral Tributes at Westminster - 27 March 2017 Hero MP Tobias Ellwood looks over the flowers left in tribute to the victims of the attack in Westminster Jeremy Selwyn He paused at the solemn scene in Parliament Square this morning Jeremy Selwyn Flowers from Prime Minister Theresa May amongst tributes to the victims of the Westminster terrorist attack outside the Palace of Westminster Jeremy Selwyn Two school children look at the floral tributes Jeremy Selwyn A woman observes the flowers pinned to the Carriage Gates where the attack took place Jeremy Selwyn Outpouring of support: flowers at the scene of the attack in Westminster Jeremy Selwyn Three police officers stand in front of the floral tributes Jeremy Selwyn A female police officer pays her respects at the scene Jeremy Selwyn A woman in jogging attire stops to remember the victims of the attack Jeremy Selwyn A man looks at floral tributes to the victims of the Westminster terrorist attack outside the Palace of Westminster Lauren Hurley/PA Police officers stand in front of the floral tributes Jeremy Selwyn Labour MP Hilary Benn passes floral tributes to the victims of the Westminster terrorist attack outside the Palace of Westminster Lauren Hurley/PA When he was struck the Portuguese national, who has lived in Britain for 14 years, had been walking home from his shift at a shop in St Thomas Hospital.Describing the aftermath, he said: As I lay on the floor, my legs and hand were in agony. I was scared I was going to die or not be able to walk again. There was a lady to my left who was unconscious and a woman to my right screaming how she couldnt feel her legs. It was extremely traumatic. It was like being in a horror movie. He is making the claim to help pay for counselling and physiotherapy, and as compensation for loss of earnings. It could be easier because of a change made by the Motor Insurers Bureau, which compensates victims of negligent uninsured motorists. In a change on March 1, the MIB, which is comprised of motor insurance firms, became liable for claims where death, injury or damage is caused by an uninsured vehicle in an act of terrorism. Lawyers say that as the MIBs rules have changed in this way, it makes it easier to argue that individual insurers should be liable for the same things. Patrick Maguire, a lawyer at Slater and Gordon, which is representing Mr Lopes, said: Francisco was one of many innocent victims. He has been physically and mentally scarred, resulting in him being unable to work. Zurich said: We do provide insurance for Enterprise and have a specialist team looking at how that policy is impacted by the terrible events in Westminster. "It was a tragic event and presents many complex aspects as far as insurance is concerned. It is therefore far too soon to talk about any specific elements of this. H ipster hangout Boxpark has been branded boozepark by neighbours objecting to the Shoreditch shipping-container malls plans for more outdoor drinking. Families say Boxpark has changed from a high-end fashion and street-food destination, in an area once a haven for artists, into a nightly, out-of-control street festival. Now Boxpark wants a licence to allow alcohol to be sold from an unspecified number of bars in four decked areas on the first floor from noon to 11pm every day except Sunday, when they would close at 8.30pm. The Met, local residents groups and more than 20 neighbours have objected to the plan which residents fear will ruin their lives. Boxpark, the brainchild of Roger Wade, opened in 2011 and has set up a second venue in Croydon. It plans to expand into other towns and cities. The Shoreditch Boxpark wants to allow drinking from noon to 11pm every day except Sunday One local resident said: What is sad is that Boxpark, with its original intention as a high-end retail park, could have been an asset to Shoreditch and its community. "But instead it has swiftly plummeted downmarket to become a huge, noisy beer tent that bombards the surrounding neighbourhood with very loud music. The Jago Action Group of local residents and businesses has also objected, saying: Boxpark now often known locally as boozepark originally received planning permission only on the basis of an explicit assurance there would be no licensed premises in the development. Yet it has increasingly become a complex of linked drinking venues. Boxpark said they are applying for a common licence for the landlord and that they have worked very closely with police over the application. Mr Wade added: Boxpark has also consulted extensively with police and local community groups. "We have incorporated the majority of their comments in our new licence. Unfortunately a no-noise clause is not workable. The application is due to go before Hackneys licensing committee next Tuesday. N ine out of 10 burglaries in London of both private homes and businesses go unsolved, according to figures revealed today. Analysis of police statistics show 45 per cent of London burglary cases were closed last year without even identifying a suspect. A further 49 per cent of break-ins in 2016 remain under investigation a year on. The figures emerged as Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said police will not go in for meaningless activity and continue to investigate crimes including burglary that have no investigative opportunities. A police watchdog has warned of a shortage of detectives and excessive workloads in CID units across the UK. The figures, compiled by Locksmithservice.co.uk, show that Hammersmith & Fulham was the worst borough for unsolved burglary, with 61 per cent of its 1,542 burglaries closed with no suspect ever being identified. In Westminster, which had the second highest number of burglaries last year behind Barnet, investigations into just over half of all its 3,288 break-ins were shut down with no suspect found, and 1,296 further burglaries in the borough were still under investigation. Since 2011, there have been 493,257 recorded burglaries in London, with just eight per cent of them solved. Londoners lost 928 million in raids with just 35.4 million recovered. Yvette Cooper, a Labour MP and chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee prior to the election being called, said: These figures show too many criminals who violate peoples homes are getting away with it. Crime is changing and there are increasing demands on police time and resource, which is why forces need more investment and why we need the 10,000 extra officers Labour is promising rather than Tory capital gains tax cuts for the very richest. The Met claims the number of household break-ins has fallen to an all-time low in the capital. Ms Dick said her officers would always attend burglaries but in future choices had to be made when it came to allocating investigative resources. She said: Where there are no investigative opportunities after our first contact with the public, I think the public would actually prefer us to get on with dealing with something where we can have a criminal justice outcome ... We are not going to go in for meaningless activity. Victor Baron, managing director of Locksmithservice.co.uk, said: Many of the victims of burglary that we deal with are left feeling vulnerable and frustrated by the crime, with little faith that their perpetrators will be brought to justice. A spokeswoman for the Met said: We accept there is more work to be done and are always seeking ways to increase the number of these crimes we solve. H ere's the kind of dedication Theresa May might like to show. Up in Hornsey and Wood Green, Nimco Ali, standing for the Womens Equality Party, is ruffling up the currently Labour-held dominion. So dedicated has Ali, a vocal FGM campaigner, been to the cause of door-knocking, that she has postponed a call she was due to have with Michelle Obama. I had been due to speak to a former First Lady but I had to say I was too busy with the campaign, Nimco told The Londoner when we ran into her the other day, sporting her WE party pin and arguing her corner ferociously against a champagne Corbynista. Who? Who? we badgered, until she finally conceded it was Barack Obamas First Lady. She and Michelle were due to speak this week about her work on womens issues and what happens next. The former US presidents wife took the postponement for British micropolitics with good grace, with a good-on-ya-girl reply. Theres now a rain check until after the election. The north London constituency was won in 2015 by Labours Catherine West. Second came the Lib-Dems. Nimcos doorknock talk for the WE Party is on equality and violence against women. She has high hopes of winning, and The Londoner thinks shell likely place in the top three, which would be a filip for the new party fighting its first general election. And if Obama stardust isnt enough to propel her to Parliament, maybe her informal tag line is: she says she is all about integrity and good hair. She does have a splendid Afro and policies that will stand the test of time. ----- (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) / Getty Images Everything is relative. On the BBCs This Week last night, Andrew Neil argued that the general election campaign had rumbled Theresa May as a second-division politician. Has there been a worse Tory campaign in living memory? he asked guest Michael Gove. The man, who used to be a contender, replied: Yes, my one for the leadership. Chance for a piece of Grayson Perry (Photo credit should read JEFF SPICER/AFP/Getty Images) / AFP/Getty Images Grayson Perry is looking for a needle in a haystack. In Barnsbury, no less. The ceramicist, sculptor and social commentator has created a new artwork, an as yet unseen bike. He rode it to an exhibition yesterday, but unfortunately a small piece went missing along the way. Lost a piece of my rideable artwork between Barnsbury and St Pancras, Perry tweeted yesterday afternoon, sharing a photo of a delicate metal rod. Silver, approx 10cm long, reward for finder. Looks like a silver hat pin. Keep your eyes peeled: this is your chance to get close to a Grayson Perry original. But please hand it in afterwards. ----- (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images) / Getty Images Quote of the Day: On climate, there is no plan B, because there is no planet B French President Emmanuel Macron has a message for Donald Trump after the US President pulls out of the Paris accord. ----- It pays to be in with the gin crowd Dave Bennet To Harvey Nichols for a spot of mothers ruin last night for the launch of ginmaker Tanqueray No 10s Perfect Ten Exhibition. Jade Jagger and Joshua Kane partied alongside Jaime Winstone, who defied her new mummy status by wearing a paper-boy cap and a leopard-print jacket paired with skintight red PVC trousers. But where is Jaimes adorable bundle of joy, Ray Junior? I didnt bring him with me, hes not well, she said. But hes still gorgeous, she gushed. Working the decks was food queen Gizzi Erskine. Did anyone know Gizzi is the Honourable Gizzi Erskine? Her late father was 2nd Baron Erskine of Rerrick, though the title went into extinction as there were no male heirs. How sexist! ----- (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) / Getty Images As if there wasnt enough Left-wing euphoria going around, American socialist Bernie Sanders is in the UK this weekend. Sanders is playing a sold-out gig at Brixton Academy this evening with David Lammy, then headlining the Hay-on-Wye festival tomorrow night. Jeremy Corbyn is also a stadium-filler into the final week of his campaign. While we hear the pair have no plans to see each other, if Bernie joins Jeremy, true believers might just spontaneously combust. Searching questions LAST years The Good Immigrant, a collection of essays compiled by Nikesh Shukla, was a bestseller and award-winner. But those in charge of the Torys ad algorithms must not have picked up a copy. Dear Conservatives, Shukla wrote on Twitter yesterday, please can you stop running anti-immigration ads on the Google search term The Good Immigrant. Those searching for the book online may be offered a sponsored ad from the Conservative Party that says: Theresa Mays Immigration Plan to get control of our borders. We will reduce immigration and get a Brexit deal that gives us control. Shuklas followers echoed the sentiment after seeing the ad. Attaching adverts to loaded search terms can be an effective way of targeting a key demographic, but in this case seems counter- productive. One of the important things our book did was renegotiate the narrative around immigrants, Shukla continues to the Tories. Your cheap-shot ad is transparent and damaging... If your keywords are good deal immigrant, you need to refine your search terms. ----- Getty Images Tweet of the day: Can I report someone who has failed to attend two job interviews in 48 hours. I know where she lives. Ed Miliband tries to get Theresa May in trouble after she declines an invitation to appear on Womans Hour. ----- Double take on Tory trail Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg posed with his son Peter in Keynsham, Somerset, beside a Keep Sane, Dont Vote Tory sign in a shop window. Well have to take our business elsewhere, he wrote. By the way, the shop hes standing outside is Savannah Studios, a tattoo parlour. ----- Tipple of the day: Eighties themed nightclub Maggies in Chelsea offers two new cocktails: a Theresa Blue Nun May and a Jeremy Red Flag Corbyn, with Red Square vodka. Neither sound good but we need something. Follow The Londoner on Twitter and Facebook here. L abour MP Andrew Gwynne urged Boris Johnson to not be a pillock in a chaotic clash between the pair on live television. The foreign secretary was appearing on Sky News when the Labour politician gate-crashed the interview, asking Mr Johnson why he would not go head-to-head with him in a debate. The interview then descended into chaos when the former London Mayor invited him back to debate him on the spot, calling him a big girls blouse. The pair immediately argued over Labour and the Conservatives Brexit strategies, with Denton MP Mr Gwynne almost falling over in the heated exchange. After tripping next to an apologetic Mr Johnson, he turned to him and said: Dont be a pillock. Sky New presenter Dermot Murnaghan tried to intervene as the two argued, telling viewers its getting a little bit chaotic as you would accept. Mr Johnson said: What we are hearing from the Labour Party is that they would run up the white flag, they wouldnt go into this negotiation with the seriousness that it needs and that they would be prepared to do a deal that would be deeply damaging to this country. Mr Gwynne and Mr Johnson spoke over each other throughout the argument, with the Labour MP calling the Conservatives policies economically disastrous. Boris Johnson and Andrew Gwynne clashed in the fiery interview / AFP/Getty Images It is not the first time the pair have clashed on TV. The two politicians were involved in a fiery spat before Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn appeared on Channel 4 and Sky New's Battle for Number 10 election special. Mr Gwynne told the foreign secretary to calm down following the clash. The latest row comes as the Prime Minister and Labour leader Mr Corbyn prepare to face questions in the final TV debate of the campaign in a Question Time special. S adiq Khan is more popular among Londoners than Jeremy Corbyn as a potential Prime Minister. The Mayor would transform Labours chances of beating Theresa May if he was leading his party, found research revealed today by YouGov for Queen Mary University of London. Mr Khan is also massively more trusted than either Mr Corbyn or Mrs May to keep the country safe from terrorism, found the poll of 1,000 Londoners. They said he is doing a good job at City Hall by a three-to-one majority including a clear majority of Tory voters who have a view. The research found Labour clear ahead among London voters, with a 50 per cent vote share in mid-May, over the Tories on 34. But when voters were asked how they would vote if Mr Khan was leading Labour, Labours support surged to 54 per cent, with significant numbers of Lib Dems switching behind him. The findings will boost Mr Khans growing status as a potential leader-in-waiting for Labour, based on his ability to appeal across the political divide. When Londoners were asked how they would vote with shadow chancellor John McDonnell in charge, Labours share plunged to 42 per cent, as it did with shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry at the partys helm. When voters were asked if they trusted politicians to protect them against terrorists, only 41 per cent trusted Mr Corbyn and 42 trusted Mrs May. But 51 per cent trusted Mr Khan, with just 30 per cent distrusting him. Over six in 10 said he was doing a good job, against two in 10 who said he was doing badly. These are satisfaction figures most politicians would give their right arms for, said Prof Philip Cowley, director of Queen Mary Universitys Mile End Institute. It also seems as if he could increase Labour support at Westminster. S enior Tories hit out in fury today after an election candidate was charged with allegedly breaking campaign spending rules. One senior candidate said the case was outrageous and an interference in the democratic process. In a bombshell announcement six days before Britain goes to the polls, prosecutors said Craig Mackinlay will appear in court accused of two breaches of the Representation of the People Act during the last election. Two other Conservative officials who worked in the key marginal seat of Thanet South, Marion Little and Nathan Gray, will also face charges. All were at the centre of a battle in 2015 to stop former Ukip leader Nigel Farage from winning the key marginal. The decision follows allegations, first made in an investigation by Channel 4 News, that the Tories had breached strict election spending rules by bussing national officials, including Theresa Mays key aide Nick Timothy, into the seat to help Mr Mackinlay. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Timothy. Today, a Conservative Party spokesman said the allegations were politically motivated and criticised the Electoral Commission, which oversees political campaign spending, of giving poor guidance. The party also warned the media not to write anything that implied Mr Mackinlay the Thanet South candidate again for this election was guilty. Sir Roger Gale, the neighbouring Thanet North candidate, said: Whatever the circumstances, the timing, six days before the election, is an outrageous and unnecessary interference in the democratic process. The legal deadline for nominating a replacement candidate has passed. Nick Vamos, the CPS head of special crime, said the charges followed the submission of a file by Kent Police. He added: We have concluded there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to authorise charges against three people. Craig Mackinlay, 50, Nathan Gray, 28, and Marion Little, 62, have each been charged with offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983 and are due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on July 4. Mr Mackinlay faces two charges of knowingly making a false declaration of his election expenses. The first charge covers the period from December 19, 2014 to March 29, 2015. The second relates to spending between March 30, 2015 and May 7 the same year. Mr Gray, who was Mr Mackinlays election agent, is charged with three similar offences. Ms Little, a campaign organiser, is facing two charges of aiding and abetting Mr Mackinlay and three counts of aiding and abetting Mr Gray. Todays announcement follows allegations that Mr Mackinlay breached the election expenses limit of about 15,000 for the constituency by using national officials sent in on a Tory campaign battlebus. The spending included 15,641 for rooms in the Royal Harbour hotel in Ramsgate, but was allegedly recorded as national expenses rather than being attributed to the Thanet South campaign. Those who stayed in the hotel included Mr Timothy, who had been working as an adviser to Mrs May in the Home Office and who has since become her joint chief of staff and policy guru. He has not been accused of wrongdoing and is not among those charged. In the Conservative Party statement, the spokesman said Mr Mackinlay, who has previously strongly denied any wrongdoing, and his colleagues were all innocent. The legal authorities have previously cleared Conservative candidates who faced numerous politically motivated and unfounded complaints over the partys national battlebus campaigning, said the spokesman. We continue to believe this remaining allegation is unfounded... we believe that they have done nothing wrong, and we are confident this will be proven. Last month, prosecutors announced that no charges would be brought over allegations about excessive election spending by Tory MPs in at least 20 other seats during the 2015 campaign. The CPS said then that there was insufficient evidence to justify charges in relation to 14 files submitted by police forces, including the Met. T im Farron was at the centre of a fresh row over his views on homosexuality after refusing to say whether he thought it was a sin. The Liberal Democrat leader, a practising Christian, said my personal faith is my personal faith and claimed he had addressed the matter weeks ago. During the LBC radio phone-in, he was accused by a caller of thinking "homosexuality is a sin" in a fiery exchange days ahead of the General Election. Mr Farron has been dogged by questions on the subject after saying in a Channel 4 interview two years ago: "We are all sinners." A month ago he confirmed he did not believe homosexuality was sinful following intense pressure for him to clarify his position. But today on the LBC Leaders Live show he again refused several times to state his opinion unambiguously. Asked directly if he though homosexuality was a sin, he said: My view is very very much, I'm a political leader and I am a liberal to my fingertips Host Nick Ferrari then interrupted to force the question. Mr Farron hit back: I dealt with that weeks ago, before adding: Do you know what, we're not going there, my personal faith is my personal faith. Defending his position, he went on: A person who is a leader of a political party its their job, as someone who is passionate about LGBT+ rights, prove it by your actions not by your words. And my actions are absolutely, 100% about defending LGBT+ rights. Listeners used social media to criticise Mr Farron's equivocation. Later in the show, part of a LBC series of phone-ins with party leaders ahead of the election, Mr Farron was asked about his views on abortion. Again avoiding a direct answer, he said: Political leaders ought to be very clear where they stand. I am utterly in favour of choice under the law. We should give women the choice to have a safe and legal abortion. Its not for politicians to go around telling people whats right or wrong. He added: Im not going to sit here and dictate to people on something thats so personal whats right and wrong. P olice investigating the Manchester bombing have evacuated an area of the city after finding a car which they say may be "significant to their enquiries. Greater Manchester Police said a 100 metre cordon was in place after officers found a white Nissan Micra in Rusholme on Friday afternoon. A bomb squad was sent to the scene at about 3.45pm and left about two hours later, with police urging people to stay away from the area. Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said: "This is potentially a significant development in the investigation." A bomb disposal unit arrives at Rusholme Place / REUTERS We are very interested in anything people can tell us about the movements of this car, and who was in it, over the past months. "We are also interested in any information about who may have had access tot he car or who may have gone to and from it." Students were evacuated from flats on Wilmslow Road as police cordoned off the nearby streets to assess the car. Mariam Bashat, 20, said: "We were going out anyway and police told us we couldn't go back in because everyone was being evacuated. "I think they are getting people out of there section by section." She estimated about 1,000 students live in the Wilmslow Park apartment block. Other residents said officers banged on their doors and told them to leave immediately. Laura Patterson, 21, said she had been in the nearby Wetherspoon's pub when people were told to leave. She said: "The pub was full and one of the staff just told us it was being evacuated." I reland is set to have its first openly gay prime minister after the governing Fine Gael party elected Leo Varadkar as its new leader. Mr Varadkar, 38, will also be the country's youngest ever prime minister after succeeding Enda Kenny in the next few weeks. He defeated his rival, Housing Minister Simon Coveney, to the leadership of the biggest party in Ireland's ruling coalition. Mr Varadkar is now expected to be appointed Ireland's new leader if he gains the backing of the Dail, the Irish parliament, which sits again on June 13. He came out as gay in the run-up to the 2015 same sex marriage referendum. More to follow S alma Hayek said she has seen a lot of anger towards immigrants in Britain and the US following the Brexit vote and Donald Trumps election even though she has been made to feel super welcome after moving to London three years ago. The actress spoke to the Standard at the Sundance Film Festival: London ahead of the European premiere of her new movie Beatriz At Dinner. In the film, her Mexican immigrant character stands-up to a brash, billionaire property developer likened to Mr Trump. Hayek, 50, said she still feels like an immigrant in Britain, but knows she is in a privileged position as a Hollywood star married to French fashion mogul Francois-Henri Pinault, 54, owner of such brands as Gucci and Alexander McQueen. She said: Ive only ever been an immigrant. In Mexico I was Lebanese even though I was born there. But when I came to London I came in a different situation. It depends on what kind of immigrant you are. I cannot compare myself to the people who are coming here because they have no other choice. I felt it super- welcoming, but I do notice that its like America, theres a stronger division. Before there were people that were more in the middle. Now I see theres a lot of people that definitely do not want immigrants. There was definitely a shock that happened when Brexit was voted. And I see a parallel with America. "There was a lot of anger that was not expressed before... People have been angry and they went for something that wasnt really explained to them. The same thing with Trump. He never really explained how he was gonna solve all these problems. It was an emotional vote. Hayek, who revealed that Mr Trump once pestered her for a date even though he knew she had a boyfriend, has been an outspoken critic of the US President. She said Beatriz, her character in the film directed by Miguel Arteta, challenges entitlement and she felt a parallel to her own life. The four-day event is an offshoot of Robert Redfords Sundance Film Festival in Utah and is taking place at the Picturehouse Central on Shaftesbury Avenue. T eenage boys are being urged to send pictures of naked mole rats when asked for nudes in a bid to stop sextortion. A Canadian charity has recommended that teenagers send pictures of the four-inch rodents, known for its ugly appearance, due to the animal's resemblance to the human penis. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection (CCCP) hopes the idea will help prevent criminals posing as teenage girls online from obtaining explicit pictures for blackmail. The CCCP reported an 89 per cent increase in the past two years in online sextortion cases among teenage boys, prompting the unusual campaign. Executive director Lianna McDonald said: Awareness is critical because you cant avoid a threat you dont know about. Sextortion is based on deceiving youth and obtaining sexual images we need to drive home the Dont Get Sextorted message that teens dont send one. According to the Times, there are about 54,000 alleged cases of sextortion and revenge porn reported on Facebook in a single month. In the UK, at least 30 people a day fall victim to webcam scams. The campaigns website features downloadable images and memes of the mole rat, which teenagers are encouraged to send in response to requests. S ean Paul has described becoming a father as life-changing but told fans he will keep writing dancefloor hits. The rapper, 44, is married to Jamaican TV host Jodi Stewart, who gave birth to their first son, Levi Blaze, in February. He spoke to the Standard as he took centre stage at Island Life, a pool party on private Osea Island off the coast of Essexthrown by his new record label Island Records. The rapper, pictured at last nights event, said: I dont really write many thoughtful and conscious songs they are more songs about having a good time. "I havent got to the point where I feel the need to want to say something to him in a song. Teenage life for me was a bit stressful. I would find a big release in going out and forgetting those problems and partying. So when I do make music, I come from that. Speaking about fatherhood, he added: Its definitely a life-changing thing. And you get that feeling of wanting to do anything to protect him. W elsh choir Angelicus Celtis have been criticised for changing the lyrics of Jerusalem during the Britains Got Talent live semi-final. The group of singing schoolgirls appeared to anger a number of viewers due to the fact that they swapped England for Britain during their performance on Thursday nights show. While judge Amanda Holden said that the rendition made her feel proud to be British, a number of viewers didnt agree. How DARE they change the word England to Britain. It's our song. U don't like the words then don't sing the song!!! #bgt #jerusalem, wrote one angry viewer. @BGT, Changing the words to Jerusalem. Awful, imagine changing flower of Scotland? No.. exactly, you would'nt do it. Absolute Disgrace #BGT, wrote another. Paul Potts even waded into the debate, suggesting that the choir should have picked a Welsh song to sing. Britain's Got Talent Auditions 2017 1 /30 Britain's Got Talent Auditions 2017 David Walliams proposes to Simon Cowell PA Simon Cowell and David Walliams are all smiles at the Britain's Got Talent at The Lowry Manchester PA Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden attending the judges auditions for Britain's Got Talent at The Lowry Manchester PA Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly attending the judges auditions for Britain's Got Talent at The Lowry Manchester PA Amanda Holden with Alesha Dixon attending the judges auditions for Britain's Got Talent at The Lowry Manchester PA Stephen Mulhern attending the judges auditions for Britain's Got Talent at The Lowry Manchester PA Alesha Dixon attends the judges auditions for Britain's Got Talent at The Lowry Manchester PA Amanda Holden attends the judges auditions for Britain's Got Talent at The Lowry Manchester PA Simon Cowell and Declan Donnelly attending the auditions for Britain's Got Talent at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre PA Amanda Holden attending the auditions for Britain's Got Talent at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre PA David Walliams attending the auditions for Britain's Got Talent at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre PA Alesha Dixon attending the auditions for Britain's Got Talent at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre PA Anthony McPartlin attending the auditions for Britain's Got Talent at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre PA David Walliams, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon arriving at the London Auditions for Britain's Got Talent 2017 held at The London Palladium PA Amanda Holden arriving at the London Auditions for Britain's Got Talent 2017 held at The London Palladium PA Simon Cowell attends the Britain's Got Talent, London Auditions at The London Paladium Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images Alesha Dixon arriving at the London Auditions for Britain's Got Talent 2017 held at The London Palladium PA Stephen Mulhern arriving at the London Auditions for Britain's Got Talent 2017 held at The London Palladium PA Ant McPartlin jumps behind judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon as they arrive for the Blackpool auditions for 'Britain's Got Talent' at The Opera House Getty Images David Walliams and Simon Cowell arrive on a cart pulled by a donkey for the Blackpool auditions for 'Britain's Got Talent' at The Opera House Getty Images Anthony McPartlin, left, and Declan Donnelly arrive for the Blackpool auditions for 'Britain's Got Talent' at The Opera House Getty Images David Walliams arrives on a cart pulled by a donkey for the Blackpool auditions for 'Britain's Got Talent' at The Opera House Getty Images Stephen Mulhern arrives with a Hen Party for the Blackpool auditions for 'Britain's Got Talent' at The Opera House Getty Images Why would u give welsh choir Jerusalem as a song? Strange choice. #BGT Why not Myfanwy, or a host of other welsh songs cld b sung in English, he wrote. The hymn, which was written as a poem back in 1804, features the line: And was the holy lamb of God on Englands pleasant pastures seen?, but the choir changed it to Britains pleasant pastures. Unfortunately for the choir, they didnt make it through to Saturdays final, losing out to dance group Mersey Girls and elderly singing duo The Pensionalities. SCOTTSBLUFF Multiple planes will descend on Scottsbluff, creating a spectacle that will thrill the crowds on Airport Appreciation Day. The Western Nebraska Regional Airport will once again host the airplane fly in and family fun day on Saturday, June 3, from 7 a.m. to noon. General aviation aircraft and World War II aircraft, will also participate in the event and be on display for visitors. Confirmed military aircraft for this year are Nebraska National Guard KC-135, Wyoming National Guard C-130, USAF Huey and Blackhawk Helicopters (USAF/WY NG), World War II P51D Mustang, and an Airlink MedEvac Helicopter. A Vans demonstration aircraft will also be available. The annual event hopes to get people interested in flight and airplanes. Enter the Star-Herald's Biggest Fish Contest Submit your photos of fish caught from the Nebraska Panhandle or eastern Wyoming (North Platte River system), as well as Lake McConaughy, between April 15 and Sept.15, 2017. Click here for details. Planes are scheduled to arrive between 9 and 9 a.m. Tom Gribble, with Chapter 608 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, said visitors can expect to see small two-, four- and six-seater planes and possibly some twin engine planes. They are from all over Nebraska, he said. Most of us who are in the unit will probably be there around 6 a.m. The entrance to the event has been moved due to new hangar construction. Parking will be in the main airport lot and the overflow lot. Event organizers will run shuttles between the parking lots and the gate. Young eagles flights will be available to children ages 8 to 17 free of charge. Registration for a ride in one of the planes will open at 7:30 a.m. Saturday if the weather is clear. Rides begin between 8 and 8:30 a.m. A pancake breakfast hosted by the Scottsbluff Kiwanis will run from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Lunch will be available at the Flight Deck Restaurant. The event is free and open to the public. The event will also have an area for aircraft for sale for potential buyers. Visitors can also watch 10-man teams Pull for a Purpose at the fundraising event to benefit Special Olympics Nebraska, Participants will compete to see who can pull an airport crash truck 15 feet in the least amount of time. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and pulling starts at 11 a.m.. For more information on the fly-in and fun day, visit their event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/381715042202648. GERING Friday, June 2 will see the celebration of two events in our area. It is the 50th anniversary of the National Trails Act and the 175th anniversary of the Oregon Trail. National Trails Day is designed to connect people to trails. The day coordinates activities on trails across the country to attract new trail users and connect existing enthusiasts with local organizations that advocated being good stewards of the more than 200,000 miles of trails in the U.S. The American Hiking Society celebrates National Trail Day on the first Saturday of June each year. The National Trails Act was enacted on Oct. 2, 1968. The staff at the Scotts Bluff National Monument is inviting the community to take advantage of other trails the park has available. The Oregon Trail approximately half a mile in length. It is open to hiking only and allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of the emigrants through the historic pass at Scotts Bluff. The Prairie View Trail one and two-tenths miles. It is open to both hiking and biking and connects the Monument Pathway to the park visitors center. Visitors can walk the lower three-quarters of a mile section of the Saddle Rock Trail, which will take you to the location of Scotts Springs. After traveling one and a half mile drive or shuttle bus ride to the summit, visitors can hike the overlook trails at the summit as well as the upper one-quarter mile section of the Saddle Rock Trail. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is hosting a trail walk at Lake Ogallala on June 3, from 3-5 p.m. A park naturalist will be at the lake to celebrate National Trail Day. The three and a half mile hike will be on the trail along north side of the lake. Binoculars will be available for viewing birds along the trail. Bring water and walking shoes. Vehicle park permit required. To reach the trail at the lake, take Hwy 61 to Keystone Lake Rd., turn right at the second campground entrance - the Lake Ogallala Modern Campground. The road ends at the trail entrance. Ash Hollow Historical State Park will also be celebrating National Trail Day with the Ash Hollow Trail Walk on June 3 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Enjoy the scenery on the three mile walk through areas where the historical Oregon Trail took place, Hikers meet at the picnic area at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be provided after the walk. a vehicle park permit is required. For more information on either hike, call 308-284-8800. The Oregon Trail had a large influence on the Panhandle. The 2,170-mile trail was one of several trails heading west to settle new land. Between 1811 and 1840, the trail was marked by traders who followed many routes of the American Indians. More than 400,000 people traveled along the Oregon Trail and its offshoots. A 28-year-old Gering man has been sentenced to prison on charges he sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl. In court Wednesday, Judge Leo Dobrovolny sentenced Celestino C. Aguayo to three years in prison on a charge of third-degree sexual assault, a Class IIIA felony, and two years in prison on a charge of attempted sexual assault, a Class IV felony. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Charges stem from a May 30, 2016, incident. According to an arrest affidavit, police were called to a Gering residence on May 30. A confrontation had occurred after Aguayo had been accused of molesting the girl and the residents of the home asked for Aguayo to be removed. On May 31, 2016, investigators interviewed the girl, who alleged that Aguayo had touched her on her chest, buttocks and other private parts. She alleged he had touched her on May 30 and had also sexually assaulted her on other occasions at locations in Scottsbluff, Terrytown and Gering. Aquayo was sentenced to 18 months post release supervision and was given credit for 360 days already served. He is required to register as a sex offender. Aguayo is also known by the aliased Celestino Caleb Petey and Caleb Aquayo. KALISPELL, Mont. A search continues for a Nebraska man who is missing after falling into the Flathead River in northwestern Montana. The man has been identified in social media postings by family and friends as Richard Mitchell, 23, of Minatare. Sheriff Donald Bell confirmed the identification on Friday. Deputies and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal rangers along with a search and rescue canine unit were looking for the 23-year-old man on Thursday, the Lake County Leader reports. Authorities received a report at about noon Wednesday that a group of friends had hiked down to an overlook area near the SKQ Dam on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Witnesses said the man walked climbed down a rocky hillside outside posted boundaries and slipped and fell about 12 feet into the fast-moving river. Bell identified Mitchell's friends as Marissa Scott and Nathanial Garcia, both of Gering. The Lake County Leader is reporting that Bell said that specialized dog teams were leading the search efforts along an approximately 40-mile stretch of the river between the dam and Dixon. Bell said Friday that Two Bear air helicopter flew the river several times and hours later in an attempt to reach Mitchell. Bell declined to speculate on the mans chances of survival. The area where the man fell is marked by multiple signs warning of swift currents and steep dangerous slopes. According to a Facebook post from dam operating company Energy Keepers Inc., engineers temporarily reduced discharge rates to help with search efforts. After two hours the river was returned to a rapid pace of 43,000 cubic feet per second, about 150 percent of the average rate for this time of year. The overlook area remains closed to help with search efforts, according to the post. Our thoughts are with the missing person and their family, the post states. We would like to remind all our visitors to follow all posted placards and stay within the designated visiting area. The Associated Press also contributed to this report. LINCOLN Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has events and important dates scheduled in June, including many in the Panhandle. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. June 1 Underwater spearfishing season begins at Box Butte Reservoir and on private waters June 2 Final day eligible landowners may apply for one elk permit June 3 Ash Hollow Trail Walk, Ash Hollow State Historical Park (SHP), Lewellen June 9-10 Western Sugar Cooperative Nebraska Fishing Tournament, Lake Minatare SRA, Minatare June 11 Family Fishing Event, Terrys Pit, Terrytown June 12-23 Residents and nonresidents may apply for one deer permit in any draw unit June 12-23 Residents and eligible landowners may apply for one buck or either-sex antelope permit in available units June 12-23 Residents may apply for one elk permit June 16-17 Ash Hollow Pageant, Ash Hollow SHP, Lewellen June 18 Fathers Day Buffet, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford June 22 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meeting, Gering June 24 Nature Center and Shooting Range Grand Opening, Wildcat Hills SRA, Gering GERING Scott Bluff County farmer, Glenda Hinman has won the opportunity to direct a $2,500 dollar donation from the Americas Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, to Legacy of the Plains Museum. Legacy of the Plains will use the funds to continue to develop the museum into a world-class facility. It is planned that these funds will be used to assist the move of the Gentry Log Cabin from the site of the former North Platte Valley Museum to the campus of the Legacy of the Plains Museum. On behalf of the museum, we would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to Glenda for selecting us. Contributions like this will help our museum to continue to grow and expand, said, Amanda Gibbs, Interim Director of Legacy of the Plains. The Grow Communities programs purpose is to make a positive impact in farm communities by partnering with farmers to support the causes that are important to them in their communities. Each year, farmers enter for a chance to win a $2,500 donation that they direct to a local nonprofit. Since the program began in 2010, farmers have directed more than $26 million in donations across a broad cross-section of organizations that reflect the makeup and character of rural America, including food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many others. Farmers have directed funds to more than 8,000 community organizations across rural America since Grow Communities began, said Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president. Farmers are truly committed to this program because they see the difference the donation makes in their community. For more information or to see a complete list of the 2017 Americas Farmers Grow Communities recipients, visit www.GrowCommunities.com. GERING Humanities Nebraska speaker Darrel W. Draper will present Nebraska: Crossroads of the Western Fur Trade on Saturday, June 3 in the visitor center at 3 p.m. This humorous, one-hour presentation, composed from literature, is an entertaining and amusing summary of the history of the fur trade, including trading companies, personalities and the achievements of fur traders and mountain men who lived in or passed through Nebraska. This tabloid-style review of the oddities and ironies of the industry has been carefully researched but is humorously presented in a sensationalized style. It recounts some of the bizarre happenings that resulted in the most important discoveries of land and routes enabling the U.S. to claim and populate the West. Nebraska: Crossroads of the Western Fur Trade is one of approximately 300 programs offered through the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau. The more than 165 available speakers include acclaimed scholars, writers, musicians, storytellers and folklorists on topics ranging from pioneer heritage to ethics and law to international and multicultural issues, making it the largest humanities speakers bureau in the nation. The Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center is open daily 8:00 am 6:00 pm, while the Summit Road is open 8:00 am 5:30 pm. The Monument grounds are open sunrise to sunset. Further information about Scotts Bluff National Monument programs and schedules can be obtained at the visitor center, by calling 308-436-9700 or by visiting our website at http://www.nps.gov/scbl/index.htm or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/scottsbluffnps. This set of statistics has been discontinued. New data are no longer produced from the statistics. This page is archived. Published: 2 June 2017 Moderate cost development for municipalities finances on 2016 According to preliminary financial statement data for 2016, municipalities combined operating expenses totalled EUR 36.7 billion. The growth in operating expenses amounted to 0.5 per cent compared with the financial statement data for the previous year. The operating revenue amounted to EUR 7.7 billion, which represented a growth of 1.5 per cent from the previous year's level. These data appear from Statistics Finland's statistics on local government finances, for which preliminary financial statement data were collected from Finlands all 313 municipalities and 144 joint municipal authorities. Finances of municipalities and municipal groups in 2016, EUR million 1) Municipalities Municipal groups 2016 Change, % 2016 Change, % Operating revenue, total 7 661 1,5 23 951 1,7 Operating expenses, total 36 679 0,5 50 506 1,1 Annual contribution margin 2 718 42,2 5 316 18,9 Net investments 2) 2 441 -2,8 5 650 5,0 Loan stock 31st Dec 16 139 3,7 33 804 3,1 Finances of municipalities 1) Preliminary data2) Net investments = investment expenses - financing contributions for investment expenses - proceeds from transfers of non-current assets According to preliminary data, the combined operating margin of municipalities was EUR -28.6 billion in 2016. It weakened from the previous year by EUR 142 million or 0.5 per cent. The slight decrease in the operating margin was affected by to the moderate growth in operating expenses and the increase in operating revenue. Operating expenses grew by EUR 188 million or 0.5 per cent. The slight growth in operating expenses was particularly caused by the lowering of personnel costs by EUR 202 million. Personnel costs went down in total by 1.4 per cent from the previous year. The operating revenue grew EUR 110 million or 1.5 per cent. The operating revenue increased most due to the growth in fees and charges, and other operating income. Municipalities' tax funding, which consists of tax revenue and central government transfers to local government, grew by EUR 928 million, or 3.1 per cent. The share of central government transfers in the growth of tax funding was EUR 596 million and that of tax revenues EUR 332 million. The biggest part of the growth in tax revenue was formed by income taxes, which increased the revenue by EUR 367 million. Municipalities' share of corporation taxes decreased, in turn, by EUR 95 million. The growing tax funding covered the weakening of the operating margin and the annual contribution margin improved by EUR 806 million, or 42.2 per cent. In 2016, the annual contribution margin was negative for 15 municipalities, while in the year before, this was so for 16 municipalities. According to the combined financial statement data, the annual contribution margin covered 127.9 per cent of depreciations. The key figure in question improved from the previous year, when the annual contribution margin covered 91.4 per cent of depreciations. In 2016, municipalities' net investments were EUR 2.4 billion. The decrease from the previous year amounted to EUR 71 million or 2.8 per cent. Municipalities' combined loan stock grew from the previous year by EUR 580 million, totalling EUR 16.1 billion. The loan stock was 3.7 per cent greater than in the previous year. Calculated per inhabitant, the loans of municipalities were EUR 2,933. 1) Municipalities' equity ratio, or the ratio of equity to total capital, was 59.9 per cent. The ratio went down slightly from the previous year, when it was 60.2 per cent. Finances of joint municipal authorities In 2016, joint municipal authorities combined operating expenses amounted to EUR 12.5 billion and operating revenue to EUR 13.2 billion. Compared with the previous year, operating expenses went up by EUR 269 million or 2.2 per cent. Operating revenue grew by EUR 190 million, and was in all 1.5 per cent more than in the year before. The combined annual contribution margin weakened from the previous year by EUR 81 million and totalled EUR 704 million. It was 10.3 per cent lower than one year ago. The annual contribution margin covered 118.5 per cent of depreciations. Joint municipal authorities net investments grew by EUR 91 million compared with the previous year and totalled EUR 823 million. At the end of 2016, joint municipal authorities' loan stock totalled EUR 3.2 billion. During 2016, the loan stock grew in total by EUR 129 million, or by 4.2 per cent. Finances of municipal groups In 2016, the operating margin of municipal groups totalled EUR -26.5 billion. It was EUR 2.1 billion stronger than municipalities operating margin. The combined annual contribution margin of groups improved from the previous year by EUR 846 million and totalled EUR 5.3 billion. Municipal groups' annual contribution margin was EUR 2.6 billion better than that of municipalities. The annual contribution margin was negative for five municipal groups, while in the previous year, no municipal groups faced such a situation. The net investments of municipal groups amounted to EUR 5.7 billion, which was EUR 268 million more than in the year before. The combined loan stock increased by EUR 1.0 billion and totalled EUR 33.8 billion. The loan stock of municipal groups was 3.1 per cent greater than in the previous year. The loans of municipal groups per inhabitant were EUR 6,143. 2) The statistics comprise data on 299 municipal groups. 3) 1) The population data used were the population of Finland on 31 December 2016.2) The population data used were the population of Finland on 31 December 2016.3) Group financial statement data are missing from Vesanto of Mainland Finland municipalities. The rest of the missing data concern municipalities of Aland. Source: Local government finances 2016, preliminary data. Statistics Finland Inquiries: Karen Asplund 029 551 3611, kuntatalous@stat.fi Director in charge: Ville Vertanen Publication in pdf-format (243.4 kB) Updated 2.6.2017 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Local government finances [e-publication]. ISSN=2343-4163. 2016. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 10.11.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/kta/2016/kta_2016_2017-06-02_tie_001_en.html By MARK EVANS mevans@stegenherald.com Westover and Smith roads, on the far western edge of the county, will get paving priority for 2023. Country commissioners and Scott Schmieder, county road and bridge foreman, decided at last Thursdays commission meeting to go ahead and seal up that corner of the county. That way, graders will not have Deputy Nicusor Dan announced on Thursday at the Palace of Parliament that he is not just stepping down as Chairman of the Save Romania Union (USR), but that he also resigns from the party, citing as one of the reasons the decision of the formation's National Bureau against the redefinition of the family in the Constitution. "There are three major reasons for which I am doing this. One is my firm belief that the worst thing that can happen in Romania now is that the main debate is not about who steals or not, but about who defends traditions and who doesn't. This way, we'll end up with people who have been milking the country doing so in the next 20 years too under the pretense that they defend traditions, and this is a huge danger for Romania. The second reason is that I feel I have a duty to the people who voted for us. The family theme is highly important for each of them, it is an intimate subject that has to do with identity, with the religious sentiment, even if it is important to them as individuals, even if it is not important to society now and because USR was voted by people from both sides - supporters and non-supporters of this referendum - it is my firm conviction that USR should reach out to both sides," Nicusor Dan told a press conference. The third reason he gave for his resignation from the Union is related to honor, as he cited his constant promise that there would be room for everyone in the party - conservatives and progressives - and that none of the party's decisions will run counter to their intimate, important, identity-shaping feelings. The National Bureau's decision now is tantamount to saying that some of our colleagues' intimate beliefs in an important matter for them are in contradiction with the direction the party is headed for. And for this reason I admit having made a promise that I could not keep, it's a matter of honor that prompts my resignation today from USR, explained Nicusor Dan. He added that he remains "available" for Romanian politics but for USR too, if a party structure higher than the Political Bureau reconsiders Wednesday's decision regarding the redefinition of the family. Nicusor Dan said that he is still contemplating whether to also resign from Parliament or not. agerpres. Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. Chief Executive Sally Smith is stepping down after activist investor Marcato Capital Management won a fight to overhaul the companys board. Shareholders approved three nominees originally put forth by Marcato at the companys annual meeting on Friday, according to a preliminary count cited by the hedge fund. As the firm takes a bigger role in steering the company, Smith will be out by the end of the year or sooner if a successor can be found. Marcato, which controls a nearly 10 percent stake in Buffalo Wild Wings, had called on the chicken-wing chain to replace Smith. After a decline in same-store sales during four of the last five quarters, Marcato wants the company to focus on improving its core restaurant brand and rethink how it makes capital-allocation decisions. We are very pleased that our fellow shareholders recognize that additional change on the board is warranted, said Mick McGuire, a managing partner at Marcato. We will bring the fresh perspectives, restaurant industry expertise and oversight the board needs to spearhead improvements. Marcato-backed directors joining the board include McGuire and Scott Bergren, who was formerly CEO of Yum Brands Inc.s Pizza Hut. Investors also elected Sam Rovit, a food industry executive first put forward by Marcato. Another Marcato nominee, Lee Sanders, wasnt mentioned in the activists statement. The shakeup sent the shares up 1.7 percent to $152.35. McGuire complained in April that the board blindly stood by management despite worsening financials. He also touted the idea of Buffalo Wild Wings selling more of its locations to franchisees, a popular tactic in the restaurant industry. Smiths departure removes one of the longest-serving CEOs in the restaurant industry. She took the helm at Minneapolis-based Buffalo Wild Wings in 1996. I will focus on leading Buffalo Wild Wings and driving value-creating change until we are ready to make a smooth transition, Smith said in a statement. ST. LOUIS For 53 years, Ron Zimmer has had his cars serviced at Niebling Auto Repair in south St. Louis. Its a family tradition. Zimmers grandfather took his cars to Niebling. His father also patronized the business, and Zimmer would tag along as a boy. As a teenager, Zimmer now 73 drove his dads car to the garage himself. I just followed what my dad said about them, that they gave good service, Zimmer said. And Zimmer, a retired civil engineer, passed the tradition down to his three children, marking four generations of Niebling customers. That goes a long way to explaining how the family-owned business at 5208 South Kingshighway has lasted 125 years. Loyalty like Zimmers is not unusual. Customers can tell you how their grandparents brought their car here, and they want to do the same, says Abigail Niebling, shop manager and a member of the fifth generation to work in the business. Even after people move, they bring their cars back to Niebling, which got its start as a carriage-repair business in Soulard in 1892. The business will be celebrating its anniversary throughout the year with open houses, unique giveaways and other events. How do these independent shops stay successful competing against such chains as Dobbs, Firestone and Sears? Zimmer, who says he knows all six Niebling mechanics by their first names, credits personal attention and reliable service. He said its often less expensive to deal with auto repair shops than with the big chains and dealerships. But personal loyalty goes only so far a successful repair business still has to get the work done, and that gets harder as vehicles become more complicated. Intricate drivetrains and braking systems are among the technologies that have gotten a whole lot more complex, says Tom Niebling, owner and president of the repair shop and Abigails father. To keep up, Tom Niebling says he sends his employees to trade shows to learn about new tools and diagnostic procedures. But neighborhood garages give friendly competition, he said. We sometimes bounce a question at them about how a certain repair should be done and we get to learn from each other, he said. In addition to Tom and Abigail, a third Niebling also is employed at the business. Sue Niebling, Toms wife, works part time in the accounting department. The business also has stayed competitive by adopting the latest technology for a range of functions, from online invoicing to vehicle servicing. Mechanics, for example, can use portable tablets in the work bays to look up information instead of having to check a desktop computer. Abigail Niebling says the shop also monitors social media comments to find out what works and what doesnt. After all, the customer is still king, she says. At 25, Gerald Jones became a drill sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood. His service in the Army since graduating from St. Charles High School has made him wise beyond his years. After finishing basic military training, he was sent to Heidelberg, Germany. Jones, now 32, served in the 529th Military Police Company (Honor Guard). They performed force protection and were responsible for the Salute Battery. He also performed on the beaches at Normandy and at General Pattons grave in Luxembourg. It was a once in a lifetime experience, Jones said. While he was in Germany, he was deployed to Afghanistan for a 12-month tour. I dont know if there is a normal day there, Jones said. Its a completely different world. Stationed at a base in Southeast Afghanistan without power or water, Jones had to adjust to extreme conditions. It would get into the 100s, but its definitely a different heat, Jones said. With the mountain ranges there it got cold really cold at night. So wed go from the highest highs to the lowest lows in one day. After being all over, I have no complaints about Missouri weather. Ill take it. Jones group ran leader engagement, where they would interact with local leaders. They would also go on long supply runs, which would provide their one hot meal a day. The rest of their meals came in the form of freeze-dried meals. Showers were a luxury. The soldiers actually had their families order camping shower water bags online and they created a makeshift shower. We made the joke that we wished we had bought stock in a baby wipe company, because we used them all the time, Jones said. There was a water well there, but it wasnt drinkable. For shaving, we used our canteen cup and we did the best we could. The military is big on haircuts, but thats the longest Ive ever had my hair. Jones said the Afghan attacks at that time were not as sophisticated, organized and dangerous as they are now. The first time it happened you and your buddies kind of look at each other and are like, is that what I think it is, kind of thing, Jones said. Its one of those things that definitely surprises you the first time. Once his tour ended, Jones returned to Germany, where he stayed from March 2006 to March 2007. Germany was probably the best station. Id love to go back, Jones said. Its the culture and the people over there and the way of life. Its simpler and slower. You can go downtown and sit and people watch all day. Jones then returned to Fort Leonard Wood, before being deployed to Iraq for 15 months. In Iraq, Jones was a squad leader in the 463rd Military Police Company. It was a police transition team and Jones supervised five or six Iraqi police stations. I was responsible for a variety of day-to-day operations, Jones said. Showing up first thing in the morning and starting with their accountability, guard mounts, training and making sure they got out to their posted checkpoints safely. Conditions in Iraq were completely different than what Jones endured in Afghanistan. There was electricity, air conditioning and he even had a bed and a desk. Jones was awarded the Bronze Star, which he said was for a culmination of his service. He was also awarded the Combat Action Badge after a convoy he was leading came under attack. He was able to lead the convoy through with no heavy casualties. I was just thinking about the safety and security of everyone, Jones said. Being a squad leader, its not just me. Im responsible for the 12 other individuals in my convoy and my team. A couple of soldiers received some shrapnel, but they returned to duty the next day. The enemy in Iraq was much more dangerous, mainly because they were hard to recognize. The kid that threw the grenade at us, was just that, a kid, Jones said. You couldnt differentiate by age, or even gender. There were no uniforms. It was an unconventional conflict. Jones returned to Fort Leonard Wood, where he remains today, as a drill sergeant. The desire to become a drill sergeant came from my training and learning from my drill sergeant and the standards he stood for, Jones said. It was an elite club I wanted to make sure I was a part of. Jones oversees 60 to 80 trainees through basic military training and advanced individual training. Its a 19-week process. Jones is married to his high school sweetheart and he has three children, ages 10, 3 and 10 months. Without the family support structure, I seriously doubt Id be able to serve today, Jones said. Especially my wife, I dont know what Id do without her support. Mumbai/ Kolkata, June 2 (IBNS): Tata Steel bagged the award in the aIron and Steela sector at the Dun & Bradstreet Corporate Awards 2017, at a ceremony held in Mumbai. In recognition of its excellent performance, the award was received by Ms. Dipali Talwar, Group General Counsel, Tata Steel from Chief Guest Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Government of India. This year, Tata Steel secured the first position in India and in the top 10% globally for profitability (EBITDA & ROIC). The Company also completed its largest greenfield project in India at Kalinganagar with an investment of approximately Rs. 25,000 crore, adding 30% production capacity to Tata Steel. Furthermore, through its CSR initiatives and projects, Tata Steel touched 1.1 million lives this year. The Company has won a number of accolades and awards for its business performance, company ethics and sustainability goals. Over the past decade, Dun & Bradstreet India has endeavored to provide top Indian companies a global platform through its initiative Dun & Bradstreet Corporate Awards. The award recognises the exemplary performance in the corporate world and facilitates the top companies across various sectors. Expressing her gratitude, while receiving the award, Dipali Talwar, Group General Counsel, Tata Steel said, We are honoured to have received this award from Dun & Bradstreet India once again! Tata Steel has constantly centered around operational brilliance and conveying an incentive to each one of its stakeholders. It is a privilege to have our endeavors and efforts recognised. The award is also an acknowledgment of the commitment and unstinted support of our employees. We will keep striving towards exceeding our own expectations and the expectation of our customers." In January 2013, Sgt. Joe Schicker was Missouris hero. A member of the Missouri National Guard, he had been injured while deployed in Afghanistan. When he returned to Missouri, none other than Gov. Jay Nixon pinned the Purple Heart on Schickers battle fatigues. Then Schicker stood in the House gallery in his dress blues as Nixon gave his annual State of the State address and received a standing ovation from state lawmakers. Just hours after his team arrived at their base, Taliban insurgents attacked, Nixon said of Schicker. In successfully repelling the attack, several Missouri Guardsmen, including Sgt. Schicker, were wounded. Sgt. Schicker, you represent every man and every woman who has ever fought to defend our great nation, in every era and on every field of battle. Four years later, Master Sgt. Joseph Schicker is a forgotten man. Today, he cant talk without shaking. He gets dizzy and has headaches. Hes missing his two front teeth from a fall. Hes had 26 pieces of shrapnel removed from his body from that Oct. 15, 2012, attack. Im 57 years old, and I cant type. I cant drive, he says. I just feel like Ive been wounded and no one wants to help me. Shortly after Schicker returned from Afghanistan, this time without the cameras running and the governor gushing, he was demoted. It wasnt because of anything he did wrong. Schicker was a full-time Guardsman, paid at the Armys E-8 rank, assigned to the Homeland Response Force at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. This is the unit that does highly technical work sweeping Busch Stadium before big events, for instance. It was one of the first Guard units on the scene in Ferguson. When Schicker returned from serving in Afghanistan, he was told there wasnt an E-8 rank slot available for him in his unit. If he wanted to keep the same job, he would have to accept a demotion to E-7. Otherwise, hed have to find another job in a different unit. Schicker, the returning hero, asked for an exception to be made. Could he be double-slotted? Could he be assigned to another command but still do the important work he was qualified to do? No way, said the Guard. Rules are rules. Schicker accepted his demotion. Thats what a military lifer does. Schicker, who lives in Dittmer, joined the Army right out of high school. He lived in Shrewsbury at that time and graduated in 1978 from Bishop DuBourg High School in the city. He ended up in special forces. Schicker was deployed four times. He has taken sniper fire and won two Bronze Stars, three Army Commendation Medals and two Purple Hearts. He has post-traumatic stress disorder. I saw a lot of people die, Schicker said. In 2015, he found out the Missouri Guard had lied to him. At least two other soldiers both higher ranks than Schicker were granted exceptions to the rule the Guard cited in forcing him to take a demotion. At this point in Schickers career, it wasnt the rank that bothered him. But as he neared retirement, his final rank could make up to a $600-a-month difference in his retirement pay. In 2016, Schicker sought a promotion to sergeant major. He was denied because his previous demotion reduced the amount of credit he would have otherwise earned for his service in the Enlisted Promotion System board. I would have qualified if they hadnt made me take the demotion, he said. Schicker complained up his chain of command and got no help. He filed a complaint with the inspector general. He called Nixons office. I couldnt get a return call, he said. So he wrote to U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. In August 2016, McCaskill wrote Gen. Stephen Danner, the adjutant general in charge of the Missouri National Guard. Danner gave McCaskill the same answer he had given Schicker. Rules are rules. He told her that Schicker would be eligible for promotion in February 2017. That was four months ago. Schicker was denied promotion again. Because of his previous injuries, hes unable to attend the Sergeant Majors Academy. So the promotions board said this year he was once again ineligible for the rank he should have long ago been awarded. In April, McCaskill wrote again. This time Danner admitted that on a very limited basis, exceptions had been made to the rule that forced Schicker to take a demotion, but that the wounded veteran who was treated like a returning hero didnt qualify. McCaskill said she is still working to get to the bottom of what happened to Schicker. Our government makes a promise that our service members will be treated fairly after returning home, she said. If that promise wasnt fully kept in this case, then I want to get to the bottom of it. Schicker is still in the Guard. He is on convalescent leave and has brain surgery scheduled for later this year. He hopes that will fix the shaking and the headaches. He spends a fair amount of time at the VA in St. Louis, where he sees plenty of those men and women Nixon referred to in his speech, who represented the country on every field of battle. They paraded me around the state when I came back and said, Look, hes one of our heroes, Schicker said. Now, they dont care. Ive been wronged and no one wants to help me. Bangalore, June 2 (IBNS): Legacy Cirocco, one of the landmark projects of Legacy Global Projects Pvt. Ltd., recently bagged the prestigious Asia Pacific International Property Award in Bangkok, for the Residential High Rise Architecture, India category for the year 2017-18. The Asia Pacific International Property Awards are judged by an independent panel of 70 industry experts, with a focus on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability. The judging panel was chaired by Lord Caithness, Lord Best, The Earl of Liverpool, and Lord Thurso, members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament. The event was held at The Marriott Marquis Queens Park, Bangkok in the presence of industry stalwarts from across the globe. The award was open for the real estate industry across the Asia Pacific region to showcase their expertise and projects in various categories. On the occasion, B.H. Krishnamurthy, Managing Director, Legacy Global Projects said, We are extremely delighted to receive this esteemed award. This award is testimony to the high standards of architecture and design evident in all endeavors of Legacy. Legacy Cirocco was designed to be a masterpiece in its category. We have always strived to deliver world-class living environments in all our projects and Legacy Cirocco is no different. We are positive that all our upcoming projects will leave a positive impact on the lifestyle of its residents and the quality of life of the community. The Legislature has finally come up with a solution to Missouris crumbling roads and highways: Ban even the mere discussion and study of toll roads. Thatll sure fix the problem. Toll roads may or may not be the best answer to pay for long overdue highway improvements, but either way, they should at least be considered as an option. While there is debate about how to raise money, there isnt much question that some kind of formula is needed to address repairs. Even the newest sections of heavily traveled Interstate 70, one of the roads most in need, are 51 years old. The broader conversation should include raising the states fuel tax, among the lowest in the nation at 17.3 cents a gallon, and making the gasoline tax a percentage of the fuel-pump price instead of a flat cents-per-gallon measure. That way, if the price of gasoline goes up, the tax revenue increases as well. Technology has changed, enabling Missouri to approach the toll issue creatively. The state could have roads or lanes that use cameras and sensors and dont require toll booths or cash. Some states use non-mandatory toll lanes that give drivers an option if they want to pay to circumvent congested, non-toll portions of an interstate. Local motorists could use slower roads to avoid paying tolls. Much of the opposition to tolls comes from the trucking and convenience store industries, which complain about the expense and disincentives to exit for non-essential purposes. An anti-toll nonprofit, A Better Road Forward, says toll roads are simply another big government tax forced upon hard-working Missourians and our families to use roads that rightfully belong to the public. The only problem with that argument is, when nobody pays for upgrades and maintenance, infrastructure crumbles. When you own a house, you repair the leaking roof. You own a road, you repair the potholes. Rep. Bryan Spencer, R-Wentzville, who introduced an amendment to the state budget bill that bans using any money for toll-related purposes, said he feared tolls would hurt his district economically by discouraging motorists from leaving I-70 where it splits from Interstate 64. Opponents, not trusting the Missouri Legislature to back away from toll roads forever, are forging ahead with plans for a petition drive seeking voter support for banning toll roads. If the proposition passes, a ban would be added to the Missouri Constitution. That could lead lawmakers to try to fix the roads through the spectacularly bad idea of raising the state sales tax, which was rejected three years ago by more than 59 percent of voters. Why make shoppers who dont drive cars pay for roads that other people use? Legislators have to come up with a transportation funding formula. Until that happens, no tools should be left out of the toolbox. Released earlier this year by Altadis USA, Monte is the newest blend in the storied Montecristo portfolio, which includes Classic, Platinum, Epic, and White, among others. It is being sold as the strongest Montecristo to date. In addition to its strength, Altadis is also drawing attention to Montes dual binders. The Montes signature feature is the inclusion of two binders: a spicy Dominican Olor combined with a strong and aromatic Nicaraguan Corojo, which adds strength, firmness, and complexity, reads the Montecristo website. This brand new offering from the Grupo de Maestros is the most robust Montecristo yet, putting a revolutionary twist on a revered classic. Paired up with those dual binders are aged Dominican filler tobaccos and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper thats dark, oily, and virtually veinless. Three vitolas are made in the Dominican Rebublic: Conde (5.5 x 48), which retails for $8.95 and features a pigtail cap; Monte (6 x 60), an extra-large smoke that runs $9.50; and Jacopo No.2 (6.1 x 54), a square-pressed torpedo that costs $9.25. I smoked several Jacopo No. 2s for this review, each provided to me by Altadis. This is a unique-looking smoke in that the box-press has four equal sides (as opposed to the traditional box-press that creates more of a rectangular effect). The recognizable brown and gold Montecristo band is complemented by a second Monte band of black and red. With its symmetry, relatively sharp corners, perfectly pointed cap, and extremely clean wrapper, the Jacopo No. 2 makes a good first impression. While lighting the cigar, I notice the torpedo cap and the square-press significantly concentrate the draw on the tip of the tongue. This leads me to hypothesize that the other Monte vitolas might have a very different taste. As far as the Jacopo No. 2 is concerned, though, the initial profile is one of dried berries, white pepper, and oak. The texture is bready and the strength is medium-bodied. The resting smoke is toasty and sweet. As the cigar progresses, the dried berry flavor really comes to the fore, and I find myself constantly reminded of strawberrya taste thats very unique in the world of non-flavored premium cigars. I also find the draw, which is a tad stiff at the outset, opens nicely after the first third, yielding much better smoke production. Throughout, the body remains medium with a short finish, and the burn stays wonderfully straight. While I dont agree Monte is the most robust Montecristo yet (I recall the Cabinet Seleccion was much more intense), I have to say it is a complex smoke with flavors that arent easily found elsewhere in the premium cigar market. That, combined with good construction and great presentation, earn the Jacopo No. 2 an excellent rating of four stogies out of five. [To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.] Patrick A photo credit: Stogie Guys As we have since July 2006, each Friday well post our sampling of cigar news and other items of interest from the week. Below is our latest, which is the 533rd in the series. 1) Altadis U.S.A. has announced a new collaboration with Nicaraguan cigar maker A.J. Fernandez that will be showcased at the IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas in July. Called Monte by Montecristo A.J. Fernandez, it is a spinoff of the original Monte line that was released in 2013 as the strongest Montecristo to date. The new Monte by Montecristo A.J. Fernandez is a robust, medium- to full-bodied cigar, reads a press release from Altadis. Cloaked in a dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and bound with a Corojo 98 binder, it delivers a stout, chocolatey aroma. A Criollo 98 and Piloto Cubano Dominican filler yield a nutty and caramel sweetness. For those who like bold flavor, this smoke will not disappoint. Four horizontally-pressed sizes will be available, each packaged in boxes of 20 and retailing in the $10.50 to $11.25 range: Toro (6 x 55), Robusto (4.5 x 54), Belicoso (6.1 x 54), and Corona (5 x 44). A.J. Fernandez has previously made cigars for industry behemoths Altadis and General Cigar, including H. Upmann by A.J. Fernandez and Hoyo La Amistad. 2) The Daily Caller reports the Trump Administration is moving towards rolling back Obamas changes to U.S. policies regarding Cuba. The report cites comments by Senator Rubio and Congressman Diaz-Balart, both of Florida, along with anti-Embargo activist groups. All of President Obamas actions on Cuba were done through executive action, meaning President Trump could undo the changes through the same process. Obamas changes ended the policy known as wet foot, dry foot that gave Cuban illegal immigrants a path to legal status, opened travel to the island nation, and loosened restrictions on doing business in the country. Under the changes, although it remains illegal to import Cuban cigars for sale, it became legal for Cuban cigars to be imported for personal use when traveling overseas. 3) Inside the Industry: Davidoff is rolling out a limited edition belicoso that includes Florida Sun Grown filler tobaccos from Jeff Borysiewiczs Orlando-area farm. The cigar is exclusive to the Davidoff Tampa Cigar Bar, a partnership between Davidoff and Corona Cigar Co., a Florida-based retailer owned by Borysiewicz. In addition to the Floridian filler tobacco, the cigar features a Habano 2000 Ecuadorian wrapper, a Habano Jalapa binder, and other filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. This truly unique blend results in a rich, full-bodied, and luxurious smoke, says Borysiewicz. 4) From the Archives: Introducing a newbie to cigars? Here are five suggestions to make sure they enjoy the experience. 5) Deal of the Week: We recommend Bespoke Post, a monthly collection of awesome items (think fine bar accessories, shaving kits, wine, workout gear, coffee kits, and more) delivered to your door for just $45. Available now are two cigar-oriented boxes. Toast features four cigars by H. Upmann and Romeo y Julieta, along with a cigar carrying pouch and a small desktop humidor. Study includes two Montecristo White cigars, two Glencairn whiskey glasses, a cigar tube, and a smoke-eating candle. You can skip or purchase every month. Sign up by Monday to get the June shipment. The Stogie Guys photo credit: A.J. Fernandez New York, June 2(Just Earth News): The Spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General on Thursday said the decision by the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change is a major disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security. The Paris Agreement was adopted by all the world's nations in 2025 because they recognize the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents, Stephane Dujarric told the media at the UN Headquarters in New York, shortly after US President Donald Trump announced his country's withdrawal from the Agreement. It offers a meaningful yet flexible framework for action by all countries. He further added that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remains confident that cities, States and businesses within the US along with other countries will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for 22st century prosperity. It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues, he noted. Dujarric also said that the Secretary-General looked forward to engaging with the US Government and all actors in the country and around the world to build the sustainable future on which the future generations depend. The landmark agreement, which entered into force last November, calls on countries to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future, and to adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change. It also aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change and calls for scaled up financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity-building framework to support action by developing countries and the most vulnerable countries in line with their own national objectives. In a separate statement, the head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said the US decision to leave the Paris Agreement in no way brings an end to this unstoppable effort. China, India, the European Union and others are already showing strong leadership. Indeed, 290 nations are showing strong determination to work with them to protect this and future generations. The science on climate change is perfectly clear: we need more action, not less. This a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now, said UNEP Executive Director Erik Solheim, underscoring that there is incredible momentum on climate action and a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. Urging all parties to redouble their efforts, he said that UNEP would work with everyone willing to make a difference. Climate action is not a burden, but an unprecedented opportunity. Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels will build more inclusive and robust economies. It will save millions of lives and slash the huge healthcare cost of pollution. Committing to climate action means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the front line of extremism and terrorism. It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands, explained Solheim, adding that it also means protecting food security and building stability to avoid adding yet more refugees to what is already an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis. UN Photo/Manuel Elias Source: www.justearthnews.com Stratford Athletic Clubs veteran athletes line up for the camera ahead of the track and field meeting at Stourport. STRATFORD ACs ladies equalled their highest ever position of second at this years Veteran Track and Field League meeting at Stourport. On a night when 12 new club records were achieved, the ladies team scored 14 more individual points than last years effort. This was greatly helped by the efforts of debutants Gemma Smith, Sheila Lammas and Elaine Ledden, who between them contributed almost 20 per cent of the ladies total. The men, although scoring less individual points than last year, were still able to maintain their third-place finish despite a depleted team. Club records tumbled and Kate Sergent led the way with three in the W65 age group, the 100m, 2k walk and long jump. Sergent had a fabulous night by also being the second highest points score for the club with 26 points and achieving 2017 UK top ten rankings for her age group in all of the events she competed in. Debutant Robin Kindersley improved the M60 1500m club record by a huge 24.5 seconds, a performance that catapulted him in to a top-ten position in the 2017 UK rankings for his age group. Top points scorer on the night for the club was Sarah Bland with 28 points with Paula Williams winning all of the three events she competed in. Phil Brennans agreement to compete in the M35 400m on the night, despite him normally competing in the M70 category, summed up the teams superb team spirit on the night. His performance in this event saw him climb to seventh in the UK rankings. Top scorer for the mens team was John Boxall. Tony Humphreys was brave enough to compete in the M35 high jump and hammer for the first time, scoring nine points in the process. Brian Gravelsons was happy to achieve a seasons best of 13.7s in the 100m, only 0.5s off his best, given that he has not been able to train as effectively as he would have liked this season. Another essential element of the night was the unselfish efforts of the officials provided by the club. It often seems to be forgotten that without their generous support, these fixtures would not be able to go ahead. The overall consensus of team members seemed to be that there was a wonderful team spirit on the night and everyone is now looking forward to the next fixture in Redditch on 7th June. Washington, June 2 (IBNS): In a major development, US President Donald Trump has announced his nation will withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate agreement. My job as President is to do everything within my power to give America a level playing field. #AmericaFirstYY azihttps://t.co/9VOb99W42r pic.twitter.com/2Lg8gxxXxV Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 1, 2017 "Therefore, in order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord -- (applause) -- thank you, thank you -- but begin negotiations to reenter either the Paris Accord or a really entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers," Trump said. Trump said moves to negotiate a new 'fair' deal would begin. "So were getting out. But we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal thats fair. And if we can, thats great. And if we cant, thats fine," he said. He said: "As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of American citizens. The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers -- who I love -- and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories, and vastly diminished economic production." The President further explained the decision on moving out from the deal and said, "Thus, as of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris Accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country. This includes ending the implementation of the nationally determined contribution and, very importantly, the Green Climate Fund which is costing the United States a vast fortune." Trump said compliance with the terms of the Paris Accord and the onerous energy restrictions it has placed on the United States could cost America as much as 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025 according to the National Economic Research Associates. Trump said: "This includes 440,000 fewer manufacturing jobs -- not what we need -- believe me, this is not what we need -- including automobile jobs, and the further decimation of vital American industries on which countless communities rely. They rely for so much, and we would be giving them so little." Trump alleged that the agreement provided better deal to "some of the world's highly polluting countries" like India and China. "Not only does this deal subject our citizens to harsh economic restrictions, it fails to live up to our environmental ideals. As someone who cares deeply about the environment, which I do, I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States -- which is what it does - the worlds leader in environmental protection, while imposing no meaningful obligations on the worlds leading polluters," he said. Trump said: "For example, under the agreement, China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years -- 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris Accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States." He said: "China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. So we cant build the plants, but they can, according to this agreement. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants." The US President alleged that the agreement doesnt eliminate coal jobs, it just transferred those jobs out of America and the United States, and ships them to foreign countries. Full Text of President Donald Trump's statement is given below: "Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you. I would like to begin by addressing the terrorist attack in Manila. Were closely monitoring the situation, and I will continue to give updates if anything happens during this period of time. But it is really very sad as to whats going on throughout the world with terror. Our thoughts and our prayers are with all of those affected. Before we discuss the Paris Accord, Id like to begin with an update on our tremendous -- absolutely tremendous -- economic progress since Election Day on November 8th. The economy is starting to come back, and very, very rapidly. Weve added $3.3 trillion in stock market value to our economy, and more than a million private sector jobs. I have just returned from a trip overseas where we concluded nearly $350 billion of military and economic development for the United States, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. It was a very, very successful trip, believe me. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. In my meetings at the G7, we have taken historic steps to demand fair and reciprocal trade that gives Americans a level playing field against other nations. Were also working very hard for peace in the Middle East, and perhaps even peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Our attacks on terrorism are greatly stepped up -- and you see that, you see it all over -- from the previous administration, including getting many other countries to make major contributions to the fight against terror. Big, big contributions are being made by countries that werent doing so much in the form of contribution. One by one, we are keeping the promises I made to the American people during my campaign for President - whether its cutting job-killing regulations; appointing and confirming a tremendous Supreme Court justice; putting in place tough new ethics rules; achieving a record reduction in illegal immigration on our southern border; or bringing jobs, plants, and factories back into the United States at numbers which no one until this point thought even possible. And believe me, weve just begun. The fruits of our labor will be seen very shortly even more so. On these issues and so many more, were following through on our commitments. And I dont want anything to get in our way. I am fighting every day for the great people of this country. Therefore, in order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord -- (applause) -- thank you, thank you -- but begin negotiations to reenter either the Paris Accord or a really entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers. So were getting out. But we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal thats fair. And if we can, thats great. And if we cant, thats fine. (Applause.) As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of American citizens. The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers -- who I love -- and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories, and vastly diminished economic production. Thus, as of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris Accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country. This includes ending the implementation of the nationally determined contribution and, very importantly, the Green Climate Fund which is costing the United States a vast fortune. Compliance with the terms of the Paris Accord and the onerous energy restrictions it has placed on the United States could cost America as much as 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025 according to the National Economic Research Associates. This includes 440,000 fewer manufacturing jobs -- not what we need -- believe me, this is not what we need -- including automobile jobs, and the further decimation of vital American industries on which countless communities rely. They rely for so much, and we would be giving them so little. According to this same study, by 2040, compliance with the commitments put into place by the previous administration would cut production for the following sectors: paper down 12 percent; cement down 23 percent; iron and steel down 38 percent; coal -- and I happen to love the coal miners -- down 86 percent; natural gas down 31 percent. The cost to the economy at this time would be close to $3 trillion in lost GDP and 6.5 million industrial jobs, while households would have $7,000 less income and, in many cases, much worse than that. Not only does this deal subject our citizens to harsh economic restrictions, it fails to live up to our environmental ideals. As someone who cares deeply about the environment, which I do, I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States -- which is what it does - the worlds leader in environmental protection, while imposing no meaningful obligations on the worlds leading polluters. For example, under the agreement, China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years -- 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris Accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States. Further, while the current agreement effectively blocks the development of clean coal in America -- which it does, and the mines are starting to open up. Were having a big opening in two weeks. Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, so many places. A big opening of a brand-new mine. Its unheard of. For many, many years, that hasnt happened. They asked me if Id go. Im going to try. China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. So we cant build the plants, but they can, according to this agreement. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants. In short, the agreement doesnt eliminate coal jobs, it just transfers those jobs out of America and the United States, and ships them to foreign countries. This agreement is less about the climate and more about other countries gaining a financial advantage over the United States. The rest of the world applauded when we signed the Paris Agreement -- they went wild; they were so happy -- for the simple reason that it put our country, the United States of America, which we all love, at a very, very big economic disadvantage. A cynic would say the obvious reason for economic competitors and their wish to see us remain in the agreement is so that we continue to suffer this self-inflicted major economic wound. We would find it very hard to compete with other countries from other parts of the world. We have among the most abundant energy reserves on the planet, sufficient to lift millions of Americas poorest workers out of poverty. Yet, under this agreement, we are effectively putting these reserves under lock and key, taking away the great wealth of our nation -- it's great wealth, it's phenomenal wealth; not so long ago, we had no idea we had such wealth -- and leaving millions and millions of families trapped in poverty and joblessness. The agreement is a massive redistribution of United States wealth to other countries. At 1 percent growth, renewable sources of energy can meet some of our domestic demand, but at 3 or 4 percent growth, which I expect, we need all forms of available American energy, or our country -- (applause) -- will be at grave risk of brownouts and blackouts, our businesses will come to a halt in many cases, and the American family will suffer the consequences in the form of lost jobs and a very diminished quality of life. Even if the Paris Agreement were implemented in full, with total compliance from all nations, it is estimated it would only produce a two-tenths of one degree -- think of that; this much -- Celsius reduction in global temperature by the year 2100. Tiny, tiny amount. In fact, 14 days of carbon emissions from China alone would wipe out the gains from America -- and this is an incredible statistic -- would totally wipe out the gains from America's expected reductions in the year 2030, after we have had to spend billions and billions of dollars, lost jobs, closed factories, and suffered much higher energy costs for our businesses and for our homes. As the Wall Street Journal wrote this morning: The reality is that withdrawing is in Americas economic interest and wont matter much to the climate. The United States, under the Trump administration, will continue to be the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on Earth. We'll be the cleanest. We're going to have the cleanest air. We're going to have the cleanest water. We will be environmentally friendly, but we're not going to put our businesses out of work and we're not going to lose our jobs. We're going to grow; we're going to grow rapidly. (Applause.) And I think you just read -- it just came out minutes ago, the small business report -- small businesses as of just now are booming, hiring people. One of the best reports they've seen in many years. Im willing to immediately work with Democratic leaders to either negotiate our way back into Paris, under the terms that are fair to the United States and its workers, or to negotiate a new deal that protects our country and its taxpayers. (Applause.) So if the obstructionists want to get together with me, lets make them non-obstructionists. We will all sit down, and we will get back into the deal. And well make it good, and we wont be closing up our factories, and we wont be losing our jobs. And well sit down with the Democrats and all of the people that represent either the Paris Accord or something that we can do that's much better than the Paris Accord. And I think the people of our country will be thrilled, and I think then the people of the world will be thrilled. But until we do that, we're out of the agreement. I will work to ensure that America remains the worlds leader on environmental issues, but under a framework that is fair and where the burdens and responsibilities are equally shared among the many nations all around the world. No responsible leader can put the workers -- and the people -- of their country at this debilitating and tremendous disadvantage. The fact that the Paris deal hamstrings the United States, while empowering some of the worlds top polluting countries, should dispel any doubt as to the real reason why foreign lobbyists wish to keep our magnificent country tied up and bound down by this agreement: Its to give their country an economic edge over the United States. That's not going to happen while Im President. Im sorry. (Applause.) My job as President is to do everything within my power to give America a level playing field and to create the economic, regulatory and tax structures that make America the most prosperous and productive country on Earth, and with the highest standard of living and the highest standard of environmental protection. Our tax bill is moving along in Congress, and I believe its doing very well. I think a lot of people will be very pleasantly surprised. The Republicans are working very, very hard. Wed love to have support from the Democrats, but we may have to go it alone. But its going very well. The Paris Agreement handicaps the United States economy in order to win praise from the very foreign capitals and global activists that have long sought to gain wealth at our countrys expense. They dont put America first. I do, and I always will. (Applause.) The same nations asking us to stay in the agreement are the countries that have collectively cost America trillions of dollars through tough trade practices and, in many cases, lax contributions to our critical military alliance. You see whats happening. Its pretty obvious to those that want to keep an open mind. At what point does America get demeaned? At what point do they start laughing at us as a country? We want fair treatment for its citizens, and we want fair treatment for our taxpayers. We dont want other leaders and other countries laughing at us anymore. And they wont be. They wont be. I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. (Applause.) I promised I would exit or renegotiate any deal which fails to serve Americas interests. Many trade deals will soon be under renegotiation. Very rarely do we have a deal that works for this country, but theyll soon be under renegotiation. The process has begun from day one. But now were down to business. Beyond the severe energy restrictions inflicted by the Paris Accord, it includes yet another scheme to redistribute wealth out of the United States through the so-called Green Climate Fund -- nice name -- which calls for developed countries to send $100 billion to developing countries all on top of Americas existing and massive foreign aid payments. So were going to be paying billions and billions and billions of dollars, and were already way ahead of anybody else. Many of the other countries havent spent anything, and many of them will never pay one dime. The Green Fund would likely obligate the United States to commit potentially tens of billions of dollars of which the United States has already handed over $1 billion -- nobody else is even close; most of them havent even paid anything -- including funds raided out of Americas budget for the war against terrorism. Thats where they came. Believe me, they didnt come from me. They came just before I came into office. Not good. And not good the way they took the money. In 2015, the United Nation's departing top climate officials reportedly described the $100 billion per year as peanuts, and stated that "the $100 billion is the tail that wags the dog." In 2015, the Green Climate Funds executive director reportedly stated that estimated funding needed would increase to $450 billion per year after 2020. And nobody even knows where the money is going to. Nobody has been able to say, where is it going to? Of course, the worlds top polluters have no affirmative obligations under the Green Fund, which we terminated. America is $20 trillion in debt. Cash-strapped cities cannot hire enough police officers or fix vital infrastructure. Millions of our citizens are out of work. And yet, under the Paris Accord, billions of dollars that ought to be invested right here in America will be sent to the very countries that have taken our factories and our jobs away from us. So think of that. There are serious legal and constitutional issues as well. Foreign leaders in Europe, Asia, and across the world should not have more to say with respect to the U.S. economy than our own citizens and their elected representatives. Thus, our withdrawal from the agreement represents a reassertion of Americas sovereignty. (Applause.) Our Constitution is unique among all the nations of the world, and it is my highest obligation and greatest honor to protect it. And I will. Staying in the agreement could also pose serious obstacles for the United States as we begin the process of unlocking the restrictions on Americas abundant energy reserves, which we have started very strongly. It would once have been unthinkable that an international agreement could prevent the United States from conducting its own domestic economic affairs, but this is the new reality we face if we do not leave the agreement or if we do not negotiate a far better deal. The risks grow as historically these agreements only tend to become more and more ambitious over time. In other words, the Paris framework is a starting point -- as bad as it is -- not an end point. And exiting the agreement protects the United States from future intrusions on the United States' sovereignty and massive future legal liability. Believe me, we have massive legal liability if we stay in. As President, I have one obligation, and that obligation is to the American people. The Paris Accord would undermine our economy, hamstring our workers, weaken our sovereignty, impose unacceptable legal risks, and put us at a permanent disadvantage to the other countries of the world. It is time to exit the Paris Accord -- (applause) -- and time to pursue a new deal that protects the environment, our companies, our citizens, and our country. It is time to put Youngstown, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- along with many, many other locations within our great country -- before Paris, France. It is time to make America great again. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Very important. Id like to ask Scott Pruitt, who most of you know and respect, as I do, just to say a few words. Scott, please. (Applause.) ADMINISTRATOR PRUITT: Thank you, Mr. President. Your decision today to exit the Paris Accord reflects your unflinching commitment to put America first. And by exiting, you're fulfilling yet one more campaign promise to the American people. Please know that I am thankful for your fortitude, your courage, and your steadfastness as you serve and lead our country. America finally has a leader who answers only to the people -- not to the special interests who have had their way for way too long. In everything you do, Mr. President, you're fighting for the forgotten men and women across this country. You're a champion for the hardworking citizens all across this land who just want a government that listens to them and represents their interest. You have promised to put America First in all that you do, and you've done that in any number of ways -- from trade, to national security, to protecting our border, to rightsizing Washington, D.C. And today you've put America first with regard to international agreements and the environment. This is an historic restoration of American economic independence -- one that will benefit the working class, the working poor, and working people of all stripes. With this action, you have declared that the people are rulers of this country once again. And it should be noted that we as a nation do it better than anyone in the world in striking the balance between growing our economy, growing jobs while also being a good steward of our environment. We owe no apologies to other nations for our environmental stewardship. After all, before the Paris Accord was ever signed, America had reduced its CO2 footprint to levels from the early 1990s. In fact, between the years 2000 and 2014, the United States reduced its carbon emissions by 18-plus percent. And this was accomplished not through government mandate, but accomplished through innovation and technology of the American private sector. For that reason, Mr. President, you have corrected a view that was paramount in Paris that somehow the United States should penalize its own economy, be apologetic, lead with our chin, while the rest of world does little. Other nations talk a good game; we lead with action -- not words. (Applause.) Our efforts, Mr. President, as you know, should be on exporting our technology, our innovation to nations who seek to reduce their CO2 footprint to learn from us. That should be our focus versus agreeing to unachievable targets that harm our economy and the American people. Mr. President, it takes courage, it takes commitment to say no to the plaudits of men while doing whats right by the American people. You have that courage, and the American people can take comfort because you have their backs. Thank you, Mr. President." Image: Donald Trump Facebook page Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Asif Kirmani has said on Friday that some visible and other non-visible people do not like their faces and will be exposed soon. While talking to media, Kirmani said that PML-N sought resignation from Nihal Hashmi before SCs suo-moto notice. He pronounced that Hashmi committed mistake and his case is in the court. Asif Kirmani urged that PML-N has always respected the judiciary and hopes that justice is provided to them. He also slammed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and said that he subjected to contempt of court. If any other person has done the same thing, he would have been in jail. He declared that if the court summons him or any other party member, they will certainly attend the hearing. Pakistan Navy continued its humanitarian assistance and relief operations in Sri Lanka from its ship Zulfiquar which has been deployed there for the purpose. Sri Lanka has experienced its worst flooding for the past 14 years, triggered by heavy rain on May 26. The calamity has claimed hundreds of lives besides marooning thousands of people in the country. According to a message received here on Thursday, Pakistan Navys relief team set up three medical camps on May 31 across the severely affected districts of Horana, Malwana and Raxapana. Over 350 patients and 60 children were provided with medical aid, drinks and eatables as part of the humanitarian assistance. Two technical teams decontaminated 42 wells in the Kalutara area and restored water supply for local population. Specialised diving teams reached far-flung locations through swampy patches to rescue stranded people in the high-tide areas of Angoda and delivered relief goods along the way. The efforts of naval teams were commended by commander of Sri Lankans navy and secretary of divisional secretariat district in calls to the camps. On Thursday, a medical camp was set up at Sampath Restaurant in Anguruvatota district as requested by the Sri Lankan Navy. Upon establishing the camp, the PN personnel distributed mineral water among the local population. A large number of local people gathered at the PN medical camp with various diseases/injuries and were being treated. A diving team, along with necessary gear and lifesaving equipment, is contributing in water transportation and is also involved in humanitarian assistance in the area. Two technical teams have reached divisional secretariat Millania as requested by the Sri Lankan Army and decontaminated 16 wells. Two medical teams are at appropriate alert onboard PNS Zulfiquar with requisite medicines and lifesaving equipment for subsequent deployment as required by the Sri Lankan Navy. Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka is providing all support to officers and personnel of PNS Zulfiquar towards accomplishing their professional task in a well-coordinated way. One of the most prominent lawyers Pakistan produced, and longest serving Attorney General of Pakistan, Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada passed away on Friday at the age of 94. The prominent lawyer served as a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was the prime advisor to General Pervez Musharraf against maintaining the status quo regarding the 1973 constitutional oath given to the judges prior to the generals coup detat. He advised Musharraf who then later included Aziz Munshi as a law minister to seek the consent of the Chief Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui for the legitimacy of his rule. Siddiqui was called upon by Musharraf earlier in October and it was made clear that the oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order shall not be administered to any judge of the court. Musharraf had agreed, later when asked by Munshi, Siddiqui refused and rejected the notion that judges of the courts be administered any other oath and that to contrary to the ones under the 1973 constitution. Later Siddiqui refused to take oath and resigned with 4 years remaining in office. He was a highly-controversial figure amongst political and judicial circles in Pakistan due to his regular legal work in ensuring the legitimacy of Pakistani military rulers, as well as offering his services to a wide variety of entities seeking on ensuring the status quo in the country. For such reasons, he is regarded as a maverick lawyer with no firm stance on political matters. In addition, he is a member of the Pakistan Civil Service, having served as both Foreign Minister under Ayub Khan and the Attorney-General under Zia-ul-Haq. Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada was born in the city of Burhanpur, in what is today Madhya Pradesh, to parents Mir Niazi Pirzada and his wife, Fatima. His father was a noted barrister as well, serving in the Indian Civil Service at the time and posted in the state. He passed away on June 2017. Pakistans biggest IT company by revenue Inbox Business Technologies plans to hold an initial public offering (IPO), expecting to raise Rs1.5 billion, Bloomberg reported. Inbox Chief Executive Officer Mir Nasir said the company plans to sell a 39 percent stake in the IPO to be held in June. Nasir said he is targeting revenue to get double to $100 million in five years. Providing agility for the digital age, Inbox started out as company dealing with assemblage of computers and laptops in 2001 and now provides a range of services, including IT and cloud services, to the public and private sector. Inboxs biggest customer is the government, which contributes 80% to its revenue, Bloomberg quoted the CEO as saying, while telecommunication companies and banks are also major spenders. Our own industries are now starting and taking notice of the digital disruption concept and they are getting more and more automated, Nasir said. You need Pakistani Tatas and Wipros. Inbox Technologies provides services for various sectors, including defence, financial companies and others. The Hague, June 2 (IBNS): Dutch Minister for the Environment Sharon Dijksma on Friday called US decision to quit Paris Climate Agreement as a 'historic mistake'. "Decision Trump is a historic mistake. Now we need leadership, intensive cooperation with China and climate action! #ParisAgreement," the Minister tweeted. In a major development, US President Donald Trump has announced his nation will withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate agreement. " Therefore, in order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord -- (applause) -- thank you, thank you -- but begin negotiations to reenter either the Paris Accord or a really entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers," Trump said. Trump said moves to negotiate a new 'fair' deal would begin. "So were getting out. But we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal thats fair. And if we can, thats great. And if we cant, thats fine," he said. He said: "As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of American citizens. The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers -- who I love -- and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories, and vastly diminished economic production." The President further explained the decision on moving out from the deal and said, "Thus, as of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris Accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country. This includes ending the implementation of the nationally determined contribution and, very importantly, the Green Climate Fund which is costing the United States a vast fortune." Trump said compliance with the terms of the Paris Accord and the onerous energy restrictions it has placed on the United States could cost America as much as 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025 according to the National Economic Research Associates. Trump said: "This includes 440,000 fewer manufacturing jobs -- not what we need -- believe me, this is not what we need -- including automobile jobs, and the further decimation of vital American industries on which countless communities rely. They rely for so much, and we would be giving them so little." Trump alleged that the agreement provided better deal to "some of the world's highly polluting countries" like India and China. "Not only does this deal subject our citizens to harsh economic restrictions, it fails to live up to our environmental ideals. As someone who cares deeply about the environment, which I do, I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States -- which is what it does - the worlds leader in environmental protection, while imposing no meaningful obligations on the worlds leading polluters," he said. Trump said: "For example, under the agreement, China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years -- 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris Accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States." He said: "China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. So we cant build the plants, but they can, according to this agreement. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants." The US President alleged that the agreement doesnt eliminate coal jobs, it just transferred those jobs out of America and the United States, and ships them to foreign countries. Image: Donald Trump Facebook page Paris, June 2 (IBNS): French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris agreement on Thursday as a 'mistake' for planet Earth. Statement on the US' withdrawal from the Paris climate agreements. #parisagreementhttps://t.co/T4XOjWZW0Q Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 1, 2017 "I do respect President Trump's decision but I think it's a mistake for our planet," the President tweeted. He said climate change problem is already changing the lives of people. "Climate change is already changing our daily lives. It's not the future we want for our world," he said. "To all scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, responsible citizens who were disappointed by the decision of the US:Come here with us to work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment," he said. The French President urged people to make planet great again. In a major development, US President Donald Trump has announced his nation will withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate agreement. " Therefore, in order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord -- (applause) -- thank you, thank you -- but begin negotiations to reenter either the Paris Accord or a really entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers," Trump said. Trump said moves to negotiate a new 'fair' deal would begin. "So were getting out. But we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal thats fair. And if we can, thats great. And if we cant, thats fine," he said. He said: "As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of American citizens. The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers -- who I love -- and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories, and vastly diminished economic production." The President further explained the decision on moving out from the deal and said, "Thus, as of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris Accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country. This includes ending the implementation of the nationally determined contribution and, very importantly, the Green Climate Fund which is costing the United States a vast fortune." Trump said compliance with the terms of the Paris Accord and the onerous energy restrictions it has placed on the United States could cost America as much as 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025 according to the National Economic Research Associates. Trump said: "This includes 440,000 fewer manufacturing jobs -- not what we need -- believe me, this is not what we need -- including automobile jobs, and the further decimation of vital American industries on which countless communities rely. They rely for so much, and we would be giving them so little." Trump alleged that the agreement provided better deal to "some of the world's highly polluting countries" like India and China. "Not only does this deal subject our citizens to harsh economic restrictions, it fails to live up to our environmental ideals. As someone who cares deeply about the environment, which I do, I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States -- which is what it does - the worlds leader in environmental protection, while imposing no meaningful obligations on the worlds leading polluters," he said. Trump said: "For example, under the agreement, China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years -- 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries. There are many other examples. But the bottom line is that the Paris Accord is very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States." He said: "China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. So we cant build the plants, but they can, according to this agreement. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants." The US President alleged that the agreement doesnt eliminate coal jobs, it just transferred those jobs out of America and the United States, and ships them to foreign countries. Image: Emmanuel Macron Twitter page New Delhi, Jun 2 (IBNS): With the US Presidentas latest assault on the global fight against climate change, meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement will become an uphill task, an official CSE release stated. "Trump has sounded the death knell for the Agreement," said Sunita Narain, director general of the New Delhi-based non-governmental organisation, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), responding to the US withdrawal from the Paris Accord. The objective of the Paris Agreement is to prevent an increase in the global average temperature, and keep it well below 2C. The Agreement, considered a landmark move forward, was adopted on December 12, 2015 by 195 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), replacing its predecessor Kyoto Protocol. The Agreement was finally ratified on November 4, 2016. Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE, said, The USA is not only the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases, but also one the major current emitters. Without the active and ambitious contribution from the US, any action to combat climate change under the Paris Agreement will be insufficient by a huge margin." Even if other countries, including the developing countries, raise their ambition, they would not be able to fill in the void left by the US. It is, therefore, not sufficient to shift the burden of addressing climate change to other countries -- including China and India," Bhishan added. The role US has played in global climate change Largest contributor to climate change: USA is the largest historical contributor to climate change, responsible for 21 per cent of the current carbon stock in the atmosphere. It is currently the second largest polluter in the world, and has the highest per capita emissions. Weak climate agreements: To accommodate US interests, countries have worked towards making climate agreements weak. The Kyoto Protocol had weak targets. Likewise, to bring back the US under the UN climate framework, the Paris Agreement was made a voluntary, bottom-up decentralised regime with no emission reduction commitments for countries and no punitive measures if countries failed to meet their targets. US climate commitments: Under its climate action plan, the US had pledged merely 26-28 per cent emission reduction below 2005 levels by 2025. On the 1990 baseline, the US will cut emissions by a mere 13-15 per cent by 2025 and 23-27 per cent by 2030. In comparison, the EU-28 will reduce 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. The pulling out of the Paris Agreement means that the US will not fulfill its already weak commitments. Financial commitments in jeopardy: In its federal budget, the US has announced that there will be no further funding to IPCC and UNFCCC. It has also vowed not to fulfill its support commitment of USD 2 billion to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This would mean that funding to the GCF, meant to help developing countries to address climate change, would suffer tremendously. US domestic measures: By adopting a slew of measures domestically which includes revoking its Clean Power Plan (CPP), Trump has made his agenda clear unfettered expansion of domestic fossil fuel production and repealing anything that is against it. This is not the first time that US is opting out of an international climate agreement. It pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol saying that emerging economies do not have quantified emission targets; now it has pulled out of the Paris Agreement calling it unfair. Climate change is a global challenge. The US cannot continue to keep the world hostage. Pulling out of the Paris Agreement would mean that with five per cent of the world population, the US will continue to jeopardise the remaining 95 per cent. Countries need to hold the US accountable for decisions that have a global impact, said Narain. Trumps decision has come at a time when there has been an alarming increase in both the frequency and magnitude of climate-related impacts across the globe, calling for more concerted efforts to address climate change. The future of the climate change regime has been shackled with this announcement. We are already on the path to a dangerous temperature rise of even up to 3 degrees Centigrade. The only foreseeable future course would be for the remaining countries to come together to modify the Paris Agreement to make it effective, said Bhushan. image: www.g7italy.it New Delhi, Jun 2 (IBNS): Donald Trumpas irresponsible and short-sighted decision to pull the USA out of the Paris Agreement is a loss for the United States in many ways and an opportunity for India to provide global leadership on climate issue, said Greenpeace India on Friday. The USAs decision is leading to a shift in global geopolitics with China and the EU already positioning themselves to take the lead in climate action, the group feels. Many countries have already taken significant steps to scale down coal and rev up the renewables sector. At the recently concluded G7 summit, US President Donald Trump was clearly isolated by the G6 led by the European nations, all of whom reiterated their deep commitment to the Paris Agreement. Donald Trump is out of touch with reality. Apart from governments, an entire spectrum of actors including religious leaders, bankers, youth, ordinary citizens from across the world, scientists, investment groups and CEOs of some of the worlds largest corporations have committed to strong and quick climate action. The vast majority of the world has already resolved and started to act on climate with the renewable energy industry growing exponentially. India and China, amongst the leading greenhouse gas emitters, have resolved and started to develop clean energy and a low carbon economy in a big way. This transition will continue with or without USA, which now has Syria and Nicaragua for company as the only three countries, who are currently not part of the Paris Agreement, said Dr. Ravi Chellam, Executive Director, Greenpeace India. India, with its agrarian economy heavily dependent on the monsoon, is highly vulnerable to climate change. Indians are already suffering from severe weather events including droughts and floods. An ill-informed and irresponsible decision by the most powerful economy and the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases cannot be allowed to derail global progress on this issue. Climate action is a moral responsibility of all global leaders, especially of those countries that have historically exploited resources globally and contributed disproportionately to global warming, said Chellam. India has shown tremendous growth in the renewable energy sector in the past one year with solar tariffs plummeting to Rs 2.44 per unit at the latest auction in Rajasthan, which is lower than the cost of electricity from most coal power plants. Climate action has tremendous win-win potential for all nations, including India - cheaper, cleaner energy for all, economic innovation and employment opportunities associated with the clean energy transition, reduced damage to natural ecosystems especially deforestation, reduced air and water pollution and a more stable climate. The planet needs the USA to do its fair share, but while we wait for sanity to be restored in the USA, other countries must accelerate their path to decarbonisation. At the very least, we owe it to our future generations , Chellam added. DriveLine with Colin Bower As a professed car lover, I was rapt to land a position with UK Motors in Brisbane in 1967 during a working holiday to Australia. It was an interesting and educational position. Mini Coopers and MGBs were highly sought after and yes, we sold and repaired Morris 1100s, 1800s P76s and a steady trickle of Rollers. It was intriguing to see makes and models I hadnt seen in New Zealand, signalling the advent of the Japanese car revolution, which was the beginning of the end for the British motor industry. The quirky looking, shovel-nosed Toyota Corona, sporty looking Datsun SSS and Skyline GT models, and the stylish Isuzu Bellett. When I returned home 18 months later, new cars were very scarce. You needed overseas funds or a very good trade-in to purchase a new Holden or Vauxhall, and used examples sold well above the list price. Fast forward 30 years to 1997. As a branch manager & dealer principal with Holden, Honda, Mazda and Mitsubishi brands, I was fortunate to be involved in the New Zealand launch of a new Korean brand called Kia. How that came about is quite a story. Out of the blue, I had a call from the importer of the little-known jeep-type vehicle called the Kia Sportage. He asked me if I would mind driving one for a couple of days and give him an opinion on how I thought it would go in the Kiwi market. I was slightly familiar with the other Korean brand, Hyundai, but frankly considered them to be cheap and cheerful back then and not a serious threat to the Japanese brands. Deja vu. Boy, how that has changed. Long story short, I set up the first solus Kia dealership - Colin Bower Kia on Aucklands North Shore. I rode the ups and downs of the fledgling franchise until the Korean financial meltdown put paid to the importer. The Korean situation was finally worked through with buyouts and amalgamations, but by then I had decided to sell out to Daewoo Direct. The Kia factory team took me on as New Zealand national sales and marketing manager. The next three years was a struggle to set up retail sites and launch the steadily growing Kia range to a cautious, and value-conscious, New Zealand public. I had a couple of trips to the factory in Seoul during this time to see and get an understanding of the direction and determination of Kia's management and came away convinced they had something special. We were given a glimpse of the future and were excited by the new Sorento and Sportage models being developed with input from the top European design studios. They were the match of anything on the world market, but incorporating that inbred toughness unique to Hyundai and Kia. It has been intriguing to watch the Korean brands go from strength to strength, much like the Japanese brands did in the seventies and eighties. I predict that is not going to slow down in my lifetime. Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP This blue government is talking tough on their multinational cronies tax avoidance and expecting to claw back about $100 million from them, but what about the rest of it? Even the IRDs conservative estimates have us missing out on $300 million a year, so how does this blue government account for the remaining $200 million shortfall? Quite simply, they dont. And its doubtful they want to. This blue MultiNational Party appears to be satisfied with less than 34 per cent of what the IRD says we, as a country are missing out on. The rest of us have to pay the full 100 percent of our tax bills. How are New Zealand-owned and operated businesses supposed to compete if the playing field is totally skewed in favour of the multinationals? And this missing $200 million is just the IRDs estimate. Some reckon it at $700 million a year, and others believe it could be even higher than that. One study that arrived at this more-than-double (US$500 billion) figure of $711 billion, was the UK-based Tax Justice Network using 2013 data to calculate global losses as a result of profit-shifting moving profits from their subsidiaries in higher-tax countries to other subsidiaries in tax havens. The problem, according to University of Auckland professor of law Michael Littlewood, is that nobody really knows exactly how much New Zealand is missing out on. He agreed that both the $300 million and $700 million figures were plausible, but added that the real tally could well be even more than $700 million. New Zealand First is determined to make sure New Zealand businesses can compete on a level playing field, by requiring all multinationals to pay their fair share of tax in New Zealand on the money they earn here from New Zealand customers. Whether its $300 million, $700 million, or $1-10 billion. New Zealand First is about fairness, for everyone foreign and domestic who does business here. An empty shell is all that is left of a car after it burst into flames in Mount Maunganui. Firefighters were called to the car fire on Grenada Street at 11pm, and found the car fully alight. At the time of the blaze, Mount Maunganui firefighters were unable to determine the cause of the fire, says Northern Fire Service communications manager Paul Radden. Police are notified of any car fire, says Paul. So they were notified. The cause of the fire is under investigation. London, June 2 (IBNS): During this innovative study, Dr Jonathan Johnston and Dr Sophie Wehrens from the University of Surrey examined the impact of altering meal times on the circadian rhythms of ten volunteers. Circadian rhythms are approximately 24-hour changes governed by the bodys internal clocks and determine many physiological processes in the body. Volunteers were provided with three meals breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the first phase of the study, the first meal was provided 30 minutes after waking, with later meals at subsequent five hour intervals whilst in the second phase each meal was delayed by five hours after waking. Immediately after each phase, sequential blood samples and fat biopsies were taken from each volunteer in specialised laboratory conditions that allow measurement of internal circadian rhythms. Researchers discovered that postponing meal times by five hours delayed rhythms of blood sugar by the same time frame. This discovery demonstrates that mealtimes synchronise internal clocks that control rhythms of blood sugar concentration. Researchers indicated that people who struggle with circadian rhythm disorders, including shift workers and long haul flights, might consider timed meals to help resynchronize their body clocks. Surprisingly researchers uncovered that the delay in meal times did not affect insulin or triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood indicating that blood sugar rhythms can be governed by separate circadian clocks to these other key aspects of rhythmic metabolism. Lead investigator of the study, Dr Jonathan Johnston, from the University of Surrey said: It has been shown that regular jet lag and shift work have adverse effects on the body, including metabolic disturbances. Altering meal times can reset the body clocks regulating sugar metabolism in a drug free way. This will help us design feeding regimes to reduce the risk of developing health problems such as obesity and cardiovascular disease in people with disturbed circadian rhythms. Photo: WFP/Volana Rarivoson Opportunities Party leader Gareth Morgan has welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environments recent stand on feral cats. The report, issued Wednesday, claims 32 per cent of our native birds are in a desperate situation. Commissioner Dr Jan Wright says more sustained predator control, and controlling a burgeoning feral cat population, must occur. She highlights the need for urgent action on the control of feral cats to protect and preserve New Zealands unique and diverse birdlife, says Gareth. Her report comes four years after the millionaire launched a philanthropic campaign to address this very issue, which has resulted in numerous local bodies throughout New Zealand putting the eradication of feral cats in their pest control plans. To have the Commissioner of the Environment accept and endorse the evidence-based issues we have been highlighting all these years is a major victory for common-sense, says Gareth. It is proof that while many are uncomfortable about policies that might at first appear radical, speaking out on problems and proposing well thought out solutions can win the hearts and minds of New Zealanders. Gareth gained notoriety across the country after calling for more controls on domestic and feral cats although as SunLive found out, he doesnt hate cats at all. Gareth says he is confident voters will also engage with the Opportunities Partys evidence-based policy solutions on tax, housing, cannabis, clean water, education and health as the election campaign ramps up later in the year. Australasias Top Emerging Photographer for 2017 is Papamoa GP Paul Alsop. Now in its ninth year, Capture magazines annual contest attracts the attention of thousands of emerging photographers across Australia and New Zealand. The magazine reported it received more than 800 entries across 10 categories. Judging relied on the wisdom, experience and expertise of 38 of the worlds finest photographers and professionals, with a total of 90 judging as many helped decide winners across multiple categories. The winner of the Portrait category, Paul Alsop, was also named overall winner of Australias Top Emerging Photographers 2017. Paul used the wet plate collodion process to build a portfolio of images that stood out against the other photographers work. A self-taught practitioner, Alsop first picked up a camera around 15 years ago with the intention of being able to show off his coral reef tank with an online community. Frustrated with digital photography, he moved on to film and black-and-white darkroom printing techniques. Obviously the technique used in these pictures was a big part of the overall look.. with this submission I felt the photographers interaction with his subject matter was honest and consistent within the body of work, says Judge Simon Harsent. Delighted at taking out the top award, Paul says the thought of the calibre of the judges reviewing his work makes him feel very honoured. Pauls prize includes $3000 plus a Fujifilm X-Pro2 & XF 35mm f/2 lens valued at $3298 from Captures major sponsor, Fujifilm. A campaign by traffic and road safety champions to bring red light cameras to Tauranga has failed, apparently because the city doesnt meet the criteria for a red light camera. According to the NZ Police website, there are currently seven red light cameras in Auckland and one in Wellington. But the Bay of Plenty Joint Road Safety Committee red light steering groups application failed, possibly because the city doesnt meet the criteria. Learning what the criteria are is a slow process. NZTA in Wellington did not reply before this story was published in The Weekend Sun. Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion is not entirely sure of the reasons and didnt want to speculate. Committee chair, Western Bay of Plenty district councillor Margaret Murray-Benge says the issue is not over. Police reported in February that the death and accident rates in the region are the worst they have been in ten years. The driving performance in our region isnt good at all, and we have to do something. So our job in road safety is to actually be the political push to make sure that things are introduced. Harry Wilson who is in charge of road safety for New Zealand for the transport agency is coming to our next meeting and it will be on our agenda to discuss that with him as well. Nothing is ever a dead duck. In New Zealand between 2008 and 2012 there were 11 fatalities, 169 serious injuries and 1466 minor injuries at urban intersections controlled by traffic lights, where running a red light was a contributing factor. The average annual social cost of these crashes was $43 million. A 2009 review by the Ministry of Transport concluded that red light cameras are an effective safety tool to reduce red light running and associated crashes. A trial run by Auckland Transport between 2008-2010 supported the review. Intersections with red light cameras experienced an average reduction of 43 percent in red light running and 69 percent in crashes attributable to red light running. From there Auckland Transport contracted Abley Transport Consultants to prepare a red light camera site selection methodology to ensure red light cameras are only implemented when they are likely to be the best safety tool to enable the best safety outcome. The methodology is based on the identification of sites where there is an established crash record arising from red light running behaviour or if there is a significant risk of fatal or serious casualties. British author Karen Armstrong has been awarded Spains Princesa de Asturias prize for Social Sciences for her books on comparative religion. The 72-year-old writer, who was born in Worcestershire in 1944, expressed her deep gratitude for having received the award which was won by Mary Beard, another British woman, last year . Armstrong combined being a Roman Catholic religious sister at the Society of the Holy Child Jesus convent with studying English at St Annes College at the University of Oxford when she was just 18 years old. She left her religious life behind seven years later after becoming disillusioned with the convent, and after obtaining a first-class degree in contemporary literature, she taught English at James Allens Girls School in Dulwich in South London. Her career as an independent writer began in 1982 and has seen her investigate the evolution of the three major monotheistic traditions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam, while she also presented a documentary on St Paul on Channel Four in 1983. When The Beatles entered studio two of the Abbey Road recording studios in North West London on 24 November 1966, there were rumours that the band were about to break up. The greatest rock band in the world had seen poor audience attendance during their previous tour of the USA, and they lived in fear for their lives following John Lennons comments about The Beatles being more popular than Jesus. However, just when it seemed as though the bubble had burst, The Beatles released what is considered the most important rock and roll album ever recorded. Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band was the groups eighth album and this pioneering recording is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year. Released on 26 May 1967 in the UK and on 2 June 1967 in the USA, it was an immediate commercial and critical success. It was lauded by music critics for its innovations in music production, song writing and graphic design. Spending 27 weeks at the top of the UK albums chart and 15 weeks at number one in the US, Sgt Pepper has sold more than 32 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums in history. The Times described the album as a decisive moment in the history of Western civilization. Newsweek called it a masterpiece - comparing the lyrics of A Day in the Life to T. S. Eliots, The Waste Land. Concerns that some of the lyrics on the album referred to recreational drug use led to the BBC banning several songs from British radio, including A Day in the Life and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite was also refused airtime because the lyrics mention Henry the Horse; censors speculated that Henry was a drug dealer. The iconic album cover is credited for bridging a cultural divide between popular music and modern art and it was the first LP to include all of the lyrics on its back sleeve. The cover, depicting The Beatles posing in front of a tableau of celebrities and historical figures, was designed by the British pop artists Peter Blake and Jann Haworth. A collage of photographs and waxworks depict a diversity of famous people, including Marilyn Monroe, Laurel and Hardy, Oscar Wilde and Lewis Carroll. Lennon apparently wanted to add Adolf Hitler and Jesus to the list, but his suggestions were rejected. While the picture of the man depicting Sgt Pepper on the album cover looks like a fictitious character, he was actually a real person. His name was James Melvin Babington, a British army officer who served during the Second Boer War. The idea was conceived after Paul McCartney came up with the idea for a song about an Edwardian era-style military band; although the group were halfway through the recording before they decided they should release an entire album that would represent a performance by the fictional Lonely Hearts Club Band. Afforded the luxury of a nearly limitless recording budget, The Beatles adopted an experimental approach to recording, spending more than six-months and 25,000 pounds creating their masterpiece. While continuing the artistic maturation seen on their preceding release, Revolver, the band experimented with psychedelia, incorporating Vaudeville, circus, music hall and classical Indian music. Sgt Pepper was the first pop album to be mastered without the momentary gaps that are typically placed between tracks. The songs were blended together to give the impression of a continuous live performance, making it widely regarded as the first true concept album in popular music. There are some who believe that The Beatles might not have been quite as inspirational as first believed. Freak Out, by The Mothers of Invention, has often been cited as having influenced Sgt Pepper, while others claim that the recording was inspired by The Beach Boys 1966 album, Pet Sounds. Paul McCartney is said to have had great admiration for The Beach Boys and George Martin suggested that without Pet Sounds, Sgt Pepper may never have happened. The album did, and still does, have its detractors, one of whom is Rolling Stone Keith Richards who denounced the album as a mishmash of rubbish. Fifty years after its release, Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band is still considered culturally and historically significant, for it was the record that instigated the beginning of the Album Era. A new version was reissued for the 50th anniversary and this is said to retain more of the idiosyncrasies that were unique to the original mono version. Cleaning operatives working on the beach in La Herradura expressed their, surprise and incredulity, when they came across a class B explosive pertaining to the American military near to the towns secondary school yesterday. Staff from the Urbaser cleaning company were able to read a warning stuck to the device, which read that it shouldnt be handled as it contained phosphorous and could cause burns and that if found the police or army should be called. The workers consequently alerted the local police and Guardia Civil who in turn called in Spains bomb disposal unit, TEDAX, whose nearest base is Granada city. TEDAX took the device to an open area where they performed a controlled explosion. Security services have opened an investigation as to how the device ended up in La Herradura. Hoteliers are starting to get tough on the wave of British tourists suing over reported holiday illnesses. The organised claims from UK law firms have been affecting many areas of Spain and souring relations between the country and its most important source of visitors. Even though the Costa del Sol has hardly been affected so far, hoteliers representatives estimate that in the worst-hit areas, such as the Balearics, the Canaries and the Costa Blanca, the claims have cost them 60 million euros over the past few seasons. They say some 90 per cent of sickness accusations are false. As the legal claims are made in UK courts against the holidaymakers tour operators, who under European law are legally responsible, and not directly to the hotels, hotel owners are not able to defend themselves properly and have no choice but to pay up under their contractual terms with the tour operators. However secretary-general of CEHAT, Ramon Estalella, who represents tourist accommodation, has said that the Spanish hotel industry is getting ready to defend its interests . We will pursue all the defrauders within the Spanish legal system. The claims arise when holidaymakers are encouraged by lawyers marketing campaigns to sue for alleged sickness. All-inclusive hotels are normally targeted, as guests only eat in one hotel on their stay. The Costa del Sol isnt as affected as it offers less of this type of holiday. Luis Callejon Sune, president of Aehcos, the Costa del Sol hoteliers association, has said, If they think that this destination is their next target, were going to face it head on with legal action. The Junta de Andalucia has also promised to defend hoteliers interests. London, June 2 (IBNS): Examining data collected from over 300,000 participants across 18 studies, researchers from the University of Surrey identified increased arterial damage and enhanced likelihood of pre diabetes in participants who were obese in childhood. The damage, an increased thickness of these vital arteries, heightens the likelihood of an individual suffering from a cardiovascular ailment, such as heart disease, in later life. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and skin fold thickness measurements of over 300,000 children (average age of 10) were assessed and compared with results gathered from the same participants on average 25 years later. Researchers discovered that obese children were pre disposed to pre-diabetes (an inability to adequately metabolise glucose, which can later lead to diabetes) and thickening of arteries in adulthood, both of which can be detrimental to their adult health. Childhood BMI also proved to be an indicator of adult hypertension demonstrating that this indicator is useful in predicting illnesses associated with obesity in adulthood. Due to limited data it is unknown if waist circumference and skin fold thickness are indicators to future ailments. Childhood obesity has become increasingly prevalent in the UK, with figures from the NHS National Child Measurement Programme indicating that 19.8 per cent of 10-11 year olds being classed as obese in 2015/16, a rise of 0.7 per cent on the previous year. The long term implications of childhood obesity to adult health and resulting cost to the NHS is unknown. Lead author Dr Martin Whyte from the University of Surrey, said: It is worrying that obesity is becoming endemic in our society. The adverse effects of adult obesity are well known but what we have found is that obesity in childhood can cause lasting arterial damage which could potentially lead to life threatening illness. This is something that we need to address to protect adult health and reduce pressure on the NHS. Photo: UNICEF/Roger LeMoyne Local Police have arrested three men who have been committing armed robberies wearing boiler suits and using a seven-metre ladder as a prop to disguise them as workmen. The thieves, a Spaniard, Bulgarian and a Slovenian, who are all in their forties, were caught red-handed around 1am on Sunday as they attempted to steal from a lawyers office on Calle Antonio Herrero. The men are now awaiting trial. INFORMATION When: From 3 until 25 June, every day from 11am - 2pm except Sunday and Wednesday Where: Galeria Centro de Bellas Artes, C/ San Antonio 6, Competa Further info: www.galeriacentro.com Irish artist, Noel Lewis, is starting the summer season at Galeria Centro de Bellas Artes in Competa with an exhibition of watercolours and oils. Many of the paintings in the exhibition are pieces that the artist has been working on in the last year, which gallery owners John Deverell and Lisa Hurt-Jones say demonstrate his eclectic and exciting mix of figurative bordering. Noels work is heavily inspired by Spain, Italy and his native Ireland, showing the heat of Spain, the history of Ireland and the tranquility of Tuscany. With a sketchbook and some watercolours I try to capture the scene in that fleeting moment in time when it is all new and exciting. When I am back in my studio, my sketchbooks inspire me to develop this work into larger paintings, says Noel. This is a retrospective exhibition of Noels work showing paintings which have been typical of his range of styles. Noels understanding of his subject matter make it easy to understand why his work is so well acclaimed. The exhibition contains several well-known scenes of Competa and its surrounding countryside together with paintings from a more distinctly northern climate and atmosphere. Noel has held exhibitions in Zurich, Tuscany and Dublin as well as in other parts of Ireland. His work has been selected to be shown in selected exhibits throughout Europe. He divides his time between Competa, where he has a house, and Ireland. He will be in Competa for the duration of the exhibition. London, June 2 (IBNS): Researchers at the University of York have shown that tobacco use is more common among HIV positive individuals than HIV negative individuals. The study, published in The Lancet Global Health, aims to raise further awareness of the dangers associated with tobacco use among people living with HIV, particularly following recent research which showed that young people on HIV drugs have a near-normal life expectancy due to improved treatments for the disease. Medical advances in HIV mean that HIV patients may only lose about five years of life due to HIV. However, if they smoke, they may lose as much as 12 years of life. This means that tobacco use is more than twice as likely to cause death in HIV patients as the HIV infection itself. The York study, supported by the South African Medical Research Council, showed that in low and middle-income countries, particularly in the African region, HIV-positive men are 41%, and HIV-positive women 36%, more likely to use tobacco, including snuff, chewing and smoking tobacco, than their HIV-negative counterpart. For tobacco smoking only, HIV-positive men were 46% more likely and women 90% more likely to smoke than individuals who did not have HIV. However, the proportion of HIV positive men who smoke was much higher at 24.4%, than that of HIV positive women who smoke at 1.3%. The researchers observed a marked difference in the way in which men and women use tobacco, with women having a higher tendency to use smokeless tobacco such as snuff or chewing tobacco over smoking. Dr Noreen Mdege, from the Universitys Department of Health Sciences, said: In high-income settings, the proportion of HIV-positive individuals who smoke has also been shown to be higher than among HIV-negative individuals of the same age and sex. Our findings confirm that this trend is the same for low and middle-income countries, where the burden of HIV and tobacco-related illnesses is greatest. We still dont know for certain the reasons why tobacco use should be significantly higher in HIV patients; more research is needed to understand why. A few factors could be considered as part of our ongoing work, such as the use of alcohol and other drugs together with tobacco, as well as mental health issues, such as depression, and coping with HIV-related symptoms or drug side-effects. It could also be due to the misconception that HIV is a death penalty, which of course, it is not. The research suggests that the difference in tobacco use that is seen between men and women could be due to social or cultural norms; in many low and middle income countries smoking is a less socially acceptable activity for women compared to men, and taking snuff or chewing tobacco is more acceptable than tobacco smoking among women. Dr Mdege added: Our main concern, however, is that interventions that are used commonly throughout the world for smoking cessation do not appear to make any difference to tobacco smoking among HIV positive individuals. This suggests that we need to tailor smoking cessation interventions to the unique needs of this population in order to tackle this issue. The next stage of the study will focus on understanding the differences in the way tobacco is used among HIV patients when compared to the general population, as well as factors that may influence tobacco use within HIV patients. This way, we will be able to develop tailored interventions that are effective on tackling the root causes of tobacco use as well as how it is used among HIV-positive individuals. Data for the study was taken from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 28 low and middle-income countries conducted between 2003 and 2014. London, June 2 (IBNS): The rift in the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica has grown by 17km in the last few days and is now only 13km from the ice front, indicating that calving of an iceberg is probably very close, Swansea University researchers revealed after studying the latest satellite data. The rift in Larsen C is likely to lead to one of the largest icebergs ever recorded. It is being monitored by researchers from the UK's Project Midas, led by Swansea University. Professor Adrian Luckman of Swansea University College of Science, head of Project Midas, described the latest findings: In the largest jump since January, the rift in the Larsen C Ice Shelf has grown an additional 17 km (11 miles) between May 25 and May 31 2017. This has moved the rift tip to within 13 km (8 miles) of breaking all the way through to the ice front, producing one of the largest ever recorded icebergs." The rift tip appears also to have turned significantly towards the ice front, indicating that the time of calving is probably very close. The rift has now fully breached the zone of soft suture ice originating at the Cole Peninsula and there appears to be very little to prevent the iceberg from breaking away completely. Researchers say the loss of a piece a quarter of the size of Wales will leave the whole shelf vulnerable to future break-up. Larsen C is approximately 350m thick and floats on the seas at the edge of West Antarctica, holding back the flow of glaciers that feed into it. Professor Luckman added:When it calves, the Larsen C Ice Shelf will lose more than 10% of its area to leave the ice front at its most retreated position ever recorded; this event will fundamentally change the landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula. We have previously shown that the new configuration will be less stable than it was prior to the rift, and that Larsen C may eventually follow the example of its neighbour Larsen B, which disintegrated in 2002 following a similar rift-induced calving event. The MIDAS Project will continue to monitor the development of the rift and assess its ongoing impact on the ice shelf. However, it is widely accepted that warming ocean and atmospheric temperatures have been a factor in earlier disintegrations of ice shelves elsewhere on the Antarctic Peninsula, most notably Larsen A (1995) and Larsen B (2002). They point out that this is one of the fastest warming places on Earth, a feature which will certainly not have hindered the development of the rift in Larsen C. Image:Wikimedia commons Kathy Griffin In this Dec. 7, 2016 file photo, comedian Kathy Griffin poses at The Hollywood Reporter's 25th Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello | Invision | AP) Kathy Griffin says she's a victim after being hit with backlash for posing with a bloodied head that resembled President Donald Trump. TMZ reports the comedienne has been in hiding since photos and video were released earlier this week, and has hired a lawyer. Attorney Lisa Bloom says Griffin will hold a press conference Friday to talk about the "bullying from the Trump family she has endured." Griffin is also expected to explain her "true motivations" behind the shoot, which Trump said traumatized his 11-year-old son Barron, who apparently thought the beheaded image was real. "I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong," she said in a video apology. Meanwhile, Griffin's career continues to take a hit. The 56-year-old standup comic, actress, writer and reality TV personality was fired from co-hosting CNN's New Year's Eve special with Anderson Cooper after a decade in the role. Squatty Potty also dropped her as a celebrity spokesperson after recently featuring her in ads for bathroom foot stools. She's also had several "Celebrity Run-In" tour dates canceled in New York, New Jersey, Arizona and California. "The St. George Theatre does not endorse the actions or beliefs of any of its performers, and Ms. Griffin's recent actions have severely inhibited our ability to fulfill our mission as a non-profit theatre," the Staten Island venue said. Other venues cited safety concerns after receiving angry complaints. Refunds have been offered to all ticket buyers. Griffin released six Grammy-nominated comedy albums, performed in specials for HBO and Bravo, appeared on NBC's "Suddenly Susan," and won two Emmys for her reality show "My Life on the D-List," which aired from 2005 to 2010. Manlius house.jpg A convicted drug dealer, Saladin Hadid, will forfeit his ownership in this six-bedroom home in Manlius as part of his guilty plea to drug-trafficking charges. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A man accused of laundering cocaine profits through the purchase of an upscale home in Manlius admitted to drug-trafficking charges today. Saladin Hadid, 37, pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell cocaine. As part of his guilty plea, Hadid will forfeit his ownership of a six-bedroom home at 5188 Hoag Lane in Manlius, according to court papers. He's also forfeiting $289,000 in cash that investigators seized and a 2007 Nissan Murano, court papers said. Federal prosecutors accused Hadid of laundering his drug-trafficking profits through his purchase of the six-bedroom, 4 1/2-bathroom colonial home. The 5,625-square-foot home has two kitchens, property records show. A 14-by-30-foot pool was added in 2016, according to county records. Homes on Hoag Lane range in value from about $200,000 to more than $800,000, according to county records. The government alleges that Hadid formed Somerset Technology LLC to buy the home with proceeds from drug trafficking. The feds also allege that cash generated from drug trafficking was used to make major improvements to the home - such as the swimming pool - and also to hide illegal drug money. Hadid formed Somerset Technology LLC was in 2011 in New Mexico, according to court and county records. He used the LLC to buy the home in October 2012 for $110,000. Hadid faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison when U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes sentences him Sept. 29. During an investigation in fall 2016, Drug Enforcement Administration agents observed Hadid repeatedly buy building materials and deliver them to the home, court papers said. Hadid also was observed meeting with contractors remodeling the home, court papers said. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A city man is accused of having a stolen revolver on him when police officers approached him early Thursday about an open container of alcohol, Syracuse police said. Treyon Manley At 2:42 a.m. Officer Gregory Webb and Officer Joseph Moran saw a man near the Inner Harbor in the 300 block of Court Street with an open container of alcohol on public property, police said. Police did not say what the open container of alcohol consisted of or what the officers were doing in the area at the time. As the officers approached the man, who was later identified as Treyon Manley, he threw out the alcohol in the yard of a private home, police said. He is accused of fighting with the officers and ignoring their commands when he was arrested. Police did not say if any officers were injured during Manley's arrest. After his arrest Manley was found with a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver, police said, which was loaded with six rounded. The revolver had been reported stolen from Puerto Rico, police said. Manley, 23, of 113 Culbert St., was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, possession of an open container, and littering and dumping. He was taken to the Onondaga County jail to await arraignment. Manley was not listed as an inmate at the jail Thursday evening. Geoff Herbert | gherbert@syracuse.com NYS Fair, more lit green to support Paris climate agreement (photos) The New York State Fairgrounds, Rochester City Hall, and buildings in other cities around the world -- including Boston, Montreal and Mexico City -- lit up green Thursday in support of the Paris climate accord after President Donald Trump said the U.S. was withdrawing from the agreement. The deal, agreed to by nearly 200 countries, vowed to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change for the planet's future. The decision was met with swift opposition around the world, including European leaders who vowed not to renegotiate the accord. "World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. Don't Edit New York State Fair A new alliance of states supporting the Paris agreement Cuomo says the Empire State will continue to abide by the Paris climate accord, calling Trump's decision "reckless" and harmful for the nation and the planet. He vowed to use executive orders to ensure the state does not abandon its efforts to boost renewable energy while reducing emissions tied to climate change. Cuomo also says he and the governors of California and Washington state will lead a new alliance of states supporting the Paris agreement. He also ordered the NYS Fair, One World Trade Center and the Kosciuszko Bridge to be lit green "to show our support for the Paris Accord and demonstrate New York's leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet." Don't Edit Gov. Cuomo: "Climate change is real and won't be wished away by denial." Our gate is green for Paris Climate Accord, new NY, CA, WA effort. pic.twitter.com/tznubxL7qx New York State Fair (@NYSFair) June 2, 2017 Syracuse, NY Don't Edit Rochester NY City Hall lit green in support of the Paris Climate Accord. We will honor our obligation to future generations in #ROC pic.twitter.com/CseuulJEax Alex Yudelson (@AlexYudelson) June 2, 2017 Rochester, NY Don't Edit City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement. pic.twitter.com/BV0IIZYPpA Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 2, 2017 New York, NY Don't Edit Don't Edit Boston City Hall lit up in green in support of the Paris Climate Accord. #wbz pic.twitter.com/8SVgl0QEkr Louisa Moller (@LouisaMoller) June 2, 2017 Boston, MA Don't Edit Montreal salutes you and supports you Bill. Cities from the world supports #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/U3nLbxcVPs DenisCoderre (@DenisCoderre) June 2, 2017 Montreal, Canada Don't Edit PHOTO: Paris' city hall shines green in support of the climate deal. pic.twitter.com/LpF2z1nsw1 Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) June 1, 2017 Paris, France Don't Edit Nadine Achoui-Lesage | AP Paris, France This photo dated Thursday, June 1, 2017 shows the City Hall of Paris, France, illuminated in green following the announcement by US President Donald Trump that the United States will withdraw from the 2015 Paris accord and try to negotiate a new global deal on climate change. (AP Photo/Nadine Achoui-Lesage) Don't Edit World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/Ubw7WSPgu0 Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 2, 2017 New York, NY Don't Edit Don't Edit Exiting the Paris climate accord may make us see red & feel blue, but the Wilson Building's lit up green tonight to prove the fight endures pic.twitter.com/T5COno46Ci Council of DC (@councilofdc) June 2, 2017 Washington, D.C. Don't Edit Chicago, IL Don't Edit Mexico City lighted city hall & monuments green to express his commitment to the #ParisAgreement #Cities4Climate pic.twitter.com/EQHXBC8fBb C40 Cities (@c40cities) June 2, 2017 Mexico City, Mexico Don't Edit Marco Ugarte | AP Mexico City, Mexico Cars drive past the Angel of Independence monument, lit up in green in Mexico City, Thursday, June 1, 2017. Mexico City's Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera announced on his Twitter account that the city would light up in green to reaffirm Mexico's support for the Paris climate agreement after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord. Don't Edit Tonight @TheAdelaideOval will be lit green to show our support for the #ParisAgreement and global efforts to limit global warming pic.twitter.com/gd3eKCAFN5 Jay Weatherill (@JayWeatherill) June 2, 2017 Adelaide, Australia Don't Edit Don't Edit Britta Pedersen | AP Germany The top candidates of the Green Party for the Germany's parliamentary elections, Katrin Goering-Eckardt, center left, and Cem Ozdemir, center, protest against US President Trump's decision to exit the Paris climate agreement in front the the US embassy in Berlin, Germany, Friday, June 2, 2017. Don't Edit Darrell Sapp | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP Pittsburgh, PA Trump said Thursday he made his decision because he was "elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said he took personal offense to his city being used in the remarks: "Hillary Clinton received 80 percent of the vote in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh stands with the world & will follow Paris Agreement." Don't Edit California Don't Edit New York State Fair More reactions Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) said he agreed with Trump's decision, though he believes climate change is caused by human activity. "When the United States enters into voluntary, international agreements like the Paris Agreement, we consistently pull our own weight and comply with the standards set forth," Katko said today. "Yet, time and again, we've seen other countries fail to do so, and in this case, their failure to comply could put U.S. workers at a significant disadvantage to their foreign counterparts." Don't Edit New York State Fair 'Failure of historic proportions' Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), on the other hand, said withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement is "a devastating failure of historic proportions." "Future generations will look back on President Trump's decision as one of the worst policy moves made in the 21st century because of the huge damage to our economy, our environment and our geopolitical standing," Schumer said. Don't Edit 2016-08-15-mtm-antonacci2 (1).JPG Onondaga County Comptroller Bob Antonacci talks to the editorial board of Syracuse Media Group, Aug. 15, 2016. (Marie Morelli | mmorelli@syracuse.com) SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A federal civil rights lawsuit against Onondaga County and its comptroller, Bob Antonacci, will move forward, despite efforts to dismiss. A federal judge last week denied motions to dismiss the case, but noted the case was thin on evidence and likely wouldn't hold up on its merits. In his decision, Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick Scullin said the plaintiffs "barely" outlined a plausible claim. He wrote: "The Court notes that, without further evidence of discriminatory intent, Plaintiffs' claims would likely fail to survive a motion for summary judgment. However, at this stage of the litigation, accepting Plaintiffs' allegations as true, Plaintiffs have, albeit barely, stated a plausible equal protection claim against Defendant Antonacci." Three minority county contractors sued Onondaga County and Antonacci last October. They accused the comptroller of violating their civil rights by creating an intimidating work environment. The plaintiffs -- Dino Dixie, Eli Smith and Cheyenne Talbert -- claim Antonacci singled them out because they are African American, making surprise visits to work sites, delaying payments and sending checks in differently marked envelopes. Antonacci requested outside counsel represent him in the case, since the county attorney could have a conflict. The county hired Sugarman Law Firm to represent him. Antonacci's lawyers said he should not be named in the suit in his official capacity, rather just the government he represents. The court granted that motion in part, saying he would not be named in his official capacity as comptroller, but would remain a defendant. The court rejected four other efforts to dismiss on behalf of Antonacci. Antonacci's lawyers said the contractors didn't demonstrate sufficient injury, since the only result of Antonacci's actions was the contractors stopped bidding on county projects. Lawyers also said the plaintiffs didn't provide sufficient factual evidence to demonstrate a racial motive. The court disagreed on each count, noting that standards for dismissal are particularly strict for civil rights complaints. From court papers: "There is no direct evidence that conclusively links Defendant Antonacci's actions with a racially illicit motive. Viewed in one light, all the actions could reasonably be seen as nothing more than the County Comptroller taking his job seriously. However, at the motion to dismiss stage, the Court's role is ask whether there is sufficient 'factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.'" Onondaga County attorneys claimed the county should not be a defendant, arguing county policies were proper but Antonacci subverted those policies. The county, in that case, would not be liable. The court rejected that argument, saying that Antoancci is a county policymaker and, therefore, his policies are county policies. Reached Friday, Antonacci said he couldn't say much about the decision, since litigation is ongoing. "I was pleased with the decision," he said. Denial of Motions to Dismiss by chrsbakr on Scribd IMG_4257 Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney, left, speaks with members of the shared services panel Thursday, including Camillus Town Supervisor Mary Ann Coogan, right. (Tim Knauss) SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Talk amongst yourselves. That's what Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney asked municipal leaders to do as she launched a countywide effort tonight to save taxpayer money by sharing services or consolidating operations. The 30-member shared services panel that Mahoney convened Thursday at Rosamond Gifford Zoo is unlikely to meet again for the next couple months. Instead, Mahoney asked the mayors and town supervisors to work out proposals between themselves for how to save money by sharing services. Those proposals will be consolidated in late July into a plan that Mahoney is required by state law to come up with. Only voluntary agreements between municipalities will be included, she said. "The things that are in the plan are going to be things you put in the plan,'' she told the assembled leaders. "I don't think you're going to be surprised by what's in the plan.'' That approach seemed likely to alleviate concerns from some local officials who saw the state law requiring shared services as a top-down mandate from Albany. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the law earlier this year requiring each county outside New York City to adopt a shared services plan by October. Mahoney said she has invited BOCES and local school districts to participate in the process, too. She will with their leaders later this month, she said. Several municipal officials said they welcomed the opportunity to look for cost savings, but they worried that constituents will expect tax cuts in return. In a fiscally stressful time, it's not always possible to lower taxes just because a town or village saves some money, officials said. "The way that this process has been sold to the public is that we're going to get together and have a plan that is going to result in property tax savings,'' Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner said. "The city and county have (already) done a number of mergers and shared services, and they have not resulted in lowering property taxes.'' Several mayors and town supervisors said it was important not to raise expectations that property taxes will fall. Mahoney said there is still room for savings, despite progress than many of the municipalities have already made. She emphasized that the state will match any savings the municipalities achieve by sharing services. "I see this as only an opportunity,'' Mahoney said. Liz Burakowski, Cuomo's deputy director of Upstate revitalization, told participants that the state will match savings even if they do not lead directly to property tax reductions. Mahoney is required to submit a draft of the group's proposals by Aug. 1. The panel will vote on a final plan no later than Sept. 15. Here is the process Mahoney laid out: From June 26 to July 21, municipalities and school districts are encouraged to propose shared services agreements among themselves. Their ideas will be posted to a secure county website where municipal officials can discuss them. Members of the Onondaga County shared services panel meet Thursday at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse. July 27: Mahoney will consolidate the proposals and publish the first draft of the plan. Aug. 1: State law requires county executives to submit plans by Aug. 1 to their county legislatures, including an estimate of property tax savings anticipated. The legislature can make recommendations for amending the plan, by a majority vote, but does not have authority to make changes itself. Aug. 3: A public hearing on the draft plan will be held. Aug. 17: If revisions are necessary, a revised plan will be published. Aug. 24: A second public hearing will be held. Aug. 31: If more revision is necessary, a revised plan will be issued. Sept. 7: A third public hearing will be held. Sept. 8: This is the deadline for any member of the shared services panel to remove any proposal they dislike that affects their municipality. Sept. 11: The final plan will be issued. Sept. 13: The share services panel votes on the plan, which must obtain a majority to pass. Sept. 15: Under the law, Mahoney must publish the plan by this date. If no plan is approved, the process must be repeated in 2018. Contact reporter Tim Knauss anytime | email | Twitter | 315-470-3023 Diocese logo cropped.JPG EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to include the Syracuse diocese's confirmation that in 2014 it determined the allegations against the Rev. Felix Colosimo to be credible, and that he was removed from the priesthood as a result. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A 41-year-old man sued the Syracuse Catholic Diocese and a retired priest for $25 million today, claiming the priest repeatedly molested him as a child three decades ago. The diocese confirmed today that it determined the accusations against the priest, Felix Colosimo, to be credible and permanently removed him from the ministry in 2014. The accuser, Matthew Strzepek, reported the allegations to the diocese in 2013. Colosimo denied the allegations today. "Oh, my gosh -- that is so untrue," Colosimo told Syracuse.com of Strzepek's accusations. "There's no proof." As a result of being removed from ministry, Colosimo can no longer function or present himself as a priest, said Danielle Cummings, a spokeswoman for the diocese. Many of the accusations Strzepek makes in the lawsuit are "markedly different than those presented to the Diocese of Syracuse," Cummings said. She said she couldn't elaborate because of the pending litigation. Strzepek, who lives outside Santa Barbara, Calif., accused Colosimo in the lawsuit of sexually abusing him from 1987 through 1990, when Strzepek was 12 to 15 years old. Matthew Strzepek The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Connecticut because some of the abuse was there, and because that state's statute of limitations doesn't prevent the filing, according to Strzepek's lawyer, Jonathan Little of Indianapolis. The abuse began in 1978 or 1979, when Strzepek was 4 years old, he told Syracuse.com. But New York's statute of limitations has expired on those claims. Most of the abuse was in the rectory at St. Leo's Church in Holland Patent, Oneida County, Strzepek said. Some was at St. Peter's Church in Utica, where Colosimo first met Strzepek's family, Strzepek said. Colosimo threatened him with physical violence if he ever told anyone, Strzepek said. Strzepek repressed memories of the abuse until around 2013, when they flooded back, he said. "I began having daily flashbacks and panic attacks and shortness of breath and even nightmares about it," he said. That's when he decided to report the abuse to the diocese, he said. An investigator hired by the diocese interviewed him for about three hours in California, he said. Strzepek gave the investigator a DVD of a video that Colosimo took of Strzepek and another boy, shirtless in bed at the rectory, Strzepek said. In July 2014, the diocese's victims' assistance coordinator, Jacqueline Bressette, told Strzepek by phone that the diocese had found all of his claims against Colosimo to be credible, he said. He asked her to put it in writing, but she would not, he said. Strzepek said he was homeless for awhile in Santa Barbara because he couldn't find work as a result of the daily flashbacks. Colosimo sexually abused Strzepek and another boy when the priest took them to a hotel in Connecticut in the fall of 1987, the lawsuit said. The other boy is not identified in the lawsuit. Colosimo continued to abuse Strzepek on trips that the diocese promoted, planned and paid for to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut, the lawsuit said. In March of last year, the diocese agreed to pay for Strzepek's counseling for the psychological harm caused by the abuse, the suit said. The diocese has paid for a year of counseling, Strzepek said. He didn't know how much it cost. Colosimo, 78, said he retired three years ago because he turned 75. His retirement was unrelated to Strzepek's accusations, Colosimo said. He was a priest at Our Lady of the Rosary in New Hartford when he retired. Colosimo said he'd taken Strzepek on trips, but never to Connecticut or any of the other states listed in the lawsuit. Colosimo wouldn't say where those trips were, only that they were in New York state. "I've never even been in those states," he said. Colosimo said he used to take appropriate videos of Strzepek and Strzepek's family. "I've taken videos of his whole family for years," Colosimo said. "I always had a video camera with me." But he said he never took a video of Strzepek or the other boy shirtless on a hotel bed. "Oh, God, this is insane," he said. "This is ridiculous." He said he read a letter Strzepek wrote to the diocese about the allegations. The diocese had a committee investigate the claims, he said. Strzepek's brother gave a statement refuting the allegations, Colosimo said. What became of the diocese's investigation? Colosimo was asked. "I don't want to say," he said. The case highlights a disparity between New York and Connecticut, said another of Strzepek's lawyers, Stephen Estey of San Diego. Connecticut gives child-molesting victims until they turn 48 years old to sue their attackers. In New York, the statute of limitations for Strzepek to sue Colosimo expired when Strzepek turned 23. "It depends on where you were abused geographically -- one person has a viable claim whereas someone in New York, they're foreclosed from ever getting justice," Estey said. Strzepek's lawsuit accuses another priest, Robert Ours, of sexually abusing him when Strzepek was a child. Ours was a church deacon at the time. Ours pleaded guilty in 2014 to possession of child pornography. He'd retired as a priest when he was convicted. The diocese reported Strzepek's allegations to the Oneida County District Attorney's Office, Cummings said. Since 2002, the Syracuse diocese has publicly disclosed credible findings of child-molesting against nine priests, according to bishop-accountability.org, a website that tracks cases across the country. Bishop Robert Cunningham has rejected requests from victims to publicly disclose the names of 11 priests against whom the diocese has found child-molesting allegations to be credible. Contact John O'Brien anytime by email, Twitter, or at 315-470-2187. Coimbatore, June 2 (IBNS) : A tusker that strayed into the human habitation in search of food trampled to death four people, including a minor girl at Vellalore area on the outskirts of the city early on Friday, media reports said. The first victim of the wild elephant was a 12-year-old girl, Gayathiri, who was asleep in the veranda of their Srinivas Nagar house which it attacked. Gayathiri's parents were also severely injured. The pachyderm then moved away from the area and reached a place about ten km away and attacked three more people, including two women. They died after being taken to a hospital. Reports quoted forest department officials as saying that efforts were underway to drive away the elephant into the nearby Madukkarai forest from where it reportedly strayed away. Efforts are also being made to tranquilise it. New Delhi, Jun 2 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on their statehood day. Greeting the people of Andhra Pradesh, the Prime Minister tweeted, "My good wishes to the dynamic people of Andhra Pradesh. May AP touch new heights of development & continue to contribute to India's growth." In an ensuing tweet, he said, "Statehood Day wishes to the people of Telangana. I pray for the progress & prosperity of the state in the times to come." Prime Minister Modi is presently touring Russia as part of his diplomatic schedule. This page no longer exists or may have been moved.If you believe this is a mistake please email St. Petersburg ,June 2 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the Plenary Session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The theme of the Plenary was - "Achieving a New Balance on the Global Stage." India is a "guest country" at the SPIEF this year, and Prime Minister Modi is the "Guest of Honour." In his remarks, the Prime Minister thanked President Putin for the opportunity to be present at SPIEF, in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg. Touching upon India-Russia relations, the Prime Minister said they are moving forward with good momentum. He said there are very few relations between, where the basis of the relationship is mutual trust. He said the India-Russia relationship of the last 70 years, has been based on trust, and deepened, even in a changing world. The Prime Minister said he is at SPIEF as a representative of 1.25 billion people. He said the world is focused on Asia, and therefore, naturally to India. He said that over the last three years as Prime Minister, the Union Government is making progressive decisions on all fronts. We have today an annual GDP growth rate of 7 per cent, he added. "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" and "Red carpet instead of Red tape" have been the basis of governance reforms in India, Prime Minister Modi said. He said that political will and clear vision are necessary for reforms. Bureaucracy too has to be vibrant and in tune with leadership, he added. Noting that diversity is Indias strength, the Prime Minister said that the Goods and Services Tax will be implemented from July 1st, and this will herald a uniform tax system across the country. Agreeing with President Putin, who spoke before him, the Prime Minister said technology is going to play a key role, and mentioned the Digital India initiative. He said a "digital divide" cannot be allowed to take root in the society. The Prime Minister mentioned the Government's initiatives in financial inclusion - and the Jandhan, Aadhaar, Mobile (JAM) trinity. He mentioned the scrapping of over 1200 laws by the Union Government. The Prime Minister said India has made 7000 reforms targeting "Ease of Doing Business" - just at the Union Government level. The Prime Minister mentioned initiatives taken for FDI and for competitiveness. He said international rating agencies had identified India as one of the top three destinations for FDI. Noting the importance of security for investors, the Prime Minister said that India's vibrant democracy and use of English go a long way in ensuring a sense of security. The Prime Minister said that with the vision of "New India" skill development is a top priority for India's 800 million strong talented youth. In this context he mentioned the success of India's Mars Mission in the first attempt. He said the New India would have youth that are not job seekers but job creators; and can fulfil the global requirements of skilled human resource. He said rising urbanization in India requires most modern infrastructure including metro networks, waste management systems etc. He spoke of expanding and modernizing the railway network. The Prime Minister also spoke of the initiative to clean the Ganga. He said all these represented great opportunities for investment. Outlining initiatives in agriculture, the Prime Minister mentioned organic farming and food processing as areas for investment. In the manufacturing sector, the Prime Minister mentioned medical device and defence equipment manufacturing as key areas for foreign investment. In the services sector, the Prime Minister said the tourism and hospitality sector will receive high priority. Stressing that one of the four Vedas- the Atharvaveda - encapsulates dedication to nature 5,000 years ago, the Prime Minister said India's economic growth was based not on exploitation of nature - which is a crime- but on its use and preservation and on respecting it. He pointed out that India has target of generating 175 Giga Watts of renewable energy by 2022, and added that India is setting up more power generation capacity in renewable energy sector than in thermal. He asserted that India will be a responsible nation with regard to climate and work towards zero-defect, zero-effect manufacturing, entailing no detrimental effect on the environment. He said programmes such as LED bulb distribution had already resulted in huge power savings. The sky is the limit for investment opportunities in India, asserted the Prime Minister, making a strong pitch for global investors to invest in India. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. New Delhi, June 2 (IBNS): Manohar Lal Khattar, the Chief Minister of Haryana, along with an official delegation met Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent charge) for Culture and Tourism here on Friday to discuss the proposed aScience Citya to be developed in Haryana by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) under Ministry of Culture. Manohar Lal Khattar suggested two sites for the project- either in Sonepat or in Gurugram. Both the places have enough land for the development of proposed Science City in the State. Dr. Mahesh Sharma assured the Chief Minister, Haryana of the in-principle approval for the proposed Science City in Haryana and said that the NCSM team will soon visit the suggested places to assess the feasibility of the project. He set a deadline of Oct 31, 2018 for the completion of all projects relating to Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He also stressed on the need for holistic development of Kurukshetra. He called upon all concerned to focus on development of tourism sites as recently India has progressed a lot globally in the field of tourism. shantonob BHPian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: KOLKATA Posts: 41 Thanked: 128 Times Maiden trip to the hills : Sikkim in a WagonR Even though I have been a member since 2014 but somehow havent managed any roadtrips till date. The farthest i had driven ever was 350 kms from kolkata to jamshedpur. I would never get any companion for the trips and my beat somehow never gave me the confidence to travel long distances. Finally did a trip with teambhpian himadrimondal and others to Borong which seeded this idea of a roadtrip. Then got a wagonR for my parents. Though i still like to drive the beat but the wagon r was a lot more reliable car. Liked it somehow. Since then got married last November and visited Tadoba for our honeymoon but the urge for a roadtrip was always there. So on my birthday in April decided to spend it Team-bhp style - with a roadtrip. And whats a roadtrip without a drive to the hills? Finalised the plan over dinner on a weekend and hastily checked out hotels and booked them. We would be travelling alone , just my wife and I. Arranged leaves and planned acoordingly. Discussed with ROAD Member Pushanda about the route and finalized the simple plan:: Day1 (22 April): Kol to Siliguri Day2 (23 April): Siliguri to Rabangla Day3 (24 April): Hang out at rabangla. Day4 (25 April): Rabangla to maldah Day5 (26April): Home sweet home Primary objective was driving in the hills and lazing around for a day. This was going to be my first solo long distance drive and my first drive to the hills, so decided to take it slow with lots of breaks. Was so excited that couldnt concentrate on work for the last couple of days, Car serviced, essentials stocked, cameras ready and we were all set for the 22nd of April. Day 1 - 22 April 2017 Stated from home at 3:40am. Plan was to start at 2 but we took it slow. A very enjoyable and uneventful drive to Moregram Through Burdwan and SH7. Reached Morgram BPCL at 8:30am. Had a hearty breakfast. Note: toilets at BPCL pump was spotless and we were very pleased about it. Next holdup was at Dhulian, the single lane bridge was holding up truck traffic but we manged to weave torugh the truck lines and got through fairl wuick with losing only 30 minutes. The entire stretch till Maldah town was slow.Took a break after Maldah at 12:40, tanked up again.As we were nearing Raiganj, it started raining heavily but we maintained good speed and were at botolbari by 2:15pm. The narrow road was empty because oft he rains and we maintained good speed. We reached dhantola at 4:00pm and stopped for a cup of tea and to enjoying the rain drenched countryside. The rest of the stretch to Siliguri was uneventful and quick. We savored the fantastic roads and the rain washed roads and reached Mainakh Tourist Lodge at 5:4pm. Called it in early. Day 1 driving 568.5 kms , time taken : 14.12 hours, petrol: 29.8ltrs,Mileage : 19.077, Tolls Rs293. Hotel Mainakh was decent with good clean rooms, thought the ac was not working on the first room alotted but quickly got it changed. Food was fine, nothing much to write about and reasnably priced. Hit the bed early with the satisfaction of having driven the longest distance of my life. The Trip starts Fantastic stretches on SH7 Bypassing the truck traffic before Dhulian A very wet Botolbari Dhontola Road Resting after Dhontola End of a long days drive - Reached the Ghoshpukur toll - Awesome Feeling Day 2 - 23 April 2017 Started from Mainakh Tourist Lodge at 6:30am with a light drizzle accompanying us. Was tremendously excited and tensed at the same time. Every time i had visited the hills before, always wanted to drive on the green canopied Sevoke road. Finally my dream was coming true but was tensed about driving in the hills. The drive was uneventful till Melli and both me and my wife were busy savoring the wet greenery outside. So not many photographs were taken. Just after Melli got my first scare. Waggy got stuck in some loose wet rocks on an upward incline. Revved hard like we do in the plain but it only led to wheelspin and clutch burn. Slowly reversed a fair distance and then tried with first gear and with a bit of momentum glided through the broken patch this time. Sevoke Road Right after Melli ) and moved on. Rest of the drive till Rabangla was smooth and uneventful. We had planned to stay at Hilltop Rabong Resort, three kms from Rabong town on the Kewzing road. But the resort was a good 1.5 kms up a steep track from the road. Having driven for 4 hours I somehow didn't have the nerve to take the wagonR up the track but the resort owner y assured me and himself took the car up. Finally reached at 11:30am. The resort was fantastic and the forest cover around was just awesome. Rested for the rest of the day sucking in the mountain air and enjoying the clouds from our window. Hilltop Rabong resort Getting a well earned rest View of Tathagata Tsal at night As customary, a few photos to set the mood.Even though I have been a member since 2014 but somehow havent managed any roadtrips till date. The farthest i had driven ever was 350 kms from kolkata to jamshedpur. I would never get any companion for the trips and my beat somehow never gave me the confidence to travel long distances.Finally did a trip with teambhpian himadrimondal and others to Borong which seeded this idea of a roadtrip.Then got a wagonR for my parents. Though i still like to drive the beat but the wagon r was a lot more reliable car. Liked it somehow. Since then got married last November and visited Tadoba for our honeymoonbut the urge for a roadtrip was always there.So on my birthday in April decided to spend it Team-bhp style - with a roadtrip. And whats a roadtrip without a drive to the hills?Finalised the plan over dinner on a weekend and hastily checked out hotels and booked them. We would be travelling alone , just my wife and I. Arranged leaves and planned acoordingly. Discussed with ROAD Member Pushanda about the route and finalized the simple plan::Primary objective was driving in the hills and lazing around for a day. This was going to be my first solo long distance drive and my first drive to the hills, so decided to take it slow with lots of breaks. Was so excited that couldnt concentrate on work for the last couple of days, Car serviced, essentials stocked, cameras ready and we were all set for the 22nd of April.Stated from home at 3:40am. Plan was to start at 2 but we took it slow. A very enjoyable and uneventful drive to Moregram Through Burdwan and SH7. Reached Morgram BPCL at 8:30am. Had a hearty breakfast. Note: toilets at BPCL pump was spotless and we were very pleased about it.Next holdup was at Dhulian, the single lane bridge was holding up truck traffic but we manged to weave torugh the truck lines and got through fairl wuick with losing only 30 minutes. The entire stretch till Maldah town was slow.Took a break after Maldah at 12:40, tanked up again.As we were nearing Raiganj, it started raining heavily but we maintained good speed and were at botolbari by 2:15pm.The narrow road was empty because oft he rains and we maintained good speed. We reached dhantola at 4:00pm and stopped for a cup of tea and to enjoying the rain drenched countryside. The rest of the stretch to Siliguri was uneventful and quick. We savored the fantastic roads and the rain washed roads and reached Mainakh Tourist Lodge at 5:4pm. Called it in early.Hotel Mainakh was decent with good clean rooms, thought the ac was not working on the first room alotted but quickly got it changed. Food was fine, nothing much to write about and reasnably priced. Hit the bed early with the satisfaction of having driven the longest distance of my life.Started from Mainakh Tourist Lodge at 6:30am with a light drizzle accompanying us. Was tremendously excited and tensed at the same time. Every time i had visited the hills before, always wanted to drive on the green canopied Sevoke road. Finally my dream was coming true but was tensed about driving in the hills. The drive was uneventful till Melli and both me and my wife were busy savoring the wet greenery outside. So not many photographs were taken.Just after Melli got my first scare. Waggy got stuck in some loose wet rocks on an upward incline. Revved hard like we do in the plain but it only led to wheelspin and clutch burn. Slowly reversed a fair distance and then tried with first gear and with a bit of momentum glided through the broken patch this time.Took two hours for us to reach Bhanjyang. It was raining quite heavily and the mist brought down visibility to a few meters at stretches. Had breakfast at hotel Kanchenzonga at Bhanjyang ( chilli chicken for breakfast) and moved on. Rest of the drive till Rabangla was smooth and uneventful.We had planned to stay at Hilltop Rabong Resort, three kms from Rabong town on the Kewzing road. But the resort was a good 1.5 kms up a steep track from the road. Having driven for 4 hours I somehow didn't have the nerve to take the wagonR up the track but the resort owner y assured me and himself took the car up. Finally reached at 11:30am. The resort was fantastic and the forest cover around was just awesome. Rested for the rest of the day sucking in the mountain air and enjoying the clouds from our window. Last edited by shantonob : 2nd June 2017 at 07:34 . Reason: day 1 Bing may not be your default search engine but with its latest addition, Microsoft is hoping to get you to reconsider. Expanding on the "Search by Image" capability added a few years back that let users conduct reverse image searches based on an entire image, Bing users are now able to search for specific objects in images thanks to the power of machine learning. Here's how it works. Say you're searching Bing for decoration ideas for your upcoming kitchen remodel. When you click on a thumbnail of a photo that grabs your attention, you can now click the magnifying glass icon in the top left corner to visually search within the image. The tool lets you isolate a section of the photo - say, a lamp or bar stool that you really like - and search for that item separately. If Bing detects "shopping intent," it'll also run a product search to find matching items that you can purchase. Microsoft is quick to point out that visual search is still in its infancy. As such, they're "aware of cases" where there is still room for improvement. Indeed, in my testing of the feature, it was far from perfect but impressive nevertheless. If you're interested in learning more, I'd highly recommend checking out the Bing Team's blog post on the matter as they go into pretty extreme detail on the technology powering the new feature. Yesterday, Donald Trump decided that the US should join Nicaragua and Syria as the only nations not part of the Paris agreement. The move has led to messages from a number of tech CEOs, who have expressed their disappointment at the move. "We are getting out," Trump said. "But we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal that's fair. And if we can, that's great. And if we can't, that's fine." Unlike Nicaragua, which believes the accord doesn't do enough to protect the environment, and Syria, whose government struggles to take part because of sanctions, Trump's reason for withdrawing from the agreement is to "protect America and its citizens." He says it's "very unfair, at the highest level, to the United States," and would impose "draconian financial and economic burdens." As reported yesterday, the decision has led to Elon Musk leaving the presidential councils. Not long after Trump finished his speech, the Tesla boss tweeted: "Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world." He was joined by Disney CEO Robert Iger, who also resigned from the council "as a matter of principle." IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, however, will remain on Trump's business advisory council. Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. --- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 Other leaders from the tech world also took to Twitter opposing the move. Apple CEO Tim Cook, who spoke to Trump on Tuesday to try and convince him to remain, wrote: "Decision to withdraw from the #ParisAgreeement was wrong for our planet. Apple is committed to fight climate change and we will never waver." Decision to withdraw from the #ParisAgreeement was wrong for our planet. Apple is committed to fight climate change and we will never waver. --- Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 2, 2017 Cook also sent an internal note to his employees. "Climate change is real and we all share a responsibility to fight it. I want to reassure you that today's developments will have no impact on Apple's efforts to protect the environment," it read. "Our mission has always been to leave the world better than we found it. We will never waver, because we know that future generations depend on us." 25 firms including Microsoft, Intel, Apple, and Google, took out a last-minute full-page ad in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal yesterday, promoting the benefits of the agreement. Dear President Trump, as some of the largest companies in the US, we strongly urge you to keep the US in the Paris Agreement. pic.twitter.com/ztSXyYtRrm --- Marc Benioff (@Benioff) June 1, 2017 Twitter boss Jack Dorsey, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and many more used social media to attack the President's decision. Disappointed with today's decision. Google will keep working hard for a cleaner, more prosperous future for all. --- Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) June 1, 2017 This is an incredibly shortsighted move backwards by the federal government. We're all on this planet together and we need to work together. https://t.co/tLEdtG0n1o --- jack (@jack) June 1, 2017 The last time CEOs rallied against Trump like this was after he introduced the immigration ban. With people now leaving his councils, and virtually every company condemning the withdrawal, the relationship between the President and the tech industry has hit a low point. It will, however, take years to fully exit the pact; November 4, 2020 - the day after the next presidential election - to be exact If I run my PS4 for more than a couple of hours, it puts out a lot of heat. In fact, it will turn my usually cool man cave toasty warm. Other than some discomfort, which I can control by opening the windows, the heat it produces does not cause any problems. However, hot exhaust generated by servers can cause serious problems, especially in a data center. Aside from the fact that a server typically runs 24/7 and generates more heat than your average consumer appliance, confining thousands of them in an enclosed space requires complex and expensive heat mitigation and cooling techniques. Everything from sophisticated ventilation to refrigeration has been used with varying degrees of effectiveness. Nevertheless, no matter what solution is used, a lot of energy is lost as wasted heat. A Dutch startup called Nerdalize has come up with a novel approach to the problem of server heat mitigation. For a small fee, the company will install a server in your home to heat your water. You save about 300 per year on your heating bill, and they get an efficiently heat-mitigated server rack which they will use to sell cloud-based services. The company claims that the savings will pay for the installation fee in 18 months. The pilot program will start this August in 42 households in the Netherlands. Nerdalize estimates that the energy savings per installation will reduce each household's carbon emissions by 300 tons per year. Over 126 tons of CO2 will be eliminated by the pilot program alone in its first year. Providing "free heat for everyone and [making] cloud computing sustainable and affordable," is the company's founding goal. This endeavor is not Nerdalize's first go at harnessing the heat of servers. According to the BBC, five homes participated in a previous pilot program in 2015, which used a single server as a sort of wall heater. The results were less than promising as the heaters were slow and did not put out enough heat to warm the entire room. The company is not letting the results of the first pilot slow it down though. This time it has partnered with Eneco, Holland's energy provider, to reach more homes and provide oversight of the energy usage. How is replacing one heating device that runs efficiently on natural gas with another device that runs inefficiently on electric going to save energy and money for the homeowner? That is where the partnership with Eneco comes into play. Eneco will monitor the amount of energy being used by the servers and then divert that cost to Nerdalize's energy bill, so the homeowner does not get stuck with the server bill. The result is homeowners do not have to pay the cost of heating their water and Nerdalize pays the cost of running its server while not having to pay extra to cool it. This reduction in operating costs also means that they can offer cloud services for 50 percent less. However, there is still the obstacle of managing servers that are spread out over a large area. Technicians will have to travel to individual racks if they are all spread out. Even confining the servers to the same neighborhood is going to require much more time and work when managing the servers. What about data security? Companies might not like the idea of having their data hosted on a server that is not under full control of the hosting company. Hopefully, this is something that Nerdalize has thought through. Nerdalize says its business plan is a "win-win-win" situation. Reducing the consumer's energy bill, thinking the carbon footprint of all involved, offering services at half price, and mitigating server cooling costs -- sounds more like a win-win-win-win to me. It is a clever idea, as long as it works. Waymo, the autonomous vehicle development firm from Google parent company Alphabet, is exploring how its self-driving technology could impact the cargo trucking industry. The company said in an e-mailed statement to BuzzFeed that self-driving technology can transport people and things much more safely than we do today and reduce the thousands of trucking-related deaths each year. As such, Waymo is taking its eight years of experience in building self-driving hardware and software and conducting a "technical exploration" into how the tech can integrate into a truck. The testing, being conducted at a private track somewhere in California according to Forbes, is said to involve the use of a single Peterbilt Class 8 semi-truck with a human driver behind the wheel at all times. The company apparently declined to specify the location of the test track nor would it share exactly when it plans to conduct road tests in Arizona, only saying that it would happen "later this year." Waymo is in the middle of a legal battle with Uber. As the story goes, former Waymo engineer Anthony Levandowski left the company to create a self-driving truck company called Otto which was subsequently acquired by Uber. Waymo claims that Levandowski and other former Google employees stole Waymo trade secrets and used them to help get Otto off the ground. Uber fired Levandowski earlier this week. The bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most obvious signs of global warming. Scientists, however, warn that it isn't the only marine habitat at risk. About 70 percent of the world's reefs have been affected by global warming and the majority of reefs within the United States could die off within a few decades. The Great Barrier Reef has gotten most of the media's attention, but the U.S. reefs aren't faring much better. America's reefs, which are concentrated in Hawaii, Florida, Guam and Puerto Rico, are under severe threat. "The idea we will sustain reefs in the US 100 years from now is pure imagination," said oceanographer Kim Cobb. "At the current rate it will be just 20 or 30 years, it's just a question of time. The overall health of reefs will be severely compromised by the mid-point of the century and we are already seeing the first steps in that process." Bleaching Coral reefs, which serve as a habitat for many types of marine life, get their vibrant colors from a type of algae known as zooxanthellae. These brightly colored algae provide the reef with food and oxygen, but exposure to carbon dioxide led the ocean's waters to increase in temperature to the point where the algae can't survive. As the algae die off, the reefs also die. As troubling as the loss of the reefs are, the damage could herald the loss of many of the marine species that call them off. The reefs support millions of different forms of marine life and their decline has already had an impact. There are 22 species classified as "threatened" with three more being listed as "endangered." As of now, it's too soon to determine the extent of the damage that would follow the loss of the reefs, but it is almost guaranteed that we would lose many examples of marine life. The Cause Is Clear The cause of this bleaching has been linked to global warming and the troubling fact is that without addressing the underlying issue there is little that can be done to preserve the reefs. Many of Hawaii's reefs exist within protected zones, but they can't be protected from rising water temperatures which have become increasingly problematic in recent years. Scientists who study the reefs warn that the reefs will continue to decline unless the issue of climate change is addressed. The reefs were hit the hardest in 2015, but things have not gotten much better. Unless the trend in rising ocean temperatures is reversed, the reefs will continue to decline. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In 1980, Dr. Hershel Jick, a drug specialist at Boston University Medical Center, and graduate student Jane Porter published a letter in The New England Journal of Medicine stating opioid medications are safe to use in the treatment of pain and pose no risk of narcotic addiction to patients in certain conditions. Their brief report documents that out of almost 12,000 hospitalized patients treated with narcotic preparations, only four patients with no previous record of addiction became hooked on their medication which the authors cite as being meperidine (in the case of two patients), Percodan (in the third patient), and hydromorphone (in the fourth patient). Since then, their note a one-paragraph letter to the editor tallying just 100 words has circulated in the scientific literature, being widely used as a reference to support the routine prescription of opioid drugs in pain management. Cited 608 Times In Opioid Studies A Canadian team of researchers investigated the impact of this short letter in scientific literature and tracked down all the instances it was quoted since its publication. The scientists, led by David Juurlink from the Sunnybrook Research Institute of Toronto, argue the source of the current U.S. opioid epidemic can be traced back to this 1980 letter. The team conducted an analysis, featured Wednesday, June 1, in the same medical journal, which shows the five-sentence letter was cited 608 times, compared with the average 11 citations for other letters published in the same period. The authors point out that on 439 occasions, or 72 percent of the time, the 1980 note was used as a reference to prove patients treated with opioids rarely became addicted to the drugs. Juurlink's team also documents a dramatic surge in the prescribing of strong opioid medication, such as oxycodone, over the last 20 years. As a result of this practice, millions of Americans became addicted to opioid painkillers between 1999 and 2015, and more than 183,000 people died after taking prescription opioids. "The crisis arose in part because physicians were told that the risk of addiction was low when opioids were prescribed for chronic pain. A one-paragraph letter that was published in the Journal in 1980 was widely invoked in support of this claim, even though no evidence was provided by the correspondents," writes Juurlink's team in the paper. Misleading Citations Sparked The Rise In Opioid Painkiller Prescriptions The high number of citations, however, is not the only concern. More worrying is the uncritical, misleading way in which the 1980 letter was cited as proof that prescription opioid painkillers aren't addictive. Juurlink's research revealed that in 491 cases, or 81 percent of citations, the citing authors failed to mention the patients referred to in the letter were being treated in a hospital, and therefore the note's conclusions wouldn't necessarily apply to outpatients or people treated for chronic pain. Among the inaccurate citations documented by Juurlink's team is a 1994 reference from the journal Seminars in Oncology, in which the citing authors mistakenly say Jick and Porter's patients were being treated for cancer pain. The 1980 letter was again uncritically cited in 2002 in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, where Dr. Sian Iles, an associate professor of radiology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, said doctors are reluctant to prescribe opioid painkillers due to addiction concerns even though "there is no evidence that this occurs when prescribing opioids for pain." Another example is that of Nancy Kowal, a nurse at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, who blatantly misquoted the letter in a 1999 report in Nursing Economics. "This pain population with no abuse history is literally at no risk for addiction," Kowal wrote at the time. Juurlink's team concludes the 1980 letter "was heavily and uncritically cited as evidence that addiction was rare with long-term opioid therapy." "We believe that this citation pattern contributed to the North American opioid crisis," state the Canadian researchers. The Connection With OxyContin Juurlink's team observed a spike in the number of citations after 1996, when Purdue Pharma introduced OxyContin as a new pain relief treatment. After OxyContin's introduction, the number of citations rose to 30 a year, and the references were typically meant to dissipate worries over opioid addiction risks. "It's difficult to overstate the role of this letter," said Juurlink, adding the 1980 note "was the key bit of literature that helped the opiate manufacturers convince front-line doctors that addiction is not a concern." "In 2007, the manufacturer of OxyContin and three senior executives pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges that they misled regulators, doctors, and patients about the risk of addiction associated with the drug," shows his team in their analysis. At the same time, the author of the 1980 letter explains his report only referred to patients treated with opioids in the hospital for a short period of time. He shows his conclusions have no bearing on long-term outpatient use. "I'm essentially mortified that that letter to the editor was used as an excuse to do what these drug companies did," said Jick in a statement. "They used this letter to spread the word that these drugs were not very addictive," Kick added. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A team of researchers from Swansea University and Milan University made a discovery that might lead you to question whether you should be spending so much time on social media. The scientist were studying the effects of internet addiction on a group of volunteers and found that people who stay online for a long time go through a series of physiological changes when they finally get offline. Among these physiological changes, which only occurred in volunteers who confessed to being internet addicts, the researchers list increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. What is more, these physiological symptoms, which were also mirrored by a surge in anxiety levels, seemed to be very similar to drug withdrawal. These findings, published May 25 in the journal PLOS ONE, suggest that for some people, internet addiction is a real physical condition, which should be further investigated and perhaps even viewed as a disorder. "We have known for some time that people who are over-dependent on digital devices report feelings of anxiety when they are stopped from using them, but now we can see that these psychological effects are accompanied by actual physiological changes," said study lead author Phil Reed, a psychology professor at Swansea University. Internet Addiction And Its Withdrawal Symptoms For the study, the team recruited 144 volunteers, with ages between 18 and 33, who had their heart rate and blood pressure measured before and after a brief internet session. The researchers also evaluated participants' anxiety levels and self-reported internet addiction, described in the study as problematic internet use (PIU). The experiment revealed that volunteers who were hooked on their digital devices experienced an average increase of 3 to 4 percent in heart rate and blood pressure and, in some cases, even double the percentage immediately after the internet session. "Individuals who identified themselves as having PIU displayed increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure, as well as reduced mood and increased state of anxiety, following cessation of internet session," the authors wrote in the abstract of their paper. The team explains this increase, while not life-threatening, can be linked with feelings of anxiety, as well as changes in hormonal levels, that can ultimately diminish the immune response. Furthermore, the combination of physiological changes and anxiety that kicks in when people with PIU stop using the internet resembles the state of withdrawal experienced with alcohol, cannabis, and heroin addiction. According to Dr. Lisa Osborne, one of the study's coauthors, these physiological changes can make people feel even more anxious, particularly those with already high anxiety levels. As a result, internet withdrawal fuels some people's need to reengage with their digital devices to get rid of these unpleasant feelings. This study is the first controlled experiment to show the physiological changes resulting from internet exposure and continues the team's previous work, which focused on the psychological impact of excessive internet use. The earlier research, conducted in 2013, showed internet addicts can suffer a form of cold turkey when they stop using the web. Internet Users Go Online Mainly For Social Media As part of the study, the volunteers were asked to state how much time they spend online every day and what they normally use the internet for. According to their reports, the average time spent on the internet was 5 hours a day, with 13.9 percent of responders admitting to surfing the web for more than 9 hours daily. Almost half of the volunteers (more than 40 percent) acknowledged they had an internet-related problem and mentioned they were aware of spending an excessive amount of time online. The participants also indicated whether or not they had regularly visited particular types of websites in the past two months. The vast majority (91.6 percent) said they spent time on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Online shopping was also among the respondents' favorite activities, mentioned by 90.3 percent of the volunteers. Other frequent reasons for getting online were related to TV and film (69.4 percent), reading news (68.7 percent), dating (56.3 percent), content sharing such as posting on YouTube (45.1 percent), gambling and lottery sites (34.7 percent), and gaming (24.3 percent). "The individuals in our study used the internet in a fairly typical way, so we are confident that many people who over-use the internet could be affected in the same way," said Reed. "However, there are groups who use the internet in other ways, like gamers, perhaps to generate arousal, and the effects of stopping use on their physiology could be different this is yet to be established," he added. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Guwahati, June 2 (IBNS): Police on Friday arrested another person in connection with a rape and killing incident in middle Assam's Nagaon district. According to the reports, three persons had raped and killed a 58-year old female teacher of Changjurai Ilashi Deuri Primary School near Jamunamukh in the middle Assam district on May 31, while the teacher was on her way to school. Following the incident, police started investigation and arrested two persons in connection with the incident. The Nagaon police on Friday arrested a person named Moinul Hoque for alleged involvement in the rape and killing incident. Earlier, police arrested another person named Salimuddin. A top police official said that, the body of the female teacher was found near Kopili river. The post mortem report revealed that the female teacher was raped. We are trying to nab other persons, who are involved in the incident, the police official said. Over 10,000 women were raped in Assam in past a decade. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) Andy Rubin may soon walk onstage at an event somewhere with Essential Smart Glasses, a pair of spectacles that could be considered as the successor of the ill-fated Google Glass. Just recently, the father of Android took the wraps off the anti-iPhone that is the Essential Phone and the Amazon Echo competitor Essential Home. On that note, it seems that the new company is far from done in expanding its products in the tech business. Essential Smart Glasses Patent Uncovered Patently Apple uncovered an old but interesting patent filed by Essential, and it shows a pair of smart glasses equipped with displays and cameras. From the look of things, 510 and 520 point to the lenses, 530 and 540 are the cameras that face the wearer, and 550 is the sensor that faces the environment. "The one or more lenses 510, 520 can be prescription lenses, photosensitive lenses, sunglass lenses, etc. Each lens in the one or more lenses 510, 520 includes a dual-mode display, with one or more using facing cameras 530, 540 placed within the dual-mode display. The one or more user facing cameras 530, 540 are oriented towards the user, and can track the direction of the user's gaze. One or more environment facing cameras 550 can be placed on the frame of the glasses 500, or within the one or more lenses 510, 520. The one or more environment facing cameras 550 record the environment that the user sees," its description reads. Considering the hardware involved, the Essential Smart Glasses will be more than just an easier way to take photos, like what Snapchat's Spectacles offers. As mentioned earlier, it's leaning toward something like the Google Glass, and that means it'll take advantage of augmented reality. Essential engineers wrote down an example of its use, where the wearer can look at a barcode of a product and get more affordable choices thanks to the wearable's processor. Why Google Glass Failed, According To Rubin In a Wired interview, Rubin said that the Google Glass failed because the world wasn't ready for it, and it wasn't because the product itself was bad. Put differently, the Essential smart glasses patent shows that Rubin believes in the technology, and the company just might launch it once it thinks consumers are prepared to start wearing them. How Likely Essential Smart Glasses Will Happen Aside from the Essential Smart Glasses patent, Patently Apple also found an image of a patent design with LG Display, and it appears to be the display that's used on the Essential Phone. On top of that, it also got ahold of the patent for the 360-degree camera accessory that comes with the smartphone for an extra $50. That just goes to show that it's likely that the Essential Smart Glasses will follow suit and become a real product in the foreseeable future, not to mention that Essential has been dabbling with AR for some time now. Long story short, the era of smart glasses could soon begin, with Essential among the front lines to pave the way. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus owners in the United States will have to wait a bit longer before Bixby arrives, as the AI assistant is reportedly having problems getting the English language down. Aside from the DeX and Infinity Display, among other things, the Siri and Google Assistant competitor is touted as one of the key features of the South Korean brand's current flagship. In other words, it was meant to take the user experience to a whole 'nother level along with the others, but it's getting delayed, which doesn't come as bad news for some people. Bixby AI Assistant Needs An English Tutor According to The Wall Street Journal, Samsung is running into problems during internal tests of Bixby, particularly with grammar and syntax of the English language. Put differently, it's having trouble constructing grammatical sentences, and that's a big no-no if the smartphone maker wants to make a splash in the scene. Originally, Samsung scheduled to launch Bixby sometime in May, but because of the problems that turned up, it's now expected to roll out this June. That's not set in stone, however. For the record, even though users can't talk to Bixby just yet, some of its features are already available, such as Vision, Home, and Reminder. "Bixby Voice benefits from time to further enhance natural language understanding, and we are currently growing our user testing in the U.S. to prepare for launch," Samsung says. Bixby And The AI Assistant War From the look of things, Siri and Assistant don't have to worry about the upcoming contender for now because Samsung will need to resolve all the issues before Bixby can be considered as a threat of sorts. Needless to say, Siri and Assistant already understand English well, not to mention that the latter is equipped to be friendly and humorous. Interestingly enough, it does know how to rap and diss Siri, though. Obviously, it's not in English. Galaxy S8 Doing Fine Even Without Bixby Even though Bixby didn't come out hand in hand with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, the smartphones are doing pretty well on their own in terms of sales and user satisfaction. For one, Samsung did manage to get an impressive 720,000 preorders for the Galaxy S8 before it was released, despite coming hot on the heels of the whole exploding Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. That market performance ended up as the "best ever" for the manufacturer, setting a new record. As a refresher, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus hit the shelves in April, packing in a Snapdragon 835, 4 GB of RAM, and a ton of features. To boil things down, English-speaking users isn't getting Bixby anytime soon, leaving the dedicated side button for the assistant on their Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus useless for a bit longer. With all said and done, what do you think of the delayed launch of Bixby in the United States? Feel free to hit us up in the comments section below and let us know. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The rift in Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf cracked another 17 km (11 miles) between May 25 and 31, leaving only 13 km (8 miles) of ice from the ice front and threatening to calve at least 10 percent of its area when it eventually breaks off. Scientists studying the huge glacier estimate that the calving could occur anytime, even in the next day or two, if conditions align. What is for certain is that there is no way of stopping the huge mass of ice from breaking off. "When it calves, the Larsen C Ice Shelf will lose more than 10 percent of its area ... this event will fundamentally change the landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula," the Project MIDAS website explains. Project MIDAS is a UK-based Antarctic project focused on studying the effects of climate change on the Larsen C ice shelf in West Antarctica. Larsen C Will Become Unstable And Could Collapse Some scientists believe that there is nothing to worry about with the Larsen C's eventual calving since it is a natural process, and new ice would replace what was lost from the calving process. Other scientists, however, predict that the shelf's collapse could be the precursor to more natural but probably unstoppable climate-related events. "We have previously shown that the new configuration will be less stable than it was prior to the rift, and that Larsen C may eventually follow the example of its neighbour Larsen B," Adrian Luckman, Swansea professor of glaciology and principal investigator for Project MIDAS writes. A Domino Effect Of Climate Change What makes the impending calving crucial is that the huge icy mass is set to break off at Larsen C's pinning points or the points where land and ice meet. Once the massive iceberg breaks off from Larsen C, the ice previously "protected" would be exposed and would surge to the ocean, causing it to become thinner. This, in turn, would create a domino effect of smaller but still landscape-reshaping series of calvings. What makes it worse is that Larsen C is five times bigger than Larsen B, which means it could cause significant impact if it were to share the latter's fate. Poul Christoffersen from University of Cambridge's Scott Polar Research Institute expressed his concern over the possibility that a similar event could happen to the Ross ice shelf. "The ice shelves that are collapsing are getting bigger and bigger," Christoffersen said. While the rise in sea levels would only be a few millimeters when the Delaware-sized chunk of Larsen C breaks off, continuous calving or a sudden collapse could affect and endanger the ecosystem. Scientist Ted Scambos from the University of Colorado believes that the calving event is a message that something has changed in the environment and that it is not a good kind of change. Christoffersen shares this opinion and says that it is important to curb carbon dioxide emissions in order to prevent massive calving on the other shelves a mission that the Trump administration has withdrawn from. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. OneLogin has suffered a serious security breach, with hackers possibly also acquiring the ability to unlock encrypted files that they were able to steal. The password manager and single sign-on provider has now urged users to change their passwords, while the extent of the damage caused by the hack remains unclear. OneLogin Hacked, User Data Compromised In an official blog post, OneLogin chief information security officer Alvaro Hoyos detailed the security breach suffered by the company. Hoyos, who said that the company's review about the incident is still ongoing, said that a hacker launched an attack on OneLogin on May 31, at 2:00 a.m. PST. OneLogin was not alerted to the unusual database activity generated by the attacker until around 9:00 a.m. PST, but the breach was shut down within minutes afterward. According to Hoyos, the hacker was able to infiltrate database tables that contained information such as users, apps, and key types. The initial statement released by OneLogin did not provide much detail regarding the incident, but an email sent to customers warned that customer data was potentially compromised by the attack. There is also no official statement yet on how many accounts were affected by the security breach. OneLogin Encryption Bypassed? Making the attack against OneLogin more dangerous and potentially much more damaging is Hoyos's statement that while the company applies encryption to sensitive data, there remains the possibility that the hacker was able to obtain the ability to decrypt the stolen data. A spokesperson for OneLogin did not confirm what kind of data received encryption and what kind did not. However, the incident had already raised questions on why a decryption method for OneLogin's encrypted data was stored in a location that would have exposed it in case of a security breach. Due to the possibility of even encrypted data being compromised, OneLogin has urged customers and corporate clients to change passwords, create new API keys and security certificates, and generate new Oath tokens, which are used to log in to accounts. Password Managers: Prime Targets For Hackers Password managers such as OneLogin have grown in popularity as they allow users to just remember one password for all their online accounts. Password managers function as a master key while storing all the passwords for different accounts in an app or browser extension. In addition to being a password manager, OneLogin enables corporate users to use one password to access several websites, online services, and applications. Hundreds of third-party apps and services, including Microsoft's Office 365, Amazon Web Services, Twitter, LinkedIn, Slack, and certain Google services could be integrated into OneLogin. It is believed that there are millions of OneLogin users, with more than 2,000 corporate customers spread across dozens of countries. These characteristics make password managers prime targets for hackers, as they can compromise sensitive user information not just for one website, but for multiple online accounts and services. This means that companies in the industry should have topnotch security, but the fact that it took OneLogin seven hours to shut down the breach, with the possibility of hackers stealing decryption methods, does not exactly inspire confidence in its cybersecurity measures. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Almost a year after terminally ill patients in California have been legally allowed to end their own lives, an advocacy group estimates that 504 persons in the state have opted for life-ending drug prescriptions. The state law on physician-assisted deaths took effect in June 2016. Serving as the face of the controversial issue was 29-year-old Californian Brittany Maynard, who was dying from brain cancer and had to move to Oregon in 2014 to end her life. The Choice Of Dying For Terminally Ill Californians Released Thursday, June 1, the figures made up individuals who contacted Compassion and Choices to provide the information. The group, however, believes the overall data would be much higher, while state officials have not disclosed official numbers. According to critics of the law, the option could result in misdiagnosis, hasty patient decisions, and dwindling support for palliative care, which provides comfort and sedation to dying people to help relieve their suffering. Its only strengthened my belief in the law, said Kelly Davis, sister of ALS patient Betsy Davis, who chose to take the deadly dose of medication last July 24, 2016. The 41-year-old artist held a party as a goodbye to her loved ones, AP reported. For Kelly, it would have broken her heart to see her sister continue to suffer and not regain a sense of control in the face of her disease. California is only one out of five U.S. states where these end-of-life prescriptions are legal. Under its law that will mark its first anniversary on June 9, patients should be given six months or less to live, send two verbal requests within 15 days of each other, and make a written request afterward. Full Picture Of Laws Effects Physician-assisted deaths are also legal in Oregon the first to adopt such law in 1997 as well as in Colorado, Montana, Vermont, Washington state, and Washington D.C. Oregon reported 204 persons received these prescriptions in the previous year. Of those, 133 died from the drugs, and most were age 65 and above and were diagnosed with cancer. According to the advocacy groups director, Matt Whitaker, there wont be a full picture until California releases official data on the law. For him, personal stories showing the relief that the law afforded them reflect just what the state legislature intended it to do. In the state, nearly 500 health facilities as well as 104 hospice centers have so far adopted guidelines for the deadly prescriptions. Over 80 percent of insurers too are believed to cover the drugs costs. At present, the Life Legal Defense Foundation along with several doctors, are legally opposing the law, saying determining who has six or fewer months to live is prone to abuse. Elizabeth Wallner, a stage 4 colon cancer sufferer since 2011, is unfazed. She said she will go for the option once she becomes eligible. Absolutely thats the first thing Ill do, shared Wallner, who has undergone five liver operations, a colon surgery, and different rounds of chemotherapy. If the clinical trial shes part of doesnt work in her favor, she will be choosing the beginning of the green mile, or the end as she sees it. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As Walmart keeps trying to compete with Amazon, its latest solution for deliveries of online orders is to enlist its own store workers. In a bid to cut costs on deliveries, Walmart wants its own store employees to deliver packages to customers' homes. Walmart store workers would have to do this on their way home from work, using their own personal vehicles. Walmart Associate Delivery The company calls this "Associate Delivery" and it already started testing this concept with some orders. While having employees work some more after they leave work doesn't sound too good, Walmart is pitching this as an opportunity rather than an extra task. Store workers can opt in or out as they please, and those who agree to deliver packages on their way home from work will get extra pay. "Not only can this cut shipping costs and get packages to their final destinations faster and more efficiently, it creates a special win-win-win for customers, associates and the business," says Walmart. Why It Makes Sense The company explains that this move simply makes sense. Walmart already has tricks transporting orders from fulfillment centers to retail shops for pickup. The new scheme would use those trucks to transport home-delivery packages to a retail store near the final destination. An associate from that store could then deliver the package to the customer, without straying too much from their own drive home. Walmart emphasizes that its employees are in full control and it's their decision whether they want to participate or not. Those who decide to opt in will be able to set preferences, such as the number of packages they want to deliver, the weight and size limits of the packages, the days they could make deliveries, and so on. Associates can change those preferences anytime. "We also allocate packages based on minimizing the collective distance they need to travel off of their commute to make a delivery," the company further explains. With 4,700 stores across the United States and more than a million employees, Walmart has it covered. The company says that its stores are located so that 90 percent of the U.S. population are within 10-mile range, so this associate delivery test could turn out to be the best idea. Pilot Program Walmart is starting to test this new associate delivery system with just three stores at first. One of them is in northwest Arkansas, while the other two are in New Jersey. The company says that so far the response from both customers and associates has been positive. Many orders reach their destination the next day, which makes the customers happy, and associates have the chance to earn some extra cash while driving down the streets that were already part of their commute. Walmart also adds that the GPS integrated into its proprietary app also helps employees find faster routes. Considering that it's all opt-in, customers get their packages faster, and Walmart store workers can earn some extra money if they choose to participate, this sounds like a great idea and could prove to be a game changer for the company. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By now, its no secret that cybercriminals have targeted, and continue to target, the financial services industry with advanced attacks that are designed to steal or otherwise jeopardize valuable data. As a result, many organizations have taken at least some initial steps to better secure their networks and the information that lives within them. In fact, according to Duff & Phelps Global Regulatory Outlook, 86 percent of professionals in the financial services industry say their companies have plans to put more time and resources into cybersecurity in the coming year. The truth is, financial services organizations arent alone when it comes to taking cybersecurity very seriously. Governments and other regulatory organizations have also put financial services cybersecurity in the spotlight over the past year. Lets take a closer look at a few of these instances. Financial Services Cybersecurity Governmental Action on the State Level On March 1, 2017, the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) started requiring banks and insurers across the state to meet minimum cybersecurity standards and to report any breaches that they experience. The rule also calls on organizations to designate a CISO who has the ability to govern cybersecurity policy and structure. Additionally, organizations security technologies must include threat detection and response capabilities, and they are also encouraged to scrutinize the policies that third-party vendors have in place. According to the order, this regulation is designed to promote the protection of customer information as well as the information technology systems of regulated entities. Shortly after the requirements were instituted in New York, Colorado took action of its own. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies has proposed new amendments to the Securities Act that would be similar in nature to the requirements in New York. If the amendments are adopted, entities would have to conduct annual cybersecurity risk assessments and implement a number of procedures designed to address encryption, authentication and more. Financial Services Cybersecurity Governmental Action on the National Level While there are many risks that face the American financial system, cybersecurity currently sits at the top of the list. This is according to remarks made by the chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in May of 2016. Cybersecurity was put at the top of the list following an investigation finding that many large financial institutions lacked defenses that matched the sophistication of the threats theyre faced with. The SEC isnt the only national entity bringing cybersecurity to the forefront. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is working on an Insurance Data Security Model Law that is aiming to establish a set of data security standards, and is pushing for investigations and notifications of security breaches of data to insurance providers. Financial Services Cybersecurity Governmental Action on the Global Level In addition to action on the state and national levels across the United States, cybersecurity for financial services has taken its spot on the world stage as well. G7 finance ministers and central bankers agreed on a set of cybersecurity guidelines that encourage nations to monitor their own cybersecurity readiness as well as that of the companies they regulate. Additionally, they call on nations to ensure public and private institutions are continually updating their cybersecurity defenses. According to the authors of the guidelines, Increasing in sophistication, frequency and persistence, cyber risks are growing more dangerous and diverse, threatening to disrupt our interconnected global financial systems and the institutions that operate and support those systems. Final Thoughts Each of these examples is laying the groundwork for stricter governmental standards and regulations, around both the country and the globe. Financial services organizations should take the appropriate steps necessary to ramp up security efforts and stay in compliance as threats to the industry continuously evolve. About the Author Bill Hogan leads strategic accounts and global financial services at Fortinet, where he is responsible for sales, systems engineering and business development. He formerly served as president of WebHouse, where he enabled customer success through the effective use of IT and business solutions. From 2003 to 2014, Hogan led NetApps Americas East and America's Enterprise Sales and Business Operations. He started his career at EMC where he spent 10 years in various sales and leadership roles. Bill is a father of five and avid philanthropist. Edited by Alicia Young Official Facebook page of Amit Shah Thiruvananthapuram, June 2 (IBNS): Amidst the beef row in the state of Kerala and the protest against the notification issued by the central government that bans the cattle trade, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah began his three day visit to the state, according to media reports on Friday. Shah is currently touring various states of the country with an aim to strengthen the organisation of the party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The state of Kerala had witnessed a protest on Sunday after the Centre issued a notification to ban the sale of cows and buffaloes in the animal markets. According to a report from NDTV, a group of students of IIT Madras participated in a "beef festival" in the institution premises on Sunday night protesting against what they called "BJP's imposition of communal agenda on the masses." The protesting students, belonging to the Progressive Students' Union of the IIT, also discussed the Central government's recent ban on sale of cattle for slaughter at cattle markets. 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. The move by the central government was also criticised by the Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan. The Kerala CM was quoted saying: "Delhi, Nagpur can't decide what we eat." The Centre had also earned strong words from the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, following Vijayan's urge to CMs of various states to oppose the ban. Banerjee on Monday, said: "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." "People from all religions are living happily here in Bengal. Centre can never decide what to eat and what not," she added. Apart from the criticisms, some leaders of Meghalaya state unit of BJP gave tough time to the national leadership by announcing a beef party to celebrate the third anniversary of Modi government in power at the Centre. The announcement of beef party came from the former West Garo Hills district president of the BJP, Bernad N Marak, who resigned on Thursday. West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir were some of the states where Shah visited recently. With an eye to ride to power in the states of WB, Shah even claimed that the saffron party will form the future government in the state and will emerge as the largest party in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. This humanitarian program has allowed the return of 30,103 Venezuelan migrants since 2018. | Read More Guwahati, June 2 (IBNS): A special campaign is being launched to open Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Assam under the Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP). Under this project affordable quality medicines will be provided to the people in the districts and towns of Assam. At present, about 1500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are providing affordable medicines to the people across the country in 426 districts of 30 states and UTs. Only 80 centers were opened between 2008 and 2014. The target for this year is to open 3000 Jan Aushadhi Kendra by end of the year and thereby the turn over would increase to Rs 60 crore which was Rs 3 crore in the beginning of the scheme. According to the CEO, BPPI Biplab Chatterjee, the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) under Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has sought applications for setting up of the Prime Minister Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra in Assam. The country's apex medical regulatory body the Indian Medical Council (MCI) has issued guidelines for writing generic medicines with brand names of the medicines in legible handwriting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there should be a law on low-cost medicines. MCI has asked doctors to follow its 2016 notification, in which it has amended Section 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council Professional Conduct, Etiquettes and Ethics Regulation 2002. The government is also revising the national list of essential medicines 2015 so that more medicines can be included in it. The public drug program is also being expanded under which the government provides essential medicines at affordable rates. Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananth Kumar had recently said that the scheme is creating a silent revolution in achieving health security to all by providing affordable, quality medicines. Pharma sector is growing at a pace of 20-21% and India is exporting quality generic medicines to 184 countries. Following the Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of providing affordable, quality medicines to all can only be achieved through the Janaushadhi Pariyojna. Through this scheme, the government is planning to take affordable medicines to every corner of the country in near future. As a future expansion plan of PMBJKs in the country, the Minister further said that the Ministry of Railways has also come on board to open Janaushadhi Kendra at over 1000 railway stations across the country in collaboration with the Ministry. The Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has sent an advisory to all State Governments to open PMBJKs in every District headquarters, Tehsil, Block level, bus stands etc. to increase the reach of affordable medicines to the poor and underprivileged citizens of the country. 100 square feet space, PAN card and a registered Pharmacist is all what is required to open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra. A financial assistance of Rs 2.50 lakh rupees is given by the government on opening the Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Divyang are given free medicines of 50 thousand in addition to aforementioned financial assistance. After the announcement of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide affordable treatment to the poor and instructions issued from the Medical Council of India, Janaushadhi Kendras are rapidly opening up. The Bureau of Pharma (BPPI) has got more than 30 thousand applications from every corner of the country to open the Jan Aushadhi Kendra. It is an huge opportunity for unemployed of the country. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) Channel 4 has announced that chief creative officer Jay Hunt will step down at the end of September. News of her departure comes as Channel 4 nears the end of the recruitment process to replace outgoing chief executive David Abraham. Hunt, who has been chief creative officer since 2011, was considered to be the front runner for the job. It is reported that Hunt had been unsettled by the recent Conservative manifesto pledge to move Channel 4 out of London. A final decision on the new Channel 4 chief executive is expected to be taken at a board meeting next week. Candidates tipped for the job include C4s head of advertising Jonathan Allan, outgoing STV chief executive Rob Woodward, and Alex Mahon, the former chief executive of Shine. Hunt said: Ive loved being at Channel 4 and am incredibly proud of how far we have come creatively. From the multiple Channel of the Year awards to the raft of global hits, weve had real success. Ive been lucky to have a superlative boss in David Abraham and to have been supported by the best commissioning team in the business. I also owe a huge thank you to the brilliant producers, directors, writers and on screen talent whove made it such a thrilling time to be at the helm. Channel 4 Chief Executive, David Abraham said: Jay took on one of the biggest challenges in broadcasting back in 2011 and through immense creativity, courage and determination has delivered magnificently. In recent years the delivery of our remit and our creative output has reached new heights and both I, the staff of Channel 4 and the whole industry owe Jay huge thanks for all she has achieved." Channel 4 Chair, Charles Gurassa said: Jay has made an outstanding and unique contribution to Channel 4. Under her leadership the Channel has re-established itself as a creative powerhouse; innovative, imaginative and risk taking. My colleagues and I are hugely grateful for all she has achieved and wish her every success in her next venture. Hunt became Chief Creative Officer of Channel 4 in January 2011, and has greenlit shows such as Gogglebox, First Dates, Humans, No Offence, Catastrophe, Hunted, Child Genius, The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds, Benefits Street, The Island and The Undateables. She also led the team that delivered the acclaimed coverage of the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games and brought both Formula One and, controversially, The Great British Bake Off to Channel 4. Channel 4 was named Edinburgh International TV Festival Channel of the Year in 2014 and 2016, and Broadcast Channel of the Year in 2016 and 2017. Before joining Channel 4, Hunt was Controller of BBC1, and before that she was Director of Programmes at Channel 5. Share this story St Petersberg, June 2 (IBNS): Urging various nations of the world to invest in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Russia on Friday said that 125 crore Indians invite the world to come to India and explore the opportunities. While speaking at the St Petersberg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2017, PM Modi invited the world and said: "I invite you all to come to India for the sake of development and change of fortune." Modi even uttered the word like "sky is the limit", for ones seeking foreign investments in the country. In the forum, Modi went on to showcase the performance of his government in three years since coming to power, with an aim to push for investments. Highlighting the works his government has done, PM said: "We took decision to curb the obstacles of laws after coming to power. You will be happy to hear that within 1100 days since coming to power, we have done away around 1200 legal procedures which were not necessary at all in the present scenario and it is a major step towards reform. India wants to move forward with the global benchmark. We have done around 7000 reforms in the federal structure with an aim towards ease of doing business." Modi even stressed on "minimum government and maximum governance." The dream of 'New India' which Modi has talked about particularly after BJP's win in the state election of Uttar Pradesh, was once again echoed in the forum, on Friday. Modi explained the definition of 'New India' as the system with upgraded infrastructure in the "youth country" like India. "India is a youth country" Modi stated. Explaining the talents of youth in India, he said: "There have been lot of attempts taken by several countries to reach Mars, but it was only India who had managed to reach Mars in a single trial. But the most significant talent of our youth is that India had reached Mars at a cost lower than the budget of a Hollywood film." Modi even thanked the Russian President Vladimir Putin for giving the opportunity to speak about India in the forum. India and Russia on Thursday signed a deal to set up last two nuclear power units of Kundankulam in the state of Tamil Nadu with help of Moscow. PM Modi on Friday even visited the State Hermitage Museum and Institute of Oriental Manuscripts. A 21-year-old Lafayette man has been booked on a count of second-degree murder in the disappearance of 18-year-old Jacquelyn "Daisy Lynn" Landry. But the Sheriff's Office remained tight-lipped about the investigation Thursday and declined to say whether the young woman's body has been found. Malik Sheron Davis was booked late Wednesday in an investigation that the Sheriff's Office said is ongoing. A Facebook page set up for by Landry's family and friends stated that her body has not been found and that family members are working with Sheriff's Office detectives and a private investigator in the search. "The search for this sweet girl isn't over, her family isn't giving up! So y'all don't either!" a Facebook post read. Sheriff's Office spokesman John Mowell declined to discuss the search, saying only that "we are working this missing persons case as a homicide." The Sheriff's Office has released no other details about the case, and Mowell declined to say whether more arrests are expected. "It is still a fluid investigation," he said. Landry was reported missing on May 25 and had last been seen in south Lafayette. Investigators on Tuesday searched in and around a home in the 100 block of Laguna Lane, near the intersection of Kaliste Saloom and Farrel roads, but Mowell declined to discuss what was learned. "We had credible information that that was the last place she was seen," Mowell said Wednesday. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at (337) 232-9211 or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at (337)232-TIPS. Davis is being held on $250,000 bond. Prosecutors have accused a Louisiana law enforcement officer of raping a woman in her home several years before he was charged with murder in a 6-year-old boys shooting. Norris Greenhouse Jr. hasnt been charged with rape. His attorney says the allegation is completely bogus. The rape allegation is detailed in a May 31 court filing that is part of the murder case. It also accuses Greenhouse of entering another womans home uninvited and making sexual advances while wearing a police uniform. The filing says Greenhouse targeted five vulnerable women or teenage girls in a pattern of abusing his badge to satisfy his sexual desires. Greenhouse awaits trial in the 2015 shooting that killed Jeremy Mardis and critically wounded his father following a car chase. A second officer was convicted of manslaughter in March. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office fired Norris Greenhouse Jr. after the mother of a 14-year-old girl complained in 2012 that she found him lying on a sofa with her daughter while he was dressed in his sheriff's office uniform, prosecutors said in Friday's filing. Greenhouse "has established a pattern of approaching women or teenage girls while 'on the clock' as a law enforcement officer and using the means at his disposal due to said employment to solicit those victims in an effort to satisfy his sexual desires," Assistant Attorney General Matthew Derbes wrote in April. Responding to Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome's call to fire the officer who killed Alton Sterling, Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie wrote that any such action would be improper and premature until the criminal investigation is complete. Dabadie's letter is the latest volley in the public back-and-forth between the mayor-president and police chief over the fate of police officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II in the July shooting death of Sterling. Broome had sent Dabadie a letter May 25 asking him to fire Salamoni, who the mayor-president said "seriously violated established police policy," as U.S. Department of Justice officials said in closed-door meetings that Salamoni held a gun to Sterling's head while using expletives and threatening to kill him. The mayor-president's call came after attorneys for Sterling's children sent her a letter pressuring her fire Salamoni. She gave the police chief 24 hours to respond. Dabadie's response, dated May 26, appears to have fallen within that 24-hour window. He responded in letter form, writing that it would be "improper" and "premature" to discipline either officer while the criminal investigation is pending. BRPD "has always allowed due process" for officers alleged of criminal conduct, he wrote. Broome, in her letter, wrote that she understood due process but she was concerned about a violation of police policies. Justice Department officials announced in early May they would not pursue civil rights charges against either officer. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry's office is now investigating whether Salamoni and Lake violated state law. Dabadie also noted that any violation of the law by an officer could also be a violation of BRPD policy. Pre-disciplinary hearings are not held until officers are arrested, indicted or cleared in criminal investigations, he wrote. "I feel that waiting for all of the evidence in this case to be gathered is the most prudent course of action I can take at this time," Dabadie wrote. "I urge you to reconsider your position and let the criminal process conclude." Broome's spokeswoman, Janene Tate, confirmed that Broome's office received Dabadie's response. Broome and Dabadie were never on the chummiest of terms. When she was campaigning for office last year she said she would replace him as police chief, and at the beginning of this year, she said she was launching the search for his replacement. But Civil Service protections have stymied her efforts, as they do not allow the Baton Rouge mayor to fire the police chief without just cause. For a few months, both Broome and Dabadie spoke of nothing but "positive and progressive" conversations happening between them. In the week after the Department of Justice announcement in the Sterling case, Broome said she and Dabadie were "on the same page" in terms of wanting to improve the police department, while he said they were "working together to bring about changes." But their stances on police policy began to publicly part ways after a May 22 Advocate story revealed that a Baton Rouge police officer was placed on administrative leave after allegations he sent a racist text message to other officers. Broome said the officer should be fired and that the text is indicative of the need for top-down change in the police department. Dabadie, on the other hand, said the department will go through the process of an internal investigation. Broome then publicly announced May 24 she wanted Salamoni fired and Lake disciplined, and made it clear Dabadie held the sole authority to do so. She said Dabadie's next steps would be important to the community, to Sterling's family and to the police department. As another Atlantic hurricane season begins, two key federal agencies remain without leaders. Both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are without permanent heads five month into Donald Trump's presidency, according to a report from National Public Radio. National Hurricane Center warns of 'above-normal' Atlantic hurricane season It's been 12 years since a major hurricane made landfall in the U.S., but the streak may com NOAA, which includes the National Hurricane Center, and FEMA, could both be relied on heavily in the coming year, which was predicted to be an "above normal" hurricane season, with 11 to 17 named storms predicted. FEMA, which has also been slated for several cuts under Trump's most recent budget proposal to Congress, has been without a leader since its last director, Craig Fugate, stepped down in February. Trump has named former Alabama emergency management leader Brock Long to the position, but he is awaiting confirmation, according to the report. Proposed FEMA cuts under the new budget include a program that aids with long-term measures to reduce disaster losses, more than 60 percent of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, and funding to improve and redraw the nation's flood maps, the report said. For the original report from NPR, click here. +2 Calm before the storm: Hurricane preparations you can make right now Let's play a game of Crescent City word association. When I hear the name "Irma," I think im A video that shows the victims of a double homicide alive in Baton Rouge after a witness said they would have already been dead has raised mor The push to raise the state gasoline tax died because the Louisiana House has turned into a "toxic mix" that features a "total lack of leadership," a veteran lobbyist told allies in a memo. The scalding comments were spelled out by Ken Naquin, chief executive officer of the Louisiana Association of General Contractors, a lobbyist who has frequented the State Capitol for 38 years and a top backer of the bid to boost the gas tax. "You must appreciate the toxic mix that is the House of Representatives as it exists today and the total lack of leadership in the House," Naquin said in a memo to members on Wednesday, the day the tax hike bill died. "There are really three speakers in the House," he said, meaning three top leaders when there should be one. Naquin listed House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, who was elected in a surprise last year and two others that he said are essentially speakers too House Appropriations Committee Chairman Cameron Henry, R-Metairie and Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria and chairman of the House GOP caucus. "The power in the House is Rep. Harris," according to the memo. "The Republicans do not want to allow Gov. Edwards any victory, and the passage of an infrastructure bill would be considered his victory," Naquin wrote. Barras was a backer of the gas tax increase House Bill 632 but Henry and Harris were not. The governor also backed an increase but kept his distance, mostly because friction with Barras and other House members meant his active involvement could be a liability for the bill. The result was that, despite the support of the governor and House speaker, a bill by state Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, to raise the gas tax by either $300 million or $500 million per year died without a vote. "We are stuck in the perfect storm trying to raise the fuel tax with what is going on," Naquin said in an interview. Barras, speaking with reporters after the House adjourned on Friday, said he has not seen Naquin's memo and was not interested. The speaker said the gas tax bill died because of a lack of support in the House. "They didn't have the votes, and struggled at whatever rate," Barras said, a reference to reductions in the bill aimed at attracting support. "Outside of this building, it was getting louder and louder the longer the bill hung around that the public was just adamant about it," he said of opposition. The GOP-controlled House was always considered the crucial test in the push for a gas tax increase, which would have been the first in 28 years. Backers of the increase had to round up at least 70 votes in the 105-member House a two-thirds majority to move the issue to the state Senate, always a huge lift politically. Naquin said support topped out at 60 "yes" votes on Tuesday night, an unlikely alliance of Republicans from Baton Rouge and other congested areas, some members of the Legislative Black Caucus and a smattering of other Democrats. Bridges Louisiana drivers cross daily get 'D-plus' in review; roads rated even worse Louisiana civil engineers gave state roads a "D" and bridges a "D-plus," and the leader of t But it also sparked a split in the state Republican Party, with its leaders opposing Carter's push and Carter denouncing his own party in a House speech on Wednesday. In addition, all four Republicans who endorsed a 17 cent, $510 million gas tax hike in the House Ways and Means Committee, were targeted for criticism in a resolution approved by the state party. Those were GOP state Reps. Julie Stokes of Kenner; Barry Ivey, Central, Paula Davis, Baton Rouge and Clay Schexnayder of Gonzales. "I just felt like it was important to let people know who we could count on and who we couldn't count on," said Roger Villere Jr., chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana. Scott Kirkpatrick, executive director of a transportation advocacy group called CRISIS, was heavily involved in the gas tax push and said things changed near the end of the debate. "I do think later in the session as things dragged on it became more of a partisan issue," Kirkpatrick said. "It did not start that way." Splits on the issue in the House leadership showed up early. Rep. Jim Morris, R-Oil City, vice-chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, considered sponsoring a gas tax hike, and perhaps an increase of 17 cents per gallon. But Morris dropped his plans after a meeting of House Republicans, with Harris and Henry getting some of the credit for Morris' change of direction. Morris voted "no" on Carter's bill when it was approved by Ways and Means last month, and said his constituents made it clear that they oppose any such hike. Legislation stemming from the Baton Rouge police shooting of Alton Sterling last summer cleared the state Senate Friday afternoon and now goes to the governor. House Bill 277 would require all peace officers to complete a one-time minimum of 400 hours of basic core curriculum training and a minimum of 20 hours of in-service training annually to remain accredited. It specifically requires training in de-escalation, bias policing recognition, handling mentally ill persons, and crisis intervention. Baton Rouge Democratic Rep. Ted James has said he sponsored the legislation in response to the Sterling shooting, which prompted a summer of discontent with widespread protests. Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was shot to death during an altercation with two white Baton Rouge police officers in the early morning hours of July 5. After a 10-month investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice investigation determined the two officers involved would not be federally charged for Civil Rights violations. But the shooting, which was videotaped, set off several days of protest in Baton Rouge. James noted that a $100,000 legal settlement approved recently by Baton Rouge officials for arrested protesters was proof that changes are needed. The federal class action lawsuit alleged that law enforcement officials wrongfully arrested 92 protesters and used excessive force during demonstrations held after the Sterling shooting. "That tells me there are things we could have done better," James told the Baton Rouge Press Club in April. The current block of instruction includes 64 hours, designated as electives, of the type of training HB277 would require, according to the Legislative Fiscal Office. It is possible that some of the new training requirements could be absorbed within this category of training, the fiscal office stated. If local and state authorities cannot accommodate the increased requirements in existing regimes, they may have to pay for the additional training. The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement calculates an $835 average cost to train a new peace officer. The commission estimates about 15,000 existing law enforcement offices and nearly 1,200 new ones. HB277 had the support of the law enforcement community and was approved by the House on an 82-5 vote on May 18. The Senate approved the legislation Friday on a vote of 30-3 with little discussion. No amendments were attached to the House-passed bill during its trip through the Senate. HB277 must now be signed by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President, and then it will be sent to the governor for his signature into law or veto. Bill to increase police training clears another hurdle A bill that would increase the mandatory requirements for police officers inched forward in If approved by the governor, the bill would immediately become law and the agencies would have until Jan. 1, 2018 to prepare the training programs. Voting in favor of minimum of training (30): President Alario and Sens. Allain, Barrow, Bishop, Boudreaux, Carter, Chabert, Claitor, Cortez, Donahue, Erdey, Fannin, Hewitt, Johns, LaFleur, Lambert, Long, Luneau, Martiny, Milkovich, Mills, Morrish, Peacock, Peterson, Riser, G. Smith, Tarver, Thompson, Walsworth and Ward. Voting against HB277 (3): Sens. Gatti, Mizell, and Perry. Not Voting (5): Sens Appel, Colomb, Morrell, J. Smith and White. Twelve-year-old Canberra girl Bella Mitchell is more than aware how lucky she is to be on a trial for the cystic fibrosis drug, Orkambi, even knowing that, any day, access to it could end and the only way she could continue to take the drug would be by her parents somehow paying $250,000 a year for it. The young Canberra Girls Grammar student says the impact of the drug on her health has been remarkable and she wants every young Australian who needs Orkambi to have it, even writing last year to then federal health minister Sussan Ley to plead her case for the drug to be put on the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) and its cost subsidised by the government. Bella Mitchell has pleaded with the federal government to allow all Australians with cystic fibrosis to have access to the drug Orkambi by listing it on the PBS. Credit:Jamila Toderas "Being on the Orkambi drug trial has meant so much in terms of my health," Bella wrote in her letter to the minister. "I have put on weight, am breathing well and have stayed out of hospital. Vodafone will fight the competition watchdog in court to overturn a decision governing access to mobile phone networks in regional areas. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in May signalled it would side with Telstra in a long-running dispute over whether rivals should get access to its network in regional and remote areas. In a statement issued on Friday, Vodafone said the company would take legal action to overturn the draft ruling that the ACCC would not "declare" wholesale domestic mobile roaming. So it's no surprise there is momentum in the area of what I'll broadly call 'responsible' investing. Ethical investing is gaining momentum for all the right reasons, but it's not always the best way to make a difference. Credit:afr For the record, I think the scientists are right. But there's a higher logical framework: if they're wrong and we have a cleaner environment, that's still a good thing. But if they're right and we do nothing Or, put another way, you're very, very unlikely to lose your house to a fire; but you have it insured anyway, don't you? In the wake of Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord, it's easy to feel somewhat helpless if you take the view - as I do - that action is needed on climate change. That's a necessarily amorphous term, and takes in the whole gamut of 'I want returns plus'-type thinking. The various labels often used in this area are ethical investing, impact investing, pro-social investing or ESG (environmental, social and governance) investing. Whether or not you think such an approach makes sense - for yourself or others - it's hard to deny the groundswell of money moving to such a strategy. Most of the activity is happening at the big end of town. Asset managers are offering their clients 'responsible investment' options, and new fund managers (and super funds) are springing up to capitalise on the trend. As consumers, if we're so inclined, we can look for funds and fund managers that take such an approach. But as individual investors, what can we do? First, here's what not to do. Some would disagree with me here, but I think the worst thing you can do as an investor is invest in a company just because you hope its earth- or society-friendly products or services will be successful. Victoria's powerful construction union has suffered a major blow in a landmark court ruling that will see most of its senior officials barred from entering building sites without an invitation from management. Under the Full Federal Court decision on Friday union officials who have been stripped of their federal right-of-entry permits will not be allowed to enter project sites to assist with workplace safety complaints. CFMEU claims right-of-entry ruling will put "lives at risk". Credit:Eddie Jim Unions fear the ruling will have profound implications across the Victorian construction sector. Unions claim safety problems are commonplace while businesses argue right-of-entry rules are abused through the use of spurious safety allegations. Sixteen members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union's state leadership team do not hold federal entry permits, including the branch's two highest-ranking officials, secretary John Setka and assistant secretary Shaun Reardon. To hold a permit applicants must pass a "fit-and-proper-person" test. By passing up the opportunity to shock the globe by keeping America in the Paris climate accord Donald Trump has, once and for all, surrendered any claim he might have had to being "the leader of the free world". By putting his own political interests ahead of those of the rest of the planet and falling dramatically out of step with the leadership of every other major country on earth he has proved he is not cut out to fill the shoes of predecessors such as Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Obama. We are seeing far more leadership right now from people such as Germany's Angela Merkel, Canada's Justin Trudeau and even relative newcomer, France's Emmanuel Macron than the so-called most powerful man on earth. The resignations of major business leaders, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, and Disney CEO, Bob Iger, from key presidential economic councils over the Paris decision must also have sent a signal to the White House that there will be consequences on the home front as well. Mr Trump's decision is an extraordinary setback to this global effort and marks the US as a rogue nation on environmental protection. There is no substance to the claim the Paris accords placed an unfair burden on the US, which was historically the world's largest carbon emitter and remains the second largest. As a candidate, Mr Trump made no secret of his view of global warming as a "hoax". As President, he has now delivered on his threat, even though the global climate agreement struck in Paris came only after almost 20 years of exhaustive diplomacy involving almost 200 nations. This is just a mere hypothetical, but not such a stretch as to be implausible. Instead, we are confronted by the reality of Donald Trump's choice to back away from the hard-won global climate targets of Paris 2015. After China abruptly withdrew from the Paris climate accords under its new nationalist leadership, the global condemnation was swift. US President Hillary Clinton pledged to impose carbon tariffs on Chinese goods, a punishment for Beijing's decision to obstruct collective international action to mitigate the catastrophic effects of global warming ... Nor is there any comfort to take from Mr Trump's pledge to negotiate new terms for US participation in efforts to tackle climate change. "And if we can, that's great," he said. "And if we can't, that's fine." Such breezy dismissal of compelling scientific warnings about the danger presented by global warming might not be a surprise, but it is shocking, nonetheless. The Paris accords were far from perfect, but as The Age observed at the time, the "agreement should be seen as another beginning, rather than an end". Even by 2015, scientists had warned it might already be too late to stop the most damaging consequences from carbon pollution. Yet it was a momentous step to finally strike a global bargain involving the world's largest emitters and smaller nations put most at risk from rising oceans, more intense storm surges or debilitating droughts. Building on commitments made in the Paris accords offers a pathway to actions, however difficult. Mr Trump's position is regressive and damaging and could encourage laggards to believe a business-as-usual approach to the use of fossil fuels can be sustained. His boast that the US will be "the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on earth" rings hollow when combined with his decision already to wind back domestic environmental regulations. Yet ironically, Mr Trump's mantra of "America First" might actually serve as the catalyst to bind other nations in collective determination to act on climate change. Mr Trump was isolated at the G7 meeting this month, leading newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron to borrow a famous Trumpism, pledging to "make the planet great again". It is encouraging that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been quick to affirm Australia will honour its commitments to the Paris deal. A schism in the Coalition on climate change has been a defining feature of Australian politics in recent times. The Deputy Prime Minister has personally intervened to settle two issues that were threatening to derail the Coalition attempts to keep the electorate happy since the election: a dispute between landholders and Defence over the compulsory acquisition of land, and wrangling an industry code of conduct to settle a fight between sugar growers and the companies they sell to. His role is not only to keep Coalition electorates blue, but stop the momentum of disgruntled Nationals voters drifting One Nation's way. "You have to understand the nature of Queensland, it moves in bulk," he says. "We've been down to a phone box, the Labor Party have been down to a phone box. The polarity in Queensland is different and it has seismic shifts. So you have to get it." Mr Joyce is determined the Nationals will fight the battle for Queensland on jobs and the economy. He points to Matt Canavan, who is considered a rising star in the LNP, and the work he is doing to bring attention to central and north Queensland. Senator Canavan, who doubles as the Resources Minister and Minister for North Queensland, is very deliberately based in Rockhampton, helping fend off Labor's appeal in a traditional working class region. Beyond his interventions, Mr Joyce is taking a personal interest he's made 14 visits to the state since the election, one of a growing conga line of federal politicians, ministers and their shadows traipsing north, all seeking to make that connection that could turn one of those crucial electorates. In that same time, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has made 13 visits to the state himself, including a big chunk of the crucial post-budget week, selling his economic plan to the people he needs the most to buy it. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has made 23 visits to Queensland since the election, including 14 visits just this year holding town halls and heading out to the regions, while the "Bill Bus", a 2016 election staple, was also recently sent on a listening tour down the state. He too wants to fight for voters' hearts on jobs and the economy. And with Queensland coming tantalising close to delivering government to Labor with Capricornia and Forde sitting on a knife's edge, he senses blood in the water. "I think the Coalition have taken Queensland for granted," he said. "What have they done for Queensland? Most of their infrastructure expenditure was just spent on finishing programs started under the previous Labor administration." The last time the sunshine state received so much attention from the federal sphere was when its leader declared his intention to take on Bob Hawke while at Disneyland. But unlike the Joh-for-PM days, this time that focus is serious. Twenty-one of Queensland's 30 federal seats belong to the Coalition. Labor won eight in 2016, while Bob Katter retained Kennedy. Despite losing Longman and Herbert to Labor in the election, it regained Fairfax from Clive Palmer, giving it a net loss of one. NSW only delivered the government two more seats than Queensland, despite its mass of electorates. Victoria finished the election with just 17 Coalition seats. In a game of numbers, Queensland holds all the cards eight of its electorates, including Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's, are considered in play. The victor of Operation: Win Queensland takes the prime minister's chair. It's been more than three decades since the Gold Coast, Australia's sixth largest city, has had a senator of any party based on its shores. Since losing the last of its hard won Queensland seats in the 2012 state election, Labor had all but abandoned the region to the Liberal Party, at all levels of government. But with government in sight, Labor now wants a piece of it back. It's Senator Watt's job to help make that happen. "As one of my Victorian colleagues put it to me, the road to government runs through Queensland," Senator Watt said, his sleeves rolled up against the Queensland winter heat. "There is no doubt the federal election will be won and lost in Queensland every serious political player would recognise that. "Labor has underperformed, federally, in this state. And it is hard for us to win. But not impossible. There is a lot of space for us here, a lot of people who feel they have been under-represented. I'm here to show them that Labor has delivered for them in the past, and can deliver for them again." One Nation's momentum may have been slowed in its home state, but Pauline Hanson remains popular. Both major parties are dedicating resources to quell the drift of supporters to the outlier party, but without answers to Queensland's unemployment issue, which sits as one of the highest on the mainland and reaches double digits outside of the south-east, their efforts are hamstrung. With a state election due to be held between now and the next federal election, both the major parties are looking at the impact One Nation and the Greens will have on their vote. The last election saw Queensland produce its lowest primary vote for both parties since World War II. Greens senator Larissa Waters also points to the economy. "Millions of Queenslanders are enduring the lowest wage growth in a generation, hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders are paying massive rents, or are one mortgage payment away from default," she said. "Hundreds of thousands of young people can't afford a house or can't get a job. "And all the two old parties do is dole out favours to their mates to pay back the millions they get in political donations." ABC election analyst Antony Green believes the state campaign will interact with the federal one but said Labor still faces a battle in a state that traditionally leans to the right at a national level. "That has always been a problem for the Labor Party in Queensland. It may do well at a state level, but at federal levels, the central periphery of politics becomes very dominant," he said. "The argument about Melbourne versus Canberra, or Sydney versus Canberra rarely comes up. But Queensland versus Canberra does come up. In Western Australia it comes up, in Tasmania it comes up, in South Australia it comes up, it is just that it is much harder for Labor to do well in Queensland federally, than it is at state level." But Mr Green points out it is a long time until the next federal election. And there is an electoral redistribution to come. That has already seen the LNP move to protect Mr Dutton's seat of Dickson, submitting to the electoral commission a boundary change that would move conservative voting pockets out of Longman, and Lilley into Mr Dutton's seat. Former Herbert MP Ewen Jones, who was the surprise casualty of the 2016 election and regularly talks to Mr Turnbull to help the Coalition stay on top of north Queensland issues, believes voters just want to be listened to. It's a state with "real problems", he said, which needs "real answers". Paula Graeber, who lives on the Gold Coast more than 1400 kilometres away from Mr Jones, agrees. Loading "Just listen to the people and what they want," she said. Little to enthuse voters: Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten. Credit:Andrew Meares And if good times are the natural state of affairs, then nobody deserves any special credit. "We have become more pessimistic about the government's ability to influence economic outcomes," reports ANU political scientist Ian McAllister, custodian of the 30 years of survey results from the Australian Electoral Study. "There is a growing detachment in people's minds between economic conditions and what the government does people see much less of a connection between the two." McAllister says the disconnect between peoples' conceptions of governments and growth has become clear in voter surveys in the last couple of elections. But the actual behaviour of the electorate suggests the change in voters' assumptions might well have happened a few years earlier, as early as 2007. At three consecutive national elections in 2007, in 2010 and again in 2013 the voters refused to re-elect the governments that presided over these conditions. This is at odds with history. These are the only occasions since the creation of the modern two-party system in 1949 on which the Australian people have rejected a national government at a time of economic growth. First, the people dismissed the Howard government in 2007 although it had presided over an 11-year boom, already the longest on record. Second, the Rudd and Gillard governments delivered Australian growth even in the midst of global economic calamity in 2008-09, but they reaped no political reward. Rudd was dispatched by his own party before the people had a chance. Gillard lost Labor's majority at the 2010 election and only survived in a minority arrangement. Finally, Labor was swept out decisively in the 2013 poll. The people did return the Coalition under Malcolm Turnbull at last year's election, but only just Turnbull governs with the slimmest possible margin, one seat. It's not only the people who've become complacent about economic performance. The eminent political economist Ross Garnaut says the Great Australian Complacency, as he calls it, took hold of the political system from 2000. This locates it halfway through the Howard era. How can he be so specific? Because, after John Howard and Peter Costello enacted their landmark reform of the tax system in 2000, they lost interest in further reform, on Garnaut's reckoning. And this marked the end of not only Howard-Costello reforms but an entire generation of near-continuous reform efforts that started in the years of the Hawke-Keating governments. Australia, famously forecast by Singapore's Lee Kwan Yew to become the home to the "poor, white trash of Asia", was in economic decline in the 1970s and 80s. Keating agreed with Lee. He warned of Australia as a future "banana republic". Crisis begat action. By 2007, Lee acknowledged the success of Australia's reform era. "You have changed," he told Costello. "Your country is a different place now." Success bred complacency. The old policymaker's adage has been proved anew: "Good times make bad policy." By late Howard years, ambition and rigour were lost and spending grew wanton. Budget night came to resemble "Christmas night in the pirates' cave" in the words of the former Treasury budget examiner Stephen Anthony, as the government lavished handouts and tax cuts in the forlorn hope that it could win the people's gratitude. The former Treasury secretary Ken Henry, who served Keating and Costello, dates the onset of complacency in the political system and the wider public around the same time. "We had drifted into a state of complacency in the years before the GFC [global financial crisis of 2007-8]," Henry says. "Remarkably, the GFC didn't shock us out of it." Why should Australia care? By good management and good luck, the economy continued to grow even as the Western world collapsed. The complacency deepened. So the Australian people relieved their governments of responsibility for the economy. And governments relieved themselves. This seems to have had a liberating effect on the political class, which has indulged itself mightily. Without a crisis, without a serious purpose, the political parties, Labor and Liberal alike, have indulged personal ambition and factional vendettas in a frenzy of regicide. "So in the century up to 2010," writes Rod Tiffen, Sydney University professor emeritus of political science, "three sitting prime ministers were victims of party coups. Then in just five years three more followed [Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott]." Australia started to burn through leaders faster than the notoriously impatient Italians. The fever spread to opposition parties, state parliaments. Plotting, coup-making became the chief preoccupation. "In the 1960s, there were no successful leadership challenges in the major parties, federal or state, but since 1970 fully 73 leaders have been ousted by their colleagues." Tiffen's Disposable Leaders confirms Australia's dubious distinction as the most febrile, restless and murderous political jurisdiction among parliamentary democracies: "This forced turnover of leaders is not the norm in any other country." The former Sydney correspondent for the BBC, Nick Bryant, dubbed Canberra the "coup capital of the Western world". He was struck by the contrast between Australia's growing economic and strategic bulk and the derangement of its self-absorbed political class: "As the country has grown stronger, its politics have become nastier." Finally, Turnbull set out the criterion for leadership success in Australia. It was a frank admission of the debasement of the political system. Unhitched from the people's lives, unmoored from any economic benchmarks, Turnbull justified his challenge for the prime ministership by saying that Australia needed a leader capable to telling an economic narrative and capable of winning opinion polls. Not achieving economic outcomes or winning elections. Under Abbott "we have lost 30 Newspolls in a row", said Turnbull. That is, the government was behind in the polls for a little over a year. This is, according to Turnbull, a prime minister's unforgivable sin. What does it mean to "lose" an opinion poll? It has no effect, no consequence whatsoever unless the political system chooses to impute one to it. The idea that a prime minister can't afford a poll slump is a new one. Prime ministers usually have suffered midterm poll slumps. Howard, for instance, was unloved for long spans between elections. But it didn't matter so long as he was able to recover in time for election day. If political parties can no longer tolerate a midterm slump, there can be no more John Howards. If "losing" 30 consecutive opinion polls is enough to disqualify a prime minister, there can be no more serious reform. Any serious reform is controversial. This means that any serious prime minister will have a slump in the polls. Would Hawke and Keating have liberalised the national system of wage-setting, or torn down the walls of protective tariffs and quotas, if they'd been judged by midterm polls? Would Howard and Costello have introduced a GST? No, because any of these decisions would have been political suicide. And Australia's economy would not have been remade with the flexibility to withstand all weathers for a quarter century. In other words, the political system of the great Australian complacency is not problem solving. It's a parlour game of polls and perceptions. Loading And where governments have attempted to return to the task of economic rejuvenation, the people, the Senate, outside interests like the mining lobby, and sometimes their own parties have vetoed any such effort. A drug addict who bludgeoned his mother and a young relative to death as they attempted to escape his ice-fuelled rage has been jailed for at least 30 years. Dressed in prison greens, Lance Rhodes, 36, did not appear to react as he was handed a maximum of 40 years in jail in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday. Justice Stephen Campbell said Rhodes was in the grip of an "ice-induced psychosis" when the "terrible events" of September 8, 2015 unfolded. After consuming a cocktail of substances, Rhodes stabbed his mother Linda Adams, 63, in the back as she tried to run away from him after he grabbed a large knife from the kitchen of the Lalor Park home they shared. The nephew of one of the men convicted of Brisbane's Whiskey Au Go Go firebombing wants to give evidence at the new inquest into the deaths of the 15 people killed on March 8, 1973. Queensland's Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath announced a new inquest into the Whiskey Au Go Go murders on Friday morning. "The time has come at last," Danny Stuart said. "This is a day I have been waiting for almost 40 years." James Richard Finch, 29, and Danny's uncle, John Andrew Stuart, 33, were arrested and charged by police on the weekend after the fire and were found guilty on October 23, 1973, despite both protesting their innocence. I'm talking to Abdulahi Haji Ali, a year 12 schoolboy, about racism, prejudice and Islamophobia in Melbourne, where he was born. He cops the intense, invisible pressures of being both black and Muslim "two minorities that are equally hated", he says. Abdi, as he is known, is, in the words of one of his teachers from Maribyrnong College, a "model citizen" now, after some shaky early years. He mentors the younger kids of African heritage at his school, and there are problems. Some of the 13-year-olds are being groomed by African gangs. "I tell them about the right path," he says. "I will say 'Come on, mate, I expect better of you, you shouldn't be doing this, you need to finish school, you need a job to provide for yourself and provide for your family.' " It's hard, this life of Abdi's. Same for his friends from school too, including school captain Mohammed Semra. Abdi's heritage is Somali, Mohammed's Sudanese. They take it for granted, but the pressure they are under is immense. In the dead of night, Alex Laycock broke into a Victorian jewellery store through the roof, fixed a rope to the rafters and descended onto the shop floor. He smashed three glass cabinets inside Shepparton's Thomas Jewellers before making off with a "vast array" of shiny bounty worth a "staggering" $192,837. DNA on a Coke can led to police to Alex William Laycock. Credit:Viki Lascaris Laycock got away with it for a long time but a can of Coca-Cola he left at a minor burglary years earlier would eventually help police pin the 2010 jewellery heist on him. The 33-year-old was jailed for six months in the Victorian County Court on Friday over three burglaries he committed in Shepparton as far back as 2005. IRVINE, Calif., June 1, 2017 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported May U.S. sales of 26,047 vehicles, representing a decrease of 7.9 percent versus May of last year. Year-to-date sales through May are up 0.1 percent versus last year, with 119,282 vehicles sold. Key May sales notes: The Mazda CX-5 posted its best-ever May, with 11,819 vehicles sold, marking an increase of 18.9 percent year-over-year (YOY). This number includes a mix of remaining 2016.5 models and the all-new 2017 CX-5, which went on sale at the end of March. Momentum around the Mazda MX-5 continues, with the roadster posting a YOY increase of 22.6 percent in the month of May. Total sales, which includes both the MX-5 soft top and MX-5 RF, reached 1,226 vehicles sold in the month of May. Sales of the seven-passenger Mazda CX-9 rose 221.8 percent YOY with 1,982 vehicles sold in the month of May. Total sales of Mazda's CX crossover SUV line, including the CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9, were up 26.5 percent YOY with 15,338 vehicles sold in the month of May. Among CX buyers, Mazda customers continue to choose the AWD option, with 61 percent of CX-line vehicles sold in May being equipped with i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive. Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported May sales of 4,209 vehicles, up 15 percent versus May of last year. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through more than 600 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom. 5,400 units retailed for record-setting May sales Best ever monthly sales for Impreza and Outback MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is pleased to announce record sales numbers for May. Best ever May sales of 5,400 units helped Subaru keep its blistering pace in the hunt for a sixth consecutive annual sales record, by contributing to best ever year-to-date sales numbers. Strong sales numbers rolled in across Canada. The Western region posted best ever single month sales, with 1,386 units retailed for an impressive 25.7% increase over last year. Ontario followed suit with 1,899 units retailed for an increase of 10.8%. Quebec and the Atlantic region also contributed impressive numbers, setting benchmarks with best ever May sales. Quebec retailed 1,712 units for a 20.6% increase, while the Atlantic sold 403 units for a 14.2% increase. The Impreza maintained its impressive momentum, as the Japan Car of the Year, and Ward's 10 Best Interiors winner saw its best month ever, retailing 1,181 units coast to coast. The Outback also had a standout month with best ever single month sales of 1,171. Following the announcement that the significantly refreshed 2018 WRX and WRX STI will be arriving in dealerships shortly, the last of the 2017 model year vehicles rolled off the lot in record numbers, with 461 units retailed for best ever May sales. "We remain committed to our customers and offering the highest quality products and service," says Yasushi Enami, chairman, president and CEO of Subaru Canada. "We are excited to introduce several new and refreshed models in the coming months, and to continue to enhance the Subaru brand and customer experience." May 5,400 Month's actual 4,590 Previous year (same mth) 810 Difference 17.6% MTD sales vs. STLY 21,345 2017 YTD 19,120 2016 YTD 2225 Difference 11.6% YTD sales vs. STLY 10,923 Q2 2017 9,677 Q2 2016 1246 Difference 12.9% Current quarter sales vs. STLY About Subaru Canada, Inc. Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 92 authorized dealers across Canada. For more information, please visit www.subaru.ca or www.pr.subaru.ca or follow @SubaruCanada on Twitter. Volkswagen Launches New Joint Venture for E-Mobility in China Volkswagen Group and Chinese manufacturer JAC sign joint venture agreement New 50:50 joint venture is to produce electric cars for mass market Signature during state visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Berlin WOLFSBURG, Germany - June 2, 2017: The Volkswagen Group is expanding its successful engagement in the People's Republic of China with a new joint venture. In the presence of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Volkswagen signed a joint venture agreement with the Chinese automaker Anhui Jianghuai Automobile (JAC) in Berlin today. Each of the partners is to hold a 50 percent stake in the new company, which is to develop, produce and market electric vehicles and mobility services. "The new partnership is a further milestone in our electric offensive in China," said Matthias Muller, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, commenting on the agreement. "Just as we have played a key role in shaping mobility together with our partners in China over the past 30 years or more, we want to play our part in shaping the mobility of the future: electric, fully networked and in line with the needs of our customers." The new joint venture, which has initially been concluded for a term of 25 years, will develop electric vehicles together and launch them on the hotly contested Chinese mass market. The agreement provides for the construction of a further factory as well as a research and development center. The joint venture also includes the development and production of components for new energy vehicles (NEV), the development of vehicle connectivity and automotive data services. In addition, it is intended that the joint venture should establish new used vehicle platforms and engage in all related business activities. With the new joint venture, the Volkswagen Group is also consistently pursuing the ambitious targets of its program for the future "TOGETHER - Strategy 2025" in China and is reinforcing its global endeavors for sustainable mobility. In the People's Republic, the Group's electric offensive is to be rapidly implemented together with the three Chinese partners FAW, SAIC and JAC. The objective is to deliver 400,000 electric vehicles to the Chinese market in 2020 and 1.5 million electric vehicles in 2025. It is planned that the new joint venture with JAC should produce its first jointly developed electric vehicle in 2018. "The new joint venture is a key step in the implementation of our electric offensive on the Chinese market within the framework of our Group strategy TOGETHER - Strategy 2025", said Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft as well as President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, at the contract signing ceremony in Berlin: "I am confident that this partnership will play a key role in e-mobility in China." JAC president An Jin said at the contract signing ceremony: "Our company is very confident about the prospects of this joint venture with one of the world's leading automotive groups. We look forward to future cooperation with the Volkswagen Group and to being able to offer even more people in our country the benefits of sustainable mobility." 11 brands of the Volkswagen Group are represented in China. Together with its two existing joint venture partners FAW (FAW Volkswagen) and SAIC (SAIC Volkswagen) , the Volkswagen Group has delivered more than 30 million vehicles in China since it entered the market in 1984. About 95,000 employees at 30 Chinese plants currently work for Volkswagen Group China. About 3,000 dealers (with 330,000 employees) delivered 150 different models and a total of about 4 million vehicles of the Volkswagen Group in 2016 corresponding to a rise of 12.2 percent over the previous year. Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. (JAC) is a well-known Chinese manufacturer of passenger cars and commercial vehicles with headquarters in Hefei (Anhui Province). The company's product range mainly includes heavy, medium and light trucks, multi-functional commercial vehicles, SUV's, sedans and buses as well as key components such as chassis, transmissions, engines and axle units. JAC markets its vehicles under two automobile brands: "Jianghuai" and "Ankai". Honoring the helpers Awards recognize those who support autism community Thirteen community members and providers were recognized for their resilience, passion and heart at the 2022 Awesome in Autism Awards ceremony. The 14th annual event, hosted by Autism Society Ventura County, was held Oct. 20 at Wood Ranch Golf Club... Go purple to support those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer November is the busiest month of the year for cancer awareness campaigns. Im going to focus on one of thempancreatic cancer because its a type weve seen a noticeable rise in over the last few years. And because it remains... Hospital offers safe option to dispose of meds, narcotics Los Robles Health System is working to crush the opioid drug crisis by raising awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused or expired medications. Crush the Crisis will take place... Alzheimers Foundation to host free conference The Alzheimers Foundation of America will host a free virtual educational conference from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tues., Nov. 15. The event is part of the foundations 2022 national Educating America Tour. The conference, which is free and open... By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: With Assembly elections in Gujarat drawing near, the frequency of visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah to their home state has also increased. The PM has visited Gujarat four times this year so far. His fifth visit is likely to take place later this month. Elections in this western state are due later this year. advertisement According to sources, Prime Minister Modi is likely to pay a two-day visit to Gujarat from June 29. The sources said International Exhibition of Textile Industry is being held in Gujarat for the first time. The three-day event will commence on June 30. PM Modi is likely to inaugurate the exhibition which would be organised under the aegis of the Union industries ministry. Besides the exhibition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also inaugurate a water canal project in Rajkot. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will accompany the PM to Rajkot. BJP'S EXPANSION PLAN Both PM Modi and Amit Shah have started paying regular visits to the state. Narendra Modi's visit comes close on the heels of Shah's tour to the tribal area of Chhota Udepur on May 31. The area is a Congress stronghold and BJP is hoping to increase its seats by wooing the tribal voters. It has set a target of winning 150 of the 182 seats. BJP had won 127 seats when Narendra Modi was the chief minister of the state. Towards that end, Amit Shah has launched party's "Vistarak" (expansion) programme. He visited Devaliya village in the district and held door-to-door meetings and eating lunch at the house of a tribal party worker. WORRIED CONGRESS The "frequent visits" of PM Modi to Gujarat has rattled the rival Congress. Party's state unit chief Bharatsinh Solanki said the visits were "a political compulsion to bolster a weak state BJP leadership". Solanki's charge aside, the prime minister has so far visited his home state, which he governed for about 13 years as CM, on four occasions so far this year. The forthcoming Assembly elections in the State would be first since Modi shifted to Delhi as PM and Shah became the BJP chief. Hence, a prestige is attached to the upcoming state elections. The visits by PM Modi and Shah have a two-pronged purpose - they are aimed at galvanising the party workers and generating a wave among the voters. PM MODI'S FOUR VISITS THIS YEAR Narendra Modi paid the first visit to Gujarat on March 8 to address women sarpanchs from across the country on the International Women's Day. He also took part in a puja at Somnath Temple. His second visit to the state was on April 7 to inaugurate phase II of the state government's ambitious Sauni project in Botad. advertisement On April 16 and 17, Modi was in Surat to inaugurate a Rs 400-crore multi-specialty hospital and research centre, a diamond polishing unit and a cattle feed plant among others. It was his third visit to the state. PM Modi paid his fourth visit to Gujarat on May 22 to lay the foundation of two general cargo berths at Kandla Port. Among other events, he inaugurated the Narmada water pumping station for Kutch at Bhachchau and attended the 52nd annual general meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) at Gandhinagar. If he visits the state on June 30, it would be his fifth this year so far. At this rate, there would be many more visits till the Assembly elections are announced and thereafter. BJP wishes to milk Modi mania to the hilt and hopes to win Gujarat on his face rather than on the works done by the state government led by CM Vijay Rupani. --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: By Anisur Rahman Dhaka, Jun 1 (PTI) The Bangladesh Navy today rescued 20 people after their boat was caught in Cyclone Mora that has wreaked havoc even as the Indian Navy returned 33 Bangladeshi fishermen who were saved off the countrys coast. The Navy launched a massive rescue campaign mobolising 15 ships, a helicopter and a patrol aircraft, a Navy spokesman said. advertisement "The 20 cyclone survivers were rescued from near the offshore island of Kutubdia ... most of them were exhausted or wounded requiring first aid," the spokesman said. The Navys comments came hours after an Indian Navy ship returned 33 Bangladeshi fishermen at a ceremony joined by Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The fishermen, who were rescued from the Bay of Bengal by Indian Navy a day after Cyclone Mora battered the countrys southeastern coast, were handed over to Bangladesh today. Shringla handed them over to Chittagongs administrative chief or deputy commissioner Zillur Rahman at the Chittagong port. Rahman also received the relief materials that the Indian government sent for the people affected during Cyclone Mora. As many as 300,000 people had been taken to shelters in more than 10 districts most vulnerable to the cyclone. The districts affected with the storm include Coxs Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal and Pirojpur. 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 200 people. PTI AR AMS --- ENDS --- Camden Brewery announces opening of new site Camden Town Brewery has announced the opening of its 30m brewing facility in Enfield. The new 50,000sqft eco-friendly site will open this July and is the largest investment in London's brewing scene for three decades. A short journey from its current home in Kentish Town, the new Enfield site will brew all of Camdens core beers including Camden Hells, Camden Pale Ale, Gentlemans Wit, Camden Pils Lager, IHL Lager and Ink Stout. Creativity will remain at the heart of Camden Town Brewerys existing brewery at Kentish Town West, which will be used as a test site for innovation, specials and collaboration beers. With state of the art equipment, supplied by three leading brewing manufacturers, the brewhouse will have capacity to scale production to 400,000HL/year. The Enfield brewery will also be open to the public offering weekend tours, beer school and a steel bar in the middle of the brewery creating a completely immersive experience for visitors. The entirely carbon neutral development, which features a solar panelled roof and an energy efficient brewing system, has been designed with particular focus on minimising its environmental impact. Jasper Cuppaidge, founder and CEO of Camden Town Brewery, says: The railway arches in Kentish Town will remain the heart and soul of Camden Town Brewery, but our expansion to Enfield allows us to increase our capacity so ultimately we can bring great beer to more people. Its a phenomenal opportunity to extend into another North London community and to be a part of the impressive redevelopment thats taking place in Enfield. We cant wait to open our doors! Camden Town Brewery is working with local businesses and Enfield Council to thoroughly integrate the new brewery in Ponders End within the wider community. In addition, to keep up with increased production, the brewing team will increase by 50%, bringing job opportunities to the area. Councillor Alan Sitkin, Cabinet member for Economic Development, London Borough of Enfield, says: Were absolutely delighted to welcome Camden Town Brewery to Enfield. The brewery has proved its devotion to serving great beer to consumers and the wider community. Camdens industrial employment ambitions work perfectly with the strategies that Enfield Council has been pursuing for many years now. In particular, looking to secure employment and jobs in our borough and encourage residents to learn great trade for a great industry. Were thrilled that this huge investment will help to return Enfield its former glory in industry. Camden Town Brewery will be opening its doors to the public on Saturday 8 July 2017. 2 June 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor The College Station Police Department was investigating Thursday after a convenience store clerk reported being robbed by two armed men. Police said two black men wearing hoodies that covered their faces entered the Valero at 603 Harvey Road around 11:25 p.m. armed with handguns. The two men took cash from the registers and merchandise from the store and ran toward a neighboring apartment complex. Officers searched the area, but did not find the men. The clerk was not hurt. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call police at 764-3600. The 26-member body will meet on Sunday not only in the wake of three major poll debacles, but also amidst much turmoil within the party. Party's national executive is going to call for a national council meet on Sunday. By India Today Web Desk: Following a string of electoral losses, the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) highest decision-making body - the national executive - is set to meet on Sunday for the first time in what is likely to be a fiery session to chart out the party's future course of action. The 26-member body will meet not only in the wake of three major poll debacles, but also amidst much turmoil within the party. advertisement Top party sources told Mail Today that the national executive will call a meeting of the national council, slated for early July, as the party leadership has decided to go ahead with its national expansion plans and will discuss the road-map with founder members from across the country. The national council is the party's highest policy-making body and comprises founder members, state and district coordinators. It has the power to amend the Constitution and 'decide the stand and policy of the party on issues of national interest.' The rout in the Assembly polls in Punjab and Goa and also Delhi Assembly elections prompted a strong backlash within the party, as a section of the leadership demanded that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and deputy CM Manish Sisodia focus on governance in the Capital while the reins of the national expansion be handed over to senior leader Kumar Vishwas. AAP had to shelve its plans to contest the upcoming assembly polls in Gujarat but in a recent meet decided to contest Rajasthan assembly polls slated for end of 2018. As the party is set to yet again bring up the issue of national expansion, meets are likely to witness stormy sessions with party members still clearly divided on it. Sisodia, who has been credited with bringing in qualitative improvements in the Delhi government's education department, is set to propose a model for propaganda based on the achievements so far in the field. As the party attempts organisational restructuring and strengthening in most states, it will fiercely advertise the Delhi government's education model and a resolution for this will be passed by the National Council. The National Executive had met in last April to elect its members and re-elected Kejriwal as the party national convenor. ALSO READ | AAP to hold EVM hackathon on the same day as Election Commission's challenge ALSO READ | As Kapil Mishra drama plays on, Arvind Kejriwal to now meet MLAs and district convenors of Punjab ALSO WATCH | Sacked AAP minister Kapil Mishra lodges complaint with anti-graft unit --- ENDS --- advertisement Threatening a beloved grandfather for just $700 On a Monday morning, my father went to work at Easy Shop #3, our family's convenience store in Bryan. Around noon, he asked his father, my beloved grandfather, to cover for him as he had an errand to run. As my father walked out one door, two individuals with guns came in from the other door and approached my grandfather. They threatened him with the guns and told him to give them all of the money in the register. But my grandfather is a strong, educated man and he was not bowing to their will so the two boys -- because I cannot call them men -- went behind the register and pushed my grandfather aside so that they could rob the register. They took the money and fled the scene in a matter of minutes. They took $700. They threatened the life of the man I have had the privilege to call my grandfather for 24 years for $700. Had they come minutes earlier, they would have threatened the life of my father, and for what? $700. I truly believe that there is no better place in the world to raise a family than Aggieland, but words do not describe how disappointed and hurt I was after this incident. These days it seems as if people will do whatever to get ahead, whether it be for power or for money. People do not hold the same regard and respect for others as we once had, and that is a shame. As a second, almost third, generation Aggie, I truly believe that our community can do better. My grandfather has served this community for 30 years, and my father has followed in his footsteps, but two individuals threatened to take that away for $700. Please pray for our community. SANA RAHMAN College Station Legislature failed in its duties to retired Texas educators Many Texas retired educators are likely to be dismayed when changes to our health insurance program are announced by the Teacher Retirement System later this summer. There will be substantial increases in premiums and deductibles, especially for retirees and spouses under 65. These increases are necessitated by the ongoing lack of state funding provided for the TRS-Care health insurance program. The 85th legislature provided some assistance but not enough to continue to operate the program on the same basis as in previous years. The past legislative session began with the proposal that "no new revenue" would be allocated for the insurance program. This extreme measure would have meant the death of the TRS-Care health insurance program for retirees. The 82,000 members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, however, worked with concerned legislators nearly around the clock during the legislative session and came away with a plan that, while far from optimal, gives some hope for eventual restoration of the type of insurance program to which retirees are accustomed. The only advocacy group for educational retirees in Texas is the Texas Retired Teachers Association. There are nearly 300,000 educational retirees in the state but only 82,000 association members, most of whom spent the legislative session making hundreds of thousands of legislative contacts through emails, hand-written letters, phone calls and personal visits. The key to future improvements in retiree programs is to be found in increased numbers of the Texas Retired Teachers Association members who will avail themselves of both the information readily available through association resources and opportunities to act in concert with others to safeguard the interests of all Texas educational retirees. CAROLYN TAYLOR, president Brazos County Retired School Personnel Bryan JAMES B. WARNER TRTA State Legislative Committee Member College Station America needs people such as Peggy Whitson in the future It is with a great deal of pride that I read about NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the oldest woman in space. She set a record for the longest cumulative time spent in space by any American -- 534 days, 2 hours, 49 minutes and counting. It wasn't all that long ago that an American woman in space was inconceivable. Congratulations, Peggy! This is still an amazing country filled with talented and smart people -- people we will need to rely on as we tackle the many problems ahead. WADE SMITH Bryan An online petition calling for the resignation of Kirbyville Superintendent Tommy Wallis - who was forced out of the top administrator post in Bryan last fall - has garnered almost 900 signatures since it launched Wednesday. Unnamed organizers of the change.org petition say that Wallis behavior in a meeting with Kirbyville High School Principal Dennis Reeves on May 23 contributed to Reeves decision to commit suicide in the campus parking lot within an hour later of the discussion. Wallis has the support of the Kirbyville school board, according to one trustee. Meanwhile, Assistant Principal Charles Simmons quit this week, saying in an email to his staff that to stay would "compromise my integrity and it would not be loyal to Dennis ... It was simply a matter of right vs wrong." The petition states that the unprofessional conduct exhibited by Wallis not only provoked the "tragic event that took place regarding Kirbyville High School principal, Dennis Reeves, but has been dishonest, callus, negligent, and has caused additional grief and fear for the community, the statement reads. The community of Kirbyville is asking the superintendent to resign, or for the Kirbyville CISD Board of Trustees to remove him from his position in the school district. Wallis and assistant superintendent Georgia Sayers met with Reeves on the afternoon of May 23 to confront him about allegations of an affair between him and an employee who was his secretary at the time of the affair. According to Wallis witness statement released by Kirbyville police, Wallis told Reeves that the alleged affair would be investigated and Reeves would be eventually fired if he didnt resign. Richard Hazlewood, former superintendent of Kirbyville, told KFDM-TV on Wednesday that he addressed those allegations with Reeves more than a year ago. Reeves and his secretary both denied the rumors and the secretary transferred to another school in the fall, he said to the television reporter, adding that he and Sayers investigated the matter and found absolutely nothing to it. The petition, which also calls for Sayers to resign, has drawn signatures mainly from Kirbyville and the surrounding Jasper County area in east Texas. Both Wallis and Sayers have declined to comment on the investigation. Walliss own statement acknowledged that he knew Mr. Reeves was armed and would commit suicide if the allegations were brought to light ... If they dont (sic) have the moral fiber to call a counselor or talk down a suicidal person they have no place being in charge of children, read a comment from a user listed as from Jasper. A few comments came from user accounts tied to Bryan, like one attributed to a user named Donna Pierce. I am signing because Wallis ruled and ruined Bryan ISD through his bullying and favoritism, read the comment. The 4 years he was in Bryan caused the district a huge number of fantastic teacher who couldnt work under this evil man. Bialowieza Forest is Poland's only natural UNESCO world heritage site - a Natura 2000 protected area and a rare remnant of the primeval forest that used to stretch across the European Plain. The Polish government's claim that to protect the forest, it must cut it down infuriates scientists, NGOs and the European Commission alike. The latter told the Polish government on April 27 that it had a last 30 days to call a halt to the logging or face prosecution for breaching EU conservation regulations. And whilst that deadline has now expired, Poland's environment ministry, led by Jan Szyszko, has shown no sign of backing down. Piotr Barczak from the European Environmental Bureau says: "The Commission's ultimatum has just been breached by the Polish government. Axes are still chopping down trees in Bialowieza and the public is still being manipulated. Environmental law infringement is clear. Bialowieza is not a commercial plantation and will never be." Bialowieza Forest is home to giant spruce trees, oaks and ash trees, and more than 20,000 animal species. The most famous of these is the European bison. The forest stretches over parts of Poland and Belarus. Since Polish Environment Minister Jan Szyszko approved the proposal from State Forests Service to expand the planned logging areas in the Bialowieza forest district, the forest in now threatened by irreversible degradation of natural habitats. In the new 10-year plan, the logging volume tripled to 188,000 m. This is supposed to 'protect' the remaining forest from spruce bark beetles that threaten spruce trees and protect tourists and rangers from falling dead trees. However, these justifications are heavily criticized by scientists and Environmental Justice Organisations (EJOs) who claim instead that the spruce bark beetle outbreak is a natural process that occurs in periods of 8-10 years. The on the ground reality suggests that the Polish government has other motivations. Almost half of the trees marked for logging are not even trees of those species affected by the spruce bark beetle. Commercial interests are the real reason. The State Forests Service is now required to be financially self-sufficient, and selling logged wood generates profits. The State Council for Nature Conservation in Poland and a large part of the public is against the new logging plans, with protests in larger Polish cities and on logging locations ongoing. Seven Environmental Justice Organisations together with ClientEarth have lodged a complaint against the plans to the EU commission, asking it to intervene. According to the lodged complaint, the logging plans go against several EU directives. For example, the approval of the environment minister was given despite not having carried out an assessment to determine whether the increased logging would have an adverse effect on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site. The EJOs want the EU Commission to quickly intervene to halt the irreversible loss that would be caused by intense logging and to ensure the protection of the Bialowieza Forest in compliance with the Habitats Directive. Both the European Commission and UNESCO have since then strongly advised the Polish government against continuing with the expanded logging project. Protests against the logging have been aired by Professor Mikael Marder in Al Jazeera and Arthur Neslen in The Guardian. The conflict is now likely to move to many places at the same time: the European court, the streets, a petition, in media and, not least, in the forests themselves. Maps, images and more detail on this conflict can be found in the Atlas of Environmental Justice. This Author Nick Meynen works at the EnvJustice project in the European Environment Bureau but he is also a freelance journalist, a regular contributor to the Ecologist and an author. Additional contributions to this article were made by Joel Tillgren, Philipp Kuhn and Emma Broden from Lund University An Army martyr's widow was asked to give a written undertaking saying she did not marry her brother-in-law when she demanded the Haryana government her right for job. By India Today Web Desk: An Army martyr's widow has been subjected to humiliation after she demanded the Haryana government her right for job on compensatory grounds. She was asked to give a written undertaking saying she did not marry her brother-in-law and nor will she in the future. Mandeep Singh, a jawan in the Sikh regiment was martyred in the Kashmir Valley in 2016. Mandeep's body was mutilated and the jawan was beheaded. His widow, Prerna, is currently employed as a sub-inspector with the Haryana Police. advertisement Prerana, a double MA, was promised a promotion as an inspector and a compensatory government job for the martyr's brother. But instead of getting a promotion by the state government Prerna was subjected to humiliation. Affidavit by Prerna. Prerna, a resident of Kurukshetra, was also removed from the duty during Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the state. "They have humiliated me, there is nothing worse than this. Since my husband's death, everyone here knows me and I was removed from VVIP duty during Rajnath Singh's visit because they must have thought a martyr's widow's presence could create a problem," Prerna told India Today. The Sainik Kalyan Board has denied all the allegations and said they did not issue any such letter demanding affidavit from Prerna. The state government has announced a job from Mandeep's brother Sandeep and the family has already got a compensation of Rs 50 lakh. ALSO READ: Indian Army strikes Pakistan posts along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, releases video of assault India hits back after jawans mutilated on LoC; Army kills 7 Pakistani soldiers, destroys 2 enemy bunkers Jammu and Kashmir: After beheading of jawans, Indian Army prevents future attacks on troops WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- At least 250 houses were set on fire on Friday during protests over the death of a Jubo League leader in Rangamati district's Langdu area. By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: At least 250 houses were set on fire on Friday during protests over the death of a Jubo League leader in Rangamati district's Langdu area. The dead body of Nurul Islam Nayon, the organizing secretary of Juba League's Langdu Sadar Union Branch, had been recovered from the Char Mile area on Thursday. "During the procession (protest), rowdy people threw brickbats at the hilly houses. At one stage the houses of the hilly areas were set on fire," Mominul Haque - the officer-in-charge of Langdu Police Station - told reporters. advertisement Haque said houses in four villages were set ablaze this morning. Section 144 was imposed in Langdu upazila headquarters, Tajul Islam - the acting executive officer of the upazila - said. 'AGED WOMAN KILLED' Langdu Upazila Project Implementation Officer Mohammad Taib said a list of 73 homes that were damaged (as of Friday evening) had been prepared. However, Mangal Kumar Chakma - the information and publicity secretary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts - said more than 250 homes and shops had been set on fire. Janasanghati Samity's Langdu Upazila unit General Secretary Manishankar Chakma said an aged woman from the Tintila area was killed during the incident, and that a couple was missing. Scared locals left the area, he added. District Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Tariqul Hasan said, "We have no information about the casualties in the fire. Three people have already been arrested in connection with the fire." ALSO READ | Cyclone Mora hits Bangladesh, thousands moved to safer places ALSO READ | Bangladesh: 5 more members of banned militant outfit Neo JMB arrested --- ENDS --- WACO gets a crack at the first state championship game in school history Activists from several parties turned up in large numbers in Bengaluru to protest against the Centre's decision to outlaw the sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter. By Nolan Pinto: Friday turned out to be a day of protests in the central parts of Bengaluru. Activists belonging to various parties came out in large numbers to protest against the Narendra Modi government's decision to ban the sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter. Activists belonging to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) gathered in huge numbers at Shivajinagar and protested even though they didn't get permission from the police. advertisement They alleged that the Union government had decided to throw Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution into the bin. They claimed that the latest indication of an emergency-like situation imposed on the nation is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, the gazette notification that bans the sale of cattle for slaughter in open markets across the country. 'CENTRE FOCUSING ON CULTURAL WARS' SDPI General Secretary Khaleel Ahmed HM Shariff is of the view that all this started with the Centre allegedly trying to impose Hindi throughout the country, and that it's now trying to do the same with food. "All this directly affects the fundamental rights of citizens and food is a basic fundamental Right," he said. The activists claim that instead of focusing on shelter, agriculture, education, health and employment, the Centre is focusing on cultural wars. Towards the evening, activists gathered at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) office and and began a march towards Town Hall. However, police detained the leaders and stopped the procession. Speaking to India Today, some of the leaders said that by this logic, Muslims can demand that pork be banned and Jains can demand that all Indians turn vegetarian. The communalization of society will never be tolerated, they said. ALSO READ | Government bans sale of cows for slaughter at cattle markets, restricts trade ALSO READ | All you need to know about government's new country-wide rule for cattle slaughter WATCH VIDEO | Will nationwide cow slaughter ban hurt dairy industry? --- ENDS --- This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate DANBURY Praxair is not likely to go the way of GE and Aetna, local officials said. Praxair and Munich, Germany-based Linde announced this week they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement to merge into a new holding company. The all-stock transaction will be a merger of equals and create the worlds largest industrial gas company. The new company will be called Linde, which raised concerns about Praxairs future in its hometown of Danbury. Local officials expressed confidence Friday that Praxair will remain in Danbury. It was indicated to me not to expect any changes in their Danbury operations, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said. GE announced in January 2016 it would be leaving its Fairfield headquarters to move to Boston. This week, Aetna announced it will leave its longtime headquarters in Hartford and move to a different city, most likely New York or Boston. Praxair recently moved its headquarters out of the Matrix Corporate Center on the western side of the city to the Berkshire Corporate Park near the Brookfield line. Praxair paid $20 million for the former GE Capital building. The purchase and renovation of the building was assisted by a $30 million state incentive package. A press release issued by Praxair and Linde on Thursday said Praxair CEO Steve Angel will be the new group CEO and will be based in Danbury. Corporate functions, the release said, will be appropriately split between Danbury and Munich to achieve efficiencies for the combined group. Im very optimistic that the new company will remain a strong corporate citizen here in greater Danbury, Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, said. We will continue to enjoy the benefits of their employment and philanthropy. Following talks that started and stopped several times, the companies announced in December their intentions to merge. The announcement was met with optimism by Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy. We are proud of the partnership we have built with Praxair over the years and look forward to having this growing international company call Connecticut its home for many more years to come, Malloy said in December. In a media conference call held Friday morning, Angel called the merger a momentous occasion. In addition to anticipated growth, Angel said the merge creates savings opportunities achieved by aligning and optimizing the organization through actions to reduce duplicate resources, improved asset efficiencies and continued execution of ongoing restructuring of productivity programs. The companies expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2018, subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The companies have a current market value of more than $70 billion. The merged company will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The companies have a history that goes back 100 years when Union Carbide Corporation took over Lindes U.S. business. In 1992, the Linde division, known as Union Carbide Industrial Gases, became an independent company called Praxair. Linde regained the rights to the name in 1999. Union Carbide eventually became a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Chemicals. cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338 FAIRFIELD - The lead detective of the Fairfield Police Departments narcotics unit was charged Friday with stealing heroin and other drugs seized during police operations. Stephen Rilling, 40, a 19-year veteran of the police force and the son of Norwalks mayor, Harry Rilling, surrendered to police Friday after being told there was a warrant for his arrest. He was charged with third-degree computer crime, second-degree larceny, second-degree forgery, possession of narcotics, false entry by an officer or agent of a public community and tampering with evidence and later released after posting $5,000 bond pending arraignment in Superior Court in Bridgeport on June 2. His lawyer, John R. Gulash, declined comment on the allegations against Rilling. He does have the support of his family and friends, Gulash said. In Norwalk, Rillings father issued a statement, then asked for privacy. Like too many other families in Connecticut, my son and our family are facing the effects of the opioid epidemic that is sweeping our state, he said. In the past few weeks I learned that my son has a substance abuse problem brought on by prescription pain medication, the mayor said. He has accepted responsibility for his situation and is in therapy. We are proud of the way he is facing this problem and will continue to stand by him as he works toward recovery. Fairfield Police Lt. Robert Kalamaras said the department is not disclosing the amount of drugs taken, and said the misappropriation affected only a few pending criminal cases. No money was taken and the drugs were taken only from cases Rilling was involved in, police said. As the lead detective in the narcotics unit, Rilling led a number of raids, including of student dormitory rooms at Fairfield University that netted large amounts of marijuana and narcotics. Police would not comment on which specific cases were under review. Kalamaras said Rilling has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of an ongoing internal investigation. Over the last several weeks the Fairfield Police Department has been conducting both an internal investigation and a separate criminal investigation into the misappropriation of drug evidence by a police detective within the organization, Kalamaras said. He said a criminal investigation was initiated in conjunction with the States Attorneys Office, and that the thefts occurred from June 2016 to February of 2017. At no point was the structural integrity of our evidence room breached, Kalamaras said. Access to the evidence was through the property officer, who believed the removal was for valid and legitimate law enforcement purposes. In light of the theft, Kalamaras said, the police department has implemented stricter procedures, including the requirement of supervisory approval and dual signatures for taking out evidence. A detective in the department for 10 years, Rilling was put on leave nearly three years ago after he disclosed he had a drug problem. He entered a rehabilitation program, and upon his return to work was reassigned to the narcotics unit. I was floored that I was placed back into that line of work after coming forward with my problem, he stated in the blog post from May 7. I thought it was a little reckless but I didnt want to let anyone down. Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara, while not commenting on this particular case, said that if a department member reports a problem and gets treatment, the police union contract stipulates that the employee must be returned to his or her prior assignment. Rilling did not admit in his blog to taking evidence. But he did write that for a time after returning to the police force, he used drugs again. I was clean for 2 years. Then all hell broke loose, he wrote. I was stressed due to all of the pressure put on me to make cases and seize assets to help my police department. It all fell on my shoulders. Also during that time, the pressure got too intense. My wife and I began having problems and separated. I was devastated. So, I relapsed. I began taking opioids again but was not getting it prescribed like before, Rilling wrote. So, like any good addict I graduated to heroin. Never in my wildest dreams would I believe that I would stoop so low, but I did. The guilt was immeasurable! I couldnt go to my work and admit that. I couldnt face my wife and kids. And I couldnt tell my father. I was stuck and didnt even see it coming. Rilling continued in the blog that he went back to a drug rehabilitation program. Im clean today and Im done hiding in the shadows, he stated. I dont know what the future holds with my job but I am a lot happier now. Hired in 1999, Rilling was promoted to detective in 2009. During the promotion ceremony his father, then Norwalks chief of police, pinned the badge on his sons chest. While a patrol officer he worked undercover for the Statewide Narcotics Task Force. Code Conference 2017 began May 30 and will run through June 1 at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Some of tech's most prominent figures are in attendance sharing their insights on what's happening today -- and what's next. We've summarized some of the interesting tidbits below and will update this page as more speakers take the stage. Marc Andreessen, one of Silicon Valley's most high-profile venture capitalists, said we shouldn't be concerned that self-driving vehicles will lead to a loss of jobs. Just the opposite, the co-founder of VC firm Andreessen Horowitz argued at Code Conference 2017. Related: Study: $5,000 Is the Self-Driving Car Sweet Spot He compared it to the rise of the automobile industry, which people at the time worried would put those who worked with horses and carriages out of work. It did, but the prevalence of cars led to a boom in manufacturing as well as paved roads and a boost to businesses such as hotels and restaurants. Its a recurring panic," he said. "This happens every 25 or 50 years, people get all amped up about machines are going to take all the jobs and it never happens. Not only could self-driving tech lead to fewer traffic deaths and a boost in productivity when people don't have to drive anymore, it could also cause a boom in exurbs, which go beyond suburbs. Microsoft's former CEO's big regret Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, said that he was too slow to recognize the need for the giant to get into hardware. I wish wed built the capability to be a world-class hardware company, because one of the new expressions of software is essentially the hardware, he said. Microsoft purchased phone maker Nokia under his leadership, which ended up a failure. Related: The Craziest Patents by Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Google and More Meanwhile, Ballmer also discussed Jack Dorsey, CEO and co-founder of both Square and Twitter. Ballmer said Dorsey will eventually have to choose one company to lead. Being a CEO is a hard job, I can speak to that, Ballmer said. Being a CEO of two things, I cant even imagine." He also added that Microsoft didn't try to buy Twitter. Netflix's CEO says net neutrality no longer a 'primary battle' for the company The FCC recently voted to take the first steps to undo the Obama administration's net neutrality rules, which were designed to prevent internet service providers from favoring certain websites over others. While this poses a large threat to up-and-coming internet-based businesses, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said fighting the rule changes is not a priority for his company. Its not our primary battle at this point, he said. I think Trumps FCC is going to unwind the rules no matter what anybody says." He added, We had to carry the water when we were growing up and we were small, and now other companies need to be on that leading edge. Meanwhile, he said Netflix and Facebook aren't competing for the same content. Hillary Clinton says Democrats need better content marketing Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the many reasons she believes she lost the presidential election to Donald Trump, including the media, fake news and Russian hacking. But another thing she pointed to was the failure of the Democratic party to convey its story to voters. We are not good historically at building institutions and weve got to get a lot better, and that includes content, Clinton said. We have a great story to tell. I found when I started the campaign that I had to say in practically every one of my speeches, Barack Obama saved the economy and he doesnt get the credit he deserves. I had to say that because people had been told differently. Interesting insights from a prominent VC's annual report Every year, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers partner Mary Meeker presents a report on the state of the internet. Here are some highlights from this years findings: Nearly one in five businesses are worried about being locked in with a cloud provider, up from 7 percent in 2012. People are picky about which companies they're willing to share health data with. A 2016 survey revealed they're more open to sharing with Google, Microsoft, Samsung and Apple than Amazon, Facebook and IBM. The day when we will be able to talk with our machines is fast approaching. Meeker's report revealed that Google can understand human language with 95 percent accuracy. Related: Insights on Tech and Business From Code Conference 2017 Why Gender Diversity Matters to Event Planners The Big Trends From Google I/O 2017 Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WESTPORT To a former employee and Westport resident, James Comey was far from a showboat, but a hands-on leader who took a sincere interest in all his employees while maintaining a self-deprecating humor and acute sense of self-awareness. After President Donald Trump fired Comey, he called the former FBI director crazy and a nut job. But Evan Barr, who was an assistant United States attorney under Comey when he was the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said those characterizations could not be further from the truth. Comey is a very highly principled public servant who believes strongly in trying to do the right thing, Barr said. In 2002 and 2003, Barr reported to Comey as chief of the Major Crimes Unit, where he oversaw cases related to financial institution fraud, computer hacking, health care fraud, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act cases, tax evasion, money laundering and mail and wire fraud. Although Barr disagreed with Comeys decision to send a letter informing Congress the FBI re-opened its investigation into Hillary Clintons use of a private email server just before the 2016 presidential election, he thinks his old boss did so because he felt it was his duty and was motivated by the belief that he was doing the right thing. Comey was respected and well-liked by employees across the spectrum, from unit chiefs like Barr all the way down to junior prosecutors. He was the kind of guy who was interested in what cases you were working on, and he would follow the trials that the more junior prosecutors were handling. I served under a bunch of U.S. attorneys, because I was there for 10 years, and he was pretty hands-on, Barr said. Comey made time to get to know all members of his department. He was equally solicitous of the secretaries and the security guards as he was the lawyers and the senior prosecutors. Thats the kind of guy he is, Barr said. Trump fired Comey amid an FBI investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to alter the 2016 presidential election results. Shortly after he fired Comey, Trump told NBCs Lester Holt that Comey was a showboat and a grand-stander, descriptions not in line with Barrs experience. The 6-foot, 8-inch Comey was known to have a very self-deprecating sense of humor, including cracks about his height, Barr said. Comey would make jokes about how he did not quite command as much authority at home with his large family as he did in the office, Barr said. After he was selected by then-president George W. Bush to serve as deputy attorney general in October 2003, Comey left the SDNY in December, but would occasionally see his old co-workers at dinners. He is a very down-to-earth, very warm person, a very inspiring leader for the office. A kind of guy who had a lot of sympathy for people in the trenches and really a great leader in the office, Barr said. He was widely admired in the office and people really enjoyed working for him. Barr was not shocked when he heard the news Trump fired the nations top law enforcement official: Hes a highly principled public servant and has strongly held views, and it did not come as a big surprise that he ultimately ended up clashing with the administration. The New York Times reported Trump asked Comey to stop the investigation into Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security adviser, who resigned. The newspaper also reported Trump asked Comey to pledge his loyalty at a dinner Trump initiated. The White House has disputed and denied the accounts. Comey is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on the Trump administrations possible ties to Russia. I think Jim will come across very credibly, and to the extent his recollection differs from the presidents, I think the people listening including the senators and the congressmen will believe Comey, Barr said. @chrismmarquette; cmarquette@bcnnew.com CENTRAL CITY Tommy Leetch Sr. pleaded no contest to five misdemeanors, three of them for animal cruelty, on Wednesday as part of a plea agreement in Merrick County Court. The animal cruelty charges involved two dogs and a black pony. The dogs were a brindle and white female adult American pit bull terrier and a black female terrier mix puppy. Leetch, 35, also pleaded no contest to one charge each of theft by taking of items valued at $500 or less and failure to appear. He pleaded guilty to false reporting. The crimes occurred at 156 Beck Road. Michelle Von Ohlen, who is Leetchs girlfriend, pleaded no contest to two counts of animal cruelty involving the same two dogs. All of the animal cruelty charges involving both defendants are Class 1 misdemeanors. False reporting is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Theft by taking is a Class 2 misdemeanor, and failure to appear is a Class 3 misdemeanor. Judge Stephen Twiss ordered presentence investigations for both Leetch and Von Ohlen. Leetch will be sentenced in the five separate cases against him at 10 a.m. July 12. Von Ohlen, 34, will be sentenced in her one case at 10:15 a.m. July 19. Another case against Von Ohlen was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Attorney James Wagoner, who represents both defendants, asked that they be sentenced at different times. Leetch and Von Ohlen have children, who will have to be taken care of if jail time is assessed. Felony charges against Leetch were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Leetch was originally charged with 21 cases of animal cruelty, two of them felonies, in one case alone. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty in that case. As part of sentencing, Leetch will be ordered not to own or live with animals for five years. The case was prosecuted by Merrick County Attorney Lynelle Homolka. All of the animals involved in the cases have been turned over to the Central Nebraska Humane Society. In one of the cases, Leetch will be required to pay restitution to Jessica Schleichardt for stolen firewood. As part of the plea agreement, Homolka said, Merrick County will not file charges in three incidents reported to her office in February and March of this year. Those accusations involved fictitious plates, the theft of utility services, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. In the theft of utility services, Leetch will pay restitution. Watching the proceedings were six people, five of whom live near 156 Beck Road. Lalkeshwar, a professor at Patna University, is accused of running a massive racket in the Bihar School Examination Board BSEB. EX-BSEB chairman Lalkeshwar Yadav is currently in jail for running an examination racket. (File Photo) By Rohit Kumar Singh: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money laundering case against eight persons, including former Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) chairman Lalkeshwar Yadav and principals of four colleges. The ED has been probing Lalkeshwar and Bachcha Rai, the kingpin of the toppers' scandal in Bihar Intermediate examination in connection with disproportionate asset case. Bachcha Rai purchased property worth Rs 2.5 crore while showing total earning as Rs 51 lakh only. advertisement THE TOPPER SCAM Lalkeshwar, a professor at Patna University, is accused of running a massive racket in the BSEB to award top positions and certificates to the candidates appearing in the Intermediate examinations in lieu of hefty sums of money. The matter came to light in May last year when the Arts and Science toppers of Class XII board examinations, Ruby Rai and Sourabh Shrestha, failed to answer simple questions during an interview with India Today. Ruby, in fact, referred to Political Science as "prodigal science" and called it a subject related to cookery. A retest of the 14 toppers was subsequently conducted by the BSEB but Ruby abstained from it on health grounds. The police later arrested Bachcha Rai, the principal of the Vishun Rai College, Kiratpur in Vaishali, the alleged kingpin in the scam. ALSO READ: Bihar topper scam: Ex-BSEB chairman Lalkeshwar Singh and politician wife arrested Bihar: Topper scam 2.0? Student goes missing after securing highest marks Bihar topper scam mastermind Bachcha Rai's conditional bail scrapped, to remain in jail Bihar topper scam: Someone else wrote exam for Ruby, claims forensic report WATCH: Bihar Board exam results fiasco: Shocked students take to the streets in protest --- ENDS --- LINCOLN A group of unnamed Nebraska feedlot operators has turned to the federal courts to get rid of the states Livestock Brand Act. The Nebraska Beef Producers Committee filed a lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court claiming that the brand law is unconstitutional. The group also is seeking a preliminary injunction, which, if granted, would immediately block enforcement of the law. According to the suit, the brand act puts an excessive burden on commerce and violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. While the brand act may have provided a local benefit in the past, changes in technology and management of cattle production operations have reduced the local benefits while continuing to impose a costly burden on interstate commerce, the suit said. The suit names the Nebraska Brand Committee and its director, William Bunce, as defendants. Bunce said he had not been officially served with the lawsuit and could not comment, other than to say he is looking forward to disposition and resolution of the matter. Al Davis of Hyannis, an officer with the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska and former state senator, defended Nebraskas 76-year-old brand program. He said those filing the suit represent a minority of cattle producers in the state, while the majority stand solidly behind the state law. Its a program thats highly respected in western Nebraska, he said. By law, state brand inspectors must check all cattle in the western two-thirds of Nebraska before they are transported or sold. The brand committee also does theft investigations. John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, said the brand program plays a critical role in protecting cattle producers and preventing cattle theft and loss. What the brand committee does is keeps everybody in the system more accountable and honest, he said. Pete McClymont, executive vice president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, declined to comment, noting that members of his group hold strong positions on both sides of the brand issue. The lawsuit identifies the Nebraska Beef Producers Committee as a nonprofit, mutual benefit organization whose members operate feedlots. Documents filed with the Secretary of State list Jon Bruning, the former state attorney general, as the groups registered agent. Katherine Spohn, an attorney in Brunings private law firm, is representing the feedlot operators group in the federal lawsuit. In the suit, the group argues that the brand program started when cattle were raised in large open areas with little human supervision, where they were vulnerable to theft or straying. Branding was the only effective means to determine ownership. Now, the group claims, the brand program is ineffectual and obsolete. The suit said cattle are identified through electronic devices and ear tags, as well as brands. Cattle in feedlots are more closely supervised and are typically kept inside a double fence. The feedlot operators group alleged that the time needed for inspections and the brand fees create an undue burden on buying and selling cattle. The group also claims that the law violates the equal protection clause because it only applies to producers in the brand inspection area, not the eastern third of Nebraska. Hansen and Davis said the lawsuit appears to be part of a battle between some large feedlot operators in the state and other cattle producers. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) Jury selection started last Wednesday in a more than $1 billion defamation case over ABC news reports on a South Dakota meat producers lean, finely textured beef product, which critics have dubbed pink slime. The trial in state court is scheduled to last until late July. A look at the case: Whats the case? Dakota Dunes-based Beef Products Inc. sued the television network in 2012, saying ABCs coverage misled consumers into believing the product is unsafe and led to the closures of three plants and layoffs of roughly 700 workers. The reports emphasized that the product at the time was present in 70 percent of the ground beef sold in supermarkets, but wasnt labeled. ABCs attorneys have argued that in each of its broadcasts, the network stated the U.S. Department of Agriculture deemed the product safe to eat. What is lean, finely textured beef? It can be added to ground beef to reduce the overall fat content. Its made from trimmings left after a cow is butchered. The meat is separated from the fat, and ammonia gas is applied to kill bacteria. Former USDA microbiologist Gerald Zirnstein named the product pink slime in a 2002 agency email. He is among several people who have been dismissed from the lawsuit, including ABC anchor Diane Sawyer, leaving just the network and correspondent Jim Avila as defendants. What happened? After the reports aired, some grocery store chains said they would stop carrying ground beef that contained the product. BPI claims sales declined from about 5 million pounds per week to less than 2 million pounds per week. Steve Kay, editor and publisher of Cattle Buyers Weekly, said the fatty trimmings that BPI used for its product lost more than half their value, but the market recovered fairly quickly. Legal issues BPI must show that ABC and Avila made defamatory implications or statements, and that they either knew the statements were false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. The company also must prove that ABC hurt BPI. ABC stands by its reporting. It says in court documents that it accurately presented views and information from knowledgeable sources on a matter of keen public interest. It says there isnt a shred of evidence that ABC meant to convey that the product is unsafe for consumption. ABCs attorneys have also argued that the term pink slime accurately describes the texture and color of lean, finely textured beef. Jane Kirtley, a University of Minnesota media law professor who has followed the case, said the reaction shows people are concerned about whats in their food. I think the question is whether you want powerful industries to be able to basically suppress reporting like this on the grounds that it might have a negative impact on their bottom line, she said. The damages The actual damages BPI is seeking could be as high as $1.9 billion, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing from Disney, which owns ABC. ABC has disputed BPIs actual damage figure. How might it play out? Kirtley believes ABC has a good defense, but said shes not really optimistic that the network will prevail at the trial court level, given a climate of general hostility toward the press. If they dont use the phrase fake news, Ill be shocked, because its something that will resonate with a jury, Kirtley said. But she said historically news organizations fare better on appeal. A 2016 study showed that after trial, post-trial motions, and appeals, media defendants prevailed in 56 percent of tried cases. President Donald Trump has proposed the elimination of the Community Development Block Grant program as part of his 2018 budget, but one Grand Island official says shes not worried. Community Development Administrator Charley Falmlen said she isnt concerned because this is not the first time CDBG has been on the chopping block. In fact, she said, every conservative president since Ronald Reagan has proposed getting rid of the program. Fortunately, the U.S. House of Representatives is really supportive of the program, Falmlen said. So it has always maintained itself through the budget process. With that in mind, we are not really intimidated by the process because weve seen it before. Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and funds local community development activities such as affordable housing, antipoverty programs and infrastructure development. The city received $348,927 in CDBG funds for fiscal 2017, as stated at the April 24 public hearing on CDBG funds at the Grand Island City Council meeting. Falmlen said that, if Congress votes to eliminate CDBG funds, the community development administrator would be responsible for finding other sources of revenue for projects Community Development Block Grants are either funding or were expected to fund. There are various other funding avenues through the state of Nebraska and through private foundations, Falmlen said. There are quite a few options where, if we are not receiving that CDBG funding, the community development administrator could be researching it and could procure other funding options. Falmlen recently moved into a new position as the citys transit program manager and is continuing to fill the position of community development administrator until her replacement is hired. Trump wants to eliminate CDBG funding because its not well-targeted to poor areas and hasnt demonstrated results, according to an Associated Press report. At the local level, Falmlen said, CDBG funds have been used for lots of things that have demonstrated positive results. We are finishing up a project on Fourth Street right now for Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible ramps, she said. Railside Plaza was paid for with CDBG funds, as well. The Small Business Rental Assistance Program that Railside is implementing was paid for with CDBG funds. It goes really far back. For the owner-occupied rehab housing programs that the city did, a portion of that was paid with CDBG funds. Falmlen said an annual action plan, which the City Council approved at its April 24 meeting, outlines the citys CDBG funding projects and their intent. She emphasized that the city is not contractually obligated to give any funding to these folks until a contract is actually signed once the CDBG funds are received. The CDBG funds are expected to become available on Oct. 1. Falmlen said HUD will update the city on the funds as the federal budget moves forward. By themselves, they (HUD) may have some federal reserves that they may say they will allocate to help cities keep whatever projects they have going moving forward for one year, she said. So there is a possibility that HUD will come down with some extra reserves that they have to help cities finalize their projects out. Or they could say the money is not there and the projects are done. At the April 24 public hearing, Falmlen said that the city will have a number of public meetings to just let the public know what sort of ideas we are brainstorming for spending funds on. But on Thursday, she said HUD has waived that requirement and no more public hearings will take place because HUD has not released the numbers and allocations for each city. Falmlen said the plan itself will appear before the City Council in the near future. As summer gets underway, the slew of community events does also. Hastings, Cairo and Dannebrog will host annual events this weekend. The South Central Nebraska Czechs will host the 42nd annual South Central Nebraska Czech Festival from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hastings Eagles Club. Coffee and kolaches will be available at 9:30 a.m., with a kolache bake sale, a flag ceremony and veterans recognition, kolache-making demonstration, vendors and a heritage display planned. An accordion jamboree will begin at 10 a.m., and an authentic Czech meal will be served from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The meal will include a choice of pork loin, Polish sausage or Czech goulash. The main dish will be served with sauerkraut and dumplings, mashed potatoes, dill or brown gravy, a vegetable and rye bread. Sandwiches will also be available. ZitaAnne Reno of Grand Island will be crowned as the 2017 South Central Czech Queen at 1 p.m. The Pavelka Variety Trio will play from 2 to 6 p.m. and Willie Skala of Grand Island will emcee the event. Admission is free for everyone. For more information on the festival, call (402) 772-3451 or visit www.nebraskaczechs.org. Cairo will host the Walk of Hope on Saturday at the Cairo Community Center. The walk benefits Huntingtons disease research and the Hereditary Neurological Disease Centre. Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the walk will start at 9. An auction and raffle will begin at 10:30. Event T-shirts, refreshments and door prizes will be available. Donations are welcome. For more information, visit www.huntingtonsdiseaseclinic.com or follow the Cairo Walk of Hope Facebook page. Dannebrog will host Grundlovsfest on Saturday and Sunday. The weekend will be filled with activities and events, including a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, an Amazing Race at 1 p.m. at the Fire Hall, duck races at 3 p.m. Saturday and many more. Sundays events will include a nondenominational church service at 10 a.m. in Oak Park, an arts and crafts fair at Danske Hall, a silent auction and Danish exhibit at Columbia Hall, bingo and lawn games at the Fire Hall and a Danish buffet at the Legion Hall. For more information and a full list of events, visit http://www.dannebrognebraska.org/Grundlovfest%202016%20schedule.pdf or call publicity officer Lori Larsen at (308) 380-1153. As presidential aides H.R McMaster and Gary Cohn briefed reporters on President Donald Trumps meetings with fellow global leaders, a television screen behind them displayed the latest Washington Post scoop tying Jared Kushner to the probe of possible campaign collusion with Russia. That scene last weekend in Sicily provides an apt portrait of the presidents predicament after a week-long venture designed to show him as a major player on the international scene. His Middle East initiatives may or may not produce long-term progress, and his clashes with European allies may or may not lead to long-term problems. But his international efforts like his key domestic policy initiatives on taxes and health care are being overshadowed by the Russia probe and by his heavy-handed attempts to cope with it. Trumps nine-day trip fit the pattern of presidents in political trouble seeking opportunities to show international statesmanship and create some distance from their domestic woes. But the repeated intrusion of new developments in the burgeoning Russia investigation kept making unwanted news. And Trump may have created or intensified some other problems while abroad. A well-staged visit to Saudi Arabia and Israel shared attention with renewed disclosures about Trumps firing of James Comey, including the disclosure by The New York Times that he referred to the ousted FBI director as a real nut job. Accounts of Trumps brusqueness with allies on the European leg of the trip shared the spotlight with reports alleging Kushner, his son-in-law and close adviser, sought in a meeting with the Russian ambassador to set up a back-channel communications link with the Kremlin. To be fair, Trump succeeded to some extent in his goal of showing he wants to restore strong American leadership in the Middle East by providing a sharp contrast with the cautious ways of former President Barack Obama. He seemed to meet a receptive audience in urging the Saudis and other Sunni Arab nations to join in a stronger stand against terrorism and in pressing the leaders of Israel and the Palestinians to resume efforts toward peace. In the process, however, he stumbled by openly by discussing a security leak involving Israel that he precipitated. And he abandoned traditional U.S. pressure for progress by Arab nations toward greater democracy and respect for womens rights, cementing his image as someone who identifies with autocrats like Russias Vladimir Putin, Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte and Egypts Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. That image was underscored when Trump, having soft-pedaled criticism of Arab countries that have played a double game by funding terrorism while denouncing it, went to Europe and displayed a far less collaborative attitude toward the very democracies that have traditionally been this countrys greatest friends. He singled out Germany for particular criticism, assailing its trade policies in one session as very bad and vowing to cut German car imports to the United States. He was also the lone dissenter from the Group of Sevens reiteration of support for the Paris Agreement on climate change. More significantly, by refusing to reaffirm publicly the traditional U.S. commitment to the NATO article requiring each country to come to the defense of any other, he intensified concerns in Europe the United States wont be a reliable partner. That prompted Germanys Angela Merkel to say European can no longer rely fully on others and must take our fate into our own hands. And while much of that took place behind closed doors, one lasting image of the European portion may be the way Trump pushed aside the prime minister of little Montenegro to take his front row place for a photo of NATO leaders. As Merkels speech showed, none of this will be quickly forgotten in Europe. This was Trumps chance to ease the negative image he created with his bellicose anti-NATO campaign rhetoric, and, although aides reiterated he was fully committed to the Atlantic alliance, his actions left doubts. Still, barring anything tangible, Trumps major challenge remains to prevent his White Houses policy efforts from being overwhelmed by his obsession with the trio of investigations into his campaigns ties with Russia, most importantly the probe by newly named special counsel Robert Mueller. Changing communications directors wont do the trick, nor will the re-enlistment of hard-line former campaign aides. And Trumps repeated tweets denouncing the probes as fake news resulting from Democratic Party excuses for losing the election only strengthen the view he is more concerned about that than doing what he was elected to do. In an exclusive interview to India Today, Ganesh admitted that he doesn't know much about Music and did not even expect that he would top the stream. By Rohit Kumar Singh: "I don't know much about music. I just attended a couple of music classes in the last two years that I spent in college before appearing for the intermediate exam," Ganesh Kumar, the Arts toppers of the Bihar Board candidly admitted. Shocking, as it may sound but it is true. Ganesh scored 65 out of 70 in Music (practical), which was one of his subjects in the intermediate exams. He secured 18 out of 30 in the Music (theory) paper. His total score of 83 in the subject is how he topped the examination. advertisement In an exclusive interview to India Today on Thursday, Ganesh admitted that he too did not expect that he would top the stream. "I never thought I would become a topper in Bihar Board. I was a satisfactory student but never thought that I would top the exams", said Ganesh Kumar. Ganesh, resident of Saraiya, Giridih in Jharkhand took admission at the Ram Nandan Singh Jagdeep Narayan Intermediate college in Chakhabib village in Samastipur, 250 kms from Giridih in 2015. Questions were raised about his credentials soon after India Today managed to get a copy of Ganesh's admission form from his college on Wednesday. There were several anomalies in the admission form which had no information about his local address, date of admission and mobile number. India Today spoke to the college principal Anitendra Kumar on how Ganesh managed to secure 65 in music and his answer came as a shocker. "Hamaare yahaan hum kisi ko 60 number se kam nahi dete hain chahe wo music mein jaisa bhi ho," said Kumar. The principal's admission is a clear indication of the fact that there is no system of scrutiny when a student appears for practical examination in colleges in the state. In this case, Ganesh appeared for practical exams in his school and was awarded 65 by own music teacher. The Bihar government, which was yet to recover from the massive shame it faced after the toppers scam exposed by India Today last year, seems to facing yet another embarrassment. This year's expose of fake Arts topper has once again brought disrepute to the Nitish Kumar government. On the other hand, Bihar School Examination Board Chairman Anand Kishore has given a clean chit to Ganesh and declared that there was no need for re-evaluation of papers of the candidates who has failed or secured less marks in the examination. ALSO READ | Bihar: Topper scam 2.0? Student goes missing after securing highest marks ALSO READ | Bihar Board topper says political science is about cooking, will undergo review exam --- ENDS --- United States Air Force veteran Chad Grubofski is preparing to open Mr. Appliance of Mid-America, a Metro East-based franchise of a major appliance repair company, in early June, thanks to business plan expertise provided by the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The Shiloh residents Mr. Appliance of Mid-America franchise will serve residential customers from Edwardsville south to Waterloo and east to Lebanon. Grubofskis franchise is the only one in the Metro East and will serve a population radius of more than 140,000 households. Ive been in the Air Force for 15 years now, he said. Ever since I can remember, Ive been searching for the ideal franchise opportunity. On average in the Metro East, theres a two-week waiting period to get a household appliance serviced. I know in my household that the appliances are the hub if one goes down, it needs to be repaired within a day or two. Dishwashers, stovetops, ovens, refrigerators, washers, dryers and other appliances are among Mr. Appliances fortes when it comes to repair. Such is the business plan of Mr. Appliance of Mid-America. Grubofskis competitive edge will be same-day or next-day service, paired with a one-year guarantee on all parts and service. Our objective is to truly engage with customers and not just be an in-and-out repair company, he said. As home appliances continue to become more sophisticated and in need of computerized diagnostics, its more difficult for homeowners to make their own repairs. Like automobiles, appliances have more complex technology built into them than in the past, Grubofski said. The Illinois Metro East SBDC began assisting Grubofski in February. SBDC Interim Director and Small Business Specialist Jo Ann DiMaggio May met privately with Grubofski, assisting him in fine-tuning his business plan so he could seek funding. The SBDC also connected Grubofski with an attorney specializing in business start-ups. I attended the SBDCs Boots2Business session, he said. There was no cost to me, and I learned a lot about exactly what I needed to do to own and run a business. From that point on, Jo Ann and the SBDC have been working with me on a confidential basis, helping me complete the due diligence necessary to successfully begin my business. Im grateful to Jo Ann and to the Small Business Development Center for guiding me on the path to success. Thanks to the SBDCs expertise, the new franchise owner said he was able to secure a sizable commercial loan from PNC Bank. Di Maggio May is currently working with Grubofski on developing an employee handbook. Di Maggio May said working with Grubofski has been gratifying, because he is a hard worker who has a clear vision of what he wants his franchise to be and how he plans to serve Metro East homeowners. "Chad is not afraid to dig in and explore a problem or situation, Di Maggio May said. He is dedicated to providing the ultimate customer service, and I cannot wait to see how far he goes with Mr. Appliance of Mid America. I look forward to assisting Chad along the way as he grows the franchise. Customers will be able to contact Mr. Appliance of Mid-America online to set up their appointments via the franchises website, mrappliance.com. Customers are also welcome to call the company at (618) 213-3030 to request a repair day and time. Customer service representatives are available 24/7. The Illinois SBDC at SIUE assists new businesses such as Mr. Appliance of Mid-America and existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county Metro East region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is a no-cost service to the community supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining jobs and encouraging capital investment. It enhances the regions economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research, and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. When appropriate, the SBDC strives to affiliate its ties to the region to support the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large. To learn how the SBDC can help your small business, contact the Metro East SBDC at (618) 650-2929 or sbdcedw@gmail.com. Studio Gaia is bringing Max Strom, well-known author and yoga teacher, to Edwardsville. Sally Burgess, owner of the studio, said she had used Stroms first book, "A Life Worth Breathing," as an inspiration in her classes. We do 200-hour yoga teacher training here, she said. We added 'A Life Worth Breathing' to our teacher training. Stroms career started in Hollywood, Burgess said. He was having success, but he was not happy. He felt he needed a different path and started doing yoga. In addition to "A Life Worth Breathing," Strom has written a second book, "There is no APP for Happiness." He has such a positive, clear message, Burgess said. Every moment you spend is totally important. He focuses a lot on breath. In our culture, we spend a lot of time breathing shallowly. In yoga, breathing is as important as poses. Usually, the only people taught how to breathe are women having babies. Strom travels internationally and teaches yoga workshops. Attending a workshop would be an excellent entree into classical yoga, Burgess said. Classical yoga moves very slowly, she said. A good teacher helps everyone get into the poses. Stroms workshops give people an opportunity to have space and silence in their lives, Burgess said. In our yoga teaching group, we use his book and watched his TED Talks, Burgess said. One of our yoga teachers here has trained with him, she said. Hes so gentle and soft-spoken, Burgess said. Everything he says is so wise. He reminds us what we know. Stroms mission, he writes, is to help people remember who they are and what they are capable of and to provide tools that will empower them to live a more meaningful life. His method incorporate well-being exercises, breath-work, and breath-based yoga movement to generate personal health and growth. While discussing Stroms teachings with teachers at the studio, Burgess said she decided to invite him. We thought, we need to invite him to Edwardsville, so I emailed him and invited him, she said. Were expecting a sell-out crowd, Burgess said. We arranged to have it at SIUE so we would have more space. The workshops will be held in the Technology and Management Center at SIUE. Strom will be in Edwardsville June 17 to 19. On Saturday, June 17, there will be two classes. From 8 10 a.m., Strom will present Learn to Breathe: Heal Yourself & Your Relationships. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., he will present Opening the Chest and Shoulders: A New State of Energy. On Sunday, June 18, from 9 11 a.m., Strom will present How to Discover Your Lifes Purpose. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Strom will present Crisis the Axis for Transformation. On Monday, June 19, he will present How to Teach and Inspire Beginners. From 8 a.m. to noon. This is for teachers of beginners and beginners, Burgess said. All of the sessions except How to Discover Your Lifes Purpose on Sunday include yoga practice. All but the Monday session are $50. The Monday session is $99. Registration for the seminars is open now at the Studio Gaia website. Studio Gaia will celebrate its eleventh anniversary in August. This entire region has a strong yoga population, from Alton to Belleville to St. Louis, Burgess said. Well-known yogis visit the St. Louis area every year, she said, but this is the first time someone like Strom has visited Edwardsville. Burgess said her studio had grown in the eleven years they have been here. We consider ourselves to be much more than a yoga studio. We try to offer the kinds of things you wont get anywhere else, she said. One of the things I noticed when I opened the studio was how many people traveled to Chicago for these kinds of workshops, Burgess said. Now well have one right here. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 08:23 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a36dd42 4 Editorial art-and-culture,rich-chigga,#Editorial,Pramoedya-Ananta-Toer,demian-aditya,pop-culture Free We often cry ultra-nationalistic jargon, calling on the nation to reject foreign influences or appreciate creations of our own. Yet why do we tend to show appreciation only after our art receives recognition from foreigners? A few years ago, Indonesian youth went wild over Kebyar-Kebyar, a patriotic song composed by the late Gombloh, only after British rock band Arkarna sang it, uploading a video clip of their rendition of the song to Youtube. Previously it was only a hit among older Indonesians. Also on YouTube, reactions in the comments section of Dat $tick, a song from Indonesian rap artist Rich Chigga, were full of Indonesians telling the world that Chigga is an Indonesian and that they are proud of him. Before that, however, almost nobody here took notice of Chigga, a skinny home-schooled teenager who developed his United States fanbase by posting satirical short videos on Vine. Just recently thousands of Indonesians flocked to the Americas Got Talent YouTube channel to spam the comments section with he is from Indonesia remarks, after Indonesian escape artist Demian Aditya impressed Simon Cowell and other judges with his act. The illusionist though a familiar name here went largely unnoticed before he took Americas heart. In literature, many read the works of our most internationally celebrated writer, the late Pramoedya Anantya Toer, only after reformasi, due to his affiliation with Lekra, a left-leaning group of artists. If his epic novels were included as compulsory readings in high schools, maybe our youngsters could appreciate their great writer and understand their country better. This lack of appreciation by Indonesians toward their own talents before they make it big on the world stage is so persistent that many of our artists prefer to go to the foreign market first. Indonesians with taste are left with mediocre works in the local market. Creators of some of our most critically acclaimed movies had chosen international festivals to host their world premieres from the highly violent The Raid, which premiered at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival, to the recently highly praised Marlina The Murderer in Four Acts, which premiered at this years Cannes Film Festival. First vice president Mohammad Hatta noted our inlander [native] mentality a mindset in which Indonesians, lacking confidence in their own qualities, look to foreigners, particularly from western countries, to determine the quality of their works. However, this mentality might also be fueled by our failure to define the characteristics of Indonesian art and pop culture. With foreign influences heavily impacting us, we may have become lost in finding our own identity. Like it or not, the twisted, opportunistic and violent characteristics often found among us may be part of this identity. Recurring violence, betrayal and vengeance runs through the nations history. The characteristics have actually become a strength of Indonesias most globally celebrated works. Perhaps its time for Indonesians to acknowledge and appreciate their own flaws, before others do so. A complaint was lodged against 42-year-old Ganesh Kumar after he failed to justify his academic abilities. By India Today Web Desk: In yet another topper scam in Bihar, the state's arts topper Ganesh Kumar was today arrested on charges of forgery of documents. His arrest comes after the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) cancelled the class 12th topper's result with immediate effect. Police said Ganesh Kumar will be produced before the district court in Patna tomorrow. A complaint was lodged against him after he failed to justify his academic abilities. #WATCH 24-year old Ganesh Kumar plays harmonium & sings. He topped 12th boards in Bihar from Arts stream & scored 65/70 in music practicals pic.twitter.com/O0K1wagGIx; ANI (@ANI_news) June 1, 2017 advertisement Bihar Education Minister Ashok Choudhary had extended his support to the arts topper and said he was a genuine student. He had said that even Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was happy with the results where only meritorious students passed the exam. Ganesh secured 65 out of 70 marks in the practical examinations of Music and 18 out of 30 in the theory. He secured 92 marks out of 100 in Hindi. Ganesh's academic prowess came into question after he failed to answer basic questions related to the subjects in which he secured the highest mark. When he was asked to play some instruments and sing a song, he seemed unable to play anything in tune. Also read: Bihar Class 12 topper, Ganesh Kumar did not even know basics of subject Bihar exam fiasco: Student appeared for mathematics, got marks in biology Toppers scam impact: 64 per cent students fail class 12 Bihar board exams ALSO WATCH THE VIDEO: Bihar Class XII topper Ganesh Kumar arrested on charges of forgery --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) San Francisco, United States Fri, June 2, 2017 13:09 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a37f29f 2 Science & Tech Apple,Siri,home-assistant Free Apple is preparing to launch a connected speaker to serve as a smart home assistant in a challenge to Amazon Echo and Google Home, a news report said Thursday. The speaker powered by Apple's digital assistant Siri may be unveiled at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference next week in Silicon Valley, Bloomberg News reported. The new device -- speculation about which has been swirling for months -- could entice software makers to tailor applications or services for a broader array of Apple hardware. Like Echo and Home devices gaining traction in the market, an Apple home assistant could let people control lights or appliances and interact with the internet using voice commands. Apple did not reply to an AFP request for comment on the report. Read also: How to protect yourself from cyberattacks Amazon recently unveiled the latest member of its family of devices powered by its Alexa digital assistant -- this one with a touchscreen. Amazon has dominated the category of connected speakers since 2014 when it introduced its first Echo, which responds to voice commands and allows users to order goods or rides and control connected appliances. A survey released last month by research firm eMarketer found Echo speakers held 70.6 percent of the US market, compared with 23.8 percent for Google Home and 5.6 percent for others including Lenovo, LG, Harmon Kardon and Mattel. Samsung-owned Harman Kardon meanwhile recently announced the release of an Invoke speaker powered by Microsoft's digital assistant Cortana and integrating Skype for making calls using the device. At its annual developers gathering in May, Google announced an array of new partnerships and capabilities for Home smart speakers. Meanwhile, Apple has been under pressure to wow the world with a new creation as its culture-changing iPhone is about to turn 10 years old. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Paris Fri, June 2, 2017 10:28 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a374788 2 Environment climate,Donald-Trump,united-states,paris-climate-agreement,environment,#environment,#Climate Free President Donald Trump has announced that America will pull out of the 2015 Paris climate agreement, but scientists say the peril from global warming has never been greater. Earth's average global temperature is scaling new heights, sea ice is retreating, extreme weather events have become more frequent and species are increasingly under threat, they say. A summary of the evidence: - 1.1 degrees - In 2016, Earth's average surface temperature hit a record level for the third consecutive year since records began in 1880. The global average temperature was about 1.1 degree Celsius (1.98 Fahrenheit) higher than the pre-industrial era. This is when mankinds mass burning of coal, and later oil and gas, started hiking levels of heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The 21st century has already seen 16 of the 17 hottest years on record. Some of the world's biggest cities may be as much as eight degrees Celsius (14.4 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter by 2100, said a recent study. Read also: Trump pulls US out of global climate change accord - Melting ice - Arctic summer sea ice shrank to 4.14 million square kilometres (1.6 million square miles) in 2016 -- the second-lowest after 2012, when it reached 3.39 million km2. The Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in summer as early as 2030. In parts of Arctic Russia, temperatures were 6 C to 7 C higher than the long-term average. On the other extreme of the world, Antarctica, sea ice last year hit its lowest extent ever recorded by satellites. High-altitude glaciers, meanwhile, declined in surface area in 2015 for the 36th year in a row - 400 parts per million - The atmospheric concentrations of the three most potent greenhouse gases -- carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) -- all hit new highs in 2016. For the first time on record, in 2015, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere averaged 400 parts per million (ppm). Most climate scientists agree that greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere must be capped at 450 ppm of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) for a fighting chance to limit average global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels. This is the cap enshrined in the Paris Agreement. Fossil fuel-generated greenhouse gas emissions are thought to have remained stable in 2016 for the third consecutive year, even as the global economy grew. But to stay on target for 2 C, they need to decline. Meanwhile, scientists are also worried about a rise in levels of methane, which has a far more potent warming effect than CO2. The rise is so far unexplained. But one feared source is melting Arctic permafrost, which could eventually release billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide. Read also: Angry Europe vows to defend climate pact after Trump pullout - 70 millimetres - Sea level rise, caused when ice melts and warmer water expands, appears to be accelerating, according to the latest data. The average ocean level was 70 millimetres (2.75 inches) higher in 2015 than in 1993, having risen as much as 30 percent faster in the 10 years to 2015 than in the previous decade. The pace is likely to pick up further as ice sheets and glaciers shed mass, threatening the homes and livelihoods of tens of millions of people in low-lying areas around the world. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in January the global average sea level could be between 0.3 and 2.5 metres (one foot to 8.2 feet) higher by 2100. On current trends, meltwater just from the Antarctic ice sheet could contribute to a metre of lift, according to one study. - Extreme events - The WMO says there are demonstrable links between man-made climate change and some extreme events, especially heatwaves. The number of climate-related extreme events -- droughts, forest fires, floods, major storm surges -- has doubled since 1990, research has shown. The intensity of typhoons battering China, Taiwan, Japan and the Korean Peninsula since 1980, for example, has increased by 12 to 15 percent. Natural disasters drive about 26 million people into poverty every year, says the World Bank, and cause annual losses of about $520 million (463 million euros). - 1,688 species - Of the 8,688 species of animals and plants listed as "threatened" on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List, 19 percent -- 1,688 species -- have been negatively affected by climate change. Scientists warn that parts of Australia's Great Barrier Reef may never recover from an unprecedented second straight year of bleaching. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mike Smith (Agence France-Presse) Jerusalem Fri, June 2, 2017 15:38 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3894a8 2 Art & Culture ai-weiwei,maybe-maybe-not,israel-museum,artist,exhibition Free Ai Weiwei said Thursday he sees US President Donald Trump as the "brand" for a global trend toward hatred and division, as the Chinese artist prepared to open a politically charged exhibition in Jerusalem. In an interview with AFP, Ai also expressed his passion for the cause of refugees and his criticism of his home country -- where he currently cannot return. At the same time, he spoke of the decision artists such as himself face when deciding to exhibit or perform in Israel due to calls for a boycott over the country's occupation of Palestinian territory. For Ai, who has visited the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, where he filmed a piece included in the exhibition, being absent from the argument is not an option. "My voice should be heard," he said at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where his exhibition opens to the public on Friday and will run until October 28. "I have to make the argument ... (and not say) 'OK, let's boycott it, and it's nothing to do with me.' I think that's too easy." Chinese artist Ai Weiwei takes a selfie with Israel Museum director James Snyder in front of his art work 'Illumination' (2009) on the eve of the opening of his new exhibition 'Maybe, Maybe Not' at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on June 1, 2017. (AFP/Thomas Coex ) The 60-year-old artist has become known globally for his politically edgy work, and his exhibition in Jerusalem taking up nearly all of the museum's third floor is no exception. It features large-scale works such as part of his "Sunflower Seeds" installation featuring millions of seeds made from porcelain, weighing some 23 tonnes. Wallpaper across part of the exhibition depicts the plight of refugees while mixing in classical images, giving it the look of a frieze from ancient Greece. His "Soft Ground" installation has particular resonance for Israel. The 250-square-metre (2,700 sq foot), hand-woven carpet carefully replicates the floor of the Haus der Kunst in Munich, where the Nazis once displayed art they deemed worthy. The carpet took a day to bring into the museum and takes up nearly the entire floor of one hall, with visitors allowed to walk on it. 'Urgency' to respond Ai, a stocky man with stubble on his chin and an informal demeanor, said he believes there is an "urgency" for artists such as himself to respond to the world's injustices. Asked about Trump, who famously pledged to build a wall between the United States and Mexico and sought to bar travel to his country from a number of Muslim-majority countries, Ai said he saw him "as a brand for some kind of global trend". "I would say rightist movement, so it's not really about him personally," he said. Trump reflects an "old way" of thinking, "to have a hatred for the other kind of people or to divide people, rather than to really understand the whole situation," Ai said. Ai's passion for the plight of refugees stems in part from his own experience. Visitors look at Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's piece 'Study of Perspective' (1995-2011) on the eve of the opening of his new exhibition 'Maybe, Maybe Not' at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on June 1, 2017. (AFP/Thomas Coex ) Read also: Ampar-Ampar Pisang greets Mexico with angklung performance When he was a child, his father, poet Ai Qing, was sent to labor camps and the family stayed there for a number of years. He recently visited a range of countries to explore issues connected to refugees and has had exhibitions featuring work on the subject. It is an "extreme example of our human condition today," he said, standing near his "Trees" installation, featuring tree sculptures bolted together from pieces of collected wood. "My father was exiled and I was growing up in the camps, and we faced all kind of discrimination and all kind of unfair treatment. "So I have a natural understanding about people being seen as different, as someone else, as someone dangerous, or someone who would make the society not a safe place." 'Make some difference' Ai has also been an outspoken critic of the Chinese government. He was detained in 2011 for 81 days and had his passport confiscated for four years. He is now based in Berlin. Mira Lapidot, chief curator of the fine arts wing at the Israel Museum, where Trump gave a speech last week during a visit to the region, called Ai "truly brave". Chinese artist Ai Weiwei poses in front of his 2010 work titled 'Trees' on the eve of the opening of his new exhibition 'Maybe, Maybe Not' at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on June 1, 2017. (AFP/Thomas Coex ) She said there was a tendency by some to see his work as simplistic since it addresses contemporary issues so directly, but such opinions failed to see the multiple layers underneath the surface. For Ai, artists can have an important impact on the world around them -- as with any individual. "If we don't feel that way, that's truly a disaster," he said. "We have to say every effort, every intention, every speech, would make some difference." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Indah Setiawati (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 10:35 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3756a0 4 People Precious-One,people-with-disabilities,deaf-people Free It was a usual busy afternoon at the warm, old house of the Precious One handicraft foundation in Kembangan, West Jakarta. Although the employees had their hands full, cutting patterns and sewing to create educational tools ordered by a client, they exuded a friendly vibe. The employees, most of whom are hearing-impaired, have become used to the presence of media and visitors. The founder of the foundation, Ratnawati Sutedjo, was the one who created the bridge between the employees silent world and the hearing community. She is literarily the heart of the foundation. At times when they needed to ask something about the products, they would immediately approach her and talked with her in sign language. I still revolve around disability issues, Ratna said when asked about her current activity. Mini versions: Precious One presents The Silent Art paper dolls, which symbolize religious harmony and nationwide unity. A number of companies ordered the product to commemorate the countrys foundational ideology of Pancasila that falls on June 1.(Precious One/File) Precious One or P-One for short, now in its 12th year, has made an impact on the life of its deaf employees by not only creating a job that can give them a decent income, but also by boosting their confidence in mingling with hearing people. Piping is one of the employees who have gone through a transformation in terms of communication and working skills. I could not communicate in sign language before I joined P-One, Piping said as translated by Ratnawati. A hard worker at heart, Piping now can communicate using a simple sign language and is one of the skillful employees who can create various meticulously embroidered products such as necklaces, which require patience. Although he has worked full time in the workshop, he has not entirely left his old job as a recyclable trash collector. We like to collect plastic bottles and the like and give them to Piping. Here, we support those who want to develop their other skills. Some like to sell snacks while others like to help their relatives sell homemade food, Ratna said, adding that not long ago, she ordered food and snacks from some of the employees for her birthday. Read also: Video: Precious One: Listening to their voice The former secretary of a private company believes that people from the disabled community can produce quality work, so they also deserve to get a chance in the working world and appreciation. That is why she applies a high standard in producing handmade products and endlessly urges private companies and governmental institutions to open their doors to people from this community. These are an order from Iwan Tirta, Ratna said, while proudly showing a couple of fabulous batik cushion covers made for the countrys premium batik house. Precious One may be a small foundation, but with around 20 employees, it manages to complete not only individual orders, but also bulk orders from around the country and overseas. To create steady orders, Ratna not only regularly designs new, marketable products, she also expands her business network. Its my job, she said, smiling. In April, Precious One moved to a new location called the Rumah Inspirasi. Located on Jl. Taman Meruya Ilir Blok D1A/8 in West Jakarta, the new home welcomes visitors who want to know more about the community. For more information on Precious One products, please log on to http://shop.precious-one.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 20:50 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a397655 1 National Marawi,National-Police,terrorism,counterterrorism,Densus-88,Philippines Free The National Police now say 38 Indonesian citizens are believed to have been involved in clashes in Marawi, in the southern Philippines, between security forces and insurgents linked to the Islamic State (IS) movement. Four people were killed and 12 others have been deported by the Philippine government. Meanwhile, 22 Indonesians are reportedly still in Marawi, National Police spokesperson Insp.Gen. Setyo Wasisto said at the polices headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday. He said the National Police were striving to prevent the IS-linked insurgents from spreading their influence to Indonesia. Hundreds of police officers and Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel had been deployed to guard Indonesia-Philippine border areas while the polices Densus 88 counterterrorism squad continued to investigate and carry out background checks of Indonesians allegedly involved in the IS-linked terror groups in Marawi. (Read also: Indonesians safely evacuated from Marawi) The North Sulawesi Police have deployed 119 personnel to three border islands, namely Marore, Miangas and Nangusa, Setyo said. Around 200 Brimob personnel would soon be deployed to support Indonesian Military personnel deployed to guard border posts, he added. Philippine Police data previously released by the Indonesian Police originally revealed that seven Indonesian citizens were believed to have been involved in the Marawi clashes. One of the seven fighting for the Maute terrorist group in Marawi was reportedly killed in the conflict. (dis/ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Paris, France Fri, June 2, 2017 08:30 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a36e6d5 2 World trump,DonaldTrump,Donald-Trump,ParisAgreement,Paris-Agreement,climate-change,Climatechange Free European leaders reacted with anger and defiance after President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the United States, the world's second biggest carbon emitter, was quitting the 2015 Paris climate agreement. With France's Emmanuel Macron taking the lead, they lashed Trump's decision as misguided and vowed to defend an accord they portrayed as crucial for the planet's future. In an exceptional step, continental Europe's three biggest economies -- Germany, France and Italy -- issued a joint statement to criticise Trump's move and slap away his offer of renegotiating the deal. "We note the United States' decision with regret," they said, describing the carbon-curbing accord as "a vital tool for our planet, our societies and our economies." "We are firmly convinced that the agreement cannot be renegotiated," they added, referring to part of the Trump announcement which said Washington was open to negotiating a new agreement. Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the European Union's executive Commission, lashed Trump's decision as "seriously wrong." The body's commissioner for climate action and energy Miguel Arias Canete also pledged continued "global leadership" on climate change. "The Paris Agreement will endure. The world can continue to count on Europe for global leadership in the fight against climate change," he said in a statement. "Europe will lead through ambitious climate policies and through continued support to the poor and vulnerable." Trump said America was "getting out" of a deal he said imposed "draconian" burdens costing millions of US jobs and billions of dollars. The pact was "very unfair" to the United States and beneficial to other major polluters like China and India, the president claimed. In Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed "regret" at the decision, and called for a continuation of "climate policies which preserve our world." Seven Social Democratic ministers in her coalition government said the United States "is harming itself, we Europeans and all the people of the world." In France, the Elysee presidential palace said newly-elected leader Macron had phoned Trump to say that "nothing was negotiable" in the Paris agreement. France and the United States "would continue to work together," but not on climate change, the presidential office said. In a TV broadcast made both in French and English, Macron said he believed that Trump had made a historic mistake, and invited frustrated US climate scientists and entrepreneurs to come and work in France. "They will find in France a second homeland," he said. "I call on them, come and work here with us, to work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment." And cheekily adapting the nationalist slogan used by Trump on his election campaign trail, Macron urged defenders of the climate to "make our planet great again." Paris city hall meanwhile said it would illuminate its building in green on Thursday "in a sign of disapproval" of Trump's announcement and to recall the determination of cities around the world to fight climate change. In London, British Prime Minister Theresa May told Trump that the climate accord was a safety net for future generations, Downing Street said. "The Paris Agreement provides the right global framework for protecting the prosperity and security of future generations, while keeping energy affordable and secure for our citizens and businesses," May told Trump by phone, it said in a statement. - Green anger - Among environmental groups, Climate Action Network said the withdrawal "signals that the Trump Administration is in total discord with both reality and the rest of the world." "Unfortunately, the first to suffer from this injudicious decision is the American people," the group, an alliance of climate activists, said. "This action is totally contrary to their best interests: their health, security, food supply, jobs and future." Friends of the Earth International said "pulling out of the Paris Agreement would make the US a rogue state on climate change. The rest of the world cannot let the US drag it down." Oxfam France branded the decision as "shameful and irresponsible, scorning people and world peace." Among the scientific community, Britain's prestigious Royal Society said Trump's decision would hamper US innovation in cleaner technology. "The future is in newer, cleaner and renewable technologies, not in fossil fuels," said the society's president, Venki Ramakrishnan. "Such technologies will also help in our fight against air pollution and ensure greater energy security globally. President Trump is not putting America first, he is tethering it to the past." (**) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 12:00 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a37becf 1 City anies-baswedan,City-administration Free Jakarta governor-elect Anies Baswedan said he would not attend a meeting with the city administration's working units to address their visions, missions and programs slated for Friday. City secretary Saefullah had invited him and deputy governor-elect Sandiaga Uno to attend the meeting to involve them in the introduction of the upcoming mid-term development plan (RPJMD) by the city's working units. "My synchronization team will attend. Not me," Anies said as quoted by tempo.co on Thursday, referring to his transition team, which is headed by former energy and mineral resources minister Sudirman Said. He said it was not the right time to meet his future staff. "It's too early," he said. He said he was certain that his and Sandiaga's programs would be synchronized in the deliberation of the city's 2018 budget. Separately, Saefullah said all the administration's working units had been invited to the meeting so they could hear from their future leaders directly about upcoming city programs. "[Anies] is going to be the next leader of Jakarta so it would be best if he started meeting with city officials as soon as possible," he said. It is not clear whether acting governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat will attend the meeting, Saifullah added. (dea) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 17:28 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a391a97 1 National FPI,Islam-Defenders-Front,Rizieq-Shihab,Chinese-descent,Islam,clerics Free Islam Defenders Front (FPI) spokesperson Slamet Maarif has said offering apologies is not enough for people who have insulted the groups leader, Rizieq Shihab. Recently, a 15-year-old male teenager of Chinese descent was reportedly forced by FPI members to sign an apology letter for having allegedly insulted Rizieq on his Facebook account. [...] We will still report him to law enforcement authorities so that there will be a deterrent effect on those [wanting to] insult Islam and clerics, Slamet told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. According to reports, a group of FPI members and local residents mobbed and intimidated the 15-year-old boy after he insulted Rizieq Shihab on Facebook. (Read also: Video shows 15-year-old boy harassed for allegedly insulting FPI leader) Video footage that went viral on social media indicate that the boy was forced to sign a stamped statement of apology. In the video, the boy also appears to be repeatedly hit by a man. Youd better tell your friends of your [Chinese] ethnicity not to do it anymore, so this will not happen again, said one FPI member. You have to know that Habib Rizieq belongs not only to the FPI but also to all Muslims. The FPI is just an organization but he [Rizieq] is loved by millions of people in Indonesia. Slamet said the FPI would not allow Islam and clerics to be insulted by anyone and rejected the notion that the boy's online post was in line with freedom of expression. Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network regional coordinator Damar Juniarto said the incident was clearly part of a growing trend of persecution in Indonesia. (dis/ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Prima Wirayani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 14:16 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a385d71 1 Business OJK,Philippine-central-bank,negotiation Free The Financial Services Authority (OJK) is set to sign a letter of intent (LoI) with Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Philippine central bank, on Sunday, paving the way for lenders in the two countries to expand their cooperation. The letter marks the entrance to a series of negotiations to reach a bilateral agreement under the ASEAN Banking Integration Framework (ABIF), which aims to improve the presence and roles of banks in ASEAN member countries. Both countries will then negotiate and assess their qualified ASEAN bank (QAB) based on reciprocity and gap reducing principles. (Read also: Indonesia, Malaysia ink deal in banking) "That [the negotiations] will provide us several parameters, such as the economic potential and the interests of our banking industry [to expand]," OJK communications and international department head Triyono told journalists during a media briefing in Jakarta on Friday. The agreement is bilateral because the regulators need adjustments and flexibility, given each country's regulations and requirements, said OJK deputy commissioner for bank supervision Sukarela Batunanggar. "A bilateral agreement will accelerate that [process compared to a multilateral one]," he said. Indonesia has formed a ABIF bilateral agreement with Malaysias Bank Negara Malaysia. It is in negotiations to reach a similar agreement with Bank of Thailand after signing a LoI in March last year. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 17:31 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a391cec 1 Business French-electricity-firm-Engie,joint-venture,solar-energy,Papua Free French electricity firm Engie has signed a joint venture agreement with Indonesian private energy company Electric Vine Industries (EVI) to develop and operate solar photovoltaic smart microgrids in Papua with a total investment value of US$240 million over the next five years. The microgrids are expected to provide a 24/7 electricity supply to around 2.5 million people in 3,000 villages across Papua over a period of 20 years, while consumers will be able to pay by mobile phone. We aim to be a forerunner in the new energy world through co-innovation and partnerships, designing and developing new energy models, Engie Group executive vice president Didier Holleaux said on Friday in a statement. This joint venture is a follow-up to partnership agreements Engie signed in late March with EVI, giant sugar producer Sugar Group Companies and private equity company PT Arya Watala Capital during French President Francois Hollandes visit to Jakarta. Along with Sugar Group Companies, Engie will also develop photovoltaic and biomass power plants worth $1 billion with a total capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) in Sumatera and Eastern Indonesia over the next five years. Meanwhile, Engie and Arya Watala are set to jointly develop a total power generative capacity of up to 10 MW peak in East Nusa Tenggara over the next three years with an investment value of $15 million. The government has planned to supply 23 percent of the national energy mix from renewable sources by 2026, up from only 12 percent at present. (bbn) By India Today Web Desk: As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, a 15-year old boy from Bihar was today arrested for posting "Pakistan Zindabad" on his Facebook profile. The district police has arrested Afsar Khan after the locals filed a complaint against him for hurting their sentiments. In a similar incident in April this year, a man in his 20s from Muzaffarnagar was arrested for posting objectionable content against particular community on Facebook. He was booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act. advertisement Also Read Kashmir: Government likely to ban social media in Valley --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Palu, Central Sulawesi Fri, June 2, 2017 16:35 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a390517 1 National poso,Poso-earthquake,earthquake,central-sulawesi,emergency-relief Free Central Sulawesi governor Longki Djanggola guaranteed the government would be present to help residents affected by a massive earthquake that hit Poso earlier this week. In addition to supplying them with basic necessities such as food, clothing and medicine, he added, the government would also provide survivors with counseling to heal emotional trauma following the earthquake. I want people to stay calm and not be overly distressed by issues such as the flooding threat from a broken dam caused by the earthquake, Longki told Napu residents during his visit to North Lore district, Poso, on Thursday. For people whose houses are made from wood, I think they can return home while those with permanent houses, they should first consider the situation. (Read also: Aid distributed to victims of Poso earthquake) Many earthquake victims from Napu upland, especially those who live in North Lore district, remain living in emergency tents as they fear possible aftershocks. Accompanied by Poso regent Damrin A. Sigilipu and Central Sulawesi Legislative Council head Aminuddin Ponulele, Longki talked with residents taking refuge in a tent in Alitupu village, North Lore district, giving them moral support. They also monitored the activities of police and military personnel and local administration officials handling the earthquake victims. Palu Geophysics Station head Petrus Demo Sili said the earthquake, measuring 6.6 on the Ritcher scale, that hit Poso at 10:35 p.m. local time on Monday was caused by the shift of a local fracture called Palolo Grabben. Alitupu is one of six villages, including Dodolo, Kaduwaa, Watumaeta, Wuasa and Sidoa, in North Lore district that were the worst hit. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ayee Macaraig (AFP) Manila, Philippines Fri, June 2, 2017 08:15 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a36cfbc 2 World Manila,Philippines,shooting,shooting-incident,terror-attack,terrorist-attack,Islamic-State,IS Free A man who fired an automatic rifle inside a casino in the Philippine capital and triggered fears of a terrorist attack killed himself on Friday, police said, adding he was likely just a deranged robber. People ran screaming out of Resorts World Manila, which is across a road from the Philippines' international airport, after the man fired what police chief Ronald dela Rosa said was an M4 assault rifle and set fire to a gambling table around midnight. The man did not shoot anyone but 53 people were reported injured in the stampede and from the smoke, while one security guard accidentally shot himself in a panic, Dela Rosa said. The gunman disappeared into the chaos of smoke and running people, leading to a manhunt throughout the casino, hotel and shopping complex that ended just after dawn. Dela Rosa initially said police killed the assailant who was hiding in a hotel room, but later told reporters the man committed suicide. "He lay down on the bed, covered himself with a thick blanket, apparently poured petrol on the blanket and burned himself," Dela Rosa said. Before the gunmen had been killed and police had confirmed any motive, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility and US President Donald Trump also branded it a "terrorist attack" . But the incident was most likely a robbery gone wrong, Dela Rosa said, pointing out the man did not shoot at anyone and appeared to be intent just on stealing gambling chips. "For now, we can say that this is not an act of terror. There is no element of violence, threat or intimidation that leads to terrorism." Dela Rosa said the man, who appeared to be acting alone, walked into one of the gambling rooms and fired the rifle at a large television screen, then poured gasoline onto a gambling table and set it alight. He said the man then fired again at a stock room containing gambling chips and filled a backpack with chips worth 113 million pesos ($2.3 million). The man left the room and went upstairs to the hotel section, but left the backpack near the stock room, according to Dela Rosa. Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde also insisted it was not a terrorist attack. "It is a simple robbery and most likely it was done by a demented person," Albayalde told reporters outside the casino. Dela Rosa said 18 of the 54 injured people were in hospital and the others suffered only minor injuries. He said the condition of the security guard who accidentally shot himself was unclear. - Terrified - People inside the casino recounted feelings of terror when the shooting occurred. "I was about to return to the second floor from my break when I saw people running. Some hotel guests said someone yelled 'ISIS'," Maricel Navaro, an employee of Resorts World, told DZMM radio. ISIS is another acronym for the Islamic State group. "Guests were screaming. We went to the basement locker room and hid there. People were screaming, guests and employees were in panic," Navaro said. "When we smelled smoke, we decided to go for the exit in the carpark. That's where we got out. Before we exited, we heard two gunshots and there was thick smoke on the ground floor." Outside the complex, relatives of people caught inside waited to hear news of their loved ones. "Our daughter called us past midnight saying she was in the VIP section of the casino and there was smoke and they were suffocating," Gil Yongco, 42, told AFP. "We are very worried about her. We haven't heard from her." Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law last week across the southern region of Mindanao to crush what he said was a rising threat of IS there. He declared martial law shortly after militants went on a rampage through the southern city of Marawi, which is about 800 kilometres (500 miles) south of Manila. Security forces are still battling the militants in Marawi, and the clashes there have left at least 171 people dead. Duterte said last week he may need to declare martial law across the rest of the country if the terrorism threat spread. Dela Rosa emphasised there was no link between the casino violence and the Marawi clashes. (**) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 15:59 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a38b9be 1 Business Indofood,dividend,pays-out Free Consumer goods firm PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur (ICBP) approved a Rp 154 (1.16 US cents) per share dividend during a shareholders meeting in Jakarta on Friday. The company has issued a total of 11.66 billion shares, meaning that the total dividend is worth Rp 1.8 trillion. The dividend payout ratio is 49.46 percent of Rp 3.63 trillion net income of 2016, an increase by 24.22 percent from Rp 2.92 trillion in 2015. The dividend will be paid on July 4. "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our stakeholders for their continuing trust and support," said Indofood president director Anthoni Salim in a statement after the shareholder's meeting in Jakarta on Friday. ICBP's strong performance in 2016 would not have been possible without our close teamwork and tenacity in strategy execution. In the first quarter of 2017, the company recorded Rp 1.15 trillion net income, increasing by 15.13 percent from the figure in the same period in 2016. Part of the Indofood Group, ICBP produces consumer goods products including noodles, dairy, snacks, and beverages. (bbn) Indonesia has successfully evacuated 17 citizens from the Philippine town of Marawi, as Jakarta steps up its efforts on all fronts in the aftermath of the Islamic State-linked siege in neighboring Philippines that has alerted Indonesian security forces to the imminent threat of terrorism. Philippine forces have been locked in combat with members of a rebel militant group in Marawi, a lakeside town on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, which is currently under martial law following a pronouncement by President Rodrigo Duterte last week. Amid the conflict, two teams from the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Davao successfully evacuated on Thursday 17 Indonesian citizens who, according to Jakarta officials, were not involved in the clashes. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Fri, June 2 2017 The Bandung District Court has ordered state-run railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia to compensate the Jalan Stasiun Barat evictees, saying the eviction was not properly executed and therefore illegal. The court has ruled that the railway operator has to pay Rp 15 million (US$1,127) each for 25 plaintiffs. Asri Vidya Dewi, who represented the plaintiffs, said PT KAI failed to show proof of ownership of the land occupied by the evictees. This victory comes from a long process, she said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 20:24 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a39648e 1 City low-cost-apartment,residents Free Using a drawing system, the Jakarta administration assigned on Friday 160 registered families to city-owned low-cost apartments. Of these families, 35 were evicted from their illegally built homes due to a river restoration project in West Cakung, East Jakarta; and 17 families were affected by the development of a water reservoir in Dukuh sub-district, East Jakarta. The administration placed them in the West Cakung, East Jakarta, low-cost apartments. Meanwhile, 101 of those registered had been waiting for their new homes since 2013. They were finally moved to an apartment building in Marunda, North Jakarta. This is the second time we have drawn numbers [to match families with their new apartment units], Housing and Government Building Agency head Arifin said as quoted by tempo.co. Last week, the administration used the same system to assign apartment units to 84 families who were evictees of Bukit Duri, South Jakarta. They settled into the West Cakung apartment. Arifin added that the administration was constructing low-cost apartments in 23 location across the capital. The city is slated to have 15,361 new units in 151 apartment blocks and five towers. City secretary Saefullah said that the administration would keep constructing apartments for low-income residents and relocation victims. Jakarta currently operates only 2,300 low-cost apartment units across the city, while 19,000 evicted residents are in need of new homes, he said. (cal) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 20:56 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a398127 1 City persecution,reaction-team Free An alliance of Jakarta youth organizations has formed quick-response teams in several districts across the city to help citizens facing intimidation and persecution from various parties. The teams are spread across 44 districts in Jakarta. They will respond to any requests or signs of persecution, intimidation or terror, Anwar Sjani, secretary of the NasDem Youth Guards Jakarta chapter, said on Friday, as quoted by kompas.com. In addition to the NasDem Party youth wing, other organizations to join the initiative include the Jakarta Youth Alliance, the Communication Forum of Indonesian Veterans Children (FKPPI) Jakarta chapter, and Jakarta chapter of GP Ansor, the youth wing of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesias largest Islamic organization. Previously, an anti-persecution coalition of NGOs had formed a crisis center to protect and provide legal assistance to victims of intimidation and persecution. The latest case included a 15-year-old boy of Chinese descent from East Jakarta, who was filmed being harassed by men claiming to be members of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI). The boy had allegedly posted comments on his Facebook page criticizing FPI leader Rizieq Shihab. Rizieq has been named a suspect in a pornography case and is currently on the polices wanted list after failing to answer two summonses for questioning. (kuk) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 09:50 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a372be2 1 National Law-and-Human-Rights-Ministry,Jambi,prison,prison-break,prison-riot,overcrowded Free Jambi Law and Human Rights Agency head Bambang Palasara said the Jambi Class II A Penitentiary would not be accepting new inmates as it was overcrowded. Following a recent riot in the Jambi prison, we have decided to stop accepting new inmates. Instead, we are set to reduce the prisons population, said Bambang as quoted by Antara on Thursday. He said the penitentiary located in Jambi city housed 1,300 inmates while ideally, it should be inhabited by only 300-400 people. Overcrowding was cited as one of the causes of the prison riot in March. Bambang said new detainees would be directed to other penitentiaries around Jambi, such as the Muarasabak Penitentiary in East Tanjungjabung regency and the Muarabulian Penitentiary in Batanghari regency. He further said, sending new detainees to other penitentiaries may create other problems because some of them would still have to stand trial in Jambi. It is risky to allow them travel back and forth from the court in the city to penitentiaries in its neighboring regencies. Still, we will not accept new inmates until we have a better solution, he said. Bambang said he hoped the provincial administration could help solve the problem by renovating the Jambi Penitentiary, including by fixing its drainage, which had caused flooding. The prison is also understaffed, with only 10 guards monitoring 1,300 inmates. (dis/ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java Fri, June 2, 2017 09:15 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a370d70 1 Business LNG,Masela,Masela-block,ignasius-jonan,Inpex,shell 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 capacity of 9.5 million tons per annum (mtpa) and 150 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd). Yes, it is most likely [that will be the capacity] but I have also asked them to conduct evaluations and a market survey to see whether it is possible, or not, to do 7.5 [mtpa] and 474 mmscfd, he said following a plenary Cabinet meeting at the Bogor Palace in West Java. 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) to determine the production capacity of the onshore LNG plant and the buyers of piped gas. 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 is optimistic the block can start operating by 2023, the previous plan on development (POD) estimated that the gas field could start production by 2024, and start operating in 2026. The government has promised to amend their contract with an additional seven years to compensate for lost time due to the changes. Furthermore, the government will strongly consider Inpexs request for a cost recovery worth US$1.2 billion following an audit. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Haeril Halim, Marguerite Afra Sapiie and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2 2017 In 1979, then president Soeharto set up the Supervisory Body for the Implementation of the Guide to Realization and Implementation of Pancasila (BP7), a powerful body tasked with indoctrinating the countrys citizens in the five founding principles of Pancasila, in a bid to tighten his political grip in the face of rising opposition. For the next two decades, the countrys citizens, from students to diplomats, were subjected to compulsory instruction on the New Orders version of Pancasila. Following President Joko Jokowi Widodos decision on Thursday, citizens will once again have to go through these motions. In Jakarta, leading an emotional ceremony at the Pancasila Building, where founding father and first president Sukarno introduced the five concepts as the countrys ideology on June 1, 1945, Jokowi announced that he had issued a presidential regulation to establish a working unit on the implementation of Pancasila. The President said the agency would be tasked with ensuring that all government programs were consistent with the values enshrined in Pancasila. Jokowi said the agency was what the country needed right now as it was confronted with anti-Pancasila groups and organizations that could pose threats to the countrys unity. Jokowi recently announced that he would disband the Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) and pledged to move against any other organizations he considered to be threats to national unity. Intolerant and anti-Pancasila movements have grown worse if we judge by social media, which has been used to spread hoaxes and hate speech. [] The government will also act against the communist ideology, which is clearly banned in Indonesia, Jokowi said. Jokowi said the government would ensure that all religious sermons, educational material, news coverage and discussion on social media complied with the values contained in Pancasila. The main tenets of Pancasila include Indonesian unity, social justice, belief in one God and democracy through deliberation/representation. In Presidential Regulation No. 54/2017, which sanctions the setting up of the presidential working unit, the government will appoint nine members of an advisory team comprising religious leaders, retired Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police personnel, civil servants and academics. The President will also appoint an individual that will lead a Pancasila promotion working unit, which will be directly responsible to him. The President will soon announce the names of the advisors and the head of the working unit, State Secretary Pratikno said after Thursdays ceremony. Former vice president to Soeharto, Try Sutrisno, applauded the establishment of the working unit, saying that such an agency would be an improvement to that set up during the New Order. Its organizational dynamics, theres nothing wrong with it, Try said. Pro-democracy activist and former director of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) Foundation Bahrain warned that a Pancasila-indoctrination program could be abused by the government to crush opposition groups. Bahrain said if Jokowi decided to go ahead with his Pancasila-indoctrination plan he must clearly define what he regarded as anti-Pancasila. All members chosen for the body must be well-versed in Pancasila so that in the future they will not slap on the anti-Pancasila label too easily, Bahrain said. He said the governments interpretation of Pancasila must not contravene human rights and democratic principles so that there would be little room for abuse. Pancasila should comply with human rights and democracy. If something is labeled anti-Pancasila but is consistent with human rights and democracy, there is something wrong with the [governments] concept, Bahrain said. Meanwhile, responding to the governments call for promotion of Pancasila many groups have pledged their allegiance to the state ideology. On Thursday, hundreds of doctors grouped under the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Physicians (DBTI) movement, referring to Indonesias motto of unity in diversity, pledged their support for Pancasila. Sixty-three professors from medical schools and 580 doctors across the country endorsed a petition titled Petisi Kebangsaan directed at the government, which called for the countrys leaders and citizens to work hard in promoting Pancasila and to protect it from alien ideologies. We need to promote tolerance. We are a nation that must protect everybody regardless of their ethnicity, faith or political views [] Pancasila is the only solution that can solve the countrys problems, DBTI spokesman Farid Azis, a professor at the University of Indonesias (UI) medical school, said on Thursday. To support the same cause, at least 100 lawyers grouped under the Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi) also pledged that they accepted the responsibility to protect the national ideology. There are some groups who are trying to assault the national ideology of Pancasila. They want to mess around with our diversity, Peradi chairman Juniver Girsang said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login By Press Trust of India: Kochi, Jun 2 (PTI) BJP chief Amit Shah today began his three-day Kerala visit, amid a raging row in the state over a Central government notification banning sale of cattle in animal markets for slaughter. Shah, who arrived at the Nedumbassery International Airport near here this morning, was accorded a rousing welcome by hundreds of BJP workers. Accompanied by a bike rally organised by party workers, he later proceeded to a government guest house here. advertisement During his stay in Kochi, Shah would attend a meeting of the BJP state core committee before the state NDA meeting and meeting with bishops as part of efforts to win over a section of Christians in the state. The BJP leadership in Kerala hopes Shahs meeting with bishops will help build bridges with the minority community, which accounts for 18-20 per cent of votes in the state. The Hindu far right has often been at loggerheads with Christians over the hugely contentious issue of religious conversions. The partys in-charge of the state H Raja had said the meeting is aimed at "understanding each other" and added that Shah would undertake an "in-depth" analysis of the organisational work in the state during his three-day stay. Shah is likely to flag the recent public slaughter of a calf by Youth Congress workers. The public butchering of a calf by Youth Congress leaders in Kerala last week to protest the Centres ban on sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter has come in handy for him and he is likely to target the Congress, which has been on the defensive over the issue. However, it will be a tricky matter for BJP as beef is widely consumed in the state and a strident stand on the matter is unlikely to be of much help, especially while it attempts to woo Christians. Claiming that BJP was gaining ground in Kerala, Raja had said a few popular people who had so far not been in politics are set to join it during Shahs three-day visit. "The party has started gaining ground in Kerala. A few popular people who have so far not been in politics will be welcomed to BJP during Amit Shahs Kerala visit," he said. "A few such cases are on the cards....Very popular people. Such people will also be joining BJP. Throughout the country, it has been happening and Kerala will not be an exception," he had said. Kerala is important in BJPs strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as Shah expects to win a chunk of its 20 seats after the party increased its vote share substantially to 16 per cent in the 2016 assembly polls. It, however, could win only one seat. The party had drawn a blank in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Shah will attend various party programmes in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow and the day after. PTI TGB APR DV --- ENDS --- advertisement Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 08:45 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a36fd04 1 City persecution,Tito-Karnavian,East-Jakarta,FPI Free National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has instructed his subordinates to take stern action against those involved in the persecution and harassment of a 15-year-old boy in East Jakarta. Two men have reportedly been arrested and detained for questioning. If something like this happens again, I have urged all police officers to not fear [taking stern action against the perpetrators]. I will back them [the officers] up in accordance with the prevailing laws, Tito said on Thursday evening. He said the National Police were focused on efforts to crack down on online persecution by hard-line groups. [The hard-line groups] should not take the law into their own hands, Tito asserted. Regarding the men involved in the harassment of the 15-year-old boy in East Jakarta, Tito told East Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Andry Wibowo to arrest and detain the alleged culprits. Andry confirmed that two men, identified as M and U, had been detained in relation to the case. A video has gone viral showing the boy, who is of Chinese descent, being intimidated and harassed by a group of people claiming to be members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) for insulting their fugitive leader, Rizieq Shihab. In the video, the men can be seen coercing the boy, to sign a statement of apology for slandering Rizieq, who was recently named a suspect in a pornography case. A man is seen slapping the boy's mouth two times. (dmr) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 21:00 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a398d89 1 National kampung-melayu,#KampungMelayubombings,National-Police,terrorism,SuicideBomber,suicide-bombings Free The National Police have named three more suspects in the twin suicide bombing at the Kampung Melayu bus terminal in East Jakarta on May 24. On Wednesday, we arrested three people, namely Asep Sofyan alias Karpet, Waris Suyipno alias Mas Suyip, and Jajang Nikin Sodikin alias Abu Revan. We have named them suspects. They are currently being detained at the Depok Police headquarters, National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto said at the polices headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday Arrested separately in Bandung, West Java, the three suspects are alleged to have helped the two Kampung Melayu suicide bombers, Ichwan Nur Salim and Ahmad Sukri, to carry out their attacks by supplying explosives and providing transportation facilities, the police said. (Read also: Police search house suspected as location for Kampung Melayu bomb assembly) Setyo further said the police found several pieces of evidence during a search of Ahmads house. They included pressure cookers, home-assembled detonator casings made from beverage cans, matches, and triaceton peroxide explosives. The suspects have been charged under articles 15, 7, and 13 of the 2003 Terrorism Law, he added. Previously, West Java Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus said they had named Ahmad Sukris brother in law, identified only as HR, a suspect for allegedly helping the bombers to carry out the attacks. Five people including three police officers were killed in the attack, while 11 people, comprising six police officers and five civilians, were injured. (dis/ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung, West Java Fri, June 2, 2017 19:45 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a395908 1 National kampung-melayu,#KampungMelayubombings,Densus-88,counterterrorism,terrorism,SuicideBomber,suicide-bombings,IS,Islamic-State Free Personnel of the National Polices Densus 88 counterterrorism squad have searched a house suspected to be the location of the assembly of the pressure cooker bombs used by an Islamic State (IS)-affiliated terrorist group in twin suicide bombing attacks at Kampung Melayu terminal, East Jakarta, on May 24. The team searched the house located in Kampung Cempaka, Karawangpawitan, Garut regency, West Java, on Thursday. West Java Police spokesperson Sr.Comr. Yusri Yunus said the house was rented by Ahmad Sukri (AS), one of the two Kampung Melayu suicide bombers, before the fatal blasts occurred. A Forensic Laboratory team and the West Java Polices Indonesia Automatic Finger Print Identification System [INAFIS] personnel examined the location during the search, said Yusri. He said further that the police had confiscated several items of evidence, including seven buckets, one box of pans, 10 plates, seven stoppered glass jars, one jerry can, bowls, glasses, one bolt for a pressure cooker and plastic bags. The search and site examination were conducted as a part of the investigation of the Kampung Melayu bomb attacks. These efforts were aimed at gaining new evidence. It is temporarily concluded AS assembled the bombs in this house, said Yusri. The search and site investigation took around three hours before the Densus 88 team moved to the house of H AS brother-in-law in Kampung Paledang. We suspected the rented house in Kampung Cempaka was the location where the bombing perpetrators not only assembled the bombs, but also prepared their attacks, said Yusri. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 14:07 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a384a5d 1 Business Sandiaga-Uno,OK-OCE,stock,IDX Free Jakarta deputy governor-elect Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno is urging One District, One Center of Entrepreneurship (OK OCE) program participants to invest in stocks through the OK OCE Stock Center. He expressed the hope that the program, initiated by governor-elect Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga during their campaign prior to the recent Jakarta election, could boost the number of investors at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). "Currently the number of local stock investors is just 1 million, less than 1 percent of the countrys 250 million people," he said after opening an OK OCE Stock Center at the IDX building in Jakarta on Friday. (Read also: Jakmart, OK-OCE Mart likely to be merged) Our dream is to increase the number of investors by up to 2 percent of the population or 5 million investors The OK OCE program will open stock centers in 44 districts in Jakarta, allowing people to open an investment account and invest with Rp 100,000 (US$7.51), said Sandiaga. On the campaign trail, Sandiaga promised to create 200,000 entrepreneurs in Jakarta through the program, which currently has 15,000 participants. Sandiaga added that the stock centers would organize training to help people invest. He hoped that investing in the capital market would become common among the public. "I remember, when I was still living in Singapore, in 1999, housewives there always paid attention to the stock ticker screen, looking at their stocks, before they went to buy groceries. This shows a mature capital market community," he said. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 19:53 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a396236 1 City ramadhan,Islamic-center,street-children Free The Jakarta Islamic Center (JIC) in North Jakarta is encouraging street children in the neighborhood to read and memorize Asmaul Husna (99 beautiful names of God) by offering them money depending on how many they can memorize. M. Arif, Social and Culture sub division head at the JIC, said Friday that the program, called Santri Asmaul-Husna (Asmaul Husna Islamic student), was only designated for street children to stimulate their interest as well as teach them more about Islam. Within one week after beginning to learn about Asmaul Husna, they would be tested by JIC committees. The more names they could memorize, the more money they would earn from the program, For example if they memorize 30 names, they would get Rp 30,000 [US$2.25], Arif said as quoted by kompas.com. In addition to that, the JIC also holds three other programs to enliven the Ramadhan fasting period including Star Kids Ramadhan to teach the importance of respecting their parents, Jambore Ramadhan and Spirit Ramadhan. Meanwhile, teenagers are able to participate in a short Islamic boarding school program. (idb) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 18:49 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3935fd 1 National TNI,counterterrorism,National-Police,Kompolnas,terrorism,Terrorism-Law,terrorism-law-amandment Free National Police Commission (Kompolnas) member Bekto Suprapto said the involvement of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in efforts to combat terrorism, that would be included in the 2003 Terrorism Law under a draft revision currently under deliberation by the House of Representatives, could be unconstitutional. Bekto said the TNI and the National Police had their own roles as stipulated in the 1945 Constitution. It was stated there the role of armed forces was to defend the nations sovereignty while the police were responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining peace in society. The commissioner said further that terrorism was a criminal act committed by a citizen and the police had the authority to enforce the law against him or her. If the TNI were to be involved in such counterterrorism efforts, there should be a regulation that could ensure it would not violate the law. Two problems that may affect TNI involvement in counterterrorism operations are firstly, the fact there is no law regulating military support for civilian authority and secondly, that armed forces hold no responsibilities for tackling crimes committed by civilians, Bekto said at his office in South Jakarta, on Friday. Bekto further expressed his concerns about possible abuses of power as armed forces adopted a principle of killed or to be killed, a principle which is not compatible with civilian crimes. Meanwhile, the police worked to serve the public, during which they must adhere to civilian laws. The police should lead efforts to combat terrorism because it is their constitutional duty, Bekto said. (dis/ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Spain Fri, June 2, 2017 11:32 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a37a67e 2 News British-Airways,IAG,Airlines,travel,traveling,#traveling,#airlines Free IAG, the parent group of British Airways and Spain's Iberia, on Thursday launched its new long-haul, low-cost airline Level with a flight from Barcelona to Los Angeles as it joined a growing trend of cheap, long-distance carriers. The British group announced in March it was launching the new airline based out of Barcelona and connecting various US destinations, after Norwegian in September also said it would start cheap long-distance flights from the Spanish Mediterranean city. Level's first flight took off Thursday afternoon for a 13-hour flight to Los Angeles with a 314-seater Airbus 330. IAG chose to base the airline out of Barcelona as the airport of this popular tourist attraction is also the home of its short- and medium-haul, low-cost airline Vueling, hoping this will attract passengers from one to the other. Read also: British Airways returns to normal schedule after IT crash The low-cost, long-haul model had not taken off until recently as it was not profitable. But an increasing number of airlines are betting that the model will be a success on popular routes. Norwegian, for instance, started long-haul flights from Paris to New York last summer. Barcelona will be its fifth base for such flights as well as London, Bangkok and Amsterdam. Icelandic airline WOW uses Reykjavik as stopover to offer low-cost flights between Europe and North America. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Paavan Mathema and Annabel Symington (Agence France-Presse) Kathmandu, Nepal Fri, June 2, 2017 13:37 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3811a5 2 News Everest,Fraud,mountaineering Free Satyarup Siddhanta only discovered he was at the center of an Everest fraud when he spotted news of a couple whose false claim to have scaled the world's highest peak has set off a debate about how mountaineering feats are authenticated. The Indian couple had doctored his summit photo, superimposing their own faces to support their claim, and were awarded an official summit certificate from the Nepal authorities before other climbers raised doubts. Ascents of many of the world's highest peaks are validated based largely on trust, a system that has until now worked within the close-knit community of high-altitude climbing. But as the numbers heading up Everest have boomed, many are questioning whether summits need to be validated more scientifically. For an Everest summit, climbers have to provide the Nepali or Chinese authorities with a photo from the top and a report from the team leaders and government liaison officers stationed at base camp. In 2016, Indian couple Dinesh and Tarakeshwari Rathod provided just that, before other climbers said their story and photos didn't add up. In one photo, Tarakeshwari's face had been superimposed on Siddhanta's, the colour of his boots changed and India's national flag pasted over his hands. In another, Siddhanta had been replaced by Dinesh. "I looked at their photo and immediately recognized the people around," Siddhanta told AFP. "I took out my own photo to compare. I was shocked, it was my photo." The couple were stripped of their summit certificate and banned from Nepal for 10 years. In this photograph taken on May 25, 2017, Indian mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta poses for a photograph alongside an image of himself on the summit of Mount Everest, at his home in Bangalore. Satyarup Siddhanta only discovered he was at the center of an Everest fraud when he spotted news of a couple whose false claim to have scaled the world's highest peak has set off a debate about how mountaineering feats are authenticated.(AFP/Manjunath Kiran) Read also: Nepal lets Everest permit dodger off $22,000 fine An honorable sport A record 509 paying clients headed to Everest at the beginning of this spring climbing season hoping to make it to the summit. Standing at the top of the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) mountain adds a star to a climber's resume, and many go on to forge careers as motivational speakers and authors. But the growth has diminished the exclusivity of Everest and created a new pressure to summit, particularly for those who have been sponsored or raised money for their climb. "Climbing was never a competitive sport, but now there is so much pressure to find some way to be the 'first'. There's the pressure to find sponsors and then the pressure to be special," said German journalist and climber Billi Bierling. That has resulted in climbers sometimes offering bribes for authentication of a failed climb. Dawa Steven Sherpa of Asian Trekking, one of the oldest operators in the Himalayas, told AFP that his company had received such offers -- but turned them down. "We have been offered but it would be foolish to partake," he said. "We would not jeopardize our reputation for a single climber." Another Nepali guide also said that he was aware of climbers trying to bribe their sherpas to lie about ascents. Competition between expedition operators has also created another new pressure as a growing number of cut-price climbing companies have started leading expeditions to Everest. Operators fiercely guard their summit records and there are reports of climbers being handed summit certificates despite not making it to the top so the firm can still claim a perfect success rate. "If it becomes more common, the government should take steps. Perhaps have an expert panel assess the summits," Sherpa said. The head of Nepal's tourism department, which grants the certificates, conceded the system had loopholes. The department is considering giving climbers GPS trackers -- a system also open to exploitation as the small devices can easily be given to other climbers. "We don't expect mountaineers who come to climb Everest to cheat," Dinesh Bhattarai said. That sentiment is also shared by Himalayan Database -- considered one of the most authoritative records of mountaineering feats within the climbing community. The archive - a record of expeditions to around 400 peaks in Nepal dating back to the 1920s -- was originally started by journalist Elizabeth Hawley, once described by Edmund Hillary as the "Sherlock Holmes of the mountaineering world". "If you tell me you've summited, I'm going to believe you. It's you who has to live with the lie if you do," said Bierling, who in recent years has largely taken over management of the database from 92-year-old Hawley. The database has 21 Everest ascents marked as "disputed" and another 18 considered "unrecognied", meaning it was obvious the climbers had not achieved what they claimed. "Mountaineering used to be honorable. Now if we can't count on the word of climbers -- that's sad," said Bierling. Topics : Everest Fraud mountaineering Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Masajeng Rahmiasri (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, June 2, 2017 14:50 1987 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a387a27 1 Activities Jakpost-guide-to,jakpost-guide-to-rawa-belong,rawa-belong,rawa-belong-flower-market,si-pitung,betawi,travel,traveling,tourism,#traveling,#JakpostGuideTo,#travel,#tourism Free Rawa Belong in West Jakarta may remind people of two things: the legend of Betawi hero Si Pitung and its flower market, which is dubbed Southeast Asias largest. Aside from that, it is also home to several Bina Nusantara University campuses, making the area crowded with rumah kost (boarding houses), electronic kiosks, food stalls, as well as businesses that cater to the students' various needs. Getting there Travelers can hop on an angkot (public minivan) to reach the area, with the example of M09 (Tanah Abang - Kebayoran Lama route), M11 (Tanah Abang - Meruya Ilir route), or M24 (Srengseng - Slipi Kemanggisan - Pasar Kopro Tanjung Duren route). Another option is to take an ojek [motorcycle taxi]. It is important to note that there are no proper sidewalks in the area and it is often congested due to the rather small road. Riding your own motorcycle may be a more feasible option to discover the site. What to wear Keep it casual with a T-shirt, sneakers and comfortable pants. Using a mask is also advisable if you want to avoid inhaling too much dust or polluted air. Read also: Jakpost guide to Kota Tua What to buy Flowers in the market, which include roses, lilies, orchids, hydrangeas, asters and carnations, come from different areas, such as Cipanas and Bandung in West Java, Malang in East Java and even overseas. (JP/Bayu Widhiatmoko) Rawa Belongs wholesale flower market on Jl. Sulaiman is famous among those who want to buy fresh flowers at a more affordable price. The market's flowers, which include roses, lilies, orchids, hydrangeas, asters and carnations, hail from various areas, such as Cipanas and Bandung in West Java, Malang in East Java, and even overseas. Visitors can purchase the flowers per piece, in a bouquet, in special arrangements or even in the form of flower boards. The flowers can also be delivered to your home. The starting price of a bouquet of hydrangea flower, a bouquet of roses and a flower board are Rp 35,000 (US$2.62), Rp 85,000 and Rp 450,000, respectively. You can also find wedding decoration merchants within the market area offering stage decorations, artificial flowers and lamps for sale or rent. There are also sellers of strings of jasmine, which are usually used for wedding purposes, traditional rituals and funerals. A seller shows milkfish weighing 10 kilograms at a seasonal market in Rawa Belong, West Jakarta, on Jan. 26. (JP/PJ Leo) Many Jakarta residents will visit Rawa Belong to look for bandeng (milkfish), a mandatory item for Chinese New Year in seasonal market held at Jl. Sulaiman nearing Imlek. Although a milkfish usually costs Rp 25,000 per kilogram, visitors can find extra large milkfish in the market that weigh around 8 kilograms at a price of Rp 500,000 each, kompas.com reported. The fish is reportedly sought not only by those who want to celebrate Imlek, but also by local Betawi people as there is a custom of delivering milkfish to in-laws as a way to seek more fortune. Meanwhile, those looking for food souvenirs may visit Pondok Super Bandeng, a store located just across KFC Rawa Belong. The shop sells bandeng tulang lunak (soft-boned milkfish), teri kacang (fried anchovy and nut), wingko (coconut pancake), sambal Bu Rudy (a type of chili relish from Surabaya) and many other delicacies, mainly from Java. Read also: Jakpost guide to Jatinegara What to eat A portion of nasi uduk with two babat at Nasi Uduk Betawi Bang Udin costs Rp 31,000.(JP/Bayu Widhiatmoko) Make sure to try Rawa Belongs street foods, especially those that have been operating for more than 30 years, such as bakso (meatballs) Cinta Rasa nasi uduk (steamed rice cooked in coconut milk) Betawi Bang Udin and bubur ayam (chicken porridge) Bang Tatang. The vendors are always crowded with customers and quite generous in food portions. A portion of nasi uduk with two babat (cow intestine) at Nasi Uduk Betawi Bang Udin costs Rp 31,000, while a portion of chicken porridge at Bubur Ayam Bang Tatang costs Rp 25,000. Spicy food lovers shouldnt miss out the mie aceh sold in Rawa Belong, with the example of the one sold at Waroeng Mie Aceh Bang Iwan.(JP/Devina Heriyanto) Spicy food lovers should not miss out the mie aceh (thick yellow noodles with curry sauce) sold in Rawa Belong, such as the one sold at Waroeng Mie Aceh Bang Iwan, a branch of Waroeng Mie Aceh Bang Iwan food stall in Setiabudi, South Jakarta. The price starts from Rp 15,000. Foodies can also try Rawa Belongs set of cafes or restaurants, with the example of Coteca cafe and milk cafe Mom Milk.(JP/Devina Heriyanto) Another option to try are Rawa Belongs set of cafes or restaurants, with the example of Coteca cafe and milk cafe Mom Milk. There are also Kedai Lantai Satu cafe in the neighboring street Jl. Kemanggisan Raya or vegetarian restaurant Loving Hut in Jl. K.H. Syahdan. Pancong in Warung Pancong costs between Rp 4,000 and Rp 9,000, depending on toppings.(JP/Bayu Widhiatmoko) Those visiting Rawa Belong Flower Market may also take a stop at Warung Pancong Rawa Belong, a small shop located near to the flower market building at Jl. Sulaiman. The stall operates 24 hours a day and is normally crowded with visitors. A pancong (rice flour and coconut milk cake) costs between Rp 4,00 and -Rp 9,000, depending on the toppings used. However, it is closed during Ramadhan and will start to operate again after Idul Fitri. Read also: Jakpost guide to Jl. Kemang Timur What to do Those who are interested in learning more about Betawi culture can visit Sanggar Si Pitung, a Betawi workshop located on Jl. Yusuf.(Kompas.com/Nicky Aulia Widadio) Those who are interested in learning more about Betawi culture can visit Sanggar Si Pitung, a Betawi workshop located at Jl. Yusuf. Owner of the place, Bachtiar, has been teaching silat cingkrik, a type of martial art that originally came from Rawa Belong, for free for more than 20 years. The workshop regularly holds silat training every Tuesday and Friday night at a nearby school. Aside from training silat, members of the workshop are often hired to do Betawinese cultural traditions, such as Ondel-ondel, palang pintu, tanjidor and many more. Meanwhile, gentlemen seeking to trim their hair at barbershops with student prices can find a haven in Rawa Belong. These places, including Lanang Barbershop, Uncle Do Barbershop and Babeh Barbershop, offer not only haircuts but also a shave, coloring to hair tattoo with prices lower than Rp 50,000. The kiosk offers repairs and sells spare parts of various quality.(JP/Bayu Widhiatmoko) Those looking to fix electronic appliances like a smartphone, laptop, PC or printer can try to visit one of the electronic kiosks within the Bina Nusantara University Anggrek campus vicinity. The kiosks offer repair services and sell spare parts of various quality. To end the day, futsal lovers can rent out a field at the Champion Futsal indoor arena. (JP/Devina Heriyanto) To end the day, futsal lovers can rent a field in Champion Futsal indoor arena. Price for a one-hour game in the arena starts from Rp 250,000. Where to stay Rawa Belong hosts various type of rumah kost that are suitable for both students and workers. With average cost of Rp 1 to 2 million, tenants may rent a room with an air conditioner, cupboard, bed and access to the internet. Some of the boarding houses can also be rented per day. Tips - Operating hours of businesses in Rawa Belong may change during Ramadhan. - Do compare prices when shopping at the flower market and electronic kiosks. - Flower prices may escalate during special occasions, such as Valentines Day and Mothers Day. - Those looking for fresh flowers may visit the flower market before dawn. (kes) The authorities are trying to retrieve a safety locker from the debris which had some 400 kg of gold and diamonds worth Rs 20 crore inside it. By India Today Web Desk: The multi-storied Chennai Silks' building may have been burnt down, but the owners of the textile store are hopeful that the safety locker in there is still safe and sound. Why? Because this locker has some 400 kg of gold and diamonds worth Rs 20 crore stuck inside it. A report on The Hindu says that the authorities are trying to retrieve the jewellery from the debris. advertisement The jewellery store, where the safety locker apparently was, was situated on the ground floor. The jewelers here are of the belief that the locker "could withstand any natural calamity or major fire,". The fire, that broke out on Wednesday, is said to have gutted textiles worth Rs 80 crore, though insurance may have stopped it from burning a hole in the owners' pockets. Also read: Parts of Chennai Silks building collapse nearly 24 hours after fire Major fire in textile showroom in Chennai Also watch: Firetenders rushed to Silk building in Chennai as fire continues to blaze Chennai Silks building in T Nagar collapses after 24 hours of being doused in fire --- ENDS --- 1. Elisabeth Gille was only five years old when the authorities took her mother away. It was July of 1942, the height of the German occupation of France. Her mother, Irene Nemirovsky, was once the darling of the Parisian literati, but once the Germans arrived her fortunes fell. Her novels were no longer publishable, due to Nazi race law, and her literary friends abandoned her, hoping to gain the good graces of the occupiers. She fled with her family to the small village of Issy-lEveque, but in the end it did no good she was specifically targeted by the Gestapo as a degenerate artist of deluded Jewish hegemony, a stateless person of Jewish descent. The writing was on the wall. I am going on a journey now, she told her daughters. A long journey, as it turned out, although not the longest of her peripatetic life. As a girl she had come west from Russia with her parents, running from the Bolsheviks. Now the Gestapo took her east again across Germany, into Poland, and finally to the concentration camp at Auschwitz, where she was killed in the gas chambers. She left behind the unfinished manuscript of Suite Francaise, a novel which detailed the downfall of Paris and the French countryside under the occupation. The book languished for decades in her unpublished papers, mistaken for a diary. 2. Her daughters survived the war. The eldest, Denise, became an archivist; Elisabeth Gille, the younger sister, had a long and productive career as an editor and a translator. Then, in 1991, when Elisabeth Gille was in her fifties, she wrote an odd sort of book: a fictional memoir about her mother, a book which could easily seem to the casual reader as if it were written by Irene Nemirovsky herself. Not that Gille was trying to put one over on anybody. In French the book was called La Mirador Dreams Reves, which translates loosely to Dream Memories. It had Gilles name on the cover, and hers was the books first voice: The child is born in a beautiful Parisian apartment. One imagines her cradle surrounded by bright-eyed fairies: her mother, the famous writer, her sister the servants, the nurse, the governess her father, wearing a light-colored suit, with a tender expression on his face and a champagne flute in his hand. This is the familiar territory of memoir. The child is Gille herself; the famous writer is her mother, Irene Nemirovsky. Consider the phrase one imagines; how many times have we read a memoir in which someone imagines childhood events which they themselves could not possibly have witnessed? Everyone runs up against some version of this when recollecting their own past: the point in which memory gives way to sense-images, sense-images to imaginings. But Gille is only warming up. Soon her real narrative begins, and in a much different mode: I have always found the fragrance of linden blossoms aggressive, though it is in fact quite tender, at least in literature, inebriating the senses in the mild air of late-summer nights. Heady to the point of causing queasiness, it is the fragrance of village squares where young folk walk around and around in the evening air beneath the heavy-lidded gaze of old men perched on benches, fingers knotted over their canes The fragrance of the promenade in Charleville at sundown or of Turgenevs parks, where slender young women from the last century cling to their lovers arms. And a fragrance which has always brought on my worst migraines and driven my heart to gallop and thrash uncontrollably. Consider the sudden and somewhat shocking assumption of I. We are no longer in familiar territory. Is this an unpublished memoir? one wonders. Another of Nemirovskys (highly autobiographical) novels? Or is it a journal entry, found in a drawer after years of neglect? In fact, The Mirador is a combination of all these things. Throughout this fabulously hybrid text, Gille gives herself license to use whatever mode strikes her fancy, as long as it helps explicate the mother she never knew. She writes her mothers memoirs for her, imagining her history. She discusses her mothers novels in her mothers own voice. She even quotes Nemirovskys letters and journals, letting these quotes merge with the larger narrative so that the reader can no longer tell which text is Gilles and which is her mothers. This is, to put it mildly, an audacious project. No matter how liberal we consider ourselves about the slippery line between memoir and autobiographical fiction even if we are more Exley than Oprah on the matter there is still something that seems suspicious about the enterprise of full-on fictional memoir. Is this allowable? Can one simply jump in and narrate the course of another persons life? Perhaps if you do it right. If the proof of any literary idea is in the execution or, as Joan Didion writes, the writer is always tricking the reader into listening to the dream then Gilles book succeeds admirably. Her version of Nemirovsky is curt, cynical, with just enough seductive lyricism to make her believable as a writer of fiction. She sulks and pouts her way through a pampered Russian girlhood, tries her best to fathom the 1917 Revolution, and then throws herself bodily into the Paris literati without so much as a hesitation. Bernard Grasset, she writes of her first Parisian publisher, was expecting a middle-aged man, perhaps a retired banker. Instead, standing before him he saw a petite, young, shy, and curiously dressed woman, peering at him nearsightedly. In fact, Gilles version of her mother is so believable that when I write to you about Gilles descriptions of people and places I am tempted to ascribe them to Nemirovsky herself, as in this lovely description of an emigre ship bound from Finland to France: The ship, by one of those odd coincidences of which the period was so fond, was carrying theatrical sets, and during the entire ten-day crossing in turbulent waters, we had to continually push back the bundled-up stage curtains and backdrops that were constantly falling on us Neither my father nor I suffered from seasickness and we were proud to be the only clients at the bar. I did my best to get closer to Andre by drowning my sorrows in drink, despite my fathers weak protests. The tiny bar had an upright piano on which the bartender, a Polish student, banged out Chopin pieces to pay his passage, struggling to be heard over the noise of the storm. The ship of Europe, a beleaguered stage set on stormy waters it takes a writer, it seems, to fake another writers memoir. Not that Gilles version of her mother is perfect; as a child she sometimes behaves like a spoiled, self-hating brat, and as an adult she is deeply conflicted about her own Jewish identity. But it is a testament to Gilles skill as a writer that the mother she creates is palpable and bristling. By the time the war comes, and the world begins to close in around her, you begin to feel for the woman, to understand her complexities and sympathize with her shortcomings. Most of all, you want to listen to her. Which is just another way of saying that you want to listen to Gille to listen to her dream. Ethical issues aside, The Mirador is an argument for fictional memoir as a fabulously flexible genre. (Perhaps it already is a genre consider Stephen Elliot and Eric Martins hilarious and ruthless Donald.) The fictional nature of her enterprise allows Gille great latitude in painting scenes which are fundamentally novelistic, such as a scene in which frightened White Russians pass the time in the basement of a hotel requisitioned by the Red Army: After a night spent sleeping on the green felt of the billiard tables or cushions and overcoats on the floor, a few energetic souls attempted to establish a semblance of order. Young society ladies tore the fabric off of chairs and made armbands, offering their services to an amiable doctor who was nursing several dowagers suffering from fainting spells. A prince took it upon himself to remove all the lapdogs to a nearby room because their barking had becoming intolerable. Delightful, ironic description of the sort one would find in the best satirical French novelists. Unburdened by absolute fact, Gilles book is free to fulfill a myriad of fascinating functions. It is, in turn, a memoir (albeit a fictional one); an autobiographical novel (of someone other than the author); a history lesson; and an investigation into the literary process, as when the character of Nemirovsky leafs feverishly through French industrial magazines and British books on the oil trade to provide adequate characterization for her creations. Each of these modes with the possible exception of the literary investigations, which can sometimes seem a bit strained is fundamentally successful; its remarkable how well The Mirador works as a whole, how it holds together. The Mirador is so successful, in fact, that one gets to the end of the book before remembering that twinge of suspicion from the first page. Now that we have a handle on what Gille is doing juggling memoir and fiction, criticism and text we have to ask ourselves a stark question: what right does Gille have presenting this story, as if she could write her mother for the world? Keep in in mind that when this book was first published Nemirovsky had more or less faded from the literary world it would take another 15 years for Suite Francaise to rehabilitate her international reputation and some French readers would have approached the book as their first acquaintance with her work. Such readers could have easily mistaken Gilles Nemirovsky for the genuine article. To put it harshly: is this art, or is this theft? Perhaps we can split the difference and say it is both. But I would argue that it is the sort of theft all of us engage in every day, whenever we read a novel: we take the work of a writer and we re-envision it in our own image. Many of us go a step further and re-envision it on personal terms. We imagine where the author was when he wrote it, what he was reading, what he ate for breakfast. Imagine the grubby hands of countless grad students poring over the dirty letters sent between James Joyce and Nora Barnacle, scurrying back and forth between their correspondence and the final chapter of Ulysses, trying to understand the relationship between Joyces literary production and his sex life. Elisabeth Gille was five years old when her mother was taken away to be killed they barely knew each other. To know her mother was to know the texts she left behind, the same way all of us imagine our authors. The difference with Gille is that she went a step further and narrated the picture she saw. She closed the circle; she used the tools of fiction to bring the dead writer to life. 3. So if Gille is only doing what everybody else is doing except more skillfully, in a more writerly fashion then why do we react so strongly to what she has done? What is it about this book that is both powerful and a little disturbing? Maybe its because Gilles book skillfully conceals its own hybrid nature. It is doing many things under the guise of one specific thing: it seems, at first glance, to be a memoir, and we all know how much Americans in particular cling to the supposed veracity of their memoirs. The Mirador can even be mistaken as a Holocaust memoir, if the reader isnt careful. There are several snares here for the woeful misreader. The Mirador is an extremely crafty book. So crafty, in fact, that much of its complexity its intertextuality, even is only revealed upon reading its acknowledgements. This book was imagined on the basis of other books, Gille writes. (What book isnt? so the reader might wonder.) Firstly, those of my mother, Irene Nemirovsky Also Sholem Aschs trilogy, especially Petersburg and Moscow. The scenes I describe at the Hotel Metropol are inspired by the latter. Gille is speaking here of the vivid hotel scene mentioned earlier in this essay: the princes, the fainting ladies, the incorrigible lapdog. Here we have a fictional memoir, stealing from a novel to provide a sense of the real hybridity at is finest. Fiction begets life begets fiction perhaps the best argument for accepting The Mirador on its own terms is that its less about Irene Nemirovsky than it is about literature itself: its endurance, its continual spur to the imagination. When Gille writes about her mother, she is writing about her mothers literary tradition, one that parallels her mothers own movement from Russia to France a tradition that encompasses Alexander Blok and Alexander Pushkin, Musset and Moliere , all of whom are referenced or quoted in The Mirador. Her mother is a book made up of other books, and Gille is reading her. Consider the beautiful final scene, in which Nemirovsky remembers a trip she took with her father to Yalta, where he told her a story about Chekhov: My father and I walked along the shore for a long time. He told me that when Chekhov began to notice the symptoms of tuberculosis, the disease that had killed his beloved brother Nikolai, he traveled around the world and then, after a terrible attack of hemotypsis, went to live in Crimea. Vera Komissarzhevskaya came to see him In the twilight, the sandy-bearded, sickly Chekhov, wearing a pince-nez, and the lady with the enormous tragic eyes had paced up and down this beach just as we were doing, surrounded by the fragrance of roses and the ethereal melody of the waves. At his request, she recited Ninas final monologue from The Seagull, which had been created for her. Time seems to collapse, and we are aware if we have read the book correctly of several layers of imagination. Gille imagines Nemirovsky, Nemirovsky imagines her father, her father imagines Chekhov. By imagining her mother and setting the cycle in motion, Gille is bringing us into a larger conversation, not just with her mothers ghost, but with the inexhaustible world of writing. It is fitting, then, that the book ends with the quote from the end of The Seagull: It was nice in the old days, Kostya! Do you remember? How clear, warm, joyous and pure life was, what feelings we had feelings like tender exquisite flowers Do you remember? Men, lions, eagles, and partridges, horned deer, geese, spiders, silent fish that dwell in the water, star-fishes, all living things, all living things, have completed their cycle of sorrow, are extinct For thousands of years the earth has borne no living creature on its surface, and this poor moon lights its lamp in vain. On the meadow the cranes no longer waken with a cry and there is no sound of the May beetles in the linden trees. A mournful speech, but not without hope. Note those linden trees: the same ones we found in The Miradors opening pages. Here we thought that Gille was talking about her mother in those early lines, when she was really talking about the ever-expanding library of literature: a library from which everyone is permitted to steal. Bonus Link: Irene Nemirovsky, Suite Francaise, and The Mirador China's State media on Friday slammed Trump's decision, saying it was "reckless" and "selfish", declaring it would fulfill its own commitments as a "responsible major country". By Ananth Krishnan: China on Friday sought to draw a sharp contrast with the United States after Donald Trump announced a withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, declaring it would fulfill its own commitments as a "responsible major country". China's State media on Friday slammed Trump's decision, saying it was "reckless" and "selfish". Trump's withdrawal is being seen as a boon by many experts in Beijing, who view it as undermining American credibility globally. "Only two countries, Syria and Nicaragua, have not signed the Paris Agreement. Should it quit, the US will become a part of this questionable minority," said the hawkish Party-run Global Times. advertisement "It seems the Trump administration doesn't care about putting the US reputation at risk. Seeking external reasons for domestic woes is by no means what the world's largest economy should do. A reckless withdrawal from the climate deal will waste increasingly finite US diplomatic resources, and the US' selfishness and irresponsibility will be made clear to the world, crippling the country's world leadership." The Foreign Ministry issued a more measured response, with spokesperson Hua Chunying telling reporters Beijing had "closely followed" the withdrawal announcement. "We think the Paris agreement reflects the widest agreement of the international community against climate change and parties should cherish hard won outcomes," she said. Stressing that China would implement its strategy to peak emissions by 2030 and to boost green industries where Beijing is already investing more than any other country, Hua pointedly said this was "a responsibility shouldered by China as a major country and what China's development calls for". Hua said China was on track in submitting its self-determined targets to cut emissions and fulfilling its commitment under the Paris agreement, signed by 194 countries and ratified by 174. Experts say China, the world's largest emitter, is pushing for global leadership on climate as the U.S., the second-largest emitter, withdraws from its commitments, and is investing billions of dollars in solar, wind and nuclear energy. Asked if China would step up contributions to less developed nations and small island states, Hua said both "urgently needed development help from the international community". "Developed countries should fulfill their obligations under the UNFCCC and Paris agreement to offer financial support to developing countries through the green climate change fund and other mechanisms," Hua said. "China is also offering our utmost support to developing countries under the south-south cooperation framework in addition to other efforts." Also Read President Donald Trump announces US' exit from Paris climate accord After dumping Paris climate deal, Trump calls world leaders to explain his stand --- ENDS --- "It seems that India has suffered a setback in the 'elephant versus dragon' race, with an unexpected slowdown in its economy helping China regain the title of fastest-growing major economy in the first quarter," said a column on Friday in the hardline tabloid Global Times. By Ananth Krishnan: China's media has seen India's less-than-expected 6.1 per cent GDP growth in the January-March quarter as "an own goal" that was a result of "drastic" reform measures including the demonetisation move. "It seems that India has suffered a setback in the 'elephant versus dragon' race, with an unexpected slowdown in its economy helping China regain the title of fastest-growing major economy in the first quarter," said a column on Friday in the hardline tabloid Global Times, written by reporter Xiao Xin. advertisement It was published in the English-language website which is intended mainly for an international audience and hence often makes provocative arguments. While the Global Times is published by the official People's Daily, which is the Communist Party's official mouthpiece, it often adopts hardline positions that reflect the views some sections of the party but isn't necessarily the official view. The commentary said, "The reality also shows how poorly the economy is weathering demonetisation. That being the case, the Indian government should seriously think twice about reformist drives as drastic as the November decision. While an 'iron fist' approach to socio-economic reform in India, seems indispensable to steer the country toward prosperity, shock treatment should probably be avoided. After all, cash remains what most Indian people rely on to set everyday life in motion." "The Indian government," it added, "needs to implement more effective policies to spur private investment, an apparently weak link in an economy mostly driven by consumer demand and government spending. Hopefully, no own goals will be scored in the future as India continues its reform efforts." A separate commentary in the newspaper, authored by strategic expert Liu Zongyi of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, said of India's decision to boycott the May 14 Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing that while "India's presence would not have exerted any influence on the success of the forum" some Chinese observers "worry that its suspicion over the Belt and Road initiative would worsen China-India relations." DESPERATE STRATEGIC ANXIETY Noting that Indian media and experts had suggested that an "Asia Africa Growth Corridor" initiative mentioned by Prime Minister Modi at the recent meeting of the African Development Bank in Gujarat was a counter to the One Belt, One Road, as was an attempt by the U.S. to revive its flagging New Silk Road push along with India, Liu said, "Indian government functionaries and media outlets have been displaying desperate strategic anxiety as they take all international cooperation aimed at inter-connectivity as a countermeasure to the Belt and Road, when even Washington and Tokyo dispatched delegations at the 11th hour to Beijing." advertisement "Beijing does not repel these designs and, if there is any possibility, hopes to integrate them with the Belt and Road," he said. "The connectivity projects by New Delhi and Japan, though raised either to compete with or contain China's sphere of influence, have objectively facilitated trade cooperation, which is exactly China's original intention. India's soft power through wide economic collaboration and people-to-people exchanges with African nations is worthwhile for China to learn from." While India and China were working on a number of projects bilaterally, Liu said it was "difficult to push forward a number of shovel-ready projects due to the Indian government's political concerns." He added that as Chinese leader Xi Jinping had mentioned at the BRF, the initiative was still open to all countries. "Therefore, as long as the leaders of other countries do not impose self-reclusiveness or take suggestions from ignorant advisers in order to win elections by inciting nationalism and populism to create estrangement, the Belt and Road project will, as always, be welcoming with open arms to them," said Liu. Also read: China thinks India, Pakistan entry to Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will reduce tension between them advertisement China welcomes reports of India rejecting Australia's request to join Malabar naval exercises Dangal vs Baahubali 2: Rs 1000cr in China for Aamir, Rs 500-cr club in India for The Conclusion Also watch: India, China postpone financial dialogue amid NSG row --- ENDS --- Lily-Rose Depp has undoubtly taken over the fashion world this year, and it's unsurprising considering who her parents are. The actress and model has just turned 18, so here are eight of our favourite looks in honour of her birthday. A post shared by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Jan 17, 2017 at 2:49am PST Lily-Rose looks absolutely stunning in this Chanel suit, with a loose tie and jacket paired with slim fit trousers. She's giving off definite boss lady vibes with this look, and we love it! A post shared by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Mar 14, 2017 at 1:33pm PDT How could we leave out this absolute dream of a dress? This pale pink number may not be everyone's taste, but the layers of tiered ruffles look amazing on Lily-Rose. She wore this while posing for Vogue Italia and it looks like it could be another Chanel number, according to her tags. A post shared by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on May 29, 2017 at 6:43pm PDT Lily-Rose shows us that even her everyday looks are beyond adorable. She lives up to her name by donning this pretty rose dress, pairing it with some simple black heels. The splashes of colour look amazing with the contrasting pale base, which only further highlights the peach tones in her skin. A post shared by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Jul 17, 2015 at 10:36am PDT An all-white outfit can seem so daunting to many women, but Lily-Rose pulls it off beautifully. This two piece features a cropped jacket with short sleeves and a lace style collar. The puffy skirt and round sunglasses give her a cute doll look without making her look childish. A post shared by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Oct 6, 2015 at 9:55am PDT This is one of Lily-Rose's classic outfits that people went crazy for when she shot to fame. Lightwash jeans can be considered pretty simple, but she's given it that much needed flash of colour by wearing a bright asymmetrical top with a cute red neckerchief. A post shared by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Nov 4, 2016 at 9:44am PDT Lily-Rose has been called 'fashion's dream girl', and she certainly looks it in this Marc Jacobs' dress. She's seen here in the white, fantasy-style dress posing for British Vogue, and it's easy to see why they've called her Hollywood's latest star. A post shared by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Mar 8, 2017 at 12:59am PST One of this girl's many talents is changing looks easily and pulling every single one of them off. Lily-Rose can go from a floaty dream girl to wearing a more street-inspired look, with a layered gold chain and chunky knit track top. While this isn't a style that we've seen her wear often, her ability to pull it off with attitude is truly amazing. A post shared by Lily-Rose Depp (@lilyrose_depp) on Oct 4, 2016 at 8:34am PDT Can we talk about how classy Lily-Rose looks in this outfit? Those loose white shorts and strappy t-bar heels are very flattering on her, making it hard to believe she's just 5'3". Her thick gold hoops and slouchy top make the overall look a lot more casual without making her look any less glam. The highly anticipated superhero movie Wonder Woman has been banned from being shown in Lebanon, according to Grand Cinemas, which describes itself as the countrys largest cinema chain. While the movie is expected to enjoy huge success globally with its female superhero lead actress role, it will no longer be shown in the 15 scheduled Lebanon theatres because the star of the film, Gal Gadot, is from Israel. The Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon was among the most vocal supporters for a statewide ban and cited Gadots two years of service in the Israeli army and a 2014 Facebook post by the actress as its reasons. Her Facebook post exclaimed that she was praying for Israeli citizens affected by the Gaza conflict and that she condemned the horrific acts conducted by Hamas, who are hiding like cowards behind women and children. Lebanon and Israel share a border and have had strife with each other for decades the two countries went to war in 2006. As a result, Lebanon does not allow its citizens to travel to Israel and it officially boycotts Israeli products. The Lebanese were able to see past films in theatres that feature Gadot, including Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and several movies from the Fast and Furious series. Signed by 195 countries, the Paris Agreements central purpose is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty. Donald Trump at CPAC, February 2017 (Michael Vadon) The partaking countries agreed to sharply lower greenhouse-gas emissions in order to limit the temperature increase to a maximum of 1.5C. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump, who in 2012 called global warming a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese, announced that the United States would withdraw from the agreement, as a reassertion of Americas sovereignty. The US now joins Nicaragua and Syria as the only countries to oppose the climate agreement. Trump says he remains open to negotiating a new climate deal, on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers. Withdrawing from the agreement had been one of Trumps campaign promises, arguing that the deal was bad for US business and would harm the economy by hindering job creations in the oil and coil industry. Moreover, he also believe it would result in putting the countrys energy resources under lock and key, and that allowing for a foreign bureaucrat input on US companies energy use hinders his populist and isolationist message of America first. Furthermore, several politicians on Trumps administration (including Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency) deem the deal unnecessary, since they do not believe in global warming, or believe that humans are not responsible for it. Both Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have warned Trump against the withdrawal. They argue that doing so would be bad not only for the environment but also for the US business and economy, and that staying in would create jobs in the clean energy sector. After Trumps announcement, Musk announced his own withdrawal from Trumps business advisory council, tweeting that leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. In fact, hundreds of US companies (including Nike, Starbucks, Levi Strauss and so on) have signed an open letter to Trump, urging him not to withdraw from the deal. The plea claims that failure to build a low-carbon economy puts American prosperity at risk and that the right action now will create jobs and boost US competitiveness. As the worlds second-biggest carbon dioxide emitter (the first one being China), the US leaving the Paris agreement will no doubt have a resounding impact on the deal. Some fear the withdrawal will influence other countries to do the same, or weaken their commitment to the agreement. In fact, the US had promised (under Obamas administration) to give $3billion to help poor nations address the effects of climate change. Although a third was already given under Obamas presidency, Trump is adamant he'll cancel the future payments - which could discourage developing countries to follow through the agreement. However, both China and the EU have assured they will stick with the accord with or without the US. On Thursday, Chinas Premier Li Keqiang highlighted the global responsibility to fight climate change, deeming it a global consensus not invented by China. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press conference that Russia attaches great significance to the deal, while also admitting that the effectiveness of this convention is likely to be reduced without its key participants." French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni released a joint statement that read: We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies. Theresa May remained out of the joint statement, but a Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister had a phone call with Trump after his announcement where she expressed her disappointment with the decision and stressed that the UK remained committed to the Paris Agreement. Meanwhile, Obama, a big defender of the Paris Agreement, has condemned the withdrawal and claims Trumps administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future, but also assured his confidence that the USA will continue to help protect for future generations the one planet weve got. The withdrawal takes four years to complete, with an official exit set for November 4th, 2020 - the day after the Presidential election. Hence, the administration that follows Trumps could rejoin the accord shortly after if it decides to do so. Leaving the Paris agreement risks not only to hinder the US relations with countries committed to fight global warming, but also to hamper the countrys prosperity by leaving it behind in the clean energy sector. The deal shows a country reluctant to move forward to more sustainable energy, and selfishly clinging to past, polluting, and more profitable ones. With overwhelming facts and statistics proving the very real threat of global warming, Trumps decision to withdraw from to the deal on isolationist and economical ground seems small-minded and ill-grounded. Such decision lacks the bigger picture and consensus that each country, and especially a leading one such as the US, holds a responsibility to future generations to limit the already-present environmental damages induced by human activities. Memphis, Tennessee. A city built on the river Mississippi and its long history of blues, soul and rock 'n' roll. Born and raised in the Bluff City, Eric Gales is a man with a remarkable career. He began his life in music as a child prodigy who learnt blues-rock guitar from his two older brothers Eugene and Manual. Growing up, and continuing to go strength to strength in musical capability, he has to date released an incredible ten solo records. The latest, Middle of the Road was dropped on 24th February. His musical skill is simply undeniable; he can even extend his talent to contributing vocals on Memphis rap groups. Gales has lived his life on an emotional rollercoaster, which included a brief spell in prison where he led a band. It was crazy, the warden came to my cell and said I know who you are () I want you to spearhead a prison band and we can bring down violence in the prison and it actually did, we got to go out and play in the city, which was unheard of, never happened before, and it was quite a blessing to escape the confines of being locked down. We played to fellow prisoners a couple of times a day, two or three shows a day, almost. A combination of covers of R&B, Hendrix, everything, gospel. No I dont think so" he says, in response to a question about music being a cause of his troubles. "That was a decision I made as a young person to, you know, involve myself with street activities, and fortunately I didnt die from it. I spent a couple of years literally trying to kill myself so to come from that and to be able to play that emotion out, Im grateful for, because even though there is a story, there is a story behind the story. On 15th May, Gales celebrated 10 months completely sober, and he is seemingly enthusiastic about his new, clean way of life. For me yeah for me, Im not pushing it on nobody () What you drink and smoke dont get me high or drunk so it doesnt bother me seeing people do it, I just know what I cant do, and life has been a hundred percent better in these ten months already. His wild ride has been documented in Middle of the Road, the latest album from Gales. Everybody that knows me will hear a well put together outline of my timeline of life, from where I come from and where I am right now. I think that message is getting across really well on the live shows too. Ive been through some lows in life and Ive been through some pretty good highs in life; right now Im at a really good high in life." I think the label has quite a lot in play for this record, going good so far, the push and marketing that they have done has been really good, heard by quite a lot of people. Amplifying the live shows has sparked the interest of people that have heard a lot of the stuff when I think in the past I have been with labels whose arms reach wasnt as long as it could have been as far as marketing and promoting. Further chatting about his presence in the 'Fame Game', Gales reflects on the important of music in his life. The music is the most important thing for me you know what I mean. 'Cause I have been part of the fame game but focussing on that kinda took me down roads I shouldnt have gone down, that I could have died from, but now, been there done that, I can gracefully expect however it comes and handle it With so much original music released, most would think there must be a process to this creativity and that constantly creating new material would prove a sometimes difficult task... Gales is not so challenged. Im always working on something subliminally in my head so Im always prepared when its time to start the process Ironically, coming up with this new record was at a point in my life where I went through quite a bit of struggle with myself and once I came out of that it was very easy to come up with new material. Gales has played many Jimi Hendrix tribute gigs in his career and even been likened to Hendrixs capabilities. Obviously, he is a very talented musician, but is this just a recreation, or an original sound? I prefer creating my own sound. But the thing about doing stuff that has been done by other people is, that it's all in the presentation of doing it my own way, so I think true homage is playing someone elses stuff the way you interpret it. Why would someone go and listen to an imitation of someone when they can go and listen to the real thing. Interpret it your own way. Any time that I use somebody elses stuff I give it my own presentation. "A comparison to a guy like Hendrix is one of the highest compliments in the world, its huge but in the same token your own person has to surface more than anything, know what I mean? A parody video is encouraging the 15.9 million people who didnt vote in the last general election to make their voice heard by voting on June 8. The party political broadcast from the Cant Be Arsed Party features the leader of the silent majority talking to people in the street about why they arent voting. Forever Beta The chuckle-inducing video fromeven interviews Ian Hislop, who rains on the partys parade, saying that historically, ignoring problems and hoping they go away doesnt really work. It lists policy areas like education, Trident and border control, saying that it cant be arsed about any of them. Ignore Britains problems and they might just go away, is the tongue-in-cheek slogan of the party but its all a ruse the last frame in the video implores the public to be arsed to vote on June 8. Pro-Labour leaflets featuring grime star Stormzy have appeared around Croydon urging constituents to vote for the party in the upcoming General Election. The witty leaflets states Croydon was won by the Conservative Party by just 165 votes and adds: Even your dads got more Facebook friends. Stormzy says vote Labour! Labours Sarah Jones was beaten to the Croydon Central seat to Tory Gavin Barwell in the 2015 election by just 165 votes, and is running against him again. (Sonia Williams) The leaflets which arent actually affiliated with Stormzy or the Labour Party were created by a group of politically minded friends from London who were inspired to tackle the General Election head on after a series of political disappointments. Sonia Williams Creator, 30, said after the 2010 coalition, the full-on Tory horror show that followed and Brexit, they couldnt bear the thought of another one. The copywriter from Hackney said: We couldnt just stand by and watch in this election as the Conservatives won the landslide victory they obviously thought theyd get we had to try to intervene in whatever way we could to fight back for the left. Over and over again we feel that this government has let us all down, cutting essential services, pushing through a hard Brexit agenda that benefits nobody and serving only the narrow interests of the 1%. (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The friends decided to channel their efforts through marginal seats and found Croydon Central had been won by a small margin, so they set their sights on the south London constituency. Sonia said: The main aim of the flyers was to show just how close it was and motivate people to get out and vote because theyd know it really mattered each vote really would count. With Stormzy being from Croydon and the rise of grime4Corbyn, it pretty much wrote itself. We all reckon humour is a great way to get young people engaged with politics, to get everyone interested and talking about it. (Ian West/PA) Sonia and her friends visited Croydon to hand out the flyers to locals and said the response was amazing, especially from young people. She said the approach may have been well-received due to the fact she and her friends were not officially affiliated with a party, adding: If you distrust politics and politicians, youre likely to be switched off by official campaign material, whereas maybe some anonymous randoms going on a rampage through the streets handing out these mysterious DIY flyers would pique your interest. They definitely got a laugh, but also lead to so many really awesome, honest conversations. Which is exactly what we were hoping for. Powerful from @Stormzy1, helping to break mental health stigma by opening up about depression. https://t.co/OEQw1orPyT Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 2, 2017 While Stormzy hasnt publicly backed a party for the upcoming election, he has previously spoken out about his admiration for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. In a 2016 interview with the Guardian, he said: My man, Jeremy! I dig what he says. I saw some sick picture of him from back in the day when he was campaigning about anti-apartheid and I thought: yeah, I like your energy. I feel like he gets what the ethnic minorities are going through and the homeless and the working class. Corbyn also gave Stormzy a shoutout earlier in the year, praising him for a candid Channel 4 interview in which the artist spoke out about his mental health. Weve reached out to Stormzys representatives for a comment. Greater Manchester police are carrying out an evacuation in Rusholme after they located a suspicious car which they believe may be significant to the investigation into last months suicide bombing. Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said: This is potentially a significant development in the investigation. The car is a white Nissan Micra that has been located at Devell House, not far from Banff Road. We are very interested in anything people can tell us about the movements of this car, and who was in it, over the past months. We are also interested in any information about who may have had access to the car or who may have gone to and from it. An initial 100-metre cordon was put up around Devell House, this has now been widened and covers a large part of Oxford Road. More Manchester police activity. Several blocks cordoned off in Rusholme. pic.twitter.com/oh6fRHZGtc Bijan Parsia (@bparsia) June 2, 2017 Huge numbers of police are continuing to arrive in Rusholme pic.twitter.com/efvfMucKKO Helen Johnson (@Helenj83MEN) June 2, 2017 The Manchester Royal Infirmary and other hospitals in the area will be open as normal, but people are being evacuated from Ronald McDonald House - accommodation for families of children being treated in nearby hospitals - as a precaution. Earlier today Prince William visited Manchester Royal Infirmary and met some of the children who were injured in the attack. A video posted on Twitter by Julian Druker of ITN shows just how close the hospital Prince William visted is to the evacuated Ronald Mcdonald House: Proximity of evacuated building to Manchester Children's Hospital, just visited by Prince William pic.twitter.com/QRFAOHTEmC Julian Druker (@Julian5News) June 2, 2017 Students have been evacuated from halls of residence in the corden, with affected halls including Wilmslow Park House and Rusholme Place. A spokesperson for the University of Manchester has said students are able to go to Owens Park accommodation in Fallowfield, with buses currently taking evacuated students there now. something's going on in manny, we've been evacuated from halls! Ellie Barker. (@ellieabarker) June 2, 2017 The Manchester Evening News has quoted a source as saying the car may be "booby trapped" as "it appears some bomb-making materials are yet to be recovered". According to the source, once the evacuation is complete the bomb squad will move in to take a closer look at the vehicle. The terror attack at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on May 22nd killed 22 people and injured over 100. Many of those who died or injured were children; the youngest was 8 years old. On Monday the first funeral of one of the victims, 14-year-old Eilidh MacLeod, will take place, Police Scotland have confirmed. It's not known how long the police corden in Rusholme will be in place, or when people will be allowed back to their homes. For updates people are advised to follow Greater Manchester police on Twitter. 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Namun jangan khawatir, disini sebagai situs slot gacor MGS88 kami akan memberikan penjelasan lengkap mengenai tentang istilah yang ada di RTP SLOT dibawah ini. On May 22, the roads leading to Nabanna, the building that houses the temporary West Bengal secretariat, turned into a sea of red-communist flags, caps and bandanas were everywhere - setting Kolkata's already searing roads ablaze. Responding to the CPI(M)'s call to action to 'save the distressed state', leaders including Left Front chairman Biman Bose, state CPI(M) secretary Surjya Misra and state secretariat member Madan Ghosh led close to 2 lakh workers on a march to Nabanna. They fought pitched battles with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's riot police, defying water cannons and teargas. This was exactly the kind of 'hands on' action the CPI(M)'s increasingly demoralised cadre had been demanding of their leadership, instead of the (much ridiculed) 'constructive opposition' role they have been playing so far. It was almost as if the Left had a belated reaction to the 2016 assembly polls, where it managed just 32 of the total 294 seats. advertisement The May 22 protest was preceded by a series of street corner meetings and minor processions. Mohammad Salim, CPI(M) MP from Raiganj, says it was more than a simple show of strength: "It's to show our supporters - the debt-ridden farmers, the labourers who don't even get 100 days of (paid) work and the unemployed youth - that we are still there to fight for them." Party cadre have been directed to extend a helping hand wherever they can. State committee member Robin Deb says, "If a village school is closed due to a shortage of teachers, we are asking qualified supporters to help. Similarly, at short-staffed primary health centres, our workers will pitch in." The party has also cancelled membership of "20 per cent inactive members", an exercise to streamline the party organisation ahead of the 2018 panchayat elections. "The final objective is to ensure party presence at all polling stations. In the 2013 polls, we could not reach some 16,000 booths and we couldn't contest 4,000 gram panchayat seats," says Deb. Interestingly, though, the CPI(M) isn't worried about the BJP's recent surge in West Bengal or their big jump in vote share in the Contai (south) bypoll. "That was the result of a tacit understanding between Trinamool Congress minister Suvendu Adhikary (an accused in the Narada scam) and the BJP," a CPI(M) leader claimed. To those who were ready to write off the Left, CPI(M) leaders point to the visibly greater people's participation at its May 22 Nabanna abhijan (agitation) compared with the BJP's Lal Bazaar abhijan on May 25. This, they say, was despite the differential treatment by the TMC government. "We were beaten, over a hundred of our supporters were hospitalised," says CPI(M) leader Kanti Ganguly, who also sustained injuries. Meanwhile, apparently unfazed by the street protests by the Left and BJP, CM Mamata has dismissed it as a fight for second and third place. --- ENDS --- Home >Police Enforcement > Taxes and Tolls > Car Taxes Could Determine Control Of Washington Legislature By Suhani Singh: Director: Sunanina Bhatnagar Cast: Manisha Koirala, Madiha Imam, Shreya Chaudhary, Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra Rating: Oh to be young and careless in Shimla. That's the first half of Sunaina Bhatnagar's debut film in which two 16-year-old schoolgirls, Anna (Madiha Imam) and Ira (Shreya Chaudhary), just want to have some fun. So they write love letters to a reclusive "bechari" and "lovesick" woman (Manisha Koirala) in a bid to add some colour in her "boring" existence. It is Anna who possesses the creative writing skills, the curiosity and the desire to befriend the neighbourhood's least social resident. But the prank misfires when Maya falls for the romantic prose and leaves Shimla to search for the writer, a dude named Ved, in Delhi. Result: from #bestfriendsforever, Anna and Ira are #bestfoesforever. Six years later the girls meet again and embark on a journey on finding Maya. In process there are accusations, tears and bitter truths. advertisement If not for Koirala's measured performance, Dear Maya would be a tiring story about two giggly teens and later sulking adults. Anna's mother runs an old age home so she obviously is the more considerate and responsible of the two, while Ira is a bad influence because she wears a shorter skirt and is rude to her mother. Putting aside the stereotypical parts and sketchy screenplay in this coming of age story, the film does have two promising newcomers, with Imam, a Pakistani TV host, pulling off a more detailed part with assurance. Dear Maya falls short because it is unable to keep the title character and therefore the film's finest actor central to the proceedings. With its many plot contrivances and tendency to overstretch a wafer-thin plot, the film is an exasperating watch. The metaphors here are too literal as evident by Maya's obsession for hoarding birdcages in her mansion. The second half sinks as much time is wasted patching an estranged friendship and getting redemption for the two guilt-ridden leads. Even when Bhatnagar finally brings Koirala back - too little, too late - to conclude Maya's arc, it becomes an exercise in unwarranted laughs. The takeaway here seems to be that great service staff in restaurants and stores is all that's needed to change your perception about life. Sole reason to give Dear Maya a chance is Koirala. The actress uses her cosmetics free face and weary eyes to bring depth to the silence. She ensures there is intrigue around a woman who hasn't really been given a compelling background story to justify her extreme circumstances. Her affecting presence that showcases Maya's vulnerability makes you glad that she's back. But even Koirala can't salvage this cloying affair. ALSO READ: I had my reservations about playing a mother's role, says Manisha Koirala WATCH: Manisha Koirala back with Dear Maya, Salman to appear in Judwaa --- ENDS --- While two Indian actresses have made it to MAXIM's Hot 100 list, Deepika has just slayed the polls. By India Today Web Desk: After her stunning appearance at Cannes this year, Deepika Padukone is continuing to wow us and the world. The world is, in fact, so enchanted by her that she's just been named the Hottest Woman of the Year! If that wasn't all, she has actually left behind everyone from Priyanka Chopra and Kendall Jenner to Emma Watson and Emma Stone on the list! Of course the fans of both Indian actresses on the list have enough reasons to celebrate. The exact place PeeCee gained is, however, unknown. Picture courtesy: Instagram/deepikapadukone advertisement Also Read: Deepika Padukone's first look at Cannes is a mix of fiery, hot and sexy The Hot 100 list by MAXIM, the international men's magazine, was based on the results of a global poll conducted by them. "Over a million votes later, here's a little sneak peek at our No. 1 on the #MaximHot100! Stick around for more ;) #MaximIndia #DPForMaxim," the magazine tweeted. Picture courtesy: Instagram/deepikapadukone Deepika celebrated this little victory by posting a picture of her from the magazine's photoshoot. The picture already has more than 70,000 likes from her fans across the world. Also Read: Deepika Padukone is already making the most of her time at Cannes Considering the fact that Deepika has become a well-loved face globally--thanks to her role in the recent xXx movie, and her appearances at the MET Gala and Cannes--this sort of recognition definitely bodes well for the actress. --- ENDS --- A woman filed an FIR alleged that her husband forced her to have sex with an event organiser so the accused could extort money from him. By Sneha Agrawal: A South Delhi-based interior designer has alleged that her husband forced her to have sex with an event organiser so the accused could extort money from him. In the FIR filed last month, the 28-year-old woman says her husband filmed the entire act and asked her to use the clip to blackmail Ali (name changed) and earn money for him. advertisement She told the police that the accused did not stop here. He even told her that he could now send her to any person with the intention of extracting money. The police booked the husband and Ali on charges of rape, unnatural sex, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy. They were granted bail. "I got married to my husband in 2016," the victim told Mail Today. "Post marriage, he began living with me in my parents' house as he had no accommodation in Delhi. He was in an unusual hurry to tie the knot and his behaviour suddenly changed post marriage and he started demanding money to set up his business. Despite some reservations, my parents and I paid a huge amount to my husband due to his pressure and threats on different dates amounting to `2 crore. Whenever we protested, he would start abusing my family and even physically assaulted me." She claimed that eventually her husband started sending vulgar messages to a common friend, Ali, from her phone without her knowledge. "He forced me to develop friendship with him with an ulterior motive so that he can blackmail him in the future," she said. The victim told the police that last November her husband forced her to accompany Ali to Ludhiana against her wishes and pushed her to get physically intimate with him, but she refused. "In January, he took me to Noida at a farmhouse where Ali was already present. He forced me to have physical relations and then Ali raped me. In February, he booked a hotel room in south Delhi using my debit card. This time he threatened me that if I did not get physically intimate with Ali he would never return the money and would even kill my family," she said in the FIR. "That night, Ali forced himself upon me and raped me. After he left, my husband came inside the room and pulled out a hidden camera that he had installed near the TV console. I was shocked to see my husband had recorded the whole act. He told me that from now I will have to earn money for him by blackmailing Ali. He also told me that now he could send me to any person to have physical relations and if I refuse, he would circulate the clip on social media and make it viral." advertisement The woman alleged that following the incident, her husband made demands for Rs 10 lakh and Rs 30 lakh. "When my parents got to know about it, he threatened to ruin their reputation. My life is ruined and I have no choice but to commit suicide. I cannot show my face to anyone after such an incident. My husband and his friend have tarnished mine and my family's reputation," she told the cops. ALSO READ | CBI probe of rape videos gone viral unearths case of husband forcing wife to have unnatural sex ALSO READ | Policemen face unnatural sex, abetment to unnatural sex charge in custodial death of Agnelo Valdaris --- ENDS --- The administration filed applications seeking to block rulings that went against President Donald Trump's order barring entry for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 day. By Reuters: President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday asked the US Supreme Court to revive his ban on travelers from six Muslim-majority nations after it was blocked by lower courts that found it was discriminatory. The administration filed two emergency applications with the nine high court justices seeking to block two different lower court rulings that went against Trump's March 6 order barring entry for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days while the US government implements stricter visa screening. advertisement The move comes after the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals on May 25 upheld a Maryland judge's ruling blocking the order. The administration also filed a separate appeal in that case. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trump's executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. At least five votes are needed on the nine-justice court in order to grant a stay. The court has a 5-4 conservative majority, with Justice Anthony Kennedy - a conservative who sometimes sides with the court's four liberals - the frequent swing vote. Another of the court's conservatives, Neil Gorsuch, was appointed by Trump this year. If the government's request is granted, the ban would go into effect. In its 10-3 ruling, the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals said challengers of the ban, including refugee groups and others represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, were likely to succeed on their claim that the order violated the U.S. Constitution's bar against favoring or disfavoring a particular religion. The March ban was Trump's second effort to implement travel restrictions on people from several Muslim-majority countries through an executive order. The first, issued on Jan. 27, led to chaos and protests at airports and in major U.S. cities before it was blocked by courts. The second order was intended to overcome the legal issues posed by the original ban, but it was blocked by judges before it could go into effect on March 16. 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 US travel ban on Muslim countries has led to a slump in visas for Pakistani nationals Bad day for Donald Trump: After intel leak, cancelled speech, block on travel ban upheld advertisement Hawaii becomes first state to sue over Donald Trump's new travel ban ALSO WATCH: Trump may mediate in India-Pakistan peace process: Top Indian-American diplomat Nikki Haley --- ENDS --- 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. US President Donald Trump spoke over the phone to leaders of Canada, France, Germany, and Britain and explained his stand on abandoning the Paris Agreement. By Press Trust of India: US President Donald Trump spoke to the leaders of Germany, France, Canada and Britain on telephone to personally explain his decision to abandon the landmark Paris Climate Agreement, the White House said today. The White House did not say whether Trump talked to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or the UK's Theresa May before or after he announced his decision. However, it said the president "reassured the leaders that America remains committed to the Transatlantic alliance and to robust efforts to protect the environment." advertisement During the phone calls, Trump reiterated that the US will be the "cleanest and most environmentally-friendly country". "The leaders all agreed to continue dialogue and strengthen cooperation on environmental and other issues going forward," the White House said. Last week, some of the leaders had tried to convince Trump at the G7 Summit Sicily to not walk away from the 2015 deal. Reports said that not everything was well between German Chancellor Merkel and Trump over the issue. Merkel supports the deal. A senior White House official told reporters that Trump in his renegotiation wants to find out if there is a "common ground" on the issue. According to the official, there's no question that former president Barack Obama's climate pledge under the Paris agreement would have undermined America's competitiveness. "It would have been the nail in the coffin for US manufacturing across the industrial sub-sectors - steel, cement, paper, chemicals," the official said. Also Read: President Donald Trump announces US' exit from Paris climate accord Trump withdraws US from Paris climate deal; says deal not tough on India, China Also Watch: US pulls out of Paris Climate Accord; Trump says deal not tough on India, Chin --- ENDS --- Tremors were felt in New Delhi and parts of National Capital Region (NCR) around 4.30 am today. An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale rocked North India in the early hours today. By India Today Web Desk: People in Delhi and adjoining areas were rattled by a 5.0 magnitude earthquake early today. The earthquake which lasted for about a minute around 4:20 am was centered in Gohana, Haryana. Shockwaves were felt in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and other nearby places. Tremors were felt again in Rohtak, Haryana at 8:13 am. advertisement There has been no reports of any loss of life and property so far. ALSO READ Devastating earthquake bigger than 2015 Nepal tremor may hit north India soon, warn experts Earthquake measuring 5.9 on Richter scale rocks Andaman and Nicobar Islands WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- While four persons were killed, two others were injured in the incident that took place at Vellalore area. By India Today Web Desk: Four persons including a minor girl were killed after being trampled by an elephant in the outskirts of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu on Friday. While four persons were killed, two others were injured in the incident that took place at Vellalore area. Sources said that the 12-year-old girl was sleeping outside her house when the elephant strayed into the neighborhood. advertisement The elephant had strayed into the village from the nearby Madukkarai forest. After the girl was killed, the forest department officials told the villagers to stay indoors. The deceased has been identified as Gayathri (12), P Palanisamy (73), B Nagarathinam (50) and M Jothimani (68). After trampling the minor, the elephant moved away from the village and on its way attacked three others including two women. All the injured were rushed to the nearest government hospital, however, sources said that four of them succumbed to their injuries on the way. Those who made it alive are undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, the forest department officials are working towards warding off the stray elephant. They have brought tamed elephants and are also planning to use tranquilizers in order to force the elephant back into the forest. Also read: Elephants being killed in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh for trunk meat In Pictures: 10-year-old elephant stuck in swamp --- ENDS --- An unexpected slowdown in India's economy has dealt it a blow in the "elephant versus dragon" race, a Chinese daily said on Friday. A gloating commentary by a Global Times' reporter said the dip in India's economy growth was the result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's drastic reformist drives like demonetisation. India's economy plummeted to a year low of 6.1 per cent in the first quarter of this year, which helped China retain the position of the fastest growing economy in the world. "It seems that India has suffered a setback in the 'elephant versus dragon' race, with an unexpected slowdown in its economy, helping China regain the title of the fastest-growing major economy in the first quarter," the commentary by Xiao Xin said. "India watchers were caught off-guard," it added. "The surprising slowdown, it is believed, points to some underlying problems facing the Indian economy, although the data itself has also invited controversy." China and India are the fastest growing economies of the world. "The country should be mindful of putting too much strain on its economy and subjecting the economy to a deeper imbalance while pressing ahead with ambitious reforms," according to the commentary. "The reality also shows how poorly the economy is weathering demonetisation." "The Indian government should seriously think twice about reformist drives as drastic as the November decision," it said. "While an 'iron fist' approach to socio-economic reform in India, a federal country with a multi-party system, seems indispensable to steer the country towards prosperity, shock treatment should probably be avoided. After all, cash remains what most Indian people rely on to set everyday life in motion." The commentary said the Indian government needs to implement more effective policies to spur private investment, an apparently weak link in an economy mostly driven by consumer demand and government spending. "Hopefully, no own goals will be scored in the future as India continues its reform efforts." The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a criminal case against eight people, including former Bihar School Examination Board chairman and four principals, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the 2016 scam regarding irregularities in the Bihar state board exams. The central probe agency took cognisance of a Bihar Police FIR and the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to register its own Enforcement Case Information Report, the ED equivalent of a police FIR. Sources said the agency will probe the possible 'proceeds of crime' generated by the accused and the alleged subsequent creation of illegal wealth by them. The scam had rocked Bihar in June last year after Ruby Rai, a student of Vishun Roy College in Vaishali district, who had topped in the arts category in Class 12, failed to answer basic questions and went on to describe political science as study of cooking. Former Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh, his former JD(U) MLA wife Usha Sinha and Secretary-cum-Principal of Bishun Roy College in Vaishali Bachha Rai, alleged to be kingpins of the racket, are among 21 persons arrested in the case so far. The Enforcement Directorate is expected to soon record statements of the accused and also attach their assets. Veteran actress Debbie Reynolds and daughter Carrie Fisher's home and personal belongings will be auctioned. The Star Wars actress and fellow Hollywood icon, who died within a day of each other in December, lived in a hillside estate in Beverly Hills, reported E! online, According to the Profiles in History auction house, the property, which contains four bedrooms, four bathrooms and amenities such as a pool, will soon be hitting the market. The sale will be handled by real estate company Williams & Williams Estates. In September, the auction house will also sell more than 1500 items that belonged to Fisher and Reynolds, who was dedicated to preserving Hollywood history with her own memorabilia auctions. Items for auction include a life-size Princess Leia statue inside a British vintage British phone booth, which belonged to Carrie, her personalised director's chair from the Star Wars: Return of the Jedi set which reads "Star Wars: The Saga Continues" and a life-size C-3PO with electronic lighting elements and a life-size bronze, limited edition Yoda statue that she also owned. A lavender silk chiffon Kathy Seldon dress Reynolds wore in the You Were Meant For Me sequence from the 1952 classic film Singin' in the Rain and her replica of a pair of ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz will also be put for sale. "My mother and sister were magnificent collectors, they amassed an amazing and diverse collection in their lifetimes. "The size and scope of their collection rival most museums. So in keeping with my mother's wishes we have decided to share part of their magnificent collection with all their friends and fans," Fisher's brother Todd said in a statement. Portions of the proceeds from the auction will be going to Reynolds' mental health charity the Thailand and to the Jed Foundation, a group chosen by Fisher's only child Billie Lourd. A strategically important Coast Guard Air Enclave project that was proposed to carry out air surveillance in and around the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea has been hanging fire for over four years. The then Congress-led UPA government had first given an assurance in 2012 that a Coast Guard Airport would be set up in the Lakshadweep Islands. The project would have given the Indian Coast Guard extra teeth to take on terror elements seeking to disrupt peace in the coastal states. The move to set up a Coast Guard Airport came in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in which terrorists from Pakistan used the sea route to illegally enter Indias commercial capital in 2008 to carry out mass killing and terror strikes. In September 2010, the Ministry of Defence gave its approval for setting up the Coast Guard Air Enclave (CGAE) at Minicoy for developing infrastructure for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) flying operations. The Lakshadweep administration and ICG identified 20 acres of land to stage and operate Dornier aircraft for extended surveillance from the proposed airfield at Minicoy. The Airport Authority of India and Defence Ministry declined to undertake any civilian or military airport project in Lakshadweep on some pretext or the other. However, a joint visit by top government and Defence Ministry officials from the Navy wing in April 2015 after considering the huge infrastructural cost, environment issues and feasibility of ICGs surveillance needs, approved acquisition of 20 acres of land to set up the airport at Minicoy Island. But no notification in this regard was issued. The Indian Coast Guard in September 2016 submitted its requisition for acquiring land at Minicoy for setting up the Coast Guard Air Enclave. A Parliamentary panel which has probed the delay in implementing the Coast Guard airport project has been informed that the project is unlikely to be implemented before 2019-20. The panel has noted with concern that with the delay the countrys strategic needs are being compromised. In particular, there is no airstrip or air base at such strategic Island as Minicoy which does not augur well for the countrys coastal security and development of coastal tourismthe matter should be pursued vigorously as it plays a crucial role in development of the Islands economy through tourism and enhancing the countrys defence preparedness, the panel stated. The parliamentary committee has asked the Defence Ministry to lay a part implementation report detailing efforts being made by them till date towards implementation of the coastal airport project. It also urged the ministries of Defence, Home and Union Territory administration of Laskhadweep to finalise a clear timeframe for starting and implementing the airport project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought to dispel views about differences between India and China and said the ties between the two should not be seen from the perspective of a third country. He said despite differences on the border issue, there has not been a single bullet fired across it in the last 40 years. "As far as China is concerned, everyone knows there is a border dispute between Russia and China. In the last 40 years, there has been a border dispute between India and China but not even a single bullet has been fired (between the two sides)," Modi said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in reply to a question about India's proximity to Russia and its differences with China. "Despite disputes we are moving ahead in economic field. They are investing in our country, we are investing there. Trade on both sides is growing." Specifically answering the question, he said ties between India and China should not be seen from a third country's perspective. "We know what is the relation between China and Russia. And China knows about the relation between India and Russia. Despite all this, India and China are moving ahead shoulder to shoulder," Modi said, adding both countries were involved in significant initiatives in forums like BRICS and BRICS Development Bank. He said this only showed that the world was interdependent and inter-connected. The Prime Minister said the slogan of "sabka saath, sabka vikas" was not applicable only in India but also for the whole world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought to dispel views about differences between India and China and said the ties between the two should not be seen from the perspective of a third country. He said despite differences on the border issue, there has not been a single bullet fired across it in the last 40 years. "As far as China is concerned, everyone knows there is a border dispute between Russia and China. In the last 40 years, there has been a border dispute between India and China but not even a single bullet has been fired (between the two sides)," Modi said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in reply to a question about India's proximity to Russia and its differences with China. "Despite disputes we are moving ahead in economic field. They are investing in our country, we are investing there. Trade on both sides is growing." Specifically answering the question, he said ties between India and China should not be seen from a third country's perspective. "We know what is the relation between China and Russia. And China knows about the relation between India and Russia. Despite all this, India and China are moving ahead shoulder to shoulder," Modi said, adding both countries were involved in significant initiatives in forums like BRICS and BRICS Development Bank. He said this only showed that the world was interdependent and inter-connected. The Prime Minister said the slogan of "sabka saath, sabka vikas" was not applicable only in India but also for the whole world. Overcoming hiccups, India and Russia on Thursday signed an agreement on construction of units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project as the two countries also agreed on deepening military ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin also finalised an action plan for deepening not only political and economic development of the two countries but also to ensure a benchmark of stability in times of global instability. As part of strengthening military ties, India and Russia will hold the first tri-services exercise, Indra 2017, Modi said at a joint media address with Putin after they held extensive discussions on current bilateral and international issues. During the annual summit, the two countries also adopted a St Petersburg Declaration for political and economic development with an action plan for a bright future. "I am happy to say the finalisation of the agreement on Kudankulam units 5 and 6 will further strengthen the bilateral energy cooperation between the two countries," Modi said. There were recent media reports that there were problems in Russia agreeing on cooperation in the construction of the third stage of the Kudankulam project, but the two countries appeared to have ironed out the differences. Modi thanked Russia for its unconditional and total support in India's fight against cross-border terrorism and said both sides have agreed on the issues of terror, securing strategic interests and emerging new concerns. There is similarity in thinking in both the countries over Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific, he said, adding the two countries have coordinated their actions in forums like BRICS and G20. Modi said under Russia's leadership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, India and Russia are involved in regional development. Referring to physical interconnectivity and institutional connectivity, Modi said the International North South Transport Corridor will provide a new direction to bilateral ties. He said negotiations for a free trade agreement with the Russia-backed Eurasian Economic Union would also further boost bilateral ties. The Prime Minister said the first military-industry conference in New Delhi had brought closer ties between the two countries in defence and security sectors, and this he felt was a significant step. Production of the Kamov 226 helicopter has started under a joint venture even as joint manufacture of frigates is also being started, giving a new direction to defence ties. He said that military-to-military ties are being taken to new heights with the two countries going to participate in the tri-services exercise, Indra 2017, which India will organise. The five agreements signed on Thursday included speeding up the Nagpur-Secunderabad high speed railway link, export of precious stones and jewellery to India and cultural exchanges. Angry at Trump's call to quit the Paris agreement, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Disney CEO Bob Iger have quit the US presidential advisory councils. By India Today Web Desk: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter today to announce that he will be leaving the White House advisory councils, citing US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris agreement as reason. "Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world," Musk wrote on Twitter. Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017 advertisement Musk had earlier warned on Twitter that should Trump decide to step back from the Paris agreement, he will have "no choice but to depart" the presidential councils. Will have no choice but to depart councils in that case- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 31, 2017 WHAT IS THE PARIS AGREEMENT? The Paris Agreement, or the Paris Climate Change Accord, is a global project that works for dealing with global warming, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, etc. All countries, except for Syria and Nicaragua, are a part of this agreement. TRUMP'S WITHDRAWAL Earlier today, Trump announced that the US will be withdrawing from the Paris agreement because it is "unfair" the US and 'favours' India and China. "I am fighting every day for the great people of this country. Therefore, in order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord," Trump told a gathering of media at the White House. "The agreement doesn't eliminate coal jobs, it just moves them to foreign countries," he added. "As someone who cares deeply about the environment, I cannot in good conscience support [the deal]." On India and China, Trump said: "...under the agreement, China will be able to increase the emissions by a staggering number of years - 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us." "India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries." "There are many other examples but the bottom line is that the Paris Accord is very unfair at the highest level to the United States," he said. As a part of the White House economic advisory board, Elon Musk said he had "tried" to change Trump's mind regarding the Paris agreement earlier. Clearly, that didn't work. "Don't know which way Paris will go, but I've done all I can to advise directly to POTUS, through others in WH & via councils, that we remain," he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. Don't know which way Paris will go, but I've done all I can to advise directly to POTUS, through others in WH & via councils, that we remain- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 31, 2017 advertisement DISNEY CEO JOINS MUSK, DITCHES TRUMP Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger has announced his resignation from the US President's Council on Twitter today. Like Musk, Iger has also taken this step in the light of Trump's Paris agreement withdrawal. "As a matter of principle, I've resigned from the President's Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal," Iger wrote on Twitter. Musk and Iger were among 19 executives serving on President Trump's business advisory council. As a matter of principle, I've resigned from the President's Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal.- Robert Iger (@RobertIger) June 1, 2017 Read more: India leading polluter, says US President Donald Trump while pulling out of Paris climate accord Trump withdraws US from Paris climate deal; says deal not tough on India, China People take it to streets with their climate protests to mark Donald Trump's 100 days in office World Earth Day: Coimbatore, Hyderabad join March for Science from India --- ENDS --- Concluding his engagements in Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left for France on the final leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. On Saturday, Modi will hold his first meeting with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Earlier on Friday, Modi attended for the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President. He also attended a collective meeting of Governors of 16 regions of Russia. On the sidelines of the summit, Modi met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, and Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union Tigran Sargasyan. The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. The fifth and the sixth unit of India's largest nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu will cost about Rs.50,000 crore to build with half of it being funded by Russia as loan. The project will take seven years to start generating electricity, Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) Chairman and Managing Director S K Sharma said. India and Russia yesterday signed an agreement for the two new reactors for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) on the sidelines of the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The entire project will cost about Rs 50,000 crore. The first unit will be commissioned in 66 months and the second six months thereafter," Sharma said. Atomstroyexport, a unit of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, will build the reactors. "The project will be funded in 70:30 debt-equity ratio (70 per cent debt, 30 per cent equity)," he said. The Russian government will lend India $4.2 billion to help cover the construction cost. Sharma said the equity portion of project will either come from NPCIL's own resources or from government. At the agreement signing ceremony yesterday, Russian President Putin said the first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant was put into operation. "The most reliable, latest Russian technology was used in its construction. The plant's second unit has also started to generate electricity. "At a joint teleconference in October 2016 with Narendra Modi we launched the construction of the plant s third and fourth units. And we reaffirmed our intention to build in India at least 12 Russian-designed energy units, which will make a large contribution to the development of India's nuclear industry," he said. The KKNPP was the outcome of an inter-governmental agreement between the erstwhile Soviet Union and India in 1988. It is the single largest nuclear power station in India. The power station was envisaged to have six units with total capacity to generate 6,000 MW of electricity (1,000 MW each). Construction on the plant began on March 31, 2002 and Unit 1 was synchronised with the southern power grid in October 2013. The second unit started generating electricity in August last year. The original cost of the two units was Rs 13,171 crore, but it was later revised to Rs 17,270 crore. Russia advanced a credit of Rs 6,416 crore for construction of the two units. Construction of plant's third and fourth units was launched last year and will cost Rs 39,747 crore. While the cost of generating power from first two units is reported at Rs 4.29 per unit, the cost from 3 and 4 is likely to be significantly higher than that. Units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam plant are expected to be commissioned by 2022-23. The Russian built Water-Water Energetic Reactor (VVER) reactor Kudankulam unit 1 and 2 are the largest power generating stations in the country. After all the units (1-6) of the plant are commissioned, the nuclear park will have the power generating capacity of 6,000 MW, boosting significantly the country's nuclear power generation. The current nuclear power generation capacity of all 22 nuclear power reactors in India is 6780 MW. At the best of times economic statistics conceal more than they reveal, and the figures can so easily be juggled to suit the picture those in authority seek to project. While the experts intensively debate the factors leading to a decline in the growth of GDP they all have had to concede what North Block refused to admit ~ demonetisation had a negative impact on the economy. The prime casualty of the new figures is the argument that the electoral fire-storm in UP sufficed to burn out all criticism of the note ban misadventure. That critical sectors of the economy slowed down in the closing quarter of the last financial year (when the effects of demonetisation took full effect) shows up officials of the various wings of the finance ministry in unfavourable light ~ they had worked overtime to endorse the political line. In much the same way that their forebears had tried to sell the 20- point progarmme in 1975-76. For the NDA-II the timing of the release of the new GDP figures could not have been more inopportune: it came when the Modi government was in the process of a publicity blitzkrieg to mark its third anniversary, and erect a platform for the 2019 polls. By now some of this governments slogans should have been yielding results on the ground: only those with saffron-tinted perspectives are seeing success. The showpiece of the anniversary festivity ~ the strategic bridge in Arunachal ~ was a project conceived long before Mr Narendra Modi re-located from Gandhinagar to Lutyens imperial city. Although the upcoming introduction of the Goods & Services Tax is being hailed as an economic miracle, it too is not a Modi-Jaitley original. Projects like Make in India and Skilled India have been little more than showboating. Yet the negatives are real, painful. The underhanded attempt to prohibit the eating of bovine flesh has split society wide open: it has brought Opposition parties to a common stage more forcefully than demonetisation, with a possible spin-off on the Presidential election. While the government ought to have been celebrating with a chief ministers conclave, the beef ban has proved the glue. The muscle that the government so favours has proved counter-productive in the Kashmir Valley, the Army is struggling to tackle stone-pelters, the fate of the first government in the state in which the BJP has a say is hanging by a thread. Things in the Maoist belt are as bad as ever. And on his latest multi-national trip the Prime Minister has not attracted the choreographed crowds of yesteryear. The government, however, has few causes for alarm: its main source of sustenance being the Oppositions cowardice in looking for a rallyingpoint more magnetic than Rahul Gandhi. Frank F Islam is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader and thought leader in America with roots in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. He has a special commitment to civic, educational and artistic causes. In all his endeavours, he strives to create opportunities that are sustainable and uplifting for humanity, guided by hard work, focus, quality, innovation and kindness. Frank currently heads the FI Investment Group, a private investment holding company that he established in 2007 after he sold his information technology firm, the QSS Group. In an interview with Asad Ashraf he talks about his journey, his association with Barack Obama and the future of Muslims in America after Trump. Q: You are a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist.Your journey from Azamgarh to America has sometimes been compared to that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Your views. The first part of my journey was not across the ocean but a trip in India from Azamgarh to Aligarh where I received education in a high school and then at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). This prepared me to venture to the USA to pursue the American dream. I always wanted to start my own business but I knew that I needed experience first. So, I worked with two major information technology firms in the Washington DC area for 10 years. That gave me the skills and the real-world grounding that I needed to be a business owner. In 1994, I started my business. Within 13 years, along with my management team, we took that firm from a workforce of one employee to more than 2,000 employees and approximately $300 million in revenue. Finally, I sold my company to Perot Systems in 2007. That sale allowed me to establish a private foundation that supports educational, cultural and artistic causes in the United States and around the world and to write on topics that are important to the future of this country and the world. Q: From being a businessman to joining the campaign for Barack Obama during his presidential election, why did you opt for politics? Let me clarify, I was a major supporter and financial contributor to the Obama campaign but was not in the campaign itself. I got involved in the political process because it is an essential form of civic engagement in a democracy. Q: What are the challenges for Muslims in America after Donald Trump became President also in terms of conducting business? It is quite interesting that in spite of his anti-Muslim rhetoric his first visit to a foreign nation was to Saudi Arabia. In his speech there to Muslim leaders from over 50 countries he praised Islam. That was almost a complete reversal from his position when running for President. Trump being Trump it would not surprise me if he does another volte face. No matter what he thinks or says, it is difficult to contemplate that he will take any action that will make things better for American Muslims. On the other hand, it is also difficult to imagine that he will take any specific actions that will be harmful to them. As for the specific impact on Muslims with established businesses, I think that their clientele will stay the same. And, I believe the challenges for those Muslims starting businesses will be essentially the ones that new entrepreneurs always face ~ developing a sound business model, securing financing, hiring good staff, securing customers and delivering value to them. Q: You have been investing a lot in the education sector in India and America. Why do you think this investment is important? In a phrase, I would say that education provides the keys to the kingdom. Education is a powerful equaliser and opportunity creator. I invest in education in India and the US because I started my educational journey at Aligarh Muslim University in India and I continued my education by getting two degrees at the University of Colorado in Boulder. In the US, we have made major gifts and supported scholarships at George Mason University, American University, Marymount University and the University of Colorado. I am glad you chose to characterise our giving to higher education as investments rather than charitable contributions because that is the way we look at it. The return on our investment is students who will graduate and give back to society. Q: Is there any reason in particular for being very generous to Aligarh Muslim University and donating huge amounts to the institution? I made this donation because Aligarh shaped my story and influenced my destiny. AMU remains an inseparable and an indispensable part of my life, my story and my journey. Its principles have always guided me during times of calm or crisis. AMU is not just a part of my life. It is a bedrock for so many other people in India. I would not be the person I am if it were not for my Aligarh education. Q: Unfortunately today the world knows your town Azamgarh for the wrong reasons. What is your view on that? How would you describe the town in Uttar Pradesh now called a terror hub from your memories of having spent time there? My memories of Azamgarh are not of terror but of peace and tranquility. I had those same feelings when I went back to Azamgarh to speak to a group of students there in February. Azamgarhs current notoriety is hard to comprehend. It dismays me to read and hear bad things about the town. My cherished memories from Azamgarh are of being with my mother and father and my siblings, riding my bike along country roads and flying kites. That is the Azamgarh I remember and love. It was, is and always will be a special place for me. Q: Being a very successful Muslim from India, do you have any message for young Muslim men and women living in India? I recognise that many Muslims ~ too many ~ still need to improve their socio-economic life and may be experiencing hostility, prejudice and discrimination. I think the starting point for changing that situation must be with education for those Muslims. Here are some sad facts related to the educational circumstances of Muslims in India: The 2001 Census Report showed that the literacy rate of Indian Muslims was 59.1 per cent. The rate for Muslim males in urban areas was much higher than in rural areas. The rate for females was substantially lower in both areas. Let me share some of my thoughts and messages to your young readers: Dream big, aim high, work hard and pursue your dream. Strive to be the best you can be and achieve your full potential. Never give up. Get a good education. Then learn one new lesson every day. Be a life-long learner. Make it your own journey. Stay true to you. Create your own legacy. Do well but also do good. When you are successful provide ladders of opportunity for others by sharing and giving back. Become the leaders and change-makers for the next generations. Manchester, Kabul and Baghdad ~ three nations in three different parts of the world have suffered a triple whammy in course of a week. For innocent residents, the successive massacres in Kabul and Baghdad, two equally beleaguered capitals, have been no less devastating than the outrage at the Ariane Grande concert in Manchester. The fundamentalist label of the perpetrators is now only a matter of detail; the bonfire of sanity has been almost uniformly horrendous. In Kabul, where the butchery has claimed 90 lives, no group has as yet claimed responsibility, though the Taliban, the Al Qaida, and ISIS are competing for the space vacated by the Western troops and which the government of Ashraf Ghani finds increasingly difficult to administer. The seizure of 1,500 kg of explosives ~ hidden inside a sewage tanker ~ reaffirms the calculated malevolence. The outrage has happened in Kabuls diplomatic enclave and at stake is the credibility of the elected government. The attack has underscored the burgeoning insecurity in a fractious land, where the military contends with mounting casualties and desertions in the almost relentless struggle against insurgents. It is a measure of the inherent insecurity that in terms of jurisdiction, more than a third of the country is beyond the writ of the government. Successive dispensations have been equally ineffectual and it is of lesser moment whether it is helmed by Hamid Karzai, Ashraf Ghani or Abdullah Abdullah. Afghanistans perpetual chaos and insecurity have intensified at the start of the holy month of Ramzan. It has been a catastrophic prologue to a sacred theme, and the strife within a religion has assumed hideous proportions. Is the Taliban trying to cover its tracks by condemning the attack that has no legitimate target and has killed civilians? The nub of the matter must be that more people in Afghanistan have perished at the hands of the Taliban than they have in Al Qaida and/or ISIS massacres. The Caliphate has staged large-scale terror attacks in Kabul; equally, the Talibans denial of involvement in Wednesdays massive blast is not necessarily reliable. The attack has underlined the countrys deteriorating security following the outward march of NATO troops in 2014. Of course, there is a semblance of US military presence, but the large-scale withdrawal has been disastrous in both strategic and humanitarian terms. Not wholly unrelated is the European Union deal to deport unlimited numbers of Afghan asylum-seekers whose claims have been refused. To that can be added the threat of aid cuts and the larger issue of migrants. Angela Merkel has hit the bulls eye ~ Terrorism targets all of us whether in Manchester or Berlin, Paris, Istanbul, St Petersburg or today in Kabul. There is a sense of shock and awe across the world today. When Pope Francis met United States President Donald Trump last month at the Vatican, he urged him to be a man of peace. True or false? Did the Pope actually comment to Mrs Melania Trump on her husband's girth and wonder what she was feeding him? Was Mr Trump there to thank the Pope for his endorsement during his election campaign? True, true and false; the pontiff never gave the former American tycoon his backing, contrary to what some websites had claimed. Herein lies the most insidious form of fake news, the commingling of fact and fiction, truths and halftruths, rumours, speculation and plain lies, some of which get repeated so often that many find it hard to distinguish what is real from what might have been and what never happened. This goes beyond other forms of fake news stories made up and spread for mischief (like a hoax picture of a collapsed roof of a public housing block posted on the All Singapore Stuff site); or for profit (the antiforeigner postings on the Real Singapore site) or political gain (anti-Hillary conspiracies during the US election) all of which have been proliferating in recent times. Inevitably, these have raised concerns about the impact of fake news on voters and societies. This has come about in the face of a perfect storm of unrelated technological, social and financial developments, which has unleashed a major disruption of the media industry all round the world. First, recent years have seen a dramatic shift in the way all of us consume news and information, with the inexorable drift to digital content online. More and more people are also communicating directly, creating and sharing content through social media. This has led to what has been called disintermediation, meaning the undermining of the role of editors and gatekeepers to exercise judgment in shaping the news agenda. Couple this with our growing addiction to our smartphones. One recent survey of Singaporean millennials aged 16 to 30 found that they spend an average of 3.4 hours a day or about one day a week glued to their gadgets. The upshot of this, in a listicle, is: shorter attention spans, as people flit from screen to screen, swopping depth of knowledge for breadth and speed; snacking of content, consuming content on complex subjects in small bites digestible on the go; a tendency to turn to sources which reinforce our own views, leaving us in content bubbles, and making a social consensus all the more difficult to forge among an increasingly divided and distracted electorate. Taken together, these trends are changing in significant ways how we inform ourselves about what's going on around us and make sense of it. Now, anyone can create and spread information and misinformation freely, cheaply, quickly, virally, and with almost complete immunity. In a sense, we have gone back to the future. As the Economist magazine noted in a survey on the industry, the media landscape today resembles that which prevailed at the turn of the 19th century, when a mix of information, rumours and gossip, and yes, fake news, was spread from person to person, or through a web of social networks. News organisations as we know them today began to emerge in the mid-19th and early-20th century. The Straits Times hit the streets on 15 July 1845, two years after the founding of the Economist in 1843, and ahead of the New York Times in 1851. Around that time, news began to spread faster via the telegraph and wire agencies. New printing plants enabled mass printing, while railroads facilitated widespread deliveries. As newspaper circulations grew, they began to be staffed with growing numbers of professional journalists, committed to striving for accuracy, fairness and objectivity. These news organisations were premised on the ability of newspapers to deliver a mass audience. Advertisers paid a premium to reach these audiences. The revenues generated enabled newsrooms to produce goodquality journalism. Readers could then be served at relatively low cover prices. As Oxford historian Timothy Garton Ash put it in a recent lecture at the St Gallen Symposium in Switzerland: Very simply, the Internet is destroying the business model of newspapers. For at least two centuries, we have had a public good news, the information we need for democracy delivered by private means. A newspaper was a means of delivering the public good of news by private means. Our good fortune was that, for nearly two centuries, that model worked because people would pay for a newspaper, which also had advertising revenue. The Internet has just knocked away both these pillars. So the newspapers produce the information. Facebook and Google get the profit. And this has a very negative effect on the newspapers on which we have relied for our news The amount of serious news, investigative journalism and foreign reporting is going down because that's expensive. This is a real problem for the journalism we need for democracy. What we have here is potentially a market failure in the marketplace of ideas. This is an issue that has been exercising minds in media circles for some time. But recent events, from the US presidential election and the Brexit vote to the proliferation of fake news, have made it clear that the challenge is one that societies as a whole will have to grapple with. To begin with, newspapers have been busy transforming into multimedia organisations. The aim is to produce content across platforms that our readers and viewers find relevant, credible and compelling, which they are prepared to pay for. At the heart of all these efforts must remain a commitment to delivering quality journalism. Put simply, good journalism is the purposeful pursuit of information, well sourced and verified, interpreted professionally and objectively, with a mission to help people make sense of the world around them, which is especially vital in an age of major disruption and rapid change. News groups will also have to work closely to respond to the challenge of fake news. Later this month, for example, The Straits Times will be hosting a meeting in Singapore, together with the World Association of Newspapers and our partners in the Asia News Network, to discuss how we are to respond collectively to the phenomenon of fake news. Safeguarding the future of the media, however, cannot be left to journalists alone. Business and community leaders, who wield the power of the purse, will have to ensure that their advertising and sponsorship budgets go towards supporting good content, rather than relying on cheap, programmatic online advertising, which might lead to their brands appearing alongside content promoting hate, intolerance or terrorism. Parents and educators will have to think hard about how we are preparing our young to be more discerning about the content they choose to consume and share. Societies will have to figure out how to ensure we are well served by providers of good-quality content. Can this be left entirely to markets, with news organisations driven by the need to hold up margins, dividends and share prices? This is the approach now adopted by The Straits Times, and some members of the ANN. It is likely to be a viable option for a few established media brands. Or do we leave the task to media moguls, like Mr Jeff Bezos at the Washington Post, or Mr Jack Ma at the South China Morning Post? Or can we turn to mandates, with support for public service journalism coming from philanthropic foundations and trusts, as in the case of the Guardian, or the state, as in the BBC, in Britain? As Prof Garton Ash noted: Nobody has one single big answer, but I think public service media is part of the answer foundations funding serious news, investigative reporting and foreign news is an important part of the answer. All three approaches are playing out in a live experiment before our eyes, amid considerable flux in the media industry. It is not clear which of these will prevail; nor is it likely there will be one solution that fits all news organisations, and societies. The future of the media industry is likely to entail a hybrid of these approaches. Ultimately, though, the need for reliable news and informed interpretation will prevail, regardless of how this is consumed. Societies will have to devise new ways to ensure that the public good of quality journalism is available to electorates, which rely on it to make sensible decisions to secure their future. The writer is Editor-in-Chief, The Straits Times. This is a series of columns on global affairs written by top editors and columnists from members of the Asia News Network and published in newspapers and websites across the region. Reliance Infrastructures Mumbai Metro on Friday announced a tie-up with Google to provide details and information about the service, an official spokesperson said here. The Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) has collaborated with Google Maps to give the people its authentic timetable and associated geographic details on all the Metro stations on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar route. Through the Google Maps app, the trip timings are provided on each service operated at a frequency of four minutes during peak and eight minutes in non-peak hours. The trip timings, which correspond to services provided on weekdays and on Sundays, can help commuters plan their journeys to reach their destinations faster. "We diligently explore all the possible ways of making the journey of the commuters seamless and convenient, and the tie-up with Google Maps adds another step to digitise Mumbai Metro One," the spokesperson explained. On Google Maps app, the user can tap the Metro Services Option which opens a departure board displaying the schedules of the next few Metro services from that station in both directions. The app will also showcase facilities like stairs, escalators, elevators, ticket counters, in all the three levels of the station including road, concourse and platforms to help all commuters, regulars and new on the entire network. Maharashtra's first Metro, the MMOPL is 11.4 km long providing a crucial east-west suburban connectivity, with 12 stations, reducing the commute between Versova-Ghatkopar from 90 minutes to barely 21 minutes now. As President Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal from the Paris climate deal slamming China and India, Beijing said on Friday it was ready to "shoulder the responsibility" of fighting climate change. "China has closely followed the withdrawal by the US. We think the Paris Agreement reflects the widest agreement of international community against climate change," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. Hua said China will take "concrete actions" against climate change. "This is a responsibility shouldered by China as a major country. In future, China will continue to work on anti-climate change progress and uphold climate change process globally." China, the world's biggest greenhouse gases emitter, ratified the Paris Agreement in September 2016 on the eve G20 Summit in Hangzhou. India followed the next month. "China's stance on climate change has been steadfast with effective measures and remarkable outcomes. "China is now emitting 2020 greenhouse gases emission target and will submit 2030 self-determined target. "This is China's active participation in the global climate change as a responsible major country and we are making a positive contribution." Trump on Thursday said the US was pulling out of the Paris accord because of the "draconian financial and economic burdens". Trump said the accord "disadvantages the US to the exclusive betterment of other countries" and targeted India and China specifically. "India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions of dollars in foreign aid," he said. Trump said according to the Paris Climate deal terms, China will be allowed many coal plants and India will be permitted to double its coal production by 2020 but not the US. He said the US will begin negotiations to re-enter the Paris Agreement "on terms that are fair to the US". The European Union (EU) has allocated 300,000 euros in humanitarian funding to flood-stricken Sri Lanka, it was announced on Friday. "This contribution from the EU will allow our partners on the ground to provide relief to the most-impacted families. This is an expression of solidarity from the European people to the people of Sri Lanka," Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, said in a statement. The EU aid will focus on the most pressing needs in the aftermath of the floods, including access to clean water and sanitation facilities, provision of essential household items and emergency shelter, Xinhua news agency reported. The death toll in Sri Lanka caused by floods and landslides reached 206 on Friday with 92 people still missing, the Disaster Management Centre said. Over 650,000 people have been affected while an estimated 100,000 people have been shifted to safe locations. Over 10,000 houses have also been fully or partially destroyed. Days of severe rains since May 26 caused major floods and landslides in at least seven districts the worst floods to hit Sri Lanka since 2003. International assistance has also poured into the country in addition to naval teams from India, Pakistan and China. The President of the European Commission on Friday urged the European Union and China to lead the way in the fight against climate change by implementing the Paris agreement in full. In a speech during the EU-China Business Summit, Jean-Claude Juncker said the parties agreed that international solutions were needed in everything from the fight against terror to supporting global economic growth. "Nowhere is that more important than in leading the global clean energy transition and the implementation the full implementation without nuances of the Paris Climate Agreement," he said. Juncker said joint leadership by Brussels and Beijing would provide businesses, investors and researchers the certainty needed to build economies with lower carbon emissions, Efe news reported. This would send a message that moving away from the pact was not possible, after US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he was pulling his country out of it. "There is no reverse gear to the energy transition," said Juncker. "There is no backsliding on the Paris Agreement." The EC leader also criticised that it was difficult for EU companies to do business in China, highlighting that the bloc's investments in the country were only three percent of what is invested in the US. He pushed for the advancement of negotiations to approve an investment deal between Brussels and Beijing with the aim of guaranteeing market access and equal conditions for companies. "The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment currently being negotiated will be a game changer," he said. "It will allow us to invest with confidence. It will help protect investments, ensure market access and level the playing field." The European Commission-China Business Summit gathers over 500 participants, including high-level politicians such as Juncker and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang. It takes place alongside the two-day EU-China political summit, which began on Thursday. Deputy Inspector General of Central Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, claimed that SPO Aijaz Amhed was arrested for murdering constable Sameer Ji Bhat, who had allegedly sexually assaulted him at a health resort in Pahalgam of Anantnag in Kashmir valley. By Ashwini Kumar: Family of encounter specialist Sameer Bhat has rejected the theory of the police that he was killed by Special Police Officer (SPO) Aijaz Ahmad because he had sodomised him. His family is demanding CBI enquiry into the killing of Sameer Bhat, who was killed in conspiracy hatched by some terrorists organization in Kashmir. They alleged that Sameer Bhat, a Kashmiri pandit migrant, was an encounter specialist in the Kashmir Valley and that was the reason he was killed. Alleging criminal conspiracy, they pointed out if Lt Umar Fayaaz can be killed, why not Sameer Bhat also. advertisement Sameer's uncle, Chand Bhat, said, "How we can take version of Special Police Officer (SPO) Aijaz Ahmed that Sameer Bhat sexually assaulted him? Why is he changing his statement every day. Which statement should we believe. Sometimes he says that Sameer drank too much whisky, then that he committed suicide because of love affairs, and now sexual assault story." Sameer's family alleges that he was killed as he was an encounter specialists in the Valley since 2008 and he had killed a number of terrorists. "We cannot take version of Ghulam Hassan Bhat, DIG, Central Kashmir that Sameer Bhat was killed because he sexually assaulted SPO, Aijaz Ahmed. Why not for the last four years when they were living together," they questioned. "If he was killed by SPO, where is the body of Sameer Bhat now. He is missing from May 14 from his office in Kashmir," Chand Ji Bhat asked. Sameer Bhat, 27, was originally from Pampore and joined Kashmir Police in 2008 as constable and since then he was in the Valley. His cousin brother, Ajay Bhat, said Sameer was dedicated to his operations in the Valley for the last nine years and that can be the reason he was eliminated by terrorists. DIG'S VERSION OF EVENTS Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector General of Central Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, claimed yesterday that Special Police Officer (SPO) Aijaz Amhed was arrested for murdering constable Sameer Ji Bhat, who had allegedly sexually assaulted him at a health resort in Pahalgam of Anantnag in Kashmir valley. The DIG said that Sameer Ji Bhat went missing from Srinagar on May 14, following which a missing complaint was filed and investigation was taken up. During the investigation it was found that Sameer did not turn up for work after he was deployed for naka duty at Nowgam in Srinagar. The arrested SPO, Aijaz Ahmed, who was a friend of Sameer Bhat, had during interrogation revealed that he alongwith the deceased procured three liquor bottles from Batwara on May 13 at 1900 hrs. The constable also consumed some other dry intoxicants and both moved towards Anantnag. He said after reaching Pahalgam at midnight both consumed liquor and charas and decided to stay in the vehicle till the morning. advertisement The DIG said the SPO had earlier claimed that the constable, under the influence of alcohol, had become emotional over a failed relation with a girl and jumped into the river Puhroo in Kupwara. However, he said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to look into the case of the missing police constable. "During interrogation by the SIT, the SPO confessed that he killed the constable and threw his body into the river. He also confessed that during their visit to Pahalgam, the constable had sexually assaulted him in the vehicle and also threatened him that he will disclose it to their colleagues," Ghulam Hassan Bhat said. DIG Bhat said the accused claimed that in order to protect himself from social stigma he made up his mind to kill the constable and stopped the vehicle near Yunsu while returning from Kupwara and lifted a stone from the road and hit the constable on the head. The constable died on the spot. In order to dispose of the body, he drive towards Kultoora from Yunsoo and threw it in Pohru river. advertisement But the family of Sameer Bhat is not satisfied with the theory of the Kashmir Police and questioned why Aijaz Amhed is changing his statements daily, and if he was sexually assaulted, why he did not admit it on the first day itself. --- ENDS --- Afghanistan police on Friday fired live rounds to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing protesters seeking to march on the presidential palace to demand government's resignation following a catastrophic truck bombing that killed 90 people and wounded hundreds. Public anger has mounted after the brazen attack, the deadliest in the city since 2001, which was launched from an explosives-laden sewage tanker that tore a massive crater in the ground. Demonstrators calling for President Ashraf Ghani to step down and chanting "Death to the Taliban" clashed with police near the bombing site, prompting officials to respond with live rounds, tear gas and water cannon as some protesters tried to overrun a security cordon. At least three protesters were wounded, some of them critically, and were rushed to Kabul's Emergency Hospital, witnesses said. The bombing during the holy month of Ramadan highlighted the ability of militants to strike even in the capital's most secure district, home to the presidential palace and foreign embassies that are enveloped in a maze of concrete blast walls. Angry citizens have demanded answers from the government over the perceived intelligence failure leading to the assault, which underscores spiralling insecurity in Afghanistan. "Our brothers and sisters were martyred in the bloody attack on Wednesday, and our leaders are doing nothing to stop this carnage," Rahila Jafari, a civil society activist, said during the protest. "We want justice, we want the perpetrators of the attack to be hanged to death." Another enraged Afghan said the protests would continue until Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah resign. "Day after day, innocent civilians are being killed by terrorists. If our leaders cannot restore security they should step down," he said. Afghanistan's intelligence agency has blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network for the attack. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is expected to approve the execution of 11 Taliban and Haqqani prisoners, a government source told AFP, in apparent retaliation to the assault. The Taliban currently in the midst of their annual "spring offensive" denied they were involved. The Haqqani Network, long thought to have ties to neighbouring Pakistan's shadowy military establishment, is led by Sirajuddin Haqqani who is also the Taliban's deputy leader. It has carried out numerous attacks in Kabul, including the 2008 Indian embassy bombing that killed almost 60 people. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met newly elected UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday on the sidelines of a multilateral business and economic event here. "Stressing multilateralism to address global challenges such as terrorism. PM @narendra receives UNSG @antonioguterres in St. Petersburg," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted. A former Prime Minister of Portugal, Guterres assumed office at the UN headquarters at the beginning of this year. Prior to his meeting with Guterres, Modi met Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern. Earlier on Friday, Modi attended for the first time the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an annual business and economic event hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also attended a collective meeting of Governors of 16 regions of Russia. During the course of the day, Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Tigran Sargasyan called on Modi in view of India's decision to start discussions with EAEU to have a free trade agreement. The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Russia, he will leave for France later on Friday on the fourth and final leg of the tour. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump fulfilled another poll promise by announcing to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, a landmark pact signed by 195 nations to protect the planet from climate change. Its another matter that Trump is facing opposition from 60 Mayors in his own country. But America cant pull out of the accord immediately. The Paris accord came into effect on November 2016. There is provision to withdraw, but notice can be given only three years after entry. So, withdrawal would take effect a year after that, meaning November 2020, a date that coincides with the next US presidential election raising the prospect that the issue remains alive during the campaign. Experts say US decision will have little impact on India, but it certainly will make it much more difficult for the world to attain global greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The United States had pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 per cent compared to 2005 levels by the year 2025. The US president said he can reconsider re-entering the accord if the terms are re-jigged to make them fair for American citizens and workers. As President, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of American citizens, he said. Announcing the decision from the White House on Thursday, Trump said the Paris deal was not tough on big emitters like India and China. For example, under the agreement, China will be able to increase these emissions by a staggering number of years 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries, he said. Another reference to India came when he said that the country was being allowed to build coal plants as part of the deal, while US was not. India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. Were supposed to get rid of ours. Even Europe is allowed to continue construction of coal plants, he said. Foreign policy watchers have said Prime Minister Narendra Modis upcoming visit to the White House could be problematic. In a 10-year energy blueprint published last year, the Modi government had pledged to exceed the targets it had set in the Paris accord nearly three-and-a-half years ahead of schedule. Also with the country having to make strides to ensure access to electricity in every household, experts have said its carbon allowance in Paris is reasonable. The UN General Assembly voted on Friday for The Netherlands, Peru, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, and Poland to occupy six of the 10 rotating seats on the Security Council. In the case of the Dutch, the General Assembly confirmed a 2016 agreement between the Netherlands and Italy to split the 2017-2018 term after neither country secured enough votes to win the seat outright, Efe reported. Italy will cede the seat to the Dutch at the start of next year. Once the Italian-Dutch arrangement was ratified, the General Assembly proceeded to elect Peru, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, and Poland, to non-permanent seats on the council for the 2018-2019 term. Each of the Security Council's five permanent members the United States, China, Russia, France, and the Britain has the power to veto resolutions. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Jun 2 (PTI) The Maharashtra unit of the Congress today asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to introspect instead of levelling allegations of instigating farmers. "The chief minister has raised questions over the integrity of farmers through his allegations," Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan said in a statement. "Instead of levelling unsubstantiated allegations against the Opposition, the CM should introspect what made farmers lose their trust in the government," he said. advertisement Fadnavis had yesterday said his government was trying to resolve the issue through talks but the opposition Congress and the NCP were instigating it for political gains. The state Congress chief said the farmers strike has brought the state in a situation it never faced before. "Instead of ceding to the demands of farmers, the CM is busy in making wild allegations against the Opposition. We will not be deterred but continue to raise our voice against the anti-farmer policies of the government. If you want farmers to live, loan waiver is the only solution," he stated. Chavan also stated that the response the Opposition received in its Sangharsh Yatra proves that the people have lost trust in the government. He claimed that the ineffective and unresponsive attitude of the government towards the demands of farmers has led to their protests. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former CM Prithviraj Chavan dared Fadnavis to prove his allegation that the Opposition parties instigated farmers. "By levelling allegations against us, the CM has rubbed salt on the wounds of farmers. It is very unfortunate. If you have levelled allegations against us, prove them," Chavan said. "Had farmers listened to us before and protested against the government, the results of Zilla Parishad and municipal corporations would have been different," Chavan, a former Union minister, claimed. Chavan questioned as to why the BJP was having different yardsticks of justice for farmers in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. "If there are irregularities in milk federation, prove them. Do not just level allegations and indulge in character assassination. There is your chairman in Mahananda dairy. Punish the guilty. Do not just mislead people," Chavan said. PTI MM NRB IKA --- ENDS --- Organisation: Uganda Christian University (UCU) Duty Station: Kampala Campus, Uganda Reports to: Manager, Human Resource & Administration About UCU: Uganda Christian University was founded when the historic Bishop Tucker Theological College was promoted as a university in 1997. Bishop Tucker Theological College trained clergy and educators during its 84-year history from 1913-1997. The local chief, Hamu Mukasa, granted land for the college to operate in Mukono. International partnerships were part of the Colleges missionary history. The Church Mission Society teamed with Ugandan leaders and others to assure the College had the necessary intellectual and other capital. By the late 1990s, the Church of Uganda sought to have a broader impact on society through the higher education not only of clergy but of other professionals as well. Uganda Christian University was established in 1997. Job Summary: The Temporary Administrative Assistant will provide Secretarial and Administrative services to the Faculty. Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities: Tasked with organizing and maintaining files and records Preparing Faculty Board meetings Responsible for receiving, entering, processing and managing exams and results of students Taking minutes and distributing information to the Teaching Staff Receiving and directing visitors Oversee and carry out various day to day administrative functions Preparing and coordinating information and mail Performing basic liaison function with students and staff members of other departments Explaining policies and procedures, answering various questions related to the office, handle problems, and route them to the supervisor as appropriate Handling student matters especially those concerning their academic welfare Receiving and making important phone calls in and out of the Faculty Will be in charge of facilities/premises maintenance and general cleanliness of the campus Making arrangements for campus invents Perform any other official duties as assigned by the Supervisor. Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience: The applicants must possess a good Bachelors degree from a recognized Institution of Higher learning At least two (2) years of working experience in a busy office environment Good computer skills (Word, Excel, Access, Power point and internet) Previous experience in minute taking Prior experience working at a front desk will be an added advantage Excellent interpersonal skills especially when dealing with students, staff and visitors High degree of integrity with an excellent work ethic Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines Must be ready and willing to work on Saturdays Must be self motivated Must be a committed and practicing Christian How to Apply: All qualified candidates should send two (2) copies of an application letter clearly demonstrating suitability together with updated Curriculum Vitae and three (Academic, Leadership, Pastoral) references. Please remember to attach two (2) copies of academic and professional certificates and transcripts to: The Manager, Human Resource & Administration, Uganda Christian University, Pilkington Building, P.O. Box 4, Mukono, Uganda Email: jobs@ucu.ac.ug (Applications sent online should be in one PDF document) pm Deadline: 9th June 2017 by 5:00pm DRACUT In late April, friends Jessica Keefe and Alexandra Leavitt found themselves building up the frame of a home in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Dracut women toiled under the sun over two days with the guidance of a contractor. The experience was made possible through Habitat for Humanity, a global non-profit housing organization. It was definitely an eye-opening experience, said Keefe, 24, who works as a communications coordinator at St. Francis Parish. Ive done mission trips for years but Ive been more of a coordinator. I set up the projects, but I havent personally done the work, like the actual physical building. Keefe and Leavitt, 21, donated their time through a Habitat for Humanity program called Women Build. Since 1991, Women Build volunteers from all walks of life have come together to build stronger, safer communities, according to the organizations website. Hurricane Katrinas wrath in 2005 brought death and devastation to Gulfport, Mississippis second largest city. Its been years now and theyve done a good job at rebuilding, but theres still a lot of work to be done in the area, Keefe told The Sun earlier this month. Its not all there. When the women arrived to their project site on April 21, Keefe said the foundation had been done. We got to do a lot of wood cutting and preparing to put up the framing of the house, for the walls, she recalled. We used lots of different tools and we used skill saws and nail guns I may have used one or two of them, but its definitely been a long time so my experience using them was empowering. According to Leavitt, she and Keefe spent the first day getting acquainted with the tools and then, on their second day, worked on the house frame. It was an amazing experience to be hands on and use a skill saw and nail gun, she said. Leavitt said shes volunteered at soup kitchens and childrens camps, but this was a unique experience. To me, it definitely opened my eyes, she said, adding that she and Keefe were able to sign their names on wooden beams after their work was complete. We dont know who is going to receive the house yet, but just knowing that we took a part in putting together a house for a deserving family is humbling. Its definitely awesome. Follow Amaris Castillo on Twitter @AmarisCastillo. By Press Trust of India: pinch Mumbai, Jun 2 (PTI) As the farmers strike in Maharashtra entered the second day, big cities like Mumbai and Pune are facing the threat of shortage of vegetables and milk. Farmers in Nashik, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Pune, Kolhapur and Wardha districts threw milk, foodgrains and vegetables on roads as a part of the protest. Vehicles carrying vegetables and fruits to Mumbai were stopped and ransacked. advertisement Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is meeting the farmers leaders here late tonight. Arrival of vegetable-carrying trucks at Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in neighbouring Navi Mumbai also fell drastically today. However, supply of milk to the state capital was unaffected. But local traders said Mumbaikars may start feeling the pinch due to shortage of vegetables in a day or two, as vendors in many suburbs and in Navi Mumbai have already hiked rates. Against 400-500 trucks of vegetables (around 7,000 tonnes) which arrive at Navi Mumbai APMC every day, only 182 trucks reached today. Many transporters avoided bringing veggies to the cities due to threat of violence. Minister of State for Agriculture Sadabhau Khot said supply of vegetables to Nashik and Pune was affected, but not that to Mumbai. If needed, government can invoke the Maintenance of Essential Commodities Act, he said. The agitation continued today in many parts of the state with protesters dumping milk and vegetables on roads. The strike, touted to be first of its kind in the country, the call for which was given by Kisan Kranit Core Committee based in Puntambe village in Ahmednagar district, spread across the state, mainly through social media messages and appeals. Farmers in the state faced three consecutive droughts before a good monsoon last year. At present they are staring at huge losses as tur daal prices have crashed due to a bumper crop this time. Opposition Congress, NCP, as well as ruling coalition partner Shiv Sena have supported the agitation, which is mainly for the demand of loan waiver. "Sena supports the agitation....that farmers resort to such extreme step is the failure of government," Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said. In Solapur, farmers dumped milk from a flyover. Sandip Gidde, farmer leader from Puntambe, arrived with his associates in Mumbai late this evening to meet the chief minister. "I received a call from the CMs office, inviting me to come to Mumbai for talks. We do not want the strike to be stretched as it would affect the farmers themselves. But state governments inaction has badly affected farmers. We want several reforms in agriculture," Gidde told PTI. advertisement In Nashik district, the biggest producer of onion in the country which is also a big supplier of vegetables and fruits to Mumbai, all 15 APMCs remained shut. There was shortage of milk and veggies in Nashik city. Prohibitory orders in Yeola town of Nashik district, where 14 policemen were injured in stone-pelting during the agitation last evening, continued to be in force today. Farmers also blocked parts of Mumbai-Agra highway in the district and tried to stop vehicles carrying vegetables to Pune and Gujarat, police said. Meanwhile, as a debate on whether farmers should dump their produce on roads by way of protest raged on social media platforms and news channels, NCP supremo and former Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said it should be avoided. "Until the farmers get complete loan waiver and the government agrees to all their demands, they should ensure they stay united and continue the agitation... Instead of dumping vegetables and milk on road, farmers should distribute it to the poor in villages," Pawar said. advertisement Social activist Anna Hazare extended his support to the agitating farmers, and said he was willing to play mediator between the government and the farmers if they want. He also appealed for conducting the agitation in a peaceful manner. Farmers are up in the arms against the government due to its anti-farmer policies, Hazare said. Apart from loan waiver, farmers are demanding guaranteed minimum support prices (MSP). Farmers in Nashik district are also opposing acquisition of land for the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Corridor (expressway). PTI ND CORR MM NSK ARS NP NRB KRK DIP --- ENDS --- LOWELL With the help of federal and state grants, UMass Lowell will create a Southeast Asian Digital Archive to preserve the experiences of Lowells Southeast Asian American communities. The university announced earlier this week that it had received a $239,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a $28,000 grant from the UMass Presidents Office Creative Economy Initiatives Fund. Led by Professor Sue Kim and Associate Professor Ivy Ho, the archive will be a partnership between the university and various community groups, including the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Angkor Dance, Lao Mutual Family Assistance Association, and others. The digital collection will document the experiences of many of the immigrants, and their children, who have come to Lowell from Southeast Asia since the 1970s, and now make up more than 20 percent of the citys population. LOWELL A 55-year-old Lowell man who was previously charged with robbing four other banks was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail Friday on charges he robbed the TD Bank on Bridge Street in Dracut on Wednesday afternoon. Michael Dexter was arrested Thursday about 11 a.m., after Dracut police identified him as a suspect in Wednesdays heist and notified Tewksbury police that Dexter was staying at the Motel 6 in Tewksbury, according to police. Tewksbury officers found Dexter riding in a vehicle they stopped on Interstate 495, arrested him and turned him over to Dracut police, according to a press release. Dexter is accused of demanding money from a teller at TD Bank, 1255 Bridge St., on Wednesday about 1:30 p.m. A dye pack placed in the stolen money exploded outside the bank, according to police-radio broadcasts. Police recovered some of the dye-stained cash in the street outside the bank. Court records indicate about $1,160 was taken during the heist. Lowell District Court Judge Thomas Brennan ordered Dexter held on $10,000 cash bail on a single count of unarmed robbery Friday in Lowell District Court, according to court records. Dexter was previously charged with two bank robberies in Lowell in 2004, and two more bank robberies in Lowell and Tewksbury in 2012, according to reports published in The Sun at the time. It was not immediately clear if he was convicted in those cases, though court records in the new case note that Dexter was convicted of similar offenses in both 2007 and 2013, and that he has a lengthy criminal record that extends back about 37 years. Dexter is due to return to Lowell District Court for a hearing on June 23. Follow Robert Mills on Twitter and Tout @Robert_Mills. Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat Debt-laden Reliance Communications' strategic restructuring plans have been accepted by lenders and it has been given time till December 2017 to conclude the deals, chairman Anil Ambani said on Friday. The chairman of the Reliance ADAG Group made a rare media appearance, after shares of Reliance Communications were hammered this week amid mounting losses and ratings agencies downgraded the company. Reliance Communications had, last year, announced plans to merge its wireless business into a separate company with Aircel. The new company will be called Aircom, in which RCom will hold 50 per cent stake. The company has got regulatory and shareholder approval for the deal and it is now working with lenders to get the deal approved, Ambani told reporters. Separately, in December last year, RCom also sold 51 per cent of its telecom tower business to Canadian fund manager Brookfield Infrastructure for Rs 11,000 crore. Apart from upfront cash, RCom retained 49 per cent in the company. Both these deals are expected to reduce the company's debt to Rs 20,000 crore from the existing around Rs 45,000 crore. Lenders have given time till December 2017 to complete the transactions. But we hope to close the deal way before by September, Ambani said. The company was also looking to sell its DTH (direct-to-home satellite TV) business and may also sell lucrative real estate in Delhi and Navi Mumbai, to pare down debt further, he added. RCom has tried to sell its DTH business earlier too. Reports in 2012 had said Sun TV had evinced interest in acquiring it, but later backed out. Ambani said the company was in a unique position to build long-term shareholder value and would look to maintain a conservative debt profile post restructuring. On Thursday, Fitch Ratings also downgraded RCom's debt ratings to 'CCC' from 'B+'. RCom's ratings downgrade reflects Fitch's belief that some kind of default is a real possibility, it had said. Earlier, Moody's Investors Services had also downgraded RCom's bond rating and corporate family rating, citing weak operating performance and high leverage. For the 2016-17 financial, RCom posted a net loss of Rs 1,403 crore versus a profit of Rs 639 crore a year ago, while revenue declined 11 per cent to Rs 19,949 crore. Ambani said he was disappointed with the ratings agencies downgrade and added that the company was engaged with the ratings agencies. RCom's shares have slumped 16 per cent this week. Over the last one month, the stock value has fallen over a third. On Friday, RCom closed at Rs 20.65 on the BSE, down 0.5 per cent. BJP chief Amit Shah landed in Kerala today to begin his three-day visit to the state. Shah will undertake a three-day tour of Kerala to strengthen the party and make it a potent force in the state by 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He is scheduled to chair several party meetings and interact with bishops as part of his efforts to win over a section of Christians. He will also meet intellectuals and community leaders. Shah's visit comes against the backdrop of the controversial public slaughter of a calf by Youth Congress workers. A party leader, however, insisted that his tour should not be linked to the incident as it was scheduled long back and is part of his organisation-building exercise. Shah will meet bishops in Kochi today, underlining his party's efforts to build bridges with the minority community, which accounts for 18-20 per cent of votes in the southern state. The party's in-charge of the state H. Raja said the meeting is aimed at "understanding each other" and added that Shah will undertake an "in-depth" analysis of the organisational work in the state during his three-day stay. It has also been trying to cosy up to Kerala Congress (M), a former Congress ally that enjoys substantial following among Christians. Many BJP leaders believe it is imperative for the organisation to win over a section of minority votes to emerge as a potent force in a state where Hindu votes are about 55 per cent. Muslims constitute about 26-27 per cent of the electorate. Shah will also hold meetings with BJP allies, leaders of various communities and influential people, besides interacting with organisation leaders to take stock of its work and lay out its future plans. Kerala is important in the BJP's strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as Shah expects to win a chunk of its 21 seats after the party increased its vote share substantially to 16 per cent in the 2016 assembly polls. It, however, could win only one seat. It had drawn a blank in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. It has built alliance with smaller outfits representing different communities. Screening test to be mandatory for teaching aspirants in Maharashtra Vinod Tawde, Maharasthra's education minister, has taken a praiseworthy decision. He recently pushed through in state cabinet a bill making a 'screening test' compulsory for teachers who wish to be employed in government and aided schools of Maharashtra. A number of organisations representing teachers had time and again pointed out malpractices in teachers recruitment in schools which receive government funds. In addition to malpractices, ever deteriorating quality in teaching in government and aided schools has become a matter of serious concern. To tackle the situation, Tawde's education department will now hold a centralised screening and aptitude test for teachers seeking employment. This move is expected to have far reaching consequences in improving quality of teaching across schools. However, another decision by Tawde is facing flak. His department recently decided to shut down 'BalChitravani'. There was a time when BalChitravani was known for producing excellent television programmes in Marathi for children. These were aired on Doordarshan. With the boom in satelite television, BalChitravani began loosing the plot and nobody took efforts to give its programmes a classy and contemporary look. Balchitravani has a huge archives of excellent and inspiring interviews with sportspersons, authors and poets, senior bureaucrats, eminent social workers, scholars and scientists. There is an urgent need to digitise this huge knowledge bank. Now that BalChitravani is shutting shop, will it ever happen? A unique way to raise a provocative slogan A few days ago, Karnataka minister Roshan Baig demanded a ban on the use of slogan 'Jay Maharashtra' in the border district of Belgaum. In a public function, he said elected representatives who raise the slogan will be disqualified. Marathi speaking people from the border district have strongly opposed the move. Shiv Sena minister Divakar Raote rushed to Belgaum to express his party's solidarity with affected population. He was, however, stopped at the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka and urged not to take law in his own hands. Raote returned to Mumbai with a unique idea. He is the transport minister of Maharashtra and controls the huge fleet of buses of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation. He was told that the logo of MSRTC was being changed. Raote then instructed that the new logo must have 'Jay Maharashtra' written on it. This new logo of MSRTC was inaugurated on Thursday. Needless to say all the MSRTC buses traveling to destinations in Karnataka will have the new logo bearing 'Jay Maharashtra'. Visually challenged Pranjal Patil cracks UPSC, twice Pranjali Patil is a visually challenged girl from Mumbai. But her disability did not deter her from cracking UPSC examination. Pranjali cleared UPSC last year in her first attempt and her rank was 773. She had been selected for Indian Railway Service. When the railway administration realised that she was blind, Pranjali was informed that she cannot join Indian Railways due to her disability. Pranjali kept appealing to authorities but to no avail. So she decided to write UPSC exam once again and improve her all India rank. When this year's UPSC results were declared last week Pranjali had cracked merit list yet again. This time her rank is 124. She is now hopeful that this time around she won't be turned away. Sangli palace still with govt, assures collector The district administration of Sangli in Western Maharashtra recently began shifting its offices from the Sangli palace premises to a new building. Many offices of the administration were located in the premises of Sangli's royal palace which belonged to Patwardhan royal family. This sparked a rumour that the palace was soon going to handed over to Vijaysinhraje Patwardhan, the current ruler of Sangli. Vijaysinhraje is the father of actress Bhagyashree Patwardhan who shot to fame by starring opposite to Salman Khan in Maine Pyar Kiya. As the rumour spread, journalists rushed to meet district collector Shekhar Gaikwad. Gaikwad then had to issue a clarification that the palace continued to remain as a government property and only the 'Darbar Hall' is owned by the royal family. It is tad early for an irrefutable inference from the just-concluded tour of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Germany, Spain, France and finally to Russia; nevertheless, certain attributes are perceptible. The emphasis on symbiosis by India and Russia has not been elusive. Modis interactions symbolised Indian interest to reinforce its exchanges with major economies of Europe and respond to the prevailing stirrings on the Global political scene: Britain seems keen to break away from EUs ambit, Donald Trumps choleric approach to world politics the latest manifestation of which is his decision to disown America from the imperative pact to battle climate change, signed in Paris in 2015 and Chinas vigorous attempt to influence its own Greater Eurasia, spanning South China Sea and inner Asia to Europe, at Russias expense, yet with its cooperation. The emphasis during Modis four-nation tour was on Russia. His visit to that country is concurrent with the completion of 70 years of Indo-Russian collaboration and friendly ties. It has endured seven decades of vicissitudes in the arena of international affairs. Although marred by a measure of frostiness by the then Soviet Union in the immediate aftermath of Indias freedom, the ice began to melt in 1952 when the then Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin, was highly impressed by the credentials of the Indian ambassador to Moscow, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. It metamorphosed to warmth by Jawaharlal Nehrus visit to the Soviet Union in 1954 and the tour of Soviet leaders, Khrushchev and Bulganin, to India in 1955. Since then, apart from transient wariness from both sides, the trajectory of bilateral ties has been encouraging. After Soviet Union transformed to a geographically leaner Russia in 1991, India and Russia re-confirmed the inviolability of the basic principles of peace, friendship and cooperation in 1993, and subsequently signed a Strategic Partnership treaty in 2000. In todays seemingly multi-polar world, India has discerned that Russia has not always appropriately been adhesive to Indian sensitivities. Although voicing support for Indian priorities, particularly regarding security, defence and strategic interests, Russia has been lukewarm to Chinas consistent shielding of Pakistan as regards cross-border terrorism, nuclear black marketing and harbouring terrorists who have been dubbed so by the international community and are wanted by India on terrorism charges. On its part, Russia has apparently been apprehensive of the proliferating India-America relationship, intermittently believing that it has undesirable ingredients for Russia. It has also eagerly participated in the China-led One Belt One Road (OBOR) economic initiative, from which India has conspicuously stayed away. That the time for adequate stocktaking, endeavours to constrict dissatisfaction and requisite clarity in the Indo-Russian relationship is ripe has been bespoken by the warm reception accorded to Modi by Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and Putins designation of Modi as the guest of honour at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum interpreted as Putins attempted response to Davos. Sundry treaties and Memorandum of Agreements have been signed and articulations made to take the relationship to further heights; quantitatively and qualitatively. From trade, investments, defence equipment and oil exploration, to electronics, manufacturing, antibiotics, cultural exchanges, and battling terrorism, the range is comprehensive. But, the high point has been the inking of an agreement for two additional nuclear reactors at Kudankulam, to be built with Russian assistance, for the procurement of electricity. All indications are that the proverbial boost in the arm of this bilateral relation has been provided. India and Russia are powers on the chessboard of world politics, requiring the paving of their respective paths with clarity, resolve and alacrity. The amicability in India-Russia relationship, if properly managed, would be expedient for both countries. The author writes about foreign affairs and economics. Opinions expressed by the author are personal. By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 1 (PTI) A fireman was killed and two of his colleagues were injured when a cylinder exploded while they were trying to douse a fire in an electric heater factory in Delhis Anand Parbat industrial area. The men had gone to attend a fire call at 10.15 pm yesterday when the tragedy took place, said an officer from Delhi Fire Services. advertisement They were working to control the blaze when there was a cylinder blast. A tin shed on the second floor of the factory collapsed due to the explosion and firemen Vijender Pal (52) and Sunil Kumar (50) got trapped under the debris. Avtar Singh (56), the station officer of Prasad Nagar fire station, was on the first floor fighting the blaze, and also sustained injuries. The injured firemen were rushed to Jeevan Mala Hospital and later shifted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. While Pal died during treatment, Singh and Kumar were stated to be in stable condition. Singh had developed some infection in his knee and was operated upon, said an officer. Factory worker Dhananjay Kumar and passer-by Manoj Kumar were also injured but they were discharged after first-aid. They were standing atop the adjacent building watching the firefighting operations and were caught in the flames that erupted after the tin shed collapsed, said a police officer. The fire at the factory was brought under control by 12.45 am by a dozen fire tenders. Police suspected that the initial cause of the fire was an electric short-circuit. A case has been registered against unidentified persons and forensic teams will visit the spot to ascertain the exact cause. Mourning Pals death, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said society stands indebted to him for his services. He also requested Lt Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal to provide an alternative job for one of his family members. A wreath laying ceremony was held at the Fire Safety Management Academy in Rohini and later his body was taken to Burari for the last rites. Pal is survived by wife and three sons, who are with the Delhi Police. Pal was due for a promotion in the next few days, said one of his colleagues. His family is likely to get a compensation of Rs one crore as per a Delhi governments policy. One of the injured firemen, Kumar, said, "Pal and I were on the second floor fighting the blaze when there was a blast and a tin shed collapsed. I was standing under a metal girder that didnt collapse. But since I was under the girder, I did not get trapped under the debris." advertisement In February this year, two firemen died and as many were injured after an LPG cylinder exploded when they were fighting a blaze at a fast-food joint in west Delhis Vikaspuri area. In 2016, six firemen died in separate incidents, most of them due to cylinder blast during firefighting, said a senior official. PTI SLB SMN --- ENDS --- If one spots saplings of jack fruit, mangoes or guavas in the party offices of the CPI(M) and the BJP in Kerala, she should not be surprised. The two partiesbitter foes who are always at each others throatsare getting ready to celebrate the World Environment Day on June 5. Environmentalism sells, especially in a green state like Kerala. And the political parties are also well aware of this fact. Interestingly, all the mainstream parties in the state are gearing up for the day to prove their commitment to the subject. And who else, but the ruling CPI(M) is taking the lead. The Pinarayi Vijayan-led government has decided to plant one crore saplingsmostly of medicinal plants and fruit treesacross the state on June 5. It plans to involve students and women self help groups (SHGs) alongside the party machinery to achieve this ambitious target. The CPI(M) secretariat has asked all party members and units to plant trees and take part in environment protection activities. It has even given directives to its sympathisers and feeding organisations to take part in related activities. "The party has been seriously involved in green activities for more than a decade. We have been in the forefront of many green activities, whether it is organic cultivation or cleaning up water bodies, party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told THE WEEK. The state secretariat of the CPI(M) has asked all party members, units, sympathisers and the public at large to participate in the World Environment Day celebrations on June 5. The ruling party is also looking to clean water bodies and step up rain water harvesting. In addition, it plans to dig 10 lakh rain pits across the state the same day. The BJP, which is looking to make inroads in the state politics, is leaving no stone unturned and are equally aggressive. "We will be planting 10 lakh trees across the state. Our party offices have been getting ready for this since the last few months, BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan told THE WEEK. According to him, the BJP would be concentrating on those areas where the party is strong enough to carry out the mission. Expecting competition from other parties for public spots, the state BJP president said the party will be planting trees in private spaces too. "Public or private, we will be planting 10 lakh trees in Kerala, Kummanam said. The party has also decided that all the 10 lakh saplings should be that of fruit trees. "It is a conscious decision. A fruit tree creates an ecosystem of its own. It will be useful to every being, said P. Ragunath, noted environmentalist who has been assigned with the task. He cited the example of Tamil Nadu as a good role model in this regard. "If you notice, the national highways in Tamil Nadu are mostly dotted by fruit trees or flower-bearing trees unlike here. So we decided to go for fruit trees, said Ragunath. Not to be left behind, the Congress party has also joined the green bandwagon. "The KPCC has given direction to all local units to plant trees on that day. It has also given direction that every local unit should clean up at least one water body in their area, said Thiruvannathapuram DCC president Neyyatinkara Sunil. According to him, the event will be kick-started by KPCC president M.M. Hassan on June 5. Though politically motivated, these green initiatives augur well for the state at a time when the world battles climate change. Megyn Kelly, who is currently trending on the Internet for asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'if he was on Twitter', is also making headlines for wearing a very unconventional dress for her interview with world leaders. The 46-year-old NBC news anchor spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia's president Vladimir Putin at state dinner party at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg. At state dinner party at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg with Russian President Putin and Indian PM Modi. More tonight @NBCNightlyNews pic.twitter.com/FX5kjfIJAf Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 1, 2017 The anchor was seen sporting an off-the-shoulder blue velvet dress featuring a slit in the skirt. She paired the look with some massive velvet pumps and an oversized gold ring, while painting her toenails black for the occasion. The figure-hugging dress by designer Yigal Azrouel retails for $990. Kelly also tweeted a picture of the trio at a state dinner at Konstantin Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia. But, as soon as the pictures of her dress went viral, social media went berserk over her choice of dress for such a serious interview. Some of the reactions are: "@megynkelly Luvs to dress Disco Style for Serious Intervws, then Blame Ailes for sex Harrasmt! SAD! A LOSER! Won't Watch! #boycottMegyn," wrote a Twitter user. Another user tweeted, "What an inappropriate dress; so unprofessional and embarrassing for America!" "People comment on @priyankachopra dress when she meets PM, but no one comments on Megyn Kelly's dress when she meets PM #doublestandards," tweeted another user. Another user shared, "@megynkelly @nbc you are making us professional women look bad. We would never wear this dress in a prof. setting." "Why is she wearing a cocktail dress for an interview? @MSNBC going for low-information viewers again like their $1bn earned media for Trump," wrote another user. The media felt that her attire was really 'unprofessional' and made them feel like she is once again working FOX News, where late Roger Ailes made women anchors wear short skirts and high heels, and caked up makeup. Recently, Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who met PM Modi in Berlin, faced criticism on social media as Twitter thought that the actress 'wasn't properly dressed to meet a national leader'. 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 However, the 'Quantico' star seemed unfazed by the trolling and posted a photo of her flashing some more legs and roped in her mom, Madhu Chopra for the pic. President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday asked the US Supreme Court to revive his ban on travelers from six Muslim-majority nations after it was blocked by lower courts that found it was discriminatory. The administration filed two emergency applications with the nine high court justices seeking to block two different lower court rulings that went against Trump's March 6 order barring entry for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days while the US government implements stricter visa screening. The move comes after the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals on May 25 upheld a Maryland judge's ruling blocking the order. The administration also filed a separate appeal in that case. "We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trumps executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism," Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. At least five votes are needed on the nine-justice court in order to grant a stay. The court has a 5-4 conservative majority, with Justice Anthony Kennedya conservative who sometimes sides with the court's four liberalsthe frequent swing vote. Another of the court's conservatives, Neil Gorsuch, was appointed by Trump this year. If the government's request is granted, the ban would go into effect. In its 10-3 ruling, the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals said challengers of the ban, including refugee groups and others represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, were likely to succeed on their claim that the order violated the US Constitution's bar against favoring or disfavoring a particular religion. Nishank Goyal's company, Masters India Private Ltd, did business in aluminium products. But, the Delhi-based entrepreneur realised a while ago that there would be huge potential in the implementation of Goods and Services Tax in July. So he rolled out the technology portfolio of his company to target the new GST wave. And, his company was picked as one of the 34 GST Suvidha Providers shortlisted by the Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN). GST Suvidha Providers help tax payers and businesses to transform smoothly towards a GST regime. There was a technical evaluation, and we eventually got selected. Our technology arm has a team of 25 developers, tax experts and chartered accountants who helped us achieve this, said Goyal. Apparently, everyone stands to benefit from GST. Businesses and consumers had been burdened in the current taxation regime with double taxation, complicated rules, and uncompetitive tax rates and structures. Central and state governments have been unable to control leakages from the system, and the public has been troubled with higher prices on goods and services due to all this, said Goyal. GST is expected to set the economy on course for good growth. But, businesses need to be prepared to cope with the transition. A robust solution will be required to manage GST compliance as the GST regime necessitates a high level of synchronisation between tax payers system, i.e. an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), an accounting or an invoicing software, and the GST system. Without automation it would be a difficult task, said Goyal. It is a demanding task, and lapses would upset the entire process. If anything is amiss, businesss compliance rating will take a hit, and it will act as an indicator for buyers, lenders and insurers, said Goyal. Timely tax compliance will be critical for business success. Awareness will play a key role in the success of GST. Goyal's company has been publishing articles on everything related to GST, conducting weekly webinars, running campaigns, and creating online courses in multiple languages for small businesses, aspiring accountants and CAs. By virtue of being a GST Suvidha Provider (GSP), the company is providing GST APIs (application programming interfaces) so that businesses and application service providers (ASPs) can connect to GSTN servers and exchange tax information. The company has also created a self-registration portal, which has a sandbox (a virtual space in which untested software can be run securely) for testing GST APIs, a log of API calls for debugging and billing purposes, comprehensive support documentation to get started and support request panel. Goyal's company also has a product called AutoTax, which makes GST compliance effortless. This system can integrate with a businesss existing ERPs and allow seamless flow of data between them and the government servers to enable up-to-date view of business tax status. The product will facilitate tax planning through analytics and will help tax planners to make decisions with data. Many established players have also been upgrading their offerings to meet the GST requirements. Bengaluru-based Tally Solutions, for instance, has been enhancing its popular product Tally ERP 9 to provide GST compliance for all its customers and businesses. This will involve the ability to record and maintain accurate GST invoices as required by law. We will also have a GSTN integrated capability which will allow users to upload their transactions as we are a GST Suvidha Provider, said Tejas Goenka, executive director, Tally Solutions. Tally is trying to design its product in such a way that it will enable businesses to manage the change in tax structure better. In a normal day of work, business people need to deal with a situation where some invoices have been uploaded, some are pending for various reasons and need to be acted on. They would be able to see all their compliance work on a single screen that will not only give them a view, but also allow them to take necessary actions, said Goenka. GSTN will deal with tax payers in asynchronous manners. This means that for every upload, the business will not get a confirmation right away, but a token of acknowledgment that the invoice return has been received and will be processed. Businesses would prefer to be posted on what happened to the upload rather than spending time on repeatedly checking the status of the upload, he said. An undesired outcome of GST would be small businesses getting pushed out. Goenka said the GST law stated that input tax credit would be available to a buyer only if the supplier had paid due tax to the government. This linkage will be detrimental to small businesses in the chain because if, for some reason (even if not intentional), the supplier is unable to pay the tax on time, the buyer will be treated as non-compliant and input tax credit will be denied to him. Small businesses that operate on wafer-thin margins will be seriously impacted and, despite having paid tax on time, they will have to bear the brunt of their suppliers non-compliance. This, along with the provision for a compliance rating, which will be made public, will slowly drive small businesses to closure. Goenka wanted the government and policymakers to take note of this issue and bring in necessary changes to the law so that GST can be implemented effectively and prove useful for all. This is one major challenge which stands between us and a smooth transition to GST for all, he said. Financial startups are all set to play an important role in the transition to a GST regime. Clear Tax, a Bengaluru-based startup, for instance, has been helping companies understand the transition rules and get registered. It has launched a GST training module, which is followed by a certification and can be used to learn about GST by both CAs and staff of companies. Our GST product can be used to complete all types of GST return filing. We also have filing features. The system stays on top of mismatches and creates reports for action, which can be assigned to teams. It also has capability to allow communication with the vendor from within the software. Our solution will be available on both web and mobile, said Archit Gupta, CEO and founder of Clear Tax. Mustafa Nadeem Clear Tax is using intelligent reporting and analysis to identify mismatches in time to help businesses make sure capital is not locked up. Small traders may be facing heat due to non-usage of technology in bookkeeping and supply-chain management. We are trying to ensure through our solutions that such businesses migrate to a simple solution which can meet their basic invoicing and accounting need. Our solution is simple for accountants to use and follow. We also provide training for users and have an offering that helps small businesses evaluate if they should register and how they can migrate to a tech-based platform. Besides, we help businesses clear their doubts about how to manage closing stock, semi-finished goods, goods in transit at the time of transition to the new regime, said Gupta. The big fish have big plans for the big occasion. German software giant SAP is all set to make the best use of the opportunity. Indias GST implementation is expected to bring the unorganised sector under a uniform tax base and improve growth opportunities for the organised sector, Neeraj Athalye, head of GST adoption drive, SAP India. He expects GST to unburden not only the common man but also the SMEs in the long run. Implementation of GST will lead to 3-5 billion invoice uploads every month. SAP estimates that at least 40 per cent of these will pass through a SAP-enabled system. This gives our company a huge responsibility to not just help businesses get compliant with the new law, but also ensure that businesses benefit from the GST vision, he said. SAP has set up GST Solution Centres that engage with medium and small enterprises and showcase SAPs solution portfolio for GST. It has 30 such centres in 13 cities and 10 partners to support six different industries. The company has also launched GST in a Box, a solution portfolio, to help organisations of all sizes and across industry verticals to become GST compliant. Neeraj Athalye The company has been running a drive across cities to evaluate and educate organisations that are preparing for their transition to the GST regime. Along with ASSOCHAM, SAP has also launched a knowledge sharing resource centre to educate organisations to manage changes in their business processes and information systems. It has also signed an MoU with Reliance Corporate IT Park to launch SARAL GST solution for taxpayers. It has been organising webinars and customer forums to analyse customers current digital infrastructure and chart out a roadmap to transition to GST compliant IT systems. GST is not just a financial reform, but is also a catalyst for digital transformation of the nation, said Athalye. To help realise the true potential of this change, we are directing all our efforts towards strengthening the grassroots. Companies will require a strong technology backbone to sustain and succeed in the GST regime. We want to ensure that businesses, including SMEs, gain maximum benefits from this wave of digitisation. All these companies are trying to simplify the highly complicated GST process. GST returns, specifically the GSTR 1 and GSTR 2, have very complex forms containing around 14 to 17 sections, including amendment to each section. In these returns multiple categories like B2B, Overall B2C transactions, including some 2.5 lakh inter-state, exports, debit or credit note details are to be populated in multiple separate sections. If anyone decides to upload the GST return data separately for each section, there are chances of errors as it involves huge manual intervention. We have digitised this process, said Niraj Hutheesing, managing director of Cygnet Infotech, a service provider. Tejas Goneka Despite these new offerings, overhauling or transforming an organisation for GST incurs a cost. And, it may take months to benefit from it. From accounting systems to supply chain management, they all will certainly take time, and during this period of transition the organisations will try to ascertain the benefit that can be passed on, said Mustafa Nadeem, CEO of Epic Research. So, not in coming days, but, yes, may be in next six months, we may start seeing some benefits to be passed on in terms of pricing, which may further increase competition. Nadeem pointed out that GST would lead to influence of new pricing regime across markets and any competition in that would benefit end users. End consumers are the ones who will have benefit of the same in the long run, maybe a year from now, he said. Traders are certainly going to benefit as they have to maintain various records that would service to state as well as Central government, increasing their cost and burden. Further simplification of the GST will enable them to furnish all documents at a lesser cost and lead to less burden. There will also be transitional challenges for businesses as they will have to revamp their accounting standards, supply chain management, finance, IT and logistics for GST. It will be a one-time cost for small businesses and traders, and we may start seeing the benefit to be passed on to the consumers in terms of better pricing and services. Hari S. was a vegetarian till recently. The advertising professional from Kerala ate beef for the first time to protest the Union governments move to ban the sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets. I strongly believe the government has no right to tell people what to eat, he said. Ours is a traditional Nair family where beef is still not cooked. My mother would be saddened if she knew that I ate beef. But, I did it to protest. Hari is a symbol of the protest raging on in the streets of Kerala, the biggest consumer of beef in the country. According to the state animal husbandry department, Kerala consumed 2.4 lakh tonnes of beef in 2015-16. Most Malayalis love beef, irrespective of religion, and the ban has united them. On May 23, the day the decision was taken, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan shot off a highly critical letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. May I remind you that meat is the primary source of protein for millions of poor and ordinary people in this country, particularly dalits, he wrote. Vijayan also wrote to his counterparts in other states asking them to join hands against the decision. The state government has decided to convene a meeting of all chief ministers in Thiruvananthapuram at the earliest. The ban, however, was being prepped for months. On January 16, the environment ministry notified the draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) Rules. The draft was uploaded online and a copy was sent to the chief secretaries of all the states for their feedback. The ministry received 13 suggestions, which it says it incorporated in the document, but the draft was ignored by the states. So, when the ministry notified the rules on May 23, all hell broke loose. Several state governments came out against the ban. While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said such a decision could not be taken unilaterally in a federal structure, DMK working president M.K. Stalin took out a rally in Chennai protesting the ban. Some of the BJPs allies in the northeast, especially in Meghalaya and Nagaland, also opposed the decision. On May 30, the Madras High Court stayed the ban for a month. However, no state was as aggressive in its opposition to the ban as Kerala, where the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) has been organising beef festivals with aplomb. The party would only gain by taking an aggressive stand as its traditional vote bankmostly consisting of other backward classes and dalitsare beef eaters. No mercy: Youth Congress members publicly slaughtered a calf in Kannur on May 27 | M.T. Vidhuraj The state Congress, however, found itself in a quandary. On May 27, some overzealous members of Youth Congress publicly slaughtered a calf in Kannur. There was severe backlash. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi called the act barbaric, and the party expelled the youth leaders. It would be difficult for the Congress, as a national party, to take a combative stand on the issue. The Congress has to deal with more issues unlike the BJP or the CPI(M) as our party believes in taking everyone along, Deepak Babaria, Congress secretary in-charge of Kerala, told THE WEEK. As a national party that believes in inclusiveness, we are determined to protect both individual freedom and religious sentiments. The state BJP, meanwhile, shook off its initial confusion about handling the issue and is now playing the cow card with abandon. It may be recalled that the BJP candidate in the recent Malappuram parliamentary byelection had offered good beef as an election promise. But now, the party has come out vehemently against the beef festivals. BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan had called the cow slaughter by the Youth Congress leaders cruelty at its peak. The state government, meanwhile, is trying to circumvent the order through the legal route. Vijayan is said to have asked the law department to come up with a way out by early June, when an all-party meeting is expected to be held on the subject. Animal rights activists, however, feel the state government is playing politics. Why did the state not oppose the draft when it was sent in January? asked N.G. Jayasimha, former member of the Animal Welfare Board of India. If it had any issues, the law secretary of the state should have pointed it out. Even I am against beef ban. But what the government is trying to do with the notificationthat too after huge pressure from animal rights groupsis to regulate the beef business. Politics aside, the decision would seriously affect Keralas meat industry. Prices will go up and there will also be a lot of illegal slaughtering, which cannot be monitored, said an official of Meat Products of India, a state-owned company that markets meat. He said that even if the state government resisted the regulation, it would affect the industry as 80 per cent of the cattle being slaughtered in Kerala is brought from other states, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. According to the official, beef consumption in Kerala has gone up three times in the past few years. The scare of hormone-injected poultry chicken might have triggered the love for beef. MPI produces 20,000kg of meat a month, but that accounts for only 1 per cent of the total beef consumption in the state. Beef has become a symbol of resistance for Malayalis, said A. Sethumadhavan, former chairman of National Book Trust. They love to make every issue a socio-political issue and they see the ban as an infringement on their freedom. They will oppose it. Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, however, said the rules were only to ensure that animals were not sold for slaughter in the market; there was no other curb on sale. It is for strengthening the hand of the government in preventing cruelty to animals, he said. Cattle for slaughter have to be purchased directly from the farms; the market route to the slaughter house is banned to ensure ethical treatment. Animal trade, without regulation, had meant transporting and keeping animals in terrible conditions. Sources even say the smuggling of livestock was funding terror networks through the Bangladesh route. Officials at the environment ministry are now tightlipped on this subject, but even as they try to explain their stance off the record, several questions remained unanswered. Significantly, the ban excludes goats and sheep. The notification, days before the holy month of Ramadan, developed political colours within a short time. The excuse is that the trade in goats and sheep is much larger, and that including them in the rules would make regulation difficult and put almost all the butchers in the country out of work. We have to start somewhere. Cattle was the low-hanging fruit, said a source. The rules are seen as yet another move to push the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh agenda on protecting cows, but officials said this was not true. According to the ministry, the Animal Welfare Board of India drafted the rules on the directions of the Supreme Court, which passed an order on July 13, 2015, to frame guidelines to prevent animals from being smuggled out of India. Gauri Maulekhi had petitioned the court to prevent animals being taken from India for the Gadhimai Festival in Nepal, a fest of animal sacrifice. On July 12, 2016, the court, in its final order, told the ministry to frame rules under Section 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Livestock regulation is otherwise a state subject; it was only under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that the Centre could intervene. Far from pushing a political agenda, the government was actually dragging its feet over the matter and we had to file a contempt of court plea before the ministry got proactive and drafted the rules, said Jayasimha. Singed by the beef-lash from Kerala and West Bengal, where the BJP is keen to make a presence, the government is now thinking of a rollback, keeping buffaloes out of the rule. This, however, is a Catch-22 situation, as its cow protection agenda would then get exposed. The buffalo is a dark and unattractive animal; no one cares for its life. It will be the obvious sacrifice in this political fight, said Jayasimha. Burkapal is a hamlet in Chhattisgarhs Sukma district, lying on the proposed 72km-road to a liberated zone of the Maoists. Although the construction of the road, which would give security forces access to the liberated zone, started in 2010, the progress has been slow, especially after Maoists attacked a contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force, which was in charge of guarding the construction workers, almost immediately after work began. In one of the deadliest attacks in the history of the CRPF, 76 jawans were killed by the ultras on April 6, 2010. The Maoists threatened more attacks if the government went ahead with the project. But the situation changed after the National Democratic Alliance government headed by Narendra Modi took charge at the Centre three years ago. The Modi government intensified its campaign against the Maoists and even conducted four air operations. It also restarted the road project. The Maoists retaliated on March 11, 2017, killing 12 CRPF jawans at Bheji, where the road started. On April 24, the Maoists struck again, targeting CRPF jawans who were overseeing the road work at Burkapal. It was unbearably hot that day, with the temperature touching 42 degrees Celsius and the jawans had been marching since morning, covering 20km by noon. Hungry, thirsty and tired, most of them had sat down for lunch, leaving their weapons at a safe place. A while later, they saw a group of 100 women who looked like tribals approaching them, carrying firewood. Being a routine sight, the jawans did not pay much attention. However, within seconds, the women put the firewood down, pulled out their guns, and arrows equipped with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and attacked them. Around 200 male guerrillas provided them support. In no time, 26 jawans were dead, dealing another blow to Indias attempt to tackle the Maoist menace. Two MaoistsAnil alias Deva, who was the commander of platoon 24, and Ravi, who headed the Cherla local area squadwere killed by the jawans. The dead body of another Maoist, Mukkam Barman, was found a few days later. According to Maoist documents accessed by THE WEEK, their numbers in the nine states, which are their strongholds, have reached 1,00,000. Nearly 40 per cent of them are women. Women are now recruited as militia members, commanders, supply squad members, party committee members, weapon repairers, military instructors, doctors, tailors and guards of senior central committee members. Women played a crucial role in the recent attacks carried out by us. They could use light machine guns and arrows with IED, said the document. Helping hand: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh meets a CRPF jawan a day after the Burkapal attack | PTI Following the Burkapal ambush, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh convened a meeting of security experts and chief ministers of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh on May 8. It was decided to give a free hand to security officers in anti-Maoist operations. The government has also brought development work in the affected areas under the Union home ministry. The CRPF has subsequently moved ten battalions of its elite Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) to Chhattisgarh. Each battalion has around 1,000 commandos. The force has also shifted the operational headquarters of its central zone to Raipur from Kolkata. Although there was a demand to get the support of the Army and the Air Force in anti-Maoist operations, finally it was decided that the Army would keep away for the time being. The Air Force has set up a station in Chhattisgarh with ten Mi-17 helicopters and five aircraft. Wing Commander S.S. Birdi, defence spokesperson for the eastern region, said the Air Force was being used for evacuation and retaliation as and when required. For instance, a year and a half ago when Maoists fired at a pilot, we had to retaliate, which dealt a serious blow to the ultras, he said. CRPF Director General R.R. Bhatnagar confirmed to THE WEEK that the anti-Maoist forces were not taking any help from the Army. The Air Force is required to evacuate in tough situations and for security purposes, he said. A senior officer at the eastern region headquarters of the Army said the operations of the Air Force depended on the requirements of the special forces. What goes beyond standard operating procedures are classified information and will not be shared with us. It will remain within the ministries only. The CRPF and the Chhattisgarh Special Task Force have been on the offensive after the April 24 attacks, killing many Maoists and wiping out a section of its leadership. We have made major inroads into the Maoist zone. The jawans are carrying out strong attacks, said Bhatnagar. Since April 24, the CRPF has conducted 121 special operations in Sukma district alone, targeting 14 major military bases of the Maoists like Karigundem, Minapa, Kasalpara, Milampalli and Tokenpalli. Bijapur witnessed 59 special operations and Dantewada, 40. The three districtsSukma, Bijapur and Dantewadaform the heart of the red-corridor in Chhattisgarh. A big congregation of Maoists was reported in Puvarti and Chinnaborkel areas which fall on the border of Sukma and Bijapur areas. Based on this intelligence input, on the nights of May 12 and 14, fierce encounters took place. Early reports indicate that Maoists have sustained major reversals in these encounters, said a report by the home ministry. Bhatnagar said many senior commanders of the Maoists were neutralised in the attacks. Since the Burkapal attack, 89 Maoists have been apprehended and 31 guns, 4,447 rounds of assorted ammunition, 291kg of explosives, two grenades, 87 IEDs and 5,130 detonators were confiscated. D.M. Awasthi, special director general of the Chhattisgarh Police in charge of anti-Maoist operations, said his team managed to attack Maoists in their bastions for the first time. Never ever in the last five decades could we enter places we have entered this time. We have given them major blows in the areas where they have military bases. Awasthi said the attacks were supported by air power. Whenever our forces were attacked, the Air Force retaliated. In one of the attacks, we entered the liberated zone through Bijapur. We hit the Number 1 military battalion, which had around 150 guerrillas. The report we received said most of them died in the attack. Earlier we used to fight them. Now, for the first time, we have attacked them. And we will continue with the momentum and reach our target, where the senior leaders are hiding. He said the forces had all required information about the movements of the senior leadership of the Maoists, including their secretary, Ganapathy. They are inside the Dandakaranya area spread across Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. They are shifting bases from time to time. But we know where they are going. For instance, the chief of the Dandakaranya zonal committee, Gajarala Ravi, is now moving in and around Telangana, according to a security official from Chhattisgarh. Jagan, chief of the Maoist Adhikar Committee (a village-level political organisation of the Maoists), said the security forces were forcing people to vacate village after village and burning down their houses. They are doing combing operations, setting houses on fire to kill Maoists. This is cruelty at its peak, said Jagan, in a message. He said between May 12 and May 16 alone, around 90 huts were set on fire. The Maoists, meanwhile, are trying to spread to other regions. Awasthi said the ultras were moving into forest areas in south India. The Union home ministry has sent a report to the Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala governments that Maoists are in the process of setting up four squads in the Western Ghats. All such squads would be combat type and they would avenge the death of Maoist leaders Kuppu Devaraj and Ajitha [who were killed in an encounter with the Kerala Police last November], said the report. The home ministry report confirmed heavy Maoist presence in Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Nilambur and Palakkad in Kerala and Gudalur in Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas in Karnataka. The area is a tri-junction like Dandakaranya, and as tough geographically. Unless curbed immediately, the region could develop into another major Maoist stronghold like Dandakaranya. The state governments will have to take it seriously, said a senior officer of the Chhattisgarh STF, who believes that many senior Maoist leaders have already fled to the jungles in the southern tri-junction. They will have to make sure that the jungles of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu border do not turn into Maoist dens. Lucknow SSP Deepak Kumar told India Today that police had managed to collect vital evidence against the former UP minister and his men, and that the evidence confirmed his involvement in the rape. By Shiv Pujan Jha: A chargesheet filed by the SIT has made startling revelations in the Gayatri Prajapati rape case - including the fact of there being enough circumstantial evidence suggesting gang rape by Prajapati and his men. Lucknow SSP Deepak Kumar told India Today that police had managed to collect vital evidence against the former UP minister and his men, and that the evidence confirmed his involvement in the rape. advertisement He said a chargesheet had been filed, and expressed concern at the way in which the investigations were handled in the first place. Following a departmental inquiry, IOs who allegedly tried to goof up the case now face immediate action, as recommended by Kumar to higher authorities. VICTIM ALLEGES INTIMIDATION The victim, a 42-year-old woman from Chitrakoot, alleged on several occasions that Gayatri Prajapati and his men attempted to intimidate her into withdrawing the case. She told police that Prajapati and the others took turns to rape her, after she met them seeking some favour for mining rights. She also said an attempt was made to rape her daughter. A tardy investigation in the case had led to Gayatri Prajapati getting bail. That was later cancelled by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. ALSO READ | Rape case against SP minister Gayatri Prajapati: Two more arrested from Noida ALSO READ | Gayatri Prajapati: BPL card holder till 2012, millionaire in 4 years, and now, gangrape accused ALSO WATCH | Rape accused former SP leader Gayatri Prajapati arrested from Lucknow --- ENDS --- James Comey, fired last month as FBI director amid a federal investigation into connections between Russia and the Trump campaign, is set to testify next Thursday at a highly anticipated congressional hearing that could shed light on his private conversations with the president in the weeks before his dismissal. The Senate intelligence committee announced Comeys appearance, and a Comey associate said he had been cleared to testify by Robert Mueller, another former FBI director now overseeing that investigation as special counsel. Also on Thursday, Democrats raised more questions about contacts during the campaign between the Russian ambassador to Washington, Sergey Kislyak, and President Donald Trumps attorney general, former Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. Sessions, a close Trump adviser, withdrew from the Russia investigation in March after acknowledging two previously undisclosed contacts with Kislyak last summer and fall. Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Al Franken, D-Minn., released a letter urging the FBI to investigate whether Sessions had falsely testified under oath when he said at his January confirmation hearing that he hadnt had any contacts with Russia. If it is determined that the attorney general still has not been truthful with Congress and the American people about his contacts with Russian officials during the campaign, he needs to resign, the senators wrote. In addition to the two meetings that Sessions has acknowledged, the senators pointed to the possibility of a separate encounter at an April 2016 Trump campaign event that Sessions and Kislyak attended. The Justice Department has acknowledged that Sessions was at the Mayflower Hotel event in Washington, but said there were no private or side conversations that day. Comeys testimony probably will focus on the private meetings the former FBI director had with Trump and subsequently chronicled in internal memos and recounted to associates who have divulged their contents to The Associated Press and other media outlets. Comeys associates have said Comey told them that Trump asked him at a January dinner to pledge his loyalty to the president and, at an Oval Office meeting weeks later, asked Comey to consider ending an FBI investigation into Trumps first national security adviser, Michael Flynn. The White House has denied those characterizations. The scope of Comeys testimony was not exactly clear, though Mueller was permitting him to speak publicly, an associate told the AP. Muellers investigation could include a look at the circumstances of Comeys firing, especially since Trump has said publicly that he was thinking of this Russia thing when he made the move. It is possible that the Trump White House could try to raise executive privilege claims in arguing that any conversations with the president could not be discussed publicly. A similar back-and-forth occurred before the testimony last month of former acting Attorney General Sally Yates, though the White House said it did not try to block her appearance. On Capitol Hill, a rift continued between Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., the chairman of the House intelligence committee, and Democrats on the panel. Nunes recused himself from the Russia investigation after he was criticized for being too close to the White House. He remains chairman, but Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, is now leading the probe. The committee on Wednesday issued seven subpoenas seeking testimony and information in its investigation into Russian activities during the election. Four were issued to ousted national security adviser Flynn, the presidents personal attorney, Michael Cohen, and their respective companies. Three others were issued to the FBI, CIA and the National Security Agency seeking information on requests that former Obama administration officials made to unmask the identities of Americans named in intelligence reports. The requests were made by former CIA director John Brennan, former national security adviser Susan Rice and Samantha Power, the former U.S. representative to the United Nations, according to a congressional staffer, who was not authorized to disclose the information and spoke on condition of anonymity. The committees ranking Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff of California, said Nunes approved the unmasking subpoenas without consulting the Democrats on the committee. Trump has alleged that Obama administration officials, for political reasons, asked to know the identities of Americans whose names are masked in intelligence documents. I dont know what the chairman has in mind here again because we werent consulted, or why the chairman is picking these three people, Schiff told CNN. Susan Rice has been a perennial target for the GOP for whatever reason. He said Nunes recused himself from the investigation but still insists on having a final say in what subpoenas are issued in the Russia investigation. Schiff said committee rules allow Nunes to delegate that authority to Conaway. He said he hoped House Speaker Paul Ryan would intervene to make sure that happened. A senior Republican staffer on the committee said Nunes signed the subpoenas for Flynn, Cohen and their companies, which were requested by Conaway and Schiff. He said the unmasking subpoenas are not part of the Russia probe. The staffer said the Democrats were informed that the unmasking subpoenas were being issued. The GOP staffer, who was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly and spoke only on condition of anonymity, said the chairman has the authority to sign off on subpoenas and that all the committee rules were followed. AshLee Strong, a spokeswoman for Ryan, R-Wis., said that while Conaway leads the Russia investigation, Nunes remains the committee chairman and has the right and responsibility to conduct oversight of the intelligence community, especially as it relates to the potential misuse of intelligence agencies against Americans. (AP) President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a waiver that delays moving the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem kicking the can down the road in the hopes that the delay will give him momentum to broker peace in the Middle East. On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to move the embassy to Jerusalem a priority for the Republican evangelical base as well as many of his Jewish supporters on Day One of his administration. A senior administration official said Thursday that Trump is still committed to moving the embassy but that he could not squander what he sees as a hopeful moment for peace. Press secretary Sean Spicer reiterated in a statement that the president is still committed in his support for Israel and to the eventual embassy move. The question is not if that move happens, but only when, Spicer said. Trump, according to sources familiar with his thinking, was influenced in his decision by many Arab leaders he heard from during his recent trip to the Middle East. The president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and King Abdullah of Jordan, in particular, pressed on Trump that moving the embassy right now would imperil any potential for peace talks and for Trumps ultimate deal. (AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times The day after Yom Tov, beginning tonight, is called Isru Chag, which literally means bind or connect the festival. What is it all about? Where does Isru Chag come from? A brief introduction: The Jewish nation was woefully assimilated after the destruction of the first Bais HaMikdash. A remarkable re-dedication of the Jewish nation took place under Ezra and Nechemya during the time of Sukkos. Ezra (See Nechemia chapter 8) carefully instructed Klal Yisroel all about the halachos of Sukkos and they celebrated it. On the 24th of the month, (Nechemya 9:1) they all fasted. There is, however, a question. Why didnt they fast on the 23rd? Why did they wait until the 24th? The Mishna LMelech (Hilchos Kli HaMikdash) explains that it was because it was Isru Chag. Tosfos in Rosh haShana (19a Bimei Ezra) disagrees with this suggestion (it was suggested by Rav Yuden in the Yerushalmi AZ 1:1) saying that they did not yet observe the custom of Isru Chag and instead suggests that the month of Elul was an Ibbur month at the time. But others accept the Yerushalmis explanation. It is possible, however, that the Baalei Tosfos did not have our Yerushalmi as the Birchei Yoseph (494) actually states. THE SOURCE IN THE BAVLI Regardless of the above dispute, the Gemorah (Sukkah 45b) tells us in the name of Rabbi Yochanan in the name Rabbi Yochanan HaMekusi: Whomever does a binding to the Chag with eating and drinking, the Pasuk considers it as if he had built a Mizbeach and offered korbanos upon it. The Gemorah is actually making a drasha on the verse in Tehillim (118:27), where it states, Tie the festival offering to the corners of the Mizbeach with strings. There are two explanations of the term binding to the Chag found in Rashi. The first explanation refers to the holiday itself. The second explanation refers to the day after the holiday. This second explanation in the Rashi is referenced in the Ramah (OC 429:2). According to Rashis second explanation, Chazal darshen that this means to continue the joy of the Yom Tov onward to the next day. In this statement it is clear that the sages wish us to continue the Yom Tov, and to do so in a festive spirit, including food and drink. Some even have the custom to limit activities (See Torah Lishma Siman 140). THE ARIZAL The Arizal explains that there are still sparks of kedusha from the Yom Tov that are left over. These sparks should be channeled properly. Therefore, on isru Chag there is additional celebration in food and drink. We also do not fast or eulogize on Isru Chag (See Mogain Avrohom 425:8). The Bais Yoseph (OC 494) writes that the Yerushalmi in Avodah Zarah 1:1 calls Isru Chag with the term Bna dMoada which means offspring of the Moed of the holiday. THE SDEI CHEMEDS EXPLANATION We see from the Sdei Chemed (Aleph #154) an additional theme in the notion of Isru Chag. He writes that the practice originated in Eretz Yisroel because the Bnei Torah of Eretz Yisroel were concerned that the gentiles were feeling that the Jews were not united. Those outside of Eretz Yisroel observed two days of Yom Tov. Those within Eretz Yisroel observed one day. Gentiles perceiving this would erroneously think that the Jews were divided and alienated from one another. They therefore began the observance of Isru Chag to demonstrate the unity of the Jewish people. This then is an additional theme that we can focus upon on Isru Chag. The extension of Achdus, friendship and unity, will help continue the message of the Yomim Tovim. RAV ELYASHIVS EXPLANATION One final lesson. Rav Elyashiv zatzal writes (Divrei Agaddah p. 458) that on Isru Chag everyone should make sure that the infusion of spirituality that he or she had received during the Yom Tov continue to be tied to the rest of the year. This is the obligation of Isru Chag the binding of the holiday. EACH OF THE THREE ISRU CHAGS HAVE THEIR OWN AVODAH Each Yom Tov has its own special and unique Avodah that strengthens us throughout the year. Rav Yerucham Olshin Shlita gives a wonderful expnation of what Shavuos is about, one we can focus on during this isru chag. He cites the Shla HaKadosh (Meseches Shvuos Ner Mitzvah 18) who says that it is the day we merited the Crown of Torah. He cites the Gemorah in Psachi where Rav Yoseph states that were it not for this day, he would be just another Joe in the marketplace. It is not just the fact that we received the Torah that makes us happy it is the fact that we merited its crown. To understand this thought, the Rambam tells us (Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:13), Even though it is a Mitzvah to learn Torah day and night, a person only learns the majority of his Torah at night. Therefore, someone who wishes to merit the crown of Torah should be careful to study it each night not missing even one of them in sleeping, eating, drinking, conversation etc. He should only engage in Talmud Torah and Divrei Chochma. This is called the Rina of Torah. The Av Beis Din of Ponovech explained (cited in Zichron Shmuel p. 574) that there are two aspects of studying Torah. There is the aspect of studying it in fulfillment of the Mitzvah of Limud HaTorah. There is also an aspect of learning it as HaShira HaZos. In other words it is the song of the life of the person. In it he delights and takes pleasure. He does not delay in sticking to it on any account. Any difficult situation he engages in it and he sleeps in the depth of its halacha. Even when he is tired he studies it. This is the fundamental idea of the Crown of Torah. We can now better understand the Shlas explanation of Shavuos. The custom of Klal Yisroel learning all night is now also understood better. It is not just to make up for the fact that we slept then. No, the essence of the problem in that we slept was that we were not yet at the state where it was the song of our life. We are thus correcting this flaw in who we were or are as a nation. We should take greater pleasure and joy in this Isru Chag because it symbolizes the song of our lives and this is the binding that Rav Elyashiv ztl refers to. The custom in Ashkenazic circles is to greet one another with a wish of a Gezunter zummer a healthy summer. With that, may we all have a gezunta Summer! The author can be reached at [email protected] The above picture is of the Vizhnitz Rebbe on Isru Chag at the Kosel a minhag he does each Isru Chag from JDN.co.il. A judge says a man accused of setting off bombs last year in New Jersey and New York, injuring more than 30 people, can be charged with attempted murder for shooting toward police. Deputy Public Defender Peter Liguori had argued there was no evidence Ahmad Rahimi intended to kill police officers moments before his Sept. 19 arrest in Linden. He says Rahimi was firing over his shoulder as he fled. But the judge found there is sufficient evidence to support the charge. Prosecutors said police testified Rahimi was aiming at them. At the time of his arrest, Rahimi was being sought for allegedly planting two bombs in Manhattan and two in New Jersey. No trial date has been set in the shootings case. (AP) The Deputy Director-General for the UN and International Organizations in the Israel Foreign Ministry; Alon Bar, spoke this with Mr. Robert Piper, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (charged with coordinating the work of organizations that provide humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinians). Bar expressed deep concern that UN agencies are involved in glorifying terrorists. In his conversation with Mr. Piper, Dep. DG Bar demanded details regarding the funding of a Palestinian center named in honor of the terrorist Dalal Mughrabi (who led the group of terrorists that hijacked a bus and murdered 37 civilians, including 12 children, in 1978). He told Mr. Piper that Israel expects the UN to act immediately to ensure that similar cases will not occur. Israel awaits a response. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) German police temporarily stopped an open-air weekend music concert after terror threat and asked the attendees to leave. German police temporarily stopped an open-air weekend concert on Friday due to a possible terrorist threat. (Picture for representation | Photo: Reuters) By Reuters: German police temporarily stopped an open-air weekend concert at Nuerburgring race track on Friday due to a possible terrorist threat. "Due to a terror danger situation, we told the organiser to temporarily stop the concert as a precaution," police in the nearby town of Koblenz said in a statement. Der Spiegel magazine said that all those attending were asked to leave the concert and head to nearby camping grounds "in a controlled and orderly fashion." advertisement "The organiser of Rock am Ring, working closely with the security authorities, have ended ahead of schedule the festival today," the police said. "The background to this was a concrete warning that made it impossible to rule out a terror threat." "We cannot provide any further details on the background information," the statement added. The suicide bombing at a pop concert in Manchester, England on May 26 led to changes in the security planning for the German concert and the number of security officials was increased substantially to 1,200, the police said. "We take all tips and suspicious incidents extremely seriously and investigate closely," they added. ALSO READ | Germany: Man armed with knife drives into crowd in Heidelberg, kills 1 --- ENDS --- Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon met in Ramallah with PA (Palestinian Authority) Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, discussing economic cooperation between Israel and the PA. Kahlon was armed with a list of economic gestures that have already been approved by Israel. Also present at the meeting was IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Major-General Yoav Mordechai and other officials. The meeting was held with the knowledge of both Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Agreement was reached for continued economic cooperation between Israel and Palestinians regarding the spheres of civilian and economic cooperation as per Israeli cabinet approval. According to the daily Haaretz, part of the decision reached by Israels Security Cabinet is 20,000 illegally built Arab homes in areas C, under exclusive Israeli control, will retroactively be approved and not demolished. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) During the Neilas HaChag tisch the Sadigura Rebbe Shlita, a member of the Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael, spoke out strongly against technological advances that threaten the Jewish home, calling to distance oneself from threatening technological advances. The rebbe lamented how many have been lost spiritually due to social networking and WhatsApp groups RL. There are eyes in the home the rebbe stated in reference to the children, who are smart and aware of who has a computer and who does not and what content is available. He also spoke of the materialistic threats such as electric bicycles which have caused so many accidents and loss of life and the need to distance from them as well. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) (PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE) Chareidi vandals are blamed for smashing and destroying a model of the worlds Aron HaBris, which was placed in Kikar Tzahal in Jerusalem on the eve of Shavuos. Police who were prevent did not prevent vandalism, but arrested a suspect. A model of the worlds largest Aron, given as a gift to the residents of Jerusalem, was destroyed on Shavuos morning, at around 3:00AM, by anonymous persons assumed to be chareidim. Policemen who were present at the scene and part of the time witnessed vandalism and breaking the model of the Aron did not prevent the shameful incident, but arrested a suspect. The construction and installation of the model of the Ark of the Covenant initiated, produced and contributed to the residents of the city of Jerusalem by businesswoman Grace Gupana, of the Philippines, a staunch lover and supporter of Israel. According to her, the model of the Ark of the Covenant was first exposed in Jerusalem in September 2013 during the Jerusalem March. Gupana emphasized that she was shocked, painful, and sad about the vandalism and destruction of the model and that the punishment of those who destroyed the model of the Ark of the Covenant would come from God. She stressed that the city of Jerusalem is also the place of worship of the three religions and Israel has undertaken to allow it freedom of worship, but in reality, it does not happen. I came as a shaliach and fulfilled my mission, but my pain and sorrow are very great today, and the Jewish people, on the day of the giving of the Torah, must respect the believers of all religions. The model that was destroyed was set into position erev Shavuos at Kikar Tzahal and it was intended to benefit the tzibur at large over Shavuos. The model weighed 800kg and was three meters in height, over five meters long and 1.6 meters in depth. It took twelve artists four months to construct the model, costing tens of thousands of dollars. Gupana, 55, has broken ten Guinness records including the largest Israeli flag ever made. She has an apartment in Jerusalem, which she visits regularly. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Police have arrested two 17-year-old Arab males suspected of perpetrating two muggings in Yerushalayim within a number of hours. They used pepper spray to neutralize their victims. One victim, a woman, told police she was walking on Nami Street when she noticed the two males following her. They approached her and sprayed her with pepper spray and tried grabbing her bag and running. She however did not let go and they fled without it. A number of hours later, in Yemin Moshe, they approached a couple and sprayed them and grabbed the womans handbag and cellphone and ran. Police immediately suspected the same assailants in both cases. Arrests were made in under 24 hours. The stolen phone was found in their property. They were arrested and arraigned and are currently remanded. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Israels Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon was elected today as Vice President of the Seventy Second Session of the UN General Assembly. During his term, Ambassador Danon will chair meetings of the General Assembly, take part in setting the agenda of the GA and oversee the rules and decorum during the sessions. It is an honor to represent the State of Israel in this leadership position at the United Nations, said Ambassador Danon. We have proven once again that Israel is ready and able to serve in significant positions in the UN and the attempts to block this progress will not succeed, the Ambassador continued. Ambassador Danon was elected to this position as a representative of the Western European and Others (WEOG) regional group and will begin his term with the opening of the new General Assembly session in September. In May 2016, Ambassador Danon became the first Israeli to chair a permanent committee of UN when he was elected by 109 member-states to chair the Sixth (Legal) Committee. President Donald Trump, who blasted Hillary Clinton for using a personal email server, might be a walking magnet for eavesdropping and malware if he is using an unsecured cellphone to chat with foreign leaders. Trump has been handing out his cellphone number to counterparts around the world, urging them to call him directly to avoid the red tape of diplomatic communications. The practice has raised concern about the security and secrecy of the U.S. commander-in-chiefs communications. In todays world of cyber espionage, cellphone security experts say such a policy is not only unorthodox, but dangerous. Voice calls can be intercepted. A cellphones signals to nearby phone towers can give up its precise location. Even cellular networks are vulnerable. And knowing someones number makes it easier to infect a phone with malware. Hillary Clintons email server was like Fort Knox compared to Trump just carrying around a regular cellphone, said Andrew McLaughlin, former deputy chief technology officer for the Obama administration. Thats how bad the vulnerabilities are. Running against Clinton for the presidency, Trump repeatedly criticized his rival for using a non-government email account while she was secretary of state. Trump argued that Clinton should not be given access to classified information because she would leave it vulnerable to foreign foes. But Trump may be running into problems of his own. He has urged the leaders of Canada and Mexico to call him on his cellphone, according to former and current U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the practice. Trump, who disdains working through official channels, also exchanged numbers with French President Emmanuel Macron when the two spoke after Frances election earlier this month, according to a French official, who would not comment on whether Macron intended to use the line. All the officials demanded anonymity because they were not authorized to reveal the conversations. Neither the White House nor Trudeaus office responded to requests for comment. Trump administration officials also wouldnt say what type of cellphone the U.S. president was using or describe any security upgrades it might include. I think its a really bad idea, said Matthew Green, who teaches at the Johns Hopkins Information Security Institute and previously served as senior technical staff member at AT&T Laboratories. Green said cellular phones are not terribly secure and the communications traverse a cellular network with well-known vulnerabilities. He was referring to the Signaling System 7, which links mobile phone networks. If a phone has been hacked, a person can listen and monitor the device even if the president is using an encrypted phone. Rep. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat with a degree in computer science, sent a tweet to the president Wednesday: Please do not use your cellphone for sensitive calls. SS7 flaw in networks allows foreign intel to monitor conversations. When former President Barack Obama wanted to continue using his Blackberry, U.S. security officials gave him a modified one that allowed him limited use with enhanced security. The White House said at the time that Obama was permitted to keep his Blackberry through a compromise that allowed him to stay in touch with senior White House staffers and a small group of personal friends. What we ended up with was a military-grade, encrypted phone that had the microphone ripped out, said McLaughlin, who thinks the White House communications office has prevailed upon Trump to use some kind of phone with enhanced security. He suggested one with strong encryption, disabled location services and one that talks with a military network instead of commercial cell services. McLaughlin also said its possible that the number that Trump is giving to world leaders rings to someone elses phone, who then transfers the call to the president, a system that could protect Trump from anyone trying to monitor his communications. (AP) Is it time to get cars out of the Crossroads of the World? The vehicle rampage that killed a teenage tourist in New Yorks Times Square this month has prompted conversations whether the city should still be allowing cars, cabs and trucks to cruise down the neon-lit blocks where huge crowds of people gather daily to buy theater tickets, gawk at street performers and marvel at the crush of humanity. Vehicles were banished from Broadway where it passes through the square eight years ago. Some city officials and traffic experts say the ban should be expanded to include the north-south artery Seventh Avenue, turning Times Square into a series of pedestrian plazas. The vulnerability of Times Square was made scarily apparent during the most recent attack and I think there has to be a conversation about closing this area to regular traffic, said City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, a Manhattan Democrat. This is one of the most highly trafficked areas in the world for tourists and we cant have it remain a soft spot for those with the worst intentions. Known around the world for the New Years Eve ball drop, Times Square is crowded most days with tour groups, costumed characters, sightseeing bus hawkers and office workers. Foot traffic slows to a crawl when Broadway theater-goers spill out. Taxis, buses, delivery trucks and private cars clog the streets. Police say Richard Rojas, a Bronx man who had been discharged from the Navy, was high on PCP when he took a U-turn off Seventh Avenue and plowed down sidewalks leading into Times Square for three blocks on May 18, killing 18-year-old Alyssa Elsman, of Portage, Michigan, and injuring 22 others. Rojas, 26, was charged with murder and attempted murder and is being held pending a July 13 arraignment. An attorney for Rojas did not return a call seeking comment. While police say there are no indications that Rojas was inspired by any militant ideology, Times Square was also targeted in 2010 by would-be terrorist Faisal Shahzad, who built a powerful car bomb that failed to detonate. Shahzad is serving life in prison for that failed attack, which authorities said could have killed hundreds if his bomb had gone off. Temporary concrete barriers were installed along the Seventh Avenue sidewalk after the May 18 carnage while city officials weigh a long-term solution. That could involve installing more steel posts along the avenue, called bollards, like the ones that eventually halted the progress of Rojas car. Were now sitting down and having a deeper discussion about what are the right design elements, where might we put bollards, what are the ways we can make sensible protections, but also hopefully keeping the space somewhat inviting and attractive for pedestrians, city Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said. Trottenberg said closing Seventh Avenue to cars in the Times Square area is certainly one of the things thats being discussed. She said the police counterterrorism unit will set the priorities for any Times Square traffic restrictions. David C. Kelly, now an associate managing director of K2 Intelligence in New York City who was formerly the New York Police Departments assistant commissioner for counterterrorism, said banning traffic is attractive from a security standpoint but would need to be carefully planned. Kelly noted that when the area around the New York Stock Exchange in lower Manhattan was closed to cars, a garage owner filed a lawsuit arguing that his livelihood would suffer. You would have to consider the commercial impact, Kelly said. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent, moved in 2009 to close Broadway to cars and create pedestrian plazas at Times Square and also several blocks south at Herald Square. Officials said traffic in both areas would flow more smoothly without cars on Broadway, which runs diagonally and creates awkward turning angles. The car ban also helped turn Time Square into one of the most vibrant public spaces in New York City, said Alyssa Pichardo, senior planner for transportation at the Regional Plan Association. Its not just a place where people congregate on New Years Eve, she said. Pichardo and David Burney, a professor of urban planning at Pratt Institute who served as Bloombergs commissioner of design and development, believe it may now be time to ban cars from Seventh Avenue at Times Square as well. Burney said it would have been a bridge too far to close both Broadway and Seventh Avenue in 2009. But he said closing Seventh to cars between 42nd and 47th streets would create needed space for pedestrians. When you think of the overwhelming number of pedestrians who use the space, they need more room, he said. Too much room is being taken by vehicles. Cars should still be allowed on the east-west streets, Burney said. Pichardo said the car rampage reinforces her organizations support for further car restrictions in Times Square. Sadly, this tragedy has highlighted the need to expand the pedestrianization of Times Square, she said. Pichardo said one possibility would be to allow cars on Seventh Avenue early in the morning so businesses can receive deliveries, then turn the avenue over to foot travelers. Burney said that with Seventh Avenue closed off, cars will find other places to go. Others are skeptical. Livery cab driver Tony Hyseni said he would not favor banning cars from more Times Square streets. Everything that happens with traffic is killing us, he said. Youre moving slowly and losing time, money and everything. Pedicab driver Azamat Nuguspanov was dubious as well. The whole midtown would be traffic, he said. If theyre going to close it they will have more trouble. (AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times For the refuah shleimah of Borcuh Zev Ben Bracha Shabbos has always been viewed as the symbol or flag of the Jewish nation. Just as patriots look at their flag as more than a mere dyed cloth with fancy designs, so too is Shabbos viewed in the eyes of the Jewish people. It is a sign of our deep belief in G-ds absolute Oneness He created the world and all that is in it, He is the One and Only, the source of everything, the One who rewards good and punishes evil. Ain Od Milvado. This flag must be honored as well. This is the meaning of the Talmudic statement (Shabbos 25b), hadlakas ner bshabbos chovah honoring Shabbos through light is an obligation. The Shabbos lights honor the Shabbos, they allow us to enjoy it more, and they contribute to the tranquility of our homes. But all this brings a question: How many Shabbos candles do we light to bring in the Shabbos? Is it one, two, or the amount of children that you had? Believe it or not, the Talmud just mentions the obligation to light, but no place in the Gemorah does it mention lighting more than one Shabbos lamp. Indeed, it does not even mention that we light the Shabbos licht with a Bracha. Tosfos cites a Yerushalmi that states that a Bracha is recited, but as yet, no one has found that Yerushalmi. Perhaps the Baalei Tosfos referred to the Midrashim, which do mention a bracha, as the Yerushalmi. Also, the term Ner mentioned in the bracha does not mean candle rather it means lamp a porcelain container that holds oil and a wick. The term Ner is also singular indicating that the original obligation was just one flame. TWO LAMPS We first encounter mention of two lamps in Ashkenaz. The Raavya, Rav Eliezer ben Yoel HaLevi of Bonn (11401225) is the first to mention the custom of lighting two lights for Shabbos (Vol. I, Hilchos Shabbos Siman 199). He cites two reasons for lighting two lamps. The first is that he equates it to Chanukah lights during a period of danger (See Shabbos 21b). If we light one it will not be clear that he is doing it for the use of Shabbos. Hence the need to light a second lamp. The second reason he provides is to correspond to Zachor and Shamor. The Raavya himself states that according to this second reason one should not add a third lamp . THIRD REASON The Kol Bo (Siman 24) cites a third reason from Rabbi Asher of Luniel. Every aspect of Shabbos has a duality associated with it: Shnei Kevasim, Mizmor Shir lyom haShabbos (mizmor and shir), Lechem Mishna, zachor and shamor. It therefore follows that there should be two Shabbos lamps. FOURTH REASON The Agur writes that the Mekuballim hold that it alludes to the marriage between Hashem and Knesses Yisroel. THE MINHAG TO LIGHT SEVEN CANDLES The Shla (Meseches Shabbos Chapter Torah Ohr #29) writes that it is proper to light seven lamps corresponding to the seven candles of the Menorah. THE MINHAG TO LIGHT FOR EVERY KID Our custom is to add a light for every child that is born. This custom, however, is mentioned only very late by Rabbi Yisrael Chaim Friedman of Rachov, author of the Likutei Maharich. Rav Friedman passed away in 1922. The Maharich was published in Marmorosh, Hungary. ONCE ONE HAS LIT A NUMBER OF CANDLES The Pri Magadim writes (263:AA3) nce a woman has taken upon herself to light more candles she may not lessen them. AWAY FROM HOME If a woman is away from home she does not have to light the numer of candles that she usually does. She may light just the two. The author can be reached at [email protected] 1] As an interesting aside, the reason of the two lamps corresponding to Zachor and Shamor is attributed to a number of different Poskim. Rav Yaakov Ben Yehudah Landau (died 1493), author of the Agur cites the reason of corresponding to Zachor and Shamor as emanating from the Ravya. Rav Aharon Ben Yaakov HaKohain (14th century Posaik from Provence), author of the Orchos Chaim states that this pshat came from the Maharam of Rothenberg (1220-1293). The Tashbatz Rav Shimon ben Tzenach Duran (1361-1444) also attributes it to the Maharam of Rothenberg. by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times You are running late. Do you make late Shabbos? Or do you stick to the plan to make an early Shabbos? In general, where does early Shabbos come from? is it universally agreed that it is not a problem? During the summer months, many if not most families take in Shabbos early. While this is a fairly common practice, there are numerous halachos that are associated with an early Shabbos that are not so well known. In this overview, we will discuss some of these halachos. HOW EARLY? There is a wide debate as to whether Tosefes Shabbos, adding onto Shabbos, is a biblical concept. If it is biblical, then when one makes Shabbos early, it is actually Shabbos from a biblical perspective too. THREE MAIN OPINIONS There are actually three opinions on Tosefes Shabbos adding onto Shabbos. The Rosh (Psachim 10:2) and the Ohr Zaruah (Hilchos Erev Shabbos 14) hold that it is biblical, while the Rambam (Shabbos 29:11) holds that it is only Rabbinic. The Mordechai (Megilah 2:798) holds a middle ground position that before Shabbos Tosefes Shabbos is Rabbinic, but after Shabbos it is biblical. A Fascinating Rambam We also find another approach in the Rambam itself (Shabbos 29:11). He writes, if we read him carefully, that the obligation of Kiddush, emanating from Zachor es Yom HaShabbos LeKadsho remember the Shabbos to keep it holy may even be fulfilled slightly before Shabbos. Yes, thats right. The Rambam writes that one fulfills the obligation of Kiddush even before Shabbos but only a slight amount before Shabbos. THE RABBI YEHUDAH APPROACH There is another approach that we find in Tosfos, both in Brachos (27a DRav) and in Psachim (99a Ad). The Tosfos write that one fulfills the Mitzvah of Kiddush when it is recited early, according to the position of Rabbi Yehudah. If we recall, there is a famous debate when is the last time one may daven Mincha and when is the earliest time one may daven Maariv (Mishna in Brachos 26a). According to Rabbi Yehudah we may only daven Mincha until Plag HaMincha (10 and hours of the day) and we may begin Maariv immediately after Plag HaMincha. According to the Chachomim we may Daven Mincha until evening and we may only daven Maariv after evening not before. How do we ultimately rule in the debate between Rabbi Yehudah and the Chachomim? We rule like either one of them, according to the Gemorah (but not both in the same day, as well will explain later). According to the simple reading of Tosfos it seems that early Kiddush on Friday night is only according to Rabbi Yehudah and not the Chachomim. Thus, there are three explanations as to how it works. The first is that Tosefes Shabbos is biblical, the second is that the Rambam holds the Mitzvah of Kiddush can be made even before biblical Shabbos. And the third is that it goes in accordance with Rabbi Yehudah and we may Paskin like him. As far as these three answers, how do we Paskin? The Mishna Brurah paskins that Tosefes Shabbos is deoraisah biblical. Therefore, there would be no need to re-recite the Kiddush if it was recited before sundown. BUT SHOULD WE DO IT? The above discussion concerned how the concept operates. Another question arises, however, as to whether to do it or not. The Kuntrus Eitz Chaim (p. 154) cites the Baal HaPardes (brought down by Rav Moshe Shternbuch in Teshuvos vHanhagos II #51) that when one makes a late Shabbos during the summer months, one violates the Torah prohibition of Tzaar Baalei Chaim to ones wife and little children. It is unclear whether Rav Shternbuch is truly of this opinion or whether he is exaggerating the point to ensure that the husband will comply. The Aruch HaShulchan further writes (OC 267:4) that communities should make early Shabbos in order to avoid Shabbos violations. Rav Elyashiv (Kovaitz Teshuvos Vil. I #23), on the other hand, writes that in Eretz Yisroel all effort must be expended not to daven before the correct time [unless there are extreme circumstances]. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo Tefillah 14: note 10) was less emphatic than Rav Elyashiv but did recommend that in Eretz Yisroel, Bnei Torah should refrain from davening Maariv earlier. here in America, however, the Gedolei HaPoskim have not taken a negative position about davening Shabbos early. DAVENING EARLY IN GENERAL As far as davening earlier on Fridays, in general, there is the debate we have just mentioned between Rav Yehudah and the Chachomim. The Gemorah tells us that one may choose any opinion either like Rabbi Yehudah or like the Chachomim. Most Rishonim understand the Gemorah that we cannot be inconsistent. We cannot do a tartei dsasrei an internal contradiction by ruling like both opinions in the same day. We cannot daven Mincha after Plag in accordance with the Chachomim and then daven Maariv before evening like Rabbi Yehudah. SOME ALWAYS DAVEN WITH THE CHACHOMIM Some people are careful to always daven in accordance with the Chachomim. However, the Mogain Avrohom points out that on Shabbos one may daven earlier like the opinion of Rabbi Yehudah because there is a Mitzvah to add onto Shabbos from the week. One should be careful, however, to daven Mincha before the Plag. The Mishna Brurah (267:3) cites the opinion of the Derech HaChaim that when dealing with a Tzibbur one may be lenient and daven Maariv while it is yet day even though one has davened Mincha after the Plag. The Mishna Brurah, however, rejects this position (in both the Mishna Brurah and the Biur Halacha). He writes that it would only be permitted bshaas hadchak when one is in a bind and even then the Maariv must only be said during Bain HaShemashos at the earliest. It is interesting to note that numerous shuls, for some reason, are going with the Derech HaChaim during these summer months rather than the Mishna Brurah. Since regarding all other issues we generally rule like the Mishna Brurah, a question arises: How can they do this? One rationale, perhaps, is that they feel that they are not really arguing with the Mishna Brurah so much. Firstly, the shuls that do it, do feel bad about it. The reason they are lenient is because people do not want to start the Friday evening meal so late. It may take away from their oneg Shabbos. Rashi in Yevamos (93a) writes that Oneg Shabbos is a biblical obligation, as does the Rashba both on Yevamos and in his responsa (1:127). The Rivash (Responsa 513) also rules that it is biblical. Even though the Rambam (Shabbos 36:1) holds that it is only Rabbinic, the views of the other Rishonim, may make it fit into the criterion of Shaas Hadchak. It could be that in Europe, from an economical and logistical point of view it was not viewed as oneg Shabbos to accept Shabbos earlier. But what about the Maariv part during Bain haShemashos? Many of those shuls that make early Shabbos and are not careful to daven Mincha before the Plag still do not daven maariv during Bain HaShemashos. How can they do this? Perhaps they may rely on a number of factors too a] The first Tosfos in Brachos VeAimasai as well as the Rashba there seem to hold that one is permitted to do an action that contains the internal contradiction in regard to Tefillah. Even though this position is rejected by the Mishna Brurah (MB 233: and 235), this view may be perhaps used in conjunction with other views. B] It could be that the aforementioned ruling of Tosefes Shabbos being a biblical concept may change the issue of Maariv and allow it to be recited early. C] It could be that we may accept the view of the Derech HaChaim on account of the Shaas HaDchak. This is not to suggest that a shul should do this ideally, it is just to provide a limud zchus for those that do it. It should also be noted that there are at least two ways to calculate the Plag Mincha. According to the Gra, Plag hamincha is calculated as 10 and hours between sunrise and sunset. According to the Magain Avrohom it is calculated as 10 and hours between dawn and star out. The truth is that the various opinions about when dawn and star out can yield a dozen or so plag minchas. When this author posed the question to Rav Dovid Feinstein a number of years ago, he suggested that a shul may use either Plag mincha and it would not be considered Tartei DSasrei an internal contradiction. THE IDEAL TIME FOR MINCHA There is also another issue, and that is when is the most ideal time to Daven Mincha. The Shulchan Aruch rules (OC 233:1) that the essential main time in which Mincha should be davened is from Mincha Ketana onward that is from 9 and hours onward. The Mishna Brurah (233:1), however, cites Rishonim that hold that one may even daven ideally at Mincha Gedolah, which is at 6 and hours of the day. Indeed, the Shaar HaTziyun (233:3) cites the Vilna Gaon as agreeing to this position as well. CONCLUSION In conclusion, as in all matters of halacha, one should speak to ones own Rav or Posaik about how one should conduct oneself. The author can be reached at [email protected] President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that some patriotic individuals may have engaged in hacking but insisted Russia as a country has never done it, and he pledged Thursday to wait out U.S. political battles to forge constructive ties with President Donald Trump. The Russian leader lamented what he described as Russo-phobic hysteria in the U.S. that makes it somewhat inconvenient to work with one another or even to talk, adding that someday this will have to stop. U.S. intelligence agencies have accused Russia of hacking into Democratic Party emails, helping Trumps election victory, and the congressional and FBI investigations into the Trump campaigns ties with Russia have shattered Moscows hopes for a detente with Washington. Speaking at a meeting with senior editors of leading international news agencies, Putin insisted that we never engage in that at the state level. He alleged that some evidence pointing at Russian hackers participation in cyberattacks he didnt specify which could have been falsified in an attempt to smear Russia. I can imagine that some do it deliberately, staging a chain of attacks in such a way as to cast Russia as the origin of such an attack, Putin said. Modern technologies allow that to be done quite easily. Putin added that while the Russian state has never been involved in hacking, it was theoretically possible that Russia-West tensions could have prompted some individuals to launch cyberattacks. Hackers are free people, just like artists who wake up in the morning in a good mood and start painting, he said. The hackers are the same. They would wake up, read about something going on in interstate relations and if they feel patriotic, they may try to contribute to the fight against those who speak badly about Russia. At the same time, Putin argued that hackers, wherever they come from, cant sway election outcomes because the public opinion isnt that easy to manipulate. No hackers can have a radical impact on an election campaign in another country, adding that no information can be imprinted in voters minds, in the minds of a nation, and influence the final outcome and the final result. No hackers can influence election campaigns in any country of Europe, Asia or America. The Russian leader said the Russo-phobic hysteria in the U.S. is mostly aimed against the current president of the U.S. to prevent him from working normally. The goal is, Putin said, is to establish an atmosphere that is going to prevent us from addressing common issues, say with regard to terrorism. He said Russia had been encouraged by Trumps campaign promises to improve Russia-U.S. ties and emphasized that Moscow still hopes to forge a constructive dialogue. We are patient, we know how to wait and we will wait, Putin said. The Russian president praised Trump as a straightforward person, a frank person and noted that while some see Trumps lack of political background as a disadvantage, he sees it as beneficial because he has a fresh set of eyes. Asked if he could offer any advice to Trump, Putin said it would be counterproductive to give advice to a political counterpart and added that a person like President Trump doesnt need any advice, especially if it comes to political issues. Russian meddling was also a concern in France, with Putin publicly expressing his sympathy for President Emmanuel Macrons rivals in the campaign. Macrons aides claimed in February that Russian groups were interfering with his campaign, and a document leak hit Macrons campaign in the final hours of the French race. Moscow has strongly denied all allegations of election meddling. The head of the French governments cyber security agency, Guillaume Poupard, told The Associated Press on Thursday that it found no trace of a Russian hacking group in its investigations of a hack and document leak that hit Macrons election campaign. Poupard described the Macron campaign hack as not very technological and said the attack was so generic and simple that it could have been practically anyone. Asked if Russian hackers could try to shape the outcome of German parliamentary elections later this year, Putin said: We never engaged in that on a state level, and have no intention of doing so. He noted that Russia can work constructively with any German leader, adding that he had good ties with German Chancellor Angela Merkel despite some differences. Russias relations with the West have been at post-Cold War lows over the Ukrainian crisis. The U.S. and the EU have slapped Moscow with sanctions over its annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and support for a pro-Russia insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Putin said that economic restrictions against Russia have had zero effect, predicting that the current strain in relations will ease, because its counterproductive and harmful for all. Touching on tensions in the Pacific, Putin said Russias military deployments on a group of Pacific islands also claimed by Japan have been caused by concerns about the U.S. military buildup in the region. The four islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the southern Kurils in Russia, were seized by the former Soviet Union at the end of the World War II, preventing the two countries from signing a peace treaty. Putin said the U.S. will likely continue to build up its missile shield in the region even if North Korea agrees to curb its nuclear and missile programs, in the same way it has continued to develop missile defenses in Europe despite a deal with Iran that curbed its nuclear program in exchange for lifting international sanctions. We are concerned about our security, Putin said. We are thinking about ways to neutralize possible threats at long distance. (AP) By Press Trust of India: (Eds: Updating) By Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Jun 1 (PTI) Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain today said India has become a "major obstacle" for durable peace in South Asia and called the Kashmir issue an "unfinished" agenda of the partition. The president highlighted the issue of Kashmir and the strained bilateral relations between Pakistan and India while addressing a joint session of Parliament. advertisement Terming Kashmir as an "unfinished" agenda of the partition of the subcontinent, the president said: "India has become a major obstacle for durable peace in the region". "The basic dispute between Pakistan and India is the issue of Jammu and Kashmir which is an unfinished agenda of the partition of the subcontinent. "Our Kashmiri brothers, sisters, sons and daughters are protesting for their fundamental right of freedom for which they are being subjected to the worst kind of atrocities," Hussain said. "Instead of positively responding to Pakistans peace efforts, India sent Kulbhushan Jadhav, terrorists and other spies," he said. Hussain said Pakistan wants to solve all problems with India through talks but New Delhi was not responding to effort. "The only solution to the Kashmir dispute is holding of a plebiscite as prescribed under the resolutions of the United Nations," he said. The Pakistan Army sentenced Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of espionage after a secret trial. Ties between India and Pakistan have been tense of late over a number of issues, including the status of Kashmir and the Jadhav issue. 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 Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. PTI SH/UZM AKJ CPS --- ENDS --- A fully self-driving BMW will be in showrooms within four years allowing you to read your Daily Mail or even sleep at the wheel, BMW engineers told me this week, as I became a guinea-pig for their totally autonomous vehicle. I flew to a former Luftwaffe airfield near Munich to try out BMW's prototype. The new technology will be used in the forthcoming futuristic i-Next car, which, from 2021, will be the firm's first fully autonomous vehicle, powered by electric hybrid or a hydrogen fuel-cell. BMW invited Ray Massey to take part in the self-driving car trials first hand at the former Luftwaffe military airbase Furerstenfeldbruck near Munich Not only will drivers have their hands off the wheel, they'll soon have their feet off the pedals and their eyes off the road, said the car maker. The i-Next car will be a real-life version of the stunning Vision Next 100 prototype unveiled in BMW's centenary year in 2016. I rode as guinea-pig in a 5-series car kitted out with the next generation of sensors, radar, laser-scanners, cameras and computer mapping, and watched the steering wheel and brakes take on a life of their own to avoid cars driving out of side-roads, crossing our path, or braking hard automatically to stop hitting a car in front. BMW has demonstrated for the first time its fully self-driving car technology The Vision Next 100 prototype set to be the basis of the new self-driving i-Next car of 2021 'Look, no hands!' Ray Massey had the opportunity to see the technology in action first hand BMW said that when all cars are autonomous, motorists in London could spend up to five fewer days a year in jams because self-driving cars are more efficient than humans at navigating congestion. New 8-series for 2018 BMW has launched a sporty new Autobahn-storming flagship. It marks a return for the first time in a generation of the range-topping 8-series the sexier two-door sibling of the more businesslike 7-series saloon. BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk described the new 8-series as 'a full-blooded driving machine'. The beautifully-proportioned coupe (above) is expected to hit showrooms next year priced around 100,000. A high- performance M8 version will cost double that, at around 200,000. Traffic casualties will also fall because the powerful computers are more logical and less easily distracted than humans and don't get tired. Project leader Dr Peter Schiele said: 'This is not science fiction. The next generation of BMW cars will be fully autonomous. They really will drive themselves.' In the wake of recent cyber attacks, some experts fear driverless cars could be hacked and hijacked. BMW stressed that the first generation of fully autonomous vehicles will not be allowed to make 'life-and-death' decisions such as avoiding a child, but hitting a pensioner. Spain's Seat (part of Germany's Volkswagen Group) wants suggestions from the public for a name for its new sports utility vehicle set for launch next year but says it must be relevant to Spanish geography. In these Brexit-charged days, how about 'Gibraltar'? It rocks. Britain's very own Mo'town or Motor City celebrates this weekend as Coventry Motofest (see coventry motofest.com) revs up for a high-octane programme of action. Centred around the city's ring-road, the festival is the largest free urban motorsport festival in the UK. Connected: Dixons Carphone boss Lord Ian Livingston You don't get too many Conservative supporters hailing from the East End of Glasgow. Even fewer who have taken up ermine to serve in a Conservative-led government. When Ian Livingston, Lord Livingston of Parkhead if you please, was plucked from the top job at BT by David Cameron to serve as Trade Minister during the shaky days of the coalition, fans of his beloved Celtic FC weren't happy. A filthy Tory on the board of Celtic? Gosh they were cross. When he voted in favour of reducing tax credits, a petition was launched to have him removed. The Hoops faithful finally got their wish this week. Livingston, 52, has stepped down from the club after ten years, though not due to any political affiliations. He wants to concentrate on his new position as chairman of Dixons Carphone, a role which teams him with another member of Cameron's circle, Seb James. With a CV that reads like a headhunter's fantasy novel, his Lordship is by definition a City grandee, albeit one devoid of all pomp and splendour. Forthright types would say he's not overly burdened with charisma. Polite and quietly spoken, he trained as an accountant and it's fair to say he looks like one. Livingston's not a club man, nor an oily Mayfair restaurant schmoozer. He prefers to collect his own sandwich for lunch and attends evening functions only grudgingly. His ideal down-time is relaxing at home in Hertfordshire with his two grown-up children and wife Debbie, whom he met aged just 19 while studying economics at Manchester University. Wee Ian appeared to be destined for great things from a young age. Born the youngest of four children to a GP father, as a teenager he won a Royal Bank of Scotland fantasy-share investment competition after turning 10,000 into 30,000 in just ten months. Dedication and hard work were in the DNA. His great-grandparents were Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe who came over to Scotland in the nineteenth century. The first generation were seamstresses and the next owned a clothing factory. His father had wanted young Livingston to follow him into medicine, but he opted to join accountants Arthur Andersen, before rising rapidly up the management levels at Bank of America and private equity firm 3i. His big break came in 1991 when he joined Dixons in its corporate development department. It wasn't long before the company's stately chairman Lord (Stanley) Kalms recognised Livingston's potential. After 18 months, Livingston was appointed the youngest FTSE 100 finance director at 32. The creep! Whizz kid: In 1992 Livingston was appointed the youngest FTSE 100 finance director at 32 when he took the role at Dixons His time at Dixons was productive, helping to create PC World and Freeserve. Once the broadband service provider was sold, he was headhunted by BT to be finance director in 2002 before taking up the chief executive's post in 2008. Under his leadership, BT was regarded as an important coalition ally, helping to meet Government plans to replace antiquated copper telephone lines with fibre-optic cables and ensuring more rural homes got internet access. His decision to pack it all in, in favour of public service in 2011, was admirable. The move over to the House of Lords meant a substantial wage drop he was earning 8.5million a year though a 9million goodbye from the company will have cushioned the blow. Colleagues were surprised when he wasn't reappointed to the cabinet after the 2015 election. The trade job is a demanding role, requiring endless globetrotting, but he gave no indication he planned to leave politics. But if the Government did turn its back on him, the City didn't. The chairmanship of hedge fund giant Man Group followed, which he plans to continue doing along with his Carphone job. Despite this week's departure, he's looking forward to returning to Celtic Park for as many games as possible. He prefers the hustle and bustle of the terraces to the reserve of the directors' box. As a hot youth, Livingston used to brave the ground's notorious 'Jungle', the area of the north stand reserved for the club's hardcore support. How many then would have guessed that modest young scamp would rise to the very top of the tree? Millennials can really struggle when it comes to managing their money but new website Finimize reckons it can build you a free digital financial plan to help. Quick, simple, jargon-free - the Finimize My Life plan seeks to sort your finances out, giving you sensible savings goals, investment options and easy plans to pay off debt. Traditionally this type of financial planning has been the domain of independent financial advisers, who charge high fees and typically don't want to deal with you unless you have at least 50,000 to invest. But can Finimize change the status quo? We spoke to them to find out more, as part of our look at new firms in the financial space. Finimize founders Max Rofagha and Scott Tindle started the firm last year and now have 100,000 subscribers As many as two-thirds of those aged 18 to 34 wish they had received more money advice at a younger age, according to research from Santander. Furthermore, as many as half are not confident explaining financial terms including Isas, bonds and index tracker funds, a recent YouGov survey found. But within the millennial age group there are investment bankers, financial traders, economists, self-employed business owners, shop workers, single parents, sales executives and a whole host of other financially literate people - all of whom need and want to manage their money better. The challenges they face when it comes to getting to grips with their money are threefold: finding the time, the tools, and demystifying the peculiar jargon that goes with choosing the right products. I am (just) in the millennial generation myself and I have the huge advantage of spending five days a week writing about how to manage your personal finances. But despite understanding it, do I do it effectively for myself? Shamefully, probably not nearly effectively enough. If I really interrogate why I don't, it has nothing to do with not understanding what I could be doing. Instead it has everything to do with having enough to save, having the time to work it out, knowing where to put my money and how to divide it between cash Isas, investment Isas, Help to Buy Isas, Lifetime Isas, and also being unsure whether a pension is worth saving into because by the time I retire in another 45 years (and that's a conservative estimate) - will they even exist? That's all before I even choose what investments I want. The cost of getting a professional to help me figure all of this out is also prohibitive - I don't have 50,000 lying around to invest and so most IFAs don't want to help me. And anyway, I have a full-time job that requires me to be in the office during normal working hours - I don't have the luxury of taking three hours out to meet someone face-to-face to go through all my paperwork. I also like transacting online. I pay my bills and shop, usually on my mobile, in front of the telly at 9.30pm. Luckily for me, there is a growing number of firms that are designing the tools I need to help me get my own finances in order - and quickly. The latest is Finimize - a London-based start-up offering individuals a comprehensive financial plan, tailored to their personal circumstances and available on your mobile. Finimize MyLife soft-launched in 2016 and since then, almost 20,000 people have signed up to fill in the three-minute online questionnaire before being able to access a full financial plan - for free. We met Max Rofagha, the 29-year old German-by-way-of St Andrew's University founder of Finimize, to find out more. Max Rofagha was named one of Forbes Magazine's 30 under 30 in 2016 Tell us a bit about your background and why you started Finimize? Max: After leaving uni I started an e-commerce business in Switzerland, DeinDeal, which grew to become one of the biggest online shopping portals in the country and which we sold out to Ringier in 2011. After that I was considering what to do and, having studied economics at university and having lots of friends who know how to trade millions on the stock markets but don't have a clue where to start with their own savings, I started thinking about the idea behind Finimize. These people are well off and have money to invest but they've been neglected by the traditional financial advice process. At Finimize our mission is to give everyone access to simple, clear, non-biased financial information and advice. In 2015, we launched a daily newsletter. We help our subscribers understand today's financial news in plain English within three enjoyable minutes. For free. By enhancing their financial literacy, we give our readers the ability to make more informed decisions when it comes to their own money. From a standing start the Finimize newsletter has reached 80,000 subscribers in one year. The next step is giving our subscribers a free online financial plan to suit them. Do you think financial literacy remains a problem then? Max: I do. We've done some research with YouGov and the results speak for themselves: 59 per cent of millennials could not confidently explain what an Isa is, 84 per cent couldnt tell you what the term equity means and 90 per cent couldnt confidently explain what asset management is. Even those with the ability and determination to budget every month lack the basic knowledge and guidance when it comes to managing their money. Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 50 per cent were not confident explaining ANY of the financial terms listed in the survey. These terms, spanning personal finance to banking, were: Isa, bonds, equity, asset management, shorting, hedge funds, index tracker fund and derivatives. Even those who work in the financial services or legal industries fared little better than those in other industries. According to the survey, 41 per cent are not confident explaining what an Isa is, 65 per cent couldnt tell you what equity means and 69 per cent couldnt explain what a bond is. This is a big reason why we started off with the newsletter before asking our subscribers to register their interest in getting a full financial plan. Why do you think managing our personal finances has been hard for millennials? Max: It is unsurprising that financial literacy levels are so low amongst my generation. We were never taught these terms in school and it can be daunting to try and plan your financial life when you feel in the dark about how the industry works. The media assumes a basic level of understanding which just doesnt exist and the financial advice industry simply does not cater for millennials. Our generation is looking for a new way to plan their financial future, free of jargon and complexity. Thats why we have created Finimize MyLife - were on a mission to help millennials get their financial lives on track. Do millennials have money to save and invest? Max: Yes. It comes down to confidence: of the millennials we surveyed, 52 per cent of those with between 10,000 and 24,999 of savings do not feel confident explaining what an Isa is. This suggests that even those with the ability and determination to budget every month lack the basic knowledge and guidance when it comes to managing their money. Finimize: 'Were not here to bash banks or to stick it to the man, we just want to solve a problem that we ourselves encountered.' How does Finimize plan to help? Max: Were not here to bash banks or to stick it to the man, we just want to solve a problem that we ourselves encountered. We want to help people get their personal finances in order. Not just savings, not just investments. But everything. Your whole financial life. Thats why were providing free, fully digital financial plans - something that usually would cost you at least a few grand. We fully realise that financial planning is an immensely dry and boring subject. Thats why we want to take out as much friction as possible for you and cut to the chase while maintaining the substance. We dont want you to follow our guidance blindly. So we do our best to explain to you why it makes sense to set your financial life up in a certain way. But ultimately we let you decide what you want to do with your money. Were just here to help. How does it work? Were not here to bash banks or to stick it to the man, we just want to solve a problem that we ourselves encountered. Max: Once you've registered with Finimize you enter a few simple personal details. These include your country of residence, age, salary, savings, passive income, spare income, whether you own a house (this is a yes or no question), if you have income protection and whether you have any bad debt such as credit cards or personal loans. Once a user has provided the basic inputs, the platform generates a financial plan for someone like you. This is a set of financial goals based on the kind of user profile you've entered and based on perceived wisdom of personal finance. An example of this would be saving around three months of your salary into an easy-access savings account as an emergency fund before you start investing money. The user then configures the plan according to their needs and can totally customise it for themselves by adding or removing financial goals like buying a house in the future or saving for a wedding. Throughout the configuration process, Finimize explains to the user why, say, paying off bad debt may be a good idea and provides best practices. Next, the user confirms the configured plan and is then shown an action list to help them execute it. This may involve setting up a savings account with instant access for your emergency fund, for example. Finimize will provide a range of relevant savings accounts where the user can set up the emergency fund - these are the best accounts and aren't ranked according to whether we receive a commission. How do you plan to make money? Max: Finimize does not receive payments from these providers. At the moment we're focused on building a user base and in future we may start to charge a subscription fee to users. Does Finimize replace an IFA or financial advice then? Max: Finimize does not provide the user with advice rather, we aim to empower the users to advise themselves. Finimize provides the guidance, framework and tools that will enable a user to create their own financial plan and structure their financial lives. More generally, providing generic advice is not considered full financial advice. The latter is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which Finimize is not, and it makes personal recommendations in respect of making transactions relating to financial instruments. For example an IFA will tell you exactly which fund or share to invest in and how much of your savings should be invested. This is Money's verdict BITESIZE MONEY Unlike This is Money, which is a website that brings you daily personal finance, business and economy news, as well as guides to help you organise all aspects of your financial life, Finimize attempts to distill things into a much smaller package. In fact, on any given day Finimizes news page features just two short stories - these are from its daily email, which is primarily focused on two main events in the business world. Now with Finimize My Life, it is trying to continue this distillation, delivering a simple digital financial plan, featuring the guidance on your finances that you would go looking for. Overall this is a simple and cost-effective way to review your money and provides a benchmark against which you can measure yourself. It provides helpful tips - such as having a rainy day cash fund to see you through the unexpected costs of broken boilers or help provide you with more time to find a new job if you're made redundant. It also gives a flexible guide to planning for the future. Too often, we might sort out our money today and then forget about it tomorrow. This tool gives you the ability to set specific savings goals and will show you how to get there. It's free for the moment, and it's quick to fill out. However, there is a waiting list for the plans, as the site is still in testing mode so it might be a while before you're given access. It's also really important to remember that the financial plan provided by Finimize is NOT advice telling you what you personally should do with your money. It's defined as financial guidance. Guidance is the legal name given to help and information but NO product recommendation. Advice means help, information AND a specific product recommendation that is the best and most appropriate for you personally. As a first step to getting to grips with your personal finances, Finimize is great. Just remember it won't replace the personalised advice you'll get (and pay for) from an independent financial adviser. Many thought a landslide victory for the Conservatives was a certainty when Theresa May called a snap election in April. But now, six days before the nation heads to the polling booths, May's victory seems far from written in stone. Sensible investors should prepare for any outcome next Thursday. As the graph shows, the value of 1,000 invested in the UK stock market in 1970 would now be worth 232,000. Growth: The value of 1,000 invested in the UK stock market in 1970 would now be worth 232,000 'Since 1970, stocks have performed better under Conservative governments than under Labour, though share prices have been driven by global market forces rather than domestic politics,' said Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. 'Irrespective of who has been in power, the stock market has by and large risen regardless, posting positive performance during ten of the last 12 governments.' If the Conservatives win, Ketan Patel, a fund manager at EdenTree Investments, said there could be money to be made from the party's pledge to build 1m new homes by 2020. He thinks all UK housebuilders will benefit from this, but said the best stocks will be those who can take advantage of May's pledge to protect greenbelt land. He said: 'A good call would be Amersham-based Inland Homes, which develops regeneration projects in the South focusing on residentially led mixed-used schemes on brownfield sites.' The Conservatives' pledge to cap energy prices has already hit British Gas-owner Centrica and fellow gas firm SSE. Eric Moore, fund manager at Miton, thinks this will continue, and could even lead the pair to cut their dividends. If the Conservatives win, Ketan Patel, a fund manager at EdenTree Investments, said there could be money to be made from the party's pledge to build 1m new homes by 2020 He also suggested avoiding price comparison websites such as Moneysupermarket and Zoopla, which owns uSwitch, because price caps usually put people off changing suppliers. Each party has a different view of how the Brexit process should play out. But David Buik, market commentator at Panmure Gordon, said financials could end up benefiting from Brexit talks, regardless of who the new prime minister is. He said that no longer having to adhere to European regulations could give UK banks the freedom to make themselves more attractive to international firms, allowing them to win business off their EU counterparts. In particular he recommended HSBC, Barclays, and Lloyds in the FTSE 100, and Aldermore in the FTSE 250. As often noted, the value of the FTSE 100 tends to increase when the pound weakens and decrease when it strengthens. This is because many of the index's members make their money overseas, meaning they get more bang for their buck when the pound is on the floor. As a result, the attraction of multi-national members of the FTSE such as AstraZeneca and Rolls-Royce after the election depends on who wins. Adrian Lowcock, who is investment director at Architas, recommends investing in domestic rather than international firms if the Tories win, as the pound is likely to strengthen. Conversely, Khalaf at Hargreaves Lansdown says international stocks are likely to fare best over the short term in the event of a Labour victory or a hung parliament. 'Few UK share prices would escape some sort of markdown. But those international stocks may find themselves cushioned by a falling pound,' he said. All this being said, it is important to note that stocks are not affected by one event, such as the election, alone. They are shaped by a plethora of global influences. As Khalaf puts it: 'Even if you guess the outcome of the vote no easy feat you may still find yourself wrong-footed by the effects on financial markets.' My daughter is paying big sums she can't afford into the police pension Is this worth it or are there better savings options? Steve Webb replies Big data analytics specialist Fusionex International took a beating this week after it announced plans for a swift de-listing from Londons junior market. The company which allows customers such as Ford and Aviva to process huge amounts of data delivered the news last Friday, after the markets had shut down for the long weekend. The official line from Fusionex is that it feels undervalued by the market and that the costs of listing on AIM could be better spent within the business, although the true reasoning behind the proposed cancellation may not be so clear cut, according to some reports. Fusionex allows customers such as Ford and Aviva to process huge amounts of data The groups broker, Peel Hunt, and PR adviser, Buchanan, have both quit recently. An article in The Times said this was in protest at what has been described as a backdoor attempt by [Fusionexs] founder to seize control. A vote is being held in Malaysia on 15 June, making it difficult for disgruntled investors here in the UK to block the move by Ivan Teh. The Malaysian tycoon who is also the firms chief executive already has a 41 per cent stake in Fusionex and needs 75 per cent approval at the meeting, which he is likely to get from senior colleagues. The probable low turnout will also help Teh to push the proposal over the line. If he is successful, Fusionex shares could stop trading on AIM before the month is out. Investors have been rushing to get rid of their shares while they still can do so relatively easily, which has sent the share price plunging by 70 per cent this week to 40.1p. Elsewhere, the looming threat of a share suspension weighed heavily on Sovereign Mines of Africa which saw the value of its shares slashed by more than a third to 0.235p. The former gold explorer farmed out its remaining assets earlier this year, meaning it is an AIM Rule 15 cash shell and must complete a reverse takeover by 21 July otherwise its shares will be suspended. If that suspension isnt lifted within the following six months, then its shares will be cancelled from trading altogether. Sovereign told investors on Thursday that it was looking at making an acquisition in the Indian consumer goods sector but said there was no guarantee that a deal will complete. To make things even more difficult, chief executive Rupert Street has stepped down from his position, with the company now looking for a new boss based in India to guide it down its new path. There were companies which enjoyed happier times during this shortened week, though. HaiKe Chemical was top of that list after its share went radioactive (in a good way) on Thursday. The China-based chemicals firm put a solid shift in 2016, with profits soaring to 1.9million on increased revenues of 81million. That compares with a profit of just 0.4million and revenues of 76.3million in the prior year. HaiKe said cost controls and a shift in focus towards higher margin specialty chemical products were behind the improved performance. Perhaps what really got investors excited was the news that the positive momentum has continued into 2017, with revenues and net profits both currently ahead of last year. Shares leapt 38 per cent higher to 33.9p. Staying in East Asia, China New Energy also powered higher this week after the engineering and technology solutions provider revealed it had secured seven new contracts so far in 2017. The contracts which will all be underway by the end of the month and commissioned in 2018 are worth around 12.8million; a sizeable amount given that CNEs market cap is still less than half that. The company added that most of those earnings will be booked during this current year as well. Shares jumped 17 per cent over the four days to 1.3p. Chemicals: China-based HaiKe Chemical put a solid shift in 2016 HaiKe and CNE are more reflective of how the junior market, and the London markets in general, fared this week. The AIM All Share was up 3.1 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 992 over the past four trading days, although that wasnt enough to keep up with the FTSE 100 which hit several new highs. The blue chip index gained 45 points, or 0.6 per cent, to finish the week at 7,560. Over in Russia, Eurasia Mining received a boost after the firm had the reserves report and feasibility study for its Monchetundra palladium and platinum project approved by the Russian State Agency for Subsoil Use (Rosnedra). The reserves amount to 55.9 tonnes (1.9million ounces) palladium equivalent (palladium and platinum) with major additional gold and base metal credits, at two open pits. Managing director Christian Schaffalitzky said the approval was an incredibly important development and had come through much quicker than we had anticipated. Even with a slight fall on Friday, Eurasia shares were still changing hands for 0.53p a gain of 27 per cent for the week. Motif Bio was neither a massive riser nor faller this week up around 4 per cent at 33p but it is a good example of the bullish market sentiment towards micro-caps at the moment. On Friday, the drug developer unveiled plans to raise $25million (19.4million) through a share placing which will fund to completion the second of two phase-III studies on its antibiotic, iclaprim. Thats Motifs second $25million placing in the past six months or so and shows investors are still willing to dig deep for AIM-quoted companies. Chief executive Graham Lumsden and his team are unsurprisingly confident about the data the upcoming trials will yield, as seemingly is cornerstone investor Invesco Asset Management, which is expected to part with some of its cash once again in the latest funding round. METRO SWOOPS Metro swoops Lending upstart Metro Bank has splashed out almost 600million on acquiring a package of UK mortgages from investment firm Cerberus, picking up a portfolio that consists of 92 per cent buy-to-let mortgages. TRICKY PROSPECT Banking giant HSBC is struggling to fill marketing and communications roles at its new high street lending division's HQ in Birmingham. More than half of the 1,040 jobs moving from London have been filled but chief executive Antonio Simoes said some specialist roles were 'proving trickier'. SNAP HAPPY Photo booth operator Photo-Me said that its plan to design booths so they send off passport pictures automatically has progressed significantly so far this year. The scheme, which allows customers to upload passport and ID pictures via its kiosks, has been rolled out successfully in France. VODKA APPOINTMENT Vodka brand Revolution Bars has appointed Mike Foster as chief financial officer he had been interim finance director. STANSTEAD LAUNCH Low-cost carrier Jet2 has launched its first long-haul flights to New York from London Stansted Airport. The airline is selling four-night winter trips to the Big Apple. PAIR OFF Two star fund managers Paul Marriage and John Warren are leaving investment firm Schroders to launch Tellworth Investments, taking their UK Dynamic Absolute Return fund with them. SAGE SELL-OFF Accountancy software group Sage has sold off its North American payments business to GTCR, a private equity firm, for 202million. The sale is part of a move to offload parts of the business which are not as strong as others. The company's shares rose 0.1 per cent, or 0.5p, to 729p. Millennials cannot rely on the state pension and need to take steps now and save more into their retirement fund, a new report has warned. While past generations have been able to use the traditional state pension as a safety net, the International Monetary Fund says this won't be the case for younger workers. The main reasons for the stark warning is the increased cost of providing state pensions, which has increased from 4 per cent of GDP in 1970 to 9 per cent in 2015, and the rising life expectancy rate. Savings gap: Those born between 1990 and 2009 should save six per cent of their income As we are all living longer - the IMF estimates that life expectancy at age 65 is projected to increase by around one year a decade - the amount being paid into the system by those in work isn't enough to support the aging population To deal with the pensions savings gap many countries have significantly changed the way they operate state pension systems either by increasing the age at which people can receive it, lowering the overall amount, or both. The report, by IMF economist Mauricio Soto, suggests that younger workers need to take more responsibility over their retirement income. He said: 'Public pensions have played a crucial role in ensuring retirement income security over the past few decades. 'But for the millennial generation coming of working age now, the prospect is that public pensions wont provide as large a safety net as they did to earlier generations.' Savings boost: Those born between 1990 and 2009 should save six per cent of their income He suggests that for those born between 1990 and 2009, who will start to retire in 2066, if the retirement age was increased from today's average of 63 to 68 in 2060 this would make up for half the current pensions gap - the amount needed in retirement compared to the amount saved. The same group of workers should also be putting aside around six per cent of their earnings each year, Soto says. However he acknowledges that 'relying on people's private savings for retirement requires a hard-to-achieve mix of fortune and savvy' and it relies on a steady income throughout your working life, making the correct decisions about how much to save and depending on what happens in the stock market. He said: 'As millennials start to enter the workforce, retirement might be the last thing on their mind. 'But with many governments retrenching their role in providing retirement income, younger workers need to work longer and step up their retirement savings.' Raw deal: Younger people will need to save more money and also work for longer In a separate study of 2,000 adults, it was found that for 61 per cent of millennials, not having enough savings is stopping them from fulfilling their aspirations today The research from Zurich showed that 27 per cent are only saving for immediate life goals, and not for life after 65 while 37 per cent felt they didn't earn enough to speak to a financial adviser. When it comes to seeking financial advice, 23 per cent said they thought they were too young to do so while 15 per cent went onto and searched for it rather than approaching an adviser. Rising costs: The cost the state pension has risen from 4 to 9 per cent of GDP since 1970 Rose St Louis, savings expert at Zurich UK, said: 'Mounting financial pressure is taking its toll on millennials. 'Sky-high rent, living costs and student loan repayments are stretching monthly incomes to breaking point. 'According to our research, three fifths of 18-24 year olds say financial squeeze is stopping them from fulfilling their aspirations today. 'It's also forcing them to put aspirations for the future such as starting a family or saving for a comfortable retirement on hold even though having such goals helps make people more successful at saving. 'With millennials saving on average less than a fifth of their income, it is critical we do more to help encourage people to review their situation and take action today to secure their long term future. Even small steps taken to start saving early on can have a lasting impact.' The report from the IMF follows on from a similar warning by the World Economic Forum last week which said without immediate action from the Government, the UK pension savings gap will rise from US$8trillion to US$33trillion (6trillion to 25trillion) by 2050. It stated that retiring before the age of 70 will become a privilege for only the very wealthy unless the UK government takes urgent action. By Press Trust of India: military ties By Ammar Zaidi St Petersburg (Russia), June 1 (PTI) India and Russia today signed the much-awaited agreement on setting up of two more units of a nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu and decided to give a "new direction" to the defence cooperation between the two "great powers". advertisement The two countries also decided to hold the first tri- Services exercises, named Indra-2017, this year and start joint manufacturing of frigates, adding on to the co- production of Kamov-226 military helicopters. These decisions were taken at the wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin here which covered issues like terrorism and increasing trade and investment. Addressing the media jointly with Putin after the talks, Modi said the relations between India and Russia have been unwavering, based on "mutual love, respect and strong trust". "From culture to security, our relations have been at par... We speak in one language," he added. He said the two leaders had decided to speed up the bilateral cooperation in all fields, for which an Action Plan has been devised. Noting that India and Russia were celebrating the 70th anniversary of their relations, Modi said there has been no impact on the ties in all these decades. Putin described the talks as substantative and said the India-Russia "partnership is developing into strategic and priveleged one." A Joint Declaration issued after the talks said that "the Indian-Russian special and privileged strategic partnership is a unique relationship of mutual trust between two great powers." It said the relationship covers all areas of cooperation, including in the spheres of political relations, security, trade and economy, military and technical field, energy, scientific, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and foreign policy. The relationship helps promote national interests of both countries, and contributes to the establishment of a more peaceful and just world order, the declaration said. Among the major outcomes of the summit meeting was the signing of the agreement on setting up of Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) with the Russian help in Tamil Nadu, which Modi said will further strengthen the ties between the two countries. "We welcome the conclusion of the the General Framework Agreement and Credit protocol for Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power plant," said a vision document issued after the Modi-Putin talks. advertisement The reactors will be built by Indias Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Russias Atomstroyexport company, a subsidiary of Rosatom, the regulatory body of the Russian nuclear complex. Each of the two units will have a capacity to produce 1,000 MW of power. The document titled A vision for the 21st Century said economies of India and Russia complement each other in the energy sector and both countries will strive to build an "energy bridge". It said the future of Indian-Russian cooperation holds great promise across a wide spectrum covering nuclear power, nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear science and technology. "We will strive to build an energy bridge between our states and expand bilateral relations in all areas of energy cooperation, including nuclear, hydrocarbon, hydel and renewable energy sources and in improving energy efficiency," it said. The growing partnership in the nuclear power sector between India and Russia has opened opportunities for developing advanced nuclear manufacturing capabilities in India in line with Indias "Make In India" initiative, the declaration said. India and Russia commit themselves to earnestly implement the "Programme of Action for Localisation in India" signed on December 24, 2015, and to encourage their nuclear industries to engage closely and foster concrete collaborations, it said. advertisement The current nuclear power generation capacity of all 22 nuclear power reactors is 6780 MW. In October 2015, a joint statement between Modi and Putin promised the signing of a GFA on the nuclear units by December 2016. After an inter-ministerial group cleared the project, it was sent to the Prime Ministers Office for approval. But, sources said, the Credit Protocol, or a line of credit that Russia was to provide, proved to be a hurdle. The two countries also said that there has been a "steady and demonstrable" achievements in bilateral civil nuclear partnership, including advancing nuclear power projects at the Kudankulum site and transforming it into one of Indias largest energy hubs. "Cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy has emerged as one of the hallmarks of the strategic partnership between the two countries, contributing to Indias energy security and energising broader scientific and technological cooperation," as per the document. Talking about terrorism, Modi said the views of the two countries are similar on the problem in whichever form it exists, whether in Afghanistan, Middle East or Asia-Pacific. advertisement "India and Russia stand together on terrorism and new challenges to the security," he said. Referring to trade, Modi said the two countries were close to achieving the target of USD 30 billion by 2025. At present, trade between the two nations stands at USD 7.8 billion, down from USD 10 billion in 2014. Russian investment in India is USD 4 billion while Indian investment in Russia is USD 8 bn, Putin noted. PTI ZH AKJ AKK AKK --- ENDS --- Longmont police are asking for the publics help in finding a missing adult who requires medication and who was last known to be in New Mexico for unknown reasons. Police today said Richard Steven Rue, who goes by Rick, has been missing from Longmont since Friday. His last known location was a Good-To-Go store in Williamsburg, N.M., which is off Interstate 25 in southern New Mexico. Police say its not known why Rue left Colorado, or where hes going. Family members say this is unusual behavior for Rue, police said. Rue is diagnosed with a medical condition that requires medication, police said. Family members are concerned for his safety because he is believed to have been without his medication for at least 56 hours. He is believed to be driving a white 1994 Ford Ranger with Colorado license plate 835 XMF. Rue is described as a white male who is 6 foot 1 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and often wears wide-brim hats, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call Longmont police at 303-651-8555. Varadkar, 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant, succeeds Enda Kenny as prime minister in a striking sign of the country's rapid social change. By Reuters: Ireland's governing Fine Gael party elected Leo Varadkar as its new leader on Friday, choosing the gay, 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant to succeed Enda Kenny as prime minister in a striking sign of the country's rapid social change. Varadkar overcame ministerial colleague Simon Coveney as expected, winning an overwhelming majority among the centre-right party's lawmakers who hope the straight-talking Dubliner can lead them to third successive term for the first time. advertisement Bar an unexpected development, Varadkar will be voted in as prime minister when parliament next sits on June 13 and become the once-staunchly Catholic country's first openly gay premier and the youngest person ever to hold the office. "If my election today shows anything, it is that prejudice has no hold in this Republic," Varadkar said to huge applause in a speech at Dublin's Mansion House, where Ireland's parliament first sat almost a century ago. "I know when my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt that he ever dreamed that one day his son would grow up to be its leader and despite his differences, his son would be judged by his actions not his identity. "Every proud parent in Ireland today can dream big dreams for their children," Varadkar said. His election marks another chapter in the social change that has swept through the country of 4.6 million people that only decriminalised homosexuality in 1993 but became the first country to adopt gay marriage via a popular vote in 2015. It also shows another face of modern-day Ireland. Varadkar's father Ashok, who like his son is a doctor, was born in Mumbai in India. He met his wife Miriam, an Irish nurse, in England in the 1970s before moving to Ireland where Varadkar was born. The generational shift from Kenny, 66, who led the party for 15 years and has been prime minister since 2011, will likely be matched with Varadkar's cabinet choices. Paschal Donohoe, 42, is expected to be promoted to finance minister, replacing the retiring Michael Noonan. Varadkar's opponents, who hope his blunt style will prove a liability rather than an asset to Fine Gael, were quick to claim that the current social protection minister -- who recently led a campaign against "welfare cheats" -- would move the government to the right. "Leo Varadkar is a Tory. Fine Gael will be dragged even further to right under his leadership and that can only mean further hardship for ordinary people," Gerry Adams, president of the left-wing Sinn Fein opposition party said in a statement. advertisement "CUT AND RUN?" Supporters, on the other hand, excitedly compare their new leader to charismatic Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and new French President Emmanuel Macron, anticipating a rebound from last year's disappointing election where they only returned to power as the senior party in a fragile minority government. Fine Gael has already received a bounce, regaining its standing as the most popular party in most opinion polls and Varadkar has pledged to hit the ground running with promises of increased infrastructure spending and further income tax cuts. However, despite inheriting the fastest-growing economy in Europe, he will have less room to boost spending and cut taxes in his first budget than Kenny enjoyed in each of his last two as Ireland seeks its first balanced budget in a decade. He will also face the diplomatic and economic challenge of Brexit, which is set to impact neighbouring Ireland more than any other European Union country due to its close trading links with Britain and land border with British-run Northern Ireland. The constraints of minority rule, where Fine Gael relies on the backing of rival Fianna Fail on key votes, could also act as a brake on his ambitions, and while Varadkar has ruled out an early election, analysts are alive to the possibility. advertisement "Having Leo Varadkar at the helm in the next election probably sets Fine Gael up better than under Enda Kenny, I think that's a safe bet but everyone watching Irish politics knows this is to all extents and purposes a zombie government," said David Farrell, politics professor at University College Dublin. "I think the fact that he will be so tightly constrained would suggest that on balance going for an early election may be best for him. Cut and run during a honeymoon, on his terms, might be the way to go." ALSO READ | Meet Leo Varadkar, the Indian-origin minister who may become Ireland's new prime minister WATCH VIDEO | Indian-origin leader Leo Varadkar set to be Ireland's first gay Prime Minister --- ENDS --- Jagga Jasoos starring Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor released the first song video Ullu ka Pattha today. Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor's robot dance video with deadpan expression is already taking the internet by storm. By India Today Web Desk: Jagga Jasoos's first song Ullu ka Pattha hit the web today. In the groovy number from the much awaited film, ex-flames Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor dance on the street. The song, composed by Pritam and written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, is very catchy with an equally interesting video featuring miscellaneous animals like zebras, giraffes and ostriches. A flying car and other quirky things also find themselves in the video. advertisement Sung by the soulful Arijit Singh and Nikita Gandhi, the video shows detective Jagga played by Ranbir Kapoor and Shruti played by Katrina show some crazy moves on the streets of Morocco to earn money to travel. They are looking for Jagga's missing father. The Anurag Basu-directed comedy drama has been embroiled in a lot of controversies since the beginning. The project has been delayed for long, making the fans impatient. The film was supposed to release on April 7, but will now hit the theatres on July 14 this year. Watch the video of Jagga Jasoos' first song Ullu Ka Pattha: ALSO READ: Ranbir says he will promote Jagga Jasoos with Katrina. Have the ex-lovers finally moved on? ALSO READ: SEE: Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif walk hand-in-hand in this photo from Jagga Jasoos sets ALSO WATCH: Amitabh appreciates Ranbir's acting at India Today Unforgettables --- ENDS --- Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams The gloves have come off in the verbal jousting over the citys transit meltdown. As LIRR commuters from Queens and Long Island endured 90-minute delays getting into Penn Station this week, the recorded announcements from the MTA blamed Amtrak outright for a power problem in the East River tunnel. Thousands of LIRR riders had their morning rituals interrupted yet again in an ongoing saga that finally dragged Gov. Andrew Cuomo into the debate over what must be done to tackle the railroad and subway crisis. The governor was uncharacteristically quiet as two recent derailments at Penn Station were followed by more minor incidents disrupted LIRR service. As head of the MTA, he is responsible for both systems but is not getting any help from Mayor Bill de Blasio, who said it was Cuomos job to fix the subway even as delays and breakdowns escalated. But the howls of irate riders and frustrated straphangers reached Albany, at last. In a speech in Manhattan last week, Cuomo predicted a summer of hell for LIRR riders when Amtrak repairs the broken rails in the station and performs other critical maintenance put off for years. About 20 percent of LIRR trains are expected to be canceled during the six-week period. Unhappy with Amtrak, which owns Penn Station and maintains the tracks, Cuomo proposed having New York state take over the station to make the trains run on time. The LIRR has been critical of Amtrak for years due to frequent outages in the tunnels. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has lambasted Amtrak as untrustworthy because its infrastructure failures have created nightmarish commutes for New Jersey Transit riders, who share Penn Station. Cuomo set up an international contest to give out $1 million for the best ideas to improve the citys subway service. In mid-May he announced a $20 million transit plan to buy 300 new subway cars, reduce bottlenecks as passengers enter and leave trains and to step up subway maintenance operations. But when the MTA approved a $32.5 billion, five-year capital plan last week, spending favored new projects, such as electronic tolling. Funding for the subways remained essentially flat. Cuomo has asked Queens-born President Donald Trump to fund alternative routes for LIRR riders during the Penn Station repairs, but where does that leave straphangers? Despite being at odds on just about every issue, Cuomo and de Blasio must work together to rescue the subway system from years of neglect and plain old age. Failure to restore the vital lifeblood of this city could derail the governors political future nationally and tarnish de Blasios ambitions. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Bill Parry An Elmhurst apartment building was nearly destroyed by a five-alarm blaze on April 11 and now, nearly one-third of the residents have signed on to a lawsuit filed by the Legal Aid Society to protect them from landlord fraud. The management company that owns The Martinique has been slow in making necessary repairs to most of the 111 apartments at 56-11 94th St., and the lawsuit, called a 7A proceeding, seeks an order of the court to appoint an administrator to oversee the repair process in a transparent and accountable way. The lawsuit names the landlord, 56-11 94th Street Co., LLC, as well as the city, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the Environmental Control Board. Too often, landlords can exploit a tragedy like this fire to exploit the impacted tenants by forcing them to give up their rights, said Sateesh Nori, attorney-in-charge of the Queens Civil Office at the Legal Aid Society. This lawsuit will protect these tenants from being forced to move out or face long delays and exorbitant rent increases. The tenants are entitled to have their apartment restored to habitability quickly and without rent increases. Residents of this building have suffered enough tragedy. They deserve nothing less. Eleven firefighters were injured, but all the tenants escaped unscathed. One day after the fire, contractor Declan McElhatton, 53, was arrested by fire marshals and charged with arson after investigators found he had worked with a torch, which is prohibited near tar on a wooden roof. The employee from Maintenance Asset Management, based in Yonkers, is due back in court in June. Meanwhile, most of the 111 apartments remain unoccupied due to a vacate order issued by the city and many of the families are being housed in temporary shelters run by the city. A number of tenants have lost their lifes possessions as a result of the fire, smoke and water damage. Others are unable to retrieve their possessions because of the prohibitions on entering the building imposed by both the city and the landlord. Now, many of the tenants are being told the repair process could take years, according to the Legal Aid Society. Without a fair, independent administrator, the tenants fear excessive delays, unnecessary improvements, and the incentive from the landlord to raise the rents through repairs. It is reprehensible when people want to benefit from tragedy, state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) said. This fire, which is under criminal investigation, left dozens of hardworking families temporarily without a roof, and now their landlord is playing games to force these victims to give up their rights by threatening them with delays and increased rents. I applaud the Legal Aid Society for its efforts to protect the victims of the fire by filing a lawsuit on their behalf. The tenants see an Article 7A proceeding as the only form of action that would help them return to their apartments in a timely manner, with conditions repaired and with less of a risk that they would have to suffer any further repercussions. I fully support this lawsuit, which will protect tenants and hold the landlord accountable for its actions, City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) said. These families have already suffered greatly. This horrible chapter in their lives must be resolved as quickly and fairly as possible. An independent administrator will ensure timely restoration of the building without undue rent increases for tenants. The safety and well-being of my constituents will always be my top priority, and I will continue to advocate for them. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Mark Hallum Tamara Osherov, an anti-IDC activist from Fresh Meadows, joked as she led about 15 others protesting the breakaway progressive group, the Independent Democratic Conference, outside the office of state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside). It stands for the Insincere Democratic Conference, she said. The May 24 demonstration organized by the Working Families Party and NYIndivisible, a group engaging elected officials to put people over party, called on IDC members in Queens Avella and Sen. Jose Peralta of Elmhurst to rejoin the mainline ranks of the Democratic Party. The day prior to the rally, Democrat Brian Benjamin won a special election to the state Senate for Harlem. The landslide vote of about 98 percent in his favor reclaimed the Democratic majority with 32 of the 63 seats in the chamber. Avella and Peralta are two of the eight members who have been visited by demonstrators in recent months. As the Democratic Party gained a tight majority in the Senate, those opposed to the IDC were trying to keep the pressure on separatists to return to their original affiliation. State Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) has caucused and voted alongside the GOP since he was elected as a progressive, bringing the number of Dems caucusing apart from the mainline party to nine. The Democrats were voted into the majority in the Senate and should be functioning as a majority, but theyre not because the IDC caucuses separately, leaving the majority to the Republicans, said one protester, who was bused in from outside of Queens. Some progressive legislation gets through, sometimes watered down. But many, many bills dont even make it to floor. Thats because we are not functioning as a majority. We would like to see single payer pass, the Dream Act, womens reproductive health and other issues. But Avella is a sponsor of many of the bills anti-IDC organizers fear are being blocked. He pointed out that the Dream Act, which grants undocumented immigrants access to financial aid for higher education, is just one that has had his name on every version written. Avella is also a sponsor for single payer health insurance and Genda, a bill aiming to expand protections for transgender and other gender identities in hate-crime cases. Although Osherov and other protesters spoke out strongly against the IDC, Osherovsaid she and others involved would be more than happy to see Avella and other members of the IDC return to the mainline Democratic Party. Osherov confronted Avella at a Democratic club meeting where he was speaking the night after the rally with various allegations about IDC members, the senator said. Avella claimed anti-IDC sentiment sits on a foundation of lies. Once she got up and said that I caucus with Republicans. Not true. That I vote with the Republicans. Not true. That I voted to make Sen. Flanagan, whos a Republican, head of the Senate. Again, not true, Avella said. I have no problem with people who dispute my voting record and want to talk to me. But I told her youre spreading this fake news and youre just not listening. You dont know the facts. I understand the frustration with a lot of Democrats whove not been involved in the political process, that theyre very upset with Trump being elected president, and obviously his policies. But dont direct it against fellow Democrats. Take that energy and work against Republican districts. Get Republicans to change their vote. She didnt want to hear that. Avella went on to slam the Working Families Party for its involvement with anti-IDC organizations by referring to them as the original breakaway Democrats. Stipends paid to eight IDC members and Republican members of the Senate and have been under review by the U.S. attorney and the state attorney generals office for possible corruption. Some senators had received the stipends, known as lulus, for chairing committees, although paperwork showed they did not actually lead the panels they served on. The Albany district attorney, however, has decided against investigating the bonuses, according to the Daily News. Avella has strongly denied accepting lulus for his involvement with different committees during his entire tenure in the Senate. Dating back to my days as a member of the City Council, I have never accepted a lulu, even though I was afforded one under the rules of the New York City Council and State Senate, Avella said in press release, denying a Daily News claim that he was among those who received lulus. Throughout my career in government, I have refused to accept my lulu, year after year, because I refuse to be beholden to the leadership, Republican or Democrat. Pakistan violated ceasefire across the LoC in Shahpur Kerni area of Poonch using 82 mm mortar and small arms. Pakistan violated ceasefire across the Line of Control in Poonch. (Picture for representative) By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan once again violated ceasefire across the Line of Control (LoC) in Shahpur Kerni area of Poonch in Jammu today. This is the second violation in the last 2 days. One woman was injured in the ceasefire violation. The injured has been identified as Shahnaz Akhtar. Pakistan is using 82 mm mortar and small arms. Indian Army is retaliating however, no loss of life or injury has been reported as of now. advertisement Pakistan Army had initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from along the LoC in Naushera sector of Rajouri district in Krishna Ghati sector on June 1. The Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively. The firing is presently on. Police sources said Akhtar was injured in Shahpur Kerni area of Poonch when Pak shell hits her house and she is seriously injured. She has been shifted to Poonch hospital. ALSO READ | 5 Pakistan jawans killed, 6 others injured in retaliatory firing by Indian Army at LoC --- ENDS --- Police have seized thousands of bags filled with opioids and arrested 106 people -- including an Albany man -- accused of trafficking the drugs from New Jersey to the North Country, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Friday. The sweeping arrests represent the third major bust in Schneiderman's statewide crackdown on violent gangs responsible for selling heroin and fentanyl in upstate New York. Almost two dozen federal, state and local law enforcement agencies worked on the St. Lawrence County investigation, known as Operation Gravy Train. Kevin Lockenwitz of Albany is among the 106 defendants who allegedly conspired with two major drug distribution networks. "The growing opioid epidemic is destroying lives around New York. By partnering with local law enforcement, our S.U.R.G.E. Initiative is tackling the crisis head on making clear to those who deal death and violence in our communities that it will not be tolerated," Schneiderman said in a statement. Police conducted an 11-month investigation that included surveillance and hundreds of hours of wiretaps, aimed at rooting out heroin, fentanyl and cocaine dealers operating in the St. Lawrence County area. The investigation recovered about 2,600 bags of heroin with a street value of roughly $39,000, 3,005 bags of fentanyl with a street value of roughly $45,075, and more than 700 bags of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $10,500. All of it had which had been pre-packaged for easy distribution by the trafficking ring, authorities say. Investigators also seized drugs in bulk, including more than a kilo of cocaine, more than a quarter-pound of fentanyl, and more than three ounces of heroin. Also recovered: about $89,000 in cash, three handguns, two stun guns, a dagger, a shotgun and a bulletproof vest stolen from a Tompkins County sheriff's deputy. "These individuals were trafficking drugs across the North Country, with connections across Central New York and the New York City area," said State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II. "These arrests should send a message that this type of criminal activity will not be tolerated in our communities. We will continue to partner with other law enforcement agencies to track down offenders, shut down their operations, and make our streets safer for those we serve." Indictments were unsealed Friday in St. Lawrence County Court in Canton. The first indictment comprised 50 defendants who were accused of selling drugs in Ogdensburg. The second indictment comprised 57 defendants, one of whom also appears on the first indictment, who were accused of trafficking drugs to northern New York. Together, the indictments detail various felony charges of criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance, and conspiracy to commit those crimes. Those charged in the indictments include: Sarah Ashley Auburn Robert Baker Ogdensburg Rasue Barnett Syracuse (currently jailed in an unrelated case) Olivia Bender Ogdensburg Amy Bennett Pitcairn Nathaniel Bielski Syracuse Jamie Bonanno Watertown Gary Brown Rochester Francis Burdick Ogdensburg Brandon Bylow Ogdensburg Raul Byrd Gouverneur Barry Crayford Heuvelton Sonia Cruz Syracuse Lisa Davis Syracuse Derek Denny DeKalb Junction (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Kayla Fletcher Tupper Lake Jamie Gaines Ogdensburg Jordan Gaines Ogdensburg Porsha Houston - Rochester Gregory James Heuvelton Donald Jennings New York Jennifer Kerr Ogdensburg Robert Kerwin Gouverneur Richard Laplant Oswegatchie Jennifer Larue Ogdensburg Kimberly Larue Ogdensburg Corey Lee Philadelphia Kevin Lockenwitz Albany Gary Lee Loffler Ogdensburg Travail Madison Ogdensburg (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Jose Marcano Syracuse Jonathan Martinez Syracuse (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Rondelle Moore Rochester Jenelle Parker Ogdensburg Mariano Patterson Massena Shane Perkins Ogdensburg Alyssia Petrie Norwood Tiffany Richway Harrisville Jennifer Rosenbarker Gouverneur Lee Sattler Ogdensburg Joshua Seidel Ogdensburg Richard Sides Gouverneur Darren St. Germain Ogdensburg (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Taylor Teriele Ogdensburg Justin Whitmarsh Edwards (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Mark Willard Ogdensburg James Yerdon Ogdensburg Kenneth Yerdon Ogdensburg Jessie Young Heuvelton Sean Young Ogdensburg (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Saidah Abdulkarim Jersey City, NJ Heather Amarel Massena Charles Ayotte Massena Adam Baxter Norfolk Chase Baxter Norfolk Michael Berry Waddington Anthony Bushey Winthrop Kimberly Clifford Massena Katie Davison Massena Nicole Dishaw Massena Patience Dissottle Norwood Kamao Douglas Norwood (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Tashawn Dutton a/k/a Tashawn Payton Jersey City, NJ Curtis Felder Newark, NJ Ahijah Foster Jersey City, NJ Dandre Gatson Buffalo Mark Green Potsdam Samantha Griffin Madrid Sharon Gushlaw Massena Stacey Haley Massena Jason Henriquez Endicott Sierra Herbick Ogdensburg Jared Johnston Madrid Rizwan Khan Massena Christopher Kocienski Massena Trista Ladue Massena (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Jenna Lamar Canton Caisey Lamotte Massena Bobbie Jo Larock Massena Christopher Larose Potsdam Donna Larose Massena Michael Laury Orange Jose Marte Bronx Melissa McCarthy Norfolk Matthew McGrath Massena Terry McGregor Massena (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Tyler McGregor Massena Douglas Monroe Massena Leah Musante Massena Daniel Nye Cortland Travis O'Neill Massena Allen Oshier Massena (currently jailed on an unrelated case) Mariano Patterson Massena Dale Pryce Massena NY Jason Purnell Woodbridge, NJ Paul Radel Massena Christopher Reed Jersey City, NJ Stephanie Sellers Jersey City, NJ Yasif Sims Jersey City, NJ Ciera Smith Massena Francine Sokolowski Massena Bobbiejo Stowell Massena Sabrina Torrez Jersey City, NJ Lydell Washington Bronx Casey Jo West Cortland Quareese West Jersey City, NJ Shaka Williams Plymouth (currently jailed on an unrelated case) This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The recent decision by state economic development officials to give GlobalFoundries $7.5 million to help pay for a $210 million piece of equipment at its Fab 8 factory in Malta can be traced back to 2006. That's when the state, led by Gov. George Pataki and state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, offered Advanced Micro Devices more than $1 billion in cash and tax breaks to build a computer chip factory in Saratoga County. The incentive package included $650 million in cash, of which $150 million was set aside for sophisticated research and development manufacturing equipment. The money and tax breaks were eventually given to GlobalFoundries, which was spun off from AMD in 2009 when it started construction of Fab 8, which now has more than 3,100 employees. From the beginning, GlobalFoundries had planned to use the $150 million to buy an extreme ultraviolet, or EUV, lithography machine for Fab 8 that would allow it to etch chip designs that regular light could not. Only one company in the world, ASML, can build these machines, which will be needed to make next generation computer chips using seven-nanometer architecture. Last week, the board of Empire State Development, the state's economic development arm, voted to give GlobalFoundries $7.5 million to help GlobalFoundries pay for a $90 million upgrade on a previous order it had for ASML's current EUV machine, the NXE: 3300. GlobalFoundries had originally planned to install the NXE:3300 at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany as part of a $500 million lithography research partnership announced by SUNY Poly last year. However, after the SUNY Pol bid-rigging scandal broke last fall, the partnership fell apart, and GlobalFoundries decided to have the EUV machine sent to Fab 8 instead. The $7.5 million from ESD will pay ASML to upgrade the EUV machine to its newest version, the NXE: 3400, with delivery to Fab 8 next year, in time to permit GlobalFoundries to use it in seven-nanometer chip manufacturing. GlobalFoundries revealed this week that it actually paid for the ASML machine using its own money and used the original $150 million from the AMD grant on other research initiatives. "Our original intention was to use this investment for the purchase of an EUV tool to be installed in the Fab 8 cleanroom," GlobalFoundries spokesman Steve Grasso told the Times Union. "When we decided to delay the installation of the EUV tool, we worked with New York state to identify other qualified (research and development) expenses to submit in place of those related to the EUV tool." Grasso said the company also held off on buying the EUV tool because it was in themidst of acquiring IBM's computer chip manufacturing division, which had significant operations at SUNY Poly. "At the same time, with the acquisition of IBM's Microelectronics division, we were developing a new R&D model that would take advantage of IBM's significant expertise in EUV," Grasso said. ALBANY Margaret Trowe, a member of the Socialist Workers Party, will formally announce her candidacy for mayor at noon Friday outside City Hall. Trowe said her political career started as a teenager, when she joined the Civil Rights movement. Now, she is a staunch supporter of unions and the working class. "Millions of workers feel the effects of decades of grinding depression conditions. They are angry and fed up with the two parties that represent the billionaire families," Trowe said in a statement. "My campaign will be a voice and program for the working class, to strengthen the fight of unionists like the brothers and sisters who struck against Momentive's concession demands and fought the firing of 26 strikers" in Waterford, she said. This winter and spring, Trowe rallied against deportations outside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security building in Latham and also protested the repeated bomb threats against the Sidney Albert Jewish Community Center in Albany. Trowe opposes the deployment of U.S. troops to Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Libya, and has called for the the federal government to grant amnesty to all immigrants. She supports universal, lifetime health care and a woman's access to abortion. "We must fight state by state, demanding equal protection of a woman as a person and her right to control her body," Trowe said in a statement. The candidate recently traveled to Cuba to study the country's socialist revolution, and oppose the United States' embargo and prison in Guantanamo. "We want justice," was the cry of the protesters at Mela Khir Bhawani festival, an important annual festival of Kashmiri Pandits. By India Today Web Desk: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was today heckled by a group of angry Kashmiri Pandits at a temple near Srinagar. After the People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader arrived at the function near Tul Mul village, Mufti faced angry protests and was surrounded by the mob who countered her with slogans. "We want justice," was the cry of the protesters at Mela Khir Bhawani festival, an important annual festival of Kashmiri Pandits. advertisement Later on the chief minister told reporters: "Today Kashmiri Pandits came in thousands. After seeing them I also pray to Allah that they return to their houses soon". She said there are many children of Kashmiri Pandits who have never seen Kashmir as they never stayed in the state. "We want peace and happiness. Hope the situation improves and I want that all Kashmiri Pandits can return to their houses and stay with us happily," Mufti said. The chief minister visited the temple and met the devotees to celebrate the festival devoted to Hindu Goddess Ragnya Devi. Two days ago, Kashmiri Pandits, who were affected by militancy in the Valley in early 90's, had staged a protest outside the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters in Delhi where Kashmiri separatist leaders Bitta Karate, Ghazi Baba and Naeem Khan were being grilled. #IndiaTodayExclusiveWatch visuals of J&K CM @MehboobaMufti being heckled & attacked by a mob in Srinagar. #ITVideohttps://t.co/59Uo9CL3ia pic.twitter.com/N7wM4kurae --- ENDS --- As criticism continued to mount around President Donald Trump's decision to abandon the Paris climate change pact, the Capital Region joined growing ranks of state and local officials vowing local support for the treaty. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced plans to encourage 40,000 new jobs in alternative energy by 2020, along with a state request for developers to provide $1.5 billion in new wind, solar, hydro and alternative energy systems. Calling the effort the "largest state clean energy procurement in U.S. history," Cuomo said it comes after the Trump administration "abdicates its responsibility to address climate change." Albany County Executive Dan McCoy issued an order Friday committing the county to comply with the international treaty's greenhouse gas reduction goals. And Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan joined a group of more than 80 mayors nationwide -- from Los Angeles to Kansas City to Syracuse to Providence -- vowing local support for the treaty. "It is obvious that the work to halt climate change will have to be done locally and that there will be no leadership from President Trump. We are poised to lead by example," said McCoy. Union leaders welcomed the energy push. "It is not only an opportunity to make New York a leader in the clean energy industry, it's an investment in long term, sustainable middle class jobs," said Mario Cilento, president of the state AFL-CIO. Cuomo also announced that New York is joining with the governors of California and Washington state to support the treaty in the newly formed U.S. Climate Alliance group. Other state governors vowing to support the treaty include those in Massachusetts, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, Connecticut, Virginia, and Rhode Island. Included in the new cities coalition is the mayor of Pittsburgh, who objected publicly after President Trump invoked that city in his Thursday speech as a reason to reject the treaty. Pittsburghers voted overwhelmingly for Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton. Under the 2015 agreement, 196 nations pledged to reduce emissions of fossil fuel-created greenhouses gases that are driving man-made climate change. Reductions are aimed at keeping the average global temperature increase since the Industrial Revolution at 2 degrees Celsius. Currently, the increase stands at 1.3 degrees C. With the departure, which could take four years to officially conclude, the U.S. would join Syria and Nicaragua as the only countries in the world not honoring the accord. While Trump turned to Twitter to repeat support for his decision from conservatives, in New York and elsewhere in the country, opposition to his action was growing. Trump's speech "was a breathtaking series of falsehoods that also featured the President talking out of both sides of his mouth," said Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Albany-based Environmental Advocates of New York. "He has no grasp of basic energy economics nor an understanding of how the non-binding international agreement works ... It's clear state leaders in the US are going to have to really step up to fill the void created by President Trump," said Iwanowicz. In his speech, Trump called the climate treaty, approved in 2015 by 195 countries, both "draconian" and "non-binding" in the same sentence. There are no provisions in the treaty to impose penalties on any country that does not meet its emissions pledge. He also pulled the the U.S. out of an international Green Climate Fund, claiming it costs the U.S. a "vast fortune," that the U.S. was "way ahead of anyone else," and that other nations were "laughing at" the U.S. Created in 2009 as part of the Copenhagen climate accord, the U.S. is among 43 nations paying into the fund, which is meant to provide $100 billion to poorer and developing countries by 2020 for alternative energy and climate adaptation projects. The U.S. pledged a total of $3 billion and so far has provided $1 billion. On per-capitl basis, the U.S. pledge ranks 11th on the global list, at $9.41 per U.S. resident. That trails countries like Sweden ($59.31 per capita), Luxembourg ($58.63), Norway ($50.20), Monaco ($28.89) United Kingdom ($18.77), France ($15.64), Denmark ($12.73), Germany ($12.40) and Japan ($11.80), according to online fund records. Trump also was contradicted on Friday for misstating figures from a recent Massachusetts Institute of Technology study to support his decision. That study found that if treaty goals are met, it could reduce future potential climate change by 0.9 degrees Celsius -- Trump claimed the figure was 0.2 degrees C. "I watched the speech on television ... it is very regrettable," said Mathias Vuille, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Albany. "It sends a terrible message thatthe nation that is historically responsible for the largest accumulation of greenhouse gas emissions is pulling out and doesn't care." Under the deal, the Obama administration pledged to cut domestic greenhouse gas emissions 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. The U.S. is already roughly half way to the goal. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. During his speech, Trump, who in the past has called climate change a Chinese hoax meant to cripple the U.S. economy, did not address the underlying science of climate change. Press attempts made Friday to get his latest view received no answers from White House spokesmen. "Sometimes I get depressed and cynical about the whole thing," said Vuillee. "But our energy sector is in a state of transformation, and you cannot stop that ... many states will move forward regardless, without having to wait for the federal government." Efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions are needed to mitigate ongoing climate change, said Amy Frappier, a geosciences professor at Skidmore College. "This is needed to help stabilize our climate." In December, Frappier co-authored a peer-reviewed scientific study that found warmer global temperatures are pushing the paths of Caribbean hurricanes northward, toward the coast of the northeastern U.S. This is increasing the likelihood of devastating storms like Sandy, Irene and Lee, which caused extensive damage in New York. At Siena College, Sarah Berke, an assistant professor of biology, questioned Trump's use of a study on the economic impact of the treaty authored by the National Economic Research Associates, a think tank supported by the fossil fuel industry and the petrochemical billionaire conservative Koch brothers. In the past, the group has done studies to support the overseas export of U.S. natural gas and opposing a plan by former President Barack Obama to impose greenhouse gas limits on U.S. power plants. Trump has already taken steps to roll back those rules. "So what is the way ahead now?" asked Berke. "If there is a silver lining in any of this, it is that municipalities and states can step up and show leadership. I think it is great that New York State and officials in Albany County want to hold themselves accountable." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In 1977, Kathy Dumas was a teenager working at Carvel Ice Cream in Yonkers, NY. She had started there because she needed a quick summer job to save up for a trip to Europe. She ended up staying with Carvel until 1985. Since her first day, founder Tom Carvel took Dumas under his wing, so when he decided he wanted to make a fish-shaped Father's Day Cake, she was on hand to make it happen. At the time, Dumas said, character cakes were big. Everyone was doing Mickey Mouse and other cartoons, but Carvel wanted his own unique character. (One of his other characters, Cookie Puss, was a joke among the Carvel employees because they all thought it looked just like Carvel himself.) Dumas and the whole Carvel team began the long and arduous task of designing a fish-shaped ice cream cake. Carvel's idea got a lot of push-back from within the company. "People said 'this is fish and ice cream; it's never going to work,'" Dumas said. But Carvel insisted. "I can't tell you how many fish we made that never made it out of the pond," she said. Carvel was determined to make it perfect, and he had a vision in his head right down to the "Mona Lisa smile," Dumas said. Finally, Carvel liked a fish Dumas was making one day because it was large and rectangularlike a whale. The only issue was that the tail kept falling off; their solution was to cover it in fudge, which would work like cement to keep it together. And like many great inventions, out of a quick fix to a problem, Fudgie the Whale was born on June 1, 1977. They shot a TV commercial in-house, and Fudgie the Whale blew up. "After that, I couldn't make enough whales," she said. The day after Father's Day, Carvel came into the store and said "I told you!" Now, Fudgie the Whale is made using a mold and more than 50,000 of the cakes are sold every year in Carvel shops. "Fudgie the Whale holds a special, nostalgic place in the hearts of many Americans across multiple generations," Scott Colwell, president of Carvel said in a press release. "He represents memories of pure joy and togetherness, all the way down to his core of irresistible crunchies!" To celebrate the whale's 40th birthday, Carvel is partnering with the non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization, Save the Whales, which is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. Today, Dumas is the VP of production at a gluten and dairy-free bakery called By the Way, which has locations in Greenwich, Conn, New York City and Westchester, NY. "I learned my skills from Carvel," Dumas said. "I was able to get a better education than I got anywhere." Throughout the years, Carvel let Dumas work in all aspects of the business from equipment, supply purchase, contracts and, of course, making ice cream. "I worked with Mr. Carvel everyday, she said. "He was an incredible mentor." Dumas remembers being in her wedding dress, waiting to go to the church to get married, and talking to Carvel on the phone about food dye. Carvel died in 1990, and Dumas said her biggest regret is not telling him how much he influenced her life. Dumas is still a loyal customer; she buys Carvel ice cream every Wednesday, but she never would have guessed Fudgie would still be around. "For some reason that silly thing just caught on," she said. "It's a mold that stood the test of time. I'm shocked." Saratoga Springs Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs has an extra 189 acres of land in the nearby town of Greenfield to call its own thanks to a December 2016 donation from a local couple, the college announced Thursday. This is the third major land donation from Michael and Margaret Roohan, owners of Granite and Marble Works in Wilton. The couple previously donated land in Greenfield to the college in 2010 and 2014. Today, the donated land totals more than 500 acres. "We feel strongly about supporting Skidmore College," said Michael Roohan. "Its people and programs add so much to the quality of life in Saratoga Springs, and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to give back to the college." The donated land is undeveloped woodland near the college's North Woods property, located behind the college's Van Lennep Riding Center. "I really think that the highest and best use of the land is not to develop it," Roohan told the Times Union in 2011 about his first land donation. He described the donated property as wilderness filled with wetlands, rock outcrops and forest. Few northeastern colleges have woodlands as large and as near to campus as Skidmore's, said college President Philip A. Glotzbach. The gifts "will be of great interest to our faculty and students," he said. Skidmore woodlands have been used for research and classroom learning in disciplines ranging from environmental studies and sciences to anthropology to American studies. The college is currently working on a sustainable stewardship plan for all of its undeveloped land. bbump@timesunion.com 518-454-5387 @bethanybump This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany Do you want to buy a vacant lot for $100? The Albany County Land Bank has launched a new program to entice local property owners to purchase vacant lots in the city of Albany by offering select lots for $100 each, with closing costs reduced 50 percent. Most of the 40 lots available are in Arbor Hill, Sheridan Hollow, the South End, West End and West Hill. More Information About the program To learn more about the vacant lot program visit http://albanycountylandbank.org/lot-program. See More Collapse "We hope that with the discounted purchase price, the significantly reduced closing costs and targeted marketing we'll be able to get these lots that have little to no value to the land bank into the hands of landowners," land bank Executive Director Adam Zaranko said. Interested buyers of the lots must be property owners located on the same block as the participating lot and be current on all taxes, water and sewer bills, and have no outstanding code violations or unresolved foreclosures. The "Spend a Little Get a Lot" Program builds on the land bank's side lot program by expanding the eligibility of purchasers to the entire block rather than just adjacent property owners, while also reducing the overall costs, Zaranko said. It borrow methods from other cities, including Detroit and Chicago, that have had success with similar programs. The land bank has struggled to sell vacant lots due to a lack of awareness of their availability, their small and often undevelopable size and the high closing costs in New York, Zaranko added. Part of the cost reductions include waiving the land bank's application fee, wiping clean existing sewer and water charges and reducing legal fees. It's also less restrictive, allowing purchasers to use the property however they wish as long it's allowed by law and is brought up to code within 30 days. Applications are being accepted through June 30, and preference will be given to those in close proximity to the lot and ownership status. Buyers will be required to retain ownership of the parcel for at least five years. Those selected will be notified in August. Zaranko said the push to have neighbors purchase the lots aims to ensure regular maintenance of the properties, which are often ignored by out-of-town owners. "There hasn't been a lot of support for people who don't live in the neighborhood to acquire a lot," he said. "We really want to do stuff that fits the community. This program is designed to get that local ownership." Albany County Legislator Lucille McKnight, who lives in one of the focus neighborhoods, said she's happy to hear the land bank is trying new things. "I own a vacant lot. I keep it green and clean," she said, adding that others who purchase lots could improve the neighborhood. "It'll make it more attractive." Beyond improving the aesthetics of the neighborhood, active ownership and upkeep of the parcels will increase property values throughout the community, Mayor Kathy Sheehan said. "You've got eyes on the street," she said. "A person with that pride of ownership isn't going to allow it to become overgrown, or be utilized for illegal activity." To view a map of vacant lots for sale, click here. afries@timesunion.com 518-454-5353 @mandy_fries ALBANY -- A Stillwater man with ties to a Dutch outlaw motorcycle gang pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Thursday to selling steroids and international money laundering for the performance-enhancing drugs he acquired in the mail from Thailand. Sean Dubanowich, 43, was convicted of a federal drug felony in 2000 unrelated to steroids. He is an associate of the Satudarah motorcycle club and onetime member of the Rock Machine biker gang, according to court papers and his attorney. The stocky defendant, a weight lifter, obtained the performance-enhancing drugs from Thailand and sold them in the United States and Canada. U.S. District Court Judge Mae D'Agostino ordered Dubanowich who has traveled to the Netherlands in recent years, according to his attorney not to associate with members of the Satudarah biker club. The Dutch club's website shows it has chapters in 21 countries, including the United States where the only two chapters were listed as Central New York and Northeast New York. Dubanowich is also known as "Ivan Dubz." A person identifying himself by that name commented on the club's online comments section on Feb. 17, less than two weeks after Dubanowich was arraigned on Feb. 8. "Thank you (from) the Central NY and Northeast NY chapters," the comment stated. "we are proud and happy to be part of this family ..the United States will grow with many satudarah chapters." On Tuesday Dubanowich's lawyer, James Long, filed a letter with the judge explaining his client sustained carbon monoxide poisoning and a traumatic brain injury in a Dec. 11, 2007 fire at his former apartment on Madison Avenue in Albany. He said Dubanowich has attended outpatient services for rehabilitation, post-traumatic stress disorder and prior substance abuse. "Mr. Dubanovich is not a flight risk, nor a danger to the community," Long stated. "Mr. Dubanovich has discontinued his involvement in motorcycle clubs at the urging of U.S. Probation and is concentrating on his health issues instead." On March 21, 2008, Mayor Jerry Jennings held a ceremony to honor the firefighters who saved Dubanowich. Jenning told Dubanowich, "I'm glad you're with us today." On Thursday, a less-pleased D'Agostino ordered Dubanowich to be electrically monitored in home detention until his sentencing on Sept. 28. He faces 3 1/3 to 4 1/3 years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett. Court papers filed show Dubanowich was using the U.S. Postal Service to receive bulk shipments from Thailand, as well as China, India and Turkey. Court papers show that between Jan. 1, 2015 and June 29, Dubanowich wired $105,107 to Thailand and India for packages listed as "electronics," "Christmas gifts" and "vitamins and nutritional supplies." Financial records showed Dubanowich was receiving money, typically via PayPal, from "individuals located all over the country, typically in the amount of several hundred dollars or less," according to a criminal complaint filed by a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent when Dubanowich was arrested in February. The complaint said last Oct. 18, Dubanowich was observed at a post office in Stillwater mailing 11 packages to "people from the all over the country, as well as one package destined to a United States military base overseas." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Manila, Philippines A gunman burst into a casino at a resort complex in Manila early Friday, set fire to gambling tables and stuffed a bag with casino chips. He was later found dead in an apparent suicide in a hotel room. The attack initially ignited fears of terrorism in the Philippine capital. Authorities later expressed doubt that it was terrorism-related. After the hours-long attack at Resorts World Manila, Philippine National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa told reporters that a single gunman responsible for the assault used gasoline to set fire to gambling tables but did not fire at people. "He would have shot all the people gambling there" if it had been terrorism, the Associated Press quoted Dela Rosa as saying. "But he did not hurt anyone." Police said the motive appeared to be robbery. "It's either he lost in the casino and wanted to recoup his losses or he went totally nuts," Metropolitan Manila Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said, according to AP. The attack sent hundreds of people fleeing into the night. Philippine police, firetrucks and SWAT teams rushed to Resorts World, where witnesses initially reported seeing a masked gunman firing at guests on the second floor of a hotel. An upper floor of a nearby mall was on fire, and photos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke pouring out of the building. Video footage showed people running out of the hotel amid billowing smoke. Dela Rosa said security footage showed the gunman ignoring a security guard who tried to question him at the entrance to the complex. He did not hurt the guard but went straight to the gambling area, Dela Rosa said, according to AP. More than 70 people suffered mostly minor injuries in a stampede to escape. The only gunshot wound was to a guard at the complex, who accidentally shot himself when the suspect entered the room, authorities said. Dela Rosa said the gunman apparently barged into a room on the fifth floor of the Maxims hotel connected to the mall and casino, laid on the bed, blanketed himself, doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire, AP reported. The bag of gambling chips worth 113 million pesos ($226,000) was found in a toilet. The suspect was English-speaking but had no identification cards. Dela Rosa described him as "white, with a mustache," and about 6 feet tall. The incident initially raised fears of a connection to fighting on the southern island of Mindanao between security forces and Islamist rebels linked to the Islamic State, who have taken hostages and burned buildings in a battle for control of the city of Marawi. As authorities struggled to ascertain what was happening at the resort complex, there were conflicting reports about what motivated the attack and whether more than one gunman was involved. "We have no official information as to the identity or affiliation of the persons responsible for this attack," Resorts World Manila said on Twitter. Earlier, the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors terrorist activity on the Internet, said a Filipino operative linked to the Islamic State claimed that "lone wolf soldiers" carried out the attack. There was no confirmation of the claim, and analysts have said that any connections between the Islamic State and Muslim insurgents in the Philippines are tenuous at best. In Washington, President Trump began an announcement regarding the Paris climate agreement by saying he was closely monitoring "the terrorist attack in Manila." Bethlehem police are asking for the public's help to track down a missing 16-year-old who they believe may be in the Schenectady area. Deborah Joy-Loay Trout was last seen by family members Tuesday. She went to school that day at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School, returned home afterward and has not been seen or heard from since, police say. Janie Osborne Montana Rep. Greg Gianforte raised the bar for all Republican candidates when he physically assaulted a reporter and still won a seat in Congress. Now all candidates are going to have to find someone to beat up in order to meet this higher standard and improve their chances for election. This could be a real challenge, especially in populous states with large congressional delegations. But, wait, could this be a new "jobs, jobs, jobs" opportunity so often promised by President Donald Trump and the Republican-dominated Congress? Surely, Republican candidates for office would be willing to hire someone they could beat up during their campaigns for, say, $15 per hour (even though they refuse to raise the federal minimum wage to that level). Kaala Karikaalan actor Anjali Patil, in an exclusive interview with IndiaToday.in, talks about Kaala, her choice of films, and working with Thalaivar Rajinikanth. By Srivatsan: Anjali Patil is bold, philosophical and unconventional - just like her films. Hailing from Mumbai, Anjali won a Special Jury Mention at the National Film Awards in 2013, when she was just 25 years old. Her uncompromising performance in the Telugu film Naa Bangaaru Talli won her critical acclaim too. Anjali is on cloud nine now. After all, it is not every day that an actor gets to work alongside the country's biggest superstar - Rajinikanth. Patil has been roped in for Rajinikanth's Kaala Karikaalan, one of the biggest Indian films. advertisement In an exclusive chat with IndiaToday.in, Anjali talks about her impressive track record, her forthcoming film Kaala and of course, Thalaivar Rajinikanth. Excerpts from the conversation: Let's start with YOUR kind of films. What's amusing about your filmography is that you have predominately worked in films that has had the female character in prominence. What about Kaala Karikaalan? Would you say that your character here too is no different? At this point of time, I can't really talk about my character. Most of Pa Ranjith's films have a strong female character. As you said, yes, it is. Also, it's a great opportunity to work with the superstar. How did Pa Ranjith spot you? Could you elaborate the selection process? It was my Sri Lankan film, With You Without You, which was banned in Chennai ahead of its release. But some people managed to watch a special screening of the film. Through word of mouth, Pa Ranjith got to know about my performance and he called me for a meeting. Ranjith and I spoke about Kaala merely for 10 minutes, while our conversation was mostly about philosophy and art. As an artist, films are what I have in life. At the same time, being an actor means you have to go through a lot of things. Sometimes, we might have a solid script, but a poor character and vice versa. So, you just have to choose the right script and that happened with Kaala, where you get to see a legendary actor like Rajinikanth perform. Barring the fact that you're in a Rajinikanth film, what made you connect with the script? Did Pa Ranjith narrate the story to you? Yes, Ranjith narrated the entire script and spoke about my character. There are two particular scenes in Kaala that completely blew me away. At that moment, I was like; wow! Normally, people might look out for the amount of screen space and the bigger part that the character has. But as an intelligent artist, I wanted to be part of Kaala just for the experience, even if it's not something that I've done in my earlier films. So, you mean to say that it's not a meaty role as such? I despise THAT word! I wish we stopped using words like 'meaty'. I mean, it's a Rajinikanth film and people, over the years, have supported his films, right? For me at least, it has never been about the weight of the character, but the experience I gain from it. Rumours are rife that you play Rajinikanth's daughter in Kaala. Is it so? Those are just rumours... I'm not playing Rajinikanth's daughter. You put out a tweet minutes after Kaala was announced. While the jubilation was pretty evident, are you a Rajinikanth fan? Have you been following his work? advertisement I have watched Sivaji and of course, Enthiran. He was just phenomenal. I really want to watch some of his previous films. Have you watched Kabali? Kabali? Yes, I have. Have you met Rajinikanth yet? If not, when are you joining the sets? Yes yes, we met on the sets. The euphoria surrounding Rajinikanth is just amazing. So much so that every single atom around Rajinikanth creates a celebration. There's so much to learn from him. In fact, his existence itself is a spiritual blessing. He's someone who can floor you with his simplicity and humility. You're a multilingual actor and have worked across industries. What's your take on dubbing? Because hardly do heroines dub their own voices, which, sort of, makes the character lively. Yes, I am going to try and dub my own voice in Tamil. I did it for my Sri Lankan film and I would like to hear my own voice. I don't like someone else dubbing for me. That's commendable... I mean, it's unfair to ask. Unfortunately, I couldn't dub my voice in Malayalam and Telugu films. But the girl who gave me the voice for the Telugu film Naa Bangaaru Talli was extraordinary. advertisement From reports, Kaala is supposedly a gangster film. But what would you have to say about the film? Is it just an out-and-out commercial flick, emotional drama or? I don't want to box the film in one particular category as of now. We have been strictly asked to not divulge details regarding the film (laughs). All I would say is that it's a Rajinikanth film. And a Pa Ranjith film. What after Kaala? Any Bollywood film or are you willing to concentrate more on the South? I have lots lined up for release. One is Newton starring Rajkummar Rao, which will open at the Berlin Film Festival. And the next is Nimmo. As an element of surprise, Dhanush will play a cameo in it, which is being produced by Aanand L Rai. There's one Marathi film, which is likely to release this year. And one called Mrs Scooter, which will release online. You won a Special Mention at the National Film Awards in 2013, at the age of 25 for Naa Bangaaru Talli. You've checked the critical acclaim box with most of your films. Do you think Kaala will be a game-changer for you as far as commercial success is concerned? advertisement I'm someone who lives in the present. Currently, for me, the best moment was when I shot a scene with Rajini sir. It's just ineffable. I mean, who knows? I might even die after this film. I'm just a simple girl and I don't strategise my life. I make improvisations as they come. ( The writer tweets as @LoneWolf_7126 ) SEE PICS: Rajinikanth rides a bike on Kaala's sets, after driving a Thar ALSO READ: Anand Mahindra praises Rajinikanth, says he wants the Thar used in Kaala WATCH HERE: Thalaivar speaks to India Today about fan greet and meet, politics --- ENDS --- [June 01, 2017] PLDA at the Epicenter of PCIe 4.0 Wave of Adoption with Recent PCIe Design Conference Achievements and Testing Success for PLDA's Gen4SWITCH PLDA, the industry leader in PCI (News - Alert) Express interface IP solutions, today highlighted recent PCIe 4.0 milestones, including information and feedback gleaned from its PLDA Design Days event in Shanghai, as well as its achievements from April's PCIe-SIG Compliance Workshop testing. As PCIe 4.0 nears its expected version 1.0 release, many systems are already running at PCIe 4.0 16GT/s speed and numerous projects are in the design process. This wave of adoption was underscored during the recent "PLDA Design Days - Shanghai" event, where over 100 PCIe designers and experts gathered to share PCIe 4.0 best practices and knowledge. In addition, earlier in April, the latest PCI-SIG Compliance Workshop provided the first PCIe 4.0 interop tests between systems. PLDA's Gen4SWITCH platform was a key technology enabler for interop testing at this workshop, demonstrating its use as a System and as an Endpoint card. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006349/en/ PLDA PCIe 4.0 Gen4SWITCH platform During System interop testing, the PLDA Gen4SWITCH has been the key enabler platform for PCIe 4.0 tests, enabling other members to validate their platform's link stability at PCIe 4.0 speed and/or optimize parameters like lane margining. Additional tests were performed using the PLDA Gen4SWITCH as an Endpoint card, with effective interop results at PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 4.0 x1 lane bandwidth. PLDA Gen4SWITCH was 100% successful during these tests at PCIe 4.0 speed. One of the critical interop tests was executed in conjunction with a Mellanox (News - Alert) ConnectX configured in PCIe 4.0 x16 architecture for InfiniBand 100Gbps Ethernet adapter. According to Gilad Shainer, vice president of Marketing at Mellanox Technologies, "The PCI-SIG Workshop 101 was definitely a major step before the first release of PCIe 4.0 specification. The interop tests performed with the Mellanox PCIe 4.0 x16 InfiniBand 100Gbps Ethernet adapter and PLDA Gen4SWITCH confirmed that the link was stable at PCIe 4.0 x4 speed and could optimize lane margining for the application." Arnaud Schleich, CEO of PLDA, remarked: "PCIe 4.0 architecture is expected to deliver the added speed and functionality that today's market craves and the PLDA Design Days event confirmed its already high rate of adoption. By actively participating in PCI-SIG Compliance Workshops and hosting field training events, such as Design Days, PLDA is at the forefront of PCIe 4.0 architecture deployment." More Information: For more information on PLDA's complete line of PCIe 4.0 products, including its Gen4SWITCH IP, please visit PLDA at PCI-SIG DevCon 2017 (Booth 12) or www.plda.com. For information on the PCI-SIG Developers Conference 2017, please visit https://pcisig.com/events/pci-sig-developers-conference-2017 To discuss your specific project needs, please contact PLDA at [email protected] . About PLDA PLDA has been successfully delivering PCI and PCI Express IP for more than 20 years. With over 6,200 licenses, PLDA has established a vast customer base and the world's broadest PCIe ecosystem. PLDA has maintained its leadership over four generations of PCI Express specifications, enabling customers to reduce risk and accelerate time to market for their ASIC and FPGA-based designs. PLDA provides a complete PCIe solution with its IP cores, FPGA boards for ASIC prototyping, PCIe BFM/testbench, PCIe drivers and APIs. PLDA is a global company with offices in North America (San Jose, California) and Europe (France, Italy, Bulgaria). PCI-SIG, PCI Express and PCIe are trademarks or registered trademarks of PCI-SIG. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006349/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Agendia's MammaPrint Now Included in Blue Shield of California Coverage for Breast Cancer Patients Agendia, Inc., a world leader in personalized medicine and molecular cancer diagnostics, today announces that Blue Shield of California has updated its Medical Policy 2.04.36 Assays of Genetic Expression in Tumor Tissue as a Technique to Determine Prognosis (News - Alert) in Patients with Breast Cancer, to include coverage of the MammaPrint 70-Gene Breast Cancer Risk-of-Recurrence Test. The updated policy states: "The use of MammaPrint is considered medically necessary in women who are diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer." "In the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, access to proven, objective and trusted genomic information is invaluable in enabling physicians to confidently personalize treatment decisions for their patients," said Mark R. Straley, CEO of Agendia. "It is estimated that almost 28,000 women in California will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.1 The decision by Blue Shield of California to include MammaPrint in their coverage recognizes the benefits of this test in identifying those patients who could safely forgo chemotherapy, and the highest level of clinical evidence that supports it. We are looking forward to ensuring that even more women in California can now receive the increased clarity that MammaPrint can bring at a time that is often fraught with uncertainty." The revised coverage became effective in the state on 1 June 2017 and Agendia Inc. is now a Preferred Network Provider. This determination follows the peer-reviewed publication of the prospective, controlled and randomized Microarray In Node-negative and 1 to 3 positive lymph node Disease may Avoid ChemoTherapy (MINDACT) trial in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)2 in August 2016, which provided the highest level of clinical evidence to support the clinical utility of MammaPrint. The inclusion in Blue Shield of California's coverage follows a revision from First Coast Service Options, the Medicare contractor for Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to include MammaPrint in its Local Coverage Determination in March 2017. MammaPrint is available globally through many major hospitals, providing physicians and patients access to this essential breast cancer test to enable more informed decision-making and more individualized treatment. More information can be found at www.blueshieldca.com/provider. 1 Siegel, R. L., Miller, K. D. and Jemal, A. (2017), Cancer statistics, 2017. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 67: 7-30. doi:10.3322/caac.21387 2 Cardoso F, van't Veer LJ, Bogaerts J et al. 70-Gene Signature as an Aid to Treatment Decisions in Early-Stage Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med 2016; 375: 717-29. About MammaPrint MammaPrint is a FDA-cleared in vitro diagnostic test, performed in a central laboratory, using the gene expression profile of breast cancer tissue samples to assess a patients' risk for distant metastasis within 5 years. MammaPrint also carries the CE Mark which certifies that the test complies with the quality standards set by the European In Vitro Diagnostic Directive, enabling the use of the test in the European Union. MammaPrint is indicated for use by physicians as a prognostic marker only, along with other clinical-pathological factors. The test is not intended to determine the outcome of disease, nor to suggest or infer an individual patient's response to therapy. About Agendia Agendia is a privately held, leading molecular diagnostics company that develops and markets genomic diagnostic products, which help support physicians with their complex treatment decisions. Agendia's breast cancer tests were developed using an unbiased gene selection by analyzing the complete human genome. Our offerings include MammaPrint, a 70-Gene Breast Cancer Risk-of-Recurrence test, and BluePrint, a Molecular Subtyping Assay that provides deeper insight leading to more clinically actionable breast cancer biology. In addition, Agendia has a pipeline of other genomic products in development. The company collaborates with pharmaceutical companies, leading cancer centers and academic groups to develop companion diagnostic tests in the area of oncology. For more information on Agendia or the MammaPrint and BluePrint tests, you can visit Agendia's patient site at www.KnowYourBreastCancer.com or the corporate site at www.agendia.com. Follow Agendia, Inc. on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to keep up-to-date with the latest news. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006533/en/ [June 01, 2017] Omnitracs to Acquire the Assets of Shaw Tracking, Expand Canadian Presence Omnitracs LLC, a global pioneer of fleet management solutions to transportation and logistics companies, today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire from Shaw Communications (News - Alert) Inc. the assets of Shaw Tracking, the leading fleet management solutions provider in Canada. The terms of the transaction, expected to close summer 2017, subject to regulatory approval of the transfer of operational licenses, were not disclosed. Through the combination of Omnitracs and Shaw Tracking, Canadian fleet customers will have access to the comprehensive Omnitracs product and service portfolio. In addition, carriers will benefit from a more seamless user experience, with direct access to best-in-class technology solutions with exceptional customer service support and infrastructure that addresses current and future demands. "We're very pleased to bring the operations of Shaw Tracking into the Omnitracs family as we further our mission to transform transportation by providing innovative solutions to our customers," said John Graham, chief executive officer, Omnitracs. "This acquisition is another key step in expanding our global footprint in the technology transportation industry, thereby providing these critical solutions to the ever expanding transportation industry." Shaw Tracking has been the exclusive Canadian distributor of Omnitracs fleet management solutions for over 25 years, helping to increase efficiency and reliability for customers. The company distributes a wide-range of world-class solutions, including GPS vehicle tracking products, fleet management software, and professional services for additional support. Shaw Tracking will be integrated into the Omnitracs solution portfolio, further expanding Omnitracs' customer base and reach into Canada. "The Canadian transportation market represents a sigificant and important opportunity for us," explained Mike Ham, general manager of Omnitracs, Canada. "Shaw Tracking is a well-respected brand among fleets throughout this country, with a rich 27-year history. As the Canadian market changes and government regulations unfold, the transportation industry will face some unique challenges requiring fleets across the country to evolve with new technologies. This acquisition puts Omnitracs at the forefront of responding to these changes within the Canadian market." "We deeply appreciate the service and contributions made by the people at Shaw Tracking and thank our customers for their loyalty and ongoing business. By going to a leader in the transportation and logistics industry, the operations of Shaw Tracking are well-positioned for future growth and investment," said Jay Mehr, president, Shaw Communications. "This transaction further reflects our commitment to our strategic initiative of becoming Canada's leading connectivity provider and our ongoing work to focus our operations around our core offerings." Every year, more than $650-billion in goods cross the U.S.-Canada border. With Omnitracs expanding its well-known presence into Canada, customers will benefit from direct access to Omnitracs' products while operating cross-border trade routes, utilizing notable customer support centers in both countries. "Through this acquisition, Omnitracs will be ready to further assist the Canadian market, and support fleet owners with the entire portfolio of platforms and applications," Ham concluded. "Whether it's ELDs or other productivity solutions, the combined organization now has even more knowledge and resources to help overcome management and operational obstacles throughout an entire load lifecycle." The actual legal entity acquiring Shaw Tracking is Turnpike Global Technologies Inc. (Ontario), a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of Omnitracs, LLC. About Shaw Communications Inc. Shaw Communications Inc. is an enhanced connectivity provider. Our Consumer division serves consumers with broadband Internet, Shaw Go WiFi (News - Alert), video and digital phone. Our Wireless division provides wireless voice and data services through an expanding and improving mobile wireless network infrastructure. The Business Network Services division provides business customers with Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, video and fleet tracking services. The Business Infrastructure Services division, through ViaWest, provides hybrid IT solutions including colocation, cloud computing and security and compliance for North American enterprises. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B, SJR.PR.A, SJR.PR.B, NYSE - SJR, and TSXV - SJR.A). For more information, please visit www.shaw.ca. About Omnitracs, LLC Omnitracs, LLC is a global pioneer of fleet management, routing and predictive analytics solutions for private and for-hire fleets. Omnitracs' more than 1,000 employees deliver software-as-a-service-based solutions to help more than 12,000 private and for-hire fleet customers manage nearly 1,100,000 mobile assets in more than 70 countries. The company pioneered the use of commercial vehicle telematics over 25 years ago and serves today as a powerhouse of innovative, intuitive technologies. Omnitracs transforms the transportation industry through technology and insight, featuring best-in-class solutions for compliance, safety and security, productivity, telematics and tracking, transportation management (TMS), planning and delivery, data and analytics, and professional services. For more information about Omnitracs XRS Platform, visit: www.omnitracs.com/platforms/xrs-platform. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006615/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 01, 2017] Nearly $4K in Grant Funds Replaced Rusted Pipes in Senior's Home Isolea Cranford used to fill up pans with warm water every day, which she would use to wash dishes and make food. Rusted pipes and leaks prevented the retired 63-year-old from using her bathroom and kitchen for an entire year. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006696/en/ Nearly $4,000 in Special Needs Assistance Program funds from FBT Bank and Mortgage and FHLB Dallas replaced Isolea Cranford's rusted pipes. (Photo: Business Wire) When she learned about the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) from a family member who had received it, she felt her prayers had been answered. SNAP grants assist income-qualified, special-needs homeowners with necessary home repairs and modifications. The grants are awarded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) through participating member institutions, such as FBT Bank and Mortgage. Living on disability, Ms. Cranford's fixed income wasn't enough to cover the repairs that her home desperately needed. She received $3,935 from FHLB Dallas and FBT Bank and Mortgage to repair the rusted pipes in her home, as well as a new sink and toilet in her restroom, which had been damaged by the leakig water. "I had to get it done because I couldn't live like that anymore," said Ms. Cranford. "I'm able to enjoy my house now." Three years ago, Ms. Cranford was hospitalized for nine days after being hit by a van while walking. She broke her pelvis in three places and now suffers from chronic pain. FBT Bank and Mortgage Vice President Scott Smith worked with Ms. Cranford on the SNAP application. He said the grant program allows seniors and disabled residents to get repairs for their homes they cannot otherwise afford. "Ms. Cranford has been through a lot and no one should have to live the way she did," said Mr. Smith. "Thanks to our partnership with FHLB Dallas, we're able to help Ms. Cranford live more comfortably in her home." Since SNAP's inception in 2009, more than $11.6 million has been awarded in grants through FHLB Dallas member institutions to assist more than 2,300 families across FHLB Dallas' five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. In 2016, FHLB Dallas awarded nearly $1 million in SNAP grants that assisted 205 families. The 2017 SNAP funding, made available in January on a first-come, first-served basis, has been exhausted. "SNAP not only improves the lives of local seniors, but is also a program that enables our members - many of which are community banks - to give back to the community," said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. To learn more about SNAP, visit fhlb.com/snap. About FBT Bank and Mortgage FBT Bank and Mortgage is a full service bank established in 1931. Now operating in five locations, FBT Bank and Mortgage is focused on the communities it serves, offering state-of-the-art products and services while delivering personalized attention to customers. To learn more, go to fbtbank.com. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $57.5 billion as of March 31, 2017, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community investment by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006696/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 01, 2017] City of Hope Physician-Scientist Markus Muschen, M.D., Ph.D., Named The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation Professorship in Pediatrics City of Hope's Markus Muschen, M.D., Ph.D., the founding chair of the Department of Systems Biology, has received The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation Professorship in Pediatrics. Muschen is the first City of Hope physician-scientist to serve as the Lee professor in pediatrics. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006702/en/ City of Hope's Markus Muschen, M.D., Ph.D., has been named The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation Professorship in Pediatrics. (Photo: Business Wire) "City of Hope is profoundly grateful for The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation's support of Dr. Muschen's quest to discover better treatments for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia," said Robert Stone, president and CEO of City of Hope. "This new professorship recognizes Dr. Muschen's exemplary accomplishments, unique vision and tireless dedication as he helps shape the future of cancer research through his groundbreaking pediatric oncology research." Muschen joined City of Hope in December 2016 to develop new approaches in treating pediatric leukemia for City of Hope, which has a strong track record in pioneering novel therapies for adult leukemia patients. His goal is to wipe out acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of cancer in children, by tapping into the strengths of computational biology for the discovery of better drugs for children with ALL. After medical training in Germany and France, Muschen completed his M.D. thesis in biochemistry (summa cum laude) in the laboratory of Helmut Sies and joined the laboratories of Ralf Kuppers and Klaus Rajewsky in Cologne and Janet D. Rowley in Chicago for postdoctoral training. In 2006, he was recruited to the United States to start his independent laboratory at the University of Southern California and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. In 2010, Muschen joined the faculty of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and was promoted to full professor and program leader o the Hematological Malignancies Program at the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center. He joined City of Hope as the inaugural chair of the Department of Systems Biology. Given his main research interest in diagnosis and prevention of childhood ALL relapse, Muschen was also appointed City of Hope's associate director of pediatric oncology. Muschen has been named a scholar of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a senior investigator of the Wellcome Trust at the University of Cambridge, and Sir Alexander Haddow Professor of the Institute for Cancer Research in London. He is currently a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Faculty Scholar. In 2015, at age 42, he was selected as the youngest recipient in the inaugural class of the National Cancer Institute "Outstanding Investigator Awards" (R35). His laboratory at City of Hope has also developed a multidiscipinary research program to study oncogenic signaling and clonal evolution in ALL, as well as a comprehensive research program that will predict relapse of ALL. "The generous support by The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation comes at a critical time as we launch the new Department of Systems Biology to leverage the power of genomic data and computational modeling towards curing childhood cancer," said Muschen. Established in 1978, The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation supports organizations focused on medical research and services, culture and the arts, and education. The foundation is named in honor of the late Norman and Sadie Lee, Los Angeles philanthropists who were longtime supporters of City of Hope. The couple also were instrumental in the visit by the Queen of England to the City of Hope campus in 1983, and Norman Lee was a member of the City of Hope board of directors and board of trustees. About City of Hope City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 48 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with community clinics throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, diabetes and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006702/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 01, 2017] Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Congressman Tony Cardenas Advocate for Protecting Children's Health Care Services Most 17-year-olds are not Cristian Mendoza. What weighs most heavily on his mind is not studying, college applications, relationships or other rites of adolescent self-expression. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006715/en/ (Left to right) Back row: Paul S. Viviano, CHLA president and CEO; Jennifer Page; Cristian Mendoza, patient; Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.). Front row: Evelyn Morales; Connie Morales, patient; Max Page, patient. (Photo: Children's Hospital Los Angeles) What keeps him up at night, he said, is health care reform. "I have been cancer free for three years," said Cristian, a leukemia survivor from Sylmar, Calif. "I always thought I can be taken care of, I have Medi-Cal, everything's going to be all right. But I'm here today because the new health care bill proposed recently really threatens a lot of people, not just myself." Cristian's family was one of several Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) patient families who joined CHLA President and CEO Paul S. Viviano and Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.) at the hospital on May 31. Safeguarding the health of American children Each voiced concerns over the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and the proposed federal budget, which would slash Medicaid by $800 billion over the next decade and could cause thousands of individuals to lose health coverage while increasing costs for millions more. In addition, the budget calls for cutting the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by at least 20 percent over the next two fiscal years, jeopardizing children reliant on federal and state assistance to cover medical care, including many CHLA patients. "At Children's Hospital Los Angeles, our goal is to treat everyone regardless of personal circumstance," Viviano said. "Our message is clear: The health and well-being of children throughout California and the nation is our highest priority and should be the highest priority of our nation. Access to health care coverage for children needs to be sustained." Medicaid and CHIP are a critical lifeline for more than 36 million American children. In California, that includes 6.8 million covered by Medi-Cal (California's name for Medicaid) and 2 million who access care through CHIP. "Forty-plus percent of the human beings in the United States of America that are doing well are doing well because of Medicaid," said Cardenas. "Those are your tax dolars, ladies and gentlemen, put to good use saving lives, providing doctors the opportunities to create miracles." "We are the faces of what this threatens." Jennifer Page, whose 12-year-old son Max has a congenital heart defect, experienced those opportunities firsthand this year. "I'll be honest, we're an upper-middle-class family, we have never qualified for Medicaid [though] we have always fought on behalf of it," said Page, who has private insurance. "Until this year. Until Jan. 6th, when my son was airlifted from Orange (News - Alert) County unexpectedly to L.A. so he could get here for an unexpected, aggressive treatment." Jennifer said the family had to move near the hospital while Max was admitted for 32 days. Though long-time advocates for children's health issues both in California and on Capitol Hill, the Pages found themselves in a situation "that would decimate any family," she said. "Your rainy day fund is depleted. And for the first time ever, our medical expenses exceeded 20 percent of our income and so we qualified for a supplemental insurance," said Jennifer. Max qualified for public assistance through California Children's Services, a largely Medi-Cal-funded program for families with children with severe chronic illnesses, such as cystic fibrosis, cancer and heart disease. "I never thought in a million years we'd need it, but that's how expensive this kind of elite care is. Max needed to be inpatient, with IV and antibiotics around the clock, and you don't plan for that." Connie Morales, 20, was born with a pre-existing condition called mitochondrial myopathy, a muscle disorder that has frozen her body, impaired her speech and compromised her ability to breathe on her own. Today, Connie is on the Dean's List at Whittier College, a remarkable feat made possible through the care she has received under Medi-Cal - care that she will need for the rest of her life, but care that may be prohibitively expensive under the AHCA. Added Cristian Mendoza: "This is something that's very real. We are the faces. Max, Connie, we are the faces of what this threatens. We're real people and we're not numbers. "Not only does it affect my health, but it also affects my education," Cristian said. "I want to become a pediatric oncologist and that's something that's very expensive to do. And if this health care bill is passed with the little money that my mom gives me and my dad [gives me] to pay for college - I'm going to have to take all that money to pay for the new health care. And what's left for college?" 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. You may also visit the institution's child health blog (CHLA.org/blog) or its research blog (ResearCHLABlog.org). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170601006715/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 01, 2017] Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone Launched the Fifth "Travelling in Europe" for Scientific and Technological Enterprises CHENGDU, China, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 1st, a delegation composed of representatives from more than 40 Chinese scientific and technological enterprises will leave from Chengdu, a city in western China, to Europe and start its cooperation and exchange in Spain, France and Russia. All the enterprise representatives participating in "Travelling in Europe" are from Chengdu Hi-tech Zone known as the "Silicon Valley in Western China" which is also the organizer of this activity spanning thousands of miles. During the activities, enterprises in Hi-tech Zone will communicate and exchange ideas on many projects respectively with local enterprises in Spain and Russia. 12 enterpises in Hi-tech Zone, Chengdu will also take part in the first training for innovation & entrepreneurship tutor plan of Sino-French Sister Park in Nice, France; and in the course of "Travelling in Europe" activity last year, Chengdu Hi-tech Zone and Sophia Antipolis signed the "Cooperation Agreement of Sister Park". In addition, Chengdu Hi-tech Zone, together with the Spanish province of Catalunya, will hold the Sino-Spanish investment trade cooperation forum, and also discuss with CDTI on how to play an important role in the "CHINEKA" project to promote innovation and cooperation of middle and small enterprises both in China and Spain. Chengdu "Jingronghui - Entrepreneurship Tianfu" activity will also be held in Russia's Scolkovo Technology Park. Chengdu Hi-tech Zone will sign an agreement with Russia's Scolkovo Foundation for the purpose of enhancing the cooperation between both parties in innovation & entrepreneurship field. As the first national independent innovation demonstration area in western China, Chengdu Hi-tech Zone is responding to the "Belt and Road" initiative in depth. While the "Belt and Road" Forum for International Cooperation was convened, the first Chinese-European Comprehensive Cooperation & Service Platform - "Sino-European Center" was started in Hi-tech Zone, Chengdu, and was confirmed as the permanent venue of China-Europe Investment, Trade and Technology Cooperation Symposium. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] SkyPixel and DJI Launch the 2017 Aerial Video Contest A New Way of Storytelling That Allows People to Explore the World Like Never Before SHENZHEN, China, June 2, 2017 /CNW/ -- SkyPixel, the world's most popular aerial photography community run in cooperation with DJI, on Friday kicked off its first aerial video contest of the year. The 2017 SkyPixel Video Contest runs from June 2 to August 2 and welcomes all drone users to submit their vision of the world in video format to any of three categories: Nature, City, or Sport. This contest is open to participants from around the world, whether you are a new drone user, a professional videographer, or someone just wanting to showcase their creativity from above. "Since its inception in 2014, SkyPixel has become the largest community for aerial enthusiasts and photographers from around the world. We now have over four million users worldwide using this platform as a way to share their perspective of the world and inspire others with this fantastic new art form," said Danny Zheng, DJI Vice President of Marketing. "This art form is very much about storytelling and allows people to see or experience something different or otherwise out of reach. With this video contest, we hope it will expand creative possibilities even further and allow people to explore the world like never before." Participants can submit their work in any one of the following categories: Nature: Tell us a story with landscape shots, revealing the deep secrets of Mother Nature from above. Tell us a story with landscape shots, revealing the deep secrets of Mother Nature from above. City: Capture the character of your city's transformation or show us places we know and love, but from a brand new perspective. Capture the character of your city's transformation or show us places we know and love, but from a brand new perspective. Sport: Capture the energy and excitement behind a sport or an athlete pursuing their dreams. Videos captured from any type of aerial platform are welcome. Submissions should not be longer than five minutes and should include at least 30 seconds of aerial footage. One Grand Prize winner will be selected out of all the entries. The winner will receive a DJI Inspire 2 Premium Combo, Nikon D750 Body + 24-70 mm VR 2.8 Lens, Suunto Spartan Ultra Copper Special Edition (HR) Watch, LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3 Hard Drive, an Oakley Latch Prizm Sunglasses, and a Tourism Australia Travel Package. Other prizes include the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, DJI Mavic Pro Fly More Combo, and DJI Spark, among others. SkyPixel will also give out a People's Choice Prize to the top ten most liked videos (cut-off time for voting is August 2, 14:00). Winners will receive a DJI Osmo Mobile, LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C Hard Drive, Suunto Traverse Alpha Black Watch, and an Oakley Latch Prizm Sunglasses. The 2017 SkyPixel Video Contest is hosted by DJI, and is sponsored by Nikon, Adidas, and Raffles City. Several renowned videographers and influencers will act as judges and decide the contest's winners. Phil Pastuhov - Aerial Director of Photography whose credits include the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Godzilla, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Aerial Director of Photography whose credits include the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Godzilla, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Ning Hao - Director and screenwriter of several Chinese blockbusters. His breakout film Crazy Stone (2006) earned a Golden Horse Award for Best Original Screenplay. Award for Best Original Screenplay. Ryan Hosking - The youngest feature film Aerial Director of Photography. Ryan's film credits include The Revenant, American Sniper, The Nice Guys, and CHiPs. Filipe DeAndrade - 10-time Emmy award-winning Director of Photography, wildlife ambassador for National Geographic, and Nat Geo WILD Robin Mahieux - Robin has worked on creative projects for Chanel, Redbull, Sony, AIA, Cartier , Air China, Porsche, and Jaguar , Air China, Porsche, and Jaguar David Etienne - TV producer, director, pilot, and commercial drone pilot Andy Best - Renowned photographer and filmmaker Josh Raab - Multimedia Editor at TIME and professor at the International Center of Photography Brad Rickman - Digital Director for Conde Nast Traveler Contest Details Contest Start Date: June 2 2017, 14:00 CST Contest Deadline: August 2 2017, 14:00 CST Award Announcement: August 31, 2017 CST For more info about the contest and how to enter, visit: https://www.skypixel.com/events/videocontest2017 About SkyPixel SkyPixel was founded in 2014 and has become a leading global community for aerial photographers and videographers. The platform has over four million registered users and hosts thousands of aerial images and videos uploaded daily by users from around the world. Leading works have received over 1 million views. The world's largest aerial photography contest was hosted by SkyPixel in 2016, with over 27,000 entries received from 131 countries. In addition, SkyPixel also promotes the growth of the aerial community, with an educational section featuring key aerial imaging experts who provide tips on how to produce the best aerial photography. www.skypixel.com About DJI DJI is a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative drone and camera technology for commercial and recreational use. DJI was founded and is run by people with a passion for remote-controlled helicopters and experts in flight-control technology and camera stabilization. The company is dedicated to making aerial photography and filmmaking equipment and platforms more accessible, reliable and easier to use for creators and innovators around the world. DJI's global operations currently span across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, and its revolutionary products and solutions have been chosen by customers in over 100 countries for applications in filmmaking, construction, emergency response, agriculture, conservation and many other industries. For more information, visit our: Website: www.dji.com DJI Store: store.dji.com/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/DJI Instagram: www.instagram.com/DJIGlobal Twitter: www.twitter.com/DJIGlobal Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/djiinnovations For more information please contact: [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skypixel-and-dji-launch-the-2017-aerial-video-contest-300467737.html SOURCE DJI [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The ACB of Delhi has questioned officials of the central procurement agency over purchase of medicines by the Kerjiwal government. Sacked Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra has alleged that a Rs 300 scam took place in procurement of medicines under the Kejriwal government. By Ram Kinkar Singh: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Delhi questioned the officials of central procurement agency in connection with what is being called as drug scam after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kapil Mishra leveled allegations of irregularities. The ACB is probing whether bulk purchases of medicines were done without following the laid down guidelines. Kapil Mishra, who was sacked as Delhi Minister recently, has alleged that the Arvind Kejriwal government made bulk procurement of medicines that had their expiry dates. Kapil Mishra alleged that the Kejriwal government effected a scam of Rs 300 crore. advertisement The ACB also searched three warehouses of the central procurement agency yesterday. The ACB seized documents pertaining to procurement of medicines. Kapil Mishra alleged that despite medicines of Rs 300 crore having been purchased by the Health Ministry, there is shortage of medicines in the hospitals. Kapil Mishra also alleged that the Health Ministry procured ambulances at Rs 23 lakh each while the Tata was ready to deliver it at Rs 8 lakh apiece. Kapil Mishra also claimed that the Kejriwal government said that the new ambulances were fire-proof while explaining why the cheaper ones were not purchased. But, four of the ambulances got burnt down before those could be put to fire test, alleged Kapil Mishra. Incidentally, in a related development Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought explanation from Delhi chief secretary over delay in payments to drug suppliers. He also expressed his anguish over the matter on twitter. ALSO READ | Kapil Mishra assaulted inside Delhi Assembly by AAP MLAs; on Kejriwal's order, alleges ex-minister ALSO WATCH | AAP vs AAP: Kapil Mishra assaulted by party MLAs inside Delhi Assembly --- ENDS --- [June 02, 2017] Philips showcases oncology informatics solutions to deliver actionable insights for enhanced clinical decision support at ASCO 2017 AMSTERDAM and CHICAGO, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced the debut of IntelliSpace Oncology, a new cloud-based oncology decision-support solution that offers seamless data integration across specialties and locations, data-driven decision making, and tools for proactive patient involvement1. Available through a single-view dashboard, these capabilities provide actionable insights for patient-centric care, while also empowering patients and their families to make the best possible choices during the care journey. Philips chose the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting (ASCO) in Chicago, Ill. (US), which brings together more than 30,000 oncology professionals from around the world to discuss state-of-the-art treatment modalities, for the debut of IntelliSpace Oncology. Also showcasing at the meeting is the company's full suite of integrated oncology informatics solutions, including Philips IntelliSpace Genomics, an integrated precision medicine platform with advanced analytics capabilities, genomics-informed clinical decision support and clinical trial matching tools to support the implementation and scaling of informatics-heavy care. Philips portfolio of oncology informatics solutions also includes IntelliSite Pathology, the first digital pathology solution to be cleared for primary diagnostic use in the U.S. Bringing together key patient and medical data in one location Oncology is a complex medical domain, in which multiple disciplines must collaborate in order to reach accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. Unfortunately, information is frequently lost in communications between specialties and care networks, which can lead to critical information being missed. The IntelliSpace Oncology decision-support solution seamlessly incorporates all key patient and medical data in one location, to provide a clear, intuitive view of patient status that facilitates data-driven clinical decision support. It also offers tools such as patient group analysis and predictive analytics on current and historical data and helps to provide multi-disciplinary oncology care teams with relevant patient information to enhance team-wide collaboration, communication and adherence to clinical guidelines. Proactively keeping patients involved IntelliSpace Oncology also offers powerful data mining and analytics capabilities that integrate a hospital's cancer patient records. This offers clinicians an extensive patient database, enabling them to compare their patients' data with that of other patients who have similar characteristcs in order to gain data-driven insights into treatment choices and the effects those choices have on patients' quality of life. Patients need to make many difficult choices about their treatment path and care, so having the ability to view all the relevant data is key to helping them make solid decisions along with their doctor. Via this capability, IntelliSpace Oncology enables deeper patient involvement through personalized educational materials, access to status dashboards, patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction surveys, along with family and care giver support. Optimization of guideline adherence by 12 percent Philips IntelliSpace Oncology has been developed with the support of oncology experts at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) in the Netherlands. Philips and LUMC are collaborating in an ongoing pilot study to test the use of IntelliSpace Oncology in colorectal cancer tumor boards, evaluating the impact on workflow efficiency and quality of personalized treatment decisions. During the pilot program, approximately half the doctors using the solution stated that it shortened the time spent reviewing each patient case. The program also showed further optimization of guideline adherence by 12 percent. "It remains a real challenge to bring all the necessary information together in order to get a complete picture of the patient and make a good decision. Typically, the information is there but it's not organized in a way that supports us during the decision making process," says oncology surgeon Bert Bonsing, MD, PhD, of the Leiden University Medical Center. "New technologies can help us optimize how we work together as a team of specialists with the aim of giving the patient a therapy that's as personalized as possible." "Philips is committed to collaborating with key thought leaders in oncology to develop innovative digital solutions that offer connected care and more personalized treatment for cancer patients," said Yair Briman, Business Leader, Healthcare Informatics, Philips. "The introduction of IntelliSpace Oncology, based on our joint efforts with LUMC, helps to address the real challenges oncology practitioners are facing today, ultimately driving confident diagnosis through a holistic, patient-centric approach to cancer care." Philips teams up with Navican and MSK on precision medicine Prior to ASCO Philips announced it is teaming up with Navican, an Intermountain Healthcare Company, to accelerate the delivery of precision medicine to health Systems worldwide. The companies will work together on a new "turnkey" approach to precision medicine that seeks to deliver Intermountain's best practices into a streamlined service to be integrated at the point of care. Next to this, Philips signed an agreement with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer center. Both organizations will work together to develop new methodologies and informatics approaches2 for advanced precision diagnostics to help uncover the drivers for cancer at single-cell level. The results of the collaboration will be made available as research applications via the Philips platform to further strengthen next-generation genomic sequencing data methods, analysis and cancer research. For more information on the full portfolio of Philips oncology solutions and Philips' presence at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, visit Booth #5107 on the exhibit floor, and follow @PhilipsLiveFrom for #ASCO17 updates throughout the event. For further information, please contact: Kathy O'Reilly Philips Group Press Office Tel: +1 978-221-8919 E-mail: [email protected] Twitter: @kathyoreilly Joost Maltha Philips Group Press Office Tel.: +31 6 10 55 8116 E-mail: [email protected] Twitter: @JoostMaltha About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 70,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. 1 Work in Progress. IntelliSpace Oncology is expected to be commercially available Q4 2017. 2 For Research use only and cannot be used for patient diagnosis or treatment selection To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/philips-showcases-oncology-informatics-solutions-to-deliver-actionable-insights-for-enhanced-clinical-decision-support-at-asco-2017-300467736.html SOURCE Royal Philips [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] World Community Grid Taps IBM Cloud to Help Accelerate Research into Global Humanitarian Challenges ARMONK, N.Y., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that World Community Grid, an IBM philanthropic initiative which allows anyone with a computer or Android device to contribute to scientific discovery, has migrated to IBM Cloud as it continues to grow and further its mission to support cutting-edge research into important global humanitarian issues. World Community Grid has adopted IBM Cloud for 100 percent of its infrastructure, including the infrastructure that prepares the researchers' data sets, distributes tasks to volunteer devices, validates and aggregates the results and returns the data to the researchers. This system manages the workflow of the approximately 2.5 million virtual experiments performed by World Community Grid volunteers every day from more than 3.4 million devices. Launched in 2004, World Community Grid creates a virtual supercomputer by leveraging unused computing power contributed by volunteers around the world to accelerate health and sustainability research. Volunteers participate in World Community Grid by downloading and installing a free software program on their computer or Android devices. With the software, a volunteer's device performs calculations and virtual experiments on behalf of researchers, making use of its compute power while it would be otherwise idle. The results are then transmitted back to researchers, where they are analyzed and used to accelerate research into pressing global challenges such a childhood cancer, Zika, HIV/AIDS, solar energy and clean water access. Prior to migrating to IBM Cloud, World Community Grid was hosted at a traditional data center. This infrastructure is responsible for dividing up research tasks among volunteer devices and then validating and assembling results for scientists as they are completed and returned by World Community Grid volunteers. World Community Grid wanted a more flexible hosting environment that allowed it to scale more easily. World Community Grid will benefit from IBM Cloud's global footprint of more than 55 data centers across 19 countries and dedicated network to improve speed and performance for volunteers around the world. As part of the migration, World Community Grid has also adopted DevOps best practices and deployed IBM and open source automation tools such as IBM UrbanCode Deploy, which will allow it to more efficiently perform website updates, technical upgrades and monitor for system issues. "World Community Grid makes it possible for computationally intensive research projects that would have taken years to be completed in weeks or months, and faster results means benefits are delivered sooner to patients and communities around the world," said Jennifer Ryan Crozier, IBM Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and President of the IBM International Foundation. "By moving to IBM Cloud, World Community Grid is poised for years of growth and will leverage automation tools to make our development and deployment processes more efficient." Since its founding, World Community Grid has supported 28 research projects in critical areas including cancer, HIV/AIDS, Zika and Ebola viruses, genetic mapping, sustainable energy, clean water and ecosystem preservation. To date, World Community Grid has connected researchers to one half billion U.S. dollars' worth of free supercomputing power. More than 730,000 individuals and 440 institutions from 80 countries have donated more than one million years of computing time on more than three million desktops, laptops and Android mobile devices since 2004. Volunteer participation has helped researchers to identify potential treatments for childhood cancer, more efficient solar cells and more efficient water filtration. To learn more about World Community Grid and volunteer to contribute your unused computing power, please visit: https://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/ To learn more about IBM Cloud, please visit: https://www.ibm.com/cloud-computing/ Media Contacts: Sarah Murphy IBM Media Relations [email protected] 202-551-9396 Ari Fishkind IBM Media Relations [email protected] 914-499-6420 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-community-grid-taps-ibm-cloud-to-help-accelerate-research-into-global-humanitarian-challenges-300467791.html SOURCE IBM [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] YouCam Makeup Retail Consultations Adopted at Fruit Gathering's New Tokyo Ginza Store Perfect Corp. announces YouCam Makeup's consultation mode will be available at Fruit Gathering's new Ginza store starting June 15th, 2017. The new store includes a "Virtual Makeup Studio" in which customers try true-to-life makeovers using YouCam Makeup's augmented reality (AR) technology. YouCam's consultation mode displays products available on the shelf at Fruit Gathering, so customers can easily explore and create their own makeup and then buy the products directly in-store. Clients can also use the magic makeup mirror to try Fruit Gathering's recommended base makeup method* called the contour "3D Base." This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005248/en/ Japanese beauty chain adopts world-leading AR makeup technology for interactive shopping experience at the new GINZA INZ store. (Graphic: Business Wire) "We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Fruit Gathering that creates a new shopping experience through virtual makeup try outs," said Alice Chang, CEO of Perfect Corp. "The Virtual Makeup Studio at Fruit Gathering will allow customers to try on variety of makeup in seconds to find their ideal products more easily. We believe that true-to-life AR technology is the ultimate key to improving customer satisfaction in stores." "F.G.J Co. Ltd. is honored to partner with Perfect Corp. Japan in bringing this innovative and unique shopping experience to our customers," explains Syuichi Matsushita, CEO F.G.J Co. Ltd. "We at the Ginza INZ store, are increasingly striving to reach a younger generation of customers. We hope our customers will love the cross-branded makeup experience both virtually and in-store." *Fruit Gathering's Makeup Method is based on the method developed by GIMA (Good Impression Makeup Association Japan), represented by Reiko Nagashima. Fruit Gathering's techniques create beauty looks that emphasize the natural bone structure to create the perfect beauty look. This method creates a timeless vision and is sure to leave a lasting impression at first sight. Starting with a neutral makeup base, customers can experience "quick", "brand mix", and "retouch" makeup looks. A combination of 36 types of facial recognition allows for an instant impression that gives the ultimate control over the makeup. Consultation Mode Consultation Mode is YouCam Makeup's customized function developed for cosmetic brands to use in-store for a unique O2O beauty experience. Now Consultation Mode is available worldwide. In Japan, more than 10 brands are already using Consultation Mode in stores. For further information on Consultation Mode please contact: [email protected] YouCam Makeup is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play store. About Perfect Corp. With over 400 Million downloads globally, Perfect Corporation is dedicated to transforming how consumers, content creators and beauty brands interact together. Our experienced team of engineers and beauty aficionados are pushing the frontiers of technology to create the beauty platform of the future - a fluid environment where individuals express themselves, learn the latest about fashion and beauty, and enjoy instant access to the products from their favorite brands. Further information about Perfect Corp. can be found at www.perfectcorp.com About Fruit Gathering Store: Fruit Gathering GINZA INZ Grand Opens: Thursday 15th June 2017 Opening Hours: (Mon~Sat) 10:30~21:00 (SunPublic Holiday) 10:30~20:00 Address: ?104-0061 1-3 Ginza Nishi, Chuoku, Tokyo GINZA INZ 1, Petit Petit Marche View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005248/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] SyndiCrowd Launch: Auto, Real Estate & Consumer Loan Pools Offer Investors High Returns; Borrowers Gain Access to Capital NEW YORK, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SyndiCrowd (www.SyndiCrowd.com), an online crowd-funding platform for alternative investments, has launched. SyndiCrowd provides an online marketplace where subprime borrowers with asset-based loan pools can connect with private investors looking for the higher returns and lower risks available from investing in diversified loan pools. SyndiCrowd's peer-to-peer site is designed to serve the rising needs of both yield-hungry private investors and subprime debt borrowers. Accredited individual investors and smaller institutions now have the opportunity to invest in diversified auto, real estate or consumer loan pools, investment opportunities that were often limited to larger institutions in the past. Subprime borrowers can use www.SyndiCrowd.com to sell asset-based loans to these investors, freeing up capital to make new loans. SyndiCrowd co-founder and CEO, Yury Vasilyev, has more than 20 years of experience as a financial entrepreneur, lawyer and economist in the United Kingdom, Israel and Russia. Co-founder and CFO, Oleg Ermolin, is a former CFO andinvestment management professional and entrepreneur with experience in numerous early stage Fin-Tech projects. "We offer an entirely new model that minimizes the risks for prospective investors," notes Vasilyev. "We provide investors with a pool of asset-based loan products, which decreases the investment risks per se. The chances of overall pool default are extremely low." SyndiCrowd's experienced team conducts a thorough screening of borrowers and provides an extensive risk assessment of the loan underwriting process. Loans are doubly secured by both the underlying collateral (real estate and vehicle loans, for example) and the borrowing company's guarantee. Igor Postelnik, head of Risk Assessment at SyndiCrowd, is an accomplished risk manager with decades of experience in market, credit, and operational risk management and regulatory reporting for financial service firms such as Fidelity, JP Morgan and BNP Paribas. According to CEO Vasilyev, the U.S.A. has the largest subprime market in the world, with the subprime auto loan market alone having an estimated value of $60 billion per year. High rates of return in these subprime markets have attracted banks, hedge funds and institutional investors from around the world. The SyndiCrowd platform now allows private investors and smaller institutions to tap into these enormous markets, providing opportunities previously reserved for larger hedge funds and institutional investors. "The real estate, auto and consumer loans markets have been largely inaccessible to private investors," according to Vasilyev, SyndiCrowd's Founder and CEO. "With 8- 20% average rates of return, private investors would obviously like to participate. SyndiCrowd can now help them to access these markets." Media contact: Diana Friling [email protected] 888-705-0114 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/syndicrowd-launch-auto-real-estate--consumer-loan-pools-offer-investors-high-returns-borrowers-gain-access-to-capital-300467706.html SOURCE SyndiCrowd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] EMS Find Provides the Corporate and Financial Update PHILADELPHIA, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EMS Find, Inc. (OTC QB: EMSF) is pleased to announce that the Company has decided to change the corporate name to Integrated Ventures, Inc., consistent with recently updated Business Plan to expand its operations into different sectors through a Holding Company Structure and not to change its name as previously announced in March, 2017. On 6/1/2017, the Company filed all required documents with the Nevada Secretary of State to change its corporate name to Integrated Ventures, Inc. This re-branding initiative follows the Company's recent strategic shift to becoming a holding company. Steve Rubakh, CEO, adds: "We believe that the new name is better geared to reflect the firm's new business strategy and operational philosophy and will clearly broadcast forward looking multi-sector investment focus targeting an early-stage, growth-stage and revenue-stage opportunities in healthcare, technology, transportation and distribution of consumer products." In addition, the Company is pleased to file its 10Q and report the following Financial Milestones: Reduced total current liabilities by $540,601 , primarily due to a decrease in Derivative Liability. , primarily due to a decrease in Derivative Liability. Reported the positive change in the fair value of the total Derivative Liability of $929,850 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $2,087,579 for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 . These audited financial results are reflecting data for the three (3) months and nine (9) months ended March 31, 2017. An additional convertible debt reduction has occurred after March 31, 2017 03/31/2017 and will be reported in the next quarter with cash infusion from the conversion of an outstanding promissory note. In addition, the Company have completed review of a number of potential deals that could generate a revenue stream with a significant upside. As a result of the due diligence, the Company has identified four (4) M&A opportunities and plans to engage the services of an Investment Banking Firm to assist with these transactions. The Company anticipates to report a significant progress, including signing a Funding Term Sheet, with these initiatives over the next 30 days. The corporate website has moved to www.integratedventuresinc.com and has been updated to include the latest corporate updates and share structure. About EMS Find, Inc.: The Company develops and markets B2B & B2C on-demand mobile platform, designed to connect health care providers and consumers to a network of medical transport companies throughout the United States, on the internet and smart devices through mobile applications. The Company has recently decided to change its corporate name to Integrated Ventures, Inc. and to expand its business operations to acquisitions of or partnering with revenue generating companies, primarily in the healthcare, e-commerce, mobile technologies, transportation and consumer goods markets that have a seasoned management team, solid operating histories, minimum debt, high growth potential and tangible assets, designed to mitigate investor risk. The Company intends to work with these companies to finance and expand their operations with growth capital. Forward Looking Statements: Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information 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, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipate" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, description of anyone's past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of success. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the Company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof. See EMS Find, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which identify specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ems-find-provides-the-corporate-and-financial-update-300467820.html SOURCE EMS Find, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] INVESTOR ALERT: Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Commences Investigation on Behalf of Rackspace Hosting, Inc. Investors Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf of Rackspace (News - Alert) Hosting, Inc. ("Rackspace" or the "Company") (NYSE: RAX) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. The investigation concerns whether Rackspace concealed the impending loss of an important contract with Vodafone (News - Alert), and whether the Company published misleading revenue guidance in 2015. Revelations surrounding the contract loss and guidance revisios caused multiple stock price declines in May and August of 2015, thereby injuring investors. If you purchased Rackspace securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005170/en/ [June 02, 2017] First Extendable, Ultra-Fast USB Charger, MoonZoom Charger Launches on Kickstarter TORONTO, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, MoonZoom Charger launches on crowd-funding site Kickstarter. Starting at CA$34 for the early bird special, MoonZoom Charger is the first extendable, ultra-fast USB charger, enabling charging of phones or tablets 9 feet to 60 feet away from a power outlet the longest of any charger on the market. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/moonzoomcharger/moonzoom-the-usb-charger-with-reach https://www.moonzoomcharger.com/ The MoonZoom Charger solves the problem of short charging cables. Standard cables are only 3 feet (1 meter) long, which is often too short. Longer cables can go to 6 feet or 9 feet, but don't charge very well. TheMoonZoom is an intelligent charger that provides the maximum power a tablet or phone can handle over cable lengths up to 60 feet. Moonwalk Labs' Adam Winnicki says, "We got tired of being tethered to a wall outlet by the standard 3-foot charging cable. With the MoonZoom, you can walk all around the house while still charging your tablet or phone. It's also great for businesses that need to provide USB power in difficult-to-reach locations." MoonZoom can charge smartphones (iOS, Andriod, Windows), tablets, Bluetooth devices, POS Stations, digital cameras, battery packs, game controllers, and more. MoonZoom Charger components: ZoomPLUG - wall charger with locking 9-foot (2.74-meter) cable ZoomBASE - USB charger module Xtend 6 Cable - locking 6-foot (1.83-meter) extension cable Xtend 15 Cable - locking 15-foot (4.57-meter) extension cable Visit the MoonZoom Charger Kickstarter page to pre-order the charger, and learn more about the product that is making it easier to charge our devices. Contacts: Adam Winnicki [email protected] +1 (905) 702-0333 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-extendable-ultra-fast-usb-charger-moonzoom-charger-launches-on-kickstarter-300467949.html SOURCE Moonwalk Labs [June 02, 2017] Celebrating Canada 150: Siemens donates 300 computers to schools at home and abroad Computers refurbished by more than 60 volunteers at Oakville head office World Vision to distribute computers to schools in Costa Rica and Nicaragua OAKVILLE, ON, June 2, 2017 /CNW/ - In honour of Canada's 150th anniversary, Siemens Canada is helping students across the country and in developing nations gain greater access to technology by donating 150 laptops for distribution to five Canadian schools, as well as 150 laptops to educational initiatives in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The decommissioned corporate computers will be refurbished by more than 60 volunteers at a weekend workshop led by Corporations For Community Connections (CFCC), a registered Canadian charity founded by Siemens employees. Canadian schools receiving the donation of 150 laptops via CFCC are Garth Webb Secondary School (ON), Mark R. Isfeld Secondary (BC), Queen Elizabeth Regional High School (NL), Leamington District Secondary School (ON) and Helen Betty Osborne Ininiw Education Resource Centre (MB). They will each receive 30 Dell computers preloaded with design software donated by Siemens Canada. "Partnering with companies like Siemens has given new life to valuable hardware, and previously unimaginable opportunities to thousands of people in need. CFCC's socially and environmentally responsible program promotes universal access to technology," said CCFC Co-founder Philip Schaus. World Vision Canada will also facilitate distribution of 150 computers to the Central American nations of Costa Rica and Nicaragua where they will beused to support education programs such as computer labs, after school training programs and tutoring. "When children have access to laptops, learning software and teachers trained to use technology in the classroom, they significantly improve their literacy, numeracy and critical thinking skills. Just being exposed to a laptop, without any intentional literacy teaching, can improve a child's literacy level by 10%," Nancy Del Col, Education Technical Specialist, World Vision Canada. Over the last six years, Siemens has partnered with CFCC to donate and refurbish 2,056 computers and supported over 50 charitable organizations and schools, serving more than 28,000 people. More than 400 Siemens Canada employees have volunteered more than 3,000 hours participating in the workshops. The refurbishment process includes secure removal of all data from hard drives, as well as physical cleaning, installation of licensed software and testing. "Today's students are tomorrow's leaders and those who will shape Canada's next 150 years," explains Richard Brait, General Counsel for Siemens Canada and the Executive sponsor of this laptop donation initiative. "In order to innovate these young people need access to technology and we're thankful to help make this possible and to support the valuable work of Corporations for Community Connections and World Vision Canada here at home and abroad." About Siemens Canada Siemens Canada is a leading technology partner that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality and reliability for more than 100 years. Siemens' expertise in the fields of electrification, automation and digitalization helps make real what matters to Canada, delivering solutions for sustainable energy, intelligent infrastructure, healthcare and the future of manufacturing. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a foremost supplier of power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment and laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. The company has approximately 5,000 employees, 44 offices and 15 production facilities from coast-to-coast. Sales for Siemens Canada in fiscal 2016 (ended September 30), were $3.1 billion CAD. Further information is available at http://www.siemens.ca About Corporations for Community Connections, Inc. Founded in 2010, Corporations For Community Connections, Inc. (CFCC) is a registered charity whose purpose is to refurbish decommissioned corporate computers for donation. To date, CFCC has refurbished 2,056 computers for donation to 50 charitable organizations and schools serving over 28,000 people. CFCC encourages corporations to adopt refurbishment as a cost effective, socially and environmentally responsible disposal alternative for computers. Website: http://c4cc.ca/ SOURCE Siemens Canada Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] Top 3 Trends Impacting the Global Orthodontic Services Market Through 2021: Technavio Technavio's latest market research report on the global orthodontic services market provides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook from 2017-2021. Technavio defines an emerging trend as a factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005423/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global orthodontic services market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) Srinivas Sashidhar, a lead analyst from Technavio, specializing in research on orthopedics and medical devices sector, says, "The orthodontic services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 13% during the forecast period owing to the development of newer technologies, less time-consuming procedures, and increasing incidence of oral health problems." 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. The top three emerging market trends driving the global orthodontic services market according to Technavio research analysts are: Collaboration with the leading insurance providers to reduce the service cost Usage of advanced robotic technology via dental imaging Nanoparticles to develop next-generation invisible orthodontic braces Collaboration with the leading insurance proiders to reduce the service cost Dental cover has been a cause of concern for most of the individuals. The dental care giants are collaborating with leading insurance providers to aid the reduction in the dental service cost. Some of the leading dental insurance providers are eHealth, Delta Dental, MetLife, and Cigna. Different medical covers are being provided to the pediatric and adult population in most of the countries. In the US, the public coverage such as Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is provided to the pediatric population. The joint venture between the dental care centers and insurance companies will generate better revenue for the dental healthcare industry, as it would encourage dental hygiene and regular assessments. "The proposed dental collaboration with insurance providers would help in cost-cutting on the dental services without putting much pressure on the patients as well as dental professionals," says Srinivas. Usage of advanced robotic technology via dental imaging Conventional technologies are being replaced by advanced robotic technology which aims at reducing the time taken and pain caused by the treatment. Robotic technology in dentistry has been applied for inlays and onlays, crowns and bridges, and dental implants. Robotic technology enables painless treatment with several other added benefits such as speedy recovery, accuracy, and conservative tooth grinding. The use and demand for robotic technology is likely to make it among the key market drivers for global orthodontic services during the forecast period. Nanoparticles to develop next-generation invisible orthodontic braces Researchers are using nanoparticles to develop next-generation invisible orthodontics. For instance, researchers in the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain, have developed nanoparticles for developing invisible orthodontic braces. These particles help to increase the mechanical and friction resistance and to maintain the transparency of the invisible orthodontic braces. Similarly, in November 2012, Euro Ortodoncia, a Spain-based orthodontic materials manufacturer, collaborated with the researchers at the University to develop nanotechnology-based invisible orthodontic braces that can help to reduce the friction between the teeth and braces and provide additional comfort to the people using them. Browse Related Reports: Global Orthopedic Prosthetics Market 2017-2021 Global Blood and Fluid Warming Devices Market 2017-2021 Global Dental Fittings 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 medical imaging, oncology, and vaccines. This subscription nets you thousands in savings, while staying connected to Technavio's constant transforming research library, helping you make informed business decisions more efficiently. About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies. Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005423/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Buzz has it that Kareena Kapoor Khan might soon sign her first film in biopic genre. By India Today Web Desk: After the success of Mary Kom and Sarabjit, filmmaker Omung Kumar has yet another biopic on his mind. After roping in Priyanka Chopra and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for his films, the director has now set his mind on Kareena Kapoor Khan. According to a report in DNA, Omung has approached Kareena for a film which is said to be a biopic. advertisement The 36-year-old actor, who has not signed any films post her pregnancy, is set to get back on the sets. Apart from Rhea Kapoor's Veere Di Wedding, Kareena has not signed any film. But if things go well, she will soon make her debut in the biopic genre. A source was quoted as telling the daily, "Omung has wanted to work with Kareena for quite some time and he has finally found the right script for her. It's a biopic and the actress and filmmaker will soon sit for a round of narrations. Then Bebo will take a call on the film." This is for the first time that Kareena will be seen in a biopic, and this piece of news has already got her fans excited. Apart from this, the Jab We Met actor will soon begin shooting for Veere Di Wedding along with Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhaskar. ALSO READ: These photos of Taimur with mom Kareena at Laksshya's birthday bash are too cute to miss ALSO READ: Did you know why Kareena Kapoor Khan skipped Karan Johar's birthday bash? ALSO WATCH: Saif and Kareena become proud parents to a baby boy, Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi --- ENDS --- [June 02, 2017] Thomas Jefferson University Researchers Recommend Negative Pressure Therapy Use for Groin Incisions Following Independent Study New independent data from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia demonstrates the use of negative pressure therapy using PREVENA Incision Management System may reduce the rate of major wound complications and associated costs following vascular groin surgery in high-risk patients. The results were presented at the 2017 Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Meeting, held May 31 - June 3 in San Diego. "There is a risk of complication following any procedure that involves an incision, but the risks are even higher with groin incisions. Morbidity related to groin wounds leads to significant increases in length of stay, need for re-operation, re-admission, and even limb loss," said Paul DiMuzio, M.D., FACS, lead investigator, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. "The study results indicate that negative pressure therapy over the closed incision significantly decreases the rates of these complications in patients at high risk, and further reduces associated health care costs well beyond the cost of the therapy." Dr. DiMuzio and a team of independent researchers conducted a randomized controlled, prospective, single-institution study at Thomas Jefferson University, evaluating 140 closed femoral incisions treated with the PREVENA Incision Management System versus standard gauze dressings, following elective vascular surgery. In the high-risk incision cohort, study results found that the PREVENA Incision Management System significantly reduced: major wound complications (8.5% PREVENA Therapy Group vs. 21.7% Control Group; p <0.001) <0.001) reoperation (8.5% PREVENA Therapy Group vs. 18.3% Control Group; p <0.05) and <0.05) and readmission (6.8% PREVENA Therapy Group vs.16.7% Control Group; p<0.04) Complicatins from surgical site infections (SSIs) may lead to reoperation and re-admittance significantly impacting health care costs. SSIs remain a significant burden for patients and the healthcare system, as they are associated with productivity loss, extended hospital stays, increased health care provider visits and greater financial costs.i,ii "This groundbreaking work adds to the growing body of clinical evidence that clearly demonstrates the use of negative pressure to reduce global health care costs," said R. Andrew Eckert, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acelity. "The Acelity negative pressure portfolio is the most trusted name in advanced wound therapy having treated more than 10 million wounds around the world. We are thrilled to see our innovative PREVENA Therapy provide indisputable benefits to patients, clinicians and health systems." Most recently, Acelity launched the PREVENA DUO Incision Management System, the first single use negative pressure therapy (NPT) system designed specifically for the simultaneous management of two closed surgical incisions. The 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting is hosted by the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), a not-for-profit professional medical society with more than 5,600 members, primarily vascular surgeons, who are highly trained to provide patients with all vascular disease treatment options. For more information about SVS and the Annual Meeting, please visit http://vascular.org. About PREVENATM Incision Management System The PREVENA System, launched in 2010, is the first disposable negative pressure system designed specifically for the management of closed surgical incisions. The system covers and protects the incision from external contamination, while negative pressure removes fluid and infectious material from the surgical incision. Please refer to the Instructions for Use for the PREVENA Systems for a complete list of appropriate uses, warnings, and precautions. About Acelity Acelity L.P. Inc. and its subsidiaries are a global advanced wound care company that leverages the strengths of Kinetic Concepts, Inc. and Systagenix Wound Management, Limited. Available in more than 90 countries, the innovative and complementary ACELITY product portfolio delivers value through solutions that speed healing and lead the industry in quality, safety and customer experience. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Acelity employs nearly 5,000 people around the world. i Zimlichman E, Henderson D, Tamir O, et al. Health care-associated infections: a meta-analysis of costs and financial impact on the US health care system. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(22):2039-46. ii Matatov T, Reddy KN, Doucet LD, Zhao CX, Zhang WW. Experience with a new negative pressure incision management system in prevention of groin wound infection in vascular surgery patients. J Vasc Surg. 2013;57(3):791-5. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005688/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] Diffeo Launches Collaborative Knowledge Boards CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diffeo, the AI-powered research assistant company, announced today that it is launching a powerful new feature -- collaborative Knowledge Boards -- at GEOINT 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. Diffeo Knowledge Boards enable analysts to uncover connections across the Web and private data sets while working together on the same visual knowledge graph. Analysts can thereby benefit from one anothers expertise, aided by Diffeos AI-powered research assistants that look for relationships hidden in massive data sets in multiple languages and from multiple sources. Diffeos collaborative machine intelligence platform integrates with your familiar tools, such as Microsoft Office and Firefox, acting as a personal research assistant that scours the Internet and local files, so that it can recommend content that fills in knowledge gaps even before you think of searching. The Diffeo platform is a new form of federated data integration that uses machine learning to pull together data from disparate data sources, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Slack, Eernote, and behind-the-firewall data sources such as private email servers and shared drives, as well as from the open Internet. Diffeos interactive Knowledge Boards expose our platforms collaborative machine intelligence in a totally new way for entire teams of people, said Keith Gabryelski, Director of Client Architecture. This takes our integration of machine learning and human intelligence to a new, collaborative level. Multiple analysts often work concurrently on the same research--especially emergent events. This is the first tool Ive seen that allows the machine learning to directly accelerate the collaborative discovery process, said Cogan Culver, Diffeo Intel SME. Our customers success depends on the ability to accelerate discovery and give back time for an analyst to perform their primary mission. Diffeos collaborative machine intelligence meets these key requirements across the Community, explained Geof Milstein, Vice President of Federal. This takes augmented intelligence to a whole new level. Visit us at Booth 1623 at GEOINT. About Diffeo: Diffeo is a Boston-based startup developing a platform for augmenting human intelligence by creating machine-in-the-loop experiences that transform peoples ability to understand and use vast bodies of unstructured information. Diffeo's mission is to accelerate the creation of knowledge. Insights from Diffeo systems are enabling people to understand their world, make superior decisions, uncover connections that reveal stories, create new intelligent experiences, and contextualize emergent events. Diffeo's first application of augmented intelligence is an AI-powered research assistant that appears within familiar tools such as Chrome and Microsoft Outlook, and recommends critical content from the Internet and private data stores. The Diffeo agent pulls data from disparate sources and collaborates with the user to uncover crucial connections. The Diffeo assistant is being deployed in many knowledge-driven enterprises and the most critical government institutions across the world. Diffeos products are available for US Government customers on Carahsoft Technology Corp. GSA Schedule No. GS-35F-0119Y. For more information contact Geof Milstein at Diffeo at 703-389-6288. Finance, consulting and other commercial customers interested in Diffeos products should contact Jason Briggs, [email protected] at 413-663-1457. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] Santa Clara University Receives its Second-Largest Gift of $30 Million from Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation of Los Angeles, which has supported Santa Clara University for 50 years, has made its largest gift ever to SCU: $30 million to support a new complex for transformational education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies. The gift from the Leavey Foundation is the second-largest in University history. It will be used to help build the Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation at SCU, a "campus within a campus" designed to foster creative and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning in the STEM disciplines. "The Leavey Foundation has helped Santa Clara University achieve some of the most significant growth milestones in its history," said Michael E. Engh, S.J., president of Santa Clara University. "We are honored that the foundation has chosen to make this generous award to help fuel our next level of excellence in the field of STEM education. This gift will help ensure our students are equipped to meet the needs of 21st century employers like our neighbors and partners in Silicon Valley." "Santa Clara University's emphasis on experiential, problem-based learning harnesses the strength of cross-disciplinary teams with the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley," said SCU Provost Dennis Jacobs. "Our Jesuit values challenge students to think critically about the world around them and develop imaginative solutions to address society's most urgent challenges. At the same time, Santa Clara students learn to examine the ethical and societal implications-such as privacy concerns or environmental impact-that often accompany the exciting scientific discoveries and technological advancements emerging from Silicon Valley." The Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation, announced in January with a $100 million lead gift from John A. '60 and Susan Sobrato, will create opportunities for students to engage in innovative, high-impact, team-based projects. When complete, the Sobrato Campus will promote cross-disciplinary opportunities in areas such as neuroscience, bioengineering, sustainability, and nvironmental science. It also will help enable Santa Clara University to increase its undergraduate enrollment by 600 students, with a significant proportion in STEM-related fields. "The gift recognizes the important role Santa Clara University plays in meeting the needs of Silicon Valley," said Jim Lyons, vice president for University Relations. About the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation The Leavey Foundation was established in 1952 by the late Thomas E. Leavey '22, who attended Santa Clara University and later co-founded Farmers Insurance Group, and his wife, Dorothy E. Leavey. Mrs. Leavey took over responsibility for the family foundation after Mr. Leavey's death in 1980, and the couple's daughter, Kathleen McCarthy Kostlan, assumed the chair after her mother's death in 1998. "My family has long supported the high caliber of Jesuit, Catholic education provided by Santa Clara University, which produces graduates with not only excellent critical thinking skills but also the moral compass to put them to use for the greater good of the world around them," said Kostlan. "We are pleased to help support the University's next phase of growth, with its increased focus on STEM education and greater integration with Silicon Valley." The foundation created by the Leaveys, both devout Catholics, has donated more than $100 million to institutions and charities, including more than $39 million to SCU: $15 million to upgrade the athletics facility that became Leavey Center $10 million in various scholarship and endowment funds $7 million to the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Leadership Endowment $5 million to endow the Leavey School of Business $1 million as a "challenge grant" in 2013 to spur SCU alumni to give back to their alma mater $1 million to the Jesuit Residence Building Fund $1 million to the Los Angeles Catholic High School Scholarship Fund The foundation also has provided substantial financial support to the University of Southern California for the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation Honors Hall and the Kathleen L. McCarthy Honors College ($30 million) and Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Library ($9 million); to the Los Angeles Archdiocese for a new cathedral ($10 million); and to the Assistance League in Hollywood for the Dorothy E. Leavey Family Resource Center ($8 million). Other awards include $2 million to Loyola Marymount University, $1 million to Saint Paul the Apostle Church, $500,000 to Homeboy Industries, and $250,000 to Sisters of Nazareth of Los Angeles. The foundation also has provided grants and scholarships to numerous individuals, including children of employees of Farmers Group. About Santa Clara University Santa Clara University, a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located 40 miles south of San Francisco in California's Silicon Valley, offers its more than 9,000 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering; master's degrees in business, education, counseling psychology, pastoral ministry, and theology; and law degrees and engineering doctoral degrees. Distinguished nationally by one of the highest graduation rates among all U.S. master's universities, California's oldest operating higher-education institution demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice. For more information, see www.scu.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005849/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] California Senate Passed SB.649 - An Unconstitutional Bill That Forcibly Exposes Neighborhoods to Constant, Hazardous 4G/5G Microwave Radiation The California State Senate passed SB.649 Wednesday, a highly contentious Bill. The Bill will enable placement of powerful microwave radiation antennas called 'small cells' on utility poles, street lamps, traffic lights and street signs throughout California neighborhoods as well as refrigerator-sized "associated power equipment" on sidewalks. According to Scientists for Wired Technology the new (and unnecessary) layer of ultra-high frequency antennas, potentially in the millions, will be located right outside homes and businesses, and as close as 10-15 feet from 2nd story windows. They will operate 24/7 and present significant biological and health risks to residents. Also, antenna emissions have been calculated on the basis of 6 Watts of power, yet there is the potential to turn up the power to 300 to 500 Watts, with no monitoring required. (Note, over 200 scientists from 41 nations, with expertise in the biological and health effects of RF/MW, have appealed to the United Nations to protect humans and wildlife from wireless technologies. See Video https://vimeo.com/123468632) At the same time, SB.649 will usurp city and county planning rights provided for in the California Constitution, Article XI and Article XII, Section 8, overriding local decision-making authority in favor of the commercially motivated expansion desires of the wireless industry. Trial attorney, Harry Lehmann, Esq. says, "With 110 cities opposing SB.649, the State of California can expect a Constitutional battle. The proposed constant spraying of California citizens with carcinogenic radiation, and the taking away of local government rights, i the sort of greed-driven misconduct our constitution seeks to avoid." Reinette Senum, City Council Member from Nevada City, CA (News - Alert) who testified against SB.649 in April, said, "This is nothing short of the telecommunications industry (and State) basically hijacking and staging a hostile takeover of our local governments-cities and counties. It will remove local authority and also risk property rights." Essentially, wireless providers are securing cut-rate, rent-controlled access to publicly owned structures so they can expand their operations, at will, without regulation. Besides the health risks, and the illegal grab of local government planning rights, SB.649 is also in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Federal Fair Housing Act, creating access barriers for the estimated 1.2 million Californians who are already electrosensitive. Mark Graham of Scientists for Wired Technology says, "We are concerned that members of the California Senate may be under the influence of the telecommunications industry, similar to what may be the case with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which, it was reported recently, suppressed-for 7 years-public health warnings about cell phone risks." The Harvard University report, "Captured Agency: How the Federal Communications Commission Is Dominated By The Industries It Presumably Regulates," suggests the FCC (News - Alert) also may be under the heavy influence of the wireless industry. The two co-sponsors of SB.649, Senator Ben Hueso and Assembly Member Bill Quirk, have been involved in the promotion of recent grants from AT&T (News - Alert), one to California State University East Bay Foundation, for $500,000, and a smaller grant of $25,000 to the Parent Institute for Quality Education. Expanded Media Advisory from Scientists for Wired Technology http://scientists4wiredtech.com/2017/06/press-advisory-ca-sb-649-passed-by-senate/ Contact your government representatives: Senators http://senate.ca.gov/senators Assembly Members http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005869/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 02, 2017] Disaster Recovery - It's All In The Planning AUSTIN, Texas, June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The key component to surviving an IT disaster is to have a plan that you can execute at a moment's notice. A well thought out plan is critical to a school district's IT operations and a guarantee of systems reliability. Donna Independent School District (DISD), located in Donna, Texas, experienced a failure of a storage device within DISD's Network Operating Center. The cause of the failure is unknown, but may have been the result of thunderstorms that rolled through the area earlier in the day. This failed device included the system running the Total Education Administrative Management Solution (TEAMS). TEAMS is the district's Enterprise Resource Planning solution and is critical for DISD's administrative operations. Areas impacted included: Finance Management Human Resources Student Information Management Substitute Management Time & Attendance Management for staff Gradebook & Attendance for teachers Payroll DISD could not afford to have TEAMS offline, as these are the systems necessary for successfully operating the business of running a school district. The district partnered with Prologic Technology Systems (PTS), by subscribing to Disaster Recovery as a Service. Prologic's Disaster Rcovery service allows for a district's TEAMS solution to be restored to a hosted environment. PTS utilizes Amazon Web Services (AWS), an on-demand cloud computing platform from Amazon.com, to host TEAMS. When the disaster was declared by DISD, on-call technical support staff at PTS received notification and began to execute the DISD Disaster Recovery Plan. PTS restored DISD TEAMS system to a hosted environment within 12 hours of the disaster, with minimal interruption to staff, students, and parents and with zero loss of data within the district. DISD's planning and partnership with PTS made for a smooth and efficient transition from an on-site hardware solution with multiple servers, to an AWS hosted solution. TEAMS is a web-based system that end-users access via a web-browser, the staff at DISD were not impacted by the move from an in-district hardware solution, to the hosted-solution. In fact, users benefited from the transition by faster system response, enhanced online security, and 24/7 system monitoring. The success and easy transition to the AWS convinced the district to stay with the hosted solution for TEAMS. The DISD administration had the vision and forethought to effectively plan for and be prepared in the event of a disaster. About Prologic Technology Systems, Inc. Prologic is the first advanced technology solution for K-12 school district administration and student management. Prologic's Total Education Administrative Management Solution (TEAMS ERP) seamlessly bridges the silos of finance, human resource and student information into a single, cohesive database capable of real-time reporting and simplified collaboration among district teachers, students, administrators and parents. TEAMS ERP is ideal for school districts requiring a robust, yet easy-to-use system that is highly scalable and configurable. Prologic has been solely focused on delivering intelligent software solutions to the K-12 market since 1992. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas. Contact: Calvin Williams 512-328-9496 [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/disaster-recovery---its-all-in-the-planning-300468191.html SOURCE Prologic Technology Systems, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Top 3 Emerging Trends Impacting the Global Coronary Atherectomy Devices Market from 2017-2021: Technavio Technavio's latest report on the global coronary atherectomy devices market provides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook from 2017-2021. Technavio defines an emerging trend as a factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005899/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global coronary atherectomy devices market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) The research study by Technavio on the global coronary atherectomy devices market for 2017-2021 provides a detailed industry analysis based on the technology (laser atherectomy, orbital atherectomy, and rotational atherectomy), end-users (hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers), and geography (the Americas, EMEA, and APAC). A coronary atherectomy device is used in a non-surgical procedure to remove atherosclerotic plaque from coronary arteries and vein grafts. Technavio analysts forecast the global coronary atherectomy devices market to grow to USD 199.64 million by 2021, at a CAGR of more than 5% over the forecast period. 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. The top three emerging trends driving the global coronary atherectomy devices market according to Technavio healthcare and life sciences research analysts are: Increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) Increasing focus on emerging trends Increasing number of cath labs Increase in mergers and acquisitions "Companies are extensively adopting the M&A strategy to expand their global market foothold, thereby increasing their product offerings, enhancing technology, and combine R&D capabilities," says Neha Noopur, a lead analyst at Technavio for cardiovascular devices research. For instance, Boston Scientific is largely focusing on increasing the number of acquisition to enhance their global presence. In 2015, Boston Scientific acquired MValve Technologies, and Endo Pharmaceutical to strengthen their market position. Increasing focus on emerging trends Developing countries present an immense growth potential in the coronary atherectomy devices market since a larger segment of these countries is vastly untapped. This attracts a plethora of opportunities for vendors, drawing them to countries such as Brazil, China, India, and Thailand. The vendors need to focus on increasing their product offerings, increasing awareness, and provide treatment at affordable prices to successfully establish a market foothold. Most of the developing countries have increased their health care spending and improving the availability of high-quality treatment options, opening easy opportunities to the market players. Increasing number of cath labs Cath labs are equipped with advanced diagnostic imaging systems to visualize arteries and chambers of the heart to diagnose and treat various conditions successfully. These labs mainly conduct tests and procedures for angioplasty, angiogram, and pacemaker implantation. "The volume of cardiac and coronary interventions in cath labs has been increasing in the recent years. These labs have been successful in handling complex coronary and valvular cases safely, driving the adoption of coronary atherectomy devices," says Neha. Browse Related Reports: 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 orthopedics and medical devices, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, 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 [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170602005899/en/ Election results: Check out results from various races across the state By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 1 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and other ministers today started holding janta darbars (public meetings) at their respective residence to address peoples grievances. Last week, Kejriwal had asked his ministers and officers to meet the people for an hour everyday on weekdays from June 1 onwards to listen to their issues. advertisement However, people were not allowed to enter the Delhi Secretariat which houses the offices of all ministries and major departments as the staff at the reception cited that they did not have any instruction either from the general administration department and the chief secretarys office about it. A senior government official said that on the first day, around 550 complaints were received at the chief ministers janta darbar. Most of them were related to water and roads. At the deputy chief ministers meet, 200 complaints were received. All ministers also held their janta darbars at their residence. Asked about people being denied entry in the Secretariat, an official said that a proper system would be in place in the next few days. Last month, Kejriwal had issued a note to Chief Secretary M M Kutty directing him to make a formal arrangement for the meetings that would address peoples grievances. "From 1 June, all Del govt officers, Ministers, CM n all AAP MLAs will meet people betn 10 to 11 am without appointment," Kejriwal had tweeted. The move followed complaints to AAP ministers, including the chief minister, that officers were not accessible to the people. The public meets are part of an outreach programme that seeks to bridge the gap between the people and the AAP, which faced a humiliating defeat in the Delhi civic polls held in April. PTI BUN SMN --- ENDS --- With sole aim of winning minimum atleast six seats for the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha election, Amit Shah laid down his road map for the God's own country. Kochi: BJP chief Amit Shah with other BJP members during a meeting, as he begins his three-day Kerala visit, in Kochi. By Jeemon Jacob: BJP national president Amit Shah has begun his three-day visit to Kerala with high voltage. With sole aim of winning minimum atleast six seats for the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha election, Amit Shah laid down his road map for the God's own country. Shah at the meet cleared that "making a win and then claiming laurels and free gifts were not BJP's political agenda". Interestingly, his words sealed the fate of few who dreamt a cabinet berth soon. advertisement He clarified that NDA in Kerala should be strengthened in the state without the support of minorities as coalition has no future in Kerala. His hard hitting delivery silenced many partners who grumbled over the "promised land". NDA partners including Bharat Dharma Jana Sena vowed to fight for Prime Minister Modi in next election. During meeting, Amit Shah clarified that there was no beef ban ordered by Union government. "Kerala High Court has clarified in its orders," he said, when he cornered Catholic Church in his fold. He held a closed door meeting with Cardinal George Alenchery, Latin Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil and four other bishops. According to a senior BJP leader in Kerala, the meeting was a "friendly affair" to know each other. "We want to establish a direct link with Bishops in Kerala," the leader downplayed the event. But Catholic community damned the bishops for falling in BJP line. "I think the Bishops and cardinals had gone with the BJP's game plan. Their awareness level and integrity should be tested. Tomorrow they will appeal to their faithful to vote for BJP," Mohan John a catholic based in Kochi told India Today. ALSO READ:BJP shows flexibility over beef ban, says states are free to decide on slaughter of cows --- ENDS --- There's no shortage of great choices if you want a new Android phone. Thanks to flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S8, the LG G6 and the Google Pixel, the market for Android devices has never been stronger. But all of that glorious tech doesn't come cheap. Most of the current-generation flagships will set you back more than $700 or so, and prices of high-end phones are trending upward. (Image credit: These leaked images purportedly show the OnePlus 5. (Credit: Weibo)) That's why OnePlus has emerged as such an intriguing player in the Android landscape. The Chinese startup has shown that it can produce a very capable Android phone at nearly half the cost as the latest creation from the big guys. Tom's Guide named last year's OnePlus 3T, the company's most recent device, the best unlocked phone for the money. But such titles don't last very long in the smartphone world. On the low end, phones like the ZTE Blade V8 Pro and Huawei Honor 6X are adding premium features like dual-rear cameras while keeping their price tags in bargain bin territory. On the high end, buzz-generating rivals like the recently unveiled $699 Essential phone are emerging, too, proving potential competition for OnePlus's next move. Rumors about the new OnePlus 5 are swirling, suggesting a new phone is on the horizon, especially considering that OnePlus is making a "last call" on its OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T inventory. (OnePlus is skipping the "4" in the series, reportedly because it's considered bad luck in the company's native China because it sounds similar to the words for death or decease in Chinese.) MORE: Most Anticipated Phones OnePlus has produced a more powerful and capable phone with each version of its flagship phone. The OnePlus 5 offers a great opportunity to reassert itself as the best device for its price tag while also leaping forward in both style and performance. Here's what it will take for OnePlus to keep up with, and even surpass, the rest of the Android pack. A great camera Sure, this may seem obvious. But here's the deal: The OnePlus 3T offered a respectable camera, but the lack of an HDR sensor on the front, as well as some color issues on the back camera, definitely left it a step below its flagship competitors. In comparison, the Galaxy S8 ranked as our top-rated camera phone. However, this year's version wasn't a major leap forward but rather an extension of the Galaxy S7's industry-leading camera with some software tweaks that improved image processing. (Image credit: Android Authority) The OnePlus 5's camera will likely have a difficult time going toe-to-toe with the Galaxy S8's. But there's one feature it could add that the S8 lacks: a dual-lens rear camera. That would allow OnePlus' new phone to capture images that the S8 and its single rear lens simply can't. A dual-lens setup has certainly helped the LG G6's camera compete with the S8's. Simple software (Image credit: The OxygenOS doesn't deviate too much from Android. (Credit: Sam Rutherford/Tom's Guide)) We also appreciate the OnePlus 3T's relatively light touch with software. OnePlus' OxygenOS keeps the look and feel of the company's phones pretty close to the stock build of Android, and the company is rather good about pushing out timely updates. Both the OnePlus 3 and the OnePlus 3T have Android 7.1 Nougat, and people who like to walk on the wild side can take advantage of a beta program. With its new phone, we'd love to see OnePlus focus on performance. Touch latency (or the laggy response when you touch the screen) has been a problem, and the OnePlus forums often fill up with bug reports. Bugs aren't unique to OnePlus, of course, but with every generation of phone, a tightening of the digital screws is warranted. The right design Both the Galaxy S8 and the LG G6 prove that bezels are an endangered species. The trend toward slimmer phones is genuinely positive; the more space for the screen, the better. But it can be easy to get carried away. There's no indication we'll see a OnePlus 5 and 5 Plus, so keeping the screen size around the 5.5-inch range, as rumors suggest, is probably the right move. A leaked OnePlus 5 render (Credit:PCPop.com) The Galaxy Note 7 was the ideal mesh of size and body, at 5.7 inches. But devices bigger than 6 inches, like the Galaxy S8+, may turn some people off. OnePlus should keep its new phone at a size that makes it easy to view and use, without going over the top. For what its worth, OnePlus sounds like it relishes the challenge. Posting on the Weibo social media site, CEO and co-founder Pete Lau promised the "thinnest flagship" of any high-end handset on the market. Budget price One of the main differentiators for the OnePlus line is the price. Those prices have been creeping up with new models, however. The OnePlus One started at $299, and the OnePlus 2 was $329. The OnePlus 3T currently sells for $439. The price increase isn't necessarily unwarranted, however, as OnePlus has steadily improved its phone. But if we see the OnePlus 5 cross that $500 threshold as some rumors have suggested, we'll be starting to get out of budget territory. The OnePlus line has been a spiritual successor to Google's Nexus phones, which were lauded for their stock Android build and wallet-friendly pricing. Outlook For the OnePlus 5 to follow in the footsteps of previous OnePlus models as a stellar alternative to pricier flagships, it will have to do what its predecessors did: offer a capable, quality phone that keeps the price tag reasonable. A dual-lens camera and solid design seem like the most likely ways for the OnePlus 5 to hang with the high-end phones while maintaining its budget cred. Valve announced earlier this year that it would replace Greenlight, the program that allowed independent developers to sell their wares on Steam if they received enough support from the service's users, with a new program called Steam Direct. When it made the announcement, Valve said devs would have to pay a then-undetermined publishing fee. Now we know how much it will cost to launch a game via Steam Direct: $100. That's on the low end of the range Valve threw out with its original announcement. The company said at the time that developers were open to paying between $100 and $5,000 to publish their games on Steam. Many studios could probably handle that $5,000--but indie devs might not be able to bear that financial burden. Given the control Steam exerts over game publishing--many people only purchase games through the service--the choice then became paying a high licensing fee with the hope of recouping it via sales or simply avoiding Steam altogether. The decision kicked up plenty of discussion. Moving from a free platform (Greenlight) to a paid one (Steam Direct) was always going to be controversial. Adding in the possibility of charging $5,000 to launch a game on Steam all but guaranteed the internet would be lit ablaze with heated discussions. (Or whatever metaphor works for a bunch of people communicating via social platforms.) Valve appears to have taken all those conversations to heart. Here's what the company said about its decision to go with the low end of that price range for Steam Direct: Since then, we've seen a bunch of great conversations discussing the various pros and cons of whether there should be an amount, what that amount should be, ways that recouping could work, which developers would be helped or hurt, predictions for how the store would be affected, and many other facets to the decision. There were rational & convincing arguments made for both ends of the $100-$5000 spectrum we mentioned. Our internal thinking beforehand had us hovering around the $500 mark, but the community conversation really challenged us to justify why the fee wasn't as low as possible, and to think about what we could do to make a low fee work. The company also said that it will be changing how Steam works to make it easier to find quality games. That was the whole point of switching to Steam Direct--the marketplace had become so cluttered with games that it could be hard to find something worth playing. Charging a fee is a good way to stop low effort games (or even broken titles using stolen assets to scam people into spending a few bucks) from distracting from worthwhile titles. Valve doesn't want to completely stop the flow of games to Steam, though, so the introduction of Steam Direct isn't enough. That's where humans come in. Valve said that it's "going to look for specific places where human eyes can be injected into the Store algorithm, to ensure that it is working as intended, and to ensure it doesn't miss something interesting." This is similar to the approach Apple takes with Apple Music. Instead of trusting algorithms to identify music you might like, the company has living, breathing humans create playlists or run internet radio stations. Some tracks are still recommended via algorithm, but the idea is that humans currently have better taste than computers. Or, as Valve put it: We believe that if we inject human thinking into the Store algorithm, while at the same time increasing the transparency of its output, we'll have created a public process that will incrementally drive the Store to better serve everyone using it. And not all of those humans will come from Valve. The company introduced "curators" as part of the Discovery Update, and those people or publications are able to recommend games to their followers. But the system is limited; curators can't share videos next to their picks, for example, or curate specific lists of games. Valve is going to address both of those problems: Curators will soon be able to show content from other platforms next to their recommendations and "create personal lists of games" so their picks can be a little more useful. This would allow curators to, for example, share their review of a game from YouTube and include their recommendation in a list of worthwhile items from a sale. Both should make finding games on Steam much easier. Now you'll have binary feedback (was this game recommended or not?) next to content with more information (YouTube reviews, written analysis, etc.) inside lists with meaning ("Here's what's worth buying in the Steam Summer Sale!") instead of a vague list of recommendations. Valve said it will also make it easier to give curators early access to games: Another big request came from both Curators and developers, who want an easier way to help Curators get pre-release access to upcoming games. It's often hard for Curators to get the attention of developers who build the specific kinds of games that a Curator covers, and it can be similarly hard for a smaller developer to find the Curators who would be interested. So we're building a system that will make that a painless process for everyone involved, which means that you should see more useful curations coming out of the Curators who like to explore newer titles. These changes are part of Valve's continued efforts to improve Steam. The company has also been more transparent about what happens on Steam over the last few months by publishing customer support analytics, making the store explain why it's recommending a certain game, and explaining its thinking in series of blog posts. Those are important developments, because Steam is central to many PC gamers' ability to enjoy their hobby. There are other places to buy games, sure, but for many "Steam" is synonymous with "games marketplace." Valve said it will offer more information about when these changes--and Steam Direct--will debut in a future blog post. A slew of Aussie artists have donated their time and talents for a benefit concert for guitarist Stuart Fraser, who is battling lung cancer. Fraser was a member of Noiseworks, before joining John Farnhams touring band, who he has played with for 25 years. He has also played alongside Diesel in Jimmy Barnes live band on numerous occasions. Ive played with Stuart since he was very young, says Jimmy Barnes in a statement. Hes one of the nicest people I know and one of the best guitar players in the business, its so great to see so many people in the music industry rally together for such a good human being. The Playing It Forward benefit takes place at Melbournes Hisense Arena, on 28 June. The concert will earn money for Fraser, and his Help A Mate appeal, as well as Olivia Newton-Johns Wellness Centre, where Fraser undertook treatment, and music charity Support Act. Newton-John recently revealed her breast cancer had returned. Her and Fraser are long-time friends, and will support each other through the ordeal. She sent me a text on Wednesday which was fantastic, Fraser told news.com.au. It said, You and me, lets do this together. Shes incredible, shes a survivor and a really genuine person. Fraser was diagnosed six months ago, after being a lifelong smoker. Part of me went, well, theres no free rides, he said, of his diagnosis. Obviously Ive stopped smoking, unfortunately it took something severe to make me quit. Frontier pre-sale tickets are available from next Tuesday, June 6 at 2pm, with general public sales beginning next Friday, June 9. "Prosecutors say the drive-by shooting that rolled through the parking lot was in retaliation for a girl fight . . ." From the prosecutor's office: Life in prison for role in Angel Hooper murder Tragic end note for Friday and follow-up to one of the most disturbing killings in recent local history . . .You decide . . . By Press Trust of India: Thiruvananthapuram, June 2 (PTI) A pall of gloom descended as the body of Flight Lt S Achudev, one of the two IAF pilots who was killed after their Sukhoi-30 fighter jet crashed in Assam on May 23, was brought to his home here today. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid tributes to the late officer and spent some time with the bereaved parents - V P Sahadevan, a retired officer of ISRO here, and mother Jaishree. advertisement The parents had gone to IAFs Tezpur airbase as soon as they had heard about the incident and returned yesterday. The last rites of the 25-year-old IAF pilot are expected to be held at the familys ancestral home in Kozhikode tomorrow. Senior Air staff officer Headquarters, Southern Air command, Air Marshal Rajiv Sachadeva also paid tributes to the pilot and consoled the parents. Devasom minister Kadakkampally Surendran was among those who visited the pilots home here and paid their respect. The wreckage of the Sukhoi-30 MKI jet was found on May 26 in a dense forest area in Arunachal Pradesh after a three- day search operation. The plane had taken off from Tezpur airbase at around 10:30 am on May 23 and had gone off the radar around 11:10 am. It was on a routine training mission as part of a two-aircraft formation. The wreckage of the jet was spotted from air on May 26, and search teams could reach the crash site only on May 28 due to inclement weather after which the black box was recovered. Bodies of Squadron Leader D Pankaj and Achudev were recovered on May 31 in the dense forest area on the hills in Assam-Arunachal Pradesh. PTI UD VS NSD --- ENDS --- KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The friend of a couple robbed at gunpoint opens up about an overnight shooting. Police say a man with a gun shot a woman after he and two others robbed her and the man she was with in Westport at about 2 a.m. THE DEBATE OVER ABORTION HEATS UP AT THE K AMID PRO-LIFE ADVERTS 'TAKING THE CROWN' MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF ABORTION BABY-KILLING SUPPORTERS!!! Dear Friends of Greater KC - We just learned yesterday that the KC Royals are being pressured through an online petition, to stop airing/displaying Vitae ads. The organization goes by the name Ultraviolet, but is staffed by previous MoveOn.org and National Abortion Rights Action League folks. Attached is a screen shot of the page of their site and below is a link. "The team is partnering with the Vitae Foundation, a leader in the anti-abortion movement that is known for manipulating and lying to women who seek abortions, and promoting extreme anti-choice propaganda. Vitae's deceptive ads are so bad that they've already been pulled from one Kansas City radio station--yet the Royals signed up to broadcast them at games and over the airwaves." SHOULD THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS CONTINUE THEIR PRO-LIFE SUPPORT OR KOWTOW TO SUPPORTERS OF ABORTION BABY KILLING?!?! The Kansas City Royals have bigger problems the culture war politics given their aging line-up and lackluster performance this season.However . . .Here's the word . . .Quote from tbe petition . . .And so . . . We put it to our blog community . . .You decide . . . Congressman Cleaver Releases Statement Regarding Paris Climate Agreement A withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement is short-sighted and a dangerous nod to the National Flat Earth Agency and others who refuse to accept the science that has been embraced by every nation on the planet except war-torn Syria and dictator-driven Nicaragua. Pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement will not stop the global momentum towards a clean energy economy, it will only put America at an economic disadvantage. The U.S. would be leaving the 200 other nations in the Agreement to join the only two countries in the world who have not signed Syria and Nicaragua. This is not the diplomatic, economic, or moral position we want. Tragically, this presidential decision is an act of inexperienced ignorance. Across the world and in Kansas City the top news for tonight is a French-y debate for the fate of the planet . . .Of course, this decision has inspired social media outrage and an even split along partisan lines . .Closer to home, the top elected official in Kansas City shares his outrage in no uncertain terms.Checkit:(Kansas City, MO) Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II released the following statement regarding President Trumps decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement.Staying in the Paris Climate Agreement is an opportunity for the U.S. to reaffirm its global leadership and the best way to hold India, China, and other nations accountable on taking real actions to combat pollution. Regardless of what President Trump does, American cities, states, and businesses are embracing real climate solutions and providing new U.S. innovations and jobs.############In lesser news,And so . . .While we don't want to pretend to play scientist regarding the merits of international agreements. What's clear is that critics of the President believe that they're fighting to save the world while supporters value jobs over long term consequences that many believe are overstated and/or don't exist.Meanwhile,but have yet to provide conclusive evidence on how this should impact our gas guzzlers, wasteful lifestyles, littering or which politico deserves votes.You decide . . . Saudi Arabia and Russian companies are discussing a number of joint oil and gas projects, Russias Energy Minister has said. "Yes, those issues have been discussed by our oil companies, Saudi Aramco and Saudi Arabias minister who is currently in contact with heads of Russian companies," Alexander Novak said when asked whether Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih had touched upon the participation of Saudi Arabia in Russias oil and gas projects. Russias Energy Ministry reported on May 30 that the sides had held talks focusing on technological cooperation, Tass said. Novak noted an increasing interest of Russian oilfield services companies in the Saudi market. The minister also mentioned the creation of joint R&D centres focusing on areas such as oil and gas production, oilfield services and transportation of crude hydrocarbons among promising projects, Tass said. Meanwhile, Russia and Saudi Arabia are also considering projects in renewable energy sector, Tass quoted Russias First Deputy Energy Minister Aleksei Texler as saying. He added that Hevel, Russias biggest integrated company operating in the solar energy field, will hold talks on the issue later in the day. "There is an exchange of views regarding renewable energy resources, well be developing it. Weve agreed to send a business mission to Saudi Arabia. Our companies are interested. Hevel is taking interest, talks are expected later in the day," he said. In another development, Al-Falih may visit a number of towns in Western and Eastern Siberia this summer, Novak said in an interview with Tass. "I do hope that this summer Al-Falih will be able to see for himself some places where oil is produced in Western and Eastern Siberia: Talakan, Vankor, and Surgut," Novak said. "We decided to show him the newly-built LNG plant in the north of the Yamal Peninsula. This is a unique project being implemented in rigorous Arctic conditions." "Last October, we travelled to Saudi Arabia, where we had a tour of various facilities, including offshore rigs in the Gulf. Now it is our turn to welcome guests," the minister added. West Bengal's Forensic Science Laboratory where actor Vikram Chatterjee's blood sample for alcohol test was sent has claimed that the sample was inadequate for testing. According to the lab, minimum amount of sample required to conduct the test was not available in the blood sample By Indrajit Kundu: West Bengal's Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), where Kolkata Police had sent actor Vikram Chatterjee's blood sample for an alcohol test in the Sonika Chauhan death case, has claimed that the sample was inadequate for testing. Chatterjee was on Friday charged with culpable homicide in connection with the death of model Sonika Chauhan in a car accident on April 29. advertisement In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police (South Division), the laboratory states that minimum amount of sample required to conduct the test was not available in the blood sample sent by the police. "The sample said to be serum of Vikram Chatterjee was received in this laboratory in such a small quantity that poison could not be directed by the available method of chemical analysis," the letter states. According to the letter, the blood sample containing "approximately 0.5 ml straw colour liquid" was sent to the state FSL unit on May 8, eight days after the accident on April 29. According to forensic experts such low quantity of sample is inadequate for conducting the necessary forensic tests. Model Sonika Chauhan's family had alleged lapses on part of the police investigation at the very onset of the probe. Sonika's uncle Patrick Quinn who had lodged the police complaint against Vikram had questioned if the police had conducted breath analyser, blood or urine test on the actor in the stipulated time period required. Initially, the police had not booked the actor for "culpable homicide", rather opting for "rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide" under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 304(a). It was only after mounting pressure that cops requested the court to add IPC section 304 against the actor recently. The actor, who is now out on bail and has resumed shooting his television serial have confessed to the police during interrogation that he did consume some alcohol on that fateful night. He continues to maintain that he was neither "drunk" nor driving at a high speed. Vikram's latest Bengali film "Khoj", where the actor plays a police officer has been released in theaters today. However, the actor was missing at the premiere of his much publicised film on Thursday evening. The next hearing of the case is scheduled to take place in September. Also Read: Vikram and Sonika had been dating since November, says Vikram's friend Sonika Chauhan-Vikram Chatterjee accident: Is there more to the case than meets the eye? WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- -First Time Ever to launch Unlimited Data across Europe at competitive prices -Now Chat, Browse, Download & Stay Online on Facebook/Whatsapp etc. 24*7 during Trip to Europe (TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - June 2nd, 2017 - Clay Telecom has launched for the first time ever Truly Unlimited Data across Europe for its customers. This innovative summer plan is to satiate the need of data during their trip to Europe. Giving the benefit of Unlimited Advantage, the users can freely enjoy Unlimited Voice and High-speed Data across Europe at an unbeatable price. Positioning data as the next VOICE for Smartphone users, we are offering an innovative value proposition to remove fear of bill shocks and give international travelers peace of mind. We are the first and only company to introduce unlimited voice and data across Europe at an affordable price, says Gaurav Dhawan, Executive Director, Clay Business Group. The exclusive plan is launched for data lovers who would like to stay online 24*7 during their trip to Europe. The users are free to browse websites, check emails, download data, stay online on WhatsApp and Facebook at a nominal price. The Europe prepaid plans are starting from Rs. 3,499/- onwards with flexible validity options of 7, 15 and 30 days to meet the varied travel requirements. Gaurav further adds, With seamless connectivity, the travellers have freedom to browse, chat, download and access emails, anytime and anywhere at an unbeatable price. With the focus on customer satisfaction, we have plans to introduce more innovative and customized products to give them a feeling of local during their global travel. The company has also launched other lucrative plans for USA, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore to cater to a larger travel market this summer. The travellers can visit Clay website to place an order, anytime and from anywhere. To buy Europe Prepaid SIM online, Click Here: http://bit.ly/Europe-SIM-Card To buy USA Prepaid SIM online, Click Here: http://bit.ly/USA-SIM-card To buy any other International SIM Card, Click Here: www.clay.co.in To stay updated about new offers & plans, Follow Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/claytelecom About Clay Business Group Headquartered in Delhi, Clay Business Group has established a pan-India presence with more than 24 offices, and counters at international airports of India. It has international operations in USA, UK, Japan and South Korea. Over the span of 16 years, Clay has diversified its business verticals and is not only in telecom, but also in apps, IT, hospitality and digital domains. The company believes in the vision to offer unmatched service and make communication easier and cost-effective. ### By Press Trust of India: By Anil Bhatt Manzgam (Kulgam), June 2 (PTI) Braving fear triggered by the increasing activities of militants, violence and encounter in the South Kashmir, the Kashmiri Pandit community made a beeline to the ancient shrine of Goddess Rajnya Bhagwati, one of the three vaishnite goddesses, whose birthday "Zeasht Ashtami" was celebrated in the Valley today. advertisement The number of devotees visiting the Kheer Bhawani shrine at Tulmul (Ganderbal district), Manzgam (Kulgam district), Tikker (Kupwara) and Tripursundri shrine at Devsar (Kulgam) this year has seen a dip due to the unrest in the Valley. The annual Zeshta Ashtami festival celebrated amid tolling of bells and wafts of aroma sticks. Devotees, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, thronged the shrine situated in south Kashmir, which is currently hot bed of militancy, encounters, violence and unrest in the Valley. Over 25 militants have been killed and a dozen of civilian and securitymen have alos lost their lives during encounters this year amid violent protests triggering fear among the displaced Kashmiri Pandits. The birth anniversaries of three Vaishnite goddesses- Mata Kheer Bhawani in Tulmul (Ganderbal district), Goddess Tripur Sundari in Devsar (Kulgam district) and Goddess Ragnya Bhagwati in Manzgam (Kulgam district) is being celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits in the valley with hawans, community kitchens and mass prayers. Over 300 KP devotees visited the spring shrine of Manzgam located at world famous Aharbal water falls. Similarly, Over 200 visited the shrine of Tripursundri at devsar in Kulgam. "We reached at Mazgam shrine safely on May 30. We have no problem enroute although there was a fear factor due to situation in South Kashmir", President, Manzgam Prabandik Committee, Kuldeep Raina said. Raina, who led his team to organise a Maha Yagya, community kitchen and prayers at the shrine, said, "KPs freely and fearlessly came here and paid obeisance at the shrine. It was usual as was in the past". Vinay Kaul, another devotee said that much hype was given to element of fear on social media but there was no such fear here. "The fall in the number of the pilgrims visiting Kashmir shrines was due to this campaign launched through the social media," Kaul said. In Devsar, Sanjay Kaul said hawan, community kitchen and mass prayers were conducted by Kashmiri Pandits here. "Although there was less number of the devotees compared to last year, but Yagnya was performed in best way", he said. Manzgam, which was once a safe sanctuary and launching pad of foreign mercenaries, is now abuzz with the flow of pilgrims mostly Kashmiri Pandits. advertisement The Manzgam temple, situated in the southern most part of Kashmir, was rebuilt after it was damaged when militants exploded a bomb and killed a priest by slitting his throat in 1990. In Tikker, over 400 pilgrims took part in the Yagya of Mata and prayed for peace and normalcy in Kashmir. PTI AB TIR --- ENDS --- By India Today Web Desk: Sony TV's popular show Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi is all set for a major twist, as a new girl will soon enter Dev's life. Currently, Dev's mother Ishwari (Supriya Pilgaonkar) is trying to reunite the long lost lovers. She has asked Sonakshi (Erica Fernandes) to find a girl for Dev so that Sona realises her love for Dev. But looks like her plan will backfire. advertisement In the last episode Dev has agreed to get married and will eventually choose a girl. The new girl will be played by Gujarati actress Twinkle Vasisht. Twinkle has worked in a Guajarti film Tu Toh Gayo. Picture courtesy: Facebook/Twinkle R Vasisht Twinkle is all set to make her small screen debut with Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi. She has earlier appeared in a Gujarati movie Tuu to Gayo. In a conversation with The Times of India, Twinkle said, "I'm really happy to play an interesting character in the show. The name of my character is Payal, and I will be the new girl in Dev's (Shaheer Sheikh) life. Also read: Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi to Yeh Hai Mohabbatein: These TV shows turned drab after leap Although mine is a cameo role, the role, will be pivotal as it will help the lead actors, Dev and Sonakshi (Erica Fernandes) to reconcile and come together." The actress will also be seen in an upcoming sitcom TV, Biwi aur Main. Both Dev and Sona still love each other but are not ready to give their relationship a second chance. Looks like the new girl will help them sort out their differences and rekindle their love. --- ENDS --- Hyderabad, June 2 GVK Power and Infrastructure Limited today said it has decided to exit from Bangalore International Airport Limited by selling its 10% stake to Fairfax India Holdings Corporation for Rs 1,290 crore. According to a release issued here the transaction is expected to be completed by early July 2017 and the sale proceeds will be used for reducing the debt component of GVK Group. Notwithstanding this sale, the airport sector will continue to be focus area for GVK. Our immediate focus will be Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports and on selectively evaluating privatisation opportunities, GVK Reddy, founder chairman and managing director of GVKPIL said. PTI Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 2 Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) president Promila Pathak, along with five former PUTA presidents, today met Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar. The delegation asked for a 15 per cent yearly hike in the grant to Panjab University as is done in the case of central universities in the country. The minister was urged to intervene and facilitate UGC nod for the purpose. Pathak said the ministers response was positive and he assured support to the university. The delegation submitted estimates for the next few fiscals. It listed the projected expenditures and earnings for the years to come. Pathak said for the past three years, the grant to the PU was stagnant at Rs 176 crore. However, for 2016-17, a grant of Rs 197 crore was given to meet the deficit. The delegation invited the minister to be the chief guest during the Teachers Day celebrations at the university in September. CBSE seeks data from pvt schools on fee New Delhi: To tighten the noose around schools charging unreasonable fees and levying hidden charges, the CBSE has sought data from private schools about their fee structure and increase in fees in recent years. We have told schools not to charge unreasonable fees, Javadekar said. PTI Ishrat S Banwait Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 2 Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Ved Prakash Malik at an event today at Panjab University expressed his views on the human shield incident. Malik said Major Gogoi should be warned against repeating such an action. However, Malik also said that Gogois intentions were good and that he should be complimenting for saving lives. At the event themed, Jammu and Kashmir: The Way Forward, Malik said he was optimistic and by his past experiences, he was sure that the issue would be resolved soon. However, Malik says that strong army action is needed for the same. To negotiate with Pakistan from a position of strength, armed forces have to be used, said Malik. Stressing on the need to adopt tough measures, when situation demands, Malik said, It is fashionable for people who do not know politics to say that a political solution is possible in the issue. He criticised the BJP government and said that the party hurried into coalition with PDP and is now backing out of it. Former ambassador KC Singh expressed concern over the excessive use of social media as a propaganda item. He said social media should not be allowed to affect domestic policy of the nation. He blamed the medium for colouring the youth against Pakistan which he felt was not in accordance to reality. Going back in history, he brought forward the various facets why India went to the United Nations Security Council and also how the Plebiscite clause came into being. He also argued that the composite dialogue arrangement is a flawed one as Confidence Building Measures and disputes cannot take place in the same platform. Former Lt Gen DS Hooda said the education sector was badly affected in Kashmir and the youth who form majority of the population today were being driven towards terrorism. He agreed that the police have a bad reputation and has added to the anger of the youth. He also said that there was a need to reach out to the Kashmiri youth. Vice-Chancellor AK Grover came up with the thought of creating academia contact with Pakistan. Such a platform could be used to hold annual meetings of every subject between university of Punjab in Lahore and the various universities in Punjab, Haryana and PU. Shyam Saran AMERICAS much-anticipated announcement to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement finally came on Thursday from President Trump himself. This will mean that the US is no longer bound to deliver on its commitments, albeit voluntary, to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, share climate friendly technologies with developing countries and contribute financial resources to enable them undertake measures to slow down or reduce their emissions and also to adapt to the consequences of climate change which is already taking place or is likely to take place in the future. Under Obama, the US had declared its intention to reduce its emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2025 against the 2005 benchmark. The Green Climate Fund would have received $500 million from Washington. Domestically, under the Clean Power plan adopted by Obama, significant cuts were mandated in vehicle emissions; coal based thermal power plants would have been progressively phased out and no new such plants would be built. Trump had already abandoned the Clean Power plan and now the commitments under the Paris agreement are being jettisoned as well. What does this mean for the fate of the agreement and what would its impact be on rest of the countries, parties to the agreement? The agreement will stand as long as other parties continue to adhere to it. Since they have announced their intention to do so, the agreement is not under any threat. For India, PM Modi made a declaration to this effect on his recent visit to Germany. Trump has said the US may seek re-negotiation of the agreement in order to make it reflect US interests better. It is unlikely that other parties would agree to fresh negotiations, which will unravel the delicate compromise, arrived at after often negotiations. Furthermore, the agreement implicitly recognises the principle of no backsliding: nations can make them progressively more ambitious but not dilute them. The stated intent of the US to reduce its commitments would violate this principle. Since the US is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, constituting 20 per cent of the global total, its withdrawal would imply that the parties remaining within its fold would have to carry an extra burden. This extra burden should be assumed by the developed countries (DCs) and China, the worlds largest emitter. Other DCs should not have to contribute beyond what they are already doing. Indias contribution to the global total is currently less than 5 per cent and its per capita emissions are less than 2 tonnes as against Chinas 8 tonnes and USs 20 tonnes, ten times that of India. Chinas per capita emissions by 2030 will likely be 14 tonnes while Indias will be about 7 tonnes even under the most generous assumptions of the countrys growth trajectory. Trump said a country like India was demanding billions of dollars as a condition for fulfilling its commitments under the agreement. This is a lie plain and simple. While Indias submission did raise the expectation of international support, virtually all its measures announced and being implemented, are domestically financed. This is true of the ambitious National Solar Mission and more importantly, India is the only emerging economy to put a fairly high cess of Rs 400 a tonne on coal that goes into a Clean Energy Fund to finance renewable energy projects and energy efficiency projects. It is another matter that the funds are underutilised. The point to be made is that despite its low level of per capita energy consumption, half of the global average, India is doing much more than most developed countries to meet the challenge of climate change. Its National Action Plan on Climate Change, announced in 2008, had stated that energy security and climate change were two sides of the same coin, that for meeting this twin challenge, India was committed to a long term shift from a pattern of economic growth based on fossil fuels to one based on renewable sources of energy such as solar energy and clean sources of energy such as nuclear energy. India is already undertaking this strategic shift and this is in its own interest. PM Modi has made this point regularly. What should Indias climate change strategy be in the light of Trumps decision to exit the agreement? One, India should continue its adherence to the agreement. Since it is a framework agreement which remains to be fleshed out in subsequent negotiations, there should be a determined effort to operationalise principles of equity, of common and differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR principle), of transparency in evaluating performance in achieving targets but equally in the level of financial and technological support provided by developed countries to developing countries. With the absence of the US in the post-Paris deliberations, the opposition to these measures is likely to diminish. It is the US which has pressed for equal commitments as against the CBDR principle and for intrusive evaluation without the flexibilities recognised under the agreement. Two, India must reject any demand for re-negotiation in order to keep the US within its fold. It is better for the US to be isolated in this case; the argument that as the world's leading economy and second largest emitter, the US should be kept within the tent should be rejected. Every such effort, since the Bali Action Plan was adopted in 2007, led to a race to the bottom in terms of the nature of commitments and strict compliance procedures originally envisaged under the original UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). A further dilution to an already anaemic agreement would make it a complete farce. Three, India should explore opportunities to revive a coalition of emerging economies, including China, to ensure that the ongoing multilateral negotiations to impart substantive content and to spell out specific measures elaborating the general provisions of the agreement, adhere to the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC. India and China had worked very closely in the run-up to the Copenhagen Climate Summit in 2009. Along with Brazil and South Africa they had succeeded in forestalling the US and Western attempts to eviscerate the UNFCCC and shift the burden of tackling climate change on to the shoulders of the developing countries. However, subsequently China began cutting bilateral deals with the US rather than work together with other emerging economies. Now that the US has abandoned ship, perhaps the Chinese may see merit in reviving the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) coalition to ensure that the Paris agreement remains aligned with the UNFCCC and that the principle of equity remains the bedrock of international efforts to combat climate change. The writer was Foreign Secretary and PMs Special Envoy on Climate Change Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 2 Intensifying its campaign against power theft, the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) conducted raids throughout the state in May during which 12,594 cases of power theft to the tune of Rs 34.85 crore were detected. Of the total amount, Rs 14 crore has been recovered from defaulters. An official spokesman said the UHBVN had caught 5,924 cases of power theft to the tune of Rs 19.87 crore, of which Rs 8.68 crore had been recovered. Similarly, the DHBVN had caught 6,640 cases of power theft to the tune of Rs 14.98 crore, of which Rs 5.31 crore had been recovered. He said that during last month, the UHBVN had caught maximum number of power theft cases in Karnal circle where fine to the tune of Rs 3.59 crore was imposed. Similarly, Rs 2.17 crore fine was imposed in Kaithal circle, Rs 2.29 crore in Panipat circle, Rs 2.47 in Rohtak circle, Rs 2.75 crore in Sonepat circle, Rs 1.57 crore in Kurukshetra circle, Rs 1.88 crore in Yamunanagar circle, Rs 1.92 crore in Jhajjar circle and Rs 1.19 crore in Ambala circle. The spokesman said that the DHBVN had caught maximum number of power theft cases in Gurugram circle where fine to the tune of Rs 3.01 crore was imposed. Similarly, fine to tune of Rs 2.70 crore was imposed in Faridabad circle, Rs 1.77 crore in Hisar circle, Rs 1.24 crore in Bhiwani circle, Rs 1.71 crore in Rewari circle, Rs 1.30 crore in Palwal circle, Rs 70 lakh in Narnaul circle, Rs 1.05 crore in Sirsa circle and Rs 1.46 crore in Jind circle. Maximum cases were related to tampering of meter, meter bypass and kundi (illegal) connections, he said. Help curb power theft, get awarded Karnal: The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) would give incentive to the employees involved in checking power theft. We will award 10 per cent of the total recovered penalty to the employees to motivate them. Besides Rs 10,000 reward will be given to anyone who gives information on power theft, said, AK Raheja, Superintending Engineer, UHBVN. He said 1,198 power theft cases were detected and a fine of Rs 3.62 crore was imposed during a special drive in May against power theft. The power corporation imposed a fine of Rs 1.15 crore and detected 366 theft cases in April. TNS Sushil Manav Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 2 Despite the Legal Remembrancers dissent, citing rules framed under the Supreme Court guidelines, the state government has initiated the process to give extension to eight law officers in the Advocate-Generals (AG) office . These law officers include the wife of a senior IAS officer and a daughter of a former bureaucrat presently working in a state commission after his retirement. The Tribune has learnt that the Legal Remembrancer Kuldeep Jain was against giving extension to law officers Shubhra Singh, Hemant Gupta, Alka Agarwal, Inder Goyal, Ankur Mittal, Himmat Singh, Vivek Saini and Saphia Gupta as they were not eligible under the Haryana Law Officers (Engagement) Act, 2016, and the rules made thereunder. Sources said the Legal Remembrancer gave his written dissent against their selection in a meeting of the Selection Committee held last Friday. However, AG Baldev Raj Mahajan (Chairman), ACS (Home) Ram Niwas, UTs Standing Counsel Suveer Sehgal and Assistant Solicitor-General of India Chetan Mittal (all members of the committee) were in favour of giving extension. A day before the meeting, Jain wrote to the AG drawing his attention to a provision of the Act, which said, there shall be no extension unless he fulfils such criteria as prescribed for fresh engagement. The Act provides prescribes a number of years of legal practice and cases a person must have handled, besides being an income tax payee for the gross minimum income from the legal profession as specified by the Selection Committee. The LR was of the view that the experience of these law officers pertained to the period they have worked in the AGs office and not for the period immediately before such appointment while the Act requires that the person should be an income tax payee from the legal profession and not from his salary received as a law officer in the AGs office. Confirming that the process of extension of the eight law officers has begun, the AG maintained that there was no irregularity in it. He is within his right to dissent and have his own opinion, the AG said when his attention was drawn to the LRs dissenting note. Mahajan said the norm fulfils such criteria as prescribed for fresh engagement -does not mean that the work done by a person while working in the AGs office will not be counted. Chandigarh, June 2 All India Anti-Terrorist Front chairman MS Bitta on Friday accused the BJP government in Haryana of having insulted the family of a soldier mutilated in Jammu and Kashmirs Machil sector by delaying monetary compensation and mistreating his widow. Mandeep Singh was killed by some militants in October last year. Bitta said the compensation promised to Mandeep's family was given only in February and the cheque was given through the Red Cross. Recently, Mandeep's widow, Prerna, a constable at Haryana police in Kurukshetra, was suddenly taken off VIP duty when Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited, he said. "I started a movement against terrorism and have been taking up the cause of martyrs and their families for quite a few years. But, never before have I seen such insult to martyrs like this in Haryana," Bitta told reporters here. Mandeep's mother Nirmala Devi, wife Prerna and elder brother Sandeep were also present at the press conference. "Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar may be an honest man, Haryana may be corruption free, but the way the lower rungs in the state administration are insulting martyrs' families, I have never seen this before," Bitta said. "The government announced Rs 50 lakh ex gratia. The family did not ask for it, but that too was given in February. But first, they were asked to complete several formalities," he said. Bitta said only on Thursday, after seven months, the Haryana Government, at a Cabinet meeting, decided to give a clerical job to the elder brother of Mandeep. He, however, praised the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in Punjab, saying the chief minister wasted no time in giving jobs to the armyman, hailing from Tarn Taran, who was beheaded by Pakistani forces recently. "Prerna is constable in Haryana police. She has an MA degree. What stops the government from promoting her to the post of Inspector or DSP? We have not come before the media to seek something, but only to highlight the insult that the family has faced," Bitta said. He also said: "When Union Home minister Rajnath Singh was visiting Kurukshetra a few days back, Prerna was put on VIP duty, but suddenly it was ordered that she be withdrawn from the duty". Then, she was asked to report to a police station in Kurukshetra, where she was confined all day till the minster left. She broke down into tears, she was depressed not knowing where her fault lies," Bitta said. Hitting out at the Haryana Government, he said: "I think the CID in Haryana must be tapping the family's telephone lines... it seems they never gave any report to the Chief Minister about the insult the family has faced. Prerna also got threat letters from unknown persons twice". Bitta also said: "To rub salt to the wounds, a paper came from the defence ministry where Prerna was asked to give an affidavit answering whether she has married again or not. Should such questions be asked at such a sensitive time". "If the Haryana government insults this family again, we will start a nationwide campaign against them. Mandeep's mother Nirmala Devi said: "We are poor, but not beggars. We have not been given due respect we deserved". Prerna said: "I am getting threat letters, if anything happens to us, who will be responsible? My husband fought a dozen terrorists, why has his sacrifice been forgotten?" About being put off VIP duty, she said before Rajnath Singh's visit the same thing had happened with her when Chief Minister Khattar was visiting Kurukshetra. "I have never broken any rule during my duties. I perform my duty with full responsibility. I did not break any rule on that day, but I was taken off duty as they thought that I may approach Rajnath Singh with some demands, but I had no intention as I know my duty... When I was taken off duty in that manner, it hurt me, I felt insulted," Prerna said. "I am not asking for any job, money or promotion. Getting respect is important," she said. PTI By Shweta Keshri: A day back when I was watching Kumkum Bhagya, I saw Pragya entering the kidnappers' den to rescue her husband Abhi (Shabir Ahluwalia). But instead of untying Abhi's hands, she first pranked him by acting as a ghost and then rushed to hug him. We understand one tends to get emotional when they see their dear ones tied like that but forgetting our brains at home in a situation of crisis is ridiculous. advertisement Seriously, how difficult is it to understand that the first logical step one should take when someone is tied, is to untie the person and liberate him off the pain. But looks like Pragya (Sriti Jha) thought otherwise. Pragya tries to scare Abhi as ghost in the show. Picture courtesy: Youtube/zeetv After their customary hug, still the woman didn't untie her husband but got involved in stupid arguments with him, wasting more time. The track continued to the next episode. When Abhi asks Pragya that why she didn't inform the police about the incident. She said it would have wasted time, so she rushed to rescue him from the kidnappers' den. Also read: Dear Pragya, aren't you tired of getting kidnapped in Kumkum Bhagya? Even Abhi's family doesn't believe in law enforcement agencies. So the whole family decides to try and find Abhi on their own. Never knew, they were trained detectives. Abhi has been tied liked this for the past three episodes. Picture courtesy: Youtube/zeetv When Pragya is about to untie Abhi, the goons return. instead of completing what she was doing, Pragya tells Abhi, "Let me check." Lady, this is not your house, who else do you expect other than the kidnappers to return. Instead of wasting time in arguing with Abhi, you should have released Abhi in the last episode itself. But her bickering continues in the next episode as well. Looks like Abhi will not be untied so soon, as even today Pragya will be seen sharing some gyaan with the guy instead of untying the poor fellow, who doesn't seem to be complaining either. He is quite happy to see his Fuggi aka Pragya. This particular sequence tells us why Pragya gets kidnapped all the time. But who are we to complain when such ridiculous tracks garner good ratings for the show. Btw, currently Kumkum Bhagya is topping the rating charts with 6.5 million impressions. Ha! --- ENDS --- Balkrishan Prashar Chamba, June 2 Finally, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College (PJNGMC) Chamba has received the much-awaited letter of permission (LoP) for establishment of a new medical college from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The Central Government has accepted the recommendations of the Medical Council of India (MCI) with regard to the proposal seeking permission for establishment of a new medical college at Chamba and has also conveyed the formal permission through a letter to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Himachal Pradesh. The letter of permission addressed to the HP Government Chief Secretary by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare granting the permission for establishing of a new medical college at Chamba revealed the permission for the academic session 2017-18 with an annual intake of 100 MBBS seats under the Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. The permission of the Central Government has been accorded initially for a period of one year and will be renewed on yearly basis subject to verification of achievement of annual targets as indicated in the scheme. The process of renewal of permission will continue till such time the infrastructure and expansion of hospital facilities are completed as per norms of the Medical Council of India, the LoP stated. The Central Government, in its letter, had directed the state government to provide all infrastructural facilities in terms of teaching and non-teaching staff, buildings, equipment and hospital facilities as per the MCI norms, PJNGMC Principal Prof Anil Ohri confirmed. Besides, the Central Government has also imposed a condition on the government medical colleges, except those located in J&K, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states, to contribute 15 per cent of MBBS seats for all-India quota, Prof Ohri told. The Central Government had cautioned that the admissions made in violation of the conditions would be treated as irregular and action under the IMC Act, 1956 and regulations made hereunder would be initiated, he said. Prof Ohri further told that the Central Government had also impressed upon the authorities to bring the discrepancies, if any, to the notice of the Medical Council of India and the Central government. He said the building of old Government Postgraduate Degree College at Akhandchandi Palace was being used as a stopgap arrangement till the new building of medical college was not constructed. The tendering process for the construction of new medical college building on 105 acre land at Sarol nearby Chamba town was underway, Prof Ohri informed. Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 2 Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today visited Tullamulla in Ganderbal district to greet members of the Pandit community, who had come to attend the Kheer Bhawani Mela. Interacting with devotees, Mehbooba Mufti said people in Kashmir were eagerly awaiting the return of their Kashmiri brethren. She said the socio-cultural milieu of the Valley was incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits. This day is very revered for our Kashmiri Pandit brethren and they have come here in thousands today. We pray to God for their dignified return to the Valley so that they live in their own homes, she added Even as several devotees, especially the younger ones, were excited to see Mehbooba and took photographs with her, a small group of other devotees raised slogans shouting we want justice. The protesters were apparently protesting against the governments failure to address the issues of the Kashmiri Pandits. An official statement said the Chief Minister took stock of the arrangements made by the administration for the devotees, many of whom had come from outside the state. She visited the stalls put up by the health department, district administration, fire and emergency services unit and the police for the convenience of the devotees. Srinagar, June 2 Army Chief General Bipin Rawat met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar this evening. General Rawat informed the Governor about the Armys operational review, which concluded earlier this evening. After the review, the Governor and the Army Chief discussed several important inter-related internal and external security management issues and the steps required for more effectively dealing with terrorist activities. The Governor also discussed with the Army Chief issues relating to providing increased opportunities and avenues for assuring a satisfying future for youth of the state. The Governor also met three commanders and several senior Lt Generals holding key positions. TNS Film: Baywatch American action-comedy film, Baywatch, is directed by Seth Gordon. It is based on the TV series that goes by the same name and has been written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. The film features Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, Kelly Rohrbach, Jon Bass, Ilfenesh Hadera and Priyanka Chopra. Unnerving reactions Bollywoods desi girl Priyanka Chopra did a fabulous job. However, the audience whistling, as a reaction to Priyankas dare-and-bare scenes, was a bit unnerving. Harry, Student Not so funny It was a time-pass film. Well watch a Punjabi movie next time because a viewer doesnt just want to watch action-fuelled films with no humour. However, it did have the humour quotient. Sharda, homemaker Poor story The movie was mediocre. It had poor storyline, but a show of glamorous bodies and action sequences. Preeti, a student Film: Dobaara: See Your Evil A Bollywood horror film written and directed by Prawaal Raman, Dobaara: See Your Evil is a remake/adaptation of the 2013 American horror film Oculus. The original films director and co-writer, Mike Flanagan, served as an executive producer in this film produced by Ishan Saksena, Prawaal Raman, Sunil Shah and Vikram Khakhar. It stars Huma Qureshi, Saqib Saleem, Adil Hussain, Lisa Ray, Abhishek Singh, and Rhea Chakraborty in lead roles. The film revolves around the story about a mirror believed to be haunted and contradictory views between a brother (Saqib Saleem) and sister (Huma Qureshi) dealing with the their parents murder a decade ago. Quite my type I really liked the film; I love horror films. It is an interesting watch, but I dont think I will watch it again. Aalia Khanna, Student Scary? Not really! I did not like the film. I dont think India is ready to make horror films like the way they are made in Hollywood. This one was quite disappointing. Charanjit Kaur, Student (As told to Kawalpreet Kaur and Amarjot Kaur) Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 2 The Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO) released subsidy cheques worth Rs11,20,000 to its members who went to Mauritius last year. Rajive Chawla, Chairman IamSMEofIndia (Integrated association of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises of India), felicitated the Indian industry with Rs11,20,000 cheque to FICO president Gurmeet Singh Kular as travel subsidy for delegates of FICO-IamSMEofINDIA, who visited Mauritius, at a meeting held here today. The 28-member High Power Delegation of FICO-IamSMEofINDIA led by Gurmeet Singh Kular visited Mauritius to promote bicycle, garments and automobile business in July last year. The subsidy was distributed by Kamal Singh, Deputy Director Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute, Punjab and Chandigarh; RK Parmar Assistant Director MSME Development Institute, Punjab and Chandigarh; and SS Raikhi, Functional Manager District Industries Centre Ludhiana. Islamabad, June 2 India has issued a medical visa to a two-and-a-half-month-old baby from Pakistan, suffering from a heart disease, after his father sought intervention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Swarajs intervention came after the infants father brought the matter to her notice on Twitter. Earlier this week, Ken Sid, a Pakistani national, reached out to Swaraj through the social media platform for a medical visa for his son, who has a heart complication which cannot be treated in Pakistan. The child will not suffer. Please contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan. We will give the medical visa, she had said. The family had been trying to get a visa for three months. It is heartening to see humanity prevailing despite many differences. Thank you for your efforts. Humanity prevails! God bless everyone, the childs father tweeted. An official at the Indian High Commission said a four-month medical visa has been issued to the family so that the boy could undergo heart surgery in India. Indian hospitals have previously reported receiving around 500 patients from Pakistan every month. Many of the unwell needed a liver transplant, which costs between Rs 20-30 lakh. However, the visa process for travellers who want to visit India for medical reasons has slowed amid rising tensions between the two countries. However, in another case, Swaraj asked a Pakistani lawyer to get a recommendation from Pakistans foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz. I am sorry to know that your father requires liver transplant. It appears there is some misunderstanding, Swaraj tweeted, and added, She was responding to a tweet by one Mazhar Hussain. PTI United Nations, June 2 India and China are showing strong leadership to combat climate change and the decision by the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement will not deter these global efforts, the UN Environment chief said on Friday. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) "The science on climate change is perfectly clear: we need more action, not less. This a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now," UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Erik Solheim said in a statement responding to President Donald Trump's announcement that the US will withdraw from the ambitious climate pact. "The US decision to leave Paris in no way brings an end to this unstoppable effort. China, India, the European Union and others are already showing strong leadership. 190 nations are showing strong determination to work with them to protect this and future generations," Solheim said in a statement. Solheim said there is incredible momentum on climate action from individual states, cities, the private sector and citizens and a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. Urging all parties to redouble their efforts, he said that UNEP would work with everyone willing to make a difference. "Climate action is not a burden, but an unprecedented opportunity. Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels will build more inclusive and robust economies. It will save millions of lives and slash the huge healthcare cost of pollution." "Committing to climate action means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the front line of extremism and terrorism. It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands," Solheim said, adding that it also means protecting food security and building stability to avoid adding yet more refugees to what is already an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis. He underscored that the Paris Agreement is founded on clear evidence, solid science and incredible international collaboration. "It will put aside differences to tackle a common, monumental challenge. The reversal of damage to the ozone layer proves that such a global effort can succeed. Ultimately, this is an investment in our own survival that no-one can afford to abandon," he added. Trump's decision to withdraw from the climate agreement drew strong reactions from various quarters. By pulling out of the climate deal, the United States joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations not participating in the global agreement. Members of The Elders, a group of independent leaders founded by South African President Nelson Mandela, condemned Trump's decision, saying US withdrawal does not mean the demise of the Paris Agreement, and urged other signatories to continue to respect its provisions. "Climate change is the great existential threat of our time. The Paris Agreement was born out of effective multilateralism and a desire to find a cooperative solution to a global problem. No one country can dismantle the Agreement. While the US withdrawal weakens that international accord, it will not trigger its demise," Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said. Mary Robinson, member of the group and former UN Special Envoy on Climate Change said the US "reneging on its commitment to the Paris Agreement renders it a rogue state on the international stage. "But the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will not stop climate action in the United States. We encourage all actors in the US working to tackle climate change to stand their ground, share the benefits of their work and to keep making their voices heard," she said. Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee, said with his decision, "Trump is breaking a promise to the world to combat climate change in order to keep an empty campaign promise to the coal industry. "Withdrawal from the climate agreement is a betrayal of scientific fact, economic opportunity, and moral leadership. Turning our back on this agreement will be a disaster for America -- for our businesses, for our health, and for our national security," he said. The League of Women Voters president Chris Carson said withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement is a "giant step in the wrong direction" for the health of the planet and all living beings. "Trump's decision today will undermine global cooperation and have a harmful impact on US relations with our most trusted world allies. The long-term effects of this decision will make more people sick, especially children and the elderly," Carson said. PTI Patna, June 2 A year after Bihar state Board Class XII Arts topper Ruby Rai was arrested, Patna police on Friday nabbed this year's topper in the stream, Ganesh Kumar, on charge of forgery of documents. He was arrested from the Bihar School Examination Board office on a complaint filed by the Board alleging that he took the examination on forged documents, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police, Manu Maharaj, said tonight. BSEB Chairman, Anand Kishore said Kumar was called at the office for questioning after reports of him submitting forged documents. He was handed over to the police after it was found that his documents were not in order. The state's Board examination result and its toppers were mired in controversies last years too. After the last year's results were announced, Class 12 topper Ruby Rai hit the headlines when she said she had studied 'prodigal science' rather than political science and that the subject was about cooking. A whopping 64 per cent of students have failed to clear the Board exams this year. Several science stream students told the media they appeared in JEE Advance, conducted for admission to IITs, but scored as low as 1, 2 or 4 in subjects like physics and maths in the Board exams. PTI New Delhi, June 2 A Delhi court on Friday issued a non-bailable warrant against a suspected gangster from Uttar Pradesh, accused of helping a 40-year-old woman "honey-trap" a BJP lawmaker from Gujarat. Special Judge Hemani Malhotra issued the warrant after the police informed the court that Ajay Pal Chauhan, another suspect in the case, was untraceable. The 40-year old woman had allegedly filmed obscene videos of Valsad MP KC Patel after drugging him and had threatened to make them public unless he paid her Rs 7 crore. The police said the woman, who was arrested on May 2, spoke of Chauhan, who hails from Ramala village in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district, during questioning. Chauhan's houses in Baghpat and in Indirapuram area in Ghaziabad were raided, but he could not be found. He is accused of being involved in the criminal conspiracy, said a senior police officer. The court will next hear the case on June 9 and the police will urge the court to declare Chauhan a proclaimed offender, he said. The woman and Chauhan have known each other for a decade, police sources said. She used his name to threaten influential people and extort money, they said. The duo would spend the extorted money on vacations together. Chauhan's role in the case will be clear only after he is arrested, said the officer. The woman is in judicial custody. She had also approached a Delhi court claiming the police did not act on her rape complaint against the lawmaker. PTI Actor Leonardo DiCaprio slammed Donald Trump in a Facebook post for his "discouraging" decision to withdraw the US from participating in the Paris climate accord. By India Today Web Desk: Anybody who knows well about actor Leonardo DiCaprio know of his love for the environment. Thus, to them, it will come as no surprise that he hasn't cut US President Donald Trump any slack for his decision to quit the Paris Agreement. The Titanic star has slammed Trump in a long Facebook post, criticising his "discouraging" decision to withdraw the United States from participating in the Paris climate accord. advertisement DiCaprio wrote: "Today, the future livability of our planet was threatened by President Trump's careless decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. Our future on this planet is now more at risk than ever before. For Americans and those in the world community looking for strong leadership on climate issues, this action is deeply discouraging. Now, more than ever, we must be determined to solve climate change, and to challenge those leaders who do not believe in scientific facts or empirical truths. It is time for all of us to stand up, organize, fight back, and channel our energy into grassroots political action." DiCaprio ended the post by pointing his followers to "organizations on the front lines of this fight" including Indivisible Guide, NRDC, Stand Up America, and Before the Flood. TRUMP'S HISTORY WITH CLIMATE CHANGE In 2012, Donald Trump had made a tweet that said, "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive." Three years later, Trump said that the world could actually "use a big fat dose of global warming,". "It's really cold outside, they are calling it a major freeze, weeks ahead of normal. Man, we could use a big fat dose of global warming!" he had tweeted. While campaigning for the US presidential elections, Trump even called climate change a "hoax". In December last year, DiCaprio met Trump in a last-ditch effort to enlighten him on climate change, one of the environmental causes for which the Oscar-winning actor and activist has worked tirelessly. Looks like that didn't help a lot. WHAT IS THE PARIS AGREEMENT? The Paris Agreement, or the Paris Climate Change Accord, is a global project that works for dealing with global warming, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, etc. All countries, except for Syria and Nicaragua, are a part of this agreement. TRUMP'S WITHDRAWAL Earlier today, Trump announced that the US will be withdrawing from the Paris agreement because it is "unfair" the US and 'favours' India and China. advertisement "I am fighting every day for the great people of this country. Therefore, in order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord," Trump told a gathering of media at the White House. "The agreement doesn't eliminate coal jobs, it just moves them to foreign countries," he added. "As someone who cares deeply about the environment, I cannot in good conscience support [the deal]." On India and China, Trump said: "...under the agreement, China will be able to increase the emissions by a staggering number of years - 13. They can do whatever they want for 13 years. Not us." "India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries." "There are many other examples but the bottom line is that the Paris Accord is very unfair at the highest level to the United States," he said. ELON MUSK, BOB IGER QUIT PRESIDENTIAL COUNCILS advertisement Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter today to announce that he will be leaving the White House advisory councils, citing US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Paris agreement as reason. Hours after Musk, Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger also announced his resignation from the US Presidential's Council on Twitter. Musk and Iger were among 19 executives serving on President Trump's business advisory council. Read more about it here: Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Disney CEO Bob Iger ditch Trump's advisory councils over Paris agreement withdrawal (With inputs from PTI) --- ENDS --- New Delhi, June 2 The Officers Mess Road in the citys Chanakyapuri area now has a new name Alexander M Kadakin Marg with the NDMC passing a resolution to rename it after the former Russian Ambassador to India who passed away in January. The decision by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) at an emergent meeting comes a day after the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in St Petersburg while issuing a joint statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Officers Mess Road is located near Army Battle Honours Mess in Chanakyapuri connecting Sardar Patel Marg with San Martin Marg. To cherish the memory of Alexander Kadakin, (July 22, 1949 January 26, 2017) NDMC has renamed after him an important road in Delhis diplomatic area. He was born in Russia but his Karma-Bhoomi was India, where he served as ambassador from 2009 until his last breath in January this year, a senior NDMC official said. This road shall bear testimony of great diplomatic bond between two great old friend nations Russia and India. The renaming is in honour of the ties between the two countries, he added. Hailing Ambassador Kadakin and his contribution to India-Russia ties, Modi had on Saturday said that the late diplomat was a glorious son of Russia and a great friend of India. A street in Delhi has been named after Ambassador Kadakin, Modi said addressing a joint press event with Putin. Kadakin, 67, a fluent Hindi-speaking career diplomat considered a close friend of India, passed away in Delhi in January this year after a brief illness. He was serving as Russias ambassador to India since 2009 and was credited with playing a significant role in promotion of relations between the two countries. Kadakin began his diplomatic career as a third secretary at the Russian Embassy in India in 1972. He held the position of the Head of the Russian diplomatic mission in New Delhi from November 2009. Kadakin was born in Chisnau in the then USSR on July 22, 1949. He graduated with honours from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1972. PTI Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, June 2 Mumbai Police have filed a complaint against Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor for allegedly trimming a tree near his bungalow in suburban Khar. According to Khar Police a non-cognizable offence (NC) was first filed against the actor and after he failed to respond, an FIR was lodged against him on a complaint filed by the Mumbai municipal corporation. The FIR also named a contractor appointed by the actor to trim the tree. Kapoor later told reporters that all permissions were obtained to trim the tree, but the contractor chopped more of it than was permitted. St Petersburg, June 2 India and Russia have agreed to set up joint ventures for manufacturing aircraft and automobiles as the two nations look to boost trade and economic ties. Russian President Vladimir Putin, after summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, said the Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory. We both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend, he said. Our talks are always held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, and are always substantive and productive. This time was no exception. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Putin said agreements made in the St Petersburg Declaration outlined steps to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and cultural spheres. Encouraging the growth of trade, improving its structure, and expanding industrial cooperation constitute our key priority, he said. Bilateral trade, he said, was declining in recent years but had reversed this year. It rose by 29 per cent in the first quarter of 2017. As of today, the sides have agreed to a list of 19 projects aimed at establishing joint ventures for transport infrastructure, new technology, including pharmaceuticals, aircraft and automobile manufacturing, the diamond industry, and agriculture, he said without giving details. After summit talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on intellectual property, a master framework agreement on building two units at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, a programme of bilateral cultural exchanges for 20172019, an agreement on a feasibility study for a high-speed link between Nagpur and Secunderabad, and a memorandum on cooperation between joint stock company ALROSA and Indias Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. Also signed were documents on building Russian-designed nuclear power plants at new sites in India, developing a bilateral leasing platform, developing bilateral investment activity, and developing rail transport vehicles. Russias cumulative investment in the Indian economy exceeded $4 billion, and Indian investment in Russia is $8 billion. All these facts show that Russian-Indian economic cooperation is returning to a growth trajectory, and we both have a stake in consolidating this positive trend, Putin said. Putin said the cooperation is not limited to direct supplies of the latest Russian military equipment to India. The assembly of high-tech military products has been set up in India with Russias participation. We agreed with the Prime Minister to continue to jointly develop and manufacture modern weapons systems. At the CEO forum that immediately followed the Summit discussions, Putin said over the past seven decades, first the Soviet Union and then Russia built steel works, power stations, chemicals plants, gas pipelines, agribusiness facilities, and transport infrastructure in India. We in Russia are proud of this capital we have developed together, he said. He said it was important to move from simply trading goods to more sophisticated forms of cooperation. We invite our partners to localise production in Russia. We know Prime Minister Modis idea regarding projects in India in areas where we can support each other and exchange modern technology. We can do this on a bilateral basis, of course, in areas where we are competitive at the global level. Businessmen of the two nations can create new, high value-added products and build production chains, including for promoting their goods and services on third country markets, he said. On the agenda we have the launch of promising joint projects in fundamental areas for the economy and high-tech sectors such as nuclear energy, the aerospace sector, and biotechnology. We need to look to the future, and the future is about harnessing the common powerful scientific and technical potential of both countries. Russias market, he said, today offers every opportunity for carrying out the boldest business initiatives. We continue to improve our investment and business mechanisms, including with respect to foreign companies and citizens. We will use modern market instruments to stimulate growth in the high-tech sectors. PTI Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, June 2 Prices of fruits and vegetables soared in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra as the indefinite strike by farmers entered the second day today. Despite strong police presence on highways and other major arterial roads, protesting farmers stopped trucks carrying milk and agricultural produce to cities and towns of Maharashtra and dumped their contents on roads. The police said scores of people were taken into custody across the state. However, farmers organisations have threatened to continue with their strike till their demand for farm loan waiver was accepted by the Devendra Fadnavis government. The protesting farmers received a shot in the arm after social activist Anna Hazare extended his support to the strike. He also offered to mediate between the farmers and the state government to bring about a solution. The government needs to take a sympathetic look at the problems faced by farmers and work for a solution, Hazare told reporters at his village in Ralegan Siddhi. However, the state government is yet to respond to Hazares offer. The indefinite strike has been called by the Kisan Kranti Morcha, an umbrella group of farmers organisations from across Maharashtra. According to sources, milk co-operatives controlled by the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party have also joined the strike and announced that they would not collect milk from dairy owners. Fadnavis, however, warned the co-operatives that the state government had the powers to supersede their boards and appoint administrators to ensure that milk collection continued as before. The CM also accused the Opposition of instigating the strike. However, the Congress denied the charge. Fadnavis has accused the opposition parties of instigating the farmers strike. It indicates his lack of administrative experience, Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam tweeted. Meanwhile, traders at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee markets in Mumbai said they were not getting enough supply of vegetables and fruits. Retailers said they were unable to obtain adequate supplies of fruits and vegetables for sale and the goods that were available were also priced high. Agitation turns violent in MP, 6 bikes set ablaze St Petersburg (Russia), June 2 Hours after the US President walked out of the Paris climate accord, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated Indias commitment to reducing carbon emission and leaving an earth which is beautiful and pure for the future generations. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Refusing to be drawn into a debate on whether he supported or was opposed to President Donald Trumps action, Modi said he will take the side of the future generations and held the view that mankind cannot exploit nature. In a speech to global businesses gathered for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he quoted the Vedas to say exploiting of the nature is a crime but milking of the nature by humans is a right. Later, when the moderator asked which side of the climate change debate he stood, and whether he disagreed with Trumps stand, Modi remained diplomatically neutral. I have in simple way stated the dream of new India. I quoted from the 5000-year-old Vedas to say humans have a right to milk the nature but have no right to exploit it, he told the gathering in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Paris or no Paris, our commitment to preserving the climate is for the sake of future generations, Modi said while responding to a question about US President Donald Trump announcing withdrawal of the USA from the Climate Change deal. He said he had made the same comment in Germany three days back when nobodys comment had come, an apparent reference to Trumps announcement today. I said it in then, I say it now, he added. At that time, Modi had replied, Paris or no Paris, it is our conviction that we have no right to snatch from our future generation their right to have a clean and beautiful earth. We should leave to new generation an earth that is beautiful and clean, Modi said. I dont think I should go this side or that. This subject is of future generations and I would go towards future generations. It is part of our thinking and for that reason we do not believe in exploitation of the nature. We people do not have the right to take more than necessary from the nature, he said. Hours earlier, Trump had announced that the US was withdrawing from the Paris climate change deal, which had been agreed by more than 190 nations. The US President said the agreement unfairly benefited countries like India and China. Modi said India is investing massively in renewable energy and it has set an ambitious target of adding 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. This does not include nuclear energy but is only solar, wind, biomass and hydro (power). This is because we are moving ahead as a responsible country while protecting the environment and this is our very old commitment, he said. Modi recalled his days as Chief Minister of Gujarat, much before global warming was discussed or Paris agreement was even discussed. He said Gujarat was the fourth government is the world which had set up a department for environment protection. This is our commitment, and we are moving forward based on this commitment, the Prime Minister said. By distributing 40 crore LED bulbs, India has in the last three years saved energy which will help the humankind in environment protection, he said. I invite you all, 125 crore people of the country are inviting you, the worlds most ancient nation is inviting you for economic development ... in the spirit of sky is the limit, I once again invite you, he told the business leaders. PTI Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 2 Hours after US President Donald Trump walked out of the Paris climate accord, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reiterated Indias commitment to reducing carbon emission and leaving an earth which is beautiful and pure. Refusing to be drawn into a debate on whether he backed or opposed Trumps action, Modi said he will take the side of future generations. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, meanwhile, said India would continue to ensure it did its best to address climate change and global warming. Modi, he said, was committed to the Paris deal, recalling his efforts in the landmark deal. Power Minister Piyush Goyal echoed similar views. Under Modis leadership, India has taken up renewable energy as an article of faith and is steadfast on its Paris commitments, irrespective of what others do, Goyal said. Amid Trumps attack against India over billions of dollars in aid for meeting commitment under the Paris agreement and the UNs commendation for its efforts in the direction, former environment secretary Prodipto Ghosh said: The money part from the US was not significant in any case. He (Trump) is just trying to save the jobs of coal miners in his country. Under the agreement, developed countries were to provide financial resources to help developing nations deal with climate change and put in place adaptation measures. Ghosh said re-negotiating the Paris agreement was not feasible in any case. The US decision is unlikely to affect India or the climate deal significantly. In fact, America may turn out to be a net loser because of the way it may lose economic opportunities coming out of the landmark pact, he said, terming the US decision unfortunate. Most of the countries are committed to implementing the Paris agreement, which has the potential to completely transform the energy system towards clean and sustainable energy, Ghosh said, adding: India will be able to transform into clean energy mechanisms quite easily. By pulling out of the deal, the US now joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations who are not participating in the global agreement. UN Environment Programme Executive Director Erik Solheim said the US decision in no way brought an end to the unstoppable effort. China, India, the European Union and others are already showing strong leadership. 190 nations are showing strong determination to work with them to protect this and future generations, Solheim was quoted as saying. In December 2015, 195 countries had signed an agreement aimed at slowing the process of global warming. "I was asked in Germany earlier this week a similar question (on the Indian stand, before the US decision to pull out was made public). At the time, I had replied that Paris or no Paris, it is our conviction that we have no right to snatch from our future generations their right to have a clean and beautiful earth. I dont think I should go this side or that. This subject is of future generations and I would go towards future generations." Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, June 2 Prices of fruits and vegetables soared in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra as the indefinite strike by farmers entered the second day on Friday. Despite strong police presence on highways and other major arterial roads, protesting farmers stopped trucks carrying milk and agricultural produce to cities and towns of Maharashtra and dumped their contents on roads. Police said scores of people were taken into custody across the state. However farmers organisations have threatened to continue with their strike till their demand for farm loan waiver was accepted by the Devendra Fadnavis government. The protesting farmers received a shot in the arm after noted social activist Anna Hazare extended his support to the strike. He also offered to mediate between the farmers and the Maharashtra government to bring about a solution. The government needs to take a sympathetic look at the problems faced by farmers and work for a solution, Hazare told reporters at his village in Ralegan Siddhi. However, the state government was yet to respond to Hazares offer by late afternoon. The indefinite strike has been called by the Kisan Kranti Morcha, an umbrella group of farmers organisations from across Maharashtra. According to sources, milk co-operatives controlled by the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party have also joined the strike and announced that they would not collect milk from dairy owners. Fadnavis however warned the co-operatives that the state government had the powers to supercede their boards and appoint administrators to ensure that milk collection continued as before. The CM also accused the opposition parties of instigating the strike. However the Congress party denied this. Fadnavis has accused the opposition parties of instigating the farmers strike. It indicates his lack of administrative experience, Mumbai Congress party chief Sanjay Nirupam said in a message on Twitter. Meanwhile, traders at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee markets in Mumbai said they are not getting enough supply of vegetables and fruits. Retailers said they were unable to obtain adequate supplies of fruits and vegetables for sale and the goods that were available were also priced higher. Simran Sodhi Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 2 The decision of United States President Donald Trump to withdraw the US from the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement has dismayed the world. But in particular, the heartburn is being felt in India on two counts. One: Trump in his tirade on Thursday attacked India along with China for getting a good bargain in the Paris agreement while the US lost out on jobs, etc.; two: what is likely to complicate matters for the South Block here is how to chart out Prime Minister Narendra Modis upcoming US visit. Though the dates for his US visit have not been announced officially, sources in the government said the PM was expected to visit the US from June 26-29. The Trump diatribe couldnt have come at a worse time for India. The first Modi-Trump summit has plenty riding on it already, with the proposed changes in the H1B visa and the tightening of security checks for visas, being implemented by the US. The role of the US and India in resolving the Afghan crisis is also on the top of the agenda for both leaders. The Prime Minister was in St Petersburg as Trump said India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. We are supposed to get rid of ours. The PM however, reaffirmed Indias position and said even before the Paris agreement, India has been working to protect the climate. In response to a question on whether India would side with the US or others on the Paris climate change deal, Modi said, it is not a question of which way I go. I will go with the future generations. He added that, we must leave for our future generations a climate wherein they can breathe clean air and have a healthy life. The PM did not directly refer to the comments made by Trump. India makes its participation contingent on receiving billions and billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid from developed countries, Trump said in an angry speech where he justified his decision to exit the Paris agreement. The three-time reference to billions has seen many an unhappy reaction here where officials said this was unfair criticism. With barely two weeks to go before the PM heads off to Washington DC, for India the work is cut out as climate change moves on top of the agenda when the two leaders meet. Are you on Twitter, journalist asks Modi, gets trolled Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, June 2 Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal on Friday said that except rhetoric nothing had been done to defend the country in the past three years. Manpreet has been deputed by the AICC to expose the three-year achievements of the Modi government as the partys nationwide programme. Speaking here, Manpreet claimed that there were 172 terror attacks in the past three years of which 12 were major. These included the ones at Uri, Pathankot, Nagrota and Dinanagar. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) He said 578 jawans had been martyred while 877 civilians were killed in the past three years. Of these martyred jawans, 203 had been martyred in J&K alone. Manpreet said 1,343 ceasefire violations took place in J&K in the past three years and Pakistan thrice beheaded Indian jawans in the past six months. IN a sympathetic article under this heading which, we hope, will not frighten Lord Pentland, the Statist reviews the Maharaja of Bikaner's speech at the luncheon given by the Empire Parliamentary Association. That journal takes the view that the principle of Home Rule has already been conceded in the Morley-Minto Reform and what is now required is a further extension of that principle. It concludes the article as follows: "The question thus brought up is one which ought to be seriously and respectfully considered. It should not be disposed of as a mere matter of course. But it is manifest that a fuller and clearer statement of the aims in view ought to be laid before the people of this country before a definite conclusion is arrived at." We greatly appreciate the spirit of the remark in the last sentence. Nothing should be done behind closed doors without giving Parliament and the British Electorates an opportunity to examine the merits of the official proposals. Farmers in Maharashtra are on strike. They are not selling their produce in wholesale mandis resulting in sharp rise in prices of vegetables. By Vidya : Babulal Gupta, a vegetable vendor from Lower Parel area of Mumbai returned from Vashi wholesale market with hardly any vegetables. Gupta usually picks up all the available vegetables like cabbage, brinjal and beans along with other green leafy ones for his shop in Lower Parel. But today, he came back to his shop only with some bittergourd thanks to farmers' strike and spiraling prices in the wholesale market at Vashi. advertisement "There was hardly any vegetable at Vashi. The quality of vegetable was just like any other day but vehicles from farms had not reached there. And, whatever vegetables were being sold, the prices were jacked up," said Gupta. NO SHORTAGE YET, BUT PRICES GO UP Gupta said that he had to pay much higher priceS at the Vashi market for whatever little he could pick for retail sale. Back in Lower Parel, he plans to sell them at a premium too. However, other vegetable vendors could not muster so much 'courage' as Gupta in lifting articles from the wholesale market. "We had gone to Vashi market in the morning but the prices were so high that we did not dare buy anything. What we are selling right now are the vegetables that we had procured yesterday," said Ram Narayan, who has been selling vegetables right next to the railway station for several years now. The vegetable vendors said that the buyers would not pay for vegetables that cost more than Rs 40 a kilo and at Vashi itself the prices were around Rs 40 a kilo. The vegetable vendors would sell vegetables with some margin to make profit. Another retail vegetable seller said that he would continue to sell whatever is left in his shop but would not buy fresh vegetables at spiked rates. "Today in the market they were selling a small bundle of coriander for Rs 180. How will I be able to sell that here? Either it would have rotten at my shop or I would have to sell it at a loss. So, I did not buy any vegetables from Vashi today," said Prakash, another vegetable vendor at Lower Parel. FARMERS' STRIKE The farmers are on strike in Maharashtra asking for loan waiver and announcement of minimum support price for their goods. Today is the second day of their strike. The farmers have not brought their produce to the Vashi market since yesterday forcing the retailers to bank on the stocked vegetables. Small vendors were seen playing it safe as they sensed that they might have to suffer losses. advertisement The average consumer is also affected with farmers' strike. Priyanka More, who stays around the market, said "I don't know how long this strike will go on. So, I have come down to buy some vegetables. I will use these for a few days and let's see what happens after that." Some of the customers are not aware about the farmers' strike and were perplexed to know about the development. "Until yesterday beans was sold for Rs 30 a kilo. Now, they are selling it at Rs 60 a kilo. Why are things becoming so costly these days," asked Sampada Harvande, a resident of Dombivli. When Sampada came to know about the farmers' strike, she could just say, "I hope, the government intervenes and the strike ends soon." ALSO READ | On World Milk Day, Maharashtra farmers protest by spilling milk, throwing fruits on road No place for kisan: 5 recent farmer protests in India that turned heads Congress supports farmers strike: Ashok Chavan Maharashtra farmers on strike, seek to block veggies and milk supply ALSO WATCH | Tamil Nadu farmers staged protest in Delhi demanding loan waiver --- ENDS --- Tribune News Service Dehradun, June 2 Indian Military Academys Commandant Lt-Gen SK Upadhya has called upon the graduating cadets of Army Cadet College (ACC) to continue achieving new goals and not just rest on laurels. The IMA Commandant was addressing during the graduation ceremony of Army Cadet College at the Chetwode hall of the academy in Dehradun this morning. He said for ACC cadets who achieved a landmark, it was important that they did not just rest on their laurels but work towards achieving their new goals. He said after graduating from the ACC wing, as the cadets entered the IMA for a one-year course, they would inherit a rich legacy of the IMA. He informed the cadets that training at the IMA would not be as academic as they did it in the ACC wing and asked them to be prepared for new challenges. The Commandant also handed over the JNU degrees to a total of 62 cadets, including 32 cadets each from the science and humanities stream. He presented the Chief of Army Staff medals to wing cadet Capt Krishan Kumar Yadav, company quarter master Jitender Singh and company cadet Capt Rangat Singh who bagged gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, for standing first, second and third in the overall order of merit. Further, Capt Krishan Kumar Yadav also bagged Commandants silver medals in both service subjects and humanities stream as he stood first in both of them. Company cadet Capt Rangat Singh stood first in the science stream. Earlier, Army Cadet College Principal Dr Naveen Kumar presented the college report. He highlighted the academic performances of cadets of the graduating course. Sacramento, June 2 Three Democratic governors have said they won't let the US back away from a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite President Donald Trump decision to withdraw from an international pact. This is an insane move by this president, California Gov. Jerry Brown said, blasting the decision as deviant behavior from the highest office in the land. Brown joined Gov Jay Inslee of Washington state and Gov Andrew Cuomo of New York to form the US Climate Alliance to uphold the Paris climate agreement, a pact involving nearly 200 nations aimed at slowing the warming of the planet. The three states already belong to an emissions reduction pact of states and cities worldwide, but yesterday's action marked a direct stand against the Trump administration and a formal commitment to upholding the targets of the Paris agreement. Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe also expressed interest in joining the new pact. We governors are going to step into this cockpit and fly the plane, Inslee told reporters. The president wants to ground it we're going to fly it. California, New York and Washington together account for about 10 percent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, Brown's office said. AP Washington, June 2 The Trump administration on Friday urged the Supreme Court to reinstate its controversial travel ban on citizens from six Muslim-majority countries, elevating a divisive legal battle involving national security and religious discrimination. In its filings, the administration asked the nine justices to consider the legality of President Donald Trumps executive order of March 6, a move that appeals a ruling by the 4th Circuit that upheld a nationwide halt to the ban. The executive order was halted by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in a 10-3 ruling. The ruling was one in a series of legal defeats for the administration, as judges across the country have said Trumps claim of protecting the nation was cover for making good on a campaign promise to ban Muslims from entry into the US. Suspended by US courts, Trump in his executive order had banned visa issuance to citizens of six majority-Muslim countries: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It also halted the flow of refugees to the US. We have asked the Supreme Court to hear this important case and are confident that President Trumps executive order is well within his lawful authority to keep the nation safe and protect our communities from terrorism, Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. The President is not required to admit people from countries that sponsor or shelter terrorism, until he determines that they can be properly vetted and do not pose a security risk to the United States, Flores said after the Department of Justice filed two emergency applications with the nine Court justices seeking to block two lower court rulings that blocked Trumps executive order. The court said the executive order speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination. Last month, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals largely affirmed a federal judges decision from March, which found the core provision of the revised executive order-- temporarily blocking foreign nationals from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the US--likely violates the Constitution because its primary purpose was to disfavour Muslims. The March ban was Trumps second effort to implement travel restrictions on people from several Muslim-majority countries through an executive order. The first, issued on January 27, led to chaos and protests at airports and in major US cities before it was blocked by courts. The second order was intended to overcome the legal issues posed by the original ban, but it was blocked by judges before it could go into effect on March 16. PTI Not to be outdone, now the Trinamool plans to gift free bovines to poor farmers. In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee is all set to commandeer the saffron monopoly over cows and their protection. Bent on proving that cows cannot be tethered to gaushalas of a particular political hue, the chief minister has decided to gift cows to poor farmers in her state. The objective, officials associated with the initiative say, is to help small and marginal farming families supplement their incomes by selling milk and using dung to produce eco-friendly fuel and manure for organic farming. "This will not only ensure better living conditions for the cattle population, but will generate alternative employment opportunities for farmers, especially in the unfortunate event of crop failure," said an agriculture department officer. advertisement Farmers in North 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts will receive the first batches of the gift cows. And going one better than the National Gokul Mission, where the Centre and state share the cost of the animals given to farmers, Mamata's government will fully fund the state's 'Godaan' scheme. That's not all. A most vocal critic of the Modi government proposal to introduce Aadhaar-like tags for cows, Mamata's government is now working on assigning UIDs (unique identification numbers) to the state's bovine population (this was apparently decided following a cow census in 2014). Paschimbanga go sampad bikash sangstha, a state body under the animal resources development department, has hired 5,174 praanimitras (friends of animals) to tag the cows. Some 1.38 million cows have already been assigned UIDs. "Our idea is to keep a count of the cows to improve bovine breeds and enhance milk production," says animal resources development minister Swapan Debnath insisting that the TMC government's UID project was completely different from the Centre's Aadhaar tag proposal. In fact, the two are almost identical. Both entail documentation of the breed, age, sex, height, hide colour, horn type and lactation profile of each animal. Even the praanimitras employed to do the job seem to be modelled on the 6,000-odd gau rakshaks enlisted by the RSS's state cow protection cell. Mamata is clearly intent on affecting cow-love, as if to say that when it comes to protecting cows, the TMC is 'holier' than the BJP. --- ENDS --- At least 34 bodies were found at a casino resort in the Philippine capital after an attack by a gunman overnight and most of them had died of suffocation, the ANC news channel reported, quoting sources at the Bureau of Fire Protection. By Reuters: At least 34 bodies were found at a casino resort in the Philippine capital after an attack by a gunman overnight and most of them had died of suffocation, the ANC news channel reported, quoting sources at the Bureau of Fire Protection. Police said earlier the gunman's motive was likely robbery and that the incident was not terror-related. The gunman fired shots and set gaming tables alight, sparking panic at the resort. advertisement Also Read Delhi's casino royale: Illegal gambling industry thrives around Diwali, posh farmhouses become addas --- ENDS --- The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation awarded a $2.3 million grant this week to the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences to improve health care in rural Oklahoma. The majority of the money, $1.8 million, will be used to underwrite service lines for mental health and addiction medicine through Project ECHO, which connects rural providers with specialists at the OSU center in west Tulsa. The remaining funds will be directed to the Rural Oklahoma Network. We are grateful to the trustees of the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation for recognizing the vision of our new Project ECHO program targeting mental health and addiction services in rural areas of Oklahoma, said OSU-CHS President Kayse Shrum. Project ECHO will connect rural providers with OSU-CHS specialists via computer, smartphone and tablet for weekly video conferences centered on treating complicated conditions. Through Project ECHO, rural providers can acquire the knowledge to treat many of their patients in their hometowns without having to refer their patients to an urban health-care setting many miles away, Shrum said. Rural providers will not be charged for the service. Services lines dedicated to pediatric obesity and HIV/hepatitis C are among those in development in addition to mental health and addiction medicine. The Rural Oklahoma Network, which is receiving $500,000 from the grant, is a practice-based research network that facilitates the development of peer learning among rural clinicians and providers, OSU researchers and community partners. The funding will allow it to expand into 10 additional counties. We are always looking for opportunities to find transformational ways to help our community, said Judy Zarrow Kishner, president of the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation. The work OSU Center for Health Sciences is doing to advance care delivery in rural Oklahoma will have a rippling effect for generations to come. My parents believed in giving where they saw a need, and OSU-CHS has identified a crucial need in rural Oklahoma to make medical care and medical knowledge more accessible. Fadel Iskander, a leader in Tulsas only Coptic Christian community, got a surprise visit a couple weeks ago from the FBI and the Bixby police. They asked if we needed any additional patrols, said Iskander, with Saints Peter & Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in south Bixby. The courtesy visit from law enforcement came in the wake of multiple terrorist attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt in recent weeks that left dozens of people dead and hundreds injured. Copts, as they are called, comprise about 10 percent of the population of Egypt, a Muslim-majority country, and they consider themselves descendants of the ancient Egyptian people under the pharoahs before the Arab conquest of Egypt 1,400 years ago. They have been a historically persecuted minority, but that persecution spiked after the so-called Arab Spring about six years ago and has surged in recent weeks. Suicide bombers killed 45 people at two Coptic churches on Palm Sunday, and last week gunmen mowed down 29 Copts on a bus heading to a monastery. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on the first day of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. Survivors said the shooters told the Copts they could renounce their Christian faith and live. Most did not. Iskander, who got his Ph.D. in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa in 1980, said he keeps up on what is going on in his homeland through social media communication with relatives and through the news. He blames the persecution, in large part, on textbooks he says are widely used in some 14,000 al-Azhar religious schools all over the country. They are government-sponsored, he said, but not public schools. Those textbooks are full of passages that it is OK to kill non-believers, he said. He said a conversation is going on in Egypt about what to do about those books, but one Egyptian lawmaker who suggested this week that they be burned was forced to apologize. Iskander said that Copts are fleeing Egypt in large numbers, seeking refuge in U.S. cities with large Egyptian populations like New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. Few refugees are coming to Tulsa because the population of Copts is small, he said. And the Southern U.S. Diocese of the Coptic Church is asking churches to donate money for metal detectors at Egyptian churches, he said. Dr. Hani Malati an ear, nose and throat specialist at Hillcrest South Hospital, an Egyptian native and one of the founders of the Coptic church in Bixby said the violence was the product of a growing intolerance in the Middle East. He said people in oil-rich Gulf states decided to spread Sunni Islam and have been building Islamic schools and universities. Egyptian society has changed from being accepting of others to now considering anyone who is not like them to be their enemy, Malati said. This wave does not appear to be limited to Egypt, but you can see it all over the world. Shiite Muslims and people of other faiths have been targeted, he said. Malati said his relatives in Egypt tell him that among their neighbors, they have seen that people who support diversity have become the minority, and the majority are less tolerant. He said many Egyptian Coptic families are fleeing the country and coming to the United States, most of them to large population centers. Even in Tulsa we are getting some families that have succeeded in leaving, he said. Malati said he was disappointed that the United States has not taken a stronger stand for human rights in the Middle East, noting that it did not come up in President Donald Trumps recent visit there. Kelly launched her new show with an interaction featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Narendra Modi at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg. By India Today Web Desk: National Broadcasting Company (NBC) journalist Megyn Kelly must be ruing the she didn't do her homework properly before meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in St. Petersburg. The famous journalist is facing severe flak from netizens for asking PM Modi whether he was on Twitter. Kelly launched her new show with an interaction featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Modi at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg. However, she soon found herself being slammed on social media for her absurd question to PM Modi while greeting him. EXCLUSIVE: NBC News' @megynkelly joins Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi ahead of tomorrow's International Economic Forum in Russia. pic.twitter.com/L12ahtuTDO- NBC News (@NBCNews) 1 June 2017 advertisement WHAT HAPPENED Before the formal TV interaction, Megyn Kelly welcomed the world leaders inside the Konstantin Palace shaking hands with them. While she was greeting Modi, the Indian Prime Minister said,"I saw your tweet... with umbrella." Things are looking up in St. Petersburg - the rain stopped...& I will interview President Putin on Friday. pic.twitter.com/3MJ3IoIhlH- Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 1, 2017 "Ohh really! did you? Are you on Twitter?" Kelly replied with a smile. PM Modi appeared to have taken aback at Kelly's query. PM Modi casually ignored the 'ignorant' journalist and chose to laugh off Kelly's query. However, people on social media weren't so forgiving to the NBC reporter as she was hammered online for her poor knowledge. For the ignorant lot like Kelly, incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the third most followed world leader on Twitter after Pope Francis and US President Donald Trump. Dear @megynkelly here is ur twitter profile vs @narendramodi sir profile,still u ask that r u on twitter. Wats d population f ur country btw pic.twitter.com/bFcanO6iLP- Kumar Amritansh (@Banarasi_Hindu) 2 June 2017 This was funny ????While @narendramodi had done his homework Ms. Kelly had not researched her subjects well??.The first thing I do before..- Nitin Kapoor (@NitinKapoor2020) 2 June 2017 Really? "Are you on Twitter?" that's dumb!@narendramodi is 3rd most followed politician, after Obama & Trump, & has 10x more than herself!- Sanjeev Singh (@sanjeevbjp) 2 June 2017 Dear self-obsessed Americans,yes @narendramodi is on Twitter and has more than 30 Million followers.- Rohit (@guptarohit93) 2 June 2017 These morons do their homework after interview.@narendramodi has 30.3 million follower dear Meggy noodles https://t.co/DZMLuQ10lk- ????Baba (@rkgeemail) 2 June 2017 Stupidity of this lady is evident when she asked PM Modi 'are you on twitter?' She didnot even do basic research. ?????? - Madhusudan Kota ???? (@madhusudankota) 2 June 2017 ALSO READ: Priyanka Chopra meets PM Modi in Berlin, some Indians find her attire not sanskari enough, posture disrespectful Russia doesn't have tight military ties with Pakistan: Putin tells Modi #ParamGyani: Twitter roasts PM Modi on his 'operation on healthy body' comment Twitter is anti-national, anti-PM Narendra Modi and anti-Hindu: Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya after ban --- ENDS --- Republican Lauren Boebert is in a tight race in her bid for reelection to a U.S. House seat in Colorado against Democrat Adam Frisch, a businessman and former city councilman from the posh, mostly liberal ski town of Aspen. Boeberts contest in Colorados sprawling 3rd Congressional District is being watched nationally as Republicans try to flip control of the U.S. House in the midterm elections. The Donald Trump loyalist established herself as a partisan flashpoint in Washington, D.C., in her first term, and had been favored to win reelection after redistricting made the rural conservative district more Republican. Frisch criticizes what he calls Boebert's divisive brand of angertainment in Washington. Boebert vows: We will have this victory. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has agreed to fund an Oklahoma Highway Patrol academy class next year for about 30 new state troopers, a renewal of OHP numbers that is needed. The authoritys $5 million donation will cover the cost of training and equipping the troopers and their first years salaries and benefits. One or two of those troopers will be assigned to state turnpikes, but the vast majority will be assigned to other state roads. In other words, a big piece of supporting the highway patrol for the states entire highway system has been shifted from the general public to turnpike users. We wont fuss with the turnpike authority for what it is doing. The authority needs the OHP to be fully staffed. If attrition were allowed to erode the patrols staff further, the turnpike system would end up losing the troopers needed for safety. But the fact that the authority had to step in to fund a program that is clearly the responsibility of the Oklahoma Legislature is further proof that our states lawmakers are routinely ignoring their responsibility to fund public safety and pretty much all of state government. The academy will be the states first in three years. The last one was paid for ... wait for it ... by the turnpike authority. That time, at least the authority could say most of the new troopers were intended for turnpike duty; but this time, even that pretense has been dropped. Through a lack of courage and leadership, the effective policy of the Oklahoma Legislature is to expect ordinary expenses of state government the stuff that everyone should be paying for to be funded through fees imposed on people who may or may not see any benefit from those expenses. Its default taxation of the few to pay for the responsibilities of the many, and its the wrong way to run the state. Nine has rushed Ariana Grandes One Love Manchester Tribute Concert into schedule on Monday night. The event is being held in Manchester this weekend to remember the victims of the terrorist attack which killed 22 people. The event includes some of the worlds biggest performers including Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Robbie Williams and more. In the UK even Britains Got Talent has moved nights for its Final to give ample focus to the Manchester concert. We will not quit or operate in fear. We wont let this divide us. We wont let hate win, Grande said in a statement. Our response to this violence must be to come closer together, to help each other, to love more, to sing louder and to live more kindly and generously than we did before. One Love Manchester will also be streamed live at 4am AEST on Monday on 9Now. As a result of the late programming addition, The Big Bang Theory return is pushed back to a week later, Monday June 12. Footy Classified moves to GO! in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth at the early time of 8:30pm. Netflix has axed its epic futuristic / mythology drama Sense8 after 2 seasons. Statement from Cindy Holland, vice president of Netflix original content: After 23 episodes, 16 cities and 13 countries, the story of the Sense8 cluster is coming to an end. It is everything we and the fans dreamed it would be: bold, emotional, stunning, kick ass, and outright unforgettable. Never has there been a more truly global show with an equally diverse and international cast and crew, which is only mirrored by the connected community of deeply passionate fans all around the world. We thank Lana, Lilly, Joe and Grant for their vision, and the entire cast and crew for their craftsmanship and commitment. But the global backdrop came with a hefty pricetag. Deadline notes because of the big-budget shows lengthy pre-production, production and post-production, options on the cast had expired. Although Netflix had reached out to the core actors and negotiated new contracts for a potential third season it ultimately decided to wrap the series. The news follows the recent axing of The Get Down after just 1 season and CEO Reed Hastings noting the streaming giant needed to cancel more shows in order to take big-hitter risks on new titles. Donald Trump tried to downplay the global agreement as ineffective in combating the climate change by quoting an MIT finding, though without naming it. By Santosh Chaubey: An MIT scientist has accused US President Donald Trump of manipulation and misuse of an MIT study he co-authored to justify the decision of pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement, the first global climate pact with worldwide representation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement signed by 195 countries in Paris in December 2015 has been ratified by 147 countries so far. advertisement While Trump blasted the Paris Accord of being unfair to the US, at the same time, he tried to downplay the global agreement as ineffective in combating the climate change by quoting an MIT finding, though without naming it, "It is estimated it would only produce a two-tenths of one degree Celsius reduction in global temperature by the year 2100. Tiny, tiny amount." But soon it emerged that Trump had picked up selective information to justify the rationale behind his decision. According to an article in the MIT Technology Review, Donald Trump and his team quoted figures from an earlier MIT study which was done a year before the Paris Climate Agreement was signed and therefore could not factor in the emission pledges of all the signatories to the accord. Erwan Monier, co-author of the study, "How much of a difference will the Paris Agreement make?", and principal research scientist at MIT's department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences says "It appears that the White House cherry picked the lowest number they could find among studies that explored the impact of the climate accord". And as per Monier, the Trump administration didn't contact the MIT team before quoting its findings. The 2016 MIT study which took into account emission pledges of all the participating nations came to the conclusion that the Paris Agreement was the first step in the right direction and if the participating countries followed their pledges, it could "reduce the surface air temperature in 2100 between 0.6 and 1.1 C relative to the no climate policy case" and thus could slow down the global warming process. The 2016 study also emphasized that tacking climate change and global warming needed much more. Monier says, "The Paris agreement is certainly a step in the right direction, but it is only a step. It puts us on the right path to keep warming under 3 C, but even under the same level of commitment of the Paris agreement after 2030, our study indicates a 95 percent probability that the world will warm by more than 2 C by 2100". And in absence of any global climate control framework, the earth may warm up to 5 C or more, a Time report said quoting co-director of the MIT program John Reilly. ALSO READ: US pulls out of Paris Agreement: Why Trump is wrong in blaming India for climate change advertisement Also read: India leading polluter, says US President Donald Trump while pulling out of Paris climate accord Also read: After dumping Paris climate deal, Donald Trump calls world leaders Also read: Donald Trump second US President to withdraw from a global climate deal Also watch: US pulls out of Paris Climate Accord; Trump says deal not tough on India, China --- ENDS --- Lyon's second straight penalty shoot-out success in a UEFA Women's Champions League final means they have equalled FFC Frankfurt's record of four European titles. Having already matched Frankfurt's six final appearances by making it to Cardiff, Lyon knew victory would also take them level with the German side on a quartet of wins. Coincidentally, Frankfurt also reached six finals and four wins when they beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 two years ago. Two French teams making the final means they have now totalled eight appearances, overtaking Sweden and behind only Germany's 14. However, despite Lyon's triumph, Germany are still five victories clear of France, their clubs having lifted the trophy nine times in the 16-year history of the competition. In the UEFA Women's Champions League era since 2009/10, however, France are level at 4-4 with Germany in wins, and 8-7 up on final appearances 2014 runners-up Tyreso from Sweden the only exception in either category. Highlights Lyon make it four inCardiff Finals (winners in bold) UEFA Women's Champions League 2016/17: Lyon (FRA) 0-0, 7-6 pens Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 2015/16: Wolfsburg (GER) 1-1 aet, 3-4 pens Lyon (FRA) 2014/15: FFC Frankfurt (GER) 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 2013/14: Tyreso (SWE) 3-4 Wolfsburg (GER) 2012/13: Wolfsburg (GER) 1-0 Lyon (FRA) 2011/12: Lyon (FRA) 2-0 FFC Frankfurt (GER) 2010/11: Lyon (FRA) 2-0 Turbine Potsdam (GER) 2009/10: Lyon (FRA) 0-0 aet, 6-7 pens Turbine Potsdam (GER) UEFA Women's Cup 2008/09: Zvezda-2005 (RUS) 1-7 agg Duisburg (GER) 2007/08: Umea (SWE) 3-4 agg FFC Frankfurt (GER) 2006/07: Umea (SWE) 0-1 agg Arsenal (ENG) 2005/06: Turbine Potsdam (GER) 2-7 agg FFC Frankfurt (GER) 2004/05: Djurgarden (SWE) 1-5 agg Turbine Potsdam (GER) 2003/04: Umea (SWE) 8-0 agg FFC Frankfurt (GER) 2002/03: Umea (SWE) 7-1 agg Fortuna Hjrring (DEN) 2001/02: Umea (SWE) 0-2 FFC Frankfurt (GER) 2015: Frankfurt's fourth win Most wins By club FFC Frankfurt (GER)/Lyon (FRA) 4 Turbine Potsdam (GER)/Umea (SWE)/Wolfsburg (GER) 2 Arsenal (ENG)/Duisburg (GER) 1 By country Germany 9 France 4 Sweden 2 England 1 Most final appearances By club FFC Frankfurt (GER)/Lyon (FRA) 6 Umea (SWE) 5 Turbine Potsdam (GER) 4 Wolfsburg (GER) 3 Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 2 Arsenal (ENG)/Djurgarden (SWE)/Duisburg (GER)/Fortuna Hjrring (DEN)/Tyreso (SWE)/Zvezda-2005 (RUS) 1 By country Germany 14 France 8 Sweden 7 Denmark, England, Russia 1 (2006 final counts as two German appearances, 2017 counts as two French appearances) Refugees in Kutupalong camp rebuild their homes after Cyclone Mora tore through the area on 30 May 2017. UNHCR/Shinji Kubo Cyclone Mora swept across the Bay of Bengal earlier this week, damaging thousands of homes in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Shelter is urgently needed for those affected. Many refugees and internally displaced people are among the local victims. Some injuries were reported among Rohingya refugees in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar area and displaced people in Myanmars Rakhine state. An 11-year-old refugee died on Wednesday when he was hit by a falling tree branch in Kutupalong refugee camp in Coxs Bazar. In Myanmar in central Rakhine state, a displaced boy aged 10 was reported missing after he was swept away by rising waters. UNHCR assessments in Bangladeshs Kutupalong and Nayapara camps found that most of the refugees homes which are built with mud, bamboo, corrugated iron and plastic sheets suffered some damage. Some 20 percent are completely destroyed. Communal structures such as schools, community centres and the offices of government and NGOs are also damaged. Our partners are assessing the situation in makeshift sites and local villages hosting refugees. In Myanmar, the government is conducting assessments with the contribution of UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies. Hundreds of shelters in the camps housing internally displaced people in central Rakhine state have suffered damage in the strong winds. This includes 186 shelters that collapsed while 339 are severely damaged. In both countries, UNHCR and our partners are supporting government-led relief efforts to assist refugees, displaced people and their host communities who were affected by this natural disaster. The working environment remains challenging amid persistent rains. Parts of central Rakhine are fraught with risks of landslides and collapsing river banks. In northern Rakhine state, relief work is hampered by flooding in parts of Maungdaw town as well as downed power and telecommunications lines. The electricity mini-grid in Bangladeshs refugee camps is also broken, heightening security concerns after dark. There is an urgent need for shelter materials. While some refugees in Bangladesh are already repairing their homes, others face nights in the open unless alternative accommodation can be found. UNHCR is prioritizing the repair of communal structures like schools to provide temporary shelter. Our staff are also distributing plastic sheets to those who need it the most. UNHCR is seeking funds from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help those affected by the cyclone in the two Bangladesh camps where we are authorised to work. In Rakhine state in light of the urgent needs, we have provided plastic sheets to several healthcare facilities and are distributing further to people who need a roof over their heads. We are also working with UNICEF to support repairs to schools to minimize disruption of the school year that started yesterday (Thursday). UNHCR will provide further humanitarian aid in close liaison with the authorities. Food rations, drinking water and latrines are some of the other needs identified so far in the cyclone-affected areas. More needs are likely to be identified as further assessments are completed in Bangladesh and Myanmar. In Bangladesh, there are more than 33,000 Rohingya refugees registered in the official camps of Kutupalong and Nayapara. Outside the camps, more than 200,000 undocumented Rohingya are living in makeshift sites and local villages in south-eastern Bangladesh, including an estimated 74,000 who arrived after fleeing the violence in northern Rakhine state in October 2016. In Myanmar, there are some 120,500 internally displaced people who have been living in bamboo longhouses in IDP camps in central Rakhine since they lost their homes in the 2012 inter-communal violence. For more information on this topic, please contact: Tuareg refugees ride camels to the desert area of Initkan, Niger, where they received UNHCR assistance, April 2013. UNHCR/Bernard Ntwari UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is shocked to hear about the reported deaths of 44 desperate migrants and refugees in the Sahara Desert this week - including women and children. Survivor accounts suggest a group of 50 people was on their way to Libya when their truck broke down between the cities of Agadez and Dirkou in the desert in northern Niger, exposing them to extreme heat and lack of drinking water. Only six people could be saved. It is quite clear that human smugglers will go to any extent to exploit desperate refugees and migrants. These shocking deaths are part of the bigger picture of exploitation as smugglers broaden the death trap from the Mediterranean to the Sahara Desert. Inside Niger, UNHCR has recently opened an office in Agadez near the transit routes, aimed at providing refugees swift access to asylum. It is also working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to warn people about the perils of the desert and sea journeys. Since January 2017, some 17,000 migrants and refugees have crossed into Libya from Niger. UNHCR is also stepping up its presence and programmes in Libya in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis resulting from conflict, insecurity, political instability and a collapsing economy in the North African country. Many Refugees and migrants end up in detention or continuously being exploited by human traffickers. Thousands have died while trying to cross the Central Mediterranean into Italy through Libya. UNHCR is seeking US$75.5 million to meet the increased humanitarian and protection needs of people in Libya including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities, as well as refugees and asylum seekers. The appeal includes protection monitoring and interventions, as well as advocacy on issues related to respect for human rights, access to basic services, asylum procedures and freedom of movement. Additional resources are also required in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad to help prevent and respond to risks associated with such deadly journeys. With this latest tragedy in the Sahara Desert, we once again repeat our call for credible alternatives to these dangerous crossings for people in need of international protection, including accessible and safe ways to reach Europe - such as family reunification, resettlement and private sponsorship. UNHCR also continues its efforts to expand resettlement opportunities for refugees to save lives. Media contacts: People who have remained living in liberated parts of Eastern Mosul gather at an aid distribution organised by one of UNHCR's partners Muslim Aid, on 20 December 2016. UNHCR/Ivor Prickett UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, urgently needs US$ 126 million to meet critical needs of vulnerable children, women and men displaced from, and returning to, Mosul, until the end of the year. A shortage of funds threatens to undermine our humanitarian response at this critical time. Heavy fighting is continuing, and UNHCR is expecting more large movements of people from the west of the city where the fighting is currently concentrated. Iraqi authorities say that more than three quarters of a million Iraqis have been forced to flee Mosul since military operations started in October. The vast majority of the internally displaced are families with children and babies groups that are especially vulnerable and would be most affected by aid shortages should international support wither. Nearly half of the urgently requested funds US$ 60 million - is required to assist more than 100,000 newly displaced Iraqi families with emergency shelter in the camps, legal assistance to replace lost and missing documents, child protection, prevention of sexual and gender based violence, as well as to provide them with blankets, mattresses and other core relief items. UNHCR has so far established 12 camps in support of the overall efforts by the Iraqi authorities to provide shelter to currently 316,000 internally displaced Iraqis in relative proximity to Mosul. A further US$ 24 million is needed to assist and support Iraqi families returning to their homes. It is estimated that 125,000 internally displaced people have returned to their homes, many in east Mosul and on the outskirts of the city. Most of the returnees are living in damaged buildings and need shelter assistance as well as cash support. In areas of return, UNHCR and partners will provide material assistance, including emergency shelter and sealing-off kits to help returnees living in unfinished buildings, as well as essential protection services, including psycho-social support, replacement of missing and lost documents and protection monitoring. Lastly, US$ 42 million is required for on time procurement of shelter and aid materials for next winter. To cope with eventual drops in temperatures, UNHCR plans to assist 135,000 displaced and returnee families with a range of core winter items including blankets, fuel, jerry cans and heating stoves. This includes the provision of one-time cash assistance of US$ 150 per family to 100,000 IDP and returnee families to help them buy fuel to get through the winter. Since 2014, Iraq has suffered massive internal displacement. It is estimated that up to three million Iraqis are still internally displaced and another quarter of a million live as refugees in the neighbouring countries. Overall UNHCR protection and assistance programmes in Iraq amount to 578 million in 2017. These are currently 21 per cent funded which is a cause for concern halfway through the year. To make a donation: donate.unhcr.org/int-en/mosul For more information on this topic, please contact: Two museums at the University of Michigan get "tattooed". The new mural, apparently, is meant to tell the stories of ancient civilizations while reflecting their relevant environments. Jim Cogswell, an artist and a professor at the University of Michigan, created the "Cosmogonic Tattoos". Per US News, this is an adhesive vinyl mural that covers the windows of the school's Museum of Art and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. The two buildings are situated across the street from each other. Interestingly, the "tattoos" feature "reassembled" pieces of about 250 artworks in the museums' collections. Cogswell stated that he used objects from one museum and then combined them with objects from the other. This, he added, aims to catch people's eyes and create a connection with art in a public space. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan News reported that Cogswell explained the story behind the project entitled "Cosmogonic Tattoos". He noted that Cosmogonies are the explanations for how the world came to be. They help in the identification of how people behave, how people think who they are as a species, as a society, and as individuals. For the record, the school's Museum of Art is free and open to the public. It is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. On Sundays, it operates from noon to 5 p.m. while it is closed on Mondays. On the other hand, the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology also offers no entrance fee. It is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday. During weekends, it is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. only. It Is closed every Monday too. The lead sponsor for the "Cosmogonic Tattoos" is the UM Office of the Provost. Additional support for Cogswell came from the UM Bicentennial Office. The Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design also helped him accomplish this project. Modi left for France late evening for the last leg of his four-nation tour that also took him to Germany and Spain besides Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin embrace during a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia. (Photo: Reuters) By Press Trust of India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today left for France after wrapping up his Russia visit during which he held talks with President Vladimir Putin and attended an international economic forum here. "Thank you Russia. This eventful visit witnessed several programmes and fruitful meetings. It will further boost India-Russia friendship," Prime Minister Modi tweeted before leaving for France. advertisement During his Russia visit, Modi and Putin held a summit, and signed several agreements including a critical one to build two more reactors of a nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu with Russia's help. Earlier today, Modi attended the St Petersburg International Economic Forum where he made a strong pitch to global businesses for investing in India, saying its market of 120 crore people provides vast opportunities from agriculture to defense, while being protected by political stability and a "vibrant" judicial system. Modi left for France late evening for the last leg of his four-nation tour that also took him to Germany and Spain besides Russia. In France, he will hold talks with newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. France is India's 9th largest investment partner and a key partner in its development initiatives in the area of defence, space, nuclear and renewable energy, urban development and railways. ALSO READ | All eyes on India-Russia nuclear power deal as Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin meet today ALSO WATCH | Modi, Putin sign key pacts, including on Kudankulam project, during St. Petersburg annual summit --- ENDS --- June 2 2017 A 150m development of 834 new homes and a primary school has been given the all clear in Newton Mearns by east Renfrewshire Council.Maidenhill is a joint venture between CALA Homes and Taylor Wimpey on land off Ayr Road including a range of properties from one-bedroom flats through to five bedroom houses alongside a new primary and nursery school.Jim McIntyre, managing director of CALA Homes (West), commented: We are committed to creating a development that complements and becomes an extension to neighbouring communities whilst meeting the housing need in Newton Mearns at the same time.Willie Burns, director of Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, added: Our first on-site priority will be to build roads and the framework to enable delivery of the new school located at the heart of the development, which is targeted to open in two years time.135,000sq/ft of land will be set aside as community open space. Researcher Seeks UW Scientists Grape Expertise to Help Italys Dilemma Doctoral student Cecilia Limera, from Italy, is learning grape precision breeding techniques developed by Sadanand Dhekney at the University of Wyomings Sheridan Research and Extension Center. (UW Photo) Even if the visiting doctoral students efforts at the University of Wyomings Sheridan Research and Extension Center succeed, she wont get a taste of her own success. Cecilia Limera, from Italy, is working six months in Sadanand Dhekneys laboratory trying to learn, and then return to Europe, grape precision breeding techniques Dhekney has crafted through years of research. Dhekney is the E.A. Whitney endowed assistant professor in the UW Department of Plant Sciences. Limera is learning how to initiate embryo cultures of different grape varieties via non-sexual means and modify them using existing DNA sequences from the grapes and their wild relatives. No new genetic material is added. She is learning precision breeding because European grape growers are caught between diseases, pests and regulations limiting chemical applications. Wine industry businesses and government regulators want other ways of continuing their varieties without using GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Limera rates the value of learning such techniques high. Id say 10, or even priceless, she says. The people specialized in this are really few. Dhekney is one of the few, and his expertise may help researchers who face time and consumer preference pressures. Researchers cannot improve existing grape varieties for pest and disease resistance through conventional plant breeding. The problem is most of the varieties are ancient varieties, Dhekney says. If you try to breed grapes that would be more resistant, you would lose their enological characteristics. Grapes from the mixed genomes of the new varieties would be completely different from what made the original grape variety desirable. Time is also a factor. Precision breeding allows fruit production and evaluation the second year. Breeders might have to wait four to five years for evaluating fruit and wine quality if using conventional plant breeding practices. You bypass the juvenile phase completely using precision breeding, Dhekney says. Grape precision breeding may be the solution, and no one may know the techniques better than Dhekney, who joined UW and the Sheridan Research and Extension Center in 2012. His expertise draws researchers from around the world. Limera is in her second year at Universita Politecnica delle Marche in Ancona, Italy. She is the sixth international researcher to work in Dhekneys laboratory. Others have been from University of Sao Paolo, Brazil; Pontifical Catholic University of Chile; Hebei Agricultural University, China; University of Cairo, Egypt; and Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences, Kyrgyzstan. Limeras adviser in Italy had collaborated with Dhekney and suggested she work with him. She also had also looked at other laboratories in France, Spain and the U.S. I realized I was going to learn much more here than in Europe, she says. It is much more open here than in Italy, France or Spain. I made the right choice. Precision breeding techniques are now more palatable to Europeans because no external or foreign genetic material is added. You are improving varieties where the wine characteristics are going to be the same, Dhekney says. Shortcomings are improved, but you keep everything thats desirable and adding new, desirable traits, like disease resistance or frost tolerance. Europe is more open to the techniques, but scientists are behind the technological curve. Thats one of the reasons Cecilia is here -- to learn those techniques and then go back and apply them in their laboratories, possibly teaching them to students and other researchers, Dhekney says. Its a direct transfer of technology from Sheridan back to Italy. Scientists falter at the beginning of the process. Collecting embryos from the plants bewilders many. Im still trying to understand the technique of getting the embryos, Limera says. Its really delicate. You need so much patience to be able to master the techniques of coming up with the embryo. Limera wont taste any success because, Im a teetotaler, she says, and smiles at the contrast of studying grapes for wine. Its not important for me to be a wine drinker. My main point is Im learning the technique to improve grapes and move to the next stage where other people take over, such as winemakers and wine tasters. Wyoming Business Tips for June 11-17 A weekly look at Wyoming business questions from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (WSBDC), part of WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming. By Robert Condie, WSBDC southwest regional director How do I know if my home-based business is ready for a move to a brick-and-mortar store? Allison, Green River This is a question that will most likely cross the mind of every home-based business owner at one point in the life of the business. I want to touch on a few points that might make the decision a little easier to make. There are arguments to keep the business at home, such as low costs, minimal travel time and no office politics. But, I want to focus on some reasons it might make sense for the move to a brick-and-mortar store: -- Room to grow: There is a good chance -- especially if you have a lot of inventory -- you are running out of room at home and need more space to accommodate your inventory needs. -- Professional front: Having a place to easily display your product as well, as a place for the customer to visit, presents a more professional feel and look. -- Dedicated work space: You have a ready-made space to meet with clients. You will not have to work around kids or a list of projects that needs done at the house. -- Boundaries: Your work time and space are separate and distinct from your family life and your living space. You can leave work problems at work, and your home life stays in the home. -- Room for employees: Is your business growing? Do you need to hire employees? Go right ahead. There are fewer privacy concerns with having employees. -- Social energy: You will have more people around to fuel your creativity, more of those happy accidents that sometimes happen just from talking with and being around others. That also can come from having more interaction with customers. If you are considering a move to a brick-and-mortar store, look at these reasons and see if some of these points are what is happening in your home-based business. If you think a move is something that might be in your future, contact a local Small Business Development Center representative, and he or she can help you get ready. A blog version of this article and an opportunity to post comments are available at www.wyomingsbdc.org/blog1/. The WSBDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming. To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY, 82071-3922. Responding to a question whether India's opposition to China's One Belt One Road reflects deep discord, Modi said not a single bullet has been fired despite border dispute. Modi said that in the last 40 years, not a single bullet has been fired because of border dispute with China. By Press Trust of India: The world has increasingly become inter-connected and inter-dependent, a transformation that has made it necessary for India and China to cooperate on trade and investments despite a simmering border dispute, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today. "It is true that we have a border dispute with China. But in the last 40 years, not a single bullet has been fired because of border dispute," Modi said during a panel discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova. advertisement Modi was responding to a question whether India's opposition to China's One Belt One Road project reflects deep discord in their relationship. India had boycotted a high-profile conference recently hosted by China on the project, citing "sovereignty" issue since it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The prime minister noted that it is not the same bipolar world of before when nations were aligned either with the United States or the former Soviet Union. "It is an inter-connected and inter-dependent world. So countries may have some disputes and some areas of collaboration," he said, noting that India and Russia relationship has stood the test of time as it was based on trust. The 24-page St Petersburg Declaration, released yesterday after his summit with Putin, is a testament to India-Russia relation, Modi said. "And I know the world will minutely scrutinize every word for future direction of our relations." On China, he said that despite differences, New Delhi and Beijing have come together on the BRICS platform to create two financial institutions, one headed by China where India is a partner and one BRICS Bank where the two regional superpowers are collaborators. "The world is increasingly becoming inter-dependent. We believe in Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas (Cooperation of all, development for all). This is not just for the domestic programmes but also for international cooperation. We want to carry everyone along for development," he said. ALSO READ | All eyes on India-Russia nuclear power deal as Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin meet today ALSO WATCH | Modi, Putin sign key pacts, including on Kudankulam project, during St. Petersburg annual summit --- ENDS --- A Nazi guard who was involved in the killing of almost two lakh Auschwitz inmates did not serve a day in prison. He died yesterday at the age of 95. By India Today Web Desk: During World War II, Third Reich built the Auschwitz concentration camp. The first extermination in the camp took place in 1941. The prisoners were taken to a gas chamber and were exterminated with a pesticide. Photo Credit: Tomasz Stefanko In four years, the camp saw close to one million deaths until it was liberated by Soviet Union in 1945. As many prisoners were never registered, it is hard to zero down on the exact number of deaths in the Auschwitz extermination camp. Photo Credit: Tomasz Stefanko advertisement THE NAZI SS SERGEANT Amidst all this was a Nazi SS sergeant., the man who was convicted of the accessory to the murder of 1,70,000 people at the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp. A year ago, the Nazi SS sergeant Reinhold Hanning was convicted for his part in the systematic murder of the prisoners of the death camp, an RT report says. Reuters Photo: Reinhold Hanning Hanning was sentenced to five years in jail but he never served a second in prison due to an ongoing appeal against his conviction. Germany's Detmold District Court sentenced Hanning in last June after a four-month trial. The trial heard distressing testimonies from survivors of the Auschwitz extermination camp. FYI || Humiliating selfies: Artist shames tourists who took insulting photos at Holocaust Memorial || The prosecution sought a six-year-jail time for formwer Nazi Hanning. Hanning began working at the Auschwitz concentration camp when he was 23 in 1942. Reuters Photo: Reinhold Hanning Hanning died on Thursday, after a year he was convicted of the accessory to the murder of Auschwitz prisoners. HARROWING TESTIMONIES OF SURVIVORS VS HANNING The testimonies of surviving witnesses claimed how Hanning watched prisoners who were selected for the gas chambers. Hanning always knew about the mass executions of the prisoners and how so many inmates starved to death. Defense of Hanning asked for his acquittal. The defense said that at no time, did Hanning kill people, beat them or aided in their deaths, despite being a guard. Reinhold Hanning also apologised to the victims. "No one in my family knew that I worked at Auschwitz. I simply could not talk about it. I was ashamed," RT quoted Hanning. "I am sorry." Adding that he was "ashamed that I saw injustice and never did anything about it." The trial of the former guard is likely to be one of the last Nazi trials to take place and came a year after another German court convicted 94-year-old "book-keeper of Auschwitz" - Oskar Groening for accessory to murder of at least 300,000 people. advertisement FYI || Nazi-era coins, photos, Hitler's book from 1930 found in Poland || --- ENDS --- The Centre's reply came just days after Bose family members expressed their displeasure with the way the Narendra Modi government had dealt with the Netaji disappearance mystery. By Indrajit Kundu: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee today demanded clarification from prime minister Narendra Modi after the central government's recent declaration that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had died in the 1945 plane crash in Taiwan. "I am shocked to see this unilateral decision of the Central Government without evidence," Banerjee wrote on her Facebook page. Banerjee's response comes in the wake a an RTI reply by the Ministry of Home Affairs in which the Centre concluded that Bose had died in plane crash in 1945. advertisement "After considering the reports of Shahnawaz Committee, Justice G D Khosla Commission and Justice Mukherjee Commission of Enquiry, the Government has come to the conclusion that Netaji has died in plane crash in 1945," the RTI response stated. Terming Netaji as a "great son of the soil" Mamata said, "Any matter involving a person of his stature does not deserve to be handled in such a casual manner." Banerjee also informed that she had drawn the attention of Prime Minister Modi on the matter and that Centre should come out with "considered stand" in this regard. The Centre's reply came just days after Bose family members expressed their displeasure with the way the Narendra Modi government had dealt with the Netaji disappearance mystery. Seeking a closure, the family recently wrote to the prime minister seeking a time bound effort to arrive at a "logical conclusion" of the mystery in the honour of the great leader. Terming the response irresponsible, Bengal BJP leader and Netaji's grand nephew Chandra Kumar Bose had demanded an apology from the central government. "I am a Bose family member first and then a BJP leader. Our first priority is to solve the Netaji mystery," Bose had told India Today. --- ENDS --- Celebrated chef Gordon Ramsays Las Vegas empire began five years ago with Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas, and to celebrate the award-winning restaurants momentous anniversary, a special five-course anniversary menu will be available now through Friday, June 30 (Pictured: Roasted Beef Wellington Rossini Photo credit: Erik Kabik / www.ErikKabik.com). The anniversary tasting menu, curated by new executive chef, Christophe Doumergue and team, includes: Double Amuse Bouche: Oyster & Scotch Egg Kumamoto oyster with red mignonette pearls, Berkshire pork sausage and red wine braised cabbage First Course: Baby Heirloom Tomato Salad Burrata cheese, chive oil, roasted tomato vinaigrette, micro cilantro and toasted pistachio Second Course: Seared Scallops Kaluga caviar crust, sweet pea, carrot risotto and lemon oil Third Course: Roasted Beef Wellington Rossini Glazed root vegetables, potato puree, seared foie gras, summer black truffle jus Dessert Course: Vanilla Mascarpone Cheesecake Fresh Harrys Berries strawberries, basil cream and strawberry dentelle A wine pairing has been selected by the restaurants Wine Spectator-awarded sommelier team, led by Jeffrey Eichelberger, for $85. Five is the key number this year, having just announced my fifth Las Vegas restaurant, and now its the 5th anniversary of the restaurant that started it all, Gordon Ramsay Steak, said Gordon Ramsay. I am so proud of the excellent Steak team, as they continue to produce world-class dishes and service. Gordon Ramsay Steak broke the Las Vegas steakhouse mold when it opened at Paris five years ago, said David Hoenemeyer, president of Paris Las Vegas. To this day, the restaurant continues to offer guests unbelievable dishes and cocktails in a setting unlike any other. A big congratulations to Gordon Ramsay and the entire team on all their accomplishments thus far and in the future. Gordon Ramsay Steak hit the booming Las Vegas culinary scene back in 2012, and continues to be highly acclaimed to this day. Upon opening, the restaurant was awarded numerous accolades including one of Eaters most anticipated restaurant openings of 2012, Vegas Sevens Best New Restaurant, Gayots Best Steakhouses in the US, Desert Companions Best Signature Dish for its Beef Wellington and more. Since opening, the list of distinctions has grown for the restaurant, most recently winning AAAs Four Diamond Award and Wine Spectators Award of Excellence. The two-level steakhouse famously welcomes guests through a chunnel entrance and immediately draws the eye up with a restaurant-wide Union Jack ceiling mural and custom neon sculpture replicating the speed of Ramsays hands. The modern steakhouse showcases prime beef dry-aged for a minimum of 28 days and cuts like the 32-ounce Royal Long-bone Chop for two as well as American Kobe, as well as an incredible selection of seafood, side dishes and desserts. Here is a rumour roundup of OnePlus 5 to help you get a clearer idea of what the smartphone could bring to the table. By Priya Pathak: The OnePlus 5 is one of the most hotly anticipated handsets of the year, arguably even more than the iPhone 8. If the rumours and leaks are to be believed, then the phone may launch on June 15 itself. The smartphone will succeed One Plus 3T, which was arguably one of the best phones to launch last year. With such a glorious past, it is natural to have high hopes and expectations with the upcoming OnePlus 5. advertisement Update: Earlier we heard that the OnePlus 5 will launch on June 15. Well, at least that was the information that was leaked. Now it seems there is a new date. This latest rumour hints that the OnePlus 5 will be launched on June 20. The latest information comes courtesy leak from China where a screenshot of a image with June 20 circled has been leaked. Well, whether it is June 20 or June 15, it seems that the OnePlus 5 is just weeks away. The phone has been subjected to several leaks and rumours lately. A lot has been heard, written and spoken about the device. While the company has already confirmed few specs of the phone, a roundup of all the rumours and leaks of the phone will help you get a clearer idea of what the smartphone could bring to the table. Screen OnePlus 5 is expected to sport a 5.5-inch display with thin bezels. Also, the phone could bear A5000 model number. While there is no word on the resolution yet but the phone could come with either 1440P or 1080P, similar to what we see in OnePlus 3T. Design OnePlus 5 could share its looks with OnePlus 3T. The phone may flaunt a metal unibody design with aluminium built metal frames and rounded edges. OnePlus 5 is expected to be slimmer and compact than the OnePlus 3T. Look into the shadows. What do you 5ee? pic.twitter.com/QPQq9feIMe- OnePlus (@oneplus) June 1, 2017 Recently, one of company's key officials also dismissed the rumours of OnePlus ditching the 3.5mm headphone and confirmed that the flagship phone will come with the 3.5mm headphone jack and a front-placed fingerprint sensor. The volume and power button placed on the right side, similar to the OnePlus 3T. Battery OnePlus 5 is expected to sport bigger battery than the previously announced OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T. There are rumours that the smartphone could come with 4000mAh battery and support for Quick Charge 4.0. Processor It is also almost confirmed that OnePlus 5 will come with Oxygen OS based on Android Nougat. The smartphone could come be powered by the latest Snapdragon 835 processor with Adreno 540 GPU. Rumours suggest that the smartphone could come in two storage variants- with 6G RAM and 64GB ROM and the second one with 8GB of RAM with 128GB internal storage. Camera advertisement This is going to be the USP of OnePlus 5. The phone is expected to come with a major upgrade over its predecessor in terms of photography. India Today Tech, in its previous report, had confirmed of dual rear-camera set up which will put the phone in competition against the likes of iPhone 7 and Xiaomi Mi 6. While previous rumours hinted of only dual camera set up at the back, a recent teasers released by company starring Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput suggests that the device might also come with dual cameras at the front. Expect a 16 MP camera, both at the front and back. The company last month entered into partnership with DxO to better the photography experience of OnePlus 5. DxO is a company best known for developing the photography benchmark test called DxOMark. Colour options OnePlus 5 could come in funky colour options like Yellow, Red, Turquoise with hint of pink and green, Gold and Black. Price and availability advertisement OnePlus 5 could be priced higher than its predecessor. Reason being the dual camera set up and latest processor but that does not mean that the phone could cost Rs 60,000 or above like the iPhone. The device could cost around Rs 40,000 in India, which is around Rs 5,000 more than the costliest variant of the OnePlus 3T. To know more about the pricing you can go through this report that talks about the possible pricing of OnePlus 5 based on everything known so far. The phone is rumoured to launch on June 15 but there is no official confirmation yet. Also Read: OnePlus, DxO partnership could make OnePlus 5 the best camera phone in the world Also Read: OnePlus 5 India price: No official word yet, but here is how much it could cost --- ENDS --- Bandito Latin Kitchen & Cantina (located in the Hughes Center at 325 Hughes Center Dr., suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89169) will open its doors on Monday, June 5th at 11am. The highly-anticipated restaurant is the first from Owner / Operator Kent Harman, a local hospitality professional with more than 30 years in the industry. The 4,000 square feet restaurant was designed by Harman along with Punch, the architect of record. Its decor is a mix of rustic and modern, with plenty of finished metal, hand-distressed wood and vibrant colors, all bathed in natural light that fills the restaurant through its 30-foot tall glass windows. As guests enter the restaurant they are greeted by a hand-pressed tortilla station that anchors the open kitchen. Its rectangular bar is a show-stopper, surrounded by distressed butcher-block counters, hand-laid tile and backed by a 30-foot steel shelving structure that houses a variety of liquor bottles and a pair of 60-inch television sets. Two larger-than-life murals by local artist, Brett Rosepiler, depicting Bandito and Rosie create eye-popping visuals within the main dining room. Bandito will cater to locals, tourists and large groups alike, with seating for 150 available both inside the cantina and dining room, and also on its outdoor patio that provides stunning nighttime views of the Las Vegas Strip. The kitchen, led by Executive Chef Chris Kight, turns out dishes inspired by the food of Latin America, with a heavy emphasis on Mexico. Signature items include fried octopus (green onion, yellow peppers, Romanesco, red Bandito sauce, lemon pepita salt), chicharron and arugula salad (rainbow baby carrots, roasted corn, shallots, heirloom tomatoes, queso fresco, agave guajillo vinaigrette), turkey chorizo albondigas (creamed salsa verde, cotija, popcorn shoots), habanero shrimp (jalapeno and cheese tamale, roasted vegetables, pickled onion) and a pan-roasted daily catch (roasted vegetables, black bean relish). Bandito will also serve a variety of tacos including braised octopus, baja fish, carnitas and carne asada, all served on fresh house-made tortillas. Charro beans and achiote rice anchor a list of sides that also include potatoes al pastor, Mexican street corn and roasted seasonal vegetables. The cantina program, led by Jair Bustillos, will work in harmony with the kitchen to create a line of creative cocktails that not only stand on their own, but also compliment the cuisine. While they will rotate seasonally, signature cocktails include La Paloma Blanca (El Silencio Mezcal, Luxardo Maraschino Cherry, fresh pink grapefruit juice, lime), Fashionista Ovo (Absolut Elyx vodka, Cinazano Bianco, fresh cucumber, pineapple juice, Sauza tequila) and Mojito Cubano (Cruzan Rum infused with cigar notes, fresh mint, lime, Chandon Sparkling Champagne). Bandito will also offer a thoughtful selection of interesting wines and craft beer, including a rotating handle from Las Vegas-based Big Dogs Brewing Company, plus a variety of signature margaritas, agua frescas and micheladas. While Bandito has physically been in the works for the past several months, its been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, said Harman. The entire team at Bandito has been working around the clock to bring this concept to life and we cant wait to share it with Las Vegas as a gathering place for friends to enjoy fresh food and creative cocktails in a fun, friendly atmosphere. The pacific island of Fiji has already felt the impact of climate change through wild storms such as Cyclone Winston, which killed 44 people and wiped out a third of the economy AFP/STEVEN SAPHORE The pacific island of Fiji has already felt the impact of climate change through wild storms such as Cyclone Winston, which killed 44 people and wiped out a third of the economy AFP/STEVEN SAPHORE SUVA, Fiji: The head of upcoming UN climate talks vowed Friday (Jun 2) that the fight against global warming would continue despite Washington's "unfortunate" decision to abandon the Paris climate deal. Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who will serve as president of the COP 23 talks in Germany later this year, labelled the US move "deeply disappointing". "While the loss of America's leadership is unfortunate, this is a struggle that is far from over," he said. The COP 23 talks will be held in Bonn from November 6-17, with Germany inviting Fiji's PM to act as president to give a voice to those on the frontline of climate change. Bainimarama's Pacific island nation has already felt the impact of climate change through wild storms such as last year's Cyclone Winston, which killed 44 people and wiped out a third of the economy. Neighbouring states such as Tuvalu and Kiribati are in danger of being swamped by rising seas linked to global warming. Bainimarama said the rest of the world remained committed to the Paris deal, known as COP 21, struck in 2015 and signed by more than 190 countries. "As incoming COP president, I reaffirm that I will do everything possible to continue to forge a grand coalition that will accelerate the momentum that has continued since the Paris Agreement," he said. He predicted Washington would eventually reverse its decision. "I am also convinced that the United States Government will eventually rejoin our struggle because the scientific evidence of man-made climate change is well understood," he said. "The issue is settled, and the impacts are obvious, and humankind ignores these facts at its peril." Meanwhile, New Zealand's Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett said many of the claims made by US President Donald Trump were simply incorrect. "So much of what he said is wrong. It's not going to cost America to be in it disproportionately to others," she told Radio New Zealand. "Climate change and what we need to do there can create jobs, not take them away." Australia's Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said Canberra remained on track to meet its Paris targets and US withdrawal would not derail the deal. "I do believe it is still a very meaningful agreement ... even without the US around 70 per cent of the world's emissions are covered by that agreement," he told ABC radio. Hoan Kiem Lake Apart from being a renowned attraction in Hanoi with Turtle Tower serenely surrounded by bluish water and deep blue sky, Hoan Kiem Lake is also a favorite spot for photographers. With 1.7 kilometers of pavements bordered by green trees running along its circumference, the place is vividly colorful background to take photographs. And when the sun goes down, sparkling lights on the trees will sparkle just for photographers to catch such precious moments on the verge of the sky turning twilight. Long Bien Bridge Long Bien Bridge is not only famous for being a living historical relic but also for its great architecture designed by French architects from Dayde& Pille. Therefore, photographers come here regularly to bring history into their photographs with the typically ancient brown of the past on rusty screws from the remaining spans. In the dry season, the alluvial patch below the bridge becomes an exceptionally photogenic spot with breathtaking natural scene filled with rows of green banana tress and yellow maize. West Lake The best time to visit West Lake, which is another wonderful spot for taking photographs, is during the summer when the brilliant lotuses paint a corner of the sky with bright pink and fresh green. Heading straight on West Lakes lakeside road, you will eventually catch sights of pretty girls wearing all kinds of clothes from miniskirts to the traditional Ao dai, making the lotus pond look lively. There is a service leasing equipmentsuch as small boats, lotus bouquets and Yem (a unique ancient Vietnamese bodice) for photo shoots with reasonable prices. Daisy field The vast daisy field has recently become a popular spot for amateur photographers along with teenagers since it was discovered a few years ago. They come to the field drenched in the vibrant yellowness of thousands of daisy flowers: pretty girls eagerly pose in their finest clothes while young photographers capture stunning moments. The only trouble is its location being a bit far from the city center: head straight through Chuong Duong Bridge on Nguyen Van Cu Street, turn left at the gas station opposite the factory, turn left again at Y Lan Road then turn right again at the cemetery. You will have to ask the locals for the remaining road leading to the field. Bach Thao Park Hardly a beautiful day passes by at Bach Thao Park without couples coming here to take their memorial wedding photo shoots. With its extremely large and clean yard filled with hundred-year-old trees, the place attracts photographers who want to embrace the essence of cool fresh air in their pictures in which vivid colors blend together. The most popular spot here is the beautiful white bridge on a small pond right in its heart. Bach Thao Park is another easily accessible photo spot in Hanoi center at the beginning of Hoang Hoa Tham Street. A possible design for the airport, shortlisted by Airport Corporation of Vietnam Securing land is the top concern According to a source of VIR, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved the Ministry of Transport (MoT)s proposal of dividing the resettlement and site clearance compensation procedures for Long Thanh International Airport into different component projects. The PM assigned MoT to sign the content related to Long Thanh Airport on his behalf in the report submitted to the 14th National Assembly (NA). Previously, on May 24, MoT said that the component projects of site clearance compensation and resettlement must be done before the feasibility study report is approved by the NA, otherwise, site clearance and resettlement will become a bottleneck in the project. It is expected that the feasibility study of the Long Thanh Airport project will be completed and submitted to the NA for approval in 2019. In case the NA agrees to the component projects, the Dong Nai Peoples Committee will implement site clearance compensation at the same time as dealing with the feasibility study. If the feasibility study of Long Thanh Airport is passed by the NA in 2019, Dong Nai authorities can hand over clean land for the project in 2020 to prepare for the implementation of the next stages. This project will be constructed on a 5,000-hectare area and it will affect the lives of over 4,000 households, an equivalent of 15,000 people. This is a challenge for Dong Nai, because one of the prerequisites for Long Thanh Airport to be put into operation in 2025 after the first phase of construction is that Dong Nai has to hand over at least 2,500 hectares of land to the project no later than the beginning of 2019. Notably, because the construction of Long Thanh Airport depends on the progress of handing over land, implementation may be extended by about two to three years, not to mention the increases in site clearance compensation due to the rising market price of the surrounding areas. Also, the extension of project implementation will heavily influence the daily lives of local residents. Proposal of using national budget According to Tran Van Vinh, Deputy Chairman of the Dong Nai Peoples Committee, the total expected area needing clearance is about 5,614.65ha, including 5,000 hectares of land for airport construction and another 614.65ha for resettlement and cemetery areas. There are 4,730 households and individuals, an equivalent of about 15,000 people, and 26 organisations whose land plots will be affected by the site clearance. However, in accordance with the Law on Construction 2014, the division into component projects should be stipulated in the investment decision. Besides, the Law on Investment 2014 states that the PM can decide on important national projects only after the in-principle investment decisions are made by the NA. Thus, the PM can decide on dividing the Long Thanh Airport project into different component projects and allow these projects to be implemented independently only after the projects feasibility study is approved by the NA. The in-principle approval would allow us to start the most complicated step in this big project, an expert from the Vietnam Bridge and Road Association said. The planning of Long Thanh Airport stretches over six communes (Binh Son, Suoi Trau, Cam Duong, Long An, Long Phuoc and Bau Can in Long Thanh district). It was announced in 2005, since when peoples lives have been significantly affected. Some leaders in Dong Nai said that people living in these areas cannot make long-term investment and business choices, and they cannot build steady houses because their land use rights are limited. In addition, no infrastructure investments are made, making life harder for residents. According to information from MoT, to speed up the progress, the PM directed the Dong Nai Peoples Committee to create a plan on building resettlement areas while conducting the feasibility study for Long Thanh Airport, as well as to build a specific mechanism on site clearance, compensation, and support people to resettle. Currently, the Dong Nai Peoples Committee has completed the plan as well as framed policies on compensation and resettlement. In addition, it has completed the detailed planning of the project on building resettlement areas and has built a project on rehabilitating the people affected. Due to the large scale of site clearance for the project, including over 5,600ha for resettlement areas, the VND5 trillion ($220 million) approved by the NA for this purpose is a drop in the ocean. The Dong Nai Peoples Committee estimated the cost for site clearance, compensation, and building resettlement areas to be about VND23 trillion ($1.01 billion), including VND5.03 trillion ($221.32 million) for building resettlement areas. Thus, MoT proposed to use the national budget for this stage, as it is difficult to call for official development assistance (ODA) capital as well as other capital from private enterprises for site clearance and compensation. However, a part of this capital may be reimbursed later from the proceeds of the open auction for land use rights to build commercial and service buildings or from short-term land leasing fees applied for the areas waiting for the airport project to be constructed. The government will continue reporting to the NA about reviewing the amount and supply of capital for this project, Minister of Transport Truong Quang Nghia said. Honeywell currently supplies VietJet with auxiliary power units (APUs) for the airlines entire fleet of 135 Airbus A320 aircrafts. This new agreement runs through 2022 and includes maintenance services for 12 years. The total value of the contract is over $100 million. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the event as part of his visit to the US to promote bilateral business relations between the countries. The prime ministers attendance recognised Honeywells long-term commitment to supporting Vietnams growing aerospace industry and close partnership with VietJet. Our partnership with Honeywell began in 2014 when they were selected to supply, manage, and maintain their 131-9A APUs for our fleet of 37 Airbus A320/A321 aircrafts. Today, we signed our second agreement for more of its industry-leading APUs, which have been proven to reduce operational costs and improve aircraft performance, said Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, president and CEO of VietJet. Our long-standing partnership with Honeywell is also a testament to Vietnams strong and positive relations with the US, and we look forward to many more years of deepening this relationship, she added. By selecting Honeywells most popular APU, the 131-9A, VietJet will benefit from increased operational reliability, lower maintenance costs over its life cycle, and significant fuel savings. The 131-9A APUs proven reliability and enhanced operability will also help boost safety and comfort for VietJets passengers and reduce flight delays and cancellations. The airline will also benefit from optimised operational costs across its fleet through direct support from Honeywells APU maintenance and service offerings. Vietnam is a priority market and key high-growth region for Honeywell, and we are committed to expanding the regions commercial flight capabilities and helping to meet its long-term goals for the industry through our global maintenance, repair, and overhaul network, said Brian Davis, vice president of the Asia-Pacific Airlines division of Honeywell Aerospace. We are confident that this agreement will help VietJet maximise the operational efficiency of its Airbus A320 fleet and bring increased comfort and safety to its passengers, and keep it ahead of the curve in the airline industry, he added. In 2015, VietJet also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Honeywell to provide APUs and avionics for the airlines future fleet. In March, Airbus designated the Honeywell 131-9A APU as standard equipment for its A320 aircraft family. APUs are primarily used to power an airplane during ground operations, providing electricity, air conditioning, and main engine starting, among others. They can also provide backup electrical power during flights. Honeywell engineered the first APU in 1948. The company has produced more than 95,000 APUs and has more than 36,000 in service today across more than 150 regional, executive, commercial, and military applications, including both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircrafts. Honeywell has recently shipped its 5,000th 131-9A APU. The 131-9 series APU has been selected by airlines for the majority of narrow-body aircrafts and features a unique electronic control box that integrates advanced, plain-English troubleshooting logic and health-monitoring capabilities for intuitive maintenance. This helps increase its already proven reliability to reduce delays and flight cancellations, allowing airlines to stay on schedule so their passengers can reach their destinations on time. Nguyen for Art (NFA) is the exclusive distributor of i.design EFFIX in Vietnam How long has Nguyen for Art been distributing i.design EFFIX in Vietnam? What prompted the company to introduce the material in the first place? Dela Huong: NFA is a Hanoi-based company founded by an economics expert with a deep passion for the arts. In 2011, through trade promotion activities, he introduced i.design EFFIX, manufactured by Socli, a French subsidiary of HeidelbergCement Group, with the desire to contribute to the development of Vietnamese architecture. NFAs products highlight the Vietnamese design and manufacturing creativity by combining truly innovative construction materials from the West. NFAs slogan is Each product is no longer a simple item, but a work of Art,which prescribes three conditions: subtle and meaningful design, handmade creations, and innovative materials. Why is i.design EFFIX considered an ideal material for creativity? Dela Huong: Human creativity is unlimited, not only in the field of art but in all areas of life. One important question is how we can convert an idea into reality. In the cases of architecture, interior design or sculpture, there are many obstacles that can emerge. Among them, the physical or mechanic limitations of traditional construction materials, such as wood, stone and sand, are one of the primary concerns for any artist. Dela Huong, CEO of NFA Thanks to the remarkable elasticity of i.design EFFIX, it is now possible to solve all shape issues. The material also has high compressive strength, with 120Mpa (five to six times as much as that of traditional concrete) and in some cases even higher than 200Mpa. Hence, it allows architects and designers to easily create complex textures, surfaces, and shapes and being audacious knowing the potential of the material. Thanks to i.design EFFIX, professionals can come up with ideas beyond the framework of traditional thinking. In other words, i.design EFFIX is a catalyst for creativity. What other special properties does i.design EFFIX have? Dela Huong: In areas like architecture, home design, and sculpting, nice shapes and solid structures are not enough. One important criterion to satisfy is expressiveness. As for i.design EFFIX, first of all, the materials texture and feel simply draws anyone init just begs to be interacted with. Also, different temperatures will give different feelings depending on the product and its surface. Second is the variety of colors. Third is the glaze that is naturally formed on the surface of any product made of i.design EFFIX. Last but not least, designers can combine the use of i.design EFFIX with other materials, such as optic fiber, aluminum, glass, wood or stone, leading to endless possibilities. These properties of i.design EFFIX contribute to diversifying the expressiveness of the products. What advantages does i.design EFFIX bring to architecture? Le Phuoc Anh: The development of architecture always goes hand in hand with the development of science and technology. Human imagination has no limits, but to make an idea into reality depends on the technologys ability to respond. Le Phuoc Anh, PhD in Geography and Architecture-Planning, who graduated from Universite Toulouse II in France For architects, the advent of new materials opens up new opportunities for unleashing their creative potential, and they are also a new source of inspiration. I.design EFFIX is actually an ultra high-performance mortar with special properties that provide very high mechanical properties. By being able to seamlessly combine it with a variety of materials, i.design EFFIX offers added values to interior and exterior architectural projects in urban environments. Furthermore, even though it is a high-tech material, i.design EFFIX can be used for various artworks made by hand, instead of mass production applications. How does i.design EFFIX support creativity in the field of architecture? Le Phuoc Anh: In order to build a balcony of several metres, for example, contractors have to use reinforced concrete with a thickness of over ten centimetres. However, when they use i.design EFFIX, the required minimum thickness can be reduced to a few centimetres only, reflecting a tremendous technological advance and the performances of the material. Moreover, the surface of products made from i.design EFFIX can create a special visual effect. This may cause viewers to feel that the structures have less or zero weight, which is not only unique, but straight out extraordinary. So far, has i.design EFFIX been widely applied in Vietnam? Dela Huong: Nguyen for Art has completed many projects using i.design EFFIX. We divided them into two groups: one for products with a non-traditional structure and the second with products for decorative purposes. What are the most practical applications of i.design EFFIX in Vietnam? Le Phuoc Anh: i.design EFFIX can be used for interior and exterior applications either for furniture or architectural elements. However, they both have a common point which is the ability to surprise and take ones breath away. A new class of customers has emerged during Vietnams impressive economic growth over the last decade. For these customers, construction materials must meet their demands and reflect their personalities. In this context, the practical and promising applications of i.design EFFIX are a good example. Non-structure Staircases Idea: Architect Toan To Nhu Design: Architect Tran Anh Tuan Process: NFA Jsc. Material: i.design EFFIX Total length: 900 cm Width: 110 cm Thickness: 7.5 cm Nearly 50km of optic fibre integrated into each staircase creates around 5,000 lighting points on both sides. The stairs are likely to hang in mid-air thanks to only two props: the first against concrete beams and the second against floor. Moreover, the floor and stairs are of the same colour, which also contributes to the effect of hovering. Translucent Wall Design and Process: NFA Jsc. Material: Translucent T.light, an application of i.design EFFIX The light through the wall creates a resplendent effect on the other side thanks to the hundreds of thousands of subtle bright dots that shine with a lighting intensity about 10 per cent of the original source. How do architecture and fine arts students from universities benefit from using high-tech materials, especially i.design EFFIX? Le Phuoc Anh: As I said before, technology not only liberates our creative energies, but also inspires us to dream of never-before seen design ideas. In other words, technology nowadays plays a central role in innovation. Early exposure to new materials like i.design EFFIX can help students improve their knowledge and, more importantly, develop flexible and dynamic thinking regarding the materials they use. What are NFAs expectations for i.design EFFIX in Vietnam? Dela Huong: For professionals, NFA strongly believes that i.design EFFIX will become a useful tool that will stimulate creativity and help artist express their ideas in new shapes and structures that were impossible before. As for developers, i.design EFFIX, an advance of the construction materials industry, will contribute significantly to bringing a breath of contemporary life into their works. Therefore, NFA also hopes that developers will recognise the value behind this new material and its potential to become one of the most valuable assets for their projects. Below are some photos of applications of i.design EFFIX: Ta Long Hy, deputy general director of Vinasun, takes to the field against Grab and Uber (Source: news.zing.vn) The company announced its intention to sue the two ride hailing companies at its annual shareholders meeting at the end of April. The basis, according to Hy, is that Grab and Uber are competing unfairly in terms of price. We are gathering evidence. We heard that besides us many companies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are joining, he said in a recent interview with news site zing.vn. He said that Vinasun would also propose that the government review its price management policies. Every country has anti-dumping regulations. For example, Vietnamese pangasius imported into the US is subject to anti-dumping tariff. So why does the government not act when Uber and Grab give such low prices? Decree No.37/2006/ND-CP detailing the Commercial Law regarding trade promotion activities stipulated that the total duration of sales promotion programmes conducted in the form of discounts for a certain good or service shall not exceed 90 days in a year. The duration of individual sales promotion programmes must not exceed 45 days. Moreover, traders that conduct sales promotion in different forms including discounts must send written notices with on these programmes to the departments of Industry and Trade in cities and provinces where they are to be organised at least seven working days before starting the sales promotion. Sometimes companies like us register and are denied permission even after a month, because the departments had to check the content, the benefits for customers, the bases, and how conflicts, if there are any, will be resolved, Hy said. These companies can give promotional discounts anytime during the day. They are using their financial strength to win customers. Hy said that either Vinasun, or employees will together start a lawsuit. The three taxi associations of the three regions of Vietnam (north, south and central) may sign a proposal to send to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ask for an investigation of the promotion activities. Hy said that they have to make clear the bases on which Uber and Grab offer such prices. Second, if the price is appropriate, can they commit this price for three or five years? Or are they just killing other taxi companies to gain control of the market, then raise prices after we have all disappeared? Vinasun is not alone in its claim of unfair competition against Uber. In December 2016, as reported by indiatimes.com, the Indian equivalents of Uber, Ola and Meru, have separately urged government agencies to formulate policies which will undercut the ability of US-based Uber to offer steep discounts to passengers and generous incentives to drivers. On April 7, as reported by the Guardian, in a ruling that is subject to appeal, a court in Rome upheld a complaint filed by taxi unions and banned Uber because it contributes to unfair competition. The court gave Uber ten days to terminate the use of its various phone applications on Italian territory, along with promotion and advertising activities. However, the ban was suspended about a week after it was implemented as the company appealed. On May 26, the ban was officially lifted. By Press Trust of India: By Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Jun 1 (PTI) Pakistan said today that it maintains a balanced position on conflicts in the Middle East and fully supports Saudi Arabias territorial integrity. Pakistans adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said this while responding to Senator Farhatullah Babar regarding statements of Saudi authorities that the Islamic military alliance was not restricted only to fight terror groups. advertisement Pakistans former army chief Gen Raheel Sharif heads the 41-nation Islamic military alliance, dubbed as Islamic NATO. The alliance is led by Saudi Arabia. Babar said that Saudi authorities statements created an impression that the alliance could also be used against Iran. The Senator had demanded the government to come clean on the issue as the Parliament has issued guidelines that Pakistan would not take sides in the tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He had also sought clarification if government would call back Gen Sharif in case the alliance was used against Iran. Aziz said the members of the alliance will themselves decide which activity they want to participate in. These activities include political consultation, intelligence sharing, capacity building, counter narrative, and military cooperation, he said. It was decided that programmes and mechanism of alliance will be decided during a meeting of the defence ministers of the member countries, which has not yet happened, Aziz said. Aziz rejected the impression that any statement from Saudi authorities can be the terms of reference. He said mandate of the alliance is to counter terrorism and any statement from a Saudi dignitary will not affect Pakistans foreign policy. Aziz said Pakistan will never deploy its troops outside Saudi Arabia. PTI SH CPS --- ENDS --- A patient is in critical condition after a dialysis procedure at Hoa Binh Hospital went wrong and killed seven others on Monday. On May 31, a Hoa Binh Police working group in cooperation with the relevant units under the Ministry of Public Security continued working with concerned parties to find out the cause of the seven deaths at Hoa Binh provincial hospital. Thien Son Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (Trung Yen 3 street, Cau Giay district, Hanoi city), which supplies medical equipment to Hoa Binh General Hospital was targeted. According to the records of Hoa Binh General Hospital, on May 28, Thien Son Company had checked, maintained and cleaned the water purification system of the dialysis machinery. According to PSNews reporters at the headquarters of Thien Son Company, the companys gate was always locked to strangers. A day later, on May 29, many kidney patients showed signs of anaphylaxis. Later seven of them died and 11 were in a critical condition. The case has been seen as the most serious medical incident in recent years in Vietnam. According to PSNews reporters at the headquarters of Thien Son Company, the companys gate was always locked to strangers. When reporters asked questions to deemed employees of the company when they came out of the building, they all refused to talk. On the afternoon of May 31, the police working group was still at the headquarters of Thien Son Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company. On May 29 morning, 18 patients were being treated for their kidney failures at Hoa Binh Provincial General Hospital, but after 45 minutes of dialysis, some reported nausea, abdominal pains and short breath. The hospital sent these patients to Hanoi but it was too late for seven patients, who appeared to have died from anaphylactic shock. The remaining victims are under emergency care. Police have completed forensic examinations and returned the bodies of the dead to their families. They have also cordoned off the area and temporarily shut down the kidney department. More than 100 patients who were receiving similar treatment at the hospital were transferred to hospitals in Hanoi to continue their dialysis, the hospital said. Truong Quy Duong, Director of the hospital, apologized to the patients families at a press briefing on May 30. I hold the responsibility for this incident. Its a painful lesson for us, Duong said. Health minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien has promised on May 31 to quickly find out what caused the deaths of seven patients undergoing dialysis at a state-run hospital on Monday. Tien said the ministry will also clarify the responsibility of people involved in the incident in the northern province of Hoa Binh. President Donald Trump postponed moving the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. (AFP/JACK GUEZ) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who welcomed Trump to the city last week, expressed disappointment at the delay but made it clear he still values Trump's support. And the Palestinian leadership were relieved by a decision that they said "gives peace a chance." On the campaign trail Trump repeatedly pledged that he would shift the embassy from Tel Aviv to the city claimed as capital by both Israel and its Palestinian neighbours and he appointed a US ambassador who shares this goal. But since coming to office in January, Trump has met with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Washington and in a visit to the region last week and has committed himself to seeking a long-elusive final peace deal between them. Congress passed a law in 1995 making it US policy to move the embassy to Jerusalem, symbolically endorsing Israel's claim on the city as its capital. But the law contained a clause that has allowed each president since to issue and renew a six-month waiver on carrying out the move. On Thursday, the waiver came up for renewal for the first time on Trump's watch, and he followed the example of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama before him in instructing his secretary of state to hold off on the move. NO RETREAT "No one should consider this step to be in any way a retreat from the president's strong support for Israel and for the United States-Israel alliance," the White House said, in a written statement. "President Trump made this decision to maximise the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend America's national security interests," it explained. "But, as he has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the question is not if that move happens, but only when." Netanyahu's office expressed disappointment, but not anger. "Maintaining embassies outside the capital drives peace further away by helping keep alive the Palestinian fantasy that the Jewish people and the Jewish state have no connection to Jerusalem," a statement said. "Though Israel is disappointed that the embassy will not move at this time, we appreciate today's expression of President Trump's friendship to Israel and his commitment to moving the embassy in the future." Hussam Zomlot, Palestinian ambassador to the United States, also issued a statement. "This is in line with the long-held US policy and the international consensus and it gives peace a chance," he said. "We are ready to start the consultation process with the US administration. We are serious and genuine about achieving a just and lasting peace." A US official speaking on condition of anonymity stressed to AFP that "it's a question of when, not if," and added that "he doesn't think the timing is right, right now." "In timing such a move he will seek to maximise the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians," he said. PEACE PROCESS Trump's closest advisors are reported to be divided about the wisdom of quickly making good on the pledge, a move that would delight many Israelis but dismay Palestinians and raise concerns among Israel's Arab neighbors. White House strategy chief Steve Bannon supports the move, but Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is less keen and has said Trump is "being very careful to understand how such a decision would impact the peace process." In Washington, pro-Israel lobby groups are also divided on the policy. Progressive group J Street, which favoUrs a two-state peace deal with the Palestinians, welcomed the delay to a move that could imperil efforts to find a deal on the status of the city negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians. "American governments have avoided and objected to actions that could be interpreted as prejudging the outcome of those negotiations," the group argued. But the biggest pro-Israeli group in the US capital, AIPAC, expressed concern. "We are disappointed that the president has not yet followed through on his pledge to move the embassy, and we hope that he does so soon," it said. Jerusalem was divided between Israeli rule in the west and Jordanian in the east until 1967, when Israel was attacked by allied Arab armies. Israel fought back and its victory left it in control of East Jerusalem. Its government is now based in the city, and settlements have been built around it on occupied land. Palestinians want East Jerusalem - including the Old City and its sites holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians - to become the capital of their eventual state. The US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, has said she believes an agreement in the Security Council to impose new sanctions on North Korea could come by Friday. (AFP/Jewel SAMAD) The US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, has said she believes an agreement in the Security Council to impose new sanctions on North Korea could come by Friday. (AFP/Jewel SAMAD) The text - drafted in agreement with China, traditionally Pyongyang's sole diplomatic and military ally - was expected to be submitted to a Council vote on Friday. The text of the draft, a copy of which AFP obtained, again condemns "in the strongest terms" Pyongyang's series of nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The Council calls on the North to "abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner," and end all ballistic missile test launches. An annex to the resolution adds to an already lengthy blacklist another 14 individuals and four entities accused of contributing to the missile programmes whose assets would be frozen and who would face a travel ban. Those listed are bank and corporate executives involved in military financing, or officials in North Korea's Workers' Party. The first on the list, Cho Il-U, is described as the man "believed to be in charge of overseas espionage operations and foreign intelligence collection" for Kim Jong-Un's regime. The entities listed include Koryo Bank, two trading houses linked to North Korea's military, and the army's Strategic Rocket Force. For weeks, the United States has been negotiating with China on how to respond to Pyongyang's missile tests. Washington is counting on Beijing to bring the North in line. "China has agreed to this text ... and the American idea is to move rather quickly," one Council diplomat told AFP. The diplomat added that none of the Council's five veto-wielding permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US - have threatened to block the resolution. The North has carried out two atomic tests and dozens of missile launches since the beginning of last year in its quest to develop a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States - something President Donald Trump has vowed "won't happen." The Security Council had threatened to boost sanctions against Pyongyang after one of its May test launches. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on Tuesday that she believed Washington and Beijing could reach a deal on new sanctions by week's end. The Security Council adopted two sanctions resolutions last year to ramp up pressure on Pyongyang and deny Kim the hard currency needed to fund his military programmes. Slides, fine-dining, and first-rate spa services will make Fusion Suites Vung Tau a perfect choice for the whole family Designed for the modern traveller, Fusion Suites Vung Tau will provide a range of 171 unique and well-appointed suites and apartments, perfect for young families, couples, or groups of friends. Featuring expansive windows, this 20-storey hotel will make full use of the breathtaking ocean view and natural light this dynamic coastal city is famous for. Aside from the unique slide system, the property will also include functional areas and guest facilities, including an on-site spa, a rooftop infinity pool and cocktail bar, a refined yet informal restaurant serving healthy, balanced, and creative Fusion menus, plus a coffee lounge, meeting rooms, and conference facilities. The project will also feature high-quality services to Vietnams rapidly developing tourism sector, aimed at attracting domestic and foreign tourists alike. The hotel is located in the heart of Vung Tau city, within easy reach of all major tourist attractions and key sites, such as Bai Truoc Park, the cultural centre, Vung Tau Lighthouse, and the Ho Chi Minh City-Vung Tau express ferry port. Vung Tau welcomes over 15 million international and domestic travellers each year, making hospitality one of the fastest-growing sectors in the province. According to Fusions founder and CEO Marco Van Aggele, fuelled by original ideas, the companys team of in-house designers and wellness-inspired hoteliers worked hard to present a feeling of true openness in a sensible and logical structure. At Fusion Suites Vung Tau, we will bring the calm and revitalising nature of Vietnams coastline into our interior design concept. We also offer daily spa journeys at all of our suites, where guests can get a massage, manicure, reflexology or beauty treatment at no extra cost,Aggele added. Fusion Suites Vung Tau is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2019. After US pulled out from the Paris Agreement citing its provisions being partial to India and China among other reasons, the UN Environment chief Solheim lauded both nations today for their strong leadership to combat climate change. By Press Trust of India: India and China are showing strong leadership to combat climate change and the decision by the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement will not deter these global efforts, the UN Environment chief said today. "The science on climate change is perfectly clear: we need more action, not less. This a global challenge. Every nation has a responsibility to act and to act now," UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Erik Solheim said in a statement responding to President Donald Trump's announcement that the US will withdraw from the ambitious climate pact. advertisement "The US decision to leave Paris in no way brings an end to this unstoppable effort. China, India, the European Union and others are already showing strong leadership. 190 nations are showing strong determination to work with them to protect this and future generations," Solheim said in a statement. ONE POLITICAL DECISION WILL NOT DERAIL EFFORTS Solheim said there is incredible momentum on climate action from individual states, cities, the private sector and citizens and a single political decision will not derail this unparalleled effort. Urging all parties to redouble their efforts, he said that UNEP would work with everyone willing to make a difference. "Climate action is not a burden, but an unprecedented opportunity. Decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels will build more inclusive and robust economies. It will save millions of lives and slash the huge healthcare cost of pollution." "Committing to climate action means helping countries like Iraq and Somalia on the front line of extremism and terrorism. It means helping coastal communities from Louisiana to the Solomon Islands," Solheim said, adding that it also means protecting food security and building stability to avoid adding yet more refugees to what is already an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis. PARIS AGREEMENT He underscored that the Paris Agreement is founded on clear evidence, solid science and incredible international collaboration. "It will put aside differences to tackle a common, monumental challenge. The reversal of damage to the ozone layer proves that such a global effort can succeed. Ultimately, this is an investment in our own survival that no-one can afford to abandon," he added. Trump's decision to withdraw from the climate agreement drew strong reactions from various quarters. By pulling out of the climate deal, the United States joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations not participating in the global agreement. Members of The Elders, a group of independent leaders founded by South African President Nelson Mandela, condemned Trump's decision, saying US withdrawal does not mean the demise of the Paris Agreement, and urged other signatories to continue to respect its provisions. advertisement "Climate change is the great existential threat of our time. The Paris Agreement was born out of effective multilateralism and a desire to find a cooperative solution to a global problem. No one country can dismantle the Agreement. While the US withdrawal weakens that international accord, it will not trigger its demise," Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said. Mary Robinson, member of the group and former UN Special Envoy on Climate Change said the US "reneging on its commitment to the Paris Agreement renders it a rogue state on the international stage. "But the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will not stop climate action in the United States. We encourage all actors in the US working to tackle climate change to stand their ground, share the benefits of their work and to keep making their voices heard," she said. Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee, said with his decision, "Trump is breaking a promise to the world to combat climate change in order to keep an empty campaign promise to the coal industry. "Withdrawal from the climate agreement is a betrayal of scientific fact, economic opportunity, and moral leadership. Turning our back on this agreement will be a disaster for America -- for our businesses, for our health, and for our national security," he said. The League of Women Voters president Chris Carson said withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement is a "giant step in the wrong direction" for the health of the planet and all living beings. "Trump's decision today will undermine global cooperation and have a harmful impact on US relations with our most trusted world allies. The long-term effects of this decision will make more people sick, especially children and the elderly," Carson said. advertisement Also read: India leading polluter, says Trump while pulling out of Paris climate accord Also read: Trump withdraws US from Paris climate deal; says deal not tough on India, China --- ENDS --- Saudi Arabia and the Arab Emirates have strongly reacted to the Qatari press agency publishing a statement by the Prince of Qatar, following the Arab-Islamic-Summit against Terrorism. According to this communique, Emir Tamim defended Iran and emphasized its peaceful role in the Gulf region. Only minutes after this communique had been published, all the Saudi and Emirates television channels organized debates between experts on the Qatari betrayal. The Qatari press agency then withdrew the posting and announced that it had been hacked. However the Saudi and Emirates press continued with their campaign, taking the view that this new communique that it had been hacked was just an easy excuse. In March 2014, a secret, violent war took place between Qatar on the one side and Saudi Arabia and the Emirates on the other side. The reason war broke out was because of Qatari support to a faction of the Muslim Brotherhood involved in an attempt to topple the Saud dynasty. Qatar does not seem to share Saudi Arabias new willingness to break ties with the Muslim Brotherhood. While the Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia have been fighting each other in Syria for three years, on 31 May 2017, President Vladimir Putin and Emir Mohamed ben Salmane have demonstrated that, as far as oil is concerned, their interests are perfectly aligned. While Russia treats political issues quite independently of economic issues, this summit is interpreted as a sign that the two states are moving closer together, following the Arab-Muslim-US summit that recently took place in Riyadh. Photo: The Beatles Fifty years ago this week, a young London kid named Geoff Emerick was hearing from what must have seemed like every passing window the fruits of an odd project he had been an intimate part of over the previous five months: the recording of the Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. As an apprentice at EMIs Abbey Road Studios, he had by chance been assigned to the studio where a producer named George Martin listened to four young Liverpudlians present their first songwriting effort: Love Me Do. As the years went on, Emerick watched the band record A Hard Days Night and other early hits, and then, as a full engineer, took on a major role in the creation of Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, part of the White Album, and Abbey Road. As we hit the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper, the Beatles organization, which has never met an anniversary that it couldnt produce some rejiggered product for, has put together what must be the ultimate Sgt. Pepper reissue six discs, in a big ol box with lots of added swag. (There are also numerous smaller packages available.) There are several discs of outtakes, two Blu-rays with audio and remastered promo films, and remixed stereo and mono versions of Sgt. Pepper. The reissue is produced by Giles Martin, the son of the famed Beatles producer George Martin; the two worked together on the extravagant mash-ups of Cirque du Soleils Love. (George Martin died last year, at 90.) While Emerick has done his time working on Beatles-related material in his latter career, he didnt have a hand in this reissue, and said he hadnt heard it yet. Fans will drool over the packaging, and approach a new set of remixes with trepidation. After all, there is still no clear set of intentions: Do you make the record sound the way it did in 67 through todays technology? Or you do what the Beatles would do, were they working today? Do you make it sound gulp better? Or just more Sgt. Peppery? The easy stuff like the little shouts in the opening bars of the Sgt. Pepper reprise were noticed and tweaked long ago. But to my ears, particularly on the stereo mix, the sound on the new set is harder and edgier, but also fuller and more pronounced, which Im sure was the remixers intention. Ringo Starr has been quoted as saying he loves the bigger drum sound. The down side is that the more pronounced part is an aesthetic decision that in effect overrules the Beatles original decisions. Id like to hear from other sets of ears, but Within You Without You now makes me feel a bit like Im being aurally poked, rather than being lulled into a reverie. I also think that on quieter songs some atmospherics may have been too far reduced, like on Shes Leaving Home. (Its like when you see a redone version of a 70s film and the graininess has been taken down.) In listening to myriad reissues through myriad systems, I was surprised that the 2009 reissues played on Spotify through a Sonos sounded about as good as anything else. Anyway, Emerick was the point man as Martin and the Beatles worked to create new sounds in the studio, doing everything from moving microphones to rewiring building electronics to manipulating tapes. Emericks book, Here, There and Everywhere, is a sober look at the day-to-day decisions and the absurd bureaucratic wrangling behind these famous records. The fabled studio was in reality a cold place, with unadorned walls, a few folding chairs, and little patience for the nonsense known as rock and roll. In fact, one of the key subplots is the tale of how the band and its production staff daily suborned the recording rules at EMI. This was the preeminent recording operation in the world, and was run more than a little bit like IBM, with a strict hierarchy of staff: technicians in white coats, engineers in suits and ties, and obsessive enforcement of recording protocols. (In early years, the band even found milk for tea unavailable after hours; the refrigerators were locked.) Then came the Beatles. As was the case with the group itself, its not an entirely happy story. Emerick quit in disgust as the band feuded while recording the White Album, but came back with Martin to handle Abbey Road. After the 60s, Emerick went on to a distinguished career behind the board, working on everything from Stuck in the Middle With You to Robin Trower to Cheap Trick, from the Zombies to Art Garfunkel to Chris Bell and stayed in touch with Paul McCartney, among other things participating in the idiosyncratic trip to Nigeria to record Band on the Run. (And Elvis Costello fans know that he produced Costellos distinctive 1982 masterpiece, Imperial Bedroom.) Emerick, who turned 70 last year, was kind enough to take some time to reminisce with us. At this point there have been several generations of people who have come to know the Beatles. If you were talking to someone, say, in their 20s who was interested in music, how would you tell them to listen to Sgt. Pepper to appreciate some of the things that are going on? I guess the first thing would be to listen to the arrangements of the songs. They used to come into the studio with the song written, but without having an idea of what the instrumentation should be, and then we would, like, rehearse it for a few hours with certain instrumentation, and if it didnt work out, we then changed the instrumentation whereby the piano might now turn into a harpsichord and so forth. And so while we were doing this, if someone made a mistake or played a dissonant chord or something a bit weird, then they might like it. So we used to embellish the mistake. And of course, we were on 4-track and not a 120-track like now. We had to make decisions and put all the right sounds on at the time of recording. Then we moved onto the first overdub, and then wed know whether it fit or not. It was making decisions and so forth, not like doing 120 tracks and say, oh, well do it on the mix. We didnt do it on the mix. Is it true that Paul McCartney always wanted his bass a little bit higher? Yes. I started really young. I was like 19 when I started to record the Revolver album, and I knew them because Id been an assistant engineer on some of the singles, like She Loves You and the Help! film and so forth. [I had ended up as] a mastering engineer. We were remastering American records for the European market. So I used to get American records in, and I realized at that point there was a lot more bass on those American records than what we were allowed to put on our records at Abbey Road. Paul and I had many discussions about that, and then I tried to not break the rules, per se, but experiment. We didnt have selectable frequencies, so I could only add more bass from the board. It was just bass and treble on the mixing console. So if I wanted a little bit more bass or whatever, Id have to just adjust [McCartneys] amp. We wanted more bass on the records, and it was a bit of a fight. In the instance of Paperback Writer and Rain, I used a loudspeaker as an experiment. My theory was that if, you know, the loudspeaker can push the bass out, then maybe another speaker can take the bass back in, and I used the speaker as a microphone. So we were always striving for good quality bass on the records. As a comparison, the average persons car radio these days has much more powerful equalization powers than you did in the greatest studio in the world at the time? Yes, thats true. What I love about your book, Here, There and Everywhere, is the portrayal of Abbey Road. I never quite got how much like a widget factory it was. It must have been like working at IBM, with so many strictures and people wearing lab coats and coats and ties, and this extraordinarily strict hierarchy. Yeah, it was. The studios were classically orientated. Theres a classical side and a pop side, and the classical people looked down upon the pop people, although it was the pop records that were making the money to pay for the classical sessions, you know? So you, as a young lad there, I guess youd say, you came into work every day with a coat and a tie? Oh, yeah. And you basically didnt look cross-eyed at anybody who was one of your superiors? Oh, no. I was also amazed to hear that, considering the technical wizardry that was there, that you said that sometimes youd be overseeing a tape deck that was basically a floor away and down the hall in a little windowless room. How did something like that happen? Why was it so jerry-rigged like that? Well, there were three studios and only two 4-track machines, so it was patched through from a maintenance room where they could actually plug all the 4-track feeds from whichever studio up into the 4-track rooms. So 4-track room number one would be linked to maybe studio two, which was next door, but it could also be linked to number one studio, which was down a level, and then number three studio was up at the front. Except when we started to do the tracks on Revolver we had to have the machines in the console room, because of the complexity of what we were trying to do. We might have to just drop a guitar maybe onto a vocal track, because of the track limitations. We wanted the machine in the control room in case something got whacked in the vocals as were dropping the guitar in. There was a discussion between the hierarchy of technicians, and it was deemed that it was not a very wise idea to wheel the 4-track machine down the corridor. But they eventually did agree to do it, and there was like a little team of people sort of watching as the brown coats, as they were called, who did the moving of pianos and so forth, wheeled the machine down the corridor, and they were all following them to observe what was happening. Then there were discussions about lifting the machine over the threshold of the door. A lot of importance was given to everyones job I guess. So, eventually, we did end up with the tape machine in the control room, and that was a first. So when you say you put a drop-in of a guitar onto a vocal track, youre superimposing it almost like a double negative in a photographical sense? Yeah. We would have to put the guitar on the vocal track, for instance. Not that we really wished to. So, normally, it would go on the normal guitar track or whatever, but you know, wed got no more tracks left. The vocal track might be only track where theres a gap at that point with no vocal on it. So thats where the guitar goes. Wow, and would you physically play the vocal track, and then the musician would play the guitar at the right time, and youd physically record onto the actual track? Yes. So the vocalist stopped singing, and then thats where the guitarist is going to do his solo, so the person whos operating the tape machine then puts that particular track into record and records the solo, and then stops recording when the vocal is gonna come back in. The soloist knows that hes got so many bars to do his solo in. Im recording this interview on GarageBand, on a Mac. I could record Sgt. Pepper on this, right, with no problem? Yes. [Stops himself.] I dont know No, not the talent! I mean, physically. I could do more than Sgt. Pepper, right? This thing has an unlimited number Oh, absolutely. Yes, of course you could. Strawberry Fields was part of the Sgt. Pepper sessions. Theres an interesting cymbal sound, and my understanding is thats a reverse cymbal. How physically did you get that onto the tape? Well, it was just recorded onto a separate piece of stereo tape or mono tape, really, because we werent really thinking about stereo. It was recorded onto a piece of quarter-inch mono tape as a forwards recording, and the tape was spooled to the end. It was then turned over and played, and then of course it was playing backwards. That was injected into the 4-track. With none of this computer synchronization or anything like that, right? Youre doing everything by hand? No, absolutely nothing. We didnt use click tracks, either, then. How much physical cutting of tape was there? Not a lot. Except on Strawberry Fields, you know. There were two different recordings of it. Wed done the first version, and John was sort of fairly happy with it, and then he came back about two weeks later, and he said, I want to re-record it again. I want it to be a bit more aggressive, and I need musically different instruments added to it. That was then the second recording. He came back about another week later and said, Well, you know, I really like the first half from the first recording and the second half from the second recording. The problem then being that they were different keys and different tempos. George Martin had basically said to him, No, this is really impossible. But impossible and no did not exist in the Beatles vocabulary. John said, Oh, come on, mate, you can do it, right? What we did, we put them on two separate tape machines, quarter-inch machines for playback, and put those machines on varied speed, which means you can alter the speed of the tape. You could speed it up or slow it down. We had to find our editing point where we thought wed join them, which was on the word going, which is about a minute into the song. So weve got the second version lined up on the tape machine on a certain speed, with the first version [sped up] to come up to tempo with the second one. The idea was to gradually speed it up so you cant hear it. By altering the speed, we brought them into the same key as well. Then, we knew where our edit point was going to be. We used scissors in London. They didnt have razor blades and blocks because of all the classical editing, where they found that using scissors [was better]; they could adjust many angles for special edits on classical recordings and stuff. So what I did, I had my little brass scissors. Normally, an edit would be like a 45-degree angle cut across the tape to join them together. In this occasion, it was a very sort of shallow, long sort of angle, like what wed call a cross-fade. I put the editing sticky tape over the edit where I cut it, and then John came up to listen to it. He went down the stairs into the studio down into number two, and it actually worked! And when he came up, I stood in front of the tape machine so he wouldnt see where the edit was, and he couldnt hear where the edit was. So it was perfect. It was just magic at the time. So many Beatles songs that you hear someone else play, or when you see Paul McCartney live, they dont quite sound the same. Part of the reason I think is because of all this tape manipulation in the studio. Is it true that sometimes youd tape peoples voices slower and then speed them up for the actual recording? Yeah, sometimes we would. Its just to get a different sort of tonality on the voice. Otherwise, all the voices, theyd all sound the same all the time. We did it with harmony voices sometimes. On When Im Sixty-Four, we sped that up to make Paul sound a bit younger. That takes a lot of meticulous work on both sides, right, to hit all the beats correctly without the click track? Well, they were very good as timekeepers. So that we never needed click tracks. What normally used to happen then, because of the lack of click tracks, when you got to the chorus of a song, the chorus would have a little bit more energy, and the tempo would gradually go up. I know you can program a click track today to be able to speed it up at the chorus point, but then it was just human energy, transferred into the rhythm of the song. Thats why a lot of those records sound so exciting. One of the great things about the Beatles is that, despite all the technology, its not a fight. Its just a balance or a great melding of the human, and the organic, and the technological. Yes. We also had the luxury of time. They might come in with a song and wed spend four hours on instrumentation for it and then change that instrumentation because it wasnt quite working out. In the meantime, Im trying to alter the sounds of the guitars in some way, or the drums in some way, or the piano in some way. For one song, I might mike the piano from the top. Then wed realize the next songs like a little bit moodier. So I wouldnt want a bright sound on the piano, so I might mike it from underneath the piano. Is thats what gives those songs their peculiar feel? Im like painting a picture with what Im given from the studio. Its like a canvas, you know, and structuring it that way, its hard to explain it, but thats how I see it. Do I remember from your book that someone put thumbtacks on the piano hammers to give the piano a slightly more metallic feel? No, that was an upright piano, and it had little metal tips on the ends of the hammers. That was something you could actually buy. It was called a tack piano. There were a lot of other little keyboard options. There was a Steinway upright that was tuned out of tune. Was that the piano on Lovely Rita? Youre talking about the solo? They were stuck for [an idea] and without, you know, making myself sound good, I said, Well, why dont you do a piano solo? Because they were really stuck. I was standing at the top of the stairs, and they said, Well, you come and play! Being so young and nervous, theres no way I was going to do it. [George Martin himself ended up improvising the jaunty solo.] I knew a regular piano sound wouldnt sound right. It needed a sound on it, a color, per se. If you listen to it carefully, the piano went into an echo chamber, but the signal that went into the echo chamber went via a tape machine, and I put sticky tape all over the guide rollers of the tape machine. So the guide rollers had the tape wobbling all over the place. I mixed that in behind the real piano sound with a lot of treble. So thats what the sound is on that piano. And today you could actually get that as a [digital recording] plugin. To go back to the organic thing, one of the great stories in your book is when you described the band doing the reprise of Sgt. Pepper. Ive always thought thats a thrilling track. The reprise was played by the four Beatles, two guitars, bass, and drums, live in the studio? Right. They were going away on the Monday or the Tuesday of whatever week it was, so there was a desperate rush to record the reprise. The only studio that was available was number one studio, Abbey Road. Someone else was working in number two. Number one studio is really cavernous. So what I did, I got a lot of sound baffles and made like a little room. I had them all very close together and as you know, you hear all that energy come out of that live take. You hear the emotion, you know? Ive always thought the piano track in Day in the Life is extraordinarily moving. Is that crazy? No, thats not crazy at all. John was a brash sort of a rough-and-ready type person, and where Paul was like the romantic, and that was a great combination of the two of them. Sometimes, as John got round the vocal mike to sing a song, especially Day in the Life, theres all this sort of emotion and stuff that came out of him, which you dont see when hes just not singing and just being a normal John. I thought, How does he get all this feeling and emotion into the way he sings? It was many years afterwards, Im thinking, he was just thinking of his childhood. That mustve been something to hear him sing those vocals. When we first lifted up the faders in the control room, we had shivers running down our backs. Day in the Life, thats just the best thing ever. Can I ask you a question about Imperial Bedroom? Was that an important record for you? Oh, absolutely. I loved Elvis, and I always wished his voice was louder. When we started recording it, on the monitor side of the mixing console, you know, I had his voice really far forward, and I put a Fairchild 660 limiter on his voice, which really brought it way up front. It took him a while to come to terms having the voice that loud in a mix. But I saw him last year, at the jazz festival in New Orleans, and I was discussing it with him. I hadnt heard Imperial Bedroom for a while, but I was listening one day, and I was listening to the ends of the words when he was singing. Because of the volume of the voice in his headphones as he was singing, he was actually crafting and sculpting, like, the mouth noises on the very ends of the words, tonality wise. I said, I heard that. And he said, Yeah, youre right. Thats what I was doing. It was very spontaneous, and I recorded it in sort of an old-fashioned way, and I think most people were working at 30 inches a second and I think I recorded it at 15 inches a second. I didnt want it to sound hi-fi. That was my thought there. And what effect does that have on the sound? What you hear is the bass is a bit different, and the high ends not as bright. Its just more raw, lets put it that way. This interview has been edited and condensed. Ben Stiller. Photo: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images HBO has recruited every movie-star actress to create a constellation of limited series, and now Showtime has recruited Ben Stiller to helm a crime drama. Stiller will direct and executive produce Escape at Dannemora, an eight-hour limited series based on the true story of the prison break and three-week manhunt in upstate New York that briefly captivated cable news in 2015. Dannemora will follow the crafty plans the inmates made for an escape, which involved coaxing a female prison employee into helping two convicted murderers burrow out of the maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility through pipes and tunnels. Benicio Del Toro and Paul Dano will play the inmates Del Toro the mastermind Richard Matt, and Dano as David Sweat the seductive charmer, according to a release. (Yes, you read that right: Benicio Del Toro will not be The Sexy One.) Patricia Arquette will be Tillie Mitchell, the woman who supervises the prisons tailor shop and gets entangled in the plot to break out. Escape at Dannemora will be written and executive produced by Brett Johnson (Mad Men) and Michael Tolkin (The Player), who both worked on Ray Donovan. Were getting a Super Sad True Love Story from Ben Stiller and Showtime after all, just not the one we thought. Twins. Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images; Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images Yes, Denis Leary knows he bears an uncanny resemblance to Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway. A few months ago, when someone on Twitter pointed out the striking similarities in bone structure between the brusque Irish comic and the upbeat Trump spinmeister, Learys fans immediately asked him to do an impression. Leary replied that hed love to impersonate the spokeswoman; Jimmy Kimmel even reached out to Leary and invited him to do the impersonation on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Kimmel was like, Youve got to do it, Leary told Vulture today during the annual BookExpo conference at the Javits Center. But I have selfishly just sort of been hoarding the idea. What if I did do it? Why should I waste it on Kimmel? Leary, who was at BookExpo to promote his new book, Why We Dont Suck, tells Vulture hes saving the act for a bigger stage like dinner theater or a musical. Watch Denis Leary discuss playing Kellyanne Conway at BookExpo. Kimmels idea was to put me in the full dress and wig and makeup and I would be me, dressed as Kellyanne, Leary said. I think Kimmel is right, that is the way to do it. It also makes it easier for me. And if my career does go down the toilet and I end up doing the Kellyanne one-woman, one-man show as dinner theater, I dont have to worry about doing the voice. But who would play the part of Kellyannes husband, George? Leary says hed like to recruit Jon Stewart. Jon Stewart isnt doing anything so he could play my husband he is just chasing pigs around, Leary said. It would be Jon Stewart and Denis Leary, as the Kellyanne Conway story Mr. and Mrs. Kellyanne Conway. I can sing, he cant, but thats okay. Ill cover the songs. Leary added that he hopes the part would be my Oscar, my Emmy, and my Tony. Heres to that. Theyre screaming Hooray! Photo: Studio Ghibli/My Neighbor Totoro/IMDB Hop aboard your friendly, neighborhood Catbus and make your way to Japan sometime in the 2020s: a My Neighbor Totoroinspired Ghibli Park is in the works. Studio Ghibli, the animation studio behind critically acclaimed animes like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, announced plans to develop the park at the site of the 2005 World Expo in Nagakute. The proposed attraction will reportedly bring the fantastical, idyllic world of Hayao Miyazakis 1988 classic to life by restaging the situations and landscapes of the film. Would one of these scenarios, perchance, be a giant, cuddly forest spirit you can nap on? Unclear. But the site already attracted over a million visitors last year with Satsuki and Meis House, an impressive re-creation of the characters traditional Japanese house including many of the props and details seen only in the background. Photo: Buck Kelly/Getty Images The members of Radiohead first met in boarding school, and its not surprising that a certain hierarchic and educational mythos hovers about the world evoked by the bands music. Its not like Harry Potter: Theres no magic or heroism involved, nor any elaborate backstory. But the story the band tells is no less potent for its brevity: The authorities, pitiless and obtuse, have somehow gotten their voices into your head. Often, Thom Yorkes lyrics are possessed by an unnerving ambiguity: Is it the overbearing headmaster or the submissive pupil whos speaking? When the messages are harsh (Dont get big ideas, theyre not going to happen, This is what you get when you mess with us) and repeated like lessons but the voice itself has an almost parodically mewling tone, theres no way to be sure. Radiohead achieved greatness by blurring the profiles of the monumental and the meek. It wasnt the only way they did it, but it was probably the most effective. 1997s OK Computer is generally acknowledged as the point when the band reached maturity by threading ominous new vibes through the plaintive feeling it had already mastered; its 20th birthday is being celebrated by Radiohead with a remastered re-release freighted with B-sides and demos, one of which, I Promise, debuted last night on British radio and is now available for streaming. Though I Promise rotated through concert set lists in 1996, it failed to make the cut for OK Computer. Its not too hard to see why: The song lacks the scale and ambition that typified that albums music. Acoustic and subdued, it shares more in common with tracks like Thinking About You from Pablo Honey or Fake Plastic Trees and Bullet Proof I Wish I Was off The Bends than it does with anything off of OK Computer. Its a spare song with spare lyrics you could legibly inscribe all the words on a napkin with much room to spare. Serving as an attachment to an anniversary re-release was probably the ideal placement for it. That being said, the song is good, and theres more to the song than its handful of lines might suggest. Spareness can be scary, and the constant termination of each line with I promise soon ceases to feel reassuring. Danger creeps into the picture, interspersed with irony and the indefinite: How desperate does one have to be to make so many promises, and who can tell how sincere all those commitments are when they are, or might be, coerced? In the end, a lesson is learned, and disaster is compounded by disastrous loyalty: Even when the ship is wrecked, I promise / Tie me to the rotten deck, I promise. Give OK Computer due credit for envisioning a future of boundless loneliness amid universal trade, transport, and communication, but I Promise, with its pledge of allegiance to terrible powers ones helplessly bound to, feels every bit as prescient and contemporary. Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez /Getty Images You can go out now. A quarter of a century after warning Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) that shell see him again in 25 years nice timing, Showtime Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) returned to the Red Room in the second episode of Twin Peaks: The Return to give him permission to finally leave. Its a smoldering, surrealist scene that will undoubtedly make fans of the original series squeal with joy, which culminates with Laura whispering yet another secret into Agent Coopers ear before flying off into an oblivion of curtains. Weve missed you and your screaming, girl! Earlier this week, we spoke to Lee about coming back to the show, smooching MacLachlan, and why searching for the shows true meaning is pretty pointless. It must be pretty exciting to be able to talk about your return to the show now. What Im enjoying more is being able to see what Davids been working on. Im a fan of his and of all of the other actors on the show, and I hadnt seen anything until the rest of the world saw it. Well, we had the premiere two days before, but that was the first time Id seen anything. So that, to me, is the most exciting part. As a fan myself, to get to see what magic hes created this time around. How did David let you know that the show would be returning? When I talked to Angelo Badalamenti last year, he said David actually came to his house to give him the good news. Not like that. I had heard rumors for a long time, so I didnt pay much attention to them. And then this time around I started hearing some rumors again, and they seemed to keep staying, and then I heard something from a cast member. I then either sent David an email or heard pretty quickly after that it was true. I dont remember exactly how it went down. I believe it was first an email exchange of yes, its true, more to come or something like that. Dont quote me on that because I cant remember exactly! Can you walk me through what was going through your mind during the very first take when you walked into the Red Room, being back together with Kyle once again? You know, the thing is because of the focus it takes to work in the Red Room, it keeps me so present and in the present moment, that yes, theres a little bit of surrealness. In one way it seems no time has passed, and in another way it seems as if lifetimes have passed. Especially in that Red Room, it kind of does that to you. [Laughs.] Of course working with Kyle is always a wonderful delight. Im such a fan of his work, hes absolutely brilliant. So it was wonderful to get to see him again. What I had to do in that scene required so much focus that it didnt allow for a lot of space in my brain to go back to the way it was before. I had to stay very present and focused on what I was doing now, if you know what I mean. I dont know what Im allowed to talk about and what Im not allowed to talk about! So Im just going to say when you work in the Red Room you dont work in the way you normally work, like if youre not in the Red Room. Its not scary, its just different, and has its own set of wonderful, creative challenges. Does that relate to the mechanics behind your backwards-talking, as well? Honestly, I dont know if Im allowed to answer that, either. So Im going to have to leave my answer with when you work in the Red Room, you work in a different way than when youre not working in the Red Room. What direction did David give you when you were actually filming your scene? The acting on the show is so specific to Lynchs world, Im curious what his directives are. It completely depends on what scene youre in. Hes a master at creating an environment where you really get to stretch creatively and go to places that you maybe wouldnt normally get to go to, and he created an environment that feels safe enough to do that. And at the same time he has a very, very clear vision of what he wants. So hes able to give very specific directions about that. During Laura and Coopers conversation about why shes still in the Red Room, Laura says that I am dead, yet I live. How did you interpret this? Youll see how I interpret it if you keep watching the show. [Laughs.] That will be revealed. You also have some slightly more CGI-heavy moments compared to the series initial run, like taking your face off. I had to have quite a bit of that before working with David, so nothing about those particular moments felt like it was the first time. I didnt take my face off necessarily, but I did have other moments that felt very surreal in that way, or that they went out of our everyday interpretation of what reality is or what reality looks like. For me, I know thats part of the wonderful creative experience of working with him, that you get to explore these other aspects of life, not just the physical plane of existence that we see with our eyes. Did you lose your voice from doing so many scream takes? Ive had to scream so many times for David, havent I? I learned 30 years ago how to take care of my voice on those days, thankfully, and to scream in the right way. What was like to make women across the world jealous by kissing Kyle? [Laughs.] I dont think of it that way. To me, hes this great guy that I get to work with. For me, the joy is in getting to work with him, and I dont think, Oh I get to kiss him, I think, Oh, I get to work with him. Hes a true gentleman. A true gentleman. Thats greatly appreciated in this day in age. And when you see it, you appreciate it so much. What does it mean to you that the show is back and thriving after 25 years? Getting to work with all of those people, like David and [co-creator] Mark Frost, and creatively being able to to be challenged and grow and to work with all of those artists in every department, its such an incredible group of artists. From the cinematographer to the sound to the editing to the art department, the actors, the writing. Its all so delightful to dive back into the world and see everybody again. Weve known each other for 30 years, a lot of us. Its certainly a relief that its being well-received, too. I was going to try to sneak a question about if well see Laura again later this season, but Ive been shut down so many times about plot-based questions. [Laughs.] Its not even like I know! Im watching it with you guys. I cant wait to see what happens on Sunday. Its like a dream world, its not meant to be dissected. And I really appreciate that. I feel showrunners are always obligated to do requisite post-episode interviews and such, and Davids clear reluctance to talk about anything in the narrative has been a nice breath of fresh air. Yeah. Part of whats so fun is that when each one of us looks at a painting, we draw a different meaning from it based on the lens on which we see it. We dont all listen to music the same way. We dont hear the same thing in the song. We all find different meaning, and not only do we each find different meaning individually, but we find different meaning at different times in our lives. I can reread a book now at 50 that I read at 25 and draw completely different meanings from it. And thats a gift of art. Thats one of the gifts of it there is room for all of these different interpretations, and then it ignites the viewers own creativity. This interview has been edited and condensed. At age 61, Percival Everett may have the lowest profile of any major American novelist now in his or her prime. Hes published more than two dozen works of fiction and poetry since 1983 and has won several awards of the sort that, like the Dos Passos Prize he took home in 2010, are reserved for deserving non-famous authors. He teaches at the University of Southern California, is published by the Minnesota independent press Graywolf, and, as the writer Justin Taylor remarked in a 2015 survey of his work for Harpers, is probably not coming soon to a bookstore near you. He grew up in South Carolina, the son of a dentist, and studied philosophy before entering Browns fiction program. Experimental is a label that sticks to the work of many who pass through Brown, and though it isnt misapplied in Everetts case, it doesnt tell you much. His work tends toward satire; his narrators go in for philosophical essaying; he toys with genre; and he does metafictional cultural comedy, often on matters of race. In the story The Appropriation of Cultures, from his 2004 collection Damned If I Do, a black slide-guitar player takes a request from some white frat boys to play Dixie one night at a South Carolina club, then buys a pickup truck with a Confederate-flag decal on the back. He takes his act, Dixie included, to local black audiences, and it catches on its fast enough to dance to. A reversal takes hold: Soon, there were several, then many cars and trucks in Columbia, South Carolina, sporting Confederate flags and being driven by black people. Black businessmen and ministers wore rebel-flag buttons on their lapels and clips on their ties. The flag disappears from the grills of 18-wheelers and from the top of the state capitol. Theres nothing like that sort of broad satire in Everetts tightly wound and slow-burning new novel, So Much Blue. Kevin Pace, the narrator, is a middle-aged painter of some mostly bygone renown, a husband and father of two, and a man with more than one secret. (Everett is also himself a painter and has published his paintings in There Are No Names for Red, a 2010 collaboration with the writer Chris Abani.) The first of Paces secrets is a giant canvas hes been working on for years in a locked studio on the grounds of his familys Rhode Island farmhouse; no one, including Kevins family, has seen it, and its become the subject of art-world gossip. Then theres the secret his 16-year-old daughter, April, told him: Shes pregnant and intending to get an abortion, but she doesnt want her mother, Linda, to know. Further in the past is his memory of an affair with a young French watercolorist named Victoire. The darkest of Kevins secrets has to do with things that happened when he and his best friend, Richard, visited El Salvador in 1979, on the eve of its civil war. This tangle of things he cant tell tortures Kevin, and the novel is the record of his agonizing about his own idealism, naivete, and guilt. The challenge Everett has set himself is to turn these cliched scenarios into a novel you cant stop reading. As a well-off black artist who lives in a largely white and tony New England interzone between town and country and sends his kids to private school, Kevin an alcoholic in long-term non-AA cold-turkey recovery is given to wry observations about class. Every day he walks in paint-splattered boots to grab a lunch of a couple of hot dogs at Frazars Feedstore, where on Saturdays and Sundays upscale ruralites and weekend equestrian-garment wearers would park their mostly German cars on the gravel yard and rub well-heeled elbows while drinking coffee from paper cups on the wide porch oblivious to the fact that the family who owned and worked the store fairly hated them. Kevin suspects the father of Aprils child might be a boy named Jason who works at the Feedstore. She disabuses him of the idea: For one thing, the Frazars are fake poor. Theyve got more money than anybody, but Jasons always throwing that blue-collar bullshit around. He lords the fact he goes to public school over everybody like hes hot shit. In their rickety 1960s pickup (more of the blue-collar bullshit: The family car is an Audi) Jason and his father deliver Kevin an overpriced stable fly suppression system basically a drum that spins and sprays insecticide centrifugally that he considers filling with caustic soda and using to erase his secret painting. He worries the corrosive effects might improve rather than erase the canvas. The novel proceeds in short chapters under three alternating headings: House, for the present; Paris, covering the affair and set around 1999; and 1979, the section set in El Salvador. In the Paris chapters, Kevin is marked neither as rich nor poor nor black but as an artist and an American. The affair lasts a week and requires a minimum of deception: Linda is more suspicious that hes relapsed with the bottle. Kevin realizes that by going to bed with a woman 25 years his junior hes both enacting a cliche and falling in love in a way that he never has with his wife. I felt guilt for feeling no guilt, he says. Victoire invites him for coffee with her mother, who knows hes a married man, and she tells him, You are too American. She asks if he loves her daughter, and he says, Oui, beaucoup. He knows, though, that theres no future for Victoire with him, that he wont manage to visit her in New York, and he could never, as she suggests, hire her to teach his children French. When she tells him her secret, that shes experienced depression in the past and attempted suicide, a new kind of guilt creeps in. But its the El Salvador sojourn thats the source of Kevins most haunting memories. The story has the elements of a comic thriller two poncy bohemian grad students go into the jungle to save their apparently drug-addled friend: Richards fuck-up brother Tad but the adventure isnt played for laughs. Kevin and Richard enlist the help of an American Vietnam vet living outside San Salvador, a sort of Rambo-for-hire nicknamed the Bummer, who tells Kevin, Dont worry, boy, we aint in Mississippi. Its hot like Mississippi, but it aint Mississippi. They set off with an M16 and other artillery in a Cadillac and come upon a village where a massacre has just occurred, and Kevin finds himself burying the body of a toddler lying dead in the road. Its not the only death he witnesses. There are echoes in So Much Blue of Don DeLillos The Names, with the shadowy doings mingling with the story of a failed marriage, and of Alberto Moravias Boredom and its jaded painter-narrator. Americans dabbling in politics, drugs, bloodsport south of the border; an American indulging in faithless love in Paris; class posturing among Americans in Rhode Island Everett has blended these disparate strands of an imagined life into a quietly beguiling novel. That hes constructed it on an edifice of cliches, sanded down and transformed into combustive elements, is a sign of his mastery of the form. *This article appears in the May 29, 2017, issue of New York Magazine. By Press Trust of India: By Vijay Joshi and Ammar Zaidi St Petersburg (Russia), June 2 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wrapping up his Russia visit on a high, today reaffirmed Indias commitment to reducing carbon emission under the Paris Climate Change accord, as he invited global businesses to invest in the world?s fastest growing economy, saying ?sky is the limit? for them. advertisement In a speech at an economic forum, and in a subsequent question-and-answer session, Modi made his case forcefully to frequent applause, as he touched on subjects as diverse as relations with China, terrorism, Donald Trump, the Vedas and the power of youth. He cleverly ducked a question from the moderator, U.S. TV network NBC anchor Megyn Kelly on whether he believed Russian President Vladimir Putins claim that Russia was not involved in influencing U.S. election results through hacking. "You have been talking at length about leaders like President Trump, Hillary Clinton, Chancellor Merkel and President Putin. Among such big leaders, I dont think, you need a lawyer like me," Modi said, to laughter and applause from an audience of several hundred at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that included the Russian president sitting next to him. The annual event was held at the sprawling conference center on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, Russias second- largest city and Putins hometown. Yesterday, Modi and Putin held a summit, and signed several agreements including a critical one to build two more reactors of a nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu with Russias help. Modis reply on hacking was the only moment that approached light-heartedness in his otherwise intense pitch for investment that was matched by terse replies by Putin on a range of prickly subjects such as Syria, his relationship with Trump, his support for Syrian leader Bashar Assad, U.S. sanctions against Russia and growing income inequity in Russia. Modi also sidestepped a question on which side he stood after Trumps decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change accord. In his reply, he quoted the Vedas to say that harming the environment is a crime, and milking nature is the right of the humans. "I have in simple ways stated a dream of new India. I have quoted from 5000-year-old Vedas to say that humans have a right to milk nature but have no right to exploit nature," he said, speaking in Hindi interspersed with English phrases. advertisement Modi said he was asked a similar question in Germany earlier this week, before the US decision was made public. At the time, Modi said, he had replied "Paris or no Paris, it is our conviction that we have no right to snatch from our future generation their right to have a clean and beautiful earth." His speech earlier, however, was almost entirely devoted to attracting foreign investment. He invited global businesses to invest in India, saying its market of 120 crore people provides vast opportunities from agriculture to defense, while being protected by political stability and a ?vibrant? judicial system. "The sky is the limit in India. You can venture here in any area you want (to do business)," said Modi, the first prime minister of India to attend the SPIEF forum, which is held annually in St. Petersburg. Modi said that his government?s journey toward developing India is built on investments in infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and services. "Fifty cities need metros, 500 cities need solid waste management and drinking water. Besides, India has the worlds second largest railway network. It needs to be expanded, upgraded technologically to make it safer and reliable. The clean India movement has embarked on a program to clean the 2,500 kilometer long Ganga," Modi said. advertisement All this provides immense opportunities for investment, he said. The market is open even for defence manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and medical devices. ?I invite you all. A nation of 1.2 billion people invites the world. The world?s oldest civilization invites you all,? he said. He said that in the last three years since he came to power, India has attracted $160 billion of foreign investment including $60 billion, the highest ever, in the last financial year. When pressed for comments on the US withdrawing from trade deals, Modi said, "India believes in open economy. It has taken all decisions in that direction." He added that in an era of globalisation, "we should help each other as much as we can. It will be better." PTI VJ ANZ ZH AKJ AKK AKK --- ENDS --- The following movies are showing at first-run theaters Regal Jewel 16 (RJ16), Starplex Galaxy 16 (SG16) and the Waco Hippodrome (WH). Letter grades for movies are from advance reviews; an NR means a movie was not reviewed. New in theaters B CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE Animated adaptation of the popular childrens book series Captain Underpants delivers a winsome, good-humored combination of mild rudeness, silliness and fun that should appeal to all ages. Rated PG. Mild rude humor. 1 hour, 29 minutes. SG16, RJ16. A WONDER WOMAN Gal Gadot shines as the title character in a superhero movie that doesnt stray from telling an entertaining story first and foremost. Rated PG-13. Some suggestive content, sequences of action and violence. RJ16, SG16, WH. Also showing C+ ALIEN: COVENANT Sequel to Prometheus and prequel to Alien proves an uneven blend of sci-fi horror and existentialism with plenty of scares, if lack of freshness from other Alien films. Rated R. Profanity, some sexuality/nudity, bloody images, sci-fi violence. 2 hours, 3 minutes. SG16, RJ16. C- BAYWATCH Charismatic Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron as crime-fighting lifeguards and occasional funny lines cant resist waves of crude humor and plot cliches in this film adaptation of the 90s televison series. Rated R. Frequent profanity, crude sexual content, graphic nudity. 1 hour, 56 minutes. SG16, RJ16. B THE BOSS BABY Credible sibling relationship/rivalry between a seven-year-old (Miles Bakshi) and a management baby (Alec Baldwin) sent from heaven proves the key in this family animation. Rated PG. Mild rude humor. 1 hour, 37 minutes. RJ16. D DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL The Wimpy Kid series takes a family road trip, but its more a joyless exercise in gross jokes than family-affirming comedy. Rated PG. Rude humor. RJ16, SG16. C EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING Chemistry between leads Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson cant overcome sodden dialogue and implausible characters in this romance between a teenager in a hermetically sealed home and the boy next door. Rated PG-13. Brief coarse language, brief sensuality, mature thematic material. 1 hour, 36 minutes. RJ16, SG16. C GIFTED Flat, disappointingly contrived drama about a custody fight between mother (Lindsay Duncan) and son (Chris Evans) over the brilliant niece (Mckenna Grace) that hes been raising. Rated PG-13. Profanity, some suggestive material, thematic elements. RJ16. B GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, VOL. 2 Silly, sarcastic and better than the original with the oddball team of galaxy-protectors proving characters to care about. Rated PG-13. Brief suggestive content, sci-fi violence. 2 hours, 16 minutes. RJ16, SG16. C+ KING ARTHUR: THE LEGEND OF THE SWORD Entertaining if jumbled and ultimately forgettable take on the King Arthur story has some winning special effects, occasionally smart dialogue and a charismatic Charlie Hunnam as the title king. Rated PG-13. Brief strong profanity, some suggestive content, sequences of action and violence. 2 hours, 6 minutes. RJ16. NR LOWRIDERS An East LA graffit artist finds himself caught between his art and the lowrider car culture of his father and ex-con brother. Rated PG-13. 1 hour, 39 minutes. SG16. C- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES Tired, bloodless fifth Pirates film with Johnny Depp suffers from ghosts of past, better films despite plenty of CGI ghosts moving the plot. Rated PG-13. Some suggestive content, adventure violence. 2 hours, 8 minutes. RJ16, SG16, WH. C+ SNATCHED Occasionally funny, but often lazy mother-daughter comedy that fits lead Amy Schumer, but largely wastes co-star Goldie Hawn. Rated R. Frequent coarse language, crude sexual content, brief nudity. 1 hour, 40 minutes. SG16. SPECIAL SCREENINGS BLUR CIRCLE Baylor director Chris Hansens drama about a woman struggling over a vanished child. 7 p.m. Monday. WH. JONAH: ON STAGE! Lancaster, Pennsylvanias Sight & Sound Theatre production of the Biblical story of Jonah. 11 a.m. Saturday. 1 hour, 50 minutes. RJ16. THE GODFATHER 45th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppolas masterpiece about a New York Mafia lord. 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday. RJ16. IN OUR HANDS: THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM Documentary on Israels surprising victory in the Seven Days War of 1967. 7 p.m. Tuesday. RJ16. Modi will hold talks with newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron on a host of key issues like terrorism, India's NSG membership bid and climate change. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reached France on the last leg of his four-nation tour. (Photo: Twitter | @narendramodi) By Press Trust of India: After wrapping up his Russia visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reached France on the last leg of his four-nation tour. Modi will meet Emmanuel Macron and discuss with the newly-elected French President key issues such as terrorism, India's NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) membership bid and climate change. "Reached France for a vital visit to enhance ties with one of our most important strategic partners," Prime Minister Modi tweeted after landing here. Reached France for a vital visit to enhance ties with one of our most important strategic partners. pic.twitter.com/m402KMDZc7&; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2017 advertisement During his France visit, Modi held talks with President Vladimir Putin and attended an international economic forum. Before Russia, Modi also visited Germany and Spain and held talks with the top leadership there. "France is one of our most important Strategic Partners. I look forward to meeting President Macron and have discussions on issues of mutual interest," Modi had said ahead of his visit. "I would be exchanging views with the French President on important global issues including UN Security Council reforms and India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council, Indias membership of the various multilateral export control regimes, counter-terrorism cooperation, collaboration on climate change and International Solar Alliance," he had said. France is India's 9th largest investment partner and a key partner in its development initiatives in the area of defence, space, nuclear and renewable energy, urban development and railways. "I am committed to substantially strengthening and advancing our multi-faceted partnership with France," Modi had said. Prime Minister Modi had also called up Macron to congratulate him on his poll victory last month and said he looked forward to work with him to further deepen the bilateral cooperation. 39-year-old Macron created history by becoming the youngest president of France. -With PTI inputs ALSO READ | Are you on Twitter? Noted journalist Megyn Kelly asks PM Narendra Modi, gets slammed on social media ALSO READ | Modi's four-nation Europe tour: PM arrives in Spain, aims to boost bilateral ties ALSO WATCH | PM Narendra Modi in Paris to hold talks with French President Macron --- ENDS --- The April snapshot of economic activity in Greater Waco was not a flattering picture, as the sale of homes and vehicles dropped, employment softened and general construction fell flat. For the second straight month, the Greater Waco Economic Index prepared by Amarillo-based economist Karr Ingham has declined, dipping from 125.4 in March to 125.2 in April. Putting the best face possible on the findings, Ingham wrote in his summary, the declines thus far in 2017, for the most part, are simply lower numbers this year compared to strong numbers and sharp year-over-year increases in April of a year ago. Ingham uses data dating to the year 2000 to gauge factors including spending, construction and employment. He prepares a monthly report for the First National Bank of Central Texas and the Tribune-Herald. The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerces Whitney Richter presents the findings to invited business leaders. Richter said the two-month slump in the GWEI should present no cause for alarm, and Wacos economy generally has performed well the past 60 months, with dips few and far between. General taxable spending in April fell by nearly 4 percent compared to the same month last year, and spending through the first four months of the year is essentially flat, Ingham said. The cities for which sales tax is aggregated and analyzed include Waco, Bellmead, Beverly Hills, Hewitt, Lacy Lakeview, Lorena, McGregor, Robinson, West and Woodway. The sale of single-family homes in Waco fell from 271 closings in April of last year to 213 this year, a decline of more than 21 percent, according to Inghams figures. Ingham also reported that, through April, 746 homes had been sold in Greater Waco, a drop of more than 6 percent from the 797 sold during the same period last year. But Richter said the local housing market has become so heated that homes often get sold before they appear on the Multiple Listing Services, so those transactions are not captured. She said Wacos home inventory has dropped to 2.3 months, which means it would take 2.3 months to sell all homes on the market at the current rate of sales. That is very low, next to nothing. There have been times when our inventory was eight or nine months, she said. This is definitely a sellers market, but some homes are not moving simply because would-be sellers dont know where they would find another house. Demand for homes continues to push prices upward, with properties sold in April carrying an average price of $186,306, which is 9.7 percent more than the $169,769 average last April. Construction of new homes in Waco was among the few bright spots in Inghams report. It showed permits were issued to build 48 homes in April, a jump from 35 the same month last year. For the year through April, 199 permits were issued, up from 123 in the same time last year. Kay Vinzant, executive officer for the Heart of Texas Builders Association, said the numbers would become even more impressive if they included home construction in Wacos suburbs and in the rural areas of McLennan County. Ingham reports only on construction in Waco city limits, saying information is not always available in other areas. Sales of new and used cars in April fell 12 percent from last year, while year-to-date spending through April has increased a modest 1.3 percent from the first four months of 2016, which in turn was up by more than 11 percent compared to the first four months of the previous year, Ingham said in his report. The industry is flat, but remember where we were a few years ago, said Ted Teague, general manager of the Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram dealership. Teague said sales in April suffered in comparison to those in the same month last year, but last April was the best sales month weve ever had. Were on pace to sell 270 units in May, which is a 9 percent increase over May a year ago. Permits issued for general construction in April totaled $17.7 million in value, well below the $66.8 million of April 2016. But Ingham said the April 2016 permit valuation total was the highest on record for the month of April and was up by over 80 percent compared to April of the previous year. The Waco economy created 2,100 jobs over the past year, representing a growth rate of 1.8 percent. That falls short of the 3.7 percent year-over-year growth rate of April 2016 and the addition of about 4,200 jobs over the preceeding 12 months. The jobless rate in April stood at 3.9 percent, up slightly from the 3.6 percent rate in the same month last year. Several representatives of local businesses attended the presentation of the index and commented on their sectors. Gayle Kiger, general manager of KCEN-TV, which broadcasts to Temple, Waco and Killeen, said the success of the station in generating revenue is tied to the car business. When they are doing well, we are doing well. He said KCEN-TV is enjoying a good year compared to many of its 46 sister stations owned by Tegna Inc., meaning the local economy is performing well. Mike Mosul, general manager of the Baylor Club in McLane Stadium, said the venue continues to attract new members, showing a net increase of about 120 so far this year. Longtime dance instructor Jody Grant-Edelson was honored during a surprise event on April 30. More than 100 past students, peers, family and friends attended the reception, held at Jenni Holleys Dance Studio. Grant-Edelson taught dance to thousands of students for more than 50 years, beginning in Mart in the 1960s. The Jody Grant Dance Studio in Waco produced many dancers who went on to Broadway, Hollywood, Branson and Atlantic City, to name a few. Grant-Edelson was an award-winning choreographer, teacher and mentor to many. Several of her dancers continue today as choreographers, performers and studio owners. The local theater community called on her for advisement and mentoring for many years for events at McLennan Community College, Baylors Sing production, Waco Civic Theatre, Waco Junior League, Midway High School, Waco High School and Richfield High School. The Jody Grant Dance Company performed throughout the community, dancing at the Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo, the Veterans Affairs hospital and nursing homes. Vicki Grant, Kimberly Branch Klaras, Melinda Henderson and Holley hosted the event. Grant-Edelson was presented a proclamation from the city of Waco for her contributions to the fine arts through dance and theater. A Georgetown biker, who was frustrated after his trial date was passed over last month in favor of another Twin Peaks defendant, got a new trial date Friday, but its four months later than he wanted. Judge Ralph Strother of Wacos 19th State District Court denied a request Friday from Millie Thompson, an attorney for Thomas Paul Landers, to reinstate his trial date in July and instead set it for Nov. 2. Landers, 60, a founding member of the Escondido motorcycle group and an active motorcyclists rights advocate, is among 155 bikers indicted on first-degree felony charges of engaging in organized criminal activity, with underlying offenses of murder and assault. Landers had been set for trial in July. However, at a hearing last month, prosecutors made it clear they want Jacob Carrizal, of Dallas, a member of the Bandidos group, to be the first of the Twin Peaks bikers to go to trial. Strother went along with them, setting a Sept. 11 trial date for Carrizal. Unfortunately for Landers, that bumped him from his July trial setting, as prosecutors continue to receive evidence from analysts and deliver it to defense attorneys. Strother and 54th State District Judge Matt Johnson have agreed to try biker cases on an alternating monthly basis. So Strother set a Nov. 2 trial date for Landers. Matthew Clendennen, of Hewitt, a member of the Scimitars group, is set for trial in 54th State District Court on Oct. 9. We asked for a July trial setting in February, your honor, Thompson said. We were supposed to be the backup trial to Carrizal if that fell through. How did we end up without a trial setting in July? Because the court took it away from you, Strother replied. Thompson called the system unfair and said she is considering appealing the judges orders. I think that they are right, Thompson said after the 20-minute hearing. Judges and the courts do have discretion over their trial dockets. There is a problem, however, when the state in any way dictates what that order is going to be. There is case law on that. Thompson said the case has been hanging over Landers head for more than two years now, and every delay increases his anxiety level and that of his family. You lose sleep. Everyone loses sleep, Thompson said. They are not sleeping regularly like you are, plus the effect it has on their family. What does chronic anxiety do to people? They rushed to arrest these people. They rushed to set outrageously high bonds and kept them in jail for weeks, and they rushed to indictment. Now, it is complicated about who they actually want to try, and they are letting one particular defendant out of 150-something decide the order of trial. It doesnt seem fair. Landers, a board member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists and chairman of its legislative task force, has said previously that he arrived at Twin Peaks on May 17, 2015, prepared to give an update about the recent legislative session to the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents. Landers said he and his groups, which include veterans, Christians and service-oriented groups, have worked closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Transportation, legislators and other agencies about issues relating to bikers. Though an off-campus fraternity party perpetuating stereotypes in anticipation of Cinco de Mayo made national headlines last month, Baylor University officials are continuing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Conversations on faculty diversity have picked up at Baylor in recent years. As faculty discussions and disagreements unfolded, research also started on best practices. A written report on findings from a campuswide climate survey is expected later this year. We believe that leadership entails inclusive leadership, which means understanding not just diversity because we know there is difference in numbers but were creating an environment that all of our students feel included, valued and represented, said Elizabeth Palacios, dean for student life development and the special assistant to the president on diversity. Images from the fraternity party ignited social media. Attendees wore sombreros and serapes, and others dressed as construction workers for the event dubbed Cinco de Drinko, according to the Baylor Lariat. There were also reports of attendees wearing brown paint on their faces and chanting Build that wall, referencing a promise from President Donald Trump to build a wall along the United States-Mexico border. The fraternity was suspended by Baylor and by its national chapter while officials investigate. Palacios said the event was not a good end to the semester, but it was a teaching moment that brought together students affected by the stereotypes. Hundreds took to the center of campus condemning the party, with some telling stories of personal experiences with racism and others thanking their parents who work multiple jobs to send them to Baylor. It was affirming that our students are going to be saying, This is not OK, and we want to make sure you understand why, Palacios said. It wasnt about hostility and anger. . . . Telling your own story is just so powerful. About half of all faculty and staff and about 10 percent of students this year took the climate survey, which featured questions on experience and perception. The student survey participation number reflects the fact that students had also taken a Title IX climate survey, said Lori Baker, an associate anthropology professor and vice provost for strategic initiatives, collaboration and leadership development. In January, the provosts office announced an Opportunity Hiring Program that will allow six to eight additional faculty appointments intended to attract top talent that will also increase faculty diversity and representation of women in science, technology, math or engineering fields. If (students) see faculty that are like themselves, they can see themselves being in that role one day, Baker said. Its very hard to imagine yourself in a role when you dont see anyone else like you who are successful in those roles. Baker experienced the feeling when she first interviewed for a Baylor position in a room in which she was the only woman. And I thought, Ill never be in administration here because Im not represented, she said. Its the same with our students. According to a report from 2015, Baylors full-time faculty was 87 percent white and 61 percent male at the time. Texas population in 2014 was 38.6 percent Hispanic and 12.5 percent African-American, but all ethnic minorities made up just 13 percent of Baylors faculty, according to the report. At that time, ethnic minorities made up 38 percent of faculty at the University of Texas at Austin 28 percent at Texas Tech University and 21 percent at Southern Methodist University. As university committees and task forces explore diversity, academic departments with little diversity sometimes see professors overworked with administrative projects. We havent had a lot of tenured females in the sciences so you feel this need to give that representation, Baker said. But it ends up being that youre over serviced, doing a lot more than your colleagues, which can make you unsuccessful in the things that are actually measured in academia. Baker and Palacios were pleased with administrative support for diversity initiatives from former President Ken Starr and former interim President David Garland, even as the university navigated a sexual assault scandal. Based on their research, the most successful university presidents are the ones that come out and say, I am the chief diversity officer. Im the one thats saying this is important to our campus, and this is why, Baker said. President Linda Livingstone, who completed her first day in the role Thursday, outlined her commitment to diversity during an interview in April. As you look across our campus, diversity of our faculty and our administration, particularly around gender and ethnic diversity, are certainly not what you might expect at a university and certainly not as diverse as our student population is, and that matters to students, Livingstone said. When they dont see people in the classroom or see people in administration that look like them or have backgrounds similar to them, they can sometimes feel that maybe they dont fit in as well as you would like for them to. As of fall 2015, 58 percent of Baylor undergraduates were female, and 35 percent were from ethnic minority groups. Baylors graduate school had similar numbers. Cultural humility training sessions, which have increased for faculty, staff and students, are not about walking on eggshells or practicing political correctness, Palacios said. They are about cultivating understanding. Our students have to understand not just about diversity but the value and the benefits of understanding other cultures and appreciating and respecting other cultures, Palacios said. When we talk about cultural humility, its a journey for a Christian faith-based university that were going to learn more about, which means we will always continue to improve. Benny McNiel Dec. 31, 1936 - May 30, 2017 Benny Mack McNiel Sr., of Moody, was 80 years old when he passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at a local hospital. Funeral services will be at 12 p.m., Saturday, June 3, at Moody Church of Christ, 1506 Ave D., Moody, with David Echols officiating, with burial to follow at Moody Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 2, at Moody Church of Christ. Benny was born in Bell County on December 31, 1936, to Jimmie and Arty McNiel. He married Peggy Donaldson on June 29, 1957 in Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Peggy; sons, Benny Jr. of Waco, and Jamie of Moody, Texas; daughters, Karen Hilton of Richmond, Texas, and Sharon Calabrese of Waco; and six grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to Team Garth "Outlaw" Goodwin - Make checks payable to Waco Firefighters Honor Guard. In the memo line please put Movember/Garth at 1016 Columbus Ave, Waco, TX 76701 or any charity of your choice. Online guestbook and obituary at www.scanioharperfuneralhome.com. Scanio-Harper Funeral Home Temple, TX 76504 (254) 899-8888 By Press Trust of India: (EDS: Updating with fresh inputs) St Petersburg (Russia), Jun 2 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attended the first ever collective meeting with the governors of 16 regions of Russia here and reaffirned his vision that relationships between the regions of the two countries were a vital part of nurturing bilateral ties. On the second day of his official visit to Russia, Modi held wide-ranging talks with the governors of 16 regions. advertisement "The Prime Minister reiterated his vision that relationships between regions and provinces of two countries are a vital part of nurturing the bilateral relationship. He recalled warmly his visit to Astrakhan province of Russia in 2001, as Chief Minister of Gujarat," a Prime Ministers Office statement said. The governors explained opportunities for increasing interaction, people to people, and business links between their provinces, and India, it said. "Strengthening bonds w(with) Russias regions. PM @narendramodi attends first ever collective meeting with Governors of 16 regions of Russia," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted along with with a photo of the meeting. Those who attended todays interaction with Prime Minister Modi included governors of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Astrakhan Oblast, Irkutsk region, Moscow region, Primorye Territory, Republic of Kalmykia, Tatarstan, St. Petersburg, Sakhalin Oblast, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Tomsk Oblast, Tula Oblast, Ulyanovsk Oblast, Khabarovskiy Krai, Chelyabinsk Oblast, and Yaroslavl Oblast. Several matters of mutual interest and cooperation were discussed during the meeting. Earlier, Modi along with Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Modi addressed the large gathering of business leaders at the Forum, where India was the guest country for the first time. PTI ZH ASK AKJ ASK --- ENDS --- Sylvia Porter, also known as Lannie, was called home to join her loved ones on Monday May, 29, 2017, in Houston, Texas. Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 3, at Antioch Baptist Church. Modi said that his government's journey toward developing India is built on investments in infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and services. By Press Trust of India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today invited global businesses to invest in India, saying its market of 120 crore people provides vast opportunities from agriculture to defense, while being protected by political stability and a "vibrant" judicial system. "The sky is the limit in India. You can venture here in any area you want (to do business)," Modi told a global audience in his plenary address at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) here. advertisement This is the first time that an Indian prime minister is attending the SPIEF forum, which is held annually in St Petersburg, Russia's second largest city and President Vladimir Putin's hometown. Putin, who addressed the session before Modi, also spoke of Russia's attractiveness for investors, pointing out the technological advancements of its youth. FOCUS AREAS Modi said that his government's journey toward developing India is built on investments in infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and services. "Fifty cities need metros, 500 cities need solid waste management and drinking water. Besides, India has the world's second largest railway network. It needs to be expanded, upgraded technologically to make it safer and reliable. The clean India movement has embarked on a program to clean the 2,500 kilometer long Ganga," Modi said. All this provides immense opportunities for investment, he said. In agriculture, he said his emphasis is on "seed to market", increasing yield through technological intervention, organic farming and value addition through food processing. The market is open even for defence manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and medical devices. "I invite you all. A nation of 1.2 billion people invites the world. The world s oldest civilization invites you all," he said. Also read: Are you on Twitter? Noted journalist Megyn Kelly asks PM Narendra Modi, gets slammed on social media India, Russia ink key pact for 2 nuke power units in Kudankulum Also watch: Modi, Putin sign key pacts, including on Kudankulam project, during St. Petersburg annual summit --- ENDS --- Refusing to be drawn into a debate on whether he supported or was opposed to President Donald Trump's action, Modi said he will take the side of the future generation. By Press Trust of India: Hours after US President Donald Trump walked out of the Paris climate accord, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reiterated India's commitment to reducing carbon emission and leaving an earth which is "beautiful and pure" for the future generations. Refusing to be drawn into a debate on whether he supported or was opposed to President Donald Trump's action, Modi said he will take the side of the future generations and held the view that mankind cannot exploit nature. advertisement In a speech to global businesses gathered for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), he quoted the Vedas to say "exploiting of the nature is a crime but milking of the nature by humans is a right." Later, when the moderator asked which side of the climate change debate he stood, and whether he disagreed with Trump's stand, Modi remained diplomatically neutral. "I have in simple way stated the dream of 'new India'. I quoted from 5000-year-old Vedas to say humans have a right to milk the nature but have no right to exploit it," he told the gathering in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi said he was asked a similar question in Germany earlier this week, before the US decision was made public. At the time, Modi said, he had replied "Paris or no Paris, it is our conviction that we have no right to snatch from our future generation their right to have a clean and beautiful earth." "We should leave to new generation an earth that is beautiful and clean," Modi said. "I don't think I should go this side or that. This subject is of future generations and I would go towards future generations." "It is part of our thinking and for that reason we do not believe in exploitation of the nature. We people do not have the right to take more than necessary from the nature," he said. Hours earlier, Trump had announced that the US was withdrawing from the Paris climate change deal, which had been agreed by more than 190 nations. The US president said the agreement unfairly benefited countries like India and China. WHAT INDIA IS DOING Modi said India is investing massively in renewable energy and it has set an ambitious target of adding 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022. "This does not include nuclear energy but is only solar, wind, biomass and hydro (power)." "This is because we are moving ahead as a responsible country while protecting the environment and this is our very old commitment," he said. Modi recalled his days as chief minister of Gujarat, much before global warming was discussed or Paris agreement was even discussed. He said Gujarat was the fourth government is the world which had set up a department for environment protection. advertisement "This is our commitment, and we are moving forward based on this commitment," the prime minister said. By distributing 40 crore LED bulbs, India has in the last three years saved energy "which will help the humankind in environment protection," he said. "I invite you all, 125 crore people of the country are inviting you, the world's most ancient nation is inviting you for economic development ... In the spirit of 'Sky is the limit', I once again invite you," he told the business leaders. Also read: PM Narendra Modi invites the world to invest in India, says sky is the limit India, Russia ink key pact for 2 nuke power units in Kudankulum Also watch: Modi, Putin sign key pacts, including on Kudankulam project, during St. Petersburg annual summit --- ENDS --- Loading International reaction has largely been to blast Trump's unilateral move and call for nations to hold their nerve and climate commitments. But the absence of US leadership makes its less likely nations will pledge deeper cuts at the Paris review due in 2018. As it is, current promises would probably deliver 3 degrees of warming this century rather than the 1.5-2 degrees limit versus pre-industrial levels agreed at Paris. Scientists recently modelled the difference for Australia of that half degree, and found the chances of a repeat of the 2016 mass coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef soar to 64 per cent in any year at 1.5 degrees of warming and an 87 per cent at 2 degrees alone. What's next? The Trump administration may be opting for the Paris exit ramp but major US states such as California and New York and many cities say they will stay the course. Financial markets, too, are making their own calls, which is why investors such as BlackRock have declared "coal is dead". New coal-fired power plants in Australia are viewed as "unbankable" given the need sooner or later to price carbon emissions. Still, Trump's other efforts to reverse US climate action such as his plans to cut low-emissions technology research make curbing warming and swapping fossil fuels for renewable energy that bit more expensive for the rest of us. Major Crime Squad detectives are investigating the death of a four-month-old baby girl in the state's South West. The baby died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Sunday after being taken to Bunbury Regional Hospital two days earlier. Police are investigating the death of a baby in Bunbury. Credit:Michele Mossop Nine News Perth reported the child was found unresponsive in her Capel home on May 26. The baby's parents, an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, are assisting police with their enquiries. The trial of the sophisticated missile was successful and the mission objectives were met. By Press Trust of India: India today successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army. The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near here at around 9.50 am, official sources said. advertisement The trial of the sophisticated missile was successful and the mission objectives were met, they said. The Prithvi-II missile is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target with precision and accuracy. The state-of-the-art missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC) and monitored by the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise, a DRDO scientist said. "The missile trajectory was tracked by the DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha," the sources said. Teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown. In salvo mode, two Prithvi-II missiles were successfully test fired in quick succession from the same base, on November 21, 2016. Inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003, the nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Also read: Tejas successfully test-fires derby air-to-air beyond visual range missile Defying world pressure North Korea fires another missile that lands in sea between Korea, Japan --- ENDS --- By India Today Web Desk: Priyanka Chopra is travelling the world for the promotion of her latest Hollywood movie release, and with each appearance she's giving us more and more fashion goals to die for. Her recent Jonathan Simkhai dress is a case in point. PeeCee donned the dress for a Baywatch promotional event in London. Also Read: Priyanka Chopra reveals why her Met Gala outfit gave her nightmares advertisement Anybody familiar with Simkhai's work would know how he's been playing with net to add allure to his apparels. The blue dress PeeCee wore also has the exhuberant peek-a-boo effect with net patches on her neckline, waist and skirt. The little areas highlighted with pink provide a beautiful contrast. Picture courtesy: Instagram/priyankachopra The intricate self-detail on the dress is packed with drama. We love how it fits the torso and accentuates PeeCee's figure. Add to that the cold-shoulders, and you have a dramatic and chic appearance. Also Read: Priyanka Chopra spills blue magic at the Baywatch premiere Picture courtesy: Instagram/neha_bhatt Picture courtesy: Instagram/neha_bhatt The fact that PeeCee isn't wearing any accessories is equally loveable--the dress is so complete already that we feel it doesn't need anything more. The open-toe stilettos are simple and chic enough to be the perfect match for such a detailed dress. Overall, we're loving the way PeeCee is looking throughout her Baywatch promotional tour--and we're glad there's so much more to come. --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: Mumbai Jun 2 (PTI) In fire fighting mode following doubts over Reliance Communications loan repayment capability, Anil Ambani today sought to reassure investors saying the debt- laden telecom firm has been given a reprieve of seven months to service its debt. This is a part of a strategic debt restructuring (SDR) programme that a consortium of lenders has invoked for the company that is saddled with Rs 45,000-crore debt. It is a restructuring programme of the Reserve Bank involving conversion of debt to equity. advertisement The RCom Chairman addressed the media here in a rare appearance following pressure from lenders over its ability to service debt. The crisis management comes within days of leading credit rating firms Fitch, Moodys, ICRA and CARE downgrading the company. "Our plans have been accepted by the lenders and they have constituted a joint lender forum (JLF). Reliance Communications, under the provision (SDR), will receive a standstill on serving debt obligations for a period of seven months, that is, till December 2017," Ambani told reporters here today. Elaborating on how the company planned to pare debt, he said RCom will receive Rs 11,000 crore from sale of its tower business to Canadian firm Brookfield Infrastructure . This along with the merger of wireless business of RCom and Aircel, to form a new entity called Aircom, will enable the company trim debt by nearly 60 per cent. "Both the transactions, we believe, will lead to a reduction of Rs 25,000 crore of debt, which is 60 per cent by just two transactions," he said. Terming RComs debt reduction as the largest in the history of India, Ambani exuded confidence that the company would be able to conclude the two deals by September this year, well before the December deadline. He said in the seven-month period, the lenders will not convert the companys debt into equity. "There is no plan B... our plan B is plan A," he said when asked what would the company do if the two proposed deals failed to materialise. In case the company fails to meet the deadline, the lenders would convert debt into equity. "It is only right for the lenders to keep all options open. At the end of December, they have options to do whatever form of restructuring they want to do," he said. Ambani asserted that such a situation would not arise as RCom is already doing what the lenders want, that is, bringing in buyers for the two crucial assets. advertisement He said the company met with lenders today and presented its plans for a strategic transformation. The lenders took note of the "substantial progress" that RCom has made on strategic transformation plan, especially creation of a new independent wireless company focused on India and the agreements signed with Aircel as well as Brookfield, he added. Both domestic as well foreign lenders have accepted the companys plans. Moreover, he said, the company is also looking at strategic sale of global business, including Global Cloud Exchange (GCX). Other options for paring debt include sale of DTH and real estate assets. Together these would help "the new RCom" -- the residual entity after the wireless vertical merges with Aircel -- reduce its debt, Ambani said. He also expressed disappointment on the downgrades by rating agencies but said "we will continue to engage with them and restore the credit rating (of RCom) at the earliest". The problems being faced by RCom are the result of a crisis in the telecom sector and unforeseen events, he said seeking government support for the industry. RCom CFO Puneet Garg warned that the telecom industry may see up to 40,000 job losses this year and rued that the sector is among highest taxed in India. advertisement The cumulative tax incidence is nearly 33 per cent of revenue, the company said pitching for reduction in levies like licence fee and a longer moratorium on deferred spectrum payments. Ambani, however, said RComs two deals will be carried out irrespective of any government action with regard to a financial relief for the sector. RCom has been reeling under a slew of rating downgrades over the last few days and its stock has tanked amid reports that it failed on its debt serving obligations towards 10 or more local banks. The company last week reported its first ever annual loss of Rs 1,283 crore for the fiscal ended March 2017, against a net profit of Rs 660 crore in 2015-16. Like its larger rivals, RCom too has been hit hard by intense price war unleashed by Reliance Jio, owned by elder brother and Indias richest man Mukesh Ambani. The companys shares ended the day at Rs 20.65 apiece, down 0.4 per cent from the previous close on the BSE. PTI HV AP MBI RKL MKJ --- ENDS --- advertisement India and Russia had signed in October last year a deal worth over $5 billion on the Triumf air defence system. By India Today Web Desk: On second day of his three-day stay in Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and both the leaders agreed to strengthen ties between the two old allies. One of the highlights of Modi-Putin meeting in St Petersburg was the deal between the two nations for two additional nuclear power reactors in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu. Apart from this, Russia also said that it was preparing to supply S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems to India, a move which would provide India a strategic edge over neighbouring countries Pakistan and China. advertisement Precontract preparations underway on the supplies of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile complexes to India, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters in St Petersburg. "It is difficult to say yet how much time they will take. There is an agreement between governments and now we are simply discussing the terms," Russia's official Tass News Agency quoted Rogozin as saying on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to this Russian city. India and Russia had signed in October last year a deal worth over $5 billion on the Triumf air defence system. The defence deal also involved collaborating in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The deals were announced following talks held between Modi and Russian president Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Goa. ALL ABOUT S-400 MISSILE SYSTEM The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. It is capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. The S-400 is Russia's latest and one of the most advance missile defence systems in the world at present. The Triumf was inducted by Russian defence forces in 2007. China was the first international customer for Russia's S-400 missile system in 2015. On the other hand, Pakistan has no such missile defence system to match the firepower of Russian S-400. ALSO READ: Russia doesn't have tight military ties with Pakistan: Putin tells Modi Why the world is worried about this 'unstoppable' hypersonic Russian missile Are you on Twitter? Noted journalist Megyn Kelly asks PM Narendra Modi, gets slammed on social media Units 5, 6 at Kudankulam nuclear power plant to cost Rs 50,000 crore WATCH: Modi, Putin sign key pacts, including on Kudankulam project, during St. Petersburg annual summit --- ENDS --- After the caste clashes between the upper caste and the Dalits, Saharanpur has now driven a wedge in the newly constituted National Commission for Minorities. By Siddhartha Rai: Saharanpur might have burnt and then simmered for a while before the local administration got a grip on the caste violence between upper caste Rajputs and Dalit Jatavs, but now it has also driven a wedge in the newly constituted National Commission for Minorities (NCM). The sole female member of the minority rights watchdog of India said on Wednesday that the commission was set to visit the UP town next week. But a disowning dissent of sorts came swiftly when the head of the body Gairul Hasan Rizvi, former general secretary of BJP Minority Morcha, told Mail Today that no such permission had been granted by the commission or him and it was a personal initiative by a member. advertisement NCM member Sulekha Kumbhare, who took her designation on the panel recently, said on Wednesday that members will tour the strife-torn Uttar Pradesh town after their first meeting and will assess whether any community was treated unfairly. "All the team members will visit Saharanpur next week to assess ground realities. Justice should be ensured. But, we need to check the factual position first," the former Maharashtra minister had said. According to Rizvi, the logic behind Kumbhare's proposed visit to Uttar Pradesh, is that she is a Buddhist and the presupposition is that there are many people within the Dalit community who are converted Buddhists. It must be reminded that, Buddhism has been the favoured religion to convert to by Dalits, apath chosen by Babasaheb BR Ambedkar and then emulated by Dalit communities. When asked if the SC/ST Commission should have paid a visit to the town, Rizvi told Mail Today: "The SC/ST Commission should visit Saharanpur. But our newly appointed woman member Ms Sulekha Kumbhare wanted us to visit as she is a Buddhist and there are many Buddhists among the Dalit communities. But, it must be understood that there is no such permission from the Minority Commission. The Commission has not approved any such visit to Saharanpur. As the chairman, even I didn't give any such permission. She is a Buddhist therefore she must have given such a statement in the media. But the Commission has not taken any such decision to go to Saharanpur." The cycle of violence in Saharanpur began on May 5 when a man was killed, several people were injured and around 25 homes set ablaze in Shabbirpur village. Though Kumbhare said the NCM will work like a bridge between the Centre and communities, she also pitched for educational as well as financial empowerment of minorities. ALSO READ | Saharanpur: Day after fresh clashes kill one, Yogi government says nobody will be spared ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi plans to visit Saharanpur, district administration tells Congress leader you can't advertisement ALSO WATCH | Saharanpur: Man creates ruckus over Rahul Gandhi's meeting Dalits in violence-hit district --- ENDS --- Senior accused in racist attack withdraws from U of Kentucky By The Associated Press Jun. 02, 2017 | 07:54 AM | CARBONDALE, IL Southern Illinois University officials say nearly 80 employees are losing their jobs, and dozens more could be affected as the school struggles financially due to the ongoing state budget impasse. The Southern Illinoisan reports that Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell wrote a letter to the Carbondale campus community Wednesday saying that officials have been trying to identify $19 million in permanent reductions since March. He says they've also been trying to account for the first of 10 annual payments to reimburse funds spent this year that the university didn't receive because of the impasse. Colwell says the campus expects to give over 50 civil service employees layoff notices. Two non-tenure-track faculty members have received layoff notices, and nearly 25 more were informed their contracts wouldn't be renewed. ___ Information from: Southern Illinoisan, http://www.southernillinoisan.com By India Today Web Desk: If he is Bollywood's most eligible bachelor, she is one of the most good-looking heroines of the recent times. And when these two decide to come together for an event, you cannot help but expect sparks to fly. If their on-screen chemistry has won the hearts of many, their off-screen camaraderie has often grabbed eyeballs. And that's exactly what happened at IIFA event. Photo Courtesy: Milind Shelte advertisement Salman and Katrina, who are currently busy shooting for Ali Abbas Zafar's Tiger Zinda Hai, came together for an event In Mumbai, and the paparazzi went crazy clicking their pictures. Photo Courtesy: Milind Shelte Photo Courtesy: Milind Shelte Interestingly, the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor found it too hard to take his eyes off Katrina throughout the event, and these pictures are a proof of it. Photo Courtesy: Yogen Shah Clad in an orange and black dress, Katrina looked stunning. And Salman had eyes only for her. Photo Courtesy: Milind Shelte A few years ago, Salman and Katrina were rumoured to be dating, but the two always remained tight-lipped about their relationship status back then. And after five years, Salman and Katrina are set to come together on 70mm once again. And going by their chemistry in these pictures, it is hard to wait for the film. ALSO READ: Are Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif giving their relationship another chance? ALSO READ: Ex-lovers Salman-Katrina should DEFINITELY sign another film post Tiger Zinda Hai. Here's why ALSO WATCH: Katrina Kaif talks about working with Salman Khan in Tiger Zinda Hai --- ENDS --- Two men who say they're college students in West Virginia face charges after 4 pounds (1.81 kilograms) of high-grade marijuana were mailed to a former fraternity house. WSAZ 19-year-old Eric Nguyen and 23-year-old Andrew Gifford were arrested shortly after the package was delivered Wednesday to a Huntington residence that housed Marshall University's local Pi Kappa Phi chapter. According to criminal complaints from Cabell County Magistrate Court, both men told a judge they attended the university, which the university hasn't confirmed. Court documents say police found marijuana, digital scales and several thousand dollars in Nguyen's bedroom, which led to more marijuana found during a raid of Gifford's apartment nearby. Both are charged with possession with intent to deliver or manufacture a controlled substance. Gifford is also charged with conspiracy. Nguyen's bond is $100,000 and Gifford's is $125,000. It's unclear if they have lawyers. The school says the members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity voted at the end of April to surrender its charter to their national organization. The chapter is no longer recognized as a student organization at Marshall. By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Jun 1 (PTI) US President Donald Trump and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the disputed South China Sea has a strategic significance for the international community and any "unlawful" restriction on the freedom of the seas will destabilise peace in the Asia-Pacific region. The two leaders underscored the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas, amid Chinas expansionist behaviour in the disputed region. advertisement They affirmed their support for the peaceful resolution of disputes - "without threat or use of force or coercion" - in accordance with the international law, according to a joint statement issued after their meeting here yesterday. The two leaders urged "all parties" involved in the South China Sea dispute to implement their "international legal obligations in good faith" and refrain from actions that would escalate tensions, such as the militarisation of disputed features. Trump stressed that the US will "continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows." Phuc is the first Southeast Asia leader to visit the White House since Trumps presidential inauguration in January. Vietnam could emerge as a key player in the USs long-term Southeast Asia push aimed at neutralising Beijings influence in the South China Sea, where China has territorial disputes with several countries, including Vietnam. Ironically, Phucs visit to the US comes at a time when Trump has appeared to have relaxed his strings on China after reportedly securing business deals with the country he accused of manipulating currency during his presidential campaign. Trump, however, yesterday reaffirmed the USs commitment to the US-ASEAN Strategic Partnership, and to supporting common efforts in developing a rules-based ASEAN community and ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional grouping of 10 Southeast Asian states. It promote Pan Asianism, intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic and political integration amongst its members. The US president said the US and Vietnam were already in discussion on some major topics, including trade. "Theyve just made a very large order on the US and we appreciate that, for many billions of dollars, which means jobs for the US and great... equipment for Vietnam," he said. Phuc said ties between Vietnam and the US have undergone significant upheavals in history, but they have also improved a lot. He said he was "very impressed" with Trumps "openness and friendliness." The two leaders also expressed their concern for North Koreas nuclear and ballistic missile programme, which, they said, violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions and escalate tensions in the region. advertisement Reaffirming their support for denuclearising the Korean Peninsula, they called for strict implementation of all relevant UNSC resolutions against Pyongyang. PTI LKJ ABH --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: (Eds: With additional inputs) Kochi, Jun 2 (PTI) BJP chief Amit Shahs three-day Kerala visit, with an aim to strengthen the partys base in the southern state ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, started today. BJP leaders said Shah, who attended the core committee meeting of the party, took stock of the partys organisational progress in the state and reviewed the steps taken in view of the 2019 general elections. advertisement Addressing a meeting of the leaders, workers and office- bearers of the BJP in the state, Shah said the saffron party, which had won several Assembly polls in the country after the 2014 Lok Sabha election, will not be "fully satisfied" till it won the Kerala Assembly polls. He added that the southern state was "important" in the BJPs strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The BJP chief is eyeing to win at least a few of Keralas 20 Lok Sabha seats in the aftermath of the saffron party increasing its vote share substantially to 16 per cent in the state in the 2016 Assembly polls. It, however, managed to win only one seat in the Assembly election. It had drawn a blank in Kerala in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In his address, Shah accused the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala of practising the "politics of violence" and said the BJP will give a "befitting reply" to the perpetrators of attacks on its workers in the state through "democratic and legal means". He alleged that 13 BJP-RSS workers were brutally murdered after the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government came to power in Kerala. "I wish to tell Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the lotus will continue to bloom in Kerala as long as your party continues with its violent attacks on our workers," said Shah. Extending "full support" of the partys central leadership to its workers in the southern state, he said the BJP would fight legally and in a democratic manner to ensure justice for those party workers who had lost their lives due to CPI-Ms "violent" politics. Earlier, the BJP chief sought to reach out to a significant section of the minority Christian community in Kerala. He met Bishops, including the head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal George Alencherry, seeking to build bridges with the minority community, which accounted for 18-20 per cent of votes in the state. A Syro-Malabar Church spokesperson said the meeting was organised as per Shahs request and urged not to read politics in it. advertisement He said at the meeting, the Bishops urged Shah for effective intervention of the Centre for the release of a Catholic priest from the state, Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted by ISIS terrorists in Yemen last year. Shah, who arrived here amid a raging row in the state over the Centres notification banning sale and purchase of cattle at the animal markets for slaughter, also attended an NDA meeting in which senior leaders of the BJP-led alliance in the state were present. He is slated to attend various party programmes at the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, tomorrow and the day after. PTI TGB RC RC --- ENDS --- Last week, accused Siddhant Ganore killed his mother Deepali by slitting her throat and then writing a message on the floor with her blood, "Tired of her, catch me and hang me", he also added a smiley below the message. By Saurabh Vaktania: In the case involving the murder of the wife of a Mumbai police inspector, the accused, their own son, was on Friday remanded to judicial custody. The police did not seek further custody claiming that they have enough evidence and the accused has himself confessed to the crime. Last week, accused Siddhant Ganore killed his mother Deepali by slitting her throat and then writing a message on the floor with her blood, "Tired of her, catch me and hang me", he also added a smiley below the message. advertisement Deepali was discovered lying in a pool of blood by her husband, police inspector Dnyaneshwar Ganore, at their Vakola residence in suburban Santacruz. Dnyaneshwar was one of the investigating officers in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case. Police officials revealed that Siddhant was a bright student till standard 10, but later began to keep to himself and not interact much with people. His parents tried to help him but they were not successful. Siddhant, who was studying in an engineering college, shifted to BSc, but even then he was not happy. Siddhant Ganore, prime accused and son of the victim. Siddhant has claimed that he was tortured a lot by his parents where his studies were concerned, and that his parents often fought with one another. He is remorseless about the murder and feels relieved now. On Friday he was produced before the court, where it was revealed he is ready to give his confessional statement in front of the magistrate. The police also said that they have enough evidence, like his bloody clothes, fingerprints and most importantly his confession, to charge him. "Siddhant is ready to give his confessional statement in front of magistrate judge. It will be very saddening thing where son will give confessional statement of killing his mother. Therefore the case stands very strong now. There is nothing much to prove. Once the cops submit chargesheet, it will come on trial," a police officer said. Siddhant has been remanded to judicial custody till June 16 after which video conferencing through Arthur Road Jail will take place. Also Read: Son of Mumbai cop, who was probing Sheena Bora case, detained for mother's murder by Jodhpur police Mumbai cop's son murders mother, writes note with her blood: Tired of her, catch and hang me --- ENDS --- Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Premise: The character of Wonder Woman first appeared in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as a mystery figure who appears just in time to help the duelling heroes defeat the all-powerful freak-monster created by Lex Luthor. Director Patty Jenkins, left, and actress Gal Gadot arrive at the world premiere of "Wonder Woman" at the Pantages Theatre on Thursday, May 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) This film is her origin story, in which we find young Diana (Gal Gadot) being raised on a timeless island of Amazon warriors without a man in sight. Against the wishes of her mother, Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), shes taken under the wing of her fierce aunt Antiope (Robin Wright) for warrior training. When American spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crash-lands near the island with a horde of German soldiers in hot pursuit, Diana chooses to follow her destiny to leave the island and accompany Steve on a mission to stop the war in Europe, notwithstanding an armistice deal being struck by British politician Sir Patrick (David Thewlis). Diana was reared in a Greek Gods belief system, demonstrated when she matter-of-factly explains to Trevor: My mother sculpted me from clay and Zeus gave me life. She suspects the war is at risk of continuing due to the surreptitious intervention of a disguised Ares, the god of war. Dianas best suspect is Ludendorff (Danny Huston), a ruthless German officer working on a poison gas capable of wiping out millions, invented by the facially deformed Dr. Maru (Elena Anaya), whose deadly proficiency in her toxic arts makes her a kind of anti-Wonder Woman. The verdict: Randall King: Call director Patty Jenkins the Wonder Woman of the DC film universe in that she managed to offer up a coherent and cohesive movie narrative, the first time thats really happened in the latest iteration of DC movies, encompassing Man of Steel, Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad. Erin Lebar: When watching Wonder Woman, its almost immediately clear a female director is at the helm. Gadot, who is possibly the most stunning woman alive, is not forced into a role of objectification due to her beauty, but instead is given the chance to harness it and find strength in it. Yes, she still wears the minimal armour first illustrated in the comic books, but even that, given the development of the character, feels more empowering than sexualized. Randall: Gadot is indeed well cast for the title role. The only other significant motion picture Wonder Woman was Lynda Carter in the TV series (1975-79). While that show was created around the time of Gloria Steinem-era feminism (the very first edition of Ms. magazine in 1972 featured her on the cover with the headline Wonder Woman for President), the TV series hedged its bets by making her a bit of a sex kitten. Sure, she could knock down bad guys with her fighting skills, but it seemed her secret weapon was distracting them with her cleavage. Erin: Distracting is a word they used many times to describe Gadot, as well, but in a more derogatory way youre too distracting, or youre a distraction. She seemed to brush it off pretty quickly, though, and continue on with the task at hand like, Sorry if Im distracting you, but that sounds like a you problem and not a me problem, which is a refreshing approach. I also appreciated the fact Gadot is never nude, and the same cannot be said for her male co-star Pine; it felt like an odd sort of milestone. As did the fact she was wearing relatively flat shoes the typical stiletto boot was swapped out for a modest wedge, which may not seem like a big deal, but for women who know what its like to try to run in pumps, its another small victory. Randall: Gadot is beautiful but much more formidable, which may have something to do with her two years of service with the Israeli Defense Forces. Where Carters default facial expression was the disarming, come-hither smile, Gadots, as in the last shot of the film, is grim determination with a hint of purposeful pleasure. Erin: As an aside, Robin Wright is such a badass and this role was the perfect fit for her (minus the questionable accent work) she was 20 per cent Princess Buttercup and 80 per cent Claire Underwood, which is exactly what youd want an Amazon army leader to be. Randall: As a man, Im inclined to give a shout-out to Pine, who handles what could have been a thankless role with some finesse, and demonstrating the good-vs.-evil dynamic doesnt follow gender lines. Erin: Wonder Woman is a lot of different films its a mythological movie, a superhero movie, a war movie and a rom-com, but the narrative doesnt feel disjointed or drawn out; the hefty 141-minute running time is filled out well, very little of it is spent beefing up the romantic storyline which, really, was only there because it had to be. Randall: Agreed. You wonder if Jenkins learned a lesson from Zack Snyders Superman movies in which the Lois Lane-Clark Kent romantic subplot is just achingly awkward. Erin: Here, that lack of time spent on love scenes was another welcome reprieve from the norm instead of romance driving the plot, it was the duty Diana felt she had to fulfil. There was no damsel in distress, or whatever the male equivalent would be; everyone held their own and are better people for it. Randall: There is a back-alley scene in which Diana saves Steve from German assassins by employing her bullet-proof bracelets, which seems a deliberate callback to the first Superman movie in which Clark Kent saves Lois Lane from a muggers bullet. Its not ostentatiously feminist though, and a lot of that has to do with how Pine plays it. He doesnt feel threatened by Dianas prowess. One, he realizes shes more likely to save him than vice versa, so he very practically goes along with it. Erin Lebar: For me, watching a well-done superhero film with not just one, but a cast of strong women in leadership roles, was an unexpectedly heartwarming experience. I found myself grinning as Diana unapologetically stormed into boardrooms and onto battlefields, demanding change, action and empathy, metaphorically flipping the bird to anyone in her way. It seems silly that in 2017 a movie such as this and a character such as Gadots Wonder Woman should conjure up a strong feeling of liberation, but knowing and seeing the effort was made to make a film of substance and one that likely will make a cultural impact, rather than just modernizing the cliches, is incredibly satisfying. Randall King: I dont think its silly at all. Look who sits in the White House instead of a strong, capable, experienced woman. The movie may be mostly set in 1918, but current reality makes it entirely topical, even if it is a fantasy. erin.lebar@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @NireRabel randall.king@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @FreepKing If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. Erin Lebar Manager of audience engagement for news Erin Lebar spends her time thinking of, and implementing, ways to improve the interaction and connection between the Free Press newsroom and its readership. Read full biography Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Brent Piniuta readily admits hell never be mistaken for a salty dog, a tag given to those who spend an inordinate amount of time sailing the seven seas. Sure, he was fascinated by tales about pirates and naval battles when he was a kid growing up in St. Norbert. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Artifacts in Brent Piniuta's collection from the Invincible which sank in 1758. And yes, he enjoyed gluing model boats together in his bedroom, then setting them afloat in the retention ponds that dot the south Winnipeg neighbourhood where his family lived. But when it came to rollicking in the waves at one of Manitobas or northwestern Ontarios myriad lakes and beaches, Piniuta could never bear the thought of, as he puts it, stepping into water in which living things might lurk. Even as recently as five years ago, when my wife and I would go camping with our two girls at Rushing River, everybody would be telling me to join them (in the water), and Id be like, Im OK, right here on the sidelines, Piniuta says, seated in the dining room of his Fort Richmond bi-level. Given that bit of information, how on earth, then, did the 45-year-old project manager wind up on an open fishing boat in May 2016, preparing to descend to the bottom of the Solent, a 32-kilometre-long strait that separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England? Its a safe bet the answer to that question is one of the best ocean yarns youre going to read all day. In May 1979, on an evening when a seven-year-old Brent Piniuta would probably have been tucked in bed with a page-turner about Blackbeard, Captain Kidd or some other legendary, waterlogged looter, Arthur Mack, a life-long fisherman who calls Portsmouth, England home, was trawling in the Solent five or so kilometres from shore when his net got snared by something resting on the shallow seabed, 10 metres below his boat. (Tribune Media) After a bit of a struggle, Mack was able to free his line. When he raised the mesh to the surface to survey the damage, he spotted a large, weathered piece of oak timber entwined in the netting. While most fishermen would have simply tossed the board back into the depths and gone on with their catch, Mack decided to hang onto it because, as he told his friend John Broomhead a few days later when he showed him the section of lumber, he had a feeling about this one. Mack had always been fascinated by old wooden ships, Broomhead says when reached at his home on Hayling Island. Mack told Broomhead he was fairly certain what hed turned up was a treenail, a type of peg or dowel that was commonly used by shipbuilders in the 1700s to fasten large pieces of wood together. So with visions of sunken treasure dancing in his head, Mack asked Broomhead, an amateur sport diver, if he would mind having a look for him. Between June 1979 and April 1980, Broomhead visited the site of Macks discovery close to 20 times. Because of the objects size about 60 metres in length he was able to confirm it was a ship that had largely broken up and was now resting on its side, almost entirely entombed in sand. Also, because many of the artifacts he was uncovering were marked with a broad arrow a symbol used to denote an item as Kings property he was convinced the vessel must have served in Britains Royal Navy, presumably under King George II. As for its identity, neither he nor Mack could fathom a guess. To help solve the mystery, the two men, along with a marine archaeologist named John Bingeman, began spending a fair bit of time at their local library, trying to determine what types of crafts would have traversed the Solent and whether any were unaccounted for or still reported as missing. An engraving of the HMS Invincible, a 74-gun ship built in 1744 but captured by the British. (Supplied) For a brief spell, they believed theyd found the remains of HMS Impregnable, a 98-gun, Royal Navy vessel that was launched in 1786 and had wrecked 13 years later. But after conducting more research, they came across a document penned by that ships captain that indicated the Impregnable had gone down closer to Langstone Harbour, a fair distance away from where their ships final resting place is. The trios big break occurred on May 30, 1981, when a team of divers involved in the underwater expedition chanced upon what Broomhead refers to as an old tarred sailcloth. Affixed to the material was a 20-centimetre-long tally stick, a thin, finished piece of wood that was usually pinned to accessory articles stored in a ships hold, with a brief description written on it as to what the item-in-question was, exactly. After bringing the tally stick ashore, it was cleaned up enough that the words Invincible Flying Jib 26 x 26 No 6 were clearly visible. That settled it, Broomhead, Mack and Bingeman concurred; the ship theyd spent two years investigating was HMS Invincible, a two-deck, 74-gun third rate that departed England on Feb. 19, 1758 bound for present-day Nova Scotia. The ship, which was built in France in 1744 and captured by the British three years later during the First Battle of Cape Finisterre, was slated to take part in the historic Seige of Louisbourg when it slammed into a sandbank an hour into its journey. While everybody aboard managed to escape safely and continue onto North America in a different boat, the Invincible, once described as the fastest ship in the English fleet, was eventually claimed by the sea. Diving photos of gun powder barrels, hull frames, loose artifacts and timber from the Invincible. I picked this up on eBay a few years ago; this is what got me interested in ships and history in the first place, Piniuta says, holding up a dog-eared copy of A Ladybird Book About Pirates, a 50-page kids book he figures he flipped through dozens of times in the library at Parc La Salle School, when he was a youngster. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A copy of the book Piniuta read as a youngster in the library at Parc La Salle School. I was in Grade 1 or 2 when I spotted it on the shelves, and though I cant remember exactly, it was probably the vivid artwork that captured my attention right away. Lots of seven- and eight-year-old boys are interested in pirates and shipwrecks and whatever, and I was definitely one of them. At age 12, Piniuta began asking his parents to order books for him about famous naval battles that helped shape Canada, as well as other countries around the world. The year he turned 16, he travelled to England with his grandparents to visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, home of HMS Victory, a flagship that was famously captained by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, or Lord Nelson. By the time he was in university, he had amassed a sizable collection of naval-related tomes, and had become an authority on historic clashes such as the Battle of Trafalgar. I took a break from the hobby in my 30s, says Piniuta, who used to volunteer his services at the Manitoba Museums Nonsuch Gallery. Id put all my books away and at one point I was even thinking about getting rid of every last one of them. Then one day in 2010 I was on the Internet and stumbled upon somebody who was selling some lead musket balls that had been recovered from the wreck of a ship called the Invincible, which Id never heard of before. I checked out the guys website and found out that (the Invincible) was a ship that was coming over from Britain to fight the French in Nova Scotia when it sank. I was immediately interested and wanted to learn more. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Artifacts in Brent Piniuta's collection from the Invincible which sank in 1758. Piniutas curiosity led him to a second website www.invincible1758.co.uk which, as it turned out, is maintained by Broomhead. In addition to news about how his mate happened upon the ship in the first place, as well as a detailed account of LInvincible, as it was known before it fell into the hands of the Brits, there were also dozens of photographs of bowls, buttons, gun carriages even shoes that had been recovered through a series of sanctioned, archaeological excavations. Piniuta found the subject matter so compelling, he began reaching out to Broomhead via phone, email and Skype. Soon, Broomhead was sending Piniuta items hed collected from the Invincible things such as ropes, pulley pins and sections of barrels. (Piniuta laughs when he mentions at one point in time, anybody found to be in possession of something denoted as Kings property would have been tried and executed. Fortunately what happened is the (British) government granted a licence to remove artifacts (from the Invincible), so anybody having the property now doesnt have to worry about being arrested, he says.) In 2012, Piniuta and his wife Melanie paid a visit to Broomhead at his home on Hayling Island. While they were standing on the shore, looking out towards where the remains of the Invincible lay, Broomhead joked that if Piniuta had packed some diving gear, they could have gone and had an up-close look at the relic themselves. Piniuta reiterated to his friend he was averse to all-things-aquatic, and that while Broomheads offer was indeed tempting, he was a confirmed landlubber. But in 2014, by which time hed joined Englands National Archeology Society, Piniuta decided to cast his inhibitions aside, and, if Broomhead was still willing, take him up on his offer, after all. "Wow, I'm really here, and I'm really going to do this": Brent Piniuta on the boat. (Submitted) After Id officially made up my mind, one night over dinner I told Melanie first I was going to learn how to scuba-dive, and second I was going back to Hayling Island to see the Invincible. I think her response was something along the lines of, Youre going to do what? Piniuta completed four weeks of diving lessons at the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex pool on Sargent Avenue in July 2014. After acing a written theory test, he and 12 other students drove to West Hawk Lake in September 2014 to take their practical exam. It was nerve-racking, to say the least, he says. West Hawk (Lake) is cold, its dark, its murky the exact opposite of the conditions of a swimming pool. It felt like that movie The Abyss, but after Id done it, and nothing tragic had happened, our instructor told us if we could dive there, we could dive anywhere in the world. By the time Piniuta arrived on Broomheads doorstep for the second time in May 2016, he had 18 dives under his belt. (Because the wrecks location had been placed on a federal list of most at-risk heritage sites in 2013, Piniuta, Broomhead and Bingeman, who, at the age of 82, also agreed to participate in the dive, needed written permission to visit the wreck.) From left, Arthur Mack, John Bingeman, John Broomhead prepare for the dive. The weather was terrible on the days leading up to it, but when we got out of bed the morning of the dive, it was absolutely beautiful outside. The water was clear and calm and we couldnt have asked for better conditions, Piniuta says, flipping through a journal of photographs he compiled, documenting the momentous event. That said, I was so excited thinking, Wow, Im really here and Im really going to do this, that the night before (the dive) I got maybe an hours sleep, tops. Piniuta credits his long-standing interest in ships and the countless hours hed spent poring through reference material for the feelings of familiarity he experienced once he reached the remains of the Invincible via a reel-line that Dan Pascoe, the current licensee of the wreck, had installed beforehand. Because I know how ships are built, while I was down there I could piece together in my mind what I was looking at; how a certain piece of wood was part of the deck and how another piece made up the keel. I was probably in the water for 35 minutes altogether and later that afternoon, after wed returned our (dive) gear, we stopped by Arthurs house to reminisce about the day and what wed seen. I was absolutely in my glory. To be with these fellows who are so well-versed in the topic and to have seen things with my own eyes that Id only read about in books and on-line truly, theres nothing better. My being there completed the entire picture. Piniuta is lending his collection to the Naval Museum of Halifax. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) This is my man-cave, which I guess is more of a man-closet, Piniuta says, touring a visitor through a 60-square-foot room in his basement where most of his treasures are housed. In my opinion, collections are no good if theyre sitting, stacked away somewhere. People have to interface with them to enjoy them and appreciate them. In that way, Im really no different than somebody who collects records or stamps or whatever else. Ships just happen to be what I gravitate towards. "My wish is that other people look at these pieces with the same intrigue and wonder that I do," says Brent Piniuta. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) In an effort to give as many people as possible the opportunity to learn about the Invincible, Piniuta got in touch with Richard Sanderson, the director of the Naval Museum of Halifax, and floated the idea of lending his collection to the museum for public consumption. The museum accepted my offer and I will soon be packing items in a military tote and shipping them to Halifax, which I take as an incredible honour, he says. Of equal significance and importance, this artifact loan enables me to promote the start of a new archaeological excavation of the Invincible wreck that began on May 22 and is set to last until 2021. The Invincible story has direct association with the history of Canada, so Im thrilled to help give the latest project international recognition on this side of the Atlantic. In my opinion, collections are no good if theyre sitting, stacked away somewhere. People have to interface with them to enjoy and appreciate them. Broomhead, the person responsible for the bulk of Piniutas cache, couldnt agree more with his Canadian counterparts decision to display items connected to the Invincible in Halifax, a stones throw away from where it would have anchored, had it completed its voyage 255 years ago. My wife and children have had so much of the Invincible over the years that none are really interested in my collection. Im getting on a bit and at 68 years old, I want my treasures to go somewhere where they will be appreciated and admired by current and future generations, Broomhead says. There is nowhere I would rather they be than with Brent and in Canada. Who knows? Perhaps one day funding might be available for me to visit the exhibition myself. Piniuta understands his lot will be displayed in the Royal Navy section of the museum, which is housed on the second floor of Admiralty House. He says the timing is perfect, since his collection fits in with the museums current mandate to highlight the history of Englands Royal Navy. Piniuta doesnt believe hell have time this summer to visit the Maritime province and interact with people viewing his prize possessions. And while he and his family fully intend to make the trip at some point, there is something else the father of two hopes occurs, even more. My wish is that other people look at these pieces with the same intrigue and wonder that I still do, he says, gently handling a bone knife handle he guesses would have belonged to an officer, because your average crew member probably would have eaten with his hands. Plus, you never know. Maybe some other seven- or eight-year-old boy or girl out there will see this stuff and go, Wow, is that ever cool, and it will help shape what their interests are, the same way that book about pirates shaped me, when I was a kid. david.sanderson@freepress.mb.ca JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Artifacts in Brent Piniuta's collection from the Invincible which sank in 1758. Looking back at dive boat before going under JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Artifacts in Brent Piniuta's collection from the Invincible which sank in 1758. (Supplied) The project team at the University of Winnipeg tally stick investigation. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Artifacts in Brent Piniuta's collection from the Invincible which sank in 1758. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Artifacts in Brent Piniuta's collection from the Invincible which sank in 1758. Arriving at the dive site (Submitted) Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An ordinary midlife marriage is thrust into odd and unpredictable crisis in this indie comedy-drama, a very grown-up take on love and sex from American writer-director Azazel Jacobs. Mary and Michael (Debra Winger and Tracy Letts) work at unsatisfying cubicle jobs and live in an unremarkable suburban home. Each is conducting a serious affair, Mary with Robert (Game of Thrones Aidan Gillen), a moody, intensely devoted writer, and Michael with Lucy (Big Loves ), a dancer with a volatile streak. Debra Winger and Tracy Letts in The Lovers. (Robb Rosenfeld / A24) Both spend a lot of evenings working late and neither really cares about the others absence, a state of polite indifference that gets jostled by an upcoming visit from their grown son, Joel (Tyler Ross). Michael and Mary decide, independently, that after the visit they will make a clean break and leave the marriage. Before that can happen, however, an accidental spark somehow reignites their relationship and they find themselves cheating on their lovers with each other. Suddenly, their decades-long marriage takes on the seductive lure of the secret and illicit. Michael and Mary sneak off, abandoning their demanding, difficult lovers for erotic afternoon assignations, heating up the previously chilly sheets of their marital bed. This is a neat little premise, suggesting those old Hollywood comedies in which married people fall in love all over again, like The Awful Truth or My Favorite Wife or The Palm Beach Story. But it plays out in wonderfully messy ways, blowing up romcom tropes with the disorienting power of absurdist theatre. The story rides a tonal teeter-totter. Is The Lovers screwball Pinter or an unusually existential romance? It can be bleakly funny or deeply sad. It is quintessentially American in some ways, all strip mall parking lots, sterile offices and tract housing, while occasionally suggesting the weary sophistication of French cinema. Debra Winger and Tracy Letts in The Lovers. (Robb Rosenfeld / A24) Jacobs is never over-explainy about the roots of the couples discontent or about the pivotal moment that brings them back together. His dialogue is deliberately banal at times, with long, heavy silences. But the often opaque story, characterization and dialogue are fleshed out and how! by the incredible work of Winger and Letts, who are both unabashedly middle-aged and frankly sexual, a combo rarely seen in American movies. Winger, known for a string of 1980s hits, including An Officer and a Gentleman and Terms of Endearment, brings that familiar husky voice and grounded presence to a complex, prickly role. Letts, a playwright and screenwriter who gave a mesmerizing performance in last years Indignation, embodies baffled American manhood. Not exactly a date movie the title is richly ironic and ambiguous The Lovers isnt much of an advert for monogamy or for adultery, for that matter, which often seems less like an escape and more like an opportunity to replicate past mistakes. Jacobs may be pessimistic about marriage a la mode, but he retains some qualified optimism for his characters, with a bruised tenderness for the storys central quartet, all flawed and flailing but trying, somehow, to move forward. alison.gillmor@freepress.mb.ca If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 02/06/2017 (1987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Johnson Waste Management Ltd., the second-largest commercial solid waste service provider in Winnipeg, has been sold to GFL Environmental Inc. Toronto-based GFL is a large Canadian environmental services company also with operations in southeastern Michigan. It has a workforce of 4,500 employees and 80,000 commercial and industrial customers and provides waste collection services to more than 2.5 million households. Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press files Johnson Waste Management is a family-owned business started by Eric Johnson and his sons Jeff and Grant in 2000. Johnson Waste Management is a family-owned business started by Eric Johnson and his sons Jeff and Grant in 2000. Starting with three desks, three telephones and no customers, it became the second-largest commercial waste hauler in Winnipeg. Johnson Waste has been a recognized market leader in Manitoba for its customer service and committed management team led by the Johnson family. GFL and Johnson Waste share the same philosophy and desire to bring innovation and service excellence to our customers, Patrick Dovigi, GFLs founder and CEO, said in a prepared statement. We are excited to have Jeff Johnson and all the employees of Johnson Waste join the GFL team. GFL will start servicing the City of Winnipeg municipal collection contract in October 2017 and, with its acquisition of Johnson Waste, will continue to offer Johnsons customers a full range of waste hauling services.